Had a lot of fun at ArmadilloCon being an “ordinary” con-goer and not on programming (which I used to enjoy a lot, but it does take coming into it with ample energy in reserve…<G>) Met old friends, made some new ones, had time to wander the Art Show without feeling I was about to be Read More…
Basics of Writing: Words
The right words in the right order….the foundation of every phrase, every sentence, every paragraph, page, chapter, volume…is made of words. In speech, the dictionary meaning of words is often less important than the physical speaker’s visual and auditory presence: facial expression, not just one but several in sequence..gesture and posture–again, not just individually but Read More…
Starts and False Starts
I don’t usually mirror entire posts from one blog to another, but this one, which is a Writing Craft post, is both pertinent to a current project (the Horngard I book) and to every writer, because all of us write a “bad” first chapter from time to time…and don’t fix it right away. What do Read More…
An Abundance of WORDS & Progress
Day before yesterday, the day after Deeds of Youth‘s birthday, I had a call from my agent, with the latest group of suggestions for Horngard I. They sounded like good suggestions to me, and doable, and the practice of completing several short stories since the April 29 head whack had proved that the plot-module had Read More…
I WAS WRONG! BOOK BIRTHDAY IS TUESDAY THE 18th
Not Monday. Never was Monday. Was always Tuesday. Apparently my brain added an extra day into the week between Friday and Monday, to make Monday the 18th *this* time. So Deeds of Youth comes live as an e-book on TUESDAY, which really is the 18th, and that’s when the Print on Demand pb can also Read More…
Show & Tell: Library Event
Later today, I’m off to Copperas Cove Public Library for an event featuring area writers. Among the show & tell is my friend David Watson’s new book, Tunguska Terror, first of the Aero Rangers series. David can’t be there, but the librarian will present a short reading from it. David read me a bit from Read More…
Political–Rant Rules Apply; Avoid If Unwanted
Rant Rules: This is an opinion piece and I’m already riled up. Not ready to discuss: blowing off steam. This one has two parts, the first being Sen. Tuberville of Alabama and his blocking of military promotions, thus leaving the USMC without a Commandant for the first time in well over 100 years. Second part Read More…
Genres and Evaluations
Writers are aware of how their work–not just their own work but work rather like theirs–is perceived, evaluated, and judged in the world. Writers–as shown by the current WGA strike–are not nearly as highly valued as they used to be, when fewer people could write but many wanted something to read. But this post isn’t Read More…
O Happy Day!
Review copy of DEEDS OF YOUTH arrived in the mail today for me to look at all the pages and find any flaws. I did some, will do more tomorrow and Sunday. Today was gloating and checking the first two stories in it. I’ve had too much screen time lately, working on “Bank Transfer” so Read More…
Minor Joys
Sometimes all the “news” is dire but there are still minor joys. Like getting the Yellow-billed Cuckoo’s call caught on the Bird Sounds App “Merlin” where it agreed with me that it was, indeed, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I’m still bemused by Merlin’s assertion that a cicada/grasshopper like noise at midday on a sunny day was Read More…