Caitlin McColl's Blog, page 4
June 18, 2011
Trust your heart and trust your story
"Trust your dreams. Trust your heart, and trust your story"
. So says a great line (my favourite) from Neil Gaiman's critically acclaimed poem "Instructions".
And as new, aspiring independant writers and authors, you should keep that in mind as your motto.
Not only should you be confident in your writing and your story, whatever the genre. But also once you have a completed manuscript and you are ready to start submitting it (along with a query letter) to agents and publishers - don't lose faith!
Don't start thinking 'There's no market for my book. No one will read this. There's a million other fantasy/historical/romance/thriller/mystery/YA books out there, no one's going to want to read mine!'
I'm sure we all feel like this at some point during the process of getting a book published (whether traditionally or via self publishing) but remember: trust your story. Trust in your story, and most importantly in yourself. You've written a book - whether it follows a current trend (like vampires) or is something totally different. And there will be readers who will want to read it. And you'll have dedicated fans. Maybe not to the extent of the Stephen King's or Danielle Steel's of the world - at least not right away!
So despite rejection letters you will receive from literary agents and publishers just remember to continue to trust your own heart - don't change your story to fit anyone else's expectations. If you do, it won't be something that will have a part of your soul. And that's what every book needs, and every good book has. Soul .
And most importantly, trust in your story - whether its bizarre and off the wall, or something more mainstream - if you've written it because you love it and all the characters within it, then you are a success - no matter what happens - because you have trusted your dreams of becoming an author!
And as new, aspiring independant writers and authors, you should keep that in mind as your motto.
Not only should you be confident in your writing and your story, whatever the genre. But also once you have a completed manuscript and you are ready to start submitting it (along with a query letter) to agents and publishers - don't lose faith!
Don't start thinking 'There's no market for my book. No one will read this. There's a million other fantasy/historical/romance/thriller/mystery/YA books out there, no one's going to want to read mine!'
I'm sure we all feel like this at some point during the process of getting a book published (whether traditionally or via self publishing) but remember: trust your story. Trust in your story, and most importantly in yourself. You've written a book - whether it follows a current trend (like vampires) or is something totally different. And there will be readers who will want to read it. And you'll have dedicated fans. Maybe not to the extent of the Stephen King's or Danielle Steel's of the world - at least not right away!
So despite rejection letters you will receive from literary agents and publishers just remember to continue to trust your own heart - don't change your story to fit anyone else's expectations. If you do, it won't be something that will have a part of your soul. And that's what every book needs, and every good book has. Soul .
And most importantly, trust in your story - whether its bizarre and off the wall, or something more mainstream - if you've written it because you love it and all the characters within it, then you are a success - no matter what happens - because you have trusted your dreams of becoming an author!
June 15, 2011
Reading Poll!
This posts question comes from Booking Through Thursday's book blog meme.
Do you read book reviews? Whose do you trust? Do they affect your reading habits? Your buying habits?
Book reviews - Do they influence your buying/reading of books?(surveys) My answers to the questions.
I sometimes read book reviews - like from actual reviewers in newspapers/magazines etc, but mostly I read book bloggers book reviews.
But even though I thoroughly enjoy the reviews, and reading peoples personal takes/opinions on books, most reviews don't really impact my buying and reading habits - except for the opinions of my reading friends who's suggestions I trust! I usually read reviews of a book i've already thought of reading myself or have already heard about through the grape vine and reading the review usually just cements my planning on/wanting to get it and read it!
So in a roundabout way, I guess they do affect my buying habits (though I would probably be thinking of buying a particular book whether or not i'd read a review of it - most books i buy and read are simply based on friends saying 'you should really read this book!'. I don't need to read a long, detailed review of plot and characters and people's personal thoughts on a book to make me read a book (though, no disrespect to book bloggers - I still enjoy reading all your great reviews! :D).
What about you? do reviews influence your book buying/ reading habits? please vote in the poll!
Do you read book reviews? Whose do you trust? Do they affect your reading habits? Your buying habits?
