Saturday word count starting: 105, 994
Saturday word count ending: 105, 700.
Argh. Had to add things. I have this annoying feeling that I could either combine some scenes or take them out, but there isn’t enough brain power to process it. I R Dumb.
So much to do this week. Need to get the France schedule, need to finish tax filing, need to cut IRS a check, need to do hair, nails, face. Small Magics signing pages. IRA contribution. Alarm system dude. Trash removal. All on top of edits Oy.
And I still haven’t had my tea this morning.
I cannot curl into a ball and nap. Although that would be lovely. Do you remember when you were little and your parents tried to make you take a nap, and you were like “No! Naps are stupid!” I bet you wish you weren’t so mean to naps. Naps are awesome.
Had to unravel the shawl a little. Forgot to purl every other row in lace and knitted it instead. Lace looked a mess.
Need to figure out some sort of audio books for the trip. I do best with the Martian and Black Jack Geary series, so I’ll have to find something similar and engaging. Need to make a doctor appointment to get sleeping pills for the flight. You put me in the car, on a ship, or on a train, and I fall asleep. Plane is a no go. No matter how tired I am, I can’t sleep, and this will be an overnight flight over Atlantic.
I keep meaning to recommend Death, Love, and Robots and forgetting. It’s a new show on Netflix which consists of short animated films unrelated to each other. It’s not a kid show; there is violence and nudity, but it would be really good for a high school age teen interested in weird and fiction. It will blow their mind.
Don’t start with the first episode. It has a message and it’s very blunt in its delivery. I almost didn’t continue after watching it. The rest of the episodes are much more subtle, so I would recommend starting with either of the following episodes: Suits (#4), Sucker of Souls (#5), or Fish Night (#12.) Once you watch one of those, then you’re good to watch everything else. The werewolf episode is amazing. I’m not recommending starting with it because to me it was a highlight.
Your battle quote:
“We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalog of human crime. That is our policy.”
Good luck with everything on your plate! One thing at a time … just keeping plodding through. Look forward to the good stuff and you’ll be ok 🙂
Sounds like Churchill.
I’m flying (overnight) to Dublin on Wednesday. Hope I can sleep, or learning to drive on the left the next morning may be even more difficult.
We love 5,700! No more word death please!!!
Naps are awesome. I take backx1000 everything I foolishly said about naps as a kid. Its a miracle when I can get through 8 hours without waking.
Me, too. More importantly, I miss the naps in kindergarten. Oh, to be able to have a work-sanctioned nap time. I know some companies are trying something like that for their employees, but alas, my company is not one of them.
Of course, I sit in room with no windows and a door, so not terribly hard to take an unsanctioned nap, except for my stupid Midwestern work ethic. Grrrr.
No clue on the battle quote, but I did pass along the Netflix suggestion to my nephew, who’s graduating college in May and likes to Netflix between cramming sessions.
Thank you! Have a good time in France. Just be careful out there.
MB
It has to be Churchill, it’s his style. At least every line reminded me of him.
I don’t know what I did to make the picture show up. Well, yes, it’s supposed to be me in a few years, crazy cat lady that I’am
60 años o 60 gatos?
If you have time in Paris, check this out: https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/en/home
We’re going a couple weeks after you, and it’s on my to do list after I saw an article on it. Good luck with the redeye. It’s my least favorite part of going to Europe.
Nice, thanks for the tip!
I go to Paris often (thanks to my mil who lives there) but hadn’t heard of this place.
If you have time, there’s a very interesting place to visit as well:
Musée des arts Forains: http://arts-forains.com/en/
Guided tours only (but not very expensive), in French (with a flyer in English). The place is beautiful and it centers on the old carrousels or fairs.
Thanks! I’ll take a look.
The funny thing was well into my teen years my mother, a SAHM back then would stop what she was doing a rest between 1 to 3pm. She was usually up at 4 and last in bed at night. As an adult I know why she did it and why she tried to get us to just be still a little. I wish I listened and had time to do it now.
I just finished Death Love and Robots, I think I liked the fridge and the shifter episodes the best. Ive heard that not everyone has the same order so your first episode might not be the same for everyone else. We green lighted it for the 16 year old if he wanted to watch it as well.
No idea on the quote without Google. Good luck on making everything work for you. Sending good vibes your way.
Concur with Churchill, although I’m not 100%. I can remember my grandmother talking about his speech.
Mostly, these quotes remind me how eloquent leaders used to be, before sound bites and tweets became standard. They inspire me to attempt a better level of mission focused communication, regardless of my topic’s lack of gravitas.
Thank you, and safe travels.
Yessssss! I’m so disappointed about the lack of eloquence today! Even when reading letters from ordinary people of 50 years ago, there was much more style and grace in the written word.
