Kate Rothwell's Blog, page 17
December 24, 2012
Stuff, including an SBD
ONE I'm listening to The Cat's Table by Michael O[look up the rest of his name later, but there's a "j" and several "aa's" in there] It's a lovely book so far, even though it hasn't gripped me the way books sometimes do. That means that when I accidentally bonk the player and it skips backward, I don't fast-forward. I'll just listen to the section again. I'm not in a hurry to get to the end.
TWO I'm starting a list of words and phrases that I would eliminate if I were given the Word Wand:
Check your privilege, Mom (I'm not sure what it means but I hear it too often)
Fur-baby and furever home
Cis-privilege Cis-anything come to that.
THREE It hasn't been 2 weeks yet, but the whole Newtown thing is fading from the conversation. I have no idea what the solution should be -- fewer guns out in the world seems obvious, although how that happens, less obvious. I only hope the public's will to figure out real solutions lasts through the new year. I mean, gad, the world will come back from the winter break weeks and weeks after the fact.
FOUR I'm not liking this story I'm writing. Bah.
TWO I'm starting a list of words and phrases that I would eliminate if I were given the Word Wand:
Check your privilege, Mom (I'm not sure what it means but I hear it too often)
Fur-baby and furever home
Cis-privilege Cis-anything come to that.
THREE It hasn't been 2 weeks yet, but the whole Newtown thing is fading from the conversation. I have no idea what the solution should be -- fewer guns out in the world seems obvious, although how that happens, less obvious. I only hope the public's will to figure out real solutions lasts through the new year. I mean, gad, the world will come back from the winter break weeks and weeks after the fact.
FOUR I'm not liking this story I'm writing. Bah.
December 19, 2012
what he said
The why of Pedro's question is easy to understand. Sandy Hook Elementary looks like our kids' schools. Those kids look like ours. It could be us looking like our guts had been yanked out. The why isn't enough though--the message is important.
Sharing a status from Pedro Francisco (actually I'm sharing his wife's status, but she quoted him.)
"This is an honest question. There is something I want to understand
more deeply. I think the answer unlocks a key to humanity but I don't
have the answer. Consider these two events:
1. Adam Lanza walks into a school in Connecticut and kills 26 innocent people, most of them children.
2. Staff Sargent Robert Bales walks into a home in Afghanistan and kills 16 innocent people, most of them children.
The Connecticut killings rightly cause shock, empathy and sympathy for
all of the innocent people, living and dead, who are victims of the
event. Media provides 24/7 coverage of every aspect of the crime,
including heart wrenching details of the children's talents, dreams and
beautiful moments from their short lives. We weep for them and their
families. We want justice. We want this to never happen again. Speaking
for myself, I want to help create a world where these things are almost
impossible to occur. It affects me deeply.
The Afghanistan
killings get no similar media coverage. We never learn of the dreams of
little Akhtar or of sweet faced Fareeda or any of the other boys and
girls. We never hear the details of who heard the gunshots and who tried
to hide. Yet this event bothers me even more than Connecticut and
here's why - as a person who pays taxes in the USA I helped pay for the
gun and bullets Sgt. Bales used to kill these innocent children. And I
paid for whatever he used to set them all on fire in the center of one
room. I feel as though I literally have their blood on my hands. I
helped make it happen.
I didn't pay for Mrs. Lanza's guns or
Adam's ammo. I had nothing to do with any of that. But I'm financially
complicit in Sgt. Bales killings and that bothers me.
But here
is my honest question: Why do people care so much about the Connecticut
murders yet so little about the Afghanistan murders? What is it about
humans that we can be so dismissive of an event that is basically
identical to another event that profoundly moves us?"
Sharing a status from Pedro Francisco (actually I'm sharing his wife's status, but she quoted him.)
