Well, Christmas 2014 has come and gone, and my relatives have once again piled me with books to get next year's reading started. As I continue my...
My Holiday Book Acquisitions
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J.S. Morin
How to Handle Surprises
Most people like surprises. For this discussion, we're going to ignore the ones who don't. We're also going to skip discussing unpleasant surprises,...
Review: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Should you go to see The Battle of the Five Armies? This is really the core question any review ought to help answer, so that's the one I'll try to...
The Twelve Days of Fantasy
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3 Tips on How to Write a Setting
Without a setting, your story takes place on a blank stage, with characters and actions without a backdrop. But how to go about presenting your...
Sci-Fi Time Capsule: Fringe “Safe”
This week in Sci-Fi Time Capsule, the spiritual successor of the X-Files, Fringe. Season 1, Episode 10 is "Safe," which is about a bank robbery...
5 More Self-Editing Tips
A while back a gave a list of tips for authors who wanted to edit their own work before sending it out to an editor. Well, here are 5 more tips for...
Movie Review: Hunger Games, Mockingjay Part 1
So, I've gone to see Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Pt 1) and braved the opening weekend crowds to do so. To to be up front about it, I haven't read any...
Sci-Fi Time Capsule: Futurama “Space Pilot 3000”
This week in Sci-Fi Time Capsule, the best sci-fi cartoon ever: Futurama. When you've created a cultural icon with the weight of The Simpsons,...
3 Tips to Remove Yourself From Your Dialogue
Have you ever read a book where every character sounds the same? How about one where the main character has a set of beliefs that they work into...
Sci-Fi Time Capsule: Total Recall
This week in Sci-Fi Time Capsule, Total Recall. Despite all the trappings of a summer action movie, including star Arnold Schwarzenegger, it has...
The 3 P’s That Will Help Your Writing Career
More people want careers in writing than actually have them. Many are trying to bridge the gap between wanting and having. There is no magic formula...
Sci-Fi Time Capsule: The Fifth Element
This week in Sci-Fi Time Capsule, The Fifth Element. I've seen this particular movie more than most (probably even more than its fair share). It...
What is November?
November is the 11th month of the Julian and Gregorian calendars (or the ninth if you want to use the Roman one). It is the home of Election Day,...
Sci-Fi Time Capsule: Quantum Leap “M.I.A.”
This week in Sci-Fi Time Capsule, a poignant episode of Quantum Leap: "M.I.A," from the Season 2 finale (Episode 20). A lot of Sam Beckett's...
What Makes a Starship Lovable?
The names make you nostalgic. The sight of one stirs dreams of adventure and excitement. Hearing someone talk about them makes you wish you could be...
Sci-Fi Time Capsule: Firefly “Jaynestown”
This week in Sci-Fi Time Capsule, one of my favorite episodes of Firefly: "Jaynestown." How do you choose just one episode from a series filled with...
Who Would Win a Fight Between …
One of the hallmarks of obsessive fandom is the crossover combat "what if" scenario, pitting two iconic characters from different universes against...
Sci-Fi Time Capsule: Galaxy Quest
This week in Sci-Fi Time Capsule, we are watching Galaxy Quest. This is a comedy sci-fi parody, with Star Trek (mainly the original series) firmly...
5 Questions for Building Futuristic Societies
A lot of speculative fiction takes place in a futuristic setting. This brings up the issue of needing to create futuristic societies. There is no...
Sci-Fi Time Capsule: Star Trek TNG “Cause and Effect”
This week in Sci-Fi Time Capsule, one of my favorite episodes of Star Trek The Next Generation: "Cause and Effect," from Season 5, Episode 18. It...
Ask an Author: 3 Steps for Marketing Your First Book
The subject of marketing your first book came up again recently, and for some reason people are looking for my opinion on it. Wait ... I've...
Sci-Fi Time Capsule: X-Files “DØd Kalm”
This week in Sci-Fi Time Capsule, we look back at an episode of X-Files that plays on a number of key tropes for the series. There will be spoilers,...
Worldbuilding With Ships
An imagined world will only feel as large as you make it appear. By focusing on a limited part of the world, you make a world feel small and...