The Secret to Writing

There is a deep dark secret that is often taken for granted and overlooked by writers. It is the biggest secret to writing that there is and one that should be passed on to all aspiring writers, young and old. It has been around since the dawn of writing. It is- well, I should just spit it out already, right? Right.

The secret to being a good writer is being a reader.

There. I’ve said it. You can all go out and become the next J.K. Rowlings. Go on now, get it over with.

Okay, maybe it isn’t quite so easy, but it is the starting point. You don’t only have to be a reader, but a good one too. You should read anything and everything you can get your hands on if you want to be a writer. It’s not only enjoyable, but it familiarizes you with language, how it flows, how it intrinsically works. Maybe you speak English perfectly well already, but there’s a difference between spoken word and that which is written.

It’s difficult to explain until it is experienced. All I can suggest is to simply read. Read for fun. Read for depth. Read for dialogue, for characters, for plot, for deeper meaning, for grammar, for knowledge, for the love of it.

However...I will leave you with another secret.

The secret to writing...is that there is no one secret to writing.

To be a good writer, one must not only be a good reader, but also be willing to do something that might sound all too preposterous at first. A writer must be willing to write. And write. And write. And write. And write. Practice doesn't exactly make perfect, but it does constitute improvement, and that is all a writer can hope for.

Who a Character is v.s. What a Character is Thought to Be

With so many readers, it is inevitable that we will perceive the things we read in different ways. We make assumptions and imagine our own variations on how things are described.

One thing which always varies is our perception of certain characters. We are inclined to like or dislike characters for opposing reasons. We picture them in our minds in ways that our friends and even the author may not.

There are some characters which are forever fixed in our minds in certain ways. This may be because they are quintessential characters which are so often presented in modern media that we have an idea of who they are and what they are like without even having read their original text. It could be because there is a well-known film adaptation which portrays the character in a certain way. It might just be because a particular remark or detail in the text has usurped the reader's interpretation of the character.

Having not read many classics, I am prone to being unfamiliar with plenty of these characters' original representations. For instance, I have no personal idea of the figure of Merlin, only a scattering of portrayals and mentions in literature and television. Of course it isn't just classical characters which are imagined and portrayed in different ways. Modern characters in literature are just as easy for a reader to argue over with another. It is just that characters who have been around for longer have been subjected to more imaginings and representations.

I have never read or seen any adaptation of Pride and Prejudice where Mr Collins comes close to his true physical appearance. He always appears to be old, fat, short or gangly. It seems that these physical qualities are seen to be best suited to his personality which I think rather small-minded. It is Collins' manner which makes him, not his physical appearance.

"He was a tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manners were very formal."

This is the first description of Mr Collins from Jane Austin's novel. It does not seem to match any of the portrayals I have seen of his character, whether on the screen or on the page. What is your physical interpretation of Mr Collins from these two short sentences?

It can also be said that plenty of readers have been known to over-romanticize the character of Mr Darcy. His withdrawn manner has compelled many readers to enjoy the bantering relationship between him and Elizabeth Bennet (conflict is, after all, the essence of storytelling) but it has also inspired many to write male love interests who at first appear nasty but are then revealed to be just misunderstood. Regardless of why Darcy is seen as an ideal love interest, many fail to duplicate his character. You think they would stop trying.

I think there is a difference between being proud and candid and being bad-boy nasty with a slight innocent touch. Do you?

I was discussing this subject with Sydnee. She mentioned the character of the Beast, from Beauty and the Beast. She meant the Disney film adaptation (which I will admit now is one of my favourite films ever) but it made me think of the story and how it has been adapted. The idea of an ugly and twisted individual imprisoning a beautiful young woman and making her fall in love with him seems to scream one thing - Stockholm Syndrome.

An adaptation of the Beauty and the Beast fable which plenty of people will be familiar with is The Phantom of the Opera, although I am sure most will be more familiar with Webber's musical than with Erik as he appears in Leroux's novel, myself included.

If you were really holed up with someone as if you were the last two people on earth, against your will, would you find that romantic?

One of my favourite fictional characters is Lord Henry Wotton from The Picture of Dorian Gray. Harry (as he is nicknamed) has a wonderful speech in the novel where he encourages Dorian to take advantage of his youth and beauty because the height of his life is fleeting. He does it for his own selfish reasons but he does not mean to be vicious, only influential and thus heightening his importance in the eyes of the boy.

There is a 1940s film adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray. I watched it with my mum. She asked me if Lord Wotton was meant to be Satanic. I was taken aback because I didn't think this was how his character was at all but she had a valid point. They had certainly not portrayed him in the best light. While I do think that Harry is not faultless in what becomes of Dorian, I don't believe him to be malicious or even antagonistic.

Is a man who feeds on the anxieties of another evil or just insensitive?

Another point which Almi brought up, when I discussed the subject with her, was that of white-washing. It has long been my notice that unless a character is described otherwise (usually in a way that makes their skin sound like a delicious edible treat: olive, chocolate, caramel...) they are presumed to be white.

Almi informed me of a novel called 'Liar' by Justine Larbalestier where the the cover of the novel may have been in black and white but the complexion of the main character on it seemed very pale. Thus the author rallied for it to be redesigned. It reminded me of 'Magic Under Glass' by Jaclyn Dolamore and how they had done the same with her protagonist on the cover of the novel, until it was reprinted.

Is a reader likely to want to imagine the protagonist to be more like them, in order to identify with the character, right down to physical appearance?

It wasn't until I saw Robert Downey Jr. portray Sherlock Holmes that he really struck me as an amazing actor. However, despite not knowing much about the character of Sherlock Holmes, from the first time I saw the trailer for the film I wondered how it would be received. They had the character wielding a gun and jumping out of windows and acting more like how I would perceive James Bond.

Now, I haven't read any of the Sherlock Holmes or James Bond novels, so my impressions of both characters are based (so far) entirely on the conjecture of how they have been portrayed through different medias. Even that is vague to me because I have not seen all of the James Bond films or the Sherlock Holmes serials that many others will know all too well.

While I think James Bond to be a character who flings into action and snogs any hot female that moves, Sherlock Holmes seems, to my knowledge, to be quite the opposite. He is the embodiment of intellect, deduction and asexuality.

This is my example of a conceived idea at work. An assumption about a character - or in this case two - which has been formed by me, solely from second-hand depictions of the characters in question. Until I read the original works of the authors, I feel I shall remain oblivious to what Sherlock Holmes and James Bond are really like.

Have you ever come across a character whom you thought you knew the gist of, only to discover upon reading their original text that they were something quite different and perhaps more wonderful?

One of the misconceptions about a character's appearance that I find most hilarious is that of Sirius Black from the Harry Potter novels. There seems to be a common idea that Sirius Black is sex on legs.

Something I hear often expressed is that Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black in the Harry Potter films, was not attractive enough for the role. This makes me laugh. Whereas if someone argued that he was too old to portray the character - or too short - I might agree, the idea that he wasn't attractive enough was ridiculous.

If you asked someone which character in the series Harry thought looked most like a vampire, they might think it was Snape (another character with too many misconceptions over to count) but they would be mistaken.

"Harry looked into the shadowed eyes of Sirius Black, the only part of the sunken face that seemed alive. Harry had never met a vampire, but he had seen pictures of them in his Defence Against the Dark Arts classes, and Black, with his waxy white skin, looked just like one."

That is Harry's impression upon seeing a picture of Black in a paper in 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.' Do you think he sounds like sex on legs?

Of course, I know where this idea springs from. It comes back to what I said about how one thing about a character can overshadow the rest in a reader's mind. They want to view a character in a certain light, so they latch onto a quality they like and amplify it.

