Showing posts with label Editing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Editing. Show all posts
Sunday, April 4, 2010
The Difficulty in Switching Gears and Permitted Revelations
Meaning - the last two or three projects I worked on over the past five years have been in first person. Before I started the BSW revision, I waffled between first and third person and finally decided the novel would be stronger in third. And then I discovered how much out of practice I've fallen.
I really felt rusty and stiff... and it really caught me by surprise. I write a very close third person, so there isn't a HUGE difference between 1st and 3rd - or there shouldn't be. But still I found myself wanting to SCREAM as every paragraph started with the protagonist's name and I struggled to fix the narration so it wasn't so painfully choppy.
It didn't help matters that all of the books I've been reading lately are all in first person.
Only plain old stubborness kept me from switching over to first person - and I'm glad I stuck with it. The writing is finally smoothing out - this four or five months after I started the revisions. *looks sour at the waste of time*
REVELATIONS -
This concerns a short story I wrote two weeks ago. This would be a scifi type short that I REALLY LIKED and wanted to place somewhere. We'll just call it TNMO5A3
I put it up for crit twice, each time pulling it back as I made changes.
Today I saved a copy on my computer and permanently pulled the story from the critting queue. Why?
Because I realized that what I had was not a story. It was the synopsis of one.
I told the reader what happened in as little words as possible (just the facts ma'am). At first this seemed sufficient, until I went browsing a couple magazines and read some other stories which are out there. Dude. TNMO5A3 wasn't anywhere near being finished. I have to sit down and write the story for real, using that 'story' as a glorifed outline - which is what it really was.
Other news -
I wrote 11,000 over the Easter holiday. On Good Friday I stayed up until 4AM writing. The novel has taken an edgier feel than I originally planned. It's a little bit freaky. I kinda told myself to forget about the intended audience right now (even the agents who are the first intended audience). It's important to finish the novel and see it through all of the twists and turns it wants to take.
I'm currently reading -
Marked by PC Cast
*looks embarrassed* Yes, I know everyone else has read these books already. But I haven't <- Because I wasn't sure if I'd like them and I haven't had an opportunity to borrow them until now.
So far I whizzed through five chapters. Fast and interesting reading. The blood lust thing is a turnoff (because I don't really like the smell of blood, etc). I do like the spin on vampirism being sort of like a disease or condition that randomly pops up and scientists are trying to figure out why so they can stop it.
Zoey's stepfather creeps me out, and I'm getting cultist mental images about him. I'm guessing that was the author's intention. It was a barb aimed at FLDS maybe?
Random thought -
If you want to write something that is DIFFERENT from what everyone else is writing. You have to first read widely and so forth, so you know what everyone is writing.
ETA 4/5/10
(currently waiting another day for a brand new adaptor to arrive for my big laptop. Until then I'm stuck with the mini, which just isn't the same. *looks sad* The screen and keyboard feel so cramped in comparision)
Just sharing a paragraph from "Marked" which absolutely cracks me up -
I'm thinking about buying this book when I'm done for that paragraph alone. The mental images!
This line too:
*IS READING BOOK WITH WIDE SMILE ON FACE*
All right... the smile drooped into a disapproving wrinkle when I saw the guy's name. Erik NIGHT? Really?
Judging by her inability to think around this guy... were I in her position I'd go all Edward, stew furiously, and then pay a visit to the admins to beg for a switch. Because being in a class with him reciting and speaking the lines DIRECTLY TO ME would be just too intolerable! :)
Hmph. I sense the authors trying to make excuses for naming the main vamp-guy character something so horribly cliche.
(side note, I'm wondering if I should be alarmed at the explosive sounds my washer is making. It sounds like a train. And I'm not the only one raising my head and twitching. Neurotic dog is edging closer to his hiding spot in closet)
12:30 AM - Finished reading "Marked". Definitely do want to read the next one now. Great read. :)
Read more >>
I really felt rusty and stiff... and it really caught me by surprise. I write a very close third person, so there isn't a HUGE difference between 1st and 3rd - or there shouldn't be. But still I found myself wanting to SCREAM as every paragraph started with the protagonist's name and I struggled to fix the narration so it wasn't so painfully choppy.
