So, looking back, I haven't been posting in my blog as often as I said I would be. But then again, as I look back at the things I said at the beginning of the year, I also said I wouldn't be writing a book this year. And seeing as I haven't been posting at least every other day and I've so far written 3 books, so much for those ideas.
I've written, or started to write, many blog post in the past month, but none of them felt good enough to publish. Some of the time I wasn't even sure what I was trying to say and I ended up second guessing myself and quitting. I've been doing that too often lately. So instead of dwelling on the projects that I've abandoned, whether temporarily or permanently, I'm going to talk about the projects that I'm working on and completing.
I have finished the first draft of a new short story. 'In the Midst of a Dream' is the story of a man with amnesia who has dreams of the event that took place just before he lost his memories. But one night, he dreams of something more. It's a fantasy part comedy, part parody along the same lines of my Glimpse through the Curtains series. It might be included with that as well.
Exciting news on graphic novel/comic/illustration front. Nicole has just finished inking the Believer short and will be here shortly to show them off to me. She's also been working on illustrations for the short stories 'Four Years', 'Slayer and Prey' and 'A Good Thing'. They're all looking very good and I can't wait to see the results.
And last, but certainly not least, the second book of the first volume of Mr. Gravedigger's Apprentice has been written. The Grand Illusion. Every time I hear about a writer who supposedly wrote the book from cover to cover, on a typewriter without mistake, I honestly laugh. The pain and heart ache that is going into this book give me a headache thinking about it, and I don't even want to think about editing it. I hate editing 12 page short stories double space, and I currently have over 100 pages of single space pages to edit once this is over. And I'm not even finished the complete volume. Sometimes I sit, uninspired at the computer, thinking to myself 'I'm not skilled enough to write this'. 'Am I doing this right?' 'Will anyone like this?' 'Am I insane?' Nothing gives me a better sense of relief than to finish a chapter and nothing kills that relief faster than knowing there's another chapter to write.
In my middle school year book: Eric Rawlinson - 8F1 Ambition: Writer. Oh boy...
I said it before and I'll say it again. If I didn't love this life so much, I'd quit. That being said, I love this life. God knows why.
So, right now I'm working on a couple of things. The first is Book 3: The Vampire King. That will be done when it gets done. Most of the ideas for chapter 20 are already down, I just have to put them altogether. Me and Nicole will work on a couple of things together and hopefully, with her illustrations, I will start putting together the anthology at last. We shall see.
I probably have more to say, but I can't think of any right now. I can't get how much I looked like Harry Potter out of my mind. Talk to you all soon
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110714
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
My plans for the next few months
Well, it's been a long time since I've posted in this blog. It might be a good time to talk about some of the things that have been going on during that time, at least about my writing. Since the last post, which discusses the first five chapters of Mr. Gravedigger's Apprentice, I have completed another short story, started another one and finished another six chapters of Gravedigger. I'm currently focusing on Gravedigger at the moment, since the flow seems to be so good with a couple of other projects on the back burner.
I also have an account on figment.com! figment.com is a story sharing site, where writers may put up some of their work for everyone to see. I've posted a few of my short stories there and planning on posting more as soon as I get around to editing them to the point where I feel comfortable sharing them. The site is geared more towards teenagers I've been finding, so many of my more adult books might be unwelcome and I still have to find an outlet for those stories. In the meantime, go on and check it out. http://figment.com/users/33809-Eric-Rawlinson. Send them love!
