Book Backlog-Shedding Time!

I have made a goal to stop buying new books to read (recreational ones) until I cut down on my backlog. I've made a list, it's too huge to show here... it's about in the 100-plus range here. So, I'm going to try two goals:

Read 21 books before my birthday. Y'know, when it's my birthday, I can go buy more books! (Kidding, just want to see if I can do it)

Do this NaNoReMo thing again.
I got the idea from the delightful blogger of Bookshelves of Doom, who got the idea from defective yeti. Here, read defective yeti's entry about NaNoReMo and learn how you can do it! (Special thanks to Leila [Bookshelves of Doom] and Matthew [defective yeti] at their respected blogs for this wonderful idea)

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I did NaNoReMo last year and read Wilkie Collins' "The Woman in White", which I started on November 5th and finished on the 27th. Keep in mind, the novel was looonng. Victorian, lots-o-description, big novel. Despite that, it was great.

Until then, I leave you (yet again) listening to Steve Miller Band.

Regards,
Lindsey

For once, thank God for growing pains...

I've been thinking about things for the last few days, and I realized the reason I haven't gotten anything published is because all I do is sit around and dream about it. I'm waiting for that opportunity, yet it won't come. I need to create it. So, I will start writing and pursuing every chance and opportunity thrown at me.

As for my writing, it hasn't suffered. I have written a few little short stories, one is a horror and one is a suspense. So, yea! The novel though has fallen through the cracks and now I have to rescue it. *Rescues it* Now, time to write it...

School's going very well. I'm learning to keep my head on straight and study as much as I can. I have my first quizzes coming up, so I'm going to do the best I can.

Enough of the life stuff. For now, at least.

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I just finished reading Shirley Jackson's short story collection. Wow, there were some treasures in there!

For once, I read a short story collection and understood how to end a story. You see, I know how to do it for novels and novellas, but the ending is why I had hang-ups about writing short stories. Now, thanks to Ms. Jackson... I know how and the answer is obvious: only you, the writer, can tell. And that is my exact approach for endings in novels. Talk about an "Oh, duh!" moment.

I leave you for now, jamming out to Steve Miller Band's excellent "Jet Airliner".

Regards,
Lindsey

Holy crap, school!

Well, the title is the reason why I've been inactive on the blog these days. I haven't been reading as much as I should (recreational-wise). Oh well, I guess I just have to go with the flow on this one.

Anyway, I stopped reading O'Conner's "The Violent Bear It Away" because I'm not getting into it and I decided to wait and give it a second chance.

Nothing much else to say. So, see y'all... whenever something awesome comes up.

Regards,
Lindsey

2008: a new year, a new start

I've been told that this year is going to be a year of new beginnings. The number 8 also bears some resemblance to the infinity symbol. So, best of luck to everyone!

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Anyway, onto the reading list updates. I finished Shirley Jackson's "We've Always Lived in the Castle" and I gave up on Chuck Palahniuk's "Choke".

The first book was a bizarre read, but worth it. It was suspenseful. Yet, I prefer "The Haunting of Hill House".

Now for the latter... I've been only reading the book to see what the fuss was all about with this author. I respect him, he sounds like a cool guy. But, I just can't read his books. As a writer, there is an unspoken law to never bad-mouth a fellow writer. So, the buck stops here.

I'm now reading a collection of works by Ms. Jackson and "The House of Breath" by William Goyen. I did a research paper on him back in class last year and gained an interest in his work.

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As for my writing... I've been working on various parts for my novel. So far, it's a bit scatterbrained and some things may not even make the final cut, but it's good to have the gears greased and going on with it.

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I leave you, rocking out to Death Cab for Cutie's "Why Do You Want to Live Here".

Regards,
Lindsey