Suze Reese's Blog, page 4

I Heart YA #13: Reviewing Reviews--What's Your Style?

Welcome to the 13th weekly I HEART YA Blog Carnival! I HEART YA is a Blog Carnival for readers, writers, and lovers of young adult fiction. Every Tuesday there will be a blogging prompt that celebrates my favorite reading genre --YA fiction. Bloggers are invited to write their own take on the topic and post a link in the comment section, or if you prefer just put your thoughts in the comments. Either way, if you own a blog, grab the button to show your pride, and add your link to the list below. If you're not sure what to do, go to the I HEART YA tab for more details. 


I love thoughtful, articulate book reviews. Not as much as books themselves of course. But I can't imagine laying down good money for a book without reading several reviews first. I have to admit that I'm not so good at paying it forward when it comes to reviews. In part because I'm more focused on writing stories than writing about them. Also because I'm very particular about which books I'll review. Specifically, I only like to write reviews on books I'm wild about. If I don't care for it, or just can't get into it, I prefer to stay quiet. That's not to say there's anything wrong with negative reviews. They can be as helpful and interesting as the positive ones, I just prefer to leave them to someone else. Call me a wimp I suppose. Maybe my Mom indoctrinated me with the "If you can't say something nice..." mantra. I don't know, but that's my style.


So what about you? Do you depend on reviews? Do you depend on them? Do you write them? If so, what's your style? 




And don't forget: 1. Add your link to the linkytool (Only once is necessary. Links will be removed after two months of not participating.) 2. Add your link to the comment section so we know you participated this week. 3. Grab the button if you haven't already. 4. Check out the other blog posts. Ready...set...go!

ExtraNormal eBook is on Amazon!

That's pretty much my whole blog for today.

But I guess I'll add a few more lines. At long...long...last...just in time for Spring Break...ExtraNormal is being offered as a pre-release on Amazon.

In case you didn't know, you can download a sample of the book on Amazon as well--look for the option on the right side of the page.

And I think I've found my new obsessive past-time: refreshing the page on Amazon that shows the number sold. No more than every ten minutes. That's my limit.

That's it for my thoughts of the day. I'm heading off to a cabin with the fam for Spring Break. I hope you have fun plans too. And maybe that they involve a good read. I won't name any names.

But you do have my permission to leave this site and head over to this one:

Amazon.com Widgets



And can I just give a big thanks to all the folks who have cheered me on during this adventure? Seriously I'd be sitting in a corner drooling if it weren't for you guys! Muwah!!!

I HEART YA #12: Model Behavior

Welcome to the 12th weekly I HEART YA Blog Carnival! I HEART YA is a Blog Carnival for readers, writers, and lovers of young adult fiction. Every Tuesday there will be a blogging prompt that celebrates my favorite reading genre --YA fiction. Bloggers are invited to write their own take on the topic and post a link in the comment section, or if you prefer just put your thoughts in the comments. Either way, if you own a blog, grab the button to show your pride, and add your link to the list below. If you're not sure what to do, go to the I HEART YA tab for more details.

So here we go! Keep your hands in the car at all times and have fun! (Not really. I ALWAYS put my hands in the air on carnival rides.)

For the past week, this article has been showing up in my local news feed. And I have to say I find it a little annoying. I suppose the commentator has a point, I'm just not sure I really buy it. In a nutshell he's saying that Katniss isn't a good role model because she spends her days moping and playing dress up. Okay. Let's see. She volunteers for what she's pretty sure will be a suicide mission in order to save her little sister, who she's pretty sure might still die of starvation while she's gone. I think a little moping is in order. And the dress up? Really? She only gets into that when she finds out it's the only way to win and therefore the only way to save her sister. Now I might find an argument in the story being inappropriate for young children because it involves murdering little ones in cold blood. But that's not what he was saying.

So while pondering the roll of role models in YA fiction, I thought I'd turn it into the theme of this week's carnival. (Even though I realize last week has a Katniss theme as well.)

Personally, I see role models as a two-sided coin. On the one hand, considering the influence the media can on young minds, I think YA authors do have a responsibility to try not to encourage dangerous behavior. But at the same time, they can't pretend dangerous/negative behavior doesn't exist. And not just to "keep it real". The very definition of a story is conflict.

That may sound strange. But let's take this example:

Let's say we decide to write about a group of girls who go to the mall. We have Brittany who always dresses like a fashion model and takes two hours to get ready. We have Joe who is a dancer. And Beth who always wears purple. The three girls meet at the mall. Brittany finds some new shoes. Joe doesn't get anything. And Beth finds a purple necklace. The three have lunch and then go home.

