Thinking about submitting a short story to an e-mag. My level of nervousness is supremely high.
In other news, English Journal #2 for Living Dead Girl. Only a day late.
I usually re-read books I like, but I'm not sure if I could re-read this. I'm not even sure if I like it. Maybe I loved it, but hated what it did to me. Kind of like a person.
Maybe I don't need to re=read it because I'm still thinking about it. It's been a few weeks now, but when something reminds me, all the feelings come back. It kind of bites, because I can't eat yoghurt without my stomach knotting up. Then again, it would be awful to forget.
Maybe I don't want to re-read it. The second go-through is usually where I start picking apart the language, the characters, the pacing. The story then becomes a book, and experience that can be analyzed because someone chose to share it. I'm not sure I want Living Dead Girl to be a book. It feels almost like I'd be holding in contempt all the real girls and real lives the book represents. I've done it before, but I don't want to do it with this one.
Maybe I'm just selfish. Maybe I just don't want to live through that gosh-darned ending all over again. There's only so many times you can walk away disatified Because you're walking away.
Teen writer succumbs to the devastating wiles of fiction. Also available: opinions, blabbering, author-worship.
Showing posts with label english journals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label english journals. Show all posts
Monday, April 25, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
English Journal and Baby Rant
I finally have my journal back. So the first one for Living Dead Girl goes up today, but before I get into all that sadness and amazingity, I figure I can rant about this because this blog is supposed to be about being a writer and a minor, and it's semi-related, so humor me.
I've never entered a writing contest. I probably should, but they make me incredibly nervous for no good reason. Then sometimes, like today, in my case, you'll stumble across a contest that looks really fantastic -- free edits from editors or agents, chances of publication, money, the good stuff. And then, just as you're thinking, "Maybe it'd be worth it," you see the clause: must be over eighteen years of age. Gahburgahhhh. Whatever. I'll just have to go out and find a good one without the clause (like this one over at Coming Down The Mountain: http://karenjonesgowen.blogspot.com/2011/01/here-it-is-as-promised-submissions.html). It's my own fault for not being a proactive contest-enterer.
Anyway, enough of my frustration. In two years I'll be able to enter whatever contests I want (by the way, I've been worrying recently what I'm going to do with this blog when I'm not a minor anymore. I suppose I could keep the name under the idea of writing for minors, which I still plan to do.) Here's some ramblings about a wonderful book.
Living Dead Girl -- Elizabeth Scott
I'm not sure what I'm going to say about this book. I don't suppose saying, "It's indescribable" would win me any points? Maybe I'll start on the writing style and see if I'm up to the plot as I get on.
It would not be inaccurate to say the book was brilliantly written, though well written might be a bit of a stretch. The author has given up convention and 'literary excellence,' offering instead a first-person narrative whose heart beats between each syllable. The simplicity of the language juxtaposes interestingly with the depth of concept, reflecting realistically (or at least I think so) the voice of a teenager who, though only educated up to fifth grade, spends a lot of time experiencing and thinking about difficult things. It's an immediate voice, with flashbacks that feel like real, powerful memories and a cold, disenchanted life that's strangely enrapturing. The author didn't have to go into the gory details to whip your heart around like a kite in a hurricane. It's a journey-taking book. I read most of it in one sitting, and was disappointed to be interrupted.
I've never entered a writing contest. I probably should, but they make me incredibly nervous for no good reason. Then sometimes, like today, in my case, you'll stumble across a contest that looks really fantastic -- free edits from editors or agents, chances of publication, money, the good stuff. And then, just as you're thinking, "Maybe it'd be worth it," you see the clause: must be over eighteen years of age. Gahburgahhhh. Whatever. I'll just have to go out and find a good one without the clause (like this one over at Coming Down The Mountain: http://karenjonesgowen.blogspot.com/2011/01/here-it-is-as-promised-submissions.html). It's my own fault for not being a proactive contest-enterer.
Anyway, enough of my frustration. In two years I'll be able to enter whatever contests I want (by the way, I've been worrying recently what I'm going to do with this blog when I'm not a minor anymore. I suppose I could keep the name under the idea of writing for minors, which I still plan to do.) Here's some ramblings about a wonderful book.
Living Dead Girl -- Elizabeth Scott
I'm not sure what I'm going to say about this book. I don't suppose saying, "It's indescribable" would win me any points? Maybe I'll start on the writing style and see if I'm up to the plot as I get on.
