Ember Shane's Blog
October 3, 2015
Giveaway for Bloggers
For any bloggers who may be interested, Book Flirts is hosting a book tour for my first novel, Of Royal Descent, with a chance to win a $20 Amazon GC for participating.
Sign up can be found HERE
Sign up can be found HERE
January 14, 2015
Thoughts on Micro Fiction
Came across a micro fiction story I wrote last year. It was originally written for a contest, but I wasn't able to finish it in time. Going into it, I thought a story consisting of 100 words or less wouldn't take that much of my time. But now I know, writing micro fiction is not for the faint of heart. When there is no room for any excess fat, every word must carry its own weight. Every sentence must pack a punch. There is no "getting to know you" period for a character. Mad props to those who choose this writing style.
"What's my dad like?" he asks.
If I close my eyes, it's nine years ago. I'm crawling to the door and running through the yard barefoot, my hands shaking so badly I'm afraid I won't be able to start the car. I barely squeeze my belly behind the wheel as the door bangs open. I don't look back.
I cannot tell him that his father is why I've never dated these last nine years or why we moved so far away or why I sometimes wake up screaming.
My son waits patiently for an answer.
"His favorite color was green."
-Ember Shane
"What's my dad like?" he asks.
If I close my eyes, it's nine years ago. I'm crawling to the door and running through the yard barefoot, my hands shaking so badly I'm afraid I won't be able to start the car. I barely squeeze my belly behind the wheel as the door bangs open. I don't look back.
I cannot tell him that his father is why I've never dated these last nine years or why we moved so far away or why I sometimes wake up screaming.
My son waits patiently for an answer.
"His favorite color was green."
-Ember Shane
March 10, 2014
Ereaders vs Physical Books - The Great Debate
The last few weeks, I’ve been noticing an upward trend in the hostility between Team ereaders and Team “real books” on social media sites. I don’t understand. I don’t see the need to pick either side. After all, it isn’t like we’re discussing Teams Edward and Jacob. What’s all the fuss? Sure, having a physical book in hand has its perks. For one, no one can argue against that new book smell. It’s a delight. Then there’s the valid point that physical books do not require a charger. Also a good argument. I think there are many reasons why physical books are awesome. However, I would like to point out the lesser-made arguments of why ebooks have just as much awesomeness.
1. So you’re into New Adult Contemporary Romance? Young Adult time travel? Erotic mermaid fiction? A good thing about ereaders is that, no matter how broad or specific your preferred topic choice, you will find a greater selection on an ereader. As more and more Indie authors publish through digital marketing, there will be more choices for the reader, which is always a good thing.
2. True, ereaders do require to be charged in order to use them. But how many physical book readers do their reading in bed? A great number, I would imagine. Unless you were born with the superhuman ability to read in the dark, this would also require electricity in the form of a lightbulb. I must confess, at least in this particular argument, I do prefer reading an ereader in bed. A backlit screen is perfect for undercover reading. =)
3. Economically, ereaders make more sense if you devour books by the droves. I went to a brick and mortar bookstore the other day and spent $60 on four books. On average, that same $60 could have bought me a scandalous amount of ebooks. Like, I really would have to stop and get out a pen and paper to figure that number, but I feel safe in saying that in makes more sense on your budget to go with ebooks.
4. I have a Kindle, and I use that thing for various purposes all day long. One of those purposes is as a music player. So, for those times when my son has Power Rangers blasting on the TV and I want to read, I scroll to my ambiance soundtrack section, figure out what best suits the book I’m reading, hook up my headphones, and add another dimension to my book reading experience. Jungle backdrop while reading The Jungle Book? Don’t mind if I do.
5. For obvious reasons, an ereader would be the way to go if you were concerned with space for storing books. I’m one of those people who feel like a bookcase overflowing with books is a requirement in any form of room decoration, so this one doesn’t apply to me personally. But I can certainly appreciate this reason in choosing an ereader over physical books.
6. Ereaders do not deplete the forests of their natural, oxygen-giving life forms.
7. I have never – not even once – gotten a paper cut from my ereader.
8. Do you want to read Fifty Shades of Grey, but have refrained due to the potential embarrassment if you were caught reading it? Is your guilty pleasure little-old-lady mysteries, but your classics reading club wouldn't approve? Then an ereader may be just the thing for you. Ereaders are about a million times (rough estimation) easier to conceal your reading material than a physical book.
9. And my last argument I would like to make on behalf of ereaders everywhere, actually is something I only remember because of my son. He also uses my Kindle to read, and let me tell you, that feature that allows you to highlight a word and get the definition is extremely convenient and well-used in our household. He actually likes learning vocabulary this way. Score.
In conclusion, there are positives to reading physical books and ereaders alike. We shouldn’t be arguing which is better. We should spend our time more wisely – by reading.
1. So you’re into New Adult Contemporary Romance? Young Adult time travel? Erotic mermaid fiction? A good thing about ereaders is that, no matter how broad or specific your preferred topic choice, you will find a greater selection on an ereader. As more and more Indie authors publish through digital marketing, there will be more choices for the reader, which is always a good thing.
2. True, ereaders do require to be charged in order to use them. But how many physical book readers do their reading in bed? A great number, I would imagine. Unless you were born with the superhuman ability to read in the dark, this would also require electricity in the form of a lightbulb. I must confess, at least in this particular argument, I do prefer reading an ereader in bed. A backlit screen is perfect for undercover reading. =)
3. Economically, ereaders make more sense if you devour books by the droves. I went to a brick and mortar bookstore the other day and spent $60 on four books. On average, that same $60 could have bought me a scandalous amount of ebooks. Like, I really would have to stop and get out a pen and paper to figure that number, but I feel safe in saying that in makes more sense on your budget to go with ebooks.
4. I have a Kindle, and I use that thing for various purposes all day long. One of those purposes is as a music player. So, for those times when my son has Power Rangers blasting on the TV and I want to read, I scroll to my ambiance soundtrack section, figure out what best suits the book I’m reading, hook up my headphones, and add another dimension to my book reading experience. Jungle backdrop while reading The Jungle Book? Don’t mind if I do.
5. For obvious reasons, an ereader would be the way to go if you were concerned with space for storing books. I’m one of those people who feel like a bookcase overflowing with books is a requirement in any form of room decoration, so this one doesn’t apply to me personally. But I can certainly appreciate this reason in choosing an ereader over physical books.
6. Ereaders do not deplete the forests of their natural, oxygen-giving life forms.
7. I have never – not even once – gotten a paper cut from my ereader.
8. Do you want to read Fifty Shades of Grey, but have refrained due to the potential embarrassment if you were caught reading it? Is your guilty pleasure little-old-lady mysteries, but your classics reading club wouldn't approve? Then an ereader may be just the thing for you. Ereaders are about a million times (rough estimation) easier to conceal your reading material than a physical book.
9. And my last argument I would like to make on behalf of ereaders everywhere, actually is something I only remember because of my son. He also uses my Kindle to read, and let me tell you, that feature that allows you to highlight a word and get the definition is extremely convenient and well-used in our household. He actually likes learning vocabulary this way. Score.
In conclusion, there are positives to reading physical books and ereaders alike. We shouldn’t be arguing which is better. We should spend our time more wisely – by reading.
