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June 30, 2005

off my shoulders

Synopsis kicked out the door. I should sleep well tonight.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being feeding my cats and 10 being stark naked and asking Edward Norton out on a date, the anxiety level for this one was about a 6. By comparison, the anxiety level for mailing out the manuscript back in February was, oh, a 22. So, all things considered, I'm doing well.

Also, I have a three day weekend coming up with no real commitments. Writing frenzy!

I turned 30 on Wednesday, which surprised the hell out of me. When I was 20, I had told myself I would have a book published by now, to which I can only say to my dumber, past self: "Ha ha. Fooled you."

And I am taking tonight off, thankyouverymuch. Me and a cup of genmai green are about to watch an episode (or two) of Battlestar. Cuz that's how we roll around here.

Posted by sdshaver at 11:23 PM | Comments (0)

June 29, 2005

synopshutup

I have packed up the synopsis and first four chapters into an envelope, I have sealed and addressed the envelope, I will send it tomorrow.

The people at the post office are starting to remember me.

Cookies and manuscripts. That's all I ever mail.

(And I'll take tomorrow night off instead.)

Posted by sdshaver at 11:57 PM | Comments (0)

chapter nine

Chapter Nine was a dream to re-edit. Very little work needed there.

And now I'm taking a 24 hour break from self-imposed madness. I figure I've earned it.

Posted by sdshaver at 02:22 AM | Comments (0)

synopsis psychosis

So, I have this thing. A ritual, one might say. When I get official letters from publishers, editors, agents, I tend to scan the letter and quickly glean the yes/no out of it, and then I shove it back in its envelope and ignore it for a couple days until I can read it fully.

I realize this may sound silly, but it's a defense mechanism, and I can't be the only writer who's developed these sorts of responses to the never-ending cycle of death and rebirth that is the writing life.

So, anyway....

I finally re-read the agent letter last night. It wants more than a quick synopsis, which is what I've been gunning for the past two nights. Several detail-packed and heavily edited pages later, I think I can sleep tonight without tossing and turning and wondering. And this time -- no, really -- I'm sending it out tomorrow.

You have to be a little crazy to love this lark.

Posted by sdshaver at 12:41 AM | Comments (0)

June 27, 2005

synopsis revisited

I SWEAR TO GOD IT'S LIKE PICKING A SCAB.

Okay, I think I hit the points I forgot to hit last time, and it's now two and a half pages, but I think that's not so bad. Right? Right?

I need to send this thing out so I can sleep. Razzlfrazzinsnurflagurp....

Posted by sdshaver at 11:32 PM | Comments (0)

June 26, 2005

the ultra-ultra-ultra-Reader's Digest edition

Condensing the book you worked on for two years into two pages is a little daunting. Also, three hours of work for two pages is REALLY unsatisfactory. Just sayin'.

But it's done, and awaiting the hardcopy edits. I'll send it forth tomorrow.

I had a lovely day looking at houses I will never, ever own and allowing myself to be seen by daylight. I did not, in fact, burst into flames, which is rather a good thing.

Posted by sdshaver at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)

chapter 8 and act one

That ends Act One. Not much more to say. Sorry, not feeling clever at the moment. This was the hard part, and I'm just glad it's sorted itself out for now.

Now to go to bed, and magically change gears back to Serai and the Myrish one.

Pak. Chooey. Unf.

Posted by sdshaver at 03:49 AM | Comments (0)

June 25, 2005

nff

Schedule for today is finish Act One in Winter, and then write the synopsis for Shades tomorrow.

It appears the anthology I wrote a story for has a title and an announced pub date (December of 2005). I haven't received a contract yet, so I still don't know if my story was accepted, but that's what polite queries to the over-worked editor are for.

I think I need to make a casserole for the next few days of writing.

Posted by sdshaver at 12:58 PM | Comments (0)

chapter eight-ish-ish-ish

I spent too much time dealing with website matters elsewhere. I also revised a bit in three. It was a good revision, though.

It's very late. I should be asleep. And so I shall.

