Comments for Spun Stories, home of Cynthia Sally Haggard, historical novelist http://spunstories.com where I review books for new authors, give advice on the craft of writing, share tips on self-publishing and spin stories from threads of the past Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Cecelia Holland’s GREAT MARIA by The Spearwife http://spunstories.com/2012/03/28/cecelia-hollands-great-maria/#comment-307 The Spearwife Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:17:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=2022#comment-307 I think it was because it was a romance novel that didn't read like a romance novel. I don't like a lot of the conventions used by those, nor of a lot of historical fiction if truth be told. I read more history than historical fiction. However I found myself touched at the development of Maria's relationship with her husband and with the dynamic between the brothers. There is not a lot of internal monologue or emotionalizing, but for me that is a plus. I also thought the book gave a great sense of place, even though it's more inspired by the real events than retelling them. The Norman conquest of Italy is not a subject that ever interested me, but now whenever I see mention of Normans I think of Richard, Roger and William and feel a personal connection. Now I'm gushing. I shall leave your website in peace. :) I think it was because it was a romance novel that didn’t read like a romance novel. I don’t like a lot of the conventions used by those, nor of a lot of historical fiction if truth be told. I read more history than historical fiction. However I found myself touched at the development of Maria’s relationship with her husband and with the dynamic between the brothers. There is not a lot of internal monologue or emotionalizing, but for me that is a plus. I also thought the book gave a great sense of place, even though it’s more inspired by the real events than retelling them. The Norman conquest of Italy is not a subject that ever interested me, but now whenever I see mention of Normans I think of Richard, Roger and William and feel a personal connection.

Now I’m gushing. I shall leave your website in peace. :)

]]> Comment on Tidbits from the Internet: Two websites to watch by Nic Oliver http://spunstories.com/2012/04/16/tidbits-from-the-internet-two-websites-to-watch/#comment-306 Nic Oliver Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:20:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=2128#comment-306 Hi Cynthia Thank you so much for featuring my site here. If anyone wants writing analysis, the fee is.............. free to the first 10 of your readers who submit a 5000 word piece! After that, it's a set fee of £50.00 Warm regards Nic Hi Cynthia

Thank you so much for featuring my site here.

If anyone wants writing analysis, the fee is………….. free to the first 10 of your readers who submit a 5000 word piece! After that, it’s a set fee of £50.00

Warm regards

Nic

]]> Comment on Cecelia Holland’s GREAT MARIA by CynthiaHaggard http://spunstories.com/2012/03/28/cecelia-hollands-great-maria/#comment-305 CynthiaHaggard Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:55:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=2022#comment-305 Thanks for giving me a different perspective. You must have loved this book to have read it three times! Of course, different people have different opinions about the books they read. As I said, I wasn't so keen on it because I couldn't connect with the characters. But I appreciate hearing someone else's point of view. Apart from the minimalist quality of this novel, which you liked and I did not, was there anything else about this book that made you love it? Just curious. Best, Cynthia. Thanks for giving me a different perspective. You must have loved this book to have read it three times! Of course, different people have different opinions about the books they read. As I said, I wasn’t so keen on it because I couldn’t connect with the characters. But I appreciate hearing someone else’s point of view. Apart from the minimalist quality of this novel, which you liked and I did not, was there anything else about this book that made you love it? Just curious.

Best, Cynthia.

]]> Comment on Cecelia Holland’s GREAT MARIA by The Spearwife http://spunstories.com/2012/03/28/cecelia-hollands-great-maria/#comment-304 The Spearwife Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:32:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=2022#comment-304 As a great fan of this book, I have to say that the sparseness is one of the things I like about it. You do learn about Maria, Richard and Roger, but through events, which unfold fairly quickly at first. It's not a style of writing for everyone but it's how I prefer it. Too "talky" and emotional, especially at first... boring, and sometimes offputting. I loved this book and read it three times right after one another, something I never do. Just a different perspective. As a great fan of this book, I have to say that the sparseness is one of the things I like about it. You do learn about Maria, Richard and Roger, but through events, which unfold fairly quickly at first. It’s not a style of writing for everyone but it’s how I prefer it. Too “talky” and emotional, especially at first… boring, and sometimes offputting. I loved this book and read it three times right after one another, something I never do. Just a different perspective.

]]> Comment on Tidbits from the Internet: Fleshing out your characters, and how to sell books online by Cynthia Haggard http://spunstories.com/2012/03/26/tidbits-from-the-internet-fleshing-out-your-characters-and-how-to-sell-books-online/#comment-303 Cynthia Haggard Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:43:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=1986#comment-303 Hugh, Thanks for your comment. Isn't it amazing what the internet can do? And isn't it interesting that people can get so caught up in non-existent beings that they'll become faithful followers, even though the author's politics, attitudes etc may actually turn them off? I'm glad you liked the post, it's a pleasure to "meet" you. Best regards, Cynthia. Hugh,

Thanks for your comment. Isn’t it amazing what the internet can do? And isn’t it interesting that people can get so caught up in non-existent beings that they’ll become faithful followers, even though the author’s politics, attitudes etc may actually turn them off?

