Friday, September 30, 2011

Banned Books Blog Giveaway--And the Winners Are ...

For Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
the winner is ...
(both using random.org)



For To Kill a Mocking Bird
the winner is ...

Melora

The Winner is ... and Cutting Back

And the winner (of NOT my type) is ... 
(I used random.org)

David Powers King




In the current state of the economy,
when I mention something like cutting back
you might think about
Finances

Or, perhaps

Seasoning

or maybe

Eating

Drinking



But, alas, no.
I'm speaking of

Blogging
I've never had an official schedule,
but I've tended to blog on
Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays.
However, between now and
the end of the year
things are going to be a little crazy.

Things like
running an election

and

Yes, I know I was epic fail last year, but I'd like to try again.
and something trivial like

Getting WIP #1 ready for submitting

AND

Getting that draft Query Letter in shape.

So, I'm going to post only (mostly) on Fridays
until the end of the year,
and I will strive to check people's blogs
also on Fridays
and stay away the rest of the week.
I will do my Grammar Friday once a month.
And I will focus on completing
not only WIP #1
but my NaNo project.

I hope have confidence I will persevere.




Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on
after others have let go.
~William Feather

Are you doing NaNo?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Book Giveaway! "Not My Type" by Melanie Jacobson

It's not too late to get in on the
Banned Book Giveaway Hop here

Not My Type Book Giveaway

 Those of you who have followed me for a bit know that last May I went to the Storymaker writing conference and also signed up for Bootcamp. Well, my bookcamp Drill Instructor was the charming Melanie Jacobson, author of The List and the recently released Not My Type.

I'm reading Not My Type right now and thoroughly enjoying it. Because I was in the middle of another book, I lent this one to a coworker to read first. She loved it! This coworker seems to get to read all my books before I do. Ugh!

Well, to help celebrate the release of Melanie's new book, I'm hosting a giveaway. Some lucky person is going to win a copy of Not My Type. So what's it about? Here's what the back of the book says:
Twenty-three-year-old Pepper Spicer is not living the dream. She ended her engagement at the last minute because fiance—a musician an soon-to-be reality TV star—wanted her to sacrifice her own career ambitions for his. Now she's stuck at home sharing a room with her little sister, trying to pay off massive debt for a wedding that didn't happen, and spending Friday nights Facebook-stalking everyone who has a better life. Her therapist father urges her to choose her career dreams and count her blessings by writing weekly thank-you notes, but gratitude is a tall order when she botches an important job interview and has to settle for writing an undercover dating web-zine column—the last thing in the world she wants to do. Still, as Pepper (byline:Indie Girl) chronicles her bizarre and hilarious blind dates, she gives her father's challenge a try and slowly finds herself leaving self-pity behind. Life takes a major upswing as Pepper's column hits the big time and she tastes the exhilarating thrill of success. But there's one tiny problem: the intensely hot man she's falling for is having issues with her job (again). Will Pepper trade her personal ambition for another chance at love?
And if you're still not sure you want this book (and I'm tellin' you, you want this book), you can read the first chapter here.

Now that you've whetted your appetite with that little appetizer of a chapter, I bet you're wondering what you have to do to win the book.

Well ...

This is what you MUST do:
  • Comment here that you're interested in being entered in the drawing
  • Since some of this romance also has to do with Pepper's job/career, share a job that you've had some time in your life
This is what you CAN do if you so choose:
  • Follow me if you aren't already doing so
  • Follow Melanie here
This is going to be a short contest,
and I will announce the winner on my post
on Friday morning.

