How Do You Get Unstuck? - Page 2

GA Russell · 05-15-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

@ GraceKrispy: I love logic puzzles. I used to have a few dedicated magazines from PennyPress & Dell. I haven't seen them lately and the subscriptions were quite expensive the last time I looked, but that was a few years ago. I'll have to check again.

Nyssa, here is the best site I know of for magazine subscription prices:

http://www.magazinepricesearch.com/

PS - Here's one for $16.68:

http://www.magazinepricesearch.com/d...icpuzzles.html

Nyssa · 05-15-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Nyssa, here is the best site I know of for magazine subscription prices:

http://www.magazinepricesearch.com/

PS - Here's one for $16.68:

http://www.magazinepricesearch.com/d...icpuzzles.html

Awesome! Thank you!

Much Karma to you.

I found Penny Press on Amazon; it is $3.00 more but also has twice the number of puzzles.

Penforhire · 05-15-2011, 12:47 PM

When it happens to me I seek out new works from favorite authors.

maianhvk · 05-15-2011, 12:56 PM

@ Nyssa: well, my previous post was brief. This one makes up.

First, you have to carefully pick up one, or some really good movie(s). I advise you choose one only, and stick with it.

Now, about what genre it should be. Since you're so into funk books, you ought to watch some action, thriller, science fiction, or cartoon with good sense of humor. You can watch the block-busters or Oscar-won ones, just no Nicholas Spark's or Titanic or similar stuffs. I recommend The Bone Collector, Terminator, Transporter, Tangled, Inception, Despicable Me, How to train your dragon... no matter what, it should be brand new to you and you must be sure it is so good that you want to watch it over and over again. That's hard, but hey that's what Rotten Tomatoes is for.

So, you're well prepared. Turn on the biggest TV screen in the house, turn off the lights, let's not forget the pop corn and Pepsi and pillows. Watch it attentively. If it's not good, forget it and some days later, try another one. If it's good, watch it several times until you know the script by heart.

And I think watching humorous things is not a do-it-yourself, it's supposed to include more than one person to enjoy it entirely. Believe me. When I watch cartoon with my friend we laugh our heads off. When I do that alone I still find the movie funny, but only a light smile each time.

But serious movies should be taken seriously. I prefer watching them alone. If you find it amusing to have a few companies, then feel free to ignore my advices

(I hope this doesn't turn into ranting!)

GraceKrispy · 05-15-2011, 05:32 PM

I LOVE Penny Press!

I'm having an opposite problem. I'm reading like crazy, but I can't make myself write a review these last few days! I don't know why.... Just seems like too much work!

Frida Fantastic · 05-15-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I LOVE Penny Press!

I'm having an opposite problem. I'm reading like crazy, but I can't make myself write a review these last few days! I don't know why.... Just seems like too much work!

Hah, I know what you mean. Reviewing *is* work. You've been reviewing for a while so I'm sure you've gotten faster with it over time, but it still takes me hours.

For me, it takes some time to think about the structure of a review, what to focus on and what not to focus on, write a draft, and then edit out the less necessary stuff. I need some time before the first draft and later revisions to make sure that the review carries the correct tone, which is why I'm currently sitting on three drafted reviews. For now, I'm sticking to an every-10-days schedule so my blog can survive through my own reading and reviewing slumps.

I think I've read on the Simon Royle website that you try to review books immediately after finishing them. Have you been making notes as you've been reading like crazy? I'm just curious about how you keep track of it all with your prolific reading/reviewing skills @_@

vulcan_girl · 05-15-2011, 10:31 PM

I stop reading new books. I may re-read bits of favorites before bed, but I just don't read. I may see more movies, do a lot of cleaning, catch up on my TV watching - anything that doesn't involve words on a page. It really cleanses my palate.

DreamWriter · 05-15-2011, 10:54 PM

When I'm not in the mood to read a novel, I read short stories for a while. It also helps to switch genres. There are times when I'm extra-busy or I'd rather be doing something else, so I don't put pressure on myself to read during those periods. I just go with the flow.

odiakkoh · 05-15-2011, 10:56 PM

I took a break and got into a couple tv shows on netflix. Its not a hobby if you force it.

teadonkey · 05-15-2011, 11:57 PM

Hmmm. I wonder if it's really all that bad to be in a 'reading funk'? Reading is a hobby (unless you're reading for classes, ugh), and hobbies are things you do for enjoyment. If you're not getting enjoyment out of reading but you are a reader, just... do what your wandering hobby mind tells you to do! Pick something else up for a while.

When I'm NOT reading or I feel like I just read a bucket load and need a mental break before I start mixing characters (this happens to me all the time - I can't be the only one), I do logic puzzles or Sudokus because I love them, also. Sometimes I play a video game on my boyfriend's Xbox. I've actually been doing that lately, come to think of it. I've been playing a game when I would usually be reading.

