Taryn Browning's Blog, page 8
May 18, 2011
My Series Faves!
Hello and thanks for visiting! :)
I thought I'd write about my ultimate series favorites and why they've soared to the top of my omg-you've-got-to-read-it list. To name a few (in no particular order) -- Vampire Academy, The Hunger Games, The Mortal Instruments, Black Dagger Brotherhood and The Twilight Saga. I've certainly read other fantastic novels, but these books kept me wanting more from beginning to end and book to book. For example, I don't think I took a breath until I finished The Hunger Games trilogy. I was literally on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next, sneaking around just so I could keep reading, and even exchanging sleep for reading because even if I tried to sleep I'd still be thinking about the book. I think I finished the trilogy in three days. Not only were all of the books mentioned well written, but I was intrigued by and invested in the storyline and genuinely cared about the characters. I think this is why I love every series listed above.
Currently, I'm reading The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan and really enjoying it! I wonder if I will add this series to my list of ultimate series faves.
I'm also anticipating the next books in these series:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Across The Universe by Beth Revis
Matched by Ally Condie
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices) by Cassandra Clare
(I know I've forgotten some.)
What are some of your favorite series and why? I look forward to hearing from you. I'm always up for adding to my VERY long TBR list. Happy Reading! :)
Cheers!
T.H. Browning
I thought I'd write about my ultimate series favorites and why they've soared to the top of my omg-you've-got-to-read-it list. To name a few (in no particular order) -- Vampire Academy, The Hunger Games, The Mortal Instruments, Black Dagger Brotherhood and The Twilight Saga. I've certainly read other fantastic novels, but these books kept me wanting more from beginning to end and book to book. For example, I don't think I took a breath until I finished The Hunger Games trilogy. I was literally on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next, sneaking around just so I could keep reading, and even exchanging sleep for reading because even if I tried to sleep I'd still be thinking about the book. I think I finished the trilogy in three days. Not only were all of the books mentioned well written, but I was intrigued by and invested in the storyline and genuinely cared about the characters. I think this is why I love every series listed above.
Currently, I'm reading The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan and really enjoying it! I wonder if I will add this series to my list of ultimate series faves.
I'm also anticipating the next books in these series:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Across The Universe by Beth Revis
Matched by Ally Condie
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices) by Cassandra Clare
(I know I've forgotten some.)
What are some of your favorite series and why? I look forward to hearing from you. I'm always up for adding to my VERY long TBR list. Happy Reading! :)
Cheers!
T.H. Browning
April 19, 2011
My Gratitude Journal
The other day I got to thinking about the exercises I use to help me focus on the joys in my life -- things that remind me to think positive and remain happy. Along with my family and friends, reading and writing are a huge part of my life and make me extremely happy. So I'm continually grateful for this.
While thinking, I realized I hadn't written in my gratitude journal in SOOO long. First, let me start by telling you what a gratitude journal is. You may already know, or you might think I'm a total loon. If you're still reading maybe you think I'm only half crazy. Either way, here ya go...
A gratitude journal is a way to focus on the things you are grateful for. I believe that gratitude leads to happiness. If you can find joy in what you already have, anything else that comes your way is just a bonus. You also open yourself up to good fortune. Everyday I TRY to record some of the people, things, etc. that I'm grateful for in a journal. This starts the morning off on a positive note (along with butter toffee coffee) and hopefully shapes the direction my day will go. Does it always work out that way? -- NO! But I like to think I'm a half-glass-full kind of girl! :)
Today I thought I'd post my journal entry from this morning on my blog. So, here it is (I'm feeling kind of vulnerable right now).
The things I'm grateful for (in no particular order) are...
1. My two beautiful young boys & my very supportive husband
2. My family & friends (this includes my awesome writer & blogger friends)
3. My new little niece, Reece, who is due any day now! :)
4. Health
5. My wonderful agent -- Christine Witthohn and my very talented BC family, including my fabulous critique partner -- Michelle Madow
6. My job -- it pays the bills and allows my family to live in a home/neighborhood that we adore (and, of course provides money to shop for cute shoes) Oh, come on, who doesn't like shopping? :)
7. The sister I'm sponsoring in the Congo who has been dealt a much more difficult journey as a woman than I have. I'm grateful for the rights I have as a woman in this country. I'm so fortunate to be able to help another woman follow her dreams. This brings me great joy.
8. I'm thankful to all of you who have taken the time to read this. It means so much :) XOXO
I could probably keep going, but this exercise isn't meant to last the whole day, just get me to focus on the positive.
