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Isabel Swift’s Hyperbolic Coral Reef

July 29, 2010 by in category From Isabel Swift tagged as ,

You may, perhaps, be wondering just what the Hyperbolic Coral Reef is?


So glad you asked!


It’s a project started in Australia by two crocheting sisters seeking to call attention to the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef.  


Interestingly, there’s a mathematical angle to all this.  I will likely not get this entirely right, but basically for some time mathematicians denied there was a hyperbolic function until Mr Vincenzo Riccati and Johann Heinrich Lambert came up with it in 1760.  This despite the fact that many coral grow hyperbolically, so there were examples right under their nose (or toes).
And you can crochet a hyperbolic function by simply creating a chain and doubling it for every stitch–example below:









It starts to look like brain coral, doesn’t it?  And the pattern can be modified to create other coral (and mathematical) functions.


It was a powerful visual and experience to remind me you can start with something very simple–a single chain stitch.  Then do something very simple–double it.  And if you continue to add these simple building blocks, you can create something of amazing complexity–perhaps even beauty.  Just think about the single cell dividing and dividing and what remarkable organism it can come up with! 

I remember reading that Balzac (king of the door stopper novels) would start each one with a single page.  Then he’d keep adding bits and expanding bits, and thousands of pages later, you’d get Lost Illusions.

So the longest journey does indeed begin with the first step.  And whatever complex project you may have in mind that feels overwhelming, just make a single slip knot.  Add another.  You’ll be surprised how it can grow!



For those who want to learn more, I’ve grabbed a relevant paragraph from The Smithsonian Community Reef project:

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HYPERBOLIC CROCHET CORAL REEF PROJECT AND THE SMITHSONIAN COMMUNITY REEF:

 
 The Smithsonian Community Reef is a satellite of the worldwide Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles.  It was made possible through the support of the Quiksilver Foundation, the Embassy of Australia, and the Coral Reef Alliance.  Find out more about Margaret and Christine Wertheim and the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles here, and their Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project here.  Find out more about the upcoming exhibition of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef and Smithsonian Community Reef at the National Museum of Natural History on the Museum’s Smithsonian Community Reef Temporary Exhibitions Page.  To be included on this e-mail circulation list (or removed from it) please contact sicommunityreef@yahoo.com.

And for those of you may be wondering how this relates to hyperbole?  I figure it’s whatever it is, just double it!

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Speaking at OCC by Linda O Johnston

July 6, 2010 by in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing: It's a Business tagged as , , , ,

I’ve been a member of OCC for quite a few years. During that time, I’ve given a lot of talks and classes, and been on many panels, but the only one I’ve been on for OCC was at the Autumn Affaire conference about ten years ago.

I used to be very nervous speaking in front of any group, but I’ve done it often enough now that I’m generally fine. However, I think one of the reasons I haven’t made a point to volunteer to speak at OCC is that the idea makes me nervous!

Why? I’m not sure. I always want to make a good impression, no matter who the group is. But maybe I figure it’ll stick with me more if I mess up in front of you!

So why am I mentioning this now? Well, in August, I’m going to be talking about what I learn at RWA National that I can share with the group in the afternoon session. And in the morning session in September, I’ll be sharing what I know about combining romance and suspense in a novel. Two months in a row? I’m a glutton for punishment!

Come and listen to me. Please clap politely and keep your snickers to yourself. And–well, forget that. Both will be learning experiences for me, as well as for you, I hope. Please join me at both of them!

     FELINE FATALE, Linda’s ninth Kendra Ballantyne mystery for Berkley Prime Crime will be out July 2010. 

     Be sure to watch for the new Lauren Vancouver, Pet Rescuer series! The first book BEAGLE MANIA will be out in March 2011. It’s a spin-off from the Kendra series, and Lauren is introduced in HOWL DEADLY.

     ALASKAN WOLF, another in the Alpha Force series from Harlequin Nocturne, will be published in December 2010.

Linda O. Johnston
http://www.lindaojohnston.com/
http://www.killerhobbies.blogspot.com/

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Orlando or Not

June 6, 2010 by in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing Conferences

I’d signed up to attend the RWA National Conference in Nashville. It was a no-brainer. My husband and I were turning it into a family trip. He was even picking up his mother in Ohio to join us.

When the venue was changed to Orlando (and I feel really bad for the folks in Nashville), I considered long and hard whether I wanted to go. My husband and m-i-l weren’t going. The travel was longer, and even though the hotel was less expensive, the plane fares were higher.

So, I pondered much longer than I should have. Fortunately, a sweet friend who’d already changed her plans to attend the conference in Orlando, and booked a hotel room, patiently waited for me to let her know if I’d be rooming with her.

I asked for input from the professionals I’d want to meet with if I did go. Their opinions? They hoped to see me there.

As a result, I’m intending to go to Orlando.

So… hope to see you there, too!

Linda O. Johnston

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The Plot Thickens by Linda O. Johnston

May 6, 2010 by in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing tagged as , ,
I find myself plotting a lot lately.
I’ve been putting together ideas for new projects. Plus, I’m working on the second book in my Pet Rescue mystery series.
The first one has been scheduled, by the way. It will be a March 2011 release, and its title is BEAGLE MANIA. That reflects that some of the animals rescued from a puppy mill in that story are beagles.
Book number two will involve an animal hoarder. I’m still working on its title, as well as plotting the entirety of the story, but I’ve started writing it, too.
So how do I start plotting a book? It varies, but it always starts with an idea. And several baths, since that’s where my subconscious mind seems to plot best. I usually know who the protagonist is, but I have to figure out what kind of situation to put her in that fits the type of story–mystery or romance. And then I need to determine how best to stick in all the elements of the genre that keep the plot moving toward the satisfying conclusion. Along the way, of course, there are always pitfalls and conflicts and plot points to turn things in a different direction. What do I do with all this? I write a synopsis, sometimes for selling the idea and sometimes just for myself, so I know where I’m going with the story.
I don’t always stick minutely to the synopsis, but at least it gives me a direction. And when I’m stumped, I always refer to it to guide me back on the plot I’ve plotted!
I’ve plotted a lot of books in my time, and hope to plot a lot more. Sometimes, it’s easier to plot fiction than to plan one’s own life!

How about you–how do you plot?

Linda O. Johnston
http://www.lindaojohnston.com/
http://www.killerhobbies.blogspot.com/ 

Linda O. Johnston is the author of 15 romance novels and several novellas, including a current Nocturne Bites, with 2 more Nocturnes upcoming. She also writes the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.

 

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Developing The Writer’s Thick Skin by Linda O. Johnston

March 6, 2010 by in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing tagged as , ,

Last month, I asked for questions, and I got a couple of excellent ones from Jeri Hoag. One of them was about how to keep positive in the face of rejections that often come when you start submitting a book for publication.
It isn’t easy, but it is necessary. Keep in mind that, no matter what stage of writing you’re in, there are always negative things that can occur. Published or not, you can receive rejections on your submission, by editors and agents. If you already have a relationship with them, they’re sometimes kinder in how they reject your work, but a rejection is still a rejection.

Once you’re published, though, you have a track record that follows you. I won’t lie. It helps. But remember that when you’re published your work is out there for more than a few people to look at. You’ll get reviews. Some are positive, which is always a kick.

But some will be negative. Sometimes very negative. Sometimes very negative and posted on Amazon and other sites from which you hope people will want to buy your books. That kind of review, one that can discourage people from trying your work, is always a real kick in the gut.

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