tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185753022024-03-05T18:53:52.299-06:00Rebecca Kennedy's BlogCollecting online information on writing fiction for publication...and beginning in 2012, writing about whatever else I darn well please that deals with plot, or character, or anything else related in some vague way to writing fiction.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-5192908348896368952015-01-28T19:17:00.000-06:002015-01-28T19:17:04.728-06:00Oxford Comma Rule: Do You Love It or Hate It? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://dailyinfographic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/oxford-comma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://dailyinfographic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/oxford-comma.jpg" height="860" width="394" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-47009090945792596042015-01-19T09:45:00.002-06:002015-01-19T09:45:28.930-06:00Setting is Important for a Smooth Read: My "Everybody Loves Raymond" ProblemWe're always working toward that 'smooth read' -- writing that flows for its reader without a stumble. Editing works to ferret out those bumps in content, and I admit that I write many things with my editor's voice in my head. ("Stop using the word "that"!!!")<br />
<br />
<h3>
My Ray Barone House Photo vs. Interior Set Puzzle</h3>
<br />
Which brings me to "<i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115167/" target="_blank">Everybody Loves Raymond,</a></i>" the classic television show that I can watch anytime I wish via my ROKU streaming TV device. <br />
<br />
Here's the thing: the exterior of the home that this series pops into view periodically in every episode for the Barone family home does not jive with the interior sets. Just try and figure out how that garage in the show where <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0574161/" target="_blank">Ray eavesdrops on his in-laws from the garage</a> fits into the photo of that house. Or consider how the back door fits into the kitchen set in the episode where <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0764385/" target="_blank">Frank Paints the House.</a> <br />
<br />
These things bug me. They cause me to break from watching the show to puzzling over why the setting isn't working in my head. Sure, even if I'm watching these re-runs while I'm folding the laundry, it's enough to make me stop and ponder.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
What I Learned: The Details of Setting are Important</h3>
<br />
What I'm learning, and wanting to share with you Dear Reader, is this: <b>setting</b> details can cause just as much of a problem in accomplishing a smooth read as misspelling or bad grammar or forgetting that a minor character had red hair or the villain is left-handed. Something I had not considered much before now. <br />
<br />
I didn't appreciate the importance of setting. I thought I did. I didn't. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.suegrafton.com/books/disfordeadbeat-pb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.suegrafton.com/books/disfordeadbeat-pb.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a>It came to me last night as I was re-reading <a href="http://www.suegrafton.com/book-display.php?ISBN=0312939027&title_key=d" target="_blank"><i>D is for Deadbeat</i> by Sue Grafton.</a> Once again, she demonstrated to me why she's one of my favorite authors as I read details about Kinsey Millhone's small garage apartment (the first one, pre-explosion). Not only could I visualize it in my mind's eye, down to its 15 x 15 square foot dimension, it jived with other descriptions of Kinsey's place (and her landlord's house with its connecting walkway) in other books in the series. <br />
<br />
Not only is this a comfort to me as a reader, it is a relief. I can depend upon Grafton to provide a stable setting, allowing me to move forward in the plot without stumbling over bumps in my head where something in the description is nagging at me to figure out what's wrong. <br />
<br />
So, setting. I get now why I need to map out my locations, scene of the crime, etc. in great detail. It's smart to do, and plus, it sounds like fun. <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-7113274557659503292014-11-10T15:27:00.001-06:002014-11-10T15:27:01.316-06:00Getting There with NaNoWriMo: Day 10 Check-In <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://openclipart.org/people/casino/1395639373.svg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://openclipart.org/people/casino/1395639373.svg" width="200" /></a></div>
Well, it's the tenth day of NaNoWriMo and I'm way off the mark, word-count wise. However, I'm happy with my progress so far, in another way.<br />
<br />
I discovered as I delved into my project that I was trying to stick too much stuff into one book, and that things would work better -- especially for the reader -- if I were to reorganize things into two or more books. <br />
<br />
These are non-fiction works which I plan on uploading as eBooks on Amazon, etc., when I'm done. Breaking the project into smaller bits, targeting to specific issues, may be welcomed by a reader who's not interested in more than specifics in one area. A smaller word count will probably work better here when setting a price point, too. <br />
<br />
So, am I where I need to be numbers-wise? Nope. <br />
<br />
I'm satisfied with how things are progressing though, and that's important. Success for me this month will be to discipline myself to work steadily on my own projects and get them finalized (as opposed to working on work for other folk). With this, I hope to have a new routine established that gives me a block of time each day dedicated to my own publications.<br />
<br />
So, here I am evaluating things on Day 10. I can catch up on the word count, and I think the change in perspective towards this project is a real breakthrough. <br />
<br />
So, when I look at my NaNoWriMo progress, I'm succeeding. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-66756420200858802572014-11-01T14:58:00.000-05:002014-11-01T14:58:43.821-05:00Ready, Set, Go: I Signed Up for NaNoWriMo <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d1lj9l30x2igqs.cloudfront.net/nano-2013/files/2013/09/Shield-Nano-Side-Blue-Brown-RGB-HiRes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d1lj9l30x2igqs.cloudfront.net/nano-2013/files/2013/09/Shield-Nano-Side-Blue-Brown-RGB-HiRes.png" height="90" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After debating for the past couple of weeks, I signed up to participate in National Novel Writing Month 2014.<br />
<br />
I signed up on the last possible day to do it — on Halloween. I tried not to ponder the implications.<br />
<br />
Shortly before noon yesterday, I went to the<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank"> NaNoWriMo site</a> and entered my username and password. It was easy enough. <br />
<br />
And, yes, it was pretty spooky, too. I've made a commitment now. Gulp.<br />
<br />
Thing is I'm not interested in publishing what I write into their website so I can obtain "Winner’s Badge." <br />
<br />
What I'm doing is using the pressure of the daily word count from NaNoWriMo to help me discipline myself to write 50,000 words.