I'm well aware that it's not Thanksgiving! I have no desire to go back to November. I'm ready for the warmth of spring and summer. But, what are you grateful for? Is there anything you do everyday/week/year to focus on the positive? Who knows, maybe you'll decide to do a gratitude journal, or unfollow my blog (but I hope not)!
Cheers!
T.H. Browning
While thinking, I realized I hadn't written in my gratitude journal in SOOO long. First, let me start by telling you what a gratitude journal is. You may already know, or you might think I'm a total loon. If you're still reading maybe you think I'm only half crazy. Either way, here ya go...
A gratitude journal is a way to focus on the things you are grateful for. I believe that gratitude leads to happiness. If you can find joy in what you already have, anything else that comes your way is just a bonus. You also open yourself up to good fortune. Everyday I TRY to record some of the people, things, etc. that I'm grateful for in a journal. This starts the morning off on a positive note (along with butter toffee coffee) and hopefully shapes the direction my day will go. Does it always work out that way? -- NO! But I like to think I'm a half-glass-full kind of girl! :)
Today I thought I'd post my journal entry from this morning on my blog. So, here it is (I'm feeling kind of vulnerable right now).
The things I'm grateful for (in no particular order) are...
1. My two beautiful young boys & my very supportive husband
2. My family & friends (this includes my awesome writer & blogger friends)
3. My new little niece, Reece, who is due any day now! :)
4. Health
5. My wonderful agent -- Christine Witthohn and my very talented BC family, including my fabulous critique partner -- Michelle Madow
6. My job -- it pays the bills and allows my family to live in a home/neighborhood that we adore (and, of course provides money to shop for cute shoes) Oh, come on, who doesn't like shopping? :)
7. The sister I'm sponsoring in the Congo who has been dealt a much more difficult journey as a woman than I have. I'm grateful for the rights I have as a woman in this country. I'm so fortunate to be able to help another woman follow her dreams. This brings me great joy.
8. I'm thankful to all of you who have taken the time to read this. It means so much :) XOXO
I could probably keep going, but this exercise isn't meant to last the whole day, just get me to focus on the positive.
I'm well aware that it's not Thanksgiving! I have no desire to go back to November. I'm ready for the warmth of spring and summer. But, what are you grateful for? Is there anything you do everyday/week/year to focus on the positive? Who knows, maybe you'll decide to do a gratitude journal, or unfollow my blog (but I hope not)!
Cheers!
T.H. Browning
March 7, 2011
Why We Love Characters With Flaws?
I just commented on a blog post by fellow BC writer, Tiffinie Helmer, about character flaws entitled, "Flawed and Fantastic" ~~> http://bit.ly/gLV51o. On her blog she discusses plotting character flaws before writing. I definitely recommend reading her fantastic post & will be taking her advice when writing future books.
While writing my comment, I thought about all of the characters I've read about and created in my own books. Particularly, the characters that stayed with me long after I finished the book.
This was my comment on the "Flawed and Fantastic" post...
In order for characters to be interesting and believable, they have to have flaws. No one is perfect. As a writer and reader, I believe the best characters are the ones that make you feel. You may not agree with the character's POV or actions, or even like the character, but this is what creates the most interest, evokes emotion, keeps you engaged, and thinking about the character long after you've finished the book.
I just finished reading Delirium and remember wanting to yell at the main character (Lena), even jump into the book, shake her and say, "What are you thinking?" I loved this book because it has a uniquely fantastic storyline with interesting characters. I'm really looking forward to reading more about Lena in the series.
Who are characters you've created, or read about, that made you angry, passionate, fall in love, etc., long after you finished reading the last page? Please share fantastic books with strong characters that you recommend reading.
While writing my comment, I thought about all of the characters I've read about and created in my own books. Particularly, the characters that stayed with me long after I finished the book.
This was my comment on the "Flawed and Fantastic" post...
In order for characters to be interesting and believable, they have to have flaws. No one is perfect. As a writer and reader, I believe the best characters are the ones that make you feel. You may not agree with the character's POV or actions, or even like the character, but this is what creates the most interest, evokes emotion, keeps you engaged, and thinking about the character long after you've finished the book.
I just finished reading Delirium and remember wanting to yell at the main character (Lena), even jump into the book, shake her and say, "What are you thinking?" I loved this book because it has a uniquely fantastic storyline with interesting characters. I'm really looking forward to reading more about Lena in the series.
