tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51044374925814446592024-03-13T03:03:52.277-04:00Agony of the Untold Story<p>
<p>
<p>
<p><br><i> “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”</i>
<br>― Maya Angelo
<br>
<br>
<b>
Thoughts from my creative, scattered (sometimes pervy) mind.</b></p></p></p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-19074245714305139632014-03-29T23:20:00.000-04:002014-03-29T23:20:02.769-04:00I've Moved!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Please join me at my new website:<br />
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<a href="http://ginadrayer.com/">GinaDrayer.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope to see you there!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-64125490811018881972013-12-13T13:05:00.000-05:002013-12-13T13:05:06.654-05:00Self-Publishing: Debating the numbers.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">A while ago I
did a <a href="http://agonystory.blogspot.com/2013/10/publishing-industry-facts-that-will.html" target="_blank">post on book sales</a> from both traditionally published authors and self-published
authors (or as I like to say Indie authors). Most of my figures a few years
old, because the publishing industry isn't very forthcoming about its sales
figures. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ji6M614xrevMXTsK6t11jsqG6QbP1w7eLHUZ9JXlD2Xw5r3hGzNNR_sboiQZ571imAE9RKY9uvM4pVFU-VkWTFIHgk8v-uPUx4uBbEuTOVctUObcrKiLVxPvkD5SRsViDmFkKk7p2XU/s1600/scrooge-mcduck_1689911i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ji6M614xrevMXTsK6t11jsqG6QbP1w7eLHUZ9JXlD2Xw5r3hGzNNR_sboiQZ571imAE9RKY9uvM4pVFU-VkWTFIHgk8v-uPUx4uBbEuTOVctUObcrKiLVxPvkD5SRsViDmFkKk7p2XU/s1600/scrooge-mcduck_1689911i.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span id="goog_2098896040"></span><span id="goog_2098896041"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Well, my friends, it seems like I’m not the only person who’s been
wondering how Indie authors fair compared to their traditional counter
parts. Dana Beth Weinberg did a series
of articles entitled <a href="http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2013/self-publishing-debate-part3/">The
Self-Publishing Debate</a>. In the three
parts she talks about all the usual issues: Why self-pub/traditional pub? How
many titles do self-pub/Traditional/Hybrid authors publish? What kind of income
do they make?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Her analysis is
based on the 2013 </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.digitalbookworld.com/"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Digital
Book World</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> and </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Writer’s Digest
Author Survey</span>; that surveyed 5,000 authors. Not nearly a complete look,
but a nice sample. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTWzdhj89j2H7WNZb0Dos6hsk5VcfeXdL10MFA-tYseFIEisa9EAekispBz9Eisu9BWA1G7rbR-vLgF7Em0dOcYKN7A6C4d4UlK8NM4U46HZLUzAKygZB60xKYgRDKdC108fbwUEa5eI/s1600/dbweinberg-income.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTWzdhj89j2H7WNZb0Dos6hsk5VcfeXdL10MFA-tYseFIEisa9EAekispBz9Eisu9BWA1G7rbR-vLgF7Em0dOcYKN7A6C4d4UlK8NM4U46HZLUzAKygZB60xKYgRDKdC108fbwUEa5eI/s320/dbweinberg-income.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are some of the
highlights from her report:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">About 19% of self-published authors in the
sample also reported no annual income from their writing, compared to 6% of
traditionally published authors and only 3% of hybrid authors.</span><br /> </i><i><br /></i><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">(At the top earning, $200,000) less than one
percent (0.6%) of self-published authors, 4.5% of traditionally published
authors, and 6.7% of hybrid authors who reported on their income.</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Self-published authors in the sample earned a
median income in the range of $1 to $4,999, while traditionally published
authors had a median writing income of $5,000 to $9,999, and hybrid authors
earned a median income of $15,000 to $19,999.</span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Digital Book World’s
analysis created a bit of a stir in the Indie publishing world. Especially when a colleague promoted her post
on Forbes with the following title: <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremygreenfield/2013/12/09/how-much-money-do-self-published-authors-make/" target="_blank">How Much Money Do Self-Published Authors Make?</a> And to answer that question he stated: In short, not much. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkBeqaeJW-Y6M50ZKs1iUgfr2ZaQerEBssVFQnorZgB8El2Mg0MooRkctK1NenGZoFE1rUWDSMpKWHz7bJ1exZjO12FKxIJhRXx45OO3tLjOHngKJ8gVP9BThFUr4fJxMOBEY5i-DZu0/s1600/gollum.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkBeqaeJW-Y6M50ZKs1iUgfr2ZaQerEBssVFQnorZgB8El2Mg0MooRkctK1NenGZoFE1rUWDSMpKWHz7bJ1exZjO12FKxIJhRXx45OO3tLjOHngKJ8gVP9BThFUr4fJxMOBEY5i-DZu0/s1600/gollum.gif" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Indie authors from
all over the web came out to cry foul.
What were their issues? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Who they
sampled for starters. Many active indie authors (who claim to be high earners) said
they weren't asked take part in the survey despite being affiliated with Writer’s
Digest. When you do informal surveys
like this it’s <i>hard to get a repressive data set</i>. Is it likely they missed the mid-level and
higher earners because they were busy working on their careers? Yes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">One comment mention that there was no distinction between new authors (with only a few
books under their belt) and authors who've been publishing for years. </span><b style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Time is an important factor in building an audience</b><span style="font-family: Courier New;">.
So there’s a higher likelihood that the traditionally published/hybrid authors
in the survey have an advantage over the indie authors because self-publishing
is still in its infancy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">The other issue that
I think is more than fair was broached by Hugh Howey. He complains that the
survey is <a href="http://www.hughhowey.com/youre-looking-at-it-wrong/"><b>reading
the data wrong</b></a>. He argues:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier New;">But that compares ALL self-published authors
and only a small fraction of people who go the traditional route. I've been
hammering this point home for years, but it still gets left out of these
comparisons. When you look at earnings and sales figures for traditionally
published books, you have to take into account the huge percentage of books
that never make it out of the slush pile. Why? Because those are authors and
books attempting to go that route.</span></i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c14ANO_09h-wHgE8kD2c_NkE3bCqXgb-5KpgqR7rkssBTUb9K_6uO92SJeQksSYsBODmo1L69h81L7CW25KzRxlPU89afgcNnfd8IMfVAOcattUn-T_6mnydbkdRUwqYw3v1t7pI-c4/s1600/slush-pile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c14ANO_09h-wHgE8kD2c_NkE3bCqXgb-5KpgqR7rkssBTUb9K_6uO92SJeQksSYsBODmo1L69h81L7CW25KzRxlPU89afgcNnfd8IMfVAOcattUn-T_6mnydbkdRUwqYw3v1t7pI-c4/s1600/slush-pile.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">He makes a good
point. Look at it this way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">If I've written a book
and am trying to<b> publish through the big five publishers</b>, I spend my time submitting
my work, tweaking it, and resubmitting it.
Sometimes for years. If my own writing contacts are indicative of this
route then it’s likely these authors have <b>several unpublished books waiting in
the wings</b> for a publisher to give them a golden ticket. None of these writers
are counted on as traditionally published authors that have no income from their
writing. Because the survey is looking at <b>PUBLISHED</b> writers.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVgRQtK1pK3pr0m0RLYI-xczOdnSvKnO6gQTKwDG2GBVPahUT-ItflXoKVaBtoPtjg_EtdT2B4_-oZX1vC6TuEHl3avvJ_OErGjMFISXldZ6p5XlG83KO8poxf9e2o64toaQQ53sgzIM/s1600/tumblr_m6wh93OPiD1r2nbuvo1_500_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVgRQtK1pK3pr0m0RLYI-xczOdnSvKnO6gQTKwDG2GBVPahUT-ItflXoKVaBtoPtjg_EtdT2B4_-oZX1vC6TuEHl3avvJ_OErGjMFISXldZ6p5XlG83KO8poxf9e2o64toaQQ53sgzIM/s1600/tumblr_m6wh93OPiD1r2nbuvo1_500_large.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><b>BUT on the other spectrum.</b>
I write that same book, prepare it for self-publication, and despite my blood
offerings to the gods of Indie authors, I don’t sell a single copy. I’m counted in the survey as making no income
on the book because I've published.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">One of the main
problems and greatest advantages to self-publishing is there are no
gatekeepers. No one stops you from publishing
a book of poetry about your cat mittens. No one tells you that caveman erotica
won’t sell. You can publish what you want (within the distributor’s guidelines).
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQM91Iy7gdMCVg6MumKne2VRmMDqdVcIXWpa165FE6N8ngZsYoqZeCZXqJB2ZcYGI0tfsuqlV3yX1TReR8yOMW2uO1PB6GSF7j00BnPgbINxwWm_LsJfXEJgkgCdJ9-bSeciRVWlmBao/s1600/amazon-publishing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQM91Iy7gdMCVg6MumKne2VRmMDqdVcIXWpa165FE6N8ngZsYoqZeCZXqJB2ZcYGI0tfsuqlV3yX1TReR8yOMW2uO1PB6GSF7j00BnPgbINxwWm_LsJfXEJgkgCdJ9-bSeciRVWlmBao/s1600/amazon-publishing.png" height="150" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So Howey has a
point. If we are counting the multitude of authors who self-publish (even when
they shouldn't) why aren't we counting the publishing slush pile? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Personally I like the
landscape Howey paints for the self-publishing industry:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><i>Even if you just guessed at the number of
[traditionally] submitted manuscripts that make it to publication being at 1%
(which I think is awfully generous), you would immediately see a completely
different landscape. Take the top 1% of self-published books and compare
their earnings with traditionally published books. That would be something to
behold.</i></span></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">While I think he’s
being a little too generous there, but he could be right. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/dec/04/amazon-kindle-ebook-sales-indie-publishers" target="_blank">Amazon recently reported</a> that 25% of their digital best sellers (top 100 kindle books) for last year were
indie titles. That is something to behold!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-59628791208683729402013-12-04T11:52:00.003-05:002013-12-05T10:18:56.484-05:00#IWSG When Life Interrupts Your Writing<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNK6zmMUKaa8vVm6VaINYJtNa7bU4-U-BCcoS77otm4l87RUI5mByfTUDgUCZ2a0vam5NAdGIHKx4UnINt0RJLFW3wXZKpF5ZqVkc0yfE5Ip8SvtTMUmBtPHx8JO4AjMvzptl48oTZ3Y/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNK6zmMUKaa8vVm6VaINYJtNa7bU4-U-BCcoS77otm4l87RUI5mByfTUDgUCZ2a0vam5NAdGIHKx4UnINt0RJLFW3wXZKpF5ZqVkc0yfE5Ip8SvtTMUmBtPHx8JO4AjMvzptl48oTZ3Y/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Purpose of <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #990000; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">IWSG</a> <strong>:</strong> to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds <br />
To join IWSG visit Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #990000; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a></blockquote>
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">November is dead.
Long live December.</span></strong></div>
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I can’t even begin to express how happy I am that November
is over. My day job and family drama have been a huge time suck this November. I expect some work crisis to crop up every now and then, but to couple that with my husband having a major falling out with his parents...It's just been a nightmare. (If you don't know I work for my in-laws. Yep, that makes for an awkward work day) And then my parents are having issues with my younger sister....<br />
<br />
So my grand plan to have
my book edited and ready for beta readers by December 1<sup>st</sup> has failed miserably.
I'm eager to finish and move on to my next project, but I can't eke out the time. When I do open my laptop I stare blankly at the screen, unmotivated. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><br />
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I have managed to get out ‘part one’, the first 14
chapters, edited and ready to read. I'm looking forward to the feedback. I've
had readers throughout my process, and the feedback has been good from the people who participated in what I like to call <em>“Gina’s Read-Along Book”</em>. My writing friends who've read chapters as I
produced them, raw and filled with grammar errors, are the main reason I've made it to the other end of this process. But this is the first time I’ll
have someone read my work, start to finish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s a little unnerving. This is the first full length novel
I've written. Short stories and pieces for anthologies are so much easier to
get feedback on. I want people to be
honest, but I also realize that asking someone to be a beta reader is a big
commitments. I've come up with some guidelines.
