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My friend, who works in Washington, DC, and I were having a nice little chat today and he asked me how things were at Lockheed.
Mr. Rochester, for those of you that do not know, is an actual Rocket Scientist on the Constellation Program which has been canceled by the new NASA budget. That budget is now going to Congress where they have to argue and dither over what will happen next. The bad part is even the NASA admins will not say what NASA is going to do or where they are going to do it. It is irritating for us little guys who have to stay in a holding pattern, life-wise, while the PTBs decide what the heck they are doing.
Nice that we all have a plan, right?
So back to the conversation. When you have conversations with nerds about politics, this is what you get:
[14:20] Friend: How are things at Lockheed?
[14:21] Me: not great, everything up in the air. no news. congress has knickers in a wad over NASA budget. interesting politics. would be better if it was less weiny wagging and more actual decisions however
[14:23] Friend: They get a -5 modifier to intelligence with dealing with knickers. No joke. You should see the roll for that.
[14:24] Me: Well add that roll with a few +7 asshats and whoa are they up to their ears in trouble
[14:36]Friend: That’s a pretty high asshat modifier.
[14:37] Me: well perhaps only +3 then
–Jane, wearing her +5 Browncoat t-shirt
I could not help thinking as I read this article about a Fond du Lac, WI parent seeking to ban 7 books from the school library that it is a good thing she is not more versed in YA literature. The books she has her knickers in a bunch about are pretty tame!
Her list: Ann Brashares’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern, and two Sonia Sones titles, One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies and What My Mother Doesn’t Know.
Good thing she has never read any vampire YA. Her head might explode.
–Jane, *boom*
I keep thinking I will get stuff done at night and then the Olympics come on and I am sucked in. Needless to say, we have spent most of the last week or so on the couch. I took this picture yesterday of Mr. Rochester and the Bairn as they watched skiing.
–Jane, has two very handsome men in her life
It seems like often when I am talking to my friend, Jason Griffey, we end up talking about the print format and how it is going to die. Notice I did not say if. I think we always circle back to this because usually one or both of us are in the middle of some kind of writing project or other and we are frustrated with the process or the medium. Both, usually.
I am in the middle, the literal middle, of writing a book and the process has been interesting. Most days I hate it, though I do love to write in general, but writing a book has been not exactly what I thought it would be. It took a conversation with Jason for me to put my frustrations into words. I should clarify that by book, I mean a print book, made of paper and sitting on your shelf. I do think print books will be with us for a long time to come but I believe their purpose will be collection and vanity printing, not for reading and certainly not for most research. Here are some reasons from a writer’s perspective that cropped up in our chat:
Writing a print book is like writing in a vacuum. I am used to immediate feedback. I have mostly written for online venues where people are not shy about telling you to your virtual (or real) face that what you are writing is amazing or absolute trash. Sometimes they tell you both in the same sentence. This helps ideas become refined and evolve in amazing ways. I am used to the wisdom of the crowd being a sounding board. Writing a print non-fiction book means you write to yourself. Your sounding board is you. It is boring! I do not like it. I do not like it with green eggs and ham!
Some days I feel like I am typing into a canyon and the only thing coming back to me is the clicking of my keyboard after it has distorted itself by time and distance. It sounds different but it is the same stuff I just sent forth. It is not a satisfying process nor do I think it is a conducive one to brilliant new ideas. As my conversation with Jason proves, I have the best ideas when spurned on by my peers.
You might argue that I am just accustomed to social media, I have ADD instead of writer’s block, or that I need instant gratification. Perhaps you are right, but I am not the only crazy person who feels this way and it is one of the reasons why print books are going to go away. And it will happen sooner than we think.
