Currently Reading - September 2014

Holy smokes, where did summer go?? I've been seriously slacking on updating my Currently Reading posts, but I've been reading like crazy this year. I surpassed my GoodReads Reading Challenge goal in July and it looks like I might hit 100 by the end of the year (which is insane because I never thought I could read that much! Like, ever).

Anyway, here are a few great books I read this month and wanted to share.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe came highly recommended by a friend. I absolutely adored this book! No wonder it won a bajillion awards last year. Check it out here.

Kiss Kill Vanish was an ARC given to me by Harper and it was amazing. I love Jessica Martinez's work. This is by far my favorite of her books, and I can't wait for it to come out next month. My review is here and her GoodReads page is there.

The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley was a total random find. Edelweiss was giving out eARCs and I jumped at the opportunity to read. This was the first of Shaun David Hutchinson's work that I'd read and he won me over as a huge fan with this book. It comes out in January! Review here. GoodReads page there.

So here's what I have lined up for September (I am only reading books that start with the letter W, apparently). Have you read any of these? Do you have any recommendations?

How To Survive A Word Challenge

This morning I'm about 2K words away from the #10KbyLaborDay goal I set on Friday. I'm currently working on a first draft, which is the hardest for me. For me, first drafts are the most painful because I just need to get stuff down on the paper.

To be honest, I wasn't completely sure I was going to make it. But here are some tips I picked up along the way.

BICHOK! That is Butt In Chair. Hands On Keyboard. Really, make any excuse you want, but that's the only thing holding you back from writing 500 words or 10K words.

Find some friends to take the challenge with you and hold you accountable. Confession: Honestly, the only reason I got my butt in that chair Sunday was because I knew everyone on the hashtag was asking where I was. I was toying with the idea of skipping the whole day and just finishing up 4K on Monday. Nope! My #10KbyLaborDay-ers held me accountable. I wrote 2K Sunday night. Thank you, friends!

The writing challenge is not your whole life. No way! I still did laundry, went for walks, watched my favorite TV shows, went grocery shopping--and even cleaned out my fridge (which I made Jodi Meadows watch on FaceTime--hahaha!). I heard other people say they were in the car with their families, spending time with their kids, going to church, but they came back. If you try to chain yourself down to the challenge, you're going to burn yourself out. Set times to sit down as your writing time (usually for us it was an hour or two in the early afternoon and later at night). Live your life--but don't let your life make excuses for why you can't get some writing in!

Hit a tough spot? Skip it. Even though I outlined before, I kept hitting little rough spots where I wasn't sure how things would connect up or why someone was doing something. So I highlighted the parts I knew needed to be developed skipped around a lot. I wrote the dialogue I knew was solid and action I knew would definitely happen. And when it got really rough and I started to sputter out, I wrote the scene I just plain wanted to. Even if they were much, much later in the story.

Warm ups. What do you think this blog is? A warm up so I can write 2K (or maybe MORE) today. Taking breaks to write anything else--an email, a Facebook post, a letter to your ignored family members--can help you get your writing muscles warmed up for the challenge.

Block out all your distractions. Like my mother always said, a clear desk is a clear head. When I'm sitting down to write, no books, no iPads, no nail polish or cosmetics (I tend to get distracted by those most easily) are allowed in my working space.

Keep a notebook handy. Nothing interrupts the flow more than "Uggg! I forgot to add a dog to this scene!" (or whatever it is you forgot). Don't worry about it. Just keep going dogless. I keep a notebook handy and make a For 2nd Draft List. Anything I know needs to be layered back in but I need to develop later.

Set small goals. This entire time, I have not been worried about making 10K. For me, it's all about 1K more. 500 more. Set your goals small. I mean, look, if I have 1,500 words at the end of this weekend, I win because that's 1,500 I didn't have before. So anyone who wants to jump in late to a writing challenge, just do it. It will help you get further along than deciding not to and then watching Netflix all weekend (although, God, I wish I was watching Netflix this weekend).

