Book authors and fanfic

So, the discussion that chelle86, nimoloth and I are having about Diana Wynne Jones' books reminded me of another author (who I always get mixed up with DWJ) who's books I love: Diane Duane. She writes the Young Wizards series (which I originally thought was a trilogy and was delighted to discover not that long ago that there were in fact a lot more books). So I seek her out on the internet, and she's got her own fanfic writing project! How awesome is that?! She sets the scenario, writes the first few paragraphs, and then fans write the next ones, vote on which one is best and then it gets stuck on the end as the next part! The work becomes the copyright of Diane Duane, but she legally promises not to use it in any of her future books.

I think it's awesome that a well-established author is embracing fanfiction. Also, she has a weblog, where she keeps her fans up-to-date on the goings on in her world - like the prospect of a movie being made of So You Want to Be A Wizard?. *g*

ETC: I had to edit chelle86's name, because I accidentally put her down as chelle89, who also exists, and I apologise to both of them for getting them mixed up! *g*

Meme time!

From jenjemeer and nimoloth:

Reply to this post, and I will tell you my favourite icon of yours. Also tell me which of my icons is your favourite, and which of your own icons is your favourite (at present, at least). Then post this to your own journal, using your own favourite icon.

Spending more money on books

Yes, thanks to chelle86 (got the number right this time!), I went looking for a Daina Wynne Jones book and ended up ordering:

Fire and Hemlock
Deep Secret
The Year of the Griffin
Hexwood

The total amount per book (including shipping) was £5.69, which I figured wasn't too bad, especially since I'm getting one which is unbelievably hard to find!

Bad weather

So, as you all know (and if you don't, then where have you been!), there has been some terrible storms lashing Europe and the UK.

Germany was the worst hit, and England has had it really bad too. For the first time, ever, I think, Scotland didn't have bad weather, we just had our first snow fall, which did cause some planes and trains cancelled, but not here! We just had a couple of hours of snow that then melted away. I think this is first time when wherever I've been has had the best weather!

Anyway, huge hugs to eretria who survived the night (and so did her tree), and also murron, who both live in storm-struck Germany.

All of you that live down south (ie England) hugs to you all as well, since I know that pretty much most of England was badly effected by strong winds.

On the plus side, the forecast for next week is sunny (but cold) and not a lot of wind, I don't think. (Although Saturday is meant to be quite windy for Scotland and the West Coast of England.)

Here are some photos from around the UK. Quite a few are from where I used to live, or visit a lot, which is a little scary. It's a little weird seeing them all, because we just haven't experienced any bad weather here - it's almost unreal, seeing the photos. (All photos are from the BBC website.




Blackpool Town - about 15 minutes drive from where I used to live.




Borehamwood, Hertforshire




Castletown, Isle of Man - never actually sailed into here, but visited by land several times.




Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight




Highgate, North London - I think my uncle lives near here.




Peel Castle, Isle of Man - we used to visit here all the time in the boat. The harbour is to the right of the photograph, but the entrance you can't see because of the spray. What it's breaking over is a very wide road.




Sandside, South Cumbria - again, not to terribly far away from where we used to keep the boat.

ETA: Just seen the news. Apparently, Britain was the worst hit out of the European countries. 140,000 homes are without power and are facing a second night of no power, and at least 11 people have died. It was the worst storm to hit the UK in 17 years. And the forecast for this weekend is cold, and quite a bit of snow for up here in Scotland. Although, in perspective, the temperatures here haven't dipped below freezing yet this winter, whereas my friends in Martha's Vineyard are coping with temperatures of -12 to -14 degrees Celcius!