Judith Tarr's Blog, page 5
March 8, 2013
Random Hydra and the Terrible, Horrible, Awful, No-Good, Very Bad Contract
In which I am moved to put on my ranty pants. A rarity--usually I stick to horses, Arizona, and my own books, but this hits me where my mentees live. And I love my mentees and want them to do well. So:
http://bookviewcafe.com/blog/2013/03/08/random-hydra-and-the-terrible-horrible-awful-no-good-very-bad-contract/
http://bookviewcafe.com/blog/2013/03/08/random-hydra-and-the-terrible-horrible-awful-no-good-very-bad-contract/
March 5, 2013
Reflections on Camp Lipizzan
First, the Feed the Ponies Sale continues. I've decided to extend it another week, to the 12th, and I will be adding some (less expensive) items and options later today. Ebooks, shorter mentoring options, like that. If you have requests, please do ask.
Meanwhile, we're in between Camps at the moment. The last one ended on Saturday; the next begins two weeks from today. It's a breathing space, a hurry up and get stuff done space, and a chance to reflect on what Camp Lipizzan has evolved into and where it seems to be headed. Having newvictims Campers for both is conducive to that kind of reflection.
When I first came up with the idea, I was looking for a way to keep the horses fed (having come off Publisherdammerung more on my shield than with it) while also sharing what I have here, both the writing and teaching skills and the horses themselves. I envisioned it as a fairly structured class, a writers' workshop with horses, and came up with various versions and incarnations that I thought might work.
That lasted about as long as the lead-up to the first Camp.
What happened was that Campers had their own ideas as to what they wanted and needed. And so did the horses. The people who came turned out to be, for the most part, experienced writers--professionals with books sold, writers with extensive workshopping cred, Clarion graduates--and their horse experience ranged from extensive to near zero. What they wanted, above all, was the experience of living on a horse farm for a few days, being part of the rhythm of the farm, having constant access to the horses, and expanding their knowledge of the species--while also writing and writing and, have I mentioned writing?
Meanwhile I was discovering what I could manage, because the farm itself is a full-time job, and I also have to do various things (besides Camp) to keep the bills paid. Writing, for example. Editing. Taking in boarders (which adds to the work of the farm). Caring for the horses takes priority, which Campers know coming in, but then comes taking care of Campers--feeding, mentoring or workshopping as desired, plus the bare basics of making sure the house is clean, organized, and ready to stay in.
The first few Camps (and also Lipizzan Weekends, which ended up folding themselves into the Camp Lipizzan concept) made it clear where I'd have to draw the boundaries, and also what Campers would be most comfortable with in terms of scheduling and amenities. More than three was too many, and even three was straining the resources. The idea of having some stay offsite never did jell, though we tried to offer it a time or two. The whole point, clearly, was to be here all day, every day, and overnight. To be in and of the farm as well as working on writing about horses.
I learned very quickly that it's not possible to be head chef, innkeeper, cleaning staff, AND master of horse, and that getting writing of my own done was heavily dependent on how much of the rest I had to do for the Campers' comfort. Menus tailored to the individual Campers--check. Dishes that were quick to make and/or easy to prep in advance--check. Bread machine: essential. Costco and Trader Joe's: cannot live without. Breakfast and lunch ad lib--necessary; horse chores eat cooking time, not to mention energy. Dinner in a group--also necessary, for the social aspect and the chance to share the activities of the day.
As Camp evolved, so did the horses and the personnel. I changed trainers from one focused on dressage to one with a much broader sphere of expertise, including equine bodywork and massage, equine body language, and groundwork as well as ridden work. One way and another, she made sure we got to know her friend and business partner who teaches horse-assisted yoga--and then the horses got into it, and now we have White Horse Herd Yoga, which is a thing, and nobody can really describe it, but it's...well. You have to be there.
We discovered, as we went on, that a weekend isn't quite enough, though it can work for a first time (because almost everyone comes back, sometimes annually or even more often); the optimal length seems to be four nights and five days, spread over weekdays as well as weekend. And the trainer comes, sometimes more than once, and the yoga teacher likewise. And sometimes it's about the horses, and sometimes it's a hardcore writing retreat.
Some Campers participate in horse chores. For some, the writing is central, and one hears them padding down to the barn every so often to pet noses and take in the sun and the wind and refresh their minds before they dive back into the project. Some want to interact as peers or students (and sometimes I become the student); some mostly do their own thing, with me as innkeeper and cook.
