Farewell Summer ends with an Afterword, in which Ray Bradbury writes about his approach to writing. Fascinating stuff. I have just selected a few nuggets. If you want more, you will have to read the book yourself.
(If you are interested in my thoughts about this novel, read my review on Ruthless Reading)
The book ends with an Afterword, in which Ray Bradbury writes about his approach to writing. For me, this was fascinating stuff. I have just selected a few nuggets from the Afterword. If you want more, you will have to Continue reading “Ray Bradbury writes about writing.”
It would be really sad to be learning from a writer whose books I don’t actually like. Therefore, it was a big relief to find that I enjoyed Holly’s book immensely and will be trying to track down more.
Have spent the past couple of weeks reading books avidly, instead of writing. I have tried to choose books from different genres, revisiting some old friends and reappraising some new ones.
Fiction:
I follow Holly Lisle on her blog and I am working my way through one of her online writing courses ‘Create a Plot Clinic’. Deciding it was high time I actually read one of her books, and unable to find copies in my local bookshops, I ordered Talyn from my local library (cost me 25p). It would be really sad to be learning from a writer whose books I don’t actually like. Therefore, it was a big relief to find that I enjoyed Holly’s book immensely and will be trying to track down more.
Visit my Ruthless Readings site to see my blog on Talyn, by Holly Lisle
Took me a while to get into this book. I normally love Ray Bradbury – both his science fiction and non-SF books – and I count his Dandelion Wine as one of the finest books I have ever read. I found Farewell Summer hard going. But, in the final few chapters, this book finally came alive for me – so alive, I started it again and read it through from the beginning. (This is the first time I have ever read a book through, twice, all in one sitting). Read my review here.
Being one of our most respected authors, I was disappointed in the first, and only, Ian McEwan book I have ever read – On Chesil Beach. There is a certain dis-engaged style to his writing that I have difficulty with. I decided to give him another try. And I have to report that I enjoyed Black Dogs.
Philip K. Dick is a great science fiction writer. I had never heard of Minority Report until the film came out. And it was a great film. I hope the book lives up to my expectations. Finished the book – actually a collection of short stories – and I saved Minority report to last. What did I think of it? Read my review of Minority Report on my Ruthless Reading blog.
I know I have not been writing much recently. And still have my NaNoWriMo novel with the final chapters to do.
I am following Stephen King’s advice. He says they way to learn about writing is to read.
So, I have been reading.
And who have I been reading?
Stephen King of course!
This is the first Stephen King novel I have ever read. Shame on me.
I have posted some comments about this particular book, Bag of Bones, on my Ruthless Reading site.
Water for Elephants is a NaNoWriMo book, by Sarah Gruen.
It came in the top 10 (at number 7, to be exact) of the #FridayReads group in Twitter, for the 1st week in Jan 2011.
I am going to order it from my local library. Tomorrow.
Or, maybe, buy it from Amazon.
Another Monday, another microfiction prompt from Stony River. Tell a story in 140 characters.
Here is mine.
After she kissed the frog, she realised her fairy godmother had mixed up the spells. The ugly monster was so pleased, she couldn’t tell him.
Ruth Livingstone 