In one month.<br />
<br />
This month.<br />
<br />
I'm not writing a fiction work, so it doesn't really fit into the "novel writing" which by definition is the goal of NaNoWriMo.<br />
<br />
I hope this isn't cheating.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image courtesy of National Novel Writing Month.</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-91844461743546041422014-01-02T13:19:00.001-06:002014-01-02T13:19:50.544-06:00Free EBooks: Kindle First Offers a Free New Release Every Month (Pick One out of 4 Choices)Here's a great freebie if you have a Kindle: Amazon has a program called "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/kindle/botm/" target="_blank">Kindle First</a>" which offers you a choice of four different new releases for the price of $1.99 if you are not a member of Amazon Prime, and gives you the ebook for free if you have paid for an Amazon Prime membership.<br />
<br />
This month, out of the four choices, I chose a romance novel -- surprising myself because I'm really a big mystery fan, but the description here regarding how the town really became a character in the novel intrigued me enough that I opted for the romance selection. Actually, it appears to be more romantic suspense so I'm not far off the mystery mark anyway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51atLWLshqL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51atLWLshqL._SL500_.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Image above: I chose Nancy Naigle's new release, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E1Q55OK/ref=tag_bro_botm_edpp_t3?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1" target="_blank">Mint Juleps and Justice</a>, for my monthly freebie this month from Kindle First. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-16800958726763694772014-01-01T10:00:00.000-06:002014-01-01T10:00:04.318-06:00Happy 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nysenate.gov/files/imagecache/full_node_featured_image/Happy%20New%20Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nysenate.gov/files/imagecache/full_node_featured_image/Happy%20New%20Year.jpg" height="320" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-32297676716728731932013-10-14T18:25:00.000-05:002013-10-14T18:25:05.908-05:00Great Infographic: The Most Annoying Writing Mistakes<div class="visually_embed">
<img alt="The Most-Annoying Writing Mistakes " class="visually_embed_infographic" data-id="2" rel="http://thumbnails.visually.netdna-cdn.com/the-mostannoying-writing-mistakes_502915971b866.jpg" src="http://thumbnails.visually.netdna-cdn.com/the-mostannoying-writing-mistakes_502915971b866_w618.jpg" /><br />
<div class="visually_embed_bar">
<span class="visually_embed_cycle"><a href="http://visual.ly/most-annoying-writing-mistakes/?utm_source=visually_embed">The Most-Annoying Writing Mistakes infographic</a> </span> </div>
<a href="http://visual.ly/most-annoying-writing-mistakes?utm_source=visually_embed" id="visually_embed_view_more" target="_blank"></a><br />
<link href="http://visual.ly/embeder/style.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"></link> <script src="http://visual.ly/embeder/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <br />
<div class="visually_embed_overlay" data-id="2">
</div>
<a href="javascript:void(0)" id="visually_embed_enlarge"></a><a href="javascript:void(0)" id="visually_embed_grab"></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-75890417127196406072013-10-08T20:48:00.000-05:002013-10-08T20:48:58.063-05:00Evil Mothers in Movies or Books - My Ongoing Character List (Narcisstic Mothers, Sociopath Mothers)This is interesting -- someone (actually, a woman named Kimberly Turner) has published an article entitled "<a href="http://litreactor.com/columns/literatures-ten-most-disturbing-sociopaths" target="_blank">Literature's Ten Most Disturbing Sociopaths</a>." The Top 10 of Villains, in a way, I guess.<br />
<br />
Got me to thinking -- specifically about mothers. Evil mothers. On film, in books. Maybe they are sociopaths (like Turner's inclusion of Cathy from East of Eden) or maybe they're narcissists. Ask a daughter who served as narcisstic supply to her mother and she's probably not going to debate that her parent might have a bit of evil ribboning through her soul.<br />
<br />
So, I thought I would start my own list of Evil Mothers - be they narcisstic or something else.<br />
<br />
Here goes. I'll come back and update this post as I think of more entries, and I welcome any suggestions you may have in the comments. <br />
<br />
In no particular order:<br />
<br />
<b>The Grifters by Jim Thompson</b><br />
book and movie (screenplay by Donald E. Westlake)<br />
mother = Lilly Dillon<br />
<br />
<b>White Oleander by Janet Fitch</b><br />
book and movie<br />
mother = Ingrid Magnussen<br />
<br />
<b>Now, Voyager by Olive Higgins Prouty</b><br />
book and movie<br />
mother = Mrs. Windle Vale<br />
<br />
<b>Ordinary People by Judith Guest</b><br />
book and movie<br />
mother = Beth Jarrett<br />
<br />
<b>Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford</b><br />
book and movie<br />
mother = Joan Crawford<br />
<br />
<b>Hamlet by William Shakespeare</b><br />
play and movies<br />
mother =Queen Gertrude<br />
<br />
<b>Suddenly, Last Summer by Tennessee Williams</b><br />
play and movie<br />
mother = Violet Venable<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-14010997867524260152013-09-30T17:01:00.001-05:002013-09-30T17:01:04.240-05:00 The Emerald Cat Killer by Richard A. Lupoff - A Great Find (Book Review) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ia6U6Aa-L._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Emerald Cat Killer, author Richard A. Lupoff, detective stories, best sellers" border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ia6U6Aa-L._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" title="" width="125" /></a></div>
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Cat-Killer-Richard-Lupoff/dp/0312648138/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380569071&sr=1-1&keywords=emerald+cat+killer+richard+lupoff" target="_blank">The Emerald Cat Killer (2010)</a></i> was a really good read for me, but not for the usual mystery / detective series reasons. Not that it’s bad as a detective story: no! Far from it!<br />
<br />
This is a solid work by a seasoned writer — there’s just more to this book than a caper and this is why I like it so much.
