I am “attending” the Quills Conference by the League of Utah Writers. It’s a hybrid event with virtual sessions along with live stuff. I couldn’t get away from work for a long weekend and didn’t really have the spare cash to afford the travel and hotel so I’m virtually present at least. I didn’t have…
I decided to try Martha Wells’ fantasy series about the Raksura and am enjoying them. The premise is that there is a race of shape-shifters … they seem to be sort of a cross between dragons and winged humans, though the cover picture doesn’t really match what the book seems to “show” they look like.…
It’s First Wednesday so it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog. It’s so easy to self-reject, to feel insecure. That seems to be the default setting for any creative person. You compare yourself to those who are “making it” in the public eye and come up short. Your work sucks. Your talent is…
I’ve started a new series: the Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers. This is her debut novel and I enjoyed it a good bit. A motley crew made up of several different species runs the warp hole tunneling ship Wayfarer. When they take on a new crew member, she learns the true meaning of family as…
I’ve started a new sci-fi series recently: the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. Despite the name, they’re not horror but humorous adventure, very similar to what I like to think my books are like. The protagonist in the series is an organic/robotic construct designed as a security unit. However, it has hacked its governor module…
It’s time for yet another Insecure Writer’s Support Group Post! We’re talking about some ways to combat insecurity today. Insecurity can become a hurricane-force cycle of depression and negativity. There are ways to break this cycle, though. You can even start thinking of yourself as a successful writer. Some of these techniques are borrowed from…
I’ve been “attending” a few virtual conferences this summer. No sci-fi unfortunately, but writing tips & tricks translate across the genres. Summer is one of the best times for conferences… many people have time off to attend and they’re looking for interesting things to do. Right now, I’m listening to a session from the Historic…
I’m co-chairing our local critique group meeting Monday evening, since our regular chairwoman is on vacation this week. My duties will be keeping track of who’s reading and in which order the critique-ers will speak. This is good, because I don’t think I could handle running the chat room all by myself. SCWA meets every…
Have a new anthology or two we’re trying to get into. One’s a weird history detective story that will feature Badi, our favorite velyr PI. I like his sarcastic noir attitude and am setting the story in 1800s Savannah so it’ll fit in with the anthology’s guidelines (they don’t want anything after the turn of…
My alter ego and I are submitting various stories to various contests and anthologies. I’m working on two anthologies: Inclusive Future Magazine’s “What Will Gender Be Like in 50 Years?” and Writing The Future You Need’s “Navigating the Ruins.” I may also submit something later in the summer for “Prohibition.” My alter ego is sending…