M.F. Hopkins's Blog, page 10
February 22, 2019
The Twitter Regarding a Plagarizing Critter.
So, I've just spent some time reading through all of the crap that is the latest writing scam: https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopyPaste...
Really? I've always been suspicious of any 'writer' who cranks out a novel a month. With that, I'm totally in agreement with this sentiment, crude as it is:
Really? I've always been suspicious of any 'writer' who cranks out a novel a month. With that, I'm totally in agreement with this sentiment, crude as it is:
February 1, 2019
NanoLitMo Event.
Last night's NanoLitMo event at the Octopus Literary Lounge was an interesting and fun affair.
While it was unfortunate that the author Sofia Grant wasn't present (out sick), the other guest author - Juliet Blackwell - more than made up for the evening. She read from her latest work and held a writing exercise, in addition to sharing bits of her interesting life.
The exercise really ended up freaking me out, as its initial prompt regarding re-occurring characters made me realize that the heroines of my books share similar characteristics...which were basically all facets of my late mother: Quiet strength in the face of adversity/problems, dry humor, a no-bullshit policy when dealing with life and difficult people, and a great familial love. I actually had not come to this conclusion until last night! Subconsciously, I may have gotten it, but to have the realization slap me in the face? It was very eye-opening.
At the close of the evening, I mingled a little and chatted with the guest and a few other authors present - most of them were Nano and/or RWA members as well.
All in all, it was a great evening! I'm looking forward to future Nano events at the lounge.
While it was unfortunate that the author Sofia Grant wasn't present (out sick), the other guest author - Juliet Blackwell - more than made up for the evening. She read from her latest work and held a writing exercise, in addition to sharing bits of her interesting life.
The exercise really ended up freaking me out, as its initial prompt regarding re-occurring characters made me realize that the heroines of my books share similar characteristics...which were basically all facets of my late mother: Quiet strength in the face of adversity/problems, dry humor, a no-bullshit policy when dealing with life and difficult people, and a great familial love. I actually had not come to this conclusion until last night! Subconsciously, I may have gotten it, but to have the realization slap me in the face? It was very eye-opening.
At the close of the evening, I mingled a little and chatted with the guest and a few other authors present - most of them were Nano and/or RWA members as well.
All in all, it was a great evening! I'm looking forward to future Nano events at the lounge.
January 20, 2019
Beowulf x 2
I wish that there was a way for Goodreads to separate the various 'editions' of this book, as they are really different books with different publishers, commentaries, afterwords, etc.
I have two paperback Beowulf editions: one is a beautiful illustrated edition, and the other is a dual-language edition that I was dying to get (in Old and Modern English); in essence, two different books.
???
I have two paperback Beowulf editions: one is a beautiful illustrated edition, and the other is a dual-language edition that I was dying to get (in Old and Modern English); in essence, two different books.
???
Welcome, 2019!
For starters, the end of 2018 pretty much sucked, as I was sick for most of the holiday. With the time off though, I did manage to get some writing done. I'm still going at a snail's pace, of course. I am over 70,000 words though!
My drawing skills are pretty damned rusty...it took me three or four tries to finally get an eye that looked halfway decent. Yes, I've been drawing angel eyes, and so far, I've only got one of Ramiel's blue eyes to show for it. But practice makes kinda' perfect, so I'll press on, as I still plan on creating an illustrated compendium to the Angelo, Texas trilogy.
Why am I pushing myself to do all of this stuff? lol
My drawing skills are pretty damned rusty...it took me three or four tries to finally get an eye that looked halfway decent. Yes, I've been drawing angel eyes, and so far, I've only got one of Ramiel's blue eyes to show for it. But practice makes kinda' perfect, so I'll press on, as I still plan on creating an illustrated compendium to the Angelo, Texas trilogy.
Why am I pushing myself to do all of this stuff? lol
December 16, 2018
Arteza Art Supplies
While I have used and unused Derwent Studio colored pencil sets, the Arteza pencils - and an Arteza 9x12 drawing pad - are looking very tempting. I may get them as holiday gifts to myself. :)
November 19, 2018
Writer's Fuel!
Still setting the stage to kill off a gang of criminal bikers...and getting a huge cup of coffee.
My coffee(s) of choice are Peet's (most dark blends), and Death Wish:
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My coffee(s) of choice are Peet's (most dark blends), and Death Wish:
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November 18, 2018
On a min-roll...
I happen to be at 60,000 exactly - lol. Now it's time to kill off a biker gang!
October 31, 2018
Annoying words and phrases.
I can't stand the phrase 'meet cute'. It's too damned...cute. It also reminds me of those God-awful celebrity 'spliced' names, like Jen-Ben and Brangelina. Ugh.
In the romance genre, I prefer the initial meetings between the H/h, main protagonists, etc. to be a little strained or awkward; kinda' weird; or 'grumpy meets', as opposed to meet cutes.
Speaking of cute...I can't stand the term 'super cute' either. It's super annoying.
In the romance genre, I prefer the initial meetings between the H/h, main protagonists, etc. to be a little strained or awkward; kinda' weird; or 'grumpy meets', as opposed to meet cutes.
Speaking of cute...I can't stand the term 'super cute' either. It's super annoying.
October 14, 2018
September 28, 2018
Jasmine Guillory and NanoWriMo!
I had the pleasure of attending my first NanoWriMo/RWA SF Chapter event last night, at the Octopus Literary Salon in Oakland. The guest speaker was the author Jasmine Guillory of 'The Wedding Date' fame! She had a great personality and speaking voice, and was also very funny.
When there was a ten-minute Nano writing exercise, I figured, what the hell. I wrote a short scene featuring two of my characters from my two books. After reading my bit, I got the loudest applause, and a lot of laughs. That made me feel vindicated, as it told me that I'm on the right track for what I'm trying to achieve with my writing. I hope to attend more events in the future. I'm really glad that I went last night, as I was very tired and sore from my job, and had debated on whether to go back out or not...
When there was a ten-minute Nano writing exercise, I figured, what the hell. I wrote a short scene featuring two of my characters from my two books. After reading my bit, I got the loudest applause, and a lot of laughs. That made me feel vindicated, as it told me that I'm on the right track for what I'm trying to achieve with my writing. I hope to attend more events in the future. I'm really glad that I went last night, as I was very tired and sore from my job, and had debated on whether to go back out or not...
