tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032013271079111612024-02-06T23:42:54.910-05:00Cindy Thomas YA AuthorCindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-53350487501752070762014-03-25T21:20:00.001-04:002014-03-25T21:20:43.476-04:00<object codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="310" height="500" id="countdown"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><param name="movie" value="http://countdownpage.createyourcountdown.com/?filename=0000gtcd225c8bb4706dd6b8a9b80bf1f08e1aea_140326021900" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://countdownpage.createyourcountdown.com/?filename=0000gtcd225c8bb4706dd6b8a9b80bf1f08e1aea_140326021900" name="countdown" width="310" height="500" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="false" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0"/></object>Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-52967169977928821992013-06-19T21:05:00.001-04:002013-06-19T21:05:36.375-04:00FRIGID Widget Now Live! <script src="http://cdn.widgetserver.com/syndication/subscriber/InsertWidget.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('f6e5698a-8047-4a23-8e8f-91a850fa6054');</script>
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Enjoy! Take it for yourself. Pre-order it today! Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-63661889842080372642013-03-14T07:08:00.006-04:002013-03-14T07:08:40.266-04:00Lucky Leprechuan Giveaway Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtv2LFRj_KoHyGhIuNcoAP9a7UyFFNYAu3-bOv7s0DRYg6sSzM5N8JXxTtPRB7YXvbcE9tfuwtrcbwoHHflBTtNF9s4AHuAPfu9Bv8UYnl8JVzwCIdneZSF-gsZr2qpjRBKcfLHfk564/s320/Lucky+Lep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtv2LFRj_KoHyGhIuNcoAP9a7UyFFNYAu3-bOv7s0DRYg6sSzM5N8JXxTtPRB7YXvbcE9tfuwtrcbwoHHflBTtNF9s4AHuAPfu9Bv8UYnl8JVzwCIdneZSF-gsZr2qpjRBKcfLHfk564/s320/Lucky+Lep.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Welcome to the</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">3rd Annual Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">March 15th to 22nd</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Co-Hosted By <a href="http://www.bookscompleteme.com/">Books Complete Me</a> & <a href="http://www.iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I am a Reader, Not a Writer</a></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm giving away 3 awesome prizes! Three of my amazingly talented critique partners have books coming out very soon. So to celebrate their success, I'm offering you a chance to win their books, plus an extra. Read below for details. </span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">All prizes are open internationally.</span> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The prizes are:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 book by Kristi Cook - HAVEN (book 1), MIRAGE (book 2) or a pre-order of ETERNAL (the final book in the series)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 pre-order of THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED by Page Morgan</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 pre-order of WATERFELL by Amalie Howard <b><span style="color: #990000;">OR</span></b> a YA book of your choice. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Read below to find out more about
the books and be sure to tell me which books
you're entering for on the Rafflecopter form. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also, check below for the full list of blogs participating. Thanks so much for stopping by! </span><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>***Books by <a href="http://www.kristi-cook.com/" target="_blank">Kristi Cook</a>*** </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">About HAVEN: </span></b><span id="freeText11535543887729998085">Violet McKenna thought
she was crazy when she had a vivid vision of her dad’s murder—but when
her premonition came true, her life fell apart. Then she found a new
school: Winterhaven. There, Violet fits right in. All the students have
special “gifts” like her own, and she quickly finds a close group of
friends. But Violet’s attraction to an alluring boy becomes problematic
when intense visions of his death start to haunt her. In her
premonitions, the secret he is unwilling to share begins to reveal
itself—and the unbelievable becomes reality. To Violet’s horror, she
learns that their destinies are intertwined in a crictical—and
deadly—way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>About: </b><span id="freeTextContainer14841646061096537045"><b>MIRAGE</b>: Seventeen-year-old
Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven, and thrilled
to be with Aidan after a long summer apart. But when a violent and
disturbing vision begins to haunt her, Violet suddenly feels unsure of
everything: who to trust, if she is in danger, and—worst of all—whether
she and Aidan are really meant to be together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText8160394508334494277"><b>About ETERNAL</b>: In the final book of the
Winterhaven trilogy, Violet McKenna and her friends find themselves
right in the middle of a vampire war. The stakes have been raised, the
danger unavoidable now. As the Warriors’ senior year draws to a close,
not everyone makes it out alive. Who will be left standing at the end of
it all? Will Aidan be a part of Violet’s future, or is he just a
specter of the past?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span id="freeText8160394508334494277"> ***THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED by <a href="http://www.pagemorganbooks.com/" target="_blank">Page Morgan</a>***</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>About THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED</b>: Fans of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series and Lauren Kate's FALLEN novels will devour <i>The Beautiful and the Cursed</i>, a wholly original interpretation of gargoyle lore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It
was bizarre and inexplicable, but after it happened no one spoke of it
and Ingrid Waverly was forced to leave her life in London behind. She
had to trade a world full of fancy dresses and society events for Paris
with her mother and younger sister, Gabby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In Paris there are no
grand balls or glittering parties, and, disturbingly, the house her twin
brother Grayson found for them isn't a house at all. It's an abbey. A
creepy, old abbey with a roof lined in stone gargoyles that one could
almost mistake for living, breathing creatures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And Grayson is missing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yet
no one seems to be concerned about Grayson's whereabouts save for Luc, a
devastatingly handsome servant who has some secrets of his own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There's
one secret about the city that he can't keep hidden, though. There's a
murderer on the loose. And every day Grayson is missing means that
there's less of a chance he's alive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingrid is sure her twin isn't
dead--she can feel it deep in her soul--but she knows he's in grave
danger, and that it's up to her and Gabby to find him before all hope is
lost. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Only the path to him is more than she could ever imagine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>***WATERFELL by <a href="http://www.amaliemorgan.com/" target="_blank">Amalie Howard</a>*** </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>About WATERFELL</b>: <span id="freeText14324601123366233091">Sixteen-year-old
Nerissa Marin is friendly, popular and smart. She gets good grades and
is co-captain of the Dover Prep Girls’ Field Hockey team. But she isn’t
like other girls. Sure she talks like them, dresses like them and even
looks like them. But she’s nothing like any of the girls at Dover Prep,
or in San Diego, or anywhere, period. That’s because Nerissa isn’t a
girl at all.<br /><br />Hiding in plain sight and living among humans, the
Aquarathi species has been living in the depths of the Earth’s oceans
for millennia, having escaped near extinction on their own planet. Earth
has become a second home. When Nerissa’s 4-year human initiation cycle
is interrupted by a heartbreaking message from her father, her entire
world is turned upside down. Her father has been killed for his throne,
and his murderer is on the hunt. For her. Nerissa is forced to stay in
hiding in human form, with no one to trust but her Handlers and her tiny
group of human friends. But enemies are everywhere, watching and
waiting for her to make one false move, even within her own trusted
circle.<br /><br />Not only is her best friend Jenna impossible to hide
things from, Nerissa also has to contend with the cute surfing champ
transfer from Hawaii, Lo Seavon, who just won’t take no for an answer.
He’s annoying and arrogant but awakens feelings in her that she can’t
quite navigate, especially since she’s never fallen for a human boy
before. While she knows that her entire future is on the line, Nerissa
can’t help the demands of her heart—and the far too human part of
her—where Lo is concerned. But being with Lo may just well get her
killed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText14324601123366233091">As you can see, WATERFELL by Amalie Howard does not yet have a cover, and as it's slated for release later this year, there is no link to pre-order this one yet. As someone who has read this amazing book, I know it's going to be worth the wait, but if you'd rather not wait for this one to become available for pre-order, you may request any other YA book of your choice that is under $15 U.S. dollars. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText14324601123366233091">ALL prizes are open internationally as long as The Book Depository ships to your country! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2662e27/" id="rc-2662e27" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
</span><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-88719118736992706982013-02-04T11:36:00.000-05:002013-02-04T11:36:51.757-05:00Goals, Music, Books & More UpdatesIt's officially February. Where did January go? Not that I'm complaining, because I'm not at all. February brings all kinds of excitement for me, so I'm happy it's here, but it does seem like 2013 is already flying by.<br />
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It's been a while since I've given you any real updates, so I thought it would be best to start of the month with just that. It's Update Time!<br />
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<b>Update #1</b>: Books Complete Me Unlimited (BCMU) has officially launched. What is Books Complete Me Unlimited, you ask? Simply put, BCMU is the brand new sister site of Books Complete Me (BCM) and will feature reviews and all things book related for books that are not YA.You should check it out because it's going to be AWESOME. Find it <a href="http://www.bookscompletemeunlimited.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br />
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<b>Update #2</b>: All The Write Notes (ATWN) has officially launched. What is All The Write Notes, you ask? You can read <a href="http://allthewritenotes.blogspot.com/p/about-atwn.html" target="_blank">THIS</a> to get all the details, but essentially ATWN is a blog of writers who love music. We talk music. We talk writing. We talk about the two of them together. Oh, and there will be giveaways, too. You should definitely check it out, because it's going to be AWESOME (trust me, just go with it). <br />
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<b>Update #3</b>: I'm writing again. After I won NaNoWriMo, a few things happened personally (all good things, don't worry) and I fell behind in my writing schedule. I only had a few chapters remaining in my current WIP to finish the first draft, but the manuscript pretty much sat all lonely in my computer for over a month. I missed it, and now, finally, I'm back to giving it the attention it deserves. This is in no small part due to one of my incredible critique partners. <a href="http://www.amaliehoward.com/" target="_blank">Amalie Howard</a>, here's looking at you! <br />
