The latest in a series recognizing the best teachers I had. Through almost all of my school years, I was lucky to have several outstanding teachers, beginning as early as 4th grade, with Roger Ricketts, my homeroom teacher at Solano Elementary in Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Ricketts was the first teacher Continue reading teacher appreciation: the early years
The latest in a series about influences from my earlier days Sci-fi purists might sneer (but then, that’s what they’re best at) when I tell you that a good chunk of my formative years was spent in darkened movie theaters and in front of the TV. And what was I Continue reading when the world was young: sci-fi movies of the ’70’s
The latest in a series about influences from my childhood When I tell you that author H.P. Lovecraft was a big influence on me, I imagine that hardcore horror-, sci-fi-, and fantasy fans reading this can only reply, “DUH!” Lovecraft casts a HUGE shadow over those genres, especially the first, Continue reading when the world was young: h.p. lovecraft
On January 28, 2004, my father-in-law Fred Blahut died of COPD, and not a day goes by when I am not reminded of him. I first met Fred in late 1985, when I started dating his daughter Joni. Shortly after we announced our engagement, Fred lamented to me: Joni’s the Continue reading what fred said
Several months into the attempt, I realized that it would be extremely unlikely to get my novel Dragontamer’s Daughters published by traditional means. If this were 1993 instead of 2013, I’d be pretty much hosed. Fortunately, this is the 21st Century, where the Internet makes all things possible. Before I Continue reading publishing “dragontamer’s daughters” (the indie way)
The process of trying to get a book published has been very educational. After I had finished (or thought I had finished) writing Dragontamer’s Daughters in August 2010, I set out trying to get it published the traditional way. Once upon a time, that might have meant mailing the entire manuscript, unrequested, to Continue reading publishing “dragontamer’s daughters” (the traditional way)
The latest in a series recognizing the best teachers I had I was stunned and saddened to learn that on October 30 of this year, just a few weeks ago, the great J.R. Salamanca passed away peacefully in his sleep, at the age of 91. I was fortunate enough to Continue reading teacher appreciation: j.r. salamanca
The latest in a series about influences from my childhood. Thor: The Dark World opens today, and you can be sure that our family will rush to go see it. We saw the first Thor movie and, of course, The Avengers, and we’re all big fans. Many years ago, as Continue reading when the world was young: walt simonson and “thor”
In honor of the kids going back to school, this will be the first of several posts about the great teachers I was fortunate enough to have in my academic career. To kick things off, let me tell you about Professor Verlyn Flieger. Back in the mid-1980’s, as a young English Continue reading teacher appreciation: verlyn flieger
One of the obligations (and considerable joys) of writing fantasy and science-fiction is the task of “world-building.” That is, the creation (or “sub-creation“, as J.R.R. Tolkien called it) of a fictional setting for one’s story. A well-built imaginary world is not only interesting, but also has a degree of versimilitude, usually because it has a Continue reading the importance of world-building