"Sirius was lounging in his chair at his ease, tilting it back on two legs. He was very good-looking; his dark hair fell into his eyes with a sort of casual elegance neither James's nor Harry's could ever have achieved, and a girl sitting behind him was eyeing him hopefully, though he didn't seem to have noticed."

This is a description of Sirius Black from a flashback in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' where his character is fifteen or - more likely - sixteen. So there you have it...a simple description of an attractive teenager usurping the sickly description of the same man at twice the age.

Are there any characters you know to be commonly perceived in a way that isn't accurate to their true appearance or nature?

Characters v.s. Plot?

It is obvious to even the most amateur of writers that to have a good story there are two ingredients that must be treated with extreme care. These would be none other than…drum roll please…the characters and the plot (subplots and subsubplots included as desired).

Now, all writers are different. They all have their special quirks and nuances, of course, and Dumbledore forbid you call them anything besides unique. However, quality writing needs the same things to come into existence. What happens when a Mommy-thought and a Daddy-thought love each other very much…

Just kidding. I’ll refrain from the poor analogies for now. You’re welcome.

One of the best things about writing, perhaps, is that there is no need to stick to any certain formula. It can go anywhere. It can come about in any way. You can write your story forwards, backwards, sideways, diagonally, upside down, downside up, or any which way you could imagine. As a writer, you just have to find what works for you. Try different things. Try things you know won’t work. Laugh at yourself a bit.

In my experience as a writer, I spent years attempting to write stories and even novels by spending all of my time on the plot. What’s going to happen? What about now? What about now? Now? I got so caught up in it that my characters were often ignored. They were never developed. They didn’t seem real. They weren’t human.

It doesn’t matter if your character is a chipmunk-alien-cyclops or a teenaged girl or a devilishly handsome superhero (*cough*or villain…). If your character is not relatable, realistic and human at the core, your reader most likely will not care. It is the character that gets people to turn pages looking for a name in excitement, to remember the details, to be able to put themselves in the story.

After spending so much time neglecting character building and getting to know my own characters, I decided it was time for a change during National Novel Writing Month. I chose to work on getting to know a few characters and to let them drive the plot where they wanted it to go. It made my writing so much easier and I didn’t get stuck for what to do next once during the whole experience.

A plot is still always important. Some plots have the ability to keep me up all night reading with a flash light or the dim light from my cell phone (goodbye eyesight…) unable to stop turning pages. The plot is a driver accompanied by characters. Sometimes they vie for more attention, are more aggressive than the other, but both will take you where you need and want to go.

Are you a dominant plot-writer or character-writer?

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

I used to love this time of the year, because it always brought up memories of frosted glass on windows, steaming cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows bobbing on the surface, and brightly lit Christmas trees with overpriced, poorly wrapped presents underneath them. Winter was my favorite season of the year.

...That is until I started driving and learned that winter also = traffic jams and getting stuck in two inches of snow.

The one good thing that remains about snow is that it's the perfect weather for snuggling up to a good book or writing one of your own. I read and write the most during the winter holidays, partly because there's nothing else to do.

Quill Café and Quillbert Wish All Our Quillers A Very Happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year, and Anything Else You Celebrate!

Keri: The teddy bear in the picture above is Baby, bundled up for his first winter in NYC in over a decade.

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider's uncle is killed in a collision...but the circumstances don't add up. Ian Rider may have only been a banker but he wouldn't forget to wear a seat belt.

When Alex sees a man with a gun at his uncle's funeral and suspicious men around his house, he does his own research into Ian's death.

To his discovery, Ian Rider was no banker. He was a spy on an undercover mission. One that Alex must now complete.

Can Alex figure out the mystery of the Stormbreaker or is he destined to end his days as Double O Nothing?

I knew of the Alex Rider series because I had been aware that there had been a film adaptation of Stormbreaker and I had seen subsequent books in the series in stores but I had never been compelled to pick one up. The sole reason I purchased this audio book is because it was narrated by Nathaniel Parker, who narrates the Artemis Fowl series. If it's unabridged and read by Parker, I'll snatch it up.

There are so many books that I come across which revolve around a relationship or emotional drama. Stormbreaker is driven by an ever-moving chain of events and the high stakes Alex faces.

Alex Rider is a talented and quick-thinking individual. Thrust into high-risk situations, there are plenty of times when he could give up but he is strong and determined. Things are never easy for Alex and he faces obstacles to which others would easily succumb.

I assume that the prime minister who is mentioned in the novel is purely fictitious but that didn't keep me from imagining that he would be the prime minister from the time when Stormbreaker was set/published. The prime minister is never named, which is clever as it makes him more of a figure than a name. Since there has been all male prime ministers in the UK with one exception* it made his role in the story appropriately vague.

I was disappointed to discover that Parker only narrates the first novel in the series but I'd be interested to see Alex learn even more about his uncle's past in the series in and see more development and dynamics between him and other characters.
*The muggle prime minister in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is 100% fictitious because he was in office in 1981 when the UK had its only female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer bought this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Puffin and is used solely as an aide to the review.

Puzzlement of Poetry

I do not understand
The art of poetry
Or seek to comprehend.

The words do not transcend
Proposed explanatory.
I do not understand.

The teacher does pretend
Her pupils all will see
Or seek to comprehend.

She spoils for us the end
And gazes thoughtfully.
I do not understand.

How can I recommend
An ounce of poetry
Or seek to comprehend?

The class is at an end,
A poet's mind dead to me.
I do not understand
Or seek to comprehend.

I cannot wrap my mind around poetry. I have never been able to appreciate poems after we were forced to dissect them in school. The teacher would present us with a poem, ask us what we thought it meant (I was always clueless) and then proceed to tell us every ounce of symbolism, structure and sibilance there was to find. We wrote it all down and were educated.

Imagine being audience to a magic show. It is a strange spectacle, full of oddities and flourishes and mystery. It ends and you are not quite sure what you have just witnessed. Before your mind can process much, you are pulled aside where all the magician's tricks are disassembled and you are forced to take notes. You still do not comprehend the truth of what happened on that stage but the wonderment is gone, imagination dead.

Any potential passion I had for poetry was put out in school. Poem upon poem was slapped down and studied. I hated the mechanism of it all. If you are told what to imagine, how can you ever conjure your own impression?

I always marvel at those who write poetry. To me they are like the people who are not only excellent puzzle solvers but then proceed to invent their own brain teasers and word equations to boggle and test the next puzzler.

Poetry is technical. There is some mathematics behind it all, which I am rubbish at. The poetic form that I slaughtered attempted above is a villanelle. I half-clued my way through it but I have no real knowledge of any poetic forms or their correct structures.

There is something I am crazed to know.

How did the poets of today escape the poetry killing machine that I encountered in my education?

Did you escape? What is your view of poetry? Do you have favourite poems to recite? Perhaps you dabble in the odd villanelle?

Tell me all and help fill the void of my poetic education. I seek to comprehend...a little.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Charlie Bucket lives in poverty with his parents and his grandparents. They never have enough to eat and they only have the one bed, which all the grandparents share - and haven't left for 20 years!

Every day, Charlie passes the great Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. No one has seen Mr Wonka for years and no one ever goes inside the factory...until now.

Hidden inside five Wonka chocolate bars...is a golden ticket. Each finder of a ticket will be able to visit Wonka's factory and receive a life-time's supply of chocolate.

Against all odds, Charlie finds himself in possession of a golden ticket - but the excitement is yet to start when he visits Wonka's chocolate factory!

What is in store for Charlie and the other four children within its gates?

Everyone dreams of such quantities of chocolate - or something akin that they enjoy - but Dahl shows the story of a poverty stricken family where dreams are at their strongest. Charlie is a character you can't help but root for. He has been through so much but it is his endurance and heart in the face of it all that is what makes him such a remarkable figure in children's literature.

