Missy's Twisted Tangent

So I just read this article and this response to it.  This blog also spoke to me concerning these topics, sort of.  Not exactly on point, but still emphasizes a few thoughts here and that Michelle made. Now, I'm not published or experienced in the business but something struck me as odd in Richard's post.  (For those of you with experience, please feel free to correct me.)

Richard Morgan was speaking of the issues that writers within the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres seem to have with each other and sub genres. The 'pure' fantasists hate the urban fantasists.  Urban fantasists think the 'pure' fantasists are in a rut and need to move on. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Ironically, I just saw a blog concerning JD Robb/Nora Roberts (one in the same for those who don't know) and how the community is now questioning how to shelve her JD Robb stories since she is primarily a romance writer.  I also have multiple friends online who are writers and though they may not be heavily published, they tend to have projects in more than one genre.  One writes 'pure' Fantasy and has just sold a trilogy for an Urban Fantasy. Another writes Paranormal Erotica and Urban Fantasy.

Now while I agree with Mr. Morgan that writers shouldn't dis other writers b/c they do not enjoy their genre or style of writing, I can't help but wonder how big of an issue this is.  All the online writers I know read multiple genres gladly (even sub genres *gasp*) and post book reviews and recommendations.  They reviews focus on the quality of the writing and story, not the genre. But like I said, they cross genres in their writing as well.

So is this some kind of self-loathing? Or what?

But beyond that, why would other writers gripe about other genres, especially sub genres? They should be proud that they either write in the genre that birthed such creativity or respect their roots of those who paved the way. I read multiple genres. I write multiple genres. I can't imagine only having one genre to read/write. If someone had turned down the first Urban Fantasy novel (which I would guess came out around the time of like Dracula), where would we be? And don't forget the first Science Fiction. Wouldn't that be like War of the Worlds or Journey to the Center of the Earth? And those to me, make me think Contemporary Science Fiction b/c they took place in the time period they were written, right? (I could totally be off, but you get the point... hopefully.)

Anyway, I thought it sad that this is an issue and ventured forth to express my opinion and now humbly ask all your own. And not just my writer friends. I want to hear from the readers. Do you care? Does it matter that there are tons of sub genres popping up practically daily, etc?  Let's get a good discussion going...

I picked this book up on the recommendation of a friend and I'm soooo glad I did! I'm not sure if I would have gone for the Mary-Kay-like main character being turned into a werewolf, but I would have seriously missed out!

Marty Andrews wants to be a top Bobbie Sue girl more than anything!  She's worked so hard and knows her Color Wheel inside-out and backwards (though she'd never treat her colors that way!). But an unpleasant yet highly attractive cog has just been thrown into her wheel.  She's not a Spring anymore... no, she's an Autumn. And so would the crazy man, Keegan Flaherty, sitting across from her telling her she's now a werewolf.

Dakota Cassidy does an excellent job and pulling you along Marty's story, watching her grow and change yet never losing the essence of her personality.  I enjoyed seeing how Marty lived a glossed over life (no pun intended) and then slowly reveals her real desires, the things she really wishes for.  You also can't help but want to eat up the delectable Keegan.  There were a plethora of good characters in this story and it would be great to see the world continue. If not, then it is a wonderful ride, completely worth the read. 

I was only on chapter 3 when I picked it up this evening... and now I'm done with it! What does that tell you?  I don't lose sleep over just anything!  I laughed out loud, giggled, squeed and could not get enough of this book. 

Ok. I'm cutting you off.  Now you must all go read it!!

I loves me a good romance! I haven't read one in awhile so it was very refreshing to experience Stacia Kane's Personal Demons (only put it down last night b/c my eyes were blurred with sleep). It was a very unique story, nothing happened that I expected (I always try to guess the ending) except the love interest and THAT was yummy.

Megan Chase is a counselor who has just started her first radio show.  Her life is about helping people but she has an added ability to help her be more effective. Greyson comes into her life to warn her that she has become embroiled in something completely beyond her ken.

I'm not going beyond that b/c I don't want to give anything away! 

