Krampus: The Yule Lord

Harper Voyager sent me another goodie bag. I really dig this advance reader gig, when they send me good stuff, of course. I forgot to diagram the goodie package before this one, but that's for another entry.

Krampus: The Yule Lord, by Brom, click for review.

Antero, the Christmas alien.

Gideon, by Alex Gordon, available on 1/6/15.

An awesome over sized and soon to be modded t-shirt with an astro-sloth.

And treats. Which I actually put in shoes outside for Krampus, because I'm not super keen on THAT much mint. Also I don't want my ass beaten bloody by a tall, skinny, horned god.

That's it for now (this year, I guess.) I'm going to boot up some video games and take my mind off of reading for a while.

- RaRa out.

So um. Wow.

Let's be honest, here. I didn't think I'd take this as seriously as I said I would. But, I've written ~1,400 words per day. I've got 6,696 words done 5 days in. I have to write 43,303 more in 25 days. I'm fairly confident that I can do it.

The @ssh0le that invented this meme probably doesn't create entire realms of existence and have multiple personalities screaming inside their brain, never mind trying to have it all make sense... 

FCK YOU, I WILL NOT KEEP CALM.

I started off wicked strong, getting 2000 words out night one, and I've tapered off a little. I think it's just a slow point in the story, and it'll pick back up soon. I'm just... It's weird, having this be a thing. Taking it seriously but not super stressing, meaning and aiming to force it out in a month and go back over it later. I'm notorious for editing as I write, and that's why I get so discouraged with other projects, or burn out, because I just keep digging through what's already there rather than pushing forward.

I know dat feel, Sisyphus. 

Not this time. I've got an outline forming, I'm about 2-3 chapters/plot points ahead of where the writing is, and I'll do more tonight before I start my REQUIRED 1 1/2 hour daily writing I've been forcing myself into. Not sure whether to count it for the day before or the day of, since it's around midnight - 1 AM. I should move it back to earlier, since if I don't make 50K by midnight on the 1st, it doesn't count...

And then there's this fact of life. Which is why I rehash and edit. But... oh. What's up, Sisyphus. I see you up there, making my point. Good on ya, bro.

I want a shirt. I want printed and formatted paperback copies. I want this to happen. I want to be that @ssh0le at a coffee shop talking down to people because I actually finished a god damn book, rather than just talked sht about doing it. And I'll try my hardest.

But I'll need motivation. And support, and... Anyone want to be my accountability/reading buddy? :)

Sign me up right the fck now.

-RaRa Out

NaNoWri... Yeah. Right.

I've been blabbering on my Facebook about my plans for NaNoWriMo this year, and I realized earlier today... I have a blog for that sht. LOL. So, since my battery's dying and I already typed out two separate outlines for the same project, I'll just copy paste my Facebook postings. Because... America, I guess.

If I attempt NANOWRIMO, I have to write approximately 6 pages, or 1,700 words, a day, to make the 50K/30 day requirement. 

Leave it to Tard to keep it real.

I've doubled that number before, so I know I can do it. I've just been stressed and twisted and distracted and depressed for years, and it's tough to immerse yourself in a new world you're creating when you feel like less than nothing. I've written in bursts, but I always fall flat because the confidence and ambition evaporates. But this year I'm escaping into this project. I'm going to force the past depression, stress and worthlessness I've felt for so long out of my head and dive in to become a multitude of other people. I'll find my strength and worth in my characters; the pieces of me I keep hidden. I don't expect to hit 50K, but I'll consider 25K a victory.

I'm trying to decide what project to drown in for NaNoWriMo. Part of me wants to start something fresh, another part to dive back into something started but unfinished and count 50K after what's already written. I know that's kind of cheating, but I see NaNoWriMo as more of a HEY, MOTIVATION rather than HEY, DO IT RIGHT AND TAKE IT SO SERIOUSLY YOU HAVE A ANEURYSM. Because, well, I'm that serious about my writing all the time, which is why, I think, I never get much done. I take it too seriously. It means too much to me. And I refuse to write anything bad. So, if I take a lighthearted, fun approach to a month dedicated to celebrating authorship and writing rather than racking my head and heart over something at which I refuse to fail, this first draft (or most of one) in a month could really help me out. It will definitely help with my perfectionist attitude toward my writing, at least. And now here's the question: Do I work on something I already started, as I sort of have a grasp on the characters, tone, and story, or should I dig up an outline and start something fresh?

