Ben Aaronovitch's Blog, page 37
March 11, 2011
New Blog Policy
After fiddling around I have a new blog policy. I shall go back to blogging here but stuff relating directly to the books will also be mirrored at the Folly.
Gibbon Wrangling for Beginners: Part 1
Dealing with the Patronage Delusion
It is an unfortunate fact of life that if you embark upon a career in writing that sooner or later you will find yourself dealing with a gibbon(1), sometimes a whole troop of gibbons. This can be a very disorientating experience so I'd thought I'd offer some advice for budding writers.
Because Gibbons are insanely status conscious they frequently see all professional relationships in terms of patronage. Because in the eyes of a gibbon a writer will always have roughly the same status as the cleaning lady this can lead them to exhibit strange behaviour which may cause alarm to the uninitiated.
Gibbons find it very difficult to deal with the fact that they are dependent on lowly writers for their livelihood. The fact that they must rely on talent to develop, produce and finally sell the product causes them a sort of constant low grade psychic pain. Like many people suffering from chronic pain the constant discomfort can lead to irritability, loss of temper and bouts of irrationality. To compensate gibbons frequently seek to recast straightforward professional arrangements as acts of patronage.
In this scenario they see themselves not as, admittedly high paid, media professionals contracting with a fellow professional but as Medici or Saatchi like patrons who have deigned to scatter their largesse on the mendicant writer who perforce must genuflect and kiss the feet of his betters.
Now - when you think you've got an agreement amongst equals and they believe that they've allowed the beneficent light of their countenance fall upon your unworthy form – it can lead to certain amount of cognitive dissonance. For example:
A SCRIPT DEVELOPING MEETING
YOU: I've knocked up a few sample scenes to test the concept I think it would be useful if you had a look to see if you thought I was on the right track.
GIBBON: No! I must not for it is written that in the beginning there shall be the pitch and the pitch shall beget the summary and from the loins of the summery shall come the outline which shall beget the scene breakdown and only then, when each and every one of these has been discussed yea unto the nth degree shall the script be written. So it is written, so shall it be. So say we all.
YOU: Wouldn't it just be quicker if…
GIBBON: You dare question the wisdom of the ages, down upon your belly worm and beg forgiveness of the almighty commissioning editor before whom you are but a lowly dung beetle.
I think you'll agree that such an exchange is not conducive to a good working relationship.
Remedy: unfortunately like most the problems associated with a gibbon infestation there is almost certainly no cure(3) but there are strategies that can help ameliorate the most unpleasant symptoms.
Firstly: don't be an enabler. It's always tempting to 'go with the flow' in the hope of having a quiet life but this would be a mistake. Enabling this kind of delusional behaviour is counterproductive in the long run and not good for the gibbons themselves.
Secondly: be firm. Always be firm and explain your position in clear measured tones. If you see signs that the gibbon has misinterpreted your position remain calm and restate your position again.
Thirdly: never lose your temper. Gibbons are hypersensitive to status and react very negatively to any suggestion that they may have offended or overstepped the bounds. The males in particular are prone to excessive territoriality which can manifest in chest beating, insults and feces hurling. It's best to just to wait for these episodes to subside and then to continue as if nothing has happened.
Fourthly: do not be afraid to walk away. Ultimately you can do without them but they can't do without you.
(1) Not real gibbons(2), see previous posts.
(2) Although that would be kind of cool.
(3) Many writers are pushing for a cull(4) but animal rights groups have objected.
(4) Can I reiterate that I'm not talking about real gibbons here.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that if you embark upon a career in writing that sooner or later you will find yourself dealing with a gibbon(1), sometimes a whole troop of gibbons. This can be a very disorientating experience so I'd thought I'd offer some advice for budding writers.
Because Gibbons are insanely status conscious they frequently see all professional relationships in terms of patronage. Because in the eyes of a gibbon a writer will always have roughly the same status as the cleaning lady this can lead them to exhibit strange behaviour which may cause alarm to the uninitiated.
Gibbons find it very difficult to deal with the fact that they are dependent on lowly writers for their livelihood. The fact that they must rely on talent to develop, produce and finally sell the product causes them a sort of constant low grade psychic pain. Like many people suffering from chronic pain the constant discomfort can lead to irritability, loss of temper and bouts of irrationality. To compensate gibbons frequently seek to recast straightforward professional arrangements as acts of patronage.
In this scenario they see themselves not as, admittedly high paid, media professionals contracting with a fellow professional but as Medici or Saatchi like patrons who have deigned to scatter their largesse on the mendicant writer who perforce must genuflect and kiss the feet of his betters.
Now - when you think you've got an agreement amongst equals and they believe that they've allowed the beneficent light of their countenance fall upon your unworthy form – it can lead to certain amount of cognitive dissonance. For example:
A SCRIPT DEVELOPING MEETING
YOU: I've knocked up a few sample scenes to test the concept I think it would be useful if you had a look to see if you thought I was on the right track.
GIBBON: No! I must not for it is written that in the beginning there shall be the pitch and the pitch shall beget the summary and from the loins of the summery shall come the outline which shall beget the scene breakdown and only then, when each and every one of these has been discussed yea unto the nth degree shall the script be written. So it is written, so shall it be. So say we all.
