Next week, over a quarter million aspiring writers will undertake a momentous challenge: to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. The event is called National Novel Writer’s Month, or NaNoWriMo for short. It’s an exhilarating, wild and crazy writing event unlike any of its kind. To reach the total, participants will have to […]
Research: Professions of the Middle Ages
Doing a little research often helps me piece a story together when I’m just getting started with it. Also, I’m convinced that a solid foundation in certain areas – horses, weapons, military tactics, etc. – makes for better fantasy fiction. I’ve just started another short story that begins in a small village on a fantasy […]
NaNoWriMo: Matellans Victorious
At 11:57 p.m. on November 30th, I wrote the final sentence with hurried keystrokes and submitted my word count for verification. Loading, the browser replied. Loading. Loading. Loading. I began to sweat at this point. And then, YOU WIN! That’s right, I crested 50,000 words in the final moments, thereby becoming a “winner” of National […]
NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writer’s Month
At midnight on Halloween one of the strangest and most prolific events in fiction writing will begin – National Novel Writer’s Month, known to participants as NaNoWriMo. From November 1 to November 30, thousands of participants around the world will attempt to write a 175-page novel. The goal is 50,000 words, which works out, roughly, […]
Second Look at “Reader’s Guide” by Lisa Goldstein
Well, I admittedly bashed Lisa Goldstein’s short story “Reader’s Guide” in my review of the F&SF July 2008 issue. However, after so many bloggers raved about it, I went back and gave the story another look. Turns out, they were right, I was wrong – it is in fact a very charming piece of fiction. […]
