Zoraida Córdova's Blog: Zoraida Says, page 18

there's no place like home

Or, an open comment to the guy on the train wearing typical uncomformist-conformist hipster uniform, bitching about how America sucks.
I really do love men in uniform. All military and men who serve. But, specifically Marines and firemen. It's not just a display of manhood. Believe me, I believe in this kind of manhood. It symbolizes strength, duty, honor, family. The list goes on. I love and support our troops. Without them--- I don't even want to think about it.

Today is a day to remember that we are the land of the free. It is not perfect, but we are still evolving. Compared to the rest of the world, our history hasn't even made a scratch. We don't have dynasties or monarchies. Most of our changes have happened so fast, we're still adjusting to the changing backlash. So go ahead and keep bitching and moaning. You're American. You won't get put in prison for passive-aggresively hating your government. Unlike some other places. Somewhere over seas my friend is fighting for your right to do this. For my right to do this. So, support those who fight for your right, bro. He's making a different. What are you doing?

New Cover, New Date

Or, look at my NEW shiny cover!

So, after some debate, a detail of my cover has changed. It might be the part you liked the most. It might be the part you liked the best. It might be that this goddess-dammned article has actually created a shift in future YA covers.

Either way, It is still lovely and I think I like her better this way. Indeed, this has prompted my search for the exact same shade of red. Which I might already own, but I need another excuse to go to Sephora.


Now coming to a Barnes and Noble near YOU in APRIL 2012!

Look at the pretty accent over the first O in my last name! My conquistador ancestors would be so proud!

going make-up shopping like,
Zoraida

don't go breaking my heart

Book 2 is hard to write.

Next week I have to send in my copy edits as well as a summary of Book 2. The working title is THE FATHOMS BELOW. And yes, it is from this:



*Swim fishy, swim!*

Ahem. Anyway. 


My characters have to come across some hard decisions. It's a figurative and physically description of their journeys. There are some scenes that I don't want to write because it involves a lot of hear berate. And I don't want my characters to suffer. I like most of them.


OH WELL. Time to turn into evil plotting witch. It looks something like this:


Happy plotting like, Zoraida 

copyediting and book 2

Or, I don't know if you know this, but I'm a big fan of crime soap operas. NCIS, Rizzoli and Isles, BONES (duh).

I was (still am) watching NCIS instead of writing. This episode is Cover Story as copied from IMDB:

While processing evidence from a crime scene, McGee is shocked when he discovers a link to his newest/unfinished novel. When the team finds 2 bodies, the race is on to find the killer and his link to McGee's work. McGee finally admits he based his characters off his co-workers.

You see, McGee (right) is an NCIS agent by day, and Thom E. Gemcity by night. He can't seem to finish writing his sophomore novel and the pressure is on. DiNozzo (left) asks him if he has writer's block. And McGee responds with "I do NOT have writer's block...It's creative stifling."

I think that's what I feel right now.

In November I'm going to take a week off. Look at me planning before I actually request this from my job. But between a week to two, I'm going to become a hermit. I know, I know, why am I planning all the way in November.

Because THE AREN'T ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY.

Granted, if I didn't watch this much Bones NCIS and True Blood, I'd have 3 or 4 hours back of my day. The problem with working on creative projects is that for a long time, it isn't going to pay my bills. There is nothing I love more than my writing and painting. But my job is so draining, that it takes away from my writing time. When I get home, I just want to put on my eye mask, take a tylenol PM for my aching footsies, and dream of Special Agent Seeley Booth.

In the morning I have to get the f@#$% over it. Writers WRITE. It's that simple. We have to reschedule hang outs, forget about sleep, drink a little too much coffee and booze, and forget about dieting because inside, ALL writers are a little insecure.

So, this is me getting over my "creative stifling." McGee had to get over it because otherwise Abbey would die. And I need to get over it, because other wise the world will IMPLODE in the form of my apartment and the books and laundry already littering the floor.

In better news, I'm getting my copyedit soon, so this is helping.

Thank you for listening to my ranting. I need to rant. Now, write one like,

Zoraida

Once more, again, with feeling,

Or, my soundtrack to this thing I call writing Book DOS.



