Writing in Style: Journalism

For all those that don't know, I'm currently going into my third year as a Journalism student. I chose my major because more than anything else, I love to write and I think I can do it well enough to make a career of it. My main goal is to publish YA and romantic suspense novels, which you honestly don't need a degree for, but having a back-up plan is always a good idea.

Many writers I've talked to have expressed irritation or dismay when the idea of writing non-fiction for a living comes up: "Why would I want to lower myself to writing something so formulaic and boring?" They say. "It can't teach me how to write a good novel."

I used to think the same thing too, but the great thing about a college Journalism program is that almost everything you learn for writing news stories is also applicable to writing fiction. As my professors like to say, good writing is good writing, regardless of genre or style.

So for the people who don't have the money, the time, or the desire to study language and writing at the post-secondary level, there's really only a few things you need to know:

1. Be concise.

This is probably one of the most crucial rules in Journalism, but it applies equally to fiction. Legendary author Stephen King famously credited his Journalism classes for helping him learn to write well in his memoir On Writing.

2. Choose your words wisely.

Journalism has also taught me how to summarize hundreds of words in only one sentence or even a few words. It's a fact that people have short attention spans. Journalism helps expand your vocabulary and your understanding of strong and active words to help you better convey your message. This will help writers particularly in writing abstracts or query letters to entice publishers to represent your work.

3. Don't get sued.

Pretty self-explanatory. Just don't steal stuff from other people. It's not nice.

What outside experiences have helped make you a better writer?

Lot's Return to Sodom by Sandra Brannan

Following her encounter with a serial killer, Liv Bergen has returned to her family home to recuperate. Her childhood hometown is no safe haven, however, with stalkers, biker gangs, rapists and of course...murderers.

After a local woman is murdered and Liv's brother becomes a suspect, she does everything she can to discover the truth and help him. When FBI Streeter Pierce is brought in to investigate, it looks like he and Liv may finally cross paths.

Will Liv Bergen or Streeter Pierce find the killer? With so many suspects, it's hard to know who to trust.

I was uncertain if I would like this book as much as 'In the Belly of Jonah.' Not because I doubted that it would be good but because I liked the first one so much. Since I was up until ludicrous hours of the morning finishing it, I think it's safe to say it delivered.

This is not a book for the squeamish. I know that might seem like a redundant thing to say about a murder mystery novel but sometimes it's just easier to read about people being killed and carved than it is to read about sexual abuse. Comfort zones aside, it is a fantastic read for avid murder mystery and literature devourers

Liv's hometown is riddled with creepers. Maybe it is the bike rally and the murder that sharpens this perspective but if I lived in such a place I would move. It's a serious statement of her affection for her family that she not only sticks around when she has just been through a trauma but that she actively seeks out suspicious people to help her brother.

I can't say that Liv Bergen is a character I can relate to. A Catholic woman who says her Hail Marys every time she does something unlawful and shocks at the notion of abortion? Not hardly. The reason I'm so drawn to Liv is that she is one kick-ass protagonist. She is level-headed in times of crisis in a way I could never be. She not only manages to keep her head but is also capable of forethought and practicality. Plus, she has a wonderful wit.

One of the things that had me writhing in the best possible way was the way Liv and Streeter kept grazing paths. I was squirming for the moment when they would finally come face to face.

Fans of Kelleher be warned - he's a no-show in this novel. Bly was a great partner for Streeter but seriously...I want my Kelleher back! Hopefully he'll return in the next book.

There is one aspect of this book which isn't resolved but since it was only touched on - and is obviously the prime focus for the next installment - I wasn't left with any sensation that parts of the story felt unresolved. Only with the with the itch that I seriously need to read the next Bergen book, 'Widow's Might.'

I suppose you could technically read 'Lot's Return to Sodom' without having read 'In the Belly of Jonah' but I have to insist, since it is such a good read and gives an excellent insight to the development of Liv and Streeter's characters. Also, references will go over your head and some emotional impact on the characters will be lost on you. Thus, read it.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer received this book from the publisher through the Book Blogger Convention in association with Book Expo America. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Greenleaf Book Group LLC and is used solely as an aide to the review.

I ended up with a couple of extra copies of the book from some of my fellow BEA attendees, so I'm going to give them away to two lucky winners. Open internationally to people 13 or over. Ends at midnight EST on the 30th of May. Fill out the rafflecopter to enter. It may take a little while to load.
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Baited by Bookmarks

Reading a book always feels like an accomplishment. I'm taking in new information and embarking on unexpected adventures. Just being able to see how big of a chunk I have taken out of a book fills me with satisfaction.

