Fencing and rewitires

[hamletta]

Fencing session went okay today -- got a new brace for my elbow and it's helping. It's not solving the problem, but at least I'm not in pain and don't have the feeling I'm destroying my joints. This may well be an illusion, but if it doesn't hurt it's got to be less damaging, right?

We practiced handling left-handers today. It was fun, if somewhat of a moot point as none of us are left-handed and I'm not likely to meet one in competition because I'm not going to any competitions! Still, it was interesting-- especially when it came to flèches. I keep turning my body sideways when I attack, which is wrong. And I angle my arm when I extend, either upwards or bending the elbow outward... Need to practice more, but it's not going to happen till my elbow gets better. 

Totally unrelated, I got a rewrite request from a respectable semi-pro on one of my favourites stories. I couldn't find a home for it for months, and didn't want to go below the pro level magazines, but figured it's better to have it out in semi-pro than not at all. They liked it enough to ask for revisions, so now we'll see if I can make them happy. The editor complained about the ending, which I'm going to fight for--I can edit it, of course, but I'm not going to change it because it would completely alter the story. However, one of the questions they've asked leads me to believe they misunderstood some elements (or I failed to make them clear enough)-- so I'm hoping the issue with the ending will go away once we clarify that point. Fingers crossed! 

Comments

[yhlee]

Heh! We have two lefties at our school last I checked, one a foilist and one a sabreur. They're both very nice people--the former, Eli, gives me tips on how to fence lefties when I fence him (tips in general, actually, since I am all-around inept).

Ironically, I fence better against Eli than I do against Joe. Possibly because we're both aggressive fencers (except he has the skill to back it up, whereas my hits are just beginner's luck). :)

I'm impressed that you're doing flèches! They terrify me. *g*

Good luck with the rewrite request!

[hamletta]

Flèches terrify me as well, so I've never tried in an actual bout. Interestingly, I think they may be easier against left-handers as you can disengage and push the blade away in the outside line, effectively blocking any riposte. That's at least what we practiced... If you try it with Eli, do report! :D

[tbutler]

Good luck with the edits; hope it gets accepted!

[hamletta]

Thank you!

[howsmyenglish]

I don't have much to say about fencing, but the rewrite request sounds great! Good luck!

M... stupid question: where could I read something of yours?

[hamletta]

I don't have much out at the moment... :(

I have a novel on submission to publishers that may sell, or not, and I don't write much short fiction. But if you really want to, here's a tiny flash story. :)

[howsmyenglish]

Thank you! I liked it very much, and I'm even surprised you say you don't write much short fiction: it's so great, no word is unnecessary, and yet, so much is happening and so many feelings are aroused in the reader...

[hamletta]

Thank you!

[dhampyresa]

Some people are right-handed but fence left-handed LIKE TRAITORS. I'm not saying you should start doing that and confusing everyone, but I'm not saying not to, either.

[hamletta]

Traitors is a good word! I wish I could become one... I'm so bad with my left hand!

BTW, I love watching snooker--one of the top players, Ronnie O'Sullivan is totally ambidextrous. It's amazing to watch him switch hands without any impact on his effectiveness...