Lyda Morehouse's Blog, page 69
February 2, 2012
Ahem
*cough* Just saying "junko" at Archive of Our Own.... *cough*
Hula Fail
Hula hooping looks much easier than it is. I had my first class last night, and I have to say this: hula hoop = fail; KSW = for the win. The reason my martial arts won over the hooping is that I could not get through the class without "yes, ma'am"ing my instructor more than once. Also, at one point when I was concentrating on trying to get the back-and-forth (not round and round!) rhythm down, I found that I had my hands up in front of my face, as if blocking for sparring.
I must have looked quite the sight.
What was funny too, is that when she suggested that the proper stance for hula hooping was with one foot forward I had a hard time not just going into "ready position" for the KSW forms.
So sads.
Luckily, about two-thirds of the way through the class, I realized that hooping was less of a "sport" and more of a dance. I almost got it going several times. I did, at least, rule the two hand twirls she taught us, because the motion needed to keep the hoop spinning was exactly like twirling nunchucks (which we call jool bong.)
I was certainly the only lesbian in class (though there was another woman "of a certain age" with comfortable shoes, but whom I suspect of being the kind of butch certain grandmas decide to be when they're done doing all that stuff straight women do.) There was one guy. Frank? Who was, sadly for him, not gay. He had all the grace and poise of a dorky white boy. Thus, I felt a certain affinity with him instantly. It helped that we were both so uncoordinated that we flung our hoops at one another from time to time.
The rest of my classmates were divided among the teen to twenty-somethings girls who could already hula hoop like pros, and the super-skinny-stay-at-home-mom types who came dressed for a fashion show.
Another reason KSW wins. I never feel like quite such an oddball there.
Still, there's only a half dozen classes or so. My goal is to actually figure out how to keep the stupid hoop going around my waist before class is over. I purchased a hoop from the instructor which I'll get next time and so I can continue to hoop as an "at home" excercise. I will say, given the state of my stomach muscles already, I suspect hooping is very good for "the core," as people say. (I say "already" because my experience with KSW is that I don't usually wake up with muscle soreness the morning after a hard workout, but that it comes on closer to twenty-four hours later. If that's still coming from hooping, I'm going to need to take Advil BEFORE class next time.)
I must have looked quite the sight.
What was funny too, is that when she suggested that the proper stance for hula hooping was with one foot forward I had a hard time not just going into "ready position" for the KSW forms.
So sads.
Luckily, about two-thirds of the way through the class, I realized that hooping was less of a "sport" and more of a dance. I almost got it going several times. I did, at least, rule the two hand twirls she taught us, because the motion needed to keep the hoop spinning was exactly like twirling nunchucks (which we call jool bong.)
I was certainly the only lesbian in class (though there was another woman "of a certain age" with comfortable shoes, but whom I suspect of being the kind of butch certain grandmas decide to be when they're done doing all that stuff straight women do.) There was one guy. Frank? Who was, sadly for him, not gay. He had all the grace and poise of a dorky white boy. Thus, I felt a certain affinity with him instantly. It helped that we were both so uncoordinated that we flung our hoops at one another from time to time.
The rest of my classmates were divided among the teen to twenty-somethings girls who could already hula hoop like pros, and the super-skinny-stay-at-home-mom types who came dressed for a fashion show.
Another reason KSW wins. I never feel like quite such an oddball there.
Still, there's only a half dozen classes or so. My goal is to actually figure out how to keep the stupid hoop going around my waist before class is over. I purchased a hoop from the instructor which I'll get next time and so I can continue to hoop as an "at home" excercise. I will say, given the state of my stomach muscles already, I suspect hooping is very good for "the core," as people say. (I say "already" because my experience with KSW is that I don't usually wake up with muscle soreness the morning after a hard workout, but that it comes on closer to twenty-four hours later. If that's still coming from hooping, I'm going to need to take Advil BEFORE class next time.)
January 31, 2012
OMG, I have it BAD
Okay, now you all have an icon to watch for when I'm likely to talk a lot about my newest obsession. Everyone, this is Gin Ichimaru. He's evil, but kind of like a fox... playful, teasing... vicious. When you see him up there in the corner, I will talk about Bleach. A lot. This is just a test, however. I'm going to talk about other things in today's post.
But you are warned.
Seriously, I can't remember the last time someone else's fiction has gotten me this worked up. Most likely it hasn't been since high school, and the days when I used to draw pictures and write scads of fan fic (pre-internet, thank god!) of Katherine Kurtz's Deryni or Anne McCaffery's dragonriders.