It didn't help matters that all of the books I've been reading lately are all in first person.
Only plain old stubborness kept me from switching over to first person - and I'm glad I stuck with it. The writing is finally smoothing out - this four or five months after I started the revisions. *looks sour at the waste of time*
REVELATIONS -
This concerns a short story I wrote two weeks ago. This would be a scifi type short that I REALLY LIKED and wanted to place somewhere. We'll just call it TNMO5A3
I put it up for crit twice, each time pulling it back as I made changes.
Today I saved a copy on my computer and permanently pulled the story from the critting queue. Why?
Because I realized that what I had was not a story. It was the synopsis of one.
I told the reader what happened in as little words as possible (just the facts ma'am). At first this seemed sufficient, until I went browsing a couple magazines and read some other stories which are out there. Dude. TNMO5A3 wasn't anywhere near being finished. I have to sit down and write the story for real, using that 'story' as a glorifed outline - which is what it really was.
Other news -
I wrote 11,000 over the Easter holiday. On Good Friday I stayed up until 4AM writing. The novel has taken an edgier feel than I originally planned. It's a little bit freaky. I kinda told myself to forget about the intended audience right now (even the agents who are the first intended audience). It's important to finish the novel and see it through all of the twists and turns it wants to take.
I'm currently reading -
Marked by PC Cast
*looks embarrassed* Yes, I know everyone else has read these books already. But I haven't <- Because I wasn't sure if I'd like them and I haven't had an opportunity to borrow them until now.
So far I whizzed through five chapters. Fast and interesting reading. The blood lust thing is a turnoff (because I don't really like the smell of blood, etc). I do like the spin on vampirism being sort of like a disease or condition that randomly pops up and scientists are trying to figure out why so they can stop it.
Zoey's stepfather creeps me out, and I'm getting cultist mental images about him. I'm guessing that was the author's intention. It was a barb aimed at FLDS maybe?
Random thought -
If you want to write something that is DIFFERENT from what everyone else is writing. You have to first read widely and so forth, so you know what everyone is writing.
ETA 4/5/10
(currently waiting another day for a brand new adaptor to arrive for my big laptop. Until then I'm stuck with the mini, which just isn't the same. *looks sad* The screen and keyboard feel so cramped in comparision)
Just sharing a paragraph from "Marked" which absolutely cracks me up -
Stevie Ray grinned and blushed. "I want to be a country music star. I mean, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, and Shania Twain are all vamps - and that's just three of them. Heck, Garth Brooks grew up right here in Oklahoma and you know he's the biggest vamp of them all. So I don't see why I can't be one too."
I'm thinking about buying this book when I'm done for that paragraph alone. The mental images!
This line too:
Well I guess being the next Nicole Kidman wouldn't be bad (not that I plan on marrying and then divorcing a manic short guy).
*IS READING BOOK WITH WIDE SMILE ON FACE*
All right... the smile drooped into a disapproving wrinkle when I saw the guy's name. Erik NIGHT? Really?
Judging by her inability to think around this guy... were I in her position I'd go all Edward, stew furiously, and then pay a visit to the admins to beg for a switch. Because being in a class with him reciting and speaking the lines DIRECTLY TO ME would be just too intolerable! :)
"Uh, by the way, I like what you changed your name to. Night is a cool last name," I said, trying to hold up my end of the conversation and say something insightful."
Hmph. I sense the authors trying to make excuses for naming the main vamp-guy character something so horribly cliche.
(side note, I'm wondering if I should be alarmed at the explosive sounds my washer is making. It sounds like a train. And I'm not the only one raising my head and twitching. Neurotic dog is edging closer to his hiding spot in closet)
12:30 AM - Finished reading "Marked". Definitely do want to read the next one now. Great read. :)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Encouragement and Confusion
The above picture (martial arts fun in Gaza) could be taken a couple different ways:
1) The next time you go to Kickboxing class and feel vindictive towards your teacher, because he's making you do those horrible squat/kick combos which leave your legs feeling like brutalized flubber, go look at the above picture and put a relieved smile on your face. Your evil teacher could always go the total demonic route and have you lay on a board with your head pressed into what looks like a pile of octopus* while your classmates dance around on your back.