"This is an honest question. There is something I want to understand
more deeply. I think the answer unlocks a key to humanity but I don't
have the answer. Consider these two events:
1. Adam Lanza walks into a school in Connecticut and kills 26 innocent people, most of them children.
2. Staff Sargent Robert Bales walks into a home in Afghanistan and kills 16 innocent people, most of them children.
The Connecticut killings rightly cause shock, empathy and sympathy for
all of the innocent people, living and dead, who are victims of the
event. Media provides 24/7 coverage of every aspect of the crime,
including heart wrenching details of the children's talents, dreams and
beautiful moments from their short lives. We weep for them and their
families. We want justice. We want this to never happen again. Speaking
for myself, I want to help create a world where these things are almost
impossible to occur. It affects me deeply.
The Afghanistan
killings get no similar media coverage. We never learn of the dreams of
little Akhtar or of sweet faced Fareeda or any of the other boys and
girls. We never hear the details of who heard the gunshots and who tried
to hide. Yet this event bothers me even more than Connecticut and
here's why - as a person who pays taxes in the USA I helped pay for the
gun and bullets Sgt. Bales used to kill these innocent children. And I
paid for whatever he used to set them all on fire in the center of one
room. I feel as though I literally have their blood on my hands. I
helped make it happen.
I didn't pay for Mrs. Lanza's guns or
Adam's ammo. I had nothing to do with any of that. But I'm financially
complicit in Sgt. Bales killings and that bothers me.
But here
is my honest question: Why do people care so much about the Connecticut
murders yet so little about the Afghanistan murders? What is it about
humans that we can be so dismissive of an event that is basically
identical to another event that profoundly moves us?"
December 15, 2012
so long, santa
When I was a kid, a drunk taxi driver killed someone important in our family on December 17. The sudden unexpected death meant Christmas was basically over--not just that year, every year after. Every year after that, our family tended to run away during Christmas--usually we would up and travel to somewhere warm. The tree went up and we'd go through the motions, but I think that was for the little kids. The adults had lost the joy, and by gum, they need the joy and connectedness too.
Not that anyone asked, but I say when someone dies suddenly, tragically, close to a major holiday, don't even bother pretending to celebrate after that. The holiday is done, toast, finished as a time of joy at least for a few years. Run away. Pick another time, in the spring maybe, for the wholesome good family get-togethers, for rebirth celebration, and season of generosity. The kids might not like it, but they're more resilient than the grown-ups.
(Although soldiering through and pretending you're not filled with glum despair has its reasonable advocates too)
Not that anyone asked, but I say when someone dies suddenly, tragically, close to a major holiday, don't even bother pretending to celebrate after that. The holiday is done, toast, finished as a time of joy at least for a few years. Run away. Pick another time, in the spring maybe, for the wholesome good family get-togethers, for rebirth celebration, and season of generosity. The kids might not like it, but they're more resilient than the grown-ups.
(Although soldiering through and pretending you're not filled with glum despair has its reasonable advocates too)
December 14, 2012
why did I say that thing on twitter?
anyone who worships a god who kills kids if people don't pray to him, isn't convincing me that this is a god I want in my kids' school
I said that in response to things like this I keep seeing all over the internet:
I know I was being simplistic. Although it's clear that any kid reading that message would see this: god's at the door keeping us safe and if we don't pray to him he'll abandon us.
In fact, as someone pointed out, the message is that Huckabee
and others are saying that by pushing God out of schools, we reduce the morality and the
respect for others out of our schools including the commandments.
That's not as simplistic but it still doesn't work for me. Not at all.
I just do not buy that unless you pray to God, you will not develop true morality, a conscience or any true form of humanity.
I resent any implication that it is somehow it is unbelievers faults' that children die.
I resent being told that religion will answer every problem like this when it might well have been a case of neglected medication, or some failure of communication, or some other sad human (or otherwise) based fact or incident that leads to this sort of tragedy.
Also I'm sad, and sorrow seems to turn into anger pretty easily.
