L.M. Preston's Blog, page 53

Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson - Review by NYIA

Welcome our Teen Book Reviewer - NYIA! She's in the house to talk up her fav series! and writer James Patterson.

Angel is the 7th book in the Maximum Ride Series - which has been NYIA's fav, fav, YA Series. Action, Action and more Action!

Amazon's description:
Fang travels the country collecting his own gang of evolved humans, but the two separate flocks must unite to defeat a frightening doomsday cult whose motto is Save the Planet: Kill the Humans. And this time, the true heroine, for once, might just be little Angel.

NYIA's REVIEW:

Let me just start to say, I love, love, love all of the Maximum Ride Books. They are so stuffed with action and characters that are so fun. I love them all. You have to check out the series if you haven't. Even my dad is hooked. This book, Angel, had me angry, then happy, then sad, but I could not put it down. The action kept me turning the pages even though the story made me mad at sometimes. I would recommend this book to anyone that doesn't want to read a boring, mushy book, but want to be taken on a Maximum Ride. I take off one feather because I was torn with the ending, but would still read it again. The characters stayed true to themselves. So, this gets 4 out of 5 FEATHERS.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

GIRL VS BOY: WHAT's EASIER TO WRITE

Well, if you didn't know it, I'm a female writer of young adult novels. My debut novel, Explorer X – Alpha's main character was a male. A boy named Aadi that was fourteen years old is a stretch from a grown female writer that created him. For me though, writing a male was much more exciting than writing a female. My novel, The Pack has a female, blind vigilante as the main character. Shamira was a lot harder for me to write than Aadi, simply because I take being female for granted. But, now my upcoming book, BANDITS has a main character named, Daniel, who's a thief.

Many authors I've met write female main characters, because they feel as though their understanding of the male psyche is vague. Also, they think that girls are the larger reading audience and that it's a lot easier to sale a book written with females in mind than males. I personally disagree. As a girl, I liked reading books from a boy's point of view. I felt that it allowed me to delve further into boy's thoughts, and enjoyed reading about both sexes.

As a writer, writing something totally different than I am everyday is like living out an adventure of my own making. Picture a writer as an actor, playing a part out in their head as they write. In order to feel comfortable writing a character – you have to study people that fit that character's profile.

CHALLENGES WHEN WRITING A MALE

Although my initial inclination is to write as a male, I still have tons of challenges trying to portray male characters correctly. Since my career as an engineer is a male dominated profession, it's been a great source of subject matter to use when writing.

Male character's experience emotion, they just show it in different ways than females. Not to mention their dialogue is different from most females. Those subtle differences a writer has to take the time to notice. Society has certain expectations and rules for males and writing as a male should fit those boundaries – otherwise, the reader will notice.

Aadi was easy for me to write, because I have a son that's the same age as my main character. My kid somewhat fits Aadi's character profile because he's a jock and a good student. Most writers pull their character profiles from someone they know, researched, or imagined.

Writing Daniel was sooooo fun. He was bad, had attitude, a chip on his shoulder and got to fall in love, and seduce a girl - just the way me (a girl) dream of a perfect guy falling in love with me.

When I write in boy, it's like I'm acting out that character's adventure and it becomes my own. Writing Aadi was exciting to for so many reasons. I was able to shed my daily makeup as a girl, and for the months it took me to write him – I was able to be young again, strong, and powerful. Not just young, but be a boy.

CHALLENGES WITH WRITING A GIRL

Writing a female main character allows me to express deeper emotions, to be what I am everyday – a girl. You know what? For me, it's difficult, because writing as a boy I get to imagine a totally different persona. I'm a girl, and being a girl in my writing isn't quite so exciting. So I cheat, I make her into a tough girl.

My main character in The Pack, Shamira, was especially challenging to write. I had to make it fun, because if my characters aren't interesting, it's hard for me to write them. So, I gave her it all - cool girly clothes, a motorcycle named Pearl, and a too die for hottie on her tracks. She's a girl – but she kicks major booty and is somewhat cocky. I gave her outer appearance a feminine softness. However, she's a trained fighter that carries herself with the sureness of a male that can protect himself.

PULLING IT TOGETHER

All of my books are composed of a strong array of male and female characters. I love to write with multiple lead characters. Why? Because when I was a kid, I loved to have friends around. Also, it allows me to write characters that are both male and female yet bonded together in friendship.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Kirsten Hubbard author of Like Mandarin talks Release Day!

