I’m having such “discipline” issues (i.e. current book is flouting my authorial command and to punish it I go hang out with other novels and all the cool folks online) that my evil husband is going to change the airport password, burn all the books, and lock me in my study with nothing but a chamber pot and a bottle of water until I finish said book. This may be my last post for awhile . . .
Beloved google led me to this review:
- Justine Larbalestier’s Magic Lessons is the second in her YA Magic or Madness fantasy trilogy. Like the first, Magic or Madness, this has a freshness and vitality that made me inhale it and get anxious for the concluding volume—not that this didn’t feel like a complete volume in itself, because unlike the middle books in so many trilogies it did, but more that Larbalestier is so creative with her ideas about magic that I’m really looking forward to the experience of reading more of this story. I love the combination of New York and Australia, of young teens having to deal with adult situations, of the choices they keep having to make. And they’re nicely written as well. Recommended.—Neile Graham
And icerocket.com led me to these fascinating thoughts on the same. I’m especially pleased that Innle’s secret name for my book is Magic or Chunder. Tee hee. And, yes, Magic Lessons was a bugger to plot (except for when it wasn’t), but not as hard as the third book! Thanks for noticing all the stuff I worked hard to do!
Andrew Lang has excellent advice on how to completely stuff up a career in writing, via Literaticat. A particularly choice bit:
- If your book does, in spite of all, get itself published, send it with your compliments to critics and ask them for favourable reviews. It is the publisher’s business to send out books to the editors of critical papers, but never mind that. Go on telling critics that you know praise is only given by favour, that they are all more or less venal and corrupt and members of the Something Club, add that you are no member of a côterie nor clique, but that you hope an exception will be made, and that your volume will be applauded on its merits. You will thus have done what in you lies to secure silence from reviewers, and to make them request that your story may be sent to some other critic. This, again, gives trouble, and makes people detest you and your performance, and contributes to the end which you have steadily in view.
But really the whole thing is wonderful: Check it out! Ain’t nothing new since Homer . . .
Holly Black is insane and wants to try what could possibly be the most noxious liquid on the planet.
but really, if you stop blogging, it’s not like you’ll stop checking your emails or your comment posts…
good luck, you. discipline sucks to make sometimes. but you get pretty books out of it!
I posted that lecture in response to a certain saucy young someone, but the more I read it, the more people I think it applies to.
Innle is one of my favourite LJ-friends. I’ve been after her to get me a job in Australian publishing. So far, she has demurred.
AND, I looked everywhere for That Noxious Liquid today, to no avail! Probably for the best.
Neile Graham is Miss Clarion West–Someone good to know!
As I just posted to Holly, I don’t drink coffee, soda, or anything with caffeine in it!
Shana: When the internet has been turned off I can do nothing on the internet . . . not even read email or comments.
Jennifer: Hmmm, I wonder who? But, yes, it applies to so many people! Sadly, myself included. But I’m not telling you which bits!
I’m hoping to meet Innle. She seems very cool from her lj. Plus she has good taste 🙂
Ethereal Lad: I didn’t not know that. I like her site. And like Innle she has good taste 🙂
Little Willow: Me either, but not for health reasons. I just think everything with caffeine in it tastes foul.
Margo: Yup, all your criticisms on the ms. were not in vain! Thank you.
“not that this didn’t feel like a complete volume in itself, because unlike the middle books in so many trilogies it did”
*wink and thumbs up*
i didn’t know where to post this, so when i finaly found this box, i couldn’t resist putting it here. i love the magic or madness series so far! i read magic or madness yesterday and finished magic lessons a few hours ago. (i’m a fast reader.) it’s soooo hard for me to imagine waiting a whole year for the final book to come out!!! 🙁 anyway, keep up the great work justine!!!
Sarah: Thank you! I’m so glad you’re enjoying them. Don’t worry the year will go by in no time!
justine: i really hope so! (as i sit re-reading magic lessons again.) lol.
ayything you’re willing to disclose about the final book. i know you’re not big on spoilers but i thought i’d try…
It will all turn out to be a dream 🙂
not really?! lol! anyway, thanks for the chat justine!