I said that in response to things like this I keep seeing all over the internet:
I know I was being simplistic. Although it's clear that any kid reading that message would see this: god's at the door keeping us safe and if we don't pray to him he'll abandon us.
In fact, as someone pointed out, the message is that Huckabee
and others are saying that by pushing God out of schools, we reduce the morality and the
respect for others out of our schools including the commandments.
That's not as simplistic but it still doesn't work for me. Not at all.
I just do not buy that unless you pray to God, you will not develop true morality, a conscience or any true form of humanity.
I resent any implication that it is somehow it is unbelievers faults' that children die.
I resent being told that religion will answer every problem like this when it might well have been a case of neglected medication, or some failure of communication, or some other sad human (or otherwise) based fact or incident that leads to this sort of tragedy.
Also I'm sad, and sorrow seems to turn into anger pretty easily.
December 10, 2012
hero defined
Okay, I got one: Adam Parascandola is a hero.
I already appreciated him when I was avoiding work and found this video.
but then I found this article about how he helps some of the people he raids. That takes a generous, amazing soul, to see the horrible conditions of the animals and understand the people involved require aid too. And then to be the one to administer that help? Yessiree, hero.
from the article:
I already appreciated him when I was avoiding work and found this video.
but then I found this article about how he helps some of the people he raids. That takes a generous, amazing soul, to see the horrible conditions of the animals and understand the people involved require aid too. And then to be the one to administer that help? Yessiree, hero.
from the article:
As the director of the shelter's law enforcement efforts, Parascandola
befriended a woman while investigating complaints about her petkeeping,
Smith recalls. Instead of removing the animals and forgetting about her,
Parascandola provided years of support. "He took her grocery shopping,
and he picked her up from the hospital and visited her in the hospital
until the day she died," Smith says. "He is just that kind of person."
SBD another vampire
I was going to swear off vampires and werewolves, but our local library seems to have a huge stock of them. Given a choice between Debbie Macomber and a bunch of deadly undeads....well. I suppose I could try reading Schopenhauer, but at the moment I'm trying to escape horrible edits and that means ESCAPE. Dense philosophical writing just doesn't let you float away in someone else's world.
Cherie Priest's vampire took some time to get used to. She kills nearly everyone she meets who annoys her, she gets self-righteous and self-deprecating at the same time (it's an interesting skill) and her first person voice is occasionally annoying. But the secondary characters, the ex-SEAL drag queen, the annoying little kids, are what I liked. I read the first book and now I know I'm addicted. Only one book is in the library and so that means I'll be buying Priest lunch -- or if the series is long, dinner.
Cherie Priest's vampire took some time to get used to. She kills nearly everyone she meets who annoys her, she gets self-righteous and self-deprecating at the same time (it's an interesting skill) and her first person voice is occasionally annoying. But the secondary characters, the ex-SEAL drag queen, the annoying little kids, are what I liked. I read the first book and now I know I'm addicted. Only one book is in the library and so that means I'll be buying Priest lunch -- or if the series is long, dinner.
December 2, 2012
Neri Oxman, Neil Gaiman and Neil DeGrasse Tyson
We had a night out and that doesn't happen very often.
From the program:
An astrophysicist, a comic book writer, and a kick-ass designer walk into the forum.
Bits I took from it:
the word "nerd" was used 9 times, mostly by the people introducing the panel. Nerds, nerd-fest. One panelist (Neil G?) said geek, but otherwise they didn't do much about that. They dragged up the usual suspects of Brilliance and Vision, Beethoven, Picasso, Einstein, Newton (kick-ass man!), Stephen Hawking, but they said new things about them so cool. Yes. All righty then!
When Neri talked about her thinking, I went into WTF? Huh? mode. The words made sense. The individual sentences worked. They just didn't fit together. Axis? Whu? At the time I decided it was her, and not me. I'm still not sure.
