February 21, 2007
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Vair Annoying
I still have that icky, anxious feeling in my stomach. It’s quite annoying. But, I shall continue not worrying over it and will dose myself with Pepsi, that miracle cure.Believe it or not, I started writing today. 632 words. Woo. Please, do not fall over from the shock of how much I could write in a day. At this pace, I should have the first three chapters done by 2009.
I like the quote on the back of the book I’m reading. “If Jane Austen had written The DaVinci Code, she might well have written this elegant novel.” Actually, the blurb is turning out to be more interesting than the novel. The characters are a tad flat.
I had a conversation with natureg0d about just this idea. We were discussing books written by men versus books written by women. I said that I though “women books” were character-driven while “men books” were plot driven. NG replied with this pithy summation: “You die; I win” instead of: “You drop the knee, I make a choice, we’ll see who wins.” I tend to like the latter. I have nothing against a good story, but if it doesn’t have characters I like, then forget it. Even in LOTR books, the characters are interesting, but most of them are not all that complex. Frodo, yes. Pippin? Even Gandalf? Not really.
What do you think? I realize all books don’t fall into male/female categories. To which type of books do you find yourself drawn?
P.S. Way Cool Game Draw a track for the little biker guy. Then, click on the triangle at the top to watch the biker guy ride on your track. Not so fun for me, but my kids all love it. I’m impressed with the user-friendly variables.
Comments (25)
There is almost nothing better than a good book that just envelopes me in its world…both characters and plot. Hope you are feeling well today! Susan
I guess I tend to read books that are written by females; however, I do like some written by men. I have just remembered my fav writing dual: Brock & Bodie Thoene. They do wonderful research & develop their characters well with a good plot. Both of best worlds in one couple!
You guys seem to have been sick for such a long time! I hope your family is all well by the end of the week!
“To which type of books do you find yourself drawn?”
Oh my! I wish I had the time to READ more!!!!!!! Actually, no I don’t. One day, when all my children are grown and out on their own, I will have more time on my hands than I wish probably! So, I won’t wish it away now. Anyway, I admire your ability to find, and make, the time to read and write regularly.
Honestly, just getting enough time in the Word is for me the greatest challenge and accomplishment. Beyond that, it’s rare that I get to read straight through a book. I’m usually in several books at one time, and they are usually the type of books that have to do with various aspects of the Kingdom of God, prayer, worship or some other gem of revelation by an author that I’ve come to appreciate or respect in some measure.
I really have thought that I need to do more ‘pleasure’ or fictional type of reading, but don’t ever seem to have time. It also doesn’t seem to be what I’m drawn too, or crave.
I do enjoy reading short magazine articles from some of the various horse/farm related magazines we get. Oh, and my son and I are in the middle of studying Natural Hoof Care, so there’s those books I’ve ordered, along with a video…………..sigh.
I remember reading ‘Jane Eyre’ in high school, but have completely forgotten what it’s about! And, I do remember memorizing Robert Frost’s poem about Winter……….”Whose woods are these, I think I know, his house is in the village though………….”
I guess I will continue to admire, be amazed, and appreciate the literature that I’ll never get to read myself, through friends like you, who have the gift and knack for reading and writing! Thank you Mary!
I’ve been thinking about this all night. I think I’m more of a plot girl because I love action/adventure books but the characters most definitely have to be well done. I had a boss who wrote a book with a great plot but very poor character development. I was completely captivated by the plot but I did want flesh out some of the characters. His best characters were the ones based on real life people he knew that he was able to develop through speech and behavior. The ones he added in were not as believable and were probably the reason why he was never able to sell the book.
I’m with you with character development. Perhaps women are more character-centric. I want to read about people that I can imagine what their lives are like “after the story”.
Hard to say which I like more. I like the Tom Clancy books, or I did until he started getting vulgar after his divorce. I think I am more drawn to characters though. I like your observation. RYC: There is a half inch difference between the two? That is a lot! If your ring finger is that much longer, it certainly should indicate visual spatial skills. The never gave a good look at the photocopies, but the fingers looked about the same length to me.
Hey, 632 words is good. Very good. Just don’t ask me how many I’ve written in the past few days. . .
Yup, I’m most interested in characters, although I like plot a lot, too. Plot, but not action. I can only handle so much action, especially if it’s in a book.
Hoping you feel 100% better soon!!
Have you counted the words in your blog? Too bad you can’t somehow add your blog total to your story total. (lol)
What kind of books am I drawn to?? THE KIND WITH PAGES!!!! (LOL) I LOVE LOVE BOOKS! However, what kind of books do I read? I tend to stick to historical fiction. Especially anything involving a Scot or English lady…..or an american west story. I love Kristen Heitzmans books for the most part. I also recently started reading Karen Kingsbury. I don’t like all of her books (some have been duds) but I do like her writing in general.
I know what you mean about the anxiuos queasy feeling….it’s just going around. It’s such an odd feeling-very much like pregnancy. Only, I know it’s not that because my hubby feels the same way!
Have a great weekend! -Cass
Yay Toby Mac! I’m coming today…;)
Dad (and some others) are being interviewed today by the expert. So, prayers for favor in the eyes of the expert would be hugely appreciated!
Yes, I think that is why Ash Wednesday is celebrated, or at least in part. As a girl who goes to a non-denominational (though mainly Presbyterian) church, we don’t “celebrate” Lent, either. But, I thought it would be neat to do it this year, at least in part, for the symbolism of it really helps me focus better on my God.
Thanks for your prayers!
Most fictional books I read were written prior to 1940, so characters often, though not always, are a little simpler. Some of the best character driven novels were written in this period (I’m of the opinion that great quantaties of fiction, but very little literature, is produced these days). Though I generally prefer plots where there’s a bit of action, without good characters, it’s pointless. Likewise, without a good plot, even interesting and well-rounded characters have no appeal.
I knew someone who treated nausea with cola syrup purchased from the drug store. I like carbonation when I’m feeling iffy.
I guess that I’m strange as a man in that I prefer the character driven stories. Don’t get me wrong, I want a plot that moves along too, but I want to be able to identify with the characters. I want to “know” them.
It’s one of the reasons I like series with the same characters. They grow from book to book and you get to know them better. You start to know how they think and even get to be able to predict what they’ll do.
Sorry you’re still feeling icky!
Are you sure it isn’t #6? Not to start a rumor, but, it IS amazing how excited we all get for others who even mention the possibility, isn’t it!? (tee! hee!)
I definitely like well developed characters. I like stories about relationships, allegories, or true stories. But, I have been pleasantly surprised many times that the story or movie I was reading or watching was written by a man.
ryc: Elizabeth is drinking coffee because they didn’t have soda in her day??!!
I don’t know.
As I’m writing, my girls are fixing my hair and putting jewelry & makeup on me to get me (the princess) ready for the prince, who just walked in the door! We’re going to have heated up lasagna from Tuesday, (yumm!!) so I gotta go!!
I can make it to the first weekend in june date. I suppose we’ll trade the customary, detail-affirming messages at a later time
daniel
I tend to think of things as interconnected. Plot should arise from the characters. While we’re on the subject – did you think the characters in Dune were simplistic?
Oh, I do hope that your tummy is feeling better by now! That iffy feeling is quite yucky, I know.
A new laptop – how fun! Hope you’re feeling better. I use ginger ale when my tummy’s upset. Good job on your writing. Every word counts. Do you know about NaNoWriMo?
What really amazes me is when I find a book that is very well written and the author is of the opposite gender than I would have thought. Right now I’m doing some editing on a book that is being written by a young friend. I have had to tell him that it is becoming a book I would never read on purpose. It’s really a hack-and-slash sort of thing after the first 6 chapters. He keeps naming characters, them killing them off. I’ve never read a woman author who did that… ~M.E.
Oh, did you note that I blogged that piece about H.Girl before I came over here to see what you were up to? Odd, that.
Hope your stomach has settled down by now! I have been reading Emotional Purity and I think she goes a bit too far. I think it is possible to share deeply with many different people and not have anything taken away from a future relationship. But I appreciate much of what she has to say.
ryc: So cool about the free test! I know exactly how that is, the “boo & phew syndrome”. However, I was 37 when I had my last baby…… but it was #4, not #6!! Well, actually, it was #6, but #1 and #3 were miscarriages, so they’re playing “upstairs” with the angels & Jesus, and, I don’t have to homeschool them!
Are you starting to feel better? Hope so! Hope you have fun being pampered today….. that does sound like a lot of fun!!! The girls & Daddy toted wood up to the porch today so I won’t have to do much of that during the week. Now everyone’s napping & I think I’ll go take one too!
I’m beating you! *evil laugh*
Oh crap, that was stupid, now you’re tied with me….and now you’ll be winning…oh well, I guess that I must realize that I shall never be better than my mom on Xanga.
I hope you didn’t get really sick. We miss your posts.
Books. Guns, swords, battles, wars: a good book summed up in four words. One of my favorites is “The Hunt for Red October”.