When I record my videos for YouTube I imagine particular friend who will watch it. And my partner, because he always sees the best in me, even when I feel clunky. And when I write my letters here at Substack I sometimes imagine you as a reader (no pressure to read my dispatches though) and a couple of other people. It really helps me to ease up and clear the vision.
These are amazing advices, Louise. As a recovering commercial copywriter I need all of them. Last week unexpectedly I started watching Shadow and bone and got carried away into all the Grishaverse magic. I cannot stop thinking how Leigh was also a commercial text writer for movie trailers. And how something bloomed inside her and give us her books. I cannot really describe it in a right way, but I felt revelation. And plan on reading her books after I am done with the series. I know that her first trilogy is weaker as a literary thing, but this is what fascinates me too - how she grew as a writer.
Also I remember you loved her books too, what would you recommend after I am done with her writing?
Really? What an honor. 🖤 I always read your dispatches, and always feel very bad for not leaving lengthy comments on them. There's so much in them that resonate with me, but I kind of suck at all types of correspondence right now... 🙄
Yes! Leigh Bardugo inspires me so much as well. I read lots of interviews with her even before I read any of her books I think. I haven't read the Shadow & Bone trilogy, but I've read, and LOVED, Six of Crows. Unfortunately, the Netflix series didn't work for me at all. (I'm extremely hard to please with adaptations.) But now that you're speaking so fondly of it, I kind of want to give it a second chance, haha...
I've also read Ninth House, but didn't really get the hype about that one. What I enjoy most is her worldbuilding. It feels so alive, as is often the case when it's inspired by a real culture/historical era. Thinking about reading King of Scars soon, just to get to revisit the Grishaverse. (I read in your dispatch btw about the weird russian words she uses. I can imagine it's quite interesting to read her books as a native Russian speaker. 😂)
As for what to read afterwards... hmmm. I find a lot of similarities between her style and Brandon Sanderson's. Can't remember now whether you had read any of his books? I recently finished the first Mistborn trilogy and wow, it was a ride. 😌
At some point I decided that any book adaptation on screen is not THE THING, it is rather a thing. Someone's attempt, fan fiction with a budget haha, if you like. And since then everything goes smoothly with me. My own vision of the book is mine only and it is my choice to bring in details from other people's versions.
With these series I knew only that Grishas are some kind of magic and that's it. So I took the series in with no expectations. Which also worked really well.
I finished off the first book. It read like a diary of Alina from the series:) It would be really a blank show if they didn't include Crows. Nina and Matthias are my personal sweeties (huge Swedish looking guy? duh! haha), cannot wait to meet them in the book!
I didn't read Sanderson yet, I know he is disgustingly prolific though. Even scary to start! But I will put him on the list for sure, I have a couple of friends who also love his writing.
Nina and Matthias are soooo much better in the book. That's the main thing that disappointed me with the show, their chemistry just wasn't there. You have something to look forward to, definitely!
Well said...ummm...written. 😊 My husband says that I write just like I talk. I consider that a compliment. I also picture a friend and write TO them. And...I use lots of “ands.” Strategically, of course. Another great article, my new friend. Loved it! 👏👏👏
Thanks for this, some really thoughtful tips in here. I like the idea of a having a person in mind when writing, I suppose this may be a different person depending on what you're writing but it can certainly help with the focus of what you're writing. If the person you're imagining starts to look bored and pulls out their phone then it may be time to pick up the pace?!
When I record my videos for YouTube I imagine particular friend who will watch it. And my partner, because he always sees the best in me, even when I feel clunky. And when I write my letters here at Substack I sometimes imagine you as a reader (no pressure to read my dispatches though) and a couple of other people. It really helps me to ease up and clear the vision.
These are amazing advices, Louise. As a recovering commercial copywriter I need all of them. Last week unexpectedly I started watching Shadow and bone and got carried away into all the Grishaverse magic. I cannot stop thinking how Leigh was also a commercial text writer for movie trailers. And how something bloomed inside her and give us her books. I cannot really describe it in a right way, but I felt revelation. And plan on reading her books after I am done with the series. I know that her first trilogy is weaker as a literary thing, but this is what fascinates me too - how she grew as a writer.
Also I remember you loved her books too, what would you recommend after I am done with her writing?
Really? What an honor. 🖤 I always read your dispatches, and always feel very bad for not leaving lengthy comments on them. There's so much in them that resonate with me, but I kind of suck at all types of correspondence right now... 🙄
Yes! Leigh Bardugo inspires me so much as well. I read lots of interviews with her even before I read any of her books I think. I haven't read the Shadow & Bone trilogy, but I've read, and LOVED, Six of Crows. Unfortunately, the Netflix series didn't work for me at all. (I'm extremely hard to please with adaptations.) But now that you're speaking so fondly of it, I kind of want to give it a second chance, haha...
I've also read Ninth House, but didn't really get the hype about that one. What I enjoy most is her worldbuilding. It feels so alive, as is often the case when it's inspired by a real culture/historical era. Thinking about reading King of Scars soon, just to get to revisit the Grishaverse. (I read in your dispatch btw about the weird russian words she uses. I can imagine it's quite interesting to read her books as a native Russian speaker. 😂)
As for what to read afterwards... hmmm. I find a lot of similarities between her style and Brandon Sanderson's. Can't remember now whether you had read any of his books? I recently finished the first Mistborn trilogy and wow, it was a ride. 😌
Awww, thank you, Louise, and no pressure <3
At some point I decided that any book adaptation on screen is not THE THING, it is rather a thing. Someone's attempt, fan fiction with a budget haha, if you like. And since then everything goes smoothly with me. My own vision of the book is mine only and it is my choice to bring in details from other people's versions.
With these series I knew only that Grishas are some kind of magic and that's it. So I took the series in with no expectations. Which also worked really well.
I finished off the first book. It read like a diary of Alina from the series:) It would be really a blank show if they didn't include Crows. Nina and Matthias are my personal sweeties (huge Swedish looking guy? duh! haha), cannot wait to meet them in the book!
I didn't read Sanderson yet, I know he is disgustingly prolific though. Even scary to start! But I will put him on the list for sure, I have a couple of friends who also love his writing.
Nina and Matthias are soooo much better in the book. That's the main thing that disappointed me with the show, their chemistry just wasn't there. You have something to look forward to, definitely!
For me they are electrifying on screen, wow, I am preparing myself to feel exploded while reading, if they are MORE awesome there :D whoooa!
Well said...ummm...written. 😊 My husband says that I write just like I talk. I consider that a compliment. I also picture a friend and write TO them. And...I use lots of “ands.” Strategically, of course. Another great article, my new friend. Loved it! 👏👏👏
Thanks for this, some really thoughtful tips in here. I like the idea of a having a person in mind when writing, I suppose this may be a different person depending on what you're writing but it can certainly help with the focus of what you're writing. If the person you're imagining starts to look bored and pulls out their phone then it may be time to pick up the pace?!