Electric Grandmother

gelato as a socialist plot

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Thu, 7 Jun 2012 20:36:00 GMT

Today I went into the city to work, and then went into the East Bay to help my friend check out potential places to live. And then, joy of joys, we met up with a dear friend and his son and we had gelato, for Ray Bradbury. Yesterday, when planning this out, my dear friend commented that Ray Bradbury might have considered gelato a socialist plot, but that eating gelato and being together would probably make us both feel better.

I ate FOUR different kinds of gelato, and they were all delicious.

And it was wonderful being with friends.

My dear friend needs a name. He's one of those kindred spirit sort of folks, and I probably will write about him here and there.

My other friend probably does, too.

Of course, considering very few read this blog anymore, and it is fairly anonymous, I could probably just use their first names. But what's the fun in that? Also, I'm all for privacy and protection on the interwebz.

But now it's time for lasagne, which is always a fine way to end the day, and a cup of herbal tea.

And I'll read the Coyote some Bradbury because he wants to read more.

a bradbury reference

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Wed, 6 Jun 2012 17:33:00 GMT

Since this blog's name is a Bradbury reference, it seemed appropriate to come here and mark the day.

I don't have a lot to say today, other than I am so sad and it's a good day for ice cream. A pint of chocolate or vanilla topped with hot fudge. A good day for writing. A good day for reading some Bradbury.

I woke today to the news of Bradbury's passing. I went into the living room, crawled into the Coyote's lap and sobbed.

Like so many others who are mourning today, Bradbury was my literary father. My own father gave him to me when I was my children's age, setting me up for a love of fantastical fiction and dooming me to being a writer. And I will always bless my father and Bradbury for the gifts they gave me.

I am told there is this one thing I do well when I write. This thing that I do--I first got it from Ray. All those hours gorging on his fiction when I was still being cooked, as my friend Tim calls it.

Our writing ancestry, those writers we read and read and read when we were being formed in the writing womb, you can see echoes of them in our work. Just like you can see echoes of our biological ancestors in our features.

I am of an age where my writing ancestors are dying or have already passed on, as my own biological ancestors are dying. It hurts when they go, oh it hurts. But there is comfort in knowing they left so many beautiful pieces of themselves behind for me to latch on to whenever I need them.

And I still have wonderful literary aunts and uncles and cousins who are still here, still writing.

L'Engle and Bradbury are gone, but in their work, and in my work, I can still grasp them and we will all live on.

breaking the silence

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:22:00 GMT

I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to write the last entry.

I've not written about what's going on, or talking about it with most people, because it seemed inappropriate. Rice had asked me to write nice things about him online so people wouldn't think ill of him, even though I hadn't written about why I was leaving.

But this hasn't done me any good. Time and time again, it has gotten back to me that I left him to go be a writer in California. This wasn't true. I left for California because there were opportunities for work and education and a support system I didn't have in Idaho. And, honestly, because I thought it was best to have some distance to heal.

I think there's a fine line between airing public laundry and expressing oneself.

I hope I haven't crossed the line.

But it feels so good to have at least part of it in the open.

trust

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:48:00 GMT

Sarah and Eric. This is a secondary response to your kind remarks.

When I left Idaho, I left with an agreement.

It was not written on paper. It was an agreement between two adults who were divorcing and were trying to make it as amicable as possible. The plan was to make agreements about the house, finances, cars and the children between ourselves and then let the court finalize the decisions we made together.

I believed we were both acting as adults, with integrity. It's the modern era. It's the new thing in divorces. I thought it was the best thing for everyone. It was the biggest mistake I've ever made.

The agreement was that the kids would stay in Idaho until I obtained the following:

1) A job
2) A home
3) A school that would provide Avadore an education as good or better than the one he was receiving in Idaho

I got two part time jobs -- one working less than two miles from home and one working from home. I got a roomy apartment with a huge backyard, located in one of the best school districts in the nation. I bought bunk beds and some toys. I made their space.

And then I called Rice and let him know I was ready for the kids. And he said he'd changed his mind.

He'd decided that the kids were better off in Idaho with him than in California with me. His parents lived in town and he believed he had a stronger support system than I had in California. (Though a large part of the reason I went to California was because of the support system I have here. A support system that has only grown.)

