Allison Blanchard's Blog, page 2

Merry Christmas!!! (GIVEAWAY)

Merry Christmas lovely readers! In honor of this beautiful season, I am offering a Giveaway - an ebook copy of "Forget Me Not" and "Morning Glory." Simply follow the instructions below and you are entered to win!





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It's Been A Long Time, But...

Hello my lovely readers! It has been ages since my last post and I apologize for that. Graduate school and teaching has taken up so much of my time. I am now on winter break and I am hoping to catch up on some well needed rest and lots of writing. 

Yes, I am still working on book three. It is still taking me some time to finish it up. Please don't hate me!

But, I do have some very exciting and joyful news to share with you all. I am ENGAGED! YAY! I'm so blessed to get to marry the love of my life and my best friend, Michael! (please see engagement photos below) On July 31st, Michael took me to a romantic dinner then brought me home where my roommate and her camera (thanks Kinsey), a picture frame of photos of us, and a banner (that he made! so crafty!) reading, "Will you marry me?" were awaiting us. It was so sweet and beautiful! I am so excited to also say that we are getting married June 5th of next year. While this news does not have anything specific to do with writing and my books, I still wanted to share this great news with you all! :) 




Thank you all for your support, love, and patience as I continue working on book three! Until next time! 

The Process of Writing a Novel

Hello my lovely readers! I am so sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have just survived my first week of graduate school and I am just now finding time to write and blog. I will hope to update this blog at least once a month, maybe more. 
A quick update on my life: I really love grad school! It is really hard and challenging and I usually have three to five hours of homework per night, but I love it! I am so excited to learn more about education and teaching and I can't wait to be out in the field teaching English and French to my own students one day.
But back to the blog. Today's post is based on one of the most frequently asked questions I get as a writer.
What is it like to write a book?
Well, it is quite difficult to put into words what it is like to write a book so I thought I would mirror my last blog post and use GIFS to properly explain what really goes through a writer's head when they write their novel. This is to all my writer friends out there!


The Dreaded First Page
The struggle is so real. 

Getting into the zone


WRITE, WRITE, WRITE


A character does something completely unexpected.


A character dies.


Writer's Block


You have to explain to your friends why you can't go out because you have to find out what happens in your own book.
But let's be real, you didn't want to go out anyway. 

Coffee break


More coffee


You write 2,000 words in one day.


You write zero words in one day.


Trying to figure out the title.


When someone asks you what your book is about.


When someone asks to read what you have so far


When someone asks you to write them into your book


 When you finish your book.


Then you begin to edit...

But then you remember you wrote a book.
YOU DID IT!
THE END

"Broken" by Marianne Curley Book Review and Reaction

Hello my lovely readers! As I mentioned in my last blog, I have been reading the second book in Marianne Curley's (AKA my role model) book, Broken, the second in the Avena Series. And I finished it. In two days. 

This book is amazing! It starts quickly and doesn't let you go until the final page. I found myself engulfed in Ebony's world - her struggle with loving two people at once to trying to figure who she is and where she comes from. This novel has it all and I can't recommend it enough to those of you who love young adult paranormal romance! Marianne creates an incredible world where angels and dark angels roam our world and where anything is possible. 

My favorite character has to be Ebony. While I am sucker for a strong heroine, Ebony is not your run of the mill damsel in distress. She kicks butt and takes names. However, she is not so incredible and amazing that you, the reader, can't relate to her. She, as a character, has changed so much since the first novel, Hidden, (which you all should stop reading this review now if you haven't read it. I'm serious. Go read both books then come back here.) and has really grown into her own. While Ebony struggles with who to trust, Jordan or Thane, the whole point of the story, at least for me, is Ebony learning to trust herself. I think a lot of readers can relate to this - a need to not only trust those we love, but also learning to love who we are and trust that who we are is enough. 

Buy yours here! 

Okay, that is my spoiler free review. There were so many twists and turns to this novel that the only way to properly express my feelings is through GIFS. So, if you haven't read Broken yet, don't read any further!! SPOILERS AHEAD. Read at your own risk! 


When you open the book to begin reading. I'M SO EXCITED.

