![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
1. Novel update: ( Read more... )
2. On writing Sex Scenes in Novels, and also Romance Novels in general Am officially done with the romance genre, at least for a while. Finally got burned out on the genre, which I'd been binging on for about three years now, with a couple breaks in between. There's only so many variations of girl meets boy, boy screws up royally or girl screws up royally or they both screw up royally, one or the other or both seeks redemption/forgiveness/ or some way back into the other one's pants, they make up and have babies. It's gotten to the point that now I'm more interested in their relationships with the supporting characters, family members, and villains than each other. Also, sigh, there's only so many realistic ways to have sex - and graphic sex scenes are rather boring and unfortunately, unless someone gets raped, dies, loses their virginity, gets pregnant, the sex scene often doesn't do much to further the characters or move the action forward. Sometimes it can - if the writer uses the sex scene to explore a character flaw, strength or their relationship. But that is not easy to do and a lot of writers like to use kinky sex to do it -- which is fine, I actually find that interesting at times. But I've rarely seen it done well. Often it is used in a cliche or stereotypical manner (see 50 Shades of Gray, Sylvia Day's novels, Anne Rice's novels, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer for examples. Although to be fair, Rice is probably the least cliche of the bunch, her's reminded me more of the late-20th Century (ie. 1970-90s) take on the trope, considering she wrote most of them back then - that makes sense...).
( more on writing sex scenes )
3. Wed Reading Meme
*What I just finished reading
The Necromancer (Johannas Cabal #1) by Jonathan Howard -- it was okay. Suffered from some of the same problems that I felt Jim Butcher's Skin Game did. It meanders, there isn't really any true character evolution, and it's hard to follow or care that much about the plot as a result.
Here's the review I posted on Good Reads after I completed it:
( Read more... )
* What I'm reading now?
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (which apparently is a pseudonym for Sara Monette who by the way is![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
truepenny. A lot of professional sci-fantasy writers on livejournal still.)
So far, I'm enjoying it quite a bit and agree with the people who rec'd it to me. (Ironically, I'm enjoying it more than I enjoyed GRRM's books. Ironic, because he didn't like this one as much. But then he cares about different things than I do or we think differently -- for instance? I don't need a map - capable of visualizing it in my head just reading the words. I have the ability to visualize things through words, not everyone does apparently. Also, the names don't bother me that much. Actually had more difficulty keep track of all of GRRM's characters. Plus, it's a joy to read a fantasy novel that isn't filled to the brim with violence, often graphic and gory. This has no violence -- or not really any I can see. There's conflict - but its' more realistic and political. Mental and emotional. As opposed to merely physical. It's also a joy to read a fantasy novel with a likable lead character that I don't feel an overwhelming need to strangle or smack upside the head continuously and who doesn't resort to physical violence to obtain his way.)
Maia, the protagonist, is kind. He's empathetic. He genuinely cares for others. The one person that he truly hates - he does not wish vengeance on or to cause injury, he just wishes to not have to be anywhere near him. What a breath of fresh air. I've read over 300 romance novels and have yet to find such a likable and appealing male character. (Unfortunately, for reasons I fail to understand, most romance novelists find domineering/brooding assholes who, without warning, throw violent temper tantrums incredibly appealing. These guys are, or so I've found, more interesting and easier to take in historical romance or fantasy, but in contemporary - it's hard to understand why the heroine is putting up with it. Or their male protagonists are clueless wimps that you want to smack upside the head.)
Anyhow...here's the Good Read's blurb on the book:
( Read more... )
Addison clearly has a great deal to say about sexual politics and well as racial/ethnic discrimination and politics. The main character has been discriminated against and isolated by his father based in part on his heritage and a marriage that was forced upon his father. While raised by a resentful and brutal cousin, he does not become mean or bitter as a result. It discusses how we often make generalizations about "the other" or "demonize them" - but not overly so. It's subtle, not preachy.
I'm rather impressed by the writing and the novel. Fantasy is not easy to pull off - or rather high fantasy, where you have a specific language and world. She does it well.
And the rituals, etc, depicting court life are lovingly rendered. In addition - it's an interesting discussion of power - how heavy it weighs and it isn't necessarily what it seems. Everyone wants it, but few have the capability to wield it well. I've always found that those least inclined towards it or reluctant to have it - often wield it the best, while those who lust for it - should not be allowed within a stone's throw of it.
At any rate, I'm enjoying this book - which means that I may finally be out of my book rut. I think I just needed to completely switch genres. (This was nominated for a HUGO this year, but it should be noted not by the crazy puppy people, but by the sane people. Crazy puppies would hate this book. (eyeroll))
* What I'm reading next?
Flirting with The Martian by Martin Wier and Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie, the first in her three book series. It won the Hugo last year. And her second volumn in the series was nominated this year for one (not by the crazy puppy guys, by the sane people). Have decided to avoid the books nominated by crazy puppies. Well except for Jim Butcher's Skin Game which I already read, before I knew the crazy puppies existed. Damn the internet for making me aware of it. I was happier not knowing such crazy people were out there. (Hint - you know you are a crazy person and need counseling or at least a vacation from pop culture, when you decide to put all your resources into hijacking a prestigious sci-fi fantasy fandom award. Seriously, don't you have better things to do or worry about? These folks wouldn't survive in my world. They just don't have the proper equipment.)
