Best Selling Author
Gift Ideas for Readers
For book lovers, finding the perfect gift isn’t just about giving an object; it’s about fostering a deeper connection with their love for literature. Whether it’s celebrating their favorite authors, enhancing their reading experience, or simply indulging in their bookish passions, the best gifts for book readers are those that resonate with their literary souls. Here are ten exceptional gifts that will undoubtedly delight any book lover:
- Books, books and more books. Of course this can be a bit tricky if they use a digital reader like Kindle. Be sure to take a look and make sure they haven’t alreay downloaded the book to their device. Nicki always has a number of books on her too be read (TBR) list.
- Personalized Bookmarks: A beautifully crafted bookmark adds a touch of elegance to any reading session. Consider personalized bookmarks engraved with their name, favorite quotes, or even custom-made to resemble a beloved book character.
- Literary Subscription Boxes: Monthly subscription boxes tailored to their reading preferences can be an ongoing source of joy. These boxes often include curated books, unique book-related items, and snacks, delivering a delightful surprise directly to their doorstep.
- Bookish Candles: Scented candles inspired by literary worlds create a cozy atmosphere for reading. Think candles that evoke the scent of old libraries, parchment, or the setting of their favorite novel.
- Bookshelf Organization Tools: Help them keep their collection in order with stylish bookends, innovative shelves, or even a library kit that includes stickers, labels, and tools for cataloging their books.
- Literary-inspired Apparel: From t-shirts with iconic book quotes to scarves featuring text from classic novels, there’s a plethora of clothing and accessories that allow book lovers to wear their literary passions.
- Reading Journals: Encourage their reflective reading habits with a high-quality reading journal. These often come with spaces for jotting down thoughts, favorite quotes, and reviews of books they’ve read.
- E-Reader Accessories: For those who prefer e-books, consider accessories like stylish cases, screen protectors, or even subscriptions to e-book services offering unlimited access to a vast library.
- Literary Prints and Posters: Decorate their reading nook with beautiful prints or posters featuring book cover art, literary quotes, or illustrations from their favorite stories.
- Book-Themed Coffee or Tea Mugs: A cozy reading session often involves a warm beverage. Choose mugs adorned with quotes or images from famous books to make their reading experience even more enjoyable.
- Author or Genre-specific Gift Sets: Tailor your gift to their favorite author or genre. This could include a box set of works by a beloved writer, a collection of mysteries for the crime fiction enthusiast, or a set of fantasy novels for those enchanted by otherworldly adventures.
When selecting a gift for a book lover, remember that it’s not just about the item itself but the sentiment behind it. Understanding their reading preferences, favorite authors, and the ambiance they enjoy while immersed in a book will guide you toward the perfect gift that speaks to their literary heart. Ultimately, the best gifts for book readers are those that show you appreciate and support their passion for stories, characters, and the magical worlds that books offer.
Why We Love (or Hate) Horror Books and Movies
The Psychology Behind Our Love and Fear of Horror Books and Movies
From spine-tingling tales of terror to heart-pounding movie experiences, humans have held a fascination with horror for many, many years. Our love or aversion to horror is deeply rooted in the human psyche and can be attributed to a complex interplay of psychological factors. I will touch on a bit of the psychology behind our simultaneous attraction and repulsion to horror in literature and film.
Let’s start with why some people love horror:
The Love for Horror:
Excitement and Adrenaline:
The Thrill of Fear: Horror activates our primal “fight or flight” response, releasing adrenaline and heightening our senses. Many people are drawn to the intense rush of excitement and the adrenaline-fueled experience that horror offers.
Sense of Control:
Safe Fear: When we read a horror book or watch a horror movie at home or in a theater, we are usually in a safe and controlled environment. This sense of safety allows us to explore fear without actual peril, making the experience thrilling yet manageable.
Catharsis:
Emotional Release: Engaging with horror can provide a cathartic release of repressed emotions and anxieties. It allows us to confront our fears in a safe setting, offering emotional relief.
