Friday, March 28, 2014

Book Review: MONDAY, MONDAY

Monday, Monday: A NovelMonday, Monday: A Novel by Elizabeth Crook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Such a compelling novel! Books like this make me wish I was still in a book club, because this story needs to be discussed with fellow readers!

The main topic I'd like to discuss: Does grief give you the right to behave any way you want? Say and do anything you want? Really?

This book is very much about how various people cope with the grief encountered in life ... succumbing to it, regretting it, muddling through it, and finally overcoming it. We all handle it differently. Do we have any right to judge others and the way they handle it?

For example, Crook writes:

""Look what I've done," he said. "You trusted me, and look what I've done." He had come to her aid, and then he had wrecked her life."

- and -

""I don't want to live my whole life knowing that my fears might come true, and just hoping for them not to." Shelly didn't answer for a moment before saying, "But that's what most of us do. And if they do come true, we survive and then walk down the middle of whatever road we choose then.""

But don't worry!!

This book isn't only about grief, it is also very much about LOVE: the types of love we allow ourselves to receive from others, the types of love we allow ourselves to give to others, and the type of love that sustains us and moves us to better lives.

Elizabeth Crook's writing is beautiful, and she has an amazing ability to paint the scene and show the reader the action. The beginning and the ending sections of this book were by far my favorites. The middle slowed quite a bit in some places with a lot of "telling" rather than "showing" scenes. However, to cover the spans of time in this multi-generational book, I'm not quite sure how Crook could have accomplished it otherwise. Also in the middle there seemed to be some scenes that felt like "fillers" to me. Again, this is something I'd like to discuss with a book club (if only I was in one! ha). I'd like to ask if they thought the scenes were relevant to the plot or not. And frankly, the muddle in the middle is the only reason I knocked this book's rating from five stars to four stars. Everything else was great. Crook even made me cry multiple times!

This is a story that will linger in my mind for a while.

There is sexuality and violence in this book, but nothing mind-shattering. The language is very clean; I can only recall a couple of cuss words. Definitely a book I'd let my mother read. *wink* Oh, and then I'd have someone to discuss it with! Very good idea.



View all my reviews

Friday, March 21, 2014

My Writing Process Blog Tour

Kat Ross, (who can be found at: www.katrossbooks.com) author of the super cool book, SOME FINE DAY, invited me to participate in the:
"My Writing Process Blog Tour."
Yay me! *wink*


The blog tour includes wonderful authors who explain their writing processes. So be sure to check out the blog link above and the three below. And in the meantime, I will attempt to explain my own process. YIKES.


The questions:

1) What am I working on?
I'm currently working on two projects ... at the same time ... which is nuts. In the past I've only worked on one project at a time, but when I tried to decide what story to write next, there were two ideas that just would not leave me alone. And as a result, I'm working on them at a parallel pace. And no, I won't give you a description, yet. For now they are both my little secrets, but I will tell you that they are thrillers for the young adult market. 

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
This is a tough question to answer, but first let me say that my genre is: THRILLERS for the young adult reader. I'm not certain how my work differs, but I can tell you that my female main characters are strong young women who make a few bad decisions and then they save themselves. No Prince Charming rides in on a horse to save them. They got themselves into the mess, and they will get themselves out of it. :) Of course, there is a little romance in each of my books, but it's not the main focus, and the girls don't need the guys to save them (even though it really seems like there's no other possible way at some points during the stories).
 
3) Why do I write what I do?
I am a huge fan of Dean Koontz, and while some of his books are unpredictably HORROR based, he is also an amazing writer of thrillers. I want to bring exciting thrillers to young adult readers ... the kind of books that you can't put down because you just have to know what is going to happen next.
 
4) How does my writing process work?

1. I read as many award winning and best-selling books as I possibly can.

2. I read books on the craft of novel writing, and especially before I begin writing a new story, I read a NEW book on the craft that I've not read before. This really helps refresh my brain on the skills and techniques involved in great writing. Usually while I'm reading, my brain will spark with character and plot ideas for my next manuscript.

3. I write a query letter, or an elevator pitch, or a quick summary ... BEFORE I write the story. I have found that this makes writing the manuscript easier. First of all, by writing out the pitch, I can make sure the idea is going to work and then stay on track. I even pass that pitch on to my beta readers and critique partners to get their feedback. It's amazing what kind of plot problems people can pick out just from your short pitch.

4. Once I've polished the idea, then I use Blake Snyder's Beat Sheet to rough out the main ideas of my plot. I'm mostly a "pantser" when it comes to writing, but I've found that by outlining the big ideas or main points of my story I can work out problems ahead of time and save effort later.

5. Character development exercises from books by James Frey and Donald Maass have helped me get to know my characters better before I start writing.

6. Then I jump in and write the first draft. I *try* to finish the first draft without revising and editing; otherwise (because I'm such a perfectionist) I would be stuck forever polishing the first chapter.

