Follow and Advocate Announcement!

Q: Birthday Wishes — Blow out the candles and imagine what character could pop out of your cake…who is it and what book are they from??

OMG - Really? I'm such a floozy when it comes to this - but it actually fits my announcement! I would pick Magnus Bane from either the ID or TMI series! Why Magnus? I love his style- I never know what he is going to be wearing, but it is never less than perfection. I love how he is extremely loyal to his lovers and eventually the heroes of the book like: Will, Alex, Clary, Jace, and Tess. 

Plus can you imagine the stories that he would have to tell. I bet a person could listen to him for hours about the things he has to say and the things he have seen!

So what is my announcement? The wonderful sisters of The YA Sisterhood have chosen me as Magnus's advocate for the 2nd YA Crush Tourney! Yep - I get to shout to the roof tops how awesome Magnus is! Yeah - I couldn't ask for an easier job!!!

How can you not want to vote for him?

Keep an eye out for all the voting that will be going on! If you don't follow them already - I suggest you do!

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been  looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves  that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help--no matter what the risk.

I have never read a mermaid book before and this was a wonderful one to start with. We start by meeting Emma with her face glued by sweat to the hottie that is Galen. Hello Galen. Nice to meetchaya. I love when authors do this, make our heroines or heroes go through an embarrassing  moment, that could really happen. First I laugh then I say, that could have been me, thank Jesus it wasn't! Because of this Emma is likable from the beginning. (Yeah, Galen too).

In the very first chapter, so it's not a spoiler, Chloe, Emma's best friend is killed (didn't see it coming to the extent it played out too). This impacts Emma heavily but because of this and Emma's actions during the attack, Galen is almost certain that Emma is one of them. So he does what any normal teen would do, he moves to Jersey to figure it out. 

Galen causes quite a stir at Emma's high school and the she is loathe to admit it, with her too. Galen doesn't know how to act around Emma, but it is clear that he only has eyes for her, but her stubborn side refuses to awknowledge anything he says until they basically go on a field trip to the bottom of the ocean and she can "function" normally. The attraction starts to build and then they figure out Emma has a gift that makes her extremely special, like special enough for Galen's kingdom that he can never have her, even if he is the prince of his kingdom. So there are a lot miscommunications and Emma really believes that he is just curious about her, that it's plutonic, but poor Galen - his hands are tied! GAH!

As far as characterization goes, Galen seems unchanging in his qualities. Emma, however, becomes more confident and sassy as the story goes on, but it's not done immediately. She grows into it. 

Toraf - haha - love him - the kiss scene - haha. 

The ending - SPOILER-ISH - 

I thought that Grom was going to want to marry Emma and Galen was going to have sit back and watch the ceremony - though looking back now, Emma would never have allowed the ceremony to take place. 

I also thought that some how Nalia was going to be Emma somehow - hey, it was a possibility. 

I did not see, though I should have, how it was going to end.

Then Wa Bam! The ending cliffhanger sentence! Yep - now I don't know what to think.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.


Ms. Oliver got the "love" thing correct. Love makes you make terrible choices, do things you never would, act in foolish ways. Then we meet Lena, who absolutely agrees that love is a disease and the way Oliver describes it, why wouldn't someone believe that?

Lena is at a point in her life that she is waiting for the procedure that makes it (mostly) impossible to fall in love. She is being interviewed and tested so she finds her match that is suitable and it is all Lena wants. Except during her interview, Lena doesn't answer the way she is supposed. She doesn't give them "sunshine-y" answers.

And while she is in her interview she meets Alex, an "invalid", a wild boy, and someone Lena cannot stay away from, though she really does try, but her best friend gets in trouble, and she is slightly curious.

Ms. Oliver also got the "love" thing correct half way through. Love makes the world rose colored and perfect. I still remember the first boy I had a crush on, my first love, I mean, who doesn't?  It was great to see Lean fall in love.

My one gripe with the book was the action in the book. Clearly, I knew Lena was going to rally against the government. I like that. I just didn't think the book showed anything. Though Alex was extremely heroic and brave, I needed like 50 more pages of Lena rallying or making a plan. At this point, I don't know for sure if Lena is going to do something.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.

She’s wrong.

I thought Mara's disclaimer, at the beginning, was awesome! I was pulled right in. I wanted to know about her "body count" and why the lawyer said change your name, and what high school student needs a lawyer?!

Something that worked really well, that doesn't always in novels, were the flashbacks. They were such teases. They gave the reader and Mara just enough to make us think we were going to get an answer, and then shut the door in our faces. Keeps a person wanting more.

Something that didn't sit well with me, but was rectified, was Noah's change for Mara. He had the rep - love the rep - and then all of a sudden went down the love road and was a one woman USO. However, 2/3s through, Noah tells Mara why he is all about her. I didn't see them being so closely linked. I thought he was just the hott dude in the story.

I feel bad for Mara throughout this whole story. To imagine you killed your best friend. To not know what happened. To burn your arm under piping hot water because you think you lost your mom's earrings but they are stuck in your ear. Then - she starts to see the dead. I honestly wondered if this book was going to end with her being committed.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I wasn't sure what to expect. I heard this was based off of a fairy tale, 12 dancing princesses?, and I had never read it, so I didn't know a thing. I saw a pretty dress and was hooked. I would have so worn that dress to prom. Anyone else?

I loved the concept of a dating contest, much like the reality television shows that have dominated the first decade of this century, ones that I am guilty of watching. Flavor Flav! I immediately liked America, one for her name and what it stood for, and the fact she didn't care that Aspen was a 6 and she was a 5. She wasn't going to judge someone based on their number, but on their qualities, which I believe is essential to a great heroine.

America isn't thrilled about being selected, but Aspen insists on it, and she goes along with it because she loves him. Except, right before America leaves Aspen turns into a jerk. In fact, I will say, throughout the entire book, I did not like Aspen. He's selfish and that is unacceptable for America.

Maxon, poor guy, dating for the first time, on national television? How embarrassing! Do you remember those awkward moments? Eesh, wouldn't go back to it, ever. I did love the first kiss. I thought the whole scene was super sweet and innocent. I loved how he dealt with America's funny moments, like yelling at him, and how they have a secret sign, and how quickly they became friends. I generally like him.

Celeste - what a great character to hate.

What about the rebels - I need to know more!

I will say, my biggest problem with the book, was the story just started to get juicy and "meaty" when it was over. I felt like I was being cut off at the knees. I need more. Like a hundred pages more! It may just be me being greedy.

Great book!

Why I never get anything don.

You know - I have big plans for myself - huge ones but I never seem to get as much as I want done - like finishing my manuscript by April 30, June 1. So why does this happen to me. I came up with five things.

The first Mia. She's 95 lbs of I-want-my-mom-to-love-me. She will crawl up into my lap, on my wheelie chair, and send me rolling across the room.











The second my job - yeah - kind of important. We have a very successful Powder Puff game this week. I would like to mention that as a Powder Puff coach, I have never lost.

The third, books. You may not know this about me, but I like to read a lot. In fact, I get downright obsessive about books, series, and authors, and do nothing else.

The fourth - food. I LOVE TO EAT. I love to cook. I love to eat what I cook. I have to clean up the hurricane that goes through my kitchen every time I cook. hmmm... food. Speaking of which.

 The fifth - sparkly things.

So those are my distractions - what are yours?

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.



I was hooked by the fact that Juliette can't touch people and by the mention of X-men. (Recently I have embraced my inner comic book geek.)

I was super intrigued by how Mafi wrote the novel, with Juliette scratching out her inner-most thoughts. I thought, this was a wonderful way to let us know what Juliette was really thinking and wanting, but how she still edited her thoughts. I think a lot of us are guilty of this.

How horrible for this girl to have to go through with this - ROGUE - but she is not "Rogue". So we meet her, and she is trapped in a psych ward/prison with no human contact, and in the beginning, I kind of thought she was mad. Then we meet her cell mate - who is super up to something and Juliette knows him - but doesn't know if he knows her.  But that has it's own mystery that I shall not reveal to you.

Then we meet Warner - creepy, truly mad, in power, in love with Juliette. He's a great villain because, he's creepy, master plan in place, the ability to see it through, and he legitimately believes he is right. When he speaks, you can tell he really wants Juliette by his side to rule.  Juliette, I don't think at any point, wants to be the weapon that Warner wants. It never tempts. She sees it as her becoming the monster that people have always thought she was.

Steamy, steamy scenes with Adam. Steamy. Yep.

The end - is totally X-men-Esq and I can't wait for the sequel!

What were your thoughts?

Also check out my current giveaway here.

Book tour - Mary Ann Loesch - Giveaway

I'm on my second Book Tour Hop and today I am reviewing and setting up a giveaway for Bayou Myth by Mary Ann Loesch.  Today you will find a summary of her novel, my review, an interview and at the very bottom the rafflecopter for the giveaway!


As a sixteen year old voodoo queen in the making, Joan Renault just wants to be like all the other girls in the small town of Monte Parish, Louisiana—obsessed with boys and swamped with social lives. If the other kids would quit calling her “hoodoo hag,” she might have a small shot at normality. It would also help if Joan’s weekend outings with her secret crush, Dave, weren’t always being interrupted by her dead Grandmere, the legendary Marie Laveau. After all, it’s hard to make out with your best friend when your grandmother is watching! But when you come from a long line of voodoo priestesses with dried gator heads decorating the wall of their huts, normal doesn’t come easily. 

When Joan witnesses the brutal sacrifice of a child to a tree Druid, she learns her Grandmere’s scandalous past has come back to haunt those living in the present. Hera, a vengeful voodoo priestess is determined to use the residual energy of Pandora’s Box to revive a sleeping voodoo god and declare war on the descendants of Marie Laveau, especially Joan. Suddenly, Greek myths are being re-enacted all over town, and Joan has her hands full trying to sort it all out. With the approach of Samedi’s Day—the voodoo day of resurrection—Joan must learn to accept her destiny in order to stop the approaching threat to her family and friends


I was immediately in love with the topic of voodoo- it's new. It's fresh. It has not been beaten to death by a whip. There were some many elements of this story that I liked. My first one - the parents - who doesn't want free- spirited parents like that? They were unfailing in their love for their family. They supported their daughter's ability withOUT question. A perfect set of parents in a world where you don't typically have that.

I was gripped into the plot almost immediately. Joan and her Grandmere witness this horrific event with a young boy. Joan doesn't know if it is for real, part of the dream world, or why she wakes up with mud on her shoes (which is explained later). Not that I like what happened to the young boy - I like that the horrible event being depicted was actually horrible -not sugar coated. WELL DONE!

Dave - hmm, hottie - yes. Perfect - no. Which what he pulls on Joan - I'm not completely sure I'm sold on him, but I get why he did it. I understand the insecurity of it all.

Grandmere - is bossy and pushy - but loving.

As for the tying in of the Greek myths - I would like to have seen more of them. I am fascinated by mythology and would have liked to have seen more of that.

I thought it was a great book!

INTERVIEW!

What inspired you to write this Bayou Myth?

Bayou Myth came from a short story I published called Bayou Scars. It was about my main character, Joan Renault, but as an adult who worked as a psychic for the New Orleans PD. I really liked her character and thought I would write a novel featuring her, but as I started writing her back story, I started thinking about what it would be like to grow up with someone like Marie Laveau as your spirit guide. How would you cope with voodoo and curses when the rest of your friends are dealing with prom, boys, and fashion? What would it be like to know that you were destined to be a most powerful voodoo queen? As a result, I started writing about Joan's life as a teenager and now have two more novels in the series ready to go. Someday I want to continue with my original idea of writing about Joan as an adult, though.

When and how did you start writing?

Sometimes I think I was born with a pencil in my hand! I definitely started young and this was because my parents took me to see plays. I was intrigued by the stories on stage and wanted to create my own. I started writing really awful, over the top, dramatic plays when I was in third grade that the neighborhood kids were kind enough to act out! As I grew older, I stepped away from writing for a while, picking it up again about eight years ago. I've been at it ever since.

Can you tell me one of the best moments you have had in the publishing world?

The day my first book, an urban fantasy called Nephilim, was published is probably one of my best moments. Suddenly, it all felt real to me. Even though I'd published short stories and won many writing awards, having my book out there made me think, "Wow. I'm a writer."

When it comes to social networking, which one do you think has been most helpful in getting your name and title out there?


Facebook and Twitter are the most useful tools for me, next to the two blogs I run. Loesch's Muse is my personal blog and where I talk about whatever tickles my fancy. All Things Writing is a blog for writers and has really helped me connect with lots of people.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Keep writing no matter what, but sometimes it's okay to step back and take a break.

Tell me five non-writing things about yourself.

1. I am an elementary theatre arts teacher. Yes, elementary theatre. I work with Kindergarten thru 5th grade.
2. I love dirty martinis.
3. My favorite dog breed is the dachshund because they just want to be loved and have mastered the soulful look.
4. I really wish that the sci/fi show Farscape was still on TV.
5. I hate doing the laundry and every week there appears to be more and more of it gathered in the laundry room.

I love Joan - so Mary I really hope you continue on up until she is an adult! And I will have to check out that blog! Thank you for stopping by!

Ladies and Gents - here is the giveaway!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

 Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.(less)
Give some cover love - it's so "Poe" - black with blood red. LOVE IT.

Araby's lives in a "dark" world, where the plague is suffocating the entire city and it doesn't seem like her father is going to be fixing it any more than he already had. On to top of all that Araby,is grieving the loss of her twin brother. So to get through all of this, Araby goes to the Debauchery Club with her Best friend. And that's where we meet Will, man with a heart of gold, and where Araby drinks and drugs herself away - something that is acceptable. But because of her twin, Araby swears she will not experience anything that her best friend/brother did not. It's a vow she takes very seriously, but the guys that show up and teenage hormones - may not be able to compete.

But then she meets the cocky, handsome, and slightly deranged, Elliot. Elliot's a dreamer. Will's grounded. In my head, there really isn't a competition, not because I like one guy above the other, but because I think Araby has made her choice.

This world that Griffin describes, is very fragile and their are people just itching to get into control and Araby, who never wanted to be, is a key player, because of her connection to her father, the guy who everyone hopes has all the answers.

While I really enjoyed this book, I wanted to see more dark and gruesome Poe come out. But in reality, that might have taken that out of the YA category and right smack in the middle of adult fiction, that could be a little risque.

Overall - great book - looking forward to the next cover, er, next book. :)

The Avengers - a movie review

I have a secret - I'm a superhero junkee. I grew up with a brother who loved Marvel and DC comics, GI Joes, and Transformers. I loved Gambit and Thor. I think I need a t-shirt for this. 
Anyway - My bf and I went to go see the movie. Now, I didn't have high hopes because sometimes people know these movies out of the ball park and sometimes I feel they should just have left it to my Saturday morning memories. 


This movie was strong in plot and hilariously funny. I'm not kidding you, I laughed throughout the whole thing. If you saw this movie - please support me on this - it was funny. Like the scene with The Hulk and Thor, or The Hulk and Loki. I mean every character was capable and delivered the funny. 


But something this movie has that is super awesome. The hotties. They are all hotties. 


Lets start with Captain America: After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending the USA's ideals.(IMDB) But in this movie, it flashes forward and Steve's in a world that he doesn't quite understand - and several references are made about being "old-fashion" and that's exactly where the movie goes. Being an old-fashioned team. He has the clean cut, take him home to mom and she might try and steal 
him from you look. 




Next Tony Stark - Tony Stark is arrogant, insanely smart, and Iron Man. He's very aware of what is going on around him but his number one flaw is, he is self-centered, and good old Capt America points that out to him. However, throughout the movie we see the hero Tony Stark can be. I fell in love with Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes. He has an uncanny ability just to be these 
off the wall characters. 






Barton -I swoon at him. This is the first time I have seen him as a character. Hawkeye is a world-class archer and marksman. His above average reflexes and hand-eye-coordination make him the most proficient archer ever known. (IMDB) He is also trained to throw knifes, darts, balls, bolas and boomerangs. He is natural athlete and this movie he switches sides - totally out of his control. But it is his eyes.  He is super loyal to the Black Widow and if I were her, I would have married him by now.






Thor - I posted about him earlier this year. Thor is a God from another world who was thrown to Earth by his evil brother Loki. In this movie he returns with his ability to control  lightening and his hammer that can knock Iron Man around. He comes into play because he is trying to stop Loki (again). To me, he is a very noble character, very similar to Capt. America - even though is brother is super evil - he loves him. I think this says something - not to mention I think he would be perfect to play Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie- who can get me on that casting decision. 



 
But my favorite - favorite - favorite - hero in this movie is none other than The Hulk. Yep - the green guy. I loved it when Peter said (to Capt America's comment: Dr. You better get angry) See that's my secret - I'm always angry. and then he totally Hulks out. He also was the funniest character in this book. Maybe not the most articulate - but hilarious just 
the same.  


So all you comic book junkees - Did you stay until the end?  The scene shows The Other, the leader of the Chitauri -- the alien race recruited by Loki in his attempt to vanquish the Earth -- talking to the mysterious figure sitting on a throne he has been reporting to throughout the film.  The Other says that they were mislead by Loki and that humans are stronger than they believed.  He tells the figure, "To challenge them is to court death."  The figure turns, revealing the purple face and glowing eyes of Thanos. Thanos loves and worships Mistress Death, a physical embodiment of death that appears in Marvel Comics.   Thanos smiles when The Other uses the phrase "court death": "Because Thanos would like to LITERALLY COURT DEATH, as in take her out for a drink and a movie and back to his place to look at his etchings (Yahoo movies).

Book Tour - First Vision - Heather Topham Wood

Hey everyone! This is my first book tour and I am super excited to be part of it! I want to thank everyone who is involved in the planning and for including me and now without further wait I would like to introduce to you:

Heather Topham Wood 

Author Bio

Heather Topham Wood graduated from the College of New Jersey in 2005 and holds a

bachelor’s degree in English. Working full-time as a freelance writer for publications such as

USA Today, Livestrong.com, Outlook by the Bay and Step in Style magazine, she writes fiction

novels in her spare time. She resides in Trenton, New Jersey with her husband and two sons.

First Visions is the first novel in the Second Sight Series.

Date Published: May 1, 2012 

Synopsis: 

 

Two years ago, 21-year-old Kate Edwards became deathly ill and slipped into a coma. While unconscious, she crept into the mind of a missing boy and awoke with the knowledge of his location. Friends and family were skeptical and wary of her new ability to see into the minds of others. Their fears prompted Kate to keep her psychic powers a secret. Feeling alienated, she dropped out of college and spent most of her days holed up at her mother’s home.

Now another child has been abducted. Police detective Jared Corbett seeks out Kate for her help in solving the case. Reluctantly, Kate agrees and they must work together to bring 8-year-old Cori Preston home to her family. Although attracted to one another, Jared has a girlfriend with ties to the abduction case and Kate is sarcastic and guarded since her coma. With visions she can’t control and an uncontrollable attraction to the detective, she wonders if she can leave the past behind and finally stop hiding from the world. Otherwise, Cori may be lost forever.

My Review:

I really liked Kate because she's snarky. She's not afraid to throw out an insult. She's not afraid to tell Jared to back off - "because she's not psychic" - even though she is. I also liked Kate because she is gaurded against all the non-believers in the world. And who can blame her? But when it comes to an 8 year old, a terrifying dream, and a pushy mom - Kate has to tell someone. How do you not protect a little girl. It would make you a monster and Kate knows this. 

Kate's lucky that Jared is one of the "good guys."  He is hopeful she can help. He is hopeful that his feelings for Kate will go away when he find his GIRLFRIEND'S little sister. He is sure that he can keep her secret. 

But like any good love plot, character a and character b cannot stay away from each other, which is exactly as I like it.  Does anyone see any bumps in the "love road?" I do! er, did? Can I call both on this? 

I was sad because of the situation, a kidnapping, the book had to move fast over a short amount of time - a few day - because that's realistic. It didn't give me enough time to really get to know the characters, which is why I am looking forward to book 2! Now while, I like to get to know my characters, I completely agree with Heather's choice in sticking with a believable time and plot lines, as opposed taking two or three weeks for Kate and Jared to build up with one another. It wouldn't happen in real life. Again - it's why I am looking forward to book 2. 

Heather also gave me a guest post which I find to be very useful as a writer - so all of you who want to work on being a better writer - take heed! 

10 Tips to Becoming the Best Writer You Can Be

Here are a few tips that really helped me as I wrote First Visions. Some of the tips you may have heard time and time again, but they really do work.

Tune Out Everyone’s Voice in Your Head

I unfortunately put way too much thought in what other people think. This can really make your story suffer if you’re constantly wondering over other’s reactions. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you know you put yourself out there.

Get Organized

Whether you’re old school and use a notebook for organizational purposes or rely on a program like Scrivener, staying organized while writing can be extremely helpful. As an example, I keep both an outline and character descriptions close at hand while I write for quick reference.

Just Write

If you obsess over every single word you put on paper, you may end up sacrificing some of your creative energy. This is where free writing exercises can be very helpful. Browse writer’s blogs and you’re bound to come upon some free writing topics and exercises you can tackle.

Don’t Be Afraid to Hit the Delete Button

Getting rid of stuff that just isn’t working is a must. Don’t be afraid to cut huge chunks out of your novel. Save each previous draft and if end up having use for the scenes down the road, so be it.

Walk Away for Awhile

I once heard a reference that writers have a tendency to have beer goggles on while writing. You may love every single word you write one night, but then wake up the morning and wonder what the hell you were thinking. Fresh perspective can definitely help you become the best writer possible.

Don’t Lose Yourself in the Editing Process

Feedback can be very helpful in the writing process, but opinions are subjective. What works for one reader may not for another. Although you may be inclined to change certain aspects based on a single opinion, wait until you get more input. As an example, an editor I spoke with wanted me to make my main character in First Visions “nicer” and gave me examples of what a “good” woman would and would not do. I think if I followed her advice, I would’ve ended up with a dreadfully boring story.

Show Don’t Tell

This is probably one of the helpful pieces of advice I received during the editorial process. Use dialogue and the character’s actions keep the story moving. Wordy descriptions can end up hurting the pace of your novel.

Read Everything You Can Possibly Get Your Hands On

My husband will laugh at me when he sees me reading a trashy magazine or book and I tell him I’m working. Being well read can enhance your vocabulary, improve your grammar and help you find inspiration for your work.

Stick to a Routine

I have two boys under five which makes finding the time to write exceedingly difficult. Each night after they go to bed, even if I’m not in the mood, I’ll write at least something.

Get Rid of the Distractions

I’ll be in the middle of writing a pivotal scene when all of a sudden my phone will ring or my inbox will chime. Or I’ll receive a text from my sister stating I have to go on Facebook right now and look at this raunchy picture posted by so and so. A good piece of advice I heard before is to write on a computer without internet access. (OUCH HEATHER!  I can't do that!) 

Thank you so much for the advice! I wish you the very best in your book sales. I am sure they will be all you hoped for. Thanks for stopping by everyone!

DISCLOSURE – Please place somewhere in the post for all reviews!

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*