Without physically chomping down on a book to show the remainder of the story I have to read (a strange but tantalizing thought) there is one eternal tool to show me just how much of the book I have completed - the bookmark. Sure, these days you can keep track of your reading process online by having websites calculate what percentage of the book you have read based on what page you are on...but it just doesn't cut it for me. I always liked pie charts more than fractions.

I have a little bit of an obsession when it comes to bookmarks. I'm always scouring through racks in bookstores to find fancy new ones. Sure, I've already got a hoard of them at home but with my tendency to read multiple books at once and the desire for my bookmarks to flee when I need them most (Why? I treat them well!) I can always use a few more.

Fancy bookmarks are an extension of my bookish obsession and one thing eBooks just can't offer. Particularly when the bookmarks in question play host to a character I adore or a book cover I am already enamoured by.

Do you have a love for bookmarks? Which is your particular favourite?
Did I mention I had a hoard of bookmarks? I'm giving away these to one lucky winner:

This giveaway is open internationally to people 13 or older. Fill out the rafflecopter below to enter. It may take a little while to load. The giveaway ends at midnight on the 27th of May EST.
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Mess by Keri Smith

Intentionally defacing and maiming a book - isn't that sacrilege?

Some people cringe at the sight of dog-eared pages. Others are flat-out horrified that books are cut up or burned for visual art. We all have our individual boundaries.

What about a book that is made to be crumpled, cut up, scribbled in, stomped on, dripped on and flung from high places? Even with such permission, could you bring yourself to do any of these things?

I put myself to the test with 'Mess' by Keri Smith. The entire purpose of the book is to make a mess and cast aside every boundary you have when it comes to battering books.

Here is my own introduction which I wrote inside the book:

Improvisation makes me nervous but playing it safe only stifles your creativity. If you want to accomplish something, you have to embrace imperfection. Over the years, I've been needing a book like this, trying to create one myself...but I play things too neat. I want to be the creator whom can can can do something right and impress and inspire. Now I want to create and enjoy. I want to experiment and I want most of all to have fun.

Have fun I did.

There are still pages and pages of this book that remain untouched. They seem unnatural to me in their state. I look forward to rectifying that situation.

'Mess' is a book I would recommend to anyone who feels stifled in their creativity. It is very freeing to let loose and you never know what may come of 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 Perigee Trade and is used solely as an aide to the review.

In the Belly of Jonah by Sandra Brannan

When one of her workers is found murdered, with a window cut through her middle, Liv Bergen reconnects with her old college friend Lisa Henry, who is the FBI profiler on the case. Offering her hospitality to the FBI, Liv finds herself wrapped up in the killer’s twisted schemes.

FBI agent, Streeter Pierce, is hunting the dubbed “Venus de Milo” murderer. Can he find him before he strikes again? This killer is close but clever. Who will stumble into his path next?

I read this book in practically one sitting. I’ve never been one to read many murder mystery novels because I’ve always been overwhelmed by the number of them my mum has stacked up on her shelves. This book was mine though, sitting on my shelf waiting for me. One I had opened it, I was sucked in.

Is it bad of me that I like serial killers with an artistic or literary bent? I was utterly absorbed by ‘Brother Grimm’ by Craig Russell, where the killer positions his victims in the style of the Grimm fairy tales. This was much the same, where “de Milo” is inspired by/obsessed with a particular artist.

The artist in question was one that I had heard of and seen the works of but seeing the twisted mind of the killer made me look at the art in a way that transcended more than, “That’s interesting.” Unless you’re very familiar with the artist, you will be as quizzical and enlightened as I was reading the book.

‘In the Belly of Jonah’ is written alternately in Liv’s first person perspective and third person. The close third person P.O.V. allows the reader to not only observe Streeter Pierce and the killer but also see into their thought processes.

Liv is a brilliant protagonist. She is intelligent and hardworking, vulnerable without being weak. She had a quirky sense of humour and a quick witted way of thinking and speaking that made me all the more drawn to her.

Streeter is a really peculiar first name. I just had to throw that out there. I was fascinated by the way he handles people. He knows how to get people to want to work with him, instead of feeling like they are being pressured by his position to work for him. He is manipulative in the subtlest of ways.

I was torn between repulsion and fascination for the killer. Even after his identity was disclosed, I can’t stop thinking about his twisted mind and the insights I had into it. A brilliant accomplishment by the writer.

Liv and Streeter’s roles in the novel are quite separate but I never felt as though the narrative was disjointed. It was constantly captivating and I look forward to reading the next Liv Bergen novel, ‘Lot’s Return to Sodom.’

