Lisa Marie Pottgen's Blog, page 30
August 4, 2013
Netgalley Knockout Challenge
A big thank you to Goldilox and the Three Weres for hosting this awesome challenge.
From the website listing the challenge:
Are you overwhelmed with the amount of egalleys you have to read?
Do you keep requesting those egalleys anyway?
Feel like Netgalley and Edelweiss are going to hunt you down?
Knock out those egalleys!
2013 Netgalley Knockout!
Last year’s Netgalley Knockout was a great success and I’ve even had questions about when I would be hosting the event this year! This time around I’m making it three months long from the get go because last year I only made it for one month and ended up extending it.
Here’s all the details you need to know:
Netgalley Knockout will run from July 1 – September 30
You are not limited to ebooks from Netgalley! You can include any ebook you have received for review from Netgalley, Edelweiss, or from a publisher or author directly. It just must be an ebook and it must be a review book.
You can only count books that you read from July 1 to September 30. Nothing read before the challenge starts or after it ends will count toward the challenge!
You do not have to only include books released during the months July, August, or September – but you can include these, of course! Any electronic review book counts, whether it has already been released or is still yet to be released!
Again, even if the book has already been released, if you’re reading a review ebook copy of it then it counts toward the challenge!
Friends, my Netgalley and Edelweiss reading list is far, far too long. I need to get a handle on this because I have to get my ratios improved before they stop approving me for books!
So between now and the end of September, my goal is to knock at least 15 books off the to be read list! I am hoping the accountability of the Challenge will get my behind in gear and get some of these reviews posted.
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
Netgalley Knockout Challenge is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
August 3, 2013
Rabid Reader Ramblings: I am Officially a Published Author!
So, I am sure somewhere along the way, I mentioned that I am also a bit of a writer myself. I know I don’t mention much around here about things outside of books and book blogging, but see, I figured this fits because it is about a book, right?
A little while back I had been invited to submit a short story for an anthology. It was an Indie Author Anthology put together by another indie author, and the theme was young adult paranormal. Well, I sat back, looked around and went, “Well, wait. Technically, my newest novel project fits that genre, so let’s see what I can do.”
I proceeded to cannibalize some bits and facts and characters from the novel I am working on, although the character is painfully shy and is not liking me right now. But anyway, so I thought, the short story could set the stage for the novel, kind of be the “lead-in” of sorts and give people an idea of who the characters are. So I wrote it. All 5000 words or so of it. Now, that may not seem like a lot to the more seasoned writers out there, but I suck at deadlines and having to work and write on someone else’s time frame, so the fact that I finished in time and above the minimum word count was just, well, amazing.
Last night, the book went live on Smashwords. My story, Jacob’s Awakening, is found near the back of the collection. We also have it up on Goodreads thanks to one of the writers who also has a story in the collection.
I upgraded my Goodreads profile to an author profile and I was so totally and completely excited. The book is free, and it has absolutely no bearing on my financial status whatsoever, but I still feel as though I have gone through labor and childbirth and sent one of my babies out into the wild and it is an exciting and unnerving experience. What if no one likes my story? What if everyone loves it and then I start getting asked when more will be coming? I am not sure how I will answer ANY of my questions. I am not sure what will come next for me.
Ultimately, Living Outside the Box WILL become a reality and a completed novel, and the journey that Jacob goes on will amaze even me. I write the way I live and read and do everything else. Kind of a fly by the seat of my pants and see where the muse takes me. I know roughly how the story starts, how it ends, but I let the characters tell me what happens in the middle because that makes the story more real.
Okay, well I am off to become a complete and total dork about this and I will talk to you again later on!
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
Rabid Reader Ramblings: I am Officially a Published Author! is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
Review: Wake by Amanda Hocking
Title: Wake
Author: Amanda Hocking
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: August 7,2012
Page Count: 320
Where I got it: Christmas Gift Exchange
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: List Price 9.99
Format I read it in: Hardcover
Description/Blurb:
Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.
Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They’re the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone’s attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.
Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.
Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.
My Thoughts: ★★★★★
Oh my gosh, I am not even sure where to begin with this one. First of all, the cover art is absolutely amazing. I know they say you should not judge a book by it’s cover, but with this one, you almost cannot help it. It is almost as if the cover has it’s own siren song of sorts, and it calls out to you and you cannot ignore the amazing look and feel of the book and the pages!