Who are characters you've created, or read about, that made you angry, passionate, fall in love, etc., long after you finished reading the last page? Please share fantastic books with strong characters that you recommend reading.
February 26, 2011
What Makes You Pick a Book Off the Shelf?
With so many great books out, how do you decide what you're going to read next?
I went to Borders a few weeks ago with a $50 gift card and quickly found that it didn't take long to spend it, and then some. My problem was there were so many wonderful books to choose from. I know, it's a great problem to have. I, of course, do most of my shopping in the YA section. I swear, every time I go into Borders the section gets bigger...which is fantastic, but along with abundance comes a more difficult choice -- what to pick?
Btw - I just told my husband my blogging question, "What makes you pick a book off the shelf?" and he said, "My hand, my eyes, coordination." He SO doesn't get it, lol! :)
Okay, back to Borders -- I knew I wanted a few books, such as Delirium, The Hunger Games & Vampire Academy, based on recommendations from my favorite book bloggers and fantastic critique partner. After that, I was like a kid in the candy story. Everything was so sparkly and pretty.
The first thing that attracts me to books is the cover. For example, I scooped up Paranormalcy -- it has a gorgeous cover. I immediately wanted to read it based on the name and the cover alone. After I'm wooed into picking up a book, I read the blurb. There are so many great books that I don't even bother to read the first few pages anymore. Recommendations, the title, cover and blurb are all key factors in what books I choose and which ones I save for a later date. My to-be-read list is VERY long!
What about you? What makes you pick a book off the shelf? Or, for you electronic readers, how do you decide what you're going to read next?
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! :)
Cheers!
T. H. Browning
I went to Borders a few weeks ago with a $50 gift card and quickly found that it didn't take long to spend it, and then some. My problem was there were so many wonderful books to choose from. I know, it's a great problem to have. I, of course, do most of my shopping in the YA section. I swear, every time I go into Borders the section gets bigger...which is fantastic, but along with abundance comes a more difficult choice -- what to pick?
Btw - I just told my husband my blogging question, "What makes you pick a book off the shelf?" and he said, "My hand, my eyes, coordination." He SO doesn't get it, lol! :)
Okay, back to Borders -- I knew I wanted a few books, such as Delirium, The Hunger Games & Vampire Academy, based on recommendations from my favorite book bloggers and fantastic critique partner. After that, I was like a kid in the candy story. Everything was so sparkly and pretty.
The first thing that attracts me to books is the cover. For example, I scooped up Paranormalcy -- it has a gorgeous cover. I immediately wanted to read it based on the name and the cover alone. After I'm wooed into picking up a book, I read the blurb. There are so many great books that I don't even bother to read the first few pages anymore. Recommendations, the title, cover and blurb are all key factors in what books I choose and which ones I save for a later date. My to-be-read list is VERY long!
What about you? What makes you pick a book off the shelf? Or, for you electronic readers, how do you decide what you're going to read next?
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! :)
Cheers!
T. H. Browning
February 13, 2011
Importance of Beta Readers
I wanted to write this post to thank my fabulous family, friends, agent, critique partner, and awesome group of BC writers and bloggers who helped make my manuscript what it is today. It is now ready for submission and I couldn't be prouder.
Writing is a team effort. Yes, while you're writing that first draft it's a very solitary process. I lock myself in my office, start my "writing" playlist, and throw on the headphones to block out any other noise. After I type those last few sentences of my first draft, I read it through for the first time. That first read is SO amazing because you get to see how your ideas have come together (or not come together). After implementing edits, I print it out, read it again, and implement more edits.
Then comes the time, after many reads and edits, that you have to let it go. It is so important for a writer to have people who will read their story with a critical eye and point out the details that you as the writer can't see because you're too close to the story. After you receive their feedback you can say, "Wow, you're right. I totally missed that!" or "Well, I think I prefer to keep it that way." Yes, everyone is going to have a different opinion about how you can improve your story. If you changed everything to please everyone you'd never finish.
In the end, you are the writer. What you do with your book is solely up to you. But don't underestimate the importance of beta readers. Without the wonderful feedback, support, encouragement and comments of everyone who was kind enough to read my book and provide feedback, it wouldn't be what it is today.
So, I'm sending a BIG shout out to all of you! Words can't express how deeply thankful I am! : ) XOXO
Cheers!
