When I'm NOT Writing

As you probably know by now, when I'm not writing and blogging here, I'm blogging with four other lovely ladies at Tangled Up In Words. Over the past three weeks we've hosted some amazing authors to share why they write. It's been a blast having them, and as a wrap-up of the "Why I Write" segment, we've decided to share a funny (we hope!) vlog with you as to what we're doing when we're NOT writing.

It's silly and sums up who we are pretty perfectly. Hope you enjoy it!

The YA Spill (#6)

 Welcome to The YA Spill! 

The YA Spill is a (mostly) weekly meme where I'll have Q&A with YA book bloggers. As a founding member of a YA book blog, I've had the pleasure of getting to know many bloggers and even though I've stepped back from blogging in that capacity as often, I'm still a huge fan of reading YA book blogs and love hearing the blogger's opinions on the hottest books out there. 

So each week I'll be spotlighting anywhere from one to three YA book bloggers with a few questions on what they're currently loving and can't wait to read next. If you're a YA book blogger, and you'd like to participate in The YA Spill, please email me at cindythomaswrites (@) gmail (dot) com. 

 Please welcome this week's awesome participant:

Gabrielle from The Mod Podge Bookshelf

(Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook)

What is the most recent book that you've read and loved? 

I've read only a fraction of the books I read this time last year, but let me tell you, the list is pretty incredible! Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield, Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin, Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama & Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo are all so brilliant!

What book recently surprised you?

 

One For the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, the voice of her MC was very surprising! I wasn't expecting an irreverent twelve year old with heart-felt insecurities to narrate the story, but Carly remained consistent throughout her tumultuous circumstances.

What types of books do you wish there were more of? 

If Jellicoe Road could be a paranormal romance, a historical fiction, a self-help guide and a dystopian novel, then I'd be thrilled. Basically I just want to feel a book like I feel that book. That book is, in a way, every book all rolled into one. If I could bottle that book, I would spray it behind my ears and spritz my wrists everyday before I wrote.

What book comes out soon that you can't wait to get your hands on?

Insurgent by Veronica Roth! Revived by Cat Patrick! Timepiece by Myra McEntire! 

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you became a YA book blogger?

I became a book blogger during a very, oh, what's a good word here? Trying. Trying is good, actually trying was bad, however it is very appropriate to say that I began The Mod Podge Bookshelf during a very trying time in my life. Looking back, I don't exactly know why I did it. I'm thinking it must have been a lot of Divine inspiration mixed with a soupcon of book loving and a dash of Hello, World? Are you there, or are you ignoring me entirely?
 

What is the first book you read & reviewed as a blogger?

 

I'm going to say Wither by Lauren Destefano. Wither was the first ARC I ever received for review purposes, so when I read and reviewed it, I really felt a sense of arrival. 

As a book blogger, you probably get lots of review requests. What is the best way for an author or publisher to receive a response from you when sending you a request?

Get my name right. Attach nothing. And send a request that at least gives me a feel that you've actually seen my blog before, maybe read my review policy. The problem I get with a lot of self-published authors (a lot, not all- some of my favorite people self-published) is that they never wrote a query letter. For those of you who did, the same rules apply here. It may not be as high stakes if you are featured on my blog as looking to be accepted as a client, however if you really care, take the time. If you take the time to research me and my blog, I get a strong impression that you took time to write your book and write it well! Also? Spellcheck. 'Nuff said.

 

Thank you so much for joining me today, Gabrielle! 

Apologies, Tangled & Inspiration

Okay, I owe you all an apology. I've been really terrible at this blogging thing for the past few weeks, and for that I'm truly sorry. I missed a week of The YA Spill, as well, but I promise to have it back up and running next week. There are several reasons for my absence, including stomach viruses from hell and interstate traveling, but I won't bore you with all the details. The important thing is I'm back and there's lots of great things going on.

First, if you haven't already heard, Tangled Up In Words is having a HUGE segment featuring many awesome authors who are all talking about why they write. They're sharing their stories and deepest reasons for why they just can't and don't want to stop writing.

Here are links to the four authors who've already shared their guest posts. There are plenty more to come so be sure to stay tuned.

Michelle Krys (THE WITCH HUNTER'S BIBLE, Delacorte/Random House, Spring 2014)

 Aimee Agresti (ILLUMINATE, Harcourt, March 2012)

Melissa West (GRAVITY, Entangled Publishing, October 16, 2012)

Tiffany Schmidt (SEND ME A SIGN, Walker/Bloomsbury, October 2, 2012)

It's all kinds of awesome, so you should definitely check it out. Oh...and there's also a gigantic giveaway. Like ENORMOUS. Seriously, go check it out!

