Hazel Edwards's Blog, page 4
August 12, 2013
Climate Co-ordinated Books, Reading Intransit & Carrying Books
Ever climate co-ordinated your book, in reverse?
It's a kind of climate control.
If organised, I'll choose a book with a cold setting when visiting a hot location. And vice versa.
For weight reasons ( the baggage allowance, not my weight) I've moved to e-books and audio stories.
As a children's author I travel to various literary festivals, especially at this time of the year. So I listen to audio stories while driving and I've started to add e-books to my Ipad which fits in my big handbag.
With delayed flights and other frustrations, it helps to be able to lose yourself in a completely different world so I prefer fiction with a strongly evoked historical or geographic landscape. Or serious non-fiction which I might not pick up in print version, but if there's no choice, I keep listening, or repeat the chapter. I also like well plotted mysteries, so there's the pleasure of returning to a complex plot. Reading Antarctica: a Biography or Jesse Blackadder's 'Towards the Light" ( about Norwegian women in Antarctica) is great if flying to Darwin, the setting of 'Outback Ferals'.
I've enjoyed ( or maybe felt vicariously ) the 'cold, bleak' Icelandic setting of 'Burial Rites' .
Although I should read books set in the location I'm visiting, I tend to read them on the way back. Or start to write my own, with that setting.
Also learning how to re-charge devices, so I don't lose the end of the book.
It's a kind of climate control.
If organised, I'll choose a book with a cold setting when visiting a hot location. And vice versa.
For weight reasons ( the baggage allowance, not my weight) I've moved to e-books and audio stories.
As a children's author I travel to various literary festivals, especially at this time of the year. So I listen to audio stories while driving and I've started to add e-books to my Ipad which fits in my big handbag.
With delayed flights and other frustrations, it helps to be able to lose yourself in a completely different world so I prefer fiction with a strongly evoked historical or geographic landscape. Or serious non-fiction which I might not pick up in print version, but if there's no choice, I keep listening, or repeat the chapter. I also like well plotted mysteries, so there's the pleasure of returning to a complex plot. Reading Antarctica: a Biography or Jesse Blackadder's 'Towards the Light" ( about Norwegian women in Antarctica) is great if flying to Darwin, the setting of 'Outback Ferals'.
I've enjoyed ( or maybe felt vicariously ) the 'cold, bleak' Icelandic setting of 'Burial Rites' .
Although I should read books set in the location I'm visiting, I tend to read them on the way back. Or start to write my own, with that setting.
Also learning how to re-charge devices, so I don't lose the end of the book.
July 27, 2013
Answering Reader Questions: From Book to Documentary: "f2m:the boy within"
As a reader ,I enjoy lazy learning from concentrated fiction, even more than non-fiction. And as an author I enjoy learning about a new setting or culture via research for a novel.
Ever wanted to ask questions of an author? Or get information to extend your knowledge of the background of the novel?
Sometimes a book can provoke strong reactions. Or in our case, it is the gender subject, not our handling of the story, which is controversial.
Our co-authored 'f2m:the boy within' is a coming of age YA novel, but because it deals with transitioning gender, and my co-author Ryan is an ftm(female to male), many readers have questions. Some are fearful of a subject about which they know little, and censor reading of the novel.
As co- authors we've been interviewed in a documentary by Kailash Studios on varied reactions to our book. Currently the doco is being edited.
It's been a significant experience to have a thoughtful interviewer ask on screen, the accumulation of three years of common and uncommon reader questions, since the book's publication. Along the way we picked up an international White Ravens award, and grateful readers who share the book with their families but also some censorship from groups who have not read the book but condemn it on the subject.
So this doco is a way of answering directly and thoughtfully.
f2m;the boy within
Ever wanted to ask questions of an author? Or get information to extend your knowledge of the background of the novel?
Sometimes a book can provoke strong reactions. Or in our case, it is the gender subject, not our handling of the story, which is controversial.
Our co-authored 'f2m:the boy within' is a coming of age YA novel, but because it deals with transitioning gender, and my co-author Ryan is an ftm(female to male), many readers have questions. Some are fearful of a subject about which they know little, and censor reading of the novel.
As co- authors we've been interviewed in a documentary by Kailash Studios on varied reactions to our book. Currently the doco is being edited.
It's been a significant experience to have a thoughtful interviewer ask on screen, the accumulation of three years of common and uncommon reader questions, since the book's publication. Along the way we picked up an international White Ravens award, and grateful readers who share the book with their families but also some censorship from groups who have not read the book but condemn it on the subject.
So this doco is a way of answering directly and thoughtfully.
f2m;the boy within
June 29, 2013
Putting Off Reading Books Others Say you MUST Read
'You MUST read this book. OR , You MUST meet this person.'
I withdraw and avoid them.
If the advisor is too emphatic, you feel that the recommendation won't live up to expectation.You'll be disappointed by the gap between the expectation and the reality. But if you serendipitously find a gem of a book or personality, and had no expectations, that's a greater enjoyment.
'The Hunger Games' I read only because my grandson was studying it as a class text. I avoided this novel earlier because of the media hype and being an American book, Australian students were required to read.
