Yesterday, as I was putting classwork on the board (At 6:30am. My internal alarm clock got me up way too early. Oh. My god. Do I need summer break. My brain may break if these five weeks don't go super-fast.), I got the most bizarre story idea.
I'm not even sure what to do about it. It is so very far out of my comfort zone, I'm baffled as to where to begin.
If I proceed with this idea (which I think I might have to, as I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it. That, and the plot came to me in near-entirety already. That's never happened before. But I think I like it!), it will require a great deal of science-y type research. And, while I do enjoy research, I'm a more than a little intimidated.
Isn't it odd how ideas come just out of the blue sometimes? I mean, I'm sure I was thinking about something that led my brain cells to jump up and shout out this idea but I couldn't tell you what it was. And then, all of a sudden, it was there. In its glory. A shiny new idea. Yahoo!
Do you have an answer to the question every gets asked: how do you come up with your ideas?
P.S. My computer's battery hasn't worked for the last month. I went through the rigmarole of talking to Apple, taking my MacBaby to the Apple doc, and getting a new battery shipped to me--which didn't work either. No charge, the computer didn't even recognize that there was a battery present. Just a big ole X in the place where the battery should be. For the last month.
I haven't called Apple back to deal with the problem because I've needed my computer (being in the middle of another WIP and all) and couldn't send it off to get fixed (because, holy cow, I'd have to hand-write my story. God forbid.).
But I just looked down at the plug and IT'S RED!! WHICH MEANS IT'S CHARGING!! OMG!! The computer, a month later, finally recognizes that it actually has a battery! Of course, knowing my luck, it'll forget tomorrow and we'll be back to the dreaded X in the battery icon. But I'm gonna think glass-half-full. I have a battery again! Yay!
Update: (10 minutes later) Yeah, never mind. Spoke too soon. The dreaded X is back and my battery no longer exists to my computer. Grr.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Spring Has Sprung
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, spring has sprung and our 8th graders' "Comprehensive Health" unit is right around the corner (aka, show & tell them about every know venereal disease so they'll play it safe out there--graphic pictures included!). A discussion over lunch (hey, we don't see each other any other time, give us a break) led to stories of students past...and their questions during this unit.
(Fair warning: the next bit is a little racier than I usually post--but no swearing or super-detailed-graphic stuff, I promise.)
My favorite story to come out of the discussion:
During the Q&A part of the unit (the science teachers' favorite and most interesting section), someone asks why condoms don't always work. The class gets a lesson on how condoms are a manufactured product and can break like anything else.
A confused look on his face, one boy asks, "But how can the girl still get pregnant if the condom doesn't break?"
My friend, who's incredibly blunt with both adults and students, says, "Well, hon, you always dribble before you shoot." When he opens his mouth to ask a follow-up question, she sends him home to ask his father.
"Dad, my teacher says condoms don't always work because you dribble before you shoot. Is that true?" He asks.
Dad says, "How do you think you were conceived?"
True story, I swear! Thank goodness I don't have to teach health. I'd be bright red the entire time.
(Fair warning: the next bit is a little racier than I usually post--but no swearing or super-detailed-graphic stuff, I promise.)
My favorite story to come out of the discussion:
During the Q&A part of the unit (the science teachers' favorite and most interesting section), someone asks why condoms don't always work. The class gets a lesson on how condoms are a manufactured product and can break like anything else.
A confused look on his face, one boy asks, "But how can the girl still get pregnant if the condom doesn't break?"
My friend, who's incredibly blunt with both adults and students, says, "Well, hon, you always dribble before you shoot." When he opens his mouth to ask a follow-up question, she sends him home to ask his father.
"Dad, my teacher says condoms don't always work because you dribble before you shoot. Is that true?" He asks.
Dad says, "How do you think you were conceived?"
True story, I swear! Thank goodness I don't have to teach health. I'd be bright red the entire time.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Being Organized
Writing is a creative process. We must be free to go where the winds take us, where the characters wish to go, and follow every whim and pretty-pretty butterfly that catches our attention... Um, yeah. Not so much.
Maybe some of you are able to be full-on, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants types but, as a writer, I need a little more structure. When I first started writing, I thought I was a total pantser. With just a little nugget of an idea in my head, I started writing my story. And hit a major roadblock about 10k in. So, I started another story. And hit an insurmountable obstacle about 8k in. When my next idea appeared, all luscious and tempting, I resisted diving in, afraid of the giant, unscalable mountain I knew my characters would run into down the road.
Clearly, I needed a list. A plan. An outline. Darn it all.
For all you total pantsers out there, I'm a little jealous. The planning is the most boring part to me. I love the drafting, the revising, even the editing. But planning? Uhg.
I'm at a roadblock on my current WIP, mostly because I only planned so far ahead (I think I was hoping I could pants the rest. Didn't quite work out.). But one of my characters surprised me, risking his life for his friends, and he got captured because of it. So now, I need to replan, because my boy needs to get out of this mess he's in.
My hero needs a list. Don't worry, dude, I'll plan you out of your predicament! Hold on while I write it all down. Just let me get some chocolate and Diet Coke first.
How do you all plan? Or do you fly by the seat of your pants when you write? A detailed list of each event in the story (I've heard of authors with 20-page outlines and am amazed. Maybe it's because I would rather have lemon juice rubbed in multiple paper cuts than create a 20-page plan.)? Or a combination of the two?
Maybe some of you are able to be full-on, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants types but, as a writer, I need a little more structure. When I first started writing, I thought I was a total pantser. With just a little nugget of an idea in my head, I started writing my story. And hit a major roadblock about 10k in. So, I started another story. And hit an insurmountable obstacle about 8k in. When my next idea appeared, all luscious and tempting, I resisted diving in, afraid of the giant, unscalable mountain I knew my characters would run into down the road.
Clearly, I needed a list. A plan. An outline. Darn it all.
For all you total pantsers out there, I'm a little jealous. The planning is the most boring part to me. I love the drafting, the revising, even the editing. But planning? Uhg.
I'm at a roadblock on my current WIP, mostly because I only planned so far ahead (I think I was hoping I could pants the rest. Didn't quite work out.). But one of my characters surprised me, risking his life for his friends, and he got captured because of it. So now, I need to replan, because my boy needs to get out of this mess he's in.
My hero needs a list. Don't worry, dude, I'll plan you out of your predicament! Hold on while I write it all down. Just let me get some chocolate and Diet Coke first.
How do you all plan? Or do you fly by the seat of your pants when you write? A detailed list of each event in the story (I've heard of authors with 20-page outlines and am amazed. Maybe it's because I would rather have lemon juice rubbed in multiple paper cuts than create a 20-page plan.)? Or a combination of the two?
Friday, April 23, 2010
Part VI: YA Authors on Reading, Fans & Other Stuff
Oh, my favorite part (well, of tonight anyway!): awesome authors talk about what they like to read. What would we do without books in our lives?
I'm a bit sad that this is the last night of my regurgitated YALITCHAT (a lovely picture, no?). It's been fun sharing with you my favorite sound bites of the MegaChat and I hope you've enjoyed it, too.
I'm a bit sad that this is the last night of my regurgitated YALITCHAT (a lovely picture, no?). It's been fun sharing with you my favorite sound bites of the MegaChat and I hope you've enjoyed it, too.
But, life goes on and I have some great reviews coming up: RADIANT SHADOWS (oh, hey! Melissa Marr's one of the fab authors who chatted & shared great stuff with us! Yay!) and PAPER TOWNS by John Green. (Loved 'em both, btw!)
ON READING
CarrieRyanchat: I've always loved reading YA, being a part of it is really REALLY cool and surreal
kamigarcia: @DonnaS1 I don't read in my genre when we are writing.
cassieclare: "Do you find time to read books when your writing?" Yes, but I try to read outside the genre of what I'm writing
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @Historylover13 Twitter makes it easier to consume publishing news, and is a great pace to get (um, steal?) ideas.
hollyblack: @trainedrunner if one of my books, i read it a dozen times or more; if someone else's, i only reread for love.
jamesdashner: @MissyNH Girliest YA book I've ever read? What's that real naughty one by Judy Blume? Haha
MichelleZink: @DonnaS1 I try to read outside my genre as much as possible. It keeps my stories fresh & prevents bleed from the work of others
kamigarcia: @the_music_snob I read fantasy, sci-fi, graphic novels & select contemporary- not as much tho.
jamesdashner: Most influential book on my writing career: ENDER'S GAME.
sarahreesbrenna: @the_music_snob I love YA. And romance. And Anthony Trollope novels. I am a compulsive reader and should probably attend meetings
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @dangerbowtie The Difference Engine was my first steampunk book. Boneshaker also awesome. Plus Disney's 20,000 Leagues.
jamesdashner: @the_music_snob I read books from all genres. Well, not a lot of romance. Straight romance I mean. Did I just get blacklisted?
CarrieRyanchat: Yes!! @LisaMBasso Best writing education? Reading lots of books and writing lots of words.
lisa_mcmann: Currently reading: Please Ignore Vera Dietz by @as_king, coming in October - so so good. Starting Before I Fall & Will Graysonx2
mstohl: I read like I eat, all the time, stuff my face, fast as I can. Don't read sim. to what am writing at the time, 2 weird.
AlysonNoel: @brimeetsbooks I read everything I could get my hands on--every book has something to teach you.
melissa_marr: @eveningfades I watch at most 1hr of TV/wk, but I read every day even when writing--just not my genre
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @CarolChristo Yes, teens are reading a lot more than 15 years ago. (Pre-Potter!) And writing more too (pre-blog).
ON FANS & REVIEWS
sarahreesbrenna: School visits are fun as long as the kids do not riot... at one I got pelted with a banana skin!
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @dangerbowtie Fanfic is great. In my day we didn't call it that. But I wrote a LOT of Raymond Chandler.
mstohl: Social Media - love it. said it b4, but those aren't fans, they're friends.
carrieryan @marybrebner awesome! I do free skype visits to students and classes and bookclubs if you're interested! [OMG-that so rocks! I'm hoping to get her to visit before the end of the year. *fingers crossed*]
jamesdashner: I think I have the distinction of being the author with the least amount of followers tonight. I'm honored.
mstohl: fanmail: who doesn't like happy tweets and follow fridays and whatever weds and booklove? WE LOVE THAT STUFF!
jamesdashner: @hollyblack How big of an author do I have to get to meet you? Big fan.
lisa_schroeder: I can never quite understand the meanness. There's a difference between criticism and outright malice.
lisa_schroeder @lisa_mcmann U can say "not my cup of tea"--there's no need t/b mean whn reviewing on goodreads/amazon
jamesdashner: @janflora I had a really cool experience last fall. Spent an hour with JUDY BLUME! It was surreal and awesome.
melissa_marr: @mrsjillewheeler I srsly limit review reading (& never read Amazon revs). 2 much pos or neg can interfere w the writing
jamesdashner: @MichelleHodkin Wow, thank you! I love reaching the teen boy reader!
cassieclare: I get lots of emails from guy readers . . . they like all the demon squashing
jamesdashner: @MissyNH Wow, thank you! Yes, we've been very excited by the responses in the middle schools. Boys AND girls.
