Ann Benjamin's Blog, page 250
April 22, 2016
Author Challenge!
It’s been awhile, hasn’t it? And I like these types of things. And this one is just different enough to the others I’ve done… :) So, the first book I wrote (and incidentally published) was The Line. It will be 10 years old next year (!), and it still feels like I just started. Sure, it’s not the most amazing writing, and yes, there is a bit of a self-insert going on, but The Line showed me what I was capable of — that I could finish a novel. I tried to have it traditionally published, then decided to go on my own.
With The Line, I had so much motivation — there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for that book. Honestly, I wish I could have that level of motivation for my most recent releases. Nearly 10 years later, I know the cover needs a tune up (it’s on my to do list with the rest of the series). Because of technology and also how a marching season is now divided, it’s dated, but it will always hold a special place in my heart.
April 21, 2016
Book Review: The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason
What is this? I read a book and wanted to write about it?!
In my ongoing research for The Queen, I happened upon The Clockwork Scarab, featuring two fictional characters based on…the work of other fictional characters (actually, props to the creativity) of Ms. Gleason (who, I realize now, I started a book by and did not finish…and while reading this novel thought, ‘Someone is ripping off this nice author’s fictional world, now things make sense).
Enter the niece of Sherlock Holmes and the sister of Bram Stoker! There are many things I enjoyed about this book. The steampunk elements were perfectly blended, as was the attention to many historical and other finer details. As someone who struggles with romantic tension, there were parts of the subplots with the love interests that worked for me.
Most unfortunately, I cannot understand why the main characters — two strong, independent, and intelligent young women (yay!) HATED EACH OTHER. Thrown together to solve a mystery, these ladies categorically are equal parts annoyed, irritated and spiteful of each other FOR REASONS I CANNOT UNDERSTAND. Certainly, they were brought up in different circumstances, and yes, you don’t have to be friends with someone you just meet, however (and this is my biggest regret with the author’s choice), when our two protagonists constantly rip each other apart, how are we supposed to like them? With strange immaturity, I couldn’t fathom why they couldn’t just get along. Their friction and resentment doesn’t do a lot to serve the storyline and as previously mentioned, why would you want to tear down your characters in front of your readers? Aren’t you supposed to like the leads in a story?
Also, of course people have accents, especially in this time period. However, Pix’s Cockney is so over the top, my irritation level shot up whenever I had to decipher what the hell he was trying to say.
Eh….So, I’m stuck. I love the steampunk details and action, but really question why the author decided that these two could never get along. Luckily, they are not fighting over some young man (feminism!), but it is only in the most begrudging of moments they are forced to (sort of) work together.
I will probably read the next book in the series — not because of the characters, but because of the background elements.
Have you read the book? What are your thoughts?
April 20, 2016
Week by Numbers.
Yay! I love a week in which shit gets done.
72,989, words, the Queen is (I think) coming to the end of its first draft (I have a few more scenes that need to be added, but I think I’m okay with where things stand)
229, pages (in case you wondered)
1, fantastic meal at Enigma Dubai
2, number of Masteratis we rode in (they were the chauffeur cars)
20, (?) number of songs sung at karaoke (post-meal)
3AM, arrival home on Tuesday night
2, books I’ve read that I really enjoy (I hope to review on next week)
1, AED50 haircut I got this week (thanks Vaniday for the voucher)
How were things for you?
Gif of the week!
April 18, 2016
Ikigai.
Borrowed from a friend, I saw this and thought, ‘Yes, self, this is exactly your struggle.’ Of course, this is the conflict of every person, not just me. And like others, I am complicated. I like a lot of things. I am the same person who can be excited for a multi-course meal and buy a Peropon all in the same week. I can geek out over YA fiction and Regency romance and watch documentaries or read thoughtful essays. I can write fanfiction and original fiction in the same day (and love them both). I can not want to have kids, live halfway across the world from where I was born, and call my cat by 1,000 nicknames. I can be married to the same person for 13 years and crush on certain actors.
Anyway, I’m glad this ‘search of self’ (for lack of a better word) has a name. The definition makes the attempt of above to find easier (somehow).
Have you found your Ikigai? How did you get there?
April 17, 2016
Sunday Sentence.
The words are stars on the clear sky. They guide me, and I want to follow, but dare I?”
Maria Elena Sandovici, Lost Path to Solitude: A Follow-Up to Dogs with Bagels
Another one from my friend’s novel. My notes read ‘such beautiful language,’ and that is very much true.
April 16, 2016
April 14, 2016
Pop Sugar 2016 Summer Reading Challenge.
I’ve got a few for you to choose from, dear reader. And although it’s warming up here in Dubai, I wouldn’t call it ‘summer’ just yet…
A book about a road trip. Life After Joe is a nearly perfect fit for this one.
A YA fiction book. Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek is one suggestion…
A book with a wedding in it. Room 702 has two!
April 13, 2016
On motivation.
This week has been a struggle. Two months into the edit of The Queen of England: Coronation, I thought I would be closer to finishing. I thought I would be wrapping up a first draft I would be pleased to share with any number of readers and moving on to work out a cover and some of the other fun marketing stuff. Instead, I have approximately estimated 15,000 more notes I want to include, a character I just added and a ton of missing letters from a secret admirer.
The rational part of my head knows the suggestions, edits and bits of history will serve to make a stronger novel. The unmotivated part of me says, ‘Fuck it, why aren’t we done with this thing yet?’ The two sides are not playing nicely and while I have been making progress, I am fairly desperate to move on.
Taking a break feels wrong, but maybe a week off would give me some much needed clarity.
Have you ever taken some time off of a long term project? How did you kickstart your motivation? No, I shouldn’t start writing another book, RIGHT?
April 12, 2016
April 11, 2016
That song you forgot you loved and find years later and still know all the words to…
When our Friday brunch turned into a 12+ hour day, we ended up back at our villa, singing along to songs from the early aughts (doesn’t everyone do this?). As one song led to another, we ended up on Saves the Day’s Freakish, a song I vividly remembered the lyrics to. As though it were yesterday (and not 2002 when this was on heavy rotation), I instantly recalled the exact moment this song represented in my life. New to town, Hubs and I driving around Los Angeles…when Trader Joe’s was expensive, when we lived in Northridge, when we didn’t have a clue, that we had no idea in a few short years we would move overseas… We were just two engaged kids trying to figure out who they were post college.
Where do songs go when they are lost to us? How do we get them back? What was your song?
