Jane Lindskold's Blog

As the long-time readers of these Wanderings have probably already figured out, I actually enjoyed the Lit Professor side of my life, even though I left it behind decades ago.  Sometimes, I slide into that mode again.  That side of my brain is behind my “Also” reading this week.

And now for the usual reminder…  The Friday Fragments is not a book review column; it’s a list of what I’m reading and maybe a bit about my opinions.  I always read the Comments section, because I enjoy learning what other people are reading.  Oh, and I don’t usually list shorter works unless in a collection or articles.  I also don’t usually list my scattered research reading.

Completed:

The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey.  Audiobook.

Futurus Rex by Lynn Barker and D.C. Fontana.

A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey.  Audiobook.  The title is a classic red herring.

In Progress:

The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey.  Audiobook.  Based on an ostensibly true story that Tey does acknowledge.

DreamForge Magazine.  Latest issue.  Just starting.

Also:

Years ago, Jim gave me several collector’s edition sets of the landmark anime Revolutionary Girl Utena.  Each of the DVD box sets (this was pre-BluRay) came with a booklet discussing aspects of the creative process.  The print of the text was very tiny, so I didn’t read all of the articles.

However, I’m re-watching Utena when I exercise.  As I am long past the point of spoilers, I had the hankering to read all the articles.  When I finish, I’ll probably re-read the manga, which varies significantly from the anime because one was not based on the other.  Rather both evolved semi-simultaneously from the same story discussions.

This week, I have a bit of happy news to share.  “Dog Helps Those,” a short story I wrote just over a year ago, will be published in a forthcoming issue of DreamForge magazine.

This story has a special place in my heart.  I wrote it while struggling with the side effects of surgery to fix my badly damaged right rotator cuff.  I wrote about the writing challenges in detail here and here.  The short version is that I did manage to finish in time to give a cold reading at Bubonicon.

Although the story went over well, I couldn’t seem to find an editor who liked it as much as my audience and I did.  Thus, it languished until Scot Noel—who had rejected it the first time around because it didn’t fit his image of the theme he was using for DreamForge that year—got in touch this past weekend to find out if the story was still available.

Fortuitous for all involved, which is one reason I chose the above photo to go with this week’s Wanderings. 

Last Sunday, Jim and I had a phone call from our next-door neighbor, asking if we were having problems with bugs eating the leaves of our datura.  She’d gotten the seeds from us in the first place, thus the question.

When I went out to look at our patch, I was surprised to see that the datura was still in bloom, and looking particularly lovely, with the soft light bringing out a hint of pale lavender along the edges.  Datura flowers at dusk, and usually closes shortly after sunrise.  However, a combination of a somewhat cloudy morning, along with shade in that corner had conspired to keep the flowers open.  I told Jim, and he went out to look, camera in hand, just as sunlight reached the patch, enabling him to use natural light to get a backlit photo.

Fortuitous indeed.

Now, off to continue collaborating with David Weber to give an initial shape to the next Star Kingdom/Stephanie Harrington novel.

Oh!  And fortune had favored the datura, too.  Whatever was chewing on Linda’s had pretty much left ours alone.

I never thought I’d say I loved an urban fantasy in which the main character is a zombie.  I’m saying it now.  Sometimes at a con I meet and like an author, so I decide to try that author’s work.  I liked Diana Rowland from the first.  But it took several years and a recommendation from one of her readers whose opinion I respect to get me over the zombie hurdle. 

I’m so glad I jumped it.  The book is well-written, and Rowland brings an amazing background to her writing.  I know she had been a cop.  She told me how working as an autopsy assistant gave her the idea for this book. 

And now for the usual reminder…  The Friday Fragments is not a book review column; it’s a list of what I’m reading and maybe a bit about my opinions.  I always read the Comments section, because I enjoy learning what other people are reading.  Oh, and I don’t usually list shorter works unless in a collection or articles.  I also don’t usually list my scattered research reading.

Completed:

The Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe.

Uncle Fred in the Springtime by P.G. Wodehouse.  Audiobook.  Read by Stephen Fry.  Uncle Fred is a trickster who uses his tricks for good… but he’s not always in control, so this one is a real rollercoaster.

