Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?
As the classics tell us…
July 16, 2026
AI scammers — stealing our work then trying to trick us again for PR
March 12, 2026
“As a science fiction author, I’ve always loved hearing from fans of my fiction,” [US based author Jason Sanford] tells the Guardian. “But now when someone emails saying they loved one of my stories, my first thought is that this is yet another scammer setting me up for the kill.”
Yet another reason I hate AI.
I, too, have been contacted repeatedly by people claiming to be literary agents, or to have connections with major publishers or bookstores.
I don’t trust any of them. And that’s sad.
All I want is for people to read and enjoy my work. Not steal it, scrape it, resell or repackage it. And certainly not to think I’m eager to give them thousands of dollars for horrible AI-generated videos.
It’s impossible to make a living as a writer.
Dear Diary – October 5, 2003
March 6, 2026
I feel as if I have two personalities, one which speaks English and one which speaks Japanese. The one which speaks English can never get past being a high school geek. The one which speaks Japanese cannot get past being a “strange foreigner.” The only time I feel comfortable now is when I am teaching. Only there can I be an actor and change who I am any time I want.
And today’s writing prompt is… ✍️
March 4, 2026
You’re writing your autobiography. What’s your opening sentence?
It’s only every so often that you die.
(Inspired by a legendary quote by former not-so-great Cubs catcher Rick Wrona about his first MLB hit.)
Holy smokes, how many months??
February 17, 2026
Fifteen years and counting…
February 21, 2025
Hi, everyone. I know I haven’t posted in a while now (about three months).
Things happened. I’ll see if I can deal with that in a post this weekend before returning to regularly blogging about astronomy and etc.
Winter is still here! (In the northern hemisphere.) Going on walks and hiking in 3C windy weather only makes hot chocolate taste that much better…
☕️
Who wants to train AI for free, hands up! 🙌
July 10, 2024
Post a comment on Reddit, answer coding questions on Stack Overflow, edit a Wikipedia entry or share a baby photo on your public Facebook or Instagram feed and you are also helping to trainthe next generation of artificial intelligence.
Well, if they’re scrubbing my public FB page for data,
Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
I’ll take up my vorpal sword and
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
O frabjous day!
PS I hope this helps hapless mindless office workers compose emails.
BLOCK
June 16, 2024
This is how I’ve been feeling the past couple of weeks…
Just too hot. And too busy. And tired.
And my favorite baseball teams keep losing.
At least for Father’s Day my wife got me nice food and drink. Maybe that’ll help get my mojo back…
(The image is of my youngest daughter’s art bag from last year. She has also complained of not being able to write much lately…)
Short story short listed!
May 6, 2024
One of my SciFi short stories has been shortlisted for an award (newly created category).
More details when they are available!
(FWIW I referenced the short story in the beginning of Bringer of Light, when Overseer Martin Velasquez asks about the results of a “Marshall” game. Worldbuilding…)
More quotes and quotes about quotes
May 1, 2024
Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
I don’t think I “live my life” by a quote (too busy surviving), but I do think a lot about:
“Keep on keeping on.”
“Keep on trucking.”
“何とかなる (nantoka naru – “it’ll work out”)
“Das lassen sein (let it be)”
But also oddly:
“Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!”
M Thomas Apple Author Page 