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Jul

10

College Destroys Readers?

Posted by : E.v.R. | On : July 10, 2007

Category: Rants

I was reading M.J. Rose’s explanation on why college kids are a bad market for your novel, and it reminded me of when my wife was in college. She was always studying. And when she wasn’t studying, she was working to pay for books, tuition, and other bills.

Novels were the absolute last thing on her list of priorities.

Worse though, her required reading during college made it so that reading was transformed from an ‘enjoyable leisurely activity’ and instead became ‘work.’

Although she’s no longer burdened by the task of studying, one of the long-lasting effects of college on her is that reading is still just another form of work. It ranks up there with doing the dishes, and other mundane chores.

I have heard of other people who were similarly burned out on reading by their journey through college. The very idea of it gives me chills.

Do colleges destroy reading and readers by turning the very act of reading into an agonizing chore?

Jul

06

Entertainment Round-up Summer 2007

Posted by : E.v.R. | On : July 6, 2007

Category: Movies, Playing, Reading

As I continue to work on my draft there’s not much new to report so I thought I’d rundown the various entertainment that’s caught my attention.

Books

Old Man’s War

A bunch of geriatrics trade in their old bodies for new ones from the military, the catch being that they can never return to Earth and have to go fight in the Colonial wars. Interesting and humorous, I’m starting to see why this won the Hugo.

Ender’s Game

Ender Wiggin is recognized as being special from a very young age. He is recruited by the government to go to battle school, where his intelligence and aptitude are proven in mock battles with other boys his age.

It soon becomes apparent that nobody can beat Ender, and the military advances Ender to become the youngest military commander ever. But young Ender is still a child, and often laments over the fact he is not allowed to enjoy his childhood. He soon grows to despise his military benefactors.

Can Ender ever escape the hero’s burden placed upon him? How can he, when mankind needs him to save the universe from the evil Bugger threat?

Continue Reading

Jul

03

Writing Journey is Easy With a Road Map

Posted by : E.v.R. | On : July 3, 2007

Category: Creative Process, Prose

I’ve rendered out nine scenes so far in full prose. Easier than ever. Easier than NaNo. Everything is going smoothly. The only thing that slows me down is that I occasionally have to look up a detail for accuracy — a little last minute research. I should be done with Act One and into Act Two by the middle of the month.

Writing is supposed to be hard. I’m supposed to stare at the blank page for hours, and summon the will to write. I’m supposed to start at the beginning, and finish at the end of a long glorious stream of consciousness. I’m supposed to suffer, and rewrite. Something must be wrong because none of that is happening!

I wonder if it’s because the writing journey is easy with a road map?

Maybe. Just maybe.