Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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THE GREAT ARCHIVE
>
What's New From Josh?


You got what where?
Nice to know I'm not the only one who likes to keep things together.


Taking it to The People: Do You Need a Mainstream Publisher? (Jan 4, 2011)
Nice Guys Finish Last (Feb 1, 2011)
The Blue Pencil Blues (Mar 1, 2011)
The Farmer and the Cowman (Apr 12, 2011)
Yes You Can (Er ...but should you?) (May 17, 2011)
What Would Jesus Do? Spirituality in M/M Fiction (June 21, 2011)
Keeping Up With The Joneses (Aug 23, 2011)
Paper Boat: Bail water or bail out? Knowing When to Abandon Your Wip (Sep 20, 2011)
State of the Union (Oct 25, 2011)
For Love or Money (Nov 29, 2011)
Auld Lang Syne Off (Dec 27, 2011)
The Mainstreaming of M/M (Feb 11, 2013)


Flying High: The Adrien English and Jake Riordan Interview (Dec 21, 2011)
Calathea wrote: "Josh's column The Size of it over at reviewsbyjessewave."
Babe, you are even more organized than I am. I love it! ;-)
Babe, you are even more organized than I am. I love it! ;-)

As far as the original question goes - I know I probably shouldn't address it here, but it's sooooo good. I can't decide, because I speak more than one language, so I'm always thinking about the nuances of meaning between words...but I'm also taken with how things sound...which is why I'm always trying to learn more words in more languages, even if I don't 'speak' them.
How am I supposed to get back to homework when I've got this worm in my head!
Again, what a grand idea, dear C!

I really like this interview. I actually read it after A Dangerous Thing and reread it probably every time i freaked out with AE books 3-5. And afterwards, just to reassure myself that all is relatively well :-)
Calathea wrote: "I thought it would be nice to have a place where we can collect links to all those essays, interviews and other stuff Josh posts on different sites across the internet. Sometimes I want to go back ...
http://jgraeme2007.livejournal.com/79..."
I was struck by the closing lines of the poem Johanna quoted (translated from Finnish to English):
Now come in perfect quiet,
now come here, right away…
Why do I find that to be beautiful? Some combination of short simple words invested with meaning, obvious meaning (sea to sand) and implied meaning, the way haikus work. Is that there in the Finnish, or is it something I've read into the translation?
I love finding stories about the origins of words with my students. And children are very curious about these things. "Why do we say 'blue'?"
http://jgraeme2007.livejournal.com/79..."
I was struck by the closing lines of the poem Johanna quoted (translated from Finnish to English):
Now come in perfect quiet,
now come here, right away…
Why do I find that to be beautiful? Some combination of short simple words invested with meaning, obvious meaning (sea to sand) and implied meaning, the way haikus work. Is that there in the Finnish, or is it something I've read into the translation?
I love finding stories about the origins of words with my students. And children are very curious about these things. "Why do we say 'blue'?"

You got what where?"
I meant that among my bookmarks I've got the links to Josh's interviews and articles under a separate entry.
Luckily as a translator I can also translate myself when my first attempt at expressing my point of view didn't work that well... ;-).
Thank you for the list above, I'll check if I've got everything.
Calathea wrote: "I thought it would be nice to have a place where we can collect links to all those essays, interviews and other stuff Josh posts on different sites across the internet. Sometimes I want to go back ..."
Sure! Whatever you guys enjoy. :-)
Sure! Whatever you guys enjoy. :-)
Karen wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I thought it would be nice to have a place where we can collect links to all those essays, interviews and other stuff Josh posts on different sites across the internet. Sometimes I..."
Something about the simplicity of that poem makes it all the lovelier. Like whitewashed rooms with big windows. No clutter, no cobwebs, just bright light that illuminates every corner.
Something about the simplicity of that poem makes it all the lovelier. Like whitewashed rooms with big windows. No clutter, no cobwebs, just bright light that illuminates every corner.

I totally agree on those two lines. They're amazing!

What a lovely picture your words are painting. I want to stay in that room:)
Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "Karen wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I thought it would be nice to have a place where we can collect links to all those essays, interviews and other stuff Josh posts on different sites acros..."
:-)
:-)

To me, it's like standing outside at dusk in the middle of nowhere and breathing in the clear air around you.
Simple, beautiful, alone, and quiet, with a slight flavour of longing.
Imagery is a weird thing.