Spotlight Blog and Author:

BUY BOOK HERE! Click

Welcome Author, Kirsten Hubbard dropped by A Writing Process or a Write of Passage

Learning the craft of writing,
for her Release Day Interview: Like Mandarin available today!



Some of you know I'm a travel writer as well as a YA author. I've been fortunate to visit some pretty colorful places, and certainly, I'd love to celebrate my release day in Thailand or Tikal (or more appropriately, the Wyoming badlands!). But I'll be spending it right here in San Diego, mostly in my house and home office. My launch party isn't until Saturday, and my friends and family won't come down until Friday. So it'll be and the dog til the husband gets home. Maybe it's a little mundane, but it fits, since it's the site of my most exciting journey of all: writing and publishing LIKE MANDARIN.

That all sounded really zen, didn't it? Really, I expect my release day to go like this:

7:30 - Wake up (if I ever got to sleep), butterflies with harpy eagle wingspans twirling in my stomach. Linger in bed and check my email on my iPhone while Husband heads off to work. Like every morning.
8:00 - Shuffle (bounce) into the kitchen and make chai. Like every morning.
8:05 - Sit at my computer, in my office or at my kitchen table or coffee table, and prevent myself from checking Goodreads/Amazon/Bookscan. Except really I'll check all three, immediately.
9:00 - Repeatedly.
10:00 - Eat some Thin Mints. Get stressed about launch party Saturday.
10:15 - Read some Metafilter and CNN and so forth, and talk to my YA Highway co-bloggers, but every fifteen minutes head back to Goodreads/Amazon/Bookscan.
12:00 - Realize how ridiculous I am being, and that I need to get out of the house. Take shower and sing "Afraid of Everyone" by The National at the top of my lungs. Decide to leave my iPhone at home. Except really I'll bring it.
12:30 - Treat myself to a Thai iced tea with boba.
12:45 - Take my Thai iced tea with boba somewhere scenic and relaxing, like Balboa Park, or the beach, and walk around a little bit, maybe for ten minutes, until early sense of refreshment is replaced by debilitating sense of off-the-grid terror, and then I will sit on a rock and check Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon and Facebook on my iPhone.
2:00 - Arrive home and head straight for my computer.
2:30 - Eat more Thin Mints. Call my mom. Get stressed about launch party Saturday.
4:00 - Walk the dog -- but only a couple blocks. The internet awaits!
5:00 - Put on An Outfit and get bouncy waiting for Husband to release me from my own head.
5:30 - Husband gets home! Talk a SoCal mile-a-minute about all the internet things that happened today. Like every evening.
6:00 - Get in car and head to indie bookstore.
6:10 - Locate my book.
6:11 - Cry.
6:30 - Head somewhere with happy hour margaritas or mojitos.
8:30 - Arrive home and head straight for my computer. Intend to spend some time working on third book, but instead, get wrapped up in great conversation with great friends.
12:00 - Can't believe it's over! Fully initiated. I am an author.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

THE GODDESS TEST by Aimee Carter

Goodreads Blurb:

It's always been just Kate and her mom–and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld–and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy–until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails…

NYIA's TEEN BOOK REVIEWERS TWO CENTS

I liked Kate the main character. She started off shy and afraid to meet people since she'd been taking care of her sick mother. But then after her stupid friend set her up she didn't think about what scared her, she saved her friend. I liked the way the author, Aimee Carter made Kate realistic. She didn't believe in Greek gods and she didn't always make the right choices. I really enjoyed this book, there was always something happening and people in the book were believable. I give this book a 5 out of 5 Scepters!

LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

BEASTLY Movie Review & Book

Movie Synopsis from fandango.com:

Prone to mocking and humiliating "aggressively unattractive" classmates, Kyle zeroes in on Goth classmate Kendra, inviting her to the school's extravagant environmental bash. Kendra accepts, and, true to form, Kyle blows her off in a particularly savage fashion. She retaliates by casting a spell that physically transforms him into everything he despises. Enraged by his horrible and unrecognizable appearance he confronts Kendra and learns that the only solution to the curse is to find someone that will love him as he is -- a task he considers impossible.

