I usually try to keep to the topic of writing in some way or another, but this little tidbit was just way too freaking awesome not to share. There is a dude in Africa who trains bomb-sniffing rats. They’re friendly, and intelligent, and because of their size, way less likely to set off a bomb than a dog would be. They’re also really cute, and really need to be seen to be believed. Check it out.

I know I’m boring. I just can’t help myself.

Over at Skyla’s blog, here’s the latest How Not To Be A Douche Bag Author.

I could have sworn that I linked this one up already, but apparently not, so check out Write or Die: Putting The Prod Back In Productivity.

Over at The Last Word, here’s Ten Things New Writers Need To Know.

And for a little humor, here’s Top Ten Tips For Becoming A Better Husband.

In an effort to shake things up a bit, I’ve managed to come up with a post that contains something other than links. Weren’t expecting that, were you? Didn’t think so. Anyway, instead of links, I’ve got a recommendation for y’all that I think is pretty darn cool.

A couple of months ago, literary agent Colleen Lindsay recommended an online writing workshop for fantasy, sci-fi, and horror writers. I checked it out, and thought it looked like it was worth a try, so I signed up for the free month-long trial and posted up a short story that I was having a problem with to see what kind of feedback I’d get. I figured if all I got was the back-patting, ego-stroking bullshit I’d seen on a lot of other sites I’d let the membership lapse and not be out anything more than a couple of hours of my time. Instead, I got 8 reviews, 2 of which were thoughtful and encouraging but not especially helpful, and 6 that were not only thoughtful and encouraging, but also managed to go right to the heart of my problem and suggest ways to fix it. I’ve since signed up for a full year, and consider it some of the best money ($49) I’ve ever spent on my writing.

I think part of the reason it’s such a great workshop is that it does cost something to join. Paying probably helps to weed out the people who are just writing for the praise (even when they don’t deserve it). Also, so you don’t get over there and get a shock, the site works on a points system. In order to post a story for critique you have to have 4 points. You get 4 when you sign up, so you can post one piece right away, and then you get 1 point for each review you do for other writers. And they can’t be empty, ego-stroking, “Loved it, you rock, keep up the good work!” critiques, either, because if someone gets caught doing that too many times, the admins will boot them from the site.

So, if you don’t have some friends to read your work for you, or even if you do and would just like a totally unbiased opinion, swing on by and check it out. It’s well worth the time.