Caitlin McColl's Blog, page 7
May 7, 2011
Bookworm Revival Saturday
[image error] This is the 2nd week of my Bookworm Revival Meme! Well, it's not mind, it's actually Should Be Reading's Monday Musings - but i've changed it to be my Saturday Bookworm Revival.
So this week's question asked by SBR is:
Do you care if the book's storyline is unrealistic? Will you keep reading, or will you set the book aside?
I'm not really sure what is meant by unrealistic here...because aren't most fantasy books unrealistic? with magic, and mythical animals and people able to do things that are unrealistic in our world? isn't that the basic definition of fantasy - that it isn't real life? There isn't any such thing as dragons, or vampires, or werewolves. That's unrealistic.
But if by unrealistic, they mean something that just does not fit within the context of the story world, or is outside of how the characters or setting would be...then, possibly that would make me stop reading a book. If, for example, you're reading a story set in a fantasy world, where the hero and companions are on some adventure to some castle (or some such destination) to stop an evil something-or-other. And it's a setting of medieval towns and villages, walled cities and ancient machinery. And then all of a sudden the group happens upon a space ship in a field and suddenly jet off to outerspace, then yeah, that would probably cause me to have a WTF moment and most likely stop reading because it is preposterous within the expectations of the story.
Then again, if the characters are really likable and realistic and I can really relate to all of them, I might just stick it out, because I want to see what happens to them, no matter how unrealistic or bizarre the story gets. I think stories hinge on having relatable characters more than an outstanding plot (though a good plot/storyline is also important- why else would you want to read the book if not for the storyline?)
What do you think? write your answer in the comments!
So this week's question asked by SBR is:
Do you care if the book's storyline is unrealistic? Will you keep reading, or will you set the book aside?
I'm not really sure what is meant by unrealistic here...because aren't most fantasy books unrealistic? with magic, and mythical animals and people able to do things that are unrealistic in our world? isn't that the basic definition of fantasy - that it isn't real life? There isn't any such thing as dragons, or vampires, or werewolves. That's unrealistic.
But if by unrealistic, they mean something that just does not fit within the context of the story world, or is outside of how the characters or setting would be...then, possibly that would make me stop reading a book. If, for example, you're reading a story set in a fantasy world, where the hero and companions are on some adventure to some castle (or some such destination) to stop an evil something-or-other. And it's a setting of medieval towns and villages, walled cities and ancient machinery. And then all of a sudden the group happens upon a space ship in a field and suddenly jet off to outerspace, then yeah, that would probably cause me to have a WTF moment and most likely stop reading because it is preposterous within the expectations of the story.
Then again, if the characters are really likable and realistic and I can really relate to all of them, I might just stick it out, because I want to see what happens to them, no matter how unrealistic or bizarre the story gets. I think stories hinge on having relatable characters more than an outstanding plot (though a good plot/storyline is also important- why else would you want to read the book if not for the storyline?)
What do you think? write your answer in the comments!
May 6, 2011
Character Chatter - Friday meme!
Okay so i've just started to take part in a new writing meme started by Austine at The Magick Pen writing/review blog! It's a really fun idea! (and look at the spiffy banner that The Magick Pen designed for it. Very cool!)So what does this meme involve exactly? It's where a question is asked, and your characters answer - and it can be characters from any writing - short story, novel, script - whatever!
And of course I have to introduce my character(s) first with a brief bio.
Characters
Rue (from upcoming novel The Clockwork Universe): She's stubborn, snarky, acerbic - a tomboy of a teenage girl trapped in a Victorian-esque society of lady-like behaviour.
Kieran: Rue's guardian. an inventor/scientist, all round clever guy. Mild mannered, soft spoken, polite.
This week's question:
How would you describe your perfect day
Rue: Perfect day? I don't think those happen here. I haven't had a perfect day since...well, never, that I can think of.
Kieran: Don't say that, you know that's not true! Stop this exaggerating! There's been plenty of perfect days...
Rue: *glares at Kieran* Even when there's blue sky and a bit 'o sun shinin' down, its still dark and depressing. Like the sun itself doesn't want to show itself fully, doesn't want to expose the awful things that happen here.
