Hobkin squeaks, a good night’s sleep, and signs

Hobkin is a very silly animal. I went downstairs yesterday after working in the library all day to discuss and start dinner prep with fosteronfilm, then made to go back upstairs to lug down the interim desktop I was using while my laptop was in the shop. I wanted to hook it to our network and retrieve the files stranded on it, but the fuzzwit apparently thought I was going back up to work for another cluster of hours and was dismayed. The little guy started squeaking.

It’s the silliest sound I have ever heard an animal make–like a wheel in desperate need of oil on helium. Of course, I turned right around and went back to reassure and cuddle him (leaving fosteronfilm to retrieve and set up the computer). I can’t post the sound he made, but here’s a picture that illustrates how Hobkin is so not an animal of dignity and grace:


I wonder if this is the skunk equivalent of “Live long and prosper”?

   


Writing Stuff

It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do to quell a minor freakout. I’m feeling much better, totally over my quakes and anxiety.

When I woke up, my head was brimming with ideas for how to simplify the opening of my novel to make it more accessible to a younger audience, as well as thoughts on how to block out the chapters I’ve currently got into panels and picture pages. It seems like my sleeping self has made my decision for me. Barring some unforeseen weirdness, I’m going to go for the picture book effort. I was pretty much headed there, but it’s reassuring to know my unconscious is in sync with my conscious.

I find I’m rather looking forward to the challenge of preparing a picture book manuscript out of my novel. At least I won’t have to wring my brain coming up with new characters or settings or story lines. It doesn’t hurt that I am utterly enchanted by the idea of having my tale accompanied by lavish, beautiful illustrations.

The editor is sending me her notes and a few examples from her publishing house of what she has in mind to give me an idea of the length, complexity, and scope I should aim for. I’m going to wait to see these before I start (and before I give them my official “I’m game”), but in the interim, I’m re-reading my novel to once again familiarize myself with the voice and mood I used, as well as any details I may have forgotten since the last time I looked it over.

In the next couple days, I’m going to try to clear off as much Tangent and The Town Drunk work from my plate as I can, as well as try to check off all the outstanding stray issues hovering about my “things to do” list. I want to be able to approach this project with focused concentration at the start. So if folks need me for something and have been holding off on dropping me a line, better do so now while I’m in rapid-fire-just-do-it mode.

I’m very glad I finished the first draft of “Honor is a Game Mortals Play” so I’m not having to ping-pong back and forth between these two projects. Barring a deluge of critiques of the “this-totally-sucks you-call-yourself-a-writer? Hah!” variety coming back on it, I anticipate the rewrite will go smoothly. I typically find rewrites fairly easy on my writer muscles . . . I say as I gear up to embark upon the biggest “rewrite” I’ve ever contemplated. Erm.

Received:
The editor of Dragonfly Spirit sent me a sneak peek of the March cover. The artwork features my story, “Kaawwa, Naagan, and the Queen’s Diamond Necklace”! She also kindly gave me permission to display it:

Isn’t it gorgeous? And again, I’m reminded how much I love seeing beautiful artwork come about as a result of the words I scribble on the page. Were I one to believe in signs and portents delivered from the Great Beyond, I would see this as a really good one.

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25 Responses to Hobkin squeaks, a good night’s sleep, and signs

  1. radjacee says:

    Glad the juice is back! Can I still have crash space at your place for a few days the week of March 6th? I’d love to hang out with you and Matt and I really really want to meet Hobkin.

    • Eugie Foster says:

      Sho’ nuff! We might be sort of crappy on the entertaining hosts front, but you are most welcome. Hobkin is cute and fuzzy, and we have a fold-out in the library.

      • Anonymous says:

        Eugie,

        My email is scm1221@hotmail.com Can you send me a number where I can reach you so that we can discuss details? If you are still willing to put me up for a night, that is? Either Monday or Tuesday. Thanks, Sara

        P.S. Or we can discuss details at the meeting on Saturday. See you there.

  2. cmpriest says:

    Gorgeous indeed! And I see Hobkin has been taking Spainy’s Yoga class.

    6

  3. miafedup says:

    That’s truly fantastic. I’d frame it.

  4. ogre_san says:

    It is indeed a lovely cover. Lauren Francis is the artist? Does she work mostly in children’s illustration? I’m not familiar with her, but that is very nice.

  5. sruna says:

    Hobkin needs a fan club. I’d join. πŸ˜‰

  6. “I wonder if this is the skunk equivalent of “Live long and prosper”?”

    Or maybe he’s doing a ‘Mork from Ork’ nanu-nanu. Hee. Hee. πŸ˜‰

    Nice cover!

    Maggie πŸ™‚

  7. Anonymous says:

    Cool. I’m all aflutter for you, probaby because I’ve fallen head over heals in love with graphic novels and manga (I know what I want to be when I grow up), so the idea of translating an existing narrative to something a tad more graphical is exciting. (Not that I didn’t LOVE the original narrative version. So sweet.)

    Neato, neato, neato.

    Hobkin toesies also make me happy.

    Pat K.

    • Eugie Foster says:

      I’m pretty fluttery myself! I likie graphic novels too, although I haven’t had a chance to explore much Manga. I continue to be awed at folks who can combine both written and visual art into a beautiful and comprehensive whole. I have a hard enough time with the written side. I this will be very exciting if it pans out.

  8. t_rex says:

    I am really excited for you!

  9. zhai says:

    That cover is beautiful! It’s so restful.

    Hobkin makes me die of the cute. Also, I mailed out the GoPets shirts today!

  10. dream_wind says:

    I loved the first the chapters of “badger” when I read them on Critters, and I would love to see that book in print. A picture book would be a great format for it… it was a very visual story.

  11. What a great illustrated post: I felt better about my own rash of projects just reading how you were tackling your host of challenges. A skunky “live long and prosper” to you, too, as you begin your wonderful adaptation to picture book legend-dom.

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