ON OTHER STUFF
mstohl: other writing gigs: videogames. an imax movie introducing the pentium chip. optioned scripts that bit the dust. i like to work
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @irynahrubiy Yes, hoverboards are possible, but the energy required might break the planet. #oops
jamesdashner: @kamigarcia Being a boy rules. Especially when there's a girl around. If she likes you.
jamesdashner: @mstohl I'm proud to be a boy in this crowd!!! I feel so special.
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @dawnmetcalf "Fame currency" wasn't a prediction of mine, just an observation. But yeah, twitter made it all so obvious.
jamesdashner: Thought I'd be hip and go to bookstore for #yalitchat. Currently getting ticket from cop. Sweet.
sarahreesbrenna: @AERought If I could tackle a different genre, it would probably be romance. Or middle grade!
sarahreesbrenna: @kierstenwhite I see you know the truth of @kamigarcia. Pretty as a picture - fast and mean as a rattlesnake
jamesdashner: Sorry I'm late. Had to "get rid of" stinky cop. God bless him.
BEST COMMENT OF THE NIGHT:
lisa_mcmann: OMG! My pork butt is burning. BRB!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Part V: YA Authors on Balance, Accountability, Faves & Must-Haves
Every writer knows the necessity of balance. You've got to focus long enough that you can get your writing done (daily goal or what have you), but not too much that you ignore your friends and family (or the dog. Poor Finn. He suffers for my art.). And when you've done a good job, you've got to reward yourself (I like cake. And Diet Coke. Oh, and Fanny May buttercream chocolates.).
Some of my fave YA authors speak to the necessity of setting deadlines, maintaining balance and the treating of one's self (always important!):
ON WRITING FAVES & MUST-HAVES
melissa_marr: Essential for writing? Playlists for that bk/character & tea. Lots of tea. No writing w/o music & caffeine.
mstohl: Essential for writing: Spring Awakening. Diet Coke. Books around me. Earphones. Big ones
lisa_mcmann: #1 tool for writing: Diet Coke. Query harder than writing novel? Almost. My query here: GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS (typos NOT mine)
hollyblack: @AwesomeArianna Coffee runs through my veins instead of blood so coffee shop is my lair.
kamigarcia: @AwesomeArianna OMG! I have the comfiest chair EVER!
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat I'll never write a "realistic" book after So Yesterday. I get bored without aliens/vampires/hoverboards.
hollyblack: @_rachelsimon I always wrote but it was looking at the bios in the Year's Best Fantasy & Horror anthologies and realizing those were real people who knew one another made me recommit to it as an adult
jamesdashner: @lights_aurora My favorite place to write is a bookstore or coffee shop with comfy chairs.
jamesdashner: @nkrell The atmosphere makes up for any distractions
kamigarcia: @ForeverBelievin I love to draft. I just write. But I have to make deadlines for myself to revise
jamesdashner: @MichelleZink Maybe I just suck at verbalizing. I want to WRITE it. Much cooler.
jamesdashner: I keep seeing stuff about creepy. I'd just like to state for the record that I love creepy and fully endorse it.
kamigarcia: @jamesdashner Creepy is the new black
sarahreesbrenna: I love intense writing intense emotional scenes. The characters' pain soothes me...
ScottWesterfeld @rubyandmovies If I didn't write, I would get smaller. Writing well is as complete as I get
melissa_marr @marybrebner When I forget that I'm actually in THIS world :) Luv when the story takes me somewhere else, consumes me. [*fangirl squee* The author of Wicked Lovely answered my question!!]
CarrieRyanchat @saundramitchell Carrie likes to kill people. She really enjoys it.
sarahreesbrenna: @cassieclare Of course middle books are the most fun, they are the makeout books. I know this to be true.
kamigarcia: @lisabrowndraws We like creating our own Supernaturals so we aren't defined by the mythology of what's already been done.
mstohl: Why write books? So you can read them - and live in the world you wanted all along.
hollyblack: @geekwriter1 I love writing about real places because I love the frisson - like magic can be glimpsed out of corner of your eye.
CarrieRyanchat: I love to write the really intense emotional confrontations with high stakes
ON DEADLINES & ROUTINES
AlysonNoel: @CRDWLLG Breaks? We get breaks?? :) I don't really take breaks- partly due 2 deadlines- partly bcuz I need 2 stay in character
sarahreesbrenna: @trainedrunner I favour anytime after noon to write. Possibly this is because I live on a US schedule in Ireland...
AlysonNoel: @CRDWLLG True, but it's good practice to make up imaginary deadlines
lisa_mcmann: RT @AlysonNoel: @CRDWLLG True, but its good practice to make up imaginary deadlines! || I do this too—make my own deadlines.
hollyblack: @AliseOnLifeChat But I would like to take a break after a book!
sarahreesbrenna: @mrsjillewheeler I write every day. No days off, they stress me out!
breedespain: Can't remember who asked the question, but on a normal day I write 2-4 hours. On a deadline crunch day: 10-12 hours
MichelleZink: @mrsjillewheeler yeah, you have to find something that works & then FORCE yourself to stick w/it. I tweak mine every so often but same 10k words a week!
MichelleZink: biggest challenge for me is to stick to my writing schedule b/c Im strict with myself about word count
ON BALANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY
sarahreesbrenna: How do I balance writing and family? Ah, family. I had one once. I hope they're still doing fine... one day I'll check...
hollyblack: @AwesomeArianna I actually think having people around is useful to keep you honest about really WORKING
ScottWesterfeld: @lights_aurora My juggling of life and literature involves a lot of broken plates
hollyblack: @AliseOnLifeChat Crit partners need to be people you trust who share taste in books with you
sarahreesbrenna: @AliseOnLifeChat When I finish a book, these days I take a break by writing a short story. Ah, a writer's idle life of pleasure!
cassieclare: "Should crit partners be writers that are friends?" I'm not sure you could get someone who wasn't your friend to do so much work
sarahreesbrenna: @AliseOnLifeChat The only people who see my books before they're done - my editor & writers who're friends. Pearls beyond price!
cassieclare: Holly and I would love to co write a book if we could find the time.
Some of my fave YA authors speak to the necessity of setting deadlines, maintaining balance and the treating of one's self (always important!):
ON WRITING FAVES & MUST-HAVES
melissa_marr: Essential for writing? Playlists for that bk/character & tea. Lots of tea. No writing w/o music & caffeine.
mstohl: Essential for writing: Spring Awakening. Diet Coke. Books around me. Earphones. Big ones
lisa_mcmann: #1 tool for writing: Diet Coke. Query harder than writing novel? Almost. My query here: GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS (typos NOT mine)
hollyblack: @AwesomeArianna Coffee runs through my veins instead of blood so coffee shop is my lair.
kamigarcia: @AwesomeArianna OMG! I have the comfiest chair EVER!
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat I'll never write a "realistic" book after So Yesterday. I get bored without aliens/vampires/hoverboards.
hollyblack: @_rachelsimon I always wrote but it was looking at the bios in the Year's Best Fantasy & Horror anthologies and realizing those were real people who knew one another made me recommit to it as an adult
jamesdashner: @lights_aurora My favorite place to write is a bookstore or coffee shop with comfy chairs.
jamesdashner: @nkrell The atmosphere makes up for any distractions
kamigarcia: @ForeverBelievin I love to draft. I just write. But I have to make deadlines for myself to revise
jamesdashner: @MichelleZink Maybe I just suck at verbalizing. I want to WRITE it. Much cooler.
jamesdashner: I keep seeing stuff about creepy. I'd just like to state for the record that I love creepy and fully endorse it.
kamigarcia: @jamesdashner Creepy is the new black
sarahreesbrenna: I love intense writing intense emotional scenes. The characters' pain soothes me...
ScottWesterfeld @rubyandmovies If I didn't write, I would get smaller. Writing well is as complete as I get
melissa_marr @marybrebner When I forget that I'm actually in THIS world :) Luv when the story takes me somewhere else, consumes me. [*fangirl squee* The author of Wicked Lovely answered my question!!]
CarrieRyanchat @saundramitchell Carrie likes to kill people. She really enjoys it.
sarahreesbrenna: @cassieclare Of course middle books are the most fun, they are the makeout books. I know this to be true.
kamigarcia: @lisabrowndraws We like creating our own Supernaturals so we aren't defined by the mythology of what's already been done.
mstohl: Why write books? So you can read them - and live in the world you wanted all along.
hollyblack: @geekwriter1 I love writing about real places because I love the frisson - like magic can be glimpsed out of corner of your eye.
CarrieRyanchat: I love to write the really intense emotional confrontations with high stakes
ON DEADLINES & ROUTINES
AlysonNoel: @CRDWLLG Breaks? We get breaks?? :) I don't really take breaks- partly due 2 deadlines- partly bcuz I need 2 stay in character
sarahreesbrenna: @trainedrunner I favour anytime after noon to write. Possibly this is because I live on a US schedule in Ireland...
AlysonNoel: @CRDWLLG True, but it's good practice to make up imaginary deadlines
lisa_mcmann: RT @AlysonNoel: @CRDWLLG True, but its good practice to make up imaginary deadlines! || I do this too—make my own deadlines.
hollyblack: @AliseOnLifeChat But I would like to take a break after a book!
sarahreesbrenna: @mrsjillewheeler I write every day. No days off, they stress me out!
breedespain: Can't remember who asked the question, but on a normal day I write 2-4 hours. On a deadline crunch day: 10-12 hours
MichelleZink: @mrsjillewheeler yeah, you have to find something that works & then FORCE yourself to stick w/it. I tweak mine every so often but same 10k words a week!
