I’ve gathered some weird and wonderful things for you to read this week. I’m not sure if I should be frightened at how easy I find some of the more odd articles. Let me know what you think about them. In the coming weeks, if you find something interesting you think everyone should read, drop me a line via the contact form and let me know, or just post it below. Let’s get started:
1) Ponymen: My Little Ponies + Watchmen = Awesome? The scary part is that I’d probably go watch this.
2) American Gods coming to HBO: Looks like Tom Hank’s production company will be bringing this modern classic to the small screen. I really hope this fantasy book-to-mini-series trend continues.
3) L.A. Banks is very ill: Link leads to a Publishers Weekly article that shows you where to go to offer 
support.
4) 1st person vs. 3rd person: Shawn over at Suvudu poses an interesting question, with a poll.
5) The Dervish House nominated for the John W. Campbell Best Novel Award: This is also on sale on Amazon Kindle for $1.99. You’re crazy if you don’t pick this up.
6) Loving the Alien (and the Alien is You): Fábio Fernandes writes a guest post over at A Dribble of Ink. A very cool post about a unique character he created and fell in love with.
Agreed re: point 5. The Dervish House is a stunning novel, and at $1.99 it’s a steal.
“First versus third;” Wow, I would never go seek out a “First person” novel or a 3rd person. For me the artistry is when the writer knows correctly which POV to chose. The City and The City is a perfect example. I think unsuccessful examples would be alternating POV, including some mid-to-late Robert Parker Spenser novels where he wanted that great Spenser voice but had to add 3rd pers POV to provide the information he needed. When he tried a Spenser-esque character in the 3rd person POV he got Jesse Stone–I don’t know whether that’s considered success.
I don’t have any preference between 1st and 3rd either, in general. I think there’s a “best” POV for each story, and I agree with you, Marion–a great writer knows which to use for the particular story s/he is telling. What drives me nuts is head-hopping; if the author has already established first person or strict third person limited, they need to not suddenly jump into someone else’s head for no particular reason. I can deal with alternating or third person omniscient though. Feel free to jump around as long as you establish early on that you’re going to. :)