So, this weekend I scrapped what I’d done on BrightGod and started over. Again. The first version died at 1500 words. This one was almost 5000. Pew pew pew, as they say in video game land. Poof. I’d like to think it’s a sign of my growth as a writer that this doesn’t bother me anymore.
BrightGod progress (sorta). Thoughts on voice. KEEP READING
I’m thinking about going to World Fantasy Con. I’ve never gone before, mostly because I’ve always thought of that particular con as being primarily for pros. And though last year I finally became a pro by SFWA standards via short stories, I still didn’t think I was pro “enough” for WFC. I mean, what if the halls were filled with published novelists all standing around and asking each other, “So, when’s your next book out?” …Yeah, OK. I didn’t really think that. Well. Maybe a little.
Con contemplation; the art of the schmooze KEEP READING
And in honor of her memory, I and other members of the Carl Brandon Society are posting about her. That link, BTW, will take you to the Carl Brandon Society’s scholarship page, which helps pay for one writer of color to attend a Clarion workshop. Clarion, as you know Bob, is the premier writers’ workshop in the speculative fiction field, and in its various iterations has been running for more than 30 years now. Clarion is also where Octavia Butler was “discovered”, so to speak; she sold her first story there. And while I myself never went to Clarion or
Octavia Butler’s birthday is today (June 22) KEEP READING
So it’s been almost 4 weeks since I found out my novel was going to be published. It’s been a whirlwind few weeks and there have been a lot of changes in my life as a result, mostly good. But I’ve also had some variation on the following conversation three times. Me: So, yeah, 3-book deal, big advance, writer’s dream, really happy, woo hoo! Random person: Wow, that’s great! Congrats! So what kind of book is it? Me: It’s epic fantasy about a girl who gets wrapped up in a cosmological love triangle/political conspiracy. (Note: this is my current elevator
There ARE stupid questions. KEEP READING
In 2002, I attended a one-week writers’ conference on Martha’s Vineyard called Viable Paradise. It was a transformative experience in more ways than one. Not only did I get over my arrogant refusal to touch short stories, I also hooked in with a top-notch writers’ group, the BRAWLers. (Formerly Boston Area SF Writers — they decided they needed a punchier name. GET IT? Punch — er, right, yeah.) VP and the BRAWLers kicked my wishy-washy, undisciplined ass into professional gear. I learned to set goals, and take small but measurable steps toward them. I learned the importance of persistence. I
Viable Paradise — apply thru June 30th! KEEP READING
…Sorry. Random fangirl-mode attack, couldn’t help myself. Because today I got my contributor copies of Riffing on Strings, the anthology of fiction, poetry, and essays inspired by string theory, from Scriblerus Press. It’s a beautiful trade-paperback volume, packed and hefty at 250+ pages, nicely typeset, with lovely illustrations. My story “Too Many Yesterdays, Not Enough Tomorrows” is reprinted therein, along with a number of other great pieces, including an essay by MICHIO KAKU OMG OMG O– ::whacks self, sighs:: Sorry. There’s other good stuff in the volume — my favorite is a psychedelic Greek-mythology-based short story called “Arachne”, by Elissa
MICHIO KAKU OMGWTFBBQ SQUEEEEEEE KEEP READING
Read the explanation here on the Feminist SF blog, then go add your own! Some good choices already listed in the comments; now I know what I’ll be reading at the beach this summer.
Top 10 Obscure-but-superb DIVERSE SF/F Novels KEEP READING