From a garment-care tag acquired god-knows-when and recently unearthed in the post-project desk excavation - I figured I needed to share -

FRONT

it says LIAN LIN, and MADE IN CHINA

so far, so good

here's where the fun starts

BACK (and I quote verbatim, spelling syntax and all, with the exception of the garment care symbols which I cannot reproduce here)

Qualified certificate

Composition: personslk 70%, 30% nylan

Composition: An etc: Article

1. An expert hand washes, dry cleaning

2. can't use to contain lvb bleach

3. Doing not want the pubasks

4. The low temperature yunis very hot

Place: Manufacturing in China

Inquiring minds want to know what a yunis is, and whether it should be hot or cold, and what pubasks have to do with soaking the garment (presumably one shouldn't do it in beer) and why the garment can't be used to contain bleach...

Sorry. Had to throw that out there. Before I finally discard the funny label itself.

198,753 / 198,753 (100.0%)

Finished tweaking the final chapter on Thursday, in a few fallow hours at the convention, and some pruning was done at this point; I finished the Epilogue at close to midnight on Friday, and wrote most of the Author's Note over the weekend, leaving only a couple of quotes that I needed which were back at home and I couldn't get at them over where I was. Finished those up right now.

WITHOUT the Author's Note, it stands at 198 753. If you count the Author's Note, which weighs in at 1150 words, it's 199 903.

There. Done.

Sending the whole shebang off to New York tonight.

The con...? Oh, the con was fine. Passed in a bit of a blur, though. I think I managed to give good panel, saw and said hello to a bunch of old friends, did a radio interview and a book launch event - all in all, good times.

Now it's back to reality. Lots of things to do tomorrow.

Including the ceremonial clearing of desk after completion of project - to the extent that I can see its surface again, at least, for the first time in many moons.

Done done done done done.

On to the next.

- mainly because I don't have ONE of the chapters with me in its final form and I think the wordcount is different from the version that I've got here with me - but I wrote the epilogue last night, and I snatched an hour out of my convention weekend to finish up the Author's Note which needs to go along with the whole package. As I say, I'll post the stamped and sealed official wordcount from home, but let's just leave it at this for now.

The Author's Note is about 1000 words long (damn, I can't even write short Author's Notes...)

NOT counting that, to the best of my current ability to swear to it, the wordcount of the novel itself stands at... 199 500.

I'm about two pages shy of 200K. I think I'm proud of myself [grin]

Ladies and gentlemen of the writing group, from the point at which you left our two protagonists - who had, remember, Just Met - you're in for one helluva rollecoaster ride from there. And I do so look forward to sharing it with you.

But the first draft of the finished novel, as it currently stands... leaves for New York on Sunday night. It will be on my agent's desk on Monday. After that... que sera sera.

I feel quite, quite, quite giddy.

196,288 / 200,000 (98.1%)

I have the Epilogue to do. The way I envisage it, it's going to be considerably shorter than an average chapter, and it'll bring it all to a conclusion - maybe 3000 words or so, not much more than that.

And I'm done.

And I'm about to head off for a convention where my head is going to be in quite a different place. But I'm taking my laptop with me and maybe by the time I get home... it will be complete.

And this thing... packs a punch.

Well.

Off to gather up my chattels now, and go to the next con. Onwards and upwards. Another story... is told.

Seriously. Gotta love this.

Fellow SF Novelist Mindy Klasky' third Jane Madison novel, MAGIC AND THE MODERN GIRL, is out today! What's not to love about a librarian who discovers that she's actually a witch...?

Mindy is the author of nine novels - more about her work, including sample chapters from her novels, can be found at her website. In the meantime, here's Mindy talking about her new book:

1. Why this book? What made you want to write this story?

I started writing the Jane Madison series because I wanted to play with a world that was light and fun, with a clearly defined supernatural influence. (I had just finished the dramatic, dark, magic-less Glasswrights Series, along with a trunked novel about a world-destroying conspiracy of evil-doers who torture children, murder scholars, and do other depressing dastardly deeds.)

Despite the lighter tone, Jane confronts some serious questions in the books - most often about the nature of friendship and family. MAGIC AND THE MODERN GIRL was specifically sparked by my interest in how friendships change over time, particularly as we get older and more settled, losing some of the angst that cements some ... younger relationships. I think that it's the perfect conclusion to the Jane Madison Series, wrapping up loose ends, while letting readers envision a future for their favorite series characters.

2. Which authors inspire you? Has that changed over time?

I have always enjoyed authors who build incredible characters, giving them realistic plots through which to navigate. Over time, my list of favorite authors has evolved to include more Young Adult authors (such as Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld.) I find myself veering away from authors who take political stances that I find distasteful, particularly when their politics stray into their storytelling. (Orson Scott Card? I'm looking at you!)

