Shelfie Check – November

As evidenced by the barest of budges in this photo, I spent too much time playing Breath of the Wild in October. Plus, I do the short story reads for The 300 Story Project twice a week, so that takes up reading space and time. My lack of progress is all for a good cause! … Continue reading Shelfie Check – November

Language as Story Prompt

Do words have arcs the same way characters in stories do? Can you turn a mystery on a shibboleth? What if language was a weapon? A way to hold secrets or contain code? How does control of language enable colonialism and conquest? What does it mean to be suspicious of a language? Can you write … Continue reading Language as Story Prompt

Four Ways I’m Smashing My Writing Goal

Remember that fun meter I had to track writing progress on my novel work? Well, I've got a new one!    11 / 30 stories. 37% done! This is for my goal of 30 stories in submission circulation. Meaning, stories out there looking for a home, knocking on doors, peering in windows, and generally risking … Continue reading Four Ways I’m Smashing My Writing Goal

Shelfie Check

I just finished Gideon the Ninth and a re-read of Slaughterhouse-Five. Both of which I highly recommend for different reasons. The Magazine of SF&F copy is a little misleading because it's really the current issue on my Kindle app that I'm reading through for review on my Patreon. I've read Whitman's Song of Myself several … Continue reading Shelfie Check

October’s Writing Prompts

MacGuffins are nouns in a story that drive the people and plot out of their normal routine and into fiction. In the end, they probably don't actually matter, but without them, the story doesn't have a compelling reason to get going. Respected and experienced creators have different definitions, but for the purpose of these prompts, … Continue reading October’s Writing Prompts

Djibril al-Ayad, Editor

To celebrate the Jubilee Issue of The Future Fire magazine, General Editor Djibril al-Ayad agreed to come and answer some of my questions about the work their team of editors and readers does in the speculative market. PersephoneKnits: Let's start with an introduction of The Future Fire (TFF) to the readers. Djibril al-Ayad: The Future Fire … Continue reading Djibril al-Ayad, Editor

Prose Poem

I'm trying to wrangle my Patreon posts into a spreadsheet, and rediscovered this prose poem I wrote two years ago. I loved this one, so I figured I'd share it so you could love it, too! Lunch Counter I’m sorry to stare. I sometimes have hallucinations and can’t always tell what’s there. Just a moment … Continue reading Prose Poem

September’s Writing Prompts

Ooh, for those of you with summer munchkins underfoot, you possibly have more time to write now that they are safely ensconced! But, you sit down to face that blank page and your mind stutters. This month's writing prompts (and the previous ones) might be able to help. Lots of sub calls will be for … Continue reading September’s Writing Prompts

Jason A. Holt, author

I met Jason at Miscon 33. We paneled together, and he came by with conversation and encouragement during my meet-and-greet. His latest book is Fighter Fred and the Dungeon of Doom, and it is hilarious. I love a book that can make me laugh. I also love books that poke fun at genres, tropes, and … Continue reading Jason A. Holt, author