I tend to watch my favorite movies over and over again. I don't remember how many times I've seen the original Star Wars Trilogy, "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "The Matrix," "The Princess Bride," or "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." I know I've done so enough times to easily recite lines from those movies (much to my wife's chagrin).
It got me wondering why I don't do that with my favorite books. It's rare for me to read a book twice, even one that I love. I've read my favorite YA book, The Hunger Games, three times, but once was for "research" while working on one of my own novels. Even thrice is a rare exception for me. How many times have I seen "Star Wars: A New Hope"? Must be at least ten times by now.
So I'm going to make it a point to re-read more of my favorite books. If re-reading a favorite book is nearly as satisfying as watching a favorite movie, then it will be time well spent.
March 19, 2016
March 5, 2016
Everything sounds brilliant at 2:00 am
I'm one of those people who have vivid dreams and remember them after waking up. My dreams have often been creative fuel for the stories I write. Back before I published my first novel, I wrote a lot of short stories, and I
estimate that more than a third of those story ideas originated from
dreams. (For me, dreams work better for short stories than for novels
because the events in my dreams aren't expansive enough to fill a novel.)
Unfortunately, I also suffer from insomnia in that I wake up several times in the middle of the night. In a perverse way, my insomnia helps my creativity because, while I'm lying awake in bed, I'll hash out a dream I just had. However, the downside of doing so in the middle of the night is that my brain isn't awake enough to filter content correctly. I can't count the number of times I've woken up at 2:00 am thinking that a dream was the greatest thing since the story-telling equivalent of sliced bread. But frankly, those dreams often weren't as good as I thought they were. There's something about the half-conscious state I'm in that makes me think that bad ideas are good.
If an idea passes my 2:00-am-half-brain-dead test, I'll log it in my journal for further consideration. I'll then read through my journal in the future, when I'm fully awake. I don't know how many times I've asked myself why I thought some of my dream-inspired ideas were any good to begin with. Thankfully, I'll catch those not-so-good ideas before they turn into stories that I subject my readers to.
Except for this blog post, which came to me at 2:00 am one night.
Unfortunately, I also suffer from insomnia in that I wake up several times in the middle of the night. In a perverse way, my insomnia helps my creativity because, while I'm lying awake in bed, I'll hash out a dream I just had. However, the downside of doing so in the middle of the night is that my brain isn't awake enough to filter content correctly. I can't count the number of times I've woken up at 2:00 am thinking that a dream was the greatest thing since the story-telling equivalent of sliced bread. But frankly, those dreams often weren't as good as I thought they were. There's something about the half-conscious state I'm in that makes me think that bad ideas are good.
If an idea passes my 2:00-am-half-brain-dead test, I'll log it in my journal for further consideration. I'll then read through my journal in the future, when I'm fully awake. I don't know how many times I've asked myself why I thought some of my dream-inspired ideas were any good to begin with. Thankfully, I'll catch those not-so-good ideas before they turn into stories that I subject my readers to.
Except for this blog post, which came to me at 2:00 am one night.
February 20, 2016
Fixing my lack of writing
In early December, I published a post about how to sustain a writing routine. I should've known that was going to jinx me because I've hardly written anything new since. Sure, the last two weeks of December were taken up by the holidays, and 2016 has resulted in even more work at my day job, but those are just excuses.
Writing is still important to me, and I want to find a way of getting back in the habit of doing it somewhat regularly. This week, I embarked on what I hope will become a new habit. I take the train to work every day, and I've been spending that time reading. However, the train is too crowded for me to use my laptop, and there's no wifi, so I don't work or write during my commute.
Yesterday, I brought an 80-page composition notebook with me and wrote a quick short story that covered the front and back of one page. It wasn't a great story by any means, but it was good for loosening my "writing muscles." With an 80-page notebook, I can write twice a week for the rest of the year to fill it. That's my plan for the remainder of 2016. Let's hope I do a better job of sticking to it.
