Gillian Polack's Blog, page 212
January 18, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-01-18T14:08:00
To celebrate River, a beautiful new anthology* edited by Alma Alexander (whose writing I always have a great deal of time for - in fact, I always have time for Alma herself, too), Mary Victoria (who just happens to have a story in that anthology) has a series of guests on her blog. Half of the guests have stories in the anthology, and the other half are a mixture of odds and sods (like me) and really wonderful writers. Mary is alternating odd and sod with good writing and today is odd and sod day. I strongly suggest that you check the earlier entries and the entries still to come - how different writers think about place is very curious and interesting.
*I lost my link to the table of contents. It's a very nice table of contents in a number of ways.
ETA: Thanks to the kindness of the Mary, I now have a link to that lovely table of contents. Go ye and admire!
*I lost my link to the table of contents. It's a very nice table of contents in a number of ways.
ETA: Thanks to the kindness of the Mary, I now have a link to that lovely table of contents. Go ye and admire!
January 17, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-01-17T17:06:00
It's a strange day. I enjoyed coffee with a friend and then gave into the pain (for it's a high pain day today, and today has been building up for three weeks) and then gave up for a few hours and had spider-filled dreams. When I woke up, I found a lovely thank you note from another friend and a most beautiful cover flat from Helen Lowe. Thank you, Helen!
I have two hours to diminish pain again (also to catch up on some tasks) and then I teach and then I have a meeting. I'm looking forward to two of the three. I'm prepared for all three.
This isn't a complaint. My days used to all be riddled with pain and gradually the pain diminishes. Days this bad are now maybe twice a month. Despite my body's best efforts, things are improving.
I have two hours to diminish pain again (also to catch up on some tasks) and then I teach and then I have a meeting. I'm looking forward to two of the three. I'm prepared for all three.
This isn't a complaint. My days used to all be riddled with pain and gradually the pain diminishes. Days this bad are now maybe twice a month. Despite my body's best efforts, things are improving.
January 16, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-01-16T15:12:00
Today is the last day of my quiet period. When I tidy up my papers, I shall probably discover twenty important things I haven't done. The big thing is that I have a complete first draft of my time travel novel. There are probably many iterations to follow, but to be able to say "Yep, draft done" is good.
Tomorrow evening I start teaching, and also start working on the Beast. On Wednesday I start work on the next chapter of my dissertation. When that's underway, I can start work on an article I promised.
It all sounds planned, doesn't it? So why am I followed around by a persistent thought (like a persistent cough, only more annoying) that says "You've forgotten ten important things"?
Tomorrow evening I start teaching, and also start working on the Beast. On Wednesday I start work on the next chapter of my dissertation. When that's underway, I can start work on an article I promised.
It all sounds planned, doesn't it? So why am I followed around by a persistent thought (like a persistent cough, only more annoying) that says "You've forgotten ten important things"?
January 15, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-01-15T13:09:00
No deep and meaningful post today. I'm finally getting over the virus. What this means is that nothing's quite going right, but I'm not unwell enough to go back to bed and cover my head and forget about it all. I predict* much chocolate and considerable amounts of coffee in my near future...
*My predictions are inevitably infallible on such matters.
*My predictions are inevitably infallible on such matters.
January 14, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-01-14T14:23:00
Right now, I'm drinking very fine coffee and eating half-frozen raspberries. I love half-frozen raspberries. And I love putting off my urgent work...
Actually, I only have about five hours of work that must-be-done-lest-the-skies-fall to complete before Sunday night. This situation of odd laziness will change, but not, I think, before Tuesday. I've run out of reviews and articles due, until the last two volumes arrive for Aurealis (postal confusion means they're late) I can't finish my Aurealis reading, and my supervisor has both dissertation and novel currently, and the Beast is being pondered on the other side of the world.
I shall be making a start on the reviews that I will soon have to do, of course. I have two books of mathematics to read, for instance, and a rather fascinating one on temporal imagination. On Monday, I start up an interview I was in the middle of when the festive season hit and (hopefully) get student material for my teaching*. On Tuesday I teach. I have a bunch of other stuff that will start happening on Monday, too, and have left myself notes lest I forget. But today and tomorrow, I can toddle. As long as I do my five hours, I'm fine.
