Zara Hoffman's Blog: Zara Hoffman's Goodreads Author Blog, page 39
June 4, 2014
Next Novel: The Witch's War
For those who have been regularly checking up on My Novels, you may be wondering what I'm actually working on next because of many scattered word count meters for the ever-growing number of story ideas.
For those who have read my debut novel, The Belgrave Daughter , and are waiting for the sequel, Tears of an Angel (especially after that cliffhanger, sorry about that—well, not really), don't worry. I haven't abandoned The Belgrave Legacy for one of my other series ( Fearful Fairytales or Kingpin Killers ). I am waiting for my editor to finish with the second book in The Belgrave Legacy, but am staying busy with school Finals and drafting the final novel in the trilogy, The Witch's War.
The reason for the stray word meters, if anyone is wondering, is because I needed to write new stories for my Creative Writing class this year, and working on already planned stories seemed a good way to kill 2 birds with one stone. In the future, I do intend to stay within a series and write linearly, but there still may be some jumping around if I ever get stuck.
Hope you all understand. Please be patient with me. I promise it'll be worth your while. In the mean time, why don't you continue exploring my website and maybe buy a copy of my debut novel?
For those who have read my debut novel, The Belgrave Daughter , and are waiting for the sequel, Tears of an Angel (especially after that cliffhanger, sorry about that—well, not really), don't worry. I haven't abandoned The Belgrave Legacy for one of my other series ( Fearful Fairytales or Kingpin Killers ). I am waiting for my editor to finish with the second book in The Belgrave Legacy, but am staying busy with school Finals and drafting the final novel in the trilogy, The Witch's War.
The reason for the stray word meters, if anyone is wondering, is because I needed to write new stories for my Creative Writing class this year, and working on already planned stories seemed a good way to kill 2 birds with one stone. In the future, I do intend to stay within a series and write linearly, but there still may be some jumping around if I ever get stuck.
Hope you all understand. Please be patient with me. I promise it'll be worth your while. In the mean time, why don't you continue exploring my website and maybe buy a copy of my debut novel?
June 3, 2014
Writing a Series
Who doesn't like reading series? You get to stay with your beloved characters for multiple books instead of just one. And series also usually mean film adaptations, allowing you to stay immersed in the fictional world for longer than usual.
Writing a series is arguably harder than writing a standalone novel because the author has to maintain continuity over a larger number of pages and come up with a compelling plot that can withstand the length of the series while also thinking of the individual plots for each book. A lot of things can go wrong if one isn't careful in the planning stage.
Miss Literati, a writing website, offers great advice on this topic.
Decide to Write a Series or a Standalone Book5 Tips to Writing a Series
Continue the Second Book of Your SeriesWrite a Solid Spin-Off Series
Bonuses
Go Teen Writers: How to Write a Sequel
Susan Dennard: Planning a Series
I've bookmarked all these pages and plan to visit them regularly as I write The Belgrave Legacy trilogy. And although I am planning to do a Fearful Fairytales series (and maybe a few more), the latter is full of stand-alone books, which aren't really addressed in these articles (though the websites are great. Good luck with writing your series!
Writing a series is arguably harder than writing a standalone novel because the author has to maintain continuity over a larger number of pages and come up with a compelling plot that can withstand the length of the series while also thinking of the individual plots for each book. A lot of things can go wrong if one isn't careful in the planning stage.
Miss Literati, a writing website, offers great advice on this topic.
Decide to Write a Series or a Standalone Book5 Tips to Writing a Series
Continue the Second Book of Your SeriesWrite a Solid Spin-Off Series
Bonuses
Go Teen Writers: How to Write a Sequel
Susan Dennard: Planning a Series
I've bookmarked all these pages and plan to visit them regularly as I write The Belgrave Legacy trilogy. And although I am planning to do a Fearful Fairytales series (and maybe a few more), the latter is full of stand-alone books, which aren't really addressed in these articles (though the websites are great. Good luck with writing your series!
