Nicola Griffith's Blog, page 119
May 24, 2012
Angels of light dance on my thumb
This is how I see the world after more wine than is strictly necessary. Or perhaps it's only after truly luscious wine (Barolo and a white Burgundy). Or it could have been the Moscow Mules that preceded the wine. Or the heady conversation. Or the treetop-and-lake view. But an angel of light did dance on my thumb, just for a little while.
May 23, 2012
Writing is not a race
I've been thinking about time and writing (so have a lot of other people: see last Friday's Sterling Editing blog post). Specifically, I've been pondering the fact that (in my experience) novels aren't like news pieces; they are not to be hurried.
My books take a long time in some ways, and not very long in others. As an example, let's look at my first published novel, Ammonite . I wouldn't be lying if I said that book took me ten months to write, start to finish, with no rewrites. But that's not the whole story. The book I wrote before Ammonite (with a fountain pen, on lined paper; the book only three people have ever read; the book that will stay in a drawer forever) was set on Jeep, the world of Ammonite. It wasn't called Jeep then because that terminology is specific to the milieu I created for Ammonite. But it was Jeep: Moanwood wreathed Ollfoss in splendid isolation, the Echraidhe roamed Tehuantepec, and a fisherwoman called Vine sailed Silverfish Deep. The character of Marghe already existed, too: I'd written a very early (unpublished) story about an archaeological dig on a world called Beaver (or BV 4)--the tale of Marghe's first run-in with the security people of the local mining corporation. They weren't Mirrors, in that story, because at that time I didn't know Mirrors existed. Mirrors sprang, fulled formed and armoured, from the forehead of "Mirrors and Burnstone," my first published short story (Interzone, 1988). Which is where we first meet Hannah Danner.
So by the time I sat down to write Ammonite I had two of the main characters, the bones of the world, and some of its history. The whole thing fell into place and I pulled it together as neatly as a zipper. Zzzsst! and it was done.
I could tell similar stories about Slow River, and all the Aud books. But let's skip ahead to today, to my latest novel.
Hild took me 3 years to write--or 10, or 25, or my whole life, depending on how you define 'writing'.
I was born in a place Hild probably knew, and in my childhood roamed the sites she very probably visited.
In my early twenties I fell in love with Whitby Abbey, which Hild founded in the seventh century.
On my birthday four years ago I sat down and wrote the first paragraph of the draft that became Hild. And now that I have a whole novel, I find myself not moving on but falling deeper into the seventh century.
When I first crossed the threshold of Whitby Abbey I couldn't have dreamt that one day I'd try wrap my head around an entire century of British peoples and languages, flora and fauna, politics, religion, history, war, and art. If I'd been in a hurry when the notion of Hild first occurred to me, I would have ended up with an alternate history novel, one in which the Synod of Whitby decided for Ionan Christianity, not Roman. I'm sure I would have had fun with it, but it wouldn't have been Hild.
I just found this description of three books I was toying with in the mid-nineties*, right after outlining The Blue Place:
Hild the novel that is, Hild the character who is still taking shape, could only exist through the luxury of time.
But calling time a luxury is, of course, misleading. Time isn't something that's given to a writer on a silver platter. (Unless you have a trust fund. I don't.) Time to write is something we defend from incursion. Time to write is something we choose; something we make a priority, something we actively plan for and decide in favour of. It doesn't just happen. To make time to write you have to give up time spent on other things.
Sometimes that thing is sleep. Sometimes it's peace of mind created by having health insurance provided by a day job. Sometimes it's time with friends. Sometimes it's a day in the park chasing rainbows.
But sometimes, part of writing is sleeping, talking to friends, working at something else, and chasing rainbows. That's the thing. Sometimes writing is everything we do. How do we know? We just have to figure it out and trust ourselves. And choose.
As writers we are the sum of our choices. And one thing I know about making decisions: sometimes, if you just set them aside for a while, the choice becomes clear.
So that's what I do with most things in life: I take my time.
Of course, sometimes you have to just go for it, right away: take life on the volley. That's a subject for another blog post. For now, here's the advice I would offer any writer, new or deeply experienced: writing isn't a race, impatience is not your friend. Find the still, quiet place inside and dwell there for a time. Go deep.
* I found it four days ago, written in WordPerfect. I might post another idea from it later this week or early next.
