December 30, 2008
Judging Terminator
I watched "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" again recently. I remembered it being great. But what struck me this time around is that in the movie you can actually see the beginning of a great leader in the kid John Connor. He teaches a Terminator to use non-lethal violence instead of kill indiscriminately. He insists on breaking his mother out of the asylum despite the risk to himself. He gently woos Dyson's kid out of the room while Mom and Terminator lay out the horrific future ahead. It is easy to see this kid has the potential to become a great leader.
That stood out in stark contrast to the way John is portrayed in the current Terminator television series "The Sarah Connor Chronicles." The series' teenage John Connor shows no such great-leader potential. Instead, teenage John comes off as selfish, whiny and rebellious. Nothing about him--except maybe his proficiency with computers--leads me to think he will grow into the leader of the resistance. And that bugs me every time I watch the show.
Posted by Selena at 04:37 PM | Comments (0)
October 23, 2008
First Rule of Flying
I happened on this at YouTube. It's one of my favorite Firefly/Serenity scenes. I even blogged about it once.
In this scene, Mal explains that the first rule of flying is love:
"You can learn all the math in the ‘verse, but you take a boat in the air that you don’t have love, she’ll shake you off just as sure as a turn in the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down. Tells you she’s hurtin’ before she keens. Makes her home…"
Posted by Selena at 09:05 AM | Comments (0)
September 05, 2008
"Grubs" by S. A. Miller
Here is some science fiction to start off the month of September. This story is set in the same world as the author's previous story (at DKA) "Aliens in the Church." Enjoy.
"Grubs"
by S. A. Miller
The things a human can do with thirty-seven grubs...
Posted by Selena at 07:47 AM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2008
"CLS" by Lawrence Barker
Today we take a break from the winning poems in order to bring you some science fiction. Enjoy!
"CLS"
by Lawrence Barker
Banned from the Pack for telling the truth, Tailstub is required to leave the World. Now, whether they know it or not, the Pack's survival depends on him.
Posted by Selena at 08:04 AM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2008
MindFlights Print Edition #2 is Now Available
The print edition for MindFlights' second quarter is now available for sale through Lulu.com. It contains select works from our online issues April - June.
Just $7.50 (+ shipping)
This issue includes:
"Sun Slayer" by Sarah Ashwood
"On the Edge of Eternity" by Steve Stanton
"There was a mermaid in the sand" by Terrie Leigh Relf
"Tiempo Perdido" by Eryn Vyctorya Mills
"Sunbird" by Amanda McQuade
"Potato" by Ben Payne
"The Banshee of Brooklyn" by Karen A. Romanko
"Takin’ Notice" by Susan Plett
"The Significance of Snowflakes" by C.L. Dyck
and cover art: "Voyager" by Victoria Zamudio
Enjoy!
Posted by Selena at 07:59 PM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2008
"Window Blind" by Wade Ogletree
Here is our first story for July. Enjoy.
"Window Blind"
by Wade Ogletree
Shiu Mai serves a government she fears, and when her own technology is used against her, the promise of a life ruled by love may not be enough to free her.
Posted by Selena at 07:52 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2008
"Klar" by Richard Wolkomir
Here is some science fiction for your weekend reading. Enjoy.
"Klar"
by Richard Wolkomir
Can a 14-year-old delinquent start a stagnant world into motion?
Posted by Selena at 07:42 AM | Comments (0)
June 06, 2008
"Counterfeit World" by George L. Duncan
Here is some science fiction for your weekend reading. Enjoy.
"Counterfeit World"
by George L. Duncan
If a planet seemed like proof of the non-existence of God, is it a lie? And, if so, how would you prove it?
You may remember George's previous stories in DKA and SR:
An Epitaph For Shangri-La
The Ponce de Leon Project.
Posted by Selena at 07:43 AM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2008
"On the Edge of Eternity" by Steve Stanton
This update is a science fiction short. Enjoy!
"On the Edge of Eternity"
by Steve Stanton
An asteroid miner faces ultimate truth.
Posted by Selena at 07:38 AM | Comments (0)
April 17, 2008
MindFlights First Quarterly Print Edition is Now Available
The print edition for MindFlights' first quarter is now available for sale through Lulu.com. It contains select works from our first few online issues.
Just $6.99 (+ shipping)
This issue includes:
"There will be poetry" by Dorine Ratulangie,
"Quite the Character" by Joanna Mallory,
"The Final Voyage of the Wilbee Pharr" by Lawrence Barker,
"Galaxy in a Matchbox" by G. O. Clark,
"Vegetable Matters" by Terry W. Ervin, II,
"fire snakes" by scott virtes,
"The Beggar's Tale" by David Wright,
"One Story Short" by Gustavo Bondoni.
And the cover: "The Sentinel" by Karl Eschenbach.
Enjoy!
Posted by Selena at 07:45 PM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2008
So Overwhelmed (+BG)
I am so overwhelmed by my to-do list right now that I am very nearly frozen into inaction.
I have to just pick one thing and do it. Then pick the next thing, and so on. But it's easier said than done.
On the plus side, Battlestar Galactica is back! And it is fantastic! It's almost enough to make me watch TV live again. Almost. But no, I'll wait and watch it the next day when I can fast-forward through the commercials.
Someone please tell me where I can buy a T-shirt emblazoned with Starbuck's current battle cry: "We're going the wrong way!" For some reason that just really resonates with me right now. ;)
Posted by Selena at 07:54 AM | Comments (0)
April 08, 2008
"The Significance of Snowflakes" by C.L. Dyck
This update is flash fiction. Enjoy.
"The Significance of Snowflakes"
by C.L. Dyck
When a stone gargoyle reveals the secrets of the universe, should a reasonable mathematician listen?
Posted by Selena at 06:52 AM | Comments (0)
March 24, 2008
Story Published: "The Word"
I just had a story published. It's called "The Word" and is at Anathema, an online anthology that publishes stories written sympathetically from a contrary point of view. Being a Christian, I chose to write from a non-Christian point of view. I hope Christians won't find the story offensive; it's not meant to be.
This story is science fiction and short (under 2000 words). I think it's a humorous story about misunderstandings.
I'll hope you'll stop by and give it a read. I'd be interested to hear your reaction.
Here is the link to the story:
"The Word"
Here is the link to the magazine:
Anathema
A bit of trivia: I originally called the story "Visitors." The editor changed the title, with my consent.
Posted by Selena at 07:58 AM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2008
"Lifeline" by Jonathan J. Schlosser
And now, some science fiction...
"Lifeline"
by Jonathan J. Schlosser
Two asteroid miners become trapped in their damaged spacecraft and realize that only one of them will be able to escape.
Posted by Selena at 06:57 AM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2008
"The Final Voyage of the Wilbee Pharr" by Lawrence Barker
Here is some science fiction for your weekend reading:
"The Final Voyage of the Wilbee Pharr"
by Lawrence Barker
Centuries of space exploration have turned up no sign of intelligent life. The trader ship Wilbee Pharr turned all that around. Only the aliens were not what anyone expected. Their last contact with Earthly life had resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs...
Posted by Selena at 06:54 AM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2008
"Quite the Character" by Joanna Mallory
Here is some fun Friday reading. Enjoy!
