The words “five years” always make me think of the opening track on David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album: News had just come overWe had five years left to cry inNews guy wept and told usEarth was really dying… – from “Five Years”, by David Bowie Apocalyptic lyrics seem especially appropriate when I say that five … More Celebrate Five Years of “Syzygy” with a New Edition and a Free Prequel
This month marks four years since I released the omnibus edition of my Syzygy novella series. Although a book’s birthday makes me smile like a nostalgic parent, this particular milestone is bittersweet, because I haven’t published anything since. What kind of indie author goes that long without a new title on the market?! One with … More The Mystery of the Medical Muse, Solved (With A New Novel)!
Fifty years ago today, emissaries from Earth–riding in a command cabin the size of a car, and guided by a computer less powerful than a modern smartphone–landed on our Moon and left Homo sapiens’ first footprints on another world. In honor of the Apollo 11 anniversary, I chose this date to launch the print edition of my lunar-based … More Walk the Moon: A Sci-Fi Book Launch Honoring Apollo 11
Running solves most of my problems. Bad day at work? Fight with the family? Mad at the world in general? After half a dozen sweaty miles, I reach a place where I’m better equipped to deal. It’s especially helpful for working through story issues. My feet go on autopilot, carrying me not through neighborhoods and … More The Accidental Mirror: What Flawed Characters Reveal About Ourselves
Even when writers describe and develop female characters well, they still must navigate a minefield of stale and unhealthy cliches. Tumbling into one of these pernicious pits can ruin a great heroine, and sometimes the entire story along with her. In this final post of my series on writing female characters, I’ll identify three common … More The Beautiful Scientist Problem, Pt III: Three Traps to Avoid When Writing Female Characters
“What are you doing?” my Laddie pants, pulling up beside me as I pause my Garmin. “Book shopping.” Drawing the cold March morning into my aerobically scorched lungs, I approach the glass-fronted hutch beside the trail. A Little Free Library appeared in our neighborhood last year, and I’ve been a devoted trader. “Ooh, look! You … More Racing Andy Weir: On Running, Writing, and Being Realistic
Wild Type 