We’ve all read them. Sometimes we even enjoy reading them. I’m talking about those ‘bad’ novels. I mean those novels that aren’t even worthy of abuse from critics. Those novels where the plot doesn’t make sense and the lines are cheesy and you’re able to figure out the conclusion from the blurb.
I personally don’t believe that, willingly, any author sets out to write the aforementioned ‘bad’ novel but, it happens. It’s my belief that it’s every writer’s worst nightmare to write a novel that just isn’t good enough.
The concept for my novel started out in a daydream as have all my other previous projects, yet nothing has become of any of them. I’ve worked hard on some pieces and, at the time, never doubted they would be published. Yet there under the bed in my old room, the tons of pages I wasted lie. Their once vibrant shade of white, yellows as small bugs roam across their surface.
I have a vision of my novel being a success, but what writer doesn’t? I want it to become a movie someday too. I want, for once, for me to dream of a story and commit to seeing it become a novel. But sometimes I get disheartened. I browse through previous things that I have written, works from a year or two ago. Looking back on what I’d written I feel embarrassed. I wonder to myself how I ever could have thought that what I had created was any good. I guess, that in itself, is proof that I am growing as a writer however I don’t want to look back in twelve months and think those same thoughts.
As I take James Ellory’s advice and read,read, read, read, read, read, I wonder to myself when will I ever write something that is good enough? Someone, somewhere, once said that you are your own worst critic and to a degree that is true. I just hope I don’t lose heart on this one. I’ve invested more time on this novel than any before and I have big dreams for it. Hopefully, if I stick with it and I continue to mature as a writer, ‘Getting Away with Murder’ won’t be one of those ‘bad’ books but rather the opposite, the novel that still has you talking long after you reached the final page (for the right reasons of course).
Monday 16 May 2011
Saturday 14 May 2011
Read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read and read!
A day or two ago, I stumbled across the infamous murder case dubbed the Black Dahlia. In the winter of 1947, Elizabeth Short, a twenty two year old wannabe starlet from Boston, Massachusetts, was brutally murdered. Her body had been found on the 15th of January severely mutilated. The gruesome murder of Elizabeth Short, referred to as the Black Dahlia, was highly glamorized in the Los Angeles media. The crime remained front page news for ten weeks running however justice was never served, her killer never identified.
James Ellory, writer of famous works such as L.A. Confidential and The Hilliker Curse, published The Black Dahlia novel in 1987. The novel focuses on the murder of Elizabeth Short but also highlights the criminality that ran rife through Los Angeles in the 1940’s and 50’s. As the case of the Black Dahlia interested me I began to become more interested in the writer. Yesterday morning as I was surfing through YouTube, I came across an interview featuring Ellroy. In an interview with TIME magazine, Ellory was asked ten questions written by TIME readers. One query that particularly stood out in my mind and inspired this blog post raised the question: ‘Are people born good writers?’, to my surprise Ellroy answered no. His response was in order to become a good writer you must:
“Read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read and read. And as you read for enjoyment and edification, unconsciously, you assimilate the rudiments of style and technique and when it comes time for a person to begin to seriously write, they either have it or they don’t. The level of artistry can be advanced, chiefly, through hard work but you have to read, read, read, read, read, read.”
So that got me thinking maybe, just maybe, I should read.
My novel, as you no doubt have heard me say time and time again, is a crime/law novel. So what better books to read than books are in the crime/law genre? Unfortunately for myself, the first name that came to mind was John Grisham. I read one book by Grisham previously before this week. It was called ‘The Partner’. I loved it...that is in the beginning I loved it. It was a bit slow in parts for my liking but most of the time he had caught my attention. My mother was a fan at one time as well. We were both reading the same book and it had been going so well that my mother, prematurely, bought a few more of his books. We then tragically came to the ending of the novel and from that point on I had decided never to pick up a John Grisham book again.
I decided to bite the bullet and try Grisham again. I borrowed a copy of the ‘Runaway Jury’ from my cousins house and dug in. I won’t lie, some parts did not inspire me to continue to turn the page however I was given a lot of insight into how a jury is selected and other tedious parts of a criminal trial.
