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Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: meme, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 25 of 358
1. The life of culture

Does culture really have a life of its own? Are cultural trends, fashions, ideas, and norms like organisms, evolving and weaving our minds and bodies into an ecological web? You hear a pop song a few times and suddenly find yourself humming the tune. You unthinkingly adopt the vocabulary and turns of phrase of your circle of friends.

The post The life of culture appeared first on OUPblog.

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2. dartmoor pegasus: #maysketchaday

I haven't been doing enough of my own non-work drawing lately, and when I don't, I find I feel rather low, and my work slows down. So last night I got out my pens and did another Dartmoor Pegasus drawing.



It's part of a story that my Cakes in Space co-author Philip Reeve and I made up as we went along, based on a little painting he once made on a piece of wood. (You can see earlier Dartmoor Pegasus drawings here.



The thing that got me going was when concept artist Ian McQue tweeted a picture with the #maysketchaday hash tag. People are trying to post one sketch every day, but a lot of these people are concept artists and a lot of what they call 'sketches' look like big, epic finished pieces to me. If I ever start thinking I've figured out this illustration thing, I just need to look over at concept artists' work and realise I still have a long way to go in upping my game. I love line, but I'm not so good at lighting effects and more subtle colours, and some of these guys are masters.

Ian McQue consistently posts amazing work; he's one of the best things happening on Twitter. Here's one, created in Photoshop, with a Blade Runner feel to it:




And another based on his 'Mechadoodles', this one titled 'Flea':



My other favourite person experimenting on Twitter is Jonathan Edwards (@jontofski). Here's a watercolour painting of a street corner in Toronto that most people would probably pass without noticing. He's turned it into total magic:



This #maysketchaday meme has instroduced me to some more concept artists. Check out work by Thomas Scholes:







Here's one by Paul Scott Canavan (@abigbat):



And another by Lennart Verhoeff (@Pixeltuner):



I'm going to try to post some more drawings for #maysketchaday. I'm not sure they'll be every day because I have a lot of events, but I'll do my best. Thanks for sharing your work, lovely concept artists. You're very inspiring!

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3. May the Fourth be with you!

May the Fourth be with you! Playing off a pun on one of the movie’s most famous quotes, May the 4th is the unofficial holiday in which Star Wars fans across the globe celebrate the beloved blockbuster series. The original Star Wars movie, now known as Star Wars IV: A New Hope, was released on 25 May 1977, but to those of us who waited in line after line to see it again and again in theaters, it will always be just Star Wars.

The post May the Fourth be with you! appeared first on OUPblog.

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4. My writing and writing process - blog roll style

Kimberly Derting tagged me in a blog roll to talk about writing and the writing process.

(She talks about hers here...and I loved her answers! :)


1. What am I working on?
Oddly enough, I am working on a couple of picture book projects and a middle grade series. I am also continuing the Untraceable series into Book 4. (Book 3 just released in June)


2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I usually write very dark teen thrillers. For some reason, I need a short break from those so I'm veering off my main path to have some fun in different genres. But my heart is in YA thrillers.


3. Why do I write what I do?
I love thrillers in general so I love writing them. It's most of what I read and watch on movies. If someone doesn't die or isn't being chased, it's hard for me to get into it. Though I'm getting better about branching out some :)


4. How does my writing process work?
I used to be a pantser but it would take me much longer to finish a book. So now I have a process that seems to work for me. I create a logline and synopsis. Then I do a strawman outline. I pretty much write from that outline (keeping it open so I can make changes along the way.) The simple process gives me structure yet flexibility to be creative.


5. How does my writing process not work?
It works for me :) Right now....at least I think it does.


Three other tagged authors...

Amy Evans - author of one of my favs, Clicks.

Elle Strauss - author of the awesome Clockwise series (and author of Lee Strauss' Minstrel series)

Karen Hooper - author of the gorgeous Kindrily series.



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5. Blog30 Questionnaire

I just found Blog30. I liked their questionnaire and thought I'd share my own answers:

Where do you look for inspiration?

Life. Truth. Music. Stories. Nature. People.

