Chit Chat Board Showing 251-300 of 1,758

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Kirsten wrote: "Weirdly I read a lot faster on the kindle. I'd never really thought about it before. But hmmm, food for thought!

In exciting news today, Stuff posted a great article about my book, which was lovel..."

Wow that's really exciting!

[Kirsten]

Thanks!
I'm still wondering about why I read faster on my kindle than a real book! Is it because page turns are easier???

[[deleted user]]

Kirsten wrote: "Thanks!
I'm still wondering about why I read faster on my kindle than a real book! Is it because page turns are easier???"

My Theory was that it was because there are less words per page. However, S.K made a good point and said it was probably easier for us to focus on paperback as opposed to kindles.

[Lesley]

Bravo Kirsten! Well done. Can't get better publicity than that.

[Kirsten]

Thanks Ella's Gran! :)

[P.D.R.]

I've not yet finished reading an ebook. I have terrible problems getting the touch/tap business. I take up to 33 or more taps to turn a page. Drives me mad.

My WWOOFers gave me a stylus which is a little more successful but I am a fast reader and having to wait until the tap/swipe makes the bloomin' page turn has me screaming.

I am bad with techy things anyway and have a hard time downloading, then finding the ebook! I have to remember if it's Amazon Cloud or Kindle or Kobo and they all use different programmes and I can never find them. I have given up frustrating myself as my bad neighbour does that and I don't need more agro.

[P.D.R.]

Carol, exactly! This doing something Silent But Meaningful when it aint! Dull boring and awful. I loved some of the shorts coming up and wish writers were getting there too. look at this: http://flash-frontier.com/ A few flash are readable the rest are arty farty literahrary. When is a story not a story?

And yes, if you read the Richardson diaries or many of the collections of personal, i.e. family letters, our pioneers had fun. The women revelled in the freedoms they had which they could not have at home. Many loved the fruit and veg and climate. Yes, they were homesick and missed their families but they knew their children had a better life.

I've been tutoring/mentoring writers for years. Unless I know the writer or am face to face I won't do crits. There isn't one writer in the world who doesn't hate their work being worked over and discussed. Some writers can hide this and get value from decent crits but some writers can pack terrible paddies! I wouldn't do crits here on this board at GR.
I do reviews but even then I don't often give star ratings because personal opinions ought not to count against an author in the same way a review from a literary critic would count.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

P.D.R. wrote: "Carol, exactly! This doing something Silent But Meaningful when it aint! Dull boring and awful. I loved some of the shorts coming up and wish writers were getting there too. look at this"

I had a quick skim of your link pdr & I liked one (the dead husband) but a couple of the others reminded me of my own creative writing at school.

A bil runs the short film festival down here - usually end of September. If I go (I'm away part of Sept) I'll post a review here.

Often I have thought the best acting/film writing see on NZ TV is the drunk driving/anti smoking. While that is sad, it does show what we are capable of.

I use the stars but they are for me to help remind me of how I felt about a book. I would have loved half stars here, but there are a lot more important things for GR staff to work on - & even if they did implement them then some readers would ask for quarter stars, 10ths of stars or minus stars!

I've only done one review (back in my early GR days) where I hoped the writer would see it. I meant well, as I liked the book but it was very derivative.

[P.D.R.]

Problem with our star system here, Carol, is that Amazon tack it onto the author's rating. This means that a personal dislike and one star can seriously affect the ability of a novelist to get hir book into the email newsletters from book sites.

Most of these book sites want so many (5 upwards) 5 star reviews, an overall rating of 4 +, and with Amazon publishing 3 million books a year an author needs all the help s/he can get from reviews.

The Goodreads star system has also been used by the trolls and nasties to deliberately ruin authors ratings and load them with one stars.

And yes, I sometimes think the local ads are better than the programmes!

Why can't we Kiwis just tell stories? We're good at that. I had students enter the flash fiction comp that website runs. Didn't get anywhere yet they were good stories. The winner will of course be 'deeply meaningful' and polysyllabic and stretch the metaphors and similies to point ludicrous!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

P.D.R. wrote: "Problem with our star system here, Carol, is that Amazon tack it onto the author's rating. This means that a personal dislike and one star can seriously affect the ability of a novelist to get hir ..."

