Hi, all! Long time, no blogging. I hope you’ve all been well. How many of you are still around?
Remember last summer when I told you about my story “Chlorophyll Is Thicker Than Water,” and how it had just been accepted for publication in Athena Andreadis’ anthology To Shape the Dark? Well, the book came out on May 1! What a wonderful day for a book birthday!
I’m so excited to be a part of this collection. I hope you all can get a chance to read it. Keep an eye out for a giveaway.
It’s been a long time since I’ve posted regularly. There’s been a book review here and there, a repost even less seldom. Nothing about my own writing in ages. Why is that? Continue reading
Where have all the link treats gone? Well, they’ve been sitting in my drafts folder waiting for me to get off my ass and post them, is where. *sigh* It’s been kind of busy/nonblogmotivational around here lately. (and that is so a word) There’s been writing, just not of the blog. (New story about to be submitted if I can come up with a title! Psychic Depression-era noir-ish detective thing–any suggestions?)
Not That Girl
I’m not that girl either. Oh wait. I totally am. Some fine writing from the Belle Jar
Today’s Time Waster: Literary Figure Collective Nouns
John Scalzi with a new game. Lots of creativity in the comments.
Evolution 101
Andreas Heinakroon talks about evolution. It’s fun and smart, as his posts always are.
10 Worst Mistakes That Authors of Alternate History Make
Good stuff to take into consideration if you’re writing alternate history. I think I did all right with “So The Taino Call It.” Did you read it? What do you think?
Rules of Writing: Get to the Fucking Monkey
Some good writing advice from Justin Robinson plus a killer song.
Okay, how could I not use this random pic?
It’s been kind of quiet over here, hasn’t it? Well, the dayjob’s been keeping me busy, as has the new story I’m working on. But now, I’m in the midst of a long weekend from work, and the story is almost ready to send to my betas. One more alpha read and it should be there.
So, that’s hopeful. Today’s batch of links is a mixed bag of goodies. I hope you’ll find something interesting here.
Writing up that Staircase
Minerva Zimmerman, one of the contributors to Winter Well: Speculative Novellas About Older Women, takes a look at the writer’s journey. I like the metaphor.
10 Literary Authors You Didn’t Know Wrote Science Fiction
Jason Diamond at Flavorwire tries to fool us with a list of literary authors who wrote science fiction. Interesting list. I never thought of Woolf’s Orlando as science fiction, but okay,
Top 10 worst sex scenes in modern literature
As a member of Livejournal’s weepingcock community, I’ve read way worse sex scenes than most of these, but these actually got published! I’m torn between the lepidopterist and Zorro (both of which made an appearance over at wc) being my “favorites.” What are yours?
How to prove to a global warming denier that climate change is real, in 14 seconds
At this point, I don’t know if you can convince a climate change denier that it’s real. Deniers gonna deny. Still, it’s pretty damned obvious to those who actually want to use their brains.
A Poem By Patricia Lockwood
Ms. Lockwood’s poem, The Rape Joke, over at the Awl. Powerful stuff. Trigger warning.
Huh. Now that I’m coming up with links randomly, I’m getting a decent list more quickly. That’s good, right? Or maybe I’m spending too much time surfing? That is a possibility. Nice mix today. What do you think?
The World Needs Writers
Johanna Harkness on writers and storytelling. Telling those tales is important.
So You Just Had Your Book Published
Chuck Wendig talks about the interesting mind game that is being published.
Changing the Creepy Guy Narrative
I love this. Chris Brecheen turns the tables on a subway creeper.
New Big-Nosed Horned Dinosaur Found in Utah
Christine Dell’Amore reports at National Geographic on the new dinosaur that’s been found in Utah. Neat!
Take a Closer Look at Bizarre Dinosaurs
And thanks to that last link, I just spent half an hour playing with this National Geographic interactive dinosaur thingie. Much fun.
Big Nosed Dinosaur! Illustration courtesy of Lukas Panzarin
This batch of links isn’t quite as heavy, at least in my mind. I hope you find something of interest.
Lessons sports teach you: Perfection is the enemy of excellence
Sam B. at Fit, Feminist, and (almost) Fifty shares her thoughts on the problems of perfectionism.
Trayvon Martin, The East, and the Consequences of Inaction
My inner seven-year-old is a lot like the Belle Jar’s. It’s part of why I’m so cranky all the time.
OMG, like there are totally things called Valley Bees!
I’m so sure, Bug Girl!
Angry Young Woman
A poem from Wordlander. It’s awesome.
To Succeed, Fail Boldly
The Weekly Sift offers some words of hope.
Busy weekend, plus new toys in the house. We finally have an ereader AND a tablet. Kind of exciting. Now I want to read ALL THE THINGS!
Instead, I’m posting interesting links for you. See how much I love you? 😉
Why society still needs feminism
Caitlin O’Donnell at Times-Delphic with a great, yet sad, list of reasons why feminism is still sorely needed.
Wrong on the Internet: Bogus USA Spider Chart
Bug Girl with some good info on a spider chart that’s been making the rounds.
The Essence of the Process Is Revision
It took me a long time to get this, but now that I do, I find I really like the editing and revising. There’s a better story/book waiting at the other end of it, and it’s worth the work. H/T Visible + Real for the link from The Art of Non-Conformity.