MichelleZink: biggest challenge for me is to stick to my writing schedule b/c Im strict with myself about word count
ON BALANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY
sarahreesbrenna: How do I balance writing and family? Ah, family. I had one once. I hope they're still doing fine... one day I'll check...
hollyblack: @AwesomeArianna I actually think having people around is useful to keep you honest about really WORKING
ScottWesterfeld: @lights_aurora My juggling of life and literature involves a lot of broken plates
hollyblack: @AliseOnLifeChat Crit partners need to be people you trust who share taste in books with you
sarahreesbrenna: @AliseOnLifeChat When I finish a book, these days I take a break by writing a short story. Ah, a writer's idle life of pleasure!
cassieclare: "Should crit partners be writers that are friends?" I'm not sure you could get someone who wasn't your friend to do so much work
sarahreesbrenna: @AliseOnLifeChat The only people who see my books before they're done - my editor & writers who're friends. Pearls beyond price!
cassieclare: Holly and I would love to co write a book if we could find the time.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
TopPart IV: YA Authors on Characters, Names, Love & Music (all super-important!)
Done with love triangles? How 'bout a love rhombus? The fabulous YA authors ponder characters, names, love & sex, and the necessity of good music. Enjoy! (Full transcript of two-night chat here: YALITCHAT MegaChat)
ON CHARACTERS
sarahreesbrenna: @AliseOnLifeChat I like serieses. I get to love characters & want to follow them, inflict more pain on their sweet familiar faces
hollyblack: @daniellebunner because I had to *learn* how to plot, but characters seem more mysterious. i need name & they need to feel right
melissa_marr: @Zaviezera Sure. Dreaming abt the characters is just another way yr mind works out plot issues, IMHO.
AlysonNoel: @AlleyofBooks Most of my characters contain a little piece of my or my experiences
hollyblack: @CarolChristo Good main character is someone you love, often not despite flaws but because of them
mstohl: I'm with Carrie, our characters never do a thing we say.
melissa_marr: @ForeverBelievin Nope. I don't want to be in any book, incl mine. I enjoy my real life too much.
hollyblack: @lisagailgreen It's such a fun POV/tense, but so hard not to make the character seem affectless, eh?
kamigarcia: @MyraMcEntire For us, it is so much easier to write from a guy's POV.
jamesdashner: @junestormcrow Hey, mine are in 3rd person. But it's weird how often people think it's so unusual. I had no idea.
jamesdashner: @lights_aurora Yeah, I really like 3rd person for some reason. Just fits me more.
cassieclare: I think writers choose the style appropriate to telling that particular story.
ON NAMES
sarahreesbrenna: Book titles usually come about halfway through the book for me... secretly, I wish my publisher would pick 'em. They are HARD!
cassieclare: "ow do you come up with character names?" Like Holly said, they tend to just click into place. Same with book titles.
hollyblack: @AliseOnLifeChat I am terrible at titles. Mine never click into place the way names do, they just grow on me like mold on bread
sarahreesbrenna: Names just fit in place. I always planned to use Nick as a kid's name & now he'll be like 'MOM, you namedme after that jerk!'
hollyblack: @maggiesmoment I pick names that feel right. They click into place
kamigarcia: @maggiesmoment We spend a lot of time choosing names & lots of the names in BC have hidden meanings.
ON LOVE & SEX (in YA)
JackieKessler: @ALGFaithKeeper Triangles are overdone. I say it's time for a love rhombus! ;)
mstohl: i think love rhombus and rock lobster are two phrases that we all need to use in our WIPs.
CarrieRyanchat: I tend to have a different love interest for the different aspects of the heroine's personality.
cassieclare: But @sarahreesbrenna says "lots of making out" is the solution to everything
melissa_marr: @nflbabygirl LOL. No, I don't see the need to have only ONE interest (or partner) in life, so I don't pick only 1 in bks either
CarrieRyanchat: I dont tend to write sex scenes because I love writing the sexual tension more
mstohl: SEX: When you hand everything to your own teen girls, you tend to write pretty clean.
melissa_marr: @Georgia_McBride As far as they need to go for that scene 2 b real. I write for teens not children. Not gratuitous. No flinching
ON MUSIC (or lack thereof)
AlysonNoel: @PaulWHankins Love 70's songs--my playlists are lousy with them!
kamigarcia: Black Sabbath. The Cure. The Smiths. Black Sabbath.
CarrieRyanchat: I wish I could listen to music while I write but it just gets distracting
sarahreesbrenna: Country music is my muse. Others have judged me for it...
AlysonNoel: @CRDWLLG I make playlists for all of my books-helps me get into the world/mood
AlysonNoel: @ForeverBelievin They don't really determine yet, but they can help to shape and define it (music/playlists)
CarrieRyanchat: @mrsjillewheeler I spend a lot of time thinking up the names of my characters
JackieKessler: @JustAGirl_LJ The book I'm going to start writing next month: Linkin Park's "New Divide" is basically its theme song
ON CHARACTERS
sarahreesbrenna: @AliseOnLifeChat I like serieses. I get to love characters & want to follow them, inflict more pain on their sweet familiar faces
hollyblack: @daniellebunner because I had to *learn* how to plot, but characters seem more mysterious. i need name & they need to feel right
melissa_marr: @Zaviezera Sure. Dreaming abt the characters is just another way yr mind works out plot issues, IMHO.
AlysonNoel: @AlleyofBooks Most of my characters contain a little piece of my or my experiences
hollyblack: @CarolChristo Good main character is someone you love, often not despite flaws but because of them
mstohl: I'm with Carrie, our characters never do a thing we say.
melissa_marr: @ForeverBelievin Nope. I don't want to be in any book, incl mine. I enjoy my real life too much.
hollyblack: @lisagailgreen It's such a fun POV/tense, but so hard not to make the character seem affectless, eh?
kamigarcia: @MyraMcEntire For us, it is so much easier to write from a guy's POV.
jamesdashner: @junestormcrow Hey, mine are in 3rd person. But it's weird how often people think it's so unusual. I had no idea.
jamesdashner: @lights_aurora Yeah, I really like 3rd person for some reason. Just fits me more.
cassieclare: I think writers choose the style appropriate to telling that particular story.
ON NAMES
sarahreesbrenna: Book titles usually come about halfway through the book for me... secretly, I wish my publisher would pick 'em. They are HARD!
cassieclare: "ow do you come up with character names?" Like Holly said, they tend to just click into place. Same with book titles.
hollyblack: @AliseOnLifeChat I am terrible at titles. Mine never click into place the way names do, they just grow on me like mold on bread
sarahreesbrenna: Names just fit in place. I always planned to use Nick as a kid's name & now he'll be like 'MOM, you namedme after that jerk!'
hollyblack: @maggiesmoment I pick names that feel right. They click into place
kamigarcia: @maggiesmoment We spend a lot of time choosing names & lots of the names in BC have hidden meanings.
ON LOVE & SEX (in YA)
JackieKessler: @ALGFaithKeeper Triangles are overdone. I say it's time for a love rhombus! ;)
mstohl: i think love rhombus and rock lobster are two phrases that we all need to use in our WIPs.
CarrieRyanchat: I tend to have a different love interest for the different aspects of the heroine's personality.
cassieclare: But @sarahreesbrenna says "lots of making out" is the solution to everything
melissa_marr: @nflbabygirl LOL. No, I don't see the need to have only ONE interest (or partner) in life, so I don't pick only 1 in bks either
CarrieRyanchat: I dont tend to write sex scenes because I love writing the sexual tension more
mstohl: SEX: When you hand everything to your own teen girls, you tend to write pretty clean.
melissa_marr: @Georgia_McBride As far as they need to go for that scene 2 b real. I write for teens not children. Not gratuitous. No flinching
ON MUSIC (or lack thereof)
AlysonNoel: @PaulWHankins Love 70's songs--my playlists are lousy with them!
kamigarcia: Black Sabbath. The Cure. The Smiths. Black Sabbath.
CarrieRyanchat: I wish I could listen to music while I write but it just gets distracting
sarahreesbrenna: Country music is my muse. Others have judged me for it...
AlysonNoel: @CRDWLLG I make playlists for all of my books-helps me get into the world/mood
AlysonNoel: @ForeverBelievin They don't really determine yet, but they can help to shape and define it (music/playlists)
CarrieRyanchat: @mrsjillewheeler I spend a lot of time thinking up the names of my characters
JackieKessler: @JustAGirl_LJ The book I'm going to start writing next month: Linkin Park's "New Divide" is basically its theme song
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
YA Writers on editing, being published and their novels (AKA MegaChat Part III)
Yay--more advice from some of the top YA writers. Full transcript here: YALITCHAT MADE FROM AWESOME MEGACHAT.
ON EDITING & REVISING
CateHart: 4 mos 2 write and 1 yr 2 revise @ForeverBelievin Authors, how long did it take you guys to write your novels?
lisa_mcmann: @ForeverBelievin Yes -- when you hate it so much you can't stand to read another word? It's done!
mstohl: Kami and I write over and over each other. It's a violent process of erosion and bloodshed. works 4 us!
kamigarcia: @reverieBR The hardest thing about writing is REVISING. Drafting is the best.
AlysonNoel: @fairytalemelody set it aside for awhile and work on something else. It's amazing what a new read with "fresh eyes" will reveal
hollyblack @abookwormshaven Oh yeah - I always read whole book out loud. annoying but you catch SO MUCH.
kamigarcia: @write_brained We pass the chapters back & forth and write over each other's work. You know, lots of deleting. Jedi editing.
mstohl: It's not that I get sick of the story, it's that I go blind to it. Drink own Koolaid = lose perspective. Walk away
kamigarcia: @CarolChristo Our characters are real to us, so we talk about everything: the music they like, their fave food, flaws
halseanderson @marybrebner I have never done a novel in fewer than 7 drafts.
mstohl: One bit of advice: listen to one person. Just one. Find the person you trust and try to hear the things you don't want to hear
hollycupala: @srolutola I'd say 2-3 major drafts, about 6-8 minor ones.
mstohl: Advice for ya writers: no such thing as a bad book. just a bad draft. youre not done yet
melissa_marr: @dsouthward Sure, & I explained why I was refusing them. a good editor is to help YOUR story shine not dictate the story.
lisa_mcmann: I think every paragraph in my mss should have a purpose. If not, I cut.
ON BEING PUBLISHED
becfitzpatrick:...post-publication, I was suddenly writing for my editor, my readers, my fans, etc., and not just for myself.
mstohl: becca is right. your head gets more crowded after publication.
MichelleZink: @hollyblack @carolchristo very true about 1st book being toughest
lisa_mcmann: Is it easier to get 2nd/3rd bk pubbed bc of 1st? Depends how 1st one sold. Sometimes it's harder.
sarahreesbrenna: 'What aha moment that made you want to be a pub'ed author?' I was 5, I thought publication grew on trees. Mm, publication tree.
becfitzpatrick: MJ_Horton HUSH, HUSH was actually the first book I wrote. I put it away, wrote another, but came back to it.
mstohl: Yes, it's easier to get published once you've been published. but it's not a free pass...