Book reviews - Do they influence your buying/reading of books?(surveys) My answers to the questions.
I sometimes read book reviews - like from actual reviewers in newspapers/magazines etc, but mostly I read book bloggers book reviews.
But even though I thoroughly enjoy the reviews, and reading peoples personal takes/opinions on books, most reviews don't really impact my buying and reading habits - except for the opinions of my reading friends who's suggestions I trust! I usually read reviews of a book i've already thought of reading myself or have already heard about through the grape vine and reading the review usually just cements my planning on/wanting to get it and read it!
So in a roundabout way, I guess they do affect my buying habits (though I would probably be thinking of buying a particular book whether or not i'd read a review of it - most books i buy and read are simply based on friends saying 'you should really read this book!'. I don't need to read a long, detailed review of plot and characters and people's personal thoughts on a book to make me read a book (though, no disrespect to book bloggers - I still enjoy reading all your great reviews! :D).
What about you? do reviews influence your book buying/ reading habits? please vote in the poll!
June 10, 2011
Bookworm Revival Friday (not Saturday)
[image error] I've been a bit behind. Well, not behind, but just not posting my regular posts. It's because i've been on vacation (and still am at the moment!).
Anyways i'm doing my bookworm revival post today instead of tomorrow. Because...well, I don't know if i'll have time tomorrow! So here's this week's question:
Where is your favorite place to read?
I wish I had a massive, soft armchair that I could sink in and curl up into while reading and say that I read there - but I don't. I have an old, somewhat uncomfortable armchair that's the place I usually sit and read. And sometimes its the couch. I don't have a favourite place really (because said massive, soft armchair piled with cushions doesn't exist!). I would love to go to a local coffee shop and take a book (or now my Kobo!) with me and curl up in one of their oversized comfy armchairs.
Or even better, a big bookstore (like Chapters/Borders/Indigo) and sit in one of their big armchairs in the store!
But sadly, I don't have a favourite place to read, just a place that I read in the most (which isn't the same thing - i'm just making due with what I have!).
Do you have a favourite reading place? If so, share!
Anyways i'm doing my bookworm revival post today instead of tomorrow. Because...well, I don't know if i'll have time tomorrow! So here's this week's question:
Where is your favorite place to read?
I wish I had a massive, soft armchair that I could sink in and curl up into while reading and say that I read there - but I don't. I have an old, somewhat uncomfortable armchair that's the place I usually sit and read. And sometimes its the couch. I don't have a favourite place really (because said massive, soft armchair piled with cushions doesn't exist!). I would love to go to a local coffee shop and take a book (or now my Kobo!) with me and curl up in one of their oversized comfy armchairs.
Or even better, a big bookstore (like Chapters/Borders/Indigo) and sit in one of their big armchairs in the store!
But sadly, I don't have a favourite place to read, just a place that I read in the most (which isn't the same thing - i'm just making due with what I have!).
Do you have a favourite reading place? If so, share!
June 9, 2011
30 Day Book Challenge - Day 30
30. The End: do you prefer everything tied up or to be able to 'make up your own mind'? What is the worst ending to a book you have read? And the best? (careful, spoiler tags!)
This is an easy question to answer (for me personally, anyway). I definitely prefer to be able to make up my own mind about story endings, instead of having it all spelled out for me and tied up in a nice pretty bow (like with most epilogues in stories - I find it really quite irritating really. I just finished reading a series that I really enjoyed and then there was a short, 3 or so page Epilogue that tied it all up in a shiny, happy, everything's-going-to-be-okay. Well, maybe not totally okay, but...pretty much.
That's why in the stories I write I like to leave it to the readers to make up their own mind as to what will happen to the characters next and use their imagination.
The worst ending I can think of involves an epilogue.
(I think the worst endings to a book usually involve epilogues). And the worst ending is to the Harry Potter Series. If you haven't read the Harry Potter series and don't know the ending to the Deathly Hallows, don't read below (by clicking 'read more') where there is spoilers and I mention what happens at the very end!
