Five Things on a Friday: VERY Short Edition

1.  It's Friday.

And I got a lot of sleep last night.  So I feel great!  But I can tell that it's off-putting to my fellow morning commuters.  I keep saying "Hello!" and they keep looking at me like they want me to drop dead. 

You every have one of those days?

2.  I'm almost done re-reading THE WAY OF KINGS.

Gotten more out of it this time than I thought I would. I mean, I just wanted to remind myself who all the charcters are, but reality is that I've enjoyed the book as much in this second reading as I did the first time through, and I can see that there was a lot that I missed. For example, what is up with those symbol-headed guys?  Also, I now find myself caring about Shallan. I hope she has a bigger role in the new book. 

Finally, there is A LOT of Robert Jordan in this book. I noticed it before, but this time it strikes me as something like a love-letter to the man. An apprentice finally trying surpass his master's greatest work--and succeeding, if you ask me. 

3.  I finally got some good feedback on "Priest of Loki".

My friend Alan Evans (Rival Angels) says that the problem is that Sneax isn't very likeable. The rest of the cast is fine, but he said that he struggled with it because she herself jut doesn't have the most likable and savory of motivations. He had trouble rooting for her. 

Multiple folks have now told me that Elaina is their favorite character, and that's fine, but Sneax needs to be more than a nagging presence who constantly uses her friends.  I think, really, people just aren't seeing her quiet, homeless desperation. So maybe I just didn't make her hungry enough at the open?  Or maybe folks just aren't seeing how hard it is for her to get close to people, or perhaps why that's important. Regardless, I'm happy because now I have a focus for my rewriting.  

This is the kind of thing that I've always struggled with seeing in my own work, but I'm quite sure that it's a matter of clarifying Sneax's feelings and motivations rather than actually rewriting her character in some transcendent way. 

4.  The LEGO Movie is getting great reviews. 

Emma is really excited to see it. Hannah and I both struggle to find interest, although at 99% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, it might have the best overall reviews of any movie I've ever seen. 

Anyway, Emma and Sally are going to LEGO tomorrow while Hanah and I head to Catching Fire. That outta be fine. 

5.  Happy Friday!

Did I mention that it's Friday?  It is. I'm very fired up about it. 

And that's all I've got to say about that.