Laurel’s Journal

     I have a minor disability related to spatial relationships, the way I perceive objects in my immediate atmosphere.  I’m not comfortable driving with a stationary barrier on my left side, particularly if the road curves.  As a result, I use the right-hand lane in tunnels and on divided highways.  Flashing red lights at night give me the sensation of drifting backward.  Furthermore, I rarely remember which switch in our bathroom turns on the fan, although our bedroom suite was remodeled twenty years ago.  Needless to say, I have a terrible sense of direction–when walking or when driving–that continues to amaze my husband.  My disability is not a weakness, simply part of who I am.

     Thus, the Denvention3 Quick Reference Guide’s description of the “Heroes with Disabilities” panel disturbed me.  The text appeared to equate disability with weakness.  Fortunately, Ed Meskys and Lee Martindale were two of the panelists.  Ed, an avid science fiction fan, has been blind since 1971.  Author and bard Lee Martindale uses a wheelchair and resents the term, “wheelchair bound.”  After all, her wheelchair has given her freedom.

     Lee opened the panel discussion, stating that she found the panel description insulting. Most of those present in the room, including myself, agreed.  Then Ed voiced his disapproval of “politically correct” terms for blindness.  He wasn’t visually impaired, he was blind.  A discussion of fictional heroes with disabilities followed.  But Ed and Lee were the heroes of most interest to me.        

I served as a panelist at Denvention3, the 2008 World Science Fiction Convention.  What wonderful people I met!  Naturally, I shared my community newspaper with delegates from other planets.  Well, shouldn’t everyone keep up with the news?

Use the photobucket link below to view my pictures of Denvention3.

The Wall Street Journal has run a piece comparing the trials and tribulations of Batman to those of President Bush.  Wow!  Was that a bat signal in the sky, or the letter “W?”  If you want to read the article and comments, go to WSJ.com Forums.  I have my own opinions about heroes and battles against evil. 

On the rope of life, heroes climb above their weakest point, putting themselves at risk for the benefit of others.  Love, compassion, duty and honor call them forth and they respond.  Still, even heroes on a worthwhile quest against evil must search their own hearts for smoldering embers of hate or vengeance that could influence their actions and bring dishonor and disaster.  We are only human.  Heroes or not, we often fight our deadliest battles against ourselves and the best way to tame our dark, snarling inner desires is to flood those beasts with light. 

We live in the real world, one with presidents and CEO’s but no superheroes of fantasy fame.  Public awareness and debate about all sides of political and social issues must comprise the beams of light in our darkened skies.  And we should all vote according to the signals in which we believe.  That “W” stands for “We, the people,” if we let it.   

Laurel Anne HillAuthor of “Heroes Arise,” a parable about the necessity and complexity of breaking the cycle of vengeance.  (KOMENAR Publishing, October 2007) 

     “Thinking outside the box” has joined the modern array of trite expressions, right up there with “right up there” and “at the end of the day.”  Yet my mind indulged in the use of this particular cliché during BayCon 2008 (a science fiction and fantasy convention) over the Memorial Day weekend.  I served on two panels at BayCon in Santa Clara.  One of them discussed the possibility of living off the land on Mars and the potential usefulness of a nanotech “anything box” on Mars or on earth.           

     The term “anything box” originally referred to the title of a short story written by Zenna Henderson in the 1950’s.  In Zenna’s story, a little girl possesses a box only she and her schoolteacher can see, a window into a world where fond desires appear real.  These days, “anything box” usually refers to a theoretical nanoscale device that potentially could construct anything, molecule by molecule.  To operate, the device would be programmed with appropriate design instructions and fed basic raw materials, such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, etc.           

     I envision a molecular nanotechnology (MNT) device as a do-it-yourself kit in ultra miniature with some sort of macroscopic on-off switch.  Each assembler would be the basic computerized workshop unit invisible to the naked eye.  Inside the assemblers would reside manipulators–nanorobots on the assembly line.  And the product?  A chemically stable compound that refrains from thumbing its atomic nose at the laws of physics.  To permit effective macroscopic product production, assemblers would copy themselves, that is, reproduce many, many times.            

