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Whew, closest call I've had so far.
This year I split it between a new original novel (I know, I know! That makes six complete - four of which were NaNos- and about six that are in various stages of completeness) and a gift story that I realized at the last minute I owed to someone. The gift is complete but the novel is just at the first exciting introduction of my villian.
Strangely enough, it was my mother who was the most supportive this year, and I really appreciate her saying "No, dear, just sit there and do what you have to do tonight," when she realized that I had to pump out 10 000 words from 7pm to midnight tonight alone.
There's something wonderful about NaNo, there really is. Even as someone who has completed many novels with the program already, and a few novels outside of it, there is something nerve wracking and freeing and wonderful about devoting an entire month to just the writing, with none of the editing. The only years when I failed to complete it was when I was writing my two thesises... and fair enough, aye?
There's also something thrilling about walking into a cafe with the "WRITE YOUR NOVEL HERE" decal in the window (I keep trying to convince my friend to put one in her cafe window. I wrote half my novel there this year), and seeing others there, or walking down the street and seeing the shirt on someone going in the opposite direction.
I have friends I met in Japan when I lived there whom I really only speak to in November in order to cheer them on when they novel, as well. This event has really changed my life, and my writing habits, for the better, and for that, I give a massive thank you to Chris Baty and the staff of the Office of Letters and Light.
Come see meat Mitzi's Sister!
( Read more... )( Read more... )
( Here There Be Canucks )
I would say this had something to do with my paper presentation in Cardiff last year, except that I know the series was still being filmed - right out side of my hostel, as a matter of fact - while I was there.
(Unless, after I mentioned it to Rob Shearman or Gareth David-Lloyd at the party it trickled back to RTD and there were touch up scenes done? Or the Doctor went back to insert it into the scripts?
Clearly ... I like to fantasize).
Maybe we are one step closer to this coming true:
An excerpt from "Leaving Mundania" a participant-observer ethnographic documentary exploring the lives of Japanese anime fans who participate in cosplay ("costume-play"). Shot and edited over the course of six months, this film follows several cosplayers based in the Greater Toronto Area as they prepare for their annual pilgrimage to Anime North, the largest anime fan convention in Canada.
I was interviewed for this documentary! Find me at 2:46 and in most of part 3!
Keep updated and egg me on for National Novel Writng Month. 50 000 words, here I come!
Click here to keep track of my progress!
I'm in this part at minute 1:10 prepping my speech with Owner of Red Moon Creations Stephanie Lalonde...
Therem uh, doesn't seem to BE an visual of me actually presenting the award. Huh.
To listen to a full audio recording of the 2009 Joe Shuster Awards, click here. I appear at about an hour and twenty five minutes in (1:25).
I had a marvelous time that night - thanks again to everyone who was involved!
| Joe Shuster Awards 2009 |
To define science fiction as a purely commercial category of fiction, inherently trashy, having nothing to do with literature, is a tall order. It involves both denying that any work of science fiction can have literary merit, and maintaining that any book of literary merit that uses the tropes of science fiction (such as Brave New World, or 1984, or A Handmaid’s Tale, or most of the works of J.G. Ballard) is not science fiction. This definition-by-negation leads to remarkable mental gymnastics. For instance, one must insist that certain works of dubious literary merit that use familiar science-fictional devices such as alternate history, or well-worn science-fiction plots such as Men-Crossing-the-Continent-After-the Holocaust, and are in every way definable as science fiction, are not science fiction — because their authors are known to be literary authors, and literary authors are incapable by definition of committing science fiction.”
-- Ursula K. LeGuin
This quote is from a larger article on Why Science Fiction Authors Just Can't Win over at SFFMedia. It's an excellent article on why great Sci Fi OUGHT to be considered Literature with a capital "L", and often isn't because of the negative stereotyping surrounding the genre.
Fo those who are interested, my online resume and analog demo reel have both been updated.
I have purchased a domain space - now I just have to figure out how to make the page. Or, beg/pay someone to do it for me. Any takers?
Also, HCN's podcasts, including my "GeekU" features, are now available for FREE DOWNLOAD in our iTunes store!
Wow, what a fantastic honour and surprise!
I've just been contacted by the Joe Shuster Awards to present the most prestigious award of the evening: Best Writing. The Master of Ceremonies will be Jonathan Llyr of Hardcore Nerdity.com
The awards are on Saturday the 26th at 8pm. The preshow - a Wolverine Themed Art Show - begins at 5pm.
More info here.
See you then!
There's an interesting in-comments discussion going on over at Hardcore Nerdity about the appropriateness of Wonder Woman as a mascott for a charity for abused spouses.
Sheafrotherdon has also provided HCN with an in-depth look at GateFail 09, which centres on race, dissability, and queer issues.
Fan Expo is around the corner and you know what that means... meet and greets!
If you want to find me I will be ...
Friday - wandering the convention hall in a Hardcore Nerdity teeshirt garning content for "GeekU" or chillin' at the Red Moon Creations booth. 7pm-11pm I will be shooting with the crew of The Dark Side Of The Glass. Feel free to find us in the pre-badge area and join in the crowd scene.
Saturday - wandering the convention hall dressed like Kitty Pryde getting footage with a camera for an upcoming short on "Geek U" about cosplaying. After 4pm I will be in the green room, and after 8pm I will be on stage for the masquerade. In the evening I will be attending a private party.
Sunday - I will once more be in my HCN shirt gathering "GeekU" content or at Red Moon.
So, if you see me happen by, please do stop me to say hello, and if you have a topic you've always wanted to debate on "GeekU", say so and we'll do a quick recording!
HCN's Strangedays cosplaying at Montreal Worldcon 2009 as Abel Night road. Strangedays won Best Workmanship!! Narrated by Strangedays and GeekU's JMFrey.
I had a chance to preview and review some films last week. I really enjoyed them, and I hope I get sent out by HCN again.
For your reading pleasure:
District 9
Ponyo On The Cliff
I was also happy to spent the last three days doing extra work on two seperate sets. It was my first time and I really enjoyed it. Thank you to my new friends for making it a smooth and interesting day for me.
Join JM Frey, host and head lecturer of Hardcore Nerdity's "Geek U" podcast, for a night of titallating fun as she and then rest of the artists of In My Bed magazine celebrate one year In My Bed JM will be reading her poem "On The Hazards of Dating a Vancouver-Based Actor", which featured in issue 5, and the first sneak peek at her forthcoming sci-fi novel "Triptych". (JM appeared in full body paint in issue 5!)
I've got a new writing project on the go; I can't say much about it yet, but it's very exciting for me and might becomes something really wonderful. Until such a time when I AM allowed to blab, please enjoy the Tweets of Mary, one of the Locations PAs. I've added her to the sidebar --->
Also, Upcoming appearances:
In My Bed Magazine Party (reading) - August 8, Mitzi's Sister Bar in Toronto
Hardcore Nerdity Table, Fan Expo - August 28, 29, 30
City By Night Table, Fan Expo - August 28, 29, 30
I've also been included in a documentary about cosplaying! I'm very excited about it and will let everyone know where to get a hold of it when it's available.