Peadar Ó Guilín's Blog, page 24
January 24, 2012
Longer Books... and God
And Now for Something Short
So there I was, listening to The Hobbit audiobook, and thinking, "Wow! I haven't read this in twelve years*." It's great.
There were vicious Goblins; tricksy Bagginses; treacherous Elves; Eagles; were-bears... you know the drill. It was absolutely action packed. There were so many events that there is no possible way the whole story could possibly fit into 384 pages.
Or rather, no way it could fit into 384 modern pages.
The thing is, most of us 21st century readers have acquired an addiction to first-person, or tight third person narration. In order to feed this habit, writers have to rely on a bag of long-winded tricks to explain what everybody beyond the hero is up to. For example, why did the Elves of Mirkwood imprison the Dwarves? Where did Gollum come from?
Tolkien had no need for bloated dialogs to get this information across: he hopped joyfully from head to head and not a bother on him. He'd give us whatever point of view was most relevant to the story and, if necessary, he could always fall back on a good old omniscient third-person narration: a view of the action that only God would have.
It gets the job done and done quickly.
More Favorable Reviews
Yes, yes, I'm bringing out the boast again. My story Heartless has garnered a few more favorable reviews. Terry at Fantasy Literature, said: "This story is new, challenging, exciting, unlike anything I’ve read before. I’ll be keeping my eye out for more by O Guilin."
Meanwhile, anthology editor, Rich Horton , listed it as one of his favorite tales from Beneath Ceaseless Skies in 2011.
Happy days!
*And even then, I was reading passages of it in a desperate attempt to trick a child into loving books.
So there I was, listening to The Hobbit audiobook, and thinking, "Wow! I haven't read this in twelve years*." It's great.
There were vicious Goblins; tricksy Bagginses; treacherous Elves; Eagles; were-bears... you know the drill. It was absolutely action packed. There were so many events that there is no possible way the whole story could possibly fit into 384 pages.
Or rather, no way it could fit into 384 modern pages.
The thing is, most of us 21st century readers have acquired an addiction to first-person, or tight third person narration. In order to feed this habit, writers have to rely on a bag of long-winded tricks to explain what everybody beyond the hero is up to. For example, why did the Elves of Mirkwood imprison the Dwarves? Where did Gollum come from?
Tolkien had no need for bloated dialogs to get this information across: he hopped joyfully from head to head and not a bother on him. He'd give us whatever point of view was most relevant to the story and, if necessary, he could always fall back on a good old omniscient third-person narration: a view of the action that only God would have.
It gets the job done and done quickly.
More Favorable Reviews
Yes, yes, I'm bringing out the boast again. My story Heartless has garnered a few more favorable reviews. Terry at Fantasy Literature, said: "This story is new, challenging, exciting, unlike anything I’ve read before. I’ll be keeping my eye out for more by O Guilin."
Meanwhile, anthology editor, Rich Horton , listed it as one of his favorite tales from Beneath Ceaseless Skies in 2011.
Happy days!
*And even then, I was reading passages of it in a desperate attempt to trick a child into loving books.
January 17, 2012
Hugos, Present and Futular*
Hugos Present
The time of year for Hugo nominations has arrived and authors all over the land (fantasy version) or across the universe (SF version) are coyly mentioning their published works for 2011.
Here are mine:
My second novel, The Deserter, came out in May. Phew! But only on this side of the Atlantic. Canadians, USians and others over that side of the world (mainstream version) can read it next March.
I had only three shorts published in 2011. If anybody would like to read a copy of any of them, contact me and I can hook you up:
"Lessons Learned" came out in the excellent original anthology When the Hero Come Home from Dragon Moon Press.
"The Drowner" appeared in Irish SF Magazine Albedo One. I also read it at WorldCon and TitanCon. Some time in 2012, it will be podcast by Pseudopod.
"Heartless", upset a few people, but mostly, the responses have been overwhelmingly positive. You can still read it online at Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
Hugos Futular
When the Hugo nominations come around for 2012, I'll more than likely be listing John Love's début, Faith, in the novel category. It's not the best book I've ever read -- I can think of a few minor annoyances** -- but it's extremely original, in all sorts of ways.
A no-spoiler summary might go something like this: An invincible, alien warship called Faith is travelling the Galaxy, destroying civilizations wherever it goes. Only the Outsider Class "Charles Manson", with its crew of sociopaths is weird enough to have any chance of slowing the invaders down.
This is not the kind of book where you sympathise with the characters: they're "outsiders", after all. You may even hate them. But part of the author's talent is in convincingly portraying their frightening quirks.
Recommended.
*Apologies.
**Measurements are in feet rather than metres, for example. More Canterbury Tales than SF.
The time of year for Hugo nominations has arrived and authors all over the land (fantasy version) or across the universe (SF version) are coyly mentioning their published works for 2011.
Here are mine:
My second novel, The Deserter, came out in May. Phew! But only on this side of the Atlantic. Canadians, USians and others over that side of the world (mainstream version) can read it next March.
