smwright

Fictional death: Should it come for all?

On a forum that I frequent, one poster launched a discussion in regards to death in fiction, asking why the majority of authors feel the need to resurrect characters or never kill them all along. This, in turn, got me thinking about fictional deaths both in the books I read and the ones I write.Continue reading “Fictional death: Should it come for all?”

Let’s Research: Filling In The Gaps

You’ve done your research, like really, copious amounts of it. There are a piles of books scattered around your house and don’t even mention the hoard of URLs and downloaded journal articles clogging up your computer or other devices. What’s this?! There’s a loose end, there’s another one, and no, are they multiplying? Don’t fret.Continue reading “Let’s Research: Filling In The Gaps”

Chilling in Limbo

Once again, I kind of dropped off the radar. February was a tough month. I said goodbye to my beloved corgi, Gracie. I also had to undergo a series of medical tests and got, while not horrible, results that I really didn’t want, but with my family history, I knew constant monitoring would be aContinue reading “Chilling in Limbo”

Let’s Research: Great Resources

Resources for writers are bountiful, especially in the digital age. You can find all sorts of obscure bits of trivia online. You can also access digitized journals or books that you might not be able to access outside of a college town. There is so much that can be discovered, and it is exciting! InContinue reading “Let’s Research: Great Resources”

Let’s Research: Finding Experts

Experts are everywhere, and they’re in every field, no matter how obscure or niche. Most, if approached respectfully, are more than willing to help writers with their fiction projects, and they can really benefit any manuscript no matter the genre. You write fantasy? Experts can still help! They can make up for what you mightContinue reading “Let’s Research: Finding Experts”

This Valentine’s Day Another OTP

My piece about Adama/Roslin being my ultimate OTP (aka One True Pairing) continues to be one of the most popular blog posts that I have ever done to the point it keeps getting hits almost every day. I think it just goes to speak for the couple, which is so beloved even though Battlestar Galactica (2004)Continue reading “This Valentine’s Day Another OTP”

Let’s Research: Understanding Sources

As a writer (people, in general, need this, too), understanding sources is vital. Not all sources are created equal, and because they are created by humans, one has to look at the creator of any text to see what biases or agendas they might have. Sometimes, veracity can be impacted by creator biases or unintentionallyContinue reading “Let’s Research: Understanding Sources”

Let’s Research: Down The Rabbit Hole

Research is a rite of passage for many a writer. No matter the genre, there is usually some level required unless the novel’s world is very small and completely within the realm of what the author knows. For some, research transforms into a never-ending rabbit hole–à la Alice in Wonderland–and writing never launches. It canContinue reading “Let’s Research: Down The Rabbit Hole”

Setting Through The Lens Of Character

The scenery around us often changes in subtle ways depending on our moods and particular outlook on any given day. A garden that once provided comfort might morph into a mockery of that feeling in a darker personal moment, its hedges shifting away from a sense of whimsy, tightening around you, trapping you into aContinue reading “Setting Through The Lens Of Character”

2018 Reading Highlights

I used to be an avid reader but really slacked off after college — at least when it came to published books. I devoured fanfics like crazy, and for the longest time, I really did cling to my favorite fandoms, enjoying AUs, fix-its, time travel, and so on. However, in 2018, I decided to participateContinue reading “2018 Reading Highlights”