What I've Been Up To

As of recently, writing on the computer has become a bit of a hassle. I have no laptop, and using my house Mac (and that disgusting chicklet keyboard) makes me want to bash my head against the wall.Right now I'm taking the opportunity to take advantage of a Dell keyboard, and gets to writing, or rather, typing.

I've been working on fiction, but it's been pen to paper. Because I have some stories locked in a coma on my external hard drive, but to access it, I think I need to be on a PC, not a Mac, at least to actually do writing and editing. I'm working on a story whose outline I wrote a long time ago. I'd tried to write this story, actually flesh it out, at least half a dozen times. I've done the first two scenes half a billion times in my head. Now I'm actually making headway.

One of the things that I've realized as a writer is that I need to not take my outline as the concrete plan I must follow. An outline has become just that, an outline. And because of the way the story started to flow, I've had to change the order of things, and I've had to add new scenes in. I think I want this story to be more romantic erotica than the teen angst erotica that I was going for, even though it's still a teenage story.

On top of that, I've also been working on doing small things, short pieces and flash fiction. I really enjoy doing flash fiction and the such because it helps strengthen me as a writer. There is a piece I've been trying to write as of late, I can see the character clearly in my head, although I'm not entirely sure of her back story. I know that she's a lesbian, but I'm not going to give away any more. Once I have it ready for outside eyes, I will put it up on here.

That's about it for now. More to come later.

Pimp: The Story of My Life Review

This has to be one of the most fascinating books that I've ever read. Pimp: The Story of my Life, by Iceberg Slim, is the autobiography of a man that was a pimp. Because of moves like "The Mack", "Pimps Up, Hoes Down", and the general pimp culture that seems to permeate everywhere, most people think they know about pimping.

This is just absolutely untrue. Iceberg Slim goes so far beyond just beating a woman. He explains how he actually takes and molds her mind in order to make as much money off her as possible. This is absolutely disgusting to read, and I find him repulsive. However, he knows how repulsive his acts were, and turned his life around.

What really kept me reading the novel was Slim's writing style. He knows how to weave together words and tell a story. He uses such lovely metaphors, and speaks truthfully. This book feels like I was sitting in a park, and began talking with someone about their life. His memory is a steel trap, and the details that he remembers lets me feel like I'm seeing it with him. Sometimes if it wasn't for the extensive vocabulary, and the high priced items, I wouldn't know that this story took place in the 1930s. If there are any issues with the language, the back of the book has a glossary, although I could have sworn a few of the words had multiple meanings.

I don't want to put anything from the book, but I can say that from the first page, he held me captive. I think there is a look inside feature, if not, you're just going to have to look on Amazon, or find a blog that gives previews and spoilers.

This is definitely an adult book with adult themes. It's not for people with multiple triggers, nor is it for people that can't stand to read the objectification of women. He was as icy as his name implies, and it definitely shows in this. I'm actually curious to read more of his work; he's a fascinating person, and going from the world of easy money, easier women, and drugs flowing--to going straight (that is the only thing I'm giving away, and it's not even something I'm giving away because he says it right in the introduction to the book).