Laura Anne Gilman's Blog, page 63
June 25, 2014
A 1-2-3 Poll
Answer 1 if you like the way the current website (lauraannegilman.net) is set up, with links up-front and the blog offset, rather than front page.
Answer 2 if you'd prefer to see the blog first, and have the other information off links.
Answer 3 if you never actually go to the website so don't know what I'm talking about.
Answer 2 if you'd prefer to see the blog first, and have the other information off links.
Answer 3 if you never actually go to the website so don't know what I'm talking about.
Wednesday
A still, humid morning. I'd welcome a raging thunderstorm, if it would get the air moving a little bit...
These are the days I find it hardest to work in: when the air is thick and heavy and anticipation is shivering just under the skin for something to HAPPEN and it never does...at that point I might as well drop a movie in and watch that, because my focus is shot.
But we're on the clock to hand in GIN & TONIC #4, and there are other projects with equally pressing deadlines that need attention too, so taking another day off isn't possible this week. I've set up the fan to move air, made a fresh pitcher of iced tea, and onward we go. Waiting for perfect conditions means you'll never do anything.
And so I'm on it. Meanwhile, have a cat.
These are the days I find it hardest to work in: when the air is thick and heavy and anticipation is shivering just under the skin for something to HAPPEN and it never does...at that point I might as well drop a movie in and watch that, because my focus is shot.
But we're on the clock to hand in GIN & TONIC #4, and there are other projects with equally pressing deadlines that need attention too, so taking another day off isn't possible this week. I've set up the fan to move air, made a fresh pitcher of iced tea, and onward we go. Waiting for perfect conditions means you'll never do anything.
And so I'm on it. Meanwhile, have a cat.
June 22, 2014
Days Off
Such a rare thing to the freelancer or writer, the day off. An actual day where you not only don't do any work (or billable hours) but you don't even THINK about it.
Okay, maybe that last was a bit too much to ask for. But I did manage to spend a lovely Saturday with thousands and thousands of my best neighbors, hanging out in Central Park, soaking up solstice sun, rehydrating frequently, and otherwise pretty much lazing about. I read a book [AN ENTIRE BOOK! START TO FINISH!] and started another, and got only slightly sunburnt, and rounded out the day with dinner with a friend, and was asleep silly-early, so I got a full 8 hours before the feline overlords woke me up.
The plan had been to make Sunday a repeat of Saturday, only in a different park, and I did in fact spend time under the vitamin-D-granting sun - but then I retreated back to the cool, dark cave, where I read some more, cleaned and sorted things, and, well, napped. A lot.
It was nice, all things considered. But now it's back to work, starting with a culling of the spam and answering of emails that arrived over the weekend.... silly people, don't YOU take days off?
Okay, maybe that last was a bit too much to ask for. But I did manage to spend a lovely Saturday with thousands and thousands of my best neighbors, hanging out in Central Park, soaking up solstice sun, rehydrating frequently, and otherwise pretty much lazing about. I read a book [AN ENTIRE BOOK! START TO FINISH!] and started another, and got only slightly sunburnt, and rounded out the day with dinner with a friend, and was asleep silly-early, so I got a full 8 hours before the feline overlords woke me up.
The plan had been to make Sunday a repeat of Saturday, only in a different park, and I did in fact spend time under the vitamin-D-granting sun - but then I retreated back to the cool, dark cave, where I read some more, cleaned and sorted things, and, well, napped. A lot.
It was nice, all things considered. But now it's back to work, starting with a culling of the spam and answering of emails that arrived over the weekend.... silly people, don't YOU take days off?
June 21, 2014
Deadline and the Longest Day
After nearly one year, four passes, two false endings, and some brave work by a small army of beta readers, and at a weirdly lean 114,000 words, SILVER ON THE ROAD is off to Twinling and Agent for their not-quite-so-exhausted take. Yay?
*decides that yes, yay*
So that's one deadline down, two to go. Since the second one is coming up in a week... yeah, I'm not entirely exactly relaxed right now. And hey, then I'll have feedback and revision letters and ... well. Sufficient unto the day the deadline slain therein.
Monday, I'm back on the pony. A mystery to finish, novellas to write, a book to launch next month, and two client manuscripts about to land. But today is the solstice, the longest day of the year for half the globe, and it's bright and sunny and comfortably-not-too-warm outside. So I'm taking A-Book-I-Didn't-Write, a blanket, and a cool drink, and heading off for a day in the park.
Because I can. :-)
*decides that yes, yay*
So that's one deadline down, two to go. Since the second one is coming up in a week... yeah, I'm not entirely exactly relaxed right now. And hey, then I'll have feedback and revision letters and ... well. Sufficient unto the day the deadline slain therein.
Monday, I'm back on the pony. A mystery to finish, novellas to write, a book to launch next month, and two client manuscripts about to land. But today is the solstice, the longest day of the year for half the globe, and it's bright and sunny and comfortably-not-too-warm outside. So I'm taking A-Book-I-Didn't-Write, a blanket, and a cool drink, and heading off for a day in the park. Because I can. :-)
June 19, 2014
forgive me, for I must snark. Or possibly just stare and wait for the knives to flash.
As per GalleyCat, "Indie publisher Cleis Press has launched a new romance imprint called Tempted Romance. The imprint will publish, “ intelligent romance that stays one step ahead of the curve and pushes the boundaries of the genre,” according to a press release."