June 1, 2014
Pre-Publication Tips
Even though I'm already a self-published author, it never hurts to learn more about the craft and market. Here are two very helpful videos (among many) about pre-publication tips and tricks. 11 pre-release buzz and exposure tips for authors | Novel Girl
May 28, 2014
Being Brave: College Process
click for more entries 2/9/14: Being a high school junior means Second Semester is the beginning of the College Mania. We are expected to complete a ridiculously long questionnaire packet and the Common Application in 1 week before we can meet with our counselor for the first of 4 meetings, go on visits, and have a list before summer. Stressful, right?Maybe, maybe not. While I'm in no way fully ready to embark on this journey, I know that if I stay organized and keep a level head, everything will work out fine. At least, I hope so.
I
2/11/14: I've completed the Common App (essay and all), and my questionnaire! Now I can schedule my first meeting with my college counselor early next week! This is really happening!
2/21/14: I had my first meeting with my college counselor, and scheduled the next one for Monday. Next Thursday, I'll have my third meeting (with my mom). I am staying ahead of the game, and am very excited about the whole process.
3/25/14-3/28/24: I visited 5 colleges and liked 2 (Swarthmore and Wesleyan).
4/29/14: I went to the College Fair and visited 14 different tables (2 of which were the ones I liked from spring break).
5/28/14: I have my college list completed.
May 24, 2014
Why I chose Self-Publishing
One of my author friends from Go Teen Writers, Giselle Abreu, asked me to answer some questions about self-publishing for her school research paper. I was happy to oblige and am posting my interview here.
1. What made you want to self publish?
I wanted complete control over my book’s creative process: editing, formatting, cover design, etc.
2. What was the process of self publishing like?
Very long. I think that was due to some unforeseen complications to my original timeline (I was editing up until the very last minute, even after getting a cover design and needed to reformat each time).
3. What kind of server/company did you use to self publish (like CreateSpace, etc...)? Has that affected your experience any?
CreateSpace. I am a very DIY type of person. The only thing I really outsourced was the cover design, but even then I made the final decisions. CreateSpace gave me the freedom to do everything on my own while also offering payed assistance if necessary. I think it’s wonderful for people who are willing to put in the time and research to create a great product.
4. What would you say is the best part of being self published?
It’s very rewarding to say you published a book, even more so to say that you were in charge of every challenging stage.
5. What would you say is the worst part of being self published?
While it’s a source of pride for me, there is still a stigma against self-published authors. It seems to be diminishing now, but remnants of it are still there. When you self-publish, you have to hold yourself to a higher standard of production (especially editing) than everyone else (including traditionally published books—I find typos and wrong formatting in them all the time).
6. A major stereotype of self published authors goes around that basically says any self-published books aren't worth reading because they haven't gone through 'professionals.' Do you feel you've beaten that stereotype, how?
I like to think that I’ve personally beaten the stereotype. I spent hours on formatting and editing and designing. My readers haven’t complained of grammatical or spelling errors (which can run rampant on ill-produced self-published books), so I think I’ve done really well.
7. Would you suggest other writers get self published, and why?
I think it’s a great option, but I would only recommend self-publishing to the entrepreneurial-spirited writer who is willing to practically triple (or more) their time investment to one book. It’s very possible to write multiple books at a time, and that is another challenge, as well as promoting, that self-publishers have to juggle extremely well. It’s really about organization, prioritizing, and creative vision.
1. What made you want to self publish?
I wanted complete control over my book’s creative process: editing, formatting, cover design, etc.
2. What was the process of self publishing like?
Very long. I think that was due to some unforeseen complications to my original timeline (I was editing up until the very last minute, even after getting a cover design and needed to reformat each time).
3. What kind of server/company did you use to self publish (like CreateSpace, etc...)? Has that affected your experience any?
CreateSpace. I am a very DIY type of person. The only thing I really outsourced was the cover design, but even then I made the final decisions. CreateSpace gave me the freedom to do everything on my own while also offering payed assistance if necessary. I think it’s wonderful for people who are willing to put in the time and research to create a great product.