"Quite the Character"
by Joanna Mallory
When science fiction author Robert J. Hawke takes his laptop to the local Starbucks, he’s not prepared to meet an impossibly familiar man who claims to be his novel’s hero, Jett Travers.
Posted by Selena at 11:39 PM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2008
"Earth's Ambassador" by Donna Fujimoto
Next up is...
"Earth's Ambassador"
by Donna Fujimoto
What if a space-faring alien race made first contact with an accidental representative of the human race? Would the subsequent diplomatic ties be threatened?
Posted by Selena at 06:56 AM | Comments (0)
January 25, 2008
"One Story Short" by Gustavo Bondoni
This update is a cool story about the goings-on at a successful magazine whose writers are mostly robots.
"One Story Short"
by Gustavo Bondoni
In a world where humans and robots are beginning to coexist as equals, the lines between them are sometimes blurred...
On a personal note: This story is one of my favorites that we have published so far. I tend to like stories about writers, but this one is mostly about an editor, which is unusual. Add in the twist that the magazine publishes mostly robot writers, and that the editor pulls a story from the slush pile to fill the issue at the last minute...and well, you'll just have to read the story to see how good it is.
Any resemblance to any real-life editor or magazine is purely coincidental. (haha)
Posted by Selena at 06:38 AM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2008
"Vegetable Matters" by Terry W. Ervin, II
Here is today's update:
"Vegetable Matters"
by Terry W. Ervin, II
To what lengths will a father go to protect his progeny—even if they’re no longer recognizably human?
Posted by Selena at 06:48 AM | Comments (0)
January 15, 2008
"Infringement" by Ahmed A. Khan
Here is a brief shot of fiction for your Tuesday morning...
"Infringement"
by Ahmed A. Khan
Some lines are not meant to be crossed...
Posted by Selena at 06:30 AM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2008
Podcast Interview and Story
My story "Young Ones" is part of the latest episode of Ray Gun Radio. (The story was originally published in Ray Gun Revival as part of their Issue #3.) The story is book-ended by an interview with yours truly.
You can give it a listen here.
It's such a kick to hear one of my stories read out loud! That hardly ever happens.
Posted by Selena at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)
P&E poll closes tomorrow-Vote Now!
It's getting down to the wire. Voting closes for the P&E poll TOMORROW (Jan 15). If you haven't already voted, please stop by and cast your ballot for your favorites.
There are a bunch of DEP nominees to choose from. Or feel free to add your own.
Here are some DEP nominees I noticed. (If I missed any, or new ones appear, please add them into this thread as a reply.)
Short Story:
Dust, David Misialowski, Dragons, Knights, & Angels, http://dkamagazine.com/item.php?sub_id=2356
Winter Branches, Jane Lebak, The Sword Review, http://www.theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=888
No Revolution is Too Big, Mike Lynch, Ray Gun Revival, http://www.raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1342
Little White Truths, T.M.Hunter, Ray Gun Revival, http://www.raygunrevival.com/
Fast Hands, Rob Mancebo, Ray Gun Revival, http://www.raygunrevival.com/item.php?sub_id=3530
Eye of Nukuloo, S.T. Forstner, RayGun Revival, http://www.raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=976
Beyond the Flesh, A. M. Stickel, Ray Gun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1070
Nor to the Strong, Michael Merriam, Ray Gun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_0019_2007_04_01.pdf
Sixteen In A Row, Casey Chan, Ray Gun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1099
The Mouse That Ate Civilization, Steve Poling, Ray Gun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1473
The Time of Your Life, Richard S. Levine, Raygun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_0015_2007_02_01.pdf
Anthology:
Distant Passages II, Double-Edged Publishing, http://doubleedgedpublishing.com/storeMain.php
Magazine/E-zine editor
The RGR Overlords: Johne Cook, L. S. King, Paul Christian Glenn, http://raygunrevival.com
Bill Snodgrass, http://theswordreview.com
poetry magazine
Dragons, Knights, & Angels http://dkamagazine.com
fiction magazine
Dragons, Knights, & Angels http://dkamagazine.com
Ray Gun Revival http://www.raygunrevival.com
The Sword Review http://www.theswordreview.com
artist
E.J.Mickels II http://Hisart.us/pagefour.html
Rachel Marks http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=20691&view_mode=photos&folder_id=62614
poet
Bruce Boston
Jaime Lee Moyer http://http://stillnotbored.livejournal.com/profile
Marcie Tentchoff http://mtentchoff.livejournal.com
author
Jane Lebak http://archangels.janelebak.com
Magazine/E-zine Cover Art
'Christmas Party' Tomislav Tikulin http://http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_36.jpg
'Kantoi' Ray Gun Revival Issue 30 Mohd Haris Amran http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_30.jpg
Magazine cover: Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 28 Alex Ruiz http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_28.jpg
SwordMaster E.J.Mickels href="http://www.theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=898
'Isolated Version 2' - Ray Gun Revival Issue #18 Daniel Chua Kok Jun http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_18.jpg
artwork
Jade Rachel A. Marks http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=20691&view_mode=photo&folder_id=62614&pic_id=438942
Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 25 Ed Lopez http://raygunrevival.com/Published/Cover_RGR_25.jpg
The Visitor E.J.Mickels II http://www.theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=1390
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 09:08 AM | Comments (1)
January 11, 2008
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Resha Caner
This update is our first short story. Enjoy!
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"
by Resha Caner
Orgon has spent his entire life underground, and no one can tell him why.
Posted by Selena at 07:37 AM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2008
DKA is now MindFlights
DKA is now MindFlights.
Stop by and check out our new website at www.mindflights.com.
You'll find that our first cover is already available. (It's "The Sentinel" by Karl Eschenbach, and also serves as our new profile picture.) Look for our first poem to be published tomorrow (Friday, January 4th) then updates every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. We even have a serial novel for you, with new chapters planned for each Sunday afternoon for the next six months.
Stop by and have a look then leave us a comment here or in our discussion forums.
Thanks.
Selena Thomason
Managing Editor
MindFlights magazine
Posted by Selena at 12:02 AM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2007
"At The End of Time, When the World Was New" by Keanan Brand
Here is the final story of our last issue as Dragons, Knights, & Angels. (One poem is still waiting in the wings.)
"At The End of Time, When the World Was New"
by Keanan Brand
What might happen to a man who thinks he doesn't believe in God, but learns his anger only confirms his belief?
Posted by Selena at 08:09 AM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2007
Quote of the Day
Today's quote is from a Star Trek Voyager episode:
"Survival is insufficient."
Posted by Selena at 06:16 PM | Comments (0)
November 12, 2007
Story Published: "Designed Development"
My story "Designed Development" is now available at Chaos Theory: Tales Askew."
I love the tease they put at the top of the story:
"In the future your child may never leave their room…"
The story is about virtual childhoods and an AI caretaker who befriends one of her charges. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted by Selena at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
October 31, 2007
A Cautionary Tale for Writers
I came across this in my morning surfing, and it was so great I had to blog about it. It's a forum post at Ray Gun Revival that contains a cautionary tale for writers. Seriously, if you're a writer (or an editor), stop by and give it a read. It’s funny yet so true.
