The question is: Why?

Well, first — I probably shouldn’t be drinking soda to begin with. But that’s neither here nor there. Second, Alchemy isn’t really all that successful unless you have “pure” ingredients. When it comes to food, it’s ridiculously difficult to find raw, unprocessed food that hasn’t had any chemicals or wax used on them. Well, at least in this country anyway. I should say that.

So what would a modern Alchemist do? Starve? I think most Alchemists would probably be very skinny because they’d be more about eating when they have to as opposed to eating when they want to. Big difference there, right? They’d also worry about contamination, so they’d be appalled by the assembly line production of making food simply because there were too many variables for something to go wrong. For example, you wouldn’t catch an Alchemist in a restaurant unless they could watch their food being cooked.

I’m guessing that a modern Alchemist would probably want their own garden and would value relationships with small farmers to trade what they don’t have. I could totally see an Alchemist as a beekeeper who thinks that honey comes from Aurum (e.g. gold). I’m also envisioning that some Alchemists would take up hunting or fishing, but have kind of a religious attitude about it. For example, an Alchemist wouldn’t hunt for fun, but out of necessity. They’d see animals and wild vegetables/fruits as a gift from the Wish Tree. (If you don’t know what that is in this setting, check out my Violet War glossary.)

Right now, I’m on the fence about how they’d view waste or things that they didn’t use. In some of their other rituals, there would be a byproduct. But what about the components they couldn’t recycle? Yes, as you can imagine, Alchemists would respect several cultures (including Native American) that use every portion of the animal that they can. That doesn’t necessarily mean that that’s a good fit for an Alchemist, though. There’s a lot of cultures that look at different types of food and think that they’re not pure or they’re somehow unfit for human consumption. For an Alchemist, I’m wondering if they are more strict about the process of selecting raw ingredients and cooking them that what they’re actually eating.

This idea has been rolling around in my head as I cook my own food. I’ve been thinking about what metals I’d associate with what item and I’ve got a basic concept already down. Right now, the next step is for me to physically explore the modern Alchemist’s view on food in my day-to-day life. Goodbye, soda. Hello, ice tea. (And try not to be pissed off about it.)

And yeah, I am that much of a geek but I’ve always been a method writer. If I can’t research something, then I like to explore aspects of it just so I can write a better story. (Note: this is not an absolute rule for I have written about Frankenstein-type monsters, Cthulhu and well…you get the idea.) For me, William’s character needs to stand on his own. Right now, he’s a wuss that complains when things aren’t perfect. GAG. I hate William because he’s such a whining wussy-pants. If I can establish that Alchemists aren’t so two-dimensional and offer other ways for the science to filter into the setting, then I think he’ll be a little more tolerable AND there will be more Alchemy in the plot. Warning, though…by saying “other ways” I don’t mean details that’ll you notice right off the bat. Sometimes, I put little Easter Eggs in setting description that fit the world and the story. If you catch them, then awesome. If you don’t? Well, there’s always next time. They’re not essential to the plot, but they are always important to the world.

Thanks so much for your support and kindness. I’ve added a few more chapters of my first draft for you to read; Ch. 19 was a bit shorter than I had expected because in 20 I’m plotting a big confrontation. After all, there’s a traitor on the loose…

This weekend I’ll be speaking at WisCon, which is a feminist science fiction convention in Madison, Wisconsin. If you’re around for this convention, stop by and say “Hello.” Several great authors and editors will be on hand for you to interact with, get your books signed and tell them how much you enjoy their books.

Don’t forget to support your favorite author and keep reading! Cheers!

My Panels at WisCon 2009

Reinventing the Adventure * Sat 5/23 10:00 – 11:15AM * Capitol A
Moderator: Alex Lamb. Carol F. Emshwiller, John Helfers, P. C. Hodgell, Monica Valentinelli.
The adventure story archetype lies at the heart of both science fiction and fantasy, and is the oldest and arguably most profound literary form in human history. How come contemporary society has ghettoized this art form? Even in science fiction, many authors have shied away from adventure in their desire to be taken seriously. How can we reverse this trend? What does it take to write fiction that’s fast, fun, shamelessly adventurous, and at least as challenging as what passes these days for mainstream lit?