Kieran: *nods* She's right about that, I must say. When the sun comes out and it warms up in the Spring, say, it seems to make things worse. Makes things stand out like a sore thumb. Things you' rather not see or think about.
Rue: I'm fine without all that nice day stuff, where birds are singin'. You can take that an' shove it!
Kieran: Ruth!
Rue: I like it when its dark and gloomy. I can do my job better in the dark. Thievin' doesn't go well on bright sunny days when everyone's out millin' 'bout in the streets. Ain't that the truth!
Kieran: *jabs at Rue with an elbow* You shouldn't just go telling every strange soul you meet about your...activities! You can't trust anyone here, you should know better than that! Just answer the question, that's it.
Rue: *stares at Kieran with a blank look* All i'm sayin' is, there ain't no such thing as a perfect day. I've not had one anyways...
Kieran: Mind your language, and speak properly!
Rue: *rolls her eyes and stalks off*
May 1, 2011
POW #11
Hi all,
Is it just me or are any of you as surprised as I am that it is MAY already?! The year is just flying by! And now it's only 6 months until this year's NaNoWriMo! I'm super excited and can't wait to start writing The Clockwork Universe!
Ok, so i've made yet another banner/header for my site www.caitlinmccoll.ca and I'd like to know what you all think about it! so i've made a poll where you can vote on it. Do you like it, loathe it, somewhere in between? i'm still looking for the perfect site header/banner...i think this one is better than the last one but still...hmmm, I don't know...
Do you like my new site header?(surveys) But wait! There's more! I'm going to do the actual Poll of the Week as well (the above wasn't, I just wanted your opinions on my banner :P).
Okay, so this week's POW i'm asking: if your favourite book (or book series) was made into a film (or series of films) would you run out and see it, no questions asked? or would you be hesitant, concerned that the film won't be able to capture all the magic and everything you love about the books - and of course, taking into account casting of your favourite characters! Myself, i'm torn. They are going to be making a film trilogy (and tv series) of my favourite books, Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. Not released until May 2013 for the first one apparently. I'm really excited! but at the same time, concerned that they won't cast the perfect people, or that they'll miss out key stuff... but Ron Howard (who is directing it last I heard) is a big DT fan, so hopefully he'll be faithful to the books and the characters. I'm thinking i'll still probably go see the movies (and watch the companion TV series - not too sure how that's going to work...but anyways). They did a decent job with all the Harry Potter films, I thought. And of course Lord of the Rings, the movies were so much better than the dry books (even though they changed stuff around and missed out characters from the books etc).
So vote away!
Is it just me or are any of you as surprised as I am that it is MAY already?! The year is just flying by! And now it's only 6 months until this year's NaNoWriMo! I'm super excited and can't wait to start writing The Clockwork Universe!
Ok, so i've made yet another banner/header for my site www.caitlinmccoll.ca and I'd like to know what you all think about it! so i've made a poll where you can vote on it. Do you like it, loathe it, somewhere in between? i'm still looking for the perfect site header/banner...i think this one is better than the last one but still...hmmm, I don't know...
Do you like my new site header?(surveys) But wait! There's more! I'm going to do the actual Poll of the Week as well (the above wasn't, I just wanted your opinions on my banner :P).
Okay, so this week's POW i'm asking: if your favourite book (or book series) was made into a film (or series of films) would you run out and see it, no questions asked? or would you be hesitant, concerned that the film won't be able to capture all the magic and everything you love about the books - and of course, taking into account casting of your favourite characters! Myself, i'm torn. They are going to be making a film trilogy (and tv series) of my favourite books, Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. Not released until May 2013 for the first one apparently. I'm really excited! but at the same time, concerned that they won't cast the perfect people, or that they'll miss out key stuff... but Ron Howard (who is directing it last I heard) is a big DT fan, so hopefully he'll be faithful to the books and the characters. I'm thinking i'll still probably go see the movies (and watch the companion TV series - not too sure how that's going to work...but anyways). They did a decent job with all the Harry Potter films, I thought. And of course Lord of the Rings, the movies were so much better than the dry books (even though they changed stuff around and missed out characters from the books etc).
So vote away!
