tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42012619013830635822024-02-06T20:48:27.468-08:00TERRYTALKterryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-32588680940301410042017-04-17T01:27:00.003-07:002017-04-17T01:27:50.147-07:00Reading In Colour?Read an article just now about reviewing. Not the usual 'crit sandwich' explanation about saying something nice before the nasty but about the perception of race/colour/sexual orientation; how review guidelines are changing to include clear, even mandatory reference to these differences in plot or characters.<br />
<br /><br />
Did you yawn? It was actually pretty interesting. It made the point that some readers would appreciate reading about characters who are not middle-class-western-white, especially for their children to find characters who, wow, look like them for a change? That some book covers, which I figured were a possible guide, are actually misleading in that respect.<br />
<br /><br />
But it also debated the criteria for when to make such references. If a story hangs on these differences, eg a European thrown into an African setting, a gay youth coming out, then it's obviously very relevant to point it out. If the race or sexual leaning of the characters make absolutely no difference to the plot, eg everyone in the story is female, or the best friend is gay and hey, nobody cares, should it be flagged up, or not?<br />
<br /><br />
I guess what bothered me was the sense it had also opened a door I wasn't so sure about, cos it sounds sorta like that's what's being hinted at here is also; hey, this book has some weirder stuff in it you might want to avoid?<br />
<br /><br />
I'm sure at least some of those backing the idea definitely don't have that in mind, they honestly feel it encourages more diverse writing. And it may well do that. And I too am all in favour of more varied fiction; hell, I probably write it, people often seem to think I've gone off the beaten track. But I've found, for instance, absolutely great SF tucked away under the LGBT label, or whichever acronym it is today, that I'm pretty sure isn't getting read and appreciated as much as it deserves compared to more 'mainstream' SF, simply because readers just don't go there, as if they're only entitled to if they're also part of the club. So it concerns me that the same thing could happen if we start labelling every book according to its colour orientation? I'm sure there are some sad little puppies out there who'd find it a great tool for <em>not</em> reading a book?<br />
<br /><br />
Pessimistic? I really hope so, but the blatantly <em>forced</em> mention of these aspects of character makes for uncomfortable reading, which does maybe impact one's inclination to read a book thus reviewed? And I doubt I'm the only reader who's started a book and thought some character or plot thread has been consciously tweaked purely to 'qualify' for some diversity label. <br />
<br /><br />
Maybe I should just look forward to a day when a diverse plot and cast list will be the true norm, not just the result of writers or publishers being politically correct, and the only need to reference such things will be because the story is about being more narrow, and because <em>that</em> seems unnatural. The best books have always accepted what's right for their storyline and stuck with it.<br />
<br /><br />
Write the story, not the required reading. That the mind thinks broader is more important than whether the book does?terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-88272490799368593932017-04-03T03:40:00.001-07:002017-04-03T03:40:33.393-07:00Ok so it's April - Sue MeI know, I know, I said I was going to blog more. I thought about doing it, several times. My problem, I've decided, is that I don't feel like blogging IF I DON'<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">T</a> HAVE SOMETHING WORTH SAYING.<br />
<br /><br />
What brought that on?<br />
<br /><br />
The number of tweets, Facebook entries, and sundry 'news' items that drop into my own inbox. Most of them - though not all - are from people I know, like, am happy to hear from, but most of them are also, let's face it, idle chatter.<br />
<br /><br />
Someone went for a walk, someone's pet did this, someone has a headache... I'm sure you know what I mean, and have received them too. I'm happy for them, really, but it's hardly world changing? Truth to tell, it's not stuff I have time for either; time to read or to spend deleting.<br />
<br /><br />
And if the person concerned is a writer, as several are, I tend to think "ooh, news" and look for something writerish, book connected; their new book coming out perhaps, or a few thoughts on publishing etc. Then I hit the link and find out it's a new dress, or a comment on the weather...<br />
<br /><br />
Bah, humbug.<br />
<br /><br />
So here I am, having a rant. I don't suppose it'll change anything. The people out there who are convinced the world needs to know that they feel tired today will still feel that way. But hey, It's made <u>me</u> feel better.<br />
<br /><br />
Ah, is THAT why they do it too? Er, maybe I'll shut up now. And just accept that it wasn't necessarily about an audience at all. And that in order to find gold I'll have to sift through an awful lot of **** that needs deleting.<br />
:)terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-74901695501626235802017-02-23T10:12:00.002-08:002017-02-23T10:12:26.875-08:00Thoughts from a Winter BreakFor the first time in years I didn't take my laptop away with me. Never, ever, again. I returned to over a thousand emails! Three hundred or so found their way into junk folders so I checked them first. I usually do it that way round cos then the ones that got misplaced are in the right folders when I get serious but hey, that many?<br />
<br /><br />