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<b>Update #4</b>: Speaking of Amalie Howard, have you heard all of her good news?? She's been super busy selling books, including WATERFELL to Harlequin Teen. Here's the Publisher's Marketplace announcement:<br />
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<strong>“Amalie Howard’s WATERFELL, in which an alien shape-shifting
princess hides in plain sight among humans and trains to save her
species, living in the depths of the Earth’s oceans for millennia, from
the enemy who murdered her family and wants to rule in her place, to
Natashya Wilson at Harlequin Teen, in a two-book deal, for publication
in Winter 2014, by Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency (World).”</strong><br />
<br />As someone who has read WATERFELL, I cannot tell you enough how proud I am of Amalie. This book is amazing and so is she. *throws virtual confetti* Congrats Amalie!!<br />
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You can find out more about Amalie and her recent sales on her website <a href="http://www.amaliehoward.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br />
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<b>Update #5</b>: The <a href="http://www.tangledupinwords.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tangled Up In Words blog</a> is going to be super busy and FUN this month. Check out our month of #SmallPress411 to learn all about working for and with small presses. It's going to be a blast! <br />
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<b>Update #6</b>: I love my job! I just recently started a position as publicist for Spencer Hill Press's new imprint, Spencer Hill Contemporary and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I am loving getting to know my authors and understanding their visions for their books. I'm honored to work with them and am so happy to be in such a position. Things have been going really well, and I've been promoted to "Senior Publicist." Kind of cool, right?<br />
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<b>Goals for February</b>: I have two goals for this month. The first is the finish the first draft of this manuscript by February 15th. The second is to finish revisions for this same manuscript by the end of the month. I'm rolling my sleeves up, digging in and not coming back up for air until it's complete.<br />
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<b>Exciting Things Happening In February</b>: 2nd annual WRITING RETREAT! In 17 days I will be leaving for the writing retreat of awesome. I am so so so so so so excited I can hardly stand it. This year's retreat has grown by two. so it's sure to be even more fun. Stay tuned for updates from the group: <a href="http://danielleellison.com/" target="_blank">Danielle Ellison</a>, <a href="http://www.amaliehoward.com/" target="_blank">Amalie Howard</a>, <a href="http://kristi-cook.com/" target="_blank">Kristi Cook</a>, <a href="http://katekaynak.com/" target="_blank">Kate Kaynak</a>, <a href="http://pagemorganbooks.com/" target="_blank">Page Morgan</a>, <a href="http://arianemandell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ariane Mandell</a>, and myself! <br />
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<br />Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-76431406367376542462013-01-28T10:58:00.001-05:002013-01-28T10:59:27.220-05:00Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop Sign-Ups!<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Happy Monday everyone!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's that time of year again where I'll be participating in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop. If you'd like to participate as well, you can sign up below. Just add your blog name to the linky list and you should be good to go. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <b>Hop Rules:</b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
1. You must giveaway a book or something that a reader, author or blogger would enjoy.<br />
2. The Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop Image needs to be part of your post.<br />
3. Include the linky list with all the participating blogs at the end of
your post OR link to the hop post on my site or on the co-host's site.<br />
4. Keep It Simple!! There are only 6 entries allowed per person. 1
Mandatory entry and up to 5 optional extra entry. All entries must be
able to be done on one visit to your blog - Entries such as tweet once a
day are NOT allowed (tweeting once is fine). <br />
5. If you are using rafflecopter the top right corner of the
rafflecopter form can only say +6. Set the giveaway to start on March
14th and to end on March 23rd at 12:01 AM.<br />
6. This must be a giveaway specifically for this hop and must run only
the 8 days this hop is scheduled. Although it's fine to start your
giveaway anytime after noon on Friday.<br />
7. Both your site and your giveaway must be family friendly.</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20.7963px;"></span><a href="http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/giveaway-hop-rules.html" style="color: #7f7f7f; line-height: 20.7963px;" target="_blank"></a></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 20.7969px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 20.7969px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: white;">Blogs may choose to run their giveaway via comments, a google form or rafflecopter.</span></span></span><span style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
To sign up to host a giveaway add your blog to the linky below with your
shipping info in parenthesis following your blog name. If you forget I
will assume you are shipping to US only and add (US) after your blog
name.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.7969px;"><b>DO
NOT SIGN UP UNLESS YOU ARE COMMITTED TO POST AND HAVE WRITTEN IT ON
YOUR CALENDAR! 1 in 5 bloggers who sign up never post. Please do not
be one of them. Thanks!</b></span><span style="line-height: 20.7969px;"> </span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br style="line-height: 20.7969px;" /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.7969px;">If you have any questions email Kathy at toobusyreading-at-gmaildotcom </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20.7969px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-16102092054482968172012-12-14T10:33:00.000-05:002012-12-14T10:33:27.543-05:00#BIR2012: MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH by Bethany Griffin - Guest Post & Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiXwMXfDwzzaljmEsn7DTCRJHLoYjdhmYqlRCaYDaBh0dAjv6A8qA1BWhjxjatK6QkZE5E-krQ1ykyNSOMMDGaujxWRdBC_IXjIS7h6kzJGaxxnIz96hTeYQHC2gQy3bg1K7x2VwECsM/s400/BIR20123.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiXwMXfDwzzaljmEsn7DTCRJHLoYjdhmYqlRCaYDaBh0dAjv6A8qA1BWhjxjatK6QkZE5E-krQ1ykyNSOMMDGaujxWRdBC_IXjIS7h6kzJGaxxnIz96hTeYQHC2gQy3bg1K7x2VwECsM/s320/BIR20123.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Welcome to day five of Best I've Read 2012!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be sure to check the <a href="http://www.bestiveread.blogspot.com/">Best I've Read blog</a> to see our top author picks for today: <a href="http://bestiveread.blogspot.com/2012/12/bir2012-top-books-rift-and-bloodrose-by.html">RIFT and BLOODROSE </a>by Andrea Cremer & OSIDIAN, ONYX and PURE by Jennifer L. Armentrout!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've chosen MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH by Bethany Griffin as my last (but definitely NOT least!) BIR2012 pick. She was kind of enough to provide a guest post for this feature, but first, here's a little about the book: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1341716702l/12924275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1341716702l/12924275.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH by Bethany Griffin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Released: April 24, 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Publisher: <a href="http://harperteen.com/books/Masque-Red-Death-Bethany-Griffin/?isbn=9780062107794"><b>Greenwillow</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Find Bethany Online: <b><a href="http://www.bethanygriffin.com/">Website</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12924275-masque-of-the-red-death">Goodreads</a></b> / <b><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/_bethanygriffin">Twitter</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bethanygriffinauthor?ref=ts&fref=ts">Facebook</a> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From Goodreads: <span id="freeText18349704303933945292">Everything is in ruins.<br /><br />A
devastating plague has decimated the population, and those who are left
live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles around them.<br /><br />So what does Araby Worth have to live for?<br /><br />Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.<br /><br />But
in the depths of the club--in the depths of her own despair--Araby will
find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome
proprietor of the club, and Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat.
Neither is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.<br /><br />And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for--no matter what it costs her.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span id="freeText18349704303933945292">***Guest Post***</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held
illimitable dominion over all. This is the last line of Poe’s Masque of the Red
Death. And when I sign my books I usually write, Darkness, Decay, and the Red
Death…enjoy! </span></div>
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Today I’m writing about one of my favorite subjects.
Plagues. Wait…that didn’t sound quite sane…Let me start over. Today I’m writing
about one of my favorite subjects <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fictional
</i>plagues. Although…my first experience reading about plague was actually the
Black Death, which was very very real. But when you read about it in a history
book, it doesn’t seem like it could’ve been real. That’s why it’s so incredibly
fascinating. </div>
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In high school history class I really enjoyed reading about
the middle ages—you had the pageantry of the aristocracy—chivalry and all that
(never mind that they were all covered by fleas) and then you had the peasants
whose lives were so bleak…they ate the same food every day, couldn’t read,
never travelled… it was a time of torture and superstition. Cathedrals and
castles. Like a world ravaged by plague, it’s fun to read about but I certainly
wouldn’t want to live there! </div>
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One of my favorite books dealing with the Black Death is the
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. It’s a story (in a nutshell) about a historian
who is sent back to the middle ages, but to the wrong year, to the height of
the plague. The result is haunting…an amazing story. </div>
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I’m sure some of that sensibility seeped its way into
Masque, at least a little bit. My absolute favorite Plague related book is The
Stand by Stephen King. But after thinking about the book (I need to re-read
this one very soon!) The superflu is the impetus for everything, but once the
story gets moving, it fades into the background. </div>
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In Masque of the Red Death, the illness pervades everything.
It’s all about the fear of death, and the fear of illness. How people treat
each other, their interactions, fashion, and just their mode of life, have all
been drastically changed. </div>
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And of course, the plague had huge impact on my characters.
One of the ways I think about the characters is how the contagion affected
their outlooks on life. Elliott has to be extremely arrogant to think that he
can change the world. Will is just trying to get by, but with dignity and decency.
