Using AI to Write

 Using AI to Write A Blog Post

AI generated image of our future

There has been so much hype about CHAT GPT and other AI lately; that a future of AI means an end to writing! And end to creativity! And end to what makes us human!

Is it true?

I've taken on the task of testing out a few AI systems. Nothing too in depth. You know, kicking the wheels, lifting the hood, just to get an idea of how good they really are at writing.

Perplexity AI

I've fiddled around with this AI, attempting different prompts and questions. Asking it to write me a blog post, asking it to write me a scene in a story, asking it to write me a cold call email for a big charity donation.

I was surprised at how well Perplexity wrote the email. It sounded professional, well thought out, persuasive, and ready to copy and paste.

The other requests - make up a scene in a story, and write me a blog post - were utter crap.

The request for a blog post gave me a few bullet point ideas and a very weak introductory blurb. I do have to say the ideas were decent, and Perplexity does give you links to the sites it used for research. So, I can't complain too much. It gave me a solid foundation for a blog post, but I would have to do a bit of research to flesh it out. It was far away from an easy cut and paste. I thought AI was supposed to eliminate all the work? 

The creative writing request was a pile of dog shit! I asked it to write a short scene where my character finds a hidden panel in the wall. Behind the panel is a safe. I asked for excitement and suspense. What I got back was two paragraphs full of repetitive, short sentences, and cliche lines ... "her heartbeat quickened", that kind of thing. The writing felt exactly like an AI wrote it. If I were actually trying to use this to help me write an actual short story or novel, I would have used maybe one sentence...and that's a stretch.  

Rytr.me

It's pronounced 'writer'. With a name like that you'd think this AI bot would be the new Hemingway of the digital revolution. 

It's not, but does an okay job of 'creative' writing. A similar prompt of 'write me a scene...' gave me a readable, yet still cliche filled, page of prose. However, it still felt very stiff and robotic. There was actually some dialogue, which sounded vaguely human. But the chatter had little character or personality, however, it wasn't that far off something I might write in a first draft.

Where Rytr did shine was when I asked it to write me a blog post.

First Rytr came up with a few ideas / topics I might want to add. From there I could 'expand' the ideas I wanted and Rytr took on the time consuming job of writing a little blurb. This non-fiction type of writing was great. It flowed nicely, the facts were there, and even the casual tone (which I asked for) rang true. Much, much better than the 'creative writing'.

 

So if AI is the future of writing, then us humans can feel pretty confident that we will still have plenty of job security in the areas of writing, especially writing anything creative. Non-creative writing will be made much easier if you treat AI like a tool to do the foundation work, and you just come along afterwards and add the finishing touches.

Easy To Kill by Agatha Christie

 Easy To Kill

Easy to Kill Agatha Christie - 1974 Cover

- Agatha Christie - 

Agatha Christie is a name that is synonymous with mystery and intrigue. She is one of the most famous authors of all time, and her books have been read by millions of people around the world. I've read a good dozen or so and really enjoyed each one. My latest, and one of her lesser-known works is "Easy to Kill." If you're new to Agatha Christie's work, "Easy to Kill" is a great place to start. It's a quick read that will introduce you to her unique style of mystery writing. And if you're already a fan of Christie's work, "Easy to Kill" is a must-read.

To me it this book was a classic Christie mystery, which usually entails:

• A seemingly perfect crime is introduced and investigated.
• The wrongly accused suspect is at the center of the investigation.
• The bungling of dim-witted police is a common theme.
• The detective has greater powers of observation and a superior mind.
• The startling and unexpected denouement, in which the detective reveals how the identity of the culprit was ascertained.

The 'detective' in this book is not a Poirot or Miss Marple, but the retired police officer Fitzwilliam is one sharp tool (not much of a personality though).

The plot is well-crafted, and the characters are interesting and engaging. It starts right from the beginning with a quote from an old lady, "It's very easy to kill - so long as no one suspects you. And you see, the person in question is just the last person anyone would suspect." That got me engaged and wondering who seems innocent.

The story is full of twists and turns, and the ending is satisfying with the the last person you would suspect. It was a bit of a surprise to me. I guess I got a bit fooled by all the red herrings. With this book, Christie created one of her creepiest, most disturbing villains, proving that revenge is a frightening dish best served cold.

