Van Nuys, California
1-30-99
NEWSFLASH!
First of all, a huge welcome going out to A. L. Sirois who joins the Not-A-Webring loony bin... ahem writing gang. Welcome, Al, and may you have a great year in writing!
Lately, I am just generally tired and overwhelmed with things. Trying to finish one last story for Kurt's THE AGE OF REASON, just under the deadline, which by the way is tomorrow.
And after that is done, the next project I will embrace with glee is doing my 1998 taxes. You think I jest? Not at all. I need that damn refund. Just bounced three checks, and had some of the WORST financial three months of my life. Over the last three months I had to pay half a month's salary to fix a major car problem, sent a huge care package to Russia (another half a month's salary), paid my car registration, veterinarian bills for dogs, huge heating bill, paid more than my share of rent this month (parents couldn't come up with all of their portion), and there were other innumerable little expences that just kinda fell on my head, all at once. Can you say, bankruptcy? Nah, I won't. I refuse. I CAN do this, and I DON'T need anyone's help! What really pisses me off is that I get GOOD money from my fulltime job! I shouldn't have these problems. It's just that my debt is huge, and all of my salary goes to pay the damn credit cards.
Ok, enough whining. :-) I will now get to work! Write, write, write! Kurt, don't close that anthology, please wait for me!!! *grin*
1-24-99
NEWSFLASH!
I had a dream about fish last night. Little tiny poor goldfish swimming in a locked up sealed aquarium, and I couldn't get to them and change their dwindling water, and they were about to die, and then became these floating bits of debris, kinda like grapenuts.... Ok, maybe that was brought on by my thoughts of Diana Rowland, sitting there like an effigy of deep ancient oriental silence (why oriental? I dunno, but I keep on imagining this Budda figure) on a misty pier over cool still waters, and waiting for fish to bite her bait.... Hmmmm.... Weird. ;-)
Anyway, I've also had some thoughts on what other NAW folks have to say lately. For example, James Hartley and Tippi N. Blevins are having a discussion in their respective journals about whether it's a waste of time to submit to non-pro markets, and whether it's even worth congratulating folks who sell to small press. James seems to be of the opinion that it is definitely not a good thing, while Tippi thinks it's more a matter of what each writer's priority is, as far as their actual selling goals, and that any sale is an achievement that should be appreciated and hence congratulated to the extent the writer himself or herself appreciates it.
I tend to agree with Tippi, and applaud any sale. I personally submit to some of the semi-pro and small press, and my reasons are usually either because I like the people who run them, and want to help them succeed by offering them my stories (yes, Vera has the gall to think she can help a market!), or because I find that the particular small press or semi-pro can actually get me some new exposure to readers that I may not get otherwise. I can understand the awe and green envy of seeing Devon Monk sell to Amazing, and yet, I think it's pretty damn wonderful when someone makes a sale to Neverworlds or Jackhammer, especially when it's their first one. It's a matter of levels of achievement, and we all need to take those first steps. Not everyone makes their first sale to Asimov's like David Marusek!
Oh, and another thing that James Hartley brings up -- he mentions that he is going by the strong advice of Mike Resnick who had told him not to submit to anything below semi-pro, and that in passing on Mike's advice, he is "paying forward" to other new writers. Well, James, I do see where you're coming from, and it is a good thing. And I agree that Mike Resnick is an amazingly astute guy, to be listened to with both ears! But I might also remind you that only last year, I was quite happy to sell to Visionair SF's Premiere Issue, and guess who was in that issue with me? Yup, Mike Resnick. I wonder if Mike got paid more than me? I only got paid 1/2 Dutch guilder per word, which comes out to 1/4 American cents, and therefore my story got me a grand total of 12 bucks! ;-) How's that for Mike's advice?