Araby is reacting to the world after the shock of her brother’s death by trying
to numb herself, and April is taking advantage of the freedom afforded her by
the new world. </div>
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While I didn’t do extensive research into a specific plague,
and while I’m extremely squeamish about actual symptoms, the plague holds the
story of Masque of the Red Death together. The theme of Poe’s story is that you
can’t hide from death. My story begins with the corpse collectors scouring the
city for dead bodies, and Dance of the Red Death will culminate in a version of
Poe’s iconic masquerade ball. And the theme of no one being able to escape from
death, from the plague, from the Red Death is definitely part of my stories<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=803201327107911161" name="_GoBack"></a>. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText18349704303933945292"><b>***Giveaway***</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText18349704303933945292"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Thanks to HarperTeen, we (the collective BIR gang) are giving away several Harper prize packs. Open to U.S. mailing addresses. Enter using the Rafflecopter below. </span></div>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bfed4b36/" id="rc-bfed4b36" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
</span><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-16527283586943827802012-12-13T08:23:00.001-05:002012-12-13T08:25:53.939-05:00#BIR2012: REVIVED by Cat Patrick - Interview & Giveaway<div class="im">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiXwMXfDwzzaljmEsn7DTCRJHLoYjdhmYqlRCaYDaBh0dAjv6A8qA1BWhjxjatK6QkZE5E-krQ1ykyNSOMMDGaujxWRdBC_IXjIS7h6kzJGaxxnIz96hTeYQHC2gQy3bg1K7x2VwECsM/s400/BIR20123.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiXwMXfDwzzaljmEsn7DTCRJHLoYjdhmYqlRCaYDaBh0dAjv6A8qA1BWhjxjatK6QkZE5E-krQ1ykyNSOMMDGaujxWRdBC_IXjIS7h6kzJGaxxnIz96hTeYQHC2gQy3bg1K7x2VwECsM/s400/BIR20123.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Welcome to day four of Best I've Read! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be sure to check the <b><a href="http://www.bestiveread.blogspot.com/">Best I've Read blog</a></b> to check out today's top authors: <b><a href="http://bestiveread.blogspot.com/2012/12/bir2012-top-book-shadow-and-bone-by.html">SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo</a></b> & THE IMMORTAL RULES and THE LOST PRINCE by Julie Kagawa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />I'm featuring the lovely Cat Patrick here today for her amazing book, REVIVED. There is just something about the way Cat weaves her stories that leave me breathless and always wanting more. I've never been disappointed by one of her books. She is definitely someone I look up to as an aspiring author and I'd pretty much read anything she writes. Here's a little about REVIVED: </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1318876961l/12681233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1318876961l/12681233.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">REVIVED by Cat Patrick</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Released: May 8, 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Publisher: <b><a href="http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/cat-patrick/revived/9780316094634/">Little, Brown Books for Young Readers</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Find Cat Online: <b><a href="http://www.catpatrick.com/">Website</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12681233-revived">Goodreads</a></b> / <a href="http://twitter.com/seecatwrite"><b>Twitter</b></a> / <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000174182852">Facebook</a></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>From Goodreads</b>: <span id="freeText5433259425148019643">It started with a bus crash.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText5433259425148019643"><br />Daisy
Appleby was a little girl when it happened, and she barely remembers
the accident or being brought back to life. At that moment, though, she
became one of the first subjects in a covert government program that
tests a drug called Revive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText5433259425148019643"><br />Now fifteen, Daisy has died and been
Revived five times. Each death means a new name, a new city, a new
identity. The only constant in Daisy's life is constant change.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText5433259425148019643"><br />Then
Daisy meets Matt and Audrey McKean, charismatic siblings who quickly
become her first real friends. But if she's ever to have a normal life,
Daisy must escape from an experiment that's much larger--and more
sinister--than she ever imagined.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText5433259425148019643"><br />From its striking first chapter to its emotionally charged ending, Cat Patrick's <i>Revived</i> is a riveting story about what happens when life and death collide.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>***Interview with Cat Patrick*** </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>: If you ever needed to be revived, what do you predict the cause of your death would have been?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CP</b>: You
might be surprised to know that I’ve never been asked that question,
and to be honest, I’m a little freaked out by it. I’ve just typed
several options, only to delete them, fearful of life—or death—imitating
interview. Yes, I am <s>superstitious</s> borderline bonkers.</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>: In REVIVED, Daisy has been more than a little reckless with her life
because she knows Revive can bring her back. Her attitude toward
protecting life changes throughout the book, especially after she meets
Matt. Was it challenging for you to show the readers how much Daisy had
learned?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CP</b>: Writing
meaningful character arcs is always a challenge but once I had the
right plot, Daisy’s fell into place. Originally, I struggled—Revived
started out as almost a road trip book—but once I got Daisy settled in
Omaha, it was easier for her to learn and grow and for me to explain her
evolution to readers. When she was traveling around, she rarely had
enough interaction with any of the other characters for them to
influence such significant growth.</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>: I loved Mason's character and the way he was always so reliably there
for Daisy. Did you always intend for him to be both the fill-in father
but also someone who truly cared about Daisy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CP</b>: Thank
you, and great question. In early drafts, Mason was a bit less fatherly
and was downright gruff in some places. Those interactions seemed
wrong, and I softened him up. And I think it paid off; readers seem to
enjoy him. With my other book, Forgotten, the love interest, Luke, is
the most mentioned supporting character. With Revived, it's all about
Mason.</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>:
As a writer, I understand that the first draft of a book often looks
completely different than the final draft. What is one major difference
from the first draft to the final that you can share with us?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CP</b>: In
early drafts, Mason’s partner was a man, and there was just something
off about that. Something missing. I changed his partner to a woman,
Cassie, and immediately that <i>something</i> became apparent. I don’t want to say what it was for fear of spoiling the book for readers, but it was a pretty significant plot point.</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>: Which came to you first, Daisy or the plot? Was there a moment when
they both meshed together and you just knew you had a story worth
writing?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CP</b>: The
drug came first, honestly. I read about a potential drug that could
jolt stroke patients back to normal around the time we lost a family
friend to cancer. I wondered what it would be like if there were a drug
that could bring people back from the dead. And if you were a teenager
with access to such a drug, who would you be? The plot developed from
there.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">***Giveaway***</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thanks to Little, Brown I am giving away 5 copies of REVIVED. Open to U.S. mailing addresses only. Subject to all <b><a href="http://bestiveread.blogspot.com/p/about-bir.html">Best I've Read giveaway rules</a></b>. Enter using the Rafflecopter below. </span></div>
</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2662e24/" id="rc-2662e24" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-27348752698417788162012-12-12T08:57:00.001-05:002012-12-12T09:00:07.729-05:00#BIR2012 - MIRAGE by Kristi Cook - Exclusive ETERNAL Excerpt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiXwMXfDwzzaljmEsn7DTCRJHLoYjdhmYqlRCaYDaBh0dAjv6A8qA1BWhjxjatK6QkZE5E-krQ1ykyNSOMMDGaujxWRdBC_IXjIS7h6kzJGaxxnIz96hTeYQHC2gQy3bg1K7x2VwECsM/s400/BIR20123.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiXwMXfDwzzaljmEsn7DTCRJHLoYjdhmYqlRCaYDaBh0dAjv6A8qA1BWhjxjatK6QkZE5E-krQ1ykyNSOMMDGaujxWRdBC_IXjIS7h6kzJGaxxnIz96hTeYQHC2gQy3bg1K7x2VwECsM/s400/BIR20123.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Welcome to day three of Best I've Read 2012!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be sure to stop by the official BIR blog to see our overall picks for today: TAKE A BOW by Elizabeth Eulberg and GRAVE MERCY by R.L. LaFevers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today, I'm featuring one of my favorite authors and sequels of all time: MIRAGE by Kristi Cook. I can't gush enough about how amazing this book is. It doesn't fall into that second-book trap of the couple breaking up and dragging in the middle. This book is unputdownable in every way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For those of you new to BIR, you may not know that Kristi's debut HAVEN was featured on the official BIR blog last year and we had the honor of revealing the cover for MIRAGE then. You can check that out <a href="http://bestiveread.blogspot.com/2011/12/bir2011-haven-by-kristi-cook-mirage.html"><b>HERE</b></a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Here's a little about MIRAGE:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323721455l/12387704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323721455l/12387704.jpg" width="211" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">MIRAGE by Kristi Cook</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Released: June 5, 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Publisher: <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Mirage/Kristi-Cook/9781442442993"><b>Simon Pulse</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Find Kristi Online: <b><a href="http://www.kristi_cook.com/">Website</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12988101-mirage">Goodreads</a></b> / <b><a href="https://twitter.com/kristi_cook">Twitter</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristi-Cook/152067579336?ref=ts&fref=ts">Facebook</a></b></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>From Goodreads</b>: <span id="freeTextContainer4608447106954241326">Seventeen-year-old
Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven, and thrilled
to be with Aidan after a long summer apart. But when a violent and
disturbing vision begins to haunt her, Violet suddenly feels unsure of
everything: who to trust, if she is in danger, and—worst of all—whether
she and Aidan are really meant to be together.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeTextContainer4608447106954241326"><b>****** </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Because I love this series so much, and I know if you've read any of the books so far, you're probably dying to know what's going to happen in book three, Kristi has agreed to let me give you an extra special treat today:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">An exclusive excerpt from book three, ETERNAL!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Okay, okay, are you done screaming with excitement? Or maybe you've already skipped ahead and aren't even reading this.....so go ahead. Read it!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">***ETERNAL Excerpt***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">“What is it?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">His gaze met mine, and only
then did I notice the faintest trace of red creeping in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sight should have frightened me, but it
didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry your birthday was
ruined,” he said at last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had such
plans for after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our own, private
party.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">“I know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My pulse leapt, my mouth suddenly dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">“Tell me, Vi,” he said, his
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">I shook my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Honestly, I’m not sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, you just threw me off there with that
whole music thing,” I added with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 6.5in 472.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">“I think most people
misinterpret the concept,” Aidan began hesitantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They expect that their soul mate will be
just like them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know, that a soft,
gentle intellectual will only fit with another soft, gentle intellectual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or a fiery personality can only match another
fiery personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think it’s just
the opposite, that soul mates are more like two sides of a coin.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 6.5in 472.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">“Oh, really?” I said, intrigued
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was clear that he’d put a lot of
thought into this. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 6.5in 472.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The corners of his mouth
twitched with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes,
really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you and I…well, we’re so
very different, aren’t we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet…that
connection between us was almost instantaneous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re the lightheartedness to my solemnity, the spontaneity to my
careful planning, the light to my dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you’re heads, then I’m tails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Together, we’re a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
that’s what a soul mate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">truly</i>
is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 6.5in 472.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">My eyes were damp, I realized,
swiping them with the back of my hand. “Do you have any idea how much I love
you?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 6.5in 472.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">He leaned toward me, his
forehead against mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve a pretty
good idea of it,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Which is why I should probably get you out
of here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 6.5in 472.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">I knew he was right, and yet I
couldn’t help but dip my head lower, brushing my lips against his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard his breath catch in his throat, felt
him clench his hands into fists by his sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still, I opened my mouth against his, needing to taste him, my soul mate.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 6.5in 472.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">I was breathless when I finally
pulled away, my skin flushed all over, my lips slightly swollen and
bruised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lifting one trembling hand, I
traced his bottom lip with my index finger, wincing as I made contact with one
sharp, elongated canine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 6.5in 472.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">“I could really use that cure
right about now,” Aidan groaned, a hint of desperation in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>***Giveaway***</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thanks to Kristi, I am giving away one SIGNED copy of HAVEN and an a SIGNED (by both Kristi and the artist) artwork poster for the Winterhaven series. (Here is a <b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPdnw0l1pCxh0s4axEIItDBK9c7JvfmkLwbjUtr_49hFST1zXyMJrg3v_1PbmRBaWcHeX0glozeXlO6c4H0m4bmtw50EIO8bdTXQ75u1YRG2KE69sWGvCHRmafAUJLAXC1-sRRfoN4lU/s320/Corey+Godwell.png">LINK</a></b> to a photo of both the artist and the poster over at Wicked Awesome Books). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This giveaway is subject to all <b><a href="http://www.bestiveread.blogspot.com/">BIR contest rules</a></b> and open to U.S. mailing addresses. Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!</span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2662e23/" id="rc-2662e23" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-70788426947281469862012-12-11T06:37:00.000-05:002012-12-11T06:37:59.164-05:00#BIR2012 - CINDER by Marissa Meyer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO0fqaFIz7nMKiw-6lFqfRS8dudoFGbEWjNY2cbu5yIKzmVKqnA9tZ_bwmNDJAAGSq1mXg19TNrHO60m4NxY2BOTHVaYnXB0BzDwKzX-uGOsk77J_-HP3o8imyDBIOtIzic6SzAAR/s1600/BIR20123.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO0fqaFIz7nMKiw-6lFqfRS8dudoFGbEWjNY2cbu5yIKzmVKqnA9tZ_bwmNDJAAGSq1mXg19TNrHO60m4NxY2BOTHVaYnXB0BzDwKzX-uGOsk77J_-HP3o8imyDBIOtIzic6SzAAR/s400/BIR20123.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Welcome to day two of Best I've Read 2012!<br />
<br />
Be sure to check out the <b><a href="http://www.bestiveread.blogspot.com/">Best I've Read Blog</a></b> to see today's features: <b><a href="http://bestiveread.blogspot.com/2012/12/bir2012-top-book-insurgent-by-veronica.html">INSURGENT</a></b> by Veronica Roth and PANDEMONIUM by Lauren Oliver. <br />
<br />
CINDER is one of those books that surprised me in all the perfect ways. Once I picked it up I never wanted to put it down, but I also never wanted it to end. It was one of the easiest choices for me when I picked my top 5 this year. You can check out my review of CINDER on the Books Complete Me blog <b><a href="http://www.bookscompleteme.com/2012/03/review-cinder-by-marissa-meyer.html">HERE</a></b>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>***About CINDER*** </b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317794278l/11235712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317794278l/11235712.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Released: January 3, 2012<br />
Publisher: <b><a href="http://us.macmillan.com/cinder/MarissaMeyer">Feiwel & Friends</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>From Goodreads</b>: <span id="freeText1078078083126431667">Humans and androids
crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the
population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make
their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . <br /><br />Cinder,
a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a
mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her
stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the
handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an
intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty
and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her
past in order to protect her world’s future.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText1078078083126431667">Find Marissa Meyer Online: </span><span id="freeText1078078083126431667"><b><a href="http://www.marissameyer.com/">Website</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11235712-cinder">Goodreads</a></b> / <b><a href="https://twitter.com/marissa_meyer">Twitter</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/MarissaMeyerAuthor?ref=ts&fref=ts">Facebook</a></b> </span><span id="freeText1078078083126431667"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="freeText1078078083126431667" style="font-size: large;"><b>***Guest Post*** </b></span></div>
<br />
Marissa Meyer was kind of enough to provide a guest post for me today. I hope you enjoy reading it!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Some
Things Never Change (Thank the Stars)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By
Marissa Meyer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
am so honored that CINDER was chosen as one of Cindy’s “Best I’ve Read 2012”
book selections. Cindy asked if, for this guest post, I could talk a bit about
the book’s back story, which makes for a very timely post as I’m writing this
on the tail-end of National Novel Writing Month, and, as so many novels do
these days, CINDER first started life as a NaNo novel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
as I started writing about my experience with NaNoWriMo, it led to some heavy
reminiscing and a realization that even though I’m in a completely different
place, career-wise, than I was back then—some things haven’t changed at all.
