30. Discount Armageddon, Seanan McGuire (e)
29. Tiger Eye, Majorie M. Liu (e)
28. Visitor, C. J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
27. To Have and to Hold, Nalini Singh (e)
26. The House of Shattered Wings, Aliette de Bodard
25. Bride of the Rat God, Barbara Hambly (e)
24. Every Heart a Doorway, Seanan McGuire (e)
23. Maximum Ice, Kay Kenyon (e)
22. War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-read)
21. Wheel of the Infinite, Martha Wells (e)
20. Algonquin Cat, Val Schaffner, illustrated by Hilary Knight
19. Karen Memory, Elizabeth Bear
18. Ancillary Mercy, Ann Leckie
17. When Falcons Fall, C.S. Harris
16. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Winifred Watson (re-re-re-&c-read)
15. Uprooted, Naomi Novik
14. Strong Poison, Dorothy L. Sayers (re-re-re-read)
13. Written in Red, Anne Bishop
12. Andy & Don, Daniel de Visé
11. The Thief of Time, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
10. Foxglove Summer, Ben Aaronovitch
9. Broken Homes, Ben Aaronovitch
8. Soul Music, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
7. Whispers Underground, Ben Aaronovitch
6. Moon Over Soho, Ben Aaronovitch
5. Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
4. Conflict of Honors, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (e) (re-read)
3. Mort, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
2. The Sculptor, Scott McCloud
1. A Short History of a Small Place, T.R. Pearson
Author: Sharon
I can climb the highest mountain; I can cross the widest sea
No checks in today’s mail, either.
Well.
*looks at pile of bills on desk*
This is going to be interesting.
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Moving on — Answers to questions from the Roll Call!
*Sword of Orion was written as a work for hire — that means the publisher owns the copyright, the ideas, and the characters. The publisher went out of business after releasing the first books in about six series, one of which was the Sword of Orion series. Therefore! No more Sword of Orion stories.
*Er, no, I actually wouldn’t move to Liad, if I could. For one thing, as a non-Liaden, I would be beneath most people’s notice, not to say contempt, except if I managed to insult somebody, which the odds are good that I’d do so within ten minutes of achieving the Port. I’d rather go someplace where my life expectancy would be longer than ten minutes.
*The Gathering Edge will not be published until May 2017, that is correct. In the larger scheme of things in publishing, that’s really hardly any time at all. No, I’m afraid we can’t write much faster than we already do.
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Today, I learned things.
I learned that orange sticks (aka “cuticle shapers”) are now made out of plastic. They used to be made out of orange wood, but apparently not anymore.
I learned that I can prop my tablet up on the little ledge built into the treadmill at the gym and read as I walk. And! I don’t have to worry about walking into a wall, when I do.
I learned that Microsoft thinks that a $1,000 tablet can “replace” my laptop, which costs 1/3 of that amount. Research indicates that it does neither the dishes nor laundry, so I fail to see the advantage.
I also learned that my fingers — my fingers, not my wrists, which is usually the case — apparently took a beating yesterday, and if I’m a Schmott Guy, which really isn’t the way to bet, I’ll give them a break today.
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Do I have any Hollywood historians here, or perhaps a Mae West aficionado? I was wondering if she actually needed the stick she often had with her, or if it was only a fashion accessory.
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Don’t forget that Steve and I will be at Flights of Fantasy in Albany, New York on Tuesday, July 5 to celebrate Alliance of Equals’ book day! Be there or be somewhere else!
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In other news, I wrote about 2,200 words yesterday, for a net gain to the manuscript of. . .33 words. I think that we are now at an end of Backward Growth, and will be proceeding from here on in a forwarder direction.
You heard it here, first.
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Progress on Book the Next
36,569/100,000 words OR 36.57% complete
“I believe it wished me to know that Theo might be in a pickle.”
Miri snorted a half-laugh, and he smiled.
“Yes,” he said. “Precisely so.”
Today’s blog title comes to you courtesy of Mr. John Parr, “St. Elmo’s Fire/Man in Motion”. Here’s your link.
If it’s June 25. . .
. . .it must be the Belleversary!
Yes, as unbelievable as it may seem, one year ago today, we brought Kelimcoons Belle of the Ball to the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory. She retired graciously to the chamber prepared for her, to rest from the rigors of her journey. She had a mouthful of food, a visit to the necessary, and a brief bath before strolling out to Greet Her People, and conduct a survey of her new kingdom.