Now we have new people joining the family (because it is a family, or a herd if you prefer), with new talents and wants/needs/plans to bring to the mix. I never know what a specific Camp will end up being about. It's always different, and it always seems to make a difference--to the horses and me as well as the Camper.
It's become very important to some, who come back again and again for the Arizona desert and the quiet and the comfort of a somewhat ramshackle farmhouse where no one minds if you put your feet up or spread your project all over the living room, and the cats supervise and the dog keeps you company. And of course there are the horses--who more often than not decide who is "yours" for the week, and that one makes sure you know it early and often.
As I said, it's a thing. It seems to be a longterm thing. I'll be very interested to see how and where it evolves from here.
Meanwhile, we're in between Camps at the moment. The last one ended on Saturday; the next begins two weeks from today. It's a breathing space, a hurry up and get stuff done space, and a chance to reflect on what Camp Lipizzan has evolved into and where it seems to be headed. Having new
When I first came up with the idea, I was looking for a way to keep the horses fed (having come off Publisherdammerung more on my shield than with it) while also sharing what I have here, both the writing and teaching skills and the horses themselves. I envisioned it as a fairly structured class, a writers' workshop with horses, and came up with various versions and incarnations that I thought might work.
That lasted about as long as the lead-up to the first Camp.
What happened was that Campers had their own ideas as to what they wanted and needed. And so did the horses. The people who came turned out to be, for the most part, experienced writers--professionals with books sold, writers with extensive workshopping cred, Clarion graduates--and their horse experience ranged from extensive to near zero. What they wanted, above all, was the experience of living on a horse farm for a few days, being part of the rhythm of the farm, having constant access to the horses, and expanding their knowledge of the species--while also writing and writing and, have I mentioned writing?
Meanwhile I was discovering what I could manage, because the farm itself is a full-time job, and I also have to do various things (besides Camp) to keep the bills paid. Writing, for example. Editing. Taking in boarders (which adds to the work of the farm). Caring for the horses takes priority, which Campers know coming in, but then comes taking care of Campers--feeding, mentoring or workshopping as desired, plus the bare basics of making sure the house is clean, organized, and ready to stay in.
The first few Camps (and also Lipizzan Weekends, which ended up folding themselves into the Camp Lipizzan concept) made it clear where I'd have to draw the boundaries, and also what Campers would be most comfortable with in terms of scheduling and amenities. More than three was too many, and even three was straining the resources. The idea of having some stay offsite never did jell, though we tried to offer it a time or two. The whole point, clearly, was to be here all day, every day, and overnight. To be in and of the farm as well as working on writing about horses.
I learned very quickly that it's not possible to be head chef, innkeeper, cleaning staff, AND master of horse, and that getting writing of my own done was heavily dependent on how much of the rest I had to do for the Campers' comfort. Menus tailored to the individual Campers--check. Dishes that were quick to make and/or easy to prep in advance--check. Bread machine: essential. Costco and Trader Joe's: cannot live without. Breakfast and lunch ad lib--necessary; horse chores eat cooking time, not to mention energy. Dinner in a group--also necessary, for the social aspect and the chance to share the activities of the day.
As Camp evolved, so did the horses and the personnel. I changed trainers from one focused on dressage to one with a much broader sphere of expertise, including equine bodywork and massage, equine body language, and groundwork as well as ridden work. One way and another, she made sure we got to know her friend and business partner who teaches horse-assisted yoga--and then the horses got into it, and now we have White Horse Herd Yoga, which is a thing, and nobody can really describe it, but it's...well. You have to be there.
We discovered, as we went on, that a weekend isn't quite enough, though it can work for a first time (because almost everyone comes back, sometimes annually or even more often); the optimal length seems to be four nights and five days, spread over weekdays as well as weekend. And the trainer comes, sometimes more than once, and the yoga teacher likewise. And sometimes it's about the horses, and sometimes it's a hardcore writing retreat.
Some Campers participate in horse chores. For some, the writing is central, and one hears them padding down to the barn every so often to pet noses and take in the sun and the wind and refresh their minds before they dive back into the project. Some want to interact as peers or students (and sometimes I become the student); some mostly do their own thing, with me as innkeeper and cook.
Now we have new people joining the family (because it is a family, or a herd if you prefer), with new talents and wants/needs/plans to bring to the mix. I never know what a specific Camp will end up being about. It's always different, and it always seems to make a difference--to the horses and me as well as the Camper.
It's become very important to some, who come back again and again for the Arizona desert and the quiet and the comfort of a somewhat ramshackle farmhouse where no one minds if you put your feet up or spread your project all over the living room, and the cats supervise and the dog keeps you company. And of course there are the horses--who more often than not decide who is "yours" for the week, and that one makes sure you know it early and often.
