Inkwell: Authors and Artists

    

Jen- Wow, thank you for the offer. Tell you what- if you get a copy of
Season of Mists that has the original cover, I'll swap you for the copy I
have with the new cover. That way you'll still have plenty for the lending
library.
  

    
Neil-- It occurred to me tonight, not for the first time, that if I
got propositioned/hit on/offered the services of a love slave as much
as you have, my wife would go bananas.  If it's not too personal a
question, how does your wife deal?
  

    
Streak -- ah, but you're too far away. but report back on how it
tastes.

Len -- oddly enough I spent the day editing The Book today, and I put
back in a few descriptions my editor had suggested red-pencilling of
the unpleasant taste of mead. I think she thought I'd rather overdone
it.

Len -- I think she's long since figured out that for 99% of the young
ladies in question, while they may dress up pretty to come to a
reading, and press really close when they get their photo taken, or
whatever... if I actually took them up on their offers of becoming my
love slave etc, they would run a mile. It's not about sex, more about
being their Favourite Beatle. (Or as a very lovely young lady explained
it to me at last ICFA, being Justin from N' Sync.) 
  

    

How times have changed.
  

    
I don't think one can overstate the unpleasant taste of mead.
  

    
I don't think one can overstate the unpleasant ick of N'Sync (their
music any way).

Damn, lost my train of thought. Don't you hate it when you log in,
fully prepared with something interesting (for a change) to say, then
you've finished reading the new posts and ... what was I going to say
again? grrrr. But then, my mind has been in a million places all week,
so I shouldn't be surprised. At least my stalker seems to have
disappeared.

squeaks, who prefers to be the stalker, not the stalkee
  

    
        Neil, in the highly unlikely event that I'm able to buy a $210 bottle
of hootch, I will promptly report back here.  Of course, by then we'll
be celebrating the end of the Bush administration, so I may be a
little distracted.
  

    
Martha-- I would have said it, but you said it first:  one can't
overstate the unpleasantness of mead.  Which is why it's so sad that we
who love the sorts of literary genres where mead is featured are in
for disappointment.

Neil-- you obviously have a very cool and insightful wife.

I am less than two weeks away from the opening of the North Shore
Middle School Drama Club's production of Midsummer Night's Dream.  I am
a stresspuppy....  But all's well that ends well; all my worries are
hopefully much ado about nothing.
  

    
Hello Everyone!  I've been reading this topic for about a month now,
and I love the discussions that go on.  So, now I want to take part. 

Ok, obligatory intro over.

Neil-  How picky are your editors over the content?  Do they
red-pencil descriptions that are too much for them personally, or what
they think is too over the top for the reader?

Len- That is so cool that a middle school is putting on Shakespeare. 
I think the only production my school put on was a play about an evil
Santa Claus that tried to steal everyone's presents.  I keep wondering
if the kids ever recovered.

Later all!

Brent
  

    
Among a group of letters responding to a Salon article that asserted the
Narnia books are better than the Oz books is one by Cory Panshin, who
remarks that Neil is one of "the three best contemporary fantasy writers"
("It's no coincidence," she says, they "are all British").

http://www.salon.com/books/letters/2001/01/10/oz/index.html
  

    
Len -- so tell, what did you do, on your MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and
how have you done it?

Brent -- oh, the UK editors just check for spelling. US editors worry
much more: I don't think she's worried about anything being over the
top. Mostly I edit myself. (The maggot blowjob, for example, never even
got written.) I think she's worried about me boring people by stopping
and describing things rather than doing plot.

Martha -- the nicest thing about that is the other two on the list are
Terry Pratchett and Diana Wynne Jones. Which are two very good people
to share a list with. Didn't Cory used to be one of the Genie people?
  

    

And because I thought people might get a kick out of it... this is the
letter I got from the Ice Hotel today...

.........................
Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada

Dear guests,

Your time as finally arrived to live this amazing experience. It is no
longer "imagine sleeping in a hotel entirely made out of ice"; it is
now "sleeping in a hotel entirely made out of ice".

