Today I read Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn. I fell into the novel, and I'm happy to say that it was a jaunty read the entire way through. I had no trouble at all flipping through all three hundred pages, and for that I am very grateful.
I feel a cosmic connection to this book. First, I have long been fascinated by dragons. My father gave me books from the Pern series and the Pit Fighter Trilogy when I was very young. I haven't escaped their claws since.
Vaughn carefully, and artfully, brings dragons into the modern world. In fact, they've been active, but sequestered, since World War II. Her heroine is Kay (and anyone who knows me will understand exactly why my jaw dropped when I read the first page). She is a teenager, confused about the world of dating, but willing to part with reality to fly with dragons.
How I envy her.
I'm very much looking forward to meeting Carrie Vaughn, although I'm not sure how much we'll interact with her. I'm going to start on WJW's work this evening and hopefully put a good dent in it before bed!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Nova
Just finished one of our two required readings. Nova, by Samuel R. Delany, was first published in 1968. It is beautiful. The book follows a crew in search of a rare substance, which can be obtained in large quantities by flying through a star when it goes nova. The hero is flawed, the villains are twisted, and philosophy abounds.
I especially loved the inclusion of the Tarot throughout. Now I really wish I had learned more about it when I was younger and fascinated by the cards. Also, I'm very grateful that I took a course in astronomy in college. It definitely helped!
I'm looking forward to talking about how Delany builds his world(s). In case I hadn't totally sold the book to you, here's my favorite passage...
“I was born,” the Mouse said. “I must die. I am suffering. Help me. There, I just wrote your book for you.”
Katin looked at his big, weak fingers against the mail. After a while, he said, “Mouse, sometimes you make me want to cry.”
I especially loved the inclusion of the Tarot throughout. Now I really wish I had learned more about it when I was younger and fascinated by the cards. Also, I'm very grateful that I took a course in astronomy in college. It definitely helped!
I'm looking forward to talking about how Delany builds his world(s). In case I hadn't totally sold the book to you, here's my favorite passage...
“I was born,” the Mouse said. “I must die. I am suffering. Help me. There, I just wrote your book for you.”
Katin looked at his big, weak fingers against the mail. After a while, he said, “Mouse, sometimes you make me want to cry.”
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Variety
In case anyone ever wondered where the most beautiful spot on earth is... it's here, staring at the Sapphire Pool in Yellowstone National Park. This single vantage point has inspired me to write countless stories.I want to go back. Yesterday.
Submission
And after all that huffing and puffing about something new to submit to the Toolbox, I ended up submitting the first chapter of my complete novel. Would I rather submit something from my new YA urban fantasy? Sure. Is it ready? Hell no.
Compromises, compromises.
It was very satisfying to re-read my thesis from start to finish again. I find that I like the ending more than the beginning. Maybe I'm just trying to shoot myself in the foot... in any case, I did the logical thing and submitted the first chapter. It's well under the maximum word count, but hopefully it will give the other 'Boxers (oh yes, I'm making up terms!) time to really critique the whole thing.
Even after several workshops and rounds with the insightful (and astoundingly patient) Jim Blaylock, I know this book still needs work.
The best part? I still want to work on it.
The worst? I also want to work on the new book. Also, my family seems to be really excited about it, but no surprise there since the scenery is all Big Sur.
My submission makes 8 total. I plan to read Nova, This Is Not a Game, Voices of Dragons, and Steal Across the Sky this week. Next week will be for submissions, so that they are fresh in my mind.
Homework, man. I thought I missed it.
Compromises, compromises.
It was very satisfying to re-read my thesis from start to finish again. I find that I like the ending more than the beginning. Maybe I'm just trying to shoot myself in the foot... in any case, I did the logical thing and submitted the first chapter. It's well under the maximum word count, but hopefully it will give the other 'Boxers (oh yes, I'm making up terms!) time to really critique the whole thing.
Even after several workshops and rounds with the insightful (and astoundingly patient) Jim Blaylock, I know this book still needs work.
The best part? I still want to work on it.
The worst? I also want to work on the new book. Also, my family seems to be really excited about it, but no surprise there since the scenery is all Big Sur.
My submission makes 8 total. I plan to read Nova, This Is Not a Game, Voices of Dragons, and Steal Across the Sky this week. Next week will be for submissions, so that they are fresh in my mind.
Homework, man. I thought I missed it.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Acceptance
It's every writer's dream to spend two weeks writing in the company of other writers, holed up in a remote location.
Or at least, it definitely is my dream.
This June I'll be spending two weeks at Taos Toolbox, a writer's workshop for advanced writers who need a little shove in the right direction. I might need a bit more than that...
When I first received my acceptance letter from Walter Jon Williams, I fluttered around the apartment, gooey-eyed and chattering too fast for my brain to keep up. Luckily my mind's the turtle in this race, and eventually it crossed the finish line.
Oh crap.
Two weeks.
In New Mexico.
With writers better than me.
What was I thinking???
The panic lasted much longer than the elation, I'm sorry to say, but here I am now, a week later, working on something new to use as my submission to the workshop. It's going to be messy, and I'm going to have to swallow my pride, but every day that brings Taos closer, I get a little bit more excited.
Or at least, it definitely is my dream.
This June I'll be spending two weeks at Taos Toolbox, a writer's workshop for advanced writers who need a little shove in the right direction. I might need a bit more than that...
When I first received my acceptance letter from Walter Jon Williams, I fluttered around the apartment, gooey-eyed and chattering too fast for my brain to keep up. Luckily my mind's the turtle in this race, and eventually it crossed the finish line.
Oh crap.
Two weeks.
In New Mexico.
With writers better than me.
What was I thinking???
The panic lasted much longer than the elation, I'm sorry to say, but here I am now, a week later, working on something new to use as my submission to the workshop. It's going to be messy, and I'm going to have to swallow my pride, but every day that brings Taos closer, I get a little bit more excited.
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