Meandering Monday about Imagining What We Think We Know

I write speculative fiction – it’s a term that encompasses Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror (among other things.) Th speculative element is something that is known to not be real (At the time of writing, at least – we don’t go back and remove the SPECULATIVE label on Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea … Continue reading →

Fractured Fragment Friday: “Inheritance” (and lots of coupons!)

“Inheritance” came from a combination of grave-robbers, the artifacts AND servants buried in tombs, and a touch of being careful what you wish for. Wealth isn’t always what you think, and just as one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, it works in reverse, too. Here’s the blurb: When Amun discovers that his family is … Continue reading →

Writing Wednesday: Doing What Must Be Done

Last week’s report: I posted my own blog on schedule, and made my comment quota – barely. “Calling Down Lightning” returned from market at the end of the week – I need to send it out again. I also received news that “A Background Poorly Written made it to the last round at another market … Continue reading →

Meandering Monday about Complexities, Compromising, & Coronavirus

There is no perfect answer to how we deal with the Wuhan Coronavirus. You don’t want people to die, but we (in the U.S.) lose tens of thousands to influenza each flu season (this last one was fairly light – around 18,000 deaths; usually we’re looking at 30,000 or so – just for perspective.) You … Continue reading →

Smashwords Authors Give Back Promotion!!!

I’m participating in Smashwords’ site-wide Authors Give Back promotion, which is being held to show support for people around the world suffering through isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. ALL of my collections (including my Detective Jimmy Delaney and Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire series) AND my novel Swordsmaster are on sale for 30%-off. The … Continue reading →

Fractured Fragment Friday: “The Human Interface” (and a coupon!)

“The Human Interface” was a simple comparison between demonic possession and software insecurity, colored by my past experience in IT customer service. (with all the remote working being done in light of the coronavirus, many of us living in isolation may be wondering what’s really going on on the other side of our screens… Here’s … Continue reading →

Writing Wednesday: The Problems with Talking (and Thinking) Too Much

Last week’s goals: I posted my own blog on schedule, and finally managed to meet and exceed my pitiful three-comments-on-someone-else’s-blog goal. I’m still waiting for one or more of my six available stories to come back from market so I can kick them back out there again. Reading this, it may seem a bit pessimistic … Continue reading →

Meandering Monday about Risks and Rewards (and Reading)

You can tell a lot about people by observing what they’re willing to take chances on. In the middle of the coronavirus crisis, it’s obvious that the number one thing we can’t handle is the possibility that we might run out of toilet paper. Toilet paper? Sheesh… There are gas-price apps that help you locate … Continue reading →

Fractured Fragment Friday: “Through Her Eyes” (and a coupon!)

“Through Her Eyes” was triggered by a writing challenge (which I never entered) about the victim of a haunting. I thought of letting a ghost communicate with her blind former lover by passing what she was seeing into his mind. The story I originally envisioned was much longer than “Through Her Eyes” became, but I … Continue reading →

Writing Wednesday: Breaking the Block with Patience

Last week’s goals: I posted my own blog on schedule, did some liking and a couple of comments on others’ blogs, but I need to try harder (and earlier) to be more active. All my available stories are currently circulating in the markets. I’m still not using Literarium definitely helps with finding appropriate markets for … Continue reading →