And don't forget to check out The List:
Ashley Barrett doesn’t want to get married. At least, not anytime soon. She doesn’t care how many of her friends and family members and fellow churchgoers had weddings before they finished college — the last thing she needs in her fun-loving twenties is the dead-weight of some guy. And that’s why she created The List. By the time she completes all twenty-five goals — from learning a language to skydiving to perfecting the art of making sushi — she’ll be more ready to settle down. Maybe.
This summer in California is a prime time for Ashley to cross two items off the list: learn to surf (#13) and have a summer romance (#17). And Matt Gibson, the best surf instructor in Huntington Beach and the most wanted guy in the singles ward, is the perfect man for the job. Ashley hatches a plan to love him and leave him before heading off to grad school in the fall (#4, get a master’s degree). But when Matt decides he doesn’t like the “leaving” part, Ashley’s carefully laid plans are turned sideways. Now Ashley faces an unexpected dilemma: should she stick to the safety of The List, or risk everything for a love that may tie her down — or might set her free?
 Since I'm asking  you to tell about a job you had, I'll lead out. One of the jobs I had in college was folding T-shirts. Well, shorts, too, since it was the laundry for the university gym, but there wasn't anything to folding shorts. Have you dropped dead from boredom, yet? It was so badwe'd have contests to see how many t-shirts we could fold in an hour. O_o

It's amazing the things people would leave with their gym clothes. I mean, come on. I realize a guy might not notice when he left his jock strap behind, but a girl's panties or bra? We used to have fun with those and slip them into the neatly folded clothes of members of the opposite sex. Bear in mind that I attended a conservative religious university *coughBYUcough*. We tend to be a little tight about stuff like that, especially back before there was dirt.

What can I say?

So, what dumb job have you had?

Monday, September 26, 2011

What I've Been Reading

Don't forget to check out the
Banned Book Giveaway Hop here.

As much as I complain about not having enough time to read, I have been getting through some books.I'm usually listening to an audiobook, so I can have something going while I'm doing mindless things at home like laundry, cleaning, or yard work. My hubby likes me to read to him, so we've frequently got a book going together, though those take us a while since he tends to fall asleep rather easily (he's got Fibromyalgia). Then I'm usually reading a book myself, either before I go to sleep (when I'm not critiquing) or when I'm on my treadmill or exercise bike.

So, here's what I've been reading (or listening to):

Seeking Persephone is a prequel to Courting Miss Lancaster which I reviewed here. These are Regency Romances by Sarah M. Eden, whose writing I love dearly. She's got a wonderful way of creating conflict riddled with humor. And her characters! I was crushing on Adam after reading CML, but we get to learn so much more about him in SP, that I just love him even more. Sarah hinted there might be another book in the series. I can't wait to visit these characters again. 


I had an opportunity to read the ARC for Everneath by Brodi Ashton, which I LOVED! You can read what I said about it here. It comes out in January 2012.











And another ARC I got to read was Shifting by Bethany Wiggins. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It comes out on September 27th. You can read about it here.


I've read the first two books in this trilogy, and the final book comes out in October. I hesitated to start it since I heard about the first book right after the first Hunger Games book came out. I didn't want to start a new trilogy. But then I was so disappointed with Mockingjay, I wasn't sure I wanted to risk be disappointed again. But Dan Wells did such a fabulous job with his I Am Not a Serial Killer series, that I decided to give this series a chance. We'll see in October. 


I enjoyed Watched by Cindy M. Hogan. I'd definitely want to keep track of any children I sent on summer field trips after reading this book!










I loved Laura Josephsen's book Confessions from the Realm of the Underworld (Also Known as High School). You can read my thoughts on it here.                    

Hubby and I have been reading this series together (we're on the third book). It involves the brother of one of the characters we meet in The Saint Squad Series--see below (love these books about Navy Seals).

 Hubby and I have one more book to go in this series after we finish The Deep End.









 This book is the first in the Runelord series by David Farland. I really enjoyed it. David is the "father", so to speak, of the online critique group forum I'm a member of.










I recently listened to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (who died before the book came out) and her niece Annie Barrows again. I just love this story and the way it's written using letters or notes. The unique voice of each character is so well done. Some of the characters I wish I could meet in real life and just hug!

This books provides one of those places I wish I could go to and live.


I hate getting old. I was thinking I hadn't read this one. Guess what? I have. Oh, well. I liked it the second time, too. It's the sequel to her book Masques, which I read earlier in the year. What can I say? I love Patricia Briggs's books. 








Entwined by Heather Dixon is a charming retelling of the fairytale of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.











