Back from the 9-5 grave, and other miscellania...

Well.

I don't even want to look and see how long it's been since I've blogged. I've been a bad little blogger, neglecting my faithful readers and shying guiltily away every time I saw my blog's link in my bookmark bar. Always something else to do, somewhere else to go, something else to write.

But now I've moved to part time at work (at my own request). I have a little more free time, although it never quite feels like enough. So, it gives me great pleasure to announce...I'm baaaaaaaack, baby! I've got new plans to share, new entries on all kinds of subjects (writerly and otherwise), and I'm sure lots of silliness and the general inanity that keeps me from falling into general insanity. 'Cause you know, NaNoWriMo is coming up...should be lots of inanity and insanity there. Fun!

Before we get to all that in the coming weeks, though, I'd like to comment on something that drives me a little crazy. And that is this: the utter shock, or at least eyebrow raising, that comes when someone discovers that--quelle suprise!--girls play video games.

I know, I know. However did they escape from the kitchen?

This annoyance was mostly brought about by two recent articles: This one, by the AP and published by CNN, which is so surprised at females--female teenagers, no less, who haven't known a world without video games--who play video games. So surprised, in fact, that the author feels the need to set that fact apart with em dashes, as seen below:

The survey found that while young Americans don't necessarily play the same thing, nearly all of them -- girls included -- play video games of one kind or another.

Really? Are we so shocked at this? Did no one see this coming? But of course, we have to focus on the fact that the dainty little girls don't like the shoot-em-up, run-around-in-a-virtual-world-collecting-weapons-and-stuff, scream-obscenities-over-the-headset-at-your-gaming-buddies games.* They couldn't possible have found some girls that enjoyed these games, could they? I mean, they certainly don't exist out there in the real world, right? Because, you know, what 75% of a gender likes, the other 25% must enjoy as well.**

Disclosure: I don't much enjoy those games, myself. But that's more because they usually involve some sort of a map and a considerable amount of hand-eye coordination, and I am both spatially and directionally challenged.

Anyhow.

The second article came out a few weeks ago, and really got my feminist meter fuming. "How to Get Your Girlfriend Into Gaming," published by MSNBC. It's about a panel at a gaming expo (Penny Arcade's expo, to be exact) in which many stereotypical, and sometimes just plain demeaning, suggestions were offered. Jezebel*** really said it better than I ever could, so I'll leave it at that.

No, actually, I won't. I'll leave it at this quote from one of the ALL FEMALE members of the panel:

"Ask her to help you spot snipers," said Phillips. "Chicks like flattery. If she feels like she’s helping, then you’re making it a positive experience."

There are no words I can say to combat that kind of patronization. Except this:

When my husband, in 2004, first brought home SSX Tricky, a snowboarding game for the XBox, I idly asked him if I might like it.

"Hm," he said doubtfully. "It might be a little tough for you."****

Well, that was it. I was unemployed at the time, and not writing, so the next day was spent proving him wrong. By the time he came home from work, my snowboarder was kicking some serious powder. And had beat all his high scores.

So maybe the way to get your girlfriend into gaming is to be a jerk and tell her she probably won't be very good at it. Worked for me. Although this probably isn't going to be an issue for vry much longer, since--gasp! shock! dismay! -- girls are already there.


*Or as we call it in my house, "Tuesday evening."
**These statistics are a guess on my part. I'm not actually sure what percentage of teenage female gamers prefer the more violent games, but I'm willing to bet the number would surprise male gamers.
***This site, and it's comments, frequently features NSFW pictures and commentary. If you're easily offended, I would steer clear. I quite enjoy it, though.
****Notice he said, "for you," not "for a girl." I think he was referencing my legendary clumsiness and general lack of coordination. He certainly knew better, by that point in our relationship, to imply that I might be in any way less competent than he due to my gender. Oh, to have more men like him in the world!

250th Post

For my 250th post, I give you this bit of hard-earned wisdom...

Drunk Sheetz hot dogs...are the best Sheetz hot dogs.

POV and Voice

Listening to: The Weakerthans, "Plea From a Cat Named Virtute"
Note: This is one of the best songs EVER...written from the point of view of a cat, speaking to his depressed owner. Brilliant. Sample lyrics:

Lie down, lick the sorrow from your skin,
scratch the terror and begin
to believe you're strong...

Started my short story for the Dead of Winter contest the other night, and confirmed something that I've suspected for quite a while:

I write much better in first person than in third.

