Matilene BerrymanMatiline Berryman had degrees in mathematics, law and maritime affairs with a concentration in oceanography and sonar engineering. She taught courses on oceanic dynamics and underwater sound at the New Naval Oceanographic Office. Later, she taught at the University of District of Columbia and later served as Chair of the university’s Department of Environmental Services. 

Writers, Writing, Reading, Books:

Is this article on POV helpful?

I like this take on world-building, but of course I would because it’s how I introduce world-building into my stories. Your mileage may vary.

On her blog, Mary Robinette Kowal shares a review from Physics World of her short story “A Little Wisdom.”

Strategist Wendy Whitman Cobb wants to discuss how science fiction has affected our view of military in space, specifically the US Space Force. “In continuing, whether consciously or not, to invoke science fiction touchstones, the USSF is making the job of being taken seriously harder.” Is it just me, or does the article illustration undermine the author’s point a bit?

This Writer Beware article about Audible was posted in the fall, but apparently other things were happening that overshadowed it. Audible’s method of reporting returns on audible book to the writers is a bad one. All they need to do is break out the returns as a separate line item.

Movies, Streaming, TV:

ScreenRant takes a closer look at Disney’s movie adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Syfy has cancelled Wynonna Earp, even though they loved its message and the way it “resonated with their viewers.” I will be the first to admit the sisterhood-is-powerful, sex-positive, kinda-trashy, kinda-weird-westy show wasn’t for everyone, but it was for me and I will miss Waverly Earp, Sheriff Haute, Doc Holliday and of course Wynonna and her demon-killin’ gun. Fans are hopeful that a streaming service like Netflix might pick it up. The final episodes of Season Four will air on Syfy beginning in March.

Netflix brings to life the excavation of the famous burial mound at Sutton Hoo.

Has anybody watched Synchronic? I did, last weekend, so I looked for some reviews of it. Reading reviews after I’ve read/seen something often helps me figure out what I think about it. Roger Ebert’s site and I mostly agree… I have different questions about the ending.

Internet:

In Alaska, archeologists uncovered the site of a lost Tlingit fort, to repel attacks by the Russians in 1804. The history of this is really interesting!

Geek Tyrant thinks you should know that there are Darth Vader valentines. (Thanks to File 770.)

Last week was not a good week for Google Chrome, as Google rushed to fix three security vulnerabilities or pull certain apps completely.

The Evil Buildings blog collects photos of buildings that look like they should be the lairs of supervillains.

A viscacha, relative of the chinchilla

Not a rabbit.

Earth:

The viscachas are a South American animal related to the chinchilla. The southern variety look a lot like rabbits. I just thought they were interesting.

Author

  • Marion Deeds

    Marion Deeds, with us since March, 2011, is the author of the fantasy novella ALUMINUM LEAVES. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthologies BEYOND THE STARS, THE WAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE, STRANGE CALIFORNIA, and in Podcastle, The Noyo River Review, Daily Science Fiction and Flash Fiction Online. She’s retired from 35 years in county government, and spends some of her free time volunteering at a second-hand bookstore in her home town.