And I’m so very happy about that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
first drafted out CINDER during November of 2008. (It was an insane thirty days
during which I wrote 150,011 words, which is kind of a long story, but if
you’re curious you can read more about the writing adventure here: </span><a href="http://blog.lettersandlight.org/post/23295074539/i-sold-my-nanowrimo-novel-a-q-a-with-marissa-meyer"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://blog.lettersandlight.org/post/23295074539/i-sold-my-nanowrimo-novel-a-q-a-with-marissa-meyer</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That
was four whole years ago now, and a lot has happened since then. It took me two
years to revise, edit, query, and sell the series, another year before CINDER
released, and here I am writing this blog post having lived with the official
title of “published author” for almost another full year. I’m now a full-time
writer, have been on three multi-city tours, visited a Hollywood studio, been
on panels with some of my all-time favorite authors, and even got to go to a
book fair in Italy earlier this year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
yet, five days ago I finished National Novel Writing Month again, with a brand
new YA fantasy novel, and it reminded me that some things never change. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Things
like:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Writing is still fun.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Sure, there are
days when it’s a struggle and a headache, but for the most part I still find
myself succumbing to daydreams and giddiness and that itchy-finger feeling when
I’m enthralled by a new story. I still adore getting to meet characters for the
first time. I still sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with a shiny
idea in my head, or have to pull off to the side of the road because a perfect
bit of dialogue came to me while I was driving. I still yearn to jump back into
a story when I’ve taken too long of a break from it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You still have to make the time for it.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Like many
writers, I always imagined that when I became a full-time writer, the time
would just… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">be there.</i> It would be my
job! I would be at home <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all the time!</i>
What else would I possibly have to do? Well, it turns out, there will always be
other things vying for your attention. If it isn’t a day job, it’ll be chores,
family obligations, promotion and marketing work, or an endlessly towering
reading list. Making writing a priority is a decision that must be made time
and time again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s more important than ever to
appreciate the small things. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No matter where you are in your writing
career, you’ll always be looking forward to whatever comes next. Finish a
novel. Get an agent. Get a book deal. Earn a bigger advance. Hit a bestseller
list. Get a movie deal. Have a theme park based off your series. (Why not? J.K.
Rowling got one!) It is truly never ending, which is why I’m learning that
sometimes the most rewarding things are those little victories and rewards we earn
every day. Finishing a chapter. Figuring your way out of a tricky plot mess.
Reading over your work with a glass of wine in the evening. Buying a fresh
bouquet of flowers for your writing desk. These are the things that you can
appreciate wherever you are in your career, and they often make me feel luckier
than any number of awards or sales figures could. Because these are the things
that make me feel like a “real writer.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wherever
you are with your writing, I urge you to find one thing about your writing path
to love and appreciate every day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank
you again, Cindy, for choosing CINDER for your Best I’ve Read event and
inviting me on to your blog today! I’m wishing all your readers a lovely
holiday season, and happy writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">***Giveaway***</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thanks to Feiwel & Friends, I have one copy of CINDER to giveaway. This is open to U.S. mailing addresses only. Please read all the <b><a href="http://bestiveread.blogspot.com/p/about-bir.html">Best I've Read giveaway rules</a></b> for further information. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2662e22/" id="rc-2662e22" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-90177192221528169162012-12-10T07:02:00.000-05:002012-12-10T12:10:35.472-05:00#BIR2012 - THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Jennifer E. Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiXwMXfDwzzaljmEsn7DTCRJHLoYjdhmYqlRCaYDaBh0dAjv6A8qA1BWhjxjatK6QkZE5E-krQ1ykyNSOMMDGaujxWRdBC_IXjIS7h6kzJGaxxnIz96hTeYQHC2gQy3bg1K7x2VwECsM/s400/BIR20123.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiXwMXfDwzzaljmEsn7DTCRJHLoYjdhmYqlRCaYDaBh0dAjv6A8qA1BWhjxjatK6QkZE5E-krQ1ykyNSOMMDGaujxWRdBC_IXjIS7h6kzJGaxxnIz96hTeYQHC2gQy3bg1K7x2VwECsM/s400/BIR20123.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Welcome to Best I've Read 2012! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be sure to check out the <a href="http://www.bestiveread.blogspot.com/"><b>Best I've Read Blog</b></a> to check out today's features: THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater and PUSHING THE LIMITS by Katie McGarry. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Monday's feature book is THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Jennifer E. Smith. Jennifer was kind enough to let me interview her, but first, here's a little about the book that still has me swooning months after reading it:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>***About the Book***</b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337187623l/10798416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337187623l/10798416.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Released: January 2, 2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Publisher: <a href="http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jennifer-e-smith/the-statistical-probability-of-love-at-first-sight/9780316122399/">Poppy/Little, Brown</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Find Jennifer Online: <b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/statistical-probability-of-love-at-first-sight-jennifer-e-smith/1102212870?ean=9780316122399">BN.Com</a></b><span id="goog_725199512"></span><span id="goog_725199513"></span> / <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Statistical-Probability-Love-First-Sight/dp/0316122394/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355140465&sr=8-1&keywords=the+statistical+probability+of+love+at+first+sight" target="_blank">Amazon</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.jenniferesmith.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jenesmith" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/HadleyMeetsOliver?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>From Goodreads</b>: <span id="freeText412840590327695278"><i>Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?</i><br /><br />Today
should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's
life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to
her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and
involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets
the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is
Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.<br /><br /> A long night
on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose
track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate
intervene to bring them together once more?<br /><br /> Quirks of timing
play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections,
second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period,
Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you
when you're least expecting it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText412840590327695278">You can read my review <b><a href="http://www.bookscompleteme.com/2012/04/review-statistical-probability-of-love.html">HERE</a></b> and Lynn's review (both from Books Complete Me) <b><a href="http://www.bookscompleteme.com/2012/08/review-of-statistical-probability-of.html">HERE</a></b>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>***Interview with Jennifer E. Smith***</b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="im">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>: Books like THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT (TSPOLAFS) are the reason why I love
contemporary books so much. With TSPOLAFS, this is even more true
because sometimes you just can't predict life, and no one learns that
more than Hadley. Are you a believer in love at first sight? If you
aren't, did this book make you a believer, even for a little while?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>JES</b>: I’d
like to believe that love at first sight is possible, and I’ve
certainly known people who claim that it’s happened to them. It’s one
of those things where it’s hard to say either way, and I think you have
to suspend a certain amount of disbelief to tell a story like this one.
But when it comes right down to it, I’m both a romantic and an
optimist, so I guess it wasn’t too hard for me to make that leap. </span></div>
<div class="im">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>: What is the most interesting conversation that you've ever had on a plane or in the airport with a stranger?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>JES</b>: Well,
the book was inspired in part by a flight I took from Chicago to Dublin
where I was sitting next to an old Irishman. We talked books and
literature pretty much the whole way, and when we arrived, we got
separated in the line for customs, since he was Irish and I’m American.
Afterwards, I waited around for him to say goodbye, but never saw him
again. It struck me as kind of amazing that you could sit next to
someone for seven hours and never even know their name, and that’s where
the idea for this book really began.</span></div>
<div class="im">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>: Hadley is so caught up in the stress of her father's remarriage that
she doesn't quite realize that her assumptions about Oliver may be all
wrong. How difficult was it for you to keep both Hadley and your readers
in suspense? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>JES</b>: Even though the book is
told in third person, it sticks pretty closely with Hadley, which made
it easier to explore her thoughts about Oliver without the reader
knowing what was happening on his end. It was definitely fun to try to
keep people guessing along with Hadley…</span></div>
<div class="im">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>: As a writer, I understand that first drafts rarely look like the final
draft that they become. Can you share with us one major difference from
the first to final draft of TSPOLAFS?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>JES</b>: Oliver
has this bit throughout the book where he spouts a lot of random facts
and statistics, but I actually hadn’t planned on that. He had a pretty
quirky personality throughout, so it wasn’t too far off, but the actual
obsession with statistics didn’t come to me until I was nearing the end.