A few things I’m looking for from my reads:</div>
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<ol>
<li><b>Consistency.</b>- I’m interested in VOICE consistency. I want to
know that the voice stays strong throughout the novel.</li>
<li><b>Where Would You Stop Reading?</b> - I’m hoping no one comes to
this, BUT if there IS a spot where you went: “Nope, I’m done!” Let me know
where, and why.</li>
<li><b>Parts you skipped:</b> If there’s any part in the novel where
you just skipped or skimmed b/c you felt the information was boring or
repetitive please mark that.</li>
<li><b>Plot holes.</b> If you notice a plot issue let me know. I made
some major changes at the end of the novel and had to edit the changes in the
entire book. If things don’t sound right or people’s names (or jobs) change
suddenly...</li>
</ol>
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I’m hoping that people are honest. I don’t need my ego
boosted. I've been writing long enough to have a thick skin. What I need is helpful feedback (even if it’s not what I want to hear). But like any author, I hope my readers like my book. Now I just need to finish the last half and wait to hear what everyone has to say. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I'll be posting the first chapter of the book on my blog. If you're interested in beta reading, shoot me an email. I'm always looking for a few good readers.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-4359191610039537542013-11-11T19:05:00.004-05:002013-11-11T19:40:41.071-05:00Urban Fantasy Isn't Just Leather Halters and Stilettos<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We've been talking Genre at my writing group. We've had great discussions about Science Fiction, New Weird, Steam Punk...and this week we delve into Urban Fantasy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Urban Fantasy seems to be the red headed step child of the SFF world. Which I find irritating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Before you dismiss Urban Fantasy as JUST a fad (or worse, bad sex filled novels wrapped in werewolves and vampires) take a look at some of the books that fall under this category.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><u>Urban Fantasy</u></strong>-A Sub-Genre of Fantasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most often classified as a fantasy narrative in an Urban setting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best definition I’ve been able to find is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">John Clute and John Grant’s<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Encyclopedia-Fantasy-John-Clute/dp/0312158971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384210729&sr=8-1&keywords=Encyclopedia+of+Fantasy" target="_blank">Encyclopedia of Fantasy</a> </i>(1997): “texts where fantasy and the mundane world interact, intersect, and interweave throughout a tale which is significantly about a real city”.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Most would argue the term Urban Fantasy applies to <strong>only contemporary fantasy novels</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magic and fantastical creatures in our time, our world, but I’ve also seen the term UF applied to novels set in the past where an urban setting is a key factor. Most notably the Steam Punk subgenre with books like the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Parasol-Protectorate-Boxed-Set-Changeless-ebook/dp/B007BGQFTQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384210791&sr=8-2&keywords=parasol+protectorate" target="_blank">Parasol Protectorate</a></i> series by Gail Carriger. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The other trend seen in today’s modern UF is the heavy noir mystery feel with a protagonist that's a PI, Detective, or other ‘law enforcement’.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>History of Modern Urban Fantasy</strong>:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charles-de-Lint/e/B000AQ70VQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1384210843&sr=8-2-ent" target="_blank">Charles de Lint</a> is often credited as a pioneer of what we now call urban fantasy. His books draw heavily on mythology (Celtic sometimes Native American) but are set firmly in a modern city. The stories are told through modern eyes and modern perceptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His most popular books are the Newford stories, set in the collaborative <a href="http://bordertownseries.com/books.html" target="_blank">Bordertown world</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Other defining authors in the genre: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Emma Bull (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/War-Oaks-Novel-Emma-Bull-ebook/dp/B00699QWXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384211065&sr=8-1&keywords=War+for+the+Oaks" target="_blank">War for the Oaks</a>), <a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/" target="_blank">Neil Gaiman</a>, Terri Windling (Editor of the collaborative anthology entitled <i>Bordertown</i>) <a href="http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden" target="_blank">Jim Butcher</a> (<i>Dresden Files), </i><a href="http://www.ilona-andrews.com/" target="_blank">Ilona Andrews</a> (<i>Kate Daniels</i> series); <a href="http://www.kimharrison.net/" target="_blank">Kim Harrison</a> (<i>Rachel Morgan</i> serie), <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://simonrgreen.co.uk/books/#" target="_blank">Simon R. Green</a></span> (<i>Nightside books)</i>, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.carrievaughn.com/kittybooks.html" target="_blank">Carrie Vaughn</a> (Kitty Norville), and </span><a href="http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/" target="_blank">Laurell Hamilton</a> (Anita Blake books)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;"><strong>(This is just a sample of notable authors from this popular genre...please don't email hate mail b/c I left off your favorite author)</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One thing these novels have in common is they are all about fantasy and Fairytale retellings in the real cities. (Think elves in rock bands and cities bordering magical realms.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Vampire novels became popular in the 90s following Anne Rice’s Interview with a vampire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This novel would see a whole new host of vampire noire and romance novels that were marketed under the UF heading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PN Elrod’s vampire detective series, Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake novels, Charlain Harris’s Sothern Vampire Mysteries</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> and YA romance novels like </span>Twilight and The Vampire Academy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The popularity of Laurell Hamilton’s Anita Blake novels in 1990s also began a new trend towards first person narrative with a “strong” female protagonist who kickass in heels and leather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These novels usually featured a grittier urban backdrop and more often than not, a romantic subplot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is when we began to see an over-all shift in plots for Urban Fantasy. Series like Laurell K Hamilton’s Anita Blake or Karen Marie Moning’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0440240980?ie=UTF8&tag=tealceagh-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0440240980"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Darkfever</span></a><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There's nothing wrong with including these book under the Urban fantasy umbrella, but this narrowing of the definition of UF leaves out a whole host of books that should fall into this genre.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It also makes the public believe UF is a fad or ‘New’ Genre, but in fact we’ve had these types of tales for years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">UF has wide, varied, and deep influences. The real heart of UF is all about making old stories modern. Bringing the fantastical to our mundane lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The early gothic novels can easily fall under the umbrella of urban fantasy. Arthur Machen’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-God-Pan-Arthur-Machen-ebook/dp/B0083ZF4QO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384212513&sr=8-1&keywords=the+great+god+pan" target="_blank">The Great God Pan</a></i> (1890) could be classified as UF (A young girl has her mind opened to the world of gods and monsters, producing an offspring that terrorizes Victorian London) While classified as Horror at the time, <em>The Great God Pan</em> has all the trademarks of UF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Urban setting, fantastical creatures, mystery, set in modern London.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Carrie Vaughn points out that </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jack Williamson’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darker-Than-Think-Jack-Williamson-ebook/dp/B004WG5B2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384212563&sr=8-1&keywords=Darker+Than+You+Think" target="_blank">Darker Than You Think</a>, a lycanthropy story, originally published in 1940, would fit well in today’s UF marketplace. It has werewolves, a terrible destiny, and, of course, a dangerous romance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Even if you keep to a very narrow definition of UF (city setting, modern story, mystery) many of the Victorian and pre-Victorian gothic tale could be classified as UF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">B</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ut don’t stop there, further back Gilgamesh's fantastic adventures happened in the Sumerians' mundane world, not in some magical alternate universe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://img.cdandlp.com/2012/09/imgL/115583146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.cdandlp.com/2012/09/imgL/115583146.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So before you dismiss UF as just a passing trend, remember this genre has a long history and will likely be around for years to come. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-75756854733465373692013-11-06T13:05:00.000-05:002013-12-05T10:20:10.200-05:00Insecure Writer's Support Group: After the Party's Over.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Purpose of <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #990000; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">IWSG</a> <strong>:</strong> to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds <br />
To join IWSG visit Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" sl-processed="1" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #990000; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a></blockquote>
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<br />
Last month was a really <a href="http://agonystory.blogspot.com/2013/11/finished.html" target="_blank">good month</a>. I'm in a state of post writing afterglow. I've already jumped head long into editing this week, and even that's been going well.I love editing. I'm looking forward to the work, but it also means I'm facing a dilemma. <br />
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After sending my novel out to my beta readers, I'm going to have to start <em>working on my next project</em>. <strong><u>The post completion party is over</u></strong>, and it's back to the beginning. <br />
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So today my confession is:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I'm worried I don't have another novel in me.</strong> </span><br />
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<em>Lotus Petals</em> was something new for me. I've only ever finished short stories, and one that might be classified as a novella. So now that it's finished, I'm looking to the future. I've left the ending open for additional books in Sycamore Springs (the setting of my current novel), but I also think I should explore some other options. I was so passionate about writing <em>Lotus Petals.</em> Now I'm worried I won't be able to find that same level of drive for my next novel. <br />
<br />
It's been on my mind for a while now. I've been studiously keeping a folder with ideas for other books and stories, but in the last six months I realize how different writing a full length novel is from writing short stories. And my biggest fear is I won't be able to do it again.<br />
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<br />
I started writing <em>Lotus Petals</em> because I had a story I needed to get out. I've enjoyed and hated almost every minute. During this process, I've branched out my social network, and have developed relationships with fabulous writers and agents. <strong>The one thing I've learned is these quirky, geeky, bookish people are my tribe!</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXlQkePKx8xeuABM_VuMUG2bcFgmznb4SKg8ytDRQT-KMsLzv1D6C_o7e5fzCK1Og4Z4taaXfC-m-DMEgi6DU_DwC1yMvRa0wA-NX1CM7ts-GScbkKQ7hRNdkJFJ4iPwpmTtwJ9demb4/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXlQkePKx8xeuABM_VuMUG2bcFgmznb4SKg8ytDRQT-KMsLzv1D6C_o7e5fzCK1Og4Z4taaXfC-m-DMEgi6DU_DwC1yMvRa0wA-NX1CM7ts-GScbkKQ7hRNdkJFJ4iPwpmTtwJ9demb4/s1600/friends.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So while I'm basking in the afterglow of a finished novel...my neurosis and insecurity are creeping in again. <strong>Here's hoping inspiration will latch on, and I can repeat the process.</strong> <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-84681388007186399912013-11-05T12:39:00.002-05:002013-11-05T12:39:49.914-05:00Why I Love NaNo Even Though I Don't ParticipateWe are approaching the end of the first week of NaNo, and my social media feeds are filled with word count updates and excerpts from their new novels. <br />
<br />
I have no great love for <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> myself. I failed miserably several times to meet the word count expectations, and more often then not hated almost everything I wrote. The thing I dislike most about NaNo is the expectation that the number of words you write is all that counts, and you can fix it in editing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6oEFo-5wsrLDGDVJA4bEkLKQdPyzpqZan6L5R31E6AW2rzEDisWgL8Fk_aIm6ItyqT9fEm2dMYeQKc6QfvwPrVDz0NbbTDAO5hNkLTT71hQxrHDkDca8ZUwkPr2P_QPe6MQ0J8jbgbg/s1600/2006-12-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6oEFo-5wsrLDGDVJA4bEkLKQdPyzpqZan6L5R31E6AW2rzEDisWgL8Fk_aIm6ItyqT9fEm2dMYeQKc6QfvwPrVDz0NbbTDAO5hNkLTT71hQxrHDkDca8ZUwkPr2P_QPe6MQ0J8jbgbg/s1600/2006-12-13.jpg" height="206" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well I don't mean to piss in your cornflakes, but they're wrong. Editing can't fix everything, and just writing 50k words won't get you a novel. But even if I'm not planning to participate, I look forward to NaNo every year because of other people's excitement. <br />
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Every November I see a whole host of new writers bubbling with enthusiasm about writing a novel. It really feeds my own desire to write more, and talk about the writing process.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC4z_U1_4S7bczpin-UK6QpFSJvS2OsXVlUO7S_Rptqwvvcyisi4byL-bvKff-FnDCwbyRDmx2ctx9PNsVV1I__iUCVPpKl0MbPMVyD32RqKFjkrmqsFlObHAogVq-5OWd9oaVOHgPao/s1600/large_Writer_s_Block_Meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC4z_U1_4S7bczpin-UK6QpFSJvS2OsXVlUO7S_Rptqwvvcyisi4byL-bvKff-FnDCwbyRDmx2ctx9PNsVV1I__iUCVPpKl0MbPMVyD32RqKFjkrmqsFlObHAogVq-5OWd9oaVOHgPao/s1600/large_Writer_s_Block_Meme.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mentoring young writers</td></tr>
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Writing isn't always the easiest thing to do. Writers are know for their neurosis, but I think that has a lot to do with the solitary nature of writing. We spend hours/days/months sitting in front of a computer (notebook if you're old school) talking to the imaginary people in our head, or if you're like me having those conversations aloud.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gomsix2GsJTWapwHGu349VkMQxxM5FgI_yqmavvFcmBYb-IctytOqTPOsfK1yoSMa6JoVyPhDke0x_3fzNi-IbPl3hyphenhyphenMwGdVSwTupDdqvvXk_SgOl6YmzDhUGSOqvELYRUCRMGtfXqA/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gomsix2GsJTWapwHGu349VkMQxxM5FgI_yqmavvFcmBYb-IctytOqTPOsfK1yoSMa6JoVyPhDke0x_3fzNi-IbPl3hyphenhyphenMwGdVSwTupDdqvvXk_SgOl6YmzDhUGSOqvELYRUCRMGtfXqA/s1600/giphy.gif" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I embrace NaNo, if for no other reason than the fact people are talking about writing. I get to have chats with new and experienced writers about their process. How they come up with their ideas. What they do about writer's block. How they edit. <br />
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There's a great buzz all over the internet, and it really feeds my own passion. In addition to that, I find some of my favorite writing spots filled with people writing. I've had conversations with people in my local coffee shop about what I'm working on, and how long I've been writing. So instead of sitting at home alone, in November I have a tribe. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaJobDM6Ok-zVS8FkrzsAY8HQByA7RLGP_m4wE9KK3ogRVMxYEIK-vWh59gf2s-SPXXb6WChwZEds9X6qUlFCliCZY6_SWs3Vd0I4sxbeneBuMH5nMgl-fTGqYNPcBLEcTLXntKilBVY/s1600/ponies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaJobDM6Ok-zVS8FkrzsAY8HQByA7RLGP_m4wE9KK3ogRVMxYEIK-vWh59gf2s-SPXXb6WChwZEds9X6qUlFCliCZY6_SWs3Vd0I4sxbeneBuMH5nMgl-fTGqYNPcBLEcTLXntKilBVY/s1600/ponies.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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It might not always be productive, but I enjoy the comradery. So While I may never participate in NaNo again, I welcome it. And wish you all luck!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-70348357223121407562013-11-03T09:09:00.000-05:002013-11-03T09:09:39.293-05:00FINISHED!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wall-papers.fateback.com/wallpapers/fallout/Fallout_Please_stand_by.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wall-papers.fateback.com/wallpapers/fallout/Fallout_Please_stand_by.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I interrupt this blog for some self-congratulatory tomfoolery.</span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I finished my novel Lotus Petals.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUTikzL-PTqMvHwLs44V6WHldR7tmZ-0aVuQt_l0lb9A4zSRPTJHOCZhWg6FdroncraSGpyH0x3l5BjUsGTTX_xOXXEEypKcVr8NGO0LPMgHnUX8OQRjz2-u3-PQmmxv_0AYOaZr3YbY/s1600/the+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUTikzL-PTqMvHwLs44V6WHldR7tmZ-0aVuQt_l0lb9A4zSRPTJHOCZhWg6FdroncraSGpyH0x3l5BjUsGTTX_xOXXEEypKcVr8NGO0LPMgHnUX8OQRjz2-u3-PQmmxv_0AYOaZr3YbY/s1600/the+end.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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So after six months (holy crap!!!) of writing. A fabulous critique from a literary agent. Followed closely by a devastating critique by another literary agent. A total collapse of my self-confidence. Trashing a THIRD of my novel to rearrange the plot. I typed the words THE END last night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxZyZEQdLNcX7KQJgbtXHpg0iFRf3zJtuijCbY6_K0FSqhME-Nb058OlTl6U7rcMPc0JavkWVYJ5dkalsnT4JuVNtoWs6iU0c3aTfU_pfB7jfe-C-t8yIZFcUNT3b7j9HxqYgz_MZy1A/s1600/gif-happy-dance.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxZyZEQdLNcX7KQJgbtXHpg0iFRf3zJtuijCbY6_K0FSqhME-Nb058OlTl6U7rcMPc0JavkWVYJ5dkalsnT4JuVNtoWs6iU0c3aTfU_pfB7jfe-C-t8yIZFcUNT3b7j9HxqYgz_MZy1A/s1600/gif-happy-dance.gif" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairly accurate depiction of how I look after writing a novel.</td></tr>