Remember that scene in National Treasure, the second one, where Nic Cage gives a tiny speech to the president and the president says no one talks like that anymore and Nic’s character says that people wish they did…
Agreed – sounds like Churchill to me. Best wishes for journey prep – the older I get, the more there is to do. It’s literally the hardest part of any trip I now take. Enjoy Paris – I hope you have the opportunity to get lost. It’s an awesome place for discoveries.
I sure hope you have some time off planned soon. Your list made me stressed just reading it.
With respect to Love, Death, Robots… First episode for me was “Sonnie’s Edge” … And I cannot find the message, heavy-handed or otherwise!
It was a sack of standard tropes, with a nice little twist …wasn’t it?
Regardless, best of luck with the busy week!
Are you doing a book tour in France? Any chance you’d be close enough to Germany so maybe some Americans stationed there could come see you ?
+1
+ 1
Not that I am an American stationed here, but I would dearly love to come see you if you were in Germany.
Sharon Shinn has a new audible series out. First book is Echos in Onyx. All three books in the series are out now. I am engadged. Maybe would work for your flight.
I’m concurring on the Churchill, but I’m on vacation, in the sun, so what do I know. My husband LOVES “Death, Love and Robots” and was excited you like it as well. He’s a big Curran fan, so he obviously has good taste.
Remember, balance.
That’s gotta be Churchill. WWII
Is that from The King’s Speech?
Thank you Cindy for the https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/en/home suggestion. It looks fabulous. I would love to see it. Hope Ilona gets a chance to. Definitely sounds like Churchill.
Wishing you all the luck for a very productive week!!
Not sure if you were looking for audiobook recom,mendations…? If so, here’s what I’ve got. Sorry, I don’t have any space odyssey recs (though I’ll be watching the replies for recommendations for myself!)
**My top recommendation is the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. They’re narrated by James Marsters (Spike from Buffy) who does an absolutely fan-freaking-tastic job. Seriously. <3
*As far as more traditional fantasy goes, I don't have a lot of experience with audiobooks there either. The Harry Potter books, narrated by Jim Dale are very well done. I have had many people recommend The Codex of Alera series (also by Jim Butcher) and the audio sample I've listened to sounded pretty good but I haven't read/listened to it myself yet.
Happy editing and safe travels!
My parents did a bus tour of Paris many moons ago. Saw an artist painting the Eiffel Tower and selling prints. They bought the print, walked into a tourist trap shop and saw the same print for a quarter of the price?♀️. Still really enjoyed and they have a story. Have a great trip.
Churchill! What a busy day, I do hope you get a nap at some point because naps are awesome. And yes, I didn’t like naps as a kid, either.
I would highly recommend the Musee d’Orsay. It’s not a big museum but it’s lovely and is housed inside an old train station.
Regarding audiobooks, I liked the Vatta series by Elizabeth Moon and the Valor series by Tanya Huff – both were well narrated.
Good luck with the To-Do list and I’m sure you’ll enjoy Paris no matter what you do!
I am reading the Familias series by Elizabeth Moon. She served in the USMC and it shows in the stories. I will get to the Vatta series when I’m done this one. She is my favorite find this year to date (late to the party, I know; they date back at least to the 90s).
Her fantasy is well worth a look too, as is her stand alone Remnant Population which is the only book I’ve ever read with an old woman as the protagonist. An awesome old woman. Elizabeth Moon is one of my few reread authors, along with OGH.
In the middle of watching Love Death and Robots, but wanted to say that episode orders are different! There are 4 variations of episodic order that were released. I happen to have the one that is listed on the wiki page, but there are 3 others ?
Well, it is rather disturbing seeing a book shrink like that. Each time I see a new post I silently cry all the things we will be missing.
So here is my advice for you.
Take the biggest version, cut from the back down to for example 999.997 words.
Add “to be continued”
And post the rest of the book on your page to read the rest when finished with the printed copy ???
That way the publisher gets what he want, you don’t get so punished in cutting all your glorious good stuff and we your lovingly addicted followship, well you know, we are a crazy bunch of authorlord worshippers ?
The first “Love Death and Robots” bit is actually a Peter F Hamilton story from the novella collection which preceeded his “Night’s Dawn” trilogy.
Paris will restore your soul. Hang in there!
Speech is by FDR
I thought FDR also –
Quote is Churchill – his very first speech as the newly elected Prime Minister in 1940. Interestingly, Winston Churchill did not receive a warm reception while outgoing Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was cheered. Hindsight is always 20/20 🙂
It is known as his “blood, toil, tears and sweat” speech as he said “I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined the government: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”
If it is not too late, you may want to consider getting a good pair of compression socks for your air-travel. They apply pressure to your lower legs, helping to maintain blood flow and reducing discomfort and swelling. I was always skeptical but after a friend’s recommendation, I tried them on my last trip to Europe – which would be much shorter flying time than yours – and they made a huge difference. I use them all the time now when travelling by air.
Good luck and have fun.
I have been using the compression knee highs on every flight I have taken for some years. They feel good going on and good coming off and keep my poor ankles from swelling into basketballs. I have no trouble with swelling except in planes.
