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Writers

Asta’s Annotations: Editing Tips for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writers

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Today I thought I would cover three of the common editing queries I see from science fiction and fantasy writers. 1) World and Race Names The common issue here appears to be whether or not to capitalise. My advice is to follow standard English conventions, unless you have a strong reason not to do so. In either case, the real key is consistency. Don’t swap and change from chapter to chapter; make a decision on your preference and stick to it. Here is an example based on common English usage, followed by a fantasy rendering. In Denmark, many Danes enjoy … Read more

For Writers: Action Heroes

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action hero

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Hank T. Cannon: LGBTQIA action heroes: what do you put into them that satisfies the tropes of the genre, but also makes them yours, out side of the cookie cutter mainstream action hero? Maybe that is the point, LGBTIQA action heroes are just like mainstream action heroes except for the romance part? Join the chat

Jeff Baker—Boogieman In Lavender

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The View From Worldcon, or Down On The Swanwick River by Jeff Baker A stack of autographed books and a head full of memories. Those are the souvenirs from a few days at MidAmeriCon II, the World Science Fiction Convention, held in Kansas City, MO August 17 through 21, 2016. We got there Thursday the 18th in time for me to drive over to the Crown Center (the vast convention facility where the convention was being held) and see it all for myself. I had been to Bouchercon (the Mystery Writers of America Convention) in Cleveland in 2012 so I … Read more

For Writers: Writing Non Binary

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Gender

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer John Allenson: John suggested that we talk about writing non binary characters. So often in fiction, we’re stuck on the idea that characters are either male or female – that they fit into society’s traditional gender worldview. Even with transgender characters, there’s often an expectation that they are “really” one or another – male or female – and are on a journey to physically become their real gender. But that leaves out a whole bunch of people, including folks who are intersex, transgender people who do not fully transition, and gender fluid … Read more

Angel’s Bits – Author as Reader

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It bothers me on a wince-inducing, cellular level when an author says these words: I don’t have time to read. Dude (used in the gender-neutral, collective sense) – that’s part of your job as an author. To read. Oh, I know. We can’t read everything. Sometimes it’s difficult to grab enough time to read, certainly. Most of us don’t have the time to read all the books we’d like. But we have to grab, borrow and steal some time. Somewhere. Especially when an author writes genre fiction, it’s a good idea to understand what’s out there. Are we being too … Read more

For Writers: Mentoring New Authors

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Yoda mentors Luke

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Ryane Chatman: “How do you feel about mentoring new authors?” I like to think that QSF provides a safe space for experienced, new, and aspiring authors, but have any of you taken someone on one-on-one? How was/is the experience? Join the chat

For Writers: You, In Stories

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mirror

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Ryane Chatman: “How much of your life ends up in your stories?” Ryane asks a great question. I have stories where one of the protagonists is 80% me, and some where I’m hardly present at all, though of course my life experience almost always informs the story. And struggling writers do often show up in my tales. *grin* How does your life, history, and personality manifest itself in your stories, if at all? Join the chat

Social Media for Writers

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Social Media

FOR WRITERS Angel is taking a break from her Bits this week. Yeah, I knew that sounded wrong as soon as I typed it. :P Anyhow, today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Ben Brock: “Which social media platforms are best for which things?” I’ll elaborate a bit. As writers, we need to reach out to current and potential readers to energize and grow our fan base. Are some social media platforms better for reaching different parts of the LGBTIQA rainbow? Are some better for promo? What about bang for the buck? Are some best for advertising, while others may be … Read more

Angel’s Bits – Writer Diseases (And When Do They Stop?)

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Hi all! It’s been an odd summer – too hot, too busy, too many things to figure out – so my personal writing has been in something of a slump. (Yes, there were releases. Re-issues, dontcha know.) Anyway, I find myself battling some common writer maladies… Submissionitis Also known as: I have to submit this. It’s as finished as it’s going to be. They’ll hate it. Oh, my gods, I can’t hit the send button. My stomach is in knots. (Eventually, that shaking finger manages to hit the send button – out it goes into the wilds. And still shaking.) … Read more

For Writers: Where Do Your Ideas Come From?

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FOR WRITERS: Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Paula Wyant: Not necessarily only limited to QSF, but a question that I (as a reader) would love to hear answers to (and as a writer hate to hear) is: Where do you get your ideas? I know Angel hates this topic whenever it comes up, and I will expect a suitable snarky response from her. But seriously, what inspires your story ideas? Enquiring minds want to know. Join the chat