Saturday, November 1, 2008

Book of the Semi-Month Club

I feel like a kid who hasn't done her homework.

It's book talk time and I don't have my book report done.

I haven't been able to read. Part of the trouble is time. Part of it is I'm in hyper mode and can't sit still. Part of it is I tried three books and couldn't get into any of them. On one of the three I still haven't given up, but I might yet. I'm sorry and frustrated to say every last one of 'em bugged me. Especially a certain one. Voice, voice, "Aren't-I-clever" voice. No defined central conflict. Static title. Slice-of-life. By a past Newbery winner. Bleccch. May I have a plot, please? And if you manage to find one, would you, like, get out of its way and just be the conduit for your story instead of taking center stage yourself?

I'm in a place I've never been in. A place where I'd like to hide in a book and can't. Oh, I've read hide-worthy ones this year, but I don't have one at the moment. And if I do, it's not within the world of children's literature.

I'm being a crabpatch. But things are weird.

Okay, this is weird. I sent someone an email today. He replied to let me know the message was blank.

Less than an hour ago, my printer quit. Specifically, in the middle of a job, it began spitting out blank pages. I've unplugged, replugged, rebooted, changed cartridges, done all the troubleshooting, and finally emailed tech support. We'll see what happens. Color printing works. But I don't USE color. Gimme black. For a project I need to print out this weekend, I NEED black. It's a standard form that I cannot switch to a color.

Can't read. Can't write. Can't print. Can't email. It's all blank.

What in the vast world of literary symbolism does this mean?

6 comments:

C.R. Evers said...

I can sooo relate! I've had moments this year when I've wanted to get lost in a book and came up short. It's so frustrating!

I recently got out of a rutt like that when i read The Hunger Games and The Adoration of Jenna Fox back to back. Both amazing books!

Good luck! Hope everything gets back on track soon!

Christy

Marcia said...

I liked Jenna Fox too, but The Hunger Games captured me even more. I read it earlier this fall, and it was the last really good book I've read -- or tried to read. Thanks for stopping by, Christy.

Anne Spollen said...

I think it's Halloween...

Marcia said...

Hi Anne! You mean some spook is at work? Hmmm, I'll have to get after it . . . :)

Anne Spollen said...

You might have a spook -great, so make your next book have a paranormal element.

But seriously, according to my World Lit professor one hundred and one years ago in college, since ancient times the beginning of November has made us humans feel restless and wired. That's why in so many cultures this time of year has been ascribed the season when the spirits return.

So, see, it's not your fault, Marcia. Just blame the dead. :)

Marcia said...

OK, as long as I don't have to assume blame. :)