Tag: Books

A Rose Without a Name

A Rose Without a Name

As I strive to improve my writing, I take note of my bad habits. Words I tend to use too often, awkward phrasing, the unfortunate tendency to write in past perfect tense. One of my worst habits is avoiding names. Minor characters end up as confusing jumbles of description, repeatedly referenced, just so I don’t …

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Excess Baggage

Excess Baggage

When my husband got invited to work in England for a year, we packed our bags, sold our house and crossed the ocean. It wasn’t half as simple as it sounds, but we got there in the end. The first part of the process ended up more difficult than much of what came later. It’s …

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Heavy Metal Literature

Heavy Metal Literature

Some time ago an article circulated on Twitter about a university professor basing a course on the music of Iron Maiden. I instantly shared it with my husband, who is both a huge Iron Maiden fan and an English teacher. Ten years ago, if someone handed me a similar article, I would have rolled my …

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Shopping in the Digital Age

Shopping in the Digital Age

It seems every time Amazon does something (including getting a little press), haters come out of the woodwork to lob disdain in their direction. Twitter exploded when they announced their market for published fanfiction. And while I have strong opinions on that issue, I’m not going to boycott Amazon over it. I get annoyed when …

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Words that Stay

Words that Stay

Words have always been an important part of my life. First as a reader, then as a writer. There are many different forms of expression, but for me, words have always held the most power. Putting the right combination of words in the right order has the potential to touch someone, to make them laugh …

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5 Myths About Video Games

5 Myths About Video Games

I think I’ve well established the fact that I’m a gamer. I like experiencing stories, whether it be puzzling it out through a point-and-click or making the tough choices thrown my way in an RPG. Despite the growing popularity of the gaming industry, people still cling to certain myths surrounding the media. 1. Violent Video …

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Under the Sun

Under the Sun

The saying goes that there’s nothing new under the sun (and maybe there isn’t). That’s why a truly original idea is worth it’s weight in gold. Why everyone and their brother will hurry to snap it up and why everyone who discovers it will instantly try to duplicate it. As a writer, originality is something …

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Should Have Walked Away

Should Have Walked Away

Lately, more and more movies derive their inspiration from the pages of books. Agents and publishers were quick to praise award winning movies based on books during last year’s award ceremonies. It’s always exciting to sit in front of the big screen prepared to see the words you’ve read jump to life, to witness the …

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