Adriana Kantcheva
Catching Words
Dispatches from a writer of speculative fiction.
Hello, ,
Welcome to the July installment of Catching Words, where I share thoughts on the butterflies I felt before appearing on Story Hour and recommend a mind-bending book I recently read.
Let’s dig in!
My Reading on Story Hour
My appearance on Story Hour, where I read two of my stories, "Salvaged" (originally published in Escape Pod) and "Clara" (my first ever published story, appearing in Electric Spec) was recorded and is now available on YouTube.
I’m the first author to go before a fabulous reading by Gregory A. Wilson - I highly recommend listening to the whole episode.
What I've been up to
- I’m almost done re-reading my newest novel draft (secondary world fantasy). Afterwards, I’ll hand it off to my alpha-readers.
- Still thinking (in lieu of plotting) about the second installment in a science-fantasy novella series. I’m sensing a heartbeat now. It’s starting to breathe. All good signs.
- I’m currently shopping around the first installment in the above-mentioned novella series and have been working on the submission package. I’m giving it my best.
My latest blog post...
... in which I talk about public speaking, the voice inside my head, and what happened in the end.
The way we talk and the way we are talked to: My love-hate relationship with public speaking
On 2nd of July, I read two stories on Story Hour (click here for the recording). It was fun. It was wonderful. It was nerve-racking. Why? Because I have a tiny issue with public speaking.
Though I don’t always thrive when immersed in a crowd for a long time, I’m still mostly an extrovert, provided I’m allowed quiet, secluded breaks in between. I love talking to people. I even love performing in front of people. (Guess who savored having to enact the safety demo when still working as a flight attendant.)
One might think that public speaking is a breeze for me. It might have been if something significant hadn’t occurred in my childhood. It left a lasting effect and made expressing my (mostly) extrovert nature equal measures fun and stress.
A photograph with a meaning
On top of Schwarzwald. The Black Forest mountain is not very high with its (little less than) 1500 m (5000 ft), but it still offers a worthwhile view. That day, the wind was wild and bracing, making us feel alive. The clouds painted a landscape of their own.
Books and music
- Reading: Helgoland: The Strange and Beautiful Story of Quantum Physics by Carlo Rovelli. If you would like a mind-blowing, reality-bending read, this is the one. Add extraordinarily beautiful language, poetry of deep understanding, and subtle humor. You might not agree with all the conclusions but even so, this book is worth reading for the questions it leaves behind. It’s also worth listening to for the breathtaking narration by David Rintoul.
- Music: "Coming for you" (the link is to Spotify) by Jenn Champion from the album Single Rider. It’s the kind of song that makes me think about midnight trips, open skies, and high places. Some songs do that to me. Not sure why. I’m curious if you get the same feeling when you listen to "Coming for you." Please let me know.
Something learned
Sometimes I build hopes and expectations without noticing. Nothing wrong with hoping, but being aware of it could have saved me some grief. I’m OK now.
One-Sentence Story
Drew Triangle sprouted a new corner and finally found a fitting shape.
Until next time!
Adriana
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