i've really gone crazy with the alliteration this week, haven't i?
but i do have a critically important question. CRITICAL, PEOPLE. and i want the truth.
ahem. here goes.
if you could be any fictional character (walk in their shoes, in the story), who would you be?
deep, right?
i was thinking this question through. first, i thought Howl's Moving Castle. it's one of my very favorite books. BUT as much as i love this story, there's no way i'd want to be Sophie Hatter--or rather, go through what Sophie goes through (this will make sense if you've read the book). so scratch that one.
perhaps Melanie Stryder in my other favorite book (The Host)? uh, wait, i live in Phoenix, and no air conditioning (plus alien domination) are definitely BAD. scratch.
Hermione Granger? too much dangerous magic, plus she marries Ron. (sorry, Ron.) that one's out.
how about Meliara Astiar from Crown Duel/Court Duel (my favorite duet)? there's danger, but just enough to make things exciting. court life. intrigue. mysterious romance.
i would so be Meliara.
who would you be, and why?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
wildlife wednesday
okay. i'm sure you did not see this one coming. but, remember that new camera i got? i've been playing with it again. and remember that thing about not taking anymore pics of my family mems? yeah, that's still in effect, too. so i went out in my backyard. (i took all of these IN MY BACKYARD). yeah, i totally have an awesome backyard. and a camera obsession.
Waxy, our tortoise
Waxy, our hungry tortoise
a cute quail. his mate is just beyond the range of the camera
who knew we had dragonflies, too??
one of our big spiny lizards. he started doing push-ups on the wall about 2 seconds after this 
this one's actually an update: the mother just flew off, so i had a clear shot for a sec. or at least, semi-clear. it's a bit fuzzy : )
a hummingbird eating from our feeder
a hummingbird sitting in our mesquite tree
Waxy, our tortoiseWaxy, our hungry tortoise
a cute quail. his mate is just beyond the range of the camera
who knew we had dragonflies, too??
one of our big spiny lizards. he started doing push-ups on the wall about 2 seconds after this 
another spiny. i couldn't get close--sorry it's so blurry.
this one's actually an update: the mother just flew off, so i had a clear shot for a sec. or at least, semi-clear. it's a bit fuzzy : )
pictures speak louder than words. but who says you can't use both? i think they're both great
anyway, like the pics? what would you see in YOUR backyard? squirrels? raccoons? butterflies? your dog?
*update: ZOMG the awesomest giveaway is going on over at YA Highway--hundreds of thanks to Kate for the link. Enter to win lots of BOOKS!!!!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
it's tellmewhatyouthink tuesday!
what a surprise, right? tellmewhatyouthink--a revolutionary idea!
but i have a question i've been kinda thinking about for a while. NaNoWriMo last fall got a free proof copy of a book from CreateSpace.com, an offer which expires June 1st.
however, i read a post by Kristen Nelson where she mentioned that having a barcode that doesn't show any sales can make it hard to find a publisher. my free proof copy would get a barcode assigned to my title, but i'm not going to be selling anything.
so what do you think? is anything really "free"? do you think the disadvantages might be greater than the benefit of having a book to share with my friends and family? or should i go for it?
p.s. i'm totally excited! Tahereh's contest ended last night, so we should find out the winners, uh, soon? and i'm curious to know what number she was thinking of....
but i have a question i've been kinda thinking about for a while. NaNoWriMo last fall got a free proof copy of a book from CreateSpace.com, an offer which expires June 1st.
however, i read a post by Kristen Nelson where she mentioned that having a barcode that doesn't show any sales can make it hard to find a publisher. my free proof copy would get a barcode assigned to my title, but i'm not going to be selling anything.
so what do you think? is anything really "free"? do you think the disadvantages might be greater than the benefit of having a book to share with my friends and family? or should i go for it?
p.s. i'm totally excited! Tahereh's contest ended last night, so we should find out the winners, uh, soon? and i'm curious to know what number she was thinking of....
Monday, May 24, 2010
PICTURES!!!
yesterday was my graduation party, and guess what i got from my parents!!!
A SHINY BRAND-NEW CAMERA!!!!
i have been terrorizing my family ever since, snapping photos right and left.
