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writing

For Writers: When it Flows

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Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Tam Ames: For authors: Do you find that some parts of the book seem to just flow from your fingers and others need to be dragged kicking and screaming? What is the easiest part for you to write? The beginning, the end, the middle? How about sex scenes if you include them? Can’t wait to get down and dirty or dread having to get them in the sack together. Do you just push yourself through the tough parts? Use a reward system? Give up? Join the chat

For Writers: Treating Writing Like a Job

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Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Elizabeth Noble: Writing/publishing is a job and maybe hints on treating it as such? It’s a great idea. As writers, we often start off doing this as a hobby. Many of us have other jobs, and writing gets relegated to second or even third class status. So what can we do to prioritize our writing, to make it the equivalent of our other job or jobs? Join the chat

For Writers: Alien Ace

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Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Matthew J. Metzger: For ace: is the tendency of asexual characters to be non-human actually damaging perceptions of asexuality rather than providing positive representation? That’s an interesting question. Yes, I know it may be a shock to some of you, but there are asexual people among us. Ace ranks way down the totem pole on LGBTIQA rights and awareness. I didn’t even know that I knew any ace folks until fairly recently. So my questions today: Why is there such a scarcity of ace characters in queer fiction? And why are so many aliens? … Read more

For Writers: Paranormal vs. Supernatural

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supernatural paranormal

Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer MD Grimm: What’s the difference between “supernatural” and “paranormal”? According to the dictionary, their descriptions are basically the same thing, but for most publishers, shape-shifters and monsters are under paranormal and ghosts are under supernatural. (I find that funny since I’ve always thought it was the other way around). But does it matter? Come join the chat

For Writers: Writing Dirt

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Today’s discussion topic comes from QSFer Jim Comer: What is the place of cleanliness, and of dirt? Are we so automatically used to hot running water that we are unable to imagine living (and sex) without it??? Delany has written some truly squick-inducing scenes of “anti-pornography” involving dirt and filth. It’s an interesting question. We generally like our characters pretty and clean, but sometimes they have to get dirty. I write a lot of stories that involve quests across a lot of territory. They’re gonna get dirty. So I try to be realistic about that, up to a point. And … Read more

Writer Discussion: Using Character Sheets

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Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Alexis Woods: Even with a couple of published short stories under my belt, I’m constantly learning the tricks and trials of being an author. I have one series of three books that’s currently out there, and am in the process of working on a sequel to another book. One of the first problems I encountered was accidentally almost naming both of my MCs mothers with the same name. Luckily (for me), one astute beta picked up on it. I’ve since created a document that lists all my stories with all the characters names used, … Read more

Discussion: Using Music in Speculative Fiction

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Yellow Dancer

Editor’s Note: Angel is hoarding her bits today, but hopes to share them with us again next week. Today’s topic comes from QSFer Hank T. Cannon: Music! What are the ins and outs of using song lyrics in a story, or novel as temporal or emotional touchstones. Is licensing involved, or only after a certain point? Does it detract from a story by anchoring it too much in a certain time and place? Great questions. I’ve used songs in stories, only to have the lyrics yanked out over publisher concerns of copyright issues. What’s your experience with music in stories? … Read more

Opinion: What Will Happen to Our LGBT Literature?

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One reason I’ve been writing all these years has to do with helping us feel good about ourselves. I’d like to think the cultural work that’s proliferated from the latter half of the twentieth century through today has contributed to building our strength so we could accomplish all we have. If the pendulum of history swings against us like a wrecking ball from the future, we’ll need the writing, the photographs, the women’s music–to stay strong, to be queer strong, just as we need it now. But will our stories be available twenty, fifty, a hundred years from now? I … Read more

Getting the Guy (or Girl)

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bisexual

In honor of Bisexual Awareness Week, we have a topic from QSFer Freddy MacKay: From a reader perspective, if an author’s character is bi, and actively dates both sexes during a series, but ends up with an opposite sex partner, how would that make you feel? Why? It’s an interesting question – whatever your orientation, there’s a natural desire to see things work out the way you hope they would in your own life. But we also open ourselves up to the experiences of others. As a gay man, I’ve been exposed to heterosexual romance my entire life – and … Read more

Creating Engaging Dialogue

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Dialog

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Allison Mann: how to build engaging dialogue. fun? witty? suspenseful?how to build engaging dialogue. fun? witty? suspenseful? Dialogue is at the heart of most stories – if you can pull off a natural dialogue, you can keep your reader engaged in the story, and provide insight into your characters without having to say “Character a likes toast.”: Millicent’s hand hovered over the plate for a moment. “Oh, I haven’t had a piece of toast since I was a child,” she said, willing her hand to return to her lap. “But it looks soooo good. Is … Read more