The braziers in the Silver Eel could not press back the cold. So the tall swordsman and the small fought the chill with tankards of fiery red wine brought by Braggi, the tavern-master, who served his customers — the only two enduring the late hour and the cold — with a brusque efficiency. “What is… Continue reading A Christmas in Lankhmar.
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Cirsova Winter 2022 Issue. Plus Savage Journal Entry 22.
Writing is an odd business. Each story is its own, unique blend of challenge and joy. Then it sits, sometimes for years, only to be released to the public as if newly born, created mere moments before. And occasionally they arrive in clumps. For example, a story of mine is in the Tales from the… Continue reading Cirsova Winter 2022 Issue. Plus Savage Journal Entry 22.
First Draft Malaise. Plus Savage Journal Entry 21.
As a writer, you dream of reaching the conclusion. But we live in the present. Actually typing “The End” becomes anti-climactic rather than the cathartic experience you’d imagined. Still, it’s done. All those interminable hours in the chair have concluded with…something. Is it any good? Here come the doubts, the second-guessing, the expressions of Imposter… Continue reading First Draft Malaise. Plus Savage Journal Entry 21.
AKendix N. Plus Savage Journal Entry 20.
What books made you who you are today? What is your personal Appendix N? [NB: Appendix N is a recommended reading list for players of Dungeons and Dragons, writers that influenced Gary Gygax in his approach to the game.] That is, what sources molded the mental clay into the person you became? I’ve been pondering… Continue reading AKendix N. Plus Savage Journal Entry 20.
A Thanksgiving Repeat. Plus Savage Journal Entry 19.
The web log has been traveling. MBW, the HA, and I just returned to my fastness in the outskirts of Houston from spending Thanksgiving with my sister in Nebraska. Accordingly the web log will be broadcasting a repeat instead of new programing. Also, the next entry in Magnus Stoneslayer’s diary. But first, the obligatory self-promotion.… Continue reading A Thanksgiving Repeat. Plus Savage Journal Entry 19.
Rest. Plus Savage Journal Entry 18.
I have, I believe, completed the task of resurrecting the lost web log posts. I’ll examine the matter more closely later. But for now I’m tired. To quote Jimmy Buffett, “I must confess, I could use some rest.” Rest is something we look for even in fiction. We want our characters to have a chance… Continue reading Rest. Plus Savage Journal Entry 18.
Anthologies: The Spell of Seven. Resurrected Post.
September 6, 2020 Anthologies: The Spell of Seven Another volume curated by L. Sprague de Camp, The Spell of Seven offers a stellar lineup of talent. Each of the seven tales features a Virgil Finlay illustration. How about that for lagniappe? Now, I’m guessing the cover looked better as a pencil and ink drawing. Colored,… Continue reading Anthologies: The Spell of Seven. Resurrected Post.
The Family Road Trip. Resurrected Post.
August 9, 2020 The Family Road Trip Last Monday, I packed up MBW and the HA for a road trip. I pointed the vehicle east and we headed for Yellowstone. We decided to take the journey in two stages. I’ve done eighteen and twenty hour stretches, and we could have made the trip in, perhaps,… Continue reading The Family Road Trip. Resurrected Post.
Father’s Day 2020. Resurrected Post.
June 21, 2020 Father’s Day It is Father’s Day. I’m busy enjoying it, so this will be short. Let me just say that I can think of worse ways to burn a couple of hours than heading to woods with a minor arsenal and a hundred bucks or so worth of ammunition. I hope your… Continue reading Father’s Day 2020. Resurrected Post.