I started a much anticipated book last night. Sadly, I found that I couldn’t finish the story, it bored me, made me mad or want to do something else. Time is valuable, so I decided to do something else. But I wanted to know if it gets better, because as I said, I was really looking forward to the book. I cheated and read the last few chapters. It doesn’t appear to get better. Sad pandas. Therefore I am not telling you the name of the book. [I know that writing a book is hard work and takes courage and I do not want to belittle the author.] The world building in the story is phenomenal, but the main characters leave much to be desired. Our “heroine” doesn’t figure out that she is strong and brave until the last pages of this loooong story. She has an issue with herself and I get that. We all have issues right? Only this issue is mentioned and repeated and talked about several times on every page. I got it the first few times, alright? Also, the love interest is weak and untrustworthy and selfish. But he is handsome. To be fair I would read the sequel as the issues with the characters look to have resolved themselves in those two final pages. So what I’ve learned and would like to share with you is this: 1. You can have the best plot or setting and still have a flop of a book if your main characters aren’t up to scruff. 2. Characters need flaws and weakness to feel real, but don’t over annunciate. Readers are smart and will pick up on it. If you do, your character comes across as sounding whinny and helpless, which is honestly just not what *I* want to read about. This is fiction people, not real life. 3. Please please please make the love interest someone worthy of love, in some way! Again, flaws are good but having only looks on your side… um, doesn’t work for me. Ok, so really that was one tip, characters characters characters! Hope what you are reading right now is more up your alley! <heart> Kate
Monthly Archives: January 2012
Scorpio Races Printz Award (Exclamation Point)
- 27
- Jan
Remember from December when I mentioned that the Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is one of those books I wish I wrote? I’m a hugemongous fan and apparently I’m not the only one! It was awarded the Michael L. Printz Honor Award for 2012! Woohoo! (Yes, that’s 3 exclamation points in a row.) You can see what Maggie has to say about her award here. One of many places to pick up a copy is here. You can view the other winners here. The winners of the Caldecott winners here, and the Newberry winners here. The Schneider Family winners here. Coretta Scott King winners here. Edwards winner here. Read it and let me know what you think! <3 Kate
Break the Rules #5: Not Butt In Chair, Go Do Something Else
- 20
- Jan
Butt In Chair, Hands on Keyboard. Supposedly the only sure-fire way to defeat writer’s block…. In my opinion, there isn’t block so much as fear. Fear of failure. Fear of a blank screen. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the future… and sometimes putting your hands on the keyboard and your behind on the chair just doesn’t work. Instead of just sitting there staring and hoping that your fingers will start magically forming words, go do something else. Something else that you know compels you to write. (No, meandering the interwebs is not what I’m talking about here, thats a time waste.) Some of the things that get my creative juices flowing are: Dancing. Singing. Listen to music. Walk the dog. Rock the baby. Reading crappy books that I know I could write better. Reading great books that I wish I wrote. Blogging. Fun Art. Great Art. Bad Art. Writing crap. Ok, I know that I said Art three times so I should probably explain. There are many many different forms of art. Some types of art I really just do for fun, some because I think it would be beautiful somewhere in my house or someone else’s house, some I do just to get some color down. Its a kickstart for my brain. This brings me to writing crap. Its ok to write poorly, you can always fix it later. But once words are flowing, I find it easier to keep flowing. So I completely understand the point of the adage Butt-in-Chair but that isn’t always enough. You also need to get the juices flowing. Sometimes that doesn’t involve Butt-In-Chair. How do you get your juices flowing? Love to hear it, Kate
Favorite Reads of 2011
- 05
- Jan
I was blog hopping the other day and noticed that many authors blog their favorites reads of the past year. Usually that means books that came out the past year, but new releases are hard to come by in the library. I only buy books I love, so the library is my standard first-read stop. That being said, I still thought it was a good idea to look back and see what I enjoyed reading last year, for you, but mostly for me. In no particular order: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon The Adoration of Jenna Fox Skulduggery Pleasant Miner’s Daughter The Search for WonDLa Birthmarked Mockingbird Finnikin of the Rock Scorpio Races What were your favorite reads of last year? <heart> Kate
Pre-Blondie Jr#2 Resolutions
- 01
- Jan
So I’ve never been one to succumb to New Year’s Resolutions, but I am going to this year. Not specific to 2012 but to before I get pregnant with No. 2 (on purpose anyways). Lose the rest of the baby#1 weight. (5ish pounds for those counting at home, though I was already over a few to begin with.) Cardio Cardio Cardio! Hang pictures in hallway, living room and kitchen. Paint 4 small paintings for kitchen. Buy new mattress set. (Obviously important!) Memorize one chapter. Fill 50% of 2012 Sketchbook. Write 11,800 words more. Put either colorful header or background on blog. I believe in very, very specific goals. I am hoping they will be more likely to be completed. We shall see. What are your goals for this fine year?<heart> Kate