While you're at RGR, you might also want to check out their interview with Firefly's Kaylee, Jewel Staite. Very cool.
Posted by Selena at 08:22 AM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2007
Heroes Returns
I am so excited because "Heroes" starts again tonight.
I can hardly wait.
Posted by Selena at 09:00 AM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2007
ST:TNG 20th Anniversary and Top Ten Episodes
Seriously? It's been twenty years since "Star Trek: The Next Generation" went on the air? Time flies. I must be getting old. I can't believe that anything I was an adult for could have happened twenty years ago.
At least reading EW.com's article on their top ten Next Gen episodes was a cool trip down memory lane. Lots of great episodes in there. (I think "The Inner Light" is still my all-time favorite.)
Some of my favorites that didn't make EW.com's list: (in no particular order)
Lessons: Picard gets involved with his new head of Stellar Sciences. Bonus points for the uncomfortable look on Riker's face when she tries to press him on a work issue. You can see he's not really sure whether or not she's asking for special treatment as the captain's girlfriend.
The Child: Troi is impregnated by what seems to be a tiny, floating ball of light – that is kind of dopey. But I love watching Riker try to delicately ask who the father is.
The Price: Yeah, yeah, "hot bed scenes." Whatever. That was over-hyped. What I love in this episode is that when Troi asks her new love interest "What about your traveling companion," he replies, "She's traveling." The hand gesture he uses for "traveling" just makes the moment even better.
Captain's Holiday: Romance, adventure, Picard. What's not to like? I particularly love Vash. She is so uncontrollable; it's great to see her matched with Picard who is so controlled all the time.
The Perfect Mate: An even more romantic episode featuring Picard. And Famke Janssen has got to be the most beautiful woman ever! I love watching Kamala change her personality to suit whatever man is in the room. Janssen does a great job with that.
The Loss: one of the "Troi behaving badly" episodes. It is so satisfy to see the perpetually calm, always in control Troi just totally lose it.
Man of the People: Troi behaves badly again but at least this time it's not her fault. Some wacko has figured out how to use her as a trash can for all his emotional garbage.
The Host: A romantic episode and our introduction to a fascinating species called the Trill. (I was so glad when they put a Trill main character in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Jadzia Dax was so cool.)
The Outcast: Wow. That's "science fiction as social commentary" at its best.
Parallels: Alternate timelines always fascinate me. Throw in some Troi and Worf romance, and you've made it onto my favorite list. Best part: A shocked Worf finds out that in the current timeline he and Deanna are not only married, but have children.
Attached: Love the romance here between Picard and Beverly. Hated the cop-out ending. But at least it wasn't Jean-Luc chickening out this time.
I wish I had the DVD set. I'd watch them all again. Guess I'll just have to set a Season Pass on my TiVo instead.
Posted by Selena at 11:48 PM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2007
Quote of the Day: Firefly and Faith
My brain must work in strange ways because I was sitting in Sunday School today, the teacher asked something about what belonging to God means to us and my mind immediately went to this scene from "Firefly":
Wacky villagers have decided to burn River at the stake because they think she is a witch. (She isn't. She is just different and has abilities they don't understand.) Mal and Zoe have arrived to save her.
Villager says: "The girl is a witch."
Mal says: "Yeah, but she's our witch. So cut her the hell down!"
Love that.
Being God's means several things:
1) He will always protect us,
2) We owe Him our allegiance and obedience, and
3) He will always come to get us if someone tries to steal us away.
I just love the idea of God saying: "Let her go; she's one of mine."
Posted by Selena at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2007
Quote of the Day: A Double Dose from Firefly
"This must be what going mad feels like."
- Simon, from "Firefly"
One of these days, I'm going to get that T-shirt from Café Press.
Here's another:
"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."
- Mal, from "Firefly"
I miss "Firefly."
Why isn't there any good scifi on my TV right now?!
Posted by Selena at 08:29 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2007
Quote of the Day: Photonic
"All life is photonic."
- from the Star Trek Voyager episode called "Bride of Chaotica."
In this episode, photonic aliens from another dimensional mistake a holodeck game for real life. It's especially fun because the game is old school scifi: ray guns, death rays, evil geniuses, robots. (Actually it reminds me of "Flash Gordon." The original, not the recent remake, which I've only seen one episode of.)
This STV episode is laugh out loud campy fun. The best part is Kate Mulgrew as Captain Janeway playing Arachnia, Queen of the Spider People. She is FABULOUS!
:)
Posted by Selena at 12:43 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2007
Quote of the Day: Rev Bem
"I have always believed the divine loves us best at the broken times."
- Rev Bem, in "Andromeda"
I think this was in one of the early seasons, because I don't think Rev Bem was around in the later seasons. He was one of my favorite characters though. A holy man struggling with his "beast" nature.
Posted by Selena at 07:30 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2007
Ray Gun Revival Issue #25
The anniversary issue of Ray Gun Revival just arrived.
I have only had time to read one story so far, "Traveling with the Archetypes," but I enjoyed it. I'd especially recommend it for all my theatre-loving friends.
--------
A new format, a new contest, a classic genre - it's the one year anniversary of Ray Gun Revival! Find it here in Ray Gun Revival Issue #25.
37 Pages
Traveling with the Archetypes by Calie Voorhis
Fiction
Bob presents his biggest show ever. But what happens when his characters rebel?
The Exile of Joseph Reed by Colleen Drippe’
Fiction
Exile. It means you are no longer a part of the human race, rejected and cast out—plummeting through space at some unthinkable speed alone with yourself. Or are you?
Hot Off the Press by Ty Johnston
Fiction
Roger Madock is a typical newspaper reporter, until he discovers his published words can alter reality.
Deuces Wild: "Full Circle" by L. S. King
Serial Fiction
Slap, Tristan, and Carter escape the planet Eridani, but can Slap escape the nightmare of his captivity?
Plus, our Ray Gun Revival Space Monkey Flash Fiction challenge!
Posted by Selena at 07:54 AM | Comments (0)
June 23, 2007
DKA: "Treatment Protocol" by Michael Heald
Today's story is one of my favorites. It's a science fiction tale about an encounter between two people who can't see each other for who they are, even though all the evidence is right there. To me, it's about the power of perception and how we tend to see only what we expect to see.
I hope you'll stop by DKA and this story a read.
"Treatment Protocol"
by Michael Heald
Tease:
Sometime pride and strength, humility and weakness are in the eye of the beholder.
Posted by Selena at 07:35 AM | Comments (0)
May 22, 2007
Some Sword Review Favs
It's Day Two of the Sword Review Blog Tour. So, as promised, here are a few of my favorite stories from The Sword Review:
Polar Daughter
by Sharon Irwin
Set in the arctic, a bear discovers he loves a young girl as much as he would have loved a cub of his own. For him and for her, that means, everything changes.
The Short Bus
by Marsheila Rockwell
What if the so-called "Special Ed" kids were more special than anyone could imagine--brilliant scientists, musicians and artists trapped inside bodies and brains that betrayed them? And what if there were a place where that specialness was revealed, if only for a few short minutes every day? For Artemis Thacker, a young boy with Down's Syndrome, those blessed moments of normalcy are found in the most unlikely of places--the short bus.
