Category Archives: Writing fiction

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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Paranormal romance, well, sort of

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Extra post for the week! One of my readers mentioned how a relative writes paranormal romances. So I thought I’d let you all see what happened when I attempted that genre the second time around. It’s called My First Paranormal Romance … Continue reading →

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Review: Timepiece by Heather Albano

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Brian Bixby

It’s time for another book review, and like the last one, this one will tackle the book from a prospective author’s perspective. Like the book in the previous review, I picked this one up almost by chance. I was at … Continue reading →

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Chapter 22 of Dragon Lady, and my patron saint of digressions

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Brian Bixby

“Solomon Davis takes charge,” chapter 22 of The Dragon Lady of Stockbridge, is now available. The future leader of the Office of Occult Affairs arrived on the scene too late to prevent the holocaust in the previous chapter. What’s left for … Continue reading →

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After the convention, a prospective writer’s report

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Yours truly went to Boston’s four-day sci-fi/fantasy convention, Arisia, this weekend. I did it partly as a fan, but mostly as a prospective writer (i.e., someone who wants to actually make some money and get some recognition for writing). My … Continue reading →

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The climax of “The Dragon Lady of Stockbridge”

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Chapter 21, “‘It is not what we have lost . . .’” is now available. There’s no point in saying anything more about it, or gussying up this post with pictures. (If you’ve not read any of the story before, … Continue reading →

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Chapter 20 of Dragon Lady

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Brian Bixby

“Everyone is a star in their own life,” chapter 20 of The Dragon Lady of Stockbridge, is now up and available. William Maverick, our villain, emerges from behind the curtain. Just what has he been up to? How did he get … Continue reading →

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