Laura Anne Gilman's Blog, page 75
February 22, 2014
PSA
Last chance for "Last Blood," the free #willwrite2feedothers story from 12/2013.... it comes down on Monday.
in which I find I'm still annoyed...
Yesterday, someone made a comment about Kickstarters in a chat room, and irritated two other members (one of them me, who responded with... well, politely but pointedly about the difference between types of kickstarters, and the problems in that sort of comment (that strongly implied a specific other person could have done a better job).
The person who made the first comment dropped out of the room without a word, then came back and told us they felt "jumped on." It was explained that their original comment had been taken, independently by both of us, as casting aspersions on our abilities.
In response, we were first told we were wrong about what had been said*, then accused of "hating on" the person they'd mentioned**, and then finally given a very grudging and poorly worded apology.*** Then they dropped out of the room, again without a word.
Look, here's a life lesson, if you haven't gotten it already: If, after you say something, you realize/are told you insulted people, "I'm sorry I hurt you" is the only response that works . Hedging an apology (and/or having to be shamed into it) just makes you sound like a spoiled brat being forced to behave civilly.
* when people are hurt by what we say, it doesn't matter what you THOUGHT we said. Impact matters.
**(no, actually, I'm fond of that person, considering we've only 'met' virtually)
*** I pretty much had to say "look, apologize for it, and we move on" before the idea that an apology was expected seemed to sink in.
The person who made the first comment dropped out of the room without a word, then came back and told us they felt "jumped on." It was explained that their original comment had been taken, independently by both of us, as casting aspersions on our abilities.
In response, we were first told we were wrong about what had been said*, then accused of "hating on" the person they'd mentioned**, and then finally given a very grudging and poorly worded apology.*** Then they dropped out of the room, again without a word.
Look, here's a life lesson, if you haven't gotten it already: If, after you say something, you realize/are told you insulted people, "I'm sorry I hurt you" is the only response that works . Hedging an apology (and/or having to be shamed into it) just makes you sound like a spoiled brat being forced to behave civilly.
* when people are hurt by what we say, it doesn't matter what you THOUGHT we said. Impact matters.
**(no, actually, I'm fond of that person, considering we've only 'met' virtually)
*** I pretty much had to say "look, apologize for it, and we move on" before the idea that an apology was expected seemed to sink in.
February 21, 2014
a hint of SILVER....
Part I of SILVER is with the beta-readers, so I'll share this one bit with you, which isn't exactly spoiler-ish, but looking back later you might go "ahhhh....."
*g*
"It's a hard road you'll be traveling," Maria went on, stepping back and giving Isobel a long, assessing look. "Not one I would have chose for you, but that's all and done, now. Just you remember this: we don't serve our own whims, not here nor out there. We play the devil’s tune, and he calls it as he will."
"Yes ma'am."
Maria shook her head, as though aware that Isobel didn't understand, not really. "When you hear it, you will understand. Now go, the sun's almost up, and you should be on your way. A journey's best started before dawn."
*g*
"It's a hard road you'll be traveling," Maria went on, stepping back and giving Isobel a long, assessing look. "Not one I would have chose for you, but that's all and done, now. Just you remember this: we don't serve our own whims, not here nor out there. We play the devil’s tune, and he calls it as he will."
"Yes ma'am."
Maria shook her head, as though aware that Isobel didn't understand, not really. "When you hear it, you will understand. Now go, the sun's almost up, and you should be on your way. A journey's best started before dawn."
February 20, 2014
why I like the morning...
Warm enough for a pre-dawn walk this morning - comfortably chilly, and the ice has (for the moment) melted off the sidewalks. The sky shaded from white-blue at the skyline to the clear blue-black overhead, lit by the moon and more stars that most people think they can see in the city...
