FIRE
So, the good news is that I sent in ELEMENTALS: FIRE today. This is the (we hope) second volume in our supposed series of four ELEMENTAL SPIRITS short story collections. However, volume one, WATER came out . . . a number of years ago, and it had been forever getting that far. But hey, maybe two of them together (supposing our editors like FIRE*) will develop momentum and the final two will roll out at a brisker pace.** The problem is me, of course. I don’t write short stories. I write novels. The problem about the problem is that I like writing short stories . . . when I manage to do so . . . otherwise I could just give it up as a bad job and embrace my more prolix and digressive destiny. And I could have told poor Peter eighteen years ago that getting twelve short stories out of me on any terms whatsoever was about as likely as teaching Chaos and Darkness not to rip my arms off when one of the blasted neighbourhood cats saunters by semaphoring ‘neener neener’ with its tail.
The bad news is that the ME has been around kind of a lot this week and after I hit the ‘send’ button and FIRE whisked invisibly off in the email ether, I collapsed into a small scraggy unravelled heap. So that’s my excuse for deciding to give you a few opening paragraphs as a blog entry. These are my stories.*** You’ll get bits of Peter’s tomorrow.
* * *
From Hellhound
Miri had been the sort of child who believed that every pony with a star on its forehead had been born a unicorn, and had agreed to give up its horn to become a pony and bring happiness into some child’s life.
“After Tamari, I don’t see how you kept that one up,” her mother said. Tamari was an exquisitely beautiful half-Welsh pony, dark dappled brown, with four white socks and a perfect four-pointed white star on his forehead. He also had the temperament of a back-alley mugger. “Do you remember the time Tamari cornered that poor little sap Trudy behind the manure pile and you had to rescue her?”
“Or the time Jojo jumped out of the paddock next to Tamari because a single fence between them wasn’t enough?” added her father helpfully.
“Lovely form too. Nobody knew Jojo had it in her. We started entering her in hunter classes after that,” her mother said.
Miri smiled faintly. “Some unicorns mind more than others, after the change.”
Her brother guffawed. “Don’t forget Peggy.”
Peggy had been one of their mother’s reclamation projects. “Jane, I really think–” Miri’s father had begun, as they watched the poor bony thing totter down the ramp of the horse trailer. They were used to her coming home from the horse-rescue with a new four-legged adventure, but this one looked beyond what food and love could rehabilitate. “She came up and put her nose under my arm,” Jane said defensively: “what was I going to do?” Peggy had become a stalwart of the lesson program and the weekend trail rides, and while most of her welts and weals healed without trace, there was a peculiarly matched pair of marks behind her shoulders that Miri said were wing scars, and named her Pegasus.
* * *
And no, this Pegasus has nothing to do with PEGASUS. At least I don’t think it does. Although I was quite a way into PEGASUS before I discovered that it has something rather significant to do with another of my books. No, of course I’m not going to tell you which one, or what the significance is. Heh heh heh heh. Well, yes, I am a cow, but this really is something that should dawn on you while you’re reading.
* * *
From First Flight
My parents had it planned that I’d be a wizard. Eldest son dragonrider, second son spiritspeaker, third son wizard, you know? My dad was a carpenter, but he was a fourth son. I think that was part of the problem, he felt he had something to prove, even though his next-older brother wasn’t a wizard but a merchant. A wealthy merchant, so everyone thought oh, how clever of him, since most wizards are poor. And my mum made candles, but then she was a daughter, and daughters get to choose what they want to do. (There aren’t very many women dragonriders, spiritspeakers, or wizards. There are some, but not many.)
Obviously not every first son is a dragonrider but it’s every family’s dream, and the problem is, my mum’s family had done it right, and now my dad’s local brother’s family was started doing it right (the other two brothers lived on the other side of the country and were easier to ignore), their eldest had just graduated from the same academy his dad had gone to, and had already been assigned to his first working dragon. Although it was only a little civilian one that ran up and down our coast and his rating was only Fourth Wing, he was still riding his own dragon. And their second son had just been apprenticed to a popular spiritspeaker.
I’d've hated being a dragonrider because I don’t like heights, and I would’ve hated being a spiritspeaker because they’re all so stuck on themselves. (Both my mother and my father admit that their spiritspeaker brothers are a trifle self-important.) I think I would have liked being a wizard, but it wasn’t going to happen. I was all thumbs and I couldn’t do the maths. You’re always having to measure stuff when you’re a wizard. If Mum sent me out for a dozen apples I’d come home with eleven, and even I can count to twelve. It’s just something that happens with me.