And then for the other seven hundred. Of course some of those were also rubbish but setting my spam filter higher just seems to syphon off more 'good' messages. A lot of the rest had to be filed in the right places so I could deal with them later, where deal is going to mean an awful lot of reading, critting, submission checking, but I'll get there eventually.<br />
<br /><br />
I say eventually cos going away hit one of my addictions; I'm a compulsive reader-for-the-fun-of-it. Make that a binge-reader? Once I start reading for time-out, as it were, I can't stop for quite a while, especially if I get hooked into a series - I have to read the lot. Which makes holidays rather dangerous as regards getting the more serious stuff done. I confess I also don't necessarily read 'worthy' fiction when it's for relaxation, although to be fair to self I stop reading pretty fast if something is actually badly written, usually in a few pages. But yes, I do read stuff that isn't the best literature, or the most 'significant', 'meaningful', 'instructive' etc.<br />
<br /><br />
So what's the lure? Characters, every time. Every book I finish has characters I can't walk away from, whether they're mainstream or genre. Simple as that.<br />
<br /><br />
Plots, you say? Yes books need plot. Indeed I suspect publishers put that top of their lists. And I do look for a plot to be credible. But characters come first. I can tolerate a plot that isn't entirely credible before I can tolerate a character that does something 'out of character'.<br />
<br /><br />
Plus it's character that pulls me back to reread a book once I already know how it ends. Wanting to know how a story ends will only hook me once. It won't drag me back for a another visit.<br />
<br /><br />
To sum up:<br />
bad writing - instant turnoff<br />
consistent plot - credibility is necessary, but it doesn't always have to be perfect.<br />
but the development of vivid, credible characters are, for me, the root of all good story telling.<br />
Are you the same? One easy check is to identify which books you return to again and again?<br />
<br /><br />
You are free to argue, but honestly I don't see myself changing that opinion any time soon.terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-20522743115433954302017-01-31T07:40:00.002-08:002017-01-31T07:40:47.451-08:00A promise is a promise...Ok, so on Saturday I left you a puzzle to solve, and I promised to give you the solution so you could feel smug cos you'd worked it out, yes?<br />
<br /><br />
So here it is:<br />
<br /><br />
The nasty husband was indeed the murderer, even though he got to the pub much earlier. That's cos he packed the kettle with - you got it - ice. That way the kettle took much longer to come to the boil, and the 'alibi' was in place.<br />
<br /><br />
If you were right, award yourself a prize, beer, chocolate, five minutes peace and quiet - whatever does it for you?terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-19439931980996748612017-01-28T04:00:00.002-08:002017-01-28T04:04:40.598-08:00I'm back, with a little brain teaser to get the year started for you.😉😇😇😇😇😇Christmas was good, got together with the family, the food, a joint effort, was good - and no one fell out.<br />
After Christmas, not so good. I went down with a virus that put me out of action for two weeks and didn't feel very energetic for another, but now I'm back, almost caught up with things first on the list as it were, and my conscience keeps muttering "Blog!"<br />
<br />
<br />
So I thought why not start the year with a puzzle, in fact a whodunit. The plot thickens...<br />
<br />
<br />
Character A finds her sister, B, dead, struck down in her kitchen in the very act of making a cup of tea. The kettle still whistling. Unsurprisingly, A feared there was someone still in the house but whoever it was had obviously just gone.<br />
The police were baffled but A suspected B's husband, who she disliked. It has to be said that the husband, C, had a history of bad temper and didn't display much grief at his wife's murder.<br />
But the police ruled C out as a suspect. He had arrived at a local pub a full hour before the body was discovered and been there the entire time, and the kettle could not have boiled even half that long. So his alibi was cast iron.<br />
<br />
<br />
So... can you solve the murder the police couldn't?<br />
<br />
<br />
Note: this puzzle is also a review. 'The Hercule Poirot Whodunnit Puzzles' by Tim Dedopulos from Carlton Books, which I received for Christmas and contains a host of similar small 'crimes' to solve. A fun way to wake the brain up, and happily with solutions at the back! So if you liked solving this, there's more where it came from.<br />
<br />
<br />
Oh, and I'll come back in a few days and give you the answer. As if you'll need it.terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-45497054787978695502016-12-12T08:08:00.002-08:002016-12-12T08:08:26.227-08:00Tis the Season?I was going to get round to wishing people a Merry Christmas, and probably still will, but this snippet of real life intervened...<br />
<br /><br />
Driving south on a British motorway to visit a relative this Sunday. For once the roadworks weren't actually holding everyone up, merely slowing us down to fifty miles per hour from time to time. The weather was, well, British December, ie grey to start off then foggy then wet. The other motorists could drive, only a rare roadhog sticking stubbornly to that middle lane, you know the one that's for going at least a bit faster than the slow lane?<br />
<br /><br />
So what jerked me out of my passenger doze?<br />
<br /><br />
A nondescript white car in front of us. First jolt: it had a large <strong>metal sticker above its number plate that said 'Trump' </strong>and '<strong>Pence'.</strong><br />
<br /><br />