The Folded Sky by Elizabeth Bear.  Even with the quibbles I mentioned last week, I plan to read more in this setting.

NightyNightmare by James Howe.

Return to Howliday Inn by James Howe.  More touching than prior books.

My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland.  See above.

In Progress:

The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey.  Audiobook.

Futurus Rex by Lynn Barker and D.C. Fontana.  Just starting.

Also:

Not much.  Which is probably good…

Bubonicon last weekend was fun.  Pictured above are three of the members of the Snackwrites panel, hard at work turning Josh Gentry’s most recent prompt into a short story within five minutes.   Once again, I was fascinated by the wide variety of stories that were harvested from a planting of the same basic idea.

My other program items were also stimulating.  The Alchemy panel began by transforming from a group of five into three when two participants were unable to attend because of circumstances far beyond their control.  Yvonne Coats did a fantastic job as panel moderator and guiding myself and Lynn Barker through the challenge of filling in for our colleagues.

I also enjoyed the panel about the different challenges involved in writing short fiction and novels.  Despite different approaches, I think the panelists did a great job of showing that there is more than one way to tell a tale.

Now that I’m back home, David Weber and I have started roughing out our next Star Kingdom novel.  Friends Indeed ended with Stephanie a newly-minted ranger in the Sphinx Forest Service, happily envisioning her life-to-come.  Things seem to be going well, both for her personally and for the treecats in whom she has invested so much time and energy.

But the reader knows what Stephanie does not: There are forces moving against the treecats.  In SK6 (as usual, we don’t have a title yet), these forces will take direct and decisive action.  They’re not stupid enough to make their antagonism obvious.  Will Stephanie and her allies be too late to stop catastrophic damage to the treecat communities?

Over the weekend, Weber sent me a document containing his chaotic harvest of ideas for the novel.  I’m currently sorting through them.  Meanwhile, the heat has dropped into the nineties, and we have even had a little bit of rain.  Last night we dined on stir fry built around our own zucchini, eggplant, liana beans, and peppers.

Clouds are gathering, so I think I’ll wander out and see if I can harvest some of the tepary beans that are beginning to dry on the vine.  While I do so, I’ll mentally shift through the varied elements Weber has suggested we include in SK6.

Catch you later!

As noted below, my reaction to one of the books I’m reading was no such that I wanted to read it before bed, so I turned to a few old friends for “before bed.”  A week or so ago, a commenter expressed a feeling that he should post only “new reads.”  Re-reads are fine.  Audiobooks are fine.  Even kids’ books are fine.  You might be surprised how I came to read Bunnicula and sequels.

Roger Zelazny and Gerry Hausman were doing a signing in Albuquerque for their book Wilderness.  After, Roger browsed the books, and what caught his attention was Bunnicula.  Roger never let his reputation as an intellectual (which was merited) get in the way of reading whatever he wanted to read.

He promptly bought Bunnicula and the available sequels.  When we were home, he read them aloud to me, usually stretched out on the sofa with his feet in my lap, while I did some counted cross stitch beadwork.  Good memories…  and good books.

And now for the usual reminder…  The Friday Fragments is not a book review column; it’s a list of what I’m reading and maybe a bit about my opinions.  I always read the Comments section, because I enjoy learning what other people are reading.  Oh, and I don’t usually list shorter works unless in a collection or articles.  I also don’t usually list my scattered research reading.

Completed:

Lord Emsworth and Others.  Audiobook.  Read by Stephen Fry.  I have now met several other Wodehouse characters and quite enjoyed. Wodehouse turns out to be good at the frame story, where someone (Mr. Mulliner in the pub; the Oldest Member of the golf club) tell a tale.

Bunnicula by James Howe.

Howliday Inn by James Howe.

In Progress:

The Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe.

Uncle Fred in the Springtime by P.G. Wodehouse.  Audiobook.  Read by Stephen Fry.  Uncle Fred is a trickster who uses his tricks for good… but he’s not always in control, so this one is a real rollercoaster.

The Folded Sky by Elizabeth Bear.  I need to be honest here.  The opening third was so full of whining and angst from the POV character, who is supposed to be an adult with a twenty-year good marriage and living in a future where it is possible to moderate one’s emotions (called “right-minding”) that had I not been interested in some of the world-building, I would have quit.  I’ve found the latter portions a lot more interesting, and wonder if the final quarter will provide a reason why Sunya was so impossible at the start.

