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Local Authors => Brandon Sanderson => Topic started by: EUOL on May 24, 2005, 05:14:59 AM

Title: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: EUOL on May 24, 2005, 05:14:59 AM

Official thread to discuss the "Mystery Project" now that it has been outed.  Post general responses here, if you wish, but please stay away from spoilers.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on May 24, 2005, 09:18:25 AM

Ok, you haven't sent me a copy yet (probably because I haven't asked, but I should probably just be on your reading list for comments on all your manuscripts),
but...
why did you call it "alcatraz"? Do you MEAN that to resonate with the famous prison?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: 42 on May 24, 2005, 09:31:04 AM

Yeah, the name makes me a little more curious, but also doesn't make me think of a YA fantasy novel.

Makes me think of a story about an arabian prisoner in Alcatraz. I googled Rashid and got over 1,980,000 hits. It's a very, very popular arabian name.

So is this a venture for EUOL outside of the fantasy genre?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Entsuropi on May 24, 2005, 09:38:23 AM

I'd be curious to take a look. And Yes, it does sound rather wierd. Maybe you could be more topical by changing the name to Guantanamo Bay: Sands of misery. :D

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Skar on May 24, 2005, 12:29:07 PM

I want a look.  I'll read it right after I read Elantris.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: CinderEllie on May 24, 2005, 02:10:45 PM

You haven't read Elantris yet?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Skar on May 24, 2005, 02:50:54 PM

Nope.  I've been on a year long "no fiction" fast since May 28 of last year.  Elantris is on top of the stack though.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: EUOL on May 24, 2005, 04:39:12 PM

SE:

File coming your way, via the hunterlab address.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on May 24, 2005, 04:40:35 PM

I won't see it till tomorrow then. at hte earliest. The pop server's had problems all day (apparently our ISP's fault). It's ok. I don't think anything is bouncing, and I don't have time for it tonight. I jsut can't confirm.

right after posting that, it appears to have started working.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on May 24, 2005, 04:42:33 PM

oh wait. hunterlab? that won't work. I have a new job. eehlers {AT} bestroutes {DOT} com
sorry.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: EUOL on May 24, 2005, 04:43:13 PM

I could send it to a different address, if you want.

By the way, the complete title page for this work is:

The Absolutely True
--And in No Way Embellished--
Tale of

ALCATRAZ SMEDRY

And the Sands of Rashid

by Cecil G. Bagsworth the Third
(a pen name of Stet Cannister)

Based on a story.
           

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Fellfrosch on May 24, 2005, 04:46:17 PM

You're actually using Stet Canister? Do you mention that he is a rough and ready space explorer?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on May 24, 2005, 04:46:31 PM

the bestroutes.com address above is ideal.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Peter Ahlstrom on May 24, 2005, 04:49:37 PM

*cracks up

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: EUOL on May 24, 2005, 04:49:41 PM

SE:  It's off.  Look for something from my Yahoo address.  (Don't reply to it, though.  I don't check that one very often.)


Fell:  I haven't really decided on Stet, Cecil, or Brandon yet.  That's just a preliminary page for people who are kind of in on the joke.  What do you think?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on May 24, 2005, 04:51:03 PM

Got it! thanks. May read now while I wait for this customer to get his head out.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on May 24, 2005, 04:53:01 PM

Speaking of Stet, as I was going through my stuff before I moved, I found one of Stet's early works. It was from the year I was in TLE. I can't remember what it was about.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: EUOL on May 24, 2005, 04:55:08 PM

Stet has written many, many esoteric works.  As an inter-stellar space action hero, he has lots of stories to tell.  

Did you get your copy, Stacer?  I'm not all that confident in my email powers up here in Idaho.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on May 24, 2005, 04:58:25 PM

Yeah, got it. Won't have internet access from home for a bit, though, so it might be a week or so before I get to it. Plus I've got all the new-girl stuff to catch up on here at work and all the new-girl stuff to go to at church to meet people, etc. But by next week, I'm sure I'll figure it out. Fell is actually first in line, though, because he sent me Blacker Darkness last week.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 24, 2005, 05:00:37 PM

I got mine, although I only needed the last chapters.