I know that sounds dorky and I really try not to get all fangirl when reading and reviewing books. I try to remain objective. With this particular author, that is really hard for me because I just really love her books and I am inspired by her as an author, as well.
Wake is so completely different than anything else you have ever read. The story is gripping and when you begin to read and get into the meat of it, you will not be able to walk away. I found myself stealing time from other activities just to read a few more pages.
Wake brings us a unique, entirely original type of novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat and almost gasping for breath at the turns and twists the story takes.
What seems like a simple small bay town holds a very deep, dark secret and no one could have seen it coming, especially not Gemma. But when she gets sucked into the mysterious world she never knew existed, you will find your heart pounding, and your head shaking with “What the Hell just happened?”
My regular readers know I always comment on the editing. I found exactly 2 little tiny errors in this one, omitted little connector words. Even for a traditionally published work, I usually find more than that, so Kudos to Ms. Hocking and whoever her editor is at St. Martin’s!
In short, if you have not yet read this book, you need to. If you are a fan of young adult fantasy novels, mythology, strange tales, this is the book for you. Fair warning, though, if you are on the sensitive side, there are a few instances of swear words, so be prepared for that!
In summary, I love this book, and think you will, too.
**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I reviewed this book of my own free will and was not compensated in any way. The opinions contained herein are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so. Clicking here will take you to more information about the book on Goodreads. Clicking here will take you to the authors blog.
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
Review: Wake by Amanda Hocking is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
August 2, 2013
Bout of Books 8.0 Goals and Updates
You might be wondering, what is Bout of Books? Well, their website says this:
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team
I participated in the last Bout of Books and I had so much fun. I Just barely made my goals though, so I am going to try to refigure a little. I am also working more now, having 2 jobs, But this is kind of what I am thinking:
Visit at least 2-3 blogs a day.
Read at least 4 books
Read at least 4 hours a day
Participate in Tweet Chats
Do at least 2 of the challenges.
For me with readathons, the community and getting to know people is much more important so I am trying to focus more on that this time. I cannot wait to get started. Who else is participating?
MONDAY
What I’ve read today: x
Total number of books I’ve read so far: x
On pg _ of _: x
Participated in:x
Reviews: X
Thoughts: x
TUESDAY
What I’ve read today: x
Total number of books I’ve read so far: x
On pg _ of _: x
Participated in:x
Reviews: X
Thoughts: x
WEDNESDAY
What I’ve read today: x
Total number of books I’ve read so far: x
On pg _ of _: x
Participated in:x
Reviews: X
Thoughts: x
THURSDAY
What I’ve read today: x
Total number of books I’ve read so far: x
On pg _ of _: x
Participated in:x
Reviews: X
Thoughts: x
FRIDAY
What I’ve read today: x
Total number of books I’ve read so far: x
On pg _ of _: x
Participated in:x
Reviews: X
Thoughts: x
SATURDAY
What I’ve read today: x
Total number of books I’ve read so far: x
On pg _ of _: x
Participated in:x
Reviews: X
Thoughts: x
SUNDAY
What I’ve read today: x
Total number of books I’ve read so far: x
On pg _ of _: x
Participated in:x
Reviews: X
Thoughts: x
Challenges:
1.
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
Bout of Books 8.0 Goals and Updates is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
July 28, 2013
Rabid Reader Recap (5) 7/22/2013 through 7/28/2013
This post is in something of a similar style to The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Her Blurb about the post says :
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.
First, let me show you all my lovely posts this week. Since I am a spaz, these are listed from most recent to oldest. But, but, but, there are 3 reviews and all kinds of other stuff. And a discussion post that I was really sad to write. You should take a look, weigh in if you would like, but try to be respectful if you do, seeing as that is the whole point of the post to begin with.
BWRTours Presents: A Review of “The World Was My Oyster but I Didn’t Know How To Cook by Christy Potter
Rabid Reader Ramblings: Let’s Talk about Blogger Behavior.
Middle Grade Review: The Key & The Flame by Claire M. Caterer
BWRTours Presents: Guest Post with Christy Potter: Who Were You Born to Be?
Middle Grade Review: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
Pump Up Your Book Presents Siding With Plato by Michelle Manning Book Blast with Giveaway
For the loveliness that is the books, I was very good. I received in this week exactly how many reviews, so the TBR is not getting any shorter, but at least it is not getting bigger, right?
