Gerald Brandt

Writing

Odyssey is continuing their writing podcasts.  This one is Nancy Kress talking about writing in scenes.

Charlie Stross wonders why Fantasy and Science Fiction novels are the size they are:
It’s a question that comes up quite often — back in the 1960s a typical SF novel ran to 60,000 words (130-150 pages); one that topped 80,000 words was considered lengthy. But today, I’m more or less required by contract to hand in 100,000 word novels; and some of them are considerably longer. (At 145,000 words, “Accelerando” would have been considered a whopper back in the 1970s.) So what happened?

The Tor forum has an interesting conversation on magic systems in Fantasy novels. (originally from sfsignal.com)

The magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction is going bimonthly.  The March 2009 issue will be the last monthly issue. Starting with the April/May 2009 issue, we’ll be publishing one issue every two months. Each issue will be 256 pages (16 pages longer than our last Oct/Nov issue) except for this year’s anniversary issue, which will be a jumbo.

Misc

Mastering the all you can eat buffet is, apparently, and art form.

Computers

Nothing can beat having a great Linux distro installed on a super-fast hard drive, with all your favourite apps configured just how you like them and all your files at your fingertips.  That’s not always possible, so how about from a USB drive?

Well, I’ve finally upgraded Wordpress, to version 2.7.  I also decided it was time to change the theme.  I don’t know if I’ll stick with what you see here, but we’ll see.

I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and I hope everyone brought in the new year the way they wanted.  We did.

I’m starting the new year with a new writing project, title currently unknown.  I’ve shipped off The Courier to a first reader, which means this will be it’s second reading by someone other than me.  Based on the feedback I get, I’ll maybe make some changes, and then send it out to 5 or 6 second readers.  The Courier took alot longer than it should have.  When I let the manuscript rest between revisions, I let it sit too long, far too long.  And while it rested, I didn’t do any new writing.  That’s a mistake I won’t be making again.

Once I outline my new project, I’ll start on a Query letter for The Courier, complete my agent research, and send the darn thing out to agents.  I’ll keep everyone up to date on that progress.

Computers

An interesting article on how hardware is cheaper than software in some situations.

In 2009, Linux will ship on more PC’s than Windows.  Well, at least that’s what the rumor is.  Information Week looks at what it all means.

The Linux Foundation saw those successful I’m a Mac commercials, and Jerry Seinfeld playing with Bill Gates, and they wanted in. So they’re having a video contest that will try and showcase “just what Linux means to those who use it, and hopefully inspires many to try it.”  Gizmodo thinks it’ll be one big mess.

Stupidity

Okay, so you’re driving… drunk.  You’re boyfriend is in the seat beside.  You end up rear ending someone, and your boyfriend dies.  What do you do if you live in the United States?  Why, you sue the driver of the vehicle you rear ended, of course.

Writing

Have you ever met someone famous, someone you admire (or not)?  This article is geared towards meeting an author, but it applies across theboard.

The book industry is doing what everyone else is doing right now… floundering.  The article was originally from Salon.com, but I found it at Agent in the Middle.  It’s depressing, but really, the book industry has been in trouble for a long time.

Marry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza, and any others I may have missed.

I hope the season bring all the joy it is meant to.

This wish was delayed because I managed to stay off the computer for the last 2 days.  I had severe withdrawal, but I’m better now. (editid to add: except for work)