Also:

Reading a variety of things to get ready for Bubonicon, which starts this afternoon!

This weekend (August 22-24) is Bubonicon, the Albuquerque SF/F convention.  I’ll be there for at least parts of all three days.

Friday, I’m on the very first panel of the convention: “Fool’s Gold-The Marriage of Magic and Science.”  The subject, if you haven’t guessed from the title, is Alchemy.  We have a nice mixture of panelists, and will all be at high energy!  I may even wear my hand-painted alchemist’s lab coat!

Saturday, I’m on the increasingly popular Snackwrites panel, created by Josh Gentry.  Josh provides the prompts and everyone—audience included—is invited to write something in five minutes.  Even better, only the panelists are required to share what they wrote, so the rest can participate in safety.

I’ll also be there for Saturday’s Mass Signing.  I may go home before the costume contest, which I usually stay to watch, because the kittens will need feeding.  They won’t let us lock them up anymore.  Since we have five cats on three different diets, leaving kibble out is not really an option!

Sunday, once again I start the convention day, this time with my “55 Minutes With” presentation at 10:00 a.m.  I’m planning to do a reading—probably from an unpublished work–but I’ll also leave time for questions. 

Sunday at 1:30, I’ll be on “Change With the Times: From Short Stories to Novels.”  Moderator Jon Black has reached out to the panelists.  Based on the replies, I think we’re going to have a very interesting panel.

If you’d like to see Bubonicon’s complete schedule, which covers five tracks of programming and will give you a sense of who is presenting, you can find it from a link on the homepage.  A small side note: Bubonicon has an amazing pool of local and regional authors attending, some of whom will only be there for one day, so you should take a look in advance so you can take full advantage of what’s on offer.

Hope to see you there!

One of the panels I’m on this year at Bubonicon (which comes up in a week) is about the differences in writing short fiction versus novels.  Coincidentally, my reading is mirroring that!

And now for the usual reminder…  The Friday Fragments is not a book review column; it’s a list of what I’m reading and maybe a bit about my opinions.  I always read the Comments section, because I enjoy learning what other people are reading.  Oh, and I don’t usually list shorter works unless in a collection or articles.  I also don’t usually list my scattered research reading.

Completed:

The Winds of Fate by S.M. Stirling.  Book Two following To Turn the Tide.  Big Plot Twist could use more explaining!  Tale is more military in orientation.  Fast read if you’ve just read the prior, as there is a lot of repetition.

Blandings Castle and Elsewhere by P.G. Wodehouse. Audiobook.  Read by Stephen Fry.  Short stories. 

In Progress:

Lord Emsworth and Others.  Audiobook.  Read by Stephen Fry.  I have now met several other Wodehouse characters and quite enjoyed. Wodehouse turns out to be good at the frame story, where someone (Mr. Mulliner in the pub; the Oldest Member of the golf club) tell a tale.

The Folded Sky by Elizabeth Bear.  Just started.

Also:

Finished the Author’s Guild’s magazine, also finished a Smithsonian which had gotten buried under other magazines.  Now starting an AARP double issue.

Last week was one of those typically writer sort—I did a lot that wouldn’t sound like writing to anyone but another writer (or, in my case, Jim, who has learned the signs)—and I caught up on office work, which is something that non-writers never seem to realize is part of the job.

It is, though, especially if you’re a full-time writer and keep track of expenses and the like.  I realize not everyone organizes throughout the year.  I know at least one highly detail-oriented when writing writer who considers that sufficient organizing has been done if receipts all go in one place so they can be handed to the accountant at the end of the tax year.

Honestly, that gives me the shivers.  When I sold my very first short story to the short-lived Starshore magazine for a walloping $58.00, my dear Roger Zelazny sent me congratulations and a tax organizer.  Clipped to the organizer was a note that read something like: “You’re a pro now, lady.  Keep track of your expenses!”

I did and continue to do so, and I often (mentally now that he is gone) thank him for that advice.   I know what is coming in and what is going out.  Year end holds very few surprises.

This week I hope to do some more obviously writerly stuff, but it has been hot enough and smokey enough that it’s interfering with my thinking.

