Category: Writing

Writing

Foundational Science Fiction

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

One of my favorite aspects of Isaac Asimov’s science fiction is the worldbuilding and its never more apparent in his centuries-spanning Foundation series. Indeed, the Galactic Empire and the many of the ensuing interstellar governments were ones I kept in mind while fashioning the Imperium for Rogue Tyger. I’m actually re-reading the series while working on new seasons of the show (it’s easily been over 20 years since I last read them). So imagine the delight when I saw this…

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Various and Sundry Writing

How to Pronounce Names in Dune from the Great Maker’s Mouth

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I’m still debating whether or not to rewatch or reread the various version of Dune leading up to this Fall’s new film adaptation. One definite thing I want them to get right? How to pronounce all those names. Of course, it might help if we all knew how to pronounce the names. So that’s where one superfan comes in. He’s compiled Herbert saying a bunch of the names, none of which are presumably a killing…

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Acting Producing Writing

Theater in the Time of Coronavirus

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

All sorts of physical businesses are suffering during this global pandemic and I know many people, dependent on in-person gigs for their livelihood who now have no income stream (to say nothing of creative freelancers, as one Nation article notes). So this video posted last week by Joseph Haj, artistic director of the Guthrie Theater resonated: I was lucky enough to grow up going to the theater and live performances frequently, something I’ve tried to…

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Writing

Get Some Writing Inspiration

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Last weekend… I did a bunch of chores. But I also did said chores while watching multiple panels and some breakout sessions for the Online Writer’s Conference I talked about last week. If you missed it, good news! You can check out the panels from both days on the same website. Combined, it’s over 13 hours worth of insights and techniques from working novelists, screenwriters, and others. So check it out! Perhaps while you’re taking…

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Acting Producing Writing

Have you made your movie yet?

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Online creativity is abounding, and it’s not just clever memes and personable actors giving us a positive news boosts. People are making movies. In the past month, the 48 Hour Film project, a competition I’ve frequently done, has had a series of stay-at-home competitions. So now indie filmmaker extraordinaire Roger Corman, who’s still sharp as a tack in his 90s, wants to see your short film. Seriously. He said so. But better do it quick.…

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Writing

Successful Self-Publishing Case Studies

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

Given the sheer numbers of self-published books, it statistically unlikely that someone will make a living via self-publishing… except that given the sheer number of self-published books there’s a non-trivial number of writers who make a living via self-publishing. So with that caveat in mind, take a look at Sam Haysom’s article on Mashable about three self-published authors who have succeeded.

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Writing

Roll for Initiative… at a distance

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I’ve been compiling the various resources and freebies that people are posting daily on the Interwebs as ways to combat the coronavirus isolation. One activity I sorely want to try in the coming weeks is delving back into some role playing games (RPGs)… and, in fact, it’s possible that might be an activity to do with my kids. So Paul Darvasi’s article for KQED is a treasure trove of ideas about how one can use…

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Various and Sundry Writing

Science Fiction Tropes, Ranked (Barnes & Noble Edition)

By Bjorn Munson | by Bjorn Munson

I’ve posted about science fiction tropes before, but as we’re now deep into the Era of Social Distancing, at least some writing has got to happen, right? So here’s another list ranking tropes via Ross Johnson for Barnes & Noble. I might quibble with the ranking of the top 5 (dystopian governments and time travel would be my 2 and 1 respectively), but everything on the list should give you a knowing nod or a…

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