Phil Giunta's Blog, page 108
March 12, 2012
Book Review: Friday by Robert A. Heinlein
She is trained in physical combat and weaponry, incredibly strong, fast, and determined never to fail at her job as a combat courier. She is also sexy, loving, and beautiful (though she'd argue the latter). Her name is Friday...and she's an artificial woman. Simply put, Friday was created in a lab. Thus, while her appearance is completely human, she doesn't fully grasp human emotions, reactions, and customs.
Our story begins with Friday returning from a secret courier mission assigned by her employer, known only to her as "Boss" (until about 3/4 into the story, but no spoilers). However, she is betrayed by one of their own, captured, tortured, and gang-raped until she is rescued by operatives.
However, Friday doesn't appear to sustain much, if any, emotional damage from the experience. She is enraged, but not distraught, nor does she seem to suffer the deep trauma and shame that most rape victims experience. I'm not sure if this was due to her training and conditioning or if Heinlein merely downplayed that to keep the story moving.
Friday is almost immediately ready to get back to work but Boss insists that she take downtime. The next several chapters of the book follow Friday as she takes a vacation and ends up signing on to join an extended family in New Zealand. However, when they learn that she is artificial, the head of the family turns on her and breaks Friday's contract.
From there, Friday tries to return to Boss back in California but is sidetracked by terrorist attacks and petty wars between nations. While traveling through Canada, she finds herself taken in by a semi-ballistic ship captain named Ian. He brings her home and introduces her to his wife, a fiercly strong-willed woman named Janet, and her other husband, Georges. Instantly, Friday bonds with Janet, with whom she nearly makes love. She also bonds with Ian and Georges, with whom she does make love.
As the acts of terrorism force states and nations to close borders, Friday finds it ever challenging to return to HQ, taking on many identities, jobs, friends, lovers, and a few near-fatal adventures along the way. When she finally reaches Boss again, in a completely new secret HQ, he takes her off courier duty and places her in academic study, which is disrupted by events outside her control.
Friday then finds herself out of work, but not out of options. She takes one last courier job off-world, one that changes her life drastically and forever.
In the mind-boggling, incredibly detailed world that Heinlein lays out for us, sex comes free and easy. I lost count of how many lovers (men or women) that Friday slept with through the course of the story. However, Heinlein's writing is never pornographic, never erotic. It is merely suggestive and, at times, comedic.
National boundaries no longer exist as we know them. Many of the states are now sovereign countries as are the provinces and territories in Canada. New Zealand and British Canada are the best nations on Earth though society at large is in decay. There may even be another pandemic plague on the horizon. Polygamy and homosexuality are common and as accepted as the green of grass and the blue of sky. Artifical persons, however, not so much.
Families are managed more like corporations, their foundations seemingly driven by finance first, love second. Heinlein is known for presenting ingenious social commentary in his stories and that is prevalent in Friday. Although the term "internet" is never used explicitly, the information and communication technologies presented in the story are prescient.
Overall, Friday is an engaging read, drawing you into a society that, to be honest, may not be too far in our own future.
Our story begins with Friday returning from a secret courier mission assigned by her employer, known only to her as "Boss" (until about 3/4 into the story, but no spoilers). However, she is betrayed by one of their own, captured, tortured, and gang-raped until she is rescued by operatives.
However, Friday doesn't appear to sustain much, if any, emotional damage from the experience. She is enraged, but not distraught, nor does she seem to suffer the deep trauma and shame that most rape victims experience. I'm not sure if this was due to her training and conditioning or if Heinlein merely downplayed that to keep the story moving.
Friday is almost immediately ready to get back to work but Boss insists that she take downtime. The next several chapters of the book follow Friday as she takes a vacation and ends up signing on to join an extended family in New Zealand. However, when they learn that she is artificial, the head of the family turns on her and breaks Friday's contract.
From there, Friday tries to return to Boss back in California but is sidetracked by terrorist attacks and petty wars between nations. While traveling through Canada, she finds herself taken in by a semi-ballistic ship captain named Ian. He brings her home and introduces her to his wife, a fiercly strong-willed woman named Janet, and her other husband, Georges. Instantly, Friday bonds with Janet, with whom she nearly makes love. She also bonds with Ian and Georges, with whom she does make love.
As the acts of terrorism force states and nations to close borders, Friday finds it ever challenging to return to HQ, taking on many identities, jobs, friends, lovers, and a few near-fatal adventures along the way. When she finally reaches Boss again, in a completely new secret HQ, he takes her off courier duty and places her in academic study, which is disrupted by events outside her control.
