Cameron D. James's Blog, page 36

Book Review: 2K to 10K

2,000 to 10,000: How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love

Rachel Aaron

“Have you ever wanted to double your daily word counts? Do you feel like you’re crawling through your story, struggling for each paragraph? Do you want to get more words every day without increasing the time you spend writing or sacrificing quality? It’s not impossible, it’s not even that hard. This is the story of how, with a few simple changes, I boosted my daily writing from 2000 words to over 10k a day, and how you can, too.”

Expanding on her highly successful process for doubling daily word counts, this book–a combination of reworked blog posts and new material–offers practical writing advice for anyone who’s ever longed to increase their daily writing output. In addition to updated information for Rachel’s popular 2k to 10k writing efficiency process, 5 step plotting method, and easy editing tips, this new book includes chapters on creating characters that write their own stories, story structure, and learning to love your daily writing. Full of easy to follow, practical advice from a commercial author who doesn’t eat if she doesn’t produce good books on a regular basis, 2k to 10k focuses not just on writing faster, but writing better, and having more fun while you do it.

This book was recommended to me by a writer friend as a motivating book to increase writing productivity and improve the quality of writing output.  I was a tad skeptical when I started this book, as I’ve read many advice books before and gleaned nothing much from them.  Rachel Aaron, though, writes with energy and enthusiasm and, above all, creates a very clear roadmap for how to increase your writing productivity and how to generate stronger writing.

Admittedly, there’s nothing too terribly new in here, as the formula involves analyzing your own productivity and habits and doing a lot of planning and pre-writing before you start writing for the day.  But the kicker here is that she lays is out clearly and effectively, and her enthusiasm is contagious.  To add to this 2K to 10K enthusiasm, Aaron also spends time talking about the importance of proper plot development and character creation — and then ties it all back to the 2K to 10K model.

It’s a helpful and very motivating little book.  I can see it being very helpful to newer authors, but also something more experienced and successful authors could benefit from.  2K to 10K is easily one of the best writing books I’ve read in a long time.

Book Review: Punk Chicken

Punk Chicken

Anonymous

[Note: The back cover blurb for Punk Chicken is an excerpt from early on in the book.]

Pete Dunn couldn’t believe that it was really happening, because it seemed like a wet dream.  Yes, he could touch, smell and taste the stud.

“Eat my ass, teach,” Mark said.

The teacher spread the 18-year-old blond student’s furry buns and looked at the pink pucker.  He licked the peace fuzz that clung to the kid’s body like moss to a rock.

Peter stuck his tongue into the kid’s ass and tasted the tangy bunghole.

“Tongue-fuck my butt, man.  Stick your tongue way up inside and lick my ass.”

A student was so dangerous to get involved with.  Everything was on the line — Peter’s teaching credentials, his reputation.  But he couldn’t stop now.

I stumbled across this book and picked it up — it looked hot and it looked dirty, and the fact that it seemed to have no author, no publisher, and no publication data on it anywhere piqued my curiosity.  I did some Google searching and I can only find a couple references to the book, mostly in LGBT archives.  I wasn’t able to find an image of the cover (so I had to scan it for this post), nor any other real acknowledgement that it exists.

I kept wishing this book had some publication data in the front — specifically, the publication date.  (And part of me wondered if there was no publication data because at the time it was published, this type of literature would have been underground or possibly illegal in some areas.)  I tried placing it based on the content, but I wasn’t sure if it was a reflection of the time at which it was written, or if it was relatively newer and depicted a past time.  If I read it right, gay sex was illegal in all US states except for California.  A quick perusing of sodomy laws in the US indicates this takes place likely before 1979, at the latest (though Wikipedia seems to indicate that California was not the first state to strike down these laws) – and the book was in such good condition that I wasn’t sure if it was just well-preserved or it was in fact newer than the 70s.  The sheer number of typos were interesting, as well, as they indicate a lack of editorial input or oversight.  There were also a number of gay scene terms that I was unfamiliar with (which was a strong clue that this was an older book), though the context allowed me to catch on pretty quick.

