Reading List 2009

I've seen many blogs with a list of what's been read by the owner and I've decided I want one. So over on the sidebar, in the coming days as I gather the titles together. you will see a list of everything I've read so far this year and I'll try to keep it updated.

Why? Reading is part of learning as a writer, and showing what I've read and what I'm currently reading is visible proof to myself that I'm not slacking off completely.

Yes I have the GoodRead widgets toward the bottom, but I want books that I've read this year listed by themselves. I know I read 27 books last year, but I don't know how many, or what ezines or print magazines I read. I need to know where my time is going because I have so little of it to go around.

Another Assignment Done

I spent the evening working on completing the submission version of assignment 3 for my 'Write Fiction 2' module, even though I haven't received assignment 2 back yet. My lecturer for this module seems a little slow on returning things.

I've also finished checking out my assignment requirements for the other "screenplay" module. I need to come up with 3 more scripts by the end of semester: one of 5 pages; one of 6 pages; and one of 15 pages.

The long one I already have a story in mind for, but the other two need something new. From what I've managed so far I need to come up with two flash stories around 500 and 600 words respectively. Might be time to visit Cafe Doom for some inspiration, or maybe the current anthology markets. It seems the only way I can write a script is to write a standard story and then convert it to a script by how I see the story play out in my mind's eye - I'm just wired that way I guess.

Of course, this will mean less time for other types of writing, like my manuscript and any new shorts :c(

I'm also about ready to begin reading my next book - MageSign by Alan Baxter, the follow up to RealmShift which I read a week or so ago.

A friend at work has also given me another book to read at some point (like I need more books), but I couldn't say no to this one: The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - I mean, really, could you say no to that? 54 short stories about the greatest detective character of all time. If I can't learn a thing or two about creating characters from reading this then I should probably stop writing now...

So that's the update from me for today.

Still in negotiations with an editor about my rewrite. They wanted something else changed and I said no. They came back with a different suggestion which met their needs and didn't compromise my story. I made the change and am now waiting their decision once more. It looks good, but I'm not counting any chickens - or ducks. Apart from that, no subs although one is just about ready to go, and no rejections.

Here's hoping everything is going well in your neck of the woods.

Todays Accomplishments

I think I need to start drafting my posts during the day and making a single post at night - unless it's a Soapbox post, but then they will be few and far between.

Today I completed the first draft of my next assignment. Part one you've all heard me groan about. It's supposed to be about 500 words. Currently it stands at a touch under 1000 words. I can cut some sections out and bring it down to 850 without too much drama, but getting below 800 is looking unlikely at this point. Part two is also supposed to be around 500 words and I've managed to draft that at a little over 300. You win some, you loose some.

I've emailed my lecturer for advice. We'll see.

I finished reading RealmShift last night. I've spent the day allowing the different aspects of the novel to percolate around inside my head. I'll begin drafting my review tomorrow. Not long now Alan.

Tainted has been positioned close to the bed for the next reading period, although "Dissecting Hannibal Lecter" edited by Benjamin Szumskyj, and "Procession of the Dead" by D.B. Shan has just landed on my desk. My to read shelf is now growing on its own, self populating until it takes over the room and smothers me, allowing me to die slowly of ink poisoning and a thousand paper cuts. I kid you not, I now have 32 books on the shelf. I also have a number of PDF novels to read as well. What I would give for an ereader and a book scanner.

Tonight I think I'll watch The Uninvited. I could be reading or writing, but watching a horror flick is still good research.

Tomorrow I should have my answer from my lecturer and begin drafting my review. Tomorrow night I'm taking my little one to Laser Skirmish as her end of cricket season team get together. Should be amusing.

The down side on all this, is a full week with no work on Newland. As soon as the current WIP goes out (Dreaming), I'll have to change that. There's no cricket this weekend now the season's over so maybe I can squeeze some work in then. Have to play that one by ear for now.

Okay, that's my update for today. Time for the movies...

Interesting Insights

I've had a good day, and so far, I've written absolutely nothing!