4. What would you say is the best part of being self published?
It’s very rewarding to say you published a book, even more so to say that you were in charge of every challenging stage.
5. What would you say is the worst part of being self published?
While it’s a source of pride for me, there is still a stigma against self-published authors. It seems to be diminishing now, but remnants of it are still there. When you self-publish, you have to hold yourself to a higher standard of production (especially editing) than everyone else (including traditionally published books—I find typos and wrong formatting in them all the time).
6. A major stereotype of self published authors goes around that basically says any self-published books aren't worth reading because they haven't gone through 'professionals.' Do you feel you've beaten that stereotype, how?
I like to think that I’ve personally beaten the stereotype. I spent hours on formatting and editing and designing. My readers haven’t complained of grammatical or spelling errors (which can run rampant on ill-produced self-published books), so I think I’ve done really well.
7. Would you suggest other writers get self published, and why?
I think it’s a great option, but I would only recommend self-publishing to the entrepreneurial-spirited writer who is willing to practically triple (or more) their time investment to one book. It’s very possible to write multiple books at a time, and that is another challenge, as well as promoting, that self-publishers have to juggle extremely well. It’s really about organization, prioritizing, and creative vision.
May 21, 2014
The Belgrave Daughter's 2nd Blog Tour
The Semptemgeminus Prophecy states: "A powerful sorceress with blood laced in gold sevenfold shall determine the fate of the world."Fawn Belgrave's magical powers are the coveted prize in a bet between God and the Devil.
When she meets Caleb, the dark angel assigned to seduce her, her life is turned upside down.
Read more here
Add on Goodreads
Buy on Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Nook, iBooks, and Kobo The tour will run during the month of July, excluding weekends.
The tour will feature: reviews, guest posts (interviews and Top 10 Lists)
Review copies available (PDF, ePub, Mobi). Sign up below Loading... See the Original Announcement
May 20, 2014
My Top 10 YA Movie Adaptations
This post was written for Melissa A. Petreshock as part of her new "Teen Tuesday" series. To learn how you can get involved, click here.
Below are my Top 10 YA movie adaptations. My rankings are not always by how faithful a movie is to its source material. It's whether they accurately capture the essence of the book and make an unforgettable impression as their own cinematic entitities.
10.
Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement
. Though this movie had very little to do with its source material, I always love watching this movie (better than the first). And how can you not? It has Julie Andrews (who is my favorite elderly actress, quickly followed by Dame Maggie Smith), Anne Hathaway, and Chris Pine. Not only are all beautiful on screen, their acting chops make this slightly ridiculous and definitely kooky story remain in my heart (even though the film wasn't considered a success).
9. I love Bridge to Terabithia. It made me weep on the page and screen. Also, who can resist a young Josh Hutcherson? Not me. Some people were disappointed with this adaptation, feeling it glossed over some important book material, but I disagree and think it was very well done. Everyone should see this movie (after they've read the book, because I'm all for "book first, film later"), but bring tissues.
8. I expected this movie to give me horrible nightmares (I had a really bad track record with "scary" movies. I'm looking at you Jim Carrey (
The Grinch
). Anyway, my fears were unfounded. I loved this movie and slept like a baby afterwards. Very Alice-in-Wonderland-y,Coraline is a dark spin on wish fulfillment and the dangers of an alternate world. As much as I loved the book, the published drawings were much more frightening, and this is the one movie I'd be okay with people just skipping the book. It's faithful enough not to cheat them of the book, and not as scary as the illustrations.
7. Okay, clearly I like Jim Carrey (he's a great actor when he's not Green—and apparently even then). This movie is actually an amalgam of the first three books in the Series of Unfortunate Events (in a really long series):
The Bad Beginning
,
The Reptile Room
, and
The Wide Window
. I think they glossed over some stuff, but the movie makers did an excellent job of linking the three together in a cohesive, 2 hour movie. I was very disappointed when they never made a sequel. Now that the "girl" playing Violet is now too old, I doubt they will. Everyone should still see this movie, though.