Don't tell anyone, but I actually wrote slash for Bleach....
I haven't decided what, if anything, to do with it. Right now it's just my own private, dirty little seceret. (Well, I did share with one other fan, but there's no link for anyone else... yet.)
HOWEVER....
In an attempt to talk about something else for five minutes, I have to tell you that I have been remiss in keeping y'all up on the other parts of my life. Mason, in particular, has some big news. At some point earlier this year, right around conferences, Mason noticed that the upper classmen had their AR (Advance Reading) ranking posted in the upstairs hallway. Sort of a "Top Ten." He asked his pull-out reading instructor, the librarian, what a guy had to do to get on that list. She asked the person who had organized it, and Mason found out that they hadn't previously included third graders. But they would see if he qualified to be in the top ten, regardless. It was discovered that he was fifth in the school.
That was cool in and of itself. But, Mason, who has inherited from me a strong sense of playful competition, has, ever since, had a rivalry going between himself and the number one AR student.
Last Thursday, when I went in to volunteer, Mason told me he had some news.
He was now number one!
That means he's read more books, taken more tests, and gotten a better score on the tests, than everyone else in the school. Mr. G., Mason's teacher, said it was a first for him... and possibly for the school -- to have a third grader ranked #1.
SUPER BRAG!!!!!
Yeah, I'm a little proud.
Meanwhile, back to my Bleach obsession, I discovered from a friend that the current (to me) storyline ("The Bount") is actually, honest-to-goodness "filler." (Since it involves vampires, it kind of explains the Buffy/Bleach crossover fan fic out there... sort of.) Anyway, they were episodes created while the Manga caught up to the Anime. That made me breathe a lot easier. Filler is a concept I can cope with... there's actually a very weird tension on this show between the supper-silly and deadly series. I will just treat much of this arc the same way I do when Ichigo's friends are drawing kitties or fighting over who gets to hug Orhiime.
Okay, today, however, I am determined to get some REAL work done.
Wish me luck.
But you are warned.
Seriously, I can't remember the last time someone else's fiction has gotten me this worked up. Most likely it hasn't been since high school, and the days when I used to draw pictures and write scads of fan fic (pre-internet, thank god!) of Katherine Kurtz's Deryni or Anne McCaffery's dragonriders.
Don't tell anyone, but I actually wrote slash for Bleach....
I haven't decided what, if anything, to do with it. Right now it's just my own private, dirty little seceret. (Well, I did share with one other fan, but there's no link for anyone else... yet.)
HOWEVER....
In an attempt to talk about something else for five minutes, I have to tell you that I have been remiss in keeping y'all up on the other parts of my life. Mason, in particular, has some big news. At some point earlier this year, right around conferences, Mason noticed that the upper classmen had their AR (Advance Reading) ranking posted in the upstairs hallway. Sort of a "Top Ten." He asked his pull-out reading instructor, the librarian, what a guy had to do to get on that list. She asked the person who had organized it, and Mason found out that they hadn't previously included third graders. But they would see if he qualified to be in the top ten, regardless. It was discovered that he was fifth in the school.
That was cool in and of itself. But, Mason, who has inherited from me a strong sense of playful competition, has, ever since, had a rivalry going between himself and the number one AR student.
Last Thursday, when I went in to volunteer, Mason told me he had some news.
He was now number one!
That means he's read more books, taken more tests, and gotten a better score on the tests, than everyone else in the school. Mr. G., Mason's teacher, said it was a first for him... and possibly for the school -- to have a third grader ranked #1.
SUPER BRAG!!!!!
Yeah, I'm a little proud.
Meanwhile, back to my Bleach obsession, I discovered from a friend that the current (to me) storyline ("The Bount") is actually, honest-to-goodness "filler." (Since it involves vampires, it kind of explains the Buffy/Bleach crossover fan fic out there... sort of.) Anyway, they were episodes created while the Manga caught up to the Anime. That made me breathe a lot easier. Filler is a concept I can cope with... there's actually a very weird tension on this show between the supper-silly and deadly series. I will just treat much of this arc the same way I do when Ichigo's friends are drawing kitties or fighting over who gets to hug Orhiime.
Okay, today, however, I am determined to get some REAL work done.
Wish me luck.
January 30, 2012
Ha! No Fan Art....