Make it to the finish line. The other thing about small goals is that I noticed that when I realized I just needed 200 more words to hit goal, those would be the hardest 200 words to write EVER. I could've easily shrugged it off and said "close enough" and gone to bed. NO! Finish it. 200 words is a paragraph. And once I got that paragraph moving, I'd go over the goal I set anyway. I'm way happier starting off this morning with 8K and some change than I would've been 200 behind.

Take your eyes off the number. A watched pot never boils and a watched word count will not climb. The faster you stop  lose yourself in the scene, the more the numbers won't matter. Don't let anything interrupt that flow--not checking in on the hour on a hashtag, not a ringing phone, and especially not a number goal. Just write.

Hope this helps anyone out there writing today! 

Come join us on Twitter at #10KbyLaborDay!

10K by Labor Day

Jodi Meadows, Joy Hensley and I are challenging ourselves to write 10K by Labor Day. 3-day weekend. 10K words. MADNESS!

Come write with us on the hashtag #10KbyLaborDay

  #10kbylaborday Tweets

What's Up Wednesday - 8.27.14

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what's up.

You can participate by going to Jaime's blog here. Or Erin's blog there.

I went back to the old school logo from last year. When I took my hiatus this winter, I missed out on all the new WUW logos.

What I'm Reading

Okay, so currently I'm reading FORBIDDEN (which, I'm enjoying but also having a hard time wrapping my brain around some of the character development. I mean, the book is so controversial and I love those types of books that challenges ideas and pushes taboo, but... alas...)

However, I am really excited about what I have up on deck! WILDLIFE by Fiona Wood was available on NetGalley (thanks, LBKids!) and I jumped at the opportunity to read. Kelly Jensen over at Stacked was recommending it pretty fiercely (and I typically agree with her reviews...speaking of which, check out her blog for some really awesome insights into contemp YA!).

What I'm Writing

The writing is going well! I blew through 12K last night. Because of the day job, I set small, consistent goals to hit every night (between 500-1,000 words) and am keeping up well. My hope is to have a first draft ready in November. Last night I got to write a big, climatic argument (which are my favorite because you just get to GIVE it to the other character).

What Inspires Me

A few things right now. So first, let's talk about Ariana Grande. She is the most ADORABLE pop star out there right now. I also have her entire album on repeat this week. But I think my favorite thing about her is her ponytail. Seriously, if a Twitter/Tumblr account called Ariana's Ponytail appears out of nowhere this weekend, it's probably because I caved and started it.

During the VMAs, she was twirling around on stage in those thigh high boots and her hair was so gorgeous. (I wish mine was long enough to rock the high up ponytail!) But I was thinking, THAT! That's what it's about. Pop culture in general gets so much shade thrown at it because we just won't allow ourselves to have fun. So do me a favor this week and don't be self conscious to let your inner pop star show. Bust a move in the middle of the grocery store. Sing a little louder in your cubicle. Flip that hair when you cross the street. 

Okay, so the second thing is also Ariana Grande-related. And it's her brother, Frankie who is competing on Big Brother. I have been glued to my TV all summer over this show and I've completely fallen in ship (is that a thing?) with Zankie (Zach and Frankie). Look at these two! Aren't they adorable?? Except (SPOILER) Zach was just evicted from the Big Brother house and now their showmance is no more. Agent Lauren and I am sad, but we will forever have this gif. 

<3 Have an awesome week and rock your inner pop star! <3

Agents Like Us - Lara Perkins

Lara Perkins from Andrea Brown Literary Agency is here to share all her agenting secrets and slushpile wishes!

She is looking for all types of kid lit: picture books, middle grade, and young adult. You can read more about her here, see her submission guidelines there, and see her recent deals here. And you can always follow her on Twitter @Lara_Perkins. Her answers are below in bold. 