6. Divergent. If you haven't read the book. Get off this blog (after you finish reading this post) and read books 1-3. I don't care what people say, you have to read all 3. In this very faithful adaptation (albeit changing the climactic scene and some other stuff), this movie kept the heart of Veronica Roth's book alive while the packaging changed. And since they did it well (in my opinion), I'm not going to begrudge them box office success. Sidenote: Theo James is the perfect Four, and he's British.
5. Everyone in my class thought I was too "innocent" to read
The Lovely Bones
. I had to remind them that I read
Speak
the summer before 5th Grade (a decision I regretted, but whatever). I loved this movie for it's poignant adaptation of Alice Sebold's novel, though there was one particular creative choice that did not sit well with me. When I first saw it, I thought they had ruined the plot, but I won't say what it was. Besides that, it was a very good film (though it didn't do well in the box office), and it was nice to see Stanley Tucci be mean for a change.
4. The Book Thief. I found the movie better than the book. There, I said it. The book's narrator, Death (it's not a spoiler, I promise), is always interrupting the narrative flow and kind of whiny. The movie almost completely removes him except from the beginning and end. Sophie Nélisse is a perfect Liesel Meminger and I started crying halfway through the film. I think everyone should see this touching movie (and bring tissues while they're at it).
3. My best friends and I love this movie. Another example where the film was more cohesive than the book, Perks of Being a Wallflower , tells the story of a teenage boy who doesn't quite fit in—something we can all relate to in some way. What makes this movie awesome is that the actors breathe life into their characters in an amazing way. And it's Logan Lerman and Emma Watson, people. It can't get much better than that.
2. First, let me explain why I did not choose
The Hunger Games
: I got nauseous from the shaky, hand-held camera, and felt some other directional choices were ill-advised. But I loved the production design and casting, and obviously the books, so much that I still went to the theater to see
Catching Fire
.
The second installment of the Hunger Games movie adaptations exceeded my expectations. Possibly the most faithful film adaptation I have ever seen.
The reason this didn't rank as number one is that even so, I feel certain integral foreshadowing details were cut from the script.
1. I bet you thought I forgot about Harry Potter. You would be mistaken, however. How could I forget the book series and movie franchise that defined a generation?
My friends are divided into 4 groups on this book-to-film adaptation: some who only watched the movies (I still insist they read the books, but whatever), some who refuse to see the films, those who know both but hate what was lost between page to screen, and a few who like both within their own entities.
I'm with the last group. I honestly think the Harry Potter films are among the best book-to-film adapations—not because of their 100% adherence to the source material, but because they stay true to the heart of JK Rowling's famous series.
And there you have it! Did I get to any of your favorites? If not, feel free to comment below. This list doesn't include the list of movies releasing this summer (and there's a lot: Fault in Our Stars , The Giver, and If I Stay )
Below are my Top 10 YA movie adaptations. My rankings are not always by how faithful a movie is to its source material. It's whether they accurately capture the essence of the book and make an unforgettable impression as their own cinematic entitities.
10.
Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement
. Though this movie had very little to do with its source material, I always love watching this movie (better than the first). And how can you not? It has Julie Andrews (who is my favorite elderly actress, quickly followed by Dame Maggie Smith), Anne Hathaway, and Chris Pine. Not only are all beautiful on screen, their acting chops make this slightly ridiculous and definitely kooky story remain in my heart (even though the film wasn't considered a success).
9. I love Bridge to Terabithia. It made me weep on the page and screen. Also, who can resist a young Josh Hutcherson? Not me. Some people were disappointed with this adaptation, feeling it glossed over some important book material, but I disagree and think it was very well done. Everyone should see this movie (after they've read the book, because I'm all for "book first, film later"), but bring tissues.
8. I expected this movie to give me horrible nightmares (I had a really bad track record with "scary" movies. I'm looking at you Jim Carrey (
The Grinch
). Anyway, my fears were unfounded. I loved this movie and slept like a baby afterwards. Very Alice-in-Wonderland-y,Coraline is a dark spin on wish fulfillment and the dangers of an alternate world. As much as I loved the book, the published drawings were much more frightening, and this is the one movie I'd be okay with people just skipping the book. It's faithful enough not to cheat them of the book, and not as scary as the illustrations.
