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As previously mentioned in these pages, Catherynne M. Valente is writing her new novel live on the web. You can, and should, read the first chapter -- go ahead and do it now; I'll be here when you get back.
*redlines a page of Mouse and Dragon*
Back? Good. You'll notice that Cat is asking for donations from those who like what they see. I hope that you'll consider making a donation, if the budget can bear the weight. Even if there isn't any money (and, boy, do I know about how there might not be any money), feel free to follow along with the story -- you don't have to pay to play.
Now, there's another thing going on here besides a good story getting writ. Cat has made no secret of the fact that her decision to serialize is fueled by a lack of money in her budget. You can read about that, too if you're curious. We did kind of the same thing, a year or two ago. We weren't as upfront about our straits as Cat's been, but I doubt we fooled anybody who could connect three dots. What really impressed me about that experiment was the generosity and support -- by which I do not mean "money," though the money was very, very welcome -- that came our way. People are amazing. Our readers are amazing.
Unfortunately, some folks apparently live for the opportunity to make someone else's burden heavier. Some have gone so far as to suggest that Cat find a "real" or "safe" job; that serializing and asking for donations is somehow...unsavory. Childish.
I dunno where some people were raised, myself. I write for money. Most writers do. It's a job -- it happens to be a job I enjoy (mostly, she says, frowning at All That Red on the page) -- and that's a damn good thing, because I don't think I've ever had a day-job as demanding, wearying, and infuriating. I didn't decide to be a writer because I hate to work. I decided to be a writer because I like writing more than any other work I've ever done, and I'm good enough at it that I can make money doing it. More money, I may say, than I make at my nice, "safe" day-job. The reason I stick the day-job is because it pays the health insurance, and at my age and condition, it's just irresponsible to run without health insurance.
Necessity.
We all make decisions based on necessity. We do the best we can, aiming to be self-sufficient and before the world. And yet, sometimes circumstances overtake us despite our best planning. That's called Life.
We're none of us safe, and nobody leaves the game alive. We need each other. We need each other's support, and care.
...end rant...
*redlines a page of Mouse and Dragon*
Back? Good. You'll notice that Cat is asking for donations from those who like what they see. I hope that you'll consider making a donation, if the budget can bear the weight. Even if there isn't any money (and, boy, do I know about how there might not be any money), feel free to follow along with the story -- you don't have to pay to play.
Now, there's another thing going on here besides a good story getting writ. Cat has made no secret of the fact that her decision to serialize is fueled by a lack of money in her budget. You can read about that, too if you're curious. We did kind of the same thing, a year or two ago. We weren't as upfront about our straits as Cat's been, but I doubt we fooled anybody who could connect three dots. What really impressed me about that experiment was the generosity and support -- by which I do not mean "money," though the money was very, very welcome -- that came our way. People are amazing. Our readers are amazing.
Unfortunately, some folks apparently live for the opportunity to make someone else's burden heavier. Some have gone so far as to suggest that Cat find a "real" or "safe" job; that serializing and asking for donations is somehow...unsavory. Childish.
I dunno where some people were raised, myself. I write for money. Most writers do. It's a job -- it happens to be a job I enjoy (mostly, she says, frowning at All That Red on the page) -- and that's a damn good thing, because I don't think I've ever had a day-job as demanding, wearying, and infuriating. I didn't decide to be a writer because I hate to work. I decided to be a writer because I like writing more than any other work I've ever done, and I'm good enough at it that I can make money doing it. More money, I may say, than I make at my nice, "safe" day-job. The reason I stick the day-job is because it pays the health insurance, and at my age and condition, it's just irresponsible to run without health insurance.
Necessity.
We all make decisions based on necessity. We do the best we can, aiming to be self-sufficient and before the world. And yet, sometimes circumstances overtake us despite our best planning. That's called Life.
We're none of us safe, and nobody leaves the game alive. We need each other. We need each other's support, and care.
...end rant...