     Some of today’s production processes already manufacture products from nanoscale materials.  Such products include, among other things, sunscreens and cosmetics.  Yet we all still purchase these items from a store or via the internet.  Anything box assemblers and manipulators remain confined to the pages of science fiction.  And not because we’re too honest to bootleg our favorite sunblock at home by pressing a button on a little black box ala Napster.  My mother always claimed you can’t get something for nothing, although my father used to make a lot out of nothing all the time.           

     Inventing nanoscale assemblers is not only a daunting task–it’s scary.  I used to be a microbiologist and could induce strains of bacteria to thrive and multiply without a basic nutrient they supposedly required.  And remember Michael Crichton’s novel, PREY, about those self-reproducing nanoparticles that were sprung from a laboratory prison?  Sooner or later–to maintain safety and control–governmental regulators are bound to crash the MNT birthing party.

     I worked for 27 years in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry and have encountered the slow-motion wheels of governmental regulatory machines.   In business, time equals money.  In government, time equals taxes.  Complexity, caution and the scramble for funding will jointly slow the development of MNT and the anything box. 

     Which brings me back to Zenna Henderson’s short story, “The Anything Box.”  That lonely little girl found comfort when staring into the box but nearly died when she tried to climb inside.  Science, including nanotechnology, has a parallel.  Scientists need to remain on the objective “outside” of their experiments, that is, to keep watchful eyes and open minds.  We can peer into the MNT box of dreams, but had better stay outside those dreams and develop them from an objective distance.        

I recently had the pleasure of joining C.S. Friedman, author and writer guest of honor, for coffee at RavenCon 2008 in Richmond, Virginia.  Several others joined Celia’s cozy fireside klatch, including Cathy Green, President of the Washington Science Fiction Association and the Wombat (aka Jan Howard Finder), a well-known science fiction fan.  The atmosphere was rich and warm, even if the coffee wasn’t.

Celia had much wisdom to impart regarding promotion of novels.  She confirmed what I had heard at Book Expo America in 2005:  Traditional book signings and readings usually don’t generate significant sales.  To be purchased, books must be where many people can see them.  Getting your book displayed for sale in a wide variety of bookstores is critical.  Effective distribution and generating booksellers’ interest are important keys to success.

For science fiction/fantasy writers, “cons” can be useful for connecting with fans.  Serving on panels is good.  Moderating a panel can be even better.  A strong–but not arrogant–moderator will earn respect and this can improve book sales.  Celia’s professional attitude and smile certainly earned my respect.

But more importantly, Celia projected genuine warmth.  She made others feel comfortable and accepted.  When Lady Ozma (aka Jacalyn Stanley) dropped by our gathering to request a podcast interview appointment with Celia, Friedman suggested that Ozma might arrange an appointment with me, as well.  This action showed kindness and consideration.  At the conference I purchased two books by C.S. Friedman (“This Alien Shore” and “The Madness Season”) and look forward to reading them.

By the way, watch the RavenCon website for information about the podcast.  The series of interviews, including my own, should be available in a couple of months.  I’ll keep you posted.  

In this season of politics and controversy, let me offer the following: 

The framers of the U.S. Constitution forged their historic document during the late Eighteen Century, a time when many of the populace–some free and some not–tilled land.  Large families often provided a network of security for the elderly freemen and freewomen.  Horse-drawn carriages bumped over rutted dirt roads.  Pollution was manure after a rainstorm. 

Our founding fathers dipped their quill pens into small pools of dark ink and wrote, with scratching sounds, their enlightening words.  None could have foreseen a future era of camera phones and laptop computers, towering freeways constipated with snakes of traffic, heart transplants, nuclear explosions or global positioning satellites orbiting in space.  Yet as they composed a document to unite thirteen former colonies with conflicting interests, they left room for change and interpretation.  Thus they drew a governmental roadmap toward their young nation’s future. 

