Lyda Morehouse's Blog, page 30
August 18, 2014
The Picture Editor is Still Busted
I was really hoping to catalogue our trip to Washington, DC with photos, but the picture editor/attacher mechanism over here on LJ is still busted. Your best bet to see all the pictures is going to be to scroll through: https://www.facebook.com/lyda.morehouse, which you should be able to do without being signed-up (though I don't know that for sure.)
Many apologizes.
It was a great trip, all and all. While Shawn was stuck in endless meetings, Mason and I were power-tourists. Our hotel was within walking distance of the zoo, so that was one of our first stops. We spent two days exploring the museums on the Mall (our favorite was the Natural History Museum), took in a show at the Kennedy Center, saw the Library of Congress (Mason wept to think of 35 million books), the National Archives (where we saw the Constitution, etc.,) waved to the empty White House (apparently Mr. Obama has been on vacation too), saw all the various monuments, went all the way out the National Arboretum, attempted to kayak the Potomac (we couldn't find the boat rental), went to the Spy Museum, ate out, and generally learned to navigate the Metro like pros.
All in five days.
I'm pooped now and ready to be home and back to my usual things.
While we were away my Bloggin' for Books book arrived. I ordered a book about how to become a comic book artist called Comic Book Art: Fundamental Tools and Techniques for Sequential Artists by John Paul Lowe, which I've pawed through and it's made me feel like the worst artist in the history of art. I've been contemplating how to blog about this visceral and emotional reaction to what is essentially a text book. I wrote something up, but I'm not sure if it's a review or a whine about my life. The sad thing is that I can't order another book until I review this one, so I'm going to have to figure something out.
Also a check came from my agent. I'm apparently selling like gangbusters over at Audible.com. The entire Garnet Lacey series is there and available, and, for whatever mysterious and awesome reason, is selling REALLY well. Here's the first one: http://www.amazon.com/Tall-Dark-and-Dead/dp/B00COIYSHW/. You can listen to a sample for free.
On the flip side, I also got a rejection for a writing job I applied for. It was for a game company called Choice of Games: https://www.choiceofgames.com/about-us/. They were looking for writers to write Choose Your Own Adventure style story games for them. Technically, I failed to be good enough to pitch them, which I guess makes me even more of a doofus. But, I blame myself. They were looking for a 3 - 5 page sample of writing and I sent them the very first story I ever sold, "Irish Blood," because it's one of the few stories that's actually short enough for me to send them something complete. I'm still immensely proud of that story and I thought it best to show something with a beginning, middle, and ending. I still think the story is awesome. It was awesome enough to be reprinted in the Best of Dreams of Decadence not that long ago, after all. But, it's about a fairy and a vampire, and it's possible the gaming folks felt that kind of story was very 'been there, done that.'
Who knows.
It would have been an interesting gig, had I gotten it. But, it also would have been a LOT of work. A friend of mine who applied with me is still in the running and I'll be curious how the process goes if she makes it past this hurtle. (Fingers crossed!) I have to admit I'm fascinated by the directions in which writing and writer/reader interactions are headed. I'm starting to have real fun over at WattPad, and I see this fan-fiction model as a really fascinating experiment in continuing writing outside and beyond traditional New York publishing houses. What is writing going to be like in the future? I suspect it's going to be much more like this, because most people look for writing on-line these days.
A blog just won a Hugo, after all.
Many apologizes.
It was a great trip, all and all. While Shawn was stuck in endless meetings, Mason and I were power-tourists. Our hotel was within walking distance of the zoo, so that was one of our first stops. We spent two days exploring the museums on the Mall (our favorite was the Natural History Museum), took in a show at the Kennedy Center, saw the Library of Congress (Mason wept to think of 35 million books), the National Archives (where we saw the Constitution, etc.,) waved to the empty White House (apparently Mr. Obama has been on vacation too), saw all the various monuments, went all the way out the National Arboretum, attempted to kayak the Potomac (we couldn't find the boat rental), went to the Spy Museum, ate out, and generally learned to navigate the Metro like pros.
All in five days.
I'm pooped now and ready to be home and back to my usual things.
