In My Mailbox - 1

It's time that I come forward and admit my addiction to Amazon and reading in general. Here for the first time is my In My Mailbox post without pics or descriptions cause I'm lazy right now, might put them in later. In My Mailbox comes from Kristi at The Story Siren.






WON
Shiver ARC by Maggie Stiefvater

BOUGHT
My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
Break by Hannah Moskowitz
Once A Witch by Colleen McCullough

Encyclopedia of Magic & Alchemy
Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft & Wicca

LIBRARY
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
The Monster Variations by Daniel Kraus

the secret

I think I finally figured out what the secret to finishing a first draft is. It's not being afraid to write crap. I'm such a perfectionist, I agonize over one sentence until my eyes go blurry and I can't stand to sit at the computer one more second. It's stupid.

I already learned this with screenwriting, just get the draft out. Get words on paper and sort them out in the rewrite. I actually love editing, I love pulling the pieces together like a puzzle and honing them until they tell the best version of the story possible.

The difference between screenplays and novels though is all the words. There's so many words in a book! The thought of working through so many in a revision is overwhelming and so, rather than trusting myself that I will get the bare bones that I need for a good edit, I am constantly going back and revising or taking time away to rework the plot.

It's time to stop. It's time to put my butt in the chair, write some crap and sort it out later. Today, I'm giving myself the permission to write the worst scenes ever. I will finish this first draft in the next two weeks. No, really, I will!

Show Me Five Saturday - 2

That's A Novel Idea just started this fun new meme!

Here are the rules:
Each Saturday You will post the answer to these questions. The number indicates the number of answers you will provide.

1 Book you read and/or reviewed this week
2 Words that describe the book
3 Settings where it took place or characters you met
4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it
5 Stars or less for your rating?

1. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
2. MG/YA, Awesome
3. NYC, 70's, Miranda
4. Liked: that it was set in the 70s, the plot - which I can't talk about without revealing the mystery, sense of place, realistic characters
5. 5 stars

Friday Finds - 2

Friday Finds is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

This is a cool sounding book I discovered this week!

Here they are:

The Pace by Shelena Shorts (released 8/19/09)

From GoodReads:
Weston Wilson is not immortal and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and eighteen-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time.

Intensely fascinating and rich with determination, The Pace brings together romance, mystery, and suspense in a compelling bond that is sure to have readers asking for more.

This sounds so interesting that I ordered it from Amazon! Can't wait to check it out.

Waiting On Wednesday - 3

WOW is hosted by Breaking The Spine. I've been getting into boy books lately, so this week's choice is:

Maze Runner by James Dashner - release date October 6, 2009

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.


Ooh, sounds post-apocalyptic, and creepy and mysterious. Three of my favorite things! On Amazon it's paired with The Forest of Hands and Teeth (one of my faves this year) which makes me very curious and even more excited to read it.