The Best Reader [Search results for Writing] 

Amy Plum, author of the new book Die for Me, is here today to discuss the book and her writing.
Die for Me will be released tomorrow!

Check out the bottom for a link to follow the rest of the tour stops.

1. From reading some of the background of Die For Me, it's easy to see how much thought you put into the story long before you began writing. Can you share with us 3 things that you were determined to achieve with this story?

3. And thirdly: redemption. Kate is strong and independent in a way that I wasn’t at her age. And I gave her a family I would have loved to have had.

So, although I hadn’t thought about it ahead of time, as I wrote the book (especially figuring out Kate’s past, although much of it isn’t spelled out) I was aware that I was rewriting my own past. In a small way, the book is a sort of redemption for a childhood and adolescence that included lots of not-very-nice things. And although Kate’s parents die when she is sixteen, up until then her life is what I wish mine had been.

2. Many of the locations in Die For Me were ones from your past. What made you decide to do that and is there any other place special to you that you wish you could include in a book?
I am very visual, so places are important to me. And dropping my characters into locations I myself have known is—again—like recreating my past. I loved putting Jules’s art studio in my old apartment, placing a lot of the action in my old neighborhood, the Marais, and then there’s the Pont des Arts… *sigh*. So perhaps it’s a bit of a crutch. I know these places so well that I can easily go to them in my mind when I’m writing a scene. It might just facilitate the action to be able to close my eyes and be right back there.

Although… I made up the interior of Jean-Baptiste’s house from my imagination (dropping in a few elements that I knew: the staircase, Charlotte’s heart-shaped windows… ). BUT even though I’ve never been there, I know every room in that place like it was my own house.
And yes – I would write a book that takes place, at least partly, in New York City, my other urban love besides Paris. It is just as magical as Paris, but in a completely different way.

3. What is the hardest part of juggling family time and writing? Do you have any tips for anyone who may be struggling with the same thing?

I can’t write if my children are in the house with me. (Unless they’re asleep, and by that time I’m usually too exhausted to write.) They’re only three and five, and if I am around they want to be rightnexttome. I’m lucky enough to have an office outside of my home. It’s a little building that’s just across the yard from our house. And when I go there I know that no one is going to bother me. I can immerse myself completely in my writing without my concentration being broken.

So my advice would be to find a place where you know you can let your mind reign supreme. Without listening for that next knock on the door or ringing phone. In Stephen King’s book ON WRITING, he spoke of writing his first two published novels “in the laundry room of a doublewide trailer, pounding away on my wife’s portable Olivetti typewriter and balancing a child’s desk on my thighs.” He says that John Cheever wrote in the basement of his Park Avenue apartment building, near the furnace. It doesn’t matter where it is or if it is even comfortable. If it is YOURS AND ONLY YOURS—for the time you are writing—that is what matters.

4. What has been the biggest adjustment for you since you started writing? What is your favorite thing to do that helps you relax after a long day of writing?

The biggest adjustment has been having a project that is long-term. When I was an art dealer or a professor or wrote articles for magazines, I had short-term projects that I could work hard on and then be done with in a relatively short amount of time. Now, writing the draft of a book usually takes me a few months. I’ve had to learn to chop that up into short-term goals. One day will be just for planning. The next I will write one chapter. I can’t stop until I finish it, but once I do I’m done for the day. Or if I’m editing, I have to finish two chapters per day. Whatever it is, I have to look at it as small tasks, because seeing it as a whole is too overwhelming for my impatient, impulsive personality.

And favorite thing to do at the end of a long day of writing? Usually after writing, I am busy splitting parenting activities with my husband: making dinner, getting the kids’ bath, pajamas, bedtime books, etc. So it’s not until the kids are in bed that I have time to relax. At that point, I’m usually so exhausted that I flop into bed with a book or my New Yorker magazine, or bring my laptop with me and read scandalous celebrity gossip! (Shhh… shameful confession!) When my husband offers to do all the kiddie stuff himself (when he sees that I’m falling over), I take a one-hour bath with a book and a glass of wine.

5. Can you tell us something that people would find surprising about you?
I don’t have a television connection… by choice. My tv set is only used for DVDs! So when people talk about different television series or personalities, I don’t have a clue what they’re talking about. (Except for True Blood – my friend Kim sent me the series on DVD. Which I LOVE.)

6. What else can people expect from the Revenants series? Do you know how many books will be in the series?

DIE FOR ME is a trilogy. But I certainly have enough of a story to write another book or maybe spinoff books. I also have another series I’d like to write however, so who knows what will happen! So as far as the actual books go—your guess is as good as mine.

However, as for the story line, you can expect to discover more about the revenant mythology. You will learn more about the other characters. And you will see how Kate and Vincent respond to new challenges posed both by their relationship and by this dangerous supernatural world that Kate is just beginning to discover.

Die for Me by Amy Plum
Publisher: HarperTeen (May 10th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 341 pages Series: Revenants, book #1 My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.
Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.
Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.
Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies.. immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.
While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

Find Amy Plum
Website | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Purchase Die for Me
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

I'd like to welcome Carla Buckley, author of "The Things That Keep Us Here, " as my guest. Everybody say, "Hello Carla."

Tell us a bit about you — who is Carla Buckley?
I’m a wife, mother of three, and coddler of two small dogs. Growing up, I was passionate about both art and writing, studied both in college, worked as an artist and a writer afterward, but it wasn’t until I decided to stay home following the birth of my first child that I narrowed my focus to writing.

How long did it take you to write "The Things That Keep Us Here?"
Six months to produce a draft I could share with my literary agent, another six months working on the feedback she gave me, then a final six months revising it with my editor.

Explain the process you went through after you had finished writing the novel.
Usually, after I’ve finished a manuscript and sent it off to my agent to be shopped to publishers, I immediately begin writing the next book. This time, however, I held off. The Things That Keep Us Here was a different kind of book to me, one that represented a huge leap forward in my writing, and I wanted to see how it fared before I re-committed myself to the writing process. The Things That Keep Us Here was turned down three times--because publishers didn’t want to touch the topic of bird flu--before it found a home at Bantam Dell, with an editor I’m privileged to call mine.

Do you have any writing habits or anything you HAD to do before sitting down to write the novel?
Years ago, a screenplay writer taught me how to plot according to a three-act structure, and that’s what I follow before I begin writing: I set up the three acts, each with their turning points, and pretty much lay out the entire novel in my head before I start.

There is a lot of scientific information that, as a non-scientist, sounds completely plausible in your novel; where did you get this information or are you a closet-scientist?
I am a confirmed non-scientist! In school, science terrified me, with all its intricacies and seeming irrelevance, and I avoided it wherever I could. It’s ironic, perhaps, that I married an environmental scientist, which allowed me to see science from a different perspective, and understand its own serene beauty. When I undertook to write The Things That Keep Us Here, I did a great deal of research: I read everything I could on avian influenza, and interviewed scientists from The Ohio State University who actually do the work that my character, Peter, does. It’s these scientists, whom I acknowledge in my book, who made the science leap from the page for me.

What is your favorite thing about your novel?
This is such a great question. I’d have to say it’s the turning point in the middle, where my character Ann, surrounded by death and fear and confusion, confronts who she really is at heart, and makes an impossible choice. For me, this is what my novel is really about: who are we deep inside, when we can’t rely on someone else to save or protect us, and how do we live with the choice we make? I’ve heard from many readers on this part of the book, which delights me.

If you had to describe "The Things That Keep Us Here" in three words — what words would you choose?
Frightening, poignant, and real

Where did the title come from?
My original title was Flu Season, which my publisher felt wasn’t a perfect match. Over the course of six or so months, I tried out other options: Six Hours, Flight Risk. My book was sold to the UK and Germany as Out of Thin Air. None were quite right. Finally, facing a catalog deadline, the senior people at Random House got together and brainstormed, and my editor called me the next morning with the final title, The Things That Keep Us Here. I’m deeply honored that my publishing house was so invested in finding the perfect title for me.

What are you currently working on?
My next book also focuses on a global threat, as shown from the perspective of the non-scientist. In it, a woman, long estranged from her hometown and her family, returns to find her sister dead and others sick from the same disease. Although I don't want to reveal the source of the illness, I will say it's based on a truly frightening phenomenon that few people are aware of, but scientists are looking into, and I predict it will start making headlines shortly.

What are you currently reading?
I’m halfway through two novels, both debuts. The Murderer’s Daughters, by Randy Susan Meyers, which is a heart-rending story about two young girls who witness their father’s murder of their mother, and how their lives are forever shaped. Meyers does a fantastic job of moving the action forward, and it’s hard to believe this is her first novel. And The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book so driven by voice as this one is, and I’m loving every page.

