Had a six-hour gig Sunday - 11-2, then 5-8 - and between the long drive there and having to find a Panera to while away the interim time, I reached and went through my last CD mix. This is the partial one - Letting Go bled forward - and I kinda slapped it together. It's called Not Perfect and features ladies (and in a case or two, gents) who maybe need to get their acts together ... in the songs, that is. Or maybe they're just right the way they are.
1. Troublemaker - Anna Sahlene
2. No Angel - Dido
3. Stepping to the Bad Side - Dreamgirls Soundtrack
4. Immortality - Celine Dion
5. Don't Call Me Friend - Anna Sahlene
6. Always True To You In My Fashion - Kiss Me Kate Soundtrack
7. Free - Faith Hill
8. How Can Heaven Love Me - Sarah Brightman
9. No Ordinary Girl - Anna Sahlene
10. Life For Rent - Dido
11. Before You - Chantal Kreviazuk
12. Hunter - Dido
13. The Woman In Me - Crystal Gayle
14. Disappear - Anna Sahlene (... this apparently tells me Sahlene writes a LOT of songs about screwy women.)
15. I Don't Know - Celine Dion
16. My Way Home - Kirsty MacColl
About Me
- Lindsey Duncan
- I'm a professional harp performer, chef / pastry chef, and speculative fiction writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. My contemporary fantasy novel Flow is available from Double Dragon Publishing, and my science fiction novel Scylla and Charybdis is now out from Grimbold Books. I've also sold a number of short stories and a few pieces of speculative poetry. I write predominantly fantasy, usually epic and/or humorous, with some soft science fiction. I play the traditional lever harp with a specialty in Celtic music - but I also perform modern and Renaissance tunes. And yes, you read that right - I have a diploma in Baking and Pastry and an Associates in Culinary Arts and am currently working in the catering field at Kate's Catering and Personal Chef Services (Dayton, KY). I am a CPC (Certified Pastry Culinarian) and CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine).
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Pandora's Closet Review
Pandora’s Closet – ed Jean Rabe & Martin H. Greenberg
I came into this anthology with middling expectations. Daw’s anthologies tend to be solid – not terrible, not great, with good stories but a few off the mark. Very few blow me away. But this is a really fun concept – stories about articles of clothing that bring power and chaos to their bearers, that might have come out of Pandora’s closet – and I looked forward to it.
First up is “The Ring” by Timothy Zahn, where a young stockbroker fallen on hard times finds the famed Ring of the Nibelungs in a curio shop. Unfortunately, the vast wealth the ring provides its wearer comes with a price. This was a light, engaging story with multiple levels of tension, foreshadowed well without being obvious. The main character is sympathetic; perhaps a little too much so, for his faults are downplayed enough that his girlfriend seems shrewish for complaining. The story’s only real flaw is a lack of evocative description. Particularly when we’re playing with mythic elements, I would have loved to know how some of the characters looked. Still, a satisfying read throughout.
Chris Pierson’s “What Quig Found” is an absolute gem. It details what happens when a group of programmers gather in a deliberately (and comically) nebulous chain restaurant and find what appears to be the “helmet” of Don Quixote. The madcap quality of this story is a blast to read, and the narrator does a nice job of hanging a lampshade – or a shaving basin – over the absurdity. The only slight complaint I would have is that the story itself takes a bit too long to get off the ground, but the payoff is worth it.
“Technicolor” by Louise Marley maintains the trend of strong stories. In this tale, Dorothy – I’ll let you guess what her forbidden article of clothing is – longs to escape her frumpish housewife existence in Kansas. This story was a vivid portrayal of midlife despair interrupted by secret desire, and it rung a strong chord … and that’s coming from a non-traditional, non-housewifey twenty-something. The descriptions were pitch-perfect and the action satisfying – though I thought the conclusion was a little too rosey. The only other minor complaint is how broken up Dorothy is about her daughter’s aloofness. Err, she’s a teenager, what did you expect? But this is never once pointed out.
Next is “Loincloth” by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta – and this one breaks the spell. Maybe it was the similarity of the mental transformation to that in Pierson’s story, but I wasn’t too impressed. This is an entertaining enough tale of an odd-job man who works at a movie studio and discovers the skimpy attire of a Tarzan knock-off – but it just feels like something I’ve seen before. I knew exactly where it was going, and while it was entertaining, it didn’t have enough sparkle to make the journey worthwhile. Also, I question placing “The Wedding Date” in a list of classic movies such as “Gone with the Wind” and “Casablanca.”
Michael Stackpole’s “Seamless” is a somewhat puzzling story of a young woman who asks an occultist and his assistant to look into the mystery of an ancient box her grandfather has left her. This story has an interesting plot and is well-paced, but it seems to leave some gaps – how did the antagonist find out about the box? Is the occultist working for free, and if so, why? What about the other mysterious events that serve as a hook for the opening? I didn’t find this one held my attention.
I also had trouble with “Ancestral Armor” by John Helfers. This is the story of a young clan leader who begins to act strangely – brooding upon thoughts of war. Sorcerer Asano and his young pupil Kitsune (the point of view character) are summoned to investigate his behavior. It was fairly obvious from early in the story, given the anthology and the title, what was going on. Moreover, a tale of this length can be burdened by a surplus of foreign words – particularly when a dozen of them occur on the first page alone. I liked Kitsune as a character, but didn’t find much meat in this story. (Also – genuine typo/discrepancy in character names continuing throughout.)
“The Opposite of Solid” by Linda P. Baker was, for me, the opposite of its predecessors. This is a rich, evocative story of a dependable, common-sense man who meets a mysterious woman with a jacket that possesses the power of time travel. The conclusion – and what the main character suddenly learns about himself – is startling and subtly done. Personally, I don’t understand the fascination with hippie lifestyle (or Janis Joplin, for the matter of that), but this story overcame my disconnect to keep me hooked.
I’m not sure how to feel about Jane Lindskold’s “The Travails of Princess Stephen,” due to some slight discomfort with the subject matter portrayed – but it is a light, frothy story with an endearing characrer in the lead. Stephen, the story’s protagonist, dresses up like a woman to gain an equal opportunity job at a company … and promptly falls in love with the man of his/her dreams. It’s up to great-grandmother’s wedding dress to see them through the day. The disguise is handled cleverly and even with the ending foreshadowed, it is gratifying to read.
“Lady in Red” by A.M. Strout is a delightful story for any fan of fairy tales. Our unnamed narrator purchases a red hoodie at a thrift story – and suddenly finds her life turning into a certain familiar fable. But Strout doesn’t stop there, deftly weaving a number of other fairy tale references in stylish and unexpected places. I loved the way the character’s life slid from normalcy into the wild woods, all without leaving New York. My only small complaint is that the item the main character used to solve her dilemma wasn’t properly foreshadowed beforehand.
Belle and Nancy Holder’s “A Touching Ghost Story” is a delight to read, an archaic “dear reader” pulled off with panache. The interjections of the author and her daughter as enjoyable as the chronicle of the dowdy, time-travelling mouse who is the story’s heroine. During World War II, Lightning – this redoubtable mouse – discovers a chest that belonged to a relative rumored to have shot down the infamous Bloody Rat Baron. The style of this story picked me up, carried me away, and made me grin. I only wish the story had been longer and more “plotful.” It seems to end just as it gets good.
I have to admit, I hoped that Judi Rohrig’s “Revolution: Number 9” was going to be about Love Potion Number 9. This is the story of a young woman in a near-future tyranny who discovers a pair of spectacles that quite literally change her perceptions. The setting in this story is muddied and unclear – I felt as if I were missing pieces – and most of it is told through flashback about a rather unsympathetic romance. I didn’t understand the conclusion and found the incorporation of the extraordinary object to be a letdown.
“Cursory Review” by Donald J. Bingle is a unique story that covers multiple potential objects in Pandora’s Closet. It is primarily a dialogue between a demon in the Cursed Clothing and Frivolous Fashion Accessories Division and his boss. There are some funny and entertaining moments in this story, and you follow it just to spot the eventual last laugh. Unfortunately, the later parts of the story become more pop-culture and political, to the overall detriment of the tale, and I wasn’t satisfied by the conclusion – maybe even a little offended. (Also, some factual errors with the “mere mortal” in the first scene and her use of the Jenny Craig program.)
Joe Masdon brings us “Jack’s Mantle,” the story of a man trapped in a dull life with his wife and two kids whose flea market find is an overcoat once worn by one of history’s most infamous figures. The effect of the coat is an interesting (if gruesome) one and the denouement is very well-played, but something about this story doesn’t satisfy. For one thing, the story lingers too long on the character’s obsession with the (young) female form – creepy in a way that doesn’t lend the story. More significantly, I couldn’t empathize with Bob and instantly disliked his resignation towards his wife. It is hard to be interested in or care about him.
“Irresistible” by Yvonne Coats is a simple but clever story of a woman who buys a blue garter for her sister’s wedding, wears it herself – and finds herself the subject of a spell of attraction. This is a cute story, fun to read – not exceptional, but light and enjoyable, with a solid ending. As for the source of the disastrous garters, you’ll find it in one of America’s most infamous feuds.
Peter Schweighofer’s “Seebohm’s Cap” is an uneven story set during World War II. Major Prentice Vance interrogates a suspected spy, but discovers his uncanny knowledge his more to do with his attire than his allegiance. This story seemed like a set-piece to me, a part of a longer tale – it introduced a character who really had nothing to do, dangled plot-threads, and seemed to have a plot without significant obstacles. The mileage of history buffs may vary, but I couldn’t really get into this one.
“Cake and Candy” by Kelly Swails made me tear up – just a little. After a woman’s husband dies, her grandmother gives her a pair of earrings that provide unexpected help with the grieving process. This was a gentle, moving short story that started with some unusual, grabbing imagery and then delivered. My only quibble was the (somewhat unnecessary) use of present tense for narration. This story would have been equally effective in past tense – as it was, it stood out in a few places.
Most of these stories have been set in the world as we know it – “A Clean Getaway” by Keith R.A. DeCandido is one of the exceptions. Half-elf investigator Danthres is called to investigate the problem of a previously non-existent closet and the mess that spilled out of it. This was a fairly enjoyable mystery story, though not with particularly memorable characters. I also wasn’t totally sure this one fit into intended spirit of the collection as the items of apparel themselves are incidental to the mischief. Still, like any good mystery, this story “plays fair” and gives all the clues you need to leap one step ahead of Danthres – without making it too easy.
Elizabeth A. Vaughan’s “Off The Rack” was pitch-perfect for me, a quick, charming read. Sarah’s Closet, a consignment shop, is struggling, until an impulsive act of kindness nets its owner just the thing she needs. This story was light, fun and ended on just the perfect note. Like its predecessor, it technically didn’t adhere to the theme, as the articles of clothing were the product of the magical item, not the source of the magic, but I enjoyed this one too much to complain.
The anthology ends with “The Red Shoes” by Sarah Zettel, a moving fairy-tale that leaps – as these stories often do – from children’s story to dark and disturbing imagery. Karen, a young woman with no feet, comes to live with Elsa and her family. At the girl’s urging, Karen tells the story of the red shoes that caused her to dance until she could bear no more. Elsa declares it is not a proper story, and sets out to give it a good ending, come what may. This story swallowed me whole and kept me rapidly flipping pages. Ultimately, I wasn’t totally satisfied with the ending – I would have liked a happier conclusion after everything Elsa goes through – but this wasn’t enough of a detraction to hurt the story.
Overall, there were several excellent stories in this anthology and some which were lopsided or missed the mark. I found that the nature of the item or whether it was famous enough we might recognize its origins didn’t factor into the quality of the stories – a good enchantment, then, is all about what you do with it.
I came into this anthology with middling expectations. Daw’s anthologies tend to be solid – not terrible, not great, with good stories but a few off the mark. Very few blow me away. But this is a really fun concept – stories about articles of clothing that bring power and chaos to their bearers, that might have come out of Pandora’s closet – and I looked forward to it.
First up is “The Ring” by Timothy Zahn, where a young stockbroker fallen on hard times finds the famed Ring of the Nibelungs in a curio shop. Unfortunately, the vast wealth the ring provides its wearer comes with a price. This was a light, engaging story with multiple levels of tension, foreshadowed well without being obvious. The main character is sympathetic; perhaps a little too much so, for his faults are downplayed enough that his girlfriend seems shrewish for complaining. The story’s only real flaw is a lack of evocative description. Particularly when we’re playing with mythic elements, I would have loved to know how some of the characters looked. Still, a satisfying read throughout.
Chris Pierson’s “What Quig Found” is an absolute gem. It details what happens when a group of programmers gather in a deliberately (and comically) nebulous chain restaurant and find what appears to be the “helmet” of Don Quixote. The madcap quality of this story is a blast to read, and the narrator does a nice job of hanging a lampshade – or a shaving basin – over the absurdity. The only slight complaint I would have is that the story itself takes a bit too long to get off the ground, but the payoff is worth it.
“Technicolor” by Louise Marley maintains the trend of strong stories. In this tale, Dorothy – I’ll let you guess what her forbidden article of clothing is – longs to escape her frumpish housewife existence in Kansas. This story was a vivid portrayal of midlife despair interrupted by secret desire, and it rung a strong chord … and that’s coming from a non-traditional, non-housewifey twenty-something. The descriptions were pitch-perfect and the action satisfying – though I thought the conclusion was a little too rosey. The only other minor complaint is how broken up Dorothy is about her daughter’s aloofness. Err, she’s a teenager, what did you expect? But this is never once pointed out.
Next is “Loincloth” by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta – and this one breaks the spell. Maybe it was the similarity of the mental transformation to that in Pierson’s story, but I wasn’t too impressed. This is an entertaining enough tale of an odd-job man who works at a movie studio and discovers the skimpy attire of a Tarzan knock-off – but it just feels like something I’ve seen before. I knew exactly where it was going, and while it was entertaining, it didn’t have enough sparkle to make the journey worthwhile. Also, I question placing “The Wedding Date” in a list of classic movies such as “Gone with the Wind” and “Casablanca.”