Other bits of exciting news, my good friend Nicole is now working on the Believer graphic novel again. It's very exciting. My friends Etienne and Nicole are both very talented illustrators and they're also looking for opportunities for gainful employment in their craft. They both are keen on working with me on my projects and I am more than happy to do so. From illustrating my work to just encouraging my craft, I cannot thank them enough for their contributions. So I'm going to plug them to... the number of you that read my blog. Here they are:
Nicole Connors Tumblr: http://nrconnors.tumblr.com
Etienne Buxton's website: www.etiennebuxton.com
That has been the past (and maybe a bit of the future) and the title of this article does say next few months. Well, within the next few months, I plan to finish at least two thirds of Gravedigger. I'm already a third finished, so another third in three months will be no problem, if I don't have it done by this time next month. Wait, of course I will. I'm about a quarter of the way through that third now. (Wrap your heads around that math if you want.) Also I wish to and will be doing some more collaborative work with both Nicole and Etienne. Nicole will be making the Believer graphic novel a reality. And together we may be doing more than just illustration work. I also plan on getting stories together and making them into audio dramas for all of you to enjoy. I just want to figure out sound effects and such, and when I have more information I'll let you guys know. That's all I have short term plans, but I do have bigger and badder ones coming up... maybe just bigger. We shall see how it goes.
Due to lack of funds, I'm not sure if I can make it to some of the conventions I want to go to. It's sad I know, but there is one that's free and I will be there. We shall see how it goes.
Well, that's it for me and my stomach, I'll talk to you guys soon
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110614
I also have an account on figment.com! figment.com is a story sharing site, where writers may put up some of their work for everyone to see. I've posted a few of my short stories there and planning on posting more as soon as I get around to editing them to the point where I feel comfortable sharing them. The site is geared more towards teenagers I've been finding, so many of my more adult books might be unwelcome and I still have to find an outlet for those stories. In the meantime, go on and check it out. http://figment.com/users/33809-Eric-Rawlinson. Send them love!
Other bits of exciting news, my good friend Nicole is now working on the Believer graphic novel again. It's very exciting. My friends Etienne and Nicole are both very talented illustrators and they're also looking for opportunities for gainful employment in their craft. They both are keen on working with me on my projects and I am more than happy to do so. From illustrating my work to just encouraging my craft, I cannot thank them enough for their contributions. So I'm going to plug them to... the number of you that read my blog. Here they are:
Nicole Connors Tumblr: http://nrconnors.tumblr.com
Etienne Buxton's website: www.etiennebuxton.com
That has been the past (and maybe a bit of the future) and the title of this article does say next few months. Well, within the next few months, I plan to finish at least two thirds of Gravedigger. I'm already a third finished, so another third in three months will be no problem, if I don't have it done by this time next month. Wait, of course I will. I'm about a quarter of the way through that third now. (Wrap your heads around that math if you want.) Also I wish to and will be doing some more collaborative work with both Nicole and Etienne. Nicole will be making the Believer graphic novel a reality. And together we may be doing more than just illustration work. I also plan on getting stories together and making them into audio dramas for all of you to enjoy. I just want to figure out sound effects and such, and when I have more information I'll let you guys know. That's all I have short term plans, but I do have bigger and badder ones coming up... maybe just bigger. We shall see how it goes.
Due to lack of funds, I'm not sure if I can make it to some of the conventions I want to go to. It's sad I know, but there is one that's free and I will be there. We shall see how it goes.
Well, that's it for me and my stomach, I'll talk to you guys soon
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110614
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Mr. Gravedigger's Apprentice: The First Five Chapters
At the beginning of the year, I claimed it wasn't the right time to start a book. Now here I am, five months later, starting off my second book this year and I must say I'm pleased as punch. And now its time to reflect a little on how well it has been going.
So, I've just finished the fifth chapter of working title Gravekeeper. If you want to get technical, I've written six chapters so far including the prologue. Each chapter averages somewhere between 2500 and 3000 words each, and if I were to write another chapter, I would have outdone my first book entirely by word count alone, and I am no where close to finishing the second book. I think the reason for this is because I'm more in my element with Gravekeeper than I was with Grandma Hannah. Where Grandma Hannah is a good story, it wasn't my style in any sense. It was first person, present tense, coming of age story. Where as Gravekeeper is a third person, past tense (with the exception of the prologue, which is present tense for effect), sci-fi master/apprentice story. I wouldn't say I'm enjoying writing Gravekeeper more than Grandma Hannah. Its just... hmm, maybe that is what I'm saying.
