So, among other things, I’ve been trying to increase my reading lately. In the past month I’ve gone back and read Bruce Sterling’s Holy Fire, and now I’m a couple hundred pages into Neal Stephenson’s Cryptonomicon–which, of course, means that I’ve got about 25 gazillion pages to go. I’ve also read a bunch of short stuff, mostly on the web. And Batman, let’s not forget Batman. Brigid, my daughter for any new folks out there, got me a hardbound book for Christmas that has the entire first year of Batman’s run.
Very cool.
I wanted to mention one story, because I think it was particularly interesting. It’s a short piece from Beth Cato titled Biding Time. It was published in The Pedestal. A nice little tale that manages to gently weave in its sfnal element to a chilling effect while being all about people. I don’t know Beth Cato, and haven’t read anything else by her. So this was a pleasant surprise. I’m mentioning it here because of all the stories I’ve read recently, this is one that’s stayed with me for a bit.
So, I dunno. Maybe it says more about me than the story. But I think it’s worth a look.
I don’t belong to SFWA these days, but if I did I would be sending it a Neb nomination.
In my own little world, In addition to all that reading I’m back scouring one of my novels. I decided it needed a different personality, which required a new front end, and a tune up. I’m about a third of the way through now, though I think most of the hard work is done. Now I’m mostly line editing and looking for the stray tendril that no longer fits.
Google Alerts informed me of your post here. Thank you so much, Ron, for your kind words about “Biding Time.” It’s rewarding (and a bit awing) to see people touched by my writing.