To those outside the United States, the media coverage of Punxsutawney Phil must seem a little absurd. Why do they disturb this poor member of the Marmot family every year on February 2? "According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring." (From http://www.groundhog.org/about/)
Though some consider this a modern event made just for media, the origins go way back. According to the history page on Phil's web site, weather predictions on this day were common, though they didn't disturb poor Phil to do it.
So aside from wondering what the groundhogs who live next to our house will see tomorrow, what have I been up to? Well, for one thing, I'm actually keeping a New Year's resolution! Yup, I promised myself that I would polish up some old short stories and send them out. (I also want to write some new ones, but I won't go so far as to *promise* myself to do that, LOL!) Will let you know how that goes. I sent two out this week.
Speaking of letting you know, in my last post, I asked that if you liked The Old Power Returns, to cast your vote at
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelh.shtml
I haven't heard back, but I don't think I made the top 10. I left it too late to notify people. I'll let you know how I did when I see the final results posted.
That's all I've been up to so far, but I've got a lot in store the next few months. Boskone, Lunacon, conBust, WisCon, and Necon, and a number of small signings that haven't firmed up yet. I'll be updating my Appearances page as soon as details are nailed down.
That's it for now. Stay warm, and may your Groundhog Day be dark and rainy, which, if I'm interpreting things correctly, means I'm wishing you no more winter!
Morven
That's it for now. Stay warm!
Morven
Author Morven Westfield comments on writing, vampires, the wildlife outside her window, and the writing life.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Vote for Morven!
DEADLINE JANUARY 15, 2008
No, no, don't worry. I'm not going to try to give Hillary a run for
her money. The race I'm running in is not presidential, though I
wouldn't guarantee that it's not political (grin).
There's an online poll called the Preditors and Editors Readers' Poll
where you vote for your favorite novel published in the previous year.
It's well underway -- it ends the 15th -- and I've just been told that
someone has voted for my book!
If you liked The Old Power Returns, please go and cast your vote at
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelh.shtml
(It's in the Horror category.)
Thanks!
Morven
No, no, don't worry. I'm not going to try to give Hillary a run for
her money. The race I'm running in is not presidential, though I
wouldn't guarantee that it's not political (grin).
There's an online poll called the Preditors and Editors Readers' Poll
where you vote for your favorite novel published in the previous year.
It's well underway -- it ends the 15th -- and I've just been told that
someone has voted for my book!
If you liked The Old Power Returns, please go and cast your vote at
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelh.shtml
(It's in the Horror category.)
Thanks!
Morven
Monday, December 17, 2007
Interview in Paper Dragon Ink
Hope you're staying warm and dry. We've had quite a bit of cold and snow up here in the northeast. Yesterday I saw two cars spun out on two different highways while trying to make it home after the latest storm. :-(
Want some good news for a change? I've been interviewed in the December 2007 issue of Pandora's Gate, published by Paper Dragon Ink, "an online publishing company dedicated to providing entertainment and resources for creative independents with coverage of movies, novels, comic books, games and music." You can read the interview on page 3 at
http://www.paperdragonink.com/december07issue.pdf
Not a bad interview, if I say so myself. It covers the usual -- my two vampire novels (Darksome Thirst and The Old Power Returns), but also a little bit on writing. The magazine is laid out in landscape mode, with photos and illustrations on the right-hand side, a very pleasing layout for this magazine.
In addition to interviews with Jim Balent, Michelle St. Martin, Anastasia Rabiyah, Wendy Potter, and artist Niki Browning, this edition contains an introduction to the SCA by Jennifer Rhea. Check it out.
Morven
Want some good news for a change? I've been interviewed in the December 2007 issue of Pandora's Gate, published by Paper Dragon Ink, "an online publishing company dedicated to providing entertainment and resources for creative independents with coverage of movies, novels, comic books, games and music." You can read the interview on page 3 at
http://www.paperdragonink.com/december07issue.pdf
Not a bad interview, if I say so myself. It covers the usual -- my two vampire novels (Darksome Thirst and The Old Power Returns), but also a little bit on writing. The magazine is laid out in landscape mode, with photos and illustrations on the right-hand side, a very pleasing layout for this magazine.
In addition to interviews with Jim Balent, Michelle St. Martin, Anastasia Rabiyah, Wendy Potter, and artist Niki Browning, this edition contains an introduction to the SCA by Jennifer Rhea. Check it out.
Morven
Friday, November 09, 2007
The Witches' Almanac
My one-page non-fiction article on crystal balls made it into the 2008-2009 edition of The Witches' Almanac. If you see the almanac in a book store, you've got to take a look: it's absolutely beautiful. Artist Ogmios MacMerlin did a fantastic job of design, layout, and execution. He picked a very pleasing, but eerie, color palette, which just happens to go with the color palette of my latest book, The Old Power Returns.
The article ("Crystal Balls: Visions in Smoke") is on page 26.
The article ("Crystal Balls: Visions in Smoke") is on page 26.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Signing at Some Enchanted Evening, Saturday, Sept 8, 2007
It's been a busy summer, so busy that I've been behind in blogging. I don't know how people manage to blog everyday. I suppose it's like exercising, or writing, or flossing your teeth: You get into the habit and just do it. But that's the problem: I'm so busy doing the other stuff that I don't have time to blog! Whatever. I'm just not a creature of habit. I do it when I can.
Without further excuses, here's my recap of a book signing that I did at Some Enchanted Evening's 10th annual Psychic Faire, held in Spencer, MA.
This was the second time I've signed at their Psychic Faire, but the first time at their new location, an elegant old Victorian, which is just gorgeous. Is it the building itself or the fact that proprietor Diane Haynes is such a fabulous artist and decorator? I think it's the latter!
The building retains one of the features of old Victorians -- smaller separate rooms -- and each room is filled with beautiful, often shiny, things. I shared a room with candles, art, and tee shirts. Glass cases of pewter and porcelain figurines hugged the walls. Behind my signing table was a display tree on which dragon ornaments hung tantalizingly. I managed to avoid spending my earnings on the dragon ornaments, but fell prey to Diane's artwork, which you can see on
http://www.someenchantedevening.us/paganartworkbydiane.htm
I bought a print of Cloak Room (4015), which I love for its colors and humor. Humor is evident in another one of her works, Pit Stop (4017), which I found only in the notecard size. I also bought Magickal Cabinet (4021) and am thinking of framing the trio and hanging them together in my writing nook.
Many people showed up for the Faire, and a lot of them stopped by my signing table to talk as they waited for their reading, which made it fun. Nothing's worse than being an author alone at a table twiddling your thumbs, so having people stop by and chat was a relief.
It was a great day, marred only by the fact that when I left, I was too dumb to let out the hot air from my car before I drove away or at least roll down all the windows for the first few miles.
Yes, I have air conditioning, but the car had been sitting closed up, in the heat (mid-90s), and in the short hour it took to drive home, the AC couldn't cool down the car enough. When I got home, I was hot. Really hot. I was still hot at 11 pm, even though by then I had taken a cool shower, had held cold cloths to my face and neck a few times, had drunk ice water, and had been sitting in air conditioning for hours. Next time I'll know to let the hot air out of the car first!
Without further excuses, here's my recap of a book signing that I did at Some Enchanted Evening's 10th annual Psychic Faire, held in Spencer, MA.
This was the second time I've signed at their Psychic Faire, but the first time at their new location, an elegant old Victorian, which is just gorgeous. Is it the building itself or the fact that proprietor Diane Haynes is such a fabulous artist and decorator? I think it's the latter!
The building retains one of the features of old Victorians -- smaller separate rooms -- and each room is filled with beautiful, often shiny, things. I shared a room with candles, art, and tee shirts. Glass cases of pewter and porcelain figurines hugged the walls. Behind my signing table was a display tree on which dragon ornaments hung tantalizingly. I managed to avoid spending my earnings on the dragon ornaments, but fell prey to Diane's artwork, which you can see on
http://www.someenchantedevening.us/paganartworkbydiane.htm
I bought a print of Cloak Room (4015), which I love for its colors and humor. Humor is evident in another one of her works, Pit Stop (4017), which I found only in the notecard size. I also bought Magickal Cabinet (4021) and am thinking of framing the trio and hanging them together in my writing nook.
Many people showed up for the Faire, and a lot of them stopped by my signing table to talk as they waited for their reading, which made it fun. Nothing's worse than being an author alone at a table twiddling your thumbs, so having people stop by and chat was a relief.
It was a great day, marred only by the fact that when I left, I was too dumb to let out the hot air from my car before I drove away or at least roll down all the windows for the first few miles.
Yes, I have air conditioning, but the car had been sitting closed up, in the heat (mid-90s), and in the short hour it took to drive home, the AC couldn't cool down the car enough. When I got home, I was hot. Really hot. I was still hot at 11 pm, even though by then I had taken a cool shower, had held cold cloths to my face and neck a few times, had drunk ice water, and had been sitting in air conditioning for hours. Next time I'll know to let the hot air out of the car first!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Interviewed on WitchCrafting Podcast
A few weeks ago I accompanied a friend to a signing where podcaster Karagan of The WitchCrafting Podcast was doing interviews. He turned the mike on me and has just posted the episode on his site. I'm very pleased with the results. You can listen to it or download it at
www.twango.com/media/witchcrafting.witchcrafting
For more information on Karagan and his podcasts, visit his site at
http://witchcrafting.blogspot.com/
www.twango.com/media/witchcrafting.witchcrafting
For more information on Karagan and his podcasts, visit his site at
http://witchcrafting.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Enthusiastically recommended!
My latest novel, The Old Power Returns, was reviewed favorably by The Midwest Book Review (http://www.midwestbookreview.com/).
They're well-respected and their reviews are published on CDs that librarians use for acquiring books. That's probably not as important for fiction as it is for non-fiction, but it shows how important a review this is.
The review is online now, in their August 2007 Small Press Bookwatch at
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/aug_07.htm#fant
Here's what they had to say. Look at that last sentence!
"Set in the modern day, The Old Power Returns is a fantasy-horror novel about a group of Wiccans who must combine their powers and talents to confront a murderous vampiric menace. A dark saga of ancient hunger and the women who fought against it - or fell victim to it, The Old Power Returns seizes the reader's attention and does not let go until the final page. Enthusiastically recommended especially for fans of vampire stories."
Did you see that? "Enthusiastically recommended"!
I'm doing the happy dance!
Morven
They're well-respected and their reviews are published on CDs that librarians use for acquiring books. That's probably not as important for fiction as it is for non-fiction, but it shows how important a review this is.
The review is online now, in their August 2007 Small Press Bookwatch at
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/aug_07.htm#fant
Here's what they had to say. Look at that last sentence!
"Set in the modern day, The Old Power Returns is a fantasy-horror novel about a group of Wiccans who must combine their powers and talents to confront a murderous vampiric menace. A dark saga of ancient hunger and the women who fought against it - or fell victim to it, The Old Power Returns seizes the reader's attention and does not let go until the final page. Enthusiastically recommended especially for fans of vampire stories."
Did you see that? "Enthusiastically recommended"!
I'm doing the happy dance!
Morven
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
July is over
The crazy month of July is over and I'm finally unpacking. And unpacking. And unpacking. And doing laundry... It started with the Readercon convention the first weekend of July, followed by a trip to the west coast for my husband's cousin's wedding the following weekend, followed closely by the Necon convention the third weekend, and wrapping up with my annual camping trip with friends the last weekend. It rained heavily one of the days and off and on the rest, which means that unpacking involved making sure that everything was dry before I put it away for the season. It also meant cleaning off mud splatters and wet leaves, a step I get to skip when it *doesn't* rain.
Oh, and somewhere in the middle of that crazy month, I had a birthday. I got the latest Harry Potter book from hubby, but haven't had the chance to read it yet. I thought I'd start it a few nights ago, but realized that I didn't remember enough of the details of the previous volumes to get the most out of this all-important last book. I don't really have time, though, to go back to the first book and re-read.
Where could I find a quick cheat sheet on the books? A Google search for sites with synopses of the books yielded quite a few hits. The following one isn't exactly what I was looking for, but it sure is amusing:
http://www.booklore.co.uk/Authors/RowlingJK/HarryPotterSynopsis.htm
Going further down the list, I found the site I was looking for. This site is rich with synopses, trivia, and other facts.
http://www.hp-lexicon.org/about/books/books-hp.html
It's *so* complete that it will take me a few days to get through the synopsis of each book, but I'm so glad I found it. Not only is it a good reference for the Harry Potter books, but it gives me an idea of how I might organize my notes for my next novel. (And it makes me feel MUCH better about having as many characters as I do and having the occasional odd name!) In the next novel, I'll be picking up some loose threads from each of the previous novels. I'll also be introducing a new character or two. Writing a synopsis where I list not only characters who are introduced, but characters who are *mentioned* should be quite helpful.
So, what's up next? I'll be accompanying Harvest Shadows author Jimahl di Fiosa on some of his events, minding the table and selling books (mine, too), but the next major events aren't until October and November.
Rock N'Shock (Oct 13, 2007)
I'll be attending if HWA/NE has a booth there. I don't have confirmation on that yet.
World Fantasy Convention 2007 (Nov 2-4, 2007)
Will be attending and participating in the Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading and selling my books at their booth there. If you're going, stop by the booth. They have an excellent selection of books by members and you get to meet the members who volunteer at the book. If you support women authors in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror, consider joining -- even men and non-writers can join, but if you're female and a writer, you'll enjoy the side benefit of being able to sell your books at their table.
Well, time's a-wasting. More later.
Morven
Oh, and somewhere in the middle of that crazy month, I had a birthday. I got the latest Harry Potter book from hubby, but haven't had the chance to read it yet. I thought I'd start it a few nights ago, but realized that I didn't remember enough of the details of the previous volumes to get the most out of this all-important last book. I don't really have time, though, to go back to the first book and re-read.
Where could I find a quick cheat sheet on the books? A Google search for sites with synopses of the books yielded quite a few hits. The following one isn't exactly what I was looking for, but it sure is amusing:
http://www.booklore.co.uk/Authors/RowlingJK/HarryPotterSynopsis.htm
Going further down the list, I found the site I was looking for. This site is rich with synopses, trivia, and other facts.
http://www.hp-lexicon.org/about/books/books-hp.html
It's *so* complete that it will take me a few days to get through the synopsis of each book, but I'm so glad I found it. Not only is it a good reference for the Harry Potter books, but it gives me an idea of how I might organize my notes for my next novel. (And it makes me feel MUCH better about having as many characters as I do and having the occasional odd name!) In the next novel, I'll be picking up some loose threads from each of the previous novels. I'll also be introducing a new character or two. Writing a synopsis where I list not only characters who are introduced, but characters who are *mentioned* should be quite helpful.