I often tell people that Hardball is the hottest/dirtiest book I’ve ever read — but I think I’m going to have to change my response now.  Hardball still ranks as the most intensely erotic book I’ve read, but as far as dirtiness goes, it doesn’t hold a candle to Punk Chicken.  And, even then, it was dirty to such an extreme that I had difficulty taking everything in an erotic context.  While, like Hardball, Punk Chicken had lots of bareback sex, frequent partner switching, rimming where the bottoms aren’t quite clean, and watersports, Punk Chicken also includes frequent BDSM and scat-play scenes.  I was quite turned off by the scat.

However, all of this aside, if this was indeed written in the 70s or earlier, and if this is indeed a depiction of gay culture at that time, I find Punk Chicken to be a fascinating slice through the strata of gay culture.  If it’s not an accurate portrayal, it’s still a fascinating read in what it seems to reveal about human nature.  Characters plead with Mark, the main character, for him to be gentle, yet he treats them like scum, he physically hurts them (which is different than in a regular BDSM novel, as there are no safe-words or contracts, this is just plain abuse), then he sh*ts on their chests… and the guys on the receiving end finds this to be an intensely erotic experience and they beg Mark to come back and do it again.

There is a loose plot in Punk Chicken, involving the murder of Mark’s first fuck-buddy, Pete, who is his high school teacher.  The evidence points to Mark and, since he was high on cocaine at the time, he thinks he actually did it.  He runs away to San Francisco, which is where the bulk of these abusive and dirty sex encounters take place.  The plot is quickly resolved and essentially swept under the rug in the last half of the last chapter, as if the author realized, “Oh, crap, I have to tie this up somehow.”

When I first set out to write this review, I was thinking it would be short — just a couple paragraphs.  I’m quite surprised how long this has ended up… this short book of only 150 pages (with very large print and small size pages) seems to have incited a lot of thinking.  It makes me wonder if in 30+ years, people will read through a gay erotica book from 2014 and be as mesmerized and in awe as I seem to be over Punk Chicken.

Cover Reveal: Bathhouse Nights

New erotica short story releasing August 1.

Details coming soon.

Book Review: Just Don’t Mess With Us: Family Matters

Just Don’t Mess With Us: Family Matters

Andrew Ashling

These stories are fast food, ice creams, snacks. Right after eating them, you will feel hungry again. They have no nutritious value whatsoever, but I hope you’ll find them tasty.

Ever thought about how it would be if you were in love with three persons at once? And all three were in love with you? And with each other? And you lived together? And you all were guys? Wouldn’t it just be like a family? That is what Alan thinks…

Alan is a bit rude and he sees and has so much sex, that he talks constantly about it, almost without realizing it. If male on male sex, graphic scenes or coarse language offend you, this is probably not for you.

Every chapter is a little story by itself, but in the same setting. Yet it is best to read them in sequence, as each story tells you something more about one or more of the characters.

Like the blurb describes, Just Don’t Mess With Us is essentially fast food.  It’s light, quick, has little substance, but is thoroughly enjoyable.  The story is quick-moving, the plot is fun, and the characters are likeable.

It took me a while to figure out what it was reminding me of… it’s essentially a gay porn version of a 90s family sitcom.  It’s got the slightly outlandish story lines, the humour, and the set-ups often found in those old TV shows.  It was like a modern and sexy romp down memory lane.  That might not have been what Ashling was going for, but it’s what I took from it.

The plots are not entirely believable and the reactions are over the top.  But that’s part of the fun.  If this was a realistic book, it would’ve fallen flat, I think.  The sex wasn’t all that erotic, but, like everything else in this book, it was just plain fun.  I chuckled while reading this book, and very few books can manage to make me do that.

Book Review: Another Way

Another Way

Anna Martin

On the surface, Jesse Ross is an average guy in an average relationship with his college sweetheart, Adele. But what his girlfriend doesn’t know is that he’s having an affair-with a man-and exploring his sexuality in ways she never could imagine. His compartmentalized life suits Jesse just fine, and he has no intention of coming out of the closet either as a bisexual or as a submissive.

