I used to consider a whole bunch of other writers friends, and I guess still do, except that I don't see them very often.  Then again, since we had kids I don't see much of anyone very often.

A lot of the DAW authors are buddies, Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, Kate Elliott, Mickey Zucker, and more.  I used to see a lot of Katherine Kerr and her husband, but they've fallen into the "we never get out so we never see anyone," category.

I like Greg Bear a lot, too, but we don't see him or his wonderful wife very often these days.  I do my best to visit with folks like Steve Brust or Neil Gaiman when I get the chance -- again, not much recently -- and I have author-friends in England like Roz Kaveney, Kim Newman, and Michael Marshall Smith that I'd see a lot more if we were still in the same country.

This is turning into another list, so I'll stop.  I could keep adding people, because there are lots of writers I like and have been friendly with, and I'm worried now I'm going to leave someone out.

I love being a dad, too.  But it's like adding another full-time job on top of the rest of your life -- a full-time job that you can't ever walk away from, or call in sick, or blow off and go to the movies.

Still, I'll have plenty of time to myself when they're in that "I hate you!  You never do anything for me!  Get out of my room!" stage in about ten years or so.

And they're beautiful...

YAY!! My three favorite (never-met) people in one post!!! Tad, Neil and Tori... yummy.


Tad- being a mother has been the most wonderful, frustrating, educating, enriching, maddening experience of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I was very young when my son was born (which means, I suppose, that I'm still very young, as he is only 2), so I get to play with him before the energy is gone. I enjoy losing myself in play with him: it's so freeing, to be seen by another human being for exactly who I am, with no prejudices, no judgements, nothing but pure love and enjoyment of my company. It's humbling. When I am with my son, I realize just how false I have become as I grow older. I suppose it is just a response to the world, but it would be so nice to be able to let the facade go and be like he is again. Is it even possible? Somehow, I doubt it.
And it IS a full-time job. I wish I could devote all my time and energy to it, but given the state of general finances, I will have to allow for another full-time job as well to help pay the bills (fear not, however, there is plenty of room in the budget for an eventual Shadowmarch subscription, as well as one for my sister as a B-day pres. :)

So yeah. I'm a mom... and I'm so da... er, darn proud of it, I could scream it from the rooftops! You with me? :D

That's very touching. I hope that one day I get to experience that.

Well, that puts things into perspective. I know I'm not ready for that for some time. I think I need a bit more stability in my life first anyway. But I think about it happening some day - but I don't want to enter into that commitment without knowing I'm ready to accept it - I don't know, maybe you're never really prepared, but I think there are a few too many people who don't understand what it means.

Now I'm just babbling.

Why, because you were visiting with Steve or Neil the last time I saw them?  Was that you hiding behind the minibar?  I knew I didn't eat all those cashews myself.

Tad, just wondering how this famous writers writing nice things about the new book thing works...on the back of SoSL Katherine Kerr says "one of the best works of science fiction i've ever read." Tad, you admitted she is one of your writer friends, do you just phone her up and ask her to write something nice about your latest book or what? or do you have to pay her?!!!

i noticed that there is a member here called "KK"....

--------
"Or like a poet woo the moon, riding an armchair for my steed, and with a flashing pen, harpoon terrific metaphors of speed."-Roy Campbell

As far as you know.

Jasonius: My publishers send out manuscripts to various other writers.  Some respond, some don't.  Kit (K. Kerr) did, and very kindly, so we used the quote.

There are times writers who are friends -don't- respond, and although you want to assume it's because they didn't have time, in your heart of hearts you wonder whether they just might have thought your book sucked and didn't want to say so in public...

Tad, I just want to say that not only are your books incredible, but just reading about your views on children and other stuff is always uplifting too. ... yep ...

Well that wasn't exactly why...well okay if you say so...

[see above]

[ August 04, 2001: Message edited by: Marian ]