So, what's up next? I'll be accompanying Harvest Shadows author Jimahl di Fiosa on some of his events, minding the table and selling books (mine, too), but the next major events aren't until October and November.
Rock N'Shock (Oct 13, 2007)
I'll be attending if HWA/NE has a booth there. I don't have confirmation on that yet.
World Fantasy Convention 2007 (Nov 2-4, 2007)
Will be attending and participating in the Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading and selling my books at their booth there. If you're going, stop by the booth. They have an excellent selection of books by members and you get to meet the members who volunteer at the book. If you support women authors in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror, consider joining -- even men and non-writers can join, but if you're female and a writer, you'll enjoy the side benefit of being able to sell your books at their table.
Well, time's a-wasting. More later.
Morven
Sunday, July 29, 2007
A busy July
July was an excruciatingly busy month. I guess it's good to be busy, and it was somewhat fun doing all the travel and events, but it made the month go by too quickly and now I'm facing that dreaded time of year -- the end of summer.
Some years, though, I don't find I dread it. I actually like the crisp autumn weather. This time I think I'm going to, though, because it just went by too fast.
Besides traveling and promoting the new book (The Old Power Returns), I've been doing a lot of blogging and socializing. I've sort of allowed myself the summer off to meet, greet, and connect. Come fall and winter, I'll start writing again.
I got a MySpace account and although I'm not too fond of the interface, I'm definitely loving the way it allows me to find and connect to other authors. Y'know, it's funny how one hears that the vampire sub-genre is dead, but then sees so many people who list that as an interest, and so many writers. I've stumbled across writers like Karen Koehler and a film called Bloodsucka Jones...
So many blogs to visit, and so little time!
Later,
Morven
Some years, though, I don't find I dread it. I actually like the crisp autumn weather. This time I think I'm going to, though, because it just went by too fast.
Besides traveling and promoting the new book (The Old Power Returns), I've been doing a lot of blogging and socializing. I've sort of allowed myself the summer off to meet, greet, and connect. Come fall and winter, I'll start writing again.
I got a MySpace account and although I'm not too fond of the interface, I'm definitely loving the way it allows me to find and connect to other authors. Y'know, it's funny how one hears that the vampire sub-genre is dead, but then sees so many people who list that as an interest, and so many writers. I've stumbled across writers like Karen Koehler and a film called Bloodsucka Jones...
So many blogs to visit, and so little time!
Later,
Morven
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Readercon, Necon, World Fantasy, and others
The summer is filling up fast. In July, I have something booked every weekend, whether it's a convention (or two) or a trip or a camping event.
I've been so busy with other things that I haven't updated my web site yet, so I thought I'd post the info here.
Readercon 18 (July 6-8, 2007)
Friday night at 8 pm I'll be participating in the Broad Universe Rapid-fire Reading. It you're not doing anything, stop by and hear readings from me and other members of Broad Universe. On Saturday and Sunday, you can find me from time to time at the Broad Universe table in the dealer's room, selling and signing copies of my new novel, THE OLD POWER RETURNS.
Broad Universe is an international organization with the primary goal of promoting science fiction, fantasy, and horror written by women. Readercon is an annual convention that centers on the writers, editors, critics, and readers of written science fiction, fantasy, and the wider realm of imaginative literature that involves some element of the fantastic. For more info, visit
-------------------------------------
Necon 27 (July 19-22, 2007) +++
On Friday, I'll be signing copies of my new book, The Old Power Returns. For more information on Necon, see www.campnecon.com
-------------------------------------
Rock N'Shock (Oct 13, 2007)
Tentative plans to attend. If HWA/NE has booth there, I'll be at the booth.
-------------------------------------
World Fantasy Convention 2007 (Nov 2-4, 2007)
Will be attending, and If Broad Universe has a booth there, I'll be at the booth signing copies of THE OLD POWER RETURNS.
-------------------------------------
Boskone 45 (Feb 15-17, 2008)
So far the only plans I have are to attend. Watch this spot for info as it develops. Boskone, a regional Science Fiction convention focusing on literature, art, music, and gaming and covering horror and fantasy genres as well. For more info, visit www.nesfa.org/boskone
-------------------------------------
WisCon 32 (May 23-26, 2008)
So far the only plans I have are to attend, but I'm sure I'll be busy with the other members of Broad Universe. WisCon is the first and foremost feminist science fiction convention in the world, with offerings ranging from science fiction to fantasy to horror to non-fiction. For more info, visit www.wiscon.info
-------------------------------------
[end of list]
I've been so busy with other things that I haven't updated my web site yet, so I thought I'd post the info here.
| Calendar events |
Friday night at 8 pm I'll be participating in the Broad Universe Rapid-fire Reading. It you're not doing anything, stop by and hear readings from me and other members of Broad Universe. On Saturday and Sunday, you can find me from time to time at the Broad Universe table in the dealer's room, selling and signing copies of my new novel, THE OLD POWER RETURNS.
Broad Universe is an international organization with the primary goal of promoting science fiction, fantasy, and horror written by women. Readercon is an annual convention that centers on the writers, editors, critics, and readers of written science fiction, fantasy, and the wider realm of imaginative literature that involves some element of the fantastic. For more info, visit
-------------------------------------
Necon 27 (July 19-22, 2007) +++
On Friday, I'll be signing copies of my new book, The Old Power Returns. For more information on Necon, see www.campnecon.com
-------------------------------------
Rock N'Shock (Oct 13, 2007)
Tentative plans to attend. If HWA/NE has booth there, I'll be at the booth.
-------------------------------------
World Fantasy Convention 2007 (Nov 2-4, 2007)
Will be attending, and If Broad Universe has a booth there, I'll be at the booth signing copies of THE OLD POWER RETURNS.
-------------------------------------
Boskone 45 (Feb 15-17, 2008)
So far the only plans I have are to attend. Watch this spot for info as it develops. Boskone, a regional Science Fiction convention focusing on literature, art, music, and gaming and covering horror and fantasy genres as well. For more info, visit www.nesfa.org/boskone
-------------------------------------
WisCon 32 (May 23-26, 2008)
So far the only plans I have are to attend, but I'm sure I'll be busy with the other members of Broad Universe. WisCon is the first and foremost feminist science fiction convention in the world, with offerings ranging from science fiction to fantasy to horror to non-fiction. For more info, visit www.wiscon.info
-------------------------------------
[end of list]
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Bullfrogs and deer ticks
I had a great weekend a few weeks ago: Caught a bullfrog, immolated a deer tick, and donned a dress and makeup for a photo shoot. Not all at the same time, mind you; catching a bullfrog in a dress wouldn't have been easy. Not on the same day, either; the photo shoot was a day later. Still, it was a wonderful, wacky weekend.
Let me explain the bullfrog. I was a tomboy as a child, and catching frogs was one of my favorite activities. So, a few years ago, when traffic was stopped on a local road due to the appearance of a large bullfrog, I pulled off to the side and approached it with confidence. I could save the poor critter's life by carrying him to safety. Or so I thought.
I bent over him, as I had as a child, hands ready to grab his sides, but as I got within an inch of him, I froze. (And he jumped.) I was afraid! I couldn't believe it. I loved frogs. And toads. And lizards. Why was I so afraid? Was I really afraid of the creature? Or just afraid that I'd fumble and embarrass myself?
Last year I was getting out of my car at home and looked down to see the cutest little garter snake. (Yes, snakes CAN be cute, especially when they're barely as big as a pencil and are totally harmless.) I wanted to move him out of the driveway before my husband got home because I didn't want the poor thing to get run over. I used to catch green snakes -- fairly large ones, at that -- and garter snakes, and here I was, afraid to pick up this little guy! I grabbed a tree branch to scoot him along, and even chuckled as the little cutie turned to hiss at me, but I couldn't bring myself to pick him up.
So when we were invited to a cookout and later went out with the flashlight-packing host to view the night critters, I had to redeem myself. There sat a big, fat bullfrog, temporarily dazed by the flashlight beam. I poised over him and quickly brought my hands together around his protruding sides. My hands -- which fit in a women's medium glove -- barely covered him. As I lifted up, he pushed with his strong arms and legs, easily propelling his slippery body from my grasp.
It was at that moment that I realized another cause of my fear. It was not just of making a fool of myself -- no fear in that -- but of hurting him. I didn't want to squeeze hard enough to hurt him. Still, I had to catch him one more time, to redeem myself. Again he pushed easily out of my grasp, but, no longer stunned by his girth and strength, I grasped his legs and lifted him upside-down, like they used to deliver babies, and presented him to the host. "MY GOODNESS. He's a big one."
Again the amphibian slipped from my grasp, and I tried once more to catch him and hold him upright, but he was too strong and slippery for me to hold him without hurting him, so I let him go. I wanted to pet him, feel his little toes, look into his unfathoming eyes. But it was not to be. Still, I redeemed myself. I could catch bullfrogs again...
Now where's that garter snake...
Let me explain the bullfrog. I was a tomboy as a child, and catching frogs was one of my favorite activities. So, a few years ago, when traffic was stopped on a local road due to the appearance of a large bullfrog, I pulled off to the side and approached it with confidence. I could save the poor critter's life by carrying him to safety. Or so I thought.
I bent over him, as I had as a child, hands ready to grab his sides, but as I got within an inch of him, I froze. (And he jumped.) I was afraid! I couldn't believe it. I loved frogs. And toads. And lizards. Why was I so afraid? Was I really afraid of the creature? Or just afraid that I'd fumble and embarrass myself?
Last year I was getting out of my car at home and looked down to see the cutest little garter snake. (Yes, snakes CAN be cute, especially when they're barely as big as a pencil and are totally harmless.) I wanted to move him out of the driveway before my husband got home because I didn't want the poor thing to get run over. I used to catch green snakes -- fairly large ones, at that -- and garter snakes, and here I was, afraid to pick up this little guy! I grabbed a tree branch to scoot him along, and even chuckled as the little cutie turned to hiss at me, but I couldn't bring myself to pick him up.
So when we were invited to a cookout and later went out with the flashlight-packing host to view the night critters, I had to redeem myself. There sat a big, fat bullfrog, temporarily dazed by the flashlight beam. I poised over him and quickly brought my hands together around his protruding sides. My hands -- which fit in a women's medium glove -- barely covered him. As I lifted up, he pushed with his strong arms and legs, easily propelling his slippery body from my grasp.
It was at that moment that I realized another cause of my fear. It was not just of making a fool of myself -- no fear in that -- but of hurting him. I didn't want to squeeze hard enough to hurt him. Still, I had to catch him one more time, to redeem myself. Again he pushed easily out of my grasp, but, no longer stunned by his girth and strength, I grasped his legs and lifted him upside-down, like they used to deliver babies, and presented him to the host. "MY GOODNESS. He's a big one."
Again the amphibian slipped from my grasp, and I tried once more to catch him and hold him upright, but he was too strong and slippery for me to hold him without hurting him, so I let him go. I wanted to pet him, feel his little toes, look into his unfathoming eyes. But it was not to be. Still, I redeemed myself. I could catch bullfrogs again...
Now where's that garter snake...
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
The M.R. Sellers/Doroth Morrison show, Part 2
One of the reasons that I wanted to meet M. R. Sellars was that he's trying to do what I'm doing: merging an existing genre with modern-day witchcraft. In his case, he's merging the mystery genre (sub-genre detective?) with a Wiccan who helps the police using his pyschic powers. In my case, I'm mergin a horror novel (sub-genre vampire) with witches who help a geekette fend off vampires.
We both face similar problems: Our main-genre readers (mystery, horror) won't be familiar with some of the beliefs and practices of our witch characters. Our Wiccan/Witch/Pagan readers, on the other hand, don't want a lecture about something they already know. Our main-genre readers expect the aspects of the genre that appeal to them; that is, each genre has its own set of conventions that an avid reader of that genre would come to expect. For example, in the mystery genre, there's going to be a dead body (usually). In the supernatural/vampire genre, there's going to be a vampire. And blood.
There are other conventions regarding lushness of description (or sparseness thereof), pacing, atmosphere, and so on. People who are reading one of our novels because it's part of their preferred genre will expect those stylistic conventions to be followed. For example, I've heard that in Romance, there needs to be a happy relationship at the end. (Don't know if that's always true, but that's what I've heard.)
Though readers who normally read those genres expect those conventions, people who are reading one of our novels because they're interested in (or are) witches or pagans aren't going to necessarily expect those conventions and might even be put off by them. They might normally read a completely different genre (science fiction, fantasy) or even just mainstream fiction.
Unfortunately, Murv (Sellars) and I never had time to talk about any of that, but we did talk a little about writing. And I did actually talk to "Morrison," too! :-)
Stay tuned for part three...
We both face similar problems: Our main-genre readers (mystery, horror) won't be familiar with some of the beliefs and practices of our witch characters. Our Wiccan/Witch/Pagan readers, on the other hand, don't want a lecture about something they already know. Our main-genre readers expect the aspects of the genre that appeal to them; that is, each genre has its own set of conventions that an avid reader of that genre would come to expect. For example, in the mystery genre, there's going to be a dead body (usually). In the supernatural/vampire genre, there's going to be a vampire. And blood.
There are other conventions regarding lushness of description (or sparseness thereof), pacing, atmosphere, and so on. People who are reading one of our novels because it's part of their preferred genre will expect those stylistic conventions to be followed. For example, I've heard that in Romance, there needs to be a happy relationship at the end. (Don't know if that's always true, but that's what I've heard.)
Though readers who normally read those genres expect those conventions, people who are reading one of our novels because they're interested in (or are) witches or pagans aren't going to necessarily expect those conventions and might even be put off by them. They might normally read a completely different genre (science fiction, fantasy) or even just mainstream fiction.
Unfortunately, Murv (Sellars) and I never had time to talk about any of that, but we did talk a little about writing. And I did actually talk to "Morrison," too! :-)
Stay tuned for part three...
Saturday, May 26, 2007
The M.R. Sellers/Doroth Morrison show, Part 1
I met authors M.R.Sellars and Dorothy Morrison a couple of nights ago and had a great time. They were doing a booksigning and lecture at Earth Spirits Herbal Apothecary in Sturbridge, MA.
The venue alone was worth the trip. The Apothecary is a fabulous, sprawling shop with multiple cozy rooms. Everywhere you looked was filled with tastefully arranged, colorful bottles, boxes, and more. It was like your typical chain pharmacy, but better -- holistic medicines have a tendency to have much more artistic packaging. I saw homeopathic simples, aromatic oils and diffusers, flower essences, herb teas, and Chinese patent medicines. There were shelves of books, gifts, jewelry, clothing, statues, candles, and incense. And fairies. Wicker chairs and small tables were arranged throughout the store and I thought that one particularly large area was where the lecture would be, but no! That was just for the "meet and greet" and book signing. The actual lecture was in a spacious lecture room with chairs lined up in four or so long rows.