Oh. I see. Because other houses publish not-intelligent romance? And you're going to be the one to break free, to publish intelligent romance?
Dudes, save a very brief foray into PNR as Anna Leonard (and, okay, some fanfic), I don't even play in that genre, and I'm fucking offended.
”'As a high schooler, I constantly read romance novels from my mother and older sister. I couldn’t get enough!,' stated Brenda Knight founder of the new imprint."
But as an adult, she doesn't read them? She considers them apt for high schoolers, but not adults? Please tell me that quote was taken out of context, that she went on to say that she's aware of the field since then, and understands what's out there, all the smart, sexy, genre-pushing stories already being published...?
Unimpressed Kitten is Unimpressed.
Oh. I see. Because other houses publish not-intelligent romance? And you're going to be the one to break free, to publish intelligent romance?
Dudes, save a very brief foray into PNR as Anna Leonard (and, okay, some fanfic), I don't even play in that genre, and I'm fucking offended.
”'As a high schooler, I constantly read romance novels from my mother and older sister. I couldn’t get enough!,' stated Brenda Knight founder of the new imprint."
But as an adult, she doesn't read them? She considers them apt for high schoolers, but not adults? Please tell me that quote was taken out of context, that she went on to say that she's aware of the field since then, and understands what's out there, all the smart, sexy, genre-pushing stories already being published...?
Unimpressed Kitten is Unimpressed.
June 18, 2014
Just when you think you know someone....
Midway through the fourth pass, and something that's been in there since first draft caught me by surprise with "oh, that's how this will be relevant later." Book, c'mon, you're KILLING me.
I also yanked an entire scene out, and figure I can maybe use the character introduced there somewhere else, in a later book, maybe with a different backstory...or maybe not. Either way, it became really apparent that it, and she, didn't belong where they were.
I also yanked a line one of my beta readers really loved. Sorry, Dori.
(yes, my third pass beta readers were Dori and Kari. I have been making dwarf jokes every since, because I get just that punchy in the last few weeks before deadline...)
Anyway. Deadline or Death! Or something like that. D-12 days.
I also yanked an entire scene out, and figure I can maybe use the character introduced there somewhere else, in a later book, maybe with a different backstory...or maybe not. Either way, it became really apparent that it, and she, didn't belong where they were.
I also yanked a line one of my beta readers really loved. Sorry, Dori.
(yes, my third pass beta readers were Dori and Kari. I have been making dwarf jokes every since, because I get just that punchy in the last few weeks before deadline...)
Anyway. Deadline or Death! Or something like that. D-12 days.
PSA
In light of the recent spate of "clickbait" - obnoxious or infuriating articles that seem to exist only to drive outrage traffic to a site, I remind you of http://www.donotlink.com/ - how to share something with people WITHOUT giving them the benefit of clicks.
(if you like a site, by all means, link them directly. But for something hateful, or intentionally provoking? Here's how to share without allowing them to profit from it, or feel "popular.")
(if you like a site, by all means, link them directly. But for something hateful, or intentionally provoking? Here's how to share without allowing them to profit from it, or feel "popular.")
June 17, 2014
the baking itch isn't completely scratched...
although the weather is currently warm/humid enough that turning the stove on will happen either early or late, not midday. Ugh.
That said, I think I need to make proper scones tomorrow. I have all the ingredients for scones, including dried currants and whole milk...
I wonder how they'd work with almond flour. Hrmmmmm.
That said, I think I need to make proper scones tomorrow. I have all the ingredients for scones, including dried currants and whole milk...
I wonder how they'd work with almond flour. Hrmmmmm.
Attention Sylvan Investigation 3 & 4 Kickstarter Backers
If you haven't responded to the surveys yet (despite repeated reminders), you have a week, and then we'll make a wild guess at what you would have requested.
If you haven't gotten the survey yet, check your filters.
Susan Sullivan, your .edu email is bouncing.
This is all giving Faithful Office Minion and tech elf April agita. It makes me unhappy when the tech elf has agita. Please respond this week, so she has no more agita?
If you haven't gotten the survey yet, check your filters.
Susan Sullivan, your .edu email is bouncing.
This is all giving Faithful Office Minion and tech elf April agita. It makes me unhappy when the tech elf has agita. Please respond this week, so she has no more agita?
June 15, 2014
Read in 2014
* means it was on my #TBRin2014 list
10. WATSON AND HOLMES: A STUDY IN BLACK, Karl Bollers, Rick Leonardi, Larry Stroman (graphic novel)
9. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
8. *GARMENT OF SHADOWS, Laurie King
7. *THE LIVES OF TAO, Wes Chu
6. THE GOD OF THE HIVE, Laurie King (re-read)
5. SPIRAL PATH, Katharine Eliska Kimbriel (pre-pub)
4. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
3. *EIFELHEIM, Michael Flynn
2. KNOWN DEVIL, Justin Gustainis
1. *INK, Amanda Sun
10. WATSON AND HOLMES: A STUDY IN BLACK, Karl Bollers, Rick Leonardi, Larry Stroman (graphic novel)
9. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
8. *GARMENT OF SHADOWS, Laurie King
7. *THE LIVES OF TAO, Wes Chu
6. THE GOD OF THE HIVE, Laurie King (re-read)
5. SPIRAL PATH, Katharine Eliska Kimbriel (pre-pub)
4. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
3. *EIFELHEIM, Michael Flynn
2. KNOWN DEVIL, Justin Gustainis
1. *INK, Amanda Sun
