Book Review: Firelight

Firelight by Sophie Jordan is another book I've long anticipated reading. The cover is awesome (there's been a slew of awesome covers lately) and just saying the word "dragons" pulls me in. What can I say? I'm a sucker for fire and scales.

According to  the book's blurb:
Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.
Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away--if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

The story flies off the page in the beginning. The imagery is brilliant, the plot interesting. But, unfortunately, it's not a strong bird (or draki, take your pick). Halfway through, things became repetitive. The same inner turmoil is repeated and re-explored page after page. Jacinda's half-hearted vows to "stay away from Will. No, be with him" weren't intriguing enough to keep the story soaring. And Jacinda's indecisiveness drove me crazy. Are teenagers indecisive? Yes. But you can only take so much of it in a book before indecisiveness becomes drudgery.

In the entire story, I don't think Jacinda EVER makes a permanent choice. It's like she's afraid to take the leap. In real life, that's fine. In a story that needs an arc, it's not. In the end, this felt like just the first act (and a long-drawn one at that) to a much more complicated story. And given its cliffhanger ending (seriously, I've never been so miffed at an ending), I'm sure there's more to come.

It was a well-told story, but it stalled out and didn't go anywhere for the longest time. (Yes, the kissing scenes were stimulating, but I'm not that easy.) Which is disappointing, because this story brims with potential. I hope that the second book delivers a more satisfying story, and, for the love of God, Jacinda actually makes a decision--and not let them be made for her.

Recommended: Yes. It is, after all, a pretty intriguing tale and worth the read. I would recommend waiting until the sequel is out, however, so you would have a more complete story (let us hope).
Rating: (out of five stars) 3.95

Monday Madness: Revisiting Old Friends

I've been taking advantage of my library card lately and so I've been reading a lot of books. Some good. Some not. And it's the ones that are "not" that's made me really crave the familiar...and the knowledge that the book I'm going to read is a good one.

So, this week I'm going to dust off some of my hardbacks and read some old friends. And hopefully it will remind me why I write. For the beautiful, magical words and worlds, the lively characters, the amazing dialogue. THAT is why I read. That is why I love literature.

But unfortunately, I've read quite a few books lately that have left me with nothing more than a "meh" feeling. I hate that feeling. I'd rather loathe a book than feel nothing for it. Loathing still means that the author did something RIGHT somewhere along the way (at least right enough for it to twang one of my nerves). When I come across a book that doesn't do either for me, it just makes me sad.

Disclaimer: Yes, I know that not every book was intended for whatever audience I'm grouped in. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about a book lacking that certain something that just makes it breathe. That something that makes me FEEL something. Rather than annoyance. I'm annoyed too much for that to be a book's fault.

So I'll be pulling some of my old friends off the shelf these next few weeks (until I once again get the thirst for fresh ink). I'm going to bury my nose in those pages and remind myself that there are books out there that sing.

How about you? Ever need to take a breather from those shiny new releases and pick up your favorite, dog-earred paperback? Which one is it? Please share!

Book Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan is the perfect example of a gripping, evocative title. Just by reading it, you know that there are going to be some exceptional things going on in the story, maybe even some fantastical things.

But for it's magical title, this story isn't a fantasy. It's post-apocalyptic. Right there with The Hunger Games and I Am Legend. Sure, it has an old world feel to it (the people in it could have stepped right out of the Middle Ages, their life is so rudimentary) but it felt realistic. After all, if most of the population suddenly turned into mindless, flesh-craving zombies, I don't think the modern conveniences would last long.

It's been a while since I've read a story that's made my heart pound and my palms sweat, forcing me to turn the page to find out what happens next, sometimes even tempting me to skip ahead to make sure that all ends well.... But this story is anything but a happy one. I think it's the darkest thing I've read all year. Dark in the way that it disturbs you. Dark in the way that you're not sure what to think about the characters or their dreams...whether you might prefer it if they die. Dark in the way that it keeps you up at night thinking about it.

Despite all the heart-pounding and page-turning and mind-commandeering, I'm not sure if I liked this book. The MC is a teenager and probably one of the most accurately portrayed teens ever. She made me remember why I hated being a teenager and why I hated other teenagers. She's self-absorbed. Foolish. Impulsive. Wishy-washy. Yes, she has her moments of sorrow and regret, but she doesn't LEARN from them. She still continues on her quest like she never felt those things at all. She never GROWS. Well, I guess she might when (spoiler alert) Travis dies and she finally decides that she would rather have him than her dream of going to the ocean. But too late. Pointless. And guess what? She still decides to go for the ocean (for him, she says...but she's not fooling me). She sacrifices EVERYONE for her dream to see the ocean, even though she has been told that it's just like the forest. Even though she's been told that there is nowhere free of the Unconsecrated (zombies). Towards the end of the story, I couldn't understand her motivations at all. She was like a zealot: full of passion and fire for her dream, but little else. I couldn't understand why two guys, both decent sorts, would love this stupid, petty girl. It made me want to kick all of them in the head.

But that's teenagers for you, I guess. Idiot ones.

Ms. Ryan can write an adrenaline-inducing scene like no one I've read, but sometimes I felt like she jumped from scene to scene with no logical transition, leaving me confused and annoyed. And her character arcs leave a lot to be desired. Probably the only person who grows in this story is Jed, and he gets killed for it. Since I read more for the characters than the story, I can't say that I liked this story. But I didn't NOT like it. It had many redeemable qualities, and Ms. Ryan certainly knows how to craft a page-turner. I just wish she could craft an MC I could cheer for. Apparently her other books in this series follow different girls, so I have hope.

Recommended: Yes, for the thrill junkies. No, for the character lovers (or yes if you like characters who annoy the heck out of you).
Rating (out of five stars): 3.75

Monday Madness: What's in a Name?

SURPRISE! Another Monday Madness post! And I thought they'd keeled over.

But this post was actually inspired by something mundane and probably not too stimulating that happened over the weekend.

I've had a kitten (orange and white bengal, once with blue eyes, now with gold (which I deduced his eyes changed when he signed his soul away to the devil)) for a couple months now. When I got the kitten, I was assured that it was a female and so promptly named it Buttercup.

Well, it's not female. And while I have no issue in calling a tom "Buttercup," my husband insisted on calling him "Butthead" instead. Since I didn't want our kitten answering to Butthead, I decided that I would come up with a better name for him. Eventually.

You see, just like when I'm musing on names for characters in my stories, I'm usually struck by the perfect name and it just sticks. Most of the time it's coincidence (or a strange streak of luck) that when I begin researching the name it has connotations that I like.

But sometimes I do the opposite: research and then name. This was especially true for my short-story-turned-novel "One Thousand." I wanted the mermaid's name to have dark connotations, so I went to babynameworld.com and typed "dark" in Meaning Search. I saw Achlys, liked the sound of it, and the murdering mermaid was born.

More often than not, however, I go with what my muse whispers. Those names are usually stronger, more genuine. They are the names the characters give themselves. Even Drake's name in DRAGON QUEEN was one of those names that just struck me. He and I snickered at the irony of a dragonslayer named Drake until he revealed to me that he had a BIG secret. And then it was even more ironic. When names reveal themselves, usually magical and intriguing things happen in my stories. It's probably part of me being a pantser. I'm more inspired when I just let things unfold as they will.

And then, sometimes, I get lucky enough that my muse (or subconscious) knows what it's doing and I don't have to do a lot of cleaning up to make things coincide later.

So what about you? Do you put a lot of thought into your names or is it something that just pops into your head?

(P.S. My muse whispered to me that the kitten's new name would be Simba, because he thinks he's the king of the jungle...or at least the Christmas tree.)

