“Writers don’t have lifestyles. They sit in little rooms and write.”
–Norman Mailer
Novels
J.K. Rowling
When I hear or read about a book or video that interests me, I jot down the name on a scrap of paper and tuck it away for future reference. I am usually working on a story or novel and I don’t have a lot of free time. Sadly, some of these scraps end up in the garbage.
Fortunately, J.K. Rowling’s commencement speech at Harvard did not.
Her words spoke to me on a very personal level. She is such an inspiration as an author and human being.
If you haven’t watched it, I recommend setting aside 20 minutes and doing so. You won’t regret it.
Terry Pratchett
“It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It’s called living.”
Sir Terry Pratchett
(Born April 28, 1948 – Died March 12, 2015)
Stephen King
“The road to hell is paved with adverbs.”
–Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Stephen King’s On Writing is one of the best books I have read on the writing craft. It is a must-have for any new writer, offering sage advice by a master. Above, is one of my favourite quotes.
The Stolen: An American Faerie Tale
I received my copy of Bishop O’Connell’s new novel, The Stolen, in the mail a few days ago and I have been trying to find a moment to start reading it ever since. This afternoon, I made the mistake of peeking at it while I was in the middle of making zucchini relish. The pot was on the stove bubbling away. Tired of staring out the window, waiting for the relish to thicken, I opened the novel. One chapter later, I was hooked and scrambling to rescue my relish from becoming the consistency of tar. The writing is good, the characters compelling. Suspense builds quickly. I look forward to seeing where this story goes.
About the Book
Tonight, for the first time in over a century, a mortal child will be kidnapped by faeries. When her daughter Fiona is snatched from her bed, Caitlin’s entire world crumbles. Once certain that faeries were only a fantasy, Caitlin must now accept that these supernatural creatures do exist—and that they have traded in their ancient swords and horses for modern guns and sports cars. Hopelessly outmatched, she accepts help from a trio of unlikely heroes: Eddy, a psychiatrist and novice wizard; Brendan, an outcast Fian warrior; and Dante, a Magister of the fae’s Rogue Court. Moving from the busy streets of Boston’s suburbs to the shadowy land of Tír na nÓg, Caitlin and her allies will risk everything to save Fiona. But can this disparate quartet conquer their own inner demons and outwit the dark faeries before it’s too late?
Dark Aemilia
What a fabulous surprise to collect the mail on Friday and find a package from Mslexia Magazine. I won a free book, and not just any book, but Sally O’Reilly’s Dark Aemilia.
Here’s the blurb:
“This spellbinding novel of witchcraft, poetry and passion re-imagines the life of Aemilia Lanyer, the ‘Dark Lady’ of Shakespeare’s Sonnets — the playwright’s muse and his one true love.”
I started reading the book last night and it pulled me in immediately. Thank you Mslexia!