Well, that and the fact that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Than-Dead-Tami-Hoag/product-reviews/052595130X?pageNumber=3" target="_blank">I love discoveries like this one.</a><br />
<br />
First things first, I have to tell you that I stumbled upon this author at Dollar Tree, yes: Dollar Tree. <i>The Emerald Cat Killer</i>, as a hardback mind you, was there on the shelf along with some other hardback NYT bestsellers, all being sold for a buck. <br />
<br />
That’s right: one dollar for this sweet find last week here in San Antonio. (<a href="http://everydaysimplicity.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-shoppers-thrill-of-great-bargain.html" target="_blank">For more on that bargain buy, check out my post on recent book finds at the dollar store, here</a>).<br />
<br />
I grabbed it up on whim. One dollar, right? (Richard Lupoff was unknown to me; I’ll be reading more of his stuff.)<br />
<br />
Here’s the thing that really caught my interest about <i>The Emerald Cat Killer</i> — aside from its intriguing hook of film noir references (which gave me a list of some movies I want to see on Netflix): Lupoff understood the dynamic between a narcissistic parent, her child, and her spouse very well. <i>Very well.</i><br />
<br />
Rebi is a great character, because she provides a wonderful example of what can happen to the offspring of narcissistic mothers when things all go the wrong way. The bad way. The dark and evil road that is always an option for these kids. Her mother, her father — if you have dealt with <a href="http://backseatlawyer.blogspot.com/2011/06/psych-todays-dr-karin-mcbride-will.html" target="_blank">narcissistic parent psychologies</a>, then you’ll recognize the expertise of these characterizations.<br />
<br />
As for the mystery itself, it was enough to keep me up late reading so I could finish it. The plot moves fast. The detective team of Hobart Lindsey and Marvia Plum is sweet and endearing, and I’ll be catching up on their love story by going back and reading the series starting with <i>The Comic Book Killer</i>.<br />
<br />
Sometimes you get lotsa plot and shallow characters. Sometimes you get characters with depth and little if any plot. Here, <i>The Emerald Cat Killer</i> gives you both, with subtle humor ribboned all through everything.<br />
<br />
<i>The Emerald Cat Killer</i> is worth your time to read IMHO.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-41677574649065772762013-01-05T12:48:00.000-06:002013-03-23T22:46:32.357-05:00Watching Different Versions of Movies for Lessons in Plots: The Mirror Crack'd from Side to SideYesterday had a cold, wet, dismal night and all the new fuzzy throws we got for Christmas came in handy, as did the marvelous <a href="http://everydaysimplicity.blogspot.com/2013/01/roku-review-cutting-cable-for-better.html" target="_blank">ROKU</a> streaming TV gizmo (which actually hit the door in November, <a href="http://everydaysimplicity.blogspot.com/2013/01/roku-review-cutting-cable-for-better.html" target="_blank">when I decided to cut the cable</a>). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516B5GPWKSL._SY300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516B5GPWKSL._SY300_.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
We watched two film versions of the book I just finished re-reading: Agatha Christie's <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mirror_Crack'd_from_Side_to_Side#Film_and_television_adaptations" target="_blank">The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side</a></i>. It was fascinating to watch the changes made in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081163/" target="_blank">the Angela Lansbury version </a>as opposed to the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104882/fullcredits#cast" target="_blank">later version with Joan Hickson.</a> <br />
<br />
Hickson's my favorite actress to play Miss Marple, by a long shot - but I'm a huge fan of Angela Lansbury and I have no complaints about her take on the character. <br />
<br />
Here's the thing: this isn't a movie review. Goodness knows <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002005/" target="_blank">there are more than enough Agatha Christie books made into films</a> if I wanted to go that route. Nope.<br />
<br />
I wanted to share here something that I discovered by watching how the directors and screenwriters took Agatha Christie's work and adapted it for their own purposes. The Hickson version is pretty close to the book itself; the Lansbury version makes changes.<br />
<br />
Writing lessons are here to be learned, I think. I find myself pondering the omission of Gladys - was this wise? I consider the opening of the Lansbury version, where the black and white film is being played for St. Mary Mead's vicarage as a regular weekly event, and I like this addition for various reasons. <br />
<br />
It's as if the story is clay and the two movie versions have molded it in different ways. As I hold that same clay in my hands, having read the book, what would I do with it - if I had to write the screenplay with Big Name Stars needing screen time and limitations of settings and the like? <br />
<br />
<i>It's fun to think about and it's helping me with plotting. Characterization, too. </i><br />
<br />
There's <a href="http://www.tv.com/shows/agatha-christies-marple/the-mirror-crack-d-from-side-to-side-1285183/" target="_blank">another version on Netflix, too -- one with Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple.</a> We're watching it tonight with homemade pizza. Can't wait! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-84842595262359832552012-07-09T17:19:00.000-05:002013-03-23T22:49:01.344-05:00Favorite Characters: Brenda Lee Johnson and Tonight, The Closer Starts Closing Its Doors - And I'm Pumped. Who's The Leak?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLsAqsaGDMJGo-fFxpN-rcmjSjKsgpYXY0mHAMAq5ze3wrIX_9mQXoSoWH" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLsAqsaGDMJGo-fFxpN-rcmjSjKsgpYXY0mHAMAq5ze3wrIX_9mQXoSoWH" width="200" /></a></div>
I've been a fan of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458253/" target="_blank"><i>The Closer</i></a> since its pilot episode, not only because I love <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_%28genre%29" target="_blank">procedurals</a> but because I loved the character of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Leigh_Johnson" target="_blank">Brenda Lee Johnson</a>. I liked the arcs over time that revealed her to us: for example, the arc of Kitty. First, she hates cats. Then, the cat gets to stay. Then, Kitty gets pampered and loved and sadly, Kitty dies. We saw <a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0026458/" target="_blank">Brenda</a> grow with Kitty.<br />
