Michelle Flick's Blog, page 8

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

I was fortunate enough to get on this blog hop, thanks to the sister of YA-Sisterhood. I've been in a it or a reading slump - and I think it is because I needed something new, something, I hadn't read before.

Cora delivers. I wanted to just write that but thought maybe Cora wanted more. So here's more.

I thought the premise was hilarious. I mean - your first time with sex is awkward and then to be Bliss and see Garrick so fast and in such a way, it's even more awkward when you read it. It had me laughing which was awesome for me, because literature hasn't been making me laugh.

Bliss, isn't someone I say is like me, but she's one of my friends. I found myself laughing at all of her nervous moments, because she gets awkward, and she just can't help it. I love the fact that she stayed a virgin for so long. I think it is incredibly hard to do in this day and age, and I thought Cora/Bliss sent out a message to avoid teenage sex. Should she just throw it away? No - but then there is Garrick. You know, the foreign, charming, god that had me drooling. I may have thrown it away on him, in my fictional dreams.

Garrick - I want Cora to write a few passages from his point of view when he's interacting with Bliss. I asked my boyfriend what he would do if I had done a few of her antics, and he told me, do my best not to laugh and make awkward faces back at her.

My overall opinion was it was a great New Age It was cute. It was lovey. It is a great debut novel. She delivered.

So - fill out the rafflecopter to win and hope you do! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Writer's Panel! First Section!

