Argh! I just found probably the twentieth writing advice site in recent reading that states, in plain unambiguous language, “don’t write a story with a cast of thousands”. These sites may vary on nearly every other advice point, but on this one maxim they all seem firmly in agreement.
Fine, I hear that. […]
Entries Tagged as 'Writing'
Okay, okay, I get it–now tell me anyway
April 26th, 2008 · 32 Comments
Kit’s poem, “a 24th-century reflection on emptiness”
April 14th, 2008 · 9 Comments
My poem, “a 24th-century reflection on emptiness” has been published by Aberrant Dreams in their webzine. It’s great to see my poem online at such a nifty publication.
Our friend Marissa Lingen was also published by AD in January.
Fourth Street Fantasy Convention
April 1st, 2008 · 5 Comments
For those unfamiliar with it, the Fourth Street Fantasy Convention is a fairly small convention that ran during the 80s. It’s oriented toward, well, how to read and write better. Or, put another way, it’s a convention of people who like to read, write, and edit good books, and want there to be […]
Tags: Books · Conventions · Steve · Writing
On “message,” “theme,” and Stuff Like That
March 23rd, 2008 · 27 Comments
When I’m working on a story, there is usually some background idea I’m investigating; what some might call a theme, although I don’t entirely understand that word. In practice, it means that at some point in the process–usually pretty early–I discover that I’m using the story as a means to work out or explore some […]
Tags: Writing
Kit reviews Indigara by Tanith Lee
March 18th, 2008 · No Comments
My review of Tanith Lee’s Indigara has been published on the SF Site. It’s one of the most negative reviews I’ve ever written, which was a little weird for me. I’ve enjoyed some of Lee’s work but this one was way short of the mark. I hope those who read my review will look […]
A thought
March 12th, 2008 · 12 Comments
It isn’t our job as writers to understand the inexplicable, only to explain it.
Tags: Writing
Cats and birds: an observation
March 7th, 2008 · 22 Comments
If you live with a cat, “played with” means “gone forever.” As in, “Where is my pen?” “It fell on the floor and got played with.” If you live with a bird, however, “played with” means, roughly, “torn into little shreds to the point of no longer being recognizable.”
In other news, I’m on chapter five […]
Tags: Writing
Kit reviews Firefly Rain by Richard Dansky
March 1st, 2008 · No Comments
My review of Firefly Rain by Richard Dansky has been published on the SF Site.
Page by page, Dansky builds the tension. This is not a horror novel with much gore or many appearances by the overtly supernatural. Instead it slowly layers on just enough fear, just enough confusion, and just enough weirdness to keep you […]
An author’s responsibility
February 14th, 2008 · 62 Comments
Does an author have a responsibility to do anything for their readers, other than tell an entertaining story?
These questions came up tonight as I worked on a review of a young adult book which I’ll be publishing on the SF Site. I’m still thinking about my answers.
To give an example, I know I am bored […]
The uncanny valley of world building
February 10th, 2008 · 37 Comments
As I said in my last post, I’ve been playing Morrowind a lot recently. The team at Bethesda Softworks did an excellent job creating an entertaining and engaging world and I hope this does not come across as criticism of them or their game; in fact, I bet a lot of what I mention here […]