My first week as a professional writer was no slam dunk. An air-ball would be a more appropriate description, or a fumble, since it is football season. Yup, my transition into self motivated employment is failing horribly, so far. Over the course of the week I have written less than 1000 words on two different projects. The actual number is probably around 700. That is pathetically low. I think 5000 would be a good goal to start with.
On the other hand, I've got a lot of reading done. I've certainly been blogging a lot more (as you may have noticed). And I saw Inception, which was unbelievably awesome.
Let me repeat that with a few added superlatives: Inception was unbelievably awesome. Amazing. Well conceived and brilliantly executed. Incredible. Genius. It is literally one of the best movies I have seen. Period.
And I should add that Resident Evil: Afterlife (in 3D) was quite entertaining as well. I'm quite impressed by the new 3D technology. It works much better than the old 80's and 90's bit. Very cool.
So there it is. I'm failing my new profession. And I didn't even get any dates this week, which is a shame, because there is a plethora of date-able ladies here.
But on the other hand, I can sleep in every morning, until the sun gently wakes me from my slumber as it shines through my window. And any time I read a good book, I'm doing "research."
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Mockingjay
Was a terrible conclusion to a pretty admirable series. I don't know what happened.
OK, yes I do. It died.
My first gripe against the concluding novel of The Hunger Games is that the characters, built so well through the first two books, were replaced with static puppets. Katniss, whose head we are in FOR THE WHOLE TIME, is reduced to a status symbol that spends all her time hiding in corners and weeping and other such drivel. Seriously, with the option to spend time in the head of Katniss (in Mockingjay), or Bella (in Twilight), I really think I would seriously consider Bella. Katniss has a few opportunities to shine, to react with violence and power as only a survivor of the Hunger Games could, but the author never allows her to do so. On top of Katniss' destruction, Peeta is turned into a government experiment, and essentially removed from the greater portion of the book. When he returns he is a broken wreck who either tries to kill Katniss, or spends his time begging for death. Gale is the only character that takes on more life in this book, but it's really just to fill the hole from the absence of Peeta. All the other characters are minor.
My second complaint is that the plot felt very jumbled. Outside of the time Katniss spends being pathetic, there's a lot of discussions and conferences about tactics. And no good action sequences. Even the infiltration of the capital seems unrealistically conceived and executed.
Actually the entire "War" is completely ridiculous. Collins seems to be trying to expound on the terrifying effects of war, but THERE IS NO WAR IN THE ENTIRE BOOK!!! Through the first two books, the Capitol is supposed to be an all-powerful machine. They crush rebellions easily with their sophisticated arsenal of weaponry. But in book three, District 13 (the rebels) waltzes through the entire country without any resistance at all. Of course, none of this is shown. As far as I know, the war never even happens because there are no real visual sequences of it, and the effects of it are never shown. Except for the jumbled sequence when they finally assault the Capitol, which is one big booby trap.
Another, smaller, thing that really annoyed me was the incomplete concept of Katniss' special bow. Which somehow recognizes her voice so she can turn it on and off, but what does it do? Nothing. The arrows are explosive, but we've seen that in Rambo. I don't think the author even knew the real capabilities of the bow.
The biggest problem with the book is the absence of resolution and catharsis. Katniss has a chance to be a noble hero, to stem the flow of blood that has been spilt, but instead she encourages the idea of a new version of the Hunger Games (which could be argued as gambit that allowed her to kill the new enemy, but it's a hollow argument), and then murders the leader of the rebels. Right. She murders the rebel leader, not President Snow, who has been built up as a snake in the grass for the rest of the series. Forget everything you know, the Rebel leader, whose name I can't even remember right now, is the enemy who engineered the death of Katniss' sister. And then Snow dies naturally.
And the love triangle resolves itself because Gale conveniently disappears and Peeta conveniently returns. Katniss never actually has to choose. Then there are two-ish pages devoted to the rest of Katniss' life with him. After 350 pages (in this book) of scarring Katniss (and the audience) Collins only gives us two pages to heal. Which isn't enough.
Story: D
Characters: F
World: B-
Writing Style: B
Total: D+
OK, yes I do. It died.
My first gripe against the concluding novel of The Hunger Games is that the characters, built so well through the first two books, were replaced with static puppets. Katniss, whose head we are in FOR THE WHOLE TIME, is reduced to a status symbol that spends all her time hiding in corners and weeping and other such drivel. Seriously, with the option to spend time in the head of Katniss (in Mockingjay), or Bella (in Twilight), I really think I would seriously consider Bella. Katniss has a few opportunities to shine, to react with violence and power as only a survivor of the Hunger Games could, but the author never allows her to do so. On top of Katniss' destruction, Peeta is turned into a government experiment, and essentially removed from the greater portion of the book. When he returns he is a broken wreck who either tries to kill Katniss, or spends his time begging for death. Gale is the only character that takes on more life in this book, but it's really just to fill the hole from the absence of Peeta. All the other characters are minor.