Please ignore the fact that I am having a really bad hair day. I haven’t had enough coffee and everything is rebelling. Yes, before you ask, it is a little lighter this week than it was last time. That should be a continuing trend for a while, as I am aiming for a dark dirty blonde/strawberry blond kind of effect. But, but, but, I am doing this without any artificial chemical products. It has taken me about a month, but it is more red than brown now!
Onto the Books:
The King Arthur Trilogy: Dragon’s Child by M. K Hume – ARC from Atria through their Galley Alley Program
Mist by Susan Krinard – Finished copy from Tor for review. (This may have been unsolicited, but I just don’t remember any more!)
Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain – St. Martin’s sent me a finished copy of this. I can’t remember If I requested this one or not but it looks really good and I am very excited to read it.
Well, that is the happenings on the blog this week? What about you guys? Link me to your posts and I will take a look! Until next week, happy reading.
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
Rabid Reader Recap (5) 7/22/2013 through 7/28/2013 is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
BWRTours Presents: A Review of “The World Was My Oyster but I Didn’t Know How To Cook by Christy Potter
Title: The World Was My Oyster but I Didn’t Know How To Cook
Author: Christy Potter
Description/Blurb:
Longtime journalist and award-winning writer Christy Potter has compiled some of her recent work into “The World is My Oyster But I Didn’t Know How to Cook.” It includes humorous and thought-provoking essays on New York (where she lives), Kansas (where she’s from), childhood, books, infertility, good days, bad days, and life in general, as well as interviews she’s done with well-known writers like Janet Evanovich and Lois Lowry. There are also a couple of short stories tossed in, just for a little variety. Fans of Elizabeth Gilbert and David Sedaris will love the fresh, new voice of Christy Potter.
My Thoughts: ★★★★
Reading this collection of creative nonfiction pieces was a surprising experience for me. There was so much packed into the pages of this book that I was honestly not even sure how I was going to write it. I experienced a strange array of emotions as I read through the stories and the letter to the as yet unknown child was the one that hit me the most, followed closely by the ones about getting older and change. I am a mom of three, and I am in my 30s. Change is something that is inevitable and something that I face every day, and probably with less grace an dignity at times than the author of this book has displayed.
Overall, this was a collection that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the glimpses of the interactions with the other authors and I cannot wait to see what else Ms. Potter has in store for us.
Buy It At
Amazon (in paperback and for Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989165132/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0989165132&linkCode=as2&tag=bt0a8e-20
Barnes & Noble (for Nook): http://ow.ly/mkY8t
iTunes (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch): https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/world-was-my-oyster-but-i/id627516303
About the Author:
Christy Potter is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country. She’s developed a loyal following through her blog, www.ChristytheWriter.com, which focuses on books, reading, and the craft of writing. Her most recent book is “The World Was My Oyster But I Didn’t Know How to Cook.” She also hosts a regular podcast, available on iTunes, called “Going Gray.” In her spare time, she is a runner, sculptor, environmentalist, beer enthusiast, and thrift store queen.
**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the author for a blog tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so.
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
BWRTours Presents: A Review of “The World Was My Oyster but I Didn’t Know How To Cook by Christy Potter is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
July 27, 2013
Rabid Reader Ramblings: Let’s Talk about Blogger Behavior.
So, I normally don’t go into a rant, and I try to be somewhat respectful at all times, right? You guys know me. I don’t go off on tangents about the behavior of others or anything like that. But today, I just cannot help myself. I have seen where a blogger has taken it upon themselves to call out an author as a fraud because they negatively reviewed a book and others had positive opinions of it, so those positive opinions must be sock puppet reviews, right? I don’t think so.
I am not going to mention names, and this is a blanket statement on 4 different such scenarios that I have seen recently. Some of the books/authors attacked were very popular works and widely enjoyed. Others were not so well known and others were just starting out.
We have talked about authors behaving badly. We have talked about ethics and how that relates to blogging. I reiterate some of those points here.
When did it become okay for a review to become a forum for personal attacks? Things like this have a tendency to effect whether or not we as reviewers are taken seriously. When we fall to the level of the high school drama of name calling and finger pointing, we have degraded ourselves beyond repair. When did it become okay to behave like that?
