Friday Links: Naming Conventions in Movies vs Real Life
There’s no way there are so many cops named John in the world…
Fascinating data animation looking at the names used in movies, compared to their popularity in the real world. Read More
30
Jul
Category Archives: Writing
Writing related posts and advice.
02
Jul
25
Jun
Friday Links: The Life-Cycle of a Book (How to Make $$$ Writing)
You’re creating content that will sell for the rest of your life.
Not for a week, not for a month, not for a year, not even for a decade.
Your whole life, this stuff’s going to be selling, and you’ve got cycles when you can bring these series back so you’ll always be able to make money. Read More
18
Jun
Friday Links: Boredom and Magic
Hard magic systems or hard for magic systems?
An introduction to hard magic systems (in the Brandon Sanderson sense) in Fantasy, as told through pop culture and a rocking Gandalf. And pretty good information, too.
Featuring Avatar the Airbender. And such. Read More
11
Jun
Friday Links: The Eternal Show vs Tell-Debate
‘Telling the reader’ means giving the reader the conclusion they would draw, without giving them any of the actions or thoughts or descriptions that would lead them to that conclusion.
Yeah, Patricia C Wrede knows how it is. And should be writing writing books for a living. In addition to her fantasy, of course. But, failing that, we’ve got her blog to turn to. Read More
04
Jun
Friday Links: Confessions of a Clarkesworld Slush Reader
Why did my story get rejected?
This is a forum thread in the form of an AMA by an (ex-)Clarkesworld slush reader.
Lots of interesting analysis of short fiction markets in general and Clarkesworld in particular. Great if you’re submitting or planning to submit to the big mags.
Pay close attention to the “I slushed 2000 stories, passed up 150-300 to the editor, and none of those got published.” Read More
28
May
Friday Links: The Mystery of Storytelling
The greatest take on “beginning-middle-and-end” that I’ve ever seen. And the presenter’s funny.
Julian Friedmann at TEDxEaling, 18 minutes, well worth the time. Read More
21
May
Friday Links: How to Write a Book: 13 Steps From a Bestselling Author
Yet another X Tips to Greatness vlog list.
Except this one is from Jerry B Jenkins, who know what he’s talking about after writing professionally for some 190+ books in 40 years. And it’s not about where to put the commas, but rather how to survive writing a long work. Read More
07
May
Friday Links: How to Become a Professional Burglar
Are you safe?
Is your home, your workplace, your Friendly Neighborhood Military Installation safe?
Likely not. Read More
12
Apr
There Is No Other Way – How to Become a Writer
Start by writing what you enjoy reading.
It’s usually the easiest way.
You’ll need to learn, and how fast you can quit your day job depends on how fast you’re willing to learn, which in turn is a function of butt-in-chair time. The more you’re willing to work, the faster you’ll accomplish your goals. This is true in any field.
Translation: less dreaming, more writing. Read More