So, this is pretty much just here to remind you that I will be at the Tucson Festival of Books this impending Saturday (and maybe Sunday).
Will there be copies of BLACK HALO THERE? AVAILABLE A WHOLE TWO GODDAMN WEEKS AHEAD OF THE NORMAL RELEASE DATE?!
I DON’T EVEN FUCKING KNOW!
Seriously, though, Maryelizabeth Hart from the fantastic Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore told me she was on it, doggone it, but it’s still uncertain. There will, of course, be copies of Tome of the Undergates available and everyone will basically want to get stuff signed or be punched square in the noodle.
…you know, it occurs to me that I rarely actually talk about myself on this blog. Most of the posts tend to be focused around the philosophy and ethics of the craft (I call it “the craft” because I sometimes feel I’m not a pretentious enough tool), but very little about the actual workings of what I’m doing.
Part of this is because I don’t usually talk about myself in conversations that don’t involve bench pressing, how many people I’ve seduced or my radical views of manatees and their slow and subtle erosion of our civil liberties. Another part is that I’m just not sure what authors usually talk about when it comes to blogging about their own work and thus, I’m not too sure what should be here.
More chatter about the plot, maybe? What you can expect from the next book? A weekly column in which Kataria gives you poorly-thought-out and poorlier-spelt relationship/hunting advice?
I guess, as ever, I shirk all responsibility and turn it to you, the viewers. Is there anything you’d like to see? Any questions you’d like me to answer? I know I come off as extremely intimidating, what with my gruff demeanor and warpaint and my shrine of smooth, spherical objects arranged in a precise, almost ritualistic octagon around a framed picture of Blake Charlton that is signed “To Chestie, avec l’amour.” But I really do like it when people talk to me.
I crave it.
That said, there’s something slightly more useful I want to bring to your attention.
I really need to update the links page, since I have thus far discovered some really good webcomics like Unsounded and Cheap Thrills and, probably one of my new favorites: Manly Guys Doing Manly Things. It’s a really interesting concept: the world of video games frequently produces hyper-macho, uber-masculine male protagonists that are just too badass to function in normal society and need help reintegrating into civilization. This is a really good comic.
What’s even better, though, is that the author, Coela Squid, actually knows a thing or two about writing. Take this blog post here, where the oft-misused and always-overused term “Mary Sue” is discussed and covered along with the driving concepts behind character motivations, relatability and likeability. It’s very much worth a read and I will just weep tears of blood if you don’t.
Anyway, that’s it for now.
Oh! Hey! Also, I’ll be at Norwescon next month! How in the hell! Come see me or I will come see you.
Nude.
Which one of us?
Let’s find out together.
How about a basic intro for the newbies, like … Do you have a series arc already planned out? From your perspective so far, what are the best and worst things about being a published author? Do you do short fiction too? (If not, you should. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I’m guessing you could do some awesome flash fiction-style scenes, all day-in-the-life style.)
I came across your blog via some godforsaken daisy chain of blog links a few weeks ago. Whatever you were talking about amused me enough that I promptly popped you in the RSS feed, even though I haven’t read your work (yet). Well. I do technically have a copy of Tome on order at the local Borders, but I suspect that’s a lost cause since The Management has decided to close the only worthwhile bookstore in town that’s not attached to a seething humanity magnet. Mall. Whatever. The point is, they clearly hate freedom and they have until the end of the week to deliver the book before I fling my money elsewhere.
Huzzah! Pointless rambling accomplished. Check one off the day’s to-do list.
Is it wise to be looking to Borders for your books? I’ve heard they’re not that great at handling what they’ve got. Still, your initiative in rescuing books from collapsing Borders stores is to be commended.
As far as introductions for newbies, I was hoping the Lost Pages would accomplish at least some of that.
Dood! You are just too funny.
I love reading your blog. I havent read the Tome, but its high on my TBR list. Only complaint is, please respond to your twitter fans a bit more. That fan whining aside, keep up the great work.
In fact, I should do that more. I got on it today. Thanks for the suggestion!
In the short time I have been following your blog, I’ve really liked your musings on the great and mighty craft, so keep those posts coming. I’m also always curious about other writers’ writing processes so anything you have to say about that would interest me. Other things… hmm… uh, I got nothing right now, but I’ll come back if I do.
Except the manatees. Definitely the manatees.
And ha! I just read Coela Squid’s article last night (and again this morning). It is truly an excellent piece of wisdom & observation. Made me realize in clearer terms what works and doesn’t work (and why) when I create the people crazy enough to take on the adventures I dream up for them. So here’s a question—what do you do for character development? Interview them? Draw them? Throw ’em on the page and let them hash themselves out?
Usually, I think a character has to have at least something there to begin with for it to go anywhere. It can be anything, of course, from a clear vision with a clear motive to something exceedingly minor. There is a character (I won’t say which) that was birthed out of my desire to give Lenk a hat in Black Halo. It might be obvious when it’s seen, but I don’t think he’s any shallower for having humble origins.
I thought you were going to to talk about you. Ya know. Personally. Like hopes, dreams, what you want to be when you grow up.
Do you prefer pants or skirts?
Do you care if Starbucks is on every corner or just every other?
Are manatees as big a threat to the world as puffins?
What part of the world you want to bungee jump in?
What Olympic medal you will win in the next 50 years?
If you don’t want to answer personal questions, then I like what you blather on about normally.
Sam, your blog works just fine, as do your tweets. I see enough of you to want to read your stuff. If my own blog does that much I will be a happy man.
Perhaps some updates from the conventions and the fun you have (or don’t) there?
Any further glimpses into your (and now I get to sound the tool) craft would also be appreciated.
My (Parenthetical) Two Cents