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Today on YA Misfits – Interview with Nicole Wolverton
Hey Guys!
Today I’m over on the YA Misfits blog talking to amazing author Nicole Wolverton about her new book – The Trajectory of Dreams, her agent, and her writing.
Stop by and check it out!
Want to Spend Hours on the Internet – Design your own Retro Book Covers
So this site - Pulp-o-mizer has been floating around the internet for a couple of days, but I finally gave in and stopped by to play with it.
And I’m TOTALLY hooked! You can design your own Pulp Magazine (or book) covers. It’s SO MUCH FUN! Especially if you have a sci-fi book like I do. I designed like five before I stopped myself and got back to work, but I think this one was my favorite.
Totally worth playing with for a few minutes if you have the time. I’m pretty sure I’ll be back to do all my books!
Do You Have Book Recommendations For Me?
I’m kind of 
afraid to admit this, but I haven’t read a non-Crit Partner book since early December. And the one before that was in October. I am having a serious problem with reading. Nothing is holding my interest, I’m afraid to start a new book and invest the time in something I might hate. I want something that will make me happy, not stressed or sad. So I’ve just not been reading anything.
I need to get out of this funk. Seriously. I have dozens, maybe even hundreds of books on my Kindle. I have a fantastic local library and book store. I love to read. Really, I do!
HELP ME GUYS! What books have you read lately and loved? What would you recommend to someone who’s burned out on books? (Caveat: I don’t like sad books. I can’t handle those right now. Also, no books where animals die.) Everything else is pretty much fair game. Please suggest away!
ETA: Adult book recommendations are great – I read pretty much everything!
Social Media and You: A Cautionary Tale
Hey guys,
So it seems every few months someone who just doesn’t quite get how social interactions work pops up. They maybe be innocent mistakes, or may have a more sinister ulterior motive. Problem is, this is social media, so you JUST DON’T KNOW. I’m not going to go into details here, this isn’t so much my post as a plea for you to stop by Leigh Ann Kopans blog and read her post on appropriate Social Media behavior. I know all of you are amazing and don’t need the reminder, but it’s still astonishing to me there are so many other people out there who just don’t quite get it.
I’m also linking to John Scalzi’s great post on how not to be a creeper. His post focuses on conferences and many in-person interactions, but I think it’s completely valid for social media as well. I highly suggest you check it out – it’s funny and very target. Some of his points include:
1. Acknowledge that you are responsible for your own actions.
2. Acknowledge that you don’t get to define other people’s comfort level with you.
3. Acknowledge that no one’s required to inform you that you’re creeping (or help you to not be a creeper).
8. That amusing sexual innuendo? So not amusing.
So what about you guys? Have you had to deal with creepers before? What do you think the best way to handle them is?
The Ones You Love
This morning, I had to attend a memorial service for a coworker who passed away much too soon.
Her family was there, including her 16-year old daughter.
It was astonishing how many people attended, and how influential this woman was. Over and over I heard that
- “She didn’t shy away from the hard discussions”
- “she was an amazing mentor and friend”
- “She made this a better place and influenced so many people”
And I had to wonder, had anyone ever said that to her? Told her how much she was appreciated? Did she know how much we respected and cared about her? Did she have any idea how deeply she’d be missed?
And then I wondered about my own life. Do the people in my life know how much I care about them? Do they know how important the are to me? How they’ve influenced me?
So I’m telling you guys right now. YOU ARE ALL IMPORTANT AND AMAZING AND FANTASTIC. I am SO LUCKY to have all of you in my life and you’ve made it better in so many ways. I’ve learned so much from all of you, even those situations that were challenging. And I am so thankful you’ve all shared this journey with me, however it twists and turns, however big or small part you’ve played.
I love you all. Thank you for being a part of my life.
Do you Re-Read Books or Not?
So I saw a tweet the other day from agent Bridget Smith (who I highly suggest you follow, because she’s awesome) about re-reading books that got me thinking.
I totally agree with her. Last year I didn’t read nearly as many books as I usually do. And at least half of the ones I did read were books I’d already read before. In some ways that’s a bad thing – I have hundreds of new books on my Kindle I was dying to read, books I’d been looking forward to and haven’t got around to yet.
