jlodom

My Current TBR pile

The title is misleading. I am not going to list the 170-some books on my goodreads TBR pile. That would be a long and tedious post. Instead I am going to list the main books on this year’s to-read pile. I set my goodreads goal at 30 books (look, I’m in revisions and I haveContinue reading “My Current TBR pile”

Regarding Emotions

Forewarning: This is rambly. The Anti-Emotions Campaign I have a conundrum when it comes to emotions in writing. I am, in fact, a very emotional person. Further fact: I HATE admitting this, and I used to loathe it when (as a child) anyone one of my family members would point out how emotional I was,Continue reading “Regarding Emotions”

Regarding Romance

Ah, romance. Number one: I really do like (SUBTLE, well-crafted, thoughtful) romance in books but, Number two: I am also thoroughly embarrassed by the whole topic and, Number three: am very picky and critical Admittedly, I don’t read actual romance novels–not to diss the genre, but it’s not my thing–and if it’s not done well ensconced inContinue reading “Regarding Romance”

The Everlasting Trope: The Dark Lord

Merry, merry February! This year is already in a hurry. (Note: I still have to sound out February every single time I spell it. Also, Wednesday and beautiful.) So I wanted to talk about another major trope, although this one isn’t necessarily one of my favorites: The Evil Dark Lord. So as with previous entries, I amContinue reading “The Everlasting Trope: The Dark Lord”

10 Useless Facts: Pt. 2

I would like to write something more purposeful and in-depth, but the snow-days are over, I am knee-deep in revisions, and I don’t know how much longer the Mousekewitz will sleep…morning naps have become rather unpredictable. So it’s a useless facts kind of a day. 10 of them. When I was, I think, four yearsContinue reading “10 Useless Facts: Pt. 2”

Story Music

Found this soundtrack recently and, while I can’t write while I listen to music (too wonderfully distracting) the whole thing is gorgeous, tense and evocative. It’s on my story playlist now. More for general atmosphere than for specific scenes, but perhaps those too! For some reason it won’t let me post the video, so here isContinue reading “Story Music”

Nose to the Grindstone

I have some feedback on my revisions and it’s back to work! I hope to be so much more disciplined with my time this go around so I can get it done much faster. I’ve already done most of the necessary think-work (this can be the biggest obstacle) and whereas I felt uncertain and nervousContinue reading “Nose to the Grindstone”

A Full Year

I have never been much for “reflect on the past year” and “make resolutions for the new one.” The big marker for a new year for me is remembering to write 2016 instead of 2015 on sundry items. But I saw eleventy-million “NEW YEAR/WRAP-UP” posts and it gave me a moment’s pause. What did happenContinue reading “A Full Year”

Merry Christmas Update

Not much needs to be said as I imagine most people are ensconced in Christmasness and family time. We took a 9 hour road trip to see our families and are enjoying all the merriment that goes with it. Singing Christmas carols makes the little Mousekewitz happy, and my brother’s dog (also a wolf) makes ourContinue reading “Merry Christmas Update”

The Everlasting Trope: King’s Return

I’ve been wanting to write a post all week, but I haven’t been feeling very clever, and nothing of merit came to mind. But I just finished a fantastic book–I’ll review it at another time–and it reminded me of a trope that I love. It’s often done badly, but when it’s done well, I trulyContinue reading “The Everlasting Trope: King’s Return”