2. The next time you sit down to read through your novel and edit it into shape, even though you are starting to hate reading the same thing over and over and thinking that getting published isn't worth stretching your poor helpless brain out of joint in trying to read your work as a stranger would, despite the fact you have been mulling over the same chapter for the last month at least trying to figure out why the scene doesn't zing like it should - take some relief. Somewhere out there somebody is being forced to lay flat on a board thing with his face squashed in a pile of octopus* while his classmates (or enemies?) dance on his back. Editing is easy compared to that, surely.
The CONFUSION part of my post today has to do with sorting out my emotions upon reading the summary of Meg Cabot's new book coming out next July. She describes it as the 'sequel to Dracula'. The main character, Meena, is a writer who is being forced to write about vampires even though she's sick of them. She meets a vampy guy with a Romanian last name who is like a real life prince. Of course she falls in love with him and then discovers that he's technically dead. Oh, and she also can see the future of everybody she meets, but doesn't know anything about her own future, which leaves her wondering if she has no future.
Two alarms went off in my head -
1 - When I saw sequel to Dracula. I hate Dracula.
2 - When I saw the seeing the future of everyone she meets, etc. Because that's a cliche thingy. I've really seen it a lot in the books I've read.
*exhales*
But it is Meg Cabot!
She's one of my favorites, and I usually enjoy whatever she writes.....
But is's so cliche... and... and... Draculaisbleh.
Maybe it's going to be one I borrow from the library.... This is "Insatiable". See the Meg Cabot link on the right.
............. <- Yes, I've been abusing these things again. You should see my NANO project. Gleeps. I blame the fourth finger on my right hand getting carried away.
Repeats:
LoOk B4 U LP - whether it is on forums or twitter or blogs, there will always be people who go all ranty about things to the point they are abusive and meanspirited. Protect yourself and don't try to reason with them. You can always ignore them until they get over themselves. :)
*Upon second look at the picture, the octopus looks more like somebody's dirty laundry all bunched up. Which may well be a lot worse than being face-rubbed into seafood. Dirty laundry could be a weapon of mass destruction from some people....
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Never Surrender / Never Complain
Yes, I know I'm doing multiple entries on Tuesday and technically an early Wednesday post, but this is what happens while I'm staring at the chapter titles that I plopped in to remind myself where I'm going next with the WIP. Unfortunately, thanks to my brief encounter with a bug (semi-vanquished thanks to the excellance of Excedrin and sleep) I stopped on an odd spot and have no idea where I intended to go with the following title:
CH3 He wasn’t sparkly, but was close enough
To me, this says that I'm not going to be ripping off something by introducing characters who sparkle in the sunlight, hence the reason why they are terrified of going to the beach with classmates. But I knew that anyway. I'd chop my fingers off before consciously ripping off anything, least of all that well-known series that need not be named.
This means I must sit back and read through the first two chapters again to pick up where I left off.
Which leaves me debating about whether I want to read my own work or Blue Moon (which I'm still trying to stir up the I-care-enough-about-annoying-character-to-struggle-through-rest-of-book-even-though-it-leaves-me-thinking-that-Tolkien-might-be-a-lot-more-fun-and-that-is-saying-a-lot-yes-this-is-rampant-hyphen-abuse emotions).
My work wins - even with my dratted headache coming back.
This does remind me of something I considered before starting this blog. It probably is a bad idea to express loathing for your novels or the editing/revising part of writing. As much as it feels NATURAL to hate that mind-numbing part of THE CRAFT, I realize that it might give the wrong impression.
It's sort of like putting on my resume for an office job:
"I HATE computers, answering phones, scanning, filing, talking to people, smiling at people, and whatever. My favorite part of the job is the playing with the computer and looking up stuff on the internet. Hire me please."
Hah.
So, I'm going to make every effort to put my best smiling face forward and not quibble. After all, I truly love writing. Even the dratted revising and editing part.
As far as my non sparkly guy - I'm going to pretend I was talking about Wesley's guide spirit whom I'm ANXIOUS to bring into the picture because he's so adorable. Not sparkly - check. But close enough. I think I described him as shimmery around the edges, like a Star Trek hologram.
Oh and he's a golden retriever.