The authors hadn't arrived yet because they had run into traffic on their way up from Pennsylvania. They've had an unbelievably aggressive tour schedule. In just the last five days, they had driven from Indiana to Pennsylvania to Massachusetts, which doesn't sound like much, but when I was a kid, the family often drove a summer trip that included crossing Pennsylvania, and that part alone took EIGHT hours. "Are we out of Pennsylvania yet?" was a familiar cry from the back seat of the station wagon. Anyway, they had run into a two-hour traffic delay at the George Washington Bridge (or a similar presidential-sounding bridge name), and were on their way, so I had plenty of time to absorb the beauty of the shop (but not enough time to buy -- too many things! -- but they do have online shopping, I notice...)
I had just gone out to make a call on my cell phone and when I came back in, there was a man who looked an awful lot like the pictures on M. R. Sellars' web page making some comment about "those authors" just blowing off the event. I knew it was him. He's described as having a sense of humor like Dennis Miller. I'd sort of agree, except that Murv is warmer. And that's no act; you can tell that that's Murv, all the time.
He and Dorothy were so gracious to me, who emailed them out of the blue not long ago begging for a chance to "talk shop" before the appearance, but their schedule is so stuffed that they didn't have time for a free meal or a coffee after. (Actually, I wonder if they ever ate! He told a story of a previous lecture where they ate something in the morning and then nothing all day...)
I need to stop here because I have a ton of things to do, but at this point of meeting them, I am just sooooo impressed. He's driven all this way, as he and Morrison have done for at least the past five days, and he's still joking. I don't think I could still be VERBAL at that point, but he's still joking. The rest of the evening didn't disappoint. I got my chance to "talk shop" with him while he flopped in a chair and cooled off from the drive (it was 88 degrees out when I left work; I can only imagine it was hotter in the south where they drove up from) and I ended up staying for their lecture, which was an interesting discussion of ethics.
Stay tuned for part two...
The venue alone was worth the trip. The Apothecary is a fabulous, sprawling shop with multiple cozy rooms. Everywhere you looked was filled with tastefully arranged, colorful bottles, boxes, and more. It was like your typical chain pharmacy, but better -- holistic medicines have a tendency to have much more artistic packaging. I saw homeopathic simples, aromatic oils and diffusers, flower essences, herb teas, and Chinese patent medicines. There were shelves of books, gifts, jewelry, clothing, statues, candles, and incense. And fairies. Wicker chairs and small tables were arranged throughout the store and I thought that one particularly large area was where the lecture would be, but no! That was just for the "meet and greet" and book signing. The actual lecture was in a spacious lecture room with chairs lined up in four or so long rows.
The authors hadn't arrived yet because they had run into traffic on their way up from Pennsylvania. They've had an unbelievably aggressive tour schedule. In just the last five days, they had driven from Indiana to Pennsylvania to Massachusetts, which doesn't sound like much, but when I was a kid, the family often drove a summer trip that included crossing Pennsylvania, and that part alone took EIGHT hours. "Are we out of Pennsylvania yet?" was a familiar cry from the back seat of the station wagon. Anyway, they had run into a two-hour traffic delay at the George Washington Bridge (or a similar presidential-sounding bridge name), and were on their way, so I had plenty of time to absorb the beauty of the shop (but not enough time to buy -- too many things! -- but they do have online shopping, I notice...)
I had just gone out to make a call on my cell phone and when I came back in, there was a man who looked an awful lot like the pictures on M. R. Sellars' web page making some comment about "those authors" just blowing off the event. I knew it was him. He's described as having a sense of humor like Dennis Miller. I'd sort of agree, except that Murv is warmer. And that's no act; you can tell that that's Murv, all the time.
He and Dorothy were so gracious to me, who emailed them out of the blue not long ago begging for a chance to "talk shop" before the appearance, but their schedule is so stuffed that they didn't have time for a free meal or a coffee after. (Actually, I wonder if they ever ate! He told a story of a previous lecture where they ate something in the morning and then nothing all day...)
I need to stop here because I have a ton of things to do, but at this point of meeting them, I am just sooooo impressed. He's driven all this way, as he and Morrison have done for at least the past five days, and he's still joking. I don't think I could still be VERBAL at that point, but he's still joking. The rest of the evening didn't disappoint. I got my chance to "talk shop" with him while he flopped in a chair and cooled off from the drive (it was 88 degrees out when I left work; I can only imagine it was hotter in the south where they drove up from) and I ended up staying for their lecture, which was an interesting discussion of ethics.
Stay tuned for part two...
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Morven does a podcast
I had my first podcast interview on "The Spiral Dance" with Hawthorne. Hawthorne's show is a "lively weekly show dedicated to folks who share a passion for earth-based spirituality." I've been listening to his podcasts for a while now, and I've got to agree with his web site description that he presents "engaging conversations with writers, musicians and activists." He also features a wide variety of interesting music that complements the show.
Check it out at
http://radiohawthorne.podhoster.com/index.php?sid=366&pid=2586
It wasn't as scary as I expected. I don't know why I expected it to be scary to begin with -- on his podcasts, Hawthorne comes across as intelligent, reasonable, and intelligent -- but I did. And, like many people, I don't like the sound of my own voice, but I must admit it sounded really good here (thanks, Hawthorne!).
Give it a listen if you have a chance.
Morven
Check it out at
http://radiohawthorne.podhoster.com/index.php?sid=366&pid=2586
It wasn't as scary as I expected. I don't know why I expected it to be scary to begin with -- on his podcasts, Hawthorne comes across as intelligent, reasonable, and intelligent -- but I did. And, like many people, I don't like the sound of my own voice, but I must admit it sounded really good here (thanks, Hawthorne!).
Give it a listen if you have a chance.
Morven
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Muggle Counter
Amazon.com has a cute little marketing gadget on their web site. You can see the results of their "Muggle Counter," which "...tracks the approximate number of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows books ordered from the www.amazon.com site and from U.S. syndicated store sites, such as Borders.com, but excludes all third-party seller arrangements."
Hmmm... How could I adapt that marketing angle... A bite counter? "How many people have bitten on suggestions to visit Morven's site?" Byte counter? Ooooh... Guess how many bytes in the file for The Old Power Returns that is being released June 23, 2007? Oooh, yeah. I think I can talk my publisher into that... Guess how many bytes in the PDF for only the text (that is, not including the cover) that went to our printer, and win a free book, bookmarks, and a couple of toy surprises! Yeah, watch www.harvestshadows.com for details!
Morven
Hmmm... How could I adapt that marketing angle... A bite counter? "How many people have bitten on suggestions to visit Morven's site?" Byte counter? Ooooh... Guess how many bytes in the file for The Old Power Returns that is being released June 23, 2007? Oooh, yeah. I think I can talk my publisher into that... Guess how many bytes in the PDF for only the text (that is, not including the cover) that went to our printer, and win a free book, bookmarks, and a couple of toy surprises! Yeah, watch www.harvestshadows.com for details!
Morven
Sunday, April 15, 2007
German Language Version, ARCs for sequel
Outside it's dark, cold, and very windy. Not very springlike, but that's okay. When one has news to announce about vampire novels, this is appropriate weather!
First, some news on the foreign front. It looks like the German translation of Darksome Thirst (translated as Brut der Finsternis) will be out soon! The detail page on the publisher's web site has a button for ordering from Amazon already.
I've put a thumbnail of the beautiful cover on the home page of my own website, www.morvenwestfield.com, along with links to the publisher and the artist's web site. They've done a really great job.
The other news is that I've seen the advance reading copies (ARCs) of The Old Power Returns, the sequel to Darksome Thirst. I really love the cover and I think you will, too. Oh, and the story -- I think you'll really like that, too. I don't want to spoil it, but an early reviewer said something like, "I just finished reading the book -- at 4 a.m.! I cried when [character name removed] died -- each time!"
So there you have it. Someone will die. More than once. Curious? You should be. Remember that you can pre-order from Amazon. Harvest Shadows will be releasing the book in late June (I think the release date is June 23).
First, some news on the foreign front. It looks like the German translation of Darksome Thirst (translated as Brut der Finsternis) will be out soon! The detail page on the publisher's web site has a button for ordering from Amazon already.
I've put a thumbnail of the beautiful cover on the home page of my own website, www.morvenwestfield.com, along with links to the publisher and the artist's web site. They've done a really great job.
The other news is that I've seen the advance reading copies (ARCs) of The Old Power Returns, the sequel to Darksome Thirst. I really love the cover and I think you will, too. Oh, and the story -- I think you'll really like that, too. I don't want to spoil it, but an early reviewer said something like, "I just finished reading the book -- at 4 a.m.! I cried when [character name removed] died -- each time!"
So there you have it. Someone will die. More than once. Curious? You should be. Remember that you can pre-order from Amazon. Harvest Shadows will be releasing the book in late June (I think the release date is June 23).
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
A Belated Update on Boskone 44
The reading at Boskone went extremely well. The room was packed, the crowd was appreciative, and the [other] readers were excellent. Victoria McManus, Jennifer Pelland, Jessica Reisman, and myself read for approximately 12 minutes each. Three other writers were supposed to participate but were prevented by snow, loss of voice, and other reasons.
Boskone itself was excellent. Some of the other panels I attended included "Straddling the Line: SF and Mystery Hybrids," a discussion on how well (or not) SF mixes with whodunits; "Building Characters";"Making Writing More Vivid"; and "Scams to Avoid."
The new location, at the Westin Waterfront, was large, airy, and not too hard to navigate. I even braved the night air for a meal with friends at the No Name Restaurant.
The coffee in the Con Suite was excellent, the art was gorgeous, and the vendors varied. In other words, it was predictably good.
Boskone itself was excellent. Some of the other panels I attended included "Straddling the Line: SF and Mystery Hybrids," a discussion on how well (or not) SF mixes with whodunits; "Building Characters";"Making Writing More Vivid"; and "Scams to Avoid."
The new location, at the Westin Waterfront, was large, airy, and not too hard to navigate. I even braved the night air for a meal with friends at the No Name Restaurant.
The coffee in the Con Suite was excellent, the art was gorgeous, and the vendors varied. In other words, it was predictably good.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Harry Strikes Again
From Scholastic Inc's web site:
But, of course, if I put myself in the publisher's place, why WOULDN'T I go for the big sales? After all, they're not a charitable organization. They're in business to make money, and I don't mean that in a pejorative manner. They're not in business to lose money or break even. They're in business to MAKE money.
So what about the novels that appeal to smaller audiences, but whose story is worth hearing, whose words are worth reading? Will they disappear?
Funny that I should be asking this in March, which just happens to be Small Press Month. I stumbled on that fact while visiting my publisher's web site. Maybe that's what got me thinking.
Support the small press. Your mind will thank you.
New York, NY (March 14, 2007) -- NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 14, 2007 -Scholastic Inc.... announced today that J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will have a record-breaking first printing of 12 million copies in the U.S., and a multi-million dollar marketing campaign to support the highly anticipated release at 12:01 a.m. on July 21st. The first printing for the seventh book in the Harry Potter series breaks the record held by the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which had a 10.8 million first printing in 2005 and sold 6.9 million copies in the first 24 hours.Don't get me wrong -- I love Harry Potter and will most definitely get this book -- but it's sort of depressing to read this. Twelve MILLION copies? With sales possibilities like that, what publisher would take a chance on a novel that would appeal to, say, just ONE million readers... or ONE hundred thousand? Will this huge print run encourage what many have seen as the publishing industry's inclination to go where the large sales are, and leave behind worthy novels just because the market is smaller?
But, of course, if I put myself in the publisher's place, why WOULDN'T I go for the big sales? After all, they're not a charitable organization. They're in business to make money, and I don't mean that in a pejorative manner. They're not in business to lose money or break even. They're in business to MAKE money.
So what about the novels that appeal to smaller audiences, but whose story is worth hearing, whose words are worth reading? Will they disappear?
Funny that I should be asking this in March, which just happens to be Small Press Month. I stumbled on that fact while visiting my publisher's web site. Maybe that's what got me thinking.
Support the small press. Your mind will thank you.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Small Press Interview
I'm getting quite addicted to listening to podcasts on my music-free (grin) iPod. Driving to work this morning, I listened to a very interesting one from the Writing Show featuring a candid interview with Olga Gardner Galvin. A New York–based freelance writer and book editor, she founded ENC (Emperor’s New Clothes) Press in 2003 with the help and moral support of California writer and publicist Beth Elliott.
(This is from their About page: ENC Press was founded "for the express purpose of publishing original, unusual novels that most mainstream publishing behemoths turn down on the grounds of their questionable appeal 'to the broadest possible audience' ('the broadest possible audience' being whatever an acquisitions editor who hasn’t left Manhattan in thirty years thinks it is)" Love it!)
Some things I found interesting in the podcast:
1. She never sends out books to the big reviewers. She said she might as well just throw them in the trash and save a step! She said that unless you're a big name author, they're not even going to look at your book.
2. She said that even favorable reviews don't help much. She cited the case of someone who was favorably reviewed by the Washington Post and others, but whose book was pulled rather quickly.
3. There isn't enough time in the publishing schedule in mainstream publishing to actually edit the book. They do a copy edit, yes, but don't edit for structure, plot, language, like they used to.
4. She said something like, "It's an open secret that writers have to do their own marketing and publicity" and said that she won't take on writers who won't "support their own books." She even went so far as to say that they need to come up with their own marketing ideas. This is what I've heard repeatedly -- that except for the very biggest name, there is NO marketing budget for the writer. It's all up to the writer. It certainly has been in my case.
(This is from their About page: ENC Press was founded "for the express purpose of publishing original, unusual novels that most mainstream publishing behemoths turn down on the grounds of their questionable appeal 'to the broadest possible audience' ('the broadest possible audience' being whatever an acquisitions editor who hasn’t left Manhattan in thirty years thinks it is)" Love it!)
Some things I found interesting in the podcast:
1. She never sends out books to the big reviewers. She said she might as well just throw them in the trash and save a step! She said that unless you're a big name author, they're not even going to look at your book.
2. She said that even favorable reviews don't help much. She cited the case of someone who was favorably reviewed by the Washington Post and others, but whose book was pulled rather quickly.
3. There isn't enough time in the publishing schedule in mainstream publishing to actually edit the book. They do a copy edit, yes, but don't edit for structure, plot, language, like they used to.
