Kae> Sheila...are you still there?
<James> Thank heavens you asked - I was starting to wonder if Iwas still
there (having been disconnected once already)
<BJ Steeves> Did everone disappear?
<Diana> nope, still here!
<BlairB> still here
<Jinx> I'm here
<Robert> I'm still here and see Sheila listed on the side
<gayle> no..but I think the storm finally got shelia
<BJ Steeves> Been storming here too.
<Kae> Got steady rain here, but no storm.
<gayle> she warned us that she might be cut off but that we were to stay
put.
<Robert> Sounds good.
<gayle> sun...moon shine here in my part of california
<James> Hot, dry summer day in Australia's northern pointy bit
<Robert> Dark here in my hole and no apparent weather
<Jenny> Dark, and noisy from people randomly honking as they pass my
building.
<Robert> I think it's interesting what she said about cyberpunk that it's
expected to be that dark and nihilistic.
<James> You mean wondering if you can do light, fluffy cyberpunk just to be
subversive?
<Kae> All right, then. On the topic: I have a variety of places where my
work is stored. Notebooks, cds, disks, but not online yet.
<Robert> The thought did cross my mind. C-punk, I've read a lot, rests a lot
on a Robin Hood haves and have nots ethic and Magic Punk picks that right
up.
<gayle> I have a notebook and loose papers for my main planet/universe
<Jenny> I have a "random facts that are interesting and may be useful
someday" notebook, a scribble notebook, and a computer file.
<Jenny> I have a story notebook for outlines, character lists, and such for
novel ideas.
<James> I've just switched from storing online to hardcopy in a folder
because it feels more convenient than having dozens of files open when I
write.
<Robert> I have random disorganized paper notes and lots and lots and lots
of files I periodically sweep onto floppies.
<gayle> attempted to pin down my second world and found the story stopped
dead in the water...gave up planning the world and the words just flowed
<BlairB> i use hanging folders, notebooks, and my PalmPilot.
<James> Magic punk? I'd not encountered that - could you name some samples?
<Robert> Shadowrun the roleplaying game spawned a book series, there are
others like it.
<Jenny> I'd love a Palm--actually, I want a specific Visor--but not until
after I move.
<James> Any you'd recommend as a starting place?
<Robert> Neil Stephenson drifts in that direction sometimes with neural
research and also uses a lot of contemporary humor.
<gayle> We had a couple of false alarms with the fire alarm system in my
building...got me thinking about how 'unsaved' every thing is...I would lose
a LOT so need
<James> Sounds like an excuse to finally tackle Cryptonomicon
<gayle> to come up with an offsite system.
<James> I created a Yahoo account for my current WIP, and mail off regular
backups to myself...
<Kae> gayle: yes, that worry about loss gets me, too.
<Robert> James, that's so cool. I FTP ed my backups to Texas to my friends'
server.
<Jenny> That's a neat idea, James.
<Kae> James, cool!
<BJ Steeves> I keep most of my stuff on the PC and back it up to re-writable
CD Roms.
<James> It's certainly been very fast and convenient since I started - and
less nervousness.
<gayle> from what I read you should have at least one copy of all your work
elsewhere...well...at least I'm thinking about it...
<Robert> Good idea, Gayle
<Kae> James, your email account is just for your WIP?
<Diana> I just got a free text database program today at
http://www.softcircuits.com/snippets/ Haven't tried it yet, but it looks
good for organizing bits of information--a free-form database
<James> I also keep my idea file there, and a short story that I'm working
on, but mostly just the WIP, yes.
>James< I can recomend a couple pretty good shadowrun books if you would
like.
<Kae> So you know everything on that account has to do with your writing.
<gayle> James...so did you go for the 25 megs?
<James> Thanks, Blair, that'd be great.
<James> Exactly, Kae
<Robert> I want a laptop and I'm planning to get one and just copy My
Documents unorganized into its hard drive
<James> Not yet, Gayle - but I keep deleting redundant material, so I
haven't filled a regular account yet.
<gayle> okay...I was just wondering
<gayle> so how far is everybody in their worldbuilding?
<BlairB> Robert N. Charrette (Secrets of Power series) Never Deal with a
dragon, Choose your enemies carefully, and Find your own truth
<Robert> About thirty books into it for Piarra series (including spinoffs)
one book into it and scattered notes for space series
<James> Thanks, Blair.