7. Revising is my favorite part. I start with the overall big ideas and work my way down to the small individual word choices. I believe every word needs to move the plot forward or develop a character. If the word, sentence, paragraph, scene, or chapter doesn't do one of these two things, then it either needs to be cut or seriously revised for improvement.

8. While I'm in the revision stage, I will send chapters off to my awesome critique partners. They lovingly rip my work to shreds, and then I revise it again. I prefer to stage my critique partners so that they are not reading the same version. I will usually send a chapter to one critique partner, revise as necessary, and then send it to another partner for new feedback.

9. Once I'm satisfied with the manuscript I will send it to a few beta readers who tend to look at the bigger overall story rather than nit-picky little details. I make necessary improvements based on their feedback.

10. I send the manuscript to my ROCK STAR agent. After she reads it, she sends me an editorial letter with suggestions for improvement. And I revise again (because her suggestions are always spot-on, and I always slap myself in the head and ask, why didn't I see that sooner?)

11. My agent submits my manuscript to editors at publishing houses. If the planets are aligned properly, it sells. Then the editor sends me a new editorial letter, and I revise again (slapping myself in the head again, asking, why did I not see that sooner?!)

12. And then I start the writing process all over again.

ha.


Want to read about other writers? Check out these awesome people. Visit and follow their blogs now, and then check back with them on March 28th when they'll feature a post about their writing processes:


Christi Corbett lives in a small town in Oregon with her husband and their twin children. The home’s location holds a special place in her writing life; it stands just six hundred feet from the original Applegate Trail and the view from her back door is a hill travelers looked upon years ago as they explored the Oregon Territory and beyond.
 
http://christicorbett.wordpress.com




In her younger days, Nicole Singer snuck out of bed far too often to read by the glow of her nightlight. Not much has changed in 20 years, except she’s learned to keep the light on and her late nights now consist of reading AND writing. She writes fantasy and is currently working on a space-opera series, as well as outlines for a middle grade fantasy, YA steampunk and a historical fantasy. Her short stories have appeared in Soundings Review, Running in the Dark and the e-anthology Overcoming Adversity. As a public relations counselor, she also has written and edited articles for a variety of publications and assisted with promotions for three nonfiction book launches.

http://nicole-singer.blogspot.com/




Artemis Grey was raised on fairy tales and the folklore of Appalachia. She can often be found writing by a crackling fire or romping through the woods on horseback. It is her hope to make readers look at the world they’ve always seen, and see the world they’ve always envisioned. She has had five poems published in Poetry Pact 2011 (Volume 1) and several short stories in the online magazine Underneath The Juniper Tree.



What does your writing process look like?
 
 

Cover Reveal for MY TETHERED SOUL by Dorothy Dreyer

YAY!
Here's the cover:



Synopsis

It’s been months since Zadie faced her sister’s Reaper, months during which she’s been under her mentor’s magical protection. But now that she’s turning seventeen, that protection is about to run out.

When dark forces lure Zadie to wander at night, she’s manipulated into committing unspeakable acts. With her friends and family at risk, Zadie must try to use her powers to break free from the Reaper’s grasp, or surrender to the Reaper’s Rite, which can only lead to death.

 


Author Bio

Dorothy Dreyer has always believed in magic. Born in Angeles City, Philippines, to a Filipino mother and American Father, Dorothy grew up a military brat, living in Massachusetts, South Dakota, Guam, New Jersey, and New York. She now lives in Frankfurt, Germany, with her husband, two teens, and two Siberian huskies. Dorothy not only writes books with some element of magic in them, but has a fondness for reading those kinds of books as well. She also enjoys movies, chocolate, take-out, and spending time with family and friends. She’s known to make a pretty sweet cupcake when she has the time. She also tends to sing sometimes, so keep her away from your Karaoke bars.


Dorothy's Website: http://dorothydreyer.com
Dorothy's Twitter: http://twitter.com
Dorothy's Facebook Fanpage: http://facebook.com/AuthorDorothyDreyer

--

Dorothy Dreyer is an author of young adult books. Her debut, MY SISTER'S REAPER, released June 18, 2013, from Month9Books. MY TETHERED SOUL releases June 2014.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Writer's Conference: Queries & First Two Pages

[Reposted from 2010 - but the tips are still great!]

Friday, I attended two of Suzie Townsend's (from Fine Print Literary) classes, and I gained insight and ideas from each of them. Loved them.

First, she offered a Workshop Class on how to make your first two pages really stand out from the slush. Here are my notes:

As soon as possible:
1. Establish your character and voice
2. Establish the conflict and move the story forward
3. Establish the tone
4. Establish an indication of setting
5. Catch the reader off guard - to grab them and keep them reading

Goals of first two pages:
1. Create interest in the character and the plot
2. Create intrigue
3. Create investment

Anticipate the pauses when someone is reading and make these your paragraph breaks.

Then she read many pages from participant and critiqued them. Imagine American Idol. (But Suzie is SUPER NICE, unlike Simon.) That was very productive.