And that was that. I consulted with lawyers and paralegals. They all told me the same thing. Idaho is a progressive court. I could move back, to where I had no work and no support system, and start a custody battle. Or I could start one in California, which would be insanely expensive and take years.

I remembered the story of King Solomon and the two women who claimed to both be the mother of one baby. Solomon's response was to split the baby in two.

I wasn't going to split my children in two.

I didn't want to make the choice I did and not fight for my kids. I wanted to fight for them so badly. I was their mother -- how could I not fight for them? But I kept thinking about how that choice wouldn't be the best for them. How could fighting over them across state lines be good for them?

And, once family court got involved, what would the ramifications of such a custody battle be? From all angles, nothing good could come from it.

And it was the hardest decision I've ever made.

I will probably be trying to forgive Rice for this for the rest of my life. And I've learned my lesson about when you can and cannot trust others.

Wherever I live, I ensure the kids have their space. Right now their beds are permanently set up in their room with their toys, bookshelves and books. I leave up the pictures they draw and put on the door and walls. They're not here all the time, but it's their room, and their home. I try to be as flexible as possible so that they can always come. I have tried to make it so it's their home, too.

It's the best I know to do.

kids

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Fri, 9 Dec 2011 21:58:00 GMT

They'll be here in just over a week, but oh, I miss them.

They are two of the most beautiful, brilliant, wonderful people I know. I'm blessed to have them as family, and friends.

So often I'm tempted to go back to Idaho to be near them, but then I remember how there are no jobs there for me, no support system. I remember that I would drown there.

And how would that be good for them, or me?

But oh, I miss my sons.

team losh

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Thu, 1 Dec 2011 17:01:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, my sister-in-law asked me to provide a story to a compilation.

One of her friends has a very sick little boy named Aloshua (Losh). Currently, his medical needs are completely unaffordable for his mom. (At $18k+ they're unaffordable for most of us.) Several people have gotten together to raise money for Losh. They're holding raffles, a virtual 5K, accepting donations, and putting together a compilation of short stories, poems, fan-fic, and excerpts by any author willing to donate some writing. There's no payment, but you get a free copy of the compilation, exposure, and a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Here's information about Losh.

Here's some information and the sign-up for the compilation.

another november

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:56:00 GMT

I finished NaNoWriMo for another year last night. I will rewrite this one. I may go back to the others. Perhaps they all have legs, somewhere, but there are so many things for me to write. It's not as if there's a dearth.

***

I'm working on learning WordPress to blog particular projects. It's possible, but I wish it was as easy and quick to use as JournalScape. It will just take time, and I imagine the time I'll put into it will be worth it.

***

It's nice to be able to come here and write little thoughts down, whatever I feel like writing, without having to worry about producing interesting content.

This is my space.

***

I haven't blogged here for a long time for three main reasons:

1) I didn't have a lot of time.
2) I had so many things to say, but I didn't always know how to express myself.
3) There were people who might read this blog I didn't want reading the thoughts I had. I don't think they're reading anymore.

Actually, I don't think many people are reading anymore, and that suits me fine. I'm grateful for those of you who do, and I'm grateful for your thoughtfulness, intelligence, humor and kindness.

feed cthulhu, feed the hungry

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:48:00 GMT

My awesome friend, Ross Lockhart, is an amazing editor, writer and human being. He's currently running a contest called "24 Hour Feed Cthulhu Feed the Hungry Twitter Challenge."

Basically, donate to a local charitable organization and tweet about it for a chance to win a free e-copy, or even signed book, of Ross' most recent anthology, The Book of Cthulhu, featuring writers like Caitlin R. Kiernan, Ramsey Campbell, Charles Stross, Elizabeth Bear and Kage Baker.

thanksgiving? all ready?

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:40:00 GMT

So I came home yesterday from being on the road for about 1 1/2 weeks.

I went to a con in Portland and did lots of writing work. It was a fantastic time. And then I got sick (con crud). And then I finally got home. And then I realized Thursday is Thanksgiving.

Oops.

Between the being sick and the desire for a small, intimate holiday, I think this will be an easy Thanksgiving.