Curiosity:
Fascination with the Unknown: Human curiosity extends to the mysterious and unexplored aspects of life. Horror taps into this curiosity, enticing us to venture into the shadowy realms of the unknown. Demons and witchcraft come to mind here.
Social Bonding:
Shared Experience: Enjoying horror with others, whether in a theater or a book club, may create a sense of social bonding. The shared experience of fear strengthens social connections and fosters a sense of togetherness. If you read a horror book along with others in a book club and discuss the book in a group discussion, you may feel more connected to the group as a result of the experience. But you may not know exactly why you feel that way.
Now on to why some people hate horror:
The Aversion to Horror:
Intense Fear Response:
Overwhelming Anxiety: For some individuals, the fear response triggered by horror can be overwhelming. They may experience severe anxiety, nightmares, or even panic attacks, making horror a very unpleasant experience.
Personal Vulnerability:
Perceived Vulnerability: People with a heightened sense of vulnerability or a history of trauma may find it difficult to engage with horror. It can trigger traumatic memories and exaggerate existing feelings of vulnerability.
Moral and Ethical Concerns:
Concerns About Violence and Gore: Some individuals are dislike horror due to its graphic and violent content. Ethical or moral concerns about the content and its potential desensitizing effect are enough to drive some people away from any type of horror, be it books or movies.
Sensory Overload:
Overwhelming Sensory Stimulation: Horror often involves sensory overload with loud sounds, eerie visuals, and disturbing content. This can overwhelm some individuals.
Individual Differences:
Psychological Variability: Each person’s psychological makeup is unique. Things like personality traits, past experiences can be factors in why some people love horror and others absolutely hate it. Peoples reaction to horror is a highly personalized response and some people cannot explain why they feel the way they do about horror books and movies.
Conclusion:
The psychology behind peoples love or fear of horror books and movies is a reflection of a complex interplay between their physiological responses, past personal experiences, and the cultural context in which they live, or have lived.
The thrill of fear, the fascination with the unknown, and the sense of control are all factors that draw us to the genre.
Conversely, the fear of intense anxiety, personal vulnerability, or moral concerns may push us away.
Our relationship with horror is as diverse as the human psyche itself, and it continues to captivate and perplex us.
Now if you happen to be one of those who love horror, you should check out the A Monstrous Dread Series, by Nicki Huntsman Smith. You can read a sample of book 1 in the series, Demon Chase, here.
I’m a Pantser
Panster Authors: Embracing Creativity Beyond Structure
Writing is a deeply personal and creative endeavor, and authors approach it in different ways. I have friends who meticulously plan their stories, outlining every plot point and character arc. I, on the other hand, thrive in the realm of uncertainty and spontaneity. Writers like me are often referred to as “panster authors,” and in this article I will delve into the pantser writing style and explore the process of writing by the seat of one’s pants.
The Panster Approach
The term “panster” is derived from “flying by the seat of one’s pants,” which aptly describes my approach to writing. We pantsers are individuals who write with little to no formal planning, relying on intuition and inspiration to guide the stories. There’s no one-size-fits-all definition but most panster authors share some of these characteristics:
- Minimal to No Outlining: We typically start writing with a vague idea, concept, or a strong character in mind, without extensive plot outlines or detailed story structures.
- Embracing Uncertainty: We are comfortable with the uncertainty that comes with not knowing precisely where the story will lead. We allow the narrative to evolve naturally.
- Character-Driven: Pansters often focus on the development of their characters and let the characters’ decisions and interactions shape the plot.
- Exploration and Discovery: Writing is a journey of exploration and discovery for pantsers like me. I discover surprising plot twists or character revelations in every book I write.
- Revision and Editing: Pansters understand that revision and editing are crucial in transforming our raw first drafts into polished works. We embrace (but don’t enjoy) the rewriting process to refine our stories. For me, as well as most pantsers, the editing process is more difficult due to the lack of structure in the beginning. It’s the price we pay for our method.