CarolChristo: @hollyblack I once read an interview with J.K and she said the 2nd one was harder. Crazy
cassieclare: New book, new worries. #yalitchat You never get happily ever after till everything's over.
cindypon: @sarahreesbrenna wow i am opposite. i tip toe and cower and wuss till my editor points it out. ha!
lisa_mcmann: After your book has been released do you ever wish you had done certain things differently?? || Yes. Best not to read it again
breedespain: @ealexandraki Most people say it takes 10 years to get published. i squeeked in right under the 10 years
ON THEIR NOVELS & WIPs
cassieclare: Thanks! I love the Clockwork cover too. Cliff did a great job. You never know what you are going to get with covers.
cassieclare: Originally the TMI series was supposed to be three books. Then @scottwesterfeld proved that 4 books is a trilogy.
cassieclare: @lisagailgreen Yes, the Mortal Instruments were my first novels.
jamesdashner: @DaronFraley 13th REALITY will be 5 books
jamesdashner: @caraabest THE SCORCH TRIALS comes out Oct 12
jamesdashner: @caraabest Thank you!!! I'm glad you like it. Just finishing revisions on the sequel.
sarahreesbrenna: @flamefoto I am working on another YA fantasy series set in England. ;) *MYSTERIOUS*
hollyblack: @timestndstill so in white cat, magic is illegal and many curse workers work for organized crime families that sell services
hollyblack: @reverieBR RED GLOVE (Curse Workers 2) will come out next May and then BLACK HEART the May after that
hollyblack: @dawnmetcalf book three (KIND) comes out this fall.
JackieKessler: @jordynface HUNGER was about 40,000 words when it sold. After the revision, it went up to about 44,000. Short for YA
CarrieRyanchat: I'm beginning a new project (two actually) but am superstitious to talk about them - sorry!
CarrieRyanchat: @skodobah third book should be out in a year! I already written - here are deets: CARRIE RYAN'S BLOG
CarrieRyanchat: @LJBoldyrev there are more mudo in the third book and in short stories, not in the next project
CarrieRyanchat: FHT was in the 70k when subbed to agents, 95k when pubbed. DTW was ~120k when pubbed
AlysonNoel: @ForeverBelievin I'm going to start the 6th & final Immortals book soon- I'm both excited & sad about it.
AlysonNoel: @LisaMBasso I have a new series in the works . . . details coming soon-ish!
lisa_mcmann: Working on now: Cryer's Cross (YA paranormal w/hot guy named Jacián, Feb 2011), The Unwanteds (dystopian fantasy, fall 2011)
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @kirstenhubbard I'm not doing much with the Uglies script. I have Goliath to write, and I have no movie expertise.
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @susankayequinn No interest yet in a Leviathan movie. Hollywood hates World War I. (They prefer Nazis.)
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @mindcaster Yes, there are new Midnighters covers. I've seen one, sort of like the current US set. (Not allowed to share yet.)
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @TheEagerReaders My ZvU story is about teens growing up post-zombie apocalypse, and realizing their parents are all traumatized.
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @palateenbrary The Uglies movie is at the script stage. Someone's writing it right now, but no other news!
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @AntonioMeks No plans for a 5th Uglies book! (But I had no plans for a 4th book either . . . )
ON EDITING & REVISING
CateHart: 4 mos 2 write and 1 yr 2 revise @ForeverBelievin Authors, how long did it take you guys to write your novels?
lisa_mcmann: @ForeverBelievin Yes -- when you hate it so much you can't stand to read another word? It's done!
mstohl: Kami and I write over and over each other. It's a violent process of erosion and bloodshed. works 4 us!
kamigarcia: @reverieBR The hardest thing about writing is REVISING. Drafting is the best.
AlysonNoel: @fairytalemelody set it aside for awhile and work on something else. It's amazing what a new read with "fresh eyes" will reveal
hollyblack @abookwormshaven Oh yeah - I always read whole book out loud. annoying but you catch SO MUCH.
kamigarcia: @write_brained We pass the chapters back & forth and write over each other's work. You know, lots of deleting. Jedi editing.
mstohl: It's not that I get sick of the story, it's that I go blind to it. Drink own Koolaid = lose perspective. Walk away
kamigarcia: @CarolChristo Our characters are real to us, so we talk about everything: the music they like, their fave food, flaws
halseanderson @marybrebner I have never done a novel in fewer than 7 drafts.
mstohl: One bit of advice: listen to one person. Just one. Find the person you trust and try to hear the things you don't want to hear
hollycupala: @srolutola I'd say 2-3 major drafts, about 6-8 minor ones.
mstohl: Advice for ya writers: no such thing as a bad book. just a bad draft. youre not done yet
melissa_marr: @dsouthward Sure, & I explained why I was refusing them. a good editor is to help YOUR story shine not dictate the story.
lisa_mcmann: I think every paragraph in my mss should have a purpose. If not, I cut.
ON BEING PUBLISHED
becfitzpatrick:...post-publication, I was suddenly writing for my editor, my readers, my fans, etc., and not just for myself.
mstohl: becca is right. your head gets more crowded after publication.
MichelleZink: @hollyblack @carolchristo very true about 1st book being toughest
lisa_mcmann: Is it easier to get 2nd/3rd bk pubbed bc of 1st? Depends how 1st one sold. Sometimes it's harder.
sarahreesbrenna: 'What aha moment that made you want to be a pub'ed author?' I was 5, I thought publication grew on trees. Mm, publication tree.
becfitzpatrick: MJ_Horton HUSH, HUSH was actually the first book I wrote. I put it away, wrote another, but came back to it.
mstohl: Yes, it's easier to get published once you've been published. but it's not a free pass...
CarolChristo: @hollyblack I once read an interview with J.K and she said the 2nd one was harder. Crazy
cassieclare: New book, new worries. #yalitchat You never get happily ever after till everything's over.
cindypon: @sarahreesbrenna wow i am opposite. i tip toe and cower and wuss till my editor points it out. ha!
lisa_mcmann: After your book has been released do you ever wish you had done certain things differently?? || Yes. Best not to read it again
breedespain: @ealexandraki Most people say it takes 10 years to get published. i squeeked in right under the 10 years
ON THEIR NOVELS & WIPs
cassieclare: Thanks! I love the Clockwork cover too. Cliff did a great job. You never know what you are going to get with covers.
cassieclare: Originally the TMI series was supposed to be three books. Then @scottwesterfeld proved that 4 books is a trilogy.
cassieclare: @lisagailgreen Yes, the Mortal Instruments were my first novels.
jamesdashner: @DaronFraley 13th REALITY will be 5 books
jamesdashner: @caraabest THE SCORCH TRIALS comes out Oct 12
jamesdashner: @caraabest Thank you!!! I'm glad you like it. Just finishing revisions on the sequel.
sarahreesbrenna: @flamefoto I am working on another YA fantasy series set in England. ;) *MYSTERIOUS*
hollyblack: @timestndstill so in white cat, magic is illegal and many curse workers work for organized crime families that sell services
hollyblack: @reverieBR RED GLOVE (Curse Workers 2) will come out next May and then BLACK HEART the May after that
hollyblack: @dawnmetcalf book three (KIND) comes out this fall.
JackieKessler: @jordynface HUNGER was about 40,000 words when it sold. After the revision, it went up to about 44,000. Short for YA
CarrieRyanchat: I'm beginning a new project (two actually) but am superstitious to talk about them - sorry!
CarrieRyanchat: @skodobah third book should be out in a year! I already written - here are deets: CARRIE RYAN'S BLOG
CarrieRyanchat: @LJBoldyrev there are more mudo in the third book and in short stories, not in the next project
CarrieRyanchat: FHT was in the 70k when subbed to agents, 95k when pubbed. DTW was ~120k when pubbed
AlysonNoel: @ForeverBelievin I'm going to start the 6th & final Immortals book soon- I'm both excited & sad about it.
AlysonNoel: @LisaMBasso I have a new series in the works . . . details coming soon-ish!
lisa_mcmann: Working on now: Cryer's Cross (YA paranormal w/hot guy named Jacián, Feb 2011), The Unwanteds (dystopian fantasy, fall 2011)
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @kirstenhubbard I'm not doing much with the Uglies script. I have Goliath to write, and I have no movie expertise.
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @susankayequinn No interest yet in a Leviathan movie. Hollywood hates World War I. (They prefer Nazis.)
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @mindcaster Yes, there are new Midnighters covers. I've seen one, sort of like the current US set. (Not allowed to share yet.)
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @TheEagerReaders My ZvU story is about teens growing up post-zombie apocalypse, and realizing their parents are all traumatized.
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @palateenbrary The Uglies movie is at the script stage. Someone's writing it right now, but no other news!
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @AntonioMeks No plans for a 5th Uglies book! (But I had no plans for a 4th book either . . . )
Monday, April 19, 2010
MegaChat Part II
I don't know about you but I'm fascinated by other writers' processes: how they're inspired, ways they plot, how they approach their first drafts. I hold that information up, inspect it, and compare it to my own (not good-or-bad compare. More like the, "Huh so that's how they do it" or "Oh, yay, I do it like that, too." way.). So, when the fantastic YA authors spilled, I was all ears.
(Disclaimer: This is NOT in order, and the tweets were not changed in any way. Tweets were copied and pasted directly from the April 15 & 16, 2010 transcript, which can be found here: YALITCHAT MADE FROM AWESOME MEGACHAT.)
ON INSPIRATION & INFLUENCES
cassieclare: "what was your aha moment that made you want to be a pub'ed author?" I don't think I had one. Just wanted to write books
jamesdashner: Fave TV shows: Lost. The Office. Modern Family. 24. Lost influences my writing the most of those.
kamigarcia: @Georgia_McBride That's what I thought you meant, G. Every writer should create something new.
hollyblack: @timestndstill I was thinking about magic systems - schools, lone wizards, councils - and i thought what if I modeled on mafia.
Carol_Anne_Shaw: @kpic724 Inspiration is everywhere. I carry a notebook/sketchbook w/ me all the time to record convo snippets, observations, etc
kamigarcia: @CarolChristo I always wrote- tons of poetry. I loved to read fantasy, sci-fi & comics. But I wanted to be a painter.
sarahreesbrenna: I've wanted to be a writer since I was five, when I gave up on the ballerina idea. (I have all the grace of a turkey in a fit.)
