Write Stuff: March 2019

Monday, March 25, 2019

Thinking about Endings #amwriting #amwritingscifi

So, for those of you who may not know this, I am a major pantster (write by the seat of my pants and all that). I want to outline, I really do. It just does NOT work for my creativity. My muse likes her freedom I guess :) Mostly I d have some rough idea of where I'm going with a piece, but sometimes I don't...and I'm currently in this spot where I totally have been banging my head against this novel, trying to decide how to take it.

See, I've been working with a theme/concept that is important to me. I teach about it and it's one of those times where I'm really working to integrate what I know of a topic (in this case, eugenics) and the broader story. To tie this novel all together, I keep debating about whether I want an ending that will work for just the main character, or do I want something more sweeping that will potentially aid in the broader world? Because, yeah, I weirdly want to leave the world I've created better than how I found it, haha.

Anyhow, this whole situation has gotten me thinking a whole lot about endings. There are so many varieties! Nice, neat bows with a happily ever after, loose endings that hint at something to come, cliffhangers, and just about every combination you can imagine. Personally, I don't really like tying everything together perfectly in my novels. I like there to still be a few little loose ends that leave the reader thinking about the characters after the story's done. I love to continue thinking about the characters and world and issues later on, so a pretty little bow often doesn't provide me with that food for thought. But, I do know that most people like everything all wrapped up.

I don't have anything wise or deep to add here, but as I go back to wrestling with my novel (I. Am. So. Close!), I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you like your endings!

Survive vs Thrive #authorlife #professorlife

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

So, a loved one pointed out something to me yesterday and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. I was talking about getting through the rest of this semester and noted that "I just have to survive until the end of it." Their reply: "That's every semester." This conversation went on to point out that honestly, if I keep going this way I'll just survive until I retire...and then maybe until I'm dead. It was meant kindly, if not a little pointedly. The thing is, I need that pointedness to remind me that this life isn't about just getting through, but maybe even thriving a little.

A little context: I am a tenure-track (hopefully to be tenured here in the next month or two) professor where I run two labs, my wing of the department, several large research projects, and the lives of about 10 grad students (and many undergrad interns). To say that my days are insane is an understatement. Many days I find myself sitting in my car on my way to work, crying, and wishing that I could just drive away. Away anywhere. That sounds melodramatic in a stupid way, but it's the truth. What I do for a living takes every last bit of me and leaves me coming home a drained and exhausted shell...who then often is working until late on the couch.

So, yep, surviving is what it feels like. Just let me get through this semester, and then just let me get through my summer research goals. Just let me get tenure. Just let me get through this next big conference. Just let me not let my students down. Just let me not feel like a moron presenting in front of the bigwigs in my field. Just let me not keel over.

I know this is a lot of bitching. I know many people have taxing jobs that demand a lot. And I know I chose this position and technically I could walk away (and do what, I have no idea, because I do love what I do...I just wish it were less). But here I am, staring down my next birthday and wondering how on earth I'm going to get there. How I'm going to even think about thriving.

The crappiest part is that thriving and self-care just feels like another item on my to-do list.

Anyhow, how do I get to a better spot? Hell if I know. I'm still working that bit out. But I do know a few things: it means saying no more. It means telling students that I have office hours and that 'popping by' at any time during the day/night/weekend means they think their time is more valuable than mine. It means being better about my boundaries and telling my institution that they get what they get from me and running me ragged is not worth my pathetic paycheck.

But I do need to be better about remembering to thrive and not just survive. It's not worth it otherwise.

After Reading: THE MARBURY LENS by Andrew Smith

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Sixteen-year-old Jack gets drunk and is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is kidnapped. He escapes, narrowly. The only person he tells is his best friend, Conner. When they arrive in London as planned for summer break, a stranger hands Jack a pair of glasses. Through the lenses, he sees another world called Marbury.

There is war in Marbury. It is a desolate and murderous place where Jack is responsible for the survival of two younger boys. Conner is there, too. But he’s trying to kill them.

Meanwhile, Jack is falling in love with an English girl, and afraid he’s losing his mind.

Conner tells Jack it’s going to be okay.

But it’s not.

Andrew Smith has written his most beautiful and personal novel yet, as he explores the nightmarish outer limits of what trauma can do to our bodies and our minds. (Goodreads)

So, this one definitely kept me up late reading. The pacing is spot-on, as is the world building. I couldn't get enough! The whole premise is really fascinating, although disturbing on many levels: the abduction of Jack, the lens, Marbury pretty much as a whole, and then Jack's utter unraveling. It's creepy and fascinating. The lens and traveling between the worlds really came off as some kind of drug, which in many ways it was, and the portrayal was superb. As was the relationship between Jack and Conner--it was obvious they cared about one another deeply. The ending did leave me being "wait, what, that can't be the end!" but of course there's another one in the series that I must now get my hands on!

Have you read this one?