7. Okay, clearly I like Jim Carrey (he's a great actor when he's not Green—and apparently even then). This movie is actually an amalgam of the first three books in the Series of Unfortunate Events (in a really long series):
The Bad Beginning
,
The Reptile Room
, and
The Wide Window
. I think they glossed over some stuff, but the movie makers did an excellent job of linking the three together in a cohesive, 2 hour movie. I was very disappointed when they never made a sequel. Now that the "girl" playing Violet is now too old, I doubt they will. Everyone should still see this movie, though.
6. Divergent. If you haven't read the book. Get off this blog (after you finish reading this post) and read books 1-3. I don't care what people say, you have to read all 3. In this very faithful adaptation (albeit changing the climactic scene and some other stuff), this movie kept the heart of Veronica Roth's book alive while the packaging changed. And since they did it well (in my opinion), I'm not going to begrudge them box office success. Sidenote: Theo James is the perfect Four, and he's British.
5. Everyone in my class thought I was too "innocent" to read
The Lovely Bones
. I had to remind them that I read
Speak
the summer before 5th Grade (a decision I regretted, but whatever). I loved this movie for it's poignant adaptation of Alice Sebold's novel, though there was one particular creative choice that did not sit well with me. When I first saw it, I thought they had ruined the plot, but I won't say what it was. Besides that, it was a very good film (though it didn't do well in the box office), and it was nice to see Stanley Tucci be mean for a change.
4. The Book Thief. I found the movie better than the book. There, I said it. The book's narrator, Death (it's not a spoiler, I promise), is always interrupting the narrative flow and kind of whiny. The movie almost completely removes him except from the beginning and end. Sophie Nélisse is a perfect Liesel Meminger and I started crying halfway through the film. I think everyone should see this touching movie (and bring tissues while they're at it).
3. My best friends and I love this movie. Another example where the film was more cohesive than the book, Perks of Being a Wallflower , tells the story of a teenage boy who doesn't quite fit in—something we can all relate to in some way. What makes this movie awesome is that the actors breathe life into their characters in an amazing way. And it's Logan Lerman and Emma Watson, people. It can't get much better than that.
2. First, let me explain why I did not choose
The Hunger Games
: I got nauseous from the shaky, hand-held camera, and felt some other directional choices were ill-advised. But I loved the production design and casting, and obviously the books, so much that I still went to the theater to see
Catching Fire
.The second installment of the Hunger Games movie adaptations exceeded my expectations. Possibly the most faithful film adaptation I have ever seen.
The reason this didn't rank as number one is that even so, I feel certain integral foreshadowing details were cut from the script.
1. I bet you thought I forgot about Harry Potter. You would be mistaken, however. How could I forget the book series and movie franchise that defined a generation?My friends are divided into 4 groups on this book-to-film adaptation: some who only watched the movies (I still insist they read the books, but whatever), some who refuse to see the films, those who know both but hate what was lost between page to screen, and a few who like both within their own entities.
I'm with the last group. I honestly think the Harry Potter films are among the best book-to-film adapations—not because of their 100% adherence to the source material, but because they stay true to the heart of JK Rowling's famous series.
And there you have it! Did I get to any of your favorites? If not, feel free to comment below. This list doesn't include the list of movies releasing this summer (and there's a lot: Fault in Our Stars , The Giver, and If I Stay )
May 19, 2014
Book Blitz: Impulsion by Jamie Magee
Happy Release Day Jamie Magee! About the Book
Title: ImpulsionAuthor: Jamie Magee
Genre: New Adult
Publication: May 19, 2014
With a glance Wyatt Doran stole Harley Tatum’s heart. With each summer that passed, touch by touch, they robbed each other’s innocence, birthing a love that was so deep that it scorched within. Without warning, they were ripped from the clutches of each other, placed in lives that were worlds apart. Only to cross paths after a freak accident where Harley’s horse rig was flipped. An accident that Wyatt Doran, from fire station 32, responded.