<BlairB> 2XS by Nigel Findley is also pretty good.
<Jinx> I'm not that far, Gayle. Like you've mentioned, I also tend to get a
bit overwhelmed at it all. <g>
<Kae> ditto
<larkin> just got back on. Mine keeps shapeshifting. can't seem to make it
cohesive yet.
<James> I'm far enough along that I'm confident of starting the book for
Zette's novel dare, Monday - but I'll add a bit more as I go.
<Robert> We missed you, SLV
<Robert> er, larkin
<gayle> who's Zette? and what is her novel dare?
<larkin> that's o.k.
<BlairB> you are lucky James, i am not that far along yet... it's going to
be an intersting dare.
<Jinx> I'm doing the dare too. Hopefully, it will motivate me a bit.
<larkin> haven't found my way into these places on holly's site..where are
they?
<Kae> zette, Vision editor, HollyLisle site moderator, etc.
<James> On the Holly Lisle site, Gayle - Zette runs a regular novel (and
other) dare where everyone agrees to write a certain amount in a certain
time. Looks like a good motivator.
<Robert> I either couldn't do that much on novel dare or would do the whole
book, took short story dare
<gayle> oh...something like a book in a week challenge.
<James> Yep, but you have three months.
<BlairB> Larkin look for 'What's hot and who's on" in the navagation bar.
that will link you to the message boards.
<Jinx> I think the board is Games and Contests?
<Robert> Chapter a week is what master level boils to but if I only did
achapter a week I'd lose immersion and not finish.
<James> I'm being a coward and starting at apprentice level
<larkin> thanks. i'll try to find it..only had computer bout six
weeks..still a bit lost in all these worlds.
<Robert> I'm trying Master and not flogging myself if I get halfway and
drop, like 6 instead of 8
<James> Oh, definitely, I'm definitely planning on being happy with whatever
I get done.
<BJ Steeves> I'll have to pass, my wife's been ill and I can't spare the
time just yet.
<Jenny> I did apprentice last time. I'm doing Master this time because I
have to finish my WIP before Christmas anyway.
<Robert> You go, Jenny! I'm cheering!
<James> And then you can do the rewrite dare
<gayle> so is it a closed list or can you join anytime?
<Kae> anyone can join
<Robert> Join up! Two more days before it starts and zette's flogging it on
the main discussion board
<James> You have to post a sign-up message on the Games and Contest board,
though, I think.
<larkin> Is there a map for entering into all this?
<gayle> cool...need something to get me motivated on the fiction
again....non is my bread and butter
<Robert> Top of the site menu bar, three categories
<larkin> hmmmm o.k.
<Robert> which one of those you click shows you all the boards in its
category
<James> And there are some really good ones - it's a brilliant site.
<Jenny> Games and Contests is here:
http://network54.com/Hide/Forum/70750
<Robert> Exercises is why I'm taking Short Story Master Dare, they are so
stimulating I know once a week at least I'll get a story idea off one.
<larkin> thanks..for some reason thus far it hasn't let me in. II'll keep
trying..
<Jenny> My next novel's coming from a past Zettercise.
<Jenny> That's odd. What does it say?
<Robert> Cool, Jenny!
<larkin> you don't exist or something like that.
<Jinx> You have to be logged in to get to that board.
<James> Larkin, do you have a Network 54 membership? I think you might need
one to log into the G&C board.
<Robert> If you're not logged in or haven't created an account yet you can't
see all the boards
<larkin> did the log in thing..still it doesn't recognize me..is this cyber
punk material?
<Jenny> My labmate says in 200 years we'll look back and realize that
computers were sentient all this time--and they hate us.
<Robert> It can be anything you want. Three of mine will be horror stories
to fill out Graveyard Shift horror collection
<Kae> Hi Sheila!
<@SLViehl> Sorry about that, folks
<BlairB> welcome back!
<@SLViehl> Thing bounced me three times!
<Robert> Hi Shiela! WB
<James> No worries... Welcome back.
<larkin> must be quite a storm
<Kae> there she went
<James> Oops - gone again.
<@SLViehl> I think Network 54 hates me.
>@SLViehl< lol, i think it hates everyone.
<@SLViehl> Maybe one of my ex husbands works there.