<br />
It's a little thing, given this is a cop show, but this is the stuff I love and that I look for -- the people plots, the backstories, the characters evolving and relating and miscommunicating. You know what I mean.<br />
<br />
I like the ensemble here, all the actors are top-rate, and I'm really anxious to learn who the leak is -- the mole that has been betraying them all with information that resulted in both state and federal lawsuits being filed against the Department and the individuals themselves.<br />
<br />
This week, I'm voting it's <a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0156286/" target="_blank">Lt. Daniels </a>who got booted from the squad a couple of seasons back. Not that I didn't and don't like her: but it means that the Major Crime squad doesn't have a backstabber in its midst today, and I like that alternative.<br />
<br />
Sure, I thought it was Pope. Too easy. Gabriel? Red herring. Taylor? Maybe. Hope not. <br />
<br />
Luckily, I know from an interview that was published online that Kyra Sedgwick has confirmed that she may be appearing in the show's sequel, Major Crimes, in the future -- so Brenda Lee isn't going to be killed off. Thank God.<br />
<br />
But we do know that she does leave the Major Crimes Unit. This better be a happy ending.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-12347989732543224252012-06-25T17:47:00.000-05:002012-06-25T17:47:19.654-05:00Spicy Mystery Stories - October 1935: Maybe There's Hope?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFOES9qrGA_dRfndLR06kDe1bazopVAFtne1uOraAqXEbpUTYmxUPrbyOTd4oyZ4vHBjmGUop1SsgGzzoka4A1SKzIjCNgOpxSDwQXsFCXvrm8aFSlA8ktaCxKxwE0SyNyz2c1A/s1600/434px-Spicy_Mystery_Stories_October_1935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFOES9qrGA_dRfndLR06kDe1bazopVAFtne1uOraAqXEbpUTYmxUPrbyOTd4oyZ4vHBjmGUop1SsgGzzoka4A1SKzIjCNgOpxSDwQXsFCXvrm8aFSlA8ktaCxKxwE0SyNyz2c1A/s320/434px-Spicy_Mystery_Stories_October_1935.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was surfing around today at Wikimedia Commons for a public domain image to use on a project, and stumbled upon this magazine cover from the 1930s. <br />
<br />
Pretty risque, isn't it?<br />
<br />
Thought I would share this with you, Dear Reader. Maybe there's hope for America after all ... things are not growing more decadent by the day, if this was being sold way back when ....<br />
<br />
Check out that evil hand with the syringe. Scary stuff, boy. <br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-34984201399725493022012-06-17T11:50:00.000-05:002012-06-17T11:50:57.194-05:00Copyblogger's 10 Tips for Becoming a Better Writer. Sounds So Easy, Doesn't It?<a href="http://www.copyblogger.com/10-steps-to-better-writing/"><img alt="10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer" height="576" src="http://netdna.copyblogger.com/images/better-writer-graphic.png" title="10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer - Infographic" width="400" /></a><br />
<small><a href="http://www.copyblogger.com/10-steps-to-better-writing/" target="_blank">Thanks to Copyblogger for sharing this graphic</a>. </small>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-54406579083084495522012-06-06T19:59:00.000-05:002012-06-06T19:59:38.365-05:00Free EBooks as Marketing Strategy? Joyce Magnin Got Me -- Now I'm Buying Her Books.Who doesn't like a freebie, especially in today's economy? Well, I know that I do. Several times during the week, I'll check the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Kindle-Store-eBooks/zgbs/digital-text/154606011/ref=sr_tc_sc_2_1_zg_bs_nav_kinc_1_kinc/?pf_rd_r=B323496EEEB24F25A93A&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=kindle%20top%20100%20free%20best%20sellers&pf_rd_p=1345374562&pf_rd_s=structured-results-2&qid=1339030440&sr=1-2-tc" target="_blank">Top 100 Kindle Free EBooks</a> list. Sometimes I grab one or two; sometimes, there's nothing there that I want. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTi3ZECUicN6zl_pb8SZoWEWrQNOvFpgXgttP-5vPJY2B1FhiD" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTi3ZECUicN6zl_pb8SZoWEWrQNOvFpgXgttP-5vPJY2B1FhiD" width="129" /></a></div>
You might find more (or less) than I have. Most of the books on the Top 100 Free list at Amazon's Kindle Store are highly rated, I'm just not interested in more <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Circle-Friends-Cookbook-Recipes-ebook/dp/B004TTHKY2/ref=zg_bs_154606011_6" target="_blank">cookbooks</a> right now, for example.<br />
<br />
Here's the thing. I've noticed that some authors are smart enough to drop one of their books into the "free" section of the Kindle store for a short time period. Not that long, but long enough.<br />
<br />
Like <a href="http://www.joycemagnin.com/Site/Welcome.html" target="_blank">Joyce Magnin</a>. <br />
<br />
I discovered her in the Kindle Free Top 100, and now I buy her books. That's right: <i>I buy them.</i> Authors, agents, and publishers take note. I spend money because she's giving me a good read, and I admit I like the fact that she started out by giving me something. <br />
<br />
How does that translate in bookseller lingo? I'm on a book budget. If I am choosing between one of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3AJoyce+Magnin&keywords=Joyce+Magnin&ie=UTF8&qid=1339030236&sr=8-2-ent&field-contributor_id=B002RXJU5Y" target="_blank">Joyce Magnin's books</a> and one of another author I like, and only have money in the budget for one book, then Joyce it is. <br />
<br />
I guess that I am more loyal to Joyce Magnin because I think she's more loyal to me? <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-67512856390915703912012-05-28T15:05:00.001-05:002012-05-28T15:06:06.399-05:00Heather Haven's Alvarez Mystery Series: Another Great Find as a Kindle Free EBookI don't know how I would have discovered Heather Haven's mystery series if she hadn't offered one of her books for free as an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Business-Alvarez-Mystery-ebook/dp/B004HYHCWO" target="_blank">ebook on Amazon last week</a>. She isn't the first author that I've discovered roaming through the Amazon store on my Kindle, but she's the latest - and I'm using her book as an example of great reads you can find for free right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/components/com_virtuemart/show_image_in_imgtag.php?filename=resized%2FMurder_is_a_Fami_4f47900b82f1b_150x120.jpg&newxsize=150&newysize=120&fileout=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/components/com_virtuemart/show_image_in_imgtag.php?filename=resized%2FMurder_is_a_Fami_4f47900b82f1b_150x120.jpg&newxsize=150&newysize=120&fileout=" width="131" /></a></div>