A Night of Blacker Darkness by Dan Wells is a really interesting book, very different from his I Am Not a Serial Killer series. Because of that, it took me a few pages to get into it just because it was so different from what I'd expected. It's a farce and has some very silly moments. Talk about a comedy of errors!

From the product description on Amazon:
Wrongly imprisoned, Frederick Whithers is desperate to commit the crime he's already being punished for: defrauding the bank out of a vast inheritance. He fakes his death to escape, but when he's seen climbing out of a coffin everyone assumes he's a vampire; when he shows none of the traditional vampire weaknesses, they decide he must be the most powerful vampire in the history of the world.

Half horror and half farce, Frederick's tale is an ever-growing avalanche of bankers, constables, graverobbers, poets, ghouls, morticians, vampires, vampire hunters, not to mention some very unfortunate rabbits. With a string of allies even more unlikely than his enemies, can Frederick stay alive long enough to claim his (well, somebody's) money? And if he can't, which of his innumerable enemies will get to him first? 


I think this book would make a hilarious play.

Okay. I really need to quit complaining that I'm not getting any reading time. 
Obviously I'm doing better than I thought!


So what have you been reading?
Anything I should add to my Goodreads list?
I haven't reached 100 books to read yet.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop

Hard Cover
Anybody who knows me knows I'm a rabid Harry Potter fan. The books and films have been so wildly popular that some of you may have forgotten that there were (and still are) lots of people who would like to see them banned.

So no one should be surprised that the banned book I'm giving away for the Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop is one of Harry's books.


    And another ...
 
But to spice things up, I'm going to have a second winner. This winner will get a hard copy of another banned book. A Pulitzer Prize winning book.

Hard Cover

You only have to do two things for your name to be entered in the giveaway:
  1. Comment here that you're interested in participating in the drawing.
  2. Tell what your favorite banned book is and why.
I invite you to do the following but neither is required:
  1. Visit the other members of the Banned Book Giveaway Hop and see what books they're giving away. You can find the list here. The Giveaway lasts a week, so you don't have to hit them all at once.
  2. Feel free to follow me if you aren't already.

    Thursday, September 22, 2011

    Second Campaigner Challenge

    Between the election, illness, and a trip to Disneyland with the grandkids, I'm not able to participate in the Second Challenge. Please check out the other participants you'll find below.

    List of Campaigners

    Wednesday, September 21, 2011

    100 YA Books

    FYI --I'm traveling through Friday, so I won't be able to do any blog visits until I get back. I'm off to Disneyland with the grandkids.

    I copied this from Robin Week's blog post here, and she got it from Chanelle at Beyond Words. I did not create this list, and I'm not sure who did.


    I should also note that I may have a book but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I had to finally stop buying books I wanted to read and keep track of them on my Goodreads list instead. My to-read list is approaching 90 books.

    Bold = I've Read It
    Italics = I Own It
    Underline = Started, didn't finish

    1. Alex Finn – Beastly
    2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
    3. Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
    4. Ally Condie – Matched
    5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (It got #4 on accident and skipped 3)
    6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
    7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
    8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
    9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
    10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
    11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
    12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
    13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
    14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
    15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
    16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
    17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3)
    18. Christopher Paolini - Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
    19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
    20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
    21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
    22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
    23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
    24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
    25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
    26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
    27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
    28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)
    29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
    30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
    31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
    32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
    33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
    34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
    35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
    36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
    37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
    38. John Green – Paper Towns
    39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
    40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
    41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
    42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)
    43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
    44. Lemony Snicket - Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
    45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
    46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
    47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
    48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
    49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3)
    50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
    51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
    52. Markus Zusak - The Book Thief
    53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
    54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
    55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
    56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
    57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
    58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
    59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
    60. Meg Rosoff – How I live now
    61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
    62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
    63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
    64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
    65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
    66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4)
    67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
    68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
    69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
    70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
    71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
    72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ) (I used to own the books)
    73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
    74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
    75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
    76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
    77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
    78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
    79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
    80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
    81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
    82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
    83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
    84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
    85. Scott Westerfeld - Leviathan (1, 2)
    86. Scott Westerfeld - Uglies (1, 2, 3)
    87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
    88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
    89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3
    , 4)
    90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
    91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
    92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host  (Not YA but I love it anyway--better than the Twilight books)
    93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
    94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
    95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
    96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
    97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
    98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
    99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3)
    100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped

    I have some books I'd add to the list (and these are just a few I could name):
    What about you? Have you read any of these books? What would you add to the list?