4. She said something like, "It's an open secret that writers have to do their own marketing and publicity" and said that she won't take on writers who won't "support their own books." She even went so far as to say that they need to come up with their own marketing ideas. This is what I've heard repeatedly -- that except for the very biggest name, there is NO marketing budget for the writer. It's all up to the writer. It certainly has been in my case.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
No Music on this One
Dear hubby got me an iPod for Christmas! I may be the only person in the entire universe of iPod owners who has absolutely NO music on their iPod, but I am certainly getting use out of it. I've dowloaded an amazing collection of podcasts.
(For those of you who haven't had the chance to investigate podcasts, they're like radio shows that have been recorded. Or blogs that are read out loud. Or both. You don't actually need an iPod or any other MP3 device to listen to them. Most modern PCs and Macs have built-in software for listening to them, and if not, you can easily download free MP3 players.)
Some of the podcasts I've listening to lately are Grammar Girl, Word Nerds (love it), Podcast of Horror, and Tech for Writers. I'm always finding more, so this list will grow. (Still haven't found a vampire one, though...)
I'll go into more detail about these podcasts and include links in a later post. Gotta run and get ready for an evening event.
Bye for now!
(For those of you who haven't had the chance to investigate podcasts, they're like radio shows that have been recorded. Or blogs that are read out loud. Or both. You don't actually need an iPod or any other MP3 device to listen to them. Most modern PCs and Macs have built-in software for listening to them, and if not, you can easily download free MP3 players.)
Some of the podcasts I've listening to lately are Grammar Girl, Word Nerds (love it), Podcast of Horror, and Tech for Writers. I'm always finding more, so this list will grow. (Still haven't found a vampire one, though...)
I'll go into more detail about these podcasts and include links in a later post. Gotta run and get ready for an evening event.
Bye for now!
Odd Weather
This has been an odd winter so far. At a recent (January) post-holiday
party, many of our neighbors were remarking on the unseasonably mild
weather. Most of them were quick to add that although they were
enjoying it, they worried what the odd climate change heralded for the
environment.
As an example of how exceptionally mild it was, normally when I put up
holiday lights outside, I can't take them down right away after the
holidays are over because they're either hidden in snow or frozen to
the bushes. This year I was out there in January without a coat,
gloves, or boots, and taking my time as I enjoyed the sunshine. Odd.
Very odd. We didn't have our first ice storm until a few days ago, but
it was north of where I live. I wouldn't have even known about it if a
lot of people at work hadn't discussed it.
party, many of our neighbors were remarking on the unseasonably mild
weather. Most of them were quick to add that although they were
enjoying it, they worried what the odd climate change heralded for the
environment.
As an example of how exceptionally mild it was, normally when I put up
holiday lights outside, I can't take them down right away after the
holidays are over because they're either hidden in snow or frozen to
the bushes. This year I was out there in January without a coat,
gloves, or boots, and taking my time as I enjoyed the sunshine. Odd.
Very odd. We didn't have our first ice storm until a few days ago, but
it was north of where I live. I wouldn't have even known about it if a
lot of people at work hadn't discussed it.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
I Finished It!
FINALLY! I've finished the final draft of The Old Power Returns! Sort of...
What I've done is finished entering changes from the initial edit and also a final read-through. Out loud. Reading it out loud really helped me find problem areas, but it was a real pain in the throat. As much as I hated the physical part of it, I'd definitely do it again.
I've sent it off to the editor. She'll give it one last read-through and do a copy edit, which means, of course, that there will probably be a few more corrections. But I'm getting closer... Next step is off to the printer! I've seen the preliminary artwork for the cover and should be seeing the next pass of it soon.
I've also heard that the translation of DARKSOME THIRST, the first in the series, to German is coming along nicely. Keep an eye on Otherworld Verlag -- if you read German -- for the latest. Or surf over to my publisher's site (www.harvestshadows.com), which will carry announcements of its progress.
How totally exciting!
What I've done is finished entering changes from the initial edit and also a final read-through. Out loud. Reading it out loud really helped me find problem areas, but it was a real pain in the throat. As much as I hated the physical part of it, I'd definitely do it again.
I've sent it off to the editor. She'll give it one last read-through and do a copy edit, which means, of course, that there will probably be a few more corrections. But I'm getting closer... Next step is off to the printer! I've seen the preliminary artwork for the cover and should be seeing the next pass of it soon.
I've also heard that the translation of DARKSOME THIRST, the first in the series, to German is coming along nicely. Keep an eye on Otherworld Verlag -- if you read German -- for the latest. Or surf over to my publisher's site (www.harvestshadows.com), which will carry announcements of its progress.
How totally exciting!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Entering Edits
Oh, it's a tedious job, this entering edits. It seems like it's taking forever. Am I going off on tangents to avoid the final, scary moment when I pass it off for publication? Probably. Because no matter how careful you are, no matter how many "pairs of eyes" look at it, it'll never be perfect, and you can never, EVER, please everyone. But it gets a little discouraging when, halfway through the edits, you realize that you've used the word "like" incorrectly in a few places, and way too many places in general, and you start wondering how many other bad habits you have that maybe the editor and reviewers WON'T catch -- but the reviewers will.
Still, you plug on. And occasionally you run across something that you particularly like, something that feels good to read, and you think that maybe the book isn't worthless after all.
And so, I leave you with a little teaser from the book. Have a great Thanksgiving and I hope to report more progress after the holiday.
Here's the quote:
She could feel the vibrations in her breastbone,
her throat, her life. She felt breathless, as if
she were poised high on a mountain, one foot out,
ready for a step across the wide unknown.
She could almost feel the cool mist of the high
clouds across her face and the heat of the sun on
her scalp. She was soaring, yet standing still,
frozen in that moment of boundlessness, life
stretching before her.
Months later she would recognize this image as she
laid down the tarot card representing the past:
The Fool.
(Copyright 2005-6 Morven Westfield)
Have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving,
Morven
Still, you plug on. And occasionally you run across something that you particularly like, something that feels good to read, and you think that maybe the book isn't worthless after all.
And so, I leave you with a little teaser from the book. Have a great Thanksgiving and I hope to report more progress after the holiday.
Here's the quote:
She could feel the vibrations in her breastbone,
her throat, her life. She felt breathless, as if
she were poised high on a mountain, one foot out,
ready for a step across the wide unknown.
She could almost feel the cool mist of the high
clouds across her face and the heat of the sun on
her scalp. She was soaring, yet standing still,
frozen in that moment of boundlessness, life
stretching before her.
Months later she would recognize this image as she
laid down the tarot card representing the past:
The Fool.
(Copyright 2005-6 Morven Westfield)
Have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving,
Morven
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Article in latest Witches' Almanac
Just got the 2007-2008 copy of The Witches' Almanac. Guess who's got an article on pages 12 and 13? Moi! You can order the book from either the publishers, The Witches' Almanac, or from my publisher, Harvest Shadows Publications. They also have the 2006-2007 edition, in which I had an article published, too, mainly because I have articles published in these editions.
The new edition has a glossy cover and is in a slightly larger format (now 6”x 9”) and looks great. You can even look at the table of contents online. There's even an article by their regular astrologer on Anne Rice's natal horoscope.
Oh, and my publisher currently has a deal where if you buy a book, any book, you can get the 2006-2007 (current year) edition for only $4.99 (available in the US only, though, because shipping costs are prohibitive outside the US). Oh, and they're also giving away some fun trinkets: a bottle opener and mood pencils. Check this out:
Link for shopping area of Harvest Shadows Publications web site
The new edition has a glossy cover and is in a slightly larger format (now 6”x 9”) and looks great. You can even look at the table of contents online. There's even an article by their regular astrologer on Anne Rice's natal horoscope.
Oh, and my publisher currently has a deal where if you buy a book, any book, you can get the 2006-2007 (current year) edition for only $4.99 (available in the US only, though, because shipping costs are prohibitive outside the US). Oh, and they're also giving away some fun trinkets: a bottle opener and mood pencils. Check this out:
(Bottle Opener) Do your long talons make it difficult for you to pop the tops on your soft drink cans? Is lack of a bottle opener standing between you and your favorite refreshment? Seek no further... Unique conversation piece, great item for camping or dorm, this multi-functional beverage opener opens bottles and caps. Made of durable plastic, it's imprinted with the following memorable words: For your DARKSOME THIRST.
(Mood Pencil) Do you have the power? Test yourself and see! Okay, so it's just a mood pencil and it doesn't REALLY indicate whether you have the power or not -- just how warm your hands are. Amuse your friends as the pencil magically changes color and then returns to normal when it returns to room temperature.
Link for shopping area of Harvest Shadows Publications web site
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Vampire Secrets
I recently watched "Vampire Secrets" on the History Channel.
In general, the show, though very nice to look at, wasn't really impressive. They kept repeating the same footage, which was aggravating. You kept seeing a re-enactment of Countess Elizabeth Bathory bathing in blood, an NYC vampire club scene, and a man with page boy haircut biting a woman's neck. (I was, however, pleased that the Countess was not played by an anorexic actress, but instead a woman of normal-to-ample proportions.) Commercials interrupted frequently, and coming back from the commercials, the intros seemed to contain lots of fluff (maybe they didn't want the refrigerator crowd to miss anything).
The show included Katherine Ramsland's search for journalist Susan Walsh, which she recounted in Piercing the Darkness, and also a bit about Rod Ferrell, a kid from KY whose vampire name was Vassago and who bludgeoned his girlfriend's father and step-mother to death. In mentioning Ferrell, of course they mentioned Vampire: The Masquerade, which Michelle Belanger also commented on. Belanger, the author of the Psychic Vampire Codex, had some interesting insights in general throughout the program, but it was boring to see the repeated shots of her psi-vamping a willing participant.
There was also a man with blond hair and interesting eyes (lenses? hard to tell) who was interviewed who seemed knowledgeable.
Buzz Out Loud's Veronica Belmont made a cameo as a kerchiefed victim of Bathory. She had no speaking parts, but did a convincing head turn -- seriously! She looked like someone submitting to the whims of royalty: fearful, yet resigned. BOL's Tom Merritt also made a cameo as a French doctor examining a corpse that then turned to dust, and again, well-done for a short appearance. Of course, if you don't recognize BOL or the names of the actors, you're probably not as amused as I am: They're hosts (along with Molly Wood) of a regular CNet internet podcast "of indeterminate length" that discusses geeky stuff in great detail, so to see these technophiles in period costume in a TV production that, in part, investigates historical vampires, is quite amusing. Well done, Veronica and Tom!
Of course, no historical account of vampires these days would be complete without a mention of Vlad Tepes, better known as Vlad the Impaler. New was the narrator pointing out that the impalings and beheadings were psychological warfare and that he did indeed succeed in protecting his country from being overrun by Ottoman Turks, something I hadn't considered. They mentioned that Tepes is considered a hero in his country, which I hadn't realized. Him being a hero doesn't prevent locals from making money off the tourists who come for the vampire lore, something Ceausescu encouraged to strengthen the economy.
Having written two novels with vampires as major characters, I've read quite a bit on the history of vampires and vampire lore when doing my initial research, so I expected that I'd be familiar with most of what was presented. That indeed was true; the only thing I saw that was new was a comparison of Kirlian photos of the fingertips of a psi vamp and a victim before and after the energy exchange. You can see the psi vamp's aura change to a much, much stronger one, and the victim's aura diminish considerably. I found that segment very interesting.
The show could have been done in much less than 2 hours; could have been much tighter. I resented spending that much time on a fluffy show when I should have been working on the final touches to my second novel (The Old Power Returns), which my editor (and foreign publisher) are waiting for.
Oh, well. It's Halloween, and I can take some time out for some spooky viewing, no?
Happy Halloweentide,
Morven
In general, the show, though very nice to look at, wasn't really impressive. They kept repeating the same footage, which was aggravating. You kept seeing a re-enactment of Countess Elizabeth Bathory bathing in blood, an NYC vampire club scene, and a man with page boy haircut biting a woman's neck. (I was, however, pleased that the Countess was not played by an anorexic actress, but instead a woman of normal-to-ample proportions.) Commercials interrupted frequently, and coming back from the commercials, the intros seemed to contain lots of fluff (maybe they didn't want the refrigerator crowd to miss anything).
The show included Katherine Ramsland's search for journalist Susan Walsh, which she recounted in Piercing the Darkness, and also a bit about Rod Ferrell, a kid from KY whose vampire name was Vassago and who bludgeoned his girlfriend's father and step-mother to death. In mentioning Ferrell, of course they mentioned Vampire: The Masquerade, which Michelle Belanger also commented on. Belanger, the author of the Psychic Vampire Codex, had some interesting insights in general throughout the program, but it was boring to see the repeated shots of her psi-vamping a willing participant.
There was also a man with blond hair and interesting eyes (lenses? hard to tell) who was interviewed who seemed knowledgeable.
Buzz Out Loud's Veronica Belmont made a cameo as a kerchiefed victim of Bathory. She had no speaking parts, but did a convincing head turn -- seriously! She looked like someone submitting to the whims of royalty: fearful, yet resigned. BOL's Tom Merritt also made a cameo as a French doctor examining a corpse that then turned to dust, and again, well-done for a short appearance. Of course, if you don't recognize BOL or the names of the actors, you're probably not as amused as I am: They're hosts (along with Molly Wood) of a regular CNet internet podcast "of indeterminate length" that discusses geeky stuff in great detail, so to see these technophiles in period costume in a TV production that, in part, investigates historical vampires, is quite amusing. Well done, Veronica and Tom!
Of course, no historical account of vampires these days would be complete without a mention of Vlad Tepes, better known as Vlad the Impaler. New was the narrator pointing out that the impalings and beheadings were psychological warfare and that he did indeed succeed in protecting his country from being overrun by Ottoman Turks, something I hadn't considered. They mentioned that Tepes is considered a hero in his country, which I hadn't realized. Him being a hero doesn't prevent locals from making money off the tourists who come for the vampire lore, something Ceausescu encouraged to strengthen the economy.
Having written two novels with vampires as major characters, I've read quite a bit on the history of vampires and vampire lore when doing my initial research, so I expected that I'd be familiar with most of what was presented. That indeed was true; the only thing I saw that was new was a comparison of Kirlian photos of the fingertips of a psi vamp and a victim before and after the energy exchange. You can see the psi vamp's aura change to a much, much stronger one, and the victim's aura diminish considerably. I found that segment very interesting.
The show could have been done in much less than 2 hours; could have been much tighter. I resented spending that much time on a fluffy show when I should have been working on the final touches to my second novel (The Old Power Returns), which my editor (and foreign publisher) are waiting for.
Oh, well. It's Halloween, and I can take some time out for some spooky viewing, no?
Happy Halloweentide,
Morven
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Rock N'Shock
On Saturday I went to the Rock and Shock Horror Festival (www.rockandshock.com) in Worcester, MA. It's a mostly film-related convention, but I'm a fan of old classic horror flicks, so that's fine with me.
