Over the past couple of days, I've found some great articles about writing.

Jennifer Stevenson has a terrific article on Broad Universe about the "Book in a Week" miracle. While I found the entire post interesting, I especially liked what she had to say about the importance of preparation. I've been learning in my own writing how important that is, and I can't stress it enough.

Also on Broad Universe, Elizabeth Bear has some enchanting things to say about the precarious balance involved in writing science fiction:

Science fiction/fantasy/speculative fiction is a chimera — onto the body of a pulp dragon, as it were, is grafted the lion's head of literary technique and the claws and scorpion sting of social commentary. It is a mixed-up monster, and sometimes — if I may elaborate on what's becoming a somewhat chimerical metaphor in turn — the stitches on the Frankensteinian construct show.

Finally, April Kihlstrom has posted a wonderful blog article entitled "The Most Important Part of Writing." Her answer? "It’s the emotional and/or intellectual pay-off that we offer readers [sic]."

For me personally, the emotional side is a must--I have to care about the characters or I lose interest very quickly--but I also have to agree that we "hit the jackpot" when both are present. I found the article inspiring, and then I laughed out loud at her post on "Exercise." I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I subscribed to her blog. Let me know what you think.