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11:26 am
9/14/07

12 comments
Write something

eugie
With most of my Dragon*Con post-convention to-do items squared away, things are finally settling back into what serves as manageable routine for me. I've still got too many hamsters in the air, but not so many that I'm perpetually in a state of stressed out frenzy. I'd much rather be busy than bored, but another month like August would send me, twitching and whimpering, to the comforts of my very own padded cell. This year has been hella manic. And I'm still behind on a couple very outstanding projects . . .

Hobkin has started putting on his winter coat, and he's been gaining a bit of weight. Ergo, it's official; he's metamorphosing from a cranky Summer Skunk into a laid back Autumn Skunk, although there's still plenty of episodes of huffing and stomping at Chez Foster. The fuzzwit only becomes truly mellow when he's a Winter Skunk. But his thicker, softer coat is a delight to snuggle with, and even though I get anxious about too much weight gain, the plump look suits him:





I wonder if he was having yummy dreams.

In other news, [info]yakdog and co. have invited me and [info]fosteronfilm to be guests at Play On Con, a new SF convention in Birmingham, Alabama, debuting over the July 4th weekend next year (2008). Of course we agreed, plus I believe they've also invited [info]jackzodiac to be a guest, and where Davey goes, fun is guaranteed to ensueth.

   


Writing Stuff

I'll be conducting an online workshop, "Worldbuilding for Writers: Transporting Readers Beyond the Ordinary," during October, sponsored by the Carolina Romance Writers Association. Registration: CRW members - $15; Non-CRW members - $20.
Deadline: Sept. 25.


Received/Published:
- Saw that Absolute Write reprinted my article, "Ten Myths About Writing for Kids" (in two parts), in August, and before I could even go "hmm, I wonder when they'll pay me," I got a "you've got cash" email from PayPal. Yay!


New Words:
- Almost 400 words on "Change of Heart" after a detailed rewrite request from [info]mroctober, including an appeal for a new title. It seems that I overdid it in my effort to establish and maintain an exciting pace in my first version, and it ended up coming across not so much exciting as frenetic. Snartleblast. This is a first, an editor saying a story read too fast. Hoping it's not a trend. Pacing is such a tricksy element to do well.

Nearly finished with the rewrite, and the new title (subject, as always, to editorial decree) shall be "Requiem Duet, Concerto for Flute and Voodoo."

Tags: , ,

I'm feeling:
 busy busy

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On September 14th, 2007 04:03 pm (UTC), [info]faerie_writer commented:
Ooh, Hobkin looks *so* silky! *wants to pat* :D
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On September 14th, 2007 04:46 pm (UTC), [info]eugie replied:
Hobkin is all about the fluffy softness !
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On September 14th, 2007 04:12 pm (UTC), [info]mroctober commented:
Maybe I can meet Hobkins in person (in skunk?) next month.

I feel like I have become more and more demanding of you as an editor. I don't think I asked for any revisions to "Year of the Fox." Just a few with your Mirrorstone story. And now this... Not that is says anything about your writing. I think certain projects demand certain effects, as it were. You nailed the queer fey elements perfectly. I think that you can accomplish a great deal with this new story and revision will bring it to the next level. I think it is a sad story, of learning to grieve. It's important to remember and learn such things.

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On September 14th, 2007 04:45 pm (UTC), [info]eugie replied:
"<i>Maybe I can meet Hobkins in person (in skunk?) next month."

Most definitely! And he'll have another month to settle into full Autumn Skunk mode, as he's still on the bratty side right now.

"I feel like I have become more and more demanding of you as an editor..."

I was thinking the same thing, which is at the same time great--we both want the same thing, for the story to be the best it can be--and also a bit ouchy--am I going retrogressive and actually becoming a worse writer? But hey, humility is a virtue .

"I think that you can accomplish a great deal with this new story and revision will bring it to the next level."

Actually, implementing your suggestions triggered some latent introspection in me regarding the death of [info]fosteronfilm's dad last year. I'd actually been wondering why that experience hadn't percolated through my conscious/subconscious layers and seeped into my writing before now. Most real-life events on that level of emotionally affecting seem to, and this one was particularly significant for me, as I've never lost someone so close to me before. Apparently, I needed the right catalyst. Although I'm thinking my muse was jabbing me not-so-subtly in the ribs when she came up with this particular storyline.

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On September 14th, 2007 04:55 pm (UTC), [info]mroctober replied:
Oh, you skill as a writer is certainly not in doubt. If anything, this is a much more demanding story. "Year of the Fox" is a tragic romance. Rather easy, though still told remarkably well. This story has far more depth. I think you just have to be uncomfortable/distraught as you are imaging scenes. Tapping into your grief over Matthew's dad is a wise decision.
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On September 14th, 2007 07:45 pm (UTC), [info]biomekanic commented:
re Hobkin...
Now there's a familiar sight, albiet from long ago. Our oldest skunk, Flower, was chocolate. My mother got a female thinking that she'd be more even tempered than a male... and she didn't get her fixed until after the first time she went into heat and bit through the toes of my father's steel toed boot... It was interesting growing up in that house, my brother and I had to be light on our feet to dodge the perpetually angry skunk...

The other 2 skunks we had were fosters from a vet. A well meaning person brought him a box of baby skunks, and since we were the only skunk owners in his practice, we got the call. Dancer and TB both got fixed at the same time they were descented.

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On September 17th, 2007 06:44 pm (UTC), [info]eugie replied:
Re: re Hobkin...
I've wondered a few times whether we waited a couple weeks too long to have Hobkin fixed. He's almost always more bratty and tantrumy than other skunks. Not a lot we can do about it now, of course, and I love him even when he's being an enfant terrible. But it's sometimes a bit embarrassing how bad he can be when he gets it into his fuzzy little head to misbehave.
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On September 14th, 2007 09:29 pm (UTC), [info]lizardlez commented:
Hobkin is adorable! I can see why skunks in the wild have a powerful means of scaring off humans - otherwise everyone would want a pet like yours!
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On September 17th, 2007 06:47 pm (UTC), [info]eugie replied:
Yah, I'm just as glad that plucking skunks out of the wild as pets really isn't feasible. There's enough domesticated ones needing to be rescued and/or who end up in foster homes or shelters . . .
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On September 14th, 2007 10:36 pm (UTC), [info]shaolingrrl commented:
Ohmigosh he's sooo cute!
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On September 17th, 2007 06:48 pm (UTC), [info]eugie replied:
Cute he's got down. I swear Hobkin uses his cuteness as a defense when he knows he's done something naughty.
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On October 19th, 2007 03:58 pm (UTC), [info]x_taters_x commented:
My friend [info]pyanfar Told me about your adorable lil skunk. I've wanted one for years. I added you to my flist, I hope you don't mind.

Hobkin is awesome. He's such a cutie. Hopefully one day I'll have a furry lil buddy of my own. Until then I'll just live vicariously through your skunk posts :D

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