P.J. Hoover's Blog, page 88

Winner and Critter

Thanks for all the great audiobook comments! I've just started I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU by Ally Carter on audio and have high hopes for it. It seems like the type of book which will fall into my audiobook boundaries.
And as for the page, I'm nearly done with PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS by Michelle Zink. It has a very Libba Bray A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY feel to it, doesn't it? Enjoying it, btw!

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Now, the moment you've all been waiting for :)

The winner (based on rand...

The Ear or the Eye - What makes for a good Audio book?

I joined Audible.com back in May of 2002 and have 304 audio books in my library to date. I listen to audio books while I drive, while I exercise, and if I'm really hooked, I may make up an excuse like cleaning the house to get some extra book listening time in.

I've been thinking a lot recently about what makes for a good audio book. In my experience of 304 books, not all are good for audio. Maybe not all are good for books, but that's not the point. Sometimes a book may be fantastic on the page,

Five on a Friday

Happy Friday! In case you missed my Wednesday post, comment with your favorite musical for your chance to win three awesome books!

Here are my five for the week:

1) My 8-year-old son asks me the other day, "Why are the parents always dead in the books you're giving me to read?"
I tried to explain the pesky parents thing to him. How we writers have to get rid of the parents so the kids can be the heroes. I'm not sure if he completely understood but it was interesting having to try to explain.

2) Than

Interview and Book Giveaway: CHRISTINE MARCINIAK

I'm so excited to have Christine Marciniak, author of the newly released WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA, here on my blog today!

Here are three things I love about WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA:

1) Mike
2) The Kiss
3) Emma

Yeah, you get the idea. The story here is fun, clean, and paced really well. If you're looking for a great gift idea for that special tween in your life, I totally recommend this book.

And on to the interview!

But be sure to check the end for a book giveaway.

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PJH: So why THE SOUND OF MUSIC as a ba

Whose Story is it Anyway?

At a recent writing workshop I attended, the subject of multiple POVs came up. On my newest WIP, if you remember, I'm going with the dual POV, first person. At least thus far. Anything is game in revisions, right? It could be one POV third person by the time I'm done.

Anyway, one of my workshop buddies mentioned no matter how many POVs there are, there can only be one main character. It is one person's story. And he pointed to screen writing as an example. Think LETHAL WEAPON. Whose story is that

Black Belt!

Kung Fu rocks!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Cheese Winner and The Spectacle

Two quick things:

1) THANK YOU to everyone who entered the book drawing. I'm so hungry for cheese! The winner of



SECRETS OF THE CHEESE SYNDICATE by Donna St. Cyr (Paperback)
THE BOOK OF NONSENSE by David Slater (Hardcover)

is...

T. ANNE

Congrats, T. Anne! Contact me with where you want me to ship the books, and I'll get them out!

2) Deep Space Travel thoughts? Weigh in on my post over at The Spectacle.

And have a great Tuesday!

How Unperfect do you Make a Characters?

Happy Monday!

If you haven't told me your favorite cheese and entered to win these two books:
SECRETS OF THE CHEESE SYNDICATE by Donna St. Cyr (Paperback)
THE BOOK OF NONSENSE by David Slater (Hardcover)

then head here and comment.

I had the urge to run to the H-E-B and buy a huge hunk of Brie, smother it in Raspberry Chipotle sauce, and eat it with Wheat Thins while drinking red wine. Go figure.

Anyway...

I wonder how imperfect we can make our characters while still making them likeable.
I generally do

Five on a Friday

Great motivation comments the other day, everyone! I've learned were Scarlett O'Hara set upon by a vampire, she'd be wondering if turning into a vampire could help her save Tara. And even after all that discussion, I don't have the urge to read GONE WITH THE WIND (again).

1) My kid's summer camp cracks me up. There are horses there, and if a kid says "Ew" or even mentions when they see horse poop, they have to clean it up with a shovel.

2) With today being the last day of summer camp, I'm shifting

Mid-Week Motivation

Can I start by mentioning this awesome review for THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD (available for pre-order, btw) at Becky's Book Reviews?
Okay, I was thrilled with her awesome review for THE EMERALD TABLET, but now I'm doubly thrilled with this one for book 2.
My favorite line from the review:

"I loved the use of mythology. I loved the adventure. I loved the humor. And most of all I loved the time travel."

Sweet! Oh yeah, did I mention THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD has time travel?

Anyway, on to motivation.

So here's