I was wrong. It's well crafted, a parody of Roman gladiatorial battles, Tv celeb 'reveals', heroic moral dilemmas and problem-solving as well as politics and media manipulation & economics. Great to discuss with a thoughtful year 8 student.
But I'm glad some of them are also reading my YA novel 'Antarctica's Frozen Chosen' which has the dilemma of how far you'll go for a mate in icy Antarctica and elsewhere. And there's a mutiny.
Most are reading it as an ebook on their Ipad but there is a print copy. On second thoughts, maybe I shouldn't recommend this book to you?
But I admit, I was wrong about 'The Hunger Games'. You MUST read it. 'Antarctica's Frozen Chosen
I withdraw and avoid them.
If the advisor is too emphatic, you feel that the recommendation won't live up to expectation.You'll be disappointed by the gap between the expectation and the reality. But if you serendipitously find a gem of a book or personality, and had no expectations, that's a greater enjoyment.
'The Hunger Games' I read only because my grandson was studying it as a class text. I avoided this novel earlier because of the media hype and being an American book, Australian students were required to read.
I was wrong. It's well crafted, a parody of Roman gladiatorial battles, Tv celeb 'reveals', heroic moral dilemmas and problem-solving as well as politics and media manipulation & economics. Great to discuss with a thoughtful year 8 student.
But I'm glad some of them are also reading my YA novel 'Antarctica's Frozen Chosen' which has the dilemma of how far you'll go for a mate in icy Antarctica and elsewhere. And there's a mutiny.
Most are reading it as an ebook on their Ipad but there is a print copy. On second thoughts, maybe I shouldn't recommend this book to you?
But I admit, I was wrong about 'The Hunger Games'. You MUST read it. 'Antarctica's Frozen Chosen
June 4, 2013
Dangers of Writing Too Close to Home
'That's me in your novel!'
Compliment?
There are dangers in writing too close to home or the loves in your life. Circumstances change.
I don't think I'd ever be brave enough to try autobiography.'Auto' is the writer's version of events,often with dramatic licence.Occasionally it's chronological boredom.That's a danger too
When interviewed, many writers explain where they got their ideas BUT candid revelations might be dangerous.
Danger No 1. Identification
Ironically readers often assume they are the 'nasty' characters. And complain? Or sue?
Occasionally they assume they are the hero.
Danger No 2 Misunderstood Process
If it's a novel, it's fiction.
If it's a history, it must be facts.
If it's faction, the setting and time may be accurate but the characters are composites, dramatically enhanced to retain story interest.
That's an option I suggest to those attempting to write their own family histories.
But faction cannot be called a history.
However it might be a less dangerous course.
So how honest is appropriate if writing about your relatives?
Compliment?
There are dangers in writing too close to home or the loves in your life. Circumstances change.
I don't think I'd ever be brave enough to try autobiography.'Auto' is the writer's version of events,often with dramatic licence.Occasionally it's chronological boredom.That's a danger too
When interviewed, many writers explain where they got their ideas BUT candid revelations might be dangerous.
Danger No 1. Identification
Ironically readers often assume they are the 'nasty' characters. And complain? Or sue?
Occasionally they assume they are the hero.
Danger No 2 Misunderstood Process
If it's a novel, it's fiction.
If it's a history, it must be facts.
If it's faction, the setting and time may be accurate but the characters are composites, dramatically enhanced to retain story interest.
That's an option I suggest to those attempting to write their own family histories.
But faction cannot be called a history.
However it might be a less dangerous course.
So how honest is appropriate if writing about your relatives?
May 31, 2013
Mixed Reactions About Favourite Books Going into Other Formats
Ever watched the film after reading the book? And felt vaguely cheated by the lack of explanation of the inner motivation but enjoyed the setting or the action more?
I watched the second film version of The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo' and felt it lacked the complex 'reasons'the book had supplied within the plot and characterisation. But the Scandinavian icy setting was so well evoked.
That's my 'reader' reaction.
As an author, when my books go into other mediums like picture book apps, film , audio or documentaries, I prefer to choose good people and let them create appropriately for that medium. Theirs is a re-Creation.
A new artwork.
Usually they add wonderfully to the original. The 'Feymouse' picture book apps is vibrant, Pocket Bonfire's 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake' short film is quirky and I'm looking forward to the Kailash Studio documentary on reactions to our controversial 'f2m:the boy within' about transitioning gender.
And then there are issues with e-books for some readers who insist that the print version is superior. No, just different.
I watched the second film version of The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo' and felt it lacked the complex 'reasons'the book had supplied within the plot and characterisation. But the Scandinavian icy setting was so well evoked.
That's my 'reader' reaction.
As an author, when my books go into other mediums like picture book apps, film , audio or documentaries, I prefer to choose good people and let them create appropriately for that medium. Theirs is a re-Creation.
A new artwork.
Usually they add wonderfully to the original. The 'Feymouse' picture book apps is vibrant, Pocket Bonfire's 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake' short film is quirky and I'm looking forward to the Kailash Studio documentary on reactions to our controversial 'f2m:the boy within' about transitioning gender.
And then there are issues with e-books for some readers who insist that the print version is superior. No, just different.