In other news, I've started teaching my 8-week novel writing class earlier this week at the LEARNING TREE UNIVERSITY, which went pretty well, I think. And also, yesterday I've written 1207 words on a brand new SF story that I had started for Kurt Roth's THE AGE OF REASON. This is my first new story of the year.... Hopefully it will click with him, since the third time's the charm, right? *grin* Oh yeah, I also got a friendly rejection from Space and Time -- yes, a small press, but a good one, so nyah! ;-)
And I see that Dawn Pasley and a couple of other folks bring up the idea of why we write these journals in the first place. Is it for ourselves or for an audience? Heck, my own answer is simple. Of course it's mostly for an audience! In fact, I don't even call this "journal" a journal, so much as a news-brief. In this place, I tell people what I've done, where I'm at, and I post opinion pieces! Yes, I rant, so that you can get my thoughts and feelings on things. I've never been much of an inner-life personal blather-type diary writer, and I am not about to start. All the stuff you will read here are simple facts of my life (such as sales and rejections) and my strong opinionated wacky views. Also, this helps me keep track of my chronology for the year -- at the end I will probaby be referring here to see when and where I've subbed things to, and when did things happen -- since I have the memory span of a drosophila fruit fly. *grin*
I also want to second Stephen Leigh's recommendation of the movie CONTACT -- it truly does give you a sense of wonder, and heartily deserves its Hugo. No bug-eyed monsters, but plenty of tension and the sense of true speculation, the best kind of imaginative exercise that SF has to offer us. And once again Stephen writes a beautiful post!
Finally, welcome back to Chiara Shah, and to John Sullivan and his gorgeous new Japanese-scroll-looking journal. A thank you to Toby Buckell for reminding us about the true meaning of the actions of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. And a big hug goes to Lisa Silverthorne who has been terribly ill and off from work for a week, to Linda Dunn who has to deal with both the flu and a capricious network, and to Tippi N. Blevins and Ron Collins, both of whom are suffering some kind of nasty stomach flu.... {{{HUGS!}}}
1-19-99
NEWSFLASH!
First, congratulations to Mary Soon Lee, Tippi N. Blevins and everyone who has made more sales in the last couple of days! And congrats to Erin Cashier Denton for changing the focus of her journal from terse data-point reporting to personal life-details. I like it! In the meantime I haven't been quite as lucky, getting another friendly bouncie from Kurt Roth for THE AGE OF REASON, and another from Gordon Van Gelder at F&SF. Life goes on.... ;-)
Now, here's a rant that I posted originally on my newsgroup, and being the lazy scum that I am, thought it would be perfect to post it here for your eyes to peruse (amazing vocab, eh?)
* * *
Sometimes I wonder...
Why are so many of us such crude rude childish barbarians? Haven't our mothers taught us all -- whether we're men or women -- the meaning of what it is to be a noble chivalrous individual toward others?
I don't mean just men opening doors for women. Not at all.
I mean, men *and* women opening doors for *other* men and women. Children or younger people getting up on their own initiative from a chair so that an old person can sit down on a crowded bus. A man or woman offering to help another person carry their things without being asked to help. People doing things for people. Individuals reaching out and just plain helping when they see someone else near them needs help of any sort.
What is CHIVALRY? In my mind, it is a combination of being a Good Samaritan, a gallant "knight" in the old-fashioned sense who comes to the assistance of others in need, a true friend who doesn't let you down, and who knows when you need help without being asked for assistance, and a person who is very aware of others around them, always carrying an emotional-mental radar to know how they feel, what hurts them, what makes them happy, etc.
I don't think these things are natural inborn instincts in any of us. (So, don't tell me you simply can't be chivalrous because it's not "in you" to be like that, or that you don't have the chivalrous "gene.")
Bullshit.
There is *no* such thing as a chivalrous gene. I think these things are learned by simple practice, and anyone and everyone can learn chivalry simply by paying attention to others around them.
Yes, paying attention.
Are you listening to me?
Good.
That's a start.
Now, don't tell me that it's old-fashioned chauvinist nonsense. When a man opens a door for you -- if you're a woman -- you may initially bristle like any good feminist, but then it may actually feel kinda sorta good. And it may just be a kindness done to you as a person! So, why the hell won't you open the door for other people yourself?? You, a woman! That wouldn't be chauvinist at all! That would be chivalrous of you! And guys please continue doing that for everyone -- men or women -- for anyone who needs it!
One of the best examples of a so-called chivalrous "gentleman" that I know is not a gentleman at all, but a woman. She is a friend of mine from Watsonville called Terri. This woman does things for you, and for all her friends. She is remarkably sensitive to people's needs, she listens and hears without having to be told. She opens doors and carries parcels, and makes phone calls, and inquires about your well-being. And she is taken for granted by many people. And yet, she cheerfully doesn't appear to mind.
Though, deep inside, I bet you she *does* mind... It's sad to be taken for granted. If you were chivalrous, you'd realize that, and watch yourself, and pay attention, so that you don't take people or acts of kindness for granted. Those random acts of kindness are indeed chivalry. And to acknowledge them as such is also chivalry on your part.