It would not be inaccurate to say the book was brilliantly written, though well written might be a bit of a stretch. The author has given up convention and 'literary excellence,' offering instead a first-person narrative whose heart beats between each syllable. The simplicity of the language juxtaposes interestingly with the depth of concept, reflecting realistically (or at least I think so) the voice of a teenager who, though only educated up to fifth grade, spends a lot of time experiencing and thinking about difficult things. It's an immediate voice, with flashbacks that feel like real, powerful memories and a cold, disenchanted life that's strangely enrapturing. The author didn't have to go into the gory details to whip your heart around like a kite in a hurricane. It's a journey-taking book. I read most of it in one sitting, and was disappointed to be interrupted.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
English Journal: Paranormalcy #3
Let's not mention last week. It was a bad week.
As always, beware of spoilers, read good books, and happy holidays.
Evie works for IPCA, an international organization which attempts, with mixed success, to control various paranormal creatures and keep them away from humans. They are just a little anal about this. When Evie leaves IPCA later in the book, 'organization does not equal justice' becomes something of a theme. She joins what might be considered an anarchist faction, if the book had been more political. Though it's run by a normal man, the principle is for the paranormals to keep each other in check, rather than having Big Brother constantly peeking over their shoulder. There's understandable animosity in the faction toward IPCA, made more reasonable when you discover some of their less lucrative tactics. Still, the tension between the "anarchists" and Evie is practically palpable for a while, until she comes to terms with her friends being her enemies, and vice versa.
Evie tried to explore other species' positions a little, earlier on, but she's quickly distracted by her own duties and opinions. Joining the faction wakes her up a bit. I was glad she didn't flip-flop - "They're good, I like them, oh wait, they're bad, I hate them." She does become something I'm constantly working toward: objective. She reconciles with the fact that even the people she loves are at fault, and even those at fault can be loved.
That's it for the Paranormalcy journals. The next two, if I keep going in order, will be on the incomparable Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott.
As always, beware of spoilers, read good books, and happy holidays.
Evie works for IPCA, an international organization which attempts, with mixed success, to control various paranormal creatures and keep them away from humans. They are just a little anal about this. When Evie leaves IPCA later in the book, 'organization does not equal justice' becomes something of a theme. She joins what might be considered an anarchist faction, if the book had been more political. Though it's run by a normal man, the principle is for the paranormals to keep each other in check, rather than having Big Brother constantly peeking over their shoulder. There's understandable animosity in the faction toward IPCA, made more reasonable when you discover some of their less lucrative tactics. Still, the tension between the "anarchists" and Evie is practically palpable for a while, until she comes to terms with her friends being her enemies, and vice versa.
Evie tried to explore other species' positions a little, earlier on, but she's quickly distracted by her own duties and opinions. Joining the faction wakes her up a bit. I was glad she didn't flip-flop - "They're good, I like them, oh wait, they're bad, I hate them." She does become something I'm constantly working toward: objective. She reconciles with the fact that even the people she loves are at fault, and even those at fault can be loved.
That's it for the Paranormalcy journals. The next two, if I keep going in order, will be on the incomparable Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
English Journal: Paranormalcy #2
It's Wednesday. I'm getting a little less dismal at this. *I wish*
So, neglecting speeches and schoolwork and a few Christian-themed blogs I promised to do for a friend, I'm here to post another journal from my English class on the incomparable Paranormalcy. I'll try to keep the Christian themes to a minimum when posting here, since this isn't that kind of blog, but bear with me - this journal didn't come to a very good end without it. Until next time.
There was a theme running through the book - subtle enough that I didn't notice at first, but I'm sure it's intentional - about judgment and worldview. It's kind of a common theme in fantasy recently. Actually, it's borderline cliche: don't judge a vampire by his fangs, and whatnot. I think White went a little deeper into it. Because Evie works for the government, the idea of allies and enemies seems more true than in some books (title redacted) because there's actual authority and duty and power play going on, not just an angsty teenager thinking the world's against her.
Anyway, White really isn't dealing with the nature of evil here - well, she is if you count the multiple reestablishings of the heroine's "personal evil", thereby defining what pure evil is not. Eh. I hope that makes sense.
Evie even mentions once that fairies, minor to major reoccurring baddies of the book, are not so much evil or amoral as they are other moralled. What's important to humans, not so much with the Fae. There are even two clans of fairies which are differing levels of nasty, and they seem to consider each other evil.
I think it's an important point, especially for Christians: it's not reasonable to expect people to conform to our standards if they don't believe in them. Like the organization Evie works for, depending on other moralled people to do what we want them to do isn't very wise, or very fair. And it's not very good for our reputation, either.
So, neglecting speeches and schoolwork and a few Christian-themed blogs I promised to do for a friend, I'm here to post another journal from my English class on the incomparable Paranormalcy. I'll try to keep the Christian themes to a minimum when posting here, since this isn't that kind of blog, but bear with me - this journal didn't come to a very good end without it. Until next time.