So I guess I can’t say it wasn’t ever part of the first draft, because
I ended up going back and threading it through once I came up with it,
but it just squeaked in there under the wire. And I’m very happy it
did!</span></div>
<div class="im">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>CT</b>: If you could only learn one thing from Hadley's and Oliver's experience, what would it be?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>JES</b>: To
slow down and give people a chance. I’ve always been the kind of
person to sit down on a plane and immediately open a book or put in my
headphones. But if Hadley had done that, she never would have met
Oliver. So I think the lesson here is definitely just to open yourself
up to the possibilities, and to the people around you.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>***Giveaway***</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thanks to Little, Brown I am giving away one copy of THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. Enter by using the Rafflecopter below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2662e21/" id="rc-2662e21" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
</span><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-42450860639153727902012-12-09T15:13:00.000-05:002012-12-09T15:13:26.228-05:00Best I've Read 2012 - YAY! It's HERE! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z428/portraitofabook/BIR2012Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z428/portraitofabook/BIR2012Header.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
It's that time of year again. That wonderful time in December where bloggers from all across the blogosphere are selecting their favorite books of the past year.<br />
<br />
Welcome to Best I've Read 2012! <br />
<br />
For those of you who may be new to the BIR, here a few fun facts:<br />
<br />
Best I've Read began in 2010 when I (as one of the founders of Books Complete Me) was looking for a way to bring together all of my blogger friends and wanted to celebrate all the amazing books we had read that year. Together, the blogs came up with the idea of Best I've Read. Our first year proved to be immensely successful and have decided to make it an annual event. The idea is to highlight and basically praise all those books from the year that we just can't stop thinking about. Across all eleven blogs you will find books published from pretty much every major publisher, plus those from smaller houses, and even some self-published books. I hope you enjoy this year's event and even more, I hope that you find some amazing books to read and add to your ever growing lists. <br />
<br />
Here is the full list of blogs participating:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bestiveread.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Best I've Read</a> (official blog of Best I've Read)<br />
<a href="http://www.pageturnersblog.com/" target="_blank">Page Turners Blog</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bookscompleteme.com/" target="_blank">Books Complete Me</a><br />
<a href="http://www.portraitofabook.com/" target="_blank">Portrait of a Book</a><br />
<a href="http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/" target="_blank">Once Upon a Twilight</a><br />
<a href="http://www.mundiemoms.com/" target="_blank">Mundie Moms</a><br />
<a href="http://www.readinglark.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reading Lark</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amethystdaydreams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Amethyst Daydreams</a><br />
<a href="http://www.areadersramblings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Reader's Ramblings</a><br />
<a href="http://www.iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I am a Reader, Not a Writer</a><br />
Cindy Thomas, YA Writer (That's me!)<br />
<br />
BIR2012 runs officially from Monday, December 10th through Friday, December 14th, but be sure to check each individual blog for their own schedules.<br />
<br />
I cannot WAIT to share my picks of 2012 with you! Stay tuned for interviews, exclusive excerpts, guest posts and giveaways. You won't want to miss it! <br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-13079865918061571062012-11-20T10:54:00.001-05:002012-11-20T11:28:26.216-05:00NaNoWriMo Update # 3<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><br /><b>NaNoWriMo Progress</b>:<b> </b></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><b>Starting word count:
</b>18050<b> </b></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Current word count: </b>50467<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Total NaNo words written: </b>32417<b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><b>Current Mood</b>: Excited! </span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><b>Inspiration: </b>I've used this quote before, but it's honestly the one that I write by. </span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of thier dreams. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt </span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><b>Goals as of Today</b>:<b> </b>I'm aiming for 4K today. Not sure if that will happen since I have a ton of errands to run for Thanksgiving, but it's still my goal.</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Recent
Favorite NaNo-WiP Line</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">: </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">That color her face turned when she blushed was
weirdly a turn on. Or maybe it wasn’t the color, but more the fact that she
might actually be thinking the same dirty thoughts I was. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><b>Non-NaNo News</b>: It<span style="font-size: small;">'s almost Thanksgiving, which mean<span style="font-size: small;">s <span style="font-size: small;">my family i<span style="font-size: small;">s about to embark on long week of <span style="font-size: small;">great food and great friends. I can't wait for the fun to begin! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><b>In My Downtime I'm
Reading</b>: THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I probably won't be posting another update until next week, so I want to wish each and every one of you a brilliantly happy Thanksgiving! </span></span> </div>
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Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-70785188439109978672012-11-08T08:00:00.003-05:002012-11-08T08:09:43.613-05:00NaNoWriMo Update #2<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>NaNoWriMo Progress</b>:<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Starting word count:
</b>18050<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Current word count: </b>30139<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Total NaNo words written: </b>12089<b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Current Mood</b>: Tired. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Inspiration: </b>To know is nothing at all; to imagine is everything. - Anatole France</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Goals as of Today</b>:<b> </b>I've already written a little over 2K today, but since I didn't write yesterday, I'm hoping to get at least 1K more in before the Colts play tonight.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Recent
Favorite NaNo-WiP Line</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">: </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">This all felt dangerously close to that area
with boys I tried to avoid at all costs. But then I remembered the way he’d
smiled at me and I lost all my instincts. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Non-NaNo News</b>: The <span style="font-size: small;">last three days have been <span style="font-size: small;">all ki<span style="font-size: small;">nds of awesome. I<span style="font-size: small;"> got to meet and hang out with <span style="font-size: small;">my<span style="font-size: small;"> cri<span style="font-size: small;">t partner, Jennifer L. Armentrout and <span style="font-size: small;">also spend some <span style="font-size: small;">time with the sup<span style="font-size: small;">er talented Kate <span style="font-size: small;">Kaynak<span style="font-size: small;">. I'm so sad that they are no longer in<span style="font-size: small;"> the <span style="font-size: small;">Boston area<span style="font-size: small;">. *sobs*</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>In My Downtime I'm
Reading</b>: THE ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>You should read this blog
post</b>: <a href="http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-corollary-to-nanowrimo-or-why-im.html#.UJurQPOnoFk.blogger">A Corollary to NaNoWriMo, or, Why I'm Prouder of 600 Words than 10,000</a>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>By</b>: Beth Revis<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Because</b>: Beth is always a source of inspiration for me, and her post about her progress on NaNo is no different. She'll remind you to be proud of what you've written.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Gratuitous Photograph: </b>In honor of the epic election day we all just experienced, how about the most shared image ever?</span></span></div>
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<pre><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></pre>
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Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-22488029474709551452012-11-05T07:27:00.000-05:002012-11-05T07:29:26.432-05:00#NaNoWriMo Update #1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NaNoWriMo Progress</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Starting word count:
</b>18050<b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Current word count: </b>26511<b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Total NaNo words written: </b>8461<b><br /></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Current Mood</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Hopeful!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inspiration: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And by the
way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do
it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is
self-doubt. ~Sylvia Plath</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Goals as of Today</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<b> </b>I'd like to write another 2K today, but I'm not sure it's going to happen. At the very least I hope to write 41K more by December
1st.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Recent
Favorite NaNo-WiP Line</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Is
that why you won't go out with me? Because I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grumpy</i> on our double date?” </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Non-NaNo News</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: I love my neighbors.
I went out to dinner with one of them on Friday night and had a
blast. I'm also thrilled with good news that one of my crit partners is
getting. Also, I get to meet another crit partner tonight for the first time. I am SO EXCITED!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In My Downtime I'm
Reading</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:
THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You should read this blog
post</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:
<a href="http://www.fiktshun.com/fiktshun/2012/11/03/random-thoughts-nanowrimo/"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Random Thoughts: NaNoWriMo</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<b> </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Rachel Clarke @
Fiktshun<b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Because</b>: Sometimes just having people to keep you accountable in
your writing makes all the difference. And because she’s all kinds of awesome.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gratuitous Photograph: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
want this bookshelf. I want twenty of them!</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<pre><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></span></span></pre>
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Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-58206048184823363782012-10-31T12:44:00.000-04:002012-10-31T12:44:56.740-04:00NaNoWriMo or Bust<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you're a writer you probably heard of <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>, otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month. I've wanted to participate in NaNoWriMo for the past two years, but missed it both times. This year I'm finally in a good place--just 20K into my new MS--so NaNo couldn't come at a better time. </span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://files.content.lettersandlight.org/nano-2012-beta/files/2012/09/Participant-180x180-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://files.content.lettersandlight.org/nano-2012-beta/files/2012/09/Participant-180x180-2.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To say I'm nervous is a major understatement. I usually have a 2K writing goal for myself on the days that I write, but I don't write every single day. I'd say I write an average of 4 days a week. That said, I've done the math and 2K a day 4 times a week will not get me to the goal of 50K in one month. That makes me nervous.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then there is the fact that we always have friends in town for Thanksgiving and that will nix at least 4 days of writing time from my schedule.Again, this makes me nervous. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BUT....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have learned a few things about myself over the past few years of writing. One of those things is that I don't give up. Another is that I'm always ready for a challenge.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So...starting tomorrow I'll be knee deep in word count goals and swimming in that blissfully happy place that you can only find when you've written more than you expected. I'm sure I'll also be stressed out and worried about succeeding, but I'm excited to finally experience the month of craziness. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I saw a post on the lovely <b><a href="http://katyupperman.com/" target="_blank">Katy Upperman's blog</a></b> with this form to keep up with the month's progress:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Progress (word count or a general status update)</b>:
<b>Current Mood</b>:
<b>Inspiration (a writing-related quote)</b>:
<b>Goals as of Today</b>:
<b>Recent Favorite NaNo-WiP Line</b>:
<b>Non-NaNo News (because life DOES go on)</b>:
<b>In My Downtime (ha!) I'm Reading</b>:
<b>You should read this blog post</b>: <b>By</b>: <b>Because</b>:
<b>Gratuitous Photograph (because <span style="font-size: small;">she [Katy<span style="font-size: small;">]</span></span> loves 'em! - and I do too!)</b>:</span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I definitely plan to use this, and encourage you to do so as well. </span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you're participating in NaNoWriMo, you can find and buddy me <b><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/cindythomas" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>. </span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you're not participating please wish me luck. Happy writing everyone! </span></span></span></pre>
Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-85063964992539835732012-09-25T21:40:00.002-04:002012-09-25T21:41:10.296-04:00An Update & Some RamblingFor the past few months I've been busy working on revisions for the manuscript that I love more than anything, the one that snagged me an awesome agent. I'll admit that revising isn't always my favorite part of writing. Sometimes it's harder than anything I've ever done, but in the end, it's always worth it.<br />
<br />
Right? Right.<br />
<br />
So I've pretty much ignored all things blogging in order to focus on getting the manuscript as good as it can possibly be. I'm hoping that this time I really do have it. *fingers crossed*<br />
<br />
And since I think I'm done with that manuscript, I am finally, finally back to working on the one that's been patiently waiting in the wings for much too long now. I can't tell you how excited I am to get back into this character's voice and to really find out where this story is going. This book just won't leave me alone, and for that I am grateful, because I know I need to write it. I just <i>need</i> to.<br />
<br />
So with that said, I'm back and hopefully will be able to blog much more often. <br />
<br />
I wish I had more of an update for you, but hopefully there will be plenty of those soon. <br />
<br />
Happy writing and reading everyone! Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-70975925800236189342012-08-28T10:02:00.000-04:002012-08-28T20:47:34.339-04:00The 7 Most Inopportune Times to Get a New IdeaIt's happened to all of us. You get this brilliant idea for a new book, or you've been struggling to fix a difficult plot point in your current WIP.<br />
<br />
And then it comes to you! You've figured it all out and know exactly what to do! YAY!<br />
<br />
Except, you're in a position that doesn't exactly allow you to abandon ship and snatch up your computer, or even paper, to jot it all down.<br />
<br />
Below are 7 examples of true places I've had ideas to either fix a WIP, or for a new one, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to get the ideas out.<br />