And here's another thing.
It is not chauvinism to be chivalrous. And neither is it servility.
Don't be too proud to do things for others. Because by being aware and reaching out, and lending your ability, you are indeed made strong.
Even invincible.
You become the source for others.
And if all of us tried even a little to be like that, to pay attention, to watch ourselves and watch others despite our natural selfish lazy tendencies, the world would be a different place....
Oh -- and if your parents never taught you any of this (maybe they themselves were never taught) -- then I am teaching you NOW.
Embrace CHIVALRY!
*grin*
1-15-99
NEWSFLASH!
An interesting mini-sale to report, the first one of its kind for me, and also my first sale of the year. Kathy Ice, Executive Editor of Alexandria Digital Literature has notified me by e-mail yesterday that they are interested in acquiring world rights for electronic distribution via wide-area networks (which is not the same thing as plain "electronic rights") to a reprint of my story "Beauty And His Beast" to be included in their online story Marketplace. I am quite excited, and find this fascinating, not just because this is the first time I am selling non-hardcopy rights, but also because my story will be in very good company at www.alexlit.com including writers such as Vonda McIntyre, Lawrence Watt-Evans, and Bruce Holland Rogers. I am also very happy with the amount of sales I've "harvested" from this one story in particular, and definitely one of my favorites. The original sale was to SWORD AND SORCERESS #8, then a Dutch language reprint to Visionair SF (due out later this year), and now this. Can you say juice squeezing? :-)
In other news, thank you all of you who wrote to me with kinds words about the situation in Russia, and with offers of help. I will see if I can post some information links here in the near future, but for now, I am eager to simply make the situation more widely known to all of you, and to the world in general. The thing is that this has not sunk in with most people, and folks have no idea how bad things really are over there....
Now, for the good stuff! Congratulations to Patricia Duffy Novak on her sale to MZBFM, to Lisa Silverthorne on her sale to THE AGE OF REASON, to Tippi N. Blevins for her sale to The Grimoire, to Ron Collins and Linda Dunn on their collaborative sale to Artemis, to Mary Soon Lee for her sale to Talebones, and to John Aegard for his sale to OnSpec! I am so proud of you folks, for opening the year with such a great start! Is it just me, or are the sales happening suddenly more frequently and to more people around here? *grin*
Last but not least, a warm welcome to our own John "Johnzo" Aegard to the Not-A-Webring gang! I think "Zo" just wanted to display his own logo on his page, that's all, that's why he joined! *kidding! grin*
1-8-99
NEWSFLASH!
First, with the new year's wave of renewal -- happy belated birthdays to Toby Buckell and Eric Jorgensen, happy first sale of the year to Tamela Viglione, big hugs to Tippi Blevins and Linda Dunn who are both going through a hell of a time about now, get-well hugs to Lisa Silverthorne and Kurt "Ultrasnot" Roth, cheer-up hugs to Zette Gifford, congratulations on a gorgeous new web page look to Dorothy Rothschild and Ron Collins and Jenn Coleman-Reese and Erin Cashier Denton, editorial hold-pile mongo-congrats to Terry Kanago and Jon Hansen and Diana Rowland (and a best new sofa award goes to Diana too!), great volume writing output congrats to Dawn Pasley and Caroline Austin Hazen, neato logo award to Stephen Leigh, congrats on a nice Tangent Online review to James Hartley, a get-your-butt-back-from-India-already to Chiara Shah, a get-some-sleep-woman to Lorrie Kralka, and to Mary Soon Lee and Debbie Osorio and John Sullivan -- a loving trio of wedgies from the Manic Weasel, yours truly, just because! *PHEW!*
And if you think the above was amazing, hear this. It's a Rejectorgy (TM) around here. I've received my 3rd rejection of the year already today, this one a 3-day wonder from Kurt editing the second annual SFF Net anthology THE AGE OF REASON (two rejections from Pulp Eternity came hurtling at me like boomerangs or Xena's Chakram earlier this week).
Now, what did I want to say? I honestly don't remember. It's a senility lapse. :-) Oh yeah! The Not-A-Webring seems to be going really nicely, and almost all folks are linked up successfully, and our "community property" page is getting plenty of hits.
Ok, and now, in my mercurial way, here's a moment of terrible seriousness, friends:
The people of Russia are dying slowly and quietly. I bet you didn't know that? It is an easily ignored but incurable complex malady made of negative birth rate, birth defects, lack of basic foodstuffs, a constant state of malnutrition, and a general despair in the population.