Also for every flight: 12 hour gravol. I get car sick (if not driving) just going a short distance so I can’t chance it anytime.
Series I would recommend. The Pillars of Reality by Jack Campbell (same author as the Black Jack/Lost Fleet series you liked.), the Honor Harrington series by David Weber, and the Troy Rising series by John Ringo.
Safe travels to Paris. Enjoy your visit, although I know it will be hectic, fun, and amazing! Best of luck with WCB, we live all the words, and we can’t count?
Have you listened to Reamde by Neal Stephenson? I read the book first and then listened to it with my husband while we we’re traveling on vacation. I would try to summarize the plot, but it has so many things going on I would make a hash of it.
The murderbot audiobooks by Martha Wells are fun. Although friend hates the narrator so ymmv. Anyway murderbot is adorable. They are 4 novella’s with sequel novel coming in 2020 (sigh!) otherwise am having a audiobook fiction slump at the moment. Non fiction and podcasts are getting all my attention. Being grown up is so weird. Am looking forward to other people’s recommendations.
+1
When flying I find noise cancelling headphones a godsend. I have Bose earbud type, and they are compact, re-chargeable, and can be used with a phone. The sound quality is awesome as well, so music or movies are great with them on. I also have on my phone an app called Simply Rain. It rains, has thunder you can add or subtract, and you can change intensity. Works very well for me. That and an anxiolitic or cocktail. I feel cocooned.
I think naps are the best. And I was one of those kids who would not nap during kindergarten. Now it’s all I wanna do. I hope you have a great trip.
If you get everything done on your list for this week, you won’t need sleeping pills You should just fall over. Good luck with all that.
Oh. If you can find Joel Shepherd’s Cassandra Kresnov series on audio (it is on Audible, whatever that is.) I highly recommend it. Extremely well written, cool computer stuff, combat, some police procedural, and a lot of sociology/politics/economics, PLUS great dialogue and absolutly kick-ass women throughout. They remind me of Kate if Kate were fast-forwarded into a far future.
Oh I love these. I never did get around to reading his fantasy series. I should pick those up. Thanks for the reminder.
Don’t worry if you can’t sleep. Your hotel room won’t be ready until 3 anyway. Just power through, do some hard sightseeing (we went to the Pere Lachaise), have lunch and then check in and nap until about 6. No later because it’ll screw up your internal clock. Eat dinner then go to bed at your normal time. BAM, you are on schedule.
Agree, quote sounds Churchillian (is that a word?) busy day… check list day.. magic marker slash through done items day. You will reign supreme!
‘Churchillian’ is definitely a word. 🙂
‘Churchillian’ is definitely a word. 🙂
Hopefully your week goes smoothly, just take it one thing at a time. Lots of good advice here I will say I second using compression socks. My husband and I have found when flying and trying to sleep we listen to classical music.
Naps are great even when you’re over tired, cranky, and your mind goes in so many different directions. I did nap when I was little. There were times I didn’t want to nap, so I would lay on my blanket and stare at a wall. 🙂
With the word count: at least it’s shrinking. 200 words (there about) is 200 words.
With everything else, pick at it. My mom use to give me that advice when she would ask me what’s wrong. I would spit out all the stuff I needed to do and then some. She would say pick at it. Do a little bit, then rest. Do a little bit more, then rest. Rest could be 5 minutes of just going outside and taking deep breaths to clear the head.
When I was younger, my travel books were Stephen King books. Don’t know why. I haven’t read his in years, but he was a staple for travel in my teens and early 20s.
I still can’t do audiobooks — my mind is too likely to drift and I miss stuff all the time.
Can someone explain to me the word count quota? Why do they limit it? I’ve read best selling books that are well over the 100k count and I don’t end the book thinking, “Well that was great but I wish it was shorter.” Although I’m sure someone does. Just curious!
Ilona explained in an earlier post that the contract she and Gordon signed with their publisher the book would have a word count between 90,000 – 100,000 words. Since they are over the contracted limit, they have to cut the word count down even though the BDH wishes otherwise. 🙂
Your mileage is sure to vary, but I find that lying down for ten minutes or so often gives me enough energy to get back to work. It’s not napping so much as letting my body recalibrate…
You mentioned The Martian audiobook….
Because RC Bray is a narrating god, I stalk him all over Audible, and last fall I picked up a sci-fi military space-opera series he performs called “Expeditionary Force.” Author is Craig Alanson. First book is called Columbus Day (and while the book came out in 2016, the audio version was a 2018 Audie Award finalist for best Audiobook of the Year). Love this series! The two main characters are a young Army grunt who stumbles into command of a stolen galaxy-hopping spacecraft and a wise-cracking, obnoxious A.I. named “Skippy the Magnificent.” They have kinda a Kirk and Spock vibe in the way that they are better together than they are individually. There’s no romance, and the stories lean heavily on military and special forces operations, but I’ve really become attached to the cast of characters and how they fit with one another and work together as they defy (reinvent?) the laws of physics, evade advanced alien races, and save Earth and humanity (over and over again).
