The echoes from the OUT article rumble on. Lambda online weighs in with an interesting point of view, that of saying that perhaps we need to redefine GLBT fiction. Well, der. Dog bites Man.
Plus hasn’t Lambda just done exactly that?
What stunned me about that article (as I’ve commented about there) was the suggestion that we (females) seem to be heteronormalifying our gay men because we are pairing them up and putting them in committed relationships.
*blinks* Well, bust my breeches, were we REALLY the first writers to do that? I don’t think so!
Teddypig weighs in better. I’ve decided needs to have a shrine in my house, so I’m surfing to find a hairy pig for the centre of my Lares Shrine. Hell, Lafayette’s got one, why shouldn’t I? (I don’t think TP is on Lafayette’s shrine.)
Ta da! A pig that is also a bear! Note to self: surfing “hairy pig” wasn’t the best search you ever did. Some of those images have scarred my already tender eyeballs.
Gehayi takes OUT and Gawker to task. Spot the Tropes!
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” was a rallying cry once upon a time. Teddypig has suggested a new one for us writers of gay fiction.
FUCK YOU, I LIKE THIS
The Pig is dead right, though. We tried and tried to turn the interview towards our work, other writers’ work (we mentioned a huge list of names, but only Josh Lanyon got a mention) We suggested that they talk to Josh, or Donald Hardy, or other male authors. But it was all about The Porn, and Ms Wilson’s seeming bafflement about why we weren’t putting females into our gay books.
FUCK YOU, I LIKE THIS. I shall be iconing this later!
– 
– 
– 
– 
… could they pass on a message to her that her email box is full? I’m trying to ask her if she’d like to do an interview on Speak Its Name, but I can’t get a message to her. I reviewed her latest book “Helpless” yesterday, and I really really liked it. I’ve left a message with her agent, but I don’t know if she’s still her agent. Do give Helpless a try, and don’t be put off by the cover!
I’m reading “Counterpoint” now by Ruth Sims. I read this a couple of years ago when she had first finished it, so I’m looking forward to seeing it in its final incarnation. Due to the eye problems, my reading has slowed up hugely, and Speak Its name is suffering for it.
Eye news: Went to the clinic yesterday, and they are very pleased with my progress. There’s marked improvement and the muscles are working harder than they were before. This explains how I can focus on things now – although it takes an act of will, rather than being automatic. Still no insight as to WHAT is causing it, and they haven’t yet arranged an MRI. Rolls eyes as best as I can…the S in NHS certainly doesn’t mean Speedy. I have a heart scan on 24th and then after that I need to book a glucose tolerance test. How exciting.
– – – 
ETA: I’ve heard back from the magazine and they are going to change it in the Online version and correct it in the next print edition. That’s good.
As you probably remember, Alex Beecroft and myself were interviewed by OUT magazine a few weeks ago. Luckily before my eyes went wonky, and were bemused and excited by the experience in turns.
Well, the interview is now out, in OUT’s September issue, which is good. Me and Dan Radcliffe on a gay cover. It’s pretty funny.
However, what’s NOT so good is the headline: “The Straight Women behind Gay Erotica.”
Despite fact that we shared our sexual preferences with the reporter (galling enough, really) we have both been labelled as straight. I find that quite disturbing, and that’s the only way of putting it. Anyone who’s had to come out to family, friends, workmates etc will appreciate how difficult it can be, usually is, and to be simply “inned” by a gay magazine is pretty annoying.
I wrote to the magazine this morning, expressing my concern. Too late to change anything, of course, but I wanted to state how I feel, although I hardly know myself.
I feel that some people will think I deliberately misrepresented myself, in the same way I was accused of that when I had a male persona—simply because my publisher of the time said that was a good idea, being a female writer of gay erotica. I haven’t read the actual interview itself, as I haven’t received my copy of it yet, and it may be that inside it mentions that I’m bisexual, but the headline doesn’t imply that on the outside. Ho hum.
