Moving Madness

Up way late last night getting everything packed and ready. Today we're trucking it all to a moving center, where they will send it out to Colorado for us, and then way early tomorrow morning we're heading to the airport with the pets in tow. So there's my explanation why the blog may be sporadic/nonexistent for the next few days until we get situated out along the front range.

Yesterday was my last day of work in the city, and we're looking forward to whatever adventures Colorado will hold for us.


See you all out there.

If money weren't an issue..

We'd be in the future. This is a rundown of quite a few scientific brainchilds that you've probably seen in a science fiction novel somewhere, and while they are quite feasible, we just don't have the moolah to get 'em done.

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/01/10-sci-fi-techs.html

I'm dubious about the android army, since I don't think it's a matter of the mechanics behind robot walking that needs as much attention as the field of artificial intelligence. An orbital hotel would be fun, considering how much the space age tourist industry seems to be waking up to its own potential. Of course, the only people who could stay in the hotel would be the extremely wealthy or the ones who win the sweepstakes. And how would they staff the place? What would room service look like? How would the water stay in the indoor, heated pool that the kids always need?

I guess sometimes the questions aren't just about money.

If money weren't any object for you, what science fiction device or techs would you want to see come into existence? Teleporters? Mech warriors?


I see that smile.

Coraline trailer

If you haven't had a chance to read Neil Gaiman's Coraline, it's one of those "children's tales" that's nicely spooky even for adults. A short book, too. And now they're coming out with a...I think it's all CGI, though some of it looks like claymation, maybe? Anyways, a Coraline film, and a few sneak views have been released.

Here's the official trailer, which was originally produced for 3D viewing, using those fun glasses, but has now been converted so you can see it without all the fuzzy red and blue lines.




And here is a clip from later on in the story.



I'm excited by how it looks. It captures the haunting atmosphere and the creeps one can get from something as simple as a doll and a set of buttons.


I see that smile.

The best sci-fi swear words

You know you're spending too much time watching a sci-fi or fantasy show, or reading a genre book when you start using the curse words the author has made up every time you stub your toe or someone cuts you off in traffic. Using geek-swear is also the perfect way to insult someone, and, unless they're as culturally enlightened as yourself, they'll have no clue what you're saying. Of course, it might make you sound a bit crazy, but that's a small price to pay for the satisfaction of knowing you totally put that person in their place--in Klingon.

If you want to expand your vocabulary some, here's a list of some of the most well-known swears from the sci-fi lexicon.

http://io9.com/350163/frak-off-weve-got-the-best-swear-words-from-scifi

So, what do we have? There's the obvious BG "Frak," which I'm sure has gotten around quite a bit lately. I love the Hitchhiker's Guide phrase, which I had entirely forgotten about. There's something poetic in that woeful mutter, and wouldn't it be fun to spark a few intergalactic wars?

Take your pick. And if there's a word or phrase you don't see here, maybe from the series you're reading now, let us know. Hell's Bells, anyone?


I see that smile.

Weird News Weekend

Because we aren't obsessed with food enough already:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080223/FEATURES01/802230305

Because too many people have watched Raiders of the Lost Ark:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1715337,00.html/

Because this woman has the closest thing to a super-power I've ever seen:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=517487&in_page_id=1770&ito=1490



I see that smile.

A top ten list by David B. Coe

I'm throwing up this list because Mr. Coe addresses an issue that not many writing advice articles hit on. He's describing a number of ways he runs his writing routine with pointers on ways he keeps himself motivated and letting the words flow.

Certain things are there that you'd expect, such as giving himself days off every now and then, or making sure that he retains a level of professionalism even at home.

But what else does he do? He makes an effort to eat healthy and exercise. Yup, you heard me. Writing has got to be one of the most, if not the most sedentary pursuit out there. Unless you're acting out fight scenes in your living room for reference, pretty much all writing involves sitting and staring at the screen. Plus, what do we tend to bring to the computer desk? Giant mugs of coffee, our favorite snacks, preferably pre-packaged and in a dozen different, cheesy flavors. Not the best of diets, so learning to switch out for some healthier snacks (think chopped veggies, fruit, water, etc.) can help keep energy levels more consistent, rather than fighting the droop and swoop of the caffeine and sugar buzz.

