I read my first Stephen King novel and my first real postmodern graphic novel while sickly in bed with a relatively severe head cold (if only the lingering fogginess would go away...). Maus was something else--for many reasons it is close to me, of course--and Stephen King is a master of the art, of course. I know the story of Misery (thanks to the movie and to the Family Guy spoof--yeah, yeah) but will anxiously turn to his other works. The structure was pretty cool, though sometimes a trial to really engage in.
Maus: 10/10
Misery: 7/10
Mini Book Review #1
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Ken Follet has come a freaking long way from Lie Down With Lions.
This same guy wrote Pillars of the Earth!!
PS- Happy Thanksgiving! I'm grateful for many things, and the ability to always keep trying!
This same guy wrote Pillars of the Earth!!
PS- Happy Thanksgiving! I'm grateful for many things, and the ability to always keep trying!
Booklist III
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Cold weather and long holidays means lots of reading ahead and two bonus titles.
- Supergods - Grant Morrison
- Misery - Stephen King
- Boys Will Be Boys - Jeff Pearlman
- Maus - Art Spiegelman
- Buddhism for Beginners - Thubten Chodron
- The Good Rain: Across Time and Terrain in the Pacific Northwest - Timothy Egan
- How to Look Expensive - Andrea Pomerantz Lustig
- The Meaning of Sports - Michael Mandelbaum
- Forty Million Dollar Slaves - William C. Rhoden
- Freud for Beginners - Richard Appignanesi and Oscar Zarate
- You Are What You Wear - Jennifer Baumgartner
- A History of God - Karen Armstrong
- A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
- The Brief and Wonderful Life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz
- The Essential Rumi - Rumi
- Columbine - Dave Cullen
- Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind - Hazuo Miyazaki
- Wonderful Life - Stephen Jay Gould
- Why We Run - Bernd Heinrich
- The Earth Shall Weep - James Wilson
- Varsity Green - Mark Yost
- You Are Not So Smart - David McRaney
- Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared Diamond
- Beginner's Guide to Jungian Psychology - Robertson
- The Coming Plague - Laurie Garrett
- Existentialism - Thomas E. Wartenberg
- Jaws - Peter Benchley
- Awakening the Buddha Within - Lama Sura Das
- The Last Kingdom - Bernard Cornwell
- The Mating Mind - Geoffrey Miller
- BONUS: The Physics of Superheroes - James Kakalios
- BONUS: Lie Down with Lions - Ken Follett
Oh, here's a good mix. I'm slowly adding to the library right now. I love Amazon. I don't even mind they are a giant, evil, corporation that will probably end up taking over the world a la "Wall-E" style with its blatant megacorporation-y tactics and unabashed capitalism. I love free shipping and no tax. I love reading! And I still love sports and science nonfiction. My writing itch is coming back, though--time to grab some fiction reads again.
Book Journal: The Year 1000
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
A wonderful and accessible little ditty of history full of enticing facts and British charm.
The Year 1000: What Life was Like at the Turn of the First Millennium by Robert Lacey and Danny Danziger
First, let me speak to the effectiveness of this book's presentation. Playing off of the Julius Work Calendar, the authors have twelve chapters that detail how life was like during that specific month.
There's a lot of religious history in here, which makes plenty of sense: life in 1000 AD was extremely religious, and any accounts of life from that time, if not from a nobleman or king's court, were from the monasteries and clerics. The heartstrings tug whenever Lacey and Danziger--with clear remorse--woefully remind the reader that King Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries destroyed hundreds of years of history. Details on food, the Celtic Fringe (what a cool thing! I didn't even know that!), the idiosyncrasies of the kings of the past, and the constant threat of Vikings and Germanic tribes are in great form here.
As someone who loves expertly blended works of geography and history, I did enjoy this. There are some very weird areas of the world that have piqued my interest: Northern Europe, especially the British Isles, circa this time; Siberian Russia and other very cold climes; The Great Plains of the US from 1800-1940; and the Scramble for Africa.
A quick read at 200 pages, full of wonderful voice, fact, presentation, and information. Part of me wants to go watch Braveheart now.
Rating: 8/10
The Year 1000: What Life was Like at the Turn of the First Millennium by Robert Lacey and Danny Danziger
First, let me speak to the effectiveness of this book's presentation. Playing off of the Julius Work Calendar, the authors have twelve chapters that detail how life was like during that specific month.
There's a lot of religious history in here, which makes plenty of sense: life in 1000 AD was extremely religious, and any accounts of life from that time, if not from a nobleman or king's court, were from the monasteries and clerics. The heartstrings tug whenever Lacey and Danziger--with clear remorse--woefully remind the reader that King Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries destroyed hundreds of years of history. Details on food, the Celtic Fringe (what a cool thing! I didn't even know that!), the idiosyncrasies of the kings of the past, and the constant threat of Vikings and Germanic tribes are in great form here.
As someone who loves expertly blended works of geography and history, I did enjoy this. There are some very weird areas of the world that have piqued my interest: Northern Europe, especially the British Isles, circa this time; Siberian Russia and other very cold climes; The Great Plains of the US from 1800-1940; and the Scramble for Africa.
A quick read at 200 pages, full of wonderful voice, fact, presentation, and information. Part of me wants to go watch Braveheart now.
Rating: 8/10
Lightbulb!
Love it.
In unrelated news, I've had an itching to play The Oregon Trail. I usually get that about three or four times a year. My personal favorite versions are the 3rd edition and the 5th edition, which means, at about ten-fifteen years old, the technology is just so ancient (sigh) that I think our PC laptop starts giggling when I put my 5th edition CD into the reader.
Sometimes--randomly, haphazardly, if the PC takes pity on my poor nostalgic self--the game loads.
In unrelated news, I've had an itching to play The Oregon Trail. I usually get that about three or four times a year. My personal favorite versions are the 3rd edition and the 5th edition, which means, at about ten-fifteen years old, the technology is just so ancient (sigh) that I think our PC laptop starts giggling when I put my 5th edition CD into the reader.
Sometimes--randomly, haphazardly, if the PC takes pity on my poor nostalgic self--the game loads.
Quotes to Write By #7
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
"What makes a great story is a climax that's surprising yet inevitable." --The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean, page 56.
Good Reads
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1809615-jillian
That's my profile! I made it in December 2008 (?!) and just went back to it. I've had some fun rating some books. Add me/I'll add you!
The thing about this website is that not only does it generate some really great book titles, but it also reminds me how sad it is that I haven't read so many great classics, either.
