Egypt

Just a moment to reflect on the chaos that can swarm through a nation, even one as ancient Egypt. Watching the coverage on CNN, I wonder what would go through the minds of those ancient Egyptians, Hatsheput, ancient queen; Amenhotep; Rameses. What would the physician, artist and scientist, Imhotep, think of today’s events? The Egyptians [...]

It’s official: I want an iPad

When iPad’s first came out, I didn’t see a compelling reason to get one. After all, I have an iMac and a MacBook and an iPhone, to say nothing of a Kindle, and those seem to do well to make up for any lack I might experience. But in the back of my mind, I [...]

The new novelette is underway

After a month of reading the NaNoWriMo novel, tearing apart the first section, annotating it, and a lot of thinking, I finally got around to writing the first actually words of the new novelette, working title of “Rescue” yesterday afternoon. I managed just about 1,400 words, interrupted by the Little Man who was napped and [...]

Vacation in the Golden Age, Episode 2: August 1939

I think there is at least one physical difference between my vacation in the Golden Age and what people who lived through it experienced: the smell of an ancient pulp magazine. I always imagined that when Isaac Asimov was reading the latest issue of Astounding, it had that same aromatic fragrance as the issue that I hold [...]

Secret project

I am now involved in a secret project about which I can say nothing. But you can find out more on March 1. Whether or not it will be a success, I can’t yet say, but either way, you’ll find out in about a month. Set your calendars. And if there is anyone out there [...]

Excellent advice for beginning writers over at Inkpunks

Wendy Wagner, one of the smart and savvy people over at Inkpunks has posted an excellent guide for beginners who want to write science fiction and fantasy. Go read it, and pay close attention to what she has to say because it is the truth and it works. I know, because that’s almost exactly how I [...]

The paperless writing-cycle using Scrivener and Kindle

Combining my quest for a paperless office at home with my writing goals this year has required some changes to old habits. It used to be that I would write the first draft of a story, print that story out, mark up the printout, and then begin working on the second draft. But I’m trying [...]

Follow-up on Speculative vs. Science Fiction

A day after my post on Speculative Fiction vs. Science Fiction, Catherynne M. Valente wrote a post on the same topic and she has a lot of good and interesting things to say about this. One thing I really didn’t talk about in my post is what I see as a taxonomy problem. Personally, I [...]

Winter storm

We’ve been lucky so far an avoiding a major snow storm this year–and nothing like last year when we had a total of more than 70 inches of snow. But this evening, the snow started falling hard, and by my last count, I’d shoveled a total of 5 inches of heavy, wet snow in a [...]

Michael A. Burstein: A museum exhibit for Isaac Asimov

Over on the Apex blog, my good friend and excellent science fiction writer, Michael A. Burstein is proposing a museum exhibit for Isaac Asimov on the Good Doctor’s centennial birthday. I wholeheartedly concur with him. Go now and check out what he has to say.

A brief writing update

I think I’m getting back on track in terms of my writing schedule (thanks again to Brad Torgersen’s inspiring post). For the second day in a row I was up before 5am and spent my two hours on two writing-related tasks. First, I organized the scenes in “Rescue” in the order I think they should [...]

Oscar nominations for 2011

The Oscar nominations for 2011 were announced this morning. Here are the nominations for Best Motion Picture: Black Swan The Fighter Inception The Kids Are All Right The King’s Speech 127 Hours The Social Network Toy Story 3 True Grit Winter’s Bone Such is my state of affairs and my growing indifference to visual media, [...]

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Tweets

@FredKiesche It's been so long since the one time I read MITHC that I just don't remember the details. :-( 2 hours ago
@FredKiesche Of course, this was happening at a time when many people thought the U.S. might be invaded by either Japan or Germany. 2 hours ago
@FredKiesche And I love the fact that they can't figure out what unit the .45 is in. Very post-singularity kind of thing. 2 hours ago
@FredKiesche Plus, you've got to love the Heinleinesque gun fights in the midst of a posh restaurant. 1 person w/a laser; the other a .45 2 hours ago
@FredKiesche He's one of those writers I haven't read much of... until recently. Chatted with him a few times at cons. @PrinceJvstin 3 hours ago
@FredKiesche Not buying, but still reading, I take it... I think the industry builds Lent into its business model. 3 hours ago
@PrinceJvstin And the first half of RECRUITING STATION reminded me of Hubbard's FEAR (in tone). Also a creepy story. @FredKiesche 3 hours ago
@PrinceJvstin It is my thesis for the story in my next Vacation post. @FredKiesche 3 hours ago
@PrinceJvstin The villain in the Swanwick story is even creepier than the villain in RECRUITING STATION. @FredKiesche 3 hours ago
@FredKiesche Publishing-related economics classes of the future will devote entire lectures to the cash cow known as the Kiesche Effect. 3 hours ago