    Tuesday, September 20, 2011

    Emerine's Nightmare by Anna del C.

    A shout out for Anna del C. Dye's new middle grade book.

    Emerine's Nightmare. You can find it for both the Kindle and Nook.

    What would you do if one night, life as you know it changes and you are left alone in despair? That is how Emerine’s nightmare starts and now all he does is run.

    His family lived at the edge of the forest until dark shadows killed them all. Now they want him, and so does a magic tree. He has never seen dark shadows or enchanted trees before. Emerine has to get to the heart of Red Forest, to the fairy people. Only then he will be safe. Safe? He has never heard of fairies before and once he gets there what? 



    Monday, September 19, 2011

    International Talk Like a Pirate Day ... And Birthdays

    Don`t be forgettin` today

    be

    Hermione Granger Weasley`s birthday
    Source


    So what  about ye? Will ye be celebratin'?
     

    Ya scurvy cur who ortin' t' be keel hauled!

    Friday, September 16, 2011

    Genre Elitism

    I was tired already. I'd been up since 3:30 a.m. and had been at work for over twelve hours with another five hours to go. Never at my best then.

    That's when I got some new feedback on my book. And it wasn't even just about my book, my writing.

    It was about my genre.

    I have SciFi and YA Fantasy WIPs I'm working on. But my first WIP, the one I've invested nearly two years of my life on, my learning project, the one that makes my hubby cry when I read him a new revision, is an adventure romance.

    Romance.

    Intellectually, I know this is a subjective business. I know there are many (all right, lots) of people who sneer at romance as a genre. Even now I'm not sure why the condescending tone of the feedback hurt so much. At that moment I wanted to sit down and cry. My instinct was to quit.

    Yeah. Yeah. I get it. Honest.

    If I'm really going to be brave and put my work out there, I need to be thick skinned.

    And well padded.

    Having a little armor wouldn't hurt.

    A safety net might be a good idea.

    What about you? Have you faced genre elitism or bias before? Are there people, either readers or writers, who seem to think the quality of their writing is better if only by virtue of their genre?


     Encouraging Feedback

    When I posed my discouragement to a writers group I'm a member of through my church, I received some wonderful insightful comments about the nature of romances. I've listed them below if you're interested. Some of the comments are quite profound, imho.

    Tiffany Graybill Williams
    You need to talk to Donna [Hatch]. She had a woman thank her for her romance novel. It helped her escape while her son was going through cancer. It's a great story! We were all given many many talents and we shouldn't waste them. Keep writing your romance, it brings joy and hope, and I'll keep writing my fantasy, and together we'll turn our 1 talent into many talents we can share with the world.

    Shelli Proffitt Howells
    ... God did not give you the talent and the compulsion to write without a reason. ... Your values shine through your writing, and those values can have a wonderful impact on a huge audience through romance novels. Don't let anyone discourage you!!!

    M.d. Christie
    People can be so abrasive and judgmental. It really ticks me off that people can be so ignorant. There is nothing wrong with romance and your talents are no less important than a philosophical writer. (((hugs))) keep on keeping on! You uplift many!!!

    Theresa Small Sneed
    Don't give xxx your 'peace' ... xxx can't take anything away from you that you don't consent to - so know that xxx's simply wrong, for whatever reason, and KNOW that what you are doing is absolutely wonderful and essential ...

    Pamela Stott Williams
    Don't be intimidated! Romance is good. Romance is rich. Romance helps us keep commitments and aim for ideals. Nobody should be better at writing about the most important personal relationship in life than Latter-day Saints. We understand what eternal marriage means, and we understand that choosing an eternal companion is the most important decision we make. We were individuals in premortality, but we came here to form family ties that we take with us into eternity. That's a good thing to discuss in literature!

