Monday, 3 June 2013

Blog posts that inspired me this week.



Summer is just around the corner.
Hence the beach picture.
And conference season is in full swing.
Here are some top picks for blog posts this week.

1) Kirsten Lamb talks about getting out of our way in order to get the words on the page.
http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/writing-is-best-when-we-get-out-of-our-own-way/

2) At Writer Unboxed there is a quiz to see if you are ready to get an agent.
http://writerunboxed.com/2013/05/30/are-you-ready-to-contact-an-agent-take-this-short-quiz-and-find-out/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WriterUnboxed+%28Writer+Unboxed%29

3) A rather surprising answer to the question "When do you write a sequel?" at the Steve Laube Agency blog.
http://stevelaube.com/when-do-i-write-book-two/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SteveLaube+%28Steve+Laube%29

4)What the most satisfying part of writing according to Melissa Tydall at The Write Practice.
http://thewritepractice.com/satisfying-part/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheWritePractice+%28The+Write+Practice%29

5) Cassandra Marshall looks at how to write a dynamic query.
http://www.camarshall.com/2013/04/writing-dynamic-queries.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Camarshall+%28camarshall%29

Enjoy. :)

Friday, 31 May 2013

Book Review: Captives by Jill Williamson



This review is super late,
as my internet has been terribly wonky.
I think it has been finally sorted out so you should see much more of me in the next little while.
Lucky you. :)

Back cover copy for Captives (The Safe Lands, Book 1 of 3)
YA Dystopian novel
When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem—taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.
Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.
Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands’ walls.
Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands’ façade before it’s too late?

My thoughts:
Wow.
Just Wow.
You all must know by now that I am a big fan of Jill Williamson's work. But this book is truly a great read that will add to your life. No. Really. Williamson has crafted a futuristic world rich in details but which also vaguely echoes the reality we live in today. She also manages to twine in the themes from the biblical story of the exile of Daniel and his friends.
The characters are believable and you care about their plight. And the plot line is rich and fulfilling. 
Although it is an entertaining page turning read it also has a lot of depth to it. What really struck me after I finished reading it was how much the book made me think. How I would catch myself stopping my activity during the day and asking--am I compromising my belief, my faith, for the sake of being entertained?
The book was amazing. And for that reason I give it the highest marks I can:  

                  5 Glorious That means leave supper to cook itself and pick up this book.

Bravo Jill, bravo! I look forward to the next installment.
You can check out Jill Williamson's other books here.
Check out info about this book series here
You can pick up the book at any online store and, most likely, in your own Christian bookstore (I know I saw it up here in Canada).
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by Zondervan for the purpose of reviewing. This, however, has not swayed my personal opinion of this product.





Monday, 1 April 2013

5 Posts that Enlightened me this week



I'm baaaaaack.
So sorry to have missed out on posting last week.
But I've got some lovely posts for writers,
so sit back and enjoy.

Oh, and I figured there were a ton of posts about the Goodreads and Amazon controversial marriage,
so I didn't choose any posts on that subject. :)

1) Gabriela Pereira, founder of DIY MFA, the do-it-yourself alternative to a Masters Degree in writing, shares how "Killing your Darlings" is actually an act of faith.
http://writerunboxed.com/2013/03/31/killing-your-darlings-is-not-enough/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WriterUnboxed+%28Writer+Unboxed%29

2) Jeff Goins shares his long journey to becoming a full time writer.
http://goinswriter.com/full-time/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GoinsWriter+%28Goins%2C+Writer%3A+On+Writing%2C+Ideas%2C+and+Making+a+Difference%29

3) The hilarious Kristen Lamb shares what makes for a Successful Author Presence.
https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/successful-author-presence-do-you-have-it/
*BONUS*: Check out her hilarious post on Being Obsessive. It made me laugh and laugh. :D

4) On Rachelle Gardner's blog Erin MacPherson shares how Pintrest can help an author.
http://www.rachellegardner.com/2013/03/dont-think-of-pinterest-as-social-media/

5) At The Creative Penn Joanna shares how to stand out from the crowd of other writers.
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/03/28/boost-your-author-career/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCreativePenn+%28The+Creative+Penn%29

Enjoy. :)

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Writing Prompt Wednesday #19



It's that wonderful time of week again.
Time to hang out with me,
and do a writing prompt!!!