The seventh book was published last November, but the audio version is released tomorrow, March 26. Can’t wait!
I had to laugh when I read your comment about stalking a narrator because ever since I listened to the audio of “Iron and Magic”, I’ve stalked Steve West and have been enjoying his narrating the Richard Jury series by Martha Grimes. 😀
PRO-TIP: Steve West also records other books — romance and erotica titles — under the pseudonym Shane East.
I discovered this when listening to a romance novel narrated by Shane East. The guy’s voice was pretty distinctive and immediately reminded me of the Iron & Magic recording, so I did some comparisons and online research and yep, same guy.
I have discovered several new-to-me authors by following narrators whose work I like.
Is that Churchill?
The “blood, sweat and tears ” speech?
Recommendation for an audiobook recommendation Larry Correia’s “The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Intergalactic Insurance Agent,” followed by “A Murder of Manatees,” & there will be a 3rd coming up. Read by Adam Baldwin & NOT politically correct. The Chuck Norris references and tactical melon baller are really funny.
I still recommend the Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon. The narrator rocks and the books will make you laugh your butt off!!!
Another vote for the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. My husband fell in love with these and that is the highest praise!
Have you gone through the Grimnoir series by Larry Correia? Alternative history, tremendous fun. It’s all on Audible…
Re the Love Death and Robots series, I read an announcement from Netflix that they had four series orders, and every viewer would be assigned one of these at random.
Very busy, hope you have time to enjoy France. I came to a bit of a screeching halt when I read that you need to make a contribution to the IRA. Do you contribute to the Irish Republican Army?
Individual Retirement Account. Contributions are tax deductible up to the official amount and you can still do 2018’s until April 15th.
The American tendency to reduce polysyllabic words to acronyms can get really confusing sometimes. (Compact disc or certificate of deposit, anyone? I am sure there is at least one more CD out there, too.)
The quote is definitely Churchill, but the film it was most recently featured in was Darkest Hour with Gary Oldman.
I started Death, Love + Robots with Lucky 13. The people on the Star Citizen reddit recommended it as perfect for the ‘aerospace flight combat’ genre. They were right. Enough fun action to feel worthwhile and just enough heart and determination to be a story.
I’m sure you’re aware of them, but the Black Jack series now has a ‘prequel’ series (The Genesis Fleet) with 2 books so far. They feel more similar in pacing and tone than the Lost/Phoenix Stars series does. I have been trying to find more books that exist somewhere between those, Kinsmen, and Innkeeper, and boy is it difficult. Tanya Huff’s Confederation/Peacekeeper series remains the favourite of those.
Everything that begins as a genre driven space-action story has to wind up re-writing the galaxy’s rules before book 3 ends. Despite realising why these storylines wish to do that, I find it annoying. (And I just changed the story I’m working on to change its rules before it ends.) Toby Frost’s Space Captain Smith series is refreshingly ridiculous, and I’m sure I won’t mind it if it rewrites its rules, because the rules are utterly ridiculous.
If you like the Black Jack series – try Tanya Huff’s Valor novels – heroine instead of a hero, but I love our Staff Sergeant. And the aliens are wonderful.
I feel for you. Do what you can do and let the rest take care of itself. It will get done. I take a nap everyday. My family knows not to bother me when I am napping unless it is an emergency.
I just started Wolverine: The Long Night (the title on Spotify has changed to The Lost Trail for season 2 but season 1 is still the same) it’s a Marvel podcast and it is intense as of the first episode but the sound quality is amazing. If you haven’t listened you should give it a shot but listen with headphones as it is immersive. Have a safe flight!
I can highly recommend the Jim Butcher “Dresden” series narrated by James Marsters, he does a superb job.
+1!! (but I have a feeling you’ve already heard it) Just finished listening from beginning in prep for 2019 (??!!!) Dresden file.
a big +1. The reading is excellent.
I have not listened to them, but have you tried Lisa Shearin’s Raine Benares series? I think you would enjoy them.
Lisa Shearin’s SPI files are great as well.
Jep! Totally true! ??
No recommendations possible, I fear. Just best wishes.
The quote sounds vaguely like Churchill. Something prior to “I have nothing to promise but blood, toil, tears, and sweat” speech?
I did like Michelle Obama’s Becoming. She reads it
I love to listen to “Ready Player One.” It’s narrated by Wil Wheaton, and he is mentioned in the book too. Makes me laugh every time he reads that part about himself. I find reading the book drags for me, but hearing it, it takes on a new level of fun.
I love naps so much my girls (10,8,6) knows that hell hath no fury like a mama interrupted on a weekend nap.
