What I'm Watching, Reading, Writing...

On Books:
Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections has been on my must-read list for almost a decade. I remember the buzz when it came out, when the author famously dissed Oprah. Ha!
I FINALLY got around to reading it and it was brilliant. Freaking BRILLIANT.
That said, as much as I was awed by his writing, I couldn't get into it for the first 100 or so pages primarily because I didn't like the characters. They appeared selfish, self-serving and bottom-line unlikeable. But as the story unfolds, as you delve into each characters childhood, their memories, their coping strategies, and how their shallow pschyes gain depth through the perspective their individual lives, the story becomes moving, disturbing, eye-opening, thought provoking and have I said brilliant? Even if the story of a dysfunctional family doesn't appeal to you, read it for the stunning writing.

I received Wm Paul Young's The Shack for my birthday from a very dear friend. I'd heard some buzz last year but wasn't interested enough to pick up the book. And truly, I didn't realize it was all about God, which would have sealed the deal on my avoidance. Don't get me wrong... I believe in God, not just the one who hates gay people and turns water to wine. I am, in despite of my disgust at organized religion, a very spiritual person. So... into The Shack I went with the dad of a kidnapped and murdered child to spend a weekend with the Holy Trinity.
Between the occassional eyeroll and chuckle, I admit to truly liking this book. Call it a right-time, right-place experience, but this book spoke to me, calmed me, made me open my eyes to a few things I'd firmly shut them against. The principle of the book -- relationships, acceptance, forgiveness -- were things I needed to hear, needed to feel...

The Shack, much like The Corrections, won't be for everyone, but each is cathartic to an open-minded reader.

On Movies:
Avatar. Wow. Was sceptical of the over-hype but WOW. Go for the visual brilliance.
The story is okay, nothing you've not seen before in countless other incarnations, but the world-building, the characters, the amazingness of Sam Worthington -- all worth the price of admission.

Sherlock Holmes. RDJ and Jude Law were magical together. Haven't seen bro-chemistry like that in a long time. I enjoyed this movie immensely, though it didn't give me that "OMG - this is the bestest movie evah!" feel like I got after seeing Iron Man.
But the story was excellent, the visuals spot-on (the close-ups, foreshadowing of clues - brilliant) and the acting superb. Can't wait for the sequel.

On Writing:
I finished a contemporary romance, currently titled A Taste for the Game, before Christmas and spent a good chunk of December querying agents. Nothing has come of that yet, beyond a few form rejections (ouch) so while I wait,... patiently, endlessly, obsessively checking email... I'm writing a new book. It's a stand alone, though it involves characters I introduced in A Taste for the Game, with the grand hope that if one sells, perhaps the other will.

I've been recently asked about my post-apocalyptic novel, Jump Zone. That one is still sitting on the shelf.
I will, eventually, dust it off, make some revisions to tighten the pacing (thanks to Eve Silver's pacing lecture!!) and get my querying hat on again. But the rejections (despite the great contest feedback - humpf) ... oh, they just overwhelmed me.
Also, in terms of a career strategy, it's best that I stick with contemporary until I have some level of success before I introduce my darker gloom on the world.

What are you watching/reading/writing?

But she promised to only brag once!

Hey, remember I mentioned that futuristic, post-apocalyptic book of mine that finalled in the Original Golden Opportunity Contest -- JUMP ZONE???
(Yes, I know... I promised to only brag once... but this is more of a reference point rather than outright tooting-of-horn)

Where was I? Oh yes, the future! It's impossible to foresee the future but one must make educated guesses, extrapolations, etc... based on the knowledge we now have. A writer's future world MUST have some degree of authenticity so readers don't toss it to the wall and declare it absolute rubbish.
In my case, I wrote about a future world that was devasted by a combination of war and climate change... so naturally, I can't wait to see this film starring one of my fave Brit actors Pete Postlethwaite (try saying that name after a few pints!):

The Age of Stupid: A wakeup call on climate change

I'd love your thoughts.

One last thing. If you enjoy historical romances and you haven't read Judith James's BROKEN WING, I urge you to. It's very different. Busts the comfortable barriers of more traditional HRs but in a refreshing, dark and dramatic way. Go. Read. Support this book.

Summer Lovin'

Hello Blogworld! It's been awhile :)

One heck of a busy summer. But it had a GLORIOUS ending, which I'll brag about just once, I promise:
My futuristic, post-apocalyptic novel, Jump Zone, finalled in the Original Golden Opportunity Contest and is now sitting on the desk of a Dorchester editor for a final round of judging. Squee!

My fellow Toronto Romance Writer, Bonnie Staring, finalled too in they YA category, so let's give a WHOOP to the BonStar!! (pom pom swish)
**
And your Summer Lovin' activities? Come on, play along and tell me, what was the HIGHLIGHT of your holidays?

I LOVE BOOKS!!

I went away the week before Easter without my computer. Must admit, I felt totally lost the first few days, but miraculously, I survived ;)

Turned out to be a terrific opportunity to make a dent in the TBR (print book) pile. Remember how a couple of posts back I wanted to bulk up the summer reading list? I'm happy to report that I've made an impressive start.

