Tag: links Page 2 of 3

This has been a very productive week. Motoring along with my revised outline of Never, getting a fair amount of reading done, and exercise accomplished every day but one (and that was because of a fairly severe storm, and my laziness that made me not want to do anything inside the house. Must get hold of some weights so I have options on rainy days).

Links for the week:

The Australian SF Snapshot is running again, and the first two entries made me cry: In memorium for Sara Douglass and Paul Haines.

Justine Larbalestier talks about the monsters she has loved.

Finding your voice as a writer.

Dissecting Neil Gaiman’s commencement speech.

Beth Revis talks about how to respond to negative reviews.

A peek inside the notebooks of famous authors, artists and visionaries.

The editing clauses in writing contracts.

Don’t let the writing life kill you.

Every new author’s greatest enemy (and how to beat it).

An interview with China Mieville.

20 things I should have known at 20.

50 geeky things kids should do before they’re twelve.

The self illusion: how our social brain constructs who we are.

10 ridiculously simple tips for writing a book.

Theodora Goss talks about fantasy and biography.

Hacker lifestyle: how I feel satisfied with every day.

6 ways to never run out of ideas.

Use your body to make decisions.

What does a publishing contract cover?

Sometimes everything seems okay

By Stephanie Gunn

On May 27, 2012

In links

It’s a Sunday morning. The kidlet and I have been relaxing in bed with the iPad for a while, and are now up and about. He’s currently (slowly) eating breakfast and playing with trains, while I am on the computer, having eaten my own breakfast. Spotify is running 80s radio for me. The husband will be back from a fishing trip later on today, and everything seems okay.

I caught up with an amazing friend yesterday, which is a huge part of why everything feels awesome right now. I am just so utterly blessed to have some of the people in my life that I do. I also feel relatively on top of things – I’m going to get stuck into editing Never tomorrow, I have a nice list of admin type stuff to be done. I just feel like I’m getting things done and moving on with life (levelling up, maybe?), which is always a great feeling.

Links for the week:

Writing fast, writing slow – and why one book a year suits hardly anyone.

27 Dos and Don’ts for being a badass woman.

What does the editing process look like?

Peter M Ball (and the Spokesbear) talk about Undead Press and about being in business as a writer.

Cassandra Clare talks about rape culture. Justine Larbalestier replies, with her own experiences as a writer.

When you fear that you’re just no good.

What to do when “doing what you love” isn’t an option.

When the apocalypse throws you back in time.

The 1960s science fiction novels everyone should read.

Greg Rucka talks about why he writes strong female characters.

I kind of want this ring. WANT.

Charlie Stross talks about the state of SF.

Saturday links

By Stephanie Gunn

On May 19, 2012

In links

This photo of dingos I took at the zoo last weekend makes me want to write a story about dingo shifters. They look so human.

This has been a strange week. I started off the week with a massive burst of energy that was, unfortunately, somewhat short-lived. The end of the working week saw a couple of bad days for me, but I am proud that I still managed to write, even if I didn’t manage much else useful.

Links for the week:

C. S. Lewis on Why “School Stories” and Media Distortion Are a More Deceptive Fiction Than Fiction

Neil Gaiman addresses the University of the Arts Class of 2012.

The seven bad habits of successful authors.

How reading novels can make you a better person.

How to use your iPad to help you lose weight.

A map reveals how much of London actually lurks below the earth.

So what the hell is urban fantasy, anyway?

What is running a Kickstarter really like?

Tuesday therapy: Know your rights.

The 9-5 guide to staying active.

Unstuck: an app that helps you achieve your goals.

Taking a dive

By Stephanie Gunn

On May 12, 2012

In links

An oldish photo of a lunar eclipse, fairy lights and car lights.

“Artists have to take a dive, and either you hit your head on a rock and you split your skull and you die… OR… that blow to the head is so inspiring that you come up and do the best work that you ever did. But you have to take the dive, and you do not know what the results will be.” – Maurice Sendak

Catching up on links from the last two weeks.

How to stay motivated.

Crappy first drafts of great books.

