Language in Fantasy and Science Fiction

One of the things that really pulls me into a story and transports me to a fantastical or future setting is the language, specifically the invented slang and terminology for various things. For example in Star Trek we have "phasers," "beaming," "transporters," "replicators," "tricorders," "hyposprays," "Jefferies tubes," "Turbolifts," and on and on. Firefly didn't have …

Author Interview – Paul Magnan

Today I am delighted to present an interview with a writer acquaintance, Paul Magnan. His debut novel,  Kyu, The Unknown: The Coming of Dis (Book 1) is the first in an urban fantasy series set in an alternate world.   The Territories have been unified for a thousand years, brought together under the sword of Harra …

Revenants Abroad Free through December 31

I decided to make Revenants Abroad free through the end of the year on Smashwords. Amazon doesn't allow a price below .99 unless I put it into the KDP Select program, which I can't do right now. I'm still hoping the Multnomah County Library will pick it up, and it has to be available on …

A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter – Review

I can't say enough good about "A (Unauthorized) Writer's Guide to Harry Potter." I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of this from the author. This is probably the single most engaging book on writing I’ve read. It’s beautifully written, and full of clear direction to take your work further by asking the right …

Revenants Abroad FREE Through May 15

A little Friday the 13th treat! And you don't have to be a Kindle Unlimited subscriber. If you need a different format (ePub or PDF) contact me and I can send you the file. 

Russia’s Open Book

Having an insomniac night, and find reading to be of no help in settling my mind, I switched on the tv at 4 o'clock in the morning. After flipping through the handful of channels I get on the antenna (I don't have tv cable) I ran across this on OPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting). It's a …

Imaginary Worlds

These pictures feel like a fairytale world. I need to write a fantasy set in this place. Gotta come up with a name for it. Amazing how it's never the same two days in a row. When I look at these pictures I keep wanting to label them "Farksolia." But I need to think up …

Guest Post – He Always Runs While Others Walk: Pacing in Fiction

Today I have a real treat for you guys. I'm delighted to host a guest post by Harry Connolly, author of the Twenty Palaces series, and The Great Way, his new fantasy trilogy. I've been a fan of Harry's for years, and was thrilled to be able to participate in Harry's blog tour. He has …

Revenants Abroad–Chapter 19

Chapter 19 posted on Wattpad this morning! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read about my little group of vampires and humans. It’s still kind of surreal to me that it’s out there and anybody AT ALL is reading it. Lots of questions about the sequel, …

Revenants Abroad pre-orders open!

I have done it, I have loosed my vampires upon the world! This is both terrifying and exciting. There was a lot of time I thought about just tossing it in a drawer (electronically) and forgetting about it. But then I thought, what the hey, eh? Why not just run it up the proverbial flag …