Sure, I'm going to buy her other books in the Alvarez series. I love <a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=425&category_id=191&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1" target="_blank">this series</a>.<br />
<br />
As for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Family-Business-Heather-Haven/dp/1926931793/ref=la_B004QL22UK_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338235128&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><i>Murder is a Family Business</i></a>, it's a cozy, sure. However, it's funny. It's <i>endearing.</i> It also keeps you guessing (though I did figure out WhoDidIt pretty early on, I was surprised at some twists and turns in getting to the end of the book).<br />
<br />
It's well written. Never did I have the urge to skip ahead as I read this book. And that doesn't happen to me very often. Sign of a good writer. <br />
<br />
<i>One thing I really enjoyed here was the lack of snarkiness.</i> The family members here care for each other, and shockarino, they respect each other too. They treat each other with kindness and consideration and I didn't realize how little I'm seeing that these days until I read the first book in this series.<br />
<br />
I highly recommend Heather Haven's <i>Murder is a Family Business</i>. Even if you have to pay a bit for the book now. <br />
<br />
I highly recommend downloading freebies from Amazon to your Kindle, too. Sure, some of them are bad; some need editing; some are so-so. And some are very, very good. Like this one. (Haven's no novice, by the way. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heather-Haven/e/B004QL22UK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">Check out her bio here</a>.)<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-74425605362124158952012-05-21T15:59:00.001-05:002013-03-23T22:51:50.642-05:00Libraries and EBooks. I Like 'Em. Will Hachette's New Test EBook Program Mean More Selection for Me? Maybe.It's just plain sad, but I read all the time or maybe it just seems like it. I don't choose between paperbacks or hard bound, or audiobooks or ebooks or even ebook readers (I've got a Kindle and a Sony Reader right now, and I'm coveting a new Kindle Fire). I buy and I borrow, too.<br />
<br />
<i>Anything for a fix.</i><br />
<br />
Which means that, yes, I know how to go online to my public library website in the dark of night when most people are asleep to get a couple of new reads.<br />
<br />
<i>It's so sweet, you should try it. Just once won't hurt you.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
What actually happens is that I'm escorted electronically from the San Antonio Public Library site to the Overdrive site (<a href="http://sanantonio.lib.overdrive.com/DDB1C23A-CF11-4CE4-BECE-FBC804415C29/10/417/en/AdvancedSearch.htm" target="_blank">here is the link, I don't know if it works without manuevering through a library host site first, though</a>). From there, I choose which format I want (Kindle, ePub - heck I can get a selection of Adobe pdfs, too along with audio and video) and I can also hone my search to certain publishers, or awards, or subject/genre.<br />
<br />
It was through this site that I've discovered <a href="http://alisonweir.org.uk/books/index.asp" target="_blank">Alison Weir and her Elizabethan Era works</a> (good stuff) as well as some <a href="http://agathachristie.com/story-explorer/stories/the-regatta-mystery/" target="_blank">Agatha Christie short stories</a> (this week, I'm all Miss Marple over Poirot, but that will revert by the end of the month, no doubt).<br />
<br />
So, imagine my thrill when I open my <a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/appnewser/hachette-to-bring-new-ebooks-to-libraries_b23035" target="_blank">MediaBistro news update</a> this afternoon, and there's the headline from <a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/hachette-to-test-ebook-pilot-program-at-libraries_b51844" target="_blank">GalleyCat that Hachette is testing a new ebook pilot program for libraries</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>More. More for me. Hands begin to involuntarily rub together .... </i><br />
<br />
Consider <a href="http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/authors_index.aspx" target="_blank">Hachette's Author List</a> and drool along with me:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Steve Martin (yes, THAT Steve Martin. No "i" on the end, though I like his stuff, too.)</li>
<li>Michael Connelly </li>
<li>oh, heck. There's much too much to type here, go read through the Big Names for your own book-loving self.</li>
</ul>
Now, those in the know will recall that Hachette did have its books available for e-readers and middle of the night borrowing a couple of years back, but sadly pulled them back from libraries for I don't remember what reason. It was obviously a Bad Call.<br />
<br />
<i>Thank the Lord, they've come to their senses. </i> <br />
<br />
Now, the next big question I have: how many of their publications are going to get ebook versions? Yepper, that's the big question, isn't it? <br />
<br />
<br />
Well, that and WHEN.<br />
<br />
<i>Gimme, gimme, gimme.</i><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-72141394652200324832012-02-06T17:42:00.000-06:002012-02-06T19:28:00.304-06:00Amazon's Stores, John Locke's Simon and Schuster Deal: Hints of the Future of Publishing?Seems there are <a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/03/amazon-has-tried-everything-to-make-shopping-easier-except-this/" target="_blank">rumors that Amazon.com will be opening brick and mortar stores</a>. Exactly what the inventory would be sold there is the big question; <a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/ebooknewser/will-amazon-launch-bricks-and-mortar-store_b19962" target="_blank">eBookNewswer wonders about a place you would enter just to see what was available, but you wouldn't take the book home with you -- you'd order it</a>.<br />
<br />
Interesting, isn't it? There's all those empty Border's stores ready to go, after all....<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, <a href="http://donovancreed.com/2012/02/an-army-of-authors-and-friends/" target="_blank">John Locke has entered into a deal with Simon & Schuster</a> where he has his indie book <i>Wish List</i> being sold as a mass market paperback by the publishing house - but <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wish-List-John-Locke/dp/1937656004/ref=tmm_mmp_title_0" target="_blank">Locke is shown as the publisher. </a><br />
