Bill Bodden's Blog - Posts Tagged "vote-with-your-dollars"
Ten Novels That Influenced My Writing
No writer is an island. Further, no writer exists in a vacuum. We -- all of us human beings -- are constantly inspired by people, places and things around us. For writers, those things often sneak into our writing in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. This list comprises only a few of the many books that have inspired me, first to be a writer, and second, to be a better writer. Some of these books (okay, most of them) I re-read every now and again, and in most of them, I find something I missed before.
Last Call, Tim Powers
Last Call is all about cards, Las Vegas, symbolism, magic, and too much more to cover in any depth. The way the author draws in threads of real history, skillfully blending them with his own events made up out of whole cloth and using the entire tapestry to tell his stories, is magical to me.
The Shining, Stephen King
He's not considered a "master" of fiction for no reason; having just finished his On Writing, I admire the wisdom in his approach to the craft. The Shining is a clear case where the book is VASTLY superior to the film (particularly the 1980 version directed by Stanley Kubrick), so if you've only seen the film, you are REALLY missing out.
Sunglasses After Dark, Nancy A. Collins
Nancy A. Collins' stories of Sonja Blue, vampire and vampire hunter, are full of mystery, intrigue, supernatural beings, and sex. These vampires don't sparkle, but they have schemes that put Machiavelli to shame, and Sonja's interactions with other supernatural creatures may be among the highlights of these books.
Drachenfels, Jack Yeovil
Set in the universe of Games Workshop's Warhammer world, Drachenfels utilizes the "play within a play" trope very nicely, and features a cast of characters probably in the hundreds. It weaves a rich web of detail, telling the story of a young man's quest to prove himself, the crew he recruits to help him, and the ancient, barely human enchanter who is the target of his quest. This book dates from the time when Games Workshop was still willing to take chances on interesting projects. Jack Yeovil is a nom de plume for author Kim Newman.
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkein
I first read The Hobbit as a young boy, and fell in love with the story's naive charm. While it is perhaps not a literary masterpiece, it is a well-told tale, with characters that I find entrancing and a setting full of wonder and delight.
Them Bones, Howard Waldrop
Them Bones is in essence, a time travel story, about soldiers from a fucked-up future earth going back in time to find a way to fix things. One soldier gets separated by the time stream, ending up in an earth that may not have existed exactly as portrayed, but his adventures with the people he finds are engrossing, horrific, and full of wonder. Waldrop is one of my favorite authors, and I advise anyone reading him to leave your preconceptions at the threshold, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
A Hunger Like Fire, Greg Stolze
Set in the universe of White Wolf Publishing's World of Darkness, This novel is about Chicago to a small degree, and the vampires who run to town to a much larger degree. Stolze has talent and skill sufficient that, even though these are monstrous beings capable of terrible, ferocious savagery, they are still highly sympathetic characters, and intriguing ones at that.
American Gods, Neil Gaiman
When I first heard the premise for this book, I was thrilled. I was still very nearly as thrilled reading it for the sixth time as I was for the first. Gaiman's imaginative powers are formidable, and he brings them all to bear in this novel of former deities trying to get by in the modern-day United States.
Bridge of Birds, Barry Hughart
I fell in love with these stories of "an Ancient China that never was" on the recommendation of a friend, and not only didn't regret it, I engaged in operations to acquire the other two books in the series, even though they were out of print at that time. Reprinted more than once by niche publishers, it won major awards (World Fantasy and Mythopeoic Fantasy Awards) and was followed up by two sequels, but sadly Hughart seems to have given up on writing.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
YA fiction that tells stories of kids who (generally) use good judgement, deal with the ramifications of their actions, and work to help others and stand up for what's right in spite of very personal consequences. Oh, and there's some magic involved from time to time. This is the second book in the series, and since (if I recall correctly) it features the main character's step-family a little less, I like it more.
Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
Despite the hue and cry over the conclusion to this series by those who over-romanitcize vampires, I found the ending to this series fitting and quite satisfying. Harris takes us for a ride with a young woman whose gift of telepathy is more of a curse, until she meets her first vampire, whose thoughts don't transmit to her at all. The mysteries in each book are well thought-out, and the stories are peppered with a bit of sex and a great deal of intrigue. This first book introduces several of the main characters and most of the primary themes for the series.
***
Stephen King has a useful piece of advice for writers: Write a lot; read a lot. There is no better way for any of us to support the writers whose work we enjoy than by buying their books. Whether you buy through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite independent bookstore, please buy books, and more importantly, READ them!
