The generally accepted format for numbers in prose differs from technical writing. Most of the time, technical documentation will deal with more numbers, especially measurements and statistical data. When writing a large volume of numbers in this instance, stick with using the Arabic numerals. It keeps the numbers in context, and is easier to compare […] 
Is it time to consider writing professionally, at least part-time? Writing professionally means writing as though you need to pay the rent – tomorrow. You need to devote time to your craft. You need to develop effective habits. Remember the old adage, Practice Makes Perfect? It’s wrong – practice makes improvement. Developing a good writing […] 
Tonya and I attended KillerCon 4, an annual horror-genre convention held in Las Vegas every September. We stayed at the Stratosphere, where the con unfolded over the long weekend. We drove our little “creeper” van, which probably cost us more than a flight, but we enjoyed each other’s company on the trip. Tonya spotted a […] 
Recently, the blogosphere was all atwitter concerning the story of Mandy DeGeit, a new author who discovered the story she submitted to an anthology wasn’t the same as the story that was published under her name. Heavyweights like Neil Gaiman and Jonathan Maberry waded in to give their take on the carnage. Authors who […] 
You know it’s coming. Perhaps Darwin will have the last laugh and a mutant superbug will evolve in the grease on a McDonalds grill in South Dakota. Maybe there’s some crazy Al-Qaeda splinter group working with a stolen Cold War-era Russian virus. All they have to do is slap on a label with Hanna […] Yes, folks, it’s time to put your money where your pen is. If you’ve ever found a market opening on Ralan’s website, or chanced upon an important submission change notice there, it’s time to toss a few bucks into keeping Ralan’s online. The suggested donation is about $10US. That’s it…ten bucks for one year’s worth […] 