Friday, January 26, 2007

Friday 20

(Jordan did this to me. And she will pay.)

Womens Fiction Book Meme

Contemporary, Historical, or Paranormal? Unless it's Balogh, Valdez, or I can't get to sleep, not historical.

Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback? You have to ask? Mass market paperback.

Heyer or Austen? Please. Austen.

Amazon or Brick and Mortar? Amazon's business practices drove me back to brick and mortar.

Barnes & Noble or Borders? Barnes & Noble online, mainly because they aren't affiliated with Amazon, and they've always given me great customer service. Borders brick and mortar because their store is less stodgy and their stock more interesting.

Woodiwiss or Lindsay? Hmmm. Who to choose. Lindsay because she's more prolific. And she has better hair.

First romance novel you ever remember reading? True romance? "Bride of the Rif" by Margaret Rome. And yep, I still have the book.

Alphabetize by author Alphabetize by title or random? Author then pub date, genre, and degree of re-readability. What? It's my system.

Keep, Throw Away or Sell? Always donate or pass along to family, friends and readers.

Read with dustjacket or remove it? Dustjacket stays on lately because the pup likes to chew anything made of paper.

Sookie Stackhouse or Anita Blake? I have to admit, I've given up on both.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks? Read straight through or stop at whatever point in the book I am when the current domestic crisis reaches critical mass.

It was a dark and stormy night or Once upon a time? Who wrote this meme? My mother? Neither.

Crusie or SEP? In a cage match? Definitely Susan.

Buy or Borrow? Buy unless out of print, then borrow.

Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse? Wave the pork butt in front of the starved tiger's nose, why don't you? Recs or browse.

Tidy ending or Cliffhanger? Cliffhanger. Or, if you're my editor and you're reading this, tidy ending.

Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading? Quantum reading. I like to read when I'm relaxing in the particle accelerator.

Series or standalone? Exemplary standalones that don't leave me wanting to punch out the author over the ending; otherwise, bring on the series.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?
La nuit des temps par René Barjavel.

To be extra mean, I'm tagging everyone who asks a question in comments today.

42 comments:

  1. LOL! Laughing is not a question. :P

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  2. Ha ha. Good one.

    And this is a "Woman's Meme" so, since I'm a guy, I am immune . . .

    . . . er, um . . . (where is that damn delete comment key)

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  3. Anonymous7:11 AM

    Jordan wrote: LOL! Laughing is not a question

    Sure. Just like the Jordan Summers meme I'm writing is not revenge.

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  4. Anonymous7:12 AM

    Paul wrote: And this is a "Woman's Meme" so, since I'm a guy, I am immune . . .

    No, you're not. You're tagged, is what you are.

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  5. Anonymous7:53 AM

    oh, man.... i wouldn't be surprised if people were too afraid to ask questions today.

    and that was a comment. *G*

    Jordan... I still refuse to accept blame.

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  6. Anonymous7:58 AM

    I have a question but I don't have a blog on which to meme, mwahaha! (Well I do, but it's private so that would defeat the purpose, eh?)

    How do you shut up your Inner Editor? We've been doing amazing free-writes and stuff in class, and I'm going, How come I can't do this during my writing time? and I think it's because I am afeard of myself and think too much. So! Aside from zen and yoga, anyway. Not that I don't like yoga, mind you... yah shutting up now.

    Oh -- motivational tip that Jess has finally started doing: "Make it a rule that you aren't allowed to check your email until you have written x number of pages." And subsequently, "Can't log onto AIM until x number of pages times five." (For me x=1-2, haha.)
    Jess

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  7. Anonymous8:13 AM

    Shiloh wrote: oh, man.... i wouldn't be surprised if people were too afraid to ask questions today.

    Hey, if I have to do a meme, EVERYBODY has to do a meme.

    Jordan... I still refuse to accept blame.

    Just remember, Ms. Walker, Jordan gets her revenge tips from me.

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  8. Anonymous8:30 AM

    Jess wrote: I have a question but I don't have a blog on which to meme, mwahaha! (Well I do, but it's private so that would defeat the purpose, eh?)

