Tag Archives: literature

Traveling in imagination to Viking Iceland

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Brian Bixby

I’ve recently been reading books on medieval Iceland. It’s a fascinating period in a curious land. The island was settled by Vikings fleeing from the rule of the first major Norwegian king, Harald Finehair (c. 850 – c. 932), or … Continue reading →

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The Goths (gothic writers, that is): twin birthdays

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Brian Bixby

Tuesday, July 9,  is another twin birthday of significance for readers of this blog. Two famous writers of gothic novels, Mrs. Radcliffe (1764-1823), author of The Mysteries of Udolpho, and “Monk” Lewis (1775-1818), nicknamed for his most popular work, The Monk, were … 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 →

Posted in Reading fiction, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 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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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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Clark Ashton Smith influenced me, but I don’t write like him!

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Brian Bixby

As I write, it’s the birthday of Clark Ashton Smith (January 13, 1893 – August 14, 1961), a horror and fantasy writer who might best be described as “almost famous.” He’s most often remembered as a member of the triumvirate … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Query to readers: criticizing the writing of others

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Brian Bixby

I’ve run into an issue, and need help. I’m reading the blogs of several writers. Their experiences are varied, the quality of their writing more so. What kind of criticism should I offer them? My difficulty can be boiled down … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading fiction, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Review: Crawford’s “The Witch of Prague” (1890)

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Brian Bixby

F. Marion Crawford’s current literary fame rests primarily on Wandering Ghosts, a 1911 posthumous collection of short stories of the supernatural. Crawford (1854-1909) attempted a long supernatural story once, The Witch of Prague. I just finished reading it. My advice? If it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments