Conspicuous Perching

Conspicuous Perching

Bird watchers are positively giddy with the news that the first-ever bat falcon has been spotted in the United States. If you read that and had to do a double-take, so did I. Until about 10 minutes ago, I had never heard of a bat falcon.  At first, I thought it...

Critics And Soap

Critics And Soap

Critics can be tough. Particularly when it comes to friends and family. That's why I don't ask people if they've read my books. If they like it, they will tell me. If they didn't, I know they will avoid the topic. So, why make us both feel uncomfortable, right? I've...

I Have to Write Something Now

I Have to Write Something Now

It's Tuesday morning. I've got a blog post & newsletter to get out. What should I write about?  <checks Facebook> Nothing funny going on there. Lots of people complaining about snow removal.  <reads snow removal post anyway> 20 minutes...

Pillow Fights and Couch Forts

Pillow Fights and Couch Forts

The world is stealing my ideas. Okay, technically I didn't invent the Professional Pillow Fight League, but it does sound exactly like the sort of nonsense I would put in one of my stories, right? In previous novels, I came up with the Future Carnies of America, Beer...

A Better Day Job

A Better Day Job

French physicists have more fun than you and I. You see, they're not burdened by the mundane pursuits of other physicists. Instead of trying to find new energy sources, applying quantum mechanics to daily life, or solving space travel, they are hard at work making...

Renovation Probation

Renovation Probation

I'm feeling discombobulated. In fact, our whole house is discombobulated. My dog is stressed. My wife is restless. And everything is piled in corners. The US Department of Home Renovation forced us at gunpoint to rip out our carpet and replace it. I bet you didn't...