My cunning plan to go easy on the caffeine yesterday worked, and lo, sleep was had. I conked out right after dinner and didn’t so much as stir when fosteronfilm flashy-thinged me with the camera. Hobkin helped. Napping skunks exude a sleepy aura that drags anyone with them into slumber mode who’s directly in contact with them, and Hobkin flopped upon me with much determination:
But this morning, I’m back to suckling at the java teat. Mmm, coffee.
Writing Stuff
Not much was accomplished yesterday on the writing front due to the diminished levels of caffeine in my bloodstream, but my resting subconscious did engage with the muse. I woke this morning with the realization that I need to add a scene to the last segment of “Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast” in order to properly “sell” the finale. Plan to get cracking on that once the caffeine molecules start with the happy bonding at my adenosine receptors.
New Words:
– A mere 300 or so on “By Oak, Bramble, and Metro,” the MARTA-inspired story I’m writing for squirrel_monkey‘s urban fantasy anthology. Thankfully, I have until the end of December to get it to her, not, as I feared, the beginning.
Received/Published:
– Got my contrib. copies of the Feb. 2007 issue of Realms of Fantasy:
I’m in awesome company! Check out the fiction ToC:
“Three Wishes” by Bruce Holland Rogers
“Looking After Family” by Carrie Vaughn
“Spare Change” by Chuck Rothman
“Syren” by Graham Edwards
“The Devil and Mrs. Comstock’s Snickerdoodles” by Eugie Foster
“Number of the Bus” by Jay Lake
“Circus Circus” by Eric M. Witchey
“In the Thicket, With Wolves” by Josh Rountree
Lori Koefoed illustrated my story:
I’m tickled. The kitty depicted was actually inspired by Hobkin, and while the resemblance is faint–different species and all–my skunk muse frequently lounges in that exact posture.
Awwwww!! Cutsey skunkey and Eugie picture! :dies of cuteness overdose:
Mmmmmm, coffee! Yummy, yummy coffee!
And you have no idea how happy I am that you’re writing and updating LiveJournal again. I was afraid your fabulous new job had taken you away from us forever! :sniffs:
Hee! Y’know, yesterday when I was on my “no coffee, must sleep” plan, I missed just the taste of it. I’m so addicted. Sigh. *huggles*
awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
*smooches*
WOOT!
Awww, what a sweet picture! 🙂
Hee! Thanks, hon. It’s amazing how angelic the fuzz-beast looks when he’s asleep . . .
That picture is just adorable!! I have the same problem with my brother’s two dogs, who despite being 90+ pounds think they belong on my lap. Warm dog on lap = instant nap for Aimee.
Which makes me wonder — what is a skunk’s normal body temperature? I ask because I know that the normal temp for a dog or cat is slightly higher than a human’s, and the warmth is probably what does it for me.
Y’know, I’m not sure what a skunk’s body temperature is. I’m sure I’ve asked the vet before when we’ve taken Hobkin in for his annual check-ups, but I can’t remember now. I’m almost positive you’re right and that it’s hotter than human, though. He’s certainly a good lap warmer in winter.
Fabulist post today. If I only looked that good while sleeping!
I must run to store and buy RoF issue. Not only are you in it with the delightful story I heard you read at Dragon*Con, but both my 2005 Write-in-Crete mentors, Bruce Holland Rogers and Eric Witchey, have stories in the issue — a must buy and the kitty-devil illustration appears suitable for framing as well if I could ever bring myself to cut up anything resembling a book. Hmmm, wonder if Lori is selling prints?
Big congratulations, skunk-fetish woman. Throw some hamsters in the air like confetti and overdose on java. The weekend napping season approaches. You can afford some caffeine.
Thanks, sweetie! *flings hamsters willy-nilly*
“wonder if Lori is selling prints?“
I wondered that myself. But when I googled her name for her official website, I ended up at some musician’s site with a different name even. Weirdness. I’m wondering if there was a server/hosting snafu or something and her site will come back in a day or so.
My little one is FASCINATED by Hobkin. She has a picture book with skunks in it, but none of those are brown. She’s convinced he’s a little version of Keenya (the husky) or the kitties that live outside. *L*
And hooray for the RoF pub and a great illo! 🙂
Which picture book is it? I’m always delighted when I see skunks portrayed well, especially in children’s works. If your little girl wants to learn more about domesticated skunks–and Hobkin in particular–I also have a website devoted to skunks (and ferrets): Musta-lay-day Grove.
Stay warm!
I want to say it’s “Tails” by Matthew Van Fleet. I’d have to dig it out of the car (it’s a travelling book) but I think it’s just one skunk, and of course it’s referred to as the tail that is smelly.
I love the cuddly skunk photo.
What a fabulous TOC! I will certainly look for that issue of Realms.
Thanks, sweetie! Hobkin’s is totally a snuggle bug. When he’s not being a brat, he’s such an angel.
That cat looks positively wicked! I love it! 😀
Thanks, Maggie! And me too! I giggled in absolute delight when I saw the illustration. Perfect!
All that blue in the background makes me think you should turn up the heat…or maybe it’s the fact that it’s 24 degrees here with 3 inches of snow and another inch of slushy ice on the ground.
Right now, I have a sleeping dog in my lap. He snores.
And how appropriate that Linus’s picture pops up with my comment. I’m humored by that. But he’s still snoring. Loudly.
Hee! It’s 50 degrees outside right now in Atlanta. I love living in the south where it’s so uncommon for temperatures to dip below freezing that the weather announcers get into a tizzy about it when it does.
“Right now, I have a sleeping dog in my lap. He snores.“
Who needs an electric blanket when you’ve got fuzzy animals to sleep with?
Hobkin snores too. It’s adorable.
You both look so cute 🙂
Hum, I’m not a big fan of the cover, but the art for your story is pretty cool, and the pose is definitely skunk-like.
Yah, the cover’s pretty standard fare for RoF, professional but only okay on the pop element. Although it’s better than the last RoF I was in, which had Orlando Bloom on the cover. While I like Orlando Bloom as much as the next girl, I thought it smacked a little too much of Hollywood.
I can see him in the feet especially. 🙂
You are lovely, you know.
M
Argh- that was me.
Okay, I’m officially dumb. I’ve been reading your blog forever, and have wanted to comment a bunch of times, but didn’t think you have a comment section. And, now, today, there it is, next to the adorable sleepy picture. Duh.
Anyway, this is mostly a co-writer/fan mail holler. Loved “Returning My Sister’s Face” and “The Son that Pain Made” and have started looking for your work in all the various places you publish.
Can’t wait to see the new stuff!
Best,
shanna
~~~~~~~
Shanna Germain
http://www.shannagermain.com
Excellent story and I love the artwork. Can’t wait to get my copy off the shelves. Autograph please!
Mr. Bane
I decided to pick up the latest issue of RoF when I saw you were in it. I really enjoyed reading your story ~ the ending creeped me out in a good way. 🙂
I also enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for sharing your writing endeavors with us inspiring writers. It gives me hope.