What's your favorite book?

I have favorite books in different categories. My favorite books include, but are not limited to:

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (fantasy classic)
The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende (fantasy)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (modern classic)
Body Bags by Christopher Golden (contemporary thriller)
The Boys are Back in Town by Christopher Golden (contemporary horror)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (mystery)

What's your favorite movie?

As with books (and anything else you can categories), I have favorite movies in different categories. For example:

Favorite musical picture: Singin' in the Rain
Favorite film noir: The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
Favorite Hitchcock film: North by Northwest
Favorite screwball comedy: Bringing Up Baby
Favorite Barbara Stanwyck comedy: Ball of Fire
Favorite John Hughes film: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Favorite Cary Grant/Irene Dunne performance: My Favorite Wife
Favorite Jack Lemmon/Walter Matthau movie: The Odd Couple
Favorite book-to-miniseries adaptation: Anne of Green Gables, 1986 version starring Megan Follows
Favorite Disney animated musical: The Little Mermaid

Again, give me a genre, theme, time period, director, writer, or actor, and I'll tell you my favorite film for that topic or person.

What's your favorite line from a play?

I just realized I don't have any lines from plays listed on my page of favorite quotes. I'm going to have to think on this and get back to you.

What play or production changed your life?

Since I've been on the acting/performing/writing/creating path since birth, I don't know that any play has changed my life, but many have touched me - either the script or the storyline really spoke to me, or the experience I had performing them. This includes but is not limited to Spring Awakening, The Polar Express, and the first school play I ever did. I'm also a writer - screenwriter, playwright, (hopeful) novelist, and poet, so I've performed original works, and had works published, and all of those experiences mean a great deal to me.

Is there anything you still dream of doing?

Everything I haven't done yet, but will: Have a great career, working regularly in television (including work as a series regular), film, and theatre (both musicals and straight plays) as an actress, writer, and director, creating and sharing roles and shows and songs that make me happy and inspire others.

I feel most like myself when I... am performing, singing or acting - or discussing something I'm really passionate about, or retelling the story of something I've experienced.

What is your best escape?

Performing. Writing. Reading. Watching films and TV.

What's the one thing nobody knows about you?

If I told you, then someone would know.

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6. Which Door Would You Choose?


You find yourself in front of seven identical doors. A voice from above tells you, "These seven doors lead to seven different places: Narnia, Neverland, Wonderland, Hogwarts, Camelot, Middle Earth, and Westeros." Which door do you go through? Why that door? What happens?
 

I would go through the door to Wonderland without hesitation. I have always loved Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and count it as one of my top ten books of all time. The character of Alice and I have a lot in common, beginning with our curiosity and continuing with our adoration of cats, a thirst for knowledge, and sheer determination. I would love to wander through Wonderland and interact with different characters from the books, especially the White Rabbit, the Gryphon, and the Cheshire Cat. I'd rescue the hedgehogs from the croquet games and delight in the chess game. Plus, I really love the hallway of doors in Wonderland. 

Read more at my blog, Bildungsroman. 

Which door would YOU choose?


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7. Seven Deadly Sins... Er, My WIP

Jarmara Falconer was kind enough to take me to different place with this meme. I'm terrible about tagging others, but I don't mind sharing 7 lines starting at line 7 from page 77...

From Badlands:

...including the couple walking on the other side of the lot, until he slammed the passenger door shut. He pressed his sweaty palms against his jeans. 
The couple, a man and woman in their mid-forties, had stopped to watch. 
Ryan took a breath. 
The woman tugged on the man’s arm. The man didn’t move, his eyes fixed on Ryan. 
“Had too much to drink,” Ryan said. 
“Is she okay?” 

No, she isn't. And Ryan isn't either, but I haven't sorted that end yet. 

I'm terrible about tagging others, so let's just say the seven dwarves are on my list. Go!