My second complaint is that the plot felt very jumbled. Outside of the time Katniss spends being pathetic, there's a lot of discussions and conferences about tactics. And no good action sequences. Even the infiltration of the capital seems unrealistically conceived and executed.
Actually the entire "War" is completely ridiculous. Collins seems to be trying to expound on the terrifying effects of war, but THERE IS NO WAR IN THE ENTIRE BOOK!!! Through the first two books, the Capitol is supposed to be an all-powerful machine. They crush rebellions easily with their sophisticated arsenal of weaponry. But in book three, District 13 (the rebels) waltzes through the entire country without any resistance at all. Of course, none of this is shown. As far as I know, the war never even happens because there are no real visual sequences of it, and the effects of it are never shown. Except for the jumbled sequence when they finally assault the Capitol, which is one big booby trap.
Another, smaller, thing that really annoyed me was the incomplete concept of Katniss' special bow. Which somehow recognizes her voice so she can turn it on and off, but what does it do? Nothing. The arrows are explosive, but we've seen that in Rambo. I don't think the author even knew the real capabilities of the bow.
The biggest problem with the book is the absence of resolution and catharsis. Katniss has a chance to be a noble hero, to stem the flow of blood that has been spilt, but instead she encourages the idea of a new version of the Hunger Games (which could be argued as gambit that allowed her to kill the new enemy, but it's a hollow argument), and then murders the leader of the rebels. Right. She murders the rebel leader, not President Snow, who has been built up as a snake in the grass for the rest of the series. Forget everything you know, the Rebel leader, whose name I can't even remember right now, is the enemy who engineered the death of Katniss' sister. And then Snow dies naturally.
And the love triangle resolves itself because Gale conveniently disappears and Peeta conveniently returns. Katniss never actually has to choose. Then there are two-ish pages devoted to the rest of Katniss' life with him. After 350 pages (in this book) of scarring Katniss (and the audience) Collins only gives us two pages to heal. Which isn't enough.
Story: D
Characters: F
World: B-
Writing Style: B
Total: D+
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Catching Fire
I just reviewed the first book last night. Catching Fire is more of the same, though unlike what the title suggests, the book tends to mostly be a cooldown from the first.
It is still a very enjoyable read, even though the the concept of the hunger games isn't as fresh.
Unfortunately I feel Katniss departs from her characterization in the first book, she still has a dramatic voice, but where the heck did all this emotion come from? The girl should be fairly level headed. Right? Apparently not.
I'm coming across negative, but that's not really the case. The book is good, gripping even. And Collins adds a few really brilliant touches. The End.
Story: B+
Characters: B+
World: A
Writing Style: B+
Total: A-
It is still a very enjoyable read, even though the the concept of the hunger games isn't as fresh.
Unfortunately I feel Katniss departs from her characterization in the first book, she still has a dramatic voice, but where the heck did all this emotion come from? The girl should be fairly level headed. Right? Apparently not.
I'm coming across negative, but that's not really the case. The book is good, gripping even. And Collins adds a few really brilliant touches. The End.
Story: B+
Characters: B+
World: A
Writing Style: B+
Total: A-
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Hunger Games
I've been hearing this name thrown around for a couple years now in association with books that "must" be read. I don't know why, but for some reason the idea of these books never really appealed to me. Really, I can't put my finger on it, so don't ask. I just wasn't that interested in them, even when friends told me that I HAVE to read them.
Well, finally I have succumbed.
At first I was determined to find faults with the book. Suzanne Collins is by no means a perfect writer. Her use of the present tense, a gutsy move from the norm of fiction writing, struggles at times when transitioning between things that happened in the past to things that are happening now, which on occasion, can leave the reader slightly confused. Paragraphs seem to start on one subject and end on another (not unusual or bad, normally, but somehow I found it annoying, because the paragraphs were taking great leaps instead of small steps). And her overuse of sentence fragments is jarring, to say the least.
But, I started the book when I sat down for my dinner of Ramen noodles and didn't get up again till I had finished it four hours later. Yes, writing flaws aside, the book is that gripping. Once the story gets going, the sentence fragments and meandering paragraphs aren't noticeable (unless the paragraph starts with an explanation of something that never really gets explained).