(mwahahahaha)
(i think their generous patience may be running out, though)
so i turned to a new subject: my books!
aren't they photogenic??
book shelf 1my twilight collection : )
book shelves 2 & 3 and my desk plus graduation cardsmy summer reading pile minus the books i've read so far
i also made videos of all my books (i'm going to try to post them on the side in the gadget area because Blogger is taking offense with me puting them in my post, so look --> sometime soon, and maybe you'll find them?)
...did i mention that i really like my camera??
Anyhow, did YOU do anything fun this weekend??
Thursday, May 20, 2010
fantasy friday again!
IS IT REALLY FRIDAY???? how did this happen? friday was only a couple of days ago, right? right?
*makes grab for calendar*
OMG WHERE IS MY SUMMER GOING?? i graduated a whole WEEK ago??
this isn't possible.
but the calendar says it is. i cannot argue with the calendar. (for one thing, it is an inanimate object. it wouldn't be fair.)
if it is really friday, then i guess you are expecting fantasy friday...i guess i should write a book review.
and i have just the book!!
this fantasy friday's feature:
The Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
While Jim Butcher seems to be better known for his Dresden Files series, I personally prefer the Codex Alera books (of which Furies of Calderon is the first).
Set in the country of Alera where inhabitants control elemental powers in the form of 'furies' (think familiars, daemons, etc. here), The Furies of Calderon focuses on one boy, Tavi.
Tavi is an anomaly: he has no fury. This unprecidented occurance instantly marks him as weaker than any other Aleran. But Tavi has his own resources--wit, ingenuity, determination, and courage--which suddenly land him in the middle of a war. A war in which he may actually be the key player.
This book--this entire series--is breathtaking. Literally. I sometimes find myself panting because I have become so caught up in the action that I cannot breathe. Butcher creates plots that are unchartable until you have read the whole book--you can never tell what is coming next, and you will not be able to set the book down until you've found out.
By constructing a deadly world and filling it with very-likeable characters, Butcher has created the ultimate suspense fantasy.
Be warned: don't start this book unless you intend to finish. And by finish, I mean all six books in the series.
*update: if you're looking for great YA fantasy reads, Heather just mentioned some fantastic-sounding books. i was sold, and highly recommend checking them out if you haven't already!
*makes grab for calendar*
OMG WHERE IS MY SUMMER GOING?? i graduated a whole WEEK ago??
this isn't possible.
but the calendar says it is. i cannot argue with the calendar. (for one thing, it is an inanimate object. it wouldn't be fair.)
if it is really friday, then i guess you are expecting fantasy friday...i guess i should write a book review.
and i have just the book!!
this fantasy friday's feature:
The Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
While Jim Butcher seems to be better known for his Dresden Files series, I personally prefer the Codex Alera books (of which Furies of Calderon is the first).
Set in the country of Alera where inhabitants control elemental powers in the form of 'furies' (think familiars, daemons, etc. here), The Furies of Calderon focuses on one boy, Tavi.
Tavi is an anomaly: he has no fury. This unprecidented occurance instantly marks him as weaker than any other Aleran. But Tavi has his own resources--wit, ingenuity, determination, and courage--which suddenly land him in the middle of a war. A war in which he may actually be the key player.
This book--this entire series--is breathtaking. Literally. I sometimes find myself panting because I have become so caught up in the action that I cannot breathe. Butcher creates plots that are unchartable until you have read the whole book--you can never tell what is coming next, and you will not be able to set the book down until you've found out.
By constructing a deadly world and filling it with very-likeable characters, Butcher has created the ultimate suspense fantasy.
Be warned: don't start this book unless you intend to finish. And by finish, I mean all six books in the series.
*update: if you're looking for great YA fantasy reads, Heather just mentioned some fantastic-sounding books. i was sold, and highly recommend checking them out if you haven't already!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
hope from discouragement?
reading 50 Iconic Writers Who Were Repeatedly Rejected yesterday (btw, thank you Nathan Bransford for the link), i was shocked. some of my favorite writers are on this list:
Dr. Seuss (childhood fav, of course. i loved his books.)
Louissa May Alcott
Shannon Hale (wrote The Goose Girl, one of my current favs)
JK ROWLING (no explanation needed. one of the awesomest writers ALIVE TODAY)
and writers that i have read/have gained widespread audiences:
Meg Cabot
John Grisham
Beatrix Potter
Madeline L'Engle
James Patterson
Judy Blume
Stephen King
Richard Adams
Anne Frank
of course, there were many other names on the list, but these were the ones that stood out, for me anyway. if these great writers were REPEATEDLY rejected, clearly the process of getting published is frought with obstacles. clearly rejections do not mean a lack of worth.
actually, (confession time, deep breath) i have to admit that i'm morbidly anticipating my first rejection. (i'm sure this will wear off by the second one, though! so this is just temporary insanity!) but i actually have a sort of sane reason: i wouldn't really feel like a member of the writing community if i never got a rejection--rather than a closed door, it feels like the official initiation. (yes, i realize that this only reveals how young, naive, and completely un-rejected i am, but you can understand where i'm coming from, right? can you honestly tell me you didn't feel this way once?)
anyway, the one thing that i think all writers should remember and may occasionally need reminding of is that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. REJECTIONS HAPPEN TO THE BEST OF US--REPEATEDLY.
it doesn't mean your book is no good.
it doesn't mean no one will ever want to read anything you have written.
it doesn't mean that you are any less of an author than 99% of the writing community.
on the contrary, it means that you are a WRITER.
WRITERS are the ones who keep trying despite the rejections.
so don't give up. the world wants to see your book(s). they just don't know it yet.
Dr. Seuss (childhood fav, of course. i loved his books.)
Louissa May Alcott
Shannon Hale (wrote The Goose Girl, one of my current favs)
JK ROWLING (no explanation needed. one of the awesomest writers ALIVE TODAY)
and writers that i have read/have gained widespread audiences:
Meg Cabot
John Grisham
Beatrix Potter
Madeline L'Engle
James Patterson
Judy Blume
Stephen King
Richard Adams
Anne Frank
of course, there were many other names on the list, but these were the ones that stood out, for me anyway. if these great writers were REPEATEDLY rejected, clearly the process of getting published is frought with obstacles. clearly rejections do not mean a lack of worth.
actually, (confession time, deep breath) i have to admit that i'm morbidly anticipating my first rejection. (i'm sure this will wear off by the second one, though! so this is just temporary insanity!) but i actually have a sort of sane reason: i wouldn't really feel like a member of the writing community if i never got a rejection--rather than a closed door, it feels like the official initiation. (yes, i realize that this only reveals how young, naive, and completely un-rejected i am, but you can understand where i'm coming from, right? can you honestly tell me you didn't feel this way once?)
anyway, the one thing that i think all writers should remember and may occasionally need reminding of is that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. REJECTIONS HAPPEN TO THE BEST OF US--REPEATEDLY.
it doesn't mean your book is no good.
it doesn't mean no one will ever want to read anything you have written.
it doesn't mean that you are any less of an author than 99% of the writing community.
on the contrary, it means that you are a WRITER.
WRITERS are the ones who keep trying despite the rejections.
so don't give up. the world wants to see your book(s). they just don't know it yet.
you can never go wrong with dragons
so the other week, in Nathan Bransford's This Week In Publishing, he linked an article that condemned using dragons to fill plot holes. while i agree that this would be wrong to do in a non-fantasy novel (obvs), i was somewhat offended. after all, you just can't go wrong with dragons in a fantasy novel!
and i can prove it.
Ex 1
"Hyacinth, you are my whole world!" Macho cried bitterly. "How can you not love me? I've risked everything for you!"
"Macho, I told you years ago I could never love you! Why are you doing this to me? To yourself?" Hyacinth wept, face firmly buried in her hands.
so why can't Hyacinth love Macho? the answer is obvious!
"Hyacinth, all I want is a reason. Give me one good reason you cannot love me, and I will leave you alone for forever." Macho's voice was filled with quiet pain, but he sounded resolved.
"Oh, Macho!" Hyacinth wailed. "I am in love with a dragon!"
see? plot hole filled. thank you, dragon.
Ex 2
Sasha backed up until she reached the cavern wall. This was it. This was the end. There was no way she was getting out of this scrape. How many times had Grandpa warned her to use her head before plunging into potentially dangerous situations? If only she had one more chance to heed his advice.
Fifty angry sorcerors closed in on her. Their hands were raised, and a wind was gusting around the chamber from the spell they were casting. Within moments, Sasha would be a tiny pile of ashes--fifty times over.
Good-bye, Grandpa! she thought. Please, let it be quick and painless.
oh, no! it's the end of Sasha! or...is it?
Wait! What was that, skulking behind the sorcerors? Could it be....
"OMG A DRAGON!" Sasha screamed.
Chaos erupted. The sorcerors forgot about Sasha completely in their sudden fear and confusion. Sasha broke through the disorganized mob and fled through the tunnels.
Thank the High One!
yes, thank the High One! another impossible plot hole filled by a dragon! seriously, they should get paid at least a ten perent commission for all their great work!
Ex 3
"Kitheran, how do you do it? That demonstration back there was amazing--no one in the history of Generan has ever wielded such great power! Please, what is your secret?" Lirean strode beside Kitheran, gazing at him as though he had never really seen him before. The miracles he had just witnessed were beyond belief.
Kitheran did not immediately answer.
come on, Kitheran! what are you waiting for! what is your secret?? we won't tell....
"I regret I cannot reveal my secrets to you, Lirean, old friend. I cannot even tell you why. Please, do not press me on this point! My mind is resolute."
They were at Kitheran's chambers. With a hasty goodnight, he left Lirean standing in the empty hallway.
In his room, Kitheran made a soft noise of distress. He resisted as long as possible, trying to make sure Lirean was out of earshot before giving in. Then, with a blossom of hot air and a strange keening cry, he burst into the shape of...a dragon.
of course! Kitheran is a dragon! it all makes sense now...
and there you have it! have i not proved my point? are not dragon's the best patches for gaping holes in fantasy plots??? they are amazing! unstoppable! PERFECT!!!!
okay, confession time. perhaps the biggest reason i advocate dragons so heavily is that i actually used one in my novel...i can only hope agents will read this post and change their minds so i will not be rejected in the future!!
and i can prove it.
Ex 1
"Hyacinth, you are my whole world!" Macho cried bitterly. "How can you not love me? I've risked everything for you!"
"Macho, I told you years ago I could never love you! Why are you doing this to me? To yourself?" Hyacinth wept, face firmly buried in her hands.
so why can't Hyacinth love Macho? the answer is obvious!
"Hyacinth, all I want is a reason. Give me one good reason you cannot love me, and I will leave you alone for forever." Macho's voice was filled with quiet pain, but he sounded resolved.
"Oh, Macho!" Hyacinth wailed. "I am in love with a dragon!"
see? plot hole filled. thank you, dragon.
Ex 2
Sasha backed up until she reached the cavern wall. This was it. This was the end. There was no way she was getting out of this scrape. How many times had Grandpa warned her to use her head before plunging into potentially dangerous situations? If only she had one more chance to heed his advice.
Fifty angry sorcerors closed in on her. Their hands were raised, and a wind was gusting around the chamber from the spell they were casting. Within moments, Sasha would be a tiny pile of ashes--fifty times over.
Good-bye, Grandpa! she thought. Please, let it be quick and painless.
oh, no! it's the end of Sasha! or...is it?
Wait! What was that, skulking behind the sorcerors? Could it be....
"OMG A DRAGON!" Sasha screamed.
Chaos erupted. The sorcerors forgot about Sasha completely in their sudden fear and confusion. Sasha broke through the disorganized mob and fled through the tunnels.
Thank the High One!
yes, thank the High One! another impossible plot hole filled by a dragon! seriously, they should get paid at least a ten perent commission for all their great work!
Ex 3
"Kitheran, how do you do it? That demonstration back there was amazing--no one in the history of Generan has ever wielded such great power! Please, what is your secret?" Lirean strode beside Kitheran, gazing at him as though he had never really seen him before. The miracles he had just witnessed were beyond belief.
Kitheran did not immediately answer.
come on, Kitheran! what are you waiting for! what is your secret?? we won't tell....
"I regret I cannot reveal my secrets to you, Lirean, old friend. I cannot even tell you why. Please, do not press me on this point! My mind is resolute."
They were at Kitheran's chambers. With a hasty goodnight, he left Lirean standing in the empty hallway.
In his room, Kitheran made a soft noise of distress. He resisted as long as possible, trying to make sure Lirean was out of earshot before giving in. Then, with a blossom of hot air and a strange keening cry, he burst into the shape of...a dragon.
of course! Kitheran is a dragon! it all makes sense now...
and there you have it! have i not proved my point? are not dragon's the best patches for gaping holes in fantasy plots??? they are amazing! unstoppable! PERFECT!!!!
okay, confession time. perhaps the biggest reason i advocate dragons so heavily is that i actually used one in my novel...i can only hope agents will read this post and change their minds so i will not be rejected in the future!!
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