MichelleZink: @daniellebunner my best inspiration comes from freaky religious stuff. like the the omen. O_o
cassieclare: "what inspired you to write steampunk?" I just love the aesthetic. I bet @scottwesterfeld has a way better answer.
ON PLANNING & PLOTTING
sarahreesbrenna: The people around me hear every detail of what I am writing. Sometimes, with actions. And theme songs
hollyblack: @abookwormshaven I like bouncing ideas off other people because I feel like talking out loud helps me hear what's missing
jamesdashner: @abookwormshaven I don't share ideas until the book is written. Ideas never sound as cool when you verbalize them.
hollyblack: my biggest challenge was plot. early drafts of tithe are elves sitting around w/ ennui
cassieclare: "Do you know when you start a proj. that it will be a series?" Yes, but not always exactly how many installments b/4 I outline
hollyblack: @MichelleZink want to see scariest list of world building questions ever: SFWA Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions
hollyblack: @daniellebunner Developing characters is the one thing I find so intuitive that I can't explain. I could talk all day about plot.
MichelleZink: @jamesdashner Me, Too. Thats why planning is a rough spot for me. Too impatient to START
hollyblack: @CRDWLLG I have an idea file -- I use it a lot for short stories.
hollyblack: @CarolChristo That goes to show there is never one answer for anything in writing. You have to trust your process.
kamigarcia: @AwesomeArianna We make a loose outline on giant whiteboards with colored markers
hollyblack: @rhestondavis i came up with crazy plot theory, actually. that in fantasy, characters have to have personal plot
hollyblack: @rhestondavis in addition to larger plot -- not a subplot & not their character arc but a personal conflict that interacts w/main
breedespain: @caraabest My books usually start as a brewing of many ideas over a few weeks that suddenly come together as an Ahah moment
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @daniellebunner I'm not much of an outliner. I need the characters to do what they do.
cassieclare: I plot out everything ahead of time. I am a "micro-plotter."
CarrieRyanchat: @Zaviezera for me the place comes first and the characters second, story third
hollyblack: @daniellebunner now, i think my biggest challenge is trying to translate the book in my head onto the page.
sarahreesbrenna: @caraabest My ideas for books usually go 'wouldn't that be cool?' and 'wouldn't that be a TERRIBLE THING to happen to someone?'
mstohl: Yes to Melissa and Carrie: i dream WIPs all the time. then i forget what is the dream and what is real.
JackieKessler: @daniellebunner Oh, and driving. Remember: the best ideas come when have no way to write them down
cindypon: @CRDWLLG i daydream constantly. its essential to writing for me. scenes play like a short film in my mind. then i write it.
becfitzpatrick @ChristaCarol I tried managing my time, then gave up. I'm learning to live with chaos :)
kamigarcia: @daniellebunner We wrote BC on a dare. When we finished, we were going to put it on a website. So no plan...
cindypon: @AlysonNoel jealous! im solely a one idea at a time writer. usually im finishing current wip when next takes seed.(hi alyson! =) #
becfitzpatrick: I keep a journal. For too many reasons to fit into one tweet. Just do it and trust me, okay?
melissa_marr: @nflbabygirl Ill have you know I save all those murder scenes. I just dont SHARE them ;)
melissa_marr: @sztownsend81 In a plot way? No. I already know the story I'm telling.
JackieKessler: @NicoleZoltack Yuh huh. I think the Muse likes to taunt us. You know, make us suffer for our art
AlysonNoel: @daniellebunner Yep, the shiny, new idea is such a siren song!
ON FIRST DRAFTS
cindypon: You are Allowed to Write Utter Poo. 1st draft. ours all stink. then revise the stench out of it. =)
jamesdashner: @caraabest I always write straight through, no editing until the first draft is done.
lisa_mcmann: I prefer vomiting out the first draft quickly, then taking a break before revision – that first revision is hella fun.
halseanderson @marybrebner Please tell them that I said all first drafts suck. Especially mine.
jsmithready: @daniellebunner Hardest part of writing for me is 1st draft. Sometimes it feels like sculpting air
hollyblack: @CRDWLLG i ALWAYS go crazy during writing of book. right, @cassieclare?
cassieclare: Holly goes pretty crazy during book writing. During white cat she acquired 5 cats.
hollyblack: @cassieclare two of those cats were left to me in a will! they were ANCESTRAL CATS
hollyblack: @AwesomeArianna there is fat orange one that gets over-stimulated and bites... goes by name of Lenny the Squid.
mstohl: I'm a plunger. I require speed and adrenaline to draft, @kamigarcia and i both do
jamesdashner: @KarlaKT Not really. The first draft is all about the story and the flow of creativity.
hollyblack: @CarolChristo I think the first book is the hardest because you are inventing everything - world, characters, mood
Sunday, April 18, 2010
MegaChat Part I
I don't know if you were part of it but on Wednesday and Thursday, #YALITCHAT hosted a MegaChat on Twitter with a whole pile of top YA authors: Melissa Marr, A.S. King, Becca Fitzpatrick, Lisa McMann, Ellen Hopkins, Margaret Stohl, Carrie Ryan, Alyson Noel, Holly Black, Michelle Zink, Scott Westefeld, Kami Garcia, Cassandra Clare, Bree Despain, James Dashner, and Sarah Rees Brennan. (I know. I was in total fangirl awe!)
Anyway, after all was said and done, the transcript was 185 pages long (!!!). But there was so much amazing information, I just had to weed through it and pick out my favorite bits of advice from the authors. There as so much, I broke it into categories. And to keep the postings from being epics, I'm spreading the stuff I found out over the week. (Just imagine--a whole week of fab advice and tidbits from some of the most awesome YA writers out there! Yippee!)
(Disclaimer: This is NOT in order, and the tweets were not changed in any way. Tweets were copied and pasted directly from the April 15 & 16, 2010 transcript, which can be found here: YALITCHAT MADE FROM AWESOME MEGACHAT. Georgia McBride runs the YAlitchat Ning and the Twitter chat #YALITCHAT. I hope I've cited it all properly--credit where credit is due. To the fantastic authors who participated, thank you all for your time, words and advice. I only hope I've done you credit and haven't misrepresented you in any way. Authors' names are in bold.)
So, not to keep you in suspense any longer, here's the first part:
Anyway, after all was said and done, the transcript was 185 pages long (!!!). But there was so much amazing information, I just had to weed through it and pick out my favorite bits of advice from the authors. There as so much, I broke it into categories. And to keep the postings from being epics, I'm spreading the stuff I found out over the week. (Just imagine--a whole week of fab advice and tidbits from some of the most awesome YA writers out there! Yippee!)
(Disclaimer: This is NOT in order, and the tweets were not changed in any way. Tweets were copied and pasted directly from the April 15 & 16, 2010 transcript, which can be found here: YALITCHAT MADE FROM AWESOME MEGACHAT. Georgia McBride runs the YAlitchat Ning and the Twitter chat #YALITCHAT. I hope I've cited it all properly--credit where credit is due. To the fantastic authors who participated, thank you all for your time, words and advice. I only hope I've done you credit and haven't misrepresented you in any way. Authors' names are in bold.)
So, not to keep you in suspense any longer, here's the first part:
ON WRITING (in general)
mstohl: My greatest strength as a writer is not being afraid to write something terrible and throw it away.
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @djkeng The true definition of "trilogy" is "more than two books."
kamigarcia: @the_music_snob You don't need a degree to write. Just a pen.
mstohl: I think you have a voice, and you say the thing you have to say, and then the right agent, you find the right shelf.
kamigarcia: @daniellebunner There are no rules. Just write. And don't follow trends. Write your story
sarahreesbrenna: @MissyNH I believe ALL our books have love and murder in them... our priorities rule!
becfitzpatrick: Best advice: Cry and move on.
cassieclare: @trainedrunner Sure, foreshadowing is an important element of series fiction. Sometimes you wind up foreshadowing accidentally.
melissa_marr: @LisaMBasso I want to co-write a contemporary story. I just haven't found the write partner for it yet.
cindypon: @LisaMBasso i would love to cowrite w ursula le guin or maybe @malindalo. but honestly? im a selfish writer and bad w sharing
CarrieRyanchat: I think you can never stop learning craft
becfitzpatrick: Taking time off doesn't mean giving up. There's no expiration date on writing a book
ON YA
melissa_marr: @ForeverBelievin I didnt choose a genre. I just chose a **story** & it was YA
ScottWesterfeld: #yalitchat @serenanena The idea for Midnighters is what got me writing YA. Staying up till 12 when you're 27 isn't very magical.
AlysonNoel: @LisaMBasso If there are limits- I'm determined to ignore them. It's all about what serves the story!
AS_King: @MyraMcEntire Listening to adults has never been my strong point. Too often they have their minds made up. =P
CarrieRyanchat: @cynthial11 plus I think that there are things teens face that adults face too - we try to figure out who we are, what we want
hollyblack: @kierstenwhite I have a middle grade book I want to write and have sketched out some of. It's creepy. #plottingyourdestruction
ON TRENDS and THE MARKET
ScottWesterfeld #yalitchat Steampunk makes me feel like we can rewind the future, take tech in new directions, and wear better clothes
CarrieRyanchat: @LisaMBasso I think you have to always write for yourself, the market is fickle and in the end you have to love it
JackieKessler: @AS_King Yes, re trends. But if you write something that's not 'in' right now, it may take longer to sell. Be patient & positive
melissa_marr: @JennM14 Don't write to "teach a lesson" or "ride a trend." Write the bk you wanted to read as a teen. Don't flinch.
becfitzpatrick: I agree with @Lisa_McMann I had around 100 rejections. Query, query, query!
sarahreesbrenna: @AprilR I wrote about twenty books before I was published. If I had them under the bed, my nose'd touch the ceiling...
ScottWesterfeld #yalitchat Steampunk makes me feel like we can rewind the future, take tech in new directions, and wear better clothes
CarrieRyanchat: @LisaMBasso I think you have to always write for yourself, the market is fickle and in the end you have to love it
JackieKessler: @AS_King Yes, re trends. But if you write something that's not 'in' right now, it may take longer to sell. Be patient & positive
melissa_marr: @JennM14 Don't write to "teach a lesson" or "ride a trend." Write the bk you wanted to read as a teen. Don't flinch.
becfitzpatrick: I agree with @Lisa_McMann I had around 100 rejections. Query, query, query!
sarahreesbrenna: @AprilR I wrote about twenty books before I was published. If I had them under the bed, my nose'd touch the ceiling...
