Alex C. Vick's Blog, page 127

Ten Awesome Openers: Round Four

In the words of Stephen King: Books are a uniquely portable magic . Escaping into a book is as easy as opening (or clicking on) the cover. It doesn't cost much, and there's very little in the way of limits about where you can go and with whom.

Once a year, I create a blog post that illustrates the importance of opening lines when choosing a new book to read. Without going into detail about the challenges our world is facing right now, it seemed like a good time for this post. As before, the ten YA books in the following list all have one thing in common: I decided I was going to read them before I'd reached the end of the first page.

“Stories want to change, and it is a librarian’s job to preserve them; that’s the natural order of things. The Unwritten Wing of the Library, for all its infinite magic and mystery, is in some ways a futile project. No story, written or unwritten, is static. Left abandoned too long, and given the right stimulation, a book goes wrong in the head. It is a story’s natural ambition to wake up and start telling itself to the world.”
The Library of the Unwritten, by A.J. Hackwith
“One day there was, and one day there will be. This is the beginning of every story. Once there was a world called Kelanna, a wonderful and terrible world of water and ships and magic. The people of Kelanna were like you in many ways—they spoke and worked and loved and died—but they were different in one very important respect: they couldn’t read.”
The Reader, by Traci Chee
“Love is for children, said the girl.Death is for fools, said the shadow.Darkness is my destiny, said the boy.Allegiance is my undoing, said the eagle.Suffering is our fate, said the beauty.And they were all horribly wrong.”
We Hunt the Flame, by Hafsah Faizal
“They were not gentle. And why should they be?After all, they did not expect her to live past the next morning. The hands that tugged ivory combs through Shahrzad’s waist-length hair and scrubbed sandalwood paste on her bronze arms did so with a brutal kind of detachment.”
The Wrath & the Dawn, by Renée Ahdieh
“I’m gonna miss the Draft.The Hadfield is disintegrating around me. Black arcs of quantum lightning are melting the ship’s hull to slag. My spacesuit is screaming seventeen different alarms, the lock on this damn cryogenic pod still won’t open, and that’sthe one thought blaring in my head.”
Aurora Rising, by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
“Senior year is begun.Is begun sounds cooler than the more normal has begun, because if you say it right, you sound like a lone surviving knight delivering dire news to a weary king on the brink of defeat, his limp hand raking his face with dread. The final breach is begun, your grace. The downfall of House Li is begun.I’m the king in that scenario, by the way, raking my face with dread.For senior year is begun.”
Frankly in Love, by David Yoon
“Everyone dreams of marrying a prince—except for me. I am nothing more than a pawn for my mother’s revenge on the seven kingdoms. For she was betrayed by those close to her, scorned by her true love and cast aside like garbage. In return, she raised her adoptive daughters to be as beautiful as diamonds, cold as ice, formidable like the ocean, and as wicked as they come.”
Of Beast and Beauty, by Chanda Hahn
“The rain was falling sideways in the Marsh. It was never a straight downpour. It was always crooked. Just like the people here. Con artists and hustlers and crocs, the lot of them. Anyone can be a saint until they’re hungry enough.”
Sky Without Stars, by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell
“Of all the awful things demons do, keeping Latin alive when it deserves to be a dead language might be the worst. To say nothing of ancient Sumerian. And ancient Sumerian translated into Latin? Diabolic.”
Slayer, by Kiersten White
“Magic was outlawed in all four kingdoms—and that was putting it lightly. Legally, magic was the worst criminal act a person could commit, and socially, there was nothing considered more despicable. In most areas, just being associated with a convicted witch or warlock was an offense punishable by death.”

A Tale of Magic, by Chris Colfer
Would you read any of these books based on the way they begin? Perhaps you already have

Ten Awesome Openers: Round Four

In the words of Stephen King: Books are a uniquely portable magic . Escaping into a book is as easy as opening (or clicking on) the cover. It doesn't cost much, and there's very little in the way of limits about where you can go and with whom.

Once a year, I create a blog post that illustrates the importance of opening lines when choosing a new book to read. Without going into detail about the challenges our world is facing right now, it seemed like a good time for this post. As before, the ten YA books in the following list all have one thing in common: I decided I was going to read them before I'd reached the end of the first page.

