Yes, so much for my "I will post at least three times a week" plan. My only defense is that I've been reading and writing as well as starting back to work at my day job. And yes, I have been following the WFMAD challenge. Have you? If not, check out Laurie Halse Anderson's blog. You could always start in September.
Also, I've been mourning the demise of Borders. My favorite Borders store had survived the most recent round of closings, and I was relieved. Then, the final death knell announcement broke about all the stores closing. I know it's only a store, but it was MY Borders store. Based on my research, there is one bookstore within a 45 minutes drive from my house. There are no locally owned bookstores located less than an hour from me. Sad.
Now, let's move on a happier topic. What have I been reading? Listed below are two of the books along with my reactions:
Divergent by Veronica Roth
I LOVE this book! At first, I resisted reading it--even though the concept intrigued me and from reading her blog, I liked the author's writing. The reason I resisted was that I just wasn't sure I was ready for another dystopian novel. I became so caught up in the Hunger Games trilogy that I thought of the characters throughout the day, and I went through withdrawal at the end of The Passage because the next book isn't schedule for soooooo long; let me just say that I didn't want to go through any of that again. But, like I said, I was intrigued, so I read. . .and read. . .and read. . .and read. I read the entire book one evening when I should have been washing clothes and getting to bed early.
And I didn't/don't regret a single minute of lost sleep. (I washed clothes the next night, so I did not wear dirty clothes!)
The whole idea of this society has me thinking about all that could go on in the next book. I believe in and care about Tris and Four; I can't wait to find out what happens next. Also, I believe in Veronica Roth's vision and writing so I have no fears she will let me down in the upcoming books of this trilogy.
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
First, let me state that in high school, I was never one of those girls who read romance novels. My cousins were and happily shared their books, and I read, oh, maybe one, and then just took their books and returned them, unread. I read mysteries, horror, Greek myths, and a million other things. I'd read good reviews of Hourglass, but thought maybe it wasn't for me. But, I picked up a copy and. . .was hooked. The whole time travel aspect kept me interested, and yes, the romance worked. I loved the details about the setting and the food (yes, I kept wanting Cuban coffee) in the story.
I am in the process of reading the following books:
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Imaginary Girls
NOTE: Yes, I am one of those people who read MANY books at one time.
Books I'm eagerly waiting to read:
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab (Just received my copy in the mail. It is my reward for this week, because not only am I back at my day job, I'm also starting a class relating to my day job.)
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (I've pre-ordered my copy from Books of Wonder and am hoping it will arrive BEFORE the September 29 release date.)
Downpour by Kat Richarson (It shows how I've only been doing the limited survival type things lately because this book was released at the beginning of the month and I haven't gotten around to buying/ordering my copy yet.)
Okay, so that's what I've been reading. What I've been writing will have to wait until my next post. What are you reading? What have you read this summer that you would recommend? Let me know. Until next time---READ ON!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Write Fifteen Minutes a Day Challenge
Okay, so three posts in one day is a little overboard, but hey, all three are time-centric, so that's the way it goes. For anyone who doesn't know, today is the beginning of Laurie Halse Anderson's fourth annual Write Fifteen Minutes a Day Challenge. The challenge is simple; write 15 minutes every day of the month of August. There are no sign-ups or check-ins or word counts. People are just supposed to write 15 minutes a day.
That's it. Simple, elegant, accessible. Write 15 minutes a day for 31 days and see if (it will be) your life is changed by the end of the month. Are you up for it? Will you accept the challenge?
I am. Will you join me?
If you do, then let me know. And, check out Laurie's blog and let her know, too. Read her entry about the challenge.
Taking the time to write every day can make a difference in anyone's life, whether you are a writer or not. So, take the challenge, what have you got to lose?
That's it. Simple, elegant, accessible. Write 15 minutes a day for 31 days and see if (it will be) your life is changed by the end of the month. Are you up for it? Will you accept the challenge?
I am. Will you join me?
If you do, then let me know. And, check out Laurie's blog and let her know, too. Read her entry about the challenge.
Taking the time to write every day can make a difference in anyone's life, whether you are a writer or not. So, take the challenge, what have you got to lose?
For anyone in the south who reads. . .
There's a book tour coming up in the south, and even though I can't attend, I thought I'd let those of you who might be able to stop by know about it. The website is here.
