Category Archives: On Writing

The Genre Détente

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Jon Mollison

After an all out brawl – or at least the sort of petty slap fight that passes for such on Twitter – the anti-SJW crews have retreated to their respective corners.  For those not in the know, we aficionados of … Continue reading →

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Lessons From the Master

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Jon Mollison

The other day somebody at one of the many renegade publishing internet water coolers asked if the works reviewed over at the Castalia House blog, of which I have done many, are worth reading.  While I can’t speak for all … Continue reading →

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Dancing Around the Fire

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Jon Mollison

Watching Amazon’s The Boys – more on that soonish – reminded me of my last desperate days stuck under the thumb of the Dinosaur Publishers.  Back in the bad old days when I only rarely dipped my toes into NYC … Continue reading →

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Cirsova – Late to the Blurb Party

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Jon Mollison

No that blog title is not a secret story only included on the copy of Cirsova provided to advertisers like me.  It’s just the subject of this blogpost and an admission that I’ve been doing it all wrong. Throughout the … Continue reading →

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Last First Sentences – My Own Petard

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Jon Mollison

This past week we’ve looked at more than a dozen story openings, and hopefully the exercise has been of some value to both the writers out there and the readers.  My thanks to all of the authors whose works were … Continue reading →

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Third and Final First Sentences

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Jon Mollison

First sentences matter.  People are judgy and they love to find reasons to reject your works.  Knowing the how and why people judge can help you writers make sales, and they can help you readers be better judges of whether … Continue reading →

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Second First Sentences

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Jon Mollison

Happy All Saints Day!  Don’t forget to ask your favorite Saint to put in a good word for you with the man upstairs.  That’s what they’re here for! Today we continue our look at the first sentences of stories you … Continue reading →

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No NaNoWriMo Fo Jo Mo

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Jon Mollison

Nothing against it, just seems counterproductive for a writer in my position. Writing a novel in a single month represents a considerable challenge for new and old writers alike.  Tapping into the inspirational support of a host of like minded … Continue reading →

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More First Sentences

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Jon Mollison

Yesterday we looked at three opening sentences of classic pulp stories.  Today let’s take a closer look at three contemporary short stories published in Issue 9 of Cirsova Magazine.  One of the best of the current crop of short fiction … Continue reading →

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First Sentences, Examples From the Pulps

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Jon Mollison

In the interests of learning from the masters, here are a few examples of evocative first sentences taken from a random scattering of works.  As with yesterday’s assignment, consider how each sentence hooks your attention, declares stakes, identifies the mood … Continue reading →

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