However, Jesse takes a tumble when his Master, Will, admits to wanting more, wanting Jesse as his partner, not just his submissive. Suddenly Jesse’s conveniently pieced-together life isn’t quite so comfortable. In the end, Jesse has to lay it all on the line-for his girlfriend, for his lover, and for himself.

I don’t often read BDSM books.  One thing that’s kind of kept me at a distance is that it always seemed (from book blurbs) that the sub went through some traumatic experience and can only relieve the pain through BDSM.  While this is certainly a powerful and compelling storyline, it’s never quite grabbed me.

Then came Another Way.  In this book, Jesse is a sub because… well… he just loves being a sub.  Jesse’s into BDSM cuz he just loves it.

The sex was hot though out the book, escalating nicely (since in erotic romance books, the sex/intimacy has to escalate throughout the book), and the cast of supporting characters were nicely realized.  Another Way was a joy to read; it was a lot of fun.

The only glitch, I felt, in the story was the explanation of one of the scientific theories behind homosexuality, as well as the extended scene of Jesse being responsible and getting tested for STDs.  The scientific talk, I felt, was out of place and took me out of the story.  Martin doesn’t dwell on it, though, and the story quickly moves on.  As for the STD testing… writing in this genre and the related erotica genre myself, I recognize the importance of safe sex and the often romantic implications of getting tested (that you want to be responsible and respectful to your partner, so that you can give yourself fully to him), I felt it was a little drawn out.  Including the scene can and does work, but it could have been shortened.

These minor glitches, though, did not detract from the story at all.  Another Way was a great read.

Book Review: Search Me

Search Me

L.A. Witt

In the beginning, Detective Andrew Carmichael and paramedic Nick Swain barely escaped Nick’s delusional stalker with their lives. Now, months later, the physical scars haven’t quite healed, and neither have the emotional ones.

Lingering guilt and resentment threaten to tear their relationship apart, but Andrew isn’t ready to give up. He’s nearly lost Nick once, and he’s not giving him up this time without a fight.

In a last ditch effort to keep them together, Andrew suggests a weekend away, but is that enough time to find a reason to keep their relationship alive?

Or is it time to let Nick walk away?

* I read this book a couple months ago and am just getting to the review now… so my my memory is a little hazy on the details… *

I abso-freaking-lutely loved this book.

Loved it.

This is the third in the Cover Me series, of which I’ve read the second book, but not the third.  Search Me is written such that no knowledge of previous books is required.

Witt writes a beautiful novel that explores a deteriorating relationship.  Much of the book is just Nick and Andrew talking.  Nothing more.  There’s the occasional sex scene, but that’s just the icing on the cake.  This entire book sizzles with tension, both sexual and non.  This book had me gripped, immediately making me care about characters I barely remembered from the previous book.  They were fully realized and their relationship felt true and natural.

The resolution of the plot was not obvious — I had no idea if the couple would split or if they’d find a way to stay together.  (Although, this is a romance, so I kept looking for signs they might make it work.)  I won’t reveal if they stay together or not — you have to read it to find out.  I was on the edge of my chair until pretty much the last page.

Book Review: The Collection

The Collection: Short Fiction from the Transgender Vanguard

Edited by Tom Leger and Riley MacLeod

A dynamic composite of rising stars, The Collection represents the depth and range of tomorrow’s finest writers chronicling transgender narratives. 28 authors from North America converge in a single volume to showcase the future of trans literature and the next great movements in queer art. I met a girl named Bat who met Jeffrey Palmer / Imogen Binnie — Saving / Carter Sickels — To the new world / Ryka Aoki — The cafe / R. Drew — Black Holes / RJ Edwards — Other women / Casey Plett — Greenhorn / K. Tait Jarboe — Tammy Faye / A. Raymond Johnson — The queer experiment / Donna Ostrowsky — Tomboy of the western world / Terence Diamond — A Roman incident / Red Durkin — An exquisite vulnerability / Cyd Nova — Masks of a superhero / Mikki Whitworth — Stones stand still / Madison Lynn McEvilly — Two girls / Alice Doyle — Runaways / Calvin Gimpelvich — To do list for morning / Stephen Ira — Winning the tiger / Katherine Scott Nelson — A short history of my genders / MJ Kaufman — Ramona’s demons / Susan Jane Bigelow — Dean & Teddy / Elliot DeLine — Malediction and pee play / Sherilyn Connelly — War with waking up / Noel Arthur Heimpel — Cursed / Everett Maroon — Birthrights / M. Robin Cook — Ride home under a thuderstorm / Oliver Pickle — Entries / Riley Calais Harris — Power out / Adam Halwitz

