Recently I was re-reading H.P. Lovecraft's essay on writing weird fiction. Some of his technique isn't for me, and I have no desire to try to reproduce his style, as such attempts typically result in the kind of rugose, squamous, and utterly unnameable terrors not fit for the sight of human eyes. Here, however, is one of the points from this ( Read more... )

The last time I was submitting fiction for publication was ten years ago. Today I sent out two more stories, meaning I've got three stories and one poetry manuscript out there awaiting feedback, and ultimately publication. I have the excitement and confidence of a beginner again because, practically speaking, I have never received feedback from ( Read more... )

I'm back at work for the second evening in a row. Tired -- really tired -- but I seem to be doing all right. Even if I weren't, I don't really have any option, as my temporary status doesn't give me much leeway ( Read more... )

Yesterday didn't have the heart to blog after I heard from the doctor. And why was that, you may ask? Well, it's because I have infectious mononucleosis. To be more accurate, the mono already in my system after a bout in high school has reactivated. I'm sleeping a lot, have low energy, and am staying home for the next few days. There are some ( Read more... )

For the first time in a while, I have a bug. Painfully-swollen, marble-sized glands, fatigue, etc. Went to Dr., got examined, etc., etc. Hoping very much that it's just a little bug. I have things to do! Stories to write! People to see! I have a story that's actually ready to send out now, but I literally don't feel like walking the three ( Read more... )

( A plethora of stories, and the current state of My Great Novel )

If you've never seen it or its ilk before, I give you the Corporate Bullshit Generator.

I give you, thanks to MetaFilter, The Passivator. This gem (which you can put on your toolbar) scans and highlights Web pages in search of passive language and adverbs. For those of you who are composing things, whatever those things may be, if you just dump the text into a .html file, this nifty bit of code may be of some assistance.

( On why it's a pleasure to chop whole reams of words from a story )

Do you regularly alter your LJ Interests?
I go through and weed some and add others every month or so. I'm debating the merits of removing a hundred or so and just keeping the "core," whatever that is. Some people's seem to stay constant, but others less so.

Do you think it's worth the effort to learn to create things you want to create, even ( Read more... )