P.C. Hodgell's Blog, page 18

New Story?

Toni has asked me for a new story, length 5-15k words, to be issued free on e-Baen in January. Obviously, it would be good if I could produce one, although it usually takes me nearly as long to write a short story as to write a novel. I've suggested that she reprint "Bones" or "A Ballad of the White Death" if I can't come through. Melinda has suggested a story about Patches in Tai-tastigon, knowing that I would like eventually to write a book (YA?) about her adventures after Jame leaves, but I wonder if that would suit Baen's space opera clientele. Honestly, looking at their stable, I don't know why Baen picked me up at all. Anyway, any suggestions of new short stories that you would like to see?

News

The word from my agent is that the sequel to Honor's Paradox has sold to Baen, which I hope is true. Mind you, it currently exists only in notes. I don't know why it's giving me so much trouble. Maybe part of it is because I see this as a parallel novel to God Stalk: Jame is in a new city with its own religious set up; also, a third of the story is a flashback to Tori's youth there. Toni at Baen calls the outline "ambitious" and my agent suggests two novels, not that I see where to split it. I miss the free-wheeling inventiveness of my youth. Hopefully maturity also has its virtues.

On a darker note, Diana Wynne Jones and Joanna Russ have just died. I didn't know Joanna, but I'll never forget catching a frog in Diana's basement. Both were wonderful writers and will be greatly missed.

Seasons

Here's an idiot question: do Kothifir and the Riverland have roughly the same seasons (hotter to the south, of course)? One is about 2000 miles south of the other on the edge of the Wastes, which I'm modeling more or less on the northern Sahara. We don't know how big Rathillien is as a whole since most of it is swallowed by the Shadows. I should be able to figure this out, but my brain seems to be stuck.

tagmeth @ 2011-04-13T14:27:00

Thanks for your feedback, all. The truth is that I understand the effects of abandonment much better than actual abuse, having been left for my grandmother to raise when I was two years old -- this, after my older brother died as an infant and my parents divorced. That makes Jame's past with Ganth a lot easier for me to comprehend than her time with Gerridon. Matthew is right, though: the Master would have protected her from actual harm, and she found support from Tirandys and Bender. It's the day to day life in the House that I can barely imagine. Some more bits of it may yet come to light as Gerridon tries to reclaim her. After all, his immortality depends on having someone to reap new souls for him.

The question remains: how much more growing up does Jame need to do?

Meanwhile, more misadventures at the stable. Omar was bellowing in his stall while his meadow-mate Queenie was out in the arena giving Cindy a lesson, and I made the mistake of trying to clean his box. He shouldered past me and the wheelbarrow, clattered across the aisle, and plunged into Queenie's empty stall, wherein I shut him. Try arguing with half a ton of agitated horse-flesh. Luckily neither of us was hurt. Marc gave me a fairly mild (all things considered) reproof on not using my common sense. Honestly, I can't seem to go out there without doing at least one stupid thing each time. Am I never to get the hang of this equine business?

tagmeth @ 2011-04-12T20:18:00

I see that I've been quiet for awhile. Blame that on struggles with the new novel which doesn't seem to want to jell. I hate this stage of composition. It makes me feel stupid and incompetent. Perhaps it's time to start organizing notes on a big piece of poster board again, once I write the notes.

Prowling around on Amazon, I found myself on two lists, one positive and one negative. The negative list dismisses God Stalk as childish -- this, I gather, because Jame doesn't show more signs of the trauma she experienced growing up in Perimal Darkling. It's a fair cop. I still haven't dealt with that material in any detail, nor do I particularly want to. Perhaps that's a mistake and a weakness. At this stage of Jame's life, I find myself wondering what other development she needs as a character. Oh, she still has a lot to find out and some seriously unresolved issues with her brother (although less after HP). Perhaps it's time to focus more on bringing Tori and Kindrie up to speed.

Anyway, here, as a reward for your patience, is another tidbit:

II

Something woke Torisen in the small hours of the night: a splash, a muffled cry. Under the cot, the Wolver growled and Yce sat up at its foot, ears pricked.
Torisen rose, knife in hand. At the outer flap he found Burr, Rowan, and most of his escort, the rest presumably guarding the tent's far side.
"What?" he breathed in Rowan's ear.
The Kendar shook her head, still listening intently. The moon had either set or been overwhelmed with clouds, for it was very dark. Neither Wilden nor Shadow Rock showed more than a star-dusting of dim lights, barely enough to distinguish the bulk of each fortress from its enclosing valley. A faint breeze stirred the tent's canvas.
… bloop … bloop, bloop …
The listeners stirred. More plopping sounds came from every part of the meadow.
"It seems that I spoke too soon about the lack of shwupp," said Torisen.
"But what are they after?" asked a young guard nervously.
"We'll find out in the morning," said Rowan, "or not. Shwupp don't leave much. In the meantime no one is to leave the platform. My lord, you should go back to bed. Tomorrow will be a long day."
Torisen acquiesced, but didn't sleep. He could hear the guards speaking softly to each other all around the perimeter of the tent and their feet shuffling on the wood. From beyond them, out in the sodden meadow, came a stealthy sound as if of some great pot boiling.
… bloop, bloop, bloop …
Near dawn it at last fell silent.
Torisen emerged to find Holly already on the platform, bearing panniers of breakfast. Together they stared out over a field now blotched in half a dozen places with spreading circles of blood.

Honor's Paradox

The good news, HP is going to be published hardcover! The bad news, for some reason the cover features a maned lion. Presumably this is the artist's idea of an Arrin-ken. It certainly isn't mine. Ye gods, of all the big cats he could have chosen for a model ...! Still, it's hard-cover. That's the main thing.

Oh, and the boobs are back.

Anyway, my thanks to all the fans who made my trip west so enjoyable. I really enjoyed meeting and hanging out with you in San Jose and Portland! Next time I travel, I'll be sure to give advance warning. That said, my next visit will be to Wiscon in Madison WI over Memorial Day. Is anyone else going?

tagmeth @ 2011-02-25T12:29:00

Hurrah, Baen has finally gotten back to me about Honor's Paradox! Toni says that she "enjoyed it greatly," especially the ending. That's a huge relief. All she wants by way of revision is a page or two more during a certain dream sequence. I'm reminded of when God Stalk was accepted, except that my then editor wanted basically a different book, one without subplots. Luckily, we managed to talk that out.

I'm slowly getting ready for my visit to the West Coast, which is coming up next week. Eek. Brekke is setting up a get-together on next Friday night for anyone in the SF/San Jose area who'd like to meet me. I'm very much looking forward to it. Her full email:

Hello all,

A couple of us locals have put a plan together to meet with with Ms. Hodgell
for dinner on Friday, March 4th at a restaurant in San Jose. If you are in
the area and would like to join us, please contact me at
brekke1111@gmail.comand I will send you the details.

If possible I would like to have a head count by Monday so we can get a
reservation, so let me know!

Thanks,

Brekke

It should be fun.

Trips West

By the way, I'll be in San Jose CA March 2-5 and Portland OR March 8-11 if anyone wants to touch base with me, time and schedule permitting.

Monster continued

I spoke too soon. Here it is at http://bronzeageofblogs.blogspot.com/2009/10/monster-of-dread-end.html. See if it effects you as much as it does me, or is that a generational thing? Does anyone have a comparable favorite?

Monster of Dread End

Whoa! I looked up the story that I remembered so well, and it made The Mammoth Book Of Best Horror Comics (Running Press Book Publishers, 2008 series). Unfortunately it wouldn't download, but it's nice to know that this bit of horror-arcana has been honored.