And again, the interview appears to be taking the same old line (despite the fact that we mentioned to the reporter that this happens over and over and over) of “What are those crazee straights doing now” or “straight women taking over gay lit” – neither of which are true. (Well, perhaps about the crazy…)
Anyway – just wanted to state my opinion, before anyone goes and reads it.
– 
1. Sherlock episode 3
Loved it. Was almost back to the form of episode one. Trouble is episode one was so staggeringly good it’s going to be impossible to top. I need to watch all three episodes again now to get them to mesh together, as with the eyes, I haven’t been paying as much attention as I should be.
There’s not one bad thing I can say about, to be honest. I admit that I don’t get the level of dislike some people have—citing racism and gender issues. Perhaps I haven’t noticed them because I’m English? Or perhaps it’s because it’s an A.U. Fantasy, and I don’t expect realism from something with dragon ladies and Sherlock Holmes in the 21st century. I am not the type of person who tuts tuts over potatoes in Lord of the Rings for example. (Believe me, I had a huge row with someone about this once.)
2. Blood Tests: The doctor rang with results today (they came back yesterday, which is pretty speedy! 24 hrs!) and I must be hugely annoying to him as I’m not in imminent danger of death despite my weight. He must be well miffed. My cholesterol is 6,5 mmol/L = slightly elevated, my blood sugar is slightly higher than it was in hospital (now 7.6) so he wants to take a glucose tolerance test now – which means taking a blood test, eating a couple of Mars Bars (this will not be a problem) and then having another test in 2 hours. This will help to indicate whether I’m diabetic, but if I am, he says I’m at the onset of it at the moment, and it’s something treatable, which is Good.
Does anyone have a link(s) for a good cholesterol diet or tips? I don’t actually cook much. I grill, or nuke in general. So recipes aren’t going to be much good. Swapping Olive Oil for butter is easy, I can do that, and I can eat more fruit and porridge, but any other places anyone knows? Everything I’ve found costs money on line if i want more than just tips.
3. Received a huge bag of Sainsbury’s teabags from Charlie Cochrane – THANK YOU DEAR. and a box of nesting ninjas from Chris Smith. By the way, she’s getting married TOMORROW so pop over to her LJ or blog and wish her condolences good luck. You’ve got to love someone who sends you something like this – just to cheer you up!
Argh! no! Leave me SOME memories to cherish, will you?
http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/08/05/an-old-favorite-gets-a-makeover-and-returns-to-pbs/
Don’t think I’m at all happy about that. And Keeley Hawes again!? Don’t we have any other actresses? It’ll be just a souped-up sexy romping thing, I’ll bet.
Quick update healthwise: Had amazing time at hospital – no, really. Decided to go really early – they open at 8 – so got there at 815 and I was still number 11. Got called in in mere minutes, and told the nurse, was ignored…but then she got in the arm in ONE GO. I was sitting there gobsmacked. She asked if I was ok, because it was coming out slow. (I knew this too, but there’s no point telling them this, either. My blood is the blood equivalent of light on the Discworld. If they DID hit an artery, my blood would crawl out so slowly, I’d take about 3 weeks to bleed out. Lazy blood. Its a real condition. Look it up. Anyway, she took all she needed and had me de-tourniqueted before you could say… well, before you could read Chapter One of Standish anyway. I was grinning like a fool, and thanking her so often she probably thought I was mad. Shut up, at the back. “It’s my job,” she said, with not a little pride. “But yes!” I wanted to shout. “It’s the phlebotomist’s job at my surgery too, and every single nurse I’ve encountered in my LIFE, and I’ve never had an experience like that.”
But I didn’t. I just wobbled off, grinning.
