Walter Jon Williams's Blog, page 200

Taos Toolbox Retrospective

Ever since Taos Toolbox ended on Saturday I've been curled up in my cave like an exhausted bear, catching up on everything that's happened in my world since I went up the mountain on the 10th.     At least our political world is consistent: those losers in Washington are still arguing about the same stuff they were arguing about two weeks ago.The Toolbox class was amazing: in the two weeks they read and critiqued something like 198,000 words of fiction, did exercises, worked incessantly on...

Ursoid Loper

Here in the last days of the Taos Toolbox workshop, our totem animal finally paid us a visit, and I'm pleased to report that attendee Scott Hawkins had his camera ready.

And Speaking of Rupert Murdoch . . .

 

Wifi here has got very slow, and I'm unable to upload your daily amusements.    But if I put a video on this page, all I have to upload is the code, and although it will take fifteen minutes, you'll probably be able to see it.
So here, via Sean Eret, is It's a Wonderful Life, starring Rupert Murdoch.

Alas, Borders

 

Borders is dead.  The bookstore chain failed to find a white knight that satisfied its creditors, and will go into receivership within the next few days.This, my friends, is bad.  Borders was nearly half the bookstore sales in North America.  While competitors like Amazon and Barnes & Noble will doubtless pick up some of the slack, I've been reading lament after lament from readers who are no longer within easy commuting distance of a big bookstore, or any bookstore at all.   Small stores...

Return of the Rainbow

 

 

 

Another fine sunset rainbow, courtesy of what I believe was our third thunderstorm today.  Despite having to unplug all the electronics, I'm very happy for the weather.

Something To Look Forward To

Let it not be said that we are idle here at Taos Toolbox.   Among other things, we have plotted and outlined Christie Yant's next novel, put the whole thing on a series of 3×5 cards, and then stuck them on a door (because doors, as you know, are symblic).  Here's a picture.Nor will this picture be of any help to you if you unscrupulously— or even scrupulously—  set out to steal Christie's novel.  Because the notes are cryptic and you will be unable to make sense of them— and if you do think y...

Mystery Thing

I'm still up at Taos Toolbox teaching and doing critiques, and it's taking up most of my time, so here's something to amuse you while I'm otherwise occupied.
What is this thing?
Is this a still from a movie?  Photoshop magic?  An object that exists in our world, or only in someone's imagination?
And even if you already know what it is, you can tell us what you think it should be.
Discuss.

Steampunk Cool

We see here Toolbox student Jeff Dunteman's Aetheric Concentrator.  Jeff was concerned that he might not get his wi-fi here in our remote mountain lodge, so he built this nifty two-way antenna out of a 1919 bathroom heater and a pill bottle, among other things.
The desk is also made out of plumbing bits so as to put Jeff's keyboard exactly where he likes it, which is 26 inches off the floor. Jeff knows what he wants, and how to get it.
Taos Toolbox— mad improvisation for better literature!

Peace

Here's a rainbow that I captured with my Pentax just outside my door, just a few minutes ago.
Shortly afterward, a mule deer wandered  into sight, then wandered out again.  I took her picture, but it wasn't very successful.
We've had a good day of workshopping here at Taos Toolbox, with some very smart and talented students keeping us on our toes.
Just focus on the rainbow, people.  Focus on the rainbow.

Stormy Weather

Here's a picture taken from just outside my door.
"But Walter," I hear you say, "this picture's all dark and murky!"
Yes.  Isn't it great?
These are storm clouds.  In a short while, rain is going to come pouring down.
For someone who's lived in drought conditions since February, this is wonderful.  And this is the third rainstorm in three days!
Sometimes water falls from the sky! I'd almost forgotten.