As I said, it's a thing. It seems to be a longterm thing. I'll be very interested to see how and where it evolves from here.
February 23, 2013
Winter Feed-a-Pony Sale: Bigger, Better, and Even Cooler
The Winter Feed-a-Pony Sale has been extended a week--what the hey, let's make it Lucky March 13th.
And because we love you, and we love our hay almost as much, we've added a few things.
Ebooks for your reading pleasure
Here and here only, for this sale only, I'm offering the following ebooks directly. You can place your order in email, in comments, or through Paypal to capriole at gmail dot com. Let me know which books and which format (epub or mobi), and we'll take it from there.
For the full list of books available, check out my author page at Book View Cafe.
Single titles $4. 2 for $7.50. 3 for $10.
A few of the titles on offer:
Living in Threes: YA fantasy and science fiction and historical. New, never before published. From Book View Cafe.
His Majesty's Elephant: YA/upper Middle Grade historical fantasy. Magic, intrigue, and an elephant at the court of Charlemagne.
The Hound and the Falcon Trilogy: Three books, three magical adventures in an alternate Middle Ages.
Don't have an ereader? Not to worry. There are free apps/utilities that you can download, which allow you to read ebooks on your computer.
For Mobi/Kindle (Amazon) files: MobiPocket Reader
For Epub (pretty much everybody else including Nook, Sony, and Kobo) files: Adobe Digital Editions
Epub is prettier, but they both work perfectly well.
Editing and Writing Mentoring
I do lots of things in this line, from copyedits and line edits and substantive edits of completed mss. all the way down to R&D--plotting, brainstorming, and basics of novel and story construction. The rate is the same regardless--$50/hour.
NEW:
The Writing Mentor is IN
One hour ($50) of online or (if you're local to or visiting Tucson) in-person consult on any subject related to your writing. Plotting, characterization, setting, horses and riding, medievalia--you ask, I'll do my best to answer within the time allotted. May double this offer ($100). If you triple it--that's the "Starter Package" below ($125).
1. Starter package: submission packages (query and chapters), basics of plotting and worldbuilding, short-story edits, even a review of just the horse portions of your novel or story. 3 hours/$125
2. Mentee/Quick Edit special: Longer works, more in-depth discussions, worldbuilding in greater detail, copyedits of your story or novella, etc. This is the one that often turns into a master class in whatever the client is most interested in, and we get a lot of returnees. Especially useful for novelists looking for input on their longer works. 5 hours/$200
Camp Lipizzan
The one, the only writing retreat with Lipizzans (including horse language, equine bodywork, and White Horse Herd Yoga). Can be as horsey or as writer-y as you like. We do one of these a month (3 persons absolute max), and they fill up fast. Base rate is 3 days/2 nights/$375. Add $75 for night 3, and $50/night thereafter. Includes all meals, room with shared bath, and hot and cold running Lipizzans. Lessons and yoga extra. The most popular option is 5 days/4 nights, and for the sale, we're offering that option for $500. We have openings in April, May, and September through November.
Interested? Questions? Email me at capriole at that gmail thing. We take Paypal at that address, or if you're in the US, check or money order.
Pinky says Check It Out (and Boost The Signal, too, if you'd be so kind--Pinky likes his groceries).
And because we love you, and we love our hay almost as much, we've added a few things.
Ebooks for your reading pleasure
Here and here only, for this sale only, I'm offering the following ebooks directly. You can place your order in email, in comments, or through Paypal to capriole at gmail dot com. Let me know which books and which format (epub or mobi), and we'll take it from there.
For the full list of books available, check out my author page at Book View Cafe.
Single titles $4. 2 for $7.50. 3 for $10.
A few of the titles on offer:
Living in Threes: YA fantasy and science fiction and historical. New, never before published. From Book View Cafe.
His Majesty's Elephant: YA/upper Middle Grade historical fantasy. Magic, intrigue, and an elephant at the court of Charlemagne.
The Hound and the Falcon Trilogy: Three books, three magical adventures in an alternate Middle Ages.
Don't have an ereader? Not to worry. There are free apps/utilities that you can download, which allow you to read ebooks on your computer.
For Mobi/Kindle (Amazon) files: MobiPocket Reader
For Epub (pretty much everybody else including Nook, Sony, and Kobo) files: Adobe Digital Editions
Epub is prettier, but they both work perfectly well.