Lara on Agenting

• When writers query me, I really wish ... I hope they've taken a look at my interests and tastes, which can be found on our agency website (www.andreabrownlit.com)--and in blog interviews like this one. I always feel bad for the author when I receive a query that is clearly not going to be a good fit for me, and the author would have known this with a quick look at my bio on our website. 

• My favorite part about being an agent is ... The moment when fall in love with a new manuscript, when I get that electric charge of "oh, wow, this is cool," and even though it's just me alone at my desk with the pages, I can picture an editor, a bookseller, a reader hopefully seeing what I see and falling in love, too. That charge is addictive. 

• Rules and trends aside, what I really look for in a story is ... Relatable, flawed, mistake-prone characters, who are funny, smart, and goodhearted but struggling with complicated situations and emotions. A voice that manages to be both funny and insightful--and even lyrical or poetic. I'm a sucker for romantic tension, especially when it is complicated, dark, and laced with tragedy--think WUTHERING HEIGHTS or REBECCA.
  
  I also love work that strives to engage honestly (raising questions rather than answering them) with the most challenging, uncertain, thorny issues kids are facing, regardless of genre. I love a good mystery when it is solidly grounded in reality with believable, memorable characters. I always get a kick out of unreliable narrators done well, and I love projects of any genre that are page turning but have a literary edge. 

• Whenever I make a book deal, I ... Celebrate by going to my local bookstore and buying a new book. Good karma!

• I really wish I saw more mysteries and thrillers with truly unexpected twists or revelations in the slush. I'm pretty tough to surprise, so when a twist does surprise me and is well set up, it wins me over completely. Projects like this are definitely not a dime a dozen, but I would love to see more work in this vein. I'm greedy, though--I'd love to see more of all the types of work I mentioned above!

Lara On Clients

• My ideal client would be ...Professional, passionate, thoughtful, and dedicated. 

• What I love most about my current clientele is ... I'm lucky to work with authors and illustrators who fit the description above perfectly. As a group, they are talented, hardworking, and always looking for opportunities to grow or challenge themselves. They're pretty darn inspiring, actually. 

• What I want most for any client is ... To be published well, with the right editor match, house support, and a solid plan for reaching and building their readership. Once the title is released, my fingers are crossed for great word-of-mouth to bring as many readers to the book as possible!

Lara On Life

• If I weren't an agent, I'd probably be ... An architect. I was working towards my masters in architecture when I took a leave of absence to dip my toe into publishing and academia. I was so happy to have literature play a central role in my life again, so I never went back, but I still enjoy architecture and design as a hobby and, on the agenting side, I love working with author/illustrators. 

• My favorite (non-client) book is ... Currently, Nancy Farmer's HOUSE OF THE SCORPION (though this changes week to week!). I finally read it for the first time recently, then immediately read it again, and then forced my husband to listen to the audiobook with me on a road trip. A great read/listen each time!

• Secretly, I'm terrified of ... Small underground spaces. Spelunking is for crazy people in my opinion, and visiting a former California gold mine as a six year old was my nightmare come true. I lasted five minutes and then fainted, mostly to make sure my parents got the message and never took me anywhere like that again. 

• My secret boyfriend is ... Declan from Emily Martin's THIS SIDE OF INFINITY, forthcoming with Simon Pulse in Spring 2016. I know. I'm the worst. It's a client book AND it hasn't been released yet, but I can't help myself. He's funny, kind, flawed, and always makes my heart skip a beat. 

• I have a total girlcrush on ... Puck Connolly from Maggie Stiefvater's THE SCORPIO RACES. Smart, brave, funny--how could you NOT love her? 

• Sometimes, when no one is around, I ... Read books out loud, dramatically, to myself. My secret dream is to be an audiobook narrator, but I would never inflict my readings on anyone else. My accents are terrible. 

• My favorite drink is ... North Coast Brewing Company's Red Seal Ale. I'm not a big drinker, but I'm first generation Czech on my mom's side, so my family takes our beers and ales very seriously.

Want to see more Agent Interviews? Check them all out here.

What's Up Wednesday - 8.20.14

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what's up.

