The Flamboyent Cuttlefish

[greygirlbeast]

I would think that by just about any sane measure, I would count as a very prolific writer. At times, somewhat too prolific for my own good. And with this in mind, it seems inevitable that there will be these dry spells. These times where I sit and stare at the keyboard until I must either find some suitable diversion, some work substitute, or start breaking things. Yesterday, I spent a good portion of the day trying to write. I found a title. I found a good portion of the story — here, behind my eyes. But all that made it from my brain to the screen of the iMac was the title: "The Ape's Wife." This is the aforementioned Kong story, which I have decided is not destined for Sirenia Digest, but for the pages of Subterranean: Tales of Dark Fantasy, an anthology which will be published by subpress. So, there, I have a title and I know some part of the story, and today, with luck, it will not rain, but the words will come, which is really the same thing.

When I could no longer stare at the keyboard (I think it was about 5 p.m.), I distracted Spooky from working on the taxes (gathering receipts for Herr Accountant) and read her an Angela Carter story, "Wolf Alice," one of my very favourites. Then I read her one of my favourite Bradbury stories, "Tyrannosaurus rex" (originally published as "The Prehistoric Producer"). And then we had a walk. I needed a sweater, which seemed odd as we've been having days in the high seventies and low eighties (and it's even cooler today). Nothing remarkable about the walk. Down to the end of Seminole where the skateboarders hang out, where their ramps, geometrical oddities of plywood and particle board, sit abandoned on days they're not using them. Days like yesterday. There was a chilly wind, but the sun was bright and warm. We walked as far as Videodrome, which really wasn't very far, not as far as we should have walked. I'm trying to do better with this whole exercise thing, dull though it may be.

Back home, UPS delivered the signature pages for the hardback edition of Subterranean Magazine #6, which includes a new sf story by me, "Zero Summer." I decided I would wait until tonight to deal with the signature sheets. After dinner, we watched Brian W. Cook's Color Me Kubrick, which I found wonderful in a ghastly way, or ghastly in a wonderful way — one or the other. I downloaded new wallpaper for the Unnamed iMac from the National Geographic website. At midnight, we watched a new Nova documentary on cuttlefish. And that, near as I can recall, was yesterday.

I have yet to decide how I feel about the news of a film adaptation of Edward Gorey's "The Doubtful Guest." I see so many ways this could go very wrong.

In yesterday's entry, I forgot to mention that on Tuesday I had to proofread the galleys for a reprinting of "So Runs the World Away." I am still very fond of this story, and I found myself wondering if I might want to write a story about Dead Girl and Bobby after they leave Providence. I still am undecided.

The Canon has been repaired and, even now, is on its way back to us, so soon there will be photos again.

And I think that's it for now. But, wait...the platypus says this would be an exceptionally good day to pick up a copy of Daughter of Hounds, and the platypus, it should be noted, has a damned uncanny sense about such things.

Comments

[serizawa3000.livejournal.com]

Ages and ages ago I saw something on TV that, in retrospect, might have had something to do with Edward Gorey. It was something to do with Halloween, with some kids who'd gone out trick-or-treating and wound up in a spooky house... All I really remember of it were a couple scenes where someone was playing chess with a huge, parrotlike bird (someone in a suit), and a mischievous creature who was, now that I think of it, a dead ringer for the Doubtful Guest, down to the scarf and sneakers...

[robyn-ma.livejournal.com]

'I have yet to decide how I feel about the news of a film adaptation of Edward Gorey's "The Doubtful Guest." I see so many ways this could go very wrong.'

I'm surprised Tim Burton hasn't adapted Gorey yet, in stop-motion. A few of Gorey's tales might make for a cool anthology. I'm not sure how they expect to stretch this into feature-length, though.

At least it isn't 'The Loathsome Couple' or 'The Curious Sofa.'

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

When they discovered the flamboyant cuttlefish was toxic, I immediately thought, well, I hope we can manage to not let them go extinct, because that toxin is probably a natural cure for something...

[sovay]

"The Ape's Wife." This is the aforementioned Kong story, which I have decided is not destined for Sirenia Digest, but for the pages of Subterranean: Tales of Dark Fantasy, an anthology which will be published by subpress.

I will look forward to this.

"So Runs the World Away." I am still very fond of this story, and I found myself wondering if I might want to write a story about Dead Girl and Bobby after they leave Providence. I still am undecided.

Perhaps similarly: I'd read that.

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

I always meant to ask Ray Bradbury if he was a friend of Chuck Jones: while I know that most of "Tyrannosaurus Rex" was based on Ray Harryhausen's experiences, that story always reminded me of Jones's tale of how he and the rest of the Merrie Melodies crew created Daffy Duck's voice and mannerisms...by copying those of producer Leon Schlesinger. (According to the book Chuck Amuck, everyone had their resignation letters ready to go if Leon had issues after seeing the preview of "Rabbit Fire", and Leon turned in his chair, looked at the crew, and exclaimed "That's a great voith! Where'd you get that voith?" According to rumor, he went to his grave not knowing the provenance of that "great voith!")

[regenzeit.livejournal.com]

Somedays i think, if you ever write cooking recipes, they will sound good. And I'll want to read 'em.
Reminds me of a remark someone made of Michael Stipe, regardless what he sings, it will sound good.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

a remark someone made of Michael Stipe, regardless what he sings, it will sound good.

Indeed.

[eldritch00.livejournal.com]

The film adaptation of The Doubtful Guest had me blinking several times when I read about it here and also when I clicked on the actual news link. Odd.

I've encountered the work related to Dead Girl, the house in Providence, etc. in rather haphazard ways. Someday, I'll re-read them in a more "systematic" manner. And while I hate to put more on your table, do you also have some kind of "preferred reading order" for the stories and novels?

On a similar token, since you mentioned a SF story, does your SF also play around with recurring settings and characters?

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I've encountered the work related to Dead Girl, the house in Providence, etc. in rather haphazard ways. Someday, I'll re-read them in a more "systematic" manner. And while I hate to put more on your table, do you also have some kind of "preferred reading order" for the stories and novels?

That's a very big question, as there are so many stories and novels now. But I think my short answer is no, I don't. I tried to build all of this so it might be read in any order, though the order will determine how one perceives the story.


On a similar token, since you mentioned a SF story, does your SF also play around with recurring settings and characters?

Just a little. Not to the degree or with the sort of determination that you find in the dark-fantasy stuff. There are recurring themes. "Faces in Revolving Souls" could be in the same universe as "The Dry Salvages." But, mostly, I see the sf stories as standing alone.

[corucia.livejournal.com]

As to Kong stories, copyright issues and the like, Philip Jose Farmer wrote a very nice Kong story, "After King Kong Fell". SubPress recently reprinted it in their 'Best of Philip Jose Farmer' omnibus (an excellent book, highly recommended). So, at least PJF was able to write on Kong without running afoul of the copyright police...

[beerdiablo.livejournal.com]

Cuttlefish = Funky.