READING:
- Have been starting a lot of books lately but not being able to finish them for some reason. I think the reason may possibly be that I can't be bothered writing up reviews for them. Sometimes I look at the reviews some other people are posting and think, man I can't be bothered writing up something as good as that.
- Have been going through a bit of Is It Just Me? syndrome. By that I mean I'm reading books that I should normally like but there's just one thing about them which sets me off and I go into a round of: is it just me or is this book such and such. Mostly this has been happening where I don't feel that great a connection to the characters or the motivation behind their course of action.
WRITING:
- Still trying to write those last chapters of Seeder's Poison. Am not struggling so much as re-reading and thinking, If I don't kill someone in these last few chapters, this is gonna be pretty boring. My supposed last chapters have actually turned into 10 chapters but to be fair, my first chapter was 7,000 words and the last few chapters have only been about 2,000 words max. I am going to need some serious editing.
- Am currently agonising over whether to bother getting traditionally published or to try my hand at self publishing. Pros and cons for both sides and I'm swaying towards self publishing but I am so technologically stunted that the thought of formatting and converting my MS into another format is a bit daunting. But I am too much of a tighta$$ too pay someone else to do it!
TV:
- What's that? With Gossip Girl on a temporary hiatus, I have been getting back into my gardening. Just in time for Autumn (Fall for you guys). I can sense this turning into a bit of a book/gardening blog mish mash!
- For some reason the husband has decided that he wants to see The Hunger Games with me but he can't stay up late for us to see it opening night so I'm not going to be able to watch it until the 24th. Bit annoying. Especially since he has no idea what it's about and doesn't want me to tell him. What's the point in that? Luckily I've already organised a repeat viewing with some friends who I forced to read the books.
LIFE:
- Can't complain. Although have taken to wearing band-aids on my fingers because I use the scroll button on my mouse way too much. They should document that as a real illness.
- A huntsman spider has taken up residence in my room. I've named it Charlotte. I was going to take a photo for you guys but then I remembered most people don' like spiders the way I do. They're very useful. Unlike mosquitoes which I still maintain can be eliminated from the this dimension without anyone caring.
Yes!!! Eliminate the Mosquitoes!!! Oh, and about the release of THG....dot worry about having to wait to see it. With the whole time difference thing, by the time you actually see it, it'll be just about time for us in America to see it. I hope that makes you feel a bit better.
ReplyDeleteSherre, that tidbit about the time difference completely slipped my mind. I feel heaps better now :)
DeleteLOL I won't go see it with the hubby because he hasn't read the books, and that is a no no. I think I am going to see it with a work friend, and we will go a couple days after it is out, so maybe there won't be too many talkers. I hate people who talk to movies, drives me nuts.
ReplyDeleteBeth ^_^
Hubby and I always always go to a super early session because I hate hate hate people who talk in movies. Or people who comes and sit next to you even though the cinema is empty!
DeleteI hate that! It doesn't make any sense when there are so many seats! I went to see one of the twilight movies on opening night with a friend, and I will never do that again, half the movie you couldn't hear because every time something happened the 12-18 girl population would make too much noise.
DeleteBah, reviews... I'm behind on mine. I ended up having the perfect thing come along to make up for my lack of reviews for tomorrow, so it gives me another week to write them up. I think I'm just feeling a little lazy lately.
ReplyDeleteThe whole self-publish/traditional publish thing is hard to choose from. I'm going to do self-pub myself, and I'm setting a little bit of money aside to get the final editing and formatting done by professionals. I read up on basic formatting and got a headache. I'm sure if you look around a bit, you can find a cheaper yet qualified person to format your novel. Ask a few self-pub authors you know in the blogging community and I'm sure they'll point you in the right direction and maybe give you an idea of the cost. That's what I'll be doing once I finish my rewrite, get some input from people who know.
I can't wait for The Hunger Games! My BFF and I are going Friday night. We just bought a bunch of goodies from Hot Topic yesterday (they HAD to come up to us and say, 'If you spend $25 on Hunger Games items, you get a free poster'). Glad you have a second viewing planned with friends too!
There is so much to think about with the whole publishing thing. But I think I am 90% sure I want to self publish. If only because I am such a control freak I don't think I could budge on any of my expectations.
DeleteIt's so great to be able to talk THG madness with other people who get what I'm talking about!
Being a writer changes how you are as a reader. There's no doubt about it. I'm much picker about my books now than when I took the plunge into the writing world.
ReplyDeleteI am so picky now it's horrible. I feel like I'm disapproving of everything and it's so bad. Pretty soon I'll have to give up this reviewing malarkey.
DeleteLOL, you crack me up. I think there's something about being a Chan that makes us gentically tight fisted. My Chan family has an annual Bargain of the Year contest which is quite fierce. We even have a trophy that gets passed around. (It lights up!)
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you have any questions about self-pubbing. I've figured out ways to shave money off the process . . . and also figured out what's worth paying for.
OMG Camille, Bargain of the Year contest sounds super cool because on top of being tight fisted, I am super competitive as well when I want something bad enough! I will surely take you up on your offer of advice when I finally finish writing my MS!
DeleteSounds like you're in a bit of a reading lull. Don't worry.
ReplyDeleteEither way you publish I can't wait to read your book!!!
