the key to predictability

I’m reading this book and it’s predictable. Which isn’t awful. The characters are amusing enough and it’s not great, but it’s not bad. But it got me thinking… I’ve also been reading this book a little bit every night before bed. I think I started, I mean really I started a few weeks ago, put […]

February 9, 2015 | Posted in Craft, Story Courses
Fairy Tale Legacy: Cinderella

We have this false idea that fairy tales are about weak and passive heroines, damsels in distress. So we are always fighting against a fairy tale legacy that doesn’t exist. Cinderella may be one of the most retold of the fairy tales in our society. And so rather by default, most often falls victim to […]

February 2, 2015 | Posted in Story Courses
Fairy Tale Legacy: Sleeping Beauty

We have this false idea that fairy tales are about weak and passive heroines, damsels in distress. So we are always fighting against a fairy tale legacy that doesn’t exist. Sleeping Beauty has always been one of my favorites. Which is difficult because she is the most passive of the fairy tale heroines. The course […]

January 19, 2015 | Posted in Story Courses
These Broken Stars

There’s a story behind this book, but don’t worry. It has a happy ending. When I read it, I loved it. It was clever and interesting. I liked the world and I liked the characters. And then I got to The Thing. And I didn’t know what I thought anymore. I thought it was handled […]

January 11, 2015 | Posted in author events, Life
possibility and hope

The thing I love about new years is it reminds us of possibility. It always exists – tomorrow could bring any number of new things into our lives. We can change ourselves on any given day and decide who we want to become and start making the choices to create that reality. But we forget […]

December 31, 2014 | Posted in Life
the fairy tale legacy

While drafting one of my posts for Sci-Fi November I hit upon the fairy tale legacy. It’s something I’ve recognized for a while, you probably have too even before I gave it a term. The fairy tale legacy is what everyone seems to be constantly fighting against – the idea of a princess that needs […]

December 22, 2014 | Posted in Story Courses
things of 2014

Initially this post was a filler, just a way to space some things out. But once I started writing it, I realized it’s actually a year worth remembering. I published my first novel, Tattered Heart. That should have been a clue right there that I should write something about this year. It was exciting and […]

December 15, 2014 | Posted in Life, Tattered Heart, travel
when words toy with you

I have a fairly robust vocabulary. I’m pretty sure it’s from reading so much as a kid without any concept of “reading level.” And I love nuance in words. Maybe that comes in part from my vocabulary and maybe it’s just a part of my personality – I don’t know. But the subtle differences in […]

December 8, 2014 | Posted in Tattered Heart
the bane of strong women

Years ago, so many years ago the link is long gone and there is no evidence of this quote other than my memory, Scarlett Johansson was giving an interview because she was starring in The Island. I can’t remember the question but her response to it has (obviously) stayed with me. She said how great […]

November 24, 2014 | Posted in meme
My deep, dark book secret

I have a book secret I almost put into my author bio but my sister encouraged me not to so I wouldn’t alienate any potential non-geek readers. Plus, it’s not particularly related to fairy tales. But it seems just the thing to confess for Sci-Fi November. It’s entirely possible I’ve read more ST:TNG novels than […]

November 17, 2014 | Posted in meme