Currently in Beijing for work and dealing with the misery of jet lag x2 because I too struggle to sleep on planes… usually get 6 hrs in then nada mas – 8 hrs later I stumble bleary eyed off the plane BUT …
a) super happy I can still get to your website (can’t get to the New York Times – won’t load – but I can read your blog!)
b) quote is either Churchill or Eisenhower (and cant get to google to make sure I spelled that right. Sigh. How dependent I’ve gotten…)
C) re-reading Anne Bishop’s the Others series. That could be fun to listen too, as well…..
Hey, Ilona, off-topic, but a coworker just pointed me to this site: https://pixabay.com/
According to the home page… “Over 1.6 million free images and videos shared by our generous community.” Free for even commercial use, although you can’t mix them with other stock photos or picture someone in a bad or offensive way.
Thought I’d mention it as a source for some of your blog images.
Churchill during WWII.
If you like Black Jack Geary, try Tanya Huff’s Valor series. The first one is “Valor’s Choice”. I rotate through them on audiobook at least once a year.
Naps are great! I didn’t nap from age 4 or 5 to 65. For the last couple of years I have been making up for it now. I don’t know – I think the quote sounds like Churchhill.
I heard the order for the Love, Death, and Robots anthology changes for different users, so what might be first for you might not be first for everyone! Just a not for people who are picking which to watch first based on the recommendation above!
🙂
HI! Maybe you could take any deleted scenes and put them online like Innkeeper. I hate to think we are missing out on more of the story. Have safe travels.
Sounds a lot like something Winston Churchill would say. Either that or King George VI.
As to naps, nope, hate them. I absolutely never seem to wake up and function fully following a nap. But everyone else I know thinks they’re the best thing since pre-sliced bread, so enjoy!
I enjoy David Weber’s audio books, but steer clear of the Honor Harrington series – not because they’re not good, I just can’t stand the reader, who is too soprano to do good male voices. The reader for his Empire of Man series was very good and I love the fantasy War God series. I re-listen to them almost as often as I do yours (I’m listening to Oath of Swords as I write this, playing hooky from the lab work I still need to finish today).
Enjoy your trip and have a great time in Paris! I would love to go back and spend some real time there, not zip thru a few highlights in 3 days.
“Argh. Had to add things. I have this annoying feeling that I could either combine some scenes or take them out, but there isn’t enough brain power to process it. I R Dumb.”
U R Exhausted!
Just finished Witchmark by CJ Polk. Very good! Hoping there is a sequel. Reading Irontown Blues by John Varley and enjoying it very much. Maybe Starless by Jacqueline Carey for your flight? Long book, very well done.
They aren’t sci-fi, but “Dancing To The Flute” and “Mao’s Last Dancer”, both voiced by Paul English are really good. So is the Reader’s Digest version of ” Oliver Twist” although we listened to it on tape. Also “Seven Years In Tibet”.
Please make time to rest.
Plugging along lots of estate issues but finally seeing some light. Spouse inventor data base administrator and blue sky dreamer. Every person he ever had coffee with convinced there is fabulous pile of Google level inventions somewhere and they want a piece of imaginary pie. Key learning is rest. Don’t quit. Rest. Enjoy a most lovely April in Paris.
Okay, I started that Netflix show you’re talking about the other night, and turned it off after the first episode. I do not do gore.
However, now after seeing your recommendations, I might go back in and watch the rest . . .
They vary wildly. Some are really cute, some are cartoony, some are more vivid. You may want to take a look at the images in the episodes tab to get a glimpse of ones you might want to avoid. I enjoyed The Witness for it’s style and oddness, but if you’re sensitive to flashy edits, noise, and nudity maybe find a preview or something before watching that one. Sucker of Souls has gore in the 2d over the top cartoon sense but also has a lot of charm and humour and is one of my favourites so far.
Good luck with your to do list and safe travels to France!
I’m driving daily to work and the commute has spiked up my blood pressure. I listen to audiobooks to pass the time and the O’Hare and Fox series by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg work best for me. Light-hearted fluffiness abounds. The other books I tried made me yell at the characters, so that defeated the purpose of trying to calm myself down ?
I just started this series and loving it.
I’m trying to pace myself so the series lasts for the 8 months I’ll be driving in, but I’ve already finished book 2.
I would recommend the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. I have read everything that is available, including the comic books and just finished listening to one. They are best read, or listened too in order. The narrator is excellent.
+100
+++ LOVE these!
I loved Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik. The audiobook is narrated by Lisa Flanagan and it’s the best i’ve heard so far.^^
Suggestion for audio books for international flight: The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. First in series All Systems Red won the Hugo, the Nebula and others. The narrator Kevin R. Free is wonderful. He totally gets this character. Also, for those of you that have read it, don’t you wish there really was a program called “The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon”?
Love it!! And would love to see Sanctuary Moon. 🙂
I can’t make any audio-book recommendations,
I can recommend naps and tea, but you know about these things already.