The Ice Hotel team is thrilled and especially ready to welcome you. We
have put together a special guide that will inform you on all the
particulars of spending a night in this amazing snow "cathedral".

Lets start with some practical advice before your arrival. Although
there are no particular restrictions during the day we recommend that
you spend an active day, either by driving an extremely long trip ;) or
by taking in as much winter air as you can. Both will increase your
chances of getting a full night's rest in your cozy suite ;).

Contrary to popular belief, consuming large quantities of alcohol will
not help keep you warm. Drink moderately and enjoy yourself, Ice Hotel
is after all a fun place where having a good time is a prerequisite to
your stay ;).

Lots of people have asked us if it's cold in the Ice Hotel, hey it's
an Ice Hotel… So dress warmly. The average temperature is just below
the freezing point but you will sleep warmly tucked in the Arctic
sleeping bag we provide you.
 
Just remember before bedtime, to brush your teeth ;) and preferably
wear un-derwear made of wool, polartec or polyproplene, but your
regular pj's are still OK. The trick is not to wear to many layers as
not to produce humidity primary cause of cold feet and runny noses.
Also, don't forget your wool socks and cap to keep all your extremities
warm.

We just cant wait to have you over, we promise you are going to enjoy
your time with us for the coolest night of life at the coolest place,
Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada. See you then.

For more information, please contact us at 1 877 505-0423 (Canada and
US), 418 661-4522 (local) or on our website at www.icehotel-canada.com.


 Highlights of your stay

· Guests are required to check in before 8:30 p.m. at the front desk
in the lobby of the Manoir Montmorency.
· For dinner guests, please check in for cocktail time. Our staff will
inform you about your dinner arrangements.
· Payment for the stay should be made at check-in. We accept VISA,
Master Card, debit cards or cash payments.
· At check-in our staff will inform you of procedures for the
pre-bedtime meet-ing. 
· Pre-bedtime meeting for the overnight instructions is at 9:00 p.m.
(rendez-vous in the hall of the Manoir Montmorency).
· Private visit for our guests at 9:30 p.m.
- Building the Ice Hotel.
- Commented visit of Ice Hotel (art galleries, Absolut Ice Bar, cinema
and our suites, etc.)
· Bedtime is at your convenience.
· Wake-up is between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.
· American Breakfast is served at the Manoir Montmorency until 9:00
a.m.

Important Facts
· Ice Hotel has no shower facilities. Guests can use the Manoir
Montmorency washrooms to prepare for the night.
· Portable and heated toilets have been installed inside Ice Hotel for
overnight use.
· Free parking is available at the Manoir Montmorency.
· Your room is equipped with a complimentary cellular phone from
Telesolutions so you can call friends and neighbors and share you
experience. Long distance calls require a calling card.
· Our staff will be on hand through the night for all your needs.
· All our personnel are trained in First Aid in case of emergency.
· No pets are allowed in Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada. Except in specific
and authorized cases.

Our address is: 2492 Avenue Royale
                        Beauport (Quebec) Canada

Our phone numbers are:
                        1 877 505-0423 toll free Canada & US
                        418 661-4522 local calls 

 
  

    
I don't think the Panshins were ever on Genie.  Cory Doctorow was, but
that's a very different Cory.  (The Panshins, Alexei and Cory, of course,
have published a lot of sf criticism, some of it fairly controversial.)

You have got to tell us how the ice stay goes.
  

    
Michelle - I can never think of anything interesting to say.  However,
my brain has told me that since I am paying for a Well membership and
only read this conference that I must post here occassionally so as to
justify the money being spent.  Glad to hear you have lost your
stalker.  I remember one memorable night drive where my best friend
taught me how to lose someone tailing you.  They were damn persistant
though.  :-)

Brent - I know there are other Red Dwarf fans on here and your evil
Santa Claus comment has caused me to remember the episode Backwards
where everything is going, well, backwards.  "Santa Claus - what a
bastard!  He's the big fat git who sneaks down chimneys and steals all
the kid's favorite toys!"

Len - good luck with the play, will someone be taping this prestigious
event?

madman - I must warn you, I get the feeling this copy might not be in
very good shape.  The seller said they should be shipping it within the
next couple of days.