I'm going to take a deep breath and enjoy my afternoon break. It's not replacing anything I must do. It's actual, real, genuine time out.
*I have the teaching planned with material and without material, since systems glitch, and besides, I've taught it both ways other times.
Actually, I only have about five hours of work that must-be-done-lest-the-skies-fall to complete before Sunday night. This situation of odd laziness will change, but not, I think, before Tuesday. I've run out of reviews and articles due, until the last two volumes arrive for Aurealis (postal confusion means they're late) I can't finish my Aurealis reading, and my supervisor has both dissertation and novel currently, and the Beast is being pondered on the other side of the world.
I shall be making a start on the reviews that I will soon have to do, of course. I have two books of mathematics to read, for instance, and a rather fascinating one on temporal imagination. On Monday, I start up an interview I was in the middle of when the festive season hit and (hopefully) get student material for my teaching*. On Tuesday I teach. I have a bunch of other stuff that will start happening on Monday, too, and have left myself notes lest I forget. But today and tomorrow, I can toddle. As long as I do my five hours, I'm fine.
I'm going to take a deep breath and enjoy my afternoon break. It's not replacing anything I must do. It's actual, real, genuine time out.
*I have the teaching planned with material and without material, since systems glitch, and besides, I've taught it both ways other times.
January 13, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-01-13T21:34:00
I was articulate until a few minutes ago. I blame the drop in temperature. That must be it. Can't possibly be fatigue...
Chris F Holm. Dead Harvest (The Collector, Book 1)
I've been borrowing many DVDs from the library, as you know, to help me through an editing patch. This means I've begun my day, this whole fortnight, with tiny (often inaccurate) plot summaries. Brimstone was one I nearly borrowed despite the plot summary, because I had seen a single episode when it first came out. The premise of someone collecting souls for Hell, however, reminded me of Reaper (which is currently on and which appears to be carefully programmed at every hour I can't possibly make it) so I gave it a miss. Just as well, really, because otherwise I'd feel myself stalked by a theme: Holm's book is also about collecting souls for Hell, where the collector has a mind of his own ('his' in all cases - does this mean I'm safe from that particular job? That only men are damned?). It's obviously a current topic. I could explore why, or I could simply read and report on this book. I choose the latter.
Chris F Holm's Dead Harvest won't be released for a little, as I understand it (February and March this year). It's very much in what I am coming to think of the Angry Robot style for fast-paced dark fiction. In other words, if you've read other Angry Robot books with action premises, you should enjoy this novel. Angry Robot also appears to be developing a fondness for openings where there are mysteriously dead people. It's told from the viewpoint of a creator of mysteriously dead bodies.
What's it about, besides someone who's stuck collecting souls? It's an adventure (staying one step ahead of worsening catastrophe) with a bit of detection (why did things go so very wrong?) and somewhat of a story of people discovering other people. Possession by the dead. That sort of thing. The premise is not new and the plot has its predictability. It all comes down to the writing and the characters. If they live, then it's worth reading, despite the currency of the subject and the familiarity of the plot. The good news is that it's rather nicely done. The writing is clear. It works rather well - the style and the subject. Some lyricism, some personal comment and pulling it all in tightly when action suddenly happens. Most importantly, despite the familiarity of the premise, the plot has twists and turns. It's not the same story, told yet again: it has its own spin.
The universe reminds me of the Supernatural universe. Not much new there, except that the definition of Heaven and Hell owes somewhat to Sartre. The familiarity is not a problem. It means that anyone with an interest in this kind of narrative will settle into the familiarity and enjoy the story, and anyone who hasn't might find out what the addicts find so very attractive about supernatural adventure. It's Holm's handling of those specific lives that sets this novel apart. His viewpoint character, in particular, has a lovely reality.
Chris F Holm's Dead Harvest won't be released for a little, as I understand it (February and March this year). It's very much in what I am coming to think of the Angry Robot style for fast-paced dark fiction. In other words, if you've read other Angry Robot books with action premises, you should enjoy this novel. Angry Robot also appears to be developing a fondness for openings where there are mysteriously dead people. It's told from the viewpoint of a creator of mysteriously dead bodies.