That's a story, right? Things happen, so it must be a story! What, no. You're saying it's not? Well, no. It's a setting. And characters. But NOTHING HAPPENS! Maybe if they discovered that Brittany was stealing money from her dad. Or Joe doesn't have any money at all because her mother is dying and out of work. Or if Beth will die if she doesn't wear purple, then maybe will have a story. Because we'll have conflict. Without it we got nothing. Girls as a mall. Bo-ring!

So as much as I like to see young people be inspired by what they read, I think authors need to have the freedom to put enough conflict in their story to make it interesting. And that will mean that sometimes our characters make mistakes.

So what about you? Is there a character you think makes a great role model? Do have something to say about role models in general? Speak your mind!

And don't forget: 1. Add your link to the linkytool (Only once is necessary. Links will be removed after two months of not participating.) 2. Add your link to the comment section so we know you participated this week. 3. Grab the button if you haven't already. Ready...set...go!

Time to Party! EN Release AND 100 Followers!

Party! Party! Partay! Yep! Doing the happy dance over here in ExtraNormal Land.

First: Smackin' exciting news that I've reached 100 followers. I know it's not as impressive as those folks passing 1000 followers, but since I've only been at it a few months I'm super happy. (I also happened to have been put on 2,000 shelves on GoodReads. That was a cool number too. 2,000. Has a ring to it.)

And MORE Super-Smackin fabulous news is that ExtraNormal is about to be released! Yep THREE MORE DAYS for the soft release. Just in time for spring-break relaxation. That means the digital version will be available on Amazon. That's right. For those of you who have been emailing me saying WHEN THE HECK IS IT COMING OUT?!? The answer is THURSDAY!!!! THIS FREAKING THURSDAY!!!! Not that I'm excited or anything.

And for those of you who want a real-life hold-in-your-hands paperback, or if need it for something other than a Kindle, the full release and ExtraNormal blog tour starts April 23.

So to celebrate all these things - I'm giving away a signed paperback of ExtraNormal to one of my followers. I've been saying this for a while, so times up if you wanted to enter. All you had to do was be a follower. AND 100 OF YOU DID! =) Love you guys!

So after using my incredibly-scientific method of random selection (which involved closed eyes and finger pointing) I have selected...

(imagine the drum roll...)

Donelle Lacy from A Little Dversion

Donnelle! Drop me a note at suzereese@extranormalbooks.com and let me know where to mail it!

And to the rest of you I say: Commence partying! Happy dances everywhere!

Life on the Run - With Prizes!

I have been sprinting non-stop for days. Unfortunately this is not the kind of running that burns calories or builds muscle. It's more of a mind race. ExtraNormal's release is fast approaching (yay!) and for the past several days I've been up to my eyeballs in: book edits, swag design, badge and banner design & blog design. It's all coming together beautifully. And while I'm exhausted, I'm also stoked.

So let's talk swag: bookmarks (with Eve's design OF COURSE they're beautiful). But that's just the small stuff. We're also talking book bags and t-shirts that say "EXTRANORMAL". Who wouldn't want a t-shirt that declares that status to the world?

Those things and more will be giveaways in my upcoming "ExtraNormal Blog Tour", April 23 to May 4. If you are a blogger and haven't received an invite to participate I apologize. I've been contacting all the bloggers that have expressed an interest--and there's a great lineup starting. If you'd like to join us, you can find the details on this nifty Google Doc:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgHm0KAy1O5cdDAyV29PMWtKeGFVYkdyMzJHMWJXUmc#gid=0



And speaking of giveaways, I've got another. You may have noticed that I'm almost to 100 followers. As soon as I get there I'm going to randomly choose one follower for an autographed print version of ExtraNormal. So if you're not a follower, you know what to do. If you are, get your friends to join! You'll all have an equal chance at the book!

Okay - I've gotta say thanks to all you awesome people who have helped fuel the enthusiasm for ExtraNormal. It's been mind-blowing!

And now I've got to run! Those edits won't correct themselves!

I Heart YA #11: You Oughta Be In Pictures (WaWa)

Welcome to the 11th weekly I HEART YA Blog Carnival! I HEART YA is a Blog Carnival for readers, writers, and lovers of young adult fiction. Every Tuesday there will be a blogging prompt that celebrates my favorite reading genre --YA fiction. Bloggers are invited to write their own take on the topic and post a link in the comment section, or if you prefer just put your thoughts in the comments. Either way, if you own a blog, grab the button to show your pride, and add your link to the list below. If you're not sure what to do, go to the I HEART YA tab for more details. 