April 30, 2011
Doing a Book Meme!
[image error]
Well, i'm not doing one myself, so I can't take credit. I've decided to start taking part in a book meme! Specifically Musing Mondays which is started by Should Be Reading's blog!
But i'm going to do it a bit differently and post the questions (and my answers) on a Saturday instead. I have a few to catch up on anyway! And i've made up my own banner (see above) called Bookworm Revival. I've called it Bookworm Revival after a line in one of my poems (from my soon to be available poetry book Of Concrete and Glass).
So i'm going to be doing Bookworm Revival Saturdays (I know, I know, it doesn't rhyme cleverly like Musing Monday's). But i'll be using the questions posted on SBR's blog, because i'm too lazy to come up with my own! (so, thank you to MizB at Should Be Reading!)
So what is a meme exactly? I wasn't too sure myself at first, though i've seen the word all over the 'net, but according to The Daily Meme it is (paraphrasing): a list of questions that you saw somewhere else (on other people's blogs/websites) and you decide to answer the questions on your own blog/website.
And there are quite a few Book related memes - like Musing Mondays and Booking Through Thursday.
So without further ado, here is my first meme post in response to Should Be Readings 'Monday Musings' question:
Do the members of your family read? Do you think it was passed down to you? ((or, if you want you can answer this: Who do you think influenced you as a reader?))
Well, my mom doesn't read a wit. I got her a biography of Princess Diana years ago (after her death) and I don't think she ever touched it. Maybe she's just not a fan of Princess Di. But i've never seen my mom even lift a book. Not even a magazine. She's more a movie person.
My dad on the other hand is a voracious reader - he always has a book on the go! And I think he must be the person I caught the reading bug and my love of reading and books from. Yep, he's definitely who passed the love of books down to me - though I think both my parents read to me when I was younger. I recently saw an old picture of me (probably about 5 or 6 years old - a little kid anyways) with my Grandpa reading a book t0 me in my bed, in my room with the awesome wallpaper of fairies and other little fantasy people and creatures.
Even though my parents also read books to my brother, he was never really interested and isn't a big reader at all. In the last few years, he's only started to read the odd book, and only fantasy, mostly R.A. Salvatore's stuff (which I've never read, despite my love of fantasy).
As for my husband - he reads magazines, and comics. And of course books about football. Things like that. But books? Well, he has good intentions and buys lots.... and then only reads the first chapter or so. And then stops. And the book sits on the bookshelf with a bookmark of some sort near the beginning never to be opened again. Though I must say, I am impressed he managed to read 4 chapters of my book Under A Starlit Sky (mind you, that did take him 5 months to read those 4 chapters!).
Oh and my Grandma is a big reader as well. Not sure if that's always been the case, or just something she's taken up in the last few years as a way to pass the time (she always got those Reader's Digest compendium things that she gave me to read once she'd read the four or five stories in them). She reads lots of books, as well as magazines (Reader's Digest and National Geographic, though i'm not sure if she really reads NG - that was more something my Grandpa was interested in, but he passed away a few years ago now).
So half of my family (myself, my dad and my Grandma) are big readers. The other half (my husband, my mom and my brother) are not. Strange who is bitten by the book bug!
But i'm going to do it a bit differently and post the questions (and my answers) on a Saturday instead. I have a few to catch up on anyway! And i've made up my own banner (see above) called Bookworm Revival. I've called it Bookworm Revival after a line in one of my poems (from my soon to be available poetry book Of Concrete and Glass).
So i'm going to be doing Bookworm Revival Saturdays (I know, I know, it doesn't rhyme cleverly like Musing Monday's). But i'll be using the questions posted on SBR's blog, because i'm too lazy to come up with my own! (so, thank you to MizB at Should Be Reading!)
So what is a meme exactly? I wasn't too sure myself at first, though i've seen the word all over the 'net, but according to The Daily Meme it is (paraphrasing): a list of questions that you saw somewhere else (on other people's blogs/websites) and you decide to answer the questions on your own blog/website.
And there are quite a few Book related memes - like Musing Mondays and Booking Through Thursday.