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I know there's still hard work ahead. I have November for editing, then it's off to my beta readers in December. January brings another round of editing. And THEN off to my editor. <br />
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But for now, spare me this moment of self indulgence. This one moment to say: <strong>booyah!</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEU_706ApBLzPlFbiDT2cX3vWaR1GWAG90X51Vu_VuxJineD-QID-YW6hBvfPM5HhA9xTjcwCf58Wd9PxZBZ8AcoUKrLWBZFNa4lZWC5h5s2IqGEZxoDdwbgus7sgnCGPUppUWlTItLo/s1600/tumblr_mdeblpXt751ryb0hd.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEU_706ApBLzPlFbiDT2cX3vWaR1GWAG90X51Vu_VuxJineD-QID-YW6hBvfPM5HhA9xTjcwCf58Wd9PxZBZ8AcoUKrLWBZFNa4lZWC5h5s2IqGEZxoDdwbgus7sgnCGPUppUWlTItLo/s1600/tumblr_mdeblpXt751ryb0hd.gif" /></a></div>
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<h3>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-60582161606759052152013-10-30T10:20:00.000-04:002013-10-30T10:20:33.578-04:00The End is Near!<h4 style="text-align: center;">
I can see it. THE END!!!</h4>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rack.3.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA0LzE4L2Q5L0hpZ2hGaXZlR0lGLjJhZjQ5LmdpZgpwCXRodW1iCTEyMDB4OTYwMD4/c00f5607/de8/High-Five-GIF-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://rack.3.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA0LzE4L2Q5L0hpZ2hGaXZlR0lGLjJhZjQ5LmdpZgpwCXRodW1iCTEyMDB4OTYwMD4/c00f5607/de8/High-Five-GIF-2.gif" height="178" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like a Boss!</td></tr>
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<strong><u>So, no time to talk.</u></strong> I'll leave you with my G+ post:<br />
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<div class="g-post" data-href="https://plus.google.com/102234409020438615548/posts/aHFBv4Po2zz">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-45474146338721371162013-10-18T12:48:00.000-04:002013-10-19T07:47:49.909-04:00Publishing Industry Facts That Will Make You ThinkI've been MIA for longer than intended, but it's a good thing. I've been busy writing. The finish line for Lotus Petals is in sight!!! <br />
<br />
This week I was asked to host a discussion about self publishing and small press publishing for my writers group. I've spent the week researching and putting together information and I wanted to share with my readers. :) This will be a multipart post (I went overboard on the research!!)<br />
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<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
THE HEALTH OF THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY:<o:p></o:p></h3>
Despite the go-go of our society and the multitude of entertainment options we have today, PEOPLE ARE STILL READING, but how they are reading is changing.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bea/article/52403-bea-2012-more-self-publishing.html" target="_blank">Sales</a> of hardcovers rose 1.3% in the year, to $5.06 billion, and trade paperback sales increased slightly, up 0.4%, to $4.96 billion. . . . Total e-book sales rose 44.2% in 2012, to $3.04 billion and accounted for 20% of trade revenue and sales of downloadable audio rose 21.8% in 2012, to $240.7 million. (figures from <a href="http://bookstats.org/" target="_blank">Book stats</a>) <br />
<br />
The number of traditionally published print books rose 6% in 2011, to 347,178, according to preliminary figures released by<a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bea/article/52403-bea-2012-more-self-publishing.html" target="_blank"> Bowker</a>. This was the first year they included self-published titles in the 'traditionally published' column , and they believe this was the driving factor to the increase. <br />
<br />
Bowker goes on to say that the number of self-published books has tripled in growth, especially in ebooks. They tally more than 235,000 new print and ebooks in 2011. This can easily be contributed to new technology that makes self-publishing so easy. And the news of self-published authors 'making it big'. Even with the superstars of self published books being heralded as modern day folk heroes of the publishing industry, individual self published books usually don't do well. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/technology/personaltech/ins-and-outs-of-publishing-your-book-via-the-web.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">According to the New York Times:</a> “mo<strong>st self-published books sell fewer than 100 or 150 copies", </strong>many authors and self-publishing company executives say. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/028/0/2/rainbow_dash_sadface_by_iks83-d4nw9vj.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/028/0/2/rainbow_dash_sadface_by_iks83-d4nw9vj.gif" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
There are breakout successes, to be sure, and some writers can make money simply by selling their e-books at low prices. Some self-published books attract so much attention that a traditional publishing house eventually picks them up. But It's not an easy path to follow, you have to be an entrepreneur if you're planning to self publish.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"So I'm going to push hard to get a publishing contract," You say. "That way I'll be successful in selling my book!"</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Well not so fast. Publishing contracts don't guarantee success. As a matter of fact, MOST BOOKS don't do well regardless of who or how they are published.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/20px Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Here's the reality of the book industry: in 2004, 950,000 titles out of the 1.2 million tracked by Nielsen Bookscan* sold fewer than 99 copies. Another 200,000 sold fewer than 1,000 copies. Only 25,000 sold more than 5,000 copies. The average book in America sells about 500 copies. Those blockbusters are a minute anomaly: only 10 books sold more than a million copies last year, and fewer than 500 sold more than 100,000.</span>”<a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/soapbox/article/6153-a-bookselling-tail.html" target="_blank">(Publishers Weekly, July 17, 2006).</a> </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And Nonfiction fairs even worse. According to BookScan*, which tracks most bookstore, online, and other retail sales of books, only 299 million books were sold in 2008 in the U.S. in all adult nonfiction categories combined. The average U.S. book is now [2011] selling less than 250 copies per year and less than 3,000 copies over its lifetime.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">*A note about bookscan. They only track books with ISBN numbers. A lot of Digital only self-published novels are forgoing the expense of ISBN, and there’s no data on their sales from the industry.</span> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">LET ME STRESS THAT:</span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"> 500 COPIES PER YEAR!</span></u></strong></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag158/aakashalex/OMG_zpsfd54e805.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag158/aakashalex/OMG_zpsfd54e805.gif" height="165" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<strong>Which means for every book that sells over a million copies there are thousands that are complete flops.</strong> <br />
<br />
Yes, these aren't the most current statistics, but sales figures on individual books are guarded. The publishing houses don't talk about it. Published authors, who are ordinarily helpful and supportive of new writers, guard their numbers and don't talk shop. Agents are closed lipped about it. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, a self-publishing website has been fairly open about individual book sales. “We make it clear to our authors.” That a huge majority of self-published books “don’t sell a lot of copies,” said Mark Coker, the founder and chief executive of Smashwords, a no-frills operation that concentrates on self-published e-books. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsGZIX-lC-Z1w7JsLw0Pc7toDoYI2p7yjdxPYzknlq3OrRT15RewdwnXIGqiEjf0Rr4j7cZTs19XeEdre3dvTeYCyu3XVf3TIjHhZ8-M4t8y6NLM1tqoVAnFaj-LmMMzrwx-6lcWkMTYr/s1600/slide16+the+long+tail.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsGZIX-lC-Z1w7JsLw0Pc7toDoYI2p7yjdxPYzknlq3OrRT15RewdwnXIGqiEjf0Rr4j7cZTs19XeEdre3dvTeYCyu3XVf3TIjHhZ8-M4t8y6NLM1tqoVAnFaj-LmMMzrwx-6lcWkMTYr/s1600/slide16+the+long+tail.png" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
This graph represents Smashword books only.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p> T</o:p>HE DIGITAL DIVED: Will Digital books save the publishing industry?</h3>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.i.cbsi.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2012/03/20/kindles_compared_610x360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.i.cbsi.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2012/03/20/kindles_compared_610x360.JPG" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
E-book sales have increase dramatically. Looking from January 2011 to January 2012, the increase was 49.5% for adult books and 475.1% for children and YA books. <a href="http://www.3dissue.com/ebook-market-share/" target="_blank">One analyst</a> from Simba Information estimated that <strong>1 in every 5 adults is reading e-books on a digital device</strong>.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Book Sales</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></b></span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">(as of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3570b3; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">second quarter 2012</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">30% Trade Paperback<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">27% Hardcover<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><strong>22% E-book<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">12% Mass-market<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">7% Other bindings<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><strong>2% Audio Book<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
Pricewaterhouse Cooper <a href="http://paidcontent.org/2012/06/12/what-will-the-global-e-book-market-look-like-by-2016/">projects</a> that <strong>by 2016, e-books will make up 50% of the U.S. book market</strong>, and that physical book sales will hold steady with only slight percentage increases from year to year.<br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Market Share</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> of Book Sales </span></span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">(as of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/binary-data/ARTICLE_ATTACHMENT/file/000/001/1043-2.jpg"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3570b3; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">second quarter 2012</span></a><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
27% Amazon<br />
16% Barnes & Noble and B&N.com<br />
6% Audio E-book websites<br />
6% Other E-commerce<br />
6% Independent Bookstores<br />
5% Resale and Thrift<br />
4% Walmart<br />
3% Warehouse Clubs<br />
2% Target<br />
1% Books-a-million<br />
1% Supermarket and Grocery<br />
13% All Other Channels<br />
<br />
E-book Sales (as of <a href="http://musingsandmarvels.com/2012/07/06/self-publishing-ebooks-why-maximizing-distribution-matters/">second quarter 2012</a>)<br />
62% Amazon<br />
22% Barnes and Noble<br />
10% Apple<br />
2% Sony<br />
1% Kobo<br />
~3% Google and others <br />
<br />
The publishing industry isn't blind to these statistics. A <a href="http://www.3dissue.com/ebook-market-share/">Digital Book World</a> survey found that at the end of 2011, <strong>82% of publishing executives surveyed were optimistic about the transition to digital formats</strong> and 54% projected the decline of sales for printed books.<br />
<br />
So with the ease of self publishing and the demand for digital books rising, the next ten years will be an exciting ride in the publishing industry.<br />
<br />
Tune in for part two where I muse on how an author can possible making money in this brave new world of publishing.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-20145229665739549032013-10-06T16:54:00.000-04:002013-10-07T09:40:14.550-04:00Why Do Feminists Rant About Rape Culture?I was shocked and amazed to see the following video come across my Google+ feed:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1T0GcHM0s4o?list=UUmb8hO2ilV9vRa8cilis88A" width="460"></iframe><br />
<br />
WOW!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/shakespeares_sister/shakes6/Cover-rugby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So I even went back to watch the his <span id="goog_1816678313"></span><a href="http://youtu.be/ACGV-fhZ-xs" target="_blank">rebuttal video<span id="goog_1816678314"></span></a> to be sure I wasn't just having a knee jerk reaction...<br />
<br />
TL;dr -- this guy is an asshat who's victim blaming and doesn't know the definition of rape.<br />
<br />
To start off with, I agree "teach your son's not to rape" won't solve 100% rapes. There will always be people who are deviant, violent or mentally ill. There will always be situations where things went to far and one party couldn't take no for an answer. So I agree the solution to rape isn't we need to teach boys not to rape, but this video does show why we need to teach boys ABOUT rape, and what constitutes rape.<br />
<br />
But they aren't the only ones that need to be taught about rape. So YES, I agree, there are things we need to teach girls to help mitigate their risk (have a buddy system, don't go off alone, don't accept drinks from strangers)...<br />
<br />
But, so many of the things that came out of this man's mouth were so wrong. Notice I didn't say to keep safe from rape you need to dress conservatively or not dance suggestively. This is victim blaming no matter what that man in the video says. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wAoe_TMtBHa6Q7w_nJZ5a9jnGAkbZ9slOJzDmbbMygLF069HcjDH00Mt7pEY5Ln402ZoS-sHQsSPMRt8jAV0Wyauw4ITcH7jhmR28idxKL9UBrUoFilDYuxfF5lCLpTCutLI-Wz4SMs/s1600/slut-shaming-1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wAoe_TMtBHa6Q7w_nJZ5a9jnGAkbZ9slOJzDmbbMygLF069HcjDH00Mt7pEY5Ln402ZoS-sHQsSPMRt8jAV0Wyauw4ITcH7jhmR28idxKL9UBrUoFilDYuxfF5lCLpTCutLI-Wz4SMs/s1600/slut-shaming-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
It's like saying if you want to stay safe from mugging don't wear expensive clothing. While it's true if I dress like a homeless person I probably won't be targeted for a mugging, but it doesn't guarantee that it won't happen. Mugging is a crime and it shouldn't matter if I have on a ten thousand dollar watch or if I'm wearing a Walmart outfit. The mugger is at fault.<br />
<br />
The Commentator argues in the rebuttal video that the Feminist out cry over what he says contributes to girls being unsafe. Or as he eloquently put it <em>'Feminist logic' Stay Safe = You Deserve To Be Raped. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
He's missing the point of the anger. In a culture that is saturated with <a href="http://www.browndailyherald.com/2013/09/12/tennis-14-rape-intoxicated-victim/" target="_blank">victim blaming</a>, a man telling girls that the length of their skirt and drinking too much puts them at risk reinforces the perception that the victim is at fault. <br />
<br />
Yes there are things we can all do to be safer, but if the point in that video is to teach girls to be safe, there are better things to teach young girls than don't dance suggestively!!!<br />
<br />
Why aren't we talking about <a href="http://shouldacalleditanight.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/top-10-reasons-to-use-the-buddy-system-after-a-night-of-nyc-drinking/" target="_blank">friends looking out for each other</a>? Why aren't we talking about how to be young and be able to <a href="http://hamsnetwork.org/students/" target="_blank">enjoy drinking</a> and dancing AND STILL stay safe by have a Designated Sober friend? Why aren't we recommending girls have friends ID check potential dates (hookups)? These are ways we can teach girls to be safe that doesn't promote victim blaming.<br />
<br />
Dancing provocatively and turning on a guy, is no excuse for rape. The bump and grind on a dance floor doesn't constitute consent. And I'm so sorry you're turned on, find someone else who's willing or go home and take care of it yourself!!!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://slutwalktampa.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/respect-consent-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://slutwalktampa.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/respect-consent-1.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
But back to the original "teach boys not to rape" argument that started the video. The reason why "feminist" still say things like this is because jack asses still say things like it's not rape if you're just having bad sex and you want it to stop and it doesn't. <br />
