Thursday, December 30, 2010

Patterson Novel Wins Red Adept Indie Award - 2010

I am please to announce that No Irish Need Apply has won in the Red Adept Annual Indie Award - 2010 in the Miscellaneous Genre Category.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012NOW44

Red Adept Reviews: http://redadeptreviews.com/

Edward C. Patterson

Friday, December 24, 2010

A Holiday Message from The Indie Spotlight

A Holiday Message from The Indie Spotlight

Once a year, humankind gathers, no matter what belief they subscribe to or what oppression they have suffered, to exchange good will and the gift of life. Many traditions have captured the essence of this habit, from a simple toast to a riot of celebration. Those who know better know that in this season of joy we have a special custodianship for one another; a camaraderie and a fulfillment beyond the burdens of daily toil and labor. It is in this ability to touch strangers and loved-ones alike that we encapsulate the notion of civilization.

We at The Indie Spotlight have been delighted to provide a conduit of great writing for our subscribers and readers; and an opportunity for authors to do what they do best - share in words their thought and imagination. Spinnings from the pen have been a tradition of the season. Great authors have made a special point to hon their craft during the holidays with memorable gifts that still linger in civilization's larder - from Dickens to Alcott, from Pushkin to Verne, from O. Henry to Schiller and a plethora of masters who command our attention, loyalty and gratitude. The wonder of it all is the wonder of this season; that there have been and are so many talents to express daily what we find best vented during these inspiring days. We are happy to say that there has been no dearth of authors or readers in the spreading of this cheer.

Expressions of thanks are often empty - often shallow and lain upon the shelf with the tarnishing trophies. However, this first year of The Indie Spotlight has been something rare and fruitful. It has given a voice to those who need to be heard and an ear to those who thirst for music. Therefore, it is not with empty words that we thank our contributing authors and our faithful readership, because we intend to continue to maintain and grow this platform for your delight and our determination. May you all have a healthy, prosperous and bright holiday season as we, together, continue this business - this business of civilization.

Edward C. Patterson
& Gregory B. Banks

Saturday, December 18, 2010

A Guide to Author Jargon for the Reader - 83

free indirect discourse

when the author narrates a character's point of view, most frequently as postulated thought. i.e Rutabaga Jones often thought that Victor was a vagabond and sometimes expressed it in public.

Edward C. Patterson

Monday, December 13, 2010

A Guide to Author Jargon for the Reader - 82

ambivalent point of view

this is a false start point of view weakly presented at the beginning of a chapter where a character, usually already situated, is the point of view. However, when the scene gets going, another character is declared the point of view. This is effective when the author wishes to another character to reflect on the scene before the anchoring the scene it in an active POV.

Edward C. Patterson

Sunday, December 12, 2010

A Guide to Author Jargon for Readers - 81

Stock character

a repeated characterization across the entire literary tradition. Examples are the precocious child, the witty waiter, or the femme fatale. When a stock characterization becomes central to a work, it is usually referred to as an archtype.

Edward C. Patterson

Friday, December 10, 2010

A Guide to Author Jaron for the Reader

third person omniscient POV (Head Hopping)

a Point of View (POV) rarely used today, but popular during the 19th century, where the author head hops from character to character. It can be disorienting to the reader and is mostly used by true master's of their craft, or in abstract novels or passages.

Edward C. Patterson

Thursday, December 9, 2010

A Guide to Author Jargon for Readers - 79

literary novel

a novel that does not attempt to tell a story, but might (quite accidentally). However, the term is applied by different schools at different times as a snub to novels that do purposely tell a story (genre novels). Unfortunately, because of this, the term has become meaningless in discussion and is now viewed as a conservative crutch for the writing elite.

Edward C. Patterson

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

A Guide to Author Jargon for Readers - 78

eclogue

a poetic exchange between two shepherds. I have never used this form, and probably never will. Not to be confused with an eclair, a device I make frequent use of when I run out of Veronas and Milano cookies.

Edward C. Patterson

Saturday, December 4, 2010

A Guide to Author Jargon for Readers - 77

dystopian novel

a work set in a futuristic world that proports to be Utopian, but is indeed deeply flawed. A famous example is Philip Dick's Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep (Blade Runner).

Edward C. Patterson

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

A Guide to Author Jargon for Readers 76

emblem

word or object that contains symbolic meaning and is brought forward to support the theme. Example from that most emblematic of works, Lord of the Flies - Ralph's hair (which covers his eyes) = the inability to see clearly, in contrast to Piggy's specs.

Edward C. Patterson