Jenni Merritt's Blog, page 8

WIP Day - Short And To The Point

Has it really been a week since my last post?
My bad.

This is what happens when... well... life happens.
Everything has just been crazy lately.  Some good, some bad, all just a part of being a big kid now.  (Okay, I have been potty training my youngest, and being a big kid now is one of the sure fire things that has been helping us succeed.  Mostly.)  Not to mention more craziness in my personal life than I can handle.  Sleep sounds nice.

This post will be short and to the point.


As far as the bookish part of my life goes:

- Lady Justice: Editing away!  I actually made some progress this week (Thank you Keary for egging me on!)  I am still aiming for finishing this round of edits by the end of this month and getting LJ off to my beta readers.  At the moment, it will be a push.  But I can do it! (I think...)

I have been thinking of posting a teaser snippet.  What do you think?

- Blogging: I am signed up to be part of a few different tours for some talented authors over the next few months.  I hope you are all excited to hear more about these new books that are coming out this year!  I am excited to be part of these tours and hops.  I have to admit: I sure do love the blogging world!

- On that note: I just realized that I totally missed my blogoversary this year!  Can you believe I have been keeping this blog for four years now?  CRAZY!

- Oh yeah, and don't forget: Keary Taylor's newest bookish treasure, The Bane, is going to be released soon.  Did you see my post about it last week?  Make sure to get your copy.  I can't wait to add it to my Keary shelf!  (Yes, she has her own special section in my personal library.)  (And look!  Get your signed bookmarks from Keary while you can!)

Now then, off I go to finish this episode of Ugly Betty.  Eat some food.  And get back to editing!

How is your week going?  Do share!

Happy Writing!

Keary Taylor's "NEW" RELEASE

Keary Taylor came out with a major announcement today.  If you are a Taylor fan, you already might have noticed that her movie-optioned book Eden was taken down from sales a few days back.  Many people were wondering what the heck was going on.  Today, she finally let you all in on her little secret.

Eden has been taken down.  Revamped.  Given a new title and new cover, and released as book ONE of the Eden Trilogy!
Tell me you are excited!
The entire release will be taking place on March 5, 2013.

Add The Bane to your Goodreads.  Order yourself a sparkly new copy.  And make sure to go give Keary some much earned love!  I am so excited!  Are you?

Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won't stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction.

Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn't need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time.

Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind.

The Bane is The Terminator meets The Walking Dead with a heart-twisting romance. 

To read more about this release announcement, learn some further details of what is to come, and to enter for a chance to win an ARC of The Bane, visit Keary's blog!

Book Review - Shades of Earth

Shades of Earth
by Beth Revis

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME.

Why I Picked This Book:  I loved book one and two, and I just adore Beth Revis.  How could I not preorder book three and wait impatiently for its release?

My Thoughts:
Oh Beth.  Beth Beth Beth.
I have been biting at the bit for this last installment of the Across the Universe trilogy.  I have been roped in since book one, more than loved book two, and couldnt wait to see where the final book would take me.

I was not disappointed.

(Note: If you havent read the previous two novels in this series, the following might be a slight spoiler!)

While book one and two take place aboard Godspeed, the huge lifer ship that has been lost in the stars on its way to settle a new planet, book three explores (quite literally) new terrain.  The people of Godspeed have landed on the planet.  Only to find things are far from what they expected.

For one: They wake up the frozens, the people who have been in cryo since leaving Earth.  While Amy is finally reunited with her mom and dad, this seems to awaken more problems than good.  The military believe it is their job to lead and control.  And harbor little respect for the shipborns who outnumber them.

Oh, I loved this.  Watching the dynamic of the two groups as they attempted to merge.  As they judged, separated, tried again, and failed.  It was so... human.  I could see and believe everything that happened, and was constantly mad at certain people for their sheer stupidity.  This book is more than just Shades of Earth in the sense that they are settling a new planet.  The people are shades of mankind, and they harbor everything that makes us tick.

For two: There are monsters on the planet.  Beasts that fly and kill.  Instantly from the start you can tell there is more to these beasts than their Pterodactyl relations.  What could that be?  They aren't the only "beasts" on the planet.  The ones Amy and Elder discover hide much bigger secrets, and danger, than any flying beast.

Which goes to show once again: The people who sent them into space truly weren't honest.  Oh, the twists.

And for three:  The relationship between Amy and Elder is about to get shaken up!  That's right.  Everything is far from sunshine and daisies for these two.  While I have loved their love from the beginning (they might be in the stars, but they at least don't have their heads in the clouds), Shades of Earth adds one more wrench in their plans.  Watching these two grow, learn, and fight through it all was a great experience.