I listened to the audio book, read by Eric Idle. Idle is a magnificent narrator. Coupled with Dahl's wonderful way with words, each chapter was charming and a pleasure to listen to. The fantastical extremes of the chocolate factory and the imagination which goes into it and in fact seems to power it, is something that both children and adults can marvel at and enjoy.

It's not something that a child would necessarily notice - and it never occurred to me before - but Willy Wonka is a human trafficker. He has illegally transported all the Oompa Loompas into the country to work for him. Taking advantage of their dire living situation, he convinced them to all work for him...in exchange for chocolate.

While it might seem fanciful to spend all your days in a chocolate factory, the Oompa Loompas never leave the factory, are summoned when Wonka clicks his fingers and are used as test subjects for his experimental products. It's a wonder that Wonka's factory was left in peace all those years and not shut down!

The four other children who win golden tickets all have their vices. I thought it was very interesting to contemplate who - whether in childhood or as an adult - would be most like which child in the story. It would be a rare event to find someone most able to relate to Charlie. At least, I can't say in all honesty that I would be most like him than the other children.

I have always been puzzled by the convenience that it was five children that found the tickets, where it could have been five adults but I suppose that is part of the magic of it all. There are so many fantastic things in the world of Willy Wonka that nothing seems to extraordinary.

One of my favourite parts of the book was Dahl's poem about television. I think all book lovers would understand my enamourment. It was wonderful listening to Idle read it but it is also the sort of vibrant piece that would be excellent for an actor to perform.

I loved listening to this book on audio and look forward to the sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. It is also narrated by Eric Idle and I have no clue what happens to Charlie in his next adventure. Here's to finding out!

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Puffin and is used solely as an aide to the review.

Are Ensembles Only for Television?

When I ask you to think of television series, I’m sure several will spring to mind that have a fair few main characters. Several will have 3-6 in leading roles, perhaps even more. The ability to keep a television show revolving around multiple characters on a balanced level allows for there to be far more diversity in the show’s events and not bore out the viewers by dragging along a particular story line.

Novels are different. Short stories are a given because there just isn’t the space for several characters - but plenty of books and series have a fair few characters wandering in their midst. Even so, the average number of main characters is at the lesser end of the scale, perhaps around three, give or take.

A book often has one protagonist. If the narration is in first person, you’re stuck with them for every second of the plot. Yep, the author just glued you to this character. You had better hope that they are likable. If the novel is written in third person there is the chance that you will get to go on little trips and sneak inside the moments that the protagonist doesn’t get to see or know about just yet. Either way, the story still revolves around your protagonist. S/he is the hero after all.

The thing is…I think that ensemble casts are enjoyable. Sure, they have that potential side effect of everyone hooking up with everyone else at different points in the series – but apart from that, they make for good story telling and excellent character dynamics.

‘Oh sure,’ you say. ‘The cookie-cutter archetypes, all lobbed together to make drama and funnies. That’s just what we need.’

You have a point, anonymous and outspoken “you.” While these characters can be appealing enough to watch on television, they can fall into clichés and archetypes that we might scrutinise more when the little critique critters, that run around in our brain, analyse our literary creations.

Of course, the number of characters you have in your story depends on the genre and length. If you are writing an epic adventure, you will doubtless have many more characters. The same goes for novels that span more than one generation. Do you think that there are some genres which lend themselves better to wider casts, such as epic fantasy or historical nautical novels? I suppose any genre can be focused on a smaller cast or span a bigger one, depending on how they are handled.

What are the real pros and cons of having more characters in your novel?

Advantages

• Multiple characters with a large focus can allow for readers to identify and connect with a character, that other reads may not feel so akin to.
• More story lines allow for there to be more tension and intrigue spanning the plot.
• Taking time off from certain characters will allow the reader to become eager to see them again, instead of feeling smothered the same three characters all the time.
• Several characters allows for more character dynamics between them. The reader may be interested to see how one character interacts with others completely outside his main circle.
• The writer can make more opportunities for interconnected events and literary Easter eggs with more characters and story lines.

Disadvantages

• It may be confusing what is happening at what time in which part of the story. The reader may become confused between transitions and lose focus on what's important while trying to catch up.
• Focusing on two many character in equal amounts may mean that there is less opportunity for character development between them. They may not become as evolved or interesting enough to compel the reader.
• The reader may become attached to one character and not care at all of another. That way, they will be bored or aggravated when they reach chapters or scenes focusing solely on him.
• The individual stories of the characters may feel too separate or they might become too jumbled up and the reader will have problems differentiating certain events and moments in the story.
• Too many character focuses might drag down the progression of the plot if too much time is spent on character development.

I think that a smaller cast of characters in a book can allow the reader to wrap themselves up in their world and see what develops but I do love the idea of a wider focus with more characters to interact with each other and give diversity to the story.

What is your preference? When does a larger cast of characters work best in fiction?

A Cynic's Guide to Guardians

10 Steps to Archetypal Mentors

1. Your protagonist's mentor must be old. Not kind of old - ancient. No one is sure of his exact age. This is because in order to be wise you must be wizened. After all, who ever heard of an old fool or a young genius?

2. He must have a long white/grey beard. Unless he is a mythological creature like a dragon. In which case he must show his age in other ways, like the protagonist being able to see his years in his eyes. Telling someone's age by looking in their eyes is a skill that most fictional characters possess.

3. Regardless of age and appearance, he must have a grand countenance. If your mentor is a woman, she must be old and hunched over and ugly. She has not the presence and grandeur that a male mentor does.

4. Your mentor must know everything. He has the answer to anything and always knows what is going to happen. He will warn your protagonist of what not to do, only to later reveal that he knew that it was inevitable all along.

5. He must be vague. Whenever he gives the protagonist advice or warning, he will only give the barest hint of what is to come or what should be done. He never actually imparts any solid, useful information.

6. If the story deems that your protagonist must not yet know certain information but it is knowledge that your protagonist is desperate for, his mentor will conveniently avoid answering the question.

7. The mentor of your story should have a whimsical side. This usually shows itself through a sense of humour. Telling jokes or changing the subject to a favourite sport or activity is a great way to avoid those all-important questions the protagonist keeps asking.

8. Your mentor should throw around phrases like "I cannot answer that" or "It is your destiny" or "I warned you that this might happen."

9. Your mentor dies. This throws your protagonist into emotional peril - because how is he meant to go on without the aid of this gibbering genius?

10. Even though the mentor is dead, all the advice and truths and answers that your protagonist sought through the story are finally revealed. The protagonist prevails and the old git of a mentor proves to be more useful in death than in life.

Yours,

The Cynic

The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith

When Kirstie and her little brother Angus discover a strange egg, they take it home to see if it will hatch. What they discover is something extraordinary - a water horse.

With the help of their family, the two children name the water horse Crusoe and keep him. It isn't long until Crusoe is growing bigger and bigger and at more risk of being noticed.

Can they keep the water horse safe or will he be discovered?

I decided to purchase the audio book of this novel for the simple reason that it was narrated by Nathaniel Parker, who narrates the Artemis Fowl audio books. I'm glad that I did. Along with being well-performed by Parker, the writing of the novel is enchanting and makes for a very touching and intriguing tale.

The characters of the novel seemed to come alive from the start. Brought to life by Parker's narration - complete with wonderful Scottish accents - the family that takes in Crusoe is an interesting bunch. I loved how the grandfather of the two children was called Grumble because that was what he did all the time. At least he did until Crusoe came into their lives, whom he was quick to identify as the legendary Kelpie.

I have only really been aware of the "Kelpie" through works such as Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, where it is said that the largest of them all can be found in Loch Ness. The idea of the Loch Ness Monster has always been somewhat intriguing to me but not much so. Dick King-Smith's story of Crusoe the water horse gives the legend so much more heart.