We were, of course, planning a Festivity to commemorate the day, complete with dancing and fireworks, but Belle has asked for a more restrained and dignified celebration. Therefore, we all plan on having a nap today, in honor of herself. Belle is, as always, leading the way.
In other news!
I wrote yesterday. Quite a lot, actually, for values of Quite a Lot that include 2,140 new words in Book the Next. After I ripped out the scene that didn’t work, we had a net gain to the manuscript of! 76 words.
It was rather an exciting day, as writers count these things. I had a Good Idea, then! I had a Better Idea; the story is back on track with no violence done the characters, their relationship, and! without invoking the Gods of Plot. Which is good. I really don’t like invoking the Gods of Plot. Which reminds me to sweep the altar, which has gotten dusty.
In addition to the celebration of Belle’s arrival among us, today’s schedule includes deploying the vacuum cleaner, doing the dishes, and — getting back to work on the WiP. No, no, the excitement never does stop; but we’re used to it.
For those keeping score at home, there were no checks in the mail today, and a bill arrived by email.
No questions to answer today, though people continue to find the Roll Call and check in. Thank you!
. . .and I think that’s catches us all up. It’s an absolutely gorgeous day here in the middle of Maine, perfect for all kinds of Summery Activities. Hope it’s the same, where you are.
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Progress on Book the Next
35,765/100,000 OR 35.77% complete
Not truth. Something more primal than mere truth. Something from deep in the core of him, incontrovertible, beyond any argument or logic.
Friday morning advert
All righty, then! Want to see all the Baen Books July releases in one, dynamic environment?
*snaps fingers*
Your wish has been granted. Here’s your link — and remember to leave a comment, if you can, so the Baen Video Elves don’t think their work is in vain.
Also! Check out the Baen front page for two! stories! (“Wise Child,” by Lee and Miller; “Dear Ammi,” by Aimee Ogden) and a science article (“Strange Sex,” by Dave Freer). Remember to click the Facebook button (you have to be logged into Facebook for it to show up), and/or the Twitter button, to let the authors know you appreciate their work.
What else?
The crows are having an extremely raucous party in the back woods. How raucous, you ask? They woke Trooper up from his mid-morning nap in the window.
The mailman has come and gone. No bills. Which is fine. I already have a handful of bills, right here on the desk.
No check, either. See “handful of bills,” above.
Did some re-writing, and re-visioning on Book the Next last night. I think I even made minor gains in wordage. However! Today’s work includes ripping out a scene I labored over for two days, trying to get it right, only to realize that the failure to get it right was a Clue that I’d gone off track.
I think that’s all the news at the moment. Hope everyone has a lovely Friday.
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Progress on Book the Next
36,439/100,000 OR 36.44% complete
And yet, he told himself kindly, she had known you for a lunatic when she married you.
So you want to be a writer, Part Who’s Keeping Count
In a startling reversal, we have had news of a check!
It was cut yesterday, and will be on the bus to Maine this afternoon.
The reported amount of the check, sadly, reinforces my natural tendency toward pessimism, bearing in mind that, through the offices of our good uncle, Sam, we are currently constrained to put half of all receipts into the tax account.
[Sigh. The neighbor is shooting at his vegetables again. It’s a hobby, I suppose. And at least it’s at a decent hour in the afternoon, rather than 7am. Apparently vegetables are particularly unruly at 7am.]
Steve and I had a brainstorming session a couple nights ago, and came up with A Conceit, the implementation of which will mean, I very much fear, that the Work in Progress will shrink Yet Again. I’m tempted to title it The Incredible Shrinking Novel, and have done, but perhaps something. . .more convenable will occur. In the meanwhile, among the working notes I have here is, “save Festina for later.”
One of the things I love about my job is the necessity of occasionally leaving myself notes like, “save Festina for later.”
What else?
Someone inside the roll call asked for my opinion of The House of Shattered Wings, which I recently read. I usually don’t give my opinion of the books I read, because I overwhelmingly read science fiction and fantasy, and. . .I know a Whole Lot of science fiction and fantasy writers, as colleagues and friends. I’m not being paid to review things anymore, and I don’t like to hurt anyone’s feelings over what is, after all, merely a question of personal taste.
