Jennifer Crusie's Blog, page 179

Working Wednesday, August 15, 2018

We’re halfway through August, and in the US its back-to-school sales and the last gasp of summer which means I REALLY have to clean up the yard.  And buy school supplies.  And finish a book.

What are you doing?

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Eudaemonia, Aristotle’s Bliss

Eudaemonia is the Aristotelian concept of happiness, not based on hedonism or laughter but on the achievement of a satisfying existence, the idea that living a focused life in the pure pursuit of what fulfills your soul will inevitably lead to happiness.  There’s some scientific support for this, but I prefer to go with anecdotal, the idea that when we’re working on something that fills us with purpose, it also fills us with exhilaration, no matter what the task.  It’s akin to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s idea of flow,  a transformative state of consciousness when the worker becomes one with the work.  I get that from writing and from art, I know many here get it from gardening, I’ve known people who’ve gotten it from the beauty of math problems and the elegance of writing code.  It doesn’t matter what the task is, it’s that melding of avocation and vocation, doing satisfying, valuable, honest work that also in some way serves a greater purpose within us, that creates eudaemonia.

It’s also the name of a butterfly.

So what’s your experience of eudaemonia?

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Cherry Saturday, August 11, 2018

August is Romance Awareness Month, so  I read a lot of Georgette Heyer and Anne Stuart.  And then I moved on to romance comics because I’m fascinated by them.  I want to write them.  You know, in my spare time.  Google for “romance comics” and look at the images.  So.  Much.  Fun.  And so much less stressful than real romance.  

But before I start my new career writing romance comics,  I must get back to the romance between the cop and the dead guy, which one of my agents describes as “weird, but great dialogue . . . ”  I don’t think that bodes well.

Speaking of great dialogue . . .

 

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This is a Good Book Thursday, August 9, 2018

I’ve been reading a lot of Georgette Heyer lately.  When she was good–The Grand Sophy, The Talisman Ring, Cotillion–she was phenomenal.  When she was mediocre–Bath Tangle, anyone?–she was still damn readable.  What’s more, she’s re-readable.  I must have read The Grand Sophy a dozen times and I still love it.  I learned a lot from that book, especially what a great supporting cast can do for a great romance.  I still love that bit of dialogue when Charlsbury–kidnapped and shot by Sophy for his own good–says “I am devoted to Sophy . . . but heaven preserve me from marriage with her,” and Vincent says, “If heaven did not, I fancy Rivenhall would.”  It’s such a lovely throwaway line that says that the community already knows what’s coming in the next scene when Charles Rivenhall puts his hands around Sophy’s throat and says, “Will you marry  me, vile and abominable girl?”  and Sophy says, “Yes, but only to save my neck from being wrung.”  Sigh.  That’s my kind of romance.  

What did you read this week?

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Argh Author: Kelly Sattler’s We Can Do It: Women in Library Technology

It’s probably the god of irony at work here, but not only did I publish Kelly’s post about her magnificent book too soon, after it had been up for a couple of weeks, I managed to delete it.  So much for this woman and technology.  But the comments are still here!  Also here’s the stuff I managed to save:

Our own Kelly S co-edits a book about women in library technology (two of my favorite things):

Does gender play a role in library information technology (I.T.)? For the last several decades, libraries have primarily employed women, whereas I.T. jobs have been held by men. What happens when the two collide? What is it like for women who are working for I.T. within the library? Has it changed over time? Through personal narratives, we explore these questions and seek to provide guidance and encouragement for women and men in library I.T., those pursuing a career in library I.T., and library management. The collection includes themes concerning “Imposter Syndrome,” career trajectory, experiences of sexism and biases. Contributors also offer advice and encouragement to those entering or already in the field. Examples of positions held by the contributors include managers, web developers, system librarians, programmers, and consultants. This collection provides a voice for women in library I.T., bringing their experiences from the margins to the center, and encouraging conversation for positive change.