<Kae> a lot of people have said that. lol
<Robert> That is spooky given Jenny's comment, SLV...
<Kae> One of ...?
<@SLViehl> Yeah, I've got a couple. Jenny's comment?
<Robert> That computers are sentient and might hate us? <G>
<BlairB> <Jenny> My labmate says in 200 years we'll look back and realize
that computers were sentient all this time--and they hate us.
<@SLViehl> This computer doesn't hate me. It pities me.
<@SLViehl> lol
<Robert> Ema loves me. I trust Ema.
<@SLViehl> You know what else, I keep making up these drawings and then I
forget to load them. Watch.
<gayle> robert...is that the name of your computer?
<Robert> Yes.
<@SLViehl> That was half an hour ago drawing #1.
<Robert> Oooh like that one
<Kae> lol
<BlairB> lol@handicapped
<BJ Steeves> Zette wouldn't like it, I hear she HATES smileys
<Robert> I have no face but I must write...
<@SLViehl> I got to stick post it notes on my head or something -- anyway,
why don't we wrap it up with general Q&A?
<BlairB> you would be impressed... we've kept the chat on topic while you
were away.
<@SLViehl> You people always impress me. Honestly.
<Robert> And I've been transcribing but I think I missed a little at the
beginning, came late...
<Kae> Yes, James gave a brilliant idea.
<gayle> yeah...and some of us learned about the challenge coming up
<James> But we weren't able to get Larkin onto the Games and Contest board -
Larkin, did you try again?
<@SLViehl> I'll have to read the transcript, this sounds cool.
<Robert> I'll mail it to you?
<larkin> not yet.. can i do that from here?
<larkin> i really am still lost in cyber world unfortunately
<@SLViehl> You should be able to access it from the drop down menus, larkin.
<James> Should be able to direct your browser window to go to the site while
you chat here. I just tried and it let me log in.
<larkin> don't have a clue how. appreciate your trying to help though.
<James> Can you get to the discussion board -
http://network54.com/Hide/Forum/64272 - you could probably get Zette's
attention there.
<BlairB> larkin - do you have MSN messenger or ICQ at all?
<larkin> don't know what they are? have e-mail...and a tarot deck
<Jinx> We were talking about the different ways we kept our info. Do you
keep things off-site, Sheila?
<@SLViehl> I have my data in four states and two countries, at the moment
<BlairB> if you want, when this is done, stay here, and i'll help you out
<Jinx> Wow.
<Robert> Oooh, helps to have friends with hard drives
<@SLViehl> but then, I've been hit with five viruses and had two meltdowns.
<Kae> eek
<Jinx> Ouch.
<gayle> the voice of experence then...
<BlairB> how often do you update that info sheila?
<@SLViehl> Yeah, SF fans aren't all THAT nice.
<@SLViehl> I backup twice a day. I have to, I usually produce about thirty
new pages of work, and get about 100 e-mails per day.
<Robert> Cool... I'm planning on doing airlock firewall, have a cheap
separate computer that doesn't go online and just produces books.
<Kae> I just got hit with a virus that sent out my stuff to the address
book. I hope you didn't get any from me, Sheila.
<BJ Steeves> Backup to what? Tape, CDROM?
<@SLViehl> I also run off three computers now, for the same reason, Robert
<Robert> Makes really good sense, Sheila.
<Jenny> Why three?
<@SLViehl> No, Kae, I've got custom software now that zaps everything.
<@SLViehl> One is total unconnected to anything. That's my work computer.
<@SLViehl> One is hooked up to the web with my work, so I can transmit stuff
to my editor and web designer.
<@SLViehl> One is the backup to the hooked-up computer, in case that
crashes.
<@SLViehl> And I'm getting one for my son this Christmas to handle his stuff
alone.
<Robert> Cool
<gayle> how old is your son?
<@SLViehl> I've been targeted by a really nasty group of hackers, so I had
to do all this. My middle son is 9.
<larkin> why were you targeted?
<BJ Steeves> For your system on the net, download a free personal firewall
called ZoneAlarm. I use it my self.
<gayle> I'll second that...it really works great.
<@SLViehl> Thanks, BJ. As for the hackers, apparently they object to my
novels.
<Kae> thanks, I'll look at that BJ
<larkin> good lord that's terrible
<Kae> What!!!
