Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy Hogmanay!
Happy Hogmanay to our readers. This is perhaps my favorite holiday, though having experienced oatcakes, I do wonder about them as a celebratory offering.
Author Interview–S. C. Butler
So, I'm going to post several of these over the next few days as a number of friends have books out this week. Today, it's S. C. (Sam) Butler who had a book release yesterday. The paperback of Queen Ferris.
S.C. Butler is a former Wall Street bond trader who always preferred Middle-earth to the Chicago Board of Trade. Currently he lives in Brooklyn with his wife and a whippet. His website is www.valingstoneways.com.
1) What was your inspiration for writing [the book]?
Queen Ferris is the second book in my Stoneways trilogy, which includes Reiffen’s Choice, and the third book, The Magicians’ Daughter, due out in April. The trilogy’s name says it all. I always liked Dwarves more than Elves, so I decided to write a book that way. With caves.
2) Who are your favorite authors now and when you were growing up?
My favorite authors are Heinlein, Trollope, Tolkien, Lewis, Austen, Flaubert, Van Vogt, Vonnegut, Niven…
3) What is it about fantasy/science fiction that attracts you?
Fantasy and science fiction interest me for different reasons. I read fantasy for the story and the characters – it’s not that much different from why I read any sort of book. Science fiction is different, however. Science fiction I read for cool ideas and a sense of Wow!.
4) Why did you decide to make Reiffen a Mage?
Because the Stoneways trilogy is a story about power, and what’s more powerful, in any tradition and at any time, than a magician?
5) What sort of research did you do to write this book?
Since it’s a fantasy, I did very little research. I checked out a few technologies to see if they were appropriate to the level of some of the cultures – in Queen Ferris, different cultures have different technological levels. The Dwarves, for example, have gas filled airships for traveling beneath the bottom of the world. The humans don’t.
6) Reiffen and his friends and love maple candy. Is that your favorite too?
Nope. Just syrup on waffles.
7) What are you writing now?
A story in which one of the main characters from Queen Ferris comes to our world. The working title is Avender in America.
8) Did you always want to write? Or did you stumble into it?
I always wanted to write. My earliest juvenilia dates back to when I was about ten years old. (Boy, is that stuff awful.) But it took me a long time to sell anything. 28 years from my first submission to my first sale. Of course, that will happen when you only write novels and get busy with a job and family. The job and my family were always my first priority.
9) What does a typical writing day look like for you? How long do you write, that sort of thing?
My typical writing day depends on what part of the wip I’m working on. If it’s rough draft time, I try to write a minimum of 1200 words a day, which can take anything from two to ten hours, depending on my mood, how well I’ve imagined the scene, or whether I’ve burned myself out writing too much the day before. Rewrites, however, tend to be more predictably productive, running about four to six hours of work. I find writing to be exhausting.
10) Where do you write?
At home at my desk, on my laptop, with anything from punk to classical on my boom box. However I get many of my ideas while taking long walks, and often write a book’s songs and poetry while walking as well.
11) What is easiest/hardest for you as a writer?
It’s all hard. The only easy part is being done.
12) What is the purpose of fantasy/science fiction, if any?
In my opinion, it’s the same as any other fiction: for readers to enjoy. Readers can enjoy books in many ways, from the cerebral and intellectual to the escapist and just plain fun. The point is in the enjoyment.
Both Reiffen’s Choice and Queen Ferris are available in hardcover and mass market paperback from Tor books. You can find them at most bookstores specializing in spec fic, or at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
S.C. Butler is a former Wall Street bond trader who always preferred Middle-earth to the Chicago Board of Trade. Currently he lives in Brooklyn with his wife and a whippet. His website is www.valingstoneways.com.
1) What was your inspiration for writing [the book]?
Queen Ferris is the second book in my Stoneways trilogy, which includes Reiffen’s Choice, and the third book, The Magicians’ Daughter, due out in April. The trilogy’s name says it all. I always liked Dwarves more than Elves, so I decided to write a book that way. With caves.
2) Who are your favorite authors now and when you were growing up?
My favorite authors are Heinlein, Trollope, Tolkien, Lewis, Austen, Flaubert, Van Vogt, Vonnegut, Niven…
3) What is it about fantasy/science fiction that attracts you?
Fantasy and science fiction interest me for different reasons. I read fantasy for the story and the characters – it’s not that much different from why I read any sort of book. Science fiction is different, however. Science fiction I read for cool ideas and a sense of Wow!.