<br />
Um no JACKASS that would be rape. I don't care if you're about to climax, if for whatever reason your partner isn't comfortable or doesn't want to continue sex needs to stop or you've CROSSED THE LINE from bad sex to RAPE. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://impact89fm.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/rape-700x466.jpg"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgzXhhVN2oQ-inHbTC9T2CYDYIduaZmtH8ypLD5Gf_HYz2fOmoXeRZ37HVQMWcfk117NFmE2qto-iBSVA06CWTd3mFIWcGftvPZ9_B0mydBrSLC6mKTI-g0W0aBR0OpBeJ5xNSZt4IGNECT7E79VBeppHtX0donAhR7DCkCs8Wz-Eg=" width="350" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To say if you drink too much you are ultimately responsible if someone has sex with you while you're passed out and equating it to a drunk driver is why we still say men need to be taught not to rape. Having sex with a woman (or man) who's drunk and passed out is not like drunk driving, it's more like saying if someone comes across a drunk person and kills them it's the drunk person's fault because, you know, they were drunk.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/shakespeares_sister/shakes6/Cover-rugby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/shakespeares_sister/shakes6/Cover-rugby.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
Now drunk sex is a whole different topic. If both parties are drink beyond the point that either can make rational choices, the waters get a bit muddy. Let's face it plenty of bad choices have been made while intoxicated. Men, as well as women, have sex while intoxicated when they might not have done so sober. Regretting the choice in the morning, because your inhibitions were lower, doesn't mean it was rape. (hence the use of a buddy system while drinking!!)<br />
<br />
But the one clear thing is that if one party is unconscious... if one party isn't drunk, then it's rape. If a person is incapable, for what ever reason, to consent to sex and you go ahead. IT IS RAPE!<br />
<br />
Yes this is a long rant, but this video (and the first one he made) make me crazy. I'm not afraid of sex or sexuality. I don't want my daughter to be either. I hate that people still point to 'if she wasn't wearing that sexy dress then maybe...' or "If she didn't drink so much.."<br />
<a href="http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/causes-of-rape-graph.jpg"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgKJuIKe7M8yw3nfoP2z4dsCXEsUgOxB7ddtmFen3Yf5juikjTipl8cPRaQnCEdiowgBx6hGEWcjkO2HHiOatWKMxGr-ZHyEaqL2Q56-MIas5HbFCB7NIVUz-IcuPjWkeG65nncQ6Wcud1COK9tOF0YSyayyd-UokbPqVrAzbjUlrUxCa3HH7spPI8=" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUsXC5F98MV0H6iCHokICs_oK4YDSNjKazsUfb2j75BSdnOibKgVBsemnQQcR9HxQwx5j282yqCwxfR-51_F_MlR0hzOImLKCCNUraerQUVXqC8R9JlftDq1CKyCXY1JT4JLy8OJjsm8/s1600/ROCKETBORDER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUsXC5F98MV0H6iCHokICs_oK4YDSNjKazsUfb2j75BSdnOibKgVBsemnQQcR9HxQwx5j282yqCwxfR-51_F_MlR0hzOImLKCCNUraerQUVXqC8R9JlftDq1CKyCXY1JT4JLy8OJjsm8/s1600/ROCKETBORDER.jpg" height="320" width="296" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" target="_blank"></a> </div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><strong>“What’s Up Wednesday” is a weekly blog hop by </strong><a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong>Jaime Morrow</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong>Erin Funk</strong></a><strong>. From Jaime: <em>It’s similar in some respects to the </em>Currently…<em> post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. </em>Be sure to visit Jaime's blog to add your post to the link list!</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"></span></em><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What I'm Reading<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've been staying with Contemporary Romance this week. I finished two books in the new series: </span>The Science of Temptation. <br />
<span id="btAsinTitle"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Theory-Attraction-Science-Temptation-ebook/dp/B00814M37U/ref=cm_pdp_rev_itm_title_2" target="_blank">The Theory of Attraction</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seduction-Hypothesis-Science-Temptation-ebook/dp/B00BK0RIG8/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1" target="_blank">The Seduction Hypothesis</a> by Delphine Dryden. They were fun erotic romances with nontraditional characters. Mix in a little Big Bang Theory with BDSM and you get the picture. I love that the male love interest was a social awkward dominant...you have to read to understand. The second one was set a Con. I love me some nerds :)<br />
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Right now I'm reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rebound-Girl-Getting-Physical-ebook/dp/B00BED26Y0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380732540&sr=8-1&keywords=rebound+girl" target="_blank">Rebound Girl</a> by Tamara Morgan. Again another story with nontraditional leads. The Female protagonist is independent to a fault (comes of arrogant and bitchy at times) and the Male love interest is a nice guy...a really nice guy (he teaches kindergarten!!!). I'm enjoying the book. Morgan has really great timing and a lot of humor. I already have the next book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Derby-Girl-Getting-Physical-ebook/dp/B00CC68QCY/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1" target="_blank">Derby Girl</a> ready to read.<br />
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<span id="btAsinTitle"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TYirIehMeKVaU8JNsS_yYZt-m4oZ67maCI1dFVbhqbyL5D8bsRXi8b0Mch5vjAzs1v4DgXn5_AZX-kTeta_qQfIjc8qobznO2FpfbICTUFQSXR2ZEGfhNbXuy9MGgLL6d_RQEsqt2jg/s1600/The-Derby-Girl-final-647x1024+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TYirIehMeKVaU8JNsS_yYZt-m4oZ67maCI1dFVbhqbyL5D8bsRXi8b0Mch5vjAzs1v4DgXn5_AZX-kTeta_qQfIjc8qobznO2FpfbICTUFQSXR2ZEGfhNbXuy9MGgLL6d_RQEsqt2jg/s1600/The-Derby-Girl-final-647x1024+(1).jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">ABSOLUTLY LOVE THE COVER!!!</span></div>
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</span> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What I'm Writing <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Novel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: I've been keeping up with my word count so that's great but I don't think I'm going to make my mid October deadline. I've decided to add a bunch to the story and change some of the charcters. While I'm NOT doing that now, just making notes, the ending isn't going to match up with the start of the novel, so I'm going to have to go back to the start add at least two chapters and fiddle with the time line a tad. So, while I might have an ending by the Middle of October....It won't be a finished first draft :( </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What Else I've Been Up To</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
Work. Work has be a huge time suck on me right now. I've been spending my days arguing with some insurance companies...enough to send me on a murderous spree. Luckily I have lots of liquor at home to keep me in check!!!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What Inspires Me Right Now </span></b><br />
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My son!!!<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg8BHfY-E9Y/UkcR-V78r1I/AAAAAAAABSo/OTb3Hp2_pzI/w949-h534-no/13+-+1" height="180" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bqn42gMf1H0Ak71hDYXXWmk6yusKirBYRKoIxqBJaMsPZ3srqjxORbLX-JiDPyQkQI0Q8krvoH9MqqJfT71JuVDJfpRegtz7dt5TrfcZ7L9dbiX2nF7j9GXMHA1Jnr9agdOnumAxPL8/s1600/SolarPanel.jpg"></a> </div>
This was part of his testing for his first degree black belt. One of the skills he had to do was a flying side kick. He worked really hard to be ready for his test and passed!!! He is all kinds of awesome!<br />
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I've been swamped and don't have much else to say. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So that's what's been up with me this week. How has your week been?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-34956018827053005482013-09-24T21:56:00.002-04:002013-09-25T13:51:11.741-04:00Audiobooks on the cheap?<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m an audiobook
devote. I work with numbers most of the day, so I can easily put in headphones
and process medical claims and balance the bank accounts, all while listening
to a book. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I like to read…and do
feel audiobooks give you a different experience, but love being about to
transport myself to a different place while I’m doing mundane things like
bookkeeping, driving or doing the dishes.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmZbd3KDb2FbJUPFC1uSh7ec54fMFWguC3e7i0WaFSgF_nlVfEhhef6YBXE6eP2hl3lHCXunzxxVnTlQlRk46jz1qMFDLsZ_CJS2PMAXjQe3IfCs_ptz09ReIEuv59ScITl1VP6Pq0Q8/s1600/Bobblehead_Skull___Headphones_by_hiddenmoves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmZbd3KDb2FbJUPFC1uSh7ec54fMFWguC3e7i0WaFSgF_nlVfEhhef6YBXE6eP2hl3lHCXunzxxVnTlQlRk46jz1qMFDLsZ_CJS2PMAXjQe3IfCs_ptz09ReIEuv59ScITl1VP6Pq0Q8/s1600/Bobblehead_Skull___Headphones_by_hiddenmoves.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s two major
downfalls to audio books… </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The first is
narration. Sometimes a narration can ruin a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a narrator changes in the middle of a
series it can ruin the book for you (<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Ghost-Story-The-Dresden-Files-Book-13-Audiobook/B005DEPK0I/ref=sr_1_1_s?qid=1380073861&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Ghost Story</a>…I missed you Marsters </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> you can narrate for me any day, just saying.)</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The other is
Price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Audiobooks are just as expensive
as hard back books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going for $23 to $30
or more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with a subscription to
audible you’re still looking at $14 to $13 dollars a book, and this can be hard
to justify when you can get a lot of ebook now for $6.99 or cheaper. (even the
popular authors are around $9.99) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon has been doing
this Whisper-Sync for a while now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get
the ebook with the audio and you can pick up right where the narration left
off, or right were you stopped reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have to go get the kids…no problem just pop in the earphones and you
don’t have to leave you book behind/</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Well last night I
discovered something odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some books
it’s actually cheaper to get the ebook AND the audio book together.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon is encouraging
you to get the audiobook when you by the kindle version by discounting
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A LOT! </span></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">TIME FOR MATH!!</span></h4>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s look at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wool-Omnibus-Silo-Saga-ebook/dp/B0071XO8RA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380073616&sr=8-1&keywords=wool" target="_blank">Wool by Hugh Howey</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbU-gvmuiBwakPmpd4HNfzneWg3dPZSpwAJM_2UuU1YXft22F4qglZQexf9uLPFBnUWJWRckO8hL_BzxyCbPeuFum0PiccKJBYQU7u4-1CKPYziMlsZ35hIRj4cHIUtriLsjqbeGrNdV8/s1600/wool-uk-cover-final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbU-gvmuiBwakPmpd4HNfzneWg3dPZSpwAJM_2UuU1YXft22F4qglZQexf9uLPFBnUWJWRckO8hL_BzxyCbPeuFum0PiccKJBYQU7u4-1CKPYziMlsZ35hIRj4cHIUtriLsjqbeGrNdV8/s1600/wool-uk-cover-final.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Audiobook is $29.95.
If you have a membership it’s $20.96.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>You save $8.99<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But wait I want to
use my credits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gold membership credit
cost $14.95.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>You save $15.00.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Membership pays…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s look at the new
deal with Amazon. I can buy Howey’s Ebook for $5.99 and if at time of purchase
I ADD ON the Audiobook it’s only $1.99.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I get both for $7.98.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>You save $21.97 and
$6.97 over the cost of a credit.</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Not every book is like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And this doesn't work for every book, but for most you can get both book for less then the $14.95 credit cost.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You need to look for the tag on the audible
page:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 2.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whispersync
for Voice<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 2.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Listen to <i>Edge
of Shadows</i>, then pick up right where you left off with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DK8W7WS"><span style="color: #155799;">Kindle
book</span></a>, available from Amazon.com for $4.99. <a href="http://www.audible.com/mt/wfs/narrow/ref=det_wsrch_lnk_2"><span style="color: #155799;">Learn more</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 2.25pt;">
<span style="color: #e02626; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Get this
Audiobook <b>for the reduced price of $1.99</b>, when you buy the Kindle
edition first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So if you want to try out Audible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This might be a way to give it a try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-77217080775966050452013-09-23T13:03:00.000-04:002013-09-23T13:09:20.707-04:00Why I Want My Kids To Read Banned Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42oeEXPG2GUlZ0hwaF_u_b0pFSvIlpmRKzXSLoRGtkxnZomQrKb1ZCczDHYLRz5IhU-IcqtmKgpP56fvV_f2s2DHP90srOEPJzMp8B1YRhfdNgx7s4VcQpvNkF7OqNdlStg6vIbc_tiY/s1600/ala_freadom_slide_2013_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42oeEXPG2GUlZ0hwaF_u_b0pFSvIlpmRKzXSLoRGtkxnZomQrKb1ZCczDHYLRz5IhU-IcqtmKgpP56fvV_f2s2DHP90srOEPJzMp8B1YRhfdNgx7s4VcQpvNkF7OqNdlStg6vIbc_tiY/s1600/ala_freadom_slide_2013_new.jpg" height="113" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In honor of <a href="http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/">Banned Books Week</a>, an annual celebration of the freedom to read,
sponsored by the American Library Association I’m sitting down
to read some of my favorite Banned Books.
<br />
<br />
Why are we still talking about Banned Books in this
day and age where sex is on prime time and childhood idols are twerking on national
awards shows???<br />
<br />
Well, even in 2012, the Office of Intellectual
Freedom recorded 464 challenges, but the ALA (American Library Association)
estimates that up to 80 percent are never even reported
So where are these
books being banned? Our schools and
public libraries. What is it that is so
offensive, so utterly damaging about any of the books that have recently been
banned? <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtTlOSBkaNJgmoIiI2tZ8VOY75miBPFItk-jSTCHsi1k78vhkrbfwR-0jUlQSjux1LdrjDN_KQr5mAAi0QJeVifjJm6SnpCO_2lBxgel0d4_ISuwxbpoiiS0ZgH4EWV_KsmJuva9oUks/s1600/banned-books-300x115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtTlOSBkaNJgmoIiI2tZ8VOY75miBPFItk-jSTCHsi1k78vhkrbfwR-0jUlQSjux1LdrjDN_KQr5mAAi0QJeVifjJm6SnpCO_2lBxgel0d4_ISuwxbpoiiS0ZgH4EWV_KsmJuva9oUks/s1600/banned-books-300x115.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The most common
reasons for a book being pulled off the selves:<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<strong>Sexually explicit (the top reason according to the ALA), Offensive language, Homosexuality, Violence, Religious viewpoint, Drugs, and Nudity</strong><br />
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Now I would agree books like Fifty Shades of Grey have no place in the schools, but I still think (despite my personal feelings on the book) it should be freely available at the public library. If parents are sooooo concerned little Timmy will get his hands on a sex book, they need to actually monitor their children, instead of dictating what everyone should be reading.<br />
<br />
I have the resources to buy my kids books. We still frequent the libraries, mainly to find new things, but if it was our main source of books (like it is for many families) there should be a wide selection. Not on limited by the morals of a small minority.<br />
<br />
Banning books mostly comes down to pissy adults, passing judgment and forcing their own personal morality on the whole. We are talking the old ‘squeaky wheel’ issue. Let’s take for example the <a dp="" href="http://courier-tribune.com/sections/news/local/county-board-bans-%E2%80%98invisible-man%E2%80%99-school-libraries.html%3Erecent%20the%20case%3C/a%3E%20of%20%3Ca%20href=" nvisible-man-vintage-international-ebook="" ref="sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379947429&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Invisible+Man" www.amazon.com="">The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L8SmLPBKqZFNBBTMwNme55ht2V5GTqmEMKzzptrBasnz5Y07BEDnwvVr8AcLOyw-V6sSsBA0HYlytJViAkjjvvtZImhXi32uufjkZTos_N-arpB3uncmILO8dptEkyv1vuhAJ_pkN68/s1600/Invisible_Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L8SmLPBKqZFNBBTMwNme55ht2V5GTqmEMKzzptrBasnz5Y07BEDnwvVr8AcLOyw-V6sSsBA0HYlytJViAkjjvvtZImhXi32uufjkZTos_N-arpB3uncmILO8dptEkyv1vuhAJ_pkN68/s1600/Invisible_Man.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<strong><a href="http://courier-tribune.com/sections/news/local/county-board-bans-%E2%80%98invisible-man%E2%80%99-school-libraries.html" target="_blank">JUST THIS WEEK</a></strong> the book was removed when <strong>ONE
parent</strong>, Kimiyutta Parson, complained because it was ONE OF THREE books the
students could pick from on a summer reading list for high school juniors.
