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1. Currently reading a professional novelist's take on the same story that EL James did with 50 Shades. Silvia Day's Contemporary Novel - Bared to You, is not as good as Shades, which is odd, considering she's a professional novelist who has written more than 20 books. But like a lot of professional novelist's in this genre, regrettably has a somewhat dull boilerplate style, weak dialogue, and conventional sentence structure. Doesn't take a lot of risks. That said - she does write hot sex scenes. Actually the dialogue during the sex scenes isn't bad.

I'm learning more and more what Ursula Le Guinne meant when she said there's a difference between a well written tale and one "rightly told" or that is compelling and brings you into the story - so much is in the how, but not necessarily in the craft.

I rather like pulp for what it is. I don't need it to be more. I find the people trying to make The Avengers into more than it is - rather funny. People, can't you admit you like a comic book movie? It's okay. We won't think less of you. Sigh. People forget back in the day, Shakespeare and Dickens were pulp novelists and dramatists. Marlow was the literary guy. And look how that turned out? Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino is pure pulp, but hey it's fun and memorable and great. Granted I tried to...ahem...rise Buffy the Vampire Slayer above the level of pulp, and yes, several episodes were quite amazing, it's still pulp but great pulp and lasting. Literary can be overrated.

2. Speaking of Buffy...Mark Watches ...is a bit clueless. Poor dear was completely confused by the episode Crush. His first question was - "Who killed all the people on the train? It doesn't make sense it was Drusilla? They never say." Uhm...yes, they did. There's a shot of her doll, Miss Edith, in the overhead bin. Not that most observant bloke on the planet, Mark, which does explain the insane X-Files love or not as the case may be.
Also he completely missed why Buffy asked Willow to rescind Spike's invite...what did he think the focus of the scene between Joyce, Willow and Buffy was about??? Hello, Spike.
Not surprised he hates Spike in this episode or is repulsed by Spuffy...admittedly Spike creeped me out when I initially saw the episode when it first aired ...over ten years ago.
It was in 2000, I think. Now, I see the episode in a completely different way. I was a lot younger back then (around Mark's age actually 28-35), and a bit dumb. The whole series sort of gets turned inside out after you see certain episodes. That's why I fell head over heels in love with Buffy, because you see it one way...before you watch an episode, then suddenly a completely different way after you watch an episode, and if you re-watch, it's like wait, oh I don't remember seeing that...and you are seeing the show in whole new light. Few shows change that much each time you see it. Few things do. The tv shows and books I love are the ones that I find new things in each time I read or watch them. It's also why it is sooo entertaining to watch new viewers watch these shows, unspoiled, because you think - you poor stupid fool, you have no idea, your opinion about these characters, this series, everything is about to change completely.

Some day, I'll write a long rambling meta post about the ups and downs of shipping a highly controversial and at times fandom splitting character in a diverse multi-fandom. It's not fun. Well it is...in a way, or at least interesting, but also highly frustrating. I don't recommend for the faint of heart. Unless you stick purely to character specific fansites with like-minded folks (which is sort of dull from a meta perspective), and even then..

3. Good work day. Got out early. Have a much needed three day break. Been killing myself work-wise. And not getting much sleep. ( Read more... )

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