OK, so while it was unexpected on a British road, people do have the right to their opinions, and on spending silly money to show complete strangers what they are.<br />
But<br />
On the right hand side of the boot, that spot some manufacturers add the name of that model, there were a row of silhouettes, black on white, and they were all guns, standing up largest to smallest.<br />
<br /><br />
<strong>And underneath them all were the words, 'My Family'</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
So... am I being Scrooge-like, Grinch-like if you're American, to hope that the person who did this, who presumably believes this, is only visiting and will soon be returning to the USA? Not that I'd wish this person on anyone anywhere, but I could only wish they weren't British. It's now Monday and the image is still in my head. I'm not a very political person; pretty much an 'as long as it doesn't scare the horses' type, but this? Very disturbing, and SO not Christmassy.terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-36879493424406476842016-11-27T03:49:00.001-08:002016-11-27T03:49:47.430-08:00Review The Great Zoo of China 4-5* :)The Great Zoo of China, by Matthew Reilly<br />
pub Gallery Books 4-5*<br />
"Action on a gigantic scale"<br />
<br /><br />
The Chinese government are about to unveil their new zoo. A party of Americans; political and journalist, are invited to the preview. CJ, a lady croc expert, tales up the offer along with her photographer brother. Needless to say the security they are allowed past hides a lot more than pandas, and it soon becomes a question of who will survive the experience.<br />
<br /><br />
This is a blockbuster of a novel with all the heroes, heroines and villains required for a James Bond script. Indeed, with its emphasis on action scenes, danger and good versus bad this is a very Hollywood storyline.<br />
<br /><br />
Add to that the characters are strong, the pace frenetic. I read this with great enjoyment, even after the opening 'spoiler' chapter screamed "I wanna be a movie" at me.<br />
<br /><br />
It was therefore just an enormous shame that despite all the publishers' arguments to the contrary this really is another Jurassic Park. It's a zoo. It's been kept secret till ready to wow the world. The black dragons are alternate raptors [yes, huge spoiler, or maybe enough to make you read anyway]. What more can I say, a very enjoyable book, if you don't mind it being such a spinoff, or you are a big Jurassic Park fan. Have to ask why this writer didn't produce something that was truly his instead.<br />
I ended up wondering if the Chinese government will hack the internet - oh really?<br />
<br /><br />
:)terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-87241608440909987392016-11-27T03:33:00.000-08:002016-11-27T03:33:44.589-08:00OopsThis is where I say sorry, to the BBC<br />
Well, half sorry.<br />
<br /><br />
I moaned about them accepting an offer from Nigel Farage - he who has a non English name, a home in France, but purports to speak for the Brits, even to the Americans? - to appear on a documentary about his life after politics.<br />
Well, sorry BBC, I obviously read the wrong account. Turns out the 'Farage Show' was actually a spoof, not a serious item.<br />
<br /><br />
But...<br />
As is clear from every sighting, Farage loves media exposure, so I strongly suspect he viewed this as good publicity. [Just like hearingTrump trumpeting his name as his preferred ambassador?]<br />
<br /><br />
So maybe I'm not so sorry, cos BBC, you added to the celeb hype the man likes to bask in, and I'm not at all sure that was the action of a responsible impartial TV channel. Farage, and Trump, are not politicians, nor seeking to serve anything or anyone except their own egos. Why would you want to pander to either?terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-26963342515968819232016-10-21T03:51:00.002-07:002016-10-21T03:51:29.737-07:00PromotionI've just read a really interesting blog article from Fox Spirit Books on the subject of writers promoting their work at cons, or more specifically on not being afraid to.<br />
<br /><br />
I agree there's a general feeling, at least in the UK, that it's only acceptable for a writer to reference their own work during a con panel in very small doses, and not say, more than 3 or 4 times overall, unless actually invited to.<br />
I've pretty much subscribed to this approach, reasoning that the audience don't sit there for an hour to listen to someone boasting about how good their book is; that doing so is more likely to be counterproductive and put people off.<br />
<br /><br />
But maybe that's me, who always assumes other people don't really want to hear about what I'm doing and get uncomfortable doing it. On holiday recently I had real trouble talking about my work for long, even when people went out of their way to ask questions.<br />
<br /><br />
But Fox propose that audiences come to hear about such stuff, and a decent writer/speaker should talk about their work until they feel uncomfortable, that being the warning sign it's time to stop. Interesting? <br />
<br /><br />
I thought so, and it fell on receptive ears anyway because I had just contacted the fine people on the Bristolcon panel, 'Under the Covers' which I'm moderating. <br />
<br /><br />
[Bristolcon 2016, Saturday 29th October, Doubletree Hotel for anyone who isn't already booked - a seriously nice con folks]<br />
<br /><br />
What had I just said to them? That it would make a nice change to ask them to just plain recount the real life stories behind their book covers rather than answer more general questions on the topic as is usual.<br />
<br /><br />
Yay, someone else out there is thinking the same way for once. I'm feeling pretty good.<br />
<br /><br />
Only then...<br />