Mystery book meme

It's amazing to me that Christie books are still so good to read, considering this one was written in the 1930s. I read A Murder is Announced a little while ago, and loved that book too. Check out my review and thoughts on how Christie is still relevant almost 100 years later.

The other amazing thing about Christie books is that I often find them for cheap, cheap, cheap prices. My local thrift store sells these books for only 50 cents. And Easy To Kill, I found at a 'fill-a-box-for-$5' sale. I'm sure I only paid a quarter for it.

Exploring the Timeless Appeal of Vintage Sci-Fi: Why Should You Read Old Science Fiction?

The Enduring Charm of Vintage Sci-Fi

Spectrum Sci Fi Short Stories

In a world filled with technology developing faster than the average person can keep up, and futuristic advancements, like AI, there is something undeniably captivating about the enduring charm of vintage science fiction. From the golden age of science fiction to the iconic works that have shaped our perception of the genre, vintage sci-fi continues to captivate readers like me and transport us back to imaginative worlds beyond our wildest dreams. 

I just finished a publication of short stories. I'm not sure if it was a magazine or a regular quarterly publication of some sort, called Spectrum. It was from the late 60s, and was filled with some of the best of the era. Including authors like Fred Pohl and Robert Heinlein.

There was a story about a future where robots are so efficient that our job as humans is to consume, consume, consume. An fun look at what it would mean to be 'poor' in that kind of society. The lower class have to consume more than the 'rich'. 

There was also a time travel story by Heinlein that was a fun read. A man cycles through time over and over again, creating a self fulfilling future for himself. It's hard to explain, but a very good read. 

I love finding old sci fi books like this. They are so fun to read, and sometimes a little out of date (especially when computers of the future are still the size of rooms). After reading a book or collection like this I often find myself thinking...

What is it that makes vintage sci-fi so fun to read?

The influence of vintage science fiction on modern culture and technology cannot be overstated. From the pages of classic novels to the movie screens, the classic stories have shaped our perceptions of the future and inspired advancements in various fields. 

Vintage sci-fi literature such as H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine" or Isaac Asimov's "I Robot" introduced us to futuristic concepts like time travel and artificial intelligence long before they became a reality. These visionary authors not only entertained readers but also sparked curiosity and innovation among scientists and engineers.

Moreover, the impact of vintage sci-fi is evident in today's popular culture. Iconic films like "Blade Runner" and "Star Wars" have not only captivated huge audiences with their thrilling narratives but have also influenced fashion trends, design aesthetics, and even technological developments. The sleek designs of spaceships or the futuristic gadgets depicted in these films have inspired real-world inventions. And perhaps over time a space ship shaped like the Enterprise.

In addition to shaping popular culture, vintage sci-fi has had a profound impact on technological advancements. Concepts explored in these works often push boundaries and challenge existing scientific theories. From Jules Verne's submarine in "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" to Arthur C. Clarke's vision of satellite communication in "2001: A Space Odyssey," these ideas have paved the way for real-world innovations that were once deemed impossible.

Science fiction literature has always been a powerful medium for exploring timeless themes and providing social commentary. Vintage sci-fi works in particular have left a lasting impact on readers by delving into societal issues and presenting thought-provoking narratives.

One of the key aspects of vintage sci-fi is its ability to create dystopian societies that reflect the fears and concerns of their respective eras. Ray Bradbury, Orwell, Atwood are masters of this. These works often serve as cautionary tales, warning us about the potential consequences of unchecked technological advancements or oppressive political systems.

Moreover, vintage sci-fi authors were not just storytellers; they were also keen observers of human nature and the complexities of society. Through their imaginative worlds and futuristic technology, they were able to shed light on contemporary issues such as racism, class inequality, environmental degradation, and the dangers of authoritarianism. 'The Dispossessed' by Ursula Le Guin is a great example that I just finished reading.

By exploring these themes through a futuristic lens, vintage sci-fi works continue to resonate with readers across generations. They not only entertain us with their captivating stories but also force us to reflect on our own society and consider the implications of our actions.