My wife and I went into town today. We went book buying and looking for a particular charm/pendant for my necklace (more on this shortly).

I got home, logged on and was presented with the Allen & Unwin eWriting Newsletter. May I suggest you subscribe and give their website the once over while you're there. Some good stuff. Anyway, in the newsletter i found this little gem of advice:

Extract from "The Writing Experiment" by Hazel Smith

'The popular belief is that writers have a special talent is innate, that good writing is something that ‘just happens’, and that most aspects of the writing process are inaccessible both to the writer and to outsiders. However, this belief is fundamentally flawed, since talent partly arises out of the learning of particular skills, and awareness about the choices available in the process of writing. The main special qualities writers must have are perseverance, motivation, the willingness to search for methods which suit them, energy to push themselves out of their own comfort zones, and avid reading habits. Failure to produce creative work is often due more to lack of stamina, or insufficient commitment to the process, than a paucity of talent. Self-awareness about the writing process is therefore crucial. Writers who develop this awareness will be able to intervene more effectively to develop their work, or change direction. It is important to try a wide range of different techniques, since a writer who achieves average results with one technique may obtain excellent results with another.'


On the way into town, I was trying to explain exactly this to my wife. I'm not a particularly creative person. I have an imagination but it is very structured. In my last story "Mobile", I wrote a very mundane first line in response to a competition. That line sat there for two days. I eventually sat sown and pulled together the bits I wanted and used a friend's wife as inspiration (may the situation in Mobile never occur to her--touch wood). It could be argued, that is creative in its own right, but I don't think so. I know what goes into making a story. I'm still learning what goes into the making of a great story. A slight difference but a big one in becoming successful.


I think Hazel Smith hits it pretty much on the head with the above paragraph. I may even go out and buy her book because of it--next month.


I can't buy it now because I've just spent this months budget for book purchases.


First up is H. P. Lovecraft's "Omnibus 1: At the Mountain of Madness"
"Books of Blood: Volumes 1-3" by Clive Barker
"Too Die For" by Kathy Braidhill
and finally two books in "The Quentaris Chronicles"
"Quentaris in flames" by Michael Pryor
"Vampires of Quentaris" by Paul Collins


The last two I brought for purposes of one of my last two assignments. Plus they're only small books at 157 pages of fairly large type, targeted at the 9-12 market. There may even be a market opportunity in there for me.


I decided against any more resource books at the moment and against any recent releases, because rather than worry about my reviews for HorrorScope or myself, I want to grow as a writer of dark fiction. Clive Barker and Mr Lovecraft will help with that more than those who ply the craft today. And the Chronicles may help me to understand the dark YA market and therefore open more opportunities for me. See what I mean about structured. Reasons for everything.


As I work my way through these, I will, of course, post reviews. I'll run it by the head honcho at HorrorScope first to see if he wants any of them posted there but they'll eventually end up on my review site as well.

Before I sign off, I promised to tell you about the charm/pendant. 20 something years ago I began playing cricket. I love the game with a passion few other things in my life come close to (my wife and family, and writing being the other things). A little over 15 years ago (I think) a friend brought me a charm for my necklace. It was a cricket bat. I've worn it ever since. Last season was my last. It's time to hang up the cricket bat or pass it on to my son. I need a new charm. I decided on a feather quill to represent my writing. I don't want a book because to me that signifies reading, and it's not my goal. My goal is to write very well. In doing so, I should be able to make a living out of it. But it should all stem from my writing. A pen is a symbol for writing as are letters, a typewriter, things of that nature. But originally it was the feather quill and maybe an ink pot. that's what I want. And, of course, nobody sells them. If you find a place where someone sells them (in gold), please leave me a comment to let me know. Much appreciated.


Well, I'm off to firstly review those feeds I've subscribed to that have new material, and then to finish reading "The Elements of Style". I want that, and its review, done tonight so I can move onto the juicier purchases of today!


Remember: writers write, but to know what's come before, and what's out there today; writers must read.


Good luck with your writing and don't forget to, occasionally, pick up a book when you have a break.


BT