Posted by sdshaver at 04:34 AM | Comments (0)

June 24, 2005

chapter eight-ish-ish

Having written five pages into Eight, I can finallyfinallyfinally resume placing stuff from the previous version. Are we happy about this? You're damn skippy we are.

Act One will be tied up shortly. Act Two needs slighty fewer rewrites. Act Three is still pending the stroke of brilliance I ordered off Amazon last week. UPS says its en route, and I'm trying not to doubt that.

And the looming synopsis draws ever closer. I am looking forward to spending a day attacking that. To battle, my keyboards!

Posted by sdshaver at 02:18 AM | Comments (0)

June 23, 2005

research

I'm researching Aztecan sacrifices right now for the game, and came across a line that told me where next to send Ria when this book is over.

One of the dangers of being the chief world writer for your game, I guess. Dear oh dear. Poor girl.

Posted by sdshaver at 02:05 PM | Comments (0)

June 22, 2005

chapter eight-ish

I wanted to dig further into eight tonight, but it appears my brain wants sleep, so -- three pages written. And I should finish Act One by this weekend.

Ah, guh, I can feel that synopsis looming over me. Sixteen years of writing, I've never had to do one. Guh guh guh.

Always a first, right?

Posted by sdshaver at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)

chapter seven

Chapter Seven put to bed. Oh, you wacky world. You're like a Chia Pet TM. Of the mind.

I have killer deadlines at work, but it's okay. I like deadlines. No, really.

Of course, these deadlines run through August.

It's veddy scarrry, kids!

Posted by sdshaver at 01:12 AM | Comments (0)

June 21, 2005

a nice surprise

Sitting on my keyboard today was one of the agent SASEs I sent out weeks ago. A nice, light envelope. I grumbled and prepared for the worst.

...which did not come. Printed on that lusty, thick literary agency paper was a "yes". Someone wants to look at the book! I did some squee'ing, made myself breakfast, and then physically reined in my brainpower so I can focus on the work I actually get paid for.

I'll add my standard disclaimer: This doesn't mean anything more than an agent will look at the book and tell me if they want to represent it. I'm still out to sea. But I've had a glimpse of shoreline, and it's lifting my spirits immensely.

Oh, and Nathan Fillion was the voice of Vigilante on Justice League. Pant pant.

Posted by sdshaver at 11:00 AM | Comments (0)

chapter seven-ish

Taxes, oil changes, mowed lawn, washed car, and I cooked three meals.

You might wonder, then, if I got any writing done, and the answer is -- one chapter's worth. An ancillary character who was little more than a cardboard cutout on a Popsicle stick in the last version is blossoming out. Whee.

My wrists are killing me from lawn mowin'. To the bedmobile, Robin!

Posted by sdshaver at 01:15 AM | Comments (0)

June 20, 2005

chapter six

Chapter Six is a-bed. I'm looking at at least one additional chapter in this book by the time rewrites are all said and done, and possibly a prologue.

I hope to knock out Seven and some of Eight tomorrow, but I also go to the dreaded tax office tomorrow, and that may knock me out. I loathe red tape with a hot, fevered passion.

Ria has already experienced triple the trauma and double the fun of the last version. The old girl's weathering it well, though she's suffering from a bit of PTS disorder at the moment.

Be not afraid to break their bodies and bend their souls, but always give them a way to heal. They are heroes, after all.

Posted by sdshaver at 03:09 AM | Comments (0)

June 19, 2005

the most boring entry ever

SimuCon is over, and after some sleep and a viewing of Batman Begins I'll be back to work.

And because I did it for the last book (in not one, but two installments), here is my current playlist for this book.

Reading through old playlists are like reading old journal entries. I know why I listen to certain songs, and it's always a little surprising to see some of the crap I was playing over and over not six months ago.

Posted by sdshaver at 04:11 PM | Comments (0)

June 16, 2005

in absentia

My company's convention is taking over my life at the moment.

I handwrote some thoughts on Jane last night around 4 AM, and I'll be back Sunday.

Posted by sdshaver at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)

June 13, 2005

love me, love my work

According to this online survey by Carter Nipper, I am now indebted to inform you in a witty and well-written manner that I, Dear Reader, am a charming and amazing individual worthy of being entrusted with the very lives of your nearest and dearest, to say nothing of your money.