    Then you have to do it for homework. And it will count toward your semester grade. :)

    How do you shut up your Inner Editor?

    I tell the evil bitch to go read a SF novel and leave me alone.

    We've been doing amazing free-writes and stuff in class, and I'm going, How come I can't do this during my writing time?

    Threats like "I'm going to give up novel writing and compose nothing but dirty limericks for the rest of my life" also work pretty well.

    and I think it's because I am afeard of myself and think too much. So! Aside from zen and yoga, anyway. Not that I don't like yoga, mind you... yah shutting up now.

    We're related, aren't we? You're my third cousin twice removed. Lol.

    Oh -- motivational tip that Jess has finally started doing: "Make it a rule that you aren't allowed to check your email until you have written x number of pages." And subsequently, "Can't log onto AIM until x number of pages times five." (For me x=1-2, haha.)

    Very effective. I should make one that if I don't get my quota for the day, *I* have to read a SF novel.

    Seriously, I am able to purge the Inner Editor during writing time by giving her the chance to edit new material I write every day. Knowing I'll be editing it later frees me from the urge to backtrack and rewrite while I'm getting the words down.

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  9. Can I watch when you torture Jordan? She got me too!

    I mean, I've got 2 brothers so I know a lot about revenge, but I figure you know all about revenge and I could use the tips.

    Because, you know, I blame the whole thing on Colleen Gleason, who started it.

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  10. Austen is Women's Fiction? Thought it was literachoor. Love it, whatever you want to call it.

    Okay, here's my question. Where the hell is my copy of Persuasion? Or should I just buy another one?

    My copy of Quarantine (yes, an SF novel) got magically replaced when my dad decided to purge his book collection. I could just wait...

    Okay, here's the real question. If she appears in book one to spurn our protagonist, then marries him in book three, how much of an appearance should she make in book two? She has only one token scene and I'm beginning to think it's not enough. Yes, it's an SF novel, okay a series, but still, they do fall in love.

    *off to do the meme like a good sqrl*

    (you're going to check, right?)

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  11. I'm not posting a question - I just wanted to let you know I posted a review of Afterburn on my blog - and I wanted you to know that I really enjoyed reading it!

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  12. Anonymous10:17 AM

    Hey, if I have to do a meme, EVERYBODY has to do a meme. but i already did mine.. so i'm ahead of the game, right?

    ;p

    and if colleen gleason started it, i'm all for placing the blame on her shoulders. *G*

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  13. Anonymous10:20 AM

    I'm the same way when it comes to Borders and B&N. I love the feel of Borders brick building. I can find everything and feel comfortable in a homey way. When it comes to online ordering, I always use B&N. Partially because of the spend $25 get free shipping and because I like their website.

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  14. In a cage match? Definitely Susan.

    LMAO!!!!!! I got it for never having read a Crusie book!

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  15. Crusie or SEP? OK, I feel stupid, but....who is SEP?

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  16. Anonymous10:53 AM

    >> Amazon or Brick and Mortar? Amazon's
    >> business practices drove me back to
    >> brick and mortar.

    Could you expand on this? Or do you have a link to a previous blog of this topic?

    Thanks,
    Michael Snell

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  17. Oy, I got hit with taggage. LOL It's okay...I'll survive. ^_^ I did come by with a question for you today. Here it goes:

    A friend and I were wondering about the importance of going to conferences. We are both wondering what is the purpose of going, and what we should expect to bring away from it. What is the real reason a beginning author should attend?

    Although I've thought a lot about it, I've never been to a single conference. I kinda feel like it would be a waste of time and money for me at this point. I don't have anything to shop around, and in truth I'm cozy in my little neck of the writing woods. I'm terrified of agents for another thing, so elbow rubbing is not an excuse for me to go. Aside from getting to meet a few friends face to face, and probably even a few I'd rather keep at online distance, I don't know why I should go.