3. Why genre? Is there something special about science fiction or fantasy that draws you to write in the field?

I love the opportunity in genre to answer the "what if" questions. I could certainly write a searing indictment of contemporary culture, drawing on "ripped from the headlines" stories about spousal abuse, abandoned children, tortured prisoners, etc. I find it more intriguing, though, to structure my inquiries in speculative terms. Readers free themselves to think more broadly when the framework for their thoughts is patently impossible. Jane Madison readers can ask themselves about their relationships with their mothers, grandmothers, best friends, and romantic interests without needing to cut too close to the emotional bone. Readers are less defensive and more expansive when they are freed from the direct constraints of the real world.

4. What do you find most interesting about Jane Madison?

Jane is a bundle of contrasts and insecurities. Usually, she knows what she should be saying and/or doing; she just doesn't remember to state those words or take those actions in the immediacy of the moment. (Her judgment is even more impaired when the men of her dreams are around....) I enjoy structuring Jane's foibles - mostly because she is, at heart, an educated, eloquent, strong woman who acts in her own best interest and in the best interest of those around her. (That action becomes even more challenging in MAGIC, when Jane meets her true love, only to find that "the course of true love never did run smooth.")

5. You're a writer. What else are you? What are your interests? Hobbies?

I've been a lawyer and a librarian. I'm a wife, a daughter, a sister, and an aunt. In between juggling all of the professional and familial hats, I am an avid reader, a cat-wrangler, a baker, a quilter, a movie-watcher, a Boston Red Sox fan, and a scrapbooker. (Basically, I can't just sit and watch TV; I need to have something in my hands. I get most of my quilting done during the World Series.)

6. Did you have to do any special research for this book? What did you need to know in order to write it that you didn't know before? Do you have some special preparation you do for writing?

For each of the Jane Madison books, I've conducted a lot of "spot" research, doing quick online searches for information about specific crystals, individual runes, and other magical paraphernalia. Jane and her best friend often quote Shakespeare, challenging each other to identify the play, act, and scene. I usually start out knowing the quotation, but I need to research the specific reference. MAGIC is heavily tied to Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST, so I re-read the play in preparation for writing this volume. I can't write without a live connection to the Internet (although I have to restrain myself from checking my email every twenty-seven seconds!) In the rare times that I've tried writing without an Internet connection, I leave myself cryptic notes (e.g., "Find Stomach Crystal.")

7. I see a lot of food, especially baking, in this book. Is that something that really interests you? Or is it more driven by the needs of the story?

I've always enjoyed baking, although I am almost always dieting. Creating the Cake Walk bakery gave me a chance to indulge my sweet tooth in low-caloric ways!

This fall, my baking interest is going to grow beyond the four corners of the Jane Madison series: I'm launching a charity calendar that will include some of the Cake Walk recipes, along with favorite recipes from a variety of paranormal, urban fantasy, and mystery authors. All profits will go to First Book, a charity with the mission of getting underprivileged children their first books to own. (Details will be posted on my website shortly!)

8. Jane's best friend, Melissa, goes on numerous disastrous first dates throughout the series. Do you have your own share of first date disasters to tell?

Every one of Melissa's horrific dates has a seed of truth in one of my own first dates. (In one horrific year, I went on 28 first dates - a record that convinced me that I was perfectly happy to live the rest of my life alone. A couple of years after swearing off dating, I logged on to match.com (in response to prompting from my concerned, married brother.) I reluctantly completed my dating profile, clicked on "match" and the first profile that came up belonged to the man I married 17 months later.)

9. What are you writing now?

I've started a new urban fantasy series, the As You Wish Series. The first volume, THERE'S THE RUB, will be in stores in October 2009. It's about a stage manager who discovers a magic lantern with a wish-granting genie inside. Alas, her wishes don't go precisely as she plans....

10. Anything else that we should know about you, your writing, and the Jane Madison Series?

In addition to selling the Cake Walk recipe calendar, I am raising money for First Book by auctioning off a stunning, handmade necklace-and-earring set inspired by the Jane Madison series. The glass jewelry was created by a prominent librarian and jewelry artist specifically for this First Book fund-raiser. Details (including pictures of the incredible themed jewelry) will be posted on my website on October 1; the auction will close on October 31.

Thanks for taking the time to ask these questions! I hope that people will stop by my website and/or email me any questions at mindy@mindyklasky.com.