#7 of OVER 9000!!!

I've got two potential main characters for this project. They're both female, which is weird for me, because I'm not used to writing female characters as leads, so that's challenge number 1. I guess it comes down to which leading lady sticks out in my head more, which one seems more interesting. I outlined the plots for both so they can happen simultaneously and intertwine at various points, and the events of one affects the other. I'm leaning toward writing one entirely, then the other, and having it be not really a duology, as they're the same story from different viewpoint...

i dunno. I'mma try real hard this year. I need to write again. I've been out of it for long enough, it's time to get serious again. I mean, writing's not THAT difficult, right?

Oh. Well, sht.

- RaRa out.

Diverg-meh.

Didn't hate it. Didn't love it. All YA's the same to me.

Simply, elementary, childish sentences. Very definitive with single dimension characters, unless you're magically Divergent. Of course. Which everyone probably will be by the end. Or dead. Something noble like that, since it seems to be a theme at this point.

Not going to bother with spoilers, Or a detailed review, because it was meh at best. Better than Twilight. About on the same level, entertaining wise, as Mortal Instruments, but slightly dumbed down.

My OCD is making me read the next two, as I could get through the first one, and god dammit.

Why are the pierced/tattooed/different people depicted as violent, brutish, drunken delinquents that are easily brainwashed? Why can't people that look different never actually be perceived and characterized as inherently bad? Cop out for describing them as the "bad" ones.

I should outline my YA scale at some point; SURPRISE; Twilight is at the bottom. XD

Ugh. Onto Insurgent, I guess. ... After some League of Legends.

Daylight War (Kinda) But mostly: Books -> Movies; yay or nay?

I finished Daylight War. And let's just say. CLIFF HANGER MUCH?! If you read it, you'll get it.

I'm not super duper into this series post first book, as I really, really hate the pseudo Middle Eastern Krasians and the rampant rape culture throughout the last half of Painted/Warded Man, Desert Spear, and Daylight War. It feels as though Brett went for budding feminism, but missed the mark. Maybe I'm just jaded, or an ignorant American, but I've never been and never will be pro-polygamy or accepting of rape, in any circumstance, or subjugation/objectification of women, whether or not it makes/breaks characters. I think it's a crutch for authors to use to give characters reasons to be strong, or to fall into their weaknesses, even excuse or define cultures too plainly. I'm not a fan of rape and pseudo-feminism being used as a story arc or plot device, in any event, and I personally try avoid both reading and writing it. THE SERIES IS NOT ALL ABOUT RAPE, it just... feels like an erotic/romance novel jammed into an hopefully unintentionally misogynist fantasy, and that's not what I signed up for. There's too much of it for me not to mention it as a major flaw, in my opinion. Don't get me started on the bullshit the Republicans are pulling, lately...BUT. Before this becomes an off topic rant ...

I'm also not happy about how Brett's making me split my allegiance between the two protagonists, as I'd prefer Arlen to be the 100% good and Jardir the 100% bad, but that's probably why he wrote them as he did. No spoilers, just a basic premise; both Arlen and Jardir have ended up being the respective spiritual leaders of their cultures, on the same side of a war but not fighting unified; Arlen, begrudgingly, Jardir with bells on and waving sparklers. Jardir got his power the "normal," legitimate way (arguable, but that's a spoiler,) while Arlen fell into his out of necessity, lack of option, and needing a way to survive.

Inevera; wife of Ahmanarama lama ding dong flibbty floo Jardir, named for the first wife of Everam.
Krasian; The Will of Everam (god.)
Steph-anese: Terrible figure of pseudo-feminism; total backfire.