So without further ado, here is my first meme post in response to Should Be Readings 'Monday Musings' question:
Do the members of your family read? Do you think it was passed down to you? ((or, if you want you can answer this: Who do you think influenced you as a reader?))
Well, my mom doesn't read a wit. I got her a biography of Princess Diana years ago (after her death) and I don't think she ever touched it. Maybe she's just not a fan of Princess Di. But i've never seen my mom even lift a book. Not even a magazine. She's more a movie person.
My dad on the other hand is a voracious reader - he always has a book on the go! And I think he must be the person I caught the reading bug and my love of reading and books from. Yep, he's definitely who passed the love of books down to me - though I think both my parents read to me when I was younger. I recently saw an old picture of me (probably about 5 or 6 years old - a little kid anyways) with my Grandpa reading a book t0 me in my bed, in my room with the awesome wallpaper of fairies and other little fantasy people and creatures.
Even though my parents also read books to my brother, he was never really interested and isn't a big reader at all. In the last few years, he's only started to read the odd book, and only fantasy, mostly R.A. Salvatore's stuff (which I've never read, despite my love of fantasy).
As for my husband - he reads magazines, and comics. And of course books about football. Things like that. But books? Well, he has good intentions and buys lots.... and then only reads the first chapter or so. And then stops. And the book sits on the bookshelf with a bookmark of some sort near the beginning never to be opened again. Though I must say, I am impressed he managed to read 4 chapters of my book Under A Starlit Sky (mind you, that did take him 5 months to read those 4 chapters!).
Oh and my Grandma is a big reader as well. Not sure if that's always been the case, or just something she's taken up in the last few years as a way to pass the time (she always got those Reader's Digest compendium things that she gave me to read once she'd read the four or five stories in them). She reads lots of books, as well as magazines (Reader's Digest and National Geographic, though i'm not sure if she really reads NG - that was more something my Grandpa was interested in, but he passed away a few years ago now).
So half of my family (myself, my dad and my Grandma) are big readers. The other half (my husband, my mom and my brother) are not. Strange who is bitten by the book bug!
April 25, 2011
(Another) new website! and POW #10
Happy Easter Monday everyone! hope you all had a great Easter! Going out later today to get some cheap Easter chocolate!
I'm glad I don't have to work today as it's raining cats and dogs outside! blah. It was so nice on Saturday - actually warm and sunny- what happened?!
Annnnddd....I have another website! this one is my 'main' author website - my central web presence where all my writing works will be listed - and of course linking to this website and www.theclockworkuniverse.com !
My new site is: www.caitlinmccoll.ca (which is my name, obviously, and .ca because I'm Canadian) so check it out! I think it's pretty nifty. It has links to my FREE ebook short stories and once my poetry book is available it will have a link on there to where you can buy it!
Oh and please go read (and rate!) my short stories that are available on both Smashwords and Goodreads (go here to check them out)
I forgot to put up my Poll of the Week yesterday so here it is! In The Clockwork Universe I have an orphanged teenage girl as one of the characters. And I want to figure out her backstory - so I thought i'd make a poll to help me! Why should my teenage character be an orphan?(surveys)
I'm glad I don't have to work today as it's raining cats and dogs outside! blah. It was so nice on Saturday - actually warm and sunny- what happened?!
Annnnddd....I have another website! this one is my 'main' author website - my central web presence where all my writing works will be listed - and of course linking to this website and www.theclockworkuniverse.com !
My new site is: www.caitlinmccoll.ca (which is my name, obviously, and .ca because I'm Canadian) so check it out! I think it's pretty nifty. It has links to my FREE ebook short stories and once my poetry book is available it will have a link on there to where you can buy it!
Oh and please go read (and rate!) my short stories that are available on both Smashwords and Goodreads (go here to check them out)
I forgot to put up my Poll of the Week yesterday so here it is! In The Clockwork Universe I have an orphanged teenage girl as one of the characters. And I want to figure out her backstory - so I thought i'd make a poll to help me! Why should my teenage character be an orphan?(surveys)
April 21, 2011
A new Kobo owner!
Hello all,
Well i'm proud to say that i'm a Kobo-ite...um, a Kobonian? a Kobonan?...well, I finally am the owner of a Kobo ereader (yes, i've jumped on the ereader bandwagon!).