When I start exercising on a regular basis, there is a short dialogue between my brain and body that goes something like this:

Brain: Yes, that thing we just did? Could we do it again sometime? Perhaps a few times a week, at least?

Body: Exercising? But look at how tired and sweaty it got me.

Brain: I know, but think of the potential. You'll get so exhausted trying to get fit that at some point you'll have no strength left for anything but to drop in the computer chair and type, while I'll still be churning away up here from the increased bloodflow.

Body: You do realize I was doing it so I wouldn't feel guilty about eating that leftover piece of cake for breakfast.

Brain: If that's the lie you've got to tell yourself, then fine. But really, let's give it another go, what say...tomorrow?

Body: Does this mean I can eat more junk food for breakfast, so long as I put in a solid hour of running later?

Brain: How did I get stuck with you, anyways?

---

So don't forget that while writing involves forcing yourself to stay in one spot until the story is done, it can be just as important to stay active beyond the chair, whether at a gym, hiking, biking, swimming, martial arts, or however you want to do it. Both your body and your brain will thank you.


I see that smile.

Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine's blog

My entry for the Clarity of Night short fiction contest is now up. Check it out here, if you'd like, and let me know what you think. Wasn't quite sure how to approach this one, but I think I'm happy with the result.

In case you haven't seen, the Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine now has a blog running on their site, updating on their publications, authors, stories, and other news. Plus this kind of niftiness, where you can see every cover for the magazine that has been issued since 1949 (warning: might take a little time to load for slower connections).

That's all for today. We're still getting rid of furniture and boxing stuff up for the move next week. Writing goes well. Just finished another chapter/scene and am content with it until revision time. Lots of talking and personalities grating on each other, which is all well and good, but I'm itching for some solid action, which I think is coming up soon.

How are things on your end?

I see that smile.

More than just free eBooks

I received a note from Simon Owens, who heads up Bloggasm.com, concerning the upcoming revamp of Tor's website and the free ebooks they are offering to draw people's attention to said event. Apparently, there's something else lurking behind the scenes, preparing to jump out and bite your head off. Through a couple of sources, including Patrick Hayden, a senior editor at Tor, Owens learned that Tor's new website is part of a bigger plan they have to unroll an online science fiction and fantasy community, not only for the networking of fans of the genres, but to also encourage publication of original short fiction and nonfiction.

At the moment, only certain authors have been solicited to contribute to this not-as-yet-launched portal, and it remains to be seen whether the writing side of this effort will open to public submission or remain an in-house effort to draw people to the website through new stories by author favorites.

The main focus of this effort will be “a platform for original short SF and fantasy, by both Tor authors and non-Tor authors," and will also feature "lightweight ’social networking’ features," though Hayden points out that they will certainly not be trying to compete with web presences like Facebook and otherwise. And it looks to all be set up as free content, so there's a bonus.

Sounds intriguing. With Tor as big a player in the industry as they are, I doubt they'll have any issues drawing attention to this endeavor, and I hope it meets the potential they're building it up to have.


I see that smile.

New Clarity of Night short fiction contest

Over at the Clarity of Night blog, Jason Evans has started up his latest short fiction contest based on a new picture, titled "Whispers." This is the third contest of his that I will be taking part in, and I encourge everyone else to give it a try as well. It's a great opportunity to not only stretch your creative muscle, but also to see how inspiration can strike so many people differently, even when the source is the same.

The object of this contest? Write a 250 word (maximum) story based on this picture:

It can be any genre, any style, etc. Jason has his own judging criteria, plus a list of prizes and such on his blog. Here's the link:

http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/2008/02/whispers-short-fiction-contest.html

Get your entry in by 11pm, Wednesday, Feb 27th.

Good luck!

I see that smile.

We're moving

Spent all yesterday battling some gremlin that got lodged in my stomach somehow and refused to share any space with whatever food I attempted to keep down. Anyways, fortunately it turned out to be more of a 24-hour deal, and I'm enjoying being able to walk and eat again. Unfortunately, this meant I didn't get much writing done yesterday, but I'll see if I can make up for it today.

