Kate Willis's Blog, page 74

Stories at War

There are three stories that have been fighting for my brain space this week (and I’ll let you guess which one won the most).

First, “The Story I Should Be Working On”, a.k.a. “The Night Archers”, sequel to The Twin Arrows. I researched lightning strikes, medieval terms for family members, and even *almost* named the third book instead of editing. I’ve been pretty intimidated by overhauling the first chapter, but I think it’s finally there (or at least closer), and I just rewrote chapter two today. Progress!

Book Review: Annie’s Life in Lists

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“If you love kids like:
1. Anatastia Krupnik
2. Ramona Quimby
3. The Penderwicks
then you will love Annie! For Annie, lists are how she keeps her whole life in order. And there is a lot to keep track of!

Annie’s a shy fifth grader with an incredible memory and a love of making lists. It helps her keep track of things when they can seem a little out of control, like her family, her friends, and her life in a new place.

Annie has:
1. An incredible memory (really, it’s almost photographic) that can get her in trouble
2. A desire to overcome her shyness
3. A brother who is mad at her because he thinks she is the reason they had to move to Clover Gap, population 8,432.
4. A best friend who she is (almost) certain will always be her best friend.
5. New classmates, some of whom are nicer than others.
6. A rocky start finding her place in her new home. 

Annie’s Life in Lists introduces a sweet new voice that finds that even amid the chaos of everyday life, it’s important to put things in order.” (from Goodreads)

Just to be nerdy (and because my brain will work better this way in spite of my head cold), I’m gonna review this amazing book with a few lists of my own.

Superbooks and My Little Heroes

I leaned against the desk of the children’s library and asked my question. “Hi. I was wondering if you had any superhero picture books?”

Fingers poised over the keyboard of her computer, the librarian turned to ask, “What do you mean by picture books? Like an early reader or something else?”

I shrugged. “Basically anything you’d read aloud to a four-year-old. I brought home a book called The Three Little Superpigs, and he’s had read to him six times now.” I grinned. “And I’d really like something new to read to him.”

And thus began our quest; two librarians and I searching through the shelves of Early Readers to find something the little boys might enjoy. They handed me a large stack of DC and Marvel books as well as a few about a mishap-prone ninja (close enough, right?), and I sat down to look through them.

The ninja books ended up coming home with me (along with two other interesting looking picture books), and I read them aloud to a stack of four funny little boys on our next visit.

They haven’t even seen any superhero movies yet, but they love superheroes so much, they’ve even been making up their own. XD

I love it that they’re learning at a young age to recognize that heroes are those who fight evil and help others, and already I know that by following our ultimate Hero, they’ll become heroes who love others and stand up for truth themselves.

And I’m grateful I get to be a part of their lives by being one of their nine aunties.

Guest Review: Crossroads (Collab with Lilian, Part 2)

As promised, we’re back with our reviews! Today, I’m reviewing The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson over on Lilian’s blog, and she’s reviewing Crossroads by Paul Willis on mine.

Book Review: The Matchmakers of Holly Circle

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“Flirtation can be an art, or so they say. Well, if so, Ruth and Richard are “the old masters” of the flirting game. Despite their strictly platonic relationship, there’s “something there,” as so many of their friends and families say. Neighbors and friends for ten years, neither seems willing to change the course of their relationship.

Three doors down, at the end of the cul-de-sac, Mason Dickenson has watched his favorite neighbors with an interested eye, but he’s finally had it with the dance. So, with a pack of cards and a few tricks up his sleeve, he’s determined to get them out of the “friend rut” and into romance.

Thanks to Mason’s unique matchmaking scheme, Ruth and Richard concoct one of their own—a deeper, stronger, eternal love and relationship that nothing on earth can match.” (from Goodreads)

With an untested Kindle Unlimited trial and a title like that, who can resist? I was looking for something sweet and Christmas-y, and this perfectly fit the bill.

Although, I was in suspense throughout the book as I watched Ruth and Richard be all cute and literally perfect together and then go to their separate homes and think about uncertainties and heartbreaks and relational worries and reservations and stuff. The barriers between them were really painful but accurate and didn’t feel like manufactured melodrama most of the time. I stayed up late reading…

This Title Has a : and ( ) In It Because All My Titles Do, Right?

Okay, that title was mostly a joke, but I’ve noticed lately how similar or categorized my blog posts can get sometimes.

Plate Update: Hedgehogs Again, Family, and Cold Weather

I just realized that February is over, and I almost can’t believe it. Maybe that’s because it’s two days shorter than all the other months? XD February was a nice, COLD month.

This month’s full plate was a nice mishmash of cold weather food, Valentine’s Day snacks, and victory chocolate.

Anyway, here’s a quick update on my full plate last month…

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Pleasure read:

Ogre Enchanted (two stars)

Such a Tease (four stars)

Found (four stars)

The Great Lab Escape (five stars)

Read for review:

Live Without You (three stars)

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Answered:

Emails and texts

Trivia questions at a baby shower XD

Author questions on Goodreads

Googled:

Caldecott awards

Holocaust survivor and veteran from SOTU address

Christian books about introverts

Books in the public domain

Avengers trailers

Book Review: The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner

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“Old Natalia, soon after Captain Blackstar saved king and cause on the shores of Ayman Lake. 