MY MOVIE REVIEW:


I loved, loved, fell in love, again with this movie. We didn't spend much time getting to know the old Kyle, but they showed just how much he thirsted for his father's love and that was priceless. They let us get a peek at his ugly side. But I must say that is cute as he was, I really loved Mary Kate who played the witch – that girl played that role to the hilt. I loved her! And to the love story, he was kind of stalkerish of belle and they changed small bits of the movie from the book but it didn't hurt the movie at all. This is definitely a movie I could keep for my sweet love story collection and re-watch it again. If you like the Beauty and the Beast story, you will truly enjoy this updated, from the Beast point of view movie. And yes, I teared up at the end when they kissed. Only issue I had was that when he turned into the 'Beast' he didn't look that bad to me. He actually looked kind of badassed. I give the movie 5 out of 5 roses.


BOOK REVIEW:


by: Alex Flinn

I really enjoyed this book and passed it on to my daughter to read. I've always been a sucker for a good fairytale and Beauty and the Beast is one of them. The hardest part of this read was getting into the mind of 'the beast' and staying there for quite a long time before his interaction with others showed his changes. Even so, I read on because I knew change was coming and was pleasantly surprised and happy with the way this ended. Both NYIA and I gave it 4 out of 5 roses.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Alicia "Kat" Dillman - SPOTLIGHT Guest Author & Illustrator

Please welcome our SPOTLIGHT GUEST!

Author, illustrator Alicia "Kat" Dillman is a life long resident of the San Francisco Bay Area. She received a BFA in Illustration from the Academy of Art University and has spent the last few years working as a professional illustrator.

When not writing and illustrating she can found performing in historical re-enactments, participating in weekly industry chats, dancing, watching anime, or sewing cosplay.


Tell us about your upcoming book? Some of your other projects?

I actually have three upcoming books if you can believe it. Two picture books and my debut novel Daemons in the Mist.

Daemons in the Mist is a Young Adult urban-fantasy paranormal romance novel set in modern day San Francisco which will be published by indie publishers Korat Publishing. Here's a little blurb about it that's on the publishers website.




She could have been a perfectly normal, albeit a breathtakingly beautiful girl, but she wasn't, for I knew there were secrets hidden behind her eyes.

Seventeen year old Patrick Connolly has been drawn to Nualla ever since he first saw her, but as the years pass she seems to take absolutely no notice of him. Until, that is, he rescues her from a confrontation in the school hallway. Little does he know that he's about to be thrust into a world of life altering secrets and things that shouldn't exist, because the fog and mist of San Francisco is concealing more than just buildings.

As for other projects, in late spring I will be turning my novel Daemons in the Mist into a Visual Novel for the game company CWS Software. I've never done one before so it should be an awesome experience. If you don't know what a Visual Novel is you can learn more about them here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_n...

I'm also in the scripting/story boarding phase for a full color graphic novel and a wordless picture book.

How long did it take you to illustrate the cover for your upcoming book?

It took me about 3 days to paint the cover for Daemons in the Mist. I actually drew two sketches for the cover but decided that the character (Nualla) looked too passive in the first design and she is anything but passive.

I included a process animation for the cover here. http://www.katgirlstudio.com/portfoli...

You also write MG/YA books, can you share a bit about them?

Most of my stories are paranormal or magical in some way. It's the stuff I like to read and so it's what I create. But I don't like to play in other people's sandboxes so I tend to make up the creatures that are in the stories.

Some of them are simpler stand-alones but one of them COR, is a complex four book epic. COR's a project I have been working on since 2003 whenever I have free time. I built their world from the ground up, the calendar, creatures, races, religion you name it. It even has its own wiki which will be made public when the books are published.

You are also a talented artist how do you create your art?

I used to create my art differently but currently I work 100% digitally. I do my work in Painter 11 mostly with brushes I created myself. I usually work in a 4 layer process; sketch, ink, base, details. First I sketch the illustration in blue digital lead. Then I turn the opacity on that layer way down and ink over it on a new layer. When that's complete I turn off the sketch layer since I won't be using it again. Then I create a layer under the ink layer and do my base painting. Lastly I create a layer on top of everything to do my details. You can see visual examples of this process here. http://www.katgirlstudio.com/about/cr...


In what formats, other than books, do you sell your art?

My personal artwork also appears on postcards, buttons, greeting cards, jewelry, clothing, and on prints and Giclées. My work for clients has been on clothing, websites, wedding invitations, instructional pamphlets and any number of other products. Come this summer my artwork will also be in Visual Novels.


