Since my weekend was cut short due to having to work Saturday, I spent most of my time off reading some of the new books I've bought over the past few weeks.
I finished the Black Jewel Trilogy, which was excellent. I'm a big fan of Lucivar. I love characters like him, saucy, explosive, but also smart and kind behind all that abrasivness. Great story, great characters. It's been awhile since I've read books that made me sad when they finally finished. I also read "Dreams Made Flesh", and my cousin is sending me "The Invisible Ring". (big thanks to Sharon for telling me about these books!)
I wrapped up the new Sookie Stackhouse book on Sunday. I enjoy the series, but it doesn't grab me the way others have. Some of the characters are interesting, but others are kinda dull. All the were and shifters annoy me because they're all the same type of person. I like Eric the best--he makes me laugh--and I like Sookie, though she's kind of a dimwit sometimes, which bugs me.
I am excited since the new Stephanie Plum novel will be out soon. God, I love that series. It's really rare I read a novel that makes me laugh so hard I cry--Stephanie stories always send me into fits. The crap that happens to her is just halarious and the way she deals with it is even funnier. I mean, who else would be a target for a mafia hit man that dresses up like the Easter Bunny? It's even better when Stephanie's mom sees her being chased by said bunny and hits him with her buick. *snort* Grandma is by far one of my most favorite characters--especially when she's shooting dinner with her pistol. Then there's Ranger and Joe. Despite the fact I love Ranger to death, I pull for Joe, since he's nearly as funny as Stephanie.
I finished up Zarek's story in the line up of Dark Hunter novels last week (I read fast). Valarius' story is still my favorite, but the one I'm waiting for won't be out until 07. Yes, I'm dying to hear Asheron's story. Who and what is he? I hate Artimes...the bitch needs to leave him alone. Grrr!
Jeffery Deavers has a new Licoln Rhyme story coming out soon too. I can't remember the name of it, but I need to pre-order that one too. He's one of the few mystery/suspense writers I can stand to read. What a tangled web he weaves! "The Stone Monkey" was an awesome book. I was totally startled at the end of it. Also, I need to buy a new copy of "The Empty Chair". Awesome reading.
Right now, I just started reading "Rhapsody" by Elizabeth Haydon. Not sure if I'll like this series or not, it's going okay so far, but it hasn't sucked me in the way the other stories I've mentioned have.
On Sunday, I took a break from reading and sat down to do some more research for my project. I made some good head way and have developed several ideas that I think will work quite well. I created a map, did some history/biblical research, worked on fleshing out the characters and put together a diagram of how they all fit together. I'm quite pleased with the way it's coming together. Piece by peice, the puzzel is forming a nice picture. I hope I can do it justice when I put it into words...I'm really nervous about that. My confidence level sometimes plumbets and I want to put everything away, but there's always this voice in my head saying "DO IT". It won't be ignored, so I pick up my pencil and start where I left off. It's a constant conflict of my urge to put this to paper and my fear of failing to do it right.
My biggest fear in life is failing--it always has been and it's always held me back from doing the things I want to do most. That and the fact I think everything I do that is creative just plain sucks--whether it be art or writing. *sigh*
Still, I'm surprised I haven't gotten discouraged and quit yet. It's odd, since I know myself so well. Everytime I get down on myself, I put my information aside, but a day or two later I always come back to it, and I'm ALWAYS thinking through the story. I've even dreamed about it. I've never done that before. Perhaps it's a sign?
Perhaps I'm just getting old and senile...
Well, what do I have to lose, right?
Posted by Zoso at May 24, 2005 12:18 PMYeah, that's me saying "DO IT." Because, like, I want something to reeeead, innit?
You know that sci-fi fic I was rabbiting on about? I got discouraged from writing it. One of my mates read over this little statistics thing I did for the characters (Name, Age, Birthday, etc.) and was amazed that I'd gone into detail and put things like blood type (I dunno, sci-fi makes me think of blood types). And then I thought about that and realised: YEAH. I had gone into detail, and it would be a waste to just discard that detail. So I went back to it and developed the plot and we know the outcome of that story. And, dude, you've done so much research already. You totally have to write it!
Hey, I'll read it, so you'd better. ^_^
Posted by: DR at May 24, 2005 01:43 PMOh, I plan on continuing. You're right; the work I've put into this so far would be such a waste if I got discouraged and gave up. Usually that's what happens, but for some reason I'm obessed with this story. It nags at me, even when I'm feeling down...which is probably a good thing because maybe I'm on to something this time! ;)
I've started writing the first chapter like three times, but I throw it away. I'm not ready enough to write yet. I want to hash out some of the finer details yet--and I don't know when that will happen.
I've got the world divided into six continents; the continents divided into territories; all of them have been named; there are detailed discriptions of each territory (who lives there, who has influence, where each "arie" is located, etc). I'm working on the relationships between the three realms, and the social structure. I've got several of the races social structures down, but the over all function of each territory still needs some tuning.
I haven't done much with it today. I'll probably sit down and work on it before I got to bed, but it's pretty amazing to see something that started off so small, grow so huge! *laughs* My biggest worry is it won't make any sense to anyone else, but I suppose if I let you read it, you'll be the first to tell me! ;)
Posted by: Zoso at May 24, 2005 09:05 PMYay! Man, that really does sound like a lot. I tend to write stuff and then go back and do it again as I add more to the plot or details of the world/races/things. I think I've re-written the 2nd and 3rd chapters of K quite a few times (1st will always stay roughly the same, it's the only thing I'm proud of so far).
I am kinda worried that my stuff won't flesh out as much as I want. I look at some books which are HUUGE and they're only one of a set of four or something. O__o'' But hey, I've always been a quality over quantity girl (my excuse for my rather short essays), so it's not bothering me too much.
Oh, hey, dude, I will be the first to tell! =D Hopefully you'll put stuff up on fp.com one day. ^_^
Bah... I want to write something now. *tosses English notes onto the floor*
Posted by: DR at May 25, 2005 07:04 AMYay, you read them! Heh, you're welcome. Might I also suggest Lynn Flewelling? I've been dying while waiting for the third book of the Bone Doll's Twin trilogy to come out. The Nightrunner series isn't too shabby either, to say the least. I believe both sets take place in the same realm, just different times...
I read too much. -__- But good luck on your writing~.
Posted by: Sharon at May 25, 2005 02:30 PMYou can never read too much! I read all.the.time. I love books. I'm so glad you told me to check out Anne Bishop's stories. I'll be re-reading them again soon. *heart*
I'll check out the others you mentioned too. I really enjoy authors who write rather loosely, with a carefree attitude (like Anne Bishop/Laurell K Hamilton/Janet Evanovitch). The books by Elizabeth Haydon paint a nice picture, but they're so tightly written they get kinda boring--but perhaps I'll be more drawn into the stories as I keep reading. Melanie Rawn writes tight stories and I loved her stuff, but it was her characters I enjoyed the most. Very interesting people.
I'll keep writing. It's one of my favorite past times. I want to improve and learn as much as I can and the only way to do that is to put pencil to paper and read lots of books. I appreciate all the info/feedback you and everyone else has given me. Thank you!
Posted by: Zoso at May 25, 2005 03:40 PM