That's my profile! I made it in December 2008 (?!) and just went back to it. I've had some fun rating some books. Add me/I'll add you!
The thing about this website is that not only does it generate some really great book titles, but it also reminds me how sad it is that I haven't read so many great classics, either.
Book Journal: Scorecasting by Tobias J. Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim
Friday, October 5, 2012
A great read for anyone interested in sports, logic, luck, statistics, economics... and anyone interested in more than the wild bleatings of crazy (if innocuous) fans.
Scorecasting: The Hidden Influences behind how Sports are Played and Games are Won by Tobias J. Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim
What an interesting read! The rise of college and professional football season usually means a vaulted interest in sports literature and sports nonfiction (for me, at least). So I drafted up a list of football-related books to devour (another book review on the sport is forthcoming) and this one came in the mail first.
Moskowitz and Wertheim have a writing style that is very accessible, taking loftier subjects like mathematics and economics and presenting them in a fashion that sports fans will appreciate. The use of graphs, multisport-examples, and real-life historical situations are also very effective. Since my realization that I need to eventually get my higher degree in science/health/environmental journalism, I've become more and more interested in reading books that take denser subjects and effectively communicate them to the general public. It's not everyone's cup of tea--think of long-winded book review on narrative science or Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler in that one Big Bang Theory episode--but I think it's very important. We've got to educate and communicate with everyone, not just the people who are already a step ahead!
The stats and theories are fun, and sports fans will enjoy the wide scope of examples. As someone with a love of sports, if slightly less so for certain games, a few of the chapters or scnearios devoted to, say, the stats of baseball or hockey were a bit slow for me, but that comes with the territory.
However, like any nonfiction narrative, it goes without saying that Moskowitz and Wertheim's studies should be considered alongside others. There are a few facts they leave out, particularly with benching players for certain scenarios, and a few controlling elements they sometimes ignore. Some studies don't have many sources, and I have to admit I was surpised by the abruptness of some of the super-short chapters, which didn't do much to convince me of their theories. Additionally, for the HFA chapters, I found it very interesting and plausible that crowds influence referees, but wonder why, when a lot of studies have shown, they didn't talk about the influence of crowds in American football. As a former basketball player, I can attest that crowd noise doesn't really affect a free-throw shooter like they probably believe, but communication is pretty big for NFL teams, where the final result is only as good as every single player on the field.
Still, this is a very interesting read, and will definitely draw up questions, answers, and discussions--and let's be real, anything that gets people talking is great. Moskowitz and Wertheim are definitely on a hot path here, and have a lot going on. I think if they take it a step up, they've got some great leads, and can expand and add even more depth to their work. Definitely worth it; a really interesting read.
7.5/10
Scorecasting: The Hidden Influences behind how Sports are Played and Games are Won by Tobias J. Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim
What an interesting read! The rise of college and professional football season usually means a vaulted interest in sports literature and sports nonfiction (for me, at least). So I drafted up a list of football-related books to devour (another book review on the sport is forthcoming) and this one came in the mail first.
Moskowitz and Wertheim have a writing style that is very accessible, taking loftier subjects like mathematics and economics and presenting them in a fashion that sports fans will appreciate. The use of graphs, multisport-examples, and real-life historical situations are also very effective. Since my realization that I need to eventually get my higher degree in science/health/environmental journalism, I've become more and more interested in reading books that take denser subjects and effectively communicate them to the general public. It's not everyone's cup of tea--think of long-winded book review on narrative science or Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler in that one Big Bang Theory episode--but I think it's very important. We've got to educate and communicate with everyone, not just the people who are already a step ahead!
The stats and theories are fun, and sports fans will enjoy the wide scope of examples. As someone with a love of sports, if slightly less so for certain games, a few of the chapters or scnearios devoted to, say, the stats of baseball or hockey were a bit slow for me, but that comes with the territory.
However, like any nonfiction narrative, it goes without saying that Moskowitz and Wertheim's studies should be considered alongside others. There are a few facts they leave out, particularly with benching players for certain scenarios, and a few controlling elements they sometimes ignore. Some studies don't have many sources, and I have to admit I was surpised by the abruptness of some of the super-short chapters, which didn't do much to convince me of their theories. Additionally, for the HFA chapters, I found it very interesting and plausible that crowds influence referees, but wonder why, when a lot of studies have shown, they didn't talk about the influence of crowds in American football. As a former basketball player, I can attest that crowd noise doesn't really affect a free-throw shooter like they probably believe, but communication is pretty big for NFL teams, where the final result is only as good as every single player on the field.
Still, this is a very interesting read, and will definitely draw up questions, answers, and discussions--and let's be real, anything that gets people talking is great. Moskowitz and Wertheim are definitely on a hot path here, and have a lot going on. I think if they take it a step up, they've got some great leads, and can expand and add even more depth to their work. Definitely worth it; a really interesting read.
7.5/10
Booklist II Update #1
Friday, September 7, 2012
EDIT 10/8/12 - ALL RIGHT! This is the last time I'm editing this because, with the exception of Miyazaki's epic story (to be rereleased in November) I own every book on here. Enough's enough, right?! EDIT: At Target I found on clearance a copy of Mindy Kaling's book. I'm replacing Nausicca on here. Now I do own everything.
EDIT 11/1/12 - Almost done! Moving from fiction to science writing in preparation for my applications, so I'll likely finish this off with pushing Tomorrow's Eve and On Writing to my next book list. We'll see!
EDIT 11/1/12 - Almost done! Moving from fiction to science writing in preparation for my applications, so I'll likely finish this off with pushing Tomorrow's Eve and On Writing to my next book list. We'll see!