BUT! When she talked about what she did...now that was wildly interesting (so was her thinking. even if I didn't follow), and it made sense. Though really, the whole organic growth thing doesn't fit with the printing off 3-D models of body bits.
"You are a scientist with a preacher's voice." Neri to Neil DeG. T. That's for sure.
Newton invented the cat flap?
"God of the gaps." I'd heard it before and thought it sounded poetic and lovely. Now it seems to be code for lazy brains.
I get why N. DeG. T. is so popular with the teenaged boy set. He does PWNED and oh, snap elegantly. Snark with style. I could listen to him all night, but I'm not sure I'd want to be trapped on a long car ride with him. I suspect the snark transitions to snarl. Neil Gaiman, now he's the one for a cross-country road trip. Neri's the one I want to visit at work. And maybe listen to some more, but only if she could do illustrations. I bet she does better with pictures or maybe I do.
I want to borrow Neil Gaiman's brain for a few hours when I'm plotting or maybe just when I'm bored (...except I'm never really bored because there's always something to plot.)
Things to look up: Jefferson Bible. Jenny Hanovers/chimeras. Leonard Bernstein talking about Beethoven's 9th. Bolides. John Wilmot.
Once I win the billion dollar lottery, I will hire John Dankosky to moderate all conversations, formal and informal.
From the program:
An astrophysicist, a comic book writer, and a kick-ass designer walk into the forum.
Bits I took from it:
the word "nerd" was used 9 times, mostly by the people introducing the panel. Nerds, nerd-fest. One panelist (Neil G?) said geek, but otherwise they didn't do much about that. They dragged up the usual suspects of Brilliance and Vision, Beethoven, Picasso, Einstein, Newton (kick-ass man!), Stephen Hawking, but they said new things about them so cool. Yes. All righty then!
When Neri talked about her thinking, I went into WTF? Huh? mode. The words made sense. The individual sentences worked. They just didn't fit together. Axis? Whu? At the time I decided it was her, and not me. I'm still not sure.
BUT! When she talked about what she did...now that was wildly interesting (so was her thinking. even if I didn't follow), and it made sense. Though really, the whole organic growth thing doesn't fit with the printing off 3-D models of body bits.
"You are a scientist with a preacher's voice." Neri to Neil DeG. T. That's for sure.
Newton invented the cat flap?
"God of the gaps." I'd heard it before and thought it sounded poetic and lovely. Now it seems to be code for lazy brains.
I get why N. DeG. T. is so popular with the teenaged boy set. He does PWNED and oh, snap elegantly. Snark with style. I could listen to him all night, but I'm not sure I'd want to be trapped on a long car ride with him. I suspect the snark transitions to snarl. Neil Gaiman, now he's the one for a cross-country road trip. Neri's the one I want to visit at work. And maybe listen to some more, but only if she could do illustrations. I bet she does better with pictures or maybe I do.
I want to borrow Neil Gaiman's brain for a few hours when I'm plotting or maybe just when I'm bored (...except I'm never really bored because there's always something to plot.)
Things to look up: Jefferson Bible. Jenny Hanovers/chimeras. Leonard Bernstein talking about Beethoven's 9th. Bolides. John Wilmot.
Once I win the billion dollar lottery, I will hire John Dankosky to moderate all conversations, formal and informal.
November 26, 2012
hysterically cheap
Hey look! All of my Loose Id historicals are only 99 cents!
Ninety-nine cents, $0.99
#LIHistoricalHysteria is the official way to tell you guys this!**
THESE NOVELS ARE SO CHEAP, THERE IS NO SYMBOL ON THE KEYBOARD TO MARK HOW CHEAP THEY ARE!
Less than a tiny cup of coffee, less than a single donut (donuts around here, anyway)! Less than a dog's chewie treat!
SO CHEAP.... but only until Friday, so act fast. Act now!
Full length, award-winning, fabulous novels -- each for less than a dollar!
Question: What could be a better deal for that price?
