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Before I forget to mention it, you might remember that I went to Viable Paradise last year, and it changed my writerly life. Well, applications for VP XIV are open as of yesterday. Do you want to know more? Sure you do!

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You might remember that Bryon and I went and checked out Nordic Fest in Decorah during the summer for research for the Troll story. Some of the frost elf action takes place at Luther College, so we made arrangements to stay on the campus.

By that time, I had been accepted to Viable Paradise, and so had fellow Iowan Matt Hughes, who is a librarian at Luther. Matt agreed to give us a tour around campus, so on a rainy day, we wandered about and learned a little bit about the setting of the story.

Let me post a couple of picturesque photos here, again to remind myself in January that Iowa *can* look like this!

Here are the rest of the photos, mostly for my edification.

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Next up: Nordic Fest Dancing photos.

Catherine

Writing came first today, so I fiddled a bit with a couple of versions of the troll and police scene from the Troll story.

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We’ve gotten my computer talking to Bryon’s computer, so I wanted to post some pictures in my gallery of Jim Hines doing his Icon guest thing that are long overdue. Here’s that link.

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Also, while I was in transit to Florida, I finished The Mermaid’s Madness. Well done, Mr. Hines! My trouble with the first book in the Princess series was a problem many first books have. There was so much pipe to be laid about the main characters and the kind of adventures they had that the secondary characters seemed flat, and the book seemed shallow. I was disappointed in the male characters, because it seemed that they had become secondary to the woman characters, and while I agree that often the reverse happens, it is still a problem in either case. I like feeling that all the characters are there.

This is more than remedied in Mermaid. Characters of both genders are present and dimensional. The women characters exist not only to prove how tough and cool they are, but they exist also to solve a story. The men are very involved, even if they are not the movers and shakers. They have gone from being the token permission givers they seemed to be in the first book, and moved on to being a decent support cast.

I was happy with it, and I’m looking forward to Red Hood’s Revenge, the next installment.

Next, I have a few Decorah pictures to upload for troll book research from the summer.

The rest of your life begins today. I leave you with some Iowa autumn splendor, mostly because Jim and I are in the picture, but partly because it’s damned cold here today, and this reminds me what it *can* look like.

Catherine

When Floridians wander around in winter coats at 34 degrees, all I can do is laugh and laugh.

We are back in Iowa, and we had a good time. Disney could benefit from selling packs of Mickey epsom salts after a day in the parks, but they haven’t caught on yet. We spent a great deal of last night scooping, and yes, soon, we’ll have that privilege again, as we’ve just gotten another two inches.

Is it karma for laughing at Floridians? Always a question.

As I mentioned, we had a good time. It’s always nice to remember that there is more to life than work and writing.

Back soon. I have a party to plan.

Catherine

Unless the weather proves impassable, and it yet may, although the odds are getting better as the temperature goes up, the Tamago will be closed until after the New Year, as we’ll be on vacation at Disney, and then there’ll be this New Year’s party.

I look forward to seeing you all when we get back. Best of holidays to all of you.

Catherine

The Mahabharata ends with the Hindu focus on impermanence and continuity. After the battle, the Pandavas are a little shell-shocked by all the pointless destruction, and they and Draupadi decide they have to leave the world.

Ghandari, whose sons have been destroyed in the battle, curses Krishna to endure her fate of being unable to stop a battle in spite of his power. Krishna accepts this fate as fair, given that he instigated most of the martial activity, and it comes to fruition in 36 years.

The Pandavas climb Himalaya. A dog follows them. One by one, everyone but Yudhisthira falls on the mountain. The dog turns out to be the god Yama in disguise. He takes Yudhisthira to the underworld. The Pandavas will be reunited in heaven once they have done penance for their vices.

And that’s pretty much the end of the epic. It’s a much darker poem than its counterpart, the Ramayana, and focuses on the darker side of human nature.

Catherine

I know there are a lot of worthy causes right now, especially with the economy as problematic as it is. Here, however, is D’argo’s case, and if you are an animal lover, please help if you can.

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As you can see from the currently reading graphic, I’m enjoying Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind, the zen journal of Maureen O’Halloran. It reminds me to be patient, which as we all know is my biggest struggle. Solid reading for creative and spiritual types alike.

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Last night, the book group discussed Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Are any of you familiar with it? Romance isn’t usually a read for our group, and we wondered about the conventions of writing this kind of romance. Our thoughts seemed to be that this book had a plot that existed mostly to knit sexual threats together. Is this the case with your usual “bodice ripper?” (Is that term even used anymore?)

Another question we had is whether or not, among romance writers, what something like Outlander might be labeled. I understand there are different terms, and we weren’t aware of the conventions.

Diana Gabaldon seems to be doing very well. What is the reputation of the Outlander series? Why is it so popular?

I thought I’d ask the people who knew.

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I have the gift of time this morning. I’m going to check on some classes and write a couple of recommendation letters before disappearing to write. Stay safe out there!

Catherine

Hmmm…looks like we’ve got another growth surge on our hands, and we have to split part of the only unsplit level of the program. I feel more interviews and scrambling in the offing.

However, today hasn’t all been work. A former student came back to visit. Okay, Leah wasn’t actually ever my student, but she ran the anime club I sponsored for a long time. She was Bryon’s student, and she took a few Japanese lessons from me. Essentially I’ve known about her antics since she was around sixteen.

A year and a half ago, she went off to art school in sunny Florida, and she came back today, loving what she’s doing. She glowed. I loved talking to her and sharing her enthusiasm.

I think we feel really good when we realize that we’ve influenced someone in a good way. I’m not responsible for Leah going to design school, but I’ve sat through a lot of uncertainty as she’s tried to figure out her niche. I’ve always wanted her to live up to her potential, and I’m as proud as any parent now that she is.

Never underestimate the human factor in helping you get to where you want to go.

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Starting tomorrow at noon, I’m going on a writing bender. Lots of two-hour blocks of writing punctuated by brain unscrambling breaks. Looking forward to it.

Are you all ready for the holiday yet? I think we’re going to get WEATHER. If it keeps me from getting to Mickey, I’ll be unhappy.

Catherine

Today is all about our gaming group’s Christmas party. I made experimental cookies. It was much neater when Mr. Food created them on tv, but my effect is more or less the same, although I had to hose down the kitchen. I’ve also got chili, oyster stew, scalloped corn, and sandwiches ready to go.

Bryon and I had our gift exchange this morning, as we’ll be away on the day next week. He bought me a beautiful Mouse Guard statue, as well as the role playing book, which has some new art from creator David Petersen. Also appreciated were Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, a more authentic Man from U.N.C.L.E. soundtrack, and candies that will be rationed so Weight Watcher girl can actually have them.

Back to prepping. Tomorrow will be the visit to the in-laws and an old friend. Monday is my last full day at work until next year. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday there should be a lot of writing, and Thursday night we take off for Disney, at which point I’ll be quiet for a number of days.

Hope you’re all having great weekends out there.

Catherine

And then, the right side of my face slid off. Like a mudslide. Honestly.

I have an interviewee coming today, and a few lit finals trickling in, so I’m here. Don’t expect much, because. Later, Bryon and I have party errands to run, although I have bought my computer in case there is time and nothing changes.

I’m sure this is the Widow banging on my skull.

I hope you all have lovely, pain free days.

Cath

ETA: On the plus side, I wonder if this means I’m going to get good publishing news? I always get the best news when I’m physically disabled about stories.

Yup. I did revise tonight with a headache. I am author. Hear me roar. Mostly ouch is what I’m roarin’, but I did it.

Catherine