Gillian Polack's Blog, page 225
October 25, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-10-25T16:36:00
The rain is here! It will be gone soon, but with it will go the fluff. Buried under many, many drops of water. Right now, it's about 12 degrees, so less than half the temperature of yesterday. Much more comfortable.
This means, of course, that I shall be forced to cease complaining. Just as well I have lots to read, since without whingeing to fill the long hours my days would be dull voids.
Most of the Aurealis books have arrived and I plan to finish reading the last few (the last 6, I believe) by the weekend (or maybe by Sunday, it depends on how much the Middle Ages intervenes). The last book will be read about the time I plan to send my supervisor chunks of material. I also have some other writing to finish in the next few days. After that, though, without complaints and with less work, what on earth will I do with my time?*
*That question is rhetorical. Other work will no doubt appear. And I've borrowed Twin Peaks, the Narnia films and Willow for when I need breaks. Would you believe that I never saw Twin Peaks, first time round?
This means, of course, that I shall be forced to cease complaining. Just as well I have lots to read, since without whingeing to fill the long hours my days would be dull voids.
Most of the Aurealis books have arrived and I plan to finish reading the last few (the last 6, I believe) by the weekend (or maybe by Sunday, it depends on how much the Middle Ages intervenes). The last book will be read about the time I plan to send my supervisor chunks of material. I also have some other writing to finish in the next few days. After that, though, without complaints and with less work, what on earth will I do with my time?*
*That question is rhetorical. Other work will no doubt appear. And I've borrowed Twin Peaks, the Narnia films and Willow for when I need breaks. Would you believe that I never saw Twin Peaks, first time round?
October 24, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-10-24T11:56:00
I don't actually think backwards. I don't think forwards, either.
I was discussing this with my mother yesterday, and we've finally decided I have never thought lineally. Contexts, parallel thoughts, new ideas, cultural analysis - they're there, part of the whole. I translate things into lines and serried ranks for other people - the value of standard schooling is one learns some of the basics of standard thought - but my brain prefers whole concepts, preferably complex.
For novels, this is fine. My brain takes the complexities as underlying materials and as world building and then works narrative on top of that. No-one really notices (I hope) that I write sequences in an entirely special order, as long as they have a reasonable resemblance to a novel's style of narrative at the end of the day.
For articles and for my current project, I'm having to do massive amounts of translation*. Gillian's-brain-speak into apparently rational argument. A lot of the way ideas link and work together gets lost along the way and once I've ordered the ideas, they don't want to go back into the pot to be thought of in other ways. Well, mostly they don't. I find this frustrating. It's as if a recipe for rich fruit cake always turns out light-as-air sponges Sometimes I want the idea in its original context, full of fruit and wonder**.
What I'm working on today is a case in point. I'd done a complete draft of the section (5000 words of draft) and then took out the bits that now belong in the new chapter (they fit in with both but don't derail the other quite as far) and what I have left is 50% translated and good argument and 50% an alien spaceship. It's a very *nice* alien spaceship, but examiners (and editors, as well) don't really like alien spaceships unless one is a trendy philosopher. And even one is a trendy philosopher, the spaceship has to be half-human. Recognisably something. Why I can edit, I suspect, is because I have to edit myself if I am to communicate.
All this isn't actually my burning question. My burning question is how on earth do people see the world when their brains don't produce alien spaceships?
* You know, I wouldn't mind a universal interpreter with a setting "Gillianish" to apply to my more serious non-fiction.
**Sponge cakes are very pretty, but they lack wonder.
I was discussing this with my mother yesterday, and we've finally decided I have never thought lineally. Contexts, parallel thoughts, new ideas, cultural analysis - they're there, part of the whole. I translate things into lines and serried ranks for other people - the value of standard schooling is one learns some of the basics of standard thought - but my brain prefers whole concepts, preferably complex.
For novels, this is fine. My brain takes the complexities as underlying materials and as world building and then works narrative on top of that. No-one really notices (I hope) that I write sequences in an entirely special order, as long as they have a reasonable resemblance to a novel's style of narrative at the end of the day.