    Joan Sowards Every story needs a touch of romance!

    Joyce DiPastena
    Donna, there is a world of women out there searching for clean romances to read, and there are increasingly oh! so few places to find them! These readers need you. They need what you write. They need to know they can open a romance book and feel "safe" when they do so. You can help to give them that. Don't give up and don't let others depress you. If some of us don't write clean romances, where are these readers to go?

    Donna Hatch
    Romance has always gotten a bad rap. Those naysayers are the noisy minority. Shake them off. I know tons of women who need an escape from their crummy lives and they get it through a good romance novel. I'm one of them. And I get emails every week from people who love having an escape where two people beat the odds to get together. In preparation for a conference class I'm teaching on romance, I polled my FB friends. Here's what one person wrote: "The good ones show how important and life altering being loved and loving can be. We do things we wouldn't have considered before and make decisions that seem foolish without the existence of life-altering love and commitment. Love can bring out our better selves and inspire us to reach beyond ourselves." Amen.

    Wendy Archibald Jones 
    One of my favorite lines in the LDS remake of Pride and Prejudice is when Darcy (who owns the publishing company) and Elizabeth (who submitted her manuscript) are having a conversation. She says, "It's NOT a romance." And he says, "It's not a put-down, it's a category." It's a category that people LOVE to read! Keep on keeping on, despite the doubters.

    Heidi L Kleinman Murphy 
    Tell xxx to lighten up. Romances can help us learn what right to say and what NOT to say and do. Romances can be an escape not only for people in crummy marriages, but for people in good ones too. Everybody needs to play dress-up once in a while or they get all stale and need to be tossed out with the old bread.

    Susan Aylworth  
    Forgive xxx for xxx ignorance. We all know that not all romances are soft porn bodice-rippers, but not everyone else does. Love xxx. Educate xxx if you can, and let xxx comments wash off like gentle rain. :-)


    Susan G. Haws  
    Donna,I don't know the stats but Romance is a big industry. Everyone, even people we love have their prejudices, that does not make them right. Romance writers bring a lot of happiness, escape and comfort to a world in need of happy endings.

    Canda Mortensen  
    Personally, I only like fiction that has some romance. Oh--and a great story.


    Sarah Miller Eden  
    I wrote something of a rebuttal to this kind of comment on my blog back in April: http://www.sarahmeden.com/2011/04/walkabout-wednesday-why-i-write-romance.html It happens all the time, Donna. It used to really, really upset me. I've gotten much better at brushing it off and moving forward knowing that what I am doing is worthwhile.

    Heather Horrocks Author  
    It's most hurtful when xxx attacks and downgrades what we do. Sometimes it's a subconscious you're-going-for-your-dream-and-I'm-not things. Remember that you will find the fans who love your books and are uplifted by them - and most of your xxx will not fit into that category (though most are more gracious than xxx). Oh and stick your tongue out at xxx, at least in your mind : )
     
    Claire Enos
    haha I would really stick my tongue out at xxx but then I'm only 19 so I still act immature a good percentage of the time lol

    And from one of my critique partners
    Melanie Macek
    You've gotten too much good feedback on this book to let one person - xxx or not - derail all your hard work. That's why none of my xxx have read it. They say they want to, but I don't want to see the rejection. If xxx acts like that with your book, I'd hate to see xxx reaction if xxx read a romance that had been kicked up a notch or three!

    I have a feeling you're close to xxx ... Sleep on it, do NOT let it sway you. I bet in a day or two, it will end up being fuel to get through those last edits. Just imagine the look on xxx's face when that agent requests your book. You can hand xxx an autographed copy!!!!!!!



    How's that for encouragement?

    Grammar Friday - Then vs Than

    I
     
    like
     

    Source
     
    better
     
    than
     
    Source
    (that's Fried Liver & Onions in case you didn't know. Nasty stuff)


    Then
     
    I
     
    should
     
    go
     
    to
     
    Source
     
    for
     
    my
     
    birthday.
      