The tension was immediate, the emotions were raw. One breath told them they were not the same as before, one touch…changed their world.
Sneak Peek She didn’t even dare to open her door. Instead, she climbed out her window like she had done a million times over.She ran across the lawn as fast as her legs would carry her. She saw her mother standing with the driver of the town car, her father speaking with the driver of the rig. She ran right past them with only one goal in mind.
When Wyatt opened his eyes, he saw a rig backed into his barn, saw Danny Boy’s tack trunk being loaded, could have sworn he heard him being loaded. He took off toward his door as fast as he could. Right as he opened it, Harley fell into his arms and they both gasped on contact. His lips found hers; the kiss they gave each other was desperate, a gallows kiss, one that you poured every emotion into. He broke away, only to hold her as tight as he could as he buried his face in her hair, breathing her in, telling every sense he had to burn her even deeper into his mind.
“I love you, Harley. You’re safe. I’ll fix it.”
She was crying too hard to say a word. Clenching him, her nails dug into his back. Wyatt’s eyes were burning, and he squinted them closed, only to beg whoever was listening upstairs to stop this, to give him some kind of power to stop this.
He opened his eyes when he felt a presence spill into the room. Garrison Tatum was standing in the threshold of his doorway. Wyatt couldn’t read the look on his face; it was somewhere between fury and agony.
“I love you, Wyatt. Always, no matter what,” Harley was saying over and over between her desperate crying.
Wyatt leaned back, looked in her eyes, did his best to brush away the tears. “This is too real, too deep, too powerful for them to stop us. I love you.”
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Giveaway Open internationally. Winner has 48 hours to claim prize. Must be 16+ to enter. a Rafflecopter giveaway ABout the Author
AutobiographyI'm an obsessive daydreamer. Lover of loud alternative music. Addicted to Red Bull. I love to laugh until it hurts. Fall is my favorite season. Black is my favorite 'shade.' Strong believer in the saying: there is a reason for everything, therefore I search for 'marked moments' every moment of everyday...and I find them. Life is beautiful!
Biography
Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she'd never been, introduce her to people she's never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.
May 18, 2014
Sunday Soup: "Evil" Characters & OUAT Finale
Originally written for Melissa A. Petreshock's blog: 
What draws us to bad-boys, evil queens, and other baddies? It's certainly not their stellar morals or victory stories (except maybe the first because they seem to get the girl in a lot of romance novels). It's their pasts. What led them to become evil/wicked/whatever-you-call-it.
Everyone has an origin story, moments and events that shape them to become either "good" or "bad"—but honestly, everyone is the hero of their own story, which is why every story has unique characteristics based on the point of view. George R.R. Martin knows this and uses this philosophy to write his A Song of Ice and Fire series (orGame of Thrones if you only watch the HBO version).
In Fire of Stars and Dragons , even the semi-antagonistic vampire king Corrin isn't a one-note baddie without any depth or character.
Last Sunday was OUAT's 3rd season finale. It. Was. Epic. Let's just say it had to do with time travel, family, and wish-fulfillment.
Let me give you a quick run down if you aren't familiar with the show (don't worry, I'm not posting any spoilers for any past episodes). When the Evil Queen enacts the Dark Curse, creating a secret town in Maine called "Storybrooke," all the fairytale characters we're familiar with became real people (but they forgot their fictional counterparts). Between flashbacks to the Enchanted Forest (and Wonderlandand Neverland and Oz, etc.) and modern-day life in Storybrooke, viewers learn how the Evil Queen, Rumplestiltskin, and many other villains (and heroes) became the way they are. By the time you finish any episode, you begin questioning your preconceived notions and realize even the most twisted didn't necessarily start out that way. And even after they've assumed their evil roles, the characters are still evolving.
If you haven't been watching start now!
You won't regret it.
Every fairytale needs a good old-fashioned villain. ~ Jim Moriarty (BBC Sherlock)In recent years, entertainment has taken a particular interest in delving deeper into the back stories of infamous fictional villains. Wicked (book or musical), Once Upon a Time (OUAT), and the upcoming film Maleficent are just a few examples among many.
