Writing Journal – Page 65

Spoiled children use us as toys

I’ve started writing poetry again. It really must have been a bad day.

Bullet Proof Soul

Mur Lafferty made some perceptive statements about the twin terrors of Humbleness and Hubris on the latest episode of I Should Be Writing. You can listen there to Mur’s take on why you need to keep those two demons in balance. I was really taken by her passing reference to the bullet proof soul and I’ve beenContinue reading “Bullet Proof Soul”

Invitation to Clarion

Earlier this week I received an invitation to attend the Clarion writers workshop in San Diego this summer. I haven’t been able to post until now because they were still informing people about places, but I’m seeing rejections posted up on the blogosphere so guess I can go public. I’m yet to see any acceptancesContinue reading “Invitation to Clarion”

Arthur C Clarke Passes Away

I’ve just seen on Charlie Stross’ blog that Arthur C Clarke has passed away, age 90 at his home in Sri Lanka. He was the first science fiction writer I ever read. The Fountains of Paradise and Rendezvous with Rama still rate as among the best novels ever written. Very sad news. “The only wayContinue reading “Arthur C Clarke Passes Away”

Circe’s on The Drabblecast

Episode 55 of The Drabblecast just came out, featuring my short story Circe’s. Norm Sherman does a really, really, really, really good job reading it (the guy is one of the best narrators I’ve heard) and I’m very, very, very, very, very pleased with the whole thing. Have a listen then stop by the DrabblecastContinue reading “Circe’s on The Drabblecast”

Support the Pod

Regular readers will now I’m a big fan of Escape Pod, the weekly Science Fiction podcast edited by Steve Eley. I’ve linke dto many of their stories but now I’m just going to link to them in general. Steve just revealed a few big things in his ‘State of the Podcast’ m,etacast about Escape Pod.Continue reading “Support the Pod”

Drabblecast 55

Just found out that my story Circe’s will be appearing on Drabblecast this week, episode 55. I’ll put a link up here when it is out.

One in Ten…

…is the approximate chance of getting a place at Clarion. I found out yesterday that the Top Gun of science fiction and fantasy writing workshops received about 200 applications this year. They take 18 students, so working out the math…(scratches head and sticks tongue out corner of mouth)…it comes to about 1/10. On the positiveContinue reading “One in Ten…”

Michael Moorcock SFWA Grand Master 2008

I’ve seen over at the Asimov’s forum that Michael Moorcock is to be made a Gand Master by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. This makes him the third British Grand Master after Arthur C Clarke and Brian Aldiss. Last years Grand Master nominations of James Gunn caused some controversy as in relation toContinue reading “Michael Moorcock SFWA Grand Master 2008”

Story in Drabblecast

I just got word from Norm Sherman over at the Drabblecast that they want to feature my story ‘Circe’s’ in an upcoming episode, which is great news! I started listening to the Drabblecast a few months back and love it. Norm is a great reader and the stories are always both humorous and meaningful. I’mContinue reading “Story in Drabblecast”

The Black Bull: Extract One

Two children played in a farmer’s field, the manner of games a girl and a boy are want to play when no grown-up eye is watching. The grey and leaden sky grew darker still as the sun dimmed, and the girl became scared. ‘My mother will beat me if I am late.’ The boy hadContinue reading “The Black Bull: Extract One”

Clarion San Diego

I made my application to Clarion San Diego yesterday evening. Instructors include Kelly Link, Geoff Ryman and yes that is a picture of Neil Gaiman and yes he is one of the instructors. Clarion is basically Top Gun for science fiction and fantasy writers. Its been running since 1968 and in forty years its alumniContinue reading “Clarion San Diego”