I read a snippet about Nigel Farage, he of the so-British name. Apparently he's just <u>invited </u>BBC2 to follow him around and film his 'return to normal life'.<br />
To be clear, I'm not surprised that he did this, that he wants to stay in the limelight; it's obviously the thing he craves most. And maybe he's feeling the need to repair the BIG error he made endorsing Trump - was he planning to become a celeb in the USA instead?<br />
But that the BBC said yes? Now that does surprise me. Why? The guy's ostensibly retired from public life [hurray] and yuk politics apart he's not that interesting.<br />
Though I guess this is the age of the celebrity, where surface remains more attractive to the media than substance. And I guess it's cheap television, right?<br />
<br /><br />
So here I am back on the fence; is talking about yourself [all right, what you do] a good thing or a bad thing?<br />
<br /><br />
Maybe it depends on who's doing it, and how, and how much. Or maybe, Mr Farage, it's better to wait to be asked first?<br />
<br /><br />
<br />terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-27033978285485261042016-10-01T07:49:00.003-07:002016-10-01T07:49:38.831-07:00Don't Look a Gift Voucher in the Mouth?Just a short note, cos I need to say this, and I probably won't stop feeling annoyed till I do.<br />
<br /><br />
I got an email from East Midands train service that offered me TEN PERCENT OFF my train bookings. It looked good. I had used them recently, so there was reason for them to want me to return?<br />
<br /><br />
I decided to use the offer to book my train tickets to and from Bristolcon at the end of October, while I thought about it. After all, it's not far off now. [Anyone else going?]<br />
<br /><br />
So I followed the link and checked train times etc. and found the price: £75.00 approximately. Hmm, ten % off that...<br />
<br /><br />
I reached the payment stage; it still said £75.00. Had they already discounted it? I hadn't seen any mention.<br />
<br /><br />
Feeling curious, I went to a rival supplier's site. Their - not discounted - price for the same journey: £75.00!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<br /><br />
How would you feel? Rest assured I'll be checking all future special offers. And may never use that train service site again.<br />
<br /><br />
But maybe I'll see some of you in Bristol on the 29th when I'm smiling again? It's a very pleasant con, and I'm doing stuff too.<br />
:)terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-11678130577983068662016-09-27T03:16:00.003-07:002016-09-27T03:16:33.523-07:00Milford - And About the Two FREE PLACES for 2017!So another Milford Writers' Conference is over and I'm back home. making some revisions to the short story and novel excerpt I submitted for comment now I've had some excellent feedback? It was my third Milford, and maybe my best yet, with a great mix of attendees and a lot of thoughtful critiquing.<br />
<br /><br />
What's Milford?<br />
A residential week, currently held in Snowdonia, where fifteen writers who have made a respectable fiction sale spend most of their stay pulling each others' submitted stories or excerpts apart - with of course the object of making them better.<br />
<br /><br />
There is no 'teacher', this is a round-the-room gathering. Volunteer committee members simply remind us of the Milford rules - and the time. Oh, and five places are held open longer for new members to get in first, since otherwise some of us would rebook every year! Which would weaken the value to all of us since new minds avoid bad habits creeping in?<br />
<br /><br />
The Milford system means that we all critique say five pieces over each half day, comments going round the group, each person with about three minutes to have their say. After which the writer of each piece can reply and some general discussion may follow, before moving to the next crit. It's polite, friendly, but intended to be professional standard feedback. We want to be better writers!<br />
<br /><br />
As an extra incentive, the week will be at Trigonos - see more on the Milford website - where the setting is deliberately isolated from the 'rush', the scenery is idyllic, great for walkers, and the food - yes it's all-found - is usually an attraction in itself. Time permitting we try to make an outside visit as well, a castle, a local attraction etc. [This year some members hiked around Snowdon and one took the steam train, while others went to Caenarfon and a pub lunch.]<br />
<br /><br />
In 2017 there's an added incentive for some new members, a bursary which covers everything bar travel to and from the venue, serious money.<br />
It's an anonymous donation, offered to anyone with a fiction sale who can describe themselves in some way as 'a person of colour' which the committee will take as pretty broad definition<br />
<br /><br />
Could this be you? If so, do check the website for more info, it's a great opportunity, worth about £600! and I'd hate it not to be taken up.<br />
Or mention it to someone you know??terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-88659724884025136712016-09-08T11:32:00.000-07:002016-09-08T11:32:14.629-07:00Why Didnt I Think of That?Right now, I'm working my way through the first readings of all the submissions to this year's Milford Conference, which starts on Saturday.<br />
<br /><br />
I'll talk a bit more about that in another week or so, as there's a FREE week available for some lucky *** next year if they qualify [peers mournfully into wallet after paying up].<br />
<br /><br />
For now though, I'm just sliding by with a tiny trick - absolutely nothing to do with books or writing but great for people like me who actually eat BUTTER.<br />
<br /><br />
Hot weather means the butter has to stay in the fridge. Naturally when I want some I haven't planned ahead - does anyone? - so it's hang around for ages [well it feels like ages, yes?] or start carving shards off the bar, or dipping the knife in hot water...<br />
