Oh, my aching eyes

[smeddley]

I've been really busy at work (the final review/correction of the year's plan set) and obsessed with my new computer game (Mystery Case File: Madame Fate - I finally got the #1 spot!). The result is eyeballs stressed, tired, and sore. I haven't even been able to read at night, which is a bummer. I've also not had the inclination to post much, because typing requires looking at the computer screen, and, yeah, it'd take valuable time away from my game playing.

Plus LJ decided to eat a bunch of my notifications. I never got e-mailed a handful of comments (both on my journal and others). But! I still know I have answers to question and questions to answer, and I promise to do that soon. I've decided to be a bit more... creative? With the 'questions', using y'all's answers as writing prompts, making them the end of the 'story'. I have a few sketched out in my head, and will post them as I write them up.

On a final note (before my head explodes out my eyeballs, seriously, this sucks) I did at least get an awesome book on tape. You HAVE TO read it/listen to it so I can talk to someone about it. Really. Honestly. NOW.

Deep Storm by Lincoln Child.

I'll eventually write a more in-depth review, but for now I will tell aeamek that there were bits of the writing style that reminded me of his. Some good, some bad. ;) The worst criticism I have of the story is far too make "as if", "something like", "as in", and "seemed like" phrasing. It was distracting and 'ugh' (see, I say bad things about everyone's work!). For me, it also brought up questions of POV and writing - if you're writing from a character's POV, 'seemed like' is completely unnecessary. That's the way I think, anyway. But how about third person? Do you, when reading, assume the descriptions are based on a character's viewpoint (again making the 'seems' unnecessary) or is it imperative to establish that the comparison is a viewpoint, not an omnipotent explanation? Does that make sense? (Seriously, my head hurts and I'm doped up on plenty of sinus medication and painkillers, I could be speaking in that African clicking language, for all I know).

Anyway, someone else has to read that book so we can talk about it. It was so good, so engrossing, that I found myself talking back to the tape. Yes, out loud and everything. And it had an amazing 'OH!' moment at the end. The kind where you kick yourself, because you so had everything figure out, but... (well, maybe you'll figure it all out, I dunno). Anyway, I know it's only February, but this is officially the best book of the year!

Comments

[aeamek.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'm placing that book in my queue, but if it sucks, I'll...do stuff.

I'm going for an ugh-free review on this next bit I'm sending you. I can dream.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. But somehow I don't think you'll think it sucks. You can tell I'm really harsh on books, and for me to recommend one highly is almost unheard of.

If you do like it, though, you also have to read the Child/Preston Pendergast series! :D

I'll feel so guilty if I write 'ugh', now... Maybe I should just scrawl it across the top of the page right off to get it out of the way. ;)

[aeamek.livejournal.com]

Aw, I didn't mean to taint your reviews. You can say ugh. It's okay.

Some people say, "this part needs work," and some say, "ugh." I'm cool with both. I SMELL WHAT YOU'RE COOKIN, is all I'm saying.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, I won't go easy on you. Maybe I'll just have to mix up my phrasing. I can send it through a corporate buzzword translator, and 'ugh' would become 'while this section meets the required goals of the story, we feel it is somewhat lacking in the teamwork department, reducing the cohesiveness of the chapter and diminishing the productivity of the storyline.' Or something. :)

Edited because I suck at typing thinking today.

[revoked-soul.livejournal.com]

Really? Is it REALLY that good? Because I could use some decent fiction, but I'm so frequently disappointed...

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I thought so. I guess it would depend on what sort of books you like. Have you read any of the Child/Preston books? Seen the movie The Relic? (the book was, of course, better than the movie, but it'd at least give you a feel)

I'd say this is a big like some of Michael Crichton's books, especially Sphere and Airframe. So if you like those... definitely.

And if you like this one, I'd totally recommend the Pendergast series. They say there are three in the 'trilogy', but I think it's better to read the earlier ones featuring him first.

[dynastic-queen.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, I'll think in my head, hmm, that seems like..., or I'll say outloud to someone, "Hey, that seems like...", only because I'm aware at that moment it's not the usual viewpoint and I'm just really weird. That keeps the other person from having to wonder, should I tell her that's really weird? :)

I think the problem in writing comes in when you simply do it TOO much. But that's just me.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

True, I think part of what makes bad is when it's so prevalent it's noticeable - and annoying! I probably wouldn't even notice one or two mentions, but when it seems like every other sentence is like that... it gets old.

Also, I think the dialogue is a great work-around, because you get your point across without it being so out-of-the-blue noticeable.