Storyological 1.24 - IT'S NOT ABOUT ZEB

In which we discuss "Ponies" and "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss" , both by Kij Johnson, along with bullies, belonging, Michael Chabon, Scott McCloud, and the very strange things we seem to have done with our childhood toys.

In which we discuss:

2. "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss" by Kij Johnson, Asimov's

along with, among other things...

Belonging

The importance of…
The dangers of…

To hell with suspense! and 7 other Vonnegut tips on writing.

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

Catch-22, a reference from Joseph Heller’s novel of the same name.

Some stuff about genre. Skip if uninterested in such ballyhoo.

Is and Isn’t: Literary Upheavals in the Post-Real Landscape
It’s Genre, Not That There’s Anything Wrong with It!
Easy Writers
Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon
Annalee Newitz, writing for io9:

The only controversial win, at least in my mind, was Michael Chabon's Yiddish Policemen's Union for best novel. Certainly it's a brilliant novel, and is undoubtedly a work of SF-ish alternate history, but it felt a little wrong to me that the award went to somebody who writes mainstream literary fiction that merely borrows a few tropes from SF. Chabon was too busy to attend the awards, but he did write a sweet and genuine acceptance speech which was read with ironic gravity by venerable fantasy author (and Chabon influence) George R. R. Martin.

And, Annalee again, writing a few days later on io9, about what changed her mind

On Monday I said I was a little disappointed that Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policemen's Union won the Hugo Award for best science fiction novel in 2007. Though I think the novel is excellent, and certainly qualifies as scifi, I said it seemed wrong to give the coveted scifi award to an author who uses scifi tropes, but isn't immersed in the world of scifi. But I was wrong. Here are a few of the comments from the discussion thread that changed my mind

From Rookie, on depression and stucture

M.A.S.H, the series finale