reasons i suck

The awesomeness of my holiday vacation

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You know what’s funny? It’s cheaper to take Amtrak from Seattle to Rochester, NY to visit my in-laws than to fly there. It’s not a lot cheaper, because it costs extra to have a private room for most of that trip, but it’s still cheaper.

And that’s what I’m doing. When I visit my wife’s family for Opressmas this year, I’m going by rail. I leave in the late afternoon of the 20th and arrive on the morning of the 23rd, and I’m taking my son with me.

Yep, my eight-year-old son and I are taking a train ride across the country.

I don’t know how that sounds to you, but I think it’s going to be a fantastic trip. I’m really looking forward to it.

After the holidays, I’ll be heading back on the train alone so he can spend a little extra time with the family. Besides, I’m not sure he’s ready for two 64-hour trips; he’ll fly home with his mom. However, that means I’ll have a few internet-less days to do nothing but read, write, and watch the country pass by. It’s going to be amazing.

Plus, I should have a lunch-time layover in Chicago (barring delays). Anyone in the Chicago area want to get together for lunch on 12/28?

Poetry for rugrats

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My somewhat precocious 8yo son is in need of some poetry for his reading edification. He’ll be reading The Hobbit soon, but I want to give him a chance to read outside the so-called invisible style many kids books are written in today before I set it in his lap.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Funny poetry would be best. Spooky or weird would be good, too. Also, as a kid, if he doesn’t like the first taste it’ll be hard to get him to try again, so nothing too mature.

Thank you.

The news, it is good

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My copy of Spirit of the Century arrived yesterday. Woo-hoo! Now I need to set aside some time to check it out.

In November if I’m lucky, considering.

How I do my work

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Yeah, that’s me in a funny little video I made about the way I write. My son was behind the camera — and in front of the camera for one shot (he really wanted to be in it) and of course I’m in there, too. If you think it won’t crack your monitor, give it a watch. If you think it’s amusing, please do share it with others.

BTW, I don’t really have all those books stacked everywhere.

In other news, I have an interview at Black Gate today, in which I talk about “black” magic, evil and human motivations, among other things. They also posted a “reprint” of the First Sale essay I wrote for Jim Hines. If you didn’t read it then, you get another chance.

Plus, at some point later this morning I’ll have an expanded essay on vampires and crosses at Bitten by Books. I’ll link to it when it goes live. Update: Here’s the link.

Now I’m off to do some pages. Have a great day!

Heading to the gym

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I’m going to the gym this morning for the first time in over a year. Yeah, it’s going to cut into my writing time and I’ll need to steal time from something else to make up for it. But I’m in terrible shape and constant pain. I can’t keep living this way and I certainly can’t keep up with my writing commitments.

Starting slow with lots of stretching. We’ll see how my pain levels do.

While I’m in training all morning, I give you this:

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Ten classic sf novels that were originally considered failures. What does it say about my knowledge of the genre that I haven’t even heard of some of these books? Also, must remember not to sell a book to a publisher owned by a bookstore. Yeesh.

I’ll be in training all morning and taking calls in the afternoon. I expect today to be worse than yesterday. Oh well.

Bitten by Books

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On Monday the 18th, I will have an article on Bitten By Books as part of their new “Authors Speak Out” series. At least, I think I do. I sent the essay, but haven’t heard back whether it’s acceptable or not. Yes, I’m a pessimist. It’s how I survive. Update: It’s acceptable and will run next week. Yay!

However! If any other UF writers out there want to take part, you should contact the good folks over there. It’s a pretty active community. C.E. Murphy is currently talking about whitewashed covers. Check it out (and maybe win some free books).

Things that are awesome

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Spent much of last night shooting a video with my son. Not actually finished, but damn did we have a good time.

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My wife and son have gone out without me. Think of it as a date. They’re going to a concert and will maybe get a dessert afterwards.

Meanwhile I’m left at home. I’ve already scrubbed the pots and pans, loaded and run the dishwasher, then vacuumed. Now I’m going to put on some Tom Waits, fire up the writing computer, and revise that essay to acceptability. First, though, I’ll perform the ritual that will summon my guardian angel, Mac Freedomiel.

Woo!

Randomness for 10/8

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1) Chicken McNuggets are made of this pink goop. Oh, lame-ass standup comics of yesteryear, the truth is so much worse than you imagined! By god, industrial food is repulsive.

2) “If you do this in an email, I hate you.”

3) Ten greatest all-nude fight scenes in comics. So… yeah, it’s funny and dopey and juvenile, but it’s funny. Also, the comments are hilarious.

4) I was pretty stupid when I was younger, but never this stupid. Video.

5) SF Signal has done a “mind meld” about the idea of a Star Wars reboot, and most of the writers say “No,” “NO!” and “Don’t bother.” Of course, I planned out a Star Wars: A New Hope reboot last year.

6) “First with my son, and now with my new love, I was learning that conspiracy
and dominance are not the only ways to be close to someone.” This essay/memoir/confessional is a few years old (ancient in internet time) but still powerful as hell. Carver is a terrific writer.

7) Sucking air through clenched teeth alert: Woman mistakenly uses super glue instead of eye drops. Note to self: move all butcher knives out of the prop knife drawer.