While we were away my Bloggin' for Books book arrived. I ordered a book about how to become a comic book artist called Comic Book Art: Fundamental Tools and Techniques for Sequential Artists by John Paul Lowe, which I've pawed through and it's made me feel like the worst artist in the history of art. I've been contemplating how to blog about this visceral and emotional reaction to what is essentially a text book. I wrote something up, but I'm not sure if it's a review or a whine about my life. The sad thing is that I can't order another book until I review this one, so I'm going to have to figure something out.
Also a check came from my agent. I'm apparently selling like gangbusters over at Audible.com. The entire Garnet Lacey series is there and available, and, for whatever mysterious and awesome reason, is selling REALLY well. Here's the first one: http://www.amazon.com/Tall-Dark-and-Dead/dp/B00COIYSHW/. You can listen to a sample for free.
On the flip side, I also got a rejection for a writing job I applied for. It was for a game company called Choice of Games: https://www.choiceofgames.com/about-us/. They were looking for writers to write Choose Your Own Adventure style story games for them. Technically, I failed to be good enough to pitch them, which I guess makes me even more of a doofus. But, I blame myself. They were looking for a 3 - 5 page sample of writing and I sent them the very first story I ever sold, "Irish Blood," because it's one of the few stories that's actually short enough for me to send them something complete. I'm still immensely proud of that story and I thought it best to show something with a beginning, middle, and ending. I still think the story is awesome. It was awesome enough to be reprinted in the Best of Dreams of Decadence not that long ago, after all. But, it's about a fairy and a vampire, and it's possible the gaming folks felt that kind of story was very 'been there, done that.'
Who knows.
It would have been an interesting gig, had I gotten it. But, it also would have been a LOT of work. A friend of mine who applied with me is still in the running and I'll be curious how the process goes if she makes it past this hurtle. (Fingers crossed!) I have to admit I'm fascinated by the directions in which writing and writer/reader interactions are headed. I'm starting to have real fun over at WattPad, and I see this fan-fiction model as a really fascinating experiment in continuing writing outside and beyond traditional New York publishing houses. What is writing going to be like in the future? I suspect it's going to be much more like this, because most people look for writing on-line these days.
A blog just won a Hugo, after all.
August 9, 2014
Latest chapters of SnK and Ao No Exorcist Reviewed
Because our podcast will be on hiatus next week, I've written up my reviews of Shingeki no Kyojin (aka Attack on Titan) #60 and Ao no Exorcist (aka Blue Exorcist) #59 for you and posted them on our MangaKast blog site: https://mangakast.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/review-newest-snk-and-ao-no-exorcist/
August 8, 2014
Want More AngeLINK? Here's a chance...
In support of this anthology, Accessing the Future, I've offered to write your name into a brand-new, original AngeLINK story. The price is $250, which could, if you contact me directly, also include any kind prompt you might like to give me. Do you wish I'd write another story about Mouse? Michael? A character that never seems to get enough love? Well, if you donate to this anthology not only will I give you that, but also 'tuck' your name into it (a tuckerization, which is actually, if I remember my science fiction lore right is named after a person who was written into a story.) At any rate, it's a cool thing and a cool project.
There's also a chance to get all of the AngeLINK books in e-format, with a bonus short story, that was previously only published in on-line magazine many, many years ago called "Case of the Missing Devil Child."
There's also a chance to get all of the AngeLINK books in e-format, with a bonus short story, that was previously only published in on-line magazine many, many years ago called "Case of the Missing Devil Child."
August 6, 2014
Some updates...
First, since it's Wedsneday, you should check out Mason and I doing our manga thing:http://mangakast.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/20-manga-and-gender-and-more/
In this one we actually almost touch on something deep... well, to some extent, given that I'm talking about all this without a lot of coffee and very off the cuff. I've been on a not-so-very-serious quest to uncover more information about intersexed and transgendered representations in manga after the appearance of Giselle in Bleach. I found an interesting manga at the library called Wandering Son (which is alternately translated as Transient Son) about boy who wants to dress as/be a girl and After School Nightmare about an intersexed character who is forced to chose a gender identity as part of 'graduation' from a very weird (and dreamscape) high school (I did not, for reasons, read much of that one.) At any rate, I can't say that I've anything terribly insightful to say in the podcast, but I may end up doing a manga review of Wandering Son once I read a bit more of it, because... well, it rather combines all my interests: manga and GLBT issues.