    On the other hand, Nationals are coming up in Dallas, and that is actually within driving distance for me, so if I were planning to go this would be the time to do it. What do you think? What's the most I could expect to take away from attending?

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  18. "Quantum reading. I like to read when I'm relaxing in the particle accelerator."

    That made my weekend. Too funny.

    And, I'm going to ask a question since I did this meme yesterday. ;)

    Do you have any previous posts that focus on the subject of pitching do's and don'ts? If not, any advice?

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  19. Anonymous11:58 AM

    Obviously a lot of people *want* to do this meme.

    I'll do it for the great procrastination potential... and so I have something to post about today.

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  20. I bought a new copy of Persuasion anyway. It's the only way to make the original copy show itself.

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  21. I have a question regarding research for SF. Physics was never my best subject in school and it's been years so is there anyway for me to do the necessary research without wading through piles of incomprehensible (to me) articles and papers? Is there a 'Guide to Physics for Dummy SF Writers'? I don't want to derail nit-picking readers with any glaring errors.

    And what does a particle accelerator do (don't tell me it accelerates particles, PBW, I figured that part out for myself)?

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  22. Anonymous6:00 PM

    Yay! I'll do it, mostly because I was needing something to post, ha h.

    Okay, so...How do you keep your characters from coming out sounding like cliches?

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  23. Anonymous7:52 PM

    May wrote: Can I watch when you torture Jordan? She got me too!

    Egad, is there no end to the havoc this woman causes?

    I mean, I've got 2 brothers so I know a lot about revenge, but I figure you know all about revenge and I could use the tips.

    That explains a lot about you -- I've got two brothers as well. With revenge, patience is the key. Wait a few months or years, lull them into a false sense of security, then pin the explicit photographs of them in that Playboy Bunny costume to their church bulletin board.

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  24. Anonymous8:03 PM

    BuffySquirrel wrote: Austen is Women's Fiction? Thought it was literachoor. Love it, whatever you want to call it.

    I refuse to let the lit-heads have Austen. She's ours.

    Okay, here's my question. Where the hell is my copy of Persuasion? Or should I just buy another one?

    I borrowed it, along with a cup of sugar and that diamond necklace that was gathering dust in your jewelry armoire.

    My copy of Quarantine (yes, an SF novel) got magically replaced when my dad decided to purge his book collection. I could just wait...

    True. And by the way, those rumors about me and your father are totally false. We're just good friends.

    Okay, here's the real question. If she appears in book one to spurn our protagonist, then marries him in book three, how much of an appearance should she make in book two? She has only one token scene and I'm beginning to think it's not enough.

    Unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances (like an Evil Overlord type threatening to slaughter her entire family, which he is secretly holding hostage, if she doesn't marry the protag) it's a bit hard to go from spurned to married with only one scene between.

    You don't have to invent a lot of scenes to cover the relationship. Offstage references can let the reader know how the relationship is changing and progressing. I've been doing a lot of that with Alexandra and Michael from the Darkyn books: one or two scenes per book focused on their relationship, and then the rest in dialogue references to things that happen between books, in the background, etc.

    *off to do the meme like a good sqrl*

    (you're going to check, right?)


    Absolutely. ;)

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  25. Anonymous8:06 PM

    Sam wrote: I'm not posting a question - I just wanted to let you know I posted a review of Afterburn on my blog - and I wanted you to know that I really enjoyed reading it!

    Okay, you're excused from doing the meme. But next time... (wagging finger)

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  26. Anonymous8:12 PM

    Scooper wrote: I'm the same way when it comes to Borders and B&N. I love the feel of Borders brick building. I can find everything and feel comfortable in a homey way.

    Borders is more reader-friendly, I think, with their set up and stock arrangement. I love the informality of their stock arrangements and table displays because it's welcoming -- you want to pick up the books. B&N stores have the exact opposite feel: regimented and dull. I feel like I'm in a church that I'm not dressed well enough to attend.

    When it comes to online ordering, I always use B&N. Partially because of the spend $25 get free shipping and because I like their website.