The novel is set in the early 1930s and is quite short in length but the story felt very whole. The audio book ran at only an hour and a half and I can see myself listening it to it again. The emotional connection with the beloved water horse was apparent throughout the story and a few times it showed snippets from Crusoe's perspective.

Seeing the span from the moment that the water horse is born, when it is so small and trusting, to the time when it must make its way in the depths of Loch Ness, The Water Horse is a moving tale, filled with humour and emotion, as well as suspense.

There is plenty of tension in the novel. Crusoe may have been a rapid grower but he was always at risk, whether of injury or exposure. Up until the last moments of the novel, I was in anticipation as to whether he would be discovered.

The Water Horse is a fantastic novel for both children and adults alike. It does not feel like a fantasy, since the events of the book seem so plausible after you experience them. It felt to me as though Dick King-Smith had revealed the true story behind the myth.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Puffin and is used solely as an aide to the review.

Where's the Doctor? by Jamie Smart

In the style of the much-loved Where's Wally? books, comes 'Where's the Doctor?' - a book for all Doctor Who fans.

When I was a little girl, I had a lot of Where's Wally? books (or Where's Waldo? for the confused Americans) that I could spend ages pouring over, seeking out the characters and looking through the different scenarios. Those that I didn't own, I would find in my school library, where I would sit in the reading corner and adore the imagination of it all.

I'm now without my Where's Wally? books and it has been years since I have flipped through the pages of one, absorbed in its wonders. When I discovered 'Where's the Doctor?' I knew I had to have it. To my dismay, it was soon out of stock over at the Book Depository and someone at Amazon was asking over $100 for a copy. So, I put myself on a list to be informed when it was back in stock at the Book Depository and I snatched it up as soon as it was.

The book is illustrated by Jamie Smart and is an absolute treasure. In each scene you must try and spot the Doctor, Amy, Rory and the TARDIS, amongst hoards of aliens, some plenty more villainous than others.

I suppose the book is marketed at children but really it is for all avid Doctor Who fans. I found it plenty hard to spot some things, particularly Rory in the Adipose Nursery. He had to be found by one of my friends, even though it turned out he was right where I had been looking for him.

The aliens in 'Where's the Doctor?' are just so...cute - with the exception of the Daleks - but still look like themselves. Each scene was busy and comical and so fun to look through. Whether it was a Sontaran in a 'Kiss the Cook' apron or an Ood in an igloo, there was always something new happening in the picture that you could find.

What I found peculiar was the inclusion of Fido the Dog, Fido's Dinner and Fido's Ball. They did not seem to immediately factor into the realms of Doctor Who. I couldn't understand why K-9 or the Sonic Screwdriver weren't used instead. These three things are not in every scene but are scattered throughout the book. With the exception of Fido's Ball, I could not find any of them myself, whereas my friend, Alexis, could. She proved quite skilled at finding what I couldn't. However, I later discovered that FIDO was the original name for K-9. I'm discovering more and more!

At the end of the book, there is a check list of a whole lot of new things to find in each scene. A few of the things included I had seen in my original search but there are so many waiting to be spotted. I am sure I will have lots of fun ahead of me seeking them all. Even K-9 is somewhere within these pages...

To finish it all off there is a Spot the Difference, where you must look over two different illustrations of the Pandorica and find the ten differences between them. So far I have found two.

'Where's the Doctor?' is a splendid book which I am glad to have purchased. A must-own for all avid Doctor Who fans. I would be quite keen to see more of them in future, although that might be wishful thinking.* Until then, I have plenty more things to find!
*Wishful thinking no longer. Now there is 'When's the Doctor?'

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of BBC Children’s Books and is used solely as an aide to the review.

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild

Three girls, all orphaned under different circumstances, are adopted by Great Uncle Mathew - "GUM" - who loves to collect fossils. One day, he leaves the children in the care of his great-niece, Sylvia and the nurse, Nana and doesn't return.

Pauline, Petrova and Posy all grow up to be very different little ladies. Pauline is beautiful and loves to act. Petrova likes motor cars and aeroplanes. Posy came to Sylvia with a pair of ballet shoes and was born to dance. All girls vow to make something of themselves so that their unique name of Fossil can make it into the history books as it is their very own.

With GUM gone, there isn't a lot of money to keep all the girls in school and the house functioning. Soon, they are taking in borders and Pauline, Petrova and Posy are training at a theatre school for children, so that when they are old enough they can earn an income. With all the woes of money and auditions, can they find their true callings and fulfill their vow?

I first learned of this book because of the movie 'You've Got Mail' which is one of my favourites. The protagonist mentions the "Shoe Books" by Noel Streatfeild and that 'Ballet Shoes' is her favourite, although she mentions at least three others.

I listened to the audio book, narrated by Elizabeth Sastre and adored it. Her narrative made the story all the more compelling since the dramatics of it all came to life and it was so easy to get wrapped up in. The only trouble I found with the audio book was that sometimes I could hear incoherent noises in the background, like someone was speaking or their was an echo. I didn't find it too bothersome, though, since the story was so captivating.

I found that I could relate to all the girls in different ways. I loved how they were so passionate about their own ambitions, particularly Posey, even though she is the youngest. She was so confident and driven, I couldn't help but be inspired by her. Pauline was at home on the stage and although I'm not the greatest at acting, I've always loved drama and the theatre. Petrova was easy to relate to because she was the one who felt the most awkward, alienated and stressed and I think everyone can identify with that.

'Ballet Shoes' was published in the 1930s and I found the time period quite interesting to learn about. The subject of money management was very interesting because Pauline and then Petrova become able to work in the theatre when they are twelve years old and play a huge part of helping to provide for their family. It wasn't so much the fact that they needed to that was moving but more-so that they wanted to help in whatever way they could.

The last line of the books really gives you something to ponder and I find myself still thinking about it but I think I know the answer. My answer, anyhow. What might yours be, I wonder?

I would be quick to recommend this book, especially the audio book narrated by Elizabeth Sastre as I think she is excellent. If you are a fan of dancing but mostly theatre, then this is a book for you.

There are two more Shoe Books narrated by Elizabeth Sastre that I could find, Theater Shoes and Dancing Shoes, so I might look into buying those. I've also heard that the Fossil sisters are mentioned in some of the other Shoe Books, so that will be very interesting.

A while back I saw the film adaptation of 'Ballet Shoes' with Emma Watson and Yasmin Paige. I recently bought it on DVD and look forward to watching it again soon. If you enjoy the novel, then I suggest looking into the film as well, since it does a great job of capturing the spirit of the book.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Yearling and is used solely as an aide to the review.

Writing as a Social Activity

I expect you've heard the age old saying - the more the merrier - yes? But does that apply to writers?

There are lots of different opinions on this subject. Some people think that writing is a purely solitary activity, others prefer to have a writing partner while there are people that like to write with a group of other writers.

There are upsides and downsides to all three of these writing methods. For all those people who've not tried all three methods and decided which is best for them I shall highlight some of the key points:

Solitary Writing

Advantages:

• No one can distract you
• You can listen to whatever music helps you write (if you enjoy music) without risk of complaint
• Nobody can judge you for any odd things you may do when thinking whether it be tapping a pencil, pacing, stroking your facial hair or stroking imaginary facial hair.
• You won't have to worry about people looking over your shoulder the whole time.

Disadvantages:

• There's no one to ask for quick spellings and grammar tips.
• There's nobody there to remind you to write if you start procrastinating.
• You are able to take as many breaks as you want without feeling suitably embarrassed at doing so.
• You have no one to share ideas with.

Writing in Pairs

Advantage:

• You can share ideas.
• It's not a group, so if you're of a shy disposition you don't have the daunting experience of seeing lots of people at once.
• You can build a good friendship as well as writing.
• With just the two of you there, it is easier to be more serious than in a group where people are afraid of spoiling the mood.

