mwotw

The writer guy wakes up one morning miraculously inspired to work again. Mind you, he has had no contact with anyone from the outside in decades, except for the troll-like personage who brings him food twice per day through a little slot in the door, but with whom writer guy never exchanges anything but the most insubstantial dialogue (in the form of low harrumphs and taps of the foot). So writer guy has completely forgotten how to have a conversation with a normal human being… He has lost the capacity for live give-and-take. The idea that’s in his head for his next book is, therefore and accordingly, more than a little bit fukhakhde.

The gist of the plot of the book is this:

Once upon a time, there was a powerful king who ruled his kingdom with great severity. Whenever subjects displeased him, they were banished without mercy.

In spite of that terrible consequence, many subjects spent all their energies trying to win the king’s approval with deception. Like all subjects of this kingdom could if they wished, these deceiving subjects read the Scroll of Rules the king had had posted in a prominent and public place. In fact, they read it more often and more carefully than almost anyone else in all the kingdom. They also watched the King’s actions closely, in both cases, looking for weakness.

I consider myself a feminist… and by that I mean that I am a man, who, though he is a man, is to all that is female and feminine an ardent and devoted fan. Interestingly, if not unexpectedly, this is a position that has seemed to alienate me from both genders for as long as I can recall. I don’t mind that so much, since those whom I offend the most are the most firmly “encamped” in their roles. And I don’t really care to be liked by fundamentalists, or by anyone who holds an opinion above reason — especially an angry opinion. Plus, standing astride an ideological line permits me to do what I love to do the most — translate and make introductions — (more…)