Desperate BookJunkies discussion
Monthly Group Reads in General
>
Any Witch Way
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Steven
(new)
Apr 12, 2011 10:33AM
Welcome members to the Any Witch Way discussion. I hope you all enjoyed the title picked and have lots to talk about. Also, we look forward to seeing people jump into the Q&A with Annastaysia Savage thread :o)
reply
|
flag
Hey peeps, I had a lot of fun reading this title and felt it may even be one that the kids would like. The characters played off each other very well and I could picture a lot of the scenes well. I really hope for a sequel or a series from this title just to see other characters return. Spin offs from this would be fun as well.
Hello Steven! First let me say thank you for inviting me to be a part of this discussion. I'm thrilled to know that you've been reading Any Witch Way. Yes, you are correct in stating that this book is one for the kids. I wrote it with all ages in mind, from 7 years old and up. I'm hoping that the story appeals to all ages of readers.
And as for a sequel or series, well, lets just say that Sadie is in another spot of trouble and I'm trying to write her out of it as we speak... plus, one of the characters does garner more attention, more of the spotlight so to speak. Can you guess which one?
I hope to hear more from all of you soon. Happy reading!
Cheers,
Annastaysia
Very cool news about Sadie and knowing that more adventures are to come is exciting. As good as you are at this genre and grabbing the attention of so many age groups, have you ever considered doing a co-authored title? Are there any authors you feel you might enjoy working with some day?
I think it would be both challenging and rewarding to do a co-authored title, especially within this genre. As for authors I would enjoy working with maybe someday, well, the ultimate dream for me would be to have J.K. Rowling, Steven King, Gregory Maguire, Holly Black or Anne Rice to come knocking at my door saying, "I really want to write with you." And then I wake up, lol, and realize it was all but a fascinating dream...If it could be anyone throughout time, I would definitely say Poe or Chekhov or even Stoker...
I don't know why but I think if I were to partner you with someone to co-author something, I would love to see what either you and Brandon Mull, Dean Lorey, or Neal Shusterman could come up with. I'm reading the first in the Fablehaven titles and it's so much fun.
Oh my gosh, how could I not have mentioned Brandon Mull? He is one of my absolute favorites. I've read the entire Fablehaven series twice now and love it to pieces. Good call Steven, good call.Cheers,
Anna
Just finished book one of Fablehaven and I gotta say I was so jealous of those kids, even though I had great grandparents while growing up, it would have been cool if I could visit them on that preserve :o) Have you read The Candy Shop War by Mull yet? And it looks like he has a new one out in hardcover as well.
Oh and I definitely feel that Any Witch Way was up there in the same fun area as the Fablehaven book
First, thank you so much for the compliment, you're too kind. (Inside I'm giggling like a little girl about comparing my "fun" to Fablehaven's! ;)Second, hurry up and finish the series so we can talk about it, I NEED to talk about these books with someone! That's how "in love" I am with the entire series. I actually was inspired by this series when writing Any Witch Way. When I wasn't writing, I was reading all the books for the second time.
Third, as for being jealous of those kids, I am totally in agreement with you. I kept thinking that myself. I also would put myself "in their shoes" so to speak, and wanted to be Kendra so bad. But alas, I'm most likely more like Seth, lol.
And last, thanks for telling me about The Candy Shop. Now I have to put that one on the list of books I have to read. (Which, no matter how much I do read, the list just keeps getting longer, lol)
Very cool, I so badly want to read the rest of the Fablehaven books now and think I'd like to purchase 2 full sets of the books for my house and one for my niece since she is so into fairies and such. I actually thought of my niece and her interests while reading Any Witch Way and I could definitely see your book being sold right along side the Fablehaven books in the stores, and anybody I talk with about those books I will recommend your book to easily.Also I look forward to chatting about the Fablehaven books with you. So you are like Seth...very funny but I hope you never get turned into a walrus thingy :o)
I think I would have been like Seth as well but would have felt mean trapping that fairie in the jar and I'd have had to let her out sooner.
LOL, I would NEVER have trapped that fairie in the jar. I'm not like Seth in that sense, only in the sense that I'm way too curious for my own good and that I always seem to find "trouble"...And thanks for the recommendations for my book, much, much appreciated!
