Comments on: Badly In Need of a Vacation

By: Trent

Trent — Fri, 05 May 2006 13:42:45 +0000

We leave next Saturday and we’re gone for two weeks. I think that’ll shake off the funk. Barca seemed more touristy and French than the rest of Spain. Spain’s got some serious regional rivalries and it’s easy to see why–places like Catalonia, Andulucia, and the Basque Country are all completely different. It’s like comparing Alabama with Montana.

Awesome on the Blechaism. When we were there, we watched Barca vs. Real Madrid in the semis of the Champions League in a little tavern. Madrid wasted them and I had to bite my tongue because I’m a big Madrid fan. The guy who owned the place looked exactly like Newman from Seinfeld and he went through two packs of gum, chomping and stomping around the place, swearing and shouting “¡Que mala suerte!” (what rotten luck!) None of the staff took any orders during the game, not even at the bar—they were too busy watching the game. They worked like mad during halftime and as soon as the game kicked off, you couldn’t get a refill on your drink or order any food. Totally Spain. I loved it.

By: Blecha

Blecha — Fri, 05 May 2006 08:41:03 +0000

When’s the Portugal trip? That might smack yer slump. I’m interested to see what you think.

Joel and I loved Barca. Didn’t want to come back the UK. I loved the liberal state of mind, the artistic atmosphere, the open plazas for morning cafe con leches and afternoon San Miguels. The ladies were just as nice eye candy as the Gaudi architecture.

We watched the Barca v AC Milan match while there in a local bar. Joel was vociferously cheering for what he thought was the home team. Then realized Barca had their away jerseys on. Typical Blecha.

Arsenal won last night…gonna be close…

By: Trent

Trent — Thu, 04 May 2006 19:04:04 +0000

Yeah, that’s a good point. Terry Bisson wrote in the afterword to “Bears Discover Fire” that someone (can’t remember who) said that sometimes writing a story is just using the title as a target you shoot for, and that’s how he wrote “Bears Discover Fire.” Which is also a great story and a great title.

I was always partial to Ellison’s titles “The Whimper of Whipped Dogs” and “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream.” I also really liked the title “The Canadian Who Came Almost All the Way Home From the Stars” by Jay Lake and Ruth Nestvold on Scifiction.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 04 May 2006 17:47:52 +0000

I think sometimes its cool to have titles like “The Paladin of the Lost Hour”, ” ‘Repent, Harlequin,’ Said the Ticktockman”, “All the Sounds of Fear”, “The Beast That Shouted Love at Heart of the World”.

But sometimes a simple title like: “The Hodag” fits perfectly.

Or to use published examples: “Chivalry” by Neil Gaiman, “Troll Bridge” by Gaiman, “Murder Mysteries” by Gaiman. Sometimes a simple title works best.

I think a good title should reflect the story’s atmosphere (whether it is comical or dramatic), some major event or theme in the story, etc.