Writer's Wednesday: Rowling Risks the Wrath of Muggles

Ouch. Some reviews of JK Rowling's new book The Casual Vacancy are downright painful.

C'mon, folks!

You weren't really expecting a grown up Harry Potter, were you? I mean, there are very few books that have rocked the world in the way the occupants of Hogwarts did, and there have been about a kajillion writers trying. Give her a break.

Granted, the premise of the new novel does not interest me. However, I will buy--and probably read--the book for one reason:

I applaud Rowling for writing something else. She could have pulled a Margaret Mitchell or Harper Lee--hiding from public life and not producing another published work. She could have left the world wondering if she could write anything else. She doesn't need the money. She could be a one-hit (I know it was a series, but it's one story) wonder, but she didn't rest on her laurels. 

Go, you, J.K. Rowling!  I look forward to seeing what you come up with next. 

Writer's Wednesday: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

I met the charming Tara Hudson 

at a book signing with fellow Oklahoma writer Sonia Gensler.  Tara was a lady after my own heart as I watched her husband and baby amusing themselves (and others) as Mommy did her book thing. 

And the book was great, too.

As you know by now, I'm a fraidey cat.  Hereafter succeeded in giving me nightmares.  In the same way the dementors freaked me out in the third Harry Potter book, the sheer alone-ness of the dead protagonist gave me shivers. (Since these things cause me such fear, I'm sure this tidbit is ripe for psychoanalysis!)

Then the completely original scary stuff happened. Forbidden love mixed with an entire dimension most people don't want to think about demand a sequel. I'm looking forward to it.

Check out this great interview with Tara Hudson from author Susan Dennard on blog Let the Words Flow.