Worldbuilding with horses can do really interesting things to your infrastructure, your geography, and your culture. It can also have profound effects on the ability of a culture (whether tribal unit or full-on nation state) to grow and expand. I … Continue reading
Yearly Archives: 2012
by Sherwood Smith I was barely thirteen when I first read Mary Stewart’s Madam Will You Talk. It set the bar high for romantic suspense for me—and all these years later, it still works. It’s got what for me is … Continue reading
In celebration of Tolkien’s twelfty birthday this year, the publisher Little Brain and Miffed is bringing out a heavily revised version of Lord of the Rings which they say is, ‘more resonant with today’s sensibilities.’ So, what have they changed? … Continue reading
by Sherwood Smith It’s January of a new year–people are making resolutions all over, including about writing. If you are a writer who keeps getting “almost there” rejections–if you love writing but figure you need some pro grade polish–if you … Continue reading
By Linda Nagata (cross-posted from Hahví.net) Your assignment: write a science fiction short story set off Earth, in another time. Your story should do the following: (1) Present to the reader an unfamiliar storyworld that is internally consistent and coherent, … Continue reading
by Nancy Jane Moore I spent the New Year’s weekend at a reunion of people who developed co-ops in Austin in the 1970s. You know what reunions are like: a bunch of old folks sitting around talking about how great … Continue reading
By Linda Nagata (cross-posted from Hahví.net) Long ago, when the Internet was young and an overabundance of email was never a problem, I returned home from a vacation to find over twenty messages in my inbox. This was unheard of! … Continue reading
Not quite up to the Old Took yet, at 120 today, but well on his way to immortality. In honor of the day, please feel free to leave messages in the comments. And have second breakfast, and a lunch or … Continue reading
When we lived in New York City and spent weekends and holidays at the Barn, guests were a way of life. At the beginning, that meant that everyone stayed in the old farmhouse across the driveway which had come with … Continue reading
by Phyllis Irene Radford We feed the birds. A cache of sunflower seeds resides in the biggest plastic bucket we own right beside the back door. During bear season—April to November—we bring the feeders in at sunset. Bears don’t just … Continue reading