All That Glitters
by Pam L. Wallace
For all of her thirteen years, Erina obeyed and trusted her leaders. When Chosen, she was honored to be one who would protect the land and its people, but her fear almost overwhelmed her. As her destiny closes around her, Erina finds her strength.
Voices from the Void
by Mirta Ana Schultz
Seven travelers share the safety of a small chamber in a large spacer--the matchmaker, the exobotanist, the missionarian, the politician's daughter, the monk, the holoflick producer, and the woman in search of her voice--all of them knowing that strange happenings await all spacefarers. Time and space follow their own rules and, sometimes, play their own games on susceptible humans. Once these travelers enter the void of space, will the voices they hear be their own?
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
by Alex Popkin
New technology is becoming more and more a part of our daily lives. As time goes on, we expect machines to make our daily tasks easier. But is there such a thing as too much convenience?
Aleskei's Revolution
by Wade Ogletree
Aleskei Volchenkcov is one of the most powerful men in the region, perhaps, soon, in all the world, but the time machine that offers his government such daunting power, is also his vehicle to relive a love affair of long ago.
That's by no means ALL of my favorites! There are too many to list. But the above should get you started.
Posted by Selena at 07:25 PM | Comments (2)
DKA: "The Traders" by John Kuhn
To close out May's issue, here is a poem from one of our favorite writers:
The Traders
by John Kuhn
Tease:
After months spent scouring space for goods to trade, a merchant ship runs into trouble on the way back home.
For more of John's work visit our archives and check out
Speck
Sally and Her Grandfathers
Vehement the Merciful
Statuary
and The Crutch.
Posted by Selena at 08:44 AM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2007
Distant Passages 2 Now Available!
The "best of" anthology I edited is now available. Yippee!
You can buy it at the DEP store or at Amazon.com.
I'm still trying to get over the fact that if you go to Amazon.com and search on my name, it actually brings up a book I had a hand in. Not one I wrote. But still, it's wild!
Posted by Selena at 07:52 PM | Comments (0)
Sword Review on Blog Tour
The Sword Review is being featured on this week's Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour. For May 21, 22, and 23 blogs on the tour will be blogging about The Sword Review.
I'm not an official member of the tour, but I figured I would join in the fun anyway since I love The Sword Review.
SR was one of the first venues to publish my work. (This was before I joined their editorial team, just in case you were wondering.) The first story I sent them ("Verid") wasn't accepted its first time around. Truth is the original version of the story had a lot of problems. But one of the editors saw something in it and was very enthusiastic about the story. I think that's why SR opted to give me the chance to revise. I am very grateful they gave me that opportunity. I'm also grateful for all the valuable feedback they gave me. Their feedback greatly improved the story.
SR eventually accepted and published "Verid" along with a companion story ("The Choosing"). Shortly after, I was asked to join the Sword Review team and I jumped at the chance. It's been a blast ever since.
Stay tuned tomorrow when I will reveal some of my favorite stories to appear in The Sword Review.
Posted by Selena at 05:48 PM | Comments (0)
May 08, 2007
Ray Gun Revival Update: Issue #21
Ray Gun Revival Issue #21 has landed!
Murder Beneath by Alice M. Roelke
Fiction
People say the Delans can tell you your future, and never get it wrong. But does that mean you should trust them?
Beyond the Flesh by A.M. Stickel
Fiction
The Plague Wars begin with an unjustly executed convict. His scientist sister tries to solve the puzzle of his death and thwart the plague, but she must pay the ultimate price.
The Case of the Spurious Spacemen by MN Schnecke
Fiction
Cows from space are kidnapping most of the gangsters in the city—and all of the victims are insured against alien abduction! But when the crime fighter Red Eye learns that his archenemies, the Nose and the Leer have escaped from prison, things take on an even more sinister turn.
Deuces Wild: "In the Lap of the Gods, part five" by L. S. King
Serial Fiction
When we last left our heroes, Tristan was trapped in the self-destructing palace of the dead Eridani emperor. Slap was in the temple and the late emperor’s cousin had pulled a needlegun on him. Things go downhill from there...
Posted by Selena at 03:49 PM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2007
SR: "ME Control" by G. K. Werner
The Sword Review: Apr. 30 Update
Enjoy this flash fiction story and decide if you'd rather have learned as you did, or as the author suggests!
"ME Control"
by G. K. Werner
Today, the politically incorrect claim students are responsible for learning—teachers for teaching. But what if tomorrow’s educational technology equipped schools with complete behavior-control? What excuse would teachers have for not being 100% accountable?
Posted by Selena at 07:45 AM | Comments (0)
April 17, 2007
Ray Gun Revival Issue #20
There is also a new issue of Ray Gun Revival!
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Ray Gun Revival Issue #20 is ready to blast off!
Final Exam by Edward McKeown
Fiction
New Mexico desert, 1950s: boy meets monster in a battle to save earth.
Jasper Squad: Choices by Paul Christian Glenn
Serial Fiction
The crew of the Jasper are on the run from their own government, and they don’t know why. But can these people really trust each other with their lives?
The Adventures of the Sky Pirate: "Cliffhanger" by Johne Cook
Serial Fiction
This episode starts and ends with a cliff, has espionage, counter-espionage, a love triangle, and the birth of an entirely new scientific principle.
Memory Wipe, Chapter Ten: "Descent" by Sean T.M. Stiennon
Serial Fiction
Takeda and his companions arrive in orbit around Nihil only to find that someone else is there ahead of them—the alien assassin Lashiir, out for their blood.
Posted by Selena at 08:19 AM | Comments (0)
April 03, 2007
RGR: The Real Issue #19 Arrives!
For all you space opera fans out there, the new issue of RGR has arrived!
---------------------------------
Ray Gun Revival Issue #19 has made it past the dimensional boundaries!
Nor to the Strong by Michael Merriam
Fiction
A weary soldier must come to grips with the line between being a warrior and being a murderer.
It Happened One Sunday by Tim Baer
Fiction
Something crashes into the parking lot of the Church one Sunday morning...
Deuces Wild: "In the Lap of the Gods, part four" by L. S. King
Serial Fiction
Can our heroes escape the self-destructing palace of the dead Eridani emperor?
Posted by Selena at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2007
New story: "Robbie's Repair"
My latest story to be published is now available at 365 tomorrows.
It's a very short piece of science fiction called "Robbie's Repair."
Posted by Selena at 12:53 PM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2007
SR: Issue 24 Now in Print
Issue 24 Now In Print! Only $7.49
110 Pages! You want this!
March 2007, Issue 24—In this issue: "Superlight, Part Five" by Steve Stanton; Superlight, Part Five; "Dreams of Starlight" by David C. Kopaska-Merkel; "Winged Words" by Lindsey Duncan; "Modulation" by John Kuhn; "Hospitality" by Justin R. Lawfer; "A Wine, Red Silence" by George L. Duncan; "Mother of Dragons" by Tessa Moriah Edwards. Cover: "SwordMaster " by E. J. Mickels. ISSN: 1556-5416
And check out that cool cover by Hisart!
I just ordered my copy, along with some DKA editions. I can't wait for that package from Lulu to arrive!
Posted by Selena at 07:59 PM | Comments (0)
RGR: Issue #18, with an AWESOME cover!