I've managed to go twenty-four hours without committing any more fan art. All that really means is that I haven't had a lot of time so far.
And I need more Manga.
Drawing is such a different experience for me. When I write, I tend to "go away" to my happy place, but I can be easily interupted and it's not that hard for me to return to it if I have to quit for a minute or two. When, I draw, I'm down for the count. You can't rouse me until the picture is finished to my satisfaction, which, in some cases, can be two or three runs at the same peice. The last picture I posted of Renji, in fact, is a "take two." I really loved the movement in the original and it took a couple of tries to get his body parts all in the right places. :-)
This is why Shawn teases me about being "obsessive." It's not so much that it occupies more of my brain, but I'm really unavailable when I draw in a way that I'm not when I write.
I should say too that my art is ultimately more frustrating than my writing. Like writing, art takes a lot of practice, and there's something that happens... hurdles you push past to become better at it. At some point in high school, I got to the point with my art (which I practiced constantly, I remember spending entire Sundays sitting at my drawing board) where I could reliably "copy" an image. If the folks at Marvel had drawn it (or I cut it out of a magazine or someone sat for me), I could produce a reasonable facsimile of my own.
I've never gotten beyond that stage. Not really. I can draw someone standing around, or with minimal animation, as it were. But, that's it. Otherwise I still have to look at someone else's work and essentially mentally copy it.
With writing, I managed to get past the "fanfic" stage (after a sufficent amount of practice there as well.) Anything I can imagine, I can usually get on the page (though the BLEACH slash that's running around in my fevered brain may not make it onto paper, if only because I'm not sure I can really make it as satifying in text as it is in my head, as it were.) At any rate, I'm a fan artist at best -- though to be fair to the fan artist community out there, there are some ridiculously professional-level artists out there, who clearly are beyond the "cover band" stage that I'm at with my drawing.
Writing also... relieves the pressures in my head. If I get a story that's burning up my brain out, on paper, it's gone. I'm done with it. Art, for me, spawns a stronger desire for MORE.
And I need more Manga.
Drawing is such a different experience for me. When I write, I tend to "go away" to my happy place, but I can be easily interupted and it's not that hard for me to return to it if I have to quit for a minute or two. When, I draw, I'm down for the count. You can't rouse me until the picture is finished to my satisfaction, which, in some cases, can be two or three runs at the same peice. The last picture I posted of Renji, in fact, is a "take two." I really loved the movement in the original and it took a couple of tries to get his body parts all in the right places. :-)
This is why Shawn teases me about being "obsessive." It's not so much that it occupies more of my brain, but I'm really unavailable when I draw in a way that I'm not when I write.
I should say too that my art is ultimately more frustrating than my writing. Like writing, art takes a lot of practice, and there's something that happens... hurdles you push past to become better at it. At some point in high school, I got to the point with my art (which I practiced constantly, I remember spending entire Sundays sitting at my drawing board) where I could reliably "copy" an image. If the folks at Marvel had drawn it (or I cut it out of a magazine or someone sat for me), I could produce a reasonable facsimile of my own.
I've never gotten beyond that stage. Not really. I can draw someone standing around, or with minimal animation, as it were. But, that's it. Otherwise I still have to look at someone else's work and essentially mentally copy it.
With writing, I managed to get past the "fanfic" stage (after a sufficent amount of practice there as well.) Anything I can imagine, I can usually get on the page (though the BLEACH slash that's running around in my fevered brain may not make it onto paper, if only because I'm not sure I can really make it as satifying in text as it is in my head, as it were.) At any rate, I'm a fan artist at best -- though to be fair to the fan artist community out there, there are some ridiculously professional-level artists out there, who clearly are beyond the "cover band" stage that I'm at with my drawing.
Writing also... relieves the pressures in my head. If I get a story that's burning up my brain out, on paper, it's gone. I'm done with it. Art, for me, spawns a stronger desire for MORE.
January 29, 2012
Too Much Time on My Hands
Idleness is the devil's paintbox for me, apparently.
I have committed more fanart (now with 50% more color (yay crayons!). Although, I suppose Byakuya is kind of a monochromatic guy -- I did at least ink him, as is fitting his rank and stature...!):
1. Byakuya Kuchiki
2. Ichigo Kurosaki
And then, a whole lot of Renji Abarai
3. Renji about to kick your butt...
4. Renji seriously kicking your butt...
I'm going to need to go back to the library/bookstore soon, as there are only so many pictures in the manga that I currently have in my possession. Clearly, one thing I need to do right now as my creativity leaks all over the place is draw. I'm hoping that this will soon transform itself into something more... original, but for now I'm having a blast.
