Editing; what can I say about this subject? Well although it is interesting, I find it so time consuming and sometimes to be honest boring!
I am starting to think, maybe this wouldn't be the job for me! I do like to edit my own work, but I guess, if the authors work you are editing is somewhat not interesting, than it becomes mind-numbing!
I am editing a book at the moment for class that is actually quite a good book; however, it is not for the 8-12 year-old age range, that it is suppose to be for. It clearly is for a young adult to adult readership.
There is no sexual content but it is written in third person; viewing sometimes from the central protagonist, who is a mother of three. It is an historical based narrative that just doesn't fit into the world of an eight-year-old.
I have finished the chapters assigned to me, however I know I have probably missed a lot of mistakes. I do like how it is written, because it is the type of story I like to read! It's setting and historical content interest me; but if I am to edit it and keep in mind it is for an 8-12 audience, I just don't think it is possible.
The setting; the characters; the storyline I just don't think will appeal to this age range.
Anyway, I will continue forward and try to assume that if it was for this demographic, then it cannot possibly get published. As we know already it did not get published!
Editing; is a hard job and I think it needs to be a very special person who can do this for a living!
Maybe I need to gain more skills before determining its not for me!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Reminder- 'The Man From Snowy River'
I just slipped out of a lecture with the tune to 'The Man From Snowy River' in my head. I was humming it all the way home! After seeing a few scenes from the film, I now think it is about time to see it again!
That famous scene when Tom Burlinson's character rides his horse down the mountain in pursuit of the wild brumbys. So good to know that a real bushmen road his own horse for that incredible scene.
It was also amazing to get a quick glimpse of Sigrid Thornton (she is so young in it) and of course the wonderful Australian character, Jack Thompson! I did forget that Kirk Douglas was in it though!
Anyway, I will have to 'russle-up' a copy so I can relive many of those beautiful scenes of the high country. It is by far, one of the most iconic Australian Films!
We need more 'Aussie' films that incorporate the vast country, we call home!
That famous scene when Tom Burlinson's character rides his horse down the mountain in pursuit of the wild brumbys. So good to know that a real bushmen road his own horse for that incredible scene.
It was also amazing to get a quick glimpse of Sigrid Thornton (she is so young in it) and of course the wonderful Australian character, Jack Thompson! I did forget that Kirk Douglas was in it though!
Anyway, I will have to 'russle-up' a copy so I can relive many of those beautiful scenes of the high country. It is by far, one of the most iconic Australian Films!
We need more 'Aussie' films that incorporate the vast country, we call home!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
'Back to Classes'
Oh well! The break is over, spread forth those wings and head off to classes.
It is that time again, I am getting ready to head off to Uni again. Although I have started back at TAFE, it still doesn't feel like I am back yet. Before I know it I will be snowed under with an enormous amount of work which will take a lot of energy and mind power.
The break has been too long! Everyone I asked has said they thought the same thing. I guess it is just that you are go, go, go, whilst the academic year is in full swing, and when the holiday break comes, you are stumped as to what to do with all that extra time.
So although my head is currently in the space of 'TAFE', it will have to get into the space of Uni as well! I am trying to prepare, but like me it has been all in the last few weeks.
So, to all my fellow students, I say good luck for the very near academic year; may all of you get HD's and CD's for all your assessments!
That's my good luck prayer!
P.S Don't forget to 'tweak' all your work!
It is that time again, I am getting ready to head off to Uni again. Although I have started back at TAFE, it still doesn't feel like I am back yet. Before I know it I will be snowed under with an enormous amount of work which will take a lot of energy and mind power.
The break has been too long! Everyone I asked has said they thought the same thing. I guess it is just that you are go, go, go, whilst the academic year is in full swing, and when the holiday break comes, you are stumped as to what to do with all that extra time.
So although my head is currently in the space of 'TAFE', it will have to get into the space of Uni as well! I am trying to prepare, but like me it has been all in the last few weeks.