I will say that, if you are looking for Gothick Urban Fantasy, complete with fallen angels, and immortals banished from the court of The August Personage of Jade, set in post-World War Paris, The House of Shattered Wings is your book.
Yesterday, for a brief period in the afternoon, we had Weather, in the shape of An Awesome Thunderstorm accompanied by a prodigious down-pouring of rain. Today, it is intermittently sunny, humid, and warm, and cloudy, humid, and warm. Sprite is asleep in the red basket on my desk; Belle is asleep in my her rocker. Scrabble sleeps with the heffalumps, and Trooper is on hammock duty in the front room.
In a few minutes, Steve and I will meet for ice cream, and then I’ll commence in tearing apart the first section of the WiP, remembering to save Festina for later.
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Progress on Book the Next
35,686/100,000 OR 35.69% complete
“Truly, sir, if I stood in your place, I would be extremely cross. The tree has been less than apt, and wounded an ally, besides. Indeed, I find it possible to be cross in your stead, and I mean to deliver it a ringing scold, when next we meet.”
Books read in 2016
29. Tiger Eye, Majorie M. Liu (e)
28. Visitor, C. J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
27. To Have and to Hold, Nalini Singh (e)
26. The House of Shattered Wings, Aliette de Bodard
25. Bride of the Rat God, Barbara Hambly (e)
24. Every Heart a Doorway, Seanan McGuire (e)
23. Maximum Ice, Kay Kenyon (e)
22. War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-read)
21. Wheel of the Infinite, Martha Wells (e)
20. Algonquin Cat, Val Schaffner, illustrated by Hilary Knight
19. Karen Memory, Elizabeth Bear
18. Ancillary Mercy, Ann Leckie
17. When Falcons Fall, C.S. Harris
16. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Winifred Watson (re-re-re-&c-read)
15. Uprooted, Naomi Novik
14. Strong Poison, Dorothy L. Sayers (re-re-re-read)
13. Written in Red, Anne Bishop
12. Andy & Don, Daniel de Visé
11. The Thief of Time, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
10. Foxglove Summer, Ben Aaronovitch
9. Broken Homes, Ben Aaronovitch
8. Soul Music, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
7. Whispers Underground, Ben Aaronovitch
6. Moon Over Soho, Ben Aaronovitch
5. Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
4. Conflict of Honors, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (e) (re-read)
3. Mort, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
2. The Sculptor, Scott McCloud
1. A Short History of a Small Place, T.R. Pearson
. . .for a hamburger today
Nope, still no checks.
No books, either.
Preliminary numbers on the Roll Call, adjusting for those who have written private emails, or checked in from Goodreads, LiveJournal, or other venues where this blog mirrors — and also adjusting for those people who are amusing themselves. . .
I presently have 500 answers.
My thanks to everyone who took this request seriously. If you do read here and have not checked in, you still have time. The post will remain at the top of this blog through June 30.
Set to be even hotter today than yesterday. The cats are cat-footing about, trying to get all their important work done before the heat hammers down. I will be shortly following their example.
More words added to the manuscript last night. Rough drafty words, those, which have allowed me to think more deeply on the scene, and locate places where I can deepen characterization and the chemistry between the two characters. This is why we are such “slow” writers. We keep going back and layering stuff in. I wish I, at least, could be a bright and breezy writer, who gets it right the first time, but…alas. Thank you all for your patience.
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Progress on Book the Next
35,492/100,000 OR 35.49% complete
Am I being managed?” he asked mildly.
Today’s blog title brought to you by J. Wellington Wimpy.
Bless your children, give them names
Words are being added to the manuscript, more slowly than I would like, but. . .words being added instead of subtracted has to be a good thing, amirite?
Checks are still AWOL, which is. . .unfortunate. Of the three still outstanding, we know the sums of two. The third will be. . .a surprise. I suspect not a pleasant one, but then I tend toward pessimism.
We are today awaiting the delivery of several boxes of hardcover books to sign. Or not.
In short, this is one of those days when one thinks fondly of day-jobs and berates oneself for having opted for an artistic life that is, um, free of constraints. This is nonsense, of course, and I strongly suspect that, had I remained at the last day-job, at least, I would have never written another word. Still, there’s something to be said for a Lack of Surprises.
Let’s see, what else?