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
We've Got Winners!!
Yay! It's Friday and you know what that means...Drawing time!
(I found this really cool random number generator at www.random.org. Much better than having Finn the Dog chase scraps of paper around the place to pick the winners. Which was totally my original plan.)
Winner of Lisa Mantchev's PERCHANCE TO DREAM ARC:
VAMPIREGURL
Winner of SHADES OF GREY by Jasper Fforde:
REENA JACOBS
Winner of RAMPANT by Diane Peterfreund:
ROBIN K
Winner of BONES OF FAERIE by Janni Lee Simner:
THE JENKINS (MOSTLY JILL)
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks so much! I'll be emailing or tweeting you for your addresses. (OR you can just email them to me at: msbrebner@gmail.com)
(I found this really cool random number generator at www.random.org. Much better than having Finn the Dog chase scraps of paper around the place to pick the winners. Which was totally my original plan.)
Winner of Lisa Mantchev's PERCHANCE TO DREAM ARC:
VAMPIREGURL
Winner of SHADES OF GREY by Jasper Fforde:
REENA JACOBS
Winner of RAMPANT by Diane Peterfreund:
ROBIN K
Winner of BONES OF FAERIE by Janni Lee Simner:
THE JENKINS (MOSTLY JILL)
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks so much! I'll be emailing or tweeting you for your addresses. (OR you can just email them to me at: msbrebner@gmail.com)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Almost time...
It's almost the end of the week--and the end of my first contest! Yay! (No, please don't tell me I'm wrong. It can't only be Wednesday, can it? I'm going to ignore that. Pretend like it's Thursday. Okay? Good.)
Anyway, passing along some interesting posts I ran across this week:
Kidlit.com is hosting a "Critique Connection", for anyone who's on the lookout for a critique partner or an addition to a critique group.
Jamie over at Totally the Bomb is all about building an online presence, with some great info she's uncovered.
Guide to Literary Agents talks to Agent Michael Larsen about starting your writing career.
And Author Steph Bowe (published at 16--wow!) talks about the suckiest things about being a teenager (many of which carry on into adulthood, I'm sorry to tell ya, Steph!).
Anyway, passing along some interesting posts I ran across this week:
Kidlit.com is hosting a "Critique Connection", for anyone who's on the lookout for a critique partner or an addition to a critique group.
Jamie over at Totally the Bomb is all about building an online presence, with some great info she's uncovered.
Guide to Literary Agents talks to Agent Michael Larsen about starting your writing career.
And Author Steph Bowe (published at 16--wow!) talks about the suckiest things about being a teenager (many of which carry on into adulthood, I'm sorry to tell ya, Steph!).
Monday, April 12, 2010
My Very First Contest
Alrighty, it's about time for a contest, don'tcha think?
Prize #1: A fantastic-fabulous ARC for the lovely Lisa Mantchev's PERCHANCE TO DREAM
Prize #2: A copy of the mind-blowing novel SHADES OF GREY by Jasper Fforde
Prize #3: A copy of RAMPANT by Diane Peterfreund--killer unicorns and all
Prize #4: A copy of the eerie BONES OF FAERIE by Janni Lee Simner
(please don’t comment anonymously–I won’t be able to contact you if you’re the winner!)
(To make sure you get an entry for each awesome thing you do, please leave them in a separate comment below.)
DA PRIZES:
I have FOUR books to give away to FOUR lucky winners! Yay!
Prize #1: A fantastic-fabulous ARC for the lovely Lisa Mantchev's PERCHANCE TO DREAMPrize #2: A copy of the mind-blowing novel SHADES OF GREY by Jasper Fforde
Prize #3: A copy of RAMPANT by Diane Peterfreund--killer unicorns and all
Prize #4: A copy of the eerie BONES OF FAERIE by Janni Lee Simner
TO ENTER:
- Follow me and leave me a comment, letting me know what prize you'd like to win!
(please don’t comment anonymously–I won’t be able to contact you if you’re the winner!)
- If you want an extra entry, just tweet about the giveaway!
- If you want another extra entry, just mention this on your blog!
(To make sure you get an entry for each awesome thing you do, please leave them in a separate comment below.)
I'll be choosing the winner on Friday, April 16 at 5pm EST.
US and Canada only, please (I'm just a poor teacher--overseas mail is killer-expensive. Sorry!)
Cheers to all and best of luck--Have a great week!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Rest of Spring To Do List
Yeah, yeah. So I'm a little late with this To Do list, as Spring has already sprung. But, better late than never, right? (Oh, yes. I am all about the cliches today.)
Today, I was sitting in my PJ's (um, still in them. Don't judge. It's the last day of Spring Break so I'm allowed.), thinking that, OMG, there are only 39 days left of school and what am I going to do? *rubs hands together* Time to break out the infamous TO DO LIST (I so love lists. I love crossing stuff off my lists. I'll even make a new list when most of my stuff is crossed off the old list just so I can cross off MORE stuff. I am a list geek.).
SPRING TO DO LIST:
(For me, that's now thru June 5th--my last workday of the 2009-2010 school year. Yippee!)
1) Have a contest or two on my blog. I'm knocking part of this out starting MONDAY and running through SATURDAY--I'll pick the winners on Sunday. I've never had one before and I'm kind of nervous/excited about it. I've got a couple of ARC's and some new releases to pass along to my fabulous folks out there.
2) Finish 1st draft of YA adventure (with a dash of superhero thrown in). I'm at 33k right now. So, we'll see.
3) Make a habit of running. While weight loss is part of the long-term plan, I really need to get serious about exercise. I'm aiming for at least four times a week (and taking the dog for his 20 minute walk every day doesn't count). That gives me a little wiggle room but not enough for me to wiggle out of it.
4) Hook up with some crit partners. I've started this--signed up at Agent Query Connect (thanks for the suggestion, Jemi) and the Crit Seekers group over on the YALITCHAT Ning (If you're a MG/YA writer and not part of this, you so need to be. Click on the name for the link.), so I've got some high hopes for this one.
5) Read at least 10 new books. So, that's five books a month. Easy peasy.
6) Figure out what conference(s?) I'm going to attend this year. At the moment, I'm thinking the SCBWI Carolinas one in September. Any suggestions?
7) Okay, my brain has frozen. I must need a jump-start of Diet Coke. I'm sure I'll be adding to this cuz you know something always comes up.
What's on your To-Do list?
FINAL TALLY FOR SPRING BREAK READ-A-THON & CLEAR AWAY THE CLUTTER:
Reviewed Books (with final grades, if you're interested):
THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak: 98/A+
CHANGES by Jim Butcher: 95/A
SILVER BORNE by Patricia Briggs: 93/A
GENESIS by Bernard Beckett: 87/B
EPITAPH ROAD by David Patneaude: 86/B
THE LINE by Teri Hall: 74/D
Not-Yet-Reviewed Books:
THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa
HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
THE RECKONING by Kelley Armstrong
TEST by William Sleator
Ten books read + awesome weather + about 10k added to my WIP = a pretty darn good break!
Today, I was sitting in my PJ's (um, still in them. Don't judge. It's the last day of Spring Break so I'm allowed.), thinking that, OMG, there are only 39 days left of school and what am I going to do? *rubs hands together* Time to break out the infamous TO DO LIST (I so love lists. I love crossing stuff off my lists. I'll even make a new list when most of my stuff is crossed off the old list just so I can cross off MORE stuff. I am a list geek.).
SPRING TO DO LIST:
(For me, that's now thru June 5th--my last workday of the 2009-2010 school year. Yippee!)
1) Have a contest or two on my blog. I'm knocking part of this out starting MONDAY and running through SATURDAY--I'll pick the winners on Sunday. I've never had one before and I'm kind of nervous/excited about it. I've got a couple of ARC's and some new releases to pass along to my fabulous folks out there.
2) Finish 1st draft of YA adventure (with a dash of superhero thrown in). I'm at 33k right now. So, we'll see.
3) Make a habit of running. While weight loss is part of the long-term plan, I really need to get serious about exercise. I'm aiming for at least four times a week (and taking the dog for his 20 minute walk every day doesn't count). That gives me a little wiggle room but not enough for me to wiggle out of it.
4) Hook up with some crit partners. I've started this--signed up at Agent Query Connect (thanks for the suggestion, Jemi) and the Crit Seekers group over on the YALITCHAT Ning (If you're a MG/YA writer and not part of this, you so need to be. Click on the name for the link.), so I've got some high hopes for this one.
5) Read at least 10 new books. So, that's five books a month. Easy peasy.
6) Figure out what conference(s?) I'm going to attend this year. At the moment, I'm thinking the SCBWI Carolinas one in September. Any suggestions?
7) Okay, my brain has frozen. I must need a jump-start of Diet Coke. I'm sure I'll be adding to this cuz you know something always comes up.
What's on your To-Do list?
FINAL TALLY FOR SPRING BREAK READ-A-THON & CLEAR AWAY THE CLUTTER:
Reviewed Books (with final grades, if you're interested):
THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak: 98/A+
CHANGES by Jim Butcher: 95/A
SILVER BORNE by Patricia Briggs: 93/A
GENESIS by Bernard Beckett: 87/B
EPITAPH ROAD by David Patneaude: 86/B
THE LINE by Teri Hall: 74/D
Not-Yet-Reviewed Books:
THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa
HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
THE RECKONING by Kelley Armstrong
TEST by William Sleator
Ten books read + awesome weather + about 10k added to my WIP = a pretty darn good break!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
CHANGES by Jim Butcher
I love this series (Urban Fantasy, Adult). I've loved it from the very first book, when we first met wizard Harry Dresden, to this book, the twelfth in the series. CHANGES provided me with exactly the kind of quick-paced, high action Harry fix I needed. It's been a while (seems like it was forever ago, though it was just last year) since #11.
Poor Harry. Guy can never catch a break. He finds out he has a daughter (yep, he was shocked, too), Maggie, who's eight. Susan (anyone remember Susan? She was one of Harry's girlfriends, wrote for a yellow tabloid about supernaturals, turned into a half-vampire by a Red Court biotch? Her.) calls him and tells him they have a kid together and now Maggie's been kidnapped by the Red Court. Harry freaks (who wouldn't?) and calls in all the markers he has out there to rush to to Maggie's rescue, before she's used in a terrible bloodline curse. (No spoilers in any of that. Promise.)
Harry has the holy Hell beaten out of him by assassins, demons, vampires, and fae folk; the White Court's too caught up in a power struggle to help out; and he really, really doesn't want to ask the bad guys for help. But he will if he has to.
