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kateelliottBecause I hit a roadblock about 2/3rds or 3/4rds of the way through COLD FIRE (not sure of length yet), I was forced to go back and do a revision from the beginning forward to make sure my ducks were all in a row.
Interestingly, I have done nothing major structurally, just detail and set up work. So this either means I am totally on the right track, or else I am headed for a hugely major rewrite. Who knows? Me, at this stage, I know nothing. And the only person who has read the first draft (partial, since it is not finished yet) is Twin A, who points out that he is biased in favor of enjoying it no matter what, so he can't guarantee it's actually good. (I trained my children to be critical--not negatively so, but constructively so. They're actually pretty good, if I must say so myself.)
So I have nothing new and interesting to say, nor have I a single interesting question to ask at the moment nor discussion to open.
Therefore, behind the cut, you will find links to a number of reviews, if you find such things of interest. If not, then feel free to just move along, nothing to see here . . .
Traitors' Gate (Some have spoilers, so you are forewarned):
A short, positive review from NZ notable in large part because the reviewer hadn't read the first two books, and felt #3 worked okay as a standalone. To which I say: I did bear in mind, when I wrote it, that a few readers might pick it up with no priors, and so I wrote the opening sections both as reintroduction and as introduction.
The Bookbag (UK) has interesting things to say but specifically notes (in contrast to the review above) that it can't be read without having read the first two. I report; you decide.
Very thoughtful review from a reader who had mixed feelings about the first two Gate books. She totally gets some of the things I was trying to do. Some spoilers.
Another thoughtful review that touches on a few of the things I was trying to do with the trilogy. I should note this is a review with lots of spoilers.
Jaran:
No real spoilers: this is a nicely thoughtful review
Cold Magic:
I couldn't figure out how to link to the Publishers Weekly review, so I'll just quote from it (and how nice of them to provide such a good pull quote):
Elliott pulls out all the stops in a wildly imaginative narrative that will ring happy bells for fans of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy.
This blogger liked it, lots. And I love that she gave a special shout-out to female friendships.
This blogger did not like it. Gets bonus points for suggesting I might be kinda sorta literary (I NEVER get called that).
Okay, the best quote ever that I have ever gotten, ever, for anything, ever, in my entire career.
No, really:
This is it! This is why we read! To get the sensations and feelings this book is making me feel!
And that--to get that--is why I write.**
**okay, not the ONLY reason, but it just doesn't get any better than that.
Interestingly, I have done nothing major structurally, just detail and set up work. So this either means I am totally on the right track, or else I am headed for a hugely major rewrite. Who knows? Me, at this stage, I know nothing. And the only person who has read the first draft (partial, since it is not finished yet) is Twin A, who points out that he is biased in favor of enjoying it no matter what, so he can't guarantee it's actually good. (I trained my children to be critical--not negatively so, but constructively so. They're actually pretty good, if I must say so myself.)
So I have nothing new and interesting to say, nor have I a single interesting question to ask at the moment nor discussion to open.
Therefore, behind the cut, you will find links to a number of reviews, if you find such things of interest. If not, then feel free to just move along, nothing to see here . . .
Traitors' Gate (Some have spoilers, so you are forewarned):
A short, positive review from NZ notable in large part because the reviewer hadn't read the first two books, and felt #3 worked okay as a standalone. To which I say: I did bear in mind, when I wrote it, that a few readers might pick it up with no priors, and so I wrote the opening sections both as reintroduction and as introduction.
The Bookbag (UK) has interesting things to say but specifically notes (in contrast to the review above) that it can't be read without having read the first two. I report; you decide.
Very thoughtful review from a reader who had mixed feelings about the first two Gate books. She totally gets some of the things I was trying to do. Some spoilers.
Another thoughtful review that touches on a few of the things I was trying to do with the trilogy. I should note this is a review with lots of spoilers.
Jaran:
No real spoilers: this is a nicely thoughtful review
Cold Magic:
I couldn't figure out how to link to the Publishers Weekly review, so I'll just quote from it (and how nice of them to provide such a good pull quote):
Elliott pulls out all the stops in a wildly imaginative narrative that will ring happy bells for fans of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy.
This blogger liked it, lots. And I love that she gave a special shout-out to female friendships.
This blogger did not like it. Gets bonus points for suggesting I might be kinda sorta literary (I NEVER get called that).
Okay, the best quote ever that I have ever gotten, ever, for anything, ever, in my entire career.
No, really:
This is it! This is why we read! To get the sensations and feelings this book is making me feel!
And that--to get that--is why I write.**
**okay, not the ONLY reason, but it just doesn't get any better than that.