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<b>1. Driving. And usually when this happens, it's some insanely long trip where I won't be getting out of the car for hours.</b> <br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/83105555594391556/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/83105555594391556_NWSJx7YJ_c.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://kleinaphotography.tumblr.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">kleinaphotography.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kleina/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Amber</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<b>2. In the shower. With soap all over my face and shampoo all over my hair. </b><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/64035625921185585/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/64035625921185585_5bk5JQag_c.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.google.co.za/imgres?q=showering&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1066&bih=562&tbm=isch&prmd=ivns&tbnid=rlaTq8AxTByw0M:&imgrefurl=http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/11/what-does-responsible-personal-hygiene-mean-to-you.php&docid=6shvWrLMZpVQyM&w=468&h=277&ei=gd5gTr6nEI7ImAWq67zbDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=705&vpy=229&dur=104&hovh=124&hovw=210&tx=101&ty=70&page=5&tbnh=82&tbnw=138&start=75&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:75" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">google.co.za</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/juliamuk/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Julia</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<b>3. Right in the middle of a long run or workout. </b><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/70650287873891910/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/70650287873891910_p7z7AmCP_c.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=803201327107911161" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">Uploaded by user</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/flowerpotts/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Alecia</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<b>4. Rocking the baby to sleep. For hours. </b><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/83316661825847472/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/83316661825847472_YF7JwWK9_c.jpg" width="344" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.willowtreestore.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=WS&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=newitems&Product_Code=W26250" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">willowtreestore.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/chelseamcd/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Chelsea</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<b>5. At a wedding. </b><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/233202086924269332/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/233202086924269332_Aurh2CW6_c.jpg" width="441" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">stylemepretty.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/larings/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Laura</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<b>6. Girl's Night Out. (aka the night your friends forbid you to even talk about writing since you avoid them most of the year to write) </b><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/265219865525776229/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="700" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/265219865525776229_EgizFYtL_c.jpg" width="467" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://favim.com/image/353867/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">favim.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/mcgarv/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<b>7. The minute your head hits the pillow. </b><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/145874475399774650/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/145874475399774650_AhsBbKMM_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://fuckyouverymuch.dk/post/429496838/we-plan-on-doing-absolutely-nothing-today" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">fuckyouverymuch.dk</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/mariee/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Marie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<br />
<b><a href="http://janealfalor.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Janeal Falor</a></b> had another worst moment that she shared in the comments. Thanks so much, Janeal!<br />
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<b>8. At the park with the kids. I've totally been there as well.</b><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/93449760988145751/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/93449760988145751_rQLvkzzn_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://bit.ly/H4yl4y" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bit.ly</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/nullklutz58/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Gayle</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<br />
How about you? What are the worst times a new idea comes to you? Post them in the comments below, and I'll add it to the post. Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-47069506749142777692012-08-06T08:40:00.000-04:002012-08-06T08:43:29.125-04:00WIP VisualsI'm a user of Pinterest. I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with it, because I've found that no matter how much I love new things like Pinterest, online games, Tumblr....they still can't compete with my reading and writing obsessions.<br />
<br />
But when it comes to organizing my thoughts on a new WIP, Pinterest is pretty nifty. I have a pin board going for my newest WIP, and thought I'd share the images with you. Feel free to guess what the WIP is about. Happy Reading & Writing everyone!<br />
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<br />
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/235172411762517773/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/287456388686050459_YpDzQtt7_c.jpg' border='0' width='400' height ='400'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href=''>Uploaded by user</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/cindyiswriting/' target='_blank'>Cindy</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/235172411762338183/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/246853623295896577_BsBgP31s_c.jpg' border='0' width='400' height ='400'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.discountwomensdressshoes.com/servlet/the-54403/Dark-Purple-Casual-Stripe/Detail'>discountwomensdressshoes.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/cindyiswriting/' target='_blank'>Cindy</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/235172411762326981/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/96334879499289887_yR3vlvdq_c.jpg' border='0' width='400' height ='282'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href=''>Uploaded by user</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/cindyiswriting/' target='_blank'>Cindy</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/235172411762326959/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/78601955965930439_pElq8oo7_c.jpg' border='0' width='274' height ='184'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://fireballcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/spinning-class.jpg&imgrefurl=http://fireballcoaching.com/life-is-like-my-spinning-class/&usg=__gsbOLPFIUbVc00Lo4fgiC9MRyk4=&h=184&w=274&sz=11&hl=en&start=134&zoom=1&tbnid=NQ6KRq1TFD0HJM:&tbnh=147&tbnw=207&ei=RSPtTbiLAsL50gGPh62pAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dspinning%2Bclass%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D830%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=523&vpy=576&dur=3205&hovh=147&hovw=219&tx=122&ty=107&page=7&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:134&biw=1280&bih=830'>google.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/cindyiswriting/' target='_blank'>Cindy</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/235172411762326836/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/53339576806707423_NZshg2u2_c.jpg' border='0' width='400' height ='488'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.etsy.com/listing/59956324/vintage-readers-digest-journal-autumn'>etsy.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/cindyiswriting/' target='_blank'>Cindy</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-1297419038623011512012-07-24T11:23:00.004-04:002012-07-24T11:33:05.302-04:00The YA Spill (#7)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjK6tj_tadk/T0zpmrb_16I/AAAAAAAAAFs/rt86LE0bn5g/s320/YASpill2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjK6tj_tadk/T0zpmrb_16I/AAAAAAAAAFs/rt86LE0bn5g/s320/YASpill2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<div style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b>Welcome to The YA Spill! </span>
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<div style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />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. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">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. </span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Please welcome this week's awesome participant:</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imaginaryreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrpGTGcIrmXQmFWeyF3fVww3amkBDKSUCtI3CVplTinaWtAVt3muEgek1eU8Hpu95XzUjSQorMclqPch7vC1GKwRE8ZF8SbQw_vle4NlMagsxDHwAspYSTh7Mff6xnnS7qGg2oT8Fuz8/s320/IRHeader1001S.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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<div style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kris from Imaginary Reads</b></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b>(<a href="http://imaginaryreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> / <a href="http://imaginaryreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4910602-kris" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ImaginaryReads" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="http://pinterest.com/imaginarykris/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>) </b><br />
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<b> </b>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What is the most recent book that you've read and loved? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This is a toughie. There are so many
outstanding books in the market nowadays. I’m going to go ahead and seriously
talk about the most recent book I read that made my favorites shelf, which
would be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Endlessly</i> by Kiersten White.
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
love Evie's wit and humor. And, bleep, I fell in love with a faerie midway
through the book! My poor little heart is broken over the end of the trilogy.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What book recently surprised you? </span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Tiger
Lily</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. I knew it was going to be a dark retelling of Peter Pan, but
it still blew me away. The characters are all broken and flawed yet compelling
and endearing in their own ways. Each character has a story to tell, and I
ended up sympathizing even with characters I wanted to hate. Also, the world
building was spectacular. This book is a keeper.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What types of books
do you wish there were more of? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I'd like to see more contemporary novels
out there, especially ones that get me thinking like Sarah Desen's books. It’s
getting harder to find them with all the paranormal and urban fantasy books out
there. I love paranormal and urban fantasy, but I like to read a good
contemporary too!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The bigger problem I'm experiencing is
finding YA books with diversity. Recently, I read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Team Human</i> by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan and found
myself cheering over the great diversity I found in the book. It’s the book
that made me realize just how few books there are in the YA market that cover
diversity, so few that I'm <i>ecstatic</i> whenever I find even the smallest
hint of diversity in a book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I would also like more stand alones. While
I love a good series, with so many series in the market nowadays, a good stand
alone is refreshing and much more likely to stand out.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What book comes out soon that you can't wait to get your hands on?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There are a bunch of awesome books coming
out, but I’ve already got a good number of them in the form of review copies. I’m
really looking forward to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Forsaken, </i>and
I want <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Endlessly</i> because I love it so
much and want a finished edition to complete my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Paranormalcy</i> collection. I’m also looking forward to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rift</i> by Andrea Cremer. I love her
writing and world building and am excited to read the first book in the prequel
series to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nightshade</i>!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you became a YA book
blogger?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My
friends all know that I have two obsessions: ballroom dance and books. When I’m
not studying, I am often either ballroom dancing or reading—or talking about
one of them. Okay. I might also be taking picture of squirrels running around
campus again, but that’s another story (in which I love stalking living
creatures with my camera).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
began ballroom dancing late August of 2012 after my friend invited me to join
the ballroom dance club with her. I fell in love with the sport and joined the
ballroom dance team just so I could spend more time dancing. Seriously. I
wasn’t even sure I’d be good enough to compete; I just wanted to dance. Well,
I’ve been competing for almost a year now under the best coaches ever, and I’ve
been holding my own on the dance floor. It helps that I have amazing partners
to support me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
founded Imaginary Reads five months before that, in April 2011, when I realized
that I wasn't book talking as often as I liked and wanted to spread the book
love to a wider audience. I spend so much of my time with books that they're a
part of me. It's impossible for me to imagine a life without them. In fact, my
dream is to work full-time in the children's book publishing business, specifically
in the young adult section.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What is the first book you read & reviewed as a blogger?</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Carrier
of the Mark</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> by Leigh Fallon. I won a contest on her blog, granting me one
of the first review copies ever made. Literally. I received a first edition ARC
of the book back when it was still called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Carrier of the Mark</i>, and HarperTeen hadn’t remade the cover with the
lighter color scheme and the title change. I wasn’t yet a book blogger, but I
felt the responsibility of reviewing the book since I’d received a title that
few else had the privilege of reading yet. I posted the review on my personal
blog and then copied it over to my book blog later when I started it. Actually,
you could say that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Carrier of the Mark</i>
is the reason I began book blogging because it was so much fun writing the
review that I began reviewing more books on my blog, so much that I decided to
created a whole new blog for the sole purpose of talking about books.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">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?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It helps to be addressed personally, as
it’s not that hard to find my name if you’ve even glanced over my blog, and it
definitely helps to show that you’ve looked at my review policies. I like to
see a request that includes the book synopsis and a link to the author’s site
and Goodreads, so I can learn more about the book. I also like to see understanding
and flexibility. While I’m honored that an author or publisher will take the
time to contact me out of all the bloggers out there, I receive so many review
copies that it’s impossible for me to accept every request that I receive. I
appreciate it when the author/publisher understands my situation and is willing
to work with my schedule. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I don’t like it when the request tries to
sell the book to me. I don’t care to see glowing remarks from other readers
copied and pasted into the email. That’s their opinion. A book that someone
enjoyed may not be the book for me. I certainly don’t like to see the author’s
book or anything attached if I haven’t requested it, unless I know the author
and he/she knows I want to read it. And unless I know the author, I hate
receiving a mass email from an author. I understand that authors have their own
busy schedule, but with so many review requests coming in, it helps when an
author shows consideration.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As an avid reader, are there any books that have stuck with you no matter how
much time has passed since you finished reading it? If so, which one(s)? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anything by Sarah Dessen, Shannon Hale,
L.M. Montgomery, or Tamora Pierce, to name a few. The books that I’ve read by
them are books that I could reread forever. Add to that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before I Fall</i> by Lauren Oliver, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tiger
Lily</i> by Jodi Lynn Anderson, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Curse
Workers</i> series by Holly Black, and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vampire
Academy</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bloodlines</i> series by
Richelle Mead. These are just the ones
off the top of my head.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If you were a YA character in a novel, which one would you be? Which one is
most like you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I’d be a side character. I don’t want to be
the main characters, I want to meet them and be friends with them! There are a
lot of characters I can relate with, but I don’t know which one would be most
like me. Family and environment makes each of us unique! I could really relate
to Mel in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Team Human</i> because of her
desire to protect her friends at any cost and her desire to remain human. Gigi
from Smart Girls Get What They Want is another character I can relate to. I was
a quiet, studious girl back in the day, and it was in sophomore year of high
school (like Gigi and her friends) that I decided to start branching out more.