And if you have a moment, write a brief review for Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com to tell others what you thought of the books you've read -- what you liked or didn't like, and why. It doesn't have to be great literature in itself -- just an honest opinion. Spreading the word like that can help sell a few more copies, and hey: every little bit helps.
But wait, I hear some of you yelling -- that's ELEVEN books!
Yep; consider it a bonus.
Last Call, Tim Powers
Last Call is all about cards, Las Vegas, symbolism, magic, and too much more to cover in any depth. The way the author draws in threads of real history, skillfully blending them with his own events made up out of whole cloth and using the entire tapestry to tell his stories, is magical to me.
The Shining, Stephen King
He's not considered a "master" of fiction for no reason; having just finished his On Writing, I admire the wisdom in his approach to the craft. The Shining is a clear case where the book is VASTLY superior to the film (particularly the 1980 version directed by Stanley Kubrick), so if you've only seen the film, you are REALLY missing out.
Sunglasses After Dark, Nancy A. Collins
Nancy A. Collins' stories of Sonja Blue, vampire and vampire hunter, are full of mystery, intrigue, supernatural beings, and sex. These vampires don't sparkle, but they have schemes that put Machiavelli to shame, and Sonja's interactions with other supernatural creatures may be among the highlights of these books.
Drachenfels, Jack Yeovil
Set in the universe of Games Workshop's Warhammer world, Drachenfels utilizes the "play within a play" trope very nicely, and features a cast of characters probably in the hundreds. It weaves a rich web of detail, telling the story of a young man's quest to prove himself, the crew he recruits to help him, and the ancient, barely human enchanter who is the target of his quest. This book dates from the time when Games Workshop was still willing to take chances on interesting projects. Jack Yeovil is a nom de plume for author Kim Newman.
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkein
I first read The Hobbit as a young boy, and fell in love with the story's naive charm. While it is perhaps not a literary masterpiece, it is a well-told tale, with characters that I find entrancing and a setting full of wonder and delight.
Them Bones, Howard Waldrop
Them Bones is in essence, a time travel story, about soldiers from a fucked-up future earth going back in time to find a way to fix things. One soldier gets separated by the time stream, ending up in an earth that may not have existed exactly as portrayed, but his adventures with the people he finds are engrossing, horrific, and full of wonder. Waldrop is one of my favorite authors, and I advise anyone reading him to leave your preconceptions at the threshold, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
A Hunger Like Fire, Greg Stolze
Set in the universe of White Wolf Publishing's World of Darkness, This novel is about Chicago to a small degree, and the vampires who run to town to a much larger degree. Stolze has talent and skill sufficient that, even though these are monstrous beings capable of terrible, ferocious savagery, they are still highly sympathetic characters, and intriguing ones at that.
American Gods, Neil Gaiman
When I first heard the premise for this book, I was thrilled. I was still very nearly as thrilled reading it for the sixth time as I was for the first. Gaiman's imaginative powers are formidable, and he brings them all to bear in this novel of former deities trying to get by in the modern-day United States.
Bridge of Birds, Barry Hughart
I fell in love with these stories of "an Ancient China that never was" on the recommendation of a friend, and not only didn't regret it, I engaged in operations to acquire the other two books in the series, even though they were out of print at that time. Reprinted more than once by niche publishers, it won major awards (World Fantasy and Mythopeoic Fantasy Awards) and was followed up by two sequels, but sadly Hughart seems to have given up on writing.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
YA fiction that tells stories of kids who (generally) use good judgement, deal with the ramifications of their actions, and work to help others and stand up for what's right in spite of very personal consequences. Oh, and there's some magic involved from time to time. This is the second book in the series, and since (if I recall correctly) it features the main character's step-family a little less, I like it more.
Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
Despite the hue and cry over the conclusion to this series by those who over-romanitcize vampires, I found the ending to this series fitting and quite satisfying. Harris takes us for a ride with a young woman whose gift of telepathy is more of a curse, until she meets her first vampire, whose thoughts don't transmit to her at all. The mysteries in each book are well thought-out, and the stories are peppered with a bit of sex and a great deal of intrigue. This first book introduces several of the main characters and most of the primary themes for the series.
***
Stephen King has a useful piece of advice for writers: Write a lot; read a lot. There is no better way for any of us to support the writers whose work we enjoy than by buying their books. Whether you buy through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite independent bookstore, please buy books, and more importantly, READ them!