Know what, no. Screw the rules. I'm Team Arlen all the way. I hope it doesn't end like I think it does. Because I will be so mad. Be warned, Brett. I will be so SO MAD if you go where I think you're planning to. SO. MAD.

And I'm very not happy about the turn the whole series took about two thirds through the first book. But that's probably me being hypersensitive and too lazy to fully explore and explain my problem with subjugation of women as a plot device. So, deal with it.

But with that out of the way, as I promised I'd do a mini review for that, I'm thinking I need to read Divergent before the movie comes out. Because I'm That Guy.

Except for Twilight. Because fuck that shit.
And City of Bones. I read that, (why, I don't know,) because that movie bombed. As it should have.

I'm stone cold one of those book is better than the movie types; mostly because I believe that most people are lazy, and use the excuse of a movie to not read the book. Also applies to those that won't see foreign films because "I don't go to movies to read." I won't bother to list how many recent movies alone were adaptations that changed things completely from the source material, left out vital parts, or didn't really do the book any justice whatsoever. Even the great film adaptations, like Harry Potter, and to a lesser extent, Battle Roya- The Hunger Games, left much to be desired for fans of the books. Mostly minor details, or things not necessary to carry the story, but reading the book, you'll watch it and be like: Where's this character? She didn't say that, or he didn't do that, this character did, and etc.

Which is why I'm praying to Cthulu that the movie adaption of Sandman Slim isn't as bad as I'm expecting it to be. You can't manage to take so much material, such an amazing world, and confine it to one movie. A: they won't have the budget they need, B: there's soooo much material, and C: Kadrey's had bad luck with his work becoming film. Here's to hoping. (And hoping that they cast me as Candy. Not that they will, but god dammit, I can fit the part to a T; just gotta get my hair did.)

I know nothing about Divergent except for the basic premise, which I said "Oh, you mean Hunger Games all over again?" while reading. Yes, Hunger Games did well. Collins claims it wasn't based off of Battle Royale. OK, fine. I'll take that. But Divergent sounds like it's trying to capitalize on the success of Hunger Games. I'll give it a shot, though. Hunger Games wasn't a total disappointment, despite me thinking BattleRoyaleBattleRoyale the entire time. I read YA books so quickly it's laughable, mostly because many examples of that genre are vapid and shallow and don't need me to pay too much attention.

Except for one series. Which will get its own entry. Because I was amazed that it was YA and I LOVED it.

Soon. <3

I've got until March 21st to read Divergent, and potentially the other two books as well. If I don't put a bullet in my head after trying to get through the first. Then I'll probably start on my Harper Voyaging.

Movie date anyone? Don't mind me making comments under my breath and scribbling in my notebook the entire time.

It begins.

                I got my package from Harper Voyager publishing last night. And I waited until this morning to open it. 

                Now, as the people reading this should know, as they’re more than likely my friends, I have a cat. And he likes to get into trouble and chew and do other cat like things. So when I woke up out of my Sirlesque, karaoke, and League of Legends 'til 3:30 AM stupor to the sound of ripping and cat chirruping, I found this:

Photographic evidence of possible theft attempt.

                           

                

   Mugshot of perpetrator after apprehension.

Despite my delinquent feline contaminating my loot, I was still hyped about the box and laid out my haul.

Sort of pictured, a black tote bag with assorted book titles screened on it. To carry my books around. Because I’m twelve and like people to know that I’m so cool I need a bag specifically to carry books.

I’m going to power through the rest of Peter V. Brett’s The Daylight War, because I can’t read two books at once. My brain can barely take writing four of my own plus reading another.

Onto my plan of attack!

DISCLAIMER: I was given promotional copies of these books by Harper Voyager US, for the purpose of review. This disclaimer will be on every post that relates to these books or anything else from the publishing company. We both have to cover our asses from the prying eyes of The Law.