Why, just this morning I was pulling a kitten from a four -- no, wait, seven -- alarm fire and thinking to myself, "This would make a great fantasy novel." The kitten agreed.

In the world of "not much going on" -- no agent responses, no word on the anthology. But I'm back to loving this book, and I can't wait to get back to her tonight.

Posted by sdshaver at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)

chapter 5 and 6.5

Consolidated a couple characters, made another much more complex and much less trustworthy, which was a discovery that kicked the story into a whole new gear.

Wrote out the last of Five. Over halfway on Six. It clicked somewhere around the start of Six, when I put some trust in the little voice and let her write where she wanted to go.

Yes, I guess part of the problem with the writing of late has been going to bed earlier. My little voice seems to write by candlelight. Harrumph.

The world is growing up and burgeoning, which is great -- and making rewrites hell. Just as an example, I have two more gods now than I did when I wrote the original draft. Six, if you count all their aspects....

My wrists are aching. Sleep.

Posted by sdshaver at 02:14 AM | Comments (0)

June 10, 2005

we call it "research"

Well, I did mention the cook throwing knives, right? I'm afraid I'm going to have to make some tarts for research.

Yeah.

Research.

Posted by sdshaver at 10:51 AM | Comments (0)

famous for headaches

Writing called on account of headache. I don't know where it came from, but I had it by the time I got home from class.

Hammered out three pages, though. My hero is being heroic. Her antithesis (who is not the antagonist) is being a snot. All is well.

I missed yet another Serenity ticket sale by a scant hour. Curse you, Joss Whedon!

Posted by sdshaver at 12:42 AM | Comments (0)

June 09, 2005

chapter five - digging in

The more dynamic introduction of the other female character has begun. Four pages in. As with the other, I'm liking this appearance better. Anytime a chase is involved, things are good.

Also, I love the word "destrier". That, and "palfrey". Pretty, pretty words.

Sleep.

Posted by sdshaver at 01:11 AM | Comments (0)

June 08, 2005

bet you didn't know....

I bet you didn't know I knew a superhero, but I do, and she's my aunt. With one duck into a café kiosk, she can instantly turn into the Super Barista who runs Phoenix Coffee in Cleveland, purveyors of the best coffee in the country. And I'll gladly submit to a round of fisticuffs or a knife fight with anyone who wishes to gainsay me on that.

Some of you only got a taste of luxury coffees when Starbucks (and its many imitators) exploded on the scene, but I've been drinking such divine elixirs since I was old enough to say "French roast with two sugars, pweeze." I owe this in large part to my semi-divine uncle and his gorgeous and clever wife, who have been making a superior cup of joe for decades.

Speaking of which, time for my nightly cup of Tension Tamer. And then, the revising starts.

Posted by sdshaver at 11:00 PM | Comments (0)

chapter four - revisions - ovah

A sort of weird scene at the end of Four. And then I get this for the start of Five:


Nice, Aster. You praise your heavenly Mother with that mouth?

I'm coming to the end of the major revisions for the first ten, and coming up on spot-checks that are going to be a real bitch.

Ugh. (slurps tea)

Posted by sdshaver at 01:09 AM | Comments (0)

June 07, 2005

like tangible light in my hands

Lots of starchy Tell coverted to sweet, sweet Show tonight.

The story just broke open and said, "Hey. Lady. DO THIS." I'm glad it did. I was fighting this scene. "Too hard!" I grumbled. "Too hard to write!" And it smacked me and said, "Don't make me come over there, biznatch."

My revisions tea this time around is Tension Tamer by Celestial Seasonings. It was my drink of choice on Monday nights in college, when I went to my U.S. Colonial History class...the same class where I took my semester final running a 100+ fever. Go walking pneumonia!

Good times. Good times. God, I can't believe I used to walk through Berkeley at 9 PM by myself...I must have been a teenager or something! Oh. Right.

Posted by sdshaver at 12:19 AM | Comments (0)

June 06, 2005

chapter four - revisions

Three pages into chapter four's from-scratch revisions. A new scene, with new excitement and danger, YAY.

