My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century

It's Tuesday, which means it's Teaser time!!! If you want to join in, head over to Should Be Reading and Miz B. will give you all the rules.

I'm pulling my teaser from My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris. As soon as I heard about this book, I ordered it. It's exactly my kind of thing- what I love to read, and a wee bit (okay very) similar to what I love to write: time travel. I'm only on Chapter Four, so I can't give any critique yet except that it's starting out great. Here's the blurb from Goodreads:

 

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother-to-be and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore.

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

 

And here's my teaser:

 

Tilting the mirror farther and sliding off my shades, I see my hair is twisted on top of my head in a braided crown, a vibrant red ribbon threaded through it. Definitely not the way I fixed it- I stopped doing ribbons in kindergarten.

 

Maybe I'm dreaming.

 

I pinch myself. Hard. "Freakin' A!"

 

Nope, not a dream. (page 29)

 

 

 

For The Love

I've been rereading Twilight for the past couple of weeks and watching the movies, all in prep for seeing Breaking Dawn Part 2 this Saturday.

I love Twilight but I still think stuff like this is funny

I love these books. I freely admit it. In fact, I even have a couple of Twilight t-shirts, proving that I'm not afraid to admit my love of this series. It makes me sad that it's become almost a "cool" thing to hate Twilight. I'm not saying that everyone has to love it- because of course not. The world would be a boring place if we all loved and hated the same things. But why is it A THING now to hate on these books and the author?

Now, I don't think the books are perfect (what book is?). There have been little things I've noticed in this past reread that have bugged me a bit. But in all, I think it's a great love story. The characters are the kind that stick with you- whether you always like them or not. I think it's amazing what the Twilight books have done for YA. How many authors out there have been inspired by these books and Stephenie Meyer and went on to write their own.

This too- hilarious!

I feel like I should be good at articulating my feelings on this (I claim to be a writer after all) but in truth, there have been a couple of other posts that say it so much better than I do. There's a good tumblr post done about it here and Shannon Hale's (an author I love) response to it here. Shannon Hale has also continued her talks about Twilight and whether it's damaging to young readers. You can read about that here. She raises some interesting questions and insights.

I guess my main thing, without getting into deep discussions on the merits or downfalls of it, is that it's okay if you hate it. And it's okay if you love it. But I'm not going to be a person who hates it just because that's the "smart" or "cool" thing to do. And I'm not going to be ashamed that I love it. So there. ;)

Inspiration a la Google

Today's Road Trip Wednesday hosted by YA Highway asks:

Share your most inspiring and/or motivational video, book, or quote on writing!

I hate to admit that I had no inspirational quotes or books or movies or anything that came to the top of my head. I know I've heard a few but I never remember them. I actually had to Google it.
*hangs head in shame*

And here's one I couldn't find in a nice colorful box but I had to add it anyway:

You must write for children the same way you write for adults, only better.  Maxim Gorky

Do you have any inspirational writing stuff?

New Moon

I just finished rereading New Moon (by Stephenie Meyer, duh) last night but haven't started Eclipse yet. I'm seeing Breaking Dawn Part 2 this Saturday and somehow I doubt I'll finish the last two books in five days. Oh well. I don't want to rush since this will be the last time I read these books for a loooong time.

 

Here's my teaser for Teaser Tuesday hosted by Miz B. at Should Be Reading:

... "As long as you like me best. And you think I'm good-looking- sort of. I'm prepared to be annoyingly persistent."

"I'm not going to change," I said, and though I tried to keep my voice normal, I could hear the sadness in it.

His face was thoughtful, no longer teasing. "It's still the other one, isn't it?" (page 212-213)

I've always been a Team Edward girl, but I've gotta say, Jacob has gradually grown on me. :)

Lest We Forget

Here in Canada on Sunday we will be celebrating Remembrance Day. Since I don't blog on the weekends, I thought I'd dedicate this post to those who've given their lives in service to their country. I know I did a similar post to this last November 11th, but I think it's important that at least one day a year we remember the sacrifices that others have given for us.