Intro (Feb 15, 2012)
Characterization (Apr 15, 2012)
Theme (June 15, 2012)
Clues & Red Herrings (July 15, 2012)
Dialog (Aug 15, 2012)
Sex (Sep 15, 2012)
Setting (Oct 15, 2012)
Creating a Series (Nov 15, 2012)
Q & A (Dec 15, 2012)
And some other essays at Not Your Usual Suspects that are not part of the column:
5 Things to Improve Your Writing --and Your Life-- Right Now (Mar 13, 2013)
The Best and Beautiful (Jan 14, 2013)
5 Deadly Resources (Oct 14, 2011)
5 Mistakes Nearly Every Newbie Mystery Writer Makes (Aug 12, 2011)
I Have The Formula (May 4, 2011)
20 Rules for Writing Detective Stories (Feb 28, 2011)
20 Tips for Writing the Cozy or Traditional Mystery (Jan 14, 2011)

5 Tips to Write a Series (Sep 15, 2011)
Investing in Your Future: 5 Steps to Take Now (Aug 18, 2011)
If it's Thurday it must be Belgium (Jun 16, 2011)
He Came Nowhere Near My Tabloids (May 19, 2011)
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Apr 21, 2011)
Hurts So Good (Mar 17, 2011)
Come Lie With Me: 3 Tips to Making Sex Scenes Count (Feb 17, 2011)
Do You Know Me? 5 Things You Can Do To Promote Yourself For Free (Jan 20, 2011)
5 Things You Can Do to Boost Your Writing Career Now (Dec 16, 2010)
Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue (Oct 21, 2010)
Here You Come Again (Sep 16, 2010)
Rough and Ready (Aug 19, 2010)
The Book as a Film (Jul 15, 2010)
Ode to an Editor (Jun 17, 2010)
It Don't Come Easy (May 20, 2010)
Letter to a Reader (Apr 15, 2010)
Happy Happy, Joy Joy! (Mar 18, 2010)
Say What? (Feb 18, 2010)
Thoughts on a Rainy Afternoon (Jan 21, 2010)
In Praise of Popcorn (Nov 18, 2009)
Mama Always Told Me (Oct 15, 2009)
Familiar Faces (Sep 17, 2009)
Don't Ask, Don't Tell (Aug 20, 2009)
For Love or Money (Jun 17, 2009)
Bad News Reviews (Feb 18, 2009)
5 Things You Can Do "Write" Now to Promote Your Name Recognition (Jan 13, 2009)
Across the Bounding... Internet (Dec 16, 2008)
Blogged Down (Sep 19, 2008)
If it's Thursday it must be Adrien (Aug 28, 2008)
A Man to Believe In: Writing Realistic Male Characters (Aug 14, 2008)
The Eyes Have It (Apr 17, 2008)
Them's Fightin' Words (Mar 26, 2008)
Yeeeeeeouch! - Writing Hurt Comfort (Feb 21, 2008)
Author Interview: Josh Lanyon (Apr 19, 2008)

A Superstar But He Didn't Get Far (Jan 21, 2013)
Buttons and Brass (May 31, 2012)
American Grandstand (Dec 21, 2011)

Are you saying I'm your enabler? ;)


Mighty proud.

So, is this basically the Founder's Reference Room in the Lanyon Home for the Medically Impaired, Psychologically Deranged and Creatively Inclined?
Didn't it turn out well after the renovations? Do you think we should add some plants and decorations?


Did you see that girl right there? Running after... was that a white bunny?
And don't get me started on the grounds. Where ARE all those ground keepers when you need one?!


Just put that sign on the gate. That should keep her out. The "psychologically deranged" and "creatively inclined" might describe her quite good, though.