1) DEAD SET; Richard Kadrey

             They sent me a signed(!) copy, which I’ll keep, and I’ll probably give away/loan out the print edition I bought on release day. Because sorry, (not sorry,) I’ll read anything that man releases until forever. Despite some of his earlier work being less than fantastic, Sandman Slim has me so hooked I can’t even words. (Told you you’d figure out my favorite author if you stuck around.  He’ll get his own blog entry of epic and borderline embarrassing fangirl proportions later on.)

I guess I can review Dead Set, though I’m three months removed from reading it. I can re-read it in four hours, though. See if I can beat my time from the first go ‘round.

2) DREAMS AND SHADOWS; C. Robert Cargill

This one was pretty high up on my million book To Read list. I was meaning to pick it up, so yay, definite score getting a free copy. I’m a huge fan of twists on classic fairy tales ever since I picked up The Child Thief by Brom, and went from thinking Peter Pan was lame to being a super creepy older woman in love with him. I’ve got a thing for arrogant little goth boys that bite off more than they can chew with authority figures. I can’t want to crack into this and see what Cargill came up with.

3) THE WASTELAND SAGA; Nick Cole
                Since all three books are conveniently packaged together, I have no excuse to not read the whole series. I’ll probably do a post for each part, to keep things easy. Also to not kill my brain trying to remember everything for a full three book review.

4) THE TAKEN; Vicki Patterson

                The Taken, by Vicki Patterson. Which, let’s be honest, I’m the least excited about. Obvious “LOOK, I’M A STRONG BUT STILL SEXY/VULNERABLE WOMAN BEING STALKED BY A MYSTERIOUS DOUCHEY STRANGER-TOOL” vibe, and therefore, zero fcks are given. I’ll try a couple chapters to see how I feel, but I doubt I’ll be super into it. Doesn’t look like it’d be my kind of book. But, it was sent, and I will read it. Or try. I’m going in fairly neutral, taking it as I used to take required reading for school; doesn't mean I refuse to enjoy it, but we shall see.

5) RIDES A DEAD LEGION; Raymond E. Feist

               Usually this one would be much higher on the list, but being part of a saga, I’m putting it at the end in hopes that I can get my hands on the rest of it because I’m slightly OCD about starting a series. I prefer to read them in succession; it helps to keep me in the world. And everyone’s hating on the demons, lately! It’s not their fault people are tasty…

So that’s it! And I’ll finish off The Daylight War, maybe write a blog for that, and Dead Set, then get started on Dreams and Shadows.

This is real. It’s official. Let's Voyage! :D

                                                                                                                                                                             
- RaRa out.

E-Readersaurus Rexes.

Post time. Aaaaannnnnd GO.

Every time a book store closes, part of my soul dies. Whenever I went out shopping with my mother, or friends, I would always beg to be allowed to browse the bookstore, usually while they went girl and spent hours looking at shoes or clothes. There's something magical about when you walk in and see the new releases set up symmetrically in a pyramid, or in their own cardboard stand up, the familiar walls lined with spines, the occasional stand out feature, advertisement of a book signing or midnight release, the smell of books. You know what I mean. That fresh cut wood, crispy smell that only new books have. Glossed oak tag with foil, or smooth raised lettering, sharp edges, pages so fresh that they make a satisfying purr as you speed flip through them. Even the musty smell of worn leather and dust, is like being surrounded by years of people and their wisdom. Because books are people. Their thoughts, their beliefs, their hopes and dreams, their discoveries about the world and themselves, painstakingly written down with equal parts love and frustration. There’s something so satisfying about holding a book, turning each page as you progress through a story, the feel of the thin pages grazing your thumb, the spine cradled in your palm, cracking as the book is opened and closed. Dog eared pages, unraveling tassel bookmarks, even notes in margins. There’s so many things about books that are so wonderful that it’s truly hard to express. Unless someone really knows.

So... This is a thing. I guess people DO get it... Can I get it? For my birthday, maybe?

