There’s a meme joke about how unrealistic it is that “Padme chose Anakin” when Obi Wan was right there, but…
Padme didn’t choose Anakin. Continue reading “Padme’s Lack of Choice”
Earning a Title
One of the best things about writing a book called “The Otter’s Wings” is knowing that I’m really doing the title justice.
As a kid I was constantly disappointed by titles like “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” NO CATS. NOT ONE. Continue reading “Earning a Title”
Seeds That Have Already Grown into Novels
As a writer, it’s easy to get lost in the wash of goals and aspirations that always seem just out of reach…
What I find that helps is to think of one of the novels I’ve finished, and remember back to what my very first inspiration for writing it was — a character? an idea? Continue reading “Seeds That Have Already Grown into Novels”
The Cipher in the Middle
The show named after Buffy cares so much more about Xander’s feelings about her not wanting to date him than about her own feelings at having one of her best friends mess with her head and guilt her and show he thinks of her differently than she’d like.
It makes it hard to identify your own emotions — to even understand your own feelings & self — when so often looking in the mirror of pop culture shows the feelings of everyone around you… and leaves you invisible, a metaphorical vampire who doesn’t cast emotional reflections. Continue reading “The Cipher in the Middle”
The Empty Empire
by Mary E. Lowd
Originally published in Daily Science Fiction, December 2016
It took a hundred years to design and build the first planet. Multi-dimensional bulldozers and hyper-spatial cranes arranged the mountains, the icy spires, the cozy sea-green valleys in-between. Everything was perfect; ready for a feathered avian species to take roost in the frozen castle-like heights or maybe a variety of vine-swinging primates to set up their homes in the valleys. But no one came. Continue reading “The Empty Empire”
Summer Strawberries
by Mary E. Lowd
Originally published in The Voice of Dog, April 2020
Jenna slammed shut the refrigerator door and kicked it. The strawberries were gone. Mom knew Jenna was saving them but must have eaten them herself or fed them to the baby anyway. Jenna was so mad she could scream.
She stomped into the computer room where Mom was working at the computer with Baby Riley asleep on her lap. Mom shushed her and whispered, “You need to be quieter. Riley’s sleeping.” Continue reading “Summer Strawberries”
The Right Kind of Unfamiliar
The way Data describes friendship in Star Trek: TNG (as recounted by Troi) has always deeply spoken to me:
“As I experience certain sensory input patterns, my mental pathways become accustomed to them. The inputs eventually are anticipated and even missed when absent.” Continue reading “The Right Kind of Unfamiliar”
Borrowing Plot Structure as a Stand-In for Outlining
I’m rewatching Moana, because I think its structure may be useful for the fantasy novel outline I’m trying to refine.
I find working with models for story structure really helpful, especially because I struggle so much with outlining. Continue reading “Borrowing Plot Structure as a Stand-In for Outlining”
Spooky
When you’re not used to seeing yourself depicted in society, and then suddenly, you see someone like you…
Sometimes your own initial reaction will be, “This person seems weird and wrong!” before (hopefully) having it sink in that, actually, you’re finally seeing yourself. Continue reading “Spooky”
David Rose, Rarity, and Fashion
David Rose (Schitt’s Creek) and Rarity (My Little Pony) are both characters whose strong aesthetic senses resonate deeply for me… while also causing me to recoil, because they’re so focused on fashion, and I loathe fashion, because I can ONLY WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES, which is anathema to most fashion. Continue reading “David Rose, Rarity, and Fashion”