I've downloaded 11 new books so that should keep me busy for awhile!
Here's what i've downloaded:
Neil Gaiman's American Gods and Anansi Boy'sand Good Omens (in conjunction with Tery Pratchett)
The Hunger Games (1, 2, and 3)
William Gibson's The Difference Engine
The Charming Quirks of Others - by Alexander McCall Smith (#7 in the Isabel Dalhousie series - though I still need to download #6!)
And Cherie Priest's steampunk Trilogy - Boneshaker, Clementine and Dreadnought.
I also have a few books on hold at my local library's online ebook catalogue!
So...now I have even more books on the go!
It's pretty cool and will be even cooler when we go away on vacation at the end of May!
Do you have an Ereader? if so, which one, and do you like it? (or not?). Are you against the whole concept of an ereader (I was!). Comment away!
Well i'm proud to say that i'm a Kobo-ite...um, a Kobonian? a Kobonan?...well, I finally am the owner of a Kobo ereader (yes, i've jumped on the ereader bandwagon!).
I've downloaded 11 new books so that should keep me busy for awhile!
Here's what i've downloaded:
Neil Gaiman's American Gods and Anansi Boy'sand Good Omens (in conjunction with Tery Pratchett)
The Hunger Games (1, 2, and 3)
William Gibson's The Difference Engine
The Charming Quirks of Others - by Alexander McCall Smith (#7 in the Isabel Dalhousie series - though I still need to download #6!)
And Cherie Priest's steampunk Trilogy - Boneshaker, Clementine and Dreadnought.
I also have a few books on hold at my local library's online ebook catalogue!
So...now I have even more books on the go!
It's pretty cool and will be even cooler when we go away on vacation at the end of May!
Do you have an Ereader? if so, which one, and do you like it? (or not?). Are you against the whole concept of an ereader (I was!). Comment away!
April 17, 2011
POW #9
I can't believe it's Sunday already. Thankfully the Easter long weekend is coming up!
This weeks poll of the week is about whether the villian in my upcoming novel, The Clockwork Universe should get away at the end, and live to be an evil villain another day!
In other (and more exciting) news: I'm now on Smashwords ! If you're wondering what Smashwords is, its (from their website): Smashwords is an ebook publishing and distribution platform, serving authors, publishers, readers and major ebook retailers.
At the moment, I have put up the 'prequel' of sorts short story to Under A Starlit Sky on Smashwords, All About Eve, and it's available as a FREE ebook - to download in a variety of e-formats (mobi for kindle, epub, pdf, HTML etc).
I am also going to be putting up a few other short stories (also available for free!) on Smashwords very shortly (they are just being converted as I write this and should be available tomorrow!). One is a short fantasy about two young demi-gods, called Little Gods. And the other is a prelude short story to The Clockwork Universe, called Ex Cineribus Resurge (an expansion to the story I have available in the Write For Japan anthology) involving 3 of the main characters in TCU, which will showcase a bit of the world of The Clockwork Universe.
And don't forget to vote in this weeks poll below!
Should the Villain get away?(surveys)
This weeks poll of the week is about whether the villian in my upcoming novel, The Clockwork Universe should get away at the end, and live to be an evil villain another day!
In other (and more exciting) news: I'm now on Smashwords ! If you're wondering what Smashwords is, its (from their website): Smashwords is an ebook publishing and distribution platform, serving authors, publishers, readers and major ebook retailers.
At the moment, I have put up the 'prequel' of sorts short story to Under A Starlit Sky on Smashwords, All About Eve, and it's available as a FREE ebook - to download in a variety of e-formats (mobi for kindle, epub, pdf, HTML etc).
I am also going to be putting up a few other short stories (also available for free!) on Smashwords very shortly (they are just being converted as I write this and should be available tomorrow!). One is a short fantasy about two young demi-gods, called Little Gods. And the other is a prelude short story to The Clockwork Universe, called Ex Cineribus Resurge (an expansion to the story I have available in the Write For Japan anthology) involving 3 of the main characters in TCU, which will showcase a bit of the world of The Clockwork Universe.
And don't forget to vote in this weeks poll below!