I was never bored with this read.  I never skimmed, and I never wanted it to end.  What I would give to live in Beth Revis' head just for one day...  Revis' writing is more than believable, and pulls you along with every breath.  This series is now securely one of my favorite YA series, and I highly recommend it to everyone looking for an amazing read.

My Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)

WIP Day - Mommy Writer Venting

 Another writing week has come and gone.

My WIP update for this week isn't all that exciting.  Yes, I edited.  Not nearly as much as I had planned, but being a stay-at-home mommy does like to compete with this writing world of mine.  Whenever I sit down and open LJ, something always happens.

Kiddo number one wants to cuddle. (Which is rare from him.  I just can't deny it when it happens.)  Kiddo number two needs to go potty.  Or just went potty... in his pants.  (We are potty training the little man right now, meaning I am constantly running to the bathroom... or dragging him to the bathroom.)  My kids are morning people, meaning they are up and full of never-ending energy at FIVE every morning.  And that energy never leaves.  It just grows and grows and grows.  As for me?  I am a night owl.  Meaning mornings are my worse nemesis.  I am always tired, and always working with this mommy gig I love.

I need to find a better pattern for my life.  Some way to balance being mommy and being author.  I have to admit: I have had days where I wonder if going after this writing dream of mine is the wrong thing to do.  If I am being selfish or naive, thinking I can do it all.  It would be easier to quit.  To put this aside for ten more years, fifteen more years, until the kiddos are grown up and out of this home.

Then I shake my head.  Am sometimes smacked by friends who hear these thoughts.  Am hugged by my honey.  And I remember: I can do this.  It is hard.  But nothing worth doing ever came without challenge.

Besides: Who needs to sleep anyway?

At this current time, I am about a third of the way through this edit round.  I have already added in one chapter.  Am currently working on adding in a whole other new chapter.  Have things planned to tweak, add, and cut. And am constantly reminding myself every day that this is worth it.  Because it is the core of who I am.  I am a mommy.  And I am an author.  I am never quitting.


- Now, for some eye candy:  Go look at these yummy male celebs reading books.



How has your week been?  Do share!

Happy Writing

YA Giveaway HOP WINNER

The HOP is over!
Did you enter?

What a great turn out this Hop had!  I love seeing all of you amazing new followers, and I hope you stick around even if you aren't the chance winner of this Hop.  There are more in store!

Without any further ado, the winner is:

Congrats Brittney!
I have emailed you.  You must reply to my email within 48 hours.  If I do not hear from you in that time, I will draw a new winner.  So... Go check your email and hit that reply button!


As for the rest of you: Did you have fun on this Hop?  Any luck at any of the other stops?  Keep your eyes open for my next Hop, coming in a month!

WIP Day - Do You Hear the Muses Sing?

If you follow me on my Facebook page, you already have an idea of what I am about to talk about.  If not... Why aren't you following me?

You can pretty much tell when I am in editing mode.  My apartment is almost always clean, the laundry is always caught up, yummy food is always cooking.  And I am always on sites like Tumblr, Pinterest, and StumbleUpon.  I am a pro procrastinator, remember?

Well, the other day (when I was supposed to be editing), I found myself on Tumblr.  Oh Tumblr.  One of the beautiful banes of my existence.  I was scrolling through my feed, when a certain post caught my eyes.

Raise your hand if you have seen Les Miserables.
(I think most everyone has by now...)

I will be honest: Not the biggest fan of the show.  Don't get me wrong.  The music is gorgeous.  It is a classic.  I grew up in the theatre and hold tremendous respect for the classics.  Still, I can honestly tell you that Les Mis is far from ever becoming one of my favorites.  It holds a special place in my heart due to the fact that the first solo I ever sang in Middle School choir was "Castle on a Cloud" (which then became my staple solo all three years of middle school.  I wonder if there is a recording of twelve year old me out there somewhere...)  Halfway through the movie though... and I was ready to call it done.

Back to my original topic.
The set I saw posted on Tumblr was from the song "Do You Hear The People Sing?"  Love that song.  I do.  And the scene was great too, young men and women riding atop a horse drawn hearse.  Epic.  This gif set had the words written on it, and I sat there happily singing along.

Want to see the set?  Then click away.

About halfway through singing, something awesome happened.  That little muse of mine sang loud and clear.
I finished the singing, then sat back and forced myself to blink.  I think my eyes literally popped out of my head.  It is always amazing when the muse strikes, and I was far from expecting it at that moment.  Remember: I was busy procrastinating.