The best ending to a book? I'd have to say The Dark Tower (before the epilogue happens, when Stephen King I think would rather have ended the book instead of tacking on the sappy (but still nice) epilogue at the end. I won't spoil what happens in it, since it's...the best ending. That's all I'm going to say about that. To say any more would spoil it!
When Harry and Ginny, years later, marry and have lots of kids. I know lots of fans love that, but I was like, blah, how BORING. But I guess you have to end a series somehow, especially one fraught with so much peril and destruction and death. It must have been difficult for JK Rowling to end the story after all the stories, and end it satisfactorially for herself AND all the Harry Potter fans.
This is an easy question to answer (for me personally, anyway). I definitely prefer to be able to make up my own mind about story endings, instead of having it all spelled out for me and tied up in a nice pretty bow (like with most epilogues in stories - I find it really quite irritating really. I just finished reading a series that I really enjoyed and then there was a short, 3 or so page Epilogue that tied it all up in a shiny, happy, everything's-going-to-be-okay. Well, maybe not totally okay, but...pretty much.
That's why in the stories I write I like to leave it to the readers to make up their own mind as to what will happen to the characters next and use their imagination.
The worst ending I can think of involves an epilogue.
(I think the worst endings to a book usually involve epilogues). And the worst ending is to the Harry Potter Series. If you haven't read the Harry Potter series and don't know the ending to the Deathly Hallows, don't read below (by clicking 'read more') where there is spoilers and I mention what happens at the very end!
The best ending to a book? I'd have to say The Dark Tower (before the epilogue happens, when Stephen King I think would rather have ended the book instead of tacking on the sappy (but still nice) epilogue at the end. I won't spoil what happens in it, since it's...the best ending. That's all I'm going to say about that. To say any more would spoil it!
When Harry and Ginny, years later, marry and have lots of kids. I know lots of fans love that, but I was like, blah, how BORING. But I guess you have to end a series somehow, especially one fraught with so much peril and destruction and death. It must have been difficult for JK Rowling to end the story after all the stories, and end it satisfactorially for herself AND all the Harry Potter fans.
June 5, 2011
30 Day Book Challenge - Day 29!
29. Any five books from your "to be read" stack. What makes you select a book for your "to be read" stack?
According to Goodreads by 'to be read' stack is massive! Well, 24. And that's no including some stuff I have on my Kobo that's not on Goodreads (oops).
1. Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. I'm really into Steampunk at the moment (since i'm writing The Clockwork Universe which is a steampunk story). And I've heard China Mieville steampunk books are really good. and that's why I have this in my 'to be read' stack.
Other Steampunk-ish books I have in my TBR stack include Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series beginning with Soulless, book 1. It seems like a fun, lighthearted series. Zombies and airships, oh my! Also, the last 2 books of Cherie Priest's Clockwork Century trilogy (Clementine and Dreadnought. Have recently read the 1st, Boneshaker which was great. Again, Steampunk with zombies!). Also I have The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (of Mortal Instruments fame) in the first book of her Infernal Devices series. And lastly, Airman by Eoin Colfer. A young man imprisoned for being a traitor against the king spends his time in prison drawing flying machines until one day he's ready to actually take one of his revoluntionary machines to the air.
2. The Magicians by Lev Grossman. Touted an 'adult' spin on Harry Potter, this book was recommended by a friend, and once i read what it's about, I had to have it on my 'TBR' stack!
3. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire And Ice series, book 1) by George R. R. Martin. Someone in an online book club i'm a part of highly recommended these fantasy books, and i'm a huge fantasy book fan. And now that i've watched a few episodes of the HBO series (I need to catch up with a few now though) I want to read the book even more (though i've heard the TV series deviates slightly from the books, but that's okay - i always books more than their films/tv series so if i love the TV show, i'm bound to love the book even more!)
4. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I've already mentioned i'm a huge fantasy fan (always have been, always will be - i'm talking dragons and wizards kind of fantasy growing up!). And this book I was recommended by a few people. It's about an alternate England (not sure of the time period, it seems kind of olden-days-y) where Magic is still used.
5. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman's fantasy is always very quirky, and dark and humourous. With strangely named characters. This one, like American Gods involves Gods yet again. Sounds like good fun and can't wait to read it.
Various things make me choose what books I want to read next. It could be what i'm currently interested in (which at the moment is Steampunk and which is why I have so many steampunk stories lined up to read!). And I always love fantasy, so anything fantasy that is different I'm also drawn to. I do read other stuff besides fantasy (like Alexander McCall Smith books which are also quirky and humourous - maybe that's a UK thing?). And also if people recommend books to me, that's also what makes me choose them for my TBR stack. I trust my reading friend's opinions! Which is why one of the books I have in my stack (besides being in the Chapter's must read pile!) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Also what gets me to choose books is curiosity. Like, what's all the hubub and hype about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins all about? And lots of people have been raving about the series to me, which is why i'm currently reading (and almost finished!) the trilogy!
According to Goodreads by 'to be read' stack is massive! Well, 24. And that's no including some stuff I have on my Kobo that's not on Goodreads (oops).
1. Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. I'm really into Steampunk at the moment (since i'm writing The Clockwork Universe which is a steampunk story). And I've heard China Mieville steampunk books are really good. and that's why I have this in my 'to be read' stack.
Other Steampunk-ish books I have in my TBR stack include Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series beginning with Soulless, book 1. It seems like a fun, lighthearted series. Zombies and airships, oh my! Also, the last 2 books of Cherie Priest's Clockwork Century trilogy (Clementine and Dreadnought. Have recently read the 1st, Boneshaker which was great. Again, Steampunk with zombies!). Also I have The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (of Mortal Instruments fame) in the first book of her Infernal Devices series. And lastly, Airman by Eoin Colfer. A young man imprisoned for being a traitor against the king spends his time in prison drawing flying machines until one day he's ready to actually take one of his revoluntionary machines to the air.
2. The Magicians by Lev Grossman. Touted an 'adult' spin on Harry Potter, this book was recommended by a friend, and once i read what it's about, I had to have it on my 'TBR' stack!
3. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire And Ice series, book 1) by George R. R. Martin. Someone in an online book club i'm a part of highly recommended these fantasy books, and i'm a huge fantasy book fan. And now that i've watched a few episodes of the HBO series (I need to catch up with a few now though) I want to read the book even more (though i've heard the TV series deviates slightly from the books, but that's okay - i always books more than their films/tv series so if i love the TV show, i'm bound to love the book even more!)
4. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I've already mentioned i'm a huge fantasy fan (always have been, always will be - i'm talking dragons and wizards kind of fantasy growing up!). And this book I was recommended by a few people. It's about an alternate England (not sure of the time period, it seems kind of olden-days-y) where Magic is still used.
5. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman's fantasy is always very quirky, and dark and humourous. With strangely named characters. This one, like American Gods involves Gods yet again. Sounds like good fun and can't wait to read it.
Various things make me choose what books I want to read next. It could be what i'm currently interested in (which at the moment is Steampunk and which is why I have so many steampunk stories lined up to read!). And I always love fantasy, so anything fantasy that is different I'm also drawn to. I do read other stuff besides fantasy (like Alexander McCall Smith books which are also quirky and humourous - maybe that's a UK thing?). And also if people recommend books to me, that's also what makes me choose them for my TBR stack. I trust my reading friend's opinions! Which is why one of the books I have in my stack (besides being in the Chapter's must read pile!) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Also what gets me to choose books is curiosity. Like, what's all the hubub and hype about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins all about? And lots of people have been raving about the series to me, which is why i'm currently reading (and almost finished!) the trilogy!