May 25, 2013
Finding Heroes in Books
Who is your hero?
I admit to reading biographies to get inside the lives of other people, especially feisty females. Motivations fascinate me.
At a recent literary event, most students named badly behaving footballers as their 'heroes', just because these 'celebs' photos were on front pages of the newspaper.
Notorious is not heroic!
Surely a hero does something for their community, solves a problem , invents , creates or comes up with a better way to change attitudes?
As an author I'm also intrigued by historical figures, even the modest ones. Asked to contribute to the Aussie Heroes series for 10 year old readers, I've enjoyed researching surgeons 'Weary' Dunlop and Fred Hollows and more recently Edith Cowan, (who is on the Australian $50 note) and was the first female elected into the Australian parliament.
So, at the same Australian regional literary festival of 200 teenagers, no-one knew who Edith Cowan was, one had heard of Dr Fred Hollows and one thought 'Weary' was a brand of tyre.
Maybe we need to share more inspirational personalities in formats young people will read? And recommend accessible books about 'real' people from history?
Sir Edward Weary DunlopProfessor Fred Hollows
I admit to reading biographies to get inside the lives of other people, especially feisty females. Motivations fascinate me.
At a recent literary event, most students named badly behaving footballers as their 'heroes', just because these 'celebs' photos were on front pages of the newspaper.
Notorious is not heroic!
Surely a hero does something for their community, solves a problem , invents , creates or comes up with a better way to change attitudes?
As an author I'm also intrigued by historical figures, even the modest ones. Asked to contribute to the Aussie Heroes series for 10 year old readers, I've enjoyed researching surgeons 'Weary' Dunlop and Fred Hollows and more recently Edith Cowan, (who is on the Australian $50 note) and was the first female elected into the Australian parliament.
So, at the same Australian regional literary festival of 200 teenagers, no-one knew who Edith Cowan was, one had heard of Dr Fred Hollows and one thought 'Weary' was a brand of tyre.
Maybe we need to share more inspirational personalities in formats young people will read? And recommend accessible books about 'real' people from history?
Sir Edward Weary DunlopProfessor Fred Hollows
April 26, 2013
Fake I.D.
Ever used fake I.D.? Since I first named my print YA novel 'Fake ID' I've met a few who have used fake ID and not the ones you would expect. Often it has been for political reasons, not just to get into places when you are under-age. And often they have been grandparent over- age, like my Gran character whose espionage history 15 year old Zoe has to investigate. Now Fake I.D. is an e-book downloadable from the new ASA site, https://www.authors-unlimited.org, I'm expecting more hits, maybe not only for the wrong reasons?
Apt titles for books are vital.Harder than naming children, really. I favour one word cluey titles which are ambiguous like 'Feymouse' ( say it quickly). or even two word titles like 'Outback Ferals' which refers not to those who live in outback Darwin, but feral pigs as a pandemic threat.
Of course authors can't always control how their readers will interprete their titles, or even how they will pronounce them.
But extra long titles like 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake' have space challenges and take ages to write.
Little kids say 'Hittopotamus' and that's ok.
Fake.I.D.
ISBN 978-0-9871575-7-7
https://www.authors-unlimited.org
Feymouse
Picture Book Apps from Itunes
http://feymouse.blue-quoll.com
Apt titles for books are vital.Harder than naming children, really. I favour one word cluey titles which are ambiguous like 'Feymouse' ( say it quickly). or even two word titles like 'Outback Ferals' which refers not to those who live in outback Darwin, but feral pigs as a pandemic threat.
Of course authors can't always control how their readers will interprete their titles, or even how they will pronounce them.
But extra long titles like 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake' have space challenges and take ages to write.
Little kids say 'Hittopotamus' and that's ok.
Fake.I.D.
ISBN 978-0-9871575-7-7
https://www.authors-unlimited.org
Feymouse
Picture Book Apps from Itunes
http://feymouse.blue-quoll.com
April 6, 2013
Re-Discovering Good Reads via Antarctica
Although I'm an aqua readaholic (read in the bath) and listen to audio books in the car and have taken up e-books avidly, I'd let my listing of recommended books lapse on Good Reads. Wasn't even sure of how the system linked to social media.
This week's resolution is to catch up. A librarian strongly suggested I update my own book details and covers too.
So I've added an Antarctic bookshelf because my hobby is reading about Antarctica.Jesse Blackadder's 'Chasing the Light' and David Day's Antarctica; a Biography' have been recent finds.
And I've added some of the last year's reviews I wrote of others' work. Now I'll try to work out how to add updated digital editions. Writing books seems to take less time than e-administering them. But luckily there is always the joy of finding a new author and a good read.
This week's resolution is to catch up. A librarian strongly suggested I update my own book details and covers too.
So I've added an Antarctic bookshelf because my hobby is reading about Antarctica.Jesse Blackadder's 'Chasing the Light' and David Day's Antarctica; a Biography' have been recent finds.
And I've added some of the last year's reviews I wrote of others' work. Now I'll try to work out how to add updated digital editions. Writing books seems to take less time than e-administering them. But luckily there is always the joy of finding a new author and a good read.
