When the reader smiles

Then the author has done a good job. I've just been surprised with a new review for my short story collection and I thought I'd share it with you:

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of observational essays by Stella Deleuze. They are written from the perspective of a jaded and frequently annoyed woman who encounters numerous situations in life that frustrate her - think of grumpy old women and multiply it by 100.

As a grumpy old woman myself I completely empathised with many of her chapters. In fact, I could have written the chapter on wasps myself - everything she did was almost a mirror copy of things I have done. There have been many times over the years, just like Stella, when I have had to shut myself out of a room just because an uninvited wasp has flown in through the window. To then have to stand staring at it enjoying my much wanted cup of coffee and slice of cake just leaves me feeling impotent and annoyed.

Her description of her night being 'rescued' by well meaning friends and being dragged away to a night club was so funny. That mean little side of me was also pleased when I read about what happened to 'Silly's' handbag!

I think this book will resonate with many female readers who will recognise their own annoyances and frustrations with life within many of the chapters. Yes, there is probably a lot of exaggeration in the events described but that is what makes it so funny. This book may appeal to some males but I doubt that it is going to be the kind of thing that many will enjoy. I can imagine that many men will find it hard to believe that women often have such bizarre thoughts and can get so annoyed with what they might consider trivia. For any men who intend to read this book - it isn't fiction; it honestly is what many of us females are hiding so well behind our gentle and calm smiles. Reading this might make you look at your missus in a whole new light!

This isn't an overly long book; I read it in under a day. However, what I liked about it was that each chapter is totally unrelated to the next one so it is a perfect book for picking up and reading one section at a time, perhaps for lunch or a coffee break.

This book definitely put a smile on my face and it won't be long before I look out for some more of Ms Deleuze's work.

Note from me D. Jones, did you know that you made me laugh? There might be a comedian hiding in yourself, you know? :-) Thank you for your kind words.

Sometimes, it's just tough

There are days when even all the positivity and love for writing gets a real kick in the teeth. Today is one of those days for me. I sent Winn, a friend of mine, a short story I had written for my writers' group. The point was to test her proof-reading skills as she's thinking about doing it in her spare time to help others. Because it's such a difficult job to look out for all the errors that may occur and also correct grammar and dialogue attributes, I wanted to help her find out if she's cut out for it. Funnily enough, apart from grammar, I'm pretty good at picking up on typos, spaces, etc. myself. Just not my own, at least not without a certain amount of time between reading.

Well, I inserted eleven errors, all of which she found. What I didn't expect, though, was the amount of corrections she made on things I didn't put in on purpose. Which means I had a  pretty colourful document to look at. Now I thought that after over five years of living and breathing English and writing for the past three years, I should be able to produce an almost error-free piece, seems far from it.
Certainly, my English is better than most English people's German, but that's not the point. My goal was and is to be as good as, if not better than many natives, which means impeccable grammar, including punctuation and the local tongue.I I have to admit, my mood sunk quite a bit as I hate asking for help, but by the looks of it, I'll still rely on it a tad longer. To be clear: it's not Winn's fault and I'm absolutely grateful for her corrections; it's my own expectations I didn't meet. Yes, I'm proud of the level of my English and the ability to speak almost accent-free (unless I'm really tired or angry), and sure it's an achievement to write in a language other than my mother tongue, but for me it's simply not enough.

Which means, I really have to knuckle down and most important: read even more.

One day....

If you need help with proof-reading, check out Winn's site for UK writers.

Or Pauline Nolet's site for the US.

Valentine's day at mine

Although I'm not a fan of Valentine's day, I thought this was too good to keep it from you:

As usual: I give, he enjoys. A lot.

For all of you who are in love, have a wonderful day.

Thank you, everyone

10,000 visitors

When I started out two years ago, I wasn't really sure about blogging. A public diary? No way. Who is going to read that? I wondered. And what should I talk about?
Everyone said as an author you need a blog. Right. I signed up, spent ages to fiddle with the layout and a few shaky posts later, I was a blogger.
Same as in real life, I never shut up once given the opportunity and as soon as I found my blogging voice, I merrily posted whenever I felt to.
A lot of my visitors come through search engines, searching for information about iguanas, for recipes -- oddly enough the Feta cheese and tomatoes are the hit -- and, of course, the advice on writing and editing. Many come back and more and more take part in discussions about some of the controversial topics I write about.
Thankfully, it has always been at a reasonable level. There was never an incident where I had to interfere or delete someone's comment. It seems I'm attracting the good people and I'm rather proud of it.

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who regularly pops by. And those who just recently came to leave a comment. Hopefully, you'll be still there when I'm celebrating reaching 20k.

Thank you, guys. You are wonderful.

Tip of the week: getting rid of repetitive I, she or he

Nothing is more annoying to a reader than reading a book in which every sentence starts with I, she or he. Many new writers who haven't got the skills yet will walk into that trap. Beginning every second or third sentence with he, she, or I often reads clumsy and disturbs the flow.
While repetition can enhance a certain passage, it can become rather monotone if used throughout a book.
But how to get rid of it?
Easy: by rephrasing, playing with the words.

