Penny Watson's Blog, page 26
May 28, 2013
A Gentle Reminder: The Path To Success
Sometimes we forget.
Sometimes we forget that not everyone wants a McMansion on a hill, driveway packed with sports cars, elegant parties underway.
Some folks want a shack in the mountains, no electricity, no connection to the real world.
Everyone has different goals, different ideas of success, different forms of inspiration and motivation.
The same is true with writing.
For some, success is defined by a rank at Amazon. Best-seller lists. Awards. How much money earned per year, per book, per cont...
May 27, 2013
Happy Memorial Day
✯Happy Memorial Day✯
All my best,Penelope
May 24, 2013
Beard of the Day
Fun facts about Paul Walker....
1. He majored in marine biology.
2. He started his show biz career in a Pampers commercial.
3. He loves surfing.
He does the scruff proud.
Happy Beardy Friday,
Penelope
May 23, 2013
Missing The Boat (Or Spaceship, As The Case May Be)
What makes a great science fiction story?
Creativity of world-building details.
The underlying story should have memorable characters and timeless themes, but it's the world-building that scifi fans are looking for. We want fantastical new planets to explore, with shocking cultures and inhabitants. We want unique alien creatures. We want fabulous new technology: weapons, spaceships, and more.
If you're going to make a film using one of the most iconic scifi spaceships of all time...The Ent...
May 21, 2013
Penny Seeks Something Special, And A Gift From Heaven Falls Right Out Of The Sky
Review for Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
I did something with this book that is always a good thing. I read it without reading the blurb first. I'd heard it was quirky, funny, and had a character named "Sir McHotpants." That was good enough for me.
I start reading. It's first person POV, not my favorite. The heroine is clueless. As in, extremely clueless. It also appears that she has Asperger syndrome, since she babbles incoherently about minutia, and has no idea about other people...
May 17, 2013
Happy Weekend!
Happy Weekend!
I am feeling slightly better and hoping this weekend will not be a complete wash. We have soccer clinic, soccer game, and the big Spring Fling at Natty's school on Sunday.
Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.
All my best,Penelope
May 15, 2013
Sick As A Dog
Please stand by! Penelope will not be doing anymore posts until she gets better.
I feel like I've been run over by a truck, flung off a bridge, my head smacked with a hammer, and tossed around by a couple of dinosaurs playing catch.
But other than that, I'm OK.
GROAN!
Hopefully I will be better and back soon. I have some reviews to write for a couple of great books!
Take care,
Penelope
May 14, 2013
Voice: Can You Hear Me?
About five years ago, I attended a workshop about "voice." It was maybe 3 or 4 hours long. We did a whole bunch of exercises. What was our favorite color? Music? Setting? Ice-cream? Movie? At the end of the workshop, I realized the author was trying to get us to figure out our own personalities. Her point was that our personality is our voice.
I asked a question. I've read authors who wrote romantic comedy, which was light-hearted and funny, and romantic suspense, which was dark. Same voice? S...
May 12, 2013
Happy Mumsie Day!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Love,Penelope❀
May 7, 2013
Critiquing For Dummies
I just spent the last 48+ hours beta-reading and editing WIPs for two different critique partners. My critiques are not for the faint-of-heart. I am brutal. Luckily, my friends are used to my comments and suggestions...
* Your heroine sure does a lot of deep breathing. I think maybe she has asthma.
* The word "anus" isn't sexy. Just sayin.
* This makes no sense. At all. What the hell are you talking about?
* Who gives a rat's ass what color the pilot's eyes are?
* Did they just boink? I can't tell...