Yes, we struggle today with original intent versus social justice.  We roll our eyeballs at the sound of politicians jabbering.  We make jokes about lawyers and grumble about taxes.  But look where we have come.  Slavery is illegal.  Women and people of color can vote and hold political office.  Medicines must be labeled to show toxicity.  Workers must be informed about the poisons they handle on the job.  Children toil over homework instead of in textile mills. 

We are an imperfect people with an imperfect government.  But our constitution–the law of our land–provides a key of hope, even if we often have trouble finding the best doors to unlock.

Hello again everyone, 

Please check the Women’s National Book Association San Francisco Chapter Website for an article about me.  Go to http://www.wnba-sfchapter.org/Laurel-Anne-Hill.html.

Laurel

Hello again.  Here’s the latest.  I headed for Potlatch 17 in Seattle at the end of February.  Potlatch is a three-day Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention that encourages impromptu discussion as well as sharing enthusiasm for the genre’s written words.  This year’s convention celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the Clarion West Writers Workshop.  (Clarion West has produced some of science fiction and fantasy’s top writers and editors, including Gordon Van Gelder.)  Potlatch 17 also focused on the life and work of Octavia Butler, in particular, Parable of the Sower.  I met writers and readers, made new friends and had the opportunity to mentor.  I returned from the conference refreshed and recharged.

Then I learned that ForeWord Magazine has selected Heroes Arise as a finalist (science fiction and young adult categories) for their Book of the Year Award for 2007.  The winners will be announced at Book Expo America on May 29.  What excitement!

March 7^th brought me to a gathering of gifted young writers in middle school.  I related my experiences about writing Heroes Arise and read selected passages from the book.  They worked on a writing exercise and bubbled over with questions.  I had the opportunity of reading some of their writing–pieces far better than anything I ever produced at their age.  Another positive event.  Am I “on a roll?”

On February 24, I served as keynote speaker at the 33rd annual Foster City International Writer’s Contest awards ceremony.  My presentation dealt with perseverance and choosing the path to success—how a mysterious and terrifying illness had motivated me to become an author.  The first prize winner in the personal essay category was Margot Lenigk, a 96-year-old woman whose determination and perseverance had kept her family alive during World War II.  I gained a renewed appreciation for the strength of women in adverse circumstances.  Then Robert J. Miller read his poem “Collateral Damage,” a moving piece about the tragic consequences of armed conflict.  I had set out to congratulate and inspire contest winners and they inspired me.

Gundack’s mumbling inside my head again.  Most of the cast from “Heroes Arise” joins him.  Their grunts swell, as though preparing to pour out of my ears.  I know I haven’t written a journal entry since last April.  I’ve been busy pushing my book when not doing my full-time day job.  Book trade shows, conferences, panels, readings–all are exhilarating but take time and preparation.  Gundack’s realizations about family, love, community and justice will never touch the hearts of others unless people read my story–his story.  Doesn’t he understand?

“You had spare time last month,” Gundack says, “during the World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga Springs.  Your panel about Native American spirits was over on the first day.”

“I was networking at the conference,” I snap, “and soaking in information for the future.”

“You had time to read a friend’s book,” he says.

“Authors,” I say, “need to read.”

“People,” Gundack says, “who sell a piece of their imagination in this day and age need to keep a journal.”

The den is chilly.  I slip on a pink floral sweater.  Gundack is right.  I sit down at my computer.  The desktop glows with electronic mystery.  Where should I begin?

The book event/fundraiser for the Winter Nights homeless family shelter on October 13 was a success.  We raised approximately $1,100 dollars for the program.  Friends I’d known since childhood attended.  Coworkers and former coworkers were there, also people from my church.  I was so happy to see everyone and to do something to make a difference in needy people’s lives.  I almost cried.

The “new authors” panel at Barnes & Noble in Oakland’s Jack London Square on November 17 went well, too.  California Writers Club, Berkeley Branch, sponsored the event.   KOMENAR Publishing wants readers to post reviews of “Heroes Arise” on the Barnes & Noble and Amazon websites, as well as on www.habitualreader.com.  I guess that’s an importing thing to mention.

“Don’t forget to wish your readers happy holidays,” Gundack says.

That’s right, it’s December.  Already!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all.