Consistency vs. Variety * Sun 5/24 2:30 – 3:45PM * Capitol B
Moderator: Monica Valentinelli. Lori Devoti, Liz L. Gorinsky, Kelly McCullough
Many writers long to stretch their writing muscles, working in different universes and broadening their scope and depth. Publishers and some elements of the reading public seem to prefer consistency: they like a writer who turns out a series, sometimes effectively the same book over and over again. How does a writer balance their own creative need for variety with the consumers’ desire for consistency?

Birthing a Writer’s Community * Sun 5/24 4:00 – 5:15PM * Conference 4
Moderator: Diane Silver. Stickshift Bear, Nancy Jane Moore, Michelle Murrain, Monica Valentinelli.
There isn’t a writer on earth who doesn’t spend too much time alone, staring at a blank page (or screen). We all need reaction and encouragement from others writers. Add in the struggle of surviving—not to mention retiring—on what may be a small income and the challenges that come with aging, and we’ve got a recipe for innovation. Let’s get together and discuss how to birth a writers community. We’re talking about a brick–and–mortar place that balances private space and time with satisfying contact with other writers and room for public gatherings. Such a community would share financial as well as physical resources. We’ll talk practicalities and share dreams.

Does a Writer Really Need a “Platform?” * Sun 5/24 10:00 – 11:15PM * Conference 4
Moderator: Mary Robinette. F. J. Bergmann, Rich Novotney, Monica Valentinelli
One idea that’s kicking around writers’ websites right now is that writers have to have a “platform”—something that makes you stand out from the crowd. Celebrity writers have built–in platforms; non–celebrities are encouraged to build up a platform with a website, blog, speaking tour, or similar self–promotion vehicle. Is this really necessary? Can’t you just write a damn good book?

As you may remember from the legend, several gods, goddesses and other creatures cast out Promethean and punished him for bringing the “fire of the gods” to mortal man. After Promethean’s crimes were brought to justice, the gods struck a deal with man, allowing them to keep their “taught” magic provided it remained within their family.

Alchemy in The Violet War series is inspired by historical events. Traditional alchemy began thousands of years ago, and can be traced back through several cultures including Chinese, Grecian, Arabic, Egyptian and Italian. More than just the transmutation of lead into gold, traditional Alchemists believed in the transformation of the spirit. A philosophy coupled with archetypes, many Alchemists coded their strange Alchemical formulas into paintings or inscriptions, and its mystical background is a source of inspiration for comics, games, TV shows, books and art. In addition to its philosophy, however, Alchemy is also linked to early Chemistry, metallurgy, earth science and medicine.

From encoded rituals into elaborate paintings to the infamous “Emerald Tablet,” Alchemy has a rich history filled with mystery and magic. My decision to infuse this series based on Alchemy came from a strange passage I read in a Taschen art book entitled Alchemy & Mysticism by Alexander Roob. This book is a virtual treasure trove of information about this ancient art form, offering examples of symbolic paintings and hieroglyphs and a touch of history. Structured according to sections of belief, Alchemists often had a focused philosophy that addressed everything from childcare to the divine.

After perusing the rich tapestry and colorful paintings, I came across a series that talked about how Alchemists used to place themselves in tubs of boiling hot water, waiting for their skin to be “purified” by turning it blistering pink. To you and me this ritual might seem strange, but to an Alchemist who used bone and ash for his rites just as easily as he utilized silver and lead, this was perfectly normal. The first chapter hints at that weird rite–when Sophie can’t find the cold faucet switch.

More to come on Alchemy in this series. Thanks for sticking with me and I hope you enjoy it.