Editing and Writing Mentoring
I do lots of things in this line, from copyedits and line edits and substantive edits of completed mss. all the way down to R&D--plotting, brainstorming, and basics of novel and story construction. The rate is the same regardless--$50/hour.
NEW:
The Writing Mentor is IN
One hour ($50) of online or (if you're local to or visiting Tucson) in-person consult on any subject related to your writing. Plotting, characterization, setting, horses and riding, medievalia--you ask, I'll do my best to answer within the time allotted. May double this offer ($100). If you triple it--that's the "Starter Package" below ($125).
1. Starter package: submission packages (query and chapters), basics of plotting and worldbuilding, short-story edits, even a review of just the horse portions of your novel or story. 3 hours/$125
2. Mentee/Quick Edit special: Longer works, more in-depth discussions, worldbuilding in greater detail, copyedits of your story or novella, etc. This is the one that often turns into a master class in whatever the client is most interested in, and we get a lot of returnees. Especially useful for novelists looking for input on their longer works. 5 hours/$200
Camp Lipizzan
The one, the only writing retreat with Lipizzans (including horse language, equine bodywork, and White Horse Herd Yoga). Can be as horsey or as writer-y as you like. We do one of these a month (3 persons absolute max), and they fill up fast. Base rate is 3 days/2 nights/$375. Add $75 for night 3, and $50/night thereafter. Includes all meals, room with shared bath, and hot and cold running Lipizzans. Lessons and yoga extra. The most popular option is 5 days/4 nights, and for the sale, we're offering that option for $500. We have openings in April, May, and September through November.
Interested? Questions? Email me at capriole at that gmail thing. We take Paypal at that address, or if you're in the US, check or money order.
Pinky says Check It Out (and Boost The Signal, too, if you'd be so kind--Pinky likes his groceries).
Winter Feed-a-Pony Sale
The snow's been coming down and the price of hay's been going up, and the ponies are eating their happy heads off. This coincides with some openings in the schedule, which is what we call Synchronicity around here.
Also, we haven't had a sale in a while. Time for another one, don't you think? So, from now through March 5th, here's the deal:
Editing and Writing Mentoring
I do lots of things in this line, from copyedits and line edits and substantive edits of completed mss. all the way down to R&D--plotting, brainstorming, and basics of novel and story construction. The rate is the same regardless--$50/hour.
For the sale, I'll offer two options. Both are open to current or former as well as new clients.
1. Starter package: submission packages (query and chapters), basics of plotting and worldbuilding, short-story edits, even a review of just the horse portions of your novel or story. 3 hours/$125
2. Mentee/Quick Edit special: Longer works, more in-depth discussions, worldbuilding in greater detail, copyedits of your story or novella, etc. This is the one that often turns into a master class in whatever the client is most interested in, and we get a lot of returnees. Especially useful for novelists looking for input on their longer works. 5 hours/$200
Camp Lipizzan
The one, the only writing retreat with Lipizzans (including horse language, equine bodywork, and White Horse Herd Yoga). Can be as horsey or as writer-y as you like. We do one of these a month (3 persons absolute max), and they fill up fast. Base rate is 3 days/2 nights/$375. Add $75 for night 3, and $50/night thereafter. Includes all meals, room with shared bath, and hot and cold running Lipizzans. Lessons and yoga extra. The most popular option is 5 days/4 nights, and for the sale, we're offering that option for $500. We have openings in April, May, and September through November.
Interested? Questions? Email me at capriole at that gmail thing. We take Paypal at that address, or if you're in the US, check or money order.
Pinky says Check It Out (and Boost The Signal, too, if you'd be so kind--Pinky likes his groceries).
Also, we haven't had a sale in a while. Time for another one, don't you think? So, from now through March 5th, here's the deal:
Editing and Writing Mentoring
I do lots of things in this line, from copyedits and line edits and substantive edits of completed mss. all the way down to R&D--plotting, brainstorming, and basics of novel and story construction. The rate is the same regardless--$50/hour.
For the sale, I'll offer two options. Both are open to current or former as well as new clients.
1. Starter package: submission packages (query and chapters), basics of plotting and worldbuilding, short-story edits, even a review of just the horse portions of your novel or story. 3 hours/$125
2. Mentee/Quick Edit special: Longer works, more in-depth discussions, worldbuilding in greater detail, copyedits of your story or novella, etc. This is the one that often turns into a master class in whatever the client is most interested in, and we get a lot of returnees. Especially useful for novelists looking for input on their longer works. 5 hours/$200
Camp Lipizzan
The one, the only writing retreat with Lipizzans (including horse language, equine bodywork, and White Horse Herd Yoga). Can be as horsey or as writer-y as you like. We do one of these a month (3 persons absolute max), and they fill up fast. Base rate is 3 days/2 nights/$375. Add $75 for night 3, and $50/night thereafter. Includes all meals, room with shared bath, and hot and cold running Lipizzans. Lessons and yoga extra. The most popular option is 5 days/4 nights, and for the sale, we're offering that option for $500. We have openings in April, May, and September through November.