There was a theme running through the book - subtle enough that I didn't notice at first, but I'm sure it's intentional - about judgment and worldview. It's kind of a common theme in fantasy recently. Actually, it's borderline cliche: don't judge a vampire by his fangs, and whatnot. I think White went a little deeper into it. Because Evie works for the government, the idea of allies and enemies seems more true than in some books (title redacted) because there's actual authority and duty and power play going on, not just an angsty teenager thinking the world's against her.
Anyway, White really isn't dealing with the nature of evil here - well, she is if you count the multiple reestablishings of the heroine's "personal evil", thereby defining what pure evil is not. Eh. I hope that makes sense.
Evie even mentions once that fairies, minor to major reoccurring baddies of the book, are not so much evil or amoral as they are other moralled. What's important to humans, not so much with the Fae. There are even two clans of fairies which are differing levels of nasty, and they seem to consider each other evil.
I think it's an important point, especially for Christians: it's not reasonable to expect people to conform to our standards if they don't believe in them. Like the organization Evie works for, depending on other moralled people to do what we want them to do isn't very wise, or very fair. And it's not very good for our reputation, either.
Monday, November 22, 2010
English Journal: Paranormalcy
You know what's funny? I said I'd do these every Sunday. And I thought I'd be able to do it.
Wishful thinking = disappointment.
I lost one of my journalling notebooks, so for now I'll be using some from this year. The first three are for Kiersten White's Paranormalcy, which just came out earlier this year. Since it's such a new book, and by a blogger I happen to admire greatly, I'll probably post the others, too, over the next two weeks. Just remember: spoilers. My English teacher, sadly, will probably never get around to reading Para, but if you are planning to, you've been forewarned.
This is the first book I've ever ordered before it came out. It makes me feel all writerly and connected. Between that, and the fact that I read and love the author's blog, these journals may not be completely objective.
Basically, this is the paranormal book I've been waiting for. It's funny and sweet and a perfect comfort read, but it's also deep and the characters are personal. It doesn't take itself seriously, but parts of it are serious. High concept is all well and good, but sometimes you need a hobby read. And why shouldn't a hobby read be well-written, too?
The main character, Evie, made a pretty successful heroine. She had enough characterization to make her personality and originality clear without ostrasizing the reader, which I think is important for this kind of first person. When the story's moving quickly, which it usually is, she takes a little more of a backseat to help the reader experience the story.
She also falls in love without being supremely annoying to anyone who has not fallen in love, mostly, which is a pretty big accomplishment.
Wishful thinking = disappointment.
I lost one of my journalling notebooks, so for now I'll be using some from this year. The first three are for Kiersten White's Paranormalcy, which just came out earlier this year. Since it's such a new book, and by a blogger I happen to admire greatly, I'll probably post the others, too, over the next two weeks. Just remember: spoilers. My English teacher, sadly, will probably never get around to reading Para, but if you are planning to, you've been forewarned.
This is the first book I've ever ordered before it came out. It makes me feel all writerly and connected. Between that, and the fact that I read and love the author's blog, these journals may not be completely objective.
Basically, this is the paranormal book I've been waiting for. It's funny and sweet and a perfect comfort read, but it's also deep and the characters are personal. It doesn't take itself seriously, but parts of it are serious. High concept is all well and good, but sometimes you need a hobby read. And why shouldn't a hobby read be well-written, too?
The main character, Evie, made a pretty successful heroine. She had enough characterization to make her personality and originality clear without ostrasizing the reader, which I think is important for this kind of first person. When the story's moving quickly, which it usually is, she takes a little more of a backseat to help the reader experience the story.
She also falls in love without being supremely annoying to anyone who has not fallen in love, mostly, which is a pretty big accomplishment.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Englih Journal: "Rose Daughter"
Did someone here say something about posting journals every Sunday? What a little liar that person must be...
So, today I have another journal. I'm still trying to pick things that are at least a little known, which seriously limits me choices. This one is rather long, though I'm not sure if this is more of a downside for me, or for anyone reading this self-indulgent tripe.
Without further ado, an English class journal on Robin McKinley's "Rose Daughter."
McKinley has a real "thing" for Beauty and the Beast. Good thing, too, because I'm the same way. I've read both her adaptations, "Rose Daughter" and Beauty", and another book with definite connections to the tale. So if there journals end up being about all three instead of just Rose Daughter, it's because I can't quite keep them straight in my head.
