I just finished reading TruthSeeker by C.E. Murphy.
This was a good book. Lara, the heroine, always knows a lie when she hears it. She is asked by an Elvin prince to travel to his world and help him find his brothers murderer. To find the person who is lying. The book is fast pasted, with strong characters. I liked the banter and I liked how the author kept bring in all of the little lies we tell everyday. Pointing out how metephores could be considered a lie. We are not really as fast as a rabbit, the night is rarely as dark as a tomb. Lara travels back and forth between the two worlds trying to help and trying keep herself and friends alive as they are pursued. This appears to be the first of a two book series. I will be getting the next one.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Different types of apocalyse novels.
Different types of Apocalypse Novels.
There are two basic types of apocalypse novels. One in which everyone is still alive, but we have lost the ability to keep everyone alive. The story ends up with everyone fighting over fewer and fewer resources. The second types are the books in which almost everyone is dead and the few remaining survivors must fight to restore some version of civilization.
Type one (everyone starts out alive)
- “End of Civilization” type novels. Everyone is still alive, but all of the accouterments of civilization such as Electricity, financial markets, respect for law and order have been eliminated. The resulting chaos and how people cope is the heart of the story. Examples include One Second After, Dies the Fire, Survivors
- Another example is the “Alien Invasion” version; we must struggle against the outsider. Usually very strange and otherworldly. Think “Day of the Triffids, Puppet Masters, Footfall, and War of the Worlds.
- Natural disaster destroys our world, again, everyone start out alive, the disaster kills some, but the loss of civilization kills more after the immediate effect. Examples include Lucifer’s Hammer, 2012,
- We destroy ourselves via atomic war, usually because of the evil Military Industrial complex. Such novels as; Alas Babylon, the Day After, and On the Beach.
- We destroy ourselves via a biological Germ, same premise but without the radiation hot spots. Examples include – The Stand, I am legend, the Earth Abides
- Zombie Books. The undead look upon us as their resource, we disagree.
Type Two
- Long after the event, People are trying to cope, examples include –The Road, The book of Eli, the Postman, Mad Max, the Eternal Road, and Time Traveler.
- Future worlds that have experienced a cut off from the past, such as Logan’s Run, The Eternal Road, Time Traveler.
The common item though out these books is that their world is different from ours. The conflict occurs when these people have to adjust to the new rules. They all seem to wish they could go back to the golden days of our world. That should tell you something about how good we have it.
There are two basic types of apocalypse novels. One in which everyone is still alive, but we have lost the ability to keep everyone alive. The story ends up with everyone fighting over fewer and fewer resources. The second types are the books in which almost everyone is dead and the few remaining survivors must fight to restore some version of civilization.
Type one (everyone starts out alive)
- “End of Civilization” type novels. Everyone is still alive, but all of the accouterments of civilization such as Electricity, financial markets, respect for law and order have been eliminated. The resulting chaos and how people cope is the heart of the story. Examples include One Second After, Dies the Fire, Survivors
- Another example is the “Alien Invasion” version; we must struggle against the outsider. Usually very strange and otherworldly. Think “Day of the Triffids, Puppet Masters, Footfall, and War of the Worlds.
- Natural disaster destroys our world, again, everyone start out alive, the disaster kills some, but the loss of civilization kills more after the immediate effect. Examples include Lucifer’s Hammer, 2012,
- We destroy ourselves via atomic war, usually because of the evil Military Industrial complex. Such novels as; Alas Babylon, the Day After, and On the Beach.
- We destroy ourselves via a biological Germ, same premise but without the radiation hot spots. Examples include – The Stand, I am legend, the Earth Abides
- Zombie Books. The undead look upon us as their resource, we disagree.
Type Two
- Long after the event, People are trying to cope, examples include –The Road, The book of Eli, the Postman, Mad Max, the Eternal Road, and Time Traveler.
- Future worlds that have experienced a cut off from the past, such as Logan’s Run, The Eternal Road, Time Traveler.
The common item though out these books is that their world is different from ours. The conflict occurs when these people have to adjust to the new rules. They all seem to wish they could go back to the golden days of our world. That should tell you something about how good we have it.
Friday, December 16, 2011
writing group
Why would I put myself though this? I have decided to start blogging about my writing. To explore the why and how of my hobby. To share my thoughts and explore techniques.
I attended my first writers group meeting the other night. I didn’t know what to expect going in and had not submitted anything for critique. I just wanted to observe, to watch the process, and judge the participants. In all honesty, I wanted to determine just how much would I be risking by participating.
I was very impressed. While there was a very wide range of attendees. They all seemed very hardworking and very passionate about their writing. I didn’t know there were people out there like me. Writing and trying to find that voice that fills the page with meaning and emotion. That voice that can reach down into another person.
Eleven people had their works critiqued. The critics were fair and honest and very helpful. I will definitely submit my own writing next time.
I attended my first writers group meeting the other night. I didn’t know what to expect going in and had not submitted anything for critique. I just wanted to observe, to watch the process, and judge the participants. In all honesty, I wanted to determine just how much would I be risking by participating.
I was very impressed. While there was a very wide range of attendees. They all seemed very hardworking and very passionate about their writing. I didn’t know there were people out there like me. Writing and trying to find that voice that fills the page with meaning and emotion. That voice that can reach down into another person.
Eleven people had their works critiqued. The critics were fair and honest and very helpful. I will definitely submit my own writing next time.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Change in Seasons
Fall is here and quickly turning into winter. Cold, Blustery days. the last leaves have fallen.
Our lives are like the seasons. Spring of our youth, full of hope and wonder. Turn into the productive summers, passionate heat and long lazy days mirror our 20's and 30's. Fall is like our 40's and 50's. We get to enjoy life, the kids are gone like geese flying south. Finally the winter of our life, cold and lonely, we prepare for the end, and reflect on what was and what could have been.
Our lives are like the seasons. Spring of our youth, full of hope and wonder. Turn into the productive summers, passionate heat and long lazy days mirror our 20's and 30's. Fall is like our 40's and 50's. We get to enjoy life, the kids are gone like geese flying south. Finally the winter of our life, cold and lonely, we prepare for the end, and reflect on what was and what could have been.
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