What's the excuse for a mouth long disappearance? October has my birthday in it, and my parents and aunt/godmother flew over for a week long visit. Lots of fun, but obviously little blogging time. On top of that was essays and MAJOR reading. But I'm back! No news from the publishing front, unfortunately.
But here's tip number seven: Beware the Mary-Sue!
Technically speaking, only fanfiction uses the Mary-Sue term, but it works in book writing as well! Basically, a Mary Sue is a flat character. Either they're perfectly perfect with no flaws whatsoever, or damaged goods that you just wish they'd drop dead. It's usually the former that happens, and it's awful. Unless your character is God, NO ONE IS PERFECT. Species, race, or gender, everyone has their flaws that go with whatever is good about them. I'll admit that sometimes it hurts to make a character have a temper, or dumb, or clumsy, but I promise it's for their own good. When making a book character, you can make a list of duel characteristics, good and bad. If one's longer than the other, make it balance. Or ask for someone's opinion.
Now Weekly (Dis)Likes.
Like 1: My birthday! I turned 21 and drank some delicious pear cider.
Like 2: My parents and aunt/godmother visiting. It was great! We spent one weekend in London, where we saw the Tower, Big Ben and Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and did a bus tour, and we saw Les Miserables. Wonderful show. Then they came to St. Andrews and went exploring while I went to classes (we did have dinner together every night). And then wrapped up with a trip to Edinburgh. I saw the castle (way cooler than Buckingham), and walked the Royal Mile. Loads of fun.
Like 3: My trip to Loch Ness. While in Edinburgh, Mom helped me book a bus trip to Loch Ness by myself, since everyone had to go home the morning of said trip. Sat in the bus a good eight hours round trip, BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!! Beautiful landscape, beautiful lake, beautiful castle, beautiful islands. Alas, I did not see Nessie, but I did get a plushie Loch Ness Monster, and I love it.
Like 4: My birthday presents. From my aunt, a lovely opal ring, which is nice since that's my birth stone. From my parents, the trips to London and Edinburgh and a writing notebook. From one grandma, money (bought a St. Andrews t-shirt), a pencil case, and a turquoise bracelet. From the other, the tickets to Les Mis, and money (I see a shopping spree in the future when I come home). And a surprise gift from my roommate, a graphic novel called Batman: Year One (must get thank you present in return). All great gifts, and I'm very thankful for it all.
Like 5: Movies!! Wreck-It-Ralph came out, and I can't wait to see it. Also can't wait for Hotel Transylvania and Frankenweenie to get on pay per view so I can watch that. And next year is Monsters University and Epic, which I love the previews for! Let it be summer already!
Like 6: Snow Patrol's song THE LIGHTNING STRIKE. It's sixteen minutes long, divided into three parts, and it is beautiful. Best part is the first (used in the Epic preview; that's how I found it). It make me feel so many things at once. Highly recommended!
Like 7: Gravity Falls. Lots of people on Deviant Art was talking about this show, so I looked it up on Youtube. It's Disney Channel, but it's hilarious. Watched a bunch of funny clips that made me laugh. The characters are random and awesome and the town with all its memories is interesting. I wanna live there.
Dislike 1: Even with all the birthday stuff, there's still something to complain about ... Russell Hoban! If you weren't dead already, I'd hunt you down and give you a piece of my mind for writing a book as awful as Riddley Walker! Be thankful I can't get to you!
And now a quote.
Si Vis
Pacem, Para Bellum. (If you want peace, prepare for war.) -Latin Proverb
Until next time,
Colleen
No comments:
Post a Comment