With that simple set of that amazing song, a scene popped into my head for LJ.  There has been that nagging feeling that something has been missing from my book and I have been struggling to put my thumb on it.  Then wham, there it was.  I heard those people sing, and before I knew it I was creating.

My hubby came home to find me sitting at my desk, staring at my wall where the note cards holding all the scenes of my book are tacked up.  He must have understood the look on my face, because he didn't call the nut house.  How sweet of him.

What does all this rambling mean?
It means I have another 1-3 chapters plotted to add to the book.  Chapters I am super excited about, and cannot wait to pluck out once I get to that stage of this round.  Hello fire under my butt, you burn again.


- On a total side-note:
My pair of glasses from Firmoo finally arrived!  I received a free pair, with the promise to post a fair and honest review of what I think of these spectacles.  That review should be up in a week or two, once I really try these bad boys out.  But, since I am in a good mood (and because I for once am not caring how ridiculous I might look), here is a quick shot of me, courtesy of my phone.
Rocking the geek!





Oh yeah, and have you noticed?  I changed up the look of the blog.  What do you think?

Happy Writing!

Young Adult Giveaway HOP

Welcome to the Young Adult Giveaway Hop!Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and BookLove101
It is no secret that I am a major fan of YA books.  Heck, that is the very genre I write!  I find it funny that as a young adult, I read epic fantasy and chapter books bigger than my head.  Now, as a full blown adult, I have taken sanctuary in the section supposedly reserved for teens.

The Young Adult genre isn't just for teens though, is it.  It is for every reader out there who wants to dive into a story about a young adult.  From Contemporary struggles to post-apocalyptic thrillers, the YA genre has it all.

Isn't it great?

For my giveaway stop, I decided to give the ONE winner a choice between two great YA reads.  One is part three of a gripping sci-fi adventure, the other a touching story about a boy who overcomes the loss of his voice.

Shades of Earth
By Beth Revis

(This is book three in the trilogy.  If you win and would prefer one of the other books, just let me know)

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.

RULED BY CHAOS.

ALMOST HOME.

OR

What I Didn't Say
By Keary Taylor

(Who knows, if you are State-side and win, I just may ship you a signed copy from the author!)

Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat.

His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again.

When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it.

OR
$10 Amazon Giftcard
RULES:

I am not requiring you to be a follower to enter this time.  Just enter via the Rafflecopter below!If you would like extra chances to win, choose the following options listed.  I love my followers!Giveaway will run until February 4th.  The winner will be announced February 5th.There will be ONE winner.This giveaway is International.  Winner must live where The Book Depository ships.The Winner will have 48 hours to respond.  If you win and I don't hear from you, I will redraw!

Make sure to check out all the other blog stops too! -> HERE 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy
by Kiersten White

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Evie's always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours.

But Evie's about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

Why I Picked this Book:  I have seen this book around for some time and heard great things about.  Not to mention I identically bought book two a year ago, and finally decided it was time to give in and get book one and start in on it.


My Thoughts:
The cover is just gorgeous, the overall plot intriguing, and the opening sentence promises humor and a light-hearted read.  (A vampire stuttering and confused due to the protagonist yawning as he attacks.)

While I was pulled into the story and did overall enjoy it, I have to admit it was not what I was hoping for.  It is a well spun story about a girl who has been raised in an underground paranormal tagging facility.  Since Evie was little, she worked for IPCA, due to her special ability to see through glamours.  But now a teen, she is yearning for one thing: normal life.

Then the paranormals start to die.
One by one they are hunted down.  And Evie just might be the connection between the hunter and their deaths.

Like I said, the story was very gripping.  But the main character, along with other aspects,
I had a very hard time connecting with Evie.  She was raised hunting down paranormals to tag (aka keep track of), yet she barely knows how to fight.  She solely relies on her little stun gun she lovingly named "Tasey."  All she seems to care about is herself, how she doesn't go to public school, how much she loves her teenage soap opera she watches daily... She is very self-centered and honestly, annoying.  Pretty much: An a-typical teenage girl.

As the plot progressed, it became hard for me to tell who the actual bad guy was.  Reth, the creepy faerie who seems intent on making Evie his.  The mysterious fire woman who is killing paranormal after paranormal.  All of the above?  Maybe?  Both were intimidating in their own ways, leaving me to wish I had gotten the chance to know more about their evil selves.

Regardless, I kept reading.  I was intrigued with Lend, the boy who breaks into the facility in hopes of finding a way to stop the murders and instead finds Evie.  Yes, there is a love story in here.  And I would easily fall for Lend.  He is a paranormal in his own way, and watching his character develop and grow was awesome.  I just wonder why he fell for Evie...