Disadvantages:

• If neither of you turn up in a productive sort of mood it's most likely that you'll achieve nothing.
• Unlike with a group, two person word wars don' have as much tension if one person types faster than the other.
• Two of you meeting up and writing together could unintentionally turn into something more than a friendship (not that likely but it can happen)
• On the other hand, it can lead to resentment. Seeing each other so often and having to conform to each other's schedules could make you both a bit fed up of each other.

Group Writing

Advantages:

• You can meet lots of nice people who you may be writing with because they are a friend's friend or some such situation.
• You can share ideas.
• You can socialise with people who have an interest in common.
• It creates a more pleasant and supportive atmosphere.

Disadvantages:

• Working with a group can often be less productive as people are reluctant to work when they can talk to each other.
• Disagreements can split a group up and leave everyone involved at a loose end.
• You might not be comfortable working as part of a team or group.
• Unlike a pair, because there are more people it becomes harder to tell when one is procrastinating and they usually end up not getting much done as no one reminds them to get on with it.

I hope you've found this useful! I personally enjoy writing with a group of fellow writers best but as you can see, what option you pick is totally dependant on your personal likes and dislikes.If anybody has any thoughts or would like to discuss how they work best, please feel free to comment.

Why Writers Should Be More Like Hedgehogs

We don't have a hedgehog overlord at Quill Café based on cuteness alone. Hedgehogs have plenty of fine qualities that writers should aspire to.

There are a few ways in which you can better yourself as a Quiller minion, by following Quillbert's example and bringing out the hedgehog in you.

With these eleven points, think about how you can develop your countenance and technique as a writer.

1. A hedgehog's sharp quills protect it. You need to be tough on the outside to make it as a writer, while still maintaining a cute demeanor. Don't let negativity or criticism get to you but don't harden yourself to others. A hedgehog's quills even protect it against a snake's poisonous bites. Then it eats the snake. Yum.

2. Hedgehogs draw techniques from others to help improve their skills. They can draw poison from plants and then anoint their quills to make them even more epic.

3. If you fall, you can always get back up. Hedgehogs can plummet from trees and just bounce because of their quills. (Note: Do not propel yourself from a tree. This is a metaphor.) Hedgehogs inspire metaphors. Keep trying even after you fail and you will be an inspiration to other writers.

4. Hedgehogs grunt when they work. This is also a trait of writers when they are agitated. If you are being productive like a hedgehog, grunting is acceptable. If you are just grumpy about your writing, it's time to take a break.

5. Hedgehogs don't have the best eyesight and it's not because they sit in front of a computer screen all day. They rely on their sense of smell and hearing. Writers often forget to include other sensory descriptions in their writing, focusing too much on what their characters can see.

6. Solitary creatures, they still know when they need to get out and meet other hedgehogs. Remember to balance your writing schedule with your social life. If you can find other writers in your area, it might be good to get together once in a while like a Herd of Hedgehogs.

7. Baby hedgehogs are known as hoglets or pups. If you have children who are bothering you while you are writing, it is best to think of them by either of these terms. They are far cuter and will improve your outlook. Maybe.

8. Sometimes hedgehogs are unappreciated and viewed as irritable or a waste of space. Other times they are worshiped and sought after for their skills. It is all a matter of perspective. Not everyone will see your worth but it is good to remember that you are pretty awesome.

9. Hedgehogs are not born with their epic quills but go through a process called "quilling" where they shed and grow new quills every few weeks or months. The process can vary and it is good to remember that quilling is much like evolving your writing technique. You do it at your own speed, over time.

10. If you're thinking that hedgehogs hibernate and that is your excuse for being lazy and taking naps all the time, think again. Hedgehogs that live in captivity (that's you living in your home there) do not hibernate. So stop sleeping all the time and get back to work.

11. Hedgehogs are nocturnal. If you are in an inspirational mood at night, you should try and write what you can. Jot down your ideas before you fall asleep or you will forget them in the morning. Do not attempt to stay up all night, running yourself ragged. Hedgehogs who are careless with their activities at night do not have happy endings. It's better to get some sleep.

So, when you're lacking in confidence or stress is getting to you, just bring out the hedgehog within.

The Artemis Fowl Files by Eoin Colfer

It is no secret that I have fallen in love with the Artemis Fowl series. I have listened to the audio books of all seven released novels and anticipate the release of the eighth and last installment next year. Thus, I was pleased to discover The Artemis Fowl Files.

Of course, I had to actually read this book myself. Scandalous! What with it being full of puzzles and diagrams, it doesn’t really lend itself to the audio book format, even though I would have loved to hear Nathaniel Parker narrate the short stories.

There are two short stories in The Artemis Fowl Files, ‘LEPrecon’ and ‘The Seventh Dwarf.’ I loved reading the first because the story had been mentioned in The Atlantis Complex and in fact featured three significant characters from that novel, not including the main fairy characters from the series.

The second story is meant to be the first time Artemis meets Mulch Diggums. I found this a little confusing, since I thought that the first time they met was in The Arctic Incident. Befuddlement aside, it was a great read.

Despite ordering my copy from the UK’s Book Depository, I did notice that the spelling seems to be rather American. I’m not quite sure why this is. Did I order an American edition of the book? Oh well, never mind.

Included in this book is the language of the fairies, Gnommish. The alphabet is given along with a few pages that you can decode. It took me a while and some assistance to do so but before long I had it cracked. I think I’ll soon become quite the expert.
It was great to see the diagrams of the LEP equipment and other things which I had only been able to imagine before. Sometimes I can’t wrap my head around exactly how the technology of it all works, so seeing it on the page was brilliant.

The puzzles were lots of fun, although I could not figure out what Seven Across was for the crossword. I’m probably just being dense. Wait, I just figured it out. Took a while but I got there! There is even a quiz to see what kind of fairy you are most like or if you are definitely human. I think I see myself as a Pixie. I’m short with big eyes, pointy ears and I aspire to literary world domination.

The Spotter’s Guide to the Fairy People is fun but it seems to focus a bit too much on certain fairy folk. For instance, the elf criteria seem to be a description of Holly. Of course, this is a compilation of information from Artemis Fowl himself, from earlier on in the series, so it makes sense that these are his gathered impressions of what he has seen of the People.

Apart from the short stories, what I most adored was the interviews with the main characters of the series and with Eoin Colfer himself. Want to know Artemis’ favourite book (of the week) or the genre of books and films Butler indulges in when he gets some personal time? How about Eoin’s tips to aspiring authors?

To top it all off, I cannot fail to mention Artemis’ report card. All the notes from his teachers are just divine. You have to wonder if his mother ever actually got to read any of it.

If you want to discover more from the Artemis Fowl series, I recommend The Artemis Fowl Files. Regarding the timeline of events and whereabouts in the series you should read it, I suggest after either The Eternity Code or The Opal Deception. Of course, if you have read all seven books like I had, snatch it up right away.*
*I mean that in a strictly non-criminal sort of way, even if we are talking Artemis Fowl here.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Hyperion Book and is used solely as an aide to the review.

The Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer

Artemis is not the young man he once was. His mind is playing tricks on him and he has developed obsessive compulsions and extreme paranoia. He trusts no one and believes that death is coming for him.

Artemis has what is dubbed by the fairies as The Atlantis Complex. When Artemis and his friends are attacked by an unknown enemy, Artemis progresses into the next stage of the illness, where he develops Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Artemis is now trapped in his mind, right when his friends need him the most. In his place is Orion, a boy who cannot distinguish fantasy from reality…and who is utterly in love with Captain Holly Short.

I finished listening to this audio book in the very early hours of the 15th of November, when I was all packed and ready to leave Yorkshire. Since then, I have listened to the first four of the Artemis Fowl audio books again, with my Mum.

I loved The Atlantis Complex. It was quite a change of pace from the other books. Artemis is no longer his controlled self – to the extent he has lost faith in his most loyal friend, Butler.

