Rob and I were coming back from a date night, taking the Blue Line home on one of the bitterly cold nights last week. There was a couple two seats in front of us with luggage, who looked as if they were coming back from O’Hare. They were sitting at that place on the train
In which Rob and I rescue someone from being harassed on the train. Read More »
People ask me a lot how I find time to write, given how busy I seem. Today’s chapter was an example of writing in the cracks of time. I was out for most of the day. I had my hair done — Took my computer and wrote in the chair. Went to the fabric store
Finding space to write in the cracks of time + Chapter 21 is up Read More »
There’s a new chapter up for those of you reading along. It has some of the material that I moved when I rewrote 19, but there are some emotional tone shifts because of the move. Still, if you read the old chapter 19, you can probably skip the last scene. But I do have a
Chapter 20 is up, for those of you reading along. Read More »
Illogicon was an amazing and fun convention. It’s at that sweet spot in size, where there are enough interesting things happening to be constantly fun, but not so large that you get lost. The programming was good and everyone was super nice. Somehow, I also got about 6000 words written over the course of the
Home again, plus new chapter! Read More »
I’m having a great time at Illogicon. There are truly wonderful people here and yet, somehow, I managed to get writing done today. I expect the rest of the weekend will be less productive on the fiction front. MEANWHILE — For those of you reading along, Chapter 19 is up. For those of you who want
Chapter 19 is up + ready for new readers Read More »
Here’s my schedule for Illogicon iii in North Carolina. I’ll be the Guest of Honor with Lawrence Schoen and we shall have such fun. Friday 5 pm – Schmoozing 101 – Reynolds 9 pm – Smutty Fanfiction – Smith Saturday 11 am – Diversity in F&SF – Smith 2 pm – The Intersection of Puppetry and SF – Smith
My schedule for Illogicon iii in Raleigh, NC. Read More »
After a couple of frigid days, sitting inside, I’m getting caught up on all sorts of things. In particular, there’s a new chapter for those of you reading along. I’ve had some queries from folks who want to join in. I will want more people, but not quite yet. I’ll post a call when I’m
Chapter 18 is up, for those of you reading along. Read More »
Laura Lam is joining us today with her novel Shadowplay. Here’s the publisher’s description. The circus lies behind Micah Grey in dust and ashes. He and the white clown, Drystan, take refuge with the once-great magician, Jasper Maske. When Maske agrees to teach them his trade, his embittered rival challenges them to a duel which could
My Favorite Bit: Laura Lam talks about SHADOWPLAY Read More »
As a way to get some practice in, I’m recording answers to questions about writing and I’m using a puppet to do it. Here’s the answer to question #1. I am trying to find someplace in my apartment that gets the camera, which is on my computer, high enough to practice but that isn’t backlit.
Snotti the Puppet answers Writing Question #1 Read More »
As we kick off the New Year, it’s time for the traditional look back on what I published last year, but this year requires a little bit of annotation because there’s a curious question about audiobook fiction. First the list. Novel Without a Summer – This was book 3 in the Glamourist Histories. Short Story
What I published last year, and the whole audio question. Read More »
One of the things that I didn’t know going into this was how long a book contract was. It’s a small detail, but it’s good to know. My book contract is 30 pages. <–This is why I have an agent, so I don’t have to negotiate all of that, because yuck. We are not doing
Mini debut author lesson: So much paper in a contract Read More »
I’ve had quite a long break since I last posted a chapter for Of Noble Family and, in fact, those of you reading along still aren’t getting a full chapter. I’ve had to do some structure things which mean that you’re getting a new scene at the end of Chapter 17 as well as a rewrite
New material for OF NOBLE FAMILY READERS Read More »
When I’m teaching writing, one of the things I talk about puppetry a lot. In particular, I talk about the way it taught me to practice and how I apply that to fiction. It’s why I like taking classes that will stretch my skill set. I’ve been a professional puppeteer for over twenty years. Most
My audition for the Sesame Street puppetry workshop. Video and results. Read More »
“Let him have all the perfections in the world, I think it ought not to be set down as certain, that a man must be acceptable to every woman he may happen to like himself.” — Fanny Price in Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park In fain was her “Pray, sir, don’t–pray, Mr. Crawford,” repeated twice over,
Rereading MANSFIELD PARK, and realized the entire novel is an essay on “No, means no.” Read More »
One of the neighborhood kids just rang the front bell and asked if we wanted our porch, steps, and walk shoveled for $10. I said, “Yes, but let me make sure I have cash.” As I was running upstairs, I heard him go, “Yes!” I imagine the fist-pump, but I’m sure it was there. I
The delights of a neighborhood. Someone else is shoveling my walk right now Read More »