manifesta: (Alex/Izzy)
manifesta ([personal profile] manifesta) wrote2009-08-31 04:06 pm

you haven't seen the best of me yet

I've been gnawing my fingernails off with worry about the beginning of Black Widow's Walk. Is it too edgy, too potentially triggery? Did I do injustice to a subject that is very serious?

I texted my former roommate asking if she could read it and tell me if I was an awful human being (she does so enjoy informing people when they're awful human beings). She read it, gave me some feedback, and basically told me that I wasn't a disgrace to the population (yet). Major sigh of relief.

It's been a dark and twisty, to quote Meredith Grey, past few scenes. I've had to walk away from it at points. I'm hoping with the scene I begin tonight, a new character will add some light-hearted banter into the mix, and though the book will always be dark and twisty at heart, it'll cheer up a little more from here.

On a brighter note, I went to Borders today and came away with Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente (an urban fantasy harking back to the more traditional lines of Charles de Lint), The Drowning City by Amanda Downum (sword & sorcery?), and The Fire King by Marjorie M. Liu (paranormal romance). 

I also picked up Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson, a recent YA debut. I've been uber excited for this book because I'm, um, kind of obsessed with my major. Social cognition (how we think when we interact with others + how we think in general) is a lover of mine. In the fall I'm going to be conducting research with one of my professors on stereotypes and prejudice.

I probably won't get to read these for a little while because of I have oodles of other books to read, but I'll ramble on about them when I do.

[identity profile] sjmaas.livejournal.com 2009-09-01 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
Haha, it's so funny that you mention THE DROWNING CITY, because I was just checking it out on amazon literally an hour ago! You'll have to let me know how it is, because (thanks to SABRIEL), I'm really into fantasy that features necromancy and stuff!

And, if you don't mind me asking (and feel free not to reply, because I know how some authors are totally secretive about their writing), what is it about the opening of BWW that is so dark and intense? I'm so intrigued about what topic you (especially as a psych major) find to be so edgy as to worry about doing it an injustice!!!

I hope the writing goes well!!!!

[identity profile] sjmaas.livejournal.com 2009-09-01 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
Haha, if you're excited for a female necromancer fantasy, then you will ADORE SABRIEL!!!! :-D

[identity profile] sjmaas.livejournal.com 2009-09-01 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
Unfortunately, I can't!!! :-(

[identity profile] sjmaas.livejournal.com 2009-09-01 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah--that's totally understandable! Shoot me an e-mail at SarahJMaas@gmail.com! :-) :-)

[identity profile] sjmaas.livejournal.com 2009-09-01 06:57 am (UTC)(link)
wait--nevermind...I totally figured out how to log in and stuff so i can now see your locked posts...so don't worry about sending me an e-mail!!! :-)

[identity profile] lazy-iris.livejournal.com 2009-09-01 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
OMG PALIMPSEST!!! That's been on my TBR list for a while now! You'll have to tell me how it is! <3<3