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ksmithIn my continuing effort to eliminate all that is IE/OE from my life, I downloaded Opera onto the old desktop PC last night.
So far it seems to be working well, although the graphical layout will take some getting used to. Email has its quirks as well, and there was at least one webpage that didn't load as it would on IE--no Flash, and no links, just a stationary useless image. I could open up my online banking site, though, and that's important.
Spent the last few evenings cleaning my office. Papers and receipts are now filed, and there's room atop the desk now for coffee cups and such. I like a lack of clutter, for all I'm a bit of a slob at heart. Something about it opens up my mind, as though every item I toss or file sweeps one more mental cobweb away. The retirement decision helped in that regard as well. There's something about that tiny light in the distance, serving as a goal to aim for.
Giving a Pilates class a try on Friday. It's a local studio with 1:1 instruction. It's not cheap, which means I won't be able to make a habit of it. But Pilates is one of those methods where you really need to get the form right in order for it to do its job, and I was concerned that just following the DVDs wouldn't work like it should. So hi ho, hi ho, it's off to sweat I go.
A few years ago, while nursing a panic that the first three Jani books would be the only stories I could ever think up, I pushed myself to work out a fantasy storyline so that I could have something in the set-aside drawer. Then I sold two more Janis, and was compelled to set the fantasy on a shelf. I did talk it over with a few friends over the past few years, though. One hated it, but a couple liked it. However, the one who hated it caught me at a low ebb, and her verdict derailed any urge I had to pursue the story. This was over a year ago.
Then at Wiscon, at a panel about female protags, I mentioned story arcs and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
malkingrey's essay on the genre tale as Romance. Not small 'r' romance, but capital R Romance, with larger-than-life characters and heroes' journeys and other marks of the story writ large--oh, I hope I'm not garbling this, so go track down the essays.
Anyway, as I was talking I mentioned the long-shelved fantasy, and how while it tended to follow a pattern used many times before, I liked the protagonist and wanted to see her succeed and do well in that world writ large, or at least improve her lot in life, and dammit, that made it a valid story for me. Then a week or so ago, one of the friends who liked the story asked me if I had ever done anything with it. I told her no, and told her why--the need to write J5, and my other friend's unfavorable assessment. This friend felt Other Friend was wrong in this case, and the story was good. This fed into my growing sense that I would enjoy exploring that new world, its history, and its future.
In classic TOUGH GUIDE style, I have drawn maps. Fleshed out political issues and conflicts--any book of mine will have political issues and conflicts, as well as hidden scandals, complicated relationships, and people who are not as they seem. After I finish J5, I will try to go back to this story again, and see where it takes me.
So far it seems to be working well, although the graphical layout will take some getting used to. Email has its quirks as well, and there was at least one webpage that didn't load as it would on IE--no Flash, and no links, just a stationary useless image. I could open up my online banking site, though, and that's important.
Spent the last few evenings cleaning my office. Papers and receipts are now filed, and there's room atop the desk now for coffee cups and such. I like a lack of clutter, for all I'm a bit of a slob at heart. Something about it opens up my mind, as though every item I toss or file sweeps one more mental cobweb away. The retirement decision helped in that regard as well. There's something about that tiny light in the distance, serving as a goal to aim for.
Giving a Pilates class a try on Friday. It's a local studio with 1:1 instruction. It's not cheap, which means I won't be able to make a habit of it. But Pilates is one of those methods where you really need to get the form right in order for it to do its job, and I was concerned that just following the DVDs wouldn't work like it should. So hi ho, hi ho, it's off to sweat I go.
A few years ago, while nursing a panic that the first three Jani books would be the only stories I could ever think up, I pushed myself to work out a fantasy storyline so that I could have something in the set-aside drawer. Then I sold two more Janis, and was compelled to set the fantasy on a shelf. I did talk it over with a few friends over the past few years, though. One hated it, but a couple liked it. However, the one who hated it caught me at a low ebb, and her verdict derailed any urge I had to pursue the story. This was over a year ago.
