Writers chase inspiration like kids chase fireflies.  Here are some illuminating pieces I discovered for the mason jar this week:

Inspiration

Actor, writer, raconteur, geek, and all-around-good-guy Wil Wheaton offers a wonderful bit on his blog about remembering what it is we do; “to make something, where nothing was before“. 

I’m usually skeptical of “best of” lists.  No matter who does them, there are always some missing gems that you know should be included or some entries that made the cut and make you wonder about the sanity of the list-maker.  This list of “100 Science Fiction Books Everyone Should Read” is actually pretty good.  Apparently, I have some titles to add to my “to read” list… 

Technique

Black Gate Magazine has really blown me away of late with their “On Writing Fantasy” and “Chasing the Dragon” series of blog entries on, well, writing.  This entry on “A Timeless Style” by John R. Fultz is excellent, with loads of examples and suggestions on creating your own voice in your writing. 

In “Moving the Plot“, Australian author Cassandra Jade offers up great advice for moving the plot forward: “The plot moves forward when you know where you are and where you want to go and you know why your characters are taking those steps.”  It sounds glib, but this is what plot movement boils down to: knowing where you’re going and getting there.

Rejection

Jim Warner, guest-blogging on QueryTracker.net’s blog, presents this 2-part blog on “The Rejection Blues” (Part 1 and Part 2).  This one hits a little too close to home (still no sales on my “Hope and Rejection 2010” story tour…) but really offers some very rational advice to handling what often appears arbitrary and irrational.

Philosophy

User “Aught3”, on the forum “League of Reason“, eloquently puts forward the proposition that “You Can’t Be Good Without Sci-Fi“.  He makes some very good points about the ability to use science fiction as a working model to address moral problems without the pressure-cooker atmosphere of “real” cultural and societal bias or pressures.  The idea could easily be applied to fantasy as well.  As an argument for the benefits of reading and creating science fiction, it is a barnburner.  However, I don’t quite buy the stated premise (you can’t be good without sci-fi) due to the simple fact that people were good before sci-fi and people are currently doing good without it.  Nevertheless, a very interesting and thought provoking read.