The What, Where, Why, and How of Writers

This is such an interesting post by Bookgirl. I think my favorite was what Neil Gaiman said about writing.

bookgirl

Is there a magic formula to writing a best selling novel – of course not, but this does not stop me wanting to know all the what, where, how and why’s of my favourite authors. I might uncover some secret that best selling novelists have kept hidden for centuries; they may belong to a secret society. I may stumble upon one quirky habit, that I could adopt, and my writing would be transformed.

My first quest was the Where.

I knew that Mark Twain and Roald Dahl both wrote in their back sheds, but I was looking for more inspirational writers haunts. So, why not start with the master of all writers, the picture above is of William Shakespeare’s house in Stratford- Upon-Avon, England. I didn’t get much from my visit here except that Shakespeare slept in the sitting position, and I wasn’t going to adopt that habit. Next was…

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The Night Visitor ~ Dianne Emley

Tags

Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Suspense, Thriller

This is a review of an ARC e-book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The book will be available September 16th.

Things are not always as they seem in this harrowing paranormal thriller. Rory, the head of a major cosmetics company, finds her mind being taken over by her ex-fiance Junior. Once an aspiring artist he now lies in a coma, suspected of shooting himself after murdering Rory’s sister Anya five years ago. But maybe that’s really not what happened, for Junior is determined to maintain control over Rory’s mind until she discovers who the real killer is. The Night Visitor is a thrilling page turner whose action begins on the very first page and never lets up. I wound up reading until almost 3:00 in the morning until I finished because I couldn’t put it down. The story and characters are so tightly woven and detailed you can literally picture them in your head. It will jolt you with one surprise after another until you reach the end which you’ll never see coming. Even if you don’t normally read paranormal fiction this has great appeal since it’s the epitome of a great mystery that keeps you guessing. 5 stars!!!

Inspirational Quote For The Week Ahead

I was watching The Piano Guys on PBS tonight and they started their concert with the most beautiful quotation from Beethoven that really should resonate with any artist, whether you’re a musician, painter, singer, or writer. I felt compelled to share.

Alistair Grim’s Odditorium, by Gregory Funaro – 4.5 Stars

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Adventure, Children's Books, Fantasy, Steampunk

This is for an ARC ebook provided to me by NetGalley & Disney-Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.

If Gregory Funaro was given a set of instructions on how to write the perfect children’s book, he couldn’t have done any better. Poor Grubb. Age “twelve or thereabouts”, and an orphan, he’s known nothing but hardship and cruelty during his childhood. Found by the kindly Mrs. Smears who unfortunately dies early on in the book, he is forced by Mr. Smears to become a chimney sweep and is beaten daily and starved so he can fit into the narrow chimneys. But after a hilarious altercation with an innkeeper’s spoiled son, and hiding in the back of a mysterous guest’s carriage, this plucky hero soon finds himself on the adventure of his life, and discovers there is far more to the world than he ever imagined. This book swept me right back to my childhood. If I could compare it to other books I’d choose Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Phantom Tollbooth. But it really is completely unique on it’s own. Set in Victorian England it’s a mix of fantasy, adventure, and steampunk. Grubb is a loveable hero who with the other characters from the Odditorium will instantly captivate you. Illustrated with exquisite drawings and for ages 8 – 12, it’s not only a great book for reluctant readers, but it will appeal to those who don’t usually read books in this genre. I would even recommend it to adults who would like to re-awaken their inner child. It won’t be released until early January , but I’d add this to your list of future books that must be read.

Dangerous Destiny (Night Sky 0.5), by Suzanne & Melanie Brockmann

Tags

Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction, YA

This is a review on an ebook which was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Poor Skylar Reid. First her overprotective mother uproots her from her Connecticut home and all of her friends, but then she settles them in Florida where it’s a little tough to make new friends when most residents are seventy-five and older. To make matters worse, on her first day of school another girl attempts to kill her while saying she’s doing her a favor. Not a good start for Sky. Fortunately this book is an excellent teaser for Suzanne and her daughter Melanie’s first YA series. It’s tied into the same slightly futuristic world as Suzanne’s adult book, Born Into Darkness but you don’t necessarily have to read that first (although it’s fantastic). Sky and her friends however will deal with some of the same problems as the their adult counterparts: superpowers, people who are addicted to an illegal drug which gives them powers, makes them crazy, etc… Dangerous Destiny is actually a prequel and also includes a chapter from the upcoming book Night Sky so it’s like getting two gifts in one. It also has a great Q & A with the authors which is both informative and funny. From reading this book (which is out Tues. 8/26), I think this is going to be a thrilling and funny new series. The full length novel, Night Sky, will be released on Oct. 7th.

Apology

Hi all. I just wanted to let you know I’m not shirking my blogging duties. I’ve had a monster migraine (stupid allergies!) for the last week and I don’t want to review any books while I’m like this. I always try to do the books I review justice and it’s tough to do when all you can think about is smashing your head against a brick wall.  But they always pass and so will this one. As soon as it does, I’ve got lots of books to add and discuss. Thanks for your patience!

 

Book Quote For The Day

I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather the last couple of days but I wanted to post, so here’s something from one of my favorite authors.

Alias Hook, ~ by Lisa Jensen – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Fantasy, Fiction, Redemption, Romance

Captain James Benjamin Hook. We all know him. Archvillain extraordinaire, questionable taste in clothes, good with a sword, antagonist of innocent children.  Many of us have grown up with the tale of Peter Pan and his nemesis. But what if there was a different side of the story?  Haven’t you ever wondered what made Hook, ahem, tick? In Alias Hook, Lisa Jensen gives us an interesting look at what led James Benjamin Hookenbridge down the terrible path he chose, and why. You see James started out the son of a wealthy tradesman during the late 1600s and early 1700s. He had a mother who loved him, a father who while aloof, wasn’t abusive, the best schooling, clothes, friends, etc… Once he’s finished school, James leaves his fiancee at home and becomes a privateer harassing the French and adding to his family’s wealth. He thinks he has all the time in the world. But then he is captured and by the time he makes his way home it’s to find that both his parents are dead, and he’s been betrayed. Branded an outlaw he is forced to flee and bitter and angry vows revenge against the world who has turned it’s back on him. He now truly becomes the murderous, blackhearted pirate of which so much is written about. To make matters worse he has a brief affair with a voudon priestess and after cruelly rejecting her, she creates a spell that transports him to Neverland. There he’s trapped into a never-ending series of battles with Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. That is until he starts hearing voices whispering of last chances. And that’s when the mysterious Stella appears from the outside world. But will she lead him to freedom, or his death?  This is a brilliantly conceived novel about a man, not a myth. It captures all the themes of love, redemption and salvation. It will have you cheering for the unlikliest of heroes and even falling a little in love with with his character yourself. Most of all, it reminds us that there is always more to a story. If you loved Peter Pan as a child, You will be enchanted with Alias Hook as an adult!

Will You Help Me Network for Tigger?: Thursday Purrsday

Tags

Abandoned Pets, Cats

Originally posted on Savannah's Paw Tracks:
HIYA!!  SAVANNAH HERE!!! I am back again talking about my pal Tigger. Will I like my…

Writing Great Books For Young Adults, by Regina Brooks

Tags

Non-fic., Writing Guides, YA

  This review is for the second edition which comes out October 1st, and was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So, you want to be the next J.K. Rowling, or Suzanne Collins? This book is not the magic wand you probably wish you had. Instead it’s a solid, helpful guide for beginning writers like me. It not only helps you with the mechanics of writing such as punctuation ( my personal weakness ), and the proper use of adjectives and adverbs, but it also includes more general areas such as plot, character, and theme development. Ms Brooks, who is a literary agent, even provides writing exercises to assist your imagination to take flight. Once your novel is finished there’s advice on literary agents, publishing houses, etc… The book is incredibly easy to read and you feel like you’re actually talking with the author. Should Writing Great Books For Young Adults be the only book you read on this topic? No. But it’s a good addition for your shelf of other writing books.