I’m sitting in Starbucks on a day when I’d normally be at Day Job. I’ve taken two days off this week to work on Man Bites World. Hopefully, I’ll have it close enough to done that I can send it to my agent on Saturday or Monday.
Research has been concluded (I hope). Internet squabble dabbled in.
Time to work.
Everything takes too long, including revisions.
I have an interview with the folks at Seattle Geekly in about an hour. Meanwhile, I’m trying to fix a scene in Man Bites World that makes perfect sense in every way except the emotional. I’m trying to figure out how these two guys feel about each other right now, and their past is so complicated that… Oh! I know!
Update: Interview went well, I think. Nice people.
I’m itching to be finished with Man Bites World, but things keep getting in the way. Today it was an old lady at Starbucks who said: “Can I ask you a question, please?” and when I said yes, started on a string of inquiries about my Mac Book, PCs, viruses, wireless, etc. etc. She was a sweet lady, but a little odd. Her voice reminded me of the sound a balloon makes when you stretch the opening tight and let air out a bit at a time. By the time she left, I’d completely lost my train of thought and had to pack up anyway.
The day before I had computer troubles. The day before *that* I missed my morning work time and, while trying to do a quick lunch hour session at the back table, was joined by the biggest extrovert in the office. He just couldn’t bear to sit quietly reading a book while I was there to talk to.
And I’ve learned that it just doesn’t pay to tell people to shove off, especially at day job.
Tomorrow I hope to have a lot more quiet and be much more productive.
A party of sorts, at least. Tonight after work I’ll be heading to 15th Ave Coffee and Tea for Cherie Priest’s BONESHAKER party. Details! I won’t know anyone there, which is usually a red flag for Socialization Fail, but who knows? Maybe this time my internal (conversation) editor will be a mere whisper.
If you live in the Seattle area and like steampunk/zombie/Seattle-apocalypse books, come buy a book and give me a hello. I look like this.
In other news, progress on Man Bites World continues. I really like this book, but this has to be the most ragged first draft I’ve written since well, my previous book. It has a small(er) cast of characters (which will be a huge relief to my agent and editor, I’m sure) and the story is more personal. All good. I just need to freaking finish it and get it out of my life.
First of all, thank you, everyone, for the kind words on yesterday’s post. I couldn’t be more thrilled about making Publishers Weekly’s Best of 2009 list. And thank you also to everyone who posted and tweeted about it to spread the word.
I sent an email to KUOW, our local NPR station, to let them know that two Seattle locals were on the list for sf/f books, but I’m sure nothing will come of that. Later, I’ll email a couple of reviewers to let them know, too, in case they want to include that in the interviews/reviews/whatever.
Then I’m going to stop thinking about it. No, really, I am. Man Bites World needs my attention, and I’m working on a tricky bit at the moment.
Second thing: Del Rey has posted the first chapter of Child of Fire on Scribd. This is nicer version than the one on my website, since it includes the cover art and the pages look just the way they do in the physical book. All that book design-y goodness.
Finally, a question (my Google Fu is weak): There’s a certain type of belt I need to write about, but I can’t find the name of it online. I can find pictures, but not the actual name (and I’m pretty sure the answer isn’t “bomber belt.” Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I won’t be taking part. I’m still editing Man Bites World (finished one of the difficult parts today) and I’ll have galleys for Game of Cages soon. After that, it’s new project time, so I’ll have brainstorming and outlining to do. I may not write another word of rough draft until Christmas.
However, even if I weren’t knee-deep in edits, I’d probably skip it. I’ve never joined in and probably never will.
Here’s one I just found:
[The blank spaces here suggest I was planning to add something to this scene, but now I can’t remember what. Note to self: Make notes to self.]
In other news, I just added a very touchy scene right into the middle of two tense sequences. It’s a bit of exposition, but I think it’s just about what I needed. Color me pleased.
And I mean my writing office, not my day job. And by “writing office” I mean Starbucks.
OCD Guy is having a bad day today. Worse than usual, at least. His finger drumming has been especially bad, and he’s just started foot stomping.
The music, too, has been especially intrusive. It’s not as awful as the times the barista’s sing along (which is an unbearable distraction) but for some reason the tunes keep stealing my attention away.
In good news, after reviewing the changes I need to make on Man Bites World, I’ve realized it’s not that much work. My wife and some will be out of town for about 10 days, and while I’ll be day jobbing for several of them, I hope to be able to finish all this before they return.
Fly like the wind!
I just dropped the copy edit for Game of Cages off at the downtown Seattle post office. It ought to arrive in NY tomorrow, which is good because it’s due on Tuesday and Monday is a federal holiday.
::crosses another item off list::
Tomorrow is a family day, and Sunday I dig into the rough draft of Man Bites World.