Overall, the story is going remarkably well. There are a few hiccup with tone, but I'm trying my best to just get the story complete. Editing something longer than anything I've ever written before if going to be an experience, but something I look forward to. Also, I must be extra careful. Yesterday I almost forgot to introduce (or reintroduce) an important character who will be needed to the third act of the story. That is what rewrites are for, but it is best to have these important aspects in the first draft.
Also, now that I have a blackberry, I have a little bit more freedom with where and when I can write. The keyboard is a little small for me to type on as quickly as a regular keyboard, but at least I can email myself small important notes as I think them up. Also, I can save my files on my blackberry and jack into computers to work from there. Just need to remember to back them up onto my harddrive sometimes.
Anyway, I think that's enough for now. I'm looking for things to post to my blog in order to keep interest. My interest more than others. I'm sure I'll find something, maybe some old work or random poetry I come upon or write. We shall soon see.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110524
So, I've just finished the fifth chapter of working title Gravekeeper. If you want to get technical, I've written six chapters so far including the prologue. Each chapter averages somewhere between 2500 and 3000 words each, and if I were to write another chapter, I would have outdone my first book entirely by word count alone, and I am no where close to finishing the second book. I think the reason for this is because I'm more in my element with Gravekeeper than I was with Grandma Hannah. Where Grandma Hannah is a good story, it wasn't my style in any sense. It was first person, present tense, coming of age story. Where as Gravekeeper is a third person, past tense (with the exception of the prologue, which is present tense for effect), sci-fi master/apprentice story. I wouldn't say I'm enjoying writing Gravekeeper more than Grandma Hannah. Its just... hmm, maybe that is what I'm saying.
Overall, the story is going remarkably well. There are a few hiccup with tone, but I'm trying my best to just get the story complete. Editing something longer than anything I've ever written before if going to be an experience, but something I look forward to. Also, I must be extra careful. Yesterday I almost forgot to introduce (or reintroduce) an important character who will be needed to the third act of the story. That is what rewrites are for, but it is best to have these important aspects in the first draft.
Also, now that I have a blackberry, I have a little bit more freedom with where and when I can write. The keyboard is a little small for me to type on as quickly as a regular keyboard, but at least I can email myself small important notes as I think them up. Also, I can save my files on my blackberry and jack into computers to work from there. Just need to remember to back them up onto my harddrive sometimes.
Anyway, I think that's enough for now. I'm looking for things to post to my blog in order to keep interest. My interest more than others. I'm sure I'll find something, maybe some old work or random poetry I come upon or write. We shall soon see.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110524
Monday, May 23, 2011
Stories From My Past
Taking a break from writing the fifth chapter of my new book, I decided it would be best to clean up my computer's hard drive and back up my old documents. My process has been to just copy and past my entire documents to my external hard drive, but today I decided to do it differently. As my computer is starting to slowly die, even opening a word processing program becomes a strain on its memory. So I decided that I would transfer some of the old folders and simply delete them off of my computer entirely. That would make future backups much simpler.
So I began to do so, noting which of the file folders were larger with very limited success and discovering a large amount of music I can no longer listen to because the stupid licenses were expired three computers ago. And of course, being a writer, I discovered a large amounts of old projects. Some of these stories dated back to over decade ago and I amused myself by reading a few of them. And wouldn't you know it, I've gotten a lot better over the years.
Let me pick out a few for you as a couple of examples. The earliest story I chose was title "Don't Read (Until You Are Ready)". As far as I can tell, I'm not sure anyone would be ready for the atrocity in store for them, but I digress. The story, I think, is about a group of children who were genetically modified at birth so that they could form a resistance to... something. I'm guessing a force of pure evil, but I'm only guessing at the moment. Its a sci-fi action story, if you wish to be polite, and it is very unintentionally hilarious. Back then, I thought I was writing the greatest novel ever. You may give me credit, I was twelve years old.