Now, who made the biggest impression on you in Any Witch Way? (In as far as characters) I'm "mapping out" a sequel I think... I'm curious as to who will make the cut...
Well, it's great to hear you would have been nice to the fairies too. I did like how the end of the book turned things around a bit but I had such mixed feeling for Lena :o( sad actually about her ending. As for your book I filled out my entry for the giveaway but I think I am gonna buy a copy this summer anyway to give my 6 yr old niece for her birthday. I know she would really enjoy your book. I told her a little about it and her eyes were lighting up. For 6 yrs old her reading level is amazing...now if I could get my son to read a bit more.
If I had to pick characters from your book, wow Sadie of course but I really loved the knomes. Plus, I would like to see more of the characters from around the meeting table before they all went off to war. You don't really have to cut too many characters if you eventually kill someone off which would create a bit of drama and feeling in the story. Your characters are easy to become attached to so removing someone could create so much need to read the next book to see if that person is really gone cause you never know in a fantasy story right :o)
I love your last sentence... and am keeping that in the forefront of my mind as Sadie and I continue her journey...If you like, I will sign the copy of the book for your niece. I'm considering having a giveaway myself, still working out the details...
As for Fablehaven, all I'm gonna say is just keep reading the series - you'll be pleasantly surprised - a lot!
when I am ready to buy a copy of your book I will definitely take you up on the signed edition. After all your book could eventually be the next big thing like Harry Potter. Either way it has definitely carved a nice little nitch in the fantasy world. If you have a giveaway I will definitely put in an entry.As for Fablehaven, I am really itchin to read the next title now :o)
Aww, this is so interesting! Now, I have to read Any witch way and Fablehaven!! Especially since my kids can read them, too! I have been so out of the loop lately, I missed this read and your lovely conversation! Steven, you are so funny, I love your sense of humor, where have you been by the way???Annastaysia, you seem like a very likeable and cool person and your book sounds very interesting! I'll try to read it soon!
Cici, yes you will have a lot of fun with both Any Witch Way and the Fablehaven books they are so much fun and will bring the kid out in ya big time. It's so interesting how many adults are reading YA books now-a-days. I jump back and forth through stuff myself. I just started one by Neal Shusterman called Unwind...talk about trippy and a bit scary. He's the guy that wrote the Skinjacker trilogy. As for my sense of humor, thats a roller coaster ride in itself...and where I've been reading a bit and catching up on some movies. The Other Guys with Mark Walburgh and Will Farrel was a trip. I love the part at the end were Mark tells the duck joke...talk about funny.
Well, gonna go post some reviews and get back to readin...Happy happy joy joy :O)
Just in the past two years or so I really got into the young adult books, they're good and such quick reads and addicting!!!I think I've heard of Unwind, where they take parts from kids at a certain age to give to other people?
I really wanted to see the Other Guys, because I love Marky Mark, I mean Mark Walburgh, he is such a great actor and also great looking, but for some reason I can't stand Will Farrel...yes, I'm like the only one. He just seems like he trys so hard to be annoyingly funny, like a 13 year old boy that thinks armpit farts are the funniest thing ever and will keep doing them all day long, that's what Will Farrel is to me. He annoys me. But, surprisenly the Wedding Crashers is one of my favorite movies and I actually liked two of his lines. But other than that I could do without him.
I love Marky Mark, Mark Walburgh, as well and I also really struggle to like Will Farrel. Plus, I'm always going back and forth between reading young adult and adult books. I really think that the young adult books capture my heart the most though. At least as of late they do...I'm torn right now between writing a sequel to Any Witch Way and writing this "adult" horror story that's been hanging around in the back of my mind for quite some time now...
Annastaysia wrote: "I love Marky Mark, Mark Walburgh, as well and I also really struggle to like Will Farrel. Plus, I'm always going back and forth between reading young adult and adult books. I really think that th..."Yes! I just feel very rewarded after really young adult books because I can read them so fast, I feel like I've gotten a lot accomplished, plus I LOVE them!
I'm happy someone else isn't crazy about Will Farrell either, did you watch Old School? That's when I discovered I did NOT like him, but for some reason I may have liked him on Saturday Night Live, because they all act like that, and it's ok on there. lol.
