Columns

Big ‘A’ Little ‘a’: Writing Between the Concrete and Abstract

October 10th, 2012

Fiction’s currency is specifics: specific characters, specific places, specific descriptions, specific actions, specific events. Of course, writing addresses big ideas — some would say the biggest ideas. So, how do we get there through an examination of the small? Devising a decoding process that takes the reader from the story’s collection of concretes to its universal themes is one of writing's true paradoxes. And as most paradoxes go, the majority of writers who struggle with this quandary fall victim to it.

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Primer: Gene Wolfe - The Subtle Master

October 10th, 2012

That Gene Wolfe is one of the grand masters of science fiction and fantasy is a fact disputed by few. Michael Swanwick called him “the greatest writer in the English language alive today.” Patrick O’Leary called him “the best writer alive. Period.” China Mieville called him “a god” and said, “He is one of the great living authors.” Ursula K Le Guin has called him “our Melville.”

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Library Love: Reader’s Advisory - Expert Advice On What To Read Next

October 9th, 2012

Let me tell you about my Buddhist friend, an avid reader. He reads multiple books concurrently, each occupying a specific time of his day. He paces himself, allowing only a few chapters at a time, savoring every literary morsel. Reading takes him on a jaunt into the writer’s world, where he dips his toes, splashes a little, and then returns to his life.

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Direct-Address Commafication

October 8th, 2012

Comma pendant by Chao & Eero I. Hey, Jack, off that horse. A completely legitimate imperative sentence. Forget to put your commas in the right place, however, and suddenly you’re writing a different story, for a different market altogether. Or try this: Look at the computer, genius.

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Seven Badass Authors And Their Potentially Deadly Research Methods

October 5th, 2012

So you think the research for your novel is tough, huh? Searching through library stacks, poring over LexisNexis results, conducting interviews with willing participants... Boo-frickin'-hoo. You don't know tough until you've faced lynching, been held hostage in a piss-covered stairwell by a gang, had yourself committed to a madhouse, or eaten a guy or two in a Peruvian jungle. These badass authors and their dangerous immersive research techniques put the rest of us to shame...

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Sherlock Holmes (On CBS) Vs. Sherlock Holmes (On BBC)

October 5th, 2012

There was no shortage of grumbling when CBS announced they'd be producing Elementary, a modern-day take on Sherlock Holmes set in New York City. After all, the BBC is prepping for the third season of Sherlock, a modern-day take on Sherlock Holmes set in London. The BBC series, created by Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, is critically-acclaimed and a geek darling.

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Storyville: Story Dissection - Maker of Flight

October 4th, 2012

I thought I would take the time to dissect another of my stories. The last one I covered, “Twenty Reasons to Stay and One to Leave” was a unique format, so with this column we’re going to look at a more traditional structure. We’re going to dissect my story “Maker of Flight”, which was a contest winner at ChiZine, on their Chiaroscuro webzine.

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The Blagger's Guide to David Foster Wallace

October 4th, 2012

To blag (v): to sound like you know what you’re talking about when you don’t The Blagger’s Guide to Literature (n): an invaluable resource for those who wish to blag about books without actually reading them.

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10 Words You Literally Didn’t Know You Were Getting Wrong

October 3rd, 2012

Original header image by Andrea Piacquadio 10 MORE Words You Literally Didn't Know You Were Getting Wrong

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New This Month: October Reads

October 2nd, 2012

Every month I'll be toiling in the dank, dark mines of literary obscurity, scouring the catalogues of every major publisher to bring the LitReactor faithful a few choice titles hitting the shelves. The following is a brief look at what's worth checking out in October. Full disclosure: unless otherwise noted, none of the below books have been reviewed by myself or other LitReactor staff. These are just a few recommendations based on publisher's notes and my own opinions. Without further ado:

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