In an ever-changing world where new technologies emerge and societal challenges persist, it is worth revisiting these timeless themes in vintage sci-fi works. They remind us that despite the passage of time, human nature remains constant and that literature can serve as a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and shaping our future.

In conclusion, embracing the treasures of vintage sci-fi can provide readers with a truly unique and captivating reading experience. By delving into the works of classic science fiction authors, we can transport ourselves to imaginative worlds filled with futuristic technologies, alien civilizations, and thought-provoking concepts.

Vintage sci-fi literature offers a glimpse into the past and allows us to appreciate the visionary ideas that were ahead of their time. It allows us to explore themes such as artificial intelligence, space exploration, time travel, and dystopian societies - concepts that continue to shape our present understanding of science and technology.

Moreover, reading vintage sci-fi can be a nostalgic journey for those who grew up with these books or were influenced by them in their formative years. It provides an opportunity to revisit beloved stories and characters while also discovering hidden gems that may have been overlooked.

By embracing vintage sci-fi literature, we not only gain access to a rich literary heritage but also open ourselves up to new perspectives and ideas. These timeless tales serve as a reminder of the power of imagination and the boundless possibilities that lie within the realm of science fiction.

So let us embark on this journey through time and space, immersing ourselves in the wonders of vintage sci-fi for an unparalleled reading experience that transcends generations.

*This blog post was produced with the help of that futuristic technology A.I. I used the website Rytr, which does a wonderful job of actually writing some decent prose. You need to tweak it, but overall, not bad. It lacks voice of course. This does not sound like anything I would write. But, it's very legible, easy to read, and has some good ideas and facts. It deserves a decent grade.

 Legends and Lattes

- Travis Baldree - 

I have been reading a lot of heavy, hard sci-fi, war based books like Battlefield Earth and Old Man's War. Exciting stories, but full of death and destruction. Legends and Lattes is the exact opposite of that, which is a nice change for me. It's a story about building something, instead of blowing it up. Making a community, instead of killing it. So, like I said, a nice change.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree is about building up a business and friendships. The story follows Viv, an orc who quits her life of violence to build a coffee shop. Gnomish coffee! Along the way, she befriends a troupe of characters and together they create a safe place for all. As a frequent visitor of such places as Starbucks, I can say that the coffee shop setting is relatable and adds to the charm of the story. Which reminds me, it's Pumpkin Spice Season!  Legends and Lattes is a cozy and comforting book that is as satisfying as a cinnamon bun (or a thimblet) and a hot cup of coffee - gnomish if you have it.

OLD MAN'S WAR by John Scalzi

 Old Man's War

Old Man's War - Scalzi

- John Scalzi -

A must read for Sci-Fi fans. Space battles, nanotechnology, faster than light travel, and much more sciency ideas to play with. There is the classic fight for the universe against ugly sounding aliens, with a big explosive finish. A solid sci-fi book, in my opinion.

The premise of the story is that older humans can join an army of space colony defenders. The draw is that instead of dying of old age you are rejuvenated with special technology that makes your body young again. The catch is that you are now part of the colony defender army for a term of ten years. 

This change, from old to young, is a fun read. Both from a physical point of view and a psychological perspective. The new body is enhanced with special 'Smartblood' that holds nutrients and oxygen better, and also clots quick to save you from dying in battle. The new recruit is also given a 'Brainpal', a microchip in the brain that is essentially a computer, allowing you to connect with others and 'google' information. A new body full of technology to make a super soldier.

There are a few boot camp type training scenes and grisly battles against creepy aliens to show this new technology at work. Great fun.

The story gets deep when the main character comes across his long dead wife. Only it's not his wife, it is just her DNA used to create a specialized human soldier.

Throughout the book there are deep questions. What does it mean to be human? Is it your body or your mind that make you the person you are? What happens if you disrupt the regular cycle of life? Is death a good thing? How much modification can you do before the body is not human anymore?

These questions are not specifically asked, of course. But they are hinted at, very discreetly, throughout the entire book. It makes you think.

I like Scalzi's writing style. It's serious, with what feels like hard sci-fi ideas, but he works in a humorous tone. A sarcastic tone maybe? Whatever it is, I like it. I find myself smiling while reading, and thinking deep thoughts when I put the book down. That's a winner to me.