Neil - So, do you have all of your provisions ready for the ice hotel?
 I wonder how many people will try to lick the walls...

Jen, who quit her job today and is exceedingly proud of herself.
  

    
Neil~ It sounds like a wonderful place to stay, although a little too
cold for my blood, if you ever hear of a sand castle hotel, then let me
know.

Len~ Best wishes and break a leg with the play, I'm sure it will be
wonderful. Odd question? Do you watch Malcom in the Middle? If you do
you'll know why I ask. If not I'll explain later. 

Jen~ Congrats on the break from the job, starting anew is a wonderful.

Jinx who has made her final plans for Dragon Con
  

    
Len - best of luck on the play. Let us all know how it goes (tho' I'm
sure it will go wondermously).

Neil - sounds like you'll be having an amazing little stay. If you
*do* like the walls, make sure you don't get stuck ;-P

Jen - I still haven't a clue what I was going to post. I started
giggling to myself when I realized that I had forgotten - reminded
myself of the line in 'Being An Experiment' and have had Neil reading
"damlostit" pop into my brain every time I try and remember. And I only
say the stalker is gone because he hasn't sent mail to my old address
in over 6 months now (maybe he dropped by the house and realises I
don't live there any more... *wishing desperately*). I once was in a
car that ditched a police car (nearly had a heart attack when the
driver hit the gas pedal instead of pulling over).

-squeaks, who wonders how she will ever sleep with the mice madly
squeaking at each other over their treats.
  

    
Neil-

What a terrific letter.  Sounds like babelfishdotcom got drunk with
the thesaurus.


Len-

Wish I could see it.  I seem to be inadvertantly collecting
interpetations of that play all through my education.  That'd be two
live performances, four films (I've seen Titania disco'd, glinda'd,
aggresive donkey sex'd and of course pfiffer'd) and three written
accounts.  Now all we need is the Residents' theme album to show up,
and we'll be on our way.

And I won't mention the scottish play if you don't.  :)


*phew for silly references*
  

    
Thanks all for wishes on Midsummer.  Things are going well. I spent
the first week of rehearsal with my kids reading the play over and
over-- now they're finally in a place where they "own" the language--
they feel as comfortable with it as with their own english, and I even
catch them hurling "ill met" and "churl!" at each other in
conversation.

Neil, your observations regarding the animal-wildness of faerie played
a critical role in how I directed and costumed the fairy characters. 
In the early weeks, I had each kid choose an animal to observe and
"channel", affecting how they move onstage, how their character relates
to others,how their character relates to their space onstage, etc. 
Oberon chose a wolf, Titania a lioness, Puck an otter, and the woods
are full of cat-spirits, bear-spirits, fox-spirits, etc.

My costume designer is fantastic-- I saw the designs for the first
time yesterday and the kids are going to look great... half Brian
Froud, half National Geographic nature photography with a touch of
Charles Vess and a dash of Vogue.  As long as they remember to allow
the movement work they did to animate the costumes, they'll produce a
magical effect.

The humans are more mundanely dressed:  Theseus has the
Regis/Millionaire monochrome thing going, Lysander is a hippie,
Demetrius is Abercrombie and Fitch (this is, after all, the North Shore
of Long Island) Hermia wears "Juicy" and Helena is a punk.  The Rude
Mechanicals wear bowling shirts, work pants and boots.

Keeping in mind that these are 11-13 year olds, I wanted to keep the
motivations in the play fairly simple-- everyone wants to get and keep
love:  the lovers want each other, Bottom wants the love of the
audience, Theseus wants to win Hippolyta's love, Puck wants Oberon's
love (in a king-to-jester sense) and Oberon and Titania are dying to
get back together, though they're too proud to admit it.  Even Egeus
wants Hermia's love (in our performance, Egeus is Hermia's mom-- Egea),
which is why she's so outraged that Hermia is rejecting the suitor
chosen for her.

