i just finished the harlequin

[digitalusrex.livejournal.com]

i'm burned up, but i can't explain exactly why. i'm more than a little disappointed in the harlequin. i felt that the story didn't have enough solid points, more like a rehashing of old news with a sprinkling of new two dimensional stuff for flavor.

it bothers me that she can't keep the characters separate. they're all starting to sound like anita, but, ho! that's the trouble with those pesky triumvirates. and don't forget the ardeur either!

from the first few books, i knew that anita was laurell and anita's life was both laurell's fantasy and her therapy. a good concept. i like stories that i can connect with on a deeper level. but after 15 books, it doesn't seem like anita or, by the same token, laurell have really grown.

a lot of LKH's nuances as a writer are beginning to bother me, because they're beginning to look and taste like simply sloppy writing. and the books are beginning to feel less like stand alone novels and more like really drawn out serializations.

i understand LKH's resentment towards her ex-husband and that's part of the reason she tortures richard so much. but its like, grow up, woman! i'm not trying to belittle her pain, but...it resolves nothing in her stories (or her life) to have richard act as he does.

edward is still a great character. i'm glad she hasn't gutted him. and nathaniel was finally referred to as natty. ha! it knew it had to happen sooner or later.

btw, the "spill" count stayed under 15. not bad.

Found this!

[vmisery.livejournal.com]

Archetypes Anonymous

You'll have to scroll down to the end for the punchline, but it's worth it (and relevant, even if it doesn't quite seem so at first). It's a cute little article.