Everything is going great and then Jordan punches in Thane in the face. 

And then Thane is all cool about it and heals Jordan's hand. And we all love Thane even more.

And all the readers are like, "EBONY, MARRY THANE NOW. DO IT. DO NOT LET HIM GO." or was that just me?


But then they don't because apparently Thane has to go on trial for SAVING EBONY'S LIFE. Because apparently doing the right thing can get you in trouble with Angels. And so Thane and Ebony are separated. Again. 



And then Jordan's all happy because now he can make his creepy moves on Ebony and ruin EVERYTHING.

When Ebony tries to hook Jordan and Sophie up.

But fails because Jordan kisses Ebony. WHAT ARE YOU LITERALLY DOING EBONY?


When Adam Skinner comes back and becomes "best friends" with Jordan.


When Ebony agrees to go to Mr. Z's house. IT'S A TRAP. DON'T DO IT.


When Jordan tries to convince Ebony she is just a human. And that Thane doesn't love her. 


When Ebony starts to believe she is not an angel and maybe Thane got it wrong. (PS. Thane is never wrong.)


When Jordan tries to confront Mr. Z because he realizes what a LOSER HE IS. 


And then fails. And almost dies. 


So, Ebony has to go try to save him.


And fails.


And all the while Thane is kicking butt and not failing.


When Ebony realizes she is now trapped in Skade with Luca for like ever.

Every time Prince Luca tries to touch Ebony.


When we find out Gabriel is a traitor and never gave Thane's message to Ebony.


When Ebony tells Thane to leave her and not come back.


When the book ends and we have to wait until July for the final book, Fearless.


We tip our hats off to you Marianne Curley. Only you could make us feel every emotion within one book. 

Graduation, Graduate School, and Book Three, Oh My!

Hello my lovely readers! I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update this blog. Senior year of my undergrad has been so busy, but I am happy and proud to say I did it! I graduated a week ago today with a Bachelor's in English-Creative Writing and a Bachelor's in French. YAY! 

WE DID IT!
I am so happy to also say I am returning to school in June to obtain my Masters of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in English. I am so thrilled to continue my studies and become certified to teach English and French at the middle school and high school level. Many of you already know that my novels are young adult, so being able to work with the age group I write for as a teacher is so exciting!

Now that I have graduated, I am excited to be able to focus more on writing (especially the third book in my trilogy) and begin blogging again. I hope you all are excited about this third book. So many twists and turns have been coming about since I have gotten back into my writing routine. I am so excited to finish up this series and share it with you all! 

Since I have some time off before I begin graduate school, I wanted to let you know what I am currently reading and loving at the moment. (P.S. It feels so good to read for fun and not for class!!) Right now, I am reading "Broken" by Marianne Curley - it is the second book in her Avena Series and it is fabulous!! I have already pre-ordered "Fearless" and I cant' wait to see how this story finishes. Ebony and Thane are my favorite characters and I'm loving what Marianne Curley is doing with the idea of Angels. It's a great read! 

I have more blog posts to come, but for now, I will get back to writing book three. :) 

How To Make Time For Writing

I've decided to write a blog post that I think many aspiring writers need to read and one that I especially need to read. It's also a blog post about a question that I am often asked.

How do you make time for writing?

Well, it's definitely not easy. Being a full time college student who is also super involved with extracurriculars such as my university's literary journal, an online magazine for women, honor societies, sleeping, eating, AND writing a third novel....yeah, it's not easy.

However, it is not impossible. I know so many other authors who are just as busy or even busier than I. While it is difficult to balance everything, it is definitely doable. So I want to share with you all a few tips I try to follow to keep my creative juices going and to keep writing.