“Stories want to change, and it is a librarian’s job to preserve them; that’s the natural order of things. The Unwritten Wing of the Library, for all its infinite magic and mystery, is in some ways a futile project. No story, written or unwritten, is static. Left abandoned too long, and given the right stimulation, a book goes wrong in the head. It is a story’s natural ambition to wake up and start telling itself to the world.”
The Library of the Unwritten, by A.J. Hackwith
“One day there was, and one day there will be. This is the beginning of every story. Once there was a world called Kelanna, a wonderful and terrible world of water and ships and magic. The people of Kelanna were like you in many ways—they spoke and worked and loved and died—but they were different in one very important respect: they couldn’t read.”
The Reader, by Traci Chee
“Love is for children, said the girl.Death is for fools, said the shadow.Darkness is my destiny, said the boy.Allegiance is my undoing, said the eagle.Suffering is our fate, said the beauty.And they were all horribly wrong.”
We Hunt the Flame, by Hafsah Faizal
“They were not gentle. And why should they be?After all, they did not expect her to live past the next morning. The hands that tugged ivory combs through Shahrzad’s waist-length hair and scrubbed sandalwood paste on her bronze arms did so with a brutal kind of detachment.”
The Wrath & the Dawn, by Renée Ahdieh
“I’m gonna miss the Draft.The Hadfield is disintegrating around me. Black arcs of quantum lightning are melting the ship’s hull to slag. My spacesuit is screaming seventeen different alarms, the lock on this damn cryogenic pod still won’t open, and that’sthe one thought blaring in my head.”
Aurora Rising, by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
“Senior year is begun.Is begun sounds cooler than the more normal has begun, because if you say it right, you sound like a lone surviving knight delivering dire news to a weary king on the brink of defeat, his limp hand raking his face with dread. The final breach is begun, your grace. The downfall of House Li is begun.I’m the king in that scenario, by the way, raking my face with dread.For senior year is begun.”
Frankly in Love, by David Yoon
“Everyone dreams of marrying a prince—except for me. I am nothing more than a pawn for my mother’s revenge on the seven kingdoms. For she was betrayed by those close to her, scorned by her true love and cast aside like garbage. In return, she raised her adoptive daughters to be as beautiful as diamonds, cold as ice, formidable like the ocean, and as wicked as they come.”
Of Beast and Beauty, by Chanda Hahn
“The rain was falling sideways in the Marsh. It was never a straight downpour. It was always crooked. Just like the people here. Con artists and hustlers and crocs, the lot of them. Anyone can be a saint until they’re hungry enough.”
Sky Without Stars, by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell
“Of all the awful things demons do, keeping Latin alive when it deserves to be a dead language might be the worst. To say nothing of ancient Sumerian. And ancient Sumerian translated into Latin? Diabolic.”
Slayer, by Kiersten White
“Magic was outlawed in all four kingdoms—and that was putting it lightly. Legally, magic was the worst criminal act a person could commit, and socially, there was nothing considered more despicable. In most areas, just being associated with a convicted witch or warlock was an offense punishable by death.”

A Tale of Magic, by Chris Colfer
Would you read any of these books based on the way they begin? Perhaps you already have

Plot Versus Character ✍

What's more important to you as a reader? Is it that the protagonist needs to be fascinating and the villain complicated? Or do you prefer a fast-paced adventure with an unexpected twist at the end? I was thinking about my own reading preferences in advance of today's post, and I came to the conclusion that I'd take both

Aesthetic for Beyond Androva: Book Two ✨

My current work-in-progress is a continuation of the Beyond Androva series with book two: Engraved in Magic. Although Matched in Magic's ending definitely wasn't a cliffhanger, there are a few in-progress elements that I intend to develop during Serena's and Art's next adventure. Art is taking over the role of narrator this time. He and Xytovia both have a lot to figure out, and that’s without the added complication of a new villain. So far, the story is going well, but of course nothing is happening the way I expected! If you’ve seen any of my other posts about writing, you’ll know I’m not a plotter—though I wish I were.