Then at Wiscon, at a panel about female protags, I mentioned story arcs and
malkingrey's essay on the genre tale as Romance. Not small 'r' romance, but capital R Romance, with larger-than-life characters and heroes' journeys and other marks of the story writ large--oh, I hope I'm not garbling this, so go track down the essays.Anyway, as I was talking I mentioned the long-shelved fantasy, and how while it tended to follow a pattern used many times before, I liked the protagonist and wanted to see her succeed and do well in that world writ large, or at least improve her lot in life, and dammit, that made it a valid story for me. Then a week or so ago, one of the friends who liked the story asked me if I had ever done anything with it. I told her no, and told her why--the need to write J5, and my other friend's unfavorable assessment. This friend felt Other Friend was wrong in this case, and the story was good. This fed into my growing sense that I would enjoy exploring that new world, its history, and its future.
In classic TOUGH GUIDE style, I have drawn maps. Fleshed out political issues and conflicts--any book of mine will have political issues and conflicts, as well as hidden scandals, complicated relationships, and people who are not as they seem. After I finish J5, I will try to go back to this story again, and see where it takes me.
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no subject
Date: 2004-08-05 12:34 am (UTC)Ready for J5...ready for the fantasy too now.
Map? Heh! Want to mess with your fans? Have a t-shirt made out of the map. Wear it to the next convention you go to.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-05 07:04 am (UTC)If you want another vote on the fantasy, let me know--you told me you were outlining one, but you never showed it to me (or so my swiss cheese mind claims...)
I've been told that "Angelwear" will help our jewelry lust, and for less than Willow or Laurie. HAve you seen any Angelwear work?
no subject
Date: 2004-08-05 07:26 am (UTC)Best wishes on the fantasy tale. I love your characters and would enjoy seeing those skills applied in a different environ.
Refresh might be needed on Website
Date: 2004-08-05 08:01 am (UTC)I noted that you mentioned Archon, which we regularly attended in the early 90's when I was stationed at Scott AFB in southern Illinois. I flowed over to the other website page to see if it was on your schedule and noted the above.
I'll be in Naperville, IL Sept 9&10 for a business conference. Ever consent to allowing rabid fans buy you (and any anonymous S.O.) dinner?
no subject
Date: 2004-08-05 08:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-08-05 09:00 am (UTC)I know it needs work here and there--I haven't looked at it for a couple of years. But I still think there's hope for the story.
So far, Opera is working out. It was very easy to connect with my SFFNet email and news accounts. Some aspects, such as the layout, will take some getting used to.
I have some Angelwear jewelry, but I can't recall which pieces specifically. Imho, Angelwear has more in common stylistically with Willow than with Laurie E. Laurie has a knack for naturalistic pieces (twig-like, drop-like) styles that I've only seen matched by Darlene Coltrane.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-05 09:05 am (UTC)I'm not crazy about Opera's email handling so far. I need to find a one-button way to mark all emails as Read and delete them after they are read. I'm sure those are options--I just haven't found them yet.
Re: Refresh might be needed on Website
Date: 2004-08-05 09:20 am (UTC)Glasgow, Worldcon '05, really is my official next thing on the con menu. I may have that removed, however, since odds are that I won't be going. I will be attending Windycon in November--still need to get back to the confolk and accept invitation. After that, the next con will most likely be Wiscon '05. I'm also considering WFC '05 since that's also in Madison. I've cut waaay back on travel for the foreseeable future.
I can update the CI dating. Not sure what to do with the layout yet since CI will be the latest work for the next year to year and a half. New doggie pics are in order. Maybe one of this weekend's projects will be working on the website.
I will have to be careful about updating the description of J5 since a lot happens of a pivotal nature and I don't want to give away anything. Was more plot detail what you had in mind? We are still working out a new due date for the book, and from that will flow the release date.
Naperville is a fur piece from where I live/work, and the 9th/10th are weekdays. Given my schedule lately, I can't commit--sorry. All this means that by the time Windy rolls around, I will Really need a break.
