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Books – So Far, This Year

Courtney Johnson — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:54:06 +0000

Or… Yeah, that’s right, I laid around feeling tired and crabby for three months. Plenty of time to read!

2010 has been a busy year for me, reading and writing-wise. I’ve been working through the hopefully last round of edits for TWD and while it’s slower-going than I’d hoped, I see light at the end of the tunnel. In the realm of reading, though, I’ve been racing through books, devouring some of these in a single night. I tend to view reading as the most important part of learning to write, but I won’t pretend that was my reason here. Mornings spent sick and evenings spent on the couch meant lots of time to just sink in and I took advantage of it.

It’s been a mixed year so far, but it’s been fun. For your perusal and judgment, my life in books, April 2010 edition.

Currently Reading: A Confederacy of Dunces (John Kennedy Toole) – So fantastic, so funny, so weird. In that order. I’ll admit, this isn’t exactly an easy read. It’s wordy and overwhelming sometimes, and doesn’t leave the reader with the sense of being able to breeze through. It is, though, a pleasurable mountain to climb. The characters are odd, from the way they talk to the way they think, and there isn’t a single perfect one among them. I’d recommend this to most people, but only with the cautionary tale: don’t take this one to the beach. Might close your valve.

Naomi’s Room(Jonathan Aycliffe) – I devoured this in a night and loved it. One of the better horror novels I’ve read in ages, despite the end-predictability of it. The true magic here comes from being able to read it so quickly. The simple language and careful mounting of tension is all the more effective because I read it in a single sitting. The tension was never lost in day to day living. Read it at night, but with a light nearby. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting the creeps at times. Delight in it.

The Lacuna (Barbara Kingsolver) – Another book that I couldn’t put down. It’s length makes it impossible to read “quickly” or in just a few sittings, but it never failed to hold my interest. I haven’t read all of Kingsolver’s books (though I’d like to) but Poisonwood Bible is on my list of favorite reads and is a book I revisit every few years. When I saw The Lacuna I picked it up immediately. The characters are excellent in the story, and I love the intermingling of history with the story. From bright and colorful Mexico to a sleepy town in North Carolina, the story covers an impressive breadth of history and the main character slips alongside some interesting figures, including Diego and Frida Kahlo Rivera and Leon Trotsky. This is the rare book that left me sad to leave the story and I’d recommend it to almost anyone, to read anytime.

You Suck (Christopher Moore) – I couldn’t have more love for an author I so recently learned about, but Christopher Moore has quickly moved to one of the top spots on my “Favorite Author” list. I’m slowly working my way through all of his books and each one leaves me laughing and snerking and just loving it. He appears on this list three times this year – surely that counts for something?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larrson) – I love, love, loved this. Couldn’t put it down and stayed up late one night just to read it through. The writing is fast-paced and the newness of the settings pulled me into the story in a way that was unexpected. I loved that it wasn’t dripping with emotion, that it relied so heavily on the action to pull me through. I’ve already got the next book in my Amazon shopping cart. This is another book I’d recommend.

Also in progress!Wolf Hall (Hilary Mantel) – Once I realized what was happening with the lack of antecedent for the main character, I was able to sink into this story. This is probably one of my favorite historical periods to read about; I love the natural scandal that arises here. The story is told from the perspective of Cromwell, and Mantel’s take on him feels fresh and unique. I’m not devouring this as quickly as I might other novels, but that’s just because there’s so much to absorb.

A Dirty Job (Christopher Moore) – It’s weird and hilarious, like everything else he’s done. I don’t even really feel the need to say much else – the book is just too good to not get.

Saving Fish from Drowning (Amy Tan) – My husband picked this up for me last year and I’d been slowly reading through it. It was slower to get going, for me, but once “we’d” set off on the voyage through Asia with the characters in the story, I slipped into the story. It didn’t have the resonance of The Joy Luck Club and I didn’t find myself as enamored with the characters. Still recommended reading though, if only for the settings and story. The ending is melancholy, but disguised as happy in certain respects.

Belly Laughs (Jenny McCarthy) – Why is this here? Because I’m pregnant and spent the first week after I’d found out reading books and scouring the web. I won’t go into detail, but it still makes it on the list. I’m nothing if not methodical.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting (Heidi Murkoff) – See above.

