Author Archives: Adam

One down.

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I finished the final revisions I had for “Recycled Dreams” on Tuesday. It feels particularly good because this is the first story I’ve taken as far as I feel I can. There are always bits that I can tweak but the story I want to tell is all there, for better or worse. I’ve sent it off to James Gunn for his workshop. He is being awarded the title of Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master this weekend at the Nebula Awards in New York City so I don’t expect any word this week.

I’ve managed to write every day this month except today. Work was particularly hairy today. I didn’t finish until a few minutes ago. I have been working through the details of a new story, which I’ll begin writing tomorrow. I also need to write a cover letter and send my application off to Viable Paradise. That should happen this week as well.

May Goals

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I’ve always worked better when I set goals for myself. I do that for the “day” job and writing should be no different. There’s more to it than just saying, “Self, do this by Friday or else!” I need to make sure that my working habits are healthy. Random internet research says that it takes roughly three weeks to form a new habit. I have begun setting aside consistent time to write every day. One hour at lunch, ignoring telephone, email, and instant message. That doesn’t mean I’m limiting myself to an hour/day. I’m just ensuring that I write for at least that long. This was day two and the progress is wonderful. I’m half-way through revising “Recycled Dreams”.

Workshops:

I’ve decided to apply to two other workshops this year. James Gunn’s SF Workshop is a two-week workshop held in Lawrence, KS, June 25th through July 5th. Immediately following the workshop is the Campbell Conference and Heinlein Centennial. I was talking to Dena about going to that anyways. Heinlein is my favorite author.

The second is Viable Paradise, a one-week workshop held September 30th through October 5th on Martha’s Vineyard. I’ve spoken with two of the Semi-Os who have been to VP and both of them highly recommend it.

There is a catch with the workshops. In order to get the most out of them and not waste the instructors time, the stories I submit should not be in circulation anywhere else. So until they have been rejected or through the workshops, I won’t be sending them out elsewhere. I think the benefit of going through the workshops far outweighs sitting in a slush pile somewhere. I want them to be the best I can do before I send them into the wild.

Goals for May:

  • Write every day
  • Finish revisions of “Recycled Dreams” and “Narang” (and find new title for the latter)
  • Complete first draft of new story
  • Apply to Viable Paradise and the James Gunn’s SF Workshop

The wait goes on

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I thought I’d post an update on my application to the 2007 Clarion workshop. No news is good news, right?

I know I’ve been watching my Google Alerts for a mention from other applications but the blogosphere has been quiet. I hope this is simply the calm before the storm and acceptance/rejection notifications will be made any second now. (Hits refresh and looks sternly at INBOX). I said any second now. Hrmph. Seriously, though. I expect word will come any day and when it does I will be sure to post about it, good or bad. The writing continues in either case.

Elizabeth Bear Rocks

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I had the opportunity to see Elizabeth Bear on several panels at Penguicon. I’ve never read any of her work. After listening to her talk about the writing process, the art of the critique, and limited female roles in fantasy and science fiction, I have decided that she is “good people”. She is also braver than I am. Perhaps one day I can have such a cathartic release.

Penguicon 5.0

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I’m home from Penguicon, weary and sleep-deprived but feeling positive. It was a great weekend. I met many new, interesting people and forged what I hope will be long-lasting friendships.

I got to hang out with all of my friends from Ars Technica, too. We cooked out on the grill and played poker Thursday night. I doubled my money. I ate way too much (which was probably a good thing considering how poorly I ate through the weekend).

Writers Workshop

The first workshop event was a meet-and-greet. We were given a bound copy of our submitted stories, formatted and printed through Lulu. The idea is to give us a taste of what seeing our name in print is like.

We were given access to the green room, a smaller room for staff and guests of the con. It gave us a quieter place to congregate, discuss writing and get critiques of our stories.

I received some good feedback on the story I workshopped, “Recycled Dreams”. After the next round of edits it will go out as my first submission in more years than I care to admit.

The Technopeasant Evolution

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April 23rd is International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day. This was brought about due to a recent debate within SFWA community about the role of the “webscab”, as the current VP describes those who post their own work for free on the Internet, in the perceived decline of the organization.

I am not a member of SFWA (yet) although I have posted work for free on the Internet before. I don’t know enough about the internal politics of SWFA to make any insightful comments but I will say this: the field of Science Fiction and Fantasy is evolving and any organization whose intent is to promote and support the authors of the field should be prepared to accept and roll with the natural evolution process.

The Internet brings with it an entirely new world to discover. We are creating new and interesting methods of publication, from Print on Demand (POD) to podcasting. Alternatives to traditional copyright facilities have drastically modified the barriers to entry into the market. We’ve only scratched the surface here, folks. I understand that chance can be difficult to accept but it is an inevitability if we wish to survive in this new world of instantaneous communication.

I would prefer to see the pixel-stained technopeasants gain strength within SFWA, not just because the label is one that fits my beliefs, but because it ultimately leads to a stronger organization ready to take on the challenges facing it.

Sanctuary Press Writer’s Workshop at Penguicon

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I applied to the Sanctuary Press Writer’s Workshop today. It will be held at at Penguicon, just two weeks away in Troy, Michigan. This is my fifth year at Penguicon but my first participating in the Sci-Fi portion of the convention.

I was a little apprehensive about applying to the workshop. I have never participated in a workshop at a convention. I’m familiar with the workshop setting but this is a group of people I’ve never met before and there is a mention that readings may follow the weekend rewrites.

It may come as a surprise to people that know me but I have a fear of public speaking. I had a speech impediment as a child, which may be a contributing factor. I’ve taken classes on public speaking and was once a member of a Toastmasters group. I am not unfamiliar with standing up in front of a group of people and speaking.

I find it easier to speak to a subject in which I am confident of my skills. I can talk your ear off when it comes to hacking, programming, or anything related to computers and technology. Reading a story that I have written in front of a group of strangers is something completely different. A proper reading would, I imagine, require some dramatic oration. I’m afraid I will flounder in that kind of situation. It won’t stop me from trying, however.