I'm editing the next Firmament book, but it's been a bit of a struggle lately. Also, my website is down, my daughter loves my red pencil, and I'm fascinated by how tone affects our perspective of a story!

I'm finishing up writing one book and about to start editing another! Meanwhile, my daughter wants to learn how to spell everything. I also started reading my first Stephen King book, and have thoughts about that and about good Hollywood stories.

Research can have an enormous impact on stories, at least for me -- which is currently what's happening with my work in progress. Also, I got a library card, am reading books I disagree with, and have the definitive answer on whether ebooks or hard copies are better.

Another Firmament writing and publishing update, along with a little of what makes me so excited about this book and about sci-fi in particular. Also, how is one supposed to choose what book to read next? And when if comes to realism in fiction, how much is too much? All thos and more on this week's Improbable Things.

Does writers block exist, and if so, do I have it? What exactly do I love about Star Trek, and how does that relate to the Firmament Series? And how in the world do you write a good ending, anyway? I discuss all this and more on this week's Improbable Things.

My writing and publishing are moving along well, but I do have certain struggles -- like writing descriptions. Also, I finished reading Allegiant, started the Beekeeper's Apprentice (again), and have been wondering, how far is too far when it comes to suspension of disbelief?

An update on both Eleftheria and Humanoid -- there's good news for both! Also, I talk about one of the struggles with writing a long series, and I question what it means to feel like someone was "making up a story as they went along."

I've finished outlining the next Firmament book, after many upset and downs! So how is the writing going? I'm also doing other things, like vacuuming the house when my kids wanted me to read to them. And what is the purpose of darkness and evil in our stories?

I've started work on the next Firmament book! I also took a listener's suggestion for what to read to my kids, and thinking about what makes a good children's book in general. And why do so many writers not get romance right?

What's next for the Firmament series? I have a couple of new goals. I'm also continuing my search for read-alouds for my small children and wondering -- are audiobooks real books? And why do people love reading dystopia so much?