What draws us to bad-boys, evil queens, and other baddies? It's certainly not their stellar morals or victory stories (except maybe the first because they seem to get the girl in a lot of romance novels). It's their pasts. What led them to become evil/wicked/whatever-you-call-it.
Are people born wicked or is wickedness thrust upon them? ~ Glinda (Wicked the Musical)
Everyone has an origin story, moments and events that shape them to become either "good" or "bad"—but honestly, everyone is the hero of their own story, which is why every story has unique characteristics based on the point of view. George R.R. Martin knows this and uses this philosophy to write his A Song of Ice and Fire series (orGame of Thrones if you only watch the HBO version).In Fire of Stars and Dragons , even the semi-antagonistic vampire king Corrin isn't a one-note baddie without any depth or character.
Evil has a beginning. ~Maleficent tag line
Last Sunday was OUAT's 3rd season finale. It. Was. Epic. Let's just say it had to do with time travel, family, and wish-fulfillment.Let me give you a quick run down if you aren't familiar with the show (don't worry, I'm not posting any spoilers for any past episodes). When the Evil Queen enacts the Dark Curse, creating a secret town in Maine called "Storybrooke," all the fairytale characters we're familiar with became real people (but they forgot their fictional counterparts). Between flashbacks to the Enchanted Forest (and Wonderlandand Neverland and Oz, etc.) and modern-day life in Storybrooke, viewers learn how the Evil Queen, Rumplestiltskin, and many other villains (and heroes) became the way they are. By the time you finish any episode, you begin questioning your preconceived notions and realize even the most twisted didn't necessarily start out that way. And even after they've assumed their evil roles, the characters are still evolving.
If you haven't been watching start now!
You won't regret it.
Evil isn't born, dearie, it's made. ~Rumplestiltskin (Once Upon a Time)
May 15, 2014
Must-Read Books for Writers
In no particular order or preferential ranking
General Writing
The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing by the Editors of Writers Digest
The Breakout Novelist by Donald Maass Crafting Novels & Short Stories by the Editors of Writers Digest
Novel Shortcuts by Laura Whitcomb
90 Days to Your Novel by Sarah Domet Writing YA Fiction for Dummies by Deborah Halverson Revision and Self-Editing for Publication by James Scott Bell Writing the Paranormal Novel by Steven Harper Writing the Bestseller: Romantic and Commercial Fiction by Jane Porter and Rebecca Lyles The Nighttime Novelist by Joseph Bates The Kick-Ass Writer by Chuck Wendig (check out his awesome blog, Terrible Minds)
And strictly for Self-Publishers...
The Indie Author Guide by April L. Hamilton
The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing by Marilyn Ross and Sue Collier
Self-Publishing for Dummies by Jason R. Rich Publishing E-Books for Dummies by Ali Luke APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing by 10 NYT Bestselling Authors
And just because this APE video is too cute not to share:
General Writing
The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing by the Editors of Writers Digest
The Breakout Novelist by Donald Maass Crafting Novels & Short Stories by the Editors of Writers Digest
Novel Shortcuts by Laura Whitcomb
90 Days to Your Novel by Sarah Domet Writing YA Fiction for Dummies by Deborah Halverson Revision and Self-Editing for Publication by James Scott Bell Writing the Paranormal Novel by Steven Harper Writing the Bestseller: Romantic and Commercial Fiction by Jane Porter and Rebecca Lyles The Nighttime Novelist by Joseph Bates The Kick-Ass Writer by Chuck Wendig (check out his awesome blog, Terrible Minds)
And strictly for Self-Publishers...
The Indie Author Guide by April L. Hamilton
The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing by Marilyn Ross and Sue Collier
Self-Publishing for Dummies by Jason R. Rich Publishing E-Books for Dummies by Ali Luke APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing by 10 NYT Bestselling Authors
And just because this APE video is too cute not to share:
