tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65847651751343521802024-03-06T02:13:49.989-06:00The Writing Greek"We are all Greeks. Our laws, our literature ..." - Percy ShelleyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-4975103198430844342009-05-28T21:46:00.002-05:002009-05-28T21:46:47.944-05:00POV & Edgar Allen PoeTHE WRITING GREEK apologizes for the ongoing technical difficulties ... and excuses … err, uh, general lack of May blogging. In truth, I’ve decided to cut back on blogging as it is rather addicting and time consuming. Fear not, blog friends, I still love you and will visit you – just not every moment of every day. It’s not that my writing dream has been derailed. In fact, in pursuit of more literary smarts, I’ve been tackling GRAPES OF WRATH and OVID and have even mixed in THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE while on blog hiatus the past couple of weeks. <br /><br />On to business (correction – writing!) -- One of the books I’m currently reading is a 2008 book by Alicia Rasley titled, POINT OF VIEW. Ms. Rasley studied Edgar Allen Poe’s POV for her thesis and talks about him in the book’s opening. She asks the question, “How did he make a narrator’s voice sound both rational and insane? <…> When did the narrator start lying to the reader?”<br /><br />Ms. Rasley goes on to say that few critics understand Poe’s POV approach and that these few were writers themselves. She includes Dostoyevsky in this bunch. There’s lots to glean from my last couple of sentences, but the main thrust is that: (1) above average POV authors spend time studying the best and (2) these folks don’t limit their character to their own experiences.<br />Anyone have any authors that they’d recommend studying for POV?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-75340530799718882412009-05-06T01:09:00.000-05:002009-05-06T01:09:00.589-05:00J.McCulley's CURSE OF CAPISTRANO“Old California, in a bygone era of sprawling haciendas and haughty caballeros, suffers beneath the whip-lash of oppression. Missions are pillaged, native peasants are abused, and innocent men and women are persecuted by the corrupt governor and his army. But a champion of freedom rides the highways. His identity hidden behind a mask, the laughing outlaw Zorro defies the tyrant's might. First published in 1919, Zorro has inspired countless films and television adventures.”<br /><br />That lengthy opening is the publisher’s blurb for THE CURSE OF CAPISTRANO. As with every first Monday of the month, welcome to another edition of the Book Review Club. And, being that we’re The Writing Greek, Zeus’ immortal Olympians have agreed to again assist us. Hades actually contacted me earlier this month as soon as he heard I was doing Zorro. I didn’t realize Hades and Zorro had much in common, but apparently, Hades is a big Zorro fan. He also mentioned something about justice and punishing evil doers.<br /><br />Side note – Hades wanted me to fly to L.A. (where he lives and Zorro is set), but I bravely told the Lord of the Underworld that I have to work on Wednesdays. Hopefully, he’s not mad at me. That’d be bad, right? Okay, here’s a recap of our conference call:<br /><br />Me: Hello, Mr. Hades. Did you enjoy THE CURSE OF CAPISTRANO? I loved it.<br /><br />Hades: Does your opinion matter? Look, mortal, Johnston McCulley’s novella sold over 50 million copies. 50 million. FIVE-OH. Bob Kane based Batman on THE CURSE OF CAPISTRANO’s main character. As a tribute, Kane’s original comic even has Bruce Wayne’s parents returning from seeing a Zorro movie when they are attacked by robbers. Yes, Zorro is practically mythical.<br /><br />Me: Novella? Batman?<br /><br />Hades: Yes, and before Zorro was put into a novella, it came out in five issues of “All-Story Weekly,” a pulp magazine. In fact, Johnston invented several other characters over the years, eventually totaling over a thousand stories. These included Thubway Tham (the lisping comic pickpocket), Black Star (a "gentleman criminal"), and the Crimson Clown (who carried a gas gun).<br /><br />Me: I’ve never heard of Thubway Tham (really??) or the other two. How come Zorro to make it big?<br /><br />Hades: The (ah-hem) immortal Douglas Fairbanks came across the novella while on his honeymoon. He brought it to Charlie Chaplin and his other co-investors. Together, they released “The Mark of Zorro” as the first movie for their new company, United Artists. Zorro proved immensely popular and spawned additional books and films.<br /><br />Me: No doubt McCulley selling the rights to Disney in the 50’s is what led to THE CURSE OF CAPISTRANO having been bought by 50 million people. I mean, do you think it sold that many on its literary merit? Zorro owes its popularity more to those Guy Williams’ TV movies, right?<br /><br />Hades: Insolent mortal! Listen as I read an excerpt from Zorro’s excellent first chapter –<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Outside, the wind shrieked and the rain dashed against the ground in a solid sheet. It was a typical February storm for southern California. At the missions the frailes had cared for the stock and had closed the buildings for the night. At every great hacienda big fires were burning in the houses. The timid natives kept to their little adobe huts, glad for shelter.<br /></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And here in the little pueblo of Reina de Los Angeles, where, in years to come, a great city would grow, the tavern on one side of the plaza housed for the time being men who would sprawl before the fire until the dawn rather than face the beating rain.<br /></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, by virtue of his rank and size, hogged the fireplace, and a corporal and three soldiers from the presidio sat at table a little in back of him, drinking their thin wine and playing at cards. An Indian servant crouched on his heels in one corner, no neophyte who had accepted the religion of the frailes, but a gentile and renegade.</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">For this was in the day of the decadence of the missions, and there was little peace between the robed Franciscans who followed in the footsteps of the sainted Junipero Serra, who had founded the first mission at San Diego de Alcála, and thus made possible an empire, and those who followed the politicians and had high places in the army. </span></em><br /><br />[I cut Hades off]<br /><br />Me: That’s a long –<br /><br />[Hades cuts me off]<br /><br />Hades: That, mortal, is only the book’s beginning. Well written, THE CURSE OF CAPISTRANO gets only better as it goes along. Set in Spanish California, the military mistreats the poor while the wealthy dons do nothing to uphold justice.<br /><br />Me: I read the book, Mr. Hades. Luckily, Zorro defends the poor.<br /><br />Hades: Ah, but the book also deals with the most idle of the young dons, Diego. Diego’s fiery father, Don Alejandro, orders him to marry. Diego approaches Don Carlos’ daughter, Lolita, but his wimpy demeanor and lack of romantic spirit leave Lolita wishing for more from her suitor.<br /><br />Me: If I recall right, that villainous Captain Ramon and then Zorro also begin courting Lolita. Lolita favors Zorro and even tells him, "It is not as if you were an ordinary thief. I know why you have stolen - to avenge the helpless, to punish cruel politicians, to aid the oppressed. I know that you have given what you have stolen to the poor."