For the first time since Artemis Fowl, Foaly was on site instead of just safely working all the technical angles. Only this time, he was more involved in the action than ever before. It was an interesting change.

Orion’s part in the whole novel was hilarious. While I love Artemis, I did wish there had been more of Orion in the story. He is so delusional and extravagant and his attempts to woo Holly were hilarious. There are a lot of jokes at Artemis’ expense in this installment.

What I found the most interesting was that this was the first novel in the series with a sympathetic antagonist. Excluding the first novel, of course, where Artemis himself was Holly’s antagonist. After all, I always say that an antagonist is someone whose goals are in opposition to the protagonist’s, not someone who is necessarily evil.

While the antagonist of The Atlantis Complex is cunning and ruthless and unsympathetic to those around him, the romantic drive within him and his back story was touching. I found it very emotional and quite satisfactory to read.

I have recently bought and read (yes, I read it myself) The Artemis Fowl Files which includes the short story LEPrecon and features a significant event and characters referred to in The Atlantis Complex.

I loved listening to the audio book of this novel and I cannot wait to listen to it again. The series is so addictive! I cannot believe that I have to wait more than half a year until the next novel comes out. The final novel, that is. Only one more Artemis book left: The Last Guardian.

In the meantime, I shall have to seek out some more of Eoin Colfer’s novels.





Make sure you check out the song 'Complex: Atlantis', inspired by the seventh installment of the Artemis Fowl series. I love it!

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Hyperion Books and is used solely as an aide to the review.

11 Ways to Procrastinate from Writing

Procrastination plagues all writers.

Writing is something we enjoy, so why do we find so many reasons to avoid it? Isn't the goal to turn something you love into something that works for you? Well, of course - but you still have to work to make it happen. Work, work, work. It's a horrid word.

It is easy to be lured away by the appeal of something else when you are stuck with your writing or lacking motivation. Here are eleven procrastinating methods that writers are prone to fall into. Avoid them at all costs.

1. Internet

I see you there, procrastinating your life away on the internet. How many tabs do you have open? Are you reading multiple blogs? Caught up on the social networking of Facebook, Google+ and Twitter? Do you have an unhealthy obsession with Tumblr?

Perhaps you like to visit funny websites or watch YouTube videos. The internet allows us to contact our long-distance friends and network with others online that share our interests. Perhaps you're writing a blog post about writing instead of working on the rewrite of your novel.

The internet is the biggest pool of procrastination there is. It is an endless supply of everything you could ever need to be distracted by. All you need to do is disconnect from the internet. Just...disconnect. How hard could it be? Well, I have yet to manage it.

2. Television

When did television get so good? Okay, I'm not saying that there aren't plenty of shows that I look at and go, 'Eurgh, I would never watch that,' but there seems to be an endless amount of television shows that I can get addicted to...and of course, since it is a series, the episodes just keep coming and coming.

This is also applicable for movies. Whether in the cinema or DVDs that I own, there are so many films that pop to mind that I can dive into instead of working on my own film script that I could be writing. Even if I tell myself it's all in the name of research, it's a lie.

For me, I get caught up by American and British television series, plenty of films, anime shows, Korean dramas and more. Too much time getting hooked on TV, not enough writing.

3. Music

Plenty of people listen to music while they write. I have never been one of them. I find it far too distracting. I do listen to my iPod a lot to brainstorm new scenarios for stories. All too often I find myself just swept off in a world of my own, forgetting to focus on my planning and just having fun to music.

Regardless of what your preference is when it comes to music, I'm sure you like to indulge in a favourite song or two. I can go on dancing around to music for hours on end... Often I don't stop until the battery on my iPod dies and I'm forced to do something else. Yikes!

4. Games

I have never been a huge gamer. Whether it is computer games or console games, such as on Playstation, Xbox or Nintendo, perhaps even an addictive round of Monopoly with friends, you can get sucked in for hours on end.

The same goes for all the games you can find on Facebook and there are plenty of websites devoted to game playing. Let's not forget to mention the ones hardwired into your computer, like Solitaire. From the simplest to the most elaborate games, it is easy and fun to sit around and be caught up in something without having to invent the story and the characters for yourself.

I may not play a lot of games but when I do, I get addicted. In the past I have only ever had Playstation and Playstation2 gaming consoles. I had to leave them both behind in New Zealand because the volt difference would cause them to explode in the USA. I just got a Nintendo Wii. I am already being pulled back into the world of gaming. I have never even played a Zelda game before. What will happen when I start? I will be doomed. DOOMED.

I forgot to mention Angry Birds. How could I forget that one? I used to go to write-ins back in Wellington, confiscate my fellow writers' phones and just sit there playing Angry Birds the entire time. Talk about the opposite of being productive!

5. Talking

Talking on the phone, texting, chatting on IM... We can pass away so much of our time conversing with others.

Why not? It's great fun to socialise. You know that you are procrastinating when your topic of conversation becomes a series of links (if you're online) and impressions or a lazy loop where you don't contribute much to the conversation at all but you keep talking and texing and typing because otherwise you would have to get back to your writing.

I love to chat online with my friends. I have a lot of fellow writer friends, so we'll be instant messaging each other, perhaps talking about how we should be writing and I will just sit there, with my writing document open. It just sits there, ignored.

6. Drawing

Okay, so not all writers can or do draw. Drawing is not how I procrastinate my time away but plenty of writers are drawn to other creative outlets. Whether it is painting, crochet, sewing, bookmark marking, photography or coding your own games - writers like to be creative.

The problem with writing, it is isn't really something that opens itself up to multitasking. Sure, you can knit and watch television at the same time. You can play Angry Birds while you are listening to an audio book. You cannot focus on writing and build a life-sized model of the TARDIS at the same time...can you?

Well, if we could travel through time, I'm sure it would just open up an endless run of procrastination, since we would always tell ourselves that we could go back and do it later. Add that to a future procrastinating methods list.

7. Wallowing

I know I'm not the only one who can spend plenty of time lolling about, mooning over the fact that I should be writing but doing nothing to rectifying it. Of course, it may have nothing to do with writing at all. Just a feeling in general or something else that has been sucktastic.

Sometimes the mood to write is just lacking. Sure, writing is meant to be an escape into the imagination, away from everything but it can still feel like work. The trick is to make it not feel that way. The problem with writing when you're lacking the literary mood or stuck in a bad mood, is that it seeps into your writing. However, these things can always be edited out later and it is good to get your feelings out through written word. You never know, by encouraging yourself to write through the rut, you may just come up with something unexpected and genius.

8. Reading

Wait, reading shouldn't be on this list. After all, if you want to be a good writer, you have to read a lot.

This is true. Reading is important. You should read as much as you can. However, if your goal is to become a better writer, you need to make sure that you're not devoting all of your writing time to reading. It is important to remember that you want to end up like these published authors you are reading the works of. Remember that and put aside their story long enough to become immersed in your own.

Balance is good. Throw some words on the writing part of the scale to balance out all those books and other materials you're reading.

9. Sleeping

I was up late last night procrastinating, so I slept in today.

I was up late last night catching up on the work I meant to do while I was procrastinating and now I'm sleepy.

I have finally got this perfect opportunity to write with no distractions. I think I'll have a nap.

Stop it.

10. Cleaning

This is not one of my personal methods for procrastinating but I have heard from a lot of fellow writers that in order to get away from their writing, they will go so far as to clean, tidy and reorganise.

Meant to get that kitchen floor cleaned? Well, forget writing - go do it! Is your bedroom a complete mess? Well, you need to get that sorted. Is your desk covered in papers and toys? Well, you can't be expected to write when your workspace if so out of order.

Do the laundry, vacuum the carpet, wash the dog, take out the garbage, redecorate the house, tack up those posters, take your phone in to get fixed, take your dog in to get fixed...