‘In the Belly of Jonah’ is a book I would recommend to mystery lovers* but also those who, like me, are fascinated by the concept of a serial killer with an artistic bent.

*My mum is already pawing at this book and feels that it is inherently hers.

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

Ask Quillbert

It is I, Quillbert, the literary hoglet, here to say hello at last.

I've been watching you, my Quillers, speaking only with my eyes. Now I am ready to take up my quill and share my words with you.

I have set up a small lair in the land of "tumblr" where there is ample space for a hedgepiggy to roll around. There you will find plenty of quillerific things, almost all of which revolve around me.

Of course, where would I be without my Quillers? If I had not stolen away with Jasper (our head Quiller and dashing Englishman) I might have remained forever in the Wellington bush, doomed to be scorned in favour of the native kiwi.

Instead, I am here at Quill Café, with my Quillers and my quest - a quest to conquer the literary world. I have no excuse for my ambitions. They are just.

I invite you all to tumble with me at my new lair, where amidst a showering of me, I give you...more me! If you have an account in the land of tumblr, stop by and ask me whatever question pops into your brain.

quillcafe.tumblr.com

I look forward to seeing you there soon. Until then, I remain forever mine.

The BFG by Roald Dahl

When Sophie spots a twenty-four-foot man in the middle of the night, she is snatched away from the orphanage and taken to Giant country.

Lucky for her she is in the hands of the BFG - the Big Friendly Giant - who has no appetite for eating humans and is an avid collector of dreams. The other giants aren't so nice. Every night they are visiting different countries and gobbling up humans.

Horrified, Sophie insists that the BFG help her to stop the giants from eating people...but it is going to take a mighty plan and a lot of help.

I always knew about 'The BFG' but I didn't know what to expect. I purchased the audio book, narrated by Natasha Richardson, after listening to an excerpt. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The BFG was a pleasant surprise of a character. He is presented as a mysterious, black-cloaked individual, who looks - and is - exceptionally old. However, the BFG has a wonderful child-like wisdom that even at Sophie's age is subsiding.

The things that the BFG says and the way he says them are beautiful. He may be uneducated in the sense of schooling but he has a raw knowledge that cannot be taught but can be learned. Such brilliant words in the BFG's vocabulary are, "bundongle," "chiddler," and "phizzwizard."

Due to the BFG's extraordinary way with words, I decided to purchase the book in paperback so that I could see the spelling. This has the added bonus of including the wonderful illustrations by Quentin Blake, whose imagery is so inherently a part of Dahl's works that it would be a sin to pass them by.

Even so, I'm glad I listened to 'The BFG' on audio. Richardson narrated the book in a way that my mind alone could not have allowed me to experience, particularly in capturing the voice of the BFG.

One of the most wonderful things about the BFG is his fancy for collecting dreams. In the book, dreams are presented as something alive and pulsing. Hearing about the sorts of dreams the BFG collects - and his ability to mix them together like the ingredients of a recipe - was an enjoyment in itself.

The BFG's biggest asset may be his extraordinary hearing but the quality I most admire is his unique way of seeing the world. It is infectious and I felt as though I had awoken from an adventure in one of the BFG's phizzwizard dreams.

I think that my love for the BFG began with this quote from the chapter of the novel also titled The BFG:

'Wellington?' Sophie said. 'Where is Wellington?'

'Your head is full of squashed flies,' the Giant said. 'Wellington is in New Zealand. The human beans in Wellington has an especially scrumdiddlyumptious taste, so says the Welly-eating Giant.'

'What do the people of Wellington taste of?' Sophie asked.

'Boots,' the Giant said.

You have to love a book that references the city you were born in such a way. I'm not sure if this information will protect me from cannibals but I suppose I'm an acquired taste.

Now that I have finished 'The BFG,' my next Dahling adventure will be with 'Matilda,' which I have never read. I cannot wait to immerse myself once more in the language and imagery of the brilliant due of writer and illustrator.

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.

Wrapped in Words and Other Things

When Keri first posted the request for a guest blogger, I raised my hand thinking this should be a piece of cake. Keri suggested that I write about literature/writing that I was passionate about.

I read and write all sorts of blogs, short stories, poems and books, so writing about one of those books or authors should not be too difficult or so I thought.

You know where this is going, right?

So, I started writing. I wrote a few lines about the books I was reading - "Ulysses" by James Joyce, "Doubt" and "The Happiness Myth" by Jennifer Hecht and "After Virtue" by Alasdair McIntyre - and gave up half way. Then, I started writing a story about myself and how the protagonist (me!!) got into reading since his childhood and how Oscar Wilde was the bee’s knees etc., That fizzled out after way too much browsing on Facebook, Twitter and Quora.