My books take a long time in some ways, and not very long in others. As an example, let's look at my first published novel, Ammonite . I wouldn't be lying if I said that book took me ten months to write, start to finish, with no rewrites. But that's not the whole story. The book I wrote before Ammonite (with a fountain pen, on lined paper; the book only three people have ever read; the book that will stay in a drawer forever) was set on Jeep, the world of Ammonite. It wasn't called Jeep then because that terminology is specific to the milieu I created for Ammonite. But it was Jeep: Moanwood wreathed Ollfoss in splendid isolation, the Echraidhe roamed Tehuantepec, and a fisherwoman called Vine sailed Silverfish Deep. The character of Marghe already existed, too: I'd written a very early (unpublished) story about an archaeological dig on a world called Beaver (or BV 4)--the tale of Marghe's first run-in with the security people of the local mining corporation. They weren't Mirrors, in that story, because at that time I didn't know Mirrors existed. Mirrors sprang, fulled formed and armoured, from the forehead of "Mirrors and Burnstone," my first published short story (Interzone, 1988). Which is where we first meet Hannah Danner.
So by the time I sat down to write Ammonite I had two of the main characters, the bones of the world, and some of its history. The whole thing fell into place and I pulled it together as neatly as a zipper. Zzzsst! and it was done.
I could tell similar stories about Slow River, and all the Aud books. But let's skip ahead to today, to my latest novel.
Hild took me 3 years to write--or 10, or 25, or my whole life, depending on how you define 'writing'.
I was born in a place Hild probably knew, and in my childhood roamed the sites she very probably visited.
In my early twenties I fell in love with Whitby Abbey, which Hild founded in the seventh century.
On my birthday four years ago I sat down and wrote the first paragraph of the draft that became Hild. And now that I have a whole novel, I find myself not moving on but falling deeper into the seventh century.
When I first crossed the threshold of Whitby Abbey I couldn't have dreamt that one day I'd try wrap my head around an entire century of British peoples and languages, flora and fauna, politics, religion, history, war, and art. If I'd been in a hurry when the notion of Hild first occurred to me, I would have ended up with an alternate history novel, one in which the Synod of Whitby decided for Ionan Christianity, not Roman. I'm sure I would have had fun with it, but it wouldn't have been Hild.
I just found this description of three books I was toying with in the mid-nineties*, right after outlining The Blue Place:
Historical: Set in the eighth or ninth century England, the main character is an abbess. Abbesses of that time were incredibly powerful figures; absolute rulers of vast tracts of land and resources. I want to write about an abbess of Whitby Abbey, Hilda--the one whose famous Synod of Whitby changed the whole course of western christianity (not for the better, in my opinion).
This book may or may not have fantasy elements in it, but given the religious fervour of the times, fantasy will certainly play a part in the lives of the major characters.
I want the world of these people--the sights and smells and mind-think--to be utterly real to a modern reader. I want to take him or her into the heart and soul of the ninth century, the way Mary Renault or Henry Treece can take me back to ancient Greece, or pre-Celtic times in the British Isles.Would require enormous effort research-wise. Ha! I didn't even know the Synod was in the seventh century... But I digress (that how writing works: a series of digressions until I find the true current and then ride it, bellowing and wild, til it reaches the sea).
This would require enormous effort research-wise.
Hild the novel that is, Hild the character who is still taking shape, could only exist through the luxury of time.
But calling time a luxury is, of course, misleading. Time isn't something that's given to a writer on a silver platter. (Unless you have a trust fund. I don't.) Time to write is something we defend from incursion. Time to write is something we choose; something we make a priority, something we actively plan for and decide in favour of. It doesn't just happen. To make time to write you have to give up time spent on other things.
Sometimes that thing is sleep. Sometimes it's peace of mind created by having health insurance provided by a day job. Sometimes it's time with friends. Sometimes it's a day in the park chasing rainbows.
But sometimes, part of writing is sleeping, talking to friends, working at something else, and chasing rainbows. That's the thing. Sometimes writing is everything we do. How do we know? We just have to figure it out and trust ourselves. And choose.
As writers we are the sum of our choices. And one thing I know about making decisions: sometimes, if you just set them aside for a while, the choice becomes clear.
So that's what I do with most things in life: I take my time.
Of course, sometimes you have to just go for it, right away: take life on the volley. That's a subject for another blog post. For now, here's the advice I would offer any writer, new or deeply experienced: writing isn't a race, impatience is not your friend. Find the still, quiet place inside and dwell there for a time. Go deep.