Now granted, I know that some of the reviewers out there are not yet adults. And I have met some absolutely AMAZING teen reviewers/bloggers who absolutely inspire me every day. But when a grown woman or grown man acts like a child and displays behavior that I abhor in my kids, I just have to shake my head and wonder why we do this to ourselves and to each other.
Blogger reviewers are just finally starting to come into our own and being recognized as a credible review source, one to be taken seriously and paid attention to. We are finally gaining the recognition from major publishers and being viewed as a credible marketing tool for some of the newer books that are coming out. And then we go and act like children and throw it all to hell.
It has to stop. If you don’t like a book, that is fine and you are 100% within your rights to tell people that. But you are not within your rights to attack an author just because you didn’t like their book and thought it was too similar to something else. You also do not have the right to attack other readers/bloggers just because they like the book. Who gives a rat’s rectum what someone else read and thought of the book? You read it, you didn’t like it, move on and get over it. In the words of Rodney King, “can’t we all just get along?”
And, even if it is fanfiction, so freakin what? Some of the greatest books out there started as fanfic. Amazon has decided to embrace that with their Kindle Worlds (or whatever they are calling it) program. And isn’t emulating someone you are inspired by the highest form of flattery?
We need to all, as a community, step back and think about what we are saying and doing. This goes for authors too. If you get a negative review, please, please, please just walk away.
I am reminded of a few quotes right now. One is:
“Opinions are like buttholes. Everyone has one and most of them stink. Let it go and move upwind.”
Oh yeah, the other? ”Don’t feed the trolls.”
I am sure I am going to get some hateful comments on this, and I am okay with that. I just hate seeing people treat each other so badly. If it happens enough, people will stop putting out the books we love to read so much. We can all lose quite a bit because of the actions of a few. I hate the mob mentality and refuse to be a part of it. Rather than attacking, why not make suggestions on how to improve? There is nothing wrong with a negative review if it is constructive. It is when it attacks that it crosses the line. There is nothing constructive in that at all.
Okay, let me have it. I know that there are many, many of you who have an opinion here and I want to hear them. Even if you don’t agree with me, I want to hear from you. But let’s just try to remember to be respectful of each other.
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
Rabid Reader Ramblings: Let’s Talk about Blogger Behavior. is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
July 26, 2013
Middle Grade Review: The Key & The Flame by Claire M. Caterer
Title: The Key & The Flame
Author: Claire M. Caterer
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: April 2,2013
Page Count: 480
Where I got it: Publisher via Edelweiss
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: List Price 17.99
Format I read it in: eARC
Description/Blurb:
In this middle-grade fantasy adventure, a gusty girl unlocks a magical universe—and the danger that lies within.Eleven-year-old Holly Shepard longs for adventure, some escape from her humdrum life. That is precisely what she gets when she is given an old iron key that unlocks a door—in a tree.
Holly crosses the threshold into a stunning and magical medieval world, Anglielle. And as she does so, something unlocks within Holly: a primal, powerful magic. Holly is joined on her journey by two tagalongs—her younger brother Ben, and Everett, an English boy who hungers after Holly’s newfound magic and carries a few secrets of his own.When Ben and Everett are sentenced to death by the royals, whose fear of magic has fueled a violent, systemic slaughter of all enchanted creatures, Holly must save them and find a way back home. But will she be able to muster the courage and rise above her ordinary past to become an extraordinary hero?
My Thoughts: ★★★★
Holly is a young girl who is a dreamer. We can all relate to that on some level. Those of us obsessed with books, especially in the realm of fantasy, have a bit of the dreamer inside of us, right? We read to travel to distant faraway places that could never really exist in the world in which we live. Or could they?
This story takes us on an adventure like few others. A young girl, and inadvertently her brother and a friend, travel through a tree in the forest and end up in a place that is strange and familiar all at the same time. And what of the mysterious key and how she came to possess it? How did Mr. Galloway know that she would be the best one to wield it’s magic?
The world building in this story is well thought out, and the scenarios are exciting and interesting enough to keep the reader interested. But at the same time, there are a lot of unanswered questions that are raised in the story itself. How did Mr. Galloway come to choose to give Holly the key? How exactly did it come to pass that all of the Exiles and the like knew that Holly really was of the world that they knew and could do the things they wanted her to do? And what happens after the story? Will there be more in the story from this author? Will our questions ever be answered?
Usually this would be the point in the review where I would comment on the mechanical portion of the writing, but as I received an eARC of the book, I try to stay away from commenting on the editing and the like as it was not a finished copy and may not have been edited yet. The writer does show promise, though, and I look forward to more of the same in the future.
