As a writer, I read a lot. It's kind of like practicing. Professional athletes practice a lot. That's one of the things that makes them so good. That, and a boatload of talent. If we could practice six to eight hours a day we'd all be able to play whatever our sport is much better. We wouldn't be pros but we'd be much better at it than we are. To hone our skills and expand our knowledge we read. It's sort of like 'practice' for us. And we all have our favorites, as in genres, writing styles and authors. Mine, I like action thrillers (of course...). Some of my favorite authors are Joshua Graham, John Irving, Robert Dugoni, David Baldacci, Jay Giles, Scott Turow, Dean Koontz, Harlan Coben, John Grisham, Jeffrey Small, Sandra Brown, James Patterson, Vince Flynn, John Sanford, Robert Goolrick, Sean Chercover, Jeffrey Archer, John Rector, Michael Connelly. Sorry, got carried away.
I just finished one by a new author though, one I haven't read before. Paula Hawkins, it's titled The Girl on the Train. It's a sub-genre called psychological thriller. I love books that are so well written that they keep your interest so well that you literally don't want to put it down. And this one does that. Her character development is so good you have no problem creating these people in your mind as you read. I've spent a pretty fair amount of time on the tube in London and I can 'see' Rachel sitting across from me and the expressions on her face. When the action really gets cranked and the denouement is unwinding, your pulse will quicken. You may have been reading just before you were about to fall asleep but that will have to wait. You just have to know what's next.
I'm sure this young lady will be drawing a lot of attention in the near future. She's signed a deal with a major publisher and will be on an eight city tour in the US soon. She's a Brit in case you were wondering. The English have found some really good writers in recent years. TL James with her sordid tales of sex and debauchery. Not my style but lots of people like the porn novel. JK Rowling is the master with the kids novels. Read her debut with her first adult novel, she needs to keep her day job writing kids books. And now Paula Hawkins with the thriller. This girl has found her niche. If this is your genre, pick up The Girl on the Train. You will have trouble putting it down. I guarantee it.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
The Audacity of hope...
I think that was the title of Obama's book, wasn't it? I think it was an appropriate title for my blog post today. You'll see why after you have read it.
About 18 months to go in the Obama presidency. About 18 months before a new president is elected. I think that's pretty exciting, getting a new president. Not that I'm confident that the new prez will be a great one. Hell, he may not be great. But after what we've been through the past 8 years, how much worse could it be? I suppose it is actually possible, but any reasonable person knows it isn't likely. I know, there are some that don't agree with me, they'll defend the prez and engage (or attempt to...) you with a lop-sided conversation of what he has accomplished. Let me engage you in such a conversation for a moment. Our national debt has increased more under his watch than all presidents who preceded him COMBINED. We have national healthcare now. I know, call it whatever you like, but a spade is a spade. More people have insurance than ever before you say, millions lost their insurance they had before and had to pay higher premiums to get more. And lest we forget, this is the first and only piece of major legislation in the history of our country that was passed 100% unilaterally. Not one, single Republican vote. If that's not shoving down our fucking throats then tell me what is... And while it was being debated (calling it a debate is the joke of the century..) the Speaker of the House said, "We've got to pass this bill so we can see what's in it..." Now that's crossing the zenith of stupidity. Scandals one after another. Fast and Furious, IRS targeting conservative groups and individuals, the Benghazi attack, Bowe Bergdahl, the contraceptive mandate in ACA (thanks Sandra Fluke), military intervention, or lack of, against ISIS, the New Black Panther voter intimidation case, Operation Choke Point, Presidential Policy Directive 20 (Edward Snowden), Solyndra, the VA scandal of 2014. And the list goes on. And on. At present the POTUS is attempting to get a bill passed that would allow the TPA to be approved. Only he has run into opposition from his own party because they see it for what it is. It gives him the power to negotiate the deal without the approval or involvement of Congress. Isn't that how our constitution works, the system of checks and balances you know?... Does this behavior come more from arrogance or stupidity? I wonder.
Defend him all you want, but don't expect me to listen. Most of the people in this country are ready for a new leader. One who has the interest of the country and Americans as his priority. And who will defend and uphold the constitution. One who will work to improve race relations. One would think having a black president would be a major step forward in improving race relations. Unfortunately, quite the opposite has happened. They are worse now than at any time since the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's. We are sorry Rosa Parks and Dr. King, we are truly sorry.
Yes, we are ready for a new leader. Call that audacity, call it arrogance, call it whatever you like. But we hope for a change that will bring prosperity and growth for the country and for ourselves. We hope for a leader who will help us to leave a respectable legacy for our children. We hope for a better future.
About 18 months to go in the Obama presidency. About 18 months before a new president is elected. I think that's pretty exciting, getting a new president. Not that I'm confident that the new prez will be a great one. Hell, he may not be great. But after what we've been through the past 8 years, how much worse could it be? I suppose it is actually possible, but any reasonable person knows it isn't likely. I know, there are some that don't agree with me, they'll defend the prez and engage (or attempt to...) you with a lop-sided conversation of what he has accomplished. Let me engage you in such a conversation for a moment. Our national debt has increased more under his watch than all presidents who preceded him COMBINED. We have national healthcare now. I know, call it whatever you like, but a spade is a spade. More people have insurance than ever before you say, millions lost their insurance they had before and had to pay higher premiums to get more. And lest we forget, this is the first and only piece of major legislation in the history of our country that was passed 100% unilaterally. Not one, single Republican vote. If that's not shoving down our fucking throats then tell me what is... And while it was being debated (calling it a debate is the joke of the century..) the Speaker of the House said, "We've got to pass this bill so we can see what's in it..." Now that's crossing the zenith of stupidity. Scandals one after another. Fast and Furious, IRS targeting conservative groups and individuals, the Benghazi attack, Bowe Bergdahl, the contraceptive mandate in ACA (thanks Sandra Fluke), military intervention, or lack of, against ISIS, the New Black Panther voter intimidation case, Operation Choke Point, Presidential Policy Directive 20 (Edward Snowden), Solyndra, the VA scandal of 2014. And the list goes on. And on. At present the POTUS is attempting to get a bill passed that would allow the TPA to be approved. Only he has run into opposition from his own party because they see it for what it is. It gives him the power to negotiate the deal without the approval or involvement of Congress. Isn't that how our constitution works, the system of checks and balances you know?... Does this behavior come more from arrogance or stupidity? I wonder.
Defend him all you want, but don't expect me to listen. Most of the people in this country are ready for a new leader. One who has the interest of the country and Americans as his priority. And who will defend and uphold the constitution. One who will work to improve race relations. One would think having a black president would be a major step forward in improving race relations. Unfortunately, quite the opposite has happened. They are worse now than at any time since the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's. We are sorry Rosa Parks and Dr. King, we are truly sorry.
Yes, we are ready for a new leader. Call that audacity, call it arrogance, call it whatever you like. But we hope for a change that will bring prosperity and growth for the country and for ourselves. We hope for a leader who will help us to leave a respectable legacy for our children. We hope for a better future.
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