Cellphone Novels

Two weeks ago, I wrote that I was worried computers and cell phones were changing the English language (http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/2008/01/language-of-internet.html). A few days ago, Kim pointed out an article in the The New York Times that not only reinforced this fear but also increased my anxiety level by at least a gazillion.

According to the article, the youth of Japan are using cellphones to write novels and to read them. Some say this is a new literary genre for a generation who reads mostly comics, spurring a debate as to whether these novels will lead to the decline of Japanese literature. Written mostly by women, these love stories use short sentences, have little plot or character development and still hit the bestseller list when turned into hardcover books. In fact, out of last year’s ten best-selling novels, five were originally cellphone novels.

A quote from the article reads, “They punched out text messages with their thumbs at blinding speed, and used expressions and emoticons, like smilies and musical notes, whose nuances were lost on anyone over the age of 25.”

The article should send chills down every author’s spine because I am sure it is only a matter of time before this latest rage hits America.

Click here to read the full article http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/world/asia/20japan.html?ref=technology.

Now, before you all race to your cellphone to begin your novel, I’d like to thank all of you who submitted entries to the “when will The Ride be published contest,” which is now closed. Your entries ranged in dates from 14th of January to the 18th of July. We’ll have to wait and see who the winner will be because the manuscript is still sitting untouched (I assume) on the editor’s desk. It is safe to say that those of you who guessed January dates will not win. I am truly sorry and I genuinely appreciated your optimism.

Thanks for stopping by and please come back again next week.


Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride (to be released by ArcheBooks Publishing)
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/
http://www.authorsden.com/janesutton

Tags: The Ride, Archebooks, contest, cellphone novel, New York Times, cell phone

Writer’s Strike

Wouldn’t it be ironic if the on-going Writer’s Strike resulted in people watching less TV and reading more books?

If you are getting tired of TV reruns and are looking for something good to read, I’ve run a cross a couple good sites to help you make a selection. One is http://bookopinion.com/. This is a fantastic site with Book Reviews from the New York Times, The New Yorker, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Amazon, etc. Some of the reviews offer a “First Chapter” which allows you to read a bit of the book before investing in it.

You can read interesting articles not only about books but also about topics relating to them. Such as the one I read on the top ten most literate cities. According to the article, Minneapolis, Minn. ranked first; Seattle, Wash, second; St. Paul, Minn. came in third. Alas, no city in Florida made the list.

They also offer a Book Finder list that enables you to search through 600,000 of the top books available by author, title or blog and to compare prices between booksellers.

The other site is http://www.shelfari.com/, which features reviews from readers. This site allows you to set up your own bookshelf, join a group discussion (or start one) about a particular book, or find out which books other readers have enjoyed.

Before you get too busy selecting a book to read, I want to remind you that today (January 18th) is the LAST day to submit your entry to the “when will The Ride be released” contest. Simply be the first to guess the date nearest to the actual release date and win a personalized signed copy of The Ride. E-mail your entry (month, day and year) to me at janekennedysutton@gmail.com or see http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/2007/12/exciting-new-contest.html for more details.

If you find yourself reading more since the Writers strike, I’d love to hear from you (for my own personal research). And, if any of you would like to recommend a good read, let me hear from you too.

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride (to be released by ArcheBooks Publishing)
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/
http://www.authorsden.com/janesutton



Tags: The Ride, Archebooks, contest, writers strike, bookopinion, Shelfari

Language of the Internet

I worry about technology; I can’t help it. I mean I love computers but I worry that they, along with cell phones, are changing the language of communication. And, I am not good at learning languages. In fact, I’m not all that great with English.

Living overseas I tried learning various languages (Mandarin, Korean, Dutch, Italian and Arabic). I managed to learn just enough to get me in trouble. For example, while living in Taiwan, I thought our Landlord had come to invite us to his mother’s 76th birthday party. I smiled, said yes and offered my congratulations. Imagine my horror the following day when I discovered the invite was to her funeral. It’s a wonder we weren’t evicted.

Recently, when my sister insisted (because she was driving) that I send a text message to her husband, I tried to explain that I don’t do ‘text.’ However, she walked me through it anyway. Although the message consisted of a simple “ok,” I felt the pride of succeeding at a new endeavor.

I’ve practiced and now I think I am ready to present my blog in “text speak.”
GTSY (glad to see you) but I’m going to tell you FMTYEWTK (far more than you ever wanted to know). IRL (in real life), ITSFWI (if the shoe fits wear it). ICBW (I could be wrong) but I believe you should also buy it in every color. Now I hear you saying AYTMTB (and you’re telling me this because)? And the answer is, you should ALOTBSOL (always look on the bright side of life).

I know that makes no sense (just like the other languages I’ve attempted). But at http://www.netlingo.com/, much to my horror, I found over 30 pages of this text message shorthand, and realize this is one more language I can mess up. But check it out and maybe you can write your next novel in only a few pages.

I, on the other hand, will say this about the English language, IIABDFI (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it) and from now on this blog will be an AFZ (acronym free zone).

Only one week remains for you to send your entry to the “when will The Ride be released” contest. Simply be the first to guess the date nearest to the actual release date and win a personalized signed copy of The Ride. See http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/2007/12/exciting-new-contest.html for more details.

Thanks for stopping by. See you next week.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride (to be released by ArcheBooks Publishing)
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/
http://www.authorsden.com/janesutton

Tags: The Ride, Archebooks, contest, acronyms, netlingo,

New Year Resolutions

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other –Anonymous

Since it’s that time of year to make resolutions I thought I’d share some of the funnier ones I found at http://www.newyearfestival.com/funny-new-year resolutions.html

Just for today, I will not sit in my living room all day in my nightdress. Instead, I will move my computer into the bedroom.

I will no longer waste my time relieving the past, instead I will spend it worrying about the future.

I resolve to work with neglected children -- my own.

From http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=361872

So many men, so little time. Make more time.

I will remember that life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

I will remember the Universe is infinite...so when I lose my keys...NOT a surprise!!

I will try to drive past a gym at least once a week.

I will buy lottery tickets at a luckier store.

If your resolution is to quit procrastinating and act now, I want to remind you that there is still time to enter the “when will The Ride be released” contest. Simply be the first to guess the date nearest to the actual release date and win a personalized signed copy of The Ride. See http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/2007/12/exciting-new-contest.html for more details.

Do you make resolutions? Do you usually keep the ones you’ve made? Or, do you have some other funny ones you’d like to share? I’d love to hear your comments.

In the words of Oprah Winfrey, “Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.”

Thanks for stopping by. See you next week.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride (to be released by ArcheBooks Publishing)
janekennedysutton@gmail.com
http://janekennedysutton.googlepages.com/
http://www.authorsden.com/janesutton


Tags: The Ride, Archebooks, contest, New Year resolutions, resolutions, Oprah