Mercs: Crimson Worlds Successors (Volume 1) by Jay Allan. 286 pages. System 7 Publishing. I’ve been a good boy lately and been reading books that most people would consider socially edifying. But once in a while I have to eat a little ice cream along with my vegetables, in this case, military science fiction. Jay … More Review: “Mercs: Crimson Worlds Successors I” by Jay Allan
I have stories in my head. Well, yeah. Writers are supposed to have stories in their head. But do you ever think what happens to those stories when writers don’t put them on paper? (Sorry, I’m old school; I should be saying on screen, but you catch my drift.) The first result is a travesty. … More Just Write the Blamed Thing!
In his immortal book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, William Pirsig tells of an incident he experienced as a high school composition teacher. He told a classroom full of students to begin writing–something, anything. They couldn’t think of anything to write. He then suggested they write about something in the room. They still … More Why I don’t believe in magic
I hope you had a chance to read my newest short story that I posted yesterday. I am pretty proud of it. It is based on the challenge that went out from the Rough Writers, our student Creative Writing club on campus here. We have been building a fantasy world during this school year, and … More Getting the Word Out
Banri L’Chandra stood on the edge of the sky island known as Alash-la and cried. She held the one thing that mattered more to her than life itself close to her breast. The bundle of white cooed quietly, oblivious to her mother’s tears, the threat of violence that surrounded her or even the whipping wind … More Short Story: “A Hole In the Sky”
For those who have been reading my blog on a regular basis, you probably know that I have been struggling with a form of writer’s block. I have said many times that the way to deal with writer’s block is to recharge your batteries by reading and watching movies, always watching for technique and ideas. … More Baby Steps
Barrel-chested, sunburned Herv Wallak roared out his laughter and pointed. Leef looked where he was pointing, knowing what he would see before he looked, and grinned. The familiar sight of green land over blue water jutted before them. Home. After three weeks at sea, Leef Undertree scarcely noticed the roll and rise of the fishing … More “Voyage of the Dionysus”
This is the sixth year that I have been sponsor of the Rough Writers, the student-led, student-run, student-participative creative writing group here on the campus of Southwestern Adventist University. During that time I have gotten to know some pretty great students, many of whom I am confident will go on to be great writers. I … More Brave, New World
The Great Adventure 