* I read this book a couple months ago and am just getting to the review now… so my memory is a bit hazy and the details are light… *

The Collection represents my first foray into reading transgender fiction, and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely.

The authors represented in this book are diverse in their styles and storytelling and, presumably, in their identities and experiences.  A common theme that runs through many of these stories, understandably, is that of identity.  What is it that defines our identity?  Who gets to decide our identity?  And how does identity impact our choices and how we live our lives?

While many of the stories had similar themes, they explored these themes differently, giving the reader a more nuanced understanding of the theme and what the writers are trying to say.

Given the lack of transgender representation in media, I hope that The Collection represents an emergence of the prominence of transgender literature.  These tales should not be relegated to the sidelines and read only by transgender people, rather, The Collection should be read by people of all identities and orientations as a glimpse into the lives of other people and a spark of understanding of the lives of other people.  The Collection was a fascinating read.

Book Review: Star Trek: Voyager: Protectors

Star Trek: Voyager: Protectors

Kirsten Beyer

Following the destruction of four fleet vessels at the hands of the Omega Continuum, the U.S.S. Voyagerand U.S.S. Demeter set course for a region of the Delta Quadrant far beyond any­thing previously explored. Captain Chakotay is determined to prove to Starfleet Command that the fleet’s ongoing mission is vital to Federation interests . . . and the key to doing so may lie in a distress call Voyagerreceived nine years earlier but could not investigate.

Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway is recalled to the Alpha Quadrant for an evaluation period to determine her next assignment. Given the trauma she has recently endured, Admiral Akaar, Starfleet’s commander in chief, is questioning Janeway’s fitness to command the fleet. Janeway’s primary concern remains the fleet’s safety— for their mission to continue, she must find a way to secure the resources they require. But the uncertainty of her superior officers has left her powerless to act in their best interests.

* I read this book a few months ago and am just getting to the review now — so my memory may be a little hazy… and I may be a little light on specific details… *

I found Protectors to be a fantastic follow-up to the previous volume, The Eternal Tide.  Whereas Tide was, I felt, a bumpy entry in the series, Protectors brings Voyager back to its strengths and excellence.  Beyer does a great job of continuing with the characters where we last left off with them, both emotionally/development-wise, and plot-wise.

By killing off so many characters in the previous book, that narrows the scope of Voyager books considerably, such that it is much more focussed and forward-moving.  Voyager’s strength has always been exploring the total unknown without any Starfleet backup — and while they now have Starfleet backup due to the invention of the slipstream drive, Voyager has returned to exploring the furthest reaches of the unknown.  But where the TV series faltered due to having very few returning alien races and characters (since Voyager was always flying in one direction to return home), Protectors returns us to a number of alien characters and races and does interesting things with them.  And the final couple chapters seem to indicate that the Voyager line will be opening up in a very interesting and completely new direction.

I eagerly await Acts of Contrition later this year to follow-up on the Voyager crew and see where there adventures take them.

Abandoned Book: Les Miserables

Les Miserables

Victor Hugo

Introducing one of the most famous characters in literature, Jean Valjean—the noble peasant imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread—Les Misérables ranks among the greatest novels of all time. In it, Victor Hugo takes readers deep into the Parisian underworld, immerses them in a battle between good and evil, and carries them to the barricades during the uprising of 1832 with a breathtaking realism that is unsurpassed in modern prose. Within his dramatic story are themes that capture the intellect and the emotions: crime and punishment, the relentless persecution of Valjean by Inspector Javert, the desperation of the prostitute Fantine, the amorality of the rogue Thénardier, and the universal desire to escape the prisons of our own minds. Les Misérables gave Victor Hugo a canvas upon which he portrayed his criticism of the French political and judicial systems, but the portrait that resulted is larger than life, epic in scope—an extravagant spectacle that dazzles the senses even as it touches the heart.