<br /><br />Hades: That’s fine to say, but don’t give away anything more. People need to read the book for themselves. Look here, mortal, my cell phone minutes are about to run out. I must leave you. Farewell. Persephone will be waiting for me, you know.<br /><br />[End of call]<br /><br />Uh, not really. But, well, Hades just up and hung up. Immortals – hmpf. I suppose that’s a sign we should close out. Before going, I have to mention that it is not until the CURSE OF CAPISTRANO’s end that Zorro’s true identity is revealed. Lolita decides who she really loves. I won’t say anything more for fear of spoiling the great ending for any that have not seen the movies.<br /><br />A couple of housecleaning items: <br /><br />(1) Check out the superb <a href="http://thenostalgialeague.com/olmag/mcculley-index.html">Nostalgia League</a> for an e-copy of the book as well as some nifty Zorro trivia (it’s where I learned about Thubway Tham).<br />(2) Special thanks to Barrie Summy for hosting the <a href="http://www.barriesummy.blogspot.com/">Book Review Club</a>. Click on the logo off and up to the left for more reviews.<br /><br />Alright, I’m signing off, singing as I go – “Out of the night, when the full moon is bright, comes a horseman known as Zorro …”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-22663931824390028552009-05-01T06:23:00.001-05:002009-05-01T08:49:33.151-05:00THE EMERALD TABLET Saves the WeekFirst, I dug out a <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123980920727621353.html">weblink</a> for you that I had spotted last week while perusing the paper copy of the Wall Street Journal -- “How the E-Book Will Change the Way We Read and Write.” In it, author Steven Johnson outlines a future with more books, more distractions -- and the end of reading alone. Sounds grim, but it’s an interesting read. <br /><br />Next, I happily announce that CANDIDE is dead, err …, uh, finished… oops, I mean, read (at last). After sludging through that time-honored classic, I couldn’t wait for something light-hearted and entertaining. Plus, I needed something fun after a rough, busy past couple of weeks. I wasn’t disappointed with my choice. Using my birthday B&N gift card, I had eagerly (after seemingly months of waiting) ordered <a href="http://pjhoover.blogspot.com/">blogging friend</a> PJ Hoover’s young adult book, THE EMERALD TABLET. It arrived on Monday, which as PJ informed the blog world, is her birthday. That has to count for something, right?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Forgotten-Worlds/dp/1933767138">THE EMERALD TABLET</a> dropped me right in the midst of a charming, but not so typical, Virginia family. A mirror talks and young twins play with flying cars! Poor Benjamin immediately learns that he’s not human. Worse, his mom tells him that Lemurian teens (think Atlantis) must attend Lemurian summer school. Summer school? Poor guy. Benjamin begs not to go but undergoes a change of heart upon arriving. Fans of HARRY POTTER and PERCY JACKSON will enjoy reading thirteen year old Benjamin’s exploits. He discovers more about his true Lemurian identity and tackles a secret quest that will literally determine the world’s fate.<br /><br />From telekinesis to tele—'this' and tele—'that', the EMERALD TABLET immerses you in a world where two super races are at odds. Benjamin and his “alliance” of likeable young teen friends must rely on one another to fulfill an ancient prophesy. At the same time, they still must pass their summer school exams and navigate an unfamiliar world and tackle typical teen troubles.<br /><br />Fun facts and trivia fill THE EMERALD TABLET where floors are named after i squared and the Greek eternity symbol decorates the page numbers. I loved it all, finishing it in two after-work evening sittings. Like Benjamin, I was sad to see summer school conclude as it meant that he had to return to Virginia, but like him, I was comforted in knowing that he’d be back next summer.<br /><br />I’m now a big believer in Benjamin and can’t wait to see how he fares in Book 2 (NAVEL OF THE WORLD), which, incidentally, can already be <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933767146?tag=wwwpjhooverco-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1933767146&adid=0XFC1Y6RNATK6WGJNZWJ&">pre-ordered</a>. Based on its Delphi title, the Writing Greek looks especially forward to it. Anyhow, congratulations to PJ Hoover on a fabulous debut book!<br /><br />Next week, I’ll share with you the other book I ordered from Barnes & Noble. Hint: think “Z”. Any guesses?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-63991981512674654142009-04-27T06:28:00.000-05:002009-04-27T07:45:02.623-05:00CANDIDE, A Rusty MedalIt’s rather hard to believe that I’m still on CANDIDE. Voltaire’s work, I fear, has taken a turn for the worse. Well, actually, it hasn’t taken any sort of turn which is why it and its predictable nature has grown tiresome as I come to its end. I did want to share an excerpt from Chapter 25 with you.<br /><br />Let me first mention that for the past year, I’ve been trying to read several of the “classics.” Admittedly, some have been more enjoyable than others. With each, I sought to learn some tidbit to improve my writing. A few great works, admittedly, bordered on the tedious. Despite its outstanding start, I now lump Candide (written in 1759) into this latter category, which is why I find this particular excerpt so amusing. In it, young Candide has asked the noble Venetian, Pococurante, about his vast library. Pococurante criticizes all the “classic” works such as those by Milton, Cicero, and Virgil. Anyway, here’s what Pococurante says about my esteemed Greek poet:<br /><br /><em>"Homer is no favorite of mine," answered Pococurante, coolly, "I was made to believe once that I took a pleasure in reading him; but his continual repetitions of battles have all such a resemblance with each other; his gods that are forever in haste and bustle, without ever doing anything; his Helen, who is the cause of the war, and yet hardly acts in the whole performance; his Troy, that holds out so long, without being taken: in short, all these things together make the poem very insipid to me.<br /><br />I have asked some learned men, whether they are not in reality as much tired as myself with reading this poet: those who spoke ingenuously, assured me that he had made them fall asleep, and yet that they could not well avoid giving him a place in their libraries; but that it was merely as they would do an antique, or those rusty medals which are kept only for curiosity, and are of no manner of use in commerce."</em><br /><br />Some of you will probably give a hearty amen to Seignor Pococurante’s appraisal of Homer, one of my favorites. In fact, no one on this blog will hold that against you (wink, wink). As for me, I laughed when reading the second paragraph, if only because I wonder what Voltaire would think if he had known that the same would be said about his satire 250 years later?<br /><br />Do you have some books that are just sitting in your library for show? Perhaps, these form our literary, rusty ‘badges of honor.’ We proudly set these conquered trophies aside in a place of honor on our bookshelf to let everyone know that we did, in fact, survive reading Voltaire, Milton, etc.