The other main reason that this process has grated on my mind is a very practical one. Most books it is out of date as soon as the first sentence is typed, let alone edited, typeset, printed, delivered, and actually read by a consumer. Add to that equation a book that involves a discussion of technology and you are in serious trouble. I am writing a book that discusses technology and I find myself being a bit more general than I would like. I am saving individual tool highlights for the appendix and in the chapters I try to be general, wikis instead of MediaWiki for example, because I do not want the reader to be distracted from the concept by the outdated tool mentioned. In an extreme case, the use of an outdated tool in a discussion could actually damage the argument if I then loose credibility for its use. For some books, this may not be an issue if the tools are the discussion (or maybe even more so?), but I am talking about the ideas and beliefs behind the tools or the uses applied to the technology, not the technology itself.
As a consumer, I believe the print industry is just not a sustainable model in its current iteration. The problems with the industry and the format for consumers are many, but this post is not about those reasons. As a writer, I just hate that I feel like I am yelling to myself about something that will be outdated by the time it is in print. On the upside, that is why the book will have an accompanying web site with new links and information. Technology to the rescue of print media!
I feel, I should, after all this blathering, disclose what I am writing because I know you all want to know so you can buy it when it is out. Vanity printing, I said, remember? *smirk* It is a book for Information Today, Inc. on how the wisdom of crowds and technology has changed conferences, continuing education, and training. It is, I believe, very exciting because the very nature of the way we learn and share is evolving. The wisdom of crowds is changing the individual.
I am shocked most days that I am writing a book at all. In my mind I think, “Holy crap! I am writing an actual book! And people might actually read the thing!” My manuscript is due in May.
–Jane, is living with her laptop until May
In the spirit of scorned romance, I bring you a lovely post on the top ten reasons why editors reject manuscripts. The post is from Angela James of Carina Press, an eprint only imprint. Side note, is an eprint still considered an imprint if nothing is actually imprinted, except your mind?
As I was reading the list, I was thinking it is a wonder anything ever gets published at all. Then, I thought of all the books I have thrown at the wall for exhibiting one of these flaws. I will confess, however, to enjoying some novels whose overuse of romance novel narrative (i.e. amusing usage of words like heat, shaft, throbbing… you get the picture) are so over the top that I cackle all the way through.
The one I always remember as being the most hilarious for its overuse of themed adjectives was Bride and the Beast by Teresa Medeiros. That novel has some doosies, but the story was amusing enough that I found it all very funny. Not, I think, the intention, but I was entertained.
If you are feeling rejected this Valentine’s Day, curl up with a good or funny romance and remember that amusement comes in many forms. And often from unexpected places.
–Jane, lover of a good romance
It is all well and good for librarians, publishers, and other professional bibliophiles to rave and rant about publishing, ebooks, DRM, and other things that we love and hate, but it is something all together when regular readers have the same conversation.
Sarah at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books will be speaking at O’Reilly Tools of Change conference on changes in the publishing industry. She asked her readers what she should include, what their concerns were, and what they wanted publishers to know and boy howdy did they respond. BSTB is not a blog with retiring violets for readers. The comments are thoughtful, smart, funny, and I hope that the publishing PTB are paying attention.
Not surprisingly, they bring up every issue I have heard librarians grumbling about as well. One thing that I realized as I read the comments was that people do realize and are concerned with the same issues that we are and for the same reasons. I have occasionally felt like we (librarians) are talking to ourselves in an empty room, but this makes me think the room may be the crush of the Season. It gives me hope that the publishing industry can still choose to listen and respond better than the music industry when faced with similar issues.
–Jane, her bookshelves thank her for buying a Kindle
According to Tom’s Hardware, LG has announced a 19 inch epaper display that, unlike its predecessors, is flexible. LG uses a foil substrate instead of glass so that the entire display can be bent.
I am not sure about other people, but I immediately thought of the paper sheet that Badger shows to Mal, Zoe, and Jayne with an alert for a “rogue vessel, classification ‘Firefly’… spotted pulling illegal salvage on a derelict transport.”
–Jane, wheel never stops turnin’
Here is a picture with my sister, Jennifer, myself, and our Band Director, Mr. Johnson.
It is funny how fast time goes by, but how gathering with old friends makes years seem like yesterday.