I keep having to cut and paste and put the new chapters into the document I'm editing. What I do for you, EUOL!

*Chimera grumbles to herself about demanding evil undead overlords

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 24, 2005, 05:04:02 PM

Quote

Ok, you haven't sent me a copy yet (probably because I haven't asked, but I should probably just be on your reading list for comments on all your manuscripts),
but...
why did you call it "alcatraz"? Do you MEAN that to resonate with the famous prison?

Since no one has addressed this question, I will, attempting to do so without writing anything that would be regarded as a "spoiler."

The main character's name is Alcatrez Smedry. He himself reflects on his parents' strange sense of humor at giving him such a name, instead of something more sensible like Alexander or Alfonso.

I expect EUOL wanted very much to resonate with the famous prison. He's like that, you know.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on May 24, 2005, 05:12:19 PM

I will reserve comments until I have read it then.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Fellfrosch on May 24, 2005, 05:13:14 PM

I don't really dig the title, to be honest, because it sounds too much like a tired retread of Lemony Snicket or Artemis Fowl. Funny fake names just seem to play into that, and make me not want to read it. But, given that it is YA, I'm not really in the target demographic--evoking books your audience has already read might be the right way to go.

I did enjoy the Stet reference, though.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: EUOL on May 24, 2005, 05:13:20 PM

Chimera:

In the 2.0 version, I made some changes to the chapters you'd already read, making them consistent with the latter chapters.  So, you might find some oddities popping up between the two versions.  Just a warning!

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 24, 2005, 05:17:51 PM

Quote

Chimera:

In the 2.0 version, I made some changes to the chapters you'd already read, making them consistent with the latter chapters.  So, you might find some oddities popping up between the two versions.  Just a warning!

*Sigh*
Even more work. You know I have issues with computers!

Although my new laptop and I seem to be getting along fairly well. I haven't named it yet though...perhaps that would make it less moody.

That's allright, though--about the changes. As you know, I tend to like to read things twice anyways before I give comments.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: CinderEllie on May 25, 2005, 02:31:07 PM

Quote

Cinder:  You're in Utah, right?  I'm wary of sending off e-copies of books to people I don't know--since it would take them all of three clicks to stick the entire text on-line.  However, I'd be more than happy to get the physical copy to you sometime, so you could do an alpha-read for me.

Yep, I'm in Utah. I completely understand why you're wary of sending e-copies. Of course, if you did know me, you'd know I have no idea how to do any HTML stuff or make web sites. I know how to send and open attachments and paste stuff in emails, but I'm no webmaster.

But anyway, I would really love to be an alpha-reader. Yet I spoke too soon. As usual with me, I've piled my plate really high with various projects, so I don't have much time to add other stuff. :'(  

And, actually, I didn't expect you'd be willing to trust an "unknown" like me with a copy! (Nothwithstanding my musical spoofing talents.) It's cool for you to offer, though! So I'm definitely sorry I can't take you up on doing a read--at least not for a month or two, if then.  

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Mistress of Darkness on May 26, 2005, 04:51:19 PM

I like the "Based on a story" part. Makes me think of Hidalgo.

I'd like to read it, if Stet doesn't mind.

dreamon27x {at} gmail {dot} com

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Spriggan on May 26, 2005, 05:21:29 PM

A horse.  A horse named Hidalgo

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Mistress of Darkness on May 26, 2005, 05:37:07 PM

/me chuckles

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: EUOL on May 26, 2005, 07:18:02 PM

It's off, MoD.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Fellfrosch on May 26, 2005, 07:35:30 PM

Off the hook.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 26, 2005, 07:56:47 PM

*Chimera sniggers

I had never heard that slang term the first time my little brother said it a few years ago (he was about 12 or 13 at the time). It was weird to realize that I was in college and pretty much an adult and no longer cool and "in" the way that only teenagers are. I couldn't help making fun of the term, though, if only to annoy my brother. So whenever we talked or emailed I made sure to make some comment about something being "on the hook." My brother told me I was totally lame (at least I understood what that meant.

