Cate Gardner's Blog, page 32
December 10, 2011
Sometimes you just have to say...
...guys who wear black eyeliner are so pretty....
I think I shall paint it on all the bird boys in my current work in progress. I'm still at fever pitch with the plotting - dancing in my seat with every new idea, it's excellent exercise. Well, excellent exercise for the girl who just unwrapped a few clothes from her exercise bike (they make for excellent hangers) and a layer of dust. Oops! I decided to go on a diet today - two weeks before Christmas and with so much chocolate in the house (well that's for other people of course). I have a fabulous sense of timing. Or maybe, I just like things that are doomed to fail...
In other news, in last night's dream everyone's eyes turned black and there was something to do with trains in Tokyo and pyramids. I think it may have freaked sleeping me out, but waking me sure wishes she could remember it.
And in further news, have you seen this...
...it's been all over my blog feed this morning (okay, I slightly exaggerate - I'm prone to that). Looks cool though. It's a collaboration between Aaron Polson (I may have started his fan club once upon a few years ago), James Everington, Alan Ryker and Iain Rowan. The first issue's stories are reprints but the following issues will be original stories.
I bet those boys would wear black eyeliner.
Well, I suspect tomorrow would be a good day to start the whole dieting thing since there'll be a gazillion children running about my small house. I should hide my copies of Barbed Wire Hearts before they scribble in them and maybe hide the crayons too... and the black eyeliner.
I think I shall paint it on all the bird boys in my current work in progress. I'm still at fever pitch with the plotting - dancing in my seat with every new idea, it's excellent exercise. Well, excellent exercise for the girl who just unwrapped a few clothes from her exercise bike (they make for excellent hangers) and a layer of dust. Oops! I decided to go on a diet today - two weeks before Christmas and with so much chocolate in the house (well that's for other people of course). I have a fabulous sense of timing. Or maybe, I just like things that are doomed to fail...
In other news, in last night's dream everyone's eyes turned black and there was something to do with trains in Tokyo and pyramids. I think it may have freaked sleeping me out, but waking me sure wishes she could remember it.
And in further news, have you seen this...
...it's been all over my blog feed this morning (okay, I slightly exaggerate - I'm prone to that). Looks cool though. It's a collaboration between Aaron Polson (I may have started his fan club once upon a few years ago), James Everington, Alan Ryker and Iain Rowan. The first issue's stories are reprints but the following issues will be original stories.I bet those boys would wear black eyeliner.
Well, I suspect tomorrow would be a good day to start the whole dieting thing since there'll be a gazillion children running about my small house. I should hide my copies of Barbed Wire Hearts before they scribble in them and maybe hide the crayons too... and the black eyeliner.
December 9, 2011
No Rot Here
Sometimes a story haunts for a few years. Then when you finally allow it space, it rushes at you from every which way because it's afraid you'll forget it again.
I've missed this rush. I'm looking forward to burying myself in this story for months to come (though I wouldn't mind one of those madcap six week novel things that sells for millions - or a fiver - they exist right?)
Dear World, let this be the one...
I've missed this rush. I'm looking forward to burying myself in this story for months to come (though I wouldn't mind one of those madcap six week novel things that sells for millions - or a fiver - they exist right?)
Dear World, let this be the one...
December 7, 2011
WIP Wednesday: Something Borrowed, Something New
Today's blog post is sponsored by a writer's afternoon of procrastinating. For your reading pleasure here are some awesome and informative blog posts:
Sarah E Olson offers some short story advice from a slush reader's POV.
Deanna Knippling's post is about guest blogs. Very appropriate given that my last post was a plea for people to allow me to spread my intellect (okay silliness) on their blogs in January. And to everyone who invited me along I offer a major thank you. I expected dust to mount on the post rather than to have filled every slot and gained a few more within an hour. Now I just have to make sure I don't dent your reputations.
...and Chuck Wendig writes about the seduction of self publishing and why he's glad he didn't have the option five years ago. This isn't a 'don't self publish' post, rather an 'if these are your reasons for self publishing then they may be the wrong reasons' from someone who has self published. He makes some good points.
