April Check In

What I'm Writing

Writing the second draft of my book, a new YA thriller. I enrolled in an online class to help brush up on a few things (also to give myself steady deadlines to meet), and I'm really glad I'm workshopping this book. It's a bit strange, but most of my more-stranger ideas tend to do well when they go out to editors. 

What I'm Reading

I'm finally getting to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone after everyone I've ever encountered has raved of this book. I'm, like, 40% of the way through and am NOT disappointed!

What I'm Listening To

In a super pop mood this week!

What I've Been Up To

Puppy wrangling and writing--mostly with Lucy at my feet. Hopefully with the weather warming up, I'll get a chance to do more than just work!

Lucy found a new place to sleep while I write.

A photo posted by Valerie Cole ❤️ (@valeriecoleya) on Apr 18, 2016 at 6:14pm PDT

What Lucy Has Been Up To

Getting into trouble! Mostly because she's starting to get comfortable and feels at home, which makes me happy. This morning she discovered how to unroll the toilet paper--what a fun game (for her)!

No string, Lucy! 😠

Do you think Lauren will understand when I tell her the puppy ate my plot?

A photo posted by Valerie Cole ❤️ (@valeriecoleya) on Apr 15, 2016 at 6:15am PDT

For Your TBR Pile - Summer of Supernovas

Summer of Supernovas
by Darcy Woods
Crown BFYR / Penguin Random House
Published May 10, 2016

The Characters

WILAMENA (WIL) is a fun and spunky girl who has a closet full of vintage dresses and a heart she wears on her sleeve. She's mapped out her romantic future by the stars.

GRANT is the guitar playing, duct-taped shoe wearing brother with a tattooed sleeve and a lime green car.

SETH is the more buttoned-up brother who knows all the right things to say. He'll take you up in a hot air balloon and make you swoon.

When astrology determines your best match for romance, Wilamena is sure she knows which brother is right for her. While Seth wines and dines her, Wilamena continues to bump into Grant at every turn. Does she stay the course of the stars or does she pave her own path? 

For Readers Who

• Are looking for a super-swoony, light-hearted romance
• Loved Stephanie Perkins' Anna and the French Kiss / Isla and the Happily Ever After
• Knows their Pisces from their Capricorns

What I Loved

That Darcy Woods writes such fun characters, witty dialogue, and soft-hearted relationships. Not only were the boys fun to read, but Wil's relationship with her Grams was so wonderful. It reminded me a lot of the closeness I had with my own Grandmother. 

Wil's friendships with boys, as well as girls, is really refreshing. She mingles well with all the characters, not just focusing on the boy de jour. My favorite non-romantic character was Mannie, the drummer in Grant's band. He was overly flirtatious and comically charming.

Plus, this book won The Golden Heart Award from RWA (Romance Writers of America) in 2013!

Mid-Spring Check In

What I'm Writing

Right now, trying to figure out my story is like throwing spaghetti at the wall and watching it all slide down...

— Valerie Cole (@ValerieColeYA) April 6, 2016

Yeah, writing is hard. I won't lie, sometimes I'm convinced none of my writing sticks and I'm running out of noodles.

I have a pretty solid first draft of a new young adult manuscript. I've been trying to tackle more commercial plotlines. Things that could be considered thrillers or high-concept. My brain is so good at emotional story arcs, but when I have to figure out how a resolution works out or raise stakes, I fizzle out.

The good news is that I had a couple of really great critiques come in and set me back on track--hopefully in the right direction. I'm sitting here in front of a blank cork board with a stack of Post-its and I'm ready to replot my entire book.

What I'm Reading

What I'm Listening To

What I've Been Up To

Pretty much 99% of what I say now:
What are you eating?
Ah-ah-ah!
Oh my god!
On the pad! On the pad!
Noooo!
No bites!
Omg so cute#newpuppy

— Valerie Cole (@ValerieColeYA) April 6, 2016

Well, this little monster has been keeping me on my toes for the last week. Meet Lucy, our new puppy! We brought her home last Tuesday and my life has been full of: puppy wrangling, accident cleaning, ah-ah-ahing, and attempting to look away for oooooone second to work. It's impossible. That face makes it all worth it, though.

Lucy is home!

A photo posted by Valerie Cole ❤️ (@valeriecoleya) on Mar 29, 2016 at 8:57am PDT