Interesting discussions about world-building, from a diverse collection of writers – Alastair Reynolds, Nnedi Okorafor, M. John Harrison, etc.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90588598/6-unconventional-productivity-tips-for-calm-and-focused-2021
From one owl to everyone!
In fiction, we remember the deaths that make us sad — ScienceDaily
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201217113002.htm
Meaningful deaths (death of someone that redeemed themselves or sacrificed themselves for someone else).
Happy deaths (The hero finally kills the evil villain).
Varies by genre, but across all genres, people tend to remember meaningful deaths more than others.
“May the words in your mind crystallize into magic on the page.” – Brian Rathbone.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200604-what-we-can-learn-from-untranslatable-illnesses
Things to keep in mind when worldbuilding.
What rowing solo across the ocean teaches you about solitude
https://www.fastcompany.com/90494452/what-rowing-solo-across-the-ocean-can-teach-about-solitude
Read it. She has some good ideas on dealing with panic, stress, staying focused, and simply enjoying things.
Public transport will now be free in Luxembourg
But, of course, the only purpose for anything in the United States is to make more profits for the already-wealthy.
For us science fiction and fantasy writers.
Mary Astell called out ‘bad custom’ centuries ahead of her time
Your stories are your children sent out into the world to stand or fall.
They need you to believe in them, to find them good homes, watch out for them and support them.
Love your stories. You owe it to them!
Tell the story that needs to be told, in the way it needs to be told, to the length it needs to be told.
Don’t poison a story by insisting it must be an apple when it’s really an orange.
Don’t stunt a story by forcing it beyond its natural growth nor by forcing it to grow in a box too small.
“Genres” and “standard story lenghs” are publisher’s artefacts, not part of storytelling.
Breakthroughs don’t come through abiding by conventions and working in boxes.
