Category Archives: the writing life
new story published!
For relative values of “new,” I suppose. The first draft was written in 2011. “The Coffinmaker’s Love” had its start at Clarion West. It was the first story that I wrote there, on Week Two, with Nancy Kress instructing. Week One … Continue reading
“Recognizing Gabe” is up for Best PodCastle Story of 2012
“Recognizing Gabe: un cuento de hadas” is in the final round of audience polling for Best PodCastle Story of 2012. I am astonished and utterly delighted. Go vote! Listen to all the stories–they’re all good. Wow. I love the story, so … Continue reading
Listening to people criticize your baby
“Recognizing Gabe” has been up at PodCastle for over a week now, and so has its discussion thread in the PodCastle Forum. As a writer, one of the things you want to know is whether people get your story or not. Do … Continue reading
in the midst of week five of the Write-a-thon, now with more irony
Okay, so at this point in the Write-a-thon I’m flagging. I’ve gotten two of the three stories from last summer redrafted. Both can use another go, but that’ll be later. I’ve got work done on five chapters. So, I’ve got … Continue reading
Clarion West Write-a-thon: Week Two
Week Two is over and sees me with work done on four chapters of my novel. That isn’t the same as four chapters done, but it’s definitely progress. The runaway royal bride has gotten to the running away part (political … Continue reading
One week down…
The Clarion West Write-a-thon has gotten off to a slow start for me. I admit, I needed a few days of just vegetating and absorbing ridiculous television, post-finals. Then I drove 700 miles to visit my people in California. That’s … Continue reading
the Clarion West Write-a-thon
Clarion West was an amazing experience for me. It was, in all honesty, one of the best things I’ve ever done. During the six weeks of the workshop, there’s a shadow event happening, one in which anyone can participate: the … Continue reading
“Driving for Peanuts” on Toasted Cake podcast
A long while back, I asked friends for prompts for drabbles (very short short stories) as a writing exercise. One replied, “18-wheeler drivers who are monkeys.” And thus, “Driving for Peanuts” was born. You can hear the inestimable Tina Connolly … Continue reading
unexpected asskickings
Those of you who write have probably had this experience: you read a published story or novel and it makes you go, “I can write better than that.” And if you’re honest with yourself about your talent and skill, it’s true. … Continue reading
writing workshops and me… and you
As you probably know, I’m a graduate of two speculative fiction writing workshops. I attended Viable Paradise in 2008 (Go XIIers!) and Clarion West in 2011 (Let’s do this!). Both were incredible and pivotal experiences–the kind that do indeed allow … Continue reading