4) Why did you decide to make Reiffen a Mage?
Because the Stoneways trilogy is a story about power, and what’s more powerful, in any tradition and at any time, than a magician?
5) What sort of research did you do to write this book?
Since it’s a fantasy, I did very little research. I checked out a few technologies to see if they were appropriate to the level of some of the cultures – in Queen Ferris, different cultures have different technological levels. The Dwarves, for example, have gas filled airships for traveling beneath the bottom of the world. The humans don’t.
6) Reiffen and his friends and love maple candy. Is that your favorite too?
Nope. Just syrup on waffles.
7) What are you writing now?
A story in which one of the main characters from Queen Ferris comes to our world. The working title is Avender in America.
8) Did you always want to write? Or did you stumble into it?
I always wanted to write. My earliest juvenilia dates back to when I was about ten years old. (Boy, is that stuff awful.) But it took me a long time to sell anything. 28 years from my first submission to my first sale. Of course, that will happen when you only write novels and get busy with a job and family. The job and my family were always my first priority.
9) What does a typical writing day look like for you? How long do you write, that sort of thing?
My typical writing day depends on what part of the wip I’m working on. If it’s rough draft time, I try to write a minimum of 1200 words a day, which can take anything from two to ten hours, depending on my mood, how well I’ve imagined the scene, or whether I’ve burned myself out writing too much the day before. Rewrites, however, tend to be more predictably productive, running about four to six hours of work. I find writing to be exhausting.
10) Where do you write?
At home at my desk, on my laptop, with anything from punk to classical on my boom box. However I get many of my ideas while taking long walks, and often write a book’s songs and poetry while walking as well.
11) What is easiest/hardest for you as a writer?
It’s all hard. The only easy part is being done.
12) What is the purpose of fantasy/science fiction, if any?
In my opinion, it’s the same as any other fiction: for readers to enjoy. Readers can enjoy books in many ways, from the cerebral and intellectual to the escapist and just plain fun. The point is in the enjoyment.
Both Reiffen’s Choice and Queen Ferris are available in hardcover and mass market paperback from Tor books. You can find them at most bookstores specializing in spec fic, or at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Writing and MAGIC
Do you believe in magic?
I was once on a panel at CONvergence with Neil Gaiman about... actually I can't remember what it was about exactly because I was awfully busy being awed by being in the presence of Neil, but I do remember that we touched on the fact that sometimes writers access synchronicity with a skill that's akin to magic. For example, you start thinking about a certain subject, say, alchemy and you decide -- totally randomly -- to make your vampire an alchemist from Vienna, Austria, then later, say, like yesterday, you're at Border's and you see a "Idiot's Guide to Alchemy" and you think, "Damn, you know, I know almost nothing about alchemy really, I should buy that so I can do some research and make Sebastian's alchemy more 'real.'"
So you open the book up to the introduction this morning over your bowl of Corn Flakes, and read this:
Hairs rise on the back of your neck, and you say, "Holy coincidence, Batman. That's freaky."
I can't remember entirely the story that Neil told about his magical moment of research other than it had to do with his book American Gods, which at the time he hadn't quite finished. I just know that it's absolutely true. This isn't the first time something like this has happened to me, but it's still always so startling.
Has it ever happened to you? You can admit it. I promise not to tell anyone. Besides, if Neil Gaiman can admit to it, you can too.
I was once on a panel at CONvergence with Neil Gaiman about... actually I can't remember what it was about exactly because I was awfully busy being awed by being in the presence of Neil, but I do remember that we touched on the fact that sometimes writers access synchronicity with a skill that's akin to magic. For example, you start thinking about a certain subject, say, alchemy and you decide -- totally randomly -- to make your vampire an alchemist from Vienna, Austria, then later, say, like yesterday, you're at Border's and you see a "Idiot's Guide to Alchemy" and you think, "Damn, you know, I know almost nothing about alchemy really, I should buy that so I can do some research and make Sebastian's alchemy more 'real.'"
So you open the book up to the introduction this morning over your bowl of Corn Flakes, and read this:
"Four hundred years earlier, Vienna and nearby Prague were the heart of European alchemy, and hundreds of alchemists flocked to the area to study."
Hairs rise on the back of your neck, and you say, "Holy coincidence, Batman. That's freaky."
