Dewey's read-a-thon is officially over. My 24 hours of reading has ended. While it was a good run, I have to say I'm glad it's completed. The last six hours was hard, only because the sleepiness was getting to me. But fear not, I survived, slapped myself and splashed water on my face.
The final hour all I could think about (at least for a brief moment) was getting a shower and jumping into bed. My back is absolutely killing me. Although I must say I'm glad it decided to hurt only for the last hour and a half.
For the final hour, I did manage to read the first 90 pages of In High Gear by Gina Wilkins. It's part of Harlequin's NASCAR series. I must admit when this series first came out, I couldn't get enough of the books. While the desire to gobble up NASCAR books has subsided, I still get a lot of pleasure from reading one every now and then. For myself, as a fledgling writer, I look at books like this as paving the way for a new market. I sometimes sigh out loud when I see books with doctors, construction workers, cops, librarians, FBI agents and CEOs. I'm always looking for the new thing to tap in hopes that when I finally manage to finish a novel, I won't be using the same stuff as authors before me. Maybe oen day I'll find it, and maybe not.
Anyway, as for the read-a-thon, I completed reading Outlaw's Bride, Sisters Found, Tempt Me at Twilight, The Maverick's Bride, Behind Closed Doors and Bittersweet Promises. I also finished about 40% of Dream guy and 90 pages of In High Gear.
Most of these titles were 300+ page books. Only In High Gear, The Maverick's Bride and Behind Closed Doors were under 300 pages.
Well, it was a good run. Very exciting and I'm already looking to do it again next year. I'd especially like to try mini challenges or be a cheerleader at some point. Either way, the read-a-thon was great and I hope whoever's in charge keeps on truckin'!
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Fairy Tales
In my college class we're studying fairy tales. I have to say, the one thing about this subject that always comes up is the naiveté that seems to ooze from all sorts of fairy tales. The subject of Disney is also brought up.
Now, I grew up on fairy tales. I enjoy them and thrive on them. However, it seems to me that whenever fairy tales are focused on or discussed, the one thing that always comes up is the damsel in distress, and the princess being saved by a handsome prince. Disney immortalized this theme, and I get the feeling that people think this is a bad thing.
I say it now and I say it then...
What's wrong with Disney? Is it so bad in the twenty-first century to still enjoy Disney? Are more parents shying away from Disney because it sends the "wrong" message to kids?
All my professors appear to elude to this. While I don't think all of them are sold on the idea, I think a lot of them believe that Disney had the market on teaching our kids about fairy tales, but sugar-coated it so much that it's giving us all a toothache.
I respect my professors and the other intellectuals around the world that believe in this viewpoint. However, I have to say I disagree. Disney and others like it are forms of entertainment. It's not like solid literature that we're exposed to when we reach the post-high school period of our lives.
Maybe I've got my head in the clouds, or maybe I'm still naive myself from all those hours of watching Disney. But I still feel there's nothing wrong with Disney. Other authors are welcome to adapt the stories and make them their own. However, the beauty of the beast is that we’re allowed choice. No one says we have to be stuck in a rut and only restrict ourselves to Disney, the Grimm’s or even Angela Carter.
Now, I grew up on fairy tales. I enjoy them and thrive on them. However, it seems to me that whenever fairy tales are focused on or discussed, the one thing that always comes up is the damsel in distress, and the princess being saved by a handsome prince. Disney immortalized this theme, and I get the feeling that people think this is a bad thing.
I say it now and I say it then...
What's wrong with Disney? Is it so bad in the twenty-first century to still enjoy Disney? Are more parents shying away from Disney because it sends the "wrong" message to kids?
All my professors appear to elude to this. While I don't think all of them are sold on the idea, I think a lot of them believe that Disney had the market on teaching our kids about fairy tales, but sugar-coated it so much that it's giving us all a toothache.
I respect my professors and the other intellectuals around the world that believe in this viewpoint. However, I have to say I disagree. Disney and others like it are forms of entertainment. It's not like solid literature that we're exposed to when we reach the post-high school period of our lives.
Maybe I've got my head in the clouds, or maybe I'm still naive myself from all those hours of watching Disney. But I still feel there's nothing wrong with Disney. Other authors are welcome to adapt the stories and make them their own. However, the beauty of the beast is that we’re allowed choice. No one says we have to be stuck in a rut and only restrict ourselves to Disney, the Grimm’s or even Angela Carter.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
It's cleaning day!
Today was an incredibly busy day for some reason. I moved out my old computer table from my room so that my little bro could have it. All I can say to that is it's about damn time. I've been wanting to get that thing out of here for months. Years, maybe.
The problem? I have too many freaking books! As my friend recently pointed out to me, you never know just how much CRAP (not stuff) you have until you have to move or clean. I have to say I quite agree.
I asked myself, what is this thing for? It's a little piece of plastic? Toss it! Then I picked up a deck of cards that didn't have all it's cards. Now, mother always said save stuff like that. One never knows when another deck will come up missing cards. Then you can just steal from the other. But truly, who the heck wants to keep this junk until that day comes? (No offense, mom!)
