Tea for Two

Had an absolutely delightful time yesterday with yukinooruoni. I’m working with him on a writing workshop-related project, and he treated me to an afternoon out to discuss it. We went to this lovely little tea shop which is just down the road from where I live. Didn’t even know it was there before! They served us scones and little cakes and clotted cream and lemon custard and finger sandwiches (the sandwiches, alas, were not vegetarian-friendly, but made up for it by being very pretty) on an adorable three-tiered tea service. And of course, individual pots of steaming tea from their extensive tea menu (which included various black, green, white, oolong, and rooibus selections). I had a pot of peach-imbued white tea and a pot of apricot, current, and um, something else yummy-flavored green tea. The ambiance and decor were so charming: doilies and delicate Victorian tea pots and cups, with ornate chairs and tablecloths. There was a larger party that came in while we were there comprised of women playing dress-up in bright, old-fashioned hats and feather boas. So cute!

yukinooruoni and I chatted for hours! We actually closed the place down . . . and then some. Arriving at around 2ish, we didn’t leave until past 5:30, and the place was supposed to close at 4. Err, oops. But they were very gracious about us staying so late.

Hobkin was less understanding, being somewhat miffed at having his dinner delayed by my tardy return. And fosteronfilm was frazzled from having to explain to a hungry skunk why the food fairy hadn’t come yet. I believe they were reduced to doing skunk laps in the house from the look of things when I got back.

   


Writing Stuff

Still no contrib. copies from Faeries so I sent the editor a follow-up, “lost in mail, wah!” email as well as the info for him to transfer payment to my bank account. Wonder if it’ll be in euros or dollars . . .

Got an invite from dsnight to contribute a story to a new DAW anthology, Heroes in Training. I cannot express the amount of squeeage commencing upon reading his email. I’ve got shelves full of DAW books, and the prospect of being in one of their anthologies has me in a giddy twitter of excitement. Now to start heating up the irons and thumb screws to get the muse properly motivated . . .

And the Writers for Relief charity anthology with my story, “A Little Soul Music,” edited by jackzodiac is now available at Amazon.com. All proceeds go to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and the contents include contributions from such luminaries as Brian W. Aldiss, Gardner Dozois, Joe Haldeman, Nancy Kress, and Larry Niven. Only $16.95. Wouldn’t it make a great Christmas gift for all the SF readers on your list?

New Words: 1100 on an outline/synopsis of the novel I want to expand “Rue and Ruin” into.

Club 100 For Writers
      57

500/day
      108

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18 Responses to Tea for Two

  1. jimhines says:

    That’s right. You go motivate the hell out of that muse! 🙂

  2. mroctober says:

    Wow, I’m so excited for you about the DAW invite! I always wondered how people get invited for things. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for ya (and feel free to ask me for a critique on whatever story you write for them).

    • Eugie Foster says:

      Thanks, Steve! Actually, I’m still not sure how people get invited to these things. I’m totally astounded at being given the opportunity to submit. I can’t wrap my mind around you editor types actually asking me for stuff, rather than the usual, hat-in-hand-oh-please-won’t-you-read-my-humble-and-unworthy-story-oh-kind-editor-sir-please. Gleep.

      • mroctober says:

        I think it’s the natural progession for talented writers.

        Also, reinforcing the notion that writing can be an elitist club, getting invited has a lot to do with who you know. Schmoozing and socializing are key ingrediants to fostering a writing career. While some editors may never know you personally, the more that do, the more that find you charming, the more likely you are to earn some invites.

        • Eugie Foster says:

          I need to get out more.

          ‘Course there’s always the danger of ticking off/freaking out an editor in person and getting labeled “spaz” or even blacklisted by them and their circle of contacts. I get really nervous when I know I’m in a “schmooze” situation. It’s all good if everyone’s just hanging out and having a good time, but as soon as I realize there’s someone important I should go try and make a good impression on, I freeze up and can’t talk, and my brain spills out of my ears. Tricky (and messy) business, schmoozing.

          • mroctober says:

            I find it hard to believe you cannot be charming.

          • Eugie Foster says:

            I suppose it depends on whether you find the deer-in-headlights look, stuttering, and inane (and unintelligible) phrases blurted out at odd and bizarre times charming. I fall apart pretty spectacularly under certain stressors.

          • mroctober says:

            Methinks the lady doth protest too much!

            Come with me and to Lunacon. It’s a nice one. A lot of NY editors and agents show up. Your room costs would be cheap. I’ll pick you up at Newark airport.

  3. dean13 says:

    Bada-bing-bada-boom! Congratulation!

    How wonderful that you were invited to contribute to a DAW anthology and how marvelous that one of your stories is being published with likes of Haldeman and Nancy Kress. I need to dump out my penny jar and buy that charity anthology.

  4. Green tea I heard have anti-oxidants which is pretty good for you.

  5. whirl_twirl says:

    Ooooh! I think I know of that tea place. Is it in the same shopping center as The Fresh Market? I’ve wandered into that one before and thought it would be a wonderful place for a special occasion treat.

  6. You know what would be really nice? If those of us down here in post-Katrina-land could get copies of those things that are being published for our benefit without having to pay into the fund that is supposed to be for us in the first place. OK, I just realized that sentence is a bit like Oroborus swallowing its own tail, but I hope my point comes through. Of course, even if someone were to send us one, we couldn’t get it, as the mail isn’t back to normal (I, for one, haven’t seen so much as a direct-mail postcard since I’ve been back).

  7. Congrats on the DAW anthology. I’m sure the muse will get her act together and cooperation, the saucy minx!

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