Pick up a book. Any book. It’s reassuring to see and feel that it’s there. That the author, in one way or another, will always live on, always have something to say to anyone willing to crack open their work and read. Holding a book is, in a way, shaking the hand of the author and chatting over drinks. Part of them is always in whatever edition you decide to peruse, and it’s a gateway to their worlds, their thoughts, their souls. And it'd be a shame to lose that, either to people becoming less and less likely to read, or the simple extinction of paper. Maybe kids are just happier with their lives these days (NOT.) Or they have other means to escape. Maybe their parents pressured or forced them to read, like using it as a punishment, or not reading to them as children and instilling the sense of wonder I had. And that kind of makes me a little sad.

Book stores are an endangered species. And I suppose that’s a sign of the times. Nothing I can do about it, really. Environmentally and progressively, bookstores are becoming obsolete. E-Readers and tablets are becoming fairly commonplace; nearly everyone has something that they can read books on. Either they buy them through their device’s respective online stores, or torrent them as PDFs, books are a lot more accessible and a lot more portable as digital files. But will the classic weight, scent, and feel of a tangible book be lost to future generations? Will libraries close down? Will children of the future never know the refuge and joy I experienced dragging my mother into a Borders? Even a used book store? Never befriend the friendly but still slightly shy people who, like you, live in the world of other’s imaginations they meld into their own? People who understand your need to escape and become someone else for a little while? We’re solitary enough as it is. Closing down book stores is just one less venue for like-minded potential interaction for book worms.

Oh, don't worry Mr. Tennant. You're one of the few lucky awkwards that people want to talk to/fck.

The one time I ran away from home I went to a bookstore. And I stayed until closing, fingers tracing over spines tucked neatly in alphabetical order on shelves, picking out a few with interesting titles or familiar authors, even attractive covers. My world was falling apart, so I retreated into others where things weren't so bad, or where I knew the hero(ine) would win out and overcome. Feeling weak, I would find one of those sword and sorcery books, or something gritty and B-Movie types. Feeling ugly and unloved, I'd find a not overly cheesy romance novel with a stronger female character. Because I'm never going to be a damsel in distress, and bad ass chicks need and deserve love too! Wanting to remember my childhood, I'd grab a reprinting of an old favorite. And something I legitimately planned on buying once I left. I had a pile of at least four or five books, opening to a random page in the middle, reading a little, curling up in the chair the staff had designated as mine. And I often left what I was reading under the chair or tucked under the cushion when I went to grab something at the food court. It was always just where I left it, the staff knowing I’d be back to continue reading, usually with a coffee or a burger for whoever was on shift and soon to be on break. It's good to have friends at your escape. 

I received an E-Reader for Christmas this past year. As much as I adore the sensory overload of a new book, having something solid to hang on to, I decided that I’ve accumulated too many, and it was time to downsize. Not all of us have staircase bookshelves, or our own book nook closets, or even entire rooms for libraries. Oh how I wish I did. So, much to my dismay, I collected all my books and noted the ones I would reread, or simply could NOT part with, and bought/downloaded the e-versions. And then, I offered first dibs on the tangibles to my younger cousins, and donated the rest to children’s literacy foundations. Because Kids Need to Read. I didn't have the heart to throw them out or give them to a thrift store. I’d rather children who ADORE books, have no opportunity to get them, want them, NEED them, get them for free, because I hope my love for reading and the magic I found in them will pass to another generation of young readers.

NOT me. Because you know. I have a hair. And am female. But pretty much this.

Then there’s the problem of sustainability and environmental protection; the main factor in my conversion to primarily digital. I’ve always been an environmentalist, collecting pennies to save the rainforest, planting trees on Arbor Day and recycling, picking up litter and all that stuff. I’ve even donated money to save polar bears, wild horses, and tigers. So it occurred to me that books are made out of paper… SURPRISE! Paper comes from trees. And since physical books are being phased out, it’ll inevitably be better for the environment when the demand for physical books dwindles and eventually no longer exists. And technological devices are recyclable too, and there’s more incentive as people get money for that. Because who gives a fck about not slowly annihilating the planet by destroying the environment unless you get money?

Because environmental responsibility is for losers in leotards and bad hair jobs.