Just realized that I should be giving you updates on Ray Gun Revival as well. Besides, I couldn't pass up putting this issue's cover graphic on my blog.
Wow! That's a great cover!
Ray Gun Revival Issue #18 has broken orbit!
Eye of Nukuloo by S. T. Forstner
Fiction
When night falls and hunter becomes prey, who will come to the rescue?
Saving Beta by Robert Mancebo
Fiction
The Star-transport's security officer is faced with lying allies, friendly primitives, mass murder, impending planetary destruction, and a very pretty girl.
The Adventures of the Sky Pirate: "Finding Chain" by Johne Cook
Serial Fiction
Flynn turns life at the Haddirron Naval Academy upside down, but is this fast talking, fast thinking privateer-in-training able to avoid the spectre of the Black Blot?
Memory Wipe, Chapter Nine: "Orbit Over Nothing" by Sean T.M. Stiennon
Serial Fiction
Powerful enemies are in pursuit of Takeda and Zartsi: the alien assassin Lashiir, aboard his deadly ship Despair, and Vass, still seeking vengeance at any price.
Posted by Selena at 07:49 AM | Comments (0)
March 18, 2007
New Story Published - "Ian Gets Involved"
My most recent acceptance is already my most recent publication. Wow, those people at 365 tomorrows work fast!
Stop by and check it out:
"Ian Gets Involved"
Right now it's on the main page, but I think tomorrow it will move into the archives.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 12:36 PM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2007
Distant Passages #1 Reissued
The Distant Passages "best of" anthology that has my story in it has been reissued with a fancy new cover. (Author bios included this time around too.)
Also, it's now available from Amazon!
This book has tons of good stuff. Here are the works (fiction and poetry) you will find in its pages:
"And on the Seventh Day" by Marsheila Rockwell
"Beautiful Dreamer" by Edward McKeown
"The Last Hurrah" by L. S. King
"The Traveler's Tale" by Marcie Lynn Tentchoff
"All That Glitters" by Pam L. Wallace
"Captain Jack Bowie and the Steel Wolf Renegades" by Sean T. M. Stiennon
"Rosemary" by Jaime Lee Moyer
"The Choosing" by Selena Thomason
"Moonstone" by Joseph Thomas Mahoney
"City of Deliverance" by Robert Barlow
"Treecutter" by Scott M. Sandridge
"Welcoming Armageddon With Open Arms" by Mikal Trimm
"Old Soul" by Mike Wever
"Presence" Domyelle Rhyse
"Racing the Gap," by Byron Leavitt
"A Picture's Worth" by Wade Ogletree
"The Anointed" by Rosemary McMillen
"No Greater Love" by Wesley Lambert
"Dark Angel, Benigno" by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz
"The Ship" by Terry Weide
Go and buy one now! You know you want to. ;)
Posted by Selena at 10:52 AM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2007
Winners All Around!
Many of the results from the Preditors and Editors poll have been announced. DKA did VERY well. So did other Double-Edged publications like The Sword Review and Ray Gun Revival.
Here are the winners from the DEP family:
Fiction Publication
1. The Sword Review
9. Ray Gun Revival
13. Dragons, Knights & Angels
Best Artwork
3. 'Repairman!' - A man wailed in panic and pain, E.J. Mickels, II
13. Gwyndowr, Rachel A. Marks
Publication Cover Art
1. The Sword Review, Rachel A. Marks
Short Story - Science Fiction
3. Tethered in Purgatory, Terry W. Ervin II, The Sword Review
4. Damage, Jane Lebak, Dragons, Knights and Angels
5. Servant of the Manthycore, Michael Ehart, The Sword Review
9. The Smoking Man, S.T. Forstner, Dragons, Knights & Angels
14. Voices from the Void, Mirta Ana Schultz, The Sword Review
17. Justice, L. S. King, The Sword Review
21. Shan’tir’ri, Scott M. Sandridge, Ray Gun Revival
23. '. . .in the waste howling wildenness...', John M. Whalen, Ray Gun Revival
24. Chariots, Matt Mikalatos, The Sword Review
24. The Short Bus, Marsheila Rockwell, The Sword Review
26. A Song of the Aelves, David R. Downing, The Sword Review
Poems
9. Into the Heart, Mirta Ana Schultz, The Sword Review
10. The Wishing Star, Marsheila Rockwell, The Sword Review
11. Monument, Mirta Ana Schultz, Dragons, Knights, & Angels
Magazine Editors
2. Bill Snodgrass, http://www.theswordreview.com/
19. The RGR Overlords, http://raygunrevival.com
20. Selena Thomason, http://www.dkamagazine.com
Fiction Magazine
1. The Sword Review
9. Ray Gun Revival
13. Dragons, Knights & Angels
Poetry Magazines
4. The Sword Review
6. Dragons, Knights, & Angels
Congratulations to all the winners!
And thanks to everyone who voted for DKA and its authors, artists and works!
I'd like to send a special shout-out to DKA editor Mirta Ana Schultz who won TWICE for best poem, as well as made the top 20 for Best Story. Way to go, Mir!!!!
Posted by Selena at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)
December 16, 2006
DKA: "PB&J (A Tale of Conquest)" by Marshall Payne
Here is a fun piece of flash fiction for your weekend reading:
"PB&J (A Tale of Conquest)"
by Marshall Payne
Tease:
"America was founded on freedom for all, but what if one whacky alien didn't see it that way and let things get out of hand?"
Posted by Selena at 07:38 AM | Comments (0)
December 02, 2006
DKA: "Godspeed" by Chris Miller
Here is a bit of science fiction to kick off our December issue…
"Godspeed"
by Chris Miller
Tease:
Earth's first evangelist to the stars.
Posted by Selena at 07:38 AM | Comments (0)
November 25, 2006
"The Last Day of the Golden Place" by John Ryan
Next up is a poignant tale told from the point of view of a child.
"The Last Day of the Golden Place"
by John Ryan
Tease:
"From a child's eyes, the world is a simple and wonderful place. Yet today feels different for the eight year old boy, and he is about to find out how special the day really is. His parents are keeping a secret, and only their faith in God will get them through the last day of the golden place."
Posted by Selena at 08:09 AM | Comments (0)
October 21, 2006
Quote of the day: "Wait for the Wheel"
That's from an episode of "Farscape," one of my favorite episodes actually. I happened across the latter half of the episode today as I was flipping channels.
I've been thinking that I'm almost ready to start writing again in earnest. (Which is a good thing because NaNo is only a couple weeks away!)
As if that wasn't a clear enough message, when I picked up my Writer's Book of Days to get a writing prompt for practice it opened to the article called "Writing Cycles – To Every Thing There Is a Season."
I think I just need to stop feeling guilty for all I haven't been getting done lately, and move on. Maybe it's that crazy old law of inertia -- something about an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion. Maybe that applies to writers too because the longer I don't write, the more I feel like a loser and hack, and the harder it is to convince myself to start writing again.
Actually, I think I read something similar today. Oh, yeah, it was an entry in PamL's blog at SR. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.
So, the wheel has turned. It's time to get back to work, to break the cycle of lethargy and doubt, and start getting words down on paper again. Wish me luck.
