I had six days off in a row last week. It's just the nature of my job. Most weeks, I work almost every day. But other weeks, nothing's going on at work, and my supervisors decide to clump my days together (four at the beginning of one week, four at the end of the next).... Continue Reading →
“Aixa the Hexcaster” has been published at Mirror Dance!
I said that I'd post again if I got published. So, with a ton of self-control, I'd like to say that . . . OMFG YOU GUYS . . . <clears throat> My short story, "Aixa the Hexcaster," has been published at Mirror Dance Fantasy. I have the privilege of sharing the Autumn 2016 issue... Continue Reading →
A Long Break
Early October, 2015: "It's postin" time!" I thought it--or maybe I actually shouted it--at my computer. And then I sat there, staring at its screen. It wasn't that I couldn't think of a topic; there was always some aspect of writing I could spend hours writing about. Dishing about. Nit-picking. Hours. Hours that always absorbed whole writing sessions. Because, as... Continue Reading →
The Latin Bechdels – Part 3: The DAGGER Test
Disclaimer: I've taken way, way longer than intended to get this post out. Why? Because I wanted to figure out the perfect way to talk about the DAGGER without offending anyone. I'm not sure that's possible; the DAGGER Test is designed specifically to call certain elements of fantasy--some of them beloved--into question. I took pains... Continue Reading →
The Latin Bechdels – Part 2: The Latin Lover Test
It's been a little over two weeks since I posted the first part of my Latin Bechdels series. Since then, I've continued casually subjecting everything I watch, read, or play to the CAR Test. Nothing new has passed; there are only ever new failures for the CAR. Zoo? Despite its culturally diverse cast, that's a fail. Rick and Morty? I... Continue Reading →
The Latin Bechdels – Part 1: The CAR Test
It's been almost two years since I first talked about Earth-Modern race in fantasy on this site. Two whole years and the world has changed a lot. At least, lately, America is coming along. Same sex marriage has been legalized. The confederate flag has finally been thrown into question. And I've lost at least two... Continue Reading →
The Perfect Idea: That Thing You Can’t Hunt
Sometimes, I wonder about perfect ideas. It seems like there's just a time and a place for them; a story comes along, or a character, and they're so straight forward and simple . . . but so awesome that it's ridiculous. Take Rick and Morty, for example. Is it a bad example? I don't know--I love it; gave... Continue Reading →
Just Keep Trying
Eleven years later and this is still my "getting work done" theme. Is there something I'm really serious about completing? Am I completely straight-faced and probably tired as I just get up and do it without complaining? Then this is what I hear. After the last post, this song came on... for life. That sounds sappy,... Continue Reading →
An Arrow on the Wind
I'm instituting a posting schedule. I have to admit that this blog is hanging on a thread for me; I appreciate everyone who reads it, Likes, and Follows, but this public journal is still hanging on for dear life because so am I. I'm perpetually on the cusp of total failure--riding it like an arrow... Continue Reading →
Looking Back
April was an interesting month. It started off with absolute conviction--I was going to write War of the Hex immediately. Its first draft would be done in time for Age of Ultron and that was going to be awesome. The idea was, “I finished the first draft of Memory in a month, so why couldn’t... Continue Reading →
Inktrap 