I can't remember entirely the story that Neil told about his magical moment of research other than it had to do with his book American Gods, which at the time he hadn't quite finished. I just know that it's absolutely true. This isn't the first time something like this has happened to me, but it's still always so startling.
Has it ever happened to you? You can admit it. I promise not to tell anyone. Besides, if Neil Gaiman can admit to it, you can too.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday Morning WIP Open Thread (Belated)
Oh, almost forgot to post this. With the holidays grinding to a close, I'm finally getting a chance to get back to SpellCrash. Now I just need to figure out how Chapters 4-8 go and I'm set. Too bad I don't have a clue. What about y'all?
Smart Things--Writing What You Know...Not
Justine Larbalestier saying smart things about one of my least favorite pieces of bad writing advice, the "write what you know" canard. Here's what I had to say on the same subject some years ago.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Very Smart Things—Actually Writing
Nola J Moore saying very smart things about actually writing and not falling into the magical thinking trap of letting yourself pretend the work will do itself.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Smart Things—Words
Steph continues the discussion I started here with my post about the words not being all that important with a bunch of smart things about the value of words.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Friday Cat Blogging--Holidaze Extreme Closeup Ed.
Oh, please...
As you know, Bob...
Dude...
Yeth, Marthter?
Of course, my opponent's position on this issue is full of...
As you know, Bob...
Dude...
Yeth, Marthter?
Of course, my opponent's position on this issue is full of...
Thursday, December 25, 2008
BotS
Best of the Season(s) to all our readers. No matter how you observe it or no, may the day find you happy and at peace.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Holiday Blues
It's a quiet time on the old internets.
With Mason home for school break, I've been back to my old writing schedule -- writing at night, after everyone is asleep. I don't know about you, but my body has definite times it PREFERS to write. I've always been a lark rather than a night owl, so my brain is much more turned on in the early morning. If my brain and my body had their druthers, I'd write sometime between seven and eleven. But, my real life (tm) schedule has very rarely allowed for that.
I find night time writing the hardest. I'm such an old lady that I'd love to be asleep sometime after nine in the evening, but that's partly because Mason is up at the crack of dawn (even earlier than THIS lark would like.) But I've written entire novels in my least favored time, and they've turned out all right.
The real trick, of course, it to not let my body tell me I CAN'T write because it's "not the right time." Especially with two book deadlines breathing down my neck, I need to write whenever for however long. Every word is a word closer to the finish line.
With Mason home for school break, I've been back to my old writing schedule -- writing at night, after everyone is asleep. I don't know about you, but my body has definite times it PREFERS to write. I've always been a lark rather than a night owl, so my brain is much more turned on in the early morning. If my brain and my body had their druthers, I'd write sometime between seven and eleven. But, my real life (tm) schedule has very rarely allowed for that.
I find night time writing the hardest. I'm such an old lady that I'd love to be asleep sometime after nine in the evening, but that's partly because Mason is up at the crack of dawn (even earlier than THIS lark would like.) But I've written entire novels in my least favored time, and they've turned out all right.
The real trick, of course, it to not let my body tell me I CAN'T write because it's "not the right time." Especially with two book deadlines breathing down my neck, I need to write whenever for however long. Every word is a word closer to the finish line.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Proofs and that Monday WIP Question
This morning I'm working on reviewing the reader's proofs for DEAD IF I DO, which arrived on Friday. I usually dread re-reading my own writing -- it always sounds so... strange once it's come out and is printed up so nicely in a "real" font with "real" formating. So much so that I sometimes wonder, "Did I write this?"
Anyway, that's what I'm doing this Monday after Yule. How about you guys? Getting ready for the holiday of your choice? Working on anything fun? Goofing off?
Anyway, that's what I'm doing this Monday after Yule. How about you guys? Getting ready for the holiday of your choice? Working on anything fun? Goofing off?
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Coolest Thing I've Seen All Week
Genevieve Valentine's post on the Antikythera mechanism over at tor.com. Do watch the video. So happy making!
Friday Cat Blogging: Crocus Hill Edition
Kelly's second picture reminded me of this one of Beckham. He's making sure the new bath mat (so new that it still has its tag on) doesn't make any sudden moves.
Friday Cat Blogging
Go 'way, or we'll burnz you with our lazer eyz!
Lazer eyz? Piffle I'z lazer catzor!
Lazer eyz? Piffle I'z lazer catzor!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Don't Worry About the Words
They're just not all that important.
I'm in a mood to commit writer heresy today. So here it is:
I don't really care about the words.
