I got very exciting news this weekend. I have finalled in the RWNZ 2012 Clendon Award for a completed romance manuscript.
This is really big here in NZ and I still can't quite believe it's true.
The manuscript was for A Heart Divided, one of my NZ historical romances, set in the time of the gold rush. The theme statement is:
Newly arrived on the Otago goldfields of 1862, Nessa Ward is caught between two men: the younger brother who needs her and the man who loves her.
It's about the adventures of a young Englishwoman who comes to the goldfields with her younger brother, hoping like all miners to make his fortune. They need money to pay for her brother to return to England to gain the qualifications he needs to become a scholar of antiquities like their recently deceased father. But the goldfields hold many surprises for both of them. Including the entry into their lives of Mr John Reid, a local runholder who comes to their aid.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Progress -sort of on schedule
I made a writing plan at the start of the year, and like most such plans it has only been partially followed. But I am now only a couple of months behind where I planned to be, so I guess that's not too bad.
I am doing a couple of extramural lit papers this year, so that is slowing the actual writing somewhat.
The short script was entered into the Page Screenwriting contest - unsuccessfully. But it did make me finish it, and two days after I pushed the submit button, I figured out the crucial scene that hadn't been working. So that is a success.
My historical romance was completed in time for the RWNZ Clendon contest.
I have finished and submitted my longish short story. Currently waiting, and trying not to be too hopeful.
The other longer story I had was also slightly rejigged and sent off a while ago. That's sitting in the back room of memory, as I make myself ignore it's possible success or otherwise.
So that only leaves the scifi novel that I've had in mind for the last year. And I can't keep procrastinating on that much longer. I have bits and pieces of it: two possible beginnings, a synopsis, and bits of the early middle section down in writing. The problem with it is that I haven't quite figured out the scientific basis of the world building. So most of it is happening in my head at the moment. Maybe I should just start writing and see if that helps.
I am doing a couple of extramural lit papers this year, so that is slowing the actual writing somewhat.
The short script was entered into the Page Screenwriting contest - unsuccessfully. But it did make me finish it, and two days after I pushed the submit button, I figured out the crucial scene that hadn't been working. So that is a success.
My historical romance was completed in time for the RWNZ Clendon contest.
I have finished and submitted my longish short story. Currently waiting, and trying not to be too hopeful.
The other longer story I had was also slightly rejigged and sent off a while ago. That's sitting in the back room of memory, as I make myself ignore it's possible success or otherwise.
So that only leaves the scifi novel that I've had in mind for the last year. And I can't keep procrastinating on that much longer. I have bits and pieces of it: two possible beginnings, a synopsis, and bits of the early middle section down in writing. The problem with it is that I haven't quite figured out the scientific basis of the world building. So most of it is happening in my head at the moment. Maybe I should just start writing and see if that helps.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Spiderman - another film review
OK, so this is not so much a review as a response, to the new Spidey. Great, great, great. Great.
Why - because it's fun. And isn't that what a marvel comic film is supposed to be?
This is better than the first Spidey. Spidey hasn't an ounce of wimp in this film. Not a jock, just a very gutsy young man - who still makes mistakes, with pretty awful consequences. But he tries so very hard to put them right. Plus he has a sense of humour, and does exactly what any teenager who is suddenly given super powers would do - he goes out and positively revels in them.
As I said.
Fun.
Why - because it's fun. And isn't that what a marvel comic film is supposed to be?
This is better than the first Spidey. Spidey hasn't an ounce of wimp in this film. Not a jock, just a very gutsy young man - who still makes mistakes, with pretty awful consequences. But he tries so very hard to put them right. Plus he has a sense of humour, and does exactly what any teenager who is suddenly given super powers would do - he goes out and positively revels in them.
As I said.
Fun.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Snow White and the Huntsman
I finally got to see this film, and yes its good but not as good as hoped. Note spoiler alerts. Charlise Theron looks magnificent as the evil queen, the Huntsman is great, and Kirsten Stewart is OK as Snow White - though you have to be kidding trying to claim she is more beautiful than Charlise Theron's Queen.
The dwarves are fun, the setting and special effects very good and the fighting OK.
Problems - Charlise Theron does not have the voice of an evil Queen. Shouting does not make up for lack of evil menace, or real depth and clarity of voice. And the film needs at least half an hour, or preferably an hour shaved off it. Also, having a second love interest in Snow White's childhood friend, the aristocratic William, is unnecessary and needlessly tangles the plot line. If you call a film "Snow White and the Huntsman", then the natural expectation of a viewer is that this will be the central relationship. It's not, or rather, it is, sort of. And he sort of might, maybe, possibly gets the girl. But the real relationship is between the Queen and Snow White, who unfortunately I just didn't care enough about.
But I might just go have another look at it. And the theme song is still one of the best I've ever heard in a film. 'Breath of Life' by Florence and the Machine. Watch the clip on YouTube. It's a must.
The dwarves are fun, the setting and special effects very good and the fighting OK.
Problems - Charlise Theron does not have the voice of an evil Queen. Shouting does not make up for lack of evil menace, or real depth and clarity of voice. And the film needs at least half an hour, or preferably an hour shaved off it. Also, having a second love interest in Snow White's childhood friend, the aristocratic William, is unnecessary and needlessly tangles the plot line. If you call a film "Snow White and the Huntsman", then the natural expectation of a viewer is that this will be the central relationship. It's not, or rather, it is, sort of. And he sort of might, maybe, possibly gets the girl. But the real relationship is between the Queen and Snow White, who unfortunately I just didn't care enough about.
But I might just go have another look at it. And the theme song is still one of the best I've ever heard in a film. 'Breath of Life' by Florence and the Machine. Watch the clip on YouTube. It's a must.
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