And that was the week that was

[pbray]

The last week has been full of ups & downs, which perhaps explains why I've been quiet. Still dealing with one of those downs, but today I'm going to focus on things that make me happy, and remind myself of how very lucky I am. So in that spirit--

Thanks to my editor for pointing out a nice review of THE SEA CHANGE from the Contra Costa Times.

Googling turned up a hysterical entry from the University Book Store in Seattle entitled The Legend of Patricia Bray. (On foot! In the rain! Possible wolves!) I had a silly grin for hours after reading this.

Yesterday's mail brought my copy of the contract for the Russian language edition of THE FIRST BETRAYAL. It's fun to look at--each page is printed in two columns, English on one side, Russian on the other. I have only their word that the terms match, but so far the publisher has treated me very well, so I've no reason to doubt that I'll be happy.

Just learned that Bantam has sent THE FIRST BETRAYAL back to press--THANKS GUYS.

And finally, and most importantly, my editor liked the revised manuscript for THE FINAL SACRIFICE (giant sigh of relief is heard.)

So now it's onward and upward.

Comments

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

That's all great stuff! And I hope the not-so-great stuff will be resolved soon, and positively.

"The Legend of Patricia Bray" is awesome! :D (Absolutely the best compliment I've ever received on my writing was an e-mail from a beta reader who told me that while reading my manuscript in the departure lounge she had totally failed to hear the first three boarding announcements for her flight.)

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful review that was!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

That is an awesome compliment from your beta reader.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

It absolutely made me blush.

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

I thought so, too :) And this particular beta reader has known me since we were both six (I played a zinnia, she played a dragonfly...), so I know I can trust her to give it to me straight.

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

You should be blushing. Those are great reviews.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

It was nice timing. Just when I think I don't have the faintest clue what I'm doing trying to be a writer, something like this comes along.

[susanjett.livejournal.com]

Congrats on going back to press & on a Russian translation - how cool is that?!? - & most especially that FINAL SACRIFICE is ready to go. Yippeee!

Sorry you're down & hope that whatever it is that's gone wrong, rights itself asap. Onward & upward, my friend. To the stars!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

And by the way, while my week may have had a "down" I could always console myself by thinking "Hey, at least I have running water and a toilet that flushes." :-)

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

You keep a file of stuff like this to look at when the going gets tough, right? Someone told me to do that when I was just starting out as an editor, and it was some of the best advice I've ever gotten.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I keep a file, yes. Not so good at remembering to look at it when the going gets sucky.

[jlawrenceperry.livejournal.com]

See, I TOLD you that you were awesome. You self-deprecating day-job working author, you.

By the way, picked up The Sea Change the other day. Can't say I'm a fan of the torture scene. One place where empathizing with the main character is NOT COOL, MAN!

Gotta say, though, the story of Josan and Ysobel is not as engaging for me as the Sword of Change books. Could be that Devlin's story draws much more on some iconic elements of Fantasy. Granted, I'm only a few chapters into The Sea Change, so I'm looking forward to the magical moments and hopefully watching Lucius kick some royal (and not so royal) keisters.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your perspective.

One of the differences in the series is that the Devlin books are driven by a strong single character. The Sword of Change is essentially Devlin's personal story arc--it's his story even as he is instrumental in changing the world in which he lives.

The Chronicles of Josan is more epic in scope. Not only is the weight of the narrative carried by three main characters-- Josan, Lady Ysobel, and later Lucius as the series continues, it's as much a story about politics as it is about the individuals involved. So to that extent we don't get the same strong reader identification that we had in the Devlin books.

Josan will eventually get to kick butt and show his true heroic side, but it's not a natural fit for him. He'd much rather be back in his library. It's not that he's a coward so much as it is that he knows too much to believe in easy answers.

And, of course, you're reading THE SEA CHANGE, while I already know how things will end in THE FINAL SACRIFICE which is coming out next summer (cue evil laughter).

As for what I'm doing next--the secret project is a return to central protagonist, so we'll see how it turns out. So far I'm having fun writing it, and that's what counts.

[jlawrenceperry.livejournal.com]

So... what, you didn't want to write an 850-page novel ala Martin with three central characters for reader identification? Don't tell me they think you can't handle 850 pages! :D

[pbray.livejournal.com]

At my writing pace, 850 pages would take a while. By the time I hit page 500 I'd be so sick of these characters I'd kill them all off, then starting writing about how animatronic squirrels from Planet Nutzoid arrived to take over the remainder of the narrative action.

Or has that one already been done before?

[jlawrenceperry.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen that one before... but I'm sure it would sell! Like Westworld except... with squirrels... I see your point, but isn't that why Martin kills off so many of his characters?

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it is. He's just missing the animatronic squirrels step....