Draft One Page 38

 Did I just change 80% of my first draft?

Revising my first draft. Look at the rejects.

I've been revising the first draft of a short story. It had been going well, until yesterday. That was when I came to the last page, which was in rough shape. I must have run out of steam on the first draft because almost every single piece of it, every word choice, every detail, I did not like. I only found a handful of things I liked enough to keep. Usually it is the opposite. Usually it is not too much work.

This page was different.

I ended up splitting the work into three sections.

Three work sessions on this piece of ... a diamond in the rough

The first section I did while on the bus ride home from work. It's tricky to write while riding a bus. Luckily most of the hard lifting was mental.

The second section I did while falling asleep on the couch after a long, hot day. Managed to fix up one paragraph.

The last section I pounded out this morning at work. I wasn't busy and I felt like I just needed to finish it off, because if I didn't I knew I would procrastinate and drag this thing on for another few days.

I'm getting happy with the result. I'll let my brain do it's thing and think it over for a day or two, then we'll take another look at it. 

It will still need a good polish, but at least it's done for now.

The Digital Dictionary Bookmark

The Digital Dictionary Bookmark Changed My Life!

We all need a dictionary at some point, don’t we? For instance, when you’re reading in your most comfortable reading chair and you run across a word like parsimony. Like many avid readers you probably have an old dictionary nearby. It’s probably battered and torn and maybe even missing the cover. Useful, but not something you would want seen out of the house.

But, what if you are out at a coffee shop and run across a word like parsimony? Do you carry around your dilapidated dictionary for situations like this? Of course not. It would be like wearing your pajamas in public! Those flannel pants are fine when you are hanging out around the house, mostly likely reading, but not when you are past your front door.

How do you get around this dire situation?

The electronic dictionary bookmark.

Electronic Dictionary Bookmark

It’s a revolutionary tool that allows you to have a dictionary at your fingertips for those times when you run across that dang parsimony word. And without the embarrassment of carrying a molding coverless three pound dictionary with you everywhere. The dictionary bookmark is the yoga pants of books. You wouldn’t dream of wearing your pajama pants outside of the house, but it is completely acceptable to wear yoga pants which are pretty much just as comfortable.

Now, when you are enjoying that steaming americano and need to clarify a word all you need to do is discreetly type away on your bookmark.

Now I’m a parsimonious guy, very parsimonious, but I can tell you that the high price of this bookmark is well worth the money. It’s changed my life. I can now read in public. Freedom! Can you put a price on that?

Mathew Smith - Dictionary User

When Inspiration Strikes

When inspiration strikes, you become resourceful.

This was the only paper I had

Sitting in the man-van and waiting is a normal part of my day - I'm the Dad-taxi right now. Which is a great time of life for someone like me. I don't get bored. If I have to wait five minutes, fifteen minutes, whatever amount of minutes, for someone to be done their part-time job shift, or their baseball game...I don't mind. I take the time to sit and think. 

The other day I was going over the opening to a new story I'm working on. It sounded so good in my head that I had to put it down on paper. I knew if I didn't do that right away, my masterpiece would be gone and never return. My man-van is usually stocked full of paper (sometimes referred to as junk or garbage), but that day it was bare.

Had I cleaned? Where were the old, crusty, coffee stained notebooks that sit in the car for months on end, getting stepped on with muddy boots, and sun faded by the blistering summer rays?

All I had was a Sudoku book. When in a MacGyver situation, do what MacGyver would do. I looked through the Sudoku book and found the title page was almost empty. Hah, I'd found a place to write. 

Now to find a pen. Just like the paper situation, we were all clear of pens. I found an old marker. It worked.

Thank goodness, because what I had to put down on paper at that moment was pure gold!

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Universe Of Humour

My special notes!

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

I have a worn out version of the 'Guide' that I've been reading and rereading for decades now. I really should get a new copy, I can barely stand to touch this one, what with the coffee stains and the notes I put in the margins.

Oooh, special margin notes!

I've only written in one book in my life. This book. I found the book so inspiring that it caused me to deface and vandalize a perfectly good book. I think at some points in my life I thought I could add some extra humour to this masterfully humourous book. Let's see how good or bad my thoughts were.