<br />
Which apparently means that the <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/48433-s-s-to-distribute-kindle-bestseller-john-locke.html" target="_blank">publishing house has made a deal for its distribution channels and marketing abilities with traditional publication deal</a> thrown in for the mass market paperbacks. <a href="http://telemachuspress.com/2011/08/john-locke-breaking-new-ground-again/" target="_blank">Telemachus Press will still be responsible for the actual printing of the ebooks</a>, as they have been doing for John Locke for years now. (For more info, check out the comment from Claudia at Telemachus Press, below.) <br />
<br />
So, we have Amazon moving into physical stores and one of the biggest indie authors making deals with a traditional publishing house - for distribution.<br />
<br />
Looks to me that these are hints that the publishing industry is growing and changing, but that ways are being found to keep our beloved print books and the sanctuary that is the local book store alive and kicking while the boom of indie publishing is allowed to bloom.<br />
<br />
At least I hope so.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-21385505469040623122012-01-06T09:56:00.000-06:002012-01-06T09:56:00.593-06:00Reading Great Writers – James Lee Burke for Setting<p>I’ve just finished <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lee_Burke" target="_blank">James Lee Burke’s</a> <em>Feast Day of Fools</em>. It’s not a short read and it’s a violence one (no surprise, right?) but here’s the thing: you can learn so much from this guy.</p> <p>I’m re-reading it now, marking things up, because he’s just so darn good at describing things. Like the bleak horizons down on the Texas border with Mexico. The colors, the sounds, you get the idea. </p> <p>There’s one scene, where a sociopath has taken his victim (I’m trying to avoid a spoiler here) out to his personal killing field and as the evildoer parks his “gas guzzler” and exits the car to walk back and open the truck where his victim has been tossed … well. Not much word count, and I can still hear those boots moving, the sound of the truck opening, the barren surroundings, the breathing of the bound man. Creeps me out. </p> <p>I’m not using his vocabulary. </p> <p>You need to read it for yourself. <a href="http://www.jamesleeburke.com/bibliography/45.php" target="_blank">Feast Day of Fools.</a> </p> <p>Amazingly good stuff. </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-24172306221788891642011-11-14T11:25:00.001-06:002011-11-14T11:36:31.396-06:00Dictionary.com: Great Site Offering Oodles of Info<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Juraj_Habdeli%C4%87_Dictionar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Juraj_Habdeli%C4%87_Dictionar.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
<a href="http://dictionary.com/">Dictionary.com</a> is one of my favorite sites, and not just for the ease of an online dictionary. The site itself is fun and informative - and it's a great place to get that writer brain in gear after you've checked the email and made the coffee (along with<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/fun/crossword" target="_blank"> crossword puzzles</a>).<br />
<br />
For example, today's <a href="http://dictionary.com/">Dictionary.com</a> has a quiz asking me to name the protagonists of several famous novels. Cool.<br />
<br />
Tabs at the top take me to a nice Thesaurus and a really fun feature for word lovers, <a href="http://dynamo.dictionary.com/?mp_source=ihzyvr&__utma=1.183648052.1321291395.1321291395.1321291399.2&__utmb=1.1.10.1321291399&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1321291395.1.1.utmcsr=%28direct%29%7Cutmccn=%28direct%29%7Cutmcmd=%28none%29%7Cutmctr=%28not%20provided%29&__utmv=-&__utmk=173029795" target="_blank">WordDynamo</a>. Admittedly, I may love <a href="http://dynamo.dictionary.com/?mp_source=ihzyvr&__utma=1.183648052.1321291395.1321291395.1321291399.2&__utmb=1.1.10.1321291399&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1321291395.1.1.utmcsr=%28direct%29%7Cutmccn=%28direct%29%7Cutmcmd=%28none%29%7Cutmctr=%28not%20provided%29&__utmv=-&__utmk=173029795" target="_blank">WordDynamo</a> because ... well ... I'm really good at it. Considering I can't dance well at all and the only time I sing in tune is in the car or the shower, where of course I am GREAT, being a wizard at <a href="http://dynamo.dictionary.com/?mp_source=ihzyvr&__utma=1.183648052.1321291395.1321291395.1321291399.2&__utmb=1.1.10.1321291399&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1321291395.1.1.utmcsr=%28direct%29%7Cutmccn=%28direct%29%7Cutmcmd=%28none%29%7Cutmctr=%28not%20provided%29&__utmv=-&__utmk=173029795" target="_blank">WordDynamo</a> feels pretty darn good.<br />
<br />
Okay. Enough. Back to work for me. You? You might want to check out <a href="http://dictionary.com/">Dictionary.com</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-41289830549690758622011-11-10T13:27:00.001-06:002011-11-10T13:34:25.649-06:00Kindle EBooks Available for Checkout at Public Library: How I Checked Out Kindle Ebooks from San Antonio Public Library: Easy and Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sanantonio.lib.overdrive.com/2A285962-18C3-49B1-BCE0-76938835FEBD/10/417/en/system/KindleGraphicNowAvailable.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://sanantonio.lib.overdrive.com/2A285962-18C3-49B1-BCE0-76938835FEBD/10/417/en/system/KindleGraphicNowAvailable.gif" width="98" /></a></div>
Kindle ebooks can be checked out from your local library via Overdrive, if your library is connected with Overdrive - and if you have an active membership with your local library, of course.<br />
<br />
Benefits?<br />
<br />
Well, I checked out a book to read late at night last week, long after the library was closed and because I wanted to read something other than what was on my Reading Stack of print books.<br />
<br />
Here's what I did:<br />
<br />
1. I went to my local library's home page.<br />
<br />
2. I surfed through the databases to electronic resources.<br />
<br />
3. I got to this page, which is my library's page within the Overdrive site: <a href="http://sanantonio.lib.overdrive.com/2A285962-18C3-49B1-BCE0-76938835FEBD/10/417/en/Error.htm?ErrorType=130">http://sanantonio.lib.overdrive.com/2A285962-18C3-49B1-BCE0-76938835FEBD/10/417/en/Error.htm?ErrorType=130</a><br />
