Showing posts with label blog memes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog memes. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday for November 19, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.Check the link to learn more and join the blog hop!



TOP TEN BOOKS FOR RISING NINTH GRADE GIRLS

Since I toil all day at a middle school I figured this would be a good choice. And here I'm not talking about pretentious reading eons above grade level kids who are being bred as literary snobs like the child of a certain writer I know who is forcing her sixth grader to read Anna Karenina and claiming she's enjoying it. I mean books that are mostly age appropriate and deal with the sort of themes eighth grade girls might actually be interested in the summer before they enter high school. So here we go....


1. PROMISE ME SOMETHING--Sara Kocek

2. LOOKING FOR ALASKA--John Green

3. BEFORE I FALL--Lauren Oliver

4. HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE--J.K. Rowling 

5. FOREVER--Judy Blume

6. BOY 21--Matthew Quick

7. SPEAK--Laurie Halse Anderson

8. THIRTEEN REASONS WHY--Jay Asher

9. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE--J.K. Rowling 

10. DREAMLAND--Sarah Dessen



What books would you include on this list?

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

What's Up, Wednesday for October 16, 2013

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme brought to you by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out the links to see what other authors are up to.





Hi kids! It's been a while. What's up with YOU this week??

WHAT I'M READING
I just finished reading SOUL TAKEN by Katlyn Duncan for the upcoming book tour for Book 2 SOUL POSSESSED, which I'm participating in at the beginning of next month. An out of the box YA Paranormal that I really enjoyed! Review coming soon. For fun I just started Sarah Ocklar's TWENTY BOY SUMMER which OMG the hook? Amazeballs and heartbreaking. I'm also re-reading THE GUARDIANS by T.M. Franklin because when I first got the ARC I devoured it in about four hours because I had to know what happened! But I want to go back and re-read for my review for her tour next month.


WHAT I'M WRITING
I'm doing detailed chapter outlines for my NaNo project, which I am SUPER excited about. I'm cheating a little and doing a couple sample chapters before November, but only because my agent is making me. ;P My hope is to knock out all 80k during November. Wish me luck LOL!


WHAT INSPIRES ME
My amazing critique community Scribophile inspires me always, but especially this week. I called in a favor and they responded with enthusiasm and support. If you're like me and you prefer an online writing group to a live one or if you (also like me) haven't found a live writing group close to home that is exactly what you're looking for, you should check Scrib out. (And you can find me on there, too!)


WHAT ELSE I'M UP TO
Gearing up to judge/host Trick or Treat with Agents next week! The entry window is on Tuesday, October 22nd from 9AM-9PM, so if you are actively looking for an agent for your MG, YA, NA, or A manuscript, check out the deets HERE. Don't you just love my costume??

Just kidding...sorta. 

Otherwise I am busting my butt at the day job and taking on the majority of Mommy duties as hubby recovers from an impromptu gall bladder removal experience last week.



More importantly what are YOU guys up to! It's been forever since I participated in this hop and I'm glad to be back on the wagon!

XOXO 
Dannie

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday for September 10, 2013: Top Ten Books as Non-Sucky Movies

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. <~~~Click Here to learn more and join the blog hop!


Top Ten Books I'd Love to See As Movies (in a perfect world where book movies don't suck.)











Okay--what do you think of my list? And what's on yours??

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

What's Up, Wednesday? August 21, 2013

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme brought to you by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out the links to see what other authors are up to.





Hi Peeps! What's up with YOU this week??


WHAT I'M READING

I just finished reading GOING HOME AGAIN by Abby Cavenaugh, and I am honest to blog blown away, you guys. Full disclosure--I'm also very biased because Abs is my peeps IRL, but seriously, this book is so so good. i'm sort of just excited to know someone who wrote something so heartwrenching. If you like adult contemporary romance that is sweet and painful at the same time, check it out. And I'm interviewing Abby on my blog on Friday, so you should check that out, too. =D


WHAT I'M WRITING

Working on author interviews for my blog September and waffling between WIPs at the moment. I need to get really, REALLY excited about a single project, and that's not happening right now, so I'm switching between the four I've got between 30-50K and hoping one of them snags me. So far not so much. Anyone ever been there? How do you get yourself out of this wishy-washy ick? RE: the author interviews if you write New Adult or YA and you've got a book coming out between now and the holidays, hit me up via the contact form in the side bar ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>


WHAT ELSE I'M UP TO

This is my first week back to work after my first summer home with the kiddo. Part of me is really happy to not be sitting around the house chasing a one year old after two solid months without a break. Another part feels rather schmoopy about the whole thing. Next week will be MUCH more exciting as my inner-city students get to experience a brand new, state of the art school after being in a 50-year-old not-so-state-of-the-art school that will be demo'ed this weekend. We're talking iPads for all the kids to use, SmartBoards in every classroom, THE WORKS. I cannot wait to feel the new energy along with my kids. Morale is at an all-time-high and it is amazing to be a part of this transition. Times like this I really love my job.

WHAT'S INSPIRING ME

Everything and nothing in particular. Life is good. Writing could be better, but I'm not too frustrated by it (yet.) Still on a WriteOnCon high and holding my breath on other writerly things.



Okay, enough about me. Tell me what's up with YOU???

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday for August 20, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. <~~~Click Here to learn more and join the blog hop!


Top Ten Tools & Tricks for  Book Bloggers

I've been book blogging since before I really understood the concept, but it's only recently that I've gotten consistent about it. That's due in large part to figuring out some tricks and tools that make it easier to include this puzzle piece into my overall all over the place life. Here are ten things that make my life easier as a book blogger. 


10. My Goodreads phone app--I could not keep track of my TBR list without it. And I loooooove going to Barnes and Noble and adding books by simply scanning the barcode. It's the little things, people. 

9. YA Stands chats--every other Thursday I cofacilitate a chat with my fellow YA Stands bloggers where we talk about all things YA and wonderful. It's an awesome place to find out what people are reading and to meet readers and writers with similar interests. Occassionally shenanigans ensue. You should check it out. The next one is on Thursday, August 29th.  

Find out more about YA Stands HERE. 

8. Blog memes--Thursday's Children, What's Up Wednesday, and Top Ten Tuesday keep me up to date on what's going on in this community. I like to check out what people are reading and which books provoke visceral, intense reactions in their readers. Basically I'm nosy about what you peeps think are cool book wise so I can read them, too. It's a lot easier than, first of all finding TIME to go to Barnes and Noble, and then reading the back of all the books with pretty covers. 

Gawd I love book covers. 

7. Well-read friends--There are certain peeps on my twitter timeline that when they start to talk about a book, I pay attention. For some of them it's because we have very similar tastes in books, for others it's because they are thoroughly entrenched in the publishing industry and have their fingers on the pulse of what's pulsing. 

Get your mind out of the gutter, people. This is a family show. 

6. NetGalley--Seriously, what did people do before NetGalley? I'm not sure. I definitely didn't get my hands on ARCs without a lot of legwork before I stumbled onto that site. 

5. My incredibly supportive husband--I'm really not sure why he puts up with me. This has absolutely nothing to do with book blogging specifically, but, well, he does a lot of ish around the house so I can stay up all night reading and complain all day about how tired I am. So I figured he could use a shout out even though he never EVER reads my blog. 

Like, ever. 

4. Insomnia--I have a 1 year old and a full time job. The only time I have to read is between midnight and 6AM. Luckily (I think?) I'm usually awake until around 2 or so. Last night it was 2:30 because I was aaaaaalmost done with OPENLY STRAIGHT and I *had* to see how it ended. (I won't spoil it for you.)

3. Google Calendar--I'm a little calendar dependent. In terms of book blogging I use my Google Calendar which syncs to my phone and my work calendar to keep track of reviews I've set deadlines for, Book Birthdays, dates I already have stuff reserved on my blog (like author interviews) and also so I can remember to tweet about posts I've pre-blogged. I set reminders for myself that pop up on my phone so I can remember who I am and what I'm supposed to be doing. It works most of the time. 

2. Conferences--when I go to physical conferences I can't come home without a bag full of new books. And any time I participate in the online writing community, my TBR list grows by leaps and bounds. 

1. My inspiring book fiend of a daughter--I read GOODNIGHT MOON four times tonight. And I'm kind of okay with that. 



Okay, what tools do you guys know about that I should be using? I'll take all the help I can get. 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

What's Up Wednesday for August 13, 2013

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme brought to you by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out the links to see what other authors are up to.





Hi Peeps! What's up with YOU this week??


WHAT I'M READING
I just finished CONJURED by Sarah Beth Durst, which comes out next month from Bloomsbury and is SO cool. Getting ready to dive into THE CINDERELLA MOMENT by Jennifer Kloester, an upcoming title from Swoon Romance. Reviews for both coming to the blog later this month.


WHAT I'M WRITING
As of today I'm officially diving full-force into my new project. The problem is I can't decide if that project is YA Urban Fantasy or New Adult Contemp. I'm hoping the feedback I get on both projects via WriteOnCon will nudge me in one direction or the other. (Hint, Hint, click the links hint hint)  ;)


WHAT ELSE I'M UP TO
Living and breathing WriteOnCon and getting ready to check out my office in my school's brand new building next week! I'm excited about the building, not so much about going back to work. Sigh.


WHAT'S INSPIRING ME
This absolutely stunning character sketch that L.L. Tisdel did of one of my main characters in my new WIP. I've never had anyone do fan art of my characters before, and I think it's just the coolest thing ever.



So what's up with YOU? And if you're participating, what's your favorite thing about #WriteOnCon this year? Working on a wrap up post.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

What's Up Wednesday for July 31, 2013

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme brought to you by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out the links to see what other authors are up to.


What I'm Reading:


For fun I'm *still* reading STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, which I'm confident I will have finished before my next WUW post. For real this time. I swear.

And all the ARCs have landed in my mailbox this week and I am drowning in them at the moment. Which, really, is not a bad place to be drowning if you have to drown somewhere.



**Update post-posting** I just finished Leonard Peacock, and OMG. This book is going to change the way people think. Love, love, LOVE Matthew Quick! Review coming very soon to this blog. Like possibly Friday.

What I'm Writing:

I am in the final stages what my Agent-Goddess and I both hope will be the last revision pre-market. Which is TERRIFYING. Any and all insights left in comments are beyond appreciated.

Also catching up/getting ahead on some book blogging. Some awesome reviews and giveaways coming in August, so stay tuned!



What Else I'm Up To:

I had this moment of actual whining in the grocery store the other day when I saw their ginormous Back to School display. Back to School for me means back to work and back to juggling the full time day job, writing career, part time freelance gig and full-time Momma gig.

So at the moment, I'm not up to much other than writing and Momma-ing because I'm going to enjoy doing both these last few weeks if it kills me.

Oh! And I'm going to my favorite Japanese restaurant tonight with my girl Susan where drinks and sushi and excessive quantities of fried rice will be consumed and shenanigans will be discussed and work will not be discussed and that's exciting.


What Inspires Me:

Last week I didn't post because I was in Orlando visiting the parental units, which was, yeah not a vacation at all. But I did get to catch up with a few friends who hadn't been to my parents' place in a while and were awed and probably a little creeped out that my room looks EXACTLY like it did the day I left for college.

It's a little creepy.

But it's also inspiring for me as a writer of YA because there's so much teen angst to be found between those four walls that, for me, it balances out the creep factor quite nicely.


So what's up in your writerly neck of the woods? Let me hear from ya!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: July 30, 2013--Top Ten Best Beginnings & Endings

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. <~~~Click Here to learn more and join the blog hop!


Top Ten Best Beginnings & Endings


This is the first Top Ten Tuesday where I haven't completed my list. One because I am ladyballs deep in revision at the moment, but mostly because I'm really particular about beginnings and endings. But I came up with nine, so here we go!

Beginnings 
10. Across the Universe--Beth Revis9. Mockingjay--Suzanne Collins
8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows--J.K. Rowling 
7. The Fault in Our Stars--John Green
6. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock--Matthew Quick (which I am in the middle of reading thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. *whispers* Be jealous because it is awesome so far.)








Endings






5. A Really Awesome Mess--Trish Cook & Brendan Halpin
4. Catching Fire--Suzanne Collins
3. Shades of Earth--Beth Revis
2. To Kill a Mockingbird--Harper Lee
1. ??? Maybe I'll write one to fill in the blanks someday, eh?

What are your favorite beginnings and/or endings? What do you look for at the start and end of a book?

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday--July 23, 2013: Topics that will make me drop a book like a hot pocket.

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. <~~~Click Here to learn more and join the blog hop!


Top Ten Words/Topics 
That Will Make Me NOT Pick Up a Book


10. Any book with a pink cover. I have an aversion to pink. Blame Freud. 
9. Sarah Dessen--not a big fan of formulaic writers in general, but her formula in particular causes my eyeballs to stick to the tops of their sockets. 

8. Straight up bodice-rippers, anything with half naked men on the cover. Give me a story with some originality and plot that is engaging, not that you skim over to get to the sexytimes. 

7. Sparkly vampires. 'Nough. said. *shudder*

6. Faith-based fiction. This has more to do with me than the books. 

5. I used to say sci-fi but I've changed my tune over the last couple years. Love me some YA light sci-fi now. 

4. Left-leaning political books. They remind me of everything people elsewhere hate about Americans. 

God bless The Onion.
3. Self-help books by people with no clinical background. Especially those that have PhDs in, like, math and use them to get people to buy their books on marriage. 

2. Historical fiction. I completely blame Mrs. Storey, my 11th grade AP American History teacher for this. She ruined history for me. 

1. Any book geared toward teen readers that normalizes binge drinking or other substance abuse. 



What book topics do you avoid like a raging case of chlamydia? 

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Thursday's Children: Like a Virgin Blog Hop

Thursday's children is a blog meme where writers blog about what inspires them. Click here to find out more and join us.

This week is a special edition of Thursday's Children in celebration of the upcoming Like a Virgin Pitch Contest. Click here to find out more about the contest. I am looking at several of you in particular, and you know who you are. Why? Because blog contests ROCK. 

So today we're breaking the virtual ice by answering questions about some 'firsts.' A source of inspiration I've blogged about previously for Thursday's Children. The Like a Virgin blog hop will be on Friday, however, I will be engaged in shenanigans with my CP who is visiting from Toronto this weekend so I'm posting mine here. Also because I am wholeheartedly incapable of following directions. 

Okay, so here we go...

1. How do you remember your first kiss?

Smurfette was a witness. And that's all I'm willing to admit to online. LOL

2. What was your first favorite love song?



3. What's the first thing you do when you begin writing for the day?

Check my social networking sites. Really, if I don't get it out of the way before I start writing, I'll never get anything done. Then? I turn off my internet. Then I write. And pray the kid takes a loooooong nap. 

4. Who's the first writer who truly inspired you to become a writer?

Harper Lee. I wrote before I read To Kill a Mockingbird, but my ninth grade English teacher is the first one who made me believe I could make a career out of it, and that is the book we were reading at the time. So it was really a combination of Harper Lee and Marty Gartell, who, really, everyone should be so lucky as to have an English teacher like him.

5. Did the final revision of your first book have the same first chapter it started with?

Hell no. It was like the fifteenth chapter. But it is relatively intact from its original draft. 

6. For your first book, which came first: major characters, plot, or setting?

Characters. I always begin with characters. It's their story after all. Often I'm not totally sure what my plot is until after the first draft. I'm a plotter, but sometimes my characters lead me in a different direction from the one I intended them to go. They're badass rebels like that. 

7. What's the first word you want to roll off the tip of someone's tongue when they think of your writing?

Authentic. Even if the world is fantastical I want it to feel real. Because otherwise, what's the point?

Alright, now it's your turn. Follow THIS LINK to get the questions and post your answers! If you don't have a blog, feel free to share them in the comments below!


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And here's the link for the Like a Virgin Blog Hop when it opens on Friday:

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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

What's Up, Wednesday for July 10, 2013

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme brought to you by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out the links to see what other authors are up to.

What I'm Reading
My "fun" read at the moment is THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater with a side of STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. For my blog reviews I'm tackling ARCs of FAE by C.J. Abedi and SAVING WISHES by G.J. Walker-Smith.
So yeah, reading A LOT at the moment. 

What I'm Writing
I've been playing around with a new Contemporary YA project but I think I need to do some more research first. I'm resisting the call to dig the Book of My Heart out of my trunk, but I'm afraid when I do I'll realize how dreadful it is now that I have some space from it.

What Else I'm Up To
Getting ahead on my blogging for vacation next week and trying to prepare myself emotionally to take my one-year-old on a plane for the first time, by myself, with Disney as one of our destinations. Prayers and advice for how to make air travel with a toddler easier are much appreciated.

Also, today is my Dad's 70th birthday. I'll be celebrating with him in Florida next week. =D Happy Birthday, Dah! 

What Inspires Me
Every week I blog about my inspiration as part of Thursday's Children--which you should totally check out if you're into blog memes (and if you're reading this I suspect you are.) :) I'm always inspired by the insights the other authors share. It's my weekly guaranteed feel-good time, taking the time to read and process everyone's posts. 

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: July 9th--Book to Movie Adaptations

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. <~~~Click Here to learn more and join the blog hop!


BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATIONS

I'm kind of the worst person ever to tackle this topic because, as a rule, I tend to intensely dislike book to movie adaptations. So much that most of my friends and family now refuse see them with me in an effort to save themselves the lengthy rant that is sure to follow. And I did six of each because I'm incapable of following directions. 


THE TOP 6 WORST ADAPTATIONS OF AWESOME BOOKS


6. Little Women--Remember when Wynona Ryder was a good actress? Yeah, me neither. 

5. Batman Returns--not a specific book, but still, ICK.

4. The Hunger Games--total abuse of POV and I still cannot stand the kid they cast as Peeta, but whatevs. Hoping Catching Fire will be better. 

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas--kick ass costuming and makeup can't cover up terrible acting and directing. 

2. Waterworld--okay, so it's not an adaptation, but it is so, so, so shittastic that any time I talk about the worst movies ever, this has to go on the list. 

1. I, Robot--Because, well, yeah. This horse has been beaten enough.



THE TOP 6 DECENT TO AWESOME ADAPTATIONS OF GREAT BOOKS



6. Bram Stoker's Dracula--Campy as hell in the best way possible. They had me at Gary Oldman. 

5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban--Okay, so I have a thing for Gary Oldman. 

4. X-Men First Class--love me some X-Men and this is my favorite. 

3. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings--If Gary weren't up to his eyeballs in Potter at the time, I'm sure they would have cast him as one of the elves. Have I mentioned I also have a thing for elves? 

2. Hannibal--loved Silence of the Lambs, too, of course, but in my opinion Hannibal was the best of the trilogy, though just a nose-tip better than Red Dragon.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird--classics all around. Thanks, Party Hardy Marty Garty, the best English teacher a smart-assed kid could have ever wanted. **kisses two fingers toward Heaven**


What movie/adaptations do you love, hate, or love to hate? 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Thursday's Children: Inspired by Sparks

Thursday's children is a blog meme where writers blog about what inspires them. Click here to find out more and join us.
4th of July is no Halloween but it's still one of my favorite holidays. I love my country and can't imagine wanting to live anywhere else (and I've tried.) 

But I've never been a flash-bang firework kind of gal. I don't like poppers or noise makers because I know what they do to my pets (I can only imagine what animal shelters go through during July!) and while I love the gorgeous displays put on by the cities I've lived in, I grew up at Disney, so they weren't really something I associated with Independence Day. 

For me, there's only one image that comes to mind when I think of 4th of July fireworks.


As a kid I was mesmerized. Okay, I still am. There's something magical about that pure, white spark, and the fact that you can hold it in your hand. Even before Harry Potter, it made me feel like a Wizard.

Writing is all about sparks. The spark of that new idea that gets the ball rolling on a new project. The sparks that fly when characters find attraction, or when they experience conflict. The spark of change in the way a reader thinks after experiencing your story. The spark of motivation for your characters and plot. 

"Katniss Everdeen, the girl who was on fire, you have provided a spark, that left unattended, may grow into an inferno that destroys Panem." ~President Snow, p. 23 CATCHING FIRE

Those are the moments I love most as a writer. Not a full on explosion, just the promise of that first spark.

Happy Independence Day! Let Freedom Ring! (And spark!)

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What's Up Wednesday for July 3, 2013

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme brought to you by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out the links to see what other authors are up to.

WHAT I'M READING

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson (and I am loving ALL the words. If you like contemporary YA it is a must read.) 
FRIDAY NIGHT ALIBI by Cassie Mae and 
SAVING WISHES by G.J. Walker-Smith (which are my "work" reads since I'm reading them for reviews.)

WHAT I'M WRITING

Book-wise? God, nothing. For the first time in months. Which is good because I need a break, but bad because it's Camp NaNoWriMo, I have an AWESOME idea, and I haven't written a damn thing. I haven't even opened a blank document. And IMPERFECTLY FINE is in the hands of my beloved beta readers so I'm waiting to continue revising until I hear back from them. Which is okay by me because Skylar and I are SO not friends right now. 

Blog-wise? I'm getting ahead on my All the Feels posts for YA Stands and some upcoming Fangirl Fridays reviews (tune in this Friday for the first episode!)

WHAT OTHER SHENANIGANS ARE UP AT CASA DE DANNIE

Lots of planning! In the next 2 weeks we will have my dad's 70th birthday, my husband's (not 70th) birthday, my kiddo's unbirthday (it's a preemie thing), my kiddo's god-momma's birthday, my parents 46th wedding anniversary, a long-anticipated visit from my incredibly talented and fabulous-sexytimes-writing CP Dawn who I haven't seen in too effing long, and I'm taking the kiddo on a plane for the first time ever (skeeeerd.)

Basically, what this means is I've been up to a lot of cleaning and packing and bitching about how I don't have time to write because I have to shop (waaaaah). 

Also, the editing side-gig is going full-speed ahead.  More on that coming to a future post. Gotta get through my first agent-fueled revision of IMPERFECTLY FINE first.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW?

I'm going to get to hug a lot of people I luuuuuuuurve this month and whom I don't get to see nearly enough. And they all inspire me way more than they'll ever understand. 

What's up in your neck of the writerly woods? Click here to find out more and join the hop!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Thursdays Children--Inspired by Anticipation

Thursday's children is a blog meme where writers blog about what inspires them. Click here to find out more and join us!


On Monday, this happened. 


It was just one, the tiniest of steps, after which she dropped to her butt and crawled like a speed demon across the floor, and she hasn't done it since. Dad and Mom were both pretty excited about it, but at thirteen-and-a-half months, Calliope does not seem to be in any rush to walk. 

When I'm not chasing her around the house, I've been working on my revision of my WIP. I'm still struggling with the romance subplot--I can't seem to get the timing of it exactly right. I realized today that what I'm missing is hesitation. Or maybe anticipation is a better word.

I'm not a patient person IRL so writing teases is not one of my strengths. I am far-sighted to the point I sometimes forget to enjoy the climb (thanks, Miley). I can't cheat my readers that way, though. I've got to take my time, build the anticipation and let the story progress organically.

I've got to let Calliope enjoy her crawling days, even if it means lugging 20 pounds around on my hip for a couple more months. At least it's good exercise.

So today, I'm letting mini-me enjoy the climb. Or the crawl, I guess. I am so not ready for her to climb yet.

How do your personality trails enhance or challenge your writing?

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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday (5): June 18th: My Summer TBR List


Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Follow the link to learn more and join the blog hop!


For those who have missed the last two YA Stands chats on Twitter, we've been talking about our summer TBR list and book recommendations for those who love all things YA. Based on our first chat, my TBR list is now MASSIVE. Here's a few of the books I'm hoping to get through this summer:









Our next YA Stands book chat will be on Friday, June 28th time TBA (usually around 9pm EST). Hop on Twitter and follow the hashtag #YAStands to join us!

What's on your summer TBR list?