Downtown Owl (Chuck Klosterman) – I love this. The setting reminds me of Garrison Keillor, but the tone is anything but. In many ways, the town of Owl is like the Gen-X version of anything Keillor ever wrote about. There’s lots of drinking and swearing, but there’s still a freak-blizzard. Another book I loved this year. There were many.

Columbine (Dave Cullen) – I live in Colorado, less than twenty minutes from Columbine. I remember this day (though I did not live in CO at the time,) forever etched in my memory. I think, for many people, it would be the same. The profiles and story presented here are amazing, changing the way I looked at the massacre. There was a certain spookiness to reading about places that I now know so well and it’s hard to believe that ten years have passed.

Rant (Chuck Palahnuik) – I read this on a plane, which is a tough place for such a book. The narrative itself is at times confusing, given that it jumps so frequently amongst several different POVs, but there are several points that are laugh-out-loud funny. This book is responsible for the weird books that have dotted my spring, and between it, and several unpublished books I read for critique feedback, really started a strong lover for strange and abstract fiction.

Lamb (Christopher Moore) – Another great one – and in many ways, his most accessible novel. The subject matter, being The Gospel according to Biff (Jesus’ best childhood friend) may be touchy for some, but I found that, overall, it was really well done, even respectful. Another recommended read!

I like my critiques with a side of conversation and a heavy dash of craft advice.

Courtney Johnson — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:44:07 +0000

At this point in my writing, I’ve found that having my work critiqued is the most valuable process I can go through. On Critique Circle, I’m currently running TWD through that process, and it’s invaluable.

I’ve met some amazing people through this process, who not only understand the story, but also what I’m trying to achieve. They’ve been invaluable.

I’ve also grown to develop a preference for types of critiques, and while I refuse to say “I only want these,” I find that I also tend to give the types of critiques I want to receive.

I like to critique in a more conversational style, because I feel it’s more true to the idea of a writing group. If the online crit process happened in real life, no one would be overly happy with a crit partner that just points out missed commas and calls it a day. Not only do I try to provide at least a mechanical suggestion (usually no more than just a quick rearrangement of the existing words) but I try to give reasons why.

I avoid spending too much time on grammar and sentence construction, despite the important I believe it has, even in the early stages. My reasons for this are simple: the internet is full of grammar resources. I’ll point out large-scale problems (such as dialogue construction or problems with tense) but for most small things, I let it go. I don’t subscribe to the idea that “That’s what a copyeditor is for!” but I figure the writer will eventually get to the point where they’re happy with the writing and ready to start submitting, they’re going to go through than MS with a fine-toothed comb.

I like to talk about craft, which I view as the larger side of writing, that includes mechanics, style, flow, pacing, etc. This is the art of words, and I find it infinitely important to the art of storytelling. I try and point out awkward word choices or choppy writing. I try to mention how the story feels: whether or not it has good flow, or how dialogue works.

I try to point out the overuse of adverbs (guilty!) or passive voice (guilty!) but I also try to explain WHY. Too many critters are wont to say “Too many adverbs – search for those -ly endings and get rid of them!” even when that’s not actually the best way to handle it. This article is a great reason why we have to pay greater attention to HOW they’re used. It’s not always bad, and sometimes, it actually is the best way to write the sentence (but probably not why you think!)

The same holds true for passive voice or alternate verb tenses.

Giving positive feedback goes out without saying.

I also try to give a summary view at the end of my crit regarding my reaction to the chapter as a whole, and perhaps even my reaction to the complete story so far. I feel this is a vital step in the process, one that helps to unite all of my previous critiques with the overall feeling I’m walking away with. There are many times when I find it necessary to let the author know: Yeah, I found some pretty picky issues, but overall, I think this is a strong start, or part, or whatever.

Most importantly, I try to know who the writer is. Are they new? Are they writing for publication or hobby? Are they looking for nitpicks, or a general critique on things like plot flow? How much do I know about the genre they’re writing in?

There’s no one way to give a critique, and it’s important to know your audience, so to speak. Cindy over at Dreamer’s Perch gives her opinion on critiques gone wrong, and it’s also been a point of discussion over at CC quite a lot lately.

What kind of feedback are you looking for in a critique?