I have picked my four of my favorite authors/writers. They are going to be talking about their writing process.  So stop by the next couple of weeks on Thursdays to see what they have to say!  Now on to the introductions!
Carrie Butler: Carrie daydreamed her way through college—until they thrust a marketing degree into her hands, slapped a summa cum laude seal on the corner, and booted her out into a less-than-stellar job market. Instead of panicking at the prospect of unemployment, she used her Midwestern logic to steer into the skid and point her life in the direction she really wanted to go: writing out those daydreams.
WEBSITE  |  BLOG  |  SSP  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK  |  GOODREADS  |  GOOGLE+ 
Komal Lewis: Komal Lewis is a full-time author who lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband, and one too many cats and dogs. She is overly enthusiastic about video games, comic books, Spiderman, Byronic heroes, baking, reptiles and pretty shoes.Komal is currently working on her debut novel, WITH ME, a YA Contemporary Romance about a girl who will do anything to become popular, and the rocker boy-next-door.
Joe Lantz: Joe works as a substitute teacher for Ripley Central School in WNY while he works on his YA novel and waits for a permanent position as an English Language Arts teacher. He had the great fortune of being Michelle’s student teacher and the even greater fortune of developing an enduring friendship with her, which includes time spent writing in a local library.  He is an avid reader and writer. He also enjoys collecting and reading comic books and graphic novels. He can also be found on  blog – the one Michelle encouraged me to start – Avid Reading, Constant Writing.
Bonnie Rae: Bonniespent her early childhood in the sunny state of California. At the time, she was an only child with a very large imagination. Thanks to her Grandmother, the love of reading books started at a very young age. Every walk to the grocery store meant an ice cream cone and a new Little Golden Book. Through books, Bonnie learned you could be transported into other worlds. The addiction was instant. At age eleven, her grandparents gave her E.B. White's Charlotte's Web for her birthday. Even though she was completely grossed out when it came to spiders (and still is), Charlotte's Web fascinated her. A spider that was able to weave words and befriend a pig? Bonnie then realized not only could books provide imaginary worlds, they confirmed anything was possible. She might have only been eleven, but she knew writing was what she wanted to do. She started her first set of novels at the age of sixteen and has been writing ever since. Bonnie currently lives in California with her wonderful husband and two very spoiled cats.
This week we are going to be talking about the Pre-writing process. You know that moment when the idea is rolling around and is dying to bust out of your thoughts.
Pre-writing How has a story idea come to you?
Carrie:I’ll use Strength, my debut novel, as an example. For years, I'd been toying with the idea of writing a story with a unique, supernatural race (or three). One night, for whatever reason, I couldn't stop thinking about the concept of balance—specifically, the balance of power. I started jotting down notes while listening to music, and "All I Know" (the 2005 Five for Fighting cover) came on. As soon as I heard the first few sentences, the romance element fell into place. :) It snowballed from there.
Komal: Lots of different ways. Movies, songs, dreams, other books, and sometimes from nowhere at all.
Joe: I think most of my story ideas come to me from the variety of experiences I’ve had reading, collecting comics, and occasionally from TV shows and movies. Does that mean I’m copying others? I don’t think so as I always try to find a new angle or approach to the idea that inspired my own idea. For example, reading about vampires has recently sparked a new YA story idea for vampires. While the main character is the blood sucking undead, he’s not the nicest of guys – he enjoys feasting on blood and pushing people’s buttons making no apologies for doing both. The inspirations for my idea: The Vampire Diaries TV show, The Twilight Saga novels, and a few other vampire-centric novels, shows, and movies. When a story idea comes to you, you have to be able to put your own spin on the idea.I will confess that a few story ideas have come to me in dreams, which is why I keep pen and paper near my bed.
Bonnie: I think the one that stands out the most was while I was attending a writing conference. All of a sudden in the middle of a really wonderful workshop this vision of two teenagers on swings, in a park, in the wee hours of the morning popped into my head. The park had an eerie setting and the boy and girl were so vivid to me, so alive, that I just started writing the scene down right then and there. Needless to say I missed the rest of the workshop because I was so caught up in the muse. After that my first book, Nether Bound, started to take shape.
Once you have an idea, how do you brainstorm?
Carrie:It’s chaotic. I cover my desk with papers. Fragmented thoughts, drawings, lines pointing every which way—it’s a wonder I ever manage to decipher them! LOL
Joe: Once a story idea takes root in my brain, I instantly brainstorm by writing down anything and everything that develops on a notepad, usually the legal pad style. There is no formality about the brainstorming – ideas get written down in no particular order, barely count as sentences, often are accompanied by a doodle or five, arrows are used to show connection, and so on. At present, I have a hefty stack of notepads filled with story idea brainstorms. Alas, so many ideas and not enough time in the day to work on them all.
Bonnie: If it is a scene that comes to me, I just write it out right then and there. Of course, that is provided I am in a place where I can do that. But I always carry a notebook with me wherever I go and my friends have gotten pretty used to me pulling it out and penning away.For a whole story I pretty much brainstorm by outlining. I usually outline and write the first five chapters. I let myself just go with it and see where the story takes me in those first few chapters. The first five introduce me to my characters and gives me a chance to really get to know them and also lets me see exactly how the story develops and the direction I will go with it. . After the first five chapters are written is when I will actually finish outlining the rest of the story and do all of my character bios/summaries. 
Do you do a lot of pre-planning or do you dive right in and write?
Carrie: I used to dive right in, but I’m more organized these days. I bust out character profiles, spreadsheets, timelines, etc.
Komal: It depends on the kind of story I’m writing. If it’s something that requires world-building then I pre-plan, otherwise I just let the story take me wherever it’s headed.
Why do you think you do it that way or what does this say about you?
Carrie: It says I’m turning into a plotter! Or I’m losing my mind…
Komal: I think it says that I’m an unorganized control freak.
How do you develop your characters?
Carrie:I’m going to go all ‘creepy author’ on you for a second and say they develop themselves. Sure, I’ll start with a notion or two—shaped by a variety of influences—but after that? I’m lucky to keep up!
Komal: I think about them a lot! They have conversations in my head, and when I’m listening to music, I try and relate it to my characters.
Joe: I like this question because it relates to the other two pre-writing questions I selected. I think my characters are a mix of my own ideas and inspiration from other characters – again with my own approach/angle. Right now I’d say my biggest inspiration for the characters in the manuscript I’m currently enveloped in are the comic book characters I read. The characters are my own creation but fit into the archetypes of comic book characters. As for development, I brainstorm just like I do for story ideas. However, I also allow the characters to grow, change, and adapt as the story develops, as writing takes me in new directions I hadn’t considered during brainstorming.
Bonnie:I do it this way, because it works for me. Trust me; I've tried plotting it all out, outlining, full character bios and chapter summaries before I write anything.  And what I learned is that stories change, so all that hard work that I put in during the beginning, most of it doesn't fit anymore. By writing out the first five chapters I get a great feel for all the characters and the story, as well as the solid direction everything will go in.
Anything you think another writer should know about for the pre-writing session? 
Carrie: Don’t censor yourself at this point. Let anything and everything come out on the paper. You can always weed the story later.
Wow! That's so much for me to think about and this is only the first post! Thanks for stopping by everyone. I hope this was as inspiring for you as it was for me!
Leave some love!