Posted by Selena at 06:26 PM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2006
DKA: "An Epitaph For Shangri-La" by George L. Duncan
Today's update is a shot of science fiction, a story about the mystery of an alien world.
"An Epitaph For Shangri-La"
by George L. Duncan
Tease:
"Men have always yearned for a secular paradise. But utopias may be overhyped."
Posted by Selena at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2006
Good Viewing: "The Perfect Mate"
Tonight I turned on the TV just in time to catch one of my favorite episodes of ST:TNG. It's called "The Perfect Mate" and it's the one where Picard falls in love with a empathic metamorph on her way to an arranged marriage. It's a very romantic episode. (What can I say?!? I like the mushy stuff.)
Famke Janssen, who plays Kamala (the metamorph) is unreasonably gorgeous. But she also gives a very nuanced performance as Kamala. You can see her whole demeanor change depending on who is nearby. And the electricity between Kamala and Picard is palpable. Every time I watch the episode I want them to end up together. Yet, I know that given the players and the situation it could not go any other way. So, I am happy with it even though it is a bittersweet ending.
I call that "the Marcus effect," after Marcus in B5. But that's another story.
Posted by Selena at 09:39 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2006
DKA: "To Err is Human" by Ian Barker
DKA's latest offering is a bit of science fiction about the fear of excellence.
"To Err is Human"
by Ian Barker
Tease:
"Can one young boy change the path of a person's career? Michael Carson is about to find out. Truth comes in all sizes and often from places not expected."
Posted by Selena at 07:52 AM | Comments (0)
September 05, 2006
DKA: "Dedication" by T. L. Morganfield
We begin September with…
"Dedication"
by T. L. Morganfield
Tease:
In a world where the Aztec empire never fell, human sacrifice still thrives and an entire class of people are cloned to provide the gods with a never-ending flow of blood and devotion. Quicaltia, who doesn't subscribe to the long-held dogmas of blood sacrifice, never expected to meet his own Omitzmahuizyoti--"He Who Honors You"--the man meant to "feed the gods" in his name. But when he meets him for the first time just days before the sacrifice, Quicaltia is determined to save him from what he considers an "unnecessary death."
Posted by Selena at 08:04 AM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2006
DKA: “Tyler McHenry, Middle-Aged Lover of Books” by Wade Ogletree
August’s latest addition is a bit of flash fiction with an intriguing premise.
“Tyler McHenry, Middle-Aged Lover of Books”
by Wade Ogletree
Tease:
"Tyler McHenry has found a better way to read: a technology that allows him to become the perfect reader at the perfect time for whatever book he is reading."
Posted by Selena at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2006
“Young Ones” now in print
My latest story, “Young Ones,” is now in print at Ray Gun Revival.
To check it out, go to Ray Gun Revival, click on the cover image, and scroll down to page 4. You can also download the pdf file of the issue for future reading.
Posted by Selena at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2006
What's Going On
What’s going on? Sadly, not much.
I’ve been a bit under the weather lately, so my productivity has plummeted, especially where writing is concerned. I have managed to get caught up on reading submissions though, in a couple bursts of energy today and Saturday. But that’s pretty much all I’ve accomplished work-wise.
However, I have gotten other stuff done. I took one of my cats to the vet and found that she had conjunctivitis in both eyes like I thought she did. (She’s had it before. I still have no idea how she gets these things since all she does is lay around the house all day.) So, it’s antibiotic goo in both eyes twice a day. Giving cats medication is always a good time. (Not.)
I’ve been avoiding the muse; I’ve hardly written anything in the last few days. Bad, I know.
I’m also eating all kinds of wrong. Lately it’s been anything with caramel in it. And if it has chocolate too, that’s even better.
On the plus side, I’ve started swimming again. That’s partly due to my dad who keeps saying things like, “I sure wish you’d start swimming again. It’s such good exercise.” Yes, I know. It really is; it works the heart without straining the joints. Turns out that there is a YMCA just a fifteen-minute walk from my house, AND it turns out that they have a pool! I am ashamed to tell you how many years I lived here before I figured that out. Despite my slacker slump, I’ve managed to swim everyday since I joined. That’s three days and counting for anyone who’s keeping score.
More on the plus side: I watched the pilot of “Eureka.” It was pretty good. And I’ve been reading a lot of Traveling Mercies, which is just one great moment after another.
Tomorrow I may attempt a writing practice. But I don’t want to rush into anything. ;) And right now, I'm tired. I think it's gotta be bedtime.
Posted by Selena at 09:14 PM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2006
Ray Gun Revival – now available!
I can’t believe I haven’t blogged about this yet!
The first issue of Ray Gun Revival came out this past weekend, and it looks great.
You should go over and check it out.
If you are a fan of Firefly, classic science fiction, and/or space opera, this is the magazine you’ve been waiting for.
Trust me.
Posted by Selena at 07:48 PM | Comments (0)
May 20, 2006
New at DKA: “Galaxy Gems” by George L. Duncan
The latest addition to DKA’s May issue is a science fiction story by George L. Duncan:
Tease:
"Many things will change in the future and humans may face many dangerous enemies. But a few things will remain - duty, loyalty, faith and the value of friendship."
It’s got fascinating alien worlds. I love that in a story!
Posted by Selena at 07:38 AM | Comments (0)
April 29, 2006
Today’s Tally
I had the day almost completely to myself, so I got a lot done even though my afternoon nap went on much longer than I intended. (I reset the alarm but forgot to switch the a.m. to p.m. Grrr.)
This morning I published a new story at DKA, “The Baptism of Johnny Ferocious.” It’s one of my favorites. You should check it out, if you haven’t already.
I also made an editing pass through the new story, which took 2-1/2 hours. The story is currently clocking in at 12,600. I did notice though that I had accidentally changed the name of one of the species towards the end of the story. Haha. Ooops. I wondered why Word thought it was misspelled. :rolling my eyes:
In addition, I proofed my upcoming essay at Haruah.
I have to say…I recommend Haruah as a market to submit to. The staff is lovely. They very graciously agreed to make the last minute fix I had been agonizing over. I mean, how embarrassing is that? To have to say, “oh you know that essay you’ve accepted, there’s a little problem.” It was dreadful, but they were very kind about it and I am very grateful. I don’t know when the essay will appear but I will let you know when it is up.
I got a decline in the mail today. So, I plan to take another look at the story. (The editor took the time to make notes on the manuscript, which is nice.) Then see if I can find another market it might be suitable for.
Now, if only I can get the cat in my lap to stop putting his paws on the table, then on the keyboard of my laptop—I swear he must think writing looks like so much fun he wants to try it too—then I will be able to get some more work done. Maybe if I go ahead and give him his dinner, he will forget about that shiny, silver keyboard and just settle down for a nap. Here’s hoping.
Posted by Selena at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)
New at DKA: “The Baptism of Johnny Ferocious”
Closing out DKA's April issue is an imaginative and action-packed story by Guy James Stewart.
“The Baptism of Johnny Ferocious”
Tease: "In the clouds of a gas giant planet, a former special agent and black marketeer finally receives the baptism he's longed for while under attack by pirates and as he's trying to rescue an old friend."
Plus it's got cool creatures called cloudwhales. Don't miss it!