The Tools of the Pantser
While pansters may work with minimal planning, there are a few skills needed to navigate the creative unknowns we encounter:
- Intuition: We rely heavily on our intuition to guide the story. We trust our inner voice (mine comes from a tiny man with a mustache who screams at me in Italian to give him snacks) and let it lead us through the story.
- Flow State: We can enter a flow state where time seems to disappear as we become immersed in what we are writing.
- Editing Skills: We understand the importance of editing and are required to spend more time refining and shaping our initial drafts.
- Adaptability: We are adaptable and open to change. If the story takes an unexpected turn, we embrace it rather than resist it.
Challenges and Rewards
The panster approach to writing is not without its challenges:
- Writer’s Block: Some pantsers encounter writer’s block when we reach a point where we’re unsure of the story’s direction. I don’t personally experience writer’s block because I force myself to get something/anything down on paper. (If it sucks, I can fix it later.) That’s my method for busting through any uncertainty about my storyline.
- Revision Intensity: Extensive revision and rewriting can be time-consuming.
- Inconsistencies: Lack of planning will probably lead to inconsistencies in the initial story that must be corrected during the editing process. Usually any plot holes or continuity issues can be fixed in the edit. (On a side note, this is why writers must enlist the aid of a few beta readers and a good editor.)
However, we panster authors also enjoy:
- Surprise and Authenticity: The uncertainty of the panster approach often leads to genuinely surprising and authentic storytelling, which can captivate readers.
- Creative Freedom: We enjoy a high degree of creative freedom, allowing our imagination to flourish without the constraints of a predetermined structure.
- Character-Driven Narratives: Pansters often excel in character development, creating engaging, relatable, and multi-dimensional characters.
- Personal Fulfillment: The act of writing without a detailed plan is personally fulfilling, and provides a sense of discovery and adventure for me.
My Approach
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to writing. Some authors, like me, are natural pansters, while others prefer meticulous planning. Many writers find a middle ground, striking a balance between structure and spontaneity that works best for them.
Ultimately, the panster approach is a testament to the diverse and flexible nature of the creative process. Whether studiously planned or born out of spontaneous creativity, every story is a unique journey, shaped by the author’s creative vision and the approach they choose to embrace.
As a pantser, I embrace the uncertainty. Every day while writing, I am reminded of the boundless possibilities in the story. I know it’s just a matter of time until the characters reveal exactly what they want to do when the time is right… they always do.
Multitasking is a Myth
The Price of Multitasking
In the age of information overload and the constant demands of modern life, multitasking has become commonplace. People often find themselves juggling various tasks, switching between work assignments, checking smartphones, and attending to personal matters simultaneously. While multitasking may seem like an efficient way to manage multiple responsibilities, it comes with a hidden cost known as the “cognitive switching penalty.”
What is the cognitive switching penalty? Why does it occur and how does it impact our productivity?
Understanding Cognitive Switching
Cognitive switching, or task switching, (what we commonly refer to as multitasking) refers to the process of shifting one’s attention, focus, and cognitive resources from one task to another. When you interrupt the current task and start or resume another task, that’s cognitive switching. The interruptions can be external (e.g., receiving a phone call) or self-initiated (e.g., checking social media while working). Cognitive switching can happen rapidly and frequently, often without individuals even realizing it.
The Cognitive Switching Penalty
The cognitive switching penalty is the price people pay for task switching. Here are are few of the factors:
Time Loss: When you switch from one task to another, it takes time to disengage from the initial task, reorient to the new one, and get back up to full productivity. This transition period, referred to as “switching time,” results in a loss of time and efficiency.
Reduced Productivity: The act of switching between tasks often leads to decreased productivity for both the interrupted task and the new task. People are less efficient and effective in completing each task, which can have a cumulative negative effect on overall productivity.
