unshelved_comic

http://www.unshelved.com/archive.aspx?strip=20080514

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webster_wotd

http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/mwwodarch.pl?May.14.2008

biga_little_a

http://kidslitinformation.blogspot.com/2008/05/help-me-out-here-people-esp-if-youre-in.html

• anything Ingo, The Tide Knot, The Deep related. Come on, publishing folk: When is The Crossing of Ingo going to be released in the U.K. and the U.S? Readers are leaving comments all over my blog. I'd love to be able to give them some hope. Send me an anonymous e-mail or a comment. (I'm a huge Helen Dunmore fan, and did a 3-part review+interview series with her. To me, this was my highlight of blogging. I share readers' impatience. Just let us know already!!)

• What's up with Henning Mankell's YA novel, Bridge to the Stars. I reviewed it lo so many years ago, but...the search engine requests tell me it's coming out somewhere and fast. It's a good one, as is all Mankell...don't miss it...but when and where?

_miss_manners

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/13/AR2008051302994.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

_miss_manners

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050602898.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns

sevenimpossible

http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=1279

Jules: Eisha, Julie Paschkis is visiting for breakfast this morning! I’m thrilled she’s here, especially since it was a real delight to read her interview responses.

I remember during Blogging for a Cure last year when David Elzey at the one-and-only the excelsior file featured Paschkis’ beautiful 2008 snowflake and did this great, little write-up about her work as an illustrator. I think he summed up the appeal of her art work well when he wrote:

“. . . there is something in her illustrations that draws me to them. It’s a strange magnetism, a quiet attraction not unlike the way a whisper can pull you closer and cause you to pay more attention over the din that surrounds it . . .”

And, in talking about her illustrations for Julie Larios’ Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary (Harcourt, 2006), he described her art work as having “a warm glow from within.” I love that. He nailed it.

And, hey, he also talked about her Boston Globe–Horn Book Award acceptance speech for Yellow Elephant and how she shared a detail of one of her paintings with the audience — in lieu of a long speech. Nice. And you were there, weren’t you?

eisha: I was indeed, and it saddens me to no end that I didn’t know David yet. We could have hung out. But yeah, she did unroll a big poster-size print of a painting she’d done when she’d gotten the news that she’d won the BGHB Honor, and it was just as lovely as you’d expect. He’s right — her work just glows. I adore her use of color — those bright, intricate, swirly figures and flowers really pop against the black backgrounds she often favors. He’s also right in that her images can tell a story all on their own — it’s amazing how much detail she can pour into a single illustration.

Also, I remember she had on some very cool tights. Lacy, I think. Possibly purple.

Jules: Well, let’s get right to it, shall we? I know we’re both so honored she stopped by for a cyber-breakfast. And what is Julie’s breakfast of choice? “I have oolong tea — fragrant and floral. About an hour later, I have a huge bowl of homemade granola with yogurt and whatever fruit is in season. I am addicted to Straus Family Farms plain yogurt. It is so good I wrote them a fan letter.”

While we’re setting the table, let’s get the basics from Julie: (more…)

jlester

http://acommonplacejbl.blogspot.com/2008/05/oxford-english-dictionary.html

scifiwire

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=54010

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=54010

scifiwire

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=53970

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=53970

scifiwire

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=53950

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=53950

scifiwire

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=5&id=53990

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=53990

austen_blog

http://www.austenblog.com/2008/05/14/janes-hood/

http://www.austenblog.com/?p=2821

austen_blog

http://www.austenblog.com/2008/05/14/janeite-confession/

http://www.austenblog.com/?p=2820

austen_blog

http://www.austenblog.com/2008/05/14/mrs-collins-fancy-work/

http://www.austenblog.com/?p=2818

long_stockings

http://thelongstockings.blogspot.com/2008/05/scullymulder.html

forbeck_feed

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/forbeckcom/~3/289898488/

http://www.forbeck.com/2008/05/13/categorizing-the-past/

In my old office, I had a bookshelf on which I put one of everything I’d ever worked on. It was one of those slap-together, particle-board cheapies from Staples, taller than me, with five shelves. I filled it up a while back and had started in on a new shelf. I’m proud of my work, and I figured if I didn’t display it, who would?