I have committed more fanart (now with 50% more color (yay crayons!). Although, I suppose Byakuya is kind of a monochromatic guy -- I did at least ink him, as is fitting his rank and stature...!):
1. Byakuya Kuchiki
2. Ichigo Kurosaki
And then, a whole lot of Renji Abarai
3. Renji about to kick your butt...
4. Renji seriously kicking your butt...
I'm going to need to go back to the library/bookstore soon, as there are only so many pictures in the manga that I currently have in my possession. Clearly, one thing I need to do right now as my creativity leaks all over the place is draw. I'm hoping that this will soon transform itself into something more... original, but for now I'm having a blast.
January 28, 2012
BLEACH obsession
Mason and I finished the Soul Society/Rescue arc of BLEACH. Very awesome (also, for those who were sad that I gave up on FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, I didn't. I've started watching those again as well.) We're continuing on with BLEACH, though I am very afraid. The storyline seems to be doing to Abarai Renji what George Lucas did to Han Solo. That is to say, they're taking a cool, rough-edged awesome dude and making him the butt of a lot of jokes.
So, like when Lucas sullied Han for me, I am reaching out to try to find prequel bits of uncorrupted Abarai. Unfortunately, in searching for this, in fanfic I stumbled across Byakuya/Renji. This disturbs... and fascinates. (There is some VERY SERIOUSLY sexy fan art out there of this pairing, which I will leave you to discover on your own. It's not particularly hard.) I think one of the reason some of the slash works for me is because Renji and Byakuya come from such completely different worlds, they're a very classic odd couple -- not just in the "couple" sense, but also in the: WTF, how did Renji *ever* get the gig of fukutaichou to Byakuya in the first place? Hey, for you super-fans out there, does anyone know who was Byakuya's fukutaichou before Renji?
Also, what is the story behind Renji's tattoos? They're apparently "new" to Rukia when she's brought back as a prisoner, since she teases him about his eyebrows (as well as his promotion to vice captain.) And is it cannon that he was in the 11th Division/Squad previously?
Mason and I went to the public library because we had some overdue books to return. While there, I picked up some of the manga. I wasn't expecting the story to deviate too much (it doesn't,) but what I was looking for was some images to draw.
This is what I drew:
1. Kisuke Urahara
2. Renji Abarai and Zabimaru
3. Renji Abarai vs. Ichigo Kurasaki
4. Jushiro Ukitake and Sōgyo no Kotowari
Yeah, I really need to get back to work.
Especially since there are a few things that need doing. I was given a great idea on what to work on next by![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380927208i/3319070.gif)
naomikritzer
, and I found what I needed to start that. Plus, I have proposals to write. I don't think I can find a publisher interested in Bleach fanfic, alas.
So, like when Lucas sullied Han for me, I am reaching out to try to find prequel bits of uncorrupted Abarai. Unfortunately, in searching for this, in fanfic I stumbled across Byakuya/Renji. This disturbs... and fascinates. (There is some VERY SERIOUSLY sexy fan art out there of this pairing, which I will leave you to discover on your own. It's not particularly hard.) I think one of the reason some of the slash works for me is because Renji and Byakuya come from such completely different worlds, they're a very classic odd couple -- not just in the "couple" sense, but also in the: WTF, how did Renji *ever* get the gig of fukutaichou to Byakuya in the first place? Hey, for you super-fans out there, does anyone know who was Byakuya's fukutaichou before Renji?
Also, what is the story behind Renji's tattoos? They're apparently "new" to Rukia when she's brought back as a prisoner, since she teases him about his eyebrows (as well as his promotion to vice captain.) And is it cannon that he was in the 11th Division/Squad previously?
Mason and I went to the public library because we had some overdue books to return. While there, I picked up some of the manga. I wasn't expecting the story to deviate too much (it doesn't,) but what I was looking for was some images to draw.
This is what I drew:
1. Kisuke Urahara
2. Renji Abarai and Zabimaru
3. Renji Abarai vs. Ichigo Kurasaki
4. Jushiro Ukitake and Sōgyo no Kotowari
Yeah, I really need to get back to work.