* * *
And yes, you’re right, this is my second teenage-boy-and-his-dragon story. (And it’s another girl dragon.) I know I’ve told you this before, but allow me to refresh your memory: when our editors took ELEMENTALS: WATER, they said, yes, fine, but can we have more boys in the next volume? WATER contains five heroines and one hero. Oops. I of course don’t do boys (as I say frequently about the hellhounds) but I could see they had a point in these circumstances. When the story that became DRAGONHAVEN arrived I thought, Saved! –And then it turned into a novel. Unsaved. Oh, help, what do I do now? Um. Write a different boy and his dragon story.
* * *
* It is never wise to make assumptions. Assumptions cause cracks in the fragile stucco of reality, and then goblins get in.
** Before Peter realised what a nightmare I was going to be as a working partner, he had the amusing notion that maybe we should add a fifth element and a fifth volume: time.
*** You will note there are only two of them. Did I say something about three stories per volume? First Flight is 40,000 words. Next question.
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::hugs::
Thank you! Well Done!
(And hooray for the need of an attic floor. Nothing like motivation. ::laughs evilly::) ::ducks and runs::
****** I don’t write short stories. I write novels.
We’ll forgive you – they’re such NICE novels :)
****** it has something rather significant to do with another of my books. No, of course I’m not going to tell you which one, or what the significance is. Heh heh heh heh.
Aarrgghh! More suspense and waiting – how druel you are! Truly a hell goddess among hell goddesses ;) So when IS FIRE due out?
And thank you for these snippets, which I love. Another book I can’t bear to wait for, just as I reeeaarly have CHALICE in my grasp – sigh… (But a happy sigh!)
We’ll forgive you – they’re such NICE novels :)
******** Snork! Thank you!
Druel! Absolutely! I am EXTREMELY druel! I’m the druellest of hellgoddesses!!!!
You have CHALICE already?? How did you manage that sleight of hand?
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****** Druel! Absolutely!
I’ve just been to a friend’s* and had a glass of wine – one teeny weeny glass – well, more like half a glass… and I’ve always been SUCH a good speller – nearly made witch of the week once…
Make Druel cruel – tho’ I DO rather think that hellgoddesses would be mightily druel, given the opportunity (Mwahaha!)
****** reeeaarly have CHALICE
… and make that neeeaarly, tho I wish wish wish it WAS really (sigh)
and you won’t believe how many spelling mistakes I’m making… What was IN that wine, anyway?!!!
* make that a fiend’s LOL
Definitely fiend. And I LIKE druel. I think druel should enter the language. Yay strangely adulterated wine. :)
“We’ll forgive you – they’re such NICE novels :)”
We’re the ones who think that most things you like rate nice (or even slightly better ;) and although I love your novels, I also like your short stories, rare and far between though they may be. Definitely looking forward to this one too. And Chalice when it comes. And Pegasus. Somethings to keep us getting up in the morning and reading this blog at unsuitable hours.
reading this blog at unsuitable hours
******* Oh good. :)
Thank you for this, looking forward to these stories a lot. Is there a publication date yet?
LOL! First out editors have to read it and then say they’ll take it!
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I only very recently happened on a copy of Elementals Water, (your books are not easy to find in this country :( ) and I’m already looking forward to this one coming out.
My books are hard to find in EVERY country but the USA. Which country?
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I’m in the UK. It pains me to admit that it’s next to impossible to find your books in any new bookseller – I picked up Elementals in a rather wonderful rambling second hand bookshop in Felixstowe. I am planning on ordering copies of Dragonhaven and Chalice to be picked up from my local WHSmiths so they will be aware that there is a demand (assuming I can do such a thing via there website).
Believe me it pains **ME**. I know. Sigh.
I still can’t believe Deerskin is in the same world as Damar. It just feels so different.
Different country. Think of the different countries *this* world has . . .
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Yes, I gathered that it was a different country, but they talked about Aerin and everything! It blew my mind. Good job.
And did I mention that I absolutely adore Deerskin? I do. Truly.
Which reminds me. Spindle’s End and Deerskin are chronologically after Sword, right? How come the Outlanders haven’t made it that far but the stories have?
You may remember the Outlanders had a harder time with Damar than they were expecting. :)
Hello, you don’t know me from a hole in the ether but a) I love your books (I read The Hero and the Crown, and then everything else I could find by you, and then I stopped buying books for awhile and now I’ve fallen behind) and b) your blog is very entertaining and c) may I please put the quote about reality and goblins and assumptions on my very own blog? I promise I will tell everyone it was you that said it.