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-76756290202245591292009-04-20T12:08:00.001-05:002009-04-20T13:06:40.954-05:00More on Chapter Headings<div>The boys of the family (2 grandfathers, 2 uncles, and 2 kids) braved ominous black skies this past weekend to tackle the first ever annual manly man family camping trip. We lucked out with the storms all passing over and leaving behind 70 degree, perfect camp weather. </div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK_dUh3tTcxnnbFWrldEPJ0QkzXhe6d50mz_dtmCb4VHzWD7_v-KEcpRbypx35HEE3Aj8DkXF2ATaU-q_W5gqpOcZquXYJKUAxq6kWJxE69GUg9w7KvGE_07fIOcG-pY7k6sc9_DyJPFu/s1600-h/DSC00885.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326835980752765042" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK_dUh3tTcxnnbFWrldEPJ0QkzXhe6d50mz_dtmCb4VHzWD7_v-KEcpRbypx35HEE3Aj8DkXF2ATaU-q_W5gqpOcZquXYJKUAxq6kWJxE69GUg9w7KvGE_07fIOcG-pY7k6sc9_DyJPFu/s200/DSC00885.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tossing rocks into Lake Ray Roberts highlighted the trip for my two nephews. The photo above shows me teaching the two little guys a thing or two about rock throwing. Personally, I loved the campfire – making it, the cooking, and (authors will appreciate this) storytelling.<br /></div><br /><div>As the night turned late (i.e., past nine o’clock), we played the story game where everyone takes turns saying a sentence. Let’s just say that I’m glad I didn’t have to follow my 5 year old nephew. His storytelling strength definitely lies with the ability to change the pace. Every story needs a cheetah that appears and punches a dragon in the nose, right? Well, feel free to use that in your WIP.<br /></div><br /><div>In other news, I really enjoyed reading everyone’s comments on the last post, especially since chapter titles are something I’d not considered before. I like what PJ and David expressed. In short, the chapter titles need to suit the book.<br /></div><br /><div>Both Voltaire and Rick Riordan use titles that matched the voice of their overall story. Good titles not only do this but also usually serve a purpose in that they heighten the anticipation, building suspense and foreshadowing what is to come.<br /></div><br /><div>Please, no snide remarks on my own modest blog posting title today. After all, I’m still recovering from the weekend camping trip.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-22175023078858416082009-04-17T06:12:00.000-05:002009-04-17T08:16:15.034-05:00Chapter HeadingsDo you put any thought into your story’s chapter headings? Some authors prefer to just use numbers with no heading. I do like chapter titles, but mine tend to happen rather haphazardly. Usually, each one comes about during the WIP with just enough brief description for me to remember during editing what went where so that I can find what I’m trying to fix.<br /><br />If you’ve read any of Rick Riordan’s PERCY JACKSON books, you know that Mr. Riordan puts some thought into his chapter headings. For instance, the first chapter in his first book of the series is titled, “I Accidentally Vaporize My Math Teacher.” Enough said, right? Well, all his chapter titles are that clever.<br /><br />Perhaps, Voltaire inspired Mr. Riordan. What? Although, not quite as outlandish, Voltaire does make use of the lengthy chapter title. Check out the first six chapters:<br /><br /><strong>Chapter I</strong>: How Candide Was Brought Up In a Magnificent Castle and How He Was Driven Thence.<br /><strong>Chapter II</strong>: What Befell Candide Among the Bulgarians.<br /><strong>Chapter III</strong>: How Candide Escaped From the Bulgarians, and What Befell Him Afterwards.<br /><strong>Chapter IV</strong>: How Candide Found His Old Master Pangloss Again and What Happened to Him.<br /><strong>Chapter V</strong>: A Tempest, a Shipwreck, an Earthquake; and What Else Befell Dr. Pangloss, Candide, and James the Anabaptist.<br /><strong>Chapter VI</strong>: How the Portuguese Made a Superb Auto-da-fé to Prevent Any Future Earthquakes, and How Candide Underwent Public Flagellation.<br /><br />That last one seems as long as the chapter! In other news, I’m taking two of my nephews (age 5 and 7) camping tomorrow at a nearby state park. It should be fun as neither one has ventured into the great outdoors before. We’ll hopefully get a good campfire and load up on s’mores. The younger nephew is the one I took to the zoo last weekend. Pray that he overcomes his concern (i.e., sincerely terrified fear) that a bear is going to get him, or I’ll be faced with a sleepless night.<br /><br />More on titles next week. Have a good weekend!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-40418582988115859212009-04-16T05:49:00.000-05:002009-04-16T05:49:01.055-05:00Music JohnThe last post ended with the KISS acronym – Keep It Simple Stupid.<br /><br />“Simple is better,” they say.<br /><br />It reminds me of my friend, Music John, making me listen to the CD he’d produced after graduating from a well known music school and explaining to me all the intricacies of this and that musical feat that he had wrangled into it and him bitterly complaining that it was much more musical than the simple songs that played on the radio, that trash. I did think he had a pretty song, but it wasn’t anything catchy or something I’d listen to again.<br /><br />Where am I going with this analogy? Writing for the masses (not the critics) is like this -- the untrained brute puts together a coarse, poorly written novel stated in simple terms because that is all he knows. It stinks and its poor quality is apparent to all. The well-schooled but equally ignorant writer employs techniques and forms and grammar and uses every effort to comprise a novel, honing each technique into place. Alas, it’s unwieldy and fails.<br /><br />The master author takes effort, too, but having honed his writing skills, employs ‘writing techniques’ so that they appear seamless to the reader. These are never noticed and because of that everything appears simple. It’s like the song on the radio – sure it sounds simple and only uses 3 chords but that’s the real beauty of it. All apologies to Music John. K-I-S-S.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-59570140272530401682009-04-15T20:22:00.001-05:002009-04-15T20:28:04.185-05:00More VoltaireHappy Tax Day! I hope a refund is on its way to you. If Tax Day doesn’t do it for you, April 15 also marks the day that Major League Baseball honors Jackie Robinson. Players can wear his #42 and every team sets aside time for a ceremony.<br /><br />Onward to writing -- Yesterday I briefed you on some of what I had learned about the French philosopher, Voltaire. Let us now return to his most famous work, CANDIDE.<br /><br />I find CANDIDE a very simply stated, straightforward, short satire that avoids the long drawn out opinions that infest other 18th century works. I’m not yet completely through it, but I will go ahead and say that CANDIDE’s timelessness likely rests on the fact that Voltaire conveys his political and religious criticisms through a book that mostly reads like a child’s fable.<br /><br />Stated another way, Voltaire knows what he wants to say and says it in the simplest terms. Doing so isn’t an accident. Voltaire had a fine education and knew Latin, Spanish, and English as well as his native French. I’m sure he could have impressed us by stating his complex philosophies in equally sophisticated terminology and plot.