Read more >>
CH3 He wasn’t sparkly, but was close enough
To me, this says that I'm not going to be ripping off something by introducing characters who sparkle in the sunlight, hence the reason why they are terrified of going to the beach with classmates. But I knew that anyway. I'd chop my fingers off before consciously ripping off anything, least of all that well-known series that need not be named.
This means I must sit back and read through the first two chapters again to pick up where I left off.
Which leaves me debating about whether I want to read my own work or Blue Moon (which I'm still trying to stir up the I-care-enough-about-annoying-character-to-struggle-through-rest-of-book-even-though-it-leaves-me-thinking-that-Tolkien-might-be-a-lot-more-fun-and-that-is-saying-a-lot-yes-this-is-rampant-hyphen-abuse emotions).
My work wins - even with my dratted headache coming back.
This does remind me of something I considered before starting this blog. It probably is a bad idea to express loathing for your novels or the editing/revising part of writing. As much as it feels NATURAL to hate that mind-numbing part of THE CRAFT, I realize that it might give the wrong impression.
It's sort of like putting on my resume for an office job:
"I HATE computers, answering phones, scanning, filing, talking to people, smiling at people, and whatever. My favorite part of the job is the playing with the computer and looking up stuff on the internet. Hire me please."
Hah.
So, I'm going to make every effort to put my best smiling face forward and not quibble. After all, I truly love writing. Even the dratted revising and editing part.
As far as my non sparkly guy - I'm going to pretend I was talking about Wesley's guide spirit whom I'm ANXIOUS to bring into the picture because he's so adorable. Not sparkly - check. But close enough. I think I described him as shimmery around the edges, like a Star Trek hologram.
Oh and he's a golden retriever.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Friday Freezer
Editing: Nil. Technically I am 'editing' if you think about complete revisions/rewrites in that fashion.
Writing: Yes. Managed about 3,000 in the past two days. This would be on the UF revision. I'm up to 10,000 and continuing my relentless march to my usual 90,000 (I'm hoping for 65,000 words total, but that usually is the 5 chapter mark for me).
Research: Discovered that my idea of school is purely based on my own experience. I looked up other Catholic schools and realized that they are run a bit different with different schedules and vastly different curriculum than I had. Probably the only class that I totally recognized (in content focus) was the theology class. I spent a couple hours last night going over all of the details and writing up the setting - including class content. I won't be using much of it, but I need to be confident as I put my characters in the setting and use it as a backdrop. If I'm second guessing myself, it will show.
MSFV Contest: Is still going on. I really enjoyed commenting on everything as always, and I noticed a few subs this time that I'd really like to see more of.
I did cringe a bit over some of the comments that popped up now and then. A few people losing their cool. There also seemed to be two schools of thought going on - people who thought the idea was to fully critique and offer detailed feedback to the subbers and people who thought that they were just doing the thumbs up or down, offering polite/gently worded reasons why or why not.
I sided with the people who wanted to keep things simple - hooked or not. If somebody wanted a critique, they should really join up with a critting group (like Critique Circle) and get that feedback there. If they are submitting to a contest, they shouldn't expect detailed critiques on their writing. Least that is my way of thinking.
There also seemed to be people who were trying to use their comments to sway public (as well as the SA) opinion in favor of themselves (the authors posting as themselves or anonymously) or for their friends/critting buddies. I enjoyed the contest - learning experience, etc - but my goodness. Some people get my goat.
*Wonders what that saying - get my goat - means or how it originated*
Book Recommendation: Nothing as of yet. I should know tonight, because I'm stopping at the bookshop for a b-day present for one of my sisters. Of course I'll pick up something for myself too. My b-day is next week, after all.
In honor of the day:
May they who lost their lives on this day rest in peace, and may the living never forget or take things for granted. The life we live is unexpected and the future is uncertain. All we have is the path we have followed and experiences along the way to indicate what might happen if we let up on our guard. If you forget and flunk history, be prepared to repeat. May God bless us. May our children remember that we have a right to exist and live our lives as we wish. Those who came before us fought for every freedom we enjoy, and we should not be ashamed of those freedoms or squander them. Rather, we should cling to them and keep our heads high. Those people who have their heads up and ears and eyes open won't fall away.
