Two weeks ago, I spoke with Zachary Irwin and James Lacombe of Opaque Industries about their upcoming tabletop fantasy roleplaying game Song of Swords, which is now being funded on Kickstarter. In Part I of the interview, we discussed the influence of historical martial arts on the game’s combat system. Part II concerned the influence of …
Category: writing
Steampunk: A Modern Throwback to Classic Science Fiction
As I again delve into the various genres of fiction with which my current writing intersects, I discover surprising gaps in my knowledge—and more books for my reading list. This is hardly a bad thing. Writers are fed by writing, and not always their own. Indeed, one would hope that much of it is not …
Alternate History Fiction, Fiction History Fact
It is an odd feeling when you discover how little you know about a subject. I first learned of the alternate history genre at around the age of 10. Or at least, I think it was the age of ten. I might’ve been two or three years older or younger. All I know is that …
When Did Science Fiction Begin?
It is a more difficult question than it seems. We all know what science fiction is, right? Ray guns and space ships and aliens? So we just go back in time, look for the earliest instances of these elements, and presto! We have the first literary work of science fiction. But what about a totalitarian …
Rosaria of Venice — Choosing a Cover, and the May 24th Kickstarter
I’ll be Kickstarting Rosaria of Venice, the alternate history steampunk Renaissance novel I wrote and am now revising, this month on May 25. The proceeds are to pay for cover illustrations (front and inside) as well as editing and proofreading. While I won’t be commissioning the final works until the Kickstarter campaign finishes, I have …
The Devil in the Details: How Contact with the Americas Affected World Cuisine
Historical fiction—even alternate history—poses a unique challenge to authors: the ordinary circumstances of the past are not those of the present. In writing my novel, I came to a scene where the protagonist jury-rigs a primitive battery. This being 15th century Italy, this is a fairly impressive feat. I was ready to detail how she …
The Care and Feeding of Ugly Duckling Drafts
Many writers talk about “Shitty First Drafts,” to use the term coined by Anne Lamott in Bird by Bird. These are your horrific first attempts at your story. They’re hairy with adjectives, and stumble about on improperly placed limbs. I like to call them “ugly duckling” drafts because, despite their deformity, they are merely good …
This Week on Runicfire: Feb 18 – 24
Runicfire is entering its second week, and we have another roster of posts. Here’s what to expect: Today, Monday the 18th, I reflect on the San Francisco Writer’s Conference and the possibility of a second Renaissance. This Wednesday, the 20th, a brief post on recent developments in science. And for Friday the 22nd I explore the …
Short Story: A Glitch in the Timing
As a Friday treat to you all, I am posting an older short story of mine. It’s called “A Glitch in the Timing.” It’s about Esau Alexander, a detective of the gilded city of Starfall who, against his better judgment, pursues a missing persons case—pro bono. I hope you enjoy it! Read and download “A …
The Renaissance: Real and Reimagined
This is the first part of a series in which I discuss a portion of the research behind Rosaria of Venice, my forthcoming alternate-history novel, and other matters related to that research. If you like what you read, please keep an eye out for new updates, and tell your friends! There was a time, centuries …