<br /><br />So, as I ask myself what I can learn from Voltaire, one of the ‘authorly’ lessons I’ll take away is another example of KISS -- Keep It Simple, Stupid. Oh, and be intentional about it. Sometimes the best and most beautiful things are those whose masters left them simply crafted. Incidentally, by simple, I mean simple in appearance to the reader, seamless if you will. Thus, even if my story contains hidden meaning and plot twists and complex characters, I must take the extra effort to think through the ‘simplest’ way to present these elements within my story.<br /><br />Do you agree? I do think there is an equally enticing other side of writing, whose extended complexities create its attractiveness, but we’ll blog on that in a later post. Unlike taxes, I can put that off to another day. ;-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-41911305864596067702009-04-14T23:53:00.002-05:002009-04-15T08:43:14.846-05:00Taxes, the Zoo, & VoltaireFirst, my condolences to all tax procrastinators. My sympathies as I’ve been there before.<br /><br /><br />Next, I want to report a successful zoo trip. It’s been years since I went to the zoo. I can’t speak for the kids, but I had a blast. If you visit DFW, definitely plan on going to the Fort Worth Zoo. I think the only zoo in the country that is supposed to top it is the San Diego Zoo, which I’m excited to say, LW and I may see next month on a vacation (more on that in a later post)! Anyhow, the pic shows LW and #2 son admiring a giraffe.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JrhexZSx9WjKk8ez85fIOCSi41lqAdueTdegXlfA60Mx4m7ojGA09P9tlV-ndk4AZxtSIuLC7OxwnnycTZoVm-P7QbRvD96D3Ec-THQPlAvNqOYYvjQaBOQFfDrebdHMJRPwOgU90zhV/s1600-h/DSC00700.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324913015140907954" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JrhexZSx9WjKk8ez85fIOCSi41lqAdueTdegXlfA60Mx4m7ojGA09P9tlV-ndk4AZxtSIuLC7OxwnnycTZoVm-P7QbRvD96D3Ec-THQPlAvNqOYYvjQaBOQFfDrebdHMJRPwOgU90zhV/s200/DSC00700.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Onward to business – First, for those new to the blog, I’m in the process of tackling all of literature’s classics in hopes of bettering my writing skills. At the moment, I’m most of the way through Voltaire’s 18th century work, CANDIDE. To the best of my knowledge, I don’t ever recall having been coerced into reading it in high school, and I had anticipated a painful, difficult read. My paltry recollection of Voltaire centered around him being a French philosopher. I envisioned pages of meaningless tangents and needless listings of monarchies and lengthy descriptions of items such as divans. Nothing could be further from the truth.<br /><br /><br />A little history – Voltaire is a pen name for François-Marie Arouet who appears to have been a prolific writer, having over 2,000 books/pamphlets published. Born in 1694, this Frenchman argued for social reform, occasionally landing in prison or exile for his work. His father wanted him to be a lawyer, but Voltaire felt writing better suited him.<br />Get this – it said that his 1752 work, MICROMEGAS, might well be the first sci-fi book. Hmm … apparently, alien ambassadors visit earth. Who’d have thunk it? My appreciation for Voltaire deepens.<br /><br /><br />Another odd fact – a month before his death in 1778, he apprenticed himself to the visiting Benjamin Franklin as a Freemason. Then, when he did die, and maybe somebody can explain this to me, but according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltaire">Wiki</a>, Voltaire’s heart and brain were embalmed separately from his body.<br /><br /><br />Voltaire certainly seems an interesting fellow, huh? I’ll talk more about my impressions of CANDIDE on the next post. Stay tuned! In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you if you’ve read any of Voltaire’s work or if you had similar misgivings.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-91131215157790596942009-04-10T06:08:00.000-05:002009-04-10T08:48:16.504-05:00Going to the ZooI’ve the day off today, and if the weather cooperates, we plan on taking our 15 month old son and our recently turned 5 year old nephew to the Fort Worth Zoo today. I’ll let you know how we fare. Has anyone seen the news about all the wildfires in North Texas? I hope we can still go. Yesterday, the sky turned gray and a burnt smell permeated the air.<br /><br />Switching topics, have you ever wondered why Easter falls on different calendar dates? I knew it had to do with the moons, but I wasn’t entirely certain exactly why. Here’s an excerpt from Wiki (feel free to skip the next 2 paragraphs if such useless trivia bores you):<br /><em></em><br /><em>Good Friday is the Friday before Easter, which is calculated differently in Eastern Christianity and Western Christianity (see Computus for details). Easter falls on the first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon, the full moon on or after 21 March, taken to be the date of the vernal equinox. The Western calculation uses the Gregorian calendar, while the Eastern calculation uses the Julian calendar, whose 21 March now corresponds to the Gregorian calendar's 3 April. The calculations for identifying the date of the full moon also differ. See Easter Dating Method (Astronomical Society of South Australia).<br /><br />Because Easter in Western Christianity can fall between March 22 and April 25 on the Gregorian calendar, Good Friday can fall between March 20 and April 23, inclusive. In Eastern Christianity, Easter can fall between March 22 and April 25 on Julian Calendar (thus between April 4 and May 8 in terms of the Gregorian calendar, during the period 1900 and 2099), so Good Friday can fall between March 20 and April 23, inclusive (or between April 2 and May 6 in terms of the Gregorian calendar). (See Easter.)</em><br /><br />Quite a mouthful, huh? Anyway, I am thankful to be off work today and to have some time to reflect on the sacrifice made on mankind’s behalf so long ago on this day. Enjoy your Easter weekend!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-58533479003165730122009-04-09T05:54:00.001-05:002009-04-09T05:54:00.391-05:00TT: R.Harris' POMPEII<p>The end of POMPEII’S first page reads:</p><p><em>Already he could feel the heat of the morning beginning to build, the promise of another day without rain.</em></p><p>POMPEII is the first book I’ve read by Robert Harris, though I recently purchased IMPERIUM. As you might surmise, POMPEII deals with the infamous volcano that erupted in the year 79 AD. I like the above sentence because it sets a nice tone and foreshadows the volcanic eruption. Preceding it, the main character has just finished fixing an aqueduct two hours before dawn.</p><p>In honor of another Thesaurus Thursday, let’s see how else the excerpt might be stated. My effort:</p><p><em>A stifling heat already suffocated the dark fields ahead, signaling another hot, rainless day.</em></p><p>Anyone else want to try? Feel free to critique my sentence or the one Robert Harris wrote. It’s a good exercise I use to hone my writing skills.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-29488792387535084502009-04-08T06:12:00.000-05:002009-04-08T13:09:25.460-05:00ProloguesBlogging agent <a href="http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2009/03/prologues.html">Nathan Bransford</a> published a post a couple days back on prologues that I found interesting. He doesn’t object to stories that use prologues, but I’ve seen where other agents vehemently object to material beginning with a prologue. In fact, I even axed my prologue in writing my first work simply because I didn’t want to hoist a red flag to any prologue hating readers.