And if you have a moment, write a brief review for Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com to tell others what you thought of the books you've read -- what you liked or didn't like, and why. It doesn't have to be great literature in itself -- just an honest opinion. Spreading the word like that can help sell a few more copies, and hey: every little bit helps.
But wait, I hear some of you yelling -- that's ELEVEN books!
Yep; consider it a bonus.
The Problem With Food
Food is in the news these days, and it's a surprisingly controversial topic. The biggest problem with food -- as I see it -- is that there isn't enough of it for everyone. Perhaps the biggest news is the fight over labeling foods containing GMOs -- Genetically Modified Organisms -- and how major food conglomerates are generally against this labeling.
I have a relationship with food like most people; I love to eat. My parents always -- ALWAYS -- did their best for me and my brothers, but by the time I was old enough to understand much, we were poor. My folks - both of them -- were decent cooks, and I grew up, like so many of my generation, with the "clean your plate" mandate. We never went hungry when I was a kid, but we often had to do without other things.
My parents were also big on trying exotic foods. Exotic to them usually meant Italian or Chinese, but that was life in small town Wisconsin in the 60s and 70s. They instilled in me the value of trying new things, for which I am eternally grateful. Today there are very few foods I will not try, and even fewer that I refuse to eat at all. Though there are some things I wouldn't choose on my own, if they are served to me while I am a guest in someone's home I will eat them without discomfort or complaint.
With all this in mind, I'd like to talk for a moment about...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2016/11/14/the-...
I have a relationship with food like most people; I love to eat. My parents always -- ALWAYS -- did their best for me and my brothers, but by the time I was old enough to understand much, we were poor. My folks - both of them -- were decent cooks, and I grew up, like so many of my generation, with the "clean your plate" mandate. We never went hungry when I was a kid, but we often had to do without other things.
My parents were also big on trying exotic foods. Exotic to them usually meant Italian or Chinese, but that was life in small town Wisconsin in the 60s and 70s. They instilled in me the value of trying new things, for which I am eternally grateful. Today there are very few foods I will not try, and even fewer that I refuse to eat at all. Though there are some things I wouldn't choose on my own, if they are served to me while I am a guest in someone's home I will eat them without discomfort or complaint.
With all this in mind, I'd like to talk for a moment about...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2016/11/14/the-...
Numb
After last week's events, the post I was going to put up will wait for another week or two. I was going to write about an experience going target shooting with a friend of mine, but right now I can't stomach even seeming to sympathize -- in ANY way -- with the psychotic horror show the NRA has become.
The USA is the only country where these kinds of shootings happen with such horrific regularity. We're already up to 30 mass shootings so far this year in 53 days: at that rate, we'll have over...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2018/02/22/numb/
The USA is the only country where these kinds of shootings happen with such horrific regularity. We're already up to 30 mass shootings so far this year in 53 days: at that rate, we'll have over...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2018/02/22/numb/
Necessary Evils
I was at the
Henry Vilas Zoo
recently, and before that the
Indianapolis Zoo
during GenCon weekend. I enjoy visiting zoos because I love animals -- even reptiles, bugs, and fish. They don't have to be cuddly for me to find them fascinating -- though if they aren't cuddly mammals, odds are good that I don't want them in my house!To many people, zoos are depressing places: animals in confinement, being stared at, shouted at, and (occasionally) having things throw at them, by people. They can be depressing if you can only see that particular unpleasant aspect, but there's another point to consider: Zoos are...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2018/08/29/nece...
NOT Seeing Starz
Having already decided that I wasn't going to continue to watch American Gods on the Starz network, I was mostly unconcerned with any developments to the show. With apologies to Neil Gaiman, I thought the novel was quite good, but the show itself was lacking a great many things. (See my previous post on the subject, http://billbodden.com/2019/04/29/american-gods-wandering-in-the-desert-for-30-years/)
I was therefore stunned to learn that, earlier this month, the new showrunner had not asked Orlando Jones back to reprise his role as the African god, Mr. Nancy. Jones was one of the best things about this show, and now he's gone too. Close on the heels of this came the announcement from Mousa Kraish, (he played the Jinn) that he was also not asked back. In Jones' case, he was given to understand that "Angry gets shit done!" (from a speech his character gives to a shipload of African slaves before they revolt) is...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2019/12/16/not-...
