in the eating

[realthog]

Proofs (in the form of PDFs ready for me to print out and read) will be arriving tomorrow for Bogus Science.

This is always a nerve-racking time with a new book, I find, because it's really the first opportunity I get to look at the text objectively. In theory that opportunity came earlier, when I was polishing the text preparatory to delivering it to the publisher, but of course that was soon after I'd written it: it was all too easy to read not so much the words that were actually there in front of me but the thoughts I'd been intending to express when I set those words down. Now I'll be seeing everything cold, and it'll be revealed to me in a stark, icy light quite how ghastly it all is.

Whatever, since my first warning of the proofs' arrival came this afternoon, and since the corrections are wanted a bit quickish, there's a certain level of ungentlemanly panic going on at Snarl Towers right at the moment.

To add to the sense of rabbits staring into headlights, I've also said that, before the end of what was already looking to be a busy month, I'll write 1500 hellishly witty words -- or at least words filled with a witlike substitute -- about pal Ian Watson for a convention program book. Plus there's a huge ghosting/editing job to finish off, and stuff to get ready for BookExpo America in a fortnight's time. And, oh yes, a couple of anthology editors have very flatteringly asked if . . .

This might be about the right moment for y'all to express sympathies to Pam for everything she's going to have to put up with over the next few weeks. I'm sure she'd be touchingly grateful for this small gesture.

Comments

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

I just went through that, so you have nothing but my sympathies. In fact, I'll buy Pam the drinks.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

She's grateful, but asks if she has to come to Texas to get them?

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

Not at all. Shiner Bock ships well.

[charlesatan.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Since I'm going through a process called marking finals, let me share with you the following: 'Don Imus whom plays the character “Kramer” from the hit television show “Senfield” is also known for his statement regarding the black women whom play professional basketball, where he referred to them as “Nappy head Hoes” are current visible examples of racism.'

[realthog.livejournal.com]

I'm hopeful my own text will be at least marginally better than that.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Only marginally?

[realthog.livejournal.com]

It's me innate modesty speaking, guvnor.

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

Do you need a big baseball bat with "FAIL" carved backwards into it? I know someone who could provide you one within about two or three days.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, the weak-kneed authorities who run this place forbid such devices.

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

That's why you need to go freelance. Get the bat and a cool costume, and go forth as an avenger of bad scholastic efforts. "Beware, evildoers! You face the wrath of...CAPTAIN FAIL!"

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

Good luck to you both! Big hugs, Jean Marie

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

I'll wager Pam has already started knitting your straight jacket.

Now I'll be seeing everything cold, and it'll be revealed to me in a stark, icy light quite how ghastly it all is.

Tetley's, dude . . . Tetley's. Grab 'em and sally forth with your shillelagh.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

In fact, I'm still working my way through a sack of Sainsbury's Red Label we brought back from the UK last time we were over there. (The sack of FairTrade is, alas, a mere memory.)

"shillelagh"

Irish. Not Scots.

How are you getting along, S.T.? We've been thinking about you lots.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

"Irish. Not Scots."

Snob. What's the Scots version? Since I'm a blend of both I should know . . .


"How are you getting along, S.T.? We've been thinking about you lots."

Thanks for asking, P. Not too well, I'm sorry to answer. The grief is profound. No comfort in anything but the passage of time; although even this can't blunt the mourning, as you and Pam and all those who've had special relationships with four legged family members know. Zilla was special, and the way she died horrific. I fell like Lady Macbeth, although through no fault of my own, in that I can't seem to scrub up the blood and smell from deep in the carpet where she initially began to hemorrhage. And I can't stop crying.

I love you and Pam. Miss you.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

Scots don't/didn't use shillelaghs.

Sorry to hear that it's still tough going for you. Warm thoughts are being sent your way.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

That's strait-jacket (or, better, strait-waistcoat).

[realthog.livejournal.com]

"That's strait-jacket (or, better, strait-waistcoat)."

Ere! Prissily editing people is *my* job, d'ye hear?

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

Freaking English instructors . . . but thanks. I always get those two screwed up.

[avengangle.livejournal.com]

Virtual drinks for Pam!

[realthog.livejournal.com]

I can tell you already that she won't be too gruntled when I mention the "virtual" part of that . . .

[melindadansky.livejournal.com]

Proof-time always makes me feel as if I'm constantly on the verge of throwing up. It's not so bad once I have them in-hand, but before that...

Sympathies to Pam. In addition to being a writer, I am a writer's wife. I find the best thing is to purchase some nice, unbreakable scotch glasses. Every few hours, put some good-but-not-decadent scotch into one and quietly slip it into the office.

[realthog.livejournal.com]

I'll draw Pam's attention to your advice, but I've no great hopes she'll heed it, alas.