Author Archives: Michael Spence

You know you’ve REALLY made it when …

Posted on 13 January 2006 by Michael Spence

…Brad Guigar (of the comic strips “Evil Inc.,” “Courting Disaster,” and “Phables“) issues you your Forum Powers! Behold and tremble: Or at least swallow that mouthful of coffee first.

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God on our side in Twenty-aught-six?

Posted on 5 January 2006 by Michael Spence

Today’s quotation from A.Word.A.Day: The problem with being sure that God is on your side is that you can’t change your mind, because God sure isn’t going to change His. — Roger Ebert, film-critic (1942– ) I’ll give that an … Continue reading →

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Unguided Evolution vs. Intelligent Design: Paradigm Smackdown!

Posted on 30 November 2005 by Michael Spence

Clerk’s Log, MJDate 55179.26: They say, “Don’t mess with success,” and it’s true that this is the most heavily commented article at the Scriptorium. But I’ve made some revisions anyway, for reasons I’ll report shortly. In the meantime, enjoy — … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Theology | 51 Comments

THRESHOLD: A really extreme makeover

Posted on 9 November 2005 by Michael Spence

There was, for a while, a nicely-done television series on Friday nights in the USA entitled Threshold, about a quasi-invasion strategy being implemented by extraterrestrials, and the “homeworld security” task force that was working to foil it. The extraterrestrials’ tool … Continue reading →

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SERENITY and faith

Posted on 7 November 2005 by Michael Spence

There’s power in the ’verse — and the verse is Revelation 3:15 (Note: Fear not — I hate spoilers as much as you do, and if I’ve done this right there aren’t any here.) One person with a belief is … Continue reading →

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You know you’ve made it when …

Posted on 28 September 2005 by Michael Spence

… Celestial Seasonings puts a quotation from your novel on a bag of its throat lozenges (T.A. Barron). … your music is used as the background for an erotic film festival (Milton Babbitt.1) … Reverend Fun uses your suggestion for … Continue reading →

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When life didn’t go according to plan

Posted on 27 September 2005 by Michael Spence

So here you are. You’re getting older, and what’s happened to your life? Precious little, that’s what.

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Reflecting on Hurricane Katrina

Posted on 12 September 2005 by Michael Spence

My boss returned yesterday from Shreveport, Louisiana, where he helped to organize relief operations in Hurricane Katrina’s wake. Like other experiences of extreme conditions, the aftermath of the hurricane has shown us humanity at its best and at its worst.

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A weak moment

Posted on 21 August 2005 by Michael Spence

I can, therefore I am. — Simone Weil I once knew a woman like that. Man, the amount of zucchini, mincemeat, and rhubarb preserves she had stashed away in her cellar … What? Oh. Never mind.

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Bad reasons not to write

Posted on 12 August 2005 by Michael Spence

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing. — Salvador Dali Would that I knew the context of this line, found in many quotation lists. In isolation it’s a good thought, enough so that I’m willing to risk … Continue reading →

Posted in SFF: Writings, Writing: The process | Leave a comment