Yes! I DO wish there was an actual Rise & Fall of Sanctuary Moon! Loved that novella series, Voidwitch novellas not quite as good but a decent read….
If you haven’t read them I enjoy the Elise Noble Blackwood security series 🙂 Oh and Patricia Rice Evil Genesis series.
🙂 I’m sure the perseverance will win through with the word count challenges
Does anyone know where I can logon and change my avatar that shows up when posting on wordpress blogs? is tied to my email address somewhere
https://en.gravatar.com/
Winston Churchill
Forgot my recommendations Currently listening to Faith Hunter’s Soulwood series Then going to John Ringo’s Black Tide Rising and maybe his Paladin of Shadows. Have safe travels
Battle quote was delivered by Winston Churchill, May 13, 1940.
OMG, I am a lace knitter and I feel your pain. Just one momentary loss of focus and then…..disaster.
How does Dramamine affect you?
Dulls me down and it’s easy for me to sleep with it in my system
but can still function if I really need to.
Blaze Ward has a short series (8 short books/ long novellas) “The Science Officer”. It is part of the “Alexandria Station” series. I have no idea if it is in audio book, because I don’t listen to them.
I really enjoy the (too smart for his own good) protagonist as he is captured by pirates and ends up pretty much running the place. He starts off by convincing the pirates to keep his biology experiments, including the chickens, as an improvement to their ship…
You might like it, and the ebooks are not expensive.
We’ve really been enjoying LD+Rs, we watch a couple ever night or so. I agree the first episode is very on the nose. I really enjoyed the concept and style, but prefer a bit more subtlety so it was good to see they vary widely. While I get they probably wanted to show that the series is anything goes I do think they could have picked a better leading short to entice viewers with.
https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/03/21/netflix-love-death-robots-episode-order-sonnies-edge/
watching order not set in stone
I like, Michael Kramer, the man who narrates Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborne series. I also second Marsden reading the Dreseden files. Although Euan Morton did exceptionally well on the Aeronaut Windlass another of Butcher’s books. Who doesn’t like a BA Cat character. My job involves a lot of data entry so audiobooks are a lifesaver.
Naps are DEFINITELY wasted on the young!!!
I just read/listen to Mario Kloos – Terms of Enlistment and ended up gloaming the rest of the series in short order – they were fantastic. Reminded me of Jack Campbell – Black Jack Geary. Strongly recommend them.
I mean Marko Kloos not Mario – hate autocorrect
Ah! Try to get a narrative of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, if you haven’t already read it. It’s fabulous.
Her latest, Spinning Silver, is also excellent.
loved this one.
Well, I don’t know how they are in audio . . . so far too cheap to spend extra to try it . . . but I love the Hailey Edwards’ series – Beginners Guide to Necromancy. Right now I’m reading her Foundling Series. She’s very good. IA is still my favorite (of course) but also like Faith Hunter, Eileen Wilkes, Patricia Briggs, and now have added Hailey Edwards.
Best wishes for a safe trip and enjoyable time in the City of Lights!!
You’re in the middle … let it perk till wednesday. Make your appts. write your checks, unravel the shawl & pack it away for when you get back.
Return to edit, do what you know, notate what you think. Move on to what you’ll wear that compliments hair & nails. Return to edit collate notations & Stop counting, breathe, stretch, PACK, take a nap!
Check your needs to be done list, knock it off. Gather your reading list, put in carry on. Make farewell calls & go go go
You are going to work (France) this is your 9-5 grind what so ever it compromises. I love my job, some days l pause & watch the ocean, some days l go inner city & peep at the gardens. Enjoy your work where it takes you, so you can make that IRA contribution
AND don’t forget to breathe in the wonder past schedules & passports & luggage & cabs & what all
Winston Spencer Churchill, 13 May, 1940, to parliament. “blood, toil, tears and sweat.”
Hi. Big librarian fan from Australia. Apologies if you already know about this but if you are looking for reading recomendations based on authors or types of stories then see if your local library has a subscription to novelist plus or novelist. You can do advanced searches based on all kinds of things like pace, language, tone etc. Good luck with finding some audiobooks.
Worked at a well-known quick serve food establishment. One crazy lunch hour, small child in line with mom starts howling. Mom says, “You need a nap”. Child sobs, “I don’t WANT a nap!” Man in register line next to mine quietly raises his hand and says, “I’ll take that nap.” Many adults in line nodding heads in agreement.
(No airplane tips, haven’t been on one in years. Would love to take the train trip thru the Canadian Rockies.)