<br /><br />
OK, you get there, but it is a bind.<br />
<br /><br />
So when I saw this little tip I thought, 'of course.'<br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
1 Fill a glass with hot water.<br />
2 Remove butter from fridge.<br />
3 Cut a chunk off, as needed.<br />
4 Empty the glass.<br />
5 Place the glass upside down over the chunk of butter.<br />
<br /><br />
6 About a minute later your butter is spreadable again!<br />
<br /><br />
It works<br />
Nuff said [takes bow]<br />
<br /><br />
I'll be back after Milford to talk, among other things, about a bursary?<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-78589971539844061492016-09-05T02:13:00.003-07:002016-09-05T02:14:14.315-07:00Seeing Through the Eyes of an Alien.A few days ago I took an eight year old to the theatre.<br />
<br />
<br />
We saw 'Gansta Grannie' at the Lowry in Salford Quays - that's next door to the Manchester United Football Ground for any southerners reading this. It's probably my favourite theatre. While The West End venues have more history the Lowry is modern, spacious and very comfortable, with its own, shop, café, bar and restaurant, plus not one but two theatres, a studio space and an art gallery - what more could I want?<br />
<br />
<br />
If you don't know the story from the David Walliams book it's about an eleven year old boy forced to visit Grannie every Friday night while his parents go ballroom dancing. He is forced to play Scrabble and eat cabbage and she calls him 'Little Benny'. He hates it. It's so boring!<br />
<br />
<br />
Until he discovers Grannie is really a retired jewel thief. Suddenly he wants to visit, and finds his school lessons really helpful in planning how to help her steal the crown jewels.<br />
<br />
<br />
At the end of the play Grannie dies, adding the message that no one lives for ever. I thought that might be a bit over sentimental for a child, but the script avoided that very nicely, while still making the point that grandparents are more interesting than they might seem and they won't be there for ever so make the most of them. I've seldom seen a moral message put across so succinctly, or entertainingly, so if you get the chance think about going to this? Especially if you are accompanied by a child.<br />
<br />
<br />
OK, so I've told you the plot, and the production was as good as I expected so both adult and child enjoyed the outing. Is that it?<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, not quite. Another aspect was seeing the whole thing from the point of view of someone not yet used to theatre. Someone, if you like, in an alien environment.<br />
<br />
<br />
My eight year old, for instance, refused to read the programme when we were seated because I'd explained it talked about the play. He said he didn't want to know that, it would spoil it. He did however spend the time we waited for the curtain to rise on the wordsearch page which included words relevant to the play, and continued this during the interval. Some kids want ice cream, he wanted words. Hooray!<br />
<br />
<br />
In this fast paced production all the cast bar the two leads played multiple roles. Ben's father was also a policeman, his mother was also the Queen, some played numerous cameos or walk-on parts. This I accepted as normal, and part of the fun. My guest however only saw lots of characters. When the considerably smaller cast took their final bows he asked, 'Where's Ben's mother?' When I said she was the Queen, still in the persona she'd just appeared as, it took me a while to convince him.<br />
<br />
<br />
Later, when we were talking about the play, and the programme was now 'allowed', I pointed out the photograph of the actress who played Grannie. His mouth fell open; the dumpy, grey haired lady was really a dark haired forty-something? 'No way!'<br />
<br />
<br />
It gave me a dual enjoyment of the visit, as if I was two people with two different points of view. A real life version of when I write and 'become' someone else for a while. And a reminder not to take what I find so much for granted that I don't also see the strangeness in familiar things.<br />
<br />
<br />
I guess that's why I like speculative fiction, seeing things with alien eyes?terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-69532934458640722262016-08-29T04:31:00.000-07:002016-08-29T04:31:04.316-07:00Review: The God Project, 5* :)Review: <em>The God Project</em>, by Stan Lee.<br />
<br /><br />
published by Brash Books<br />
Feb 2015<br />
isbn: 9781941298428<br />
<br /><br />
It's the early 1990s. The newly elected President learns the CIA has a secret they've hidden from him and the military, a weapon called the God Project - but now somehow they've lost it.<br />
<br /><br />
It's a 'political' story. I don't usually like those, but this was an exception to the rule. The writer clearly knows the American political arena extremely well [and holds it in some contempt] so the detail is impressive. As a mere Brit I admit some of the 'real' names don't resonate with me as much as they probably do an American reader, but that's a small hitch in a big, bold story. It didn't stop me enjoying this a lot.<br />
<br /><br />
Happily, this is also a character-driven novel where it could have suffered from being too plot focussed, and the characters are well drawn. Though not always entirely understandable, which makes them more credible rather than less? In the end I have to say I was a <em>little</em> disappointed in the big reveal, the project wasn't quite what I hoped, but after that 'dip' the book carried me forward again and the ending was both a twist and a lot more satisfying than I expected. With an added 'is he or isn't he' type cliffhanger to leave me thinking.<br />
<br /><br />
Sadly, I understand that the author has since died. A real shame I can't find more of his work.<br />
But that needn't stop anyone from enjoying this one?<br />
<br /><br />
<br />terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-51039780455275126902016-08-21T09:43:00.000-07:002016-08-21T09:43:10.031-07:00The Following Comments....A while ago I came across the following title in one of Chuck Wendig's blog 'rants' - which I hasten to add I thoroughly enjoy. The occasional [or not so] rants are the main reason I look.<br />
Title: Don't Read the Comments.<br />
<br /><br />
Basically, and humourously, this rants about our overweening need to make a comment underneath any and every article/blog post/ video etc we see online. <br />
Most of which are, to put it bluntly, pointless.<br />
<br /><br />
I've always tried not to make comments unless I have something to add to a discussion. Always assuming that if I do I should also stick to the topic in hand.<br />
<br /><br />
I do 'like' stuff, but regard that as a nod to say I've read it and agreed, or yes, liked.<br />
<br /><br />
But now I'm wondering: do I also add to the flood of waffle that so often purports to 'comment'? Do hope not.<br />
<br /><br />
Though I know for sure I'm not the worst offender. That goes to a friend who likes to keep the world in touch with her entire life. She's going out - look, to here. She's wearing - see? She's arrived and here's a picture of her first drink to prove it... And you thought cat pictures were bad?<br />
<br /><br />
Wendig said he was fed up of inane comments on his blog - not guilty - and was removing the comment feature. I could see his point.<br />
Which leaves the question, which of the messages flying through the ether needs a comment box, and which don't?<br />
<br /><br />
If you like rants, the whole getting it off your chest, you might look at the blog: terrible minds. :)terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-10680248797529170442016-08-14T03:40:00.000-07:002016-08-14T03:40:55.020-07:00Was I away? Oh Boy!<br />
<br /><br />
Last September? Now I'm really feeling silly. I have a life. No, really. But I had no idea it had been almost a year since I posted here last.<br />
<br /><br />
I still have seven Orbit groups running for the British Science Fiction Association. I still have a part-time job that actually pays me. I just kinda forgot to find the time to blog [if anybody noticed :)]<br />
<br /><br />
The reviews for <em>Ashamet</em> are still great. I will refer you to the latest, by Narelle Roberts, an author in Australia, that someone kindly sent me. It begins: "This is a marvellous book"!!! That fed my ego for the rest of the month. And she kindly put it onto Amazon and Goodreads as well as her own blog.<br />
<br /><br />
My publisher is talking about a new cover too, which will be interesting cos I think they mean to add some muscles?<br />
<br /><br />
And it's been made very clear to me that I'm supposed to SUBMIT stuff. <em>Ashamet</em> was signed without, and now I seem to have sold a short story without, cos again the publisher asked.<br />
The story is called <em>Incense Shrine</em>, and it's out now, in the anthology <em>Myriad Lands</em>.From Guardbridge Books.<br />
The theme is to collect stories none of which feature the more common western tropes and settings. the result was stories from writers in eleven countries, if you include the UK, including one from Adrian Tchaikovsky dealing with murderous flowers! To make it more fun, I was also engaged to edit several of the other stories, from five of the countries, and read a bit of mine at EdgeLit.<br />
<br /><br />
So I've taken the hint, and made a resolution to submit stuff in the future, which believe it or not will be a big step for me. Fingers crossed, eh?terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-76677802701853868082015-09-29T09:41:00.000-07:002015-09-29T09:41:16.793-07:00Bristolcon 2015 - another great weekendYes, I know I keep saying this, but it's true. Bristolcon is one of the friendliest, best-run cons I've come across. It even has a good venue, with a large bar, all the panel rooms on the ground floor, and a really attractive restaurant - built in a giant brick kiln!<br />
<br />
I managed to get there for the Friday evening 'Open Mike' this year. Beginners were invited along early to practise reading their own work, and get some helpful tips on timing, pace, and connecting with an audience. Since they only got five minutes to do so, it was impossible to get too bogged down or too panicked. I noticed that when the same people read for a second time an hour later the result was an immediate improvement.<br />
<br />
This is a great idea for anyone who wants - or needs - to learn how to manage standing in front of others, even if it's only at the day job. I went along to warm up before doing a reading from 'Ashamet' on the Saturday.<br />
<br />
What else? I started the day running a workshop on self-editing, then managed to hear Jaine Fenn read, always a good experience. Had a look at the art exhibition. Joined in a panel discussion on what made a "good dystopia", which was fun because all the other panellists had obviously thought about the subject in advance [not at all like those times when people seem to think they can 'wing it' we've all seen?]. Then I confess I spent some time in the bar, but I was chatting rather than drinking, honest.<br />
<br />