YOU: Wouldn't it just be quicker if…
GIBBON: You dare question the wisdom of the ages, down upon your belly worm and beg forgiveness of the almighty commissioning editor before whom you are but a lowly dung beetle.
I think you'll agree that such an exchange is not conducive to a good working relationship.
Remedy: unfortunately like most the problems associated with a gibbon infestation there is almost certainly no cure(3) but there are strategies that can help ameliorate the most unpleasant symptoms.
Firstly: don't be an enabler. It's always tempting to 'go with the flow' in the hope of having a quiet life but this would be a mistake. Enabling this kind of delusional behaviour is counterproductive in the long run and not good for the gibbons themselves.
Secondly: be firm. Always be firm and explain your position in clear measured tones. If you see signs that the gibbon has misinterpreted your position remain calm and restate your position again.
Thirdly: never lose your temper. Gibbons are hypersensitive to status and react very negatively to any suggestion that they may have offended or overstepped the bounds. The males in particular are prone to excessive territoriality which can manifest in chest beating, insults and feces hurling. It's best to just to wait for these episodes to subside and then to continue as if nothing has happened.
Fourthly: do not be afraid to walk away. Ultimately you can do without them but they can't do without you.
(1) Not real gibbons(2), see previous posts.
(2) Although that would be kind of cool.
(3) Many writers are pushing for a cull(4) but animal rights groups have objected.
(4) Can I reiterate that I'm not talking about real gibbons here.
February 7, 2011
January 31, 2011
Midnight Riot: US Launch Tomorrow
My novel Midnight Riot is officially released in the US and Canada on the 1st of February 2011 and will be available at all good bookshops(1), online and in many electronic formats.Midnight Riot: what the critics are saying...
"...fresh and original and a wonderful read. I loved it." - Charlaine Harris
"A hilarious, keenly imagined caper." - Diana Gabaldon
"Filled with detail and imagination, the quality of this achievement stands out...." - Peter F. Hamilton
"A witty and inventive twist to urban fantasy...Wouldn't let go until the last page." - Mario Acevedo
"...sweet relief for readers allergic to cliché." - Locus Magazine
"...the most satisfying fantasy thriller to hit bookshelves in quite some time." - SFX Magazine
"...witty, fun, and full of vivid characters, and the plot twists will keep even seasoned mystery fans guessing." - Publishers Weekly
A round up of links to the online reviews can be found here.
Midnight Riot is published in the UK by Gollancz as Rivers of London and a second book featuring the further adventures of Peter Grant, Moon Over Soho, will be released on both sides of the pond this spring!
(1) And hopefully most of the bad bookshops as well.
January 27, 2011
Peter Grant Has His Own Blog
Peter Grant now has his own blog here which is not bad for a fictional character. On it you will find useful definitions of police slang, exciting information and other... stuff that Peter thinks is clever.
January 24, 2011
Have Been On Simon Mayo's Book Club
It was a lot of fun and quite unnerving and I'm really glad that they didn't tell me I was talking to an estimated 12 million people until it was safely over. Those of you who missed it can catch up on BBC catch up here. Thanks to everyone who asked questions and those that have left me nice messages on twitter and email when I got back.
Book Club Tonight
Tonight, six o'clock, you, me and Simon Mayo just chatting about my book - no pressure.
January 23, 2011
Online Review Round Up: The Mega Remix
"I think it is a pretty damn good book." - Book Monkeys"I loved Midnight Riot" - Noobling Nest
"...strikingly original, exceedingly clever, and at times, pleasingly grim." - Rob Will Review
"...entertaining, clever, innovative and compellingly readable." - Bookface
"...assured, witty and great fun to read." - Floor To Ceiling Books
"Peter Grant is a much more active and likeable protagonist... " - Sophia McDougall
"...a great start to what will hopefully be a long series of adventures." - SFRevu
"...the sights and smells of London just ooze out from between the pages." - Love Vampires
"...an extremely fun experience." - The Book Smugglers
"Aaronovitch has captured that magical essence of London and bottled it so we can get that full undiluted flavour." - Greame's Fantasy Book Review
"...a page-turning, relentlessly entertaining novel which injects some vigour into the urban fantasy subgenre." - The Wertzone
"...the most satisfying fantasy thriller to hit bookshelves in quite some time." - SFX Magazine
"...a fun and fast read." - The Ranting Dragon
"...a superb paranormal fantasy that will charm both genre fans and mystery readers alike." - Grasping For The Wind
"...an easy book to pick up and a near-impossible one to put down." - Pornokitsch
"With vivid characters, a plot that is paced very well and a mixture of humour, darkness and detailed observations of police procedure and of London itself the book is compelling and charming." - Bullshit From A Geek
"...a strong, funny and engaging series opener..." - Total Sci-Fi Online
"...sweet relief for readers allergic to cliché." - Locus Magazine
"...an immersive and extremely funny fantasy that is as believable as it is entertaining. " - The Ultimate Book Guide
January 22, 2011
Not Much Happening Here
I apologise for the sparsity of blogs recently but I'm under orders, from mein publishers, to work on my website and blog in readiness for the US Launch on Feb 1. When they're up and running I shall announce it here and get back to drowning you in the trivia of my life.
