Leigh Bardugo's Blog, page 605
January 3, 2014
steampunkshadowhunter:
“What have you come here for,...
“What have you come here for, Alina?”
I answered him honestly. “I wanted to see you.”
I caught the briefest glimpse of surprise before his face shuttered again. “There are two thrones on that dais. You could see me any time you liked.”
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Before you were published, did you ever have days where you thought it would never happen, that everything you wrote was going to be worthless? I'm about to query for the second book I've written, and I keep feeling like I've failed before I've even truly
First of all, thank you for the kind words.
Second, the simple answer is yes. All the time. Acutely. Painfully. Repeatedly. That feeling of failure and anxiety never really goes away, because for every challenge you conquer (and I am going to be cheering for you to conquer this one), the publishing business will throw another at you.
And you know what? We’re not alone. With a single exception (I do not exaggerate), every author I’ve met experiences this same awful, debilitating, paralyzing, misery-making doubt.
But here’s the thing: You have written two books. YOU HAVE WRITTEN TWO BOOKS. That is a big deal, okay? Most people who say they want to write never make it through the first book. You’ve done it twice! And no matter what happens with this manuscript, you haven’t failed. You’re making art. You’re making art on your own without getting paid for it, without getting applauded or patted on the back for it. This makes you a badass. This makes you a fighter.
Lots of incredible authors didn’t land an agent or make a deal their first or second or third time out. Write the best books you can. Get feedback from people you trust. Query thoughtfully and in small batches so that you can tweak your pitch if you don’t get the response you want. And then remember we have no control over the market or trends or chance. All we can do is keep making art. All we can do is keep fighting.
Wishing you luck and courage with all of my fingers crossed. Please let me know how it goes.
I liked the idea of the writing sprints you ran. Are you going to hold them monthly? Also, just curious, can you say what project you were sprinting on?
It was awesome (and very inspiring!) to see everyone pushing themselves to do a little or a lot on New Year’s Day, but right now, I don’t plan on scheduling sprints every month. This is going to sound crazy, but it’s just too public for me. My process (thus far) when I’m on deadline (which I will be soon) has been to get into the bunker and stay offline as much as possible—not easy if I’m hosting sprints. I have to be a bit selfish and protect that process so that I can write the books. But who knows? Every book is different. I may become a sprinting fiend!
And I do encourage you to follow the wonderful @janeespenson on twitter. She’s a brilliant lady who pioneered writing sprints on twitter and frequently hosts them. She’s a huge inspiration to me and a big part of the reason Shadow and Bone was ever completed.
AND there’s no reason you guys can’t sprint any day (or on the first of every month if you want to continue with the #BAYMTGO theme). Remember: even 15 minutes of focus is better than hours of fuddlypuddling. It’s a technical term.
(As for what I was sprinting on… I was revising a new Ravkan folk tale. Sent it to my editor yesterday :)
January 2, 2014
therealfauxtographer:
The Darkling on Flickr.
I just reblogged...
yaseriesinsiders:
The Darkling, photo by Margot Wood. (via The...
The Darkling, photo by Margot Wood. (via The Real Fauxtographer: The Darkling)
The model? The photographer’s boyfriend.
Well done, Ms. Wood.
I call this a good use of a snowstorm.
lilfrankensteinmonster:
the grisha trilogy: siege and storm...
the grisha trilogy: siege and storm {favorite characters}
T A L Y A & T A M A R
Dangerous boy. Dangerous girl.
I love seeing them get a shout in the tag
“I’m not like you, Mal. I never really fit in the way you did....
“I’m not like you, Mal. I never really fit in the way you did. I never really belonged anywhere.”
"You belonged with me."
http://nxahshaw.tumblr.com/post/71917...
V I L L A I N; // listen
“Hoping to receive the Mercy of the One who you insist on being disobedient to, is a kind of betrayal and foolishness.”
01. lose your soul dead man’s bones // 02. the poet acts philip glass // 03. volcano heart ponythief // 04. haunt (demo) bastille // 05….
“Why waste my anger on you when the fault is mine? I should...
“Why waste my anger on you when the fault is mine? I should have anticipated another betrayal from you, one more mad grasp at some kind of childish ideal. But I seem to be a victim of my own wishes where you are concerned.” His expression hardened. “What have you come here for, Alina?” // I answered him honestly. “I wanted to see you.” // I caught the briefest glimpse of surprise before his face shuttered again. “There are two thrones on that dais. You could see me any time you liked.” — Ruin & Rising
eventhepartofyouthatlovedhim:
I know what I saw on the Fold, in...
I know what I saw on the Fold, in the Grisha tent, light pouring from your skin, so bright it was hard to look at, you shining like a star. You were one thing and then you were another. You were Alina and then I didn’t know you at all.
