10 Nov 2006

Pretty Good Election!

posted in: public affairs | 0

To say the least. I must say, I cannot remember the last time I felt so happy after an election. I feel as if I’m finally getting my country back. Here in Massachusetts, I can at last feel hopeful about leadership from the governor, and an end to Mitt Romney’s screw-the-towns-and-schools philosophy. Deval Patrick has his work cut out for him, but I’m hopeful that he’s up to the job.

In my native state of Ohio, election-stealer Ken Blackwell is out of a job, they’ve put a Democrat in the governor’s office for the first time in 16 years, and a Democrat in the Senate, as well. Dare we hope that election “irregularities” in Ohio might come to an end?

Nationwide, what can I say? The neocon/pseudocon stranglehold on the federal government has been broken at last. Finally we might have a Congress that doesn’t roll over and play dead for the president, that understands checks and balances. With luck, we’ve seen an end to the pro-war, anti-environment, steal-from-the-underclass-and-give-to-the-rich sort of lawmaking we’ve come to know so well. It’s probably too soon to hope for the repeal or amendment of the bad laws enacted under the last Congress. On the other hand, maybe they’ll finally hold the president accountable to the law. Wouldn’t that be refreshing?

And to see Rumsfeld leave: that’s just a miracle from Heaven. (Side note: I had known that Rumsfeld was a former high school wrestling coach—embarrassing enough to the sport!—but had not known until I read it in the paper today that current Speaker of the House Hastert was, as well. Ai caramba!)

As for Iraq…truthfully, I don’t know the best way out. I don’t think it’s right to demolish the country and then just leave it in disarray—but I’m not sure how much good we’re doing with our continued presence. Probably the best thing would be for peacekeeping troops from other countries to take over, if they were willing. (And just to be clear, I don’t doubt the dedication of the guys and women in uniform; it’s we who have put them in that untenable situation.) It will take people smarter than me to figure that one out.

Anyway, I’m not going to let that uncertainty ruin my week. I voted this week (actually last week, absentee) and so did the rest of the country. And I’m thrilled with the outcome.

7 Nov 2006

Titles, Titles

posted in: science fiction, Sunborn, writing | 0

As I said in the previous post, I’m debating whether to change the title of the book I have been writing all these many years as Sunborn. The main reason is that another SF novel was published in the last year or so called The Sunborn. Now, you can’t copyright titles, so that’s not the issue. Causing confusion among readers and booksellers, however, might be an issue.

I’ve always liked the title Sunborn, and it’s one of those rare cases where I actually thought of a title I liked right off the bat as I sketched out the idea for the story, so that makes me reluctant to let go of it, also. On the other hand…there is that confusion thing.

So I’m thinking of calling it Starborn instead.

(The story is set in the star nursery of the Orion Nebula, where stars–suns–are born. And where there is trouble in Star River City.)

If you folks out there in blogland would like to be my focus group and weigh in with your opinions, I’d be glad to hear them.

7 Nov 2006

Currently on a Writing Retreat

posted in: science fiction, Sunborn, writing | 0

I’m currently squirreled away at a bed & breakfast on Cape Cod, taking a 3-day writing retreat to really concentrate on the last 120 pages of the rewrite of Chaos Chronicles #4, which I have been calling Sunborn all along (though that might change). My wife fixed this up for me back in August, as my birthday present. (Good wife!) I’m sitting in front of a fire with my laptop, trying to figure out the remaining thorny questions in the storyline/plot/background of the book.

Just taking a few minutes to post this update. However, I’m also going to take this opportunity to say Happy Birthday to my friend Victoria, member of my writing group for significantly more than 20 years! (Slug that I am, I forgot to say this on her birthday, so I am trying to make amends by shouting it to the world.) Happy Belated Birthday, Victoria!

3 Nov 2006

Writing Question #X (and Y and Z): “Can You Help Me Break In?”

posted in: science fiction, writing | 0

I get a fair number of emails from aspiring writers asking for advice, which is why I created an advice page on my web site—and a little less directly, why I created a free online writing guide (supposedly geared to younger writers, though from the occasional thank-you note I get, I don’t think it’s just kids using the site). Some people hope I will read their work and comment on it, or give it a blurb.

I am not unmoved by these pleas, but the answer I must give is, “I’m sorry, I cannot help beyond what I’ve already tried to do.” If they ask me to read their work, I refer them to still another page I created, explaining why I can’t. Most people seem to understand, but there’s always this nagging sense that people think I can somehow help them get an in. That’s a heartbreaking illusion.