1. Give yourself a due date. 
While you may not have an editor or publisher giving you deadlines as you write your novel, that doesn't mean you shouldn't. Give yourself reachable deadlines as you write. For example, write 20,000 words by the end of the month. Or tell yourself the first draft will by done by summer. Whatever it is, write your deadlines down and keep them somewhere, like in an agenda, where you will see it often.
2. Give yourself small, reachable goals
While the first tip is helpful, don't give yourself a due date that is impossible. Therefore, it would be also helpful to give yourself little goals that you can meet each week or even every day. For myself, I have created a goal of writing at least 500 words per day. While I haven't been consistent with that goal, it is still something I can remember and attempt everyday. Now, if the words are flowing and you go over 500 words, great! If not, just know that writing something is better than writing nothing at all.  
3. If you want writing to be your job, treat it like one
This goes back to my previous points. If writing is something that you want to make a career out of, then you should treat it like a job. Make deadlines, goals, and put hours in. If you love to write, then it deserves your time. And more importantly, your characters deserve your time.
4. Make an outline
If you are writing an in depth, super complicated multi-book series, then you may want to think about an outline. It isn't fair to you to expect yourself to bust out three books in a year (if you can, then kudos to you my friend!!). However, making an outline so that when you can sit down to write will help you be able to focus and write the scenes and characters you need to write. 
5. Drink coffee... lots of it
I think this tip is self-explanatory. Whatever you drink, coffee is always for me, make some while you write! Whatever keeps you awake, gets the creative juices going, then drink and write my friends! 
6. Don't beat yourself up
This tip is very important. If you dont' meet every small goal you make for yourself, don't freak out! Life gets busy and sometimes writing has to take a back seat. However, don't be so discouraged that you give up. Writing a novel takes time. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day! 

I hope you all found these tips and hints helpful! Happy Writing everyone! 


Also, for more information about my series and my inspiration, please follow me on my Pinterest account here!

The Wait is Long, but Good Things Are Coming

Once again my lovely readers, I must apologize such a long hiatus. Senior year of college is no joke and I haven't even had the time to return to Great Falls to finish the story that has been six years in the making. However, I have good news. I have returned to writing and will hopefully have a third book ready to be released by the end of this year! (fingers crossed)

Book Three in the Forget Me Not Trilogy will be the final installment of this series. This lovely book is still in the writing process and has yet to be given a title that I can love. However, once a title has been decided, you all will be the first to know. 

I also promise to continue this blog (scout's honor!) and keep you all updated as much as I can on the writing process of this new book baby of mine. (Without giving you all any spoilers of course!!) 

While book three is still in the writing process, I'm constantly asked the same questions over and over by readers and friends. And I think many of you have the same sort of questions.

Do you know how the story will end? What will happen to Adeline and Cole? Will any other characters die in this book?

I usually am asked this when I least expect it and feel as if I have to give a very quick answer. Of course, I would love to give these questions the answers they deserve. However, I also cannot answer these questions straightforward like some people wish. Because if I were to divulge all the answers to these questions, well then there would be no need for a novel. And no one would like that (especially my publisher). 

Yet, I will give some very vague, authory (just totally made that word up) answer to these questions. I think I owe you all at least that.

If I am completely honest, I do not know the exact ending for this third book. I have a rough outline that forms and creates itself as I write. With the previous two books I have written, I always kept an ongoing outline that changed as the story did. I love my writing to be organic - too much planning ruins the story for me. So, to answer the first question, I have to say yes and no. I do know the general ending, yet the details and specifics are still up in the air. 

As to the second question regarding Adeline and Cole, well there will obviously be new issues and problems that will arise. They will each face new challenges together and separately. Yes, there will be some distance for these two. (Don't panic! It will be okay!) Which takes me to my next surprise. There is the possibility of a point of view change. You will not be privy to only Adeline's thoughts in this book. ("Who?!" You ask? I suppose you will have to wait and see.)

As for the third question regarding any future character deaths....my lips are sealed. But yes, someone else may die. 

I hope you all continue to stick with me as I go through this journey of finishing a series so close to my heart. Thank you for those who love these characters as much as I do. I hope and pray to give them a final book that is worthy of their story. 

Why Writing Matters

I realize it has been far too long. Life has been a constant blur of places, people, and things. I recently found myself wondering why I do what I do. Why do I write? Why do I try so hard to make time for something like writing? I have been writing a daily writing journal for one of my genre workshops and I thought I'd share one of my writings. Remember, this is rough, but I feel like it shows, at least to myself, why I write.