HERE'S TO THE HEROES

 

This song brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it.

 

 

Best Book of October

Today's Road Trip Wednesday question asks:

 

What was the best book you read in October?

October was a long month and I read a lot of books. A lot!

As usual, I can't pick just one fave, but I can pick a top three. Or maybe four. I have a major love for historical and so I LOVED Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard and Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers. They were both awesome historical/paranormal reads. I'm also a fan of The Raven Boys. My only complaint with that book was that it ended!

My top pick though, would have to be Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I LOVED this book like crazy. I've also read Pure by the same author, and after reading Obsidian, I went on an online shopping spree and bought everything Jennifer Armentrout has published, plus some pre-orders too. Onyx is waiting on my shelf to be read- it'll be the first thing I pick up once I'm done rereading The Twilight Saga.

What was the best book you read in October? Head over to YA Highway to answer.

Twilight

I'm pulling my Teaser Tuesday from Twilight today. No, this isn't the first time I've read it. Yes, I've lost track of how many times I've read it. What I've found interesting this time around, is that I've really noticed things that I hadn't before- writerly things that bug me a little, that I try to avoid in my own writing. It's interesting because the last couple of times I reread the series, I purposefully made myself try to focus on what I liked and didn't like about the story, writing, etc, but never could do it- I became too wrapped up in the story. I don't know why this time I've managed it- I'm hoping it's a sign of my reader/writer maturity. Ha!

Anyway, I still love the book. Here's a teaser from one of my favorite parts:

And then his cold, marble lips pressed very softly against mine.

What neither of us was prepared for was my response.

Blood boiled under my skin, burned in my lips. My breath came in a wild gasp. My fingers knotted in his hair, clutching him to me. My lips parted as I breathed in his heady scent.

Immediately I felt him turn to unresponsive stone beneath my lips. His hands gently, but with irresistible force, pushed my face back. I opened my eyes and saw his guarded expression.

"Oops," I breathed. (page 282)

Query Help?

I could really use some query help. I've written around half a dozen different drafts of a query for Sway. Not because I like writing queries *shudder* but because that's how bad I suck at them. I've decided on this version so far, but I would love some opinions and thoughts on it.

Ava Elliot thought coming home to LA after eight years away would be easy. She never would have imagined that her family would overspend so much that they'd lose their Hollywood Hills mansion. She never would have guessed that despite a Master's degree from Juilliard, she'd again be dependent on others for help with her fresh start. Worst of all, she never thought she'd see her ex-fiance again.

Ava feels like she's living a twisted version of her old life.

Eric Wentworth, home from his band's sold-out tour, wants nothing to do with Ava. She'd be happy to oblige if he wasn't living in her old home and dating her sister's best friend. Eric and his spiteful songs are a lot easier to ignore when Ava meets Gage, an actor whose chocolate kisses help her to forget the past.

But Gage isn't exactly what he seems and long-buried feelings for Eric are starting to resurface. Moving on is proving harder that Ava thought it would be. But maybe the past is worth fighting for after all.

So whaddya think?

I'm also looking for one or two beta's for this MS if anyone is interested. Someone who reads chick lit/women's fiction. I don't need line edits, I need thoughts on characters and pacing mostly and I'll read your MS in return. :)

Rah! Goals! Rah!

What do I love today?

Goals!

What do I love about them?

Accomplishing them!

Okay, that sounded like the worst cheer ever.

Haha

So, I set a goal for myself to get my revisions done by the end of October. I was one day late. I finished them yesterday- November 1st. Even though I was a day late, it felt so great to set a goal and get it done.

For all of you attempting NaNo right now, I wish you luck. But mostly I wish you the ability to meet your goals. That's what's so great about NaNo- it forces people to get their butt moving and get 'er done.

For me, I need to have goals with my writing. Writing isn't something I NEED to do, but it's something I LOVE to do and WANT to do. If I didn't set goals for myself, I would never get anything done. That's why I cheer for goals today. Nothing gets me moving like a deadline. And it feels so awesome when I meet it.

