06: Pipin' Away
On bagpipes and the writing of words
This past weekend I went to the Highland Gathering and Games in Pleasanton, California, and had a spectacular time. I wrote about my experiences in a blog post here. In that blog post, I also briefly talk about my friend M. Todd Gallowglas, whose works you should definitely check out.
Also this past week, I went to Andrea Stewart’s launch party for her new book, The Gods Below. Andrea’s a fantastic writer and, not to namedrop or anything, we’ve been friends for a good many years, even before my cat peed on an early manuscript of hers that she’d asked me to critique. See, that’s the key to success: have someone’s cat pee on your manuscript.
In writing news, you should know that Electric Spec published my short story “Zombie Processes” in their August 31 issue. Give it a read! I’d love to know what you think of it.
Work on other projects continues apace. In 2019, I wrote Padma for National Novel Writing Month (of blessed memory), and am now in the process of reverse-outlining that one in preparation for revision, fresh critique, and hopefully for query and submission soon. I’m also still working on the outline for Witness to the Scourge. That one is a fun project that involves research into fairy and fae folklore in many different cultures, and it takes place right here in Sacramento. Sacramento is one of America’s most culturally diverse cities, and my theory is that when people from around the world moved here, they brought their fae friends with them. I’ve also started a new short story based on a prompt from The Story Engine. Not much to tell about that one yet.
Speaking of National Novel Writing Month, it’s sad to see how the mighty have fallen. I won’t go into the details here because I’m sure you’ve already heard them all, but as far as I’m concerned, NaNoWriMo is dead. Well, the organization is, at least. To be honest, I often thought that their website and HQ might have been overkill for even a global writing challenge. I hope that the spirit of NaNoWriMo continues, though. Through NaNoWriMo I’ve developed great friends and have found a wonderful writing community.
What I’m reading: I’m primarily focused on a novel that I’m critiquing for my writers’ group, so that’s pretty much it, though I’m also reading The Hobbit and Philosophy, a collection of essays about how traditional philosophical concepts can be found in The Hobbit and how that novel can also demonstrate those concepts and how they can be applied in the world. I recently also read The Gospel According to Tolkien, so I must be on a Tolkien kick of late.
What I’m listening to: Albannach, that fantastic Glasgow-based Celtic rock band. I’ve been listening to them obsessively since first hearing them at the Highlands gathering on Sunday. Go give them a listen yourself!
And that’s it! Remember, this newsletter will be free forever, unless things change drastically, so ignore the “Pay Now” buttons you might see throughout it. They mean nothing.
How are you?