Time Waits For No Muse, or Momento Mori

[otterdance]

As I may have mentioned elsewhere, when I'm sick I crave horror movies and horror books. No idea why. So I spent the last couple of days rereading Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby (1967) and then the long-awaited sequel I totally missed in 1999, Son of Rosemary. The original book is brilliant, foundational, a delight to rediscover after so many years.

Comments

[gokaitrey]

This is a great post. Not just because I'm now well forewarned about tracking down Son of Rosemary (Rosemary's Baby is a personal favorite of mine, too, one of five books I re-read every October!), but the main theme of the post was also something I think I needed to read today.

And, for what it's worth, I'm not ready for you to quit either! Which I hope helps.

[dsgood]

Son of Rosemary is not nearly as good as Lynn's description of it would suggest.

[anonymous]

You've created such a rich world and lovable characters that you could a write a book of Seregil and Alec hanging around Riminee with no 'mission', just relaxing, and I'd still love it!

- scavola

[dsgood]

Ways a writer can go bad include: "Hey, I can tie all my fictional worlds together, no matter how incompatible they seem!" "I've failed to sufficiently inform my readers about The Truth. I must preach, preach, preach about [feminism/ conservatism/ the one true way of sex/ ___]!" "Hey, I can write this stuff in my sleep and sell it!"

[ellid]

I know exactly which books you mean, and I agree.

[engarian]

I'm very grateful that you're not ready to quit yet. Sure, we all have some clunkers. But if the body of work is strong, it can overcome those. I loved all six of the Nightrunner books (and Glimpses) and have told a lot of my friends that they had to start the series, thus getting them hooked as well. I don't want those hours back. They were hours that were well spent, the dividends that they paid were top dollar.

- Erulisse (one L)

[otterdance]

Thanks. I love your icon!

[engarian]

Thanks, I chose this one specifically to go well with your lovely animated skull.

- Erulisse (one L)

[ellid]

I can't dispute anything you say - but the mere fact that you still have the urge to write, that you can still put words together, means that your talent is alive and well. I spent most of my marriage unable to do more than write the occasional sketch, and it was hideous. Even the very worst thing I've ever written was better than the living death of being unable to write.

***Spoilers ahead for older books***

[shudaizi]

I'm sorry that the initial reaction to Shadows Return wasn't better. I think for me, the reason it's my least favorite is because it put me through the emotional ringer. It's easily the darkest book you've written. It was a palpable change in tone from the first 3. When Alec was kidnapped in book 2, I knew everything would be fine in the end. While I cried at Nysanders death, my hero couple was secure

Re: ***Spoilers ahead for older books***

[otterdance]

Thanks for rereading SR!