I've been catching up on Doctor Who. I hadn't seen any of the Peter Capaldi episodes, and just finished season 8. I don't know if I'm getting older, or the show is going downhill... but, way too many of the episodes in that season were kind of lame. It seemed to be a recurring theme …
Intentional annoyance?
I'm on to my next audiobook, and this time it's Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, by Haruki Murakami, who I've heard many good things about but have never read. The opening of this book takes place in an elevator. An extended elevator ride that is described repeatedly, in an overly-long and quite annoying way …
Character motivation is kind of important
I am currently listening to The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois Mcmaster Bujold, and though it is competently written and the characters are distinct and likable, I am having a hard time getting into it . The problem is it's difficult to care about what's happening when you don't know what the characters want. The story …
Continue reading "Character motivation is kind of important"
Discovery writing
I get why they call it that, I really do. When I write, I never know any details when I start. I have a vague idea of something I'd like to write about. Maybe I have a glimmer of a character, and some thing's she'll do, places she'll go. I have a sort of impression …
More thoughts on Disappeared
After thinking further about this book, I am even more annoyed by it. SPOILERS: The main premise of the story is that in order to have alliances and trade agreements with several alien species, humanity has come to an agreement with the aliens. They will each obey each other's laws in their own lands. This …

