Teaser Tuesday: Tempted by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

“A terrible noise, like a heartbroken child’s cry, pierced the night, and my gaze, which had been fixed on the grisly pyre, shifted to a place near the head of the bench. Dragon Lankford was there on his knees.”

Tempted (House of Night #6) – page 164

Project to Published: Three tips and Tera Lynn Childs

Three tips and Tera Lynn Childs

Many of you may have heard of the author Tera Lynn Childs (Forgive My Fins, Fins Are Forever, Oh. My. Gods., Goddess Boot Camp). I asked her what advice she could give to starting authors and I loved her answer:

“Whenever an aspiring writer asks me for advice I tell them three things: 1. Read as much as possible, so you can learn how other writers use words to tell story. 2. Write as much as possible, so you can learn how you use words to tell story. 3. Become a keen observer of life, so you can learn to notice the details that will make your storytelling feel more real and tangible. And, finally, once you have a start on those, then my bonus advice is finish the book.”

-Tera Lynn Childs

Amazing advice, right?

“Read as much as possible, so you can learn how other writers use words to tell story.”
Reading can be like a doorway into an entirely new world. You enter a world of endless possibilities and everything you find there is something new you can learn or experience. I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today if it weren’t for the books I have read. Tamora Pierce’s In The Hand of The Goddess was the first book to make me start seeing those possibilities. Not only can you learn about characters, plot development, be inspired, creating character chemistry and more from other authors, you can learn about yourself and even love. Making time for reading and books are an author’s truest asset.

“Write as much as possible, so you can learn how you use words to tell story.”
Writing isn’t only about what you say; it is also about how you say it. Each person has his or her own style of writing – there is no true/proper way to write as long as you express yourself. The more you write, the more you are able to understand how you as an author want to write. When you reread what you have written you can see how it comes across, how easy or complicated it is to understand, if you enjoy reading it yourself and more.

In my experience, the more I write the more I want to write. I start enjoying it more and getting more invested in my stories. I feel almost like a reader at times when I realize what might happen next, even though I am the one who gets to make the decision.

“Become a keen observer of life, so you can learn to notice the details that will make your storytelling feel more real and tangible.”
Noticing the things around you can help you in many ways. You can see how people interact, notice quirks you can add to characters, and realize how to give them more depth. You can also notice characters, not in terms of people but in terms of the characters you hadn’t realized you wanted to create. A game I used to play with my friends when I was younger was to sit above a mall food court, look down and watch the people below us. Then we would pick out a person, alone or with someone, and make up a life story about the person – something unique, fun or crazy. Now you try – you can make it anything you want and see where it goes from there!

Never be afraid to try something new, no matter how unorthodox it might seem. When we write, we are opening the door to a brand new world, but it is the world around us that can inspire us to go through those doors.

Please give a big round of comments for the wonderful Tera Lynn Childs!


Sincerely,
Emma Michaels

Review: The Keening by A. LaFaye

Novel: The Keening
Author: A. LaFaye
Pages: 224
Genre: Young Adult



Born into a family with artistry in their fingers, Lyza laments that her only talent is carving letters into wood. That is until her life is turned upside down when her mother succumbs to the influenza pandemic of 1918, which is devastating their small coastal town in Maine. With her mother gone, Lyza must protect her eccentric father, who runs the risk of being committed, especially now that he claims he’s waiting for the return of his dead wife. Can Lyza save her father and find her own path in the process?


(I will not be posting any spoilers! Only opinion for the sake of those of us who love to have our first look at a book be untainted by foreknowledge.)

There is something about this novel that is so special and unique. You feel like you are actually going Lyza’s journey with her. You can almost feel the surroundings portrayed in Maine and out at sea. It is beautiful and haunting but there is something that keeps the novel in your hands and keeps you reading through this strange journey with Lyza. It is absolutely beautiful and unforgettable with amazing historical details and information. A. LaFaye definitely did all the homework needed for this novel. I will admit when I first saw the cover I didn’t take a second glance. Then I was reading through novel descriptions and something about this one caught my eyes.
Now, the cover have grown on my after reading the novel. It makes sense and suits the book. This novel has some main points that I really enjoyed. As a daddy’s girl, I loved getting to see the relationship between Lyza and her father, even if it isn’t quite normal and her father does seem to be slowly losing his sanity, (seems being the key word). Then there are some other parts I can’t really write about without giving anything away but it is wonderful! Well worth the read and a quick read at that.



4 Stars!

Would I suggest you read it:

Yes. This novel is worth reading for the historical facts alone. Add in amazing details and relationships with family that are explored. I enjoyed this novel, it is beautiful and amazing and just might have secured a permanent place in my heart and mind.



(This novel was received through netGalley. This does not change my stance, opinion or effect my views in any way.)

Project to Published: Characters, you gotta love em!

Project to Published

Every Sunday

Characters, you gotta love em!

Characters are like human beings. When you are writing characters, you want to be able to love them as you love a human being. You love them for everything they are and could be – their traits, character flaws and most importantly their potential. Although some may disagree with me over these characteristics and say that these are not good examples of people, we live in an imperfect world and our imperfections are what make us unique as individuals.

Think about when you lose a loved one. You begin to think about the things that were most important to you about the individual, even if those things were seemed unimportant before losing him or her. Ironically, what you consider that you miss the most may not be what you expected. You do not necessarily think ‘Well, they were the female protagonist and really led the story’, you think about details. You remember the way the person did things, the way that those things felt.

It should be the same for your character. When someone finishes reading your book, you want him or her to take a step back and really miss the main character(s). You want this because not only it will make him or her want to read a sequel or future book but also because it makes it a memorable book and sometimes, a great book.

My grandfather who I loved deeply passed away when I was younger and when I think of him I don’t think ‘Male lead, veteran, age, weight, height’. He is my grandfather, not a two dimensional character described in words alone. I think about him watching the Chargers games because he said it was always better to root for the losing team because when they win, it means so much more. I think about him waking up early in the morning and even though he was so very masculine, I’d walk into the kitchen and there he was in a light pink polo and an apron on.

When your readers look back on your characters you want them to think about details. You want them to remember a line your character said that really touched their hearts, something unique about your character or something that just makes them human.

So please don’t be afraid to let your characters have flaws, strange interests and quirks – we all have them! I love to write, but it is what I write and in the way I write it that makes who I am and my characters unique. I write my novels on a pink mini laptop at my writer’s desk that was a gift to me and that I have set up in a way that shows my personality and who I am. Every little detail and quirk is relevant and it makes me who I am to those who know me.

Here is what I ask you:

1. What makes you unforgettable?
2. Now, what could make your character unforgettable?

Sincerely,
Emma Michaels

Follow My Book Blog Friday

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://baileysbookreviews.blogspot.com

3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.

4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments

5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can

6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!

8. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Happy Follow Friday!

*********

Review: The Mermaid's Mirror by L. K. Madigan

Novel: The Mermaid’s Mirror
Author: L. K. Madigan
Pages: 320
Genre: YA



Lena has lived her whole life near the beach – walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves – the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.
As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.
But her father – a former surfer himself – refuses to allow her to take lessons. After a near drowning in his past, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.
Yet something lures Lena to the water … an ancient, powerful magic. One morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman – with a silvery tail.
Nothing will keep Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.
And soon … what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life …


(I will not be posting any spoilers! Only opinion for the sake of those of us who love to have our first look at a book be untainted by foreknowledge.)

I think this novel will really be hit or miss with most readers. I enjoyed it, I have always loved the ocean and stories about … well, not saying much so I don’t ruin anything but I guess mermaids is okay to say because of the title. There was something very refreshing about this novel and the writing style really connected with me but I am not sure it will with everyone. It blended a more contemporary style very well with fantasy and you can really feel the connection that Lena feels to the ocean. There is some surfing! For those of you who enjoy reading surf novels, the surf scenes are very well written. As someone who knows how to surf (but isn’t very good) I can say surely that L.K. Madigan did a wonderful job of describing how amazing surfing can feel. This is a novel where you have to have a bit of patience for everything to be set up completely and get more attention grabbing. (not too long but long enough for me to feel I should warn you to give it a chance.) Overall, I enjoyed it a great deal and hope there will be a book two but I am not currently sure. I don’t see any information about it being a series so heres to hoping!



3 Stars!

Would I suggest you read it:

When is comes to this novel I would suggest you read and exert and see what you think about the writing style but if you do love then definitely try it.



(This novel was received through netGalley. This does not change my stance, opinion or effect my views in any way.)

Guest Project to Published with author Anjuelle Floyd

Yet another week of "Project to Published" and I have a wonderful surprise for you! A guest "Project to Published" with author Anjuelle Floyd! Hear what she has to say to starting authors:

_________________________

The author who is seeking publication needs to focus first on the quality of what she or he is writing. Craft the best product--short story, novel, flash fiction, novella, etc.-- that you have the ability to create for a reader to consume.
And this takes time.
Join a writing group, find a writing teacher to mentor you, take classes from Writers Digest, i.e.
Writers Online Workshops
While earning my MFA I took their class, Focus on the Short Story and their Extended Short Story Writing Workshop for learning the nuts and bolts of how to craft a short story.

After graduation I enrolled in their Focus on the Novel Workshop each fall.
I used this class take The House through its first revision. It was also in this class that I learned how authentic my The House felt. The instructor had actually experienced what my protagonist in The House was undergoing.
All sorts of things can happen when you take online classes.

I’ve been told that John Grisham took classes from Writers Digest before getting published.

Online classes, where you interact mainly with the instructor, are perfect for writers who feel anxious and sensitive about receiving critique from peers whose suggestions may hold a bit of envy.

With the Internet as your interface you can monitor and control the amount of interaction you have, and the critiques you receive from fellow participants who are a bit disingenuous, and who are not as sincere in delivering their comments.
But you still must be ready to hear the truth about your writing.

The ability to take well-intended critique from those whose writing skill and artistry surpasses yours, and who want you to succeed is incredibly important. It is a necessity.

The ability to receive sincerely and well-meaning critique, insight and suggestions about your writing determines how far you will go and the amount of success you will achieve far more than talent.

As an author whom I recently interviewed stated, “Getting published needs to be incidental to improving your skill and artistry at writing. The writer’s job is to try and make what she or he writes today better than what we wrote yesterday.”

To grow into better writers is the author’s prime goal.

Likewise and conversely if we do this, publication of our work will occur.
The more you give of yourself in crafting the work to the best of your ability, the more pride you will hold in your heart for that work. This gives you passion for what you have created. And this passion fuels your ability to promote and market this work over the long haul.
It also empowers you to go back and writer your next book.
You cannot stop writing while seeking an agent or publisher. You must continue to write.
Writing has to be your focus if you are to endure as a career author.

Having said that I encourage you to listen my interview of author, Lisa Unger, the author I interviewed and quoted. After working in publishing for 10 years she revised and honed a novel she had written at age 19. That novel was published and she has gone on to write 8 more, having just delivered to her publisher a 10th novel that will debut in 2011.

Any novice writer can benefit from what she has to say.
Here’s the link to the interviews I have conducted with her.
Lisa Unger on Book Talk, Creativity & Family Matters 9/3/2010

Lisa Unger on Book Talk, Creativity & Family Matters 9/26/2009

______________


Thanks so much.

Anjuelle
www.anjuellefloyd.com

Anjuelle is the author of Keeper of Secrets...Translations of an Incident and The House
http://www.anjuellefloyd.com/books

They can sample opening pages of each @:
http://www.freado.com/users/4271/anjuelle-floyd

Visit Anjuelle's blog @
http://www.anjuellefloyd.com

Did you like this post and do you want to see more guest authors on "Project to Published" in the future?

Happy Follow Friday

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://readingangel002.blogspot.com
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
8. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!


Happy Follow Friday!
*********

Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Novel: Fallen
Author: Lauren Kate
Pages: 452
Genre: YA (Fantasy)



There is something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at Sword & Cross boarding school in Savannah. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are screwups, and security cameras watch every move.

Except Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce – he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret… even if it kills her.


(I will not be posting any spoilers! Only opinion for the sake of those of us who love to have our first look at a book be untainted by foreknowledge.)

After having read so many different and mixed reviews I decided to read Fallen myself. I have to admit I am extremely impressed with Lauren Kate. Yes, I do understand why some individuals might find this novel offensive because of some topics regarding Christianity. (Not negative opinions of Christians or making fun of but simply the concept of the novel which I will not ruin here.)

Now, that said I enjoyed this book greatly. There were a few moments where I was hesitant but overall I found myself immersed in the story. The characters are amazing and the writing is as melodic as pure song. It flows beautifully and all the time you are wondering what kind of crazy ride you are on. You meet people who seem impossibly unrealistic… and then find yourself believing they are real. It was beautiful and well written so overall, while at times due to content I was hesitant, I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.





Would I suggest you read it:
If you enjoy angel novels, read it! If you love a well written fantasy with romance, read it! If you get offended when anyone openly loves a human more than god, don’t read it. I enjoyed this book because I was able to read it as an enjoyable piece of fiction, I do understand that not all enjoy this novel but I would still suggest this to anyone who is open to it!



Sincerely,
Emma Michaels

P.S.- If you want to meet Lauren Kate come to the Orange County Children's Book Festival this October in California! I will be there too, signing copies of The Thirteenth Chime! Come join us! I can hardly wait to get my copy of Torment while I am there!!!

My Secret Weapon: The Outline

“Project to Published”

Every Sunday!

My Secret Weapon: The Outline

I have been hearing a lot lately about how difficult it is to do a proper outline. I decided to try to help a bit. First, let me say that there is not an improper way to do an outline as long as that outline is something that will work for you (unless you are in an English class, in which case doing what your teacher says might be a better bet).

There are different types of outlines. In my experience, the main ones that are helpful to plot outlining are:

(Not images made by me. All found on Goggle so content may vary and it more than likely unrelated to writing.)

• Alphanumeric Outline (With Full Sentence or topics)

• Bullet Outline (Any of the outline forms above but with different characters such as bullets, symbols, etc.)
• Spider Outlines

• Cause and Effect

• Business Outlines (believe it or not it works)

The trick to outlining is first to write down your inspiration as it comes. Then afterwards, go ahead and organize it into something that you can use – something that can be your road map as you go through and write out the novel you have already begun creating.

You can also think about a plot outline as if it was a puzzle. You start out with all of these scattered ideas that come and go, but you want to piece them together. You have to sort through all of them and find the edges – the pieces of the puzzle that give you the basic shape and are easiest to distinguish from everything else. For your plot map, that means the big ideas, the overviews of your entire plot that you will start to develop further as you go. The chapters, or sections, are your edges. Once you have found your edges, you want to go more in depth and start organizing all of the pieces into a beautiful, elaborate picture.

A few things to keep in mind:

• - Don’t over plan. You want a road map, not pictures of every street sign and house you will pass.

• - Only add things that you actually WANT in the book. I have heard from numerous people that they like to put many details into their outlines. Outlines can be expanded to include details of any form, but with your initial outline, you don’t want to have too many details running through your head or it might throw off your direction. Think simple.

• - Keep a small notebook with you at all times. Then when inspiration strikes, you can take notes. Just make sure to remember to add it to your outline! This can be especially helpful when first developing a plot or for when a new plot idea arises.

• - Always remember that although you may be the author, once you give life to your characters, they develop a mind of their own. This can lead you into all kinds of interesting directions if you have the courage to run with it. You might have to rewrite your outline, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Also, keep a copy of every outline you make. Your characters just might surprise you again and lead you to the ending you had planned all along!

The key to getting better at any process is to keep doing it. As long as you keep trying, you will get better. Your outline is your guide, road map, or picture – make the most of it. Your novel is waiting to be made – it can happen! Keep going at it no matter how hard it may seem. Your hard work will pay off!

What authors would you like to see featured "Project to Published" posts from?
Do you think having guest authors is a good idea or something you would be interested in seeing?

Sincerely,

Emma Michaels

FMBBF and GIVEAWAY!

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://candacesreadingblog.blogspot.com
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
8. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Happy Follow Friday!

Amazing The Thirteenth Chime Giveaway:

If you want your own copy of my novel The Thirteenth Chime stop by http://mesmerix.blogspot.com/ where I am the featured author of the month and you can enter for your chance to get a free copy of The Thirteenth Chime along with signed swag!!!