Book Review: Brightly Woven

This book's cover stopped me in my tracks. You know that saying: Never judge a book by its cover? Well, it's bull. I've found that a good cover is a very good indication of a good book. But I read the blurb first. And then a paragraph or two of the first page before I'm sold.

I was sold. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken is just as magnificent, as colorful, as astounding as the cover. For someone who's been reading a lot of YA urban fantasy, or just strictly YA, this was a refreshing read. Giving me new expectations. New hopes. New scenery. And, perhaps the best part of all, completely NEW characters.

According to the book's blurb:
 Just as the rains come after ten long, dry years, a young wizard, Wayland North, appears, to whisk Sydelle Mirabil away from her desert village. North needs an assistant, and Sydelle is eager to see the country--and to join him on his quest to stop the war that surely will destroy her home. But North has secrets--about himself, about why he chose Sydelle, about his real reasons for the journey. What does he want from her? And why does North's sworn enemy seem fascinated by Sydelle himself?

Through a journey that spans a country, magic and hard-won romance are woven together with precision and brilliant design by a first-time novelist.


I'll admit I've become a little fed up with angsty teenagers and this was a perfect escape. Sixteen-year-old Sydelle has her problems and insecurities, sure, but she doesn't spend the whole book feeling sorry for herself. (OMG, no one understands me!) She's a go-getter. She's one of those people who makes her own destiny. One of the better female characters I've read in fantasy in a long time.

And the romance? It made me chuckle. A romance built on a foundation of mistrust and disdain, it kept me entertained throughout the book. But what's more, it felt REAL. It was like watching two people in real life fall in love. Never forced. Never contrived. Just real. This book made me smile, made me cheer. I just really, really enjoyed it.

And the world? The magic? Awesome. I loved the concept of wizards using talismans to manifest their power (North's colorful cloaks, the bad guy's string around his dagger). It felt like a breath of fresh air. And coming from a first-time novelist? So envious. I really can't give Ms. Bracken enough acclaim.

Monday Madness: The "AHA!" Moment

Surprise! I actually thought of something. So I have to be really quick and write it down before I forget...

Wait, what was I saying?

Kidding.

I've been fiddling with some of the projects that have been gathering dust on my thumb drive. Trying, really, to decide which one I want to focus on. I know that DQ needs most of my attention (stop procrastinating, Brandi, just get it to the querying stage! Mmkay?) but I want to be WRITING on something.

So I picked up ONE THOUSAND again. For those of you new to this blog (or just need a refresher), ONE THOUSAND is a story about a murderous mermaid in ancient Greece who ends up being captured by a sailor out for revenge. (She killed his brother.) I have some really great ideas for this story, but, the thing is, it takes a LOT of research. I've been spending way too much time surfing the internet, trying to find relevant information on ancient Greece and customs and all that. So much time, in fact, that I haven't really WRITTEN anything. (I've even despaired that I won't be able to write this story until I actually GO to Greece.)

I've been so worried about getting things historically accurate (even though there are mermaids involved) that my muse has been oppressed. But then I had the "Aha!" moment.

I always seem to struggle with switching back and forth between two people's POV (I think it's the romance writer in me) and, with Elpis (the sailor) I've been struggling because ancient Greece is HIS world. So nothing is new or interesting to him. He takes everything for granted. And I'm afraid that he'll come off as more of an information outlet than a character. So, I was thinking that instead I should tell the whole story through Achlys' (the mermaid) eyes. Then everything will be new. Everything will be strange and wonderful and I don't think I would have to worry so much about getting all the terminology right. Plus, it's Achlys' story. And while I will miss digging around in Elpis' head, I think it would be much more interesting (for me and the reader) to see him completely through Achlys' POV. A challenge, yes, but it's made me excited for the story again. Woohoo!

I love those "Aha" moments. They bring the spark back, don't you think? What about you, had any Aha moments lately? And what did you glean from it?

Book Review: Beautiful Darkness

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is the second of the Caster Chronicles about Ethan Wate, an average sixteen-year-old boy from the small Southern town, Gatlin, S.C., who falls in love with a supernatural Caster girl, Lena.

According to the book's blurb:

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.
Sometimes life-ending.
Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

I really enjoyed Beautiful Creatures and this book held up to the standards its predecessor set. Actually, it went deeper, darker. With many twists and turns. The world that Ms. Garcia and Ms. Stohl builds is truly amazing and three-dimensional. Characters were constantly surprising me, and in ways that stayed away from feeling contrived (which is always a bonus). Though Ethan's dilemma got me thinking (spoiler alert). If he were a girl and thought the way he was thinking about Lena (if Lena were a boy), as in: I'll give up everything up for her. My dreams are no longer important, yadda yadda. I would have thrown the book down in disgust. It disturbed me a little bit. I hate the "ideal love" where complete sacrifice is necessary (reminds me a bit too much of Twilight and Romeo & Juliet). And it got to the point where I was literally asking WHY he even wanted to be with Lena when she's treating him like dirt. But he starts asking himself that, too. He even is tempted by/interested in another girl. So, redeemed. But, still, it's an interesting question. And since it's a love story, we know that Ethan and Lena are going to live up happily ever after (I hope I didn't spoil that for you) but my irritations were allayed a little bit by how difficult and imperfect that happily ever after is achieved. So, kudos to the authors.

The ending was a cliffhanger of the best sort, making me just want to pull my hair out and scream, "OMG, what happens next?!"

And Ridley? The most awesome minor character I've read in a while. She's almost more interesting than the MCs. Almost.

Recommended? Yes. For those who would like a more realistic view of teenage love and dark, deep magic places.

Rating (out of five stars): 4.25

Monday Madness: Overcoming the E-mail Obsession

If you've ever submitted any of your stories (be it for a magazine, an agent, or a contest) you've probably experience the E-mail Obsession at one point.

This involves:

Checking your e-mail every 3 minutes or so.

Having a new heart attack when you have any kind of new message.

Get disappointed when its yet another spam for Viagra. (WTF? I'm not even a GUY!)

Get even more disappointed when there's nothing new.

Check "Sent" messages to make sure you sent it to the right person.

Count the days your submission has been out.

Go to Duotrope.com and check average response times.

Refresh e-mail again. Disappointed again.

Tell yourself you're not going to check e-mail for the rest of the day.

Resist for five minutes. Check again.

Go to submission website and fret over the guidelines. Yes, you did it right.

Refresh e-mail.

I am happy to say that I have finally overcome the e-mail obsession. Granted, I don't have any queries out for my novels, but I DO have a couple of short stories out on submission. Going on two months. Gah.

But I've discovered a little secret that prevents me from overloading Yahoo with all my refreshes. Forgetting about it. Acting like you don't care. Moving on to other things. Yes, it works. Amazingly well, actually.

Now, I still check my e-mail once a day (just in case) but that's my limit. Why waste the time fretting over when an e-mail is going to arrive (and what it will say) instead of moving on to another project? Distraction is key, my friend. Yes, indeed.

Now, anyone need the hookup on discounted Viagra?

Stretched Thin

I've always been a bit socially awkward. I say the wrong things a lot. Laugh at unfunny things. Don't make enough eye contact...or too much. My jokes flop. I try really, REALLY hard to be a person's best friend, but I usually fail. Because I try TOO hard, as my mother always says.

Well, I feel like I'm trying too hard to be helpful and insightful and provide you with interesting tidbits on Monday Madness. The truth is I feel like Monday Madness is flopping more than flipping. Everything I say (or, more accurately, try to say) comes out a little stale. A little lifeless. A little awkward. So, next Monday will be the last regularly scheduled Monday Madness. It might make an occasional occurrence in the future when I can actually THINK of something interesting.

