My own English adventure

A joyful reading

2011-08-07T18:28:00.000-06:00

I finished Anne of Green Gables some days ago. It was the first volume in the series and I enjoyed it a lot, much more than the TV series, which is one of my favorite TV series of all times. Reading Lucy M. Montgomery was an interesting experience, because her writing remind me why some classics are so valuable to read once in while and many times again and again. Her language is exquisite, as many readings of 1800's, and, at the same time, not too old for my modern mind. The main character is maybe more lovely in the book than in the TV series and is understandable why people who read these books became so addicted to the child and her story.

There are some other cultural aspects that attract my attention. For example, the religious vision is intense. In the TV series is not present, although you could glimpse some thoughts in Rachel Lynde's speeches, but in the book the religious part of the Anne's life is really important. I think this is a small taste of the time: after all, Montgomery was a victorian woman and a minister's wife. But, at the same time, you can find out some new ideas about the religious institution, like Anne's questions about why a woman cannot be a minister and her comments about how wonderful minister would be Mrs. Lynde. Montgomery was an educated woman, with college degree and an active work as a reporter in a newspaper, so it is not a surprise that Anne is a smart girl with ambitions related to education and intelligence. This interesting characteristic in the main character makes this book connectable with modern girls and modern women. In fact, I think this book is highly recommendable reading for young girls and even for women who maybe has forgotten they can still have dreams and ambitions without stop being women.

As soon as possible I will find Anne of Avonlea and the other stories written by Lucy M. Montgomery about this lovely character. =)

Old readings

2011-05-15T23:08:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, while I was waiting for my computer to start (it lasts ten or fifteen minutes in doing so), I started reading Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery. It was my first time with this author, altought the story is very familiar to me. Long time ago, when I was 15 or so, I watched the Canadian series based upon the books, starring Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst. I loved the story just then and much later, I bought the complete series in VHS format.

But I never read the book, which was very strange for me. I am one of those geeks who have to read any story long before they watch it in TV or in the movies, specially those stories that are so loved by them. If I cannot read it before the movie, it is because I didn't know its existence, as happened when I discovered Chronicles of Narnia, or The Golden Compass or Inkheart, but I usually look for the book as soon as possible to "repair" the "situation".
Well, I didn't it with Anne of Green Gables. One of my excuses is simple. These books are children's books. They use to be simple (as I found out with Narnia), maybe too simple for me. I do not say I didn't like them. I enjoyed Narnia a lot and I didn't care because the movies were as simple as the books, and in some aspects, not so good. But, when I have been so in love with a movie or a series like the adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, I am afraid its magic will be lost as soon as I read the book and discover how different is from the movie or the TV show. And this happen a lot with stories for children (well, it happens as well with stories for grown ups too).

Anyway, I broke the curse and finally the book has fallen into my hands. I will keep in mind the natural differences between Literature and adaptations and will read without prejudices. It is a classic, after all. =)

A new experience with an old friend

2011-04-08T15:36:00.001-06:00

Well, this is my first 2011 post and I have plenty of excuses for that. One of them is that I am in the middle of a review process which has taken most of my time and my thoughts. Other reasons lay in different aspects of my life, including work and family, of course.

While reviewing my novel, I felt surprised of my feelings toward it. Six years ago, when I thoght it was finished (and polished), my writing was very different. For a long time, I was away from literature, except for my usual readings, and when I came back, I was rusty. At the same time, there was no conscience of that fact. I felt the same and started writing my novel with absolute confidence in my doing.

Well... six years later, I read the novel again and thought... it was my loved story. I loved it, indeed. But many changes were needed, some were big, some were small, but required.

It has been a fun experience. Do not mistake my words: I have been working, indeed, but at the same time, I've been feeling really satisfied with my progress, my new ability to shape stories, my new me.

Work is not done yet, but soon it will be accesible. My readers will decide then if my work will meet a high standard or a low one. I hope the first choice. =)

Merry Christmas

2010-12-23T20:31:00.002-06:00

Well, what can I say today? Happy Christmas, of course, and have a glorius New Year celebration. I won't have a big speech about the history of these celebrations, or about the "true" meaning behind these days, because it is kind of boring to be so serious and because I think everyone has a different feeling about the "true" meaning of Christmas.