I hate to fly! Last time I went to Europe I came home with pneumonia, I was so sick I was afraid they wouldn’t let me through customs. Plus the journey home took 26 count them 26 hours. Late flight landed in US at same time as three other international flights, going through customs was a slow death and then of course I missed my next flight. So I’m done, I love Europe, but I’m done. If I must travel without my car I prefer to go on the train. That being said occasionally I still have to fly. I wait until I’m through security then have a Bloody Mary and a Xanex, works really well. I hate sleeping meds especially on a flight. If disaster strikes I want to be aware. Yep, I’m paranoid and irrational about flying. Oddly enough I love to fly on small personal airplanes, because I know who is flying and who worked on the plane-of course there is still air traffic control with their antiquated software to rely upon. sigh
I’m a really huge fan of the Poor Man’s Fight series by Elliott Kay. It’ll be good round trip as the books are long. The narration is fantastic. Though I enjoyed the Pillars of Reality series by Jack Campbell as well if you haven’t tried that one yet, or Stark’s War series (more in line with the lost fleet). Jack Campbell’s also got the Genesis Fleet series (first two books are out with the 3rd this May) which is the founding of the Alliance from the lost fleet series.
Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files and Codex Alera are excellent to listen to. I think the latter was written on a bet that any combination of subjects can become a good book. The challenge given? Write something that’s a cross between Pokemon and the Roman Legions… and he did it really well.
Also, the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster-Bujold. Really, anything written by her is excellent.
The Rook by Daniel O’Malley is also very good.
And the Palace Job by Patrick Weekes was surprising. I will never think about unicorns the same way.
Oops! Forgot to mention Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor is hilarious and we’ll read.
If you like The Lost Fleet, you would probably enjoy Destroyermen by Taylor Anderson. The narration takes a little while to get used to but as the story gets going he’s very good. It has some of the battle planning like Lost Fleet, and the navy culture…only they’ve been mysteriously transported to an alternate earth. They make friends…and enemies. The friends are great fun.
Definitely Churchill. The way he uses language is so distinctive..
Good luck with THE LIST (when they’re that long and have a timeline it deserves caps!)
Try the Honor Harrington series by David Weber. Very similar in tone to the Black Jack Geary series.
Sarah Lyons Fleming’s post-apocalyptic series is awesome. I believe they are now out in audio books.
to quote you: “there isn’t enough brain power to process it. I R Dumb.” U R NO Dumb! U R Tired. Brain iz overworked. Take a rest.
Battle quote reminds me of Churchill. I shall google to see if I am right..but won’t say anything here.
As far as audiobooks…have you tried the Lavar Burton Reads podcast? I can’t remember if I recommended it or not already but as the name suggests, each episode Lavar Burton reads one of his favorite short stories. I highly recommend it but I haven’t listened to it in a while, ever since I stopped having a long commute home from work. He was really shooting and it was the prefect post work destresser.
It has to be Churchill. I can just hear him saying it in that gritty voice over the crackly radio. I also assume he really did say that and of course it was in the recent movie Darkest Hour.
Have a good holiday. I am going on a landscape photographic holiday. I use the term holiday loosely – up before first light and out until after dark. I am not sure why I am doing it.
I thought of him too, and also Patton.
Quote either sounds like Churchill or FDR during WWII.
Better to rip than be unhappy and let it sit not using your fabulous yarn!
Audio rec. Did you finish the Linesman Trilogy? And if yes did you pick up Stars Uncharted, the first of their next trilogy? All are available on audio if you haven’t already done them. Figured it was a good recommendation since I found S.K. Dunstall through you! 🙂
Have you tried Monster Hunter International. You get into the series right from the start.
FYI, the episode order for Love, Death & Robots is different for everyone so telling people to skip episode 1 might mean they skip the best episode. Netflix is trying to be clever with some sort of algorithm determining what episode order each user gets.
Apparently there’s four different episode orders that Netflix chooses from and I seem to have the same as you. The episode 1 in this order is Sonnie’s Edge.
Thanks for sharing with us all, the craft of writing. My last writing was for university, but it helps me have an apprciation for all the hard work that you do for us. We enjoy all the work that you and Gordon do, so we can enjoy the worlds that you create for us.
I’m a knitter, so I winced with you as you realized that you had to rip out the rows. We all have projects like that.
Barbara
When you get to France, you will be FREE!!!!!! In the sense of whatever happens in Texas, you can’t do anything about it. You will be able to be in the moment completely. Split up today’s tasks between you and Gordon and enjoy the prettying process.
Bon Voyage!!
I highly recommend “Endurance: Shakleton’s Incredible Journey” by Alfred Lansing as an audiobook. It reminded me a lot of the Martian, constant adventure and challenges to overcome, and it’s incredibly well-done.
Is there anyway to pay for the extra words. I’ll donate 50$ + the cost just to buy a longer book. You both haven’t written a book I didn’t like…. no love. I read and listen to your stories consistently and this is the only blog I follow.
Ditto for me on all points.
+1
I have to agree with Stephen. Is there anyway to buy a writers cut? I’d pay extra to see what got deleted or rewritten.
+1
Yes!!!
That was Winston Churchill’s first speech to Parliament as Prime Minister in 1940,
doing his Henry V ” Band of Brothers ” thing.
