That’s the question – fall or fly? One of my favorite sayings, usually attributed to Zen but said by John Burroughs, is, “Leap and the net will appear.” If you are unfamiliar with this phrase – it basically means that sometimes you need to just leap into the project, the idea, or what-have-you – and…
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Step One: Write. Step Two: Edit. Step Three: Profit?
Sadly, step three (Profit) requires more steps – and some other intangibles. Since 2013, I have self-published 17 books in total on Amazon. Five of them are nonfiction and published under Murray “MJ” Blehart, while the other 12 are fiction under MJ Blehart. From the outside, it looks like there are 3 steps to the…
Am I Up for Another Round of Reevaluating, Rebranding, and Resolving Anew?
Of course I am! Life is all about reevaluating, rebranding, and resolving. Today I made an unintended statement that resonates with me quite a lot. Self-awareness is not a constant. Because it shifts so readily and frequently – it requires regular check-ins. It doesn’t matter what you do – doctor, lawyer, merchant-chief, artist, teacher, whatever….
How Can What I Do Help You With Whatever You Do?
What I do might be unique – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be helpful to/for you. I love to help people. This manifests in a multitude of ways. For example, in my medieval reenactment group, I teach new people how to fence regularly. I love teaching and getting new people enthusiastic about the game….
Do You Like to Reread Books You’ve Already Read Before?
I only reread a very small selection of books. I own a lot of books. Most, if not all of them, I’ve read at some time or other. And most of them I will never read again. This is why, a few years ago, I donated several large boxes of books to my local library….
How Do I Combat (ADOS) Attention Deficit Ooooh-Shiny Syndrome and Keep Writing?
Sometimes it feels like the work to keep writing really is akin to combat. I do not suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), or any other diagnosable of that nature. Yet I still often must fight to keep my attention. I stole this from a friend many years ago –…
Will Web 3.0 and the Metaverse Impact Writers, Artists, and Creatives?
Web 3.0 and the Metaverse will impact everyone – but how could take lots of forms. For many people, the notion of Web 3.0 and the Metaverse are abstracts. Chances are you’ve heard of them by now. But for most people, they’re ideas in the ethers that they are not familiar with. Yet. You see,…
Why Does Inclusivity Matter to Sci-fi and Fantasy?
Because even as niche genres – inclusivity literally includes everyone. Lots of the “fanboys” love to whine and/or moan about all the ways how newer takes on older sci-fi and fantasy properties are ruining them. How many people are unhappy over gay, transgendered, and non-binary characters in Star Trek: Discovery? What about all the people…
Are All the Genres in Writing Transmutable and Combinable?
No genres are so set that they cannot be blended, altered, and mixed. Both of my recent sci-fi series are not entirely sci-fi. Mostly sci-fi, yes. But not completely. Forgotten Fodder crosses into police procedural, mystery, and conspiracy. Sure, it’s about clones and takes place in spaceships, space stations, and colonies within 30 light-years of…
The Takeaway – What Useful Things Did I Learn from My Con Experience?
After attending Farpoint Con 2022 – what did I learn? For the first time since 2016, I attended a con. Farpoint in Hunt Valley, Maryland, is a sci-fi con that’s got a rich history and has been ongoing for years. I attended as a guest. Thus, I sat on several panels, did a reading from…