Where can you be found offline?
The very few hours that I’m not writing, I’m walking my dogs, working out at my local rec center, and ferrying my children around to their various activities. Sometimes, I make dinner! My sister is my writing partner (and the best writer I know), and we regularly get together for a many-hour lunch at a local sandwich shop to pound out various issues in both our works in progress.

Where can you be found online?
My website is my online home: www.google.com. There, readers can contact me, or reach me through Facebook, Twitter, goodreads, and LibraryThing.

Any last comments?
Thanks for hosting me here, Miss Remmers. It’s always a delight to meet another reader as passionate about books as I am!

Not only do Carla and I share a passion for reading — we also have similar roots. Her husband is from Northern Minnesota and it turns out that she frequently visits my own home town of Cass Lake, MN for summer vacations!

If you haven't read, "The Things That Keep Us Here, " you are definitely missing out. This is one of the best adult fiction books I've read. Highly recommend it.

Carla, thank you so much for stopping by!

1. What can you tell us about Killer’s Instinct?

Killer’s Instinct is the first book in the Most-Wanted Monsters series Judith Graves and I are co-writing and Leap Books is publishing. We’re excited that Leap is testing an innovative, new format by releasing Killer’s Instinct in 6 cliffhanger e-episodes throughout 2013, and then publishing the print book in its entirety in 2014.

Here’s the official blurb for Killer’s Instinct. It’s creeptastic!

Where there is NO life – there’s Hope.
Hope has always been a bit of a freak. But when her mother crawls from her grave and her undead corpse goes MIA, Hope's last thread of normal snaps with a vengeance.

Enrolling in a militia-style school for monster slayers seems the only course of action. And the best bet at tracking her mother down.
But does Hope have a true killer's instinct? If she finds her mother, will she have the guts to do what must be done?

If you’re into monsters, why not check out the Most-Wanted Monsters blog at www.mostwantedmonsters.blogspot.com, where Judith and I wax poetic about some of the world’s most sought after beasties. Hey, it might even save your life.

2. What do you like to listen to while writing?

It really depends on what project I’m working on. Every character kind of has his/her own soundtrack. Lately, I’ve been leaning towards the heavier stuff, like Marilyn Manson and Linkin Park, but I’ve been known to write to pop and classical, as well. My family knows to walk away when the headphones are in, or the iPod is cranked.

3. What is your writing process like?

Chaos. I’ve always got a lot of projects on the go, and I’m not much of a plotter, except when I have to (or when I’m working with Judith Graves on something – she’s the plot master and she wields a mighty whip!) I try to write at least 1,000 words a day on any given project, but I’m more apt to binge write and then take a few days of break. I have several writing places throughout the house – my husband even built me a small writing “cabin” in the back yard – but more often I’m sitting at the kitchen table.

4. Is it more difficult to develop a book or a story for an anthology?

I’ve never considered myself a strong short story writer. Even though I think I write “tight” I can never figure out how to get all of the elements of the story into something that isn’t a novel. But I love reading shorts stories, and I had a lot of fun writing THREAD OF THE PAST for the SPIRITED anthology, so it’s certainly something I’ll keep working on.

Fun questions, Jessica. Thank you!

Spirited: 13 Haunting Tales (anthology)
Published: Leap Books (February 13th, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 332 pages
Leap Books has summoned some big names in fiction to help put together 13 ghostly stories to support a good cause. Spirited drops this October, with all proceeds to be donated to 826 National. 826 offers free after-school tutoring, workshops, and in-school programs because they believe that"strong writing skills are fundamental to future success." The authors featured in the anthology, from best-sellers to wickedly talented debuts, will participate in a chilling blog tour that's guaranteed to raise your goosebumps.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Amazon

HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

As the first Author Interview of the New Year, I'd like to welcome Barbara Fifield, author of "Lucifer Rising."

Tell us a little bit about you. Who is Barbara Fifield?

I am an Army Brat and lived in Germany and Japan as a child. I’ve been writing since I was 11 and won the best short story contest in sixth grade. I had to read my story in front of a class of 45 students (this was the 50’s during the Baby Boom). They loved my story so much they had me read it three times, even though there were other students who had to read theirs. I’ve been writing ever since and majored in journalism in college. I continued to write stories, poems, and plays. One of my poems about dancing was selected by a music company to be made into a song, but I never followed up on it. When I was 18, I wrote my first novel, "The Early Autumn," a teen love story. It was too long and needed editing. A publisher told me to throw it away and write another book. I wrote another one in my 30’s, called "Only Time Will Tell," a novel loosely based on my first marriage which was crumbling at the time. I kept parts of it which I plan to use in my next novel and tossed the rest away, after sending it out to only one literary agent and getting rejected. At this time, I had also returned to college to finish up my journalism degree which had been delayed due to the births of my two children. After writing on newspapers for several years and not making much money, I went back to school and received a Master’s Degree in Social Work as there were a lot of jobs in that field during the 1980’s. I wrote another novel called "Letting Go," where the main character, Marjorie, works as a social worker with abused women, then meets her second husband. That is the next book I plan to publish, maybe in a couple of years, after several more rewrites. My first novel, "Photographs and Memories," published last spring, is about how the character Angela coped with moving to Florida and the death of her second husband.

Describe the publication process you went through after writing "Lucifer Rising."

"Lucifer Rising" is my second novel and was published the end of June, 2009. It’s a fantasy romance about a female reporter, Elsa, who falls in love with a cult leader who happens to be a reincarnation of the angel, Lucifer. After many break ups, she finally leaves him, hopefully for good, although she questions her decision at the end. I base a lot of my characters on people I’ve known, and using my imagination, I concoct fictional personalities. The events that happen in the novel, such as Elsa finding her lover with another woman are made up but could have happened in real life to the characters, based on the personalities of the individuals they depict. The novel was published by Outskirts Press in only six months after it was submitted.

What was the easiest thing about writing "Lucifer Rising?" The hardest?

"Lucifer Rising" just flowed from me, with little rewriting, while I was waiting for my first novel, "Photographs and Memories," to be published. I’ve never found an easier book to write. The hardest thing about writing "Lucifer Rising" was expressing feelings of pain and rejection through Elsa, the main character. Although she realizes her lover, Tyrell, is evil, she still cares about him and keeps trying to make it work.

Describe "Lucifer Rising" in three words.

In three words, "Lucifer Rising" could be described as “Cultist captivates women.”

Do you have any habits when you write? If so, what are they.

Writing habits: I write for hours on end, rewriting as I go, then rewriting what I wrote earlier the next day. Sometimes it takes me weeks to finish one chapter. When my head starts spinning from all of the rewrites, I often go out to take a walk. That clears my mind.

What is something surprising or shocking about you that most people don't know?

Many events and characters I write about I’ve experienced which may surprise many readers.

Where do you hang out offline?

I am involved in many clubs off-line. I am the newsletter editor for a local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). I also attend Toastmaster’s which is training me how to speak to audiences about my novels.

Where do you hang out online?

Visit my website at http://fifieldauthor.com/

If after reading the review and readers want to purchase the novel, where should they go?

Those who wish to purchase "Lucifer Rising" may find it on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.co,m or Outskirtspress.com’s bookstore.

Thank you, Barbara, for stopping by and answering a few questions. My review of "Lucifer Rising" will be posted soon.

1. What is one if your favorite lines from Sirens?

I have to give you two lines, two sentences, just because they go together (kind of like my two voices, Josephine and Louise): “We were mirrors, reflections, like in a Coney Island funhouse. One of us would levitate, and one of us would disappear, if you get my drift, and the twist was which of us would do what.”

2. What is the hardest part of writing a historical novel?

The hardest part of writing any novel for me is the first draft. That’s because I’m a “seat of the pants” writer. I don’t outline or plan – I just get it out on paper the best way I can. Now, historical novels require a lot of research, and that actually helps, because I feel the time period and the voice so clearly as I research.

But if I had to say what is the hardest thing about writing historicals? It would have to be making sure that I get it right. I hope I never have to apologize for making an historical mistake – getting a fact wrong.

3. Do you ever have certain “playlists” you listen to while writing?

Actually, not while writing. I need pretty much complete silence while I write. That’s not to say I need to close my doors and windows or anything; but I can’t listen even to music while I’m at the computer. Otherwise I just end up sitting back and singing along. Or standing up and dancing.

However, I often have songs in my head and listen to stuff between stints of writing. Sometimes it’s music of the period and sometimes it’s contemporary stuff that just fits the mood. And I love making up playlists to go with the story as I’m puzzling out pieces while I’m walking.

4. Do you have any strange writing habits?

I alluded to the walking thing – I take a walk every day. If I’m trying to sort out a part of a novel that’s giving me fits I take it with me on the walk. And I find that at about the same place on the walk, each and every day, the answer comes to me, or at least I have a new clue. It’s quite rewarding.

