If I open a book with low expectations, and the author precisely hits that mark, I probably won’t be angry. I will conjure a shrug or a “meh” and give it two or three lethargic stars on goodreads and say something like “it just didn’t make much of an impact.” This was the Divergent seriesContinue reading “It’s only because they KNEW better”
Category Archives: Thoughts and Analyses
The Wisdom and Joy of the Re-Read
First of all: Perseverance is Rewarded Once upon a time, in high school, I was assigned to read a book: The Abolition of Man, by C.S. Lewis. For those who have read it, you’ll understand why the average Oklahoman teenager (such as myself) might not have totally grasped every last inch of that slim butContinue reading “The Wisdom and Joy of the Re-Read”
Dear Main Character
Dear (My main character), You might be wondering why I didn’t let you be as good and perfect and noble as I know you truly wanted to be. Why?–you might ask–did I not protect you from those moral dilemmas that you’re still not sure you dealt with the way you should have. Why didn’t IContinue reading “Dear Main Character”
The Everlasting Trope: Enemies-to-Lovers
Well, well, well. If it isn’t the trope I’ve been avoiding like the plague. Not because I hate it, mind you, but because I hate that our collective obsession with it causes many of us to accept some very dumb plots/events/behaviors that we would never otherwise tolerate. Contrary to popular opinion, a sexy knife toContinue reading “The Everlasting Trope: Enemies-to-Lovers”
Aesthetics, Vibes, Tropes, and Premise
These are some of the most prominent tools people are using these days to discover (or pitch) their next book, because it’s a fast-fashion, low-attention world out there. I find them, for the most part, useless and exasperating. But not always. This isn’t meant to be a hoity-toity snobbish thing where I deride “the youths”Continue reading “Aesthetics, Vibes, Tropes, and Premise”
The Everlasting Trope: The Failed Hero
Closely related to the “Villain Arc” but not precisely the same. The villain arc simply tells you how a given character–regardless of their beginning state–becomes the villain. Often these are side characters or friends of the hero or a counterpoint to the hero. But when it’s the actual hero who falls, or fails, or succumbs,Continue reading “The Everlasting Trope: The Failed Hero”
So What Color is the Morality?
Gray. Or black-and-white. It’s all so simple, right? Well, of course not. It turns out that discussing the complexities of how morality is depicted in fantasy is itself a very complex endeavor! The subject is wildly muddled and I’m going to tell you how I accidentally confirmed this somewhat obvious fact. Confirmed it to theContinue reading “So What Color is the Morality?”
And then what happened?
Honestly, I don’t know. Watch, wait, and work, I guess. One week out from publication and trying to hold this process with open hands. With self-publishing you kinda know going into that it’s going to be an uphill battle. You’ll have an initial surge from friends and family, but then when that tapers off youContinue reading “And then what happened?”
The Je Ne Se Quois and what I DO know.
It is often easier to take note of the things I don’t like about a book than to understand what constituent elements come together to form something I do like. This is why people’s rants on goodreads are often longer than their raves. This is partly because good writing–good storytelling–is rather seamless. And since youContinue reading “The Je Ne Se Quois and what I DO know.”
To Persevere or not to Persevere? The Classics
I am going to stereotype two typical views on how you should read. I am going to formulate them at their extremes, so bear with me: Perspective A: It doesn’t matter how you feel about the book or whether you enjoy it at all, get over it and read all the great classics, or everythingContinue reading “To Persevere or not to Persevere? The Classics”
J. L. Odom 