Adding extras to the Hitchiker's Guide.

The best quote in the entire book is on this page - "The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."

OMG that is hilarious. Doesn't it just describe so much about the Vogon's ship (and their species), and about the tone and humour of the entire book?

It's so funny too because it sounds like one of those terrible similies that all the how to books and writing classes would tell you to avoid, never use, flush down the toilet and never mention no matter how long you live!

I love it.

So, here is where I get 'funny' and add in a few lines of my own. The bottom paragraph of page 36 is going on about the noise coming from everything in the world, from tin cans to wine glasses. I added a little piece about old Uncle Bernie's according, hearing aid, and even pace maker started making the noise. But poor Bernie didn't get to hear (on account of his deafness, or the pace maker stopped working...take it how you will). 

Funny? Maybe to some.

There are a few other tidbits on page 37 that have some promise. "The PA died away" (with a click like the crunch of a cockroach under a shoe). That is just a bit overdone, and disgusting. CUT!

Let's move onto another section of the book.

Hitchhiker's Guide with funny notes

I love this scene. You have a Vogon trying to get Arthur and Ford off the ship. His job is to throw these stowaways into the garbage chute (pretty much) and send them into space. He is not the brightest bulb on the ship and Ford is trying to talk his way out of this deadly situation.

What I thought would be funny was to add a few more hints of why this Vogon didn't like his job. First, his Great Aunt thought he should be a crewmate. Anything to do with Great Aunts and Great Uncles is funny to me. Also, I threw in a joke about this Vogon really wanting to be a florist. I'm pretty sure I was harking back to the Police Academy movies. Remember that big guy, Hightower? He wanted to be a florist. This is a similar situation. We have a big, smelly, uncivilized alien who is supposed to be tough and rugged, but really wants to be a florist. Damn that is funny!

The last note I have might actually work. They are being thrown into a chamber that will shoot them out in to space. Instead of being a bare room it could be something funnier, like a cheap motel room? Okay, maybe that needs some tweaking, but it could work.

I will share one last masterpiece before I let you leave this torture session.

Douglas Adams, please don't be offended

Here is another great one - the characters are going through time/space. How do you describe that? How about saying it feels like a Swedish massage by Helga. Once you add the name Helga or Olga it instantly turns funny. 

On page 87 I actually laughed at my own joke here. The characters are reforming after their trip through space/time, and there are slight problems. Arthur is missing a limb or two for a moment. I thought it would be funny if when they do reappear he says, "it's all right, I've got them back" (no, no, hold on, I've got two lefts). Guffaw!

Oh and at the bottom there I thought it would add a bit of a chuckle if Adam's had described the pink colour of the cubicle with a little more detail. What exact shade of pink? There are so many shades, and so many funny names attached to the colour pink. Pepto pink? Pink Elephant Pink? Piggy Pink?

All in good spirit. This book is such a great example of well written comedy and has been an inspiring book for those with a good sense of humour. Like me.

The Elements of Style - Strunk & White

The Elements of Style

The Elements of Style by Strunk and White

William Strunk Jr & E.B. White

A must read for anyone writing anything in the English language. 

It is amazing that Shrunk wrote this in 1919 and it's still relevant today. Why? B/c he took pity on the reader. Reading is not an easy thing when thrown a jumble of words – which is where his rules and principles come into play. He stresses clarity, so readers can just read and not have to work at it. This kind of goal is timeless.

This book will give you a run down of the rules of writing – punctuation, tense, and the frequently debated possessive apostrophe when the subject ends with an S! Don’t get me started on that!

These rules are also something you can get from other how-to-write books, basic grammar books, that kind of thing. You will also pick up these rules while reading. Which is why you must read a lot, and read a variety of writing styles and authors.

If you can get past this first section of The Elements of Style (which is a must-know, but dry and academic), you will be rewarded with tips on how to write better, more clear, and with timeless style (as the title implies).

Punctuation works!

It is the second section, the principles of composition, that are more up the creative writer’s alley.

I'll highlight a few that I found particularly relevant:

Principle 12 – Plan ahead – choose a design and stick to it. 

