Tara's recent posts

Recent public discussion board posts (showing 1-20 of 209).

You're welcome and I really hope my spoiler didn't, or doesn't, ruin things for you. I really enjoyed this book, even with the disturbing moments (including the wife killing the leader). Gosh, that whole series of events leading up to her killing hm bothered me. I'm definitely going to read the sequel as well!

May 20, 1976, it was a Thursday (Thursday's child has far to go), not quite sure what that means, but I've had it memorized since I was 5.

Shannon -- I finally read this book and really loved it. I reread your review after I finished the book and it is just so thorough and well-thought-out. Thanks again for your thoughtful review, it added to my enjoyment of the book and I'm really glad that I finally read it. Wonderful story!

No problem. I've actually never read anything by her before, but I came across a description of this book and I told myself that it seemed like the kind of book I would greatly enjoy. I'll let you know what I think when I read/finish it.

I do love Bill Bryson! I read In a Sunburned Country first and I have never laughed that hard while reading a book before! I went to Sydney back in 1997 and really enjoyed it there, so I kind of had an idea about Australia when I read Sunburned Country, but his adventures were so enjoyable and the history he provided was so exciting, that I've put Australia back on my "List of Places to Run Wild Around Before I Die". A Walk in the Woods definitely did not fail to make me laugh and was very fascinating. Although, I have to be honest I didn't really have a desire to walk the AT and after reading about his adventures, I definitely don't have a desire to walk the AT (I'm not much of a hiker *smile).

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tara and I'm greatly enjoying my "dirty thirties" although I don't know if mine are all that dirty. I joined this group because I am always looking for criticism, support and motivation for my writing. I have a tendency to go through lengthy boughts of writer's block, which irritates me, but eventually I work through it.

I "talk" to my characters, is that odd? I don't do that with all of my characters, but I do have one that is near and dear to me, and she occassionally "talks" to me about things she'd like to do in the book. Unfortunately, she's chatting away and for some reason, I've decided to ignore her.

I haven't done so yet, but I think I'm going to start putting my writing on my blog page (which I haven't updated since 2004 -- tsk tsk tsk) so that should make it easier for everyone to access them. Once the writing is posted, I'll let the group know. Any and all criticism is greatly appreciated (within reason of course). I also try to leave helpful and positive criticism for others so if any of my critiques are unclear, please ask me for clarification.

Glad to be part of this group!

Tara

Rebecca, you make me feel validated in my opinion of this book. My mother and sister both think I'm being far too critical of this boook and don't see anything wrong with it and have no problem putting it in the same category as the works of Morrison, Angelou and Walker. Usually I respect their opinions, but with this one I just couldn't.

Thanks so much for your comments. I agree, the vernacular is unsuccessful. Well, I know this book became popular posthumously and I think Alice Walker was the one who discovered it, but I'm not sure why she or any other famous person (like Oprah) thinks this book is so amazing. Somehow, I think I decided the Hurston train wasn't worth it and have stayed on the Morrison/Angelou/Walker Express ever since.

I'm going to cutback on my driving and use public transportation more, but I'm definitely not going to stop buying books. I might not go to the bookstores, but I'll buy the books online. There's nothing better than sitting on the balcony on a warm day with a good book!

I don't know how many hits it gets, but I like to use Fanstory (http://www.fanstory.com) to post my writing. It's free to review other people's writing, but there is a fee to become a Premiere Member which allows you to post your own writing: screenplays, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, novels.

I've had a lot of really great review critiques on that site which have helped a lot with editing and breaking down any "roadblocks" I've come upon.

I also have reviewed (but never posted) on Writers BBS (http://www.writersbbs.com). You can post in different genre links as well as ask for assistance if you get stuck. I've noticed that people on there are very friendly and offer pretty good advice. They also have challenges and contests.

I'm going to have to check out Urbis too.

Hi Jen,

I am a huge fan! I was first introduce to Good in Bed by a law clerk who just gushed over it. I immediately fell inlove with Cannie and just as quickly developed a deep sense of frustration with Bruce.

The thing I really love about all of your books, is how real the characters are. I saw myself and friends as the characters and felt like I was reading about a good friend or ex-boyfriend, rather than these fictional people.

When you develop your characters, do you have certain people in mind who "model" for these characters?

Hi! I hope I'm not too old to be a young writer, what's the cutoff?

I have to third Atticus Finch and second Scout! My mom and I were talking about those characters the other day. We both love them!

I think one of my all time favorite characters is Cannie from Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner. I thought Cannie was so real and she reminded me of a dear friend of mine. Her feelings about her ex-boyfriend, parents, friends and co-workers was very easy to relate to and I just kept thinking that she would be the kind of person I would love to have as a friend. I still think she'd be a great person to have as a friend.

Another character that has stuck with me is Elphaba from Wicked by Gregory Maguire. I LOVED Ellphaba! I have to admit I'm probably the only woman in the world who didn't really like The Wizard of Oz but I thoroughly enjoyed Wicked and thought Elphaba was extremely passionate about her beliefs and willing to do anything to fight the good fight (so to speak). She wasn't really bad in this book, the way she's characterized in Wizard of Oz and I think that's why I liked her so much. I liked that she wanted to fight for the rights of the Animals and stood up for what she believed in. That was awesome.

Hello! My name is Tara and I'm excited to be part of the group. I joined cause I wanted to meet other writers and hopefully find a really strong support system to help me through my blocks.

I currently work for the Colorado Judicial Branch and have been with the branch for 9 years now. It wasn't exactly the job of my dreams but it's definitely been interesting and I'm sure there's a story in it but I don't know if I want to be the next John Grisham.

In my free-time, I write regularly in a journal (even if I have nothing to say, I still write in it) and I have been struggling with what I hope will be my first novel. I started it in the fall of 2003 and put it down to focus on grad school, then "rediscovered" it recently and have been slowly posting it on another writing site for critiques.

Excited to be part of the group!

I agree with Dianna and Pamela. I absolutely fell inlove with this book and the characters. As a child, I always enjoyed going to the circus, and this book reminded me of the awe and beauty of the circus. The descriptions were so real, that at one point I actually smelled the elephants and popcorn. It is rare for me to be so emotionally involved with a book that I HAVE to read it without stopping, but this was that kind of book. I started it during the morning commute and was finished by the time I went to bed that same day.

I rarely recommend books to people because I know not everyone has the same taste as me, but this is a book that I have recommended to every person I know.

I can't really think of the worst book I've ever read. I think, when I truly hate a book, I completely forget that it exists until someone mentions it and then I say "Oh yeah, I read that and it was a complete waste of a tree. Too bad I'll never get those lost hours of my life back after reading that crap." So, right now I can't think of one. I'm sure I've come across books that I thought would be great for kindling in my fireplace, but right now I can't think of even one.

I think my book would be in the horror or fantasy genre. I have a tendency to gravitate towards vampires and werewolves, and many of my works in progress are vampire/werewolf stories. Although lately, the story swimming through my head is one about the single 30 something woman.

I agree about Janie. I don't mind when my "hero" has flaws but for a hero/heroine to be weak, that's a turn off.

I think I have a lot of the same reasons. Time (or lack of it) seems to be a big one for me. I also get distracted far too easily so I end up starting a lot of different story ideas and not following through. Also, fear. Definitely fear, but not so much fear of rejection, but more like fear of what my family and friends will think when they read what I have to say.

You haven't spoiled the book for me at all. I don't think I would have even considered reading this book if it hadn't been for the combination of your review and the morning show DJs discussion about it. I can't remember the last time I came across a book that a lot of people were raving about. :)