Yes that's true but some authors have also gamed the system.

Also this place can have some weird glitches. A friend expressed surprise that I had apparently read an m/m romance. I checked through my reads - & there it was - with a 2 star rating. I could accept (maybe) that I had accidentally pressed read, but not that I had accidentally pressed 2 stars as well. I did a screenshot & sent an email off to support but never heard back.

[[deleted user]]

Coffee break and chance to respond.

Kirsten I'm half way through ' 15 Postcards ' and hope to finish on the plane. So glad you're getting PR, I think that's half the battle ( if not more).

Pdr and Carol ( love your discussions on NZ literature).
When I don't enjoy a book or movie I usually think that perhaps I've missed the point somewhere. In other words I tend to critique myself. I guess the more I read NZ authors the more authoritative I'll become on the matter. Always so impressed that someone has the creative juice and fortitude to write a novel and see it to the end.

Packing for July in NZ:

- lots of small goodies from local bazaar
- recharging cords for iPhone, laptop, kindle, camera etc etc
- boots, cosy corduroys, possum/ merino Jersey PLUS SOCKS

Never take a jacket/ wind breaker as every Kiwi home has ample supply. Never take more than one pair of shoes as I know I can buy,buy buy at Kumfs outlet and they have size 42s.

[P.D.R.]

Wooly hat and gloves needed too, S.K. and make sure that jacket you borrow is double thickness wool and fleece or borrow a real sheepskin. We've had a terrible winter so far.

Are Turkish feet tiny? I could never buy shoes or nice women's clothes in Japan because I was a stegasaurus compared to them. A grossly large outsize was a size 14!

[P.D.R.]

Weird Carol. And you never found out what happened?
I did manage to have most of the one star, hate you reviews removed because I could prove that the people had not read the book. But those where people just do a star rating I have not been able to clear although I know - from sales figures - that these bods have not bought or read my books.

And shame on anyone calling themselves an author and cheating with sock puppet reviews, paid for reviews or any similar dirty trick.

We writers need happy readers who can trust our reviews.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

P.D.R. wrote: "Weird Carol. And you never found out what happened?
I did manage to have most of the one star, hate you reviews removed because I could prove that the people had not read the book. But those where ..."

No, but I told them in the email I was going to clear my cache & that's probably what they would tell me to do anyway. & I deleted the book at the end of the day.

I read in one of the groups about it happening to other people too. & always 2* rating.

& yes SK it has been cold. Got down to 2 degrees here - & I'm in the Coromandel!

[Kirsten]

"Sock Puppet" - this is the second time I've heard this term - both today. Can someone explain it more to me?

Thanks S.K. I hope you're enjoying it!

Carol - I'm heading down to Pauanui tomorrow for the official opening of the new Community Centre & Library. They've asked me to be there as a 'local author' (we've been holidaying there since I was 11, so I'm almost a local!). I still don't have any books here, but I've put together some vintage postcards to hard out with all the book details on them. So fingers crossed it generates some interest. I'm not sure if they want me to do a reading, but I've been instructed to be there at 10am!

[[deleted user]]

All this discussion of cold weather makes me want to go migrate over to NZ for the summer [our summer]. It is unseasonably hot this year so far and I do not love it.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Kirsten wrote: ""Sock Puppet" - this is the second time I've heard this term - both today. Can someone explain it more to me?

Thanks S.K. I hope you're enjoying it!

Carol - I'm heading down to Pauanui tomorrow f..."

Sock puppet (or Sock) a fake second (or more!) ID Around here, they would usually be used for fake positive or negative reviews, but I've been on message boards for years & what's really weird is when the original ID & their sock have conversations with each other! :D

That's great about the chance to speak! I wish I could come over but we are ripping up carpet as the carpet layer here on Monday.

I will mention Thames has a very fine independent book store still - Carsons. & (as a tip for pdr too) Thames Library & Mercury Bay are both open to carrying independent authors as long as the books don't look self published.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Melissa wrote: "All this discussion of cold weather makes me want to go migrate over to NZ for the summer [our summer]. It is unseasonably hot this year so far and I do not love it."

I'm a spring & autumn gal myself. I'm in the humid part of the country & I wilt in the summer!