That was the year I founded the Environmental Awareness student group in my
high school.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Is there anything else about you that you'd like us to know?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I would like to thank
all the amazing authors out there. Without them, I wouldn’t be a book reviewer,
and I’d lose half my childhood, as a large chunk of it was spent raiding
library shelves. All my childhood librarians knew me. I was such a frequent
visitor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b style="color: #ea9999;">Thank you so much for joining me for the Spill, Kris. It was lovely getting to know you and your fabulous blog! </b></span></div>
</div>Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-65744157476282149192012-07-06T09:16:00.000-04:002012-07-06T09:17:24.873-04:00Review & Author Interview: WILD INK by Victoria Hanley<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please help me welcome the wonderful Victoria Hanley to my blog today! Victoria is the author of several YA novels, including <a href="http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/editions/indigo-magic/9780552562355" target="_blank">INDIGO MAGIC</a>, just released earlier this year (Corgi Publishing/Random House). She is here today to talk about her nonfiction publication: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13487524-wild-ink" target="_blank">WILD INK: SUCCESS SECRETS TO WRITING AND PUBLISHING IN THE YOUNG ADULT MARKET</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1329402999l/13487524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1329402999l/13487524.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was given the chance to read this book, and to interview Victoria, and I'm thrilled that I did. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As a YA writer myself, I found the information in this book to be informative and think it will be very useful to those writers who are just starting out and unsure of what the next and best steps are. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Broken up into eleven chapters, WILD INK gives you all the information a writer needs to help them write and publish the best novel possible. It tackles topics from the different YA genres to self doubt and other obstacles that promise to get in the way of any good writing. Victoria also gives authors a great look into the differences between traditional publishing and the increasingly popular avenue of self publishing. I especially loved the chapters with agent and author interviews. There is an immeasurable wealth of helpful information in this book. I definitely suggest WILD INK to any writer who is interested in writing YA. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>***Interview*** </b></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How did this book come to fruition?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So many great Young Adult
(YA) books are out there waiting to be written, and understanding the ins and
outs of the YA genre can give writers a big advantage as they set forth on
their own writing journeys. Personally, I’m in love with all things YA, and I
was fortunate enough to find a great publisher for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult
Market</i>.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What was the process of creating the book like?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Like planting an enormous
garden under a sizzling sun while chasing butterflies during an earthquake. Put
another way, this book was a process of gathering, organizing and sharing what
I’ve learned about YA. I also found agents, editors, and other YA authors to
give their knowledge and perspective. As often happens with writing, there was
more depth, more difficulty, and more fulfillment than I expected at the
outset.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What were your favorite parts of writing the book?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Well, I believe that finding
your voice is the most important thing every writer must do, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wild Ink</i> allowed me a wonderful forum to
work with my nonfiction writer’s voice. It was also fun reaching out to agents,
editors, and other YA authors, many of whom agreed to answer interview
questions. And I loved selecting short excerpts from various novels to
illustrate the chapters on writing. </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What were the hardest parts of writing the book?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As usual, just about
everything took longer than I anticipated, from coordinating interviews to
writing the chapters on novel structure to describing the subgenres of YA. But
it’s all done now, and I’m so happy with the results. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Thank you so much for joining me today, Victoria! It was a pleasure. </i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You can find Victoria online:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/237194.Victoria_Hanley" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="http://www.victoriahanley.com/" target="_blank">Author Website</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Ink-Success-Secrets-Publishing/dp/1593638647/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341579287&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=wilkd+ink" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wild-ink-victoria-hanley/1111374620?ean=9781593639969" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble </a></span></div>Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-70131184062779177602012-06-25T09:37:00.004-04:002012-06-25T09:37:42.600-04:00LuckyI've known for a long time that I'm a pretty lucky person. I have great friends, a wonderful husband and two beautiful, smart boys to call my own. But I've also been lucky in the way that I have amazing parents who have always supported me and encouraged me to believe in myself, even without always having to say it.<br />
<br />
When I was in third grade I wrote a (very) short story about my great aunt. The story was entirely fiction, except for her name. It somehow won an award that offered me enough money to feed my family of four that night for (a cheap) dinner. It was exhilarating and I felt something inside me come alive. I was lucky. My memories of writing things (songs, poems, short stories) go back as far as I can remember. I received good grades in school and yet, still spent a good portion of my time in class writing poems. And every time I completed one, I felt compelled to write more.<br />
<br />
That compulsion to write followed me into adulthood, and it wasn't until college and marriage and children that writing started to slow down. Working full time as paralegal, I still spent much of my day writing, but the words that were clicked out on my keyboard were usually legal jargon and letters to the all important people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I loved my job and my bosses and the last thing I wanted was to leave that job. My bosses were so amazing that after the birth of my first child, they allowed me to work from home three days a week and in the office only twice a week, so I could be with my son without giving up my job. I was lucky.<br />
<br />
But when I was pregnant with my second son, my husband and I knew that I would need to be home full time. We couldn't afford full time daycare and being home ended up being cheaper than me working. I was very sad to leave the legal world. After all, I'd spent a great deal of time and money earning my degree and I loved going to work each morning. Leaving that position felt like I'd be losing a little bit of myself along with it.<br />
<br />
What I didn't realize, though, was that not having that job to fulfill my need for an intellectual challenge would leave me hungry for some other outlet. The very outlet that I'd stopped using a few years before. And like any flame that you never entirely extinguish, that fire for writing came back full force, catching on the tiniest embers and sparking back to life. The joy of putting words on paper suddenly took over again, and now that I have it back, I know that I'll never be able to let it go.<br />
<br />
As much as I didn't want to admit it at the time, leaving my job was the best thing I could do. Not only did I get to spend time with my small children, watching them grow and change and learn, but it also brought my love of writing back to me. It reminded me that I once had a dream, and even though I was scared, I didn't have to give up on that dream. Again, I was lucky.<br />
<br />
And in the years that have passed since I've rekindled that flame, I've continued to be lucky. I've met and bonded with my critique partners in the most unpredictable ways. I know I've said it before, but I'm probably never going to stop saying it: I don't know what I'd do without them. They are invaluable. I'm lucky to have them.<br />
<br />
This writing journey has been an incredible one, and yes, one I feel so lucky to have had. I am lucky not only because of the support I've had, but also because I have the strength to believe in my dreams. Maybe I'll never sell millions of books and get rich from it, but that doesn't matter. That's not my dream, because I'm already living mine. I'm writing and loving it, even when I'm exhausted by it. I'm writing, and I'm so, so grateful that I can.<br />
<br />
<i><b>I am lucky. </b></i>Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-20406858583364119612012-06-15T10:27:00.000-04:002012-06-15T10:33:14.082-04:00My Query StatsEvery querying process is different. Some people send out fifty queries on the first round. Others only send one at a time. No matter the process, the results are almost always the same. The author is fretting, sweating and obsessively checking their email in the hopes of that one email that would change their future.<br />
<br />
When I shared the good news that I now have an agent, I didn't even think about sharing my stats with you, but I've since been asked to share my story in more detail, so here is how it all went down.<br />
<br />
The first query was sent on January 19, 2012. I waited four full days before sending a few more. My first partial request came on February 8th. That same agent then requested the full on March 8th. Everything was quiet (read: full of rejections) until April 9th when I received another full request. I received a very prompt rejection three days later from the second agent. On April 20th I had another full request.<br />
<br />
Then, on April 30th I received three full requests. This is where the tide started to turn from rejectionville to OMGville. Later in the day on the 30th, one of the agents who'd just requested the manuscript that morning emailed me again to ask for a time to speak on the phone that next Wednesday, May 2nd. <br />
<br />
I might have died a little. It was surreal and awesome and crazy good. That phone conversation went really, really well and I loved the agent. She offered representation during that call and I'm pretty sure my heart stopped beating for a few seconds. I informed her that other agents were still reading the MS, so she gave me her blessing to take my time in considering my options, should I have other offers. I notified the other agents that afternoon and the next week was insanity.<br />
<br />
Later that day on the 2nd I received a partial request from another agent. I let her know that I'd just received an offer of representation and wasn't sure I'd hear back from her, but sent her the partial. <br />
<br />
I received what I thought was my last offer from Marcy Posner on May 7th and had set up the phone call with her the next day. About thirty minutes before I was to receive that phone call, I received an extremely unexpected phone call from the agent that had come in at the last minute requesting the partial. She had loved what she'd read and wanted the rest of the manuscript and asked me to please not make my decision yet.<br />
<br />
I was floored because I was pretty sure the phone call I'd been expecting from Marcy was going to be the last one and that I was going to accept her offer. So to say I was in shock is a major understatement. I spent the next ten minutes before the original call came in trying to calm myself down. And when Marcy did call, I really, really, really enjoyed the conversation. I connected with her and she connected with my story and it just felt <i>right</i>. But I had promised the other agent I'd give her time to finish the book.<br />
<br />
I did eventually end up getting an offer from the second agent, but there was no shaking the connection I'd felt with Marcy. It just felt like the best fit. So I'd decided to go with Marcy's offer and I'm so very happy I did.<br />
<br />
But I will say this: Every single one of the agents who'd offered were incredible and I would have been honored to work with any of them. I feel so blessed to have had this experience of the rejections and the waiting and eventual offers.<br />
<br />
So.....the final stats of my querying process are:<br />
<br />
54 queries sent<br />
48 rejections (20 no responses/28 rejections/1 request to query again in the future) <br />
3 partial requests (2 turned into fulls, 1 requested after offer of representation accepted) <br />
7 full requests <br />