Interested? Questions? Email me at capriole at that gmail thing. We take Paypal at that address, or if you're in the US, check or money order.
Pinky says Check It Out (and Boost The Signal, too, if you'd be so kind--Pinky likes his groceries).
February 21, 2013
Fimbulwinter, Tucson Style
When I first moved to Arizona, winter meant rain if you were lucky, drought if you weren't. Snow happened in the mountains.
After the turn of the millennium, we started getting a little every winter or so. Once. If we were lucky. An inch at most. The icon photo was taken ca. 2006, during the first real storm we had at DHF. That was also the year it got so cold for a day or two that the pipes froze, not just here but pretty much everywhere else as well.
In 2007 we had snow on Boxing Day. 2008, a little bit. And so on. Last year there was nothing--seriously warm year. We never even had a freeze.
Clearly the weather gods were saving it all for 2013. We had a dusting in January. Coolness!
Then came February and the rolling waves of warmi(ish), bloody cold, warm(ish), rain, snow, warm(ish). Last week we were thinking we'd really hit the jackpot: snow twice, and the second time, quite enough to stick.
So this week when the forecast gave us same old same old warm(ish) but batten down because Winter Was Coming, we knew what to do. Batten the hay, line up the horse blankets. Blanket horses at dinner even if it was warm, because it would be bloody cold and wet by dawn.
But it was dry by dawn. Kind of warm, actually. Headed for 50F. I started to think, meh. This one will fizzle.
And the morning advanced, and the clouds rolled in, but rolled north of us. We've seen that before. Meh. It was, however, looking apocalyptic along the western horizon.
There was a blizzard warning. Did I mention that?
Just before noon the wind came up. Not uncommon here. We get a lot of wind.
Ten minutes later, all the cats went splooey. Genghis flew off the top of the kitty condo. Through rain and ice slamming against the windows, I saw that the top of the big cottonwood in the yard had snapped off and was now lying on the ground, with bits scattered all over the deck.
And then we got the snow.
Blizzard warning. Yes.
It came in three waves. We got about six inches here, all told, by morning. The top of the tree was the only casualty, though it's very wet and sloppy out there now, after an early-morning Winter Wonderland. With snow still on the ground. It looks like March in Maine.
This morning before breakfast, Pandora had this to say:
http://youtu.be/1p79HWRn_e0
Nemo this wasn't, but I believe I shall call it George--after the Desert Museum's friendly Mountain Lion.
After the turn of the millennium, we started getting a little every winter or so. Once. If we were lucky. An inch at most. The icon photo was taken ca. 2006, during the first real storm we had at DHF. That was also the year it got so cold for a day or two that the pipes froze, not just here but pretty much everywhere else as well.
In 2007 we had snow on Boxing Day. 2008, a little bit. And so on. Last year there was nothing--seriously warm year. We never even had a freeze.
Clearly the weather gods were saving it all for 2013. We had a dusting in January. Coolness!
Then came February and the rolling waves of warmi(ish), bloody cold, warm(ish), rain, snow, warm(ish). Last week we were thinking we'd really hit the jackpot: snow twice, and the second time, quite enough to stick.
So this week when the forecast gave us same old same old warm(ish) but batten down because Winter Was Coming, we knew what to do. Batten the hay, line up the horse blankets. Blanket horses at dinner even if it was warm, because it would be bloody cold and wet by dawn.
But it was dry by dawn. Kind of warm, actually. Headed for 50F. I started to think, meh. This one will fizzle.
And the morning advanced, and the clouds rolled in, but rolled north of us. We've seen that before. Meh. It was, however, looking apocalyptic along the western horizon.
There was a blizzard warning. Did I mention that?
Just before noon the wind came up. Not uncommon here. We get a lot of wind.
Ten minutes later, all the cats went splooey. Genghis flew off the top of the kitty condo. Through rain and ice slamming against the windows, I saw that the top of the big cottonwood in the yard had snapped off and was now lying on the ground, with bits scattered all over the deck.
And then we got the snow.
Blizzard warning. Yes.