I realized I hadn't made any sort of announcement regarding this on the blog yet but—we're moving! The wife and I are packing up at the end of next week and heading back out to Colorado with the pets to try a switch of scenery. This has actually been in the plan for the past month, and had been an issue we talked about for a few months before that. NYC has been good for this time, and certainly has kicked up the careers nicely, but right now we're looking forward to a change of pace, a little healthier environment and lower cost of living. The publishing industry isn't as prevalent out in CO as it might be in NY, but there are a couple of options open to me right now, with some magazines that want me to get in touch with them once I'm in the area, plus another potential open door that I'll talk about more if it actually develops into anything.

So this next week will be mostly dedicated to packing, last-minute travel arrangements and hanging out with our friends here a few last times. The blog might become sporadic depending on how the actual transition goes, but hopefully I'll be in touch with everyone on the other side.


I see that smile.

What not to do when you query

Colleen Lindsay, who you may have met through an earlier post, and who is the newest literary agent to join FinePrint Literary Management, has been providing a fun rundown of her first few weeks of being an agent, including the number of queries she's received (massive amounts) and some of the other surprises along the way.

Recently she was asked by a fellow agent to sort through their 500-piece pile of mail while that person was out sick. After eight hours of letter-opening, she now has several tidbits of wisdom to pass on to us on what not to do when sending a query letter.

At the top of the list is:

• Naked photos of yourself will not distract the agent into thinking that your writing is better than it actually is.
• Do try to have a passing familiarity with the English language.
• Using the phrase "This is not representative of my best work" in the query letter will probably not help your cause.
  

Check out the rest on her blog.

I see that smile.

Weird News Weekend

A teenager born with four kidneys has promised to donate two of them to help save lives. Next thing you know, the Doctor will be in the news, pledging his extra heart.

If you're going to do exorcisms, you might as well know how to do them right. So sign up to be a qualified exorcist with the help of the Roman Catholic Church. Only an eight week study.

And lastly, apparently someone has absolutely no clue what to do with the wealth they've amassed, so what better way to spend $14 million than on a license plate? Oh sure, it's all about the prestige of the plate bearing the single digit "1." But honestly...$14 million?! I'd chew a license plate out of metal slabs for half that, and you'd get a lot more entertainment value for your money.


I see that smile.

Genius

http://www.myextralife.com/

I see that smile.

Post-VD story

If you want to hear Neil Gaiman's reading of Harlequin Valentine, go here. I've read both the short story version and the graphic novel version, and I have to say, it's very...unique. One that I've never fully gotten a hold of, as far as the meaning and message of it, but maybe that's the point. When you read it, you get a sense of something dancing around the edges of your thoughts and feelings, and the images linger with you for the rest of the day, in all their checkered black and white and red.

There are also a few other audio versions of his stories on that site, including the very short, but very creepy Nicholas Was...

Oh, and did you sign up for Tor's new website and get your eBook copy of Mistborn today? I know I did.


I see that smile.

John Scalzi's advice about money

John Scalzi, author of Old Man's War, The Android's Dream, The Ghost Brigades and more, gives his insights and business savvy on making do on a writer's salary--which, as most of us know, doesn't tend to be very much. So until you've got the six-figure advances and movie deals, how do you survive as a writer?

Here's his take, which is, he doesn't hesitate to mention, is backed up by his own success and impressive writing income.

Some of it reads as basic economic advice that everyone should follow, like not getting into too much debt, not abusing your credit cards, etc. But some of it might be issues you've never thought about, such as: if you've done freelance work, have you been setting aside a portion of that (he recommends half) for taxes? Cause you gotta pay that still, you know. Oh, and are you planning on quitting your job as soon as that first book deal is signed? That might not be the best idea, because it might actually limit your freedom as a writer.

Take a look. Let me know if anything he says surprises you, or if you disagree with anything.


I see that smile.

A new literary agent

Colleen Lindsay announced yesterday that she was officially beginning her job for Peter Rubie at FinePrint Literary Management.

She shows a healthy interest in science fiction and fantasy stories, and I see a lot of my favorite authors on her list, so you can be I'll be sending something her way. Here are her submission guidelines.

