Author Archives: Marion

A Sip from Chalice

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Marion

Here is a scrap from a work in progress, Chalice, a fantasy novel set in Seattle in the 1930s. Magic flourishes and booze is still illegal. Gabe is a blind tattooist who has acquired a set of magical tattoo needles … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Way We Live Now #2

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Marion

Sebastopol’s AIM mail center is still open, because it is a mail pick-up for people. The counter person who mailed a book for me the other day said mail delivery packages coming in have tripled since the first week of … Continue reading →

Posted in View from the Road | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Motherland: Fort Salem. Kind of like a deflating party balloon.

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Marion

Sometimes people have idea that must, in the moment, sound brilliant but just doesn’t work out. Like, “Cats, the Musical, with big-name non-musical actors and CGI!” or “Sweet potato pie, but with bone marrow!” This seems to be the case … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Television Tuesday, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Way We Live Now #1

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Marion

The Great Sequestration continues, as the world makes drastic changes to survive the coronavirus. Sonoma County issued its shelter in place order on March 17, and they recently extended it through May 3. The “peak” of COVID-19 cases is now … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Town, View from the Road | 2 Comments

Vagrant Queen: Oh, Dear

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Marion

I’d been waited for Syfy’s Vagrant Queen, and frankly, the past two weeks I was waiting with higher and higher anticipation. Part of the crushing disappointment I feel may be an artifact of poorly managed expectations. I thought I knew … Continue reading →

Posted in TV Shows | Leave a comment

Rough Draft Complete!

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Marion

I finished the rough draft of the sequel to Aluminum Leaves yesterday. It is a rough draft, but not that rough. Maybe it’s closer to a first draft. How about a 0.5 draft? It’s called Copper Road and I’m pleased … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Portolan Project

Posted on March 21, 2020 by Marion

One of the little joys of attending a convention is that I always learn something brand new to me. This year at FOGCon, on the Archive panel, I learned about Portolan maps. First drawn in the 13th century, portolan maps … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts about Writing | Leave a comment

First Impressions

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Marion

The across-the-street neighbor before this one sometimes worked in Mendocino County, on the house of a couple who owned a winery. He did finish carpentry for them. On the property was a large barn that housed three barn cats. During … Continue reading →

Posted in View from the Road | 1 Comment

The Food Service Conundrum

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Marion

Obviously, I had a good time at FOGCon. Before I plunge into this post, I want to say again that the Walnut Creek Marriott is an excellent host to this event. I love the Marriott. One thing in particular that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, View from the Road | Leave a comment

The Longer FOGCon Post (With Photos!)

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Marion

I think I went to as many readings this year as panels at this year’s FOGCon. That suited me fine. Readings at FOGCon are uniformly wonderful and 2020 was no exception. The first one I went to featured Daniel Marcus, … Continue reading →

Posted in View from the Road | 2 Comments