In honor of Veterans Day/Remembrance Day, I came up with a new topic (last year we discussed weaponry).  How do we portray the military (and other large governmental units) in urban fantasy?

In traditional/epic fantasy, fighting wars is usually considered a noble deed. Oftentimes, the alternative is annihilation of the heroes' people, their home, ( Read more... )

(Dylan Thomas + Raymond Chandler = subject line win)

Happy Belated Halloween!  I hope everyone''s holiday was safe, fun, and spooky (not necessarily in that order).

As you might know, today and yesterday mark many cultures' observance of the Day of the Dead (El Dia de Los Muertos), which made me think of a weighty topic we've never discussed, one of ( Read more... )

Springing off a question from this past June about how much time passes in our novels, and just having started Book 2 in a series, I came up with a Topic of the Week question on my very own:

How much time passes between novels in your series?  Is there a typical span, or does it vary widely?  Do you write cliffhangers, where the next book picks up ( Read more... )

Hey everyone! Thanks for your patience while I took a rare vacation last week. Now I'm all refreshed 'n' stuff and better able to meet your Topic of the Week needs.

This week, mskiara asks a very good question:

I can't think of a single urban fantasy story that portrays their protagonist in a committed relationship that actually lasts. My first thought was ( Read more... )

Happy Almost-Tuesday! Before I forget, a quick administrative note: because of next Monday's holiday (and a certain Jeri's husband's birthday plans), there'll be no Topic of the Week next week, unless I can find a surprise substitute. (Volunteers?)

midnightblooms asks:

How do you name your characters ( Read more... )

Wow, where did the day go? Ever since I started exercising (last Wednesday), there's so much less time for the important things in life. Like Topic of the Week.

wandereringray asked a question that will send a pang of post-traumatic stress through any writer:

I'm curious to know what folks do when they get stuck (as in the story isn't working) or when something ( Read more... )

Happy Monday, everyone! For the first time in months, I took an entire weekend off, so I'm sickeningly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning.  Bear with me until the weight of reality turns me back into my usual curmudgeonly self.

Corinne D. sent us this question:

What themes, situations or character types do you find popping up in your stories ( Read more... )

That could have read: "Topic of the Week: Returns!", since that's what we're discussing. I swear it's a coincidence.  Maybe.

I don't mean "returns" as in, the sad fact of publishing wherein booksellers ship unsold books back to the publisher like naughty schoolchildren sent home from school (or worse, have their covers torn off like--well, not like ( Read more... )

OK, that subject line was a wee bit labored just to fit it around the title of one of my favorite Sundays tunes, but I couldn't get it out of my head when I saw this question in my inbox, from
( Read more... )

Hi, everyone! Thanks for joining us, those of you who are online instead of out enjoying this summer holiday week (happy Canada Day and Independence Day, before I forget).

This week's topic comes from whereistheluv, who asks:

Hi! I'm new here. I would like to know how you found your writing groups or crit partners. I'm new to the writing world, and working on my ( Read more... )