Yep, I spend a considerable amount of time on Facebook, Twitter and Quora. Why? Well, all of my consuming happens at those places. People, their thoughts, feelings, questions, struggles, ideas, joy etc., - all of those things are there for everyone to see. I immerse myself in that in search of ideas for my poems, stories or even my paintings at times. Sometimes, I am just there to converse with friends. So, it is not a waste of time for me in any way. But then, I had to write this blog post, when lots of other interesting things were there to distract me. So, I pulled myself away once again.

I trashed all of the earlier drafts and decided to write about the three books that had inspired me and influenced me over the years - "Nightfall" by Isaac Asimov & Robert Silverberg, "The Portrait of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde and "Being and Nothingness" by Jean-Paul Sartre.

Why those three books?

"Nightfall" is an easy read. It is set in an alternate universe, uses current scientific knowledge from our universe and juxtaposes it with religion. The result is quite interesting and refreshing. I like this book, because the subject matter resonates with what I believe, how I look at things and what I think of things around me.

"The Portrait of Dorian Gray" is almost perfect, in it's writing, in the portrayal of the characters and the pace at which the story flows. This is my favourite book and I keep returning to it to read random pages and the wisdom proffered by Lord Henry. There is a certain beauty to the words that come out of Lord Henry, which I like a lot. Even the preface to the book has beautiful words.

"Nightfall" and "The Portrait of Dorian Gray" are easy to read and easy to understand. "Being and Nothingness" on the other hand is neither easy to read, nor to understand. I myself haven't finished the book, but I keep reading random chapters every once in a while, especially when I can focus and have no other distractions. When I am focussed, the book is easy to read, understand and the profundity, mind-blowing.

Then, as I was reading some of the posts on the Quill Café blog, I came across Sydnee's latest post about referencing reality and what was good and bad about it. She wrote a good summary at the end of that post. To that, I commented that I usually reference a lot of real life events, people and objects in my stories and referenced Ernest Hemingway in that comment. I don't think Sydnee's summary and Ernest Hemingway's quote were entirely related, but I thought it made sense there.

What was the Ernest Hemingway reference you ask? In the movie "Midnight in Paris", Ernest Hemingway says this -

"No subject is terrible if the story is true, if the prose is clean and honest, and if it affirms courage and grace under pressure."

So, here I am writing about what I've gone through the last four days (or is it five?) to come up with this blog post. I am unsure if I am affirming courage and grace here or if the prose is clean, but I can at least say I am being honest.

The post so far contains all of the little bits that I wanted in all of the original drafts. Win-Win so far, I think.

I consume a lot i.e. read, watch, talk and listen. And whatever I consume, including the conversations I have with my friends and strangers, make it into my short stories, haikus or poems.

I do change the names, locations etc., but I try to capture the conversation, the theme or the atmosphere as I remember it.

All the stories I write have some real life event incorporated into them, as I usually use the "stream of consciousness" style of writing and it does wonders for me.

And for that very reason, I like James Joyce' writing style in "Ulysses", even though I don't always seem to follow the story.

I love the fact that the story or the writing seems so absurd at times. I enjoy it. I think a lot of the prose these days is just so very clean, very structured, grammatically perfect and almost always follows the same style. The uniqueness, if any, is in how much detail there is about the characters, the environment etc., But otherwise, the prose is just boring. I hate that. There is so much structure, I keep wondering what's unique or creative about that.

So, reading "Ulysses" was like a breath of fresh air. The prose meanders and at times, the details don't appear to make any sense. But, as you read through the story, the pieces started falling into place, like a jigsaw puzzle. The story is bizarre, and yet it pulls you in. And that is what any good story should do - engage the reader, in any which way possible, in new ways.

That is what I try to do with my writing. I try different approaches when writing every new story and in the process learn a bit, learn what the readers like, which further helps me when I write. It is an iterative process. Of course, there is the possibility that I might eventually follow some structure. So far, that hasn't happened and I like how my stories, haikus and poems turn out.

Did you notice how this blog post talked about so many little things? It probably does not make a lot of sense or perhaps it does. But, this is how I like to write and try to keep the writing as honest as possible.

I hope I can see more folks pushing the envelope in all sorts of different directions in their writing.

This has been the most writing I have done in a long time and should help me get back on my figurative horse.

Thank you Keri for passing me the megaphone.

Sid Carter is a prolific profligate and a hedonist. He likes and loves all things and is wistful and happy. He can be reached by email or on twitter. Check out his website: http://shorts.sidcarter.com/

Memento Nora by Angie Smibert

What if all you needed to forget was a single pill? When Nora witnesses a terrorist attack, her mother takes her to the TCF – Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic. When terrorism is a dime a dozen, everyone makes frequent trips to the TCF and then goes about their lives as if nothing happened.

