Monthly Archives: February 2013

Vampires in Chicago

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Those of you who are reading the new story, Martha’s Children, realize it’s quite a bit different from The Dragon Lady of Stockbridge. It’s about vampires in Chicago. I don’t strive to provide cliffhangers at the end of every chapter. It’s not … Continue reading →

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A new story: Martha’s Children

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Brian Bixby

After three weeks off, I’m beginning a new story, Martha’s Children. It’s another tale of the supernatural. In chapter 1, Chicago cop Ned O’Donnell wakes up, to find himself tied up in a dark room. And things just go downhill from … Continue reading →

Posted in Martha's Children, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Another birthday – Pamela Colman Smith

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Brian Bixby

I couldn’t let this day go by without saying a word about Pamela Colman Smith (February 16, 1878 – September 18, 1951), because she was connected to two topics on this blog: the occult and horror fiction. Pamela had an … Continue reading →

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It’s my birthday on February 14

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Birthday rules Rule #1: select your parents well. Mine weren’t rich, nor especially happy, but they dealt fairly with their children. Rule #2: pick your birth date carefully. Being a Valentine baby led to all sorts of embarrassment when I … Continue reading →

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The imaginative editor: Lessons in writing, part 4

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Every writer needs an editor. Writers need someone to read what they wrote to see if the audience will understand and appreciate the writing. Trusted readers who can offer incisive criticism serve much the same purpose. Get yourself an editor, … Continue reading →

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Chekhov’s gun control: Lessons in writing, part 3

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Brian Bixby

In discussing writing with some other bloggers, we have recently been mentioning “Chekhov’s gun.” This is a rule cited by Russian author Anton Chekhov that if you include a gun in a story (Chekhov referred to a play), someone ought … Continue reading →

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Stories as constellations: Lessons in writing, part 2

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Some people will tell you it’s characters that drive a story, others that it’s plot. A few will even claim it’s ideas. Truth is that it’s none of these. It’s connections. Your story is made up of how you connect … Continue reading →

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Panzers and plodders: Lessons in writing, part 1

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Brian Bixby

They’re the two types of writers. Didn’t know that? Neither did I. Found this out when I was at Arisia, the Boston sci-fi/fantasy convention in January. You see, my hearing, like James Thurber’s eyesight, sometimes plays tricks on me. I … Continue reading →

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Chapter 23, the end of “The Dragon Lady of Stockbridge”

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Chapter 23, “‘ . . . but what we are becoming.’,” concludes The Dragon Lady of Stockbridge: A Tale of Magic in the Gilded Age. What has happened to Rebecca’s body? And what is Abigail going to do about it? It’s … Continue reading →

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