The authors participating are listed below, along with links to their websites: Myra McEntire, Victoria Schwab, Beth Revis
If, like me, you can't attend a book signing, then check out the links to the authors' websites! READ ON!
The authors participating are listed below, along with links to their websites: Myra McEntire, Victoria Schwab, Beth Revis
Here's what the tour website posted about the book tour: "Myra, Victoria, and Beth are thrilled about bringing a tour to their local areas--from Asheville, NC, to Nashville, TN. We'd love it if you came out to see us. . ."
If, like me, you can't attend a book signing, then check out the links to the authors' websites! READ ON!
Contests and authors! Prizes and books! Hurrah!
This is just a quick note to let everyone know about the YA Scavenger Hunt that's going on today! Twenty-three (count them, 23!) authors are involved and there is a grand prize as well as special contests offered by individual authors. Plus, you get to find out about deleted scenes and upcoming sequels and all kind of other good readerly things. The only problem--the deadline is Midnight, August 1. So, here's the link, and get moving and reading!
I know, it takes time, but it's worth it! I have a huge list of books to read and books to look forward to reading, plus I've learned about new authors. Get moving!
P.S. Still not convinced? Check out this list of authors who are participating:
JOSEPHINE ANGELINI
Now, get moving!
I know, it takes time, but it's worth it! I have a huge list of books to read and books to look forward to reading, plus I've learned about new authors. Get moving!
P.S. Still not convinced? Check out this list of authors who are participating:
JOSEPHINE ANGELINI
TERA LYNN CHILDS
ANGELA CORBETT
KADY CROSS
HEATHER DAVIS
DJ DESMYTER
BREE DESPAIN
LEIGH FALLON
MARLEY GIBSON
ABBI GLINES
COLLEEN HOUCK
TARA HUDSON
ELANA JOHNSON
SOPHIE JORDAN
MYRA MCENTIRE
ALEXANDRA MONIR
LISA NOWAK
AMY PLUM
BETH REVIS
LISA & LAURA ROECKER
INARA SCOTT
JERI SMITH-READY
LANI WOODLAND
Now, get moving!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Reading and reading some more
Lately, I've been reading books and reading blogs and reading tweets. Just in case you haven't been doing any of these things, let me tell you there are some amazing people doing amazing things out there! What I'm reading right now is Hourglass by Myra McEntire. I'm more than half-way through the book and I care so much about these characters! I can't wait to see what happens next.
The blogs I've read include ones by Jane Friedman and Veronica Roth. I've learned a lot about writing and creating characters, as well as what to do (and not to do) in blogging. I've also been following links all over the place reading about how to create a blog people will read. So, look for implementation of those ideas!
And, I have to admit I've spent more time than I want to admit reading tweets by Maureen Johnson. She is hilarious! I also read 13 Blue Envelopes and have pre-ordered her new book, The Name of the Star, from Books of Wonder in New York.
In addition to all this reading, I've also been writing. Gracie's story is moving through a major revision because of a huge change in the beginning of the novel. The NOHSCBWI conference is September 23-24, and I plan to submit pages for a critique, so I still have more to do!
What about you? What have you been reading? Read any good blogs or tweets? Let me know!
The blogs I've read include ones by Jane Friedman and Veronica Roth. I've learned a lot about writing and creating characters, as well as what to do (and not to do) in blogging. I've also been following links all over the place reading about how to create a blog people will read. So, look for implementation of those ideas!
And, I have to admit I've spent more time than I want to admit reading tweets by Maureen Johnson. She is hilarious! I also read 13 Blue Envelopes and have pre-ordered her new book, The Name of the Star, from Books of Wonder in New York.
In addition to all this reading, I've also been writing. Gracie's story is moving through a major revision because of a huge change in the beginning of the novel. The NOHSCBWI conference is September 23-24, and I plan to submit pages for a critique, so I still have more to do!
What about you? What have you been reading? Read any good blogs or tweets? Let me know!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
So many books. . .
One goal I have this summer is to read and read some more! As I've been working on achieving this goal, while also attempting to be a responsible consumer, I've run into some problems. First, let me state that I LOVE our local library. I use its services and support it in every way I can, including writing letters to my elected officials every time they talk of cutting funding. NOTE: My letters and those of others are doing some good, but those elected officials (whose names I am collecting) are still cutting funding every time they can.
