| A new week, a new agenda |
[Apr. 28th, 2008|10:28 am] |
Well, no, actually it's more like refocussing on the old agenda. A log-jam got cleared up late last week, which means I can now proceed with the insanity of the next 3 months. And they really really really will be insane. But that's okay. Insane is starting to feel a little like Situation Normal, in my world. *g*
Not so much with the writing over the weekend. Got some done, but there was also lots of theatrey stuff. We have a set! Insofar as me attempting to create an 'in the round' feel on a proscenium stage can achieve that effect. But it's minimalist. Because the play is a series of 3 one-acts played with 2 people, who pretty much come on stage and don't leave until the end, the set is in fact the least important part of the production. It's all about the actors. The characters. So that's where all the focus has been placed. Of course, I could be screwing this up big time, but I live in hope ... *g*
It's twelve weeks, more or less, till Worldcon in Denver. I'm so looking forward to it. But in addition the mad writing schedule between now and then, I'm taking my physical well-being in hand and really putting some effort into getting fighting fit. Stay tuned for my moans and groans ...
Speaking of fighting fit, a passing comment on the Final 3 for Biggest Loser. How lovely to have three really great people in the final. There were some nasty types in this year's competition, so having those 3 lovely Blue members make it through is just so wonderful. I was very sorry to see Bryce go -- he really impressed me as a lovely person -- but he was very smart. And he looks so hot! *g*
And Jack won So You Think You Can Dance. Honestly, I wanted Rhys to win, but Jack's a great dancer. I hope all four finalists go on to have brilliant careers.
Last but not least ... a pointer to a new writing blog that's popped up. This one is hosted by a good friend of mine. We met through Stargate fandom, and quite simply, she's one of the finest human beings it's my privilege to know. In fact, the friends I made through online Stargate fandom are all spectacular people -- but that's another post entirely. *g*
So this blog is wonderful because it contains much insightful, articulate and intelligent discourse on the journey to becoming a published writer. I don't post there much because right now I have to pay more attention to the actual doing of the writing, but I always read it and I always come away informed and thoughtful.
http://chasing-the-muse.blogspot.com/
It'd be great to see some vigorous conversing start up there, so I'm doing my bit to get that going! And when I'm a little less buried beneath deadlines, I'm going to start talking some, too.
Now it's time to catch up on backlogged email, do the dishes, then knuckle down to getting another chapter of Witches Inc. taken care of, before I head off to rehearsal tonight.
Final final note -- as you'll see in the music tag, I'm listening to Enzso. Wow. This is such spectacular music. Split Ends with the NZ Symphony Orchestra, having rescored/arranged some of the Enz's biggest hits. If you've never come across this album, I highly highly highly recommend. |
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| And in other news ... |
[Sep. 4th, 2007|07:34 am] |
With all the stress and brouhaha of finishing The Riven Kingdom, I kind of got fuzzy on the fact that The Innocent Mage has just released into the US of A.
Eeeeeeek!!!!!!
It's exciting, it's intimidating, it's a real rollercoaster ride. Reactions are just starting to trickle in and are, for the most part, positive. Thanks to the fabulous team at Orbit, this brand-new completely unknown writer is getting a little attention: and I'm massively appreciative of that. I can't wait to get back to New York next year so I can hug Tim and Alex in person. Or maybe I'll get the chance to hug them in Denver. Maybe I shouldn't mention that, in case they decide not to go to Worldcon. *g*
So it's a very odd space to be in. The Kingmaker, Kingbreaker books have been out in Oz for a couple of years now (hard to believe!!!), so it's a bit of a time warp. I can't expect to duplicate the way things went in the UK, because that was just freaky, but I have to confess I do hope a little of that good luck rubs off in the US!
Here in Oz, we have a new top 12 for Australian Idol. It's going to be an interesting journey -- I'm particularly impressed by the 2 young guys. Although the pretty one seriously needs a haircut! And I really like Natalie. So glad she squeaked in. And Carl the singing trumpeter. He has a lovely tone to his voice. I think his range is pretty narrow (but I could be surprised), but what he does is really nice. With a bit more attack and confidence, I think he's got a real niche market waiting.
Speaking of reality tv, I caught up with a season 1 Top Chef marathon on cable. What a goldmine for character research! Amazing people behaving so incredibly humanly, without realising for a moment how much of themselves they're revealing. So cool! But I can't wait for Stephen to get the boot. Could he BE any more condescending?????? (Readers of this blog should note: when I'm watching things like this, that have been out in the US already, I go straight to Television Without Pity and find out who wins. I really enjoy knowing ahead of time and watching them develop. With my brain not constantly trying to work out who's going to win I can focus on the other stuff.) Top Chef has taught me one thing -- I may enjoy food but I'd hate to be a chef! Way too much pressure without being able to do it again. I like the safety net of the redrafting process.
And speaking of reality tv, there's going to be an Australian Project Runway! Yee haw! Of course, it won't be the same without Tim Gunn (he's extraordinary. When I go back to New York I want to bump into him on the street and babble like a fangirl at him) but I look forward to comparing and contrasting the Oz fashion sensibility with that of the US. And the temperaments and approaches.
I had lunch with my super lovely Oz editor Stephanie yesterday -- finally getting into the HarperCollins offices. Sheesh, I live in Sydney and I've been with them for 3 years and that was the first time I paid a visit. Hopeless! Met lots of lovely team HarperCollins folks, and talked books, and ate a yummo lunch at the Green Gate hotel. (thanks, Rupert!) I've said it before and I'll say it again -- I'm working with some of the nicest, nicest people in the business on both sides of the world. I don't understand how I got to be this lucky.
Now I have to do something constructive, like housework. My dustbunnies have started building high rise apartments. And then I'm getting the car detailed and going to the movies, so there!!! And spending money in Officeworks. For any US readers, that's like Staples. Sigh. I love those places ...
So off I go. And just to change things up a bit, when I get cracking onto the rest of the Stargate novel tomorrow, I might switch to the laptop and change my location. Tee hee! Next week I should be getting in the copy edit of The Accidental Sorcerer (at least that's not a really fast turn around) and the first galleys of The Riven Kingdom (which IS a fast turn around, yikes) -- so there's no rest for the wicked.
Wish me luck ... |
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