Went for blood tests. Very sweet older nurse, who politely listened to my tale of my impossible hidden veins and took as much notice as if I hadn’t spoken. “Clench this hard dear, put your arm on this pillow” and off she went, torniqueting and poking and prodding and slapping and prodding. Patiently, I sat there and watched her as she searched and searched and searched. I suggested she do the back of my hand, or my foot. She took no notice. I may as well not have been there, really. She got a needle into my right arm, no success. She sighed and moved to my left arm. Poke. Prod. Slap. Prod prod prod prod. (To be honest she was a lot gentler than many nurses who by this point were all but using riding crops to get the veins to show) she stuck a needle in my arm and …. nothing.
She looked at my Kanula hand, which treacherously had entirely healed up – curse it – and said she couldn’t see any thing there either. I tried to muffle my longing to say “I told you so.”
So she told me to go to the hospital to get them done (as she only gets three goes and has to stop) which I COULD HAVE BLOODY DONE BEFORE. So I’m off there tomorrow. I’m getting hugely sick of this. I wish sometimes I’d been a doctor or a nurse because surely I wouldn’t turn into this homogenised arse-hole they all seem to be? The patient becomes invisible. Whilst being wheeled around the hospital for myriad tests I really noticed this. My wheeler chatted to everyone he knew en route and when we got the department he chatted to the receptionist, whereas I was parked in the corner, like I was an empty wheelchair and ignored entirely. Surely a better experience would follow if the staff spoke to the patients? Treated them like guests or clients. Asked them if they needed anything? Spoke to them?
I think the reason why I love Alec Campion (Lord Tremontaine) in The Privilege of the Sword’ target=_blank>The Privilege of the Sword’ target=_blank>Privilege of the Sword is that he gets away with being entirely himself. He says exactly what he wants to say, and because he’s the power in the city (in fact, if not in status) people just smile and pretend he’s eccentric or mad—or they take offence and ignore him. We stifle our impulses to be like that. It’s not a good thing. I think that rather than waiting to be growing old to wear purple, standing on my head and balancing eels on my nose, I’m going to start now. And be a lot more outspoken, too.
First: Eye updates:
1. Have found a “dial a ride” service which I’m eligible for, five pounds subscription and book in advance. So that’s terrific. Can’t take me to Dad’s but can take me to hospital. Can’t very well sneakily drive to the hospital and then get my parking validated in the eye department…
2. Rang the doctor and asked him what was happening about the blood tests. Receptionist said letter hadn’t arrived but she’d look into it. Doctor rang about half an hour later (!) and said “no, haven’t had that letter, but let’s take some blood tests anyway.” Then he rang back and letter mysteriously has appeared. Arranged for blood tests tomorrow morning. Am SOOOO not looking forward to those, as I have entirely hidden veins and I’ve had (and I’m not kidding you) nine different nurses attempting to find one vein at one point. I had a nightmare year a few years back where I had a temperature going up and down for months, and they couldn’t track it down. I had months of blood tests and I began to dread them as nurse after nurse after doctor played pin the needle on the Erastes. Slapping and tourniqueting, and tut-tutting.
Nurses you see, and most doctors, ignore any input from the patient. I had learned (because mother had the same problem) that a babies needle used in the foot was the best and easiest way. But DO THEY LISTEN? Do they buffalo. “Oh you don’t want me sticking a needle in the foot, dear” they said, patronisingly, “it would be very painful. All I can do is look at the veritable pin cushion and black and blue of my poor arms and wonder if they know what painful really means. I was amazed in fact when the nurse in hospital 2 weeks ago got the Kanula in within three attempts. That was in my hand – perhaps I’ll suggest that to the nurse tomorrow.
Second Ely Update:
I have bought a ton of free stuff from Vistaprint over the last week: postcards, keyrings, a BANNER! A bumper sticker and lots of other goodies. My GRANNY TROLLEY arrived today, too. I’m dying to open the packet and play with it. Whoever comes to the meetup (DO PLEASE COME we’ve still got 20 or so places free) will not go away empty handed.