You’re absolutely welcome to quote anything you like–with the caveat that yes please, PLEASE cite your source (and thank you for asking). You might even put a link in, or at least an address. :)
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Huzzah!!!! More new Robin writings!!! (how long do we have to wait to be able to read the rest of these? – not that I’m imp[atient or anything…;-))
A year, I hope. Please light candles toward happy accepting publishers! :)
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**A year, I hope. Please light candles toward happy accepting publishers! :)**
Well, I did this, I lit lots of candles, I lit all the candles I could find, and someone called the fire brigade and they told me off! Apparantly it’s a bit dangerous to light 259millionbazillion candles in a house which contains a corresponding number of books… Who knew? ;-)
So I’ve gone back to crossing all available body parts instead (at least until I get cramp anyway!)
Your fire brigade is just LAZY. You light those candles right back up again. :)
**Your fire brigade is just LAZY. You light those candles right back up again. :)**
I can’t. They took my matches away. And my parrafin. And my firelighters. And the can of petrol. They even found the emergency lighter and took that… Some people are so mean. (The head fireman did have a nice bum though, so it’s almost worth it)
(If you find some marbles rolling about they’re probably mine – I seem to have lost them. And there should be a plot sculling about somewhere too!! ;-))
HOld on, we will perform a daring midnight . . . er . . . one a.m. raid on the fire station and get your property back. Hmm, where to look for marbles and plots? (***I wish I knew*** :))
“”HOld on, we will perform a daring midnight . . . er . . . one a.m. raid on the fire station and get your property back. Hmm, where to look for marbles and plots? (***I wish I knew*** :))”"
*giggles*
I’m not QUITE sure what possessed me last night….
(and I’ve still not found my marbles! I reckon that fireman pinched them when he took my pyromaniac kit. The swine!!)
Where shall I pick you up for the raid on the fire station?
On the corner of Dastardly and Daring? :)
**On the corner of Dastardly and Daring? :)**
My sat nav says it doesn’t know where that is… ;-)
You’ve missed the latest update, then. :)
**You’ve missed the latest update, then. :)**
Oh Rats! I wish they wouldn’t keep moving the roads about like this! I may be a bit late then, I usually get lost at least once on each journey to somewhere new…
Hooray and thank you for the excerpts!
Oh yay! I’m glad you got them out! But, um, Robin? 40k?
*thinks about it*
*decides to let Robin go on thinking this qualifies as a “short” story* (As long as it takes up your half of the book, huh?)
So Robin! :D
These are lovely, really! I am, of course, anxious to find out what happens in the first one. I had the same belief about stars on horse foreheads when I was younger.
I had the same belief about stars on horse foreheads when I was younger.
******** So did I, of course. We probably both read the same pony book . . . I don’t remember what it was though, do you?
40,000 words is a perfectly good novella or two short stories. Hellhound is 20,000 words. First Flight is merely TWO more short stories. Sort of all tangled up together. :)
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So did I, of course. We probably both read the same pony book . . . I don’t remember what it was though, do you?
Hm, I just called my mom to see if she knew, but the only pony book she could think of right off was Season Of Ponies, and she didn’t think they were unicorns. But the star = unicorn sounded familiar to her, too.
Oooh, Season of Ponies! Time to reread! –It’s probably in Third House’s ATTIC.
Oooh, Season of Ponies! Time to reread! –It’s probably in Third House’s ATTIC.
I have no idea where my copy is, or if it even exists still. I don’t actually *remember* the book, I just know it was my favorite book when I was little. I need to find a copy, though. It makes me kind of wistful, not remembering it.
It’s not on my shelves, grrrr, but it may be in the Pony Book Boxes in the attic at Third House!!!!!! I want the loft done and I want it NOW!!!!! (It would be cheaper just to buy another copy of the book . . . )
this is lovely news on top of more lovely news (Eric Lamaze and Hickstead of Canada just won individual show jumping gold). *bounces with excitement*
I don’t write short stories. I write novels.
No complaints from this reader! :)
I hope you feel better soon!
How about that poor Irish guy with his Deep Heat liniment getting him disqualified? I may not be getting the right news reports, but it sure sounds like a really cruel balls-up to me.
Thank you!
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Oh, I didn’t hear about that.
A similar thing happened with the German show jumping team in 2004. Ludgar Beerbaum’s horse tested positive for a topical medicine of some sort. They had won gold, were dropped to bronze for some reason when the positive test came back, then the Olympic committee rules that it was not performance enhancing so they got to keep the bronze, but not the gold. I’m not sure why that happened.