Posted by Selena at 08:12 AM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2006
New at DKA: “The White Spider” by C. Le Mroch
As promised in my last post, C. Le Mroch’s story is now available in DKA’s April issue.
“The White Spider” by C. Le Mroch.
You won’t want to miss this suspenseful tale!
Tease:
"My name is Maggie and I grew up in Herlong, a small, quiet town in Florida. The kind of place that lends itself to raising families. The kind of place where nothing bad happens—or didn’t, until the spring of 1974. That was when people started disappearing. It became known as the Vanishing Spring. My baby brother Will was one of the victims. But there was another weird phenomena around that time, the appearance of a white spider. I often dream of Will and wonder if that white spider didn’t have something to do with him going missing –and if it didn’t take him to a better place."
.
Posted by Selena at 12:41 PM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2006
Anthology Available!
Finally, the “Best of 2005” anthology that I have a story in is available for purchase.
Click here for the listing on Lulu.com.
It’s only $13.99 (that includes regular shipping) and is chockfull of good stuff! Trust me, I know, I read each and every one of the stories and poems. My recommendation not good enough for you? Then use the “preview this book” button to read some for yourself before purchasing.
You know you want one. Really, you should buy two – one to keep and one to share. Trust me.
Posted by Selena at 08:25 PM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2006
New at DKA: “Design for Freedom” by Jenny Schwartz
DKA’s February issue continues with a science fiction story: “Design for Freedom” by Jenny Schwartz.
I’m so happy to be publishing some science fiction. It seems like there is never enough good scifi around. At least not for my tastes.
This is my kind of story – full of science and sociology and tough choices.
Here's a blurb about it:
"Designer bodies are a lifetime investment. Once a person's talents and abilities could be selected for before birth, it became obvious that a baby's future earnings could be confidently predicted. Therefore, why not invest in that future? Genetic design is the new enabler of wealth creation. But what about the souls that inhabit those designer bodies?"
Click on over to DKA and check it out.
Posted by Selena at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2006
Great Review for SR at Tangent!
The Sword Review just got a GREAT review from Tangent online!
Check it out here.
Congratulations to all the authors.
[Yes, I am still anxiously awaiting DKA’s next review. Here’s hoping.]
Posted by Selena at 07:50 AM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2006
In the news…
I’ve been very busy with my new FTLOI* job but I’m, you know, loving it!
There are three stories accepted and in the works at DKA. I hope to have one published by the end of the week, and maybe another by the end of the month. So don’t forget to visit DKA frequently.
My latest column was published today. You can check it out here.
A friend pointed out this quote to me today:
"How much of your life do you spend looking forward to being somewhere else?"
- Matthew Flickstein, "Journey to the Center"
That’s worth keeping in mind. But it’s also worth noting that usually when I am wishing to be somewhere else I am wishing to be writing or working on DKA/SR.
“I’d rather be writing" – that’s my motto.
*FTLOI stands for “For the love of it" by the way.
Posted by Selena at 10:05 PM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2006
Too Busy to Blog/DKA Review/Good Reading
Has it really been four days since I’ve blogged?
It’s been a busy week.
Here are a couple bits for you…
New DKA Review
Well, the new DKA review is out at Tangent Online. It’s not so positive. But no PR is bad PR.
Despite this second not-so-positive review from Tangent, I think DKA will continue to grow. I even think that the reviewer will eventually read something at DKA that she likes. (Probably. Hopefully.) And if not, plenty of other people enjoy the work at DKA. A review is, after all, only one person’s opinion. (No offense, Brit.)
I confess, I am trying not to be nervous about the fact that next time around Brit will be taking aim at one of MY stories.
Good Reading-Short Fiction Edition
Have I got some good reading for you!
Check out “Voices from the Void" by Mirta Ana Schultz.
It’s the winner of Sword Review’s fiction contest and my personal favorite of the many stories I have read recently.
Seriously, check it out. It is wonderful.
Posted by Selena at 09:25 PM | Comments (1)
January 14, 2006
In Today’s News
I am so tired. I hardly slept at all last night. I stayed up until midnight to watch “Battlestar Galactica." (It was good, as usual, although what was up with Michelle Forbes’ hair in that “don’t flinch" scene with Starbuck? I swear it was a wig. It’s like they decided after primary shooting that they needed the scene, but Ms. Forbes had already cut her hair into a different style so for continuity they had to find a wig that looked like the hairstyle she had for the rest of the two episodes. Hey, just my theory. Got no proof.)
Anyway, back from the tangent. So, I didn’t even try to go to sleep until after midnight. Didn’t find sleep until sometime after 2. Then at exactly 3 a.m. I was awakened by thunder then a heavy rain, then more thunder and lightning. It was some kind of sign, but I already knew what it was trying to tell me.
So, hardly any sleep but still I got up at 7 a.m. to feed the cats and stab the diabetic one. Then I just sat on the kitchen floor for a while, too sleepy to get up and go back to bed. Now, I’m too awake to even bother trying. (Although I’m sure an afternoon nap will be a necessity.)
I’m on my last day off and want to try to put today to good use. I haven’t gotten as much writing done as I wanted, but I got a lot of Sword Review and DKA stuff done so that is certainly not time wasted. I did manage to work on the book some the first day, and last night I wrote and submitted a new column. It’s about regret, a topic that I am very familiar with. I hope it’s a good column. Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Sometimes you have to wait and see what sound it makes when it hits the ground.
Man, I hate winter. How far off is spring, again? Too far off for my tastes.
Posted by Selena at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2006
A Pretty Good Day
It turned out to be a pretty good day. It was rough for the first half of so but then fate smiled and I was able go home and take a nap. Wow, what a difference that makes! I was exhausted but now I’m just tired. When is that day off again? Not quite soon enough.
I was able to get a fair amount of writing done though. I even submitted a story.
I’ve got three more that are nearly ready to go to their intended markets. I hope to get them subbed by the end of the week.
And then there’s that column I need to finish…
On the TV front – no new "Lost" yet, but "Battlestar Galatica" starts again Friday. I can hardly wait!
Well, I better get back to writing before I get too sleepy to read the screen.
Posted by Selena at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
November 22, 2005
The Gribbit’s New Home
"The Gribbit" is now up at The Sword Review as part of their Member’s Only Bonus Features.
To see it, you will have to register and login, but hey, it’s free.
Besides, you want to be a member of SR's forum community anyway. Trust me. :)
Posted by Selena at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
October 30, 2005
Three Quotes
"Sometimes it just feels good to run."
This is from one of my all-time favorite episodes of Deep Space Nine. The episode is called "Second Sight" and the quote is from Fenna.
I guess the quote came to me because there seemed to be more runners out today than usual.
I’m not much of a runner, being especially exercise-averse, but I hear people enjoy it. Fenna seemed to.
"I remember. I remember, don't worry."
This is from an old song I happened to hear today, "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins. Whenever I hear the song I picture the scene from "Miami Vice," driving fast down a street at night.
I guess the quote means sometimes it’s enough just to remember and be remembered. Or if it’s not enough, then at least it’s a comfort.
"I hope God thinks I’ve done the right thing."
That was me as I handed $10 to a stranger on the street today. I don't usually give money to people I don't know, but he had a good story and seemed like someone who didn't normally beg for money. He said he was just trying to get home but couldn't use his ATM card because it was defective. He showed me the card and everything.
