What I've Been Up To

[damselfish]

I read Mary Robinette Kowal's story about a girl and her teddy bear spider, "Jaiden's Weaver" and after being utterly delighted I went "that's it! I need an adventure with an adorable nonhuman!" Especially after realizing it was a little under 5,000 words when I assumed it was closer to 7,000 or so and feeling envious of Kowal's ability to condense that much story down. I came up with an idea and an hour later set about writing....

This was what hit me first.

They think our parents gave up on us.

Liam and I know different. I was there to listen to my mother plead with Central—I was old enough that she didn't send me away as she threw off her pride and begged from the heart, as she raged with shame, when she hurled things at the dark screen long after Central was gone, when she couldn't breathe past her own sobs.

I was there when Central told her she had no children.

Adorable, this ain't. I tweaked it around and finished the rough first draft, calling it "Talk Electric" after originally considering "Red Tooth Sister, Electric Brother." But since I--and the other person who read it--were already shipping Kazuko and Liam I think that title had Implications even if it wasn't addressing their relationship. I'm pleased since the world started to sprawl out into a novel-shape and once that happens a short story is almost impossible to write.

I may mess around in the world some more because it's about dragon-like otter/axolotl humans genetically engineered to look like and talk to aliens. Particularly Liam, who wanted to grow up to be an astronaut more than he cared about talking to the aliens (who mostly talk about the weather). There is nothing I do not love about the concept.

Also for those curious, here is a link to Jaiden's Weaver, which is delightful and involves super-charming spider best friends.