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My Fictional Life Blog
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Awarded to me by Selma!
My other blog: My favourite blogs: My latest articles: My latest reviews: The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie His Dark Materials (2&3) by Philip Pullman I'm watching Torchwood... |
Wednesday 2 July
2008 We’re in danger of losing the plot. Wednesday 9 April 2008 I've recently finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - yes, I know, I may very well be the last (interested) person in the world to get around to reading it and I've been surfing the web on tenterhooks for months hoping to avoid spoilers. And now I'm surfing trying to find all the spoilers I tried to avoid to see what other people had to say when they finished it. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with the wrap up of the series - books 6 and 7. It took me a little while to put my finger on exactly what was bugging me about it, and then I realised it was the very same thing I try to drum into my critique clients - Rowling held the reins too tightly. (Okay, so now you have a perfect excuse not to listen to me on that one, because JK Rowling does it too!) Here's why: Rowling controlled every aspect of the story for seven books, which forced readers outside into observer mode, rather than allowing readers in to experience the story for themselves. There is no room in the final wrap up for the reader to read between the lines anymore. The clearest example of this is in the epilogue, where every main character's life is mapped out for the next 19 years and beyond. This is the part of the book where the reader usually gets to let their imagination go based on the possibility hinted at in the final pages, rather than being left with everything so firmly tied up that the only thought remaining is: "Well, that really is the end." I know Rowling wanted (and in some ways was forced, by fans, by the popularity of the books, and by scammers) to conclude the book in such a way that there would be no doubt that it had ended to avoid fan/scam fiction follow ups and people being caught out by "another Harry Potter book after all". It's unfortunate, though, because it dents an otherwise good story. I would have liked to see Rowling end this series with Book 5. And while I'm on critique mode (and I know I'll get flamed for this), I would've suggested combining Books 1 and 2 together, and Books 3 and 4 together - much of Book 1 and Book 4 could've been cut, in my opinion, leaving room to combine the important backstory aspects of Books 5, 6, and 7, but ending with the battle at the Ministry. But that's just my take on it. It's still a great story. Comments (5) Selma - I haven't read the final book yet. I just can't seem to bring myself to do it but I know what you mean about Rowling being a control freak. Epilogue, you say? Bleh. I am not a fan of the epilogue. I'd rather imagine.... Now you have made me realise that I am probably the only person in the world who hasn't read the final book. Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow after work? Posted 15 April 2008 DavidM - I was watching Oprah once and one of her guests was the woman (I can’t remember name) who was instrumental in getting Rowlands published. The first Potter was in the slush pile (it had been rejected by other publishers.) This woman read it and persuaded the powers to publish it. I can’t remember the exact wording of the interview but it went something like this: Oprah: Did JK ever thank you? Woman: (Great big beaming smile) Oh yes, she sent me a thank you note and an autographed copy of the book. Oprah: Anything else? Woman: (still smiling) No. The expression on Oprah’s face when she asked “anything else: was priceless because from it I believe I could tell that she was thinking what I was thinking: “This woman is now one the richest women in the world because of you and ALL she sent was a measley thank you note and an autographed book’? Man, if the day comes that somebody makes me one the richest men in the world, that person will be set for life. I mean, c’mon, even if Rowlands had given the woman something like ½ of one percent of the net profits of one book, and it would have been a good bonus. James Brown gave his sound engineer the rights/royalities to one song “Sex Machine” and the guy never had to work again I haven’t, as yet ,read ANY of the Potter books or seen any of the films. From discussions I have had with friends and rellos, I get feeling that when I do I will feel as if I already have. Cheers, David Posted 17 April 2008 Elle - Hi David - thanks for dropping by! I saw that Oprah show and I remember her reaction too. I'm not sure where I stand on whether Rowling owes that woman anything more. I do know that Rowling was very lucky to have her manuscript read because she broke every rule in the book for submissions (it was ring bound, and I think it was printed on both sides of the paper). So maybe she does owe the slush pile reader a lot - and maybe a grand gesture would encourage other slush readers to take a chance on a manuscript that "breaks the rules" but they feel something intuitive about it anyway. If there's a greater chance that they could become rich off a decision like that, who knows who might get a lucky break. But on the other hand, all she did was read the manuscript and pass it on to someone higher up who made the real decision. The publishing company who said yes (Bloomsbury) has already been rewarded extensively by being part of the Harry Potter phenomenon, and maybe it is the publishing company who should be making a grand gesture towards the slush pile reader who put them in that position. Perhaps they have already.