– 
– 
– 
Had a lack of it this week (mainly because I only have PG Tips, and my favourite tea bags, Red Label are only available at Sainsbury’s and I don’t shop there) and just made myself a cup and OMG It’s really given me a boost. I can just imagine how the first tea drinkers would have thought WOW! Note to self: Must drink more tea.
Interesting article on the Guardian regarding “lying” historical fiction which talks about the differences between LIES and INNOCENT MISTAKES and the trouble with crappy research or writers who don’t care about facts is that readers believe it. See the note about Wallace and Isabella—something that makes my teeth itch every time I hear it. If I didn’t want to punch Gibson for many many reasons, then that alone was enough to make me violent. Hmm. I think I’ll blog about this further on the Macs.
Bought a granny trolley. I found one for £9.99 with free delivery and took Paypal, so it came out of my royalties and not my actual money.
<<—— This one in fact – who knew there was a site called “Shopping Trolleys Direct”? I love the web! The trolley doesn’t have a fixed handle, but it isn’t going to get much use, so it should do the job to lug books and giveaways to Ely!
I’ve also bought 1000(!) which was the minimum order of brown paper bags made from recycled paper for my goodies bags which were amazingly cheap—I can print my own labels to personalise them, and I need yet to burn the excerpts onto CDs, so I’m going to be LOADED down with stuff to giveaway and a few books to sell. I wish I could get there before 11.30 really, as I need a bit of time to get set up, but the day is going to be pretty informal anyway, I think, so it won’t matter. What I really hope is that it gains popularity and that more people want to come next time and so on.
Happy Birthday Enolabloodygay – have a good one – and if I know you, a damned good weekend, too. What are you up to?
Have eye appointment on 16th. Ho hum. Have decided that, wonky eyes or no wonky eyes, I’m going to the M/M Meetup in Ely on 12th September. The train is surprisingly cheap (although you take your life into your own hands travelling on Sunday and I may end up put on a coach and horses half way through) at £14 return (cheaper than driving, which is rather the POINT of public transport, more of that, please) and takes two hours from my local station. So. Now I have to work out how I’m going to lug 20 books and a load of goodies. I think I’m going to have to get one of those grannie bags on wheels.
Yesterday I finally got to watch “I Love You, Phillip Morris” and I have to say, it’s something I think everyone should see. I understand why America didn’t show it countrywide, because of the celebration of gayness, and the huge embarrassment that Stephen Russell was to the prison system but it’s such a heart warming film.
Yes, Russell is a very bad man, but in White Collar that badness and huge intellect and cleverness is being celebrated–just not in an overtly gay way. I would love to meet the man (impossible for just about anyone, as he’s serving a 114 year sentence in solitary confinement) as he sounds amazing–and this Guardian article sheds a lot of light on him, and his personality. He’s Fleury, I suppose, that’s why I really like him. Although he’s not got that cold violent streak that sometimes Fleury portrays. Russell is very tall, but not a violent man and yet he managed to get the prison to work for him without getting himself damaged, and the sense you get in the interview of his “oh well, I got caught” is very endearing. What’s hugely amusing about the film is that they DOWNPLAY what this man did. For example, he escaped 14 times in order to be with Phillip–and every time he escaped it was Friday 13th. I suppose the film makers thought that was too unbelievable to be included. The chemistry between Carrey and McKewan (however you spell it, and NO, please don’t tell me, pedants) is very good. Probably better from McKewan’s (sic) side, but then he’s a better actor imho. He really comes over as very slightly effeminate but without playing it too soft, vulnerable and heartbreakingly pretty. Anyway – well worth watching.
August 6th,2010
Uncategorized |
Comments Off
Whoever you are.
Whoever posted RED REMOVER on their blog in the last day or so. I’m trying to break the last level AND I CAN’T DO IT.
ETA: done! and the crowd goes wild!!!!!!!!!!
August 5th,2010
Uncategorized |
Comments Off