**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so. Clicking here will take you to more information about the book on Goodreads.
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
Middle Grade Review: The Key & The Flame by Claire M. Caterer is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
July 24, 2013
BWRTours Presents: Guest Post with Christy Potter: Who Were You Born to Be?
Who Were You Born to Be
When I was five, I started telling people I was a writer. They cooed and laughed… Isn’t that cute? She wants to be a writer someday.
I didn’t get it. “What are they talking about?” I thought. “I’m a writer now.”
To prove my point, I wrote and illustrated, with my best Crayons, my first book, “The Pig Who Hated Mud.” It had it all – strong main character, plot, conflict… the pig hated mud, you see. Anyway, I punched holes along the left side of the pages and threaded them together with red yarn. Self-publishing at its very finest. I showed it to everyone, validating what I’d been saying all along. I was a writer.
I kept writing books as I got older, usually to the accompaniment of the chunk chunk chunk PING of my grandmother’s old Royal typewriter. I considered myself a writer, an author, and when I was a teenager, I referred to myself as a novelist, not because I’d actually written a novel but because I was going to.
Then life came along, carrying with it a big bag of doubts labeled with my name. People started telling me that if I wasn’t Danielle Steele or Stephen King, I wasn’t going to be able to make enough money writing books to support myself. They told me I couldn’t get published without an agent, and I couldn’t get an agent until I was published.
I wasn’t worried – I knew there were plenty of ways to make money as a writer, so I got a degree in journalism and spent the next 23 years as a newspaper reporter. I saw myself as Lois Lane, as Brenda Starr, out to save the world in my never-ending pursuit of truth, justice, and a great headline.
During that time, I worked in various aspects of journalism, always with the same determined, almost fanatical, devotion. I covered council meetings, boards of education, local events, small-time scandals, big-time scandals, parades, speeches, funerals. I always had a long, narrow reporter’s notebook in my bag or my hip pocket, I always had my “nose for news” to the ground, I loved that when people saw me, they’d say, “Uh oh… here comes the press.”
I wrote a weekly column that ran for many years in different papers that allowed me a bit more creative freedom than standard news writing.
I loved deadlines, the hum of the newsroom around me as I pounded out a story, keeping one eye on the clock as my editor waited to put the paper to bed. I sometimes worked late into the night when my friends were out unwinding at the local bar after their own long days at work. It was different for me. Journalism wasn’t a job for me, it was me. I was never “off work” for the night because I carried it with me wherever I went. You never knew where news was going to happen, and I was ready for it. I loved it. I loved all of it. I fit. I was happy.
But when I turned 40, I experienced that imperceptible shift that many people say happened to them as well. I no longer felt the passion for my career that I had in my 20s and 30s. I was working in journalism, but somewhere along the way, I’d stopped identifying myself as a “journalist” and begun calling myself a “writer.”
It was more than the changes I was seeing in the field of journalism that was making me feel this way. These were internal changes, not external. I spent a couple of years puzzling that one out, and during that time I continued to work as a journalist during the day, but in the early morning hours, at night, on the weekends, I found myself, once again, writing books. It still took me nearly a year, if you can believe that, to finally admit to myself I was following my heart.
And it was at that point that I asked myself the same question I’m going to ask you here today:
Who were you born to be?
When we’re kids, we have a million pictures in our minds of what we’ll become as adults, but the pictures were ever-shifting, like a kaleidoscope filled with colorful bits of potential.
What were your dreams? Have any of them come true?
Actually, that’s a bit of a misnomer, isn’t it? That dreams come true. It completely removes the one element critical to making your dreams come true: you. It can only be you. If your dreams necessitate someone else making them come true, you’ve got a problem.
Who were you born to be?
It’s easy, I’ve found, to lose yourself in what I call hamster-in-a-wheel days. Our whole life becomes a chaos of work and email and phone calls and meetings (so many meetings) and running and promising and getting caught up on one thing only to realize now you’re behind on something else.
Who were you born to be?
Maybe the scenario I just described IS who you were born to be. Maybe you’re running your own company or deeply embedded in a job and a life you love. In that case, my hat’s off to you.
