About Me: 2014 Update
Confession here: I am a book geek.
I hate borrowing books from a library, so I started to set one up since I was a child. I loved the library; all those books, all that knowledge, just waiting to be discovered. Public libraries cause a big problem for me; they want their books back. I believe I remember every book I had to return with a feeling of loss. Don't ask to borrow a book of mine; too many people have failed to return them. I've spent years trying to reacquire books that went out of print. I still search in vain for some.
Ok, yes, I'm a geek in other ways as well. Like history.
I never believed history was taught correctly in the classroom. Who cares about dates of different battles? I want to know the impact of the battles on technology, engineering, and architecture. (both during the war and the peace aftermath) How did fashion change? Where did the money go, and why? Who were the rejects of society? How were they isolated? What were the ideals of society? What were the stories told? How did the government raise money, and how did people work to keep more of it? What did they eat and why? How did those in power indicate their rank? How did they transfer knowledge? Who were their neighbors? Did they get along? What did they trade and why? What wrongs were unacceptable to society in general, vs. different groups of people within it?
A battle is a culmination of different groups of people agreeing the possibilities of change to the status quo are worth the costs of war. These beliefs are always rooted in the societies that produce the peoples. Failure to understand the cultures involved means the only knowledge gained from the study of battles is tactics and a series of dates. It ignores the fundimental strategic forces that demand societial change. It is the final failure of politics.
- I also love Orson Scott Card's Characterization and Viewpoint book, and Roy's Writing Tools from the Poynter Institute (iTunes)
Update ends.
About Me: 2011
I'm an avid bookworm. To be a good writer, you need to study reading. The more practice the better.
I learned writing from my landlord during my college years; he was a former newspaper editor/reporter before retirement. He taught me more in an hour, than all the English teachers from high school thru college. It's demonstrates a sad state of education when talking to someone for a single hour can have a bigger impact then hundreds of hours of talking at someone.
I'm a huge fan of Snape. Draco and Lucius show some interest too. I love the dark side of these characters.
My Story Likes:
In depth characters, unexpected plot twists, humor.
Realistic imagination. If I can't buy the motivations for action, it's not worth my time.
I’ve been on this site, reading numerous Harry Potter stories by different authors. If I find an author I like, I tend to read most of their output. If I find a story I like, I definitely re-read it. Both are listed as my favorite authors and favorite stories. To highlight the best of the best though, I’ve listed my top 3 favorite stories:
This is a psychological tale that reflects Stockholm’s syndrome within the magical world. Deeply disturbing, and well written.
This is a creative tale on sudden marriage.
This is a great tale that shows complex emotional interaction, without being sexual.
My Reviews:
Tend to be critical reviews, especially my harsh ones. If I didn't believe you could write better, I wouldn't bother.
It is from our errors we have an opportunity to learn. We just need to make the effort. After all, "He loves his bonds, who, when the first are broke, Submits his neck unto a second yoke." Herrick, Hesperides
I review when I have something to say to the author, beyond my:
My Pet Peeves - these will rarely show up in any reviews I make. If I've pointed them out, the below standards have been horrifically violated.
Lack of spell check, punctuation, formatting. (If you're guilty of posting without using the basics of spell check, slap your wrist. There is no excuse for this one.)
Use of word crutches.
Improper word use. - I cringe that this one. It's common here.
Lack of scene breaks, indications of POV changes.
Not telling when the story begins up front. Is it supposed to be a secret?