Her second class featured strategies for writing a great query letter.

1. Main character
2. What happens to her
3. What choices does she make
4. What terrible thing will happen because of choices

The mc must decide whether to ________. If she does then ___________. If she does not then __________.

Sound stark not verbose. Make your point and then stop talking.

Every three lines, skip a line. This makes it easier to read in an email.

At the end of the class, Suzie went through each of our queries and offered significant feedback.

I was really impressed with Suzie, her skills, and her knowledge. If you're looking for a fabulous agent, I would highly recommend her. Check her out here: http://fineprintlit.com/about-the-agents/suzie-townsend/  [updated link for Suzie: Suzie's Blog]

Friday, March 14, 2014

Book Review: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

The Fault in Our StarsThe Fault in Our Stars by John Green

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I've read three books now by John Green, and this was the best one (and I really enjoyed the others).

This is a great story about the walls we put up to protect ourselves ... and sometimes we think we are protecting the people around us as well by creating the walls. However, love, honesty, trust, and faith ... these are the best gifts we can give ourselves and those around us. The joy of love far outweighs the safety of enclosures.

This is a fantastic YA book. There's a little profanity and a small sex scene. Neither are overdone.

It's a great book to read and discuss as a family.

I highly recommend this book, and I'm very much looking forward to the movie!





View all my reviews

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Book Review: DEEPLY ODD

Deeply Odd (Odd Thomas, #6)Deeply Odd by Dean Koontz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I love Dean Koontz, and I love Odd Thomas. He's one of my all-time favorite fictional characters, and after watching the Odd Thomas movie, I love him even more!

This book was enjoyable, but too much of it felt like stage dressing for the next book. And that's one of the problems with series, sometimes the in-between books feel like bridges or fillers. I prefer when an individual book in a series reads like a stand-alone book with continuing character development. I read somewhere that Koontz will be ending this series with the next book, and so much of DEEPLY ODD felt like Koontz was setting things in place for the finale that's coming in the next book ... which is fine, maybe, but I felt like I was watching the stage hands setting the stage for the next play, rather than just enjoying the current play.

And Annamaria ... still nothing happened with her in this book, and yet she's being carried along. That's gotten old, but I'm *assuming* she'll have some major role in the finale.

While I listed most of the things I didn't like about the book, I really did enjoy reading it, and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

And ... if you haven't seen the ODD THOMAS movie - go now. You can rent it from various venues.



View all my reviews

Monday, March 10, 2014

Win a Kindle Fire!

 

Welcome to the Pot of Gold Giveaway

Three winners will receive

 free glitter text and family website at FamilyLobby.com 



But in addition....



One Very Lucky Leprechaun 

will receive a 

free glitter text and family website at FamilyLobby.com

pre-loaded 


with 30 great books!  




It's an awesome giveaway. Go. Now. Enter.
 


Friday, March 7, 2014

DDYA: The Dark Side of Young Adults in Fiction and Real Life


Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We all have it … a darker side. We may not admit to it in the light of day, but we all have that clichéd angel sitting on one shoulder and the devil sitting on the other. One is saying, “Make the right choice, and you’ll be glad in the end.” The other says, “Make the wrong choice, and you’ll have much more fun.” It’s that conflict that keeps us engaged and waffling with the decision at hand.
 
The same is true with a well written story. It’s conflict. 
 
If the main character always makes the right choice, then why bother to read the story? You already know what will happen. She’ll make the right choice, and everything will turn out fine in the end. But what if the main character makes the wrong choice and everything goes south from there? Will she realize her mistake sooner or later? What will she do to rectify the situation? How will she ever win in the end? This conflict is what keeps us turning the pages.
 
According to Mary Kole, author of WRITING IRRESISTIBLE KIDLIT, “Teens are exploring the dark side of their personalities around the time they hit fourteen or fifteen. They get interested in suicide and serial killers and other darker shades of humanity. Death-related worlds and characters help them explore that through fiction.”
 
That’s not saying authors should focus their plotlines on serial killers; it’s saying authors need to keep this aspect of the teen psyche in mind when developing characters and plot twists. Let the character explore these darker issues.
 
And it’s not just teens using fiction to explore dark elements; adults do it, too. 
 
According to James Frey, author of HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD THRILLER, “Though we may be rooting for the hero, we have a secret fascination with the villain, who has a twin deep within our psyche.”
 
Writers have an incredible power to influence the thoughts of readers (if the story is written well, that is). Is it possible to explore the dark side without losing ourselves in it? Sure. As long as good wins out in the end, and writers have the power to make that happen.
 
Who is your favorite author that dips you into the darkness but brings you back out again?
 

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

IWSG: Words of Encouragement

www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
 
 
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.

 Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
...
 
Words of encouragement for today:
 
"What makes every story unique in today's marketplace is execution. That's what you bring to the table as a writer."
-- Mary Kole (WRITING IRRESISTIBLE KIDLIT)