What's your book club like?

Several of my friends and I started a book club. It is something I have been meaning to do. I love the blogging world and twitter world, and how I have some awesome conversations with people. I also love the freedom that comes with having space between you and the person. You don't have that concern how people will react to you.

But at the same time, it does lack the personal touch - the face to face contact time - and that's what I wanted to gain through my book club. 
There are six of us - Nikki, Bre, Jen, Linda, Michelle, and me We picked Gone Girl by Jillian Flynn - something a little out of every one's comfort boxWe meet at someone's house - mine was the first - Nikki's is next We said that if you don't want to have the group at your house - we can have it at a place - like a winery (lots of wineries by us)
The person "hosting" that week has to provide food, the others have to bring their own drinksWe picked Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock for our next book.
We are meeting the first Thursday of every month

We need - a name (bc lets be honest - I like to make shirts) and "rules" about the books (like size, who selects, genre)

What about your book club? What are your rules? What are the things you know work for you? Got any ideas of a name?

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around

I picked up this book because it is part of the brand new book club my friend Nikki and I started. I got the recommendation from my friend Angela who said she loved it. My friend Cody read it and thought it was good. So why not? I typically stick to New Age and YA - with a vampire thrown in there. But I can step out of my box every now and then.

Gone Girl is definitely that book that makes you think the author is slightly off her rocker, but in a completely good way. It took me about 50 pages to get into the book. Then she started dropping kill chapter cliffhangers and then she would switch POV and I would have to wait to see what happened. She sucked me in. Right in.

The story is about a marriage, a broken one, and the disappearance of the wife. You get to read Amy's POV before she was kidnapped. You get to read Nick's POV after the murder. It's kind of like that phrase "all roads lead to Rome."

A driving force in this books is - what actually happened to Amy? Well you find out and you're reaction will be: Huh? Are you kidding?

It's twisted and true and well thought. There is a character in the book that is psychologically damaged and one who is an idiot. There's a lot to be said about this book - a lot of great things but I can't give anything away because there is a domino effect in the works if I spill any beans. It was a great book.

Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway Hop!

OK - Am I a big giveaway happy right now? Yes. Yes, I am. Why? Well, I'm starting a new job, closing up the old one, starting a new blog with some awesome people, and desperately trying to write. So why not throw in - heavy duty book promotion in there.

Plus - I love anything that includes the Triple F - Fangs, Fur, and Fey! This may be my favorite hop that I do this year! I am signing up for everything up! Look out blogger world!

Back to the book promotion! But what do my twins haves to go up against? Fangs? Furs? or Feys? I guess you will have to enter and win to find out!

The run down: The summary of my book, the rafflecopter, the other awesome blogs on the hop! Hit it all up!

When telepathic twins, Piper and Ryder Owens are dumped at Evermore Academy, they thought that the only thing they’d have to worry about was Piper staying out of trouble long enough for them to graduate. They will not, for any reason, be separated. But someone at Evermore knows about their secret and wants to separate them permanently.

But then Piper’s Achilles Heel shows up: a good looking guy. Victor Mira is everything Piper is supposed to avoid, yet she feels drawn to him in a way she never imagined. But Victor is hiding a dangerous secret too, and what he knows could be the one thing that could divide the sisters. Forever.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Launch of A Dash of YA

Hi everyone,

If you follow my facebook (see sidebar) or twitter (@mflick729) you have been seeing all my comments about "dash", "dashers", and "dashing".  It so happens my good friends: Erica, Komal, and Molli have joined up to fight the forces of darkness - er, no, wait. I mean we have joined up and are starting a group blog featuring a dash of just about everything YA.

This week is the launch week. Head on over to A Dash of YA and become a follower.  We are going to be doing polls, interviews, giveaways, discussions, recommendations, writing tips, tricks, and knowledge. So why should you follow us? Why are we special? Well, I could list all kinds of different reasons but the answer that i think summarizes it best is: we are eclectic. We are going to offer you a wide variety.