A chance run in with Micah, a boy from her school and the revelation of the memories her mother is desperate to forget, cause Nora to spit out her pill and choose to remember. Teaming up with Micah and his friend, Winter, Nora sets out to produce a comic, illustrating all the things the TFC wants them to forget.

There’s something strange about the TFC. Is there really a mass terrorism group called the Coalition? Or could there be something far more sinister behind it all?

I learned about this book at Book Expo America last year, where I happened upon the author doing signings at one of the booths. That same week, I attended a mass author signing in a store and listened to her read an excerpt from ‘Memento Nora.’

I’m not sure why it took me so long to read this book. It’s short but addictive and I can’t stop thinking about it. Fear is a powerful weapon and the novel makes you wonder about whether forgetting is really a cure or if it is even more of a danger.

I’ve been on anxiety medication for more than two years, popping a couple of pills a day. Yet, in the past I’d always been set against taking medication unless I felt I seriously needed to. Reading ‘Memento Nora’ made me ponder just what limits would have to be breached for me to voluntarily take a pill to forget a memory…and how I would feel if I had memories robbed from me.

Angie Smibert is an excellent writer. The subject of the novel wasn’t overstated but written in a way that intrigued me and left me in constant suspense. It is written in first person narrative, by Nora, Micah and Winter, although Nora is the prime narrator of the book. Each of the three protagonists was sympathetic but I was drawn in by the strength that they each had as individuals.

I loved how dreams were used throughout the novel. Dreams are vague and difficult to remember...but they are powerful. The dreams of the characters really helped to reflect the struggle of each individual, trying to keep a hold of who they are.

‘Memento Nora’ is a fascinating concept that triumphs in execution. It reads perfectly as a stand-alone novel but I was pleased to discover that there is something of a sequel/companion novel with ‘The Forgetting Curve.’ I look forward to reading it.

If you could take a pill to forget something painful or traumatic, would you?

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

Referencing Reality

Is there ever a reason why referencing real life events, people, or objects is a bad idea in fiction? What harm does it cause to mention that your main character is in love with Cheetos, or they love shopping at the Banana Republic, or they make a proclamation of eternal love to a character from Glee? Sure, they're all trademarks, but it's not like you're stealing revenue from corporations. It's free publicity...right?

But what if your character admits that they hate republicans, or uses the name of a certain celebrity as an example for a person he thinks is stupid? What if your antagonist is a member of an actual terrorist organization or expresses ideas that sound pretty darn similar to a politician who appeared in the news recently? Is there ever a point where modern fiction becomes just too real?

In most cases, it's a matter of intent. What do you gain by specifically using one company or brand or event in your writing? Is it for the instant recognition of the name? To make characterization easier? Maybe your character's tastes are so distinct that saying anything but Cheetos makes it hard to stress your point. But what does your story gain by taking a dig at that certain celebrity? Are you trying to express your character's biases...or your own?

Although a lot of us read fiction specifically because it's not real life, reality will inevitably creep into fiction, and that's okay. Some writers use their writing to poke fun at real life, or point out societal problems that need to be addressed. Others write to explore elements they wish they could find in reality, like magic, mystical creatures, and superpowers. Sometimes these two segments will mix, until you can't really distinguish one from the other. But it's important for writers to be aware of their own preferences and opinions to help prevent alienating any one group. After all, you want your work to reach the largest audience possible, something you won't likely achieve by pissing people off.

At the same time, you can't please everyone, and sometimes there's no ulterior motive on the part of the author. Maybe you're actually quite conservative yourself, but find it interesting to explore a viewpoint on the other side of the spectrum for your novel. And if it's fiction, which is by nature fabricated, surely there's no problem in taking some subtle digs at that certain person from that show who you really can't stand...?

Summing Up

• Using trademarks in fiction is not wrong, per se, but contrary to what you may think, the company would prefer that you don't use them: instead, use the generic terms. Why? Because when trademarks become so common in everyday language that people use them to apply to a whole segment of products, then the company can actually lose their rights to the name. Think of words like yo-yo, which used to refer to only one brand of yo-yo but now applies to all yo-yos. The word is so commonplace, I can't even think of a synonym for it. That's what companies are afraid of. You can't make a profit off of branding if just anyone can use it.

No, you're probably not going to get sued by a company for using their name in a novel, but it could happen. As a general rule, avoid using trademarks unless absolutely necessary. Making up your own company name is also an option.