Posted 18 April 2008 Inspired Writing Research blogger - Hi Elsa, this is an interesting 'out of the box' angle on JK's writing. I must admit her books have never attracted me as a reader - although my sons did love the films. Later I read that critics didn't rate the actual quality of her writing. I suppose you have to admire someone who does have the writing skill to tie up a plot so rigidly. Posted 20 April 2008 Elle - Thanks for visiting, Inspired Writing. JK Rowling is a fairly good writer (although one who suffers from bloated writing syndrome), but even she admits that she could've done with some more editing assistance. One of the biggest problems with writers who make it big with their first major project is that they lose the introspective time to develop a second (usually more critical) perspective on their work. Rowling battles with letting go of control of her work, and she battles to trust the reader. It's not a good combination when you're hoping readers will escape into your story. Posted 20 April 2008 Wednesday 23 January
2008 The death of Heath Ledger is a stark reminder of how fragile life is. It seems to me that he was simply a happy father, stressed and over-worked, and battling to get some sleep after playing two intense roles in a row - Bob Dylan in I'm Not There, and The Joker in The Dark Knight. He took sleeping pills to try and sleep. He may have been ill with pneumonia at the same time. And, instead of waking up after a nap one afternoon, he simply slipped away. Rest in Peace, Heath. Comments (1) Selma - It is such a tragedy about Heath. I've been feeling sad about it all day. it is awful that so much pressure is placed on these actors that their health becomes compromised. Every time I saw one of Heath's movies I felt he was getting better and better. It's heartbreaking to think he is gone. Posted 24 January 2008 Monday 14 January
2008 I love children's movies, and I thoroughly enjoyed Shrek 1 and 2, but I have a serious problem with the misogynistic message being passed on to children in this third movie. Fiona’s father, the Frog King, dies after telling Shrek that he is next in line for the throne – or
Shrek can find a boy called Arthur Pendragon, a cousin who could also fulfil the role. That scene nearly caused me to turn the movie off in disgust. And then we turn to the other women of this movie. Sure, the princesses get to fight a bit (and Snow White has one of the coolest scenes in the movie), but for a great length of the movie they contribute to the image of the stupid princess who needs to be rescued. When they do escape, they just get themselves captured again. What happened to great reversals that Shrek 1 introduced? Not only was the beautiful Princess Fiona able to rescue herself, thank you very much, she also happened to be an ogre with a great deal of intelligence and spunk. Now she's shoved into the submissive-wife-and-mother role. Is this Andrew Adamson's doing? The first Shrek was the work of William Steig (book) and the Ted Elliot/Terry Rossio combo (screenplay). Elliot and Rossio (best known for co-writing the Pirates of the Caribbean movies) were dropped on Shrek 2 and 3. Were the writers/directors/producers just not thinking, or is there something more sinister going on here? Comments (3) Selma - You have summed up so well what I also had trouble with in the third Shrek movie. I found it an odd direction for the movie to go in. And it didn't fool anyone. I took a group of 11 year olds to see it and they all complained about Fiona not being able to inherit the throne. Did the writer intend to be misognystic (did I spell that right?) or was he just being unimaginative? Get with the program, mate, Princess Fiona could run the world if she wanted to! Posted 21 January 2008 Elle - That's why I love writing for children - they call you on any shortcuts you try and take. You have to put far more thought and work into your story, but it's so worth it. Good on those kids for picking up on the Shrek cop out! Posted 22 January 2008 Violette - I thought it was more a showing that Shrek was being accepted since he had been an outcast originally for marrying Fiona. Great Blog...popped over from Bella Posted 21 April 2008 Friday 7 December
2007 I was tagged by my good mate Karen, author of one of the funniest blogs on the Internet, and here (finally!) are my answers. (See, not worth holding your breath after all.) 1. How long have you been blogging? And although I wouldn't call them mentors as
such, I'm paying attention to what Seth
Godin and Sonia
Simone have to say at the moment.
