Here’s the next reading from The Blue Place, in which Aud and the mystery woman she bumped into in the rain meet again in the police gym, and chi sao:
http://www.nicolagriffith.com/audio/player.swf
This is a longer reading–about 11 minutes–and better quality. I’ve upgraded the quality of TBP #1, now, too, so if you were put off by the initial bottom-of-a-well quality, give it another go.
I’ve have other Aud readings, from Stay. Let me know if you like this sort of thing and I’ll keep posting them, otherwise I’ll switch to songs for a couple of weeks.
Nicola Griffith 
I enjoy the readings and would love if you continued to post. There is always an interesting aspect to listening to the actual writer interpret their work verbally. You are really wonderful to listen to, the emotion and tension really come through. Two questions, can these be downloaded to an Ipod and would you mind if I that? It would be nice to listen to them in the car.Thanks.
Well done! But you knew that. You worked on it hard enough. I’ve never learned martial arts or self defense, but it strikes me that it’s alot like making love- when to be assertive and when to be vulnerable. Aud’s feeling is given the oppurtunity to dump you on your ass or to teach you, I’d rather teach you- and all because they both took the corner wide. Bravo.
Well done! But you knew that. You worked on it hard enough. I’ve never learned martial arts or self defense, but it strikes me that it’s alot like making love- when to be assertive and when to be vulnerable. Aud’s feeling is given the opportunity to dump you on your ass or to teach you, I’d rather teach you- and all because they both took the corner wide. Bravo.
rory, thanks. I love to read. This audio thing gives me an excuse. Yes, you have my permission to download the readings onto your iPod. To make it easier, here’s a < HREF="http://www.nicolagriffith.com/audio/blueplace02.mp3" REL="nofollow">link to the .mp3<>. Just right click and <>save target as…<>barbara, I think all life–sex, writing, music, marriage, martial arts, diet, blogging–is knowing how to chi sao, when to give and when to take, when to bend and when to flow back at the source. But, yes, when it comes to long-term partnership, having common ground — taking the corner wide; meeting at a writing workshop :) — is very helpful.
I love the readings, but I also want the songs. Do we have to choose or can there be a mixed bag? I loved that part in the Blue Place. I agree with what rory said about listening to the writer’s interpretation. duff
duff, rory, yes, you have to choose what’s next. But, no, it’s not a permanent either/or, just a question of the order. So, rory, you’d prefer readings? Duff, songs? Any other votes?
Votes…hm. I, too, love to listen to both your songs and readings. Can we have another reading next week and then a song after that? :)This is such a gift, Nicola. Thank you. You’ve given me another dimension of experience with your characters. It’s marvelous! I’ve wanted to study a martial art since I was very little, but I never seized an opportunity.Your writing has re-inspired me. Aud’s voice very much mirrors my appreciation for the movement of the body through the martial arts. I’ve never been too attracted to the combative arts; more the defensive. Using the opponent’s energy to take them off balance. I’ve read about many of the arts, but there are so many to choose from! Do you prefer any over the others?
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It sounds as though aikido is what you’re after. I talk about it here:http://tinyurl.com/6p7pepand here:http://tinyurl.com/5lhsvx
Janine’s suggestion is fine with me. Nicola, thank you for the link.
Yeah, mixed bag! Maybe we can get three Fridays of readings and then a song.
Okay. So I’m thinking a song next, then a couple of <>Stay<> readings, then another song, then more <>Stay<> readings. Then maybe another interview. Or…well, maybe I’ll just get capricious :)
LOL. Capricious works for me.
All of that sounds good to me. But I’m also holding out hope for readings of your hypnagogic writings (when/if you ever feel so inclined).Hearing these TBP readings tempts me to pick it up again for a re-read, but I’m going restrain myself. It’s definitely cool to hear you reading. I think I listened to some of them before from your website, but it’s been a while.
Well, ‘capricious’ might entail a hypnagogic or two…
Well, no telling what your capriciousness will produce; I like surprises.And just to clarify on the re-read of TBP; I think I’ve read it three times already. Now, I’m thinking I’m about due for #2 with SLOW RIVER. I want to read it again now that I’ve read your memoir.
Well, that might prove interesting. Let me know if you read it differently, if the memoir illuminates anything for you. At the < HREF="http://www.nicolagriffith.com/slowriver.html" REL="nofollow">Slow River<> page of my website there are an essay and a ‘talking about’ piece that might also shed some light on the origins and thought process.