• Politicians and other celebrities generally don't have trademarks on their own names (last time I checked), but their names are still considered a brand in some ways. After all, they're depending on the instant recognition of their names to help sell an idea or a product. But then there's libel, or defamatory written statements, which you still can get in trouble for.

(Obviously, mentioning real-life terrorists by name is sketchy if you value your life.)

Bottom line: It's wiser (and safer) to depend on your own words to get your point across - not someone else's.

Further reading:
http://www.copylaw.org/2010/07/libel-in-fiction.html

This Blog Post is Unavailable in Your Country

When you spend a fair amount of time frolicking or skulking around the World Wide Web, it is sometimes hard to remember that, much like in the real world, there are walls and doors and locks barring you from doing whatever you please.

While “Please Make Sure You Are 18” buttons are easy enough to click away or dismiss if you are logged into the site, some material is just not accessible when you live in a certain region. No, this post isn’t about striving to access 18+ materials. Get your mind out of the gutter!

I’m from New Zealand, so I’m familiar with being unable to watch free videos that are only available in the US or play online games for UK enthusiasts alone. However, I’m living in America now and it’s sometimes hard to remember that things I take for granted aren’t available to my international friends.

Books that I can find in stores don’t pop up so readily back in NZ. To obtain certain titles over there, you would have to have them shipped to you. Surely there are more convenient digital options?

Before I came here, I did not listen to audio books or read eBooks. The ability to receive either at the click of a button is astounding. Such a thing could make a huge difference in the ability for New Zealanders like me to be able to purchase titles at the same time they are released in the US.

Only, there are still those locks and restrictions. I tell my friends back in NZ that an eBook or audio book is available and set them off running in the right direction, only for them to smack into a glass wall. Sure, I didn’t know it was there...but I didn’t think to check either.

I was naïve enough to think myself immune to this restriction because I was living in America, only to discover that while I could purchase the Harry Potter eBooks in French, German, Italian and Castellano, I could not purchase them in the original GB English. I had to purchase them in US English, which is about acceptable to me as Castellano.*

This was after I told all my American friends that they must purchase the UK editions of the Harry Potter eBooks. Yep, we all smacked into the wall together.

Is the restriction on digital purchases of books to certain countries a set-back for a title's chance to reach a wider audience? I just think that when I am back from my American adventure, cooped up in my Hobbit hole, it might be nice to access books digitally. Locking so many treasures in a glass box is a little cruel, don’t you think?


*Yes, I am a snob on this issue.

Why an Über-Sexy Appearance Doesn’t Absolve an Ugly Attitude

There is that age-old cliché, where the super-hot girl has it out for the protagonist. In fiction, we seem to have embraced the fact that just because someone is exceptionally attractive does not excuse their bad behaviour or signify that they will triumph over others.

At least, that seems to be the case with female characters.

Yes, in films and television and literature we see the hot nemesis crop up time and again. Where would our heroines be without these smoking women to thwart them? Well, they would be hashing it out with a woman who was as blemished on the outside as she is within. No good! That might cause the readers to feel…sympathy.

I’m not here to slander the attractive mean girl trope or say it should never be used. No, I want to discuss the importance of why sexual appeal does not excuse an unattractive attitude and how I’m noticing a real double standard on this issue between the sexes in fiction.

In novels with a female protagonist – whether targeted at teenagers or adults – it isn’t surprising to find that the heroine isn’t physical perfection. Few women come close to their own ideal of physical beauty and having a protagonist who isn’t described as looking like a super model helps more readers relate to and empathise with her.

However, it is rare to find a book where the male romantic love interest is not described as being physically attractive. After all, what heterosexual woman isn’t drawn to a man who radiates sexy physicality?

I’m not going to suggest that we start a fugly male character lottery and populate more novels with less-than-shagtastic blokes. I’m not irked by attractive guys in fiction (far from it) but rather the idea that a guy can be the ultimate “bad boy” and still remain in the protagonist’s – and the reader’s – favour, simply because he is gorgeous.

I am a firm believer in sexual tension and conflict between characters…but when I read about a man who insults a woman at every turn and she is still drawn to him, despite being constantly aware of what a jerk he is, I’m a little put out. Is this the type of man the writer wants me to fantasize about? Is this a protagonist I’m supposed to empathise with?

I’m sure I’ve read my fair share of books with less-than-angelic male love interests and even enjoyed them. Whether I was just younger and more susceptible then or the concept was fresher earlier on, my patience for these anti-feminist flings has shriveled up.

