by Melinda Snodgrass | May 29, 2015 | About Writing
Yesterday I finished reading the second book in Ann Leckie’s series, ANCILLARY SWORD. I really enjoyed this book, and it was in this volume that her use of only the female pronoun “she” was revealed to me in all its true genius. I was suddenly aware of a subtle bias in myself that I had hitherto been completely unaware existed. HERE IS A SMALL SPOILER *********************BEWARE*********** One of the sub-plots is about the heir of a house or “daughter of the...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 22, 2015 | The Craft of Writing
As I indicated on my Facebook page I really liked this book. Primarily because it was a character study and I read for the people not for the problem. Katherine Addison evokes the insecurities of an 18 year old who is suddenly thrust into the role of ruler when his father and half-brothers are all killed. The elven/goblin culture is fascinating with a mix of swords and airships and there is enough touch of archaic language to ground you in the world without making it difficult to read....
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 17, 2015 | TV & Movies
Yesterday I went off to see the new Mad Max film with Len Wein and Chris Valada, her sister and son. It gave me exactly what it promised, and I happen to really like the Mad Max movies though I realized last night that when I think Mad Max I’m really thinking about the second movie — The Road Warrior. I often forget about the first film, Mad Max which didn’t have the sheer wonder and bizarre world that was presented in Road Warrior. In some ways this recent film was an even...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 16, 2015 | About Writing
First let me say upfront that I find starting a book to be the most difficult part of the process. What drives that? Stone cold fear. Fear that I can’t possibly do this. Fear that this will be the project that verifiably proves that I have no talent and I have just been fooling publishers, editors and readers all along. I’m like a dog or a cat circling the pillow trying to figure out if they will lie down and in what position they will do so. Once I type that beginning...
by Melinda Snodgrass | May 14, 2015 | TV & Movies
I can’t decide whether this calls for a <headdesk> or just open mouthed, gobsmacked disbelief. youre-gonna-love-disneys-new-white-african-princess It also falls under the who-ever-thought-this-was-a-good-idea-and-do-they-still-have-a-job? heading.