Michael Stackpole’s “Seamless” is a somewhat puzzling story of a young woman who asks an occultist and his assistant to look into the mystery of an ancient box her grandfather has left her. This story has an interesting plot and is well-paced, but it seems to leave some gaps – how did the antagonist find out about the box? Is the occultist working for free, and if so, why? What about the other mysterious events that serve as a hook for the opening? I didn’t find this one held my attention.
I also had trouble with “Ancestral Armor” by John Helfers. This is the story of a young clan leader who begins to act strangely – brooding upon thoughts of war. Sorcerer Asano and his young pupil Kitsune (the point of view character) are summoned to investigate his behavior. It was fairly obvious from early in the story, given the anthology and the title, what was going on. Moreover, a tale of this length can be burdened by a surplus of foreign words – particularly when a dozen of them occur on the first page alone. I liked Kitsune as a character, but didn’t find much meat in this story. (Also – genuine typo/discrepancy in character names continuing throughout.)
“The Opposite of Solid” by Linda P. Baker was, for me, the opposite of its predecessors. This is a rich, evocative story of a dependable, common-sense man who meets a mysterious woman with a jacket that possesses the power of time travel. The conclusion – and what the main character suddenly learns about himself – is startling and subtly done. Personally, I don’t understand the fascination with hippie lifestyle (or Janis Joplin, for the matter of that), but this story overcame my disconnect to keep me hooked.
I’m not sure how to feel about Jane Lindskold’s “The Travails of Princess Stephen,” due to some slight discomfort with the subject matter portrayed – but it is a light, frothy story with an endearing characrer in the lead. Stephen, the story’s protagonist, dresses up like a woman to gain an equal opportunity job at a company … and promptly falls in love with the man of his/her dreams. It’s up to great-grandmother’s wedding dress to see them through the day. The disguise is handled cleverly and even with the ending foreshadowed, it is gratifying to read.
“Lady in Red” by A.M. Strout is a delightful story for any fan of fairy tales. Our unnamed narrator purchases a red hoodie at a thrift story – and suddenly finds her life turning into a certain familiar fable. But Strout doesn’t stop there, deftly weaving a number of other fairy tale references in stylish and unexpected places. I loved the way the character’s life slid from normalcy into the wild woods, all without leaving New York. My only small complaint is that the item the main character used to solve her dilemma wasn’t properly foreshadowed beforehand.
Belle and Nancy Holder’s “A Touching Ghost Story” is a delight to read, an archaic “dear reader” pulled off with panache. The interjections of the author and her daughter as enjoyable as the chronicle of the dowdy, time-travelling mouse who is the story’s heroine. During World War II, Lightning – this redoubtable mouse – discovers a chest that belonged to a relative rumored to have shot down the infamous Bloody Rat Baron. The style of this story picked me up, carried me away, and made me grin. I only wish the story had been longer and more “plotful.” It seems to end just as it gets good.
I have to admit, I hoped that Judi Rohrig’s “Revolution: Number 9” was going to be about Love Potion Number 9. This is the story of a young woman in a near-future tyranny who discovers a pair of spectacles that quite literally change her perceptions. The setting in this story is muddied and unclear – I felt as if I were missing pieces – and most of it is told through flashback about a rather unsympathetic romance. I didn’t understand the conclusion and found the incorporation of the extraordinary object to be a letdown.
“Cursory Review” by Donald J. Bingle is a unique story that covers multiple potential objects in Pandora’s Closet. It is primarily a dialogue between a demon in the Cursed Clothing and Frivolous Fashion Accessories Division and his boss. There are some funny and entertaining moments in this story, and you follow it just to spot the eventual last laugh. Unfortunately, the later parts of the story become more pop-culture and political, to the overall detriment of the tale, and I wasn’t satisfied by the conclusion – maybe even a little offended. (Also, some factual errors with the “mere mortal” in the first scene and her use of the Jenny Craig program.)
Joe Masdon brings us “Jack’s Mantle,” the story of a man trapped in a dull life with his wife and two kids whose flea market find is an overcoat once worn by one of history’s most infamous figures. The effect of the coat is an interesting (if gruesome) one and the denouement is very well-played, but something about this story doesn’t satisfy. For one thing, the story lingers too long on the character’s obsession with the (young) female form – creepy in a way that doesn’t lend the story. More significantly, I couldn’t empathize with Bob and instantly disliked his resignation towards his wife. It is hard to be interested in or care about him.
“Irresistible” by Yvonne Coats is a simple but clever story of a woman who buys a blue garter for her sister’s wedding, wears it herself – and finds herself the subject of a spell of attraction. This is a cute story, fun to read – not exceptional, but light and enjoyable, with a solid ending. As for the source of the disastrous garters, you’ll find it in one of America’s most infamous feuds.
Peter Schweighofer’s “Seebohm’s Cap” is an uneven story set during World War II. Major Prentice Vance interrogates a suspected spy, but discovers his uncanny knowledge his more to do with his attire than his allegiance. This story seemed like a set-piece to me, a part of a longer tale – it introduced a character who really had nothing to do, dangled plot-threads, and seemed to have a plot without significant obstacles. The mileage of history buffs may vary, but I couldn’t really get into this one.
“Cake and Candy” by Kelly Swails made me tear up – just a little. After a woman’s husband dies, her grandmother gives her a pair of earrings that provide unexpected help with the grieving process. This was a gentle, moving short story that started with some unusual, grabbing imagery and then delivered. My only quibble was the (somewhat unnecessary) use of present tense for narration. This story would have been equally effective in past tense – as it was, it stood out in a few places.
Most of these stories have been set in the world as we know it – “A Clean Getaway” by Keith R.A. DeCandido is one of the exceptions. Half-elf investigator Danthres is called to investigate the problem of a previously non-existent closet and the mess that spilled out of it. This was a fairly enjoyable mystery story, though not with particularly memorable characters. I also wasn’t totally sure this one fit into intended spirit of the collection as the items of apparel themselves are incidental to the mischief. Still, like any good mystery, this story “plays fair” and gives all the clues you need to leap one step ahead of Danthres – without making it too easy.
Elizabeth A. Vaughan’s “Off The Rack” was pitch-perfect for me, a quick, charming read. Sarah’s Closet, a consignment shop, is struggling, until an impulsive act of kindness nets its owner just the thing she needs. This story was light, fun and ended on just the perfect note. Like its predecessor, it technically didn’t adhere to the theme, as the articles of clothing were the product of the magical item, not the source of the magic, but I enjoyed this one too much to complain.
The anthology ends with “The Red Shoes” by Sarah Zettel, a moving fairy-tale that leaps – as these stories often do – from children’s story to dark and disturbing imagery. Karen, a young woman with no feet, comes to live with Elsa and her family. At the girl’s urging, Karen tells the story of the red shoes that caused her to dance until she could bear no more. Elsa declares it is not a proper story, and sets out to give it a good ending, come what may. This story swallowed me whole and kept me rapidly flipping pages. Ultimately, I wasn’t totally satisfied with the ending – I would have liked a happier conclusion after everything Elsa goes through – but this wasn’t enough of a detraction to hurt the story.
Overall, there were several excellent stories in this anthology and some which were lopsided or missed the mark. I found that the nature of the item or whether it was famous enough we might recognize its origins didn’t factor into the quality of the stories – a good enchantment, then, is all about what you do with it.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
New Ideas? Nah! Just Combine And Stir
This was up on IMDB a few days ago and cracked me up:
http://io9.com/385863/what-genre-should-science-fiction-steal-from-next
http://io9.com/385863/what-genre-should-science-fiction-steal-from-next
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Shiny Stones
This poem - a villanelle - was just sold to Aoife's Kiss, making it my third poetry sale ever. Look for it in September!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
27 Dresses
I just saw this movie. Three things are noteable, one on a personal level, one on a professional level:
1. I love Judy Greer. Seriously. The funky friend / sister / sidekick she plays is always a highlight of the movie. In this movie particularly she was priceless.
I can tell that this movie wasn't made by anyone "in the business" for the following reasons:
2. I found it ridiculous that they had to give the male lead a dramatic reason for him to be cynical and jaded about weddings. Come on. After so many weddings you are ready to throttle someone if you hear Kahlil Gibran, and odds are you want Pachelbel's Canon (objectively a really beautiful piece of music) shot OUT of a cannon. Preferrably in such a way as it destroys Wagner's Bridal Chorus (objectively a really hideous piece of music).
3. There are so many other wedding tropes that could have been touched on even in the brief sequences seen here. Some of them I've mentioned above. What about the little kid who never, ever makes it up the aisle? What about the unity candle?
Grousing aside, this really was a fun, well-written movie, if about as predictable as most romantic comedies. Still, I could feel a couple cliches coming on that they sidestepped, so I did appreciate that - and the dialogue is hysterical. (Also, see point 1 above. Judy Greer!)
1. I love Judy Greer. Seriously. The funky friend / sister / sidekick she plays is always a highlight of the movie. In this movie particularly she was priceless.
I can tell that this movie wasn't made by anyone "in the business" for the following reasons:
2. I found it ridiculous that they had to give the male lead a dramatic reason for him to be cynical and jaded about weddings. Come on. After so many weddings you are ready to throttle someone if you hear Kahlil Gibran, and odds are you want Pachelbel's Canon (objectively a really beautiful piece of music) shot OUT of a cannon. Preferrably in such a way as it destroys Wagner's Bridal Chorus (objectively a really hideous piece of music).
3. There are so many other wedding tropes that could have been touched on even in the brief sequences seen here. Some of them I've mentioned above. What about the little kid who never, ever makes it up the aisle? What about the unity candle?
Grousing aside, this really was a fun, well-written movie, if about as predictable as most romantic comedies. Still, I could feel a couple cliches coming on that they sidestepped, so I did appreciate that - and the dialogue is hysterical. (Also, see point 1 above. Judy Greer!)
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Letting Go
I just breezed into my second-to-last music list - songs about letting go, moving on ... and sometimes, not. I had enough of these songs that I cheated a little and this runs over into a second CD. The list runs:
1. Suddenly -- LeAnn Rimes
2. Where Are You Now? -- Michelle Branch
3. Get Over You -- Sophie Ellis-Bextor
4. Can't Go Back -- Sissel
5. (If There Was) Any Other Way -- Celine Dion
6. Still Within The Sound of My Voice -- Linda Ronstadt
7. Coulda Been -- Kimberley Locke
8. White Flag -- Dido
9. Nah! -- Shania Twain
10. It's All Coming Back To Me Now -- Celine Dion
11. Goodbye, My Friend -- Linda Ronstadt
12. I'm Not Giving You Up -- Gloria Estefan
13. All I Ever Wanted -- Kirsty MacColl
14. Who The Hell Are You -- Emma Bunton
15. Free -- Sarah Brightman
16. The River Cried -- Sarah Brightman (oops, two in a row, same artist. Ah well. Though the musical style from Harem (Free) versus from As I Came of Age (this one) are radically different.)
17. Hard To Say Goodbye -- Dreamgirls soundtrack
18. Misled -- Celine Dion
19. Strong Enough -- Cher
20. Are You Happy Now? -- Michelle Branch
21. Loser -- Anna Sahlene
22. He Never Mentioned Love -- Kirsty MacColl
23. You Can't Walk Away From Love -- Gloria Estefan
1. Suddenly -- LeAnn Rimes
2. Where Are You Now? -- Michelle Branch
3. Get Over You -- Sophie Ellis-Bextor
4. Can't Go Back -- Sissel
5. (If There Was) Any Other Way -- Celine Dion
6. Still Within The Sound of My Voice -- Linda Ronstadt
7. Coulda Been -- Kimberley Locke
8. White Flag -- Dido
9. Nah! -- Shania Twain
10. It's All Coming Back To Me Now -- Celine Dion
11. Goodbye, My Friend -- Linda Ronstadt
12. I'm Not Giving You Up -- Gloria Estefan
13. All I Ever Wanted -- Kirsty MacColl
14. Who The Hell Are You -- Emma Bunton
15. Free -- Sarah Brightman
16. The River Cried -- Sarah Brightman (oops, two in a row, same artist. Ah well. Though the musical style from Harem (Free) versus from As I Came of Age (this one) are radically different.)
17. Hard To Say Goodbye -- Dreamgirls soundtrack
18. Misled -- Celine Dion
19. Strong Enough -- Cher
20. Are You Happy Now? -- Michelle Branch
21. Loser -- Anna Sahlene
22. He Never Mentioned Love -- Kirsty MacColl
23. You Can't Walk Away From Love -- Gloria Estefan
Mysterious Additions
In listening to my "In A Name" CD, it seems to be longer than my list. I can only remember one addition that didn't make it, because it hit while driving to the post office today ... and I cracked up laughing: "Hang On Sloopy."
Actually, found the other two: Enya's "Flora's Secret" and Kirsty MacColl's "Dear John."
Actually, found the other two: Enya's "Flora's Secret" and Kirsty MacColl's "Dear John."
Apartment Tour
If you missed it the first time 'round, and even if you didn't (there's an amusing illustration and other great fiction to be had), pop over to Sorcerous Signals (www.sorceroussignals.com) to read Apartment Tour!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Fashion Advice
If you are going to try on good clothes, with patterns / fashion potential?
Do not wear an oversized bright orange shirt.
Do not wear an oversized bright orange shirt.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Movies!
A partial list of my favorite movies, ones I feel a sense of "ownership" about:
Ladyhawke, Willow, The Princess Bride, Clue, Miss Congeniality, Stargate, National Treasure, Conspiracy Theory, History of the World (Pt 1), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Ocean's Eleven (remake) ...
Movies like Major League, Short Circuit, The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, The Matrix (I loved the first movie and hated the sequels), Independence Day and the Lord of the Rings movies get close to this, but I don't feel the same way about them. The first list are sort of like children - you know they're flawed, but you love them anyway.
Ladyhawke, Willow, The Princess Bride, Clue, Miss Congeniality, Stargate, National Treasure, Conspiracy Theory, History of the World (Pt 1), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Ocean's Eleven (remake) ...
Movies like Major League, Short Circuit, The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, The Matrix (I loved the first movie and hated the sequels), Independence Day and the Lord of the Rings movies get close to this, but I don't feel the same way about them. The first list are sort of like children - you know they're flawed, but you love them anyway.
Monday, April 28, 2008
"I'll come to thee by the moonlight ...
... though hell should bar the way."
