Justine Larbalestier

reading, writing, eating, drinking, sport

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Feeling Halfway Human

I am no longer a troll! The phlegm begins to depart! A brand new day!

I’m convinced it was the last few days of wall-to-wall YA author/librarian/bookseller-related activity that returned my health to me. See? Books are good for you and book people, too. Yay!

Today an HSBC courtesy cab zoomed me all the way from Otto’s to dropping my lunch companion off on the upper east side (but not the posh bit, honest) and then across to pick up samples of the new business cards—very fetching, indeed, they are—and then back to the East Village. All in a snug, warm cab, driven by a smart and loquacious driver who used to work for the Children’s Bookstore in Chicago and knew all about the Bologna book fair. Sometimes I adore New York City.

What else? I did a typing test via the lovely Dr E. I type 92 words per minute, though it drops to 56 words per if you want accuracy. Phooey on accuracy. (I believe that’s the first time I have ever used the word “phooey”. I’m proud. Very proud.)

My FAQ is updated as is my bio and various other bits and pieces of my website. Please do have a squiz and point out any problems. I have also added an essay from Daughters of Earth: Mary Papke’s essay about Pamela Zoline’s story, “The Heat Death of the Universe”. Enjoy!

Posted: NYC, 22 March, 7:36PM.

Posted by Justine at 11:36, 21 March 2006 under Cons & Other Gatherings, New York City/USA, Young Adult literature | 9 Comments »

Comments

  1. Gwenda Says:

    102 wpm! 96 something else! (Accurate?)

    Anyway, I’m glad you’re feeling better.

    March 21st, 2006 at 12:43 pm

  2. 2. Justine Says:

    Show off! Yeah, the second number is how many accurate words per min. I was being penalised for spelling the Aussie way. Scout’s honour! (Okay, yes, I was never a scout . . . )

    It’s fab to feel human. I see rainbows! Fairy dust follows wherever I walk!

    March 21st, 2006 at 1:01 pm

  3. Jason Erik Lundberg Says:

    Justine,

    Thanks for posting the essay about the Zoline story. I had to read it (the story) two years ago for the Strange Horizons Oregon Workshop, and I was so glad I did. It’s now one of my faves.

    Oh, and I bought Magic Lessons today. Bought around 2 p.m., started reading around 4 p.m., and just finished about half-hour ago. Yup, read the whole thing today, and it was phenomenal. I’ll be doing a review of it in my blog and podcast soon, but it’s safe to say that I’ll be gushing all over this one. Thanks so much for writing it. And now I have to wait for the conclusion.

    March 21st, 2006 at 1:59 pm

  4. Amy Says:

    yeah i just finished magic or madness- in one day- it was really good. so i am doing my book report on it and have to get an author bio, which will be easy.

    but i cannot type for the life of me. i havn’t taken keyboarding. as far as i know i am at 33 WPM- how pathetic

    March 21st, 2006 at 2:40 pm

  5. 5. Justine Says:

    Jason: Glad you liked Magic Lessons! I haven’t had much feedback on the second book yet so it’s lovely to get some.

    Yup, that Zoline story is amazing. Mary Papke’s essay is excellent, too.

    Amy: Thank you! I’m delighted you liked my book. If you need to know anything for your report ask away. 33 wpm isn’t so bad. Anyways the faster you type the quicker you get repetitive strain injury!

    March 21st, 2006 at 2:51 pm

  6. Hezaa Says:

    Hezaa’s results:
    Gross Words Per Minute (GWPM): 61
    Net Words Per Minute (NWPM): 60

    I seem to have achieved the balance between accuracy and speed.

    About two years ago was a time when I thought I had carpal tunnel syndrome. My hands hurt a lot when I had to type—but I conducted the simple test of holding my wrist at a ninety-degree forward angle to my arm, and I concluded that I didn’t have the syndrome. (Those with carpal tunnel syndrome, when trying this exercise, will begin to experience numbness in their hands from the wrists onward.) Fortunately, I can say my studies were not for naught, for learning something new is always a pleasure.

    Yesterday evening I received a copy Magic or Madness from the library—I began reading almost immediately, but unfortunately I had to stop to sleep. I hope to finish tonight (or perhaps in Wednesday morning’s ungodly hours of pre-dawn darkness).

    March 22nd, 2006 at 12:37 pm

  7. 7. Justine Says:

    Hezaa: Well done. I guess if I slowed down I could be more accurate . . . But phooey I say again.

    I live in fear of carpal tunnel syndrome and am much relived that having done that test it turns out I’m fine. Phew!

    And yay on your library for having my book. Libraries are the best.

    March 22nd, 2006 at 2:25 pm

  8. amy Says:

    really? libraries are normally good, but i can’t get ahold of the books i want, someone always has them. i couldn’t find magic lessons there, only magic or madness. so i am going to have to put my books on hold from now on…

    March 23rd, 2006 at 3:05 am

  9. 9. Justine Says:

    Amy: As long as you’re using all your fingers . . .

    Might be that Magic Lessons hasn’t hit the shelves yet. Some libraries don’t get books the minute they’re published, plus they have to process them, add them to the catalogue and all that.

    March 23rd, 2006 at 3:17 am

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