Personally I'm glad my unpublished novels (of which there are a few and some) are hidden from public view. In fact I almost shredded the earliest manuscripts a couple of months ago - only I'm far too lazy to spend all that time shredding. I hid them away instead. Does that mean I'm anti self-publishing? God no.I read stories that catch my interest whatever their provenance. I'm just anti my self-publishing because I know what a mess those books are in and I like someone to hold my hand. Actually, I might be swerving off topic there (muahaha)... As to my later novels, I like to think they're valuable lessons that I learned something from (with the help of beta readers) - I'd go mad otherwise. And so...
...today I began (finally) making notes for my Cobweb Strings story which has been sitting on my memo board for so long the character pictures are beginning to curl. I'm surprised to find I had far less notes for this story than I thought I had, but decided that's all for the good. I can start afresh. I like starting afresh. Only, I guess that means in 6 or so months I'll be back on the agent/publisher hunting gravy train which I've managed to avoid all year (bad me).
Unless Cobweb Strings turns out to be a novella-length story. Shush! Don't tell the person downstairs, who keeps telling me I need to get back to work on a novel.
Sarah E Olson offers some short story advice from a slush reader's POV.
Deanna Knippling's post is about guest blogs. Very appropriate given that my last post was a plea for people to allow me to spread my intellect (okay silliness) on their blogs in January. And to everyone who invited me along I offer a major thank you. I expected dust to mount on the post rather than to have filled every slot and gained a few more within an hour. Now I just have to make sure I don't dent your reputations.
...and Chuck Wendig writes about the seduction of self publishing and why he's glad he didn't have the option five years ago. This isn't a 'don't self publish' post, rather an 'if these are your reasons for self publishing then they may be the wrong reasons' from someone who has self published. He makes some good points.
Personally I'm glad my unpublished novels (of which there are a few and some) are hidden from public view. In fact I almost shredded the earliest manuscripts a couple of months ago - only I'm far too lazy to spend all that time shredding. I hid them away instead. Does that mean I'm anti self-publishing? God no.I read stories that catch my interest whatever their provenance. I'm just anti my self-publishing because I know what a mess those books are in and I like someone to hold my hand. Actually, I might be swerving off topic there (muahaha)... As to my later novels, I like to think they're valuable lessons that I learned something from (with the help of beta readers) - I'd go mad otherwise. And so...
...today I began (finally) making notes for my Cobweb Strings story which has been sitting on my memo board for so long the character pictures are beginning to curl. I'm surprised to find I had far less notes for this story than I thought I had, but decided that's all for the good. I can start afresh. I like starting afresh. Only, I guess that means in 6 or so months I'll be back on the agent/publisher hunting gravy train which I've managed to avoid all year (bad me).
Unless Cobweb Strings turns out to be a novella-length story. Shush! Don't tell the person downstairs, who keeps telling me I need to get back to work on a novel.
December 6, 2011
Some Wicked Requests
Check out the artwork for Something Wicked's December issue of which my zombie tale Six Feet Above is the cover story. This month's issue has stories from the following people on the following dates:Domyelle Rhyse (6th of December)
Sheila Crosby (13th of December)
Tom Jolly (20th of December)
Cate Gardner (27th of December)
And you can read an interview with cover artist Pierre Smit here.
The holiday season is now officially cancelled or I own it, one or the other. And if I own it, does that mean I get to have triple the amount of presents I'm expecting?
As most of you who visit here already know, my book Theatre of Curious Acts (which will be available in hardcover, paperback and ebook - I've seen the awesome wraparound cover for the hardback and it's to die for) is released this December. In the next week or two. Flap, flap, panic, panic. I'm hoping to do a mini blog tour covering about six blogs in January - I figure December will be an internet wasteland -and was hoping it would be okay if I popped over to some of your blogs with one of my silly posts****. I mean, one of my awesomely brilliant posts that will bring in thousands of readers (I only lie on Tuesday's). Plus, I'd love to set up some interviews if you want to ask me any silly questions. I do answer intelligent questions too but cannot guarantee that the response will be intelligent.
So ends this plea.
****An update (otherwise known as one hour later) - the awesome Mark West, Jim McLeod and Chris Gerrib have offered to host my madness in January - I mean my highly intelligent blog posts that will make them famous throughout the world. Looking for three more awesome folk. And the fabulous Pete Tennant over at the TTA Press blog, and Ray Cluley - I can see I'm going to have to be intelligent now. And add Simon Bestwick and Anthony J Rapino to the list.
Thank you all, I've now I have a fabulous wealth of blogs on which to spread my madness.