However, I do have recommendations for helpful blogs. 

The Sharp Angle. Lydia Sharp always has interesting things to say and I'm learning something every day from her. And when her husband, Joe, pops in you can usually get a unique perspective on things (as well as a grin-inducing post title).

Don't pet me, I'm writing. Tawna Fenske always has an amusing anecdote about writing or her experience as a writer. She's a lot of fun to follow!

The Other Side of the Story. Janice Hardy, author of The Shifter and Blue Fire, is always sharing helpful information on character development, plotting and writing in general.

I will continue to post book reviews on Wednesdays. Luckily I'm about two weeks ahead on that. Woohoo. I hope you're enjoying reading them, because I'm enjoying writing them. :)

Hopefully with less pressure on my brain to come up with something brilliant over the weekend for Monday Madness, I can start writing on my stories again. Maybe even some poetry.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Do you like my 69?

Buahaha. Yes, I have a dirty mind. That's probably a given seeing as my first published work will be erotica. (More on that later.)

Anyway, over at The Sharp Angle, Lydia was discussing the idea that you should buy a novel based on its page 69. That should reveal the heart of the novel's style and situation. Well, she said it better than I ever could, so go check it out.

However, I had to see if my page 69 had any merit. So I thought I'd share and get your opinions. Are they interesting? Would you "buy" it?

Here's Page 69 from LAST OF THE ELVES, my WIP:

“Yes, I know just how busy you’ve been. But tell me, boy, has it done any good?”

“I don’t know,” he answered truthfully. “There was this one—a girl—who I thought would be different. But…” He squeezed her hand. “She’s like all the others.”

She studied him, her hazel eyes—his father’s eyes—seeing more than he would like. But that had always been her gift. A witch by birth, she harnessed the powers of light, truth and beauty, and could always see through the darkness. “She’s special to you.”

“No.” He shook his head. “No.”

Ollie laughed. “Oh, Lial. You were never a good liar. You take after your father’s side of the family too much.” She released his hand and reached for a box beneath the counter. Constructed of polished wood, it did not appear to need the intricate lock clasping the lid. Ollie withdrew a key from her blouse and opened it.

“Hold out your hand,” she said. He did and she placed something smooth and warm in his palm. She curled his fingers around it. “This was your mother’s. She wanted you to have it. For your special woman, she said.”

“I don’t—“

“Shh. Just take it. I’m afraid if I don’t give it to you now, I never will.”

His hand clenched. “Auntie…”

She laughed. “Don’t be sad. I am the fortunate one, Lial. I’m nearly a century old, ancient for a human. It shall be like going to bed after a long, hard day.”

“You’re only ten years older than me.”

“But you’re not human.”

His mouth thinned. “No need to remind me.”

And here's page 69 from DRAGON QUEEN, which I will be querying for soon:

“You’re right, of course,” he interrupted. “We’ll have a feast once she establishes her seat.”

“My seat? I’m going to have a seat?” I squeaked.

“Of course,” the female replied, smiling her gentle smile again. It was such a contrast to her fearsome features that it unsettled more than soothed me.

“Every ruler has a seat,” the male said.

“But . . .I don’t even know how to rule.” Panic crept in again, scratching at my voice and pulling me toward hysteria. I focused on breathing, trying to regain control.

Amusement lit his black eyes. “Do not worry, my Queen, we shall teach you all that you need to know.”

“And what am I supposed to bring to this?”

“Your self,” he answered. “That is greater than any weapon.”

His answer did not stifle my panic, but fed it. It was a bloated thing now, lodging in my throat until I could barely breathe.

His mate must have sensed this, for she abruptly said, “My name is Vahra. This is my consort, Kale. We are the leaders of the Council. The leaders of the Nerolytes.”

“The Nerolytes?”

“It means, “Against the dark.” It is what the Kelsten Skala call us.”

“So the Kelsten Skala are the prominent power?”

She shrugged. “They would claim that, yes. But the Council is an ancient dragon tradition. We have been here far longer than the Kelsten Skala, and we still hold power. Despite being forced to meet in secret for some centuries now.”

Book Review: The DUFF

When I first saw the title of The DUFF by Kody Keplinger, I laughed. I think every girl has felt like the Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) at one point or the other. That alone was enough to intrigue me. And then the book's blurb reassured me that this was a book worth reading:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.
But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

I admit, I have a softness for hate-turning-to-love relationships, so I thought this book would be right up my alley. But now, uh, I don't know. In fact, I feel like I have a love-hate relationship with this book.

I loved the situation the MC is in. Every girl can relate to being a Duff, or at least feeling like one. Every girl knows that sleazy man-whore whom she is attracted to despite herself (even if she won't admit it) and every girl has issues at home. The set-up felt pretty dang real to me. Even the way Bianca deals felt real to me (if something I could never see myself or anyone I know doing).

Bianca as a character was interesting and dynamic. I liked her little oddities (like finding folding clothes relaxing) and liked that she also had the tendency to keep her emotions bottled up (something I can relate to). But, for all that, I'm not sure if I really liked HER. In some books, that's okay, but in this book I should have been on the MC's side, and I was for the most part, but there were so many things she did that I disagreed with that at times I just wanted to smack her and say, "Really?"

Wesley, at the end, made me smile. I liked how he grew and we got to see the true guy underneath all his BS. It gives me hope for all a-holes out there.

BUT, the author almost lost me when Wesley tells Bianca, to her face, that she is the DUFF. It just seemed so unrealistic to me. The whole reason why he's talking to her is to come off as the nice, sensitive guy so he can sleep with her friends (he says so) so WHY would he admit that? That's just stupid. Creeps are creeps and ones with his reputation would be a little smoother than that. Now, if it had ended up just being a play for Bianca, i.e., to get her attention even if it was negative attention, I could see why he would say it. But that's never suggested. Which left me disappointed and feeling like it was all contrived. Bleh.

And I think that's what REALLY bothered me about this book. For all the difficult situations and obstacles Bianca faces, everything resolves a bit too nicely. Everyone is a bit too honest, a bit too willing to change and make everything right. And the story ends so neatly. Wrapped in a pink, shiny bow. Cherry Coke all around!

And that, to me, felt contrived.

I'm not saying that the book was completely unreadable. There were moments when I was so wrapped up in the story that I didn't care how easy the resolutions seemed. I was just happy that the characters were happy. So, all-in-all, I had the exact same attitude toward this book as Bianca does towards Wesley. I'm pretty sure I don't like it, yet I can't bring myself to say I hate it because of all its redeeming qualities.

Recommended: Partly yes, for an easy, semi-emotional read. Partly no for its "too-neat" ending.

Rating (out of five stars): 3

Monday Madness: Are You a Winner?

Hello, fellow NaNo-ers!

How's the writing going? I know some of you are super motivated and have already surpassed the 50,000 word goal. Others (like me, ahem) are still flagging. I regret to say that I probably won't "win" NaNoWriMo this year. I've only got about 40,000 words and though I MIGHT be able to write 10,000 words in the next two days, I doubt it. I'm, frankly, exhausted. And my imagination is beginning to resembled a shriveled raisin. Sad? Yes it is. The story is also picking a fight with me, trying to take me a direction I don't want to go, so that's making writing more difficult. Because I feel like everything I've wrote lately is crap. (Yes, writing crap is better than not writing, but I'm just too frustrated to deal with it now.) I'm going to write some more today. I can't guarantee it will be 5,000 words or even 500, but I'll keep writing until Dec. 1. Then I'm going to take a well-deserved break.

