Ann Benjamin's Blog, page 256

Some thoughts on if I win the lottery…

Not sure where you hail from in the world, but there is some serious money up for grabs in the States (1.3 billion USD in the Powerball lottery).  I asked my Dad to purchase some tickets on behalf of Hubs and myself, because, who knows?

So, with a bit of anxiety around ending my current job, moving out of my current apartment and into a new villa, it’s no surprise I’m having some worse than usual insomnia.  As I’ve tried to get to sleep the past couple of nights, I started thinking about what I would spend the Powerball money on if I was the winner.

Which, for the record, is an intimidating amount of money…

I’d first assume that half (or some other large portion) would immediately go to taxes.  Fine, whatever.  Also, I would absolutely choose to remain anonymous.

My next thought was how much I would need for the rest of my life – certainly, not anywhere close to the total amount, so, like many altruistic individuals, I would set up a trust (ala Bill and Melinda Gates) and get to giving across all kinds of platforms and organizations.  To do so, I would most likely need a team of lawyers as well as a private wealth fund team.  This all seems like a worthy undertaking – especially if it can make the jackpot last for decades.

Of course, I would be spending some money on myself, and came up with a wish list:

Being able to hire the right people to help with my manuscripts (most essentially, top editors to help develop my stories)
Spending more money to market my books
A total vanity project, but I’d love to adapt one of my books to screen
Buying a plane – or, at least, traveling first class the rest of my life.
Maybe doing this?
Buying properties around the world and then fixing them up.

Where would you spend your billion?

Book Review: The Bookseller

I spotted this one as a result of a sale (through one of the many e-book newsletters I receive daily) and the general idea is close to a manuscript I hope to start at some point this year (current working title, A.U.).  As a first foray into my ‘research reading’ on the topic, I didn’t have a lot of expectations.

Spoilers below!

I feel like The Bookseller belongs among my reads for The Year of Pleasures and The Unexpected Waltz (that is, I am about 20 years younger than the intended demographic).  As the book has been out awhile, I’m going to get into some of the more specific parts of the story – you have been warned!

By definition, any time travel or alternate universe type story is big concept.  That is, in a non-linear story line or following a set of events that takes place outside of known reality, you’re going to need to get the audience on board.  I believe Ms. Swanson was able to accomplish this.  Unfortunately, with the ending revealing that our protagonist Kitty was hallucinating her entire ‘real life’ (or at least the one we were introduced to) I felt…disappointed.  While the technique was a good way to resolve the two story lines, I actually was rooting for what ended up being her dream life.  Additionally, I’m not sure I really enjoyed that the creation of the alternate universe was due to the horrific event in Kitty’s life (to be more blunt, that she has a fairly serious psychotic break).

Major mental issues aside, there were a number of things the book did well – the introduction of two separate and distinct realities.  A decent set of characters, if a kind of vanilla protagonist.  A relatively quick read.  Unfortunately, I also found the writing very simplistic and the inclusion of a severely autistic son to not have any real impact on the plot (not to mention the main character’s initial horrified response to him).  In the end, I wasn’t really rooting for anyone — I just wanted things resolved.

Not for me, and this isn’t even that great a cover.

What are your thoughts?  Have you read a good alternate time line novel?  Recommendations please!

Sunday Sentence.

…If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.”

—Roald Dahl, My Uncle Oswald

I found this sentence while looking for last week’s sentence, but as we’re still in the early days of 2016, it seemed appropriate.  Have a great week ahead!

Another reading challenge!

Another reading list, another chance for me to pimp my books.

Looking at the list above, I can see my books easily tick the ‘a book by a female author’ or ‘a book by an unfamiliar author’ categories.  At some point this year, I will have an additional book(s) (insha’llah) to qualify as ‘a book that has been published in 2016.’

For the record, I would love a recommendation that ticks the ‘a book that will be a complete mindfuck.’

Week by numbers.

I’m testing out this kind of post, which I hope to continue doing every Thursday – kind of a weekly check in for various progress of different projects:

400 words (The Queen drabbles, from 1.3.2016)
300 words (Confessions sequel, from 1.3.2016)
4 villas, in contention for our new residence starting February 1, 2016
1 Gucci bag, purchased on my behalf by a good friend (which is currently sitting in Dubai and I want it so desperately and I also need to pay her back)
3 days, I felt bad for Room 702 , so I did a quick facebook ad for it which yielded…
43 likes, but…
0 sales.  :(
1 time, I opened the DINKs character reference sheet
0…number of Diet Cokes I’ve consumed — gotta break that habit!
1.5…number of alcoholic beverages I’ve consumed — trying to give my liver a break!
1…number of emergency dental procedures I’ve had (ugh!).
Maldives, trip I’m considering for May (gotta love those flydubai sale prices).