3 Comments on Seven Deadly Sins... Er, My WIP, last added: 3/29/2012
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8. Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR

Hi Guys! It's my very first TOP TEN TUESDAY. Today's topic is "Top 10 Books on your Spring Reading List"

Like I could narrow it down to 10! So, I have 20, or rather, 2 Top 10 lists. 1 is for sequels/series books, one is stand alone (or first in a series).

Top Ten Books That Aren't a Sequel That I Want to Read This Spring

The Princesses of Iowa M. Molly Backes

I'll be straight up and tell you that Molly and I go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back (we were both in high school when we first met) and I have read many versions of this book (including the final one) AND SOON IT WILL BE A REAL BOOK AND OMG YOU GUYS IT IS AWESOME.

Last spring, Paige and her friends were in a car accident. This fall, after being sent away for the summer so her mother could do damage control, Paige sees her friends and her life in a new light and realizes there's more than the Homecoming Court and her "perfect" boyfriend. Molly says it's a reverse Cinderella.

This is how good of a writer Molly is-- after over a decade of struggling with it, she taught me to use eyeliner. OVER EMAIL. With no visual aids. TRUE STORY.

One for the Murphys Lynda Mullaly Hunt

This is only on my radar because Hunt contacted me to be on her blog tour. I'm not accepting a lot of ARCs right now because I have so much to read, but something about this one grabbed me. Then, when I got it, I was flipping through and started reading in the middle right away before I realized I should probably, oh, I don't know, start at the beginning? I haven't finished it yet, but it's looking very promising right now.

Carley ends up in foster care and gets assigned to the Murphys, who show her a stable family life she thought only existed in fantasies. First up, can we just say "yay" to a positive foster environment? I know the system has serious problems, but I've known so many dedicated and wonderful foster parents and families over the years, I'm happy to see them shown in a book. (I really hope they don't end up being secretly evil.)

2 Comments on Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR, last added: 3/20/2012

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9. 10 Books That Broke My Heart a Little

The Broke and the Bookish has a fabulous weekly feature called Top Ten Tuesday. This past week, they asked for The Top Ten Books That Broke Your Heart, which I discovered via Harmony Book Reviews. (Thanks!)

Here, in no particular order, are ten books that broke my heart a little. I'll refrain from posting the reasons why these books broke my heart, because, in most cases, that would reveal too much: detailing those scenes and turns-of-events would spoil the books for those who haven't read them yet. I will, however, link to my reviews of the books in case you'd like to learn more.

1) Thief of Hearts by Christopher Golden
2) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
3) Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
4) The Broccoli Tapes by Jan Slepian
5) See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles
6) Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
7) The Alison Rules by Catherine Clark
8) Swollen by Melissa Lion
9) Stay with Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr
10) What Happens Here by Tara Altebrando

Which of these books have you read? What did you think? I'd love to discuss these books further, so please leave your comments!

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10. Ryan Gosling Loves Picture Books

The internet has been abuzz with Ryan Gosling memes—there’s the feminist Ryan Gosling, Silicon Valley Ryan Gosling, and even a Ryan Gosling who reads young adult literature. Just like NaNoWriMo, I’m feeling like picture book writers are being left out of the fun. So, I’m jumping into the fray with these:

(Special shout-out to Julie Falatko who inspired some of these.)

But you know, Ryan is a little young for me. I need an older, more experienced man for my picture book meme. So I’m thinking about him instead:


10 Comments on Ryan Gosling Loves Picture Books, last added: 2/2/2012
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11. Booking Through Thursday Interview, Parts 1 and 2

I discovered this book meme interview through Awakening Lisa, who, in turn, found it at Booking Through Thursday.

Part 1 simply asked:

If you could sit down and interview anyone, who would it be?

As a curious girl and a freelance journalist, I've been fortunate enough to have interviewed many wonderful people.

In the coming weeks, I'll be posting new, exclusive interviews with Gaby Rodriguez (The Pregnancy Project, which inspired the Lifetime movie), Susan Lee (Mastermind), Mary Lowry (The Earthquake Machine), and Trina Robbins (Lily Renee, Escape Artist).

If you'd like to read my past interviews, please click here for my interview archive or scroll through the tagged interviews on the Bildungsroman blog.

