There's been a lot going on for me the past couple of weeks, and I thought a fun post about books would be the perfect thing to help me enjoy my work and also engage with all of you! What better way to do that than answering a 20 Questions tag?
1) How many books are too many for a series?
The answer to this is anything that goes beyond the logical natural progression. Some stories are going to call for more books. For example, if you're following your characters from eighth grade through their senior year like in the Vladimir Tod series, it makes sense for there to be a book for each year. If your series is a retelling of the legends surrounding Greek gods, it's a good idea to make a book for each of them. In situations where there are no limits set, I would say four books is the sweet spot.
You want to allow your story to reach resolution and leave the reader wishing there was more, but feeling good about how things ended. It's easy to over-indulge as an author because you just don't want to leave this incredible world you've created (or for some, you like the money your series is making). When you allow the series to go on for too long though, you tend to lose integrity in your story's structure. Nothing's worse than a great series ruined by books that serve as nothing but filler or are poorly assembled because the author and editors are fatigued and bored of the story. You really can tell when the author doesn't want to be there anymore.
2) How do you feel about cliffhangers?
It entirely depends on how it's executed. I love the pain of a cliffhanger when the next book is on the way. You can bet that I'll be the first in line to buy the next book if you left me hanging on the last one. But if we're supposed to be tying up a story that's stand-alone or ending the whole series, I think it's a lazy cop-out. The exception for this to me is horror. A horror story without a cliffhanger to me is just a fantasy book with creepier characters.
3) Hardcover or paperback?
I will always choose a hardcover over a paperback. Hardcovers are more durable and I just love how they feel in the hands. That said, as an author, I do prefer to publish paperbacks to keep costs as low as possible for readers.
4) Favorite book?
The Picture of Dorian Gray by my lord and savior, Oscar Wilde. Hands down.
5) Least favorite book?
😬 There are many who tie here. Too many. So I'll leave it at this; for my personal taste, I need a book with substance. I need authors who are thoughtful and create their stories thoughtfully. Telling a story is so much more than relaying what happened.
6) Love triangles?
If it serves the story, sure. But most of the time, it's a no from me. I especially hate characters who are 2independent4U but they're actually the worst, and they get into love triangles. These characters are usually intended to be feminist icons meant to discourage young female readers from feeling like they need a man to be complete. And I commend the effort. But most of the time, the author doesn't actually believe that message, and you end up getting an intolerable, self-centered character who, again, has romantic attention because you can't be a hero if there isn't any romance going on!
I hate that.
Listen, if a love triangle really does add a great dimension to the story, and I do mean adds to the story, then great! Write it! But please, do it with skill and whatever you do, don't make the center of the love triangle an unlikable character who's just plain mean. I'm bored of it.
7) Most recent DNF book?
I always try to give books more than a fair chance, so I find myself finishing most books I read even if they sucked. But life is short and now I'm trying to limit that to a 100-page trial. Yes, authors have exactly 100 pages to convince me that their book is worth reading. If, by page 100, I don't have enough momentum to keep reading, then it goes in the DNF pile.
The last book I refused to finish, by my memory, was Incarceron. The premise seemed cool! Steampunk, futuristic living prison, there was some promise! Lo and behold, I couldn't get through it. I linked the goodreads page for you all to read. The first question, "by what page am I gonna want to read this book" got a laugh from me, and unfortunately, it was my question, too.
8) A book you're currently reading?
I always have Seamus Heaney near me. His work always inspires me.
Beyond my beloved Heaney, I am not reading anything right this moment, because I'm working on my own books! That said, when I get a break I'll likely start reading The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.
9) Last book you recommended?
I think I told one of my brothers to read Brave New World because he wants to be a politician, and I'd like for one politician in this country to have actually read it before invoking it in their speeches.
10) Oldest book you've read?
By technicality, I think The Epic of Gilgamesh wins!
11) Newest book you've read?
Midnight Sun, I'm pretty sure. If you're following me on goodreads, you've probably seen my review of that.
12) Favorite author(s)?
Oscar Wilde, Holly Black, Alexandre Dumas. I always revisit their work every year.
13) Buying books, or borrowing books?
I like to own the books. I like to have them immediately available to revisit, or, have them on standby infinitely if I get sidetracked by work or other disruptions and can't read them when I planned to. I also like being the lender rather than the lend-ee. But sometimes it just makes sense to be the borrower, and I always love trips to the library! The library is entirely underrated.
14) A book you dislike that everyone seems to love?
...Anything by Tahereh Mafi. I'm so sorry. I just can't do it. Her work really isn't for me.
15) Bookmark or dog ears?
Bookmark. I don't find dog-earing to be particularly effective and I hate when books get damaged or bent. In a world where literally anything can serve as a bookmark, just use a damn bookmark!
16) A book you can always re-read?
Other than my favorite book, I love re-reading basically any Halloween-related story.
17) Can you read while listening to music?
It's almost a requirement for me. In my current living situation, the TV is constantly on (constantly) and even with my headphones in, someone wants my attention. Actually, I think they become hyper-aware of my presence and therefore have to bother me even more when I'm trying to be left alone to read. I have to time my reading for when everyone else is gone or asleep, and I will almost always have instrumental music playing in the background when I do.
18) One POV or multiple?
Almost always I will prefer one single POV and I almost always prefer it be some form of third-person. Exceptions are relatively few for me.
19) Read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?
Most of the time it's going to take multiple days. Because I don't live in a book-friendly environment, I'm always writing my own books, and I don't always have the mental energy to read, I tend to take my time. If it's been a long-awaited book for me, I'll likely have finished it in the matter of a day or two max.
20) Talk about the book(s) you're currently writing?
At the moment I am juggling multiple projects and I am excited for all of them! The first book is a collection of short horror stories all based around ocean settings. There are beach ghosts, mermaids, sea witches, and so much more! I'm very excited to share these stories with all of my readers!
Beyond that, I'm also working on a series I don't want to talk too much about right now, but I feel comfortable saying it follows themes of friendship, sacrifice, and magic.
Getting these projects done at the moment is chaos. Keeping track of multiple storylines, doing the necessary research to make sure the stories check out, dealing with everyday demands, chronic illness, and hacking away at a huge downsizing of the household is draining, to say the least. There are so many moving parts, so many things to handle day in and day out. I am exhausted, and I have to delegate my time and energy carefully.
That said, the blog will be taking a very temporary break for a couple of weeks so that I can deal with things that just have to take higher priority right this moment.
I know I say it all of the time, but I truly am so grateful for my readers and how they engage with and share my work! Thank you so much for keeping up with what's happening in my little corner of the world!
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