Most forms of composition have structure. “The skeleton to which the writer brings the flesh and the blood. The more clearly the writer perceives the shape, the better are the chances of success.”

Principle 13 – Make the paragraph the unit of composition.

A single idea fits nicely into a paragraph. 

Breaking up the writing is used to help the reader. 

When you move on from that single idea, that is when you start a new paragraph. This is a sign to the reader: we are moving onto a new idea.

Optics come into play as well. Long blocks of writing can look formidable to a reader. This is where the art/craft of writing comes into play. You can break theses walls of prose into bricks that are not as intimidating looking and easier for the reader to work with.

Typically dialogue is broken up into new paragraphs each time a new character speaks. However, there are exceptions to this. Sometimes authors will keep a conversation of characters together in one paragraph. Eg. When there is a question and quick answer by another character.

Principle 14 – Use the Active voice.

This means putting the subject before the verb. You say who is doing what. The subject is actively doing some verb.

Spinning it around turns it passive. The verb is happening to the subject.

Read that again - the verb is happening to the subject...make sense?

Again, this is a general rule that works great 90% of the time. But, sometimes you want a different tone or feel to your writing, and a passive voice will sound more like what you are looking for. 

Principle 16 – Use definite, specific, concrete language.

In most cases be specific instead of general. This does not mean give every detail possible, but when details are given they are to be accurate and vivid, allowing the reader to imagine the scene (or better yet, themselves in the scene).

Principle 17 – Omit needless words.

“A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine have no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short, or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.”

You’ll run across all kinds of quotes from writer like Mark Twain, Stephen King, etc that bang this home. My opinion is again, 90% of the time this is true, but you have an ear to your writing. Trust that ear. If you want to add an extra word or two, maybe a redundant opening to a sentence…go right ahead. But, do it sparingly.

Omit needless words

The final section of the book is "Words and Expressions Commonly Misused."

20 pages full of words and phrases that must have come up so often to a College prof like Strunk that he felt he needed to write them all down. I can attest, there are few in there I could see myself using wrong. Sometimes you just don't know that phrases like To Make Ends Meat (are not actually about being so down and out that you need to use the cut off pieces of meat to survive), are actually To Make Ends Meet. You don't want to submit a piece of writing with a noob error like this. Which is why going through this short and sweet manual is something all writers must do, and do early, and maybe every few years as well.

To make ends meat

Island by Aldous Huxley

Island

Island by Aldous Huxley

- Aldous Huxley -

I think I wasn't in the mood to read this.

This book had been calling me for a few years now. It was sitting on the shelf in the library, in the same spot, in it's ragged form, for years now. It looked to me like nobody had taken this book out in decades. I had read Brave New World and liked it, and recently I ran across a few references to Island. That (and a lack of other books in hand) made me borrow the book.

I knew the general idea - a Utopian island. It started out okay with a shipwreck, some talking parrots, and an introduction to a new society. An isolated society built on the principles of doing what didn't work in the rest of the world (and specifically European society). 

The writing was detailed and flowery (especially the details about the flowers). So, it was a slow read. But then it got even slower when Huxley started explaining the Utopian society. It felt like a personal rant on things he didn't like, and thought he could do better with. Things like medicine, spiritual tranquility, the role of work in one's life, industrialization, Capitalism...it went from shipwreck to political theory in a few chapters. Action to political theory. I had to put the book down. It felt like Huxley was preaching, was being selfish, and not really moving the story along. Which is a bit of a let down since I had really enjoyed Brave New World. I assumed it would have been similar. 

Oh well, I gave it a shot. I will say it wasn't really the writing or the story that turned me off. It was just personal taste I suppose. There were some great ideas in there. But, a lot of words too (as in huge blocks of conversation preaching about how bad things are in the world). This may be just the book for you. So, don't take my opinion and go with it, there are plenty of other great reviews to consider before mine.

I had also just come off a binge of the HBO documentary - The Anarchists. So I was probably at my brain capacity for extreme political ideas.

The Blake Snyder Beat Sheet

Using a beat sheet

My Beat Sheet

I'm trying something new.

The Beat Sheet.

