letter from the library

No... it's not an overdue notice.

Yesterday, when I woke up, I checked my email to find a very nice letter from a librarian, or a fan of libraries (I'm assuming), who was in attendance at the American Library Association's Annual a couple months back.

Here, with the name omitted, is the message:

Earlier this summer, I attended the Annual ALA Conference in Washington, DC, where you were signing advanced proof copies of The Marbury Lens. Then, about five minutes ago, I stumbled upon your blog. So, thought I would email you as one of the privileged few who have gotten to read it before it comes out and let you know my thoughts...

The Marbury Lens isn't something I would normally pick up from at the library, and it isn't something I would expect to like at all. However, it was SO GOOD. Because I honestly couldn't put it down. I stayed up until three in the morning finishing it (and would have stayed up longer if I needed to). It was extremely creepy, but the whole concept was very cool. I liked how there was a bit of a love story in the story, too- but it wasn't overwhelming. And I liked how the people on the train in the real world mirrored the train in Marbury. Well, basically, I liked the whole thing a LOT and I can't wait to read more. There will be more, right?

Mind the gap *shivers*



Now, that's my kind of library notice.

Thanks so much.

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wanda's world of writers (part 3)

Here she goes again. Wearing me down with her verbal waterboarding. That's me. On the left.

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wanda's world of writers (part 2)

In the second part of the interview, Wanda's incisive interrogation techniques begin to wear me down. This is what talk show television is all about.

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wanda's world of writers (part 1)

Last week, I was a guest on a program called Wanda's World of Writers, as a run-up to the release of The Marbury Lens on November 9. I didn't know too much about the show, but came to find out that the host, coincidentally enough a woman named Wanda, is... um... very opinionated, and likes to try to get writers to talk crap about other writers, a trend with legs that's been taking over the literary media.

In any event, I'll be playing my multi-part visits with her on the blog.

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fridays in self-contempt land

Fridays in the land of self-loathing look like this.

It's not a pretty sight.

Yesterday, while in the throes of angst about how much I suck at being a writer, I received an email about a mention on agent Joanna Volpe's blog, calling The Marbury Lens a "must read."

I have never met Ms. Volpe, but I'd like to say thanks. And, yes... The Marbury Lens would be a perfect Halloween read.

You can read Joanna's blog here.

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on not being a writer

That's it for the Marbury Lens animations. That is, until the real movie comes out.

So, I decided this week that I really suck at BEING a writer. I came to the realization that many of the desperate types who drain their bank accounts by habitually attending writers' conferences at which they may get to speed date exceedingly unenthused "faculty" from the industry and consume nutritionally-void meals and lots and lots of cheap alcohol, don't actually WANT to write -- they just want to BE writers.

Which is something I suck at.

Don't get me wrong. I would die, or at least be institutionalized, if I weren't writing. I've always done it, but I never thought -- even for a moment -- about BEING a writer.

Maybe this is a confusing distinction.

Maybe this sentiment pisses you off.

If it does, maybe you should explore the reasons why.

on being lost

In this final animation of dialogue from The Marbury Lens, Jack meets Henry in The Prince of Wales, to tell him that he's afraid he's lost the glasses that get him into Marbury. Everything's falling apart, and Jack is convinced that losing the glasses is going to kill him.

Naturally, there are no spoilers here regarding what has happened or will happen in the book, but this dialogue is straight from the novel, pretty much exactly as it would have taken place.