So, yay for goals. Now I have a goal to finish my on-paper revisions in two weeks so that I can move on to my R&R for Daze.

Rah! Goals!

Halloween

Of course Road Trip Wednesday is going to go all Halloween. So they're asking:

 

Halloween! What's your favorite scary book or movie?

This is a tough one because I don't like scary movies. Or books. Or anything scary at all. Yep, I'm a fraidy-cat. My overactive imagination takes even the least amounts of freaky and turns it into, what was that noise? Is someone pounding on my door? I can hear footsteps. I'm going to get slashed and murdered in my bed with a gigantic knife and there will be blood everywhere.

My imagination actually gets worse from there but I can't even write it down. When I was a teen, both Scream and Sleeping With the Enemy freaked the crap out of me. I don't think I've ever actually seen a horror movie (Scream would be the only one). And books? The scariest it gets is... nope, I can't think of one. I don't mind a little bit of freak-out, like Maureen Johnson's In The Name of the Star about a serial killer. And of course I love tension in my books. But as for horror? No way, no how, not happening.

So how's that for a non-answer?

What's your fave scary book or movie?

Actually, no, don't answer that. Because I'm not going to read/watch it anyway and I frankly don't even want to hear about it. Wait. Is something scratching at my window?

The Raven Boys

It's Teaser Tuesday time again, hosted by Miz B. of Should Be Reading. You can see the complete rules of the meme on her blog, but you basically open randomly to a page in your current read and choose a line or two- no spoilers!

Confession: I rarely pick a teaser at random. Usually, I use a line or small paragraph that I especially love or that conveys the tone of the book or the voice.

Right now I'm reading The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. I am loving this book so far which isn't much of a surprise since I've loved everything she's written that I've read so far. She has so many great lines in this book that it should be easy to pick one. Of course, when I need to find a line I love, I can't. Go figure. So you'll have to settle for this:

"Death." Gansey read the bottom of the card. He didn't sound surprised or alarmed. He just read the word like he would read eggs or Cincinnati.

"Great job, Maura," Calla said. Her arms were crossed firmly over her chest. "You going to interpret that for the kid?" (page 151)

What are you reading this week?

RED

 

I am loving Taylor Swift's new album RED like crazy. I admire her so much. She's not the best singer in the world, but her song-writing skills are amazing. Some people have blasted her for singing about her exes, but I think it makes the songs that much more interesting. Her songs are very honest, and I like that.

 

I also love that my three daughters (aged 3,5, and 8) beg to listen to her. Yes, my 3-year-old does too. We all belt out We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together in the car. I've only listened through the CD a couple of times, but Stay Stay Stay, Red, and 22 are already favorites. This CD is definitely worth a listen if you haven't had a chance yet.

Lost in Film Translation

Here's this week's Road Trip Wednesday prompt:

It isn't surprising that this month's Bookmobile selection, Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, has sold film rights; the darkly magical world of the Shadow Fold begs for an on-screen translation! But that got us wondering. We'd like to know, in your opinion, what is it that makes some books seem ideal for a film translation?

(An aside: I haven't read Shadow and Bone yet, I'm still waiting for it from the library.)

So, honestly? Any book. And I could really stop there.

The thing is, when I love a book, I automatically think, this would make a great movie, I wonder who'd play the leads?

In most cases of course, the book is way better than the movie. I've heard they optioned Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. I'd see that movie in a heartbeat, and yet anyone who's read it knows that a movie just won't hold a candle to this book. It's just not possible. A movie will lose all that's really great and special about the book.

When I was thinking about this question yesterday, my first thought was that contemporary books probably make the best movies. Earlier this month I read The Bachelorette Party which really SHOULD be a movie. In fact, I'm surprised it isn't yet. Same with Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married (which I did hear was made into a TV mini-series with Gerard Butler as Gus! I'd like to see that sometime).

