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In this episode, we chat about some of our upcoming projects relating to the podcast, the upcoming convention and omg we've been nominated for an Ursa Major! Find us on Twitter: @South-Afrifur, https://twitter.com/southafrifur, on Tumblr, http://south-afrifur.tumblr.com/, and on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/southafrifur Also, for more local news, check out the Zafur forums! http://forum.zafur.co.za/

[You know what? Lingering colds really really suck…] Buried in a recent article at Animation Magazine’s web site about some upcoming films (all of them furry, to some extent!) was this little tidbit: “Meanwhile, Paramount has confirmed that The Tiger’s Apprentice, an animated adaptation of Laurence Yep’s young adult fantasy trilogy series, will be released on February 11, 2022. The story centers on a young San Francisco boy who meets a mysterious talking tiger called Mr. Hu and realizes that he’s the appointed guardian who can protect everyone from an evil ancient phoenix. The screenplay has been adapted by David Magee (Life of Pi). The studio hasn’t announced a director or voice cast for the project. Feb. 11, 2022 sounds like a good spot for the animated pic as no other movie has been announced for that time period.” Really now? Hmm, let’s see… 2022 would be six years after the release of Zootopia. The same amount of time it took Disney Animation to make and release Frozen 2. Just saying…

image c. 2019 HarperCollins

This feature, we get the opportunity to talk with Frances Pauli a bit about her writing and process.

 

Tell us about your most recent project (written or published). What inspired it?

I just finished a novel in a new series called Serpentia. The first book, Disbanded, is about a snake architect who believes he’s destined for great things but who is held back by his society’s caste system. The book features snakes and their rodent companions, and the series will explore a lot of issues surrounding the concepts of destiny, free will, social equality and personal rights.

I suppose it was inspired by my own interest in reptiles as well as some personal choices and lifestyle changes I’ve made recently. A lot of my stories have explored the idea of diet ever since I’ve stopped eating animal products, but even before that the idea of an all animal society trying to work out who is food and who is friend has been something that fascinates me.  In Serpentia, mice and snakes have a somewhat symbiotic relationship that is peaceful on the exterior, but very problematic at its core.

 

What’s your writing process like? Are you a “pantser,” an outliner, or something in between? How do you find that this helps and/or hurts your writing style?

I love this question. When it comes up I usually call myself a “reformed pantser”, and then have to explain, of course.

I’m definitely not a heavy outliner, and I began writing as a total seat-of-the-pants, no idea where this is going to take me, exploratory writer. However, a few years and a few books into the process I got very interested in plot structure and dramatic pacing, did a lot of research on plot points and audience expectations, and figured out that I’d be wise to incorporate all of the above into my process.

So nowadays I do a bare bones bit of planning that usually involves sorting out where my major plot points will be, but also leaving a lot of room to move about freely in between. That way I have guide posts along the way, and I always know what big scene I’m writing toward, but it doesn’t feel suffocating either.

I admire in-depth outliners a great deal, but if I try that (and I have), my process usually shuts down pretty fast.

 

What’s your favorite kind of story to write?

Animal stories! Oh, wait. I suppose that’s too general in this company. But of course I had a lot of books written before I worked out that furry literature was a thing, so between those stories and my fuzzy books, I definitely prefer writing animal-centric.

Within furry writing my favorite stories to write are about justice or equality, stories that might explore some of our shadows as a society and then bring those things into the light or remedy them, at least on the page. I like heroic underdogs and quirky sidekicks and a little humor in the mix. And even though I can wander into the dark end of things from time to time, my background in the romance genre has made me pretty attached to that happy ending.

I want to feel good at the end of a book, even if I cried a little along the way.

 

Which character from your work do you most identify with, and why?

Stella Rose from Queen of Arts is probably the closest I’ve ever coming to writing an autobiographical character. I wish I could claim someone more exciting or heroic, but writing Stella was more than a little therapeutic. She’s the quintessential “mama bear,” maybe a little too concerned with her friends’ lives and very protective of them, but also creative, insecure, and a domestic violence survivor. And she’s feeling her age. All very much like her greymuzzle author.

 

What has most influenced your work? Is an author, a title, or something else?

I think the things I’ve read over the years, primarily classic sci-fi and fantasy, but also humor and romance, classics, non-fiction…all the variety of input consumed sort of rolls together to influence a writer. Combine that with life experience, trials, things we survive and things we endure and the end result is what pours out onto the page.

Individual authors I hope influenced me are Andre Norton, who will always be my favorite, Tanith Lee, Patricia McKillip, and more recently, Christopher Moore.

It’s no surprise that my earliest reading was all animal related. Jack London, The Black Stallion, Wind in the Willows. We circle back to our beginnings eventually.

 

What’s the last book you read that you really loved?

