— In his SXSW 2013 keynote, Dave Grohl reminds us of the importance of doing things for the right reason. (via explore-blog)
(Source: , via explore-blog)
99 Coffins, David Wellington:
I am completely obsessed with any book with vampires in it. I am constantly searching for my next series, it’s a bit of an addiction for me. So when I say David Wellington is one of my favorites, understand what that means. I’ve read everything from Twilight to Dracula with Anne Rice in between, if it’s in pop culture I’ve read it or seen it, I’m taking an entire CLASS to do with vampire literature. And he’s one of my favorites.
13 Bullets is the first in the series, which sets up the lore nicely. And by that I mean these are monsters, not romanticized or sexual objects. They have pointed ears, rows of teeth, red eyes, completely pale skin, they are inhuman in every way imaginable. Their smart, but only use that sense in order to play with victims before (literally) tearing them limb from limb. There’s no love story here. It’s violent, and terrifying.
In this sequel there’s a lot of historical elements. It’s set in Gettysburg in a slightly alternate timeline when vampires have been confirmed to have existed, but are all but extinct. Laura Caxton is hunting any remaining ones down herself, after already being almost killed.
There’s a lot of things about Laura I like. She’s brave, but is constantly admitting to herself how scared she is. She’s smart, but she makes mistakes because she’s human. She doesn’t take shit from anyone, but it still compassionate. She’s also a lesbian, which isn’t so much important as it is to have a strong female character in a book where their sexuality isn’t even close to being the most important or interesting thing about them.
I love the descriptions in this book, everything is laid out for your clearly without ever taking you out of the scene. Nothing is superfluous, everything contributes to making you feel terrified even if you’re sitting in a well lit room in the middle of the day. There’s something about focusing on the horror and not the romance which makes me really respect Wellington’s novels.
They’re fast reads, which makes it more fun. There’s also two sort of plot lines going on at once in each of his books I’ve read, which keeps the action based on Laura suspenseful while still giving you more insight into the story than Laura has. It’s a really interesting way of telling two stories that connect more than anyone in the story is aware of. I love it.
On a bad Monday
I put salt in my coffee
thinking it was cream.
(Source: passivevoice, via theninjaofsexualfrustration)
By Amanda Patterson, creator of Writers Write – How to Write a Book
If you write one page a day you will complete a 365-page novel in a year.
You are crippling yourself by not starting to write. If it seems an overwhelming task to write a whole book, start with an opening paragraph, then a page, then a chapter. Your first sentence is the first step to being published. Most people who want to write have the belief in their creative success systematically driven out of them – by the business world, by their family, their ‘friends’ and their life experiences.
If you were told you were going to die tomorrow, would you regret not having written?
These are the most common excuses we hear at Writers Write:
- Family: I have children. I’m the family taxi. I have to be there for my husband/wife.
- Work: I work long hours. I’m too tired after a day at the office. I have to work overtime so that we can afford a new car / bigger house.
- Time: I’m too busy. I’ll do it tomorrow / next month / next year. I can’t write late at night / early in the morning.
- General: I’m not inspired. I’m too old/young. I’m too tired/depressed/sick.
- Our Favourite: It’s not what you know but who you know in publishing
You can have your book or you can have your excuses. You can’t have both.
All of the above are obviously important but don’t fool yourself, writers write; pretenders to the throne make excuses. The reasons for not writing are laziness and lack of self-discipline.
Do you really want to become a writer?
Writing is lonely. Writing is hard work. Writing is discipline. There is no quick fix and there is no one to applaud or to criticize you. You will be your own boss and you will have to motivate and reward yourself. And after all of this you will face the possibility of rejection – the dedicated writer will not stop here.
Remember: You have permission to write badly. (In your first drafts, of course)
(Source: amandaonwriting)
— New research confirms what we already know about the physical effects of optimism and pessimism. (via explore-blog)
(Source: , via explore-blog)
(Source: amandaonwriting)
Thoughts about books, writing, teaching, learning, drinking coffee, and living. Also, some silliness.