Answer: nothing! Except maybe a winning lottery ticket...but that's actually a penny more and these books are a surer bet! so ... NOTHING IS BETTER!
Here's a full list of the books that are cheap this week. They were in
alphabetically order but, because this is my blog, I've pulled mine up
to the top of the list:
Powder of Love, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Y5N8LU
The Gentleman and the Rogue, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MAK320
The Nobleman and the Spy, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HFRKM0
House of Mirrors, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056BRWZE
Claws on Silk, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005S6MFCM
Seducing Stephen, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EO8U9C
Bedding the Beast, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V1H28E
Beguiled, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ISLQDK
Blooming: Lilac, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TG4ORS
Blooming: Rose, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JH87F6
Blooming: Veronica, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CRTGJ8
Bold Bride, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AM5BEE
Bound by Deception, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V1H2JS
Bound Forever, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Z99RB0
Bound to Him, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V1H2ES
Brought Down, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WG4NS8
Carry On, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00439GKM6
Casa Rodrigo, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UYUWM4
Convincing Arthur, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002UNN84A
Convincing Leopold, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IZASEA
Dedication, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VU2CTY
Enemies, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006VXB1DK
Frozen in Time, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047T7BY8
Given, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003G2ZD06
Gold Mountain, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003IHW2EY
Her Beguiling Bride, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HOMECO
His Client, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004R1QBT2
Hollis Boys 1: Outlaws of Love, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076H3FX4
Hollis Boys 2: Trail of Lust, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008H4VX3O
Hollis Boys 3: Wild, Wild Hearts, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095PNIAU
Key Party: Band of Gold, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KFBBYQ
Key Party: Brown Sugar, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009954E9K
Key Party: Some Kind of Wonderful, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2V2LV8
Lionheart, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HNMDTE
More Than Breathing, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SRR6K0
Pacific Nights, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F77D8W
Painted Lady, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MAK320
Precious Jade, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CYKR90
Reader, I Married Him, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003N3V5RI
Secret Light, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006P1JZWM
Steal Away, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003H05XNY
The Reaper's Seduction, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E35ZQO
The Rosas of Spanish Harlem, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073V04I2
The Spy Who Spanked Me, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZDP298
The Station, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EHZRV2
The Wanderer, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BLK7SO
** Did I capture hysterical? I was aiming for the flavor of local commercials featuring screaming guys. Fast Eddy! Crazy Bruce! I went looking for a good example -- and instead I found a movie called Screaming Men. No men scream in this preview.
Ninety-nine cents, $0.99
#LIHistoricalHysteria is the official way to tell you guys this!**
THESE NOVELS ARE SO CHEAP, THERE IS NO SYMBOL ON THE KEYBOARD TO MARK HOW CHEAP THEY ARE!
Less than a tiny cup of coffee, less than a single donut (donuts around here, anyway)! Less than a dog's chewie treat!
SO CHEAP.... but only until Friday, so act fast. Act now!
Full length, award-winning, fabulous novels -- each for less than a dollar!
Question: What could be a better deal for that price?
Answer: nothing! Except maybe a winning lottery ticket...but that's actually a penny more and these books are a surer bet! so ... NOTHING IS BETTER!