Taking another step of faith I’m going to give John Grisham’s ‘The Client’ a go. Pray all goes well (please). But hey, if you wanna become a good writer you have to read, read, read, read, read, right?
James Ellory, writer of famous works such as L.A. Confidential and The Hilliker Curse, published The Black Dahlia novel in 1987. The novel focuses on the murder of Elizabeth Short but also highlights the criminality that ran rife through Los Angeles in the 1940’s and 50’s. As the case of the Black Dahlia interested me I began to become more interested in the writer. Yesterday morning as I was surfing through YouTube, I came across an interview featuring Ellroy. In an interview with TIME magazine, Ellory was asked ten questions written by TIME readers. One query that particularly stood out in my mind and inspired this blog post raised the question: ‘Are people born good writers?’, to my surprise Ellroy answered no. His response was in order to become a good writer you must:
“Read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read and read. And as you read for enjoyment and edification, unconsciously, you assimilate the rudiments of style and technique and when it comes time for a person to begin to seriously write, they either have it or they don’t. The level of artistry can be advanced, chiefly, through hard work but you have to read, read, read, read, read, read.”
So that got me thinking maybe, just maybe, I should read.
My novel, as you no doubt have heard me say time and time again, is a crime/law novel. So what better books to read than books are in the crime/law genre? Unfortunately for myself, the first name that came to mind was John Grisham. I read one book by Grisham previously before this week. It was called ‘The Partner’. I loved it...that is in the beginning I loved it. It was a bit slow in parts for my liking but most of the time he had caught my attention. My mother was a fan at one time as well. We were both reading the same book and it had been going so well that my mother, prematurely, bought a few more of his books. We then tragically came to the ending of the novel and from that point on I had decided never to pick up a John Grisham book again.
I decided to bite the bullet and try Grisham again. I borrowed a copy of the ‘Runaway Jury’ from my cousins house and dug in. I won’t lie, some parts did not inspire me to continue to turn the page however I was given a lot of insight into how a jury is selected and other tedious parts of a criminal trial.
Taking another step of faith I’m going to give John Grisham’s ‘The Client’ a go. Pray all goes well (please). But hey, if you wanna become a good writer you have to read, read, read, read, read, right?
Tuesday 28 December 2010
Captive to your Creation? Mindless Rant #3
Is it just me? I am the only one this happens to? Sometimes I think my novel owns me and not the other way around. Sometimes I get a nagging feeling telling me it's time to stop whatever I'm doing and write. Oh the inconvenience!
In the early hours of this morning, four o'clock to be precise, I would have loved nothing more than to have been drifting away to Lala land. However, my novel would not permit such unholy bliss. I instead, was fumbling about my room trying to find a notebook and pen without the aid of my glasses (which are broken) or contacts. I probably, without the aid of contacts or glasses, have the vision comparable to bat so the mission from the get go was destined to be a fail.
I ended up finding the book but no pen. I searched blindly for a pen for another ten minutes. By that time I slightly lost any determination to write. My novel still would not permit me to sleep until every thought I had, in relation to some events I had been planning, were fully noted down .
Who wears the pants in this relationship I wonder...
In the early hours of this morning, four o'clock to be precise, I would have loved nothing more than to have been drifting away to Lala land. However, my novel would not permit such unholy bliss. I instead, was fumbling about my room trying to find a notebook and pen without the aid of my glasses (which are broken) or contacts. I probably, without the aid of contacts or glasses, have the vision comparable to bat so the mission from the get go was destined to be a fail.
I ended up finding the book but no pen. I searched blindly for a pen for another ten minutes. By that time I slightly lost any determination to write. My novel still would not permit me to sleep until every thought I had, in relation to some events I had been planning, were fully noted down .
Who wears the pants in this relationship I wonder...
Monday 27 December 2010
Getting Near Water Tip #2
I was reading a book recently called Write It Down Make It Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser. In the book Klauser recommends that in order to push start your goals in life you should first write them down. Her theory is that by writing them down you are activating the reticular activating system, which in a sense saves the written down goal and remembers it.