The next story I scanned was a story called 'Raks and the Nightstalker'. For those of you who know, Raks is one of my characters whose name I use often. Early in his time, Raks was an immortal dark sorcerer who's powers made Superman look like a wimp. This story, as the first line of text describes, is "Raks' first adventure after he escaped from Hell'. In a revised edition I discovered, this line was changed to 'Raks' first story after he escaped from The Dark Land'. However, I failed to revise the name Satan, so there was very little point. The story describes the warlock as he is sucked into the first battle with his arch nemesis, the Nightstalker and meets his love interest, Miranda. It honestly isn't as exciting as it sounds. The story itself is dialogued based. Literally. Every single line and paragraph, with very rare exceptions, is talking. And I thought my first book was bad. The story was supposed to be an epic, spanning thousands of years of conflict, love, loss, betrayal and so on and so forth. Long story short, I wrote it in my head, learned from it, forgot most of it then moved on. Next story.
The next story skips about six years. I use openoffice, because Microsoft Word is a pain in the ass. Though I did use it to write two chapters of my next book and found it tolerable once I got the hang of it. Moving on. One of the stories I recognized the name, but openoffice insisted it was corrupted. So I opened it with MS Word. I couldn't even copy and paste it out, that's how hard ass MS Word without a key is, but I was at least able to read it. The story was called, the Legend. About... three years ago, I planned another space opera like story. It was going to center around Raks, a powerful mage whose magic was based on technology and his rise and fall from power. I started to write down concepts not only of the story but of the universe and from that came the Legend. The Legend takes place in a brothel on an entertainment planet and follows Loch, a boy hired as a gopher for the 'entertainers' who work there. I never got much into the story, back then I never ever finished a project, but what I wrote down still makes me think. The main bits I wrote down was a legend that explained human conflict and sexuality and my own feelings about love and romance. Or at least back then. Some of what I wrote I feel conflicted about now, but I understood where it was coming from. Again, like more of my concepts if you were to sit down and read them, it is mostly dialogue, question and answer sort of thing. But a more interesting read than Nightstalker.
Looking back on all that I've written, what I can remember and what I have reread, I feel more confident about my writers journey. And as I look forward to publishing my antthology and completing my second book, I wonder if I myself will look back in twelve years back at what I have written at this time. Perhaps I will even look back at this blog. I wonder what I will think then.
The work waits and I must continue to write my next masterpiece. Or maybe my unintentional hilarity in twelve years. I'll catch up with you all soon.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110523
So I began to do so, noting which of the file folders were larger with very limited success and discovering a large amount of music I can no longer listen to because the stupid licenses were expired three computers ago. And of course, being a writer, I discovered a large amounts of old projects. Some of these stories dated back to over decade ago and I amused myself by reading a few of them. And wouldn't you know it, I've gotten a lot better over the years.
Let me pick out a few for you as a couple of examples. The earliest story I chose was title "Don't Read (Until You Are Ready)". As far as I can tell, I'm not sure anyone would be ready for the atrocity in store for them, but I digress. The story, I think, is about a group of children who were genetically modified at birth so that they could form a resistance to... something. I'm guessing a force of pure evil, but I'm only guessing at the moment. Its a sci-fi action story, if you wish to be polite, and it is very unintentionally hilarious. Back then, I thought I was writing the greatest novel ever. You may give me credit, I was twelve years old.
The next story I scanned was a story called 'Raks and the Nightstalker'. For those of you who know, Raks is one of my characters whose name I use often. Early in his time, Raks was an immortal dark sorcerer who's powers made Superman look like a wimp. This story, as the first line of text describes, is "Raks' first adventure after he escaped from Hell'. In a revised edition I discovered, this line was changed to 'Raks' first story after he escaped from The Dark Land'. However, I failed to revise the name Satan, so there was very little point. The story describes the warlock as he is sucked into the first battle with his arch nemesis, the Nightstalker and meets his love interest, Miranda. It honestly isn't as exciting as it sounds. The story itself is dialogued based. Literally. Every single line and paragraph, with very rare exceptions, is talking. And I thought my first book was bad. The story was supposed to be an epic, spanning thousands of years of conflict, love, loss, betrayal and so on and so forth. Long story short, I wrote it in my head, learned from it, forgot most of it then moved on. Next story.