* I found it four days ago, written in WordPerfect. I might post another idea from it later this week or early next.
May 22, 2012
Waterstones showrooming for Amazon
A few months ago I talked about the notion of showrooming, in which customers walk into a bricks-and-mortar retailer establishment, play with/read the merchandise, and walk out without spending any money. They don't need to. They're using the store as a showroom, a place to familiarise themselves with what's available; they then buy what they like at a discount from an online retailer.
At the time, I suggested that booksellers leverage their expertise and retail space, cooperate with other entities (either said online retailers or author collectives or publishers), and embrace the paradigm.
Waterstones, a UK book chain, has just done that:
There again, they might have some kind of secret master plan I can't fathom right now. I hope so. I'd like to see them survive.
Meanwhile, I'm still waiting to see if the rumours of an Amazon-only showroom is true.
At the time, I suggested that booksellers leverage their expertise and retail space, cooperate with other entities (either said online retailers or author collectives or publishers), and embrace the paradigm.
Waterstones, a UK book chain, has just done that:
Waterstones has announced a surprise tie-up with Amazon that will enable shoppers to pluck ebooks as well as physical books from its shelves.I can only surmise that they were offered a hell of a financial incentive for this. I can't begin to guess how much would make the hastening of their business model death worth it.
The companies did not reveal the terms of the deal, but Waterstones said it was planning a digital revolution in its stores, with Kindle e-readers on sale for the first time and free Wi-Fi, so customers can choose between buying a physical book or downloading it there and then. It is also opening instore cafes as part of an upgrade of the 30-year old chain.
There again, they might have some kind of secret master plan I can't fathom right now. I hope so. I'd like to see them survive.
Meanwhile, I'm still waiting to see if the rumours of an Amazon-only showroom is true.
May 21, 2012
Marriage equality in Washington, update
Last time I posted about marriage equality here in Washington, it was Valentine's Day: Gov. Gregoire had just signed same-sex marriage into law.
The law will not go into effect until June 6th. This gives those unhappy with the law (the organisation Preserve Marriage and its supporters) time to collect signatures on a referendum petition. If they get 120,577 signatures or more, the law that allows me to marry a woman will be put to a vote in November. If the petition for a referendum fails to get the required number of signatures, same-sex couples will be able to marry in June.
I was dreading a rancorous hullabaloo in the press and airwaves, the usual nonsense about same-sex marriage being no different from having sex with animals or children. Thankfully it hasn't happened--at least I haven't noticed it. Admittedly I rarely follow local news, so, just to be sure, I did some searching this weekend.
The news is pleasantly surprising.
First of all, the wording for the referendum, Referendum 74, has been agreed. According to The Olympian :
Interestingly, Preserve Marriage Washington doesn't have nearly the number of signatures they'd hoped for at this stage. Again, according to The Olympian , they only have about half the signatures they need. No one is naive enough to think they won't make their total--they haven't yet started to pay for signature-gathering, for example--but it's an indicator of the sluggish response from Washington's citizenry.
This is not because Preserve Marriage and its supporters aren't trying. The Archbishop of Seattle asked priests to circulate R-74 petitions in church. Many of his priests have revolted:
The Seattle Times has more on how local Catholics are responding. The Most Reverend Sartain has misread the sentiments of his congregation.
So far, it's all rather encouraging. I don't doubt that R-74 will end up on the ballot, but I'm hopeful it will be defeated. Sadly I'm less hopeful that this current civility will continue until November. Various national organisations will be pouring money into the campaign and I think it's very likely things will get unpleasant. To confuse matters, something called Initiative 1192 is also circulating (they need more signatures than a referendum--twice as many--but they have a month longer). If the initiative and referendum make it to the ballot, voters who support same-sex marriage will be horribly confused: because the first will require a 'No' and the second an 'Accept'.
So if you live in Washington state, please Decline to Sign either. And please pass that message along to friends and family.
But for now, let's see if we can keep the discourse civil. And let's be especially kind to one another. Play nicely.
The law will not go into effect until June 6th. This gives those unhappy with the law (the organisation Preserve Marriage and its supporters) time to collect signatures on a referendum petition. If they get 120,577 signatures or more, the law that allows me to marry a woman will be put to a vote in November. If the petition for a referendum fails to get the required number of signatures, same-sex couples will be able to marry in June.
