Christmas time!

Well, it is yule time, and we have certainly been busy. I did manage to finish the novel: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel, by Susanna Clarke. It was fantabulistic. Really not a quick read, but the novel becomes fantastically engrossing with its rich and complex characters and history. I recommend this to all fantasy fans. In fact, I've also been listening to her follow up anthology of short fiction: The Ladies of Grace Adieu. I think I have a new person for my list of favorite all-time authors. Well, I thought I would record some of my favorites so that if anyone needs something to read...

All-time favorite writers- these always entertain me:

1. Stephen King
2. Ray Bradbury
3. Dan Simmons
4. Douglas Adams
5. John Steinbeck
6. Sussana Clarke
7. J. R. R. Tolkein

These are some novels that had magic, that changed and transformed my thinking (but not by the authors above):

1. Watership Down
2. Lord of the Flies
3. The Man who was Thursday
4. Black Seas of Infinity: The Best of H.P. Lovecraft
5. 1984
6. Tigana
7. Frankenstein
8. I am Legend

Well, I'm sure there are more, but that will do for now. I just got a rejection that said that the editor reviewed my story a bunch of times, but, in the end, it was the last to be cut from the book. I don't know if I should be depressed or complimented.

Have a happy holiday, and spread love and cheer,

Trav

Seeing my book in print

Well, the reading never came to fruition. I should have figured. It was too much for us to organize with the five children and everything else on our plates. This is not really a time for writing or anything else for that matter.

I have always dreamed of seeing my name in print and walking into my library, the bookstore I worked in to see the book containing my novel or story on the shelf.

The regional library was closed to the public last June. Governer Douglas decided that a public library was not free market enough an idea for him and did his best to end it. Now, we can't get books out or peruse the shelves unless we are home schoolers or a school library. We can't afford to be a home schooler, so...

The store I worked in and met my wife in closed a number of years ago.

But, the upside is the librarian at my high school library bought a copy. It is going on the shelf this month. Don't know if kids will read it, but it is cool to see it in the Short story collection!

I am looking forward to the publication of my story, "The Dragon Wager" in March!

-Trav

The darkness before the dawn

Well, it is the dark time. It's funny, some of my favorite people were born during this time. I hope lots of ideas will be germinated for me. Certainly, not a lot of writing has been done. Just as soon as school started, my boy got really arthritic again, then I got sick, then the holidays have hit, with all the gatherings and obligations. There is also the dark.

I don't know if it is chemical, or the natural cycle of the creative process. My thoughts have a harder time focusing in on any one idea during this time of year. In my experience the writing starts to throttle back up around February. That's why I have decided to put the writing aside until then, enjoy the family, read as much as I can, and not let the barrage of rejections alarm me.

I also still could edit. And I will, but after editing forty response to lit essays, it is difficult to dive into a eight hundred page editing job.

I have watched a great movie, entitled: World's Greatest Dad, it is starring Robin Williams, as a frustrated writer and teacher with a over-the-top frustrating teenager at home. Wow, did I love this one. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a twisted sense of humor and wants to enjoy a truly human experience in film.

I'm hoping everyone who happens to read this little blog, a happiest of holidays and a safe and productive new year.

Trav