I had only three shorts published in 2011. If anybody would like to read a copy of any of them, contact me and I can hook you up:
"Lessons Learned" came out in the excellent original anthology When the Hero Come Home from Dragon Moon Press.
"The Drowner" appeared in Irish SF Magazine Albedo One. I also read it at WorldCon and TitanCon. Some time in 2012, it will be podcast by Pseudopod.
"Heartless", upset a few people, but mostly, the responses have been overwhelmingly positive. You can still read it online at Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
Hugos Futular
When the Hugo nominations come around for 2012, I'll more than likely be listing John Love's début, Faith, in the novel category. It's not the best book I've ever read -- I can think of a few minor annoyances** -- but it's extremely original, in all sorts of ways.
A no-spoiler summary might go something like this: An invincible, alien warship called Faith is travelling the Galaxy, destroying civilizations wherever it goes. Only the Outsider Class "Charles Manson", with its crew of sociopaths is weird enough to have any chance of slowing the invaders down.
This is not the kind of book where you sympathise with the characters: they're "outsiders", after all. You may even hate them. But part of the author's talent is in convincingly portraying their frightening quirks.
Recommended.
*Apologies.
**Measurements are in feet rather than metres, for example. More Canterbury Tales than SF.
January 16, 2012
The Post of Emptiness
It's been a while since I've posted -- mainly because I have nothing new to say just yet.
But I'm still lovely and I hope you are too. I have been keeping my new year's resolution to cook more. How about you?
But I'm still lovely and I hope you are too. I have been keeping my new year's resolution to cook more. How about you?
December 30, 2011
Songs of Yearning and Regret
I'm a happy little man, but for some reason, I have always loved the sad songs best of all. It might be because I never fully absorbed my inner adolescent and he's still sulking in the bloody chambers of my heart. In any case, we are where we are. Here's one I haven't listened to in a while. Hazel O'Connor's "Will You". Apologies for the awful video.
Calling All Fans of Sherlock Holmes
James Bacon and Chris Garcia, editors of the Journey Planet Fanzine have dedicated issue 11 to Deerstalker Hats and Baker Street. Download the free pdf here!
As for the Rest of You
I hereby banish you all from 2011 forever!
Have a good one...
Calling All Fans of Sherlock Holmes
James Bacon and Chris Garcia, editors of the Journey Planet Fanzine have dedicated issue 11 to Deerstalker Hats and Baker Street. Download the free pdf here!
As for the Rest of You
I hereby banish you all from 2011 forever!
Have a good one...
December 28, 2011
Resolutions Come Early
Easy Vegan
Most years I don't bother with resolutions, but this time it's different. I have two brand new cookbooks and my unbreakable, unbeatable rule will be to cook craft a different dish experience at least once a week until all of the recipes have been pwned.
I am going to beat this thing... this... eternal repetition of the same curries, day in, day out. Time for a change!
Watching
I saw X-Men: First Class last night. I don't know why I keep watching these when I'm not a fan of super-hero stuff. However, this one was decent enough. Magneto was a great character (unlike most of the others) and I genuinely enjoyed the very real divided loyalties of the mutants.
Reviews
Johnathan Crowe gave my story Heartless a lovely one-line review:
"a brilliantly nasty piece of work about dependency on magic"
Nice :)
You can still read it for free, on-line, here.
A New Year
I'm wishing all my friends a great New Year. Take no prisoners, that's what I say! It would be great to meet some of you in 2012. I'll be at WorldCon in Chicago -- and that's just for starters!
Most years I don't bother with resolutions, but this time it's different. I have two brand new cookbooks and my unbreakable, unbeatable rule will be to cook craft a different dish experience at least once a week until all of the recipes have been pwned.
I am going to beat this thing... this... eternal repetition of the same curries, day in, day out. Time for a change!
Watching
I saw X-Men: First Class last night. I don't know why I keep watching these when I'm not a fan of super-hero stuff. However, this one was decent enough. Magneto was a great character (unlike most of the others) and I genuinely enjoyed the very real divided loyalties of the mutants.
Reviews
Johnathan Crowe gave my story Heartless a lovely one-line review:
"a brilliantly nasty piece of work about dependency on magic"
Nice :)
You can still read it for free, on-line, here.
A New Year
I'm wishing all my friends a great New Year. Take no prisoners, that's what I say! It would be great to meet some of you in 2012. I'll be at WorldCon in Chicago -- and that's just for starters!
December 21, 2011
Perfume. Now with Extra Telecommunications
Perfooey
Christmas is almost upon us, its alcohol scented breath hot against our cheeks. And with it, come a metric ton of perfume adverts.
Years ago, perfume ads were all about sex: "buy this brand of stink and you WILL get laid". But recent campaigns have spouted a slightly different message: "this brand of stink will free you from your dull, dull existence. THEN, you will get laid."
More Fone Phun
My Galaxy Nexus phone takes rather neat panoramic photos. I wish I were a good enough, or patient enough, or perceptive enough photographer to take full advantage...
And More...