When did writing become such a chore that we will do all our chores to avoid it? On one hand, you could argue that this is not procrastination at all. It seems to be quite beneficial to getting tasks done. If you are so bad of a need to get away from your writing - the thing you are supposed to love doing - that you are willing to do all the things that you would otherwise put off, it is time to reevaluate the situation.

Find an outlook that will encourage your writing. Perhaps you are just not as devoted to the premise of the story or the characters as you want to be. It is in your power to change it for the better. Clean up your story and you won't have to clean up your house. Well, you still should...I guess.

11. Writing

All right, we've entered Crazy Town. It isn't possible to procrastinate from writing by writing. If you are writing, then you aren't procrastinating.

Oh but you can and you are.

Haven't you ever had Shiny New Idea Syndrome? It's where you are meant to be working on one story and another one pops into your mind that is even more alluring. Instead of sticking with the story you are meant to be writing, you flit to another project...and then another...and then another. Soon, you have nothing but a whole lots of unfinished writing.

Shiny New Idea Syndrome. It's a real threat to writers. Just like procrastination. Don't give in to it.

What are your preferred ways of procrastinating from writing? How do you define procrastinating as opposed to being productive in a different area?

Alice in Wonderland: The Truth Behind the Nonsense

Ah, yes, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The childhood classic that so many of us — whether young and juvenile or more mature (though it’s likely that many of these older ones tend to be childish as well) have heard, read, or in some cases watched, time and time again. More commonly shortened to Alice in Wonderland, Carroll’s two classics — Alice Through the Looking Glass as well as the first story mentioned — have touched heart after heart with their silliness, simplicity, and innocence.

But is it really as simple and silly — as innocent — as we believe?

There has been so much controversy over Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (or Lewis Carroll, as you probably know him) and his books that it’s become almost a hobby of mine to read whatever new — and seemingly ridiculous — theories are out there.

There are some who state that he was in love with young Alice Pleasance Liddell, the little girl that our character Alice was named after. This is actually fairly believable, and while I do admit that it could have been possible, I’m not really willing to believe it. Sometimes it’s just better to let your childhood stories stay as they once were without tainting them with the less appealing notions that might very well be hidden behind them; out of sight, out of mind. So I will let that issue be for now, but if you’d like to know more on their relationship (and also how it ended, for Dodgson and Alice stopped talking to each other in 1863), I suggest one of the many books — usually based on fact — that are focused simply on the two of them. It may give you some insight to the books themselves.

Even I, as someone loyal to these stories no matter why they were written, cannot help but wonder about the author and the meaningful backstories of the characters as well as their growth in this culture — it is fascinating, for instance (at least to me) that the Mad Hatter has become something of a loveable character, despite the fact that he was an absolute lunatic and actually had mercury poisoning. For, as most of you know now (it’s becoming rather common knowledge), the hatters of old did use mercury to cure pelts and they’d wear the hats made of these pelts besides! So the Hatter’s insanity was based upon reality, a reality that can now be easily avoided but still existed in those days.

Carroll’s writing is seemingly nonsense, and it is, it absolutely is; if you’ve ever read the two Alice adventures, it most likely made no sense whatsoever. The language is fine, the spelling is perfect, and still the things that go on within Wonderland (and the Looking Glass world, which I think is entirely underrated) are so inexplicably random that there are many people who believe that the author was completely high while he was writing it. But this is not the case, at least in my opinion, for there are so many mathematical equations and philosophical concepts in between the lines that everything, from Alice’s quirky comments to the Cheshire Cat’s grin, has meaning.

There is something about it all, the way it’s influenced people — whether through Disney or Tim Burton or the actual book itself — that I find interesting. The complication and uselessness of life as it seems sometimes, explained through Alice’s inability to choose, for wherever she winds up will not matter in the long run because she does not have a particular destination; the concept of limits and inverse relationships and many other principles besides — there are countless bits of the stuff that life is made of, just hiding in a children’s book, waiting to be found and explained, and it sort of makes you think: what else might be hidden in the pages of a bedtime story? What can you yourself, if you are indeed a writer, do to make it so that there is significance in your work, just as there was in Carroll’s, even if it is not obvious at first sight?

The philosophy, the morals, the truths and reason, the rhymes, the riddles, the puns and the unanswered questions such as: Why is a raven like a writing desk? All these things and more are concealed behind the obscure words of a children’s storybook. It shows that really, through the power of words and simple concepts (and of course a reader’s interpretation), a mash of nonsense can turn out to be something brilliant. Something genius. And that, perhaps, is why it has attracted so many people for so many years, having either confused or enlightened people for many generations and in all probability, will continue to do so in generations to come. It is not only the sentences and paragraphs, the characters and settings and plots and subplots that make up a wonderful story, it is the conviction behind it and the pictures it paints in your head.

There is an endless sea of information that has been unearthed — and is, in fact, for research is still being done, and research will never end — about Dodgson and his fantastical wonderland of a world, yet even so there are just some things we will never know. Nor is it imperative that we should. Sometimes, not all secrets are meant to be discovered. After all, then they wouldn’t be secrets…and though the tale may get curiouser and curiouser as it goes on, just remember that every word in that story was placed there for a reason.

Classic Failure

Classic literature: the prerequisite of reading. How many classic novels have you actually read? More than I have, I'm sure.

What is a "classic"?

Something old and well-received. It has been appreciated and loved by many.

When I think "classic novels", titles that come to mind are: 'To Kill a Mocking Bird', 'Nineteen Eighty-Four', 'The Great Gatsby', 'Moby Dick', 'Gone with the Wind' and 'Little Women'.

I have read none of these books. There is the exception that 'To Kill a Mocking Bird' was read to my school class by our teacher when I was eleven. Regardless, I can't remember the plot. Then there are, of course, titles by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Bronte, Bronte and Bronte.

Plenty of classics we know about because of media, whether through television, other literature or wide reference to the characters and plot points. I feel that I will never fully understand these references until I have read the books for myself, nor will I have my own opinions on the character developments and the dramatics of their plots without discovering them for myself.

There is just one small problem I find with classic literature - the writing.

It's terrible, I know. These novels are loved for a reason and to point the finger at the actual writing seems almost blasphemous...but it is true.

Writing styles have changed a lot over the years and what was once commonplace is not as tolerable. Long paragraphs, endless descriptions and information that the reader does not care for and has no real relevance to the plot, are a few things that you can find in classic literature. The story is slow, moments dragging on for what seem like centuries.

These days, writers know that if you can make it short but effective, you are king. With such a vast range of media, readers need to be captivated by the very first sentence of a story and some of those openings of classics are, well, classic...and some of them are dull.

While it is a myth that Dickens was paid by the word, he did release his stories in installments. Short bursts of a great tale are a clever enough thing but faced with the entire volume in these modern times, how easy is it for a reader to be captivated by a Dickensian novel when there are film and television adaptations of his works where they do not have to read the descriptions for themselves?

Of course, I do not mean to pick on the works of Charles Dickens. I picked up one of his novels after hearing from a friend that it was a struggle and found my skepticism was a little too heavy. It was quite a bit more interesting than I had anticipated.

Naturally, it is fascinating to read about a time period that we cannot experience firsthand. This holds plenty of the appeal of the novels, along with those classic characters. After all, the characters in these novels have helped shape literature as we know it. I feel ignorant not knowing the roots of literature by being unfamiliar with the true nature of these characters. Second, third and twenty-seventh retellings of other people's impressions doesn't do any justice to the original writing of the author. The portrayal of a character in the novel they were written for is who they are. There is no duplicating that.

I have so many classic novels that I aim - or feel obligated - to read. I have a list of them written down and plenty of those books are just siting on my shelf, neglected or available to read for free as eBooks.

Are you a fan of the classics? What are some of your favourites?

