Category Archives: essays

Focus Groups Taking over the World!

Posted on April 10, 2013 by

This morning’s Wall Street Journal features an article entitled “Test-marketing a Modern Princess,” about how Disney Junior is developing their new Sofia the First television series. Yes, folks, these executives are sitting down with pre-schoolers, reading them storylines and filming … Continue reading →

Posted in books, essays, fiction, marketing, publishing, social media, Uncategorized, writing process | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Why We Love Violence

Posted on March 6, 2013 by

Time Magazine’s March 11 issue features a cover story about Oscar Pistorius, Olympic athlete and accused murderer. A little later on, it includes an article called “Serial Killing” about the addiction of television drama to blood. The link is the … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, fantasy, fiction | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Brief History of Bastardy

Posted on January 23, 2013 by

One of the difficulties I’ve had in writing a series set in the fourteenth century is the dearth of appropriate insults. Many of the “fighting words” of today had different meanings back then, or were not used in a pejorative … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, etymology, history, medieval, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bilbo Baggins’ Bathrobe: an example of poor world-building

Posted on December 14, 2012 by

Like many of you, I am excited to see the new film(s) based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.  I’ve been following its production from a distance, and was interested to read the Wall Street Journal review of the … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, fantasy, history, medieval, medieval technology, movies, research, worldbuilding | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Drowning in the Seas of Knowledge: Social Media World-building

Posted on December 12, 2012 by

This has been my week to make a stab at getting my act together on-line.  The end of the year is approaching fast, I’d hate to miss out on my resolutions.  So now my blog has widgets, my Facebook page … Continue reading →

Posted in book promotion, essays, medieval, personal, social media | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Politics: from Poly (meaning many) + Ticks (Blood-sucking insects)

Posted on August 29, 2012 by

‘Tis the season.  Political signs are popping up faster than the leaves are turning and half my mail is propaganda.  Vote for this guy! Vote for her!  Don’t vote for them, for heaven’s sake!!  Freedom of speech, check. But all the … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Writer’s First Job: Why Should I Care?

Posted on February 9, 2012 by

Again last night, I tossed aside a book after reading a couple of chapters and flipping idly through the ending to see if it turned out as I expected.  The book seemed pretty well written, the setting was clear, characters … Continue reading →

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The Ultimate Sacrifice: It’s not what you think.

Posted on November 9, 2011 by

On Friday of this week, we are honoring veterans, as we should be honoring them every day.  Even those who don’t support war have come to understand the vital need to support the soldiers themselves, to ensure that returning veterans … Continue reading →

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