<br /><br />Most of the time, the prologue opponents’ logic includes statements such as, “If it’s relevant to the book then it can go in chapter 1.” Seemingly, some agents think a prologue amateurish, as though it should be beneath a ‘real’ writer. Oh my!<br /><br />I suppose prologues follow the authoring rule that is not a rule: If you write well, it doesn’t matter. If you don’t, then it does. I actually enjoy a good prologue, will likely write a book in the future containing one, and I’ll even confess to LOVING the leisurely, over-informant epilogue. What about you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-75979731025253662982009-04-07T23:48:00.001-05:002009-04-08T12:55:51.790-05:00Interesting LinksI finally plowed through my backlogged Google Reader after being out of town over the weekend. I came across a few interesting links to share with you.<br /><br />Need more willpower to finish writing your story? Try brushing your teeth with your other hand, courtesy of <a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/dc0sVpygjxo/boost-your-willpower-by-brushing-your-teeth-wrong+handed">Life Hacker</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fastcompany/headlines/~3/y0iInWZI6gw/1256642">Fast Company</a> has a list of 5 noteworthy figures’ favorite kid books. There's a couple in there I hadn't read before that I'll have to find for #1 son.<br /><br />Paula over at <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fastcompany/headlines/~3/y0iInWZI6gw/1256642">Writer’s Edge</a> has a post up about the top 10 best books on writing. Can you tell that I love any sort of post involving book lists?<br /><br />I found this interesting: <a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/trends/author_photo_confidential_113420.asp?c=rss">GalleyCat</a> conveyed an NPR story that attractive authors have a better chance of getting a book review. I suppose I won't just set the timer for my author photo. Well, a little Photoshop can go a long ways. ;-)<br /><br />Last, being that I work with Excel practically everyday doing my day job, I love that <a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/web_tech/spreadsheet_story_downloaded_10000_times_113457.asp?c=rss">GalleyCat</a> also passed along a story about a guy who wrote a story on an Excel spreadsheet and has had it downloaded 10,000 times.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-77684044531052549002009-04-06T22:12:00.004-05:002009-04-06T22:12:00.359-05:00Opening Day<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3G9RJKmJZ5Mt62bu_3fyaE7YSKtM5t0rIvIqvUEaBVsb4yNPVPZ1K7ok23lEdnaZODpYXwALjbOfvUbqL1hbBPC8xPaI8-V1R2ggtrZ0GiqYvbVttiTau0N_M6Lqjcwgt5noh0NLMzqWc/s1600-h/03b+-+Opening+Day+2009+Logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321770897962734146" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 94px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3G9RJKmJZ5Mt62bu_3fyaE7YSKtM5t0rIvIqvUEaBVsb4yNPVPZ1K7ok23lEdnaZODpYXwALjbOfvUbqL1hbBPC8xPaI8-V1R2ggtrZ0GiqYvbVttiTau0N_M6Lqjcwgt5noh0NLMzqWc/s200/03b+-+Opening+Day+2009+Logo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>The United States Army 4th Infantry Division Band from Fort Hood ushered in the 2009 baseball season at 1:05 PM in Arlington, Texas with the national anthem, interrupted by the early arrival of two sensational looking (and loud) B-1 bombers flying overhead. Former President and past Ranger owner George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch – a great looking high fastball across the plate.<br /></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhxGNaCTeaINAch4nz71ub7ei5GdX-FvD2xUg_eTp0NWi2i3ItDKRrRAogJ2gbjUOjpRMD0iiJV4OT1MEWcrvgs7BQ8iyriNoKbTIy6AKHCSG3Nx8aka1T2xZE8WUkk7STIeLvcKXmPa-/s1600-h/14a+-+George+Bush+closeup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321771624657935138" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhxGNaCTeaINAch4nz71ub7ei5GdX-FvD2xUg_eTp0NWi2i3ItDKRrRAogJ2gbjUOjpRMD0iiJV4OT1MEWcrvgs7BQ8iyriNoKbTIy6AKHCSG3Nx8aka1T2xZE8WUkk7STIeLvcKXmPa-/s200/14a+-+George+Bush+closeup.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><div>Everything looked set for a great afternoon, and the game didn’t disappoint. LW had bought us two upper deck tickets a couple months back for my birthday. It was blustery cold, but we were there, and we enjoyed every moment. </div><br /><div></div><div>The Rangers pitched well, played solid defense, and made key hits, including this one: 20 year old phenom Elvis Andrus hits a double in his first big league at bat. Look close. You can see the ball flying off the bat.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUnyEgbeHCzuOLbXyaJfz7jN3GO53Jyt_PLbC87gIOiE8JgkW4v7zQuPOWip2A0lmNpTu2Zutdbq11H8kfzzZwmxeG34-60tl50_jnmKGEADa_n31FooVF4F2k1hLVIdQyYynJRv2wl9I/s1600-h/FH000023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321772522177219906" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUnyEgbeHCzuOLbXyaJfz7jN3GO53Jyt_PLbC87gIOiE8JgkW4v7zQuPOWip2A0lmNpTu2Zutdbq11H8kfzzZwmxeG34-60tl50_jnmKGEADa_n31FooVF4F2k1hLVIdQyYynJRv2wl9I/s200/FH000023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>The Rangers posted a 9 to 1 win over the Cleveland Indians. Let baseball season begin! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-66784430609022877622009-04-05T23:00:00.000-05:002009-04-06T22:02:02.671-05:00Amazing GraceI’m posting this entry retroactively. I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ve</span> been unexpectedly out of town the past 4 days and without <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">internet</span>. Did you notice I finally missed a day of posting? I think it’s my first absence. I’m no Cal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ripken</span>, I suppose.<br /><br />I did miss reading everyone’s posts and hearing from you and will do my best to catch up. We all love Google Reader.<br /><br />Alas, I found out early Thursday morning that my grandmother passed away. She lived in Tennessee, so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">LW</span> and I, along with our 15 month old son, basically spent Thursday through Sunday driving there and back. It <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">wasn</span>’t the happiest occasion to have to make a trip, but I did feel really blessed to attend the service. Grandmother led an exemplary life, living as a model of Christian faith and cheer to all those around her. Her family and friends that came Saturday to the services testified to that. She would have turned 95 this year. I’ll miss her, but it is times like these when having a faith gives you a joy you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">wouldn</span>’t otherwise have.<br /><br />I’m not sad. Strange as it may sound, I’m happy for her. The opening song they sang in the tiny country church she attended sums up my feelings for me. The song? Amazing Grace. The best line goes, “I once was blind, but now I see …” It’s talking about spiritual truth, but I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">couldn</span>’t help thinking that my grandmother now resides in a better place, and, yes, she can again see.