Tor books and Robert Jordan's widow select author for final Wheel of Time novel

http://www.tor-forge.com/NewsArticle.aspx?articleId=647

I haven't heard of Brandon Sanderson before, but he gets my vote based on this comment:

"Personally, I feel indebted to you. You showed me what it was to have vision and scope in a fantasy series--you showed me what could be done. I still believe that without your success, many younger authors like myself would never have had a chance at publishing their dreams. You go quietly, but leave us trembling."

I could have written these words because I feel the exact same way. If not for Jordan's ambition I would never have had the courage to attempt what I am attempting with Fool's Game. Jordan created an example to a new generation of authors, an example that said "You can think big. You can make a story as huge and as ambitious as you want and if it's good people will read it and stick with it." I think it's important that the man finishing the series understands the legacy of both Jordan and his work. I have a good feeling about this.

Man, I really need to get caught up on Wheel of Time books.

As for my own writing I'm spending time each day shopping Fool's Game: The Son of the Rain to agents. And while I know it's highly unlikely I'll hear anything before the new year it feels good to be working on it solidly again. And for those fans of Apocalypse Woman who may be disappointed to see me devoting so much time to a manuscript that doesn't contain any demon sex, or lesbianism, or gangbangs on church altars or anything like that; let me assure you that work on Apocalypse Incarnation is proceding steadily as well :)

And since the Midwest is blanketed in ice and I'm one of the fortunate few who still has electricity for the time being, I leave you with the following quote:

"A man may say he enjoys the winter, but what he really enjoys is having proof against it."-Richard Adams, Watership Down

Just what the world needs: more thoughts on "The Golden Compass"

I haven't seen The Golden Compass nor have I read the books. And I'm not going to waste time talking about the done-to-death truism of how boycotting something makes everyone go see it. Indeed, it may be possible that boycots actually do work the way they're supposed to, because I can't be the only one who's sick to death of hearing about it. If other people are experiencing Dark Material fatigue the way I am then the film will surely suffer at the box office.

No, what I want to attack is everyone's main criticism: "Phillip Pullman sells atheism to children."

Bullshit.

You read that right, bullshit. Phillip Pullman doesn't sell atheism to children. But there are plenty of people who do.

Intoxicated, abusive parents sell atheism to children.

Crazed gunmen who commit massacres in schools, colleges, and shopping malls sell atheism to children.

War sells atheism to children.

Murder, rape, and cruelty sells atheism to children.

Sports heroes who torture dogs, beat their girlfriends, and traffic in drugs sell atheism to children.

Religious people whose faith is so weak that they fear to see science reveal the wonder of God's creation sell atheism to children.

I could go on, but I think you get the point.
And Phillip Pullman? Eh, all he sells are books.

Something fun: name game

Something fun: name game
1. YOUR REAL NAME? Tyree Kimber

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle)Tyrizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fav color and fav animal)Wait... what the fuck is this? Favorite color plus favorite animal? Maybe if you're a detective whose parents were a New Ager and a drag queen. F this noise. I'm changing this part of the survey!

3. (amended) YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fav animal plus favorite WEAPON.) Viola! Now you're guaranteed instant badass detective names like "Scud Rhino: Vigilante for Hire," or "Claymore Wolf: Private Eye" or even "Trebuchet Jaguar: International Assassin." As for me, since I'm very enamored of the Japanese tetsubo, am partial to cats, and the Japanese word for cat is "neko" I guess I'll be "Tetsubo Neko: Gaijin Ronin for Hire."

4. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letter of ur first name?) Kimty

5. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (Your 2nd favorite color, and favorite drink)Purple Corona

6. YOUR IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, first two letters of your middle name, last two letters of your first name then last three letters of your last name)
Ymqu Eeber

7.YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (both parents middle name)
My mother doesn't have a middle name so it's Henry. Just Henry... and you never saw me and I was never here!

8. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one of your pets)Black Zephyr
(Ha ha that one is awesome!)