I hung around the table of the Horror Writers Association, New England Chapter, which had a very good showing. I know I'll forget someone, but I remember seeing Paul Tremblay, LL Soares, Laura Cooney, Jack Haringa, Dan Robichaud, Corrine de Winter, and a guy who was talking to me about a book signing that the HWA/NE had done at Tatnuck a long time ago. (Sorry, I forgot your name!) I heard that Stan Wiater was there earlier, but I missed him. Dan's wife, Trista, who has recently had a fantasy short story published, was absent; some excuse about celebrating a birthday... (Happy Birthday, Trista!)
Laura bought a pair of vampire fangs from VampFangs.com. I was tempted to buy their Scarecrow Classic Fangs, but I kept thinking of what a hard time I have talking with my retainer in, and changed my mind. I know they're supposed to be light, well-fitting and easy to use, but I just couldn't convince myself. What an advance in technology since the days of Dark Shadows. I read that Jonathan Frid, who played Barnabas Collins, had a really hard time talking with his fangs in and found them very uncomfortable -- and I'm sure that they were very expensive. Speaking of Jonathan Frid, he's got his own web site these days. Hard to believe that he's an octogenerian. Back to fangs: I did get one of the free tee shirts that VampFangs were handing out, so if I change my mind, at least I have the web site address. Maybe next year, for Halloween.
Let's see, who else was there? Screenwriter Rogan Marshall stopped by and then joined us for the HWA social dinner after.
Another person who joined us for dinner was writer Jack Ketchum, who had his own booth. I didn't even realize that he was at the event until I went to see what the vendors were selling.
The movie of Jack's book, The Lost, had been shown earlier in the day, and he was pretty excited -- as well he should be. The Lost is the first novel of Jack's on film. Featured in the cast are Ed Lauter, Micheal Bowen, Dee Wallace Stone, and Jack Ketchum himself, playing a bartender. Check out the movie web site for more info. (By the way, there's a great interview of Jack by Monica O'Rourke at the Feoamante site. My preference is supernatural horror, which is not what Jack or Monica write, but they're still great writers and good people, so if you like other types of horror, check them out. Personally, I'm too chicken! Seriously, though, I have read some of their writing and have heard raves from those who have read much more.
With Jack was another screen writer, whose name I didn't catch. Lately I've been really, really bad about remembering someone's name the first time I meet them. What am I saying, FIRST time? Sometimes I can't remember the name the SECOND or THIRD time! And I was sitting next to this guy at dinner. Well, whoever he is, he's working on a project with Jack, and was interesting to listen to.
It's getting late and I've got to get up for the day job tomorrow, so I'll end here and amend or correct as needed some other time.
I hung around the table of the Horror Writers Association, New England Chapter, which had a very good showing. I know I'll forget someone, but I remember seeing Paul Tremblay, LL Soares, Laura Cooney, Jack Haringa, Dan Robichaud, Corrine de Winter, and a guy who was talking to me about a book signing that the HWA/NE had done at Tatnuck a long time ago. (Sorry, I forgot your name!) I heard that Stan Wiater was there earlier, but I missed him. Dan's wife, Trista, who has recently had a fantasy short story published, was absent; some excuse about celebrating a birthday... (Happy Birthday, Trista!)
Laura bought a pair of vampire fangs from VampFangs.com. I was tempted to buy their Scarecrow Classic Fangs, but I kept thinking of what a hard time I have talking with my retainer in, and changed my mind. I know they're supposed to be light, well-fitting and easy to use, but I just couldn't convince myself. What an advance in technology since the days of Dark Shadows. I read that Jonathan Frid, who played Barnabas Collins, had a really hard time talking with his fangs in and found them very uncomfortable -- and I'm sure that they were very expensive. Speaking of Jonathan Frid, he's got his own web site these days. Hard to believe that he's an octogenerian. Back to fangs: I did get one of the free tee shirts that VampFangs were handing out, so if I change my mind, at least I have the web site address. Maybe next year, for Halloween.
Let's see, who else was there? Screenwriter Rogan Marshall stopped by and then joined us for the HWA social dinner after.
Another person who joined us for dinner was writer Jack Ketchum, who had his own booth. I didn't even realize that he was at the event until I went to see what the vendors were selling.
The movie of Jack's book, The Lost, had been shown earlier in the day, and he was pretty excited -- as well he should be. The Lost is the first novel of Jack's on film. Featured in the cast are Ed Lauter, Micheal Bowen, Dee Wallace Stone, and Jack Ketchum himself, playing a bartender. Check out the movie web site for more info. (By the way, there's a great interview of Jack by Monica O'Rourke at the Feoamante site. My preference is supernatural horror, which is not what Jack or Monica write, but they're still great writers and good people, so if you like other types of horror, check them out. Personally, I'm too chicken!
With Jack was another screen writer, whose name I didn't catch. Lately I've been really, really bad about remembering someone's name the first time I meet them. What am I saying, FIRST time? Sometimes I can't remember the name the SECOND or THIRD time! And I was sitting next to this guy at dinner. Well, whoever he is, he's working on a project with Jack, and was interesting to listen to.
It's getting late and I've got to get up for the day job tomorrow, so I'll end here and amend or correct as needed some other time.
Monday, October 09, 2006
What I've Just Finished Reading: How to Write Killer Fiction
Well, I finally finished How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat. It's not because it's a slow read -- it isn't -- but because of the way life is. My reading time gets interrupted, or I get really tired and fall asleep after reading only a couple of sentences, or some other reading material suddenly takes precedence.
In this case, I held off because what I was reading was something I wanted to be awake for, and something that I thought would keep me awake. I had started a new job over the summer, one with earlier hours than I was used to recently, and I was afraid that if I read something very engaging, it would keep me up as I stopped to jot down notes or started to plan how I'd use it in my novel.
This book is geared toward the mystery writer, but since my novels have an element of suspense and since I drop clues like in a mystery novel, I thought it'd be appropriate. I was right. Don't be put off if you're not a mystery writer. This is still a good resource for the horror or suspense writer.
In this case, I held off because what I was reading was something I wanted to be awake for, and something that I thought would keep me awake. I had started a new job over the summer, one with earlier hours than I was used to recently, and I was afraid that if I read something very engaging, it would keep me up as I stopped to jot down notes or started to plan how I'd use it in my novel.
This book is geared toward the mystery writer, but since my novels have an element of suspense and since I drop clues like in a mystery novel, I thought it'd be appropriate. I was right. Don't be put off if you're not a mystery writer. This is still a good resource for the horror or suspense writer.
Friday, October 06, 2006
What I've Just Finished Reading: The First Five Pages
I just finished reading The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman, which I'd highly recommend to those brand-new writers who finish their first draft and say, "Okay, I'm done," having never read a book on how to get published nor taken any classes on the same. It's an eye-opener.
For everyone else, I'd still recommend it. It's short, concise, and well-written and drives home the point that editors and editorial assistants, by the very nature of their hectic schedules, look first to weed out the rejects, and describes what they look for first.
It includes many samples of what not to do (for example, snippets of horrible dialog), and sometimes there are sections on how to fix the problems. The exercises at the end of the chapter are excellent exercises in good writing, but I must admit that I didn't do any of them. For one thing, I read most of the book on a plane and didn't have my manuscript with me. For another, I'm at the wrapping-up phase of my second novel and I just don't have the time to rewrite at that depth. For me, a simple checklist would have been more beneficial.
Overall, though, it's a very good book and I'd certainly read others by the same author.
Morven
For everyone else, I'd still recommend it. It's short, concise, and well-written and drives home the point that editors and editorial assistants, by the very nature of their hectic schedules, look first to weed out the rejects, and describes what they look for first.
It includes many samples of what not to do (for example, snippets of horrible dialog), and sometimes there are sections on how to fix the problems. The exercises at the end of the chapter are excellent exercises in good writing, but I must admit that I didn't do any of them. For one thing, I read most of the book on a plane and didn't have my manuscript with me. For another, I'm at the wrapping-up phase of my second novel and I just don't have the time to rewrite at that depth. For me, a simple checklist would have been more beneficial.
Overall, though, it's a very good book and I'd certainly read others by the same author.
Morven
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Our squirrels are nuts
About this time each year, the acorns start falling from the trees, blanketing the driveway that they overshadow. So that's nothing new. The newness is that this time they're getting a little help in falling.
I was sitting at my computer when motion in the trees outside caught my attention. I looked out the window behind the computer and noticed that the branches were shaking. Realizing that it wouldn't be a deer two floors off the ground, I figured it must be squirrels, and looked back to my computer when another motion caught my eye. A rosette of branch and leaves was falling to the ground. Okay. So the squirrel broke the branch.
Later, more motion. More branches. This time I stood up to look out, onto the driveway. This is similar to what I saw:
I went outside to investigate. Yup, the little cuties are chomping off the branches so that a cluster of leaves and acorns fall to the driveway, where they can then strip off the acorns in peace.
And it's not a one-time thing. We've swept the driveway clear twice and they've covered it again each time. I don't remember this ever happening before. Are they getting smarter? Or am I getting more observant?
I was sitting at my computer when motion in the trees outside caught my attention. I looked out the window behind the computer and noticed that the branches were shaking. Realizing that it wouldn't be a deer two floors off the ground, I figured it must be squirrels, and looked back to my computer when another motion caught my eye. A rosette of branch and leaves was falling to the ground. Okay. So the squirrel broke the branch.
Later, more motion. More branches. This time I stood up to look out, onto the driveway. This is similar to what I saw:
I went outside to investigate. Yup, the little cuties are chomping off the branches so that a cluster of leaves and acorns fall to the driveway, where they can then strip off the acorns in peace.
And it's not a one-time thing. We've swept the driveway clear twice and they've covered it again each time. I don't remember this ever happening before. Are they getting smarter? Or am I getting more observant?
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
DARKSOME THIRST to be Translated into German
Well, here's some good news. My novel DARKSOME THIRST is being translated into German by an Austrian publishing company.
http://www.prweb.com//releases/2006/9/prweb436258.htm
Otherworld Verlag to publish German-language version of Morven Westfield’s acclaimed debut novel Darksome Thirst.
Southborough, MA (PRWEB) September 13, 2006 -- Otherworld Verlag has obtained the German language rights for Morven Westfield’s acclaimed first novel, Darksome Thirst. Praising its authentic characters and the skillful integration of fascinating elements of witchcraft, Managing Director Michael Krug stated, "We are very pleased to win this impressive debut novel for our program." Before establishing his own publishing company with a partner, Krug translated authors such as Diana L. Paxson, Lynn Flewelling, Dave Duncan, Paul Kearney,and Chris Wooding for a large German publishing house.
Otherworld Verlag's first horror title, Brian Keene’s Bram Stoker-award winning The Rising, will be published early in 2007. Morven Westfield's Darksome Thirst will soon follow, appearing under the German title Brut Der Finsternis.
Darksome Thirst is a fast-paced, atmospheric tale of a young woman who must resolve the differences between what her logical mind tells her and what she is actually experiencing. Set in the late 1970s, Darksome Thirst is the first in a series of novels wherein Alicia and Meg battle against the unknown. Its sequel, The Old Power Returns, is expected to be released in early 2007.
About Harvest Shadows Publications
In these days of large corporate mergers and consolidation in the publishing industry, Harvest Shadows publishes what some of the larger publishing houses would consider niche titles, but we believe that readers should have a broader range of choices. www.harvestshadows.com
About Otherworld Verlag
Otherworld Verlag is a newly established Austrian publishing company specializing in phantastic literature. Following a similar philosophy as Harvest Shadows, Otherworld Verlag considers itself a publisher broadening the variety for German-speaking fans of phantastic literature by offering quality programs featuring highly innovative and talented authors, as well as established names such as Dave Duncan. www.otherworldverlag.com
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Telephone telepathy
Hubby forwarded me a link to an interesting article, "Telephone telepathy - I was just thinking about you," from Reuters, Wed Sep 6, 11:36 AM ET. (Click the title "Telephone telepathy" above to go to the page.)
According to the opening sentence, "Many people have experienced the phenomenon of receiving a telephone call from someone shortly after thinking about them -- now a scientist says he has proof of what he calls telephone telepathy."
Of course, the study isn't conclusive -- the sample size was too small -- but it's interesting nonetheless. Many of us have experienced telephone telepathy, only to be told, "Well, yes, but how about the many times where you think of someone and they DON'T call?", but this study says that maybe the times when they DON'T call might be less than one would think.
I would say this study might qualify as one of those DUH! studies (as in, "Duh! Tell me something I don't know!), but when I compare it to a study I heard about yesterday, I change my mind. That study said that celebrities were narcissistic... (http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-news/1696506/posts)
Duh.
According to the opening sentence, "Many people have experienced the phenomenon of receiving a telephone call from someone shortly after thinking about them -- now a scientist says he has proof of what he calls telephone telepathy."
Of course, the study isn't conclusive -- the sample size was too small -- but it's interesting nonetheless. Many of us have experienced telephone telepathy, only to be told, "Well, yes, but how about the many times where you think of someone and they DON'T call?", but this study says that maybe the times when they DON'T call might be less than one would think.
I would say this study might qualify as one of those DUH! studies (as in, "Duh! Tell me something I don't know!), but when I compare it to a study I heard about yesterday, I change my mind. That study said that celebrities were narcissistic... (http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-news/1696506/posts)
Duh.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
What I've Been Reading Lately
Just finished reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel by Tom Monteleone. It's a very pleasurable read and I can definitely see beginners getting a lot out of it. I got a lot out of it, even if only in the way Tom said something made me really understand some "truth" I had already absorbed or just in reinforcing something I knew. I wish it had been around when I first started; it has a lot of things I learned from various sources all in one place.
I had been reading The Cleansing by John Harvey, but then vacation and book signings and conferences interrupted, so now I'm not sure if I should just start a few chapters back or go all the way back to the beginning. Maybe I'll just try restarting a bit back, to see if I can remember where I was. I do remember that I liked it. Darn, I wish I hadn't been interrupted.
Other than that, I haven't been reading too much lately. Oh, wait. I did finish one more book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln. My father-in-law gave me a copy. He had started reading it himself and became so fascinated that he bought an extra copy for me. It was a long read, and I kept finding myself falling asleep. I can't blame the authors for that, though. I tend to read in bed and if I'm tired -- as I was this summer while working day jobs that required me to get up an hour earlier than normal -- I tend to fall asleep. And when I'd try to pick it up the next night, I'd find I couldn't remember the context and would have to re-read quite a bit.
