You know, I've been thinking about this one a long time. I've enjoyed both video games and tabletops for decades, and I think I can say, with little hesitation, which one I could live without. Now I know I am going against the grain here, but here's my argument: 1. In tabletop games, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.... Continue Reading →
God is One
I read an article today in the St. Petersburg Times by Stephen Prothero, author of God is Not One. In his essay, Prothero refutes the growing popular notion that religions are essentially the same, an idea proposed by the likes of the Dalai Lama and one of my heroes, George Lucas. He makes the valid point about... Continue Reading →
A World without iPhones
I long for a world without Internet, without GPS enabled cell phones, without Google Earth, without connectedness. I long for a world where a man can become lost in places no one has ever been. I long for a world where the map isn't quite filled in, where there are still places where "Here Be Dragons." For many years,... Continue Reading →
Sexism and Warrior Women?
Susan J. Douglas argues that despite the recent surge of powerful female characters in fiction---she talked about Xena, La Femme Nikita, Dark Angel, Alias, Charlie's Angels, and Lara Croft, that sexism still exists. Her premise is that: a) These women are tough and can take care of themselves but b) They're still seen as sex objects and their primary... Continue Reading →
World Building and Never Ending Stories
It seems today that fantasy has been hijacked by "world builders"---writers so enamored by Tolkien, that their No. #1 priority is to build a convincing world. While I am all for convincing worlds, I am not all for it if it hinders the telling of a story, or takes the place of one. I won't mention names,... Continue Reading →
The Times They Are a Changin’
Dropped off my daughter at school today. It was an interesting experience, seeing all those eager faces with their SpongBob and Star Wars and Hello Kitty lunch boxes. It got me to thinking of my school days and how different things are now. At the risk of sounding like an old coot, let me quote... Continue Reading →
World Building and Never Ending Stories
It seems today that fantasy has been hijacked by "world builders"---writers so enamored by Tolkien, that their No. #1 priority is to build convincing worlds. While I am all for the establishment of a good setting, I am not all for it if it hinders the telling of a story or takes the place of one. I... Continue Reading →
To D&D or Not to D&D?
To D&D or Not to D&D? That is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous hate mail, and take arms against a sea of critics, or quit - - - to D&D and write no more; and by thus to say we end the heartache... Continue Reading →
The Challenges of Writing
When people think about the challenges writers face, they often think about finding good ideas or proofing for grammar. None of the How-To books deal with the things that matter most to me: finding the energy, the drive, and the passion to keep going, to keep going when all seems hopeless, to keep going when... Continue Reading →
The Case for and Against Self-Publishing
An author once told me to forget about art. "Publishing is a business," he said, "and you have to write what sells. If you’re lucky, art comes later." I sincerely tried to take this advice to heart. But as I went about dealing with publishers, I was appalled by their suggestions. “You have to make... Continue Reading →
The Art of Storytelling 
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