Sunday 27 September 2015

[SEPT UPDATE] Cephalopod Book Club & Goals






I read five books this month. I was travelling, so I had a bit more time to devote to reading. Also, I was trying hard to catch up on my reading goals (I was 6 books behind at one point). This is one of the books I downloaded for free (or very cheap... can't remember which) in recent weeks. I have been on a bit of a 'free books' binge, which is helped by a mailing list I'm on for free / discounted books. There is quite a lot of mediocre stuff out there, but this was one that I really liked (one of three this month actually!).

The book did have some (but not many) typos and things that could be fixed with a good line edit, but they weren't enough to piss me off particularly. I loved the story so much - and the writing! and the characters! - that I could move past the imperfections fairly easily. I love the whole zombie apocalypse theme - and the fact that Adrian takes that on board with enthusiasm. Reading the very first scene, I did wonder, IS this book actually about a zombie apocalypse? But soon enough I found my footing and knew there were no zombies about.

I loved Deanna Eshler's witty writing, and I really love the character of Keegan. Adrian, of course, was totally adorable, and it was great seeing their story unfold. I haven't read Book #1 (which focuses on different characters), but having read this one I hope I will find #1 to be just as entertaining, when I do get around to reading it! For now, I recommend this book if you like quirky humour and wacky characters (like Robert. That guy was hilarious too).






Last month I reported that I had been doing some work on SUNDOWN III. This is still the case, but it's been slow going. I did manage to do a bit while I was travelling. The latest thing I did, was remove all of the hero's POV chapters. I want to try doing this book with just one POV. But I will do something with the hero's scenes, it just might not be a full length novel. So now I have some gaps to fill, from the heroine's POV.

I am also still in the midst of editing it back to 3rd person. I always go back & forth on this. Deanna Eshler's book that I reviewed above is written in 1st person, and I really do have a soft spot for that perspective. But I've committed to 3rd person for SUNDOWN III, and it does seem to be working quite nicely.

Next month is October, "the month before NaNoWriMo". So I'll be doing some gearing up for NaNo during October. But I hope to have a lot more to report on my editing of SUNDOWN III too, for the October check-in.

12 comments:

  1. Hi Trisha - glad you had a good break .. sometimes less writing is good for us?! Glad you had some decent reading time though - TBR lists are always way too long I find. Welcome back -cheers Hilary

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    1. I'm always surprised to remember I set a goal of 42 books this year! I thought I had gone more easy on myself. 42 is a lot for me, as I'm a slow reader.

      And yes, I feel the break was good. Just have to keep the momentum going now!

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    2. I triple on the break!
      Writing breaks are amazing, so as long as you actually plan to go back to writing. :D Sometimes I (purposefully) forget that part.

      My most recent MS was in third-person single, from the heroine's perspective. First time I did that. It was a bit of a challenge, but totally worth it. Lots of fun!

      As long as you're having fun with the edits. Good luck on the edits with SUNDOWN III and the reading. ^^

      Are you planning to write something new for NaNo? (I know that's what you're SUPPOSED to do, but...)

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  2. Third person from just one character can work well. That's how I wrote my last book. I don't do first person and there just wasn't another character that would be present enough to write from his perspective. Keep rocking with the way you're writing yours.

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  3. I didn't realize you had posted! I shall add your link to the list.

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  4. I've just finished reading a book in 1st person, and in the right genre (this was gothic), it works so well. I use it a lot for short stories, but tend to stick to third person for longer works. I find it easier to write overall. Good luck with the rewrites.

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  5. That's awesome that you could overlook a few typos. It must have been a very awesome book.

    I wrote one book in first person, and it was a lot of fun. It felt more like I was in the character's life more. But the new one I'm working on, I've gone back to third.

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    1. Presently I'm reading a book that is driving me nuts - typos, incorrect tense, sentences that make no sense. Why am I reading it? I'm still compelled to finish a book once I've started, that's why!

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  6. I like first person. Don't know why it gets bad press. Depending on the story third can be great. Like the sound of the book. Congratulations on getting some writing done on your travels. :-)

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  7. Great review!
    Congratulations on your goals, I've almost achieved mine for the year, but unless I use November NANO to finish my draft for the fourth book, I'll be greatly disappointed at the end of the year!

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  8. For some reason I find reading 1st person POV hard to read. Maybe its habit.

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  9. Fascinating review for Armchairs Coffee house. The 3rd person sounds like an interesting rule. Thanks for stopping by.

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Thanks for your words, me hearties! and don't forget to leave a link to your blog somewhere I can find it!