I don't know what made me do it. I just hope it was the right thing to do and that I didn't get conned yet again.
Posted by Selena at 09:04 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2005
Quote of the Day
I’ve been reading Paladin of Souls (in case you hadn't already guessed by the multiple blog entries on the topic).
It’s all wonderful but I read this part that night and it particularly struck me. Ista, the main character, is having an internal conversation with one of her gods.
"I’m not getting it all sorted," she worried, "I’m not getting it right.""You are brilliant," the Voice reassured her.
"It is imperfect."
"So are all things trapped in time. You are brilliant, nonetheless. How fortunate for Us that We thirst for glorious souls rather than faultless ones, or We should be parched indeed, and most lonely in Our perfect righteousness. Carry on imperfectly, shining Ista."
Wow.
Posted by Selena at 07:23 PM | Comments (1)
October 20, 2005
The Power of One
I am a huge fan of "Babylon Five" but I haven't watched an episode in a long time.
Tonight I decided to watch the pilot episode again. I was struck at first by the strangeness of it, the familiar and unfamiliar, the things that would change as the series continued, the things that would stay the same.
But what really spoke to me was the scene early on when Delenn and Sinclair are sitting in the garden. Delenn admires the Japanese stone garden and comments how well it represents "the power of one mind to change the universe." She also takes a dangerous, unsanctioned action. When Sinclair asks why she would risk it, she replies that clearly he has not spent enough time contemplating the stone garden.
The power of one...good lesson.
Posted by Selena at 07:45 PM | Comments (0)
October 07, 2005
Loving “Lost"
Recently my husband bought the first season of “Lost" on DVD. He bought it on a whim, knowing next to nothing about the show.
We were quickly hooked. At the end of each episode, we’d look at each other and ask “One more?" Sometimes we watched as many as three or four episodes in a day. The show is like a book you just can’t put down.
The show reminds me of “Firefly" (another favorite) in several ways.
First, based on the advertising of the show, I never would have watched it. I didn’t watch a single episode of “Firefly" when it was on TV, only giving the show a chance when a friend handed me the DVD set and said “trust me."
The marketing of “Lost" didn’t appeal to me either. It looked like a reality show, like a knock-off of “Survivor" or something. I didn’t realize it wasn’t a reality show until I was flipping channels and recognized Mira Furlan in an episode. (Furlan played Delenn in “Babylon Five," another favorite show.)
The marketing of “Lost" didn’t give me any sense of the many things I would love about the show, which brings me to the second similarity – the brilliant writing.
It wasn’t until I actually watched some episodes of “Lost" that I realized it had these things going for it:
• depth of story-telling
• an intricate web of connections between a seemingly random group of people
• a strong ensemble of characters/actors with complex characterizations
• an island that itself becomes a character in the story, one that may even at times be orchestrating or manipulating the story, one that has moods and perhaps a will of its own
• strong themes of faith and love and loyalty and sacrifice
The only good thing I got from the ads was the mystery. And frankly that wasn’t enough.
I’m glad I found the show and I can hardly wait to get to season two.
I also wish the marketing people would do a better job.
Why is it that the marketing of a show or movie so often doesn’t match the actual product?
I wish someone could answer that for me.
Posted by Selena at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)
September 30, 2005
Serenity Wow!
I just saw “Serenity" and it was fantastic.
The movie was over thirty minutes ago and I'm still there, still caught up in thinking about it, tears still in my eyes, heart still pounding in my chest. Given that the movie begins and ends with how love is one of the most powerful forces in the 'verse, I'm not sure being still wrapped up in it is a bad thing.
It left me with questions – big ones and little ones - like
1) can you succeed at something if you don’t love it? (big one)
2) can I pre-order the DVD yet? (little one).
Seriously I can’t recommend this movie highly enough.
Posted by Selena at 04:36 PM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2005
Serenity Now
The new “Firefly" movie opens tomorrow and I can’t wait!
For info on the movie “Serenity" visit
http://movies.aol.com/movie/main.adp?mid=19349
or
http://www.serenitymovie.com/
Posted by Selena at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2005
Back to Writing
I have to get back to writing. I’ve been so caught up in my editor gigs for TSR and DKA that I’ve hardly written at all lately. That must change.
Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy the editor stuff but I can’t let writing take a back-burner. It’s too important to me. Gotta put my time where my priorities are.
So today I got some writing practice in. It was so-so, but I guess it’s true what Heather Sellers says that if you take a day off from writing, your muse will take off the next three. At the rate I’m going, I’ll be muse-less and writing junk for the next few weeks. But the only way to fix that is to start writing again and keep writing until the muse returns.
I’ve still got a few subs pending, including the book proposal, so at least there’s some hope of a yes heading my way. Ah, how lovely a yes would be.
The day is grey but not yet rainy, at least not where I am.
I can’t bear to watch the news, it’s too upsetting. Just knowing what suffering is going on out there makes me want to cry. I can’t handle seeing the suffering replayed over and over on my TV.
On the plus side, “Serenity" opens Friday. I can hardly wait! A friend offered me an extra ticket to an advance screening on Monday, but I turned it down because hubby and I plan to see it on Friday and he couldn’t go on Monday. That’s true love, I guess.
Posted by Selena at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2005
False Gods
It seems the theme of the weekend is false gods. First there was this week’s “Stargate SG-1," then a column at TSR about how to tell a real god from a false one.
In “Stargate SG-1" the new enemy is the Ori who profess to be gods and demand to be worshipped. Their acolytes are combing the galaxy proselytizing. In the episode, the people on a planet refuse to worship the new “gods," having just recently rid themselves of another set of false gods. The acolyte destroys the people and their entire planet.
My response? Well, to me nothing says false god like slaughtering everyone who won’t worship you. That to me always sounds like a false god or at least an acolyte who has seriously misunderstood their gods’ intention.
I think you can determine what is/is not the true God or His will by the effect. If the effect is hateful, destructive, and petty, then I’d be suspicious and tend to think it’s not true-god material. If the effect is loving, creative, and healing then that sounds like the God I believe in.
True, a lot of destructive, hateful stuff gets done in God’s name. Frankly I think it must really upset Him. I think that stuff is acolytes gone wrong.
Posted by Selena at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2005
Too Busy to Blog - Sci Fi Friday Edition
No time to blog, gotta go, Firefly’s on.
And later, there’s Battlestar Galatica.
Oh how I LOVE Sci Fi Friday!
Posted by Selena at 07:58 PM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2005
Good Reading - Non-Fiction Edition
This real-life story, found in The Sword Review’s discussion forums, cracked me up.
I liked it so much I have to point it out to you.
Check it out at http://theswordreview.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=3057#3057
Posted by Selena at 02:07 PM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2005
Good Reading-Sci Fi Edition
For today’s good reading, go to The Sword Review and check out “Beautiful Dreamer" by Edward McKeown. It’s really good. It got to me. I’m not ashamed to say I cried.
http://www.theswordreview.com/contents.php
Favorite line: “We will see who can offer the Concordiat a better dream." I love that the aliens in the story choose their leader by who provides a better dream, a better vision of what the future can be.
Posted by Selena at 09:37 PM | Comments (0)