Monthly Archive for August, 2008

The Five Item List

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on August 19, 2008
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When I was in high school, I noticed that I could recognize a group of one, two, three, or four at a single glance, but had to mentally divide a group of five to count it. I tried to confirm this effect with my classmates, but apparently failed to explain it so that they could confirm or deny the effect.

I felt a little validation when I heard that there was at least one language which counted “One, two, three, four, many.” Maybe there is something in the deep structure of the human brain that makes five seem like many. And maybe not.

I was reminded of all this youthful theorizing recently when I learned a new tool for my coaching kit. I was reading Lawrence Block’s book Write for Your Life, and he recommended that you end each day by listing five actions you’ve taken to advance your writing career. The actions could be such things as writing a page or several, looking up a map of a location for your book, querying an agent, sending out a review copy or spending the afternoon fishing to clear your head. All actions that serve your writing are fair game. And the list should be exactly five items long.

Of course, this idea can easily be adapted to other pursuits. You could list five items that improve your business, or strengthen your marriage, or improve your health, or help you win the record for largest ball of chewing gum. Any sufficiently large project would work - and you get to choose what “sufficiently large” means.

I tried it last night, and felt a wave of cheer wash over me when I saw the “many” things I had accomplished. I invite you to try it, too. Each evening for a couple weeks, write out five steps you’ve completed that serve your project and see what happens.

Finding simple actions that improve your results is the heart of coaching. To discuss whether hiring my personal attention as a coach would be right for you, call 575-640-0979 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Just Released!

Space Pirates: Full-Throttle Space Tales #1 edited by David Lee Summers and containing stories by Neal Asher, Robert Vardeman, Uncle River, Anna Paradox and more. This pirate’s chest of space tales features sixteen gems under a gloriously pulpish cover. I’ve read it, and, while I’m not sure I can give an unbiased opinion of my own story, the others are a diverse and fun set that I’m happy to recommend. If you’ve liked my other book recommendations, you’ll find Space Pirates a worthwhile read.

Small Steps - August 19th, 2008

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“That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Neil Armstrong, as he placed the first footprint on the Moon.

This issue’s Small Step for Space: Check out www.lunarcc.org and see if you can contribute. I listened to D.C. Carson’s presentation at Worldcon. His idea is to take elements of the SETI at Home process and the labor contribution model of Habitat for Humanity and, leveraging current technology as much as possible, colonize the Moon. His first needs are for organizers who can help donated money and talent be applied appropriately. If you are a project manager with time on your hands, or know such a person, or have a connection to an organization that could systematize fundraising and volunteer efforts, please check this out and see if you can move this project ahead the next step.

A personal note: I have joined the Obama campaign. Space is not a priority for Obama. But restoring the economic and educational infrastructure that makes great projects possible in this country is a priority for him. More importantly, he intends to restore the science advisory councils to the federal government and increase science research funding, and he has shown that he will listen. He has my vote, and I’ll be working several hours a week to win New Mexico for Obama. If you lean the same way, you can learn powerful organizing methods by volunteering for the campaign. We can apply them to other projects later.

Book Review - August 19th, 2008

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on August 19, 2008
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The Well of Stars by Robert Reed

I was delighted to discover Marrow had a sequel. Unbelievably, The Well of Stars may even be better. It begins right after the end of Marrow. The ship has not yet had time to settle from those events when it is forced off-course. The new trajectory will take it into a dark cloud - from which no entering life form has ever emerged again. As epic as the scale of Marrow is, the cloud surpasses it. What waits within threatens not just the social order of Marrow, but Marrow’s very existence. This was a wonderful, taut, compelling read from beginning to end. Very good.

The Delicious Chance of Losing

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on August 5, 2008
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I’ve played all five versions of Heroes of Might and Magic. The fourth one was a disappointment. The designers added interesting new game mechanics - but failed to create a computer opponent that could handle them. I quickly lost interest because I won too easily.

Earlier this week, I was playing Heroes of Might and Magic V. I’d set the difficulty to hard, and as the enemy heroes pressed my position, I found myself smiling. There was the delicious chance of losing this game. I gathered all my resources and plotted my next steps strategically. I restored saved games a couple times to improve my performance in critical battles. Eventually, I prevailed.

I was elated. To win right at the edge of my abilities is thrilling. I knew there had been a chance of losing - in fact, since I had to restore saved games, I did lose a few times. Yet, in the end I won.

Now, you may say that was only a game, and I wouldn’t find it delicious to risk losing a real war. I expect you are right. I also wonder - could it be delicious to treat more of life as a game and risk losing? What if the loss was a little embarrassment, someone saying no, or receiving a rejection slip? Might it be worth playing, and even trying again and again, until you find your way to win? Wouldn’t that be more fun than sitting out the game?

I’m off to Worldcon. It’s my first time at the World Science Fiction Convention, which is in Denver this year. I’ll have printed copies of From Wishing to Writing for sale. Stop by the Hadrosaur Productions table in the dealer’s room and say hi.

And please find a game to play that calls you to do your best.

Anna

Just Released

I’ve put up my first novel for free download at my website. The Cracked Bell is the story of three best friends who face an escalating series of earthquakes. In a world where wizards sing, the growing disharmony could mean the end of everything. With most of the more experienced musicians taken out by the first quake, can apprentices Jehaima, Renata, and Mouse find a way to save the world?

You can download the young adult novel at: www.annaparadox.com/my-writing

Small Steps - August 5th, 2008

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“That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Neil Armstrong, as he placed the first footprint on the Moon.

This issue’s Small Step for Space: Talk to someone about space. Ask someone what they think about the nine country agreement to explore the Moon, or if they would take a ticket to fly on Virgin Galactic if it was given to them.

For some of us - me included - actually talking to people can feel like the biggest risk I take. Try it. I’ve found kindred spirits in guises I never expected.

Book Review - August 5th, 2008

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on August 5, 2008
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Marrow by Robert Reed

Nearly immortal humans captured an immense spaceship that arrived from outside the Milky Way. Holding it for millenia, and offering rides to other species, they thought they knew it, and they thought it lifeless before their arrival. They were wrong on both counts. Washen is one of the captains - humans holding responsibility for watching over the great ship and the many peoples upon it. When she is summoned to a secret meeting, she and other captains find themselves exploring a planet hidden within the ship - geologically unstable and filled with life - that will challenge them in ways beyond the experience of their previous ten thousand years of life.