There are many people I'd love to talk to that I can't - Cary Grant. Gene Kelly. Barbara Stanwyck. Jack Lemmon. Natalie Wood. Charles Dodgson. F. Scott Fitzgerald. Relatives who passed away before I was born.

What would I ask them? Oh, so many things.

Part 2 was a longer questionnaire:

1. What's your favorite time of day to read?

In the morning, before work, or during lunch.

2. Do you read during breakfast? (Assuming you eat breakfast.)

I read emails during breakfast. I read books during lunch. I read scripts at night and throughout the day as needed.

3. What's your favorite breakfast food? (Noting that breakfast foods can be eaten any time of day.)

I eat oatmeal for breakfast 4 or 5 times a week most weeks.

4. How many hours a day would you say you read?

Two, if you're referring strictly to books. In general, I read every word I see all day long. My eyes zero in on words and numbers like... well... Have you seen the new version of Sherlock? When words and such pop up around him? Goodness, that's delightful.

5. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago?

About the same, but technically, I suppose a little more.

6. Do you consider yourself a speed reader?

Yes.

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Telekinesis and (selective) telepathy.

8. Do you carry a book with you everywhere you go?

Yes.

9. What KIND of book?

Typically, I have at least one novel and/or one script with me at all times.

10. How old were you when you got your first library card?

Two, I believe.

11. What's the oldest book you have in your collection? (Oldest physical copy? Longest in the collection? Oldest copyright?)

I am not certain. Most of my used books are classics, but I don't believe any of them are first editions or early editions (not to be confused with Early Edition, starring the fantastic Kyle Chandler!) My copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare may appear to be the oldest, but I don't think it is.

12. Do you read in bed?

No.

13. Do you write in your books?

No. I mark favorite passages in books with sticky notes or scraps of paper. I write blocking notes in my scripts.

14. If you had one piece of advice to a new reader, what would it be?

Read what you like. Learn what you love. Enjoy!

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12. In My Mailbox: December 5 - 11, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.


Review:


The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Thanks to Faye at Poppy!

Coming January 2, 2012!

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.


Bought:


The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

15 Comments on In My Mailbox: December 5 - 11, 2011, last added: 12/13/2011
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13. Winter Wishlist - Sign up!


Go to http://bit.ly/wntrwish11 to sign up for the new seasonal meme 
hosted by yours truly!
Sign-up starts now, meme starts on December 6. Happy holidays!



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14. In My Mailbox: November 21 - 27, 2011


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.


For Review:


New Girl by Paige Harbison

Thanks to HarlequinTeen and NetGalley!

Coming January 31, 2012!

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl
I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy.
And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.


Life Is But a Dream by Brian James

Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley!

Coming March 27, 2012!

Alec and Sabrina are crazy in love. Problem is: Sabrina’s really crazy.

Sabrina, an artist, is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her parents check her into the Wellness Center. There she meets Alec, who is convinced it's the world that's

8 Comments on In My Mailbox: November 21 - 27, 2011, last added: 11/27/2011
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15. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (4)



People have expressed an interest in turning this feature into a meme, so that's what I'm going to do! If you'd like to join in, pick an exciting book deal announcement (before there are covers or even proper synopses) and tell us about it in a post! Publisher's Weekly is a great place to see new book deals, but authors frequently announce them on their blogs and Twitter as well.


My pick this week is:


Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
2012 | Simon & Schuster
Debut Author

Keeping up with the high-priced deals, Liesa Abrams, executive editor at Simon & Schuster, took North American rights to three books, in a six-figure pre-empt, by newcomer Shannon Messenger. Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary brokered the deal for the middle-grade fantasy series, and the first book, Keeper of the Lost Cities, is scheduled for fall 2012. In Cities, a 12-year-old girl who can read minds, and is something of a social outcast, discovers the reason she has her abilities when she meets a mysterious boy. Rennert elaborated: “She’s never felt at home because she isn’t. There are secrets buried deep in her memory, secrets about her true identity and why she was hidden among humans, that others desperately want and would even kill for.” Messenger is in her 20s and is one of the founders of the free, online writer’s conference, WriteOnCon. (via Publisher's Weekly)

Twelve-year-old Sophie has always been different -- she's years ahead of the other kids in school and can read minds. She's always assumed there's some kind of logical explanation for her talents, but when she meets an adorable and mysterious boy, she finds out the shocking truth. She's never felt at home because she, well, ... isn't.

