Reading 1

The drafts of the two attempts to write this post somehow turned up on my list. They weren't there last time I looked, but I've now posted one of them--my second attempt. That's why this one is titled "Reading 1."
I'm sure I didn't leave any labels on the one I published. I was just in a hurry to get it up before it vanished again. Did I call it "Reading 2"? I intended to.

Lost posts: Reading????

This is very discouraging! I've been trying to list books that I've read over the past few years, and twice now the post has vanished before I was able to finish. To make matters worse, each time I've been careful about how to go about inserting links. At least half a dozen links. Obviously, my posts are too long. Grrrrr! Well, not this one!

never before!

I've never done this before. A couple of nights ago, I took the book I was reading aloud to my husband (he's legally blind) and walked over to the garbage can and tossed it in. I threw out a book in perfectly good physical condition. I can't believe I did that. But I just couldn't bring myself to read another word. The book is called The Bishop and the Three Kings, (Blackie Ryan #10) by Andrew M. Greeley. on goodreads it is rated 4 out of 5, so there's obviously something wrong with me. I just could not tolerate the writing. First, there are pages and pages of info-dump--stuff about the history of Cologne, and about the Three Magi (3 kings in the Nativity story in the Gospel of Matthew). That was bad enough, then there was that 1st person chapter told by Peter, Blackie's "nefoo"--more about that in a moment. That chapter, a young man/boy/whatever who has to finish writing his term paper, but is ogling a girl, wondering what she's like without her shirt on. Did we really need that? It's supposed to be a story about a Roman Catholic bishop visiting Germany to solve a mystery. It's written by Andrew M. Greeley, Father Andrew, a Roman Catholic priest.
Now about that "nefoo". Greeley goes on and on in his preface or foreword or whatever it is he felt the need to write before actually starting the story, about Appalachian English. I won't say it isn't a viable study for linguistics students (my B.A. is in linguistics, but I wouldn't waste my time on Appalachian English--for one thing, I didn't see much that was actually original. Many of the expressions are in common usage.) My complaint is the need to call decent people "no-count varmints"--no, it isn't funny, imho). But one of the characters is a "hill-billy" (is that PC?) and she talks like that most of the time.  Okay. If that's her way of speaking, but Greeley has the other characters--Blackie and Peter (the nefoo) dropping into it.  Everyone is a no-count varmint and all questions are answered "shonuff".  I absolutely could not read the book.
Into the garbage it went, and I picked up a much superior book to read, also rated 4 out of 5 on goodreads, Monday the Rabbi Took Off (The Rabbi Small Mysteries #4) by Harry Kemelman, swapping a bishop for a rabbi. (I'm Christian, by the way, but love Jewish culture.)

A Different Christmas

It's a good thing we don't really celebrate Christmas the way we used to.  Once upon a time, when the kids were little, we did all the traditional things--big Xmas tree, big Xmas dinner, lots of gifts under the tree, and so on.
Then things changed over the years, and eventually we went from fake tree to no tree at all.  No special dinner.  No gifts.  Instead, we moved the feast to Epiphany, January 6th, celebrating the visit of the Magi to the Holy Family.  Gifts were woven into a couple of games, but no one was allowed to give us (my husband and me) anything.  Brunch instead of dinner.
For the past couple of years, some friends of ours have invited us to have turkey dinner at their home.  This year, that happened again.  But there were differences.
First of all, and most important, our son Ken was not here.  Usually he decorated his suite with little houses and trains, making a quaint village, decked with Xmas lights.  Even our Epiphany brunch, which we have yet to have, will be different because Ken is no longer with us.  He always brought gifts for everyone--especially the kids.  We'll miss him terribly this Epiphany.
Another difference: We haven't had a Xmas tree for at least six years.  This year, I went and bought a box purporting to contain a 4' tree.  I got it home and found it was marked "porch" and contained not one but TWO trees!  So one is in the small foyer and the other is in the sitting room.  They have white lights woven in the branches.  Quite pretty, but very simple.  Ken would have loved them, and would have had the foyer tree in his suite.
The third difference: My husband and I haven't exchanged gifts for many years.  This year, he gave me one.  He left it on the table in front of the Advent candles, and about 10 am Xmas day I finally noticed the gaily wrapped parcel.  It looked like a box of chocolates.  It had my name on it, from "The Magi".  I don't eat chocolate, so I thought maybe it was a box of candies.  Or a framed picture of the family.  No, it was exactly what I'd been voicing my desire for--a Kobo Glo. 
Not being very computer savvy, it took me several hours to get it set up, but I still have trouble using it.  I'm sure it's very simple once I get the hang of it.  But tomorrow I'm going to take it to the shop where he bought it and get the clerks there to explain why it isn't doing what I want.  My main problem is that all the instructions on the tablet are in Portuguese!!!  Go figure!
I've bought one book and loaded it on the Kobo, now I'd like to read it. 
The book?  It's called The Giver, by Lois Lowry (I think).  A young adult fantasy novel.