YES.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High school juniors… you know those
kids between 16-17 years old. Here was Parson’s complaint:<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“This novel is not so innocent; instead, this book is filthier, too much for teenagers. You must respect all religions and point of views when it comes to the parents and what they feel is age appropriate for their young children to read, without their knowledge. This book is freely in your library for them to read.”</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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So while I respect Parson’s right to tell her 11th grader not to read The Invisible Man because she feels it’s ‘filthy’, what right does she have to take that book out of the school, depriving other children the opportunity to read a book that won the National Book Award and is on the Modern Library’s list of the 100 best novels of the twentieth century?</div>
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Is it a fluffy book about unicorns and rainbows? <br />
<br />
NO. It’s a hard book to read that deals with tough issues. It addresses many of the social and intellectual issues facing African-Americans in the first part of the twentieth century, including the reformist racial policies of Booker T. Washington, as well as issues of individuality and personal identity. It’s a book that makes you think. </div>
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<br />
Arizona also pulled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-in-Cuban-ebook/dp/B00513H3JW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379952747&sr=8-1&keywords=dreaming+in+cuban" target="_blank">Dreaming In Cuban by Cristina Garcia</a> for its sexually explicit content.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rg6NsfGsGWFtKm1pcf5FeBcdQ9Rga2hF96BZq7DuDs7LWv_uISPaRd3ZUFOeyObT84k4Hcoq81M5976of6wXnoZwJF1oIVLP0w1IVXxBH3eR2SG98xfkUpDYZ-CyK9fRbrnJLZ511hw/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rg6NsfGsGWFtKm1pcf5FeBcdQ9Rga2hF96BZq7DuDs7LWv_uISPaRd3ZUFOeyObT84k4Hcoq81M5976of6wXnoZwJF1oIVLP0w1IVXxBH3eR2SG98xfkUpDYZ-CyK9fRbrnJLZ511hw/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The book tells of the life of three generations of a single family after the 1959 Cuban revolution. The book written in 1982 was a finalist for the National Book Award. Cuban history and the rich culture are important facets of the novel. According to the American Library Association, which tracks banned books, this is the first banning of this novel.</div>
Again, the banning originated with the <a href="http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_northern_az/other/buena-high-school-pulls-dreaming-in-cuban-book-from-curriculum" target="_blank">complaint of one parent</a> who noted the following passage was inappropriate for her 10th grader:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
Hugo and Felicia stripped in their room, dissolving easily into one another, and made love against the whitewashed walls. Hugo bit Felicia’s breast and left purplish bands of bruises on her upper thighs. He knelt before her in the tub and massaged black Spanish soap between her legs. He entered her repeatedly from behind. <br />
<br />
Felicia learned what pleased him. She tied his arms above his head with their underclothing and slapping him sharply when he asked. <br />
<br />
“You’re my bitch,” Hugo said, groaning.</blockquote>
<br />
Sexually explicit? Yes, I agree, but the book is so much more than this one passage. This passage sets up the unstable and abusive relationship that Hugo and Felicia have. She becomes pregnant and runs off with Hugo, against her own fathers wishes. This passionate affair turns and she attempts to kill Hugo, ultimately causing her children to take his side. Felicia tumbles down a hole of mental instability and her behavior becomes more despondent and erratic as the years go on. All of this starts with this one passage.<br />
<br />
If you don't feel your 16 year old is mature enough to read this than there should be an alterative title for them to read. And again I go back to the idea;<em> I don’t need to be told what’s right or moral for my child</em>. <br />
<br />
I know what you’re thinking… ”Why don’t you just let your kid read the book on their own time? It doesn’t have to part of the school curriculum.”<br />
<br />
Again I agree.... <strong>If schools allowed</strong> students to pick books to read on their own as part of the curriculum, instead of sticking with just the ‘mandated and appropriate’ titles, than I’d be fine with letting my kids pick their own books. But that’s not the way schools are run anymore. My kids have a hard enough time keeping up with the homework assigned and the light extra-curricular activities they enjoy. Leisure reading has become a luxury we reserve for vacations. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidztlT9aLpqZtpWkjTF8EB5nJegfmAkObRm4P3B9XQE3OGRxn6fAgGQ9PRLY1Xv2oBBQC__Jiep39H1SKn9EUwOFZYr3-HLJkvthB-WVwUwfzDxceihT5SNvps6rDB0cTEd6qYFTLY2N8/s1600/tumblr_m8vkkqGivB1qj7lxmo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidztlT9aLpqZtpWkjTF8EB5nJegfmAkObRm4P3B9XQE3OGRxn6fAgGQ9PRLY1Xv2oBBQC__Jiep39H1SKn9EUwOFZYr3-HLJkvthB-WVwUwfzDxceihT5SNvps6rDB0cTEd6qYFTLY2N8/s1600/tumblr_m8vkkqGivB1qj7lxmo1_500.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Just so you understand where I'm coming from...This kind of mandatory <strong><em>reading nearly beat the joy of reading out of my son</em></strong>. The books assigned to him didn’t spark his interest and slowly he stopped wanting to read. I’ve just recently stoked those dying embers back to life with audio books and graphic novels, but I fear the damage may be long lasting. <br />
<br />
And I know where he’s coming from. I do feel his pain...<br />
<br />
It might be surprising to find out that<strong> I myself hated to read</strong>. Yes, me. The woman who easily reads three novels a week. The one who’s writing a book. It wasn’t until I was in eighth grade, around the age of 13 or 14, that I discovered the bodice ripper romance novels. You now the ones I mean, with the virginal heroine and the hunky man who was overly aggressive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AP0hyphenhyphenST59pSt1a6Cwb6zY-tI58ZV96GuSqlewy-KE9LQux2v0vJXvj0n6JJDM1Vgpq4Y3-Bca3ze8PP1JOGGPlxQddAhJ3uCTLtjwNgLyh93WMIUDoiHwDRDqjQDpP7zcYTVVEdYZVA/s1600/412937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AP0hyphenhyphenST59pSt1a6Cwb6zY-tI58ZV96GuSqlewy-KE9LQux2v0vJXvj0n6JJDM1Vgpq4Y3-Bca3ze8PP1JOGGPlxQddAhJ3uCTLtjwNgLyh93WMIUDoiHwDRDqjQDpP7zcYTVVEdYZVA/s1600/412937.jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Johanna Lindsey was one of my favorite!!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, I started reading those salacious novels for the sex. Yes that right, at 13 I knew what sex was and wanted to read about it. The funny thing was those books were like a gate way drug. I started staying up all night to read them. I spent my spending cash to buy more. I started branching out to harder fiction and even some nonfiction. Before I knew what happened I found myself selling the stuff. I got a part time job at Barnes and Noble just so I could get my fix at a cheaper rate. <br />
<br />
So there it is dear reader, my mad decent into literary addiction. Sexually explicit novels were my downfall. My gateway drug of choice.<br />
<br />
I’m not the type of parent to tell you what your child should and shouldn’t do… So please afford me the same respect. I only hope my son discovers he loves to read gory horror, gritty noir or space operas. I wouldn't even care if he sneaks away with some of my dirty novels...as long as he is reading. </div>
<br />
With <a href="http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=23481" target="_blank">statistics saying</a> <strong>one in four</strong> adults in the US did <strong>not read any books</strong> last year, I think we need to be less concerned with <strong>WHAT</strong> our kids are reading, and more concerned with whether they <strong>ARE </strong>reading. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT13_pKhFq87UYWvKXvI_86wKmZ1YTz1EqOHKVLY_sn0ERQTUhRybIm_-aNqSuF4Ppl1qVPjXD0mebqOFPamJ7meQ1An1m9UKXOUaSIU1hyphenhyphenSxQgmIL77RzQddCfxczywMjHO__JWu9YZ4/s1600/bbw_2012_poster_forbidden_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT13_pKhFq87UYWvKXvI_86wKmZ1YTz1EqOHKVLY_sn0ERQTUhRybIm_-aNqSuF4Ppl1qVPjXD0mebqOFPamJ7meQ1An1m9UKXOUaSIU1hyphenhyphenSxQgmIL77RzQddCfxczywMjHO__JWu9YZ4/s1600/bbw_2012_poster_forbidden_20.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
The most challenged books in 2012 were:<br />
<br />
1. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey<br />
Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group<br />
<br />
2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie<br />
Reasons: Offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group<br />
<br />
3. Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher<br />
Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited for age group<br />
<br />
4. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E. L. James.<br />
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit<br />
<br />
5. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson.<br />
Reasons: Homosexuality, unsuited for age group<br />
<br />
6. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini.<br />
Reasons: Homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit<br />
<br />
7. Looking for Alaska, by John Green.<br />
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group<br />
<br />
8. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz<br />
Reasons: Unsuited for age group, violence<br />
<br />
9. The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls<br />
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit<br />
<br />
10. Beloved, by Toni Morrison <br />
Reasons: Sexually explicit, religious viewpoint, violence<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-12311772475246777662013-09-18T10:33:00.001-04:002013-09-18T10:43:31.730-04:00What's Up Wednesday 9/18/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUsXC5F98MV0H6iCHokICs_oK4YDSNjKazsUfb2j75BSdnOibKgVBsemnQQcR9HxQwx5j282yqCwxfR-51_F_MlR0hzOImLKCCNUraerQUVXqC8R9JlftDq1CKyCXY1JT4JLy8OJjsm8/s1600/ROCKETBORDER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUsXC5F98MV0H6iCHokICs_oK4YDSNjKazsUfb2j75BSdnOibKgVBsemnQQcR9HxQwx5j282yqCwxfR-51_F_MlR0hzOImLKCCNUraerQUVXqC8R9JlftDq1CKyCXY1JT4JLy8OJjsm8/s1600/ROCKETBORDER.jpg" height="320" width="296" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" target="_blank"></a> </div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><strong>“What’s Up Wednesday” is a weekly blog hop by </strong><a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong>Jaime Morrow</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong>Erin Funk</strong></a><strong>. From Jaime: <em>It’s similar in some respects to the </em>Currently…<em> post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. </em>Be sure to visit Jaime's blog to add your post to the link list!</strong></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"></span></em><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What I'm Reading<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>I've moved on to a fun contemporary romance <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/369781.Trouble_in_High_Heels" target="_blank">Trouble in High Heels</a> by Christina Dodd. I was looking for something light and not very complicated as I'm in the middle of doing a Critique of my writing group. So far Dodd hasn't disappointed. While it's not turning out to be my favorite of her work, I'm still enjoying it.</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>Next on my list is <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40445.Altered_Carbon?from_search=true" target="_blank">Altered Carbon</a> by Richard Morgan. It was highly recommended to me by a friend, so I'm looking forward to reading it.</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>With the kids we've been listening to the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-night-vale/id536258179" target="_blank">Welcome to Night Vale</a> pod cast. (I know it's not reading, but audiobooks/podcast are just as valued to me.) The show is well done, and my kids love it. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but we enjoy the strange and absurd in our house. It's a little like NPR meets the Twilight Zone.</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://jennatalbot.tumblr.com/image/57931350194" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpkJHo6b8egK1wd-1-QRYgn6LIuz_qyteK04zBu6HbadBWQQz9hhT1dbEY99BG3ke0s0TmnSt-ag1W_0chyT2FVzGxtdnManv_ZxAWD7L1wHqverWf7wFbrvtnxOITOrgW_MkxIZwORY/s1600/tumblr_mrchgtOutE1s3wqdvo1_1280.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<o:p><br />
</o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What I'm Writing <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blogging:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Google+ now lets you embed post and I'm going to fiddle with this a bit with my blog. I'm not sure how it will work, so we'll see.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Novel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: I've started back in my nightly write-ins with a friend. Having a detailed outline for the chapter I'm working on has helped keep my word count up. I've always worked with an outline, but it's be fairly general...just plot points. I've started to detail each chapter before I sit down to start writing, and it seems to be helping. </span><br />
<br />
Every morning I sit down and story board my chapters. Than at night I work off that. I have had to change some things, because as I write something new comes up or a scene runs long, but I'm flexible. Just moving forward has me thrilled.</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What Else I've Been Up To</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
Not a whole lot else has been going on. Between keeping thing sane at my business, raising kids and writing...I've not done much else this week. October is just around the corner and than we're into the holidays.<br />
<br />
I did have this talk with my daughter:<br />
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<div class="g-post" data-href="https://plus.google.com/102234409020438615548/posts/421Dfxmwo3c">
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(see embedded posts from G+)<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What Inspires Me Right Now </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've read a lot of articles recently about human space flight to Mars. The thought really has my creative processes spinning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even with a BioChem background I've never had the urge to write Science Fiction, but the recent news stories about Mars One, the <strong>one way trip</strong> to establish a Mars colony, has me rethinking that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bqn42gMf1H0Ak71hDYXXWmk6yusKirBYRKoIxqBJaMsPZ3srqjxORbLX-JiDPyQkQI0Q8krvoH9MqqJfT71JuVDJfpRegtz7dt5TrfcZ7L9dbiX2nF7j9GXMHA1Jnr9agdOnumAxPL8/s1600/SolarPanel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bqn42gMf1H0Ak71hDYXXWmk6yusKirBYRKoIxqBJaMsPZ3srqjxORbLX-JiDPyQkQI0Q8krvoH9MqqJfT71JuVDJfpRegtz7dt5TrfcZ7L9dbiX2nF7j9GXMHA1Jnr9agdOnumAxPL8/s1600/SolarPanel.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As the <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2013/sep/09/neuroscience-psychology" sl-processed="1"><i>Guardian</i></a> points out, though, the first few permanent Mars colonists will face more than just a <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-04/fyi-can-we-make-mars-habitable-pumping-atmosphere-full-oxygen" sl-processed="1">freezing</a>, <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-08/mars-rover-curiosity%E2%80%99s-biggest-challenge-mars-itself" sl-processed="1">dust-ridden environment</a>. They're also likely to careen over the edge of psychological instability as everyone back home watches. -<a href="http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-09/why-mars-colonists-will-definitely-go-crazy" sl-processed="1" target="_blank">Shaunacy Ferro</a></blockquote>
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Wow. So now as I'm finishing up Lotus Petals, I'm struck with a load of ideas involving a pioneering crew establishing a colony on an inhospitable planet. There is so much human drama and psychology that a writer can tap into. Maybe... Maybe I'm ready to try my hand at a space story. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So that's what's been up with me this week. How has your week been?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-63207323048429866222013-09-13T15:32:00.000-04:002013-09-13T16:07:48.578-04:00Moms shouldn't let other Moms Slut-Shame So I've been hot on G+ today with the topic of Body-Shaming. One thing I found today that really stood out was an article posted by xoJane. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.xojane.com/issues/tuesday-cain-open-letter-to-the-mom-who-posted-rules-for-teenage-girls-on-facebook" target="_blank">AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MOTHER OF TEENAGE SONS WHO POSTED THE WEIRD SLUT-SHAMING RULES FOR TEENAGE GIRLS LIKE ME ON FACEBOOK.</a><br />
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So in an attempt to be a 'good mom' one mother wrote an blog post to the <a href="http://givenbreath.com/2013/09/03/fyi-if-youre-a-teenage-girl/" target="_blank">teenage girls on her son's facebook page</a>, scolding them for posting “sexy selfies”
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<br />
While I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting girls to be aware of how their actions might be seen to others (certainly as a mom I want my own daughter to be aware of the image she's presenting online), her post crossed from 'let me give you sage advice from one woman to another' into <a href="http://finallyfeminism101.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/what-is-slut-shaming/" target="_blank">'Slut-Shaming'</a>. <br />
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I don't think we should shame girls for feeling comfortable in their bodies.
We aren't talking about girls exposing their breast or posing in underwear either. <br />
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From her post:
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"Wow – you sure took a bunch of selfies in your skimpy pj’s this summer! "
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"But then I can’t help but notice the red carpet pose, the extra-arched back, and the sultry pout. What’s up? None of these positions is one I naturally assume before sleep, this I know."
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"Did you know that once a male sees you in a state of undress, he can’t quickly un-see it? You don’t want our boys to only think of you in this sexual way, do you?"</blockquote>
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WTF??? Did I miss the memo? Are we back in the 1800s where men can't be responsible for their actions if the glimpse a bare ankle?!?!?
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Don't get me wrong. I think girls need to watch out what they are posting on line. As do boys. But we need to talk to our kids these issues, not making them feel ashamed of their bodies. <br />
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I love Tuesday Cain's response in the xoJane post: <br />
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<em><strong>"The bodies of young girls are not dangerous.
