Give and Take

The always always amazing Cole came up with this truly awesome question for our latest blog chain:

In this season of giving, what one piece of advice you can gift aspiring authors?

Oh wow. I have to give a gift of advice?!? Eek. Pressure. 

Wouldn't you rather have a $5 Starbucks gift card? You could buy an eggnog latte and... Well that's pretty much all $5 would buy at Starbucks. But still - yummy, right? 

Okay, no. I can do this. Advice. Wrapped up and with a bow on top. 

But first, let me go off on a tangent, that will then circle back around to the whole advice gift thing. I'll be quick - I promise.

I love Christmas movies and Christmas specials. And I tend to get teary-eyed very easily while watching these - it's mostly just my allergies from all those dusty Christmas decorations. I mean, for goodness sakes, I'm not really getting choked up over the stupid Folgers commercial where the girl tells her brother that he's her Christmas gift this year... could I? 

Anyway, moving on...

A lot of these specials have the common theme of family and being with those you love - like that emotionally manipulative coffee commercial. But my favorite theme - and the one that gets every stinking time - is that of belief. I guess the belief thing gets me because it's not about believing in Santa or even the power of little baby Jesus. It's bigger than that. It's belief in something good and magical and sacred that goes beyond presents and decorated trees and cookies. For me it's belief in the human spirit - that someone survives even the tragedy of this past week.

That belief is what makes the Grinch's small heart grow three sizes.

Yeah, the Grinch has always been one of my favorites. But in the last few years, there's another Christmas movie, that I might like even more. Maybe it's because this one gets a lot of play in my house due to my son - the train lover. Or maybe it's because I just love what it has to say. 

That book and movie is The Polar Express. 

So to all those aspiring writers out there - here is my gift to you - by way of The Polar Express.

First be ready to ride. 

Once on your way, don't forget that...

And finally just...

And I know it's not really in the Christmas spirit - but I totally gave myself the same gift too.

Want to open another present? You'll find it wrapped up and waiting for you on Sandra's blog tomorrow.

A Darkness Most Dreadful

Today is not only my daughter's third birthday but also the start of another blog chain. Christine kicked things off with this question:

I've been described as a writer of highly emotional and dark stories. So much so, that some could not read Transcend saying that while it was "beautifully crafted and written", the story was just too dark. So I ask you...How dark is too dark for your aesthetic? And is writing "dark" and "emotional" a "bad" thing?

This is such a great question for the blog chain because I already know that everyone will answer this a different way. And that's because what one person views as dark, may not be so bleak to another person's point of view. 

For me personally, I write darker books and I like to read darker books. Although sometimes I also like to read light and fluffy books. I don't think either of these is good or bad--as long as the darkness or light fits the story that it is being told. The most important thing about reading a dark book, though, is that there is some light at the end. Endings don't necessarily need to be 'Cinderella driving away with the Prince' happy, but there needs to be hope or a feeling that things are looking up.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about. 

In high school I had to read 1984 by George Orwell. I was not a Cliffnotes type of girl. I wouldn't even skim. If I was assigned to read a book, then I read every single word. I even read the rather long book within a book that comes somewhere around the middle of 1984. The last 100 pages were a bit of a slog, but I kept going - not just for school anymore - but to know how it ended for myself.

I had my fingers crossed for a happy ending. I guess I should have known better. Maybe I did. But what I didn't know was that it was a **SPOILER ALERT** strap a rat in a cage to the main character's face so that he would finally give in and be completely and utterly defeated type of ending. 

I threw that book across the room. I was so mad at it. Just thinking about it now, I feel outraged all over again . I do not subscribe to that book's vision of the world and humanity and I never will. 

That is too dark for me.  

Maybe next June when ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE hits the shelves, it will also hit the walls of some its readers. It is a dark book in some places, although the word I hear most often in feedback so far is "creepy." That might not be everyone's cup of tea and I get that. But I will promise you this - there are no rats and the ending is ultimately on the side of hope.

As you probably already know - this is only the beginning of the blog chain - to read more head on over to Sandra's blog.

It's blog chain time again and Alyson is kicking things off with this question:

How important is setting when crafting a story? How do you choose where your stories take place? How do you research setting? Do you have to have been somewhere in order to write about it? What are some memorable settings from books you've read?

So, setting is obviously pretty important. To borrow Stephen King's brilliant writer's toolbox analogy, I would say that setting is a power tool. Now power tools are awesome because, well, because of the whole power thing. They can do a lot quickly and easily. The downside is that if you use them wrong, you can also cut your hand off. 