The cats are taking up position for the Afternoon Melting. Belle felt that my desk chair would be perfect for her Melting. She has been persuaded otherwise. Windows are open, the sunlight is sharp edged and hard, but there’s a breeze, so that, at least.
The internet is full of outrage and stupidity — but you knew that.
I have too many t-shirts.
Still not king.
. . .I think that about covers it.
Hope everyone has a pleasant day, and a Blessed Midsummer to those who celebrate.
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Progress on Book the Next
34,465/100,000 OR 34.47% complete
Val Con turned up the collar of his jacket as he followed the narrow, overgrown path, circling tighter and tighter in toward the center of the garden, of the House. One might even say the center of the clan, save one did not wish to encourage an ego that was sufficiently well-grown.
Today’s blog title brought to you by Bruce Springsteen, “Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street?” Here’s your link.
The root of all your problems is that you don’t look like me
Well, let’s see. . .
Several questions from the depths of the Roll Call, so! Answers.
*Book tours happen at the whim and/or planning of the publisher. If we have helpers on the ground, Steve and I will occasionally do a book tour, or visit a bookstore local to the vicinity of an SF convention or WorldCon. We were in Colorado some years back — 2006, I think — as GoHs at CoSine; and in Denver Itself for the WorldCon in 2008. We did not do a bookstore tour at either of those cons; the local bookstores being largely uninterested in having second-string scifi writers come to their stores. We are Further Constrained by the fact that we don’t fly, which limits the venues to which the publisher can economically send us. Which is to say: Unless we’re in Denver for Another Reason, and one or two or three of the local stores are willing to host a signing, our book tours, at least, will probably not reach Denver.
*I’m not certain I understand either the need or the desirability for a Collected Liaden Works for Kindle. That being said…to the best of my knowledge, Baen is selling two bundles of novels — Korval’s Legacy and Phase Change, but I think that only gets you ten or twelve. Surely, if one has a Kindle, there’s a way to make a category, say, LIADEN, and stick all your Liaden books under that category? Just a thought.
*The reason we have not Mentioned the Rest of the Geography, Fauna, and Population (if any) of Planet Surebleak is because! all the stories thus far have happened in the Port and the City, and neither Steve nor I feel like writing a Forbes Guide to the Surebleak Outback.
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As reported elsewhere, you may now pre-order the Audible version of Alliance of Equals. Here’s the link.
Yes, we are aware that Audible has the book listed as AN Alliance of Equals; we have written to them on the topic.
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It’s a warm and pleasant day here at the Confusion Factory. I have vacuumed, and done a blankie run, the latter no doubt being the reason why I have three Large Cats asleep on my desk, all within the reach of my hand. The coffeepot is hissing through its cleaning cycle; and I need to sort laundry. After lunch, I will make a Sincere Effort to actually add words to the working manuscript.
I hope everyone is having a fine and relaxing day.
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Today’s blog title is brought to you by Julie Brown, “Brand New Girl.” Here’s your link.
Books read in 2016
28. Visitor, C. J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
27. To Have and to Hold, Nalini Singh (e)
26. The House of Shattered Wings, Aliette de Bodard
25. Bride of the Rat God, Barbara Hambly (e)
24. Every Heart a Doorway, Seanan McGuire (e)
23. Maximum Ice, Kay Kenyon (e)
22. War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-read)
21. Wheel of the Infinite, Martha Wells (e)
20. Algonquin Cat, Val Schaffner, illustrated by Hilary Knight
19. Karen Memory, Elizabeth Bear
18. Ancillary Mercy, Ann Leckie
17. When Falcons Fall, C.S. Harris
16. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Winifred Watson (re-re-re-&c-read)
15. Uprooted, Naomi Novik
14. Strong Poison, Dorothy L. Sayers (re-re-re-read)
13. Written in Red, Anne Bishop
12. Andy & Don, Daniel de Visé
11. The Thief of Time, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
10. Foxglove Summer, Ben Aaronovitch
9. Broken Homes, Ben Aaronovitch
8. Soul Music, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
7. Whispers Underground, Ben Aaronovitch
6. Moon Over Soho, Ben Aaronovitch
5. Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
4. Conflict of Honors, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (e) (re-read)
3. Mort, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
2. The Sculptor, Scott McCloud
1. A Short History of a Small Place, T.R. Pearson