Reading

As I've said before, I'm finding it very difficult to get back into writing mode. However, there's nothing stopping me from reading.  So, at the moment, I have three books on the go (none of them in the genre I want to write--no kidlit at all).  One is about writing.  While going through possible links to possible publishers for my books, I came across one with the admonition to read a book called Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, (second edition) by Renni Browne & Dave King, published by HarperCollins in 2004 (originally in 1991).  I got it from the library.
The second book is a mystery by one of my favourite authors, Sue Grafton.  This one is O is for Outlaw. I haven't read all the letters A to N, nor have I read them in any special order.  They're good relaxing reading.  I have several of Grafton's books--most recently I bought "N" at a garage sale. 
The third book was given to me by the wife of the author, so it's even autographed.  It is Climbing Jacob's Ladder, by Alan Morinis--about the Mussar tradition in Judaism.  Well-written so that it's hard to put down. 
Today I was reading some of "O" by Grafton, and found this quite amusing.  In the self-editing book, there's considerable criticism of authors who break certain rules.  An example is a quote from The New York Times Book Review, which goes as follows:  "Mr. [Robert] Ludlum has other peculiarities.  For example, he hates the 'he said' locution and avoids it as much as possible.  Characters in The Bourne Ultimatum seldom 'say' anything.  Instead, they cry, interject, interrupt, muse, state, counter, conclude, mumble, whisper (Mr. Ludlum is great on whispers), intone, roar, exclaim, fume, explode, mutter.  There is one especially unforgettable tautology: '"I repeat," repeated Alex.'"  The book may sell in the billions, but it's still junk." --Newgate Callender.
Well, the section I've been reading in Self-Editing has been going on against lengthy descriptions.  It's the chapter on proportion.  It warns against boring the reader to death with extensive passages about the scenery and the weather, etc.  So that brings me back to Grafton's book.  I really had to laugh--three whole pages (pp.99--108) of driving the 101 from Santa Teresa to Los Angeles, taking the offramp...paying for parking...looking for a parking spot...going up the elevator...shops on either side...the receptionist's wrinkled old face...etc., etc., etc.  And yes, she did go on about the temperature, the fire hazard, the winds (the Santa Anas, etc.).  Was I bored?  Not really--I hoped she was building tension, but I don't know yet.  I closed the book.

reading the SideStreet series published by Lorimer

I was able to get two SideStreet books from the library: New Blood by Peter McPhee, and Final Takedown by Brent R. Sherrard.  I've finished Sherrard's book.  Really good.  Quite different from other books I've read.  I've just started the other book, and it's different again, so far.  Very edgy, both of them.  Could I write one?  Don't know.  I'll give it a try.  Right now I'm working on two other novels and have other projects on the back burners, too.  Coteau still has Angels, and Baker has the play.  Slow going on Suite 101 right now, but that's okay.  Squidoo is on hold, too.  Can't do everything all at once.

book reviewing Matilda cont'd

I finally finished my book review of Matilda, and got it published in Suite 101 after a few technical glitches with their new system up uploading images.  Got it done, though.  And so, here it is: Matilda, by Roald Dahl.