Especially since there are a few things that need doing. I was given a great idea on what to work on next by
naomikritzer
, and I found what I needed to start that. Plus, I have proposals to write. I don't think I can find a publisher interested in Bleach fanfic, alas.
January 24, 2012
Head Cold and Other Broken Bits
I caught that thing that seems to be going around, the dreaded head cold. Luckily, it seems to be fairly mild. I took two nights off, crashed early, and that seems to have done something. I still have a stuffy, runny nose, but it doesn't seem to have gotten much worse than that.
I took advantage of being sick and laid in bed yesterday watching Aime. A friend from KSW suggested FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST when he heard that I was a fan of BLEACH. (Netflix had been agreeing with him for some time, I might add.) I can see how this show could be awesome, but I got to the episode called "Cry of the Chimera" and I had to stop. Ten years ago, I probably would have had no problem with the show, but things have happened to me since that make it impossible for me to deal with certain themes in literature/shows. I can no longer cope with the death of innocents. When little kids (and animals, I've discovered,) go splat, I'm out. As a bonus, in this episode, we get a two-fer, cute dog *and* cute girl get it. Ironically, one of the things that my friend said to recommend of this series is that I would get all the action of BLEACH, but "actually care for the characters." Alas, the opposite is true. The more "real" the violence (which, in this case, seemed a bit gratuitous to me), the less I trust, so the less I'm able to invest in the characters.
Ironically, I care a great deal about the characters in BLEACH precisely because they can be run through with a gigantic sword and they get up, wrap a couple of banages around themselves, and live to fight another day. Hell, we're even reassured that the Hollows don't die in that show, just get recycled into the Cosmic hourglass (except those killed by Quincies, of course.)
I can care about characters like those. The ones who make friends only to watch them get mutilated and then die (splat against the wall, no less,)... hmmmm, not so much.
I wish I wasn't broken like this, believe me. But the fact is, I am. I will have to find some other Anime to entertain me. (Luckily, BLEACH actually has not ended in Japan....)
Also, if people decide to start "reccing" things, let me tell you something else I've discovered about what I like in my Anime: I like semi-adults as main characters. I realize this cuts out a LARGE amount of Anime, but I can deal with the very manly 15 that Ichigo is supposed to be (especially since he looks 20.) Edward was supposed to be, what, 13? He looked 11. I often fantasize about BEING these heroes, so I prefer to be a near-adult if I have to be a teen at all.
I LOVE this whole spiritual stuff that was present in both BLEACH and FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST. A lot. So, Netflix and my friend weren't wrong about that one bit. More, more, more, please. The other commonality that I really liked about both? A corrupt government. Yeah, that's always an easy hook for me.
I don't mind the alternate universe/SF setting of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, but I ADORE the psuedo-ancient Japan of the Celestial City of BLEACH. Dudes wearing robes with swords.... yeah, that works for me.
Also, I think (no surprise to those who know me well) I like "boy" stories. Sword-play, fighting, magic, and boys/men. I wouldn't be adverse to trying some with women heroes, but right now I'm liking the way these stories get told because they tend to be about honor and justice (and being SURPRISINGLY adept at whatever skill is needed to make you awesome.)
:-)
In other news, my agent and I got the year-end report for the sales of RESURRECTION CODE. No surprise, my numbers sucked. I already knew from watching BookScan report on the book, no one has bought it much. (Yes, an e-book is supposed to be coming out sometime this year. I still don't know when.) Sigh.
I'm not surprised, however. As much as I hate to say this, I think the AngeLINK series ran its course some time ago. It doesn't surprise me that, nearly a decade later, there aren't a lot of people STILL hungering for more stories in this universe. Yes, you, my diehard fans, are to be commended and rewarded for still loving it (reward: more coming in the Gaylaxicon program guide!) Plus, I intentionally wrote it for my fans, and not for new readers. I think, too, it was a tough sell for the Mad Norwegians, since they don't do a lot of original fiction.
I probably could have done more to promote it, but, honestly, I don't know HOW. All the things that seem to be the best (getting readers to recommend it to others, what they call "viral" marketing) are magic. I can't ask someone to tell their friends how much they loved my book. It just has to happen.
I am still planning to have e-book versions of the original tetrology available (fingers crossed) in time for CONvergence. That gives me until July. So, I'm doing my best to continue make these books available.
It's just sort of depressing news. I do think, however, having a new science fiction book out, has helped me personally, tremendously. I don't think I'd have nearly as many invites to various SF conventions otherwise. So the project was worthwhile on that front.