There is a large part of me that wishes I were in Idaho with my mom for this holiday. It's the first since my dad died, and I think it would be good to be with her. But she sure doesn't want me there with this bloody cold, which had better pass soon.

writing, but a few thoughts on my love for the small presses

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:11:00 GMT

The editor for the short story I collaborated on seems quite happy with it. He's recently commented on how he loves the characters. He's also asked my writing partner and I to put together a proposal for a short YA novel. He helps with acquisitions for a good small press.

It's not guaranteed, but it's great practice and a nice compliment.

So, I have lots of writing projects I'm working on, which is wonderful. None of them pay a ton, but they're more satisfying than many of the things I've done. And they do help pay the light bill and rent.

Also, all the projects I've been doing have been for small presses and indy publishers. They don't have the "deep" pocketbooks the big guys have, but they more than make up for this in how they treat their authors, especially these days.

I've always loved working with small presses and indy publishers, but I suspect it will be something I'll definitely focus on. Publishing with the big guys is becoming more and more of a difficult business, and their once deep pockets are emptying out. *

It makes it even more worth it to focus on the little guys with drive, vision and guts.

Speaking of the small press, many year's best lists are appearing online. You may have noticed that many of the listed books have come from small presses, at least in the SFF world. Publishers like Small Beer and Subterranean, two publishers who consistently put out fantastic books.

***

This is not to say some authors aren't doing well, even some new authors. I have a friend who sold her paranormal romance trilogy to a major publisher for a very nice price about a year ago. So far she's super happy. :)

half-sale

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Fri, 4 Nov 2011 12:43:00 GMT

My Clarion West classmate, Christopher Reynaga and I just sold a short story.

We wrote it on the first, reviewed the story, and sent it off about 12:30 a.m. on the 2nd. Talk about flying by the seats of our pants.

The editor wrote back yesterday morning, asking us to make a few simple additions. So, we'll work on those this weekend, and send the story back.

It's for a YA anthology by an editor/author I have tons of respect for, and have for years.

Due to live events over the past years, writing and submitting has been difficult. I've kept writing, though, even though it was only 250 to 300 words a day for years at a time. However, there's been little revision and almost no submissions.

It seems like there's an end to this drought. And it feels wonderful.

nano2011

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Tue, 1 Nov 2011 22:34:00 GMT

I just got home from the World Fantasy Convention 2011 and my Clarion West class reunion, both held in San Diego.

I had a wonderful time with my extended Clarion West/SFF family. I rarely see some of these people, but I'm so thrilled when I do. This is one of the reasons why I love the SFF community so much -- we are like a real family with disfucntions and annoyances and lots and lots of love.

I not only spent time with my family, I met Internet friends and made new ones.

I also completed a short story and sent it in.

I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend.

Now it's back to work. I have some serious writing ahead. It's November, and this means it's NaNoWriMo time! Day one down, and so far so good.

The novel I'm writing for this NaNoWriMo will be the first one I completely rewrite and edit in an attempt to turn it into a salable product. Wish me luck!

growth

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Fri, 9 Sep 2011 21:22:00 GMT

I don't put up with assholes who give me a hard time about my writing anymore.

I've grown a lot in the last decade.

on reading

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Fri, 9 Sep 2011 20:03:00 GMT

I love reading. It's the best thing ever.

-- Avadore

we are the media

electricgrandmother@gmail.com (maggie) — Fri, 9 Sep 2011 15:43:00 GMT

I owe a publisher a book. The second draft is due Monday.

It's not high art, it's not my magnum opus, it's not what I usually write or have published in the past, but it's a fun story and I've been enjoying working on it. And I think it has some good things to say. And it's a challenge to write, and write well, and right.

It's not likely to make me much money, but it's not about money. If it were about money, I wouldn't be writing fiction. I'm learning a lot while writing this book, and more importantly I will learn a great deal about marketing and promotion in the process. I have admired and respected this publisher for a long time. They are one of the savviest small presses out there, and are becoming more and more successful all the time. This is the most valuable thing for me right now.

Publishing needs to reinvent itself. This is one of the publishers that I believe is showing the way.

I am so lucky to have the opportunity to learn from them.

And I can't tell you how good it feels to actually be writing fiction with a real purpose. It hasn't felt like this for a long time.

I'm excited. I haven't been talking about this widely because nothing is signed, they could change their mind, I could utterly fail at this, so many ifs... But few people read this blog anymore, it's more anonymous than my other online hangouts. And those of you who will read this have followed me for a long time, and I know you'll understand.