library visit

Yesterday I got an electronic reminder to pick up a book I'd requested from the Vancouver Public Library.  I'd forgotten I'd ordered it, because it's the second in the millennium trilogy by Stieg Larrsen: The Girl Who Played with Fire.   While checking it out, I commented to the woman at the desk that I hadn't yet read the first book, because the waiting list is so long at the library.  She advised me to go to the section that has mystery books in paperback, and look under L.  I did, and lo and behold there was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  So now I have these two humungous books to read in just a few weeks.  Meanwhile, I'm still in the process of printing out that never-to-be-done-with play, and reading juvenile books, and writing articles for Suite 101 and Squidoo and a YA novel for Lorimer before they forget about me.  With all this reading and writing to do, when am I ever to get any exercise?!

book reviews

Here's the book review I did today, and posted on Suite 101.  http://www.suite101.com/content/nannycatch-chronicles-a-chapter-book-for-reluctant-readers-a331343

2010 in review

I know.  I never keep resolutions, and neither does anyone else that I know.  However, it's interesting to look back and see what my goals were and whether or not I actually achieved any.  And what goals I want to achieve this year. 
Apparently in 2009 I had some that were worth setting for 2010.  I even had some measures of success.  The health one, diet and exercise, is the toughest of all because I hate "going for a walk" unless I have some place to go.  And if I have some place to go, then taking the car seems the logical thing to do.  Gotta change that somehow because I really am overweight and need to take better care of myself.
Resolutions: Music--I wanted to practise the organ daily in 2009.  Didn't do it.  So for 2010, I aimed for weekly.  Didn't do it.  Maybe once in a while in 2011?  That might be achievable.
Reading--I wanted to track it and keep notes.  I have started that, but this year I want to do it on my blog.  Yes.  Right here.  I wanted to finish the last two books of Harry Potter--did that, and saw the first part of the last book movie a couple of weeks ago. Can't wait for the next one!  Will be so sorry to be finished them, though.  Wanted to reread Anne of Green Gables.  Did that.  And, read kcdyer's Mrs. Zephyr's Notebook.  Still reading the Anne Perry mysteries as relaxation reading.  Writing:  didn't do nanowrimo this year (it "would be nice to do") but instead I attempted Script Frenzy and my play, The Wolf and the Saint, was the result.  My historical juvenile novel bounced back again so slowly that I thought it was just chucked out of the slushpile.  Not so.  That publisher, Lorimer, wrote me a very nice letter suggesting I write something for their young adult readers.  I've been working on a couple of ideas for that, but it's been very slow going.  That novel is now with Coteau Books in Saskatchewan.  Still typing with crossed fingers!  Articles published have been in suite 101 and squidoo.  Some progress there, I guess.

resolutions for 2010

This is a follow-up to two previous blogs: the one about reviewing 2009 and how I blew those resolutions, and the one with advice from the Guide to Literary Agents blogs.
So, dealing with the resolutions I couldn't keep this past year, how can I revive them in such a way as to make them more achievable? (After all, they must be worthwhile, if I tried to commit to them last year.) First: music--Maybe practising the organ every day is unreasonable. But maybe I can try to do a little once a week? How about a weekend "date" with the organ, either Saturday or Sunday or, if I miss those then any other day to make up for it? Let's try that. Second: reading--I wanted to track my reading, ie, take notes on titles and authors and other comments on each book I read. Rather off-putting, isn't it? How about just plain reading. Maybe I could note title and author of the books I especially want to remember. Last year I read the last two books in the Harry Potter series, and reread Anne of Green Gables, and a book by kc dyer titled Ms Zephyr's Notebook, and...some others...including at least one Anne Perry mystery. So, just because I didn't track them doesn't mean I didn't read anything worthwhile. The ones mentioned here were definitely all worthwhile. I could make plans to read particular books next year, but I'd rather not commit to that. Besides the books I've mentioned, I also do quite a lot of research reading. They do get tracked in my bibliography lists for whatever I'm planning to write. The third resolution has to do with writing, which, curiously, was not in last year's resolutions! One of the accomplishments was being a "winner" in NANOWRIMO. It would be nice to do that again! Resolution? No--just "would be nice to do that again". I also had a story published, and that wasn't even a resolution. It was a short story in an anthology: "The Fire" in Below the Canopy published by Polar Bear Expressions. But my middle-grade historical novel, Angels in the Flames, was rejected by two publishers: TouchWood Editions and Moose Enterprise. Can't send it out again until January (ie, a few days away), so I'm going through the manuscript to tweek it a little more. So, for 2010? Obviously, I'd like to get that PUBLISHED. And I should have one (or two) books to go to publishers before December 31, 2010. And some articles published. I wonder if I can have a web page by then? Good goal to strive for. And I think that's enough.