You can buy Kelly’s book her (go do that).

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Argh Author: Kelly Sattler’s We Can Do It: Women in Library Information Technology

Our Kelly S has co-edited a book on women librarians who find stuff for you, a career dear to my heart since The Desk Set.  Of course, We Can Do It: Women in Library Information Technology a lot more than that; check out this description:

“Does gender play a role in library information technology (IT)? For the last several decades, libraries have primarily employed women, whereas IT jobs have been held by men. What happens when the two collide? What is it like for women who are working for IT within the library? Has it changed over time? Through personal narratives, we explore these questions and seek to provide guidance and encouragement for women and men in library IT, those pursuing a career in library IT, and library management. The collection includes themes concerning “Imposter Syndrome,” career trajectory, experiences of sexism and biases. Contributors also offer advice and encouragement to those entering or already in the field. Examples of positions held by the contributors include managers, web developers, system librarians, programmers, and consultants. This collection provides a voice for women in library IT, bringing their experiences from the margins to the center, and encouraging conversation for positive change.”

You can buy Kelly’s book here on Amazon,

or go here to learn more about it and Kelly’s career, which is amazing.

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Working Wednesday, August 8, 2018

I fixed a bad scene.  Okay, I didn’t fix it, I trashed it and started over and wrote a good scene instead.  It took me two weeks of thinking to figure it out, but I’m very proud.  (I don’t think I ever showed anybody here that scene, did I?  The one in Rich’s cabin with the baph and Thanatos?  It had everybody in it, which is probably why it was a mess, although I feel that a giant goat from hell improves any scene.)

What did you make this week?

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Argh Author: Alexandra Caluen’s Toward Love (LA Stories, Book 13)

 

Alexandra Caluen, aka chacha1, has her latest romantic novella out now, Toward Love (LA Stories, Book 13), a story she notes has adult situations, themes, and language.  So right down Argh’s alley.  

The Amazon blurb says it all:

 

Sometimes, a person you barely noticed can become the most important person in the world.  Cameron and Marco worked together once before, but when he’s cast as her love interest, an on-set ‘showmance’ becomes the real thing. Will navigating paparazzi, distance, and the demands of dual careers be smooth sailing? Find out in TOWARD LOVE.

Toward Love is available on Amazon, and you can learn all about chacha’s Alexandra’s books on her website.

 

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Argh Author: Lian Tanner’s Accidental Heroes

Lian Tanner writes middle-grade fantasy/adventure, and her most recent book came out in October last year. The second one in the series is coming out this October (stay tuned).  Her previous kids’ books have sold into the US, but this one hasn’t yet, so she gave us Australian links.  She posts here as Lian Tanner, the same name she writes under, and her latest (until October) is Accidental Heroes (The Rogues #1). It’s only available on Australian Amazon right now and they won’t sell to the US, but she has several books available on Amazon US, too (search for “Lian Tanner”).  

How much do I love this cover?)

The devious Lord Rump and his granddaughter, Duckling, need a disposable boy, and Pummel, a farm boy looking for work in the city, fits the bill perfectly. Duckling is happy to tangle him in her grandpa’s web, as long as Grandpa keeps his promise – that this is his very last Scheme.

Lord Rump’s machinations take both children into the ancient Strong-hold of Berren, and before long they are entwined in a plot to kill the heir to the Faithful Throne. If they want to protect the heir and save themselves from an awful death, Duckling and Pummel must learn to use the magic that no one else believes in.  

Check the book out or Lian’s website;  buy on Amazon Australia or on the publisher’s link.

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Admin: Having to Sign In: UPDATE: FIXED

Mollie’s looking into this.  When did it start?  Who is it affecting?  I know Deb’s in the US and Jane’s in the UK, so I don’t think it’s a national thing.  Also, very sorry for the hassle.  We’re on it.

And Mollie and Sharon fixed it.  Thank you, Mollie and Sharon!

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