In the new office, though, I don’t have space for two or more shelves of books, so I’ve decided to put away projects on which I wasn’t a primary creative—things that I edited or produced but didn’t write. The metric ton of products we put out when I was at Pinnacle is mostly gone, for instance, as it occupied a couple shelves all by itself.

For other projects, I’m only keeping out a few representative bits. I put away the binders full of WildStorms cards, for instance, and most of the R.E.V.s toys too. They just suck up too much space, especially since I’m on to other things now, and I need those shelves for reference and research books.

It’s a lot of stuff, but that’s what you end up with when you’ve been working on things like this for nearly 20 years. Time to trim back the past, though, lest it suffocate the future.

austen_blog

http://www.austenblog.com/2008/05/14/getting-local-with-jane-librarians-still-rock-edition/

http://www.austenblog.com/?p=2808

austen_blog

http://www.austenblog.com/2008/05/14/comical-jane/

http://www.austenblog.com/?p=2817

larbalestier

http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/?p=1161

I am getting some upset responses from people who love their shrugs/leggings/formal shorts etc. and want to know how I dare to impugn them. I’m even being sent photos of said people in said fashion atrocities to prove their non-ugliness.

Clearly, I don’t mean you! Not any of you!

You are the one person in the world who can truly rock that look. And even in the unlikely even that you aren’t rocking it, well, if it makes you happy to wear said ballet flats/ugg boots/espadrilles then by all means wear them!

I have any number of fashion atrocities that I love dearly and wear often. I know that they are ugly. I know that other people think they are ugly, but they make me happy, so wear them I will. Mock away! As you all know I will feel no compunction about mocking your ugly clothing in turn.

So what is your favourite makes-you-happy hideous thing in your wardrobe?

Some would say I’ve already shared mine. Fie! I say. They are the most beautiful boots in the world.¹

Mine was my possum slippers that fell to pieces I wore them so much. Right now it’s probably this indescribably ugly con T-shirt.² It’s the most comfortable and ugliest T-shirt on the planet. Wearing it makes me happy.

And you?

1. Shockingly I have several friends who consider western boots to be as ugly as ugg boots! Who would have credited it?
2. I will not say which con.

susanwrites

So kimberleylittle tagged me for a meme and since I'm in the memory mood right now, here goes:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the player’s blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

What were you doing ten years ago?

I had just moved back to California and was wondering if my now husband was going to propose to me or not. I was waiting for CAN I PRAY WITH MY EYES OPEN? to come out and wondering if I made the right decision to transfer instead of looking for a new company in the Silicon Valley.

What are five things on your to-do list for today (not in any particular order):

1. Finish the ESL book that is due this week.
2. Call the closet place to come out and give us estimates.
3. Call the wood floor guy to come out and give us estimates.
4. Answer the interview questions that have been waiting for me for too long.
5. Mail out books to about 5 people that have been waiting for me for too long.

What are some snacks you enjoy?

chocolate
vanilla ice cream with my husband's hot fudge sauce
almonds and walnuts
chai with extra pepper

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

Quit my dayjob!!!
Set up a trust to take care of each of my kids and my mom.
Move to Santa Cruz.
Adopt as many dogs and horses as I could and donate to take care of more.
Set up some literacy programs.

And the list could go on and on...

What are three of your bad habits?

Procrastination. Procrastination. Procrastination. (This really trumps everything else.)
Beating myself up for things that aren't my fault.
Not trying because I don't think I'll be any good at something

What are five places where you have lived?

Concord, CA
Oakley, CA
Norfolk, VA
New Orleans, LA
San Jose, CA

What are five jobs you have had?

Woolworths Drug Store ( I had to take a math test)
worked on a horse ranch, cleaning, feeding and giving riding lessons
bookkeeper for a taxi cab company
worked in the warehouse for oil field services
Project coordinator in R & D for a tech company

What six people do you want to tag?

slatts

beckylevine

madwriter

mirtlemist

laurasalas

pambachorz

officialgaiman

http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2008/05/what-you-cant-help-doing.html

Not sure if the cover for Absolute 4 is a mock-up or the real thing. I suspect it's not the final, mostly because I'm pretty sure that face is from Sandman #1, and for Absolute 4 we'll be taking a cover portrait from somewhere in the last 20 issues.

