|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:42 pm
"If the writer is no good why publish them, regardless of if the genre is popular or not? Poor writing breeds more poor writing in some small measure, not to mention it pollutes the genre pool and becomes something of a laughing stock, at least to many." Was that the case with Twilight? He'd heard how terrible it was, was it only published because of the genre being popular? He didn't ask, but was that the case. Was it a book, a series, he should get just to find out and answer that question for himself? Maybe...but not in a public place, if it was really that bad he did not want to be seen purchasing it.
It wasn't that he required her help, but rather her company in order to continue the discussion. He didn't wish the stand around and talk when there were things to be done. It was a better use of time, not to mention who knows if while standing about talking the book you may want would walk out with someone else? "There is at present just two members, myself and another. Christa, an avid lover of books, more so than myself. Not to mention she seems to be an every type of book person, unlike myself. With another person joining it will bring more in to the club." Flashing her a small smile. "Why don't get get what you want first, your area is closer to where we are now." See, he wasn't out to have her help him and follow him about, simply wanting to keep her close to talk.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 11:58 pm
Penelope considered this carefully, a frown of concentration crossing her lips as she sought a good way to explain what she meant. "Well... it's not necessarily that poor writing is being published either, although there's certainly some. It's just... mediocre. Companies are usually more concerned with making money than promoting excellent writing; the two don't always go hand in hand. I mean, romance novels make up around half of all book sales, and while some are better than others, they're generally considered mediocre, at best. If that makes sense?"
She tilted her head as Alexandre described the book club. A small book club, then? With only two members? Well, it seemed like they were expanding at least... which is more than she could say for her debate team. But she'd deal with that problem later. "Still, it'd probably be best to make sure Christa's okay with me joining. I don't want to seem like an intruder."
She smiled in return at her companion's suggestion. "Sure. It won't take me too long; I know what I'm missing, here in the graphic novels section." True to her word, Penelope walked the shelves with purpose. She grabbed the latest issues of a few manga titles: Book of Friends, Tokyo Petshop of Horrors, Mushishi. Then, it was time for the American comics: Joker's Asylum, Blue Beetle, Thor, Chew. By this point, her basket was pretty full, and she nodded in satifisfaction. "There we go... that should be all I need."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quicksilver the Archangel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 1:12 pm
"It does, it seems like a rather exhausted area of writing." Seeing as it seemed there were how many hundreds of romance novels. Plots, time lines, and other things had to be done over and over again. At least like she said the genre was generally considered mediocre it meant some of those books weren't such. But it made some sense.
"It would be nice if they'd promote better writing and such." Give others ideas of what was the accepted level of writing being put out and hopefully create another generation of good writers. But that was just how he thought, he saw things perhaps in a manner that seemed immature. But it was an honest way to look at things. Why not promote good writing, those who read such books would learn from those styles and that level of writing and in turn write to that level. It made sense, in a simple way.
"I doubt you would, and she mentioned someone from the library she might bring. If she can, she plans to speak with him. But if you'd prefer I can call her and ask." Just not in the building, seeing as that was not allowed. Watching as she gathered her chosen reading material he nodded. "That was fast, a mental list." Normally he was one who planned what he needed/wanted but with the book store he never did that. He knew what sections to hit but never just what books. He let titles, and sometimes the back descriptions, grab his attention.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:31 pm
"I think they do, in their own way; it's just that they need to support themselves ifrst so that they can take a risk on more artistic types."
Penelope smiled slightly at his comment about her mental list, shifting her basket to her other hand for awhile. "Well, I knew what I was looking for, yes. I'd spend way, way too much money if I didn't come with some kind of a plan... I'm already indulging quite a bit, since the prices allow me to do so." She followed where her companion led now, content to keep the conversation going until he finished his shopping. "If you think it'd be better, I can just leave my number with you, and you can tell me what she says? Or where the first meeting will be? That way it's not something you have to handle immediately."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quicksilver the Archangel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 12:44 pm
"I can call her once I leave the book store, and I'll take your number. I'll give you a call and let you know, though I'm sure it won't be a problem." Shrugging he smiled and withdrew his phone, from his back pocket, offering it Penelope.
