http://www.ariberk.com/forthcoming.h
January 1, 2010.
Up late New Year's Eve to write a few paragraphs on the novel, you know, just to start the year as I mean to go on...
Hobgoblins book slowly moving towards gettin' done. I've seen nearly all the art now, and WOW! In this book, there is art by both Alan and Virginia Lee, Larry MacDougall, Gary Chalk, and Fernando Molinari...oh just wait until you see it.
But day and night, it is the novel. Last month, I made a large map of the town in which most of the book takes place. So, now I know where people are when they walk down a particular street and take a left! More than this, I needed to see how places in the town related to each other in space.
And then there are the dead who crowd around my writing table all wanting to have their say. It is a book of many voices, which is, I think, as it should be. More and more I see these ghost stories as being about allowing people (living or dead) to speak their peace, literally; about allowing the dead to tell their tales so that a place resolution may be found. Without such a space, a space where truth may reside, there is the stasis of limbo. My town is filled with them. Limbos. The Peony Lantern Tea House. The Theatre of Midsummer, The Coaching Inne, The Red Parlor, The Lonesome Valley, The Bowers of the Night Herons...all the curious places where the dead bide their time, still bound to earth and the affairs of the living. Somehow both lost and ever-present at once.
It is a great privilege to be able to spend so much time writing. That time requires the help of others. As the new year rises, I am so very grateful for my wife and family. Without their love, help, and support there would be no words. Thank you.
they knew at last the Great Darkness was brought
not by death,
but by distraction.
So they looked up,
on this very night,
up, up, above the sleepless wires and ordered lines,
above the mad words colliding in the lower aires.
And in that one moment at midwinter,
they gazed upon the ever-living stars,
and the darkness fell away from them,
and for all the season,
and always.
...and don't even get me started on my son's school with 26 kids with one teacher (who we do like) in a second grade class, one day of art a week (I should be grateful he gets that), endless repetitive worksheets because the kids have to be kept busy, and no gifted program or ANY flexibility in curriculum.
Betraying the California Dream, by Jeff Bleich
Shooting began in late October on Sir Lanval, latest film by the Chagford Filmaking Group, from an original screenplay written by Ari Berk and Elizabeth-Jane Baldry. Here is some behind the scenes fun. Filming continues in Brittany next year.
Behind the scenes on Sir Lanval.
Enjoy!
And while you're at it, check out the Chagford Filmmaking Group's great website where you can learn all about their numerous projects, see production stills, and donate to their ongoing work. www.fairytalefilms.co.uk
After some mulling on this term, and after feeling a bit of the Autumn Fears myself, I've come to the conclusion that this is an ancestral condition, inherited from our very ancient agriculturalist past. Just now would have been an important time for our non-super market going ancestors. Food would be canned and put up, meat would be prepared and preserved, wood would be got in. You needed to be busy in the Fall...very busy...for Winter can be long and if you run out of something before Spring, well, you had better be able to go without it.
Of course, a lot of us aren't stocking up for winter on such practical staples. But my summer travels and the books I've been reading since summer are a kind of stockpiling. A loading up of the lore larder for the work that winter brings. Winter has always been a very writing intensive time for me. The world begins to slow down, it gets quieter (especially with a lot of snow on the ground). Ghosts of the past draw in close to the fire to tell their tales. It's the time of year I truly feel like putting things down on paper...the time when I feel a bit desperate about it. That could be part of the Autumn Fears too...the desire to get the dying year recorded before spring and its new projects and newly opened roads appear out of the melting snow.
Tonight, I am filling the shelves of a chamber of investigation, one of the "work rooms" of a character in my novel. Lots of specimens in glass containers glowing in amber liquid. Curios from other ages of the world -- Egyptian ushabti figures, marble heads, books of frightening photographs neatly kept in their anthropodermic bindings. He's got the Autumn Fears too, got 'em bad, and so he's thinking about preservation, thinking about things that last....
It's nice when you can pass off your worries onto the shoulders of your creations. I find they bear them with ever so much more grace than I do.
At this time of year when things are wont to wander and go bump in the night, it's only right and proper to give a thought to those who live beyond the warmth of hearth and home.
So in the spirit of opening the door to the Twilight Folk who wish only to sit with us for a time by the fire, I'd thought I'd post a little something on my website that I wrote a while back on just this theme. It's about Grendel, surely the most famous of all the world's goblins...