- On Writing - Stephen King
- The World Without Us (reread) - Alan Weisman
- Science Under Siege - ed. Kendrick Frazier
- Knock 'em Dead 2012 - Martin Yate, CPC
- Book of Three: 1 - Alexander Lloyd
- Tomorrow's Eve - Auguste Villiers de L'Isle-Adam
- Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) - Mindy Kaling
- Perfect Personal Statement - Peterson's
- Sphere - Michael Crichton
- The Best American Science and Nature Writing - Mary Roach
- Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton
- How Football Explains America - Sal Paolantonio
- Scorecasting - Moskowitz and Wertheim
- The Year 1000 - Robert Lacey and Danny Danziger
- The Worst Hard Time - Timothy Egan
- Valley of Horses - Jean M. Auel
- The Disappearing Spoon - Sam Kean
- The Big Book of Health and Fitness - Dr. Philip Maffetone
- Writing Steampunk - Beth Daniels
- The Maffetone Method - Dr. Philip Maffetone
- Timeline (reread) - Michael Crichton
- The Demon in the Freezer - Richard Preston
- Demonic Males: Apes and the Origins of Human Violence - Dale Peterson
- Get Into Graduate School - Kaplan
- Top Notch Executive Interviews - Katharine Hansen, PhD
- White Russian - Tom Bradby
- Scoreboard, Baby - Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry
- Graduate Admissions Essays - Donald Asher
- In Fitness and in Health - Dr. Philip Maffetone
- Don't Know Much about Geography - Kenneth C. Davis
Yes, already updating! I've read a lot in the past few days. But I updated this for purpose of research for my manuscript. I've decided that I really am kind of disappointed in Auel's Earth's Children series. I think it's because...I just don't know. Too little progression? I really wanted to love them. I love historical fiction, and reading about a civilization from 15,000 years ago is so kick ass. Yes, I took off Ayn Rand's book and Shogun, again. Yikes.
It's been a rough two weeks
Thursday, September 6, 2012
I got quoted. That announcement on the Facebook page? From ME.
...................................................................see....I can write......please world.
...................................................................see....I can write......please world.
On Writing -6-
Friday, August 24, 2012
“The planet has survived everything, in its time. It will certainly survive us.”
― Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park
I finished Jurassic Park—loved it, 8/10—and in particular there's a long quote I'll paraphrase uttered by Ian Malcolm to John Hammond about the environment. The above it a good reference to it, but in context, Hammond is talking about how humans are destroying the earth, while Malcolm essentially tells him to stop being so egotistical. Humans are destroying the earth but it doesn't matter, because the earth will bounce back, will take over, will create a new environment, even if that environment is unsuitable for life as we have come to know it.
This is interesting to me because of the nature of my second manuscript, which does explore some of those concepts. In general I do a cheapish thing and play to the pathos of our world, and the adventure it holds, but there're bits in there that focus on what it means to have a relationship with our earth as our civilizations change. I try to walk the fine line between two separate spheres, but Malcolm's quote is something that I actually do believe, and have explored in a few drafts, and will explore in upcoming ones.
If you've read The World Without Us (which I'm re-reading, currently) or watched those fun Discovery Channel programs like The Future is Wild (probably crediting the wrong broadcasting network), future exploration and prediction is fun but wildly speculative. Thing is, though, Malcolm, and by extension Crichton, is very correct when he says that the earth will certainly survive us. It's popular to talk about how our resources won't be able to sustain a population that consumes it as we have been doing without any change, and that much is true, and so some imaginations run wild and we talk about building colonies underwater or on the moon. But I wonder how many people think about the earth reshaping its atmosphere, or its landscapes, or its seas and lakes, to the point where we realize what once WAS hospitable is no longer? That's a thought.
― Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park
I finished Jurassic Park—loved it, 8/10—and in particular there's a long quote I'll paraphrase uttered by Ian Malcolm to John Hammond about the environment. The above it a good reference to it, but in context, Hammond is talking about how humans are destroying the earth, while Malcolm essentially tells him to stop being so egotistical. Humans are destroying the earth but it doesn't matter, because the earth will bounce back, will take over, will create a new environment, even if that environment is unsuitable for life as we have come to know it.
This is interesting to me because of the nature of my second manuscript, which does explore some of those concepts. In general I do a cheapish thing and play to the pathos of our world, and the adventure it holds, but there're bits in there that focus on what it means to have a relationship with our earth as our civilizations change. I try to walk the fine line between two separate spheres, but Malcolm's quote is something that I actually do believe, and have explored in a few drafts, and will explore in upcoming ones.
If you've read The World Without Us (which I'm re-reading, currently) or watched those fun Discovery Channel programs like The Future is Wild (probably crediting the wrong broadcasting network), future exploration and prediction is fun but wildly speculative. Thing is, though, Malcolm, and by extension Crichton, is very correct when he says that the earth will certainly survive us. It's popular to talk about how our resources won't be able to sustain a population that consumes it as we have been doing without any change, and that much is true, and so some imaginations run wild and we talk about building colonies underwater or on the moon. But I wonder how many people think about the earth reshaping its atmosphere, or its landscapes, or its seas and lakes, to the point where we realize what once WAS hospitable is no longer? That's a thought.
Magazines
Monday, August 20, 2012
I go through phases with magazines--there are times when I devour them and times when I think they take up too much space for too little impact. But lately I've been yearning for them to return, and so yesterday I finalized a list of things I'll be subscribing to. Again, interests be priority in this tough, tough economy. But I've narrowed it down to the following:
1. SCUBA Magazine (renewed)
2. National Geographic + iPad Content
3. National Geographic Traveler
4. Cooks Illustrated
I'm wavering back and forth between subscribing to The Economist (I really took my university library's free issues for granted!) for a cool $127 a year, which is about equal to $2.50 a magazine and about $10 a month, but the total figure for that, even if it is a weekly affair, is kind of hard to swallow. I'm also contemplating subscribing to the NYT online, and the special editions of TIME Magazine (which I usually gobble up at the grocery store despite their $12.99 price tag).
Fortunately my mother's subscriptions to her fitness journals seem never-ending, even if I have to find them between issues of Us and People. :)
1. SCUBA Magazine (renewed)
2. National Geographic + iPad Content
3. National Geographic Traveler
4. Cooks Illustrated
I'm wavering back and forth between subscribing to The Economist (I really took my university library's free issues for granted!) for a cool $127 a year, which is about equal to $2.50 a magazine and about $10 a month, but the total figure for that, even if it is a weekly affair, is kind of hard to swallow. I'm also contemplating subscribing to the NYT online, and the special editions of TIME Magazine (which I usually gobble up at the grocery store despite their $12.99 price tag).
Fortunately my mother's subscriptions to her fitness journals seem never-ending, even if I have to find them between issues of Us and People. :)
Booklist II - 2012/2013
Time for the next one! How exciting. Some titles have returned that were removed from Booklist I, but let's be real--this list changes as my interests do, so I'm sure we'll see a few updates throughout the year. But hey, some good titles made the first cut. Off we go!