The next story skips about six years. I use openoffice, because Microsoft Word is a pain in the ass. Though I did use it to write two chapters of my next book and found it tolerable once I got the hang of it. Moving on. One of the stories I recognized the name, but openoffice insisted it was corrupted. So I opened it with MS Word. I couldn't even copy and paste it out, that's how hard ass MS Word without a key is, but I was at least able to read it. The story was called, the Legend. About... three years ago, I planned another space opera like story. It was going to center around Raks, a powerful mage whose magic was based on technology and his rise and fall from power. I started to write down concepts not only of the story but of the universe and from that came the Legend. The Legend takes place in a brothel on an entertainment planet and follows Loch, a boy hired as a gopher for the 'entertainers' who work there. I never got much into the story, back then I never ever finished a project, but what I wrote down still makes me think. The main bits I wrote down was a legend that explained human conflict and sexuality and my own feelings about love and romance. Or at least back then. Some of what I wrote I feel conflicted about now, but I understood where it was coming from. Again, like more of my concepts if you were to sit down and read them, it is mostly dialogue, question and answer sort of thing. But a more interesting read than Nightstalker.
Looking back on all that I've written, what I can remember and what I have reread, I feel more confident about my writers journey. And as I look forward to publishing my antthology and completing my second book, I wonder if I myself will look back in twelve years back at what I have written at this time. Perhaps I will even look back at this blog. I wonder what I will think then.
The work waits and I must continue to write my next masterpiece. Or maybe my unintentional hilarity in twelve years. I'll catch up with you all soon.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110523
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Alien Man and Dragon Bard Collaboration
I have exciting, earth changing news. Well, exciting news! Okay, news! My very good friend, teacher and soul brother, Etienne Buxton, aka Alien man and I have started a series of projects together. Me and Etienne have wanted to work together for some time and was waiting for the perfect project to collaborate on. In fact, we waited for so long, there came not one, but three projects. So what could we do besides work on them together?
I of course, am really excited at the idea of working with another artist. The first project is one that we've been discussing for some time. Literally. I have been collecting, with Etienne's permission, most of our conversations off of Facebook messenger and he plans to take some of the better times and illustrate them. Sounds strange, but I think it would be very interesting. Also, he will be illustrating my second graphic piece, a sort of spiritual successor to one of the Glimpse through the Curtains short stories Believer called Epilogue. I still haven't finished the story completely, which is bad considering he's started to paint... but I think it will work out.
Also, I've started to write stories based directly on Etienne's own stories, art philosophy and style, with his permission, and giving to him to do as he sees fit.
For more about Etienne Buxton, the man, the Doc and the Alien Man, visit his website at www.etiennebuxton.com. He's an illustrator and always looking for employment and oppurtunity to use his impressive skill and spread his love for his craft.
As for me, I have to finish Epilogue before Etienne catches up and remember not to close the browser before I copy the convo. Catch you guys soon!
Speaking of websites, I've started a new YouTube channel. The user name is TheDragonBard. Right at the moment, I'm just talking about going to visit my girlfriend, but that'll change quickly, I promise. Maybe.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110503
I of course, am really excited at the idea of working with another artist. The first project is one that we've been discussing for some time. Literally. I have been collecting, with Etienne's permission, most of our conversations off of Facebook messenger and he plans to take some of the better times and illustrate them. Sounds strange, but I think it would be very interesting. Also, he will be illustrating my second graphic piece, a sort of spiritual successor to one of the Glimpse through the Curtains short stories Believer called Epilogue. I still haven't finished the story completely, which is bad considering he's started to paint... but I think it will work out.
Also, I've started to write stories based directly on Etienne's own stories, art philosophy and style, with his permission, and giving to him to do as he sees fit.
For more about Etienne Buxton, the man, the Doc and the Alien Man, visit his website at www.etiennebuxton.com. He's an illustrator and always looking for employment and oppurtunity to use his impressive skill and spread his love for his craft.
As for me, I have to finish Epilogue before Etienne catches up and remember not to close the browser before I copy the convo. Catch you guys soon!