Let me repeat that: I don't care about the words. On an individual level they really don't matter to me. Neither does the punctuation. Even the meaning is negotiable, at least at the sentence level and paragraph level.
What I care about is the story. It doesn't matter to the story whether something is ebon or charcoal or plain old black. Any of those or none of those might serve depending on the surrounding words, the tone, and what I want the reader to take away from the story. Even then it's not a fixed value.
When I first write the sentence containing the word meaning (black) I could use any one of dozens of words, depending on what tastes right, or nearly right, in the moment. If I really cared about the word as a unit, this is a point where I might end up slowed down or even stopped for a long time while I found the exact right word. But knowing that it's the story that matters, not the specific word, I can just go ahead and drop in something that approximates what I need and move on.
Sometimes the initial choice is the word that I end up using. Sometimes it gets changed on the second pass, where I move through as a reader and try to make the whole thing feel smooth. Sometime the word goes away along with the sentence or paragraph that holds it as I realize that (black) would be better placed earlier or later, or implied, or that the reader doesn't need to know, or that (blue) would serve the story better.
It's not until my very last polish pass before sending something out that I start to get nitpicky about the words. Even then I don't really sweat the details too much. I have been at this for a while and I know that nothing is final until it has gone to press, and even then there might be later editions.
My agent might ask for changes. My editor might ask for changes. I might write a sequel or a related piece before the original is published, and that might necessitate changes. I might put it aside for a time and come back and make changes.
All of those changes will affect the words, shifting meaning, nudging flow, altering tone, restructuring scene and paragraph and sentence.
I don't really care about the words.
I care about the story.
-------------------------------------
Your results may vary. All normal restrictions apply. Caveat emptor. There are a thousand ways and one to write to a book, every one right. Etc. etc. etc.
I'm in a mood to commit writer heresy today. So here it is:
I don't really care about the words.
Let me repeat that: I don't care about the words. On an individual level they really don't matter to me. Neither does the punctuation. Even the meaning is negotiable, at least at the sentence level and paragraph level.
What I care about is the story. It doesn't matter to the story whether something is ebon or charcoal or plain old black. Any of those or none of those might serve depending on the surrounding words, the tone, and what I want the reader to take away from the story. Even then it's not a fixed value.
When I first write the sentence containing the word meaning (black) I could use any one of dozens of words, depending on what tastes right, or nearly right, in the moment. If I really cared about the word as a unit, this is a point where I might end up slowed down or even stopped for a long time while I found the exact right word. But knowing that it's the story that matters, not the specific word, I can just go ahead and drop in something that approximates what I need and move on.
Sometimes the initial choice is the word that I end up using. Sometimes it gets changed on the second pass, where I move through as a reader and try to make the whole thing feel smooth. Sometime the word goes away along with the sentence or paragraph that holds it as I realize that (black) would be better placed earlier or later, or implied, or that the reader doesn't need to know, or that (blue) would serve the story better.
It's not until my very last polish pass before sending something out that I start to get nitpicky about the words. Even then I don't really sweat the details too much. I have been at this for a while and I know that nothing is final until it has gone to press, and even then there might be later editions.
My agent might ask for changes. My editor might ask for changes. I might write a sequel or a related piece before the original is published, and that might necessitate changes. I might put it aside for a time and come back and make changes.
All of those changes will affect the words, shifting meaning, nudging flow, altering tone, restructuring scene and paragraph and sentence.
I don't really care about the words.
I care about the story.
-------------------------------------
Your results may vary. All normal restrictions apply. Caveat emptor. There are a thousand ways and one to write to a book, every one right. Etc. etc. etc.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Because You (Wyrdsmiths) Predicted it...
I'm sitting down early this morning (I skipped working out and everything) to restart RESURRECTION CODE from the beginning.
Oh, come on, like you didn't think I would.
On the plus side, I think I may have finally figured out my problem. Mouse hasn't really been PRESENT in this novel yet, and I think I've figured out a way for him to be there... and for the later turns of events make more sense. Fingers crossed anyway.
Oh, come on, like you didn't think I would.
On the plus side, I think I may have finally figured out my problem. Mouse hasn't really been PRESENT in this novel yet, and I think I've figured out a way for him to be there... and for the later turns of events make more sense. Fingers crossed anyway.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Smart Things--Really, Really Smart Things
Elizabeth Bear saying exceptionally smart things about writing and being a writer.