Plan for the weekend: Ambitious. Planning on 10,000 words, though I'd be content with 5,000. :P
Read more >>
Writing: Yes. Managed about 3,000 in the past two days. This would be on the UF revision. I'm up to 10,000 and continuing my relentless march to my usual 90,000 (I'm hoping for 65,000 words total, but that usually is the 5 chapter mark for me).
Research: Discovered that my idea of school is purely based on my own experience. I looked up other Catholic schools and realized that they are run a bit different with different schedules and vastly different curriculum than I had. Probably the only class that I totally recognized (in content focus) was the theology class. I spent a couple hours last night going over all of the details and writing up the setting - including class content. I won't be using much of it, but I need to be confident as I put my characters in the setting and use it as a backdrop. If I'm second guessing myself, it will show.
MSFV Contest: Is still going on. I really enjoyed commenting on everything as always, and I noticed a few subs this time that I'd really like to see more of.
I did cringe a bit over some of the comments that popped up now and then. A few people losing their cool. There also seemed to be two schools of thought going on - people who thought the idea was to fully critique and offer detailed feedback to the subbers and people who thought that they were just doing the thumbs up or down, offering polite/gently worded reasons why or why not.
I sided with the people who wanted to keep things simple - hooked or not. If somebody wanted a critique, they should really join up with a critting group (like Critique Circle) and get that feedback there. If they are submitting to a contest, they shouldn't expect detailed critiques on their writing. Least that is my way of thinking.
There also seemed to be people who were trying to use their comments to sway public (as well as the SA) opinion in favor of themselves (the authors posting as themselves or anonymously) or for their friends/critting buddies. I enjoyed the contest - learning experience, etc - but my goodness. Some people get my goat.
*Wonders what that saying - get my goat - means or how it originated*
Book Recommendation: Nothing as of yet. I should know tonight, because I'm stopping at the bookshop for a b-day present for one of my sisters. Of course I'll pick up something for myself too. My b-day is next week, after all.
In honor of the day:
May they who lost their lives on this day rest in peace, and may the living never forget or take things for granted. The life we live is unexpected and the future is uncertain. All we have is the path we have followed and experiences along the way to indicate what might happen if we let up on our guard. If you forget and flunk history, be prepared to repeat. May God bless us. May our children remember that we have a right to exist and live our lives as we wish. Those who came before us fought for every freedom we enjoy, and we should not be ashamed of those freedoms or squander them. Rather, we should cling to them and keep our heads high. Those people who have their heads up and ears and eyes open won't fall away.
Plan for the weekend: Ambitious. Planning on 10,000 words, though I'd be content with 5,000. :P
Monday, September 7, 2009
Labor Day Lackness
Personal TMI: Technically have just awakened from a deep sleep and am trying to figure out what to do with the face which broke out a little bit (changes pillowcases FRANTICALLY). This happens after a long weekend. I do not look in the mirror or fuss over much with the hair or face, and things HAPPEN. *weeps*
Writing: I played around with a chapter last night. Am in a state of confusion over which POV I want to use for UF. I'm more fluid and comfortable in first person, but third person looks better and allows me to hop POV when needed.
Saturday night, I stayed up until 4AM working out a full outline and plan of attack. I need to work out bugs in the plot.
I'm planning to do another intensive round of edits later today - first on agenda is gym and shower and face cream.
Reading: Still struggling with Blue Moon. I'm on my way over to the gym now, so I'll see if I can become a tiny bit more interested. Temptation is to put the book aside and read something else.
Blog Hops: Check out Miss Snark's First Victim (see link on right side of blog). On Wednesday, she's having another Secret Agent contest. I'll try to comment on everything as always. This is a great learning experience, especially after the SA logs on and works through the entries.
Random: Reading Rainbow died on Friday? Or will die this Friday? - I'm not sure which. Um. Dude. I know this is irreverent and against the whole stream of popular thought, but I didn't realize that thing was still on!!!
The sibs and I were more interested in Wishbone. Because, Wishbone = Adorably cunning dog in costumes playing the main characters in a lot of books which I read when I was a kid. It was also a TV series with kids, always a winner.