When I'm writing in first, that mysterious, ephemeral, inexplicable thing called "voice" just comes naturally. I find my characters much more finely drawn--and much more interesting. Little details about the character's life and personality just come unbidden to my mind, and I just know the character that much better.

In third person, even third person close, I think the necessary distance makes all those discoveries that much harder to uncover. I can't quite worm my way into the POV character's brain. I can see things from his or her eyes, and I can pick up an insight here or there into his or her fears and loves and motivations...but the picture is incomplete.

Why is this? I have no idea. And it bugs the hell out of me. I love first person--and I have much more fun writing in it--but there are so many times when it just can't do a story justice. It's kind of a specialized perspective. I just want to whine, "But whyyyyy? Why can't I write better in the POV I need the most? Whyyyyy?" But no answer is forthcoming. Probably because I'm talking to myself.

So what am I going to do about it? Well, I'll tell you what I'm going to do about it. I'm going to freaking write in third person every chance I get, until I can squirm right into my characters' minds through their ear canals or nostrils, no matter how difficult and painful the journey is for all involved. I'm gonna get in there, dammit.

Yes, that was gross. But I'm determined to get this.

In other news:

• The cat is hanging out behind the couch, mewing in that "come play with me" tone. This is an everyday thing at our house.
• His Girl Friday on TCM at midnight + red wine = awesome.
• Last night, I made the White Ziti recipe found at Making Light last week. I'm practically drooling in anticipation of having the leftovers for dinner tonight.
  
• Manuscripts and doc files have been/are being distributed to betas and critique partners. I'm nervous/excited/wondering if I should have changed the opening before sending the dang thing out. Second guess myself? Me? Never.
• My baby brother's class is doing the Flat Stanley project, and it's my brother's turn. He's sending Stanley to me, and I should be getting him in the mail any day now. We'll be taking him all over town, and may even do more in a week's time than we've done in the past seven years here.
  

What's new with you?

Back

Been a few days since I've updated. The weekend alternated between busy (company picnic in Virginia Beach, shopping trip) and lazy/malaisey (coining a word here--I'm a writer, I'm allowed).

Not much progress on the writing front, except that today I finally got past a scene that was driving me crazy. I'm very uncertain about it, and whether it's a direction I want to take, so I've been stalling and procrastinating about it. Finally just decided to freakin' do it already.

My responses from agents have slowed a bit, so I might increase my current "five at a time" method.

Some links, so maybe ya'll can benefit from my procrastination:

Writing related:

• Diana Peterfreund writes a handy primer for new writers: Part One, Part Two, and more to come tomorrow.
• Agent Kristin Nelson describes a conference encounter that, dare I say, even beats the "manuscript-passed-under-bathroom-door" story/myth/legend.
• A new blog by frequent commenter Tia, in which she reviews fantasy debuts with a fascinating "as-she-reads-it" style.
• Ever wondered if your sunrise/sunset timing is right in your writing? Say, the scene takes place at five o'clock pm, and the sun is setting...but the scene takes place in summer? It's a little inconsistency that drives us perfectionists NUTS. Here's a site to keep you from pushing me those last few steps toward the asylum =).

Sort of writing related:

• A fabulous video blog entry at Brotherhood 2.0 (If you haven't checked out John and Hank Green's yearlong video blog project, then your life is missing some awesomeness).
• Am I the only one who never knew about the Poe Toaster? That's seriously cool, although I think the new guy is kind of ruining it by making it political.

That's all I've got. Enjoy.

Synonyms of Awesomeness

Just a short post for now, because this has been the most ridiculously busy week, and I have to concentrate on the actual writing thing.

I just had to mention this...

One of the synonyms listed for "sister" on Thesaurus.com...is "uterine kin".

Note to self: Add "uterine kin" to the list of words I will insert randomly in conversations (also on list: defenestration, sartorially).

-K.

In Kristy's Head at the Bowling Alley

Day/Time: Saturday night
Setting: Bowling Alley

Surroundings: In the alley to our right, a family of four with two small children. In the alley to our left, a couple in their early twenties.


Kristy out loud (upon getting a gutterball): Dammit, dammit, dammit!
Kristy to herself: Hmm, maybe I should watch my language when there are kids close by.

Guy to my left (upon getting a gutterball): F'in N-word! (Note: He actually said the words.)

Brief pause as Kristy digests his words.

Kristy to herself: Never mind.


Just another Saturday night in J-town.