27
Nov
I've travelled through the US recently, and I always carry a small moleskine notebook. (Yep, same type ole Hemingway used.)
If I see something interesting, I make a note of it.
Like that there is a 50% off coupon to the VIP lounge in Dallas, if you ask at the Duty Free Shop. How to get there, what floor the lounges are on. What you see from the lounge.
Below is a scan of the actual entry, just so you know I wasn't kidding. 
(I'll paraphrase: It's in D Terminal, near gate 23, take the lift to the 3rd Floor, the reception is there. There are several lounges and the normal cost is $35. Smoking room is to the left as you stand in front of the reception desk. It has a TV in it, seats and small tables, as well as a bookcase type thing which acts as a sort of screen for the back of the room. There is tea, coffee, some fruit and snacks on a self-service basis in the regular lounge, which overlooks airside. Plugs available for laptops etc on small tables, not on the ones at the windows. Wifi available (not free), as well as a secluded area with computers. There is temporary storage for handluggage opposite the lounge reception desk, toilets and showers on the right as you walk in, also opposite the reception desk.) Click the image if you want a larger view.
So.
It's that kind of detail. I make a note, because I never know when I might want to use some of it.
I showed my critter friends my moleskine, and at least one of them went out and got herself one after seeing what I do with mine.
Plot snippets, scenes, dialogue, "What if's", descriptions, notes of areas, dates, weather, phone numbers, names, songs I heard… you name it, it's in there.
It's not a diary as such, but it's very much a working writing journal.
I recommend carting one of those little notebooks around with you. They fit in an inside pocket of a jacket, a handbag, or the back pocket of your jeans. Just… use it.
You never know when it comes in handy.
27
Nov
…has as many thorns.
There is currently a lot of uproar about Harlequin Horizons, Harlequin's Self Publishing venture.
RWA, SFWA and MWA are all on the barricades about it.
Harlequin have now changed the name of it to DellArte Press, and I expect at least one of those three organizations to roll over and that's the last we hear of it.
How do I know?
Because I've seen it before. 10 years ago, Simon and Schuster pulled some stunt that had RWA go haywire. They threatened to remove S&S from their "approved publishers list". Just like they are doing with Harlequin now.
The thing is, back then, S&S just laughed at them.
I'm guessing HQ are doing the exact same thing. They might have changed the name, but the rest? Nah. I doubt any of it will change.
Besides, who are the organizations hurting with this threat?
The publisher?
Not bloody likely. The publisher couldn't care less about whether RWA etc approve of them. Why should they? You think the average reader knows, or cares, whether the book they are reading was written by an RWA/SFWA/MWA member or not?
You think a publisher cares whether you're a member or not when you submit to them?
You think they'll get any less submissions because they aren't approved by the organizations?
No.
In fact, make that a HELL no.
They are a mainstream, big name publisher. This is business, and they aren't going to let some organization dictate to them what they can do.
Why should they? Would you?
The real pain being inflicted is to those authors who write for HQ, because their coveted "Published author" tag would be null and void, plunging them back into the realms of the "Unpublished", as far as RWA is concerned.
Freaking idiots. Seriously. The whole thing is a farce.
So, Harlequin changed the name of the venture. Will that make it all right? It's still the same company, it's still their product. Does a name change make it all go away?
Not in my book.
A rose by any other name, as the title implies.
It remains to be seen what happens, but ultimately, I doubt the hullaballoo will have much effect on Harlequin's new venture.
And why should it?
If it were your business — would you let them influence you? With something that has virtually no impact on you?
Do I agree with what HQ is doing?
No.
And yes.
It's up to them what they want to do. Their main lines are still the same, not self published.
They aren't forcing anyone to go this route, and it's "Buyer beware" in a big way. If people do their research, then they won't walk into such traps.
I do agree that it shouldn't be done under the Harlequin banner, though, as that's misleading.
However…
The only one hurt by RWA/SFWA/MWA dropping a publisher from their "approved" list…. is the author.
The very individual paying the dues.
Way to go.