Anna Tan's Blog, page 104

#30to30: Day 28 - Letting go

The thing about life is this: it's filled with moments that you need to let go of.

Some of these are bad stuff - times when you were hurt, disappointed, or trod over. It could be times when you did stupid things and had to face the consequences. It's usually easy to let these go because you don't want to remember them. It hurts too much. But at times, it's difficult to let them go as well because you've grown to let pain define you; you've started to think of yourself in terms of what you're N...

#30to30: Day 29 - Work anniversary!

Today marks my first year at my current job!

There are many things to be thankful for in this job, summarized into three MAJOR DEALS for me:

No need for super crazy overtime (there are still deadlines but... *shrug*)I get to travel to the U.S! I have time to write. (When I'm not being lazy)It hasn't been all smooth-flowing. There have been some bumpy-ish patches, but overall, I've had a pretty good year here. :)

#30to30: Day 30 - Celebrate yourself

I'm probably asking for trouble, but I decided to do a little mini personal blog challenge. It's not as if I have nothing else to do. I have an editor chasing me, a script (or two) to finish, a friend's chapter to critique, lots of work to finish up... BUT ANYWAY.

I don't really know what I'm going to post, but it's probably going to be a combination of random thoughts, appreciations and highlights.

And I'll start it off with the reason why I'm doing this. It's really just to celebrate me...

#bookreview: Games of Chance by Will Hahn

Games of Chance by Will Hahn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

At 121 pages, Judgement's Tale: Games of Chance is a novella that paints for you the background of the Lands of Hope, giving you glimpses of the strange young man from over the sea, Solemn Judgement, and yet not telling you quite enough about him or what he's supposed to do. You meet unlikely heroes: Linya, Mhoral, Treaman, Haltar and Bildon - swept away on an unwanted quest.

Will Hahn's writing and world building is interesting enough to kee...

The belated #wdnwc14 day 3 post

So I was supposed to finish off my post on Sunday, except that after rushing off to the airport (spending more than 1 hour in the shuttle to get there), I was hungry. And then I started reading Jeff Gerke's "The First 50 Pages" and then when I finally got back to San Jose, we headed off to dinner and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (which was full of plot holes).

Anyway, so Day 3.
First session of the day was lots of dirty little publishing secrets revealed by Phil Sexton, followed b...

Day two of #wdnwc14: of workshops and friends

Today's programme was chock full of really informative sessions. I don't know if I've finished processing everything yet, but I can say this - at every session I feel like a sponge, soaking up stuff, wondering if I'm going to start leaking. Which isn't a bad thing. 
Also, I'm hearing stuff that makes me go 'hey, so maybe if I applied *this* and added *that* it would make my story go much better. 
One was definitely the Writing Active Setting session, which talked about how even how yo...

Day one of #wdnwc14!

I had been thinking of live blogging the conference but I decided against bringing my laptop (one less thing to worry about) so I'm basically pretty much old school with pen and paper. 
Anyway it has been a mix of anticipation and terror coming here but I'm glad I made it! Thoroughly enjoyed the sessions with Larry Brooks (on structure) and Jonathan Maberry (opening keynote). Probably should have hung around and/or visited booths and gotten things signed but LK was waiting for me in the l...

#bookreview: Shadow Swarm by D. Robert Pease

Shadow Swarm by D. Robert Pease
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Arbethol Nauile is the promised saviour and the rightful heir to the throne of the Nuadaim. He just doesn't know it yet. When he wakes up in a mausoleum not knowing his own name, or anything that has happened to him in the past 300+ years, it looks as if the ancient prophecy has failed, and the Neglafem's sacrifice to protect him has been in vain.

Elise is more than ready to give up on the prophecy and leave the strange man to fend for him...

#bookreview: Cephrael's Hand by Melissa McPhail

Cephrael's Hand by Melissa McPhail
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first started reading this, I was reminded strongly of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, minus the annoying women and plus faster pacing overall, which was a win for me.

Trell of the Tides embarks on a journey to discover his heritage.
Prince Ean val Lorian is being hunted by persons unknown.
The Adept race is dying, and Cephrael's Hand, an unlucky configuration of stars, hangs in the sky for all to see.

McPhail weaves these s...

Guest post: Three Must-Read Series for the Fantasy Connoisseur

A Guest Post & Cover Reveal by Melissa McPhail
Having been a fantasy reader for more years than any southern-bred lady should ever admit, I’ve encountered some excellent fantasy novels. Over the decades, I’ve watched many wonderful books rise to a height of popularity, enjoy the thrill of riding that wave of reader buzz, and then bob away to take their place on a shelf with others of like fame. With so many outstanding fantasies rising and ebbing across the years, it’s easy for newer reade...