Speaking of websites, I've started a new YouTube channel. The user name is TheDragonBard. Right at the moment, I'm just talking about going to visit my girlfriend, but that'll change quickly, I promise. Maybe.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110503
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The Gravekeeper's Apprentice
I've just finished the first draft of the first chapter of my next book. I'm calling it 'The Gravekeeper's Apprentice'. The story is set in a world where most of the dead are buried in a massive graveyard, where ghosts, skeletons and zombies roam. And watching over all of them is the Gravekeeper. I started working on this story about a year ago as a little joke, after seeing all the cool steam-punk cosplayers at FanExpo. I thought about what my own steam punk character would look like and it slowly turned into a bit of a story.
So far, the story is about the struggle between tradition and change and how it affects everyone with a certain viewpoint. And its a battle between the informed and the ignorant. And of course, it'll have elements of the mater and apprentice as well. Oh, you want to know the plot? Well, that I'm keeping to my chest for the next little bit. I'm sharing the story with a few people for encouragement and editorial support, but I don't want to reveal to much about it until I at least have book one finished. Oh yes, I have concepts for about three mini stories, but the whole work will be published in one volume. Alright, here's a bit of a hint. I've already named the first three books. The first book will be called First Night. The second will be called Carnival. The third book will be called Vampire. Not much of a hint, I guess, but we'll see how it goes.
I'll keep you all posted on this project, now that I've found some steam for it. I'll report back soon.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110428
So far, the story is about the struggle between tradition and change and how it affects everyone with a certain viewpoint. And its a battle between the informed and the ignorant. And of course, it'll have elements of the mater and apprentice as well. Oh, you want to know the plot? Well, that I'm keeping to my chest for the next little bit. I'm sharing the story with a few people for encouragement and editorial support, but I don't want to reveal to much about it until I at least have book one finished. Oh yes, I have concepts for about three mini stories, but the whole work will be published in one volume. Alright, here's a bit of a hint. I've already named the first three books. The first book will be called First Night. The second will be called Carnival. The third book will be called Vampire. Not much of a hint, I guess, but we'll see how it goes.
I'll keep you all posted on this project, now that I've found some steam for it. I'll report back soon.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110428
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Outdated
Recently I've been reading the book Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein and I was enjoying it. However, I had to stop reading it, all because of an underlining theme that just got worse and worse as the book progressed. It wasn't the religious undertones, which was the reason I stopped reading it the second time I tried to read it. In fact, I quite enjoyed that section now that I am a little more secure about my beliefs.
No, the problem I had with the book was the amount of sexism in it. Every male in this book, apart from the protagonist Smith, is a sexist chauvinist and its driving me nuts. If this wasn't enough, all of the women practically fall under terrible female stereotypes. Flirty, have sex at the drop of the hat, there for men to be stared at. They're all intelligent yes, but each of them is in one form or another rather degraded. And it just completely turned me off. I found myself reading through it after two thirds of the way in, desperately looking for something to validate me continuing to read. But by the time I reached the blatant homophobia, I had to put it down.
Its too bad, I was really enjoying the story and how it progressed. But it just became too much. Much like many other books I've been reading. For a few months I was reading the 007 books and enjoying them for the trash that they were. My absolute favorite was Dr. No, with the maze and the squid and killing people with a sand blaster. Spoiler: Bond survives, kills the villain and sleeps with the girl.
But I had to stop reading the series after Goldfinger. The whole thing just became too much. If you've ever read anything by Ian Flemming, you can tell that the man is sexist, racist, homophobic and... well probably intolerant of quite a few things that people should be more tolerant of. But in Goldfinger, he does something that is completely unforgivable. Pussy Galore. Even the name is horrid. This characters sole existence in this book is a homophobic statement. She's the head of a group of lesbian cat burglars, hired by Goldfinger to pretend to be nurses during their scheme. James meets her, then he broods about homosexuals. Basically he sits, spews nonsense about them, then comes to the conclusion that homosexuals are sick.
