Velvet Threads

... Done

Weird day, but good in all kinds of way. Brain fried now. Loves all.

Huge shout out to my internet police who tracked me down whenever I was not working and told me off. LOVE LOVE LOVE

(you might want to not blog about them)

Edits... too much... send chocolate...

*expires*

Still alive. Have eaten too much mint chip chocolate. Much appreciation to those people who have responded to an LJ comment or friendly email with the words "what the hell are you doing here? Go back to work." Love you all.

Today I finally acknowledged that two how-do-these-two-know-each-other-again? characters are in fact significant exes, which should not be a revelation to me after so many years living with these characters, but there you go.

My final editing shopping list currently stands at 5/11 major Things (technical term) to deal with.

All I have to do now is increase sexual tension between two characters, repair my heroine's backstory with her parents, de-nickname at least two characters, sort out some logic flaws, and make it clear who the actual murderer is (just because Raymond Chandler got away with this kind of fuzziness in The Big Sleep is no excuse)!

Sometimes you have to shoot the writer and ship the manuscript.

In the spirit of helping me finally drag my neverending novel edits to a close, I am declaring myself on boot camp.

If you catch me doing anything (including sleeping and eating) which are not my novel edits between now and midnight, Tuesday 30th September? Feel free to tell me off. No matter what time of day or night.

If I promised to do something for/with you and it doesn't get done in the next week? Forgive me.

If you truly love and appreciate me, promise right now that if I haven't got them done by the time October starts, you will mock me ruthlessly. I need every incentive I can get.

(going back in now)

(expect radio silence)

angriest is putting together a virtual catalogue for interesting/original/exciting Christmas gifts for geeks, that can be bought online. If you've seen something great recently, or sell something yourself that you think would fit, get in touch with him!

E-mail your suggestions to christmasforgeeks@gmail.com with:

- The name of the item.
- A description of what it is.
- The sort of person who'd like it.
- Where you can buy it online (URL).
- How much it costs.

I just acquired a copy of Disney's Beauty and the Beast on DVD via ebay for a vaguely sane price (approx. $40 Aus), which is a mammoth task I had come to believe over the last few weeks, might well be impossible. To give you some idea of the scale of the matter, the Buy It Now prices regularly spotted for such an item range from $80 all the way up to $130.

For a freaking Disney movie.

This crystalises some thoughts I've been having lately about the good old Disney empire, because I have officially entered a new epoch in my daughter's life. There was the Before Time, and the After Time. After, that is, the discovery of Disney Princesses.

( ooh this ended up being longer than I thought, if you don't want to read the whole rant, the gist is: a huge number of the most famous, classic Disney movies are out of print and nearly impossible to get hold of )

The thing that bugs me is the sheer stupidity of this. Why would you market a brand of characters, plastering them on every conceivable form of merchandise, without realising how important it is to make the original canon widely available? Seriously. It's like if the JK Rowling empire decided that with the movies, dolls, lego and stationary out there sucking money out of the Harry Potter thing, they didn't need to bother printing any more copies of the books.

They're DVDs, not gold plated works of art. I'll bet you half a dollar that Disney spends a fortune every year on making the DVDs they do sell "pirate-proof" when the best way to combat piracy is to make the product easily and cheaply available.

The truth is, my daughter would buy more Disney Princesses crap if she had seen all the movies those characters belonged to. Which means... possibly I should be grateful for the stupid 'rarity adds value' philosophy Disney seems to be embracing. But I'm not grateful. I'm living in the FUTURE here, people, and that means that not being able to make an impulse purchase of a well known, classic movie at the touch of a button pisses me the hell off.

Yes, I've done it again, shut up.

( Why would anyone dance in the kitchen? )

While I'm serving up linky goodness, Mary Beard, my favourite Classics academic of all time (I am such a fangirl of her Vestal Virgins papers that it just isn't funny) is celebrating the release of her new book on Pompeii with a fun blog entry debunking some of the most common myths about Pompeii.