I adored Signal by Renee Carter Hall. I’m currently reading Daniel Potter’s Marking Territory and I love most everything about his writing and that universe.

 

Besides writing, how do you like to spend your free time?

I like to spend as much time as I can with my kiddos, who are getting old enough to want mom to back off and let them get back to their video games. I also crochet, play around with visual art, build fursuits and their assorted parts, and keep way too many pets, including a new rosy boa breeding project that has my house filling up with snake terrariums.

 

Advice for other writers?

So many things. Never give up. Take all advice seriously but only use what works for you, keep writing even if it’s not good yet or you can’t see how good it is yet. But mostly, I say, don’t forget that this is supposed to be fun. Write because you enjoy it, and then remember to keep enjoying it.

 

Where can readers find your work?

My website can get you to almost everything I have available. I also post some furry things on SF and FA as Mamma Bear. I’ve been honored to have some stories published in furry anthologies from various publishers, and I try to post those as they go live on my Facebook page or in my newsletter.

 

What’s your favorite thing about the furry fandom? Why write furry?

Can I say everything? I love this fandom. I love how open-minded we are and how accepting and most of all how much we embrace fun and joyful play. I’ve met people from all walks who have found support, encouragement and family in the furry world.

But why write furry? Well, I think furry literature has a glorious history of great stories that goes back longer than most people realize. I want to contribute to that magnificent body of works called “animal stories” and I want to help spread awareness of the genre and enthusiasm for furry books in the wider world of genre fiction. All of that sounds great, but in truth, I write furry stories because it makes me smile, and it keeps me coming back to the keyboard without dragging my feet. It brings me joy.

 

 

 

New fandom documentary series!  That is all. "The Fandom is a 7 part miniseries examining what it means to be furry. Episode one will go live 3/22/2019. I am excited to share it all with you! This film was made possible by the hard work and contributions of Ash Eagle (Aka TheFurryFilmmaker on twitter) and my husband Chipfox"
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I really can't ignore this one and one does need to change the litter often.  
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Our garden has gotten this way as well .... I think I need to think about pruning ... or just burning the back yard down.    
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The third installment of the Otters in Space trilogy brings Kipper's quest to a satisfying end. Finally back on Earth, the tabby cat's return is dampened by the political situation between cats and dogs, the impending invasion of the terrifying aliens from Jupiter, and her own restlessness after living a life of adventure among the stars. Kipper's life among the otters might have been damp and uncomfortable, but it's definitely transformed her. So when the government refused to do anything productive about the rapidly approaching enemy, Kipper takes matters into her own paws. Meanwhile, her sister fights a battle against an unjust political system, and her otter friends back on the Jovian moon race to find a solution of their own. Octopus Ascending is a fine conclusion to the Otters in Space trilogy. My favorite of the three books by far, the conflict is well developed. The characters have really come into their own, and the plot answers all the questions posed in previous novels while introducing a few new surprises. Like the fact that the cats of Earth know far less about their own history than they believe. I recommend the entire series for any fan of a good, fun, romping space opera, and I have a feeling that we may be seeing more in this universe, if not from Kipper herself. I very much look forward to whatever the author has in store for us next.

The folks over at Previews magalog let us know about this new book. “From the visionary Shaun Tan, an inspirational story for older picture book readers and beyond. Cicada tells the story of a hardworking little cicada who is completely unappreciated for what he does. But in the end, just when you think he’s given up, he makes a transformation into something ineffably beautiful. A metaphor for growing up? A bit of inspiration for the unappreciated striver in all of us? Yes, yes, and more.” It’s available now from Arthur A. Levine Books.

image c. 2019 Arthur A. Levine Books

Ok, I'm actually kinda on board for this.
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Roo and Tugs are joined by Kiit Lock, famous streamer, to discuss the world of Popufurs! In this topic revisit (which was originally Tugs' first episode as host) they discuss why furries crave popularity, how to approach famous furries, and the social norms around the curious phenomenon of popularity.





NOW LISTEN!

 
Show Notes
Special Thanks

Kiit Lock, our guest. Check him out on Twitch most days!
Kit
Lu
Aussie Kat
Dronon

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Music

Opening Theme: RetroSpecter – Cloud Fields (RetroSpecter Mix). USA: Unpublished, 2018. ©2011-2018 Fur What It’s Worth. Based on Fredrik Miller – Cloud Fields (Century Mix). USA: Bandcamp, 2011. ©2011 Fur What It’s Worth. (Buy a copy here – support your fellow furs!)
Space News Music: Fredrik Miller – Orbit. USA: Bandcamp, 2013. Used with permission. (Buy a copy here – support your fellow furs!)
Bumper 1:  Mystery Skulls – Ghost. USA: Warner Bros Records, 2011. Used with permission.
Fifty Sheds of Grey: Kevin MacLeod – Spy Glass. Licensed under Creative Commons: by Attribution 3.0. Visit Incompetech for more.
Patreon: The Tudor Concert – Inflammatus. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0.
Closing Theme: RetroSpecter – Cloud Fields (RetroSpecter Chill Mix). USA: Unpublished, 2018. ©2011-2018 Fur What It’s Worth. Based on Fredrik Miller – Cloud Fields (Chill Out Mix). USA: Bandcamp, 2011. ©2011 Fur What It’s Worth. (Buy a copy here – support your fellow furs!) S8 Episode 10 – Popufurs (Revisit) - Roo and Tugs are joined by Kiit Lock, famous streamer, to discuss the world of Popufurs! In this topic revisit (which was originally Tugs' first episode as host) they discuss why furries crave popularity, how to approa

I do hear some unicorns are like that. "Even though ‘I’ may stay the same, the aspect of relationships changes depending on whom I meet. The perfect relationship might not exist."
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A big roundup, then an uncomfortable news segment.

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Link Roundup:

• Vox: Why Parrots Can Talk Like Humans
• Furry fandom helps create culture of friendship, respect
• @DemetriusTrader tweets video of fursuiters answering door for pizza delivery
• To close ‘orgasm gap,’ the National Film Board launches game to teach people about the clitoris
• @SlyCat’s twitter video of NFC voring bounce castle
• Kickstarter: World of Furries, multiplayer RPG online browser game
• Canadian Wolves Airdropped onto Michigan
  • Tweet 1
  • Tweet 2
  • Tweet 3
• @CanYouPetTheDog
• Collab project to pitch Animorphs to Netflix
• HardTimes: Furry Community Distances Self From Sonic the Hedgehog
• NPR: Polyamory On The Rise
• Niagara Falls’ Mario Kart Style Race Track Is Officially Opening This Spring
• AshCoyote and Eric “Ash” Risher release trailer for “The Fandom”
• Guardian: Red wolf: the struggle to save one of the rarest animals on Earth
• Insta360 Shares @WoleverWuff’s 360 fursuiting video
• KeepFurryWeird T-Shirts
• Animatronic tails for humans
• Tol interviews with sadosam “I Made My Own First Pup Hood Out Of Paper Mache”

News:

• Man Shoots Himself in Penis
• Man Survives on Taco Bell Sauce for 5 Days
• Tiger at the Prom
• This Bizarre Organism Has A Disappearing Anus

[Live] UncomfTaurBull

As part of their 20th anniversary celebration, IDW Publishing are presenting a special collection of one-shot larger issues called the 20/20 series. And right there among them is My Little Pony: IDW 20/20. “Ponyville’s most courageous and magical ponies celebrate friendship and fun in this adventure set twenty years in the past! Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and the rest of your favorite pony friends are young fillies—surely things can’t get too crazy, right?! One thing’s for sure: no matter what escapades they face, the magic of friendship will see them through!” It’s written by Ted Anderson, with art by Tony Kuusisto and Heather Breckel. IDW has a preview too.

image c. 2019 IDW Publishing

The ecology of small volcanic islands like this are very odd. "Somewhere, on an oceanic island, the forces of nature are still at work as in primeval times. A young, naive female tiger lives there in harmony with herself and nature. When her awakening femininity is noticed by an older male tiger, the young tigress is getting more and more scared by his heated approach. But it is impossible to escape on the secluded island. The feelings of the young animal are reflected by the volcano island, and with the help of nature, she can finally act upon her own will."
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There is very little information on this but this trailer has gotten my interest.
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Here is a cute short ident for NODE fest [1] 2018 and I gotta say I want a Kaiju Cat now.     [1] http://www.nodefest.com.au/
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While everyone is waiting with baited breath for director James Cameron to really begin work on the sequel to Avatar (after he brought Pandora to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, of course), now Dark Horse Comics have a new full-color Avatar comic series hitting the shelves — Avatar: Tsu’tey’s Path. “Tsu’tey, proud warrior of the Omatikaya clan, betrothed to Neytiri, has his life turned upside down by the arrival of Jake Sully of the Sky People. Reveals events only hinted at in James Cameron’s Avatar!” It’s written by Sherri L. Smith, and illustrated by Jan Duursema, Dan Parson, and Wes Dzioba. The first issue is available in stores now.

image c. 2019 Dark Horse Comics

we answer Patreon questions, and more! www.draggetshow.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/thedraggetshow Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DraggetShow You can also find our audio version on iTunes or anywhere you find podcasts! Be sure to check our website for all Things Dragget Show! Podcasts, videos, merch and more! Surprisestream! - 3/5/2019 - we answer Patreon questions, and more! www.dragg…

Man, it's all about the Washington!
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