Normally, the daunting idea that I might not reach a goal would have my stomach in knots. I'm a perfectionist and I'm ambitious. I like to succeed. I like to reach my goals. Normally, I would be frantically pounding away at the keyboard (even if it was to repeat curse words over and over) in the hope that I would make it. But, you know what? I'm not stressing. Mainly because I have too many other goals that I am achieving that letting one slip is okay by me.

In my mind, just knowing that I wrote 40,000 words in one month is amazing. I've never written so many words in such a short amount of time! So, that makes me a winner in my own mind.

But how are you faring? Did you "win" this year or are you going to make your own blue ribbon out of glue and glitter?

Please share!

A Reminder to Be Thankful

It's Black Friday. Yay. It just means that day I have to go back to work after being off. Which really messes up my whole week. I almost titled this post Monday Madness. Lol.

I honestly love Thanksgiving, though. And, no, it's not just for the stuffing and turkey and ZOMG pumpkin pie. I like it because it reminds us to step back and just reflect. To be thankful. To remember all the good things that are happening to us. At least, that's what its supposed to be once you peel away the gluttony and commercialism.

Here are a few things that I am thankful for:

My wonderful husband who is probably one of the most selfless, loving people I know. Even when he's being a butthead (like all men are).

My health. Despite the illnesses I've experienced in the past, I'm a pretty healthy person. And I have nothing permanently wrong with me (I know, that's up for debate).

My family. I have an awesome Mom, a stepdad who loves me and is proud of me (even if he won't admit it), a brother who is always on my side and many aunts, uncles and cousins who are some of the best people I know. Also, I now have an extended family and I love them to pieces. They are funny and crazy and welcome me with open arms. I couldn't ask for better in-laws.

My talents. I'm blessed, truly, with a lot of talents. I can write. I can draw. I can sing. I can even manage to dance sometimes. I have so many things I love to do and love to pursue. I'm glad I always have something to keep my occupied.

My friends. I'm thankful for the moments they are there. I'm thankful for their consideration and warmth. I'm grateful that I know so many talented and generous people (both online and in person) and am doubly grateful for all my writer friends at the Writer's Digest Sci-Fi/Fantasy forum.

My pets. My furry babies are my light. Even on the darkest days, they can make me smile with their tail-wagging and purring. They can heal a broken heart with just one cuddle. I love them so much!

Sometimes it's difficult to remember all the blessings in our life and it's easy to take them for granted. But I hope this week you remember what it is you are thankful for. Thank you for reading and please share what you are thankful for!

Book Review: Before I Fall

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is another book I've had my eye on for a while. The idea that you can come back and live your last day alive over and over until you get it right is intriguing. But it's also one of those ideas that can go very wrong if you don't do it right. Ms. Oliver did it right. (I also love the cover!)

According to the book's blurb:

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High--from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
Instead, it turns out to be her last.
Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death--and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

First off, Ms. Oliver can WRITE. Lordy, can she write. Everything felt fresh, and so true to a self-concerned high school girl's perspective. The shallowness of the MC wasn't overdone to the point where I wanted to smack her (or myself) but had just the right tone. In fact, Samantha seems very aware of how mean-girlish she can be and, for some reason, I liked that better than an MC who was completely clueless or even an MC who was on the other end of the spectrum (being the object of the cruelty). This was an MC with the potential to change. But would she?

I read this book in one day. Yep. That's how much I loved it. How much it absorbed me. I kept hoping that Sam would find a way to make everything right. I winced at her almost successes and understood the times when she just let it all go and did something crazy. This felt real to me, true to me, and something that I, if given the chance, could see myself doing.

I don't want to ruin the experience of discovering this story for yourself, but I will say that the end...shocked me. Made me cry. Not a happy ending, but not necessarily a sad one. If anything, a very, very fitting one. The ONLY one, I think. This is a book I not only recommend, but believe MUST be read.

Rating (out of five stars): 5 stars (amazing!)

Monday Madness: We Cannot Escape Our Genre

If I had to define what type of writer I am, my first label would be fantasy, closely followed by romance. That's just what I like to write. It's what I like to read as well.

FURY I considered romantic fantasy. DRAGON QUEEN was fantasy, with touches of YA and romance. MORGUE TREE is YA fantasy. ONE THOUSAND is historical fantasy (also with romance). And LAST OF THE ELVES is romantic fantasy.

All of these are novels or WIPs. Big projects, as it were. However, while my short stories have similar elements of fantasy and love, they also tend to branch away and take other routes.

I recently wrote a short story for a for-fun contest on the WD Sci-Fi/Fantasy Forum. We had to take two eerie pictures (one of a misty castle and dragon and the other of a skull-mountain oozing blood) and write a horror story. I've never considered horror one of my strong suits, but I had a lot of fun exploring the genre. Making it eerie and creepy and giving it a not too happy ending.

But it still ended up being fantasy. And it still ended up having romance.

WTF?

So I looked at other stories. "For the Love of a Zombie" is about a vampire turning his beloved into a zombie, a bit of dark humor. But still, there was fantasy and there was romance.

"Eater of Worlds" is about a man returning to his homeland to destroy it and finds out it's his sister's fault that he has to do so. Fantasy, check. But romance? No. Yet there is still love there. Between siblings.

"Faceless" was a play into sci-fi. As a short story, it's possible that escapes my niche of fantasy and romance, but as I've thought about expanding it into a novel, what has it become? You guessed it. A romance.

"The Vulture and the Dove", about two clashing winged beings in a future Tokyo, also had the fantasy and romance.

It's like I can't escape it.

So, tell me, when you've branched out from your typical genre, have you noticed familiar things slipping in? Or can you completely break away from your usual writing style?

Assuage my curiosity. :)

Book Review: Graceling

I've had Graceling by Kristin Cashore on my to-read list for some time. I heard really excellent things about it and the blurb was really intriguing. And the cover? OMG, so wonderful! I'm happy to say that Graceling lived up to my expectations.

From the book's blurb:

In a world where people born with an extreme skill--called a Grace--are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displease him.
When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.
She never expects to become Po's friend. 
She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace--or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

Graceling was a little hard to get into at first, mainly because it was difficult to work my way inside Katsa's head. I think this was more of a personal preference, however, than any flaw in the narration. Also, I think it had to do with me in the YA reading mode, and this...yes, it's labeled YA, but it felt more like strictly fantasy to me. It didn't have that YA feel. First off, the age of the character (if mentioned) isn't all that relevant to the story. It's not a coming of age story, though the MC does grow into her power and gain confidence as the story progresses. The romance is a little more...mature. (No, not in sex scenes, but in the way it is viewed by the MC. No straightforward love story here.) I think the only thing, in my mind, that qualifies this as YA, is the unadorned style of the narrative. It's simple, it's straightforward. And it works.

The more I read, the more I had to read. The pace picks up significantly after Po comes to Randa's court and the plot just gets better and better. The ending was satisfying, leaving me with that ah-that's-a-good-book glow. However, while I liked Katsa as a character and enjoyed watching her grow into herself, it was Po who captured my heart.

Rating (out of 5 stars): 4.5

Recommended: Yes, for fantasy buffs and readers thirsting for a strong, dynamic female MC.

Monday Madness: The Invisible Post

That's right. It's invisible. Too bad. It's chock full of useful information that would probably land you an agent faster than you can snap your fingers. And it has a handy dandy spell that turns poorly written novels to solid gold (get cash for gold now!).

And, yes, I'm totally lying.

The truth is, I'm so far behind on NaNoWriMo, I can't think of anything useful or clever to share with you. So here is my not-so-cleverness. If you'd like, feel free to rub my face in your own NaNoWriMo success. I have 7,000 words to write.

Toodles!

Book Review: Paranormalcy

Continuing my YA streak, I read Paranormalcy by Kiersten White over the weekend. Coming off of The Sky is Everywhere, it took me a while to get accustomed to this new MC, who was so different from Lennie that it was like crossing into a different universe (which is probably true, since there is an element of fantasy in Paranormalcy that was never in The Sky is Everywhere).

Evie, a sixteen-year-old operative of the International Paranormal Containment Agreement (IPCA), has the gift of seeing through paranormals' glamour, whether they be vampires, werewolves or faeries. At the beginning of the book, she comes across as a flippant, pop culture-obsessed teen...and a bit annoying. Thankfully, she's a dynamic character and doesn't remain so shallow throughout the story (whew). I actually liked her at the end of the book, which I wasn't so sure about in the beginning.

According to the book's blurb:

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.
Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 
So much for normal.

Keeping with the light, airy quality of the MC, the story is pretty, well, optimistic. Bad things are happening, but they always felt a little distant, and they always had that edge of happy-go-lucky the MC brings along. Not sure why, but the dark aspect of this story felt more gray than black. Every character seemed redeemable, every prophecy taken not too seriously, which is remarkable in this type of story. This story was an easy, enjoyable read, but lacked the urgency I would have liked. Sure, you know a happy ending is going to happen, but I like having moments throughout the story where you second-guess that. Not so much here.

What I really liked about the book was the MC. Sure, I found her annoying in the beginning of the book, but annoying in the realistic way all teenage girls can be. A little shallow. A little too full of herself. A little too obsessed with TV shows and stars. Unlike Beautiful Creatures and The Sky is Everywhere, Paranormalcy showed the other side of the teenage girl spectrum: the silly, cheery girl who likes pink, fashion, shopping and boys...rather than the tormented artist whom no one understands. A refreshing MC.

And kudos to Ms. White for the creepiest "good guy" ever.CREEPY, I'm telling you!

Rating (out of five stars): 3.5

Recommended: Yes, for those looking for an easy, light-hearted read (overall).

Sharing the Inspiration

I thought I would share some of the things that have inspired me on my NaNoWriMo journey with The Morgue Tree. Enjoy!


"Shadows" by RED

My character sketch of Morgan the MC

"Whispers in the Dark" by Skillet

The Dark Tree by x horizon (DeviantArt)

"Breath" by Breaking Benjamin


What are some of your inspirations?

Monday Madness: Tips for Tackling NaNoWriMo

So, fellow NaNo-ers, how's it coming? Are you staying on top of your goals? Flagging behind? Have you suddenly sprouted extra fingers and are simultaneously banging out two separate scenes in your novel? (If so, can I borrow a pair?)

I'll admit, I'm behind. Because, well, I'm not the best at sitting in front a computer on the weekends so, yeah...

BUT, I will catch up. All I have to do is write 5,000 words and I'll be good. Think I can't do it? Think again!

I have some secrets up my sleeve. Okay, not secrets, but some nifty tools that help me out. And, because I'm feeling generous today (and riding a sugar high brought on by a powdered donut), here are some of the things I use to keep me on track.

Write or Die. I'm usually pressed for time and always easily distracted, so Write or Die by Dr. Wicked is a great tool to keep me on track. I usually write about 1,000 words at a time (to keep it down to manageable chunks) but you can set it for as many as you want (I think up to 50,000).

Pandora. I like to use music to get me in the mood to write, and nothing is better for that than a personalized radio station. If I have a certain theme in mind for a story, then I can enter a similar music style and create a station. For The Morgue Tree, I'm going with a lot of Breaking Benjamin, Fireflight and Paramore. Yep, it's emo.

Revising. This might sound a little counterproductive, but it helps me narrow the focus of the story. While using Write or Die, the things I write can be either raw genius or pure garbage. I do a lot of pruning and polishing, and, by doing this, usually have a stronger hold on the story. I usually add words, too. And, since I'm a perfectionist, I can feel more comfortable about moving on with the story, knowing that it's not a lot of crap just taking up space.

How about you? Have any tips that keep you on track? And are you on track?

Book Review: The Sky is Everywhere

I read The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson in one day. That's right. I started it yesterday on my lunch break and continued reading it when I got home (even including it in my workout). It's not a lengthy read, true, but that's not why I read it in one day. I read it in one day because it's one of those books that you can't NOT read. It grabs you. Sucks you in. It makes you want to laugh and cry. It steals your breath away.

It's YA, told from the first-person viewpoint of Lennie Walker, a 17-year-old clarinetist who's just lost her older sister, Bailey. It's about grief, happiness, life and death, and the many, many forms of love.

From the book's blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

It's an amazing and heart-wrenching story. I really can't say enough about it. But the thing that struck me the most about this story is the beautiful, unique imagery. Everything felt fresh, despite exploring familiar YA territory. Nelson's writing breathes on the page. Every paragraph, every sentence, was a treasure. There's nothing cliche about any of her descriptions. Honestly, when I grow up, I want to be Jandy Nelson. 


Read this book. Read it now.

Monday Madness: Do or Do Not...There is No Try

“Do or do not...there is no try.”

Aside from “Luke, I am your father” that famous line by Yoda is probably the most popular quotation from Star Wars. (Even if you’re not a Star Wars buff, you’ve probably heard it somewhere.)

As writers, it’s hard to distinguish between trying and doing. After all, we spend most of our time TRYING to polish our novel, TRYING to write a query, TRYING to snag an agent/editor, TRYING to get published. Whether we actually succeed depends on a mixture of skill and luck and timing, right?

Not quite.

See, there’s a difference between trying (which is often a soft excuse for not succeeding) than doing. If you’re TRYING to write a query letter, will it ever be finished? If you’re TRYING to get an agent/editor, will you actually ever get one? With TRYING there’s no guarantee of results, but with DOING, there is.

The main difference between trying and doing is perseverance and attitude. If you try to do something, there’s a big chance that you’re going to get discouraged and quit trying at some point, but if you’re doing something, then it’s a bit more difficult to stop.

Take NaNoWriMo, for instance. There's a lot of people out there who are going to "try" to participate, but by saying "try" they are not fully investing themselves in the process. They might be discouraged by other obligations, make excuses, half-heartedly invest in it. But if you approach NaNo with the "I am going to do this" attitude, then you're more likely to succeed.

So, let's say it together: No more trying. Now is the time to start doing. I AM going to finish that novel. I AM going to get an agent/editor. I AM going to get published.

Let's do it!

I've Never Done This Before

So, I've officially joined NaNoWriMo. (My username is Brandi_Fey, if you want to friend me!) I've never done NaNo before because, honestly, I'm more of a muse writer. When the muse hits me, I write. It could be 50 words. It could be 5,000. Just depends. So, this is a bit intimidating for me. I'm not one of those writers who usually has a word goal. (Which is probably why I've only finished two novels so far.)

But I've decided to use this NaNo to finish my YA fantasy "The Morgue Tree" (see sidebar for excerpt). I've only written 3,000 words and then stopped because I couldn't figure out where it was going. But in anticipation of NaNo, I've been brainstorming and coming up with some pretty intriguing ideas. If they work, however, is another thing.

What I'm going for in Morgue Tree is an Alice In Wonderland feel (but without the acid), because the Tree is part of Morgan's (the MC) subconscious. But it has another twist and another influence (a very evil one).

The world that I'm creating here is part of, and yet separate from, ours. The residents of Mirror Lake actually call the world we occupy the Other Side. I've been playing with this and exploring some fairy legends and I like where they're taking me. But I doubt I'll make Morgan and her friends actual fairies, but they will be Fae in a way, with weird powers and abilities. Not quite human. But not too special/powerful.

Lots of ideas brewing, which is a good thing. Also, did I mention that I'm doing this sort of like Shiver? From the viewpoints of two different people, in first person. I'm having fun with it at the moment (and it keeps me from being bored) but I'm not sure if it's going to work in the end. We'll see.

So what about you? What kind of ideas do you have brewing for NaNo?

Book Review: Beautiful Creatures

I put off reading Beautiful Creatures because I thought it was just another teen vampire novel. I'm happy to say there wasn't a vampire in sight (though one character did come close).

Set in the small, backward town of Gatlin, S.C., the story is told from first person POV. And, here's another nice twist, the POV character isn't female. The male MC, Ethan, tells the story from his POV. Even though this story was written by two female writers--Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl--the MC felt genuinely masculine (if not overly so) and had the same thoughts, hopes and dreams that I imagined any sixteen-year-old boy would have. (Except that he's maybe a little more in touch with his feelings; or at least more honest about them.)


Enter the new girl. (Didn't see that coming, did you?) Lena Duchannes is an odd one. Dark-haired, pale, but (of course) gorgeous, she wears a lot of black and writes on everything. Everyone immediately dislikes her because she's "not like them" and the name-calling and nastiness ensues. Ethan, of course, is drawn to Lena in a way he can't explain and becomes her champion...becoming an outcast in the process. A bit predictable, yes, but the setting and MC's take on things make it a worthwhile read.


But if you were thinking Lena might be a vampire, you're wrong. She's a witch. (Completely redeems the book in my eyes.) And she's also cursed. (Of course.) When she turns sixteen, she will either become a Dark or Light witch. The choice isn't hers, and the countdown begins. Ethan and Lena try to discover a way to prevent her from becoming a Dark witch as they explore their feelings for each other (and the nightmares they share). It turns out that the small town of Gatlin has more secrets (and more magic) than anyone could have ever guessed or suspected hidden under its southern pride and confederate sympathies. 


This was a fairly fast-paced book. (I read it in two days.) The characters were interesting and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. The thing I loved most about this book, however, was that the title referred not to the witches (or Casters, as they preferred to be called), but to humans. As Macon Ravenwood (Lena's uncle and the closest thing to a vampire in the book) says, "Humans are such beautiful creatures." (Roughly. I don't have the book on me at this time, but that's the gist of what he says.)


A pretty good YA book (and the Civil War history was really interesting). Out of five stars, I give it four.


The sequel, Beautiful Darkness, is now out in hardcover. I'll put it on my to-read list.

Monday Madness: Better Late Than Never

Oops. Yep, I know, I'm late. Sorry. Usually I write these things ahead of time and pre-schedule them to avoid this, but, yeah. I've been busy.

So, this Monday, I would like to talk about procrastination.

Or get around to talking about procrastination. Look! Something shiny!

Ahem. Okay, seriously, procrastination is a writer's best frenemy. It's fuzzy and cuddly and oh-so-much-fun, until you realize that you haven't written two sentences in the three hours you've been on your computer.

So, if you're like me and haven't finished your short story because there are just so many cool websites out there, here are some tips for overcoming procrastination:

1. Stay away from technology. No computer. No TV. No Kindle/e-reader. Not even a radio. Grab some paper, a pen and a hard surface and go at it the old fashioned way. (Also, stay away from windows.)

2. Use Write or Die. This is a handy online tool (and FREE) that will help you overcome writer's block or lack of motivation or both! And did I mention it's free?

3. Have a brainstorm session. By this I mean that you just write whatever pops into your head. Write without editing or worrying if it's good enough.

4. Set yourself a goal with rewards/punishments. For example: If I write 1,000 words today/finish this scene/finish this chapter, I can go have ice cream. If I don't, I have to pick up rocks in the backyard. (But this only works if you're the type to stick to your rewards/punishments. If you have ice cream either way, it defeats the purpose.

So what about you? How do you tackle procrastination?

I've NEVER laughed so hard in my life!

Had to share!

Monday Madness: What To Do When They Just Don't "Get It"

There have been times when I've written something that was simply on fire. I loved it. LOVED it. So I submit it for critique with bated breath, crossing my fingers and hoping they love it too. (For those of you out there further along in the publishing process, you might have experienced a similar feeling with submitting query letters.) But then the responses come back and you realize what you were so enthusiastic about has other people scratching their heads.

My first (and suppressed) reaction is always: What do you MEAN you don't get it? What don't you understand? He's a unicorn-dragon hybrid who breathes underwater! What's not to get??? (Ramble into incoherence.)

My second is: What don't you get?

It's always best to ask for specifics. If they can't be specific, you have my permission to stick your tongue out at them and move on (JOKING). But, seriously, if they can't pinpoint what's bugging them about your story then try to find someone who can. In most circumstances, once the first person puts a finger on what's bothering them, the others will usually chime in with "Yeah, that's what I meant!"

Third: How would you recommend fixing it?

Sometimes your critters will offer you suggestions on how to clear up what they "don't get." Maybe it's scene clarification or a more detailed description of the unfolding events, etc. Maybe it's just inserting one word. But usually you get an awesome brainstorm session from the don't-getters in the end and (who knows?) you might end up with an even more awesome story than before.

(Just a side note here: A reader who doesn't get it is NOT the same thing as a reader who doesn't LIKE it for whatever reason. But even for the latter, if they can't give you a reason for their dislike, it's best to just make a mental note "OK, so-and-so doesn't like it" and go on with the story. Not everyone is going to jive with your story, but they should all be able to at least "get it.")

Hooray for Friday!

I'm super excited for this weekend! My mom, cousin and I are going to Afton, Okla., for their monthly swap meet! Yay! Animals! Yay! Flea Markets! Yay! Awesome Mexican food! I'm seriously looking forward to this. :D

And, what my husband doesn't know, is that if they have kittens there...I might be returning home with one. Muahahaha.

How can you resist me?

So, what about you? Have any awesome plans for the weekend?

Good News! I'm not dead!

I'm on the mend. Finally. I suffered a setback over the weekend because I had a severe allergic reaction to my antibiotics. Only one day left to take them and I have a reaction! Gah! But, I'm better now. My skin has returned to its normal hue and my brain is halfway functioning. So, yay!

I have good news to share, as well. (Besides that I'm not dead.) I recently submitted a story to an anthology and it passed through the first round of submissions. That's not to say that it won't be rejected the next round, but it made me happy that it wasn't so horrible it garnered an instantaneous rejection. So, smiley face!

I really needed that boost, too, because my enthusiasm has been flagging again. (Though I partly blame that on being ill and on medication.) Hopefully this will give me the spark I need to continue on with my novels (which have been gathering dust (or mold, take your pick) on the thumb drive). I'm liking this short story writing, however, because it gives me a sense of accomplishment. It only takes me a few hours to finish a rough draft, compared to a few months for a novel. And editing/revising is SO much easier. But, of course, short stories have their own set of challenges, which I'm enjoying grappling with. Rawr!

I've been considering participating in NaNoWriMo this year. I've never done it before (because I'm awful about sticking to a writing schedule), but maybe this is the time for it. I could really use another complete novel. I'm think YA. I might even cheat a little by using Morgan's Tree. But since it's only like 3K, it wouldn't be cheating too badly, right? Plus, I really want to finish it and this might give me the motivation I need.

Monday Madness: He Said, She Said (The Great "Said" Debate)

"Said is an invisible word. Readers' brains skip right over it," he said.

"But it's so boring," she argued.

"That's the point," he insisted.

"Whatever," she muttered.

When I started writing toward publication, I viewed dialogue tags in the same way I viewed verbs: the more specific they are, the stronger the writing.

And then I joined a critique group whose members said that I was figuratively bludgeoning them to death with all my mutters, whispers, groans and exclamations. And thus we entered the Great Said Debate.

There are some who believe that said is the only dialogue tag to be used at all (with the exception of asked, but even that's not necessary to some). Then there are those (like the greener me) that used them ALL THE TIME and couldn't get enough of them.

Now, I'm proud to say that I'm somewhere in-between. But I've some guidelines that I follow now:

1. What do you think you're doing?

When I've finished a line of dialogue, I think about what that character is doing at that moment. What is their state of mind? Are they in the middle of an action? If so, that action can often be used in place of a dialogue tag. (This method is very much approved by most agents.)

Example: Instead of, "You cannot defeat the Ogre Army all by yourself!" Ulrich said angrily. You can say, Ulrich slammed a fist on the table. "You cannot defeat the Ogre Army all by yourself!"

2. Too much action, not enough talk.

Mickey touched her shoulder. "I love you."


She stepped away. "I don't love you."


He followed. "That's not what you said last night."


"Last night I was drunk." She laughed. 

(Note that "laughed" is not a dialogue tag. (Please, for the love of sweet, baby giraffes.))
Just as it's possible to overuse dialogue tags, it's possible to overuse action. The trick is finding a happy medium. (I hate it when people tell me that. Lol.)


3. If you have to use an adverb with said, you're probably better off using something else.

I hate adverbs. Really. Epecially "-ly" ones. In the words of Mark Twain, "If you see an adverb, kill it."

4. You say it best when you say nothing at all.

Sometimes when it comes to dialogue, you don't have to use tags or actions every time someone speaks to indicate which person is speaking. As long as your consistent with your paragraph breaks (new paragraph for a new speaker) then a reader should be able to follow. And if you have a long scene of conversation, this comes in handy.

The choice of when to use action, when to use a tag or when to use nothing really boils down to fluidity. What makes the story flow the best? To see if your conversation is working, read it aloud. If you're tripping over tags and slogging through the action, then there's something wrong and you need some pruning.

But that's what she said.

Randomness

Just some random information you may or may not care about, but has been on my mind for some reason:

I'm the most cautious impulsive person you'll ever meet.

I have the urges to do stupid things all the time, like jump out of windows, in front of vehicles, touch hot surfaces, pick my nose in public, etc., just to see what would happen. Though I KNOW that nothing good would happen. So I refrain. But barely. (I also have awful road rage, which is why I do not carry a gun. Because I would shoot so many people's tires out.)

Sometimes I forget that I'm alive, breathing, experiencing, and then I get these huge moments of self-awareness. I think, Whoa, I'm here. Right now. In this chair. That's amazing.

I drink lemon juice by the shot glass. I used to do this all the time when I was younger and wanted to be "adult." Lemon juice almost manifests the same, scrunched, painful faces as whiskey. Though lemon juice has yet to make me want to throw up.

I have prophetic dreams at times. Recently I've been dreaming that I find my cat. I'm hoping that comes true.

A book or movie can completely alter my mood. And it will stay that way ALL DAY. I watched the episode of Gilmore Girls where Lorelai sleeps with Chris because Luke won't marry her right that second and I was so PISSED for the rest of the day! Same thing happened when Rory quit college. (Yes, I'm sad.)

What about you? Have any random things going for you?

Harry Potter (Belated Banned Book Review)

I was twelve when the first Harry Potter came out.

That's right: twelve.

And I was SO disappointed that I never got my Hogwarts letter. I kept checking my window, hoping that maybe the owl was delayed or had gotten lost and that my letter to the famous school of wizards was on its way. (Never mind that I live in the U.S. and using an owl to fly from Britain to Arkansas would be a form of animal cruelty.) I was seriously obsessed with this book. It opened a whole new world for me. A special world where magic and flying broomsticks secretly existed beside parking meters and burger joints. Looking back on how obsessed I was with these books (and still am obsessed to some degree) I can understand why some parents might flip out.

It's sort of the same thing with Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It's often misconstrued as a gateway for evil and an encouragement for murder (where they get the connection that rolling dice and slaying dragons equals a desire to pick up a gun and blow your neighbor away...I have no idea). Growing up in the Bible Belt, I dealt with a lot of narrow-mindedness when it came to ANYTHING dealing with magic. I had friends who weren't allowed to watch Beauty and the Beast because the dishes were "possessed." Seriously. So when Harry Potter came out and started a literary fire, I remember all the church officials marching up to my school and demanding that such unholy filth be removed from the reach of innocents.

Nope. Not kidding.

Now, even though I was obsessed (maybe even unhealthily obsessed) with Harry Potter, there are some things a twelve year old understands immediately when she opens a book.

1. It's a book. Therefore, no matter how real the characters/situations feel, it's NOT real.
2. There's a difference between a satanic how-to and a story. Harry Potter is definitely not the former. (Though maybe if you highlight every fourth word every three paragraphs... Nope, gibberish.)
3. Reading a story (or even an instructional how-to) does not mean that you will start a cultish following and start waving wands at people and shouting "Expelliarmus!"

My thoughts? While some people forge into the unknown without a second thought, that same uncertainty scares the beejeezus out of others. Banned books are really about people being afraid; afraid of magic, the Devil or even immorality. And they think that books are powerful tools in conveying such dastardly ideas. But what they don't understand is that even a twelve year old--heck, even an eleven year old--can take what they want from a story and leave the rest.

What I thought was hilarious? At the time they were fighting to keep Harry Potter out of the schools, I discovered a lesbian erotica in the school's library. But there wasn't any magic in it...so I guess it's more appropriate for junior high kids than Harry Potter. ;)

Note: Yes, I was going to do Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings but I haven't had the time or the energy to get to the library. I highly recommend it, however.

Monday Madness: The Good, The Bad & The Tit-for-Tat

I’m a member of Critique Circle. While it’s not my most frequent haunt, there are things that it offers that appeals to me. One is the payment/point scale. For every story you critique you’re awarded a certain number of points (increasing as the story gets longer.) In order to earn the minimum points, you have to write at least 300 words (which prevents people from simply popping in and saying, “I hated/loved it” and not elaborating). Works are not limited to PG-13 ratings (they’re simply required to have a warning and, I believe, younger authors/readers aren’t able to access them). They even have an erotica forum. Plus, they implement a tit-for-tat policy when it comes to critiques. Basically, if you crit someone’s work, they should crit yours. Tit-for-tat. Sounds reasonable to me. (Sometimes there’s nothing more frustrating than a writer who won’t return the favor.)

But there are things that make me not like that so much. One reason is that not the best critters are the best writers, and I feel like I’m cheating someone who gave me an excellent critique if their writing is less than promising. (Time to break out the red pen!)

Another problem that arises in the tit-for-tat is the Genre Snob. There are genres we just don’t like to read (admit it). I’m comfortable and content in my fantasy/romance niche, but I do sometimes stray into other genres. Often it’s an exercise in helping me stretch my own writerly muscles (can I look beyond the content and focus on the technical and vice versa?), but sometimes it can lead to a problem.

With tit-for-tat, if I critiqued, say, a hardcore thriller, that author might not be so thrilled (har har) to crit my romantic fantasy. And if they “don’t normally read this kind of stuff” it might befuddle their critting skills. So, instead of focusing on plot holes or stilted dialogue, they might instead focus on how it’s ridiculous for a unicorn to be a prince (or some such completely unbeneficial nonsense) and make suggestions instead to change my story.

Tsk. Tsk. Bad critter.

However, on the flip side of that is that they notice things that other readers familiar with the genre might overlook (i.e. if she discovers a magic sword that won’t break in scene one, then how come it breaks in scene three?) since they might be more skeptical and less forgiving. I like that.

I’ve had an equal number of good and bad critters, all of them attempting to be helpful. Surprisingly, I think I benefit from both the people who are fluent in my genre and those who aren’t, and I’ll gladly wade through the unhelpful sludge. But I’m curious, which side do you think gives the best crits: those familiar with your genre or those who aren’t? 

I'm Sorry

I really meant to review a banned book yesterday. And I really, really wanted to. My brain and body, however, were not cooperating. (They're still not, but I can at least write an apology.)

Suffice it to say, however, that I have a doctor's note. Yes, I'm sick and possibly more than sick. My doc isn't sure yet. I don't think I'm dying, but if I have what she thinks I have then I might want to die. (Kidding.)

I'll try to make up for my ailment next week and review a banned book then (after all, we should read banned books all year, not just for a week).

I look forward to reading your own reviews. (And did you notice how I used parentheses in all of my paragraphs? That takes talent!)

Have a great weekend!

Well, This Is Embarrassing...

It's Banned Book Week and I'm seriously astounded at how much amazing literature has been banned. Some of it makes me want to laugh and say, "Really?" Others just make me want to cry. But, in honor of Banned Book Week, I'm participating (a little late) in The Rejectionist's Humiliation Uncontest. Which celebrates our own works of genius (har har) that should never see the light of day.

Thankfully, I lost all of my journals in a fire my senior year of high school, so most of that pubescent angst is ash, but I do have a journal from afterward and...I'm sorry, but just reading it brings up some REALLY bad memories and feelings, so I couldn't even bear to look at it for this. Is it embarrassing? Probably, but I don't mind that so much as I mind what it is that prompted all the craziness in it (an abusive relationship). So...yeah. I don't like to revisit that much.

HOWEVER!

I will share one of my first novel attempts with you. I went through this a few months back just for fun and did some editing (no worries, I kept the original garbage), and it was hilarious how much stuff I struck out.

Without further ado, here's bits of Siren's Song in all their raw glory:

It was an untamed land, full of unexplored crevices and exotic phenomenon.  The forests grew unhindered, stretching their amber limbs toward the pinnacle of the sky.  Emerald and jade leaves flared in their thirsty search for sunlight and the fauna basked in the cool shade the leafy boughs created.  A shining river sliced its way through the thick trees, a ribbon of clear blue on a blanket of green velvet.  Pearl-gray mountains with saber-sharp peaks ringed the land.  Snow shimmered in the folds of rock beneath the questing light of the twin suns.

The suns met in the sky and golden light burst forth, blinding to all who dared to look upon their awe-inspiring beauty.  The sunlight floated down, banishing the shadows to the darkest of caverns.  It touched each leaf, caressed each sienna limb, and sparkled on the surface of the rushing river.  And then the fierce light threw itself upon the unyielding face of a magnificent palace.

This descriptive setting goes on for about four more paragraphs...and then we meet the character, Siren:

Siren stood, stretching her limbs to their fullest measure.  She was the tallest female in Silentwind, reaching the height of five feet and nine inches.  With her well-formed body, sleek muscles, and scarlet wings, she was also rumored to be the most beautiful.  Her face was heart-shaped, with sharp cheek bones, a petite nose, and full lips.  Her eyes were rather large, tilted almonds of the purest shade of gold, and framed by thick lashes.  They flashed with intelligence.  Her hair was long, thick, and striking red.  Gold highlights streaked through the lush mane.  The generous tresses flowed over her shoulders, down her back, to stop at the curve of her slender waist.  But her wings were her most dazzling feature.  The feathery limbs were a shade darker than her hair and were richly patterned with bronze and gold.  They spanned ten feet, the longest primaries reaching to the middle of her calves.

She lacked the bold paint of womanhood, revealing her unique innocence.  Her hair did not have the usual braids favored by her people but thirteen feathers of various colors and sizes were scattered throughout the red curls.  A lethal-looking sword rode on her hip.  The cold glint hinted at the warrior beneath her softness.

Methinks I loved description. I still do, but I've learned my lesson that sometimes less is more. Also, I've also strayed from "the most beautiful" stereotype. More for your amusement:

Damn her anyway! Blaine cursed silently, slipping through the underbrush.  He watched with despair as the heavy canopy once more blocked his quarry from view.  He shook his head.  He should never have helped her.  And he would not have if he had known she was going to steal his precious harp.  Blasted vixen!  He leapt over a fallen tree, nearly losing his footing on the slick leaves that lurked on the other side.  Cursing and puffing, he continued running.  Branches swiped at him with tremendous glee.  They left their scarlet marks on his hands and cheeks.  Rocks reared up in his path; moss and squishy foliage made his trek perilous.  But he continued on, his silver eyes trained for a flash of crimson above the trees. 

He stumbled into the clearing unexpectedly, blinded by the fierce glare of sunshine.  He squinted up at the bare sky.  He couldn’t see anything but unyielding blue.  Absorbed as he was in his search, he did not notice the two shadows descending on him until it was too late.  They crashed into him, pinning him to the ground with embarrassing ease.  A spear point tickled his throat.

“And what have we here?” a voice hissed.

“A spy,” another one answered.

“A slimy Walker,” more spat, and snickers passed through the assembled attackers.  The curses fell upon Blaine’s prone form like venomous clouds of doom.

“Shall we kill him?” a youth asked, peering down at the minstrel with disgusted interest on his handsome face.  His amber eyes shone with curious dislike.

The tall spear-wielder grinned malevolently.  His white wings swallowed the sky.  “Of course we shall.  All Walkers that come into this clearing are sentenced to die,” he declared.  His companions smiled grimly.  He gently increased the pressure on Blaine’s neck.  Blood welled in ruby drops.

“Lightning Moon!” the sharp voice brought the sky-dweller’s head up immediately.

“Your Highness!” he said in surprise.

She broke through the dumbfounded ranks of Lendai.  They parted for her.  And though she limped, her regal bearing and imperious command left them all humble.  She hobbled up to Lightning Moon and jerked the spear from his grasp.

“What are you doing?’ he growled, his amber eyes flashed at her.

Siren glared at him, “This Walker saved me from certain death.  If not for him, I would be at the Walkers’ mercy right now.”

“Why?” he demanded, “What happened?” He grabbed her arms, noticing her leg for the first time, “You are wounded.”

She shrugged his hands away.  “Bring the Walker to Silentwind, Lightning Moon.  See that he is not mistreated.”  She glared pointedly at him.

He lowered his voice confidentially, “He is a Walker.  You cannot trust him.”

She tossed her head, her eyes glowed angrily at his blunt statement.   “This has nothing to do with trust,” she snarled, “and everything to do with honor.”  She shoved the spear into the soft ground.  “Now bring him to the palace.”  She snapped her wings and soared into the sky.  Two Lendai followed her.

Melodramatic much? The sad thing is...I'm still a bit like this. I tend to be poetic and all that jazz...Just not as bad, I hope.

I hope you enjoyed it! Lol. And don't forget to pick up some banned books this week! I'm personally seeking out Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, again. I read it in high school and remember it was just amazing!