I love an app. called Car Home Ultra. As soon as my phone detects that I'm in my car (via Bluetooth), it turns off wifi, and opens a screen containing only my navigation/phone/podcast/music apps. All with giant, easy to see buttons.
Christmas is almost upon us, its alcohol scented breath hot against our cheeks. And with it, come a metric ton of perfume adverts.
Years ago, perfume ads were all about sex: "buy this brand of stink and you WILL get laid". But recent campaigns have spouted a slightly different message: "this brand of stink will free you from your dull, dull existence. THEN, you will get laid."
More Fone Phun
My Galaxy Nexus phone takes rather neat panoramic photos. I wish I were a good enough, or patient enough, or perceptive enough photographer to take full advantage...
And More...
I love an app. called Car Home Ultra. As soon as my phone detects that I'm in my car (via Bluetooth), it turns off wifi, and opens a screen containing only my navigation/phone/podcast/music apps. All with giant, easy to see buttons.
December 19, 2011
Мои твиты
Пн, 11:51
: RT @mollydot: RT @omegar24: Ok. People, I am looking for a room to rent in the city(Dublin). I need access to a parking space. Anyone kn ...
Пн, 11:52
: RT @DFB_storyhouse: Season's greetings from all at DFB! Want to see a sneak preview of what we're working on now? http://t.co/nZBHT414
Пн, 16:04
: Inside Job http://t.co/kZP0tVEa
Inside Job
Watching
Members of my family keep asking me to explain the financial crisis to them. I'm no guru, but I have a certain set of beliefs about how the whole thing played out and last night I watched a documentary that reflected these ideas in a simple, yet devastating manner.
Inside Job, a film by Charles Ferguson and Chad Beck, interviews bankers and politicians from all over the world to build up a clear picture of what happened, how it happened and where we all are now. If you're a bit hazy on the details, I would highly recommend it.
Reading
I have just read the fist few pages of Warren Ellis' Crooked Little Vein. I think I'm going to like this one a lot!
Review
Some kind person has written a review of Beneath Ceaseless Skies #84, which contains my story Heartless. Beware: spoilers abound, but the story is out there on the web for free, so, if you haven't managed to look at it yet, now's your chance!
Members of my family keep asking me to explain the financial crisis to them. I'm no guru, but I have a certain set of beliefs about how the whole thing played out and last night I watched a documentary that reflected these ideas in a simple, yet devastating manner.
Inside Job, a film by Charles Ferguson and Chad Beck, interviews bankers and politicians from all over the world to build up a clear picture of what happened, how it happened and where we all are now. If you're a bit hazy on the details, I would highly recommend it.
Reading
I have just read the fist few pages of Warren Ellis' Crooked Little Vein. I think I'm going to like this one a lot!
Review
Some kind person has written a review of Beneath Ceaseless Skies #84, which contains my story Heartless. Beware: spoilers abound, but the story is out there on the web for free, so, if you haven't managed to look at it yet, now's your chance!
December 18, 2011
Enthusiasm
I looove reading posts wherein the writer raves about one or more of their favourite things. I always want to try them out for myself, despite the fact that with people being individual in their likes and dislikes, it's rarely going to work for me in the same way.
Just this morning![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1381193858i/4495645.gif)
spookysqueak
was describing an ancient video game I've never heard of, but I wanted it, then and there, to have my way with it. For hours...
I get a lot of my book recs. in the same way. On the Westeros.org board, I spend most of my time in the literature section, prowling around for something new and exciting to try. Often, I'm disappointed, but so what? What's the alternative? More of the same for ever and ever?
Musically, an impassioned friend can turn me on to something cool. A recent example, would be
mollydot
's love for Amanda Palmer. I'm really enjoying her Who Killed Amanda Palmer album right now -- intelligent and intense, like a good cheese... or something...
So, more of that sort of thing, says I. Be enthusiastic. Love everything!
Tweet
Give 10
Just this morning
spookysqueak
was describing an ancient video game I've never heard of, but I wanted it, then and there, to have my way with it. For hours...I get a lot of my book recs. in the same way. On the Westeros.org board, I spend most of my time in the literature section, prowling around for something new and exciting to try. Often, I'm disappointed, but so what? What's the alternative? More of the same for ever and ever?
Musically, an impassioned friend can turn me on to something cool. A recent example, would be
mollydot
's love for Amanda Palmer. I'm really enjoying her Who Killed Amanda Palmer album right now -- intelligent and intense, like a good cheese... or something...So, more of that sort of thing, says I. Be enthusiastic. Love everything!
Tweet
Give 10
December 16, 2011
Мои твиты
Чт, 13:22
: Heartless Published Today: Read it for Free! http://t.co/irfJhInJ
Чт, 18:19
: RT @sethdehaan: "Heartless" by @theinferior is a great read up on @BCSmagazine: http://t.co/2QxD5zo0. Quick and not a little brutal.
Чт, 22:27
: RT @CodeWisdom: "UNIX was not designed to stop its users from doing stupid things, as that would also stop them from doing clever things ...