I also apparently forgot to tell you all that I posted a new installment of Unjust Cause on Wattpad called The Stepmonster yesterday, in which Alex calls home after being prompted to do so by Nana Spider and ends up talking to the last person she wants to hear from....
You know, if you've been reading along, please do. If not, well, it'll all be there (better edited) when it's done and I've made it into an e-book.
The other fun thing that's happened in my life is that I got tapped to write a story for GISHWHES, which I'd never heard of before, but which is, apparently, a world-wide scavenger hunt organized by the actor Misha Collins (of Supernatural and, in my universe, Tumblr ships.) The request was not hard. The requirement was "a previously published science fiction author" writes a story LESS THAN 140 words involving Misha Collins (see above), the Queen of England, and the mascot of this year's scavenger hunt: an eliopus (a half-elephant/half-octopus.) I felt kind of honored to be asked because, well, truthfully, sometimes I don't feel very much like an author of the sort that gets asked to do these kinds of things (when I asked about this on my super-secret pro e-mail list I found out that people of the caliber like Charlie Stross and Garth Nix were getting inundated with requests.) So, you know, that made me feel like one of big league, which I almost never do.
And anyway, once I read the funny little job interview for "El Eliopus," the story sort of wrote itself. Plus, the scavenger hunt itself is kind of amusing and cool-sounding if you read about it, so I was happy to help. It took me ten minutes, if that. So, you know, and easy job that made me feel part of something.
Otherwise, I've been working like mad on a project that will be launching in September. I'll have more news about that soon, but Garnet Lacey fans may have something to look forward to....
In this one we actually almost touch on something deep... well, to some extent, given that I'm talking about all this without a lot of coffee and very off the cuff. I've been on a not-so-very-serious quest to uncover more information about intersexed and transgendered representations in manga after the appearance of Giselle in Bleach. I found an interesting manga at the library called Wandering Son (which is alternately translated as Transient Son) about boy who wants to dress as/be a girl and After School Nightmare about an intersexed character who is forced to chose a gender identity as part of 'graduation' from a very weird (and dreamscape) high school (I did not, for reasons, read much of that one.) At any rate, I can't say that I've anything terribly insightful to say in the podcast, but I may end up doing a manga review of Wandering Son once I read a bit more of it, because... well, it rather combines all my interests: manga and GLBT issues.
I also apparently forgot to tell you all that I posted a new installment of Unjust Cause on Wattpad called The Stepmonster yesterday, in which Alex calls home after being prompted to do so by Nana Spider and ends up talking to the last person she wants to hear from....
You know, if you've been reading along, please do. If not, well, it'll all be there (better edited) when it's done and I've made it into an e-book.
The other fun thing that's happened in my life is that I got tapped to write a story for GISHWHES, which I'd never heard of before, but which is, apparently, a world-wide scavenger hunt organized by the actor Misha Collins (of Supernatural and, in my universe, Tumblr ships.) The request was not hard. The requirement was "a previously published science fiction author" writes a story LESS THAN 140 words involving Misha Collins (see above), the Queen of England, and the mascot of this year's scavenger hunt: an eliopus (a half-elephant/half-octopus.) I felt kind of honored to be asked because, well, truthfully, sometimes I don't feel very much like an author of the sort that gets asked to do these kinds of things (when I asked about this on my super-secret pro e-mail list I found out that people of the caliber like Charlie Stross and Garth Nix were getting inundated with requests.) So, you know, that made me feel like one of big league, which I almost never do.
And anyway, once I read the funny little job interview for "El Eliopus," the story sort of wrote itself. Plus, the scavenger hunt itself is kind of amusing and cool-sounding if you read about it, so I was happy to help. It took me ten minutes, if that. So, you know, and easy job that made me feel part of something.
Otherwise, I've been working like mad on a project that will be launching in September. I'll have more news about that soon, but Garnet Lacey fans may have something to look forward to....
