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FAF, SFX and the Inside Story
I've got into an extraordinary groove in this hot weather, managing to put down a lot of word count, and do a lot of running. This is what I do in summer, when I'm in a continual state of jittery happiness, and make up for in winter, when I can barely twitch my toes and am generally miserable. Today, for instance, I wrote one of those big end of chapter reveals, which I've had in mind for about a year. They feel, as you approach them, very scary indeed, like you'll never get into them, never mind past them. But the Fear (that sensation that all writers get of how the hell do words get from my puny little brain to into a book, and isn't magic somehow involved, and surely I'm not qualified to be involved in any part of that process, and I somehow managed that tomorrow, but you mean I have to do it this morning too, well how do I even start?) withdraws quite a bit when it's already light and lovely outside when I get to my desk. So I got right past that big moment today, and into the fun slide down towards the ending, yelling whee. I've told my agent I'll send it to him by the end of this month, and I should think that's well on. Phew!
Meanwhile, Faringdon Arts Festival approaches! I shall be MCing, again. And as well as me talking a bit about Doctor Who, Phil Ford, of The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood and Who, will also be coming along for a chat. We're both appearing on the Saturday, and the event runs over the weekend of 10th-12th July, in the glorious market town of Faringdon, halfway between Oxford and Swindon in so many ways. Here's the FAF website:
Talking of events, SFX Magazine have been kind enough to invite me as a guest to their SFX Weekender event, something of a new idea, it being SF fans taking over a holiday camp for a weekend, rather like Northern Soul fans do. (Or indeed, like the Cult TV conventions did.) Other guests announced so far are John Barrowman, James Marsters, China Mieville and Robert Rankin. Should be good!
And, here's news! Bernice Summerfield: The Inside Story, awaited for more than five years, and continually updated to reflect changes in the fictional life of my space archaeologist heroine, is out next month!
No, really! 300,000 words of the (blood on the carpet, warts and the burning off of those warts and all) story behind the book and audio ranges, written by Simon Guerrier (who's also appearing at Faringdon Arts Festival, but only if you're a pupil at Faringdon Junior School, and a quick shave and long shorts won't get you in). All pre-orders get the book signed by Simon and Lisa Bowerman. Go have a look, go on!
And of course, Season Ten (Ten!) of Bernice's adventures has just started being released, with plays by Nick Wallace, Daniel O'Mahony, Lance Parkin & Mark Clapham and Eddie Robson, whose series this is as showrunner. It's all building to something quite spectacular.
Finally, IGN were kind enough to ask what my favourite shock moment from 2000AD was. Relive a number of thrill-powered panels here:
Until next time, Cheerio!
Labels:
2000AD,
Bernice Summerfield,
Doctor Who,
Faringdon Arts Festival,
Phil Ford,
SFX Weekender
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I need to check the bus times down from Oxford to see if I can get to Phil's and your talks as I don't think I know anyone in Oxford who's got a car who isn't already tied up that weekend, alas! I can still remember the talk you gave at FAF before the new version of DW had begun...
This has nothing to do with this post, but I wanted to tell you that I just saw the preview pages for Dark X-men The Beginning at CBR, and you have made me the happiest woman alive today.
Okay, a _bit_ of exaggeration, but as a huge Namor fan, I was thrilled to see the story will see print, and ecstatic that you would be doing the writing.
First, because I love Captain Britain and MI13, and second, because you clearly understand what makes the fans happy. :) And kudos to Leonard Kirk and Jay L. for some fantastic art.
Hope you can make it, Michele, do say hi if you do. And Sandra, thanks! You're talking about the Namor nakedness, aren't you?
Really, do you think I'm that shallow?
YES!
But besides that, Namor doesn't have his own book and isn't always written to his best advantage, or with consideration of his unique background. The default seems to arrogant and angry, and not too smart. But folks forget, he's been a ruling prince of a politically volatile kingdom for longer than most other characters have been alive. Some self discipline, political savvy, and cunning are required to survive. And from what little I saw in the preview, it looks like we'll get that side of Namor here.
And if not ... well, there's always the shower scene. :)
I hope we demonstrate all of that, and again when he's back (and with Emma Frost) in issue 3.
That sounds really interesting, the SFX weekend.
I think so.