rflong

rflong @ 2013-01-02T13:13:00

2013-01-02T13:17:28Z

I haven't used Dreamwidth in ages but since it's a new year I might as well give it a go again. There's every chance this will be completely sporadic or full of photos of the cat & the dog, but I may try to use it as a place to keep a track of what I'm writing.

So at the moment I am working on the Space Opera that is not a Space Opera. OH is reading through it and giving me notes at the moment. I have a long edit letter from the agent lady which i hope I've covered but will have to be checked through again. Once I'm happy I'll send it back to her and look at extending my Magicians novella into a novel instead. And work on the MG library book (ie completely rewrite the wretched thing).

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Nice!

2009-06-08T19:36:09Z

Your result for Which fantasy writer are you?...

Ursula K Le Guin (b. 1929)

9 High-Brow, -9 Violent, -7 Experimental and 1 Cynical!

Congratulations! You are High-Brow, Peaceful, Traditional and Cynical! These concepts are defined below.

Ursula Kroeber Le Guin is definitely one of the most celebrated science fiction and fantasy writers of all times. Her most famous fantasy work to date is the Earthsea suite of novels and short stories, in which Le Guin created not only one of the most believable societies in fantasy fiction, but also managed to describe a school for wizards almost three decades before Harry Potter. Although often categorized as written for young adults, these books have entertained and challenged readers of all ages since their publication.

Le Guin is no stranger to literary experiments (see for example Always Coming Home(1985)), but much of her story-telling is quite traditional. In fact, she makes a point of returning to older forms of story-telling, which, at her best, enables her to create something akin to myth. One shouldn't confuse myth with faerytale, though. Nothing is ever simplified in Le Guin's world, as she relentlessly explores ethical problems and the moral choices that her characters must make, as must we all. While being one of those writers who will allow you to escape to imaginary worlds, she is also one who will prompt you to return to your actual life, perhaps a little wiser than you used to be.

You are also a lot like Susan Cooper.

If you want some action, try Michael Moorcock.

If you'd like a challenge, try your exact opposite, C S Lewis.

Your score

This is how to interpret your score: Your attitudes have been measured on four different scales, called 1) High-Brow vs. Low-Brow, 2) Violent vs. Peaceful, 3) Experimental vs. Traditional and 4) Cynical vs. Romantic. Imagine that when you were born, you were in a state of innocence, a tabula rasa who would have scored zero on each scale. Since then, a number of circumstances (including genetical, cultural and environmental factors) have pushed you towards either end of these scales. If you're at 45 or -45 you would be almost entirely cynical, low-brow or whatever. The closer to zero you are, the less extreme your attitude. However, you should always be more of either (eg more romantic than cynical). Please note that even though High-Brow, Violent, Experimental and Cynical have positive numbers (1 through 45) and their opposites negative numbers (-1 through -45), this doesn't mean that either quality is better. All attitudes have their positive and negative sides, as explained below.

High-Brow vs. Low-Brow

You received 9 points, making you more High-Brow than Low-Brow. Being high-browed in this context refers to being more fascinated with the sort of art that critics and scholars tend to favour, rather than the best-selling kind. At their best, high-brows are cultured, able to appreciate the finer nuances of literature and not content with simplifications. At their worst they are, well, snobs.

Violent vs. Peaceful

You received -9 points, making you more Peaceful than Violent. This scale is a measurement of a) if you are tolerant to violence in fiction and b) whether you see violence as a means that can be used to achieve a good end. If you aren't, and you don't, then you are peaceful as defined here. At their best, peaceful people are the ones who encourage dialogue and understanding as a means of solving conflicts. At their worst, they are standing passively by as they or third parties are hurt by less scrupulous individuals.

Experimental vs. Traditional

You received -7 points, making you more Traditional than Experimental. Your position on this scale indicates if you're more likely to seek out the new and unexpected or if you are more comfortable with the familiar, especially in regards to culture. Note that traditional as defined here does not equal conservative, in the political sense. At their best, traditional people don't change winning concepts, favouring storytelling over empty poses. At their worst, they are somewhat narrow-minded.

Cynical vs. Romantic

You received 1 points, making you more Cynical than Romantic. Your position on this scale indicates if you are more likely to be wary, suspicious and skeptical to people around you and the world at large, or if you are more likely to believe in grand schemes, happy endings and the basic goodness of humankind. It is by far the most vaguely defined scale, which is why you'll find the sentence "you are also a lot like x" above. If you feel that your position on this scale is wrong, then you are probably more like author x. At their best, cynical people are able to see through lies and spot crucial flaws in plans and schemes. At their worst, they are overly negative, bringing everybody else down.

