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Did you see the movie Mirrormask when it came out in theaters? If not, I highly recommend grabbing a DVD copy, and possibly a copy of the soundtrack as well. It is a gorgeous piece of art masquerading as a film, with a whimsical, yet slightly twisted story. Just how…

As a reminder to those who need reminding (see how that works?) Speculative Fiction is that overarching genre label that draws Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural fiction, etc. under its very broad wings. Below these distinctions, one finds romantic fantasies, hard versus soft science fiction, urban/modern fantasy…and the list goes…

There are two extremes here to revising a story. Either you think your work is genius and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it whatsoever, or you think it’s crap, and there is no redeeming value in anything you have ever written…ever. So let’s back up a step before you…

I blogged a little earlier about the motivations that spur people on to write, and that there are more and more writers every day, gushing books into the market in and overwhelming rate. One of those potential motivations was writing for money. Making the big bucks with six figure advances…

Quiet day. Here are a few quick links that help us avoid clichés and overused jargon. The Book of clichés list phrases to say in times of trouble. Just repeat until you believe them. The sad thing is, how often do you find yourself saying these quotes? Banned for life…

Here’s an article I dug up that, while put out last year, still marks a supposed trend in the publishing industry. Apparently, by the year 2052, the number of Americans who write books will outnumber those who read them. http://www.prweb.com/releases/20051520/6/prwebxml246822.php This makes me wonder what the motivation is behind all…

Dan Simmons, aside from being an amazing writer of science fiction (among other genres), is also of the school of mind that writing is a craft that can be taught. That is, writing well. There are those who say writing is an innate talent. You either have it or you…

When I get an email from a magazine I submitted a short story to. The process goes like this. I visually register the email in my inbox. I realize it’s from a magazine. Immediately my mind throws up the mental Rejection! sign and I start thinking about where I’m going…

Writing scams. Did you know they exist? Did you know there are big, nasty, booger-nosed villains out there wanting to stroke your fragile writing ego just so they can milk you for all the money your worth while your stories never see the light of day? That’s right. Booger-nosed. Scared…

As I embarked on this adventure of blogging about the wonderful world of writing, I decided I should check out other folks who have been traveling this dusty trail for far longer than I. It is especially welcome to find those blogs that go beyond the daily picture of someone’s…