What great projects have you worked on as an illustrator?

Wow I've worked on a lot of projects but I would like to think that the best is yet to come. The projects I'm working on right now and the other ones coming out this year are going to be some of my best work.

Please share something quirky about yourself?

I have a rather large collection of small and miniature stuffed animals. I have a good 34 in my studio alone. I have always loved stuffed animals, mainly because the idea of playing with miniature people (dolls) creeped me out as a child.

What was the inspiration for your main character(s) in your book?

The short answer would be music. When I listen to music I see stories; like small movies playing in my head. But in reality I do not create my characters and give them things to do. They create themselves and in turn tell me their stories. I feel more like I am eavesdropping on their lives than directing them.

How was your way to publication paved?

I'd say difficult. I graduated from the Academy of Art in 2008, considered by most to be one of the worst years in economic history. There seemed to be no work to be had and no one was hiring. But in the last few years things have steadily gotten better. Interestingly all the publishers I have worked with found me instead of me querying them. One of my current publishers, Flinders Press, found me through the Illustrators showcase at the SCBWI Summer conference for example.

The first book I worked on that actually made it to publication was Lions in my Tummy which came out last March from Viscus Vir Publishing. This year however I have a least 3 books coming out.




Do you have any other books coming out?

I do, two in fact. Neither has announced a solid release date but both are scheduled for early fall. One, The Koi Who Cried Wolf, is a creative retelling of the classic story and is the second book I will be illustrating for Viscus Vir Publishing. The other book coming out is Lazy Saturday Afternoon, a hilarious book in song written by songwriter Bryant Oden and will be published by Flinders Press.

What do you like to do when you're not writing and illustrating?

Historical re-enactment, cosplay, mini bookbinding. I have been involved in historical re-enacting for over 10 years now. I used to do a couple different types but now I only do the Dickens Fair. For the re-enactment and cosplay I make all my own costumes and patterns.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I had to look up and research a lot of things for Daemons in the Mist from how long a broken arm takes to heal to electronic paper. But the most interesting was probably how retro-viruses work.


What would you like to tell your readers?

To my future readers, I hope that I have created worlds for you that extend outside the page. That the characters will stop being characters in a book and start being people; friends you might meet on the street.

How can we get our hands on your books? Your Art?

The books will be available through all the standard digital channels (ie amazon, B & N online, Apple etc.), through their respective publisher's websites and select retailers. And of course you can visit KatGirl Studio for more info on each book and where you can get them.

All my art is currently available through my website.

Links:

My site: http://www.katgirlstudio.com/
Publishers site for Daemons in the Mist: http://www.koratpublishing.com/
Book Trailer for DITM: http://animoto.com/play/JFVYt40HMTV74ybdsNX18wLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

The Winner Isssssss!

Yep, there's finally a winner!

ARC Copy of BANDITS and a $20 itunes Gift Card. Yippeee!


Haley Hanes is the winner! Please email publisher your mailing address by clicking EMAIL on the publisher website: www.phenomenalonepress.comLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

WRITERS BE NICE

Okay, yesterday I read a lovely post that had a wonderful list of what all writer's should know. I followed the link from twitter so I'll hunt it down for you later. However, the #1 item of the list had me saying "Whoa!" and I'll explain why.

#1 DON'T LISTEN TO OTHER WRITERS

Yep, this was the number one item on her list. At first I was in total disagreement. Then…then, I pondered on it and realized that in someways this wasn't as bad of a rule as I thought.

This was driven even further home when I went to a writer's group recently where another author was adamantly telling one author how she should finish her book. I mean WTHeck? Where does a writer that is in no way published have the right to tell another writer that they should seriously consider changing the ending of their book based on only reading the first 30pages of the manuscript. Sad thing was, my 13yr old author in training was at this meeting. She'd read the author's book and heard what the author stated as the premise and ending of her book and felt that the other author was being just plain mean.

I stood up to the writer's defense and stated to the other author that she shouldn't make blanket statements about someone's work after only reading the 1st 30 pages. Furthermore, it's the author's decision how to write their story.

Sadly, I had to agree.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH MEANIES

Over the years as a writer I've explored it all. I've gone to writing class, critique sessions, online forums, had beta readers, temporary critique partners and truth be told it's like finding gold when you find another writer or a beta reader that gives you honest feedback but RESPECTS the fact that it's your story. Sometimes other authors want to make your book their story and only give advice on how they would write it.

