Chuck Wendig is a novelist, screenwriter, and game designer. This is his blog. He talks a lot about writing. And food. And the madness of toddlers. He uses lots of naughty language. NSFW. Probably NSFL. Be advised.

S.L. Huang said she wanted to talk about asshole protagonists, and why they always had to be men. I told her that I am the audience for that post and, I think, so are you guys. As such, here she is to talk about the subject — with a bonus table included! Also, check out her newest — Half-Life, which features high-octane math as a powerful superpower. * * * I love asshole protagonists. Or rather, I love a particular breed of them: protagonists who are brusque and violent, egotistical... Read The Rest →

So, measles, huh? Let’s just get this out of the way right now: vaccinate your kids. I know, we’re taught to ask questions, we’re taught to be skeptical, we’re American iconoclasts goddamnit and we didn’t get anywhere by getting in line and marching to someone else’s beat and something something patriotism. Except, you’re marching to someone’s beat if you don’t get your kids vaccinated (and more on that in a moment). For now, it’s time to unclench your jaw. It’s time to vaccinate your children. Otherwise, what’s next? Polio? People in... Read The Rest →

You don’t mess with Atlanta Burns. Everyone knows that. And that’s kinda how she likes it—until the day Atlanta is drawn into a battle against two groups of bullies and saves a pair of new, unexpected friends. But actions have consequences, and when another teen turns up dead—by an apparent suicide—Atlanta knows foul play is involved. And worse: she knows it’s her fault. You go poking rattlesnakes, maybe you get bit. Afraid of stirring up the snakes further by investigating, Atlanta turns her focus to the killing of a neighborhood... Read The Rest →

I’ve wanted to be a writer since – *checks watch* – since I karate kicked my way out of the dragon cloaca that birthed me. I’m pretty sure I come from a dragon? That’s what my mother told me. MY MOTHER, WHO IS A DRAGON. (Actually, for real, if you see my mother’s feet? You might be inclined to agree. I’m pretty sure that she could scalp a man by gripping it with her foot and just twisting.) I had a momentary desire to be a cartoonist, but for the most part,... Read The Rest →

Man, that post title makes it sounds like I don’t think a whole helluva lot of Myke Cole, doesn’t it? That would be utter horseshit. Major shenanigans. I love Myke. Myke’s a stand-up guy, tough as nails but nice as cookies, and a helluva author, to boot. He’s living it, he’s doing it, he’s working his ass off, and so here he is to talk a little bit of shop — this time, about originality in fiction. (Er, and Myke named the post, damnit. Quit lookin’ at me.) * * * My... Read The Rest →