[Kirsten]

Awesome, thanks for that tip!

I've just read this article online, about which sites deliver more book sales. It has some interesting stats in it at least, and sites I'd never even heard of.

http://nicholasrossis.me/2015/06/12/c...

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I've got a Bookbub account, but I keep forgetting to change it to a kindle. (I was Kobo & I loved it nearly as much as EG ;) )It was very good for free books, but I notice most are pay ones now.

I heard of Fussy Librarian yesterday for the first time funnily enough. I think it was on a writer's blog saying it was easier to get listed there rather than Book Bub.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

& someone on my friends list just liked that I added a book called Werewolves to my to read list - but I hadn't.

I've always assumed I did this accidentally but can't see how a book this different from my tastes in recommendations & I don't think any of my friends read this genre either.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Kathleen wrote: I thought of this because of your comments about somebody/ies fiddling around on your own Goodreads account. Not nice when an other is using your identity.

I've always thought of it as another bug here, but yes I guess it's possible its someone being malicious. & 2 * would be less noticeable than 1*.

I'm going to clear my cache again later today.

We have been pulling up carpet & moving furniture. My husband has now arranged for the 2 spare bedrooms to be carpeted at a later date as his back is sore.

I'm meant to be going to a trivia night tonight but I'm not sure I'm going to make it. My husband had already pulled out as his beloved Hurricanes are playing. You want to know how many times I have pulled out of something to watch something on TV? That would be 0. But he's too sore to go anywhere now. :(

[Kirsten]

***Carol*** wrote: "Kathleen wrote: I thought of this because of your comments about somebody/ies fiddling around on your own Goodreads account. Not nice when an other is using your identity.

I've always thought of ..."

Better for him to rest his back. But what a stunning day it has been in Pauanui today! Presold lots of copies of 'Fifteen Postcards', met Scott Simpson, and had a lovely time with all the ladies at the library! I'm back down here next weekend for the school holidays, so fingers crossed it's as glorious then as it has been today!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I'm not a National supporter but Scott is a nice guy - runs a good office.

Those are good sales - did the library buy a copy? Not that it makes a difference for me _ Pauanui is the library in our area that won't do interloans.

Yes 2 of our rooms had very old carpet down & that was such a battle!

[Kirsten]

That's odd that they won't do interloans :(

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I've always assumed it was a very small library, open on a very part time basis. Whangamata won't interloan new books. I can't visualise either of them to be honest.

[Erica]

Oooh just received my programme in the post today for the New Zealand International Film Festival. I've already picked about 7 that I want to go and see, a mix of quirky films, a classic, some docos and a collection of short films. It's never cheap but it's always a fun time of year!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Erica wrote: "Oooh just received my programme in the post today for the New Zealand International Film Festival. I've already picked about 7 that I want to go and see, a mix of quirky films, a classic, some doco..."

Oooh Erica if I get to the short film festival in my town we can both do reviews! :)

Are any of the short ones you picked out NZ ones?

[Erica]

It's a film length worth of the best NZ short films for 2015 if that makes sense. There are six short films:

Tits on a bull
Not like her
Ow What!
The Tide keeper
Feeder
Madam black

Not sure if any sound familiar to you.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

No, not at all! A bil runs the film night here. I'll ask him if he is getting any of those titles. He usually has a mix of old & new.

[Darkpool]

Picked up a copy of the NZIFF program at the Rialto last night... the one I am most tempted by is "Kiss Me Kate" in glorious 3D. I remember seeing it on TV back in the '80s (when they used to play old movies on Sunday afternoons) and being totally entranced.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I've had another book turn up Deities of a Dinosaur World. I gave it 4* but I've never seen it before. I've taken a screen shot & sent it to support. I'll clear my cache before going to bed.

Went to the Trivia Night & our team came 3rd=. A good night!

[Kirsten]

All this talk of Deities of a Dinosaur World actually made me go and look it up! And after reading the crazy synopsis, I may have added it to be TBR pile! It doesn't mean that I've purchased it on my Kindle. But I will consider that! Sometimes weird works in mysterious ways!!!

