I feel SO lost. I thought I would be able to blog over my break, but every time I thought, "I need to write a blog" I got a little afraid, and I felt...well, an aversion to my blog. I didn't even want to type in the URL and look at it.
WHY?!
I really cannot answer this myself. At times I think maybe I feel overwhelmed. I have a full-time job, school, I try to workout almost everyday, and write. These things take up all my time. When I was in my undergrad studies and I didn't have a job for a semester, I blogged. And let me tell you, as you all might know, being a full-time blogger (you know, visiting, commenting, and the like--it takes SO much time).
Now I feel out of the loop. I feel like reentering this wold is something I want so desperately, but now I'm afraid of it. I understand hiatuses. But I don't want one. I want to jump right back in, post regularly about my writing.
I should probably keep a schedule, write blog posts on the weekends. This feeling isn't limited to my blog either--it's on Twitter, too. I use Facebook regularly so I haven't fallen off the bandwagon there. lol.
Anyone have suggestions? What can I do to get out of this funk? :(
Well everyone, we've made it to 2013 without Armageddon or an apocalypse. And now it's the 2nd of January--we're at the beginning of another year. My New Years Resolution was to land an agent. I know, I know--it's hard to actually do it...but hey, it's better than my other resolutions which always involve weight loss of some sort. As part of my Insecure Writer's Support Group Post, I thought I'd go over some ways my writing has changed in the last year, and what I realized about myself as a writer. There have been ups...and downs...but I'm still here. Still going.
The first thing I came to terms with in 2012 was that my book needed to be rewritten. By rewritten I mean open a new word document and start from the very beginning. I wasn't without tools, though. Barbara Kloss suggested I read John Truby's Anatomy of Story, and from there, I began to outline. Now, I can't read or what a movie without think about that book. It's how I have gone about crafting all my books. I know it's made me better.
Next, I did a lot of self-reflection and realized I wouldn't be the writer I am today without going to college and having those experiences. I'm not sure how I know that, I just know. Not only did it help my writing to have some actual training, but I also gained real-life experiences. Sometimes, you just can't write about things unless you experience them. You know, mosh pits, Greek parties and the like. haha.
I now know that all writers have dreams--and I mean the big ones. Landing an agent. Getting published. Sharing their books with the world. Probably my biggest realization about 2012 was that you have to be able to take the bad and ALWAYS remember the good. It can get tough. You're handing out you baby for people to read--your CREATION. Blood, sweat, tears have gone into that thing--literally. It wasn't easy to write. There's stress. It's a JOB. Even then, it probably isn't perfect. But that's what we do as writers. We writer, we edit, we fix. We write some more. It's our life. It's what we signed up to do, and if we can't stay positive and persevere we really won't have anything.
You might think that sounds depressing.
But really, it's full of hope.
I was at Aladdin's house over the holidays and talking to some people who were younger than me. One made the comment, "You should just die after 12, life just sucks after that."
I was appalled, and I disagreed with them. Life is what you make it--really, it is. And if you think life sucks after 12 then life will suck after 12. If you're like me, you see time. Time to make dreams come true. Every year I hope I can make a dream come true.
Sorry guys! I have to do my posts late. :/ On the bright side, I found out today I got straight A's in my first semester of graduate school! :D I hope you enjoy my list! I decided I need to read a variety of books instead of latching onto series. I spent this year between classes reading all Iron Fey, Covenant, Lux series...so you'll see a pattern. lol.
Class Clown
Uh, Puck (a.k.a. Robin Goodfellow). Duh.
The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa
http://www.theironfey.com/TheCharacters.html
Puck IS the ULTIMATE class clown. He revels in mischief. So much so, it's hard to take his love interest in Megan seriously. He's a red headed Summer Fey who's lived for centuries and he isn't afraid of anything. In fact, he welcomes trouble of all kinds.
Alex just has the rockstar personality--she's hardcore, a go big or go home type of girl. She's fierce and ALWAYS ready for a fight. She can definitely hold her own.
Biggest Flirt
Daemon
The Lux Series by Jennifer Armentrout
Pretty sure the video above gives you an idea of what he's like. This is an ACTUALLY scene from the book. Man, I feel all blushy.