I edited the play down considerably-- the performance will last about
80 minutes-- and made sure that the acting is as physical as possible. 
Spent a great deal of time making sure that the kids were comfortable
touching each other (in legal ways,) and this has resulted in some
enjoyably unrestrained physical comedy-- lots of tussling, hanging on
to legs, etc.  In one great moment, Hermia throws herself, claws
outstretched ("like Wolverine," I told her,)at Helena, and is caught
mid-air by Lysander and Demetrius.

all in all, for my first Shakespeare, things seem to be ok.
  

    
Neil-- Thanks for posting the letter-- it's hysterical. Did you see
the piece on CBS Sunday Morning about the Ice Hotel? 

I have this image in my head of towels in your room made of some sort
of spun ice-- as flexible as cloth if used in the ice hotel, but a
puddle of water if smuggled out in a suitcase. 

Of course the Absolut bar sounds amazing.
  

    
Jinx-- what did they do on Malcolm?
  

    
Len~ Sent via e-mail so not to annoy others who may not have the odd
tv bent that I do.

Jinx who has found reruns of the latest incarnation of Fantasy Island
  

    

Oooh!  Malcolm McDowell, who will live in my heart forever as Alex.
  

    
Checked out the ice castle web page.  Pretty interesting pics they
have up there.  Especially the one with the two ice-arm chairs in front
of the ice-fireplace.  Ice-fireplace?  Even sounds bizarre.  Almost
seems like something that belongs in Vegas.  A bit too hot there or I
suppose it would be.

Neil -- Was wondering if you've ever given any thought to teaching, or
maybe even a writing workshop.  Or even a book on the process or
whatnot.  Something like Stephen King's ON WRITING.  Just curious as I
like to see people doing what they do well, or hearing them talk about
it.

Daniel
  

    
I just got an e-mail from the UK telling me Smoke and Mirrors has been
nominated for a MacMillan Silver PEN award:
.....................
MACMILLAN and JAMES STERN SILVER PEN AWARDS
Annual

Administered by:
English Centre of International PEN

Two awards are made: the Macmillan Silver PEN Award for an outstanding
collection of short stories; and the Stern Silver PEN Award for
Non-fiction. For both awards the books must be written in the English
language by a living author of British nationality or long-term
residence, and have been first published in the UK in the calendar year
preceding the year in which the awards are presented.

The winners are chosen from nominations made by the Vice Presidents
and members of the PEN Executive Committee only - entries are not
required. 

Prize: £500 and a Dupont pen (short stories); £1,000 and a Dupont pen
(non-fiction)
...............

I'm thrilled -- I've got shelves full of nice genre awards, but it's
so cool when a genre book gets nominated for a mainstream award.
Whether I get it or not isn't even the point. There. Makes happy author
noises.


............

martha, Jen, I shall certainly report back on the ice hotel
experience. I may even go and dig out my battered old Atari portfolio
to type on.

Len -- sounds great. 

And I'm thrilled with what you're doing with the lovers. In my
experience they make or break a Dream. (Key test-- does "I am amazed
and know not what to say?" get a laugh or not.)

Didn't see the CBS piece no. I really don't watch enough TV.

Daniel -- every year or so I go and give talks at Universities, and
normally someone asks if I have any desire to teach. it might be fun
for a year.  No real desire to write a book: I feel it would be rather
cheeky. Steve had earned the right to write ON WRITING. I'm still
trying to figure out what I'm doing on a sentence by sentence basis.


I loved On Writing, by the way, especially the stuff about editing and
tightning (and I did a ----ly spellcheck to inspect and decide the
status of every adverb). But I wished, given the Amy Tan quote int he
introduction, that he had talked more about the language.
  

    
Congratulations on the nomination, Neil!

Mononokehime was on Japanese television tonight.... I watched the
decapitation of the forest god before being overruled and ended up
watching Brassed Off instead.  To be honest, I understand Japanese a
little more clearly than some variants of English English.  I ended up
reading the Japanese subtitles, drunk as I am.  Amazing, how much
difference two hundred years and an ocean can make.   :)

Has anyone heard of Bill Bryson?  He wrote "Mother Tongue" and "Made
In America" and "Notes from a Small Island", among others...