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 where a man gets stuck inside a wall. (WARNING: Spoilers begin below) Brief Summary It starts with a bank robbery, where the...
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 those of you who want to make your best effort at fixing your own manuscripts before pawning the work off on someone...
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 of the books, so there will be no comparisons between book and movie. This is strictly a view of how the movie stands on...
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, sometimes it's best to just take a bow and wander off into the sunset. Thank you, Matt Groening,for taking another at-bat and...
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 every conversation? You might be noticing signs of an unfortunate foible of writers: injecting themselves into their...
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 some legit sci-fi credibility (as well as its share of cringe-inducing missteps). (WARNING: Spoilers begin below) Brief...
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 (though if you can manage to catch lightning in a bottle, it couldn't hurt), but there are things that will help you on...
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 came out while I was in college, and the campus TV station got permission to air it shortly thereafter. It was practically...
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, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving if you live in the US. In recent years, it has also taken on the moniker Movember, in an...
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 adventures involve deeply personal problems for the person he jumps into, but this time it hits a little closer to home than...