See how much I can get done when I decide to be productive? It’s amazing really. Also probably has something to do with finally sorting out my housing situation, feeling better at work and looking forward to no more stressing over bills.
But I’m going to say its all down to my decision to be productive. I’m just hoping it sticks this time. At least until Christmas when everything gets manic again and I freak out.
Saturday 27 November 2010
Wednesday 24 November 2010
En Ma Fin Est Ma Commencement - In my end is my beginning.
Finished The Other Queen by Phillippa Gregory finally! After two years of owning the book, I eventually got round to reading to the end. It was good, although not as gripping as her other Tudor novels. Don’t know whether it was really the best way to end the series; although one of the previous novels was based during Elizabethan England that came near the beginning of the collection, when Gregory was less well known. I think after the success of The Other Boleyn Girl, the cold, passionless lives of the characters of Other Queen are boring. Gregory’s other novels always heavily featured sex, intrigue, plots and romances and although this novel is big on the plotting, it’s not really big on much else. Although we are given Bess and Talbot’s relationship to ponder over - will Mary seduce George completely and steal him away from Bess? – none of this really compares to the drama of women lying, cheating and sleeping their way to the throne. Henry VIII’s love life was, simply put, a lot more interesting that the petty trifles of an Earl and Countess. Even if the one getting in the way of their relationship is the Queen of Scots.
I love Gregory’s novels but this one just didn’t hold the same thrall for me. Since reading many of her Tudor novels, I picked up her Wideacre trilogy, a set of books so completely astounding that I think the tameness of Other Queen left me bored. Still historical novels, they explore themes of, incest, sadomasochism and murder, to name a few. The books are a revelation and, although possibly not to everyone’s taste, show us the true lengths a woman will travel to claim what is, in her mind, rightfully hers.
If you like historical fiction, give Wideacre a try. Even if you hate it, at least you’ll have opened your eyes to something new. And then you can leave it alone and never read it again.
I love Gregory’s novels but this one just didn’t hold the same thrall for me. Since reading many of her Tudor novels, I picked up her Wideacre trilogy, a set of books so completely astounding that I think the tameness of Other Queen left me bored. Still historical novels, they explore themes of, incest, sadomasochism and murder, to name a few. The books are a revelation and, although possibly not to everyone’s taste, show us the true lengths a woman will travel to claim what is, in her mind, rightfully hers.
If you like historical fiction, give Wideacre a try. Even if you hate it, at least you’ll have opened your eyes to something new. And then you can leave it alone and never read it again.
Tuesday 23 November 2010
There's a time and place for everything, and I believe it's called fanfiction.
I wonder whether authors really care about people writing fan fiction about their characters and worlds. Surely, it’s just a way for fans to express their love of the author’s creation. Also, all publicity is good publicity, right? And even if your characters are doing things WAY out of character (most of the stuff I end up reading doesn’t tie in with anything even resembling canon), its all fun and games. So unless someone is actively out to destroy your career or steal all your royalties, then I’d let it go. Be pleased that people care enough about what you’ve put into the world to put something of their own in too.
It’s an homage, a tribute.
So suck it up, be grateful, and stop suing people.
It’s an homage, a tribute.
So suck it up, be grateful, and stop suing people.
The story I am writing exists, written in absolutely perfect fashion, some place, in the air. All I must do is find it, and copy it.
Today I tried to write. I got as far as a pretty random poem (not even I know what it means, and I wrote the thing).
Power lies with giving, not receipt.
To be taken, stolen, the power lies waiting.
Perhaps a final piece left to retain,
your own kept power, secret power,
stifled, released from its sleeping master.
It lies with its possessor, its captor, it’s thief in the night.
Not a long one, and not particularly good one either. I want to write a story but I have no real idea where to start. I did a module of The Short Story at University but, although I did enjoy it, I didn’t exactly follow the regular patterns for writing. I thought I knew better than the teacher (which I still think is true) however, I do concede that I still should have paid more attention. Possibly it would have come in useful at this point in time.
There are a few reasons behind my wanting to write a longer piece.