Blogger's Note: Yes, I admit to going crazy with the tags. I didn't really use them at all the last two months, and now I'm trying to overcompensate. It will even out at some point. :P
Read more >>
Writing: I played around with a chapter last night. Am in a state of confusion over which POV I want to use for UF. I'm more fluid and comfortable in first person, but third person looks better and allows me to hop POV when needed.
Saturday night, I stayed up until 4AM working out a full outline and plan of attack. I need to work out bugs in the plot.
I'm planning to do another intensive round of edits later today - first on agenda is gym and shower and face cream.
Reading: Still struggling with Blue Moon. I'm on my way over to the gym now, so I'll see if I can become a tiny bit more interested. Temptation is to put the book aside and read something else.
Blog Hops: Check out Miss Snark's First Victim (see link on right side of blog). On Wednesday, she's having another Secret Agent contest. I'll try to comment on everything as always. This is a great learning experience, especially after the SA logs on and works through the entries.
Random: Reading Rainbow died on Friday? Or will die this Friday? - I'm not sure which. Um. Dude. I know this is irreverent and against the whole stream of popular thought, but I didn't realize that thing was still on!!!
The sibs and I were more interested in Wishbone. Because, Wishbone = Adorably cunning dog in costumes playing the main characters in a lot of books which I read when I was a kid. It was also a TV series with kids, always a winner.
Blogger's Note: Yes, I admit to going crazy with the tags. I didn't really use them at all the last two months, and now I'm trying to overcompensate. It will even out at some point. :P
Friday, September 4, 2009
Friday Freezer
TGIF before the holiday! May it be long, warm, dry, and did I mention long?
Editing
Edited 5 chapter of Unwilling Fringe since last weekend. Also cut 30,000 words and added 2,000 after that. My best hopes for today is to add another 2,000 words and/or finish the chapter.
Part of the problem I'm coming up against is this feeling that to stay close to the YA genre, I need to tighten up the plot considerably. I have too many lapses where I'm doing too much character building and not enough action. That must change when I get to the next draft.
Book Recommendation
Nothing as of yet. I'm reading Blue Moon and am quite a bit dissatisfied with it, and conflicted. It starts off with Ever and the guy (I'm drawing a blank, because it's early and my memory switch hasn't clicked on yet) are practicing in her bedroom. This leads to serious making out which Ever aborts, because she's feeling weird about his vast experience. That isn't the part that bothers me, exactly. What kinda made me wrinkle my nose right off was the description of the beyoooootiful guy.
Two things -
1.) Guys aren't beautiful at least not after they transition from crawling to walking. It's too feminine a word for most guys - even the good looking ones. When a male character is described as beautiful, it instantly gets my nose wrinkling and has me edging back in distaste. Reminds me of those animes with the bishies (think, anime guys who look like women).
2.) This goes back to my other problem with romances like Twilight. If the girl gets the guy too easily, and there is no conflict or uncertainty in the relationship, then it gets a little blah and page-flippy for me. Now, I've only read the first few pages of Blue Moon, so it could be I'm speaking too soon. I think the conflict in Blue Moon is the fact that Ever has a problem being all lovey-dovey with an old guy who's been around - much. Not a conflict I'm very interested in as a reader, but it might get better. I shall find out on lunch break. Well. Maybe.
Blood Promise Recap and Obsessing
I'm still thinking about this book, 2 days after reading. Just a couple things sticking to my mind.
There had been a emphasis on Rose and Dimitri not 'getting together' while he held her prisoner. They did everything else but. Rose assumed it was Dimitri holding it out like a carrot, sort of like, "Let me turn you, and then we will [bleep]."
What I'm wondering though is if there is more to it. Like maybe becoming Stringoi rendered him impotent. Could be. :]
Other thing that I wanted to look up when I had a chance. What exactly is the difference between a Stringoi and a Morai? Are Stringois zombies to evil? Or what?
I anticipate in the next two books - even though I'm totally Team Adrian: Dimitri is going to be cured. That may or may not happen in the next book - personally speaking, I think Mr. Creepfest makes an excellent villain, especially since Rose handily got rid of his competition and he now runs the Stringoi Party.
You'd think the easiest way to cure him is to kill him and then bring him back from the dead ala Lissa. The problem with that is he would probably be brought back as he was - a dhampir. That would not work out in the long run, because he and Rose wouldn't be capable of having kidlets.
