I’ve been reading Under Cover of Darkness a short story anthology. As I’ve been reading I’ve paid special attention to the author bios that accompany each story. I’m fairly certain that these bios are written by the authors themselves although they are all in third person. Most of the bios read like resumes as if the writer is trying to demonstrate to me their writing qualifications. Other bios read like Oscar acceptance speeches, full to the brim with thanks for specific people. But the bios that impressed me were uniformly short. Larry Niven has a story in this particular anthology. His bio simply reads “Larry Niven has written science fiction and fantasy at every length, and weirder stuff, too. He lives with his wife of thirty-six years, Marilyn, in Chatsworth, California, the home of the winds.” Larry Niven has nothing to prove to anyone and it shows in his bio. If he tried to write his bio like a resume, it would have been longer than his story.
If/when I get to write my bio for an anthology. I’m going to keep it short.
“Sandra Tayler is one of the most amazing people on the planet. She lives with her equally awesome and talented husband and their wonderful kids”
There’s your bio. My work here is done.
“Sandra Tayler is one of the most amazing people on the planet. She lives with her equally awesome and talented husband and their wonderful kids”
There’s your bio. My work here is done.
Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
“Sandra Tayler is MEGA-AWESOME. She writes better fiction than anybody ever. One time she headbutted a billy goat and knocked him out. She fights crime. There is a statue of her in Freedom Park. The mayor of Orem has a Sandraphone. She shoots laserbeams out of her eyes. She lives in Orem with her husband and four kids. Also she can fly.”
Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
“Sandra Tayler is MEGA-AWESOME. She writes better fiction than anybody ever. One time she headbutted a billy goat and knocked him out. She fights crime. There is a statue of her in Freedom Park. The mayor of Orem has a Sandraphone. She shoots laserbeams out of her eyes. She lives in Orem with her husband and four kids. Also she can fly.”
I was fortunate enough to have dinner with the Nivens at a convention once. They are both delightful. Like him, you have no need to brag because your loyal fans, me included, will do it for you!
I was fortunate enough to have dinner with the Nivens at a convention once. They are both delightful. Like him, you have no need to brag because your loyal fans, me included, will do it for you!
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
To BILL BRADSKY!!!
I mean “TO SANDRA TAYLER!!!”
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
To BILL BRADSKY!!!
I mean “TO SANDRA TAYLER!!!”
Those who are not fans will be dealt with during the purge…
Those who are not fans will be dealt with during the purge…
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
*keyboard kill*
(“Sandraphone” put it over the top)
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
*keyboard kill*
(“Sandraphone” put it over the top)
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
HAHAHA! I had no idea who Bill Brasky was, but wikipedia knows everything. I laughed out loud at “He once punched a hole through a cow just to see who was coming up the road”.
So I guess I unconsciously channeled Will Ferrell. I can’t decide if that’s creepy or not. I also can’t decide if doing it unconsciously is going to be enough to get me acquitted.
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
HAHAHA! I had no idea who Bill Brasky was, but wikipedia knows everything. I laughed out loud at “He once punched a hole through a cow just to see who was coming up the road”.
So I guess I unconsciously channeled Will Ferrell. I can’t decide if that’s creepy or not. I also can’t decide if doing it unconsciously is going to be enough to get me acquitted.
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
lamoj… I’m still giggling about “Also she can fly.”
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
lamoj… I’m still giggling about “Also she can fly.”
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
The laserbeams and flying might be useful. The rest of it just sounds like more stuff to do.
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
The laserbeams and flying might be useful. The rest of it just sounds like more stuff to do.
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
Heh… I figured you were doing it on purpose…
However, Bill holds not a flame to the Taylers…
ALL HAIL TAYLER CORP!!!
*cough* I mean, Sandra and Howard and family rock…
Yeah, that’s it…
Re: Short is good, but don’t forget the important details
Heh… I figured you were doing it on purpose…
However, Bill holds not a flame to the Taylers…
ALL HAIL TAYLER CORP!!!
*cough* I mean, Sandra and Howard and family rock…
Yeah, that’s it…