Personal Literary Archaeology, Part III
For more explanation see Part I.
Trish was positively thrumming with excitement. In honor of the first World Who Con the science museum was setting up a Dr. Who exhibit. They were going to have all kinds of props and memorabilia from the series. It wouldn't open for another week, but that was okay. Trish had a friend who worked in the ticket department. Eddie had called her that morning and told her that they were going to be unloading the stuff for the exhibit all day. In honor of the occasion Trish had called in sick to her job at the book store. She was going to spend the whole afternoon out behind the museum hoping to get a glimpse of the Tardis or something equally important. It had been cold and lonely but she was about to get her reward. A crane was lifting the familiar shape of a police box from the back of the big truck. She edged closer to the rail that kept people out of the loading zone. Just then she felt a hand planted firmly against the base of her spine. It propelled her forward with surprising force. Before she could make any attempt to save herself the rail caught her in the thighs and she went over onto her face. There on the ground in front of her was a sticker. It said, "There can be only one!" She had just a second to ponder that before the chain holding the police box overhead let loose and she was smashed to pulp against the unyielding concrete.
This is the last one that got written though there were ultimately supposed to be five. If anyone really cares, I might write the other two. Does anyone really care? Don't worry, I won't be bothered if the answer on this one is no.
Trish was positively thrumming with excitement. In honor of the first World Who Con the science museum was setting up a Dr. Who exhibit. They were going to have all kinds of props and memorabilia from the series. It wouldn't open for another week, but that was okay. Trish had a friend who worked in the ticket department. Eddie had called her that morning and told her that they were going to be unloading the stuff for the exhibit all day. In honor of the occasion Trish had called in sick to her job at the book store. She was going to spend the whole afternoon out behind the museum hoping to get a glimpse of the Tardis or something equally important. It had been cold and lonely but she was about to get her reward. A crane was lifting the familiar shape of a police box from the back of the big truck. She edged closer to the rail that kept people out of the loading zone. Just then she felt a hand planted firmly against the base of her spine. It propelled her forward with surprising force. Before she could make any attempt to save herself the rail caught her in the thighs and she went over onto her face. There on the ground in front of her was a sticker. It said, "There can be only one!" She had just a second to ponder that before the chain holding the police box overhead let loose and she was smashed to pulp against the unyielding concrete.
This is the last one that got written though there were ultimately supposed to be five. If anyone really cares, I might write the other two. Does anyone really care? Don't worry, I won't be bothered if the answer on this one is no.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday Morning Open Thread (WIP and otherwise)
Hey folks,
My projects for the day are recovering further from the cold and hoping that means my brain will clear enough to actually write something this afternoon. What about y'all? Anyone doing anything exciting or have a writing question you'd like to see any of us attempt to answer?
My projects for the day are recovering further from the cold and hoping that means my brain will clear enough to actually write something this afternoon. What about y'all? Anyone doing anything exciting or have a writing question you'd like to see any of us attempt to answer?
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday Cat Blogging: Crocus Hill Edition
(Late-Breaking Supplement)
Beckham is all about the thread count.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Day Without A Gay
Did you miss us yesterday?
I'm going to pretend that the Wyrdsmiths' blog wasn't updated yesterday in support of "Day Without a Gay," though I think that, honestly, everyone just forgot to post. (Except me, of course, I was PROTESTING!!)
Did you miss me? Huh? Huh?
...is this thing on?
I'm going to pretend that the Wyrdsmiths' blog wasn't updated yesterday in support of "Day Without a Gay," though I think that, honestly, everyone just forgot to post. (Except me, of course, I was PROTESTING!!)
Did you miss me? Huh? Huh?
...is this thing on?
New Cover, New Card
As part of a discussion elsewhere I'm posting pix of my new business cards--prompted by the arrival of my new cover. The top images are set up for print, so there's a bleed layer around all of the edges. The actual card is below that.
MythOS Card (I'm totally in love with this cover) Side A:
Series Side B:
Final Product:
Actual Cover:
MythOS Card (I'm totally in love with this cover) Side A:
Series Side B:
Final Product:
Actual Cover:
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Don't Do This!
Anton Strout discusses a writer committing number seven on the list of really bad ideas for writers who are anxious about how long it's taking the editor to get back to them.
Personal Literary Archaeology, Part II
For more explanation see Part I.