In honor of this week's release of Hunger Games, and the frenzy it has caused, I figured it would be a good time to talk about Books Being Made Into Movies. I have mixed feelings on the subject. I think it's a difficult thing to pull off: that transition from book to movie. If the Hollywood folk's try to include everything in the book they end up with a monster of a movie. Yet if they start taking things out, there's disappointment. I usually like to see the movie first. That way I don't have any expectations. But that's a little tough to do when the movie is based on something like Hunger Games. No way I could skip that just so I won't be disappointed in the movie.


So what about you? Do you love book remakes? Hate them? Is there one coming up you can't wait to see? Or something you're wishing would be made? Maybe you have one you just want to chat about. The field's wide open this week!



So now it's time to party! Add your blog to the link, grab your badge, put your thoughts in the comments section, and be sure to link to your own blog so we can get to know one another!

Look what just arrived!

Words kind of aren't necessary. Too...too...exciting!

I will add these words though. These are proofs. The typography is (appropriately enough for proofs) off-center. I'm now scrambling to find what else is off and get it fixed. Hopefully not too much.

The digital version will be released April 5!!! Just in time for Spring Break! Print coming as soon as possible.

Allelujah! Allelujah! (That would be the sound of angels singing. Maybe a little over the top. But that's how I'm feeling!) Allelujah! Allelujah! Al-le-he-ju-ah!

I HEART YA #10: Look at Me! I'm King of My World!

Welcome to the 9th weekly I HEART YA Blog Carnival! I HEART YA is a Blog Carnival for readers, writers, and lovers of young adult fiction. Every Tuesday there will be a blogging prompt that celebrates my favorite reading genre --YA fiction. Bloggers are invited to write their own take on the topic and post a link in the comment section, or if you prefer just put your thoughts in the comments. Either way, if you own a blog, grab the button to show your pride, and add your link to the list below. If you're not sure what to do, go to the I HEART YA tab for more details. 


Confession time: I love writing. Absolutely totally love it. But I'm not sure why. I sometimes get so caught up in my writing that I forget to get dressed, or eat, or even drink. A day spent writing can feel like minutes. At the same time, I know how weird that is. Some folks might even consider a day spent writing as torture. I do think that part of the appeal for me is some deep-seated control issue thing. I love that I get to literally create my characters and the space they inhabit. Discovering new places and concepts is also the appeal of reading. But when I get to not just discover, but create those things, life is good. 


I'm currently working on the details of my very own made up planet. Which I have to say is awesome. A whole planet that only exists in my brain. (Maniacal laugh. Maniacal laugh.) (Did I mention I just went with the fam to see the newest Muppet movie? I totally recommend it. And that maniacal laugh thing might even be funny once you do.)


So what about you? If you're writer, here's your chance to tell us about the people or places that you've created. If you're not, put on your imagination cap and tell us what amazing world you would create if you had the chance.










And don't forget: 1. Add your link to the linkytool (Only once is necessary. Links will be removed after two months of not participating.) 2. Add your link to the comment section so we know you participated this week. 3. Grab the button if you haven't already. 4. Check out the other blog posts. Ready...set...go!

So You Want To Be A Writer?

There are generally two responses when someone learns I'm an author.

One, they ask if I'm famous. To which I ask if they've ever heard of me. (Uh, sure...) I love those awkward moments. =)

Two, they tell me how they've always wanted to write a book. Most of them say it wistfully. But many are serious.

So today I thought I'd share some of the thoughts I have concerning writing as a career. First, I want to point out an excellent blog post by Nathan Bransford (I realize putting 'excellent' and 'Nathan Bransford' in a sentence is a bit of a redundancy), where he discusses why a potential lawsuit over the Agency Model of eBook pricing is a big deal. Actually, it's the comments I'd like to mention. Because the comments have a running theme of the future of book publishing being "scary for authors".

Which is why I'd like to address future authors with a few rules to live by. And please keep in mind that I am very pro writing. I love writers and future writers. But I do think a little reality-checking is a good thing. Also keep in mind this is just one person's opinion. As is pretty much any set of rules. So with that said:

Rule number one: Writing should be considered a hobby. If you are determined to become a writer, find a backup trade for your day job.