For articles and for my current project, I'm having to do massive amounts of translation*. Gillian's-brain-speak into apparently rational argument. A lot of the way ideas link and work together gets lost along the way and once I've ordered the ideas, they don't want to go back into the pot to be thought of in other ways. Well, mostly they don't. I find this frustrating. It's as if a recipe for rich fruit cake always turns out light-as-air sponges Sometimes I want the idea in its original context, full of fruit and wonder**.
What I'm working on today is a case in point. I'd done a complete draft of the section (5000 words of draft) and then took out the bits that now belong in the new chapter (they fit in with both but don't derail the other quite as far) and what I have left is 50% translated and good argument and 50% an alien spaceship. It's a very *nice* alien spaceship, but examiners (and editors, as well) don't really like alien spaceships unless one is a trendy philosopher. And even one is a trendy philosopher, the spaceship has to be half-human. Recognisably something. Why I can edit, I suspect, is because I have to edit myself if I am to communicate.
All this isn't actually my burning question. My burning question is how on earth do people see the world when their brains don't produce alien spaceships?
* You know, I wouldn't mind a universal interpreter with a setting "Gillianish" to apply to my more serious non-fiction.
**Sponge cakes are very pretty, but they lack wonder.
October 23, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-10-23T14:52:00
Today is a grotty day. The weather shifted, but with no rain so I am still fighting fluff.
Also, I'm pretty much in between things. I could read more books (but fighting fluff means the eyes have limits, as does the breath) or I could revise a chapter for the umpteenth time. I ought to ring friends and see about spending an afternoon at the National Gallery, or something, but my friends are all busy.
I'll gear up tomorrow and be my normal self. Hopefully it won't be 30 degrees tomorrow (this is an odd season - in 2 weeks we've gone from negatives to early summer). Maybe I'll become entertaining tomorrow, too. I doubt it, however. Today I'm morose and so tomorrow afternoon is all about scones and tea. I've made some raspberry spread (no added sugar, very intense flavour) for the scones but I have no cream.
Right now, I think I shall just have tea. Big, big mugs of spiced tea. That'll help. As will actually taking my medication...
Also, I'm pretty much in between things. I could read more books (but fighting fluff means the eyes have limits, as does the breath) or I could revise a chapter for the umpteenth time. I ought to ring friends and see about spending an afternoon at the National Gallery, or something, but my friends are all busy.
I'll gear up tomorrow and be my normal self. Hopefully it won't be 30 degrees tomorrow (this is an odd season - in 2 weeks we've gone from negatives to early summer). Maybe I'll become entertaining tomorrow, too. I doubt it, however. Today I'm morose and so tomorrow afternoon is all about scones and tea. I've made some raspberry spread (no added sugar, very intense flavour) for the scones but I have no cream.
Right now, I think I shall just have tea. Big, big mugs of spiced tea. That'll help. As will actually taking my medication...
October 22, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-10-22T11:49:00
Nothing much to report today, unless you count realising that I'm still not well as something to report. Or that I washed many dishes and ran out of hot water. Or that I'm making coffee.
Today, in fact, is dedicated to housework as well as the regular work and so is bound to be boring. Alliteratively so, but dull nevertheless. If anything of vast excitement and joy happens, I'll report in again. And now I must do some more housework. And dissertation. I wonder what happens if I do both at once?
Today, in fact, is dedicated to housework as well as the regular work and so is bound to be boring. Alliteratively so, but dull nevertheless. If anything of vast excitement and joy happens, I'll report in again. And now I must do some more housework. And dissertation. I wonder what happens if I do both at once?
October 21, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-10-21T15:12:00
I've answered the question I set myself for my dissertation. Can I go home now? What do you mean I have to spend 16 more months writing it up? Waaaah!!!
This happened last time, too. I answered my question and really didn't want to do the rest. It's just communicating my conclusions and research and argument accurately and precisely and convincingly to other people - not nearly as interesting as doing the research and answering the question. Thank goodness this time there's a novel to keep me from tearing my hair out quite so soon. Also, two chapters which are entirely and completely undrafted which might - but probably won't - change my answer. Still, question answered and I don't get time off for good behaviour. One of the minor and more silly unfairnesses of life.
I'm taking a celebrative break, anyway. I go to watch Torchwood in an hour!
