Shop Talk Thursday: NaNoWriMo Anyone?

I have no idea if I'm going to do NaNoWriMo this year.
I have to be honest and say I really like this idea. I tried participating last year but life just got in the way of my writing plans. Don't you hate when that happens? It's been happening a lot lately and I don't like it. So while I'm still deciding whether or not I'll be giving it a try this year, I decided to make a little pro list and share it with you. 
1. 50K writing goal. 
    What I like about this is that it's totally doable. 50K may seem like a lot, but the great thing about NaNoWriMo is that it's been proven to work and 50K is really more like nothing big. Whether or not it's actually publishable 50K depends on you, but getting that many words on paper is a huge accomplishment. 
2. Accountability
    This is probably my favorite part of NaNoWriMo. Whether you are starting out as a write or have been writing for years, discipline is still something that we all struggle with sometimes. Should I write or should I watch that episode of The Walking Dead? Should I write or should I make sure my dragons on DragonVale are all fed? Seriously, these are all problems we encounter. NaNoWriMo helps with that and it's the best. 
3. Setting habits. 
    This kind of follows in what I've already said. Writing every day, just a few words a day, will help you become a better writer. It will build that constant need to sit in front of a computer and get some words on paper. That accountability will become a habit and then you're good to go!
None of these items on my list are anything new. If you google pros of doing NaNoWriMo you'll probably run into many websites and posts that say the same thing. However, its a good reminder as any to have and I thought I'd put in my two cents. 
Also, if you do decide to participate in NaNoWriMo or just want a little writing encouragement, YA Highway (yes, I know I talk about them a lot) is doing this --> Carpool Of Encouragement  You guys should definitely check it out. And if you're still having doubts about NaNoWriMo, check out my awesome CP website, Farrah Penn, and let her give you her opinion (because it's awesome). 

So what do you think? Are you participating this year? 
(I'm kind of talking myself into it)

Have a great day!
Valia 

Book Spotlight: Witch World by Christopher Pike

Heading off for a weekend in Las Vegas with her friends, Jessie Ralle has only one worry—how to make it through the road trip in the same car with her Ex, Jimmy Kelter. The guy who broke her heart five months ago when he dumped her for no reason. The guy who’s finally ready to tell her why he did it, because he wants her back.

But what Jessie doesn’t realize is that Jimmy is the least of her problems.In Las Vegas she meets Russ, a mesmerizing stranger who shows her how to gamble, and who never seems to lose. Curious, Jessie wants to know his secret, and in response, alone in his hotel room, he teaches her a game that opens a door to another reality.To Witch World.Suddenly Jessie discovers that she’s stumbled into a world where some people can do the impossible, and others may not even be human. For a time she fears she’s lost her mind. Are there really witches? Is she one of them?

From goodreads.com

Jessie and her senior class set off to their last high school adventure, traveling to Las Vegas together. She ends up in the car with her ex, Jimmy, the guy who broke her heart a few months back and is now trying to find his way back to her. In Las Vegas, Jessie meets Russ at a blackjack table, a stranger who has more secrets than she can imagine. He teaches her a game that changes all the rules Jessie has ever know and opens her eyes to the Witch World. That’s where the adventure begins. 

I have been a fan of Christopher Pike for years. His stories always fascinated me and his writing is excellent. So when I got an opportunity to read Witch World, I jumped on it. Now, I don’t even know how to write this review without spoilers. 

The whole book was one giant surprise. Seriously, every page was like a new discovery. Once again, Christopher Pike created a story full of twists and turns and nail bitting suspense. Jessie was an interesting character. The contrast between her “real world self” and her “witch world self” were fascinating. The same goes for the rest of the characters. I liked how complex everything was, even when I was confused about what was going on. 

There is nothing simple about this book, and I think that’s partially why I liked it. It was definitely a lot more racy than I expected. People keep talking about that “new adult” genre or something and if I was to categorize Witch World, I’d probably use that as the category. Seriously, you need to read this book and tell me what you think. There is so much I wish I could say and I just can’t without giving something away. It was a long twisted read, but it was worth it. Any fan of Christopher Pike will enjoy this new installment in his writing.

Witch World hits the shelves November 13th! Let me know what you think!

Happy reading, 

Valia  

Shop Talk Thursday: Friendships in the Writing World

You know what I love about the writing community? I love the fact that it is a community. As writers, we tend to be pretty lonely creatures. Our world consists of a lot of one on one with imaginary and we’re happy with that. It’s not a problem to us to sit in front of a computer or a notepad and plan out every detail about this character or that one. However, there comes a time in our writing career where we all want to be loved. 

You know what I’m talking about. Our book is as complete as it’s going to be, we have finally stopped ignoring our families, oh and we showered. Trust me, putting on something besides pajamas is like a right of passage at the end of a long draft. So now comes the querying part. And the waiting. And then more waiting. Oh and even more waiting. If you don’t know this already, publishing world is made up of bricks of waiting. 

Here’s the awesome part tho, you are not alone. While you do the writing, the editing, and the waiting, there are people out there in the same boat as you. The friendships I have made throughout my writing career (so far) are amazing. No one can understand you like another author does and sometimes I feel I would’ve never gotten this far if it wasn’t for the awesome support of the writing community.

You guys deserve all the hugs! 

So while I wait, somewhat impatiently (ok probably really impatiently because come on now) for the things to come, I spend my time trying to give back and encourage those around me. Because really, I couldn’t thank you more for the awesome support you give, so why not give back? 

Check out some of my favorite people (seriously, do it): 

Jennifer Armentrout - Have you checked out all the awesome she’s been posting? You need to! 

Victoria Scott - First look at Dante Walker (swoons, faints, plunders) - Excerpt 

Shannon Messenger - I know you loved my Let the Sky Fall review, and are all jealous I got to read it early. But have you checked out Shannon’s first book, Keeper of the Lost Cities? 

Brigid Kemmerer - Transcript of Spark chat that will have you laughing at/with (and loving) the elemental boys even more! 

Farrah Penn - just because she’s the best critique partner and friend a girl can ask for :-) 

       Have a wonderful day, 

       Valia 

Road Trip Wednesday: Writing Goals

Hello darlings,

It's that time again. I have to say that time really goes by super fast. I feel like I just wrote this post, and here it is again. If you guys haven't checked out YA Highway yet, you need to. Now, let's talk about writing.

This Week's Topic: What do you hope to be writing in one year? Three? Five?

Road Trip Song of the Week: Skyfall by Adele 

I have many plans for my writing. Seriously, I make plans all the time. Don't we all? I do have this one project that I want to write, really really want to write. It involves Dragons and mythical worlds and crazy fantasy. 

I'm trying my hand in a little of that now with my new project, but in a few years, I would love to try my hand in high fantasy. I don't know, there is just something about those worlds that I'm fascinated by. 

I also love me some Greek mythology. Maybe in a year or two I'll try my hand in that too. I would enjoy to write one of everything eventually. Yes, high ambitions. We'll see :)

What about you? Any future plans? 

Have a great day!

Valia 

Book Spotlight: Conjure (The Hoodoo Apprentice #1) By Lea Nolan

Be careful what you search for...

Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry--hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma’s ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper’s soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday.When a strange girl appears, bent on revenge; demon dogs become a threat; and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before summer—and her friends--are lost forever.

From goodreads.com

Emma, Jack and Cooper are spending their summer in the South Carolinas. She has big plans for the summer. After half a year away at a boarding school with her brother Jack, Emma is finally back with Cooper (her secret crush). But things don’t work out exactly as she plans. The three discover a message in the bottle that leads them on a treasure hunt. But this is no fairy tale adventure. Soon, Jack is cursed with the Creep, a flesh eating curse and Emma must do everything in her power to save her brother and the boy she loves. 

So the characters, let’s talk about the characters. Emma was a interesting enough character. I like how she constantly tried to do something in order to help her brother and Cooper. She had a lot to deal with, and while discouraged, she still tried to push through that. I have to give her serious props for that. Jack pretty much annoyed me the whole book. Instead of being the older brother, he seemed like a little kid and I, personally, didn’t care about him being plagued by the Creep. I know, that sounds awful, but seriously, this guy needed to grow up a little. 

I think out of all the characters, I like Cooper the best. I just felt like there was more to his character than the others. He actually seemed like a typical teenage boy. His interactions with Emma were sweet, and his friendship with Jack was what kept me rooting for Jack to survive. 

Overall, this is an interesting premise. The whole hoodoo is not something I’ve ever read before and I enjoyed finding out more about the culture. The world Lea created was believable and a little scary, which I give huge thumbs up for. 

The book was a quick read for me, but it read a little more like a middle grade story. I don’t know if it was just me, but it didn’t read quite like young adult. However, I am interested to see what happens next with the characters and where Lea takes this new world. If you like a little bit of adventure, magic, and romance, this book is the one for you! Conjure comes out October 16th, 2012. 

Happy reading, 

Valia 

P.S. Thank you Entangled Publishing for the ARC!!! 

Book Spotlight: Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.
Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.
When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.
From goodreads.com

This story is about Vane, a seventeen-year-old orphan who finds out there is more to him than meets the eye. As a child, Vane survives a category five tornado that killed his parents. Ever since that day, he’s been dreaming (and sometimes possibly seeing) a girl. The girl, Audra, is not a figment of his imagination, but a mystical creature who is his guardian. As events take place, Vane and Audra meet face to face. He discovers the truth of his nature, and together they will have to fight in order to save themselves and those depending on them. 

This is pretty much how I feel throughout the book.

Now, let’s talk about this book. No, seriously, I have no idea where to start. Do I begin with the fabulous storyline? Can we talk about swoon-worthy Vane? or kick butt Audra? Or how about the beautiful writing? See my problem here? Too much of good stuff just overwhelming the brain. 

Yes, I needed two swoony pictures here :)

Vane. Oh, Vane *le sigh* I really enjoyed watching this boy grow. I really liked how he really started out as a typical teenage boy, full on with his laziness (I’m a pro at teenage boys, I have brothers). Yet, as the story went on, I really felt like he worked at becoming a better version of himself. I have to say, I’m a sucker for those unlikely heroes. 

Audra. Well, she was just a ball of laughs, that one (feel the sarcasm?) I actually really enjoyed Audra as a character. Her strict, take no nonsense was refreshing. I like me a good heroine and Audra really portrayed that to me. She had to work through some personal issues, make a teenage boy listen to her, and kick butt in the process. It’s a win all around. And together these two are just too freaking adorable! Just saying. 

The writing here was amazing. I’ve stated previously that I really enjoy dual point of view. Especially when it’s done properly. I have to say, Shannon nailed it. Both of the characters were given new depths through her use of interchangeable point of views, taking the story to a whole new level. There are no many things out there (in literature) that haven’t been tried, yet I felt that Shannon introduced a new side to the story. The world she created was realistic, enchanting, and right outside our front doors. 

For you, Shannon

There is one sad thing about this book. It doesn’t release until March of 2013. Yes, that is along time, and even longer for me waiting for that second one. Seriously, I might be in tears over here with the waiting. But I highly recommend everyone to pre-order this book. You won’t be sorry. And go ahead, come back and thank me for sharing the awesome! :)

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Road Trip Wednesday: Autumn & Writing

Hello darlings, 

Can you believe it’s October already? I really feel like it was just July. Anyone else think it was just July? Well, that’s besides the point because I am here to talk about today’s Road Trip Wednesday topic from YA Highway. So, let’s get on with it, right?

Today’s topic: How does your writing (place, time, inspiration, etc) change with the seasons?

Road Trip Song of the Week: Too Close by Alex Clare (I’m slightly in love with the music on this piece)

Autumn. I love the fall season. The colors, the cooler weather, the turkey. Granted, in Arizona we mostly just get the turkey but hey, one out of three ain’t all bad. Maybe a month ago, I would’ve said that the different season doesn’t change my writing, but now I’m not so sure. I feel like I’m looking at pictures of fall a lot more, even though my current book is set in summer. I feel like the season itself, everything fall is, calms me down a bit allowing me to focus my thoughts before starting my daily word goal. I mean, come on. Looking at these pictures, how can you not be transported to another world? 

I also noticed that I like to be outside a little bit more. Especially in the morning. Which is beyond weird if you ask me. First, I’m not a morning person. At all. Second, it’s 100 degrees outside (that’s our cooler weather). No one in their right mind wants to be outside. However, I take my cup of coffee and my trusty iPhone, then walk around in the backyard taking pictures of our roses. And then I write. 

What about you? Does your writing change with seasons? 

Much love, 

Valia