Beginning with... The Kama Sutra (not the picture version). Very interesting 'literature'. Contrary to my belief, it wasn't exclusively about sex/positions/physical pleasures, but concerned more with social graces, acceptable courting behaviour, etc.

I tried... TRIED!!... to read Jane Austin's Pride and Predjudice, but couldn't seem to get into it. Why?? I so wanted to love.

Perhaps because I'd seen the movie (both versions) and felt like I already knew what was coming? Or maybe I simply wasn't in the mood for a period piece?

The latter is certainly a possibility as I haven't had much luck getting into any of the historicals I've got lying around lately. It's a mood thing, right? I've had Lisa Kleypas's Mine 'til Midnight on my nightstand for about 2 months and can't bring myself to crack it. And I KNOW it'll be good once I begin but I can't get over the hesitation.

Moved on to more Kelley Armstrong. To this point I'd only read her non-paranormal Nadia Stafford books (hit woman extraordinaire), so with much eagerness, dove into Bitten, which is about Elena Michaels, werewolf.

Rocked.

Rocked so much I followed up with Stolen the very next day. Have to hold back from Dime Store Magic for a few more days/weeks, though it's killing me.

Tried another Canadian author by the name of Linwood Barclay. If you enjoy Harlan Coben (Hold Tight was amazing. Go forth and read!), give this guy a try. His style is similar (though not quite as polished as Coben - but Coben has how many books out? ... which gives him an experiencial edge) and his plot/pacing is terrific. 'No Time for Goodbye' is now out in paperback and I'm highly recommending it. Just make sure you have a clear calendar for you won't want to put it down. I couldn't.... and ended up reading it into the wee hours, but it was worth it.

Interesting note - Barclay used to be a regular columnist for the Toronto Star. His pieces were so engaging that I felt like I knew him and his oft mentioned family. So naturally, I'm totally rooting for him in his writing career and hope he rockets to international fame. Like he cares what I think... LOL

If you haven't seen it yet, TL has a book cover! Her Mirror Blue is due for release on May 1st (squee)

As for my own writing, as of yesterday (Tuesday), my writing break is over. I'm kinda scared to jump back in (oh the neurosis lurking in the writer's mind!) but it's now or never. But I've chosen to shelf Jump Zone indefinitely. I may work on something short and light for Ellora's Cave just to regain my courage, before dusting off the paranormal from hell that gave me nightmares last year. ;)

Tomorrow (and by that I mean next week, maybe the week after...) I'll talk about the movies I've been catching up on.

Happy writing, happy reading!

It's so dark in here...

I'm such a bad blogger lately, eh? What can I say.... all my brain juice is being used on the current wip-from-hell, Jump Zone, that was supposed to end about 20k words ago... but is just NOT.
The good news: I finally figured out how to end the sucker.
The bad news: I still have many thousands of words to write.

The other bad news (or good news, depending on your pov...) I'm taking a blogaday (blog+holiday) for a month or two. I'm going deeper into the cave taking only a candle, match and my laptop. And maybe a bag of chips (or twelve).

Before I go...
I must give a big shout out to Leah Braemel who not only had her first book released from Samhain -- but also remained #1 on their best seller list for two weeks!! You can learn more about Private Property HERE.

Another shout out to Christine d'Abo for her recent release All Bottled Up from Samhain AND her uber-hot Ellora's Cave book The Bond that Ties Us (a must-read) is coming out in print. Double WOOTS!

Whew, I'm getting hoarse from these, but there's just much good news!
Another WOOT WOOT goes to Amy Ruttan who's first book of a five book series, Enchanted: The Fey just came out from Linden Bay. I haven't read it yet, but if it's got Amy's name on it, you can be sure it'll contain some hot stuff ;)

AND - last but certainly not least, the talented Thomma Lyn sold her novel Mirror Blue to Black Lyon Publishing!! Let me tell you... I've read the book and it's amazing. It's about damn time someone recognized her awesome literary talent. Keep your eyes on this one... it'll be a late spring release and you will NOT want to miss it. Trust.


Happy writing, happy reading and bye for awhile!

Jump Zone angst

I just passed the 75K mark in my latest wip, Jump Zone. A very small part of me is pleased because I've never written anything this long before. *yay*
But I'm groaning because I should be typing 'the end', except it's no where in sight :( therefore, I am a terrible judge of plot and/or pacing, take your pick. And I may eventually have to chop very large chunks of it out because if I continue to ramble along at my current pace, I've easily got another 10-15 K before finishing.
And people... it's just not THAT kind of book. It's not supposed to be all introspective and deep. It's supposed to be a futuristic adventure with bit of fun and action.

But... I don't feel like I should hurry it along at this point or it will seem just that... hurried along. Don't you hate books like that? Where you sense that the author just wanted it DONE ALREADY?
*looks to heaven* Please don't let that be me. sigh.