<Robert> That's sick coming from SF fans.
<gayle> why?
<Jinx> Sheesh. You'd think people would have better things to do with their
time and efforts.
<@SLViehl> Happens. You have to be really careful when you become a
semi-public figure now.
<BJ Steeves> If anyone needs computer help, that's what I do for a living.
For over 30 years.
<Kae> cool, thanks for the offer, BJ
<larkin> where are you located?
<Robert> Thanks, BJ!
<BJ Steeves> Larkin, I'm in Conecticut.
<larkin> i'm in los angeles
<BJ Steeves> Figures
<@SLViehl> Bit of a commute, larkin.
<larkin> a wee bit
<BlairB> pah, just hop on the bus...
<larkin> i can hire a cyberpunk to drive me
<gayle> there is always the phone...
<BJ Steeves> No problem, I have a login on Hooly's site and my email address
is there. Just drop me a line.
<BJ Steeves> Holly's sire
<gayle> it's a bit more of a challenge but can work....
<BJ Steeves> Site
<@SLViehl> There you go, that'll work.
<Kae> rofl
<Jinx> hee hee
<Robert> Holly as vampire is a terrifying thought
<larkin> think i can find it?
<@SLViehl> I have a question for the group --
<gayle> yes...
<BJ Steeves> See if I have an answer...
<@SLViehl> where can I be of the most help on the site? Board-wise,
chat-wise, conference-room-wise, I mean?
<Kae> hmmm
<@SLViehl> I want to do more but I don't want to step on anyone's toes.
<Robert> Worldbuilding, rants, critiquing, I'd appreciate posts from you
anywhere. Even rants would have useful information, often do.
<BJ Steeves> My first thought would be the discussion board.
<BlairB> mine too.
<larkin> i can find the chat room
<Kae> Well, I look forward to these Friday nights. Any posts anywhere.
<@SLViehl> Would anyone be interested in industry updates? What I hear
about publishers, editors, etc?
<Kae> yes
<Robert> I hang in the chat a lot and I've enjoyed this. YES, Please!
<gayle> yes!!!
<Diana> yes
<larkin> yes'
<BJ Steeves> That way the whole community would get a chance to see your
pearls of wisdom.
<Jinx> That would be great!
<Jenny> Yes, please.
<@SLViehl> Because I get a lot of info from just working in the industry,
and I'd like to pass it along to people who are submitting or looking for a
publisher
<larkin> have to go teach Yoga..thank you all..
<BlairB> These Workshops have been great so far too...
<@SLViehl> Bye Larkin!
<gayle> bye larkin
<BJ Steeves> Bye larkin
<Kae> bye larkin
<Robert> Bye Larkin
<Jinx> Night, Larkin
<Jenny> 'Bye, larkin.
<larkin> goodnight..you've been great.
<James> Bye Larkin.
<James> I've just noticed I've only been sending to Larkin for the last five
minutes...
<James> So, Sheila, can I second the support of any further chats you
offer - these last few have been fantastic, and a greater presence on the
discussion board.
<Robert> Yes, please do more of these!
<@SLViehl> What about something less formal? Like we just all get together
and talk, as well as the sessions here?
<Kae> sure
<Robert> Fantastic...
<James> Sounds brilliant.
<BJ Steeves> Works for me too.
<gayle> that sounds cool as long as we know when they are going to
happen...
<Jenny> Sounds great.
<BlairB> you could do kinda 'theme chats'
<@SLViehl> As for the insider publisher thing, I could start a general
thread on the discussion board, I think.
<Robert> Industry question: are they rigid about Cyberpunk must be
Nihilistic the way some romance rigidities work?
<@SLViehl> Theme chats would be great, good idea, Blair.
<@SLViehl> I'm going to find out myself, Robert -- I've got a cyberpunk
novel that isn't nihilistic to pitch next month.
<Robert> Hope it sells! Break some ground! I like cyberpunk but get tired of
nihilism
<@SLViehl> Man fusing with machine isn't necessarily a bad thing, despite
what Gibson thinks
<@SLViehl> And China Mieville just ticked me off.
<@SLViehl> Although he's probably steampunk rather than cyberpunk
<Kae> I'm not a fan of doom and gloom, myself.
<Robert> And longevity isn't necessarily bad and it's what you do with it,
not what the tools are...