So that slang term always makes me smile.  ;D

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 26, 2005, 07:57:40 PM

Quote

*Chimera sniggers

Whoa! I said sn-iggers

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 26, 2005, 07:58:13 PM

Yea for editing against racist comments, I guess.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 26, 2005, 07:59:05 PM

I will make sure from now on never to sn-igger but only chuckle or laugh.  ;)

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on May 26, 2005, 08:23:37 PM

You can always snicker.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Entsuropi on May 26, 2005, 08:25:30 PM

And you can always edit posts rather than quadruple post. :)

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 26, 2005, 08:34:55 PM

Ah, but then everyone wouldn't be able to see it and laugh WITH me (or AT me, whichever you prefer).

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on May 27, 2005, 10:11:51 AM

yes, but we also wouldn't get frustrated at four posts in  3 minutes from the same person.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Tekiel on May 27, 2005, 11:19:55 AM

Got it, and school ends today (!!!) so I'll have plenty of time to read it now.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Peter Ahlstrom on May 27, 2005, 01:20:24 PM

Quote

I had never heard that slang term the first time my little brother said it a few years ago (he was about 12 or 13 at the time). It was weird to realize that I was in college and pretty much an adult and no longer cool and "in" the way that only teenagers are. I couldn't help making fun of the term, though, if only to annoy my brother. So whenever we talked or emailed I made sure to make some comment about something being "on the hook." My brother told me I was totally lame (at least I understood what that meant

Huh?

Oh...looking online I see that "off the hook" now somehow means "totally wild"?? To me "off the hook" always meant "out of trouble" "no longer having the responsibility for something"... I never thought of it as slang, just an idiom (from fishing)...

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 27, 2005, 02:25:55 PM

Quote

Huh?

Oh...looking online I see that "off the hook" now somehow means "totally wild"?? To me "off the hook" always meant "out of trouble" "no longer having the responsibility for something"... I never thought of it as slang, just an idiom (from fishing)...

See, I'm not the only one out of the loop. Yea, according to my teenage brother "off the hook" means really cool.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: fuzzyoctopus on May 27, 2005, 09:58:26 PM

Quote

I don't really dig the title, to be honest, because it sounds too much like a tired retread of Lemony Snicket or Artemis Fowl.

See the title didn't do that to me but the narration is screaming Lemony Snicket.

In order to make sure my criticism is helpful, EUOL, can you clarify something?  I honestly am having trouble deciding if you want it to be a full-out parody or if you really do want to have it taken seriously on some level.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: EUOL on May 28, 2005, 08:48:02 PM

Fuzzy,

It is what it is.  

I'd rather you just talk about what things you like and what things you don't like.  If something bothers you, let me know, and if something doesn't work, let me know.  

However, I meant it to turn out as it did.  What do you think that is?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on May 30, 2005, 01:14:35 AM

I'm not sure if the ending works. I just finished it, and I'm a bit disgruntled. Yes, it is fitting with the book, and you even kind of warned us, but I haven't quite gotten over it yet. I'm curious to see what others think.

I don't see how we can talk about the book without spoiling it or at least influencing other's opinions before they finish it. I may have already inadvertantly influenced someone with my comment above, even though I was trying to be general.

I guess we can wait until everyone has read it, or at least a majority of the more vocal ones.  ;)

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on May 30, 2005, 01:30:01 AM

I will hopefully get to it by the end of next week. I've got a book to do first edit on at work this week, and that gets first priority. Which means that, between that and the movers coming (hopefully) this week with my stuff, it's going to be a busy week. By the time they deliver, it will have been a full month (May 4-June 4) that my stuff has been in transit. I WANT MY BIKE!

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Parker on May 30, 2005, 03:21:57 AM

Long time reader, first time poster and all that.  EUOL--I'd like to read this.  Care to email me a copy?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Peter Ahlstrom on May 30, 2005, 12:36:27 PM

we finished it. got some comments, when we'll have time to type them in...

The question: Have you read any of the Lemony Snickett books?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: origamikaren on May 30, 2005, 12:53:07 PM

I finished it too.  I'll type up my comments next week when the family has left town again.  I read a LOT of middle grades/YA stuff, and this would fit right in.  I liked it a lot.  It needs some polishing in places of course, but this is an early version right?  