The Highwayman, as sung by Loreena McKennit. Listened to this a few days ago, and was reminded of why I asked for "The English and Scottish Popular Ballads" (Child) for Christmas a few years back. These old stories have a pulse, and they beg to be retold. Now, obviously The Highwayman is an American poem, not a ballad, and I never tackled it personally - though I "printed" an excellent prose telling of it eons ago when I was running Eye of Unicorn, Tongue of Dragon - but it is a chilling story.
Another one is The Twa Sisters or The Bonny Swans (or ... you get the idea; a lot of the Scots ballads are like that), which I did take on eons ago. In brief, the plot of this ballad is a young girl is drowned by her jealous sister, becomes a swan, and washes ashore. She is found by a harper, who crafts a harp out of her various parts. (It's delightfully unclear whether she is swan or woman - her hair is used for the strings, for instance.) He then takes it to a dinner with her family, who is a king in some versions of the story, and the harp plays on its own, accusing the false sister.
I tried a retelling from the perspective of the harper, who eventually fell in love with his instrument (don't they all?) ... and, of course, I had to answer the, "What happens next?" that the ballad never touches upon. What's interesting is I'm fairly sure I wrote this before I started playing ...
The Highwayman, as sung by Loreena McKennit. Listened to this a few days ago, and was reminded of why I asked for "The English and Scottish Popular Ballads" (Child) for Christmas a few years back. These old stories have a pulse, and they beg to be retold. Now, obviously The Highwayman is an American poem, not a ballad, and I never tackled it personally - though I "printed" an excellent prose telling of it eons ago when I was running Eye of Unicorn, Tongue of Dragon - but it is a chilling story.
Another one is The Twa Sisters or The Bonny Swans (or ... you get the idea; a lot of the Scots ballads are like that), which I did take on eons ago. In brief, the plot of this ballad is a young girl is drowned by her jealous sister, becomes a swan, and washes ashore. She is found by a harper, who crafts a harp out of her various parts. (It's delightfully unclear whether she is swan or woman - her hair is used for the strings, for instance.) He then takes it to a dinner with her family, who is a king in some versions of the story, and the harp plays on its own, accusing the false sister.
I tried a retelling from the perspective of the harper, who eventually fell in love with his instrument (don't they all?) ... and, of course, I had to answer the, "What happens next?" that the ballad never touches upon. What's interesting is I'm fairly sure I wrote this before I started playing ...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
The Rejection Letter
There is definitely a skill in writing an all-purpose rejection letter that doesn't insult - by omission, by a backhanded statement, or even by false praise. ("Well, if my story was 'finely crafted' why was it rejected?" -- not actual example.) I recently received one for a themed submission that was worded in such a way that - well - I freaked out. I wondered if I understood the genre properly, where I was making a mis-step ... until I found out that someone else had received the identical rejection. Apparently, it was their generic "no" email.
This same person received an email from another location that made it unclear whether their story was being held for further consideration or bumped. In this case, I was able to clear up the confusion by observing that I'd received the same letter.
I think you have to be careful what you say when you mean to say nothing. It's definitely a difficult task!
That said, equally frustrating can be only-positive personalized rejections. "This story had great characterization and a nice twist ending." ... then why are you turning it down?
One recently made me facefault. I think I just got told my story was the last one they cut before finalizing a table of contents ... argh gibber! It was a nice compliment to receive in a way, but flail evil torture so close.
This same person received an email from another location that made it unclear whether their story was being held for further consideration or bumped. In this case, I was able to clear up the confusion by observing that I'd received the same letter.
I think you have to be careful what you say when you mean to say nothing. It's definitely a difficult task!
That said, equally frustrating can be only-positive personalized rejections. "This story had great characterization and a nice twist ending." ... then why are you turning it down?
One recently made me facefault. I think I just got told my story was the last one they cut before finalizing a table of contents ... argh gibber! It was a nice compliment to receive in a way, but flail evil torture so close.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Moment of Silence
A moment of silence for the bold venture that was Staffs & Starships, a solid electronic magazine that published my "The Oracle Unlocked" - and, in that first issue, one other story that also received a Preditors & Editors Readers' poll nomination. Mr. Dryden, the editor, was always highly professional in my dealings with him, which isn't always a given in the publishing world.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Loch Norman Highland Games
Sunday, harp events at the Loch Norman Highland Games, Huntersville, North Carolina.
First off, the church service / Kirkin o the Tartans. I arrived via the harp gate, and told the crowing rooster it wasn't *that* early. The prior day, I mistook the ruins for the graveyard (an honest mistake!) and had to ask for directions when I realized there was no one *at* the ruins. I found out I had to trek quite a ways across the gamefield. But I made it in time to play several tunes for a prelude - a little under twenty minutes. (On time - I have only been late for a gig once in my life.) As always, the marching-in of the tartans is enjoyable to see, and the sun flowed brilliantly over the scene.
Secondly, the harp workshop. I taught my arrangement of the tune Shingly Beach, a lovely tune - my version is constructed so the ornamentation does not require any change in fingering (one of the most difficult aspects of ornamenting a piece). It turned out that I had a group more advanced than I expected, so I got the entire tune taught (as opposed to just the A part, which I had planned after a "test run" of the workshop) and it still ran a bit short ... so I shared another arrangement technique I like to use occasionally. Everyone seemed to enjoy the tune and seemed comfortable with the speed and content, so I count this a success. It also gave me a better feel for what I want to do with workshops in the future.
Thirdly, the competition - or, as it turns out, the lack of it. We had one competitor advance-registered and another who signed up on the day. The former didn't arrive, and the harp coordinator and I discussed and decided that it would be best not to hold a competition under such circumstances. Instead, we gave the loyal audience an impromptu performance - she and I played several tunes, our sole competitor played her set, and another harper performed a trio of tunes. I closed with a taste of other music styles - enter my old "Andrew Lloyd McWebber" joke, and "All I Ask of You," which never fails to surprise people ... in a good way.
All in a good day, not at all the day I expected, but I'm satisfied ... and for all the good moments, ready to go home.
First off, the church service / Kirkin o the Tartans. I arrived via the harp gate, and told the crowing rooster it wasn't *that* early. The prior day, I mistook the ruins for the graveyard (an honest mistake!) and had to ask for directions when I realized there was no one *at* the ruins. I found out I had to trek quite a ways across the gamefield. But I made it in time to play several tunes for a prelude - a little under twenty minutes. (On time - I have only been late for a gig once in my life.) As always, the marching-in of the tartans is enjoyable to see, and the sun flowed brilliantly over the scene.
Secondly, the harp workshop. I taught my arrangement of the tune Shingly Beach, a lovely tune - my version is constructed so the ornamentation does not require any change in fingering (one of the most difficult aspects of ornamenting a piece). It turned out that I had a group more advanced than I expected, so I got the entire tune taught (as opposed to just the A part, which I had planned after a "test run" of the workshop) and it still ran a bit short ... so I shared another arrangement technique I like to use occasionally. Everyone seemed to enjoy the tune and seemed comfortable with the speed and content, so I count this a success. It also gave me a better feel for what I want to do with workshops in the future.
Thirdly, the competition - or, as it turns out, the lack of it. We had one competitor advance-registered and another who signed up on the day. The former didn't arrive, and the harp coordinator and I discussed and decided that it would be best not to hold a competition under such circumstances. Instead, we gave the loyal audience an impromptu performance - she and I played several tunes, our sole competitor played her set, and another harper performed a trio of tunes. I closed with a taste of other music styles - enter my old "Andrew Lloyd McWebber" joke, and "All I Ask of You," which never fails to surprise people ... in a good way.
All in a good day, not at all the day I expected, but I'm satisfied ... and for all the good moments, ready to go home.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Operational Defintion
In explaining the difference between a harper (traditional music / lever harp) and a harpist (classical music /pedal harp), I had to comment:
Also, you're not officially a harper until you've threatened to kill at least one bagpiper if they don't go play somewhere else.
Also, you're not officially a harper until you've threatened to kill at least one bagpiper if they don't go play somewhere else.
Me!
Out of town right now at the Loch Norman Highland Games just north of Charlotte, NC, for which I will be teaching a workshop and then judging. I am rather nervous about both, though less about the judging now that I suspect I will have only a handful of competitors. If I am lucky, no one will be in the same categories so I won't have to decide between performances, just whether or not each performance was sufficient to award a first. (SHSA rules state that a certain number of points must be acquired for a first to be awarded regardless of number of competitors.)
There will doubtless be a longer post after the event (tomorrow) when I have some impressions to offer. For now - wow. Coming south and watching the trees move from the fringe into bursting bloom is beautiful.
There will doubtless be a longer post after the event (tomorrow) when I have some impressions to offer. For now - wow. Coming south and watching the trees move from the fringe into bursting bloom is beautiful.
Monday, April 14, 2008
In A Name
The fourth CD rip, all songs featuring "named" characters ... in alphabetical order, of course. This actually turned out fairly well in terms of flow.
1. But Mr. Adams -- 1776 soundtrack
2. Adia -- Sarah McLachlan
3. Angie Baby -- Helen Reddy
4. Crickets Sing For Anamaria -- Emma Bunton
5. It's Alright -- Kimberley Locke ("Brenda lived out in Michigan / She always seemed a little different ...")
6. Wound Up -- Leann Rimes ("Little Carrie-Ann, what a beautiful girl / From the moment she was born she was always perfect ...")
7. Celestine -- Kirsty MacColl
8. Ciara -- Windham Hill Artists (from a sampler CD - don't have the specific singer handy)
9. Dr. Beat -- Miami Sound Machine
10. Eve -- Chantal Kreviazuk
11. Isobel -- Dido
12. Julia -- Chantal Kreviazuk
13. King Kong -- Kirsty MacColl
14. Roxie -- Chicago soundtrack
15. Sarah's Song -- Sissel
16. Terry -- Kirsty MacColl
17. Tom, Dick or Harry -- Kiss Me Kate soundtrack
The first song contains some of the best lyrics well ... anywhere. How can you not like:
Mr. Adams, but Mr. Adams,
The things I write are only light extemporania.
I won't put politics on paper, it's a mania!
So I refuse to use the pen in Pennsylvania ...
1. But Mr. Adams -- 1776 soundtrack
2. Adia -- Sarah McLachlan
3. Angie Baby -- Helen Reddy
4. Crickets Sing For Anamaria -- Emma Bunton
5. It's Alright -- Kimberley Locke ("Brenda lived out in Michigan / She always seemed a little different ...")
6. Wound Up -- Leann Rimes ("Little Carrie-Ann, what a beautiful girl / From the moment she was born she was always perfect ...")
7. Celestine -- Kirsty MacColl
8. Ciara -- Windham Hill Artists (from a sampler CD - don't have the specific singer handy)
9. Dr. Beat -- Miami Sound Machine
10. Eve -- Chantal Kreviazuk
11. Isobel -- Dido
12. Julia -- Chantal Kreviazuk
13. King Kong -- Kirsty MacColl
14. Roxie -- Chicago soundtrack
15. Sarah's Song -- Sissel
16. Terry -- Kirsty MacColl
17. Tom, Dick or Harry -- Kiss Me Kate soundtrack
The first song contains some of the best lyrics well ... anywhere. How can you not like:
Mr. Adams, but Mr. Adams,
The things I write are only light extemporania.
I won't put politics on paper, it's a mania!
So I refuse to use the pen in Pennsylvania ...
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Sword & Sorceress
I have three stories queued up to submit to the next Sword & Sorceress anthology. The plan is to send the first one; if they reject before the submissions period is over, then the next, and so on. Last time they held "Coldsnap" for final consideration and then ultimately rejected it; hoping for better luck this time!
Lightning Strikes (about 5900 words): When her city is attacked by centaur barbarians, augur Diyesari begs for a sign from the gods to find her sister - and is given an unusual gift. This story is actually set in the same world as "Chatter Me Timbers," (Afterburn SF) maybe 4-5 hundred years later. "Chatter" was in a pseudo-classical Greece setting; "Lightning" is a bit closer to Rome. I don't write fights as well as I would like; I think "Lightning" contains some of the best swordplay I've written to date.
In These Shoes (about 3300 words): Assassin Rosh takes "just another job" in her home region - and finds it is anything but. There is a metaphorical thread in this story about her "kill shoes," which represent her life as an assassin and break down as she does. I'm really hoping I can think of a better title for the story, as even though there's no trace of it in the work, uh ... this went through my head when I started writing about footware and I had to use it for a working title: http://www.kirstymaccoll.com/music/lyrics/in_these_shoes.htm. This story was initially an exercise to write about an article of clothing that had history; I cut about half of the original exercise, but the core remains.
The Winter Queen (about 3400 words): Sardian, a Sword of the Realm, travels to the snow-bound realm of the winter queen in search of her beloved. But it will take more than a blade to solve this problem, and she may lose what she came to find. This story was initially a self-designed exercise where I took a list of words and had to involve one word every hundred words. In editing, I probably removed some of them and invalidated the order, but it was good inspiration.
Lightning Strikes (about 5900 words): When her city is attacked by centaur barbarians, augur Diyesari begs for a sign from the gods to find her sister - and is given an unusual gift. This story is actually set in the same world as "Chatter Me Timbers," (Afterburn SF) maybe 4-5 hundred years later. "Chatter" was in a pseudo-classical Greece setting; "Lightning" is a bit closer to Rome. I don't write fights as well as I would like; I think "Lightning" contains some of the best swordplay I've written to date.
In These Shoes (about 3300 words): Assassin Rosh takes "just another job" in her home region - and finds it is anything but. There is a metaphorical thread in this story about her "kill shoes," which represent her life as an assassin and break down as she does. I'm really hoping I can think of a better title for the story, as even though there's no trace of it in the work, uh ... this went through my head when I started writing about footware and I had to use it for a working title: http://www.kirstymaccoll.com/music/lyrics/in_these_shoes.htm. This story was initially an exercise to write about an article of clothing that had history; I cut about half of the original exercise, but the core remains.