It came in three waves. We got about six inches here, all told, by morning. The top of the tree was the only casualty, though it's very wet and sloppy out there now, after an early-morning Winter Wonderland. With snow still on the ground. It looks like March in Maine.
This morning before breakfast, Pandora had this to say:
http://youtu.be/1p79HWRn_e0
Nemo this wasn't, but I believe I shall call it George--after the Desert Museum's friendly Mountain Lion.
February 19, 2013
Leaping Lipizzans!
In honor of the weekly Winter Storm Warning, and for those who don't do facebook, have some Leaping Lipizzans. Video! At last!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200870139736154&l=5801671206604812341
Why, yes, I did finally break down and get a smartphone. My old averagephone was starting to object to having its battery charged, and the tiny screen and increasing difficulty and slowness of getting to the data part of the deal were making it frustrating to use. And having sprung for a new one that is by no means cutting-edge, it's trailing by quite a bit (but still has Ice Cream Sammitch, so hey), I find that I am a monster, a very monster, with that camera.
If we get more snow tomorrow, I may be out there again. We'll see.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200870139736154&l=5801671206604812341
Why, yes, I did finally break down and get a smartphone. My old averagephone was starting to object to having its battery charged, and the tiny screen and increasing difficulty and slowness of getting to the data part of the deal were making it frustrating to use. And having sprung for a new one that is by no means cutting-edge, it's trailing by quite a bit (but still has Ice Cream Sammitch, so hey), I find that I am a monster, a very monster, with that camera.
If we get more snow tomorrow, I may be out there again. We'll see.
January 1, 2013
And the Sun Rose, Bringing the New Year
A happy fresh start and Lucky 2013 to all!
It's a cold and mostly clear day here, after a frosty night. A cold beginning is good; and we had rain yesterday morning. For the desert, that's the best way to turn the year.
We are all well and climbing up out of the Holiday Black Hole. I'll be going for a ride in a bit--encouraged by intrepid new boarder, who brings youth and sincere and knowledgeable horse love to the usual mix.
The year ahead holds more Camp Lipizzan, more books from Book View Cafe, more writing and reading and of course lots and lots of riding and lessons and horse and farm work and play. And writing. Did I mention writing?
I have a good feeling. I hope it holds true for all of us.
It's a cold and mostly clear day here, after a frosty night. A cold beginning is good; and we had rain yesterday morning. For the desert, that's the best way to turn the year.
We are all well and climbing up out of the Holiday Black Hole. I'll be going for a ride in a bit--encouraged by intrepid new boarder, who brings youth and sincere and knowledgeable horse love to the usual mix.
The year ahead holds more Camp Lipizzan, more books from Book View Cafe, more writing and reading and of course lots and lots of riding and lessons and horse and farm work and play. And writing. Did I mention writing?
I have a good feeling. I hope it holds true for all of us.
December 19, 2012
The Meme Sheep Look Up
This one's been going around, and
sartorias
talked me into doing it. She's doing it, too.
One is supposed to "tag" other people, but I don't do that. If you're a writer and haven't already played and want to play, go right ahead. And let us know where your post is, so we can follow you over there.
It goes like this:
1) What is the title of your book?
My new book, the first one under my own name in a few years, is Living in Threes .
2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
It started as a story about a girl very like my sister, waiting for sea turtles to come in from the ocean to lay their eggs on the beach in Florida. Then it sort of grew.
3) What genre does your book fall under?
It's fantasy. And historical. And science fiction. Which is why Book View Cafe published it. Nobody else had any clue how to market it, since it doesn't fit into any of the usual slots.
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
I don't "shadow cast." My brain doesn't work that way. I like the idea that everybody will see the characters differently, and put their own faces on them.
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Three lives, three worlds, three times: three young women, past, present, and future, come together to solve an age-old mystery and save a world.
6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It's been published by Book View Cafe, the professional authors' cooperative.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Years. It was originally bought by Jane Yolen for her imprint at Harcourt, and was in revisions when the imprint was shut down. It went through several incarnations as we tried to find another home for it. Last spring I took it back from my agents, with their blessing, and funded the final revision plus the interior and cover art (by LJ's own
sea_pony
) with a Kickstarter. A round 256 backers got together to make the funding a success. Then Book View Cafe edited, produced, and published it.
8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Madeleine L'Engle's A Swiftly Tilting Planet has some similar themes. And she blended fantasy and science fiction in somewhat similar ways.
9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My sister. Sea turtles. White Horses. Ancient Egypt. A lifelong love of science fiction.