<br />
4. I signed into Overdrive using my local library user name and password.<br />
<br />
5. I surfed through the e-stacks, looking for available books (they'll give you all the books in your topic (mine was mysteries) even though some are already checked out and all you can do is place a hold on them).<br />
<br />
6. I chose the book I wanted to read. (I was surprised at the selection, and it appears to be growing each month - if I'm reading my monthly library newsletter right.) <br />
<br />
7. I went to Amazon.com, chose Manage My Kindle, and went through the steps there to make sure the book was downloaded onto my Kindle (I had a WiFi issue that was quickly resolved).<br />
<br />
There. Easy Peasy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-60883471808478273882011-11-07T16:34:00.001-06:002011-11-07T16:34:36.797-06:00I'm Honored to Be Accepted as a Book Reviewer for Library Journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-aX3pnarotLZPk1kEsVLcQkRFOoZ7xlp-wo55IeIQwVMdYNsgXPti3MdisXFj-cq6Tbj0Mv0ghD5dn9yD5IOKPxPkrTNCWXOfyqkL-nFV1JR5sh5xcWwoLhyw1H5ojgz0Fn6iQ/s1600/libraryjournal.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-aX3pnarotLZPk1kEsVLcQkRFOoZ7xlp-wo55IeIQwVMdYNsgXPti3MdisXFj-cq6Tbj0Mv0ghD5dn9yD5IOKPxPkrTNCWXOfyqkL-nFV1JR5sh5xcWwoLhyw1H5ojgz0Fn6iQ/s200/libraryjournal.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
As of October 2011, I am a book reviewer for <a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/LJ/Home/index.csp" target="_blank"><i>Library Journal</i>.</a> I've been vetted and approved by <i>Library Journal</i> and I've signed the official contract, too. Which means, yes, I believe that I will receive a free print book as part of the reviewing process. And, no, that doesn't mean that I will automatically give a favorable, thumbs up review in exchange for the freebie. Who does that? <br />
<br />
As for <a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/LJ/LJInPrint/CurrentIssue/index.csp?pinfo=lj-2011-10-15" target="_blank"><i>Library Journa</i>l</a> itself, below is brief description of the publication from the publisher's web site. I'm quite proud to be contributing here, and thought I would share this with you, Dear Reader.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mediasourceinc.com/companies.html"> From Media Source, Inc.:</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Founded in 1876, </i><i>Library Journal
is one of the oldest and most respected publications covering the
library field. Over 100,000 library directors, administrators, and staff
in public, academic, and special libraries read LJ. In its twenty
annual issues, Library Journal reviews nearly 7,000 books, and provides
coverage of technology, management, policy, and other professional
concerns.</i></blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-62961247149107780452011-11-02T10:53:00.001-05:002011-11-02T10:53:40.874-05:00Kindle Format 8 Announced by Amazon - the Debut of KF8 and What it Means To You<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Ebook publishing just got some big news: Amazon is changing the way it does things to allow for more graphic and image friendly e-books with its <a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_357613502_2?ie=UTF8&docId=1000729511&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-4&pf_rd_r=0S8121FZGXEMS27D8SSQ&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=1321300382&pf_rd_i=1000729511#kf8_faqs'>new Kindle Format 8. </a> If you are publishing for Kindle, does that mean a major re-do headache? Apparently not. <br/><br/>Right now, Format 8 will be introduced on Amazon Fire and as time passes, it will also be placed upon other Kindle products ... "the latest generation" of Kindle devices, according to the <a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_357613502_2?ie=UTF8&docId=1000729511&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-4&pf_rd_r=1W7VECP5BBXN8T9FT670&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=1321300382&pf_rd_i=1000729511#kf8_faqs'>Amazon FAQ page</a>. <br/><br/>W<i>hat happens to my Kindle - the one I bought a year ago?</i> I'm not sure right now. <br/><br/><i>What about my Mobi files? </i> According to Amazon, all "currently supported content" will be okay, no need to panic about changing your stuff over to the new KF8. However, Amazon is going to be giving instructions on how to do just that in its Kindle Publishing Guidelines (tho that's not online just yet). <br/><br/>For more scoop, check out the Kindle Forums as well as <a href='http://techcrunch.com/2011/11/01/kindle-fire-code-base-kf8/'>TechCrunch</a> (who points out that with KF8, Amazon products can be read on an iPad); and <a href='http://www.webmonkey.com/2011/10/amazon-embraces-html5-for-new-e-book-format/'>Webmonkey</a> (who discusses the possibility that KF8 will allow ebooks to be placed on the web itself, since KF8's incorporattion of HTML5 essentially allows for ebooks to be built in the same way as a web page). <br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=ada9462a-d0f7-817f-bacf-45321375e226' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-23297098742566095672011-11-01T17:01:00.001-05:002011-11-01T17:01:02.089-05:00Kindle Daily Deal - I Check It Everyday but Do I Buy? Not So Much.<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>The Kindle Daily Deal is cool ... every day, Amazon offers a book at a rock-bottom price, if you're willing to read it on a Kindle. Amazon tries to juggle the offerings, give everyone something they like. <br/><br/>Maybe that's what is happening. I'm checking the <a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kin_post_os_08242011_DailyDeal?&docId=1000677541'>Kindle Daily Deal</a> every morning. But I'm not tempted to buy very often. <br/><br/>I think I have purchased two Daily Deals so far - one was a <a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GY0K48/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title'>biography of Bonhoeffer</a>, the other I can't remember right now. So I'm wondering what this means.<br/><br/>Is it because I'm not interested in buy most of what they are offering at the Daily Deal? Or, is it because I'm only interested in buying certain things as an ebook because, after all, I'm really only buying a license and not the book itself? Maybe a little of both. <br/><br/>Still, <a href='http://www.amazon.com/forum/kindle?