Reading her blog is just about the only toe that I regularly dip into the world that made me a Doctor of Philosophy. If you have any interest in ancient history, you should read it too.

So I think Sarah Palin is just this side of terrifying. But what I'm loving right now is the discussion and debate I am finding on my friendslist and in the liberal-thinking world generally, as this Alaskan Pauline Hanson with power stands on the podiums batting her eyelashes.

Yes, it's frustrating and annoying to hear the conservatives in the US monopolising and stealing fake feminist language to sell their warped and dishonest product to the masses, and even more frustrating and annoying to see the masses swallow it down whole and look so proud of themselves while they do it. But I am so proud of all the cool, interesting people who have stepped up to talk about the issues, to talk about feminism and what it means. There was plenty of talk about sexism and feminism when Hillary was in the spotlight, but it didn't hit me where I live nearly as much as the discussions that have arisen around Sarah Palin.

Possibly this is because the critics of Hillary who raised issues to do with her gender were relying mainly on some pretty crass/simplistic arguments, whereas Palin's critics are a lot more aware/educated about the language being used to promote her as a faux-feminist. Not sure if this is true, it just seems this way from where I'm sitting. Feminism and US politics is fascinating right now.

Some of the cool discussions/responses/events that have caught my attention in recent weeks:

1500 women in Alaska form the largest political rally the state has ever seen, to state that Sarah Palin does not speak for them.
Ragnell, one of my favourite writers about comics, sums up the 'why voting against Sarah Palin is the feminist option' argument rather beautifully
Matt Damon makes the classic statement "I want to know if it's true she thinks dinosaurs were still around four thousand years ago, cos she's gonna have the nuclear codes..."
Tina Fey and Amy Poeler frock up as Palin and Clinton to discuss the issue of sexism in the media - brilliant and funny and scarily true all at once
There's been a lot of talk about the Sarah Palin Lara-Croft style action figure but only here on Feministing did I see the sexy schoolgirl Palin action figure reported on. America, what the FUCK?
the awesome women at Body Impolitic talk about why it's important to attack Palin's policies and beliefs, and not the fact that she is a woman or a mother
Maureen Johnson discusses what Bristol Palin represents, and why teen pregnancies are a problem...
...and follows up with an awesome discussion of why birth control is the most important kind of education in the universe
Women say no to Sarah Palin in a rapidly-growing new blog that seeks to gather as many different female perspectives as possible.

I've probably missed off lots of interesting posts that have caught my eye over the last few weeks, but I'm sure there will be many more to come.

Um, is this my first political post EVER on this LJ? I think it might be. Huh.

In other news, I wrote a short story this week. Yes, it came as a shock to me too! My displacement activity to help me get through the last (I hope) leg of my novel edits (and eyeing off the other two big editing-my-own-work projects in my queue) has been to read huge amounts of short fiction for the lastshortstory blog, and to desperately start writing New Stuff to balance out all the editing in my life.

So I started writing a "sexy plant magic at the end of the world" novella that has been bouncing around in my head for a while, and I dusted off my old "Caesar is haunted by the head of Pompey and introduced to Egyptian steampunk technology" short story, which I have been batting around on and off for years (ie since before I left my classics postgrad office to have a baby). I tore Caesar to bits, remixed it entirely and come up with something entirely weird that I sort of love. But it is FINISHED, the only short story I have written in... well, a year, maybe? Since "Fleshy," anyway.

Hooray for writing. *eyes book I have to write by 14 February* Hmm.

Tamora Pierce blogs about the 25th anniversary of the publication of Alanna: The First Adventure.

I loved the Alanna books deeply. In a universe of fantasy books filled with beautiful princesses and plucky boys, it was a revelation to me to find this series of books about a skinny, tomboyish girl who won her place as a knight. Yes, Alanna had red hair and violet eyes, but she was also grubby and real. She didn't always follow the obvious path, and I didn't always like her choices, but she was such an interesting, complex character. She was definitely all female, and yet she was written like a male protagonist - she didn't fit into one specific type. As the first female knight of Tortall - where knight automatically meant man - she constantly challenged gender issues and boundaries.

Among other things on her journey, Alanna:

*fell in love more than once

*had sex with more than one person

*used and discussed contraception (there are maybe 5 people on my f-list who will laugh when I mention that this is where I first heard the concept of contraception amulets)

*despite her many male friendships, had conversations with and formed non-competitive friendships with women

*acknowledged and dealt practically with the ramifications of being a woman, especially a woman trying to work in a male arena

This all sounds kind of preachy, but these are elements that were naturally embedded in the story, and while I was drawn to these stories as a young reader, I wasn't as widely read then in the genre to realise how unusual they were. Alanna shouldn't have been such a stand out character in fantasy fiction, but she was. She still is. There are so few female protagonists in fantasy fiction who actually feel female rather than just "femme" (ie having long hair and breasts).

If you read the Alanna books (and you should), you should then read the Kel books (starting with First Test) for contrast; this series, set a generation later, shows the legacy left by Alanna and particularly that the precedent of one lady knight does not automatically mean that future women can take it for granted that they will be allowed to follow in her footsteps.

Alanna led the way, but Kel is my hero. She makes it through the years of squire and knight training as a girl, not concealing her gender, and does it much tougher. She doesn't have the physical handicap that the small, slight Alanna had when learning to fight, but instead she deals with how hard it is for a woman to have a larger than average body size. She does it without magic, without the help of the gods, and without having a prince be in love with her. More importantly - and a first for Tamora Pierce - her story does not revolve around romance.

Oh, and one more reason why Tamora Pierce rocks? All of her books - predominantly 4 book series - are stand-alone. The first Alanna book I read was the second in the series, and I was able to get into it easily. I actually didn't read Alanna: the first adventure until after all the other books in that series, and it didn't affect my enjoyment in the least.

Whatever it is that Tamora Piece puts into her books, there should be more of it in heroic fantasy. Except, you know, for the red hair and violet eyes. But all authors should be permitted one indulgence before we start mocking them.

Good writers take feedback and deal with editing notes professionally. You just do. It's not even something I think about - I just know that I will implement maybe 90-95% of the editorial notes given to me, only digging my heels in when I REALLY know I'm right, or the change is something that will annoy me at a fundamental level.

Edits are good. You don't take them personally.

Hah, and I'm 12 pages into a 17 page editing letter (the second of two for this book I have been working through this month) and I'm just tired. I want to be anywhere but here.

I need to start bribing myself to get through it faster. My plan is to be done this week. And I now realise why it was a good thing that my previous publishers imposed a hard, fast, tight turn around on edits. Because if you have too long to think about them and drag your heels, you get edit fatigue and start detesting the book as a whole. (plus other edits for different projects are piling up - want to WRITE, not fix!)

I just want to eat cake and watch movies. I am refreshing my f-list so much I only get to read one or two posts at a time. Meh. Wah. Woe is me.

Okay, I'm done with that. Self pity is so not a good look on anyone, especially people who are having books published and should suck it up and be grateful. Instead I will tell you about the Best Film Ever (possibly this is subjective).

It is called "Shadows in the Sun" and chances are you have never heard of it. *I* would never have heard of it were it not for the fact that I use Joshua Jackson's face in an RPG I play in, and many of my favourite icons come from this particular movie, which I bought on DVD and finally watched yesterday.

The movie is set in the most beautiful old-fashioned corner of Italy, with sun-kissed crops and yellow-sponged walls and idyllic courtyards. It features an entirely insane Harvey Keitel as a washed up genius writer, and a suspiciously un-Paceylike Joshua Jackson in a series of lovely suits as a book editor (and wanna be novelist) who is sent out to convince the old coot to start writing again, and sign a book contract. It even fulfils one of my more obscure 'favourite criteria for an awesome movie' which is that it has an actor in it that used to be in Press Gang (even if it is only Claire Forlani).

There's also a mad priest, a scene in which two drunk men try to steal a cow, some hot dancing, pretty pretty scenery, much discussion of writing, and a classic scene in which Harvey Keitel punches Joshua Jackson in the stomach to teach him to be a better writer. Also ancient typewriters going 'tap tap tap'. Is there anything sexier?

See, I've heard Harvey Keitel is a great actor, but haven't actually watched him before in much that I remember. This is completely his film, playing a sort of hybrid of Zorba the Greek and the old guy from Good Will Hunting (I looked it up: Robin Williams? huh) with Joshua Jackson as his very capable straight man. Who is willing to jump over fences and fall in ponds. And *sighs* looks so pretty in glasses.

The script isn't entirely free of cringe moments, with some of the romance parts on the sappy/obvious side, but I like fake Italian accent Claire Forlani more than I have in just about anything before (even Mallrats, which is one of my favourite guilty pleasure movies of all time) and did I mention Joshua Jackson in pretty suits? Getting drunk with a horde of mad old Italian men? Between that and the mouthwatering architecture/countryside, I would so watch this movie with the sound off. Not quite A Room with a View, but would make a great double bill with it.

Hee, yes I've done it again (hush, girliejones, just... hush. And yes, benpayne, there is more Dawson-bashing concealed within).

A review of Season Two of Dawson's Creek, in which the makers of the programme start to get the message that the less Dawson per episode, the better the show actually is...

( Oh, and also that if you're going to take the creative risk of allowing your main romantic will-they-won't-they couple to get together at the beginning of season two, it helps to have a logical source of conflict built in to the relationship already, rather than having to come up with something at the last minute. [SPOILERS for later seasons, cos I can't help myself with the foreshadowing] )

The Art That Scares You Auction is now closed. Thanks so much for your participation, bidders and artists and donators alike.

*Hugs all*

All comments are now screened to prevent late bids from sneaking in. I'll tag all winning bids over the next day or so with a code to quote when donating to the fund - or you can just donate straight away, naming the item you won.

artscaresyou closes in just over three hours. You know you want to check out all the gorgeous art, jewellery, books and general weird shit. It's all in a good cause!

As of 9pm tonight AEST (that's less than 11 hours, non Australian sweeties) the artscaresyou auction will close its doors. I've been blown away by the incredible generosity and creative spirit provided by the many artists and donaters. Now is your chance to score that one must-have item for your personal delight, or for a very unusual gift for someone else.

Please point people this way, especially if you see something weird and wonderful that you think they'll get a kick out of. Every cent donated in this auction goes directly to paulhaines and his family, to aid a talented writer in his fight against cancer.

The Index is an easy browsing feature that allows you to see the full (70+) range of donations and to search by category, but there's also something to be said for just combing through the blog and seeing all the pretties.

For what it's worth, a few items I think need some more bidding love:


"Pocket Villain," framed pen and ink drawing



'Living Shroud' felt wall hanging by Rachel Holkner



"Dirge," hand-quilted wall-hanging by Isabel Dallas, featuring gloomy poetry by Thomas Lovell Beddoes



'Ganesh' pastel drawing by Talie Helene



“Bats and moon at dusk,” hand painted silk scarf from Celestial Cobbler



"The Meaning of Fear" - Steampunk Necklace by Clockwork Zero



"Class Drama - The Chondrichthyes" t-shirt with photography by Anna Tambour



Super Sock Rabbit Soft Toy



Mary Shelley Doll, from Pendlerook Designs



Marzipan Noses for Eight

[no pic for this one as I don't think it's been constructed yet, but I'm hoping Anna or the winning bidder blog the hell out of it when it's done]

The artscaresyou auction closes at 9pm AEST this Thursday. Crunch time, folks! Get your bids in to grab the goodies that you want, and of course to support the fund for paulhaines' medical treatment. Paul wrote an amazing, powerful piece this week about his current state of mind. I know everyone's thoughts are with him and his family, and it's fantastic to see the support that has built up around this fundraiser.

THREE DAYS TO GO!

Items currently without bids - bargains to be had:

'Ganesh' pastel drawing by Talie Helene
"Dirge," hand-quilted wall-hanging featuring gloomy poetry by Thomas Lovell Beddoes
'Living Shroud' felt wall hanging by Rachel Holkner
"Toe Cheese" by Anna Tambour
Original 1992 Blood Duster 'Menstrual Soup' Demo Tape [Warning: May Offend]
Afterbirth Smorgasboard #1 - Demo Tape [Warning: May Offend]
Three Guitar Lessons with Scott Young
"Rosa and the Veil of Gold" by Kim Wilkins, signed
Handmade Bead Earrings by Ruth Krasnostein
Handmade Purple Pendant Necklace by Ruth Krasnostein
Handmade Black and Blue Necklace by Ruth Krasnostein
"Mature Choko" t-shirt with photography by Anna Tambour
The Art of Hellboy
Five rare unsigned copies of Transmitters, by Damien Broderick, a novel about sf fandom published in 1985
"Son of Shadow" poem by Michael Greenhut
Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
Commissioned piece of typewriter art by Andrew Macrae
"Chairman Sanders," framed typewriter art by Andrew Macrae

If you think you know someone who might love one of these rare, specialised or just plain weird and wonderful items, let them know.

THREE DAYS TO GO.

The life of a writer on a deadline:

I spent the afternoon in a cafe with my honey and daughter, looking out at a chilly, flood-damaged beach, talking about my soccer-novel-that-has-something-to-do-with-blueberries and thinking about how cafes always serve cake with vanilla icecream which is a shame when there are so many other possibilities.

This latter thought is relevant to my next novel, French Vanilla, about a cafe owner who despises vanilla flavoured ice cream, but learns to embrace it. Possibly some other things happen too. Who can say?

As I was thinking this thought, the cafe delivered up my blueberry (ha!) and almond cake, with two perfect scoops: strawberry icecream, raspberry sorbet. And no, I hadn't asked for this. My honey, who is a vanilla-afficionado, received mango icecream with his citrus tart.

Sometimes the universe provides, and waitresses are mysteriously telepathic, and we completely forgave them for always bringing us exactly one less coffee than we ordered.

Now I am working on my paranormal romance of sirens, damaged immortal heroines and damselled manfolk, with the following playlist:

Blinded By The Lights - The Streets
Ready, Steady, Go - The Meices
I Quit - Hepburn
Already Met You - Superfine
Bedroom Dancing - Day One
Aurora - Veruca Salt
Confide In Me - Kylie Minogue
Your Ghost - Kristin Hersh
The Ballad Of Tom Jones - Catatonia
We Don't Play Guitars - Chicks On Speed
Look Good In Leather - Cody Chesnutt
We Used To Be Friends - The Dandy Warhols
Lost in the Shadows (The Lost Boys) - Lou Gramm
Here With Me - Dido
Pony - Kasey Chambers P
Sunny Afternoon - Space & Tom Jones

You know you wanted to know that. Also, I was writing this blog post when supposed to be writing. You wanted to know that too.

As of today we have over 70 auction posts over at artscaresyou (Index by Category) and have raised somewhere around $2500 to add to the Paul Haines fundraiser.

Thanks so much to everyone who has blogged about the auction or spread the word to potential donators and bidders - we still have a week of the auction to go, and lots of lovely, interesting and downright scary things up for sale. If you've passed the word around once, think about pointing people back to the auction again, as there have likely been many developments since the first time they checked in!

It's been so exciting for me to see all the different kinds of art people have been willing to donate: felt wall hanging, steampunk clockwork jewellery, sock puppets, guitar lessons, typewriter art, utterly grotty thrash metal demos, Doctor Who fan art, and this classic piece of early work by Shaun Tan, to name but a few of the goodies on display.

It's not too late to add your art to the auction! We'd love to be able to feature new items every day of the final week, and we are interested in anything large or small that someone might be interested in.

Because everyone needs a girlie Dalek bookmark, or one with a few cinematic vampires.

Also check out this amazing necklace which clockworkzero made especially for the auction!