I put together a new aesthetic this weekend to help me organise my ideas about the story and the look and feel of Xytovia. The purple trees show up again, as you can see, and my characters also discover a new kind of magical symbol. Its purpose is linked to an interesting (and potentially dangerous) time in Xytovia's history from before the war. I hope you enjoy the pictures, and thank you very much for visiting my blog today ☺️.

2020 Motivation

In the UK, our shortest day of the year happened on December 21st (with less than eight hours between sunrise and sunset). The woods outside my window are quiet and full of bare branches. However, as demonstrated by this photo from New Year's Eve, there is still life alongside the hibernation. Nature never stops creating, no matter how inhospitable the climate might be ☺.

We're a few days into a new decade and new beginnings. Today's blog post contains some quotes that describe this time of year and the way it makes our hopes and dreams seem a little more accessible.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.”
— Nido Qubein

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
— C.S. Lewis

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
— Carl Bard

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, "It will be happier.”
— Alfred Lord Tennyson

My only resolutions for 2020 are to (somehow!) find more time for reading and writing, and music, and being outdoors. I'm not going to be too prescriptive this year in terms of the number of books I hope to release because I want to enjoy the writing without worrying too much about the deadline. But I've already started the second book in the Beyond Androva series, and it will hopefully be released in the summer of 2020. Art is telling the story this time. He's going to pick it up at the exact moment Matched in Magic ended. I'm going to finish with one last quote that explains why I love reading so much. Thank you for visiting my blog today, and I hope the New Year brings you good health, happiness, and lots of memorable moments ✨.

“Stories have power. They delight, enchant, touch, teach, recall, inspire, motivate, challenge. They help us understand.”
— Janet Litherland

2020 Motivation

In the UK, our shortest day of the year happened on December 21st (with less than eight hours between sunrise and sunset). The woods outside my window are quiet and full of bare branches. However, as demonstrated by this photo from New Year's Eve, there is still life alongside the hibernation. Nature never stops creating, no matter how inhospitable the climate might be ☺.

We're a few days into a new decade and new beginnings. Today's blog post contains some quotes that describe this time of year and the way it makes our hopes and dreams seem a little more accessible.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.”
— Nido Qubein

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
— C.S. Lewis

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
— Carl Bard

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, "It will be happier.”
— Alfred Lord Tennyson

My only resolutions for 2020 are to (somehow!) find more time for reading and writing, and music, and being outdoors. I'm not going to be too prescriptive this year in terms of the number of books I hope to release because I want to enjoy the writing without worrying too much about the deadline. But I've already started the second book in the Beyond Androva series, and it will hopefully be released in the summer of 2020. Art is telling the story this time. He's going to pick it up at the exact moment Matched in Magic ended. I'm going to finish with one last quote that explains why I love reading so much. Thank you for visiting my blog today, and I hope the New Year brings you good health, happiness, and lots of memorable moments ✨.

“Stories have power. They delight, enchant, touch, teach, recall, inspire, motivate, challenge. They help us understand.”
— Janet Litherland

2020 Motivation

In the UK, our shortest day of the year happened on December 21st (with less than eight hours between sunrise and sunset). The woods outside my window are quiet and full of bare branches. However, as demonstrated by this photo from New Year's Eve, there is still life alongside the hibernation. Nature never stops creating, no matter how inhospitable the climate might be ☺.

We're a few days into a new decade and new beginnings. Today's blog post contains some quotes that describe this time of year and the way it makes our hopes and dreams seem a little more accessible.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.”
— Nido Qubein

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
— C.S. Lewis

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
— Carl Bard

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, "It will be happier.”
— Alfred Lord Tennyson

My only resolutions for 2020 are to (somehow!) find more time for reading and writing, and music, and being outdoors. I'm not going to be too prescriptive this year in terms of the number of books I hope to release because I want to enjoy the writing without worrying too much about the deadline. But I've already started the second book in the Beyond Androva series, and it will hopefully be released in the summer of 2020. Art is telling the story this time. He's going to pick it up at the exact moment Matched in Magic ended. I'm going to finish with one last quote that explains why I love reading so much. Thank you for visiting my blog today, and I hope the New Year brings you good health, happiness, and lots of memorable moments ✨.