Perhaps you are like me and have not read as many as might be expected.

Do you think that classic novels are worth reading or are they overrated?

Quillbert Fan Art

Though you should not say it to his face, Quillbert is rather adorable. At least, that's how he's portrayed in these pictures.

You can see more pictures of Quillbert on the new Art Page.


Keri: Quillbert is fine with being called adorable as long as you are not being patronising about it.

The Worst Plot Devices

I don't know about you, but the moment I hear the word 'plot device', I immediately start cringing and crying, because way too many of the ones I see in books traumatize me in horrible, permanent ways.

What makes a good plot device? What makes a bad one?

The intricacies of plotting are complicated. What seems like an awesome, epic idea when you start writing it can often induce reactions of 'WTF' from your audience once released onto the world.

This, my friends, is why it's important to get second (and third and fourth and fifth...) opinions on your work, not because you assume your beta readers know everything, but because each one has a different, unique perspective that will help you immensely in understanding your audience, what they want, and what they believe.

There are tons of good sources on the internet to help you with plotting. One of the most informative (as well as the most addictive - casual searchers beware) is TvTropes. TvTropes doesn't forbid any of the material it lists - rather, it makes writers knowledgeable about the expectations of the audience so they can use those expectations to their advantage. If you know most people will assume your redheaded character is going to curse and fight a lot, you can do one of two things:

1. Use that trope to your convenience so you can spend less time on character development.
2. Turn that expectation on its head by creating a redhead that is shy, compassionate, or a nun that fights crime through the power of song. Incidentally, this part of plotting has a lot to do with research and cliches.

Here are some of the worst popular plot devices in books and movies (in my opinion).

1. Using dream sequences to set up significant parts of the plot. I think this is the point of them anyway, but usually it just turns out that the dream has no importance other than to provide a convenient way to introduce characters. There is nothing more annoying than reading a scene thinking it's actually happening only to find out later that it's all a sweat-dampened lie.

2. Oh no, I killed the main character - nah, just kidding. This is a bad plot device because it's so transparent. As soon as a main character is fatally wounded or thrown off a cliff, I shrug my shoulders and turn the page because I know he's going to show up again eventually. Want to impress me? Kill him off and leave him dead.

3. Pretending the reader has selective amnesia. I hate to have to join the bandwagon and pick on Twilight, but this needs to be said. If you establish early in a series that your fantasy world works one way, it shouldn't change dramatically later on just so you can create more drama. Yes, rules can and should be broken, but only if you have a REALLY good explanation (I'm looking at you, vampire babies).

What are your most hated plot devices? Feel free to share!

Beep Beep. . . Backing Up

The joys of backing up your work can only be put into perspective when you've seen or experienced the consequences of not doing so. I was very nearly the person who lost all my work due to not backing up and it changed my whole attitude towards the process.

Computers are like living creatures in many ways, with the right programming, they can learn, they require a source of energy to keep functioning, they can actually reproduce and they do break down. They only have a small lifespan and, like living creatures, you can't always spot the signs that they're nearly past their best before date.

When a computer does break down, due to an accident or just old age, it is sometimes possible to fix it or at least to salvage some of the precious data that it contained. Not always though. Sometimes you lose everything, sometimes you can save the computer but not it's contents; either way, all your hard work is gone. Or is it?

All you need to back up your work is CD burner or an email account. With your work emailed to yourself and/or on a CD/DVD you can rest easy with the knowledge that you can access it after the death of your computer. This doesn't seem very special until the moment your computer does die and you're sat there hugging yourself for backing up your work. It's a lot better than the converse moment - when your sat in quiet disbelief, knowing that you've just lost two years of work or worse.

So get to it! Open up that email account and start backing up! Though you don't have to make the beeping noises. . .

Raise the Stakes on Your Writing Schedule

I always leave things until the last minute. When I was twelve, I woke up at 5am to write a geography essay. I was still writing it in the moments before class. My resulting grade was an A+.

Despite the fact that I was never able to duplicate that result, it was still my tactic. Well, not quite. My tactic was to get it out of the way early…for the first time ever. Regardless of that naïve goal, the wake-up-in-the-morning-and-write-it manoeuvre was duplicated too many times to count.*

Deadlines are difficult things. They seem to be the hook that lures procrastination until you can see the shark teeth up close. Still, I believe that deadlines are important. All the times that I have not had a deadline, I have just procrastinated indefinitely. Even if those deadlines of the past did leave me doing everything at the last minute, I did get them done.

The same goes for my writing, if I have a given deadline. Say, with NaNoWriMo (International Novel Writing Month) where I have a 30 day deadline, I might got days and days and days without writing and then cram a whole lot of it in at the end.

This year for NaNoWriMo, I fell behind on my word count for the first time ever. In the past two years, I had always reached 50,000 words within less than a week. Not this year. This time, on the 28th of November, I had less than 19,000 words. On the 29th I had managed to make it to 30,000. I wrote the last 20,000 words on the last day of the month.

Crazy? Yes. Productive? One hundred percent. It is so satisfying knowing that I have accomplished something. I could have given up but I didn’t and it left me with in far better mood for the writing months ahead.

You need to choose a deadline for a project and stick with it. Working on the first draft of a novel? Make a deadline. Whether it is a date for your first draft to be completed by or just a set goal of writing a particular amount of words per day, it can push you to do something when you might otherwise dawdle.

Of course, sticking to these goals and deadlines can be hard. It is always handy to get someone else in on the challenge with you. Writing 500 or 1000 words a day? Why not find a writing buddy who is also keen to take up the challenge? You might even be able to have word wars to keep the adrenaline going.

So, whether you are aiming to get a writing project finished, read a set amount of books in a month or have a new blog post up by midnight, choose your target, pick a due date and then tell everyone, so that they will all shame cheer you into succeeding.

Do you find deadlines to be useful? How do you stick to them?

*This regular strategy happening was right up there with going to the school office, putting on a pathetic countenance and saying, ‘I’m not feeling very well’, only to be told, ‘Yes, you do look a little pale.’

Written? Kitten!

When I was flat on my face and lacking motivation to write, my friend Ashley showed this to me. Say goodbye to Write or DIE and indulge in cute kitties.

So many times, people have told me to reward myself for every certain amount of words that I write. They insist it will help to propel me through my word count. Well, it doesn’t work. I manage to hold out for one or two thousand words, I reward myself with something sugary and then…I keep rewarding myself. Goodbye words, hello chocolate!

What I need is something that motivates me and rewards me at the same time. What on earth could that be? Well, there is one thing that I really do like and that is cats. I love kitties and how can you not love the sight of an adorable kitten?

Written? Kitten! is a simple enough online application that was created by Australians Skud and Emily. It keeps track of your word count as you write and you can set it so that it gives you a new kitten picture ever 100, 200, 500 or 1000 words.

Can someone get my a sign that says, ‘Will Write for Kittens?’ because that is just how this application makes me feel. During NaNoWriMo, I did not use Write or DIE once. Don’t get me wrong, it is a great application but it can seem a little too straining. Once I had been introduced to Written? Kitten! however, I was hooked and I was being productive once more.

Of course, not everyone likes kittens. I think that these people are crazy understand that some folks are “dog people” and so there is a solution just for them. Written? Puppy! is the same online application, tweaked by Andy Hannon to give you a new picture of a puppy every 100, 200, 500 or 1000 words instead.

I have not tested Written? Puppy! out much myself, since I was so hung up on the original Written? Kitten! but I am a lover of puppies too, so I will be doing that soon enough.

Whether you like pups or kits, this might just be the solution for you, to get your fingers tapping away at that keyboard and get your productivity levels way up. Let’s get writing! Those little fluffy critters are waiting.


Written? Kitten!


Written? Puppy!


Note: I would not mind a Written? Hedgehog! Anyone?