Battered, but determined, Whitson Mariner leads his displaced rabbits into new dangers on a journey to their undiscovered home. 

Whitson the king, Lillie the queen, Prince Lander, and loyal Massie Burnson must rise from the wreckage of betrayal to rescue the cause once more. 

Treason broods.

Monsters menace. 

Battle beckons.

A community rises.” (from Goodreads)

So, I got this book for a younger sister for Christmas, and then she loaned it to me when she was done reading. Win-win.

5 Ways to Frustrate Readers (Guest Post)

Yesterday, I tried to write a post about some things we authors do that can tire out or even turn away readers. It was coming out too negative, ranty, and unhelpful. In an attempt to rework it, I was trying to think of a title and suddenly realized that the perfect post on this had already been written.

*drops mic because I don’t need it anymore*

Enjoy this post by Paul Willis

5 Ways to Frustrate Readers

1. Kill characters because you find it fun

Come on! You’re a writer and you enjoy this. In fact, you offer a comprehensive package: last words, cause of death, mourning, gravedigging, funeral services, and more mourning. You probably even bring the rain. This is your element but its benefits are twofold if you killbeloved characters for no plot-furthering reason. It will frustrate readers.

2. Add commentary in the author’s voice

There is no better way to make your story unbelievable than to draw readers out of the flow with your observations. If you struggle to create content for this purpose, think about writing moral lessons. Analyze your characters and comment on their decisions and attitudes. And if you really want to frustrate your readers, spiderweb away from the topic at hand. Readers hate tangents.

3. Don’t let the obvious happen

Set up a guy and a girl who are just perfect for each other. Then make one of them say “this just won’t work” and walk away. Have a cool detective investigate a murder. There is a suspect and all the evidence points to him but right in the climax reveal the detective as the murderer. Plot twists like these will ensure your content is original and will keep your readers on the edges of their seats (doing their best not to jump up and kill you).

4. Make mortals immortal but still mortals

Let me break this down. Make your regular human characters seemingly immortal but never offer an explanation for why they seem immortal, so your readers assume they are still mortal but can’t die. It works. I never find myself relating to the guy who defeats alien hordes with a spoon but never has to see the doctor. Make sure your readers don’t believe your character can die and if you can’t frustrate them, you’ll at least bore them.

5. Avoid any and all closure

This is a must have if you want readers to read to the end and be frustrated. It is even more effective when paired with #3. Do your best to raise questions, suggest future answers, and then write “the end” before you can resolve anything. This is extra frustrating when done across a series. You might not succeed in your goal with the first book, but after properly avoiding closure on the fourth or fifth book, readers will be frustrated. They will probably be suspicious of your intentions and wonder if you really have notes for the final book. In short, leave them with the same question you raised at the very beginning of the story and

Reposting an Excellent Post

Yesterday, I tried to write a post about some things we authors do that can tire out or even turn away readers. It was coming out too negative, ranty, and unhelpful. In an attempt to rework it, I was trying to think of a title and suddenly realized that the perfect post on this had already been written.

*drops mic because I don’t need it anymore*

Enjoy this post by Paul Willis

5 Ways to Frustrate Readers

1. Kill characters because you find it fun

Come on! You’re a writer and you enjoy this. In fact, you offer a comprehensive package: last words, cause of death, mourning, gravedigging, funeral services, and more mourning. You probably even bring the rain. This is your element but its benefits are twofold if you killbeloved characters for no plot-furthering reason. It will frustrate readers.

2. Add commentary in the author’s voice

There is no better way to make your story unbelievable than to draw readers out of the flow with your observations. If you struggle to create content for this purpose, think about writing moral lessons. Analyze your characters and comment on their decisions and attitudes. And if you really want to frustrate your readers, spiderweb away from the topic at hand. Readers hate tangents.

3. Don’t let the obvious happen

Set up a guy and a girl who are just perfect for each other. Then make one of them say “this just won’t work” and walk away. Have a cool detective investigate a murder. There is a suspect and all the evidence points to him but right in the climax reveal the detective as the murderer. Plot twists like these will ensure your content is original and will keep your readers on the edges of their seats (doing their best not to jump up and kill you).

4. Make mortals immortal but still mortals

Let me break this down. Make your regular human characters seemingly immortal but never offer an explanation for why they seem immortal, so your readers assume they are still mortal but can’t die. It works. I never find myself relating to the guy who defeats alien hordes with a spoon but never has to see the doctor. Make sure your readers don’t believe your character can die and if you can’t frustrate them, you’ll at least bore them.

5. Avoid any and all closure

This is a must have if you want readers to read to the end and be frustrated. It is even more effective when paired with #3. Do your best to raise questions, suggest future answers, and then write “the end” before you can resolve anything. This is extra frustrating when done across a series. You might not succeed in your goal with the first book, but after properly avoiding closure on the fourth or fifth book, readers will be frustrated. They will probably be suspicious of your intentions and wonder if you really have notes for the final book. In short, leave them with the same question you raised at the very beginning of the story and