- On Writing - Stephen King
- The World Without Us (reread) (owned) - Alan Weisman
- All Quiet on the Western Front (reread) (owned) - Erich Maria Remarque
- Dog Sense - John Bradshaw
- Atlas Shrugged - (owned) Ayn Rand
- Shogun - (owned) John Clavell
- Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind - Hazuo Miyazaki
- State of Wonder - Ann Patchett
- Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro
- Lie Down with Lions - (owned) Ken Follet
- Jurassic Park - (owned) Michael Crichton
- A Clockwork Orange - (owned) Anthony Burgess
- Scorecasting - Moskowitz and Wertheim
- Peter Pan - (owned) James M. Barrie
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - (owned) Arthur Conan Doyle
- Valley of Horses - (owned) Jean M. Auel
- The Physician- Noah Gordon
- The Visible World - Mark Slouka
- Shadow of Night - (owned) Deborah Harkness
- While We're Far Apart - Lynn Austin
- Wanderlust: Real-Life Tales of Adventure and Romance - Don George
- Dream of Ding Village - Yan Lianke
- Demonic Males: Apes and the Origins of Human Violence - Dale Peterson
- The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara - Terry Brooks
- Stardust - Neil Gaiman
- White Russian - (owned) Tom Bradby
- The Jungle - (owned) Upton Sinclair
- Tales of the Jazz Age - (owned) F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The True Story of Hansel and Gretel - Louise Murphy
- Don't Know Much about Geography - (owned) Kenneth C. Davis
There isn't anything too out of the ordinary above. Most of my usual interests are represented here: historical fiction (a lot of WW2 literature here), adventure nonfiction, and anthropological/geographical science narrative. There's more classic author/literature here, mainly because I can download that for free on my iPad, and of course, a new slew of already-owned books. There's apparently a good used bookstore near my office, but I do miss my Eagle Eye bookshop in Atlanta.
I think this week will be a good time to start a new one, and while I'm bummed to be missing a fun Labor Day holiday this year, I'll enjoy some good reading and relaxing time.
Booklist Update - Almost Done!
Friday, August 3, 2012
1. The Story of English by Robert McCrum
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
3. A Concise History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict by Ian Bickerton and Carla Klausner
4. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
3. A Concise History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict by Ian Bickerton and Carla Klausner
4. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
5. A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
6. A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
7. A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
8. A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin
9. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh (when is "Downton Abbey" returning?!)
10. Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
11. Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman
12. The Narcissism Epidemic by Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell
13. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
14. Mapping Human History by Steven Olson
15. Fall of Giants by Ken Follet
16. Dune by Frank Herbert
17. Panic in Level 4 by Richard Preston
18. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
19. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
20. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
21. Watership Down by Richard Adams
22. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
23. The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley
24. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
25. The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
26. Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinof
27. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
11. Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman
12. The Narcissism Epidemic by Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell
13. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
14. Mapping Human History by Steven Olson
15. Fall of Giants by Ken Follet
16. Dune by Frank Herbert
17. Panic in Level 4 by Richard Preston
18. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
19. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
20. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
21. Watership Down by Richard Adams
22. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
23. The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley
24. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
25. The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
26. Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinof
27. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
28. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
29. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon (The Avengers did wonders for my imagination's happiness)
30. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Most of these were finished up at the beach and on my traveling journey to Israel. What to say about some things? The Maze Runner was a giant, unrecommendable (not a word, yes I know) disappointment; Fall of Giants was great, great, great, if at times slightly implausible; Mapping Human History was a wonderful read, though I understand the criticism it has received (after all, it's such a new science!); Watership Down a classic of due praise; Panic in Level 4 an up-and-down thriller depending on your interests; The Arab-Israeli Conflict recommended to me, and I understand why; and The Help was much, much better than I expected!
But nothing, nothing struck me, stayed with me as much as Antoine de Saint-Exupery's memoir. Oh, my God. It's been so long since I was moved by writing in a spiritual way. Stories and characters have long inspired me and engaged me, but something about Saint-Exupery's prose--his ability to convey so little and so much at the same time--was just beautiful. I want to be him. He is an inspiration. He puts into words what I have felt, without even my being a pilot. He is the real-life incarnation of so many elements I have tried to portray in my newest manuscript, without my evening realizing it. I wish, I wish I could have met him, that I could meet him. His memoir is a 10/10.
Ridiculous.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
It is absolutely infuriating to me that the Kardashians' teenage daughters are not only planning on writing a book aimed at a young-adult audience but that they already have an agent, a publisher, and a publishing house, although the book is not yet complete, because they are "famous." I really do feel for the hundreds of unpublished, supremely talented writers and storytellers out there who can't get the chance to share their voice because their parents weren't on reality shows or because they are trying to capitalize on their starpower.
More Writings
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
It's always nice to look at what you've written in the past, even if you've come far in your writing since then!
http://www.emorywheel.com/about/search.php?q=jillian+thaw&m=emory&submit=Search
http://www.hercampus.com/jillian-thaw
Also found some issues of The Spoke and some personal writings. Taking my third edit of Fynn and Co. slowly and carefully--there are many things to edit out, and it must, MUST, be perfect!
I chanced upon some old issues of my high school newspaper, Cougar Prints (I had so much fun writing for that!) and high school literary magazine, where I wrote a piece about my recently deceased great-grandmother, who, if she were alive today, would be turning 99 this Saturday. Miss you, Nanny!
My Belize article is suddenly MIA...I'll have to do some snooping around for it. Wonder if it got lost in the shuffle of Wordpress? Hmm....
http://www.emorywheel.com/about/search.php?q=jillian+thaw&m=emory&submit=Search
http://www.hercampus.com/jillian-thaw
Also found some issues of The Spoke and some personal writings. Taking my third edit of Fynn and Co. slowly and carefully--there are many things to edit out, and it must, MUST, be perfect!
I chanced upon some old issues of my high school newspaper, Cougar Prints (I had so much fun writing for that!) and high school literary magazine, where I wrote a piece about my recently deceased great-grandmother, who, if she were alive today, would be turning 99 this Saturday. Miss you, Nanny!
My Belize article is suddenly MIA...I'll have to do some snooping around for it. Wonder if it got lost in the shuffle of Wordpress? Hmm....
I'm Published!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
http://stepawaymagazine.com/archives/1462
I'm so happy. Take a step , one at a time.
I'm so happy. Take a step , one at a time.
Booklist Update - "Beachtime Reads"
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
And another booklist update for me! With Seabrook Island vacation fast approaching (as in, just a few days from now!) I'm gathering together books to bring with me. Last year was when I devoured Pillars of the Earth, amongst other fiction and nonfiction works. Looking forward to some more hungry reading and--finally!--edits for Fynn and co. I've got 2 chapters in already and plenty of edits to make further on.
