Thud

[rolanni]

Now, that was a workday that was 'waaaay longer than it needed to be.

Sheesh.

From the Words Are Kool Department, I find "Snape: to blight 'Snaped by the East wind.'" (source: The Lost Beauties of the English Language, Charles MacKay, LL.D., copyright 1874) This same volume also informs me that "Meadmonth" is July -- and where, might I ask, is mine?

Mind you, this doesn't help me at all on the topic I was researching -- uh, what was I looking for, anyway?

From the Department of Rolanni Is Too Working, I read through the first third of Duainfey and find it in need of detail tweakage, and of course the timing is screwed five ways from Sunday because I never, ever wrote anything where the timing wasn't a hash in first draft, but the plot runs true. And there was much rejoicing. This means I can continue onward in a forwardly direction. Oh, and as a Special Bonus, I discovered (one of) Meripen's Guilty Secrets, and I don't think he knows he told me (glyph of the author rubbing her hands together and softly chanting "Heh. Heh. Heh."

The other evening, as I lay on the couch with Mozart tucked against my stomach, alternately reading Hellspark and dozing, I noticed that every single one detail that you-the-reader needs to ultimately figure out the solution to the myster? Every single clue is right there in the first chapter (not the prologue, now; the first chapter) laying out in plain sight. How cool is that? I wonder why I never noticed it before.

Speaking of the couch, I'm for it, I think -- and Mozart is there ahead of me...

Comments

[mtz322.livejournal.com]

Ah, Hellspark. Well I remember my first encounter(s) with that lovely, lovely book.
I'd picked up Uhura's Song in the used book store, mainly because it was nice and thick and the budget being very strained I wanted as much as possible for my money. Backfired. Had to go to the new book store to see if I could find anything else by the author. Found Hellspark. Nice and thick too. (Budget? Hey, beans and rice are good for you.)
Read it/gulped it down. Got to the last page and turned back to the first page and read through again. Pure delight. (Bit short of sleep though.)
Then I put it aside for a week and read it again. This time slowly enough to at least glimpse a lot of the clues and appreciate the skill as well as the story and ideas.
Hmm. Have that shiny new copy... Gotta go read it again.

Janet Kagan

[joythree.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reminding about this wonderful author! I haven't read _Hellspark_, so it looks like I have a treat in store. _Uhura's Song_ tricked me into thinking media tie-in books were wonderful. I quickly learned otherwise, but I truly enjoyed Kagan's book.

Re: Janet Kagan

[mtz322.livejournal.com]

If you can track down a copy of Mirabile you'll probably like that too. Most of it was published as short stories, in Analog--I think.
Even harder is her Hugo winning novella, The Nutcracker Suite, but worth it.

Sigh, probably all we'll ever see.

Re: Janet Kagan

[joythree.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'll be sure to read that one as well.
Sincerely,
Joy

Re: Janet Kagan

[joythree.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'll be sure to read that one as well.
Sincerely,
Joy