The inspiration for a story can start from the oddest of places, and the resulting novel may end up as distant from that seed as an acorn is to an oak tree. My newest novel began on a cloudy spring day in Ballard, Washington. I had an appointment that afternoon that left me with some time on my hands, so
"I was in China in 2007, at the first party-approved science fiction and fantasy convention in Chinese history. And at one point I took a top official aside and asked him Why? SF had been disapproved of for a long time. What had changed?
It's simple, he told me. The Chinese were brilliant at making things
In my earlier days, when I had younger knees, I loved to go backpacking in the mountains of northern New England. My favorite place to hike was the Lafayette ridge in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire. The exposed ridge goes on for a mile and half along a knife edge, from the summit of Mt. Lafeyette across Mt. Lincoln to Little Haystack. For the entire way,
WHAT IS A HERO?
Too often we confuse heroes with celebrities. Rock stars, actors and athletes are routinely admired. Kids love to emulate them and wear their paraphernalia. Not to demean what they’ve accomplished—talent and success are something to be admired—but is what they’ve done heroic?
In Along the Watchtower, Lt. Freddie Williams is decorated with the silver and bronze stars for his actions under
