Aw, you shouldn’t have. No really…

December 24, 2015December 29, 2015 ~ Meg ~ 10 Comments

I admit it. I am really bad at responding to these awards! With a day job, regular blogging and a disciplined writing schedule, sometimes adding one more thing isn’t easy to do! However, I find myself with a little extra time and I decided to be a good sport and respond to the lovely folks who nominated me.

Visakha at Worldy Words and Kaushal at Expressive Human both nominated me for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award, an award whose name alone will make you feel guilty for not responding! 😀 Also, Anand at blabberwockying nominated me for something a while back and I never got back to it so I’m including him here, too. Also because he’s awesome!

Award Rules:
•Display the award on your blog.
•Announce your win with a post and link back to nominator.
•Present 6 deserving bloggers with the award.
•Link your awardees in the post.
•Write 7 interesting things about you.

I nominate:

*see bottom of post

7 interesting things about me: (I hope you find this interesting, anyway)

I am not afraid of heights
My dream job would be backup singer (except I can’t sing!)
My dream home would be a travel trailer so I could pick up and move all over the place whenever the spirit moved
My response to tense situations is to joke around
I don’t like to shop. For anything. Not clothes, shoes, furniture, food, etc. I’d like the drones to deliver everything to my door!
I don’t like when people pretend to be smarter than they are. There isn’t a prize for that. There’s no shame in admitting you don’t have the answer.
I can’t come up with a 7th thing!

Next, Shilpa at iamabloggertoo, nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award:

The Sunshine Blogger Award rules:

• Thank the person that nominated you. Thanks Shilpa!
• Answer the 11 questions from your nominator.
• Nominate 11 bloggers and give them eleven questions to answer.

How would you rate your level of positivity ? It’s completely dependent on the situation. Overall, I’d say I’m pretty positive but there are certain issues I have real struggles with. If someone wanted to, they could make me feel bad about myself pretty easily.
What is your biggest achievement ? It’s a tie! I’m a Doctor so that’s pretty cool, right? But I’ve also published 2 novels which fulfills a lifelong dream!
What do you think is your biggest strength? Ability to see beyond outward appearances. Not an innate quality but one I’ve cultivated.
Which books do you like to read ? That’s a tough one because I have so many favorites. I’ll tell you what I’m currently reading and loving: A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley. It’s the story of a woman who is autistic but is a brilliant code breaker.
What inner talent/skill did you not know that you actually had but came to know of it later? I’m a decent golfer!
Which is your lucky number ? zero, just kidding! I have no idea!
How would you define happiness? Happiness is a rainy day with a book and a cup of tea.
How many places have you travelled to so far ? I’ll list countries: Canada, US Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Ireland, The United Kingdom, Belgium, France and Italy. I have a huge list of places to visit, too.
Which is your favorite color ? I know black isn’t technically a color…
How would you rate your level of patience ? Again, depends on the situation. I can be very patient as a teacher but very impatient when trying to assemble something that needs assembly!
Do you think you are a creative person ? Yes! I can make up a story about anything!
Which is your favorite vehicle ? Spaceship!

Now about those nominations. I’d have to nominate a total of 17 people between these 2 awards. Heres what I’m going to do instead: I’m going to post a link to Blogger’s World and let anyone that would care to participate, have a go. Hear that Blogger’s World? You’re all nominated!

You can’t tell me what to do!

December 23, 2015December 5, 2017 ~ Meg ~ 63 Comments

I came across this photo/list of Elmore Leonard’s Ten Rules of Writing on Pinterest. It’s an excerpt from his essay of the same title. I thought it would be interesting to see if you all agree or disagree with these rules.

Here’s my opinion:

1. Personally, I love a story that starts with “It was a dark and stormy night…” (just kidding, unless the author is trying to be ironic).

2. How about the prologue? Is there a bit of the story that just needs to be set off by itself? I’m pretty sure I’ve never had a problem with a prologue.

3. “Said” seems to have no grey area. Writers either demand that “said” be used exclusively or they hate having to stick to “said.” Some say it’s the mark of an inexperienced writer to use words other than “said.” Whatever. Sometimes, words like “whispered,” “murmured,”or “shouted” just need to be used, I think. For example, take these three versions of the same sentence:

“That is a stupid idea,” he said.

“That is a stupid idea,” he whispered.

“That is a stupid idea!” he shouted.

Totally different feeling is conveyed, right? On the other hand, you could get carried away with it. “That is a stupid idea,” he blustered, bemoaned, bellowed, whined, sneered, snapped, ranted, ejaculated…. (yeah, let’s use that one! *snicker*)

4. Here’s another reason to use a word other than “said.” If Elmore doesn’t think you should use an adverb to modify “said” then you can’t say “said quietly.” Which is a perfect argument for using “whisper” instead.

5. Exclamations points?!? Are you kidding me?!? I love exclamation points!!!! And only 2 or 3 in 100,000 words of prose?!?!?!?!?!? Come on!!!!! That’s crazy talk!!!!!!!!! (Obvious sarcasm)

6. I pretty much agree with 6.

7. And 7.

8. Yes, to this too. I think this is a case of “show don’t tell.” You can accurately convey your character’s traits through dialogue and through another character’s thoughts and observations.

9. Hmmm. Maybe not always. One of my favorite books is “My Antonia” by Willa Cather. There is a multitude of descriptive language in this book and quite frankly, it’s beautiful. I think this rule depends on the type of story you’re writing.

10. Yeah, I know what I like to read and what I skim through. For example, Tom Clancy can describe the entire process of a bullet being fired from an assassin’s rifle. While I’m totally impressed that he went to all that research… Yawn. Scan. Next.

Which of these rules do you agree or disagree with?

Header image courtesy: Peanuts; by Charles Schultz

Book review: Echo: Approaching Shatter Volume I

December 19, 2015 ~ Meg ~ 9 Comments

I recently read this debut novel by Kent Wayne, a member of our bogging community. I thought I’d share the review I gave on Amazon (also the link to buy!) and elaborate a little bit. There are some facets of the book that writers will appreciate.

Here’s my review:

Five stars: Left wanting more!

First of all- mother of all cliff hangers! I’m so glad I know a sequel is forthcoming! The author portrays a future where humankind has moved out into the galaxy to colonize another planet, Echo. And this future is brutal, with dissident factions fighting the elitist government. Though our hero, Atriya, is a soldier for that government, he finds himself in a precarious position, too valuable to be discarded but too dangerous to be ignored. The story ends with Atriya facing enemies without and within. Kent Wayne, you’re killing me!

Now, to elaborate. This is a dark, brutal story, full of violence and ugliness. But hey, life is never pretty in a dystopian future world. And yet, Atriya, our hero is not just a mindless killer. He is a deep well, one we have yet to plumb the depths. I suspect the sequel will explore more of the mind of the man, if he survives the oncoming storm, that is. Like I said, mother of all cliff hangers!

The author describes the fight scenes in a detailed, almost slow motion way. It’s some great writing, painful because you feel it! He also does a great job “world building” with the soldiers’ equipment and gear. I am hopeful that revelations about the series of events that led to humankind ending up out in the galaxy are forthcoming!

So who would like this book? Fans of Mad Max, The Terminator, Planet of the Apes, A Clockwork Orange, even Farenheit 451, perhaps. If you read this review and think you’d like the book, the first few chapters are available on Kent’s blog: Dirty Sci Fi Buddha. Go say hello!