Should the Villain get away?(surveys)
April 15, 2011
Write For Japan - my copy has arrived!
I'm very excited, because my copy of Write For Japan arrived today!
It's an anthology of 34 short stories from writers all around the world (including myself) contributed short stories about hope and devastation to raise money (100% of the proceeds of the book go to the US and UK Red Cross to help aid Japan in their post earthquake and tsunami recovery efforts).
Please check out Write For Japan's website and buy the book HERE !
and follow them on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE
It's for a great cause!
It's an anthology of 34 short stories from writers all around the world (including myself) contributed short stories about hope and devastation to raise money (100% of the proceeds of the book go to the US and UK Red Cross to help aid Japan in their post earthquake and tsunami recovery efforts).
Please check out Write For Japan's website and buy the book HERE !
and follow them on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE
It's for a great cause!
April 13, 2011
10 Reasons Why I Love Writing
So I know writing is not for everyone. Some people are just readers, but don't like writing. Others are creative in other ways - drawing, painting, singing. But I love writing (well, and reading too, of course - you can't be a good writer if you don't also read - and read lots - and read lots of different genres/authors/types of writing.
Here are 10 reasons why I love writing:
1. It's a great outlet for ...everything (emotions, thoughts etc.)
2. You can write about anything your mind can come up with - no matter how out there it might be! (i.e. Sci-fi stories, Paranormal stories etc).
3. Writing is just putting down the images and actions you see your characters doing in your head - as clearly and accurately as possible, so other people can see exactly what you (as your characters) are seeing, and feel exactly what you want them to feel
4. You can name your characters whatever you want, no matter how bizarre.
5. You can make your characters look and act however you want.
6. You can create the setting of your story however you want.
7. You can share your thoughts and feelings on things with lots of other people
8. You can touch and move people with your words.
9. You can influence people with your words, and get them to expand their minds and awareness on subjects.
10. You are the God of your story Universe. Because of that you have unlimited power to do whatever you want!
(and a bonus)
11. Because it's FUN !
Here are 10 reasons why I love writing:
1. It's a great outlet for ...everything (emotions, thoughts etc.)
2. You can write about anything your mind can come up with - no matter how out there it might be! (i.e. Sci-fi stories, Paranormal stories etc).
3. Writing is just putting down the images and actions you see your characters doing in your head - as clearly and accurately as possible, so other people can see exactly what you (as your characters) are seeing, and feel exactly what you want them to feel
4. You can name your characters whatever you want, no matter how bizarre.
5. You can make your characters look and act however you want.
6. You can create the setting of your story however you want.
7. You can share your thoughts and feelings on things with lots of other people
8. You can touch and move people with your words.
9. You can influence people with your words, and get them to expand their minds and awareness on subjects.
10. You are the God of your story Universe. Because of that you have unlimited power to do whatever you want!
(and a bonus)
11. Because it's FUN !
April 10, 2011
PoW #8 - Subplots
Subplots are what give stories layers, depth. They are secondary 'stories' to your main overall story. They make your story more interesting. Maybe subplots offer some lightness to a serious main story arc, or they might explore a minor character. Adding depth to a story with subplot is sometimes difficult.
Since I am in the planning stages - fleshing out the world and characters of my next upcoming novel, The Clockwork Universe, ( which I was able to do a bit more in my short story, Ex Cineribus Resurge in the www.WriteForJapan.com short story anthology) I have a few ideas of possible subplots for TCU. I've put them as this weeks Poll of the Week! so please vote! And do you have any other suggestions? if so, write them in the comments! (read the synopsis of TCU to get an idea of what it is about).
Please vote below!
What should my subplot be?(surveys)
Since I am in the planning stages - fleshing out the world and characters of my next upcoming novel, The Clockwork Universe, ( which I was able to do a bit more in my short story, Ex Cineribus Resurge in the www.WriteForJapan.com short story anthology) I have a few ideas of possible subplots for TCU. I've put them as this weeks Poll of the Week! so please vote! And do you have any other suggestions? if so, write them in the comments! (read the synopsis of TCU to get an idea of what it is about).
Please vote below!
What should my subplot be?(surveys)
