Random writing post. Perhaps i will resurrect the blog?

I've always been a writing and reading nerd. I remember sitting happily in corners reading my child's illustrated large print dictionary straight through, letter by letter, sounding out each word and trying to remember it all.

My writing process around this novel has caused me to consider some truly new aspects of writing. Essays and poetry come comparatively easy to me; fiction was a whole new and initially daunting prospect. Ok, I want to write a young adult post apocolyptic disabled trans genderqueer novel. Or three. Hell, why not go for a trilogy? Ok. Now where do I start?

Fiction has led me to hang out for hours with my characters, learning about them, marveling about how they seem to change the story all on their own. But I'm a, let's say, naturally discerning individual. I need details. Who are these kids? I think about the "message" and the "big ideas" i'm trying to convey by telling their stories...What are issues I want to see explored in my favorite genre that are questions in my life? How do these kids show us ourselves? I want to talk about ableism, how it functions around us; I want to talk about the brilliant resistance of people who go through trauma and oppression and abuse, and show how resilient and unapologetically fabulous we can be. And I wanna write that for a young adult audience, when I felt that if only I had a reflection in what I was reading like this, things may have been easier.

Luckily, I have a natural craving for solitude that lends itself well to the writer's life, because I've spent days only talking to people I made up in my head. And fiction is immersive. Surprisingly so. I finally understood that answer that I'd always found a bit pat and hard to grasp, when authors who inevitably are asked, Where do you get your ideas? would reply, I just listen to my characters, the stories write themselves.

Atlaaaaaaaaaaanta!

So I've been in Atlanta a few days now, and it is blissfully balmy in comparison to more recent climes. Today is so sunny and mild. Yay. So far I've been taking it easy--i have a pretty annoying cold right now, which made it necessary to shut myself into the hotel all day yesterday. At least now i'm all caught up on Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives. Crucial. Now i'm at the "lesbian and gay" bookstore and coffeehouse, the cringingly-named Outwrite. Anyone need anything rainbow? I went to a pretty awesome bear bar the other night, though it was so packed that i was nearly crushed by all the burly men. This was not a bad thing. I'm eating my way through the city as well, and have had pretty good food here so far. Tonight I'm searching out some good soul food. Also, people are nice here.
hearts and sparkles from Colin-land!
hope everyone's well.

I know! I'm a bad blogger!

Hi everyone.

sorry I've been so MIA with the blogging (thanx for the needed nagging, sylas). But y'all, i am having the BEST time. Let's see, I've been in Toronto since Halloween, with a small break to do a performance and workshop at the "Bodies of Dissent" conference in Peterborough last weekend, and I'm leaving tomorrow morning bright and early headed back to the states and down south to Atlanta and Nashville-ish by Thanksgiving. Also, I did a workshop on Racism and Disability for the Acsexxxible workshop series here in Toronto my first week in town. Thanks to the fabulous Loree, Colin, and others who made that possible. I think everything went well..

what else? OH! how could i forget the amazing Acsexxxable fundraiser this past Thursday? I participated as a roving, payable kisser. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the movement, you know. It was really pretty amazing. I've never been in a space like it before, and hopefully it will not be too long before I am again. To donate or otherwise support their rad work, check out http://www.acsexxxable.ca/index.html

Also, Loree, Ayden and Chris have been the friendliest hosts one could ask for. Geez, people. thanks. I have met tons of friendlyheads while I have been here too. And discovered the best roti on earth, to which i am now shamelessly addicted. I had some tonight for my last dinner in town of course. Oh, vena's, i miss you already and I haven't even left yet!

Got lots of new books, and Toronto Women's Bookstore (love.it.) now has plenty of Scars Tell Stories in stock, fyi.

So all is very well in Colin-land. I'm sad to leave Toronto. I really like it here. (well, except for the snow and the parking). But excited to be going onward as well.

I will try to be a better blogger from now on.

hope everyone's well!
colin

Bryer's Photo Shoot (with an appearance by Floyd)

I'm in Texas. Everything is really large here.

hi all,

i'm in college station, texas, visiting the fabulous qwo-li out in the con-ter-ree. it's not too hot. yay. and i haven't seen any snakes. yaaaay. yesterday, i went and saw qwo-li do a reading at hir place of employ, Texas A&M. s/he was amazing, as per usual. I'll be here a bit longer, and then it's off to chicago...

here are a few more photos...







Randall, 9/26




texas, all the homophobia you can eat


faggot eating the meat

new mexico is all about the sky, 9/22

new mexico, 9/22



yep.



yuuuuuuuuuuuum, 9/26

some photos

lake mead, unintentional tour of hoover dam, 9/21/08


las vegas: all that is wrong with our world, 9/20/08



colin just got his first digital camera, San Francisco, 9/15/08



bruin made an attractive delicious salad, San Francisco, 9/12/08


savoring a farmer's market peach, san francisco, 9/6/08

Vegas: Almy of the Deady

So I'm here. And it is really, really weird. It totally reminds me of Leslie Marmon Silko's "Almanac of the Dead." It's ten thirty in the morning on Saturday and I'm here till tomorrow, and i have no idea what i will do with myself all that time. I've decided slot machines are boring. Last night i got lost because Rand McNally's directions were confusing (of course) and when i stopped for gas to continue my wandering, I actually saw people hunched over slot machines in the corner of the conoco lobby. wtf? I'm about to go off and wander down the strip in the 100 degree weather. Wish me luck.