On a writer's forum awhile back we were having a debate about genre. Let's face it, the lines have blurred and with everyone and his brother, and his dog, cat, ferret, and goldfish having an opinion on it, chances are that it's not going to get clearer any time soon. Some writers hate genre. They… Continue reading Why readers need genre
Author: m2foster
Learning experience: The right way to do first person
I just finished reading Karen Marie Moning's Darkfever, the first book in her Fever series. Two things precipitated the purchase: recommendation from a friend and part of my continuing education (specifically following Dean Wesley Smith's advice to read for pleasure and then study the pleasurable reads from long-time, best-selling authors). Moning's Darkfever met both those… Continue reading Learning experience: The right way to do first person
My experience with Kindle Unlimited
This is my take on Kindle Unlimited, not as a writer, but as a reader. I have not tried KU as a writer, and as of right now, my inclination is to avoid it like the plague. I don't know if my experience with it is typical, but it was very interesting, and not at… Continue reading My experience with Kindle Unlimited
Staying in touch
If you want to get updates on this blog or on my writings, please either follow this blog or follow me on my Facebook author page or on my personal page, whichever suits you best. I will not be collecting sign-ups for a newsletter or e-mailing updates. It's got to do with the nightmare that is Mailchimp… Continue reading Staying in touch
More on serving the needs of drama
In fiction, flashbacks are scenes that take place in the past (i.e. not current/running story time) and some readers (supposedly) hate them so much they skip them. Here's a great "flashback" from L. Jagi Lamplighter Wright, on "...the constant struggle between the efforts to entertain and the efforts to spread a message." Even if you're the kind of… Continue reading More on serving the needs of drama
Double standards – a “Strong Female Character” retelling of Star Wars
The first Star Wars movie (now called "A New Hope") opens with a poor farm boy who wants to be a pilot. Luke embarks on what's known as "the hero's journey" complete with an initial refusal of "the call" to be a hero, and a mentor. Classic stuff. I'm a fan of the original version.… Continue reading Double standards – a “Strong Female Character” retelling of Star Wars
Seeing the light on romance
I have to admit, the last person I thought I'd see with an essay in Ardeur: 14 Writers on the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series was L. Jagi Lamplighter. I'd read several of the books in the Anita Blake series after a co-worker got me hooked. I did not stay a devotee of the series. I honestly… Continue reading Seeing the light on romance
Turn yourself into a lab rat… For science!
I got the following email today. If you recall, a year ago I put up a scientific survey for an actual scientist friend of mine. (I’ve toured his lab, he is doing some crazy Matrix brain stuff in there). He is doing some fantastic work though, which has the potential to help millions of people.… via… Continue reading Turn yourself into a lab rat… For science!
The Hard SF vs. Soft SF Debate
This really struck a chord with me.
When words don’t add up
I understand word count limitations. I really do. After administering a contest, how could I not? First, you have to be able to do an apples-to-apples comparison, and second, there are still--despite numerous sacrificial offerings consisting of REM cycles, fluffy cotton sheets, and clock parts--only 24 hours in a day. So here I am, happily… Continue reading When words don’t add up