    Agreed. Their packaging and shipping is also excellent; I never get crushed or banged-up books from B&N.

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  27. Anonymous9:49 PM

    Amie wrote: I got it for never having read a Crusie book!

    I think that's a felony in Ohio.

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  28. Anonymous9:51 PM

    Julie wrote: Crusie or SEP? OK, I feel stupid, but....who is SEP?

    There are no stupid questions. :) SEP is romance writer shorthand for author Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

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  29. Thanks for giving me something to blog about. I always have lots of ideas, until I sit down to post something and then....sigh.

    I have a question: how much detail do you use to establish setting. I’m working on changing my ebook into a novel and would like to make London a character in its own right (which it is :o) ). But I’m trying to find a good balance between writing a travelogue and making people who’ve never been feel left out somehow. I know there are no hard and fast rules, but any helpful hints would be most appreciated.

    I’m off to do the meme now. Wish me luck, it’s my first. Eek!

    My word verification is kloduj, do you think its related to Kujo?

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  30. Anonymous10:35 PM

    Michael wrote: Could you expand on this? Or do you have a link to a previous blog of this topic?

    My problems with Amazon.com started back in 1999, when it was revealed that they were being paid by publishers for web site feature space. Amazon.com then became embroiled in an offshore labor scandal. Wal-Mart sued Amazon.com over Amazon hiring away large numbers of their IT personnel (presumably gain knowledge of Wal-Mart's business practices.)

    Personally, after dealing with the hysterics of a disturbed young woman whom Amazon.com basically dumped in my lap by not adhering to their own review policies, I decided to go back to the brick and mortar stores.

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  31. Anonymous10:57 PM

    Cora wrote: A friend and I were wondering about the importance of going to conferences. We are both wondering what is the purpose of going, and what we should expect to bring away from it. What is the real reason a beginning author should attend?

    I think romance conferences are best for the workshops and possibly networking with other writers; also you can often get an appointment at them to pitch an editor or agent. That would be the primary reasons attending might be of some value to a beginning author.

    Although I've thought a lot about it, I've never been to a single conference. I kinda feel like it would be a waste of time and money for me at this point. I don't have anything to shop around, and in truth I'm cozy in my little neck of the writing woods. I'm terrified of agents for another thing, so elbow rubbing is not an excuse for me to go. Aside from getting to meet a few friends face to face, and probably even a few I'd rather keep at online distance, I don't know why I should go.

    I stopped going to conferences for almost the exact same reasons. I am not a schmoozer, and I dislike crowds and bars. I got more out of using the money I would have spent on conferences by investing it in new computers, better printers, much-needed software and various self-promotion projects.

    On the other hand, Nationals are coming up in Dallas, and that is actually within driving distance for me, so if I were planning to go this would be the time to do it. What do you think? What's the most I could expect to take away from attending?

    I think you'd probably get to attend a few great workshops and spend a very short amount time with your friends (who are probably going to have tight schedules of their own.) Since you don't have anything to pitch, it would be a waste to meet with an editor or agent. If you're willing to stand in line for a few hours, you might get some of the big name authors to sign books for you during the literacy signing. But really, that's about it, and as expensive as cons are, I don't think it's worth it.

    If your friends are going to be in town, why not invite them to meet up with you away from the con? You guys can get together for a meal, relax, talk (something that is very difficult to do at a con) and you won't end up paying $500.00 for the privilege.

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  32. Anonymous11:10 PM

    Heather wrote: Do you have any previous posts that focus on the subject of pitching do's and don'ts? If not, any advice?

    Previous PBW posts about pitching:

    Novel IV: Pitch, Pitch Tools, Practice -- and for laughs, Ten Novel Pitches You Probably Shouldn't Make.

    My advice on pitching is always to keep it clear, simple, and high-impact.

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  33. Anonymous11:20 PM

    Rosina wrote: Obviously a lot of people *want* to do this meme.

    I'm recruiting them to join my army of vengeance. Rosina, you ever work with C-4?

    I'll do it for the great procrastination potential... and so I have something to post about today.

