I've got another #blog post up: some pondering on how long a story is supposed to be, alongside where my current writing projects are (and some sequel hints, for those who like a particular magic cloak). rznicolet.com/2026/08/05/w...

When the Story is Done

I’ve encountered everything from the shortest of flash (check out this mastodon account!) to series and epics spanning over a dozen volumes.  The same story can be told in a sentence or t…

rznicolet.com

I have been gently reminded that I can link to reviews (and probably should, because Marketing), so here's that lovely review. ***runs away*** mastodon.online/@leece@aus.s...

I've been playing an autobattler game called Songs of Silence lately (enough to decide that this isn't my favorite genre), but it does have nice art, and I have to give the creators credit: their spooky portals are 100% spherical.

In book related news, someone I'm not related to said people who like Murderbot may like my book (presumably due to the snarky non-human protagonist) and if you're looking for me, I'll be over here on cloud nine...

In interior decoration news: I got the big new frame back from the shop, and it looks great! (Frameworks, if you're in the Twin Cities.) Everything gets hung up once I find time to paint the office... I think it'll go well with my other poster. Am I a huge nerd? Yes, yes I am. #startrek

An older #book that I've read lately: The Romulan Way, by Diane Duane and Peter Morwood. I was reminded of Spock's World (by Duane), with the sweeping history that eventually intersects the contemporary plot. #scifi #book #startrek #amreading 💙📚🪐

Film you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Trek, Star Wars, LOTR, Marvel, Disney, or Ghibli. (Whew, we need more GIFs from this movie.)

Chitty Bang Man Dancing with Chicken

Alt: Grandpa, from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, dancing in front of the farmhouse... with a chicken. He's in a snazzy white outfit like he's about to go on safari.

static.klipy.com

Ann Leckie@annleckie.com · 6d ago

Film you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Trek, Star Wars, LOTR, Marvel, Disney, or Ghibli.

Yeah, two things can be true--you can genuinely enjoy and even love a movie and also have (or agree with) criticisms of it. This is normal and ok.

Chuck Wendig@chuckwendig.bsky.social · last wk.

I enjoyed Nolan's ODYSSEY quite a bit, and found it more moving than expected. I also read Wilson's critique and found that both enjoyable and insightful. It's not even really a bad review -- it's an incisive dissection from the POV of someone whose knives have long been sharpened on the material.

Current status on the #WIP: I'm at about 90k words or so, with maybe 15-16k left, if I don't drag it out. Maybe I can have this thing done (in first draft, anyway) by the end of August...

So, I did watch the first ep of Strange New Worlds S3 before my Paramount sub expired, and I knew it was trouble as soon as they said it was 65 million years ago instead of 66. I think they did zero research on making this one realistic, aside from a few dino feathers. I'm gonna... have opinions.

And the #mystery plant has bloomed! It's definitely a phlox, but far from the colors I'd expected. Dramatic! I think we'll keep them. Also, a bonus ladybug spotted on a pepper plant the other day. #gardening

Seems like Procreate is the consensus answer -- I'll report back when I've tried it out.

Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet@rr4idic.bsky.social · 2w ago

Anybody have recs for a good iPad drawing app? Requirements: * Can actually import files from scans without distorting them (old app currently failing this) * Paint, not vector graphics * Works well with stylus * Layers would be nice Paid is okay, but strongly prefer to avoid subs.

So, I recently got around to reading Project Hail Mary, and now I have thoughts. These include: 1. Rocky is awesome 2. Where the heck are the ship's radiators??? Excessively long blog post on the matter: rznicolet.com/2026/07/25/i... #scifi #projecthailmary 🪐📚💙

In Which I Am Both Petty And Appreciative of Project Hail Mary

It took me a while to get around to reading Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir.  I was put off by the descriptions of the initial problem (the sun is dying!) which, sadly, set off my “oh, no…

rznicolet.com

Leonard Nimoy would be pretty great. I'd also be happy about Avery Brooks.

Nanoraptor@nanoraptor.danamania.com · 2w ago

You suddenly get a narrator describing your life and there’s no way to turn it off - everyone can hear it. While shopping, at work, at home, with friends - the voice narrating your every move goes on. Who do you hope is the voice of this narrator?

All right, I've just sent in the files for a ***cool thing*** that's happening in August relating to my book ("The Cloak and Its Wizard"). It's not an award, but it _is_ a broader "cool books" opportunity, so watch this space...

