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More of this, then.

3,775 / 4,000 (94.4%)

Tonight, the internet took me into the exciting world of meningitis. Grim.

I cut all the notes away from the bottom of the story and whacked one scene, which cut my word count substantially. However, I fleshed out two scenes, which expanded the story well. It looks like I have three more scenes, all of which will require substantial revision. I hope to get around 4500-5000 out of the story.

Currently, I project having the second draft done by Thursday, a proof reading on Friday (careful by my standards!) and then I’ll send it out to some readers: Lindsay, C, Kizmet, and Erika. I will probably send it out before I get feedback, but I want the feedback, because I imagine the story will get submitted several times before it finds a home. Reading for enjoyment is also allowed.

At any rate, i think I will make for the anthology.

Blah, blah, blah.

Catherine

The worst that can happen is rejection. E.C. Myers mentioned that Sybil’s Garage was taking submissions until November 30th. Honestly, the Susy Twain story I’m working on now is probably more Sybil’s usual cup of tea. That said, all I have laying around right now is Two Vampires and a Panel Discussion, which is a humorous urban fantasy.

I took you seriously, Sybil, when you said don’t assume what we do or don’t want, but honestly, I really do think it’s a long shot, and I will take what I am pretty sure will be a rejection with good grace. Know, however, that I was interested enough to send you something!

***

Meanwhile, here’s where we are tonight with Mark Twain’s Daughter.

3,762 / 4,000 (94.0%)

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Continue reading “Submission and Mark Twain’s Daughter”

It’s the busy season at work, but I’m popping in long enough to tell you that the next piece of Blood is Thicker than Water is up.

Other than that, you’ll have to use your imagination about my life right now. Not too much, but just the right kind.

Catherine

Good-bye, Hulk Hercules! Fly away to Cat’s Curious! Get edited and returned! Be witty enough to sell movie rights!

***

We return you to Susy Twain, already in progress.

Catherine

Not the day I had planned, I returned from my Russian lesson to Cedar Rapids, and as I reached the edge of town, my check engine light came on. If the check engine light graces the Hyundai dash, it’s a real problem.

I drove across town to our beloved mechanic Firestone, where Dan told me eventually that it was the Catalytic Converter. Around $1000 and five hours later, the old Hyundai lives again!

I had my computer with me, and I spent those five hours integrating two sets of reading notes together with Hulk Hercules (thanks, Mark and Kizmet!). I’m about a chapter and a half from done, and as soon as I’ve caught up with youse guys, I will ship it off to Sonya. There will most likely be a goodbye note to it by the end of the night.

The only other writing news is Two Vampires and a Panel Discussion came back from Abyss and Apex. They thought it was great fun, but it’s not what they do. There really is no market for funny stuff of the short variety these days, is there? You always take a gamble when you send it out.

***

Right. Back to editing something funny, then. 🙂

Catherine

Mark just sent his reading notes, and I’ll most likely spend tonight comparing copies with his before moving back into Mark Twain’s Daughter.

BTW, GMail has awesome new theme tags, which might make all the difference in whether you want gmail or not. I have ninjas, and they are cute.

Right now, I have an itch to write syllabi for next semester. Is that so wrong?

Catherine

ETA: Also have Kizmet’s notes. Oh boy! Lots o’ editing!

I managed to get some words down, and I have the first draft of Mark Twain’s Daughter.

Yes, it’s stinky. My first drafts are always chaotic and stinky. It’s that massive mess that you make when you first redecorate the room, and there’s no real shape but a box. The plaster is in everything, and you wondered why you went into the room to rip it up in the first place.

2,464 / 4,000 (61.6%)

I *can* go up to 10K in word count. What I want to do now, is to pump up the levels of description and capture Susy’s character more. Susy is visited by notable fictional characters: Edward, whom she portrayed in a home production of her father’s novel The Prince and the Pauper, and Huck Finn, who turns out to be her opposite.

Lots of folks are referenced in the novel: her father, mother, sister Clara, long term companion Katy, and the man she thought herself in love with in Italy, the Count de Carly.

I NEED a lot more description. Dialogue. Slower pace. Characterization.

Why can’t the words just come out golden? How unfair!!!

Meh. I’m going to start some laundry, dust, and take care of cats. Not sure what I’ll do this evening, as I’m sure tv continues to be a waste land.

Catherine

And that’s the wrestling integrated into Hulk Hercules. That’s all I can do. I await feedback from my readers, and I will send it off no later than the 28th.

Yeah! Sonya, I’ve sent you an email to this effect, so it’s coming soon.

Now, to hammer out a rough draft of a different sort after lunch. As usual, once I get some words, it will be better, but this is the intimidating part.

Rotten news: a chance, Cassie writes me, to get together with other writers thwarted by a pre-scheduled trip to Des Moines. Poop! I’ll have a good time in Des Moines, but poop!

Catherine

ETA: Procrastinating starting this story like mad, but cleared off lots of tiny tasks, so no excuse now!

Let’s try to get this squeezed in before Live Journal goes down for the day!

Last night’s book group discussion centered around Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. The group consensus was that the book was a very good read, and we enjoyed the way the book was a homage to Heinlein in structure and in plot. While we nitpicked a bit (ending was a bit thin, some said; others suggested it was a little wistful and maudlin; sure, your wife’s clone would be the one to rescue you; differentiation of minor characters was meh), overall, we had many good things to say.

Group We (TM) really enjoyed the idea of adventuring after 75. Group We (TM) also felt that the examination of alien life forms as something, well, alien, was worthwhile, as opposed to the Star Trek tactic of gluing a handle on the nose of a biped, and then you’re done. Group We thought the plot was well paced, the science was plausible, and the humor was worthwhile.

The book also stimulated us to discuss issues: were the soldiers really themselves, or copies of themselves, and what does it mean to be a self? What are the ethics of war? What are the ethics of interaction with other species? We didn’t come to any conclusions, because the book is good enough to support several interpretations of answers to these questions. Thus, the literature teacher was happy.

Overall, Group We recommends Old Man’s War, and we hope to read further books which discuss and muddy these issues. Well done, Scalzi.

***

Next month, we meet December 15th. Don’t forget to bring two things: Your gift book (inspiring or white elephant, wrapped to maintain mystery) and your short stories (no more than 50 pages total) for people to get a jump start for reading in February.

Jim Hines’ Goblin Quest is our next read. Expect some D&D parody action! Jim, we should get you added to the reading group list very shortly.

Catherine

After book group tonight (Old Man’s War, to be discussed soon), I came home, and being in a research mood, wrote several pages of notes from a biography about Susy Clemens. I see the story’s end clearly now, and I’ll pop off a first draft as soon as possible. I have managed to clear Wednesday off to stay home and write, so that very well could be the day, given that I want to get wrestling integrated into another book.

I leave you with what the Clemens put on Susy’s tombstone after she died of meningitis at her home in Hartford, a very famous quote.

Warm summer sun, shine brightly here,
Warm Southern wind, blow softly here,
Green sod above, lie light, lie light,
Good night, dear heart; good night, good night.

Catherine