One hundred years ago today--on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour, 11 November 1918--Germany signed the armistice that brought World War I to a close. Sixteen million people, military and civilians, died in the four years of conflict. But the "war to end all wars" left some conflicts unresolved, and this … Continue reading Dulce Et Decorum Est: The Centennial of WWI
It’s that time of year again. The crisp rustle of (page) leaves, the chill in the air (at the thought of writing a novel in a month)…it’s not just autumn, it’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), that magical/maddening season when aspiring authors around the world sprint toward a 50,000-word draft. I participated last year and won. … Continue reading Winter (Writing) Is Coming: Tips for Winning NaNoWriMo
**I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review** One thing I love about climate fiction (cli-fi) is its fluidity. Its themes can twine through any other style of narrative, subtle as a spring zephyr or as consuming as a hurricane gale. Cai Emmons’ new book Weather Woman unleashes it … Continue reading Book Review: “Weather Woman” by Cai Emmons
The email notification pinged softly on my phone as we crossed the North Carolina border. "Your story 'Shakti' is one of the finalists…." “That’s great,” said my Laddie when I read the message aloud. I shrugged and turned back to the cornfields beyond the window, surrendering to the creative malaise that consumed me all that … Continue reading Rejection to Redemption: A Short Story About Persistence in Writing Short Stories
“Well, now I’m going to have nightmares,” said my Laddie mildly, without taking his eyes from his Kindle. I glanced across the pillow at him. “Why?” “Because this book has giant spiders…and they’re better characters than the humans.” Adrian Tchaikovsky's Children of Time will make even arachnophobes rethink their prejudices. Without spoiling too much of the … Continue reading Book Review: “Children of Time”