December 4, 2011
In Retrospect
"This year did not fail me, I failed it." ...quote by me
Okay, the above may sound like I'm seriously kicking my own ass but truthfully, that quote made me pick up my pens, my laptop, a wealth of notes and put my butt in the chair. Last month I'd been bemoaning how 2011 had sucked and that hopefully 2012 would be much better. (You know the whole 'woe is me' deal - two fingers to that.) Well it will because 2011 didn't suck because of some weird cosmic force, it sucked because of me. I let 2011 down and not the other way around.
Sorry 2011.
Still, when I realise I'm in the wrong I do try to sort things. To make amends I've written two short stories - The Familiar Buzz of Gone and Where Lost Words Gather, the Comic Strip Boys Fall - and blown lots of kisses at the calendar. The calendar is now shaking but I don't think that's from fear, it must be the photo of the little girl with wings who's lying beneath. She's eager to escape. And I am so about to throw away the cakes we bought from Asda (come on willpower).
Plus 2011 gave me lots of pretty gifts: it gave me two books so far - don't count your chickens and all that especially as my next book doesn't hatch until December 21st and that's dangerously close to the end of the year, I met awesome writer folk, I lost 16lbs (and then put them back on again - oops!), my little niece and nephew came more into their own and are growing into awesome little dudes and my office transformed into the most delightful writing space ever (I will fight you for that title).
2011 we are so going to rock these last days together.
Okay, the above may sound like I'm seriously kicking my own ass but truthfully, that quote made me pick up my pens, my laptop, a wealth of notes and put my butt in the chair. Last month I'd been bemoaning how 2011 had sucked and that hopefully 2012 would be much better. (You know the whole 'woe is me' deal - two fingers to that.) Well it will because 2011 didn't suck because of some weird cosmic force, it sucked because of me. I let 2011 down and not the other way around.
Sorry 2011.
Still, when I realise I'm in the wrong I do try to sort things. To make amends I've written two short stories - The Familiar Buzz of Gone and Where Lost Words Gather, the Comic Strip Boys Fall - and blown lots of kisses at the calendar. The calendar is now shaking but I don't think that's from fear, it must be the photo of the little girl with wings who's lying beneath. She's eager to escape. And I am so about to throw away the cakes we bought from Asda (come on willpower).
Plus 2011 gave me lots of pretty gifts: it gave me two books so far - don't count your chickens and all that especially as my next book doesn't hatch until December 21st and that's dangerously close to the end of the year, I met awesome writer folk, I lost 16lbs (and then put them back on again - oops!), my little niece and nephew came more into their own and are growing into awesome little dudes and my office transformed into the most delightful writing space ever (I will fight you for that title).
2011 we are so going to rock these last days together.
December 2, 2011
The Competition Results
Drum roll please...The winners of my competition (details of which you can find here) are:
Theatre of Curious Acts (Arc) - Ross Warren
Nowhere Hall (contributor's copy of chapbook) - Jamie Lackey
The Best of Necrotic Tissue anthology - Phil Shepherd
and an extra prize (also known as the booby prize :O)
Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits (paperback) - Deborah Walker
Thanks to all who entered - the response was tremendous - and look out for another competition celebrating the release of Theatre later this month.
December 1, 2011
'tis the season to be jolly
I feel this needs to be said at this most wonderful time of the year.
If you only buy one book this Christmas make it a Rob Shearman collection. His stories made my 2011 much more fun and I am eternally thankful to whoever recommended his collection Tiny Deaths. I just wish I could remember who you are.
That is all.
If you only buy one book this Christmas make it a Rob Shearman collection. His stories made my 2011 much more fun and I am eternally thankful to whoever recommended his collection Tiny Deaths. I just wish I could remember who you are.
That is all.
November 28, 2011
The Latest
Some news this delightful Monday (I'm trying to fool Monday into believing I like it)...
Jim McLeod interviewed me over at his Ginger Nuts of Horror Blog. The interview contains smelly socks, Lemony Snicket, chocolate and commas. You can read it here.
Last week, Gef Fox reviewed my forthcoming novella Theatre of Curious Acts. Here be a short excerpt: The first page of every Cate Gardner story is a rabbit hole, through which you find yourself falling into a wonderland of her design, and Theatre of Curious Acts offers a deeper plunge into the abyss of Cate's imagination than anything of hers I've read yet. And you can read the rest of the review here.
Go here, go there, it's like I'm trying to get rid of you.
