randypacker.bsky.social
Did you know "Novelist" is an official job title in Canada?
Queer Enby SFWA swordfighting scifi/fantasy mountain village living blacksmith and occasional cartwheeler.
https://boxwrestlefence.com/works/
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A good point. It's also possible that I just haven't found the right way to talk about my work. And most likely that I am just speaking to a too-small audience.
I told myself I'd learn/practice marketing when I hit five books published. Almost there.
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Hopefully in the future I can find a better angle to tell the story from, and make that fictional world come to life. But for now? Going to focus my time on other novels.
Tough business, but everything is a lesson to learn from.
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Or at least, don't spend any money on the current on.
For me, specifically? That means the novel I'm currently in re-writes on I'm just going to consider it dead in the water. I'll put it up for sale, get a decent cover, but the two follow-up novels, partially written? I'll just put those to bed.
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The historic arts of Europe incorporated these tools, sometimes explicitly, but always implied. To ignore them as "fluff" or unnecessary is to ignore one of the tools of the playbook. It's there for a reason.
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There are people that don't see the need for this, and that's because they have other paths to success. We are all different and need to access different tools for success.
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I think I've got one of her books on my TBR pile, since about 3 moves ago. I'll go hunt it up.
I think I've gone through most of the weird folks, KU makes it easy to take chances on someone new. Many regrets, but also some gems.
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I should write more lefty milscifi...It doesn't sell, but I sure enjoy it. Got one sitting in the plot/setting compost pile that I should peek at. Got any non-nazi reccs?
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Allow me to clarify:
YOUR COUNTRY JUST DECLARED ECONOMIC WAR ON OURS. THE FUCK DID YOU THINK CANADA WOULD DO? BE NICE?
WE SURE AS FUCK DIDN'T VOTE FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT. FUCKING HELL. YOU DO NOT GET TO PLAY THE VICTIM.
I hope that clarifies my stance.
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Canadian anger is a cold and slow anger that freezes right in the bones.
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That's something I have to work very, very hard on. No shortcuts aside from quitting, and I've already got a lifetime's experience at that, so it's time to take the harder road.
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so I already know many of my weaknesses. One of the biggest isn't my writing, (yeah, still weak, but each word down is a word to better) but my courage. Putting things out there, regardless of how "perfect" I feel they are? That's hard. Being open to failure and critique, but still going?
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"Consensus: Another book with tons of worldbuilding depth and relatively shallow characterization, this one divided our readers based on how much they valued a compelling world compared to compelling characters."
I didn't expect Anubis War to get past the first round...I've grown a lot as a writer
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Worth noting that you can make the argument that the whole reason BC exists was First Nations resistance against American invaders, due to the Fraser War. That spirit still exists...at least where folks aren't trying to be Alberta Light.
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Going to check that out today
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Oh, it is! It was a tourney prize back when I was in the SCA. Somewhere around 20 years old, I guess. Time flies.
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They bring much joy. And have much history.
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These two are my favourite sharps, both Gus Trims. The bottom one is Bi-frost, which was the official sword of our LGBTQIA+ martial arts school (thus the rainbow finish on the blade).
The other I don't currently have a pic of, but it's a rapier with a custom hilt made by an armourer friend.
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All of them? I've been teaching historical European sword arts for over twenty years now. If it's a blade, I've trained with it or taught how to use it.
Probably why my hard(ish) science first novel set in the far future had a main character who was a teacher of swordplay. I think I made it work...
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Just saw this article linked in a discord, and was glorious. I've been struggling with a second draft after realizing the MC is reactive. Now I know why, and I'm going to lean into it. Thanks for writing this.
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I think the worst for me happened when I did some research reading for a genre, went back to my WIP and then wrote the next 3 chapters in 1st instead of 3rd person.
Didn't notice until the editor sent me an email heads up.
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Visibility, that's the struggle. Words on page is one thing, but finding a way to express what those words are so that the readers you wrote for will decide to commit the time to read? Oof.
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Wish my hands had communicated what they were going to write to my brain, before putting that down.
Now I gotta go deal with some shit before I can write more.
Writing might be therapy, but it sure ain't the easy kind.
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Need one of these for scarves...
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*Taps sign*