Cranked out 1K words on “Mortal Clay, Metal Heart” yesterday. It’s not coming out in chronological scene sequence, which is unusual for me for short works. Hmm. Guess it doesn’t matter how the words come out, as long as they do.
Lotso research done over the weekend but few words on the page. Today: a hamster or 2 to pacify, then writing. That’s the plan, at least…
Just saw Repo! The Genetic Opera. Some big dark funny, lotso eye candy (Anthony Stewart Head=rawr), and ok+ music, but a letdown on the writing.
Debating whether to spend the morning researching the Qin Dynasty and writing or watching cartoons. Decisions decisions…
Did vasty gobs of research on early steel manufacturing and consolidated my notes on the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, and his terracotta army. Ad hoc research win! ‘Cept I have to force myself to remember not to get too caught up in the research and neglect to write the story.
New Words:
• 1.5K on the terracotta warrior steampunk Asian fantasy, tentatively titled “Mortal Clay, Metal Heart.” It seems to be acquiring Pygmalion overtones, too. Urg. Must keep it under 6K words…
Received:
• Note from my Cricket editor letting me know that “The Tortoise Bride” has been slotted for the October issue. Woohoo!
• Email from Norilana pointing me to an excellent review at Someone’s Read it Already of Returning My Sister’s Face:
Overall, I really enjoyed this collection. I’m not familiar with very many East Asian folk or fairy tales, and this was a great introduction, I thought. Ms. Foster’s comments explaining her inspiration were also quite helpful, and it’s definitely convinced me that not only should more authors write in these settings, but that I should search out some of the original tales myself. I’d recommend it to nearly everyone
Sweet!
Idea coalesced, deadline established, hamsters quiescent, and rump adhered to chair. Let the writing begin! Rah.
Audio reprint of “The Reign of the Wintergod” is now up at Pseudopod. Written in reaction to the Andrea Yates case, it’s extremely graphic. Duly warned, yo.
Interesting turn of the cosmos that two of my most explicit and squeesome horror pieces—the other being “Within Your Soul I Sightless See” in issue #5 of HPL’s Magazine of Horror—were published so close to each other.
Resuming 4×10 workweek, hurray. Frolicon was a blast, but I feel like I’ve been trampled by a 1-ton hamster this AM.
Panels went great, although they were smallish on the attendance side (which I was actually relieved by, as small groups ease my “omigod-public-speaking-omigod” fight/flight—well, flight mostly—impulse). And I had great fun hanging with ceciliatan on Friday at the table she most graciously shared with me:
The parties seemed a little lower key than in previous years. A sign of the economic times, perhaps? Although the 10 Commandments party (by the Jonestown folks…I think) was excellently accoutered, and the Outlantacon folks’ white chocolate strawberry concoction deserves major snaps for yumminess. (I had two of those, which, for anyone who knows anything of my drinking habits and ability, is tantamount to a binge.)
dude_the flew back yesterday night, although there was speculation as to whether his flight would be canceled due to the storm. Apparently it was diverted to Moline. (Moline??) But he’s safe at home now.
Got a few story ideas from the convention. Dwelling now on penning a steampunk Asian fantasy for that DAW anthology. Also, I feel the need to put together a steampunk outfit for Dragon*Con. I probably won’t be able to as our finances for such thigns are limited, but the Steampunk panel at Frolicon was mightily inspiring.
Back from Frolicon Friday PM (Saturday AM). Panels done, fun had. More tomorrow. I sleep now.
Check out the new VylarKaftan.net! vylar-kaftan (talented writer/fabu pal/fellow Launchpad alum) contracted me to overhaul her site. We’re still tweaking it, but it went live yesterday. Shiny?