I know it is a Christian celebration in the first place, of course, but at this time of our history (at the end of the first decade of the XXI century), this celebration has become part of many people who are not christians and do not believe in the religious story, but do believe in the season spirit or do believe in having a good time with other people they love. Now it is beyond christianity for many people in the world and it is good to say "happy holidays" with a solid spirit of friendship.

Having said that: Happy Holidays and see you in 2011! :)

Fantasy in our lives

2010-11-21T17:15:00.001-06:00

Next thursday, CNN will reward ten people, selected by its audience, because of their astounding achievments in helping other people. The giant of the news call them "heroes", real heroes, who make this world a better place in many ways. We can read in the network's ads a curious phrase: "in these times, when heroes are mostly needed...". I understand from those words that in our time, more than before, heroes are needed. Why? Are our times so wrong that we need so much these "heroes"? Or it is just a common phrase, a cliche message, to sell the ceremony?

Well... I think there is melodrama in that ad. It is not true we did not need "heroes" before.

Every time, every century, has its own disasters, and heroes appear when they are needed, just because our nature is like this. We have an important feature in our genes: solidarity & cooperation once saved us from the extinction many, many years ago, and they continue saving our lives in the present time. There is not difference between that time and our time. In fact, we are safer today than any other time in the history. So, why they say we need heroes more than ever?

I think there is a perception biased to tragedy in our time, more than before (say, for example, in the 60's, with the hippie idealism). It is not our fault. It is not the fault of anybody. It just this general sensation of failing: we have failed in defending the human rights, we have failed in defending our climate, we have failed in prospering in every country, we have failed in preventing cruel wars and terrible genocides, etc. So, we have failed. And this feeling is stronger now, when a new ecomonic crisis has beaten our system and so many people have lost their jobs and their homes. We need, more than ever, fantasy in our lives.

Which fantasy? Any one. It is not entirely coincidence that fantasy novels, including romances and super heroes stories, are so succesful in best-sellers list. It is not strange that so many inspirational stories about real heroes or people who have succeded in spite of multiple obstacles are so well sold. People need to read, to hear or to watch extraordinary stories, with real heroes prevailing over all the obstacles they face in their lives. These "real" heroes are not necessarily "real": they just need to be as any of us (although is a fictional character) to atract followers. For example, Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamyi from The Lord of the Rings. They are two insignificant little men, with no special powers, no special warrior skills, who go armored with their will and their tenacity and destroy the most powerful and evil enemy they will ever see. That kind of heroism is delightful to us right now. Why the 33 Chilean miners are so admired, so known around the world? Because they were strong when anyone else would fail, and they have no special powers either, just as Frodo and Sam.

When this necessity of fantasy will pass? I do not know. Maybe in the future, when we finally resolve our major problems. Maybe never. But this is the time given to us...

"Summer"

2010-07-17T17:47:00.002-06:00

Why did I write Summer between quotations? Well, because we are almost swimming in rain here at home. Although July is not considered a dry month in my country, it is quite normal to have a couple of weeks without rain. That's why it's normal to go to the beach this time of the year: you can rest from your job during our brief July break and enjoy some dry weather at the same time, before the rainy season beat us again in August.

Well... this year it is not the case. It rains everyday or, if we do not have water, we are cold. Yes, cold. In July!

Anyway, I have been busy the last couple of months with normal duties (at home or with my job) and with extra duties, which were two short stories due to two new anthologies. These collections will probably be published next year and I was invited to participate. It is not a guarantee that my short story will appear in the anthology, because it has to be checked out by professional readers and by the editors, but there is a strong possibility that my name will appear again in two anthologies published by national publishers.

I wrote the short stories in June and in July and just have finished them. It was not easy. I have in mind some revisions I have to make with my novel and feel anxious to begin with them, but I had promised these stories and I wanted to write them well. Then, it took much time for me to finish as I wanted, but finally they are done. Of course, I need to check them out before submitting, but I strongly believe that they are OK and will gain their places in the anthologies.

Wish me luck!

News

2010-05-16T16:38:00.003-06:00

I have been in the middle of reviews and other literary duties, which are pleasing my present time with a "full" sensation. :) For example, very soon I will publish the third part of my trilogy "A través del Portal", which will have "Retornos" as a subtitle. With this new volume my trilogy will be finished at last and I can focus in other projects.