The Winter Queen (about 3400 words): Sardian, a Sword of the Realm, travels to the snow-bound realm of the winter queen in search of her beloved. But it will take more than a blade to solve this problem, and she may lose what she came to find. This story was initially a self-designed exercise where I took a list of words and had to involve one word every hundred words. In editing, I probably removed some of them and invalidated the order, but it was good inspiration.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Fatecraft
I haven't put this up on my publications page because there are aspects up in the air, but Darwin's Evolutions (www.darwinsevolutions.com) has requested to print "Fatecraft" for an upcoming issue. Here's hoping it all comes through!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Soul Siblings
(re)Sold to Sorcerous Signals! ... Soul Siblings at Sorcerous Signals. Ow, my brain. ;-) Find them at: Sorcerous Signals
Foreign Film Dub Redux
My original CD rip had a Foreign Film Dub, but I had some new songs and I believe I'd already used a couple of the ones on the original FFD elsewhere, so this is a redux.
(The term "Foreign Film Dub" is from the improv show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" where two actors perform a scene from an imaginary movie in a gibberish language supposed to represent German, Korean, whatever, and two others translate for them.)
1. God's Child (Baila Conmigo) -- Selena (Spanish)
2. Times -- Lesiem (Latin)
3. Go Away -- Gloria Estefan (Various. A sample line from the song is, "Ciao, bye-bye, hasta la vista - fare thee well, adios, so long.")
4. Hijo de la Luna -- Sarah Brightman (Spanish)
5. In These Shoes -- Kirsty MacColl (Spanish)
6. Dove L'amore -- Cher (French)
7. Tu Y Yo -- Thalia (Spanish)
8. Cursum Perficio -- Enya (Latin)
9. Te Amare -- Gloria Estefan (Spanish)
10. Adonde Voy -- Linda Ronstadt (Spanish)
11. I Wanna (Shall We Dance) -- Gizelle D'Cole and Pilar Montenero, Shall We Dance? soundtrack (Spanish. I think.)
12. Storms In Africa -- Enya (Irish Gaelic)
13. C'est La Vie -- Shania Twain (French)
14. Oye -- Gloria Estefan (Spanish)
15. Nao Esperando -- Kirsty MacColl (Spanish)
16. Fides (Belief) -- Lesiem (Latin)
17. Molde Canticle -- Sissel (No language - no words, just "ooh"s)
18. Ay, Ay, I -- Miami Sound Machine (Spanish)
19. Libre -- Paulina Rubio (Spanish)
20. Mambo De La Luna -- Kirsty MacColl (Spanish)
21. Seallaibh Curaidh Eoghain -- Celtic Harpestry / Sileas (Scots Gaelic)
Yes, there is an insane amount of Spanish here. This can be attributed to the fact that I have a bias towards Latin-influenced singers.
(The term "Foreign Film Dub" is from the improv show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" where two actors perform a scene from an imaginary movie in a gibberish language supposed to represent German, Korean, whatever, and two others translate for them.)
1. God's Child (Baila Conmigo) -- Selena (Spanish)
2. Times -- Lesiem (Latin)
3. Go Away -- Gloria Estefan (Various. A sample line from the song is, "Ciao, bye-bye, hasta la vista - fare thee well, adios, so long.")
4. Hijo de la Luna -- Sarah Brightman (Spanish)
5. In These Shoes -- Kirsty MacColl (Spanish)
6. Dove L'amore -- Cher (French)
7. Tu Y Yo -- Thalia (Spanish)
8. Cursum Perficio -- Enya (Latin)
9. Te Amare -- Gloria Estefan (Spanish)
10. Adonde Voy -- Linda Ronstadt (Spanish)
11. I Wanna (Shall We Dance) -- Gizelle D'Cole and Pilar Montenero, Shall We Dance? soundtrack (Spanish. I think.)
12. Storms In Africa -- Enya (Irish Gaelic)
13. C'est La Vie -- Shania Twain (French)
14. Oye -- Gloria Estefan (Spanish)
15. Nao Esperando -- Kirsty MacColl (Spanish)
16. Fides (Belief) -- Lesiem (Latin)
17. Molde Canticle -- Sissel (No language - no words, just "ooh"s)
18. Ay, Ay, I -- Miami Sound Machine (Spanish)
19. Libre -- Paulina Rubio (Spanish)
20. Mambo De La Luna -- Kirsty MacColl (Spanish)
21. Seallaibh Curaidh Eoghain -- Celtic Harpestry / Sileas (Scots Gaelic)
Yes, there is an insane amount of Spanish here. This can be attributed to the fact that I have a bias towards Latin-influenced singers.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
My review
Thou Shalt Not Kill - ed. Cynthia Manson
(Tales of ecclesiastical sleuths)
The introduction is brief, but requires a comment. “The darker side of humankind seems all the more sinister when probed by the devout followers of the church.” Really? Why? Maybe I’m coming at the anthology from a more cynical mindset, maybe (fifteen years after the book was published) scandal in the church has become too common to ring much of a chord, but I am dubious of this statement.
“The Dutiful Son” by Ralph McInerny is a mediocre start to this anthology. Father Roger Dowling is drawn into a mystery when a man arrives, stating that his mother buried her infant in the yard of her home and that her dying wish was to have the child re-interred on consecrated ground. What is found in the yard, however, is not a baby – and the unknown man has not died of natural causes. The mystery in this story is interesting enough, with the turns and revelations paced well – relaxed but not plodding. I also enjoyed the portrayal of an old neighborhood where the residents can remember fifty years ago as if it was yesterday. We’ve all known places like this. However, there was minimal emotion and no real tension outside of curiosity. Though Father Roger Dowling acts sympathetic, the story aims at the heartbreak that occurs from the outside and remains there. The fact that the main character is consistently referred to by both names in narration becomes rather wearing; maybe this contributed to the distance.
“The Second Commandment” by Charlotte Armstrong picks up the pace. Minister Hugh Macroy is picked up by the police after his new wife has a tragic accident in the fog – or was it an accident? This story starts at a frenetic tempo, introducing a large number of characters without becoming unmanageable. Through their eyes, we see the facts of the case, their emotions, their biases … a technique which plants a clear picture of the human element. The last ten pages or so slow down to a point that is initially irritating, but I grew used to it as the end drew near. Ultimately, this is not so much a puzzle mystery – where the central point of the story is to piece together clues in search of a solution – as an interesting exploration of the nature of relationships and universal love.
“Straight Down The Middle” by Thomas Adcock is a short, snappy story were the question is not whodunit, but how – how did the diamonds stolen by Danny Esposito vanish into thin air? (Comparisons to “The Purloined Letter” are not inaccurate.) This case is given to any cop who manages to clear their workload, and detective Larry Stein is the next in line. The characters are clever and sketched well, and include an unusual – and very enjoyable – nun. Some of the earlier details tie into the conclusion of the mystery with finesse, and the result is a satisfying ride.
About “Death of an Alumnus” by Janet O’Daniel, let me first say: BASKETBALL NUNS! The story involves the events surrounding the dedication of a new building at St. Margaret’s Home, as seen through the eyes of the redoubtable Sister Maureen, whose tongue-in-cheek internal commentary is hysterical. (And yes, she did coach basketball at the Home in her younger days.) It takes a while for this story to get to the murder, but the portrayal of the chaos surrounding the dedication and the relationship between the home’s former children and their teachers is written so well that at least this reader didn’t mind. Perhaps in consequence, it seemed that the mystery wrapped up too suddenly, without sufficient reinforcement. However, the way in which Sister Maureen’s Ideas about the participants propels the solution is supremely enjoyable. To quote the back of the book, this lady is “second to nun.”
“The Price of Light” by Ellis Peters is a small dose of the shrewd brother Cadfael, and is written with Peters’ customary artistry and eye for character. When Hamo FitzHamon decides to secure his place in heaven by a donation to the Abbey, he does so with a lavish gift intended to impress his generosity on all who see it: a pair of gorgeous silver candlesticks. When these, inevitably, vanish, the hunt is on, and it is Cadfael who must seek out the truth. The human element is key to this story, with questions of motive and strength of character brought to the fore. One moving element is Brother Jordan, whose failing eyes make him treasure the gift of light. I am biased because I adore Cadfael to bits, but this was a great, solid story. My only criticism is that there were some passages that were written with unusual clumsiness – I had to read them a couple times to understand what was being portrayed.
“A Face to Remember” by Mary Amlaw is a satisfying inverted mystery, in which we see the crime committed – and its motivation – and the enjoyment of the story is derived from seeing how the sleuth solves it. In this case, the “detective” is Mother Mary Dominic, a woman of many dimensions. When a reformed prostitute dies just before she can join the order, it is up to Mary Dominic to solve the crime using the resources at her disposal. This story uses the inverted formula very well, and the idiosyncracies of the nuns are fun to read. I particularly enjoyed how the Mother provides the solution in a way designed to “speak police” and hence convince the authorities of what she already knows.
“The Man in the Passage” by G.K. Chesterton is a story of superlatives and leading luminaries, all described to a final purpose that I’m not sure was effective. Actress Aurora Rose is called upon by two prominent men, arousing the jealousy of her co-star – and Father Brown is a quiet witness to the events that unfold. The murder is telegraphed – you know who is going to die – and preceded by a redundant double explanation of how the soon-to-be victim intends to send the other men out of the room so she can speak to the Father. Brown plays a fairly minor part in the story despite his role as its detective, and I can’t but feel he fades into the woodwork around the other sensational people.
“Justina” by Dorothy Salisbury Davis is … a strange story, and one which I am not entirely sure even qualifies for the spirit of this anthology, although it fulfills the letter – more or less. The mysterious nun Sister Justina is invited into the Willoughby by Mrs. Ryan, toting two shopping bags. When she leaves, she sneaks out and the bags are nowhere to be seen. This small mystery spirals into more serious circumstances. I’m still not entirely sure I know what happened in this story. The two narrators ended up dividing the focus of the story, and I didn’t feel as if either of them had any claim to the title of sleuth.
“In The Confessional” by Alice Scanlan Reach also misses the mark with a conclusion to an interesting premise that leaves unanswered questions and a plothole. This story doesn’t play fair with its reader. It begins with promise, as petty criminal Blue attempts to steal from the church offerings and observes Father Crumlish at his evening routine – a routine which turns out to involve an unplanned confession and some horrifying facts.
“Rumpole and the Man of God” by John Mortimer is a story carried by its narrative voice – the sometimes witty, often dour, always slightly cynical Rumpole of the Bailey. When a vicar is accused of shoplifting six shirts, Rumpole must defend him – while the vicar himself provides no explanation better than, “They just ended up in my basket.” This is interwoven with the story of Rumpole’s friend George and his new fiancee, of whom Rumpole’s wife (She Who Must Be Obeyed) strongly disapproves. As a stand-alone story, this is a good piece of fiction. However, I’m not sure the vicar or his ecclesiastical involvement were central enough to belong to this anthology. Also this story is something of a slice-of-life and it feels open-ended, both finished and not.
Overall, I thought this anthology failed to hit the advertised mark. It bills itself as a collection of stories about ecclesiastical sleuths. Of the ten stories here, in only half is the detective a member of the clergy. In the others, the clergy member is either a side character or the accused. (It should also be mentioned that, since the title is “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” it seems slightly odd that murder is not the subject of three of these stories, almost a third.) In some of the stories, the promised melding of clergy with crime seems to be lip-service. There are also stories where the mystery element is slighted, rushed or (“The Second Commandment”) not really important.
The stories that worked in this anthology, regardless of how well they fit the theme, were those that emphasized the role of the ecclesiastical worker in a defined community, and often how that role propelled them into the task of sleuthing. In those stories, it is the careful haven constructed by church devotees that is threatened and disrupted. Ultimately, I would have liked to see more of this.
In the end, I thought four of the stories were excellent (“Straight Down The Middle,” “Death of an Alumnus,” “The Price of Light” and “A Face to Remember”) – and these had the misfortune of being sequential. I thought two more were good (“The Second Commandment,” “Rumpole and the Man of God”) and two more were passable (“The Dutiful Son”, “The Man in the Passage”). The remaining two (“Justina,” “In The Confessional”), I wish I had skipped. The anthology is worth reading for the first four, but expect that it isn’t quite as billed.
(Tales of ecclesiastical sleuths)
The introduction is brief, but requires a comment. “The darker side of humankind seems all the more sinister when probed by the devout followers of the church.” Really? Why? Maybe I’m coming at the anthology from a more cynical mindset, maybe (fifteen years after the book was published) scandal in the church has become too common to ring much of a chord, but I am dubious of this statement.
“The Dutiful Son” by Ralph McInerny is a mediocre start to this anthology. Father Roger Dowling is drawn into a mystery when a man arrives, stating that his mother buried her infant in the yard of her home and that her dying wish was to have the child re-interred on consecrated ground. What is found in the yard, however, is not a baby – and the unknown man has not died of natural causes. The mystery in this story is interesting enough, with the turns and revelations paced well – relaxed but not plodding. I also enjoyed the portrayal of an old neighborhood where the residents can remember fifty years ago as if it was yesterday. We’ve all known places like this. However, there was minimal emotion and no real tension outside of curiosity. Though Father Roger Dowling acts sympathetic, the story aims at the heartbreak that occurs from the outside and remains there. The fact that the main character is consistently referred to by both names in narration becomes rather wearing; maybe this contributed to the distance.
“The Second Commandment” by Charlotte Armstrong picks up the pace. Minister Hugh Macroy is picked up by the police after his new wife has a tragic accident in the fog – or was it an accident? This story starts at a frenetic tempo, introducing a large number of characters without becoming unmanageable. Through their eyes, we see the facts of the case, their emotions, their biases … a technique which plants a clear picture of the human element. The last ten pages or so slow down to a point that is initially irritating, but I grew used to it as the end drew near. Ultimately, this is not so much a puzzle mystery – where the central point of the story is to piece together clues in search of a solution – as an interesting exploration of the nature of relationships and universal love.
“Straight Down The Middle” by Thomas Adcock is a short, snappy story were the question is not whodunit, but how – how did the diamonds stolen by Danny Esposito vanish into thin air? (Comparisons to “The Purloined Letter” are not inaccurate.) This case is given to any cop who manages to clear their workload, and detective Larry Stein is the next in line. The characters are clever and sketched well, and include an unusual – and very enjoyable – nun. Some of the earlier details tie into the conclusion of the mystery with finesse, and the result is a satisfying ride.