Finally, after multiple trips to the garbage bin, stacking boxes and finally dirt-sucking with the dust buster, the room became decent. Still crap on the floor, but hey, at least I can actually SEE the floor!
Despite all the struggles, I have to say that a clean environment appears to be a positive one. One of the reasons why I suppose I embarked on so much cleaning was to get this room into shape. I've been wanting to sit down and start doing some creative writing again. But who can concentrate and think up brilliant ideas with a room that just oozes negative energy?
Well, let's see if this helps. I swear I already feel a change in this room. I never believed much in fung shua, but I have to say there seems to be some merit to it.
Anyway, that's all I've got to say. I'm off to walk my dog, take a shower and catch some Zs!
Natalie
P.S. If by some miracle there are people actually reading my blog, please help me out by going to writing.com and checking out some of my creative fiction.
http://Writing.Com/authors/althena
The problem? I have too many freaking books! As my friend recently pointed out to me, you never know just how much CRAP (not stuff) you have until you have to move or clean. I have to say I quite agree.
I asked myself, what is this thing for? It's a little piece of plastic? Toss it! Then I picked up a deck of cards that didn't have all it's cards. Now, mother always said save stuff like that. One never knows when another deck will come up missing cards. Then you can just steal from the other. But truly, who the heck wants to keep this junk until that day comes? (No offense, mom!)
Finally, after multiple trips to the garbage bin, stacking boxes and finally dirt-sucking with the dust buster, the room became decent. Still crap on the floor, but hey, at least I can actually SEE the floor!
Despite all the struggles, I have to say that a clean environment appears to be a positive one. One of the reasons why I suppose I embarked on so much cleaning was to get this room into shape. I've been wanting to sit down and start doing some creative writing again. But who can concentrate and think up brilliant ideas with a room that just oozes negative energy?
Well, let's see if this helps. I swear I already feel a change in this room. I never believed much in fung shua, but I have to say there seems to be some merit to it.
Anyway, that's all I've got to say. I'm off to walk my dog, take a shower and catch some Zs!
Natalie
P.S. If by some miracle there are people actually reading my blog, please help me out by going to writing.com and checking out some of my creative fiction.
http://Writing.Com/authors/althena
Sunday, July 8, 2007
My First Post
This is my first post in my new blog. I know, very exciting, but what can I say. Although this isn't my first blog, I'm still new to this blogging stuff. I keep thinking to myself that my life is incredibly boring, so why would anyone want to read it?
I suppose though, I mostly wanted to start writing in a blog to get more motivated about my writing. Writing isn't as easy as it looks. Or seems in your head. You may have scenes and bits of dialogue down, but there's so much more that goes into it. Take for example this scene I'm writing right now. My hero is ticked off about getting drenched with yucky mop water. I know what's the outcome of the confrontation with the bucket-wielders, however, I'm having trouble getting to that point. What they say between them, how to approach my outcome, etc. I don't know why this is so difficult. Perhaps I don't know my hero well enough and should explore his character more?
That scene is from a historical work I'm trying to do. A bit of fantasy combined with 1800s era. I'm not sure how it's working so far.
Today it didn't feel like I did much on my historical fantasy. I suppose it's because I was trying to write something for that eHarlequin July writing challenge. Writing a scene in 500 words might seem easy. Oh, well, actually...it is. I mean, I wrote my 500 words...and then some. The hard part is cutting down the main points. I hate that. It always seems that when I need to write something short, I end up writing more than I need and then have trouble slimming it to the right length. Yet, when I try to write something longer, like my fantasy historical, I feel impatient, like it's taking me too long to get where I want to go.
I'm stupid, what can I say. :P
I suppose though, I mostly wanted to start writing in a blog to get more motivated about my writing. Writing isn't as easy as it looks. Or seems in your head. You may have scenes and bits of dialogue down, but there's so much more that goes into it. Take for example this scene I'm writing right now. My hero is ticked off about getting drenched with yucky mop water. I know what's the outcome of the confrontation with the bucket-wielders, however, I'm having trouble getting to that point. What they say between them, how to approach my outcome, etc. I don't know why this is so difficult. Perhaps I don't know my hero well enough and should explore his character more?
That scene is from a historical work I'm trying to do. A bit of fantasy combined with 1800s era. I'm not sure how it's working so far.
Today it didn't feel like I did much on my historical fantasy. I suppose it's because I was trying to write something for that eHarlequin July writing challenge. Writing a scene in 500 words might seem easy. Oh, well, actually...it is. I mean, I wrote my 500 words...and then some. The hard part is cutting down the main points. I hate that. It always seems that when I need to write something short, I end up writing more than I need and then have trouble slimming it to the right length. Yet, when I try to write something longer, like my fantasy historical, I feel impatient, like it's taking me too long to get where I want to go.
I'm stupid, what can I say. :P
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