Comments | greygirlbeast: "...making a lake of the East River and Hudson."

greygirlbeast

"...making a lake of the East River and Hudson."

Dec 28, 2011 14:14

Not a good morning, this. Instead, the sort of morning you just have to keep moving through. Not because there might be something better on the other side, but because the only other option is to stop moving. And somewhere along the winding course of my life, the irrational belief was instilled in me that stopping is a Bad Thing ( Read more... )

short fiction, sf, characterization, not enough sleep, paleontology, xmas, blogging long-term, 5chambered, lovecraft, then vs. now, the yellow book

Comments 15

ext_281610 December 28 2011, 18:42:45 UTC

I like Stross, but "A Colder War" always struck me as more of an outline than a story. (Of course HPL himself wrote that the true hero of a weird tale was the phenomenon.) He can handle characterization well, for instance his "Laundry" series contains a number of extremely well drawn personalities. OTOH I also loved "Mongoose," and eagerly look forward to more stories set in the same universe. Did you read their tale "Boojum" in the Vandermeers' anthology FAST SHIPS, BLACK SAILS? It has a FARSCAPE-MEETS-HPL vibe that I think you would enjoy.

greygirlbeast December 28 2011, 19:26:35 UTC

(Of course HPL himself wrote that the true hero of a weird tale was the phenomenon.)

One of many instances in which he was wrong.

Did you read their tale "Boojum" in the Vandermeers' anthology FAST SHIPS, BLACK SAILS? It has a FARSCAPE-MEETS-HPL vibe that I think you would enjoy.

I haven't. I was asked to write for that anthology, but didn't have the time, and never picked up a copy. But your description will now lead me to hunt it down.

Blogger Entry from December 2003 oldfossil59 December 28 2011, 20:00:34 UTC

That's a truly beautiful sentiment. I sincerely hope those feelings can find their way back to you, and remain for as long as you wish.

Re: Blogger Entry from December 2003 greygirlbeast December 28 2011, 20:02:58 UTC

I sincerely hope those feelings can find their way back to you, and remain for as long as you wish.

I'd like to believe that, but it seems very, very unlikely.

oldfossil59 December 28 2011, 20:39:05 UTC

I'd like to believe that, but it seems very, very unlikely.

Yeah, Life seems to have a tendency to stick it's twisted fork in one's eye. Just don't let the bastard, keep you from those nice thoughts of that nice farm.

greygirlbeast December 28 2011, 20:46:02 UTC

Life seems to have a tendency to stick it's twisted fork in one's eye.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

ashlyme December 28 2011, 20:41:52 UTC

I wish you back the best of that old entry, Beast, everything good in it. They are great wishes, and I thank you for them. (sorry, badly needed - Christmas not the best time for my sanity.)

- respects, A

greygirlbeast December 28 2011, 20:46:42 UTC

Christmas not the best time for my sanity.

I think it's built that way.

elliemaeo December 28 2011, 22:42:47 UTC

Just a quickie note on your characterization point . . I have always found that also, to be the failing (in my mind) too of much sci-fi. I sincerely want to dive into, explore, and find myself emerged in the world that the author has created . . But the dryness or lack of depth in the POV. . . many times seems to bar my way . . ."those arty types" Picky picky picky

Ellie

greygirlbeast December 28 2011, 22:48:37 UTC

to be the failing (in my mind) too of much sci-fi.

And it's often most true of the "nuts-and-bolts" and military "hard" science fiction. Hesitantly, I will go so far as to say that it may even be a gender problem, with male SF writers shying away (or simply not considering) characterization.