Despite comprehension lapses from falling asleep and despite my appalling memory of the history of Europe, I found it very interesting. My father-in-law simply raves about the beauty of the writing style, but some might find it a little too stilted for modern tastes. The style didn't impress me as much as it did him, but what I did find enjoyable was the way that the authors built up to their conclusions. Of course, with my aforementioned appalling lack of knowledge of European history, there's no way I can judge how sound those conclusions are, but I still found them interesting.
What I've Finished Reading Since My Last Blog...
I had been reading The Cleansing by John Harvey, but then vacation and book signings and conferences interrupted, so now I'm not sure if I should just start a few chapters back or go all the way back to the beginning. Maybe I'll just try restarting a bit back, to see if I can remember where I was. I do remember that I liked it. Darn, I wish I hadn't been interrupted.
Other than that, I haven't been reading too much lately. Oh, wait. I did finish one more book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln. My father-in-law gave me a copy. He had started reading it himself and became so fascinated that he bought an extra copy for me. It was a long read, and I kept finding myself falling asleep. I can't blame the authors for that, though. I tend to read in bed and if I'm tired -- as I was this summer while working day jobs that required me to get up an hour earlier than normal -- I tend to fall asleep. And when I'd try to pick it up the next night, I'd find I couldn't remember the context and would have to re-read quite a bit.
Despite comprehension lapses from falling asleep and despite my appalling memory of the history of Europe, I found it very interesting. My father-in-law simply raves about the beauty of the writing style, but some might find it a little too stilted for modern tastes. The style didn't impress me as much as it did him, but what I did find enjoyable was the way that the authors built up to their conclusions. Of course, with my aforementioned appalling lack of knowledge of European history, there's no way I can judge how sound those conclusions are, but I still found them interesting.
What I've Finished Reading Since My Last Blog...
- Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln
- Haunted Massachusetts by Cheri Revai
- No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty
- The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
- Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman
Saturday, November 26, 2005
I finished NaNoWriMo!!!
I did it! I wrote 50,000 words of The Old Power Returns, the sequel to Darksome Thirst, during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
Technically, you're supposed to write a complete novel, from start to finish, but since my novel is actually a continuation in a series, I didn't feel like I was bending the rules too much when, on October 31, I saved the file with my work so far and started a new one from that point.
Why did I even bother? Well, I was getting stuck with The Old Power Returns. It seemed that I was halfway done -- for months! And it seemed that there were always things coming up, like vacations or family obligations or work that caused me to lose my momentum.
NaNoWriMo, a social contract of sorts, was just what I needed. I promised -- myself -- that at the end of November I would have 50,000 words, the last two which would be "The End."
Okay, so I sort of bent that rule, too, since the last words on the page were "To be continued" (because it's a series), but I did keep the promise that I would wrap up the current story. That I did, and I'm quite amused at the results. A couple of things happened that I wasn't expecting, and there was one unforseen connection that appeared in the very last hour or two of writing.
So, how long does it take to write 50,000 words? For me, it took 67 hours, and that included some online research time, which I wasn't as disciplined about as I should have been. And it was only about three days from the finish when I thought to make an autocorrect entry in Microsoft Word so that I could type "Mat " and have it fill in my character's name, Matricaria!
What have I learned from this? I've learned that forcing myself to get to the end of my novel in one month might be a good idea. I don't have the continuity problems that I have when I'm forced to stop writing for a few weeks when I'm spreading it out. Also, if you hibernate for only a month at a time, people seem to be a little forgiving! And if it's going to be any month, November is as good a month as any, and the support of the other NaNoWriMo writers and the NaNoWriMo volunteers is priceless.
I've still got a ways to go with this novel. I've still got to "let it cool" for a few weeks and then do a ruthless self-edit. But that's fine. I can do that. The hardest part -- facing the inertia of the legendary "sophomore slump" is over. And, at least for a couple of weeks, I can rest my typing fingers!
-- Morven
If you want to read an excerpt, check out my profile at the NaNoWriMo site:
The non-Flash version is here.
The Flash version is here.
What I'm Reading Now...
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel by Tom Monteleone
- The Cleansing by John Harvey
- Haunted Massachusetts by Cheri Revai
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
- No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty
- The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
- Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman
- The Practical Writer Edited by Therese Eiben and Mary Gannon
- The Song of an Emerald Dove by Xanna Vinson
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
NaNoWriMo, Day 2
Arg, day 2 and I'm 288 words behind. It's still early, though, and if I apply myself to my day job, I can probably write those 288 words during my lunch hour.
I must say, though, that I'm pleased with what I wrote this morning. Don't want to give away the plot or anything, but I'm still giggling over a vampire in rented bowling shoes...
What I'm Reading Now...
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
I must say, though, that I'm pleased with what I wrote this morning. Don't want to give away the plot or anything, but I'm still giggling over a vampire in rented bowling shoes...
What I'm Reading Now...
- No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty
- The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
- Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman
- The Practical Writer Edited by Therese Eiben and Mary Gannon
- The Song of an Emerald Dove by Xanna Vinson
Friday, October 28, 2005
NaNoWriMo
I've either done something very brilliant or very stupid.
It's been two years since I started writing THE OLD POWER RETURNS, the sequel to DARKSOME THIRST. I'm about halfway through, but as many of you have realized, I've been saying that for a VERY long time.
There are many reasons for the protracted writing period, but behind it all, when you dig through the excuses and the "life happens" stuff, is the real truth: Fear. Fear of screwing up the second novel, fear of going through that old write-edit-rewrite-edit-chewfingernails-edit-publish cycle again.
So, I've done something to get me off my duff and write through to the end -- in one month.
I'm sort of bending the rules a bit, but I've signed up at National Novel Writing Month (www.NaNoWriMo.org) to write a 50,000-word novel in one month.
To be a little more in line with their philosophy, though (which is to write a brand-new novel from scratch in one month), what I will do is to "end" my current work in the next day or two. On Tuesday, Nov 1, I start where I left off, but as if I were starting another sequel. I will write straight through from that point, at an average of 1667 words a day, until I get to the end. On December 1, I'll merge the two and begin self-editing.
So, wish me luck, and don't expect to hear from me in November!
Morven
What I'm Reading Now...
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
It's been two years since I started writing THE OLD POWER RETURNS, the sequel to DARKSOME THIRST. I'm about halfway through, but as many of you have realized, I've been saying that for a VERY long time.
There are many reasons for the protracted writing period, but behind it all, when you dig through the excuses and the "life happens" stuff, is the real truth: Fear. Fear of screwing up the second novel, fear of going through that old write-edit-rewrite-edit-chewfingernails-edit-publish cycle again.
So, I've done something to get me off my duff and write through to the end -- in one month.
I'm sort of bending the rules a bit, but I've signed up at National Novel Writing Month (www.NaNoWriMo.org) to write a 50,000-word novel in one month.
To be a little more in line with their philosophy, though (which is to write a brand-new novel from scratch in one month), what I will do is to "end" my current work in the next day or two. On Tuesday, Nov 1, I start where I left off, but as if I were starting another sequel. I will write straight through from that point, at an average of 1667 words a day, until I get to the end. On December 1, I'll merge the two and begin self-editing.
So, wish me luck, and don't expect to hear from me in November!
Morven
What I'm Reading Now...
- Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman
- The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
- Page After Page by Heather Sellers
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
- The Practical Writer Edited by Therese Eiben and Mary Gannon
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
- The Song of an Emerald Dove by Xanna Vinson
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Morven's Radio Adventure, Part 2 of 2
Okay, so in Part 1 I gave you the facts, just the facts: Who was there, what we did, when it occurred, and where it was. Now for the How: How it felt.
At the beginning of my radio adventure, it didn't feel any different from many of the book promotion trips I'm beginning to get used to. The night before I worry about what to bring, what to wear, and how early I have to leave. The morning of the event, I wonder if I remembered the directions and the maps. And of course, I wonder about the weather. This time the weather was a biggie.
Rain doesn't scare me that much. Snow and ice? Different story. But rain, unless it's dark or the rain is torrential, isn't a big deal anymore. It used to be a big deal when I was in my early twenties and had junk cars with nearly bald tires and poor handling, but now that I can afford a safe car with new tires, I'm okay with rain.
It's taken me a few years to realize that I'm okay, though; that the "you hydroplane at 45 miles per hour" rule they taught us in Driver's Ed applied to the cars of that time, not to the cars of today.
But back to my story. At the beginning of the day, my main feeling was slight anxiety over getting to a strange place on time. That worry over with, I was pretty much relaxed. After all, I wasn't the one in the hot seat, and I had fulfilled my role by delivering the star to the show.
I tried to psyche myself up, reminding myself that there could be as many as 200,000 people listening to this little radio station on the north shore, but no dice. I just couldn't get terrified. The host and the guest were just too calm, too natural, too relaxed. And that's all who was in the room -- them and me.
I suppose it would have been different if it had been a television set. Then there would have been lights and camera men and maybe makeup people and so on, but it wasn't. It was just a little radio broadcasting room and three people.
I hear that even at larger radio stations, it isn't much different. You're in a little room with the equipment and that's it. The room we were in was probably as big as the room I use for my office at home. The large pieces of equipment were against the wall and I really couldn't see the dials and knobs and switches that might have been there. Who knows, maybe it's mostly electronic these days and all the action is on a computer monitor.
It was a little bit surreal, but why? Every day I type for hours, connected to an internet of millions, and I'm not really aware that they're there. So why am I surprised when the 200,000 seem so invisible? Maybe it's just because it was such a new experience.
After the interview, we waited politely while Hawthorne announced the next piece of music and then we thanked him and slipped quietly out the door, through an empty building, and back into the rain. His was the last live show of the morning. No other guests were waiting outside the door, no voices animated the halls. It was as empty when we left as when we arrived.
Still, it was an experience. And it was fun.
What I'm Reading Now...
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
At the beginning of my radio adventure, it didn't feel any different from many of the book promotion trips I'm beginning to get used to. The night before I worry about what to bring, what to wear, and how early I have to leave. The morning of the event, I wonder if I remembered the directions and the maps. And of course, I wonder about the weather. This time the weather was a biggie.
Rain doesn't scare me that much. Snow and ice? Different story. But rain, unless it's dark or the rain is torrential, isn't a big deal anymore. It used to be a big deal when I was in my early twenties and had junk cars with nearly bald tires and poor handling, but now that I can afford a safe car with new tires, I'm okay with rain.
It's taken me a few years to realize that I'm okay, though; that the "you hydroplane at 45 miles per hour" rule they taught us in Driver's Ed applied to the cars of that time, not to the cars of today.
But back to my story. At the beginning of the day, my main feeling was slight anxiety over getting to a strange place on time. That worry over with, I was pretty much relaxed. After all, I wasn't the one in the hot seat, and I had fulfilled my role by delivering the star to the show.
I tried to psyche myself up, reminding myself that there could be as many as 200,000 people listening to this little radio station on the north shore, but no dice. I just couldn't get terrified. The host and the guest were just too calm, too natural, too relaxed. And that's all who was in the room -- them and me.
I suppose it would have been different if it had been a television set. Then there would have been lights and camera men and maybe makeup people and so on, but it wasn't. It was just a little radio broadcasting room and three people.
I hear that even at larger radio stations, it isn't much different. You're in a little room with the equipment and that's it. The room we were in was probably as big as the room I use for my office at home. The large pieces of equipment were against the wall and I really couldn't see the dials and knobs and switches that might have been there. Who knows, maybe it's mostly electronic these days and all the action is on a computer monitor.
It was a little bit surreal, but why? Every day I type for hours, connected to an internet of millions, and I'm not really aware that they're there. So why am I surprised when the 200,000 seem so invisible? Maybe it's just because it was such a new experience.
After the interview, we waited politely while Hawthorne announced the next piece of music and then we thanked him and slipped quietly out the door, through an empty building, and back into the rain. His was the last live show of the morning. No other guests were waiting outside the door, no voices animated the halls. It was as empty when we left as when we arrived.
Still, it was an experience. And it was fun.
What I'm Reading Now...
- The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
- Page After Page by Heather Sellers
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
- The Practical Writer Edited by Therese Eiben and Mary Gannon
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
- The Song of an Emerald Dove by Xanna Vinson
Pantry bugs, yuckkk
Hubby made a nice Thai curry last night and when I opened the bag of basmati rice, I was greeted with an multitude of larvae. Yuck. Just what I need. It's nearly Halloween, I'm trying to finish decorating, we have an upcoming trip for his parents' wedding anniversary and now I have a research project about pantry bugs -- not to mention cleaning the closet!
Thank goodness for Google, that's all I can say.
I think they're Indian Meal Moths, and I'm not just saying that because they were in a bag of basmati rice from India.
Check out this web page with pictures o'pests
While he finished the curry, I started the cleaning. Fortunately, the bag was on the floor of the pantry and there were few other penetrable containers there.
But you know me, I tend to get philosophical about the most mundane things. These little tiny guys remind me that with all our "civilization," all our technology and science, we're still at the mercy of pantry bugs. Y'know, we can put a man on the moon...
And that, dear reader, was one of the things that I was trying to say in Darksome Thirst: technology, for all its beauty and gifts, has its limits.
What I'm Reading Now...
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
Thank goodness for Google, that's all I can say.
I think they're Indian Meal Moths, and I'm not just saying that because they were in a bag of basmati rice from India.
Check out this web page with pictures o'pests
While he finished the curry, I started the cleaning. Fortunately, the bag was on the floor of the pantry and there were few other penetrable containers there.
But you know me, I tend to get philosophical about the most mundane things. These little tiny guys remind me that with all our "civilization," all our technology and science, we're still at the mercy of pantry bugs. Y'know, we can put a man on the moon...
And that, dear reader, was one of the things that I was trying to say in Darksome Thirst: technology, for all its beauty and gifts, has its limits.
What I'm Reading Now...
- The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
- Page After Page by Heather Sellers
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
- The Practical Writer Edited by Therese Eiben and Mary Gannon
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
- The Song of an Emerald Dove by Xanna Vinson
Friday, October 14, 2005
Morven's Radio Adventure, Part 1 of 2
Ever wonder what it's like to do a radio broadcast? A number of my friends were fortunate enough to attend colleges that had student radio stations, but, alas, I wasn't, so I've always wondered. When a good friend of mine, Xanna Vinson, told me that she'd be doing a radio interview on WNSH 1570 AM in Beverly, Massachusetts, I was more than happy to offer her a place to stay, and a ride to the station.
The interview was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, which would have been an incredibly decent hour to have to do an interview had we not been at a wedding the night before. It had been an afternoon wedding, though, so by 11:15 p.m. we were not only back at my house, but comfortably collapsed on the couch, watching the evening news.
