Fiddly Bits, 12/12/06
Posted on December 12, 2006 Posted by John Scalzi 13 Comments
Busy day — I’ll be back at some point, but for now, some egocentric notes and links:
* First, I’m done with “The Sagan Diary,” although I’ll spend part of the afternoon formatting it and banging out an intro chapter. But the hard part, the part where I get inside Jane’s head, is completed. I’m going to talk about it in more depth soon, but for now I’ll have you know that this little novelette was really hard to write, and was possibly the most difficult piece of writing I’ve ever done. And yes, I’m very happy with it. As I said, I’ll talk about it more a little later.
* SFFWorld has a positive review of The Android’s Dream, which makes me happy (although I will note it features a plot spoiler, so be mindful):
Fans of Scalzi’s previous novels shouldn’t worry; the humor, storytelling, and skillful plotting that flavored those two novels flavors The Android’s Dream even more strongly. Three novels in such a short time from one writer is impressive, even more impressive is how John Scalzi is improving as a writer with each and delivering chock-full-of SF goodness that should appeal to readers across the genre.
Nifty. Although I most note for the sake of accuracy that Android was actually written before Ghost Brigades, so I guess I can’t take too much credit for smoothly progressing as a writer. I have noted before that I think structurally The Android’s Dream is the best constructed of my books — I think it’s just well put together. Mind you, I’m proud of TGB as well, and there are several things there I do better than I did in OMW or TAD, in my opinion. I do think I’m becoming a better writer as I go along.
* Also nice: Forbidden Planet International (based in the UK) is polling SF/F and Comics notables about the books, movies, graphic novels and etc they think are the best of the year. Old Man’s War shows up, which is gratifying, since at the moment it’s still only available as an import in the UK.
And, uh, that’s me for the moment. How are you?
Fine thanks. Also, I’d like to pass on a compliment my girlfriend handed you the other night while reading the Android’s dream. She thought your humor was akin to Christopher Moore’s but ‘sassier’. High praise from her as Mr. Moore is one of her favorite writers.
Great! Thanks for asking, John. Have yourself a nice day and try not to hurt any more digits that might interfere with the whole writing gig you got going on.
I’m just sayin’…
Well, approaching tonight’s meeting with some trepidation. Avoiding pitfalls and generally CYAing at work. Thanks for asking.
Get some rest. It sounds like it was a rough birth (The Sagan Diary).
“It sounds like it was a rough birth (The Sagan Diary).”
I’d like mine dried and powdered before shipping, please.
I’m not especially fine, but thank you for asking. I pretty sure that a cold has rooted itself deep into my operating systems and is now progressing further along.
But on the upside – I have som good books waiting to arrive at my doorstep. I’ve ordered TAD and TGB and are looking forward to reading them both before the holidays. That cheers me up somewhat…
Nathan, at least it’ll have a slip cover on it. It’s kind of like a diaper.
I’m aight… I’ll be better once someone sets a firm date for when our replacement unit shows up; this limbo shit sucks. It’d also be nice to get some orders for wherever I’m going next, but hey.
Glad to hear TSD is about done; I’ve loved everything you’ve written in that universe so far, and I’m sure I’ll feel the same way about this one too.
On another note, that’s about what I said (regarding TGB, at the time) when I requested my electronic copy of TGB, and I certainly did love it, as expected. I stayed up all night and read the whole thing in one go; it was deceptively long in RTF format. Of course, I completely overslept the next morning, and my platoon sergeant was kinda upset with me. But it’s all good.
As is probably evident from the number of my posts,I have had a slow day at work.
I’ve also been reading Blindsight by Peter Watts online,another nice freebie although I intend to buy the print version if I can find it.
How am I doing? Not worth a crap, I have the worst head cold I’ve had in years. But, thanks for asking, John, because I was just dying to share that with someone (since my wife stopped listening to my whining two days ago and I’m feeling neglected…).