T.H. Browning
Writing is a team effort. Yes, while you're writing that first draft it's a very solitary process. I lock myself in my office, start my "writing" playlist, and throw on the headphones to block out any other noise. After I type those last few sentences of my first draft, I read it through for the first time. That first read is SO amazing because you get to see how your ideas have come together (or not come together). After implementing edits, I print it out, read it again, and implement more edits.
Then comes the time, after many reads and edits, that you have to let it go. It is so important for a writer to have people who will read their story with a critical eye and point out the details that you as the writer can't see because you're too close to the story. After you receive their feedback you can say, "Wow, you're right. I totally missed that!" or "Well, I think I prefer to keep it that way." Yes, everyone is going to have a different opinion about how you can improve your story. If you changed everything to please everyone you'd never finish.
In the end, you are the writer. What you do with your book is solely up to you. But don't underestimate the importance of beta readers. Without the wonderful feedback, support, encouragement and comments of everyone who was kind enough to read my book and provide feedback, it wouldn't be what it is today.
So, I'm sending a BIG shout out to all of you! Words can't express how deeply thankful I am! : ) XOXO
Cheers!
T.H. Browning
February 4, 2011
The Next YA Book Trend
It's been two weeks since I've posted. I've had a crazy-busy week. *slaps hand* Sorry, I'll TRY not to do it again. Now, on to my post, I promise...
An author in my agency posted a really great question on our agency loop. She wanted to know what types of YA books YA readers are interested in now? We had the vampire trend and the angel trend, etc... What's next? I've heard that teens want to read books they can relate with. Being that I am no longer a teenager, what does that include -- sex, drugs, relationships, school, etc.? What are the problems "real" teenagers deal with on a daily basis?
Although, I'm biased. I'm an avid reader/writer of paranormal romance, so I don't understand why you can't throw in a fantastical element here and there. I've grown up loving the fantasy world. My favorite shows were Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed and now Vampire Diaries. I think when it comes to the "supernatural," I'm a lifer. I'm always going to love books that take me away to a new world, set on this planet (with a few exceptions - City of Glass & Across the Universe <~~ love these books).
I'd love to hear your take on what you think the next YA "thing" will be? What trends should we be looking for in the YA section of the bookstore?
Thanks for reading. Talk to you soon! :)
Cheers!
T.H. Browning
An author in my agency posted a really great question on our agency loop. She wanted to know what types of YA books YA readers are interested in now? We had the vampire trend and the angel trend, etc... What's next? I've heard that teens want to read books they can relate with. Being that I am no longer a teenager, what does that include -- sex, drugs, relationships, school, etc.? What are the problems "real" teenagers deal with on a daily basis?
Although, I'm biased. I'm an avid reader/writer of paranormal romance, so I don't understand why you can't throw in a fantastical element here and there. I've grown up loving the fantasy world. My favorite shows were Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed and now Vampire Diaries. I think when it comes to the "supernatural," I'm a lifer. I'm always going to love books that take me away to a new world, set on this planet (with a few exceptions - City of Glass & Across the Universe <~~ love these books).
I'd love to hear your take on what you think the next YA "thing" will be? What trends should we be looking for in the YA section of the bookstore?
Thanks for reading. Talk to you soon! :)
Cheers!
T.H. Browning
January 15, 2011
My First Blog
Hello,
Welcome to my blog. This is so exciting! Here, I will discuss publishing news, writing tips, and anything else having to do with the wonderful world of books.
Currently, I am editing my third completed novel and reading Clockwork Angel and Across the Universe. Both are fantastic reads. Although, I've really got to stop reading more than one book at a time. But I can't help it. When I see a book I haven't read, it actually talks to me, and I have to have it. Then, of course I have to read it, immediately. If only I could dedicate all of my time to reading and writing. This might solve my addiction to books, but I doubt it.
I look forward to getting to know you. Thanks again for joining me :)
Happy Reading and Writing!T.H. Browning
Welcome to my blog. This is so exciting! Here, I will discuss publishing news, writing tips, and anything else having to do with the wonderful world of books.
Currently, I am editing my third completed novel and reading Clockwork Angel and Across the Universe. Both are fantastic reads. Although, I've really got to stop reading more than one book at a time. But I can't help it. When I see a book I haven't read, it actually talks to me, and I have to have it. Then, of course I have to read it, immediately. If only I could dedicate all of my time to reading and writing. This might solve my addiction to books, but I doubt it.
I look forward to getting to know you. Thanks again for joining me :)
Happy Reading and Writing!T.H. Browning