I'd love to read your book! It got good reviews soooo maybe you should do both a sequel AND a horror book :) Is your horror story like a murder mystery or more like zombies or something like that..or am I not allowed to ask?? :) Just curious...
I would love to write one day, though nothing interesting comes to mind to write about. I've always admired J.K.Rowling, seriously WOW, a waitress writing her stories of "Harry Potter" on napkins between breaks creating this amazing world that mostly everyone LOVES and can't get enough. There's sooooo many great authors, I just really love HER story of how she became who she is today, it's inspirational.
J.K. Rowling is one of my personal heroes! I absolutely adore her and her writing. I can't even imagine living her life...LOL, yes, you can ask anything about anything I'm writing. The horror story has to do with an article I read about a "body" of "something" that washed up on the beach in Montauk NY. The headline of the article was called "The Montauk Monster" and that just got my mind going. Not to mention, I found out that a few miles offshore of Montauk beach is a place called Plum Island Research Facility. It's a government facility, which got my horror wheels spinning. So, to keep everyone curious, that's all I'm going to say about the current horror story I'm working on now. As for a sequel for Any Witch Way, well, lets just say Sadie gets her wish and does travel to other realms...
Oh and as for Old School, this is awful but I couldn't bring myself to watch it knowing he was in it... I did watch that racecar driver movie he was in and found the stereotypes he and the other actors were portraying to actually be quite funny. But I still can't really like him, lol.
As for YA books, I can highly recommend The House of Night novels by P.C. and Kristen Cast. VERY good books, all of them. I just finished my 3rd read of them all...
OOOOOOHHHH I love your idea for the horror book!!! So, you got your idea from real life? I wonder what it was, did they ever say what it really was?? Well, I will definetly read both books if you write them. But, don't tell me anymore, I'm already interested and I like to be surprised! Do you already have the whole story in your head or do you start writing and the rest just comes to you?My husband doesn't like Will Farell either but he LOVES his racing movie and insists that I watch it, I've watched snippets of it but still didn't want to watch the whole thing.
Everyone is reading these House of Night books! Are they vampires?
My favorite YA books and favorite all together are definetly the Hunger Games, if you haven't read them you HAVE to!!! I did get sucked into Twilight because I love how she created her vampires and werewolves, different from the classic, original vampires and werewolves, but Twilights starting to annoy me because of how big it got and how inlove everyone is with Edward, lol. Bella is a little bit of a dodo, not really a strong character, she always seemed mad or sad, she was a downer. But I loved most the other characters and I really enjoyed her other book "The Host", though not many of my friends like that one, again I like Stephanie Meyers spin on things.
I also like Graceling and Fire by Kirsten Cashore. I did start the Vampire Acedamy and they were good, but not my favorite and I still have to read the rest. I also love historical fiction YA. Like the Michelle Moran books, the Heretic Queen, Cleopatras Daughter and Nefertiti also the book called the Red Tent.
I loved Wicked the tales of the witch of the west. I think I really like the worlds these authors create and introduce you to new places and things, like all of the harry potter books. Or when they put their own spin on things and your like "I like that werewolf better then the classic one" or " those fairies are pretty cool", when you expect them to be cute and little and sweet and then another book has them little and mean, lol. I love it!
First, I have to agree with you both Will Farrel isn't my all time favorite. He has his moments but I didn't watch The Other Guys because of him. Mark Walburgh totally stole the show, and how he can keep a straight face when he says his lines is anyones' guess. I thought he was great in The Happening as well. He is what sold that story without a doubt.As for the Montauk Monster story and the Plum Island idea, I say it's an awesome idea. I do remember seeing that news artical and growing up on Long Island I have heard lots of creepy stuff about that island and I actually proposed to my wife out at Montauk Point.
Speaking of Plum Island and Long Island have you ever read the book Plum Island by Nelson Demille? If not check it out. It is nothing in the area of what you want to write about but it does make you wonder a lot about government cover ups and such.