    :) The only alternative is Meme Therapy, which I promised not to call the blogging equivalent of Thorazine anymore.

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  34. Anonymous11:23 PM

    BuffySquirrel wrote: I bought a new copy of Persuasion anyway. It's the only way to make the original copy show itself.

    After someone borrowed my fourth copy of Sense and Sensibility and never returned it, I bought a huge doorstop edition of her complete works. It's too big and heavy for anyone to steal, and I can cross-reference between the books without getting up.

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  35. Anonymous11:40 PM

    Dawn wrote: I have a question regarding research for SF. Physics was never my best subject in school and it's been years so is there anyway for me to do the necessary research without wading through piles of incomprehensible (to me) articles and papers? Is there a 'Guide to Physics for Dummy SF Writers'? I don't want to derail nit-picking readers with any glaring errors.

    There is a Physics for Dummies book available, but I've not read it so I can't tell you if it would be helpful. I think the one I've read that would be most helpful to you might be The Handy Physics Answer Book.

    And what does a particle accelerator do (don't tell me it accelerates particles, PBW, I figured that part out for myself)?

    A particle accelerator uses electricity to propel charged particles (stuff like electrons that are in their basic form and can't be split into smaller parts) at high velocity and contains all this with magnetic fields.

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  36. Anonymous11:42 PM

    TL wrote: I'm with you on about ten of those. Well, maybe not the particle accelerator. I'd like to know what that is.

    See answer above. :)

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  37. Anonymous11:51 PM

    Jason wrote: Okay, so...How do you keep your characters from coming out sounding like cliches?

    I try to balance characters by giving them as many flaws as they have good qualities, and have them show both in the story. The cliche character is a stereotype; a realistic character is one who can't be so easily pegged.

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  38. Thank you so much, PBW! Best answer ever. :)

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  39. Anonymous12:12 AM

    Ann wrote: ...how much detail do you use to establish setting. I’m working on changing my ebook into a novel and would like to make London a character in its own right (which it is :o) ). But I’m trying to find a good balance between writing a travelogue and making people who’ve never been feel left out somehow. I know there are no hard and fast rules, but any helpful hints would be most appreciated.

    I have a lifelong problem with writing narrative-type setting description, as I have complained in the past. In as much as I will blow up things to avoid describing them. :)

    I've been getting more and more into what I call active setting -- describing the location with how it relates to the characters in it versus just rattling off a lot of travelogue-type prose. Or I use characters to illustrate setting through action, as I did with a character parody piece I wrote here.

    In spite of my prejudice, I do feel that less is more with setting because descriptive prose slows down the pacing mto a crawl. I'd recommend picking the most interesting aspects of your setting and keep your descriptions of those aspects short and sweet.

    I’m off to do the meme now. Wish me luck, it’s my first. Eek!

    Break a keyboard, lady. :)

    My word verification is kloduj, do you think its related to Kujo?

    Hmmm, not sure. Kloduj sounds more like a vicious species of scarlet-throated biped raiders who live on a volcanic planet in the N-Jui system.

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  40. Oh, that diamond necklace. Just don't leave it in the sun!

    Thanks for the answer, PBW :). They do have some scenes in book 3 before the wedding, but I didn't want the reader to forget all about her in book 2. One beta reader said her volte face came out of the blue, so probably I need to work harder on their relationship (it's in my head, not on the page).

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  41. Anonymous10:38 PM

    Can I tag someone else if I post an answer?

    CERN, the world's largest particle accelerator, is also where the Web was invented. (Tim Berners-Lee was working there.) As such, they have a pretty good web page, including a nice "Accelerators for Dummies" section with some good pictures:
    http://public.web.cern.ch/Public/Content/Chapters/AboutCERN/HowStudyPrtcles/HowStudyPrtcles-en.html

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  42. Anonymous10:54 AM

    Regarding the question about science assistance, I think that the book, The Science in Science Fiction by Peter Nicholls is a great resource. I believe that it is currently out of print, but isn't too hard to find a used copy of.

    ReplyDelete

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