The pacing of the book is excellent, with gradual details and strange twists adding to the landscape of the post-apocalyptic world that has been created. The characters are quite like-able (unlike a certain other popular series recently, cough, Twilight!), though the main character, Katniss, has a definite flair for drama. The story itself, is fresh and compelling, though not entirely unpredictable. I do admit that Collins left a character alive that I was certain should/would die, and killed a character that I was somewhat certain would live--in a most unexpected fashion. I actually had some problems with the unexpectedness of this scene. I felt that it was contrived by the author to move the story forward, rather that an event that would have happened when truly governed by the capabilities of the characters involved. And, to avoid giving away too many plot details, I shan't say anymore about that!
I think I've rambled on to the end of my review. The book isn't perfect, but the story is excellent. Oh, the ending was ridiculously horrid. Really? That's what you leave me with? Ok, next time just beg people to buy the sequel.
Story: A
Characters: A
World: A
Writing Style: B
Total: A
State of Emergency
I think this is definitely blogworthy:
Obama Releases 500,000 Men From U.S. Strategic Bachelor Reserve
I personally think this move was a bit unnecessary. Panic move indeed!
Obama Releases 500,000 Men From U.S. Strategic Bachelor Reserve
I personally think this move was a bit unnecessary. Panic move indeed!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Anticipation
This is just going to be a quick post because I am sitting in the airport waiting for the magical bus of the skies to take me back to Utah. I am excited for a few reasons: A) This is the advent of a potential writing career. Either I will succeed or fail, either way I get a small step closer to finding my niche in the world. B) I get to extend summer a little longer. Alaska has been cold and wet and I'm looking forward to some Utah sunshine. C) I thought I was done with ballroom dance. As mediocre as I was at this art form, I find that I miss it terribly. Perhaps I am still done, but at least now I'll be around people (girls) who won't mind breaking out into a random Cha-Cha with me. D) Girls should be reason number 1. In short, it has been a lonely summer. The End.
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Books
I've decided to keep a list of books that I've read during the year on the side of my blog. It has come to my attention, that I've read tons of books, so many that I can't remember them all. In an effort to combat this, I've started keeping a list of all the books I've read since mid-summer, with a short analysis (though you won't get that). I intend this to make me a more thorough reader. Also, I just think it will be cool to see how much I actually read on my own time.
In addition to this book list, I'd like to give a rating for each book, or perhaps a short review. Is there a gadget that allows this? Or must I write a separate blog entry for each book? Does anybody know of a slick way to do this?
In addition to this book list, I'd like to give a rating for each book, or perhaps a short review. Is there a gadget that allows this? Or must I write a separate blog entry for each book? Does anybody know of a slick way to do this?
Horizon, Come Swiftly!
I am frothing at the mouth to get back to Provo, Utah. I am ready to see (and date) attractive women, and I am excited about the freedom that I will have now that I am no longer a slave to homework, classes, and other such ilk.
My goal for the rest of the year (starting once I return to Provo and get comfortably moved in to my new pad) is to live as a full time writer. As of right now, that means treating writing as a full time job. I'm not sure exactly how I shall pursue this, but essentially that means I'll have to hit a certain word count or time limit for writing every day. Right now I'm thinking at least four hours of writing and close to that amount of reading every day (Stephen King says that a good writer reads as much as he (gender neutral) writes, essentially). This will be hard, because I'm horribly lacking in self motivation. I'll have to make certain that I abide by a schedule and go somewhere to write where I won't be distracted by internet, etc. . . . It will be hard, but I look forward to it. I've had a couple writing projects riding on my back for quite some time now, and I look forward to finishing them. Don't be surprised if I put up a couple progress bars somewhere on my blog.
People, I am on my way.
My goal for the rest of the year (starting once I return to Provo and get comfortably moved in to my new pad) is to live as a full time writer. As of right now, that means treating writing as a full time job. I'm not sure exactly how I shall pursue this, but essentially that means I'll have to hit a certain word count or time limit for writing every day. Right now I'm thinking at least four hours of writing and close to that amount of reading every day (Stephen King says that a good writer reads as much as he (gender neutral) writes, essentially). This will be hard, because I'm horribly lacking in self motivation. I'll have to make certain that I abide by a schedule and go somewhere to write where I won't be distracted by internet, etc. . . . It will be hard, but I look forward to it. I've had a couple writing projects riding on my back for quite some time now, and I look forward to finishing them. Don't be surprised if I put up a couple progress bars somewhere on my blog.
People, I am on my way.
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