About “Death of an Alumnus” by Janet O’Daniel, let me first say: BASKETBALL NUNS! The story involves the events surrounding the dedication of a new building at St. Margaret’s Home, as seen through the eyes of the redoubtable Sister Maureen, whose tongue-in-cheek internal commentary is hysterical. (And yes, she did coach basketball at the Home in her younger days.) It takes a while for this story to get to the murder, but the portrayal of the chaos surrounding the dedication and the relationship between the home’s former children and their teachers is written so well that at least this reader didn’t mind. Perhaps in consequence, it seemed that the mystery wrapped up too suddenly, without sufficient reinforcement. However, the way in which Sister Maureen’s Ideas about the participants propels the solution is supremely enjoyable. To quote the back of the book, this lady is “second to nun.”
“The Price of Light” by Ellis Peters is a small dose of the shrewd brother Cadfael, and is written with Peters’ customary artistry and eye for character. When Hamo FitzHamon decides to secure his place in heaven by a donation to the Abbey, he does so with a lavish gift intended to impress his generosity on all who see it: a pair of gorgeous silver candlesticks. When these, inevitably, vanish, the hunt is on, and it is Cadfael who must seek out the truth. The human element is key to this story, with questions of motive and strength of character brought to the fore. One moving element is Brother Jordan, whose failing eyes make him treasure the gift of light. I am biased because I adore Cadfael to bits, but this was a great, solid story. My only criticism is that there were some passages that were written with unusual clumsiness – I had to read them a couple times to understand what was being portrayed.
“A Face to Remember” by Mary Amlaw is a satisfying inverted mystery, in which we see the crime committed – and its motivation – and the enjoyment of the story is derived from seeing how the sleuth solves it. In this case, the “detective” is Mother Mary Dominic, a woman of many dimensions. When a reformed prostitute dies just before she can join the order, it is up to Mary Dominic to solve the crime using the resources at her disposal. This story uses the inverted formula very well, and the idiosyncracies of the nuns are fun to read. I particularly enjoyed how the Mother provides the solution in a way designed to “speak police” and hence convince the authorities of what she already knows.
“The Man in the Passage” by G.K. Chesterton is a story of superlatives and leading luminaries, all described to a final purpose that I’m not sure was effective. Actress Aurora Rose is called upon by two prominent men, arousing the jealousy of her co-star – and Father Brown is a quiet witness to the events that unfold. The murder is telegraphed – you know who is going to die – and preceded by a redundant double explanation of how the soon-to-be victim intends to send the other men out of the room so she can speak to the Father. Brown plays a fairly minor part in the story despite his role as its detective, and I can’t but feel he fades into the woodwork around the other sensational people.
“Justina” by Dorothy Salisbury Davis is … a strange story, and one which I am not entirely sure even qualifies for the spirit of this anthology, although it fulfills the letter – more or less. The mysterious nun Sister Justina is invited into the Willoughby by Mrs. Ryan, toting two shopping bags. When she leaves, she sneaks out and the bags are nowhere to be seen. This small mystery spirals into more serious circumstances. I’m still not entirely sure I know what happened in this story. The two narrators ended up dividing the focus of the story, and I didn’t feel as if either of them had any claim to the title of sleuth.
“In The Confessional” by Alice Scanlan Reach also misses the mark with a conclusion to an interesting premise that leaves unanswered questions and a plothole. This story doesn’t play fair with its reader. It begins with promise, as petty criminal Blue attempts to steal from the church offerings and observes Father Crumlish at his evening routine – a routine which turns out to involve an unplanned confession and some horrifying facts.
“Rumpole and the Man of God” by John Mortimer is a story carried by its narrative voice – the sometimes witty, often dour, always slightly cynical Rumpole of the Bailey. When a vicar is accused of shoplifting six shirts, Rumpole must defend him – while the vicar himself provides no explanation better than, “They just ended up in my basket.” This is interwoven with the story of Rumpole’s friend George and his new fiancee, of whom Rumpole’s wife (She Who Must Be Obeyed) strongly disapproves. As a stand-alone story, this is a good piece of fiction. However, I’m not sure the vicar or his ecclesiastical involvement were central enough to belong to this anthology. Also this story is something of a slice-of-life and it feels open-ended, both finished and not.
Overall, I thought this anthology failed to hit the advertised mark. It bills itself as a collection of stories about ecclesiastical sleuths. Of the ten stories here, in only half is the detective a member of the clergy. In the others, the clergy member is either a side character or the accused. (It should also be mentioned that, since the title is “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” it seems slightly odd that murder is not the subject of three of these stories, almost a third.) In some of the stories, the promised melding of clergy with crime seems to be lip-service. There are also stories where the mystery element is slighted, rushed or (“The Second Commandment”) not really important.
The stories that worked in this anthology, regardless of how well they fit the theme, were those that emphasized the role of the ecclesiastical worker in a defined community, and often how that role propelled them into the task of sleuthing. In those stories, it is the careful haven constructed by church devotees that is threatened and disrupted. Ultimately, I would have liked to see more of this.
In the end, I thought four of the stories were excellent (“Straight Down The Middle,” “Death of an Alumnus,” “The Price of Light” and “A Face to Remember”) – and these had the misfortune of being sequential. I thought two more were good (“The Second Commandment,” “Rumpole and the Man of God”) and two more were passable (“The Dutiful Son”, “The Man in the Passage”). The remaining two (“Justina,” “In The Confessional”), I wish I had skipped. The anthology is worth reading for the first four, but expect that it isn’t quite as billed.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Arrrrgh
There is no trial for a writer like accidental deletion. In my case, Word was behaving funny before I went to bed. I woke up, my computer had rebooted ... and I had lost my work from the prior day, including a page of my novel, three quarters of a page from my short story, and three of my reviews. Now, I write in 8pt font single-spaced, so I'm estimating it was about 1500 words - 5-6 book pages.
I spent the next three and a half hours recreating what I had lost as best I could, but when I reached the same point in the fiction, it was shorter. I knew I'd lost something, and I can't help feel that I ended up with an inferior version.
In other news, another year, another Sword & Sorceress. I've picked out three stories, ordered by my preference, to edit so I have something to send to them - and something else if they reject it before the end of the reading period - and something else. I want this to be the year.
I spent the next three and a half hours recreating what I had lost as best I could, but when I reached the same point in the fiction, it was shorter. I knew I'd lost something, and I can't help feel that I ended up with an inferior version.
In other news, another year, another Sword & Sorceress. I've picked out three stories, ordered by my preference, to edit so I have something to send to them - and something else if they reject it before the end of the reading period - and something else. I want this to be the year.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Day By Day
Just encountered this CD mix (my second) in my driving travels. This was intended to be a mix of songs involving specific days, seasons and the use of days more generally.
1. Book of Days -- Enya
2. Another Year Has Gone By -- Celine Dion
3. It's A Beautiful Day -- Sarah Brightman
4. Lazy Days -- Enya
5. One Of These Days -- Michelle Branch
6. Big Boy On A Saturday Night -- Kirsty MacColl
7. Once In A Lifetime -- Sarah Brightman
8. Ten Days -- Celine Dion
9. Everyday -- Anne Murray
10. Yesterday -- Sarah Brightman
11. Miss April -- Chantal Kreviazuk
12. Soho Square -- Kirsty MacColl ("Just kiss me quick, 'cause it's my birthday ..." "One day you'll be waiting there, come summertime in Soho Square ...")
13. Winter In July -- Sarah Brightman (... I don't actually have THAT many Brightman songs ripped. Just how this group worked out.)
14. Last Day of Summer -- Kirsty MacColl
15. A New Day Has Come -- Celine Dion
16. Tonight (I Want To Be In Love) -- Anne Murray
17. Halloween -- Kirsty MacColl (... on the other hand, I *do* have that many MacColl songs ripped.)
18. Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag -- Chicago soundtrack
19. Oh How The Years Go By -- Amy Grant
20. Always Tomorrow -- Gloria Estefan
1. Book of Days -- Enya
2. Another Year Has Gone By -- Celine Dion
3. It's A Beautiful Day -- Sarah Brightman
4. Lazy Days -- Enya
5. One Of These Days -- Michelle Branch
6. Big Boy On A Saturday Night -- Kirsty MacColl
7. Once In A Lifetime -- Sarah Brightman
8. Ten Days -- Celine Dion
9. Everyday -- Anne Murray
10. Yesterday -- Sarah Brightman
11. Miss April -- Chantal Kreviazuk
12. Soho Square -- Kirsty MacColl ("Just kiss me quick, 'cause it's my birthday ..." "One day you'll be waiting there, come summertime in Soho Square ...")
13. Winter In July -- Sarah Brightman (... I don't actually have THAT many Brightman songs ripped. Just how this group worked out.)
14. Last Day of Summer -- Kirsty MacColl
15. A New Day Has Come -- Celine Dion
16. Tonight (I Want To Be In Love) -- Anne Murray
17. Halloween -- Kirsty MacColl (... on the other hand, I *do* have that many MacColl songs ripped.)
18. Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag -- Chicago soundtrack
19. Oh How The Years Go By -- Amy Grant
20. Always Tomorrow -- Gloria Estefan
Friday, March 28, 2008
Story by Story review
I'm going to attempt to do another in-depth story-by-story review, this time of something *not* in the SF/F field. The book is "Thou Shalt Not Kill," a fairly old (1992) anthology of mystery stories by ecclesiastical sleuths. This includes stories about Brother Cadfael, who I've already met and loved through multiple novels, and Rumpole of the Bailey, who I've encountered only through a very dour and pessimistic - but also very entertaining - British TV series of the same name. I'm particularly eager to see these two, especially as I'm pretty sure I've seen the episode based on this specific Rumpole story. (The Cadfael TV movies were all based on the books, and so far they've been pretty fair adaptations.)
Reading Reccs!
Just updated my webpage with a new recommendation: "Poison Study" by Maria V. Snyder.
This is also the place where I feel compelled to observe that the cover illustration looks uncannily like Leelee Sobieski.
This is also the place where I feel compelled to observe that the cover illustration looks uncannily like Leelee Sobieski.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Now Out!
Warrior Codes is now available at Art & Prose (http://artandprose.com/blog/). Moreover, I seem to be their showcase author, so should you decide to pick this issue up, you'll ... get to listen to me babble in a little interview. Wait, maybe that's a bad thing.
By The Numbers
I've changed my listening repertoire once again. For the first CD, I decided to pick songs that featured numbers or counting in some way ... and then as I was looking at them, elected to put them in numeric order, with ones that didn't reference specific numbers threaded in between. I ended up with:
1. One -- Faith Hill
2. One By One -- Enya (Forget "Only Time" which was apparently a hit - THIS is the stand-out track from "A Day Without Rain.")
3. One Night Only (Disco Version) -- Dreamgirls soundtrack
4. One Heart -- Celine Dion
5. One Name -- Gloria Estefan
6. With One Look -- from Sunset Boulevard (Mary Carewe singing)
... I'm finally getting out of the 1s now.
7. England 2 Columbia 0 -- Kirsty MacColl
8. The Second Element -- Sarah Brightman
9. The Seven Deadly Virtues -- Camelot soundtrack
10. Wrapped -- Gloria Estefan ("... lost like the seconds I'm counting 'til I am closer to you.")
11. Seven Seas -- Sarah Brightman
12. 8th World Wonder -- Kimberley Locke
13. This One's For The Girls -- Martina McBride ("This is for all you girls about thirteen ..." also 25 and 42.)
14. A New England -- Kirsty MacColl ("I was twenty-one years when I wrote this song / I'm twenty-two now, but I won't be for long.")
15. How Many of Us Have Them (Friends) -- Alana Davis
16. I'm Going Out With An Eighty Year Old Millionaire -- Kirsty MacColl
17. Sex In The Nineties -- Gloria Estefan
18. 1974 -- Amy Grant
(I did think about the last two a bit, whether it should be read as "1990" and "1974" but elected to read it as "90" and then "1974." So - largest number by a landslide!)
1. One -- Faith Hill
2. One By One -- Enya (Forget "Only Time" which was apparently a hit - THIS is the stand-out track from "A Day Without Rain.")
3. One Night Only (Disco Version) -- Dreamgirls soundtrack
4. One Heart -- Celine Dion
5. One Name -- Gloria Estefan
6. With One Look -- from Sunset Boulevard (Mary Carewe singing)
... I'm finally getting out of the 1s now.
7. England 2 Columbia 0 -- Kirsty MacColl
8. The Second Element -- Sarah Brightman
9. The Seven Deadly Virtues -- Camelot soundtrack
10. Wrapped -- Gloria Estefan ("... lost like the seconds I'm counting 'til I am closer to you.")
11. Seven Seas -- Sarah Brightman
12. 8th World Wonder -- Kimberley Locke
13. This One's For The Girls -- Martina McBride ("This is for all you girls about thirteen ..." also 25 and 42.)
14. A New England -- Kirsty MacColl ("I was twenty-one years when I wrote this song / I'm twenty-two now, but I won't be for long.")
15. How Many of Us Have Them (Friends) -- Alana Davis
16. I'm Going Out With An Eighty Year Old Millionaire -- Kirsty MacColl
17. Sex In The Nineties -- Gloria Estefan
18. 1974 -- Amy Grant
(I did think about the last two a bit, whether it should be read as "1990" and "1974" but elected to read it as "90" and then "1974." So - largest number by a landslide!)
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Wait, There's More
I just came across this:
http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/votesssff07.htm
Page down.
Yes, that is the story mentioned below.
And no, I didn't know about this in time to vote.
http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/votesssff07.htm
Page down.
Yes, that is the story mentioned below.
And no, I didn't know about this in time to vote.
Review
Trawling Google in a bored late-night wander, I came across this review for "The Oracle Unlocked" in Staffs and Starships:
For the second time in this issue I was reminded of a favorite author. This time it is Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories that come to mind. And before anyone balks at this, I am not saying that this tale is a Conan clone or anything like it. For me Howard had a gift with description; of places and things. This story has that wonderful vivid touch. The setting and theme are very much like a Conan tale, but hero is completely different. A lot of people forget that Conan has a brain, and it is this aspect that this hero uses in her quest. This story was simple, elegant and a lot of fun.
I am really excessively amused at being compared to Howard. I am glad it is a compliment, but something giggle-worthy about it.