(still nothing like a rural sky, but reassuring nonetheless)
The city's quiet at this hour - the sounds of busses and the occasional cars going by, of course - that's the heartbeat of the city. But the hum it has after 7am, the surrounding murmur of voices and the thicker air of daylight is replaced by the thin, still air of night, where a single sound is amplified and carried for miles... You can hear your own heartbeat, before the sun rises.
Full day ahead. Where's the coffee?
(still nothing like a rural sky, but reassuring nonetheless)
The city's quiet at this hour - the sounds of busses and the occasional cars going by, of course - that's the heartbeat of the city. But the hum it has after 7am, the surrounding murmur of voices and the thicker air of daylight is replaced by the thin, still air of night, where a single sound is amplified and carried for miles... You can hear your own heartbeat, before the sun rises.
Full day ahead. Where's the coffee?
February 19, 2014
Snapshot of a Life...
If a picture's worth a thousand words, then here's a blogpost about what I've been up to recently...
(the research-corner of my office, currently given over to material for SILVER ON THE ROAD. The brown paper on the wall hosts a rotating series of post-its and relevant-to-the-chapter information, while the boards hold things I need for the entire book. Also note: current research tomes, and Piles of Notes...)
randomly, part 2 (personal)
I grew up in suburban NJ, home of shopping malls and supermarkets, among many other wonderous things. But as a city-dweller for the past 8 years, and a happily car-less one for most of those, it's rare that I go to an Actual Grocery Store and load up a car. But since I had Sibling Loaner this week, I did so this morning.
Thus reminding me of two things:
1. Suburban-style supermarkets are kind of awesome, but hauling things in from the car is a PitA (even though I managed to find a parking spot right outside my building).
2. I seriously pay for the convenience of being able to order my groceries at any time of day (or, more often, 3am) and have them delivered, without the cost of owning/operating a car. Okay, maybe that last bit more than evens things out. But still: a car full of foodstuff (fruit, veggies, meats, dairy) for under $100. Yahsssssss.
(but also 3. the quality of meats at my on-line grocery is better than even at the high-end supermarket. And a larger selection of local small producers/farmers, which is more expensive but I can afford to indulge my preferences there. So there's that.)
Thus reminding me of two things:
1. Suburban-style supermarkets are kind of awesome, but hauling things in from the car is a PitA (even though I managed to find a parking spot right outside my building).
2. I seriously pay for the convenience of being able to order my groceries at any time of day (or, more often, 3am) and have them delivered, without the cost of owning/operating a car. Okay, maybe that last bit more than evens things out. But still: a car full of foodstuff (fruit, veggies, meats, dairy) for under $100. Yahsssssss.
(but also 3. the quality of meats at my on-line grocery is better than even at the high-end supermarket. And a larger selection of local small producers/farmers, which is more expensive but I can afford to indulge my preferences there. So there's that.)
randomly, part 1 (professional stuff)
I think we keep messing up with the use of "professional" vs "established." You can be (SHOULD be) a professional before your first sale. Because the sale isn't the marking point. The sale just says you found the right market for a story. Your behavior is what makes you a professional.
That doesn't mean you should be a pushover, or a suck-up. It means that you treat co-workers, peers, and especially underlings with respect (I say especially because the underling you're kind to today may be able to give your career a kickstart ten years from now). And it means that you hold yourself in respect, too. Because you're the only commodity you've got to trade.
Yes, this is relevant to recent certain behavior by publishing professionals, but it's also a general comment to those starting out who have been told they're "not professional yet."
You're a professional the moment you decide to behave professionally. Being published and/or established will come when it does.
That doesn't mean you should be a pushover, or a suck-up. It means that you treat co-workers, peers, and especially underlings with respect (I say especially because the underling you're kind to today may be able to give your career a kickstart ten years from now). And it means that you hold yourself in respect, too. Because you're the only commodity you've got to trade.
Yes, this is relevant to recent certain behavior by publishing professionals, but it's also a general comment to those starting out who have been told they're "not professional yet."