But you know what is? Teaching young women they should be ashamed of their bodies."</strong></em>
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I'm not the only one in the blogosphere who has issues with this. Some of my favorite are<br />
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What if Mrs. Hall instead taught her boys what it’s like to grow up female and bombarded with these toxic messages? Imagine the potential for compassion and understanding to take root in her sons’ hearts and minds! Imagine how empowered they would be to effect change in their corner of the world! Imagine how motivated they might be to respect women, to be allies, and to demand equality! <br />
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Instead, Mrs. Hall wastes energy and precious formative years teaching her boys that it’s the responsibility of young women they encounter to not sexually stimulate her sons. She is teaching them they have no agency over their sexual desires and that their only recourse is to be shielded from female skin. She is teaching her sons to alienate girls with normal desires and to join in on slut-shaming. Hellooo rape-culture! <a href="http://www.truthfully.ca/2013/09/05/teenage-girls-being-slut-shamed-by-mrs-hall/#sthash.zrNQofC2.dpuf">Truthfully</a></blockquote>
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This isn't just an issue of shaming, it's also an issue of how we view young girls vs young men. The original post had photos of the family enjoying a day at the beach in their bathing suits. (it has since been changes since it was pointed out how ridiculous that was. She's telling young girls not to take photos in their PJs and in a towel, but she's fine with her boys being half naked.)</div>
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<a href="http://www.mommyish.com/2013/09/04/mom-slut-shames-girls-for-posting-selfies/">Mommyish blogger Koa Beck wrote</a> that the "real issue here is sexist perception and the fact that we’ve culturally deemed a young girl in pajamas as innately salacious, but young men in bathing suits showing off their bods is just a wholesome PG time for all. 'FYI (if you’re a teenage girl),' this is pot meets kettle, the slut shaming edition."</blockquote>
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Just so we are clear. <br />
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If you want to be a good mom, and not have to worry about sexualizing the girls in your life son's do these two thing:<br />
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<strong>1. Teach your daughters to love their bodies, respect other people, and DEMAND that they are respected (no matter how pouty their lips are).</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>2. Teach your SONS that women aren't only sexual objects, that it's okay to appreciate a woman's (or man's) physique without it being about sex, and Slut-shaming is NOT OKAY!</strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-39528981237328276712013-09-11T09:45:00.002-04:002013-09-11T09:57:19.425-04:00What's up Wednesday 09/11/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsSS8Q_dTAeszAH8e5bzCybviLZiwhGBQihigd1PfoQyLaaOT1VcsRsHD7QvyQNEz4WTKQ6TI0rnjrMx7fgcmtGZ0uZyrOxSup3A8ycvwI55vXC5iNTJ2oUjCt5-Z9C-cP0secULiO54/s1600/ButtonSmallNoBorder.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><strong>“What’s Up Wednesday” is a weekly blog hop by </strong><a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Jaime Morrow</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Erin Funk</strong></a><strong>. From Jaime: <em>It’s similar in some respects to the </em>Currently…<em> post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. </em>Be sure to visit Jaime's blog to add your post to the link list!</strong></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
I'm Reading<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bonds-Hope-Wicked-Play-ebook/dp/B00CV30X8I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378906262&sr=1-1&keywords=bonds+of+hope"><span style="color: blue;">Bonds
of Hope</span></a> showed up on my kindle last night </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> so of course I started it. I had just finished with
listening to the audio of <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/World-War-Z-The-Complete-Edition-Movie-Tie-in-Edition-Audiobook/B00BIKAVHS/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1378906312&sr=1-1"><span style="color: blue;">World
War Z</span></a> and was preparing to start with my writing… but my new book was
calling to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I started it, but I am putting down
my foot (figuratively).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve told myself
I’m only reading during bed time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
really have to get back on a regular writing schedule if I’m going to finish my
draft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
I'm Writing <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blogging:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying hard to catch
up on my blogging, and I think I’m making some head way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a couple guest blog requests that I
think I might have to put on the back burner for now if I’m going to stay on
task. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Novel</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: So after making my bold declaration last week (I will
finish my first draft by October…) I haven’t written a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I crammed to finish my critique for my
writing group and then fell into reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Just one more book” I kept telling myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well tonight is our weekly write-in and I’m
determined to get some work done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
about 8 chapters left to write and if I’m going to pump that out in 6 or so
weeks I have to really sit down each night and hit my 1000 words a night
goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think it’s outside my
ability… with a little help from my friends. (I’m think of you Kate!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
Else I've Been Up To<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This weekend we had a wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always fun to see people in love start their
lives together. Outside of that we’ve had the normal family drama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This month has been big for family
stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had to deal with the
In-laws totally enable the brother-in-law and his continued worthlessness (and
I don’t use that word lightly).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
frustrating and infuriating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
easily overlook it, except this all revolves around our family business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hubby is preparing to start Grad
school; a big part of the stresser for the family issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re still not sure if Grad school is going
to require him to go down to part time, and if so we need to make up his salary
by increasing mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
Inspires Me Right Now <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think that’s my issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been really uninspired this last
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work stress has encouraged me to
hid in my books at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve stayed
off the social media sites and even off my nightly hangout with my writing
buddies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I need to find my spark again. Maybe I need a swift kick to get me going again.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So that's what's been up with me
this week. How has your week been?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-30856528655473339542013-09-09T14:41:00.000-04:002013-09-09T14:41:56.307-04:00The Shambling Guide to New York City by Mur Lafferty: Book Review<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last month I
finished </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shambling-Guide-York-City-Guides/dp/0316221171/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">The
Shambling Guide to New York City by Mur Lafferty</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and I thought it was high
time I did a review. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Urban Fantasy is one
of my favorite genres, and I was excited to find The Shambling Guide book. It
struck me as something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>UF tends
to take itself way too serious at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love finding quirky, tongue-in-cheek books to smooth out the dark and
devious ones I so often read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lafferty’s
book definitely did that for me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Premise:</span></h4>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Hero of the
story is a human, Zoe, who stumbles into the hidden world of monster (coterie)
hidden among us. We get to follow her as she applies for a job to edit a travel
guide for the coterie, and learns all about the world most normal people are
unaware exists. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This helps transition
the reader into the world Lafferty has created without it being too forced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">High Points:</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I find most
refreshing is that, while not without ‘skills’ of her own, Zoe isn’t a kiss ass
‘strong independent woman’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s fairly
normal; with a list of screw ups that has landed her back home in NYC. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate this. Not only is the
character relatable, she can be strong without having to be bad-assed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I give Lafferty very high marks for this. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYT7nq8MEVYzddSOEESFQR0yoUdPZDhGl1AMJrDO9ZxwUWPkYi0IkDH4PXKOI9vL5SkTVHYvofx855vmb7t3l4HrVyeTEycpmWQ-nCmHUUuZQwLwhJIRDHMgSwwYy5HHF7IzpAgesFv8/s1600/catwoman-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYT7nq8MEVYzddSOEESFQR0yoUdPZDhGl1AMJrDO9ZxwUWPkYi0IkDH4PXKOI9vL5SkTVHYvofx855vmb7t3l4HrVyeTEycpmWQ-nCmHUUuZQwLwhJIRDHMgSwwYy5HHF7IzpAgesFv8/s1600/catwoman-2.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nothing says: 'strong, independent woman' like a skin tight leather suit and high heels.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also enjoyed the
dialog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lafferty style is face pace and
cheeky. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several places I
laughed out loud. The story moved along at a nice pace and the characters were entertaining.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would be amiss not
to mention the ‘guide’ itself. The idea that and URBAN fantasy be centered on a
series of guide books is genius!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between
chapters there are short excerpts from the Shambling Guidebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made for fun and reveling asides between
the narratives….</span></span></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Low Points:</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…however, near the end of the book I found the excerpt to be
intrusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted the story to move on
and found the little asides slowed the pace.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speaking of the end of the book, this is where things started
to come apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Big Ending revealed a
villain that is a bit to inconvenient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the book ALL the loose ends get
tied up too neatly. (heck even Zoe commented about how tidy this was).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outside of that the events were way too big
to just be missed, and somehow they all get rationalized in the media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found that to be the hardest to swallow. I
would have liked it more if the author used some of the standby tropes of the
genre (mist or veils… the fog of the human mind to ‘forget’ the supernatural). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But as it stand, the humans are stupid and will buy what
most media tells them…Okay, so maybe it’s not that farfetched. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just saying!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://victormancuso.deviantart.com/art/Hypnotic-TV-272626314" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fIdeCI608Etav_BQvHC6ZuzsRSzBOiOMufr-zSp6BDIciT7FJ8j8AIbOd6JTMW2X6iWN_o75JyqWO19nrRI9WAs52XBjXKW_uDHM22Pt4J0ONc4r0HEtriFy-Nij5PyvyqRTZ4fULIU/s1600/hypnosis_tv_by_victormancuso-d4ibbt6.gif" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">picture credit: <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #d3dfd1; color: #414d4c; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">~</span></span><a class="u" href="http://victormancuso.deviantart.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">victormancuso</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Conclusion:</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really enjoyed the book and have plans to put the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Train-Orleans-Shambling-Guides/dp/0316221147/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378746309&sr=1-3"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">next
guide (New Orleans</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">) on my reading list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While it has some issues, there’s nothing I couldn’t overlook, and I
LOVED the premise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to see
where Lafferty take this!</span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhZPUo6I8WjFRnVtGkPu0qxdWmtTa9lrTQeC3OnN1nF1sWQaoj2ur_LQdX0SHHep0ZgLRV6LWfxZfrNEqlPdO-7rFQrkTFd4L1EEeh3x5GLru9l8jbcfuyT2mdIgLMAm2ZZ2RspCjXB0/s1600/2501267193_209489d38e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhZPUo6I8WjFRnVtGkPu0qxdWmtTa9lrTQeC3OnN1nF1sWQaoj2ur_LQdX0SHHep0ZgLRV6LWfxZfrNEqlPdO-7rFQrkTFd4L1EEeh3x5GLru9l8jbcfuyT2mdIgLMAm2ZZ2RspCjXB0/s1600/2501267193_209489d38e.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
</span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a side note: I listen to the audiobook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was narrated by the author herself, and while
I’m usually weary of self-narrated titles (come on authors… you’re writers not
actors, leave the narration to the professionals) I didn’t hesitate with <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Mur Lafferty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lafferty, geek girl, essayist, and longtime <a href="http://murverse.com/podcasts/"><span style="color: blue;">Podcaster</span></a>, is well suited for the job.
She’s been working with voice recordings for years, and I thought her narration
was done well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-61800793755130878812013-09-08T18:10:00.000-04:002013-09-08T20:58:50.927-04:0050 Shades of Grey: Erotica and Truth in Fiction.<div>
</div>
<div>
If you know me at all, you’ve probably seen my rants about sexism in science fiction and fantasy, and how superheroes, comic books, and games all tend to sexualize females instead of portraying real women. This got me thinking about what responsibility of writer has to portray realistic relationships in their writings. Particularly in the romance/erotica genre. One of my biggest complaints about the romance/erotica genre is the unrealistic relationships between most of the women and men. But what does the responsibility of the writer come down to? Should a writer be responsible for portraying real and healthy relationships?</div>
<br>
I just finished two series of books, both erotica, both about dominance and submission (D/s). They both painted very different pictures of that kind of relationship. I’ll get to my review of them this week (I promise), but first I’d like to start with a popular series of books on D/s relationships that most people will at least know of, if not read: 50 Shades of Grey. <br>
<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxeHLCtqmtKs89Oi-tiaSPT2_UmPyb34CQyYaT3sTHzX8gWM51NqFx7AGzGuln_VcDWvDpCheVtQ9-XustsgTb_q9j9cYH2FKd-CBU6y7Wk2bXHfq78XOQEU4QKGsv-obe9ScdB8L5F8/s1600/515kzV0-w+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxeHLCtqmtKs89Oi-tiaSPT2_UmPyb34CQyYaT3sTHzX8gWM51NqFx7AGzGuln_VcDWvDpCheVtQ9-XustsgTb_q9j9cYH2FKd-CBU6y7Wk2bXHfq78XOQEU4QKGsv-obe9ScdB8L5F8/s1600/515kzV0-w+L.jpg" height="320" width="208"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
In full disclosure I did not read past the first book of 50 Shades. Please don’t email me and to tell me that the books got better or the dynamic between the two main characters changed. After the first book I knew I wasn’t terribly interested, because I felt that while it may have been a hot and steamy book, the relationship was unhealthy at best.<br>
<br>
But was it the author’s responsibility to portray a real D/s relationship? <br>
<br>
Maybe? <br>
<br>
A lot of people really liked those books. Some people even said they improved their sex life. My rub is these books have been the first introduction to kink for a lot of people, and the picture it paints isn’t very flattering. Even more, the books perpetuated terrible stereotypes. <br>
<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnklnWGmczsPszrHrFdu8WiDFYoD4K3OTQI6_fUj89OwQTQjfNo1xEt9_emiI-5VhOVfCyfexJlMYKDsVqENaNVB5t-VqdDh710KqXk5DdX7-oo74RocPVsT8YHrYr8AwJMCMo-sBeO4k/s1600/truth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnklnWGmczsPszrHrFdu8WiDFYoD4K3OTQI6_fUj89OwQTQjfNo1xEt9_emiI-5VhOVfCyfexJlMYKDsVqENaNVB5t-VqdDh710KqXk5DdX7-oo74RocPVsT8YHrYr8AwJMCMo-sBeO4k/s1600/truth.jpg" height="213" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
My issues aren’t with the exchange in power or the acts of submission and dominance portrayed…My issues with the book are the mental health of the characters. Christian Gray is a broken man with serious stalker tendencies, and because he’s damaged he’s into sadism and domination (at least that’s the conclusion the book seems to draw).<br>
<br>
To be honest I think Anastasia was an idiot to give him control when it was clear the man needed to see a therapist. But perhaps this was the author’s purpose, if pure, virginal Anastasia can ‘fix’ him, he won’t need to be into BDSM. <br>
<br>
The book furthers the impression that BDSM relationships are wrong and people who enjoy them have issues. The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder) has listed sexual sadism and sexual masochism as a “paraphilia” for years. Putting these into a mental health manual tells society there’s something wrong with people who enjoy it. The view in the Psychiatric community has changed over the years. The American Psychiatric Association website posted updates to the paraphilic disorders and actually said that "most people with atypical sexual interests do not have a mental disorder." <br>
<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxcdFdQeeFMzRcQJAiN6PsuZwF5usmM0pfw82Xj9Y4-bZ-8k6NE0FNrUqXnfYxuGLO-7rVDTpE30R90aIzKYG8aYwm1ymaebxD4cCE0782WS_OEO12GKmg_r7KLsEciytAXCkkytnq3M/s1600/91325fa4222bc40cc3358977020f447a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxcdFdQeeFMzRcQJAiN6PsuZwF5usmM0pfw82Xj9Y4-bZ-8k6NE0FNrUqXnfYxuGLO-7rVDTpE30R90aIzKYG8aYwm1ymaebxD4cCE0782WS_OEO12GKmg_r7KLsEciytAXCkkytnq3M/s1600/91325fa4222bc40cc3358977020f447a.jpg" height="320" width="229"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
As a matter of fact a published study in the <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsm.12192/abstract"></a><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsm.12192/abstract"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Journal of
Sexual Medicine</span></a> has found that people who participate in BDSM have better mental health then people who only practice ‘vanilla’ sex. The report says BDSM participants were “less neurotic, more extraverted, more open to new experiences, more conscientious, less rejection sensitive, and had higher subjective well-being.” Perhaps it’s because the BDSM community encourages open communication and honesty. In order to participate in a healthy BDSM relationship, there’s a lot of give and take. <br>
<br>
But back to 50 Shade…The portrayal of Christian goes back to these old notions that Doms must have control issues. There has to be something wrong with them in order to enjoy the dominance and sadism.<br>
<br>
Fantasy is fantasy and I’d like to think readers can identify that this is not a manual to kink, but with the movie coming out there’s a new drive to say 50 Shades is just a book that romanticizes an abusive relationship.<br>
<br>
Bullshit. <br>
<br>
When I hear things like:<br>
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2193026/A-womens-refuge-burn-copies-50-Shades-Grey--sorry-I-woken-1930s-Germany" target="_blank">Mass book burning of 50 Shades</a>:<br>
'I do not think I can put into words how vile I think this book is and how dangerous I think the idea is that you get a sophisticated but naive, young women and a much richer, abusive older man who beats her up and does some dreadful things to her sexually.
'My main objection is that at a time when local authorities are making cuts to outreach and refuge services for women experiencing domestic violence, we have libraries wasting and grossly misusing public money to buy a book which says: "domestic violence is sexy".
</blockquote>
<br>
or
<br>
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Leaning in and submitting, whether in life or in fantasy are
not "hot" -- they are belittling. These actions erase us as women, as
people.
<br>
But, the solution. Let's stand up straight, we can bounce at
the knees for a stronger stance and flexibility as we stand, but we must refuse
to kneel. The farther we lean in, the faster we're going to end up down and
down is the last place we want to be.
a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-garcia/why-i-wont-lean-in_b_3586527.html">Huffington
Post</blockquote>
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These recent articles are the reasons I care. That a book...(and
not one I find very accurate) has the power to make women ashamed for their fantasies
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(or the opposite, men to feel like abusers
because they have the desire to be dominate), is a load of crap. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7qXuFwRuUaZMbBmrBYIs935Vnfz2fHKkGP6umWPpaH9ihJbCGTjkGl7nFfNaIpDzcYiT2lT1qoxNlahz71eELq1-DthB2MmrPCYr56U3PAVfx-6FKxCqIynB2xc8MTj_a19g7X1ug2A/s1600/marriage-funny-humor-chick-whip-demotivational-posters-1297054969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7qXuFwRuUaZMbBmrBYIs935Vnfz2fHKkGP6umWPpaH9ihJbCGTjkGl7nFfNaIpDzcYiT2lT1qoxNlahz71eELq1-DthB2MmrPCYr56U3PAVfx-6FKxCqIynB2xc8MTj_a19g7X1ug2A/s1600/marriage-funny-humor-chick-whip-demotivational-posters-1297054969.jpg" height="320" width="252"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I don't mind being whipped, as long as she handcuffs me first.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey, if it’s not your thing fine, but we should stop
shamming people who are in consensual relationships that exchange power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to stop shamming women and men for fantasizing
or enjoying sex that out of the norm. As long as it’s safe, sane, and consensual
why does it matter?</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I agree fiction is an escape, there should be some responsibility in the author's hands. Just like I scream that there needs to be more balance in the sexism presented in comics and games, I believe there needs to be balance in books. Let me enjoy my smut. Give me real characters. Don't perpetuate stereotypes. Shade my fantasies with TRUTH not Grey.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’re interesting in learning what a D/s relationship can
be like, the author of <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15744239-diary-of-a-submissive" target="_blank">Diary of a Submissive</a> has a wonderful article about </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2183211/Real-life-submissive-hits-stereotypical-50-Shades-Grey-talks-life-sex-slave.html" target="_blank">what 50 Shades got wrong</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. This is just one view...there are many different types of BDSM relationships out there.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZkCwmW8dzdbnGDfggvGknOXuVtPUUk4e_NAekce4vo9EY5wL7YNPg66agcRoxUGQeyPnDpGy5l3t-_KoH1XqAK-5HmJ7-QgEY1aaBi9zy-0lFo_4QL2xuCh9H_-5g9VNyJgL3oWNsvc/s1600/15744239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZkCwmW8dzdbnGDfggvGknOXuVtPUUk4e_NAekce4vo9EY5wL7YNPg66agcRoxUGQeyPnDpGy5l3t-_KoH1XqAK-5HmJ7-QgEY1aaBi9zy-0lFo_4QL2xuCh9H_-5g9VNyJgL3oWNsvc/s1600/15744239.jpg" height="320" width="210"></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-75543079812391784442013-09-04T02:00:00.000-04:002013-09-04T07:26:08.431-04:00What's up Wednesday 09/04/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsSS8Q_dTAeszAH8e5bzCybviLZiwhGBQihigd1PfoQyLaaOT1VcsRsHD7QvyQNEz4WTKQ6TI0rnjrMx7fgcmtGZ0uZyrOxSup3A8ycvwI55vXC5iNTJ2oUjCt5-Z9C-cP0secULiO54/s1600/ButtonSmallNoBorder.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><em>What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what’s up. Should you wish to join us, you will find the link widget at the bottom of </em></span><a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.18s ease-out; border: 0px currentColor; color: #0da4d3; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.18s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><em><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jaime’s</span></em></a><em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"> post. We really hope you will take part!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"></span></em><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Wow is it really Wednesday already?!?! Holiday weekends have a way of really making the week short.</span><br />
<h4>
What I'm Reading</h4>
I guiltily abandoned my reading list this week (didn't finish the Zombies Fallout or start Kitty Norville's new adventure) in exchange for several books in <a href="http://shaylablack.com/tag/wicked-lovers/" target="_blank">Wicked Lovers series by Shayla Black.</a> Now that I've finished book 6 (just a few minutes ago). I have book 7 on my kindle now, but I need to get serious about finishing up my critique for my writing group. I still have almost half the book to get through by Friday. The Little Prince is still on this list with my Daughter and now that we've finished Ender's Game my Son and I have started <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knife-Never-Letting-Walking-ebook/dp/B0044UHVR2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378253430&sr=8-1&keywords=the+knife+of+never+letting+go" target="_blank">The Knife of Never Letting Go. </a> September looks to be another busy reading month as several of my favorite authors have books coming out.<br />
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I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing that my list never seems to go down.<br />
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What I'm Writing </h4>
<strong>Blogging:</strong> My review deficit is getting worse. I think I'm going to bunch the series together instead of giving them each a review to get me caught up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA8Yvg9Bb6C3KkboPKzSvws4OG2-tIphhcDFf56W2nWLAx9Ph3x1T1sTjpy3ItfFwy6zqy77-N95yWVj6nIg5IbznAxPCU7hP38aBma88dPFqmbTDSSJSnHME8fInWNXgq30mnBafEOk/s1600/VM2221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA8Yvg9Bb6C3KkboPKzSvws4OG2-tIphhcDFf56W2nWLAx9Ph3x1T1sTjpy3ItfFwy6zqy77-N95yWVj6nIg5IbznAxPCU7hP38aBma88dPFqmbTDSSJSnHME8fInWNXgq30mnBafEOk/s1600/VM2221.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Other Writing</strong>: Started on first round edits for the Anthology I'm working on. Working with other Authors is a lot like herding cats!! I'm happy, so far with the stories turned in and thing this will be an interesting Erotic/Romantic Anthology. <br />
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<strong>Novel</strong>: Still trying to push through to the ending of my Modern Fantasy novel, but I'm feeling less inspired. I've come up with plot outlines for two new novels in the last week. *sigh* I'm committed to finishing, and have decided to put myself on a deadline (since it worked so well with the anthology.) I'm going to put my book inline for editing for October. That will mean I NEED to have a first round draft done by then. There I said it out loud...<br />
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What Else I've Been Up To</h4>
My domestic spree didn't last long. However, I did manage to get new blinds up in the master bedroom before my strange cleaning and handy man spree fizzled. Work has really been beating me down, but everyone is back from vacation now, and I've finished some projects. Here's to hoping the short week gives me time to catch my breath!<br />
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What Inspires Me Right Now </h4>
G+ has snared my attention the past few weeks. I've found some really great sites and interesting articles that have really spiked those creative juices. If you're not active on Google+, I encourage you to follow me. I try and pass along great content.<br /><br />Some highlights from my G+ feed:<br /><br />Found a kick ass kickstarter to help fund! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHucZPimAtJjwcX__nS2ndNsbu1rxBWwiEToOfIMB1dA413LooK4qm5mF8F-tn0bL1cTkvkhua3VITq2HH4S8Jpbnpmf6Kj563_2CTDZHTAS_nXFR3Yu3_XK6VjH7GEICUDkEBSEpEU7U/s1600/6142973cb8d66e4b2e1e6fcb0f1b6c44_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHucZPimAtJjwcX__nS2ndNsbu1rxBWwiEToOfIMB1dA413LooK4qm5mF8F-tn0bL1cTkvkhua3VITq2HH4S8Jpbnpmf6Kj563_2CTDZHTAS_nXFR3Yu3_XK6VjH7GEICUDkEBSEpEU7U/s1600/6142973cb8d66e4b2e1e6fcb0f1b6c44_large.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><a href="http://lilithdark.com/kickstarter" target="_blank">Lilith Dark</a></em> is not your typical pink lovin' princess type. She's an adventure seeking, beastie slaying kid with attitude!</strong> <br /><br /><br />Ordered some lovely minimalist <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/justonescarf" target="_blank">Fan Art</a> for my upstairs loft:<br />
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<br />I've also encouraged all my followers to join in the campaign to make Revenge Porn illegal.</div>
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<a href="http://www.endrevengeporn.org/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z0XrXL_CKAh38PK1xcRmekxyf4y153C73cLT2dJkN6C3JlByWQLXVelaKTt36I5voBGqJb6B12CHB6csZjsqdCz-PSxY8R9aB5p6JoQTozBmPJWJmt-aqx9yH6-4nw2J2Vi2iPGYjfw/s1600/revenge-porn.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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The excitement over the upcoming Under The Skin. The upcoming movie is based on a book of the same name that is a dark Science Fiction by Michel Faber:<br />
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<strong>So that's what's been up with me this week. How has your week been?</strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-80223950601585027732013-09-01T17:31:00.004-04:002013-09-01T17:31:59.885-04:00Shame is an epidemicToo many of us were raised in a family or culture that encouraged shame. Not only that you should feel shame, but you should shame others. We are discouraged from expressing emotions. We are told: “Don’t be a baby.” “Big kids don’t cry.” Or “Man up.” So instead of developing skills to express our feeling, we internalize and develop shame.<br />
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“Shame is not guilt.<br />
Shame is a focus on self,<br />
Guilt is a focus on behavior.<br />
Shame is “I am bad”<br />
Guilt is “I did something bad”<br />
~ Brene Brown ~<br />
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Brene Brown’s Ted Talk on shame really inspired me to take a long look at the shame culture that surrounded me. I personally have very little shame. Without shame I find myself happier than I've ever been, but I still have friends that grapple with this issue on a daily basis.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, it's not that I've never felt shame. It took years to shed the chains of shame surrounding my body and sex that were forced onto me by well meaning adults in my life. When I was finally able to get over them, I was able to have a happy and fulfilling relationship.<br />
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But after getting married and having kids I was surprised to find myself shackled with a whole new round of shame involving my parenting skills. <br />
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Becoming a mother should have been the most rewarding experience of my life, but again I found myself filled with self-doubt and shame over my abilities, over the fact I wasn't June Clever. Even worse OTHER moms heaped on loads of judgment and ridicule. Trust me the playground is a brutal war ground. <br />
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It wasn’t until I had a young mother show up on my doorstep unexpectedly, needing to talk. I invited her in, into my messy house (I like to joke my style is postmodern burglarized.) I apologized for the mess, filled with shame over my lack of a ‘company ready’ house. But it was after our talk (she’d been struggling with her mother-in-law and wanted some advice) when she thanked me, and told me how nice it was to see that other moms weren’t perfect all the time. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Never going to make the cover of Better Homes and Gardens</span></div>
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That’s when I realized I needed to ditch the shame. As long as my kids were happy and healthy, well adjusted (as well adjusted they can get with parents like us) I’m doing what my family needs and I didn’t need the guilt and shame. Really aren't we all just trying to do our best? Make other's feel bad won't make us feel any better.<br />
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Shame and gender.</h4>
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Shame for women is something I’m well acquainted with. My early years, like so many women, were filled with shame. Shame about my body, shame about my intelligence, shame about my sexuality. Shame, for women, is a complex web woven with unobtainable, conflicting, and competing expectations about who we’re supposed to be. <br />
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And that’s the kicker. There’s no way to win. Be a sexual goddess, but demure. Be a loving, hands on mom, always there for you kids, but have a successful career. Do all this and have a house ready for a photo shot at all times. <br />
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It took me a long time, a wonderful marriage, and some really good friendships before I learned not to give a fuck about what society expects of me. So yes, I know what it’s like to feel shame as a woman.<br />
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The thing that struck me from Brown’s talk was when she spoke about how men feel shame. Brené tells of the man who inspired her to begin studying men, not just women. What he said shocked me:<br />
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“You say to reach out, tell your story, be vulnerable. . . but [my wife and three daughters] would rather me die on my white horse than watch me fall down. When we reach out to be vulnerable, we get the shit beat out of us, and don’t tell me it’s from the guys and the coaches and the dads, because the women in my life are harder on me than anybody else.”</blockquote>
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That quote was like a kick in the gut. He’s right and wrong. So often we expect our men to be sensitive and open, but never stop being the strong providers and defenders. I think back to when I was a SAHM and how my husband told me how he felt like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders because he was our sole bread winner. <br />
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So my fellow women, we do not hold the market on Shame. I need to kiss my husband now. <br />
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“Me too.” </h4>
Secrecy, silence, and judgment are the breeding ground for shame, but Empathy is the antidote to shame. Working with breast cancer survivors has really taught me the best way to help someone get over shame is to share your own experience. Having someone else say, “Yes, that happened to me.” <br />
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The best thing we can do is speak up and DON’T Judge. By coming together, being empathetic, we can help put shame in its place. <br />
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Shame is “the swampland of the soul.” </blockquote>
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~Carl Jung. </blockquote>
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Jung was on to something there. But the one thing we need to remember:<br />
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We don’t have to live there. DON'T get stuck there. Put on some galoshes and wade through that shit. Get to the other side. It's nice over here...and we have cookies (or was that the dark side?!?!) Hell we at least have liquor. So, drop the shame and join me. :)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-70946517794967098392013-08-28T08:00:00.000-04:002013-08-28T09:43:23.083-04:00What's up Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsSS8Q_dTAeszAH8e5bzCybviLZiwhGBQihigd1PfoQyLaaOT1VcsRsHD7QvyQNEz4WTKQ6TI0rnjrMx7fgcmtGZ0uZyrOxSup3A8ycvwI55vXC5iNTJ2oUjCt5-Z9C-cP0secULiO54/s1600/ButtonSmallNoBorder.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><em>What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what’s up. Should you wish to join us, you will find the link widget at the bottom of </em></span><a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.18s ease-out; border: 0px currentColor; color: #0da4d3; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.18s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><em><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jaime’s</span></em></a><em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"> post. We really hope you will take part!</span></em><br />
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What I'm Reading</h4>
I've got a few on my reading list this week. I've just started Zombie Fallout, but I'll probably put aside for Kitty in the Underworld. I'm going to start The Little Prince with my Daughter and we are just finishing up Ender's Game in anticipation of the movie. <br />
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Wow... that's a lot to read.