 
Here is an example:
He opened the windows to see better. He stood there for another five minutes. He admired the woman walking in the garden. He hadn't seen her before. 

To see better, he opened the windows and admired the woman, which walked in the garden, for another five minutes. Who was she?

See the difference?

Another example:
I took the bus into the city. I couldn't afford a cab. I sat down and looked out the window. I was so annoyed with myself. I stared at the passing people barely noticing them.

A cab was not an option, not on my budget. Annoyed, I sat down and looked out the window, barely noticing the passing people.

I know the examples are a bit extreme, all I'm trying to say is to avoid this form of repetition unless it's absolutely necessary to use it for emphasises.

From a strong start to a weak ending

Two weeks ago, I had a short download frenzy and grabbed some free e-books, for I really want to get into reading again. I used to read a lot; nobody could lure me out of my bedroom as a child and teenager. I forgot to eat, to sleep, the world around me. With a busy life as an adult and me being a slow reader, I didn't read nearly as much anymore, but I always carried a book and read everywhere when time permitted. Mainly before I went to sleep. So that's a habit I want to pick up again. I love my kindle and the variety of books. After giving up on Indie books -- I've started quite a few and was always disappointed -- I've decided to go for a hunt of books that captures me from the very beginning and keeps me reading right to the end. But it's not that easy, I find. I blame my being a writer and editor, which makes it harder to let go and enjoy, even with traditionally published books, I shall add.

So after downloading about thirty books on which I decided like I would in a brick and mortar store: cover, title, blurb, I started the first. Saw plenty of errors in dialogue attributes and deleted it. Then I started to read one, apparently from an award-winning author, that was rather illogical right from the start, plus packed with clich�s -- deleted. Next was well written, the author knew what she was doing, but I couldn't stand the voice. It was boring and didn't touch me one bit. Deleted.

The forth was it. I normally don't say anything openly, or 'review' books anymore, but this one, I felt to write something about.
Boy, it grabbed me right from the first line. Very strong opening and well-written. I was hooked! Finally a book I could snuggle up with. It had some minor issues with some missing commas in dialogue and it could have done with an edit to get rid of the repetitions, but it was solid, it was without my major concerns: plot holes and I really liked the characters.
Shame, though, that after about half the book it started to lack. I read on because I wanted to see if it picks up again, but the plot was going downhill. The author offered explanations for all that was happening but it was flat. I felt like she didn't know what to do with the ending and came up with something half-decent, but it didn't communicate with the very strong beginning. And I wanted to slap the female protagonist, plus the male main character turned into a right arsehole.
The repetitions got worse and at 90% I really wanted to give up. I skipped a lot of pages to get to the end which was equally disappointing. It left me hanging. I know there's a sequel, but I'm not going to buy it.

However, I had downloaded another book from the author and will give that a go and hope she has managed to maintain the flow that keeps me reading.

I find she has a strong voice, but the plot was too far fetched for my own liking. I feel it's a case where an editor would have done the trick. The author clearly has talent, but if I see one more 'latched' anywhere I will slam the book shut in an instant. To name one of the few annoying repetitions in the second half.

Who do you call talented?

Those of you who know me also know that I don't hold back when I get an overdose of something that annoys me. As the title already hints: it's the Indies again. I'm an Indie author myself and I do get invites (perhaps not anymore after today) to do guest posts and interviews, I am busy networking on social media sites and I even connect people if I see fit.

It's all good and wonderful to help people, it's all perfectly fine to do blog tours and get your name out there, but what I find increasingly sickening is the mutual appreciation society. If you look on Indie blogs you see 'Today I'm talking to the incredibly talented Indie author xyz'. That, to be honest, makes me feel incredibly. Sick that is.

I see that everywhere when Indies talk to each other, one says, your success is well deserved and the answer will be: so is yours, you're so talented. But how many of those talented people have read the other talented's work, be it a longer excerpt or a full novel? I would guess not even 50%. Isn't that like going past a restaurant, looking at the menu and then saying, the food is really good in here?

For an interview you don't necessarily read the work, all you need is a rough overview about what the person is doing. That's all okay, but calling someone talented just because the person happens to be in the same boat is just wrong. What do you do if you then read the author's book and find he or she's not so talented?

I often feel like Indies think they need to blow up smoke each other's arses just to maintain the friendly tone, but isn't it enough to wish each other well?

Yes, I have a few people I can confidently recommend to someone, because I find their writing engaging, their stories interesting and them in general talented. Those will know it because I have told them several times. But you will not see me telling an author he's talented when I didn't read at least enough to form an opinion.

Look around on Twitter, those who follow each other to compliment each other; it's just a big love-you-writing fest. Sorry, just because you love my writing, doesn't mean I will love yours, too.

Okay, rant over. 

Happy weekend, everyone :-)