Michelle Flick's Blog, page 16

ROW80 -Check in

Week 2 - second check in for ROW80.

Week one 4,200 words!
Week two 2,322 words!


Making my total 6,522!


I might have been able to do more, but I picked up my recently, self-pubbed and read it. I mean really read it for the first time, in a long time and I WAS HORRIFIED and embarrassed about the mistakes I found. It hurt. So for the first part of this week, I edited my book (again) and then updated the files. I imagine when I read it again in two months, (because now obviously I have to) that the process will repeat. 


When I did write, what did I work on? Organizing. I got some really great tips and tricks last week and I made up my own system.I color-coded the scenes on my mac (green - beginning, yellow - middle, red - end, gray -not so sure stuff) then I moved them into files based on the color. That alone made the task not so scary and more "doable." From there I started with the three scenes that I have for the very, very beginning and worked on bridging them together. I am not done with it, but plan on working on it today so hopefully the first draft, of the beginning, will be done for next week. 


What about you? What did you work on this week? 

Follow and Feature!

Q: What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaption of because you think the movie if could never live up to the book?
Tiger's Curse - I am a huge fan of the series, do not get me wrong, I would go see it. I just have it pictured so perfectly in my head that if they (movie gods) don't do it correctly it could shatter it for me. I just see Kelsey and Ren going to get the first object and the world they have to go into is very mythical and surreal that ... I don't know. It makes me nervous. Plus I have them, the characters, pictured in my mind. I love how all the characters look in my head and once the movie comes out, those characters, look like the actors... But I am pretty sure that the movie rights and that process has been started. 


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Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident. 

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

I started reading this series two years ago and thought that it was a great new twist on paranormal at the time, a boarding school for supernatural? Great! It was also good for me to read about boarding schools because my novel is set at one.

In this novel, all the characters we met at the beginning (the ones still alive and, well one dead), are forced to return back to Hex Hall by the Casnoff sisters. I think this was a little off. If I got spirited away and right into the clutches of some horrible, evil, witches - I would not handle it smoothly. Sophie kind of just accepts she has to be there. I do not feel that Archer or her, really tried to escape, like I feel their characters would have.

A great thing: ARCHER AND SOPHIE GOT TO BE TOGETHER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME! I love the name Archer Cross. It is one of my tippy favorites. I love this relationship because they are not these fawning, bleeding heart, sappy characters. They are snarky; they fight. They just seem normal to me. Granted I love the little heart felt moments that do happen in the book, but at no point do I feel they lose themselves in their relationship.

Mom throws a huge twist into the first two chapters of the book. Kind of shocking.

I thought the end battle scene should have been more, because it was very much over before I was ready. And when that person dies, who I will not say who, I felt very much like Prim's death, it happened so quickly and was thrown at me, that I had to re-read to process it. I felt Demonglass's action at the end was better - more developed, more complete to me.

And as always, its hard to write a review that doesn't spoil the first two books. But overall, I really liked and enjoyed the series.

What were your thoughts?

Cinder by Marissa Meye

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. 


This book has a Cinderella spin - absolutely - but it was nothing like what I was expecting. Like at all.

So how was it like Cinderella? The evil step-mother that is for sure- man, is she a royal pain in the @ss. Sheesh. There were two stepsisters - though one seemed really sweet and was kind to Cinder. There's a hottie for a prince charming - who is kind and loves "kingdom." And then there is Cinder(ella) the girl who works super hard, has no self-confidence. Oh! And there is a ball! I love ball scenes.

How is not like Cinderella? Um, there is a plague. She's a cyborg. There are no mice that make her a dress (sad I know.). Cinder harbors something within her cyborg parts that could help man-kind. But it's not as simple as that. The Queen of the Lunars (people who live on the moon) cause problems for our Cinderella and Prince Charming, a great deal of problems actually - the big one - trying to rule earth.

The relationship between Prince Kai and Cinder is really sweet. Kai is the ideal ruler. He's compassionate, thinks of his people, and being young he's figuring out he has a backbone. He seeks out Cinder's help because his android has malfunctioned and she is the best mechanic. And through a series of events, their paths cross frequently, and you watch two young people lean on each other as they whether the Lunars, the plague, deaths, and secrets.

Overall, a very surprising book that I really enjoyed. It should be put on your to-read book. A must.

ROW 80 Check-in 1

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

My first check-in with ROW80!

I went on vacation so I had some time and I did awesome!

Week one 4,200 words!

WOOOWHOO!

I have been working on this book for a little bit now and feel I am ready to start piecing it together. I am a panster by nature, so I have multiple scenes from the start to the end but nothing really bridging them. So while on vacation, I noticed I am at that point. And man, am I overwhelmed about it. I forgot how hard it is. I have these "clear as day" scenes in my head but bridging them is very murky. Any suggestions on how to make it easier?