I've been very lucky (and ignorant) with my writing for a long time. I've never outlined my plots, used a three act system, or anything like that. I've just naturally written in that style - an opening, a problem, a climax solution, and an ending. And it's worked out for me. Probably b/c I've kept the story simple, or copied (aka been heavily influenced) by other's writing/stories.

But, I'm always looking for ways to get better. I ran across talk about The Beat Sheet and it made sense to me. Like I said earlier, this kind of plot structure is how I seem to naturally write. However, what I really hoped to get out of this sheet was organization.

Side Note: I guess the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet was originally set up for movie scripts, but it works well for any kind of story. There is a book called Save The Cat! that outlines the method in detail. I only took the basics.

I'm a mess when it comes to organizing. Trying to juggle multiple projects, submissions, rejections, and more complex stories, really slows the brain power down. I need to unload some of my thinking onto paper. In comes the Beat Sheet.

Now instead of trying to keep track of characters, Plot A, Plot B, where they are, where they are going, etc. I tried writing it out within this Beat Sheet system.

It seemed to work well for the general story line. And the best part is that it is written down. I can delete all that info from my brain and hopefully use that brain space to finish up some other projects. I'll come back to this when I'm ready. The best part is that I'll have a great head start.

That's my problem - too many ideas. If I don't write them down I'll forget them. In order to NOT forget them, I have to constantly think about them. So when I write them down, I might as well do it in a format that is going to help organize it. Make sense? 

I will let you know if this Beat Sheet works for me. I'm hoping to get to this project in the next few weeks...but being such an optimist I might be over estimating. It could be in six months from now!

Old Babes in the Wood - Margaret Atwood

 OLD BABES IN THE WOOD : STORIES

- Margaret Atwood -

First point, which is very exciting to any book reader and library patron...I was the first person to borrow the book from our library. The first hands on a library book! The first fingers to stain the pages b/c I was eating ketchup chips while reading. Isn't that unreal!?

Second point, this book is classic Atwood. By that I mean the writing is superb. I read through this book in a few days, and even though the stories were not my favourite genre or topic, the writing kept me hooked and had me turning the pages .

I knew this book was a collection of stories. I'm okay with that. I like to read a collection of short stories every once in a while. The slight difference with Old Babes in the Wood was that the stories were mostly about the life and times of Tig and Nell. You could describe this book as a novelette about Tig and Nell, with a sprinkling of other short stories placed in between chapters.

I'll cover the majority of the book by saying the Tig and Nell stories were interesting. They seemed to be a look at the life cycle of a long term couple. There is a beginning, a middle age, and then death. It felt to me like Atwood spent a lot of time on the dealing with death, the life of an elder, the waiting for your own death...a lot of space was taken up on life's finale. Perhaps as she ages, Atwood decided it was time to share her perspective, experience, and deep thoughts on The End.

Even though the topic of death, dying, old age, and mourning are not pleasant, invigorating, or something I think about often, Atwood did a great job of keeping my attention. 

The other short stories were a mixed bag, as happens in most short story collections. Some grabbed my attention while others I have already forgotten about. My favourite short was Atwood's interview with George Orwell's ghost. I'm a fan of Orwell & Dystopian books (like the Handmaid's Tale), so I took to it quickly. It was fun too. Not a page full of dense prose, but more of a conversation of casual jokes, awkward pauses, and clever insights.

There was another short story I can recall, about a snail's soul becoming trapped in a human body...yeah, that was an experimental thought that probably didn't need to be published. But, I bet there are some out there that love this kind of stuff. That's what's great about short story collections. The chance for writer's to throw out the weird and wacky, in small doses.

What I felt was missing from the collection was a dystopian type story. My favourite books by Atwood are The Handmaid's Tale, Oryx and Crake...you know? The post apocalyptic / dystopian novels. That's one of the reasons I actually took the book out of the library in the first place. Oh well, can't win them all.

A side note about the title. Not sure if this was a coincidence, but as I was googling 'Old Babes In The Woods' a bunch of results came up about a mysterious murder in Stanley Park (Vancouver). Two girls bodies were found years after they went missing.  

 The Floating Admiral

The Floating Admiral

- Mystery Group -

What an interesting writing exercise - take a group of top mystery novelists and have them each write one chapter of a book...without knowing the ending/solution. That is essential what happened to make The Floating Admiral.