On another note--is it cheating how frequently I change my booklist? I say no, because reading is a lot like writing, or painting, or even becoming engaged in a television series: what you are interested in changes, and being flexible with those changes really helps to shape your knowledge and imagination. Of course, that's not to say that books no longer on my booklist won't be attended to--I'll get to them, someday! But for now, this booklist is almost complete (!!) and is populated by books I found unpacking my parents' new home as well. All the better to keep it flexible.
1.
The Story of English by Robert McCrum
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
3. A Concise History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict by Ian Bickerton and Carla Klausner
4. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
3. A Concise History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict by Ian Bickerton and Carla Klausner
4. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
5.
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
6.
A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
7.
A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
8.
A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin
9.
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh (when is "Downton Abbey" returning?!)
10. Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
11. Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman
12. The Narcissism Epidemic by Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell
13. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
14. Mapping Human History by Steven Olson
15. Fall of Giants by Ken Follet
16. Dune by Frank Herbert
17. Panic in Level 4 by Richard Preston
18. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
19. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
20. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
21. Watership Down by Richard Adams
22. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
23. The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley
24. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
25. The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
26. Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinof
27. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
11. Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman
12. The Narcissism Epidemic by Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell
13. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
14. Mapping Human History by Steven Olson
15. Fall of Giants by Ken Follet
16. Dune by Frank Herbert
17. Panic in Level 4 by Richard Preston
18. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
19. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
20. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
21. Watership Down by Richard Adams
22. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
23. The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told by Alex Haley
24. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
25. The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
26. Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinof
27. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
28.
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
29.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon (The Avengers did wonders for my imagination's happiness)
30.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I'm so excited to make a new booklist I can hardly wait :)
Quotes to Write By #6
Saturday, May 26, 2012
"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." --Norman Maclean, "A River Runs Through It"
Those times when the truth is so beautiful, shining brighter than all those times that the truth is less so.
Those times when the truth is so beautiful, shining brighter than all those times that the truth is less so.
Booklist Update 3
Monday, April 16, 2012
Booklist Update!
1. The Story of English by Robert McCrum
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (owned)
3. A Concise History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict by Ian Bickerton and Carla Klausner (owned)
4. A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
5. A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
6. A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin
7. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
8. Nemesis by Philip Roth
9. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
10. The Narcissism Epidemic by Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell (owned)
11. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
12. Transgression by James Nichol
13. Fall of Giants by Ken Follet (owned)
14. Dune by Frank Herbert
15. White Russian by Tom Bradby (owned)
16. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
17. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
18. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
19. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon (owned)
20. Shogun by James Clavell (owned)
21. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
22. The Physician by Noah Gordon
23. A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
24. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
26. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
27. The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
28. Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinof
29. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
30. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
What do you think of TIME'S List of the 100 Novels? Most of them people would have read in school I think—I definitely did! And a lot of them I read on my own, to see what all the fuss was about. One of my favorite books of all time is on the list (American Pastoral) but some I really hated are on there too—The Sheltering Sky, in particular.
Fynn is Fin, Again!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Draft 2 Complete! So exciting!
I can't wait to look at this printed out, as one unit. I think it will HELP!
I can't wait to look at this printed out, as one unit. I think it will HELP!
Quotes to Write By #5
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
http://www.theawl.com/2012/04/how-to-write-the-great-american-novel
What do you think of that article?
Oh, I want to be published so badly!
What do you think of that article?
Oh, I want to be published so badly!
Book Journal: Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
Monday, April 9, 2012
I think this is the fourth time I've read this book...
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
Like I said for my entry on Mirror, Mirror, Maguire's writing really enchants me (though I understand if it isn't everyone's cup of tea). I also believe this is his greatest work, paces above Mirror, Mirror and absolutely the Wicked series, which seems to be pretty much universally panned by reading audiences, though really gave way to a fantastic Broadway show (which I saw with the original cast! God, that was amazing).
He's got a big vocabulary which I really appreciate, and CoaUS is more direct in its writing, so that his messages aren't quite as esoteric as they were in MM. That's not to say that sometimes you kind of look down in mild exasperation at times--his strength can at times be his weakness--but this is far and away the most accessible, and the most engaging.
The story is set in a believable 1500s/1600s Haarlem with really interesting characters and wonderful imagery. The book isn't long, at about 350 pages or so, but there are times when Maguire approaches a flat road that could have better benefited from a more uphill rise. My favorite aspect here is the relationship between Caspar and Iris, which I would have liked to see played out on page more, and the dastardliness of Margarethe, a great villain trapped by her own evils and the circumstances thrown at her in life--marked by the fact that she is, in fact, a woman.
The more I read Maguire's works the more I am enchanted by his writing--and the more I see where that kind of writing masks less decent aspects. That's not a knock on Maguire so much as I feel grateful for a more critical eye.
7/10
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
Like I said for my entry on Mirror, Mirror, Maguire's writing really enchants me (though I understand if it isn't everyone's cup of tea). I also believe this is his greatest work, paces above Mirror, Mirror and absolutely the Wicked series, which seems to be pretty much universally panned by reading audiences, though really gave way to a fantastic Broadway show (which I saw with the original cast! God, that was amazing).
He's got a big vocabulary which I really appreciate, and CoaUS is more direct in its writing, so that his messages aren't quite as esoteric as they were in MM. That's not to say that sometimes you kind of look down in mild exasperation at times--his strength can at times be his weakness--but this is far and away the most accessible, and the most engaging.
The story is set in a believable 1500s/1600s Haarlem with really interesting characters and wonderful imagery. The book isn't long, at about 350 pages or so, but there are times when Maguire approaches a flat road that could have better benefited from a more uphill rise. My favorite aspect here is the relationship between Caspar and Iris, which I would have liked to see played out on page more, and the dastardliness of Margarethe, a great villain trapped by her own evils and the circumstances thrown at her in life--marked by the fact that she is, in fact, a woman.
The more I read Maguire's works the more I am enchanted by his writing--and the more I see where that kind of writing masks less decent aspects. That's not a knock on Maguire so much as I feel grateful for a more critical eye.
7/10
Book Journal: Dune
How do you write about reading Dune? Kind of like the experience was running intervals on a treadmill, I guess.