Re: Refresh might be needed on Website
Date: 2004-08-05 01:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-08-05 08:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-08-05 11:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-08-06 07:41 am (UTC)Sure, send it along. %^) Contribute to that blasted first sentence of the chapter not showing up!
I have some Angelwear jewelry, but I can't recall which pieces specifically. Imho, Angelwear has more in common stylistically with Willow than with Laurie E. Laurie has a knack for naturalistic pieces (twig-like, drop-like) styles that I've only seen matched by Darlene Coltrane.
Ah--Darlene's work is my other vice. I remember very clearly the two pieces of jewelry and one scarf I have from Darlene and Laurie, which suggests I have chosen well. On the other hand, I've never bought from Willow--I recognized several of the rings in her display the first time I saw her stuff as being polished blanks, so I don't assume it's all original. (If I've wronged her, and now all her stuff is original, this shows you how long the wrong rep hangs around.)
I like Willow's stuff--but it's in that vague way where I can't put my finger on one piece I want to buy--and then I'll see something else I really want elsewhere, so I just never have bought a Willow piece. (But I see friends wearing Willow and it looks good on them.) Suricattus just ordered a custom piece from Angelwear, and she has very good taste, so this implies that Angelwear is capable of Very Good Things.
Re: Refresh might be needed on Website
Date: 2004-08-06 07:50 am (UTC)I've never met her at any convention I've attended, as fan or pro.
no subject
Date: 2004-08-06 07:56 am (UTC)So I'd really like to talk with Laurie before commissioning anyone to do anything with the marquise ruby and gold I have (recycle those wedding items, purify them!) And now I've inherited a gorgeous diamond earring (only one, but huge and Very Nice) and I just want to talk with her about them.
But I have to get to her first. I've been so sick, I haven't paid any attention to where the WFCs are going to be the next couple of years. Anyone happen to know off the top of their heads?
After all, the people buying my backlist and new books might get off their duffs and schedule the things....
Re: Refresh might be needed on Website
Date: 2004-08-06 08:16 am (UTC)I've seen Ms. Rice at two Cons and once in NOLA while wondering the Garden District. Do you scan a feel off of people? I do, and to me she has a mental feel equivelent to syrup of ipicack as a cocktail drink. She feels... wrong. Along with that she has a tendency to be just brutal to fans - rude doesn't cover what I observed.
I can't quote directly (its been about 10 years and I don't spend time holding onto this stuff, or try not to do so) but the conversation was similar to... "I love your work" = "Everyone says that, try not to be so sheep like". The girl cried for quite some time.
I will say, she may have changed. This was mid-90s. Just, in my experience, she's the only author I didn't enjoy meeting. YMMV.
Re: Refresh might be needed on Website
Date: 2004-08-08 07:58 pm (UTC)I found out later the woman had hip dysplasia (sp?) and was in screaming pain all the time...I don't think she had any business doing cons, you can bet that incident was witnessed and got around. She's had surgery and is miles better now--but I wouldn't bring any fans around to her....
Fans behind the paper curtain
Date: 2004-08-09 06:32 am (UTC)In some ways I'm sure its similar to when I perform. I'm a stilt walker at local parades and Renn Fairs. I adore the feeling of being in the spotlight, playing the crowd, getting that wonderful glee from a child who's never seen a 9' tall person before.
On the other hand, I get a break you wouldn't - when I take off my stilts most people don't recognize me. If you've sat through a panel with an author (unless they go to some lengths after the panel to change their clothes, makeup and hair) then it is pretty easy to point them out for the rest of the weekend. QED, you're never off duty. I can see why a break away from fandom would be nice for authors.
In my world view few things mitigate rudeness to people. Severe pain would make the list; but, like you, I would think anyone in that kind of pain should stay home. When we demean others we fail to respect the godhood inherent in us all... bad mojo.
And there ARE rules.....
Date: 2004-08-10 06:13 pm (UTC)And we all know where bad mo-jo leads to...I believe the saying is, "What goes around comes around"? And so it does...at least I always hope it does.