<br />Grandmother lost her sight a few years back and knowing that she went to Heaven lifted my spirit, but so did knowing that she’s a new body, one not marred by the physical ailments that had gotten her, nor the blindness that took her sight. Thank you Lord for your amazing grace! And, thank you, Grandmother for the wonderful life you lived and the example that you set.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-29889074338174312272009-04-02T05:54:00.000-05:002009-04-02T05:54:00.560-05:00Phrase CounterI haven't had the opportunity to try this out, but I saw it yesterday out in blog world and thought it the perfect tool for writers. I'll let you know once I get around to using it. Or, beat me to it and let us know what you think.<br /><br />Ever wonder if you say a certain phrase too many times when writing? Can't recall what you wrote last night, much less last month? The Life Hacker blog posted an entry that apparently identifies how many times a Word document contains certain words or phrases. Cool, huh?<br /><br />Here's the address:<br /><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5190716/primitive-word-counter-analyzes-word-and-phrase-frequency">http://lifehacker.com/5190716/primitive-word-counter-analyzes-word-and-phrase-frequency</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-7120422780859234462009-04-01T00:33:00.002-05:002009-04-01T00:33:00.566-05:00W. Smith's THE SEVENTH SCROLL<p>Alert, alert! No April fooling, it’s the first Wednesday of the month, time to participate in Barrie Summy’s Book Review Club! Click the nifty Book Review Club widget to visit other reviews. First, however, stay tuned as I recount my lunch date with Zeus and a review of Wilbur Smith’s THE SEVENTH SCROLL.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjhHNpmKZVCNlGFff6kKdhSpB0nBUrL9XUoFWaxYs8KCngPFjLo-KFec1bYHdSgkjWGNg3VGlVBGLJBSoEx07W_5PldAWJe8B7kaKkKV8m-sHtbL6c_cAb8YiWL0C9VXVekTKphIrXGPB/s1600-h/7th+Scroll.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319520747415966914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjhHNpmKZVCNlGFff6kKdhSpB0nBUrL9XUoFWaxYs8KCngPFjLo-KFec1bYHdSgkjWGNg3VGlVBGLJBSoEx07W_5PldAWJe8B7kaKkKV8m-sHtbL6c_cAb8YiWL0C9VXVekTKphIrXGPB/s200/7th+Scroll.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>As you might recall from my previous book reviews, I usually ask the immortals to meet me at work. This time, however, Zeus had a meeting with his attorney in Dallas. Those familiar with downtown will probably find this humorous, but Zeus insisted we eat at the <a href="http://www.guidelive.com/portal/page?_pageid=33,97400&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&item_id=13940">Record Grill</a>, his favorite joint. I didn’t complain as I ended up paying, and you can get a full plate for under $5.</p><br /><br /><p>ME: Hi, Mr. Zeus. Thanks for meeting. Did you enjoy Wilbur Smith’s THE SEVENTH SCROLL?</p><br /><p>ZEUS: Hmpf. If one can enjoy mortals hunting for treasure and Egyptian history, then I suppose so. Romance and adventure and all. I prefer Greek stories. Willie’s earned the right to mention himself in the book. He’s written 27 bestsellers and sold 110 million books in 26 languages. What are you asking, Da? Of course, I enjoyed it.</p><br /><p>ME: It is D.A., not Da. Yes, well, did you know that Stephen King calls Wilbur Smith the best historical novelist?</p><br /><p>ZEUS: I know everything. That King fellow isn’t a king, for one. I’m king, the immortal god who commands the Heavens and who [DR – Note, I edited paragraphs of self-praise out]. What you probably didn’t know Da is that Willie was born in Zambia. He wanted to do journalism after graduating and did for a time, but his father’s advice to get a real job prompted him to become a tax accountant.</p><br /><p>ME: You’re kidding?? Ha! That’s funny. A tax accountant? I suppose I know a thing or two about tax accountants. Well, Dickens was a lawyer. Have you been reading <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilbur_Smith">Wikipedia</a> again? Let’s get on to reviewing the book.</p><br /><p>ZEUS: Ah, yes, I am an expert book reviewer. Consider how beautifully the book begins. It reminds me of the Greek bards of old:<br /><p><em>The dusk crept in from the desert, and shaded the dunes with purple. Like a thick velvet cloak it muted all sounds, so that the evening was tranquil and hushed.</em></p><br /><p>ME: If folks only heard that passage, they’d think Mr. Smith’s book was poetry. Why, that’s the slowest two lines in the entire story. Mr. Smith has recounted elsewhere that his very first publisher and agent (Charles Pick) told him to write for himself and upon what he knew best. It’s clear he does that in THE SEVENTH SCROLL as it’s a thoroughly enjoyable adventure story out of Africa, touched with a smidge of romance. The book begins Royan Al Simma’s archeologist husband murdered just as they prepare to decipher 4,000 year old instructions to the greatest Egyptian treasure tomb since King Tut. Determined to continue, Royan hires a good ol’ Englishman explorer and collector, the daring Sir Nicholas Quenton-Harper to guide her into Africa.</p><br /><p>ZEUS: Fine. You’ve made your point. Only don’t forget to consider who killed Royan’s husband and the obstacles she’ll face, not to mention one of the most exotic and vividly described settings you’ll see in a book. It’s even more enticing than its precursor, the bestselling RIVER GOD.</p><br /><p>[Zeus and I have to scoot down on the counter to accommodate a judge and two construction workers who just entered. The Record Grill only holds about fifteen customers at most.]</p><br /><p>ME: I’d agree. In fact, I unwittingly read THE SEVENTH SCROLL first. Sequels aren’t unusual these days, only none of the others I’ve read pick up the story 4,000 years later like Mr. Smith does!</p><br /><p>[DR – Note, the original book, RIVER GOD, told the story of the Egyptians who buried the treasure. It’s an equally good read, but it is more historical fiction than thriller.]</p><br /><p>ZEUS: Enough with those Egyptians. I want to talk about the villains. The main one [DR – Villain’s name omitted to preserve the plot] makes Hades look charitable. He wants and he gets. Actually, that sounds like me. Ah.</p><br /><p>ME: Personally, I loved the setting that you mentioned earlier. Here’s one passage I found:<br /><em>“Then the gorge of the Dandera River was too deep and steep to follow any longer, as sheer cliffs dropped into dark pools. So they left the river and followed the track that squirmed like a dying snake amongst eroded hills and tall red stone bluffs. […] The dangling lianas swept the surface and tree moss brushed their heads as they passed, straggling and unkempt as the beard of the old priest at [the monastery].”</em></p><br /><p>ZEUS: That’s fine to like the setting. I said it was good. Normally, I like squabbling mortals, but I’ll say that the camaraderie in this book made the characters for me. They’re mostly predictable. So what, I say. It’s part of the charm.</p><br /><p>At this point, two police officers entered needing a seat. Zeus has great respect for law enforcement, so having finished, we left. I hope you enjoyed our review of Wilbur Smith’s THE SEVENTH SCROLL as much as I enjoyed reading the book. FYI, there are a couple of R-rated scenes that keep this one from being kid friendly, which is a shame.