I spent a lot of tonight getting re-acquainted with the book. Double YAY.

No response from agents. AWWW.

Sleep.

Posted by sdshaver at 12:49 AM | Comments (0)

June 05, 2005

Kushiel's Legacy 1 & 2 by Jacqueline Carey

The ongoing drama of a courtesan living in a reimagined Renaissance. Overall, the books are worth the praise they've been given. Full reviews under the cut.

Title: Kushiel's Dart and Kushiel's Chosen
Author: Jacqueline Carey
ISBN:0765342987 and 0765345048 (respectively)
Sample Chapters? No.

There are people who compared Carey's first books to Dune. I don't know about you, but I read the first book and thought Gene Wolfe before I thought Frank Herbert.

Why? Because her writing has the same density as Wolfe's. You could sink a battlecruiser with her grasp of vocabulary. It seems that the editors picked well when they got Robert Jordan to put a quote on the cover.

Both books are solidly plotted, with intelligent characters who actually (gasp!) behave intelligently, political intrigue, and plenty of love and loss. There's also enough swash and buckle to make any fantasy or historical reader happy.

Oh, and there's sex. I hope you don't mind sex, because the main character (and narrator) is a prostitute. A beautiful, charming, and well-schooled prostitute, but a prostitute all the same. Plus, she's cursed to like it rough. It's not squicky sex -- no animals, no children -- but there is a lot of it, and much of it is what we would term D&S or S&M in today's culture.

Her characters are flawed, but still likeable, both heroes and villains alike. Magic is low-key. Her world is beautiful, and believable. So are the problems that plague her characters.

The rhythm of her storytelling can become very predictable. Two telltale signs that Phèdre's about to get into trouble: a) She's talking about her day in detail. and b) It's going well.

The books are meant to be read in order. They are not stand-alone, and peeking into one will spoil surprises in the other. You've been warned.

As for which one's better -- I think they're both equally good, though I found the second one to be somewhat anticlimactic. Which is fine, because I found the first two hundred pages of the first book to be a little slow-moving until Joscelin makes his appearance.

I recommend the books to readers who don't mind Books With Sex, and who want to see a fully fleshed-out world, a strong heroine, and loads of story. There are times I wish the author had cut down on some verbage and offered leaner volumes, but overall they're unique and unusual, and worth reading.

Posted by sdshaver at 07:29 PM | Comments (0)

my summer late spring vacation

Being rested and mostly refreshed, I'm now going to catch up on the one show I still care about and then start banging away on Winter again. I think I'm going to shoot for finishing the revised first draft by the end of this week.

There is a chef throwing knives at a wall in my head. She is eminently likeable, and may be my next writing effort.

Posted by sdshaver at 04:18 PM | Comments (0)

June 03, 2005

kushiel's plebian, part 3

I have devised a drinking game for the second book, Kushiel's Chosen, which I am halfway through (the book, that is, not the drinking). Here it goes:


...which is not to say I am not enjoying the book. I am, m'dears, I am.

I also note the author does not allow fanfiction. This is a shame, as I was going to devise another game, guessing at how often the fans write about Joscelin/Delaunay, Joscelin/Alcuin, Joscelin/Alcuin/Phèdre, Phèdre/"Phèdre's Boys" and, of course, Joscelin/Joscelin.

Posted by sdshaver at 12:50 PM | Comments (0)

June 02, 2005

still vacating

I am hitting the downhill slope of the vacation. Tomorrow mom and I are going up to San Clemente, and tomorrow night I'm cooking single-handedly for all eleven family members in the vicinity. I printed up menus and everything. Yes, I'm a dork.

Times like these, notebooks are good. I'm on true vacation; no worrying about the websites, no writing. I've been taking notes for the characters who are clamoring. The HJ book is next on the slate, once I hammer out details with my company, and it'll be a while before Jane, Kitsu, or the shadow gal get a stab at the world outside my cranium.

Read an Esquire magazine today. I probably should do that more often. There's one feature called "The Restless Man" which I think may be worth reading on a regular basis, if only for guy perspective stuff.

Posted by sdshaver at 02:55 AM | Comments (0)