So head on over

BlogFest 2012

BlogFest 2012!

This a great giveaway hop that showcases some of the best blogs in the business. I have up for grabs is an e-copy of my novel The Owens Legacy: Revelations. I self-pubbed last year and I would say that the genre is paranormal YA. Below is a summary of my two favorite twins.

When telepathic twins, Piper and Ryder Owens are dumped at Evermore Academy, they thought that the only thing they’d have to worry about was Piper staying out of trouble long enough for them to graduate. They will not, for any reason, be separated. But someone at Evermore knows about their secret and wants to separate them permanently.

But then Piper’s Achilles Heel shows up: a good looking guy. Victor Mira is everything Piper is supposed to avoid, yet she feels drawn to him in a way she never imagined. But Victor is hiding a dangerous secret too, and what he knows could be the one thing that could divide the sisters. Forever.


Just fill out the rafflecopter. After that I have posted the next five sites for you to hop along to and discover! Thanks for stopping by!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The next five stops!
Coffee, books, and Me
Kay Dee Royal Paranormal & Erotica Romance Musings
Wicked Readings By Tawania
For Those About To Read
Booksnob

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman

I haven't been blogging much - my apologies! I started back to school with the kiddos and then went on a few interviews and got a new job at a new school. It's been a bit crazy here.

Anyway - I have been doing some reading. I tackled Unwholly this past week. I heart Neal Shusterman. I mean, I heart him. Truly.

Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa—and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp—people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simltaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished.

Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.

Rife with action and suspense, this riveting companion to the perennially popular Unwind challenges assumptions about where life begins and ends—and what it means to live.
Why? His ability to create a story, a story that is like a labyrinth that at the end all roads lead to David Bowie as the Goblin King. Based on the summary - I thought that we really wouldn't be seeing Connor, Lev, and Risa, that we would be dealing a lot with Cam. I was happily surprised that Cam became one of the main characters.

Cam is the modern Frankenstein. Shusterman stays really close to the plot line of Mary Shelley. The monsters, awakening, his realization of what Victor has done, his desire for a mate, his struggle in a world that understand him and does not want to accept him.  Cam's struggle was the one that I gravitated the most to. This surprises me because Connor and Risa were just so powerful to me in the first one.

Connor - as the new leader of the graveyard - is stressed and struggling and hurting his relationship with Risa. These two didn't get to as close as I wanted them to in this novel, but I'm hoping for more in the next installment, because they do love each other.

Risa - still bull-headed

Lev - goes on a very different path than I had anticipated him. His ex-clapper reputation and tithe background really catapulted him into a political leaderish role, one that is not for Lev. The world makes him out to be something he's not, and Lev rebels.

In a true number two installment - the ending left me frustrated, with no resolution, just all four main characters thrown in a whirlwind.

Stuck in a good book giveaway

Hey - I'm part of the Stuck in a Good Book Hop.  If you scroll on down you'll see a list of awesome bloggers who are also offering up some books that they got stuck in. I am a Reader, not a Writer and Valerie are putting on this lovely hop. I hope you take full advantage of it, because I fully plan too!


The Owens Legacy: Revelations is what I am suggesting to you dear friends! When telepathic twins, Piper and Ryder Owens are dumped at Evermore Academy, they thought that the only thing they’d have to worry about was Piper staying out of trouble long enough for them to graduate. They will not, for any reason, be separated. But someone at Evermore knows about their secret and wants to separate them permanently. But then Piper’s Achilles Heel shows up: a good looking guy. Victor Mira is everything Piper is supposed to avoid, yet she feels drawn to him in a way she never imagined. But Victor is hiding a dangerous secret too, and what he knows could be the one thing that could divide the sisters. Forever. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Looking for writers for a panel.

Hey fellow writers! I'm looking fora writer or two, who would like to answer a series of questions about the writing process. I'm going to get your email, send you a list of questions, you answer, and then I post. You won't have to answer all the questions unless you want to. For a few weeks, I will post all the responses. It's a great way to get your name out there and I would really appreciate it. Shoot me an email mf060784 at gmail or leave me a comment!