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What I'm Writing
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<strong>Blogging:</strong> So I'm about 5 books behind on my reviews. So look for some more post soon :) I also have a feminist rant that I've been writing for a few days about Feminism, Erotica, and Sex. Once I'm sure I've got some good content and something more substantial (not just a rant) I'll post. <br />
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<strong>Other Writing</strong>: I've finished my first draft of the Anthology story I've been working on. It was a real stretch for me since I'm not an erotica writer, but the project is for a good cause (all proceeds are going to charity) and since the project was my idea I thought I should at least try and write a story for inclusion. I'll have to see if my story makes the final cut. (even I'm not immune to the editing room floor)<br />
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<strong>Novel</strong>: With my short finished I'm back to my novel. Last week I only managed to rearrange some chapters and add some detail, but I still haven't been able to move the story forward. BUT last night inspiration struck in the middle of the night (doesn't it always?!?!) and I got up
re-outlined my plot and have a better idea of how to wrap this baby up. <br />
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What Else I've Been Up To</h4>
I've been very domestic this last week, cleaning out the pantry and organizing the closets. I'm not sure what that's a sign of... I bought a chainsaw, to dismantle the play structure in the back yard, but I imagine it will be useful for that zombie apocalypse too!<br />
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I've also been making a larger effort to be social. I've been hanging out with my new tribe of writers that I've found in my small Midwest town, and I've also managed to socialize with some non-writer types. (oddly enough we spent dinner talking about what we were reading...)<br />
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What Inspires Me Right Now
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Ted Talks. Right now I'm on a bender. Here's a link to some great ones: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/aug/27/20-online-talks-change-your-life" target="_blank">20 Talks That Could Change Your Life.</a><br />
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There are several talks I'd love to do blog post on. Here's one of my Favorite:<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-7724258113566013702013-08-26T11:37:00.002-04:002013-08-26T11:50:11.808-04:00The World's End, Dark and Twisty... Just Like I Like It.So after some strategic schedule planning with my husband and kids, I managed to find some adult time for my husband and I to go see The World’s End.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Director: Edgar Wright<br />Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, <br />Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike</span> <br />
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I’ve been anxiously anticipating this movie since I saw the first trailer. My love of Simon Pegg is not a secret and his reunion in this movie with Nick Frost had me nearly giddy with excitement. But for Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz fans, if you were expecting the snarky, light hearted fun we’ve come to expect, you’re in for a shock. To be honest there is only a mild similarity to these movies (namely the stars, England, and a passing reference to Cornetto ice cream). The World’s End was dark and unexpectedly wrought with deep emotions about being friendship and adulthood. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dg7zVkhJFuvQXwoUBVhzNItBOH_X1JUos-v0P7sB0Qv8I_I5g8bo84fq-vXHDcwSP4LWx5xofx6e4dylHEFEFOtM6S8cX8o6NF2TFYwroWk5h0c6xmOIivznHogmQIDWd7JUVJ5mkw8/s1600/worldsend-wholegang-outside-walking-tsr.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dg7zVkhJFuvQXwoUBVhzNItBOH_X1JUos-v0P7sB0Qv8I_I5g8bo84fq-vXHDcwSP4LWx5xofx6e4dylHEFEFOtM6S8cX8o6NF2TFYwroWk5h0c6xmOIivznHogmQIDWd7JUVJ5mkw8/s1600/worldsend-wholegang-outside-walking-tsr.jpg" /></a></div>
The movie starts with Gary King, the leader of a rowdy band of mischief making boys, getting ‘the band back together’ to finish the famous pub crawl of their youth…the one that got away. It might seem like a simple midlife crisis—let’s relive our youth—movie, but even from the early scene we get hints of the trouble in our main character’s life. <br />
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Everyone in this merry band has grown up, moved on with their lives; everyone except Gary. Unlike Shaun of the Dead, where our lovable Shaun is a man in desperate need to grow up, but we love him anyway, Gary leave a lot to be desired. It’s clear from the beginning he is damaged on a fundamental level. Even his old friends are hesitant to spend any time with him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG8NWYDq2o2FBLLUycV3WTEh2VcfGH2jhuL5zn62iXwQQe8w4AhSdvBxFkd0nr3tk-3kYktsXPCt4sLxPY-_YSrJIF_KLhtkppAN1WLNrguiPuPuEq0z3ZEXgoC3_xL7yLCWRfyI6frc/s1600/5683-d007-00123-r.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG8NWYDq2o2FBLLUycV3WTEh2VcfGH2jhuL5zn62iXwQQe8w4AhSdvBxFkd0nr3tk-3kYktsXPCt4sLxPY-_YSrJIF_KLhtkppAN1WLNrguiPuPuEq0z3ZEXgoC3_xL7yLCWRfyI6frc/s1600/5683-d007-00123-r.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
</div>
The movie is awkward at first, and slow to reel you in. It throws you of kilter, and you might even secretly want Gary to fail. But by the end, due in no small part to Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s on screen chemistry, you’re rooting for them despite their flaws. You want them to not only finish their pub crawl despite the Robot invasion, but to bridge the deep emotional chasm that has developed between these two friends. <br />
<br />
While Shaun is still my favorite from these two, I loved The World’s End. It has definitely won a honored space in my small movie collection, and I look forward to watching it again.<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wide ass can be an occupational hazard for a writer. I spend
most of my day in front a computer processing medical claims and dealing with
my business financials. Then at home and spend my evenings, head buried in
a computer pouring out my heart and soul. So I spend a lot of time not being
physical. This doesn’t even include the bad eating habits and my proclivity to
drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So in a effort to improve my health (okay that’s a lie. I’m
headed to Italy next summer and want to look hot on the beaches…) I started
working out. My gym is across the street from my office and I really have no
excuse. I walk and do some weights, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. My
husband says I should run…my thought, “not unless someone is chasing me!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With that in mind, I was chatting with <a href="http://sarahecannon.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">a friend</a> and she suggested
<a href="https://www.zombiesrungame.com/" target="_blank">Zombies, Run.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes that’s right a phone
app about being chased by zombies!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
am I just now hearing about this?!?!?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xlRgBvYFxTo?list=UUiLesEh5yFYL-Jmm2_t1vyg" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I downloaded Zombies, Run and started my ‘couch to 5k’
training. The narration is great and the sound effects had me checking behind
me on more than one occasion (hey, you can never be too careful). I’ve really
been sucked into the story and look forward to my work out. My only complaint
is I get too involved. Vivid imagination at work! It’s gotten to the point that
I think the gym is going to ask me to leave, because the other members are
worried about my mental health.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMelbourne_Zombie_Shuffle_03.jpg" title="By Andrew Braithwaite from Melbourne, Australia (Melbourne Zombie Shuffle) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons"><img alt="Melbourne Zombie Shuffle 03" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Melbourne_Zombie_Shuffle_03.jpg/512px-Melbourne_Zombie_Shuffle_03.jpg" width="512" /></a>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t worry about not being a runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The app starts you out slow and you go at your own pace...at least where I'm at now. The next installment (part 2) is meant to be more interactive, rewarding you for longer workouts/runs. But I'm sticking with the training sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">There is plenty to nitpick about the app. Some have said the radio 'chatter' can be distracting, but you can listen to your music (from your playlist) mixed in with the story so it’s not like listening to an audio book. There's also the fact that the app is episodic, with each workout being a mission. I can see how this will limit the apps potential once I've listened to all the episodes. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">But let's be honest, t</span>his app is meant to help you ease
into running, and for that reason I think it's worth the money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we all know the
first rule of the zombie apocalypse is, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>CARDIO! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-42578473710137550572013-08-19T13:08:00.000-04:002013-08-20T10:57:35.502-04:00Monster by A. Lee Martinez, Book Review<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monster-ebook/dp/B00276HACQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1376931101&sr=1-1&keywords=monster+martinez" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6Zo-5UqA53HEvdvJM-vbP-SWPqjtVJ8-vWkbxbTvdZv99cNTL-J4MDXn4nerjaKoFsPYCG-4Dm7v6wDJZPow4RhVU5r5-2b2Pio_48v8ZBj79gpt50FCnilJbs70t8V6yYNXuSIyUtE/s1600/monster.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As promised, my review of </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monster-ebook/dp/B00276HACQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1376931101&sr=1-1&keywords=monster+martinez" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Monster by A Lee Martinez.</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Main character is Monster, a crypto-biological animal
control agent…AKA the dog catcher of the magical world) isn’t a lovable character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck, Monster is not even a very likable character.
He borders on being a sociopath, with an apathetic attitude towards life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he has good reason. He’s in a dead-end
job, has a dysfunctional relationship with a succubus who doesn’t enjoy sex
with him, and barely makes ends meet. But hey, can’t many of us relate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<h4>
So What's it about?</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story start when monster is called into help Judy: a
cynical, unmotivated woman who’s stuck in a going nowhere life. Judy, who’s not
part of the paranormal world, finds a Yeti eating ice cream out of the store
freezer where she works. Once the job is done Monster goes on with his life,
but Judy keeps popping back up with more issues. They are thrown together to save
the world from events completely out of their control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not everyone will enjoy Monster. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even readers who have enjoyed Martinez’s other
books. While it does have the witty, sometimes dry sense of humor he’s known
for, Monster has a deep thread of sadness that seems to run through the
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It starts with the characters and
their complete apathy, almost as if they themselves have given up on life, and
continues with the theme of magic dying in our world (a fact that most people
just can’t see). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<h4>
My Take?</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For me, I liked Monster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a fun read, probably because I love unlikable characters, but I also appreciated a
UF without a romantic subplot. (Judy and Monster don’t even particularly like
each other). Monster was a fast read and the plot moves along at a nice pace. The secondary characters were interesting. Chester, a paper gnome
and Monster’s partner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monster’s
succubus girlfriend. Even Judy’s alpha female sister, who ends up having to
fend off a sphinx on her commute into work one morning. I’d love to see some
short stories by Martinez with these characters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, while I would recommend this book to people who love UF
but might be looking for a change from the series and romantic plots, please be aware...you might hate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
“BUT…what about the ending?
You said the ending had issues in your last post…”<o:p></o:p></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No I didn’t forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Ending. Yes the ending left a lot to be desired. The
main drama of the book…you know the fate of the universe didn’t have enough
drama to it. I’m not sure if it was the apathy of the main character infecting
my own psyche by the end of the book or the fact that the ‘conflict’ seemed anticlimactic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whichever it was, by the end of the book I
found out that I didn’t really care if they achieved the goal and saved the
world.</span></div>
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k4t9EqHVmJAOfNdhnqsTIBpKU9Uo44kwtlOAaF4vy4G0NW-ZRI1NXVwF8h0bFHeLLQMVdbtO6JOkPJLV0NFsWdgPv1MkpCm1eIEAUm4dUFlEbZQeg-8BMrDxAX5DEOlKAQkbvLVXK9s/s1600/94583906_97dc311ea7_b.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo via:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alai_jmw/" target="_blank"> Jake Waage</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But if you’re on the fence about whether to read this book,
don’t let the idea of a disappointing ending stop you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed the ride, and found the story fun
and funny. Martinez did a wonderful job in world building and I became engaged
with the world. I did go out and get Gil’s All Fight Diner, so we’ll see how
that one goes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll have to wait and see if A Lee Martinez
becomes one of my go to authors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112453424639639466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5104437492581444659.post-28907402532953569342013-08-14T20:50:00.001-04:002013-08-20T10:58:12.938-04:00Married with Zombies, Book Review.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Approaching the end of my WIP, I was very dissatisfied with
with the ending and decided my issue was chapters back (read half the book).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back seven chapters (25,000
words) and started rewriting, changing the plot, and abandoning the majority of
the work I’d already done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been
particularly hard, but just as the beginnings of books are important to sell
the story to your reader, the ending is equally important to sell your <strong>next book</strong>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oddly enough, my writing issues seemed to line up with my
recent reads. The last two books I've read both had some ending issues, both for different
reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first book was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Married-Zombies-Living-Dead-ebook/dp/B003ZDOH26/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top" target="_blank">Married With Zombies by Jesse Peterson</a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp2AIUlQkJfpU5F0Rq1ApD18PFRTwmweRsPxzSprkZ3LlFI2SekNgNbuZqglzicavWCbxZ6-k3n5M5q9QpaddK1fsgkUWrNnHyQ0nWZlvj3fAFVJlZANB7XaBuYJY203uJteh7eyyqn4/s1600/7716140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp2AIUlQkJfpU5F0Rq1ApD18PFRTwmweRsPxzSprkZ3LlFI2SekNgNbuZqglzicavWCbxZ6-k3n5M5q9QpaddK1fsgkUWrNnHyQ0nWZlvj3fAFVJlZANB7XaBuYJY203uJteh7eyyqn4/s1600/7716140.jpg" height="320" width="198" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m quite the connoisseur of zombie media, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Married With Zombies</i> is written as a ZomRomCom in
the manner of <i>Shaun of the Dead </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">or<i> Zombieland.</i> It’s cheeky and fun, but with plenty of gruesome,
violent details that make the zombie genre fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The main
characters, Sarah and David</span>, a married couple with serious relationship
problems, find themselves at the epicenter of the start of a zombie apocalypse.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the things I found charming about
Peterson’s book was the start of the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sarah and David are on the way to their weekly marriage counseling
appointment, both contemplating the possibility of divorce when they encounter
their therapist eating the couple that had the appointment before them (a fact
that’s especially rewarding since the couple with the appointment before them
are annoyingly perfect).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-C1kFzB6zSeCaIbnrIisN948tFSpvbuG_DeyYKgf7XZIA0gKRJTjdV1IBucqOhJfDX0_QRr3BFugDglKmWxegf2hooLEyHmlylzIi7PqPTNsFsYz0hDqx7olyD72VD7DdcCbdcBn8f8/s1600/6238711264_541d1fd3be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-C1kFzB6zSeCaIbnrIisN948tFSpvbuG_DeyYKgf7XZIA0gKRJTjdV1IBucqOhJfDX0_QRr3BFugDglKmWxegf2hooLEyHmlylzIi7PqPTNsFsYz0hDqx7olyD72VD7DdcCbdcBn8f8/s1600/6238711264_541d1fd3be.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo by </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/59632563@N04/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hang_in_there</span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the beginning we find our couple fight zombies and each other, but as the book progresses they come to appreciate each other more and rekindle the love they once shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is written with humorous chapter titles straight out of relationship guides, but with a zombie twist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Practical advice such as<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">: Build mutual friendships. Just be ready to end them when your friends start trying to eat you</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really enjoyed
the book and look forward to reading the others in the series. I was with
Peterson every step of the way, until the ending. The ending was more of a non-ending.
There’s a dramatic arch and a conclusion to their primary goal (getting out of
town and finding David’s sister), but after that it wide open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I understand the
reasoning…This book was written as a series, and the ending leaves things wide
open. There was very little explanation about how the outbreak occurred, but enough
to know that it spread fast (toppling major West Coast cities within three
days). We are left with the idea that more rural areas of the country would be
safer, and that’s where our couple head off…riding into the sun set (well maybe
sunrise since they are heading East), but not before setting up a humorous and yes, gimmicky plan that sets up the next few books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But my preference
for solid endings had me screaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wished the author would have had the couple settle down with a “now that we
were safe” type ending, but instead we’re left with the “tune in next time and
see what happens when this zany couple hits the Midwest”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t get me wrong.
I liked the book and will definitely get the next one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was campy and fun, and while very predictable
it was nice to see the zombie apocalypse happen around a married couple with
common problems. Just because zombies are trying to eat you doesn’t mean that
all your relationship problems are going to disappear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I highly recommend
this book, especially if enjoy campy humor along with your blood and gore.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next up will be of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monster-ebook/dp/B00276HACQ/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1376527462&sr=1-13&keywords=monster" target="_blank">Monster by A. Lee Martinez</a>.</span></span></div>
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