Jordan Castillo Price's Blog, page 52

I love this pen!

I was out scoring half price candy today and I treated myself to new pens...OMG this is my new favorite pen. (PaperMate InkJoy if you can't read the little picture...or if LJ strips it out. LJ doesn't like my Amazon links.) 

It glides over the paper like a dream. If you like a fine line it may not be the pen for you. I like a pretty bold line and it's perfect for me. The less I have to bear down on the pen, the better. But it's not quite like a gel, which I do typically find smeary. More like a really bold ballpoint.

at Amazon: Paper Mate InkJoy 700 RT Retractable Medium White Body Ballpoint Pen, Assorted Color, 4 Pack (1781586)

Magic Mansion Wraps - February JCP News

February's JCP News is live!
Goodies include:
•Shows that influenced Magic Mansion
•Sites that helped me do the math
•A notebook page from the Big Top Challenge
•Brazen re-release
•Partners re-release
•The stunning conclusion of Magic Mansion
Get the goods here

Sparkly!

I see so many sparkly things in my inbox! Glass hearts from ali_wilde and cinnatart and andy_slayde ! Thank you, ladies!

A big sparkly thing from CataNetworks I hadn't been expecting, either! YAY!

GhosTV was rated one of four best GLBT reads of 2011 by the reviewers!

Attention YA fans: The Ravens Crossing

YA fantasy fans, check out this promising new series by Andi Lea, Amanda Corlies and West Thornhill: The Ravens Crossing

What is The Ravens Crossing?

The Ravens Crossing (TRC) is a young adult internet-based, interactive, fantasy series set in a fictional world within a real city. TRC has been in the planning stages since 2011. The Ravens Crossing:

Written by multiple authors.Created with a team of editors, content advisors, artists, and graphic designers of all ages.A long term project with an intriguing cast of characters.A series of stories involving multiple characters, multiple points of view, and one goal: To tell a continuing tale of extraordinary events.Celebrates diversity.

Months of development have been dedicated by the TRC team to create something that has never been seen before on the internet. The building blocks were set into motion during a weekly coffee get-together. From there it took on a life of its own. All of the authors agreed to work in a flash fiction style, limiting each daily episode to 1,000 words or less. TRC will grow, change, and evolve as the stories unfold.

What Can Readers Expect?

Expect the unexpected! Readers can find something new at TRC every day of the week.

Monday through Saturday: One story each day.Sunday: Special content, news, information, and surprises.Interactive participation: In time, readers will join in the fun. Direct communication: Chat with the team at TRC.Go to The Ravens Crossing site!

Yikes...first draft of Magic Mansion is done!

As predicted, I did find myself crying--much like the contestants on the show--but strangely enough, not in the spots I thought would be real tear-jerkers. I still have few spots to touch up where I wrote myself notes like DESCRIBE JIA'S HAIR, but for the most part, I'm done.

I think this novel had more constraints on it than nearly anything I've ever written. (Channeling Morpheus series being a close second, however it feels different because I didn't choose those constraints voluntarily.) I had a massive amount of characters that I needed to work to differentiate from one another. I had characters being voted on or off without my control. And I had this structure I'd put in place of the narrative being defined by crazy, contrived, loosely-themed challenges.

What snuck up on me and blindsided me was the love story.

Ricardo and John pluck at my heartstrings more than any other couple I've ever written. In some ways I relate to John, and some Ricardo. Both of them surprised me with their depth of character, and their nuances, and their feelings. I'll be eager to reveal the final chapters in a couple of weeks and to get to work editing the final for publication.

Katie is out of surgery

I just heard my ex-kitty is out of surgery, it went well, and she's already sitting up. Yay!

ex-kitty

My poor ex-kitty has a burst anal sac and is having surgery in the morning. I will need to go stay at my ex's place to babysit her Saturday night as he's playing an out-of-town gig it's too late to cancel. Poor little girl.

I want words!

I'm having a hell of a time finishing this Magic Mansion chapter. It's really frustrating when writing's like pulling teeth!

I know I posted that thing a few days ago about how non-flow writing means you might be doing something innovative and new, and therefore should be cherished...but in this case, I don't think that's what's going on. I think I'm dragging ass because I don't want to finish writing the novel. :(

Announcing Mnevermind

I'm halfway through with my last hunk of Magic Mansion tonight and thinking ahead...and yes indeed, I have something planned to take its place. My first fiction set in urbane Madison, Wisconsin! Mnevermind. Making memories...one client at a time. Coming to JCP News this March.

spreadsheet fiction?

I was working on scoring the penultimate challenge on Magic Mansion on paper. I needed to distribute three hundred points among four magicians in three categories. And soon I realized what I needed was a SPREADSHEET to keep track of who scored points for what.

How geeky!

(Plus I was trying to come up with a clever title by combining "spreadsheet" and "fiction," and I came up with "spreadfic," which just sounded too damn dirty...)