Writing is still important to me, and I want to find a way of getting back in the habit of doing it somewhat regularly. This week, I embarked on what I hope will become a new habit. I take the train to work every day, and I've been spending that time reading. However, the train is too crowded for me to use my laptop, and there's no wifi, so I don't work or write during my commute.
Yesterday, I brought an 80-page composition notebook with me and wrote a quick short story that covered the front and back of one page. It wasn't a great story by any means, but it was good for loosening my "writing muscles." With an 80-page notebook, I can write twice a week for the rest of the year to fill it. That's my plan for the remainder of 2016. Let's hope I do a better job of sticking to it.
February 10, 2016
Release announcement: All That Remains of Me
The day has finally arrived! Today is the official release date for my latest novel, All That Remains of Me.
You can purchase the e-book edition now for the special introductory price of 99 cents! The price will go up soon, so act quickly.
You can purchase the e-book edition now for the special introductory price of 99 cents! The price will go up soon, so act quickly.
During a routine drive to dinner with her parents, sixteen-year-old Annie
Walker’s car is struck by a pickup truck. The resulting accident kills her
parents and leaves Annie unconscious. When she wakes up, she thinks she’s in a
hospital, but the truth is far stranger. Annie has been downloaded into a
computer program called PATTIE.
With the help of PATTIE’s brilliant programmer, Eric, Annie
struggles to come to terms with her new existence. She also finds that being
inside a computer has both advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunately, the
disadvantages can kill her.
January 30, 2016
A Spoonful of Stories
A few years ago, I had an idea to write a collection of flash fiction. I was fond of the format where an entire story can be told in 1,000 words or less. However, like some of my other writing ideas, this one was set aside in favor of more promising ones.
This year, I'm resurrecting the idea and posting the stories to Wattpad under a project called "A Spoonful of Stories." There will be 26 works of flash fiction in all, where the title of each story features alliteration using a letter of the alphabet (e.g., the first story is titled "An Armful of Armadillos"). Some of these short stories have been on my hard drive for years, and some will be newly written just for "A Spoonful of Stories." My goal is to post a new work of flash fiction every month.
I hope you'll like reading them!
This year, I'm resurrecting the idea and posting the stories to Wattpad under a project called "A Spoonful of Stories." There will be 26 works of flash fiction in all, where the title of each story features alliteration using a letter of the alphabet (e.g., the first story is titled "An Armful of Armadillos"). Some of these short stories have been on my hard drive for years, and some will be newly written just for "A Spoonful of Stories." My goal is to post a new work of flash fiction every month.
I hope you'll like reading them!
January 16, 2016
Cover reveal and pre-order announcement: All That Remains of Me
Check out the cover for my new YA sci-fi novel, All That Remains of Me!
The book is now available for pre-order on the following sites for the special introductory price of 99 cents! After the official release date of February 10, the price will go up, so request your pre-order now.
The book is now available for pre-order on the following sites for the special introductory price of 99 cents! After the official release date of February 10, the price will go up, so request your pre-order now.
During a routine drive to dinner with her parents, sixteen-year-old Annie
Walker’s car is struck by a pickup truck. The resulting accident kills her
parents and leaves Annie unconscious. When she wakes up, she thinks she’s in a
hospital, but the truth is far stranger. Annie has been downloaded into a
computer program called PATTIE.
With the help of PATTIE’s brilliant programmer, Eric, Annie
struggles to come to terms with her new existence. She also finds that being
inside a computer has both advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunately, the
disadvantages can kill her.
January 2, 2016
Favorite reads of 2015
My last post summarized the books I read in 2015, and here were my top ten favorites from the year.
1. Armada - Ernest Cline
When I read this book, I thought it was specifically targeted to me because I could relate to so many of the references made. If you were a video-game-playing, sci-fi-loving kid of the 80's like I was, this book is for you! Despite the somewhat cheesy ending, I liked this book even more than Ready Player One.