For the record, the answer was ... No, if I have to write it up, you can wait a few months. Or a year. Or so.
This happened last time, too. I answered my question and really didn't want to do the rest. It's just communicating my conclusions and research and argument accurately and precisely and convincingly to other people - not nearly as interesting as doing the research and answering the question. Thank goodness this time there's a novel to keep me from tearing my hair out quite so soon. Also, two chapters which are entirely and completely undrafted which might - but probably won't - change my answer. Still, question answered and I don't get time off for good behaviour. One of the minor and more silly unfairnesses of life.
I'm taking a celebrative break, anyway. I go to watch Torchwood in an hour!
For the record, the answer was ... No, if I have to write it up, you can wait a few months. Or a year. Or so.
gillpolack @ 2011-10-21T12:28:00
I don't normally give links to reviews of my books, but SFnal cookbooks are strange and special and two SF critics have dared to tackle the Conflux cookbook. You can find the reviews here and here.
And, just because I can, here's the link to the order form, since this probably isn't a buying-in-bookshops kind of book. For Canberrans, I still have a few copies - but only until the Conflux committee picks them up.
And now, my amazing precognition sees me having more coffee and working on my dissertation, which alas, lacks both recipes and reviews.
And, just because I can, here's the link to the order form, since this probably isn't a buying-in-bookshops kind of book. For Canberrans, I still have a few copies - but only until the Conflux committee picks them up.
And now, my amazing precognition sees me having more coffee and working on my dissertation, which alas, lacks both recipes and reviews.
October 20, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-10-21T10:55:00
This morning is devoted to me making sense of what I've written in my dissertation to date so that I can actually build on it. This is why, you see, the chapter I was working on last week was such a complete and awful nonsense. The ideas were there, and some of the explanation, but it really didn't advance my argument or show anyone anything about the topic. I'd carefully written building blocks a year ago and my fallible memory (which was once a very precise engine - my brain operates quite differently these days) and put them in draft earlier chapters. I'd remembered what I'd written in those chapters, mostly, but I'd forgotten which bits were building blocks for later. And now when I need those building blocks, they're there and I .... forgot.
This morning is re-reading and writing notes and this afternoon is going through the new sections and fitting everything together. Tomorrow is finding out if that's enough to sort the mess that was the last 2 month's work. If it is, then I shall rejoice, for the biggest chunk of my research will be done. If it isn't, then I shall ponder gravely and do what must be done.
I want to return to my novel, but that's not going to happen for a bit.
This morning is re-reading and writing notes and this afternoon is going through the new sections and fitting everything together. Tomorrow is finding out if that's enough to sort the mess that was the last 2 month's work. If it is, then I shall rejoice, for the biggest chunk of my research will be done. If it isn't, then I shall ponder gravely and do what must be done.
I want to return to my novel, but that's not going to happen for a bit.
gillpolack @ 2011-10-20T20:35:00
Some mothers have to work harder than others. My mother was just the very patient receptor of an excited phonecall by me.
All this Aurealis reading has led me to discover equivalencies between the way not-quite-successful SF writers work and the way not-quite-successful historical fiction writers (especially those who use the Middle Ages) work. I think I have it sorted. I don't know why it took me so long. Mum also sat through me discovering why Connie WIllis is so popular* despite her errors and why other authors can't make it off the ground despite much hard work.
It was all terribly obvious, once I'd thought it through. The fact that it's taken me this long to think it through and that I needed the Aurealis books to counterweight the historical fiction and historical SF simply shows how many assumptions I was carrying around concerning genre differences. My bottom line today is that writing comes down to narrative as told by human beings and that some very basic errors can be made in quite different narratives and be accepted by readers because the writer and reader share cultural assumptions.
Now, how do I write this into my dissertation without turning it into an entire nonsense?
*And why her novels work, in fact. This is because the real focus, of course, isn't on the history or the science fictional aspects. They're backdrop only. Now I want to take some of her more extended dialogues and compare them with Oscar Wilde. I want to look for theatre in Connie Willis, not in the drama sense, but in the interaction between characters and the manner of its expression. You know, if someone wanted an article from me about this, I would do it. In my copious free time, of course.