Now, as long as we’re sharing here, I’ve got to say that I’m looking forward to The Sagan Diaries with some serious trepidation. Why, you ask? Well, see I read The Android’s Dream while traveling last week (which is where I probably picked up this rotten cold, air travel nowadays just plain bites). Anyway, after reading the first chapter I began to develop a major gas issue. Very dicey situation in the close confines of a commercial aircraft, I can tell you. Fortunately I was able to contain the problem, but it was a high pressure situation for a while. Now, some people might attribute this condition to airport food, but I’m positive that it was a direct result of your subtle way with words and supernatural powers of suggestion. As additional proof (as if any additional proof is necessary) I later developed a craving lamb stew. And now you’ve alluded to the fact that TSD will have explicit SEX scenes in it! Good Grief, Scalzi, don’t you watch Heroes? You have special powers; you MUST use them only for good. I fear, Sir, that you are veering ever closer to the dark side.
Kidding aside, TAD was a blast. I laughed my ass off (kidding aside, not puns). Thanks.
How am I doing? Not worth a crap, I have the worst head cold I’ve had in years. But, thanks for asking, John, because I was just dying to share that with someone (since my wife stopped listening to my whining two days ago and I’m feeling neglected…).
Now, as long as we’re sharing here, I’ve got to say that I’m looking forward to The Sagan Diaries with some serious trepidation. Why, you ask? Well, see I read The Android’s Dream while traveling last week (which is where I probably picked up this rotten cold, air travel nowadays just plain bites). Anyway, after reading the first chapter I began to develop a major gas issue. Very dicey situation in the close confines of a commercial aircraft, I can tell you. Fortunately I was able to contain the problem, but it was a high pressure situation for a while. Now, some people might attribute this condition to airport food, but I’m positive that it was a direct result of your subtle way with words and supernatural powers of suggestion. As additional proof (as if any additional proof is necessary) I later developed a craving lamb stew. And now you’ve alluded to the fact that TSD will have explicit SEX scenes in it! Good Grief, Scalzi, don’t you watch Heroes? You have special powers; you MUST use them only for good. I fear, Sir, that you are veering ever closer to the dark side.
Kidding aside, TAD was a blast. I laughed my ass off (kidding aside, not puns). Thanks.
How am I doing? Not worth a crap, I have the worst head cold I’ve had in years. But, thanks for asking, John, because I was just dying to share that with someone (since my wife stopped listening to my whining two days ago and I’m feeling neglected…).
Now, as long as we’re sharing here, I’ve got to say that I’m looking forward to The Sagan Diaries with some serious trepidation. Why, you ask? Well, see I read The Android’s Dream while traveling last week (which is where I probably picked up this rotten cold, air travel nowadays just plain bites). Anyway, after reading the first chapter I began to develop a major gas issue. Very dicey situation in the close confines of a commercial aircraft, I can tell you. Fortunately I was able to contain the problem, but it was a high pressure situation for a while. Now, some people might attribute this condition to airport food, but I’m positive that it was a direct result of your subtle way with words and supernatural powers of suggestion. As additional proof (as if any additional proof is necessary) I later developed a craving lamb stew. And now you’ve alluded to the fact that TSD will have explicit SEX scenes in it! Good Grief, Scalzi, don’t you watch Heroes? You have special powers; you MUST use them only for good. I fear, Sir, that you are veering ever closer to the dark side.
Kidding aside, TAD was a blast. I laughed my ass off (kidding aside, not puns). Thanks.
How am I doing? Not worth a crap, I have the worst head cold I’ve had in years. But, thanks for asking, John, because I was just dying to share that with someone (since my wife stopped listening to my whining two days ago and I’m feeling neglected…).
Now, as long as we’re sharing here, I’ve got to say that I’m looking forward to The Sagan Diaries with some serious trepidation. Why, you ask? Well, see I read The Android’s Dream while traveling last week (which is where I probably picked up this rotten cold, air travel nowadays just plain bites). Anyway, after reading the first chapter I began to develop a major gas issue. Very dicey situation in the close confines of a commercial aircraft, I can tell you. Fortunately I was able to contain the problem, but it was a high pressure situation for a while. Now, some people might attribute this condition to airport food, but I’m positive that it was a direct result of your subtle way with words and supernatural powers of suggestion. As additional proof (as if any additional proof is necessary) I later developed a craving lamb stew. And now you’ve alluded to the fact that TSD will have explicit SEX scenes in it! Good Grief, Scalzi, don’t you watch Heroes? You have special powers; you MUST use them only for good. I fear, Sir, that you are veering ever closer to the dark side.
Kidding aside, TAD was a blast. I laughed my ass off (kidding aside, not puns). Thanks.
Funny, OMW is still my favorite: the first-person narration from John Perry holds a lot of charm and grace.