Ketchup

[rolanni]

This morning was spent achieving a complete copy of Saltation in word processing format, this project made somewhat more interesting by the fact that Steve's computer had melted down before Christmas. We were lucky in that all of the files except one had been backed up, and that one file was recoverable from the web, even if the reformatting was sticky (and thank ghod I didn't have to reformat everything).

Steve now has a printed-out copy of the novel, which stands in first draft at just a hair under 95,000 words, and I have a printed-out copy of same. The plan is to read, compare what each of us thinks needs done, and draw straws for who gets to do the work.

I have also finished entering all the orders that have come in for Saltation over the last little while, so I may tell you with a good deal of confidence that we have placed 954 copies of Saltation; that's only 246 left for adoption -- get yours today!

Some folks are already agitating for another Monday Liaden serial. While we appreciate the interest and support, I can't promise another serial story soon. I do want to write about the experience of the last two years of serial story, but still need a little time to get my thoughts in order.

For those who asked, "scrubble" in terms of "scrubble the cat" is the action whereby you placed your hands on the cat's back and either rub them back and forth, or comb them very quickly with your fingers. Alternatively, one may scrubble a cat's chin, or their belly. As with everything regarding cats, how/when/if you scrubble is entirely dependent upon your cat's patience and good humor.

Steve made a lovely spaghetti and garlic bread lunch for us.

And!

Tomorrow is Monday.

Dammit.

Comments

[keristor.livejournal.com]

While I would definitely support another serial story, I think that you have enough on your plate at the moment and are probably in need of downtime as well. I would rather have favourite authors healthy and sane (well, as sane as can be expected of SF fans!) than have the instant gratification.

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

I'll second that opinion, even though I'd say favorite authors. I misspell color, too.

While I'm sure we'd be happy to read it whenever you want to put something out here, take some time to think about how to handle it in a way that keeps you healthy and sane. Looking forward to the commentary, also.

If we're talking about serial stories, should it be what's on your plate or in your bowl? Idle wonder.

[muehe.livejournal.com]

It is acceptable/normal for writters to be a little crazy.
Does anyone know how close they are to the edge?

[keristor.livejournal.com]

By whose rating? By mine (I'm not a writer, I'm a programmer, occasional musician, and SF fan), they are mostly pretty normal, as normal as most of my family and friends (noting that in geometry 'normal' means "at right angles to everything else"). By the standards of the other creative communities (visual arts, music, etc.) as well. By the standards of Joe the Plumber we are probably all Dagenham (two stops past Barking).

For most it is a high pressure and intense job, and one with very little in the way of job security (I doubt that unemployment insurance would touch it even for the best selling authors). That often means that they need to have a mundane job as well, so cutting into free and relaxing time and increasing stress. Also, in common with other creative work, it can be hard to switch off, many writers have said that they write because they can't not write (I've heard the same from composers and artists, and programmers for that matter).

On the other hand, relatively few seem to actually go medically insane compared to other jobs (I know a much higher proportion of teachers, for instance, who have had breakdowns). Perhaps their 'edge' is just further away, or perhaps the creative outlet enables them to get closer without falling over...

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Tomorrow is Monday.

Dammit.

Sing it, Sister.

[katmoonshaker.livejournal.com]

People had to have scrubble explained??