Jim McLeod interviewed me over at his Ginger Nuts of Horror Blog. The interview contains smelly socks, Lemony Snicket, chocolate and commas. You can read it here.
Last week, Gef Fox reviewed my forthcoming novella Theatre of Curious Acts. Here be a short excerpt: The first page of every Cate Gardner story is a rabbit hole, through which you find yourself falling into a wonderland of her design, and Theatre of Curious Acts offers a deeper plunge into the abyss of Cate's imagination than anything of hers I've read yet. And you can read the rest of the review here.
Go here, go there, it's like I'm trying to get rid of you.
November 26, 2011
Attended another Twisted Tales event last night (I blogge...
Attended another Twisted Tales event last night (I blogged about the last one here) at Waterstones in Liverpool One. This time the guys at Waterstones were celebrating the release of the PS Publishing anthology Gutshot.First off there was an introduction by anthology editor, Conrad Williams followed by readings from Gary McMahon, Joel Lane and Amanda Hemingway. After the readings there was a question and answer session which my pal Simon Bestwick joined because he's also in the anthology.
How cool is my city?
Before the event I met Simon Bestwick, Gary McMahon and Joel Lane in the cafe opposite Waterstones. Never mind my city, how cool am I? I've met Joel before (briefly), but it's the first time I've met Gary and as expected he's super awesome as well as being super talented. Picked up Gary's The Concrete Grove and of course Gutshot. The anthology is available from PS Publishing.
The next Twisted Tales event has readings by Ramsey Campbell and Pete Crowther. Again, how cool is my city?
November 18, 2011
A Week in the Life of a Writer of Weird: The Comeback
Rediscovered how much I love writing and how much I hate eBay. I had a feeling that diverting my attention elsewhere would bring my want to write to the boil. Normal service has resumed. Although, I'd quite like to slip into abnormal service and avoid the glorious distractions of the internet. I'd also like to be able to do that without employing my pal Freedom--not that I've employed him this week. Oops! And wait, who knew Freedom was a man.
Oh for the glory days of my old FontWriter. But, oh man, I would not want to go back to the days of using a typewriter. Actually, I wouldn't really like to go back to no internet and no you guys, and I've made a wealth of new friends this week because….
Putting my email address (competition post) without adding the (at) (dot) business has of course led me to enjoy a wealth of spam. Note to spammers: I'm a writer. Writers don't have any money.
And further news on the contest: To all the Entrants, you are wonderful. Thank you all. And a special extra thank you for buying my little Barbed Wire Hearts and joining in my joy. I have a pretty little hardback book--squee.
I bought myself two glorious handbags this week thanks to a colleague--said through gritted teeth while battling the moths that escaped my purse--who told me about an awesome sale at my favourite store. Is it odd that I bought one of the handbags because it coordinates with my new book? Thought so.
Bring on the handbag spammers.
Thanks to Barbed Wire Hearts, I've resumed my Amazon stalking which is silly because the god Amazon created sales graphs so that you would know if a book sold. At least I think that's how it works. It doesn't however tell you if a hundred have sold if they all happen to have sold in one day. Although, I can assure you that a hundred have not sold. That would be ridiculous.
Now onto the weekend...
Oh for the glory days of my old FontWriter. But, oh man, I would not want to go back to the days of using a typewriter. Actually, I wouldn't really like to go back to no internet and no you guys, and I've made a wealth of new friends this week because….
Putting my email address (competition post) without adding the (at) (dot) business has of course led me to enjoy a wealth of spam. Note to spammers: I'm a writer. Writers don't have any money.
And further news on the contest: To all the Entrants, you are wonderful. Thank you all. And a special extra thank you for buying my little Barbed Wire Hearts and joining in my joy. I have a pretty little hardback book--squee.
I bought myself two glorious handbags this week thanks to a colleague--said through gritted teeth while battling the moths that escaped my purse--who told me about an awesome sale at my favourite store. Is it odd that I bought one of the handbags because it coordinates with my new book? Thought so.
Bring on the handbag spammers.
Thanks to Barbed Wire Hearts, I've resumed my Amazon stalking which is silly because the god Amazon created sales graphs so that you would know if a book sold. At least I think that's how it works. It doesn't however tell you if a hundred have sold if they all happen to have sold in one day. Although, I can assure you that a hundred have not sold. That would be ridiculous.
Now onto the weekend...