If an unattractive male character treats a woman in an offensive and sexually suggestive manner, he is quick to be labelled a sleaze and everyone can agree that he’s walking around with one scrotum too many. Yet if His Horrible Hunkiness tries the same thing…it is somehow acceptable?

Let’s not be naïve children who spout that the inside is the only thing that matters. We acknowledge people’s looks before we even speak to them. Still, I’m far more likely to be drawn to a fairly good looking chap whose personality shines through and enhances his charisma than Adonis the Arse.

What are your thoughts? Is attraction to a fictional character more reliant on looks or attitude? Do you think there is a double standard?

A Cynic's Guide to Bad Guys

10 Steps to Badass Baddies Who Will Leave Readers Quaking in Their Boots

1. Make the ringleader of your baddies a foreigner. Undeniably, this means they will have a noticeable accent that forebodes their dubious intentions long before they're revealed. Extra points for a Russian accent, involvement with the Russian mafia or dealers in the blood diamond trade. Golden star for two or more!

2. Your character must be the scum of the earth, with no redeemable qualities whatsoever. If they oppose the main hero, they must be scum, because heroes and heroines can't have flaws and are always correct in their endeavors. Some helpful, unforgivable archetypes include: child pornographers, rapists, serial murderers, and abusers of large quantities of drugs. Bonus points if he snorts the drugs off of or with a stripper...and then kills her.

3. Your antagonists will usually be male and older, but whether male or female, they will be unattractive in both personality and appearance. If you choose to subvert this trope, you have two options: make the character a charming psychopath or a cunning thief. Both of these types will eventually get away and the audience will cheer for them because they're "not as bad" as other baddies featured in the same story (see #2).

4. All bad guys must have some form of facial hair.

5. All bad guys have unlimited amounts of disposable cash and henchman. Because of this, they are not afraid to kill employees to make a point.

6. Bad guys really know how to rock a three-piece suit.

7. Bad guys are often cryptic and deceptive and have an elaborate cover up scheme even when it would be easier to be upfront about their badness. Why? Because "Screw you, I'm awesome, that's why."

8. Exploitation and/or infiltration of local and national government is a must. Law enforcement officials can't touch them, and politicians are all scrambling to get into the Baddy's favor.

9. A goal of anything less than world domination is for amateurs.

10. Bad guys have no qualms with killing their own employees execution style, but when it comes to the protagonists? Heroes and heroines will be tied up and left locked in a room, only to escape and prevail over the baddies each and every time.

Yours,

The Cynic

1.4 by Mike Lancaster

Peter Vincent doesn't believe in the stories of the 0.4 that the Strakerites preach. His father is one of the most powerful men in the world - the creator of artificial bees which saved the planet - and insists that their strange theories that claim to debunk human evolution is nonsense.

All Peter wants to do is escape into the Link, a system which connects the minds of single every person on the planet. With information, music, virtual holidays and games available in the literal blink of an eye, Peter should have no problem escaping reality.

Except there is the rumour of something sinister, hushed up. People are disappearing and with everyone connected through the Link, nothing is private. The world is altered and Peter is no longer sure what is real or who he can trust.

Set one thousand years after '0.4,' this book proved to be just as eerie as its predecessor. The defining qualities of humanity are once again called into question and Lancaster extinguishes the gap in our ever-progressing need to connect with each other and technology.

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year - ever since I learned of its existence - and it did not disappoint. Even though I had ordered the book online, it was so slow to arrive that I purchased it on eBook for less than three US dollars. That is how impatient I was to read it.

Whereas I read '0.4' in paperback, reading '1.4' electronically seemed somehow more appropriate. The distinction between humanity and technology is blurred in Peter Vincent's world but he is still a character readers can relate to. He goes to school, keeps secrets from his father and likes to imagine himself as a hero in the fantasy games he plays.

There are several nods to current social/gaming pop culture with "MyBook," "FaceSpace," "Linkepedia" and "LinkPad" as well as "Last Quest." Peter's obsession with making lists is something I can relate to and his interests cover literature, music, apps and games. '1.4' may be set in a futuristic and somewhat alien setting but it isn't enough to estrange the reader entirely.

I found this book to be as unputdownable as the first. Lancaster has a way of keeping the reader questioning, not only the events of the novel but also about the ethics of humanity's attachment to technology. Even now, we live in a time where we are always looking for the fast, easy and accessible way and where there are a couple of large corporations which we rely on, no questions asked.

I suppose you could read '1.4' as a stand-alone novel but I wouldn't recommend it. There are too many references that will go over your head. Some of them reiterated my need to re-read '0.4' or perhaps listen to it on audio.

'1.4' will be published in hardback by Egmont USA in November 2012 under the title, 'The Future We Left Behind.'

