Gunmetal Magic is a finalist for Australian Romance Reader Award. Thank you so much to ARRA.
Edits for Magic Rises came in. Looks like no giant structural changes but a lot of smoothing and polishing. Quote from the editor, “This book is fantastic!” We’re discussing the possibility of including Saiman’s deleted scenes as a bonus short.
We’re repeatedly asked if Magic Tests will be available for individual purchase: yes, but not until October 2013, when the rights revert back to us.
We’re also repeatedly asked about the origin of “Thanks, Obama!” joke: http://forlackofabettercomic.com/?id=136
Let’s see I think that’s everything for now.
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It is cold in Texas. Right now it’s around 30°F but feel more like low twenties. Gordon has finally succeeded at turning me into a Southerner. I came down the stairs today to let the dogs out, opened the door, and said, “Damn, it’s cold.”
Watched Django this weekend. We really enjoyed it. It’s very violent and disturbing, and I am glad, because we need to be disturbed by slavery.
I was going to take a picture of the new cat tree for you, but unfortunately my USB camera cord is kaput. I’ll try to get Gordon to get me a new one today from Best Buy. Short version: ordered cat tree online; it arrived on time and was easy to put together; it’s big and solid and the cats dig it. Saw a much, much smaller tree in Petsmart for 20% than we paid. Detailed review will be posted later.
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M writes
I know I’m late to the party but my husband just turned me onto an Independent Film Chanel tv series (now over) called Dinner for Five. They have an official youtube chanel you can watch episodes on for free: https://www.youtube.com/user/DinnerForFive. The last episode of Season 3 contained a Lipton-esque interview with Martin Scorsese in which they discussed the difference between story and plot. I looked this up, not being a writer myself, and I get the technical difference but I’m wondering how that plays out in your writing? Which you focus on and why?
I thought of you when watching this part of the interview because Scorsese talks about the importance of the characters and the story over the plot which reminded me of something I thought you have wrote about before though I cannot recall where specifically (and could be mistaken).
I think this is the video in question. I found it on YouTube.
Plot is the actual progression of events. Story is the emotional tapestry against which that plot is presented. Let’s take Star Wars, Episode 6.
Plot: Luke Skywalker rescues his friend Han Solo and returns to Dagoba to find his friend dying. Yoda’s final advice is for Luke to confront his father, Darth Vader. The Rebel Alliance learns of the new Death Star, to destroy which they need to disable shiled generators protecting it on the planet of Endor. Luke and Han Solo lead a small strike force down on the planet of Endor, where with assistance of the local tribe, they attempt to destroy shield generators protecting the Death Star.
Luke informs Leia that he’s her brother and surrenders himself to the Empire. Darth Vader takes him to the Death Star, where they meet the Emperor,w ho tries to convince Luke to kill Vader and take his place.
The Rebel Alliance launches a fleet to destroy Death Star and is met with vigorous resistance. As the fleet arrives, the Emperor attempts to turn Luke to the Dark Side. A violent confrontation ensues. The Emperor attempts to kill Luke, and Vader throws the Emperor down a shaft to save his son, ensuring his own death. After Vader dies, Luke escapes. Han’s team disables the generators and the Death Star is destroyed.
There you go, cut and dry. Not much to it, and really the entire Han rescue doesn’t advance the plot. In fact, it could be cut and the main storyline wouldn’t really suffer. Leia takes Han’s place as the head of the strike force and we proceed. The entire thing could fit into half an hour. So why is it there?
It’s there because we’re emotionally invested in Han’s survival, because Jabba the Hutt’s palace is the den of scum and villainy and we can’t wait to visit, and because we want Han and Leia to get together.
That’s the difference. Plot moves things along, but the story makes us feel something.
Congratulations on the ARRA nomination!
It is cold today. And meh. I’m ready for sunshine and warmth. Of course, when it’s 100 this summer, I’ll be wishing for winter.
I’ll second the notion on congratulating you on the ARRA nod!
And it is 78 here today, it was 78 last week and will be 78 tomorrow. I hate it.
