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Showing posts with label Emerald. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emerald. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Ok Guys I am not one to buy a book because of the "buzz" on it, but my sister was reading this book so I decided to give it a shot. First thing I noticed was that it is written in first person present, which was very unusual for me since I am not a great fan of present perspectives in novels. Eventually as I read the book I got more used to it but I still couldn't help thinking that I could have perceived it better if it were in third. Speaking of perspectives, that are for another blog post. Anyways despite that fact it made me start experimenting with present in my own writing though I still prefer past tense. Anyways back to the book and the plot. I thought the idea was interesting and well executed, but it really reminded me of this one old movie with Arnold S. in it called 'running men' or something like that. It was different of course but the film was about a group of people in the future that were sent to a reality TV show (an arena) where bidders bid on them and these men came in to try to kill them. It just linked to that in my mind. I wasn't a fan of the movie but those two just clicked together. So I did like the story of the Hunger Games except it was very predictable. I didn't see many twists. I liked Katniss as a main character for I think that she is strong-willed. Other than that I think the book was a great fast read. It was fun but it was a very quick read and I am reading the second one now "Catching Fire" So look out for the review on that one. After I will do a review on "The Mirador" Which I have been meaning to read. Anyways if you've read it, drop a comment and let everyone know if you like it or not! For me my ratings go as follows.


Writing Style:

Plot:

Execution:

Overall Rating:


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The Damn hardship of writing.....

Ok. I am frustrated. Officially. Well at least I was yesterday, and I am thinking to myself "What are you frustrated about it's sunny and there is no snow?" but just as so many of us, I can't get my plot to shine through my query. I am literally four chapters of revisions away from the end and I can't write a proper query. So I do many query critiques and I can really see where the query is weak and where it can be improved but staring at my own query is like staring at a whiteboard. I can't notice any issues because I know what my story is about! But I am not giving up hope. What I am trying to do is simply to erase all my thoughts and ask myself the three questions that are supposed to help...


Who is your MC?

What is his (in my case it's a guy) goal?

and how will he achieve his goal?

As of today I am still struggling with the perfect query particularly because I have so much sub-plot and twists. I have no problems with the manuscript..I have betas that love it and love the story and are rooting for me but...The dreaded Query. Oh and did I mention that I still haven't started the synopsis and that I planned of sending out queries back in January. Was I that crazy? I guess the new year was keaping my mind very fuzzy lol. So how do you write the perfect query? What strategy do you use?