I'm not sure what to expect from Lancaster's future novels but I do know that I am eager to read them.

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 Egmont Books Ltd and is used solely as an aide to the review.

The Impulse to Read

There are books sitting on my shelf that have been there a long time. Plenty of them are unread, waiting. They could be the most marvelous books but they struggle amongst such huge company for attention and I forget about them...

I don’t want to talk about those books.

My mind is targeted right now on books that I have to read right now. I’m sure you’ve felt the same way about a specific title. It’s always a sequel or a new book by a favourite author. Whether you are just hungry for the story, paranoid that something will be spoiled for you or eager to read the book before your friends, your fingers writhe in its absence.

Whether the book in question has just been released or is already available, you must devour it. I felt that way with the fifth and seventh Harry Potter books.

Not the sixth, you wonder? Well, after queuing at midnight for the Order of the Phoenix and having to wait more than ten chapters for my favourite fictional character to appear, I decided I was not going to stress myself over reading the Half-Blood Prince.

It lasted all of two minutes when the book was released and my mum bought and started reading it. I snatched it from her and it has since been my property.

After I finished reading 'The Hunger Games,' I made the mistake of persuading my mum to read it. Even though I had dashed to the book store the moment I finished it to buy 'Catching Fire,' my mum was already finished with the first installment before I had started it. She walked into my room, saw it and said, ‘Is that the sequel?’

It was a serious, ‘My precious!’ moment. She was covetous and I was possessive.

Today is the release day of ‘Insurgent,’ the sequel to ‘Divergent’ by Veronica Roth. I only read 'Divergent' last month and I have been waiting every day since for this book, wrapped up in the high of the online promotion.

I was out spending the day brilliantly with my aunt and uncle and was far too busy at the Guggenheim to seek out books. I returned home, dead on my feet. My mum popped out to our local book store, bought 'Insurgent' and started to read it. I have not yet touched the book. I covet it.

Still, I think I shall be patient and let her read it first, despite the fact that she has offered to let me take it whenever I want. I’d like to say that this is some new-found maturity I have on the matter but if Rowling released a series with Albus Dumbledore as the protagonist, she wouldn’t stand a chance.

Are there any specific books you’ve been obsessed to read?

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

Lizzie Bennet is attending Longbourn Academy – a prestigious school for young ladies – on a music scholarship. With the exception of fellow “charity case” Charlotte and roommate Jane, Lizzie is met with nothing but scorn wherever she goes.

Prom is approaching and everyone – excluding Lizzie – is excited for the event. While she’s happy that Jane’s romance with Charles Bingley of Pemberly is blooming, she is less than impressed with his arrogant friend, Will Darcy.

Can Lizzie avoid the humiliation of the upper classes, with the help of ex-Pemberly scholarship student Wick and her love of music? It seems as though she can do nothing to escape the consistent presence of prom and Darcy.

I’d had my eye on this book for a while but it wasn’t until it came out in paperback that I snatched it up. Unlike the original, ‘Prom and Prejudice’ is written in Lizzie Bennet’s first person narrative. It still has the feel of ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ due to the rhythmic style of the text. Even the characters’ speech mirrors the style of the original, without seeming over-done, implausible or stuffy.

I would have thought I would be loathed to read a book about prom. It’s something I know of only through American television and it’s presented as being rather superficial and tedious. Although, thinking about it, prom is the substitution for marriage in this premise and I have zero interest in marriage and still enjoy ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ This book is not all prom, prom, prom gush, however. It is more focused on how Lizzie deals with the happenings around her, one of which just happens to be the constant factor of prom.

It was interesting to see how the characters’ roles were adapted for a modern setting. Lizzie is an only child, Jane is her best friend and Ella Gardiner is her piano teacher. I was constantly intrigued to see how characters and elements were re-incorporated and enjoyed even the smallest nods to the original text.

The most enjoyable factor of the novel was – of course – the character dynamic between Lizzie and Darcy. I was a little wary going into the book because the blurb on the back suggested Lizzie was the proud one and Darcy the prejudice one. While I believe they have factors of both aside, I was glad to discover that it did follow the original premise of Lizzie’s persistent prejudice against Darcy.

The only critical point I have about ‘Prom and Prejudice’ is that it was too short. I would have liked to see more of Lizzie’s life and conflict with other characters.

I managed to read this book in two days and was feeling pretty smug with myself, until I handed it off to my mum who read the book in about two hours. Ego deflated.

I would recommend ‘Prom and Prejudice’ to readers who like ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ unless you’re dead set against a modern re-imagining of the classic.

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 Point and is used solely as an aide to the review.