There was a film in the evening, but my other half, who doesn't favour SF, had been sightseeing all day and found a great restaurant only minutes from the hotel. So it seemed only fair to let him take me out. And then it was Sunday and time to go, already thinking about going back next year!terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-47450045388003006482015-09-21T03:56:00.001-07:002015-09-21T03:56:09.678-07:00Catching up with Life - Yet Again.'Ashamet' is out in the world now, and while the odd review hates it - mainly, unsurprisingly on 'moral' grounds, most of them like it, or really like it, to the tune of giving it five stars and wanting more! This is of course very gratifying. It's also, to be honest, rather a shock. I hoped for quite good, I seem to have got a lot more. Result: it feels unreal, but then I suspect it always will, I never have quite trusted compliments.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to Bristolcon at the weekend. I finally got there a couple years ago, after being told repeatedly how nice a con it was, to find the advice was dead on, it's a very friendly, and very well run, convention. So off I go again, but this time with books to sell. Do look for them in the dealer room?<br />
<br />
This time round I'm doing an editing workshop, a whole 45 minutes of pick up your pen and have a go. Also sitting in on the panel on dystopian fiction. Jan Edwards our moderator asks what hat we'll be wearing; what position we'll be coming from. I guess I'll be 1] reader 2] critiquer/editor and 3] writer. 'Ashamet', it occurs to me, could easily have been a dystopian story but isn't. Which makes me wonder why I wrote it the other way round. Maybe I'm just not pessimistic enough? If you're curious, I'll also be reading a short excerpt at the end of the panel session.<br />
<br />
Apart from all that I hope to see old friends, and maybe meet new ones, which is also what a con is all about. And listen to panels, readings... I might even manage someone else's workshop if I'm lucky. I can never get my head around the notion that people only go to cons to sit in the bar. I always want to make the most of what's on offer?<br />
<br />
Maybe see you there?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-85305035766281313062015-09-21T03:41:00.001-07:002015-09-21T03:41:09.352-07:00Review: The Death House, Sarah Pinborough 5* :)Review: The Death House 5*<br />
by Sarah Pinborough<br />
pub Orbit<br />
<br />
described in the blurb as "an exceptional, contemporary, heartbreaking novel" and it's all true.<br />
<br />
16 year old Toby is in the Death House. Any sign of the dreaded sickness and Matron will move them to the sanitorium, from where no one ever returns. So everyone watches everyone else for any changes. but maybe death isn't the worst thing they need to deal with.<br />
<br />
Honestly, I loved every page of this book. It was a spell binder, leaving behind that sense of wonder, that 'wow' factor only the best fantasy can. It's one of the very very few books in recent months I'd totally vote for in an award list.<br />
<br />
Do try it out!terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-71856857365852690502015-07-03T06:49:00.001-07:002015-07-03T06:49:04.583-07:00Review: Dark Prayer, Natasha Mostert 5* :)Review: Dark Prayer, by Natasha Mostert 5*<br />
pub Portable Magic Ltd. out Oct 2014<br />
<br />
"Eloise Blake is on the run 0 from a life she can no longer remember."<br />
<br />
And for once that's all I'm going to tell you about this one. Find out more by the usual methods?<br />
<br />
I found it a fascinating story, a thriller that hooked me right from the start then surprised me by gripping tighter and tighter as the story became darker and more intense than it first appeared. The characters are quirky yet convincing, the writing fluid, and where the plot could easily have strayed into mysticism and straight magic-fantasy, it didn't, and that definitely added to the effect.<br />
<br />
For me this is definitely one to read. :)terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-41601249957344299122015-06-30T09:18:00.001-07:002015-06-30T09:18:35.088-07:00Review: 'Undercity', Catherine Asaro - 5* :)Review: 'Undercity' by Catherine Asaro 5*<br />
pub Baen Books, Dec 2014<br />
<br />
<br />
Bhaajan, former major in the Skolian Space Command, is now a hard-bitten private eye. But the kidnapping of a prince brings back to the past she deliberately left behind - the Undercity. Only there can she find the clues to solve this crime - and a lot more.<br />
<br />
Despite her pedigree Asaro was a new writer to me, but now I'm hooked, both on her writing and the Skolian universe. I already have another loaded on my ereader.<br />
<br />
Basically this book had everything I wanted: strong characters, a new, unique world and a plot that wasn't as simple as it first appeared. Plus a great sense of pace, without which everything else falters?<br />
<br />
Wish I'd written this one, and I don't honestly think that often. So consider trying it out?terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-85268791456510799572015-06-27T04:52:00.003-07:002015-06-27T04:52:53.222-07:00And Now For Something Completely Different? - Review: 'Twisted Miracles', A J Larrieu 4* :)Review: 'Twisted Miracles' by A J Larrieu 4*<br />
pub Carina Press, April 2015<br />
<br />
YA<br />
<br />
After the planet-bound space opera of the last post here, this was a walk on the lighter side.<br />
<br />
A reluctant telekinetic is drawn back to New Orleans' supernatural underworld when her best friend goes missing, but once there she finds her powers, and her feelings for an ex, are stronger than before.<br />
<br />
This one is a YA paranormal murder mystery, with a dash of romance - something for everyone. I especially liked the way this story jumped right in, adding just enough background to colour things but not worrying to much about explaining more. YA or adult, we none of us like being lectured, do we?<br />
<br />
The plot was interesting, the characters likeable and it's nicely targetted as YA. OK, some characters are weaker than others, and I guessed who-dunnit in advance of the climax, But the premis and paranormal 'rules' were well conceived and credible.<br />