Dune by Frank Herbert
Okay, Dune. I finished it! And I finally read it. Like Tolkien's works, people should read this in a study of how to create well their own complete worlds, and make them unique and ridden with thematic elements--instead of just sloshing together mythical or mystical (or sci-fi) elements to avoid the trappings of real-world adventure. Like Tolkien's works, Dune is not necessarily the best-written thing out there, and can be a real uphill climb to read in certain parts (though admittedly LLtR is more taxing). But jeez, this book is really amazing nonetheless. If you read it carefully you can piece together the thousands of offbeat terms and cultural references to get a semi-accurate historical background to the universe, and if you just read it quickly you can still appreciate the amazing scope of Herbert's detailed and believable universe.
This is only the second sci-fi book I've read--the first being Ender's Game when I was in sixth grade. For me personally, sci-fi works better in movies and television or video games, since you can really throw yourself into a work visually, and all of the convincing writers do to support technological advances can be kind of weighty, especially for casual readers. But Herbert does all that really well, balancing the natural world with the technological, and highlighting other details to make his universe solid and complete, instead of weighing you down with heady descriptions and directions to convince you. He trusts his writing, so you trust him.
The story is long, and Paul may not be the greatest dude around (I actually found Herbert's female characters the most complete and engaging), but the fact that, for once in literature, he is in control of his own destiny is a really cool concept. And those sandworms. Those are cool too. At times I wish Herbert had gone deeper into his ecological themes--he focuses a great deal on the religious aspects, which is highly important and highly engaging--but really, there can't be more complete works than this. Guess I'll have to read more of the genre to find out!
8/10
Dune by Frank Herbert
Okay, Dune. I finished it! And I finally read it. Like Tolkien's works, people should read this in a study of how to create well their own complete worlds, and make them unique and ridden with thematic elements--instead of just sloshing together mythical or mystical (or sci-fi) elements to avoid the trappings of real-world adventure. Like Tolkien's works, Dune is not necessarily the best-written thing out there, and can be a real uphill climb to read in certain parts (though admittedly LLtR is more taxing). But jeez, this book is really amazing nonetheless. If you read it carefully you can piece together the thousands of offbeat terms and cultural references to get a semi-accurate historical background to the universe, and if you just read it quickly you can still appreciate the amazing scope of Herbert's detailed and believable universe.
This is only the second sci-fi book I've read--the first being Ender's Game when I was in sixth grade. For me personally, sci-fi works better in movies and television or video games, since you can really throw yourself into a work visually, and all of the convincing writers do to support technological advances can be kind of weighty, especially for casual readers. But Herbert does all that really well, balancing the natural world with the technological, and highlighting other details to make his universe solid and complete, instead of weighing you down with heady descriptions and directions to convince you. He trusts his writing, so you trust him.
The story is long, and Paul may not be the greatest dude around (I actually found Herbert's female characters the most complete and engaging), but the fact that, for once in literature, he is in control of his own destiny is a really cool concept. And those sandworms. Those are cool too. At times I wish Herbert had gone deeper into his ecological themes--he focuses a great deal on the religious aspects, which is highly important and highly engaging--but really, there can't be more complete works than this. Guess I'll have to read more of the genre to find out!
8/10
On Writing -5-
Friday, April 6, 2012
#ThatMomentWhen what you've put down has struck you, and what you've put down says exactly what you meant.
Book Journal: The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Monday, March 26, 2012
I think every American should read this book, whether or not they can relate with and to Malcolm X's views.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley
Malcolm X ends his autobiography telling Alex Haley that "all credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes are mine." This is an incredibly fascinating account that swells with Malcolm X's world views; tighter when they are radical, flowing when they are broadened. He undergoes such ebbs and flows several times, and always offers incredibly intelligent and insightful commentary and discussion about his views.
Reading about this really brings so much into perspective, into light, about the Black community in the United States, and how much of Malcolm X's radical views do seem true--but also how, when he softens that radicalism, those broader, influenced--and perhaps less shocking--beliefs do, too. Reading about him discussing the white community will at once--especially for an open individual reading this fifty years later--will both ring true and false, as I imagine those individuals--myself included--might bristle at some of his notions against the white man, while simultaneously understanding his more radical beliefs.
I think that a lot of Americans might refer to Malcolm X as the "violent" one, the "angry" one, especially when you compare him to the other great Black activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But the book really shows Malcolm X's amazing mind--from his constant thoughts, his scribbling on napkins that Alex Haley collects and details in the epilogue, his ability to explore other world views and study them thoroughly.
There's so much to talk and discuss here. Honestly, every American needs to read this. What an amazing perspective, from an amazing man.
9/10
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley
Malcolm X ends his autobiography telling Alex Haley that "all credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes are mine." This is an incredibly fascinating account that swells with Malcolm X's world views; tighter when they are radical, flowing when they are broadened. He undergoes such ebbs and flows several times, and always offers incredibly intelligent and insightful commentary and discussion about his views.
Reading about this really brings so much into perspective, into light, about the Black community in the United States, and how much of Malcolm X's radical views do seem true--but also how, when he softens that radicalism, those broader, influenced--and perhaps less shocking--beliefs do, too. Reading about him discussing the white community will at once--especially for an open individual reading this fifty years later--will both ring true and false, as I imagine those individuals--myself included--might bristle at some of his notions against the white man, while simultaneously understanding his more radical beliefs.
I think that a lot of Americans might refer to Malcolm X as the "violent" one, the "angry" one, especially when you compare him to the other great Black activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But the book really shows Malcolm X's amazing mind--from his constant thoughts, his scribbling on napkins that Alex Haley collects and details in the epilogue, his ability to explore other world views and study them thoroughly.
There's so much to talk and discuss here. Honestly, every American needs to read this. What an amazing perspective, from an amazing man.
9/10
On Writing -4-
Friday, March 23, 2012
Tonight I began draft 2 of manuscript 2 and have worked to plug the first chapter (of ten) into the computer, beginning the long process of slogging and writing tune-ups.
But I did so while watching the 1930 version of "All Quiet on the Western Front"--one of the best war books of all time, and one of my personal favorites novels I've read. The movie is as remarkable as the book. If you haven't read it, do so; if you won't read it, watch the movie. It's pushing 83 years, but that movie has lost very little over that time.
Books, movies, stories, songs--so many of them produce wonderful and withstanding lines and lyrics. Some are as simple as Molly Weasley yelling at Bellatrix Black during the final showdown; others are famous passages, sometimes a page long.
Still others are in another realm unto themselves. They transcend emotion, they elaborate on meaning. They have a way of hovering in their air, their words as evocative as the themes and messages they convey.
And "all quiet on the western front" is one of them.
We all only strive to ever even approach a phrase like that.