2. Daughter of Smoke & Bone - Laini Taylor
Beautifully written, with characters and a story line that sprang from the pages to envelope me, this could have been my favorite book of the year just as easily as Armada was. Karou was a unique character who I found easy to root for. I look forward to finishing the series.
3. The Brothers - Katie French
The fourth and latest book in the Breeders series is my favorite so far! Read my review here.
4. The Benders - Katie French
Yup, two Breeders novels made my top 10 list this year! If you haven't started reading the series yet, you definitely should. Here's my review of The Benders.
5. A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness
I liked Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking series, but A Monster Calls was even better. This story was touching and thought-provoking, yet simple and quick to read. Although the subject matter is best suited for a more mature audience, I think that readers from middle grade on up could benefit from this wonderfully written and illustrated book.
6. The One - Kiera Cass
Last year, The Selection made my top 10 list of favorite books. While The Elite suffered from Middle Book Syndrome, the series (or at least America's story) wrapped up nicely with The One.
7. Nil - Lynne Matson
I was skeptical at first about the premise of Nil (kids are mysteriously transported to an island where they have a year to escape or they die), but the plot and the characters wound up drawing me in. I plan to read the sequel this year.
8. Lake Ephemeral - Anya Allyn
Lake Ephemeral, the third indie book on my top 10 list, was a fun story that kept me guessing as to what was going on. Read my review here.
9. Choose Your Own Autobiography - Neil Patrick Harris
I loved the concept of an autobiography written in Choose-Your-Own-Adventure format. This book was as fun as I hoped it'd be. The only problem was, given the different lives that he lived depending on the paths I chose, I'm still a bit hazy on what really happened in Neil Patrick Harris's life. I guess I'll have to wait for his official autobiography to find out.
10. Love Songs - Jamie Campbell
Rounding out 2015's top 10 list is yet another indie book. You can read my review of this fun and touching love story.
1. Armada - Ernest Cline
When I read this book, I thought it was specifically targeted to me because I could relate to so many of the references made. If you were a video-game-playing, sci-fi-loving kid of the 80's like I was, this book is for you! Despite the somewhat cheesy ending, I liked this book even more than Ready Player One.
2. Daughter of Smoke & Bone - Laini Taylor
Beautifully written, with characters and a story line that sprang from the pages to envelope me, this could have been my favorite book of the year just as easily as Armada was. Karou was a unique character who I found easy to root for. I look forward to finishing the series.
3. The Brothers - Katie French
The fourth and latest book in the Breeders series is my favorite so far! Read my review here.
4. The Benders - Katie French
Yup, two Breeders novels made my top 10 list this year! If you haven't started reading the series yet, you definitely should. Here's my review of The Benders.
5. A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness
I liked Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking series, but A Monster Calls was even better. This story was touching and thought-provoking, yet simple and quick to read. Although the subject matter is best suited for a more mature audience, I think that readers from middle grade on up could benefit from this wonderfully written and illustrated book.
6. The One - Kiera Cass
Last year, The Selection made my top 10 list of favorite books. While The Elite suffered from Middle Book Syndrome, the series (or at least America's story) wrapped up nicely with The One.
7. Nil - Lynne Matson
I was skeptical at first about the premise of Nil (kids are mysteriously transported to an island where they have a year to escape or they die), but the plot and the characters wound up drawing me in. I plan to read the sequel this year.
8. Lake Ephemeral - Anya Allyn
Lake Ephemeral, the third indie book on my top 10 list, was a fun story that kept me guessing as to what was going on. Read my review here.
9. Choose Your Own Autobiography - Neil Patrick Harris
I loved the concept of an autobiography written in Choose-Your-Own-Adventure format. This book was as fun as I hoped it'd be. The only problem was, given the different lives that he lived depending on the paths I chose, I'm still a bit hazy on what really happened in Neil Patrick Harris's life. I guess I'll have to wait for his official autobiography to find out.
10. Love Songs - Jamie Campbell
Rounding out 2015's top 10 list is yet another indie book. You can read my review of this fun and touching love story.
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