I was therefore stunned to learn that, earlier this month, the new showrunner had not asked Orlando Jones back to reprise his role as the African god, Mr. Nancy. Jones was one of the best things about this show, and now he's gone too. Close on the heels of this came the announcement from Mousa Kraish, (he played the Jinn) that he was also not asked back. In Jones' case, he was given to understand that "Angry gets shit done!" (from a speech his character gives to a shipload of African slaves before they revolt) is...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2019/12/16/not-...
Fallen Heroes
Having heroes is dangerous.
We adopt heroes into our lives because they have qualities we admire. The downside is that, being human, they most likely have qualities we don't admire - perhaps even abhor. Not all flaws are horrible, but some are.
Recent news highlights a perfect example in J. K. Rowling. Having made millions from her Harry Potter franchise, she declares that she's happy to pay taxes because she remembers too well what it was like to depend on the UK's social safety net programs to keep...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2019/12/23/fall...
We adopt heroes into our lives because they have qualities we admire. The downside is that, being human, they most likely have qualities we don't admire - perhaps even abhor. Not all flaws are horrible, but some are.
Recent news highlights a perfect example in J. K. Rowling. Having made millions from her Harry Potter franchise, she declares that she's happy to pay taxes because she remembers too well what it was like to depend on the UK's social safety net programs to keep...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2019/12/23/fall...
Restaurant Ambiance
I was with some friends in a restaurant recently, and I began thinking about all the factors that make for a good restaurant. It's not always as simple as just serving good food; there's more to it than that, and I had a few tiny revelations about thew subject while nomming on my pork bun, our shared sushi and sashimi, and my pan-fried dumplings.
Of course, delicious, fairly priced food is the cornerstone upon which all other aspects depend. In that, there is no shortage of good restaurants in the world. However, it's not enough to serve good food, as competition in the food service industry is fierce, and staying in business means doing...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2020/02/10/rest...
Of course, delicious, fairly priced food is the cornerstone upon which all other aspects depend. In that, there is no shortage of good restaurants in the world. However, it's not enough to serve good food, as competition in the food service industry is fierce, and staying in business means doing...
To read the rest of this post, please visit: http://billbodden.com/2020/02/10/rest...
DON'T Steal This Book!*
* With no apologies to Abbie Hoffman.
Reading for Haunted: Eleven Tales of Ghostly Horror, Room of One's Own bookstore, October 2011. L to R: Georgia Beaverson, Monica Valentinelli, Jason Blair, Alex Bledsoe, Bill Bodden. Reading was well attended.
Occasionally, memes go by on Facebook or Twitter regarding ways to support authors. This does not necessarily mean every and all authors, mind you -- just ones whose work you enjoy. It has never been more important to do so now; with conventions cancelling and postposing their events because of conrona virus fears-- events that many authors were counting on as a source of income as a guest by or selling their books -- it's possibly more important than ever to help spread the word so your favorite authors can continue to eat and pay rent.
Let's start with some basic things (I'll recap in a numbered list a the end.) First: Buy their books, of course, but also READ them. We're losing reading for pleasure as a thing people want to do, and the negative feelings toward reading are reinforced by all the dreck we're forced to read in school by people who think those paper implements of torture are Important Books. Buying books isn't always possible due to financial issues; everyone's comfort level with their disposable income is different. If you can't buy books, request them from your local public library. They buy books too, and their purchases help just as much, plus...
To read the rest of this post, please visit:
http://billbodden.com/2020/03/09/dont...
Reading for Haunted: Eleven Tales of Ghostly Horror, Room of One's Own bookstore, October 2011. L to R: Georgia Beaverson, Monica Valentinelli, Jason Blair, Alex Bledsoe, Bill Bodden. Reading was well attended.
Occasionally, memes go by on Facebook or Twitter regarding ways to support authors. This does not necessarily mean every and all authors, mind you -- just ones whose work you enjoy. It has never been more important to do so now; with conventions cancelling and postposing their events because of conrona virus fears-- events that many authors were counting on as a source of income as a guest by or selling their books -- it's possibly more important than ever to help spread the word so your favorite authors can continue to eat and pay rent.
Let's start with some basic things (I'll recap in a numbered list a the end.) First: Buy their books, of course, but also READ them. We're losing reading for pleasure as a thing people want to do, and the negative feelings toward reading are reinforced by all the dreck we're forced to read in school by people who think those paper implements of torture are Important Books. Buying books isn't always possible due to financial issues; everyone's comfort level with their disposable income is different. If you can't buy books, request them from your local public library. They buy books too, and their purchases help just as much, plus...
To read the rest of this post, please visit:
http://billbodden.com/2020/03/09/dont...