"Grendel The Outsider" can be read here:
www.ariberk.com/grendel.html
With all best wishes to you and yours, living or otherwise,
Ari
www.ariberk.com
Other than this brief foray into Webdom, I have been keeping my head down, working at the novel. So it's been me and The Dead, writing away. I have to say, The Dead are excellent writing partners. Such good stories around the water cooler, although they never pick up the lunch tab. This week, have put a lot work into the end of the book, weaving various plot threads together, and have been rather pleased with the outcome. It begins to feel as though the character have taken up residence in my study, standing around, waiting for certain parts to be finished so they can look over my shoulder and either nod approvingly, or shake their heads, sending me back to rework this or that. Either way, I am happy for the company late at night...
Of this volume, the publisher says:
"From the loremaster who brought us THE SECRET HISTORY OF GIANTS comes an intriguing new chronicle revealing the mysterious ways of merfolk.
Since ancient times, seafarers and coast-dwellers the world over have reported encounters with merpeople. Variously known as Finfolk, Dinny Mara, Nereids, Blue Men, and Merrymaids, merfolk have been the source of both gifts and disasters for humankind. Now a lavishly illustrated resource offers insight into the lives, origins, language, and magic of these elusive peoples. Like a siren’s song, this fascinating tome is sure to enthrall all who fall under its spell. Special features include:
— paper novelties — including sundry flaps, booklets, and gatefolds
— a lavish cover with foil, embossing, and glittery jewels
— an elegant tassel dangling from the spine "
***
For myself, I can tell you I had a ball writing this book. Double Pisces that I am, sea lore has always been an especial favorite of mine, and while the book is aimed at younger readers, I have packed it with much curious and ancient lore. Since I was very young, I have looked at the sea and, like our ancestors, wondered about what might live below the mirrored surface (or, as the merfolk say, below the "veil of bladderwrack"). This book is, in part, an answer to that question. Chapters include: Merfolk Origins, Appearance and Anatomy, Language and Communication, Undersea Villages, Gift from the Merfolk, Sea Enchantments, The Dark History of Capture, Vengeance and Curses, Lost Lands, Maps of Sightings, Perilous Sea Creatures, Songs of the Sea, and well, lots more. I hope folks enjoy it!
Floored to learn that my book, The Secret History of Giants, has been selected as one of thirty Notable Books for 2009 by NCTE’s (National Council of Teachers of English) Children’s Literature Assembly. On the same list with David Almond! Floored. And honored. I especially like their criteria.
For those interested, here are the details on the Notable books criteria, as well as the complete list of 2009 Notable Books in the Language Arts:
Criteria for the Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts
- deal explicitly with language, such as plays on words, word origins, or the history of language;
In addition, books are to:
2009 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
Poetry
Bryant, Jen. (2008). Ringside 1925. New York: Alfred A. Knopf/Random House.
Giovanni, Nikki. (2008). Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.
Greenberg, Jan. (2008). Side by Side: New Poems Inspired by Art from Around the World. New York: Abrams.
Thomas, Joyce Carol. (2008). The Blacker the Berry. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. New York: HarperCollins.
Weston, Robert Paul. (2008). Zorgamazoo. New York: Penguin.
Historical Fiction
Almond, David. (2008). The Savage. Illustrated by Dave McKean. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick.
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. (2008). The Boy Who Dared. New York: Scholastic.
Bauer, Joan. (2008). Peeled. New York: Penguin.
Giff, Patricia Reilly. (2008). Eleven. New York: Wendy Lamb/Random House.
Lowry, Lois. (2008). The Willoughbys. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Nicholls, Sally. (2008). Ways to Live Forever. New York: Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic.
Fantasy/Folklore
Alley, Zoe B. (2008). There’s a Wolf at the Door. Illustrated by R.W. Alley. New York: Roaring Brook.
Berk, Ari. (2008). The Secret History of Giants. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick/Templar
Morales, Yuyi. (2008). Just in Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book. New York: Roaring Brook.
Prineas, Sarah (2008). The Magic Thief. New York: HarperCollins.
Reeve, Philip. (2008). Here Lies Arthur. New York: Scholastic.
Informational Biography
Bryant, Jen. (2008). A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Deneberg, Barry. (2008). Lincoln Shot: A President’s Life Remembered. New York: Feiwel and Friends/MacMillan.
Dray, Philip. (2008). Yours for Justice, Ida B. Wells: The Daring Life of a Crusading Journalist. Illustrated by Stephen Alcorn. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.
Nelson, Scott Reynolds, & Aronson, Marc. (2008). Ain’t Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry. Washington, DC: National Geographic.
Prelutsky, Jack. (2008). Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem. New York: Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins.
Scieszka, Jon. (2008). Knucklehead. New York: Penguin.