(For the curious, this was found here: http://blogtiderising.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/review-staffs-starships-v1-1-2007/)
For the second time in this issue I was reminded of a favorite author. This time it is Robert E. Howard’s Conan stories that come to mind. And before anyone balks at this, I am not saying that this tale is a Conan clone or anything like it. For me Howard had a gift with description; of places and things. This story has that wonderful vivid touch. The setting and theme are very much like a Conan tale, but hero is completely different. A lot of people forget that Conan has a brain, and it is this aspect that this hero uses in her quest. This story was simple, elegant and a lot of fun.
I am really excessively amused at being compared to Howard. I am glad it is a compliment, but something giggle-worthy about it.
(For the curious, this was found here: http://blogtiderising.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/review-staffs-starships-v1-1-2007/)
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Gig
I get a fair number of compliments when I perform, but this is the first time I've actually been put on a pedestal.
... no, literally. They're having me play on this little raised platform in the middle of the buffet.
... no, literally. They're having me play on this little raised platform in the middle of the buffet.
Friday, March 21, 2008
O, Canada
This is what I meant by Calgary:
http://www.worldfantasy2008.org/
I booked the hotel room and bought my membership Wednesday. I have a budget and a specific savings account just for this events - I am financially armed and dangerous.
Amusement, the very next morning I got word that the convention hotel was starting to fill up and the committee had booked rooms at an overflow hotel. Three blocks away, same room rate. I have some perfect timing.
http://www.worldfantasy2008.org/
I booked the hotel room and bought my membership Wednesday. I have a budget and a specific savings account just for this events - I am financially armed and dangerous.
Amusement, the very next morning I got word that the convention hotel was starting to fill up and the committee had booked rooms at an overflow hotel. Three blocks away, same room rate. I have some perfect timing.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The Essence of Story
What makes literature artistic? What makes it great? What makes a work of fiction literature?
... wow. Step back from *that* can of worms for a second.
I was struck in taking my Mystery, Horror and Detective Fiction course how strongly the author felt that he had to defend the literary value of mysteries - as if there was some question. As if the possibilities of the genre could somehow be less worthy. As if one would be ashamed to be reading *anything* in this day and age. (Though inherent in that is a different rant.)
This has led, I think, to an unfortunate trend in the science fiction and fantasy fields of writers *trying* to be literary. Experimentation is excellent, and it produces some beautiful visions - that's one thing. I'm talking about when an author sets out to be deep and constructs a story around, not some sudden flash of idea, intriguing setting or character that just leaps off the page and throttles them, but around the goal of making a story that makes people think and has Meaning.
I sincerely doubt that any writer sets out to write non-literary, pulpy drivel. Certainly, it's hard to imagine a writer penning something intended for publication with the goal, "I'm going to use the most clunky, ugly prose I can write!" Thus, striving to be literary seems, to me, to be redundant. We all are trying to make our writing better, to produce something that is enjoyable, to produce something better than the last book/story/even chapter. So what, really, is left? Cultural acceptance? Adherence to a standard of greatness that was one way in Shakespeare's time, another when Shelley rolled around, and a third into the modern era?
When it comes to genre fiction, I don't think that "being literary" should be a, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" proposition. Each genre has its own core, its own value, its own place where artistry and merit shine. I've probably heard romance novels bashed more than any other genre - but isn't Jane Eyre a romance?
Here, then, is my standard for what makes fiction great: it should be organic. It should be in a world (whether that's a fantastical setting or an apartment building) that is immersive, populated by characters who feel like people, with a plot that is determined by the necessity of these forces colliding, and chronicled - but not forced - by an author who can see all three clearly. It should grow naturally. If there is a moral or a philosophy, it evolves from the requirements of the story, not the other way around. It should be, in its own way, a living entity.
No meticulous construct can, for me, match the artistic value of a story raised to the potential of its own adulthood.
Also, to be explained in a future post:
Iiiiii'm going to Caaaaalgary!
... wow. Step back from *that* can of worms for a second.
I was struck in taking my Mystery, Horror and Detective Fiction course how strongly the author felt that he had to defend the literary value of mysteries - as if there was some question. As if the possibilities of the genre could somehow be less worthy. As if one would be ashamed to be reading *anything* in this day and age. (Though inherent in that is a different rant.)
This has led, I think, to an unfortunate trend in the science fiction and fantasy fields of writers *trying* to be literary. Experimentation is excellent, and it produces some beautiful visions - that's one thing. I'm talking about when an author sets out to be deep and constructs a story around, not some sudden flash of idea, intriguing setting or character that just leaps off the page and throttles them, but around the goal of making a story that makes people think and has Meaning.
I sincerely doubt that any writer sets out to write non-literary, pulpy drivel. Certainly, it's hard to imagine a writer penning something intended for publication with the goal, "I'm going to use the most clunky, ugly prose I can write!" Thus, striving to be literary seems, to me, to be redundant. We all are trying to make our writing better, to produce something that is enjoyable, to produce something better than the last book/story/even chapter. So what, really, is left? Cultural acceptance? Adherence to a standard of greatness that was one way in Shakespeare's time, another when Shelley rolled around, and a third into the modern era?
When it comes to genre fiction, I don't think that "being literary" should be a, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" proposition. Each genre has its own core, its own value, its own place where artistry and merit shine. I've probably heard romance novels bashed more than any other genre - but isn't Jane Eyre a romance?
Here, then, is my standard for what makes fiction great: it should be organic. It should be in a world (whether that's a fantastical setting or an apartment building) that is immersive, populated by characters who feel like people, with a plot that is determined by the necessity of these forces colliding, and chronicled - but not forced - by an author who can see all three clearly. It should grow naturally. If there is a moral or a philosophy, it evolves from the requirements of the story, not the other way around. It should be, in its own way, a living entity.
No meticulous construct can, for me, match the artistic value of a story raised to the potential of its own adulthood.
Also, to be explained in a future post:
Iiiiii'm going to Caaaaalgary!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Illness
Have been inexplicably sick for about a week and a half. We're talking sleeping for eleven hours and still feeling cracked, nauseous or stomach-achy, dizzy or headachy - take your pick. My intent when I get better is to occasionally post things on here that aren't just story updates, but in the interim, I stay quiet in lieu of whining.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
A Time To ... 2
Not actually available for another week or so, but I thought I'd share now. This anthology includes a flash fiction piece of mine, "Retirement" -
http://www.lulu.com/content/1875677
And here's some comments made on the anthology by a reviewer:
http://mirrordancefantasy.blogspot.com/2008/03/time-tovolume-2-best-of-lorelei-signal.html
http://www.lulu.com/content/1875677
And here's some comments made on the anthology by a reviewer:
http://mirrordancefantasy.blogspot.com/2008/03/time-tovolume-2-best-of-lorelei-signal.html
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
I, Alien
Just put this up on my recommended reading list. A few more comments below:
I, Alien - first-person accounts from the point of view of the Other, usually but not necessarily interacting with humans. The great majority of the stories in this collection were strong and absorbing. Most of the rest were at least entertaining, with only two real "misses" in the collection (Aortic Insubordination by Batya Swift Yasgur and Barry N. Malzberg, and Harvesting by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. Sorry, guys). Unfortunately, they were right next to each other, which does bring me to my only major quibble about I, Alien - it might have been better organized. Most of the comedic stories were in a bunch near the front, with the collection turning more serious / esoteric as it continued. Until about a third of the way through, I was going to complain that the back of the book doesn't properly emphasize the humor element.
I, Alien - first-person accounts from the point of view of the Other, usually but not necessarily interacting with humans. The great majority of the stories in this collection were strong and absorbing. Most of the rest were at least entertaining, with only two real "misses" in the collection (Aortic Insubordination by Batya Swift Yasgur and Barry N. Malzberg, and Harvesting by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. Sorry, guys). Unfortunately, they were right next to each other, which does bring me to my only major quibble about I, Alien - it might have been better organized. Most of the comedic stories were in a bunch near the front, with the collection turning more serious / esoteric as it continued. Until about a third of the way through, I was going to complain that the back of the book doesn't properly emphasize the humor element.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Also ...
Changed my excerpt on my webpage to a bit from another retired story, "Worlds Overdue." It's the opening half page or so, at least in the font I write.
Warrior Codes
I was pretty sure of this one - the editor was very complimentary when he told me they were holding the story for review - but it's great to have confirmation: Warrior Codes was just sold to Art & Prose. This was initially a challenge at Fantasy-Writers.org to write a story that could have the title "Butterknife Samurai" - I chose to do it by entering the word samurai into wikipedia and using the most interesting disambiguation entries.
Monday, February 04, 2008
BASH Review
A bit less positive on the count of my story, but I'm not too fussed as - this was my first sale. And a solid overview of the collection:
http://otter.covblogs.com/archives/025685.html
http://otter.covblogs.com/archives/025685.html
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Diminishing Returns
No, this isn't a gripe. ;-) I sold this story to the lovely folks over at Electric Spec! It was a fun take on an unusual price for shapeshifting I encountered in mythology ... an early editor asked for a revision because they thought the ending was inappropriate. They didn't take the story, but I'm glad they made the suggestion, because it now has a good home.
Death and the Librarian
"Death and the Librarian" is a collection of Esther Friesner short stories. Now, the mere concept of this had me dancing in joy, because I think Friesner is a goddess with witty turns of phrase, so I suppose it was inevitable that there would be some letdown. I'm going to give an overall impression of the collection first, then touch on the individual stories.
Overall, I found this collection to be uneven. The stories swing between deeply serious and deeply funny, and I can't really point to any one story that sufficiently bridges the gap. Reading more than a couple stories in a sitting is something of a bipolar experience. The humorous stories are, as usual, excellent, though I wasn't sure they were Friesner's best. With one exception, I would have preferred to see any of these stories swapped out for "Twelve Steppe Program" from Warrior Princesses - but maybe there were rights issues. The serious stories generally seem to share an inherently introspective point of view, told largely through flashbacks with little forward motion, and they frequently leave gaps.
I noticed one common point with most of these stories that I truly enjoy: they all include some element of mystery, a puzzle to be deciphered. In a lot of cases, this is on the part of the reader, not the characters, but it's still enjoyable to ask, "What's going on?" in addition to, "What happens next?"
All Vows: In this story, a child who can see ghosts and a homeless man journey to DC to keep an important appointment. This is one of those aforementioned 'puzzle' stories, and if you're clever, you'll see what's going on quite early in the story. The prose is beautiful, but it seems to be more of a set piece than a distinct plot. I had trouble grasping that the narrator was male - with Corey being something of a gender-neutral name and so much first-person narration before the fact that "I" is a boy is indicated, my brain-voice got stuck in the feminine. This made the ending a matter of ... had to stop and reread 2-3 times to get it.
True Believer: Hysterical and surreal at the same time, this story brings a troupe of imaginary comics characters and the beliefs of a small boy to life, with hysterical results. The main character is his beleagured mother. All the loose ends in this story come together for some purpose - it's really a joy to watch them fall into place.
"White!" Said Fred: We've read the story about the genie outwitting his poor, hapless masters plenty of times. That said, this is a great execution of the idea, and the attitudes and understandings of the characters are portrayed in a top-notch fashion - even if you wouldn't want to invite them home for dinner.
A Birthday: It is the birthday of the narrator's daughter, Tessa - only there's something unusual about her situation and this specific birthday. The world in this story unfolds slowly, elegantly - but not quite enough. I found myself compelled to continue turning the pages, looking for the final piece, the last bit of understanding. I was chilled by the ending, but left with the sense that crucial worldbuilding had been left out. You can assume, but the story remains annoyingly nebulous. This story pulls off first person present tense phenomenally well (for reasons that become apparent near the end) - I didn't even notice it until I went back to write this review.
A Pig's Tale: This is the story that comes closest to melding the humorous and serious elements, so it's appropriate it comes about a third of the way in. In this tale, the pig from Alice In Wonderland sets out to find his own way in the world - a way where he carefully avoids the "prison" of meaning. And while the story is bizarre in ways I'm not entirely sure I appreciate ... wow. This argument is eloquent. The early pages of the story perfectly crystallize my (negative) feelings towards literary analysis.
Love, Crystal and Stone: A surreal story about a poet who meanders in and out of the literal and the metaphorical, the original grounding of elements in the real world of Granada wandering into a fairytale about the abduction of the moon. I need to go back and read this one again - I'm not sure I "got it" the first time. It is vastly absorbing just for the continuous play of poetic imagery, but difficult to follow.
In The Realm of Dragons: A boy whose uncle was beaten to death goes on a mission to seek revenge - maybe. Another serious story told primarily through flashbacks, the initial weaving of hallucination with recollection with present is tricky to follow and somewhat confusing, but push forward and all becomes clear. This is a gentle, enjoyable story with a simple moral at the end. This one is almost slipstream - it's not entirely clear that the fantastic element isn't all in the characters' minds.
Jesus At The Bat: Be careful what you wish for ... when a young baseball player wishes desperately for divine interference for his losing team, the results are spectacular. There are some points about this story that bugged me - baseball's still a team game; it seemed ineffectual to me to simply have a single amazing player, and I didn't really understand the characters' obsessions with the game. Maybe I just am not enough of a sports person. The hijinks at the end of the story are definitely worth reading, and the ending alone saves any letdown - but I still think this is the weakest funny story in the collection.
Chanoyu: Kamiko engages in a tea-ceremony with her master, all the while having an internal conversation with her "father" - and with a ritual slowness, the truth of her situation peels away. Here's the slow, elegant unfolding I praised in A Birthday done *right* - the gradual ugliness and truths revealed in this story are pitched and paced perfectly. The only complaint I have is that most of the story occurs through an "imaginary" introspective conversation, but like the tea-ceremony that gives the story its title, this story is a thing of precision and beauty.
Ilion: This is Friesner's 9/11 story, where a writer in New York after that fateful day is given new perspective by a messenger angel. This is a quietly beautiful story, gentle, without falling into pathos ... though I think it suffers, again, from a quality of little forward motion. Still, I can't help but appreciate the strong message of hope.