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Here is my review for Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side. It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?I am going to start with the cover. I like these covers because they leave the guy a mystery. I have the description in the book about how Lucius looks and my brain takes that information, processes it, and then I create those features. Once a male character is given a face, and lets say I am not crazy attracted to him, the character in the book loses a little appeal, and sometimes a lot of appeal. I like Lucius and am super happy he is perfectly stored in my brain. Anyone else feel this way? 
On to the pages! While Jessica has been a pretty strong character with great attributes, she finds herself in a vampire kingdom. I think this is one of the few times I will actually accept my leading character being a bit weak. Don't get my wrong, she by no means is helpless in this book. She has a lot of enemies going on this book trying to prevent her from getting the "vote" and keep Lucius away from her. 
Ranerio I thought was a fantastic addition to this story. He brought in humor, loyalty, and a strong sense of danger. I mean he basically is - no wait, I won't spoil it. But suffice to say he is pretty bad ass. While my dear Lucius is caged, Ranerio steps in offering Jessica guidance, training to stake some vampires and protection. 
Mindy's appearance, while a good addition to the story. She was valuable to have brought back in, but would the vampire community let this outspoken American teenager run around the castle? I feel like their rules were really strict and then in walked Mindy. 
I did figure it out, the bad guy, what was happening to Jessica really quickly. I finished the book really quickly but I wasn't dying to know what happened next because I thought I figured it out. This takes away from the intensity of my love for the book, but in the end, it was solid and I liked it!

ROW80 take 3

Yep - My life is going to be getting extremely hectic with ELA exams, Regents, Prom, graduation, showers, bachelorette parties, and the end of school, and I have decided there is no better time to write. Yeah, sometimes people want me to high tail it to the insane asylum. Hey - I have never done what sane people do - so why should I start now?

So ROW 80! YEAH! My goals! Finish the first, roughest, unedited draft of The Owens Legacy: Redemption. It's my goal to do some drafting over summer so to do that - I have to get the thoughts to paper. I even have Ms. Kenzie Kaboom lined up to do my next two cover shoots with Ms. Maggie.  I have big goals for summer, but, um, no book. Yeah - I should get started on that. Wait - Michelle FOCUS - Set your goal a little bit more thoroughly. I am going to write 2,000 words per week. I am only going to post up on Sunday. I am going to blog on 15 ROWer blogs.

I think this is a very good goal for me, considering writing has taken a back seat to my school life. I will finish my sequel.

YIKES!

Seeking Guest Bloggers

Hey writing and reading friends - I am looking for some of you to do some guest posting on my blog. I thought of a few topics I would like to see published but am not limiting it to these topics.

Writing 
Drafting process
Reviewing process
What's it like to be the editor for a friend's novel
Self-publishing
Meeting people to edit
Meeting people to start a following

Reading
What's the current fad?
What makes something the current fad?
That genre between YA and adult
Steamy topics in YA appropriate or not?
Promotion of a specific author (can even be you)

This would be a great way to reach out to some people who haven't heard your name, get a few more followers, and would spice up your typical blogging schedule. Shoot me an email at mf060784@gmail and we can set something up. Maybe if a few people want to do the same topic we can combine or have a debate. OK - I'll stop being so excited and just wait for someone to email me.


Side note - completely unrelated - The Titanic trailer is playing in the background - heart that song. Going to go download it.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

I have been meaning to pick up this book on the sole fact that I LOVE THE COVER. I know besides being a fictional floozy, I am also a cover slut. I promise to start to go to meetings for this problem.


By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?


I read it and it was a solid story. It was not my favorite dystopia and I think the reason is because I was expecting something more to happen in the story.Before I get into that I want to talk about the good things.
Rhine is a really good character - as in a really good person - a girl I would be friends with. The sister wives is a unique concept, slightly creepy, but it is a dystopia. I liked Jenna the best though.

Linden - I really thought he was going to be a messed up, control freak. Not the case and I did think he was going to have a major character flaw. It really was just a 20 year old, living under his father's watchful eye, and was trusting. I felt bad for him. He lost a lot and I am predicting only going to lose more.

I am glad that Gabriel and Rhine's relationship doesn't get all steamy. And while sex was a main contributor to this story - it's done very discreetly. 


While I liked the characters, thought the set up for the chemical problem was solid, this was not action packed for me. It is basically Rhine plotting her escape. Which leads me into my dislike for Linden's father. He's a jerk, a controlling jerk - but I wanted him to be more of a controlling jerk. I wanted him to be threatening. I missed the action. 


And while I wanted it to be more action packed - I will be picking up Fever.