The characters were a delight.  Megan is a strong woman who actually takes her own counseling advice to battle beyond her own fears.  Greyson is smooth and smoldering but also a 'need-to-know' type of guy which is a little frustrating but he's so yummy, how can you refuse him?  Add the three Mr. Browns and you have some comedy relief. I love Spud. He's definitely my favorite.

This was a very good read. It was one of those 'get lost in the story' kinds. I highly recommend it.

I just finished reading Succubus Blues by lovely Richelle Mead.  I wasn't sure what was going to be like when I picked it up. The cover blurb made it sound like it would be rather comedic and the only other Kensington published book I've read is Happy Hour of the Damned (Mark Henry) and that was full of the snark, but in a deliciously evil and good way. I was very pleased to find that it had a solid story, good characters and while snarky and funny, not overly so. I also admired a great deal of the t-shirts Richelle's characters wore adorned with awesome bands and even Muppets making appearances. :) I admit, this made me just like her more.

Now, I've read a few amazing books lately, but this was one of those 'just can't put it down b/c I HAVE to know what happens next' stories which led me to break my own rule about reading in the car. I had to make myself stop b/c it really was getting dangerous but despite having a fairly strong inkling of the main antagonist, there were alot of unexpected twists and turns.

The only thing I would have to say is that it felt kind of like a romance novel in the early chapters as alot of the focus was on the protagonist's relationships.  It's not that it wasn't pertinent, but there is a small climax, then the story rollings along for awhile until there is another small climax.  I don't think that it hurt anything, but I felt there was a vast difference in pacing from the first quarter of the book to the end.  It seemed to start off slow and just gradually build speed.

I'm definitely going to read the next installment in what looks to be a growing series.  And Ms. Mead also has some Young Adult novels out that I'm interested in.  I'm sure you'll hear more from me concerning her. :)

I have a Yahoo account so I was able to log straight into Flickr. Then I spent like a hour getting everything uploaded (this is after pulling out my laptop b/c apparently my DVD and CD drives have died in my desktop), putting them in order, renaming them, putting on captions, then redoing half of them once I realized I hadn't saved them... and now? The only view I can get of the pictures with the captions I've added doesn't show my descriptions!!! Bastard! I want to post my pics from PA!!

Help me? 

UPDATE:  Um, I think I figured it out... try this please.

Oh, and any pictures you guys have, I would really appreciate so if you could link them in the comments or email me. Thank you!! -Plague Carrier #1

There is just too much to talk about and get out during lunch, so I'm going to highlight, relive my fav moments and try to let you know how much fun we all had... and convince those who didn't come that FL in 2009 is a must!! 

I'm starting a new trend in honor of my crit pardnah and I getting back on the writing track: LOL Lemurs!!!

 

Poll #1168075 Pittsburgh Romantic Times Con 2008: Eats
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

Which restaurant would you prefer?

Ok, for those of you who are joining Mark, my sister and I in Pennsylvania at the Romantic Times Conference, I have scoured the internets for where we can invaded for a few hours as apparently I'm the closest thing we have a resident (I'm in Cleveland with family in Pittsburgh).  We are planning on meeting up Saturday after the book fair.  The easiest place would be the restaurant or in the lobby of the hotel.  I'll even make a sign if ya'll need me to.  Leave ideas on this in the comments please.

As for food, I had 3 main criteria:

1. Price- I don't know about you, but I'm poor.
2. Distance- I figure if it's nice it'd be better to walk a short distance than try to gather a flock of cars.
3. Menu/Ambiance- There are too many steak houses... give me so flava!!

So, what I need from you all is to vote for which sounds the best to you.  And also an estimate of who might all be coming so I can try to call ahead and warn the poor staff we are impending.  I've made this an open post so you can tell those I have not had the privelege of friending to come and make their preferences known. 

Here is the breakdown of the top 4 restaurants I found outside of the hotel pub (in the order of MY preference):

1. Squirrel Hill Cafe - 4.42 miles from the hotel, but who wouldn't want to say they ate in a squirrel hill! It also has good reviews and does not look to be inexpensive, maybe like Big Boys pricing.  This is the furthest from the hotel... but I'm weird like that.

2. Cafe Euro - 1.59 miles from the hotel.  I'm guessing this would be the best choice, I'm just stubborn.  This is slightly more expensive, maybe slightly more than going to Fridays/Applebees. But the atmosphere looks fun and very Amanda Feral... still within my price range.