Picture Books
Chen, Chih-Yuan. (2008). Artie and Julie. Alhambra, CA: Heryin.
Choung, Eun-Hee. (2008). Minji’s Salon. La Jolla, CA: Kane/Miller.
Cottin, Menena. (2008). The Black Book of Colors. Illustrated by Rosana Faria. Toronto, Canada: Groundwood.
Gravett, Emily. (2008). Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Johnson, Stephen T. (2008). A is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Reibstein, Mark. (2008). Wabi Sabi. Illustrated by Ed Young. New York: Little Brown.
Rumford, James. (2008). Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad. New York: Roaring Brook.
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. (2008). One Boy. New York: Roaring Brook.
I am also very honored that people, most of whom don't know me, would be willing to share such personal stories about themselves, their families, and the places they have visited and lived.
I am reading through the postings very slowly. Some of them have stopped me in my tracks, made me pause to consider poignant images and meaningful language. So I am savoring them one at a time and responding as time allows, but I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to Holly for cross-posting the ghost question, and to ya'll for your excellent and moving accounts. Really. Thank you.
The Undertaken Trilogy is a sort of ghost story, with each volume going deeper and deeper into the lore of death and the Otherworld/Afterlife. Naturally, I am up to my chin in some of the most fascinating reading about spirits and ghostly lore. Though I am reading widely, things from ancient accounts to modern literary tales, I am especially interested in the personal, intimate stories of ghosts and ancestral appearances...how people, real people, experience loss, revelation, release, etc. through visions and ghostly visitations.
In the medieval world, most of the accounts speak of the living being visited by the dead in dreams. More recent lore emphasizes haunted places where one experiences shadows of the past. So this brings me to today's question, gentle reader: Have you seen 'em? Heard the whisper from beyond the closed door? Seen a ghost? Dreamt of one? Was it all panic (as we see on television too often now, all panting and sweating and freaking out in the basements of abandoned asylums?) or was it something more meaningful? Was a message given? Did the appearance of the ghost necessitate the finishing of unfinished business? How do the living help the dead?
Oh, most learned friends, what can you tell me of your strange meetings at eventide?
http://www.books4yourkids.com/2008/11/s
I am told snow is coming. We lost most of the snow in favor of impenetrable fogs a couple of days ago and I now I feel, well, exposed. I want the deep snow back for I love the way it muffles things, stops the cars, silences the engines, softens every sound on the air, making the world seem utterly medieval-- all modern things far away. On the dark deep snow days, with a fire on the hearth in my study, it might be any time, any century. Fire, a book, and a long moment in which to dream, these are my definitions of winter.
Barely made it out of Michigan the day I was to fly to England. But a brief window of fair(ish) weather presented itself and I made it over the pond despite record snows the night before. Had a grand time teaching and visiting with my dear friends Caitlin and John Matthews. In addition to our course at Hawkwood on the lore of stars and stones, we also got out on the land a bit. Some walking along the Ridgeway and a visit to Wayland Smithy...all under dark grey skies.
Then speaking at at the University of Plymouth with friends Brian Froud and Alan Lee for an evening's talk entitled, "The Creative Use of Dartmoor." This went so well, and it was such a pleasure speaking with two good friends. The audience was fantastic and asked such interesting questions. A lovely evening.
A few more days on Dartmoor (with small excursion to the wild coast at Tintagel) and then homewards. On the train back to the airport, I got news that GIANTS had been given a Parent's Choice Recommendation Award. A very fine thing. Here is that:
http://www.parents-choice.org/product.c
And a quiet family holiday then ensued. GRIM (yet wonderful) weather meant no excuses needed for staying at home.
And now? I am knee deep in ghost lore for a novel (a trilogy) I'm working on.... the first draft of which is due at the publisher in one year's time. It's going to be a busy year....
Warmth and heart's joy to you this winter!
Getting ready for FaeriCon in Philly. So many friends there (Holly Black, Alan Lee, John and Caitlin Matthews, Frouds, and lots more dear people)...it'll be like Old Home Week. Some book signings planned with Books of Wonder from NYC and some interesting panels too. Who could ask for anything more?
Finishing up first complete text and pdf's of The Secret History of Mermaids with my excellent editor and art folks at Templar. Now begins the fun part where we pick over the entire manuscript for weirdnesses great and small. Of course, they proof it, but it's interesting how many little things slip by. I blame such things on goblins, of course.
Tomorrow, finishing up Ovid with class. Orpheus and the muse of melancholia shall preside...
Just joined, so over the next few weeks, I'll be adding things of interest, mostly relating to my publications and other curiosities.
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ariberk- Ari Berk
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