5 offers of representation <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-37953084526548840612012-06-13T09:27:00.000-04:002012-06-13T09:27:58.565-04:00The Happiest Kind of Post (Hint: Agent!)In April of 2010, as I was washing dishes (i.e. bored out of my mind), a vivid scene hit me. Within 48 hours I'd written over 10K about the scene and who the characters in that scene were. Over the next few months I wrote and wrote and wrote that story. I had become obsessed with it. In October 2010, the first draft was complete and it was a MESS.<br />
<br />
I took a few months away from the manuscript and in January 2011 began revisions. After several rounds of revisions, and many chats with my amazing critique partners, I decided to make serious changes that basically meant rewriting the story completely. It was terrifying and exciting and all kinds of fun to see how the new plot would unfold. An incredible thing happened: the story actually started to work. It was exhilarating!<br />
<br />
So I spent a few more months revising, and finally decided the manuscript was ready for querying in January of 2012. I'd done my research and knew who I wanted to query first. And so it began. The rejections rolled in. I was prepared for that. It wasn't fun, but again, I have the worlds best critique partners ever. They listened to me and encouraged me and I kept at it.<br />
<br />
And then the best things began to occur. I received an offer of representation. And another. And then a few more. My head was swimming (still is!) and suddenly I found myself in the position of making one of the best decisions of my life. It was a moment that I'd only dreamed of, but it happened.<br />
<br />
It REALLY HAPPENED! So....I'm beyond thrilled to announce that:<br />
<br />
I have accepted representation from the fabulous <b><a href="http://foliolit.com/marcy-posner/" target="_blank">Marcy Posner of Folio Literary Management</a></b>!<br />
<br />
<b>I HAVE AN AGENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! </b><br />
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(excuse me while I flail) </div>
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I'm on top of the world! And I know without a doubt I wouldn't be able to celebrate this moment today without certain people in my life. You know who you are. I am blessed beyond words. Seriously, with all my heart, THANK YOU!!! <br />
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<br />Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-41483505657989098042012-06-06T10:41:00.002-04:002012-06-06T10:41:45.343-04:00Why I Don't Tell People I Write: A Sample ConversationEvery time I tell someone I'm a writer--you know, in person, not
online--I get looks from the very impressed to the very disinterested. I
generally don't tell many people I'm a writer because sometimes it's
still hard for me to believe myself. There's this level of self
confidence that I just don't have yet when it comes to announcing to
people that I spend all of my free time writing books that may or may
not see the light of day.<br />
<br />
Just as I never know how the
publishing industry worked before I began writing, most non-writer
people don't know either. So I thought it would be fun to show you a
sample conversation I have when I actually do tell someone I write.<br />
<br />
<br />
Let's call the person I'm speaking to "Jane" and I'll just be me. <br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<br />
Jane: "Wow! You wrote a book? What's it about?"<br />
<br />
Me: *blushes furiously and stares at foot, cursing self for even mentioning it* This is where I fumble for at least fifteen minutes to describe my novel, trying very hard to make it sound interesting, but all the while sure I'm failing miserably. <br />
<br />
Jane: *lots of nodding and smiling--or is that grimacing?* "Where can I get a copy?" <br />
<br />
<br />
Me: "Umm...You can't get it anywhere at this moment. It's not published yet." <br />
<br />
<br />
Jane: "Oh. When will it be coming out?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Me: *more internal cursing* "First an agent has to agree to
represent it. And after that happens, I'll probably have to work on
revisions and then hopefully a publisher will want to buy it. And, well,
if that happens, it will probably still be over a year before the book
is available."<br />
<br />
<br />
Jane: "Oh, huh." *levels of interest are seriously waning
here* "That sounds like a lot of work, but it will all be worth it when
you're rich and famous and have movie deals from it."<br />
<br />
<br />
Me: *nervous laughter* "The whole rich and famous and movie thing almost never happens, but that would be nice."<br />
<br />
<br />
Jane: *insert looks of confusion here* "I thought authors got paid a lot of money for their books?" <br />
<br />
<br />
Me: *internal cursing turns into internal kicking of the arse*
"Some authors do, but most don't. It's highly unlikely I'll make very
much at first."<br />
<br />
<br />
Jane: "Wow." *spots someone else in the crowd and grabs his
attention* "Hey, Mark! Did you know that Cindy wrote a book?" *makes
excuse to leave conversation as soon as Mark begins talking*<br />
<br />
***<br />
Of course, not every conversation goes this way. Some people get really, really interested and want to talk about it for hours. Either way, there are always looks of confusion and my guaranteed fifteen minutes of stumbling over my words trying to describe my book, but wishing I could just pull up the synopsis and read it out loud instead.<br />
<br />
What about you? Do you tell people you write or do you mostly keep it to yourself as well? How do you handle it when you do tell people?Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-803201327107911161.post-28108082974778524862012-05-04T10:01:00.001-04:002012-05-04T13:38:18.371-04:00WANTED Blog Tour: An Interview with Agent Stephen Barbara<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Heidi Ayarbe's latest novel WANTED. Her super awesome agent, Stephen Barbara, is here with us today for a special agent interview. Hope you enjoy it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black;"><b>CT</b>: Heidi's books
are hard hitting and honest, always pulling me, as a reader, into the world
she's created instantly. I'd love to know at what point she had you hooked. Was
it in her query or in the early pages of a submission? Can you remember exactly
when the moment was that you knew you wanted to represent her?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">SB:</span></b><span style="color: black;"> Heidi sent me a query letter, I think back in 2006, for a novel
about a teenage boy who accidentally kills his best friend with a handgun he
finds in his father’s tool shed. That novel became FREEZE FRAME, her debut, published
in 2008 by HarperCollins. I don’t remember the query letter but the first
chapter was unforgettable. It’s a very poignant example of dramatic irony, this
teenage kid acting like a jerk to his sister and his friend while they’re having
breakfast on an ordinary autumn morning. But you, the reader, know what he
doesn’t know, that he’s only minutes away from killing his best friend. It’s a
devastating piece of writing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">So I signed Heidi after I
finished reading that manuscript. I was surprised by how nice she was over the
phone. I guess I expected something different—her writing was so dark and
unflinching!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black;"><b>CT</b>: Do you have a
favorite line or moment from WANTED? If so, please share it with us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">SB: </span></b><span style="color: black;">The six-word memoir which ends the novel. But you’ll have to read
the book to get to that line.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black;"><b>CT</b>: What are some of
your favorite YA reads that are not books written by your clients? What types of books would
you like to see more of in the YA market?</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
<br />
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">SB: </span></b><span style="color: black;">I like everything M.T. Anderson has done in the YA space. FEED and
the OCTAVIAN NOTHING books, especially. From last year, I liked Laini Taylor’s
novel a lot. E. Lockhart comes to mind for her distinctive voice and style. And
Rebecca Stead’s WHEN YOU REACH ME was a favorite—we all read it around the
office. It’s depressing to think of all these great books and writers I don’t
represent, though. (<i>laughs</i>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I don’t have any big headline on
where the YA market should go. I’d just like to keep seeing authors and
publishers trying new things, being creative, putting their faith in good
writers, and good story-telling. There’s maybe a little too much copy-catting
in the market right now, a little too much desperation to replicate someone
else’s success. It’s good to see publishers taking chances, despite how tough
the market is. I liked CHOPSTICKS, for instance, the Jessica Anthony and
Rodrigo Corral book which Razorbill published last year. I think people in the
industry are always finding themselves surprised by what the market will bear.
We just don’t know what the next hit will be. It often comes from completely
out of left field.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black;"><b>CT</b>: Have you ever
disagreed with a client on what their next project should be? In your
experience, what has been
the best way to handle this?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">SB: </span></b><span style="color: black;">Yes, of course. There’s no good way to handle that, Just straight
on, I think: “Look, this isn’t working, it needs revisions, etc.” If your
client trusts you, and you have a good working relationship, you figure out the
best strategy, whether to revise the work, stuff it in a drawer, or revisit it at
a later time. As an agent, you’re always thinking of presenting your client at
their best, maximizing their value, giving them the best shot to succeed in the
market. And sometimes you don’t 100% agree with your client on whether to move
ahead with a project, but it’s better if you’ve been clear on your point of
view, I think.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black;"><b>CT</b>: What's the most
exciting part of being an agent? The signing of a new client? Getting a new
book deal for a
client? Meeting your clients for the first time? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">SB: </span></b><span style="color: black;">Closing a deal, without question! I’ve heard salespeople say,
“Every time I get a no, I’m one step closer to a yes,” and while I’m sure
that’s a very nice and well-meaning sentiment, I never really understood this
business of liking rejection. Personally, I hate it. Writing a novel is a long,
grueling slog for a writer, and the business of agent-ing can be slow, hard,
confounding work in its own right. So I think the truly satisfying, essential,
rewarding moment as an agent, is closing the deal. I like calling a client and
telling them we have a great offer, helping them realize what may be a lifelong
dream. And while I also love getting into the minutiae later on and guiding a
book to the moment it sees the light of day, none of that is possible if you
don’t close the deal first. That’s the most exciting part for me. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Huge thanks to Heidi and Stephen for today's tour stop! </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can find Heidi and her books online:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://heidiayarbe.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></b> / <b><a href="http://heidiayarbe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a></b> / <b><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/heidiayarbe" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b> / <b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12924301-wanted" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Find Stephen Barbara @ <b><a href="http://foundrymedia.com/index.html" target="_blank">Foundry Literary + Media</a></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">WANTED by Heidi Ayarbe</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Release Date: May 1, 2012 (Out now!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Publisher: Balzar + Bray </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">About (from Goodreads): <span id="freeText17484711624084127033">A one-word text
message: That's all Michal "Mike" Garcia needs to gather a crowd. Mike
is a seventeen-year-old bookie, and Sanctuary is where she takes bets
for anyone at Carson High with enough cash. Her only rule: Never
participate, never place a bet for herself. <br /><br />Then Josh Ellison
moves to town. He pushes Mike to live her life, to feel a rush of
something -- play the game, he urgest, stop being a spectator.<br /><br />So Mike breaks her one rule. She places a bet, feels the rush. <br />And loses. <br /><br />In
an act of desperation, she and Josh -- who has a sordid past of his own
-- concoct a plan: The pair will steal from Carson City's elite to pay
back Mike's debt. Then they'll give the rest of their haul to those who
need it most. How can burglary be wrong if they are making things right?
<br /><br />WANTED will thrust readers into the gritty underbelly of Carson
City, where worth is determined by a score, power is derived from
threat, and the greatest feat is surviving it all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>Cindy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17136785151164769388noreply@blogger.com3