Tag: writing

The Beautiful Scientist Problem, Pt II: Three Tips for Writing “Strong” Female Characters

June 17, 2018

In the first post in this series, we discussed subjectivity and objectification when describing female characters. But “beautiful” isn’t the only contentious adjective frequently applied to them. Lots of readers claim to love “strong” heroines; what does this actually mean? As a kid in the 90s, I caught the leading edge of the “more strong heroines!” … More The Beautiful Scientist Problem, Pt II: Three Tips for Writing “Strong” Female Characters

The Beautiful Scientist Problem, Pt I: Three Tips for Describing Female Characters

June 3, 2018

Indie authorship seems to have exacerbated my penchant for masochism: I can’t help looking at the bestseller lists, even though it only leaves me sad that my books aren’t on them! Browsing the top titles a few weeks ago, the blurb for Dan Brown’s latest novel Origin caught my eye. After reconnecting with one of … More The Beautiful Scientist Problem, Pt I: Three Tips for Describing Female Characters

Save One Snake: Answering the Distress Call of Environmental Fiction

May 27, 2018

It could have been the opening for a suspense novel. After a week of almost ceaseless rain, a young couple heads out for a long run, feet eager and skin starved of vitamin D. On a humid summer Sunday morning, even the leafy canopy over the trail seems sluggish. What could go wrong as they … More Save One Snake: Answering the Distress Call of Environmental Fiction

Racing Andy Weir: On Running, Writing, and Being Realistic

March 20, 2018

“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

New Year, New Story

January 2, 2018

Every January since I started running about a decade ago–has it really been that long?! Jeez, no wonder my hip hurts–I’ve celebrated New Year’s Day with a long run. Traditionally, the first song I cue on my playlist is U2’s “New Year’s Day”. (Yes, I’m that dorky. No, it doesn’t bother me anymore.) But yesterday … More New Year, New Story