</p><br /><p>In closing, Wilbur Smith writes in a league of his own. His success proves that, and I think anyone that has enjoyed Clive Cussler or James Rollins will love THE SEVENTH SCROLL. Don’t forget to visit Barrie and browse the rest of the books reviewed today. Have fun!<br /></p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdmIOaaO0n3K3BiGWJobN_lXcsrdh5UGUihMGciG8kvwzcaB1GNjn_0rq3gX0R7X-MxqVydUd2LQQP8hStSzVXnGKIinEz9PJnk5K0MAKZzkDk8jK4NmPmue7oT2u2g6T0EAgAOi_lPwj/s1600-h/BookReviewClub-Button.bmp"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdmIOaaO0n3K3BiGWJobN_lXcsrdh5UGUihMGciG8kvwzcaB1GNjn_0rq3gX0R7X-MxqVydUd2LQQP8hStSzVXnGKIinEz9PJnk5K0MAKZzkDk8jK4NmPmue7oT2u2g6T0EAgAOi_lPwj/s200/BookReviewClub-Button.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319522071046396466" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-57727194794293483792009-03-31T05:45:00.000-05:002009-03-31T05:45:00.712-05:00Predictable CharactersJust as a reminder, be sure to check back tomorrow as it’ll be time for another edition of Barrie Summy’s First Wednesday of the Month Book Review Club. Anyhow, as I researched for my book review tomorrow, I found a couple of website criticizing my pick (I’ll reveal my choice tomorrow).<br /><br />Their complaint stemmed from the fact that the characters’ predictability. I see their point, and I know what they mean – the good guys are good and the bad guys are bad. But, nearly every great story to survive the ages has the same “fault.” Is it really bad that the hero be a good guy?<br /><br />It reminds me of DC Comics’ latest twirl with the Batman movies. Today’s audience wants a grim, brooding hero. Batman must be full of faults. Bruce Wayne can’t just be a successful businessman. No, we must emphasize his inner demons, etc.<br /><br />Call me overly wholesome, but every now and then I think it refreshing to see the good guy win. Am I alone on feeling that way? Do you disagree?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-60306129627762341722009-03-30T06:05:00.001-05:002009-03-30T21:00:06.948-05:00Dawn of EmpireI’m reading Sam Barone’s DAWN OF EMPIRE at the moment. One thing I thought interesting was Mr. Barone’s decision to start the book with a fairly lengthy prologue told through the villain’s perspective. I’m 2/3 through the book, and I don’t think we’ve returned but maybe (?) once to the villain character.<br /><br />This technique enables readers to immediately form a distaste for the Alur Meriki, the villainous barbarian tribe of invaders serving as the book’s antagonists; however, I can’t help but think this a risky strategy. I had already paid for the book (an online purchase), but I wonder would I have kept going had I been browsing in a book store?<br /><br />What do you think? Would you risk starting with a villain?<br /><br />UPDATE -- By the way, I do like Mr. Barone's book so far and am glad that I kept reading.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-56244203566934674772009-03-29T06:03:00.001-05:002009-03-29T21:47:48.109-05:00Fall of Kings - D.GemmellMy dad gave me David Gemmell’s FALL OF KINGS yesterday to read. I’m thrilled! It’s the last part of Mr. Gemmell's Troy trilogy. If you aren’t familiar with Mr. Gemmell, you might recognize his name as the author of LEGEND. He passed away before writing the ending to FALL OF KINGS. Thankfully, his widow finished it. It’s been out awhile, but I just haven’t had the money to pick up a copy. Alas, that my public library doesn’t carry any of his books.<br /><br />Anyhow, in the previous book, SHIELD OF THUNDER, the battle for Troy had begun. Here’s an excerpt of Priam speaking to Hecuba from before when the Greeks attack:<br /><br /><em>‘We were the mighty,’ he said aloud. ‘But now you are gone from me, and the wolves are gathering.’<br /></em><br />I love it! Now, as a caveat, I will say that Mr. Gemmell’s rendition takes certain artistic liberties and that he emphasizes the violence and sex of ancient Greece more than I would prefer. Still, the Troy series is an artful retelling in that he follows in the spirit of Homer. Homer, a bard, entertained. Homer altered history to fit his story, so I can hardly hold it against David Gemmell from doing the same. Regardless, I certainly look forward to finishing this trilogy. It’s the most fun/exciting/entertaining recount of Troy that I’ve come across. I’ll report more on it once I finish the book.<br /><br />Happy March 29!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-75646191724052511022009-03-28T06:01:00.000-05:002009-03-28T09:01:58.537-05:00Artemis Fowl on PlatformI started reading the popular ARTEMIS FOWL books this past week. Not too many books offer a twelve year old boy international criminal as a main character. It’s entertaining.<br /><br />I was thinking about my experience reading it after having perused yesterday’s discussion on platform. Platform gives authors a launching pad of sorts for success. It also helps establish future readers’ expectations.<br /><br />Whether a platform consists of university lectures or a modest blog, platform offers a glimpse into one’s writing. Well, possibly, anyway – what I am trying to say is that platform generally precedes publication, and platform sets expectations.<br /><br />For instance, if you flip the back of a historical fiction book and read that the author served as a history professor, you expect credibility, possibly some scholarly tangents, etc. All I knew was that kids loved ARTEMIS FOWL and that it sold well. I didn’t know much else nor had I read any of Eoin Colfer’s other works.<br /><br />As we talked about yesterday, a well written book trumps platform. I’d say my experience with ARTEMIS FOWL didn’t require an author’s platform. A kid told me I should read it, and I did. That’s the best sale, right?<br /><br />I’ll close with this early morning Saturday thought – as good as having a platform is for an author, there is something delightful as a reader in reading a book (like me with ARTEMIS FOWL) where you have no preconceptions (i.e., no idea what is going to happen nor how an author likes to treat his/her characters and endings and so on … I’m certainly enthralled by the young Artemis Fowl.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-83160284261941015382009-03-27T05:52:00.002-05:002009-03-27T07:10:51.240-05:00Platform<a href="http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2009/03/fiction-platform.html">Rachelle Gardner</a> (an insightful agent) re-posted a previous blog entry yesterday on the necessity of a platform for fiction writers. She believes platform will become more critical for fiction writers because of increasing competition. It makes sense. The more you do to distinguish yourself, the better you fare.<br /><br />Her post included excerpts from authors regarding their feelings on platform. They mention things like public speaking, sending copies of your book out, and even blogging. Basically, they focus on ways to garner a following. Having a good story makes one author’s list.<br /><br />I realize non-fiction writers need a platform as a means of credentials or authority for supporting the statements within their product; however, a fiction writers’ product speaks for itself and its quality can be judged by its readers. Is it platform enough? I at first thought it was.