<br />
And I enjoyed guessing and being right!terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-71058738956045332922015-06-27T04:41:00.002-07:002015-06-27T04:41:50.949-07:00Review: 'Frontier Resistance', Leonie Rogers, 4* :)Review: 'Frontier Resistance', by Leonie Rogers. 4*<br />
pub Hague Publishing, out October 2014<br />
<br />
a YA sequel to 'Frontier Incursion.'<br />
<br />
This continues the tale of adults and near-adults making a life on the hostile planet they crashed on, now facing aliens intent on enslaving them. The key human characters are teamed up with panther-like creatures with empathic abilities, and in this book the humans start to learn more about these allies, and the effect they are having on humans.<br />
<br />
The second book is very successful at introducing just enough plot etc to make it readable without knowing the first story, a sign of a good writer. I liked the plot and I enjoyed most of the characters, including the aliens. And the last quarter of the book ramped up the tension and came to a very good conclusion.<br />
<br />
It's not the first time the idea has been written but it is a very nice effort, and I like stories that deal with aliens as real characters rather than 'the enemy'. If I'm disappointed it's for two reasons. The rather homogenous portrayal of the felines compared to the other characters [though I'll accept it was a big ask to distinguish so many characters]. But mostly it was pace. For three quarters of this book I found myself skim-reading to speed it up. But I kept reading. I wanted to know what happened, plot-wise, enough to put up with that.<br />
<br />
So you might try a sample and see? Because if not for those two factors I might well have ended up giving it 5 stars instead.<br />
<br />terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-15806481270577434112015-06-27T04:22:00.000-07:002015-06-27T04:22:36.685-07:00Looking at the Month of JuneMy month began with what is now a six monthly visit to the nearby cancer department, to be told, yet again, that there's nothing wrong with me. It's a trek I don't mind it at all. It's nice to have it confirmed each time if nothing else.<br />
<br />
For a long time I didn't talk about the subject. After all, who needs to hear depressing stuff like that anyway. I certainly didn't. nor did I like being fussed over or made to feel self conscious. I didn't even let it out to the people I spent my first Milford with, though I was going 'under the knife' the following week.<br />
<br />
Now, though, it's a fait accompli, something that's dealt with and finished. Cancer made a lot of noise but it didn't follow through. Cancer, as an adversary, is a loser.<br />
<br />
I suspect I always expected it to be, optimistic or not. I approached the topic as a nuisance I had to live with till it went away again, and in the end it did just that. Does positive thinking make a difference? Who knows, but it didn't do any harm.<br />
<br />
I suspect it also made me a bit more stubborn about writing. I had the germ of a story in my head, but no one liked even the idea of it. Once upon a time I might have thought 'Oh well, it's got no chance' and given up on it. This time? I wanted to write the thing, and I was **** going to write it. The opening pages took me 5, yes 5, drafts to get to something that feels about right, but that's always the worst part. I almost have the rest now.<br />
<br />
Will anyone like it in the end? Who knows. But I do, which is sort of the point. And since 'Ashamet' originally seemed equally 'unlikeable', and is now getting 5 star reviews and some staggering comments, maybe in the end this one will turn out not to be so awful as some people thought?<br />
<br />
Fingers crossed. And keep going, regardless?terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201261901383063582.post-24762420532631755172015-06-07T04:47:00.002-07:002015-06-07T04:47:51.106-07:00Review: Two for the price of one: 'How We Learn', Benedict Carey 5* + 'Transgender Lives', Kirsten Cronn-Mills 5* :)Both these books are non fiction. In many ways they only other thing they have in common is their five star rating, but since I seldom review nonfiction I decided to put them together.<br />
<br />
'How We Learn', by Benedict Carey, 5*<br />
Pub Random House<br />
<br />
"A practical, playful... guide to what we really know about learning and memory today - and how we can apply it to our lives."<br />
<br />
Science reporter Carey's proposal: what if there was a way to achieve more [learning] with less effort? He explores this subject with an entertaining style and a personal touch that lifts this book well out of textbook status.<br />
<br />
As a teacher myself - though now outside the school environment - I found this easy to read, informative, and something of a relief, as it confirmed many of the methods I and those around me already used. Except we were basing what we did on experience - or should that be trial and error?<br />
Either way, this is a great book for anyone involved in or concerned about learning.<br />
<br />
Maybe we should recommend it to some of those politicians who keep interfering in our education system???<br />
<br />
<br />
'Transgender Lives', by Kirsten Cronn-Mills, 5*<br />
pub Lerner Publicity<br />
<br />
This covers the accounts of seven Trans people in the USA, their daily lives, their struggles and decisions, how they see themselves and how others see them.<br />
<br />
I was frankly surprised by how easy to read this little book was, and can honestly say I found it both enjoyable and illuminating. Due, undoubtedly, to the honesty of the 'subjects', and the concise wrting style.<br />
Thanks for this one.terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01206216777643309193noreply@blogger.com0