Reading, writing, and revived friendships

[thrihyrne]

I have about 100 pages to go in The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. It's scifi, a genre I've been fond of since age 13, though this particular book I'd put as 82% fiction to 8% science part. There is another planet involved, and her background as an anthropologist shines through. I'm in this super awkward phase of it because I know that many of the characters are going to be dead by the end (that's not a surprise; you know that within the first 10 pages or so) and I can't bear to know what happens… But of course I'm desperate to know what happens! I am in awe of the storytelling, the uncluttered prose, and I haven't inhaled a book like this in a while. Highly recommended, even though I haven't finished it yet. I may post about it more in detail when finished.

I also spent a few hours yesterday re-reading my own original fic novella, taking notes about the characters on index cards as well as writing down how much time was passing in the margins. I had no real sense of how many days had gone by from the beginning to where I've begun writing again. I wasn't even certain of the season! But now I know, and there can be more consistencies. It's such a joy to be flooded with new ideas again. Not just for this story, though that's where my focus is, but I'm going to do some medical research and write a sequel for the recent R/D I wrote, plus I think I'm going to write a sequel to my Rohirric/Dwarvish cultural interaction story recently posted but written last November. I've been a fan of writing about inter-cultural relations in the Ardaverse, especially those to do with Dwarves. Having one of my favorites (Gimli, of course) set up shop in the caves of Helm's Deep means I can have some fun in installments with a post-WR gapfiller that's genfic and I can spend some more time in Rohan. Figuratively. ;)

Two of my longer-term LJ friends had been on my mind but I hadn't heard from in quite some time. To my relief, after sending out emails I've discovered that they're both still around, both dealing with some trauma, but back in touch. Time to get some more international postage stamps as I'll be writing some long letters.

Oh! And I'll be seeing HP7 part 2 tomorrow with my stepdad and a friend from choir. Should be fun! I'm not all that sentimental about it since I came over to HP via fanfiction and that's where my closest attachment lies. But I'll look forward to seeing the more grown up Gryffindor boys and girls.

Comments

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

The Sparrow has long been among my Top Five Favorites of all time. I've taught it in half a dozen classes, and the students are always taken with it. I'm so glad you're reading it; it's such an amazing response to so many things (not the least of which is 1492!).

Hagrid-sized hugs to you, my friend!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

How I've missed this one I don't know, but I just finished, had a little cry, and now see that it's a favorite of yours! I should not at all be surprised. It is truly an amazing response to many things. I'm just heartbroken, now!! But that's the sign of an excellent story. :)

[abigail89.livejournal.com]

I adore Mary Doria Russell. I loved The Sparrow, and the follow up, Children of God. She's left the sci-fi world and wrote a beautiful story called "A Thread of Grace" about Italy in WWII, and then "Dreamers of the Day" about Egypt in the 1920s. I met her when she was doing a book tour with 'Children of God'. She was very nice.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

There's a follow up?? EXCELLENT. Because I've just had a small cry and I think I'll be heart-bruised for a while after this. This has hit me on so many levels. I would love to write something that can be as multifaceted and accessible as this was. GUH. I'm glad to hear that she's a nice person in real life!

[llembas.livejournal.com]

Yay for writing!!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Indeed!! Being inundated with ideas is not a feeling I've had in a while, so it's welcome. Even if my characters are talking too much and there needs to be more plot. :P

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

I'm sitting here thinking how clever you are to make relevant notes and work from those. Stupid me! I try to write epic length novels while holding it all in my head. I do have an outline usually with a plotted beginning middle and end, but nothing more than that (and I do know the characters--they inspire the work). No wonder I think writing is such hard work. I'm laughing so hard at myself.

Very excited that you are writing again--great for me! Woohoo!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Well, this is the first long story I've written that's not fanfic, and I had no outline, no idea what was going to happen, only a vague sense of the protagonist and one of the other main characters. But having put the thing down for 9 months, I honestly didn't know how much time had been elapsing, what season they were in, key elements like that! But now I know and can continue on with a bit more certainty. Glad you're looking forward to reading more!

[jaiden-s.livejournal.com]

It's good to hear you're reconnecting with writing again. I hope the same thing will happen with me.

I'm really looking forward to HP2, though I don't know when I'll be able to go. Have fun!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

I hope so, too! It's so gratifying to have new ideas again, especially about multiple stories. I was really nervous about rereading the original fic, because I thought it might really suck. But it's an interesting story, at least to me! So that's encouraging. The Tolkien ones are coming more slowly, but there's no deadline.

Thanks about HP2! Don't know how full the theater will be since it's showing so often, but I think it'll be fun to be there with a mostly full viewing.

[mrsquizzical.livejournal.com]

i will look out for that book. sounds great. :)

i loved when i read one of ursula k le guin's books described as 'anthropology of the imagination'. <3

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

It really is wonderful, and now I'm reading the sequel. Yay for sequels!! That's a great quote about LeGuin. I've put The Left Hand of Darkness at my bedside to reread.

[mrsquizzical.livejournal.com]

oh yay! have you read it before?

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Yes— but it's been a while. I started to re-read it a year or so ago, and didn't finish for some reason. It will be interesting to read it since I now read with an editorial eye. Can't help it!