But I’m willing to bet that somewhere inside you is a little piece of “what if.” An unfulfilled dream, a road not taken, something you always told yourself you’d love to do…someday. A hobby, a sport, an artistic endeavor. For me, it was returning to my lifelong love of writing books. Whatever it is for you, pull it out. Dust it off. Then do it. Do it. It’s your dream, it’s your life. Do it. And – and this is critical – don’t apologize for it. You’re allowed. Tell them Christy said you could. You’re allowed to step away from the computer, the phone, the myriad demands on you. You’re allowed to and you should. Look at it this way: if Michelangelo had owned a smart phone, the Sistine Chapel would have just another drop ceiling by now.
For me, this whole transition has been less of a big TA-DA than it has been a quiet, comfortable transition back to the place I started. It’s been less like getting dressed in a dazzling new outfit, and more like coming home at night and putting on your favorite slippers.
I’m still doing the occasional freelance journalism assignment, of course. I still enjoy it, and it’s good for me to get out and talk to people sometimes, socialize and circulate a little bit. Otherwise if I’m home alone and isolated all day, my poor husband gets assaulted with an endless barrage of my thoughts and feelings and every last detail of my day from the moment he walks in the door until I finally fall asleep. Bless his heart, he calls this “yammer time.”
But my focus is almost entirely on writing books now. And not just writing, but publishing and promoting, keeping track of sales, figuring out how to get my name out there, how to make it all work. So while the core of what I’m doing is familiar and wonderful, it’s also a total career change as well. There’s a lot to learn, and a lot to do.
Who were you born to be?
I won’t say it hasn’t been scary, finally stepping down from my life as a journalist. It has been scary. Just thinking about not getting that regular paycheck anymore would have been frightening enough, but for me, this was about more than the income. It was about changing who was into who I wanted to be. Who I was born to be.
So… who were you born to be?
Buy It At
Amazon (in paperback and for Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989165132/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0989165132&linkCode=as2&tag=bt0a8e-20
Barnes & Noble (for Nook): http://ow.ly/mkY8t
iTunes (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch): https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/world-was-my-oyster-but-i/id627516303
About the Author:
Christy Potter is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country. She’s developed a loyal following through her blog, www.ChristytheWriter.com, which focuses on books, reading, and the craft of writing. Her most recent book is “The World Was My Oyster But I Didn’t Know How to Cook.” She also hosts a regular podcast, available on iTunes, called “Going Gray.” In her spare time, she is a runner, sculptor, environmentalist, beer enthusiast, and thrift store queen.
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
BWRTours Presents: Guest Post with Christy Potter: Who Were You Born to Be? is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
July 23, 2013
Middle Grade Review: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
Title:
Author:
Publisher: Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
Publication Date: January 1, 2000
Page Count: 369
Where I got it: Disney-Hyperion via Netgalley
Where you can get it: Amazon
How much: List Price 5.99
Format I read it in: Ebook
Description/Blurb:
The evil pixie Opal Koboi has spent the last year in a self-induced coma, plotting her revenge on all those who foiled her attempt to destroy the LEPrecon fairy police. And Artemis Fowl is at the top of her list. After his last run-in with the fairies, Artemis had his mind wiped of his memories of the world belowground. But they have not forgotten about him. Once again, he must stop the human and fairy worlds from colliding – only this time, Artemis faces an enemy who may have finally outsmarted him.
My Thoughts:
The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Artemis Fowl returns. This time, he has no memory of having ever met the People before, and yet once again, he finds himself in a mess that puts him directly in contact with them.
Followers of the series will recall that, at the end of Eternity Code, our criminal genius friend had agreed to a mind wipe in exchange for the fairies help with retrieving his stolen property.
But a series of events will soon jog Artemis’ memory and it will happen just in the nick of time to save the world yet again.
These stories are creatively written and well thought out. The world the author has created in these stories is one that will find it’s home in the collective hearts and minds of many readers, regardless of age or genre preferences.
These stories are fun and exciting and full of adventure. Some of the content might be a little rough for younger middle-grade readers, so use caution when providing these books to your children.
**DISCLAIMER** In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was in no way compensated for this opinion, and the thoughts are my own. Links above will take you to a site where you can PURCHASE a copy. Using those links will take you through an affiliate link and I will receive a small percentage of the purchase cost. You are in no way obligated to use affiliate links and there is no additional cost to do so.
© 2013, lisapottgen. All rights reserved.
Middle Grade Review: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer is a post from: Just Another Rabid Reader