10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
The main story is contemporary, and moves from Florida to Egypt. There is also a historical story, set in ancient Egypt, and a far-future story about a girl who wants to be a starpilot. All the stories are connected, and there's a mystery to be solved and a set of crises to be resolved.
sartorias
talked me into doing it. She's doing it, too.One is supposed to "tag" other people, but I don't do that. If you're a writer and haven't already played and want to play, go right ahead. And let us know where your post is, so we can follow you over there.
It goes like this:
1) What is the title of your book?
My new book, the first one under my own name in a few years, is Living in Threes .
2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
It started as a story about a girl very like my sister, waiting for sea turtles to come in from the ocean to lay their eggs on the beach in Florida. Then it sort of grew.
3) What genre does your book fall under?
It's fantasy. And historical. And science fiction. Which is why Book View Cafe published it. Nobody else had any clue how to market it, since it doesn't fit into any of the usual slots.
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
I don't "shadow cast." My brain doesn't work that way. I like the idea that everybody will see the characters differently, and put their own faces on them.
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Three lives, three worlds, three times: three young women, past, present, and future, come together to solve an age-old mystery and save a world.
6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It's been published by Book View Cafe, the professional authors' cooperative.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Years. It was originally bought by Jane Yolen for her imprint at Harcourt, and was in revisions when the imprint was shut down. It went through several incarnations as we tried to find another home for it. Last spring I took it back from my agents, with their blessing, and funded the final revision plus the interior and cover art (by LJ's own
sea_pony
) with a Kickstarter. A round 256 backers got together to make the funding a success. Then Book View Cafe edited, produced, and published it.8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Madeleine L'Engle's A Swiftly Tilting Planet has some similar themes. And she blended fantasy and science fiction in somewhat similar ways.
9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My sister. Sea turtles. White Horses. Ancient Egypt. A lifelong love of science fiction.
10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
The main story is contemporary, and moves from Florida to Egypt. There is also a historical story, set in ancient Egypt, and a far-future story about a girl who wants to be a starpilot. All the stories are connected, and there's a mystery to be solved and a set of crises to be resolved.
December 10, 2012
Where Did All the Time Go?
Wow, no post here since October. I am a very bad person. Also a rather frantically busy one.
In the past six weeks I've added another boarder to the farm, for a total of ten horses--but somehow there is less work, in the quantum sense, then there was with nine. It's the effect of having a young, energetic, horse-wise person in the mix, and solid backup--she's a professional animal sitter AND has a nursing degree. I can go away again, or take a break. OhthankFSM.
Her horse, Zeus, moved in on December 1st. He officially has the big pen on the north side of the arena, with a porta-shelter for coverage, but mostly he's either in the end stall beside Cisco or in the arena. Pooka really likes them both, and while I maintain a buffer zone for safety's sake--since geldings may bluff but stallions never do; if he says "Imma gonna rip your face off," he means it quite literally--everybody is mellow and relaxed, and if one of the geldings goes by Pooka's current hangout stall on lead or when turned out in the run under supervision while I clean stalls, there's no Shark Week. He doesn't even mind if they move between him and a mare, though that may change come spring. Pooka, in a word, Approves.
Ultimate plan is for Cisco and Zeus to be turnout buddies. We're taking it slow, however, and splitting their turnouts for now. They're negotiating things nicely so far, and are great fenceline buddies.
So that's working out well. Dana is riding ze keed--and he looooooves it. Even if she does make him work. Keed is smug. "Didn't I call a good rider? Didn't I? DIDN'T I?"
I am finally back on Pooka. He had that puncture in his foot, with the big infection, and once that was taken care of, his foot grew out so crooked that he was off balance when he moved, which meant no work until he had his foot trimmed. Then he needed a little time to get back into the groove, which with all the changes meant a little excitement in general. But last week in a lesson I got back on the horse, and he was quite out of the habit, and his trot was all over the place. But he then went in and dived into his stash of books on dressage; two days later when I ventured a short ride, he had advanced what felt like weeks. Still out of shape but much more together. And very happy. He has his boingities back! At last!
I have also been riding Capria regularly, and Pandora and Gabriella semi-regularly. Ephiny has had lessons and been working on manners, deportment, and steering. Now I have ground eyes, I can start riding her outside of lessons--that will happen after the holidays.
AND I can get serious about starting Tia. She's had a lesson of her own, in groundwork, which blew her tiny little alpha mind, but she showed promise. If we survive those first months, we'll be in excellent shape. But then we had even worse issues with big sister Ephiny. I am optimistic.