Increased Errors: Cognitive switching can lead to an increase in errors and mistakes. When you resume a task after switching, you may lose your place, forget important details, or misinterpret information, which can be a big problem in complex or high-stakes tasks.
Mental Fatigue: Frequent task switching can lead to mental fatigue and reduced cognitive resources. This fatigue can accumulate over time and negatively impact decision-making, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
Stress and Frustration: Task switching can lead to increased stress and frustration. Constantly shifting attention from one task to another can disrupt a sense of flow and well-being.
Why Cognitive Switching Occurs
There are lots of reasons cognitive switching occurs:
Technological Distractions: The ever present smartphones, social media, and instant messaging makes it easier to fall victim to distractions and task switching.
Overload: When individuals feel overwhelmed by a high volume of tasks or information, they may resort to task switching as a coping mechanism.
Lack of Focus: Difficulty in maintaining sustained attention on a single task can lead to frequent cognitive switching.
Perceived Urgency: The belief that certain tasks are more urgent or important can prompt individuals to switch tasks.
Boredom: Monotonous or repetitive tasks can lead to task switching as people seek novelty or diversion.
Minimizing the Cognitive Switching Penalty
While it’s impossible to eliminate all cognitive switching in today’s fast-paced world, there are strategies to minimize its negative effects:
Prioritize Tasks: Identify high-priority tasks and allocate focused time for them, minimizing unnecessary task switching.
Set Boundaries: Establish specific times for checking emails, social media, or other potential distractions to reduce the frequency of switching.
Time Blocking: Use time-blocking techniques to allocate dedicated time for specific tasks, ensuring minimal interruptions during those periods.
Self-Awareness: Being self-aware can help you recognize when task switching is counterproductive and allow you to consciously choose to stay on task.
Single-Tasking: Embrace the practice of single-tasking, devoting full attention to one task at a time to maximize productivity and reduce cognitive switching.
Limit Notifications: Reduce unnecessary notifications on your devices to minimize external distractions. Silence your mobile phone and disable the notifications “ding” on your desktop.
Take Breaks: Incorporate short, planned breaks to refresh and recharge your cognitive resources.
The human brain has limits when it comes to multitasking. In reality, you aren’t multitasking at all. You are going from one task to another serially and definitely not doing more than one thing at a time. The cognitive switching penalty is the price you pay for attempting multitasking.
Multitasking may appear advantageous in certain situations but you should factor in the cost of cognitive switching.
In reality, you will be more productive when you reduce your tendency to try to do multiple things at the same time.
Implementing the strategies above, will reduce the frequency of task switching and as a result, reduce the penalty you pay for cognitive switching.
Try it, you can thank me later.
The Fall of the House of Usher
In my opinion, the Netflix mini series was excellent.
Here’s a little background on the series origin.
The Netflix series is based on a short story by Edgar Allen Poe, first published in 1839. Published in a magazine named, Burtons Gentlemen’s Magazine.
The magazine was started by William Evans Burton and the publisher Charles Alexander.
The objective of the magazine as stated by Burton was “worthy of a place upon every parlour table of every gentleman in the United States”.
The description of the magazine sounds more like a Playboy without the nudies with fiction articles, poems and essays. The emphasis was generally on sports with articles featuring sailing, cricket, hunting, and more. They featured a lot of local authors and focused mostly on nationalist themes, which were popular at that time.
To differentiate the magazine from competitors Burton Gentlemen’s Magazine had more illustrations and was printed on thicker paper too. So they were aiming for a more high end, sophisticated reader.
Since the Netflix series is set in modern times it loosely follows the original short story.
The original Poe short story includes isolation, madness, isolation along with entities not of this world. Netflix captures all of these in the mini series.
Suspend reality and watch The Fall of the House of Usher. I think you will enjoy it… assuming you like the horror of Edgar Allen Poe.
Here’s a link to the trailer on Netflix.
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