So what does Pussy Galore actually do in the book. Get this: Not much. She pretends to be a nurse, which amounts to being pointless. She's on the plane when Goldfinger holds Bond hostage, but she does little to help him escape other than to wink. Then when he does escape, she sleep with him. "Because I never met a real man like you, James". I thought wanting to barf was only a saying.
So I gave up on James Bond as well. I'm not ashamed of reading them, nor do I regret it. I learned a lot from them. But I will never do it again. Stranger in a Strange Land I've given up for now, but maybe I will try again when I'm more tolerant of intorlerance.
Not sure where I'm going with this, as usual, but I think I will leave you with hope. I started reading a novel of one of my favorite characters, Nero Wolfe. It was a story involving racial rights, during the fifties. I was worried I would ditch one of my favorite characters in this one, especially Archie Goodwin. Goodwin is known to be a womanizer and a bit sexist, but the books are written in such a way that Goodwin often comes across as flawed rather than a super man. But I wondered how he would handle race. But then came the most brilliant line ever. Archie was thinking about racisim and he narrated: "If I need to feel superior to someone, and I often do, I need a better reason than the color of his skin"
Did you ever have to stop reading a good book because of one aspect? I stopped reading the Sookie Stackhouse books because of the Fellowship of the Sun. How about you?
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
110426
No, the problem I had with the book was the amount of sexism in it. Every male in this book, apart from the protagonist Smith, is a sexist chauvinist and its driving me nuts. If this wasn't enough, all of the women practically fall under terrible female stereotypes. Flirty, have sex at the drop of the hat, there for men to be stared at. They're all intelligent yes, but each of them is in one form or another rather degraded. And it just completely turned me off. I found myself reading through it after two thirds of the way in, desperately looking for something to validate me continuing to read. But by the time I reached the blatant homophobia, I had to put it down.
Its too bad, I was really enjoying the story and how it progressed. But it just became too much. Much like many other books I've been reading. For a few months I was reading the 007 books and enjoying them for the trash that they were. My absolute favorite was Dr. No, with the maze and the squid and killing people with a sand blaster. Spoiler: Bond survives, kills the villain and sleeps with the girl.
But I had to stop reading the series after Goldfinger. The whole thing just became too much. If you've ever read anything by Ian Flemming, you can tell that the man is sexist, racist, homophobic and... well probably intolerant of quite a few things that people should be more tolerant of. But in Goldfinger, he does something that is completely unforgivable. Pussy Galore. Even the name is horrid. This characters sole existence in this book is a homophobic statement. She's the head of a group of lesbian cat burglars, hired by Goldfinger to pretend to be nurses during their scheme. James meets her, then he broods about homosexuals. Basically he sits, spews nonsense about them, then comes to the conclusion that homosexuals are sick.
So what does Pussy Galore actually do in the book. Get this: Not much. She pretends to be a nurse, which amounts to being pointless. She's on the plane when Goldfinger holds Bond hostage, but she does little to help him escape other than to wink. Then when he does escape, she sleep with him. "Because I never met a real man like you, James". I thought wanting to barf was only a saying.
So I gave up on James Bond as well. I'm not ashamed of reading them, nor do I regret it. I learned a lot from them. But I will never do it again. Stranger in a Strange Land I've given up for now, but maybe I will try again when I'm more tolerant of intorlerance.
Not sure where I'm going with this, as usual, but I think I will leave you with hope. I started reading a novel of one of my favorite characters, Nero Wolfe. It was a story involving racial rights, during the fifties. I was worried I would ditch one of my favorite characters in this one, especially Archie Goodwin. Goodwin is known to be a womanizer and a bit sexist, but the books are written in such a way that Goodwin often comes across as flawed rather than a super man. But I wondered how he would handle race. But then came the most brilliant line ever. Archie was thinking about racisim and he narrated: "If I need to feel superior to someone, and I often do, I need a better reason than the color of his skin"
Did you ever have to stop reading a good book because of one aspect? I stopped reading the Sookie Stackhouse books because of the Fellowship of the Sun. How about you?
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
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