But I did so while watching the 1930 version of "All Quiet on the Western Front"--one of the best war books of all time, and one of my personal favorites novels I've read. The movie is as remarkable as the book. If you haven't read it, do so; if you won't read it, watch the movie. It's pushing 83 years, but that movie has lost very little over that time.
Books, movies, stories, songs--so many of them produce wonderful and withstanding lines and lyrics. Some are as simple as Molly Weasley yelling at Bellatrix Black during the final showdown; others are famous passages, sometimes a page long.
Still others are in another realm unto themselves. They transcend emotion, they elaborate on meaning. They have a way of hovering in their air, their words as evocative as the themes and messages they convey.
And "all quiet on the western front" is one of them.
We all only strive to ever even approach a phrase like that.
Book Journal: The Call of the Wild
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Yup. Never read this one in middle/high school. Le sigh.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Beginning a swing in a new direction, with an obvious focus on these more natural, transcendental works, I'm turning back to the late 1800s for some more research, and I started with this famous little novella of ex-pirate (truth!) Jack London.
Anyway, this is a really blatant (I mean blatant—London's got some beautiful writing, but he is telling you everything. But I guess with a POV of a dog you would have to?) account of the primordial behaviors inherent within us. There's so much great writing that really reflects the severity of the wilderness, and London sets this up as sort of a wild vs. civilization effort, with the most civilized people falling to the wild due to their vanity and shallowness. I really recommend London to people. He's heavily influenced by Darwin, at least in this story, and it raises some really great discussion.
8/10
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Beginning a swing in a new direction, with an obvious focus on these more natural, transcendental works, I'm turning back to the late 1800s for some more research, and I started with this famous little novella of ex-pirate (truth!) Jack London.
Anyway, this is a really blatant (I mean blatant—London's got some beautiful writing, but he is telling you everything. But I guess with a POV of a dog you would have to?) account of the primordial behaviors inherent within us. There's so much great writing that really reflects the severity of the wilderness, and London sets this up as sort of a wild vs. civilization effort, with the most civilized people falling to the wild due to their vanity and shallowness. I really recommend London to people. He's heavily influenced by Darwin, at least in this story, and it raises some really great discussion.
8/10
On Writing -3-
Some days, thinking about bringing a pen to a notepad is like an uphill hike on a snowy mountain.
Then there are days like today when I'm sad that I have a needle-point felt pen in my hands, and nothing to write down.
My fingers are going through withdrawal!
Then there are days like today when I'm sad that I have a needle-point felt pen in my hands, and nothing to write down.
My fingers are going through withdrawal!
Fynn is Fin!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Draft 1 of manuscript 2 is complete! What a rolling process! I always get the goofiest grins on my face when I approach the last paragraph--and especially the last sentence--of a manuscript. You'd think I was looking at a free pile of a billion one-dollar bills on my desk.
So happy! Now on for a detoxing break that features some character hashing, some theme shaping, some message editing, before draft 2 moves to the computer.
Cheers, all! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
FUN FACT: Almost a year ago, during the spring break period last year, when I was a senior, I finished the first draft of The Time Swallow. And now, during this spring break period as a Fellow, I've finished the first draft to, ahem, "Untitled Adventure Story." Guess I know my muse is dancing in early March!
So happy! Now on for a detoxing break that features some character hashing, some theme shaping, some message editing, before draft 2 moves to the computer.
Cheers, all! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
FUN FACT: Almost a year ago, during the spring break period last year, when I was a senior, I finished the first draft of The Time Swallow. And now, during this spring break period as a Fellow, I've finished the first draft to, ahem, "Untitled Adventure Story." Guess I know my muse is dancing in early March!
On Writing - 2 -
Friday, March 2, 2012
So, my afternoon of 2,000+ words didn't go so hot. In fact I only did about 200, but after a solid night's sleep aided by some NyQuil, I think I've got the juices flowing a bit again.
I used to be very, very good at multitasking, and even though I am not so much anymore, I can usually get by focusing on a few things at once--except for writing. When I write, I only need to have my pad and pen before me, and my music. Sometimes I put on a movie in the background--Netflix, a Family Guy rerun, whatever--but usually it's me and my music.
I had said in my previous entry about writing that I can't seem to pull away from a very visual world; that I take an image in mind and run with it, that the desire to sort of thrust myself into really beautiful, natural places is what I want to describe and mentally be part of. But I also said that I have that one image, and that image only, and when I go off the beaten path, it's a blank canvas, and I let the words flow.
But that's where the music comes in. I don't claim to be "good with music"--that is, I listen to pretty mainstream, whatever's-on-the-radio music, and I have a penchant for rap in general. But that's because I have one other arena of music that I focus on dearly, that I do spend time scourging the Internet for, and that's scores: movies, television, video games, you name it. I have hour and hours of wordless melodies and medleys, of melody-driven tunes and more atmospheric songs.
Whenever I sit down to write, I make sure I have a playlist of songs that help me to get in the mood of my writing. That way, when I turn the corner from that image, I still have the atmosphere around me. I might not be able to see the new floor of the building, the new lay of the land, but with the music surrounding me, and with it pushing me forward, it slowly spills out of my mind's eye and onto the paper, and I can go forth.
When I have ridiculous fantasies of winning awards--New York Times #1 Bestseller, trip to the Academy Awards, winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay--whatever your mind is capable of doing to you--I ultimately end up thinking that, if I ever had a story made into a movie, or a television show, or whatever, that the music would be one of the most important aspects of that artistic journey. Howard Shore and Mark Mancina and Alexandre Desplat and Joe Hisaishi have made music for characters and settings that I've wrenched from their worlds and put into my own. But one day I hope, if ever any of that came true, the music produced for it would be just as inspiring, just as beautiful, just as emotional, as the scores produced for the great stories of our time.
Some writers meet the page with nothing but a pen or pencil. Some go at it with a pad filled with notes, backstory, tidbits of inspiration; others keep their very full binders of character profiles, setting descriptions, backstory files, diagram and dialogue breakdowns right next to them.
The very first thing I do after I've sat down is put on that playlist. Sometimes the music, at least for me, does much more for inspiration and information than anything else.
I used to be very, very good at multitasking, and even though I am not so much anymore, I can usually get by focusing on a few things at once--except for writing. When I write, I only need to have my pad and pen before me, and my music. Sometimes I put on a movie in the background--Netflix, a Family Guy rerun, whatever--but usually it's me and my music.
