(no subject)

I'm making lists again. If I can get through my list today, then I shall practise my victory-laugh, because I'll only be about three days behind where I need to be by tomorrow night. I've already edited and sent out three articles. Another piece of writing has to be written from scratch (400 words done, and lots of notes to work from). I only have one book to read today and about three paperworky things (one very complicated, one bill baffling in its continued failure to be paid - I've tried 8 times).

The big problem is Aargh! I need to clear the decks of this other stuff so that I can deal with that brick wall and get my deep thoughts on dealing with it to my supervisor so that I can move on. I really hate that brick wall right now. I want it to fade and crumble and go away. It's not going to. I rather suspect that my whole evening will be spent dealing with it.

My day is quiet (because my tooth is still a pain - but less of one than it has been) but rather full.

(no subject)

Dear Writer-who-shall-not-be-Named

You maybe should have read some modern historical fiction before writing your novel. You pulled basic research together with the skill of someone who has done it many times before, but you forgot to pull in accurate telling detail. Accurate telling detail (the small things, the illuminating things) can bring a novel to life. It's standard for modern historical fiction writers and, indeed, a great deal of good historical fantasy. Because you skimped, you've wasted a very impressive writing talent. Each time your characters shake hands or Modern French dribbles through their Medieval lips* all your careful plotting and characterisation and your lovely style is laid to waste.

I was so pleased to see your book. I was going to write it into an article celebrating uses of history in fiction. Right now I'm intent on finishing it and on taking notes so that I can write it into something far less to your benefit. I won't review it, though, and I won't link to it here. I respect your writing - I just don't respect this book: no writer should be hung, drawn and quartered on the basis of poor worldbuilding in just one instance where all the other instances show s/he really does know their stuff.

Sometimes I wish that fantasy with historical settings had historical editors as well as a usual editors. I play the role of historical editor when asked, and so do other folks, but maybe it ought to be standard practice. This book I'm now racing through ought to have been lovely. Instead it's wince-making.



* OK, bad image