You're not gonna jokey-rhyme your way out of this one.

Willow ,'Sleeper'


Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.

There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."


Sheryl - Mar 17, 2006 11:01:49 am PST #171 of 28061
Fandom means never having to say "But where would I wear that?"

I'm heading to the local branch of the library tomorrow, AIFG! In theory the trip is just to pick up the books I put on hold(some of the Agatha nominees I haven't read yet) but I'm sure I'll end up with a large stack of books...


Katerina Bee - Mar 17, 2006 11:02:30 am PST #172 of 28061
Herding cats for fun

(adds "Kindred" and "Clay's Ark" to the list)

Oh, and "Xenogenesis" = "Lilith's Brood." Lilith got around.


Kate P. - Mar 17, 2006 7:31:09 pm PST #173 of 28061
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love

I think my favorite Butler is actually Bloodchild and Other Stories. I remember being really creeped out and fascinated by the title story in particular. Kindred is also excellent.


meara - Mar 18, 2006 1:42:30 pm PST #174 of 28061

Why did no one mention that LKJ has a new paperback out?

I ran into it in the bookstore and had to read it. It's more novella or short story than novel, and it's...what we've come to expect from her. Which is to say, crap crap crap, lots of sex, poor poor lycanthrope who is TORMENTED over the fact that he is JUST TOO WELL HUNG!, minimal explanation of "plot" (see, it gets to the big conflict and Anita is...hit over the head, and then it's all resolved!).

It was nice, though, that there were a few references to previous things that had sort of been dropped--like the fact that Anita in theory makes her living as an animator too.

It makes me so sad, I enjoyed the first couple Anita Blake books.

Scarier still, it included an excerpt from the next book, which started out with her old friend Ronnie (wait, remember how she used to have FRIENDS?) basically saying what all the readers have been complaining about...and poor, poor Anita is all hurt and pissed and her boyfriends are all ready to kick Ronnie's ass, because how dare she not understand Anita's PAIN and how she NEEDS SEX??


Connie Neil - Mar 18, 2006 2:22:59 pm PST #175 of 28061
brillig

I'm so happy that I no longer feel the need to read any more about Anita Blake.


Betsy HP - Mar 18, 2006 3:44:33 pm PST #176 of 28061
If I only had a brain...

What if poor old Anita just buys a vibrator?


Betsy HP - Mar 18, 2006 3:47:48 pm PST #177 of 28061
If I only had a brain...

From LKH's blog:

But I promised Anita that if she truly cared about someone they'd survive. I know why I made the promise to her; my mother's death when I was six. To say it scarred me is an understatement. So I promised Anita something I cannot promise myself. How was I to know that she would fall in love with so bloody many men? I was planning on monogamy for her when I made the promise. Who knows, maybe her interest in so many of the other characters is my subconscious's way of keeping everyone safe? Maybe. But Merry is pressing for the same promise. I don't think I can give it. I fear for some of the men in this, the last few scenes. She's fighting me, and I can't argue with her. I feel that it is wrong, if I can stop it, if I can save them all, why not? Why not?

A woman at the St. Louis signing for MICAH asked when I was going to kill someone off in one of the series. She didn't care who, just someone. She felt that the characters weren't in true jeopardy anymore. I'd been wondering the same thing myself for a little while. But who would I sacrifice to make my fictional world more believable? No one. I hold them all precious. Admittedly, eventually, Cel is going to have to die in the Merry series. I just don't see her as every being safe while he lives. But that's books away, and I don't care about Cel, not in that way. If Merry's series is not 'real' enough for some of the readers is that a good enough reason to pick someone to kill off? No. But what I fear is that the plot itself, of its own weight, is leading us to the loss. It's that fear that keeps Merry reluctant, and my feelings of guilt that help her win the argument. Can we get through this last scene with everyone intact, and should we? I don't know anymore; I just don't know.

You know, if LKH had any online friends, they'd be telling her "Just walk away from the badfic, honey. Try writing something else for awhile."


Anne W. - Mar 18, 2006 4:05:26 pm PST #178 of 28061
The lost sheep grow teeth, forsake their lambs, and lie with the lions.

That is just too, too funny.


Dana - Mar 18, 2006 4:06:14 pm PST #179 of 28061
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."

It's so true. She sounds exactly like an overly indulgent fic writer.


DavidS - Mar 18, 2006 4:09:27 pm PST #180 of 28061
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

She felt that the characters weren't in true jeopardy anymore. I'd been wondering the same thing myself for a little while. But who would I sacrifice to make my fictional world more believable? No one. I hold them all precious.

Sweet Zombie Jesus! What is it with the insane over-identification with the vampire writer ladies? I can't even grasp that kind of egotism. It's like selling your soul for mediocrity. Or less.