Tag: author blogs

Feed Your Readers

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” – Brillat-Savarin

Title page, translated, of "The Physiology of Taste", by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Do you agree? I do. That is, of course, if you have the choice to consume whatever your little heart desires. Honore de Balzac was famous for the meals he consumed after the proofs of his novels were sent off to his publisher – his choice of a celebratory meal beginning with dozens of freshly shucked oysters washed down with beer. This appetizer merely whetted his craving for the ensuing feast. The school of French realism, populated with such greats as Balzac, Flaubert, Maupassant, Dumas and Zola glorified the sensual pleasure of a meal well-cooked and consumed with appreciative abandon. Can we transfer this love of food to our modern day novel and seduce our readers as these masters seduced theirs? Continue reading “Feed Your Readers”

It’s Too Dark in Here!

Ok, guys. Now you all already know funny is not my forte, right?

Sometimes I don’t even get it when I read it –well mostly I do, but some of the text shortcuts go over my old head. What? Stop Laughing. I am SO that old. Under this red coif is a full head of white hair. “Oh,” bat, bat, “you don’t think I look my age. Aw, you’re so sweet. It’s nice to humour the elderly … But don’t think I don’t see through you, flatterer. So stop patronizing me.”

“But you’re throwing me off my game, here. Thought you could distract me from my ‘seriousness’, eh? Well I’m not senile yet. So listen up.”

Continue reading “It’s Too Dark in Here!”

Spunky’s Present to You

Dali and his pet Ocelot.

The first writer’s blog that I read was written by the woman who would end up editing my first novel. In a particularly excellent post, she discussed at length the need to layer your characters – to give them strengths and weaknesses, good and evil motivations, and to otherwise make them as believably flawed as any human you might know. Annoying habits and pet peeves add depth, she postulated, and these idiosyncratic traits will make the character more believable. I’ve kept this post in my head as I develop my characters, and I’ve created a couple of doozies. In true Lois fashion, however, I would like to add a stylish twist to my mentor’s essay – when you want to give your reader a real clue as to what makes your character tick, give the character a pet. Continue reading “Spunky’s Present to You”

I Mean, Dude!

Well, wouldn’t you know it, they want me to write something funny. For some reason the way we talk isn’t good enough. How come? I’m not complaining, mind, it doesn’t do any good anyhow. But, well, I could try, if the weather holds, or something like that. Then maybe I would live happily ever after. Whatever. But, oh my god, this is, like, so hard, you know? So I’m supposed to think outside the box. Yeah right. Do they even know what that means? I mean, Dude! Come on! Meh. What do I care? Anyhow, I’m giving them what they want, right? I mean, really, it’s what I have to do. Being a team player, not making waves. Seriously. Like, no way. No can do. I’m an individual, see? You know what I mean. I’m OK, you’re OK, blah, blah, blah. Same old, same old. Continue reading “I Mean, Dude!”