This is the fifth in a series of articles in which author Steven Erikson deconstructs, paragraph by paragraph, an excerpt from his most recent novel, Forge of Darkness
Archives for June 2013
Your Secret Weapon Against Story Coincidences
This week’s video talks about why coincidences are a bad thing and offers three tips for avoiding them in your own stories.
Understanding Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting approximately 1 in 133 people in Canada. It occurs when the body is unable to break down and use a protein called gluten. When gluten cannot be used by the body, it stays in the small intestine and begins to damage the absorptive surface, resulting in an inability […]
Tarmac Meditations #126: Running With John Wayne
Agein’ ain’t for the faint of heart. And it pays to remember that I am not alone as I move into the day, that people care about what I do, about how I am; that John Wayne movies were made up and never true.
The New Truck
On one blistering summer day, an extended family of immigrants considers the prospects and tribulations of life in their adopted country.
Breaking The Sound Barrier
As an aircraft approaches transonic velocity, a vapor cone appears due to the condensation of water in the atmosphere.
Star Wars: The Next Generation
No, that isn’t a typo. I’m aware of all the hype flying around about that other vintage sci fi series and its hot-shot new movie, but right now I couldn’t care less. Why? Because I just enjoyed one of the wonderful little moments that we fathers born in the early seventies can cherish: I just sat down and watched the original Star Wars (Episode IV) with my young son for the first time.
Food For Thought
“What do you think those starving children in China are doing?” my mother would ask. “Do you think they would leave anything on their plates?” Frankly, I didn’t think they would, but sometimes our dinner plates could or should have fed a small village in China without a problem. That is just how generous mom was with her portions.
Don’t Be a Preacher – It’s a Cardinal Sin
I’d spent months drafting an initiative to engage the emerging electorate. On my way to her constituency office, I saw the Member of Parliament walking her dog. I jumped out of my van, strolled up bold as can be and asked her if she believed in serendipity. When she said she did, I showed her the large manila envelope in my hand with her name on it. She gave me five minutes to give her my best pitch. It was more than enough time to get her onboard.
Wild Blue Yonder
Co-written by Life As A Human regular authors George Burden and Joseph Frey, Wild Blue Yonder captures what was for them “the experience of a lifetime” describing their experience during actual training flights in CF-18 supersonic fighter jets.