Abigail Rath Versus Blood-Sucking Fiends; Cool Recs

Last night, after I sent Mark Twain's Daughter back out into the world, I did it. I sat down and began another funny middle grade book. Funny is where my natural writing talents tend to do better. It's harder to sell than dramatic and straight (you may begin denying this, but I have rejections to give my theory some credence), so I also try to write dramatic and straight. I was ready, though, for a change of pace.

So, I started writing Abigail Rath Versus Blood-Sucking Fiends. The Abigail Rath books are the stories of a 10-year-old girl who wants to grow up and protect the world from the dangerous forces of the occult, just like Mom and Dad do. I've toyed on and off with making this middle grade or YA, but middle grade is often where the thing takes itself as I write, so that's where we're going. Abby and her buddy Vince have been featured in a few readings at convention in a short story from long ago. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like this could be a fun series of books.

It goes without saying that Abby and Vince are fighting blood sucking fiends in this book. I will be contrasting the classic Hammer vampire with the classic YA vampire too. I'm really enjoying revisiting their voices, especially Abby's, because she soapboxes a lot.

At any rate, the trick worked. I'll work on Substance some tonight, and I feel a bit more energized to do that, as well as to get back into the ring.

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Also re-energized a bit by doing something new. Yesterday, I went through a bunch of vintage sites, and last night I explored some of those links. By far and away the coolest vintage links I've seen is The Lisa Freemont Pages. Lisa is like vintage central. Check out her links page. And her youtube how to videos. I love it when someone shares their hobby. Many of the sites I've found seem to be ego sites mostly about the vintage life style, but Lisa helps you learn how to do things.

Also, through Lisa's site, I discovered that there's a magazine called Vintage Life Magazine. Also, if you're looking for place to buy things, Lisa's got a pretty comprehensive list.

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Finally, my politics are showing. Susy Charnas McKee talks about money and justice. As someone who has lifted herself out of the lower classes, I am conflicted about making the amount of money I do. Then again, I still make a five digit figure, so I'm firmly in the middle class. But you know, hippie Jesus, he had a robe and some sandals. And Gandhi? Even less. So, yes, conflicted.

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Well, I'd best be getting to some message editing on the test I've recently normed. Just wanted you all to know that Bryon's adage works. When you feel down, do something. You'll feel better.

Still, all in all, I'd rather be in Reno.

I can't believe I just said that.

Catherine

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.