What's it about, besides someone who's stuck collecting souls? It's an adventure (staying one step ahead of worsening catastrophe) with a bit of detection (why did things go so very wrong?) and somewhat of a story of people discovering other people. Possession by the dead. That sort of thing. The premise is not new and the plot has its predictability. It all comes down to the writing and the characters. If they live, then it's worth reading, despite the currency of the subject and the familiarity of the plot. The good news is that it's rather nicely done. The writing is clear. It works rather well - the style and the subject. Some lyricism, some personal comment and pulling it all in tightly when action suddenly happens. Most importantly, despite the familiarity of the premise, the plot has twists and turns. It's not the same story, told yet again: it has its own spin.
The universe reminds me of the Supernatural universe. Not much new there, except that the definition of Heaven and Hell owes somewhat to Sartre. The familiarity is not a problem. It means that anyone with an interest in this kind of narrative will settle into the familiarity and enjoy the story, and anyone who hasn't might find out what the addicts find so very attractive about supernatural adventure. It's Holm's handling of those specific lives that sets this novel apart. His viewpoint character, in particular, has a lovely reality.
January 12, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-01-13T09:54:00
I'm drinking much coffee accompanied by a great deal of grump. I have an excessively long list of things to do today, and they include a great deal of walking, but I'm not quite well. It was easier this time yesterday, when I was too sick to do much at all.
It's not a bad day, workwise. Lots of small fiddly things that must be done to clear the decks. The normal gumpf that accumulates while I focus on the big stuff and the urgent stuff. It's just that I'm carrying the illness and that gives me a sense of never quite catching up and never quite feeling comfortable. And what I need (emotionally) now is breakthrough. If any of you are planning to publish me or offer me a job of work or etc (be imaginative - lots of possible etceteras) now would be fine timing.
It's the virus, I know, that's making me feel Red Queenish. Also that my luck is, as ever, dubious. I might read that last remaining Angry Robot book and empty a folder, then read an Aurealis book (I'm missing two, but have almost finished all the others - we had a lot come in at the last minute this time). And when I finish the bulk of the messages, I shall reward myself with DVD viewing. High living: I'm guilty of it.
It's not a bad day, workwise. Lots of small fiddly things that must be done to clear the decks. The normal gumpf that accumulates while I focus on the big stuff and the urgent stuff. It's just that I'm carrying the illness and that gives me a sense of never quite catching up and never quite feeling comfortable. And what I need (emotionally) now is breakthrough. If any of you are planning to publish me or offer me a job of work or etc (be imaginative - lots of possible etceteras) now would be fine timing.
It's the virus, I know, that's making me feel Red Queenish. Also that my luck is, as ever, dubious. I might read that last remaining Angry Robot book and empty a folder, then read an Aurealis book (I'm missing two, but have almost finished all the others - we had a lot come in at the last minute this time). And when I finish the bulk of the messages, I shall reward myself with DVD viewing. High living: I'm guilty of it.
Ian Whates - City of Light & Shadow
It's past time I looked at another Angry Robot book. Today's is the final book in Ian Whates' fantasy city sequence (City of a Hundred Rows Book III, the website says) and it's just been launched, so it's officially out, but still brand-new and magical.
The first thing I look for in trilogies is how much of the previous volume one has to know to enjoy the story. Whates' has managed to introduce enough of the world for it to make sense. The emotional values will be stronger if you read the first two volumes, but you can get by on the third, if you want. I don't recommend it though, because the city is most magical in the first volume and it would be a shame to miss it.
I can't give you a plot summary without giving you spoilers, really. The city and its people are endangered and the hero and those around him have to save it. That's the same for all three volumes. The third volume draws together all the threads and people become what they're going to become and all veils are peeled back and, while the mystery is lost, we find out what's going on.
In many ways it's a satisfying ending. Whates draws together threads in a very efficient way. It loses a bit, however, in short-circuiting the wonderful layers of Thaiburley (the city). With less of the colour and trouble, with interactions confined to a much tighter group of characters, some of the flavour is lost. It's a trade-off: traditional fantasy quest conclusion vs local colour. I enjoyed the novel, but I really missed the sense of place that Whates had so lovingly established earlier. (Speaking of sense of place, Mary Victoria is running a series of blogs over at her place, in honour of another book - I'll talk about that soon - not tonight, I suspect, but soon.)