Here’s what I said, basically, to one person recently who thought I should do more:

You have a burning desire to write. I hear from a lot of people who want to write. And they all want to know the same thing: Can I help them “break in”? The truth—WITHOUT EXCEPTION, not one single exception—and I can tell just from reading their emails—is that they don’t need help “breaking in.” They need to learn to write. They need practice, they need training, they need a workshop to get feedback, they need to understand that writing is a difficult and demanding craft and it TAKES TIME AND DISCIPLINE TO LEARN. No one wants to hear that, ever. It’s not about developing contacts, or knowing the right people, though eventually those things can help.

It’s about learning to write. I can’t help everyone in the world learn to write, though I try through my course and workshops I teach at. Find people in your college, or your community, or through paid or online workshops who can help you learn the things you need to know.

People seem to feel betrayed when I say that, but it’s the truth.

My final suggestion was two books that we’re using in the workshop that I’m teaching with Craig Gardner: Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott and Stephen King’s On Writing. They both have a lot of wisdom about writing, and being a writer. (There are, of course, many other good books on writing, and some not so good books.)

Come to think of it, if any of you has a favorite book on writing, why don’t you leave a comment about it? We can compile a list.

3 Nov 2006

National Novel Writing Month

posted in: writing | 0

Speaking of writing, it’s that time of the year again: National Novel Writing Month, celebrated and spurred on by the good folks at NaNoWriMo.org. The idea that they promote is to write an entire novel in a month. My idea—almost as daring—is to finish writing my novel (Chaos Chronicles #4) and get it off to my editor by the end of this month. It’s going to be a photo-finish, folks. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, if you’ve been hankering to write a novel, or putting off writing a novel, or are in any other fashion in the group of those who want to have written a novel…what are you waiting for? Visit nanowrimo for inspiration! Do it now!

31 Oct 2006

Writing Media and Other Tie-In Novels

posted in: Battlestar Galactica, science fiction, writing | 0

Lately I’ve been getting a spate of emails from people asking questions such as, “How can I write a Battlestar Galactica / Aliens vs. Predator / Universe-of-Your-Choice novel? Do I just write it, or how do I get the rights, or what do I do?” It’s a perfectly natural question, and a natural desire. The answer, though, is one that most people won’t want to hear.

First I should specify that it depends whether you’re talking about writing “fanfic” just for fun, for your own amusement—in which case, the answer is, have at it! (Just don’t try to publish it.)

But I suspect that’s not what most people mean. Most correspondents, I think, hope to write and publish a tie-in novel. I suspect the motivation stems partly from a love of a particular show or universe, and partly from a belief that this may be an easier way to get published. It’s not. What you have to understand is that these projects come about through complex rights arrangements which publishers make with the studios, before so much as a word is set to paper. Once the publisher has an arrangement, then the editor in charge of the line goes looking for writers to write the books (whether novelizations of film/TV productions, like my Battlestar Galactica book, or original spin-off novels, like Craig Shaw Gardner’s Galactica book).

In other words, tie-in projects are generated by the studio and publisher, who then look for writers they think are best for the job. And editors for these books tend to turn to writers whose work they’re already familiar with, maybe even writers they’re already working with. Other writers may apply, but there’s little chance of getting a nod without a publishing track record. They want to know you can do the job. And they usually want the book written yesterday.

So…the short answer is, if you want to write a book in someone else’s universe, get busy and write some stories in your own universe first. (Quit wasting time reading blogs!) Get published, get noticed. Then maybe one day you, too, will get the call.

Oh—and you can learn a lot more about this business than I can tell you at http://www.iamtw.org/articles.html.

17 Oct 2006

Way Cool Astronomical Images

posted in: science, space, technology, writing | 0

I’m just poking my head up long enough to point you all toward a couple of images that took my breath away (from Astronomy Picture of the Day):

  • In the shadow of Saturn, from Cassini
  • Orion Deep Field, including both the Horsehead and Orion Nebulas
  • Hubble view of the Great Orion Nebula (M42)

    That last one is the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen of where my motley crew of Bandicut, Antares, Ik, Li-Jared, and various robots are at this very moment. They’ve just crossed from left to center toward the Trapezium, a tight cluster of four bright stars right in the whitest heart of the nebula. That’s where they are, wondering what in the world they were thinking. Here’s the Trapezium in infrared.

And now I must get back to them.

1 Oct 2006

Still Here, Still Pounding

posted in: science fiction, Sunborn, writing | 0

This is about the longest I’ve gone without a post. Yikes! But yes, I really have been focusing on the rewrite of Chaos Book 4, and the rapidly approaching deadline. So it’s going to be like this for a while, I’m afraid. I’ll touch base when I can.