Now don’t get me wrong. I still, occasionally, buy tangible books. Mostly just from my favorite authors, or if it’s a continuing series and I already have the first few. A little OCD like that. Any new series I may start or new books that come out, from this day forth, will more than likely be e-books. Unless they’re so amazingly fantastic and inspiring that I want to buy it and keep it forever (read; cuddle with it at night in hopes their power transfers into me while I sleep.) To have it on my shelf above my writing desk and think whenever I see it: “One day, my book will be up there with the greats.” 

One day, I hope to write well enough to have someone want to tangibly hold one of my books. ... Well, let's be real for a minute. I just hope to actually finish the damn thing. Ha.

- RaRa out.

Right, so. Clearly; I'm awful at this blogging thing.

Wow, it's been eight months since I did this blog thing. Well, let's get straight to the point, eh?

While I'll legitimately try to keep up with regular posting about whatever, this is going to be turning into mainly a book blog. Because apparently my snarky application to be an advance reader for a publishing company (that will eventually be getting a copy of my project every week for eternity until they accept it) was clever (or smartassy) enough to catch their attention.

I'll be getting advance copies of books from this specific publisher and they asked, (read: intended) me to review them on retail sites, Goodreads, Facebook, even here on my own blog. This inaugural run of marketing and free sht lasts for six months, and I'll have to keep applying to stay in this club of geekery and awesome. And dammit, I like books. And they'll be free. I see nothing wrong with any of that.

 

Unless they send me things like this.

Which, let's be real, they might. These slop troughs meant purely to sell to mass markets of preteens and cat ladies, who for some reason think being stalked, controlled, manipulated, and not murdered because someone "loves" (owns) you is romantic, are somehow ridiculously more popular than they ever should have been. My feelings on this is on reserve for a future entry...

Now I know, I know. Not everything's going to be from my favorite author, or in the same vein as my favorite series, not even my preferred genres. And just because I don't like it doesn't mean that other people can't or shouldn't. And I understand that. But reading, reviewing, and studying other writers' work, regardless of whether or not I like or respect it can only help me. Especially since they have book deals and I don't. So I'm taking it for what it is, and am very grateful for the opportunity.

I think I'll not pull a typical Steph and actually take this sht seriously. I mean, I'm certainly no real critic. I haven't even finished a first draft on anything I'd remotely consider publishing, so I'm not sure from which part of my ass I'd pull any intelligent, credible remarks or commentary. Plus I've always heard; "Those that can't write, critique/edit." And I certainly don't want to be thrown in with that lot.But I'll do my best in the reviewing department. I'll be honest, and fair, and constructive, trying to keep too much of my personal biases out of things. Because no one likes to be pitched judgmental critical bullsht, no matter how well established they are in their field. Especially not from some brown-nosing noob willing to do anything to play ball.

Neg is pretty much my spirit animal.

So, the good news is, I'm peeking through the proverbial cracked door to my career of choice. Albeit not necessarily the route I'd have chosen. I'd much more prefer to strike literary gold and get a NY Times best seller straight out the gate, but that's less likely than I'd hope. Sad, since I've always wanted to kick in the door to some ritzy building riding a white tiger on rocket skates drinking orange cream soda out of a chalice and be like "WHAT'S UP, LOSERS."

But... They at least know who I am. They apparently think I'm interesting. And garsh dangit, they picked me. I'm hoping that studying what they like to publish/hope to promote will help me finish, market, and sell my own project(s). Not too much progress on that front either, I'm afraid. Mostly outlining and juicing up of what I already have. I did manage to outline a different project, though, and that's looking quite promising as well. Now if my friends would actually read what I send them so I could get some feedback and ambition to continue, that would be fan-freaking-tastic. -_-;

Fair warning, unnamed-until-I-get-the-legal-details-of-this-deal publishing company. I'm not good with gentle. And I've been itching to use this battering ram I've got under my bed.

Opportunity comes once in a lifetime.

/Crosses fingers.

- RaRa out.