Hugh B. Long's Blog, page 8
December 27, 2014
Impressions: Perfecting Plot: Charting the Hero’s Journey (Red Sneaker Writers Book Series)
Perfecting Plot: Charting the Hero’s Journey (Red Sneaker Writers Book Series) by William Bernhardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
William Bernhardt’s Red Sneakers Writing series is one of the most useful writer’s aids I’ve come across. They’re like Cole’s Notes version of writing books, and each volume focuses on a specific aspect. Concise, and packed with useful hints and tips.
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Impressions: Tower Lord
Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Not as good as book 1, but still a very interesting take on magic systems. Not since Dave Farland have I read a book that I felt had truly original underpinnings.
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December 26, 2014
Impressions: Tech World
Tech World by B.V. Larson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great book, just like most of B.V.Larson’s Star Force and previous Undying Mercenaries books. This one is action packed, fun, has lots of twists and turns, and was a quick read. Perfect escapism, which is why I enjoy them.
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December 24, 2014
Handwritten Plotting
Gay Talese’s outline for his classic profile “Frank Sinatra Has a Cold”
I found an article by Emily Temple with some fascinating examples of author’s handwritten plots for their novels. I do everything in software these days, but I’m always interested in learning how the best plan their work. I’m on the hunt for those little secret nuggets that will make my books all that much better–like rare spices to ad to your favorite recipe.
Anyway, here are a few of my favorites from that post: The first is my favorite, and though for a magazine article, I love the little geometric sketches, and plan for emotional beats in the article.
James Salter’s outline for Light Years
J.K. Rowling’s spreadsheet plan for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Joseph Heller’s chart outline for Catch-22.
Henry Miller’s manuscript plan for Tropic of Capricorn
Norman Mailer’s character timeline for Harlot’s Ghost
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December 23, 2014
Library Chair?
I found this amazing library chair in Writer’s Digest this month. I think any of us bibliophiles and authors definitely need this!
If you have one, send me pics!
Here’s the description from ETSY:
Library Chair
Fully upholstered button-cushion club chair with armrests and a built in 27 feet of shelf storage for books and DVDs. Very comfortable deep seat, perfect for sitting and reading, enveloped by your library!
Secret compartment under seat, accessed from behind bottom shelf books, for hiding away those extra special things. On rolling castors for easy movement.
Can be upholstered in any material and painted in any color. Stained veneer surface available on top at additional cost.
Overall dimensions:
Width: 37 ½ inches
Depth: 33 ½ inches
Height: 31 ½ inches
Seat dimensions:
Width: 24 inches
Depth: 23 3/4 inches
Height: 18 inches
Shelf heights:
Top/Middle shelf: 8 1/4 inches
Bottom shelf: 9 inches
Total length of shelving: 27 feet
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December 21, 2014
Impressions: Hyperion
Hyperion by Dan Simmons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good book, and deserving of its status as an SF classic. The Priest’s story was very creepy, in a good way. A must read for all scifi fans.
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Review: Hyperion
Hyperion by Dan Simmons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good book, and deserving of its status as an SF classic. The Priest’s story was very creepy, in a good way. A must read for all scifi fans.
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Impressions: Homefront
Homefront by Scott James Magner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantastic book! I loved the whole transgenic, caste system. Very cool, and a fresh concept. I can’t wait for more!
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Review: Homefront
Homefront by Scott James Magner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantastic book! I loved the whole transgenic, caste system. Very cool, and a fresh concept. I can’t wait for more!
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December 20, 2014
Space Opera as its own Genre?
Should Space Opera (SO) be its own genre, as opposed to a sub-genre of Science Fiction? I think it should. To me, Science Fiction is Wonder Literature. Dave Farland thinks that books might better be categorized by the emotions they evoke:
…we don’t really even have “genres” in fiction. Books are sold based upon the emotion that they’re supposed to evoke. Thus, romance books evoke romance, thrillers arouse feelings associated with adventure, mysteries give us our dopamine rush, and of course we have horror. If you look science fiction and fantasy, you’ll understand why they were called “wonder” literatures as early as the 1960s. - Dave Farland
I think they would be great primary categories, but I’d still want to see more granular genres. Back to Space Opera and Science Fiction: When I think of Science Fiction, I think of new ideas, or hard-science. When I think of Space Opera, I think of drama in space, and re-packaged tropes. I’m not knocking SO, in fact, I love it, and it’s what I most enjoy reading and writing. But movies like Star Wars don’t inspire me to think of science, so why call it science fiction? It’s a Soap Opera set in space = Space Opera, right?
Many folks would say that there is already Hard Science Fiction, which is where the author tries to abide by the confirmed laws of physics and accepted theories. (Don’t get me started defending Warp Drive – Alcubierre Drive)
What do you think?
Discuss!
* Don’t forget to check out my latest novel: Star Viking
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