Albion

bone shop

2009-06-30T19:31:24Z

we're children, we're children

2009-06-30T19:12:12Z

I am going to have my kids at the middle of this month. *much rejoicing*

We are, of course, going to have an insane amount of fun because, well, that's what we do. I have some ideas for things to do with them, but I would love to hear suggestions.

As you may recall, I am currently living in California's South Bay area, and so any ideas for options particular to this region (and even further south, down to, say, Monterey) would be especially appreciated.

My sons are four and seven and are the usual sorts of four and seven, which is, indeed, a very good thing.

*back to the daily grind, writing more sickle cell anemia articles and my write-a-thon novel*

clarion west write-a-thon, 2009

2009-06-24T18:28:12Z

Clarion West 2009 started this week. I'll have thoughts on that another time. Believe me, I certainly have them.

However, that's not the reason I come before you today. Today I come before you to spread word of the Clarion West Write-A-Thon, where some amazingly talented writers of all skill levels write our mad hearts out during the six weeks Clarion West is in session with the intention of raising funds for our beloved workshop.

Clarion West is a non-profit organization. Though Clarion West does charge tuition to attend, these monies only cover a certain percentage of what it takes to fund the workshop each year. Additionally, Clarion West offers scholarship funds to promising writers who would not be able to afford the workshop otherwise. The money to make up the uncovered balance of the yearly workshop and the scholarship funds have to come from somewhere. Clarion West has received grants, but a substantial portion of their funds come from donors and the Write-A-Thon.

I strongly encourage you to click the link above and check out the list of writers who are taking donations for the Write-A-Thon this year. It's for a good cause, and it's a fine investment in your reading future.

I also want to note that all involved are aware of the current economic situation affecting so many of us. Please know that small amounts add up and are greatly appreciated.

As for me, I'll be spending the six weeks writing the first draft of Paradise, the short novel I outlined with Chuck Palahniuk during Week 6 of Clarion West 2008 (the best Clarion West year ever--just saying ;)). I'm already twelve pages in. I'll write at least another three today when I'm not writing freelance articles.

3,000 / 50,000
(6.0%)

i found a second gray hair

2009-06-14T19:06:33Z

this morning while getting ready for work.

After the last year I've had, I believe it was hard earned. Frankly, I'm wondering why my hair still has as much color as it does.

jim van pelt on writing, or your skin makes me cry

2009-03-31T17:35:20Z

Jim Van Pelt writes some of my favorite blog entries on writing. He's been kind enough to organize a list of them here.

elf aware

2009-03-29T18:54:59Z

My reading of K. Tempest Bradford's "Elf Aware" is up at Podcastle.

potlatch

2009-02-24T01:07:46Z

I'm going to be at Potlatch this weekend! Please come and say hi :).

interview meme

2009-02-14T09:20:54Z

chris_reynaga interviewed me over at his awesome writerly journal. Here's his questions and my answers:

What are your dreams as a writer?

I dream of learning to write the best stories and books I can, to be able to internalize the lessons we learned at Clarion West and let those skills grow to fruition. I would love to identify other elements and be able to incorporate those into my writing. I dream of writing stories with great ideas, beautiful themes, and rich language. Most of all, I dream of writing books in a variety of "genres" that represent the most gorgeous elements of humanity I believe in, and that these books will reach out to people, pull them in, tell them a wonderful story, and then affect even the smallest elements of their lives. I dream of writing books and stories that do for others what my favorite books have done for me -- show me the best of humanity, and that I'm not alone in the world. And, if I can make a living doing this, well... now that's so much the better, isn't it?

How do you plan to reconnect with anthropology?

I reconnect with anthropology all the time -- it informs much of how I view the world, describe it, explain it, and interact with people. It has had a significant influence on my fiction. I go back to anthropology regularly when world building, creating story, and creating characters. But that's now. In the near future I am going to utilize my understanding of anthropology to explore and understand my new surroundings here in the Bay Area. I suspect I'll be writing about this ;). Someday I I would love to do some social documentation work, and anthropology definitely is one aspect of this. Social documentation ties together some of my greatest passions: anthropology, story telling, and people. Finally, I want to see the world, poke, prod, and smell it, see and live in it and with the people who inhabit it. Perhaps I'll do this in an anthropological capacity, whether it's for research or fieldwork.

Of course, it's always possible I may end up finding a job that directly uses my anthropological training, and that would be cool, too.

Your children are very precious to you. What kind of world would you like to build for them?