So, to all my fellow students, I say good luck for the very near academic year; may all of you get HD's and CD's for all your assessments!
That's my good luck prayer!
P.S Don't forget to 'tweak' all your work!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
DVD: 'The Ghost Writer'
The Ghost Writer Directed by Roman Polanski, R.P Productions (2010) and starring Ewan McGregor, Jon Bernthal, Pierce Brosnan and James Belushi.
This film was an enticing thriller that took me on the journey of a writer(Ewan McGregor) who is called up to take the place of another writer, who mysteriously dies. Pierce Brosnan's character-Adam Lang is an ex-U.S President who has written his memoirs with the help of a Ghost Writer.Ewan McGregor's character finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy that he cannot escape. As most thriller's go this one kept me guessing till the end.
The concept of this film was amazing, although it did scare me a little, about becoming a ghost writer!
As films go this one was slow to start but the twist in the end was not what I was expecting. So if you like thrillers than see this film. For all those writers who are contemplating becoming a ghost writer; although fictitious, this could put a damper on those dreams.
Just a question: Could you write a memoir of 624 pages in two weeks?
This film was an enticing thriller that took me on the journey of a writer(Ewan McGregor) who is called up to take the place of another writer, who mysteriously dies. Pierce Brosnan's character-Adam Lang is an ex-U.S President who has written his memoirs with the help of a Ghost Writer.Ewan McGregor's character finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy that he cannot escape. As most thriller's go this one kept me guessing till the end.
The concept of this film was amazing, although it did scare me a little, about becoming a ghost writer!
As films go this one was slow to start but the twist in the end was not what I was expecting. So if you like thrillers than see this film. For all those writers who are contemplating becoming a ghost writer; although fictitious, this could put a damper on those dreams.
Just a question: Could you write a memoir of 624 pages in two weeks?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
'Catching up on Reading'
I am now having to catch up on my reading after spending the holidays being lazy. I had all these grand plans to prepare for the up and coming classes by reading the set texts for each subject. Well of course I didn't!
I have, however,caught up on some of the text: Joseph Furphy's Such is Life-Chapter Five; Barbara Baynton's The Chosen Vessel; Henry Lawson's The Drover's Wife and The Union Buries It's Dead; That There Dog Of Mine; Mitchell: A Character Sketch and I have also started to read Kate Grenville's The Secret River.
So I am desperately trying to catch up, so I am prepared for class for the week beginning the 1st March.
It has been such a rush to read through each story that I now find they are blurring into each other. The themes represented are all similar, yet there are subtle differences. I did find the languages represented in Such is Life quite difficult to grasp. Sometimes I found it easier to try the accent, but still I found trouble reading it.
Anyway if I hadn't been lazy; all would be finished now.
Note to self: Don't be lazy next Christmas holidays! Read! Read! Read!
I have, however,caught up on some of the text: Joseph Furphy's Such is Life-Chapter Five; Barbara Baynton's The Chosen Vessel; Henry Lawson's The Drover's Wife and The Union Buries It's Dead; That There Dog Of Mine; Mitchell: A Character Sketch and I have also started to read Kate Grenville's The Secret River.
So I am desperately trying to catch up, so I am prepared for class for the week beginning the 1st March.
It has been such a rush to read through each story that I now find they are blurring into each other. The themes represented are all similar, yet there are subtle differences. I did find the languages represented in Such is Life quite difficult to grasp. Sometimes I found it easier to try the accent, but still I found trouble reading it.
Anyway if I hadn't been lazy; all would be finished now.
Note to self: Don't be lazy next Christmas holidays! Read! Read! Read!
Monday, January 24, 2011
'Preparation Is The Key'
My mind is running with ideas for a class assessment beginning this year. I have the overall concept ready but I am keen to get stuck into the practice and writing involved in bringing this project together.
My preparation skills have kicked in and I am frantically piecing together the bits of research needed to get started; come the start of semester one.
I will need a lot of ideas and alot of research items; which at times I have found difficult.