Ellen Datlow talks about editing anthologies.

What cancer statistics really mean.

How Joyce Carol Oates would launch a writing career today.

Why body detoxification is a myth.

How do you mother yourself?

Resisting Resistance.

Peter M Ball (and the spokesbear) talks about social media.

Storyfix begins their deconstruction of The Hunger Games.

Jack Dann shares some writing keys to the kingdom.

Goddess Leonie talks about how she gets creative work done with a child.

Blogging tips for newbies and veterans.

How to live well.

Why are so many vampire stories weak?

What happens to girls when they read a fashion magazine?

A writer’s gift is courage

By Stephanie Gunn

On April 29, 2012

In links

This is called: Taking over Mummy's computer.

This has been an odd week, hence the general lack of blogging. I’ve been hit hard by fatigue and medication side effects, both of which have rendered me somewhat useless. I did, however, manage to write every day on the novel in progress, which is something. I did also manage a fair bit of reading, which is also something.

Links from the week:

6 ways to hack into your emotions and become more creative.

The truth about launching a writing career.

How to make moss graffiti.

What happens when you throw privacy out the window?

The three core elements of storytelling (and why you need to write stories right away).

How long does it take you to finish a draft?

Feminist speculative fiction anthology kickstarter.

How to fail at habits.

Infographic: everything you need to know about the Hugo Award.

The impact on how having children affects how housework is shared between a couple.

Is this the banana your grandchildren will eat?

Five points about collaboration.

Kate Elliott talks about gender roles.

The past does not equal the future

By Stephanie Gunn

On April 21, 2012

In life, links

My writing space, as it appeared this week.

This has been an odd week. I have accomplished my writing quota every day, but I am trialling a new medication, and its main effect (apart from decreasing my pain levels, which is awesome) is to make me very tired. Sleeping at night has been more broken than solid, as well, which is making it a little difficult to do any more than the minimum of work. Still, this will pass.

Links for the week:

Authenticity: letting the world make its mark on you.

Gala Darling talks at TEDxCMU about Radical Self-Love.

Blue Milk shares a great quote about motherhood: Like driving at night.

The do-what-you-love guide.

Experimenting with your sleep and dreams.

34 ways to begin your self-care practice.

Domythic Bliss showcases ornate door hinges.

The life-or-death pursuit of creative badass joy.

Plants are smarter than you think.

Finding place for outliers in virtual communities.

Change a habit in three steps.

Figuring out your writing style.

Stop taking this picture!

Take your writing to the next level.

Fat people can live as long as thin ones.

Try this: be innocent, faint and effortless.

How to screw everything and just write.

Women in science fiction and fantasy month.

Jump, and then you get your wings

By Stephanie Gunn

On April 14, 2012

In life, links

An old photo of Jilly sleeping. I haven't had the camera out much this week again, so you get an old photo.

I need to get the camera out more again. I may actually start up a photo a day project again, because I’ve been neglecting photos so much.

This has been a rough week. My pain and fatigue levels have been high post-Swancon, to the point where I actually took a full sick day yesterday and did nothing. I feel better for it, too, and hopefully after the weekend, I shalll be recovered enough to get stuck into work again properly.

Links, which are for the last two weeks, since I neglected them last week (since I was at Swancon!):

Tansy Rayner Roberts rounds up a lot of links in Friday is an imperfect feminist but tries hard.

Theodora Goss talks about the real problem of finding energy to write.

Sarah Wilson: Jump, and then you get your wings.

A season in hell. (trigger warning for talk of cancer and surgery and illness).

An invocation for beginnings.

When I feel stuck or stumped, I got for a stroll.

Duck hunting, and why we should care about our awards.

Ten commandments for editing someone else’s work.

The narrative of women in fear and pain.

Depression and faulty core beliefs.

Why are mums so hesitant to view their male partners as full, competent parents?

A look at the Aurealis Awards gender stats.

Are you afraid of aging?

5 books that could change your creative game.

Amanda Palmer talks about first world problems.

Time management for the self-employed.

4 relationship mistakes you don’t know you’re making.

The top 10 books every mama should read.

