Monday Miscellany

1. This weekend I was watching VH1's 100 Best Hard Rock songs (why? I don't know. I don't even listen to hard rock much) and the coolest thing about these VH1 song lists is that there's always some awesome song that you forgot about or never even heard. Like this one:

Don't play this one while you're driving, though...I got a little carried away* with regard to speed on the way to work the other morning, and it was only luck that I didn't get a ticket.**

2. The show Supernanny is awesome comfort viewing for those of us who don't want to have children. :)

3. I finished the revision of The Book this weekend (by which I mean I finished the first pass--now comes the typing and fixing). Even though I'm not technically done, there's still something supremely satisfying about writing "The End" on a page when it's well-earned. Now I've got to go back and do some more work...

4. And congratulations to Cinda Williams Chima, whose first book in the Seven Realms series came out just a few days ago. Cinda is not only a great storeyteller, but an awesome critique partner as well. If you like high fantasy, you should definitely pick up The Demon King.

~~~

* 101 mph. Seriously, luck.

** Incidentally, the number one song? "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns'n'Roses, a solid and slightly unorthodox choice (most people would have gone with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, which was, like, number five or something). Also, was everyone but me aware that Guns'n'Roses was named after two guys--Axl Rose and Tracii Guns? Because I feel like an idiot for not knowing that.

Comments

The Fourth Horseman: Excerpt 6

This is all of chapter 4, in which Suzanne buys a dress and sits in a chair with Anastase. The other excerpts can be found here: Excerpt 1 Excerpt 2 Excerpt 3 Excerpt 4 Excerpt 5 ***** Chapter Four “I was thinking,” my father said over dinner that night. “Since your mother is on the road to recovery, we could go into town for dinner next Saturday, maybe to that sushi place you like. Maybe bring Gabriel. Interested?” “Sorry, I can’t on Saturday,” I said. “It’s Homecoming.” My father dropped his fork to his plate. “You’re kidding.” “I have to go. Gabriel’s nominated.” “Do you believe this?” my father asked my mother. “Are you hearing this?” My mother shook her head, smiling. “You’ve met Gabriel, right, dear?” “Our daughter. Dating the Homecoming King!” I rolled my eyes. “He hasn’t won. He’s just nominated.” My dad fluttered his eyelashes at us. “I wished for this day, but I never thought it would come true. Will there be a limo? What a

Character Post: Anastase Beryl

NOTE: This post contains spoilers for The Fifth. Peter Murphy. ::swoon:: Oh, Anastase, Problem Child Extraordinaire. At the beginning of The Fifth, Anastase is terrible . He's selfish, he's rude, he's heartless, and all of that makes him incredibly attractive to Suzanne, who has, sincerely, the worst taste in men. He's one of those guys who you know you should stay away from and yet don't want to. Originally, my conception of Anastase's physical appearance was based on the singer Peter Murphy from Bauhaus, that angular, mysterious, dangerous vibe, that people either love or hate. A more modern approximation is actor/model Luke Eisner, although he's a little too . . . healthy looking for Anastase. He needs to drop a little weight -- maybe pick up a teeny coke habit or something -- and then he would be perfect! :) If Luke Eisner loses 20 pounds, he is Ana. Because he's the First of his Circle, Anastase thinks that means hi

The Fourth Horseman: Excerpt 5

The latest excerpt, still from Chapter 3, in which Suzanne encounters a bully and talks about sex. Previous excerpts are here: Excerpt 1 Excerpt 2 Excerpt 3 Excerpt 4 ***** The football team had a bye week in anticipation of Homecoming (and the fact that I even knew what a “bye week” was was a testament to how much I liked Gabriel), so Gabriel showed up at my locker after school to join me and Spencer on the walk home. “We’re so happy for you,” Spencer told him, ducking under his arm to hug him. “Are we?” I asked, sliding in under Gabriel’s other arm. “You are a terrible liar,” Gabriel told Spencer, hugging him close. “Fag,” someone muttered behind us. I snapped my head around and saw a couple of kids around Spencer’s age snickering into their hands. I took a step toward them. “What’d you say?” They scowled at me. “Nothing,” one of them answered. “No, really, what’d you say?” Gabriel asked, his voice mild and friendly, his arm still around Spencer’s shoul

How Do I Know What I Think Until I See What I Say?

Search This Blog