It's time to get spoopy! My book feeds are full of people reading horror novels, scary movies are on every television, and here I am to talk about what I (and I think others) define as "feminine horror." When we think about horror, we think monsters, psychological thrillers, and body horror. I think lately, however, … Continue reading All Thrills, No Frills: Feminine Horror
Not Your Fight, But Still Your Problem
What with the hullabaloo about women winning Hugos, Trail of Lightning and the discussion around appropriation, and indeed, the advent of October and the costumed holidays celebrated throughout North America, it seems like the book world has been in a tizzy about respectful dialogue and celebration of ideas. There are literally thousands of articles on systemic … Continue reading Not Your Fight, But Still Your Problem
Live Creatively – Stop Writing
If you've done much writing at all, you'll have heard advice from dozens of professionals on how to write with all your talent and stay on schedule. There are exercises and outlining rules and reminders that it's not about inspiration, it's about perspiration! And today I'd like to add my own. My favorite way to … Continue reading Live Creatively – Stop Writing
Not Enough Words
Editing continues apace. I really like editing--I find it so much easier to tweak things already on the page than to figure out what words need to come next. It's so soothing to feel that sort of "snap" of the puzzle pieces fall into place, to know that you've expressed what you wanted to say … Continue reading Not Enough Words
Two Years Is Enough Anticipation
A while back I spoke of my concern with my third book's title, due to a few unrelated yet troubling posts made by other authors and asked readers of my blog or other social media sites to help me select a name. So I'm pleased to announce that I've finished the first draft of my … Continue reading Two Years Is Enough Anticipation
Those Who Do the Work
Labor Day always makes me a bit morose. It's the end of summer, and it's supposed to be a day to commemorate the efforts of those who fought for workers' rights--the 8 hour day, OSHA, age restrictions, unions and so on. And yet tomorrow so many of the people still the least protected will continue … Continue reading Those Who Do the Work
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Studies upon studies have been done about who are villains are, who are heroes are, and what in the world happened to make the shift from one set to another. I've been thinking about that, and about the creation of stories we see in the mainstream. There's been two trends I've seen a lot of … Continue reading The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Kill Your Darlings – Not Like That, You Murderer!
You've heard the expression "you have to kill your darlings," right? I think there's a lot of confusion about which darlings and how much killing should be involved. Originally, the saying was meant to help remove "precious" scenes. Anything that doesn't contribute, is "so beautiful" but wordy etc. should be ruthlessly removed by the hopeful … Continue reading Kill Your Darlings – Not Like That, You Murderer!
FYPM: A Poem
Today I woke up and checked the posts other people made on websites graphic designers created. Then I took my earthenware mug some other soul fired and a book another author wrote to the great outside, where I reveled in the plants someone else planted until it was time to go to the restaurant a … Continue reading FYPM: A Poem
Whistle While I Work
Okay, this is kind of a misnomer. I can't whistle. The closest I get is blowing raspberries, but I can tell from how people studiously ignore me that that has the opposite of the intended effect. But I do have music I listen to. I try to spice it up every now and then with … Continue reading Whistle While I Work