I'm also trying to think about other science fictional things I could write. I ended up enjoying the background world of the short story "God Box" that I just sold to Dybbuk Press for the Biblical Horror anthology. I'm wondering if there isn't more there for me to mine.
So, there you go. Let the recommendations for Anime flow!
I took advantage of being sick and laid in bed yesterday watching Aime. A friend from KSW suggested FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST when he heard that I was a fan of BLEACH. (Netflix had been agreeing with him for some time, I might add.) I can see how this show could be awesome, but I got to the episode called "Cry of the Chimera" and I had to stop. Ten years ago, I probably would have had no problem with the show, but things have happened to me since that make it impossible for me to deal with certain themes in literature/shows. I can no longer cope with the death of innocents. When little kids (and animals, I've discovered,) go splat, I'm out. As a bonus, in this episode, we get a two-fer, cute dog *and* cute girl get it. Ironically, one of the things that my friend said to recommend of this series is that I would get all the action of BLEACH, but "actually care for the characters." Alas, the opposite is true. The more "real" the violence (which, in this case, seemed a bit gratuitous to me), the less I trust, so the less I'm able to invest in the characters.
Ironically, I care a great deal about the characters in BLEACH precisely because they can be run through with a gigantic sword and they get up, wrap a couple of banages around themselves, and live to fight another day. Hell, we're even reassured that the Hollows don't die in that show, just get recycled into the Cosmic hourglass (except those killed by Quincies, of course.)
I can care about characters like those. The ones who make friends only to watch them get mutilated and then die (splat against the wall, no less,)... hmmmm, not so much.
I wish I wasn't broken like this, believe me. But the fact is, I am. I will have to find some other Anime to entertain me. (Luckily, BLEACH actually has not ended in Japan....)
Also, if people decide to start "reccing" things, let me tell you something else I've discovered about what I like in my Anime: I like semi-adults as main characters. I realize this cuts out a LARGE amount of Anime, but I can deal with the very manly 15 that Ichigo is supposed to be (especially since he looks 20.) Edward was supposed to be, what, 13? He looked 11. I often fantasize about BEING these heroes, so I prefer to be a near-adult if I have to be a teen at all.
I LOVE this whole spiritual stuff that was present in both BLEACH and FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST. A lot. So, Netflix and my friend weren't wrong about that one bit. More, more, more, please. The other commonality that I really liked about both? A corrupt government. Yeah, that's always an easy hook for me.
I don't mind the alternate universe/SF setting of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, but I ADORE the psuedo-ancient Japan of the Celestial City of BLEACH. Dudes wearing robes with swords.... yeah, that works for me.
Also, I think (no surprise to those who know me well) I like "boy" stories. Sword-play, fighting, magic, and boys/men. I wouldn't be adverse to trying some with women heroes, but right now I'm liking the way these stories get told because they tend to be about honor and justice (and being SURPRISINGLY adept at whatever skill is needed to make you awesome.)
:-)
In other news, my agent and I got the year-end report for the sales of RESURRECTION CODE. No surprise, my numbers sucked. I already knew from watching BookScan report on the book, no one has bought it much. (Yes, an e-book is supposed to be coming out sometime this year. I still don't know when.) Sigh.
I'm not surprised, however. As much as I hate to say this, I think the AngeLINK series ran its course some time ago. It doesn't surprise me that, nearly a decade later, there aren't a lot of people STILL hungering for more stories in this universe. Yes, you, my diehard fans, are to be commended and rewarded for still loving it (reward: more coming in the Gaylaxicon program guide!) Plus, I intentionally wrote it for my fans, and not for new readers. I think, too, it was a tough sell for the Mad Norwegians, since they don't do a lot of original fiction.
I probably could have done more to promote it, but, honestly, I don't know HOW. All the things that seem to be the best (getting readers to recommend it to others, what they call "viral" marketing) are magic. I can't ask someone to tell their friends how much they loved my book. It just has to happen.
I am still planning to have e-book versions of the original tetrology available (fingers crossed) in time for CONvergence. That gives me until July. So, I'm doing my best to continue make these books available.
It's just sort of depressing news. I do think, however, having a new science fiction book out, has helped me personally, tremendously. I don't think I'd have nearly as many invites to various SF conventions otherwise. So the project was worthwhile on that front.