You're a professional the moment you decide to behave professionally. Being published and/or established will come when it does.
February 17, 2014
Boosting the signal, and raising the bar...
All right, guys, I have a challenge for you. $25 on the table, to support an urban farm, help feed a neighborhood - and make a real, quantifiable change in our future You up for it?
(even $5 can make a difference, if you can)
"We are Our School at Blair Grocery, an urban farm and food justice academy in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. We operate a fully functioning farm in the heart of our neighborhood and employ youth in our community to help us grow food for our community. Eight years after the levee breach that destroyed our community, we've worked to change the narrative of the Lower Ninth Ward from one of desolation to one of revitalization and justice."
Check out the story of Our School at Blair Grocery' http://igg.me/p/our-school-at-blair-grocery/cstw/2525703
(h/t
marthawells
)
(even $5 can make a difference, if you can)
"We are Our School at Blair Grocery, an urban farm and food justice academy in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. We operate a fully functioning farm in the heart of our neighborhood and employ youth in our community to help us grow food for our community. Eight years after the levee breach that destroyed our community, we've worked to change the narrative of the Lower Ninth Ward from one of desolation to one of revitalization and justice."
Check out the story of Our School at Blair Grocery' http://igg.me/p/our-school-at-blair-grocery/cstw/2525703
(h/t
marthawells
)
ordering the actions...
This weekend was spent with various and sundry domestic things, including getting my sister off to the airport safely for her first visit to the UK. She'll be in London for a week, and hopefully the weather will be kind.
In the meanwhile, I have possession of the Elderly Auto, and there will be a CostCo run, among other things. Although I'm somewhat afraid to leave my hard-won parking space, while there's still so much snow packed against the curb....
And my E key is attempting to give up the ghost. Manuscript hijinks will ensue.
Work-wise, I spent the weekend shifting the structure of Devil's West #1 around a bit. I have no doubt that it will shift again as the writing continues (and particularly once the annotated revising begins), but the plot is beginning to settle from "stuff kinda happens here and here" to "tangle and untangle and tangle, thus."
For them as like seeing where things start compared to how they end...
Part 1: Flood
Part 2: The Road
Part 3: A Magician
Part 4: Bones and Stone
Part 5: Silver on the Road
Part 6: Spanish Flu
Part 7: The Dust Roads
Also: rather than 90k-100k, this looks to be come in, draftwise, at around 150k. Oh god. *beats head against wall until the pain stops*
In the meanwhile, I have possession of the Elderly Auto, and there will be a CostCo run, among other things. Although I'm somewhat afraid to leave my hard-won parking space, while there's still so much snow packed against the curb....
And my E key is attempting to give up the ghost. Manuscript hijinks will ensue.
Work-wise, I spent the weekend shifting the structure of Devil's West #1 around a bit. I have no doubt that it will shift again as the writing continues (and particularly once the annotated revising begins), but the plot is beginning to settle from "stuff kinda happens here and here" to "tangle and untangle and tangle, thus."
For them as like seeing where things start compared to how they end...
Part 1: Flood
Part 2: The Road
Part 3: A Magician
Part 4: Bones and Stone
Part 5: Silver on the Road
Part 6: Spanish Flu
Part 7: The Dust Roads
Also: rather than 90k-100k, this looks to be come in, draftwise, at around 150k. Oh god. *beats head against wall until the pain stops*
February 16, 2014
picking the group-mind...
I need two (preferably non-Christian, Jewish/Muslim acceptable) sigils - one to represent character A (essential matter, lawful neutral, totality) and the other to represent group B (lawful good, impartiality, harsh justice). I would like them to have some grounding in existing mythos, but not so associated with one particular entity/religion that they can't be reinterpreted....
any pointers?
(EtA: I mean 'sigil' in the older sense of "representation of a word of action/effect," if that helps)
any pointers?
(EtA: I mean 'sigil' in the older sense of "representation of a word of action/effect," if that helps)