Okay, couple of things, and then I'll shut up - with great pleasure I'll shut up because so much hot air is already being pumped into the atmosphere and we DO have global warming to worry about - but just a couple of things -

( below cut so you can skip it if you've already had a bellyful )

Yes, I know. I should just say I want the library. But doesn't it seem like a library like this actually needs an entire house - and a couple of extra DIMENSIONS, just to be sure - to contain itself properly...? I WANT. Go look. You'll see what I mean.

The folks over at Making Light are doing something really beautiful. Go here to take a look.

Yes, I played the game.

182,343 / 200,000 (91.2%)

Yes, I finished a chapter while travelling. I updated and fixed and brought it to a first-draft-final conclusion today, when I could sit down and pull it all together and correct all the infelicities that might have crept in during the less-than-ideal conditions of concentration and execution that prevail when one is writing a vastly complex piece of a work in progress from a sheaf of hastily photocopies notes brought along for reference purposes, in a noisy airport waiting area or snatching a few free moments here and there at a conference that is constantly keeping one's head full of other and completely unrelated stuff.

I've broken 90%. Whooo! I think what I have left is either one LONG chapter or two relatively shorter ones - depending if and when there is a break in what has to happen next. That, and the epilogue.

Just one more corner to turn. And then I'm home. And another novel is written, another story told.

I love my life.

I can announce that my story, "End of the World", has sold to Diamonds in the Sky, An Astronomical Anthology edited by Mike Brotherton. Inspired by the Launchpad workshop, hosted by said Mike Brotherton in Laramie back in the summer (Go back a bit in this blog, you can read ALL about it!)

What can I say - the workshop was an inspiration.

This year's alumni seemed to have been set afire by Launchpad, because I am not the only one to have a story in the anthology. maryrobinette just posted her own yahoo.

The "official" Portland Kidlitosphere 08 blog, here, has started a roundup of posts some of which have photos of the event - for those who could not be there, here's actual pictorial evidence...

Oy vey. Talk about hitting the ground running and never stopping until, oh, a few minutes ago.

Registration and the conference prelims were set for 7:45-8 am - yes, this morning. So I got up bright and early and wandered down to get some breakfast before that, which was accomplished with very little time to spare. So, then, food, badge, coffee, more coffee, and then we were straight into the opening remarks by the conference organizers and then the first panel at 8:10 which was entitled "Bridging Books and Blogs" and was presented by some fairly big names in the Kidlit Blogosphere, including with the "Readergirlz" team. An interesting panel discussion, followed by "Making the most of the community blog tour", presented by Colleen Mondor and Jackie Parker - I have discovered a bunch of new blogs or at least ones I had not really looked at closely before on this occasion and Jackie's was one of those - I went to have a quick gander and I was delighted at the way she writes reviews. This one I'll be keeping a better eye on from here on.

Then we split up for a couple of parallel sessions - I chose the "Kick up your blog a notch" presented by Pam Coughlan, who raised some interesting points and over and above that gave a aparkling solo presentation, followed by "There's a Podcast at the end of this book" where I picked up quite a few salient facts about the mechanics and the applications of podcasting. This is something I have to ponder further.

Then we had lunch, scattered into several arbitrary groups which took over practically the entire restaurant of the hotel and kept the poor staff hopping trying to figure out who wanted the burger and who wanted the salad and didn't THIS table order the three diet cokes? Or just one diet coke and two coffees? Or was it one coffee and a diet coke and the second coke went to that table across the room from us...? (They were pretty good, actually. They even managed to sort out the multiplicity of checks and gave them out on time, which was nothing short of miraculous...)

Lunch was followed by a brilliant conversation between two subspecies of bloggers, writer and reviewer. A little bit of insight into both worlds. Followed by a presentation on how to promote one's book and one's self on Facebook, MySpace, and other social networking tools - invaluable, and much data was gained, but of course by this time my trusty laptop's batteries were kind of starting to descend into the lower-than-twenty percent mark so I wound up taking a lot of these link-intensive notes by hand instead. Figures. But I have to do some serious websurfing to get into some of these sites and their ramifications. The session was, if anything, too short - it deserved a full day for itself, almost. The final session of the day that I went to was on balancing the personal and the professional on one's blog, presented by author Sara Zarr - nothing I hadn't heard or thought of before but presented in a cogent and entertaining fashion and some of these issues kind of deserved being highlighted just in case someone DID forget to think something through all the way. Again, some interesting perspectives on several issues from the audience.

THis was followed by the "meet the authors and illustrators" hour in the main meeting room, where all of us scribblers and sketchers got to spread out our wares and discuss them with interested comers. I met some really interesting people and it is possible that several intriguing reviews might come out of this in the aftermath. I met teachers, librarians, other writers, noted bloggers in the kidlit world, and got to interact and converse with many if not nearly enough of them, and an hour of this passed like a blur - and then it was time to pack up and go wait for dinner.