July 30, 2014
Mullets, Diaper Bombs, and Devil Forks
Seriously, this is why you need to be tuning into the weekly manga podcast: we have diaper bombs, devil forks, and a frank and serious discussion of who wore the mullet hottest in Bleach....
Why would you not what to listen to that??
http://mangakast.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/20-shipping-shippy-ships/
Also, we distracted by shipping wars. Because: fandom. And, it turns out I have a secret IchiRuki shipper in my household (who knew?)
Why would you not what to listen to that??
http://mangakast.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/20-shipping-shippy-ships/
Also, we distracted by shipping wars. Because: fandom. And, it turns out I have a secret IchiRuki shipper in my household (who knew?)
July 29, 2014
Tuesdays with Tate
Nana Spider speaks in riddles and rhymes, but Alex finally gets some vital information about her true nature: http://www.wattpad.com/62506189-unjust-cause-part-18-said-the-spider-to-the-dragon
That's right, folks, the newest installment is up on WattPad for your enjoyment. It's a little shorter than usual. My apologies. But this morning was eaten up by Mason's "celebration" (read: faux graduation) from Elementary School. Certificates were handed out, applause were applauded, and there was cake. I had to laugh though, because martial arts has kind of ruined my child. We haven't been to Kuk Sool in well over a year, but after all the belt ceremonies and whatnot, it's still very ingrained in Mason that you shake hands and then you bow.
So, there goes my child to shake the principal's hand and then he her offers her a bow.
Afterward, he kind of realizes he's done something a bit off, looks vaguely awkward, and yet, when his teacher hands him the certificate and shakes his hand, he does it again.
It was kind of cute, especially given that none of the kids of Asian descent did anything remotely like that.
That's right, folks, the newest installment is up on WattPad for your enjoyment. It's a little shorter than usual. My apologies. But this morning was eaten up by Mason's "celebration" (read: faux graduation) from Elementary School. Certificates were handed out, applause were applauded, and there was cake. I had to laugh though, because martial arts has kind of ruined my child. We haven't been to Kuk Sool in well over a year, but after all the belt ceremonies and whatnot, it's still very ingrained in Mason that you shake hands and then you bow.
So, there goes my child to shake the principal's hand and then he her offers her a bow.
Afterward, he kind of realizes he's done something a bit off, looks vaguely awkward, and yet, when his teacher hands him the certificate and shakes his hand, he does it again.
It was kind of cute, especially given that none of the kids of Asian descent did anything remotely like that.
July 28, 2014
Why I Hate Sporking*
*throws up in mouth*
This comment was left on one of my fics the other day. Because I'm that kind of person, I re-read the fic in question and tried to determine what on earth I wrote that would have caused that reaction. The fic that elicited this remark wasn't terribly explicit, which is to say there was no actual sex scene a person might have gotten squicked over. There was a conversation between two adults about sex, and I suppose someone could have been upset since one of the characters is discussing these things with her childhood friend who is currently sleeping with her adoptive brother. But, the scene was intended to be all the awkward you might imagine something like that would be. Also the fic is clearly tagged for the male pairing, so if this person preferred the stories where the childhood friends get together, you'd think the tags alone would have been a clue NOT TO GO THERE.
What is strange to me is that someone felt the need to leave this cryptic insult/comment in the middle of a long-running series without further explanation.
It is all of four words, with two asterisks, absolutely no other context, and of course, it's been nagging me for DAYS.
This is why the idea of sporking makes me violently ill.
I'm a professional writer. I've had to suffer the slings and arrows of Amazon.com reviews and fellow professional writers snarkily saying "less of Morehouse is better" in print. And, yet, four little words, surrounded by two asterisks, KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT.
Truth is, I remember all the bad things anyone ever said about my professionally published novels. A hundred people can tell me a story or novel or a fic is awesome, but even the slightest remark that implies there's something seriously wrong with my writing (or myself) and it will haunt me forever... or at least several days.
Despite the fact that I'm going to probably turn this moment around and around in my mind for days, I know I'm going to survive it. If I kept writing after the "Less of Morehouse" comment (which always makes me think of a playground taunt), this is not going to end me.
But it's really not hard to see how it could.
