Big on the Internet: SF writers who blog by Carol Pinchefsky – Intergalactic Medicine Show
Over at the Intergalactic Medicine Show, Carol Pinchefsky has written an interesting article about the number of science fiction writers who blog. And now that she mentions it, I have noticed that a lot of the bloggers I’ve met along the way also seem to be aspiring writers of speculative fiction. Now, I realize that this will in no way be representative of the population as a whole, since my readership is far too small for such things, but this is the time for everyone (even those of you who simply lurk) to speak up.
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Tags: blogging, intergalactic-medicine-show, science-fiction, Speculative Fiction, Writing
Anna’s “The Dream”
Watching your younger siblings grow up into adults makes it clear just how quickly time passes. Frankly, it’s often hard for me to remember that they are no longer just little kids. This is especially true of my sister, who is seven years my junior. The age difference causes me to always think of her as a kid. (I understand, just a little bit, why mothers always see their kids as their babies, no matter how old they are.)
It’s been a pleasure watching my kid sister grow up into a fine young lady and a greater joy to see her recently stop fighting God and turning, instead, to follow Him once again. She also has joined the world of blogging, and yesterday she wrote a brief story about her conversion as a child. It’s thrilling, as a writer, to see her own writing style mature – the prose is excellent and the imagery inspiring. If you get a chance to go read, and even to comment, please do so by clicking on the link above and offer your thoughts on her writing. I am sure she would appreciate the feedback.
Tags: blogging, Writing
One of the coolest things about blogging is that it allows people to exercise their writing skills and ultimately become better writers. I just wish that people would take the time to proofread before they click ‘Submit’ or ‘Publish’ or whatever button their software uses to distribute their latest article to the Web. I don’t necessarily expect things to be perfect—not everyone can be a literary perfectionist. But I struggle to finish articles where every third or fourth word is misspelled, where punctuation is either woefully lacking or horribly out of place, and where grammar seems to follow no rules that have ever been established for the English language. If it’s really bad I end up clicking out of the site before I ever get started reading because it’s my opinion that I shouldn’t have to work to figure out what yours is. I enjoy thought-provoking writing, not sentence structure that makes me go cross-eyed trying to figure it out.
So, as a personal request from me, please proofread your work once or twice before submitting it, and if necessary, call a friend to look it over. The rest of us will thank you for making your writing more readable.
Tags: blogging, proof-reading, Writing
I got sucked in. I don’t usually post results like these….
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Your Blogging Type is Confident and Insightful
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You’ve got a ton of brain power, and you leverage it into brilliant blog.
Both creative and logical, you come up with amazing ideas and insights.
A total perfectionist, you find yourself revising and rewriting posts a lot of the time.
You blog for yourself – and you don’t care how popular (or unpopular) your blog is!
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Agree or disagree? I think it’s spot-on, though the fact that the survey is only a couple of questions long pretty much destroys any actual reliability or validity it might hold….
Tags: blogging, meme, reliability, Statistics, validity
My Own Private Riot » I Hate the Word ‘Blog’
Mr. Porcupine makes the statement that he hates the word ‘blog’—and frankly, I agree. Wholeheartedly. I have never been fond of the word, or of its paternity (i.e. ‘weblog’). I have gone to some length in the past to avoid using it because it sounds awkward and… smushy. (Ironic, then, isn’t it, that I use the very word in the title of this site? If I ever make the banner I want, that decision will make a lot more sense.) Ever heard the sound a trumpet makes when it blats so loudly that it hurts? That painful bleating noise that sounds good only in the right context (read, ‘jazz’)? ‘Blog’ kind of reminds me of that. I shudder at the thought of my writing being conceived of in terms of something so distasteful.
It occurred to me that we might make a concerted effort to replace the word ‘blog’ with something that is more suitable. Work with me here.
‘Journal?’ I suppose technically that is what we do with our sites, journal the things we think about, but I’ve always associated journaling with pen and paper. More tangible, less digital. Try something else.
‘Diary.’ Uh-uh. As a guy I vehemently protest this one. Scratch it off the list of potentials.