Friday then finds herself out of work, but not out of options. She takes one last courier job off-world, one that changes her life drastically and forever.
In the mind-boggling, incredibly detailed world that Heinlein lays out for us, sex comes free and easy. I lost count of how many lovers (men or women) that Friday slept with through the course of the story. However, Heinlein's writing is never pornographic, never erotic. It is merely suggestive and, at times, comedic.
National boundaries no longer exist as we know them. Many of the states are now sovereign countries as are the provinces and territories in Canada. New Zealand and British Canada are the best nations on Earth though society at large is in decay. There may even be another pandemic plague on the horizon. Polygamy and homosexuality are common and as accepted as the green of grass and the blue of sky. Artifical persons, however, not so much.
Families are managed more like corporations, their foundations seemingly driven by finance first, love second. Heinlein is known for presenting ingenious social commentary in his stories and that is prevalent in Friday. Although the term "internet" is never used explicitly, the information and communication technologies presented in the story are prescient.
Overall, Friday is an engaging read, drawing you into a society that, to be honest, may not be too far in our own future.
March 11, 2012
About this Writing Stuff...
We get litigious this week as the DoJ brings an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and five major NY publishing houses. More, writer Martha Grimes is sued by her agent after dismissing him. The first three articles below offer facts and opinions on these cases. Then, Konrath weighs in on Paypal's restrictions on erotica material.
On lighter notes, Jami Gold discusses what makes a character unique while Jody Hedlund offers tips on crafting a perfect opening for your story. Donald Maass ponders whether readers want entertainment or truth (or stories that straddle both?). Therese Walsh provides damn good reasons why we should care about indie bookstores and Steven H. Wilson concludes his lessons learned (so far!) with self publishing.
How Cheap Should Books Be? by Jordan Weissmann
Barry, Joe, and Scott Turow by JA Konrath
Agent Loses a Suit Against Author for Commissions by Passive Guy
Paypal, Erotica, and Censorship by JA Konrath
What Makes a Character Unique? by Jami Gold
3 Ways to Find the Perfect Opening to Your Story by Jody Hedlund
Why Should Writers Care About Indie Bookstores? by Therese Walsh
Entertainment vs. Truth by Donald Maass
Lessons Learned - Self Publishing - Part Two by Steven H. Wilson
How to Submit Short Stories by Elizabeth Sims
How to Start a Book Project in 5 Easy Steps by Roseann Biederman
On lighter notes, Jami Gold discusses what makes a character unique while Jody Hedlund offers tips on crafting a perfect opening for your story. Donald Maass ponders whether readers want entertainment or truth (or stories that straddle both?). Therese Walsh provides damn good reasons why we should care about indie bookstores and Steven H. Wilson concludes his lessons learned (so far!) with self publishing.
How Cheap Should Books Be? by Jordan Weissmann
Barry, Joe, and Scott Turow by JA Konrath
Agent Loses a Suit Against Author for Commissions by Passive Guy
Paypal, Erotica, and Censorship by JA Konrath
What Makes a Character Unique? by Jami Gold
3 Ways to Find the Perfect Opening to Your Story by Jody Hedlund
Why Should Writers Care About Indie Bookstores? by Therese Walsh
Entertainment vs. Truth by Donald Maass
Lessons Learned - Self Publishing - Part Two by Steven H. Wilson
How to Submit Short Stories by Elizabeth Sims
How to Start a Book Project in 5 Easy Steps by Roseann Biederman
March 10, 2012
Monster Mania Con - Cherry Hill, NJ
Took my semi-annual trek to Monster Mania Con in Cherry Hill, NJ on a gorgeous day (despite a biting wind).
I only had two celebrities on my "to meet" list this time, an unusually low number for me, but a convention with less time in lines means more time doing other things like perusing the dealer room and talking with friends.
Anthony Michael Hall, although an hour late in getting to his table, was very gracious and friendly. I was never avid watcher of the Dead Zone but he did not have any pics from Warehouse 13 or his reporter character from the last Batman flick so I just chose a nice Dead Zone pic for him to sign.
Then it was Lisa Marie (Ed Wood, Mars Attacks, etc). She was more aloof and reticent. Nice enough but seemed distracted. It is not as if this was her first con as she did Chiller last year with Martin Landau. But to further my Ed Wood autographs (I have Landau and George Steele), I picked up a black and white of Vampira.
It was a great, fast show. Once the lines started moving, you were in front of the actors in less than five minutes.
I only had two celebrities on my "to meet" list this time, an unusually low number for me, but a convention with less time in lines means more time doing other things like perusing the dealer room and talking with friends.