Oh, I so want to tell you about the part where I yelled at Harry and then threw the book across the room because he did something stupid. I did immediately go and pick it up, watch him do said stupid thing and wonder the rest of the time (when I wasn't completely caught up in the crazy-wild action that goes on through the entire book) how he was going to get out of the mess he'd gotten himself into.
And then, at the end...OMG! Craziness that I won't share because I hate-hate-hate spoilers with a passion. Anyway, if you haven't ever read a book in the Dresden series, this is a great one, though you get the full impact of all the prior events. Butcher is great about only giving a cursory overview of past plots--thank you for that, Jim--and there are so many nuances within the past books. But I promise, if you start with this one, you'll rush to read #1-11 and then read 12 all over again. And love it even more.
I can't wait for the next one, though I have absolutely no idea with that'll be. However, I know he's said there'll be about 20 books in the Dresden series when all is said and done. Plus, his fans would stalk him if he didn't write a #13 because of the cliffhanger ending in #12.
Final Grade for CHANGES by Jim Butcher: 95/A
Purchased book
Poor Harry. Guy can never catch a break. He finds out he has a daughter (yep, he was shocked, too), Maggie, who's eight. Susan (anyone remember Susan? She was one of Harry's girlfriends, wrote for a yellow tabloid about supernaturals, turned into a half-vampire by a Red Court biotch? Her.) calls him and tells him they have a kid together and now Maggie's been kidnapped by the Red Court. Harry freaks (who wouldn't?) and calls in all the markers he has out there to rush to to Maggie's rescue, before she's used in a terrible bloodline curse. (No spoilers in any of that. Promise.)
Harry has the holy Hell beaten out of him by assassins, demons, vampires, and fae folk; the White Court's too caught up in a power struggle to help out; and he really, really doesn't want to ask the bad guys for help. But he will if he has to.
Oh, I so want to tell you about the part where I yelled at Harry and then threw the book across the room because he did something stupid. I did immediately go and pick it up, watch him do said stupid thing and wonder the rest of the time (when I wasn't completely caught up in the crazy-wild action that goes on through the entire book) how he was going to get out of the mess he'd gotten himself into.
And then, at the end...OMG! Craziness that I won't share because I hate-hate-hate spoilers with a passion. Anyway, if you haven't ever read a book in the Dresden series, this is a great one, though you get the full impact of all the prior events. Butcher is great about only giving a cursory overview of past plots--thank you for that, Jim--and there are so many nuances within the past books. But I promise, if you start with this one, you'll rush to read #1-11 and then read 12 all over again. And love it even more.
I can't wait for the next one, though I have absolutely no idea with that'll be. However, I know he's said there'll be about 20 books in the Dresden series when all is said and done. Plus, his fans would stalk him if he didn't write a #13 because of the cliffhanger ending in #12.
Final Grade for CHANGES by Jim Butcher: 95/A
Purchased book
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Finding Your Perfect Match
I had a great plan for a blog last night at about 2:30am, when the dog flopped on top of me and woke me out of a deep sleep. I lay there, trying to count sheep as thoughts of my blog ambled through my brain (hey, give me a break. it was 2:30 in the freakin' morning.). I am certain one of those thoughts was something that would delight and amuse all two of my followers (haha--I know there are more of you out there...right? right? helloooo?).
But it's gone this morning. Poof.
So, instead, let's talk about crit partners. This was a subject that came up multiple times during last night's #yalitchat on Twitter (and, if you're a YA/MG writer and you're not at least lurking during this chat, you've gotta check it out. Tuesdays. Twitter. 9pmEST. It totally rocks--authors, editors, agents, publishers all just chatting about stuff dealing with YA/MG books. Lovely.)
Every writer needs at least one awesome crit partner. Someone to look at your work and rip it to glorious shreds (all constructive criticism, of course. if they're just being mean, it's best to drop them like hot rocks.). If you're lucky, you have an entire writing group that works together to improve everyone's writing. But most of us aren't so lucky. At least not at first.
Finding the right crit partners (and beta readers, for that matter) is like dating. You go out with people who you have something in common with, try each other on for size (so to speak--I know some of your minds went right into the gutter with that one!), see if your styles match up. If the stars align, you find a match. If not, you keep looking.
For me (and probably 80-90% of writers out there these days), this has all occurred online, despite trying to hook up with the local SCBWI group (no room at the inn for little ole me *sigh*). I've had a couple good first dates (though we never reconnected) and a few incompatible ones. But none have been long-term.
As I tend to do, I worry that it's me. When critting, I tend to write A LOT of comments/fixes/edits. And because I can't see the reaction of the person who I'm critting, I worry that I've offended (hey, sue me. I'm a Libra and like everyone to be happy...even when I'm ripping their stuff up.). So I back off, the other person backs off (whether it's because of my crit or life. Which, yanno, can get in the way of writing) and the relationship fades.
But there are a ton of great resources out there to help writers find partners (I haven't yet tried them all). Here are some biggies:
->AbsoluteWrite
->Verla Kay Blueboards
->SCBWI and other writer's associations
->YALitChat's Ning
->Scribblerati's Ning
->Twitter
I'm off to the Blueboards next, as I've heard that's a hot spot for singles--ah-hem, I mean writers. Any suggestions from my favorite readers? (and, by that, I mean all of you, of course! *hugs*) How did you find your crit partner match? (Or are you looking--hey, I'm available! I read just about anything, even though I'm writing YA. Email me if you're interested: msbrebner@gmail.com)
But it's gone this morning. Poof.
So, instead, let's talk about crit partners. This was a subject that came up multiple times during last night's #yalitchat on Twitter (and, if you're a YA/MG writer and you're not at least lurking during this chat, you've gotta check it out. Tuesdays. Twitter. 9pmEST. It totally rocks--authors, editors, agents, publishers all just chatting about stuff dealing with YA/MG books. Lovely.)
Every writer needs at least one awesome crit partner. Someone to look at your work and rip it to glorious shreds (all constructive criticism, of course. if they're just being mean, it's best to drop them like hot rocks.). If you're lucky, you have an entire writing group that works together to improve everyone's writing. But most of us aren't so lucky. At least not at first.
Finding the right crit partners (and beta readers, for that matter) is like dating. You go out with people who you have something in common with, try each other on for size (so to speak--I know some of your minds went right into the gutter with that one!), see if your styles match up. If the stars align, you find a match. If not, you keep looking.
For me (and probably 80-90% of writers out there these days), this has all occurred online, despite trying to hook up with the local SCBWI group (no room at the inn for little ole me *sigh*). I've had a couple good first dates (though we never reconnected) and a few incompatible ones. But none have been long-term.
As I tend to do, I worry that it's me. When critting, I tend to write A LOT of comments/fixes/edits. And because I can't see the reaction of the person who I'm critting, I worry that I've offended (hey, sue me. I'm a Libra and like everyone to be happy...even when I'm ripping their stuff up.). So I back off, the other person backs off (whether it's because of my crit or life. Which, yanno, can get in the way of writing) and the relationship fades.
But there are a ton of great resources out there to help writers find partners (I haven't yet tried them all). Here are some biggies:
->AbsoluteWrite
->Verla Kay Blueboards
->SCBWI and other writer's associations
->YALitChat's Ning
->Scribblerati's Ning
I'm off to the Blueboards next, as I've heard that's a hot spot for singles--ah-hem, I mean writers. Any suggestions from my favorite readers? (and, by that, I mean all of you, of course! *hugs*) How did you find your crit partner match? (Or are you looking--hey, I'm available! I read just about anything, even though I'm writing YA. Email me if you're interested: msbrebner@gmail.com)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Writing...Finally
Yay! Yay! Yay! I finally have an extended amount of time to write today. All appointments are done, most of my pots are planted and watered, and I'm not touching the front yard until the pollen settles down because, well, I don't want to die of a terrible allergic reaction (or, at best, have my eyes swell shut). So, my time is my own today. (don'tcha just love that? It's like a present or something!)
I love writing. When the words flow and scenes connect and characters take on a life of their own...there's nothing better. It's like chocolate, Diet Coke, a snuggly dog, and a beautiful day all wrapped up into one. *sigh* Wish I could do this all the time. Maybe. Someday.
What do you like about writing?
I love writing. When the words flow and scenes connect and characters take on a life of their own...there's nothing better. It's like chocolate, Diet Coke, a snuggly dog, and a beautiful day all wrapped up into one. *sigh* Wish I could do this all the time. Maybe. Someday.
What do you like about writing?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Whittling down the TBR pile
Three more books off the TBR pile on my dresser and shifted to my bookshelf or headed to my classroom bookshelf (there are some I just can't bear to part with because many of the books on my class shelf walk away, never to return).
Just finished GENESIS by Bernard Beckett today in the vet's office (Finny's annual checkup. With heartworm & flea pills = $250. Dang dog. Love him.). This was a teeny book, clocking in at just 150 pages, but it's an interesting read. I can't really go into too much detail without giving away the plot but I will tell you it's a twisty, tricksy book. Set in the future, after a cataclysmic nuclear and biological war that wipes out almost every human on the planet, Anax is a member of a society that's learned from its mistakes and thrived. She's a candidate for entry into the uber-exclusive Academy, but first she has to pass her three-hour oral exam on a topic of her choice. Written as a story within a story, Genesis tells Anax's story as she answers the Examiners' questions while she discusses Adam Forde, her topic of choice. Through Anax's story of Adam Forde, we learn how her society came to be. Okay, I don't think I can say much more without giving the plot away (of course, if you read the first review on Amazon, you'll learn most of it anyway).
Final Grade for GENESIS by Bernard Beckett: 87/B
Before that, I finished reading THE LINE by Teri Hall. While I really liked the dystopian premise and saw the potential in this story, I was sorely disappointed in the cliffhanger ending. It wasn't that the story was bad--it was decent but this book was thin, clocking just 219 pages, in pretty large type-face. To me, there's no reason to push a book into a series just because. Finish the darn story. Also, after a super-slow start, it didn't feel like it went anywhere. I didn't really get a feel for any of the characters, including the one who's supposed to be the main character (actually, I don't even remember her name! I'd have to go look it up to be sure but that's how little of an impression she left on me). The shifting points of view were confusing, mostly because it took a bit to realize that we'd shifted from the MC to her mom or to the lady who owns The Property. All in all, there wasn't enough in the first book to make me want to read the second (or third or however many bits they're going to chop this story into) and I felt that the entire story could be told in one fell swoop, rather than bitty near-novellas.
