If you Knew Harry Like I Know Harry…

Posted on 29th September 2011 in Read of the Moment

We all have our guilty secrets, the torrid romances hidden under the bed, the daydreams about Gerard Butler, our special super hero power and what really happens in the remote island in our heads. Mine is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden and as much as I don’t want to read the next book in the series, I always do.

My relationship with Harry is one of love/hate, I love his descriptions of magic but often hate the manner it is utilised in the stories. I love the character yet he frequently annoys the crap out of me. The same goes for his creator, sometimes his prose is urban poetry and I think–a perfect description, others I wonder if he was writing with one hand on the TV remote. I have to admit the love/hate I have for Harry and his creator keeps me coming back and that–despite the issues–is what makes a good series.

I used to think a good series was one that kept readers coming back, as if hooked on a drug but that is only part of the truth. A good series provokes response, even if you want to smack the author in the gob for his choices. Why? Because you are invested in his character. I might not like where the adventure takes me and yes—sometimes Harry acts like a whiny bitch—but I do love him.

So instead of working I’m going to indulge in my own bit of naughty and reach under the bed to allow myself to be driven crazy by a character I’m not entirely sure I like but sucks me back in every time.

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The Joy of Discovery

Posted on 21st September 2011 in Read of the Moment

The discovery of an author that slipped by because I was so engrossed in the worlds of my own making always leaves me with a small sense of panic. This was the situation when I found out a Norwegian author with several series had gone under my radar. Now some of these no doubt was due to waiting for translation but with so many books around I suspect he has been known to a great deal of people before he crossed into my life.

Jo Nesbø has managed to do exactly that and when I tracked down his website I saw a promo for not only his newest book The Snowman but also a whole list of work to enjoy. I like thrillers, I will probably never write one but I do love reading them. So if I enjoy this work then there is an entire back list to also read. The problem with working continuously is that I have to remember that my life is a segment of tasks and writing is only part of them. The largest part yes, but still there are other avenues that need to be tended.

A writer cannot just write, they have to also read and read constantly to refresh their mind, learn from the expression of others. I divide reading into two sections, what I read in order to relax and what I read in order to learn. I tend to relax with genres I will never write in–because I know my own limitations. I will never write a western or an action thriller. A crime thriller I am very interested in doing but only from the edges of the genre. Until I am ready to commit I think it’s best I learn from the efforts of others. The last part of writing is networking, doing things such as this blog to let the world know you are out there and hopefully strike a chord or even make some friends.

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Orlando furioso

Posted on 21st June 2011 in Read of the Moment

The frenzy of Orlando, the romantic epic is not exactly light distraction. When I start a project I have usually finished my readings in that genre so any reading done during work is usually worlds apart. I have wandered into reading certain works for the strangest of reasons, Orlando because I was intrigued by the title. Another, The Decameron was because of a Pier Paolo Pasolini movie I saw on late night TV. It engaged me enough to seek out the original works. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was fascinating, though I did read a translation and do further research into the myth. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is something I will never finish reading because I discover something else every time I pick it up. I really have no explanation as to why I would pursue difficult, hard to decipher works except for the reason of curiosity. I wanted to know about them, but due to translations and various opinions I probably will never get an accurate picture. So I will settle for enjoying grand epics of love, disaster, courage and betrayal.

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In Awe of Umberto

Posted on 30th May 2011 in Read of the Moment

While I would love to say Umberto Eco is my hero, it would not be the entire truth because hero is a poor word to describe his impact upon me. I was introduced to him at university as his book Semiotics and the Philosophy of Language was a set reading. Having no idea who he was I did a bit of research and discovered his fiction. I adored Il nome della rosa (The Name of the Rose) but it was Il pendolo di Foucault (Foucault’s Pendulum) that was my favorite work. The more I read, the more I wanted to know and then one day on television there was documentary about him. It showed his 30,000 volume library and I remember wishing I could break in just to take a look around. It was because of Umberto that I sought knowledge but it was also because of him I did not write for many years. I felt terribly inadequate and no matter how much education I obtained, this fear made me a coward. It took several more years for me to accept that there were always going to be brighter stars and I might as well just get on with it. So I did. Umberto Eco was both my inspiration and my ruin and to change one or the other would take away who I am.

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The Relaxer

Posted on 20th May 2011 in Read of the Moment

When I want to write in a specific genre I read everything I can get my hands on, but when I want to relax I read in genres I will never venture inside. One of these is the crime novel, with the flawed detective with his poetic self abuse and wretched insights. The author I favour the most for my relaxation is  James Lee Burke, creator of the wonderful DAVE ROBICHEAUX.  Living in the harsh outback, where if we are not dying of drought we are drowning in floods, I found myself attracted to his descriptions of New Iberia. He has been a hero of mine forever so when he released his latest book I did something I have never done before and sent him some fan email.

I was never the type of fan to approach an artist of any kind. I am the one in the back that faithfully buys the work and goes on my way. To my surprise I received a reply–now I know the sceptics out there will claim it was some overworked minion paid to respond but we did continue a short email conversation where he spoke of admiring Australia. So I will cling to the illusion of my delusion as I was so chuffed that Mr. Burke would reply. I was going through a bad patch of the–can I do this–I have no talent–whine whine whine. It snapped me out of self pity and got me back to work. So thank you Mr. James Lee Burke, for your work and for your kindness.

 

 

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