You can participate by going to Jaime's blog here. Or Erin's blog there.

What I'm Reading

This week has been all about reading ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I'm a pretty speedy reader, but this one I wanted to take in sip by sip. I missed Stephanie Perkins' work so much and this one was SO worth the wait.

What I'm Writing

This summer I started a new project. Typically, I like to write the first few chapters--set up the world, characters and establish the stakes--then throw the MS out to a few trusted readers. I got the green light on this MS and then Agent Lauren and I set a November deadline, so I'm working bit by bit. I've been outlining and plotting pretty meticulously, so I know where I'm going. The characters are a lot of fun and I feel like I'm found the voice pretty easily.

What Inspires Me

I will be the first to admit that I have a really strange sense of style. I tend to like anything that belongs on a twelve year old or a Japanese school girl. I blame Catholic school and growing up in the 90s and a huge love for anime because I could never shake my wardrobe choices of plaid skirts and Mary Janes. (When I was 16, I still wore lacy socks that I cuffed...and had Minnie Mouse on them!)  

So when I found THIS PURSE at one of those carts in the middle of the mall, I HAD to have it. I found out it's a knock off FURLA bag. While mine is made out of plastic, theirs is made of rubber and leather. I love it!

When I took my new bag out for a lunch at the local cafe, I had several compliments from complete strangers. One nice lady remarked at how roomy it looked, and I responded with an over-enthusiastic, "I HAVE A BOOK IN HERE!" (Because, you know, why would I respond like a normal person with a polite "thank you"?)

What Else I've Been Up To

My birthday is on Sunday! For the last seven years, Shannon and I've spent every single birthday on the beach, but this year life is getting in the way. He has to work and my back up birthday plans in NYC with BFF Kelly fell through too. It might be the first birthday I've ever spent alone, but I'm looking forward to it. Since I have some writing to do, I'm thinking about camping out in a fun Philly spot to write. Any suggestions?

<3 Have an awesome week! <3

For Your TBR Pile - Kiss Kill Vanish

Kiss Kill Vanish
By Jessica Martinez

Published: October 7, Katherine Tegen

From GoodReads: Valentina Cruz no longer exists.
One moment, she was wrapped in Emilio’s arms, melting into his kiss. The next, she was witnessing the unthinkable: a murder in cold blood, ordered by her father and carried out by her boyfriend. When Emilio pulled the trigger, Valentina disappeared. She made a split-second decision to shed her identity and flee her life of privilege, leaving the glittering parties and sultry nightlife of Miami far behind.

She doesn’t know how to explain to herself what she saw. All she knows now is that nothing she believed about her family, her heart, or Emilio’s love, was real.

She can change her name and deny her past, but Valentina can’t run from the truth. The lines between right and wrong, and trust and betrayal, will be blurred beyond recognition as she untangles the deceptions of the two men she once loved and races to find her own truth.

Thank you HarperTeen for the ARC!

My Thoughts:

Each and every single Jessica Martinez book gets better and better. Not only does Jessica cover a wide range of characters, from violinist prodigy Carmen in Virtuosity to Mo in The Vow, but her stories always read as fresh and new. Each one is so different, I'm always excited to see what plot line or topic she'll cover next. Valentina's story was gripping and suspenseful, all while maintaining a contemporary storyline.

Looking back at Martinez's span of novels, she centers the heart of her stories around teens coming to terms with the decisions their parents make. In Kiss Kill Vanish, Valentina discovers the truth about her father's art trading--as well as why Emilio is working for him. By vanishing to Canada, she lives with the little money in her pocket, the love of a stolen mandolin, and the guilt of what she's seen and who she's left behind.

Kiss Kill Vanish is a lonely novel, one that reminded me of the first few months I lived on my own. But the heaviness of the beginning speeds up into a pulse-racing thriller as Valentina gathers her strength and confronts her demons.

This was definitely a growth novel for Martinez and I can't wait to see what she writes next. Don't miss out on this one when it releases in October.