Justine Musk on creativity and finding your inner freak.

How to create characters who fascinate.

Something has to happen.

Final edits – what do you look for?

3 questions you must ask your characters.

The past does not define you, the present does.

By Stephanie Gunn

On March 31, 2012

In life, links

Gantheaume Point, one of my favourite places. Old photo, because I didn't have the camera out much this week.

This has been an odd week. Much pain again, with the arthritis flaring with the change of weather. I think summer is finally gone, with the nights getting cooler and the days milder. It’s been lovely to not have to hide away in air conditioning all day, and to have fresh air flowing through the house constantly. The great shift in my exercise routine is happening, too: no more swimming, and building up my tolerance for walking instead. I am entertaining the idea of purchasing an exercise bike for rainy days, but slightly put off by the prices, especially of recumbent models, which I am drawn towards.

There has been writing, and I’ve been happy with the quality, but not quantity of it. My pace is much, much slower that I use to write. But I suppose that I should be thankful that I’m writing at all. Between pain, a two-year-old and everything else, it would be very easy to just stop and stare at daytime television all day.

I have been devoting a decent amount of energy to uncluttering, which is a very satisfying thing. We’re not messy people, but there are places in the house that get cluttered with stuff, and when they’re clean and tidy, things feel much better. I have a massive list of things I’d like to do around the house (painting, for one, she says, eyeing off the horrid yellow walls in this room) but I’m tackling them in small pieces. They all add up.

Watching a child in their second year of life is incredible. Especially when said child is sleeping well, and therefore the rest of us are sleeping well 😉 He’s developing such an imagination – he re-enacts scenes with his trains, and tells us that Totoro lives in every big tree he sees 🙂 He still remains one of the cuddliest kids I’ve ever known, too, which is just delightful. Hard to think that in a few years he’ll be in school.

Links of the week:

4 ways to hack into your mind and become infinitely more creative.

How to become a real writer.

10 books every fantasy author should read.

Making art, making magic.

Why it’s good to give your stuff for free.

10 secrets to creating unforgettable supporting characters.

How to create story structure to die for.

You must engage your creative side.

How I wrote Doll Bones (Holly Black talking word count).

An exceedingly simple guide to keeping a journal.

How to make a living as a writer, part one. Part Two.

How will we get around in the post-apocalypse?

I want to make this for my kid: Narnia-themed playroom.

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.

By Stephanie Gunn

On March 24, 2012

In life, links, Uncategorized

Awesome is having an artist friend who comes over and draws Totoros with chalk on the paving for your kid.

Not the best or the most productive of weeks, thanks to a flare up of arthritis pain. But I managed to write every day, and to stick to not breaking the chain. I am officially giving myself the weekend off from work, though – today the husband and I are going to see The Hunger Games in Gold Class, and tomorrow is massage day.

In good news, the pain seems to be less today, so hopefully I’ll be back to being productive next Monday.

Links!

Housing and dreaming community.

The gift of tabula rasa.

Inside an artist colony.

A three-step algorithm for happiness.

Train your brain for monk-like focus.

Cycle to work at your home office.

Does accepting limitations make us weaker?

What’s the value of SF/F awards to the community?

6 simple ways to release flow.

Struggle is a sure sign you’re making art.

In chaos, there is order

By Stephanie Gunn

On March 17, 2012

In life, links

This has been an…odd week. A couple of days where everything got derailed – husband was off up north working on site and got stuck there when the airport closed due to a cyclone. So the kid and I have been on our own since Thursday. Bless the little guy, he’s been awesome – going to sleep without too much fuss and sleeping through the night. You’ve never seen sad until you’ve seen a two-year-old’s face when you tell him that Daddy isn’t coming home as planned. My heart breaks thinking of kids who get told that Daddy or Mummy aren’t ever coming back.

Links for the week:

Terri Windling talks about suffering for art.

Using Kickstarter to fund fine art.

This is how you organise a pantry!

Will eating red meat kill you? (an analysis of the study that’s been making the rounds)

The many ways science has (wrongly) assessed your personality.

How not to be a clever writer.