There’s a fuzzy chaos fiend in my house. I call him Hobkin.

Last night was not chock full of sleepytime goodness. Hobkin had a sick tummy again. Interesting timing on that, considering how terrible I was feeling for most of yesterday. Is the little fuzzbump picking up on my misery, or is it just a coincidence? But, after sicking up his dinner, we fed him a Pepto Bismol sandwich and his anti-nausea meds, and he rested quietly for a bit. Then, to express his gratitude at our loving caregiving, he decided to engage in acts of skunkie demolition in the wee, early morning hours.

An amuck skunk, streaking through the house like a furry cannonball, and stomping at everything with his tail fluffed straight up, is not the most soothing stimulus to sleep to. As if that wasn’t disrupting enough, I was also awakened periodically by being traipsed over by the fuzzy chaos fiend as he considered my head merely an obstacle in the path of his lawless rampage. Once he reached the dangling strap of my purse, stored on a table supposedly out of his reach, and pulled the whole thing down with a loud “thunk,” spilling credit cards, medical identification, and my drivers license across the floor, and of course waking me up with a start. And he wanted to wrestle. How did I know this? Because he climbed up beside me, pounced on my arm, and commenced mauling my (unresisting) limb into submission. My forearm looks like I plunged it into a barrel full of pins. Ouch.

At least he’s feeling better.

I, on the other hand, am a good candidate for walking deadhood. This morning my eyes were red and bloodshot, my brain felt like marshmallow goo, and until I had my first cup of coffee, I was having difficulty remembering what day it was. It’s going to be an early night.

Writing stuff:

Received signed copies of Natalie’s Grove by Mikal Trimm, Slipstream by Doug Hewitt, and Murdered by Human Wolves by Steven E. Wedel from Scrybe Press, hurray! These are books I’ve written cover blurbage for, so I’m right pleased to hold the finished copy in my eager little paws.

Also got naamah99‘s copy of Ascendancy of Blood to sign. It’ll go out in the mail tomorrow.

Started the rewrite on the current Critters story. Ugh. Major overhaul time. I got some feedback from folks who didn’t seem to get the mythology behind it and so were pretty lost, thinking that I had loaded the story with far too many characters, when really there’s only two characters and a lot of archetypes. Obviously, my main characters weren’t popping from the page. This story isn’t going over well in general. But I like it and think it’s salvageable. So far, I’ve chopped out a couple hundred words and added in a lot more characterization. Haven’t removed the sutures yet. When I do, will I what I’ve got left be a solid story or more closely resemble a literary Frankenstein monster? Sigh.

Received confirmation via the SFF.net newsgroups that both Ellen Datlow and Gordon Van Gelder are reading my reviews on Tangent. I’m being read by big time editors! My glee is offset by the probability that it might be the only time GVG reads my words as my submissions to F&SF keep getting smacked down by JJA, his editorial assistant. Rah, err . . . I mean dammit, um, I mean . . .

Eugie’s brain confused. Naptime please.

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14 Responses to There’s a fuzzy chaos fiend in my house. I call him Hobkin.

  1. You rule. So sorry I forgot to warn you — I had my husband send it out, and I spaced saying anything about it in the midst of a bunch of assorted crazy stuff (and a two-day allergy-fueled Ny-Quil bender).

    I totally can’t wait to have it back. It will go on the Shelf Of Signed Stuff (sharing company with Neil Gaiman, Walter Jon Williams, and Nina Hoffman, among others).

    So, does signing stuff for people make you feel more like a writer, or does it make you feel just plain weird?

    When I was signing books for Illustrators of the Future, it felt odd. Of course, signing books at the reception in a formal gown with a silver pen really made me feel more like I was about to do battle with urban werewolves than anything else. It was weird.

    • Eugie Foster says:

      So, does signing stuff for people make you feel more like a writer

      Oh, it’s definitely a “I’m a big writer-person now!” sensation. I still spend several blank moments staring at the cover page wondering what I should write, though. I suspect the real “big writer-people” don’t do that.

      Oh, and look for a little extra “bonus material” I stuck in the envelope with AoB!

      When I was signing books for Illustrators of the Future

      Ooo, you’re an Illustrators of the Future winner? Very cool!

  2. The other day, on our way to home from Millerton Lake, we saw a skunk on the road. Black & white cutie just on the side of the road. Right away, I remembered yours. Well, you know, maybe Hobkin just wanted to share your misery. I think some critters can sense that.

  3. britzkrieg says:

    Started the rewrite on the current Critters story. Ugh. Major overhaul time.

    You should be getting my critique in with the next batch. I’m not sure it contains any epiphany-inducing advice, but I definitely think this work is “salvageable.” I liked it.

  4. kittymel says:

    I have to admit it – I read of your skunk adventures with both pity (for you) and giggles.

    Can’t wait to see the fuzzbump in action myself!

    • Eugie Foster says:

      It’s a truism: if one shares a house with a skunk, one must have a healthy sense of humor. So even when Hobkin’s driving me nuts, I’m giggling as I put on my straitjacket!

  5. alleypat says:

    Good luck. I’ve met Ms Datlow and Mr Van Gelder and while I don’t “know” them, I was impressed and honored to meet them (at sf con). They are pretty down to earth and know their stuff.

  6. harmonyfb says:

    By the way – my daughter adored “Ascendancy of Blood”. She mentioned trying to get her teacher to put it on the summer reading list. ::chuckle::

    I think she’s planning to send you feedback email, but I thought I’d let you know how much she enjoyed it.

    • Eugie Foster says:

      I’m so glad she liked it! Hee, the summer reading list? Really? Let me know if that comes to anything. I’ll be tickled fuchsia if she manages to pull that off!

      • harmonyfb says:

        Hee, the summer reading list? Really? Let me know if that comes to anything. I’ll be tickled fuchsia if she manages to pull that off!

        I want to be there when she asks the teacher about it. Hee.

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