I had said in my previous entry about writing that I can't seem to pull away from a very visual world; that I take an image in mind and run with it, that the desire to sort of thrust myself into really beautiful, natural places is what I want to describe and mentally be part of. But I also said that I have that one image, and that image only, and when I go off the beaten path, it's a blank canvas, and I let the words flow.
But that's where the music comes in. I don't claim to be "good with music"--that is, I listen to pretty mainstream, whatever's-on-the-radio music, and I have a penchant for rap in general. But that's because I have one other arena of music that I focus on dearly, that I do spend time scourging the Internet for, and that's scores: movies, television, video games, you name it. I have hour and hours of wordless melodies and medleys, of melody-driven tunes and more atmospheric songs.
Whenever I sit down to write, I make sure I have a playlist of songs that help me to get in the mood of my writing. That way, when I turn the corner from that image, I still have the atmosphere around me. I might not be able to see the new floor of the building, the new lay of the land, but with the music surrounding me, and with it pushing me forward, it slowly spills out of my mind's eye and onto the paper, and I can go forth.
When I have ridiculous fantasies of winning awards--New York Times #1 Bestseller, trip to the Academy Awards, winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay--whatever your mind is capable of doing to you--I ultimately end up thinking that, if I ever had a story made into a movie, or a television show, or whatever, that the music would be one of the most important aspects of that artistic journey. Howard Shore and Mark Mancina and Alexandre Desplat and Joe Hisaishi have made music for characters and settings that I've wrenched from their worlds and put into my own. But one day I hope, if ever any of that came true, the music produced for it would be just as inspiring, just as beautiful, just as emotional, as the scores produced for the great stories of our time.
Some writers meet the page with nothing but a pen or pencil. Some go at it with a pad filled with notes, backstory, tidbits of inspiration; others keep their very full binders of character profiles, setting descriptions, backstory files, diagram and dialogue breakdowns right next to them.
The very first thing I do after I've sat down is put on that playlist. Sometimes the music, at least for me, does much more for inspiration and information than anything else.
On Writing - 1 -
Stephen King says you need to write at least 2,000 words a day. Does that count if you have a major sinus headache/head cold and can't really see straight?
I didn't write anything last night and it felt weird. Tonight is a Nyquil kind of night so I think I'll just go home after work, mange on some soup and saltines, and churn out 2,000 words. If I can see the words straight. The past two days have been early-to-bed ones.
I like my story though. It's more--mysterious for me, if that makes sense, on several different levels. The story is much simpler than The Time Swallow, and my characters are much less familiar to me. Depending on the story, the complications, even the character, I may spend days and days just diddling along with their backgrounds, with the setting's history, with the backstory, knowing when and where things need to unfold, what information needs to be revealed. But for this--whether it was the sudden lightbulb moment, the need to keep pressing forward since I have this irrational idea that everything fun and exciting ends at the age of 30, the want to shape my life after my Fellowship ends--I've just gone straight in, head first, into the deep end of the pool. My characters are developing on their own as my pen hits the paper. The backstory is there, but, unlike The Time Swallow, I didn't go back to it for months and months questioning aspects, rewriting parts of it, wondering how I should spread out the various revelations.
I think that's a good thing.
Oh. I don't even have a title yet.
But as someone who is highly visual...I have no character designs, no setting imagery, nothing! The only thing I have is the ship layout and the statistics for it. Not saying that I sat there and doodled out every last inch of the places in TTS, but...this writing process is almost like a dream, where you just keep moving forward, and the world suddenly reveals itself.
I'll have one image and go from there; when I turn the corner it's a brand new place. And I just let the pen describe it all.
We'll see where this goes, and how the themes will play out, and how the history will reveal itself. It really is like driving with the headlights on this time; it is a completely different process for me versus my first manuscript. And I love it all the same.
I didn't write anything last night and it felt weird. Tonight is a Nyquil kind of night so I think I'll just go home after work, mange on some soup and saltines, and churn out 2,000 words. If I can see the words straight. The past two days have been early-to-bed ones.
I like my story though. It's more--mysterious for me, if that makes sense, on several different levels. The story is much simpler than The Time Swallow, and my characters are much less familiar to me. Depending on the story, the complications, even the character, I may spend days and days just diddling along with their backgrounds, with the setting's history, with the backstory, knowing when and where things need to unfold, what information needs to be revealed. But for this--whether it was the sudden lightbulb moment, the need to keep pressing forward since I have this irrational idea that everything fun and exciting ends at the age of 30, the want to shape my life after my Fellowship ends--I've just gone straight in, head first, into the deep end of the pool. My characters are developing on their own as my pen hits the paper. The backstory is there, but, unlike The Time Swallow, I didn't go back to it for months and months questioning aspects, rewriting parts of it, wondering how I should spread out the various revelations.
I think that's a good thing.
Oh. I don't even have a title yet.
But as someone who is highly visual...I have no character designs, no setting imagery, nothing! The only thing I have is the ship layout and the statistics for it. Not saying that I sat there and doodled out every last inch of the places in TTS, but...this writing process is almost like a dream, where you just keep moving forward, and the world suddenly reveals itself.
I'll have one image and go from there; when I turn the corner it's a brand new place. And I just let the pen describe it all.
We'll see where this goes, and how the themes will play out, and how the history will reveal itself. It really is like driving with the headlights on this time; it is a completely different process for me versus my first manuscript. And I love it all the same.
Booklist Update 1
Friday, February 24, 2012
Booklist Update!
1. The Story of English by Robert McCrum
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (owned)
3. The Visible World by Mark Slouka
4. A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
5. A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
6. A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin
7. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
8. Nemesis by Philip Roth
9. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
10. While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin
11. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy
12. Transgression by James Nichol
13. Fall of Giants by Ken Follet (owned)
14. Dune by Frank Herbert
15. White Russian by Tom Bradby (owned)
16. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
17. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
18. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
19. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon (owned)
20. Shogun by James Clavell (owned)
21. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
22. The Physician by Noah Gordon
23. A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
24. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
26. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
27. The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
28. Eight Men Out by Eliot Asinof
29. Burying the Black Sox by Gene Carney
30. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo (owned)
I've made a few changes and this list doesn't include the books I read for research for my own works. Additionally, I'm still only about halfway through A Dance With Dragons (whoops)...but it's okay. I just need a little break! I've started Dune, though (and I'm confused), hence the italics. I read The Godfather in Costa Rica (loved it!) and looking at what I own, I know I shouldn't go out and buy anything else from the used bookstore down the street, but I probably will, of course, because I have a hoarding problem when it comes to books. I want to have a room in my house that looks like this:
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