Jim is one of those very smart people who not only writes good books, but also understands how the industry works. He looks at the larger picture around him and that shows up in his fiction, too. I should tell you that I basically read Libriomancer in one sitting and came away with feeling three things. […]
My Favorite Bit: Jim C. Hines talks about Libriomancer Read More »
Today I had a writing date out at Mary Anne Mohanraj’s and took the train out. It’s a nice ride and I can usually get some good work done. I got around 800 words done on the train, tossed my computer back in my bag and walked up to her house, plotting what I was
My poor damp computer Read More »
I just spent the past hour watching the Mars Rover Curiosity’s approach, entry, descent and landing on Mars. MARS. OMG MARS. I started laughing and crying, when I saw the tweet from @MarsCuriosity: I’m safely on the surface of Mars. GALE CRATER I AM IN YOU!!! #MSL I am so — I mean. This is science.
Mars, The Wizard of Oz, and Dorothy, too. Read More »
In honor of the upcoming Mars Curiosity Rover landing, I offer you a video with language that is not safe for work, but I think is pretty accurate for what is actually running through people’s heads. Also, it makes me laugh. Is anyone else staying up to watch the live feed of the Mars Curiosity
Video: We are on the f**king moon Read More »
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Valour & Vanity draft: 7 Read More »
In the process of researching for Valour and Vanity I ran across this piece of criticsm of Lord Byron’s first book of poetry, Hours of Idleness. He brought it out from a small press when he was nineteen and it comprised poems that he wrote while in school. It received a scathing and highly sarcastic review
Lord Byron’s response to a really bad review. Read More »
If you are reading along, I just decided to make a structural change and moved a couple of scenes several chapters earlier. You’ll need to start reading at “Vincent seemed to expand as he drew an angry breath,” in Chapter 5 to get the new scenes. Chapter 6 is almost entirely new. Chapter 7 is
Chapter 7 is posted, with a structural shift Read More »
Puppetry has been commenting on politics since, probably, they first appeared. Punch and Judy was initially known for its social commentary, more than its violence, and was the Saturday Night Live of its day. The Republicans have banned them from the Convention “zone.” “Their components are not allowed inside the event zone,” Andrea Davis, spokesperson
Tampa Officials Ban Puppets In Republican Convention Event Zone Read More »
I’ve just posted Chapter 6 for those of you reading along. In other news, it is warm here. This is useful because I was just writing a scene in which my characters were next to a giant oven. I could channel the sweat and call it “research.” I much prefer “researching” gowns. Or gelato. I
Chapter 6 is posted Read More »
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Valour & Vanity draft: 6 Read More »
For those of you reading along, Chapter 5 is posted. I spent most of my drive to and from Chattanooga working on the novel, without actually jotting anything down. While I know that there’s the ability to use voice recognition software, I actually find it incredibly useful to just daydream scenes. The side effect of
Chapter 5 is up, plus plotting while driving Read More »
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Valour & Vanity draft: 5 Read More »
I will, occasionally, insert things into my novels strictly to amuse myself. My rule is that I can slide these private jokes in only if they don’t interrupt the story. In Shades of Milk and Honey, I managed to fit Doctor Who into the Regency. Oh, yes. I’m not kidding about this. He’s easy to spot
Hey! You got your Doctor Who in My Regency. Read More »
This week’s book is vN: The First Machine Dynasty by Madeleine Ashby. Amy Peterson is a self-replicating humanoid robot known as a VonNeumann. For the past five years, she has been grown slowly as part of a mixed organic/synthetic family. She knows very little about her android mother’s past, so when her grandmother arrives and
My Favorite Bits: Madeleine Ashby talks about vN Read More »
For those wondering why I made the trip to Chattanooga this week, it’s two fold. The less interesting one, but the one requiring a cargo van, is that I needed to bring some furniture back home — family pieces that we aren’t using now. But the reason I’m coming home this week is because tonight
Allied Arts’ Harrison to be honored tonight — That’s my mom! Read More »