Meanwhile, I am planning to send another short story to a new literary contest, which I have not written yet, by the way, and I have to write my third "perverse" story for a new writers' "club": (Per)Versiones Literarias (New versions or strange new versions of literary pieces). So far I have written two stories: one is a new version of Sleepy Beauty and the other one is a new version of a historic episode (alternate history). This strange club will publish in June its first "baby":

(Per)Versiones: -Cuentos Populares-
This is an anthology of 26 short stories, written by a group of writers who use to visit Sedice.com, a literary portal dedicated to science fiction, fantasy, horror and other literatures. We meet there to discuss about books, to share our own stories and to help each other in this difficult world of publishers and books. Then, one day someone sugested that we could collect our own versions of traditional stories with monsters, or a SF point of view or a new perspective. And we did it.

Now we present this original anthology with 26 short stories written by 26 writers (some with previous experience, some with none), which will be launched next June for everyone wishing to read something different. Later, in a few months, we will be able to launch the second volume: (Per)Versiones Históricas, which will have 23 short stories telling a different way to know History. :)

Quiet

2010-03-30T16:15:00.002-06:00

I have been sick. During those days I just could sleep all day and feel bad. It's amazing how your mind can only focus on your pain when you feel sick and there is no other thing you can do or think. But later, while you are recovering, suddenly realize there is a world out there and maybe, just maybe, you will return to your life. Silly, uh? But real.

The last few days, when I started feeling better, I discovered my true source for relaxing. T.V. was not enough. It's incredible how many bad programs you are exposed to when you cannot move from your couch and just can zap and zap again. Then I found out why I do not watch much TV. It is so boring...!

Then, I decided to open one of my pending readings. As I had already finished some of my auto imposed readings, I supposed it was the perfect time to start one of the books I received as a gift (no requested). I was reading Starcraft Archive, but it is kind of slow, so I changed to Twilight, which my sister had given to me in my birthday (two months ago). She is a Twilight fan, I am not, but I do not like to have prejudices and decided it's time to meet Meyer's vampires.

It was a nice reading, I must tell. I did not fall in love with the book, but I really enjoyed it. I think it is a good reading for romantic readers in many ways (it is a romantic story) and for people who do not think through others, or in other words, to non-prejudiced readers.

Finally, I returned to life. TV has not changed, books are always there for me. Everything is ok. :)

Happy Valentine´s Day

2010-02-14T18:30:00.002-06:00

Well, I know that today could be considered as a commercial date, specially designed by love cards makers to sell more product, but it is still celebrated with honesty and I can appreciate when someone is in love or maybe wants to be, and celebrates this date. So, to all of you who are celebrating your Valentine's Day, ¡congratulations! ¡Be happy and enjoy it!

Meanwhile, I have watched a love story (part of it), a comedy (with love stories included) and received a kiss with a smile. So far, it is a calm, happy day, and I am grateful for that. :)

Beginning

2010-01-09T20:55:00.002-06:00

This is short assesment that I am still alive and wishing to improve my performance in writing and in other areas. ¡Happy 2010! It is the beginning of a new decade, and for me, new expectations. I hope to fullfill some of them.

:)

Merry Christmas

2009-12-27T00:41:00.002-06:00

I know I haven't been very punctual with this blog, but I am afraid I've been busy with my own stories, challegens and duties, which have parted me from writing here. But I am sure I will do it better next year. ;)

Right now, however, I take this time to wish everybody a happy, really happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

¡Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2010!

July

2009-07-31T23:31:00.003-06:00

There are some thoughts I would love to share... I just finished a wonderful month in my literary career, since I enjoyed so much my favorite activity (writing), the very first time I have a professional writing month. It is not that I have been irresponsible with my passion. I always have been serious about my writing plans and my wishes of being a professional writer someday. It is just I had not achieved so many individual projects of writings in such little time before. Eight different plots becoming real and me being able to send four of them to three different literary contests was really a hit for me.

This incoming month I will continue with my work. I hope to have finished another short story I've been writing for this week and I plan to review the other four short stories I haven't checked so far. I intend to write another short story after finishing my present work and the six stories will go to different literary contests before october is gone.

Then, I will rest... for some time. Then, to review my novel (Through the Portal III).

A lot of work is waiting for me, but it is the kind I really like. :)

Work according to your passion...

2009-07-09T01:19:00.001-06:00

How can I describe a passion? Is it a inner feeling? A dramatic movement of our heart? Or just a intimate desire? I cannot say what it might be, but I do know it's the best source of strenght to achieve any goal.