Plus, I get my exercise.

Forgiven by Janet Fox
Published: Speak (June 2nd, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: Faithful, #2
Kula Baker never expected to find herself on the streets of San Francisco, alone but for a letter of introduction. Though she has come to the city to save her father from a cruel fate, Kula soon finds herself swept up in a world of art and elegance — a world she hardly dared dream of back in Montana, where she was no more than the daughter of an outlaw. And then there is the handsome David Wong, whose smiling eyes and soft-spoken manner have an uncanny way of breaking through Kula's carefully crafted reserve. Yet when disaster strikes and the wreckage threatens all she holds dear, Kula realizes that only by unlocking her heart can she begin to carve a new future for herself.

Siren s by Janet Fox Published: Speak (November 8th) Reading Level: Young Adult Series: Faithful, #3 When Jo Winter’s parents send her off to live with her rich cousin on the glittering island of Manhattan, it’s to find a husband and forget about her brother Teddy’s death. But all that glitters is not gold,. Caught up in the swirl of her cousin’s bobbed-hair set—and the men that court them—Jo soon realizes that the talk of marriage never stops, and behind the seemingly boundless gains are illicit business endeavors, gangsters, and their molls. Jo would much rather spend time the handsome but quiet Charles, a waiter at the Algonquin Hotel, than drape herself
over a bootlegger. But when she befriends a moll to one of the most powerful men in town, Jo begins to uncover secrets—secrets that threaten an empire and could secure Jo’s freedom from her family. Can her newfound power buy her love? Or will it to ruin Jo, and everyone around her?

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

1. Can you share with us how you juggle raising 4 kids and writing? Any tips?

Careful planning and lots of organization! My kids have always been on a schedule… it was the only way I could get anything done or have some"me" time: -) I also learned to become the queen of multi-tasking. As far as writing, when they were little, I would write during naptime. When they outgrew naps, I would write during quiet time (they had to go somewhere quiet and watch a full movie while resting, and then they could come out. If they came out before it was done, they had to go back to naps. Worked like a charm). Now all my kids are in school, but I still tend to write in the afternoon. I guess I'm just conditioned that way, so that's when I'm most creative. Always schedule"me" time, or you will go crazy. When mommy's happy, everybody's happy; )
2. What has been the most surprising part of the writing, publishing, and promoting process for you?

The surprising part of writing has been discovering I can write a lot more genres than I originally thought. I love light and funny, but I always thought that meant I could only write romantic comedies or chick lit. I never realized I could still keep my voice and write light and funny stories in both UMG action adventure stories as well as adult cozy mysteries. It's been fun stepping outside of my box, and who knows, I just might try something else as well: -) As far as publishing, I never realized how long it takes for a book to hit the shelves. A year is actually a quick turnaround these days. And for promotion, I had no clue how much work is involved on my part and how little control a writer has over how much his or her publisher is willing to do. Yet promotion is everything when it comes to a book's success, especially in the first sixty days. Thank goodness I love promotion, but the key is to balance promoting a book while working on your next work in progress. Not an easy task.

3. The Samantha Granger Experiment: Fused is a very unique story. Have you had any other ideas that are unique, but you are more hesitant to tackle them?

I never lack for ideas, and I've learned over the years to go for unique. The more unique the better. However, the publishing world is fickle. They don't always go for them, but that doesn't mean they never will.The key is to keep coming up with premises that are different until one sticks. But don't chuck the rest, keep them and keep going back to them. The publishing world works in cycles. What's oversaturated now will come back around in five or ten years, so that great idea you had for a certain type of book is never really dead. It's just dormant, waiting to be reborn: -)

4. Can you give us a few hints as to what Samantha may face in book 2?

In book two, FEARLESS June, 2011, Samantha Granger has finally come to terms with being different. The only way to keep her situation under control is to stay far away from Trevor Hamilton or risk bringing Digital Diva out of retirement. She gets her wish when the goverment gets involved. They've discovered Sam's identity and threaten to expose her if she doesn't cooperate. She's whisked off to Washington DC to a special school for gifted students called IPR (Institute of Phenomenal Research), where she discovers she's not alone. Only, when a mole threatens their very existence, it's up to Sam and her fellow Phenoteens to save themselves.
5. Your other series is described as a"Paranormal Adult Cozy Mystery"; can you tell us a little about it?

TEMPEST IN THE TEA LEAVES (August 2011) Sunshine Meadows is a big city psychic who moves to a small town in Upstate NY to open her fortune telling business, inheriting a haunted house and a strange cat residing within. Sunny gives her first reading to the town librarian and discovers the woman is going to die. When the woman flees in teror, Sunny calls the police. Only, the hard nosed cynical detective is a"non-believer". He finds the librarian dead, and Sunny becomes his number one suspect, forcing her to prove her innocence.
6. Is it difficult to jump from writing a middle grade book, to writing an adult book? What are the challenges of those transitions, if any?

Both my heroines are fun quirky characters and the stories both have humor and a bit of romance; however, the tone and pace are different. My Samantha Granger books are fast paced and full of action and adventure. Whereas my fortune teller books are slower paced and have that Murder She Wrote cozy feel to them. When I finish one book, it's refreshing to write something different. Keeps things fun and interesting so I don't get bored, and writing never becomes a chore. The most difficult part is making sure my language sounds age appropriate. I don't want Sunny sounding too young, or Samantha sounding too old: -)
7. What is next for you and what are you working on now?

FUSED is out on the shelves, FEARLESS is finished and comes out in June, TEMPEST IN THE TEA LEAVES is fiinished and comes out in August. Right now I am working on book 3 of Samantha Granger, FREEDOM, which will come out in November of 2011, and then after that I will start book 2 of my fortune teller series, CORPSE IN THE CRYSTAL BALL, which will come out in May of 2012, followed by TROUBLE IN THE TAROT CARDS which will come out in February 2013. Phew! Deadlines galore. Careful what you wish for, people, but I'm not complaining: -)

Thanks so much for listening to me ramble, people, and please let me know what you think of FUSED! I love hearing from my readers: -)

The Samantha Granger Experiment: Fused by Kari Lee Townsend Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (November 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Middle Grade Paperback: 192 pages After Sam is fused with her cell phone, she's ready to conquer the world! Or at least the 8th grade…

When Samantha Granger touches a meteor while talking on her cell phone, her life is changed forever: her body now has all the capabilities of her phone (GPS, phone, text, camera). She secretly calls herself a"Digital Diva" as she rushes to answer emergency calls. But will her identity be discovered when sparks fly (literally!) between her and Trevor, her dreamy crush? Samantha has to get a handle on her abilities and quick, because when Sam gets kidnapped and the entire town is in danger, she is the only one who can save them.

The Samantha Granger Experiment: Fearless, book 2 of the series, will be out June 7th, 2011.

Find out more about Kari Lee Townsend Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase The Samantha Granger Experiment: Fused Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / IndieBound

If you could share any thoughts or feelings with authors, what would you like to tell them?

That we truly appreciate them and everything they do. Authors are people too, and they work so hard on their books, they deserve some praise for a job well done (especially since the work they did is giving thousands of people joy when they read it). — Kayla at Midnight Twilight's Book Blog
Don't get pissed at a bad review, and sure as hell don't pick a fight with the reviewer. I've seen it happen a few times — it's rare, but it's happened. Relax. One person hating your book won't kill you. If they bash it, they bash it. Take the higher ground. — Nicole at WORD for Teens
I hope the authors of YA lit know just how incredibly important they are. The dedication they put in to their books literally changes lives. Teens need books that they can connect with. Not only does it get them reading but it helps them to see that they are not alone. During a time of life that can be so confusing YA authors help their readers to find acceptance. — Heidi at YA Bibliophile
Responding to your readers is one of the greatest things you can ever do. That little bit of interaction not only inspires me to bring others into the worlds you have created but just may make me a fan for life. The five minutes spent on one email could equal 20+ new readers through my word of mouth. Debbie Macomber is one of those amazing writers and the first I ever wrote to 15 years ago now. While I haven't read anything by her lately, I would recommend her in a heart beat,,, and speaking of, I think I'll go pick up her latest! — Kelli at Scarlett's Scraps
Just keep writing- there are lots of people out there desperate to read your work. I'd also like to tell them about bookcrossing and encourage them to think about how it can increase their number of potential readers. — Abigailann at The Story Factory Reading Zone
That they are fantastic, inspiring, and they make my life so much better by writing these amazing creative fictional worlds that I can escape to from my normal life. — Cynthia at A Blog about Nothing
I would just tell them how awesome they are. I would love to have the imaganation to write wonderful stories that draw you in. Without great authors writing wonderful books life would be very dull. — Megan at Reading Away the Days
I would thank them for the opportunity of sharing there stories, and lives with us through there books, and social media. Reagan at Star Shadow Blog
I would love to tell authors"thanks for following your dreams and for sharing them with us." Honestly, authors are inspiring whether their books are good or bad, they have put themselves out there. There share their thoughts and ideas with us through the power of the printed word. Anyone who puts themselves out there to be praised or criticized is pretty dang awesome in my book. — Lisa at Bookworm Lisa
I would love to just be in ultimate fan-mode with them. I want to let those authors out there how much I love them! They are so clever and awesome. All authors need more love! — Gina at The Bucket List
As an overall comment I'd tell authors it really is cool that they are so involved in social networking. It really gives the whole blogging and reading experience something extra fabulous. — Stacey at Flippin' Fabulous — A Reader's Record
I have such a deep admiration for writers, and wish I had that kind of talent and determiniation. Thank you for continually providing us new worlds to explore, and new characters to connect with! -Christi at Christi the Teen Librarian I admire authors with perseverance. I enjoy seeing success stories and I would like to thank all those wonderful authors who have inspired me to keep writing. — J.L. at J.L. Jackson
I started blogging about books, simply because it looked like fun. I was already doing reviews for stuff I got on Amazon, so I decided to make my own spot for my thoughts and share them with others. — Ellen at Silver Tabby Books
Tough question! I think the one overarching theme I would like to share with any author is my sense of gratitude. Through their words, I have been able to explore worlds, visit times and places that I would have never dreamed possible. At the same time, I have discovered more about myself — my likes, my dislikes, my values, and so forth — that most people struggle to discover because their books and words afford me the opportunity to learn. I am who I am because of their words, for which I am forever in their debt. — Michelle at That's What She Read
Keep writing! I'm sooooo thankful to all the authors writing books, because without them I wouldn't be able to read. I love discovering new favorite books that stick with my and that I lie in bed thinking about at night. — Thia at Through the Book Vine
Keep writing. I love a good movie, but there is nothing like making a cup of tea and curling up with a good book – preferably a cozy mystery. — Ann at Cozy in Texas
I don't think anyone has an obligation to like what you've written, just because it's published. Personally, I do think there's an obligation to be respectful, but that's a two way street.
-Don't turn down free publicity! — Cat at Cat's Thoughts
That I am absolutely amazed at the time and energy that they put into their books (and interacting with the online community), and just how unbelievably nice the mass majority of the are. — Orchid at The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia
"Thank you." That about sums it all up for me."Thank you for getting up every day, sitting down at the keyboard and spending hours upon hours, pouring yourself onto the page, tapping deep into your imagination, all with no promise of reward or compensation, but fueled by the belief that telling a story is the most important thing in the world. It is, and for that we're grateful for what you do." That's what I would tell every author I meet. — David at Quivering Pen Blog
THANK YOU! Also, I swear I’m not really as dumb as my tongue-tied babbling fangirly state makes me seem! — Small at Small Reviews
Give the book blogger community more credit — most of us take this as seriously as any high-paying job should be, and we operate with a veracity that can be hard to find in many paying jobs. Our work can and does impact book sales, even if those numbers are difficult to track. — Rachel at Jacob's Beloved's Books
Thank you for sharing your gift of storytelling and writing to us. Know that you are changing or have changed someone's life. — Len at Musings of a Reader Happy
I would share with any author that when they travel and take time to visit with their readers, it makes a reader even more excited to go out and read their previous works or future works for that matter too. — Kristin at Kritters Ramblings
I just want to let you know that you are awesome! Though some of your more obscure books may be hard to locate, you have fans! Also, many bloggers, myself included, love a simple recognition. So, shout-outs or even"likes" go a long way in the fan-girl screaming categories! Mainly, I commend you for having the guts to write down what you feel and for having the courage to hand it over to a publisher to be ripped apart and criticized. It takes a lot of bravery, but you succeeded. — Nora at The Bookery
First, I'd thank them for taking their thoughts and using words on a page to create these works of arts. Then I'd want to know about their specific processes and/ or inspiration. A bit of a bland response, but I'm a simple person looking for the answers to simple questions. — Kim at Book Munchies
I would probably say thank you. They take me to another world that can't be compared to TV and movies. The way you play with words truly amazes me each time I read a book. Therefore, thank you so much for writing. — Lindsay at Just Another Book Addict
I hope that you never run across a blogger who treats you unkindly or unfairly. If you do, please do not let one bad experience ruin your opinion of us all. I have met some amazing bloggers who wish nothing but success to authors and their books. — Shannon at Books Devoured

*Part 3 of 3 will be posted soon.
USE GOOGLE if you want to know more about the blogoversary celebration.

Jennifer Echols is here today to talk about her brand new book Love Story.

If you haven't read it, or any other of Janenifer's books yet, do it! They are wonderful!

Can you tell us 10 of your guilty pleasures? Oreos Fritos American Idol Cake icing Stupid, funny movies (Hot Tub Time Machine) Phineas and Ferb Krispy Kreme doughnuts Cadbury Creme eggs COPS Reno 911!
Name 10 places you'd love to visit. New York Las Vegas Key West Hawaii La Jolla, California Destin, Florida Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Miami Lake Martin, Alabama (where I grew up--swimming in the lake would be nice today!) Thailand (where my husband was born)

Love Story by Janenifer Echols Publisher: MTV Books (July 19th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 256 pages She's writing about him. he's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines.

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter.. so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter.. except this story could come true.

Find Janenifer Echols Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Purchase Love Story
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

This tour is hosted by The {Teen} Book Scene. Tour details can be found here.

3. Do you have your own blog or plan to start one? (If you have one, do you find blogging to be fun? If you don't have one, why the heck not??)

I’ve had a blog (http://blog.jerismithready.com) since September 2004. When I first started blogging, it was this magical way to interact instantaneously with my friends (and eventually readers) and spout off about whatever weird thing I was thinking about. It was more fun, inclusive, and substantive than e-mail and chats. But now, Twitter and Facebook satisfy my urge to socialize much better than blogging does. I can have an actual conversation instead of me putting out this essay and people responding.

I really admire authors who can blog well and do it consistently, but good blogging for me comes from the same well of creative energy as writing books does. So you can always tell when my writing is going well, because that’s when my blog gets really quiet.

I think authors (or anyone) should only do the stuff online that they enjoy, because that — Jeri Smith-Ready

I do have three blogs. One is on my website--nancyholder.com. Another is my live journal blog (Nancy Holder) and I am a member of the Simon and Schuster Pulse It! Community for teen readers. I wish I had more time to just sit and blog. I read a number of other people's blogs to wind down late at night, and I thoroughly enjoy catching up on their experiences. — Nancy Holder

I have blogs, but not a book blog. My author blog is at www.KristieCook.com and my writer blog (yes, there’s a difference, this one is for other writers) is at http://a-musedwriter.blogspot.com/ I would love to have a book blog but I would want to give it the time and love needed to make it as great as this one. If I did that, I’d never get another book written, which could upset a few people, including myself. — Kristie Cook

I have had a blog since 2004. I’ve chronicled my writing career, my books, my trips to England and other far-flung places. Now I currently maintain two blogs – one for the main JanaOliver.com website and one for the UK DemonTrappers.co.uk site. Sometimes the main website content is mirrored on the UK blog, but most time the UK has a different bent. It’s quite a challenge to come up with interesting articles to post. I’m not as polished as some, but I do enjoy it. — Jana Oliver

I tried blogging, but it doesn’t come naturally to me. While I can lose myself in writing fiction, writing a blog is, in a way, baring my soul (without the shield of fiction!) I used to write book reviews for newspapers, and when my first book came out, I found I couldn’t do it anymore. — Julie Chibbaro

I totally have an author's blog and I love it. There's so much more to blogging than just"dear diary." A lot of work goes into it, and the potential for fun is endless. — Janenifer DeLucy

I do indeed, at www.hollycupala.com. I blog about beloved books, events, and of course lots of secrets about Tell Me a Secret and Don’t Breathe a Word. One of my favorite series ever was when a bunch of YA bloggers guest posted for me on What YA Bloggers Want. It was a lot of fun to see what they said—and helpful for me as an author. Thank you for participating, Jessica! — Holly Cupala

I blog! At http://bethrevis.blogspot.com. I blogged for years before I got my book deal and I adore the blogging community. — Beth Revis

Yes, I do have a blog on my website, and blogging is definitely fun! I enjoy writing about different topics that will hopefully be of interest to readers. — Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

I do have a blog as part of my webpage, and I usually use it to make announcements and share reviews of the books that I'm reading. I'll admit that I'm not that active with it, but it's a great way to keep in contact with people and respond to news and stuff. Having it linked to Goodreads is really great because I've been lucky enough to find a lot of readers over there. — Jason Letts

I have a blog, but it's for my shameless promoting. lol. I wish I had more time to review books on there and write other stuff. Maybe one day when my preschoolers are older. — Brenda Pandos

* The fourth question for the bloggers will be posted tomorrow in 3 parts. USE GOOGLE if you want to know more about the blogoversary celebration.

Jennifer R. Hubbard is here today to talk a little about her newest book Try Not to Breathe. It was just released last week and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Fill out the form below to be entered for some swag!

1. Try Not to Breathe had a cover makeover. Can you tell us a little about the process and what your reactions have been as you've seen the old and new covers?
The original cover, which appeared on the ARC, captured several of the book's symbols: rain, glass, waterfall. It was also a beautiful cover, pale blue with that dreamy quality. The cover that is going on the hardback is bolder, edgier, perhaps more modern-looking: it's a closeup of two faces.
Authors generally don't have input into their covers, and I didn't have any say over either image. What the design team is aiming for is a cover that will make people look at the book and pick it up. I'm not a visual artist nor a designer, so I don't really know what will accomplish that. I only hope that people like what's inside!
Because the change was made fairly late in the design process, I had bookmarks made with the original cover, and I have bookmarks with the new cover. I'm happy to provide both to people who request them!
2. Did your writing strategy or style change as you prepared to write this novel — as compared to when you wrote The Secret Year?
I was toying with the idea of writing a verse novel when I started Try Not to Breathe. The beginning of the first draft was a mix of verse and cut-line prose and prose poems, very different from the first draft of The Secret Year. I quickly turned this book into traditional prose, but (I hope) something poetic about the language remains.
3. Can you tell us 5 words you would use to describe each character — Ryan and Nicki?
Ryan: thoughtful, cautious, loyal, intelligent, self-protective Nicki: sympathetic, free-spirited, adventurous, assertive, curious
4. What is the biggest lesson you have learned as an author?
That's a very difficult question. Probably, I would say that the writing itself is still its own reward. Writing brings us many side benefits, and communicating with others through novels is a wonderful experience. But there's so much we can't control, so much that's a matter of chance, about what happens to a piece of writing when it goes out into the world. The writing itself is the starting point and the central act, and it's a beautiful thing to do no matter what else happens afterward.

Try Not to Breathe by Janenifer R. Hubbard Publisher: Viking (January 19th, 2012) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 272 pages A dark and provocative novel from the author of The Secret Year

Ryan spends most of his time alone at the local waterfall because it’s the only thing that makes him feel alive. He’s sixteen, post-suicidal, and trying to figure out what to do with himself after a stint in a mental hospital. Then Nicki barges into his world, brimming with life and energy, and asking questions about Ryan’s depression that no one else has ever been brave enough—or cared enough—to ask. Ryan isn’t sure why he trusts Nicki with his darkest secrets, but that trust turns out to be the catalyst that he desperately needs to start living again.

Prize:

• 5 winners will receive a Try Not to Breathe bookmark.

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US/CA and ends February 7th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Blog

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Today is the release day for The Near Witch and I have the wonderful Victoria Schwab here today to talk about the book.

I am super excited to talk to her because I will be meeting her on August 7th in Knoxville as part of the Ash to Nash tour!

1. You have explored quite a few college majors and careers. Can you tell us a little about what you learned from your experiences?
--I learned that physics wasn't for me, drama had too much drama, art history was too quiet to be a morning class, every religion has its own gorgeous stories, the majority of creative writing students are not very creative when it comes to writing (and goodness help you if you want to be a PUBLISHED one *cough*sellout*cough*), film doesn't give you credit for enjoying the films too much to take notes, and art students have perfected a method of staying up all night using only a bag of skittles.

2. How did you first get into writing?
--By writing really, really bad poetry. And then by writing slightly better poetry. By the time I decided to try writing a book, I had NO idea what I was doing, but I knew I could assemble words in lovely ways. Next I had to learn structure. That took a little while and a good deal of rejection. Thankfully.

3. What has been the most surprising thing to happen to you since The Near Witch started grabbing everyone's attention?
--I have two favorites. One is authors I adore/admire knowing that I even exist, let alone several of them having read (and enjoyed!!) NW. That's just beyond surreal and surprising. The second was hearing from a friend that their non-reader friend suggested my book to her, after the non-reader's mother, a high-school teacher, had mentioned it to her, after having overheard students in her hall talking about books they wanted to read that summer. That was pretty dang cool.

4. If you could tell people one thing about The Near Witch, what would it be?
--It's a fairy tale. And it's written that way. It's meant to be airy, and sparse, a bit blurred at the edges, a window into a world, rather than a door. Go in knowing that.

5. You will be going on tour with Beth Revis and Myra McEntire soon. What crazy things do you all have planned?
--OH THE ANTICS. There are planned ones, and ones that we couldn't plan if we tried. But rest assured, there will be lots of laughing.We are three loud and largely inappropriate people.

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Hyperion Books (August 2nd, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 288 pages
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Find Victoria Schwab
Victoria Schwab | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter

Purchase The Near Witch
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

If you could share any thoughts or feelings with authors, what would you like to tell them?

ISALYS: How much I admire them!! As a matter of fact, I had this conversation with my hubby the other day. I know a lot of hard work goes into being a actor or athlete or musician, but none of that compares to the hard work, dedication and talent that it takes to put together a great book that is enjoyed by so many all around the world. And above all that, authors are still so real! They tour the country taking the time to meet their fans, sign books, take pictures. They tweet us and tell us about their goals, their frustrations or what traffic was like that day. I love that they are not unreachable!

VANESSA: Again, I'd have to agree. I'd tell them how much I admire them! It takes real talent to be able to tell a story and captivate a reader. Especially when it's one of those books that just stays in your heart forever. ♥ — Isalys & Vanessa at Book Soulmates
I would first have to say Thank You. Thank you for working with, hanging out and talking to everyone in the blogging community. Without you, being a book blogger would be a tad on the quiet side. We do what we do because of what you do. I’ve had such a great… wow, almost 2 years now working on my blog and every author I’ve talked to and worked with has always been great to me. I know I’m excited and eager to get to know more of you and I hope to host you on my blog sometime soon. — Lisa at A Life Bound by Books
Keep writing! — Chris at Chrisbookaram
Keep writing amazing stories. YA is certainly the place to be and so many great books are coming out! It's an exciting time. — Janenifer at YA Book Nerd
That they are awesome and amazing for supporting bloggers the way they do. I know some don't like bloggers, and that's fine, but the ones that do are always so great about talking to us on twitter, or doing interviews, and all that other good stuff. They don't have to do any of that, but they do, and it never ceases to amaze me. So, thank you!: D — Jessica at The Firefly Book Loft I would like to tell them how much what they do means, and how appreciative I am of the time they put not only into their books, but also into connecting with their audience. Also, thank you for all the support you've shown to all of us bloggers and fans! — Andye from Reading Teen For the authors I would say: 1) Thank you! I don’t think you hear it enough, but I so appreciate the time, effort, work, heart, and soul that you put into your work. Whether I like your book or not, it takes a lot of guts and determination to put your work out there for the public. 2) You are all awesome! So far throughout this blogging journey, I have not “met” one negative author. I appreciate the time they take to read my reviews & comment as well as @replying to me on twitter. It is all so very sweet of them. — Katelyn at Kayelyn’s Blog
Keep writing!!!!! — Emma at Emma Michaels
Please understand that most book bloggers are swamped with review requests, so don't take it personally if we have to turn you down. Also, never give up on your dream! Keep writing! — Theresa at Fade Into Fantasy
Hmm… that they're in inspiration for aspiring authors like me. I like reading their"how I got published" stories because I read and think,"It happened for
them… it can happen for me." It's awesome to know that I'm not the only
one trudging along this road to publication. I keep going because I see that
others have succeeded.
- Raenice at Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Publication

Well recently I've noticed allot of conflict, I guess you could call it, going on about Negative reviews written by bloggers. But to be honest if I was going to tell an author anything I would tell them truly what I thought out their book, as nicely as possible. I believe that if i was an author I would fully accept negative reviews, jus as long as they have been done tastefully, i would see it as constructive critizm and I believe many authors would agree with me. — Kayleigh at OnceUponABookNerd
A great big THANK YOU! Also, just to let them know that it does mean a lot to bloggers when authors correspond with us in a personal way. — Danya at A Tapestry of Words
Well that's kind of a hard question when I think about it. Especially with all the heated discussions that have been going on this year between authors and bloggers. I'm not sure really. Lame answer I know, but I'm one of those people who can't write speeches. I wait till the last moment when I'm standing in front of the crowd before I realize what it is I have to say. I share my thoughts and feelings with some authors all the time, the ones that I talk to every day (even about silly things), but when I read that question it seems like you mean authors on a bigger scale. And I don't really know. *shrugs* — Khadija at Black Fingernail Reviews
I would just like to thank them for putting their work out there and for writing books for me to read and review. — Grace at Books Like Breathing
I wish I had more time to read your stories and to write my own. — Kirsty from Kirstyes
I admire greatly what they do. I've learned that it's a lot for an author to put the heart and soul into something and then send out in the world. You never know how it's going to be received. — Page at One Book at a Time
Keep writing and I'll keep reading! — Bridgid at Inky Fresh Press
Thank you for being you! I seriously wouldn't even be blogging if there were no books in the world. I admire their creativity and even if I don't particularly like a book, I still appreciate it. I am completely envious of how authors can create brand new worlds in their heads. It's genius. — Kaitlyn at Kaitlyn in Bookland
To every single author who has written any book I ever read (and will read in the future): Thank you, you have offered me an escape from any bad day, bad test grade, argument, flu/allergy, and boring school lecture. Your books offer me a glimpse of worlds I would have not be able to see otherwise. They inspired me, made me cry, made me laugh, and just about any other emotion in between. Thank you for sharing your story with us! — Alex at More Than Just a Book
I like when authors are accessible through social media. I'm not saying you have to be on Twitter or post on your blog everyday, but it's nice for authors to have some kind of forum where people can ask questions or learn about their upcoming projects, etc.
-JL at An Avid Reader's Musings
Thisis a tough one for me because I don't really give it much thought. If I think about it though I would like to say this. Sometimes a blogger will not like your book and that might hurt you; especially if you are on friendly terms with them. So maybe you start to keep your distance. It's not really the best thing to do. I can't stress enough that a blogger not loving your book doesn't mean they have crossed off all of your work altogether, or that they don’t like you. I have had times where I have given a mixed review and it's obvious the author has read it because even though we didn’t talk much, — we would tweet each other from time to time. When they stop replying back you get the message. It doesn't really bother me because like I said I don't really go out of my way to be friends with authors and I don’t have a relationship with any where I can call it a friendship. But it does leave me disappointed because I had planned on getting the sequel or your latest book. After all that I'm not so eager anymore. — Aly at Fantasy4eva

Thank you ALL for helping me celebrate my blogoversary and filling out these questions. You are all amazing!

USE GOOGLE if you want to know more about the blogoversary celebration.

"The characters were all fantastically real to me... I found myself rooting for them and thinking of them well after the book was closed and finished. The plot was extremely fast paced, suspenseful, and down-right addicting." — Miss Remmers
From Amazon.com...
"Not all dreams are sweet.
For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody — notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime. She can't tell anybody about what she does — they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.
Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant... "

Book Trailer I picked this book up simply because it looked good. Then I read the premise and that sounded interesting too. So I put it with the five other "these look good" books at the used bookstore; when I got home I put them on my shelf. Less than 24 hours later I felt drawn to this book, there were loads of other books I needed to get to first but I found myself looking on the shelf for this book in particular after finishing Delirium.
Upon first opening "Wake," I realized that the writing is extremely choppy — and that I liked it that way. The sentences are short and to the point; it's a type of writing style I would normally discourage with my freshmen, but with "Wake" I found that it drew me in and added both mystery and suspense. The choppy writing made the story seem to move faster and with a sense of urgency. Lisa's writing style otherwise was unique and different. The different font for the dreams and the reality were helpful; the dream writing was done so in a way that I felt like I was actually seeing it.
I pitied Janie for her ability, I can't imagine getting pulled into people's dreams without warning. It'd be one thing if she were sleeping too, but that she can be driving, studying, talking, and all of a sudden pass out — not cool. But speaking of cool... Cabel is hot. I've been lucky enough to read two books in a row with fantastically drool worthy male protagonists ("Wake" and "Delirium"). Even when Cabel was being sketchy, I couldn't help but hope he had a plan. On the bus with the McDonalds when he came to her rescue — I almost died of romance! The Snickers bar and the skateboard! This boy has moves and if I weren't engaged to the most romantic man I know (nonfiction wise), I'd let him put his moves on me!
Cabel's "alternate" life was a little hard to buy — but it didn't deter me from reading. Lisa's characters were all fantastically real to me, even with their flaws (especially Janie's a bit unbelievable best friend). I found myself rooting for them and thinking of them well after the book was closed and finished.
The plot, like I said, was extremely fast paced, suspenseful, and down-right addicting. I can't wait to pick up "Fade" and "Gone" from the library today!
Originality: 10/10 Ending: 10/10 Characters: 8/10 Plot: 10/10 My reaction/enjoyment: 9/10 Theme: 10/10 Imagery: 10/10 Setting: 5/5 Voice: 5/5 Style: 5/5 Tone: 5/5 Cover: 10/10 Overall: 97/100 A
To the FTC, with love: Loved and Bought
To find out more about this series and author, visit the following links: -Visit Lisa around the web here: Website | Blog
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Random bit of information: Last night I had to extremely awful nightmares that I'm sure Janie is happy she didn't have to witness. Not the kind of nightmare where I'm naked — but the kind where both my parents have died and I didn't get to say good bye. I just remember wallowing in my dream pity. I'm pretty sure my face was contorted to my "crying face" while I was sleeping because now my cheeks hurt. I also dreamt that I was in a play with my three best friends (all drama majors) and I screwed around the whole time and then didn't know my lines when it came to the opening night and I let them all down.
/End Rant

Love Story by Janenifer Echols
Publisher: Pocket (July 19th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 256 pages
Source: Author (Thank You!)
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Erin Blackwell is headed to college in New York City to study creative writing and earn a living as a romance novelist. Her grandmother has other plans: she approves of the college, but she wants Erin to major in business and then come back home to Kentucky to run the family’s famous racehorse farm. There is no way Erin will agree. Studying in New York and writing her way into a career is her escape from the farm and the family tragedy that happened there. So Erin’s grandmother decides Erin really will live life as a starving artist. She takes Erin’s future job running the farm, her inheritance, even her college tuition, and gives them all to Hunter Allen.

Hunter has lived on the farm for years. He’s Erin’s age, he’s the stable boy, and he’s the romantic dream of every girl in her high school. But he was involved in the family tragedy. Erin has always given him a wide berth. And he’s a slick opportunist. She’s furious that he fooled her grandmother into giving him Erin’s birthright and sending him to Erin’s college.

At least she’s free of him in her creative writing class. So she pens a story that has haunted her lately, in which the horse farm heiress at the very first Kentucky Derby starts a forbidden affair with the lowly stable boy. Unfortunately for her, the day she’s sharing this story with her New York classmates, Hunter walks in. He’s switching to her class. And after reading about himself in Erin’s story, he writes his own sexy assignments that lure Erin into dangerous fantasies about what could have been between them, and what might be.
Review: If there is anything I've learned about Janenifer Echols, it's that she has some of the most unique book ideas ever! Janenifer also knows how to tap into the minds of teenagers. Love Story involves Erin and Hunter. Erin is a a farm girl from Kentucky and Hunter was her stable boy. Against her grandmothers wishes, she is going to New York to study English and writing instead of business so she could take over the farm. Erin's grandmother then decides to show her the difficulty of living without the money from the farm so she takes it all away. Erin is then left on her own to make money and somehow do well in college.

To make things worse for Erin, her grandmother sends Hunter to the same college to study in business and get prepped to take over the farm in Erin's place. While in her creative writing class, Erin writes a story that involves a young girl and her stable boy. The story seems to have some strong similarities to real life for her and Hunter. But Erin knows that no one in the class knows about her true-life. Then Hunter surprises her by joining the class and there is no way to stop him from reading Erin's historical romance.

Love Story jumps from current time into the stories Erin and Hunter create while in class. We have a chance to read their writings and see what underlying feelings may be there between the characters. It was a great way to explore their relationship. The downside was that the jumping back and forth created some confusion for me. Sometimes I wanted more time with the characters and not so much of their writings.

No matter how much Erin fought her feelings for Hunter, or how much she tried to avoid him, he was always right there. Erin was so determined to succeed and follow her dreams. It was refreshing to see that in a YA character. And, of course, Janenifer Echols is a pro at creating swoon-worthy male characters so Hunter was nothing short of amazing!

Although I have enjoyed Janenifer's other books a little more than this one, Love Story is so unique and captivating that you can't put it down! My fan-girlness for her continues and always will!

Find Janenifer Echols Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Purchase Love Story
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

After recently participating in Bloggiesta (hosted by Natasha@Mawbooks) I realized how much motivation I gained by tweeting and visiting with other bloggers who were also working on blog related things. I found that, not only was I much more motivated, I met great new people and I learned a lot. I then started to think of other places I could apply this kind of motivation, and after seeing tons of #amwriting hashtags and planning to sign up for the BEA DIY Conference and Marketplace (not exactly sure what that means), I decided I need some of that motivation when it comes to my writing. I've tried getting up early (and staying up late) to write a bit everyday; but these are habits that I really struggle with, mostly for a lack of organization.

Thus — Just Write was born.

This Spring Break, T is on a Baseball trip to Arizona, all my residents and friends will be enjoying their time off, and I'll still be at school as I'll be student teaching (student teachers don't get Spring Break I guess). I want to use this time to really hash out some writing — good writing. While I plan on devoting much of March 5th — March 11th to this cause, I'd like to invite anyone and everyone to participate in Just Write from March 5th — 7th.

Much like my inspiration (Bloggiesta) , Just Write is a challenge to all writers (aspiring or published) to devote as much time as possible to your craft during this weekend. Whether it be actually writing a plot, working on characterization, editing, drafting, outlining, anything... Just Write. I'm not sure if I'll just start writing or if I'll decide to pick everything apart first by character and then plot (and so on and so forth). Of course, words written will be important as well as content. I'll be making a list of things I want to accomplish (it won't be as "crazy" as Bloggiesta) but it will include things such as outline the plot (Introduction, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Conclusion), back stories (when necessary) on characters, etc. Do with it what you will — Just Write.

How to play:
1. Just Write begins at 8am on Friday, March 5th and goes until 8am on Monday, March 8th. But, if you want to devote more time, I'll be working on Just Write when time allows until March 11th. Like Bloggiesta, aim for an hour amount — challenge youself. You can begin Just Write at anytime between March 5th and 8th — so if you work on Friday, don't let that scare you away.
2. When you start the challenge, come back to the "Starting Line Post" here and directly link it to your specific post about starting Just Write.
3. If you Twitter, use the hashtag #justwrite to join in on the chatter. This is important for continued motivation and support from other writers.

Will there be prizes?
Yes!

What can you do to help?
Spread the word! The more people we have join the challenge, the more moral support we’ll have during the challenge! From Bloggiesta, I know that this is key. Without moral support and motivation — it could be a very long weekend.

If you'd like to host a mini challenge — please email me at google (at) gmail (dot) com. Mini challenges can be (but are not limited to) anything to do with drafting, plot, character, introductions, conclusions, editing, etc. Hopefully we'll get some strong mini challenges going to really get the creative juices going.

Finally, please sign the Mr. Linky below if you intend to participate. If it's just me, I'm not going to be going full out and talking to publicists and authors etc, but if there are others who are interested I want to put the work in (obviously).

PS: Big thanks to Natasha@Maw Books and

From Frugal Plus...
"This stylish, witty, and ambitious book is ideally suited for high school and college students, SAT and ACT test

takers,
business people, and anyone who just wants to know the correct way to write something.
Practice exercises are filled with fascinating, quirky information, making this grammar book actually fun to read. Examples: “The band UB 40 got its name from an unemployment form in England,” or the more somber fact, “Sixty percent of all professional athletes have filed for bankruptcy five years after retiring, regardless of how much money they made in their careers.” Grammar rules are deftly and clearly presented. Even more important, more than 2,000 sentences in over a hundred integrated practice exercises-more than any other grammar book — enable users to attain genuine grammar mastery of even long-standing grammar problems. This book is comprehensive without burdening the reader with grammar drudgery, using and explaining only those grammatical terms which are necessary to avoid mistakes or to improve writing skills. (Good-by subject compliments and predicate nominatives!) The extensive writing section provides systematic writing exercises to help users write clearer, more concise, and more readable sentences. Practical writing advice is included for writing essays, research papers, and business letters. The text covers essential sentence structure, including sentence fragments and run-on sentences, using correct pronouns, verbs, capital letters, apostrophes, and all punctuation as well as a usage glossary to sort out confusing words such as accept and except and imply and infer. In the front of the book there is a Diagnostic Test to take, as well as, on the Great Grammar Book’s website to help you determine your areas of strength and weakness. Soon you’ll be able to banish your grammatical errors and write with confidence and style."
I'd like to thank Bostick Communications for sending me a review copy of the Great Grammar Book. Unlike any other book I've accepted for review, this book is, in fact, a grammar book. I very much like the Diagnostic test at the beginning of the book and I can see myself giving this test to every student at the beginning of the year. I can also see myself using this book throughout my classroom in regards to grammar instruction. This book would be great for English Language Learners, students, and adults wanting to better their grammar. If you are interested in learning more about prescriptive grammar — I highly recommend this book.

Today, I'd like to welcome my very first Guest Author Interview — Lizzy Armentrout.

A couple weeks ago (I'm never good with time in the summer) I was lucky enough to win "A Vengeful Spirit" (Shelly Gale Mystery: Book 1) from @lizzyarmentrout via Twitter. After 'twittering' with Lizzy a little I finally had the courage to ask her to by my first Guest Author! So everyone, please welcome Lizzy Armentrout!

Lizzy, tell us about you.
I’m very excited to be asked to do this interview with you; thank you so much for asking me. I’ve been an avid reader of all mysteries since I started reading Nancy Drew in 5th grade. I’ve been a 6th grade school teacher for several years and have taught for 20 yrs this coming fall. My husband and I care for my dad, who has Alzheimer’s, and my step-mother, who is a stroke victim. We have one adopted daughter, Bethany, and two very spoiled dogs. I’m very active in my local church and have taught many different Sunday School classes & am very involved in the music ministry there. The one event in my life that has had a profound effect on me is the unexpected death of my mother when I was 11 & almost losing my father to a brain tumor 3 months after that. You can read all about that on my site.
What was it like writing this book?
It was a very relaxing experience; that is, after I actually sat down and started doing it. I love to write in longhand and would sit in the living room while the family was watching tv and write. I would become so involved in the characters that I would actually forget where I was and what was going on around me!
How long did it take you to write "A Vengeful Spirit"?
It took me about 1 ½ years to write the entire 1st rough draft. I had to stop several times due to work and family demands. Fitting writing in to my schedule can be very challenging at times. I had three very close friends who I would send three chapters at a time to so I could get their input and reactions. That really helped me to see the work through a reader’s eyes.
Where did the idea for this book come from?
My husband! Really! I’ve bought many, many books over our 19 yr. marriage, and I was complaining to him that the Christian bookstores don’t have enough contemporary mysteries coming out often enough. His solution? “Well, write your own.” I just laughed at him. But that seed was planted and three years later God put an idea in my head based upon my experiences as a schoolteacher, and A Vengeful Spirit was born. Although I didn’t tell anyone, even my husband, that I was writing anything until I had three chapters completed. I needed to prove to myself that I could actually get my thoughts down on paper.
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Don’t spend so much time reading “How To” books. If you have a desire to write and an idea for a story, then pick up the pen and just start writing. Don’t get hung up on the revising until you’re well into the book. I’ve seen too many “aspiring” author websites of people who are caught up in reading what other authors have to say about writing. No author is going to write in the same way. Find what works for you and get going. One last thing, I started out self-publishing. Don’t do it! Be patient and keep working to get a respected publisher; you’ll get much better results.

Thank you SO much Lizzy. I just finished "A Vengeful Spirit" and will be working on my review. Also, I'd like to pass this book on to more readers by hosting my very first contest! It only seems right, it's the first book I won, consequently my first interview, why not go for the whole nine yards and have a contest too! Stay tuned to hear about the contest at the beginning of the week!
Again, Lizzy — thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. If you want to learn more about Lizzy check out her website and her testimonial (it's worth it!) and follow her on Twitter via @lizzyarmentrout.

If you could share any thoughts or feelings with authors, what would you like to tell them?

I think its wonderful how they authors have opened up through social networks such as twitter or facebook to their fans. It shows us they care and we know they are listening. — Yara at Once Upon a Twilight
Uhmm… something along the lines of"OMGiloveyourbooksiloveyourbooksiloveyouiloveyoupleasedon'tcallthepolice" — Audrey at holes In My brain
I love you. Even if I didn't like your book(s), I still admire you in ways you couldn't imagine. As a struggling writer, I understand the work that goes into it, and I applaud you for it. — Amanda, Another Book Junkie

Other then there should be a balance of action and detail and not to much or to little of one thing I'd want to say thank you for making unbelievable stories and thanks to all those who wrote books after harry potter was over you saved some bookworms there lol (right? I mean where would we be with out say the hunger games or twilight?)
- Kate at Ghost of the still
To keep interacting with the fans. There is nothing better than feeling like an author is easy to talk to or approachable. Knowing that authors talk to fans on Twitter and blogs just makes me love them even more! — Missy at Two Readers Reviews
Thank you! Thank you for writing such wonderful stories and creating characters and worlds that are unforgettable. As a Graphic Designer I am always inspired by words and writing, which help me continue to love what I do. — Kristen at Seeing Night Reviews
I'd like to thank them for being amazing and writing some amazing books. — Darla at DforDarla's Definite Reads
I would like thank them for writing such amazing books. I honestly don't know what I'd be doing if I wasn't spending so much time reading. A book is the perfect escape from the daily life, and I couldn't thank 'em enough =) — Tynga at Tynga's Review
Come to Central PA more often, haha. — Jane at At Random
Books inspire. What you do is wonderful! I have an overactive imagination and I love how books can feed that. I love to put those feelings into words when I review a book and it really makes a blogger feel fantastic when an author comments on a review when they love it and how it makes the author feel. — Aimee at Coffee Table Press
Never ever take your book and reposition it in a bookstore display. If you really want a bookseller to display your book more prominently, all you need to do is be pleasant and polite to them. Talk about other people's books that you love. Speak to them as a fellow book-lover and defer to their expertise. Hand-selling and displaying your book is a good bookseller's reflex reaction to being treated respectfully by an author, and developing that trust organically rather than asking or forcing it will ensure a long-lasting loyalty! — Alethea at Read Now Sleep Later

Not only am I thankful for the immense enjoyment that their stories bring me, and envy their ability to write such wonderful books, but I have a strong appreciation for the level of interaction with fans that most of my favorite authors maintain thanks to blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and the like. — Jessica at Brief Book Reviews
Cut the profanity, vulgarity and graphic sex. — Shirley at My Bookshelf
If you can ever drop by a blog and say hello it makes our day!
- Jill at The O.W.L
There are a few authors who have produced some of the most amazing collections of words that have moved me so deeply, and I'd just like to tell them thank you. I'd like to thank every author for having the courage to share their work with readers, and for providing a common ground that has allowed this incredible book blogging community to come together. — Ashley at Book Labyrinth
It depends on the author. But mostly, if I like them, I want to tell them that I like them, and that I hope they keep writing awesome things so that I can keep reading awesome things. I want to tell them that I want to be like them someday, creating something that brings joy to others. I want to tell them that what they're doing is amazing, and that they're amazing for doing it. I also want to tell Mercedes Lackey that I want to follow in her footsteps, but I'm not sure if that counts as creepy or not! — Ria at Bibliotropic
Hahaha. Please excuse my sometimes immature, squealing, obsessed moments when I type in all CAPS and get all excited over your books. Oh, and no matter how well you end your books (even if everything is solved and complete and perfect), I always love sequels, no matter what. Hint hint, J.K. Rowling! — Lucia at iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books
Thank you for being so helpful in our efforts to spread the word about great books. — Rie at Mission to Read
THANK YOU!!!! Thank you for all the hard work and sweat and tears and hours of love you pour into your books! You give us a piece of you and there is no way to really ever show our appreciation properly. Just know that we love you all!: D — Lisa at BaffledBooks
Thank you for all the wonderful places you've taken me. I can't wait for our next adventure together. — Rhiannon at The Diary of a Bookworm
Hmmm, I think I mostly would just tell an author how much I loved their book, or just gush to them about their characters. If I were to actually be face to face with an author though I might just freeze up, it's like meeting a celebrity!: D — Ambur at Burning.x.Impossibly.x. Bright
Authors are the best. Seriously. Authors don't just write books that I enjoy, they help me and prepare me for situations, they entertain me, they make a bad day better. Just being able to"leave" for awhile and explore another persons life and even new worlds is so relaxing and absolutely incredible. — Katie at Books are Dreams
I appreciate the awesome support of bloggers from (most) authors. And with social media, I feel so close to the authors that I aspire to be like. — Kate at I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!
If I could share thoughts and feelings with authors I would tell them how grateful I am for what they do. They do something that I would never be able to do in a million years and just that is pretty amazing. I also don't know what I would do if authors weren't there. It would mean I would have no way to loose myself in a story like I love doing so much. Basically, I want to say a BIG thank you for what they do. — Emilie at Emilie Book World
I think the main thing would be that, as an aspiring writer, I appreciate what they do. When an author nails a scene or a character, or a turn of phrase, it is incredibly satisfying to read. I often say"I want to be able to do THAT when I grow up" meaning"I hope I can pull that off one day." I also wish I could be blunt with some authors and tell them when they missed the mark. — Kim at Fresh Fish and Foolishness
I love reading your books and I love when you are so outgoing and supportive of book blogs! Thanks for all of the hard work! — Jackie at Teen Book Guide

*Part 2 of 3 will be posted soon.
USE GOOGLE if you want to know more about the blogoversary celebration.

1. Your YA debut book Shade was a huge hit (and one of my all-time favorite books!), what surprised you the most once you stepped into the YA world?
Thanks, Jessica! I was honestly surprised by the excitement people showed over SHADE. I mean, I loved it, of course, since it was my book, but I’d never experienced that kind of massive swell of enthusiasm for a novel before. I’ve been really touched by tales of how it made readers cry and how they could relate to Aura.
3. If you had the ability to see ghosts, like Aura and others born after the Shift, how do you think you would handle it?

I would probably try to block them out as much as possible, using any means necessary. I’d probably always have my earbuds in so I couldn’t hear them, and whenever I wasn’t in a BlackBoxed building to keep out ghosts, I’d wear as much red as possible to repel them.
Then again, that’s coming from the perspective of someone who would be tossed into that world as an adult. The “post-Shifters” in SHADE don’t know any other kind of life. They’ve seen ghosts ever since they were born. So I think they take a more blasé approach to them. They’ve learned ways to blot them out, but they also refuse to let ghosts run their lives. They’re not scared of them at all (except the really creepy ones, and shades, of course, who can hurt them).

4. Do you have any other YA projects in the works other than the Shade series?
I have a YA vampire short story coming out in November in an anthology called ETERNAL: MORE LOVE STORIES WITH BITE. “Thief” takes place in the same world (with the same vampire rules) as my adult vampire series, but with completely different characters and setting. The four young adult characters are Irish Travellers from South Carolina, who Since I always get attached to my characters, it might be fun to turn that into a series one day.
I also have one of those Super Sekrit projects in my head, for a big stand-alone YA. Hopefully I’ll have more details on that next year. It definitely needs a few months to percolate before I start writing. It’ll be that long before I find room in my crazy deadline schedule, anyway!
5. I, like many others, am really excited for the release of Shift next May. Can you tell us a little about the book, and what else to expect from this series?
In SHIFT, we’ll find out the answers to a lot of Aura’s questions about her parents and their connection to the Shift. But of course those answers will lead to more questions, as answers often do. On the personal side, the love triangle will be settled, but not until after it gets much more complicated (a love pentagon?).
After that, I’m not sure how many books there’ll be. Originally I thought there would be a total of four, but after writing SHIFT, the number 3 keeps coming up as significant. So think it would be better as a trilogy. But I need to start writing Book 3 before I can be sure. I know what the main event is, but I’m not sure how far-reaching its effects will be. Which is a fancy way of saying I don’t know how it all ends.; -) But seriously, I used to know how it ended but after writing SHIFT I’m getting some new ideas, so… we’ll see. I’m very excited to start writing Book 3 and to find out how it all unfolds.

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready Publisher: Simon Pulse (May 4th, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Series: Shade, book #1 Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding--and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart… and clues to the secret of the Shift.

USE GOOGLE to read my review of SHADE
To find Jeri Smith-Ready:
Jeri Smith-Ready / Twitter / Facebook / Blog / Goodreads

Purchase Shade:
Amazon / The Book Depository / Barnes & Noble

This week I am meeting with students who are interested in joining a National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) student support group for the month of November. The idea came a few weeks ago when the creative writing teacher at my school was explaining how she felt so swamped with "extra" student writing. She, of course, agrees that it's fantastic that her students love to write recreationally but that it is overwhelming to correct what she assigns much less the thirty pages two students wrote over the weekend for fun.

Since I knew it was getting close to November anyway, I started thinking about creating a school extracurricular activity to help those students who do love to write recreationally for enjoyment and are looking for an outlet of student support, information, and objectives. The meeting this week is an informational meeting to first explain what NaNoWriMo is and then the steps to prepare for November 1st.

The problem is that I have personally never participated (until this year). So I don't know where to begin myself, much less with my students. I have spend a few hours researching and have started a class website on the Young Writer's Program and have saved the PDF workbook to print off at at school. I'm currently googling different writing blogs, especially student-run, as resources for students but beyond that I'm sort of at a loss.

How do we start? I know outlining is important but how can I help my students gather and organize their thoughts? Do you know of any resources? Do you have any suggestions? Do you have a favorite writing blog?

Can someone leave me a crumb trail in the right direction?