Here's a full list of the books that are cheap this week. They were in
alphabetically order but, because this is my blog, I've pulled mine up
to the top of the list:
Powder of Love, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Y5N8LU
The Gentleman and the Rogue, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MAK320
The Nobleman and the Spy, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HFRKM0
House of Mirrors, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056BRWZE
Claws on Silk, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005S6MFCM
Seducing Stephen, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EO8U9C
Bedding the Beast, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V1H28E
Beguiled, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ISLQDK
Blooming: Lilac, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TG4ORS
Blooming: Rose, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JH87F6
Blooming: Veronica, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CRTGJ8
Bold Bride, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AM5BEE
Bound by Deception, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V1H2JS
Bound Forever, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Z99RB0
Bound to Him, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V1H2ES
Brought Down, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WG4NS8
Carry On, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00439GKM6
Casa Rodrigo, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UYUWM4
Convincing Arthur, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002UNN84A
Convincing Leopold, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IZASEA
Dedication, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VU2CTY
Enemies, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006VXB1DK
Frozen in Time, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047T7BY8
Given, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003G2ZD06
Gold Mountain, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003IHW2EY
Her Beguiling Bride, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HOMECO
His Client, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004R1QBT2
Hollis Boys 1: Outlaws of Love, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076H3FX4
Hollis Boys 2: Trail of Lust, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008H4VX3O
Hollis Boys 3: Wild, Wild Hearts, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095PNIAU
Key Party: Band of Gold, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KFBBYQ
Key Party: Brown Sugar, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009954E9K
Key Party: Some Kind of Wonderful, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2V2LV8
Lionheart, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HNMDTE
More Than Breathing, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SRR6K0
Pacific Nights, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F77D8W
Painted Lady, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MAK320
Precious Jade, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CYKR90
Reader, I Married Him, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003N3V5RI
Secret Light, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006P1JZWM
Steal Away, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003H05XNY
The Reaper's Seduction, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E35ZQO
The Rosas of Spanish Harlem, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073V04I2
The Spy Who Spanked Me, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZDP298
The Station, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EHZRV2
The Wanderer, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BLK7SO
** Did I capture hysterical? I was aiming for the flavor of local commercials featuring screaming guys. Fast Eddy! Crazy Bruce! I went looking for a good example -- and instead I found a movie called Screaming Men. No men scream in this preview.
November 20, 2012
Some books are better than others.
I just gave away Thank You Mrs. M to a bunch of friends and acquaintances. I didn't beg for reviews, I didn't expect a thank you (they're nice, though) I just gave it away. Want one? I'll give you a copy too.
Some books are like that. I like them enough that I don't mind giving them away. When I say "I like them" I'm not talking about the actual book. No, once the book is written, edited, proofed, I'm not foolish enough to reread them. Not the story.. It's the process I enjoyed, so the book itself is a favorite. At the end of the day,** the book owes me nothing, which is a lovely feeling.
Why do I like Thank You Mrs M? The story came pretty easily, almost as if a plot fairy was in charge. I got to ask my professor pal Kathy to read it and she did and gave me advice and she liked it. My sister, one of my main beta readers, made great suggestions and the story improved with them. I love it when a tweak transforms something.
Using the "writing as a fun experience" yardstick, my other favorites are Irrational Arousal and Unnatural Calamities. A lot of the books I've written with Bonnie fit too, because they're like a party game. Not all of them, though. A few of our books grew into slogs and chores. Death marches through slow-coming words.
And still other books? They were pulled out of me word by painful word. Somebody to Love. Oy. That one!! OY! I still resent it. If it was a person, it would not be a close friend of mine.
_____________
** who the heck says that? I can't recall. JD from Scrubs, maybe?
Some books are like that. I like them enough that I don't mind giving them away. When I say "I like them" I'm not talking about the actual book. No, once the book is written, edited, proofed, I'm not foolish enough to reread them. Not the story.. It's the process I enjoyed, so the book itself is a favorite. At the end of the day,** the book owes me nothing, which is a lovely feeling.
Why do I like Thank You Mrs M? The story came pretty easily, almost as if a plot fairy was in charge. I got to ask my professor pal Kathy to read it and she did and gave me advice and she liked it. My sister, one of my main beta readers, made great suggestions and the story improved with them. I love it when a tweak transforms something.
Using the "writing as a fun experience" yardstick, my other favorites are Irrational Arousal and Unnatural Calamities. A lot of the books I've written with Bonnie fit too, because they're like a party game. Not all of them, though. A few of our books grew into slogs and chores. Death marches through slow-coming words.
