Thursday, May 31, 2012

They're still at it...

Okay folks, a few days ago I posted about my characters fighting in my head. Well, they won't stop. So here is a snapshot of my mental state.

Me: Okay gang, time to leave the Faery Realm.
Character A: No. I'm not ready.
Me: Yes you are. We've been here too long already.
Character A: Fine. You guys leave and I'll catch up later.
Character B: Why does she get to make all the choices here. I'm important too.
Me: Are you ready to leave?
Character B: No, Not really. I just wanted to make sure you remembered me.
Character C: While we're all airing our grievances, I'd like to know why you're ignoring (insert major plot twist I knew nothing about). I think it's rather important.
Character D (who never complains): I hate to complain, but I'm starting to miss my girlfriend here. Can we get to that kissing scene a little sooner?
Me: Character D, your girlfriend is in a different realm, so you can't kiss her yet. What if she has a good dream about you?
Character D: Why isn't she already dreaming about me?

And so you see, if you're dreaming about becoming a writer, this is what happens to you. On the bright side, then you can talk about arguing with the voices in your head and no one will take you away. I hope.


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Lesson Learned

You should never brag. Even if you think you have a really good reason and there is no possible way that bragging about it will jinx it. Because it will.

I've been bragging about how my current writing project, the intended sequel to Blood-Bound, has been going for me. Every time I sat down to write, things just flowed. My outline was working beautifully, and the ideas just kept coming. And then...

My characters got in a huge catfight in my brain. (not fun) Some didn't like the direction of the plot, others were jealous of the attention others were getting, and one decided to tell me about a major part of the story that wasn't in my outline. So....

My sequel has turned into a (maybe) trilogy, I'm going to have to do a lot of re-writing, and my progress over the long weekend has been VERY SLOW.

So, moral of the story: Don't Brag. The voices in your head won't like it.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Attention Procrastinators...

It is time to act! Don't forget that the call for submissions for Spencer Hill Press' short story anthology Holiday Magick will close a month from today. Make sure to check out the details, then get to writing!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

To Tell...Or Re-tell?

I'm just curious. Which do you think is harder: Telling a completely new story, or re-telling a classic? My knee-jerk answer is telling a new story. I mean, after all, you have to make up everything.
    But then again, you get to make up everything. There are no adoring fans of the original to say "Hey! That's not how it goes!"  I've read many re-tellings that are just...blah. It's just the same story, possibly a different setting, but no surprises. I've also read things that claim to be re-tellings, but I can't for the life of me figure out what the original story was. And then there are the books written by Gerald Morris. I love this man, and he is a genius. If you are a King Arthur/Knights of the Round Table fan (like me) or if you think the whole thing is ridiculous, you should pick up some of his Arthurian legends. It's easy to figure out which hero is saving which Damsel in Distress, but instead of the swoon-worthy romances these tales were intended as, they are roll on the floor funny, without being crude, disrespectful, or changing much of the story line. Like I said: Genius. And now I'm going to quit gushing and continue reading. Research, I promise.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Contact Me!!!

Okay guys, in theory one day I will be too busy and famous to do these, so I want to do one now. What is this of which I speak? A Q&A, of course. So click on that nifty "Contact Me" button at the top of your screen and shoot me a question or 10. I'll do my best to answer them in a post in a week or two. You can ask me about writing, editing, my experiences with Spencer Hill Press, writing with Mom, my favorite pizza toppings, you name it! Happy weekend. :)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Review: Operative (Ganzfield #5) Kate Kaynak

Maddie and the rest of the team must catch the person selling classified information to terrorists--before they become the targets. Goodreads


Two things before we get into the review.
1: this is number 5 in a series, so if you haven't read the rest of the series, stop reading this and read them now. I'll wait.
2: Purple monkey ghost spies! Mrs. Kaynak, you are a genius.