I was dreading a rancorous hullabaloo in the press and airwaves, the usual nonsense about same-sex marriage being no different from having sex with animals or children. Thankfully it hasn't happened--at least I haven't noticed it. Admittedly I rarely follow local news, so, just to be sure, I did some searching this weekend.
The news is pleasantly surprising.
First of all, the wording for the referendum, Referendum 74, has been agreed. According to The Olympian :
This is a victory, of sorts, for those in favour of marriage equality. The Attorney General asked for R-74 to use the words 'redefine marriage'--the kind of phrase that frightens people and provokes backlash against same-sex marriage. The final wording is much more neutral, much more likely to lead to voters having a clear idea what they're really voting for in November.The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6239 concerning marriage for same-sex couples, modified domestic-partnership law, and religious freedom, and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.The concise description:This bill would allow same-sex couples to marry, preserve domestic partnerships only for seniors, and preserve the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform, recognize, or accommodate any marriage ceremony.The ballot-measure summary:This bill allows same-sex couples to marry, applies marriage laws without regard to gender, and specifies that laws using gender-specific terms like husband and wife include same-sex spouses. After 2014, existing domestic partnership are converted to marriages, except for seniors. It preserves the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform or recognize any marriage or accommodate wedding ceremonies. The bill does not affect licensing of religious organizations providing adoption, foster-care, or child-placement.
Interestingly, Preserve Marriage Washington doesn't have nearly the number of signatures they'd hoped for at this stage. Again, according to The Olympian , they only have about half the signatures they need. No one is naive enough to think they won't make their total--they haven't yet started to pay for signature-gathering, for example--but it's an indicator of the sluggish response from Washington's citizenry.
This is not because Preserve Marriage and its supporters aren't trying. The Archbishop of Seattle asked priests to circulate R-74 petitions in church. Many of his priests have revolted:
The congregation at Seattle’s Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church gave the Rev. Tim Clark a standing ovation Sunday when he announced that the parish would not gather signatures for a referendum to repeal same-sex marriage.
The parish became the sixth in Seattle to opt out of the petition drive for Referendum 74 that has been endorsed and foisted on parishes by Archbishop J. Peter Sartain.Do you recognise that name? Sartain is the priest appointed by the Vatican to head the reform of the American nuns' Leadership Conference of Women Religious--affectionately known, in our house, as Nun-Crusher.
The Seattle Times has more on how local Catholics are responding. The Most Reverend Sartain has misread the sentiments of his congregation.
So far, it's all rather encouraging. I don't doubt that R-74 will end up on the ballot, but I'm hopeful it will be defeated. Sadly I'm less hopeful that this current civility will continue until November. Various national organisations will be pouring money into the campaign and I think it's very likely things will get unpleasant. To confuse matters, something called Initiative 1192 is also circulating (they need more signatures than a referendum--twice as many--but they have a month longer). If the initiative and referendum make it to the ballot, voters who support same-sex marriage will be horribly confused: because the first will require a 'No' and the second an 'Accept'.
So if you live in Washington state, please Decline to Sign either. And please pass that message along to friends and family.
But for now, let's see if we can keep the discourse civil. And let's be especially kind to one another. Play nicely.
May 20, 2012
Infinity Box Theatre Project and Kate Wilhelm
Kate Wilhelm was one of my teachers at Clarion in 1988. I'm not familiar with her story, "Ladies and Gentlemen, This is Your Crisis!" but I know her work opened up science fiction characters to the psychology of real human beings. It was Kate who taught me to really go there in fiction. So if we're not in the UK at the end of June, Kelley and I will most certainly be at the Ethnic Cultural Center in Wallingford for the opening night.
We would be at the fundraiser, too, if not for a previous engagement.
But you should go along: just $20 (or, y'know, more if you're feeling flush) will get you an hour of mingling with the glitterati (the geek literati) followed by Greg Bear's performance and discussion of Kate's story.
Here's all the info:
Infinity Box Theatre Project invites you to join us at a fundraiser for our production of the world premier adaptation of Kate Wilhelm’s short story, Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is Your Crisis!
The highlight of the evening will be a reading of the original story by Nebula and Hugo award winning science fiction writer, Greg Bear. As always with Infinity Box, the reading will be followed by a lively conversation, including a brief video of Kate Wilhelm explaining what prompted her to write the story. Wednesday, May 23rd at M'Illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle
Reception from 7:00 to 8:00 pm; Reading begins at 8:00.