Fashion King and/or Queen
Celaena
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
You might not think so--but first of all, she wears really awesome dresses throughout the whole book and is an assassin. Pretty epic if you ask me.
"It was not pure white, but rather a grayish offset, and its wide skirts and bodice were encrusted with thousands of minuscule crystals that reminded Celaena of the surface of the sea. Swirls of silk thread on the bodice made rose-like designs that could have passed for a work by any master painter. A border of ermine lined the neck and provided slender sleeves that only covered her shoulders. Tiny diamond droplets fell from her ears, and her hair was curled and swept up onto her head, strands of pearls woven in." (Throne of Glass).
Girl You’d Most Want For Your BFF
Daria from Gaia's Secret & The Keepers Flame
By Barbara Kloss
Daria is super awesome and super sweet. She does everything and anything for those she loves. She's thrown into the world of Gaia--full of magical and deadly things--as a human girl who has been sheltered all her life. In the end, all you want for her is to have a good friend. And Alex. Did I mention Alex...? lol.
Boy You Wish You’d Dated in High School
Battle Round: Alex Del Conte vs. Ashallayn ' darkmyr Tallyn
Pandoran Novels by Barbara Kloss and The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa
Description of Alex: "Alex stood in the entryway, much taller than I remembered. His fitted, dark jeans revealed a lean, muscular build and the sleeves of his white button-up shirt were rolled to his elbows, exposing strong forearms. Not the scrawny boy I'd known all my life. He wore his hair longer, too. Dark strands now framed his face, sharpening the angels, and the green in his eyes was much greener. And more penetrating" (11, Gaia's Secret).
Description of Ash: "The third was novel, walking behind them, was also dressed in black and silver. Like the other two, he carried a sword, resting comfortably on his hip, and his face bore teh fine lines of an aristocrat. But, unlike the others, he looked disinterested, almost bored, with the entire event. His eyes caught the moonlight and glittered like silver coins." (The Iron King).
While Ash is super badass and all, Alex is just a sweetheart, and really--I cannot resist a sweetheart. lol.
Quirkiest Character
Grimalkin
The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa
Grimalkin would say, "I am a cat" if you were to ask him why he's the quirkiest character. I supposed you'd have to read the books to find out. He's pretty infuriating. It's hard to tell what he's thinking, and he's always popping up at the right (and wrong times). Oh, the life of a cat.
Villain You Love to Hate
Blake
Onyx by Jennifer Armentrout
I won't tell you why, but oh, will you HATE him.
Favorite Parental Figure
The Del Contes
Pandoran Novels by Barbara Kloss
The Del Contes are Alex's parents and they took Daria in from the beginning. With her father always being gone, someone had to look after her. Daria is with them throughout Gaia's Secret and there through all the hardships of the Keeper's Flame. What more can you ask for but love and acceptance?
Coolest Nerd *Spoiler**
Megan Chase
The Fey Series by Julie Kagawa.
http://www.theironfey.com/TheCharacters.html
It might just be because she's a techie, or that she becomes The Iron Queen, but really--Megan is the coolest nerd ever. When it comes down to it, she's incredibly loyal and she follows her heart. Like all great heroines, it lands her in hot water, but it's all worth it in the end...AND she gets cool technology along the way.
I feel bad because I limit myself to reading a ton of fantasy...I cannot fill all the categories very well. I also have to read a ridiculous amount for school. So, I don't have very many books. :/
Favorite Science Fiction - Opal by Jennifer Armentrout
http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/books/opal/
Oh, Katy and Daemon. They are THE couple. While Armentrout's dialogue always seems a little long-winded and off-topic, she can sure build tension! She makes you wait until you get what you want. She can also take your favorite characters and make them stab you in the heart.
Favorite Fantasy - The Iron King & The Lost Prince
http://www.juliekagawa.com/Folio.html
http://www.juliekagawa.com/Folio.html
I pretty much LOVE the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, and I was SO excited to read The Lost Prince--partly because I wanted to see Megan, Ash, and Puck again, but because it meant I got to see the Nevernever again. The Iron Knight was from Ash's point-of-view and kept me on pins and needles until the end. I was never so glad to see Megan. I wondered if he had the willpower for most of the book. lol.