I've been reading a lot of books about magic lately. It's a little unusual for me, since I generally have little interest in it; my interest is in fantasy. The fact that the two often go together has softened me to warily accept the occasional magician. But the magic in these books is... quiet, maybe. Very Chronicles of Narnia, in a way. And I actually like it quite a bit. Particularly when magic is attached to the story in non-otherworldly ways. For instance, in "Rose Daughter" there are an awful lot of, who would've guessed, roses. (McKinley loves roses. I know this because I am now slightly obsessed fan of hers, and I read her blog every day.) In the story, roses are a symbol of, and a blessing for, love. "Not silly sweethearts' love," but real, true love. It's said that only wizards and greenwitches can get roses to grow because people didn't have enough love to give them. It's a continual question n the book whether our heroine, Beauty, is a greenwitch without knowing it because she got the roses in her new town to bloom again.
I'd kind of given up hope on roses - they're dreadfully overdone, in fiction and real life - but this has brought me back to them again. I think that's proof enough that "Rose Daughter" is a piece of literary magic.
So, today I have another journal. I'm still trying to pick things that are at least a little known, which seriously limits me choices. This one is rather long, though I'm not sure if this is more of a downside for me, or for anyone reading this self-indulgent tripe.
Without further ado, an English class journal on Robin McKinley's "Rose Daughter."
McKinley has a real "thing" for Beauty and the Beast. Good thing, too, because I'm the same way. I've read both her adaptations, "Rose Daughter" and Beauty", and another book with definite connections to the tale. So if there journals end up being about all three instead of just Rose Daughter, it's because I can't quite keep them straight in my head.
I've been reading a lot of books about magic lately. It's a little unusual for me, since I generally have little interest in it; my interest is in fantasy. The fact that the two often go together has softened me to warily accept the occasional magician. But the magic in these books is... quiet, maybe. Very Chronicles of Narnia, in a way. And I actually like it quite a bit. Particularly when magic is attached to the story in non-otherworldly ways. For instance, in "Rose Daughter" there are an awful lot of, who would've guessed, roses. (McKinley loves roses. I know this because I am now slightly obsessed fan of hers, and I read her blog every day.) In the story, roses are a symbol of, and a blessing for, love. "Not silly sweethearts' love," but real, true love. It's said that only wizards and greenwitches can get roses to grow because people didn't have enough love to give them. It's a continual question n the book whether our heroine, Beauty, is a greenwitch without knowing it because she got the roses in her new town to bloom again.
I'd kind of given up hope on roses - they're dreadfully overdone, in fiction and real life - but this has brought me back to them again. I think that's proof enough that "Rose Daughter" is a piece of literary magic.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
English Journals: Howl's Moving Castle
So, basically, my language teacher is awesome. Every quarter we hand in ten journals - three-quarters or more of a page per entry - on outside reading books that we choose for ourselves, and I think that's about 25% of our English grade. I especially appreciate this because a lot of the books I read wouldn't get past the school's radar, if this program didn't give me something to do with them that doesn't necessarily hinge on their content. That's not to say I read dirty books, my school is just verrry cautious. Sometimes we journal on assigned books, but not usually.
It's been in my mind for a while now to post some journals - the good ones, and ones about more popular books - here, kind of like book reviews but without stars. There's a slight possibility for spoilers: insert flashing red WARNING sign. So, since I'm starting today and today is a Sunday, let's just say I'll post one (long) or two (short) every Sunday. I'll start with the ones from last year, since I can't find my journal from the year before, and work my way forward. They may read a bit oddly, since I write them with that specific teacher in mind, almost like letters. It's not quite the same as blog posts aimed at the public in general.
Journal #1: Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones
"Now that's the kind of magic I admire. Taking something that already exists and making a curse out of it." Calcifer, Howl's resident landed-falling-star, says something to this effect in regards to a rather tricky curse spun out of a poem, "Song" by John Donne. I have to say I agree with him.
I generally don't go for fantasy magic: the negative side is a bit too "real" for my tastes, and a little magic goes a long way. But this is the kind of magic I admire. Between spells, seven league boots, and a handful of other unexplained magical elements, there is a magic so pure and simple that the heroine uses it without knowing what she's doing. It is the magic of talking life into things; plain things like hats and strange things like animated scarecrows. All Sophie Hatter has to do is talk to something (she's in rather a habit of doing this) and it takes on what she says, becoming either alive or bespelled.
The thing I like so much about this, though, is that the principle applies to our non-magical words as well; at least, if you truly believe that words have power, which I do. The things we say to people, even after the words are forgotten, brings something up in them that wasn't there before, or strengthens something that was. Whether we're tearing down or building up, the distinct mark of our words affect all we come in contact with.
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