<Jenny> What's steampunk?
<James> Oh, how - I keep meaning to read him?
<@SLViehl> Steampunk is like medieval cyberpunk
<@SLViehl> He's an extremely gifted young writer, I'll say that much.
<James> Is he too grim?
<@SLViehl> I wrote a review on the book review board about Perdido Street
Station. That book upset me so much Ican't describe it to you.
<@SLViehl> But I did in the review.
<James> Ah - I'll track down the review and read it.
<Robert> Likewise.
<@SLViehl> I was so mad I mailed the book back to him.
<gayle> ouch!
<Kae> rofl
<Robert> Now my curiosity's up.
<BJ Steeves> Maybe my age is showing, but I think you lost me on this
subject!
<@SLViehl> I wasn't going to take the chance that some poor, unsuspecting
sanitation worker might pick it up.
<@SLViehl> I just really disliked this book by Mieville, BJ. It hurt to
read this book.
<BlairB> thats how i feel about the movie 8mm.
<@SLViehl> That's an incredibly accurate analogy, Blair.
<James> That's it. When I get to work on Monday I'm getting that book (the
only virtue of working in a library).
<BJ Steeves> I don't know that author.
<Robert> I never heard of it but if it makes me that mad I will be obliged
to refute it in a novel.
<@SLViehl> He won the Arthur C. Clarke award for it. And something else
recently, the British SF or Fantasy Award
<@SLViehl> That's why I'm writing a cyberpunk novel. To get back at China
Mieville.
<Robert> Go for it!
<BJ Steeves> I'd like to see that!
<@SLViehl> Woman's got to do what a woman's got to do. Ha.
<Kae> yeah!
<@SLViehl> Anyway, any last questions before we wrap this up?
<James> I was going to mention, Sheila - someone was asking about getting
your books in Australia - I've been able to order Stardoc from Ozbooks.com,
though they don't have any of the later books.
<gayle> Gotta go...Nathan has been real patience with me but he wants to
watch the movies
<@SLViehl> I'm working on getting a list of booksellers who are importing
it, James -- a couple are.
<BlairB> ahhh.. movie night!
<@SLViehl> goodnight, gayle
<Kae> Bye gayle, have fun
<Robert> G'night, Gayle
<Jinx> Night, Gayle
<gayle> later
<James> Which means, by the way, that it has to be a bad book or I'll have
to pay $50 Australian per book to get the rest of the series
<James> See you, Gayle.
<BlairB> 'nite gayle
<gayle> will do
<Jenny> 'Night, gayle.
<@SLViehl> One day we all have to go to gayle's house for popcorn
<BJ Steeves> Sorry I missed the last two sessions. I will look at the
transcripts
<@SLViehl> No problem, we can talk about things in chat. Should I post a
notice on the discussion board for an informal get-together?
<Kae> that should work
<James> That would be great.
<BlairB> sure.
<BJ Steeves> Good idea.
<Robert> Yes, please! Also drop by chat if you're not busy?
<@SLViehl> We'll call it a FreeForAll
<Robert> Cool
<@SLViehl> I'll stop in chat when I'm online, see who's there.
<BlairB> yes, chat can get quite goofy at times, but were mostly harmless..
<Kae> erm...mostly
<@SLViehl> Goofy is good. These days we need lots of goofy
<Robert> I got confused the first few times seeing mysterious posts of
numbers.
<James> I don't think I've use the normal chat room yet - is it a java based
thing, like this?
<Robert> Now I make mysteirous posts of numbers
<Jenny> Yes, it's Java-based.
<BlairB> its called CATO....and its evil...
<Kae> It eats posts.
<@SLViehl> I haven't been in chat for a year or two, should be interesting.
<Robert> Cato the word vampire will eat all your words
<James> Oooh, evil. Sounds fun.
<Kae> It gets...interesting
<James> So what are the mysterious number posts about?
<BlairB> we usually sacrifice vegetables or sims.... keeps us safe
<BJ Steeves> I don't get there often, have to try and change that.
<@SLViehl> Poor vegetables. But those SIMS have got to go.
<Robert> Wordcount wars. I shall overtake zette of borg someday, came within
300 words once, hit The End and she had the advantage of a novel
<Jinx> Well, I'm off. Thank you, Sheila. Night, all!
