itsallovernow | Oct. 6th, 2003

Survived the conference, which wasn't bad, I just didn't want to go, and as a reward got to drink a lovely, smokey single malt scotch in the bar at the Hotel Del Coronado. Not a bad way to live, that's for damn sure.

I listened to Dreamcatcher on the way there and back (and in fact am still listening to it because I bought it unabridged and have many hours ahead of me). It seems foolish, when driving somewhere by yourself, to listen to something expressly designed to scare the crap out of you, but I need something that will capture my interest and I hadn't read this yet. I used to dismiss Stephen King as a hack writer, someone who told a great story, but didn't have much skill in language or character, and I've come to the conclusion that I was being a snobby English major and need to reevaluate my views. (I've suspected this for a very long time, in fact).

I've always been happier to be scared by King than by almost any other writer, and listening to something of his being read aloud has really helped me to figure out why he's so effective. Part of it is language. He's visual and visceral, and is able to convey things about his charcters quickly and effectively, until you feel like you know them, care about them, don't want them to die in a bloody, messy, creepy fashion. His characters draw you to them, and wrap around you, and then his language just paints such a strong picture of scene and action. It's honestly impressive, to me at least. His books have serious plot, which is far more impressive to me now that I'm trying to plot something than it ever could have been before I had a handle on just how bloody difficult that is.

I'm working on the SACoC drabble (challenge - calling it a drabble at this point is blatantly misleading) and I've realized that I start things with a set of visceral images, and when I read my work back to myself I still have that sense that I started with and I wonder if it comes through or is false. Do other writers start this way, I wonder and does it continue or disolve when you're finished? Do your readers, do you think, take away the same visceral sense that you felt when you were writing?

Watched Alias, don't have much to say except that Sark's hair made me giggle, that men speaking French really is sexy, and that I do believe Sydney only almost cried. Which was a plus for me. But she didn't kick anyone. And Jack is just as yummy as ever. It felt a lot like waiting for something to happen. Holding your breath and then not getting that rush of air when you finally let go.

I have definitely been watching too much West Wing. I want to write a WW/FS crossover set during Terra Firma. This is bad and foolish and wrong. I don't do crossovers.

I'm listening to Tom Waits at work, which as far as job perks, is almost a good as the not having to wear a bra. (Not that bralessness is ever mentioned. I do work for professionals, after all. But I know I don't have to, and it is a good, good thing).