[[deleted user]]

Happy Weekend everyone :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Oh boy the whole story about that is so weird. Adam (the author) had posted on Feedback about something strange with his ratings, so being the nosey person I am I went & had a look. After posting here I twigged that that was one of his books. Emily from GR is going to get someone to take a look at it on Monday (US time) so I'm leaving it up in case that's helpful.

[[deleted user]]

Made it as far as Sydney. Yahoo, travelled first class Etihad which is an absolute pleasure. Middle of night awoke in a panic, thought I'd lost my passport. Found this morning in messy handbag. Great relief. Getting to the age whereby I need to tie important things to my body - passports, glasses, boarding passes, husband ...

Now to get reading and get over jet lag...

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

S.K.Fischer wrote: "Made it as far as Sydney. Yahoo, travelled first class Etihad which is an absolute pleasure. Middle of night awoke in a panic, thought I'd lost my passport. Found this morning in messy handbag. Gre..."

Hahahaha! How long are you in Sydney?

@ Kristen you are now showing as following Adam & giving Deities of the Dinosaur World a 4* rating!

Here is his thread in Feedback https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[[deleted user]]

Kathleen wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Happy Weekend everyone :)"

The weekend has been and gone here, Melissa! I'm getting ready to head bedwards and hopefully get a decent night's sleep before Monday starts up."

I forget about the massive time difference. However, I hope you have a great start to the week :) (and end of the week for that matter).

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Well hopefully my & Kirsten's 4* balance out Adam's mystery 3 x 1*. :D

[Kirsten]

***Carol*** wrote: "S.K.Fischer wrote: "Made it as far as Sydney. Yahoo, travelled first class Etihad which is an absolute pleasure. Middle of night awoke in a panic, thought I'd lost my passport. Found this morning i..."

How could I have given him anything??? I only just added it to my TBR list!!! Following your link now to see what's going on.

[[deleted user]]

I NEVER forget about time differences Mel! Really does my head in considering the company is in Toronto, family in NZ and Oz, publishers in UK and California and me in Turkey. I think on BLK I seem like an early bird when I'm really an owl.

One week in renovated house at Bondi - dust for Africa- then off to Wellington - daughter at Te Papa- Levin;for ageing inlaws, down to Wanaka and grandchildren then hopefully a drive over to North Otago to see family and pdr. All depends on NZ WEATHER.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

& the link isn't working properly, but the thread is still there.

GR so buggy at the moment it could be The Surrey With The Fringe on top! :D

I'm sure Emily will get it sorted on Monday. :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

& our carpet down & curtains up. Looks so nice - in fact don't really want to put all the furniture back. My husband's back still sore.

Missed out on Hurricane's tickets but will try next Wednesday. Not that I'm going. I have a nice restaurant I want to try.

[Kirsten]

I'd join you at the restaurant. Outdoor winter sports is not my thing!

[Ace]

S.K.Fischer wrote: "One week in renovated house at Bondi - dust for Africa- then off to Wellington - daughter at Te Papa- Levin;for ageing inlaws, down to Wanaka and grandchildren then hopefully a drive over to North Otago to see family and pdr. All depends on NZ WEATHER.."

You must be chillin out on Bondi about now.. I envy you as I miss Australia a fair bit these days...

Have a great trip.

[[deleted user]]

Unfortunately picked up one of those travel tummy bugs. Groan!

[Ace]

S.K.Fischer wrote: "Unfortunately picked up one of those travel tummy bugs. Groan!"

Oh no. What a bugger of a thing to happen. I don't envy you anymore LOL

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Kirsten wrote: "I'd join you at the restaurant. Outdoor winter sports is not my thing!"

& Kathleen. I'm rugbied out! I like tennis, badminton, Winter Olympics.

The tickets are now being released 2 at a time apparently as bots got just about the lot last time.

@ SK get well soon.

[Kirsten]

S.K.Fischer wrote: "Unfortunately picked up one of those travel tummy bugs. Groan!"

Oh no! The last thing you want on holiday!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I'm stuck in front of the computer trying to get on Ticketek as I'm the one registered with them.

Makes me think of the episode of the Big Bang Theory where Leonard & his friends are in front of their laptops, chanting "refresh, refresh" like zombies. Although Ticketek says not to refresh.

But since I can't move Marty has brought me a coffee & is doing the laundry! :)