Minor update: She has already received more than 1,200 queries from folks, thanks to word getting around through people like John Scalzi, so expect a little wait as she sorts through them all. Plus her email server got crashed, so people might have had some technical difficulty in getting through to her. If you submitted and got an email bounced back, it should be corrected by now.


I see that smile.

Free ebooks from Tor's new website!

Looking for something to read on your new Kindle, or to stick on your laptop for your next business trip? Check out www.Tor.com. The big-time speculative fiction publishers are updating their web presence, and to get the word out they're offering a selection of free ebooks over the next few weeks.

The first free one is Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson, the same guy who was selected to finish Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. If you haven't checked out this author yet, now is the perfect time to do so.

And next week, they'll be sending out Old Man's War, by John Scalzi, one I have yet to read, but have had on the list for a while.

Free bestselling novels, all for signing up for Tor's newsletter. Can't get a much better deal than that.


I see that smile.

A review of The Name of the Wind

I know, this book was all the rave last year. Why am I only getting to reading it now?

Because.

And that's the entirety of my excuse. Now do you want a review or not? H'okay then.

To start off with, I actually scoured Patrick Rothfuss' website and blog well before delving into the book. The guy is a lot of fun to read in a casual setting, and I get the feeling he'd be great to meet and talk with, which would be a cool thing, should it ever happen. So, personality-wise, I was already liking the author before I cracked the pages of The Name of the Wind.

When I handed the book to a friend and they took the time to read the book flap copy and author bio, they then handed it back with the comment, "Dude, that's whack."

Yes. It is quite whack.

The Name of the Wind was a book with which I became instantly comfortable, and by that, I don't mean it is full of fantasy cliche or I knew everything that was going to happen. It just means it was a good, solid fantasy story which I loved reading from one cover to t'other. There was never a rough, boring stretch of unnecessary exposition, dubious character motivation or clunky worldbuilding. It all fit, each page made me want to read the next, and I began to hate the thing known as "real life" that got in the way of precious tome-scanning time.

If you've seen it on the shelf, you will know this is a big book. Clocking in at 662 pages, it took me just about a week to read, using subway trips, lunch breaks, and yes, bathroom breaks. Let's not fool ourselves, we all do it. But the pages are there for a reason, and it's because this is a story about one extraordinary life.

The Name of the Wind is the story of Kvothe, as told by Kvothe, a most intriguing figure, who we start out seeing as an innkeeper with obvious secrets lurking in the shadows of his inn (sometimes literally).


Numerous times throughout the story, Rothfuss does have the opportunity to lapse into fantasy trope with seemingly familiar happenings and character types that you might think you've read somewhere else; but thankfully he surprises each time with a twist of events that managed to catch me completely by surprise. The magic of his world isn't entirely original, and seems to link together a number of different systems that you will have seen before, but the technical workings of it are so thoroughly thought out, with the promise of more secrets and power to be revealed as the story goes on, that the level of subtlety and intricacy is impressive and refreshing.

Rothfuss' bio promises that while this is his first book, "there will be more." Kvothe tells the person who is writing down his story that it will take three days to tell fully, and with all the necessary details. This book is labeled Day 1, so do the math. Personally, I can't wait. And neither should you wait as long as I did to get this story and devour it.


I see that smile.

Where science meets fiction

If you want to keep track of some of the most intriguing innovations and scientific advances, check out http://www.technovelgy.com/. It's a collection of articles, books and news pieces covering inventions and ideas inspired by science fiction writers.

Everything from robotic chefs to bionic arms and legs to software that can translate your voice into almost 1,500 different languages. (Is this the first step towards a universal translator?)

All the sciences are here, from genetic manipulation, robotics, aviation, nanotechnology. I've spent a few hours browsing through here, and a lot of these ideas have made me perk up with some new ideas myself, plus a few topics for future story research.

I enjoy seeing the result of other's inspiration, because it reminds me that while there may not be "anything new under the sun," and writing a novel is basically telling the same 7-10 (depending on how you count them) stories over and over, that there will always be new perspectives and new methods of approaching characters, plots and worlds that make them unique.


I see that smile.