As a vow to start seeing the optimistic side of life (naturally I'm a realist) I decided to purchase the book and to begin to write down my aspirations. One of them, as I'm sure you know is to become an author. Not unpublished or agent less but a published, successful author. So I wrote this down in my journal (Klauser recommends that you dedicate a notebook to writing thoughts, feelings and what not).
A chapter that really stood out to me what called Getting Near Water. Klauser described that sometimes we can find it hard to grasp the right words or to know which goals we really wish to obtain. Apparently water can be an instant cure for this indecisiveness. Running water is supposed to help make creativity flow. It has something to do with too many positive ions (or something sciencey) being transmitted in the atmosphere. Water is able counterbalance.
I'm not sure but I think there might be some truth to this. I remember when I was younger I went through seasons when I couldn't write anything or at least anything I felt meant something or was special. However when it rained I knew I needed to grab my pen and paper and pour out my thoughts. Whenever it rained my mother would always ask me if I had a good writing session. After reading this chapter I thought I'd try it out again. Living in England I can often expect rain however ironically the day I wanted to try it out the sun was shining... Figures. Well, I thought, she did say running water so I hopped in the shower. I started thinking about my novel I'm writing at the moment. I was trying to contemplate why exactly a certain line of events took place. I knew the events but hadn't logically worked out why they occurred. The brainstorm was actually extremely helpful and I had heaps to write after.
So maybe there is some truth to it? Try getting down to the local lake or get close the rain (if you live in England shouldn't be too difficult...) or hop in the shower. Test it see if it works for you.
As a vow to start seeing the optimistic side of life (naturally I'm a realist) I decided to purchase the book and to begin to write down my aspirations. One of them, as I'm sure you know is to become an author. Not unpublished or agent less but a published, successful author. So I wrote this down in my journal (Klauser recommends that you dedicate a notebook to writing thoughts, feelings and what not).
A chapter that really stood out to me what called Getting Near Water. Klauser described that sometimes we can find it hard to grasp the right words or to know which goals we really wish to obtain. Apparently water can be an instant cure for this indecisiveness. Running water is supposed to help make creativity flow. It has something to do with too many positive ions (or something sciencey) being transmitted in the atmosphere. Water is able counterbalance.
I'm not sure but I think there might be some truth to this. I remember when I was younger I went through seasons when I couldn't write anything or at least anything I felt meant something or was special. However when it rained I knew I needed to grab my pen and paper and pour out my thoughts. Whenever it rained my mother would always ask me if I had a good writing session. After reading this chapter I thought I'd try it out again. Living in England I can often expect rain however ironically the day I wanted to try it out the sun was shining... Figures. Well, I thought, she did say running water so I hopped in the shower. I started thinking about my novel I'm writing at the moment. I was trying to contemplate why exactly a certain line of events took place. I knew the events but hadn't logically worked out why they occurred. The brainstorm was actually extremely helpful and I had heaps to write after.
So maybe there is some truth to it? Try getting down to the local lake or get close the rain (if you live in England shouldn't be too difficult...) or hop in the shower. Test it see if it works for you.
Thesaurus - Friend or Foe? A Mindless Rant #2
Okay so yesterday I posed the question asking whether or not the theasaurus was in fact a friend or foe. Well, after two positive experiences today my mind is swaying towards friend. I was looking for a decent antonym for the word 'recant' and my mind just wasn't up to the task. The thesaurus however came to my rescue and provided me with the word 'recapitulate' <3
Later on I got stuck yet again. I didn't want to use the word 'unbearable' and my brilliant, oh so brilliant mind, decided to drift off and leave me clueless. The thesaurus yet again came to my rescue.
Maybe the thesaurus is like Yin and Yang? Good and evil? Sometimes you can find helpful insight other times it leaves you slamming your head against a computer screen wondering why, oh why, did you ever start to write a book...
And yes if you couldn't already gather I am a tad bit over dramatic :D
Now spell checker on the other hand is most definitely a foe but that's another rant.
Later on I got stuck yet again. I didn't want to use the word 'unbearable' and my brilliant, oh so brilliant mind, decided to drift off and leave me clueless. The thesaurus yet again came to my rescue.
Maybe the thesaurus is like Yin and Yang? Good and evil? Sometimes you can find helpful insight other times it leaves you slamming your head against a computer screen wondering why, oh why, did you ever start to write a book...
