How can a short story writer make a reasonable profit in today's ebook publishing market? Here are a few approaches that might help. [Continue]

The studio production process in TV/film forces mediocrity. Look to web-centric productions for the emerging wave of quality entertainment. Indie artists are producing Hollywood-quality work for cheap on the web, without studio constraints. [Continue]

PBS' "House" series of history documentaries take modern people back to live in earlier eras. These shows are a terrific study of human behavior and radical displacement in time and space. They might even be the next best thing to time travel. [Continue]

Mark Twain's story about conjoined twins turned into the classic Pudd'nhead Wilson - but only after he drowned unneeded characters. His novel manner of plot revision considered. [Continue]

Forget the English version of this flick: Noomi Rapace in the original is the bomb, and a double for Reva, my assassin protagonist in Mainline. [Continue]

Stargate Universe blends wonder, science and the nearly mystical unknown with great storytelling. Worth watching even though the series is done. [Continue]

Scientists haven't perfected jet packs yet for personal flight, but they once offered the concept to the military. Meet the Grasshopper, the jet pack the Army could have developed in 1958. [Continue]

One game designer's fantasy setting plays with gender roles and has women, rather than men, in the position of dominant power in a society. Why the upset responses from some male readers? Some thoughts on the subject. [Continue]

Need to overthrow a kingdom in a story or game setting? Here are five ways to do so, in a 5-part series. Part 1 talks pros and cons of armed conflict and 3 things to keep in mind if you go that route. [Continue]

Writing in a different time period? Here are resources to help make sure you're using the right slang and old language for the setting. [Continue]