If you're dead set on getting back to reading right away, here's what I would do. Go to the library/bookstore/whatever and just browse for a while. When something pops out at you, carry it around with you. Eventually you might have a few books with you to pick from, and then just read them. It doesn't matter if it's something you would usually read or if it's something new. The fact that out of an entire bookstore or library, that ONE book popped at you means something, right? That's how I'd go about it!

GraceKrispy · 05-17-2011, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashfulbanshee

Hah, I know what you mean. Reviewing *is* work. You've been reviewing for a while so I'm sure you've gotten faster with it over time, but it still takes me hours.

For me, it takes some time to think about the structure of a review, what to focus on and what not to focus on, write a draft, and then edit out the less necessary stuff. I need some time before the first draft and later revisions to make sure that the review carries the correct tone, which is why I'm currently sitting on three drafted reviews. For now, I'm sticking to an every-10-days schedule so my blog can survive through my own reading and reviewing slumps.

I think I've read on the Simon Royle website that you try to review books immediately after finishing them. Have you been making notes as you've been reading like crazy? I'm just curious about how you keep track of it all with your prolific reading/reviewing skills @_@

Good questions! I always wonder how people can wait and write reviews/finish reviews days after they'e read the book. By then, I've done 10 zillion other things and I can't remember the things I wanted to remember. I'm a bit compulsive, I have some trouble moving on until I've finished the step before. So it frustrates me to have a book read and the review not finished. If I finish a book just before work, for example, and I can't get to the review until after work, that is one of those niggling "undone" things in the back of my head until I get to it.

I still take a little while to write reviews, just to be sure I'm saying it the way I want to say it. I find it especially tricky when I have lots of constructive feedback to give

I also find it tricky when I can't think of anything I'd really change. Those reviews tend to be shorter (just had a 5-star book posted today, and it's a shorter review).

I'm flattered that you've read my "IndieView" on Simon's site! When I first started reviewing, I used to keep notes about things I wanted to be sure to mention. I don't really do that anymore, unless I'm near the computer and something really struck me as important to include. Now, I'm better at remembering the things I want to remember.

So here's my general process: Finish a book. Do the "housekeeping" stuff (set up the post with the links and book cover). Whip through and make a skeleton post, listing all the things that I feel more important/striking about the book. Write a blurb that reflects the book as I saw it, without spoilers. Flesh out the rest of the post. Hit "preview" and read the whole thing as my readers will see it. Edit as needed. (sometimes I do those last two steps many times)

Sorry, such rambling!

***END OFF-TOPIC***

Frida Fantastic · 05-17-2011, 07:43 PM

@Grace: Thanks for the explanation. Good to know! I like your reviews because you convey well both the strengths and weaknesses of the books you review. They're very informative and helps the reader choose their next read on the basis of their own judgment. Your Turing Evolved review conveyed both how much you enjoyed the book and also the editing it required.

SolRaven · 05-18-2011, 03:12 AM

This happens to me all the time. I take a break and spend more time catching up on movies I've been meaning to watch and for reading, I'll keep it light, like magazines and such. After a while, TV gives me a headache and I start longing for books. Next thing I know, a book I've picked up and put down a zillion times is finally interesting and I can't figure out why I didn't like it before.

queentess · 05-18-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I've been in a reading funk for about a month or so and I can not seem to get out. I've started a hand full of books or series, just to put them back down again.

Edit: I have plenty of reading material, but nothing seems to be holding my attention.

How do you get yourself out of a reading rut?

Yay, it's not just me! I have a huge tbr list, and I keep starting books but not finishing them. I don't even get far enough into the book to really judge whether or not I like it, it's just not holding my attention. I even tried short stories and YA books (thinking I'd be more likely to finish something short), but nothing is working!

I've been channeling all my energy into knitting and walking instead. I've finished knitting several projects that have been sitting around, and I'm starting on holiday gifts for this year

And I've lost some weight!

I like tv and movies, but all the shows I usually watch are on hiatus, and something died (literally) in our basement where we keep the tv. It's behind a wall. Right now it's waiting game to see when the smell of decomposing something is going to go away.

DMB · 05-18-2011, 11:24 AM

My problem is my subscription to New Scientist (weekly magazine). I find it hard to read when I am rather tired and yet I read most at bedtime. So I keep it for mornings when doing things like brushing my teeth and feeling quite lively. When I am very tired, I don't read but watch a DVD. A bit less tired and I reread a standby escapist novel. The rest of the time I simply read a huge range of types of book. If I don't feel like digging into types A,B,C,D or E, then perhaps type F?

05-17-2011, 07:43 PM	#27
Frida Fantastic SF/F book blogger Posts: 270 Karma: 502030 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Vancouver, Canada Device: Kindle 3	@Grace: Thanks for the explanation. Good to know! I like your reviews because you convey well both the strengths and weaknesses of the books you review. They're very informative and helps the reader choose their next read on the basis of their own judgment. Your Turing Evolved review conveyed both how much you enjoyed the book and also the editing it required. Last edited by Frida Fantastic; 05-17-2011 at 07:47 PM.