June 4, 2011
30 Day Book Challenge - Day 27 and 28
27. Most annoying character ever
Does Jar Jar Binks count? Just kidding. I don't know if I can think of a really annoying character. I have characters that I love, like, dislike and hate, but none that I find really annoying (at least one that stands out enough!)
28. Most quotable novel or 5 of your favourite quotes from any books.
My five favourite quotes from any books are:
"It is our choices, Harry, that show us who we truly are, far more than our abilities" - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, JK Rowling
"And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it" - The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
"Dreams are the bright creatures of poem and legend, who sport on earth in the night season, and melt away in the first beam of the sun..." Nicholas Nickleby, Charles Dickens
"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed", or "Go then, there are other worlds that these"- The Gunslinger, Stephen King or "Stand and be true" which is said throughout the 7 books in The Dark Tower series.
"Nobody looks good in their darkest hours. But it's those hours that make us what we are." - Faefever, Karen Marie Moning
Does Jar Jar Binks count? Just kidding. I don't know if I can think of a really annoying character. I have characters that I love, like, dislike and hate, but none that I find really annoying (at least one that stands out enough!)
28. Most quotable novel or 5 of your favourite quotes from any books.
My five favourite quotes from any books are:
"It is our choices, Harry, that show us who we truly are, far more than our abilities" - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, JK Rowling
"And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it" - The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
"Dreams are the bright creatures of poem and legend, who sport on earth in the night season, and melt away in the first beam of the sun..." Nicholas Nickleby, Charles Dickens
"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed", or "Go then, there are other worlds that these"- The Gunslinger, Stephen King or "Stand and be true" which is said throughout the 7 books in The Dark Tower series.
"Nobody looks good in their darkest hours. But it's those hours that make us what we are." - Faefever, Karen Marie Moning
Help Wanted: Apply Within (Beta-readers needed!)
Hello all,
I am requesting your assistance. I am going to be submitting my novel, Under A Starlit Sky, to a publisher shortly. I have a few people currently reading, editing and critiquing it for me (there's only so many times I can read over, and over, and over the manuscript myself before I start wandering around quoting from it, and also most likely not seeing anything that requires editing anymore!) but I could always use another fresh pair of eyes! and some more feedback/critique on my story.
If you're interested, please either send me an email at: info@caitlinmccoll.ca or head on over to the Contact page and fill out the form. I will then send you a copy of the manuscript and a list of Critique questions you can answer during reading (well, only one bit of questions refers to the first chapter) and once you've finished the book , in order to give me some constructive criticism/feedback on my novel!
Thank you very much in advance to you all! I'm only looking for 1 or 2 people, so I may not choose you if i've already chosen my beta readers.
I am requesting your assistance. I am going to be submitting my novel, Under A Starlit Sky, to a publisher shortly. I have a few people currently reading, editing and critiquing it for me (there's only so many times I can read over, and over, and over the manuscript myself before I start wandering around quoting from it, and also most likely not seeing anything that requires editing anymore!) but I could always use another fresh pair of eyes! and some more feedback/critique on my story.
If you're interested, please either send me an email at: info@caitlinmccoll.ca or head on over to the Contact page and fill out the form. I will then send you a copy of the manuscript and a list of Critique questions you can answer during reading (well, only one bit of questions refers to the first chapter) and once you've finished the book , in order to give me some constructive criticism/feedback on my novel!
Thank you very much in advance to you all! I'm only looking for 1 or 2 people, so I may not choose you if i've already chosen my beta readers.
June 2, 2011
30 Day book challenge - Day 23, 24,25 and 26
23. A book you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving
I like pretty much all books I read. If I don't think i'll like them, I don't buy them/read them! And pretty much all required reading in Highschool I didn't like, and didn't end up loving either.
24. Your "comfort" book
I don't have a comfort book.
25. Favourite book cover including a picture!
What does this mean? does it mean a book cover with a photograph on it? because otherwise, don't all book covers have pictures? I'm confused.
26. Favourite fictional relationship (romantic, friendship, familial)
At the moment I would have to say Katniss and Gale from the Hunger Games trilogy! But I think it changes with every book I read so... at the moment I'm reading the Hunger Games trilogy (and loving it!)
