New story in the works

I've been thinking about what I want to do about the upcoming quarter for WOTF. I guess I knew all along that I wanted to write a new story since nothing in my collection really called to me. So, a few minutes before Thursday's LOST came on, a first sentence came flying out of nowhere and smacked me across the face. You know how they can be, sometimes.

I didn't get to do much with it until this morning though. So, 678 words done for now and I'm digging the piece already. Modified humans, annoying tourists, and air shows. Woo. I've had to remind myself a few times not to get too vulgar or crude with the piece though, considering the market I'm aiming this piece at. I've also set my word count a little high (5K or 6K, probably) if only because they actually like longer stories than not.

But now I have to pay bills, renew my car insurance, clean, and do other not-fun things like that. Maybe more later though...

Homage is where the heart is

About a week ago when I announced that Aoife's Kiss was buying my short story "After Effects" I made a side reference that the piece contained "a teeny homage to the Robot Man." Since nobody asked me what that meant, I figured I'd talk a bit about what I like to do with my short stories. Namely, I like to put in little bits of adulation for writers, musicians, artists, and a thousand of others whose work I've come to respect over time.

This is why I absolutely lurve the show LOST. Details, details, and details, along with the quick a-ha moments where they show you something obvious yet make it so transparent that you don't realize what you are seeing. LOST absolutely bounces in delight when it showcases books (Carrie, Catch-22, Heart of Darkness, Rainbow Six, and Stranger in a Strange Land to name a few), makes light of philosophers (John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau), and lets slip those seductively damning numbers (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42, in case you forgot). It cares about these things, making it important that they are mentioned, that they are carefully revealed with respect and attitude.

Sure, the producers must like it when a fan picks up on a reference...but whether they do or don't, it truly doesn't matter. The deed is done, and its meaning is out there for whoever to take it in. I like that. I like looking for those sorts of things, linking one and two to make three, understanding the why and how of a creator's intent.

Now where was I? Oh right. Homages. I suspect I'm not the only one.

I won't reveal all of my secrets now (I'll wait until I'm insanely famous for that, of course).

So, who is the Robot Man then? To me, that'd be Isaac Asimov.

And how did I bend my knee? I named the spaceship that the story's events transpire on The Foundation. Plus, there's some robots on board (though they do not adhere to the Three Laws of Robotics). There ya go.

Progress notes for May 24, 2007

LOST season finale? Some good stuff there, some really good stuff. I liked a lot of the little things more than the big explosions--though they were cool. For example, ***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER*** when Sawyer shoots Mr. Friendly Tom straight in the chest without a minute's hesitation. Perfect. That conman has nothing to live for now that he's done what he's longed to do and it's all downhill for him. And Hurley saving the boys...hee...I have to admit I loved it. Granted, how one drives a van without any noise through a pathless jungle irks me, but what are you gonna do. The flashforward was cool. Jack crying? Notsomuch.

Anyways, the season started slow but these last few episodes have been simply fantastic. I hate the show. I love the show. I can't wait for the next season.

Barely any big amount of wordage today, but writing is writing. I'll take whatever words I can, you know. And this will probably be the last update until the holiday weekend tis over. Guess I'll just let the story continue to ferment for a bit.

"The Clouds are Calling"

New Words: 230
Total Words: 1,724
Pages: 4
Deadline: None
Reason for stopping: James has asked a question and now I must figure out the answer. Woo.
Stimulants: Green tea
Songs played loudly: "Card House Dreamer" by This Providence
Exercise: Does walking around Target for an hour count?
Mail: No mail, boo
Darling du Jour: N/A
Other writing-related work: Slushed
The Internet is full of Things: For those that grew up on 1980s and 1990s cartoons (meaning me, me, me), I give you Cracked's 15 (Painfully) Unforgettable Cartoon Theme Songs. Be prepared to have them in your head for a few hours. Gummi bears, bouncing here and there...