Recently read

I finished reading this book yesterday; a very interesting read, told in the way of a masterful story teller, and full of casual but effective advice. It was published almost a decade an a half ago at this point, which I did not realize prior to reading. Despite its age, which in reality is really not that old at all, it offers some good advice, nothing unique or ground breaking in my opinion, but over all worth reading.

It really helps to find that the people behind the award winning novels are actually people and not a pack of brilliant demigods whose mere thoughts can cause our wallets to empty, because at times that is very much the feeling.

Stephen King is a honest writer. Of all of the factoids and little details that I gathered from this book that is the single thing that will probably stick with me the most. He writes how he sees the world and does not dip it in sugar or paint it with rainbows. His characters are real and are never embarrassed for appearing on the page, maybe for being caught with their pants down by another character, but never for just being in the story.

King discusses methodology for writing, a few tips, and standard "tools" of the trade, and what you can expect from making writing a part of your life. I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys reading about writing. Don't let the non-fiction nature of this book scare you away either, King incorporates the story of his own life so well that you are never left reading a manual.

Review and discussion of Joe Bunting's "14 Prompts" and a look at The Write Practice

Photo property of thewritepractice.com

Before I started this blog I had never really noticed how many blogs there were out there. If someone had asked me, "Hey, do you read blogs?" I would have said, "No, that is reserved for a special kind of internet vampire and I like the light of day," or something along those lines. I am hoping that my current interest in blogging is not the result of a obsessive, but brief, spark that is doomed to fade. In my efforts to not let that fate transpire I have started looking at other blogs for ideas, and general interesting content. I recently came across The Write Practice blog, which is where the above image came from (I am also attempting to not violate any copy-rights). This blog, founded by a Mr. Joe Bunting, and supported by several others, offers a lot of advice to creative writers, as well as a space for them to practice. I think that is where the "practice" in the blogs name sake comes from. I good guess I'd imagine.

Anyway! To the point. The Write Practice is currently offering a digital copy of the above book titled 14 Prompts, written by Mr. Bunting, for free; all you need to do is subscribe to the blog. I have done just that and just finished reading it through. It is a quick read and offers some authentically helpful pieces of advice along with its 14 prompts.

14 Prompts is a helpful and understanding kind of writing guide with pieces of beautiful and well written prose thrown in. The author encourages readers to participate in a constructive writing environment and offers both this book, and it's parent blog as venues for just that. Bunting makes the logical effort to promote his blog by suggesting that readers of 14 Prompts should respond to its prompts and discussion questions on the blog itself. However, Bunting takes the extra step to, and the thoughtful one, and offers the idea that his book could be used in a small group off the net, and after reading it becomes apparent that was a thought he had in mind during its creation.

The text covers lots of topics and supplies various prompts and discussion questions. Bunting suggests that despite his book of prompts being a very short list, it is an effective list, and means to cultivate more than just seemingly random ideas for the reader.

As I read through the text I took note of several ideas that I personally found useful. The text also touched on the biggest problem I face personally as writer : preoccupation with perfection. The first line of the 14th prompt of Bunting's book is "Perfection is no place for a writer." I feel both comforted and unnerved by this message; one side of my brain thinking, "Oh thank god," and the other awkwardly asking "really?" and neither gaining any ground.  I think that this is a challenge that many writers face, and I know that it can't be easily resolved, if at all, but Bunting's advice reminds me that my preoccupation should really be with writing, and not with perfection. The rest of Bunting's last prompt continues discussing this issue and offers some interesting insight on how to manage it. Definitely worth a look if this is a specific problem you suffer from.

If you have any interest in creative writing I would highly recommend taking a look at, and of course following, Bunting's blog and picking up a copy of his book. What I have covered only scratches the surface and there is plenty of other great advice to be had, as well as a supportive group of like minded individuals to support you.


Pleasant reading.



 

My Top three Books for Decemeber 2013 : Tis the Season you know

You know what they say right? Omne trium perfectum, the best things come in threes. With that in mind, my list includes two classics and one that I think should be a classic:

1. Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas
2. Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol
3. Terry Pratchett's  Hogfather

 Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a time honored classic and I am sure everyone has seen or read it, but your kids might not have. I would encourage anyone who thinks their children haven't seen or read this book to read it to them. Note, when I say read it to them, I mean actually read it to them. The movie is good, and very accurate, but there is something more potent in reading it aloud to your child then to just leave them in front of a Television screen. Also, if anyone has an old copy of the book that they don't think they will need anymore I would recommend donating it, in fact, I would recommend donating any books that you think could be better served somewhere else. Advice I should probably take myself.

Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is even more of a classic and I am sure everyone has seen or heard it in one shape or another. Part of why I like this novel is that it has taken so many shapes throughout the years. In fact the previously mentioned story How the Grinch Stole Christmas is in fact an allegory to A Christmas Carol. A bitter and seemingly powerful figure who despises all of those around him, thinking them unworthy of his care or attention, is ultimately changed for the better and becomes a shining light of a person, or whatever the Grinch is (kind of resembles a moldy yeti or something). I personally have fondest memories of A Muppet Christmas Carol, and I don't think any other movie version could usurp its place, but with that in mind the novel needs its own attention. A wonderfully crafted story of reflection and redemption. A tale of spirits and a man's life that will leave you questioning whether or not you yourself are a Scrooge in your own life. Dickens language is fantastic, and although it may not be for everyone, it deserves a fair shake. In addition I recently came across an audio book version of A Christmas Carol done by Jim Dale, a voice actor who in my opinion is quite good. If you find that you like his reading, you can find more information about him and his work on his website.

Finally we make our way to Terry Pratchett's Hogfather, which is where the idea for this post originally started. 

Before I begin on this particular novel I implore you to check out Terry Pratchett's extensive work. Terry Pratchett was the fantasy king long before J.K. Rowling stepped into the scene, and although you might not have heard of him, his works are quite the ride. The creator of the truly manic and marvelous Disc World, Terry Pratchett has built a fantasy realm all his own, which just so happens to sit on the backs of four giant elephants, which sit astride the back of an impossibly large turtle. No really, I am serious, go check it out. He has developed some of my absolute favorite characters, among them being Death. Who believe it or not, is one of the main protagonists of the the Hogfather.

The Hogfather is not your typical Christmas story if not for any other reason than that it isn't about Christmas, it's about Hogswatch. The Hogfather, which is where the novel's name sake comes from, is the Disc World equivalent to Santa Claus. The crux of this story is that something has happened to the Hogfather, and the first "person" to respond is none other than death. Death dawns the appropriate robes, attempts to develop the appropriate attitude, and catch phrases, and replaces the Hogfather for one extremely crazy Hogswatch. There is much more to the story, and the plot can be rather dark at times, but most Christmas stories have their dark points, but we know everything works out in the end. Just ask Death. He knows. I would also highly recommend the two part mini-series film version of the Hogfather it's surprisingly well done and was my first introduction to the story. One of the few occasions where I watched the mini-series, read the book, and didn't say "The book was better," they are both just fantastic.

The Hogfather has actually made it as the first round novel of the book club I am starting with this blog. I will be posting thoughtful questions and ideas about the book as the month of December moves along. If anyone wishes to join just comment or shoot us an email. If will also personally be reading A Christmas Carol again, so if anyone wants to chat about that I will be open to it, and will more than likely be writing about it.

Happy Holidays

The Reading Keep : My reading list

I am almost too tired to be making this post, but I am anyway! So this picture about sums up how I feel about books and reading lists: I want more of them than I can probably manage. That is why I am resigned to building a Keep to hold what will be someday a truly absurd number of books. This entry, and its fellows to come, will be the precursor to the actual physical "Reading Keep," and for now all it will be holding is the books I am most currently reading. I am quite serious about this being a physical structure, and blueprints will be forthcoming, just you wait. Now then!

At the moment I am working my way through:

1984 by George Orwell

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
and
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I have read all of these before, aside from the last one. I tend to have several different books for several different purposes.

1984 is what I take with me when I am going somewhere and I know I will have some time to kill, like the Doctors office, or some other sort of appointment.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is what I read shortly before going to bed. I really love this novel and all its wonderful relatives, and when tired the rich detail sends me off to a rather wonderful world of slumber. I mean this in all of the best ways, and at times the book will keep me awake more than help me fall asleep.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire isn't actually what I am "reading" at the moment. Don't get me wrong though I am not watching the movies. I could write an entire series of posts on how I feel about the movies, maybe even a whole other blog. I have taken to listening to the Harry Potter Novels on Audio book instead of watching TV. Any time I have the desire to watch TV I usually squelch it with a good book, but at times when I need some kind of sound other than the gears of my own mind, I turn to a good audio book. Recently the audio books of the Harry Potter series, as voiced by Jim Dale, have served me quite well.

Last, but certainly not least, Neverwhere is the novel that I am actively working my way through at the moment. I am a big fan of Neil Gaiman and enjoy his work immensely. This is currently the only book that I will spend hour upon hour on, and as usual, it is going by too fast, but that is not author's fault, merely my voracious appetite. I have read several of his novels including American Gods, Stardust, The Graveyard Book, and the novel he co-wrote with Terry Pratchett, Good Omens.

All of the novels I have listed or mentioned come highly recommended from me and I am sure will offer you a good time. If anyone has any suggestions I would be more than happy to hear them. I will read anything really, I am definitely not a genre snob and can even joy non-fiction. Although I am not afraid of making some enemies now in saying that nothing but angry spurting will come from suggesting Twilight, or any of its author's other work. Fair warning.

I know this is a long post, but hey, why not make it longer. I am open to the idea of starting a book club if anyone is interested. I know this blog is in its infancy at the moment and the club might only consist of myself for a bit, but I thought I would get the idea out there. It would be something like one book a month and could range wildly in genre, and be very open to suggestion.

Best to all! And Goodnight!