I am also about ready to get Camilla back to work. Finally. She remodeled her body over the summer and fall, proving that Lipizzans are truly, madly, deeply late bloomers, and now has a back to carry me again. She's asking for longeing, too, which considering her history not being into this dressage thing is major.
So that's the pony update. I also brought out a completely new novel through Book Cafe in November: Living in Threes, which was my Kickstarter novel. It's also up on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And now I'm posting a new story in installments on the Horseblog: "Nine White Horses", which is, among other things, about Charlemagne's horse.
Now we are galloping madly down the last steep slope of the year. Camp Lipizzan next week, then Solstice (with horse yoga) and Christmas and New Year's and an almost-week of vacation with the farm well and closely looked after. It's good. Crazy-busy, but good.
In the past six weeks I've added another boarder to the farm, for a total of ten horses--but somehow there is less work, in the quantum sense, then there was with nine. It's the effect of having a young, energetic, horse-wise person in the mix, and solid backup--she's a professional animal sitter AND has a nursing degree. I can go away again, or take a break. OhthankFSM.
Her horse, Zeus, moved in on December 1st. He officially has the big pen on the north side of the arena, with a porta-shelter for coverage, but mostly he's either in the end stall beside Cisco or in the arena. Pooka really likes them both, and while I maintain a buffer zone for safety's sake--since geldings may bluff but stallions never do; if he says "Imma gonna rip your face off," he means it quite literally--everybody is mellow and relaxed, and if one of the geldings goes by Pooka's current hangout stall on lead or when turned out in the run under supervision while I clean stalls, there's no Shark Week. He doesn't even mind if they move between him and a mare, though that may change come spring. Pooka, in a word, Approves.
Ultimate plan is for Cisco and Zeus to be turnout buddies. We're taking it slow, however, and splitting their turnouts for now. They're negotiating things nicely so far, and are great fenceline buddies.
So that's working out well. Dana is riding ze keed--and he looooooves it. Even if she does make him work. Keed is smug. "Didn't I call a good rider? Didn't I? DIDN'T I?"
I am finally back on Pooka. He had that puncture in his foot, with the big infection, and once that was taken care of, his foot grew out so crooked that he was off balance when he moved, which meant no work until he had his foot trimmed. Then he needed a little time to get back into the groove, which with all the changes meant a little excitement in general. But last week in a lesson I got back on the horse, and he was quite out of the habit, and his trot was all over the place. But he then went in and dived into his stash of books on dressage; two days later when I ventured a short ride, he had advanced what felt like weeks. Still out of shape but much more together. And very happy. He has his boingities back! At last!
I have also been riding Capria regularly, and Pandora and Gabriella semi-regularly. Ephiny has had lessons and been working on manners, deportment, and steering. Now I have ground eyes, I can start riding her outside of lessons--that will happen after the holidays.
AND I can get serious about starting Tia. She's had a lesson of her own, in groundwork, which blew her tiny little alpha mind, but she showed promise. If we survive those first months, we'll be in excellent shape. But then we had even worse issues with big sister Ephiny. I am optimistic.
I am also about ready to get Camilla back to work. Finally. She remodeled her body over the summer and fall, proving that Lipizzans are truly, madly, deeply late bloomers, and now has a back to carry me again. She's asking for longeing, too, which considering her history not being into this dressage thing is major.
So that's the pony update. I also brought out a completely new novel through Book Cafe in November: Living in Threes, which was my Kickstarter novel. It's also up on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And now I'm posting a new story in installments on the Horseblog: "Nine White Horses", which is, among other things, about Charlemagne's horse.
Now we are galloping madly down the last steep slope of the year. Camp Lipizzan next week, then Solstice (with horse yoga) and Christmas and New Year's and an almost-week of vacation with the farm well and closely looked after. It's good. Crazy-busy, but good.
September 22, 2012
Salin' the Written Seas
Well. Today I got to writing (ohhh noes!) and forgot to post a last-day reminder. Now it's Saturday night and we're live from the desert, and because I was in a galaxy far far away instead of here where I should have been, I'll do something for you: I'll extend the Equinoctial Sale until Monday at noon PDT.
Details are here. Camp Lipizzan dates in January and March, and a couple of mentee/editing/critting slots are still open. If you've been thinking about signing up but got lost in the weekly chaos, now you have until Monday. Come and play!
Details are here. Camp Lipizzan dates in January and March, and a couple of mentee/editing/critting slots are still open. If you've been thinking about signing up but got lost in the weekly chaos, now you have until Monday. Come and play!