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05-15-2011, 12:47 PM	#18
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	When it happens to me I seek out new works from favorite authors.

05-15-2011, 12:56 PM	#19
maianhvk whimsical Posts: 2,779 Karma: 88193939 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: in darkness Device: current: PPW 4. brick: K3 & Voyage.	@ Nyssa: well, my previous post was brief. This one makes up. First, you have to carefully pick up one, or some really good movie(s). I advise you choose one only, and stick with it. Now, about what genre it should be. Since you're so into funk books, you ought to watch some action, thriller, science fiction, or cartoon with good sense of humor. You can watch the block-busters or Oscar-won ones, just no Nicholas Spark's or Titanic or similar stuffs. I recommend The Bone Collector, Terminator, Transporter, Tangled, Inception, Despicable Me, How to train your dragon... no matter what, it should be brand new to you and you must be sure it is so good that you want to watch it over and over again. That's hard, but hey that's what Rotten Tomatoes is for. So, you're well prepared. Turn on the biggest TV screen in the house, turn off the lights, let's not forget the pop corn and Pepsi and pillows. Watch it attentively. If it's not good, forget it and some days later, try another one. If it's good, watch it several times until you know the script by heart. And I think watching humorous things is not a do-it-yourself, it's supposed to include more than one person to enjoy it entirely. Believe me. When I watch cartoon with my friend we laugh our heads off. When I do that alone I still find the movie funny, but only a light smile each time. But serious movies should be taken seriously. I prefer watching them alone. If you find it amusing to have a few companies, then feel free to ignore my advices (I hope this doesn't turn into ranting!)

05-15-2011, 05:32 PM	#20
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	I LOVE Penny Press! I'm having an opposite problem. I'm reading like crazy, but I can't make myself write a review these last few days! I don't know why.... Just seems like too much work!

05-15-2011, 10:31 PM	#22
vulcan_girl Groupie Posts: 156 Karma: 1010345 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: PRS 350	I stop reading new books. I may re-read bits of favorites before bed, but I just don't read. I may see more movies, do a lot of cleaning, catch up on my TV watching - anything that doesn't involve words on a page. It really cleanses my palate.

05-15-2011, 10:54 PM	#23
DreamWriter Books are brain food. Posts: 2,950 Karma: 4836916 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: U.S. Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7	When I'm not in the mood to read a novel, I read short stories for a while. It also helps to switch genres. There are times when I'm extra-busy or I'd rather be doing something else, so I don't put pressure on myself to read during those periods. I just go with the flow.

05-15-2011, 10:56 PM	#24
odiakkoh Guru Posts: 823 Karma: 1818344 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: iPhone 5s	I took a break and got into a couple tv shows on netflix. Its not a hobby if you force it.

05-15-2011, 11:57 PM	#25
teadonkey Zealot Posts: 132 Karma: 2179008 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3 WiFi	Hmmm. I wonder if it's really all that bad to be in a 'reading funk'? Reading is a hobby (unless you're reading for classes, ugh), and hobbies are things you do for enjoyment. If you're not getting enjoyment out of reading but you are a reader, just... do what your wandering hobby mind tells you to do! Pick something else up for a while. When I'm NOT reading or I feel like I just read a bucket load and need a mental break before I start mixing characters (this happens to me all the time - I can't be the only one), I do logic puzzles or Sudokus because I love them, also. Sometimes I play a video game on my boyfriend's Xbox. I've actually been doing that lately, come to think of it. I've been playing a game when I would usually be reading. If you're dead set on getting back to reading right away, here's what I would do. Go to the library/bookstore/whatever and just browse for a while. When something pops out at you, carry it around with you. Eventually you might have a few books with you to pick from, and then just read them. It doesn't matter if it's something you would usually read or if it's something new. The fact that out of an entire bookstore or library, that ONE book popped at you means something, right? That's how I'd go about it!

05-18-2011, 03:12 AM	#28
SolRaven Wizard Posts: 2,214 Karma: 12796976 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Sunshine State Device: Clara, Voyage, Oasis, Paperwhite & PRS-650	This happens to me all the time. I take a break and spend more time catching up on movies I've been meaning to watch and for reading, I'll keep it light, like magazines and such. After a while, TV gives me a headache and I start longing for books. Next thing I know, a book I've picked up and put down a zillion times is finally interesting and I can't figure out why I didn't like it before.

05-18-2011, 11:24 AM	#30
DMB Old Git Posts: 958 Karma: 1840790 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Switzerland (mostly) Device: Two kindle PWs wifi, kindle fire, iPad3 wifi	My problem is my subscription to New Scientist (weekly magazine). I find it hard to read when I am rather tired and yet I read most at bedtime. So I keep it for mornings when doing things like brushing my teeth and feeling quite lively. When I am very tired, I don't read but watch a DVD. A bit less tired and I reread a standby escapist novel. The rest of the time I simply read a huge range of types of book. If I don't feel like digging into types A,B,C,D or E, then perhaps type F?