Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Three recent books I've read...
At the moment, I'm on page 134 of Ted Dekker's "The Boneman's Daughters" (and it's pretty interesting so far). But I recently finished 3 books that I'll make a few comments on here. Keep in mind this is my opinion and only my opinion:
The Associate by John Grisham: This one felt like a return to "The Firm," the novel that got Grisham launched into the spotlight. A graduating law student gets blackmailed to become a corporate spy. Some interesting bits there, certainly not the worst Grisham has penned, but I still prefer "A Time to Kill" and "The Runaway Jury" over this one.
Star Trek: The Movie Novelization: As I've indicated, I really like the new Trek movie. The novelization (which has Alan Dean Foster's name on it along with two other authors) does what movie novelizations are supposed to do (at least in my opinion): fill in gaps the movie left out. Not as good as the movie, but at least we find out what happened to Porthos!
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult: I started this book on Sunday, while traveling back home from John's college graduation. I finished it sitting in my bathtub the next day, tears streaming down my face. This is a powerful,, intense, emotional book, and Jodi Picoult's writing is amazing. The movie version comes out in June, but don't wait for it - buy the book and read it today!
The Associate by John Grisham: This one felt like a return to "The Firm," the novel that got Grisham launched into the spotlight. A graduating law student gets blackmailed to become a corporate spy. Some interesting bits there, certainly not the worst Grisham has penned, but I still prefer "A Time to Kill" and "The Runaway Jury" over this one.
Star Trek: The Movie Novelization: As I've indicated, I really like the new Trek movie. The novelization (which has Alan Dean Foster's name on it along with two other authors) does what movie novelizations are supposed to do (at least in my opinion): fill in gaps the movie left out. Not as good as the movie, but at least we find out what happened to Porthos!
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult: I started this book on Sunday, while traveling back home from John's college graduation. I finished it sitting in my bathtub the next day, tears streaming down my face. This is a powerful,, intense, emotional book, and Jodi Picoult's writing is amazing. The movie version comes out in June, but don't wait for it - buy the book and read it today!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Lots of things going on!
I've added links to my Livejournal and new Facebook pages to my list on the side. Check them out - I'm going to try to keep things current. Emphasis on the word "try."
Tomorrow Don and I head to Tennessee to see our oldest son John graduate from college. Where did the time go?
So right now I should be writing my column and packing and stuff. Why is it that I keep getting distracted?
Tomorrow Don and I head to Tennessee to see our oldest son John graduate from college. Where did the time go?
So right now I should be writing my column and packing and stuff. Why is it that I keep getting distracted?
Friday, May 08, 2009
The New Star Trek Movie
Well Don and I have just gotten back from the new Star Trek movie, and I wanted to throw out some of my thoughts on it. Don't worry, no spoilers.
First off, I am a huge Star Trek fan. My first professional fiction sale was for a Star Trek anthology titled "Strange New Worlds 10." So I was interested in this latest installment of the Trek universe.
I liked the movie. And when I first heard about it, I wasn't sure I would.
Prequels are tricky things to pull off. If you are writing a prequel, you are bound by what has happened already. For example, if Mr. Smith exists after the prequel, you can't very well kill him off during the prequel.
Fans of Star Trek can be a challenge to please. There have been five series, an animated series, and a number of movies. Some fans have taken almost an ownership attitude with the series, feeling that they and only they should dictate what should and should not happen with the franchise.
I tried to go into the movie with an open mind. I loved the original series. I wasn't sure how I'd react to other actors playing Kirk, Spock, Scotty and the rest. Would there be anything familiar, or Trek-like in it? Or would it feel like someone just slapped "Star Trek" on a movie that bore no resemblance to that universe?
I was impressed. They managed to pull it off.
There are echoes of the original series throughout the movie. The actors playing the characters have done their homework. Some do better than others (the actor playing McCoy just nailed the character) but overall I didn't watch this thinking, "That isn't so-and-so!"
And they do find a way to get around the predictability factor prequels labor under. I won't tell you how, because it's a spoiler. Let's just say it's Trek-like.
I can see future movies with this crew happening and being done well. And I would love to see this one again. A fellow writer got to see it in an IMAX theater, and I admit I'm terribly jealous.
If you like the concept of Trek and are willing to see a somewhat different version of how our beloved characters turned out, you will enjoy this movie. If true Trek only means Shatner, Nimoy, etc., you will have to let go of that if you want to see this movie. And if you don't, you'll be missing out on a good flick. Your choice. Your loss.
