I'd have mentioned this before...but they never actually notified me. Or, more likely, any notification got lost in the ether somewhere.
Seems my story 'Animals' got an honorable mention in the Verb contest. They didn't publish it, so I have to do a minor rewrite and see if I can shop it. But still...not complaining. Except for not noticing it until July, that is.
http://www.readingwriters.com/con_results.htm
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
I know...
Writers should seek out new experiences, right?
I got one I hadn't bargained for while on vacation (And no, I'm not talking about the second flat tire in two trips).
I went sailing on Lake Superior.
And got becalmed.
Oh yes, and fogbound.
When I write the sequence I'm planning for a WIP with the characters on a merchant vessel, this experience might be useful.
For right now, it's not one I'm exactly thrilled to repeat. At least *we* had an engine...
I got one I hadn't bargained for while on vacation (And no, I'm not talking about the second flat tire in two trips).
I went sailing on Lake Superior.
And got becalmed.
Oh yes, and fogbound.
When I write the sequence I'm planning for a WIP with the characters on a merchant vessel, this experience might be useful.
For right now, it's not one I'm exactly thrilled to repeat. At least *we* had an engine...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Strains of 'Moon Is A Harsh Mistress'
(Which is, of course, a classic everyone should read).
Why am I reminded of it? I just got done reading Allen Steele's 'Coyote'. The plot is similar and dissimilar. Instead of an existing colony fighting for independence, the book starts with a group of 'Dissident Intellectuals' (political prisoners) hijacking a colony ship. (Not a spoiler, as it's practically mentioned in the first sentence).
It's clear that Steele has quite a few things in common with Heinlein. Like, politics. Stylistically, though, the book is quite different...and in many ways inferior, but then, Heinlein *is* a master. (Except for his ability to write female characters that aren't his wife or his mother, but Steele hasn't demonstrated that capability either...there's only one girl in the book, so I can't be sure). The trying thing about this book is that it changes not just POV but tense...with some sections in present tense and the rest in past, some first person and others third. POV I can deal with. Sudden switches of tense tend to throw me out of a book. If you can read past that, however, it's good fun...although it's the first book of a series and the ending shows it.
Coyote is a fascinating world, at the very least, and if, like me, you've read everything Heinlein ever wrote and are looking for stuff in the same vein, it's well worth picking up.
Coyote
- Allen Steele
Why am I reminded of it? I just got done reading Allen Steele's 'Coyote'. The plot is similar and dissimilar. Instead of an existing colony fighting for independence, the book starts with a group of 'Dissident Intellectuals' (political prisoners) hijacking a colony ship. (Not a spoiler, as it's practically mentioned in the first sentence).
It's clear that Steele has quite a few things in common with Heinlein. Like, politics. Stylistically, though, the book is quite different...and in many ways inferior, but then, Heinlein *is* a master. (Except for his ability to write female characters that aren't his wife or his mother, but Steele hasn't demonstrated that capability either...there's only one girl in the book, so I can't be sure). The trying thing about this book is that it changes not just POV but tense...with some sections in present tense and the rest in past, some first person and others third. POV I can deal with. Sudden switches of tense tend to throw me out of a book. If you can read past that, however, it's good fun...although it's the first book of a series and the ending shows it.
Coyote is a fascinating world, at the very least, and if, like me, you've read everything Heinlein ever wrote and are looking for stuff in the same vein, it's well worth picking up.
Coyote
- Allen Steele
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Clockwork Earth
Yes, I was on vacation. Yes, I did some summer reading.
Not coincidentally, the second book I want to talk about also falls into the not exactly crowded genre of steampunk fantasy.
Both books have that in common and also the fact that they explore worlds that are as close to unique as anything I have read recently. There, however, the similarity ends.
Swanwick explores steampunk Faerie and, indeed, 'Dragons of Babel' is a fairy story.
Jay Lake's Mainspring is a religious allegory. Or is it? Even after reading it, I'm not sure. His world postulates a literal clockwork Earth. Literal. The sun is a lamp and the solar system resembles a Medieval orrery. This premise is delivered in a matter of fact way that makes it believable (unless you stop and think about it...there are a couple of holes in the 'science'). But then, who cares about science. Mainspring is emphatically fantasy.