Author picture from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:UrsulaLeGuin.01.jpg

Take Which fantasy writer are you? at HelloQuizzy

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Things that make a post

2009-06-08T12:25:50Z

Work: very busy. This is the first week of very big meeting in work so there are many people around and I am regularly showing off the library. Consequently we spent much of Thursday and Friday putting together displays of items from the Archives and the Rare books section. Great fun. Found a contemporary report of not only the meeting to ratify the Home Rule Bill in 1912 but also the sinking of the Titanic - same page of the diary. Took photos of everything from illuminated manuscripts to photos from 1916 onwards.

Writing: I'm editing May Queen - did chapters 1-3 last night and plan to move on with it tonight. Its going well and I am pleased. Also started a short story last night in longhand. Not sure if it will ever see the light of day as its in first person present tense and I think I've made my feelings clear about that particular set up on a number of occassions. However, that is how this story wants to be told. Stubborn thing. So we shall see.

Links: Excerpt Monday will be happening again and I plan to take part - its so much fun. The guidelines for anyone interested are here. I heartily recommend it.

Came across this wonderful post via Nell Dixon by Kate Hardy "How Authors get Paid" which explains the system so well.

Thanks to everyone who voted in the Wicked Thorn and Roses cover contest. The Scroll Thief came second and I get a shiny badge for being a finalist. :)

So that's kind of it for today, unless I get another random thought I desperately need to share! :)

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Mad busy and suchlike

2009-05-28T19:07:15Z

This made me very very happy this evening...

I'm stuck right into May Queen right now - 28k in, which if it is actually going to be a 50k story (and not something longer masquerading as a 50k story until its far too late for me to do anything about it) is a very good way in. And its going kind of well. (Oh how I will probably regret those words this evening).

The finale of Bones is on tonight which I will have to watch with obsessive compulsion to see if Seeley dies. Tell me beforehand and I WILL have to kill you. No matter where you are. I'm sure he won't because... you know... new series etc. Then again, Supernatural played with that time and again.

The Paranormal YA workshop is on at Divas and is an absolute blast. Lots of fun, lots of info. All very interesting. :)

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Importing

2009-05-27T08:59:55Z

Just imported/exported my LJ to Dreamwidth as much as a backup as anything else (after the awful hacking Sarah Rees Brennan experienced recently). Not that there's a lot of stuff here to lose, but still. No actually, there *is* a lot of stuff. Just not sure of its value.

but anyway, 'tis done.

If you're looking at in Dreamwidth its a tad flaky looking - some embedded stuff didn't make it, neither did some of my icons, but the majority of the content is there and that's what matters to me.

Now off to work I go. :)

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I quite like this one

2009-05-18T08:41:06Z

Your result for The Social Persona Test (What kind of man/woman are you?)...

The Renaissance Faire Wench (QLAF)

Quirky Liberal Alpha Female

The hardest part about being the Renn. Faire Wench is that people often mistake you for a beta female. This is not so. You might be quite flirtatious, but you are hardly relient on men. You like to do things the mainstream would consider weird, (like dress in costume, perhaps?). Eat, drink, and be merry, but make sure whoever you date respects you and does not take advantage of your laid-back attitude. (BTW, you are likely the only type who can see That Creepy Guy (NLBM) for who he is, helping him to bring out the Manga Geek (QLBM) inside. This does not mean you have to date one, however. You are quite flexible and can enjoy the company of many of the types.)

PS: You are one of my favorite of the eight female types to date. If you happen to be in your twenties and live in New England, perhaps you would like to send me a message. :-D

You are more QUIRKY than NORMAL.

You are more LIBERAL than TRADITIONAL.

You are more DOMINANT than PASSIVE.

When picking a date, consider: The Lord of the Misfits (QLAM), The Fratt Boy (NLAM), The Snowball's Chance in Hell (QTBM), The Manga Geek (QLBM), or That Creepy Guy (NLBM).

(Image from http://www.buycostumes.com/Lock-Lace-Bodice-Navy-Renaissance-Collection-Adult/27296/ProductDetail.aspx)

Take The Social Persona Test (What kind of man/woman are you?) at HelloQuizzy

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Testing... testing...

2009-05-02T07:14:59Z

It's always interesting to look at something new.

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