Damage and Story, Fine Weather, And Auditory Comfort
Good Monday to you, dear Reader. Head over to the Selkie’s blog for some thoughtfulness–she writes about service to damage vs. service to the story as different engines for creativity. If either works, fine–the trouble with using damage as your fuel is that you do tend to turn into a one-trick pony. Not to mention the damage, since it has such a large place in one’s career, tends to spill out over into other parts of your life in bad ways. I prefer service to the story, even though I’ve found it useful to distill damage for verisimilitude in certain stories.
So, I’m thinking a lot about this and there will probably be a writing post about it. But not today.
Today is a lovely day, seventy degrees. There’s a big bright yellow thing in the sky, and the sky itself is blue instead of gray. I am not sure what to make of this here in the great Pacific Northwest. My inner mushroom is confused. But the kids love this sort of weather, and I may even break out popsicles for them, since they have been So Very Good even with all the chaos around here lately.
There’s a ton of work to do–lots of changes here at Casa Saintcrow, and cleaning and boxing things up is the biggest thing happening at the moment. Then there’s copyedits to focus on, and after that (hopefully) I’ll be able to get back into the swing of the “creation” phase of writing instead of the “revisions” phase with occasional soupcons of creation phase thrown in. Chunks of revision time are not my favorite things. I don’t like just being able to get in 200-400 words a day. It feels like I’m slacking even though I’m dealing with edits, copyedits, proofs, etc. ARGH.
I can tell I’m stressed because my choice of music these days has veered sharply into classical and stuff like Madeleine Peyroux. I am needing the auditory equivalent of a fuzzy soft blanket–I am staying far, far away from Berlioz and Shostakovich, and even Mahler. It’s Rachmaninoff, Beethoven piano sonatas, Bach cello suites, Satie, and easy well-constructed jazz. Smooth those jagged edges.
All right. Back I dive into the fray.
No related posts.
May 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
If you like Bach cello suites, you *must* listen to Edgar Meyer’s “Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites: Performed on Double Bass”. It’s my go-to CD for when I need to relax/focus on writing (my scientific articles). I’m currently listening to Yo-Yo Ma’s “Classic Yo-Yo”. That man’s a genius.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I hope the revisions pass quickly. I can imagine what a drag they are. Hopefully, things at the Saintcrow’s will be a little less hectic soon. I can really relate to that. I have recently started the Jill Kismet series and let me tell you… I have never laughed so hard and related with characters this much before I started reading your books. The imagary, metaphors and similies are outstanding. It’s gonna be torture waiting for Redemption Alley to hit the shelves. I can’t wait! Have a great night and keep your head up. Things always move quicker that way.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I actually prefer Maurice Gedron’s recording of the Bach cello suites to almost any others. Yo-Yo Ma is a genius, yes, but I feel him rushing through many pieces and can rarely relax when he plays. Different bows for different listeners, I guess.
May 20th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Powell’s main store had several copies of Strange Angels on the shelf Tuesday. One of them jumped into my hands and decided to come home with me.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I’m just hoping to get to the editing phase one of these days but after just moving from a house to an apartment I totally feel you on the dust and boxes. Enjoy. Great site you have here as well.
May 20th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Ive read just about everything in this genre. There are some really great authors: kim harrison,charlaine harris,rachelle cain,richelle mead. You are without a doubt by far my fave author. I have no way to describe your total awesomeness. just picked up strange angels and will read it till im finished.
you rock