Gif of the week:

 

Week by Numbers

I’m testing out this kind of post, which I hope to continue doing every Thursday – kind of a weekly check in for various progress of different projects:

400 words (The Queen drabbles, from 1.3.2016)
300 words (Confessions sequel, from 1.3.2016)
4 villas, in contention for our new residence starting February 1, 2016
1 Gucci bag, purchased on my behalf by a good friend (which is currently sitting in Dubai and I want it so desperately and I also need to pay her back)
3 days, I felt bad for Room 702 , so I did a quick facebook ad for it which yielded…
43 likes, but…
0 sales.  :(
1 time, I opened the DINKs character reference sheet
0…number of Diet Cokes I’ve consumed — gotta break that habit!
1.5…number of alcoholic beverages I’ve consumed — trying to give my liver a break!
1…number of emergency dental procedures I’ve had (ugh!).
Maldives, trip I’m considering for May (gotta love those flydubai sale prices).

Gif of the week:

 

Book Review: The Paper Magician

I’ll admit, I’ve been in a bit of a reading funk.  After finishing the fantastic first four books in the Throne of Glass series and my lovely Victorian interlude, I had a bit of a book hangover.  Literally, I’ve tried to get into three books this week and have had no luck.  When I saw The Paper Magician (by Charlie Holmberg) on sale for $1.99, I thought, ‘hey, why not?’ and picked it up as research for my Queen manuscript (as it is set at the end of the Victorian era, sort of).  At the outset, I was excited — a new take on magic and a female protagonist (not to mention, a fairly striking cover).  Unfortunately, at 21% I had to designate the book as DNF (again, super rare for me).

Determined to see if the book got ANY better, I skimmed but could find nothing to hold my interest or understand why the book was so highly rated.  Goodreads falls more in line with my opinion of the book (i.e. most of the reviews echo my critiques and problems), but the Amazon reviews were mostly positive.

I hate to get too snarky, but when this book goes off the rails (and it thoroughly does so for a significant portion of the book in an interlude that adds nothing to the A storyline), I had to wonder how and why this manuscript was sold, if the editor just phoned in their work, or why Ms. Holmberg would choose to take such a large detour that essentially stops all action.  There are better protagonists, better stories and better integration of supernatural elements in many other YA novels (I can easily name five off the top of my head).

DNF.

As a lesson for my writing, my biggest takeaway was to be sure to have characters that readers can care about.  I felt NOTHING for nosy Ceony and her non-chemistry with the bland Magician Thane.  There were far too many unnecessary details and while creating a unique magic system had potential, the storyline could have been condensed by a factor of at least 40%.  Additionally, when introducing supernatural elements, I think it’s important to set boundaries and rules.  A fictional reality can have magic, but it needs to have some sort of definition (an element I’ll need to work on).

 

Did you see something I missed?

It’s funny because it’s true (Day 19 almost done!).

With around 18 days left at the old j-o-b, I had to share this gem from Mr. Robot…

Sunday Sentence.

“When you shatter the chains of this world and forge the next, remember that art is as vital as food to a kingdom. Without it, a kingdom is nothing, and will be forgotten by time. I have amassed enough money in my miserable life to not need any more—so you will understand me clearly when I say that wherever you set your throne, no matter how long it takes, I will come to you, and I will bring music and dancing.”

– Sarah Maas, Queen of Shadows

After my love fest for the first two books, I tore through the next two books in the Throne of Glass series.  My enjoyment is still very high (although I do have some Mary Sue issues what with everyone being half in love with the protagonist…).  Anyway, I read this passage and absolutely loved it, so I’m sharing it with you today.

Book Review: We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals

So, I started this book in November, and as someone who doesn’t regularly read or enjoy non-fiction, I found myself very much pulled into the lives of Victoria and Albert, told in a relatable way by the author, Gillian Gill.  Why did I pick up this book?  Even though I (most unfortunately) kill off poor V&A in the first pages of my current manuscript (The Queen of England: Coronation), I wanted to understand their lives, their England and their Europe.  While reading ‘We Two,’ I highlighted numerous passages and when I start the edit of the first draft in Feb 2016, I will need to make some major decisions about including real life members of British politics.  I learned much about royal protocol – much of which will be necessary to include if I want accurate details.

Do I recommend this book?  Honestly, yes.  I think it’s good every now and then to pick up and read a well researched and well written non-fiction book.  Sure, your non-fiction interest might not be about Victorian England, but I’m sure there’s something out there to tickle your fancy.  (Alternatively, if you are a major reader of non-fiction, why not pick up some fiction — there are some amazing books and authors out there).

.gif from the Young Victoria, which also was great research.

Ms. Gill does a wonderful job of integrating historical record (and humor) into the book.  I admired how she followed different parts of V&A’s lives and while not wholly dedicated to a singular set of chronological events, she presented an excellent timeline, one that was easy to follow.  Also, you get moments like these:

We can imagine Albert weeping, saying he was sure he was going to die; Ernest, taken aback, sputtering the kind of banalities we still use for severely depressed people. Don’t be absurd. You are only forty years old. You have everything to live for. For pity’s sake, get a grip on yourself, brother.”

To round out my historical reading, I’ve got The Heir Apparent: A Life of Edward VII, the Playboy Prince in the queue.  While it will take place well after the events of my trilogy, I appreciate the glimpses into real world England.

Do you have any non-fiction to recommend?