Inquiring minds want to know

[rolanni]

So, here's the thing.

I have An Idea, and I need your -- yes, all of you! -- help.

As writers, Steve and I are fairly frequently called upon to read from our own work in front of an audience.  This is fairly often an enjoyable thing to do, and, when we have a new book out, we just start from the first page and read for our allotted time, feeling that this is Fairest.

However!  Sometimes we are called upon to read from our own work in front of an audience, and -- we have no new book or story to read from.

And it has been in my mind for a while now that we should read the -- or at least some of the -- Favorite Passages of members of the audience.

This, however, has never proved practicable, since we don't always have all of our books with us at conventions or on book tour.  With the advent of tablets and ereaders and other technologies, though, the thing perhaps becomes doable.

And here's the part where I need your help.

If you could ask Steve, or me, or us to read ONE favorite scene from one of our novels or stories. . .

What would it be?

Be as specific as possible -- page numbers and edition with a short description of the scene will be best, I think -- and remember!  Only ONE.

Choose well.

Let the games begin.

Comments

[gryphonlsb.livejournal.com]

Chapter 5 of Agent of Change and the introduction of Edger. Its is one of my all time favorite as well as what I use to hook people on your writing style. ;D

[charlie russel (from livejournal.com)]

Not perhaps the most representative, and not from my favourite book even, but the scene in Crystal Soldier (Part 1, Chapter 3) where Jela shares his last water with the last tree. Depending on the time available and your preference, you can start as far before it as you want, and/or go to where he insists the tree comes with him when he's recovered.

Second choice, the bowli ball scene at the Academy where Theo figures out that their opponents are using a double-centred bowli ball.

Third choice -- To Cut an Edge

[melita66.livejournal.com]

One problem for me in choosing is that many "favorite" scenes occur after a lot of build-up, so wouldn't necessarily be the best with a mixed audience, aka some members haven't read the series/all the books. Hmmm.

@#$#@ Why is my computer telling me that explorer.exe won't start? Ugh.

Anyway, Scouts Progress, the injured worker courier run.

I'll try to update later with at least a chapter number. *EDIT* Actually begins almost at the end of chapter 28, but most is in chapter 29.

Story time

[kumanooni.livejournal.com]

I feel, Conflict of Honors, on my E version somewhere around page 33: Shipyear 65, Tripday 131, Second shift, 6.55 hours. This shows a wonderful eccentric Shan and suspense.

[reedrover]

Only one scene? I'm afraid I must turn from the challenge. There are so many wonderful scenes to share with people who are fans and newcomers alike.

However, as pointed out above, listeners with no context might find some of my favorite passages to be confusing rather than riveting. That said, I have to say that the last scene in Chapter 38 of Scout's Progress (beginning with "Charged with unexpected adrenaline...") brings me to tears every time. "And fell to his knees as dozens of seed-pods cascaded around him."

For a scene where it doesn't matter if you are speaking to new readers, I'd recommend going to Misfits: The Weatherman and running through the scene where Ichliad Brunner tries to train Miri on the Stubbs unit. Starting with They'd settled on Tech, or Brunner or Tech Brunner and running to the end of the scene with You will ask for me if there is need.. This would introduce Miri as being more than she knows and other than he guesses, and set up action without getting anyone confused regarding purposes.

[sraun]

The most memorable scene is still the first scene I ever read - the first scene in Agent of Change</> - just read all of Chapter One.

[otterb.livejournal.com]

For someone who's not already familiar with your work, I'm with kumanooni in beginning early in Conflict of Honors. My first choice might have been the scene just before that, the one labeled Shipyear 65, Tripday 130, where Priscilla first comes aboard the Passage, but the one she recommends is equally good.

I'm also fond of a couple already mentioned: Agent of Change, where Edger is introduced, and Scouts Progress, the injured courier run.

I have several favorites from Plan B but suspect they may require too much backknowledge for new readers/listeners. The scene near the beginning where Val Con and Miri meet with Jason, ending with the incoming Yxtrang raid. Shan's landing on the planet and his reunion with Val Con.

[ironore.livejournal.com]

M Jela and the tree is what got me hooked on your books in the first place, so I agree with the above. Also, The Edger would be fun to read out loud. What does a Clutch Turtle sound like?

Where to read

[ireneha.livejournal.com]

I think that most of the Chap-book stories would be great places to start. Most of them have enough to hook people in.

YOU forced me to get hooked (yes you - as you told me to start with) with FLEDGLING.

and of course the best - the first - the line that the typewriter 'wrote' for you.
"The man who was not Terrance O'Grady had come quietly."
With that line - you don't need to tell anyone, any more, any need. Oh I am in awe.
Of course the rest of the chapter is enough to get anyone hooked.

My favorite short story is the one where Ren Pel is dead to his family.

[fullmetal-al.livejournal.com]

Don't even ask me why but a scene that always brings a smile to my face when I run across it (or indeed that I may seek out specifically for that purpose) is the one from Jason's POV in Plan B in which an unknown redhead runs up behind him shouting his name. It begins on Page 72 of my rather dogeared Meisha Merlin trade paperback.

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

For a quickie, go to Day 201, Standard Year 1393, Solcintra Liad at the end of I Dare. Read the whole thing. Stop.

I think it has everything. And actually works pretty well as a standalone, too. Although it may leave people wanting to read the stories that lead up to this little encounter. Oh, and the ones that follow, too.

in which we meet the T'carais

[hap hollibaugh (from livejournal.com)]

Agent of Change: Chapter 5

"HE WAS MALE, though that rarely mattered to him. Indeed, he was hardly male at all, in the sense of a lyr-cat, bearded Terran stud, or a mouse. What mattered to him was his name, which might take up to three hours of introduction when spoken to humans and, spoken fully, might consume nearly twelve hours. For purposes of the visas and other official papers that hasty humans required of one, there were several short forms of his name, which pleased him"

What an amazing and perfect introduction to the Edger and the Clutch! I still remember reading that paragraph on summer solstice 1988 while laying out in the late evening sun on the very edge of Dragon Rock in Prince William Sound, Alaska and pausing to watch the Beluga whales swim by the rock and play in the tide! They seemed to be fascinated with the lone "terran" on the water's edge and swam back and forth singing, a few even let me reach down and stroke their silky backs as they swam by, I realized that aliens are with us if only we could break the communication barrier and wondered if we would ever be lucky enough to join a star flung family. I would love to hear you read that chapter! Or any other!