–Jane, very, very blessed to have been a Band Nerd
You jocks may seek to argue with me, but the class that taught me the most in high school was not Geometry, Chemistry, or even English (though that was my first love). The thing that taught me the most, the things I remember and use even now, was band and it was mostly due to one person. Mr. Johnson.
First, perhaps I should explain something to those of you who may live outside of Texas. There is one thing that rules high school: football. Football and all things related. High School band, whatever it was where you lived, is serious business in Texas. We practiced as much, and often more, than the football team. We received more standing ovations than our team did and they went to the playoffs almost every year. We gave sweat and tears to our field. You have to love something a heck of a lot to practice it in 100 degree heat on an asphalt lot.
So band was not something we just did. It was something we breathed in High School.
Mr. Johnson shepherded us from a fairly crappy band into something great. A band that won awards nationally. It was amazing to be a part of that transformation. Mr. Johnson taught me some lessons I will never forget.
Mr. J taught me how to win. He taught me that winning was hard work involving hours of toil, sometimes heartache, for one shiny moment. I learned that in order to be good, I also had to be on a good team. To be on a good team, I had to help people around me be better. In band, you are only as good as your worst player, and to be really great, you have to lift up those around you and be willing to learn from others. Teamwork was winning together.
Mr. J also taught me how to lose. One year, we went to a competition and gave it everything. We were, in our minds, far and above, finally good enough to break into the top ten finalists. We knew it. Felt it. But when the results came down and we had failed, according to the judges, I was angry, incensed. Mr. J though, he said he was proud of us. That we had never been better. That we had done our best and THAT was the best part of the day. Then, I only felt bitterness at something denied, but now, with years behind that memory, I know that I learned that day how to accept failure when your best is not good enough. Mr. Johnson taught me to be humble and feel blessed by my opportunities, regardless of the outcomes. I did not appreciate it then, but I surely do now.
Mr. J also taught me that adults in my life truly cared about me. He did, truly, deeply care about his students. I will never forget the day I sorely disappointed him in a way I have never disappointed another adult growing up. I still think about that day and I hope he knows that it was the folly of youth that made me reckless. Later, it was his anger that made me rethink my choices. What a fool is youth!
Lastly, the most important thing I learned: how to fold pants properly. This may seem frivolous, but I assure you, it is not. As a girl, I did not have occasion to fold dress pants as a kid. Why would I when I could so much better show off in a skirt? In band, the seam on your pants is critical. It is a uniform because you are all supposed to be uniform. A wrinkled uniform, an unruly plume, a step out of line, these are all things you strive to banish. For the first few weeks every year, Mr. J would patiently stand up at the front of the group and demonstrate how to fold pants.
Put the seams together at the cuffs. Tuck under your chin. Grab the seams farther down the pants, towards the waist, with your fingers and flip. Place carefully on the hanger and clip them in. All the while making sure the seams are all lined up.
I never fail to remember those demonstrations every time I fold pants. I also remember the “I don’t want to hear that you forgot ‘fill in the blank’ “ discussions we had every Friday before loading the buses. If you left something behind, it was your fault, your responsibility. And for those of you doubting, A missing “fill in the blank” let everyone down. Your failure impacted everyone.
Band made me a better person. The people I am still friends with in high school were all in band. Mr. Johnson taught me a lot about life. Things I never appreciated until I had some years past high school behind me. I am blessed that during that time in my life, I was shepherded by a caring and Christian man.
Mr. J has been directing bands for 27 years. He is retiring this year. I hope he knows that he is well loved and has impacted more lives than most of us could dare to hope for.
–Jane, Thank You Mr. Johnson for everything you do
As I batten down the hatches for the winter storm coming our way, I find myself thinking of things to do when stuck inside. Long have I loved curling on the couch, steaming tea in one hand and novel in the other. These days, I can only curl up in peace if the Bairn is asleep, but I still find occasion to loose myself in a good book.
This year, I surprised myself with the amount of books read: Sixty! I can only attest to the escape they gave me from diapers and dishes and I promise I never let the Bairn fend for himself while I read. Well, not long anyway.
