Wintry Mix

I think wintry mix is my favorite new weather phrase.  That and lake effect snow (but I think I like that one only because I don’t have to live in it). So anyway, winter has come to Austin. There’s a little bit of snow on the deck and the porch swing (also on the grill cover). It sleeted all last night. Now it’s just wet and rainy. This will last for a couple of days and Read more…

Vera Nazarian needs our help

The story is here, but the short version is that she faces foreclosure, her mother has ovarian cancer, and she herself is in bad health. If you can help, please do — Vera is a fine writer and publisher as well as a community builder in her own right. We crossed paths on the Rumor Mill of yore and she is a good person.

ConDFW short story contest

I’ll be one of the judges for the ConDFW short story contest so now is the time to get cranking. You still have a few months but you don’t want to end up writing something at the last minute. So what makes a contest-winning story? The same things that make a sellable story. Character, setting, plot, good writing. You know, that stuff. At this point I don’t know who all the other judges are going to Read more…