But then I realized, contemporary doesn't always make a great movie. Take Speak for example. The movie was good but it doesn't compare to the book because we couldn't really get inside the main character's head. She doesn't speak, so with the movie it's impossible to really get it. I've heard Thirteen Reasons Why could also be a movie, and again, I doubt a movie version will have the same impact as the book.

I think the books most ideal for film translation are plot-driven and fast-paced. Books where we see the character development more through their actions than what's going on in their head. Of course, when I tried to think of an example, I couldn't really. (Because movies rarely are as good.)

The few cases where I enjoy a movie better than the book, are usually adaptations of classics. They cut out a lot of the long-winded description in the movie version and get straight to the point. *cough LOTR cough*

In conclusion... ha, just kidding. I've been long-winded and a bit rambly today (I probably should have stopped above). Browsing my shelves, what books would I love to see made into a movie? Juliet by Anne Fortier. The Gallagher Girls series or Heist Society books by Ally Carter. And Anna and the French Kiss, just because I love that book so much.

Speaking of books to movies, I'm super excited for this movie, coming out in February:

The Casual Vacancy

Yep, I'm reading it. The Casual Vacancy. J.K. Rowling's new book. I imagine I'll have a whole post about it when I'm done, but right now all I'm gonna say is...

Dobby, I don't think we're in Hogwarts anymore.

Naturally I'm pulling my Teaser Tuesday (hosted by Miz B from Should Be Reading) from this book. So without further adieu...

She could still see Howard and Maureen behind the counter, the one immense, the other scrawny, and in her mind's eye they were looking down at her from a height as they told her that her friend was dead. With an almost welcome gush of fury and hatred she thought, They're glad. They think they'll win now. (page 40)

Have you read The Casual Vacancy? I'm interested to hear others' thoughts on it.

Once Upon A Time

How much do I love this show? Let me count the ways...

Okay, maybe I won't, but seriously, this is one of my favorite shows ever! Every week I'm anxious to see who they're going to spotlight, what new character they're going to introduce. I love the different takes they put on our favorite fairy tale characters. I love the how they intertwine the Storybrooke story and the Enchanted Forest story. I love the new direction they've taken it this season. I love love love the costumes.

So maybe I was starting to count the ways. This really is an awesome show and if you're not watching it, YOU MUST.

And if I was going to dress up for Halloween, I'd so want to be Mulan- I love her outfit and her crazy-long ponytail. Or maybe Snow White. Or even the Evil Queen. The costumes are awesome!!!

NaNoWriMo

Today's Road Trip Wednesday hosted by YA Highway asks:

Are you doing NaNoWriMo, or have you ever? Does having a deadline inspire you?

No, I've never done NaNoWriMo. I first heard about it when I just barely started writing the first draft of Daze. My then 16-year-old niece was doing it. When I found out she wrote an entire book in a month... well, it lit a fire under my rear that's for sure. By the next February, I had finished my first manuscript.

I've sort of had the itch to do it this year, but the timing's off. I want to finish my Sway revisions and I've got an R&R for Daze. I'd really like to go back to my WIP and just get it finished. The idea is still floating around in the back of my head, begging to be written some more. But I've made a plan and I'm going to stick to it.

Oh, and do deadlines inspire me? Sure. I set them for myself. Of course, they're never as crazy as writing a novel in a month. Right now, I'd like to have my Sway revisions done by November 1st.  I don't know if I'm going to make that deadline but I'm sure as heck gonna try.

What about you? Doing NaNo this year? Do you set yourself crazy deadlines?

Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married

It's Teaser Tuesday time again, hosted by Miz B. at Should Be Reading. Today I'm actually not pulling my teaser from a YA book. Shocking, I know! I've been trying to read some Women's Fiction/Chick Lit since that's the genre I'm working on right now (Sway).

My teaser today is from Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married by Marian Keyes. I have a few minor issues with this book but overall it's been hilarious and page-turning. Thanks to Prerna for the recommendation!