There are secrets buried deep in her memory, secrets about her true identity and why she was hidden among humans, that others desperately want and would even kill for. And she must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world, before the wrong person finds the answer first.


A mindreading alien with secrets even she doesn't know? Yes, please! This sounds like a fun SciFi adventure! There definitely needs to be more SciFi in the YA and MG genres, so I'm really excited to see where Shannon Messenger takes this series. Shannon is also a fellow blogger, which makes this doubly exciting! Congrats, Shannon!

If you'd like to participate, link up your post in the Mr. Linky below! Feel free to also grab the button at the top of this post. I'll be doing this every Thursday, so come back each week if you'd like to join in!

16. NaNoWriMonday (4)

Word Count: 30027/50000
Day: 21/30
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Like many other bloggers, I am participating in this year's National Novel Writing Month for the first time. I thought it would be fun to touch base each week and see how everyone is progressing, as well as cheer each other on!


Woohoo! Congrats on crossing the halfway mark everyone! I never thought that day would come, for sure. Unfortunately, it's been a busy week and I've gotten a bit behind. Part of my problem is that I feel like I've lost my rhythm. I don't know what happened -- maybe it's the part I'm at in the story, or the fact that I'm on break and have tons of distractions, but writing this past week has been a struggle. I forced myself to hit 30K today, and when I stopped for a break I think I was just getting back into the flow of things. Part of it might have been that I was writing a transition scene, and now I'm getting back into the adventure of the story. I hope to get back on track tonight -- 35K -- so maybe this next part will go more smoothly.

Have you been struggling this past week too? Hitting that halfway mark seems like such a huge milestone, and then you think "but I still have this much more to go!" and it's a little alarming. With that in mind, here's some inspiration for the home stretch.

Tips and Tricks:
  • Author Kristen Lamb is doing a great series on novel structure that offers some in-depth analysis on the key components of building a novel. I find this particularly helpful, as I feel like my NaNo is rather sprawling right now -- hopefully these tips will help me tighten my writing.
  • I also just learned about InkPageant (thanks to Elana Johnson -- a fellow WriMo and awesome author), which is basically a database of great articles on writing and publishing! I encourage you to go over there and browse. There's sure to be something that will catch your eye and inspire you to cross that looming finish line!

Speaking of the finish line -- that's something else I'm worrying about this week. The ending.

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17. In My Mailbox: November 14 - 20, 2011


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.



For Review:


Hushed by Kelley York

Thanks to Entangled Publishing & NetGalley!

Coming December 6, 2011!

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.


This sounds intense, and I've heard great things about it! Can't wait to start =)

What's in your mailbox this week?

12 Comments on In My Mailbox: November 14 - 20, 2011, last added: 11/21/2011
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18. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (3)



People have expressed an interest in turning this feature into a meme, so that's what I'm going to do! If you'd like to join in, pick an exciting book deal announcement (before there are covers or even proper synopses) and tell us about it in a post! Publisher's Weekly is a great place to see new book deals, but authors frequently announce them on their blogs and Twitter as well.


My pick this week is:


Weight of Stars (Songs of New Asgard #1) by Tessa Gratton
2013 | Random House Children's Books
Author of Blood Magic

Tessa Gratton has signed a three-book, six-figure deal with Suzy Capozzi at Random House Children’s Books for a new YA trilogy. Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency handled the world rights deal for Gratton; the series is called the Songs of New Asgard. The series presents an alternate history of the U.S. in which the country was founded on elements of Norse religions, and gods walk among humans, with some maintaining powerful positions in the government. Rennert said Gratton’s inspiration was, in large part, her own translation of Beowulf. The first book, Weight of Stars, follows two teenagers who embark on a cross-country search for a missing god. As the kids travel through the United States of Asgard they encounter, as Rennert put it, “smalltown zealots, trickster gods, and sadistic field trolls.” Gratton’s YA debut, Blood Magic, was published by RH Children’s in May 2011, and the companion book to that title, The Blood Keeper, is coming out in August 2012. (via Publisher's Weekly)

"Our country was founded two and a half centuries ago by men who served the old gods of Scandia. We need them, people say. They wait always at the edges of our stories, to nudge an election one way or another, to turn away natural disaster, to rebuild, to inspire kindness or bolster fury."