Erik turned the car's stereo up a little louder and pushed the gas pedal down hard. This was the last delivery of the night. Once he got rid of this pizza he would be free for three whole days. And what glorious days they would be! The science fiction channel was going to be broadcasting seventy two straight hours of Doctor Who episodes. A bunch of the other fen were going to come to his place and they were going to have a marathon viewing session. Of course there would be times when he would have to go to the bathroom or something, but that was okay, he was going to tape the whole thing. He had a fresh box of video tapes on the seat next to him for that express purpose. He grinned in anticipation and wished the night could be over. As if in answer to his prayers he spotted the address he was looking for. He grabbed the delivery bag and hopped out, pausing only to make sure that the celery on his lapel was at the right angle. You never know when you might meet an attractive femme fen. He was almost to the door when a noise made him turn and look to his left. "Pardon me," said a deep gravelly voice, "but I think your boutonniere is wilting. Allow me to provide you with a new one." Then there was a twang and he felt an impact in his chest. He looked down. A green bolt which appeared to be made of frozen celery was sticking out from between his ribs. His strength left him and he slumped to the ground. "Why?" he asked. "There can be only one," was all the answer he ever got.
To be continued.
BTW, feel free to comment.
Erik turned the car's stereo up a little louder and pushed the gas pedal down hard. This was the last delivery of the night. Once he got rid of this pizza he would be free for three whole days. And what glorious days they would be! The science fiction channel was going to be broadcasting seventy two straight hours of Doctor Who episodes. A bunch of the other fen were going to come to his place and they were going to have a marathon viewing session. Of course there would be times when he would have to go to the bathroom or something, but that was okay, he was going to tape the whole thing. He had a fresh box of video tapes on the seat next to him for that express purpose. He grinned in anticipation and wished the night could be over. As if in answer to his prayers he spotted the address he was looking for. He grabbed the delivery bag and hopped out, pausing only to make sure that the celery on his lapel was at the right angle. You never know when you might meet an attractive femme fen. He was almost to the door when a noise made him turn and look to his left. "Pardon me," said a deep gravelly voice, "but I think your boutonniere is wilting. Allow me to provide you with a new one." Then there was a twang and he felt an impact in his chest. He looked down. A green bolt which appeared to be made of frozen celery was sticking out from between his ribs. His strength left him and he slumped to the ground. "Why?" he asked. "There can be only one," was all the answer he ever got.
To be continued.
BTW, feel free to comment.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Monday Morning Open Thread (WIP and otherwise)
At this very moment my WIP is being asleep. But in a couple of hours it's back to SpellCrash with a side of pegboard organization. On the latter it's getting to be hardware time. On the former it's the end of chapter two and the giant smoked glass gazing ball of death. What about y'all!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Personal Literary Archaeology
Laura and I were rewatching Season IV of Dr Who last night and it rang a very faint memory bell for me. A little work with spotlight and hey presto I'd dug out the three pieces of a Dr Who themed serial that I'd written for a zine called Pirate Radio Neptune back around the end of 1994, years before my first actual sale. Anyway, I thought I'd post them here as a window into the head of a developing writer. There were supposed to be two more, and if people are sufficiently entertained I might even write them. Here's the first.
Melvin rubbed at his eyes. Staring into a computer monitor for hours on end could really take it out of you. But, it was well worth it. After thirty two straight hours he had solved the Dalek riddle. Now he would have some real status in the Dr Who MUD. He got up from his desk and put on his world war two surplus trench and the real Dr. Who scarf that his mother had made for him. Then it was down the stairs and out the door. He was going to SA to grab a case of Mountain Dew and some jelly beans. Nothing like caffeine and sugar to pick you up. It was dark out. No surprise. It was close to midnight. He was about half a block from the store when he felt the tug on his scarf. At first he thought that he had caught it on something. By the time he saw the shadowy figure it was too late. Whoever they were they had a firm grip on his scarf. He felt the wool stretch tight across his windpipe. He fought, but his computer-mushroom lifestyle hadn't prepared him for a death struggle. It was over quickly. The dark figure stood over the body and let out a harsh laugh. Then it bent and took the scarf. "There can be only one!" said the figure.
To be continued.
