simonalkenmayer:

Actually, I can give you a great deal of information on this.

Smoke inhalation isn’t just smoke in the throat. It’s also an irritation and searing of the very sensitive lung tissue. It is treated with oxygen because the very tender air sacks in the lungs can no longer expand as usual, which means higher oxygen concentrations must be fed to the cells that still can inflate and pull oxygen into the blood stream. The problem requires three things: things that suppress the inflammation response and therefore the buildup of fluid in the lungs, things that keep things sterile and prevent DNA repair issues, and things that assist healing.

Antioxidant rich foods (tea is one), natural antiseptics with the ability to assist in healing (honey is one), and proteins are what you need. More humid air may or may not help depending on the irritation you’re suffering. Mushrooms and certain herbs are known to reduce inflammation. Rest and lower amounts of movement can help, because the body is not exerting itself and therefore doesn’t need as much oxygen while healing.

I’d also recommend licorice.

Currently they’re available via an app publication company called Tapas, but if I did put them out in print form, I’d be sure to advertise the fact. You lot would be the first to know.

Actually, I can give you a great deal of information on this.

Smoke inhalation isn’t just smoke in the throat. It’s also an irritation and searing of the very sensitive lung tissue. It is treated with oxygen because the very tender air sacks in the lungs can no longer expand as usual, which means higher oxygen concentrations must be fed to the cells that still can inflate and pull oxygen into the blood stream. The problem requires three things: things that suppress the inflammation response and therefore the buildup of fluid in the lungs, things that keep things sterile and prevent DNA repair issues, and things that assist healing.

Antioxidant rich foods (tea is one), natural antiseptics with the ability to assist in healing (honey is one), and proteins are what you need. More humid air may or may not help depending on the irritation you’re suffering. Mushrooms and certain herbs are known to reduce inflammation. Rest and lower amounts of movement can help, because the body is not exerting itself and therefore doesn’t need as much oxygen while healing.

Or promotional materials.

I simply don’t like the idea of commissioning strangers when I have talented artists in my readership. I’d rather the proceeds of the work go back into the experiment, as it were.

simonalkenmayer:

simonalkenmayer:

I am giving serious thought

To putting the books out in a self published medium.

My agent has worked very diligently to sell them to publishing companies, and while I appreciate her efforts, and we have had interest…I am simply not comfortable turning over control to anyone. This is an experiment and I cannot abide someone editing my life to suit a genre. I do, however, want to expand the market to include others who do not read on devices.

And so I am considering it.

Do you think it is something worth doing?

This voids no rules of my contract with Tapas. I have sole rights to my Material.

It would help immensely though, to have as many notes and opinions as possible on this, because I would have to have a meeting with my agent and discuss with her the reasons I want to change the marketing strategy. I’ll likely have to give her a percentage as well.

I would need to have new covers for them. I could hire an artist who is a stranger to me…but I’d almost like it to be a fun event. But I wouldn’t want to offend the artistic community.

Do Cover competitions happen? Or is it a tremendous waste of time to create something if it doesn’t win? I know so many very talented people. Seems a shame to source the art from strangers.

simonalkenmayer:

I am giving serious thought

To putting the books out in a self published medium.

My agent has worked very diligently to sell them to publishing companies, and while I appreciate her efforts, and we have had interest…I am simply not comfortable turning over control to anyone. This is an experiment and I cannot abide someone editing my life to suit a genre. I do, however, want to expand the market to include others who do not read on devices.

And so I am considering it.

Do you think it is something worth doing?

This voids no rules of my contract with Tapas. I have sole rights to my Material.

It would help immensely though, to have as many notes and opinions as possible on this, because I would have to have a meeting with my agent and discuss with her the reasons I want to change the marketing strategy. I’ll likely have to give her a percentage as well.

I am giving serious thought

To putting the books out in a self published medium.

My agent has worked very diligently to sell them to publishing companies, and while I appreciate her efforts, and we have had interest…I am simply not comfortable turning over control to anyone. This is an experiment and I cannot abide someone editing my life to suit a genre. I do, however, want to expand the market to include others who do not read on devices.

And so I am considering it.

Do you think it is something worth doing?

Monstrous Regiment.

I was in love.

And so I went back and read some reviews that suggested that the books could be read by character, and not chronology. So I returned to the books and found all the ones pertaining to Vimes, as he featured in the book I had read. I read those in chronological order. I found them exceptional and their commentary on racial hatred, discrimination, sexism, and all the assorted prejudices to be absolutely awe-inspiring. That a person could so fluidly work such detailed analysis of human rights into a deep and artful fiction is gorgeous to me. If you seek to read these, I think they are my favorites.

Then I went to Granny Weatherwax. Who says profound things about philosophy, practicality, the human concept of magic, and how that intersects science, and I find myself quoting her often. I think I was most impressed with her decision to bleed in Maskerade that Cemented my appreciation of her.

And then I read all the Wizard books and became enameled of the amusing discussion of masculinity and bureaucracy. And found myself siding with Rinceqind although I don’t much care for him as a person.

And then the outlying novels like Small Gods – which is one of the finest books ever written about religion. And then finally, I picked off a few of the others.

I adore Death. I comprehend Vetinari in a way I cannot describe. The Librarian amuses me. The many overlaps and intricacies are absolutely engrossing. Some of the metaphysical contemplations are fascinating. And the fact that we did not have the communication towers in the Middle Ages. It is such a simple and elegant solution that I am frankly astonished we didn’t think of it.

I can say I have not read all of the 40 some books. And reading the Tiffany books, the ones that Pratchett claimed were autobiographical, and watching his mind fall to pieces in such a heartbreaking way…

It has been exceedingly difficult to return to them though I love them dearly. A few days ago, Pratchett’s final will was executed, his few unfinished books and the hard drives containing them crushed beneath a steamroller. My eternity is weaker for the lack of them.

I remain heartbroken upon this point. There are some humans I will always miss and he is one.