Whates has a tendency to use sentences that offer a steady pace and to linger on his characters' thoughts for just a moment too long. This means that City of Light & Shadow is not the fastest paced novel I've read recently. The shape of the page is a bit similar, one to the next and the eye becomes dull from time to time. On the other hand, his background explanations are clear and his worldbuilding doesn't burden.
What does all this add up to? Not the best novel I've read this last twelve months, but certainly not the worst. I still love the sense of place, even if Whates doesn't use it as much in this narrative as he has in the previous ones, and it all hangs together. If the weather were less like midwinter, I'd recommend it as good summer reading.
The first thing I look for in trilogies is how much of the previous volume one has to know to enjoy the story. Whates' has managed to introduce enough of the world for it to make sense. The emotional values will be stronger if you read the first two volumes, but you can get by on the third, if you want. I don't recommend it though, because the city is most magical in the first volume and it would be a shame to miss it.
I can't give you a plot summary without giving you spoilers, really. The city and its people are endangered and the hero and those around him have to save it. That's the same for all three volumes. The third volume draws together all the threads and people become what they're going to become and all veils are peeled back and, while the mystery is lost, we find out what's going on.
In many ways it's a satisfying ending. Whates draws together threads in a very efficient way. It loses a bit, however, in short-circuiting the wonderful layers of Thaiburley (the city). With less of the colour and trouble, with interactions confined to a much tighter group of characters, some of the flavour is lost. It's a trade-off: traditional fantasy quest conclusion vs local colour. I enjoyed the novel, but I really missed the sense of place that Whates had so lovingly established earlier. (Speaking of sense of place, Mary Victoria is running a series of blogs over at her place, in honour of another book - I'll talk about that soon - not tonight, I suspect, but soon.)
Whates has a tendency to use sentences that offer a steady pace and to linger on his characters' thoughts for just a moment too long. This means that City of Light & Shadow is not the fastest paced novel I've read recently. The shape of the page is a bit similar, one to the next and the eye becomes dull from time to time. On the other hand, his background explanations are clear and his worldbuilding doesn't burden.
What does all this add up to? Not the best novel I've read this last twelve months, but certainly not the worst. I still love the sense of place, even if Whates doesn't use it as much in this narrative as he has in the previous ones, and it all hangs together. If the weather were less like midwinter, I'd recommend it as good summer reading.
gillpolack @ 2012-01-12T11:26:00
If my friends from the other side the the Equator want their weather back, I can deliver a virus with it. My body, it seems, thinks it's winter. This would be because Canberra came close to zero last night and it's still only fifteen degrees outside right now. There was a bit of a blizzard yesterday, too, which fell on me as slightly snowy rain and fell on the mountains as pure snow.
I did half my messages yesterday, before the whatever-I-have got to me. I also did 3/4 of my list. I'm readjusting all my remaining lists to take the extra slack, but so far this hasn't resulted in much work accomplished. I keep telling myself that I have today and tomorrow to do these things and it becomes later today and tomorrow and soon it will be very late today and tomorrow.
This is why I want to return this winter virus to its true home. It's not bad, as virii go, but it has consequences.
Things could be worse. I could have this minor ailment and got caught in the rainish stuff yesterday without proper protection. My weather sense meant that I felt the cold coming all yesterday and so I was wearing the right clothes. My weather sense doesn't say that today is going to be hugely warm, however.
My post office visit is now tomorrow, and I'm certain the weather and virus would make a very neat parcel. I just need to work out the right destination...
I did half my messages yesterday, before the whatever-I-have got to me. I also did 3/4 of my list. I'm readjusting all my remaining lists to take the extra slack, but so far this hasn't resulted in much work accomplished. I keep telling myself that I have today and tomorrow to do these things and it becomes later today and tomorrow and soon it will be very late today and tomorrow.
This is why I want to return this winter virus to its true home. It's not bad, as virii go, but it has consequences.
Things could be worse. I could have this minor ailment and got caught in the rainish stuff yesterday without proper protection. My weather sense meant that I felt the cold coming all yesterday and so I was wearing the right clothes. My weather sense doesn't say that today is going to be hugely warm, however.
My post office visit is now tomorrow, and I'm certain the weather and virus would make a very neat parcel. I just need to work out the right destination...