Bobbing his head, just a bit, while heading for more books on plants, he had heard her explanation about writing, it made sense. "Putting it in that sense it does work. I hadn't considered that, but a way to get by and allow them to take more of a chance in their work.
"You could go for a card, at another book store once this store is closed. They help with lowering prices." Not that he had one, though maybe he would get one just so he didn't spend quite so much. Barnes and Nobel had them. "Or perhaps a small book store. I know of one, where I met Christa. She was buying those manga, for her little brother." He stated, remembering the small store and where it was. "The prices were good."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:30 pm
Penelope took the phone from Alexandre and created an entry for herself, neatly typing in both her cellphone number and her name. Then, without hesitation, she took out her own phone and entered a spot for Alexandre, getting his number off of his phone before returning it to him. Normally the dark-haired teenager wouldn't exchange information so easily, but... her mother ahd been pestering her (again) about getting involved in more activities, meeting more people her own age. A book club seemed like a perfect opportunity to do so! And maybe, just maybe, she could spread the word about her failing debate team... but that was a subject for another time.
She nodded at his agreement with her views on publishing, paying more attention when it came to discount cards and smaller book shops. "I've been thinking about getting a card, but... really, I read so much at the library that it probably wouldn't pay for itself. I tend to wait until there's something I just have to own before I go out and buy it. But... I'll see if I can find that little bookshop."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quicksilver the Archangel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:51 am
"If we can get something to write on, and a pen or pencil, I can write down the address. I think you'd like it." He said giving her a bit more of a smile than he had thus far. A few books going into the basket he had emptied out at the cash register only a short few minutes ago.
Christa had been the same as Penelope, not that he knew this. Her father hadn't even believed that she'd had two friends and had wanted to meet him as proof. He'd been more than happy to help the gray haired female out, and to discuss how they'd met with her father. The man hadn't been that bad actually, though he'd noticed how his questions had bothered his friend. It seemed both girls would gain friends and activities to spend there time on, and at the same time please parents.
"Tell me what you do in your free time? What school do you go to? If you don't mind. But I'd like to know more about you, especially seeing as we will be spending time together more often with club meetings." Which all three of them, maybe a fourth person also, would have to decide on. Maybe he could ask Gently as well....He'd have to talk to her and ask if she was interested at all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:10 pm
"Sure, that'd be great. Maybe someone at the check out register has a pen and paper we can borrow." Penelope bounced her basket lightly against her leg as she followed Alexandre down the aisles. She tilted her head slightly at her companion's questions. She found no harm in answering them, but... things were moving just a little too fast. So, her responses were rather simple, "I go to Crystal Academy. I like to read and... um... watch cartoons. You know, tihs and that. You?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quicksilver the Archangel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:17 am
"Likely, I'm hoping for that. It would make it easier." Then having to go out to his car and get the pen and paper he knew were in the glove box. He kept both items there in case he needed to take down a license plate number or anything similar.
It wasn't his intention to go fast, he simply liked knowing about others. He didn't even think of that really. "I go to Meadowview. I read, when I have time, and paint." He didn't mention his plants though with the amount of books on plants and herbal things he had there was some interest in the topic for some reason or another. As for reading, well he simply didn't have as much as time as he might have liked, unless it pertained to school, plants and gardening, making salves and such, or it dealt with art in some form or another. Normally with art it dealt with the history of art and artists, styles and such.
"I do also attend social functions, my mother insists I go." And he had little to no way out. He didn't have an excuse, not one good enough at least, and he was mostly expected at such things.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:26 pm
"I'll be sure to ask whenever we go to check out," Penelope replied with a nod. "If not, then I'll just get the address from you another time." She listened to Alexandre list his school and hobbies, and while some Crystal Academy girls would sneer at his school, she merely tilted her head and focused on what was more important. "Paint? That must be fun; I'm not very artistic, myself."
Her nose crinkled at the mention of 'social functions.' She had been to a few company parties with her mother and certainly get togethers at the library with her father, but the way her companion said it... it must be pretty hoity toity. "Doesn't sound like you enjoy them too much. Are they the really dreadful kind, complete with shrimp puffs?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quicksilver the Archangel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:27 am
"It is, if you want I'll show you what I do?" He offered. He knew some people would look down on his choice in schools, and it had been a choice. He wouldn't go to a school which was a boarding school, it simply wasn't how he was. He had his plants and things to take care of, and such a school would make such a thing hard.
