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Fourth Street Fantasy Convention

skzb — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:03:11 +0000

This is a reminder to everyone who might be interested that Fourth Street Fantasy Convention is approaching. For those who don’t know, this is a small convention (100+ people) heavily oriented toward writing and writers–I sort of made it up back in, I think, the late 80′s so I could hear smart people argue about problems I was having. The theory is that anything that is about writing is also about reading; “How to Read Better” has always been an unstated discussion topic.

What distinguishes Fourth Street from most conventions are two things: 1. A very high percentage of professionals (writers, editors); and B. Strict single-track programming with lunch breaks, so everyone can be at every panel (and, of course, continue the arguments from one to the other). It used to be that did the programming; lately it’s mostly Alec Austin with help from Tom Whitmore and me, and I’ve been delighted by how things have gone. I have learned stuff. I think it has helped me write better; I know it has helped me get more out of my reading.

Check out who will be there (John Scalzi, Elizabeth Bear, Will Shetterly, Emma Bull, &c &c)

It’ll be in Minneapolis, June 22-24, and for actual, useful details, go here.

I’d love to see all of you there.

On Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files

skzb — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:34:55 +0000

I’ve been reading the Dresden Files, and I want to get my thoughts down, because it’s always worthwhile to me try to turn vague moods about writing into precise expressions that I can generalize and learn from.

I was told by several people that the books “hit their stride” with number 4, Summer Knight. I respectfully disagree. The problems in the early books remain, in my opinion, all the way until #9, White Night. The problems? Dresden’s sexism is not cute, not endearing, not charming. It’s annoying, and at various points I simply disbelieved in Murphy’s character because of how she reacted to it. By #9, he’s toned this down enough to be tolerable. More significantly, in the early books I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was watching the author push the pieces around. I could hear him saying, “No, I have to find a way to ramp up the tension, even if it makes no sense.” Two people hear a phone call, but in order to increase the tension, they both conveniently forget about it. Pfui.

So, why did I keep reading? There is a moment toward the end of #2, Fool Moon, where, right at the high point of the action, Butcher is required to bring everything to a dead stop and spend a paragraph describing another character’s interior landscape. While the battle hangs in the balance. He not only gets away with it, but he makes me like it. That is some serious chops. That’s the shit. Someone who can do that is worth reading.

The other thing he has going all the way is that he does exactly what I’ve tried to do (and not always succeeded at): Each book is a fully self-contained story, and each one significantly advances the overall arc. There’s no filler. There’s no treading water. He leaves it all out on the field every time. That’s how you do that.

By the time we get to #9, things are smooth. I’m not thinking about what the author is doing any more, I’m just reading and enjoying and really, really pulling for Harry Dresden. And moreover, we’re starting to get serious: we’re in territory where there are no easy answers, where there are no good choices, so you have to pick the least bad and live with it. This means the books are gripping on more than just one level, and that when the book is over, you have something to chew on. I like that.

I’m currently reading #11.

Progress report, and thank-you

skzb — Sun, 09 May 2010 03:23:46 +0000

I’m on the last chapter of Tiassa, and I want to take a moment to thank Alexx Kay for his timeline, Mark Mandel for Cracks and Shards, and everyone who has been maintaining the Dragaera Wiki; these resources have been especially useful over the last couple of days.

Another Tiassa Update

skzb — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:59:37 +0000

After several conversations with Reesa, what I think is the last chunk of Tiassa has fallen into place well enough that I can see where I’m going. I think. Maybe. For the moment. So I believe I’m on track to finish it. I have noticed that, with each of the last several books, I have pissed off some percentage of Vlad fans, and this makes me sad. So, with this book, I’m hoping to piss off all of them. I hate half measures.

Headsmack

skzb — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:14:34 +0000

Today I was at a Borders looking for Poker Pro magazine (on account of I’m in it, how cool is that?). While there, I, as usual, checked the sf section to see how well represented I was. I skimmed past the row Jim Butcher, found the row of Lois Bujold, and there I was. Two books.

Two lousy books.

Sad. Miserable. Depressed. I moped out of the store to my car, then stopped.

Two books? I have two books at Borders?

How many people do I know who would give their right cliche to have two books at Borders?

Man. I have BOOKS. In a BOOKSTORE. And there was my car, that I bought with money I got for WRITING BOOKS.

I drove home feeling much better.

Iorich – Spoilers

skzb — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:59:36 +0000

Place to discuss Your Itch.

Tiassa Update

skzb — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:47:02 +0000

It’s been pointed out to me that I’ve been slacking off on giving progress reports.

Tiassa is being difficult. Between conversations with Reesa and with Neil, I’ve been convinced to try something a bit challenging. I think it’s going to be really cool if it works, but at the moment I’m beating my head against it about halfway through. Judging by past experience, I imagine in a week or so things will fall into place and I’ll be moving forward.

Woohoo!

skzb — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:32:40 +0000

It seems that Cory Doctorow likes my book. I am happy. Praise from Caesar is praise indeed, as some Hungarian once said.

Dark fantasy recommendations, please

skzb — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:17:01 +0000

A friend just asked me to recommend some dark fantasy, and I realized that, with the exception of anything by Tim Powers, I don’t know much about it. You can argue about what “Dark Fantasy” means, if you wish*, but also throw in some reading suggestions. Thanks!

*One friend recently explained, “If I like it, it’s dark fantasy, if I don’t like it, it’s horror.”

Vlad novels – Spoilers – Part 2

skzb — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:27:04 +0000

Topic started by request. I’m about a third of the way through the first draft of Tiassa. Or, as I affectionately call it, Hadassah. – Hadizsákmányapa Copyright 2008 The Dream Cafe.Vlad novels – Spoilers – Part 2 ©2012 Words Words Words. All Rights Reserved..