Category Archives: Writing fiction

Chapter 14 of Martha’s Children, the ’45, and the new blog background

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Brian Bixby

In “If Fortune be a woman, she’s a good wench,” chapter 14 of Martha’s Children, we get to meet the woman Sherlock Kammen trusts the most. Yes, she’s dead. No, this is not just some cynical joke of Kammen’s. Ivy … Continue reading →

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Part 2 of Martha’s Children begins, and on city boundaries

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Martha’s Children takes a sharp turn as part 2 begins with chapter 13, “He sleeps by day, more than the wildcat.” And like a wildcat, Sherlock Kammen dislikes being bothered, unless it’s for a darned good reason. Being turned into … Continue reading →

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Chapter 12 of Martha’s Children, and blog changes coming

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Brian Bixby

If Ned’s ever going to be a cop again, he’s going to need the list of cops Martha turned into vampires. Because Love told him it was the only way, he’s risked his life, and come close to killing Martha, … Continue reading →

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The writer’s happy lament; or, writer’s block as an aid to writing

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Brian Bixby

I have been suffering from writer’s block for a month. It’s not that I couldn’t write. I just couldn’t write anything that felt good. That, as it turns out, was a valuable warning sign. It told me I needed to … Continue reading →

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Chapter 11 of Martha’s Children, and vampire lust in “The Hunger” (1983)

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Brian Bixby

“The gentle art of persuasion,” chapter 11 of Martha’s Children, is now up and available. Ned and the sorceress Love try to remove the diminutive vampire Martha from Chicago before she gets out of hand. Maybe they’re a bit too late? … Continue reading →

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Chapter 10 of Martha’s Children

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Brian Bixby

“The blood brotherhood of vampires,” chapter 10 of Martha’s Children, is now available. “Scratch” Wilson didn’t get to be the leader of the Bronzeville vampires by being stupid or hasty. And he’s no great fan of white cops, even if … Continue reading →

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Chapter 9 of Martha’s Children, and the ongoing Boston bombing story

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Brian Bixby

“Can’t get enough of you, Love,” chapter 9 of Martha’s Children, is now available. Martha warned Ned to stay away from sorcerers. By reputation, they are dangerous, devious, and capricious. All of which describe the sorceress named Make Love Not War … Continue reading →

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Chapter 8 of Martha’s Children, and the logic of enthrallment

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Brian Bixby

“It’s not that I don’t like you, I just want to kill you,” chapter 8 of Martha’s Children, is now up on my blog. Cops are loyal to their partners. But what happens when your partner turns up as a vampire? … Continue reading →

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Chapter 7 of Martha’s Children, and not much else

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Brian Bixby

In “Home is where the bleeding heart is,” chapter 7 of Martha’s Children, Ned finds himself  without Martha to instruct him in living as a vampire. So what does he do now? If you’re not reading Martha’s Children, my tale of cops … Continue reading →

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Writing to offend

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Writers have an almost unlimited opportunity to offend their readers: sex, violence, race, religion, politics, profanity, gender, class, and so on. Americans in particular live in a society that officially encourages freedom of speech, and at the same time says … Continue reading →

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