Anybody have recs for a good iPad drawing app? Requirements: * Can actually import files from scans without distorting them (old app currently failing this) * Paint, not vector graphics * Works well with stylus * Layers would be nice Paid is okay, but strongly prefer to avoid subs.

This is a very thoughtful piece re: AI that I came across. I don't 100% agree with everything in it, but the analogy with art forgery is excellent. matduggan.com/art-doesnt-s...

You ever have one of those times when you're reading the title of a preprint and you think, "Haha, that is a magnificent joke paper," and then you read the abstract and then it's all "oh no, I don't think they were joking"?

Hm... Kermit, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and... probably Oscar the Grouch, honestly.

Moss Lawton @ Midsummer Scream #667@dinolich.bsky.social · 2w ago

if you had to pick three muppets to represent you (not your three favorites) who would you pick? greater henson canon counts. I think I'd go Gonzo, Rizzo and Uncle Deadly.

Oh, I'm looking forward to this one.

Every Film Now@everyfilmnow.bsky.social · 2w ago

Final trailer for ‘COYOTE VS. ACME’ has been released. In theaters August 28. #CoyoteVsAcme

Loot drop after defeating me: - Gluten-free cookies (roll d20 on supplemental table to determine variety) - Spectacles (+2 to Spot if counteracting myopia) - Packet of seeds - Random SFF Novel - Tricorder - Purse of Holding (contents include a plot-critical document buried at the bottom)

Kingfisher & Wombat@tkingfisher.com · 2w ago

Loot drop after defeating me: - bird guide - 1 pair masterwork binoculars - Hat of Magnificence (+1 to Intimidate and Performance, -2 to Stealth) - Wondrous Item: Author Copies* - Book Contract (cursed) - random cheese - cat hair (also cursed)

My publisher has a short story anthology available if you sign up for their mailing list. Short stories are basically samplers, so you can try out a few authors and see if any suit your taste. (Also, I've got a short story in there about mad scientist roommates.) gjtgf8.subscribepage.io

For anybody who was entertained when I was working on the book about time-travelers who get stuck in the Permian: apparently PBS though the Permian was cool, too. The PBS Eons folks are doing a whole show! Starting next week! Details over here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWri...

An Important Announcement

YouTube video by PBS Eons

youtube.com

Oh, noooooo. This is deeply discouraging. I'd already cancelled my Paramount+ subscription, with the intent to come back later just for SNW... but maybe now I'll wait for Starfleet Academy.

Liz@lizbarr.bsky.social · 2w ago

The embargo on general reviews is up, so here's my hot take on season 4 of SNW: there's no point in talking about a series which presents a moral quandary with echoes of the real world and then dismisses it with the words, "Don't overthink it."

So, I've got plans for a science fantasy setting where the FTL is pretty much explicitly poorly-understood magic. I just had a fabulous idea for additional complications. And yet I've got... so many other projects I want to work on... #writerproblems ?

New #blog post is up, in which I consider the problems of a growing hive mind: rznicolet.com/2026/07/19/h... #scifi #worldbuilding

Hive Mind Coordination Problems

I’ve talked a bit about how the Tetrive, our friendly not-local benevolent hive mind, would work physically, in terms of how they connect to each other. How does a naturally-evolved, generally…

rznicolet.com

It's striking to me that in addition to continuing to ship right up until the day before yesterday, they shipped this lettuce to Iowa and Wisconsin but not Minnesota, the state with the notoriously good team for sourcing these outbreaks.

paris martineau@paris.nyc · 3w ago

New: Late last night, Taylor Farms quietly posted an official recall notice We now know that the parasite-linked iceberg lettuce was shipped to Walmart & food distributors in 27 (!) states It was for some reason still being sent out up until Thursday July 16 www.consumerreports.org/health/food-...

Update on the #mystery plants! One of them got munched a bit (presumably by a rabbit), but the other one to my surprise, has actual buds! We might get some flowers (and an easy way to confirm whether or not these are, indeed, variegated phlox, which is the current best guess). #gardening

"Whew, it's been so hot in the Twin Cities this week, I wish it was just a few degrees colder." *monkey's paw curls*

A warning for authors with pen names: I got the weirdest snail mail solicitation yesterday. I didn't save a picture, but it was from some "data" outfit, claiming that they could do my Assumed Name Annual Renewal for me. I'd just have to send along the $65 fee. The truth: there is no fee (in MN).