How about simply calling it a ‘log?’ Nope. This one calls to mind images of salt water, creaking timbers, and cries of “Ahoy, matey!” Next.
‘Ledger.’ ‘Memoir.’ ‘Column.’ Ugh. Strike! Pass.
What about referring to each new entry as a ‘post?’ Not fond of that one, either. But you can’t rightly call them articles—they’re not purchased by any magazines. They’re not columns because, well, they take up the whole page, not just a sidebar on a page with fancy ads and actual articles.
Maybe it would be better to coin a couple of new terms. The trouble is that I am at a loss for ideas right now. My poor noodle is baked already.
Any suggestions?
Tags: blogging, definitions
Writing is strenuous work. You wouldn’t think it would be just to look at it. But it takes effort and discipline and energy. I often leave a lengthy session of writing feeling fatigued, both
mentally and physically. It takes a lot out of me. Yet it is some of the most satisfying work I do in the course of a day. Right now, I have several writing projects I am working on.
One is a series of in-depth theological discussions on Open Dialogue. A couple of individuals have really made the dialogue very challenging, and I have enjoyed it immensely. Most of my responses involve at least half an hour’s worth of work, yet I leave them feeling refreshed, invigorated, and strengthened in my own faith. Indeed, these discussions have had the effect of driving me closer to my God these past few days than just about anything else (save the encouragement of my wife and a couple of dear friends).
Another project is this blog. I have a series of articles in mind to write based on a couple of experiences from this past weekend. One article
I have already written. The others are patiently waiting in my mental queue. They know I have other things on my mind and on my plate right now.
And then my final projects are in some ways my most important. I have a fantasy novel in progress. I am over halfway done with a science fiction short story. I am beginning to live my dream of authoring, of writing for the purpose of publication. My wife has been extremely supportive of me in this endeavor, and we have found the time for me to write a little bit nearly every single evening. It has already been richly rewarding, and I can’t wait to submit this first short story to a magazine with hopes that they will purchase it. Several friends have already graciously agreed to serve as my first line editing ‘staff’, and so I greatly look forward to getting
their feedback.
I do believe that God has given me a gift to write, along with the desire, the passion for the written word, and I want to use this gift for His glory.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31 (NIV)
Tags: blogging, discipline, discussion-forum, fantasy, open-dialogue, Speculative Fiction, theology, Writing
I admit it. I periodically suffer from bouts of despondency. Truth be known, I’m actually very moody and wrestle with depression on a fairly regular basis. (And the fact that my wife can put up with me day after day makes me love her all that much more.)
One thing that consistently plagues me when I hit these low points is to wonder why I bother to write, why I join in on different discussions, both over on my new forum and here on Xanga. I find myself wondering if, in the long-run, it even matters, does it make a difference, is this deep passion of mine to think deeply on the things that seem to matter and then to share that with others just so much wasted effort and energy. I guess I often grow discouraged at the
seeming lack of interest, especially in our generation, in the things that matter most, in learning what it means to live this life in a way that pleases God and draws others to Him. Admittedly, I struggle along from day to day, and more often than not find myself doing exactly the opposite of what I know I should be doing, and yet I feel this deep, burning desire to still try to get it right.
All of what I do here on Xanga and at Open Dialogue is with the intent of getting it right and seeing others get it right, too. I read what some folks write and wonder what it is they live for, what drives them, what motivates them. And for others, it is very clear what it is they live for, and it either causes me to rejoice or to feel great sadness.
I write here to teach myself and to share with others what I am learning, with hopes that we can work on each other to become more like Christ. I love the discussions here and at Open Dialogue and with the people I talk to. But I am also discouraged at how few of us seem to actually have this desire to reflect Christ.
I will continue to try to meet people where they are, to take part in their thoughts and discussions, to help them see Christ just a little better. In the meantime, I will also continue my own journey, writing here and at Open Dialogue, and hope that others find it worth their time to join me.
Why do you write? What do you hope to accomplish? How have you already been changed?
Tags: blogging, depression, motivations, open-dialogue, Writing