This is a great example of why a great speech is like a great book —
Write, Edit, Repeat. Only an idiot thinks he can stand in front of a microphone and
ramble and ramble some more off-message.
Any book by Wen Spencer is going to keep you happily occupied during long flight. Each one of them is great. The characters, the world building, the stories – everything is superb.
Enjoy your trip to Paris. You will want to come back again
Have you read Dana Stabenow’s sci-fi trilogy? I wasn’t blown away, but tastes differ. If you are at all interested in Alaska stuff her Kate Stabenow series is good.
No recs for audiobooks, but I want to say thank you for how great the Kate Daniels audiobooks are. I’ve never been able to get into audiobooks despite wanting to use them for knitting so when I started this most recent reread of Kate’s series & saw that our library had most of the books in audio as well as Kindle I checked out both. I love Renee Raudman as a narrator she makes the characters sound distinct without going so far with it that it becomes a distraction. Her voice flows so smoothly with the story that it is like reading for me – I can picture it in my head. I have tried some audiobooks that had truly awful almost monotone narrators and I’m also picky about voices and pitch due to sound sensitivity which doesn’t help. Finding enjoyable audiobooks has given me hope that there are more out there.
Audio books – Any of the Dresden Files.
The day of your flight, check with your airline and see if there are lay-down seats for a reduced price. It’s a long shot but you never know! If you ever fly to London, Delta /Virgin Atlantic now has a “day” flight from NY and American has one from
Chicago. You leave around 8 am and you arrive at 8 pm. Your jet lag is greatly reduced. Took this last summer and it was fabulous.
John Adams:
Oh good God! Fishing rights? How long is this piddling to go on? We have been here for three solid days! We have endured, by my count, more than eighty-five separate changes and the removal of close to four hundred words. Now, would you whip it and beat it ’til you break its spirit? I tell you, that document is a masterful expression of the American mind!
“1776”!!
Did you play Adams?
(Love his 2nd act number “Is Anybody There?”)
My first album purchase and favorite Broadway musical! Good God!
Can’t we just pay a little extra for the book and leave it alone?
Then you don’t have to change it any more.
Also fall asleep when traveling even airplanes. An hour after being fed, I fall asleep and don’t wake up until we stop. One time was on a short flight when we were descending, my body decided it was nap time. My head kept nodding forward and I was jerking back to keep from falling asleep. Wide awake when we stopped.
Might try Hunter, Elite and Apex by M Lackey. More for teens but interesting . Also Bailey Cates if you like murder mysteries that involves a witch with a bakery.
Best advice is to get a library card, and then go to the web site and try out different audio books.
Keep up the good fight. Can’t wait for the next book to come out.
If you’re still having trouble with word count, however, I’d recommend slimming down the gun facts. No offense, but they’re a little jarring to read, especially since I’m in the competitive shooting circuit and the facts aren’t always correct. I know that they’re what you might find on the internet or hear from a layman, and most readers don’t know or care, but it detracts from the story IMO. I have three Rugers for competition, and I would rather bring a brick to a gunfight than all three of them and four extra arms to shoot them with. Maybe not the advice you’d want to hear (you’re obviously the published author, not I), but maybe it will help.
That being said, I don’t care about any of that if you would just please publish the book right now or let us pay extra for the current copy.
I hunted down audio of his speeches. I LOVE Churchill’s speeches but the audio is strangely monotone to me. Maybe radio was too new so he toned it down. It maybe he knew it was going to be a long tough haul thru hell and conservation of energy was important.
The best audio books I’ve ever listened to were the “Cat who…” series by Lillian Jackson Braun. The narrator will ruin all other audio books for you.
Good luck with all of your preparations for the trip! I look forward to seeing the results of all of this editing.
I think you would like Joel Shepard. He has written 2 series that have absolutely grabbed my attention. The Spiral Wars Series is excellent space opera with riveting pacing, interesting twists and good tech. The first few books of this series are in audio form.
I think his most interesting series is about Cassandra Kresnov. She is so much more than an android. She is such an interesting character. The writing is visceral and the time I laughed was probably matched by the time I was choked up. I swear I could not tear myself away from the audiobook.
This popped up on the Mary Balough page: “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me”
C.S. Lewis.
Would love a blog post on word counts. I’m not in the book business so don’t know the why of it. It’s seems….80ish. With the vast majority of books published digitally – why worry about number of words? Isn’t content, flow, etc the key?
Have you tried Jodi Taylor’s interesting take on time travel? Just One Damned Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St. Mary’s Book One is the start of the mayhem. Don’t mistake this for the run of the mill time travel, they are time observers, there for scientific study, ( yup, that’s what they say anyway). There are sentimental moments, sad moments, and many more outlandish moments. The story revolves around a few main characters, who explore all over the timeline.
Sorry for the second post, but I forgot to say that the narrator, for the Chronicles of St. Mary’s series is Zara Ramm. She does an excellent job.