In Book One, Soren is the lonely son of an infamous berserk warrior, who only wishes to ignore the battle-fever in his heart and be normal. Astrid’s mother was a famous seer, and she wants to use her own prophetic dreams to change the world.

When Baldur the Beautiful goes missing, the two teens take off on a road trip to find their lost god. Along the way, they encounter zealots and trickster gods, undead soldiers and sadistic field trolls. To survive, they’ll have to choose between loyalty and destiny, and learn to have faith in themselves.


I loved Tessa's debut Blood Magic, I think this new trilogy sounds AMAZING. I want them in my hands right noooow! What do you

3 Comments on Signed, Sealed, Delivered (3), last added: 11/18/2011
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19. NaNoWriMonday (3)


Word Count: 22063/50000
Day: 14/30
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Like many other bloggers, I am participating in this year's National Novel Writing Month for the first time. I thought it would be fun to touch base each week and see how everyone is progressing, as well as cheer each other on!


I can't believe we almost at the halfway point! November is flying by! I also can't believe I've actually written 22063 words O_O. It blows my mind a little bit to think about it. I'm pleased with the progression of the plot though. I have to say, when I'm thinking ideas over in my mind it seems like they could never be long enough to be a book, but once you actually start putting words on paper, things really get fleshed out. Have you noticed that? So even ideas that might seem too small could turn in to something big =)

One thing I am struggling with is the romantic development. I'm one of those people who HATES when Heroine/Hero are overly cozy after knowing each other only a week. Doing NaNo, I've kind of lost track of the days passing a little bit in my story, but I know it hasn't been that long. But I find myself bored with the "oh, nice to meet you" bits and more interested in the cozy bits. Do you have trouble with that? It seems harder to get that part right than the rest of the plot, though that might just be because I'm overly conscious of it in other books.


I think this week's links need to be broken down into inspiration/encouragement and the actual tips.

Inspiration:
  • Julie Kagawa and Rachel Hawkins have both done great Pro-NaNo

    6 Comments on NaNoWriMonday (3), last added: 11/15/2011
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20. In My Mailbox: November 7 - 13, 2011


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.


For Review:


Incarnate (#1) by Jodi Meadows

Thanks to HarperCollins Children's and NetGalley!

Coming January 31, 2012!

NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.


Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley!

Coming January 3, 2012!

Humans and

18 Comments on In My Mailbox: November 7 - 13, 2011, last added: 11/13/2011
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21. Waiting on Wednesday: New Girl by Paige Harbison

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to highlight upcoming releases we're anxiously awaiting!



New Girl by Paige Harbison

Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: HarlequinTeen

WHY DID A SPOT OPEN UP AT MANDERLEY ACADEMY?

I hadn't wanted to go, but my parents were so excited…. So here I am, the new girl at Manderley, a true fish out of water. But mine's not the name on everyone's lips. Oh, no.

It's Becca Normandy they can't stop talking about. Perfect, beautiful Becca. She went missing at the end of last year, leaving a spot open at Manderley-the spot that I got. And everyone acts like it's my fault that infallible, beloved Becca is gone and has been replaced by not perfect, completely fallible, unknown Me.

Then, there's the name on my lips-Max Holloway. Becca's ex. The one boy I should avoid, but can't. Thing is, it seems like he wants me, too. But the memory of Becca is always between us. And as much I'm starting to like it at Manderley, I can't help but think she's out there, somewhere, wat

11 Comments on Waiting on Wednesday: New Girl by Paige Harbison, last added: 11/3/2011
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22. Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Had VERY Strong Emotions About


This awesome button was made by Lindsi at BSAOT.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

"Strong emotions" can be anything from crying to laughing to hurling the book across the room. Please excuse the many CAPS about to ensue.


1. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa: I was like JOY and PAIN and OMGNOOOOO and SOB and SQUEEEEE and AHHHHH.

2. Delirium by Lauren Oliver: I was on the edge of my seat by the end, and then THAT CLIFFHANGER? *DEAD*

3. The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle: Cried. Like. A. Baby.

4. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins: Swooned so hard I think I broke something.

5. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin: Me: "Wait... what is she... IS THAT..... SWOON..... OMGOHNOHEDIDN'T.... WTFISGOINGONNNNNNN?!?!?"

6. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater: I kept getting so worked up I had to put the book down, squeal and/or sob for a few minutes, then come back to it.

7. 13 Comments on Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Had VERY Strong Emotions About, last added: 11/3/2011
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23. NaNoWriMonday (1)

Word Count: 0/50000
Day: -1/30
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Like many other bloggers, I am participating in this year's National Novel Writing Month for the first time. I thought it would be fun to touch base each week and see how everyone is progressing.

NaNoWriMo doesn't officially kick off until tomorrow, and we're not allowed to begin writing yet -- but I know there's a lot of plotting and outlining and brainstorming going on! I've been doing lots of research on the fey for the novel I'm planning (I loooove the fey). It's an idea I've had floating around in my head for a while, but it's evolved so much since then that it's hardly recognizable as the original idea! Just last night, I completely changed the arc of the plot -- but I'm really satisfied with where it's going now.

I pretty much know the plot of my novel, but I still have something kind of important to do before the month officially begins: Choose a name for the heroine!

Credit: http://www.advancedanime.com/displayimage.php?pid=304601

She has silver eyes and blond hair, and is fierce with a sword.

None of the names I've narrowed it down to seem quite right. She's fey, so I wanted something a little different: Aurora, Luz, Luce, Regan, Aspen, Bryony, Dahlia, Branwen, Thalli, Wick, Thalia, Aemilia, Lichen, Aurelia, Ella, Nissa.

Decisions, decisions! What do you think? Do any of those names seem like a good fit? Do you have another suggestion? (Thanks to everyone who made suggestions on Twitter!)

I'm also using Evernote to keep track of my notes and ideas, and MS Word for the writing. I tried out Scrivener and yWriter, but I just don't understand them -- where do you do the actual WRITING within those programs? Maybe I'm just missing something.

A lot of authors have great writing advice out there. Each week I'll share some links to tips I found particularly insightful.
  • Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) has an entire site devoted to each step of the writing process, and her advice (like her writing) is spectacular. I highly recommend you take a look at this: http://notforrobots.blogspot.com/
  • Natalie Whipple (Transparent) provides some great tips on first drafting and silencing your inner editor that is especially apropos for NaNoWriMo: http://betweenfactandfiction.blogspot.com/2009/10/tips-for-first-drafting.html
  • 13 Comments on NaNoWriMonday (1), last added: 11/1/2011
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24. New Release Roundup: October 9 - November 5, 2011

A weekly feature I started to showcase the exciting new releases hitting shelves this week.

Once again, I haven't done one of these since everything got so crazy at the beginning of October. I'm going to provide dates and links for all the backlisted releases, and do this week's releases like I normally do.


October 10



October 11

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25. In My Mailbox: October 3 - 30, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

I haven't done an IMM post since the beginning of October because of everything that's been going on, so this post might be a little long. I'm just going to post links rather that doing synopses for them all.


Review:


Without Tess by Marcella Pixley (Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR, 10/11/11)
Death Watch by Ari Berk (Simon & Schuster Children's, 11/15/11)
Legacy by Molly Cochran (Simon & Schuster, 12/20/11)
The Always War by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Simon & Schuster Children's, 11/15/11)
Triangles by Ellen Hopkins (Atria, 10/18/11)


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