* I was having a discussion recently with someone who shared my opinion on drafting. Now this being rare in itself, I was rather pleased. He then proceeded to tell me that I must be a “proper writer” because I didn’t feel any need to draft my work. It was nice to hear to be honest. I have no qualms with people that do draft their work; I personally think there is little distinction between writers that do and ones that don’t, it’s simply a different way of working. I do, however, have problems with people that tell me I can’t be a writer if I don’t draft. But it’s the “proper writer” comment that threw me; I feel a little bit fraudulent, calling myself a writer when I can’t even write a story, and, even worse, haven’t really written anything creative in months.
* Second reason is that I want to challenge myself. I’m much too set in my ways for someone so young and I shouldn’t limit myself to one style of writing. If I am as decent a writer as I like to think I am then I should be able to write anything. I won’t necessarily write it well but at least I will have tried.
* I need something to do. I need some pure focus in my life that does not revolve around making sure I’ve watched this week’s episode of Glee. I should really try and be more well rounded in my interests and activities.
* Eventually, I have an epic poem that I would like to write. It has been started but, unfortunately, after having being left for many years (I think I begun it in 2005), I’m finding it very difficult to pick it back up again. I think starting on something like a novel length (god help me) piece of fiction will help me get over my I-have-to-finish-everything-in-one-go mindset.
So, at the moment, those are my reasons. Any suggestions for getting started, very welcome (not that I really believe anyone reads this) and hopefully, once I’ve got the ball rolling, I’ll update with some actual, possibly truly terrible, pieces of writing.
Power lies with giving, not receipt.
To be taken, stolen, the power lies waiting.
Perhaps a final piece left to retain,
your own kept power, secret power,
stifled, released from its sleeping master.
It lies with its possessor, its captor, it’s thief in the night.
Not a long one, and not particularly good one either. I want to write a story but I have no real idea where to start. I did a module of The Short Story at University but, although I did enjoy it, I didn’t exactly follow the regular patterns for writing. I thought I knew better than the teacher (which I still think is true) however, I do concede that I still should have paid more attention. Possibly it would have come in useful at this point in time.
There are a few reasons behind my wanting to write a longer piece.
* I was having a discussion recently with someone who shared my opinion on drafting. Now this being rare in itself, I was rather pleased. He then proceeded to tell me that I must be a “proper writer” because I didn’t feel any need to draft my work. It was nice to hear to be honest. I have no qualms with people that do draft their work; I personally think there is little distinction between writers that do and ones that don’t, it’s simply a different way of working. I do, however, have problems with people that tell me I can’t be a writer if I don’t draft. But it’s the “proper writer” comment that threw me; I feel a little bit fraudulent, calling myself a writer when I can’t even write a story, and, even worse, haven’t really written anything creative in months.
* Second reason is that I want to challenge myself. I’m much too set in my ways for someone so young and I shouldn’t limit myself to one style of writing. If I am as decent a writer as I like to think I am then I should be able to write anything. I won’t necessarily write it well but at least I will have tried.
* I need something to do. I need some pure focus in my life that does not revolve around making sure I’ve watched this week’s episode of Glee. I should really try and be more well rounded in my interests and activities.
* Eventually, I have an epic poem that I would like to write. It has been started but, unfortunately, after having being left for many years (I think I begun it in 2005), I’m finding it very difficult to pick it back up again. I think starting on something like a novel length (god help me) piece of fiction will help me get over my I-have-to-finish-everything-in-one-go mindset.
So, at the moment, those are my reasons. Any suggestions for getting started, very welcome (not that I really believe anyone reads this) and hopefully, once I’ve got the ball rolling, I’ll update with some actual, possibly truly terrible, pieces of writing.
These are dark times. There is no denying.
So Harry Potter again. Just a quick buzz to say I loved it. So much. Bloody brilliant as Ron would say. The only slightly bad thing I have to say about it is that I feel they rushed through it a little bit. I know it was almost two and a half hours but what happened in the film takes up the large majority of the final book. The last battle isn’t one half, it’s actually a mere few chapters. I can see why they’ve done it. They can promote Part One as a quest story and then Part Two is a big old action fantasy film. I get it. It’s smart. But it’s aggravating when you feel things have been overlooked or missed out. I feel that way with most film adaptations, and with all previous Harry Potter films, but I would’ve liked to not have that this time.
However, all that said, what was lost in this film was minor compared to its many attributes. The cinematography and special effects were amazing (although there was a significant lack of the latter – saving it all for Part Two I imagine) and the actors have most definitely come into their own. Even though he wasn’t in it for long, Jason Isaacs in particular played the part of Lucius Malfoy brilliantly. I loved how Malfoy had become so unkempt and nervous because of Voldemort’s presence in his home.
Anyway, it’s still early in terms of the release so I’m not going to pick through the film because I can’t be fussed with “spoiler alert”-ing everything. I did love it though and am desperate to see it again, if only to satisfy my growing Rupert crush. In the mean time, I have succumbed slightly to PotterMania and am finding any and every source of HP related material just to keep myself sane until Deathly Hallows: Part Two. Once that’s over I have no idea what will happen. I might just curl up in a small ball and cry. Or invent new stories for the characters in my head. Possibly involving whipped cream.
However, all that said, what was lost in this film was minor compared to its many attributes. The cinematography and special effects were amazing (although there was a significant lack of the latter – saving it all for Part Two I imagine) and the actors have most definitely come into their own. Even though he wasn’t in it for long, Jason Isaacs in particular played the part of Lucius Malfoy brilliantly. I loved how Malfoy had become so unkempt and nervous because of Voldemort’s presence in his home.
Anyway, it’s still early in terms of the release so I’m not going to pick through the film because I can’t be fussed with “spoiler alert”-ing everything. I did love it though and am desperate to see it again, if only to satisfy my growing Rupert crush. In the mean time, I have succumbed slightly to PotterMania and am finding any and every source of HP related material just to keep myself sane until Deathly Hallows: Part Two. Once that’s over I have no idea what will happen. I might just curl up in a small ball and cry. Or invent new stories for the characters in my head. Possibly involving whipped cream.
Thursday 18 November 2010
The end is nigh...
Tomorrow, I go to see HP7 Part 1. I am extremely excited and have been psyching myself up for, oh, the past month or so.
A couple of weeks ago I decided to re-watch all six films and then this week decided to do so again. I also dragged out my copy of book 7 and devoured in all of a day.
I really like the Harry Potter franchise. I know I’m an adult and I should leave well alone but I can’t help it. When the series began on screen, I was the same age as the characters. I’m the same age as many of the cast as well and because of this I feel this weird affinity. My friends and I watched these films growing up, we had schoolgirl crushes on the male leads (I still have a big adult crush on Rupert Grint – Ron) and stuck photos in our lockers. They’re like an extended family, in a world that I wish I could join. I think every boy or girl has fantasies about escaping to a magical world but the boarding school thing heightened it for me too.
When I was younger, I loved Enid Blyton’s books about boarding schools. Malory Towers, The Twins at St Clare’s; I dreamed that I was one of them. And as I got too old to think of going to a school like that as a student, I decided I wanted to be a teacher, have my own boarding school and live there forever. I imagine it’s got something to do with escaping my dreary middle class life and doing something, if not exciting, then at least something no one else I knew had done. I’d go far away, on a big adventure. Also, the fact that everyone seemed to love and respect books and learning at these places enthralled me. I didn’t really know anyone growing up who read like I did and I was always seen as a bit odd by my friends because of it. It wasn’t really until University that I met people who really loved books and read just for the pleasure of it.
So you combine boarding school, magic, cute boys and, to me, you’ve got a pretty solid starting block. Add in all the villains and intrigue and the books take you on a brilliant, exhilarating ride. The films do that just as well in my opinion. They’re not as good as the novels of course. They leave too many important details out (as with almost every other book to film adaptation) and they haven’t really matured with the audience and the characters as the books did. But on the whole, they do give me the warm and fuzzies. I’m sad that soon it’ll all be over, gone but hopefully not forgotten. It’s is the ultimate guilty pleasure, the series that spawned special adult editions so that commuters didn’t have to hide their books on the train. It generated official clothing, video games, merchandise and a theme park, along with all the unofficial fanfiction, websites, podcasts and conventions hosted up and down not just the UK but the entire world. It has poured tourists into the country, desperate to see the places described in Rowling’s books. Even Kings Cross has erected a plaque to mark where every witch or wizard on their way to Hogwarts must cross into Platform 9 ¾. Whether people enjoy the series or not, they cannot argue that it has captured and inspired an audience around the world.