2009 in review, sort of

It's Christmas Eve, and quite different from last year! Thank God! No snow this year, so we'll be able to go to Midnight Mass. At 10pm, it's a bit early for Midnight, but that's okay. And today is a bit early to think of the end of the year 2009, by about a week.
I looked at last year's blogs for this time of year and was reminded of having to miss Mass. Also reminded of my resolutions!!! hahaha! (or should that be, hohoho?) I was supposed to practise the organ every day. Don't remember the last time I even touched the organ! Also, I was supposed to track my reading. Didn't do that, either! BUT...I have brought music back into my life, even to the extent of volunteering to sing with the St. Thomas choir at the seniors' home last Sunday. (I had actually given up all singing, and even listening to music, for a couple of years, because it made me cry. Over that now--for the most part.) As for the reading part, I've done more reading this year, I think. But no tracking of it. It might be useful. Anyway, I have a week to think about new New Year's resolutions, and I'm pretty sure they'll be different this year. That organ practice seems like a good idea, though.

a quick note

This month is as hectic as all the others, but it seems more so somehow. First, there's my tutoring schedule. It's only 8 hours a week, but it involves a lot of time on the road. An hour here, an hour there--or two hours. Then there's my volunteering, which isn't so much really. Just alternate Wednesday mornings at the UBC Farm, and one Sunday morning a month with the Sunday School. Kindergarten hasn't started for me yet, and I don't know if I'll be able to do much when it does, due to travel plans. (More on travel plans later.) But there's also the very sad duty of making daily visits to a friend who is in palliative care and not expected to live very long. We don't stay long with her, so we don't tire her out. Just pop in, massage her elbows and feet with lotion, maybe say a prayer with her if she wants us to, then she either dozes off or a meal comes or maybe another visitor. We leave then. Otherwise, besides a wonderful evening with Brother Robert, a First Order Friar from San Francisco the other night, it's been just everything as usual. No, I forgot! I'm also making daily phone calls and arranging visits for our parish visitations that must be completed this month. Oh yes, and there's writing, isn't there? And reading Harry Potter (the last book) and Anne of Green Gables (the first book). Gotta go now. Tutoring, etc.

busy as usual

So what has happened in the past two weeks plus since my last blog entry? Well, Sandman in Penticton sent me a certificate for one night free there. Anyone want it? I don't. We plan to go to Penticton in a couple of weeks, and have already booked our reservation at Super 8. They have a very nice swimming pool and free breakfast. And beds in every room!!!
September always brings me back to my volunteer jobs. I've got my Sunday School teaching schedule and have had one session already. (Usually only once a month, so my next time will be October 11th, I think. Is that a Sunday?) And I'm back at UBC farm. We had our orientation day with a potluck lunch. My favourite meal is always potluck! Next Wednesday will be our first day with the children. My third volunteer job is with the kindergarten. It usually doesn't start until the new year. And something new: I've got a couple of tutoring jobs. One takes me to North Vancouver three times a week, and the other will start soon at King Edward Campus, I suppose.
This means that sleeping late in the morning will likely happen only on the Wednesdays I don't go to the farm. Maybe the occasional Saturday that escapes being filled up. Thursday mornings, my hubby & I lead Morning Prayer at St. James.
So there you are--just in case you were wondering why I hadn't been blogging lately. I'm busy preparing ESL & Sunday School lessons, and trying to get some writing done in between times. And, I have to read the last Harry Potter book!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Saw the movie today. I was amazed that they were actually able to get all of that huge book into one movie. They took a few shortcuts, of necessity, but it was still an excellent movie. Can't wait for hubby to finish the next book and then for those two movies to come out. Apparently, according to the last reports I heard on the subject, they can't get all of the last book into one movie.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I've finally finished reading the book (couldn't put it down!), and am now ready to see the movie! We have the last book, but I have to wait until hubby finishes it. It won't be long, I'm sure. He's a faster reader than I am.