At first I thought this was an Agatha Christie book, as her name is displayed very prominently on the front cover. Even after seeing a couple of other names underneath Her's (in smaller font I'll point out), I still had the strong impression that this was an Agatha Christie book, but maybe she had a little help writing it.

Nope. Agatha only writes one chapter, just like all the other authors. What a marketing grab!

After figuring out that Christie was not main mind behind the book, I decided to give it a shot and read it anyway.

The overall book / story was okay. A typical murder mystery. A smart detective, a few well placed clues, a bunch of red herrings, and a nice little wrap up at the end. 

What was actually surprising to me was that the book flowed so well, all the way through, considering it was written by like 20 different people, each only doing one small bit. 

The authors also gave an explanation to their chapter. What they thought was the final solution to the murder of the Admiral. Wow, did some of the authors really miss the mark!

What was really interesting to me was the small differences between the chapters - the actual writing. Some authors focused on the clues, some on the relationships, some on the environment. The dialogue was different every chapter too. Some chapters were full of witty conversations. Others, almost bare. You really get a feel for every author's style and tone when you have a chance to compare them side by side, chapter by chapter. Very, very interesting.

On The Road by Jack Kerouac

 ON THE ROAD

On The Road by Jack Kerouac

- Jack Kerouac - 

I am not sure why this book is a 'must read' on so many lists?

It was fine. I finished it, which means it must have been decent. But, a 'must read'...I'm not sure about that.

To me the highlight of the book was Kerouac's description of a jazz band playing...but, like a Jazz jam, the book was a chaotic mess. With no direction, a changing beat, a riff that takes a completely different tangent, and then repeat it all again.

Essentially Jack writes about going across the country and back a multitude of times. Your classic road trip story. The main character (Sal...which I think is actually an autobiographical Jack Kerouac) is young, irresponsible, and looking for some sort of adventure. He meets up with like minded people. Not my kind of people, but that is fine because the wonderful thing about books and stories like this is that you get to experience a different life. The life Jack and his buddies live is one of 'living for the moment'. They don't plan anything, they just get the bug to drive across the country, so they do. They are constantly out of money from spending it all on a wild night of boozing and all the gas for driving. It gets kind of repetitive and boring after they do this a multitude of times.

The part of the book that I really did not like at all was the structure of the writing. There was almost no structure. What I mean is that Kerouac just goes...and goes... and goes...and goes...pages of random details and descriptions with almost no breaks. Few paragraphs to catch your breath. And borderline run on sentences that make you want to insert a few commas or semi colons just to keep things straight.

Even though I didn't like the structure, it fit the book. A fast paced, fly by the seat of your pants, constantly weaving tale.

So, to me at least, the book did not live up to its hype. I guess it was groundbreaking at the time, since it hit taboo topics like drugs, sleeping around, and the 'beat' culture (which to me seems to mean living on the streets? hitchiking? and overall taking no responsibility in life?). I don't think the book has aged well. But, maybe it would be a book you connect with?

I'm Glad My Mom Died - Jennette McCurdy

 I'm Glad My Mom Died

I'm Glad My Mom Died

- Jennette McCurdy -

What a story! I couldn't put this book down and read the entire thing in only two days.

Jennette gives us a behind the scenes look at her life, which is actually very sad, but she puts a dark humour twist on it (which makes it so easy to read). There are stories of dysfunction and abuse from her early years where her Mother forced her into acting, encouraged anorexia, mentally neglected and abused her...and it was a situation where Jennette thought this was just a normal part of childhood. Gotta make Mama happy, so just go along with it.

After her Mother dies Jennette is lost, directionless, and not ready for adult life. She takes to drinking, unhealthy relationships, and more eating disorders in an attempt to self medicate. That obviously doesn't work and she eventually finds her way to therapists and recovery.

Her journey is heartbreaking, but since she is looking back at it from a stable place (and with a hint of humour) it is an amazing story.

You might remember Jennette from Nickelodeon shows iCarly and Sam and Cat. My kids watched Sam and Cat...and it's just so ironic that her character on the show was a fiesty teen who loved to eat piles of junk food, when in reality she ate almost nothing (or later would binge and throw it all up).