It is clear that I have been extremely lazy this holiday break; let's reflect: I have read a chapter of one book; I have written one short story; I've entered one competition; I have purchased a prop of sorts for my project and I have put together some research. Although it sounds like alot, it really sums up my inability to get motivated.
I hope that when classes return I can get straight back into a routine. I do believe that preparation is the key to success. Maybe by the end of this year I will have prepared myself for some interesting but productive writing.
I need to learn to bridge the gap between lazy holiday experiences and prepared and productive writing!
Oh well! Two weeks to go and atleast I have started preparing!
My preparation skills have kicked in and I am frantically piecing together the bits of research needed to get started; come the start of semester one.
I will need a lot of ideas and alot of research items; which at times I have found difficult.
It is clear that I have been extremely lazy this holiday break; let's reflect: I have read a chapter of one book; I have written one short story; I've entered one competition; I have purchased a prop of sorts for my project and I have put together some research. Although it sounds like alot, it really sums up my inability to get motivated.
I hope that when classes return I can get straight back into a routine. I do believe that preparation is the key to success. Maybe by the end of this year I will have prepared myself for some interesting but productive writing.
I need to learn to bridge the gap between lazy holiday experiences and prepared and productive writing!
Oh well! Two weeks to go and atleast I have started preparing!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
'The Utterance Of A Word'
It is interesting how the evolution of a single made-up word can creep into everyday language. Last year in class we were talking about this very subject; expressing how we thought some 'text language' would journey into our lives and make its mark on society.
Well, I was watching a little TV whilst enjoying my lunch, and an advertisement popped up, which entailed the very thing I hoped I would never see! Yes everyone, dare I say it; embed it in my life forever; allow it to be a part of my blog, indefinitely!
Well I must tell you that with protest, I reveal the 'word' or 'letters' that was strewn across the screen as 'LOL'.
I couldn't believe my eyes as I nearly choked on my salad sandwich. Some of you may think that this is just the evolution of language, but I do not. I guess that it may have a place in text messaging; allowing for emotion to creep into the very impersonal technology, but it doesn't have a place on our screens.
Are we to see in the near future all text language being used to advertise products or television programs? That all laughter in ads will be expressed via the letters 'L O L'?
Does it mean that to appeal to 'Gen Y', we have to abort proper language skills; distance ourselves from the importance of grammar, until we have one-on-one conversations that include these letters as real words?
We all know the power of the Media (including advertising) on how we perceive the world; especially for the young. What is considered 'cool' can be attributed to what we see on the TV and the internet.
Some may say this is progress. I think it's not giving 'Gen Y' the communication skills needed for their ever approaching adult lives.
One day we will be asking ourselves this question:
What happened to the sound of laughter?
Well, I was watching a little TV whilst enjoying my lunch, and an advertisement popped up, which entailed the very thing I hoped I would never see! Yes everyone, dare I say it; embed it in my life forever; allow it to be a part of my blog, indefinitely!
Well I must tell you that with protest, I reveal the 'word' or 'letters' that was strewn across the screen as 'LOL'.
I couldn't believe my eyes as I nearly choked on my salad sandwich. Some of you may think that this is just the evolution of language, but I do not. I guess that it may have a place in text messaging; allowing for emotion to creep into the very impersonal technology, but it doesn't have a place on our screens.
Are we to see in the near future all text language being used to advertise products or television programs? That all laughter in ads will be expressed via the letters 'L O L'?
Does it mean that to appeal to 'Gen Y', we have to abort proper language skills; distance ourselves from the importance of grammar, until we have one-on-one conversations that include these letters as real words?
We all know the power of the Media (including advertising) on how we perceive the world; especially for the young. What is considered 'cool' can be attributed to what we see on the TV and the internet.
Some may say this is progress. I think it's not giving 'Gen Y' the communication skills needed for their ever approaching adult lives.
One day we will be asking ourselves this question:
What happened to the sound of laughter?
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