Katatonia

The Creativity Corner: Winter 2018

/ saraletourneau / 26 Comments

Happy Spring, everyone! Who else is looking forward to the weather getting warmer, the flowers to start blooming, and the world to soon turn green and lush and vibrant again? 😀

OK, maybe I was being overexuberant. But spring is my favorite season, after all, and after a super-productive winter on the creative front, I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum into the next season. Plus, I have exciting news to share on two of my writing projects! (No, the current manuscript isn’t done yet, but it’s getting there. *wink*) So, without further ado, let’s dive into this edition of the Creativity Corner.

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The Creativity Corner: Winter 2017

/ saraletourneau / 35 Comments

It feels weird to post a wrap-up of a winter’s worth writing, reading, and other creative happenings on the second day of spring. (This is the new “writing monthly update” series I had mentioned last month, btw.) But the truth is, I’ve procrastinated on this post for a couple weeks now, and not due to lack of time. Instead, I’ve been feeling anything but enthusiastic or confident about writing lately.

(Btw, my latest DIY MFA post went live last week. Something funky happened with the blog post announcement, so click here to read the article at DIY MFA.)

The good news is, I’m now taking steps that can hopefully help me regain that confidence and lead to a better, more productive spring. I’ll touch on that, as well as the progress I’ve made so far with The Novella (my new writing project) and the books I’ve read so far this year. Also, since this is the first Creative Corner, any feedback on the content and/or setup will be greatly appreciated. 🙂
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Time Flies!: June 2016

/ saraletourneau / 38 Comments

Time Flies Banner

Welcome to the latest edition of Time Flies! It’s my version of a monthly update, where I recap the past month’s accomplishments and articles, share news and random things from my offline life, and hint at what may be coming in the month ahead.

It feels right to start off this month’s Time Flies with a big “thank-you” hug for everyone’s support recently. You were right: I didn’t need to worry about how downsizing my blogging schedule would affect things here. Plus, I feel more relaxed now that I’ve accepted my new time limitations and am focusing on quality and enjoyment instead of quantity and pace. This was the right choice, and I thank you all so much for encouraging me to do what was best for me.

Stitch hug

Speaking of change, I’ve altered the format of Time Flies this month. It’s not too different from what it was before, but you’ll see what I mean as this post goes on. So, let’s get to it!

Oh – and I’m still looking for questions for the upcoming blogoversary interview! Read here to learn how you can submit them. The deadline is Tuesday, July 5th! 😉

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Review of Katatonia’s “Dead End Kings” at Suite101

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It’s been a while since I wrote for Suite101. So now here’s a review on music that’s not female-fronted metal, but metal nonetheless.

Katatonia is probably one of my top five male-fronted metal bands of all time. Mostly because their 2009 album Night Is The New Day blew me away with its gorgeous, doom-influenced soundscapes. So, I was looking forward to reviewing their new album Dead End Kings for Suite101. And… well, I was disappointed. Not completely, as I enjoyed at least half of the songs, a select few immensely (“The Parting,” “Dead Letters,” and “Buildings”). Otherwise, I felt Dead End Kings wandered more than rocked. I even likened the album to “a ghost keeping its distance from the churning sea below.”

Don’t let my opinion stop you from buying Dead End Kings if you’re a Katatonia fan. That’s just how I feel about the album. And as always, I point out what I think are strengths as well as weaknesses. Never expect a bashfest from me – I’m not that heartless of a reviewer!

Click here to read my review of Katatonia’s Dead End Kings.