I’m getting to the end of my second novel, and the climax is going to be a real heart-breaker. I’m not going to spoil anything for …
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The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin
The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin My rating: 4 of 5 stars I accidentally discovered N.K. Jemisin about a year ago. It's …
Five Interesting Facts about Russian Ritual Lamentation
Yesterday, I had a remarkably fruitful writing session at the pool. No, I didn’t swim, but my kids' squeals of delight …
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The Tsar’s Menu: A Feast for the Whole World
The Tsar's Menu: A Feast for the Whole World Have you ever noticed how ambivalent people are about wealth? On the one …
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Looking Back and Looking Forward
You know when you have a great plan in place, when you plan your week, when you feel like you're finally going to be your best …
15 Russian expressions you’ve never heard of
I’m having a great time getting into the exciting bits of my new novel. Bear-riders have appeared, my main character is in the …
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8 things you’ve never heard about medieval Russian princes
Many people have an allergic reaction to the word "conventional." Or, worse yet, "traditional." They immediately sense the bonds …
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7 Things You’ve Never Heard about Russian Weddings
Recently, my darling wife and I celebrated our third anniversary. In the midst of writing long swathes of my second novel about …
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How to Train a War Elephant
Right now, I’m basking in the productive atmosphere of the Oregon Coast Writers’ Retreat, and I’m getting close to a place in my …
Five Myths about Russian Cuisine
Yesterday, I got back from an amazing trip to Saratov, Russia, where I was one of 41 men recording sacred music for a men’s choir …
How to Name Your Future Prince
In the novel I'm working on now, the generation of characters that was young in the first novel now has children. And …
The Three Warriors of Slavic Mythology: Who Were They?
Sometimes, when I get stuck in my writing, it helps to take some time to study the visual arts. The amazing flourishing of serious …
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Villains from Slavic Mythology: Baba Yaga
The Hut on Chicken Feet Slavic mythology would not be the same without the old hag with an odd taste in food and …
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Things You May Not Know about “Kievan Rus”
These days, Tolkien isn’t particularly popular among certain readers and publishers of fantasy. To be called “Tolkien-esque” can …
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Ushkuiniki: the Last Pirates of Old Rus
Recently, I've been having trouble with a main character's journey in my second novel. He literally wasn't going anywhere fast. It …
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How Alexander the Great Became Popular in Russia
Recently, my wife and I finished reading aloud the amazing new Russian novel Laurus by Evgenii Vodolazkin. I loved it. First of …
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Russian Village Windows: the Eyes of the Russian Soul
Those of you who’ve been following me, especially on Pinterest, know that I love traditional Russian village windows, which …
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Slavic “fake-lore”: was Slavic mythology made up?
In the 18th century, Russia entered the grand stage of European history. It threw aside its "primitive Easternness", and did …
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