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx1D7SY3BVSESG&cdThread=Tx36HWRF0B4QEV9'>Kindle Daily Deal</a> remains a fun thing to check every morning, before I do my daily crossword. Maybe you'll like it too, if you haven't checked it out already, Dear Reader. <br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=c4f97df2-7aec-8406-af92-e83ccbdd2a7d' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div><br /><br /><p class='technorati-tags'><a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/books'>books</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/ebooks'>ebooks</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/amazon'>amazon</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/kindle'>kindle</a></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-24142937496460723582011-10-31T17:37:00.001-05:002011-10-31T17:37:36.562-05:00Librarians Fighting Back Against Big Budget Cuts<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>When I was very young, shortly after my father died, I remember my mother instituting a Friday night ritual. She would pick me up after school, and we would go to the local branch of the public library. I could check out as many books as I wanted! She would, too. We would each roam the stacks, selecting carefully. We might sit in the big chairs, too, and read awhile. Afterwards, we would go Out To Eat. Usually, to a small Mom and Pop Chinese Food Place that I still remember as being so exotic with its red and gold dragons and silk kimono wall hangings. I could drink hot tea out of a little ceramic bowl, and I could bring one book into the restaurant with me. Such a decision.<br/><br/>That little branch library was such a special place for me. I was 7 years old, in a new city and a new school and with a mother who wasn't dealing all that well at all with the loss of her husband. Books. Books are one thing. They are friends, sometimes lifelong companions. Teachers, too. But libraries. Libraries are sanctuaries, treasure caves, shrines. Libraries are important. Important at all times, but especially these days.<br/><br/>I follow the news about budget cuts to public libraries with dread and fear and that small girl in me is afraid for her library. For the libraries beloved by other folk, in other parts of the country. What will happen? Consider this: i<a href='http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/891465-264/texas_governor_signs_budget_cutting.html.csp'>n Texas this summer, funding to state libraries was cut by 88%</a> (yes, eighty-eight percent; that's no typo). <br/><br/>So, it's very nice to learn about <a href='http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Libraries-Stand-up-to-Rahm-Budget-132915468.html'>Librarians Fighting Back -- like those this week up in Chicago,</a> where they not only signed a petition against budget cuts, but they also h<a href='http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Libraries-Stand-up-to-Rahm-Budget-132915468.html'>ad a "Story Time" down at City Hall</a>, where the librarians read books to the kids, right there on the threshold of the Mayor's Office. Cool stuff.<br/><br/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=111a565e-fa19-855a-80b2-b081f1b1a9bd' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div><br /><br /><p class='technorati-tags'><a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/books%20libraries%20economy'>books libraries economy</a></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18575302.post-87252863660854705232011-10-03T11:48:00.000-05:002011-10-03T11:48:00.124-05:00Revenge on ABC TV: Tracking How It Rehashes Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>After reading the script from the TV pilot, offered as a promo by ABC TV on Amazon long before the TV series <i>Revenge</i> began, <a href='http://rebeccakennedysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/abc-promotes-new-tv-show-revenge-thru.html'>I already caught that the writers were rehashing one of my favorites: <i>The Count of Monte Cristo </i>by Alexandre Dumas.</a><br/><br/>I'm not the only one who thinks so: <a href='http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/revenge-pilot-the-countess-of-the-hamptons'>HitFlix</a> agrees (and isn't impressed), and a <a href='http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/save_it_sink_it_what_did_you_think_of/265319?utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=imdb_topstories'>blurb at E!Online</a> calls <i>Revenge</i> "a modern reimagining" of the Dumas novel.<br/><br/>Over at Shnugi.com, they are monitoring <i>Revenge</i> as it plays out every Wednesday, tracking how the show follows along with the Count. It's fun; check it out at their post, <a href='http://www.shnugi.com/2011/09/25/tv-characters-from-abcs-revenge-compared-to-the-count-of-monte-cristo/'>Characters from ABC’s Revenge compared to the Count of Monte Cristo.</a> In fact, knowing the Dumas' novel may help make Revenge a better show for those of us that know the book than for those who haven't read it. (Or I suppose, seen <a href='http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=Count%20of%20Mon'>one of the gazillion movie versions</a> of it.) <br/><br/>I agree with Shnugi: Emily Thorne is the revenge-seeking Count of Monte Cristo; however, now she's a girl, Amanda Clarke aka Emily. That's not hard. After that, it's still early -- and very fun to try and figure out how they're going to cram all that good stuff from the book into this miniseries. Like how Edmond Dantes sought his own revenge, but here you have the victim of betrayal dead and his daughter planning vengeance. (Sure, the book is better.) <br/><br/>For instance, is Shnugi right: is Emily Thorne going to be Benedetto? Hmmmm.......<br/><br/>Meanwhile, if you want to read the book upon which Revenge is based, <a href='http://www.amazon.com/Count-Monte-Cristo-ebook/dp/B002RKSV9S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1317599654&sr=1-1'>you can read the <i>Count of Monte Cristo</i> right now, for free</a>. It's available at <a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/154606011/ref=amb_link_84185091_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0T9KXR2X4FAAF6AK7VWA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1321705802&pf_rd_i=1286228011'>Amazon</a>, for example, as a freebie (there's lots more freebies and great deals there, by the way: check out my post over on my simplicity blog on that score, "<a href='http://everydaysimplicity.blogspot.com/2011/10/amazon-top-100-free-ebooks-there-are.html'>Amazon's Top 100 Free EBooks - There are Some Great Bargains Here</a>.")<br/><blockquote/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=2eefd73c-a266-827a-a773-c369c0bbaa60' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com1