Many people use to declare there is no better job than something you do because you love it and not because you think is a good way to earn some money. But it is always easy to recommend someone to dedicate to his or her passions, and at the same time, to think in the future. If this person does not have any passion? What will he/she do?

Maybe it is easier not to have a passion for anything. Maybe it is simpler to study something practical -like business or Law- and to be a responsible worker all your life. But it is boring, too.

Fortunately for me, I do have a passion and I think someday will be my full time job as well. :)

Earth Hour

2009-03-28T17:39:00.003-06:00

I am in the American continent. Then, three hours are left to turn off all my lights for one hour.

We can set a new record: ¡1000 millions of people turning off their lights for the sake of the planet! To send a powerful message of hope and courage.

Please, join us tonight with this special idea...

Supersticions

2009-03-13T22:22:00.003-06:00

Today was a normal day for me. When I woke up this morning, I just thought on my duties and plans and didn't consider if I would have an unlucky day or something like that. When I checked my e-mail, though, I realized that was Friday 13 th. Should I have been scared?

A black cat crossing in front of me. Passing under a ladder. Spilling salt over a surface. Just supersticions, brought from past, with no rational explanation to consider them as facts. Friday 13th is one of the kind.

In Roman culture, the "bad" day was simply Tuesday. In Spanish language, I know an old adage which says: "Do not marry nor go onboard on Tuesday" It is just a bad day to undertake a journey or to begin a new project. Later, Tuesday became Friday because, according to Christian scripture and tradition, Jesus was crucified on Friday. Other suggested other reasons to consider Friday an unlucky day.

On the other hand, 13 is a number of imperfection, no completion, opposed to the perfect 12. In Christian tradition, there were 12 apostles. In other traditions, there were 12 tribes of Israel, 12 gods of Olympus, etc. In a North myth, if thirteen people is seated to dinner, this will result in the death of one of the diners.

The practical problem of these beliefs is that many people really paralized their normal lives to avoid the bad luck. They really think that something obscure, evil, will ocurr to them if they simply move.

Well, the day is over and nothing special happened. Not good nor bad. It is just another normal day with no more damage than yesterday.

Enjoy this moment, then. :)

The best way to read a novel

2009-02-22T00:02:00.006-06:00

Amazon will launch its Kindle's second version. It is called the "Thindle", because is thinner and lighter. It is supposed to be more practical. Its battery will work for longer periods. In brief, it will be better.

Some people think that Amazon won't be as succesful with this gadget as it wishes, because people don't read anymore. However, Amazon sold about half million of units since it launched the Kindle. That has to mean something. People still read as always: not much, but in a stable way. And now, Amazon -and other e-readers makers- wants to reach a broader audience. Kindle's users would be able to download blogs and other popular sites from the Internet, not just newspapers, magazines and books. If Amazon can obtain this kind of readers, it can sell millions of units.

Which is the best way to read, anyway? I think it is a matter of tastes. Most readers (actual readers) prefer the traditional book when they want to get into a novel. Novels are long readings, which need time and space to be enjoyed. Readers usually choose a special spot, select a time, surrounder to the experience. That is why they don't read this kind of reading material in a computer. Screens are very unconfortable. And a laptop's battery does not last enough for a book to be read. Instead, a book is the perfect techonology for its purpose. You don't have to plug it, don't have to buy batteries, your eyes will be confortable with the pages, especially if they are made of good material.

But, you only can carry one or two books at the same time. If they are too thick, maybe just can't take anyone with you. In that case, a good e-reader, with soft screens and sharp images, long-term batteries and light to carry, is the best choice for the reader, even if he or she wants to read a long book.

What is your choice? Do you have to choose? I do not think so. I like to believe that these e-readers are a perfect solution for compulsive readers who need to travel. Sooner or later, the traditional support will desappear, but the book will never.

What am I reading now?

2009-02-07T00:11:00.003-06:00

Two books at the same time. For me, it's the only way to read any book at all. Maybe it doesn't seem very logical, but there is a simple reason. If I do not read two books, I would read only one... at the same pace. Then, if I can manage two stories, at least I will finish them in a while at the same time too.

Why do I need to read? Well, it is a simple necesity for me. I cannot allow myself to be without any reading material at hand. Articles or pieces of news do not count. I need stories.

