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For Writers: There’s History in My Worldbuilding

Worldbuilding

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Kari Trenten: “History and how it interacts with world building also interests me.” Yes, no man is an island, and very few worlds are built without at least a little history. Think of Guy Gavriel Kay, who builds fantasy worlds heavily dependent on existing (often European) countries and history. So how much history goes into your own worldbuilding, and where do you get it? Join the chat

For Writers: Alien Politics

Boris alien

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Justine Bonczek: How do ya’ll create/translate politics – a very human framework for organizing society – into alien/magical societies? Do you take what exists in human history and tweak it, or do you start from the ground up to create something new? Curious minds want to know! Join the chat

For Writers: Class & Masculinity

masculinity

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer NAME: Right now there seems to be a blanket application of “Alpha” and other associated Greek-soup characters toward men in writing. However, in historic and, for me, black fiction, class has a distinct impression on how masculinity is defined, expressed and navigated. Is it important to you to convey the range of masculinity outside of the expected packaging for the genre you’re writing in, or is the packaging more important. Clothing, is one area where this sticks out a lot. Join the chat

Asta’s Annotations: The Path to LGBT Fiction

Today I thought it might be interesting to discuss how we all came to LGBT fiction, whether as readers or writers.   For me, it all started with the film Van Helsing in 2004. Meeting fellow fans through the LiveJournal account I had at the time led me to discover fan fiction, and slash in particular. One of my earliest serious attempts at writing was a fan fiction with a Dracula/Van Helsing back story. I’ve written the occasional piece since—Rimmer/Lister (Red Dwarf), Hannibal/Will (Hannibal), Ragnar/Athelstan (Vikings), Sherlock/John (Sherlock), Steve/Loki (Avengers) etc.—and I still read a story or two when a … Read more

Jeff Baker–Boogieman In Lavender

                                                                                                         Queer 101                                                    By Jeff Baker               When I was scoping out markets for LGBT-themed science-fiction/Fantasy/Horror (1) short-stories (2) about five years ago, I decided to do my research. Not just into markets but into what sort of fiction of this type had been written and was being written today. The “had been” is important; there have been complaints that today are readers who gush over “Twilight” who have never heard of “Dark Shadows.”             So here are some, not all, of the books I perused (3) while I was figuring out exactly … Read more

Angel’s Bits – Stalking Authors in the Wild

Authors are much more accessible these days – at least online. We can friend our favorite authors, follow blogs and Twitter feeds, see photos of them with friends and so on. But now you’ve decided to attend an event. Real life, three-dimensional authors will be there. (Gasp!) The time spent face to face with your author quarry can be limited at larger events. You might see them on a panel or at a signing. Other events are geared toward allowing readers to interact with authors. Though the setting doesn’t matter too much – you’ve spotted the author on your personal … Read more

For Writers: Real Diversity

diversity hands

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Lex Chase: With the call for diversity in fiction, what about lead characters who are not alpha male badasses? What about an effeminate hero? Or the handsome heroine? Or other character types that never strike us as typically “strong jawed and can obviously save the day?” Join the chat

New Discoveries Day!

New Discoveries Day

Hey all, Welcome to New Discoveries Day – a day once a month (usually on the last day of the month) when we discuss recent discoveries that fascinate us and that could spawn plot bunnies (or plot squirrels or plot mongeese – your plot animal of choice). So chime in and let us know about any new discoveries you ran across in the last month – links are always appreciated. Thanks to Freddy MacKay for the great idea! –Scott Come Join the Chat!