<@SLViehl> zette's been assimilated? No wonder she doesn't like smiley
faces.
<James> Ah, I don't see myself being a threat to Zette-like wordcounts.
<@SLViehl> Goodnight, Jinx.
<Robert> Bye Jinx
<BJ Steeves> That lady can write, can she?
<Kae> lol. night jinx\
<Jenny> Zette-level is the lofty goal we all strive for.
<James> See you, Jinx
<@SLViehl> and my thanks to everyone for letting me spend Friday night with
you.
<Jenny> 'Bye, Jinx.
<BJ Steeves> Thanks for everything Shiela
<@SLViehl> wait, Saturday for James.
<BlairB> yes, thanks so much for the wisdom...
<Kae> I love these sessions, Sheila.
<James> Again, what they said, Sheila - thanks.
<Jenny> Second that.
Thanks.
<Robert> Thanks, Sheila!
<@SLViehl> You all have preserved my sanity, thank YOU!
<James> Not that it's over - we have the follow ups to each of the courses
next month
<Kae> yay
<Jenny> Good point.
<@SLViehl> Yes, and if momentum keeps going, Holly will give us regular
space.
<Kae> cool
<@SLViehl> So we will OWN Friday night.
<James> Excellent.
<BJ Steeves> I'm sure she will.
<Robert> All right!
<BlairB> i'll open up my calendar
<James> I've always wanted to own a night...
<Kae> me too
<@SLViehl> Also, remember if you have any questions, the e-mail is
SLViehlworkshop@aol.com. This is just for you guys.
<BJ Steeves> Sheila, have any of your books been in the SFBC? I've been a
member for a long time but don't remeber seeing them.
<@SLViehl> And my author copies of Shockball should be here in a few weeks,
so I'll send that along, too.
<Jenny> What's a library's funding body?
<@SLViehl> What is SFBC, BJ?
<BJ Steeves> Science Fiction Book Club
<Kae> Oh, Sheila, it's a great book club
<@SLViehl> (see how dumb the SF writer is?)
<James> Well, in Australia it's the local Council - but I don't know who
does it in the US.
<@SLViehl> Probably not.
<Kae> It's hardcovers sold at about half store price
<@SLViehl> I'm not in hardcover yet, though I have hopes for Blade Dancer.
<@SLViehl> Depends on if I hit #1 with Shockball.
<@SLViehl> on Locus, that is.
<Robert> I love your titles. I hate titling.
<James> Agree - titles hurt.
<@SLViehl> We should do a titles chat. I love titles.
<Robert> That would be a good main discussion thread
<Robert> As well as chat
<Kae> I don't know if the book has to be in hardcover first. They may put
paperbacks in their own hardcovers.
<Jenny> Definitely a good topic.
<BlairB> theme chat #1 - titles...
<James> For the current WIP, I'm blatantly stealing the feeling of Stardoc
and going with Wormworld. I think.
<Kae> James, that has a hook.
<@SLViehl> That's a provocative image -- Wormworld.
<Kae> ha
<Robert> I lucked doing "Rites of Chavateykar" because at least there was a
nice coined term to throw in
<@SLViehl> Ex-husband world.
<James> Thought it had connotations of wormwood and rue, and other
delightfully depressing things, as well as being literal.
<BlairB> lol
<@SLViehl> No, no, don't get me started down that road . . .
<Robert> I'm picturing this cartoon graphic not unlike Hitchhikers
<BlairB> i know a few Ex's and i think that is insulting to Worms...
<Kae> Sheila, check out sfbc.com for info.
<@SLViehl> Will do, Kae, thanks.
<@SLViehl> True, Blair. True.
<@SLViehl> Well, y'all want to call it a night?
<Kae> Okay. It's been great, as always.
<James> I should flee and have lunch...
<BJ Steeves> SFBC is cool because they sometimes reprint classics which have
been out of print for a long time.
<Robert> Sure, I should write, I still haven't done El Dorado
<James> But it has been another absolute hoot.
<Robert> Oh yes, it has!
<@SLViehl> I thank you all for an entirely enjoyable, if somewhat
interrupted, session.
<BJ Steeves> Super session!
<Robert> Stimulating!
<@SLViehl> We'll pick this up on the fourth Friday in October, to be posted
on the class sign-up board as soon as Holly okays it.
--end of part two--