Kristine Kathryn Rusch » Archive
Detail
This Dated Essay of the Month isn’t dated at all. In fact, I have been thinking about the proper use of detail as I prepare for a workshop that we’re doing (for professionals) with Sheila Williams of Asimov’s in mid-September. Writers often forget about detail. They get lazy, they do it wrong, or they’ve never learned it in the first place. I wrote this essay when I was still going to a weekly workshop in Eugene. I was also editing F&SF at the time. (Note the sentence that begins, “I see a thousand openings….” That’s not hyperbole. That’s truth. I actually had a dream last night that I was reading slush again. Only when I woke up, I called it a nightmare.) I … Read entire article »
Filed under: Dated Essay of the Month, On Writing
July Recommended Reading List
A great month for reading until the last week or so, when I got bogged down in a book by one of my favorite authors. Had anyone else written it, I would have quit on page 100, but I was convinced it would get better (based on her track record). It didn’t, but I slogged through. I was relieved to leave it and read a few children’s books afterwards just to clear my palate. Otherwise I had a lot of fun. Excellent books here, a few of which surprised me—in a good way. July, 2008 Calonita, Jen, Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location, Little, Brown, 2007. I had read the earler volume, Calonita’s debut novel, Secrets of My Hollywood Life. While I liked it well enough … Read entire article »
Filed under: On Writing, Recommended Reading
Thank You, Mr. President
HBO is running a short documentary of Helen Thomas, the White House reporter who has covered 9 presidents. Thomas has always been a hero of mine. When I wanted to be a journalist, I wanted to be one in the Helen Thomas vein, who wasn’t afraid to speak truth to power or to ask the hard questions. The documentary, Thank You, Mr. President: Helen Thomas at the White House is too short and doesn’t have enough biographical material on Thomas or much information on the White House Press Corps, but it’s a great place to start. And if you’re looking for a role model, Helen Thomas, who isn’t young and is waiting for the next president so she can get back into the briefing room, is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Tidbits
The Poop Thief
My story, “The Poop Thief,” has just appeared in Denise Little’s fun anthology, Enchantment Place. Enchantment Place has received a starred review in Romantic Times Book Reviews, and “The Poop Thief” was singled out as one of the highlights of the volume. You’ll find excellent stories from Mary Jo Putney, Esther Friesner, Christina York and many others as well. Tweet This Post … Read entire article »
Filed under: Current News
Worldcon Report Part Two
The Worldcon reports are coming in and SF Signal has been keeping track of them. You can find links to all the reports here. As for the second part of mine, I decided, after this brutal summer in sf, that I would see as many of my friends and mentors as possible. Even though this was the most sprawled Worldcon I’ve ever been to (spread out between hotels and the convention center over most of a mile), I did get to say hello to a lot of folks, including Fred Pohl (on Sunday) and Rusty Havelin (whose name I’m probably misspelling). Having conversations was another matter. For professionals, the nighttime “parties” are really big networking fests. Unfortunately, the air conditioning in the party suites wasn’t working. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Tidbits
Worldcon Report Part One
We arrived home from Worldcon late Monday. It was a good convention–a lot of fun to see old friends, meet a few new ones, and connect with readers. I have often said that everyone who goes to Worldcon has a completely different experience. One fan told me that she spent her entire Worldcon in the reading rooms, listening to writers read their work. Another never attended paneling at all. I spent most of my Worldcon either talking to editors or old friends. Despite my best intentions, I didn’t manage to see any panels at all. I will do these Worldcon posts in parts, partly because I’m so tired and partly because I want some time to filter all those conversations and experiences. Watch this space … Read entire article »
Filed under: Tidbits
Sidewise Award News
I’m still at Worldcon and am running off to appear on programming. But I thought I’d note something absolutely grand. Last night, I tied the Sidewise Award for Best Alternate History Short Form. Michael Flynn’s marvelous story, whose title (in Latin) I’m not going to attempt from memory, and my “Recovering Apollo 8″ tied. What an honor. Of course, Michael and I had to pretend fight over the actual plaque… Tweet This Post … Read entire article »
Filed under: Current News
Worldcon Schedule
I’ll be at the World Science Fiction Convention in Denver this week. Here’s my schedule for folks who are going. I do like meeting readers, and hope to see you there. Those of you who live in Denver and just want to come for one day can get a day membership at the door. You’ll find all the information you need here. Locations are in the program book. All times are in the late morning, afternoon and evening. Signing, Asimovs/Analog booth, Thursday, August 7, 12-1 Panel: Secrets of Being a Published Writer, Friday August 8, 1-2 Signing, convention signing area, Friday, August 8, 4-4:45 Sidewise Award Ceremony, Friday, August 8, 5:30-7 Reading, Saturday, August 9, 2:30-4 Hugo Award Ceremony, Saturday, August 9, 7 until whenever Panel: Crime and Detection to Come, Sunday August … Read entire article »
Filed under: Current News, Tidbits
