Coincidentally, episode 11 of season 2 of Torchwood has the same title as one of my recent short stories, one that will be published in an anthology of Atlantic Canadian tales this fall. The stories bear no resemblance beyond the title, which contains within it the key element of the story, the rift. I liked this episode a lot more than the previous. It stumbles upon the obvious truth, that the rift isn’t just dropping things off in Cardiff. The story arc defies the conventional path and ends with a profound truism that goes against common logic: sometimes not knowing is better. Some very good scenes between Gwen and Rhys, too.
The three Monday night comedies were okay, not outstanding. Ted’s two-minute date at the end of HIMYM was utterly brilliant, though. There was a bit of dialog that piqued my interest. The woman doctor is overheard saying that she was at a Saint Patrick’s Day party and left early. Last week “old” Ted tells his children that he later found out that their mother had been at that party. A clue or a tease?
I started reading His Illegal Self by Peter Carey. I’ve read a couple of his previous novels, including My Life as a Fake and Theft, and each time I tell myself I’m done, but then the publisher sends me the next one and I decide to try it out. Carey’s picture is next to “literary fiction” in the dictionary, and sometimes he exercises some of that style’s most annoying and self-indulgent muscles. Often he captures me at the beginning and loses me at the end. This time I’m about three chapters in and not hooked yet, but I’m going to give it a chance.
*opens door named FOUND*
Loved the Chapbook, only gripe, it was too short. That could be a novella at least Bev.
Enjoyed it big big say true
Sometimes when I write stories aimed at certain markets, the word length influences the story. In the case of Overtoun Bridge, though, the story took off on its own and quickly went outside the point of the originally intended market. I’m not sure that it would really benefit by expanding it. The story as writ is complete in my mind. I’ve done other stories where I know they could be much longer—this wasn’t one of those.
Glad you enjoyed it, though.
I write a number of short stories aka Drabbles in a hundred word groupings, so I understand the concern on story line / character development and genre.
I am editing a 65k story, and working on the sequel to it, as well.
You and your fellow writers have been a great source of information and inspiration. I always look forward to your installments.
I hope you can complete your current novel and we can lay hands on it this year or next.
and Bev, if you know of a trust worthy editor versed in fantasy/horror/sci-fi and they were looking to take on a novel or four, I would be mucho appreciado, mi amigo.
beam says thank ya,
Tom
The novel I’m working could never make it out in 2008 in the best of possible worlds. I have at least a month of rewriting to get a good first draft to show to my agent. For all I know we could spend the rest of the year just getting it into shape to submit. Even if the first editor loved it and acquired it on the spot, it probably wouldn’t make it out in 2009—and that’s in the best case scenario! Things don’t move quickly in publishing.
My best advise re your novel is to try to find an agent first. That opens the door to many editors who are loathe to look at anything unagented.
again your advice (this has been advised before) is taken to heart. I am still seeking after the “settled on” first draft as well. It, the story, is young yet having been written in November. I set it aside to cool, and started in on the sequel (which was concieved years before the first) and now I am three-quarters through the re-write and then need to take it to a higher authority.
I am spending time with some members of Williamette Writers here in Portland, OR. and of course there are some agents available and I shall approach one or another as I feel confident enough to take some polite snubs. I hope to have two horror novels at the ready and woking on two sci-fi ones when I make the leap of faith.
hey I ramble too, sorry.
and Thanks Bev, for your time and thoughts on the craft.