Then he moved away from me and said more of those polite guest things like 'Can I do anything to help?' knowing that the answer would be an avalanche of 'Nos' and 'Not at alls' and slightly hysterical 'Everything's under controls!'. (page 317)

One of the things I like about this book is the fast dialogue so I'm going to share a teaser of that as well. (Note: I didn't cut out the dialogue tags, this is exactly how it's written. And it goes on, but I decided not to share it ALL.)

"Tell me about you getting married."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"Don't you want to talk about it?"
"No."
"That's what you always say about everything."
"What?"
"That you don't want to talk about it."
"Well, I don't want to talk about it."
"Did Connie go berserk?"
"Totally. She accused me of being pregnant."
"Poor Connie."
"Poor Connie, my eye!" (page 127)

What are you reading this week? And I could use some more Women's Fiction or Chick Lit recommendations. Anyone?

Bookshelf

A few weeks ago, YA Highway did a post about bookshelves. A few of their members posted pics of where they let their books go to rest. It was interesting to see how different everyone's spaces looked. It's like getting a glimpse into your personality. I loved this idea and thought I'd post a pic of my own bookshelf.

 



What my shelves say about me, I have no idea. Except that I'm a nerd who collects dragon figurines. These aren't my only shelves, I have some very messy ones in the basement with my old old books on them that I never read anymore. Sadly for them, they don't get a place of honor on these shelves. (That definitely says something about me.)

What do your bookshelves look like?

The Avengers

When it comes to comic-book movies, I'm like those people who see the movie but never read the book. I didn't read comic books growing up except for Archie. But I usually like comic-book movies. It has nothing to do with DC vs Marvel, or how well they stay true to the original story (because I have no clue). Either I like the movie or I don't. Usually, I want to see them when they come out. Sometimes they disappoint (cough, Green Lantern, cough) and sometimes they're so awesome that I'm surprised.

Like, The Avengers. I wanted to see it but I was afraid it wouldn't live up to all the hype.

But it did. Oh it did. I mean, is there someone in this universe who didn't love The Avengers? Really, I'd like to meet this person so I could slap the silly out of them. Avengers had everything. Great action, a few tender moments, the best one-liners- mostly delivered by Iron Man ("Better clench up, Legolas"), and the best Hulk-Smash scene ever. And let's not forget about all the eye-candy (how could we forget that???).

I don't think I need to say anymore. Except to profess my love for The Avengers. And to wonder why I've only seen it twice?! Excuse me while I go watch it again.

P.S. I read in an article that everyone has signed on to do the sequel except Jeremy Renner. What's the deal, Jer? We're counting on you. Please give us some more Hawkeye.

Warning: Spoilers. But um, really? If you haven't seen this movie yet, what have you been doing?

Looking Ahead (Please Don't Make Me)

Today's Road Trip Wednesday question kind of makes me want to groan. Here it is anyway...

What do you hope to be writing in one year? Three? Five?

Can I groan now?

This is me. Except female and without all the muscles. And clothed.

Here's the thing. I like to look ahead. In fact, sometimes I look ahead so much that I miss what's happening NOW. I often wonder where I will be at 'this time next year.' Will I have an agent? A book deal? Or will I be in exactly the same spot I am now (sigh). That's a depressing thought. I know agents and book deals don't usually happen quickly. (Trust me, I know this first hand.) I've started to tell myself NOT to look ahead. NOT to focus on when I'll have an agent or a book published. I tell myself to focus on the NOW: the writing, the revising, the craft- whatever it is I'm working on NOW. I tell myself not to worry about that end-goal dream.

Which is why I groan. Because I don't want to look ahead anymore.

All groaning aside, I can easily answer this question. In one year, three years, even five years, I'd like to be writing Jessica's story still. I have five possible book ideas (including the two I've already written) which would take me that long. Ideas, a story, and especially a character that I don't want to give up. That's the dream.

But I'm going to focus on the NOW. On the craft, not the dream. And then maybe, when the timing is right, the dream will happen.