Favorite Paranormal - Deity by Jennifer Armentrout
Did I mention Armentrout can hurt you? Cause after reading Deity, I want to hurt someone. There are characters I hate, characters I absolutely love and things that break my heart. Pretty sure I am skipping to the back of the fourth book (Apollyon) just so I can sleep at night.
I am so happy to help Kelley Lynn over at Adventures Between the Bookends with her cover reveal! I've followed Kelly for quite sometime and I love her blog and I am sure going to LOVE her book FRACTION OF STONE!
Wow. I can't believe the day is here! Time for the FRACTION OF STONE cover reveal.
Before we get into that, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far. All the fine people who are helping with this cover reveal, my CPs/Betas, family and friends. And of course, thank you to Sapphire Star Publishing for helping make my dream a reality. (And also letting me have a huge say in how this cover looks.) I am so, so excited and feel so blessed.
To thank you all, there is a drawing for 2 ARCs of FRACTION OF STONE which you can enter to win at the bottom of this post! You can enter until December 14th at which point the winners will be chosen.
Wind tunnels, torrential rains and earthquakes tear apart Casden. The cause of the world’s imbalance is unknown, but the mounting occurrences suggest there’s little time before life ceases to exist.
Rydan Gale and Akara Nazreth are the only humans with the ability to wield magic. The tattoo on their necks and the discovery of an ancient book, dictate they are the key to the world’s survival.
But the greatest obstacle for saving mankind isn’t the bizarre creatures, extreme betrayals and magic-fearing men hunting them.
It’s that Akara doesn’t believe the world is worth saving.
Eventually the day came when the voices in Kelley Lynn’s head were more insistent then her engineering professor’s. So instead of turning to her Thermodynamics book, Kelley brought up a blank page on her computer screen and wrote. Somewhere along the way she became a Young Adult author.
Kelley was born and raised a Midwestern girl. She’s not afraid to sweat and fills her free time with softball, soccer and volleyball. (Though you probably don’t want her on your volleyball team.) She occasionally makes guest appearances as a female vocalist for area bands.
, as well as the group blog she shares with her fellow critique partners, Falling for Fiction. Kelley is a member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators.
I decided to give writing advice in the form of quotes from writers. These are all things I have learned to be true. I'm not sure there is any instance where a true writer has learned differently.
“Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very;' your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”
― Mark Twain
I thought this was a great way to demonstrate how to stop using unnecessary words like "very" and "that." Aladdin's example was, "You did very well on that paper", "You did damn well on that paper!" or "You did well on that paper!"
“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
― Stephen King
We all should know, as writers, that we must read to be better writers. Through reading we learn what we hate, love, and what we want to be. I learned I wanted to create a world like Tolkien created--a place I could live in and love.
“Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it.”
― Lloyd Alexander
I thought this was interesting because many times we say we write to escape reality, but I never considered fantasy in terms of understanding reality. Many times, I think, human nature is seen clearly in terms of fantasy than in non-fiction.
“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.”
― Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau brings up an excellent point--how can you write when you haven't EXPERIENCED? It was easier for my places and descriptions to change once I had travelled and seen different places. It was easier for me to describe feelings of love when I had experienced it. I could go on and on about things I've experienced that make my writing better, but you get the picture. I was thinking in the car on the way home yesterday, "Where is the limit with writers? When will they say "No!" when it comes to being able to convey that perfect line?" For instance--what if your main character smokes weed…and you don't exactly know how to describe that feeling? Is it enough to interview someone? Or would you feel, as a writer, obligated to smoke weed?
This is where I draw my limit. Also, none of my characters smoke weed. But I only thought of this because I went to a Coheed and Cambria concert and was thrown around in a mosh pit…nasty body odor, vomit, and--would you believe it--weed were smells that made me what to gag…and I thought, of all things, "You need to write this, Ashley!"
“There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.”
― Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist
This becomes truer and truer as e-books become popular--but I will not be unfair, because many e-books are way better than some traditionally published books. The market has become a master at pretty covers and terrible content--of course, all for sales.
“You can make anything by writing.”
― C.S. Lewis
I love this…because it is true.
“This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until its done. It's that easy, and that hard.”
― Neil Gaiman
And wouldn't you know--this is, too.
**all quotes were taken from http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/writing