What a mess. I haven’t heard what’s happening with the Irish.
Oh goody! You are a marvel. These story scraps make the day even better! But is it really called Hellhound, or is that just another pseudonym?
In any case, I hope your editors have the sense to accept them with delight, lots of money, and an early publication date.
The other good things? The garden is dry enough to resume my long delayed fencing project. Susan Cooper is coming to Brattleboro as part of out literary festival in October. The beach plums are finally getting ripe and there are lots of them. The crabapple jam is the most delightful rose color, and … tah da!
I think I ‘ve discovered a way to relieve the sting of nettles … I plastered a paste of baking soda and water on the painful spots after washing them thoroughly. Instant relief! It was good for a couple of hours, and a second application seems to have finished the job.
I’m so sorry to hear about the ME. I have a relative who has it too … and the family has noticed that it’s never a problem when she’s in Maine on vacation. Of course she doesn’t have hellhounds, just a small dog who enjoys spending time at a neighbor’s house. If you think it would help, I could probably arrange the loan of a house on the water for you and Peter … if being near Brunswick wouldn’t drive you nuts.
Hope you’re well enough by Saturday to go riding.
Hope you’re well enough by Saturday to go riding.
**** Yes, so do I. Hanging in the balance at the moment I’m afraid.
I think dock leaves on the spot and then home for the homeopathy works best for nettles–for me anyway.
No, Hellhound is the title of that story.
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Speaking as someone who heard you read an excerpt from that anthology at WisCon all I can say is, I want it. Please and Thank You.
Oh good. :)
Yes, I read bits of CHALICE and FIRST FLIGHT. That was when I still thought CHALICE was a short story.
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*****No, of course I’m not going to tell you which one, or what the significance is. Heh heh heh heh. Well, yes, I am a cow, but this really is something that should dawn on you while you’re reading.
*Snort* And you weren’t sure that you would enjoy blogging, back when you started. You like stringing us along, I can tell.
*****So that’s my excuse for deciding to give you a few opening paragraphs as a blog entry.
Shades of Brer Rabbit. We shall endeavor to suffer through. :-)
***** Assumptions cause cracks in the fragile stucco of reality, and then goblins get in.
Hmm. I’m OK with this, if Jareth is still the Goblin King.
And you weren’t sure that you would enjoy blogging, back when you started. You like stringing us along, I can tell.
********* Well, I have to get my jollies somehow. This is a lot of WORK. :)
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********* Well, I have to get my jollies somehow. This is a lot of WORK. :)
No arguments, just much appreciation!
The stories sound wonderful, but I wish they were novels. . . . I get through stories too fast. And I’m too far away for you to throw anything at me.
Well, yes, I am a cow, but this really is something that should dawn on you while you’re reading.
*Snrk!*
Yes, but such an ENTERTAINING cow. :) Looking forward to Peter’s stories as well…
Moooooo. :)
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I really love the elemental stories idea. I read Water about a year ago when I went to the Badger’s (my boyfriend’s) mom’s for Christmas. (She works/lives at a boarding school, so we spent a week checking books out of the library. It was great fun.)
I had a friend whose favorite question to ask people about themselves was which of the four classic elements they identified with. We found out that most people say, interestingly enough, Water or Fire (I said Air, and the Badger said Earth, but we were far and away in the minority). Coincidence? Maybe so, since the sample size was like 20 people, 50 at the absolute most. ^_^
Could I persuade you to work on Air next? ~_^
I have NO control. Or all FOUR of them would be out by now. (And we’d be working on the fifth.)
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Sorry to hear that the ME is being assertive; many good wishes for its speedy departure. And big congrats for polishing off FIRE, and thanks for posting the excerpts–now there’s more to look forward to after CHALICE. May your editors be entirely charmed.
I should have mentioned yesterday that I’m glad to hear that the hellhounds are doing better. (Note to whoever may be listening: this is not a challenge!) My girl has had perfectly appalling diarrhea today. I suspect it’s from a new dog treat that we tried and she liked (but she’s not going to get more of) rather than anything to do with horrible hormones (she’s just coming out of season) but the timing is impeccable: we have shows for the next three days. At least she seems to feel well and remains greedy. If she were off her food I’d probably be at the emergency clinic instead of here.
And I have to actually GO TO BED EARLY because I have to get up by #*%&@ 5:30 tomorrow. Aaarrrgh.
