In which the roses come home to roost.
Jul. 1st, 2008 07:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
seanan_mcguireThe Toby Daye books are urban fantasy with a hefty dose of traditional folklore, all mixed up with fairy tales, fables, and as many folksongs as I thought might be a good idea. It's mythology soup, and it's an awesome universe to play around in, because I can attack things from so many angles. My main character, Toby, has two half-Siamese cats named Cagney and Lacey, and a rose goblin named Spike. Spike is roughly the same size as the cats, gender neutral, and covered in thorns that make it sound like a small percussion instrument when it rattles them at people. I like Spike. Spike is lovely. Spike is constantly underfoot, but Spike is lovely.
Since I started working on this series, 'one day we'll have plush rose goblins!' has basically been the rallying cry of my proofreaders and sounding boards. (Well, that, and 'Seanan, go to sleep, it's four in the morning and I have to work tomorrow.') Something about an animate rose bush that wants to share your pillow just seems to appeal to people. I have no idea why.
The lovely Kate has been experimenting with crocheting a rose goblin. So far, her best attempt has actually turned into an Ood (from the current series of Doctor Who). Being the enormous fangirl that I am, this doesn't make me love it any less. The Ood now lives atop my desk, at least until I can get it some glossy black eyes and maybe a little plastic brain to tote about on its little crochet chain.
Upon returning to my home the other day, I found a large, unexpected box waiting on my bed. I eyed it warily. While I have never received a box that actually contained a) explosives, b) smallpox, or c) a live squid, I know my friends, and a certain degree of wariness is simply a function of wanting to live a long and successful life. The box didn't tick, slither, or explode. I decided to open it. And inside, I found...
...a large floral-print rag doll cat, covered in irregular lace 'spikes,' with bright green shoe button eyes. I stared. The 'cat' stared back, that being what shoe button eyes do. And then I started to shriek. ELUCREH MADE ME A ROSE GOBLIN!!!! Yes! My first plush rose goblin has been achieved, and it is awesome and large and currently sitting atop my dresser, staring at things. It's very good at staring at things. It doesn't have a name yet, but it definitely has a piercing stare.
This is so cool.
Since I started working on this series, 'one day we'll have plush rose goblins!' has basically been the rallying cry of my proofreaders and sounding boards. (Well, that, and 'Seanan, go to sleep, it's four in the morning and I have to work tomorrow.') Something about an animate rose bush that wants to share your pillow just seems to appeal to people. I have no idea why.
The lovely Kate has been experimenting with crocheting a rose goblin. So far, her best attempt has actually turned into an Ood (from the current series of Doctor Who). Being the enormous fangirl that I am, this doesn't make me love it any less. The Ood now lives atop my desk, at least until I can get it some glossy black eyes and maybe a little plastic brain to tote about on its little crochet chain.
Upon returning to my home the other day, I found a large, unexpected box waiting on my bed. I eyed it warily. While I have never received a box that actually contained a) explosives, b) smallpox, or c) a live squid, I know my friends, and a certain degree of wariness is simply a function of wanting to live a long and successful life. The box didn't tick, slither, or explode. I decided to open it. And inside, I found...
...a large floral-print rag doll cat, covered in irregular lace 'spikes,' with bright green shoe button eyes. I stared. The 'cat' stared back, that being what shoe button eyes do. And then I started to shriek. ELUCREH MADE ME A ROSE GOBLIN!!!! Yes! My first plush rose goblin has been achieved, and it is awesome and large and currently sitting atop my dresser, staring at things. It's very good at staring at things. It doesn't have a name yet, but it definitely has a piercing stare.
This is so cool.