I mean, writers (and artists in general, I imagine) have very fragile egos (even if successful artists are also usually resilient), none of which is helped by the mercurial nature of our business. There's this sense that good books survive and sucky books die on the shelf. Nothing could be less true. Many an amazing author has withered; and many books (do I have to remind you all of 50 Shades of Gray or Bridges Over Madison County???) become best sellers for reasons that baffle many of the rest of us. Yet, when a career does stall or a book fails, the writer almost always blames themselves. Every bad word ever written about any of their books loom large. Every cliche they ever used is examined and found embarrassing and wanting and oh-god-how-could-I-have-ever-thought-I-was-any-good!
When you're professionally published, however, that's kind of the deal, the dues you pay.
When you're writing for fun/pleasure.... what's the joy in poking someone? I guess like any bullying, it makes the bully feel bigger. I don't understand it. It's far easier to ignore the fic writers whose stuff I find subpar than to drag myself through it and then go to the added trouble of hitting comment and writing out some vague insult. I don't know, it's like walking up to a random person you don't know and whispering, "You're ugly." That thing we all fear is true.
What can I say? Random fic bullying: *throws up in mouth*
This comment was left on one of my fics the other day. Because I'm that kind of person, I re-read the fic in question and tried to determine what on earth I wrote that would have caused that reaction. The fic that elicited this remark wasn't terribly explicit, which is to say there was no actual sex scene a person might have gotten squicked over. There was a conversation between two adults about sex, and I suppose someone could have been upset since one of the characters is discussing these things with her childhood friend who is currently sleeping with her adoptive brother. But, the scene was intended to be all the awkward you might imagine something like that would be. Also the fic is clearly tagged for the male pairing, so if this person preferred the stories where the childhood friends get together, you'd think the tags alone would have been a clue NOT TO GO THERE.
What is strange to me is that someone felt the need to leave this cryptic insult/comment in the middle of a long-running series without further explanation.
It is all of four words, with two asterisks, absolutely no other context, and of course, it's been nagging me for DAYS.
This is why the idea of sporking makes me violently ill.
I'm a professional writer. I've had to suffer the slings and arrows of Amazon.com reviews and fellow professional writers snarkily saying "less of Morehouse is better" in print. And, yet, four little words, surrounded by two asterisks, KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT.
Truth is, I remember all the bad things anyone ever said about my professionally published novels. A hundred people can tell me a story or novel or a fic is awesome, but even the slightest remark that implies there's something seriously wrong with my writing (or myself) and it will haunt me forever... or at least several days.
Despite the fact that I'm going to probably turn this moment around and around in my mind for days, I know I'm going to survive it. If I kept writing after the "Less of Morehouse" comment (which always makes me think of a playground taunt), this is not going to end me.
But it's really not hard to see how it could.
I mean, writers (and artists in general, I imagine) have very fragile egos (even if successful artists are also usually resilient), none of which is helped by the mercurial nature of our business. There's this sense that good books survive and sucky books die on the shelf. Nothing could be less true. Many an amazing author has withered; and many books (do I have to remind you all of 50 Shades of Gray or Bridges Over Madison County???) become best sellers for reasons that baffle many of the rest of us. Yet, when a career does stall or a book fails, the writer almost always blames themselves. Every bad word ever written about any of their books loom large. Every cliche they ever used is examined and found embarrassing and wanting and oh-god-how-could-I-have-ever-thought-I-was-any-good!
When you're professionally published, however, that's kind of the deal, the dues you pay.
When you're writing for fun/pleasure.... what's the joy in poking someone? I guess like any bullying, it makes the bully feel bigger. I don't understand it. It's far easier to ignore the fic writers whose stuff I find subpar than to drag myself through it and then go to the added trouble of hitting comment and writing out some vague insult. I don't know, it's like walking up to a random person you don't know and whispering, "You're ugly." That thing we all fear is true.
What can I say? Random fic bullying: *throws up in mouth*
July 25, 2014
Deadpool & The Digital Age
Marvel is giving Deadpool: The Gauntlet Infinite Comic #1 (Duggan & Posehn/Brown) away for free, along with #2.
