Kate Elliott's Blog, page 68
May 30, 2009
Meanwhile, back at the ranch: a finished first draft
I have completed the first draft of my latest project, COLD MAGIC. For me, it's short (first draft is about 170,000 words and I expect that will be trimmed down to 150,000 -- but I have to say that despite that heap-o-words the thing does, I believe, read very fast).
This is a very different project for me. For one, it's written in first person. For two, it's got funny bits -- not comedy so much as the voice of the main character and the way she sees things sometimes -- as well as dead serious
This is a very different project for me. For one, it's written in first person. For two, it's got funny bits -- not comedy so much as the voice of the main character and the way she sees things sometimes -- as well as dead serious
2008 Film Reviews: The Second-to-Last Batch
To clarify, these are films I watched in 2008, not necessarily ones released in 2008. I'm just catching up. This is the second to last batch, after which we will move on to your regularly scheduled 2009.
Sia: The Dream of the Python
Sia is based on the story of Wagadu, which is the story of the fall of the empire of Ghana. Although set "in the past," the undertones of this story as told in a film have a resonance that is both timeless and contemporary. In a much earlier film post I wrote abou
Sia: The Dream of the Python
Sia is based on the story of Wagadu, which is the story of the fall of the empire of Ghana. Although set "in the past," the undertones of this story as told in a film have a resonance that is both timeless and contemporary. In a much earlier film post I wrote abou
May 29, 2009
2008 Film Reviews: Tony Leung Smiles!
To clarify: these are films I watched in 2008, not necessarily films released in 2008. I'm just catching up. In fact, this is the second to last post for 2008 films.
Our Mutual Friend
Over time, I have had to conclude that Dickens is just not my thing. This is well done in the usual British style, but I scarcely can recall anything about it except that it featured scenes of the underbelly of Victorian London. Oh, and the young female lead from MI-5 (aka Spooks) plays the secondary female lead
Our Mutual Friend
Over time, I have had to conclude that Dickens is just not my thing. This is well done in the usual British style, but I scarcely can recall anything about it except that it featured scenes of the underbelly of Victorian London. Oh, and the young female lead from MI-5 (aka Spooks) plays the secondary female lead
May 28, 2009
Social Anxiety
I have GAD. Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
The NIH defines it as is an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.
THe NIH site goes on to say: People with generalized anxiety disorder can't seem to shake their concerns. Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, and ho
The NIH defines it as is an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.
THe NIH site goes on to say: People with generalized anxiety disorder can't seem to shake their concerns. Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, and ho
May 26, 2009
Sotomayor
This quote, snagged from Talking Points Memo, so perfectly encapsulates the world-view of its type that I feel obliged to reproduce it here.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK): "In the months ahead, it will be important for those of us in the U.S. Senate to weigh [Sotomayor's:] qualifications and character as well as her ability to rule fairly without undue influence from her own personal race, gender, or political preferences."
His apparently complete unconsciousness of the basic cosmological human assumpti
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK): "In the months ahead, it will be important for those of us in the U.S. Senate to weigh [Sotomayor's:] qualifications and character as well as her ability to rule fairly without undue influence from her own personal race, gender, or political preferences."
His apparently complete unconsciousness of the basic cosmological human assumpti
A few stray Hawaii links
The first regatta of the season is front page news in the Sports section of the Honolulu Advertiser. Alas, the club I paddle for, Manu o Ke Kai, did not do so well (as you will see in the article).
An article from two months ago (from the Hawai'i Herald) about a manga written on an important figure in Hawaii plantation history, Katsu Goto. He came over in 1885 on a three year contract to work on a plantation. After finishing his contract, he opened up a successful store, and "advocated on (the
An article from two months ago (from the Hawai'i Herald) about a manga written on an important figure in Hawaii plantation history, Katsu Goto. He came over in 1885 on a three year contract to work on a plantation. After finishing his contract, he opened up a successful store, and "advocated on (the
May 18, 2009
Sense of Place
I did a presentation at the Hawaii Book and Music Festival, which despite my pre-appearance anxieties went well. I admit, when I got to the Makai* Authors Tent at 10:58 there were only three people waiting there, but I knew two more were coming and I decided to make the most of my five people. However, four more arrived, and then another four or five, and then yet more filtering in on Hawaiian Time, so it went well. For those who are interested, I started with a Q&A (throwing out the little 1
May 16, 2009
More Questions for the Hive Mind: or, Memories of Disasters Past
One of these days I will have posts in which I may actually say something of interest. Soon. Yes, very soon. Hold that thought.
Meanwhile, I have a question for the hive mind, readers and writers both.
On Sunday, as I have mentioned, I will be making an appearance at the Hawaii Book & Music Festival. I have a 45 minute slot in on one of the "author stages" which means me, and some chairs, and -- if I am very very fortunate -- an audience of more than 2. Or even 2. I would be grateful even fo
Meanwhile, I have a question for the hive mind, readers and writers both.
On Sunday, as I have mentioned, I will be making an appearance at the Hawaii Book & Music Festival. I have a 45 minute slot in on one of the "author stages" which means me, and some chairs, and -- if I am very very fortunate -- an audience of more than 2. Or even 2. I would be grateful even fo
May 12, 2009
More info on the Hawaii Book & Music Festival May 16 & 17
This is a shout-out to let folks know that I will be appearing at the Hawaii Book and Music Festival at the grounds at Honolulu Hale on Sunday May 17 at 11 am in the Makai Authors tent. I may do a short reading, take questions, and/or talk about why and how I write, and why I write fantasy and science fiction as opposed to, say, mysteries or novels about modern life. Please join me if you can.
May 11, 2009
Hawaii Books and Music Festival May 16-17, 2009
I will appear at the Hawaii Books and Music Festival, in downtown Honolulu (at Honolulu Hale, I believe), The festival is this coming weekend May 16-17. I *think* (but have not yet received any schedule) that I have a 45 minute "tent" slot on Sunday May 17, but I'm not sure, and I am given to understand that I will have a solo slot (argh) for 45 minutes.
If you are on Oahu, feel free to find the schedule online, if they ever post it, and come by so I have someone in the audience. Really. That
If you are on Oahu, feel free to find the schedule online, if they ever post it, and come by so I have someone in the audience. Really. That