I took the opportunity of checking in for my flight tomorrow and printing out my boarding pass, so I don't have to run around doing that tomorrow - and I'll go down for a leisurely breakfast tomorrow morning, come back to the room and pack, check out around 11, perhaps sit around here in the lobby for an hour (free wifi, don't knock it) and meander up to the airport around 12:30 or 1, boarding for my flight is at 2 PM, and I should be landing at my home airport around quarter to five or so.

So. That was Kidlit 08.

Didn't have much time to do anything other than race around and try and keep up with myself and assimilate a bunch of new names and faces - I did do some work on my chapter last night, and I'll probably work on it some more tomorrow while I am waiting for planes to do their thing, but I won't get it finished before I get home so that's a job for this week when I get back. Next weekend, VCon in Canada. After that, flat out work on the book until I am done. The first draft of this HAS to be in the hopper by October 10th and that's just all there is to that.

Okay. Signing off now. I might trawl around the web some to see if any of the others have blogged anything new yet, but I'm pretty much done for the night.

See you all on the other side, after I get back home...

I'm off again - off to the Kidlitosphere '08 conference -



Will be taking computer with, this time, so blogging shall probably occur - as will writing, since I've got a while on planes etc. which can be put to good use. I aim to at least finish the initial version of chapter 30 while on the road. After that, there's two more chapters at the most of story left to do, plus a shorter epiloguey type end-bracket. I'm figuring - including #30 when it's finally done - maybe 15000- 20000 more words.

Which makes it come in under 200K. So THERE [grin] (Hey, csinman, if come in under 200k do *I* get chocolate?...)

20000 words. It's a doddle. It's three days' work, tops.

Of course, then I have to go back and go over the whole thing again and neaten up any straggly loose ends, which will likely take me another week or so. But it's SOOOOO nearly done.

I'm getting the first bands of end-of-novel antsiness already, like an approaching hurricane.

Anyway.

Off to do some last minute packing. Flying out tomorrow morning. Portland here I come (again).

(Note to self. When the kilitters go on the outing to Powell's, *leave wallet at home*...)

"Christmas discounts for meds"

Er, people. Those folks who need meds kind of need them year round, as it were. These aren't furry slippers or funny T-shirts or seasonal decorations we are talking about. Meds aren't purchased for, you know, PRESENTS. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who had a year's supply of their medication, bought at a Christmas discount, wrapped to be put under the tree.

REALLY.

171,858 / 200,000 (85.9%)

I am, I think, about 4 chapters from the end now (shut UP, debtaber, I can hear what you are thinking).

The trouble is they are all exceedingly complex chapters. I am capable, in full flight, of doing a chapter a day - 5000 words worth a day - but these babies, they will need some coddling. And I have a conference this weekend, and a convention the weekend after.

Hmm. It might take me closer to two weeks.

But I can see the end from here. Almost done. AAAAAALMOST done.

EDIT

Make that

177,294 / 200,000 (88.6%)

Chapter 29 down.

Chapter 30 coming up. One of the most important chapters in the book. This one is going to need a little bit of time and TLC to achieve its full potential.

But I managed another full chapter today.

I am pleased.

I can now announce - as it is now officially listed on their website - that I will be the Writer Guest of Honor at Radcon in 2009 - more details (and more and more, as the site is updated closer to the event) here.

Roll on February...

Some time ago Joshua Palmatier ran the Plot Synopsis Project I, where authors shared a synopsis of a bookd which sold and shed light on a process as arcane as casting spells. I'd wanted to participate back then but the timing was inauspicious - so I said I'd do it this time - and I STILL managed to be one day late. You can find more about the current project here, including a list of participants and links to their posts on the subject.

( So here, as promised, is mine... )

I won't be taking my laptop with me this trip, so no blogging for a week or so. I'll report back when I return from the conference. In the meantime, should anyone have anything to say, or anything that you might really really want me to blog about when I return (yes, a couple of new friends on my flist, welcome and this includes you) comments are open. In case you need a starter thought for a conversation, here's something that I've been struck by in several forums recently. Writers talk a lot about "first draft" but it seems to me that the exact meaning of those words tends to vary rather widely between individual scribes. Something that one would call a "First" draft another terms a "zeroth" draft (there's a concept) while yet a third doesn't consider having finished a "first" draft until it's a POLISHED "first" draft - so we have a curve ranging from raw thought blurted onto paper to something that's almost ready to be submitted to an editor. Any thoughts...? What - if you are a writer - do YOU consider to be your "first draft"?