To Be Continued...
Friday, August 15, 2014
Onward...into virgin territory
Yesterday I finally polished/rewrote/finished the 2010 NaNoWriMo chapter where Our Heroes finally make it to Candelei after many adventures. (I do first drafts during NaNoWriMo.) It ends on a nail-biter. Their host informs them that the guest of honor at the banquet where Loriano has been hired to perform--and he really needs the gig--is The Villain! And Tora faints.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Review of This Time (Richard III in the 21st-century) by Joan Szechtman
This week I reviewed This Time on both Amazon.com and Goodreads. I gave it 2 stars out of 5
The book was clearly written before Richard III's DNA-certified body (with mild scoliosis) was found under the parking lot in Leicester.
The author wrote one of my favorite fantasies--a historic figure coming into our time so we can talk with him or her. The first part of the book (retrieving his body) held my interest better than the second (him trying to bring back his son and the romance with his rescuer).
Although the author described Richard's missing his family quite well, he adjusted to life in the 21st century too easily. He'd have wanted to attend daily Mass. And being alone so much he'd feel vulnerable and exposed. He'd miss constantly being surrounded by attendants, squires, friends, family, etc. The author also had him learn computer search skills, when his real strength was people skills. Why not have him supervise assistants to do the actual searches? Also, if she wants him to feel comfortable, take him horseback riding. He'd ridden horses all his life. But instead she teachs him to drive. Further, Richard might be a nice guy, but he was a nobleman, and he'd have shown an unconscious (or conscious) arrogance to untitled people. Wouldn't he be curious about the current ruler of England? Watch Queen Elizabeth II on TV, read stories about her? Maybe ask to call her up and chat on the phone?
But I'm rewriting someone else's book, and that is definitely a No-no.
The book was clearly written before Richard III's DNA-certified body (with mild scoliosis) was found under the parking lot in Leicester.
The author wrote one of my favorite fantasies--a historic figure coming into our time so we can talk with him or her. The first part of the book (retrieving his body) held my interest better than the second (him trying to bring back his son and the romance with his rescuer).
Although the author described Richard's missing his family quite well, he adjusted to life in the 21st century too easily. He'd have wanted to attend daily Mass. And being alone so much he'd feel vulnerable and exposed. He'd miss constantly being surrounded by attendants, squires, friends, family, etc. The author also had him learn computer search skills, when his real strength was people skills. Why not have him supervise assistants to do the actual searches? Also, if she wants him to feel comfortable, take him horseback riding. He'd ridden horses all his life. But instead she teachs him to drive. Further, Richard might be a nice guy, but he was a nobleman, and he'd have shown an unconscious (or conscious) arrogance to untitled people. Wouldn't he be curious about the current ruler of England? Watch Queen Elizabeth II on TV, read stories about her? Maybe ask to call her up and chat on the phone?
But I'm rewriting someone else's book, and that is definitely a No-no.
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