I'm also trying to think about other science fictional things I could write. I ended up enjoying the background world of the short story "God Box" that I just sold to Dybbuk Press for the Biblical Horror anthology. I'm wondering if there isn't more there for me to mine.
So, there you go. Let the recommendations for Anime flow!
January 20, 2012
That WEIRD Time
Because I've just finished revisions and am in between contracts (as I like to say,) I'm in that very weird place I find myself from time to time. I have no writing that I HAVE to do. Thus, I've been flitting between the Gaylaxicon story, brainstorming new series ideas, and re-formatting Archangel Protocol. (I'm on Chapter 12. Go me.)
Similarly, there's a lot that needs doing around the house (see yesterday's busy-day post, and all the things I left undone consequentally.) I don't feel like doing those thing either. That "meh-"ness I blame on the weater. It's snowing. (Horray!) But, the world is covered in that gray blanket of clouds, and the dim, hushed quality of light just makes me feel like snuggling deeper under the blankets and doing nothing for the rest of the day.
I suppose what I should do is get up and do the dishes.
Yep, any minute now.
Did I tell you fine folks that I'm planning on making it to at least part of WorldCON this year? It seems silly not to go since it's in Chicago (and not, say Tokoyo). Plus, erm, I got an invite to do programming from the con com folks, and I have to say that made me feel incredibly flattered. I'm not sure that RESURRECTION CODE is selling particularly well, but I do think that having a new science fiction book out this last year has caused a lot of people to say to themselves, "Hey, Lyda Morehouse... she's someone we can invite to our convention...." which is worth a lot more to me than royalties, honestly.
Oh, all right then. I guess I should go be "productive."
Similarly, there's a lot that needs doing around the house (see yesterday's busy-day post, and all the things I left undone consequentally.) I don't feel like doing those thing either. That "meh-"ness I blame on the weater. It's snowing. (Horray!) But, the world is covered in that gray blanket of clouds, and the dim, hushed quality of light just makes me feel like snuggling deeper under the blankets and doing nothing for the rest of the day.
I suppose what I should do is get up and do the dishes.
Yep, any minute now.
Did I tell you fine folks that I'm planning on making it to at least part of WorldCON this year? It seems silly not to go since it's in Chicago (and not, say Tokoyo). Plus, erm, I got an invite to do programming from the con com folks, and I have to say that made me feel incredibly flattered. I'm not sure that RESURRECTION CODE is selling particularly well, but I do think that having a new science fiction book out this last year has caused a lot of people to say to themselves, "Hey, Lyda Morehouse... she's someone we can invite to our convention...." which is worth a lot more to me than royalties, honestly.
Oh, all right then. I guess I should go be "productive."
January 19, 2012
Yep, It's January
The windchill is some kind of Arctic tempurature, like, -22 F. Which, means, of course, it's devestatingly sunny out. Just looking out the window (if I don't notice the massive amount of frost build-up), I'd think, "Wow, nice day for a long walk!"
Today is Thursday, which means I will be super busy. To that end, I have started beef stew in the crockpot and am defrosting the kneffla (German from Russia homemade noodles) to add closer to dinner time. If we actually accomplish everything we INTEND to do, it will go something like this:
Changing the fish tanks,
At 1:45 pm volunteer in Mr. G.'s classroom and stuff Thursday folders,
Stay and volunteer for chess club (which really doesn't need me, so I may beg off on this part),
pick up Shawn at 4:30/5:00 pm,
Eat pre-made dinner,
Go to kuk sool wan at 6:00 (which I'm beginning to doubt we'll make. I'd forgotten how late chess club can go, and eating after 7:00 pm is very European, I think both Mason and I would faint before achieving that,)
and somehow do all the other things that normally need doing.
Yeah, that last one is probably off too. :-)
I suspect this means that I will have to DRAG Mason to KSW on Saturday. This will make neither of us happy until we actually get there and experience class.
Otherwise, I don't expect to get much done. As I mentioned in the earlier post, I'm currently working on a short piece for the Gaylaxicon chapbook. I'm also, having just finished revisions, starting to percolate/brainstorm ideas for other series, novels, etc., for my agent which will need to become proposals over the next several weeks.
That's about all the news I can think of at the moment.