"To write is to breathe. To put words on a page is to live not once, but twice. To read the words on the page is to live an infinite amount of lives. Those who do not write surely live, yet never quite fully. Like lungs only half full, the breath is shallow and therefore the life can only be half lived.Writing is necessary. As necessary as breathing, as water on a humid day, as sunlight in the dark. To write is to know who you truly are. Without writing, we are lost creatures, unable to learn from the past, unable to live in the present, and unable to safeguard our future.
Writing is silent screaming, bloodless bleeding, and dry sobs pouring out onto the page, like messy finger paints of a toddler. The writer has only one option and it is to write. To ignore the urge, to stifle the passionate longing within oneself is almost equal to a quiet death. Words must flow, must be written. For if we, the human race, forgo writing and pursue the sciences, the nine to five jobs. To be doctors, lawyers, teachers, students – all honorable, all needed and beautiful aspects of the human existence.
Yet if we forgo writing. If we strangle the passion with reason. If we delete and backspace our needs, our wants, our desires…
If we forget our past in the pursuit of our future. If we no longer write, then we can no longer live. If the human race goes on, but does not write…

Then we are lost."

Study Abroad is Over, but the Journey Continues!

Once again, I must apologize for the lateness of this blog post, but so much has happened in the past few days. I went on a private tour of the Louvre, visited Claude Monet's home in Giverny, and shopped used books along the Seine. My favorite part of the last few days has to be visiting the Orangerie museum where I actually saw Claude Monet's water lily paintings. Then I went to his home and his gardens where I saw the inspiration behind the paintings. Very cool!
Claude Monet's gardens! 
Yesterday was my final day for my study abroad. While I am sad to see my professors and fellow students/friends leave, I was super excited to have my mom come to France! She flew in this morning and today we spent the day meandering around Paris, took a river cruise along the Seine, and ate at a local cafe. It was a good, but exhausting day! We plan to traverse and discover more of Paris in the next few days - even plan on going to Versailles for a day trip. Then we head over to London for the last few days! While I am so pumped to continue this European adventure - especially with my Mom - I am also excited to come home to the States and more importantly Darcy. I miss that little puppy dog! 
Mama T and I take Europe! 

Waffles, Chocolate, and Books!

The past few days have been a whirlwind. Two days ago, I was in Brussels, Belgium and today I went to the William Shakespeare and Company book store. I've bought a new book, lots of Belgian chocolate, and get to experience Bastille day in Paris tomorrow. I'm so incredibly blessed to be living this dream. Yet, I must admit that my feet and the rest of me are very tired. I'm trying to stay strong and push through, but sometimes you need to rest. Right now, I am sitting in my hotel room, the window open, and enjoying some Belgium chocolate. It's the simple things in the life that make it great. 

Well to recap, two days ago I went to Brussels, Belgium. It was a cold, rainy day, but the city was beautiful. The architecture in the buildings are intricate and amazing. They also make delicious waffles in Belgium. I could have eaten twenty, but I thought that'd be excessive. While in Belgium, we toured the European Parliament there. Like the tours before in Strasbourg, it was very informative and intriguing. It was great to learn how the different countries in Europe work together and strive to form a unity among the different peoples and cultures - even if they are so unique and different! 



Yesterday, we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower! So. Gorgeous. Although I started freaking out half way to the top (we took the stairs all the way - 669 steps) because we were so high, the view was definitely worth it. It was breathtaking to see all of Paris from all sides! Later that day, we went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe where we could see right down the Champs-Élysées. 

Today, we went to mass at the Notre Dame which was such an incredible experience. To sit in such an iconic and historical place while experiencing such a beautiful ceremony was an experience I will never forget. After church, we were able to find the William Shakespeare Company Bookstore. Oh. My. Gosh. I could literally live there. It was the most beautiful and amazing bookstore I have ever seen. I bought a tote bag and a book - I could have bought twenty, but once again I thought that would be excessive. Later tonight, we plan to watch the World Cup in a restaurant near our hotel. It's been amazing to be in Paris - to walk where Hemingway walked and to casually drink coffee in an outdoor cafe. I am truly blessed.