This was the year of the series. I reread a few goodies (Harry Potter and Outlander) and scorched through some new ones. In fact, I would hazard to say the majority of the list are books in a series.
Here is my list. Enjoy and please consider keeping track yourself and sharing your literary finds at the end of 2010.
Total Books Read – 60
Most Books Read in One Month – 9 in August
Least Books Read in One Month – 1 in November
Average Books Per Month – 5
Best Book Read (hands down no contest!) – World War Z by Max Brooks. Zombies with a real world twist. I loved, loved, loved this book. Everyone should read it.
Best Second (or third!) Round Read – Castle of the Wolf by Sandra Schwab. I read this for the 3rd or 4th time and I have to say that it just never gets old to read such a great gothic romance!
Book that surprised me by not being as ridiculous as I thought the premise sounded: Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke. Shape-shifting dragons and star-fated romance. Sounds all kinds of terrible, I know, but I assure this series is fabulous!
If you want to know which books were bad, they will not appear on this list. Taking Nancy Pearl’s advice, I refuse to waste precious time on bad books. I give them about 50-100 pages and then move on. I did throw a few down in disgust, but I have blocked them from my mind and thus this list. This list is, therefore, books that were good enough to be finished, savored, enjoyed, and, some of them, read again next year.
January – 3
Stone of Tears – Terry Goodkind
Blood of the Fold – Terry Goodkind
Temple of the Wind – Terry Goodkind
February – 2
Voyager – Diana Gabladon
Soul of the Fire – Terry Goodkind
March – 3
Faith of the Fallen – Terry Goodkind
Lie By Moonlight – Amanda Quick
For My Lady’s Heart – Laura Kinsale
April – 4
Pillars of Creation – Terry Goodkind
The Red Scarf – Kate Furnivall
Mr. Darcy’s Diary – Amanda Grange
Naked Empire – Terry Goodkind
May – 6
In the Shadow of the Ark – Anne Provoost
Castle of the Wolf – Sandra Schwab
The Hidden Heart – Laura Kinsale
The Black Knave – Patricia Potter
Fountain of Dreams – Josie Litton
Mr. Knightly’s Diary – Amanda Grange
June – 8
Chainfire – Terry Goodkind
The High King’s Tomb – Kristen Britian
World War Z – Max Brooks
Captain Wentworth’s Diary – Amanda Grange
The Demon’s Librarian – Lillith Saintcrow
Twilight – Stephanie Meyer
Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 – David Petersen
Her Man of Affairs – Elizabeth Mansfield
July – 8
Phantom – Terry Goodkind
Before Midnight – Cameron Dokey
Love is Hell – Marr, Westerfeld, Larbalestier, Zevin, Stolrz
Peter and Max – Bill Willingham
The Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 2: The Burning Bridge – John Flanagan
The Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 3: The Icebound Land – John Flanagan
Confessor – Terry Goodkind
Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall – Bill Willingham
August – 9
The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – J. K. Rowling
The Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 4: The Battle for Skandia – John Flanagan
The Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 5: The Sorcerer in the North – John Flanagan
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – J. K. Rowling
Kiss of Fire – Deborah Cooke
Kiss of Fury – Deborah Cooke
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – J. K. Rowling
September – 8
Kiss of Fate – Deborah Cooke
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – J. K. Rowling
Halfway to the Grave – Jeaniene Frost
One Foot in the Grave – Jeaniene Frost
At Grave’s End – Jeaniene Frost
Tribes – Seth Godin
October – 4
The Starfish and the Spider – Brafman and Beckstrom
Crowdsourcing – Jeff Howe
Ready for Responsibility – Dr. Bob Barnes
The Wisdom of Crowds – James Surowiecki
November – 1
Fool’s Puzzle – Earlene Fowler
December – 4
The Girl Who Played With Fire – Stieg Larsson
Irish Chain – Earlene Fowler
Shiver – Maggie Stifvater
Wikinomics – Don Tapscott
–Jane, thinks life without books would be a terrible life indeed
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