Okay, stop shouting. I know there are exceptions. Technical writing, for instance. I would, technically, consider that a backup trade. I'm talking about authoring fiction books. And I'm here to tell you that it's not all glitz and glamour, this fiction writing business. Actually, I can't think of any glitz or glamour. Sure, it's fun making up imaginary worlds and all. But there's plenty of stress. (I'm actually laughing maniacally here. There is a TON of stress.) If I had to pile the stress of needing to pay a mortgage with the sales of my books on top of the stress of trying to produce a quality book they'd be carting me away in a straight jacket right about now. I'm thoroughly lucky (or blessed or driven or whatever you want to call it) to be able to write as a hobby. Because for every Meyers or Hocking there are a thousand wannabes. Wannabes are fine--we're doing what we love. Unless we have mouths who are counting on a paycheck. In that case we're just gamblers.

Rule number two: Thoroughly learn the trade before attempting to sell your work.

Notice I didn't say 'before trying to earn money'. I'm totally fine with writers finding jobs in their field. But if you plan to write the Next Great Thing, don't put it out there for anything but feedback until you've really learned the craft of writing (which includes things like plot development, scenes, sequels, pacing, motivations, and so on and so on and so on.) If you don't recognize all those terms you're not there yet. Reading doesn't teach it, even college doesn't teach it. (At least the programs I'm familiar with). But there are all kinds of resources available to writers: websites, books, writing groups. Use them. And practice, practice, practice.

Rule number three: Never write for the money.

This might sound a lot like rule number one, but it's actually a combination of the first two rules. Even someone who isn't writing because they need the money can get caught up in the numbers game. And it's a dangerous game. The rules change almost daily. How to publish? What to price? How to market? There's a lot of strategy. And strategy is fine. But it shouldn't be what writing a book is about. First priority should be a high quality piece of work. You are putting your name on it after all. Second priority should be the paycheck. If that paycheck is needed for essentials like food and housing, I'm pleading with you to find another craft.

I know this all sounds like perfect world stuff. Some authors need paychecks. That is a reality. And yes, we deserve to earn one for all the hours we put into our work. But it bothers me to hear about scared authors. Authors should be lots of things: creative, artistic, maybe even crazy--but not scared. We should embrace the changes ahead and hope that they move in our favor. But we shouldn't quake with fear at the prospect that they won't.

I HEART YA #9: Digital vs Print. Can You Choose?

Welcome to the 9th weekly I HEART YA Blog Carnival! I HEART YA is a Blog Carnival for readers, writers, and lovers of young adult fiction. Every Tuesday there will be a blogging prompt that celebrates my favorite reading genre --YA fiction. Bloggers are invited to write their own take on the topic and post a link in the comment section, or if you prefer just put your thoughts in the comments. Either way, if you own a blog, grab the button to show your pride, and add your link to the list below. If you're not sure what to do, go to the I HEART YA tab for more details. 


Everyone has heard the predictions that print books are becoming things of the past. There are also predictions that they're a "phase", that in the end readers will still crave, and cling to, their print books.

If I had to make a prediction today, I'd be inclined to say that digital media will be the norm in a hundred years. We are raising a generation of media-sophisticates after all. As our phones and tablets become as powerful as a desktop computer, and the gadgets become embedded in our children's tiny hands, it's hard to believe our society would travel in any other direction.

But with that said, I do believe (or hope?) there will always be a place for print books - though I suspect they will be more along the lines of coffee table books, children's illustrated books, and the classics used purely for decoration. I imagine a hundred years from now a print book will be something special--perhaps because it is an antique, or something that the reader purposefully bought.

But I also imagine that a shelf full of harlequin romances will be as archaic in a hundred years as a shelf full of video tapes is today.

You notice I keep saying a hundred years? Between now and then--I don't know. I don't think print is disappearing any time in the near future. Personally I'm in the camp that still likes to hold a print book. In fact, as long as I'm making confessions I ought to go ahead and admit that I don't even own an e-reader. It's just not very practical for a writer. But I do have a netbook which works nicely for both reading and writing. I also have my phone. Between the two I do a lot of digital reading. And I'm willing to bet an e-reader won't be too far away in my future.

While I can't imagine giving up the anticipation of opening a brand-new paperback, I suspect the generation just coming up will develop a similar passion for downloading their latest read.

So what about you? Are you fully digital? Standing strong with print? Or somewhere in-between? And what's your prediction for the reading experience a hundred years from now?





And don't forget: 1. Add your link to the linkytool (Only once is necessary. Links will be removed after two months of not participating.) 2. Add your link to the comment section so we know you participated this week. 3. Grab the button if you haven't already. 4. Check out the other blog posts. Ready...set...go!