I'll be perfectly honest, my Deadpool fandom goes like this: Vague memory of Deadpool from X-men.... [scrolling through Tumblr] Ha! Funny Cosplayer in Deadpool outfit! [more scrolling] HA! Someone reprinted one of his more outrageous lines from a comic book. [/close Tumblr].
Given that in-depth (not!) experience with the character, I can't say that I'm any kind of expert on whether or not "The Gauntlet Infinite" stands up to the usual Deadpool fare. But, it seems patently obvious that Deadpool is meant to be funny and scampy and more than a little off color, and these two comics totally fit that bill. Plus, there are... vampires. How can you go wrong?
Similarly, I really like Reilly Brown's art. It's old school in a style that appeals to me and the way that the Marvel Comics Reader app-thingy works means you get almost an animated-but-still-flat experience. It's really nifty the way that the art shifts through the action and the dialogue. Despite being a comics fan forever, I'd never before tried digital comics and if this is the usual experience, I'm all in. It was really cool. The opening part of The Gauntlet Infinite had a kind of James Bond film opening vibe to it that was both really beautiful, while being still very Deadpool (which is to say sort of silly).
As part of this free package, they're also giving away an Iron Man: Fatal Frontier Infinite #1 (and #2) as well as Wolverine: Japan's Most Wanted Infinite #1 (and #2).
I will read them all, because: why not? They're free.
I'll be perfectly honest, my Deadpool fandom goes like this: Vague memory of Deadpool from X-men.... [scrolling through Tumblr] Ha! Funny Cosplayer in Deadpool outfit! [more scrolling] HA! Someone reprinted one of his more outrageous lines from a comic book. [/close Tumblr].
Given that in-depth (not!) experience with the character, I can't say that I'm any kind of expert on whether or not "The Gauntlet Infinite" stands up to the usual Deadpool fare. But, it seems patently obvious that Deadpool is meant to be funny and scampy and more than a little off color, and these two comics totally fit that bill. Plus, there are... vampires. How can you go wrong?
Similarly, I really like Reilly Brown's art. It's old school in a style that appeals to me and the way that the Marvel Comics Reader app-thingy works means you get almost an animated-but-still-flat experience. It's really nifty the way that the art shifts through the action and the dialogue. Despite being a comics fan forever, I'd never before tried digital comics and if this is the usual experience, I'm all in. It was really cool. The opening part of The Gauntlet Infinite had a kind of James Bond film opening vibe to it that was both really beautiful, while being still very Deadpool (which is to say sort of silly).
As part of this free package, they're also giving away an Iron Man: Fatal Frontier Infinite #1 (and #2) as well as Wolverine: Japan's Most Wanted Infinite #1 (and #2).
I will read them all, because: why not? They're free.
July 23, 2014
Podcast of Silliness
Yep, Mason and I are still at this... if you're interested in hearing the two of us talk about our favorite manga's current weekly chapters, check us out: http://mangakast.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/you-are-my-sunshine-eighteen/
Also, I drew more Renji fan art: http://junko222.deviantart.com/art/Relaxing-in-the-Human-World-470045243
And now I have to run as I have many birthday presents to wrap for a certain manga podcast co-host who is turning 11 tomorrow.
Also, I drew more Renji fan art: http://junko222.deviantart.com/art/Relaxing-in-the-Human-World-470045243
And now I have to run as I have many birthday presents to wrap for a certain manga podcast co-host who is turning 11 tomorrow.
July 22, 2014
Tool-using corvids...
So, the newest installment of my work-in-progress is up on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/61180773-unjust-cause-part-17-the-cleverness-of-birds in which tool-welding corvids stage a jail break.
I've veered off outline for these last couple of installments, but I think I'm pushing my way back toward the outline. Wish me luck.
Also, I need to make time tonight to keep working on the e-book version of this. Of course, being me, things are changing fairly significantly as I do revision. This was bound to happen. Ask anyone in my writers' group.
I've veered off outline for these last couple of installments, but I think I'm pushing my way back toward the outline. Wish me luck.
Also, I need to make time tonight to keep working on the e-book version of this. Of course, being me, things are changing fairly significantly as I do revision. This was bound to happen. Ask anyone in my writers' group.
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