Writing:

• Janice Hardy has advice on how to recognize plot devices: Knowing the Future: Avoiding Predictable Plots Through Plot Exposure
• In Romancelandia, the Smart Bitches had a lively discussion this week on Virginity Cliches in Romance
• For those also trying to perfect their query, Roni Loren can help clarify the process for you: The Single Best Piece of Query Writing Advice I’ve Ever Heard
• If you’re a Romance writer and have a villain, Jane at Dear Author has some advice: The Villain
• Natalie Whipple talks about making sure world-building is relevant to the story: Writing Beginnings Part 3: World Building
• Kristen Lamb dispenses some great advice in How to Hook a Reader and NEVER Let Go
• Writing Dialogue? Some tips from Ashley March you can do right now: 5 Dialogue Mistakes You Can Fix Right Now
• Anne R. Allen has tips for writers who blog: HOW NOT TO BLOG: Beginning Blogging for Authors Part II
• Best clear-cut advice I’ve seen on whether or not you need a prologue: Using Prologues: A Case Study With Brandon Sanderson

Authors sharing some personal adventures:

• Author Beth Dunn takes you on an entertaining tour of the new American Wing of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in Kicking Back In The American Wing
• Kevin Hearne writes about something I hope to never try: Tobacco-Infused Tequila Hot Chocolate

Romancelandia:

• An awesome video about why the Romance genre is scorned. Is it a revolutionary act?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKbYQhWhay0]

Ada Lovelace:

• The Guardian did an article called Game changers: the women who make video games which had a shout out to Lady Lovelace at the end
• The Ada Initiative now has a Lovelace pendant for sale

Browncoats:

• New Firefly comic!
• Adding this to my bucket list: getting photo bombed by Nathan Fillion

Jane Austen:

• In honor of her birthday yesterday, a Janeite made her this awesome cake
• For those with little misses, a Pride and Prejudice counting primer
• An hilarious Jane Austen for N00Bs cartoon by ~kyetxian on deviantART

In Geekdom:

• Holiday gift ideas for the geeks in your life, or to give as ideas to loved ones. Here’s another for Firefly, Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Harry Potter Fans. For Firefly fans, here’s some Malvin & Cobbes designs. And for that hard-core Trekkie, Klingon Monopoly
• Google has an easter egg to share: do a search for ‘let it snow’ on Google 🙂
• Darth Vader Christmas Flash Mob (h/t Angela Ackerman)
• And I’ll leave you with this: