Booking it with Lit-Tra-Chure

The difference between journalism and literature is that journalism is unreadable and literature is not read. ~Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891



1. When somebody mentions “literature,” what’s the first thing you think of? (Dickens? Tolstoy? Shakespeare?)

My thoughts tend to stray to the classic works I HATED growing up, not the ones I loved, as well as the "modern" literature out there that "they" consider a must read. For me, "literature" as a genre has a very negative connotation. I adore Shakespeare, so I don't really consider him "literature". OTOH, I despise Steinbeck with every fiber of my being, followed closely by an incredible dislike of Hemingway. They definitely fall into the "literature" category for me. It may be thusly for me because in my English Literature classes, those were the writers we read... not the really cool classics like Jane Austen or Shakespeare or Edgar Allen Poe.

2. Do you read “literature” (however you define it) for pleasure? Or is it something that you read only when you must?

Dear heavens, no. "Literature" takes itself far too seriously, uses incredibly complex and utterly un-understandable phrases and never has a happy ending. Why would I use my few spare minutes trudging through a depressing and pretentious novel when I can laugh, smile and basically just feel good about reading genre fiction? I'm proud to say that I'd take Nora Roberts over Tolstoy, and Dean Koontz over Steinbeck. Every day of the week.

You?

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Don't forget: A comment on the blog this month earns you an entry to win one of these two books.

AND: LASR is giving away a book EVERY DAY IN APRIL. We've already made two people very happy... click here to find out how you can be next!

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I managed another 700 words on my HQA yesterday...not the 1000 I wanted, but I'll take every last one of them. My heroine has just caught a glimpse of the hero, though she doesn't know that's who he'll end up being, of course. She's just shopping for curtain rods.

I also edited a bit more of "Kitchen Matches", and am falling in love with the story all over again. However, I can see why this last editor who rejected it had difficulty seeing Micah (the hero). I really rather gloss over him a bit. This was originally written as a short story, and I never switch POV between H/H in my short stories, so "Kitchen Matches" is written completely from the heroine, Cori's POV. It makes Micah very difficult to "get". That's all about to change. In another few pages, Micah gets his own scene, right after poor Cori ends up on her behind in the gutter.

I want the reader to love Micah and Cori as much as I do.

My writing plan, currently, is to work on the HQA in the morning and "Kitchen Matches" in the afternoon. Mostly, it's working so far. But DH is home for the next four days, so that may not be as easy. Especially since he wants my help putting in the hardwood floor today and tomorrow. **sigh**

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The snow is finally melting off my lawn again. I'll go around a take a few pictures once the sun is out to prove it to you *G*. There is only one problem (aside from that pesky mole): Dakota doesn't know where to go potty!

We got her in November, and the day after we got her...it snowed. And there has been snow on the ground ever since. She was potty trained on snow, and now searches for a patch of it to go pee on. She won't go on the grass! Poor puppy. I feel bad for her, because she's trying to be a good dog and not go where she's not supposed to. Times like these I wish we could reason with our canine companions.

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Your Celebrity Baby Name Is...

Freedom Poppy

What's Your Celebrity Baby Name?

Peace, bruthah....

A Quick Note

Nothing encourages creativity like the chance to fall flat on one's face. ~James D. Finley

I know, I know... I have a guest blogger, but I can't seem to stop gabbing (you should meet me in person, LOL).

I just wanted to mention that I've started work on my HQA and also on revising and expanding "Kitchen Matches" -- you'll see word count whatsits in the sidebar. My goal is to get them both completed by the end of May... a two month NaNoWriMo for me.

DD is sick, however, so this is already making things a bit difficult, and DH is taking off Thursday to work on our new floor (and needs me to help). Ahh...real life.

So, that's my life in a nutshell, but I missed talking to you guys, so had to put in a little note *G*.

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What Your Little Black Dress Says About You

You are lively and outgoing. You are naturally friendly. You enjoy meeting new people and making new connections. Your style is whimsical and unique. You're good at putting together interesting outfits. If you were a shoe, you would be: High heeled boots

The Little Black Dress Test

Booking It Under the Covers

The time to read is any time: no apparatus, no appointment of time and place, is necessary. It is the only art which can be practised at any hour of the day or night, whenever the time and inclination comes, that is your time for reading; in joy or sorrow, health or illness. ~Holbrook Jackson

Just a reminder: Comments on my blog posts put you in a drawing to win one of these books. Good luck!



While acknowledging that we can’t judge books by their covers, how much does the design of a book affect your reading enjoyment? Hardcover vs. softcover? Trade paperback vs. mass market paperback? Font? Illustrations? Etc.?

I do prefer reading paperbacks, just because they're easier to hold, and that's what I have most of in my library, because they're cheaper to buy. But covers? Let's talk about covers.

Funny thing is, I just commented to Dru about this because she mentioned she'd heard about a book that sounded really good, but when she went to buy it, she just couldn't because she disliked the cover strongly.

I think covers influence my buying quite a bit. I went on a rampage this month and bought about 20 category romances...very randomly. I seldom even looked at the blurbs. It was all about the cover, the line they were part of, and the title.

And, yes, the title can influence me as much as the blurb. I intensely dislike the silly category titles like "The Billionaire Sheik's Virgin Mistress's Secret Baby". I just can't take the book seriously at all. The sad thing is: I may be missing out on a decent story. But, GAH.

And the covers? I despise clinch covers. I don't mind the softer version of a clinch cover, with the hero and heroine holding each other. But the overly-dramatic, 80's Fabio covers, with long dresses and flying hair and half-naked bodies? Ack. Can't bring myself to pick them up.

Recently, I started reading Lynsay Sands Argeneau series. The first book was "The Accidental Vampire". Here is that cover:


Next I read "Vampires Are Forever". Here is that cover:


I really liked both these covers... I liked the soft, blurry edges. I especially liked the cover to "Vampires Are Forever". And, I enjoyed the books so much, I decided to buy her backlist. I took my trusty B&N gift card I'd gotten for my birthday and trotted to the store. And almost came back empty-handed. These are just a couple of the covers for her backlist (I HATED them):



Had I come across those books first, I probably never would have read the series.

So... do covers influence my buying habits? Absolutely. You?

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Worked more on plotting the HQA. Gave my hero a job, a hobby and an apartment. Gave my heroine a job and a pet. And, no, I'm not saying what her job and pet are ... but they are both unusual. I'm working on the collage, and will post it here when it's done.

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You Are Dr. Pepper

You're very unique and funky, yet you still have a bit of traditionalism to you. People who like you think they have great taste... and they usually do. Your best soda match: Root Beer Stay away from: 7 Up

What Kind of Soda Are You?

Monday...and the Sun Is Shining!

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke

Had a quiet weekend. I couldn't leave Dakota for too long on Easter (due to her ongoing tummy troubles) so DH took DD to the in-laws without me, and I had lots of time alone. It was wonderful. The weather was decent, too, about 38 degrees and sunny, with just a little bit of a breeze, so I took the dog for a long, long walk. I love being able to do that. So does she :-)

I did work on my possible HQ American (HQA--pronounced hawk-wah, lol--from now until I think of a fun title) a bit. I almost finished my heroine's character interview (I'd forgotten how long it is), and got partway through my hero's (I really like him... he's awfully sweet) and brainstormed seven possible scenes. I'm itching to write the first kiss scene, but I'm holding off until the beginning of April...but it's TOUGH because I really like the scenario. I still need to finish the hero's interview and write a few nonsensical scenes to get to know them better (I like to write everyday scenes: washing dishes, taking a shower, doing laundry...stuff I probably wouldn't use in the actual book). I also need to decide if it's going to be mostly serious, or leaning toward funny. I think this one needs a more serious bent (though I can't be completely straight-faced) because my heroine has a lot of wounds she needs healed.

I may still work on a shorter piece, just to have something I can submit sooner, but I'll decide on that once I start working on the HQA.

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I know spring must finally be here, because the chipmunk who lives in our rockwall out back paid me a visit yesterday. We fed him last year, and usually around the same time, and if we missed a day he'd come to the sliding glass door and put his little paw up as if asking, "Please, ma'am, may I have some more?"

Anyway, he didn't stop to say hello today, but did wander across the back deck en route to the bird feeders. It was the first chippie I'd seen since fall. The squirrels are out and about during the winter, but the 'munks seem to sleep straight through.

Now, I have to figure out when I need to put the Black Swallowtail pupas (from last fall, remember?) outside to hatch. Probably not until mid-May or so. Hope they survived the winter. Are you excited? Pillar Place will be back in full swing by the beginning of June, LOL.

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Your Spelling is Perfect

You got 10/10 correct. Your spelling is excellent. You also have a great memory and eye for detail.

How's Your Spelling?

That really doesn't surprise me... lol...