How To Make Unicorn Pie: In the tiny town of Bowman's Ridge, romance novelist Babs Barclay is a Transient despite having lived there for twenty years ... and she's about to discover one of those secrets the Natives just know. This is far and away the best story in the collection, snarky, tongue in cheek, wonderfully funny, and an excellent portrayal of that small town everyone knows is snubbing the Summer People. The rest of the story could be flat and I'd still praise it for the following lines, "I write romances. Historical romances. Books with titles like Druid's Desire and Millard Filmore, My Love." Luckily, the whole tale more than lives up to this kind of patter. Also ... unicorns!
Death and the Librarian: Death ... comes for the librarian, only to find she's been waiting for him for twenty-five years - but isn't quite ready to "give up the ghost" yet. There's a subtle tongue in cheek vein to this story that gives it a unique life, and death's transformations to suit the moment are surreal without being bizarre. This is a beautiful story that reminds me very much of Ilion in its timbre and denouement; these two seem to go hand in hand for a worthy conclusion to the collection.
Overall, I found this collection to be uneven. The stories swing between deeply serious and deeply funny, and I can't really point to any one story that sufficiently bridges the gap. Reading more than a couple stories in a sitting is something of a bipolar experience. The humorous stories are, as usual, excellent, though I wasn't sure they were Friesner's best. With one exception, I would have preferred to see any of these stories swapped out for "Twelve Steppe Program" from Warrior Princesses - but maybe there were rights issues. The serious stories generally seem to share an inherently introspective point of view, told largely through flashbacks with little forward motion, and they frequently leave gaps.
I noticed one common point with most of these stories that I truly enjoy: they all include some element of mystery, a puzzle to be deciphered. In a lot of cases, this is on the part of the reader, not the characters, but it's still enjoyable to ask, "What's going on?" in addition to, "What happens next?"
All Vows: In this story, a child who can see ghosts and a homeless man journey to DC to keep an important appointment. This is one of those aforementioned 'puzzle' stories, and if you're clever, you'll see what's going on quite early in the story. The prose is beautiful, but it seems to be more of a set piece than a distinct plot. I had trouble grasping that the narrator was male - with Corey being something of a gender-neutral name and so much first-person narration before the fact that "I" is a boy is indicated, my brain-voice got stuck in the feminine. This made the ending a matter of ... had to stop and reread 2-3 times to get it.
True Believer: Hysterical and surreal at the same time, this story brings a troupe of imaginary comics characters and the beliefs of a small boy to life, with hysterical results. The main character is his beleagured mother. All the loose ends in this story come together for some purpose - it's really a joy to watch them fall into place.
"White!" Said Fred: We've read the story about the genie outwitting his poor, hapless masters plenty of times. That said, this is a great execution of the idea, and the attitudes and understandings of the characters are portrayed in a top-notch fashion - even if you wouldn't want to invite them home for dinner.
A Birthday: It is the birthday of the narrator's daughter, Tessa - only there's something unusual about her situation and this specific birthday. The world in this story unfolds slowly, elegantly - but not quite enough. I found myself compelled to continue turning the pages, looking for the final piece, the last bit of understanding. I was chilled by the ending, but left with the sense that crucial worldbuilding had been left out. You can assume, but the story remains annoyingly nebulous. This story pulls off first person present tense phenomenally well (for reasons that become apparent near the end) - I didn't even notice it until I went back to write this review.
A Pig's Tale: This is the story that comes closest to melding the humorous and serious elements, so it's appropriate it comes about a third of the way in. In this tale, the pig from Alice In Wonderland sets out to find his own way in the world - a way where he carefully avoids the "prison" of meaning. And while the story is bizarre in ways I'm not entirely sure I appreciate ... wow. This argument is eloquent. The early pages of the story perfectly crystallize my (negative) feelings towards literary analysis.
Love, Crystal and Stone: A surreal story about a poet who meanders in and out of the literal and the metaphorical, the original grounding of elements in the real world of Granada wandering into a fairytale about the abduction of the moon. I need to go back and read this one again - I'm not sure I "got it" the first time. It is vastly absorbing just for the continuous play of poetic imagery, but difficult to follow.
In The Realm of Dragons: A boy whose uncle was beaten to death goes on a mission to seek revenge - maybe. Another serious story told primarily through flashbacks, the initial weaving of hallucination with recollection with present is tricky to follow and somewhat confusing, but push forward and all becomes clear. This is a gentle, enjoyable story with a simple moral at the end. This one is almost slipstream - it's not entirely clear that the fantastic element isn't all in the characters' minds.
Jesus At The Bat: Be careful what you wish for ... when a young baseball player wishes desperately for divine interference for his losing team, the results are spectacular. There are some points about this story that bugged me - baseball's still a team game; it seemed ineffectual to me to simply have a single amazing player, and I didn't really understand the characters' obsessions with the game. Maybe I just am not enough of a sports person. The hijinks at the end of the story are definitely worth reading, and the ending alone saves any letdown - but I still think this is the weakest funny story in the collection.
Chanoyu: Kamiko engages in a tea-ceremony with her master, all the while having an internal conversation with her "father" - and with a ritual slowness, the truth of her situation peels away. Here's the slow, elegant unfolding I praised in A Birthday done *right* - the gradual ugliness and truths revealed in this story are pitched and paced perfectly. The only complaint I have is that most of the story occurs through an "imaginary" introspective conversation, but like the tea-ceremony that gives the story its title, this story is a thing of precision and beauty.
Ilion: This is Friesner's 9/11 story, where a writer in New York after that fateful day is given new perspective by a messenger angel. This is a quietly beautiful story, gentle, without falling into pathos ... though I think it suffers, again, from a quality of little forward motion. Still, I can't help but appreciate the strong message of hope.
How To Make Unicorn Pie: In the tiny town of Bowman's Ridge, romance novelist Babs Barclay is a Transient despite having lived there for twenty years ... and she's about to discover one of those secrets the Natives just know. This is far and away the best story in the collection, snarky, tongue in cheek, wonderfully funny, and an excellent portrayal of that small town everyone knows is snubbing the Summer People. The rest of the story could be flat and I'd still praise it for the following lines, "I write romances. Historical romances. Books with titles like Druid's Desire and Millard Filmore, My Love." Luckily, the whole tale more than lives up to this kind of patter. Also ... unicorns!
Death and the Librarian: Death ... comes for the librarian, only to find she's been waiting for him for twenty-five years - but isn't quite ready to "give up the ghost" yet. There's a subtle tongue in cheek vein to this story that gives it a unique life, and death's transformations to suit the moment are surreal without being bizarre. This is a beautiful story that reminds me very much of Ilion in its timbre and denouement; these two seem to go hand in hand for a worthy conclusion to the collection.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sails & Sorcery Review!
Excerpted review from a blog called Grasping For The Wind (http://otter.covblogs.com/archives/024083.html, specifically) about Sails & Sorcery:
Now, one might imagine that after reading so many seafaring stories, that the reader might get a little burned out, or find some repetition in storytelling. And you would be right. But fortunately, W. H. Horner, the editor, did a smart thing, and put the average to poor stories in the front of the volume, and the great stories to the back. At about the thirteenth story (Cassias Song by T. Borreegard) the quality of the tale telling really picks up. In the remaining 15 stories you have such short story luminaries as Paul S. Kemp (The Spinner), Elaine Cunningham (a ghost story called Dead Men Tell No Tales), Lindsey Duncan (Currents and Clockwork), and James M. Ward (with a Halcyon Blithe story). Their stories are filled with the quality tale-telling I have come to expect. They are masters of their crafts, and have given Horner some good material to include in this anthology from a rather small and unknown press.
Now, one might imagine that after reading so many seafaring stories, that the reader might get a little burned out, or find some repetition in storytelling. And you would be right. But fortunately, W. H. Horner, the editor, did a smart thing, and put the average to poor stories in the front of the volume, and the great stories to the back. At about the thirteenth story (Cassias Song by T. Borreegard) the quality of the tale telling really picks up. In the remaining 15 stories you have such short story luminaries as Paul S. Kemp (The Spinner), Elaine Cunningham (a ghost story called Dead Men Tell No Tales), Lindsey Duncan (Currents and Clockwork), and James M. Ward (with a Halcyon Blithe story). Their stories are filled with the quality tale-telling I have come to expect. They are masters of their crafts, and have given Horner some good material to include in this anthology from a rather small and unknown press.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Judging
No, this isn't a critique or a post about critiques, but a bit of harp news ...
I've just been asked to judge the harp competition at the Loch Norman Highland Games near Charlotte, NC.
Poor fools!
I am slightly hyper.
I've just been asked to judge the harp competition at the Loch Norman Highland Games near Charlotte, NC.
Poor fools!
I am slightly hyper.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
The Dreamweaver's Dispute
This story is being "reprinted" at Anthology Builder (www.anthologybuilder.com/index.php), a build-your-own anthology site where you can choose stories previously found at a wide variety of venues, put them together, and get a paper book of your customized collection. I thought this was a neat idea - I will probably go build one of my own soon - and so sent the story thither-ward. If you put a collection of your own together, consider adding this tale. Shameless plug over. ;-)
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Apartment Tour
This story has been (re)sold to Sorcerous Signals and will appear in their May/July 2008 issue. See if you can spot the elements as they appear ... oh, it's not available yet. Neener, you'll just have to wait. ;-)
Resolved ...
Well, I don't actually do resolutions, but - Happy New Year, all! May this be a year of breakthroughs and progress and ...
... just maybe ...
... I can say I've sold a novel after the next 365.
... just maybe ...
... I can say I've sold a novel after the next 365.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Partridge in a Pear Tree
This is awesome.
The first twenty seconds are normal.
Then all carol breaks loose.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8
The first twenty seconds are normal.
Then all carol breaks loose.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Mwahaha
"Behind every successful woman are several confused men who give her something to make fun of." -- Sarah Miller
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Review!
For "Sails and Sorcery" story "Currents and Clockwork" -- scroll down, I'm in the last third of the anthology or so.
http://thefix-online.com/reviews/sails-and-sorcery/
http://thefix-online.com/reviews/sails-and-sorcery/
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Already?!
Seth Crossman's "Forbidden Speculations" anthology was just released - no, really! It's out! Amazon link is: http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Speculation-Seth-Crossman/dp/0980192102/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198034711&sr=8-3
I'm sure no one will be rushing out to buy this sight unseen, but still ... cool.
They'll be announcing the final winner of the contest portion of this soon.
I'm sure no one will be rushing out to buy this sight unseen, but still ... cool.
They'll be announcing the final winner of the contest portion of this soon.
Afterburn SF
"Chatter Me Timbers" is now available to read at Afterburn SF (http://www.afterburnsf.com). Stop on by and enjoy a dose of pseudo-classical-Greek pirates.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Traveling Along
The last of my song collection CDs, songs about departing or coming home, moving along, traveling, driving, biking ... you name it.
1. Coming Out Of The Dark -- Gloria Estefan
2. My Way Home -- Kirsty MacColl
3. Anywhere Is -- Enya
4. In My Car (I'll Be The Driver) -- Shania Twain
5. Roots and Wings -- Anne Murray
6. Across The Universe of Time -- Hayley Westenra
7. Runaway -- Anna Sahlene
8. He's On The Beach -- Kirsty MacColl
9. On My Way Home -- Enya
10. Lead Me On -- Amy Grant
11. One Of These Days -- Michelle Branch
12. Runaway -- Cher
13. Miss April -- Chantal Kreviazuk
14. Journey's End -- Clannad
15. I Drove All Night -- Celine Dion
16. The Journey Home -- Sarah Brightman
17. Don't Look Back -- Thalia
18. I Move On -- Chicago soundtrack
I think this is far and away the most varied collection as far as artists. And ... Christmas music? Surely you jest. I'm a professional musician. When I'm not playing it, I am trying to escape the stuff.
1. Coming Out Of The Dark -- Gloria Estefan
2. My Way Home -- Kirsty MacColl
3. Anywhere Is -- Enya
4. In My Car (I'll Be The Driver) -- Shania Twain
5. Roots and Wings -- Anne Murray
6. Across The Universe of Time -- Hayley Westenra
7. Runaway -- Anna Sahlene
8. He's On The Beach -- Kirsty MacColl
9. On My Way Home -- Enya
10. Lead Me On -- Amy Grant
11. One Of These Days -- Michelle Branch
12. Runaway -- Cher
13. Miss April -- Chantal Kreviazuk
14. Journey's End -- Clannad
15. I Drove All Night -- Celine Dion
16. The Journey Home -- Sarah Brightman
17. Don't Look Back -- Thalia
18. I Move On -- Chicago soundtrack
I think this is far and away the most varied collection as far as artists. And ... Christmas music? Surely you jest. I'm a professional musician. When I'm not playing it, I am trying to escape the stuff.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Retirement in Anthology!
The Lorelei Signal runs a yearly anthology with the best stories from each year. This will be the second anthology - and the first one was nominated for an EPPIE (a major ebooks award). And ... Retirement, where I sprung flash fiction upon a poor, unsuspecting editor, will be printed in the anthology!
I am, of course, proud of my story, but I think the illustration was better. ;-)
I am, of course, proud of my story, but I think the illustration was better. ;-)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Good Taste regarding ... Good Taste
My story "Good Taste" in Aoife's Kiss will be eligible for next year's best-of anthology if it receives enough votes. The online version of the magazine is here: http://samsdotpublishing.com/aoife/main.htm
The vote page is here: http://samsdotpublishing.com/aoife/vote.htm
The vote page is here: http://samsdotpublishing.com/aoife/vote.htm
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Three's a Crowd
Moving on with the music ... sadly, I had more than enough songs to do a "Three's a Crowd" mix, songs where there's another woman, competition for a relationship, or ...