Um, yeah, I'm not a big spider fan but there's these little common house spiders that I'll let live in my house because they stay in their webs and keep the ant problem down. The big hairy ones that just wander around...Must die!!!
I think I'm feeling residual guilt for trashing on so many books lately. But a book slump probably sums it up better. I think a huntsman spider falls into the category of a big hairy one that just walks around...
DeleteI'm behind on my reviews as well, so you're not alone! And it sounds like you're in a bit of a reading slump, so maybe take a break from reading for a couple of days to see if your mojo comes back? Agree with you about the mosquitoes, but I'm a little iffy on spiders (depends how big they are).
ReplyDeleteBig spiders have a purpose too...I'm just not sure what it is besides to eat birds :)
DeleteSomewhere in the universe, some poor indie authors are cursing me...
Amen about the mosquitoes! And can I just say that I LOVE that you named the spider Charlotte--such a classy name.
ReplyDeleteSorry you're kinda in a reading slump--the only cure that works for me is not reading ANY books for 2 or 3 days and just mindlessly watching tv/movies. Then I miss reading enough to like just about anything :)
Ha! When I told my husband I'd named the spider Charlotte he looked at me and said "You are such a book geek."
DeleteI think I'm spreading myself too thin and am worried about other things besides reading so it's kinda low on the priority list anyway.
I didn't know you were into gardening. That's really neat! I don't know anything about it at all, so I'd be inclined to kill any growing thing. I pay more attention to the fauna when I go in my backyard, all the things flying and buzzing around.
ReplyDeleteWaiting one day is no big deal to see THG, lol. It might be fun to watch it with someone who doesn't know what he's in for. I'd be really curious about your husband's reaction to the story. Plus, I hear really good things about the movie, so it might be best viewing when you're not about to go to bed.
"Into Gardening" is a bit of an understatement. I think my brain only has two settings: apathy and complete obsession. When I like something, I like it a lot. Don't worry about your lack of gardening know how Cathy. Once you read my book, you'll be super informed! Apart from dogs I am not so much with the fauna. I have trust issues with things that I can't reason with (don't even get me started on kids.
DeleteIt really is only a 1 day wait isn't it? Patience isn't one of my strong points at all.
Hunger Games movie! YAY! I think I've made sure to tell everyone I know that the movie is a must-watch! I really hope that we won't be disappointed by the movie adaptation! x)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book, Lan! I don't really like it when a character died in a book, but I understand that sometimes the spice is needed to make an awesome dish (pardon my analogy LOL!). I hope that you can finish the book soon, Lan, because I'm incredibly curious to read it! :)
If you're wondering whether to go to publisher or self-publishing, I'll have a guest post up tomorrow from an indie author in my blog. The topic is why he chooses to be indie author. Who knows that you may get insightful knowledge and finally able to decide, Lan? LOL, yes, this is shameless blog promotion! Hope that I can help! <3
Oh no, I'm so sorry that you're in such a reading slump, Lan! Those things are a blogger's worst enemy because it makes it that much harder to get through our TBR pile to review books. Have you read the Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins? The last book in the series, Spell Bound, just came out today and it might help you if you've read the others! This series is just a blast to read, and maybe it will help? :) That's the first book that came to my mind haha! x)
ReplyDeleteOhhhh, and the publishing question sounds like a hard choice! I'll definitely be reading your book either way, but I know that you probably still want to make the best decision. I've always been certain on my path to going the traditional way of publishing with my future book (that's what my family encourages me to do!), but there are definitely indie authors out there who were doing so well -- like Amanda Hocking! As long as your book is great, I don't think it should matter much in the end! :)
And YAY for The Hunger Games!!! I think I'm going to watch it on the first night with my friends and every time I hear more about it, I get more excited! I'm hope hope hoping that it won't be a let down! x)
Have an amazing day, Lan! :) <3
I often feel that way when I read other people's reviews as well. But I've decided I'm just going to write what I feel, and work on adding more of the things I like about others' reviews. I also have stopped reading reviews of books I haven't read but have planned to read, just so I don't hear bad things and then decide not to read them. But I always go back and read them once I've written my post just to compare what they've had to say.
ReplyDeleteI have brown thumbs! I can barely keep houseplants alive, let alone a garden. LOL
ReplyDeleteI won't be able to go to opening night, either - was hoping to make the trip into the city to see THG on the BIG big screen, but babysitting doesn't work, so I will be waiting until it reaches my small hometown. I'm going with my hubby, too, but he's read the books - the first two, anyway - so he has some clue, anyway. :)
I am in the same reading funk! It must be going around. :) Either that or there's just a lot going on in my little life & it makes it hard to devote the time to books. When I actually do read I want the book to be amazing!
ReplyDeleteI might not end up getting to see The Hunger Games for the midnight showing, either, and for the same reason. My husband decided kind of last minute that he did want to see it, and of course all the midnight showings are basically sold out now. Silly husbands.
Loved reading this and sometimes you just need the refresher of stepping back and taking some deep breaths, taking a walk, anything at least that helps me on many days at work. LOL on the mouse injury. I have a laptop that I have rubbed the touch mouse smooth. : ) Thanks for sharing. B4 I forget, you have been tagged also : )
ReplyDelete