It now being tomorrow, I hope all of you made it. :)
Darkness had THE most spectacular diarrhea I have EVER SEEN, even now, when I have vaaaaaaast experience of same, on a well known well respected brand of wet dog food which was RECOMMENDED by my vet. Ah, dogs . . .
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on a well known well respected brand of wet dog food
I can’t imagine firm stools being *normal* for dogs on wet dog food. It has always made my dogs very loose the times they have had it.
Thankfully no dogs with the dreaded squirts at the moment (despite feasting on fresh meat the last 2 days). The problems have been with the lambs getting squirts. bah.
I can’t imagine dogs being really healthy on DRY dog food, so there you are.
Baby things GET squirts. It’s in the rules. :)
******* Darkness had THE most spectacular diarrhea I have EVER SEEN, even now, when I have vaaaaaaast experience of same
Campanologist, rose grower and diarrhoea conoisseur – do you want this on your CV or would it look more arresting on your book flaps? ;p
*Arrested* maybe. As in development . . .
I can’t imagine dogs being really healthy on DRY dog food, so there you are.
Moderation in all things eh :) Our dogs also get fresh raw meat/bones (can’t get fresher haha) and scraps. A mono- diet would not be good either way. I’d agree that a sole dry diet would be no good – too cereal based. But I don’t like what they put in most tinned food. (The fact that it comes out the other end smelling almost the same gets me worried! LOL)
Baby things GET squirts. It’s in the rules. :)
::sigh:: Yeah. I know. Yellow squirts is normal/ok. Green tinge is NOT. :/
But I don’t like what they put in most tinned food. (The fact that it comes out the other end smelling almost the same gets me worried! LOL)
********** I completely agree. But this stuff was RECOMMENDED as being the real deal. And cheaper than roasting chickens every few days.
Wheee! Can’t wait!
*wonders idly how many novels will spring from of “Earth” & “Air”*
Short story =good
Novel = even better (IMO) Why? Well, there’s /more of it/!
In any case, will acquire them all.
Congratulations!
*wonders idly how many novels will spring from of “Earth” & “Air”*
********** Trembling in fear here.
Short story =good
Novel = even better (IMO) Why? Well, there’s /more of it/!
In any case, will acquire them all.
********** Oh good.
Congratulations!
********** Thank you!
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Oops! I think I posted w/o logging in. I was that anon above.
I totally hadn’t realised about Deerskin being in the same world as Damar – how lovely! Love Damar, it’s one of my favourite places – are we to have any more stories set there, pretty please?
Can’t wait for Elementals:Fire. I so adored Water (and loved “Sunshine” and liked “Dragonhaven”, while being amused that there went two short stories…..) – and two of my favourite authors in this world, what’s not to like???
:)
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*I don’t write short stories. I write novels.*
Please don’t dwell on the shortcoming for a moment longer. I like reading novels much better anyway, finding short stories to have insuifficient mental calories. If I were elected Supreme Overlord, I would likely demand that all my favorite authors take their short stories back and do them properly, at novel-length.
If I were elected Supreme Overlord, I would likely demand that all my favorite authors take their short stories back and do them properly, at novel-length.
********* Uh huh. And you would promptly be dethroned and bundled out of the country with a bag over your head and a court order Never to Return.
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Right. And the Queen from Spindle’s End comes from Deerskin’s country, but I haven’t found any connection between that country and Rose Daughter. Are they in the same world?
And yay! for Fire (maybe) coming out! Relatively soon!
Not that I’ve ever discovered, no. :)
FIRE should be out in a year . . . I hope.
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I love how your boy characters are so…nonchalant is, I suppose, the best word. This kid is just telling a story, with all the normal randomness conversation has–the details are applicable, but very off-the-cuff. It makes this world extremely believable when it’s treated as so inevitable and normal.
Thanks for sharing these with us! I can’t wait to read Peter’s contributions. I’m going to have to go check out Water again.