I’m glad you liked the post, it’s a pleasure to “meet” you.

Best regards,

Cynthia.

]]> Comment on Tidbits from the Internet: Fleshing out your characters, and how to sell books online by HughMasterson http://spunstories.com/2012/03/26/tidbits-from-the-internet-fleshing-out-your-characters-and-how-to-sell-books-online/#comment-302 HughMasterson Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:18:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=1986#comment-302 Hi Cynthia, Happened on your blog while doing a routine Google search on my name (Not ego, looking for use or reuse of my material). Let me add to your observations. The viewer stats for www.whatwouldsoroshdo.com has grown consistently since launch, 1/1/2012 and twitter comments continue to roll in. I created a twitter account for Sorosh and what is amusing is that many of the followers of Sorosh come from a demographic that would not follow G. Hugh Bodell on twitter in 100 years. If any of your readers browse through the Sorosh blog they will see a very evident political leaning, that is of course a direct outgrowth of the plot of the book in which Sorosh Saji was created Nikita, my third novel. It is great fun speaking through Sorosh’s words and the satirical bent is quite frankly ‘over the top’, but I love it. My opinion, every author of fiction should bring his or her characters to life. My first move in this direction was started with the ability to ask the author, the heroine or hero any question by way of e-mail with a link on the Anna & Hugh Masterson Mysteries lead url, www.treachery.us. Answering the questions has been a blast. Once again, thanks for bringing to your followers this fun exercise. Regards, G. Hugh Bodell Hi Cynthia,

Happened on your blog while doing a routine Google search on my name (Not ego, looking for use or reuse of my material).

Let me add to your observations. The viewer stats for http://www.whatwouldsoroshdo.com has grown consistently since launch, 1/1/2012 and twitter comments continue to roll in. I created a twitter account for Sorosh and what is amusing is that many of the followers of Sorosh come from a demographic that would not follow G. Hugh Bodell on twitter in 100 years.

If any of your readers browse through the Sorosh blog they will see a very evident political leaning, that is of course a direct outgrowth of the plot of the book in which Sorosh Saji was created Nikita, my third novel.

It is great fun speaking through Sorosh’s words and the satirical bent is quite frankly ‘over the top’, but I love it.

My opinion, every author of fiction should bring his or her characters to life. My first move in this direction was started with the ability to ask the author, the heroine or hero any question by way of e-mail with a link on the Anna & Hugh Masterson Mysteries lead url, http://www.treachery.us. Answering the questions has been a blast.
Once again, thanks for bringing to your followers this fun exercise.

Regards,
G. Hugh Bodell

]]> Comment on My interview with Morgen Bailey is up! by Morgen http://spunstories.com/2012/03/29/my-interview-with-morgen-bailey-is-up/#comment-301 Morgen Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:07:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=2153#comment-301 Thank you, Cynthia. I hope your visitors enjoy it. :) Morgen Thank you, Cynthia. I hope your visitors enjoy it. :)

Morgen

]]> Comment on THE SHINING by Stephen King by Tso William http://spunstories.com/2012/02/01/the-shining-by-stephen-king/#comment-297 Tso William Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:20:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=1916#comment-297 I think Stephen King has done a great done in telling us that the greatest ghosts resides in our own psychological mind. i have written a review here: http://tsoamateur.blogspot.com/2012/02/shining.html I think Stephen King has done a great done in telling us that the greatest ghosts resides in our own psychological mind.

i have written a review here: http://tsoamateur.blogspot.com/2012/02/shining.html

]]> Comment on THE ORACLE by William J. Broad by Cynthia Sally Haggard http://spunstories.com/2012/01/25/the-oracle-by-william-j-broad/#comment-296 Cynthia Sally Haggard Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:24:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=1855#comment-296 Thanks, Daniel. It's great to meet a reader like you who really gest what I was trying to say. Have a great day! Cynthia Thanks, Daniel. It’s great to meet a reader like you who really gest what I was trying to say.

Have a great day!

Cynthia

]]> Comment on THE ORACLE by William J. Broad by Daniel Milstein http://spunstories.com/2012/01/25/the-oracle-by-william-j-broad/#comment-295 Daniel Milstein Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:11:00 +0000 http://spunstories.com/?p=1855#comment-295 Good Share.I hope more people discover your blog because you really know what you're talking about. Can't wait to read more from you! Good Share.I hope more people discover your blog because you really know what you’re talking about. Can’t wait to read more from you!

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