Ian Gregoire's Blog, page 3
February 17, 2022
The Catalyst For My Writing Aspirations
I have always taken it for granted that for every author, whether published or unpublished, there is one specific book read during their childhood that planted the seed which would eventually grow into the desire to be a storyteller. I know that I can trace the beginning of my own journey to becoming an author to a book I first read when I was just seven years old. From that moment, reading and writing became my principal hobbies while growing up, though it has to be said that being born into p...
February 16, 2022
Book Quote: “We’re A Different Sort Of Thief…”
Frequently described as Oliver Twist meets Ocean’s Eleven, The Lies Of Locke Lamora is the critically acclaimed first book of the Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch. It’s an inventive heist tale that combines exemplary world building with strong characterisation and intricate plotting. It’s well worth a read if you can look past the fact that all the protagonists are unrepentant criminal scumbags.
To date, The Lies Of Locke Lamora has spawned two sequel nove...
February 15, 2022
Evaluating The Two Most Commonly Given Writing Tips
There are two pieces of writing advice I can guarantee that every aspiring author has received numerous times while pursuing their writing ambitions. The first advice is “read a lot,” and the second is “write a lot.” Both are simple, straightforward tips that likely seem so obvious you might wonder why anyone would find it necessary to give such advice. But there is a reason this advice is repeated so frequently. Both are crucial in helping writers to perfect our craft, and here are my thoug...
February 14, 2022
Book Review: The Fallen Blade By Jon Courtenay Grimwood
The Fallen Blade
(The Assassini, Book 1)
Jon Courtney Grimwood
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Format: Paperback, 432 Pages
Date: 5th April 2012 (First Published 2011)
ISBN-10: 1841498467
ISBN-13: 9781841498461
THE REVIEW
A ship docks at night in the city state of Venice, and customs officers board the vessel never suspecting the cargo would include a naked boy in chains—a boy with no name, and no memory of his past. Nor could they ant...
October 17, 2021
Book Quote: “Graves Are For The Living…”
Guilty Pleasures is the first book of the long-running Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series, first published in 1993. As well as putting both its protagonist and author, Laurell K. Hamilton, on the map, the book became the catalyst for the growth and popularity of the urban fantasy genre.
Although the series would eventually make a dramatic shift away from its crime fighting roots to become an erotica fest (or porn without plot, depending on your point of view), al...
October 16, 2021
The Wordsmith’s Word Of The Day: Loquacity
So, you’re an aspiring writer. And you’re currently working on a story, but you’ve been struggling to find a word that succinctly describes one of your character’s penchant for talking too much. Well, you’re in luck! My word of the day maybe just what you are looking for.
Definition
noun, plural loquacities.
1. the quality or state of being very talkative.
2. an instance of talkativeness or garrulity; a loquacious flow of talk.
Origin/History
c.1200, from Latin lo...
My Word Of The Day Is…
So, you’re an aspiring writer. And you’re currently working on a story, but you’ve been struggling to find a word that succinctly describes one of your character’s penchant for talking too much. Well, you’re in luck! My word of the day maybe just what you are looking for.
Definition
noun, plural loquacities.
1. the quality or state of being very talkative.
2. an instance of talkativeness or garrulity; a loquacious flow of talk.
Origin/History
c.1200, from Latin lo...
October 15, 2021
A Green Suggestion For Your Weekend Reading
The weekend is almost upon us, and those of you who are avid readers are no doubt looking forward to reading yet another book. I wish I had the time and freedom to do so myself, but my 18 month reading slump looks set to continue. Nevertheless, I am able to offer a suggest for a very good novel you could read if you don’t already have one in mind.
My recommendation is the award winning, Jade City, by Fonda Lee (the first book of the Green Bone Saga) which was marketed as The Godfather meets Cr...
October 14, 2021
Breathing New Life Into The Vampire Mythos?
Although I consider myself to be a multi-genre reader, I have generally always avoided Romance books like the plague. I won’t go into the reasons why that is, beyond stating that the way such books are invariably written makes it nigh on impossible for me to suspend my disbelief. It’s for this reason why I typically dislike the inclusion of romance in other genres, unless it’s done believably. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise when I tell you there is one particular sub-genre wit...
October 13, 2021
Book Quote: “Those Bright Eyes Met Mine…”
I don’t recall when I first acquired Lian Hearn’s Tales Of The Otori Trilogy (at least the series was only a trilogy at the time), but I do remember that I had never heard of these novels or their author. My principal reason for purchasing them was they were on special offer, and I find it hard to ignore bargain buys that may never be repeated.
When I eventually made time to read book one, Across The Nightingale Floor, I was immediately taken with the quality of ...