<br /><br />After some thought, I say that with the upheaval in the publishing industry, the economic downturn, and dwindling marketing budgets, Ms. Gardner makes a good point in reminding us to build our platform. New authors like new bands or any other mass media hopeful must make distinguish themselves. I'm sure everyone has probably heard a local band sound better than one on the radio. They just hadn't been in the right place at the right time. Platform, then, is about making enough opportunities to put yourself in the right place at the right time. It only takes one "right" person.<br /><br />Incidentally, I look at my bookshelf and see books I’ve bought due to blogs. Ah, the blog platform at work! What about you? Do you think fiction writers need a platform?<br /><br />UPDATE - Jessica at BookEnds just (~7AM) posted on <a href="http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-can-authors-do-to-sell-books.html">"What Authors Can Do to Sell Books"</a> -- a very similar topic if you want another good read.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-57469684959107238792009-03-26T05:53:00.010-05:002009-03-26T07:23:45.566-05:00Fabulous!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwEaHlh7g93FMLMTJkV2DxOj4uUWvEMHMg1mRxsOFHZXnhw9dcPhe_2EuQ2PN-RisXEwGqofZIehLjX5s02uWRBfFjTt6CYMVfuxT1Coz2Ju-BrY1mYvMxCnsjj_JZGz7fxtiJu65JVhJ/s1600-h/fabulousblogaward2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317304988638878738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwEaHlh7g93FMLMTJkV2DxOj4uUWvEMHMg1mRxsOFHZXnhw9dcPhe_2EuQ2PN-RisXEwGqofZIehLjX5s02uWRBfFjTt6CYMVfuxT1Coz2Ju-BrY1mYvMxCnsjj_JZGz7fxtiJu65JVhJ/s200/fabulousblogaward2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>I found out yesterday that Meghan at Ancient Musings has awarded The Writing Greek the Fabulous Blog Award. How fun is that? Recipients have to first name five things they are obsessed with, and then name five other blogs they think are fabulous.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><br /><p></div>After hasty consideration, my 5 obsessions:</p><ol><p><li>Travel – I love new places and just get the urge to go on occasion</li></p><p><li>Reading and writing and all things books</li></p><p><li>No weeds – if they land in my yard, they’re exterminated!</li></p><p><li>Texas Rangers – someday they’ll win a playoff series …</li></p><p><li>Photos – landscape and wildlife are my favorites</li></ol></p><br /><p>My obsessions aside, today, I salute the following fabulous blogs:</p><p><ol><li><a href="http://dsdiscovery.blogspot.com/">Dark Star Discovery</a> – Marty writes Greek stories and poetry. Fabulous!</li></p><br /><p><li><a href="http://www.magicalmusings.com/">Magical Musings</a> – Different authors, each with different voices and clever analogies. Fabulous!</li></p><br /><p><li><a href="http://blog.sarahlaurence.com/">Sarah Lawrence</a> – I always look forward to the photos accompanying Sarah’s posts. Fabulous!</li></p><br /><p><li><a href="http://www.barriesummy.blogspot.com/">Barrie Summy</a> – Full of witty posts, she already garnered the award, but I can’t resist: Barrie also hosts the monthly Book Club. Fabulous!</li></p><br /><p><li><a href="http://www.pjhoover.blogspot.com/">Roots in Myth</a> – PJ takes time to post pics along with her posts, and more importantly, she confessed on her blog to having owned the same Swingline stapler for 32 years. Nuff said. Fabulous!</li></ol></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-18907143810153762252009-03-25T05:43:00.000-05:002009-03-25T05:43:00.515-05:00PruningSometimes, I reach the end of a story and realize that it’s grown too long. Offshoots and tangents distract from my plot. Lacking focus, a believed to be exciting tale instead branches into unexplained, different directions.<br /><br />I thought about that yesterday evening after work as I pruned the backyard’s flowers. The Confederate Jasmine that I’ve trained to wind its way up and over the pergola needed all sorts of attention after an isolated winter. I snipped here and there, trying to give it back its natural look. Needless to say, this vine would have looked much better had I done a little at a time. It would have taken less time to fix, too.<br /><br />Stories are the same way. Just like with a plant, you have to know how you want it to look before you start shaping it. Remember in KARATE KID, Mr. Miyagi carefully trimming his bonsai tree, slowly shaping it as it grew? The end result of any carefully groomed plant will be a prettier plant that looks much more natural. Authors want the same with their stories. It just takes a little foresight and a little grooming as you go.<br /><br />Now, if only I had kept up with the Confederate Jasmine this winter …Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584765175134352180.post-58731811518153712242009-03-24T05:45:00.000-05:002009-03-24T05:45:00.644-05:00Dorian GrayI recently finished THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde. It ends abruptly, which I found annoying. I suppose it’s rather unauthorly of me to not appreciate this or the tragic nature of the story and its poetic elements, but I’ll confess that I found the book tiresome. Mr. Wilde drones on for pages at times promoting anything from his hedonistic lifestyle to political views.<br /><br />The book debuted in 1891, so I don’t hold this against it as wordiness seems to have been a selling point for that time period. I thought throughout that the author must have been a withered old man to capture the moanings of old age as he did. Nope, it seems Mr. Wilde was in his early forties. He clearly must have, however, spent a great deal of time in thought and in reckless living, reminding me of the Ecclesiastes’ author. If I had to guess, Mr. Wilde felt like he had done everything and that everything under the sun is old and in vain. At least, this is how his characters come across in the book.<br /><br />The concept of young, innocent Dorian Gray making a rash promise and inadvertently tying his soul to a portrait intrigued me. This and that lovely, tidy 19th century dialogue sustained me. Mr. Wilde’s characters, especially the devilish Lord Henry, has a quick tongue and sharp wit. I suspect he embodies a great deal of how Mr. Wilde viewed himself.<br /><br />Reflecting on what I learned from this classic – First, I vow to always give my readers a pleasing ending. Artsy ending aside, Mr. Wilde could have made a great end of DORIAN GRAY. It doesn’t have to be happy, but my endings will strive to at least equal the rest of the text. Does anyone enjoy these critically acclaimed endings? I’ll admit, it’s a great ending, just not an enjoyable one or one deserving enough for the story’s depth.<br /><br />Second, I mentioned the dialogue earlier. It’s my other takeaway. Reading a poet like Oscar Wilde helps me view the world through an author’s eyes. He masterfully brings the mundane to life. I love how he describes people and objects in terms of flowers and jewels.<br /><br />Ever since seeing the character in the movie, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN some years ago, I wanted to read about this fascinating character, Dorian Gray. The book didn’t quite measure up to what I had hoped, so I’ll end by quoting a passage from chapter 7 of the book, “You used to stir my imagination. Now you don't even stir my curiosity. You simply produce no effect.” That sums up how I feel about Mr. Wilde’s only novel, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8