And yes if you couldn't already gather I am a tad bit over dramatic :D
Now spell checker on the other hand is most definitely a foe but that's another rant.
Sunday 26 December 2010
Thesaurus - Friend or Foe? Mindless Rant Series
In my experience as an unpublished, agent-less author, a theasurus is a necessary tool. Sometimes as a writer your mind abandons you and you lose all hope of finding the right words to use. You want to express what X thinks about Y and why N does trust Y but you can't put it into words or at least the right words.
So after many attempts of slamming your head against your laptop screen, you have a thought. Synonyms! The light switch flickers on at last! You scroll down to the word or phrase, your heart skipping several beats. You left click, synonyms and then...(No suggestions)!
Sometimes books are no better. Today I was attempting to use animalistic imagery to portray the actions of a group. I didn't want to use the word animalistic so I tried synonyms. (No suggestions). Fail! Then I tried a book. The word animalistic wasn't even printed! Finally I checked the internet and was given the synonyms carnal, erotic, arousing... Sooo not on the same wavelength there... I was thinking more like Caliban from The Tempest than Samantha Sex and the City!
So I pose to you the question: The thesaurus - a friend or foe?
So after many attempts of slamming your head against your laptop screen, you have a thought. Synonyms! The light switch flickers on at last! You scroll down to the word or phrase, your heart skipping several beats. You left click, synonyms and then...(No suggestions)!
Sometimes books are no better. Today I was attempting to use animalistic imagery to portray the actions of a group. I didn't want to use the word animalistic so I tried synonyms. (No suggestions). Fail! Then I tried a book. The word animalistic wasn't even printed! Finally I checked the internet and was given the synonyms carnal, erotic, arousing... Sooo not on the same wavelength there... I was thinking more like Caliban from The Tempest than Samantha Sex and the City!
So I pose to you the question: The thesaurus - a friend or foe?
Saturday 25 December 2010
I.N.V.U.
I.N.V.U. is just about the best (or only) manga series I have ever read.
Thank you so much Kim Kang Won!!
If you've never heard of I.N.V.U. or I Envy You, here I am to offer and explanation. The manga series stars a 16 year old Korean girl named Sey Hong, who leads a rather unordinary life.
One morning, Sey awakens to find a strange man in her room. Sey soon discovers that man works from a moving company (?) and that her mother is leaving to go on a trip to Italy for five years to work on her book. Her mother leaves her daughter with a family friend and a credit card from the man her mom suspects is her father.
-charming-
Sey winds up living with the Kang family. She soon realises this family is stranger than her own. Mrs. Kang is obsessed with all things "girly" and is ecstatic to have a "daughter" in the family. The father doesn't say much however Terry (or should I call him/her Hali!?!) is impolite and threatens.
Sey is determined not to use the credit card her mother gave her. She desires to be independent and looks for a job. Her friend Rea Yoo is able to find her one through her boyfriend Siho Lee, a notorious playboy who goes to Sey's school.
The relationship between the two is turbulent, mostly due to Sey. She has little experience with guys and frequently rebuffs Siho's attempts at romance though she is aware she has feelings for him.
At home Sey finds out that "Terry" is actually Hali, a girl who is pretending to be a boy for the sake of her mother. Years ago, Mrs. Kang was in a car accident with her son Terry. Unfortunately Terry is killed but upon waking Mrs. Kang mistook Hali for Terry. The doctor's claimed it was amnesia and that she would recover. To stop her mother from having psychotic episodes, Hali's father asked her to pretend to be Terry until her mother recovers.
Hali is tired of suppressing who she is. She feels like no one understands her except for her teacher Hajun Cho. Hajun was Hali's ex- tutor who she declared her love too. She desires for him to marry her but he's told her that he doesn't see her as a girl.
Summary over - Now to the even better stuff!!
I love these books, they are fantastic. I have never laughed so hard while reading. Won brings these characters to life on the page. Each character has a back story we as the reader get to learn about and a dream that they are working towards.