Weird News Weekend

I guess someone figured it was too much of a job to care for more than 200 reptiles and decided to abandon them until animal enforcement officials were alerted and searched the home. Among those recovered were an Albino rosy boa snake and an illegal, venomous coral snake. Just be glad you weren't the person asked to house-sit.

In celebration of the Year of the Rat, a restaurant in Taiwan has adjusted their menu to include...yes...rat dishes. Supposedly "the meat is tender and better than chicken." But are you willing to put that to the test?

Squeak.

Lastly, an elderly couple were threatened by seven men on Monday, who tried to break into the couple's home, shouting death threats. The men were driven off by the homeowners' son, who shot one of the intruders in the foot. Four of the men are now being held on bail...but that's not the fun part. The mother of the wounded man called up the elderly couple and complained, saying she didn't appreciate her boy getting shot. Let's talk priorities, shall we?

That's it for this weekend.


I see that smile.

The emotional spectrum of novel writing

I don't think the image is going to show up here very well, so let me just link it.

Novel chart

I think this sums it up pretty well. A writer goes through quite a few phases while writing a novel...most of them extremes. Maybe that's why writing is so addicting, because it helps you experience such strong emotions, both light and dark. For those who didn't click on the link yet, the chart shows a progression of 8 emotional stages during the course of writing a novel. They are:

• This is the GREATEST idea I've ever had!
• Okay, it's harder than I thought, but still good.
• This is going to take some work.
• This sucks. And it's boring.
• (Dark night of the soul)
• It will be good to finish it because I will learn for the next novel.
• Hey, I can at least finish this sucker in just another 10,000 words.
• It's done and it sucks, but not as bad as I thought.

Having gone through all of these phases, I can say they're a good reflection of what a writer feels while drafting a story. However, I will point out that it is quite possible and likely that you will backtrack and experience several points over and again before finishing. You can usually figure out what part of the chart you're on by tracking your productivity. I do that by watching my word count. Maybe you might measure it by how many hours (or minutes) you spend writing each day (or week). We all know our abilities and limits, so figure out the scale for yourself. Sometimes you can bust past a little mental roadbump just by realizing that it's a phase, unless you let yourself get bogged down in it.

Right now...I'd say I dropped down to (Dark night of the soul) a couple weeks ago on my current project, but then bumped back up to "Going to take some work." I see the potential the story still has, and after grinding through some rough scenes, and then skating through some nice action, I'm starting to see the next portion of the story more clearly. Hopefully I can avoid any more "dark night" periods, but even if they do come, knowing I can wait them out is encouraging. The words will come if I sit still and silent enough.

Where are you on this spectrum, and would you say this chart is an accurate representation of what you've gone through?


I see that smile.

Real Superheroes

200 of 'em, in fact. And they have names. And costumes. The Emerald Enforcer. Mr. Silent. There's a costume shop that provides their guises, and a lot of these people take their self-instated heroism very seriously. They call themselves "Reals" and have MySpace pages, plus you can check out a Google map to see the cities and regions where they live. There's quite a few in the NYC area (The Super, Dark Guardian) and even one out in Colorado (Wall Creeper).

I admire folks living out their dreams, and who doesn't dream of being a superhero at some point or another? So here are a few questions for the day:

Is there any harm in folks doing this? The article points out the danger of some people being deluded by comic books and getting hurt, or even killed while trying to help and protect others.

Have you run into any of these folks? Would you want to?

And, of course, what kind of superhero would you be, should your life take such a turn? Could you handle the schedule of "80% boredom punctuated by 15% helping and 5% terror"?

I think my "Real" name would be The Muse, and I would run around with a gigantic pen that could be converted into a laser gun (used to etch words into rock and metal, of course, not actually hurt people), once more proving that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Oh, and I'd show up at writer's houses and beat down their writing block until it weeps and drags its scaly tail back under the bed.


I see that smile.

Strange Maps

Taking a sick day to try and shake off this new version of the winter bug (now with the explosive snot and chain-smoking voice thrown in for free!) which has clawed its way into my throat and sinus cavities, plus a light fever to seal the deal.

Here is a fun blog that lists all sorts of strange, ironic, misguided, sometimes thought-provoking maps.

http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/

This one, for instance, is an old Dutch map which shows a theoretical Mars with numerous oceans and seas covering its surface.