3. Palomino - .12 miles from the hotel but the vaguest of web pages.  From a special it has listed, it looks like Applebees type pricing as well, but I can't promise.  - you know what? Scratch that... I found the menu... I would have to sell a piece of my liver and I'm gonna need that!

3. Jack's Rose Bar - the new number 3, only 1.33 miles from the hotel.  Couldn't find their own webpage but it didn't look bad and is listed as 'inexpensive'.

And just because we might up end there as well... The Hilton Restaurant and Pub:

4. Three Rivers Pub - um, 0 miles from the hotel? Looks to be mostly bar food, but with a few fair items.  Pricing around that of Applebees.

5. The Promenade - Inside the hotel.  Okay menu, but pricing equal or higher than the Cafe Euro.  I'd much rather go to the Three Rivers Pub than this place.  Looks snooty and boring.

Go- vote... give me the answers!!!  Once we decide, I will post links to maps, dates, times, etc.  If I'm not your friend now and you are going, friend me b/c I'd like to keep that post private.  Or else friend Mark Henry as I'll make him post it for me. Heehee.

So my wondiferous crit partner has made me aware of a new online service called Creative Bylines. I've only found two articles on it and I've perused the site itself and I'm very curious as to what all my writerly (published and unpublished) friends think.

It sounds like a great service: 

Our specially developed software lets writers keep track of their manuscripts and feedback from those who’ve read them. Editors can set their own criteria for what they’re looking for now. The Creative Byline website makes it easy for both to get the information and documents they need, and to make connections when they find a match.

I looked over the screenshots and read the details as to what information is available.  They are organized and streamlined.  There is also a group who does read throughs to see if the manuscripts are ready to be submitted.  Granted, these are college students, but one can't deny that a fresh pair of eyes may help, though their lack of experience and most basic of training may be a hinderance.

But my biggest question is: As a writer, would you want to go through the experience without an agent? Or is it better to start with an agent?  

From the amount of accolades that I hear expressed, having an agent has benefitted most of you a great amount.  I'm not 100% what an agent does and if it is a requirement of being published with the bigger houses or not.  I would love to learn more.  Granted, I will have to research this, but hearing it from experienced writers such as yourselves would be probably more beneficial.

Here are the two other articles for those curious: Book Publishing News and Writer Beware Blogs!

I seriously feel the need to do an infommercial now. Any ideas?

Randomness...

1. Note to Self: Do NOT burn finger (especially on writing hand) when wanting to write on paper and not on the laptop. OWIE!!!

2. I can haz $25 GC to Barnes and Nobles! Now I have to go through my list and cut it down to something... close to that price range. *grin*

Ok, back to Lord of the Rings and my notebook.

I just finished reading Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews and could not be happier with the sequel to Magic Bites!  And to know there is a third one on the way is a huge treat!! Regretfully it will probably be close to a year til it comes out.

Kate Daniels is still a firey merc who also works for the Order.  She quickly becomes involved in a mystery and works diligently to put together the puzzle. Luckily, Curran is still around. *swoon* And JUST as yummy as before.

Ilona does an amazing job building a unique Atlanta.  You feel the city as it was so keenly. I'm always impressed by that, especially having never been to Georgia. But then she'll toss in something so random when the magic us up that I have to blink.  Personally, my favorite is the ghost-bear with antlers and fire down its back. Really. It's good stuff.

There is one printing error that is completely not Ilona's fault and probably not the editors... it's a small thing. In the word 'responsibility' toward the second third of the book (I'll not tell you the page number), there is a pi symbol.

So if you haven't already, go... BUY!! READ!!!!

Mark Henry, author of Happy Hour of the Damned.

*puts on hypno-glasses*
You want to read this book.
You need to read this book.
You will go buy this book now.





i can haz zombie puppet now?

Oh my... my oh so boring day has just been greatly improved!!

The warehouse dropped my mail off and I had a package from Penguin!!  I won a copy of Magic Burns from the Dear Author a few days ago and it's here!! So now I'm going to be useless the rest of the day as I itch to read my booksies! AND I'm in the acknowledgements b/c I got to be a beta-reader!! So I'm all happy and hoppy and dancy... 