I.N.V.U. is a quirky series with brilliant animation, story lines that grab your interest and keep you demanding for more (much more!). You want to know what's going to happen with Sey and Siho, you want to know if Mrs. Kang will ever recover? Does Hajun love Hali? Does Rea's dad ever find out about her modelling job? Will Jae Eun ever be able to look Simon in the eye after that embarrassing incident?! Will Young Jun leave Sey stop being protective of Sey and date Rea already!?!?! <---*Notice the increase of !?
I was introduced to these books by a friends dad who recommended them. I've loved manga from a young age so I jumped at the chance to read these comics.
So far there are have been five books in the series. The fifth instalment was recently released in 2010. There's about 20+ pages in each book so light reading. On the over each book the acronym I.N.V.U. is spelt. On some cover the acronym stands for "Innocent. Nice. Vivid. Unique." or "Impressive. Neat. Versatile. Undaunted."
This series offers story lines and characters that are truly unforgettable. I highly recommend giving them a try. You can check out on the tokyopop. Defiantely try them out if you're a fan of drama/romance manga.
Ms. Won please release Volume 6. I'm desparate to know!!
Thank you so much Kim Kang Won!!
If you've never heard of I.N.V.U. or I Envy You, here I am to offer and explanation. The manga series stars a 16 year old Korean girl named Sey Hong, who leads a rather unordinary life.
One morning, Sey awakens to find a strange man in her room. Sey soon discovers that man works from a moving company (?) and that her mother is leaving to go on a trip to Italy for five years to work on her book. Her mother leaves her daughter with a family friend and a credit card from the man her mom suspects is her father.
-charming-
Sey winds up living with the Kang family. She soon realises this family is stranger than her own. Mrs. Kang is obsessed with all things "girly" and is ecstatic to have a "daughter" in the family. The father doesn't say much however Terry (or should I call him/her Hali!?!) is impolite and threatens.
Sey is determined not to use the credit card her mother gave her. She desires to be independent and looks for a job. Her friend Rea Yoo is able to find her one through her boyfriend Siho Lee, a notorious playboy who goes to Sey's school.
The relationship between the two is turbulent, mostly due to Sey. She has little experience with guys and frequently rebuffs Siho's attempts at romance though she is aware she has feelings for him.
At home Sey finds out that "Terry" is actually Hali, a girl who is pretending to be a boy for the sake of her mother. Years ago, Mrs. Kang was in a car accident with her son Terry. Unfortunately Terry is killed but upon waking Mrs. Kang mistook Hali for Terry. The doctor's claimed it was amnesia and that she would recover. To stop her mother from having psychotic episodes, Hali's father asked her to pretend to be Terry until her mother recovers.
Hali is tired of suppressing who she is. She feels like no one understands her except for her teacher Hajun Cho. Hajun was Hali's ex- tutor who she declared her love too. She desires for him to marry her but he's told her that he doesn't see her as a girl.
Summary over - Now to the even better stuff!!
I love these books, they are fantastic. I have never laughed so hard while reading. Won brings these characters to life on the page. Each character has a back story we as the reader get to learn about and a dream that they are working towards.
I.N.V.U. is a quirky series with brilliant animation, story lines that grab your interest and keep you demanding for more (much more!). You want to know what's going to happen with Sey and Siho, you want to know if Mrs. Kang will ever recover? Does Hajun love Hali? Does Rea's dad ever find out about her modelling job? Will Jae Eun ever be able to look Simon in the eye after that embarrassing incident?! Will Young Jun leave Sey stop being protective of Sey and date Rea already!?!?! <---*Notice the increase of !?
I was introduced to these books by a friends dad who recommended them. I've loved manga from a young age so I jumped at the chance to read these comics.
So far there are have been five books in the series. The fifth instalment was recently released in 2010. There's about 20+ pages in each book so light reading. On the over each book the acronym I.N.V.U. is spelt. On some cover the acronym stands for "Innocent. Nice. Vivid. Unique." or "Impressive. Neat. Versatile. Undaunted."
This series offers story lines and characters that are truly unforgettable. I highly recommend giving them a try. You can check out on the tokyopop. Defiantely try them out if you're a fan of drama/romance manga.
Ms. Won please release Volume 6. I'm desparate to know!!
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