Fontspotting: Algerian

An intriguing mix of lettering here. The hand-painted work makes for an improvement on the vertically squashed Algerian of the main title.

Writing Update, August 2013

I’ve got a bunch of projects on the go right now, so I thought I’d give you a rundown. On the “all mine” side is everything Avenir. I have a 12-part serial that just needs some clearing up of logical inconsistencies (with thanks to Travis for the help!) and then I also have the novel project, Pride and Prejudice in Space, which I’ll probably also attack as a serial for motivational purposes. All of this Avenir stuff will likely be self-published after proper edits.

On the “I have a publisher!” side (yay!), the 2 books contracted to Port Yonder Press are complete and under edits by the fabulously uncompromising Chila Woychik. However, we recently realised that those two books fall towards the end of the timeline I’m writing, as there’s also Cyberdublin—a manuscript I wrote five years ago in Ireland, whbich goes back two generations before the events in A Guildswoman’s Dream (formerly known as Faith Awakened—more on the reasons for that in another post).

So my immediate plan of attack is to revisit Cyberdublin, brush it up to best quality, and if it’s good enough, Chila might publish it under PYP as well. Then I can start thinking about its sequel Space Brain, any possible tales of the following generation, and after that, some origin stories that take us up to the beginning of A Guildswoman’s Dream and A Guildswoman’s Journey (which both run in approximately the same timespan).

Oh, and if Cyberdublin isn’t “good enough”? I think I’ll work on it until it is. Because, you know, there’s not much point otherwise.

Daily Doctor: Fashion Influence

I'd be a little remiss if I didn't point out that "everyday" is an adjective and the intention here was probably "every day" - but the sentiment is bold and unclouded, and it's one I completely agree with. Shopping spree, anyone?

Fontspotting: Bathroom Papyrus

Papyrus is a rather fancy font for a simple sign like this. Still, I suppose they had to use something.

The Science Fiction Reading Challenge

I write science fiction. Everyone who knows me knows that. It’s also very true that in order to write well, one must also read well. So I’m always really interested when I come across those “Top 100” lists around the web. Some of them seem a bit dodgy, like when they name a book at one position and then its entire series at another. But there are other lists. Some voted by tens of thousands of readers. Some listing the Hugo Award winners since itsinception. I think I should pay attention to those lists. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve only read about 20% of both the Hugo list and the Top 100 SF.  So I’m going to do something about that, and I’ll take you along for the ride if you stick around. I want to take note of my impressions, the things I notice as a writer, the things I can learn from them—and who knows, maybe I’ll come across common concept types, themes and qualities. Crack the Hugo Code. Yeah, sounds good.

Daily Doctor: Tardis XP

Your standard Windows XP background, the California vineyard, but with an important addition. Ahhh... it does the eyes good, doesn't it? I certainly think the blue box improves on any landscape.

Fontspotting: Comic Sans Sheriff

What an ignominious start to a series on fonts. But this never fails to cause a funny face.