All this Aurealis reading has led me to discover equivalencies between the way not-quite-successful SF writers work and the way not-quite-successful historical fiction writers (especially those who use the Middle Ages) work. I think I have it sorted. I don't know why it took me so long. Mum also sat through me discovering why Connie WIllis is so popular* despite her errors and why other authors can't make it off the ground despite much hard work.
It was all terribly obvious, once I'd thought it through. The fact that it's taken me this long to think it through and that I needed the Aurealis books to counterweight the historical fiction and historical SF simply shows how many assumptions I was carrying around concerning genre differences. My bottom line today is that writing comes down to narrative as told by human beings and that some very basic errors can be made in quite different narratives and be accepted by readers because the writer and reader share cultural assumptions.
Now, how do I write this into my dissertation without turning it into an entire nonsense?
*And why her novels work, in fact. This is because the real focus, of course, isn't on the history or the science fictional aspects. They're backdrop only. Now I want to take some of her more extended dialogues and compare them with Oscar Wilde. I want to look for theatre in Connie Willis, not in the drama sense, but in the interaction between characters and the manner of its expression. You know, if someone wanted an article from me about this, I would do it. In my copious free time, of course.
Ditmar and Aurealis
I'm doing reminders.
If you have a favourite book or essay or anything speculative from this year, make sure that it's been put on this list for the Ditmars, so that people know it's out there (since Ditmar shortlists are created from the number of fans who nominate a given work) and if you have favourite fiction, check that it's been entered by its publisher (or anyone, in fact) for the Aurealis Awards. If you haven't read much from certain Ditmar categories, then now is a good time to start and the list I've linked to is an excellent place to start.
Also, watch Cranky Nick's blog, for last time I did a post like this he disliked it. This year I'm actively collecting adjectives about me from people who I've never met and so I await his comments with interest. I mentioned my own work in the post I did last year, so let me do that now, for consistency. All my published work for 2011 is non-fiction and not eligible for Aurealis. All my personal favourite essays/reviews are on BiblioBuffet this time around. My personal favourites, however, are of pretty limited use, as they are what I like of what I've written.
The important thing is that good work by anyone get noticed. Now is the moment when we all (as readers, as fans) have the chance to make sure the stuff we've enjoyed is a bit more visible. Voting for the Aurealis is done by jury (and the judges are all doing that, right now) and nominations for Ditmars aren't open yet. This means there's still time to make sure that your favourite book or story is up there and being seen. Go for it!
(Bits of this post were brought to you by Evil Gillian - I really need to keep her more under control.)
If you have a favourite book or essay or anything speculative from this year, make sure that it's been put on this list for the Ditmars, so that people know it's out there (since Ditmar shortlists are created from the number of fans who nominate a given work) and if you have favourite fiction, check that it's been entered by its publisher (or anyone, in fact) for the Aurealis Awards. If you haven't read much from certain Ditmar categories, then now is a good time to start and the list I've linked to is an excellent place to start.
Also, watch Cranky Nick's blog, for last time I did a post like this he disliked it. This year I'm actively collecting adjectives about me from people who I've never met and so I await his comments with interest. I mentioned my own work in the post I did last year, so let me do that now, for consistency. All my published work for 2011 is non-fiction and not eligible for Aurealis. All my personal favourite essays/reviews are on BiblioBuffet this time around. My personal favourites, however, are of pretty limited use, as they are what I like of what I've written.
The important thing is that good work by anyone get noticed. Now is the moment when we all (as readers, as fans) have the chance to make sure the stuff we've enjoyed is a bit more visible. Voting for the Aurealis is done by jury (and the judges are all doing that, right now) and nominations for Ditmars aren't open yet. This means there's still time to make sure that your favourite book or story is up there and being seen. Go for it!
(Bits of this post were brought to you by Evil Gillian - I really need to keep her more under control.)
gillpolack @ 2011-10-20T14:00:00
I have big aims for the next couple of days. I want to have caught up with my Aurealis reading and I want to have re-read all of my dissertation to date and started to persuade it that it really wants to make sense. I want to be able to take big deep breaths and smile. There's nothing much historical in my outlook, nor even fictional, unless I get stuff back from supervisor. This means I'm out of excuses. I have to do my little bits of work!