First off, I am a huge Star Trek fan. My first professional fiction sale was for a Star Trek anthology titled "Strange New Worlds 10." So I was interested in this latest installment of the Trek universe.
I liked the movie. And when I first heard about it, I wasn't sure I would.
Prequels are tricky things to pull off. If you are writing a prequel, you are bound by what has happened already. For example, if Mr. Smith exists after the prequel, you can't very well kill him off during the prequel.
Fans of Star Trek can be a challenge to please. There have been five series, an animated series, and a number of movies. Some fans have taken almost an ownership attitude with the series, feeling that they and only they should dictate what should and should not happen with the franchise.
I tried to go into the movie with an open mind. I loved the original series. I wasn't sure how I'd react to other actors playing Kirk, Spock, Scotty and the rest. Would there be anything familiar, or Trek-like in it? Or would it feel like someone just slapped "Star Trek" on a movie that bore no resemblance to that universe?
I was impressed. They managed to pull it off.
There are echoes of the original series throughout the movie. The actors playing the characters have done their homework. Some do better than others (the actor playing McCoy just nailed the character) but overall I didn't watch this thinking, "That isn't so-and-so!"
And they do find a way to get around the predictability factor prequels labor under. I won't tell you how, because it's a spoiler. Let's just say it's Trek-like.
I can see future movies with this crew happening and being done well. And I would love to see this one again. A fellow writer got to see it in an IMAX theater, and I admit I'm terribly jealous.
If you like the concept of Trek and are willing to see a somewhat different version of how our beloved characters turned out, you will enjoy this movie. If true Trek only means Shatner, Nimoy, etc., you will have to let go of that if you want to see this movie. And if you don't, you'll be missing out on a good flick. Your choice. Your loss.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Funny Publishing Glossary
I got this from an elist I'm on. If you're writer, these will make you laugh out loud. If your not a writer but know one, this will explain a lot!
http://www.rightrea ding.com/ publishing/ publishing- glossary. htm
http://www.rightrea ding.com/ publishing/ publishing- glossary. htm
Monday, April 20, 2009
When Do You Quit?
My friend Chris York shared an awesome blog entry that talks about when a writer should hang it up.
Read it here: http://www.murderati.com/blog/category/toni-mcgee-causey
Read it here: http://www.murderati.com/blog/category/toni-mcgee-causey
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tweet!
You can now follow me on Twitter! My name there is Bookwormlady2 (someone thought of it first!)
I promise not to litter it too much, but you'll get tweets when my column is online, when I update this blog, or when I sell something.
I'll listen for you!
I promise not to litter it too much, but you'll get tweets when my column is online, when I update this blog, or when I sell something.
I'll listen for you!
Friday, March 20, 2009
An Article I Wrote for the OWN Blog
I recently wrote an article on "The Do's and Don'ts of Sending Out Manuscripts." It's my thoughts after a push to get a large number of stories back out in the mail.
You can read it HERE.
Let me know what you think!
You can read it HERE.
Let me know what you think!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Interesting column concerning writers and the current economy
Kristine Kathryn Rusch, a successful award winning writer, comments upon why the current economy is a golden age for short story authors, and has comments on how one in general can cope with the economic crisis with a good attitude intact.
You can read it HERE.
You can read it HERE.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Reading, writing, and a blog to check out
I devoured the Twilight saga last month. It held me and carried me through to the end. I know some people found BREAKING DAWN to be disappointing, but I liked it. It just demonstrates that different people like different things.
This goes for editors as well. A rejection doesn't mean a story's bad (it might mean that, but not necessarily); it means it didn't hit the editor's buttons. Or they'd just bought something like it. Or they don't have room or budget for it. All kinds of reasons.
This week I'm working on getting short stories out that have been sitting in my office for months. They won't sell sitting on a desk, so I'm working on getting stuff in the mail (or email).
Check out the OWN Writer's Blog, listed under my links on the right. The people penning these articles are professional writers, and worth checking out if that's what your goal is.
This goes for editors as well. A rejection doesn't mean a story's bad (it might mean that, but not necessarily); it means it didn't hit the editor's buttons. Or they'd just bought something like it. Or they don't have room or budget for it. All kinds of reasons.
This week I'm working on getting short stories out that have been sitting in my office for months. They won't sell sitting on a desk, so I'm working on getting stuff in the mail (or email).
Check out the OWN Writer's Blog, listed under my links on the right. The people penning these articles are professional writers, and worth checking out if that's what your goal is.
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