A few shorties

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Busy busy today, so just a few short notes:

1. Is it me or does Harlequin Presents UnCut sound like some sort of chippendale show starring, um, men who aren’t circumcised? I’m just sayin’.

2. Miss Snark fields the old “synopsis suck” saw, and again with the whiners. Hurray for commenter Cyn Mobley, who tells them to suck it up, it’s part of the business. My favorite comment is from an erstwhile writer who claims he “cannot write anything intelligent that is more than a couple of paragraphs.” My advice? Get out of the novel writing business, bub.

3. For those of you participating in NaNoWriMo or just looking to do some quick plot creation, here’s an excellent article by Holly Lisle. Thanks to Elly for pointing it out.

4. Trish Millburn has an excellent post on making the reader care about your characters. Every time i think i’m doing well on my craft, I read something that makes me see things in a whole new light.

5. Once again, Justine Larbalestier cracks me up. I’m so with her, though. I’m already sick of winter and it’s not even here yet.

6. Seriously considering unsubscribing to all email lists. I feel like every time I offer advice, I’m adding to the problem rather than resolving it. The rumor mill and urban legend situation is completely out of control, and I’m beginning to believe that a large percentage of writers conduct their affairs according tot eh mandates of a Yahoo Group rather than what their agent or publishing house has worked out with them. Someone tell me, are there email lists out there where dental hygenists ask other dental hygenists how they should behave with their individual bosses? Where building superintendents stress out over contacting their plumber, and rather than discussing with the plumber how best to fix the clog, asking other superintendents? Or do writers have the monopoly on this brand of neuroses?

Stay cool, folks.