Melvin rubbed at his eyes. Staring into a computer monitor for hours on end could really take it out of you. But, it was well worth it. After thirty two straight hours he had solved the Dalek riddle. Now he would have some real status in the Dr Who MUD. He got up from his desk and put on his world war two surplus trench and the real Dr. Who scarf that his mother had made for him. Then it was down the stairs and out the door. He was going to SA to grab a case of Mountain Dew and some jelly beans. Nothing like caffeine and sugar to pick you up. It was dark out. No surprise. It was close to midnight. He was about half a block from the store when he felt the tug on his scarf. At first he thought that he had caught it on something. By the time he saw the shadowy figure it was too late. Whoever they were they had a firm grip on his scarf. He felt the wool stretch tight across his windpipe. He fought, but his computer-mushroom lifestyle hadn't prepared him for a death struggle. It was over quickly. The dark figure stood over the body and let out a harsh laugh. Then it bent and took the scarf. "There can be only one!" said the figure.
To be continued.
Stranger Than Fiction
If I wrote a scene in which an octopus juggled hermit crabs, y'all would tell me I was making that s%%t up.
Check it: Bored Octopus Wrecks Havoc
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Brought to You By the Letter "T"
For TOTU, a.ka. Tales of the Unanticipated. Which, we have neglected to mention for weeks now has stories by not one, but THREE Wyrdsmiths:
Eleanor Arnason: "The Diner."
Naomi Kritzer: "When Shlemiel Went to the Stars"
Lyda Morehouse: "The VanBulyen Effect"
So, wha'daya waitin' for, true believers? Get out there and buy twenty copies!!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Dumb Things, Mine.
So, I've been having trouble getting started in the new WebMage book. It's moving, but not nearly as fast as I need it to. Anyway, last night I wrote someone shooting Ravirn again, always a jump start moment, though I wasn't entirely sure who pulled the trigger when I wrote the scene. This morning on the treadmill I came up with what felt like the right answer, though I couldn't figure out who the prime mover behind the shooter was at first. After a while I had what sounded like a crazy idea that just tasted right even though I didn't know how I would make it work (call it character X).
So, finally, I'm writing the reveal on the shooter, still unsure why I'd chosen that character and why my brain kept telling me character X had given the orders. At that point, I very consciously split off a chunk of brain to work on that problem while the front systems were writing the actual scene. Just as I get to the sentence where it matters that I know the answer (the reader doesn't need it for a good couple of chapters) the bit of brain that's supposed to work on the problem comes back with the reason in a very sarcastic smell the coffee, McCullough you idiot, kind of way.
Turns out that if I'd bothered to go check my $%@*&%#@ outline the answer would have been obvious. Of course it has to be character X. The reasons were already in the master plan. Hell, I even foreshadowed them in books 3 and 4. The important lessons learned here are A) read the %^@$$# outline once in a while, and, B) don't bang your head on the wall trying to figure something clever out, just write the damned scene and get out of your own way.
So, finally, I'm writing the reveal on the shooter, still unsure why I'd chosen that character and why my brain kept telling me character X had given the orders. At that point, I very consciously split off a chunk of brain to work on that problem while the front systems were writing the actual scene. Just as I get to the sentence where it matters that I know the answer (the reader doesn't need it for a good couple of chapters) the bit of brain that's supposed to work on the problem comes back with the reason in a very sarcastic smell the coffee, McCullough you idiot, kind of way.
Turns out that if I'd bothered to go check my $%@*&%#@ outline the answer would have been obvious. Of course it has to be character X. The reasons were already in the master plan. Hell, I even foreshadowed them in books 3 and 4. The important lessons learned here are A) read the %^@$$# outline once in a while, and, B) don't bang your head on the wall trying to figure something clever out, just write the damned scene and get out of your own way.
Smart Things--Reversals
A very interesting post from Argh Ink (Jenny Crusie) tying the black swan idea to novel turning points and reversals. Ganked from Norma Boe of the Death Pixies.
It's All About Me...Yeah, Right
Well, a little bit. A few internetty news things about me have accumulated over the last month or two and I should probably link them here.
First, today's news. My papers at NIU are now indexed online thanks to Lynne Thomas and the marvelous NIU archives. At least, I think indexed is the right term. This is the first couple of batches of stuff I sent over and it will eventually joined by heaps more paper as I sell stuff and clear out my personal files.
Second, Lyda's announcement about DIID being available for pre-order reminds me that MythOS (June 2009) is also available for pre-order, though I don't yet have cover art.
Third, I seem to have acquired a Wikipedia page, and it's even relatively accurate, so, yay.