In other randomness, I realized today that, though I’ve been reading this blog right along, the reason I can’t find any of my comments for the last week or two is because I haven’t been MAKING any. I had this cute story about my teeny-tiny garden gnome cookie cutter and the amputee gnomes it made because the legs were too small to make it out of the cutter all written up for the ginger(not)bread…in my head. I had stories about roses and apartment balconies that I never typed in. Apparently, I’m losing touch with reality. Good times! :)
(In other OTHER news, I think some of my distraction is because I just won a story contest for Alfred Hitchcock, ((even though I don’t write mysteries)). Whee!! I choose to believe reading the blog of one of my writing heroes was divinely inspirational. Really. I’m not just kissing up.:) )
Apparently, I’m losing touch with reality. Good times! :)
********** All the best people do. :)
(In other OTHER news, I think some of my distraction is because I just won a story contest for Alfred Hitchcock,
************* CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
((even though I don’t write mysteries)). Whee!! I choose to believe reading the blog of one of my writing heroes was divinely inspirational
********* Snork!! Thank you.
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>> Apparently, I’m losing touch with reality. Good times! :)
>********** All the best people do. :)
At least I’ll not be lonely outside reality. And, after all, I did think I was talking to you and my fellow commenters the whole time, so I know I won’t be bored when reality slips my grasp completely.
> ************* CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*blush* Thank you! It’s so completely unreal. I periodically have a brief freak-out about it (which really disturbs the cats) and then go back to not quite believing it happened. Heh.
Is it scheduled?
> Is it scheduled?
It is, thank you for asking–December issue. And it’s really no big deal, more flash fiction than anything. It’s just that it was my first time entering ANYTHING — I was just *trying* to teach myself to be brave and to learn that the inevitable rejection letters wouldn’t kill me. I’m not sure this taught me the right lesson! :D
Sorry, what is flash fiction?
If you tell us when it hits the stands, I’ll post it. :)
> Sorry, what is flash fiction?
Oh, whoops. It’s very, very, VERY short stories. In this case, precisely 250 words. Surprisingly difficult, actually, especially for someone like me who loves words and loves to use as many of them as she can fit in. Add in the fact that it *had* to be a complete story and that it *had* to be based on a particular photograph… Oy. :)
I’d imagine it’ll show up in November, but I’ll let you know for sure. (Eep!)
****250 WORDS???***** says the woman who keeps writing novels because her short stories run long . . . YEEEEEEEEEEEEP.
Okay. So. Haven’t checked in for a few days- working even more than usual, and have terrible poison ivy all over my body, but worst on my arms- really very miserable [any magical homeopathic type suggestions? ... just thought I would ask]. And my laptop is broken, so I have to fight for the computer against younger brother who is constantly playing games and things online or listening to music [when he isn't reading. But mostly that's at night. However, I have been reading to him recently and since he is sort of obsessed with LOTR, I thought that once we finish Voyage of the Dawn Treader[for about the millionth time], I’m going to start either Hero and the Crown/Blue Sword [he was asking for books with dragons the other day, and when I told him that I had a book he had to read, about fighting dragons and so on, and that the main character's name is Aerin [his name is Aaron], he said he agreed that he HAD to read it then! [I oversimplified the plot a bit and may have neglected to let him know that Aerin is not Aaron, and is a girl. I figure that once I start him reading, he won't be able to put it down anyway, won't want to.]
:)
Where was I? Oh, and my sister is always on the computer too, doing summer work for all the AP classes she is taking, but mostly pretending to do work and really just talking to her friends on AIM or whatever.
So anyway, that’s why I haven’t been around much except to ask about the Angharad thing the other day.
Um.
SO: CHOCOLATE! HUGS APLENTY! MORE CHOCOLATE! Unabashed admiration for your amazingness! FEEEL BETTERRRRRR!!!!!!!!! [extra letters for emphasis because I am shouting across an ocean, after all, and though it wouldn't REALLY echo, it feels as if it ought to].
Hope the ME slinks back to whereever it emerged from, and you get better quickly!
And THANK YOU for posting those excerpts from FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As always, you had me at the very first sentene. “Miri had been the sort of child who believed that every pony with a star on its forehead had been born a unicorn, and had agreed to give up its horn to become a pony and bring happiness into some child’s life.” …. Grin spreading across face. Love this. And then it only gets better. Of course.
I ought to know to expect this by now. But still. If I could write like that… but instead I serve my purpose as humble reader and buyer of books and exuberant recommender of said books to all who meet me. And so on.
P.S. re:footnotes…
* It is never wise to make assumptions. Assumptions cause cracks in the fragile stucco of reality, and then goblins get in.
heehee. and so true. usually. but when you are assuming that editor will like FIRE, well, then, I think you are pretty safe. Actually, no. They will LOVE it, not just like it. So there.
** Before Peter realised what a nightmare I was going to be as a working partner, he had the amusing notion that maybe we should add a fifth element and a fifth volume: time.
:) I quite like that.
*** You will note there are only two of them. Did I say something about three stories per volume? First Flight is 40,000 words. Next question.
heehee. and yaaay. very excited. So Much To Look Forward To!!!!! Starting with Chalice. and Pegasus [and Pegasus Tour?]. And NOW! Fire!!!