Today is Thursday, which means I will be super busy. To that end, I have started beef stew in the crockpot and am defrosting the kneffla (German from Russia homemade noodles) to add closer to dinner time. If we actually accomplish everything we INTEND to do, it will go something like this:
Changing the fish tanks,
At 1:45 pm volunteer in Mr. G.'s classroom and stuff Thursday folders,
Stay and volunteer for chess club (which really doesn't need me, so I may beg off on this part),
pick up Shawn at 4:30/5:00 pm,
Eat pre-made dinner,
Go to kuk sool wan at 6:00 (which I'm beginning to doubt we'll make. I'd forgotten how late chess club can go, and eating after 7:00 pm is very European, I think both Mason and I would faint before achieving that,)
and somehow do all the other things that normally need doing.
Yeah, that last one is probably off too. :-)
I suspect this means that I will have to DRAG Mason to KSW on Saturday. This will make neither of us happy until we actually get there and experience class.
Otherwise, I don't expect to get much done. As I mentioned in the earlier post, I'm currently working on a short piece for the Gaylaxicon chapbook. I'm also, having just finished revisions, starting to percolate/brainstorm ideas for other series, novels, etc., for my agent which will need to become proposals over the next several weeks.
That's about all the news I can think of at the moment.
January 18, 2012
General News, Sir!
I was updating my static web site and it occurred to me that I should probably let folks over here know what I'm up to.
A lot of people have asked me if any of the AngeLINK books will ever be available in electronic formate. The answer is yes. I am working on reformatting a very messy electronic file for Archangel Protocol that I had to steal (from myself) off Torrent. The other books, I have in e-files that are still in usable form. So, I suspect once I get through that, the others will quickly follow. I am hiring someone to do a nice job of them. They should be available in all e-reader formats. Hopefully, that will happen this year.
I had some short story sales that I haven't mentioned.
Tim Leider has accepted "God Box," a science fictional retelling of the golden hemmeroid story from Sammuel 1, for KING DAVID AND THE SPIDERS OF MARS. KING DAVID... is the second Biblical horror anthology to come out from Dybbuk Press, and is a follow-up to the wildly popular SHE NAILED A STAKE THROUGH HIS HEAD (in which my story "Jawbone of an Ass" appears.)
Earlier, I sold a reprint of "Tutivillius" to Michael Mirriam for his second Northern Lights Anthology. For those few who came to the Diversicon reading of this story, it's the one about a female demon who has been charged with collecting words mangeled during the performance of Mass. It's my most Catholic story (there's even a discussion about transubstantiation in it,) but it's also very sweet. I'm pleased it's found a bigger home. It's only previous publication was in a Wyrdsmiths' chapbook.
Speaking of chapbooks, I'm currenly working on an AngeLINK short story that will appear in the Galyaxicon 2012 program book/chapbook. Apparently, Wendy Pini will also be producing some original art for the chapbook, so this is definately something y'all will want to get your hands on if at all possible. Be sure to check out http://www.gaylaxicon2012.org/ for information!
Okay, I think that's everything!
A lot of people have asked me if any of the AngeLINK books will ever be available in electronic formate. The answer is yes. I am working on reformatting a very messy electronic file for Archangel Protocol that I had to steal (from myself) off Torrent. The other books, I have in e-files that are still in usable form. So, I suspect once I get through that, the others will quickly follow. I am hiring someone to do a nice job of them. They should be available in all e-reader formats. Hopefully, that will happen this year.
I had some short story sales that I haven't mentioned.
Tim Leider has accepted "God Box," a science fictional retelling of the golden hemmeroid story from Sammuel 1, for KING DAVID AND THE SPIDERS OF MARS. KING DAVID... is the second Biblical horror anthology to come out from Dybbuk Press, and is a follow-up to the wildly popular SHE NAILED A STAKE THROUGH HIS HEAD (in which my story "Jawbone of an Ass" appears.)
Earlier, I sold a reprint of "Tutivillius" to Michael Mirriam for his second Northern Lights Anthology. For those few who came to the Diversicon reading of this story, it's the one about a female demon who has been charged with collecting words mangeled during the performance of Mass. It's my most Catholic story (there's even a discussion about transubstantiation in it,) but it's also very sweet. I'm pleased it's found a bigger home. It's only previous publication was in a Wyrdsmiths' chapbook.
Speaking of chapbooks, I'm currenly working on an AngeLINK short story that will appear in the Galyaxicon 2012 program book/chapbook. Apparently, Wendy Pini will also be producing some original art for the chapbook, so this is definately something y'all will want to get your hands on if at all possible. Be sure to check out http://www.gaylaxicon2012.org/ for information!
Okay, I think that's everything!
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