Question:  do you want the comments to be posted here, or sent directly?   If we're worried about spoilers, how about starting a spoiler thread for those of us who've read it so everybody else can read at their own peril?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: EUOL on May 30, 2005, 08:08:17 PM

First off, Karen--a spoiler thread is a good idea.  Let me start one up.  Ookla, I'll answer your question in there.

Secondly, I think I'd rather get most of the comments sent via email.  They'll be easier for me to file and organize that way, I think.  Plus, I wouldn't want the spoiler thread to get TOO packed with specific details.  Otherwise, it might get difficult for people to read and follow.  

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Oldie Black Witch on June 01, 2005, 02:17:41 PM

Brandon,

Would you send me a copy after the first round of read-throughs? Hopefully things will have settled down by then to the point where I'll be able to spend some time on it.
Let me know if you need me email address.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on June 02, 2005, 09:39:43 PM

You know it's driving me crazy that the discussion on Alcatraz has been so brisk, at least judging from the topic renewals. Argh. Well, since it doesn't look like the movers will get here this weekend, perhaps I'll have time to read some of it. We'll see what happens.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Peter Ahlstrom on June 02, 2005, 09:41:59 PM

At Karen's request I printed it out in single-spaced size-11 Times with quarter-inch margins (and underlines changed to italics, etc.), and it was 70 pages. It's a pretty fast read.

Stacer!!! Maybe you should read the alternate version of the first 2 chapters first instead of reading the original version? We're (*cough cough*) trying to get an uncontaminated opinion on the point of view...and yours would probably be the most useful...

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on June 02, 2005, 11:21:54 PM

Okay, I'll read the addendum first. I'll actually start in the next few minutes. The missionaries are supposed to be coming over and haven't gotten here yet, so I have a few minutes to spare.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Chimera on June 06, 2005, 02:21:00 AM

Stacer,

Did you get a chance to read Alcatraz yet? We are anxiously awaiting your verdict on whether you prefer third or first person POV. Since you are the resident MG/YA editor, your opinion is important. :D

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on June 06, 2005, 11:22:11 AM

I'm up to chapter 2 of the alternate version (which I'm reading first). Sorry, I'm not moving very fast. Weekends are a time in which I think I'll accomplish all sorts of things, but instead I do things like get teeth pulled and wander about in a stupor (during which I can't stand to read) or go dressed up as Ginger Rogers to murder mystery parties. There's no FHE tonight, so guess what mine'll be?  :)

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Fellfrosch on June 06, 2005, 01:22:39 PM

Ginger Rogers...circa 1935?

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on June 06, 2005, 01:36:45 PM

Actually, circa 1940. I had a great snood. Well, it was an amalgamation, because the dress was more 1935. But the party was set in 1961, so I was supposed to be old, retired Ginger, running a dairy farm.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Fellfrosch on June 06, 2005, 02:34:17 PM

She's still big--it's the dairy farms that got small.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on June 07, 2005, 01:55:42 AM

Progress: I've read the first two test chapters. Will give you my opinion when I've read more of the other.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: fuzzyoctopus on June 07, 2005, 02:41:10 AM

I have a snood!  Most useful hair accessory I own.  Wish they'd come back into fashion.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on June 07, 2005, 09:30:35 AM

I have no idea what a snood is, other than a video game.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: stacer on June 07, 2005, 11:23:47 AM

I love it! It's so cute.

SE, for you, a snood is: http://www.sol.co.uk/c/cbacon/Crochet%20snood.jpg.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Parker on June 07, 2005, 02:37:45 PM

I ate a snood once.  It tasted like chicken, except stringier.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Oldie Black Witch on July 10, 2005, 11:49:48 PM

Brandon,

If you have the time and the inclination, I can read Sands of Rashid. Either email it to me, or give it to MsFish and I'll get it from her.

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: MsFish on July 11, 2005, 12:20:26 AM

Oldie--

I'll only be delivery girl if you promise to finish MINE first!!

;) ;D

Title: Re: Alcatraz: Sands of Rashid
Post by: Oldie Black Witch on July 11, 2005, 11:10:52 PM

Done. When do you want it back?