Henry Vogel: working in wonder fulltime starting July 1.

Translation: I retire from my three-decade career in IT on June 30, after which I fill my days (and my computer screen) with space opera, sword & planet, and might even find time to dabble in swords & sorcery.

13 54
2022-05-13

I can't count how often I've heard, "I don't read <genre>. But I'm going to write it because I've got a great idea that's never been done." Supposed genius then shares a hackneyed idea that's been done to death. Simple rule: If you don't read it, don't try writing it.

1 9
2021-08-11

The X-Thieves provide a perfect snapshot of the black & white boom, and the eventual bust. A snapshot I used as the plot as inspiration for "Glut," the story in X-Thieves More on that in a bit. Let's return to the beginning and the X-Thieves Micro Series. /1

0 2
2021-05-11

Talent means nothing if you don't use it. If the most gifted writer in the world won't write, he's a worse writer than the least gifted writer who writes constantly. More, the latter will eventually surpass the former because he's constantly honing what talent he has.

1 6
2021-04-28

"Where do you get your ideas?" Wannabe writers *always* ask that question. I was no exception. Contradictory as it sounds, you write bad ideas until you purge the crap from your system. Or take my route and game masters RPGs. Yes, D&D taught me how to tell stories.

0 3
2021-04-10

Escapism is vital for our mental health, and books provide the most immersive and least expensive escape available. If you write escapist fiction, ignore the literati and embrace the label. I do so proudly.

Art: Escaping Reality by Yaoyao Ma Van As

3 4
2021-01-08

Budding writers should read folk & fairy tales. Stories that have survived centuries are treasure troves of character archetypes, timeless plots, and provide a glimpse into other cultures. If you haven't read them yet, it's never too late to start.

Art by Chris Dunn.

4 14
2020-11-20

"Write what you know" may be the worst, most misunderstood writing advice ever. Pedantic critics often use it to denigrate imaginative writing because the author "can't possibly know that." Screw them. I say, "Write what you dream." Then I add, "And dream big."

3 6
2020-11-13

At its best, when the story flows from your brain, through your fingers, and onto the page (be it paper or digital), this is what writing feels like, too. The more time you spend you write, the more often you'll reach this level of immersion.

0 2
2020-10-05

If you don't understand your intended audience, your stories won't appeal to them. If you don't read what they read and don't speak with them, you'll write for characatures instead of people and fail miserably. That's why my intended audience is...me. (Joe Jusko art)

4 25
2020-08-27

Does this image stir your imagination? Do you wonder what she sees, why she's drawn her sidearm, and why the other rockets are leaving? Does it prod your sense of wonder? If so, you'll probably enjoy my books.

https://t.co/iMFsZEOgQ4

0 2
2020-07-29

Never forget that story comes first. Messages, if you have them, must serve the story. Story serves the message in sermons, and sermons rarely appeal to those who don't already agree with you. If you want to spread "the Word," entertain before you preach.

1 2
2020-07-23

If your story doesn't excite you, what are the chances it will excite a reader? If your story's first reader (that's you) doesn't love it, there probably won't be a second reader. Put simply, love 'em or leave 'em.

3 11
2020-07-22