If he is cured though, he might remain a vampire. But minus the evil-obsessed weirdness.
I'm just thinking aloud though - it could be cure or kill/revive would have the same result: Dimitri turned back into what he had been, a dhampir.
Personal Note of the Day
I'm peeved. Instead of visiting the gym, I need to go somewhere in search of new shoes. Just discovered that the sandals I'm wearing - my favorite pair - are torn. Torn. Noticeably. And I just noticed - three hours after putting them on.
I apparently just woke up.
PS. Why does Stringoi always make me think about food (and possibly Pinocchio), as in 'stromboli' ?
PS2. I really hope I spelled Stringoi and Morai right. I'm having doubts.
Read more >>
Editing
Edited 5 chapter of Unwilling Fringe since last weekend. Also cut 30,000 words and added 2,000 after that. My best hopes for today is to add another 2,000 words and/or finish the chapter.
Part of the problem I'm coming up against is this feeling that to stay close to the YA genre, I need to tighten up the plot considerably. I have too many lapses where I'm doing too much character building and not enough action. That must change when I get to the next draft.
Book Recommendation
Nothing as of yet. I'm reading Blue Moon and am quite a bit dissatisfied with it, and conflicted. It starts off with Ever and the guy (I'm drawing a blank, because it's early and my memory switch hasn't clicked on yet) are practicing in her bedroom. This leads to serious making out which Ever aborts, because she's feeling weird about his vast experience. That isn't the part that bothers me, exactly. What kinda made me wrinkle my nose right off was the description of the beyoooootiful guy.
Two things -
1.) Guys aren't beautiful at least not after they transition from crawling to walking. It's too feminine a word for most guys - even the good looking ones. When a male character is described as beautiful, it instantly gets my nose wrinkling and has me edging back in distaste. Reminds me of those animes with the bishies (think, anime guys who look like women).
2.) This goes back to my other problem with romances like Twilight. If the girl gets the guy too easily, and there is no conflict or uncertainty in the relationship, then it gets a little blah and page-flippy for me. Now, I've only read the first few pages of Blue Moon, so it could be I'm speaking too soon. I think the conflict in Blue Moon is the fact that Ever has a problem being all lovey-dovey with an old guy who's been around - much. Not a conflict I'm very interested in as a reader, but it might get better. I shall find out on lunch break. Well. Maybe.
Blood Promise Recap and Obsessing
I'm still thinking about this book, 2 days after reading. Just a couple things sticking to my mind.
There had been a emphasis on Rose and Dimitri not 'getting together' while he held her prisoner. They did everything else but. Rose assumed it was Dimitri holding it out like a carrot, sort of like, "Let me turn you, and then we will [bleep]."
What I'm wondering though is if there is more to it. Like maybe becoming Stringoi rendered him impotent. Could be. :]
Other thing that I wanted to look up when I had a chance. What exactly is the difference between a Stringoi and a Morai? Are Stringois zombies to evil? Or what?
I anticipate in the next two books - even though I'm totally Team Adrian: Dimitri is going to be cured. That may or may not happen in the next book - personally speaking, I think Mr. Creepfest makes an excellent villain, especially since Rose handily got rid of his competition and he now runs the Stringoi Party.
You'd think the easiest way to cure him is to kill him and then bring him back from the dead ala Lissa. The problem with that is he would probably be brought back as he was - a dhampir. That would not work out in the long run, because he and Rose wouldn't be capable of having kidlets.
If he is cured though, he might remain a vampire. But minus the evil-obsessed weirdness.
I'm just thinking aloud though - it could be cure or kill/revive would have the same result: Dimitri turned back into what he had been, a dhampir.
Personal Note of the Day
I'm peeved. Instead of visiting the gym, I need to go somewhere in search of new shoes. Just discovered that the sandals I'm wearing - my favorite pair - are torn. Torn. Noticeably. And I just noticed - three hours after putting them on.
I apparently just woke up.
PS. Why does Stringoi always make me think about food (and possibly Pinocchio), as in 'stromboli' ?
PS2. I really hope I spelled Stringoi and Morai right. I'm having doubts.
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