Ramblings on Writing
Reviews, Rants, and Observations on SF/F/H

I am a thirty-something speculative fiction writer. More importantly to this blog, I am a reader of science fiction, horror, and science fiction. Recently it came to my attention that there are very few places reviewing short stories in the genres that I love. I also had the epiphany that I had not been reading enough of these stories. So, an idea was born to address both of these issues.

So, starting in September 2012, this silly little blog of mine that has more or less been gathering dust will be dedicated to looking at and reviewing short form works published both in print magazines and in on-line formats.

Reviews will be posted at least once a month, hopefully more, and stories will be selected completely at my whim. However, if you have read something amazing, thought-provoking, or interesting, please feel free to drop me a recommendation.

Because a big part of the point of this exercise is to improve my own writing by looking at people doing it successfully, I will only be selecting stories to look at from professional or semi-professional markets.

Please note, however, because a big part of the point of this exercise is to improve my own writing by looking at people doing it successfully, I will only be selecting stories to look at from professional or semi-professional markets.

I intend to write honest, and hopefully interesting, reviews to let people know more about the wide variety of fantastic (both in subject and quality) stories out there. There will be no personal attacks on authors and no excoriating hatchet jobs. There is nothing to be learned from reviewing truly bad work and nothing to be gained by being mean. I will not do it and, should I be so lucky as to get readers and commentators, I would ask that they not do so either. Be respectful and everyone gets to have a more interesting conversation.

What I will do is to give my honest and reasoned reactions to stories and try to determine why or why not particular elements worked. I will try to acknowledge my personal biases and to become more open-minded about those things that are not in the realm of my personal preference.

Also, because this is my blog and I can, there may be occasional entries on my own writing process, things I find interesting, or whatever else I feel inclined to add. This may all crash and burn spectacularly, but it's going to be a heck of a lot of fun in the meantime.

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Mood:
Really Darn Good

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Packing Lists and Administrivia

I noticed that there are a number or packing lists for Clarion available on the net. I have found some of these useful, and so I am including mine here as well.

Packing List

Clothes:

Jeans
Sweatpants
Yoga Pants //I don't do yoga, but they're comfy
Shorts //bought a couple pairs -- didn't have ANY
Dress Pants //Just in case
T-shirts //Including one of Brian's ferret shirts
Sweatshirts //Including the Eeyore one
Long sleeve shirts //Looney tunes -- I'll look 12
Sweaters
Dresses and skirts //They're comfy so included
Bathing suit //There's a pool -- I may bother
Underwear
Socks //No white ones but sharks, cats, and bats*
Pajamas //I bought sets.
Shoes //Sneakers, sandals, and dress shoes

Toiletries

Shampoo
Loofah
Bodywash
Lavendar Soap //I like the smell
Bath Crystals //Stress Relief
Face Wash
Deodorant
Hair Ties
Hair Brush
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Razors
Shaving Creme
Alleve //I can't leave home without it.
First Aid Kit //Anyone who knows me understands.
Antiseptic //See above
Burn Cream //Ditto

Medicines
Glasses //I even found the case

Writing Stuff

Laptop
Printer
Printer Paper
Printer Ink Cartridges
Notebooks
Idea Notebook //The little pad I write ideas in
Pens //Red, blue, and other colors for letters**

Other

Pictures of Brian
Pictures of Pets
CDs
CD Player //No headphones -- might get later
Calling Card //In my wallet
Checkbook
Books //Science, instructor, and THE SPARROW
Envelopes
Whiteboard
Dry Erase Markers
Post-it Notes //Not sure what I'll use these for
Camera
Film
Laundry Soap //Hopefully can minimize use
Calendar
Alarm clock
Posters //Hate blank walls
Stuffed Animals //Lots of these
Paper clips
Clipboard
Expanding Pocket folder //to hold critiques

More

Comforter //Blanket provided, but wanted heavier
Sheets //I like my own
Pillow //See above
Pillow cases
Dishes //Plastic silverware, cup, thermos, pan

Notes

*I adore novelty socks and so never, or nearly never wear plain ones. I have all sorts with animals on them, a few with flowers, and a couple pairs in patterns. The ones I'm currently wearing have sheeps, pigs, and cows on them.

**I like to write letters in strange inks. Usually purple or green. It's Tom's fault.

And this is my packing list. Can anyone think of anything I've forgotten? (And yes, I stole that from Chance.)

Anyway, there will be more Clarion randomness later, I'm sure.

Bye, all!






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