This Monday I was over at a humanitarian aid warehouse and shipping service, and delivered 4 huge boxes of basic foodstuffs and other supplies for delivery by sea to my relatives in Russia, who asked for help yet again. Every now and then, at least once a year, I send them the care packages, as much as I can afford. Indeed, my relatives are not as badly off as some other people (although my uncle and aunt are both over 70, they cannot stop working, or they will starve) -- at least they have me and my parents as a lifeline, here in the West.
Other people in Russia have no one to help them. Many with a professional degree, such as doctors, technicians, scientists, not to mention the ordinary factory workers, regular folks, are begging on the streets, or working for months without getting a salary, basically on the power of IOUs. Or else, those who do get paid, discover that a month's salary is enough to buy about 2 loaves of bread. These people are dying from despair, because there is no solution to the economy in sight. How long must my poor Russian people endure hell, first from the 70-year Soviet stagnation and destruction of the spirit, and now from the lawless chaos and famine?
Yesterday was Russian Orthodox Christmas. The bells rang solemn in the great onion-domed churches over the heads of these people, and the sound carried high onward to a silent sky.
I wish you all peace.
1-3-99
NEWSFLASH!
Okay, finished messing with the page.... This is the look for now. *grin*
As for the Not-A-Webring, notice the new logo, folks! We're actually going to settle on several different ones, but at this point, this is it! A great thanks go out to John Aegard who created this design and a number of others!
1-2-99
NEWSFLASH!
Yes, I decided to redesign the look of this journal page.... We are still in negotiations for the Not-A-Webring logo, but in the meantime, this is what I've got on my own page.... I am aiming for the Rembrandt look, but tell me if it is too barfy. *grin*
Okay, first, the 1998 stats:
* * *
SUBMISSIONS: 41
* * *
New stories written: 6
* * *
NOVELS:
* * *
SHORT SALES breakdown:
* * *
Well, looking back, I see an interesting pattern. I have written MUCH less this year than last, but have made a record number of sales for me!
Maybe I finally learned the "trick" to this business? *snarf*
FASCINATING FIRSTS:
1) First time I sold reprints.
Anyway, there may be more, but I can't think of anything, so that's about it, for 1998...
* * *
It really was a good year in more than just the creative sense. The new friendships I made and the old ones that deepened, and this wonderful place called SFF Net and the Not-A-Webring journal writers group, and the rest of the online community, have really become an indispensible part of my life.
I can't believe I only got online in December 1996! I've been missing out SO MUCH!!!
I also saw so many of my fellow writers grow and acheve a whole lot in 1998, and I think this has been one of the best years in a long time.
I would like to thank all of YOU, my friends, and you know who you are.
Now, onward to a brilliant 1999!!!
Let's all light up the sky!!! :-) :-) :-)
Oh and yes, now for a little reality break. I already got my first rejection for the year, from Pulp Eternity, in a less than 24-hour turnaround! Eeeek! Not a very promising start, but I'm hopeful! :-)
REJECTIONS: 36
FICTION SALES: 6 (2 pro, 1 semipro, 1 small press, 2 reprints)
ART SALES: 2
New story ideas still in progress: 4
New story words written: 12,000 (Wow, that's ALL!! I barely wrote this year! I am amazed at my own low productivity! Though, it's true that I am NOT counting any revision words in this, which will maybe triple this number.)
SUBMISSIONS: 2
REJECTIONS: 1
Revision for LORDS OF RAINBOW: I have no idea, but a lot!
Addition of words to THE HANGED WOMAN: maybe 5,000
1) "The Stone Face, The Giant, And The Paradox" -- Dutch translation reprint sale to Visionair SF.
2) "City of No-Sleep" -- sale to SWORD AND SORCERESS #16.
3) "Amarantea" -- sale to Pulp Eternity Issue #4 The Price of Magic.
4) "Mount Dragon" -- sale to Talebones.
5) "Sailing The Eye Of Sun" -- sale to Maelstrom SF, Issue #2.
6) "Beauty And His Beast" -- Dutch translation reprint sale to Visionair SF.
2) First time I sold a story and illustrated it in the same issue! (Maelstrom SF)
3) First time I made 6 sales!
4) First time my work got translated to Dutch. (Previously my work had been translated to German, French, and Italian.)