The innocent, romantic, provincial Idahoan would say ideally I would like my children to live in a world where the world was healthy in all ways, where the current environmental concerns are not an issue, where no one is hungry, where all people are free, where people can pursue their passions and make enough to sustain a comfortable life. Where people love one another and have few worries; where all people are free to live and love in the ways they desire. Utopia, I suppose. However, I know that such an ideal, Millennial world doesn't necessarily produce strong, independent, driven, compassionate people who know what true joy can feel like, what freedom feels like. There is, after all, a quality to joy and freedom that comes when one has known the alternative that can't be known or understood otherwise.

Perhaps, if I may, I'd suggest that the question be tweaked to, "What kind of home would you like to build for them?"

I want my children to have a home filled with books and music and love. I want them to have animals to snuggle with, adults who support them, encourage them, believe in them, and dream with them. I want a home where we cook together, dance together, laugh together, play together, work together. I want them to have a home where anything can be discussed openly, honestly, intelligently, and sensitively, where they can express themselves without fear. They deserve a home where diversity is loved and appreciated, in whatever form it comes in. They need a home where they can learn to develop the skills and motivation necessary to define their goals and begin to realize their dreams, whatever these dreams may be. I want them to know whatever they want is attainable, and that dreams are meant to be a reality.

What fictional universe would you like a portal to so you can live/explore or just occasionally have lunch in?

Albion. ;)

How does it feel to fly free?

It feels like the beginning of an absolutely wonderful life.

***

So, let's share the interview love. If you would like to be interviewed, post a comment, and I'll write five questions for the first three respondees.

interview one, redux

2009-02-14T08:26:44Z

I didn't get the job. But I'm fine with that :). Just fine. I will find something, despite the sad economic climate.

interview

2009-02-10T10:33:17Z

I have a job interview tomorrow about 1:00 Pacific. Wish me well, eh?

begin the begin again

2009-02-04T18:04:49Z

Today I am 33, and am safely in California, in the Bay Area. I'm exhausted and so happy. I feel great, and am thrilled to be moving forward with life. There will certainly be bumps all along the way, but I'm ready to meet them head on.

My friends have been wonderful to me, and I am grateful.
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Mary Tyler Moore First Season Theme Song

2009-02-02T01:01:51Z

I just had an old friend link me to these with the message: "This is you, honey. You're going to make one of the best lives ever."

And you know what? She's right.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show Opening

2009-02-02T01:01:00Z

I totally get to throw my hat in the air. ;)

after all these years

2009-01-28T16:58:25Z

I have my answer: Juice Newton's parents didn't name her "Juice". I didn't think they had, but you never know ;).

More discussions about a Blade Runner sequel :/.

Sorry to hear about the closing of RoF :(.

25 things

2009-01-28T01:34:20Z

Awesome CW classmate Tracy Harford has tagged me to tell you 25 things about myself. I'm going to mix this up, however. Feel free to ask me a question in the comments and I'll answer those as my meme answers, attempting to include something personal within said answers. I'm also supposed to tag some people, but this time if you read this and want to participate just pretend I tagged you and go for it =).

tonight

2009-01-23T01:40:20Z

I sliced the hell out of my first right upper phalange, between the first and second tarsal. I.e, I have sliced open the knuckle on my right thumb. It's sort of obnoxious. I rarely do things like that.

Avi is taking a bath and singing the Star Wars theme. (Wow -- I wonder where he got his geek gene from...)

Welcome to suburbia ;).

My nights like this are going to be rare... at least for a while.

veritas nos liberabit

2009-01-22T22:41:24Z

CW 2008 Classmate Kristin Janz made the recommended reading list for the Nebula 2008 pre-ballot for her short story "Veritas Nos Liberabit".

It's a great story, I adore Kristin, and I am so incredibly proud of her, and her fabulous story.

See this? I'm beaming. Totally beaming.

do i still get to call this albionidaho

2009-01-17T21:39:32Z

if I'm no longer living in Idaho? ;)

I move to the Bay Area in two weeks. Wish me luck!

blogging seems to have potentially truly recommenced at EG

2009-01-07T21:08:40Z

Drop me a line if you want a link. There is e-mail notification of updates.

The David Gemmell Legend Award for Fantasy

2008-12-27T18:35:35Z

is currently involved in the voting process. I would like to encourage anyone who has had the opportunity to read Peter V. Brett's The Painted Man (or The Warded Man in the U.S.) and enjoyed it to go to the Gemmell award site and vote. (For Peat, of course ;).)

i can't even begin to say anything intelligent about this

2008-12-24T17:51:52Z

other than for the love of all that's good and holy, someone please make George stop.

happy life day

2008-12-24T04:33:43Z

don't say i don't ever entertain you all, part deux

2008-12-24T02:51:41Z

This is safe for work. Mostly. It will just suck time.

don't say i don't ever entertain you all

2008-12-24T02:49:26Z

NSFW.

introvert and extrovert

2008-12-22T20:40:12Z

brains.