In this week’s installment, a discussion about why flyin’ solo’s not always the way to go:

Folks who ask writers “where do you get your ideas?” are usually blissfully ignorant (or at least unaware) of the question’s depth. Here’s the painful reality about ideas, known all too well by anyone who has ever tried to write fiction: a story isn’t just one idea. It’s idea after idea, strung back to back, in an organized, insightful, and, God help us all, entertaining fashion.

No, really. It’s called brainstorming, and it’s a writer’s best friend.

More here. Like it? Pass it on!

Thanks.

Things have taken a turn for the surreal yet again:

What’s on TV? Oh, the usual sci-fi fantasy, read by women in bed.

When late-night channel surfers encounter two nude women in bed on a public-access show called “Fantasy Bedtime Hour,” many things come to mind. Leprosy is probably not one of them.

“We thought that if it was risque enough we’d get more viewers, and we’d keep the ones with a sense of humor,” says Julie, who co-hosts “Fantasy Bedtime Hour” with her roommate, Heatherly.

That’s all well and good, but, I can’t help but wonder: why LORD FOUL’S BANE, ladies? Seems like an odd choice for two naked chicks. Those who have read it will probably know what I’m talking about.

Still, what a concept!

I’m a couple of days late mentioning this here, but there’s a brief rundown of some of my BEA finds over here in my Endicott book reviews thread.

EZ board had a bit of the business with a hacker a few weeks ago, so some posts got lost. But all’s good now.

I’ll post reviews as I read… and, hoo boy, is there a lot to read….

(Which reminds me: must get package in the mail to Midori.)

+ one handmade bandolier for knitting needles
+ one lap desk
+ one surprise party at the bar with 16 of my favorite people
+ one sweet fountain pen
+ one handmade quilt (!)
+ three Bob Dylan CD’s
+ one hundred bucks
+ mead

Who could ask for anything more?

Thanks so much, everyone.

Crying While Eating

From the makers of Get Crafty comes Etsy, a place where you can buy and sell handmade stuff. Any ‘ol crafter can post listings of handmade goods for sale.

There’s not a lot there yet, but then again, they just opened. I’m sure it’ll grow into something fantastic; just give it time.

And lo, there was a new comics store in Brooklyn:

Rocketship

Or, rather, there will be. Soon. I have spoken with Alex, proprietor-to-be of Smith Street’s Great Comics Addition, and he promises that Rocketship will be a store to be reckoned with. Here’s a bit from their manifesto (you can read more on their blog, linked above):

ROCKETSHIP is a bookstore specializing in Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Cartoon Art. Emphasis and extra attention is given to books by independent authors, alternative creators, and works of historic importance.

4. Everybody Loves Comics, even if they don’t know it yet.

I hear tell that Rocketship makes its debut in late July. We’ll be there during the month, visiting Alex and his compadres, spreading goodwill, wotnot. I’ll keep you posted regarding dates as I hear ‘em.

Rocketship will be located at 208 Smith Street (between Butler & Baltic).

I know things have been scant around here as of late; that’s because I was off in Maryland for the past five days. As I left in a rush, I didn’t get a chance to bid adieu to all of you. However, that matters little, as we’re back now.

So. Yes. Maryland. Good lord, is it ever green out there. At least in Darlington. There’s lots of corn, too, and lots of clover. And it smells lovely this time of year.

Stumbled on a vendor while we were out there, actually, which is what I’m really getting around about in this post:

The Crafty Celts

Straight up: I buy a lot of jewelry. Probably too much, truth be told. A lot of what I see is the same thing, over and over again. Not these folks. The designs are Danny’s originals, based loosely on his research. And the quality is excellent. The pieces have real heft to them. They’re gorgeous!

Highly recommended. I walked away with the greyhound pendant, the dragon pendant, and a triskele hair pin (an early birthday present from Leland).

I’m not much of an outer space kind of girl, really, but this is just too fun:

Earth’s “Bigger Cousin” Detected

By Michael Schirber
Staff Writer
posted: 13 June, 2005
2:30 p.m. ET

“This is the smallest extrasolar planet yet detected and the first of a new class of rocky terrestrial planets,” said team member Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. “It’s like Earth’s bigger cousin.”