First, today's news. My papers at NIU are now indexed online thanks to Lynne Thomas and the marvelous NIU archives. At least, I think indexed is the right term. This is the first couple of batches of stuff I sent over and it will eventually joined by heaps more paper as I sell stuff and clear out my personal files.
Second, Lyda's announcement about DIID being available for pre-order reminds me that MythOS (June 2009) is also available for pre-order, though I don't yet have cover art.
Third, I seem to have acquired a Wikipedia page, and it's even relatively accurate, so, yay.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
DIID Available on Amazon
Just in time for Solstice, you can pre-order your very own copy of my May 2009 release Dead If I Do!. If you're the kind that likes to try before you buy, check out my updated website, where I've posted the first chapter as an excerpt. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Memage
This is going around:
Age when I decided I wanted to be a writer: 23
Age when I wrote my first short story: 23
Age when I first got my hands on a good word processor: 23
Age when I first submitted a short story to a magazine: 23
Rejections prior to first short story sale: 90
Age when I sold my first short story: 31
Age when I killed my first market: 31 (my 3rd sale)
Approximate number of short stories sold: ~30 (it's complicated)
Age when I first sold a poem: 32
Poems sold: 3
Age when I wrote my first novel: 23
Age when I first sold a novel: 37
Novels written between age 23 and age 37: 7
Age when I wrote the first novel I sold: 32/33
Number of novels written before that: 3
Age when that novel was published: 38
Total number of novels written: 13
Books sold: 6 (5 novels, 1 short story educational thingie)
Books published or delivered and in the pipeline: 5
Number of titles in print: 4
Age when I was a Writers of the Future winner: 33
Age when I became a full-time novelist: 28 (kept man)
Age now: 41
Age when I decided I wanted to be a writer: 23
Age when I wrote my first short story: 23
Age when I first got my hands on a good word processor: 23
Age when I first submitted a short story to a magazine: 23
Rejections prior to first short story sale: 90
Age when I sold my first short story: 31
Age when I killed my first market: 31 (my 3rd sale)
Approximate number of short stories sold: ~30 (it's complicated)
Age when I first sold a poem: 32
Poems sold: 3
Age when I wrote my first novel: 23
Age when I first sold a novel: 37
Novels written between age 23 and age 37: 7
Age when I wrote the first novel I sold: 32/33
Number of novels written before that: 3
Age when that novel was published: 38
Total number of novels written: 13
Books sold: 6 (5 novels, 1 short story educational thingie)
Books published or delivered and in the pipeline: 5
Number of titles in print: 4
Age when I was a Writers of the Future winner: 33
Age when I became a full-time novelist: 28 (kept man)
Age now: 41
Monday, December 01, 2008
Monday Morning Open Thread (WIP and otherwise)
Hey All,
I'm head down on SpellCrash and will be for most of December and possibly well into January. There are hopeful things happening on the Black School trilogy front (it's all sekrit project stuff, though I can talk about the what if not the who) which is why there are Eye of Horus betas now instead of in May as called for in my original schedule. But that and work on the Black School itself took an unplanned two week bite out of my November writing schedule and I'm going to have push hard to catch up. And, as with so much in publishing, it may turn out to be a bunch of work at an inconvenient time for no immediate return. Still, it was fun and I'm really glad to have it effectively off my plate.
On the not writing front, I've been putting up holiday lights for Laura and peg board in the work room for me. Once the work room is all done I may take some pictures to show off. Unfortunately, I don't have any shots of the before disaster area that it had turned into over the last two years.
So, what's up with you? Got a project you want to talk about or a writing question for which we can provide three contradictory answers? Anything? Anything at all?
I'm head down on SpellCrash and will be for most of December and possibly well into January. There are hopeful things happening on the Black School trilogy front (it's all sekrit project stuff, though I can talk about the what if not the who) which is why there are Eye of Horus betas now instead of in May as called for in my original schedule. But that and work on the Black School itself took an unplanned two week bite out of my November writing schedule and I'm going to have push hard to catch up. And, as with so much in publishing, it may turn out to be a bunch of work at an inconvenient time for no immediate return. Still, it was fun and I'm really glad to have it effectively off my plate.
On the not writing front, I've been putting up holiday lights for Laura and peg board in the work room for me. Once the work room is all done I may take some pictures to show off. Unfortunately, I don't have any shots of the before disaster area that it had turned into over the last two years.
So, what's up with you? Got a project you want to talk about or a writing question for which we can provide three contradictory answers? Anything? Anything at all?
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