I've turned on channel 614 which is the ROCK station. If you know me, you know I love rock music. Often times I don't know the band or the names of the lead singers. I just know their voices, gritty-dirty-throw-you-on-the-ground-and-love-you-hate-you voices. It's all about the voice. Sometimes not even the lyrics. When I listen to Pearl Jam I can only understand 1/4th of the things he says. And it's okay because the melody and the voice is what makes my heart ache.

I sort of imagine the opening of my book to something fun and carefree, Buckcherry style. <-- Buckcherry <3

There is a lot of My Darkest Days and Guns and Roses. Because nothing says mermen at sea like rockers in tight pants and crazy hair, right? I think there might be something there, ya know?

Maybe it works like this: I work best when surrounded by noise. And while Adele and Sade and Taylor are sweet and I still have their songs interlude my rock sessions, nothing makes me feel as energized like a good rock song. Is this a good time to admit that when I was in junior high I had a crush and the two following lead singers?



Don't judge me.

Seriously, I would totally still bone Steven Tyler even though he's almost 90. Having been around Kid Rock when he frequented my previous night club, I wouldn't touch that with a sanitary stick. Still, something about me has a thing for dirty white guys with sexy voices.

This then forms my soundtrack of rollickin' mermen (and mergirls) kicking ass.

I leave you with a song I have on repeat which will lead me to the moment before the climax of my intended plot. (Mind the video is about a ballerina, but the sentiment of letting go is what I'm aiming for.)



rock on and write on like, Zoraida

Bookish

Or, To avoid becoming like this <-- I run to the closest book store and act like a binge eater opening the refrigerator after starving for a week. That's right, I haven't been reading as often as I usually do because my work schedule has turned me into a vampire. I sleep during the day. I play at night. And by play, I really mean watch the whole of NYC and masses to tourists collectively turn into assholes. It's a gradual transformation that comes with an open bar tab and lots of "pretty" women. But that's another story.





This week I've gotten these books:











Now, LOLA is on loan from the lovely Sandy at Pirate Penguin's Reads. I loved Anna and the French Kiss, so I'm excited for this one.

Wildefire I picked out on a whim. It is so much different than the vamps, angels, and zombies that are out right now. Plus, Karsten Knight is so totally cute.

Lights Out in Wonderland is also a random pick for me. The author is described as "Flannery O'Connor on an overdose of amphetamines and cable television." So that's really all I needed to know. Plus, it's "adult" fiction and I need a YA breather every now and then.

Possess hits stores YESTERDAY and it is by fellow Apocalypsie Gretchen McNeill. So do your self a favor and go buy it!





Reading like, Zoraida

Outlining

Or, what did I get myself into?

Just Kidding!

Sort of.

Outlining book 2 is almost harder than outlining book 1. I end up doing crazy things like GOOGLE. I honestly believe that if it weren't for GOOGLE, Washington would be hard at work right now. And so would I!



and this image below, which is how I feel right now:



That's actually a scale (no pun intended) photo of me going to do my writing at the cafe around the corner.

fighting evil by moonlight like, Zoraida

The Vicious Deep

Or, HOLY-SHITAKE-MUSHROOMS, LOOK AT MY COVER
.The designer is Jeanine Henderson.
So far, the reception has been "Creepy!" "Scary!" "Alluring!" "Sexy!" I hope that combined, these are all good things.
The most interesting part is that my MC is a boy. The hungry mermaid on the cover is not my MC, in case you're wondering. This is the villain of the story. In case the bloody lips didn't give that away. I wasn't expecting her, but the minute I saw it, I loved it.
I hope you do, too.
love like, Zoraida

I'm being interviewed over at Pirate Penguin Reads. <-...

I'm being interviewed over at Pirate Penguin Reads. <--click Go there now!

Cover Teaser #1

Or, wanna get a peek at my cover? ;)


Here is the first of two:

The second teaser will be NEXT SATURDAY over at miss Pirate Penguin's Reads, along with a contest and a the WHOLE COVER REVEAL. If you haven't added The Vicious Deep to your goodreads, then do!