I like pretty much all books I read. If I don't think i'll like them, I don't buy them/read them! And pretty much all required reading in Highschool I didn't like, and didn't end up loving either.
24. Your "comfort" book
I don't have a comfort book.
25. Favourite book cover including a picture!
What does this mean? does it mean a book cover with a photograph on it? because otherwise, don't all book covers have pictures? I'm confused.
26. Favourite fictional relationship (romantic, friendship, familial)
At the moment I would have to say Katniss and Gale from the Hunger Games trilogy! But I think it changes with every book I read so... at the moment I'm reading the Hunger Games trilogy (and loving it!)
May 29, 2011
30 Day Book Challenge - Day 22
22. Least favourite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
Hmmm. That's a tough question. I can't think of any plot device that is used by too many books I've read. So....yeah. Except for the overuse of similes or metaphors in some recent books (won't name them here!) there isn't anything that's bothered me in any books i've read lately!
What about you? do you have a least favourite plot device?
Hmmm. That's a tough question. I can't think of any plot device that is used by too many books I've read. So....yeah. Except for the overuse of similes or metaphors in some recent books (won't name them here!) there isn't anything that's bothered me in any books i've read lately!
What about you? do you have a least favourite plot device?
May 28, 2011
30 Day Book Challenge - Day 19, 20 and 21
19. What is the most difficult book you've ever read?
Difficult as in tough to get through? That would be a tie between 3 books I had to read in Highschool for English: Neuromancer by William Gibson (was just really confusing!); Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (very dry and boring - I know, it's a 'classic') and The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon. I can't even remember what it's about really, I just remember being really, really lost. At least I remember who it is by, if nothing else!
20. Your favourite book series & your favourite book out of that series
Man, i'm starting to sound like a broken record here! Well, so far my favourite book series is The Dark Tower by Stephen King (though that might be changing to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins which i'm currently reading and really enjoying!). Definitely my favourite book from The Dark Tower series is the second one, Drawing of The Three. It's the book where you meet most of the characters in the series.
21. Your favourite picture, junior fiction and Young Adult book?
I think I answered this question way back on Day 2 or something, somewhat anyways. My favourite picture book is a toss up between NIMBY and The Hungry Thing. My favourite junior fiction (though i'm not sure what that is exactly) would be the Bunnicula books. And my fave YA book (currently it's the Hunger Games even though i'm only one chapter 4 of the 1st one!) is: I guess the Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare (though some parts annoyed me). Oh, oh! No, let me change that answer. It would be Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books (A Hatful of Sky, The Wee Free Men, Wintersmith and I Shall Wear Midnight)
Difficult as in tough to get through? That would be a tie between 3 books I had to read in Highschool for English: Neuromancer by William Gibson (was just really confusing!); Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (very dry and boring - I know, it's a 'classic') and The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon. I can't even remember what it's about really, I just remember being really, really lost. At least I remember who it is by, if nothing else!
20. Your favourite book series & your favourite book out of that series
Man, i'm starting to sound like a broken record here! Well, so far my favourite book series is The Dark Tower by Stephen King (though that might be changing to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins which i'm currently reading and really enjoying!). Definitely my favourite book from The Dark Tower series is the second one, Drawing of The Three. It's the book where you meet most of the characters in the series.
21. Your favourite picture, junior fiction and Young Adult book?
I think I answered this question way back on Day 2 or something, somewhat anyways. My favourite picture book is a toss up between NIMBY and The Hungry Thing. My favourite junior fiction (though i'm not sure what that is exactly) would be the Bunnicula books. And my fave YA book (currently it's the Hunger Games even though i'm only one chapter 4 of the 1st one!) is: I guess the Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare (though some parts annoyed me). Oh, oh! No, let me change that answer. It would be Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books (A Hatful of Sky, The Wee Free Men, Wintersmith and I Shall Wear Midnight)
