National Novel Writing Month 2010

I have attempted to win National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)since my friend, Katherine, introduced me to it.  (For the record: Since 2004)  The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.  It starts on November 1st and ends at midnight on the 30th.  In order to meet this goal it is necessary to write 1,666 words a day for the entire 30 days.  My friend aims for 2,000 a day so that she isn't as panicked towards the end of the month.  The exercise is supposed to free the writer of all responsibility to edit and just allow them to create.  As the NaNo website clearly states:

Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.

I'm usually good for about 10,000-20,000 words and then I hit a road block from which I never recover.  The best year was when I was incredibly passionate about the story and wanted to develop it into an actual (possibly publishable) manuscript.  Unfortunately, Ianthe and her protectors didn't make it out of the forest scene I'd written.  I still have this one on my hard drive, waiting for inspiration to strike again.  The next best year was when I took a cue from Jasper Fforde and created a playground for some of my favorite literary characters.  Borrowing his bookworld as the framework, I was able to work out some of my aggression towards the Twilight series. The worst years are when I start with absolutely no idea at all.  Though, last year's time machine story wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I've been worried about this year because I haven't had any brainstorms or even a low pressure system threatening to move in.  That is, until last night.

While working at my second job, a local retail store, I had an idea.  I was dressed as Snow White for the big Halloween debut event the store was running and had to walk down to the grocery store to buy my lunch.  Not thinking about this ahead of time, I failed to bring a change of clothes and had to walk through the store still in costume.  A little girl was so excited to see Snow White that she ran to get her father and dragged him back to meet me.  It was really quite adorable.  But it also got me thinking about the Disney Princess Line-up and what if they all lived in a house together.  (Maybe a sorority, Real World, or Sex In The City-type group.) Or possibly I could take the Princesses' personalities and use them in characters in a different setting, like a small town or college group of friends.  Maybe they are looking back after 20 years and wondering about the course of their lives.  So this could be a good start for NaNo, depending on how I can develop these seeds.

Soulless by Gail Carriger

I just picked up a new series, Amazon actually recommended it to me, about Vampires & Werewolves.  I know it's overdone at this point and it seems like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, but I've been interested in this type of literature ever since I read Interview With A Vampire by Anne Rice in high school.  The one exception to my fascination with Vampire Literature has been the Twilight Series.  In Stephanie Meyer's work, I have found the something that can make vampire stories uninteresting to me, and that is the complete lack of characterization and the less than adequate plot development.

Soulless by Gail Carriger is the first in a series called, The Parasol Protectorate.  The description that caught my attention on Amazon was this: "SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking."  Something about this just seemed interesting and I have not yet been disappointed.  I am only five chapters in, but already we've had a rogue vampire death at the hands of our heroine, Alexia Tarabotti, and a look at the Supernatural Politics present in this alternate representation of Victorian England.  There is a definite, what some would call, Steampunk element to the novel that is very intriguing. 

What I have learned, thus far, is that Vampires, Werewolves, and other supernatural creatures are well known in Victorian society.  There is a government agency run by Alpha werewolf, Lord Maccon, that helps to maintain that balance between good taste and lawless abandon.  There is an obvious tension between Lord Maccon and Alexia, but neither one will openly admit to anything more than a severe distaste for the other.  Alexia is not a normal human, she has the unfortunate condition of being soulless.  This means that the supernatural creatures in London do not have any effect on her.  In fact, it's quite the opposite as her touch can restore temporary humanity to whomever is daring enough to come close. 

So far, my favorite quote in the book is one having to do with Lord Maccon.  In this passage (chapter 2, page 36)Alexia's friend, Ivy, is musing on the Scottish Werewolf:

He was so very large and so very gruff that he rather terrified her, but he always behaved correctly in public, and there was a lot to be said for a man who sported such well-tailored jackets - even if he did change into a ferocious beast once a month.

 This is a great example of the tongue-in-cheek dialog and descriptions present in this novel.  I am very anxious to see how this all turns out in the end.  Undoubtedly, Lord Maccon and Alexia will finally succumb to the secret feelings even they don't realize they have for one another.  According to the author's website this is the first in a projected five novel series.  I think this may be a series I will keep on my bookshelf, but it will depend on how it develops.  Check back in with me later this month to see how things are progressing.

October Reading List 2010

The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (8/1/10)-Finished 9/20/10
Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford (9/22/10) - Finished 9/23/10
Soulless by Gail Carriger (10/1/10) - Started
Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas (6/01/10) -Started
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (2/14/10) - Finished 9/21/10
The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (05/01/10) - Started
The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl (07/01/10)
The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl (07/01/10)
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin (08/01/10)
Lamb by Christopher Moore (11/01/10)
Harry Potter Series Re-Read (9/01/10)

I feel like I accomplished a lot in September, even though I added two brand new books to my ever-increasing list.  Hopefully, Soulless, will move quickly and I can finish one of the older books on the list before moving on.

I am including links to the books on Amazon's website. It should make them easier to find if any of them sound interesting. I am almost tempted to do chapter by chapter entries like Mark over at Mark Reads Harry Potter. (Warning: Mark's website contains harsh language and is not suitable for children under a certain age.) It would mean I wouldn't go so long inbetween entries for this blog. Unfortunately, I am not nearly that entertaining. Still, it's something to think about.

Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford

Instead of reading one of the books on my reading list for September, my father presented me with a copy of Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford. According to the blurb at the end of the book, this is the first in a series.

Jane Austen has finally gotten her last novel published, after 116 rejections over the last 200 years. Suddenly, she is faced with the issues of plagiarism as her original manuscript turns up in the hands of the Brontes' biggest cheerleader. Bigger problems follow when her maker returns to claim her affections and whatever is she going to do about the local carpenter that keeps asking her out on a date.

Probably one of the quickest reads I've had in a long time. I started it this morning and couldn't put it down. Though, it's definitely what I would call a "Beach Read." There isn't anything complex about this novel; it moves very quickly from one event to another with little characterization. I wish there had been a little more depth to the characters and their relationships. However, it is definitely an entertaining read.

Ford touches on the Bronte/Austen feud that has been going on in English Literature classes for years. He gives a nod to the ridiculousness of things like the Jane Austen Cookbook as well as the cleverly written Pride & Prejudice & Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith in our modern world of cross-marketing and movie tie-ins.

I am definitely looking forward to the next novel in this series and would recommend the book to anyone looking for something quick and easy.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

David Sedaris is without question one of my favorite authors. His books are great on airplanes, in waiting rooms, the bathroom, or anywhere else that short essays are useful. Each chapter is, of course, its own essay so it's not like you have to keep going back and checking on things you've missed or forgotten. He always makes me laugh, so thankfully I was able to finish this book last night before my surgery. (I can't imagine chuckling would go well with the incisions in my belly.)

I'm not sure if I find Sedaris' stories so endearing because they remind me of my own family or because I can hear my father's voice telling similar ones. This book, Me Talk Pretty One Day, is broken down into two parts: one and deux. The first section is filled with stories about New York and North Carolina where Sedaris lived. Then the second section is about his move to Paris with his boyfriend, Hugh. Some of my favorite stories in this book are:

"The City of Light in the Dark" - Sedaris talks about the movie houses in Paris. This does remind me of my father quite a bit because Sedaris talks about the annoying habits of Americans at the movies. As my father goes to the movies several times a week with his fellow retirees, I hear about these things quite often.

"The Youth In Asia" - The author tells a story about his parents' dog, Melina, and the devotion they show to her. It reminds me of the jealousy I feel towards my dads' dog, Delilah. She really is the center of their world and I never imagined that I would be jealous of an animal when it came to the affections of my two dads.

"The Learning Curve" - Tales of a teaching position in a college creative writing class. I could really sympathize with Sedaris on this one. He talks about his love of Soap Operas and how certain things only happen on certain days. This takes me back to high school days when I would watch them with my sister. The ending 'punchline' is really what makes it though.

"Picka Pocketoni" - An amusing story about the Ugly American in Paris. Sedaris is mistaken for a French Pickpocket and the American assumes no one else can speak English. Highly entertaining read.

I would recommend this to anyone that enjoyed Amy Sedaris' Strangers With Candy show, or anyone that has enjoyed David Sedaris on NPR.

September 2010 Reading List

The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (8/1/10)-Finished 9/20/10
Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas (6/01/10) -Started
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (2/14/10) - Finished 9/21/10
The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (05/01/10) - Started
The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl (07/01/10)
The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl (07/01/10)
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin (08/01/10)
Lamb by Christopher Moore (11/01/10)
Harry Potter Series Re-Read (9/01/10)

As you can see I have a horrible habit of starting books and not finishing them before I start the next. There are things I really want to read, and I tend to skip between 2-3 books at a time. I definitley want to reread the Harry Potter series again. I haven't done that since Book 7 came out several years ago, so it is long overdue. Especially since I know the ending now and can detect more of the story breadcrumbs J.K. left for herself while writing.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Revisted)

I was finally able to finish this novel last night. I will say again, that the writer's style is very easy to read. She has a straightforward style that grabs the reader's interest. Rebecca Skloot reports the information as it is presented to her with some commentary of her own. Some of the Lacks family members are in jail or have less than perfect stories, but she doesn't shy away from these details or try to explain them away. It is very clear from her writing that she cares about these people but that she also wants to honor to Deborah Lack's wish that the book tells the true story of Henrietta and her family.

Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

I sort of cheated on this one and bought the book on tape for my road trip to the beach. It was probably the best decision I made the whole week. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith was incredibly entertaining and kept my attention for the entire six hour drive to the Outer Banks. The biggest difference between reading this book and listening to it is that, from time to time, I forgot it was a fictional history.

Seth Grahame-Smith does an excellent job of incorporating vampires into real historical events. The style is very similar to his Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, in that he weaves his own tale into a well known one. From what I can tell, his Lincoln research is very thorough and very informative. Though I am by no means a Lincoln or Civil War expert. This book has actually inspired me to do a little research of my own into the real life events depicted in the novel. My father recently finished Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin, so I may borrow his copy.

Of course, the Civil War is used as front for a secret war between feuding Vampires and their human counterparts. John Wilkes Booth had more motive than in real life. And the deaths of family and friends throughout Lincoln's life are not always accidental or the result of the rough frontier life. I only wish I had gotten a copy of the novel as well so I could see the photographic "evidence" supplied.

Definitely a book I would recommend to the Vampire fan. Lincoln purists may not appreciate this approach to their hero but it could be an excellent way to interest the younger generation in history.

The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad

One of the major books on my list to finish while on vacation was The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad. I'd started it a few years ago after seeing the Christian Bale/Bob Hoskins remake. What I found most interesting was the way Conrad described the terrorist, The Professor. It really made me think of the September 11th attacks in the US. Here is a novel that was written around the turn of the 20th century which explores similar themes we were dealing with at the turn of the 21st century. The Professor, portrayed by Robin Williams in the film, cares nothing about governments or religion claiming to be a true anarchist. His only desire is to create the perfect detonator for the explosives he carries on his person at all times. (Apparently, this novel was a favorite of the Unabomber.)

But the Professor is just a background character in the seedy underbelly of London. The real focus is on Mr. Verloc, his wife. Winnie, and her special needs brother, Stevie. The tragedy is not in the actions taken by the terrorist group or even Winnie's final act, but in the way Verloc misused his brother-in-law. Winnie and her mother, having told Stevie that Mr. Verloc is a "good" man, gave a very willing servant to a desperate man. This trust, both Stevie's child-like trust of the adult figure in his life and the trust of a wife in her husband, is betrayed and results in Stevie's death.

Definitely a fantastic read and not as difficult to navigate as Conrad's Heart of Darkness. It does skip around in time throughout the narrative, but that only increases the reader's ability to comprehend the severity of the crimes perpetrated.

The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

I heard this interview on NPR with the author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot, and had to go out and order the book. (I found it on Amazon for a reasonable price and am currently awaiting its arrival in the mail.) One of the most important contributions to modern science and medicine and the common person knows very little about it. In 1951, a poor African-American woman in Baltimore was diagnosed with cervical cancer. While undergoing treatment, her doctor takes a tissue sample for George Gey, the head of tissue-culture research at Johns Hopkins. Gey had been trying to grow a line of human cells, for testing, and had been unsuccessful for almost 30 years. Apparently, it was pretty standard practice to take tissue samples from patients without permission and not yet an issue legally. Henrietta Lacks' cells are unique in that they were able to divide and replicate infinitely, thus allowing Gey to achieve his goal.

According to the interview on NPR, the first major disease treated using the HeLa (the name given to the cell line, using the first two letters of the "donor's" first and last name) cell line was polio. Jonas Salk used her cells to create and distribute his Polio Vaccine. The invention of which almost earned Salk his own national holiday in the United States. Though something we take for granted today, Polio was an epidemic in this country at the time and the vaccine was a true miracle.

"Ms. REBECCA SKLOOT (Author, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"): (Reading)
I've tried to imagine how she'd feel, knowing that her cells went up in the
first space missions to see what would happen to human cells in zero gravity
or that they helped with some of the most important advances in medicine:
the polio vaccine, chemotherapy, cloning, gene mapping, in vitro
fertilization." - from Book Probes: 'Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks' on
NPR.org

It seems amazing that the contribution from one person has led to so many
medical advances; that so many lives have been saved and hardly anyone outside
of the medical community knew her name. In fact, she is buried in a family plot
without a headstone and today, her children can't afford health insurance that
would allow them access to the medicines she helped develop. It was certainly
the genius of the scientists that created the cures, medicines, and vaccines but
how much of that would have been possible without her cells?

So, I am looking forward to reading Rebecca Skloot's book. The interview said she focuses
not only on the impact the HeLa cells had on the medical community, but also on
what that meant to her family when they discovered where the cells had come
from. The book took ten years to research and write, mostly due to the author
having to gain the trust of the Lacks Family. I'm also hoping the author's
writing style is easy to read and not full of medical descriptions I know very
little about.