Someone asked me recently if it’s too late to vote for the Dragon Award.  (Friends Indeed, my latest novel with David Weber is a finalist in the Middle Grade YA category.)  The answer is that it’s not too late!  You can go here to see the ballot; the bar at the top of the page shows how register to get a voting ballot sent to you.

I talked a bit about Friends Indeed and the Dragon Award in last week’s WW.

Now, off to do things that won’t look like writing!

Since these Fragments have a somewhat different audience than my Wednesday Wanderings, I’m taking the liberty of repeating the news that Friends Indeed, my latest with David Weber, is a finalist for the Dragon Award.  Want to learn how to vote?  You can find out more about the novel and the series here.

This week, my reading continued with books that are new to me, one of which, The Winds of Fate, is a relatively new release as well.

And now for the usual reminder…  The Friday Fragments is not a book review column; it’s a list of what I’m reading and maybe a bit about my opinions.  I always read the Comments section, because I enjoy learning what other people are reading.  Oh, and I don’t usually list shorter works unless in a collection or articles.  I also don’t usually list my scattered research reading.

Completed:

To Turn the Tide by S.M. Stirling.  New series.  Time travel into late period Roman Vienna.  If you liked Island in the Sea of Time (I did), you’ll probably like this.

 Summer Lightning by P.G. Wodehouse. Audiobook.  Read by Stephen Fry.  Romantic misunderstandings and pignapping.

Heavy Weather by P.G. Wodehouse. Audiobook.  Read by Stephen Fry.  More romantic misunderstandings and pignapping, but not at all the same. 

In Progress:

The Winds of Fate by S.M. Stirling.  Book Two in a new series.  Waiting to see if the Big Plot Twist is explained.  More military in orientation. 

Blandings Castle and Elsewhere by P.G. Wodehouse. Audiobook.  Read by Stephen Fry.  Short stories.  So far, no pignapping but a great deal concern about pumpkins.

Also:

Read the UNM Alumni magazine.  (Jim took his Masters there.)  Currently browsing the Author’s Guild’s magazine.

I’ve been sitting on this news for over a week, which makes me all the happier to share today.

Friends Indeed, the most recent Star Kingdom/Stephanie Harrington novel (written by me and David Weber) is a finalist for the Dragon Award in the Young Adult/Middle Grade category.  You can see the entire ballot here.  Voting is free.  You can learn more at this link.

If you haven’t read Friends Indeed, let me reassure you that it can be read without reading the rest of the series, although, of course, there would be spoilers for the earlier books.    Here’s a variation on the cover copy:

THE TROUBLE WITH TREECATS

Stephanie Harrington didn’t discover treecats—they were indigenous to the planet Sphinx, a colony of the tiny Star Kingdom of Manticore. But at age eleven she was the first human to bond with one. Now, almost seventeen, she is the species’ greatest champion.

To the rest of the human galaxy, if they are known at all, they are recognized as fierce hunters, tool users, socially organized, fuzzy little creatures, with no known method of communication. But are they sapient? Because if they are, that would have all sorts of repercussions for the families who have settled on Sphinx—the Harringtons not the least.

There will be winners, and there will be losers. And Stephanie is there to make sure the treecats don’t lose out.

But Stephanie, the treecats, and Sphinx itself may be caught up in an even greater conspiracy than the one to help the fighting ‘cats survive, one generations in the making . . .

David Weber and I did a podcast about Friends Indeed, in which we discuss the trials and tribulations we faced during the writing of this novel, both personally and when writing an ongoing prequel series. 

But going back to my happy dance…

What exactly are the Dragon Awards?   According to their website, they are: “A way to recognize excellence in all things Science Fiction and Fantasy. These awards are by the fans, for the fans, and are your chance to reward those who have made real contributions to SF, books, games, comics, and shows. There is no qualification for voting – no convention fees or other memberships are needed. The only requirement is that you register, confirm your email address for voting purposes, and agree to the rules. This ensures that all votes count equally.”

If you’re interested in taking part in the voting, this is the link.  There are numerous categories, including for several types of novels (SF, Fantasy, Alternate History, Middle Grade/ YA), movies and shows, graphic novels, and games.

Now, off to do what writers do.  Write!