5th of 5 hard questions

Now we come to the challenge: "How will you make sure that your work grabs and keeps your readers' attention every bit as well as your own favourites capture you?" I'm sure I never deliberately write boring pages, but I'm equally sure that sometimes what I find important or fascinating might not seem so to others. This is why critique groups are so useful. Constructive criticism is priceless. As writers, we have to have tough skins in order to listen to hard truths about our precious words. And we need the tenacity to stay with the task of producing worthwhile stories, so we don't waste our readers' time nor try their patience. If we can't do that, then what use is our work?

4th of 5 hard questions

This is more about us as writers/readers: What compels us to write fiction/memoir/poetry? I am not sure I can answer that. I write all sorts of things, mainly because I find that I like to put my thoughts down on paper. (Yes, paper. I prefer to write in notebooks, and only type onto the computer what I want to submit for others to read--such as this blog--but mainly to print it out or send it out for publication.) I write fiction if I feel that I have a story to tell. I write memoirs only for my own reading or for family. The title of my memoirs is If Anyone Should Ask. I write that only when I need to get past a dead zone in my writing. I don't believe in "writer's block" but sometimes writing is harder than other times. Poetry: I rarely write poetry. I don't think I ever feel compelled to write that.

3rd of 5 hard questions

The third question asks what makes us come back to our favourite genres. With the books I've used as examples, it's the character. We care about Harry Potter and about William, (odd--I just noticed that these names are the same as the two princes--coincidence!). In my favourite adult books, the Anne Perry mysteries, I care about the detective, Monk. The same goes for other mysteries, which seem to run in series rather than stand-alone books. My three favourite types of books (genres?) are 1. children's books, especially middle-grade fiction. Harry Potter is the only fantasy that I like. Normally, I prefer historical middle-grade. 2. adult mysteries, especially Anne Perry and Dick Francis. 3. history, especially biographies. So, why do I keep returning to these genres? I love kids' books because they are usually better written than adult fiction. Adults put up with long boring sections (we just skip over them, right?). Kids toss the books aside at the first long-winded passage because they can't guess how long the nonsense will carry on. I enjoy mysteries, because they demand that I pay attention to every word. If I don't, I could miss a valuable clue. So, in both these cases, I guess that the rule is not to waste words! As for history and biographies, I just like to know how things used to be and how people lived in by-gone days.

2nd of 5 hard questions

The second is harder than the first. It asks us to examine the books written by our favourite authors and select techniques ("what do they do") that grabs attention and keeps us turning pages. This is not something that I can answer off the top of my head. One thing that springs to mind is that the author makes me care about the main character. Maybe, as with Harry Potter, he's unfairly treated by people who should care for him. With my favourite character, Richmal Crompton's William, he just gets into trouble because he misunderstands the adult world, or is put upon by his elders, and he responds as an eleven-year-old boy would. Another important technique is to build a mystery. The reader has to care not only for the character, but also care about what will happen next. Then these questions have to be answered with just enough held back to keep the reader coming back for more. With Harry Potter, we need to know how he'll survive the threat to his life by the evil Valdemort (spelling?). And, how will all the magic of the world of Hogwarts come into play? With William, the stories are quite short, so it's just how he will get through the problem of the day.