Note to self: move family back to Texas. Bonus note: ability to eat at Chuy’s!
Please tell me where you live that it is 78 all the time. That sounds like Heaven!
I live in Georgia and it has been 78 (for the high) the last 3 days and let me tell you it is not heaven. It is muggy and the plants are startting to bloom, which is expected in say March – but this is January! I’d rather live someplace where the seasons make sense, assuming there is such a place anymore.
thank you for the explanation , learn something interesting!
Well done on ARRA! I’m happy for you guys.
I’ve tried to explain this distinction to friend and family before – why just having the bare bones of a reasonably good plot is not enough for me to write a decently engaging story. That the characters have to be people you can get attached to, their plight has to pull you in and make you root for them. How there’s so much more going on in a story than just the progression of events.
I usually can’t get the idea across. Next time I’ll just send them a link to that video and this post.
Thanks. =)
Congrats on being a finalist on the ARRA list – I hope you win! I do hope your editor does include a bonus short of the cut Saiman scene. It is too good not to include it: ) Thanks for the clarification of your earlier Obama comment – my nosy sensibilities now satisfied. Thanks also explaining the difference between story and plot. It makes a lot of sense now
As for the weather, my area of NY is an unseasonable 57F. In January I believe we should be in the 30s-40′s. Great yes? NOPE!!!!! We need a nice long cold snap to help control the bugs that will undoubtedly hit this Spring and Summer *shudder; ew, ew, ew and a few yechs….* and it’s just not happening. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that I don’t have to dig out my tires and slide to and from work but the thought of all the extra spiders waiting for me overrides my good sense 
I’d better do some Archery tonight to calm my mind (Ohm….I’m One with my bow….. I will Will my arrow to the X…)
Oooooh so wonderfully put!!!!!!
Jess recently posted..2013 – The Year of the Merkabah
Oops I forgot to also say – us Aussies have great taste so of course you are nominated !!!!
Jess recently posted..2013 – The Year of the Merkabah
It’s minus something here – we had snow last night!
It’s quite refreshing to see that Scorsese clip, I’m always being advsied to cut any and everything that doesn’t move the plot forward.
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Congrats! Also, the example for plot versus story was great!! (Anything with Star Wars Return of the Jedi is wonderful!)
Congratulations on making the list in Australia. I completely agree with them. Cat trees are a must in our house. We have three of the buggers. All of them were feral until we took them in, and it’s interesting to see who makes the top of the perch. So far, my beautiful orange tabby Buddah is the top man. The tree needs to be recovered, and I’m thinking that this might be one of my Spring projects.
Oh, I forgot. Lost Girl season three comes on SciFi tonight. If you haven’t seen it it’s one of the truest UF series on TV. As you can tell by my avatar, I’m a big fan.
Damn you for that comic link! I have no clicked “Previous” far too many times and have whittled away the time I could be using to clean the air purifiers!
Wait…
Let me try that again…
THANK YOU! ;D
I love the way you explain so well different topics in your blog, like the difference between plot and story. The explanation is just perfect. Short version: I love your mind
I bet you were the girl-to-go at winning debates.
congrats on the finalist standing!
You know when the world is messed up when here is alaska it’s in the 30′s and it’s raining so we had a rain day for school we don’t have snow days for school here we have rain days only had about a foot or less of snow this year very unusual normally we have atleat a few feet by now. who is stealing our snow I want it back now please
Well it’s not the coastal part of NY (knock wood – where’s Andrea when you need a head to knock on….
It’s an unreasonably warm winter on the east coast this year. I was in New Jersey this morning and am in Maryland. It’s 59 degrees which means no coats and flip flops. I even saw a mosquito. I miss having all four seasons and snow! Global warming.
Congrats for the Aussie nomination! Hopefully you can go to a signing there:) It’s beautiful!
I second you coming to aus. And hopefully your publishes see how much we love your books they will release them at the same time as America online. One can only hope.