"I can text you the address, directions as well, if you need. If you don't drive I could pick you up for the gathering if it's needed. I may ask another friend of mine, in which case I may play taxi for her as well.....Actually I don't know if Christa drives...so I might be the taxi for everyone." He hadn't thought of that or even considered the idea he might have to gather everyone up.
"Campaign and servers. Gallery shows, gallery openings, museum events. My mother is...one of the top lawyers in the city. So her clients like inviting us to every social event. Luncheons, and dinners at home with important people. Most of the events I'm over looked, after they ask about how I'm fairing in school and my favorite classes." He could have gone to Azure Valley, he had chosen not to. The uniform was nice though, very attractive. If only Meadowview had a nicer uniform, he'd be happy with that and it would make it even more of a plus being a student of the public school.
"No, thankfully no shrimp puffs, though caviar I think is worse. And the food, so small it's not even filling." Half of those events he'd come home and go right out for food or find something at home to eat. Those events left him hungry, they didn't do anything for the appetite of a teenage boy.
"Perhaps our mothers have met, there have been some events I've managed to avoid attending." It would be interesting if they had, but he wouldn't be all that surprised. The events were dreadful in the fact he didn't fit in, most were either older; college age, or the adults attending. Lily was the one his own age he saw often, and she was actually older.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:26 pm
"You can show me the paintings, if you like. I'd understand if you didn't want to show them, though... art being such a personal medium and all," Penelope replied, twirling her thick, black hair between the fingers of her free hand as she waited for her companion to finish his shopping. At his mention of driving, she blinked and explained, "Well, I'm still a little young for a liscense, so I tend to just take the bus. So... if I know where to go, I can make my own way."
She lent a sympathetic ear to Alexandre's description of the events he got dragged to. She rarely went to anything so fancy, and she didn't go out with any real frequency. When she did go to say, the company Christmas party, it was large, and loud, and uncomfortable... but at least it was an infrequent thing. It sounded like her companion had it much tougher. "I'm not that fond of caviar either, but it's alright. Mostly I just find it tastes salty. But I guess if you absolutely must show off, it's a must have. As for Momma... I suppose it's possible that she's met your mom? She goes to a lot more events than I do, for her job. She's a business woman."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quicksilver the Archangel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:47 pm
Shaking his head quickly, blond hair scattering across his face. "No, no. I don't mind. My mother's friends are always over my shoulder." Whenever they came over if he was painting they had to see, to stand there, right behind him, and watch every stroke and movement of his brush. At least most of them kept relatively quite and didn't interrupt. But there was that one....
"Ah, I've only just gotten my license, well permit, as of this past February. So I'm a new driver, but it's not as if I'm a horrid driver or anything of the sort." No, he was a good driver even if he did at times speed a little. He wasn't altogether bad or unsafe to be in a vehicle with.
"I'm not a big fan of salty foods. Sweet is good, tart is also. I don't mind sour either. I'm not a fan of spicy foods or salty." This wasn't to say he didn't use salt on foods, he did he just didn't use a lot.
"I tried it once, despite my dislike for salty foods and knowing it's salty. It...went pop in my mouth, like peas." Another food he didn't like, the fact they burst open and were mushy inside reminded him of baby food, the texture was horrid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:49 pm
"Well, like I said, I wouldn't want to pry into something private without permission," Penelope stated. "If you don't mind, then one day we'll have to go see them. I don't mind salty foods, per say, but I don't want to eat just pure salt."
She gave a stretch and checked her cellphone for the time. She hadn't really expected to be at the bookstore this long... she hoped her parents weren't starting to worry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quicksilver the Archangel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:10 pm
"Yes, we will. I'll be in touch, about the first club meeting once it's decided on." He had all day to be out, so long as he was home and washed on time to run out again. He had some things to do tonight, he was a busy individual as of late.
"Have to go?" He asked, catching her looking over her phone. He'd be sure to talk to Christa today, maybe once he was home, or somewhere safe to talk. He'd ask about Penelope but also maybe asking another friend of his, Gently, to the meetings. Then he'd have to talk to Gently. He still had to find her some kind of gift, since he was in a gifting war with her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