At the present time, I am reading two best sellers. One of them is relatively new: The Broker, by John Grisham. The other one is almost 20 years old: The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follet. The first one is a classic thriller in a political environment, where a lawyer (of course!) is pursued by an uncertain number of terrible enemies, who are determined to kill him at any cost, because the poor man knows too much. The protagonist is a man in his fifties, who was very powerful but no more. The reading is entairtaining, but I found it dull in some ways. I have not been able to connect with him or with any other of the characters I already met. Maybe Grisham writes in a cold way that I don't fully appreciate. Or maybe I just need to give the book more time.

The Pillars of the Earth has a similar problem. Most characters are cold for me. I do not like Tom Builder much, nor Ellen. She is too mysterious, too special, but at the same time, to rude. Aliena is too grumpy and William Hamleigh too bad, bad guy. The only character who pleases me is the prior, Philip. I do not know why, but he is the most real for me til now. Maybe the other ones will be more interesting as I continue reading, so I will give them more time too.

Anyway, I will finish reading both books. Then, I will know if they will be convincent enough to be read a second time in the future.

Every year

2009-01-27T19:48:00.002-06:00

Today is my birthday. Another one. Every year my life closes a new cycle, which is meaningless for everyone but me. I feel well, because I like to be in my birthday. I reminds me every single year I already lived before and every single moment I still have to live.

Some people hate their birthdays because they feel older. Other people seem to get anxious as they approch to a certain age without accomplishing some goals they have set before, just as we all had duties with every year we live: at 20's, we have to end professional studies and get our first job, at 30's we need to have a partner and better if we already have a child, at 40's we have to be successful in our profesional careers, etc.

I think that kind of planning is too strict and not according to reality. I prefer not to have many plans of that kind, just one: to be able to accomplish the specific goals I have now. If I cannot meet them, well, I will have to turn to plan B.

Now, my birthday is a day of tranquility. A day of joy. I am not old, nor young. I am still in early phases of my life. Another year will come, another moment of reflection will succeed. Meanwhile, I feel well.

:)

Reading is a relaxing way to learn

2009-01-17T00:10:00.004-06:00

I like to read. It is just as simple as it sounds. I read everything, from signs in the strees to huge books from a library. One of my last memories is precisely when I started to read.

Of course, I always had my favorite readings. Although I used to read almost everything, my preferences were inclined to literature. I loved novels and short stories, and, in many ways, every good story was delicious for me. So, when I began to learn another language, one of my favorite subjects was Reading.

Recently, I found out I was enjoying not just the story itself but the learning process as well, while I was reading. Reading allows me to understand contexts, to view structures, to adquire new words I never thought I would need. It was fun.

Why did not my English teachers include such kind of teaching in my old lessons? My English lessons used to be so boring, so dull. I never had a similar experience in high school. In fact, I was terrible in those days. My self confidence did not exist, and I used to think that I would never learn any other language in my life.

So, I am grateful for all the new perspectives my present readings have brought to me.

Telling or showing

2009-01-09T22:09:00.006-06:00

Just minutes ago, I was reading an interesting article about telling stories. The author, I think, is not an "expert", but his explanation was clear and focused: the advantages of learning how to "show" events or characters in a story, instead of just telling it.

As I understood, telling is direct, sometimes dull, and always flat. Instead, showing is vivid, intense, even complex. But it can be long, tireing, even exhausting for the reader, because it takes much more words, more time. When a writer can "show" whatever is happening in the story, readers need to pay more attention to details in order to figure out the nature of a situation. Then, it is not a good idea to use this tactic for the whole tale.

When is the best moment to "show"? The author of the article proposes to use this resource only in the main events o for the most important characters. Otherwise, it is better just to tell whatever the reader needs to know.

I was thinking about this idea and found out that my stories are inclined to be told, no shown. Maybe it is because is the obvious way to write a story, or maybe because I have never reflected about these topics before.

Anyway, I will take into account this piece of advice from now on.

New Year's purposes

2009-01-07T17:40:00.000-06:00

My English skills are lowsy, but I have been thinking on the possibility of writing in this language. Could it be possible? For a Spanish speaker? I mean, I do not intend to write common paragraphs. I want to be a professional writer, not just in Spanish but in other languages too. Then, I have to develop some kind of strategies this year to reach my goal.

Well, this is one of my ways: If you want to write, you have to do it. Just that. Will you make mistakes on the way? Oh, a lot of them! I am sure. I will be strange, I will sound "funny", even ridiculous. But I will stick on my purpose.

This is a new year. This is my new task. I hope I can reach my goals. So, good luck!