I have been battling about what to rate this book.  I finally settled on 3 stars because yes, I did enjoy it.  A younger reading audience would most likely thoroughly enjoy this read.  Regardless of the things that bugged me, it was very well written.  I laughed.  I kept reading.  And I do plan to read the rest of the series.  I am hoping Evie gets over herself a bit more, and for goodness sake learns how to fight and throws that Tasey away!

My Rating: (3 out of 5 stars)

WIP Day - Round Two Begins

Ding ding ding!Round One: DONE!
That's right.  This last week I got my bum in gear and finished round one of LJ's edit.  Then I sat back, took a deep breath, and dove into Round Two.  No breaks for me.
I have had some questions on how I am going about editing this thing.  Like I have told some of you, every author approaches editing their MS in a different way.  My own editing style is still evolving and changing with every book.  Still, I thought it would be fun to let you know about the rounds I have done so far, in this crazy thing I call book editing.
Round One:  The Read-ThruI  let my MS sit for at least a month.  I have tried to not think about it (too much) and have eaten lots and lots of chocolate.  This round then consists of reading through the entire story.  I don't edit (unless I see something that just bugs me so much that I cannot handle it.)  Instead, I take notes of each chapter.  I write down what happens, thoughts to remember, moments to change.  Everything gets written down, with good old pen and paper.

Round Two:  The Tear-Down I start this round with something I love doing.  Remember those notes I took?  Well, I gather my index cards, and chapter by chapter I write out the scenes that take place.  Then I clear a space on my wall, and cover it with my book.  Being able to see my book spread out before me is amazing.  I can see the flow of the chapters, the balance (or unbalance), and it helps me as I progress further into editing.  Not to mention it is just so dang pretty.
After that, I eat more chocolate and force my bum in the chair.  This is the long round.  In this round, I go chapter by chapter and tear it apart.  I rewrite sections, add and subtract, bang my head on the desk and eat more chocolate.  This is where I really start to create the story.  And no doubt this may take the longest out of all the rounds.

That is where I am at right now.  My notes are scribbled.  My wall is covered.  And LJ is waiting to be hacked away at.  I am excited.  And nervous.  And already exhausted.  But it is happening!  My goal is to be finished with this round by the end of February.  Sooner maybe, if I can keep my bum in gear.
And once I get it done, I will get to tell you about one of my favorite rounds.  Round Three.  Oh man.
See?  Isn't it just too pretty?

Are you editing?  Just writing?  Do share!
Happy Writing!

WIP Day - My Newest Writing Fuel

I think I have found one of my ultimate editing fuels:
Italian Sodas

Let me explain.
A few years back, my hubby and I went through an Italian soda craze.  We went to the local Cash 'n Carry and stocked up on flavors and became pros at making those yummy drinks.  Then we moved apartments.  For some reason, after settling into our new place, we packed the syrups  into the back of a cupboard, hidden behind lids and plastic containers, and forgot about them.

Until this week.
While cleaning, I remembered the hidden syrups.  I pulled them out, fully intent on just tossing them out.  I have been big lately on dejunking, and was pretty excited to add something else to the stack of "this will go."

A friend who is visiting saw the syrups and stopped me.  After looking up info online (and yes, after subjecting each other to taste test as well) we found the syrups were still very much yummy.  So, when I was out and about to mail packages and pick up kiddos, I swung into the store for club soda and half & half.

Oh.  My.  Goodness.  Never let me pack those syrups away again.

My night: Italian soda, editing, then a reading rewardI made a raspberry one.  Then a peach one.  Once I got to that final drop of drink number two, I realized something.  I had also edited (remember, doing the initial read-thru at the moment) about 8 chapters, and found myself only 5 chapters away from finishing this round.  Keep in mind: Earlier this week I slacked major time and pretty much got no work done.  Nada.  It was bad.

I owe the progress all to the fizzy goodness.

(And might I add: I have been working hard on weening caffeine out of my must-have diet.  Suffering from the headaches has sucked, but I am looking at the long run.  I want soda to be a treat, not a life source.  So finding other treats that I equally love but that don't send me into caffeine overload mode is a major plus.)

So there you have it.  At this moment, I am sitting with a Pineapple Coconut Italian Soda in front of me.  My notes are out, and once this post is done I plan to finish the read through of LJ.  *sips drink and smiles*

What's next you ask?
After this read-thru, I begin the tear down.  I will go through each chapter and really get into it.  My thoughts are here scribbled.  My notecards are ready to be taped to the wall.  It will happen.  It is happening.

*sips drink again*


How about you?  Is your week going well?  Do share!

Happy Writing!