June 24, 2010

In good company



This is kinda cool.

My book’s number 29.

On goodreads.

It’s number 29 on the list of Books with The Best Female Lead Characters.


I’m in good company too.

Stieg Larson’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is 24th

Lewis Carroll’s got 27th nailed down with Through the Looking Glass,

And Jane Austin’s Emma is right behind me.



Yeah, I know,

The steely-eyed and the analytical amongst you will quickly observe that,

It doesn’t take a lot of votes to move up the list.

But still.

New and, comparably, little-known authors—like me—must take our pleasures wherever (and however) we find them.

All to say that,

If you did read my book (and liked it),

How ‘bout giving it a boost?

Just sign up on goodreads, then click here to cast your vote.

You’ll give a new author some much-needed exposure,

And feel like a million bucks (well you know, I do write fiction!)

Thank you.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

Share
June 21, 2010

Another great book



You’re savvy to the social media scene, right?

You know how it goes, uh?

You come across someone online (in this case it’s goodreads.com).

You find out, guy’s written a book (yeah, who hasn’t?)

So, you check things out, you sniff the dog tags—suss out whether the dude’s gonna be worth the effort.

All this sound crass to you?

Well sorry, but, last time I checked, time still wasn’t a renewable resource.

So anyway…

I did all that.

And also found out—sample chapters are right there, on his website.

Waiting to be read.

So I do it. Read the first chapter.

Maybe it’s my imagination,

Maybe it’s not.

Maybe it’s the style, the language—the attitude.

Don’t know what it is,

But the chapter’s eerily evocative—not similar, mind you. Not identifiable, or anywhere near that.

It’s just…

The writing reminds me of something,

Like someone I read before.

Shit, look, I’ll come right out and say it.

That chapter—the way it’s written, reminds me, sort of, in a funny kinda way—of my writing.

Then again,

Like I said;

Probably my imagination.

Anyway, I buy the book—download it.

I’m hooked and read it in no time flat.

The thing’s well put together, it’s got it all,

Innovative plot.

Strong dialog.

Compelling characters.

Turns out, in case you’re skeptical, the reason I love this book is not because the writing’s similar to mine. Turns out, in fact, it’s not like mine at all—it was, really, just my imagination. Turns out, though, one of the  reasons I loved the book is that it’s got a hook that’ll snag a whale.  All of which, is to say that…

Hell, this guy’s pretty good.

His name’s Gregory Mose.

He’s cool too.

Runs gites in France (yeah, I know, I had to look it up too).

Listen, do me a favour.

Buy his book. Stunt Road.

You’ll find it on amazon.com

Or, do like me,

And get it at  smashwords

It’s only 4 bucks, for chrissake.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

Share
June 16, 2010

Somebody do something



It’s a story that, except for its troubling and tragic ending, might sound like an SNL parody of a Canadian stereotype.

The story goes like this,

For the third time in almost as many weeks, a young moose wanders out of the wilderness, and straight into an Ottawa residential area.

That part sounds kinda like the intro to an unoriginal joke, doesn’t it? Predictable, maybe. Hackneyed, even.

The tragic part is, for the third time in almost as many weeks, Ottawa police cornered, shot and killed the disoriented animal.

Not so funny anymore, is it?

What is it about a moose on the loose—typically so harmless and benign—that prompts a police force to act with such savagery?

Well, in each case, the moose, so it appears, was in an frantic and frenzied state.

Unpredictable, muddled and, therefore, potentially dangerous.

And, each case, so it appears, demanded that something be done.



Something be done…



Deal with it

Do something

Anything

Just get rid of the problem.



Why are we so preoccupied with having to do something?

Why are we so eager to take charge, be in control, look busy?

What’s wrong with slowing down, waiting it out?

Because, maybe, there are times when being busy, acting like we’re in control, doing something, is precisely the wrong strategy

And maybe it’s a good idea to remember that, sometimes, unforeseen events will just take care of themselves.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

Share
June 14, 2010

From a reader



Do you love what you do?

Would you continue even if no one noticed?

I know I would.

However,

It is rewarding and uplifting when someone does notice—and then takes time to post a comment;

Oh, and don’t forget.

Because of a goodreads.com promotion, you can buy The Net Present Value of Life at a 30% discount.

But only until June 30.

Here’s the link.

Ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Please leave a comment.

Share
« Older Entries