What other ones can you find? Do you ever draw maps for your novel, or do you keep all the geography stashed up in your head?


I see that smile.

My story in the next Shimmer issue

Shimmer's next issue is coming out February 20th, and it will include my story, "Even Songbirds Are Kept in Cages." Very excited to see this story become available.

You can order a copy here, both an electronic version and a print.

In the table of contents, here's the glimpse of my story:

I was nine when my dad brought home the mockingbird lady. He clipped her wings and then took her up to the attic, carrying several coils of barbed wire along with him. When he came downstairs, he dusted off his hands and glared at my brother and me.

“There,” he said. “Never let it be said your dad doesn’t provide for his family.”
Looks like some other great stories included, most with a theme of birds or wings of some sort. Can't wait to read through them all.


I see that smile.

Sample chapter of the next Dresden Files book

Here's Chapter 1 of Jim Butcher's upcoming Dresden Files book: Small Favor.

http://jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/10/

This is book 10 in the series, for anyone who is counting.

The sneak peek:

No one's tried to kill Harry Dresden for almost an entire year, and his life finally seems to be calming down. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.

An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, the Queen of Air and Darkness-and she's calling in her marker. It's a small favor he can't refuse...one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skills-and loyalties-to their very limits.

It figures. Everything was going too well to last...

April 1st. Can't wait. Also check out Jim Butcher's site for updates on the Dresden comic books being produced by the Dabel Brothers. They're looking pretty spiffy.


I see that smile.

Super Bowl Sunday

What do you do to celebrate it? Do you even care who wins, or are you only in it for the food and (hopefully) entertaining commercials, like I am?

What is that saying about football? You've got twenty-two incredibly in-shape guys down on a field being watched by millions and millions of people who desperately need to go to the gym, and we applaud their feats of fitness by watching them play while eating chips and dip on the couch, or slugging down beers in the bar.

Something like that.

I've never been a big sports freak, though my family gets into it pretty heavily, and I do enjoy the fun of folks getting together to enjoy a game, but I could probably name two teams out of the entire NFL, and I keep having to be reminded of the opponents for the bowl tonight. Just not high on my priority list, and it confounds me when people nearly get into fistfights over team loyalty, or set cars on fire to announce a victory or defeat of their selected favorites. What is it about sports that gets people so riled up? Brand loyalty? Another vicarious way for people to feel that they've won something? A way to relive old high school football glory days?

What's your reason?


I see that smile.

More art!

We're running an open house for our Brooklyn apartment today, and we've been up late the last few nights scouring and cleaning places we didn't even realize existed, so if you'll excuse the general lack of content in the post today, I will give you something bright and shiny to look at.

Namely, more art, this time by artist James Clyne, who has done concept drawings and paintings for a number of films such as X-Men 3, The Fountain, A.I., Galaxy Quest, and so on. I love concept art, because it often gives you a peek into someplace the film never showed, or provide a totally different perspective on a character or location.

http://www.jamesclyne.com/projects.php

He's got a few pieces for published works and computer games too, to mix things up.

I see that smile.

Science Fiction Trivia

I think Discover Magazine has someone on their staff who enjoys and/or appreciates science fiction and how it has played a part in scientific progress since they've done quite a few articles on the topic. Of course, they also did an article on why science fiction might become an obsolete genre eventually, once real-life science overtakes it, but that's an entirely different debate.

What I wanted to point out today is this list they put out of 20 things you didn't know about science fiction. There's some intriguing items on this rundown of factoids.

For instance, did you know that after Philip K. Dick's death, fans built an android lookalike that could mimic his mannerisms and quote the famous author? Not only that, the android was subsequently lost in 2005 between airplane flights, due to some baggage mishandling and hasn't been recovered since.

No, Josh, I had no idea, you say. Well good, I'm glad you've learned something today.

Here's another thing then: Apparently, Ray Bradbury makes it a point of pride to claim that he has never driven a car, and avoids using computers and ATMs.

Why? I have no idea. If you get to meet him, maybe you should ask.

Anything else on this list surprise/shock you? Anyone know all this already?

I see that smile.