    What are you up to for the weekend? Hubby is headed to California and Disneyland, and I'll be flying out next week after the Canvass of the election. I may have to see Harry Potter again 

    Wednesday, September 14, 2011

    I'm Dead ... Oh, and Writer Beware

    After an 18-hour election workday on Tuesday, I'm dead.

    However, the BookEnds LLC blog had a very interesting post about how writers need to beware. You can check it out here.

    Anybody surprised?

    Monday, September 12, 2011

    Tag and Book Soundtracks

    Tag

    I like to be sure to mention when I'm aware of a shoutout. It's just so dang nice that people even think of me, so thanks to Scott Stillwell over at Just a Few Lines who tagged me. I'm supposed to tell you random things about me, but I've done that so many times already (like here, here, and here to name a few).

    Book Soundtracks

    Source
    John Ferguson posed the following question to our writer's group on Friday:
    I don't think I'd be a fan of this, but Elana was pining for book soundtracks in one of her recent blog posts, so who knows, maybe they'd be cool.

    When I first read about this, I thought, "Heck, yes!"

    I remember as a girl reading an anthology of short stories compiled by Alfred Hitchcock--so you can imagine some of them were creepy (seriously creepy for this girl, let me tell you)--at the same time my older brother got the new (for him) Simon and Garfunkle album.

    My brother played this album over and over and over again, all while I was reading this book. One particular story hit particularly close to home with me. It took place on a cruise ship, and we'd just spend three weeks sailing from Manila to San Francisco. Three weeks.

    It wasn't until some time later that I discovered how that song and that short story were forever connected in my brain. All because I'd been listening to it (over and over and over again) Even now, when I hear The Sounds of Silence a shiver runs up my spine, and I'm taken back to that haunted cruise ship.

    So on one hand, a book soundtrack intrigues me. I have playlists for my WIPs, and I choose music that fits the section of the book. When I hear a particular song, it takes me back to my tale.

    But do I want someone else determining what music I associate with the books I read?

    Hmmm ... I'll have to give that one some thought.

    ETA: I prepared this post on the 10th, unaware that Paul Simon would be singing The Sounds of Silence at the 9/11 Tenth Anniversary Commemoration. I switched out the version I had in here with his. Paul Simon, in my opinion, is one of the 20th Century's greatest poets with the lyrics he's written.




    What about you? Does the idea of soundtracks accompanying your ebooks appeal to you?

    Thursday, September 8, 2011

    I Remember ...

    I remember ... the sadness of hearing that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings. What a terrible accident.

    I remember ... the shock when the news announced that another plane had crashed into the other WTC and realizing it was no accident.

    I remember ... feeling numb when the announcement was made that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon.

    I remember ... as the first tower fell a coworker whispered, "What about all those emergency people who are still inside?"

    I remember ... hearing that a fourth plane had gone down in Pennsylvania--perhaps brought down by its passengers--and I felt a surge of pride for the people inside who'd realized what was planned for them and that they'd decided to take their destiny into their own hands.

    I remember ... watching the second tower fall. How much more could we take?

    I remember ... crying all day and for a long time to come. I'm crying as I write this.

    I weep for the innocents who were injured or died. For the people forced to choose between being consumed in the fire or leaping to certain death. For their families who still grieve them.

    I cry for the children growing up who won't know a time before September 11th and have only experienced a world where people who don't even know them could harbor such hate that they would strike out to maim and kill them, where their supporters could cheer and dance in the streets at the images of death and carnage.

    I grieve that mankind cannot seem to be better, that we don't live long enough to learn from our mistakes, to see what's really important in life.

    Yet, the fact that the events of that day in 2001 filled--and continues to fill--the hearts of so many people with horror gives me hope.

    A noble heart cannot suspect in others the pettiness and malice that it has never felt.
    ~Jean Racine



    I appreciate everyone who takes the time to share their experiences from that day ten years ago.

    Wednesday, September 7, 2011

    Finding It

    I have struggled with a particular plot line in WIP #1 since I first conceived it. It wasn't that I should leave it out. It was trying to find a way to portray it so the readers could make of it what they want ... or not.