Great deal of Happiness. Hooray.
FEEL BETTER!!!
–Julia
YOu could also give your brother DRAGONHAVEN, which even has a bloke in it.
FIRE, all things being well, will be out in a year, remember. I’m still flipping writing PEGASUS, so two years, if I stay on schedule. (I HAVE NEVER STAYED ON SCHEDULE IN MY LIFE. But accidents do happen.)
There’s almost certainly a homeopathic remedy for your poison ivy. First thing to try is rhus tox. If that doesn’t work, go read up on rashes on one of the first aid sites.
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About DRAGONHAVEN. Well, of course. I told him that, too.
Except, I don’t know if I could read that one to him… you see, I read Dragonhaven the morning of the day my Grandad died back in January, and even though I have tried rereading it, because I really loved the story, the associations with that day have kinda been too painful. In time, I know that I will get over it and read the book again– it is too good not to be reread– but not yet.
[sigh]
“(I HAVE NEVER STAYED ON SCHEDULE IN MY LIFE. But accidents do happen.)”
Snork. Heehee. And OhGood. Because schedules and time management aren’t really my thing either. I get that. But I can wait a year. If I must. And then another after that. Because CHALICE is coming out in SEPTEMBER! and it is almost the end of AUGUST! [I don't like that the summer has flown by so unbelieveably quickly except for the fact that I will be able to read Chalice soon.]
Will look into rhus tox et al. Thanks very much.
Hugs. [*And Scary Faces to frighten away the ME. Grrr.*]
–Julia
Thank you and good luck. Associations are unpredictable. You may find it’s not so much you get over it as it puts out leaves and becomes a tree.
If you are, heaven forbid, frequently exposed to poison ivy, you might want to try Tecnu poison ivy wash–unlike regular soap, this product will get the urushiol off your skin if you wash with it immediately after exposure. I think the same company makes a cream or lotion that’s supposed to be an effective barrier against poison ivy contamination on your skin. Although the stuff is insidious–the last time I had poison ivy, I got it in the crook of my arm, from doing tick checks on a dog.
Hope the P.I. disappears soon.
Oh, well done and dancing rodents on Fire! (Of course your editors will like FIRE. Anyone with half a brain and a smidgeon of taste likes your writing.)
And phah and sodoff to ME. Virtual candles, blessings and chocolate winging your way…
Yes, you are a cow for posting all these teasers. BUT PLEASE DON’T STOP :-D
LOL! Thank you!
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Um, thanks all due to you.
I can already tell that ALL the stories will get exactly the same reaction I had on Sunshine’s ending. A mixture of replete satisfaction and a horror of “No! It can’t be finished! I want MORE!!!!”
Hoping you feel better, and feeding you plenty of hangover-free virtual champagne either way
*does happy dance*
I will add Fire to my List-of-Eagerly-Anticipated-Books-That-Have-No-Definite-Publication-Dates-Yet. (Chalice is currently at the top of my List-Of-Eagerly-Anticipated-Books-Coming-Out-Soon). Yay.
Cheers, Nema
Oh, good point. *Pulls out PDA and loads correct file*
I only have one list, but the ones coming out soon percolate to the top.
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Argh, I forgot about the three day limit thingy or I would have posted the zucchini bread recipe in a newer post. But, to reply to your question:
You said:
“I’d have trouble going that long meatless–do any of the faithful start having dizzy spells by the end?”
Not that I’ve heard of, but if you’re having major health issues along those lines, you’re quite likely to be able to get a blessing from your priest to eat whatever you need to. We’re flexible like that. Also, Dormition fast is one of the strictest fasts. Others you get to eat a lot more fish, which isn’t meat, but if you like it (I do) is a nice bit of variety.
“This seems like an AWFUL lot of sugar (especially during a fast??), but I fully support 1 T vanilla. :)”
I suppose you could cut down on the sugar if you wanted, but this is really a dessert bread so it’s meant to be sweet. Technically sugar doesn’t fall under any of the fasting rules, but if you want to be really good and go above and beyond the call of duty, so to speak, you could always cut back on that too. And huzzah for vanilla lovers.
“And counters tend to be too high for me too . . . not because I’m short but because I have gorilla length arms and there’s this COUNTER in the way.”
I’m only 4′ 10″, so counters are an Issue. We lived in my great-grandmother’s house for 13 years and she was my height and the counters were high. I’ve always wondered why she didn’t have them build the whole kitchen lower (she and her husband built the house when they got married) since she was going to be the one using it.
4’10″! Gosh! I just bet you have trouble living in this world! –And how very odd about your grandmother’s house. Maybe it would cost extra to do something nonstandard? Maybe she had a favourite step stool? :)
–Glad to know your fast allows for blessings on people with, um, nonstandard bodies. One of the things I have against narrow-focus organised religion is when the answers to these kinds of questions is ‘no’.
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Now I can’t wait for Fire to come out. It better come out. If the publishers give you any trouble, just point me in their direction and pull the trigger.
Wow! A horse reference!
Wow! A horse reference!
******* Pleeeeeeease. *How* long have you been reading me???
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*****So, the good news is that I sent in ELEMENTALS: FIRE today.*****
Brava! Looking forward to it!
*****Tamari was an exquisitely beautiful half-Welsh pony, dark dappled brown, with four white socks and a perfect four-pointed white star on his forehead. He also had the temperament of a back-alley mugger.*****
I cannot even begin to tell you how pleased I am that you refer to dogs and horses in your books as “he” and “she” rather than “it”. The “it” references drive me CRAZY in books. Animals that have two sexes are not “it”s. I’m not even that happy about referring to hermaphroditic animals as “it”.
*****Assumptions cause cracks in the fragile stucco of reality, and then goblins get in.*****
(*smile*)
Judith
the British are terrible about ‘it’ animals. Americans not so much. I think some of it is style, however. Mind you, I agree, but . . .
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*****the British are terrible about ‘it’ animals. Americans not so much.*****
I read far more American authors than British authors, and I still come across it a lot. I think it’s more a case of people writing about animals and thinking about them as things to move the plot along — like horses as means of transportation that never need to eat, etc. Sort of like the people who, when I talk about my dogs, say, “They really are members of the family.” They get a blank stare from me. That’s sort of like saying, “Human beings really do need oxygen.” I’m not very fond of stating the obvious.
Judith
I have a neighbour who periodically smirks at me and says ‘those dogs are your *life*, aren’t they?’ What the **** is that supposed to mean? I mean, I *know* what it means, she’s saying that I’m neurotically overattached to my hellhounds. It’s not worth arguing with people like this . . . but occasionally I’m tempted.
I suspect that comments like that come from people for whom no person or animal or activity or even thing is “their life.” Or else they can’t imagine anything other than what *they* are attached to having the same value or importance to anyone else. From a distance, it’s sad as well as deeply annoying, whether it’s a lack of passionate commitment or a lack of empathy on their part. Up close is a different story. I think critter owners with no children are especially likely to get the smirk along with remarks whose subtext is “well, the critter is a surrogate child” or some variation of that cliche. (Grr. So much for detachment.)
critter owners with no children are especially likely to get the smirk along with remarks whose subtext is “well, the critter is a surrogate child”
********* Yes, with knobs on. And I’m pretty sure that this was part of the subtext in this case. What is it about people that they have to find a way to patronise you to feel comfortable? People who are intimidated by what I do for a living (and to give this woman credit I don’t think that was what was going on with her) are really URGENT about finding a way to discount me. Childlessness is a favourite. Either my critters or my novels are my child substitutes and I am proven neurotic and pathetic. This doesn’t bother me as much as it used to, but it does occasionally still GET ON MY NERVES!!!!!!!!!! :)
*****I *know* what it means, she’s saying that I’m neurotically overattached to my hellhounds. It’s not worth arguing with people like this . . . but occasionally I’m tempted.*****
Some people just don’t get it. Their loss.
Judith
Indeed. Can you *imagine* life without critters?
(I’ve forgotten what your time schedule is. How’s the unpacking going? When does the puppy move to the top of the list?)
“The bad news is that the ME has been around kind of a lot this week and after I hit the ‘send’ button and FIRE whisked invisibly off in the email ether, I collapsed into a small scraggy unravelled heap.”
I hope it goes back to where it came from. Think positive. This is not the ME (it is not) it is exhaustion. Sleep – without serenading and it will pass. We’re sending ME-away vibes…
Thank you!
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maybe we should add a fifth element and a fifth volume: time.
oh YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! DO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to hear the ME has been bugging you. But congratulations on finishing FIRE in spite of it.
****supposing our editors like FIRE****
I WANT THIS BOOK!!! (Please forward to your publisher.)
I have nothing on topic to say, but…
I just got my hands on an ARC of Chalice (I love my new job) and I’m very excited! :D
Oh good. :)
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