Ebooks vs. Paperbacks

To be honest, as a reader, I haven't tried reading an ebook yet.  My eyes get tired enough from writing my manuscript, I couldn't imagine reading several chapters of a book at one sitting. I feel like I don't need anymore screen time. I really don't want to worry if the battery is charged for my device when I can pick up a paperback and read it.  I have to borrow the quote from Rupert Giles (BtVS) when asked what he had against computers (this was before the advent of eReaders):  "They don't have a smell."  I think whether a book is old or new, it has a scent.  From my experience from working in a library, a new book smells of fresh ink, where an old book smells of aged paper and years of reading.  A dog-earred book tells of a tale that someone has enjoyed reading numerous times.  Spine wear, edge wear and creases give a book personality.  As a reader, this is just my personal choice.  Although, I certainly won't pass up an opportunity to read a sneak peek of an upcoming novel from my favorite author's web sites!

As a writer, I really don't have a preference and would be happy to see my work published in whatever form a reader desires.  My work came to life on a computer screen and I wouldn't pass up an opportunity just because of my personal preference.

Happy Reading!

Veronica

Machine Gun Preacher

I recently watched Machine Gun Preacher starring Gerard Butler.  That was a powerful film.  Sam Childers' life reminded me of Shawn Michaels (WWE), where he was messing up his life with drugs and his wife convinces him to find God, and he becomes a born-again Christian.  From there, he turns his life around.

I don't think people truly realize what goes on in other parts of the world in this day and age.  Movies such as this one really enlighten us to the atrocities committed by the lesser of humanity.  Part of that sentence is straight from my novel.

Veronica

Breaking Dawn Part 2

I discovered yesterday that they released the new trailer for the last installment of the Twilight Saga:  Breaking Dawn Pt. 2 Trailer  I wouldn't consider myself a "Twihard" fan, but I am looking forward to seeing this movie.  I spent this past spring reading the whole series and couldn't wait to find out what happens in BD2, so I read the entire book.  Since I've seen the first four movies before reading the books, I feel like such a cheater!

I feel a connection with Stephenie Meyer, because I am also a stay-at-home mother of three while writing my first novel.  I also considered majoring in English in college, but I chose a different path at the time.  She is really an inspiration for me.  Though her writing has turned into a very successful career, I think she's made a lot of sacrifices to further that career.

Now on to Edward.  Since Edward can read minds, I tell myself while writing in third person to get inside my characters minds.  I tell myself to be like Edward.  Edward has been an influence for a few of my characters, as well.  You could say he has a few things in common with some of them.  Robert Pattinson makes me sometimes wish that Edward was English.  Have I mentioned that I have a weakness for Englishmen?

I've been toying around with a Twilight inspired novel, but only have a few basic ideas down.  It's nothing like fan fiction or a spin off.  As I've said before, my characters are my own.

Hope you're all enjoying your summer!

Veronica    

Hook the Reader

I am currently reading Amanda Ashley's newest release, His Dark Embrace.  I always find when I read one of her novels that I can't put it down, especially during the first half of the book.  She really knows how to hook the reader's attention.  I had recently read the latest novel from another of my favorite authors and I had a hard time sticking with it.  It could have been because it was a non-paranormal historical and the main characters didn't not have any interaction during the first quarter of the book except for flashbacks.  When the main characters finally did reconnect, that's when it finally caught my interest.

My hope is that I will one day be as exceptional of a writer as Mandy and be able hook the reader as she has done to me numerous times.  I find my characters interesting and there's certainly enough conflict in it.  I have plenty of drama and sometimes I'm afraid that whoever reads it will come after me with torches and pitchforks for what I do to some of the characters!  It's fortunate that I use a pseudonym!


Veronica

Beauty & the Beast

I saw that the CW has a new series coming out this fall called Beauty and the Beast.  I am a fan of the fairytale, the Disney movie, and the TV series starring Linda Hamilton so I plan to watch this new series.  Reading up about it, it sounds like a revival of the 80s TV series as the main characters are Catherine Chandler and Vincent.  Kristen Kreuk (Lana Lang, Smallville) stars as Catherine, who is a police officer this time.  Vincent (Jay Ryan of Terra Nova) morphs into the beast when he's enraged.  I initially thought he was a werewolf when I first saw it.  His teeth and eyes reminded me of the werewolves on the Vampire Diaries when they're transitioning.  I'll be tuning in this fall.  I hope I like it as much as the original!  Here's the link on the CW site if you want to check it out:  Beauty & the Beast

A few months ago, I had an epiphany that my novel sometimes parallels the fairytale and the Disney movie.  This was all done unintentionally on my part.  Some of it is very subtle.  Some readers may find irony in it.  I guess I shouldn't have been surprised since I used to read the fairytale repeatedly in elementary school.  That was about the same time that I discovered my interest in writing.