I got about a third of the way through this book.  I just couldn’t finish it.

I truly enjoy Victor Hugo’s writing… when he’s writing about characters doing their thing.  Hugo has a habit of starting about ten steps too early.  For example, early on in the movie, Jean Valjean is staying with a bishop and decides to steal the silver flatware and run off in the night.  The bishop awakes and, rather than stop Valjean, he gives Valjean the silver candlesticks, as they would go better for getting Valjean some money.  It’s an interesting scene in the movie.  In the book, Hugo spends chapters and chapters explaining and exploring the bishop’s backstory, to reveal why he would give the candlesticks to Valjean.  It really is fascinating and added to the scene, but it was a bit lengthy… and then to do that with every character is a bit much…

I had to give up and put it down.

I will return to it one day.

:)

Book Review: Catch My Breath

Catch My Breath

M.J. O’Shea

Danny Bright was born to entertain. He just needs his big break. So when he hears that Blue Horizon Records is holding auditions looking for the next big thing, Danny jumps at the chance. It doesn’t turn out exactly as he imagined, though. Instead of getting solo contracts, Danny and four other guys are put into a boy band.

Innocent, idealistic Elliot Price thinks he’s headed for college. An impulsive decision to sing in the local talent search changes all that. A bigwig producer happens to see him, hands him a business card, and turns Elliot’s life upside down.

Elliot and Danny are close from the beginning. They love all the guys, but it’s different with each other. Soon their friendship turns into feelings more intense than either of them can ignore. The other three boys only want Danny and Elliot to be happy, but when their management team and record label discover two of their biggest tween heartthrobs are in a relationship, they’re less than pleased. Danny and Elliot find themselves in the middle of a circle of lies and cover-ups, all with one bottom line-money. They have to stay strong and stick together if they don’t want to lose themselves… and each other.

* I read this book a couple months ago and am just getting to the review now — my memory may be a bit hazy… *

I have to admit I had difficult with this book from the first few pages.  I was okay with the set-up, with Danny’s singing audition, which seemed very reminiscent of American Idol (though the audition wasn’t filmed I think), right down to one judge being very Simon Cowel-like.  But the onslaught of characters made this a complicated read.  O’Shea does the right thing by only using Danny and Elliot as the only POV characters.  The very large cast of secondary characters, though, were extremely hard to keep track of.  I vaguely knew who was who, just enough to keep reading.  However, in that confusion, I completely lost track of who was Danny and who was Elliot and couldn’t keep it straight until the last little bit of the book.

As I was reading it, something was nagging in the back of my head.  This was reminiscent of something, but I couldn’t figure out what.  Eventually, I clued in that this sounded like what little I knew of One Direction.  I texted a friend that’s a huge 1D fan and asked him a couple questions about the band.  Within a matter of a minute, I’d confirmed that Catch My Breath is essentially 1D fan-fiction, altered enough to be unrelated.  But if a total non-fan who’s never heard a 1D song in his life can figure it out, a 1D fan would catch on almost instantly.

I found it a bit of a tough read, mostly due to the large cast, but I found I kept reading.  O’Shea, I felt, did a good job of portraying the pressures the boys are under in having to maintain an image while in the spotlight.  It put a strain on Danny and Elliot’s relationship and I enjoyed seeing them get through it.

The last couple chapters, though, were fantastic.  When I got to them, I was glad I had stuck with the book.

O’Shea does some interesting things that I enjoyed — particularly, including Twitter conversations throughout the book.  Since being in a band nowadays includes the craziness on social media, it was an effective addition to the narrative.  As well, I think each chapter was titled with a song title, which would be an easter egg for music fans reading the book.

It was an enjoyable, though sometimes frustrating, book.  I definitely wasn’t the target audience, though.  1D fans would freaking love this one, I think.