And the House of Night series is my wife's new found favorite. I think she is all caught up with those and waiting for the next one which is why I told her to check out this Neal Shusterman title Unwind and yes Cici it does have to do with kids being as they say "harvested" within the ages of 13 and 18...funny thing, I think I know a few adults that could use that themselves ha ha ha :o) Did you know that Shusterman helped write some of the screenplays for R.L.Stine's Goosebumps shows? I saw his name in the credits the other day.
Steven wrote: "First, I have to agree with you both Will Farrel isn't my all time favorite. He has his moments but I didn't watch The Other Guys because of him. Mark Walburgh totally stole the show, and how he ca..."haaaa, that's funny that none of us really like will farrell, but we all love marky mark. What was the happening about? Havent seen that one, yet. I did like The Shooter with him and the Fighter was also good.
So is this Plum Island like some creepy place or Montauk? I've always wondered what's been discovered but kept secret from us, if there's anything. When I was in my early teens, my friends and myself were hanging out and acting stupid and just laughing and I remember this clear cylinder shaped shiplike thing with blue and green and yellow lights blinking inside pass over our heads and by the time I pointed it out it was gone, no one had seen it, which I thought was odd because it seemed like it was like 20 feet above us and traveling slow enough and I don't know how anyone missed it, but then it was just gone.. maybe I just imagined it, it was long ago but sometimes I think of it..
My son got really into Goosebumps for a minute and I watched a show with them and thought it was a little scary for kids! I remember watching it when I was younger and thought it was a little creepy and what was that one with that crazy, laughing skeleton that hosted the show "the tales from the crypt' or something. lol!
Yeah Will Farrel has a very dry sense of humor but I do have to say I laughed my butt off at his streaking scene in Old School. Especially when he got in the car and was asking about fried chicken :o)Plum Island which is a small island off the coast of Long Island, New York is a research facility for the government. They don't allow any boats other than their boats near it. I have heard lots of theories on what they do there but have heard they do genetic research along with research on diseases there. There's nothing solid on what they do so your guess is as good as mine.
Nelson Demille wrote a great story that revolved around it staring a cop named John Corey. Demille actually has new book coming out that will have both John Corey and the main character from The Generals Daughter in it together. The General's Daughter was actually made into a movie staring John Travolta...very good if you haven't seen it yet.
Goosebumps are awesome books and I am a huge fan of Tales From The Crypt, but I think my all time favorite series would have to be Twilight Zone and that would be all the series both black & white, the 80's versions and the 90's versions. I think some of the best writing was done for those shows.
They won't let anyone even on Plum Island? It's only for Government Research? Hmmmm... very interesting!
Aaaaaahhhhhhhh Twilight Zone. Loved all of them from black and white through the 90's. Am I showing my age? LOL, who cares, that's good stuff! As is/was Tales from the Crypt, Goosebumps and I really, really use to love Tales from the Darkside. I'm very excited that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are re-doing Dark Shadows. From what I understand, they're working on it now and I can't wait to see it. Johnny Depp is playing Barnabus Collins. As for Plum Island, in my horror book I'm going along the lines of secret genetic testing and research facility.
But I'm really thinking I should pursue a sequel for Any Witch Way. I'm getting a lot of positive feedback from readers that that's the direction I should go in. I'm going to "feel it all out" over this next month and then I should know for sure. Tell me all of your thoughts on the subject guys, I could really use the input.
And another series that I have to mention that's worth checking out - Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie's "Wicked" series. Simply good stuff there.
Oh, and if you like Gregory Maguire's "Wicked" you'll love his other "revised" fairy tale books like "Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister" or "A Lion Among Men" or "Mirror Mirror". All VERY good books!
I like the genetic testing idea. That's what I was thinking when I heard research facility. A lot of genetic testing stuff can go horribly wrong. Did you ever read 'the passage'? Yeah, that only just about destroyed like almost the whole population and created zombie like monsters. I read another one where they did testing on monkeys and the monkeys got free and we're biting everyone and spreading the virus, kinda scary since it seems possible.As soon as I can I'm going to read your any witch way and give you my feedback, but it sounds like you really should write your sequel, you got some great reviews on your book! I'm really excited to read it!