A couple of weeks ago I decided to re-watch all six films and then this week decided to do so again. I also dragged out my copy of book 7 and devoured in all of a day.
I really like the Harry Potter franchise. I know I’m an adult and I should leave well alone but I can’t help it. When the series began on screen, I was the same age as the characters. I’m the same age as many of the cast as well and because of this I feel this weird affinity. My friends and I watched these films growing up, we had schoolgirl crushes on the male leads (I still have a big adult crush on Rupert Grint – Ron) and stuck photos in our lockers. They’re like an extended family, in a world that I wish I could join. I think every boy or girl has fantasies about escaping to a magical world but the boarding school thing heightened it for me too.
When I was younger, I loved Enid Blyton’s books about boarding schools. Malory Towers, The Twins at St Clare’s; I dreamed that I was one of them. And as I got too old to think of going to a school like that as a student, I decided I wanted to be a teacher, have my own boarding school and live there forever. I imagine it’s got something to do with escaping my dreary middle class life and doing something, if not exciting, then at least something no one else I knew had done. I’d go far away, on a big adventure. Also, the fact that everyone seemed to love and respect books and learning at these places enthralled me. I didn’t really know anyone growing up who read like I did and I was always seen as a bit odd by my friends because of it. It wasn’t really until University that I met people who really loved books and read just for the pleasure of it.
So you combine boarding school, magic, cute boys and, to me, you’ve got a pretty solid starting block. Add in all the villains and intrigue and the books take you on a brilliant, exhilarating ride. The films do that just as well in my opinion. They’re not as good as the novels of course. They leave too many important details out (as with almost every other book to film adaptation) and they haven’t really matured with the audience and the characters as the books did. But on the whole, they do give me the warm and fuzzies. I’m sad that soon it’ll all be over, gone but hopefully not forgotten. It’s is the ultimate guilty pleasure, the series that spawned special adult editions so that commuters didn’t have to hide their books on the train. It generated official clothing, video games, merchandise and a theme park, along with all the unofficial fanfiction, websites, podcasts and conventions hosted up and down not just the UK but the entire world. It has poured tourists into the country, desperate to see the places described in Rowling’s books. Even Kings Cross has erected a plaque to mark where every witch or wizard on their way to Hogwarts must cross into Platform 9 ¾. Whether people enjoy the series or not, they cannot argue that it has captured and inspired an audience around the world.
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Your blog is your unedited version of yourself.
I think it has been decided that I am a bad blogger.
I have a tendency to abandon projects halfway through unless I am completely immersed in them. That’s why twitter works. It’s there every second of every day; you have a thought and you just write it in and away it goes to the, in my case small, number of followers that you have.
Blogging involves more effort, time to think about what you want to say. It’s a mini essay every time you make a post; if it’s not important or interesting to read, then why bother putting it out there?
Maybe that’s another issue I have with blogging. Why would anyone want to read what I say? Yes, ok, I like books and films and like to think I know what I’m talking about when I dismiss or recommend titles. But, really, I’m only one person, with one tiny opinion.
So from now on, this blog is for me. I’m going to attempt to blog about what I want to blog about. I might even grace the interweb with some new poetry, if I ever get round to writing any, or post a soliloquy on my favourite song lyric that week. It might be a little juvenile but then I’m only 22.
I have a tendency to abandon projects halfway through unless I am completely immersed in them. That’s why twitter works. It’s there every second of every day; you have a thought and you just write it in and away it goes to the, in my case small, number of followers that you have.
Blogging involves more effort, time to think about what you want to say. It’s a mini essay every time you make a post; if it’s not important or interesting to read, then why bother putting it out there?
Maybe that’s another issue I have with blogging. Why would anyone want to read what I say? Yes, ok, I like books and films and like to think I know what I’m talking about when I dismiss or recommend titles. But, really, I’m only one person, with one tiny opinion.
So from now on, this blog is for me. I’m going to attempt to blog about what I want to blog about. I might even grace the interweb with some new poetry, if I ever get round to writing any, or post a soliloquy on my favourite song lyric that week. It might be a little juvenile but then I’m only 22.
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