Suggested donation: $20
Seating is limited; reservations strongly suggested at tickets@infinitybox.org
Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is Your Crisis! will open Friday, June 29th, at the Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave. NE, Seattle.
We would be at the fundraiser, too, if not for a previous engagement.
But you should go along: just $20 (or, y'know, more if you're feeling flush) will get you an hour of mingling with the glitterati (the geek literati) followed by Greg Bear's performance and discussion of Kate's story.
Here's all the info:
Infinity Box Theatre Project invites you to join us at a fundraiser for our production of the world premier adaptation of Kate Wilhelm’s short story, Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is Your Crisis!
The highlight of the evening will be a reading of the original story by Nebula and Hugo award winning science fiction writer, Greg Bear. As always with Infinity Box, the reading will be followed by a lively conversation, including a brief video of Kate Wilhelm explaining what prompted her to write the story. Wednesday, May 23rd at M'Illumino, 6921 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle
Reception from 7:00 to 8:00 pm; Reading begins at 8:00.
Suggested donation: $20
Seating is limited; reservations strongly suggested at tickets@infinitybox.org
Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is Your Crisis! will open Friday, June 29th, at the Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave. NE, Seattle.
May 19, 2012
Meatloaf and bashed neeps
I like to eat. I like to eat a lot. Last night I indulged myself. On the menu:
meatloaf (about one pound of ground beef, one pound of ground pork, onions and mushrooms sauteed in olive oil then finished with wine, a sprinkle of home-grown herbs, mush together, roast in the oven for about 45 minutes on 350)brussel sprouts and carrots (tossed in olive oil, then roasted with the meatloaf--though they were a teeny bit overdone, so next time I'll put them in ten minutes after the meatloafbashed neeps (i.e. rutabaga: just cut it up, boil for 15 minutes or so, then rough mash)Imagine very large serving size. Followed by a mound of fresh pineapple and a pile of blueberries. Followed by beatific smile. And tea.
meatloaf (about one pound of ground beef, one pound of ground pork, onions and mushrooms sauteed in olive oil then finished with wine, a sprinkle of home-grown herbs, mush together, roast in the oven for about 45 minutes on 350)brussel sprouts and carrots (tossed in olive oil, then roasted with the meatloaf--though they were a teeny bit overdone, so next time I'll put them in ten minutes after the meatloafbashed neeps (i.e. rutabaga: just cut it up, boil for 15 minutes or so, then rough mash)Imagine very large serving size. Followed by a mound of fresh pineapple and a pile of blueberries. Followed by beatific smile. And tea.
May 18, 2012
Going long...
Hmmn. Started writing a post (about marriage equality in Washington) that started to go long. I set it aside for tomorrow. I started another (about why good books take time). It, too, is going long. So for today I recommend you go read our blog post/links roundup at Sterling Editing and see what triggered my determination to take my time.
May 17, 2012
Basking
The perbs have been basking in the sun and getting above themselves: gathering their resources to burst into flower. So today I'm going to be out there taming them: they're there for my great glory, not their own.
Or maybe I'll just nap. Yeah, that's sounds more my kind of thing today.
I hope the weather is beautiful where you are.
May 16, 2012
Hild swag
I stumbled across this fantastic promo-tchotchke/geegaw/bauble/dingus site, Coins for Anything (via Wired's ...Swag That Doesn't Suck).
So now I'm happily pondering a set of 100 special one-time-only coins to go with Hild--little presents for people who have helped me along the way. In some dull, heavy metal that looks like bronze. But what should I put on them? I could do an ammonite. A profile of Hild. A butcher bird (you'll understand if you read the book). A cross. A seax. All kinds of nifty things.
Meanwhile, here's a British coin I like:
So now I'm happily pondering a set of 100 special one-time-only coins to go with Hild--little presents for people who have helped me along the way. In some dull, heavy metal that looks like bronze. But what should I put on them? I could do an ammonite. A profile of Hild. A butcher bird (you'll understand if you read the book). A cross. A seax. All kinds of nifty things.
Meanwhile, here's a British coin I like:
May 15, 2012
About twenty years ago
Kelley's mum gave us this picture on Sunday. It's one of a series taken by our friend, Mark Tiedemann, in 1992. You've probably seen one of the others. But I sort of forgot we have others. I've put it up on my website...
...and now I'm reminded of my website. So I'll be posting the occasional link to essay and whatnot over the next couple of weeks.
