Being a writer, that is. No matter what kind of writing someone does, there’s the writer-brain watching in the background, observing and taking notes. Which gets really interesting when I’m doing something like, oh, reading about late-medieval/early Renaissance Florence, around the time the republic of Florence was crumbling. The authors are listing out the factors Read More…
The Writer’s Toolbox – connecting the dots
Not that I’m in the least opinionated, but I think that putting pieces together into the whole is one of the writer’s tools that needs a lot more focus. Why? Well, even though a book can stand, and even succeed, with a major weakness somewhere, unless the author does something about that weakness as they Read More…
Wacky Wednesday – the robot armpit edition
Yes robot armpits. Apparently instead of merely synthesizing the appropriate hormones – which we can detect at levels lower than we’re consciously aware of, and respond to without thought – someone is making a robotic armpit. I don’t know about you, but this gives whole new vistas of terror to the prospect of ending up Read More…
Teaser Tuesday
A little something else from that which is my current WIP Since neither one was a particularly potent demon, nervousness made sense: just about anything that attacked here would be capable of at least doing considerable damage, possibly even sending the pair of them back Below. That wasn’t a prospect any demon liked, and the Read More…
Mad Science Monday – the Roman lead coffin edition
Sunday Pot-pourri
Well, the refreshed system is mostly behaving nicely – most of my applications came back with no (or minimal) hiccups once I had the right things installed. I have two irritations: the online game I play for relaxation (an all-ages MMORPG called Wizard101) has acquired an annoying red overlay on some of the objects which Read More…
On the passing of the familiar
Things are changing in the world, and they’re changing fast, but somehow it doesn’t seem to hit until change gets to someone you know and care for. The short version is that I’ve just been on the phone with my mother, and the minor stroke she had last August did more damage than anyone realised Read More…
Thoughtful Thursday: The Writer’s Toolbox – Plots and Plants
Contrary to a rather popular belief, plots are not simply what happens in a story. Confused? Think of reality TV. That has no plot – stuff happens for the set time period, then the show finishes. So while stuff happening is necessary to plot, it’s not sufficient. I’m not claiming any guru-ness here, so if Read More…
Wacky Wednesday – the Stimulating Crown Jewels Weinerware edition
I can’t say that I’d be all that pleased to have the husband wearing these, but you’ve got to admire the entrepreneurial spirit of the dude who sells the Obama condoms. One wonders whether these do more for sharing the wealth than the Crown Jewels condoms, or whether the fellas might be a little uncomfortable Read More…
Teaser Tuesday
Just a wee snippetses from something we’re writing right now, yessss my precioussss…. Whoever had decked out the ballroom did a good job: it was tasteful as well as atmospheric. Drapes in deep red velvet hid the normal hotel-awful decor, and the tables had a mix of Victoriana and steampunk accessories. Again, it wasn’t overdone. Read More…