TAKE THE GOOD and LEAVE THE BAD

When you put yourself out there while discovering yourself as an author, learn to TAKE THE GOOD and chuck away the bad. There is good to be had by having another writer review your stuff.

Pull out concrete mechanics issues.

Here's a quick list of what to listen to.
- Grammar issues
- Plot holes
- Character Depth Issues
- Painted Scene Issues
- Inconsistency in the world you created
- Issues that are bought up by multiple readers that have in no way talked to one another. For some reason when you have many people together, they hop on the same bandwagon.

I BELIEVE YOU CAN LISTEN – JUST DO SO WISELY

In short, I believe in general authors can help and do help other authors. But you as the author of your book need to own your story, and if another author rips your stuff apart outside of the areas of grammar, main plot, characterization or areas listed above, then throw their advice to the side.

I've been lucky to find great authors that have helped me carve a much better story. Truth be told, I've only had a few meanies and most of them I've met in online forums. Therefore, when dealing with online communities I'm very cautious and only exchange a few pages at a time to see where the relationship leads.

WHAT's YOUR STORY?

Do you use author critique groups? Do you disagree with the writer's advice #1? I do, but do you? Have you dealt with a meanie? What did you do to get over it and keep writing?LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Plan B by Charnan Simon

AMAZON DESC:

Is this happily ever after? Lucy has her life planned out: she'll graduate and then join her boyfriend, Luke, at college in Austin. She'll become a Spanish teacher and of course they'll get married. So there's no reason to wait, right? They try to be careful. But then Lucy gets pregnant. Now, none of Lucy's options are part of her picture-perfect plan. Together, she and Luke will have to make the most difficult decision of their lives.

MY REVIEW:

Plan B by Charnan Simon deals with a very difficult subject, teen pregnancy. It does so in a realistic manner. It's a quick read that gives the reader a glimpse into the challenges of finding out you are pregnant in high school. The main characters had a seemingly perfect high school love affair, that was greatly tested when Lucy finds out that love isn't as perfect as she thinks it is. She's always a planner, but this hiccup throws an awful blow to her future and her boyfriend's dreams. The story moves along pretty fast and you don't get to spend much time in their relationship before tragedy happens, but when it hits, you are able to see clearly the range of emotions Lucy experiences. I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. A quick read that packs a punch of reality.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

I AM NUMBER 4-Movie Review

Okay, what can I say but it's been a sucky movie season and this movie looked like it rocked. In a few words I can sum it up for you, "Don't believe the hype!"

This is the blurb from Fandango.com
Three are dead. He is Number Four. D.J. Caruso ("Eagle Eye," "Disturbia") helms an action-packed thriller about an extraordinary young man, John Smith (Alex Pettyfer), who is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him.

MY FAV SCENE:


THE BAD GUYS:


MY REVIEW

Maybe I'm biased because I've watched tons of scifi movies, read scifi books, write YA scifi, but dag on, this had so much more potential on the big screen and they literally blew most of it. Not to mention the mediocre acting, lame script, and the unbelievable stupid lines in it all. I groaned and so did my husband up until, the best part….the part that we wished would have been laced throughout the entire movie – the action packed, speed induced fight scene at the end.

The opening part of the movie unveils the mystery who is John Smith, he falls in love with a hometown girl with an addiction to taking pictures that include him. His protector is freaked that she is going to give away is cover and wants to leave. John refuses because hey – he's fallen in love, and for his kind, they only ever fall in love once. Now I have to admit the guy that played the role is a hottie, but the girl they paired him up with … boring! Why couldn't he fall in love with the hot, bad, girl that saved his sorry hide? Anyways, we don't see her until the end when it appears she decides to save his butt in order to save her own. Oh, and the lights in his hands reminds me of ET or the movie Cacoon.

Because the ending more than made up for the dragging of the beginning, I give this movie a 3 brands out of 5 (I use brands because he gets a brand – burn, every time one of his kind dies).

ABOUT THE BOOK:


I AM NUMBER FOUR, by BY Lore, Pittacus. I'm naughty bad, the book is sitting on my shelf. I just got it the day before we went to see the movie. I sure hope it's a lot better than the movie was. It got great reviews, so I'm betting it is. Here's the link to buy yours- Click.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS