Shaun Duke

Shaun Duke is an aspiring writer, a reviewer, and an academic. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Digital Rhetoric and Writing at Bemidji State University. He received his PhD in English from the University of Florida and studies science fiction, postcolonialism, digital fan cultures, and digital rhetoric.

World in the Satin Bag

Rejection: Interstellar Realty

/

You know what…I’m going to start plastering my rejection notices on my wall. I think it would be cool to see how much of my wall is filled with them before I get published :P. The only problem is that I’m fairly certain I lost two of my rejection notices in the movie. One of the boxes popped open on the move and some papers flew out. I think they were my rejections from way back when (one from Analog and I think one from Paradox). Anyway, Interstellar Realty was rejected by F & SF. Quickly actually. I’m not sure if that is a good thing. It might be a good thing if I was plucked out of the slush pile early for some reason (maybe that Honorable Mention I have?). I dunno. Doesn’t matter. It’s rejected! Now I have to decide if I want to just submit it electronically to someplace else or take my printed manuscript and send it to a non-electronic accepting magazine. Decisions decision! (Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this!)

World in the Satin Bag

Paul Genesse: Doing Well Indeed

/

I’m late to report this, for which I must apologize profusely, but Paul Genesse, my new friend who I spent several hours in San Fran with (and had a glorious time, by the way), has reported that his book, The Golden Cord, is doing remarkably well (apparently it sold out its first printing!). This, of course, has nothing to do with the fact that the book is good, he went on a wicked big tour and spoke directly to the perfect audience (kids), or that he was on TV and did various book signings, or that he is a good person, or that he’s just plain awesome. Wait…yes it does!Point is, Paul Genesse is doing well and I’m glad to hear it. I enjoyed The Golden Cord very much and expect I’ll enjoy the next book in the series and anything else Paul writes in the future. Congrats, Paul! (Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this!)

World in the Satin Bag

Writing Is Sometimes Sad

/

I just realized while listening to the theme from the movie Sunshine that one of my characters in my novel in progress The White (or The Lies of Venicia) is going to die… And it almost made me cry. I really like that character. In fact, he is one of my favorite characters because it’s gritty, rough, and sweet all at once. But I realize that for him he’s going to have to make a sacrifice and that sacrifice will have to be his life…So I’m a little bummed at the moment. On a happier note: the quarter is almost over and I should be back to normal by the middle of next week. Yeah. Normal. (Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this!)

World in the Satin Bag

Sunshine: Surfacing Emotion By Music

/

Many of you are already aware of how much I adore the movie Sunshine. It is by far one of the best films I have ever seen, but one thing that really stands out in the film is the music. No, the music isn’t complex, or entirely memorable in the same sense as Star Wars, but the way in which such simplistic sounding music can evoke so much emotion. For those who have seen the movie you’ll recognize the music and the scene it belongs to in the movie below. For those that have not seen the movie (what’s wrong with you, by the way?) I will preface this by asking you to imagine the most desperate moment ever, where one person has in the palm of his hands the fate of an entire species…and if he fails…it’s over. There are no more second chances. No more ships to come to the rescue. Mankind will die. This is that moment in the film. The pinnacle moment and one of the most emotionally devastating points for me because it forced me to imagine something so immensely terrifying, to imagine what it must feel like to be the person who must save it all…to sacrifice one’s life for the good of the many. That is how much emotion is packed into this seemingly simple piece of music…So listen with that in mind. There are still some bits of the movie left in the track, since it is ripped from the film itself, but they’re just special effects stuff. Unfortunately the actual soundtrack hasn’t been released. Enjoy. (Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this)

World in the Satin Bag

I’m Getting Irritated

/

It’s not that I have a problem with music being a little loud. It’s not that the music is bad. The problem is that they are playing it at 10 PM. They’re not having a party. They’re not having a get-together or anything of that sort. But I can hear the bloody words from the music through their door and then through mine. That should give you an idea of how loud they are playing their music.The question isn’t why I’m not saying something, but why should I have to? Look, let’s be realistic here. Nobody should be playing music that loud at any point after dark. Period. It’s a respect issue. I shouldn’t have to ask for them to turn it down. I live in the same damn house.The only reason I bring this up is because I was finally in a writing groove. I was WRITING. I was feeling great, because I could get some things out of my head. And just when I was in the middle of it, just as the words were really flowing and my character was blossoming and the story itself was taking an awesome turn (some action and stuff) their bloody music came on and broke me. This is why I don’t listen to music with words. It breaks my concentration. And now my concentration is broken and I don’t know if I can get back into the story now. I’ve been desperate to write for months, not being able to get much on the page because my head is so engrossed in the school work. So when I do get to write and things do flow it’s especially important. So I’m a bit irritated right now. I think they’re drunk because they’re cheering when a song ends…Anyone wanting to give me 300 bucks a month so I can get my own place is more than welcome to make an offer, by the way… Now I’m going to work up the courage to say something if the music gets too loud again…(Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this!) P.S.: I need to write again…grr!

Scroll to Top