The Final Epic Act Of The Departing Commander Of The International Space Station Truly Rocked
This video (created by Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station before he returned to Earth) made my week. I’m guessing you’ve already seen it, but if you haven’t, go watch it!
Celebrating Mighty Girl Heroes: Ten Women You Might Not Know, But Should
Jennifer de Beer at A Mighty Girl shares a great list of awesome women you may or may not know about. I knew seven of them.
Happy Sunday, all! We’ve had some lovely rain this week, and the garden is pleased. Creamed asparagus on toast (the asparagus fresh from the garden) was our breakfast this morning. Yum!
Now for some yummy links.
West African Black Rhinos Are Now Extinct
This makes me sad. Good job, humans.
Watch These Straight People Answer A Question Gay People Have Been Asked For Years
This, from Rebecca Eisenberg at Upworthy, on the other hand, was happy-making. Travis Nuckolls and Chris Baker made the video.
A TED Talk That Might Turn Every Man Who Watches It Into A Feminist? It’s Pretty Fantastic.
Ms. Eisenberg is also responsible for me finding this great TED Talk from Jackson Katz.
Tesla Museum Saved!
The Oatmeal updates on us the Tesla Museum fundraising effort. More good news!
Are you missing the three-leafed clovers?
Carla at Living Wild and Precious on being present. Plus, kitty! (thanks to V+R for the link)
Looks like we’re going to combine a couple weeks of links here, considering I haven’t been keeping up with blog business lately. There’s been gardening, writing, and general enjoying of spring, so it’s not like I’ve been goofing off. Much.
Book Review: Winter Well: Speculative Novellas About Older Women
First, a little self-promotion. My next novella is coming out in three weeks, and Jule’s Book Reviews has already reviewed Winter Well, the collection it’s in. May 24, folks!
White Lady Feminism, Christian Blogging, and the Worst of Both Possible Worlds
Dianna Anderson has some interesting thoughts on the similarities between online feminism and online Christianity. Dissent is often necessary.
Sexy Pool Party
It’s the last shot that really made me laugh.
Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls… SO I WILL
The Militant Baker on body image and loving yourself.
The Myth of the Free Market: You’ll Find a Unicorn Before You Find a Free Market
Scriptonite Daily with thoughts on the free market, or if there really is one. A long read, but worth it.
Kentucky woman ordained as priest by dissident Roman Catholics
Sofia Perpetua, with NBC News, discusses the ordination of a woman as Catholic priest. I didn’t know there were dissident groups who did this. Cool.
Honey bees, CCD, and the Elephant in the Room
Fascinating post at Bug Girl’s Blog on colony collapse disorder in honey bees and how a lot of folks might be taking the wrong approach. Dr. Doug Yanega guest posts.
Newsflash: Spot Reduction/Spot Training Does NOT Work
Fit, Feminist, and (almost) Fifty calls out a longstanding exercise myth.
14-Year-Old Scientist Makes a Groundbreaking Discovery
Maria Elena Grimmett is working to ensure that people around the world have safe drinking water.
Little Girls Are Better at Designing Superheroes than You
A fun tumblr project by Alex Law. Law draws superheroes based on little girls’ costumes. Kinda cool.
Applications open for Mars One, the first human space colony
Casey Johnston at Ars Technica tells us about the private space project that plans to colonize Mars.
It’s been a heck of a week here in New England. I teared up a little listening the Red Sox game yesterday when Neil Diamond made an impromptu appearance to sing along with himself in the seventh inning. A little odd, since the two Neils weren’t always in synch, but quite touching.
One good thing, though? The Winter of the Novel is finished! I handed off a printed manuscript to my alpha this week. Now, on to the next story.
Time for some links. I decided that all the links this week are going to be positive in some way. I think we all need that. (back to my usual cranky self next time)
Jacek Yerka – dreams and imagination
Wordlander on an artist I didn’t know of until reading her post. Beautiful!
Relax. You’re Already Ok. Also: Pimp Suits
Meg Worden over at Feed Me Darling on being enough.
If Diets Don’t Work, Then What?
Fit, Feminist, and (almost) Fifty gives a pretty good answer. FF&(a)F is quickly becoming one of my favorite blogs.
High Schooler Protests ‘Slut-Shaming’ Abstinence Assembly Despite Alleged Threats From Her Principal
High school senior Katelyn Campbell stands up to her bully of a principal over an abstinence-only assembly full of lies. He threatened to call the college who accepted her to tell them about her “bad character.” The college’s response is awesome.
Anonymous’s Mirror Facebook Page Mocking the Westboro Baptist Church with Love and Tinfoil Kittehs
Making me love Anonymous even more.
New Zealand Passes Marriage Equality, Bringing Country Count To 14
Zack Ford over at Think Progress on New Zealand passing marriage equality. Both videos are definitely worth watching. I love the MP in the second one.
Shakespeare for Hamsters
Hannah Meiklejohn’s hamster likes poetry, so it seems. And pumpkin seeds.
Astronauts’ Favorite Space Food: Shrimp Cocktail
Who knew? Megan Garber at The Atlantic gives us the scoop.
Piper Deez and the Case of the Winter Planet
To Shape the Dark
Substitution Cipher
M. Fenn 