But they’re in the wrong format to upload on to the blog, drat it! How do I change my files from mp4’s to something that can be played on here?
Category Archives: Writing life
Why would you boast about that? Or, admitting you have never read a book is not clever
I was at the day job yesterday, casually writing a short story on my break, when I was accosted by one of my co-workers wanting to know why I only worked weekends now and what was I writing. Apart from the great impertinence, although I suspect it was her way of making conversation, I couldn’t really see why I shouldn’t tell her the truth: I’m working part time to fund my reviewing habit, since nobody’s paying me in anything but books at the minute. She then asked about my writing, which is fair enough, but then she shocked me by admitting that she’d never read a book.
I asked why?
I forgot to add
On top of this pile of books I will also be reading and reviewing four more e-books for
http://www.everythingbooksandauthors.com.
I like to be busy it seems, especially since I also need to finish a college course before the end of the month as well. I question my sanity at times.
And then I remember, yes I am cracking up, that’s what the medication is for, and stop worrying about it.
Bye, again,
Rose
Fanfic: a whole world in a PDF document
What a lovely day, I’m sweltering; I hope all my lovely readers are well and enjoying the weekend?
Ladies and gentlemen, I have a question for you all.
Who reads fan fiction (or fanfic, or just plain fic)?
Hands up if you have or do.
Next question,
Hands up if you’ve ever written fanfic?
And the most important question of all,
Why?
Swear down I’m not judging, I’m just interested. Want to know why? Simple really, I was having a read through Twitter and someone from one of the bands I follow mentioned they were the subject of fanfic. I was torn between laughing, tweeting them to say serves them right for reading fic about themselves (but that might have seemed negative towards fanfic writers) and explaining the warnings and categories used in fan fiction writing.
Here we have a fine example of how my brain works.
This, and the fact that Ellie and I spent an evening at Download explaining to Mark-the-tent-lodger the concept of fic, and associated abbreviations (do you know your OTP from your BROTP, NC-17 from dub-con?), led me to wonder just how widespread the phenomena is?
I first came across the concept of fanfic about two years ago, before that I didn’t know it existed. Now I know that several of my friends not only read, but also write fanfic. There’s a whole community of writers out there who mainly or only write fan fiction. It’s a fascinating world.
I’m told it’s origins lie in the mists of time, when Star Trek first appeared. Since then this creature has spread into literature, music and films, as well as a huge variety of television shows. Some concern real people and some fictional characters; however all treat them as stock characters in a story. Some even cross over e.g. the other day I read a fic in which the characters of the BBC Sherlock met NBC’s Hannibal. They can be ‘canon’, that is, fit into the existing storyline, or AU, in which anyone can be anywhere, anywhen or anything, provided they stay essentially true to the character.
Fan fiction has it’s own dedicated websites and online forums and groups. Fanfiction.net was the first I ever looked at, when I was reading ‘True Blood/Southern Vampire Mysteries’ fics. There’s an excellent series called ‘Oh no! Vampire Bill!’ that’s basically 1001 different ways to kill the most irritating character in the TV programme/books. Kept me entertained for days. Then I was directed to certain groups on Live Journal which specialise in real-person fics. The problem with both fanfic.net and live journal is that there is very little editing, although some groups have formatting rules. Also, it isn’t that easy to search at times.
Recently a new website, archiveofourown.org has become the place to find all your fanfic. Specifically designed to provide an easily searchable standard format for new stories, and an archive for older work, it is now becoming quite popular. Fairly regularly one finds links to both the writers’ Live Journal or other website, and AO3 posting of a fic. The tagging system can be awkward at times, but if you have an idea of what you’re looking for it is possible to find fics accurately, as there is a comprehensive search system, and the fics can usually he downloaded in a variety of formats. As well as that, series and chapters are linked together so it’s fairly easy to check for updates.
I don’t know about anyone else but I read fanfic because it’s fun, and a good story is a good story. I’ve read some right stinkers, some that need a bit of work, and some that need professional publishing. Now. Fanfics based on literature and films/television allow fans to immerse themselves in the universe of the originals in a creative way.
I suppose the real difficultly, for me at least, comes when real people are being written about. Yes, it’s fun making up stories about people you admire or inspire you, but how far can it be taken? Personally I feel that if we acknowledge the fics aren’t real, and that the people in them are ‘stock characters’ then it’s acceptable. Fics allow fans to explore fantasies, put their heroes in unreal situations and see what happens. So long as it remains a story and nobody thinks it’s real every thing is fine.
And if you’re daft enough to look for fanfic about yourself, you have been warned; run away quickly for you are heading into dangerous waters.
Generally speaking writers will tag their fics with a variety of codes, which are confusing if you’ve never seen them, but once understand become a second language. They will also tag any possible triggers, since fics quite often deal with mental illness, abuse, self-harm, suicide etc.
Fanfic readers also talk in code. I can’t decide whether the purpose is to unite fans or hide our guilty pleasure. For instance, when asked who you’re OTP is, you are being asked which romantic couple you like the most. The phrase ‘I ship it’ means ‘I love that…’, and abbreviations for romantic pairings can be entertaining.
So, that’s fanfic, I’d be interested to hear other people’s opinions on the subject.
And yes, occasionally I write fic, but I’m not telling you what about or where to find them. That’s between me and my co-conspiritors.
Good evening,
Rose
Thoughts that occupied my mind last night, Or why are there no werewolf adaptations of ‘Pride & Prejudice’?
After I went to bed last night my mind became occupied with the above question. Don’t ask why, there’s no explaining the bizarre leaps my brain makes sometimes.
I’ve read vampire versions of P&P, zombie adaptations, seen modern film adaptations, and obviously read the original multiple times. I recently heard of modern settings for the story in a crime fiction context. I’ve yet to come across a werewolf version though. Maybe such a book does exist and I’ve missed it?
Any ideas anyone?
So, there I was puzzling over the fact that the recent trend for adapting classics for the ‘supernatural fiction’ section of the book shop had yet to throw up an example. I should have been sleeping. Instead I tried to work out how it would work. I think I might have come up with a workable idea. I’m going to have to see. I might even put a sample chapter on here, if I think it works.
Best be off now,
Bye,
Rose
I should be writing up short stories…
But instead I’m crocheting granny squares. I think it might be because I’m tired and I can crochet while half asleep, whereas I prefer to be vaguely aware when I write.
I probably won’t get any writing done until next week now. The reason for this deplorable state of affairs is that I’m doing a little over time, to cover a full-time member of the tech department’s holiday. I usually only work weekends so working nine days out of ten is killing me. I’ve had today off, but spent all afternoon at college, so now I’m exhausted again. Basically, I’ll finally be able to get back to my scribbling on Monday, after college. I probably won’t want to look at a computer at that point.
When did I get so busy?
I only work part-time; that should leave plenty of time for reading, writing and staring longingly at books, CD’s and gig tickets I can’t afford right now, but I don’t seem to have much free time.
To be fair though, working part-time has been good for me. I’ve been able to earn a little bit of money while still having enough time to get a couple more qualifications and spend time reading, reviewing and other writing. I still need my medication just to cope with work, and I need to sleep a lot of the time (so nothing new there), but I’m managing a little better. It helps that I’ve moved departments at work as well. I’m marginally less bored, my hours are pretty much guaranteed and the people I work with are nice. They think I’m weird, but at least they’re happy to tolerate me finding a quiet corner to write in when I get really bored. Also, the manager signed my holiday forms so I have a couple of weekends off in October. I’m going to see Reckless Love, who’s new album is out at the end of August (it’s on my to buy list already) , and HIM, who I may have mentioned on a couple of occasions.
On the subject of gigs I’m planning to go to later in the year, I plan to go to see Alter Bridge in mid-October and 30 Seconds to Mars in late November. There is also a possible plan to go to Amsterdam in early November in the works as well. Depends on flight, trains and hostels, total cost and whether it’s manageable. While there I may go to see 30 Seconds to Mars, as a few of my friends/acquaintances will be going.
I’ve never been abroad before, which is a shocking thing for anyone my age to say, or so it would appear, from people’s reactions.
I’ve been thirty for nine days now, and I actually feel quite good about it. I had all sorts of plans when I was younger; none of them involved being at home still, and working a low paid part-time, if semi-professional, job because I live in a back water and am psychologically incapable of full-time work at the moment.
The pressure is off; I failed to live up to the expectations I and everyone else had of me. I’m out of my twenties and now my life is probably set. I’m never going to be a great scientist, or even a half-way decent academic, because I made a complete hash if it all. So instead I’ll do what I wanted to do before I got talked into choosing a ‘sensible’ career, a choice I regret making. I like playing in labs, really I do, and studying at Durham was brilliant, but I really would have been happier if I hadn’t felt pressured to give up hiding in libraries with my head in a book or scribbling stories.
So, feeling like a failure because I hadn’t lived up to expectation I went off to Download to celebrate my birthday, and do you know what? I had a complete change of heart. As we were packing away the tent it struck me; that part of my life is over. I don’t have to live in the shadow of ‘might have been, should have been’ any more. I accept that failure, and now I’m going to make a successful life for myself without that shadow hovering over me. Yes, I’m broke, and I live at home still, but so what? I get to read books, listen to music, watch films and plays, and go to gigs or do other bits of travelling, and write about it. I accept that right now all I earn is a few free books, but free books are free books! I’ll work on that, give me time to build my confidence and a scrapbook of writing, and maybe I’ll get some paid writing work. It’s cool if I don’t, because I like writing and I wont stop, but it would be great if I could earn a little cash from it.
Until then, I’ll keep working at the factory and dreaming.
And that blog post was way longer, more emotional and honest than I get in public, and actually covered thoughts I hadn’t planned to share with the world. See this is what happens when I’m tired; I can’t control what gets written down. My brain to fingers filter goes away (my brain to gob filter is non-existent anyway). I think I should probably stop rambling now, make my sandwich for my packing-up for work tomorrow and go to bed.
New books from the library
I went for a trip to the library today, to take back a book and came home with three more.
I’ve read a few Jasper Fforde books, so I thought I’d give this one a go. It features a recurring character Thursday Next.
It’s been a while since I read any classic horror and one of the librarians brought this book to my attention.
I love Tom Holt’s comic fantasy, this is the first historical fiction novel of his I’ve read though. I’m a decent way into it already and it’s very enjoyable do far.
Expect reviews sometime in the next few weeks.
Got to go to the day job tomorrow, so I shall disappear for a few days. Bye,
Rose
In non-Download related news …
I’ve finally got my twelve stories written for the collection I’m writing, the first drafts anyway. I need to type them up and do a first edit, give them to people to read through and then maybe edit a couple more times. After that I don’t know what to do with them.
Should I publish as an ebook?
Also, soon I will be being sent my first paper book to review by a publisher, The Devil’s Ribbon by DE Meredith. I’ve reviewed e-books for publishers recently so this is a new development for me.
And a free book is a free book after all.
Best be off, books to read, reviews to write, the usual, bye.
Rose
Brain finally in order, now where do I start?
I’ve been trying to decide where to start with my posts about Download Festival. I think I’ll start with my impressions, since I want to add videos and such to my reviews.
I definitely enjoyed the experience, although I did keep noting things to do differently next year. That will be the subject of another post, I think. I was very tired by Monday morning and napped in the car on the way back. It was quiet when I got home and that felt weird, after several days if constant noise.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start at the beginning rather than the end, shall we?
Thursday morning arrived and I was incredibly nervous, scared something would go wrong, or I’d forget something vital. I knew I had everything, because I’d packed, checked, repacked and rechecked it all.
Getting there wasn’t too stressful as we had sat nav and Download is well sign posted once we got close enough. Once there we had to get everything to the campsite. It’s quite a walk from the drop off point to the campsite. Getting through the check in process was easy, as there was quite a few people available to do bag and ticket checks. The only problem we had was convincing the stewards that we didn’t have any alcohol with us (we didn’t, because we hadn’t been able to get any on the way) and the bag checker deliberately missunderstood me when I said my bag contained food and boots, insisting I’d meant booze. I know my dialect can be a bit odd, and my accent strong, but if I’d had alcohol with me I’d have said precisely what I was carrying. My companion was asked if we didn’t drink. Why do people make assumptions like that?
By this point I was tired, frustrated and losing patience with the world in general. But, I remembered that the next few days included HIM and Sacred Mother Tongue, and soldiered on with a smile.
Even the thunderstorm didn’t get me down. We were at Download, we’d got our tent up with the help of a neighbour and had a cup of tea. I resorted to having a quiet cup of tea and doing some writing whenever things got a little too much.
The most overwhelming aspect of it all was the constant noise, even early in the morning, and the lack of sleep. I coped with it all better than I thought I would, especially once the rest if our group arrived and I stopped stressing about their safe arrival. We discussed it on Sunday morning, and came to the conclusion that because I was with people I love and trust, was fairly happy, taking my medication regularly (they made sure I took it when I had my breakfast) and was able to escape to the relative solitude of the tent when I needed to, I could cope with the experience better than most people predicted.
One thing I did though was religiously tidy; having a tidy environment helps me feel better. I felt uncomfortable on the campsite because everyone else just dumped their rubbish around their tents.
The familiarity of drunk people also seemed odd. Download is a place where the normal rules of social interaction no longer apply, so being drunk at 9 am and spending three days wearing a pikachu onsie is perfectly acceptable but refusing to high five or hug random drunk strangers makes you a bitch. I didn’t speak much to people I didn’t know, though I made polite small talk while waiting in various queues and at various stalls.
So, all in all, for a person who struggles with social interaction, loud and aggressive people/situations and strange places, I don’t think I did too badly. It is possible to go to a festival and enjoy it if you concentrate on one thing at a time, are with people you trust and know that you have a place to retreat to if necessary. Next year I’m going to try actually getting to know the people around me.
I’m going now, I need to get a few things done today, now that I’m home.
Later today: lessons for next year.
Bye
Rose
I need an internet connection
I have three reviews, or at least the outline of three reviews, to put online. Unfortunately I currently I have no internet (I’m writing this from my phone) so it may be sometime before you see them. I need to add links and suchlike and that’s difficult when I use my phone. It’s frustrating but not the end of the world.
In other news I found out this morning that one if my favourite bands, Reckless Love, is doing a UK tour in October. I am going to have to see them this year, since I didn’t get to see them last year.
And finally, if anyone has any suggestions for books and music they think I should review drop me a line.
On my lust so far I have the new Science of Discworld IV and an ebook called Knot in Time to read. I would like to read The Long War and hear Black Sabbath’s album 13.
Everything Is Better With Dragons 