My problem is that even though I love my local library, they just don't usually have the books I'm looking to read. Of course, another option I have is to buy a copy of the book. When I take that route, I run into a couple of problems. One is that my local bookstore doesn't always have the books I want. Plus, I am trying to save money and I only have so much room in my house for books.
I know I have just revealed by that last statement that I have not joined the ereader club; yes, that is correct. It's not that I am morally against it, as some of my acquaintances are, but I haven't figured out if I'm a NOOK person or a Kindle person.
Right now I'm teetering on the very dangerous ledge of going online and ordering every book on my "To Read" list. It's just so easy to click those little buttons and wait for the package to come via UPS and US Mail.
So, probably the real reason I haven't bought an ereader is that it would be too easy to order books. Am I able to withstand to temptation to just click and have the book right there in my hot little hand which is holding my hot little ereader? I don't know if I am.
What about you? Are you a Kindle person or a NOOK person? Or, do you have another way to read your ebooks? If so, how do you handle the temptation to order books immediately and without the concern of where you will put them? How big is your ereader bill?
My problem is that even though I love my local library, they just don't usually have the books I'm looking to read. Of course, another option I have is to buy a copy of the book. When I take that route, I run into a couple of problems. One is that my local bookstore doesn't always have the books I want. Plus, I am trying to save money and I only have so much room in my house for books.
I know I have just revealed by that last statement that I have not joined the ereader club; yes, that is correct. It's not that I am morally against it, as some of my acquaintances are, but I haven't figured out if I'm a NOOK person or a Kindle person.
Right now I'm teetering on the very dangerous ledge of going online and ordering every book on my "To Read" list. It's just so easy to click those little buttons and wait for the package to come via UPS and US Mail.
So, probably the real reason I haven't bought an ereader is that it would be too easy to order books. Am I able to withstand to temptation to just click and have the book right there in my hot little hand which is holding my hot little ereader? I don't know if I am.
What about you? Are you a Kindle person or a NOOK person? Or, do you have another way to read your ebooks? If so, how do you handle the temptation to order books immediately and without the concern of where you will put them? How big is your ereader bill?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Endings and beginnings
Even though the first day of summer was officially last week, I feel like the first day of summer is TODAY! The reason for my delayed start and celebration is because (drum roll, please!) yesterday I submitted my last assignment for the grad class I've been taking. NOTE: That's the ending part of this post. Yahoo! Also, one lesson that this class reinforced for me is to always be open to learning. I hadn't been looking forward to taking the class because I thought it would be a rehash of things I already know (it is in connection with my day job), but, I reminded myself to have a positive attitude and as I reflected on the course yesterday, I realized how much I had learned from it.
Another beginning for today comes because June 29 is the official publication date of Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies. The author, Deborah Halverson, is having a Virtual Book Launch. Go here to find out more about her new book and the contests and giveaways she's having in association with her Virtual Book Launch.
I know I can get carried away with reading about writing, and just reading, instead of sitting down and writing, but I am looking forward to reading Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies. The selections I've already read have given me some things to think about as I work on my own writing.
Speaking of my own writing, I better close and get to work. I am excited to be able to refocus on my own creative work.
On a personal note, another reason I'm celebrating today is that it's my wedding anniversary! Yaaaaahhh!
What about you? Is today a start of something new, or maybe a restart? As a former colleague liked to say, "You can restart your day at any time." No matter what's going on with you, think about making a new start today or a restart, and celebrate the day with the ones you love!
Another beginning for today comes because June 29 is the official publication date of Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies. The author, Deborah Halverson, is having a Virtual Book Launch. Go here to find out more about her new book and the contests and giveaways she's having in association with her Virtual Book Launch.
I know I can get carried away with reading about writing, and just reading, instead of sitting down and writing, but I am looking forward to reading Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies. The selections I've already read have given me some things to think about as I work on my own writing.
Speaking of my own writing, I better close and get to work. I am excited to be able to refocus on my own creative work.
On a personal note, another reason I'm celebrating today is that it's my wedding anniversary! Yaaaaahhh!
What about you? Is today a start of something new, or maybe a restart? As a former colleague liked to say, "You can restart your day at any time." No matter what's going on with you, think about making a new start today or a restart, and celebrate the day with the ones you love!
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