About stories of all kinds
Dear Former Self, You didn’t know it at the time, but you would have loved this book. It’s right up your alley. Unfortunately you aren’t here anymore and I can only do so much to envision what your reaction to it would have been. I’ve tried to summon your spirit, to imagine this being your… Continue reading When the Right Book Comes at the Wrong Time
In October, I seriously considered doing NaNoWriMo for the first time this year. Given the state of things and my nigh-jobless condition, it made sense. But I didn’t really know how it worked—I would have to look into it, prepare for it. I didn’t. Then it was already November, and while not too late to… Continue reading I think I just made a terrible mistake
One of the oldest English legends, the story of Robin Hood has been told and retold for generations. It’s been adapted into books and movies, and the characters make cameo appearances in all sorts of media due to their being immediately recognizable. Aside from Howard Pyle’s The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, I’ve read two book retellings of the Robin Hood legend: Shadow of the Wolf by Tim Hall and Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead.
Writers are often encouraged to start their novels off with a bang. Hook them in the first paragraph, the first sentence—heck, the first word. Sometimes, it takes on the form of marketing strategy. “Look at television commercials,” they say. “The scene is set, a problem arises, and the product appears as the answer to the… Continue reading Storm Warning: Writing the Inciting Incident
Once upon a time, in days gone by, while I was still doing high school, I read books that interested me while they still interested me. There were times I actually read hyped books before the hype died down. Crazy, right? So here are 7 YA series I actually read all of. 1. Inkworld by… Continue reading 7 YA Book Series I Actually Got Into
I don’t know about anyone else, but I had travel plans for this spring. I needed a getaway, a change of scenery. Instead, I got confined to home. So I’m using the time to write. And read. And what better thing to read when you’re stuck at home than books about travel? I broke into… Continue reading 5 Fictional Travel Narratives: 100 Books to Read #3
Classic stories get around, from Greek legends to Germanic fairy tales. They are told and re-told with new elements, characters, and settings, inspiring spin-offs, backstories, and continuations: fan fiction, if you will. I’ve come across many stories in recent years that are based off of some classic work and I’ve wanted to do a series… Continue reading Mock Turtle Stories: Books Inspired by Alice in Wonderland… and other places, slightly less wonderful
“100 Books You Should Read Before You Die;” “100 Books Everyone Should Read;” “Top 100 Books to Read.” You've probably seen these lists around with varying amounts of recommended books on reading sites and blogs. To be perfectly honest, I cringe a bit when I think about them, because (as I’ve briefly mentioned in a… Continue reading 15 Children’s Classics: 100 Books to Read #1
Well, the end of the term draws nigh and my life has ignited in one blazing pile of papers: articles, assignments, essays, and sheet music. As my life goes up in the proverbial flames of the fireplace that is university, what better time to review a Cinderella story? Or at least rake out the ashes… Continue reading Ashes to Ashes: Review of Cinder
You know those books that come out and they're a great hit and suddenly they're everywhere, in every store, and everyone is raving about them? And for one reason or another, you just don't subscribe to the hype--either you're busy reading something else, or you just don't have time, or aren't in the mood for… Continue reading 7 Popular YA Book Series I Never Got Into
Fictitiously Yours 