I loved Gregory Maguires Wicked books! I was like, this isn't the wizard of Oz!! I actually like the witch?!?!?! And her sister can't walk, whaaaaat? I just love how he twisted the whole story and gave you more of the history of each charactor, so after reading the first one, I got waaaay big into reading the fairytales and the original fairytales are NOT anything I remember being like as a child. They were scary and dark and even sexual! I even started writing my own story of Snow White's step mother and how she became the Evil Step mother... it was fun and then I just stopped when I got stuck sooo I know I should try again. I still have to read his Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister and Mirror Mirror.
Annastaysia who are your favorite characters from your book? Or should I wait until I read it before I start asking questions, lol. I neeeeeeed to go get it!! lol!
Annastaysia, I think you should definitely work on your sequel to Any Witch Way first and maybe decide how many in the series with Sadie you are thinking but on the side I would definitely work on some type of outline for your Plum Island idea. My wife is right when it comes to story ideas. Outline them right away before you forget things you were planning with it. Even if it's just a rough idea, it might be the one big novel down the road that puts you on the best seller list.If you like genetic research type stuff check out Dean Koontz's Watchers. It has the coolest golden retriever in it.
Cici - read those books, I'm dying to talk to you about them...Steven - yes, the outline is being written as we speak... your wife is a wise woman!
I just entered a book giveaway to maybe win ur book!! But I'm still going to go to the library to get it until I make my next book order!!!
yep, my wife's a smart one, that's why I keep her :o) Good to know you have something started with it. It really is a very cool idea and the way you get ideas for storys is a bit like me. I also read a lot of National Geographic and Discovery type magazines. Science and Technology is a great area to grab stuff from. As for Cici, very cool to get it through your library cause if yours is anything like ours, if they don't have it they will order (buy) a copy for their patrons. So it gets a copy sold but also gets the book in circulation a lot more.
Cici and Stephen - LOVE the library idea... I'm going to look around my office/studio and see if I have any copies laying around. I think I just might do my own book give-away on my facebook page. (you guys should go there and friend me hint hint) What do you guys think, is a give-away a good idea for the author to do? I could sign it too... And speaking of National Geographic, I just read an online article from them about somewhere around 615 new species have been discovered in Madagascar ... makes me think of undiscovered horror stories that need to be written about newly discovered species...
I think the giveaway idea for your webpage is cool but another really good idea would be to hand pick a few libraries, especially regional ones that share with other libraries and donate some copies but not signed ones cause people might steal those from the library. You may even be able to use the donation of your book as a tax write off? Always good to check. Either way your book would get into circulation and all the people that read it and like it will jump at buying the next book in your series. Let me know if you plan another giveaway though. Your book would make an awesome gift for my 6 yr old niece. She has become quite the reader spending her days at our house :o)
615 new species, yeah I'd say there has to be a cool story in there somewhere. Anything dangerous or that can do weird things? Ya know what would be a really cool genetically spliced thing? A giant land tortoise since they can live over a hundred years and a sloth since they have extreme healing abilities and massive claws. Of coarse ya might have to mix that with something that's fast cause putting a tortoise and sloth together and you'd have the slowest animal alive as well and well that could be boring :O)
Yes, I think that a give-away book is a great idea. I actually won a signed give-away book, a book that I wouldn't have normally picked up and I really enjoyed it and now I will be reading her next book. SO it's a good way to make some fans! Someone on goodreads is actually giving some of your Any Witch Way books away, I entered hoping to win my own copy, even though chances are very slim because of all the other entries!! But yes, I'm going to have to find you on faceboook!!
I didn't know you were on Facebook too Annastaysia. I will have to friend you there as well.
YES! Find me Steven! My "other" career is on there as well. Look up Savage Artistry and Design...
I will definitely send a friend add there. So you have some artwork too? very cool.
Steven wrote: "I will definitely send a friend add there. So you have some artwork too? very cool."You'll probably find her easier going through my friends list, I had to make her find me, because she must be hidden from everyone trying to find her, lol! Her art is very impressive, she is the girl of many talents :)
actually I just cut and pasted Savage Artistry and Design into the search and it popped right up but thank you for the offer. She really does do just about everything from the looks of it. When your creative it is hard to not dabble in a bit of everything though.
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you. You guys are way too good to me...