Here are a few highlights of what I wanted to write about, but didn’t have time:

Xena is now Eris, and Pluto is now a dwarf planet. Well, nuts. Still, Eris as goddess of chaos and discord isn’t bad. Sort of describes the current state of astronomy. And the world.

Another family brag: my sister Nancy Lorey and her video production partner Matt Star received three Telly Awards for videos they produced at their I-Conn Video Productions firm in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. There were over 13,000 entries for the award, which recognizes excellence in local, regional, cable, and nonbroadcast video. Way to go, Nancy!

On the national political front…oh, just new legislation abolishing habeas corpus for political and war prisoners, and legitimizing torture any time the prez decides to reinterpret the Geneva Conventions…nothing major (except—doh!—this is not what America is about, guys). Oh yeah, and Senator McCain (for whom I once held some respect) selling out completely to the radical right. Don’t get me started. But do read this New York Times editorial on the subject. Or this from InformationLiberation, which is a little more out there on the edge, but probably not too inaccurate.

On the local front, I am now co-teaching an SF writing workshop in Cambridge, Mass., along with Craig Shaw Gardner, at the Pandemonium bookstore. Depending on how it goes, this may become a regular event.

Also, I’ll be signing books at Pandemonium Books, on Saturday, October 7, from 7–9 in the evening. Stop by, if you’re in the Cambridge area! Craig and two other authors will be signing at the same time.

And now…back to the Chaos!

7 Sep 2006

Family Bragging Rights

posted in: personal news | 0

What’s the point of being related to someone notable and distinguished if you can’t brag a little? (No, this isn’t about my kids.) I proudly direct you to the University of Miami web site, and an announcement about some newly endowed distinguished professorships. The first one on the list is my very own and only brother, known as Uncle Chuck to my daughters and Distinguished Professor of Psychology Charles S. Carver to others. Scroll down a little on that page and you’ll see his picture and credits. There’s a Nobel laureate on the distinguished list, too, but I don’t know him.

Here’s Chuck’s web page, or you can go straight to the pictures of his dog Calvin (be sure and check out the gallery if you’re into silly dog pictures).

I know I’ve been missing from these pages for a turrible long time. I’ve passed up any number of really interesting subjects that I wanted to write about. That’s because I’ve been banging my head against the Sunborn rewrite. I really am going to finish this book by the end of November, or die trying.

And now I must go. I’ll be in the garret, pounding…

18 Aug 2006

Sheesh, What a Ghost Town!

posted in: personal news, science, writing | 0

Man, doesn’t the guy who owns this place ever come in and serve the guests? Or at least turn on the lights?

Oh wait, that’s me. Right, right. And I couldn’t even get in at first; my browser was feeding me the wrong login, and I didn’t see it.

Well, you probably wonder where I’ve been. I’m still here, still working on Sunborn. And finally finished with our local children’s theater’s run of Damn Yankees, which was loads of fun and loads of work and loads of time spent in the theater. I miss it, now that it’s over.

About a year ago, I wrote here that I was acting in a very small indie film being made here by the same guy who operates the theater where we hold our musicals. Pops the bum, if you please. (Take note, Leonard Maltin and Roger Ebert.) Well, I can’t announce yet that the film is finished, because they never got the last scene shot before winter set in. But they’re planning to do that in about two weeks, and that will be my last performance of Pops the bum—at least until the sequel. (The last scene takes place in the street, and requires closing off the street and I believe engaging a few police cars and officers to appear in the scene, also. My part, as I understand it, will involve sitting slumped against a wall looking bewildered. An easy role for me.)

And yes, outside of all that, I’m plowing ahead through the hardest part of the rewrite—the long middle—which was the biggest mess in the first draft, and requires the most rethinking in the second. Making good progress. Not as fast as I would like, but steady.

So…I gotta get back to it. But first I have to say…

Twelve planets in the solar system? You’ve got to be kidding. (The International Astronomical Union, as you probably know, is proposing just that.) Ceres a planet? Anyone who read SF in the 50’s and 60’s knows perfectly well that Ceres is an asteroid, and very important to the economy of the future asteroid belt civilization. Planet, indeed. And Pluto and Charon both planets? Come on. Xena, now—I can see calling Xena a minor planet. But not opening up the Pandora’s box of a hundred planets called “plutons.”

Reconsider, guys. Everything Pluto-size and up should be a planet. Smaller stuff should be minor planets. Wouldn’t that really just be a heck of a lot easier? And think of this: we could keep the name Xena, and it wouldn’t be breaking with tradition on the naming of major planets. Go for it!

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