And still other books? They were pulled out of me word by painful word. Somebody to Love. Oy. That one!! OY! I still resent it. If it was a person, it would not be a close friend of mine.
_____________
** who the heck says that? I can't recall. JD from Scrubs, maybe?
November 19, 2012
random stuff for SBD
First: we'll get the inevitable promo out of the way. If you're a member of the huge goodreads m/m group, you can vote on our book to be the BOM (book o' the month). Okay? Good. Thanks!
Second: SBD. From twitter -- I'm reading a mystery (not really very mysterious) by Dick Lochte. Guy is an
excellent writer. Elegant prose without that Look At Clever ME schtick.
An update on that? I got halfway through and didn't finish the book. That's because it was a library book and they vanish from the Kindle on their due day, through the mysterious waves of technology. This time (it's happened before) I didn't have a fit and run to the library to get a hard copy of the book, and I'm not sure why. I appreciated the author's writing. I liked the main character who was flawed but interesting, my fave sort. Maybe the plot failed to grip? Maybe I have ADD this week? I can't remember why I'm not reading that book.
another update: I might actually buy a book by Lochte.
I did somehow end up with yet another Jane Austen thing--from the library. This was another modern woman going to a Jane Austen weekend. Unlike Shannon Hale's book, which is a barrel of fun, this book was pretty awful. She has a bunch of books with references to Austen and this one got the best reviews. Huh. I'd go into details but I think she's not a NYTimes Best Seller and I only get rancorous about books by people whose careers wouldn't be affected by some random blogging bitch. If, by some chance, this author hits the big time, I can tell you all about why I think her book wasn't worth reading, even though I read it and didn't finish the excellent Lochte book. People. We're so weird.
To give myself credit, I just skimmed the Jane Austen thing to see if I'd guessed right about the plot. I did.
Third: why do I dislike the holiday season even though it has never done anything to me? I have a great family, no one gets drunk, or tries to turn me into a god-fearing republican, there aren't huge crowds, and I'm glad to see everyone who shows up....I don't get it. Maybe this year I'll work on this issue. One is never too old to change and perhaps I, like Scrooge, can turn into a holiday fiend. I won't hold my breath on this one.
Second: SBD. From twitter -- I'm reading a mystery (not really very mysterious) by Dick Lochte. Guy is an
excellent writer. Elegant prose without that Look At Clever ME schtick.
An update on that? I got halfway through and didn't finish the book. That's because it was a library book and they vanish from the Kindle on their due day, through the mysterious waves of technology. This time (it's happened before) I didn't have a fit and run to the library to get a hard copy of the book, and I'm not sure why. I appreciated the author's writing. I liked the main character who was flawed but interesting, my fave sort. Maybe the plot failed to grip? Maybe I have ADD this week? I can't remember why I'm not reading that book.
another update: I might actually buy a book by Lochte.
I did somehow end up with yet another Jane Austen thing--from the library. This was another modern woman going to a Jane Austen weekend. Unlike Shannon Hale's book, which is a barrel of fun, this book was pretty awful. She has a bunch of books with references to Austen and this one got the best reviews. Huh. I'd go into details but I think she's not a NYTimes Best Seller and I only get rancorous about books by people whose careers wouldn't be affected by some random blogging bitch. If, by some chance, this author hits the big time, I can tell you all about why I think her book wasn't worth reading, even though I read it and didn't finish the excellent Lochte book. People. We're so weird.
To give myself credit, I just skimmed the Jane Austen thing to see if I'd guessed right about the plot. I did.
Third: why do I dislike the holiday season even though it has never done anything to me? I have a great family, no one gets drunk, or tries to turn me into a god-fearing republican, there aren't huge crowds, and I'm glad to see everyone who shows up....I don't get it. Maybe this year I'll work on this issue. One is never too old to change and perhaps I, like Scrooge, can turn into a holiday fiend. I won't hold my breath on this one.