1. Celestine -- Kirsty MacColl (where the "other woman" is her alter-ego)
2. To Love You More -- Celine Dion
3. Baby, I'm In Love -- Thalia
4. I Can't Say Goodbye To You -- Helen Reddy
5. England 2 Columbia 0 -- Kirsty MacColl
6. Heaven's What I Feel -- Gloria Estefan
7. Coulda Been -- Kimberley Locke
8. Misbehavin' -- Thalia
9. Don't Think of Me -- Dido
10. My Affair -- Kirsty MacColl
11. Strong Enough -- Cher
12. (If There Was) Any Other Way -- Celine Dion
13. Free -- Sarah Brightman
14. If Only She Knew -- Michelle Branch
15. Treat Her Like A Lady -- Celine Dion
16. Words Get In The Way -- Gloria Estefan
17. Julia -- Chantal Kreviazuk
18. Blame It On Me -- Anna Sahlene
19. Music Gets The Best of Me -- Sophie Ellis-Bextor (where the "other man" is ... not a person.)
1. Celestine -- Kirsty MacColl (where the "other woman" is her alter-ego)
2. To Love You More -- Celine Dion
3. Baby, I'm In Love -- Thalia
4. I Can't Say Goodbye To You -- Helen Reddy
5. England 2 Columbia 0 -- Kirsty MacColl
6. Heaven's What I Feel -- Gloria Estefan
7. Coulda Been -- Kimberley Locke
8. Misbehavin' -- Thalia
9. Don't Think of Me -- Dido
10. My Affair -- Kirsty MacColl
11. Strong Enough -- Cher
12. (If There Was) Any Other Way -- Celine Dion
13. Free -- Sarah Brightman
14. If Only She Knew -- Michelle Branch
15. Treat Her Like A Lady -- Celine Dion
16. Words Get In The Way -- Gloria Estefan
17. Julia -- Chantal Kreviazuk
18. Blame It On Me -- Anna Sahlene
19. Music Gets The Best of Me -- Sophie Ellis-Bextor (where the "other man" is ... not a person.)
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
State of the World
CD collection the third, songs about ... well ... the state of the world.
1. Nobody Home -- Amy Grant
2. This One's For The Girls -- Martina McBride
3. Evacuee -- Enya
4. Time Waits -- Gloria Estefan
5. The Power -- Amy Grant
6. A Little Good News -- Anne Murray
7. Children of the Revolution -- Kirsty MacColl
8. Famous -- Gloria Estefan
9. Weight of the World -- Chantal Kreviazuk
10. Big Yellow Taxi -- Amy Grant
11. Seal Our Fate -- Gloria Estefan
12. Miss April -- Chantal Kreviazuk
13. Wait For The Healing -- Amy Grant
14. Higher -- Gloria Estefan
15. So Magical -- Martina McBride
16. Do You Know The Way To San Jose -- Dionne Warwick
17. What About The Love -- Amy Grant
18. One Name -- Gloria Estefan
19. Something To Believe In -- Sarah Brightman
Yeah, awful lot of Grant and Estefan in this one. Just seems to be they do a lot of songs I like in this general category. I actually decided to start this one because I was looking for a place for "Children of the Revolution" and "A Little Good News."
1. Nobody Home -- Amy Grant
2. This One's For The Girls -- Martina McBride
3. Evacuee -- Enya
4. Time Waits -- Gloria Estefan
5. The Power -- Amy Grant
6. A Little Good News -- Anne Murray
7. Children of the Revolution -- Kirsty MacColl
8. Famous -- Gloria Estefan
9. Weight of the World -- Chantal Kreviazuk
10. Big Yellow Taxi -- Amy Grant
11. Seal Our Fate -- Gloria Estefan
12. Miss April -- Chantal Kreviazuk
13. Wait For The Healing -- Amy Grant
14. Higher -- Gloria Estefan
15. So Magical -- Martina McBride
16. Do You Know The Way To San Jose -- Dionne Warwick
17. What About The Love -- Amy Grant
18. One Name -- Gloria Estefan
19. Something To Believe In -- Sarah Brightman
Yeah, awful lot of Grant and Estefan in this one. Just seems to be they do a lot of songs I like in this general category. I actually decided to start this one because I was looking for a place for "Children of the Revolution" and "A Little Good News."
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
New Mixes!
I've switched over my music again to have new things to listen to in the car, and of course, I had to theme my CDs. The first one is a character-related collection and means nothing if you don't know my past six or seven PCs. The second is called "Fun In Dysfunction" (as in, it puts the - it was too long to write on the CD) and is full of songs where uh, yeah, this relationship is messed up. It includes:
1. Are You Happy Now? -- Michelle Branch
2. A Boy Like That -- Selena
3. Can't Stop Killing You -- Kirsty MacColl
4. Damn -- Leann Rimes
5. Dangerous Game -- Gloria Estefan
6. Dear Life -- Chantal Kreviazuk
7. Disappear -- Anna Sahlene
8. Find Your Way Back -- Michelle Branch
9. Hunter -- Dido
10. I'm Not Giving You Up -- Gloria Estefan
11. Just Ain't Feeling It -- Dian Diaz
12. Loser -- Anna Sahlene
13. Murder On The Dancefloor -- Sophie Ellis-Bextor
14. No Angel -- Dido
15. One Night Only -- Dreamgirls (this one doesn't totally fit, but I wanted it on one of my cuts)
16. The Universe is You -- Sophie Ellis-Bextor (ditto, although it has shades of potential dysfunction)
17. When The Wrong Loves You Right -- Celine Dion
18. Before You -- Chantal Kreviazuk
In the last few rips, I started kind of having a final song that takes a different tactic or a more upbeat note. 18 is an "It all gets better" song to round out the dysfunction.
1. Are You Happy Now? -- Michelle Branch
2. A Boy Like That -- Selena
3. Can't Stop Killing You -- Kirsty MacColl
4. Damn -- Leann Rimes
5. Dangerous Game -- Gloria Estefan
6. Dear Life -- Chantal Kreviazuk
7. Disappear -- Anna Sahlene
8. Find Your Way Back -- Michelle Branch
9. Hunter -- Dido
10. I'm Not Giving You Up -- Gloria Estefan
11. Just Ain't Feeling It -- Dian Diaz
12. Loser -- Anna Sahlene
13. Murder On The Dancefloor -- Sophie Ellis-Bextor
14. No Angel -- Dido
15. One Night Only -- Dreamgirls (this one doesn't totally fit, but I wanted it on one of my cuts)
16. The Universe is You -- Sophie Ellis-Bextor (ditto, although it has shades of potential dysfunction)
17. When The Wrong Loves You Right -- Celine Dion
18. Before You -- Chantal Kreviazuk
In the last few rips, I started kind of having a final song that takes a different tactic or a more upbeat note. 18 is an "It all gets better" song to round out the dysfunction.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Good Taste
This story is now available (online! Free!) at Aoife's Kiss (http://samsdotpublishing.com/aoife/main.htm). Frankly, writing this one perturbed me a bit ... if you want a take on the idea of well, sentient food, try this one.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Black Eyes
Black Eyes and Black Arts, a sword-and-sorcery parody featuring the hapless Javarien and his vampiric sword (ahem), just sold to Worlds of Wonder! This is one of my longest stories and I believe will be broken down into a serial ... not unlike the story it originated from.
Javarien was one of six characters in a "hapless band of adventurers" story I wrote with Beth several years ago (three each). We used to put an episode in Eye of Unicorn, Tongue of Dragon every quarter ... good times. Only the character and his sword are intact here, though.
Javarien was one of six characters in a "hapless band of adventurers" story I wrote with Beth several years ago (three each). We used to put an episode in Eye of Unicorn, Tongue of Dragon every quarter ... good times. Only the character and his sword are intact here, though.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Now Available!
My short story "Menagerie" is now available for reading at The Sword Review:
http://www.TheSwordReview.com
Go check it out!
http://www.TheSwordReview.com
Go check it out!
Monday, November 19, 2007
The English
This quote made me giggle. Twice. So I had to clip it:
"The English may not always be the best writers in the world, but they are incomparably the best dull writers." -- Raymond Chandler
"The English may not always be the best writers in the world, but they are incomparably the best dull writers." -- Raymond Chandler
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Betraying the Fans ...
This reminds me of something I heard Orson Scott Card say about fans who complain that movie studios have "ruined" a book with their terrible versions. His simple response? "The book is still there."
http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/1752.html
Food for thought, in any case.
http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/1752.html
Food for thought, in any case.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Staying Sane
This was said by Allison Janney, best known (at least, to me) for the role of CJ on The West Wing:
(on staying sane and happy) "Dogs tether you to the earth in some really good way. And exercise, of course. And martinis. And sexy high heels. That's it. Good work, a nice pair of heels, a martini, a dog and a man - not necessarily in that order." - as quoted in the magazine Living Fit
Found this on IMDB, and for some reason it struck a chord.
(on staying sane and happy) "Dogs tether you to the earth in some really good way. And exercise, of course. And martinis. And sexy high heels. That's it. Good work, a nice pair of heels, a martini, a dog and a man - not necessarily in that order." - as quoted in the magazine Living Fit
Found this on IMDB, and for some reason it struck a chord.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Nanowrimo
When, at about mid-day yesterday, I had only written about 800 words, I decided that perhaps Nanowrimo wasn't in the stars for me this year. Well, I missed it last year and I'm badly out of practice with long spates of writing so ... last night happened.
Three thousand words later, I'm only a little over one thousand words in the hole for today - that's all I need to accomplish to be "on schedule" - and the novel is clear before me ... at least, until I hit the POV change after chapter four. Then the story goes into journal mode (at which point it starts *earning* the title "Journal of the Dead") and ... we shall see.
I'm very psyched about this. I've been planning to work on this novel since the spring, when I finished Flow. Second edit for that project is due after the Nano period - I don't honestly expect to finish this work by then, as I don't know where it's going as of yet and, with several interwoven "substories" planned in the back of my head, it's not going to be short. 100 - 120 thousand is not unreasonable as a vague estimate.
Now if only I hadn't been awakened by drilling at 8am.
Who has construction work done in a residential area at 8am on a Saturday morning?
Three thousand words later, I'm only a little over one thousand words in the hole for today - that's all I need to accomplish to be "on schedule" - and the novel is clear before me ... at least, until I hit the POV change after chapter four. Then the story goes into journal mode (at which point it starts *earning* the title "Journal of the Dead") and ... we shall see.
I'm very psyched about this. I've been planning to work on this novel since the spring, when I finished Flow. Second edit for that project is due after the Nano period - I don't honestly expect to finish this work by then, as I don't know where it's going as of yet and, with several interwoven "substories" planned in the back of my head, it's not going to be short. 100 - 120 thousand is not unreasonable as a vague estimate.
Now if only I hadn't been awakened by drilling at 8am.
Who has construction work done in a residential area at 8am on a Saturday morning?
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Stories
Pop over to http://www.Byzarium.com now and check out "In The Home of The Gods!"
And please ... be gentle with the rotten tomatoes.
Also! Direct your browsers to: http://www.Reflectionsedge.com, where "Coldsnap" has just gone up ...
And please ... be gentle with the rotten tomatoes.
Also! Direct your browsers to: http://www.Reflectionsedge.com, where "Coldsnap" has just gone up ...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Coldsnap!
Wow, I can't even count the twists and turns this story has made in finding a home (including two revisions, the second of which partly removed changes from the first), but it finally has. Reflection's Edge will be publishing "Coldsnap" circa soon, pending ironing out of last editing points.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
And ...
That story will be out Thursday! November issue of Byzarium about to air, and "In The Home of The Gods" has a ... home right there. Whoo!
Title Change
Byzarium asked to change "Job Description" to "In The Home of The Gods." Apart from my being completely unable to get the capitalization right there, I decided I was good with this. Names may be important; they are not my skill. Whenever anyone has a better idea, I tend to be happy that they shout out. I'm not sure why this is: when titles hit like a bolt from the blue, they're perfect. ("Lightning Strikes" being one of those, ironically.) When I have to push around for them, they end up mediocre.
For instance, I *really* have to change the title of my story about an assassin and her footware from "In These Shoes?" No, the Kirsty MacColl reference is not appropriate in a high fantasy setting.
(For the record: http://www.asklyrics.com/display/Kirsty_Maccoll/In_These_Shoes%3F_Lyrics/157359.htm)
For instance, I *really* have to change the title of my story about an assassin and her footware from "In These Shoes?" No, the Kirsty MacColl reference is not appropriate in a high fantasy setting.
(For the record: http://www.asklyrics.com/display/Kirsty_Maccoll/In_These_Shoes%3F_Lyrics/157359.htm)
Friday, October 26, 2007
Places To Be ...
Currently reading "Places To Be, People To Kill." This is actually a pretty satisfying collection, except for one thing ... half of the stories aren't really about people I would consider assassins. A sorceress who has to defend herself against her father; a royal executioner; a summoned shade sent to slaughter a village ... all very intriguing in their own right, but not what I wanted to read about when I picked up a book that billed itself as being very specifically about assassins. Even the fact that most of these are good stories doesn't belay a certain sense of being cheated by the contents. For instance, I really enjoyed "All In The Execution" by Tim Waggoner, the aforementioned executioner story, which portrays an interesting society, an unusual character, and an amusing solution with deft ease ... just not an assassin story.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Job Description
This story, detailing the travails of a god trying to adapt to the times, has just sold to Byzarium! ... more fool they. No, I'm happy for it to have a home, as it's a fun flash piece.
And I'm more tired than I can remember being in eons ...
And I'm more tired than I can remember being in eons ...
Friday, October 19, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Eep
So, it's been a surprisingly long time since I've posted in here - life has kind of been doing a tumbling act. This quote (my calendar says it's from an athlete in her eighties), amused me:
"You lose a lot of speed between eighty and eighty-six." -- Ruth Rothfarb
I so want to be that kind of old lady, though I truly expect I will be the *other* kind of old lady.
"You lose a lot of speed between eighty and eighty-six." -- Ruth Rothfarb
I so want to be that kind of old lady, though I truly expect I will be the *other* kind of old lady.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Poetic License
This story has been sold! to Forbidden Speculation, an anthology run by OG's Speculative Fiction. This is also a short story contest with prizes, so more information forthcoming ...
And an obligatory: wheee!
And an obligatory: wheee!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
No, Really?
I'm trying a nasal spray as an alternate allergy suppressant. Written on the bottle is: Do not spray into eyes.
... I really wasn't planning on it, thanks.
In other news, I have been counting the days that a specific piece of mine has been at Ideomancer. It's been long enough (and the story is short enough) that it must have garnered a little approval, at least. ... or they're swamped. Never can tell!
... I really wasn't planning on it, thanks.
In other news, I have been counting the days that a specific piece of mine has been at Ideomancer. It's been long enough (and the story is short enough) that it must have garnered a little approval, at least. ... or they're swamped. Never can tell!
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