We probably should have quit while we were ahead and not waited for the weather forecast. They were predicting torrential rains and localized flooding. Since neither of us was familiar with the geography of Beverly, we didn't know if it was prone to flooding. After a few minutes' discussion, we decided to email Hawthorne, the host of Spiral Dance Radio, to ask if we could arrange a telephone interview instead.
Saturday morning found us up and awake and checking email rather early, but there was no reply. We left Hawthorne a phone message with my cell phone number and decided to try the trip anyway. I figured that if the roads were bad, we could always turn around and head home, or, if the roads were REALLY bad and we were stuck seeking shelter somewhere en route, Xanna could possibly even do the phone interview from my cell phone.
But the weather gods were with us and the rain was light. We arrived at the station with a few minutes to spare, having wasted a few of those precious minutes walking in the wrong direction from the parking lot before finding the right building. Though it's a commercial radio station, it's located on the campus of Endicott College, which seems to be one of those campuses that grew in an organic manner, with roads and branches off roads. Hawthorne's directions to the parking lot were excellent, but I think it's just the nature of the campus that makes it hard to describe which end of the building is the front and so on.
Still, we found it, and crept in quietly while Hawthorne announced a selection of music. Quietly we put our stuff and umbrellas down. (Xanna had brought a copy of her book marked with a selection to read on air and I had brought a camera and a notebook.)
Hawthorne quickly set her up with a microphone and went over the plan. Xanna had been one of those lucky folks who had a radio experience in college and seemed comfortable and relaxed as they adjusted the microphone on an extendable metal arm.
I remembered that we had left our water bottles in the car and thought it would be a good idea to have some on hand. Hawthorne told me where I could find a water fountain and vending machines and I ran off in search of water. By the time I returned, they had already started the interview. I had paused before entering so that I could open the bottle of water outside the door and not in the room where the pop would either show up on the air or, at the very least, distract Xanna. I figured the microphones were probably unidirectional, but I had to idea how sensitive they were or what their pick-up pattern was.
Gently opening the door, I slipped in and tried to put the bottle down on the desk quietly and then slink back to my seat. Xanna and Hawthorne didn't seem to miss a beat, but I still found myself holding my breath, hoping that I wasn't breathing too loudly. Listening to Xanna talk, I finally got absorbed in the subject and was able to relax.
They were both naturals, so natural in fact, that I sometimes found myself wanting to just jump into the conversation, as if we were sitting in a living room, just having a quiet chat! I managed to keep my mouth shut without duct tape, though, and was able to listen quietly to Xanna describe the concept of a sentient earth and how that figured into her novel The Song of an Emerald Dove.
Hawthorne is a very good interviewer. He asked really intelligent questions, having read the book himself. He also fully listened to her answers before going on to his next question. He threw in one unexpected question about crop circles which resulted in a second of dead air before she warmly chided him about throwing her a curve ball, but she answered well and he responded with some interesting theories of his own.
Too soon it was over and we found ourselves heading back south on Rte 128, a road that used to leave me white-knuckled and sweating, but which now paled against the novel experience of the radio broadcast.
For more information on Spiral Dance Radio, visit (www.spiraldanceradio.com).
For more information on Xanna Vinson and her new novel, visit (www.xannavinson.com).
-- Morven
What I'm Reading Now...
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
The interview was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, which would have been an incredibly decent hour to have to do an interview had we not been at a wedding the night before. It had been an afternoon wedding, though, so by 11:15 p.m. we were not only back at my house, but comfortably collapsed on the couch, watching the evening news.
We probably should have quit while we were ahead and not waited for the weather forecast. They were predicting torrential rains and localized flooding. Since neither of us was familiar with the geography of Beverly, we didn't know if it was prone to flooding. After a few minutes' discussion, we decided to email Hawthorne, the host of Spiral Dance Radio, to ask if we could arrange a telephone interview instead.
Saturday morning found us up and awake and checking email rather early, but there was no reply. We left Hawthorne a phone message with my cell phone number and decided to try the trip anyway. I figured that if the roads were bad, we could always turn around and head home, or, if the roads were REALLY bad and we were stuck seeking shelter somewhere en route, Xanna could possibly even do the phone interview from my cell phone.
But the weather gods were with us and the rain was light. We arrived at the station with a few minutes to spare, having wasted a few of those precious minutes walking in the wrong direction from the parking lot before finding the right building. Though it's a commercial radio station, it's located on the campus of Endicott College, which seems to be one of those campuses that grew in an organic manner, with roads and branches off roads. Hawthorne's directions to the parking lot were excellent, but I think it's just the nature of the campus that makes it hard to describe which end of the building is the front and so on.
Still, we found it, and crept in quietly while Hawthorne announced a selection of music. Quietly we put our stuff and umbrellas down. (Xanna had brought a copy of her book marked with a selection to read on air and I had brought a camera and a notebook.)
Hawthorne quickly set her up with a microphone and went over the plan. Xanna had been one of those lucky folks who had a radio experience in college and seemed comfortable and relaxed as they adjusted the microphone on an extendable metal arm.
I remembered that we had left our water bottles in the car and thought it would be a good idea to have some on hand. Hawthorne told me where I could find a water fountain and vending machines and I ran off in search of water. By the time I returned, they had already started the interview. I had paused before entering so that I could open the bottle of water outside the door and not in the room where the pop would either show up on the air or, at the very least, distract Xanna. I figured the microphones were probably unidirectional, but I had to idea how sensitive they were or what their pick-up pattern was.
Gently opening the door, I slipped in and tried to put the bottle down on the desk quietly and then slink back to my seat. Xanna and Hawthorne didn't seem to miss a beat, but I still found myself holding my breath, hoping that I wasn't breathing too loudly. Listening to Xanna talk, I finally got absorbed in the subject and was able to relax.
They were both naturals, so natural in fact, that I sometimes found myself wanting to just jump into the conversation, as if we were sitting in a living room, just having a quiet chat! I managed to keep my mouth shut without duct tape, though, and was able to listen quietly to Xanna describe the concept of a sentient earth and how that figured into her novel The Song of an Emerald Dove.
Hawthorne is a very good interviewer. He asked really intelligent questions, having read the book himself. He also fully listened to her answers before going on to his next question. He threw in one unexpected question about crop circles which resulted in a second of dead air before she warmly chided him about throwing her a curve ball, but she answered well and he responded with some interesting theories of his own.
Too soon it was over and we found ourselves heading back south on Rte 128, a road that used to leave me white-knuckled and sweating, but which now paled against the novel experience of the radio broadcast.
For more information on Spiral Dance Radio, visit (www.spiraldanceradio.com).
For more information on Xanna Vinson and her new novel, visit (www.xannavinson.com).
-- Morven
What I'm Reading Now...
- The Practical Writer Edited by Therese Eiben and Mary Gannon
- Page After Page by Heather Sellers
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
- The Song of an Emerald Dove by Xanna Vinson
- Haunted Newport by Eleyne Austen Sharp
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Thinking of Katrina
It's hard to think of much else. Hurricane Katrina. Wow.
I'm still sort of dazed as I think of the pictures from the Web, the TV. Thank goodness that the only people I know in New Orleans are safe.
It's frozen me. How can I tell you what I've been up to this summer, the joys of travel, the struggle to get on an exercise and writing schedule that WORKS, without sounding insensitive?
Maybe later I'll tell you.
In the meantime I continue to shape the sequel to Darksome Thirst. Slowly.
What I'm Reading Now...
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
I'm still sort of dazed as I think of the pictures from the Web, the TV. Thank goodness that the only people I know in New Orleans are safe.
It's frozen me. How can I tell you what I've been up to this summer, the joys of travel, the struggle to get on an exercise and writing schedule that WORKS, without sounding insensitive?
Maybe later I'll tell you.
In the meantime I continue to shape the sequel to Darksome Thirst. Slowly.
What I'm Reading Now...
- The Song of an Emerald Dove by Xanna Vinson
- Page After Page by Heather Sellers
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
- Haunted Newport by Eleyne Austen Sharp
What I've Finished Reading Recently...
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rolling
- Island of Flowers by Nora Roberts
Monday, July 11, 2005
Morven Goes to Necon 25
I just returned from Necon 2005, a horror writers convention, and as usual, it was
great. They have panels where you get to hear experienced authors talk
about books, writing, and what's hot in the genre. Hey, I was even on
a panel myself!
The panel was called "THE FUTURE OF HORROR - Part One: The Biological
Clock of Horror" (clever title, huh?) and was a panel of women writers
and authors: Sephera Giron (Moderator), Jill Bauman, P.D. Cacek, Lynne
Hansen, Kelly Laymon, Yvonne Navarro, Mary SanGiovanni, Elena Stier,
and me. Unfortunately, I couldn't find my tape recorder and a woman
who was recording the session said the tape didn't come out, so my
pearls of wisdom are lost forever! WAH!!!
Seriously, though, I do remember being asked if I felt that women
writers had a difficult time breaking into horror. Both P.D. and I
said we had chosen our bylines to avoid that and both of us have
received emails or letters assuming we were males (for example, "Dear
Mr. Cacek" or "Hey, dude!") An interesting comment came from Lynne
Hansen, who does Young Adult books: she said boys won't buy her books
if they have girls on the cover.
I'm still unpacking and doing laundry because I'm going away again
next week, so if you don't hear from me, don't panic: I'm still here!
My sequel, "The Old Power Returns," is coming along okay. I felt
really energized and ready to write after this conference, but now
I've got a silly thing like a vacation to interfere!
After I unpack from the next trip, I'll try to get some pictures on my
web site. My brother gave me a camera and it takes much, much better
indoor and night shots than my other one does.
What I'm Reading Now...
great. They have panels where you get to hear experienced authors talk
about books, writing, and what's hot in the genre. Hey, I was even on
a panel myself!
The panel was called "THE FUTURE OF HORROR - Part One: The Biological
Clock of Horror" (clever title, huh?) and was a panel of women writers
and authors: Sephera Giron (Moderator), Jill Bauman, P.D. Cacek, Lynne
Hansen, Kelly Laymon, Yvonne Navarro, Mary SanGiovanni, Elena Stier,
and me. Unfortunately, I couldn't find my tape recorder and a woman
who was recording the session said the tape didn't come out, so my
pearls of wisdom are lost forever! WAH!!!
Seriously, though, I do remember being asked if I felt that women
writers had a difficult time breaking into horror. Both P.D. and I
said we had chosen our bylines to avoid that and both of us have
received emails or letters assuming we were males (for example, "Dear
Mr. Cacek" or "Hey, dude!") An interesting comment came from Lynne
Hansen, who does Young Adult books: she said boys won't buy her books
if they have girls on the cover.
I'm still unpacking and doing laundry because I'm going away again
next week, so if you don't hear from me, don't panic: I'm still here!
My sequel, "The Old Power Returns," is coming along okay. I felt
really energized and ready to write after this conference, but now
I've got a silly thing like a vacation to interfere!
After I unpack from the next trip, I'll try to get some pictures on my
web site. My brother gave me a camera and it takes much, much better
indoor and night shots than my other one does.
What I'm Reading Now...
- A Choir of Ill Children by Tom Piccirilli
- Page After Page by Heather Sellers
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
Friday, February 25, 2005
This ad match is so bad it's almost funny...
My publisher just posted the following notice on their message board. This is so bad it's almost funny...
Wow. Can you imagine? I mean, here we have ads for companies who provide beautiful, peaceful releases of doves as a symbol of love and peace stacked next to ads for companies who provide you the means of slaughtering them! Ya gotta love the Internet!
Morven
What I'm Reading Now...
Earlier today I set up the section of the board for Xanna Vinson's The Song of an Emerald Dove. I sent her email saying that the section was ready, and encouraging her to register, get her username, and log in.
Later I got an email from her, and don't you believe that it's impossible to tell emotion in emails. I could almost feel the horror in her voice.
You see, the ads that run at the top of this message board are part of the Google AdSense program. Google's software apparently reads the text of the page and finds an ad with similar words. (I'm simplifying it, surely, but you catch my drift.) Well, sometimes the ads it shows aren't quite appropriate...
For example, for Xanna, a staunch animal lover who kept doves for many years, an ad for dove HUNTING at the top of her message board section was NOT appropriate!
I looked at the ads again tonight and there were four: one was for dove releases (as in weddings), two were for hunting, and one was for CDs by a group called the Doves.
There *is* a way to filter out ads that are not appropriate for the text, but the message board providers said that because of the way the ads are implemented on this system, it's not possible for them to filter out ads for individual message boards.
So please bear with us while we search for a solution. I like Google and Google ads, and I realize that this is just a faulty algorithm, but I know how disturbing a mismatch like this can be.
Harvest Shadows Publications
Wow. Can you imagine? I mean, here we have ads for companies who provide beautiful, peaceful releases of doves as a symbol of love and peace stacked next to ads for companies who provide you the means of slaughtering them! Ya gotta love the Internet!
Morven
What I'm Reading Now...
- Page After Page by Heather Sellers
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Morven Goes to Boskone
I've known about Boskone for ages. A good friend, an artist, was an active member of the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA) when I first met her and I remember her talking about the con, the fen, NESFA publications -- everything. Yet I never went, not even the ten years it was held in Framingham, where I grew up.
I thought I wouldn't find anything interesting. After all, I've never read more than a handful of SF books, get bored with talk of rocketry and space travel, and am generally too lazy a reader to ingest, understand, and absorb complex fictional universes. Yeah, I did love the original Star Trek TV series, but Star Trek is not what Boskone is about.
And yes, I knew there was a Fantasy aspect to the con, and though I've read more Fantasy than SF, my reading experience still numbers only a dozen books or so. I think the last time that I read Fantasy was around the release of Wizard of Earthsea or Mists of Avalon. Regardless, it was a very long time ago.
Somehow it totally escaped me that there was any Horror connection. Imagine my surprise when fellow members of HWA/New England Chapter told me that there were interesting horror panels at this year's Boskone. Some of them were even panelists. Well, that settled it. One can't leave one's horror buddies flapping their jaws at an SF con with no moral support, can one? Around 11 pm Friday night, after the con already started, I decided I'd go.
Doesn't sound like a big deal, does it? Boston, 30 miles away, train just a half mile from my house? Well, except that it's winter. And the train doesn't stop near me on weekends. And I'm not sure if I should drive or take the train from another station. And... Not very good excuses are they? No. So I went. And had a GREAT time.
I knew that the con would be well-organized. Any organization that manages to have its own clubhouse and publishing arm has to be able to manage a con. No disappointments there. The programming was excellent, from my point of view. Too bad I missed going Friday -- I missed a panel on "Vampire-Romance-Fantasy-Humor Crossovers and Others," one on weblogs (of course -- how timely), one called "Beginning Anime" (would have helped me communicate more intelligently with my anime-loving nephew), and one on writing groups! I wouldn't have had a blank spot all evening! DARN!