The rules?
1) Set the timer for 15 minutes.
2) Write about the picture or the topic (or something that jumps into your head)
3) Do NOT edit. Let the words flow. Lock your critic away and let your inner child run free. :)

This week's prompt:

You're in the backseat of a taxi.
 
 
Write my little minons! I would love to read your Writing Prompt results! Please post your passage in the comment box or leave a link to your blog post. :)
 
***BONUS: Joe Bunting at The Write Practice is starting a class for serious writers who are at any level. Check out his Story Cartel Course.



Monday, 18 March 2013

5 Memorable Blog Posts from this week



Another week has passed by,
and still no sign of spring.
In fact, we had freezing rain and snow today...blech!
So the picture should suffice.
A tulip tree...my favorite!

Anyway, here are my top blog picks for this week.

1) Jane Friedman visits at Writer Unboxed and reveals 5 industry trends that every writer should know.
http://writerunboxed.com/2013/03/18/5-industry-trends-requiring-every-writers-attention/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WriterUnboxed+%28Writer+Unboxed%29

2) At The Other Side of the Story Jane reveals how to be your own book doctor.
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/03/be-your-own-book-doctor.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+janicehardy%2FPUtE+%28The+Other+Side+of+the+Story%29

3) Are Agents a Dying Breed? Steve Laube doesn't think so!
http://stevelaube.com/agents-a-dying-breed/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SteveLaube+%28Steve+Laube%29

4) Kimberly at the Wordserve Water Cooler explores why every good Writer needs an Ideal Reader.
http://wordservewatercooler.com/2013/03/18/behind-every-great-writer-is-an-ideal-reader/

5) Joanna talks about writing and the fear of judgement.
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/03/17/writing-fear-of-judgment/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCreativePenn+%28The+Creative+Penn%29

Enjoy. :)

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Writing Prompt Wednesday #18



It's March Break here.
So I almost forgot it was Wednesday.
No matter, I'm here now. :)

The rules?

1) Set the timer for 15 minutes.
2) Write about the picture or the topic (or something that jumps into your head)
3) Do NOT edit. Let the words flow. Trick your internal editor into thinking it's Thursday.

This week's prompt:
 
Write about a longing.
 
 
I would love to read your Writing Prompt results! Please post your passage in the comment box or leave a link to your blog post. :)


Monday, 11 March 2013

Top 5 Blog Posts for this week



It's March Break week here,
So I'm having a hard time keeping my sanity writing.
Still, I love to spend time with my kids. :)

Here is some awesome blog love for this week.
I had a hard time picking just five...

1) Janice talks about how to deal with cliffhanger endings when you have multiple POV's over at The Other Side of the Story.
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/05/dont-leave-me-hanging.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+janicehardy%2FPUtE+%28The+Other+Side+of+the+Story%29

2) Steve Laube has a mini rant about editorial errors that make it into the final book and how it is more prevelant in the age of self publishing.
http://stevelaube.com/when-editorial-errors-matter/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SteveLaube+%28Steve+Laube%29

3) How to let go of your internal editor when writing a blog post shared by Bryan Hutchinson.
http://positivewriter.com/the-most-overlooked-way-to-bring-life-to-your-blog-writing/

4) Janet Kobobel Grant explains how being a contracted author can be difficult at the Books & Such blog.
http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/a-salute-and-a-challenge-to-writers/

5) Ann R. Allen shares the number one reason why queries fail (you don't want to miss this one!)
http://annerallen.blogspot.ca/2013/03/the-1-reason-for-queryfailshow-to-avoid.html

As a bonus, if you want a good laugh check out Kristen Lamb's take on extreme spamming:
http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/why-settle-for-your-readers-wallet-when-you-can-get-in-her-pants-2/
Warning: This post may make men some people feel uncomfortable. So men you have been warned. The title is risque but the post will make most women laugh...and some men. Oops, I didn't mean to cross that one out.;)