    My oldest daughter was the first to raise the issue of how I'd shown it, and it's been sitting back there in the back of my mind like an itch I couldn't scratch. It was quite an issue of discussion when my critique group reviewed the full novel.

    As I went through all the critiques and made changes, I attempted to fix it.

    When I read those changes to hubby, I didn't like them.

    Trying to find that balance was starting to grow from an unscratchable itch into a pebble in my shoe. The kind that's more than a minor irritation. The kind that's starting to hurt whenever you walk, that invades your dreams (nightmares).

    And then my firstborn son (David) makes the same kind of observation the others have made but in a brutally honest (but hilarious) way that cuts right to the quick of the problem.

    What did he notice?

    I'd completely emasculated the hero / love interest.

    Never once had I considered that. It certainly wasn't my intent. As I stewed (and chuckled) over his email (and our subsequent Skype chat) and thought about it in terms all the things my other critiquers had noted and suggested, I realized what I had to do.

    Not mention it at all. Let the reader's imagination fill in the blanks.

    Duh!

    No more balancing act needed.

    Does it sometimes take you a while to see the obvious? Or do you need the right pieces of the puzzle to come together before you can really see the picture?

    Monday, September 5, 2011

    First Campaigner Challenge

    It's time for the first Rach Write's Campaigner challenges. I'm not much into flash fiction, but what the heck. Rules:
    Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.

    If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut." (also included in the word count)


    For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!
    No pressure. Right?


    The door swung open.

    In spite of her promise to be strong, her bottom lip quivered, and her eyes stung. She blinked and clutched the handkerchief in her hand, refusing to give into weakness. The guard nodded his encouragement. She took a slow step into the room. The casket—why did everyone try to soften the truth with euphemisms?—sat central to the room, as though holding court.

    It fit that his final hours above ground would be spent in this room. The only thing missing was a throne. She could still see him as he had explained what was to come. It had seemed a great joke to her then. For a moment laughter threatened to erupt from her chest; she bit it back, appalled at the disrespect.

    She focused on the coffin and advanced into the room. Alone. She’d be forever alone now. She dropped her eyes, prepared for her last farewell.

    Until she saw his face and rage exploded through her. What was this travesty? The form before her was not him but a mockery of the man she’d known and loved. She spun around, her jaw tight, and stalked from the room.

    The door swung shut.


    I invite you to check out the other entries.



    5
    1. 1000th. monkey

    6
    2. Elizabethanne
    3
    3. Aldrea Alien
    2
    4. MorningAJ
    4
    5. 1st Challenge
    1
    6. patientdreamer
    4
    7. Sabrina Llave
    1
    8. MovieStarEyes
    1
    9. First Challenge
    7
    10. Isis Rushdan

    11. Album Signing

    12. Random Thoughts
    1
    13. Write Challenge
    2
    14. Space Pirates
    1
    15. Scribbleandedit

    16. First Challenge
    1
    17. Nikki S
    1
    18. Hunted
    1
    19. First Challenge

    20. Premonition
    1
    21. Flash piece

    22. Bennett & Elsie

    23. Maeve Frazier

    24. Memories
    1
    25. Amber West
    1
    26. Nadja Notariani

    27. Super Happy Jen
    1
    28. #1 Challenge

    29. Lets DO this!
    1
    30. tara tyler
    1
    31. Angela Scott

    32. K. M. Walton
    1
    33. Peace Voyager

    34. Katy Upperman
    2
    35. Neil Vogler

    36. First Challenge

    37. Michelle
    1
    38. First Challenge

    39. Juliana Brandt

    40. Christine Fonse
    1
    41. Melanie

    42. k. liz barker

    43. Bill Jones, Jr.

    44. Randy Lindsay

    45. Kirsten Loprest
    1
    46. Lovers Spat
    1
    47. Step, Step. . .
    1
    48. Alleged Author

    49. 1st Challenge

    50. Trouble

    51. Nicole Settle

    52. Marlene Dottere

    53. Jenn

    54. Erin Schneider

    55. Sonia Lal
    1
    56. Challenge 1

    57. Secrets!

    58. Francine

    59. MISH

    60. Jessica Love

    61. Christine Rains
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