Anthony Michael Hall, although an hour late in getting to his table, was very gracious and friendly. I was never avid watcher of the Dead Zone but he did not have any pics from Warehouse 13 or his reporter character from the last Batman flick so I just chose a nice Dead Zone pic for him to sign.
Then it was Lisa Marie (Ed Wood, Mars Attacks, etc). She was more aloof and reticent. Nice enough but seemed distracted. It is not as if this was her first con as she did Chiller last year with Martin Landau. But to further my Ed Wood autographs (I have Landau and George Steele), I picked up a black and white of Vampira.
It was a great, fast show. Once the lines started moving, you were in front of the actors in less than five minutes.
March 5, 2012
A Wonderful Artist Lost
I've been a fan of Star Wars for three and a half decades. As a collector, I have every Topps Star Wars card set that came out with the movies and as part of the Empire Strikes Back sets, Ralph McQuarrie's gorgeous artwork was included. Later, when the Art of Star Wars books premiered (for episodes IV through VI), we were able to enjoy so much more of his peerless work.
In a week where we also lost Davy Jones, it hurts to see so many icons of my youth passing on and really makes one ponder one's own mortality.
Nevertheless, Ralph McQuarrie's artwork will remain timeless.
In a week where we also lost Davy Jones, it hurts to see so many icons of my youth passing on and really makes one ponder one's own mortality.
Nevertheless, Ralph McQuarrie's artwork will remain timeless.
About this Writing Stuff...
Kristine Kathryn Rusch weighs in on recent controversies in the publishing world. Dean Wesley Smith takes an agent to task about a recent Twitter post about contract law. Somehow, I missed the boat in January when B&N entertained the notion of spinning off their NOOK division so I'm catching up on that. Kristina McMorris compares auditions to query letters while Jeanne Kisacky advises us how to think like editors. Jody Hedlund ponders whether writers improve over time and LB Gale talks about productive procrastination (say that 5 times fast!). Steven H. Wilson shares lessons learned from self publishing.
NYT bestselling author Peter David makes his novella, Bronsky's Dates with Death, a free download from Crazy 8 Press.
Agent Fun and Stupidity by Dean Wesley Smith
Lessons Learned: Self Publishing - Part One by Steven H. Wilson
Barnes and Noble May Spin Off Nook Business by Mae Anderson
Do Writers Get Better the Longer They Write? by Jody Hedlund
7 Pre-Writing Exercises to Launch the Writing Process by Rosann Biederman
Tips for Turning Online Procrastination Time into Writing Research Time by L.B. Gale
The Author's Arsenal by Kristina McMorris
How to Think Like an Editor by Jeanne Kisacky
You Asked For My Opinion by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The 12 Do's and Don't's for Writing a Blog by Brian A. Klems
Bronsky's Dates with Death by Peter David
March 4, 2012
Write it Right Conference - Schedule of Events
The schedule of events has been posted for the
Write It Right writers conference
coming Saturday April 21. Note the change of venue. The conference will now be held at the Schukyll Valley Chamber of Commerce Building.
February 29, 2012
Davy Jones...Gone at 66
I had the honor of meeting Davy Jones at Chiller Theatre in October 2009. News of his passing made a miserable day even worse. The Monkees Anthology was among the first group of CDs I uploaded to my iPod. God bless him and his family.
Say what you will about how The Monkees formed as a "manufactured band" or that they were "fake"...They sang the songs. PERIOD. And once they broke free of the show's constraints, they proved to their audience they are real musicians.
Say what you will about how The Monkees formed as a "manufactured band" or that they were "fake"...They sang the songs. PERIOD. And once they broke free of the show's constraints, they proved to their audience they are real musicians.
February 28, 2012
About This Writing Stuff...
It's mid-day as I compile this blog entry and I'm short on time. I will likely add a few more articles this evening but for now, Dennis Johnson explains why Amazon is a thug. Dean Wesley Smith weighs in on the pricing of indie books while Jami Gold discusses platform and social networking. We get high fives from Chuck Sambuchino (tips for writing a synopsis) and Jane Friedman (keys to writing for an online audience).
And Bob Greenberger joins Peter David and Michael Jan Friedman on a new M. Night Shyamalan project... read on!
Return of the Thug: Amazon Removes Buy Buttons of Thousands of eBooks from Indie Distributor that Won't Play Ball by Dennis Johnson
The New World of Publishing: Pricing Indie Books...Some 2012 Thoughts by Dean Wesley Smith
Goodbye Google Friend Connect, Now What? by Jami Gold
5 Tips for Writing a Novel/Memoir Synopsis by Chuck Sambuchino
5 Keys to Writing for an Online Audience by Jane Friedman
Imagining Life After Earth by Bob Greenberger
Self-Published Author Kerry Wilkinson Outsold Patterson, Stieg Larsson by Mike Tuttle
And Bob Greenberger joins Peter David and Michael Jan Friedman on a new M. Night Shyamalan project... read on!
Return of the Thug: Amazon Removes Buy Buttons of Thousands of eBooks from Indie Distributor that Won't Play Ball by Dennis Johnson
The New World of Publishing: Pricing Indie Books...Some 2012 Thoughts by Dean Wesley Smith
Goodbye Google Friend Connect, Now What? by Jami Gold
5 Tips for Writing a Novel/Memoir Synopsis by Chuck Sambuchino
5 Keys to Writing for an Online Audience by Jane Friedman
Imagining Life After Earth by Bob Greenberger
Self-Published Author Kerry Wilkinson Outsold Patterson, Stieg Larsson by Mike Tuttle
February 25, 2012
Write Stuff to Write it Right
You still have one week to register for the
Write Stuff writers conference
in Allentown, PA, March 16-17, 2012 at the
Four Points Sheraton
. Organized by the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group. Keynote speaker, NYT bestseller
James Scott Bell
. I will be attending on Saturday only and participating the Book Fair at the end of the conference.
Coming on April 21, 2012 to the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts is the Write It Right conference sponsored by the Black Diamond Writers Network. I've been invited to be a guest here, speaking about Digital Publishing from 10-10:50AM and Paranormal Writing from 11-11:50AM.
Coming on April 21, 2012 to the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts is the Write It Right conference sponsored by the Black Diamond Writers Network. I've been invited to be a guest here, speaking about Digital Publishing from 10-10:50AM and Paranormal Writing from 11-11:50AM.
February 21, 2012
About this Writing Stuff...
Despite my battle with yet another attack of the common cold, I have gathered a substantial list of engaging and informative articles this week. Jami Gold and Jan O'Hara voice their opinions about, well, Voice. Jody Hedlund assures us that perfection is not required while Tracy Hahn Burkett advises us to take our characters to therapy. How do legacy publishers treat authors? Just ask Konrath! Dean Wesley Smith offers reasons for a trade paper edition of your book.
Bob Greenberger and Steven H. Wilson reflect on last weekend's Farpoint SF Media Convention. You can also check out my review HERE . Finally, some new releases from the writers at Crazy 8 Press!
Reasons for a Trade Paper Edition by Dean Wesley Smith
Do Legacy Publishers Treat Authors Badly? by JA Konrath
Need Voice? Think Out Loud by Jami Gold
Can We Have Too Much Voice? by Jami Gold
Publication: Perfection Not Required by Jody Hedlund
Editing to Life: Characterization by Lydia Sharp
Take Your Characters to Therapy by Tracy Hahn-Burkett
How to Restore a Charater's Voice When They Develop Laryngitis by Jan O'Hara
Reflection: Farpoint 2012 by Steven H. Wilson
Farpoint Fun by Bob Greenberger
The Crazy 8 Set
Download a free PDF preview of The Hidden Earth: Height of the Depths by Peter David / posted by Bob Greenberger
For This Is Hell: Third Time's the Charm by Aaron Rosenberg and Steven Savile
Lost Whale: The Legend of Humphrey by Howard Weinstein
Meet the Ugly Little Bloke by Bob Greenberger
Bob Greenberger and Steven H. Wilson reflect on last weekend's Farpoint SF Media Convention. You can also check out my review HERE . Finally, some new releases from the writers at Crazy 8 Press!
Reasons for a Trade Paper Edition by Dean Wesley Smith
Do Legacy Publishers Treat Authors Badly? by JA Konrath
Need Voice? Think Out Loud by Jami Gold
Can We Have Too Much Voice? by Jami Gold
Publication: Perfection Not Required by Jody Hedlund
Editing to Life: Characterization by Lydia Sharp
Take Your Characters to Therapy by Tracy Hahn-Burkett
How to Restore a Charater's Voice When They Develop Laryngitis by Jan O'Hara
Reflection: Farpoint 2012 by Steven H. Wilson
Farpoint Fun by Bob Greenberger
The Crazy 8 Set
Download a free PDF preview of The Hidden Earth: Height of the Depths by Peter David / posted by Bob Greenberger
For This Is Hell: Third Time's the Charm by Aaron Rosenberg and Steven Savile
Lost Whale: The Legend of Humphrey by Howard Weinstein
Meet the Ugly Little Bloke by Bob Greenberger