...

Regarding the Julie Schwartz Memorial Talk at MIT on the 23rd of May: To reiterate from the other day -- over at http://cms.mit.edu/juliusschwartz/tickets.html we learn that Tickets to the event are $8.00 and will be available at the door, pending availability. There won't be any available on the door, because they have almost all sold out. The website has a list of places selling the tickets -- yesterday there were about 60 tickets still out there. So this is a sort of a last call -- you can try phoning the places at the website to see if they still have tickets...


...

An ebay auction with a story... I've been rereading some old Batman comics recently, although I don't think I'd want these. But the story that comes with them is wonderful...

I'm worried and upset about the earthquake in China. From Nancy Kress's blog I learned that at least some of the friends we made in Chengdu last summer are okay -- and so are the pandas.

...

Rice pudding re-prompt! Once you get home to proper milk, of course. "Your general guidelines for a batch of rice pudding please, Mr. Gaiman!"Thank you!! ^_^b

I'm working on it, honest. Decided to figure out the proportions I'd used by a) finding a very similar recipe on the web and starting from there and then b) fiddling with it.

Two night's ago's rice pudding (the web recipe) was much too salty and wrong. I fiddled with the proportions and last night's was a lot better but now too sweet. Tonight's rice pudding would have been perfect I have no doubt but I forgot to buy more milk, so I didn't actually make one.

Dear Neil,

The press down here in Brazil have enthusiastically announced you'll be here for the Paraty International Book Fair, first week in July. But since you're also scheduled to lecture at Clarion, I'd like to ask if this is true. Or maybe you have a doppelganger. Or maybe the organizers here had a dream. Or maybe you're taking a weekend of from Clarion down here in Rio (if so, it'll be winter here, and rainy, not the best time to come...) Best regards,Eric

That sounds right, yes. (I teach Clarion the 3rd week in July.)

Hello hello hello,

To quote one of your other fans, “I have a question for you about writing”. I find that my own writing will echo the style of which ever author I am currently reading. Any idea how I might get around constantly mimicking others?

You write more.

I don't think there's anything wrong with copying other people's styles -- it's a skill you'll need, after all. Many actors begin as mimics. You don't worry about it, and keep writing, and after a while you'll have written enough that you can't help sounding like yourself, whether you want to or not.

Style is what you get wrong, that makes what you do sound like you. Style is what you can't help doing. Style is what you're left with.

(I just googled "style is what you can't help doing" because it sounded half-familiar, and I wondered who said it originally, and discovered that it may actually have been me, as I found myself looking at an extract from a speech I gave to an audience of comics artists and writers in 1997 at ProCon in Oakland:

We are creators. When we begin, separately or together, there’s a blank piece of paper. When we are done, we are giving people dreams and magic and journeys into minds and lives that they have never lived. And we must not forget that.

I don’t want to sound like an inspirational speaker here. "Be you." "Be the best you that you can be." But this is really important. It’s something that we mostly lose track of when we starts, because when we start in comics we’re kids, and we have no idea who we are or what our voices are, as artists or as writers.

Young artists want to be Rob Leifeld, or Bernie Wrightson, or Frank Miller, just as young writers want to be Alan Moore, or Chris Claremont or, well, Frank Miller. You’ve seen their portfolios. You’ve read the scripts.

We all swipe when we start. We trace, we copy, we emulate. But the most important thing is to get to the place where you’re telling your own stories, painting your own pictures, doing the stuff that one-one else could have done, but you. Dave McKean, when he was much younger, as a recent art-school graduate, took his portfolio to New York, and showed it to the head of an advertising agency. The guy looked at one of Dave’s paintings—"That’s a really good Bob Peake," he said. "But why would you I want to hire you? If I have something I want done like that, I phone Bob Peake."

You may be able to draw kind of like Rob Leifeld, but the day may come, may have already come, when no-one wants a bargain basement Rob Leifeld clone any more. Learn to draw like you. And as a writer, or as a storyteller, try to tell the stories that only you can tell. Try to tell the stories that you cannot help but tell, the stories you would be telling yourself if you had no audience to listen. The ones that reveal a little too much about you to the world. It’s the point I think of writing as walking naked down the street: it has nothing to do with style, or with genre, it has to do with honesty. Honesty to yourself and to whatever you’re doing.