Final Grade for THE LINE by Teri Hall: 74/D
Along with the above two, I finally finished THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak. It took me a while because it was super-dense (in a wow-isn't-that-fantastic kind of way). Set in the late 1930's and early 40's in Molching, Germany, this story follows a young girl, Liesel Meminger, as she joins a foster family, having just witnessed the death of her young brother, stolen her first book, and said goodbye to her mother. Death is our narrator, telling the story as he/she travels through Germany, gathering up souls. There was a beauty in the telling of this story, each thread painstakingly added and intertwined with the other until the entire pattern of Liesel's life and her impact on those around her emerges. I cried. So amazing.
Final Grade for THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak: 98/A+
I'm thinking my next read may be THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa. Maybe I can finish it before my new Harry Dresden book or Kelly Armstrong comes in the mail! (yes, I'm still adding to my TBR pile.)
Just finished GENESIS by Bernard Beckett today in the vet's office (Finny's annual checkup. With heartworm & flea pills = $250. Dang dog. Love him.). This was a teeny book, clocking in at just 150 pages, but it's an interesting read. I can't really go into too much detail without giving away the plot but I will tell you it's a twisty, tricksy book. Set in the future, after a cataclysmic nuclear and biological war that wipes out almost every human on the planet, Anax is a member of a society that's learned from its mistakes and thrived. She's a candidate for entry into the uber-exclusive Academy, but first she has to pass her three-hour oral exam on a topic of her choice. Written as a story within a story, Genesis tells Anax's story as she answers the Examiners' questions while she discusses Adam Forde, her topic of choice. Through Anax's story of Adam Forde, we learn how her society came to be. Okay, I don't think I can say much more without giving the plot away (of course, if you read the first review on Amazon, you'll learn most of it anyway).
Final Grade for GENESIS by Bernard Beckett: 87/B
Before that, I finished reading THE LINE by Teri Hall. While I really liked the dystopian premise and saw the potential in this story, I was sorely disappointed in the cliffhanger ending. It wasn't that the story was bad--it was decent but this book was thin, clocking just 219 pages, in pretty large type-face. To me, there's no reason to push a book into a series just because. Finish the darn story. Also, after a super-slow start, it didn't feel like it went anywhere. I didn't really get a feel for any of the characters, including the one who's supposed to be the main character (actually, I don't even remember her name! I'd have to go look it up to be sure but that's how little of an impression she left on me). The shifting points of view were confusing, mostly because it took a bit to realize that we'd shifted from the MC to her mom or to the lady who owns The Property. All in all, there wasn't enough in the first book to make me want to read the second (or third or however many bits they're going to chop this story into) and I felt that the entire story could be told in one fell swoop, rather than bitty near-novellas.
Final Grade for THE LINE by Teri Hall: 74/D
Along with the above two, I finally finished THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak. It took me a while because it was super-dense (in a wow-isn't-that-fantastic kind of way). Set in the late 1930's and early 40's in Molching, Germany, this story follows a young girl, Liesel Meminger, as she joins a foster family, having just witnessed the death of her young brother, stolen her first book, and said goodbye to her mother. Death is our narrator, telling the story as he/she travels through Germany, gathering up souls. There was a beauty in the telling of this story, each thread painstakingly added and intertwined with the other until the entire pattern of Liesel's life and her impact on those around her emerges. I cried. So amazing.
Final Grade for THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak: 98/A+
I'm thinking my next read may be THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa. Maybe I can finish it before my new Harry Dresden book or Kelly Armstrong comes in the mail! (yes, I'm still adding to my TBR pile.)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Clear Away the Clutter Read-A-Thon
It's a readin' challenge over at The Neverending Shelf, just in time for Spring Break!
As part of the Clear Away the Clutter challenge, The Neverending Shelf will be hosting a Clear Away the Clutter Read-A-Thon. The purpose of the read-a-thon is to help challenge participants hit that book clutter hard. Anyone can participate! (Come on, join in! It'll be fun.)
When
Begins: 7am, Monday, April 5th
Ends: 11pm, Sunday, April 11th
(Okay, so I started a little early but, what can I say, I'm excited to have time to read.)
These books are on my TBR pile (we'll see what I get through):
Yay! Don'tcha just love books? Yeah, me, too. Oh, and I purchased all of these, with the exception of AND FALLING, FLY, which is an ARC I won from Literary Agent Colleen Lindsay.
What books are you reading that I need to add to my TBR pile?
And, since I had my camera out, I took a couple of backyard pictures:
Pollen-covered table. Yeah, it's super-thick. Hi, there Spring in the South!
But all that pollen is totally worth it when stuff starts blooming (please ignore the empty pots and instead, gaze upon the beauty of my Japanese Maple).
LOVE my wisteria bush--so beautiful and it smells so yummy.
When
Begins: 7am, Monday, April 5th
Ends: 11pm, Sunday, April 11th
(Okay, so I started a little early but, what can I say, I'm excited to have time to read.)
These books are on my TBR pile (we'll see what I get through):
What books are you reading that I need to add to my TBR pile?
And, since I had my camera out, I took a couple of backyard pictures:
Friday, April 2, 2010
Spring Break = Readin' Time!
So, it's finally here: Spring Break! (oh, and pollen season has turned my red car yellow. But that's a totally different story.).
As usual, I have big plans for break, most of which will not get accomplished because I'll be READING! Yahoo! (and writing, of course)
Prior to break (Wednesday night, to be exact), I finally finished SHADES OF GREY by Jasper Fforde (purchased). Now, that one took me a good week to get through (and that's a long time for me--I'm a super-fast reader, when I get time to read, that is), not because it was bad but because it was so...dense. Yep. Dense is a good word. This was my first Fforde book, so I don't know if he always writes like this but I liked it. So much information, such a complex world with incredible attention to detail. Excellent characters, twisty-turny plot, amazing worldbuilding. (*sigh* I wish I could write like that!) Guess I'm on a dystopian kick, though this one wasn't a planned dystopian read. In the very far future, our descendants can only see one shade of color. There are violets (top of the heap), reds, yellows, blues, greens, and (at the bottom) the greys. Each operates within a strict code of conduct and people are "Rebooted" if they don't live up to expectations. Eddie and his father arrive in a town on the outer limits of civilization to find that all is not as it seems (isn't that the way it always is). Great book. First in a trilogy.
Final Grade for SHADES OF GREY by Jasper Fforde: 90/B
Now that it's break, I've already finished Patricia Brigg's newest installment in the Mercy saga SILVER BORNE (purchased). Loved it. Mercy's such a great character, with just the right touches of toughness and vulnerability that make her completely likeable. Briggs tied up pretty much all the loose ends (including Samuel, the lone wolf who's been living with Mercy) so I think this might be the last in this part of the series. *cries*
Final Grade for SILVER BORNE by Patricia Briggs: 93/A
Then, I sat down with EPITAPH ROAD by David Patneaude (purchased) this afternoon. And finished it. (okay, it was a pretty slim book, as compared to many, so don't be too impressed.) The premise of this dytopian YA is that 97% of the male population is dead due to a viral outbreak. Women now rule the world--and keep the men under tight control. Men aren't allowed to take on important jobs. Instead, they're restricted to the non-essential type jobs. Plus, the male population is kept down to a minuscule percentage, so they won't have an advantage or take control and ruin the world, the way they did pre-virus. The main character, Kellen, is one of the few boys alive in Seattle and has very little to look forward to. But, when his father's life is threatened by another possible virus outbreak, he leaves his tightly-controlled world to warn him. And finds out the truth--plus so much more. (I can't say much more or I'll give away the twist!) Great book. The idea of a rampant viral outbreak decimating billions is so creepy, because it could really happen.
Final Grade for EPITAPH ROAD by David Patneaude: 86/B
THE LINE is up next. Or maybe I'll finish THE BOOK THIEF (another great but super-dense book!). Or something else from my three-foot-high TBR pile. Yay!
As usual, I have big plans for break, most of which will not get accomplished because I'll be READING! Yahoo! (and writing, of course)
Prior to break (Wednesday night, to be exact), I finally finished SHADES OF GREY by Jasper Fforde (purchased). Now, that one took me a good week to get through (and that's a long time for me--I'm a super-fast reader, when I get time to read, that is), not because it was bad but because it was so...dense. Yep. Dense is a good word. This was my first Fforde book, so I don't know if he always writes like this but I liked it. So much information, such a complex world with incredible attention to detail. Excellent characters, twisty-turny plot, amazing worldbuilding. (*sigh* I wish I could write like that!) Guess I'm on a dystopian kick, though this one wasn't a planned dystopian read. In the very far future, our descendants can only see one shade of color. There are violets (top of the heap), reds, yellows, blues, greens, and (at the bottom) the greys. Each operates within a strict code of conduct and people are "Rebooted" if they don't live up to expectations. Eddie and his father arrive in a town on the outer limits of civilization to find that all is not as it seems (isn't that the way it always is). Great book. First in a trilogy.
Final Grade for SHADES OF GREY by Jasper Fforde: 90/B
Now that it's break, I've already finished Patricia Brigg's newest installment in the Mercy saga SILVER BORNE (purchased). Loved it. Mercy's such a great character, with just the right touches of toughness and vulnerability that make her completely likeable. Briggs tied up pretty much all the loose ends (including Samuel, the lone wolf who's been living with Mercy) so I think this might be the last in this part of the series. *cries*
Final Grade for SILVER BORNE by Patricia Briggs: 93/A
Then, I sat down with EPITAPH ROAD by David Patneaude (purchased) this afternoon. And finished it. (okay, it was a pretty slim book, as compared to many, so don't be too impressed.) The premise of this dytopian YA is that 97% of the male population is dead due to a viral outbreak. Women now rule the world--and keep the men under tight control. Men aren't allowed to take on important jobs. Instead, they're restricted to the non-essential type jobs. Plus, the male population is kept down to a minuscule percentage, so they won't have an advantage or take control and ruin the world, the way they did pre-virus. The main character, Kellen, is one of the few boys alive in Seattle and has very little to look forward to. But, when his father's life is threatened by another possible virus outbreak, he leaves his tightly-controlled world to warn him. And finds out the truth--plus so much more. (I can't say much more or I'll give away the twist!) Great book. The idea of a rampant viral outbreak decimating billions is so creepy, because it could really happen.
Final Grade for EPITAPH ROAD by David Patneaude: 86/B
THE LINE is up next. Or maybe I'll finish THE BOOK THIEF (another great but super-dense book!). Or something else from my three-foot-high TBR pile. Yay!
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