Someone Needs to Rescue the Heroine

For those of us who have read scary stories, we know what it's like to be lying quietly in bed, engrossed in a story only to have some little, inconsequential noise startle us as much as if a rhino had come tearing into the room. Others may have noticed that after reading lots of mysteries and thrillers that they have begun looking at everything very suspiciously and anticipating dire turns when there aren't any. And of course, some people think that those who read romances are often easily swayed to believe in love where there is really only lust or desire.

I think people can often take on elements from the books they are reading. If you often read books that contain other languages, you might start using those words. When I first read SOUL FLAME by Barbara Wood, I caught myself thinking of Greek and medical terms I had learned in that book (highly recommend that book, by the way).

Lately, many of my books choices have featured strong, tough-girl characters (currently reading HEAT STROKE by Rachel Caine, the second in the Weather Wardens series). They are sarcastic, of course. Sexually and spiritually independent. They have a core of softness they hide from the world as they fight their demons (sometimes literally) and they do so with sharp tongues and sharper minds. I find I have taken on some of these traits, but not necessarily in a good way.

This theory is not that dissimilar from those who believe troubled kids are difficult because of the music they listen to. If this is true, then maybe we could use this theory to our advantage. Instead of corporal punishment, we could force all delinquents to read SENSE AND SENSIBILITY or WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Have children who have a difficult time learning history or languages read HOUSEHOLD GODS by Judith Tarr and Harry Turtledove, a book set in ancient Rome that sure taught me a lot.

Either way, I think I might put away my strong female books and branch out into something a little less... influential. Suggestions?

Nicole

Gone With the What?

I generally read several books a week. Sometimes it slows down, like this week. Right now I am reading Pat Simmons's book GUILTY OF LOVE. I am really enjoying the story and will have more on that another time. I have books lined up on my shelf that have to be read soon - a couple of ARCs, as well as a few others. It is my hope that within a few weeks I can take some time to read a few books simply for my own pleasure.

I have always been able to reread my books. Growing up, there were a few books I always read at least once every year: Jeffrey Archer's KANE AND ABEL, Margaret Atwood's THE HANDMAID'S TALE and RAGE and THE LONG WALK from Stephen King as Richard Bachman. One of the books that got added later on was GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell.

I wasn't sure if I would like GONE WITH THE WIND even if it did have a few things going for it... like the length. I love a good long book. I went into reading GWTW hoping to love it and I did. I loved everything about it except reading the slaves' dialogue - it's very hard to read dialect when it's written out near phonetically. I can imagine the accent in my head just fine without that, thank you very much.

This is one of those books I want to read in a few weeks when I get a breather. I want to surround myself in those classic scenes and have Tara and Savannah in my head for days. I want to picture my own version of Scarlett and Rhett, because I don't know that I agree with the movie versions. I want to see the passion and love that is throughout the book and sigh with happiness when I end the book. I want to fall in love with the book all over again.

Of course, I wouldn't mind rereading THE STAND by Stephen King, either. Sometimes you just need something creepy, too.

Nicole

The Writer's Life

Watching Californication on Showtime, with David Duchovny as a novelist with writer's block and a host of vices, it got me thinking about the lives of writers. I am getting to know a lot of authors lately and for much of my life I have wanted to be one. Watching this show would turn me off of that in heartbeat.

I think of my friend Pat Simmons as a bit of a role model. Her first full-length novel, GUILTY OF LOVE, came out recently and I am currently reading it. She is a publicist, writes news copy for a TV station, makes her own clothes and takes good care of her family. She makes it look so easy, even though I know it's not.

I don't know that the average reader really appreciates what it takes to write a novel, let alone get it published. And that may be to their advantage. If readers truly knew the writer's process, it could affect their ability to enjoy the books. If readers knew that some people push out each word like they are going into labor, that the majority of the nation's caffeine supply goes into the mornings and late nights of author's lives and that some authors hate what they do, readers might feel disillusioned.

However, so far, the authors I have met do not fit any of the above. I don't think I personally know any alcoholic, bitter or frustrated authors. The authors I know seem to recognize how very lucky they are to do what they love and share it with others. They genuinely love to meet their fans, do their best to answer their questions as best they can, and while the deadlines can get them down, they still love to write. And when you feel that way, I think it shows in the books themselves.

Nicole

Revenge of the Geeks

For those who have never been, DragonCon is an experience to behold. Covering everything from books to TV to movies, there is a lot to see. About half of the people attending dressed in costume of one kind or another. Comics (Web-based and paper), anime and manga, sci-fi and fantasy, as well as anything even remotely related, were all represented in force. Covering three hotels in downtown Atlanta, movement was nigh on impossible at some times, as tens of thousands of people moved between panels and seminars, exhibit halls and gaming rooms.



(Star Wars Characters)



(Captain America)

I wore my costume on Saturday. I was a fallen angel, with wing stumps poking out the back. Some of my friends found this concept a bit too funny for my taste. Sunday, I wore demon horns, which seemed oddly fitting.



(Stumps - me and Angela Knight in costume.)

I was there with Bump In The Night Authors Angela Knight, Susan Kearney, Susan Sizemore, Maggie Shayne and Rebecca York. We had a booth promoting the soon-to-be-launched website and we gave away two trunks full of signed books and goodies. Lots of people stopped by, excited to meet so many of their favorite paranormal authors. It's always fun to see people's expressions when they realize they are face-to-face with the person who wrote the novels they devour.



(Maggie Shayne, Angela Knight, Rebecca York, Susan Sizemore and Susan Kearney)

Other than finally getting to meet the ladies I was there with, I also got to meet Carrie Vaughn and she signed my copy of KITTY TAKES A HOLIDAY. In what I deem as fate, I also ended up purchasing a copy of THE SECRET HISTORY OF VAMPIRES from the bookstore across the aisle. Turns out Ms. Vaughn also has a short story in this collection. I can't wait to read it.

Overall, the whole convention was exhausting, exhilarating and full of lots to see and experience. I look forward to going back next year and hopefully having the chance to see more.

Nicole