I'm closing in on the ending of THE ARROWS OF THE HEART, so I talked about that, and referred back to previous discussions on work, play and happiness. Also experienced some unusual bird sightings and talked about financial independence and my friend Megan Mulry.
A beautiful summer evening on the patio last night. Today I mused about how beauty - the concept of paradise - uplifts us and is an antidote to the aspects of life that can be crushing. I talk about the architectural control in Santa Fe making it a beautiful city and how the Capitol building and Civic Park in Denver follow the same principles. I also talk about marketing and advertising, and how those influence the subconscious, too.
I'm back from mini-break and talking about my birthday and family gathering, including wine-refrigerator shout-out to Alexia Chantel Also talking about cover discussions for THE ORCHID THRONE, and finishing THE ARROWS OF THE HEART - particularly cuing the reader when the characters are safe enough to have sex. Also sharing a pic from Crested Butte - the window boxes and hanging baskets were enviably gorgeous. I guess that's the benefit of being at 10,000 ft and living in what amounts to a refrigerator!
I wax philosophical today, talking about how to work with the creative self and how it's like training a puppy. Also about stopping for the day when you hit wordcount, why pushing can be destructive, and plans for Bubonicon tomorrow. http://bubonicon.com/
Reporting on Mary Robinette Kowal and John Scalzi at George RR Martin's Jean Cocteau theater, on my lovely birthday spent with wonderful friends. I also discuss SHOOTING STAR - why I changed the cover and what a cover is supposed to do in the first place. Guest post I mention is here https://twimom227.com/2018/08/author-guest-post-jeffe-kennedy-5.html
Not all desires are shiny and sweet—and the dark ones might change you forever…
It’s not the kind of obsession a tough Army guy can admit to—a jones for Ava, the pretty-princess pop star. Not just her body, the perfect product that sells all those magazines. Her music.
The critics call her human lip gloss, all style and no substance. To Joe Ivanchan, Ava is the exact blend of reality and fantasy that he can tolerate, the closest he’s willing to get to giving his heart after the injury and breakdown that got him out of the service.
But Ava is real. She’s a flesh and blood woman with a publicity machine and an album deadline, along with a whole team of handlers paid to shellac a pristine sheen over a damaged, desperate soul. A woman with fears, with secrets, with desires.
When Joe finds himself in an interview to join her security team as her driver, his instinct is to get away. But the woman behind Ava’s carefully focus-grouped image is even harder to walk away from. The angry needs tormenting her speak to something within Joe. Something empathetic, protective—and primal…
Besides, even a falling star can light up the darkest night.
Musing today about how the last nine years in this house has seen my creativity go entirely into writing and very little into fixing up the house and garden. Also talking a bit more about agents, the good and the bad. And this is the Timeular device I mention https://timeular.com/
I share gossip from WorldCon, including literary agent Danielle Smith (I mistakenly say Michelle) of Lupine Grove being accused of fraud. (More here https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2018/07/agent-danielle-smith-accused-of-fraud-lupine-grove-creative-closes/) I also mention Liz Gorinsky's new imprint Erehwon, signing next to Seanan McGuire, being fangirled by Kara Lockharte, and getting back to work. Blogpost I mention is here https://sffseven.blogspot.com/2018/08/being-proud-of-being-different.html
I’m just back from #WorldCon76, which was a whirlwind of great stuff. I caught a moment of downtime at the lovely Fairmont pool, including a much-needed nap.
This week at the SFF Seven, we’re asking “What are you most proud about with regards to your writing?” Come on over to read about mine.
Coffee with Canadian SFF author Kelly Robson at WorldCon76 in San Jose, discussing women's work, writing novels vs writing short, and using your hands while you talk. Book Kelly mentions is Women's Work: the First 20,000 Years by Elizabeth Wayland Barber.
Our topic this week at the SFF Seven is Cover Artist Praise. 
