Blogs

Smart Little Devils Know Not to Burn Bridges

It may seem like I take the bus then walk to work everyday because I can't afford a car, but really it's because I have magical powers. Planeteer powers. I'm just cool like that.Read more

Profanity and the Writer

If you hang out on writer forums, every so often the subject of those four-letter words will come up. Sometimes it’s broached by a timid writer who isn’t sure if using them will hurt her chances of publication or terrorize readers. Sometimes it’s brought up by a writer, who boldly declares that any author who uses curse words only does so because he doesn’t have the imagination of a garden slug, and so relies on them as a crutch.

To which I reply: “Fuck that shit.”Read more

Stall Demons and Timesuck

This entry was originally posted 2/28/2008 on my Livejournal. This post is 100% recycled material.

*eyes the little maniacs in the corner laughing gleefully*

Stall demons.Read more

An Author's Quirks by Skye Christakos

Note: The ELEW is having some technical issues with posting, so in order to keep the scheduled posts coming, I (Dina) will be posting a couple of blog entries this week that aren't written by me. Today's entry is brought to you by Lieutenant Quillstabber, Skye Christakos

The most common question asked authors is "Where do your ideas come from?" It's an odd question, really, because the people who ask it seem to think that authors have some kind of clue where their ideas come from. Perhaps some authors do. I know everyone's writing process differs, but I think how we come up with ideas differs too. There is no magical book that supplies plot ideas or characters. I kind of wish there was. But everyone comes up with their stories in their own ways.Read more

Twitter Me This

I feel like I’ve had this discussion with people on every form of social networking across the internet lately. And I really shouldn’t be too surprised. After all, we live in a commercial society. You can’t watch television, listen to music, go see a movie, or even drive down the street without being barraged by some kind of advertisement. Using the internet for ads happened almost right away. It only makes sense that whenever the next big internet trend appears, the advertisers will be there to exploit it.Read more

Butterscotch

I dreamed one night that my sister had adopted a skeletal chicken as a pet. It was a creepy little thing, naturally, but she would smile maternally as it skittered around on its little skeletal feet, clacking its wings.Read more

The Myth of the Likable Heroine

“I had trouble connecting with the heroine, though she was ultimately sympathetic.”

“I didn’t like the main character at first, though she was true to her nature.”

“I found her really unlikable with no redeemable qualities for awhile.”

These are just some of the comments I hear about my work, and in a way it’s a study of contradictions. I both agree and disagree when I hear it. Pride swells in me right next to a rising sense of panic and need to argue.Read more

Evil Guest Interview: Author Ilona Andrews

As it began, so shall it end. *cue the evil laugh*

I mean, what better way to acknowledge the end of the inaugural month of the Evil League of Evil Writers than with an evil interview AND giveaway, just as we did for the start of it?

And honestly...it's a spectacular ending to our first month.

Today we have a very special guest in the hallowed halls of our evil lair. TWO special guests, in reality. Author Ilona Andrews is actually two people - amazing crime-fighting duo spousal unit writing team, Ilona and Gordon.

Thank you very much to our illustrious (I love using that word...really) guests for taking time out of their very busy schedule to bring us this information join us here today!

Now, without further ado, here is the Evil Interview with Ilona Andrews!

---Read more

The Best Motivation is a Boot up the Ass

There’s a reason the tagline for my novel THIEF is “Happily Ever After Doesn’t Come Without A Price.” I don’t like happy-go-lucky, feel-good stories. I don’t trust them. They aren’t realistic.

I’m a glass is half-empty kinda girl, in case you haven’t noticed.Read more

Torturing Characters for Fun and Profit

It’s great being a writer. You get to meet interesting new characters, learn their secrets, then put them through living hell. Good times.Read more