Don’t worry about trying to develop a style. Style is what you can’t help doing. If you write enough, you draw enough, you’ll have a style, whether you want it or not. Don’t worry about whether you’re "commercial". Tell your own stories, draw your own pictures. Let other people follow you.

If you believe in it, do it. If there’s a comic or a project you’ve always wanted to do, go out there and give it a try. If you fail, you’ll have given it a shot. If you succeed, then you succeeded with what you wanted to do.

slayground

Gaby Triana is a mother, an author, a teacher, a baker, but not a candlestick maker. She's also my interview subject today, willing to ponder my questions while celebrating the release of her most recent book for teens, The Temptress Four.

What led you to teaching?

I used to say it was because I had teachers in my family, but the more I live and breathe, the more I realize it was because I didn't know what else to do at the time. I wish I would have known myself better when I was in high school so I could have made a better career decision. I might have studied film, journalism, pastry arts.any of these would have put me on a path to the things I truly enjoy a little sooner, and I wouldn't have had to make a career change later on. But I've always been a late bloomer when it comes to realizing potential.

What then led you to writing?

I've always written short stories. I just didn't have my eyes open wide enough to realize it's what I should've been doing all along (see above). I might have 20+ books under my belt by now had I started in college. But because I was teaching, I finally got around to writing a middle grade novel one summer, saw how awesome it felt to finish writing a book, and have been writing ever since.

( Read more... )

Visit Gaby's website and LiveJournal.

austen_blog

http://www.austenblog.com/2008/05/13/sometimes-they-get-it/

http://www.austenblog.com/?p=2816

natlgeographic

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080513-earthquake-overview-video-ap.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/rss/article_id.pl?id=81837831

As the death toll from Monday's quake in China nears 12,000, survivors are being pulled from the rubble of buildings and schools.

natlgeographic

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080513-AP-israel-anci.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/rss/article_id.pl?id=58243778

One of the most important Dead Sea scrolls is going on display in Jerusalem this week—more than four decades after it was last seen by the public.

natlgeographic

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080513-asia-logging.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/rss/article_id.pl?id=37756274

Vietnam has become a hub for processing Asia's illegally logged timber, much of which is sold in the United States as outdoor furniture, conservationists say.

natlgeographic

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080513-sciencequake-video-ap.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/rss/article_id.pl?id=55921671

Monday's devastating earthquake in central China occurred along a fault where South Asia pushes against the Eurasian land mass, scientists say.

biga_little_a

http://kidslitinformation.blogspot.com/2008/05/okay-okay-meme.html

• Lunch with friends
• Student thesis advising
• Letter of Recommendation writing
• Kid-schlepping (ice and music lessons day)
• The Edge of the Forest-editing (almost there!)

• Sushi
• Anything Indian (except sweets)
• Hot salsa
  
• Cadbury cream eggs
• anything with wasabi
  

• Move to London
• Move anyone in my family who wants to move to London to London
• Donate everything beyond what we need to live a middle class life to a particular charity
• write and edit full time
• Travel more (maybe I'll finally make it to Peru?)
  

• Procrastination on bureaucratic tasks. This bad habit eclipses all others I have. Really. If it involves a bill, a memo, a proposal, a form...I will take until the last possible second to get it done. Drat! Car registration...
  

• Born in Kansas City, lived there 1 year
  
• 3 places in California (most of my life)
• Broughty Ferry, Scotland
• Moscow, Russia (I also lived in St. Petersburg for a short period, but like Moscow better.)
  
• Iowa
  

• Teen Retail jobs (photo counter at Long's Drugs, UC Berkeley student union, Nordstrom)
• Hair model (Okay, this was only once. I had cool short hair when I was in my early 20s.)
  
• Advertising Coordinator, LAStyle (magazine, RIP)
• various grad student "jobs" (Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant)
• Russian prof
  

• Sara Lewis Holmes
• Kelly Fineman
• Gail Gauthier
• Tadmack and a.fortis (one blog, that counts, right?)
• YOU!