Today was one of those random days. I did a little graphic design, a little shopping, a meeting for a set design project and then some writing. I managed to crank out about 1000 words on a new story on the subway and train. Here’s a teaser. Lifting the stopper from the vial to his […]
Rob and I, despite invitations to spend the day with friends, are staying at home today. What am I thankful for? That the nation comes to a halt today, which gives me time and license to spend the day with my husband. I also sent off an email to a man I’ve been meaning to
Happy Thanksgiving! Read More »
Today Rob and I hosted about fifteen writers for a wine-tasting. We tasted a variety of wines from top-shelf to rock-bottom. The idea was to learn how a wine snob would approach wine as opposed to a hard-nosed detective. I asked Rob to find some flawed wines as a contrast to the good ones. As
Wine-tasting for writers Read More »
I had one of those days where two rejections arrived at once. I do try to view every rejection as constructive criticism, even when I think the person might be cracked. If nothing else, this is a reader response and I try to ferret out any clues about what isn’t working. I don’t go crazy
Using rejections constructively Read More »
Wednesday night as I was on my way to the KGB reading (which I quite enjoyed) I was writing on my Palm Pilot, as I do on the subway. A man standing in front of me said, “Is that a….Zire 71?” “Zire 72.” I looked up, surprised at being addressed and more surprised that he
Palms passing in the night Read More »
When I was in high school on the debate team, and then again in college, my coaches emphasized the importance of finding primary sources. My debate partner and I had that particular lesson hammered home when we lost a round because we had relied on a secondary source, a newspaper article. It was reliable, the
Researching cherries for Shades of Milk and Honey Read More »
Michele Lee at Tangent Online reviews Talebones, #35, Summer 2007. About my story, she says: “Death Comes But Twice†by Mary Robinette Kowal is a style of horror (with a spike of science fiction) not seen often today. Obviously rooted in classics like Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Tangent Online reviews Talebones, #35, Summer 2007 Read More »
I did not work on Coraline at all. So there. Because we were nervous about money, I signed up with a temp agency right after we got to NYC. They sent me out on a gig last week, which was only one day long. It was very, very easy receptionist work. The company requested me
It’s only temporary Read More »
Charles Stross has some excellent advice on Readings. Check it out. A friend, who recently sold her first novel, wrote to me paraphrased: “help I’m supposed to be giving a reading from my work at a science fiction convention. What do I do?” Readings, like signings, are one of the epiphenomena of writing: not a
Charlies Diary: Tools of the Trade: Readings Read More »
Good heavens. I just realized that I wrote 1520 words today. But I only wrote while I was on the subway. I use my palm pilot and usually just get a few lines in using graffiti, but took the train to Brooklyn today. Since I knew I’d be on a long time, I unpacked the
Writing on the train Read More »
I realized late last night that we moved a month ago. Rob is celebrating by being in Oregon at IPNC. I spent the day hanging out with Livia Llewellyn, who has got to be one of the coolest people I know. It was so nice to spend time with someone who totally gets the theater/writing
I spent today alternating between writing, proofreading, working on Rob’s new website (I’ll show you when it’s finished) and painting. My eyes are crossing. I didn’t leave the apartment today. Tomorrow, we go to pick up some bookshelves (yay!) and a desk for Rob.
Reading, writing, and painting Read More »
First of all, I have to say that Brad and his wife, Joanne, are fantastic hosts. Brad made an amazing meal, including a handmade spinach, prosciutto raviolli, a wonderful mixed vegetable dish with a vinegrette marinade and quite possibly the most elegant sandwich I have experienced–to say that it was a ham and cheese does
From Racine to Bradford Read More »
Paul Abbamondi just reviewed Prime Codex the anthology from Paper Golem that I have a story in. A short piece that is positively sure to get you to mutter “a-ha!” at its cruelly twisted reveal, “Rampion” by Mary Robinette Kowal is the sort of story that is most enjoyable on its first read. Read it
Wistful Writings: Prime Codex – Review Read More »
My allergies woke me up around 5:30 by making the roof of my mouth itch. It drives me crazy. The bonus is that I was up early enough to bake a raspberry coffee cake before the day got hot. And I didn’t feel at all guilty about taking a nap in the afternoon. I spent
Allergies, writing, packing, soup and the computer. Read More »