Saturday morning, after a nice cuppa Starbucks off the hotel lobby, I attended a panel on "Publishing Realities," with professional editors and an art director. They talked about what happens after a publisher buys your novel. It was fascinating, and the first time I had heard an art director speak on the topic. Briefly mentioned was "sophomoritis," a very real phenomena where writing the second novel seems so much more difficult than writing the first... (wonder why I homed in on that?)
Next for me was "Literary Horror vs Commercial Horror," a panel with F. Brett Cox, Craig Shaw Gardner, John Harvey, and Darrell Schweitzer. I know them all either from the HWA/New England Chapter or from Necon, a very small horror writer's convention I've been attending for 5-6 years now. As always, they were very informative and entertaining. They discussed current and past authors and why some might be considered literary and some commercial. The lines aren't as clear-cut as one would think. Craig Shaw Gardner pointed out that it's more along a continuum. John Harvey noted that the designation of commercial or literary probably has as much to do with Marketing needs as with the actual writing. Just as interesting were some of the side notes. Did you know that "Psycho" was originally presented as a "crime drama"? It seems that a lot of horror novels and films were, way back when Horror didn't have its own designation.
Next panel I attended was "The Halloween Business" with Charles Lang, F. Brett Cox, and Craig Shaw Gardner. Are you noticing a pattern here? Our poor HWA/Necon pros got picked for most of the horror panels. I attended all of them, and although there was -- naturally -- a little repetition here and there, I was still impressed with how fresh they remained and how much new information they added each time. In this panel, moderator Lang (someone with whom I was not familiar) led a discussion about the popularity of horror and asked if pop culture has diminished the field. One comment was that we might be having a horror boom because of terrorism. It seems that when people feel that things are out of control (as they did after WWII), they turn to horror to express or exorcise their fears. As someone said in a later panel, people get more superstitious in uncertain times, which could mean a boost in supernatural horror movies and novels. (Yay!)
"Finances for Freelancers" seemed to be the least coherent of the panels I attended, but I still walked away with good information and a better idea of what it means when you quit the day job... sigh.
I was late for the Guest of Honor speech, and though even I, ignorant of SF writers as I am, know who Orson Scott Card is and know it would have been valuable to hear him speak, I didn't feel right muscling my way through standing-room only real fans to hear him. I sat outside the room for a few minutes, listening through the open door, but couldn't catch enough of it to stay focused. From the laughter I could hear through the walls, though, I can guess it was a fabulous talk.
"Tropes of Horror" was on at the same time as "What New Writers Need to Know"! Damn! I would have loved to attend both, but I felt drawn to listen to F. Brett Cox, Craig Shaw Gardner, and Paul Tremblay. Though it was encouraging to hear Craig say that "No trope is done to death if done properly," the warm fuzzy feeling was balanced by more than one of the panel saying that they had a hard time forcing themselves to read yet another vampire novel.
"Building Characters" was a good workshop for any writer -- not just SF or Horror or Fantasy. I think that's what surprised me most about Boskone -- there was just so much for me as a writer! Of course, the panelists did talk about aliens and space ships, but I was so busy jotting down notes from other threads in the session that I didn't even have a chance to go brain numb. Paul Tremblay was on the panel, but the other two writers were SF writers, and I enjoyed listening to their viewpoints and experiences.
"As You Know, Bob..." Ah, once again, another good one for any writer! This one was on the problem of getting background information into your novel without it being obvious or contrived. Very good panel with Greer Gilman, Kelly Link, and Juliet McKenna, authors who I wasn't familiar with, but who were very knowledgeable and articulate.
Having learned on Saturday that there isn't a break in the program for lunch, I decided to skip the noon panel about J. R. R. Tolkien's modeling of the Rohirrim on the Anglo-Saxons who were the original English. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB idea. Had I looked at the panel list -- which I didn't, because I figured I didn't know any of these SF and F people -- I would have seen that the friend I mentioned in the first paragraph of this blog was on the panel! Arggghhh!
The last horror panel on the agenda was "Undying Horror," a discussion of horror flicks, especially some of the newer Japanese films and their Hollywood knockoffs. I was a little late for this one, having run into another friend of mine just before the panel began, and got caught up in catching up...
For the last panel, I couldn't decide between "Exotic Mythologies" (positioned to give one ideas to draw on other than the standard Celtic mythology) and "Interviewing an Art Director." Since I knew less about how art direction and cover design work than I do about different mythologies, I opted for the Art Director. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB! Had I gone to "Mythologies," I would have run into my friend that I mentioned in the first paragraph.
After the panel, I made one last pit stop before leaving the warmth of the hotel for the cold outside. Nearing the escalator, I took one last look around, hoping I could run into my Friend from Paragraph One, and who did I spy leaning on a railing, looking down over the escalator? Yup. Said Friend from Paragraph One with her son and husband.
All in all, it was an unbelievably good con for me, and I can't stop kicking myself for not going sooner! Well, I will. Just long enough to pencil in the date for next year!
Morven
What I'm Reading Now...
Copyright © 2005 Morven Westfield
I thought I wouldn't find anything interesting. After all, I've never read more than a handful of SF books, get bored with talk of rocketry and space travel, and am generally too lazy a reader to ingest, understand, and absorb complex fictional universes. Yeah, I did love the original Star Trek TV series, but Star Trek is not what Boskone is about.
And yes, I knew there was a Fantasy aspect to the con, and though I've read more Fantasy than SF, my reading experience still numbers only a dozen books or so. I think the last time that I read Fantasy was around the release of Wizard of Earthsea or Mists of Avalon. Regardless, it was a very long time ago.
Somehow it totally escaped me that there was any Horror connection. Imagine my surprise when fellow members of HWA/New England Chapter told me that there were interesting horror panels at this year's Boskone. Some of them were even panelists. Well, that settled it. One can't leave one's horror buddies flapping their jaws at an SF con with no moral support, can one? Around 11 pm Friday night, after the con already started, I decided I'd go.
Doesn't sound like a big deal, does it? Boston, 30 miles away, train just a half mile from my house? Well, except that it's winter. And the train doesn't stop near me on weekends. And I'm not sure if I should drive or take the train from another station. And... Not very good excuses are they? No. So I went. And had a GREAT time.
I knew that the con would be well-organized. Any organization that manages to have its own clubhouse and publishing arm has to be able to manage a con. No disappointments there. The programming was excellent, from my point of view. Too bad I missed going Friday -- I missed a panel on "Vampire-Romance-Fantasy-Humor Crossovers and Others," one on weblogs (of course -- how timely), one called "Beginning Anime" (would have helped me communicate more intelligently with my anime-loving nephew), and one on writing groups! I wouldn't have had a blank spot all evening! DARN!
Saturday morning, after a nice cuppa Starbucks off the hotel lobby, I attended a panel on "Publishing Realities," with professional editors and an art director. They talked about what happens after a publisher buys your novel. It was fascinating, and the first time I had heard an art director speak on the topic. Briefly mentioned was "sophomoritis," a very real phenomena where writing the second novel seems so much more difficult than writing the first... (wonder why I homed in on that?)
Next for me was "Literary Horror vs Commercial Horror," a panel with F. Brett Cox, Craig Shaw Gardner, John Harvey, and Darrell Schweitzer. I know them all either from the HWA/New England Chapter or from Necon, a very small horror writer's convention I've been attending for 5-6 years now. As always, they were very informative and entertaining. They discussed current and past authors and why some might be considered literary and some commercial. The lines aren't as clear-cut as one would think. Craig Shaw Gardner pointed out that it's more along a continuum. John Harvey noted that the designation of commercial or literary probably has as much to do with Marketing needs as with the actual writing. Just as interesting were some of the side notes. Did you know that "Psycho" was originally presented as a "crime drama"? It seems that a lot of horror novels and films were, way back when Horror didn't have its own designation.
Next panel I attended was "The Halloween Business" with Charles Lang, F. Brett Cox, and Craig Shaw Gardner. Are you noticing a pattern here? Our poor HWA/Necon pros got picked for most of the horror panels. I attended all of them, and although there was -- naturally -- a little repetition here and there, I was still impressed with how fresh they remained and how much new information they added each time. In this panel, moderator Lang (someone with whom I was not familiar) led a discussion about the popularity of horror and asked if pop culture has diminished the field. One comment was that we might be having a horror boom because of terrorism. It seems that when people feel that things are out of control (as they did after WWII), they turn to horror to express or exorcise their fears. As someone said in a later panel, people get more superstitious in uncertain times, which could mean a boost in supernatural horror movies and novels. (Yay!)
"Finances for Freelancers" seemed to be the least coherent of the panels I attended, but I still walked away with good information and a better idea of what it means when you quit the day job... sigh.
I was late for the Guest of Honor speech, and though even I, ignorant of SF writers as I am, know who Orson Scott Card is and know it would have been valuable to hear him speak, I didn't feel right muscling my way through standing-room only real fans to hear him. I sat outside the room for a few minutes, listening through the open door, but couldn't catch enough of it to stay focused. From the laughter I could hear through the walls, though, I can guess it was a fabulous talk.
"Tropes of Horror" was on at the same time as "What New Writers Need to Know"! Damn! I would have loved to attend both, but I felt drawn to listen to F. Brett Cox, Craig Shaw Gardner, and Paul Tremblay. Though it was encouraging to hear Craig say that "No trope is done to death if done properly," the warm fuzzy feeling was balanced by more than one of the panel saying that they had a hard time forcing themselves to read yet another vampire novel.
"Building Characters" was a good workshop for any writer -- not just SF or Horror or Fantasy. I think that's what surprised me most about Boskone -- there was just so much for me as a writer! Of course, the panelists did talk about aliens and space ships, but I was so busy jotting down notes from other threads in the session that I didn't even have a chance to go brain numb. Paul Tremblay was on the panel, but the other two writers were SF writers, and I enjoyed listening to their viewpoints and experiences.
"As You Know, Bob..." Ah, once again, another good one for any writer! This one was on the problem of getting background information into your novel without it being obvious or contrived. Very good panel with Greer Gilman, Kelly Link, and Juliet McKenna, authors who I wasn't familiar with, but who were very knowledgeable and articulate.
Having learned on Saturday that there isn't a break in the program for lunch, I decided to skip the noon panel about J. R. R. Tolkien's modeling of the Rohirrim on the Anglo-Saxons who were the original English. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB idea. Had I looked at the panel list -- which I didn't, because I figured I didn't know any of these SF and F people -- I would have seen that the friend I mentioned in the first paragraph of this blog was on the panel! Arggghhh!
The last horror panel on the agenda was "Undying Horror," a discussion of horror flicks, especially some of the newer Japanese films and their Hollywood knockoffs. I was a little late for this one, having run into another friend of mine just before the panel began, and got caught up in catching up...
For the last panel, I couldn't decide between "Exotic Mythologies" (positioned to give one ideas to draw on other than the standard Celtic mythology) and "Interviewing an Art Director." Since I knew less about how art direction and cover design work than I do about different mythologies, I opted for the Art Director. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB! Had I gone to "Mythologies," I would have run into my friend that I mentioned in the first paragraph.
After the panel, I made one last pit stop before leaving the warmth of the hotel for the cold outside. Nearing the escalator, I took one last look around, hoping I could run into my Friend from Paragraph One, and who did I spy leaning on a railing, looking down over the escalator? Yup. Said Friend from Paragraph One with her son and husband.
All in all, it was an unbelievably good con for me, and I can't stop kicking myself for not going sooner! Well, I will. Just long enough to pencil in the date for next year!
Morven
What I'm Reading Now...
- Page After Page by Heather Sellers
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
- Perfect Trust by M. R. Sellars
Copyright © 2005 Morven Westfield
Monday, February 07, 2005
This Ain't the Fever Talkin'
After my "Writing Hurts" post, you were probably thinking to yourself, "What a freakin' wimp." Well, wait. There's more.
Maybe those two weeks of pain that culminated in a monster headache on Jan 31 and a sore throat on Feb 1 were leading up to something. I've got what the guy at the end of the phone at the doctor's office called, "That virus that's going around." Give it another week, he says. Okay. Sure. Why not? The last week's been a bit of a blur, and that ain't the fever talkin'.
What pisses me off the most is spending 4 days in bed, 3 days when I was off the day job and could have been writing. I probably should have tried anyway. Sure, I was so fever-spaced I could barely think, but maybe the words would have been interesting. Maybe I would have produced a new character, one whose speech or thought patterns would have been radically different from anything I wrote so far... But then what would I have done when the fever broke and I couldn't write like that anymore?
Well, at least I'm getting time to catch up on my reading.
What I'm Reading Now...
Copyright © 2005 Morven Westfield
Maybe those two weeks of pain that culminated in a monster headache on Jan 31 and a sore throat on Feb 1 were leading up to something. I've got what the guy at the end of the phone at the doctor's office called, "That virus that's going around." Give it another week, he says. Okay. Sure. Why not? The last week's been a bit of a blur, and that ain't the fever talkin'.
What pisses me off the most is spending 4 days in bed, 3 days when I was off the day job and could have been writing. I probably should have tried anyway. Sure, I was so fever-spaced I could barely think, but maybe the words would have been interesting. Maybe I would have produced a new character, one whose speech or thought patterns would have been radically different from anything I wrote so far... But then what would I have done when the fever broke and I couldn't write like that anymore?
Well, at least I'm getting time to catch up on my reading.
What I'm Reading Now...
- Page After Page by Heather Sellers
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
- A Voice in the Forest by Jimahl di Fiosa
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
Copyright © 2005 Morven Westfield
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Could spring be coming?
Even though the temp is barely up to freezing, I wonder if spring is coming... The last couple of days I've noticed that the cats are lying in the sunny spots of the room rather than on the heated cat bed.
Does that mean the rays are getting stronger?* Possibly. Today (or tomorrow) is the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
(*Yeah, yeah, the strength doesn't change. It's the angle of the rays as they hit the earth, but the end result is that the sun feels stronger. [grin])
Speaking of freezing, here's a look at the thermometer from last week:
What I'm Reading Now...
Copyright © 2005 Morven Westfield
Does that mean the rays are getting stronger?* Possibly. Today (or tomorrow) is the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
(*Yeah, yeah, the strength doesn't change. It's the angle of the rays as they hit the earth, but the end result is that the sun feels stronger. [grin])
Speaking of freezing, here's a look at the thermometer from last week:
What I'm Reading Now...
- Vampyrrhic by Simon Clark
- A Voice in the Forest by Jimahl di Fiosa
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style by Laurie E. Rozakis
- Magic Spells and Incantations by Elizabeth Pepper
Copyright © 2005 Morven Westfield
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