Now... I'm tagging - Ms Karen - Selma - Ele - and Groovy Old Lady with a Reading Meme:
Comments (2) groovyoldlady
- And it continues... Posted 10 December 2007 Elle - LOL Groovy! Okay, it's black on white now to avoid further confusion. Consider yourself the guinea pig... (or hamster rather). Posted 11 December 2007 Selma - I'm going to do this right now. Sorry for tackling it so late. I am so glad you are doing well with your writing and editing. You deserve it, you really know your stuff! Posted 17 December 2007 Tuesday 20
November 2007 Any method of writing is valid if it produces something worth reading. I am a writer who outlines meticulously. But I do know that all of the different methods can work really well for the type of writer that they suit. Call it what you will - pantsing and plotting / freewriting and crafted writing, plus the third option (a bit of both / start with the beginning and end in mind / freewrite until you get stuck then plot your way out of it) - all these methods work somewhere for someone. Once you've figured out how you need to write to suit your personality, you've got it made. Stephen King has said some nasty things in the past about writers who outline before they write. He's softened his tone, though, in the last twenty years. But I'm going to poke back, anyway, with the comment that many of Stephen King's books could have done with some plotting - Dreamcatcher and the Dark Tower series come to mind. These books could have been really clever with a bit of hindsight. Mr King is in too much of a hurry to publish. But then, aren't we all? I hope he gets a chance to reconsider his anti-plotting stance. I know it's not for him, but there are really good writers who plot. Everyone is different, and different is good. Seriously - this is really semantics. What
Stephen King does in 3 months pounding out a first draft, I tend to
do for a similar time period in my head. I like it in my head.
Stephen likes it down in black and white. Does that really make him
better than me? (Okay, don't answer that :-P ) I prefer to weave layer upon layer of plot threads and tighten them all in the first and subsequent drafts. But I would never tell another writer that this is the only way to write. I would certainly not tell them they are a dullard and their writing is weak without even having read their work. It's a silly presumption to make. So, do I have to have every word lined up before I start writing? No, of course not. So much still surprises me, no matter how tightly I've plotted. I certainly don't need to know every word, and I've easily changed endings and let the characters run with new plot threads. It's a balance between knowing where you're going and knowing when to let go and let the story happen. Over-plotting can box your characters in,
making them behave like puppets with no life of their own. You do
need to know when to let go, but that's the easy part: your
characters tell you. What I'm reading: Going Postal by Terry Pratchett What I'm listening to: the voices in my head
Comments (2) Selma
- I agree with you wholeheartedly. I
don't really like to argue with someone as experienced (and famous)
as Stephen King
but on this point I think he's wrong. Posted 26 November 2007 Elle - Thank you so much! Posted 27 November 2007 Monday 5 November 2007 So, a great many writers, mainly in the US, but also in several other countries, are a week into the month-long keyboard-pounding session that is NaNoWriMo (The National Novel Writing Month). I have several reasons against NaNo (although I do recognise its value to many writers, and I am cheering several of my friends on as they dig in). My main reason is that November is the most
stunning month here in Melbourne. October is generally still a bit
chilly. Our clocks only go forward on the last Sunday of October
making November the start of the gorgeous long, light evenings.
December starts getting too hot here. So November is it if you want
to spend any time enjoying the outdoors in any way. And lastly, I detest the insinuation that all that is required to write a novel is one single month's work and 50 000 words. I know they say, "Go forth and edit" following the November run, but how many excited first timers listen to that? 50 000 words is not a novel. It's half a novel. And a month's worth of freewriting is not going to produce any depth. A lucky shot or two, maybe. But depth and layering comes with months and years of thinking, planning, redrafting, and character development. Just compare Robin Hobb's rush-job Soldier Son trilogy to her painstakingly crafted Farseer trilogy. Even the best can't rush it.
What I'm reading: The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda What I'm listening to: Oscar Peterson
Comments (2) Selma - Even though I'm participating in NaNo myself I have found it difficult to write anything that I found worthwhile because of the pressure to keep up the word count. It's true that some writers can work like that and can come up with some good work but I'm just not satisfied with what I've written and it's nowhere near being an entire novel. However, two advantages of NaNo that spring to mind are that I now have a rough draft to work with and the sense of community I have encountered while participating is awesome. So it's not all bad! Posted 26 November 2007 Elle - Thanks for visiting Selma! You're close to getting that 50K - just under five days to go, I'm sure you will make it. Posted 27 November 2007 Wednesday 8 August 2007 Saphie writes: "I just read the Top ten mistakes used in grammar and I would like to say thank you for writing in such simple terms. I'm seventeen and I still got confused on the difference between Lie and Lay, and 'Past' and 'passed' on when to use in a sentence and in what format. It really helped me. I've asked countless people to explain and none of them really explained it well. I just wanted to comment to thank you for having that on the net for me to find and finally understand the differences between the words." Thanks for your lovely comment Saphie. If you haven't yet read it, you can get a free copy of my grammar report here.
What I'm reading: Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett What I'm listening to: whatever's on Triple J
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