jamesb.com

Since moving into our house in 2005 I have been haunted by a monster. But this summer the monster was cut to the ground and hauled away in little pieces. (I wonder if I’ve been reading too much Steven King?)

The monster that had haunted my dreams for 3 years was a pyracantha (firethorn) bush that measured 75 feet wide, 18 feet deep (to the fence) and more than 20 feet high. Presumable planted when the house was built in 1960, the bush had more than 40 years to amass it’s hold on my backyard.

We attempted to get bids from experts trained to deal with green pests and garden giants. One yellowpage add said, “no job too big or too small.” He would not even give us a price quote, nor would anyone else. I note now that his ad did not say, “no job too scary.”

So in mid June, with chainsaw in hand and a 40 foot dumpster on the way, a select group of brave comrads and I (family and neighbors) slew the monster and chipped it’s remains into a million little pieces. The battle was won, the foe has been vanquished.

What worries me is what lies under the ground. The battle was won, but what of the war? Already I see signs of life. Ever see Tremors?

nantoka

What’s The Price of Magic? It’s a “game” or exercise taught by Orson Scott Card at a writing class I attended in San Diego recently. The purpose of which is to define rules of a fantasy world where magic is possible. For magic to be possible, there is bound to be a price.

Uncle Orson’s writing class was a wonderful two day course that finished off my relaxing Southern California trip. The class was more than inspiring, it gave me some real world experience with the writing process.

OSC talked about everything from characterization and viewpoint to submitting manuscripts. It was fun and fascinating to learn from someone so intelligent and prolific. When I read OSC’s books I’m always amazed at his understanding of human nature. For anyone interested in the writing process, I highly recommend his class. Maybe if he does one next year I’ll try for his boot camp, an extended course whepre you write a complete story under his tutalage. Sounds fun, huh!?! What’s the price of magic? $175 and two days with a master of his craft.

reading, writing writing