For example if your story is set in New York City, the city can almost be like another character in your novel. OR, if you set your story in NYC, but you've never been there and you're basically using Friends and Sex In The City repeats as your research - that may be less effective.

The biggest setting downfall, though, is when you have done your research or you have lived in New York City all your life and want everyone to see it as crystal clearly as you do - so you write pages and pages and pages of description. Beautiful, poetic... BORING description.

I call this the HANS BRINKER, OR THE SILVER SKATES syndrome.

This is a book I was given when I was a kid and for years it sat on my shelf - unread. For many kids this would probably not be an unheard of scenario, but for me - a child who devoured every book in her path - this was shocking. The thing is I tried to devour this book. Every so often starving for a new book, I would take a little bite of it, and then every time, I would start reading chapter 2 and... the book would become as delicious as sawdust. I'd spit it out and move on to something else. 

So what was it about chapter 2 that led to this reaction? Well, Chapter 2 was given the title of "Holland". It begins like this:

Now I think most people would agree that that is some lovely descriptive writing... but by the end of that rather long paragraph don't you feel like, okay, that's nice, but can we have some dialogue now? Alas, this type of description continues for the next EIGHT pages!

I did eventually read Hans Brinker, though. I must have been desperate for new reading material, and finally just skipped chapter 2 and then read the rest of the book, which was actually pretty good. 

Of course, setting doesn't have to be the brussels sprouts on your thanksgiving plate - aka something that must be eaten around. And this is because setting - unlike brussels sprouts - can be delicious if handled correctly. 

A good example of setting that is integral to a book and enriches it can be found in Maggie Stiefvater's THE SCORPIO RACES.  The whole book takes place on an island where every year half-sea monster, half-horse creatures come out of the ocean and are captured by those foolish enough to try and ride them in the Scorpio Races. It is just brilliant and lovely and all the beautiful setting details are sprinkled evenly throughout the book instead of dumped into one big steaming pile and calling it chapter 2. 

Okay, so those are my thoughts on the potential perils and rewards of setting. Now go check out what the rest of the blog chain has to say, starting with Sandra tomorrow.

Blog Chain

This month many writers, including myself, are focused on NaNoWriMo and that makes the question Sandra picked totally perfect.

During National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), writers attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Do you set daily writing goals for yourself, either a certain word count or time spent on writing? Does this include other writing-related activities, like research, plotting, or revising? Do you focus on reaching the end of the journey (such as finishing your current project), or do you enjoy the writing process along the way?

So, as I mentioned above, I am taking part in NaNoWriMo this year. With that in mind I am going to keep this short. 

I don't usually set word goals for myself because I am terrible at keeping them. In fact, this is my third time doing NaNoWriMo and I have never actually won. However, when I am writing a first draft, I do try to make myself sit down in front of the computer, pull up the Word document with my WIP in it, and get some words down. Just to give myself some sort of goal I usually aim for 1,000. Sometimes I meet that, sometimes I don't. Either way, though, if I get any amount of words down, I usually count my time spent writing as successful.

As for enjoying the writing process along the way or only focusing on the reaching "the end"... 

Well, it always feels good to finish. There is a sense of accomplishment at telling your story from beginning to end. But I don't think I would continue writing if all the enjoyment was saved for the finish line. 

So yes, there is definitely joy in the journey. At times there is also agony, when the words aren't flowing and nothing seems to be working. But the good days - when a plot point from earlier suddenly connects with another plot point fifty pages later, or when a character's voice is crystal clear in my head, or when I find the totally perfect words to describe something - they are what fuel me to reach the end of writing one book, and then after a short rest, they are what make me get excited about starting another.

Okay, back to getting those words down. But there's lots more to be said about writing goals - this question will be answered by the rest of the blog chain members throughout the next two weeks. And the next person up is the questioner herself - Sandra. Make sure to check that out tomorrow.

Next Big Thing Week 21

Today I am taking part in the Next Big Thing blog hop that has been making its way through the blogosphere faster than a head cold in a roomful of people who refuse to cover their mouths when they sneeze.

I was tagged by Mindy McGinnis fellow Class of 2K13'er and author of the upcoming - OMG I can't wait to read it, please let me get an ARC in my hands ASAP -  NOT A DROP TO DRINK.

These questions are about my current work in progress. ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE is a stand alone, which means that my WIP is not a sequel but something else entirely different.

1) What is the working title of your book?

ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE came from the Janis Joplin song, Piece of My Heart from the part of the chorus where she sings: "take another little piece of my heart now baby. Staying with the song motif, my WIP is currently titled: (DON'T YOU) FORGET ABOUT ME

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

Ummm... I'll have to refer you to my Class of 2K13 vlog about brain throw-up.Yes, you read that correctly. I said brain throw up.

3)What genre does your book fall under?

Young Adult where strange things happen.

4) Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Oye. This would be a better question for my husband to answer.  

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

That question should really be - Can you sum up your book in one sentence? And the answer to that would be: No.

6)Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

By book is currently contracted with HarperTeen.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Umm... I'll let you know when it's finished. 

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I would compare it to both The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater or The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff because these books both take place in a town where something strange or magical is excepted as an everyday thing.

9) Who or What inspired you to write this book?

Um... me?

10) What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I am writing this book in such a way that it will make reader's teeth whiter and their hair thicker. Guaranteed*.

This is the part where I am supposed to tag some other writers for next week. But everyone else I asked had already been tagged. AAUUGHH. It was like high school gym class all over again. So, if you are reading this and have not yet been tagged - feel free to jump in next week (Week 22) with your Next Big Thing answers. Let me know that you're going to post and I'll link you up here so that others can check out your blog next Wednesday, October 31th, when it's your turn to post answers to these same questions about your own works-in-progress!

Rules:



***Answer these ten questions about your current WIP on your blog


.

***Tag five other writers/bloggers with their links so we can hop over and meet them.


*NOT really.

Cover Reveal!

I am so excited to announce that ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE has a cover!

Well, actually it's had a cover for a while now, but I haven't been able to show anyone until now.

So, let me try that again...

I am so excited to announce that ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE has a cover... AND I can now share it with all of you!!!


So where is this cover?

The amazing Ana and Thea AKA The Book Smugglers have graciously allowed me to share my cover on their brilliant blog today! Please go check it out and then come back here to let me know what you think.

And if the cover and book description have you intrigued, but you want to know more, for example, some other comparable titles - then you are in luck! Tomorrow I'm blogging on the Class of 2K13 blog and I've made a helpful comparable title infographic for ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE. 

Book vs. Movie

I'm back with another blog chain and this time the fabulous Michelle McLean gave us this question to chew on:

There are so many book-to-movie adaptations out there. Which are your favorites? Which are your least favorites? Why? Do you make sure you've read a book before you go see the movie adaptation, or do you prefer to read it after, or not at all?

Yes, it's the age old question: which came first the book or the movie? Okay, so maybe movies have only been around for the last hundred years - give or take a decade. But you know way back when in ancient Greece at a performance of  Sophocles' Oedipus Rex there was some jerk in the audience grumbling that the book was better.

But seriously, I love this question. Of course, as a reader, I am firmly in the "book was better" camp. However, that doesn't mean that I hate every book to movie adaptation.

For example, I thought The Hunger Games movie was pretty decent. I enjoyed it while watching it and upon leaving the movie theater didn't feel like I needed a literary chaser to get the bad taste out of my mouth. BUT, in contrast, I thought the book was great. Amazing. Something I will read again. The movie, if it comes on HBO I might watch a few minutes, but I can't really see myself sitting through the whole thing again.

I don't really know if I have a favorite adaptation. I think Fried Green Tomatoes is pretty great and did a really good job of capturing the spirit of the book without trying to stay 100% true to it's source material.

I also am a huge fan of Bridget Jones's Diary. And this is a cause where I enjoyed the book, but LOVE LOVE LOVE (omg Colin Firth as Mark Darcy - swoon!) the movie.However, when the sequel came out my feelings flip-flopped. I thought the book was enjoyable, but the movie was just awful.

For the most part I like to read the book before watching the movie. Or I like to read the book and just skip the movie entirely and save myself the pain. The Time Traveler's Wife is a good example of that. I thought the book was fantastic, but the movie looked really bad - so I skipped it.

There are times though when I see a movie without realizing it has literary roots. This is the case with one of my favorite movies ever: The Shawshank Redemption. Unlike The Hunger Games film, when this movie comes on TV, if I watch even a few seconds I get so sucked in that I end up on the couch watching it until the very end. Despite my love for Shawshank I have never read the Stephen King novella that it is based on. It's on my to-be-read pile though and I know that one day I will get to it, so that I can see if this is another case of the book being even better.

Okay, that's it from me, but this is only the beginning of the blog chain and there is a lot more book vs. movie discussion yet to come. Next up is Sandra's post tomorrow - make sure to check it out!