Fantasy that explores the idea of god in a world that was clearly *made*. Unfortunately, while Swanwick is a mature writer at the top of his game, Mainspring is Lake's first novel. It shows. He's guilty of falling for the far too natural temptation of stopping the story to show off his worldbuilding and some of his characterization is, frankly, flat. However, he does not lack talent, and the reader will be relieved to hear that while it is the first book in a series, the book stands nicely on its own. It also has a distinct Oz-like quality. (This book is, incidentally, a couple of years old now, with a sequel out and also a third book...I'm going to have to track them down).
Although not of the quality of 'Dragons of Babel', this one is a fun read...albeit one that might potentially offend some readers. I still haven't worked out which ones.
Mainspring
Not coincidentally, the second book I want to talk about also falls into the not exactly crowded genre of steampunk fantasy.
Both books have that in common and also the fact that they explore worlds that are as close to unique as anything I have read recently. There, however, the similarity ends.
Swanwick explores steampunk Faerie and, indeed, 'Dragons of Babel' is a fairy story.
Jay Lake's Mainspring is a religious allegory. Or is it? Even after reading it, I'm not sure. His world postulates a literal clockwork Earth. Literal. The sun is a lamp and the solar system resembles a Medieval orrery. This premise is delivered in a matter of fact way that makes it believable (unless you stop and think about it...there are a couple of holes in the 'science'). But then, who cares about science. Mainspring is emphatically fantasy.
Fantasy that explores the idea of god in a world that was clearly *made*. Unfortunately, while Swanwick is a mature writer at the top of his game, Mainspring is Lake's first novel. It shows. He's guilty of falling for the far too natural temptation of stopping the story to show off his worldbuilding and some of his characterization is, frankly, flat. However, he does not lack talent, and the reader will be relieved to hear that while it is the first book in a series, the book stands nicely on its own. It also has a distinct Oz-like quality. (This book is, incidentally, a couple of years old now, with a sequel out and also a third book...I'm going to have to track them down).
Although not of the quality of 'Dragons of Babel', this one is a fun read...albeit one that might potentially offend some readers. I still haven't worked out which ones.
Mainspring
Monday, July 12, 2010
There's a book I've been looking for for years.
It's called the 'Iron Dragon's Daughter' by Michael Swanwick. An excerpt from it was published in Asimov's...and I've wanted to know what happens next for years. Literally years. I don't like buying books used unless they're irrevocably out of print. The library doesn't have it.
But last Christmas I found another book in the same world, 'The Dragons of Babel'. Imagine what fairyland would be like if technology there advanced as it does here. Swanwick has...and as far as I know he's the only writer to ever create Steampunk Faerie. (Please correct me if I'm wrong).
I devoured this book in a sitting. No, it's not perfect...there's one entire central section that could have been seamlessly removed without honestly affecting the rest of the story...making me wonder if Swanwick was having difficulty reaching his minimum length. His style is not for everyone, but if you like steampunk...shameless fantasy steampunk which doesn't always need to make sense...you want this book.
And while I was there, I searched 'The Iron Dragon's Daughter' on Amazon. It's being re-released! So, I'm hoping to pretty soon find out what happened next. Please. Please.
The Dragons of Babel
The Iron Dragon's Daughter
(pre-order)
But last Christmas I found another book in the same world, 'The Dragons of Babel'. Imagine what fairyland would be like if technology there advanced as it does here. Swanwick has...and as far as I know he's the only writer to ever create Steampunk Faerie. (Please correct me if I'm wrong).
I devoured this book in a sitting. No, it's not perfect...there's one entire central section that could have been seamlessly removed without honestly affecting the rest of the story...making me wonder if Swanwick was having difficulty reaching his minimum length. His style is not for everyone, but if you like steampunk...shameless fantasy steampunk which doesn't always need to make sense...you want this book.
And while I was there, I searched 'The Iron Dragon's Daughter' on Amazon. It's being re-released! So, I'm hoping to pretty soon find out what happened next. Please. Please.
The Dragons of Babel
The Iron Dragon's Daughter
(pre-order)
Friday, July 2, 2010
Heading out again.
Going to be in Minnesota for the next week...leaving tonight, coming back a week on Sunday.
Probably no posts during this time. See you on the flip side.
Probably no posts during this time. See you on the flip side.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Zombiality TOC.
Right here: http://libraryofthelivingdead.lefora.com/2010/06/30/zombialtiy-a-queer-bent-on-the-undead-toc/#post14
Bill. You rock. This only closed a couple of days ago. Can't wait to see the actual book.
Bill. You rock. This only closed a couple of days ago. Can't wait to see the actual book.
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