Michael Livingston

Codex Writers Workshop

Michael Livingston — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:44:43 +0000

I’ve spent the last few days just outside of Chattanooga, attending the first annual Codex Writers Workshop. Wonderful. I met a number of terrific writers, one award-winning editor, and a couple of extraordinarily kind folks in Mr. and Mrs. Harrison (parents of the unequaled Mary Robinette Kowal), at whose home we stayed.

I also received much encouragement about the progress of Four Shards of Heaven, whose completion is one of my main tasks for the summer.

I’m now in Checotah, Oklahoma for the evening, at a cheap-as-dirt-and-about-as-clean motel off the interstate. Sherry came with hobbit and pup to Chattanooga on my last night there, and then we all left this morning to begin our Western Trek. This is night one. Next stop: Albuquerque.

Going Greyhound

Michael Livingston — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:14:27 +0000

I survived an overnight Greyhound route, complete with an early morning stopover in the Atlanta bus station.

I wouldn’t think this impressive, myself, but folks sure seemed concerned for my well being in the weeks before this trip. “You’re taking … the bus?” was a common response. Yeah, I am. It cost $40 to get me from Charleston, SC to Chattanooga, TN. And all I had to put up with was:

A near-knifefight in Columbia.

Four drunks in Atlanta.

Smokers at every turn.

And a LOT of really strange people.

But I made it. In Chattanooga now, at the Codex Writers Workshop.

Dear Captain Livingston

Michael Livingston — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:23:01 +0000

I received a bit of academic mail yesterday that began thus. I stared at it for a good ten seconds before I realized it really was for me. You’d think I’d be used to this military rank business after two years, but you’d be wrong. It’s just really strange to me still.

After I realized it was me, I had a minute or two of soul-searching as I tried to figure out if I just didn’t like being called Captain Livingston and, if so, what I’d prefer to be called. Doctor Livingston? Professor Livingston?

The only conclusion I could come to in the end was that none of ‘em sound like me.

Captain Doctor Professor Livingston, though … that’s got a nice ring to it, eh?

Now to Begin Vacation

Michael Livingston — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:52:40 +0000

I finished my most pressing academic projects. My fourth academic article in as many weeks hit the post office Friday. Plus, I finished the edits on my edition of The Middle English Metrical Paraphrase of the Old Testament (this meant writing a number of notes on the poet’s fascinating version of Job, in particular). So I’m done for a short bit while I await all the parts to the Battle of Brunanburh volume I’m editing.

Just in time, too: I leave Wednesday night for Chatty-town, TN, to attend the First Annual Codex Writers Workshop. Should be fabulous. From there I’m headed west for the Rockies: family, friends, and fun are much needed.

This also means that I’ll be back to working on Four Shards, which has been much neglected the past month and a half. I’d still like to get that novel completed by August so I can begin sniffing ’round for an agent to represent my work.

Hobbit Birthday

Michael Livingston — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:53:30 +0000

I still can’t quite believe it, but the Hobbit turned two today. He celebrated with a trip to “Gymboree,” a brief nap, a grilled cheese at Chili’s, and a viewing of Cars. This weekend he gets a more formal party, which will no doubt be long-expected once arrived.