2. On writing Sex Scenes in Novels, and also Romance Novels in general Am officially done with the romance genre, at least for a while. Finally got burned out on the genre, which I'd been binging on for about three years now, with a couple breaks in between. There's only so many variations of girl meets boy, boy screws up royally or girl screws up royally or they both screw up royally, one or the other or both seeks redemption/forgiveness/ or some way back into the other one's pants, they make up and have babies. It's gotten to the point that now I'm more interested in their relationships with the supporting characters, family members, and villains than each other. Also, sigh, there's only so many realistic ways to have sex - and graphic sex scenes are rather boring and unfortunately, unless someone gets raped, dies, loses their virginity, gets pregnant, the sex scene often doesn't do much to further the characters or move the action forward. Sometimes it can - if the writer uses the sex scene to explore a character flaw, strength or their relationship. But that is not easy to do and a lot of writers like to use kinky sex to do it -- which is fine, I actually find that interesting at times. But I've rarely seen it done well. Often it is used in a cliche or stereotypical manner (see 50 Shades of Gray, Sylvia Day's novels, Anne Rice's novels, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer for examples. Although to be fair, Rice is probably the least cliche of the bunch, her's reminded me more of the late-20th Century (ie. 1970-90s) take on the trope, considering she wrote most of them back then - that makes sense...).
( more on writing sex scenes )
3. Wed Reading Meme
*What I just finished reading
The Necromancer (Johannas Cabal #1) by Jonathan Howard -- it was okay. Suffered from some of the same problems that I felt Jim Butcher's Skin Game did. It meanders, there isn't really any true character evolution, and it's hard to follow or care that much about the plot as a result.
Here's the review I posted on Good Reads after I completed it:
( Read more... )
* What I'm reading now?
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (which apparently is a pseudonym for Sara Monette who by the way is
truepenny. A lot of professional sci-fantasy writers on livejournal still.)So far, I'm enjoying it quite a bit and agree with the people who rec'd it to me. (Ironically, I'm enjoying it more than I enjoyed GRRM's books. Ironic, because he didn't like this one as much. But then he cares about different things than I do or we think differently -- for instance? I don't need a map - capable of visualizing it in my head just reading the words. I have the ability to visualize things through words, not everyone does apparently. Also, the names don't bother me that much. Actually had more difficulty keep track of all of GRRM's characters. Plus, it's a joy to read a fantasy novel that isn't filled to the brim with violence, often graphic and gory. This has no violence -- or not really any I can see. There's conflict - but its' more realistic and political. Mental and emotional. As opposed to merely physical. It's also a joy to read a fantasy novel with a likable lead character that I don't feel an overwhelming need to strangle or smack upside the head continuously and who doesn't resort to physical violence to obtain his way.)
Maia, the protagonist, is kind. He's empathetic. He genuinely cares for others. The one person that he truly hates - he does not wish vengeance on or to cause injury, he just wishes to not have to be anywhere near him. What a breath of fresh air. I've read over 300 romance novels and have yet to find such a likable and appealing male character. (Unfortunately, for reasons I fail to understand, most romance novelists find domineering/brooding assholes who, without warning, throw violent temper tantrums incredibly appealing. These guys are, or so I've found, more interesting and easier to take in historical romance or fantasy, but in contemporary - it's hard to understand why the heroine is putting up with it. Or their male protagonists are clueless wimps that you want to smack upside the head.)
Anyhow...here's the Good Read's blurb on the book:
( Read more... )
Addison clearly has a great deal to say about sexual politics and well as racial/ethnic discrimination and politics. The main character has been discriminated against and isolated by his father based in part on his heritage and a marriage that was forced upon his father. While raised by a resentful and brutal cousin, he does not become mean or bitter as a result. It discusses how we often make generalizations about "the other" or "demonize them" - but not overly so. It's subtle, not preachy.
I'm rather impressed by the writing and the novel. Fantasy is not easy to pull off - or rather high fantasy, where you have a specific language and world. She does it well.
And the rituals, etc, depicting court life are lovingly rendered. In addition - it's an interesting discussion of power - how heavy it weighs and it isn't necessarily what it seems. Everyone wants it, but few have the capability to wield it well. I've always found that those least inclined towards it or reluctant to have it - often wield it the best, while those who lust for it - should not be allowed within a stone's throw of it.
At any rate, I'm enjoying this book - which means that I may finally be out of my book rut. I think I just needed to completely switch genres. (This was nominated for a HUGO this year, but it should be noted not by the crazy puppy people, but by the sane people. Crazy puppies would hate this book. (eyeroll))
* What I'm reading next?
Flirting with The Martian by Martin Wier and Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie, the first in her three book series. It won the Hugo last year. And her second volumn in the series was nominated this year for one (not by the crazy puppy guys, by the sane people). Have decided to avoid the books nominated by crazy puppies. Well except for Jim Butcher's Skin Game which I already read, before I knew the crazy puppies existed. Damn the internet for making me aware of it. I was happier not knowing such crazy people were out there. (Hint - you know you are a crazy person and need counseling or at least a vacation from pop culture, when you decide to put all your resources into hijacking a prestigious sci-fi fantasy fandom award. Seriously, don't you have better things to do or worry about? These folks wouldn't survive in my world. They just don't have the proper equipment.)