Okay, this book doesn't actually take place in Ganzfield, which made me a little sad because we don't get to see much of Williamson. But I was only a little sad. Operative picks up right where Accused left off with it's cliff-hanger ending. Within a few pages Maddie and the gang are in Germany disarming weapons without touching them and conducting mind-scans on the people on the military base and in the American Embassy. And then things get weird. :)

Without saying too much, I have to mention that I love the new G-positives we get introduced to in Operative.I was torn between "That is sooo cool. I'm jealous." and "Holy Crap that's scary."And once the action starts, it doesn't stop. This one doesn't end with a cliffhanger (thankfully) but in no way can you not pick up Soulmate (next year) to find out what happens next.

As far as the characters, by book #5 they are all pretty well developed. Maddie and Trevor make me want to throw up a little, but they're cute together so it's okay. I have to admit I wasn't as fond of Drew this time as I was in the last one, but I do have to wonder if he's developing feelings for a certain someone... But only time will tell. We get to learn a lot more about Cecilia in this one. And, like Maddie, I found myself grudgingly liking her. At least a little bit.

Bottom line: This is an excellent addition to the series and Ganzfield fans will love it. If you still haven't started this series, please do so, and then refer to the previous sentence.  :)

Rating 4.5/5 stars

YA notes: Mild language, suggestive content.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Off to Work I Go....

  Have I mentioned lately that I really love my job? Of course, staying home with Stitch is the best benefit, but did you know I get to read books; for free? AND sometimes I get them even before the early reviewers? Okay, I'll quit bragging now. I am just finishing up the copy editing on Kelly Hashway's Touch of Death. Of course, I'll post a review closer to the release date, but I'll go ahead and tell you that it's awesome. At least if you like danger, romance, meddling gods, a strong female lead, and mac and cheese...  :)

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Titles

Okay, I never title anything I write until I'm finished. Mainly because I think it is harder than writing the story/book itself. But it's never too early to start thinking about therm anyway. I'm working on the sequel to Blood-Bound, so I was wondering: How do you title a sequel? Should it have an obvious connection to the title of the first novel? How about the same number of words? Or start with the same letter? Am I making this harder than it has to be?

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

It's HERE!!!

"Happy BookBirthday to you, Happy BookBirthday to you, Happy BookBirthday dear On Haunted Ground....."  It's not often you get to wish your mom a happy book birthday twice in a few months, but On Haunted Ground is officially on the shelves!



If you missed my non-review of this book, you can find it here. Then order your copy right here under my "Purchase My Books" tab. (I can do that because I have a short section in it. )  Happy Reading!  Oh, and don't forget to like me on facebook!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Review: The Mark, Jen Nadol

Sixteen year old Cassandra Renfield has seen the mark since forever: a glow around certain people as if a candle were held behind their back. 

The one time she mentioned it to someone else, the mark was dismissed as a trick of the light. So Cassie has kept quiet, considering its rare appearances odd, but insignificant. Until the day she watches a man die. Mining her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person's imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.

Cassie searches her past, her philosophy lessons, even her new boyfriend for answers, answers, always careful to hide her secret. How does the mark work? Why her? 

Most importantly: if you know today is someone's last, should you tell them? (Goodreads)





This book left me torn. I loved the concept of being able to see death, and Cassie's struggles to decide what she should do felt very real. The Greek mythology ties were a bonus in my book. (Who doesn't like a good classic?) And I think the philosophy debates were some of my favorite parts of the book.


But, I felt like I was reading a rough draft. Not that there were grammar errors or anything. It just seemed like The Mark was just an outline of a great story. The plot was there, but very little description, and hardly any back story. For example, Cassie's boss at her summer job is interested in being more than just friends, but we don't find this out until weeks after he's asked her on a date. And then it is only mentioned in passing. The book is filled with places where the story could be expounded on, and allow the reader to feel closer to the MC.


The one place I am grateful for the lack of detail is in Cassie's love life. It is obvious that she is in a sexual relationship, (which I don't really agree with, but anyway...) but Nadol basically skips over it, allowing readers like me, who'd rather not know, to go on with the story.


I am curious enough about the plot to pick up the next book in the series, but it isn't something demanding my immediate attention.


Rating:3/5 stars


YA Notes: Suggestive content, language, underage drinking.





Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Happy Birthday Elemental!

                      HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY ELEMENTAL!!!




And congrats to Emily White! I know this must be an exciting day for you and your awesome book! If you missed my review, you can find it here.