And to top off all the goodness- last night I got my mail (hubby and I are horrible and remember like once a week) and in it was the cover flat I won from Diana Pharoah Francis a few weeks ago!! It also had a couple post cards and magnets of The Cipher.  Which is now proudly displayed on my office cupboard. So for all of you writers wondering what would make a swag, magnets rock!!  Which reminds me, I should bring in my Personal Demons one. Start a collection.

*dance*dance*dance* Thank you, Jane, Ilona, Diana and Stacia!!! Really, I could go on... I'm so spoiled by all of you!! By more than just swag.

BTW Anton- love the new site.
And Mark... I'd never leave you out.

I'm going to review 3 of Ms. Sagara's books at once as I read them all in one week.

Cast in Shadows, Cast in Courtlight, Cast in Secret

This series (I believe there is more coming) is intriguing and the world is so unique I couldn't put any of them down.  In fact, as soon as I finished the first one (I was on medical leave), I called my sister for any following books (she works at Borders and helps feed my addiction).  But something feels off about them, despite everything I enjoy about them (the world, the characters, the magic) something drove me crazy which I didn't pinpoint until the third book when my sister (also a fan) were discussing them.  We both decided that it was the writing style.  Don't get me wrong, Ms. Sagara writes well, but what is presented in a 3rd person POV feels like 1st person.  There are many incidences where it feels like Ms. Sagara is relating the action from the main character's (Kaylin) point of view.  After over 1500 pages I still wasn't used to it, but was so sucked into the world, it no longer mattered.  I'm eagerly anticipating her next work in the series, which I believe she is working on. (At least, I'm hoping desperately b/c I have to find out what happens to Kaylin!!)

Again, read this in January... oops.

I haven't found a Patricia Brigg's book I didn't love, and Iron Kissed is definitely worthy. Ms. Briggs keeps the same pace and humor through the Mercy series, making it easy so slide back into her world of werewolves and fae.  I couldn't put it down, barely noticing the clock as I devoured page after page. I'm so excited to see this world continue, though not directly through Mercy.  Poor Mercy needs a break anyway.  She gets beaten and bruised more than even the werewolves throughout the three books.

For those of you who have read only Ms. Brigg's Mercy Thompson series, go check out her fantasy novels, starting with The Hob's Bargain.  You won't regret it even if you are more of a Urban Fantasy reader.

I read Dog Days by John Levitt back in January while I was on medical leave so forgive the lateness of the post. :)

I was greatly looking forward to reading Dog Days because of all the interviews and reviews that were available before it came out. The 'dog' companion idea appealed to me.  A few days after my surgery I was finally up to reading and this was toward the top of my stack.  Mr. Levitt has some excellent descriptions and imagery, but beyond that... I hate to say it, but I did not get into this book at all.  The first third felt very slow so it was difficult to get into.  The magic was very confusing and I felt like some of the situations resolved too easily. Oh, and I guessed the ending by page 73.  Even wrote it in my journal to see if I was right.  Then to top it off, I was highly dissatisfied with the ending.  If his next book continues the story, I may pick it up to give him another try because I'd really love something good to happen to his main character (who I did like, along with Louie), but I'm not sure. 

Sorry, Mr. Levitt!!  :(

I really wanted to just feed this video to you, but I can't, so you'll have to click the link... but omgwtfbbq... hubby and I watched this a few times b/c it was so funny!!

http://tastybooze.com/?s=the+perfect+gentleman ;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdUUx5FdySs -original
http://youtube.com/watch?v=g0G9vDKcdLg&feature=related -mad world version

Ok, so this video actually made me cry. :(

Wyatt Eoin was born just before noon today and was 9 pounds even!  I didn't get a length, but I'll hopefully be able to update tomorrow with a picture.  Mother and baby are doing just fine!! YAY!!!  I went to Build-A-Bear already, so I'm all set!

This is for my math-major, math-freak friend (who sits next to me at work) who LOVES pi!!!

How many digits can you list off?  I'm going to hide the whoel thing behind a cut.
 
AND It's Einstein's Birthday!! (Irony, they name is math.)