And now, how about a little inspiration? Writing is one of those things that can have so giddy happy and high that you feel like you'll never come down...and then you can have rock bottoms that make you feel like you'll never be good enough. It's a crazy roller coaster of emotions that are completely unpredictable and certainly not always fun to experience.

Even with my amazing critique partners and family's encouragement, I have days where I just don't know how I'll ever finish another book. The struggles aren't easy, and maybe they aren't meant to be. Maybe it's the struggles that make us stronger and want to fight harder. Maybe we're supposed to sink so low that when we look up, all we see is the bright spot. Because there is always a bright spot. Even in those difficult days/weeks/months, there are bright spots. You just have to want to see them.

Sometimes those bright spots come in the form of new ideas, sometimes they're a good cry with a friend, and sometimes they're just good old-fashioned inspirational words from someone who's been in your shoes.

Today, I offer you two posts by two incredible authors who have inspired me in the last week with their words. One of my lovely crit partners brought these to my attention. I needed to hear them, so maybe you do too.

The Writer's Life is Full of Second Chances by Robin LaFevers

Embrace That You Are Doing Something Hard by Natalie Whipple

Whether you're a writer or a reader, or just someone who happens to stop by this blog and see this post, I hope you have found some inspiration today.

The YA Spill (#5)

Welcome to The YA Spill! 

The YA Spill is a (mostly) weekly meme where I'll have Q&A with YA book bloggers. As a founding member of a YA book blog, I've had the pleasure of getting to know many bloggers and even though I've stepped back from blogging in that capacity as often, I'm still a huge fan of reading YA book blogs and love hearing the blogger's opinions on the hottest books out there. 

So each week I'll be spotlighting anywhere from one to three YA book bloggers with a few questions on what they're currently loving and can't wait to read next. If you're a YA book blogger, and you'd like to participate in The YA Spill, please email me at cindythomaswrites (@) gmail (dot) com. 


 Please welcome this week's awesome participant:

 Franny from Mind Reader

(Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook) 
  

   What is the most recent book that you've read and loved? 

I’d have to say Forgiven by Jana Oliver. The Demon Trappers Series is a must and everyone should read it. :)

What book recently surprised you? 

The Lure Of Shapinsay by Krista Holle. I have to be honest, I wasn’t really sure at the beginning because I thought it was about sirens and I had recently read a short story about sirens which was really awful. But the book was about Selkies and I actually enjoyed it and it was very intriguing, since Selkies are very unique creatures.

What types of books do you wish there were more of?

I wish there were more books about magic/witches.

What book comes out soon that you can't wait to get your hands on?

Elemental by Emily White. She’s a great friend of mine and I’ve been waiting to read this book for months! I’m so happy the wait is almost finally over!

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you became a YA book blogger?

My name is Franny and I’m Italian, but I’ve been living in UK since 2008. To be honest I’ve never really thought about blogging until last year. I wasn’t totally happy with myself and the Royal Wedding really had an impact on my life. It really made me think about what I wanted to achieve with my life and soon after I started blogging. I really can’t believe I’ve been blogging for almost one year, and if I look back at when I started, I’m so glad and proud of myself for all the achievement I’ve made. J Now I happily review for publishers & indie authors, I organize virtual book tours (check Dark Mind Book Tours) and I also have a food blog, So Good…So Franny! Life is busy!

What is the first book you read & reviewed as a blogger?

Die For Me by Amy Plum. It was my absolute first review, although I can’t remember how I got it. :D

As a book blogger, you probably get lots of review requests. What is the best way for an author or publisher to receive a response from you when sending you a request?

Ohhh… this is a very sensitive topic, and I know there is a lot of fuss going on around about this. I really appreciate if authors read my review policy, that means they actually spent time looking at my blog to see if I might really like their book. I’ve received lots of requests for genres I don’t even read, and that it’s a bit annoying. However, the most important thing to make me consider a request is presentation. I also received requests like this: “Hello, I would like to submit my novel for review, hope you’ll take it into consideration. Thanks”. No name, no book title, no info at all. I have deleted these emails in a beat (and I’m not afraid to admit it). So, the best way to receive a positive response is a brief introduction of who the author is and the book blurb. And if they have a site I can check out, that’s definitely a plus!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Franny!