It's been a long time since posting, because the time's been spent working hard on 'hard copy' editing of my first Kate Almir novel. A 'hard copy' edit is also what people refer to as 'high editing' where you look at content, characterization, and figure out what can be dropped and still make sense. It's a hard and boring task

Other then that, things have been good lately, and I'm going to try to keep posting now.

CK

Moving right on along

I finished the sequel to Phoenix Rising, a 90k novel, in  38 days. So, I have two Kate Almir novels finished. I will keep updates coming along. 

Phoenix Rising is in the edit/revision phase and I'm hoping, with luck, to have it completed by early winter and off to find an agent. 

The unnamed sequel will wait for a third book, then I'll edit it, too, and get it ready. 

What Makes a Good Heroine?

Having finished watching The Hunger Games blu ray, it got me thinking. Katniss, though not as developed as in the book, is an excellent example of a heroine who had to rise to the occasion, to overcome obstacles, none of her making, to achieve the goal: staying alive and returning to her family. Story telling at it’s best is about characters, making them believable, and giving them a reason for the reader, whether sympathy or empathy, to root for them.

What makes a character likeable? It takes a combination of their personality and background, which in some ways draws the reader into their adventure. I’ll use and example, since the blog’s about the world of Kate Almir.

Who is Kate Almir? She’s so nuanced, it would be hard to explain in a 500 word, my goal not a rule, blog posting. The young woman, 22 in the second novel I’m working on and 21 in the first, has survived many traumatic events in her life. It started with losing a father; mother had already died, in a war, which leads to an orphanage to sell most of the children, since they were starving anyway, to a Slave Master. However, his form of slavery entitled fighting in a arena, or open areas, for the entertainment of a blood thirsty masses. While under his ownership, despite her lofty living as a his top fighter, she suffered repeated rapes from the man. Coupled with the deaths of several friend, and a dear lover, she’s turned into someone asexual, and wishing to put the pain of the past behind.

She’s a character, who, as you get to know her, becomes sympathetic due to the events that happened, and are continuing to happen. Which is why I got to thinking.

For you who are reading, I’d like to throw out a challenge: name a good heroine in a story, novel or movie you’ve seen and tell me why she’s a good heroine. I look forward to seeing your responses.

The Hunger Games Movie

How many people have seen the movie? I watched it this afternoon, and while I love Jennifer Lawrence's acting job at Katniss, it seemed like it was missing something. I don't know if it came from reading the book and having high expectations, but something didn't click.

The scenes in the woods were great, I loved Jennifer as she made the happen, but the relationship between her and Peta could've been developed a bit more, especially if they're meant to survive as 'the star crossed lovers.'

Anyone have any opinions on the matter?

B

Alexandra Sokoloff: Something has to happen

Alexandra Sokoloff: Something has to happen: I've been participating in a huge thriller e book giveaway this week. And because I've been checking the Top Ten pages and watching my ranki...