I live in Georgia….all weekend and today it had been in the 70′s. Perfect days! I know it won’t last but I am enjoying the walks and seeing all the kids out playing and riding bikes. The cold will come back before spring
Congratulations on finalling in the ARRA. The book was great and deserves the recognition.
Wow, it has to feel fantastic when the editor says this book is fantastic. Great job guys!
Can’t wait to read it. Sorry you’re cold but it is -2 today in my neck of the woods!
Stay warm!
It was 33 degrees outside when I got up at 7:30 am this morning. That’s in California. Chilly but not too bad.
I don’t know where in Georgia Brooke lives, but I want to go there. I live about 20 miles North of Atlanta and it is currently 59 degrees. But it rained all day and all last night and is still raining. Sigh…dreary dreary dreary.
Congratulations on how great Gunmetal Magic is doing! It well deserves the win. Thanks for explaining when we can get Magic Tests as a separate download. Related question, when might Retribution Clause become available for separate purchase? I was lured by the snippet.
Yes, the climate is a little crazy right now. The was a 500 foot stretch of ice on a trail in the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles this weekend. The entire surrounding area was dry (but green, since we have been have rains every other week) with the exception of this crazy puddle of ice that was frozen solid. I couldn’t stop laughing and the little girl I was with was fascinated because she’s never seen (real) ice on the ground before.
Gunmetal Magic is one of my favorite books — I hope it wins a ton of awards!
And welcome to sunny California. It has been down in the mid- twenties every night since Thursday! Just think, you too could be walking out to the pump in the middle of the night to start the irrigation to warm up the citrus trees and then spend the whole night thinking you are in the middle of military helicopter maneuvers. The whole house throbs.
Congrats!
It has been rainy and wet here in Virginia for the past few days. Sometimes it was just really thick fog instead of rain, but it was still bleah!
At 0309 Mountain time (I easily lose track of if it’s Daylight Savings time or Standard time) it is 15 degrees, though it is usually colder at around 11AM, about 4-8 degrees. Be happy that Texas is a bit warmer. I wish Idaho was.
Congratulations to the ARRA on recognizing your work.
I feel you on the cold weather. I went outside today at 9:00am and it was still negative 18. That shouldn’t be! Prayer for no frozen pipes!
We are into our second night of cold cold -51C with the windchilll (if I have the conversion correct that’s -60F?) It’s supposed to hit -56C (-68F) later tonite and for tomorrow. Calling for blizzard, zero visibilty with extreme windchill. If I could, I would just stay under the covers all day tomorrow. If the school closes, then most of the town shuts down, so maybe… Wish I was where all of you are instead
I know this is later… but we are having such a mild winter, we have only had to shovel once! I miss the snow… I want enough snow to play in and cold enough to kill all the bugs and give you that metallic lung, burning nose thing…. keeps the bugs at bay and is so beautifully crisp.
Yay! Congrats on the nomination! And as for it being cold in Texas, I’m from central Indiana, but my husband just flew to Texas for some training, and when we talked the first night, I asked him if it’s warm there… he was like, “No. It’s very cold. It may be 40* instead of your 18*, but it’s very cold.” The next morning, it snowed. He wasn’t happy. lol.
Lizz D. recently posted..Steel’s Edge
You make a great salad!
That’s very interesting, I wish all authors understood the plot and story, even if it’s for the reverse.
I just read a self published author, which I do enjoy reading them. In the book they spend a whole chapter on an upcoming dance, explaining all about it. It sounded interesting, and I looked forward to it. It was going to be in 1 month time. At the end of book 1 she left the school it would be at. 2nd book took place over a couple of months, and no dance.
Now if she add the dance it later, it’s annoying that she didn’t keep a current time line. And if she doesn’t add it to the series, I’m annoyed that that chapter was there in the first place.
Reporting from sunny Florida, I hate to say we are having a cold week. Got down to 48 degrees last night. Back up into the low 60′s with beautiful sunny weather. We really suffer here.
“This book is fantastic!” I don”t suppose it can get better then that. But then thats what I thought about all the previous books.
NEMO.