“Stories have power. They delight, enchant, touch, teach, recall, inspire, motivate, challenge. They help us understand.”
— Janet Litherland

2020 Motivation

In the UK, our shortest day of the year happened on December 21st (with less than eight hours between sunrise and sunset). The woods outside my window are quiet and full of bare branches. However, as demonstrated by this photo from New Year's Eve, there is still life alongside the hibernation. Nature never stops creating, no matter how inhospitable the climate might be ☺.

We're a few days into a new decade and new beginnings. Today's blog post contains some quotes that describe this time of year and the way it makes our hopes and dreams seem a little more accessible.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.”
— Nido Qubein

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
— C.S. Lewis

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
— Carl Bard

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, "It will be happier.”
— Alfred Lord Tennyson

My only resolutions for 2020 are to (somehow!) find more time for reading and writing, and music, and being outdoors. I'm not going to be too prescriptive this year in terms of the number of books I hope to release because I want to enjoy the writing without worrying too much about the deadline. But I've already started the second book in the Beyond Androva series, and it will hopefully be released in the summer of 2020. Art is telling the story this time. He's going to pick it up at the exact moment Matched in Magic ended. I'm going to finish with one last quote that explains why I love reading so much. Thank you for visiting my blog today, and I hope the New Year brings you good health, happiness, and lots of memorable moments ✨.

“Stories have power. They delight, enchant, touch, teach, recall, inspire, motivate, challenge. They help us understand.”
— Janet Litherland

2020 Motivation

In the UK, our shortest day of the year happened on December 21st (with less than eight hours between sunrise and sunset). The woods outside my window are quiet and full of bare branches. However, as demonstrated by this photo from New Year's Eve, there is still life alongside the hibernation. Nature never stops creating, no matter how inhospitable the climate might be ☺.

We're a few days into a new decade and new beginnings. Today's blog post contains some quotes that describe this time of year and the way it makes our hopes and dreams seem a little more accessible.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.”
— Nido Qubein

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
— C.S. Lewis

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
— Carl Bard

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, "It will be happier.”
— Alfred Lord Tennyson

My only resolutions for 2020 are to (somehow!) find more time for reading and writing, and music, and being outdoors. I'm not going to be too prescriptive this year in terms of the number of books I hope to release because I want to enjoy the writing without worrying too much about the deadline. But I've already started the second book in the Beyond Androva series, and it will hopefully be released in the summer of 2020. Art is telling the story this time. He's going to pick it up at the exact moment Matched in Magic ended. I'm going to finish with one last quote that explains why I love reading so much. Thank you for visiting my blog today, and I hope the New Year brings you good health, happiness, and lots of memorable moments ✨.

“Stories have power. They delight, enchant, touch, teach, recall, inspire, motivate, challenge. They help us understand.”
— Janet Litherland

2020 Motivation

In the UK, our shortest day of the year happened on December 21st (with less than eight hours between sunrise and sunset). The woods outside my window are quiet and full of bare branches. However, as demonstrated by this photo from New Year's Eve, there is still life alongside the hibernation. Nature never stops creating, no matter how inhospitable the climate might be ☺.

We're a few days into a new decade and new beginnings. Today's blog post contains some quotes that describe this time of year and the way it makes our hopes and dreams seem a little more accessible.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.”
— Nido Qubein

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
— C.S. Lewis

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
— Carl Bard

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, "It will be happier.”
— Alfred Lord Tennyson

My only resolutions for 2020 are to (somehow!) find more time for reading and writing, and music, and being outdoors. I'm not going to be too prescriptive this year in terms of the number of books I hope to release because I want to enjoy the writing without worrying too much about the deadline. But I've already started the second book in the Beyond Androva series, and it will hopefully be released in the summer of 2020. Art is telling the story this time. He's going to pick it up at the exact moment Matched in Magic ended. I'm going to finish with one last quote that explains why I love reading so much. Thank you for visiting my blog today, and I hope the New Year brings you good health, happiness, and lots of memorable moments ✨.

“Stories have power. They delight, enchant, touch, teach, recall, inspire, motivate, challenge. They help us understand.”
— Janet Litherland