Veronica

Inspiration

The Phantom of the Opera movie, starring Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum, was on the other night.  I mentioned in a previous post that I was inspired by this film for my novel.  It's amazing how many more ideas came to me while watching it again.

In fact, it was POTO and another film that I saw around the same time that really inspired me (one was seen on DVD.)  There was a line in POTO that I thought would have been perfect for a character in the other film.  The line was Christine's:  "The tears I might have shed for your dark fate, grow cold and turn to tears of hate!"  Which film was it?  Well, that's the fun of writing; making the reader figure it out!  This film was the major inspiration for me.  It inspired me with setting, plot, and some characters.  I think many people will look at it and ask how that film inspired me when it's of an entirely different genre.

Gerry Butler also inspired one of my lead male characters.  I already left a big hint in his introduction post, so all you Tarts/GALS/Gerry fans should be able to pick him out.

Inspiration is a curious thing, isn't it?  I never know where my imagination will take me next.

Veronica

Dialogue

One of the biggest questions I ask myself when writing this historical:  do my characters sound like the English from the early 1800s?  I admit, I sometimes look to Jane Austen for help.  I recently purchased the 2005 release of Pride & Prejudice.  It will help with dialogue, wardrobe ideas and just the general feel of Regency England.  When writing dialogue, I make sure to avoid slang and try to limit the use of contractions.   I feel it makes my characters sound more proper.

Cheers,

Veronica

From the Empire Dress to Cravats

Fashion is another factor for accuracy.  Because of the empire or high-waist dresses, corsets/stays weren't used as often, and because of the smaller, tubular skirt, women did not need heavy undergarments, petticoats or hoops.  However, the waistlines were beginning to fall, which would eventually bring back the corsets.  I think I like the Regency/Empire fashions for women because they look very comfortable compared to other periods.  With an adventurous heroine, it's quite convenient.

In my opinion, men's fashions started to become more masculine.  Shirts no longer had lacy trim.  Knee breeches came down to the knee and the calf would be covered by stockings.  Shoes with a buckle were worn to complete the look.  I'm not crazy about this look, though it was formal wear, I prefer the men to wear knee-high boots instead that were named after military heroes, such as Hessians or Wellingtons.  For a casual/informal wear, pantaloons were worn that became longer until they finally reached the ankle.  I do have a character who tends to defy fashion and creates his own trends. 

What I find kind of fun is to watch period films and check out the costume design.  Those designers really have to do their research!

Veronica

Had This Been Invented Yet?

One difficulty about writing a historical is accuracy.  I have to do quite a bit of research.  I have to look up when an item was invented if I'm not certain.  I remember I had to look up shotgun, because I didn't know if it had been invented by 1820.  If memory serves me right, it had.  I also discovered that Scotland Yard was formed in 1829, so I couldn't refer to them.  Even though the airplane hadn't been invented, the concept of the "air carriage" had been created by then.  It's quite a history lesson, I tell you.

I'll discuss fashion in my next post.  I love historical costume!

Veronica    

Top 5 Deathbed Regrets of Writers

I received an email last week from AWAI (American Writers & Artists, Inc.) titled, "The Top 5 Deathbed Regrets of Writers."  It was pretty much a ploy to sell memberships, so I won't include the link, but I liked some of the thoughts the writers had.  Here are the top 5 regrets: 
“I’d never know if I could have made it.”
“I’d never find my voice.”
“I’d never get to show others what I’m capable of.”
“I’d hate not having the freedom to do what I want.”
And the top answer of all, was:

“I couldn’t live a life true to myself.”

They then proceeded with building the sale:

"Start by asking yourself five important questions. Right now, ask yourself …

Will I regret never knowing if I could have made it?

Could my words make a difference to someone?
Don’t I want others to know the real me?
Shouldn’t I take charge of my life now instead of waiting till it’s too late?
Don’t I deserve to be happy?"

I put the most significant for me in bold.  Some of you are probably asking why a closet writer would ask herself those questions, and my answer is I don't plan to stay in the closet forever.  I do want others to know the "real me."  I just want to have my first novel completed and in print when they find out.  Here's the hard copy; please do not tell me I'm chasing a dream.  I do want my words to make a difference to someone, as others have made a difference to me.

Veronica