Katharina wrote: "Josh wrote: "Karen wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I thought it would be nice to have a place where we can collect links to all those essays, interviews and other stuff Josh posts on different sites acros..."
That's lovely.
That's lovely.
Calathea wrote: "Some of Josh's posts at Loose Ends. (I use the word "some" loosely in this context...)
5 Tips to Write a Series (Sep 15, 2011)
Investing in Your Future: 5 Steps to Take Now (Aug 18, 2011)
If it'..."
Holy fricking moly. So THIS is what I've spent my life on. I did kind of wonder.
5 Tips to Write a Series (Sep 15, 2011)
Investing in Your Future: 5 Steps to Take Now (Aug 18, 2011)
If it'..."
Holy fricking moly. So THIS is what I've spent my life on. I did kind of wonder.
Blah, blah, blah-blah BLAH.
Do I never SHUT UP?
If you guys have been reduced to searching out my non-fiction ramblings, it really is time to produce more fiction. :-D
Do I never SHUT UP?
If you guys have been reduced to searching out my non-fiction ramblings, it really is time to produce more fiction. :-D

Like... I dunno... Tattoo Boy? :)

Do I never SHUT UP?
If you guys have been reduced to searching out my non-fiction ramblings, it really is time to produce more fiction. :-D"
I love to read your advice and tidbits on writing -- even if I don't write, Josh, so this is a wonderful time sink reading the backlist of your articles/interviews.
But if it makes you feel better to "produce more fiction," I'm all for that! :)
Susinok wrote: "Josh wrote: "If you guys have been reduced to searching out my non-fiction ramblings, it really is time to produce more fiction. :-D :-D"
Like... I dunno... Tattoo Boy? :)"
My inability to stick to a project -- let alone a schedule -- is actually embarrassing at this stage. What the heck is going on?
Like... I dunno... Tattoo Boy? :)"
My inability to stick to a project -- let alone a schedule -- is actually embarrassing at this stage. What the heck is going on?

Maybe you are not used to working without a deadline imposed from outside. Your own deadlines are easy to put off, but if you have to send it to someone else... there is a big difference.
So maybe plan to send that finished third draft to me by May 1. (See I gave you half a month. Hop to it!).
:p
Susinok wrote: "Josh wrote: "My inability to stick to a project -- let alone a schedule -- is actually embarrassing at this stage. What the heck is going on? ..."
Maybe you are not used to working without a deadl..."
You know what, there is truth to that. In fact, I'm currently putting together projects for publishers. It's a little weird after having refused a couple of projects at the beginning of the year, but I'm thinking after sabbatical, I need a little structure.
So that's what's happening right now.
Maybe you are not used to working without a deadl..."
You know what, there is truth to that. In fact, I'm currently putting together projects for publishers. It's a little weird after having refused a couple of projects at the beginning of the year, but I'm thinking after sabbatical, I need a little structure.
So that's what's happening right now.

Maybe it's something in the air or so. I'm working on five science projects at the same time right now (compared to normally 1 or 2) and I'm months or at least weeks behind on every one of them. I'm jumping between each of them all the time and at the end of the day I'm exhausted and, it seems, not a single step further than the day before. It frustrates me to no end... :(

I know less than nothing, but Josh, just because your focus is different than it used to be doesn't mean you're not getting anything done. How you produce may have changed (and this may be temporary for all you know), but that doesn't have to have a negative judgment attached to it.
It's not really fair to expect Josh pre-sabbatical and post-sabbatical to be the same person work-wise. (Though you are as charming and adorable as ever!)
I have a different situation, I know, but mc pre- and post- "major life change" operate very differently. I have to admit I miss workaholic mc from the early Pleistocene era, but I have to accept that she's a different entity now.
For one thing, I used to have a full name along with an actual physical body...now I have this two letter acronym and an avatar that changes from a symbol for human love and equality and a seated baby giraffe. What the heck?
Katharina wrote: "Josh wrote: "My inability to stick to a project -- let alone a schedule -- is actually embarrassing at this stage. What the heck is going on?"
Maybe it's something in the air or so. I'm working on..."
But are you trying to earn a living on that? Because that's the scary part. Being unable to produce a damned thing. I mean, at this rate I may very well end up with six projects in December. ARRRRRGH.
Maybe it's something in the air or so. I'm working on..."
But are you trying to earn a living on that? Because that's the scary part. Being unable to produce a damned thing. I mean, at this rate I may very well end up with six projects in December. ARRRRRGH.

Wow, Katharina. My stress over classes seems really unfounded compared to that!

It is absolutely no help to you to say that I really, really believe that won't be the case, Josh, but I really, really, really don't think so.
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Today Josh posted on his LJ about Beautiful Words and asked: