Fall = Book Season!

As I was writing my last book review, it dawned on me how many books are being released this fall that I can't wait to read!  This list continues to grow!  Most of these books are out in September (nearly a new book every week).

Title: Tiger's Destiny
Author: Colleen Houck
Series: Tiger's Curse
Number in Series: #4 out of 5
Release Date: September 4, 2012

I cannot WAIT to read this book!!!  The Tiger's Curse series is stunning and it'll be interesting to see what the movie turns out to be like!  But I have enjoyed the journey with Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan very much and I look forward to this book with great anticipation.  I'm hoping to re-read the other three before its release to get everything fresh again.

On a side note, Colleen Houck has announced that this is the book that will break the curse, but there is still one more book left (Tiger's Dream).  Makes me wonder what that book will be about!

I am so happy I was able to meet Colleen and have my books autographed!  I have a feeling life will become very busy for her (especially after the movie's release) and she might not be able to do as much touring.

Title: After Hello
Author: Lisa Mangum
Series: N/A
Number in Series: N/A
Release Date: September 12, 2012

Lisa is my favorite author!  She wrote the Hourglass Door trilogy, which is stunning!  I have also met her in person (being a local author) and she is way nice and personable.

I look forward to this new adventure about Sara and Sam!  Here's the description available:

What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had?

Seventeen-year-old Sara is a seeker. She’s always on the lookout for the perfect moment to capture with her ever-present, point-and-shoot camera, especially on her first trip to New York City.

Sam is a finder. He has a knack for finding what other people can’t—a first-edition book or the last two tickets to a sold-out Broadwa y show. In New York, there is always something interesting to find.

When Sam and Sara’s paths cross, neither one of them is prepared for what they will find out about each other—and about themselves when they form an unlikely partnership in search of a seemingly elusive work of art. They have one day to find the impossible. Fate brought their talents together, but what happens when time runs out? Will love be able to overcome fate? This new novel from award-winning author Lisa Mangum explores what happens after hello.

Title: Entice
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Series: The Violet Eden Chapters
Number in Series: #2
Release Date: September 18, 2012

A continuation of the book I just reviewed, Embrace.  I suspect I will read it... just to know what happens.

Title: Casual Vacancy
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: N/A
Number in Series: N/A
Release Date: September 27, 2012

How can I pass up the amazing talent of J. K. Rowling?  The story sounds interesting, though definitely different.  We'll see how this turns out!

When Barry Fairbrother dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.

Seemingly an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

Blackly comic, thought-provoking and constantly surprising, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults.

Title: Finale
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Series: Hush, Hush Saga
Number in Series: #4 out of 4
Release Date: October 23, 2012

The final book of the Hush, Hush saga!  This has been a crazy emotional ride for me.  Hush, Hush was the first angel book I picked up three years ago!  One of the biggest things I love (and hate) about Becca's writing is the incredible cliff-hangers she leaves with every book.  I just about died with the cliff-hanger of book two, Crescendo.  I couldn't wait to read the next one!  And now, the stakes are even higher seeing as Nora has just become the leader of a Nephilim army and has to make decisions that will lead to a war between Nephilim, Archangels, and Fallen Angels.  Yep, it's going to be quite the ride!

Title: Inheritance
Author: Christopher Paolini
Series: Inheritance Cycle
Number in Series: #4 out of 4
Release Date: October 23, 2012

Yes, it is the paperback version.  But this is because the other books I own from this series are also in paperback, and me being my OCD self, have to have them matching.  I look forward to reading this final book (as I have not read it before).  I'm excited to see how everything ends for Eragon, Saphira, and Murtagh.









All in all, this fall will be quite busy!  Not only do I have several new books to read, but I will also be busy with school.  I suppose it's a good thing I'm trying to save my money this summer... for I will not have much of a paycheck come September...

On Writing, Pt. 2

Writing.

It shouldn't be that difficult, right?

Well, when you haven't done it for a while, it can be.

You see, back in May I was able to write in my series nearly every day.  I was writing long-hand mind you (filling two college-ruled notebooks in the process), but I was able to write every single day.  However, as finals for that semester drew near and the homework load increased, my time was focused more on school.  Once I survived that, I dove right into my next semester (having only a weekend for a break).  For reasons I am still unaware of, my writing simply stopped.  I wanted to write, but I simply couldn't.  When I would sit down with pen and paper, nothing came to mind.  This is not to say that I wasn't thinking about my story, heavens no!  I live in my story.  But I struggled.

Then I became sick.

And when one is sick, one doesn't feel like doing much of anything at all...

So I've been watching British comedies and reading...

However, I was not writing.  I haven't written anything creative the entire month of June.

Now that it is July (holy cow!!) I suddenly find myself with inspiration and a desire to write again.  This may be in part due to my vivid dream last night (I was apparently a knife thrower and there was a major war going on my grandparents' backyard!  Crazy, I tell you...).  However, the knife throwing reminded me of my character Jade--who happens to be amazingly skilled at lethal tactics. =D

Anyway, I decided to sit down and try to write.  Pulling out my little Netbook "Pakki," I started up Wordpad...

...And stared at the blinking cursor.

Don't you hate that?

Picking a random scene in my head from my story (one I had not considered even writing, but thought it would be fun to experiment with Jade's point of view), I began to write.

It was awful.

Terrible.

So I deleted it and started again.

This time, the words came a bit easier though still plenty awkward.  They didn't flow right... they didn't feel right.

But I pushed through.

And--like with anything else in life--after persevering for a little while, things started to become a little easier.  The dialogue seemed to flow of its own accord.  The scenery became more vivid in my mind, allowing for more detail to be allotted.

After a while, I had a scene written.  A scene that I may be able to use in my series.

One of the greatest blessings I have received from reading the Inheritance Cycle is that of the value of POVs, especially in third person.  Originally, I was thinking of doing a limited third person POV for my story (allowing the reader to experience the story with the character; the mystery of events pulling them in, like with Harry Potter).  But now, having written several scenes from other characters POVs, I'm thinking I might branch out and take a broader approach to my writing.  I think it will make for a more entertaining adventure.

Not to mention the fact that I thoroughly enjoy writing from my villain's point of view!  (Not that there will be a lot of scenes from their point of view--if any--but they will certainly be fun to write!)

So, here is my goal: Write a little bit every day this week.  It doesn't even have to be on my Destroyer Series, but just write something.

We will see how I am doing by the week's end!

Hopefully I can learn a bit more discipline and perseverance than I currently have... and this is one step to reaching that goal.

On Writing

For the past several days, I have basically been home bound due to sickness. What exactly I have been sick with remains a mystery to me. However, being home all day, I have had some time on my hands. Sure, I could have done homework, but who honestly feels up to doing homework when all you want to do is watch the Big Bang Theory or read Brisingr?

Well, having spent a lot of time sleeping (hooray for naps and vivid dreams!), I found myself rather restless. I will admit that it would have been a good opportunity to at least start on my homework, but I chose to do something a bit more creative and which piqued my interests a bit more.

I watched videos on YouTube!!

What a great way to waste your life...

Not only did I watch hilarious animal videos, but I also was drawn to videos of Christopher Paolini. Since I've been reading his books, obviously he's been on my mind. And to be honest, I hadn't really seen any videos of him... Until the other day. Now, it doesn't matter if you love or hate his books, but you have to admit that he's one good public speaker for his age. Having taken a public speaking course in the Spring--learning how to speak in front of an audience--I was genuinely impressed by how he's able to command and maintain your attention. I watched several videos of book premiere's/signings and I've seen a handful of interviews; so can I just say, I have a serious crush on the guy? I mean, he's the perfect age and he doesn't live very far from me! (Who would have thought?). Not to mention how "down to earth" he seems. Dang smart, but down to earth.

You have to love those "celebrity" crushes, right? The kind you know would never work out in a million years, and you'll be lucky to even see the person (let alone actually meet them) in this lifetime! But, this is a vain wish of mine for the future. Perhaps one day will shall cross paths... But I kind of doubt that... Then again, where is my faith?! (LOL!) =P

Anyway, amongst all the interviews and all the fan-based questions he answered, the main repeated question was: "What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?" or "What has been the most difficult part of writing this series."

In answers to both questions, he tackled something that I have heard numerous authors say (including two of my favorites: Lisa Mangum and Colleen Houck). This is a problem I know that I struggle with terribly...
The answer to the questions?

Write.Every.Day.

Over and over again I have heard that those three words are the key to reaching success and being a good writer.

This is not something I have been very good at in the past. I tend to be a procrastinator, and therefore lack the self-control to get things completed. However--I will admit--when I was writing nearly everyday, I did feel more productive and had an overall sense of "well being".

Writing is one of my cures for life. If I'm struggling with a problem in my life, I write about it. If I'm happy and excited, I write about it. If I have a crazy idea for a story pop into my head, I write about it. I have come to realize that if I don't write about it then the idea/inspiration will slip away and I'll be left wondering what that crazy thought was all about in the first place. Also, if I don't write everyday (if I miss a day) my inspiration slowly slips away. I think this is why Paolini (as well as many others) really emphasize this point; if you don't write, you lose your motivation to write. This is certainly true in my case.

So lately I have been re-asking myself, "Why do I write?"

I originally thought it was because I had a story I wanted to tell and characters I wanted to share with the world. But if this was truly the case, why have I not made more progress on my stories?

Why do I write?

Is it an attempt to escape? Run far away from my current situation--whatever that situation may be?

Perhaps it is like what Paolini has said, "Writing is a way that you explain the world to yourself."

Or like I mentioned earlier, do I simply write to "cure" my life?

I will continue to ask myself this question as well as try to write at least something once a day. I think I will feel better emotionally (and creatively). Besides, who knows what may develop!

In the words of one of the heroes in my life who I greatly admire:

"I was made for more than this."

Inheritance & the Doctor

On May 28th I started reading a new book series. For years I had heard good things and the final book in the series was released last November. Well, being the last-to-get-into-anything-epic, I finally decided to start reading it.

I had purchased the first book for only $1.50 at the DI. It didn't take long for me to get lost in the mystical world of Alagaësia, with its beautiful landscape and vast array of characters. These characters told stories of when Dragon Riders once ruled the skies, the destruction and rise of the tyrannical Gallbatorix, the secretive Varden who opposed the new order, the magical elves of far away lands, and the dwarves who kept to themselves in the Beor Mountains.

Yes, this series is the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini.

I will admit, I finished the first book, Eragon, and was surprised by how different it was from the movie. I now know the main reason the movie flopped at the box office: It didn't follow the original story close enough. The book is SOOO much better!!! I easily became mesmerized by the story--especially when Murtagh entered. I will admit right now, he is my favorite character so far. I fell in love with him in the movie, and even more so in the book. I'm very excited to see where this journey will take him (I'm also scared in a lot of ways--NO SPOILERS PLEASE!!!)

Can you blame me?????





Anyways, I started reading Eldest (the second book) last week and I'm hopeful of finishing it tonight or tomorrow. I will admit, I struggled through the beginning of this book. For the first 120 pages or so, as Eragon is in the land of the dwarves, Paolini goes into incredible detail (not only just the physical, but all the history, etc.) and it almost overwhelms the senses (at least it did mine). On top of that, the story flips back and forth between Eragon's POV and his cousin Roran--who was left behind to essentially protect the village that Eragon fled in his haste to escape the Ra'zac. This is a new technique that was not used in the first book. For the most part, Paolini uses a limited third person POV... But it has expanded as the series continues. Paolini also has a habit of switching POVs at very critical moments, or "cliff hangers" if you will, and it reaches its intended effect: Drive the reader crazy and makes us keep reading!!

Needless to say, the book has grown on me and I am thoroughly enjoying it now. The amount of detail in this world that Paolini has created is simply amazing, and the way he entwines the history of the world into the story--revealing bits of it at a time--is simply awe-inspiring.

Now, obviously this post isn't JUST about the series; for I haven't finished it yet, therefore I cannot give my full review. Oh no. There is a reason for all this background detail...

I happened to glance at the end of Brisingr at the acknowledgements and I read the following statement (though it made no sense to me with regards to the story as of yet):

"Also, for those who understood the reference to a "lonely god" when Eragon and Arya are sitting around the campfire, my only excuse is that the Doctor can travel everywhere, even alternate realities. Hey, I'm a fan too!"

LOL!!!! How GREAT is that??? I never would have guessed Paolini--this AMAZING storyteller who is so incredibly young for a Bestselling author--was a Doctor Who fan!!! I suppose it is everywhere these days...

And I'm just fine with that.