Media – My Daily Absorbtion

Courtney Johnson — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:30:28 +0000

So, I’m a reader. It’s what got me started in writing – that need to create the story that I wanted to read.

I read, far more than I write, usually at the rate of about 2 books/week, sometimes more, sometimes less.

I also absorb any and all types of media. I love music, movies, and tv shows. I watch YouTube, I read my news online everyday and I use the Kindle app on my iPhone.

I know many people are snobby about what they view as art, and authors are just as guilty as any other artist. I’ve come across other writers who only read Literary Fiction or who think the only films worth watching are Indie films. I draw my own personal line at most reality television and a handful of specific types of music, considerably lower on the totem pole than many other writers/authors.

Is that a negative thing? I don’t think so. Generally, I think that anything with creative roots is worth examining. I’m not going to pretend that all books, or television shows, or movies are epic, with stories that transcend time and place, loaded with meaningful characters and important themes, but is that so wrong?

When it become bad to simply be entertained?

It’s probably always been a facet of human culture: looking down on those who have baser tastes in their preferred form of entertainment. But is it really necessary? In an increasing global world, where everyone with $9 for a domain name suddenly has a platform, is it still necessary to be so narrow in our searches for fun entertainment or is it time to open your mind to the pleasures that come from a fun, fast-paced story?

My Life in Books

Courtney Johnson — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:07:36 +0000

Over the past several months, I’ve found that more and more of my reading time has been slowly sucked up by my writing. I could easily write one of those posts on the whole writing process (or lack thereof) that I try to use, but it basically boils down to writing, reading about writing, researching and finally, more writing.

Like many other writers, there are nights where I have to pried away from the keyboard. There are also plenty of nights where I can’t even open up the laptop.

The past couple of weeks have been slow for me, writing-wise. I’m in the middle of a fairly large overhaul of the first half of my story. It’s mostly a lot of scene rearrangement and fine-tuning some new material. Not exactly my favorite part of the process.

In lieu of the usual three to four hours a day dedicated to the “process,” I’ve been filling that time with lots of reading. I’m slowly starting to discover that reading is as much a part of the process for me as anything else. My love of writing comes almost completely from my love of books. For fun, I’d thought I’d start to document some of that as well, and this happened to be a particularly good time.

Like many others – countless others – I pre-ordered The Lost Symbol and started it the day it arrived.

I’ll freely admit that I devoured The Da Vinci Code the day I bought it, simply because it was just so fun. The Lost Symbol is no different, though I didn’t finish it until today. My initial reaction is quite positive; overall I like it better than his previous books. DC is a great backdrop and it definitely fueled my desire to visit again. The story was mostly fast-paced, though I did get a little bogged down in some of the description. I can’t pretend it’s the best writing I’ve ever read, but it’s undeniably entertaining.

Prior to starting The Lost Symbol I finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies which I can’t recommend highly enough. I know some people have problems with it, including fans of the original story, but I honestly think it’s one of the more enjoyable books I’ve read lately. I read P&P when I was thirteen or so, and while I certainly appreciated the story, Austen’s writing can be a bit…dry. Zombies was a fresh, amusing look at the story, and the new material sets Austen’s writing as a strong satirical device.

In that vein, I also picked up Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. I haven’t started it yet, but the cover is perfection.

The other books on my immediate reading list range from cookbooks to historical non-fiction to urban fantasy and the deluge shows no signs of stopping.

What’s your ratio of reading to writing? Do you tend to read in “cycles” – reading tons of books in a short period before the rush wanes?

The Helpfulness of Others

Courtney Johnson — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:17:58 +0000

I’ve hit my crit limit for my first chapter at CC and I can say, beyond a doubt, that I would recommend it to most anyone, at least to try.

The five crits I received were very helpful and I am thankful to those people willing to give them. It was great to get some feedback from people with experience in the business.

I’m able to look at the chapter from a fresh perspective and it’s been a great help so far.

In reading-related news, I’m currently devouring PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES which is predictably hilarious.

Read a Novel…

Courtney Johnson — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:45:03 +0000

–and learn more about life.

So goes the sage wisdom from tonight’s fortune cookie. It seems appropriate, and like good advice for now. I’m currently reading (my favorite past-time, of course) STANDING NEXT TO HISTORY. It’s interesting, but it’s not a fiction novel.