But I realized something after reading Bridget’s tweets. I’m ok with that.
Last year was rough for me both at work and in writing. And when that happens, I tend to dig in, to nest, to want familiar and comfort around me. And re-reading books I know I love helps with that.
I’ll tell you a secret. Sometimes reading new books stresses me out. What if I hate it? What if something bad happens to these characters I’ve spent time with? What if the ending sucks or someone dies? (I have a book I was so excited to read but I haven’t, because I heard a character I fell in love with died. Yeah, I couldn’t handle it.) Or it’s just meh? Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with the thought of getting involved in these stranger’s lives, even if it’s only for 300 pages – feeling their angst and pain and worry. Sometimes I don’t want to go through the stress of will they make it?
And sometimes, I just want to catch up with people I’ve already met. I already know their story is a good one, one that makes me sigh with happiness or cry with cathartic tears. I already know what’s going to happen, so I don’t need to worry that I’m going to hate the book or waste my time.
There’s a comfort for me in re-reading. And like Bridget says, it’s like meeting old friends, it might be a little less exciting, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it. Some of my favorites to re-read are Watership Down, The Chronicles of Narnia books, The Lord of the Rings books, any Julia Quinn regency romance, M.M. Kaye or Mary Stewart romantic suspense. And of course my favorite children’s books – Anne of Green Gables, A Wrinkle in Time, The Westing Game and so on. I have a lot of favorites 
How about you guys? How do you feel about re-reading? And what are some of your faves?
More AMAZING CP News!!!
You guys know I’m part of an amazing group of writers, right? (Hey Misfits!)
Well, there has been all sorts of fantastic news lately. Maggie Hall’s The Elite is going to be published. Megan Whitmer’s Between is going to be published.
And NOW, Leigh Ann Kopans’ One is going to be published! Check out her announcement post HERE.
I am SO excited for you guys to read this book. It’s totally one of my comfort reads. I love the characters and the story SO MUCH.
Check out the blurb and add One to all your lists:
Add ONE to Goodreads
“Like” ONE on Facebook
Sign up for Leigh Ann’s newsletter
Pre-order ONE
I’m so SO happy for Leigh Ann and this Amazing book!! Can’t wait for you guys to read it!
Need a Fantasy Fix? The Tranquility Series by @KristaDB1
I
‘ve known Krista for years, and trust me when I say she is an amazing writer. The girl puts out book after book, and they simply just get better and better.
I was lucky enough to help Beta her first Tranquility book – Tranquility’s Blaze (I’m even in the acknowledgements!) and Bethany’s story is one I’ve always loved.
A half-breed and a female, Lady Bethany clawed her way to the ranks of the Elven Service’s top military elite. They only knew her as their champion against Magic, and not the daughter of a Goddess. She’d expected a long, rewarding life protecting those under her care. But that was before her twin sister returned from exile, addicted to brutal Magic and human sacrifice, twisted inside, and abusing ancient prophecies to overthrow their mother and destroy everything Bethany holds sacred. The world will burn in flames and innocents will die, unless Bethany can stop it. Unless she can take the life of her own sister.
Well, I totally missed this because of the holiday, but book two in the series, Tranquility’s Grief, just came out last month and it continues Bethany’s story, but this book is much 
darker. Here’s the blurb:
Thousands are dead. Lady Champion Bethany’s tainted sister is slain. Her home lost forever. And Magic yet survives. Bethany thought she’d given everything in the fight against Magic. She was wrong. When the deaths of those closest to her shake her already crumbled world, she doesn’t wilt and die. She still has one thing left to gain even now: revenge.
Prophecy or no, half-goddess or not, Bethany vows to bring order back to the world with the edge of her blade. No matter who she must defy. No matter what stands in her way. No matter who must die.
For what they’ve done to her, all will pay.
If you’re a fan of epic fantasy and kick ass characters, you’re gonna want to read this series. Especially if you like Skyrim, or Dragon Age, or any sort of Fantasy RPG. She’s got some amazing world building. And even though it’s not all sunshine and roses, these books have amazing characters and a love story that will make you swoon, and want to rip your hair out at the same time. That seems to be one of Krista’s special talents
Books are available on Amazon, Mundania, and Barnes & Noble.
Definitely check them out if you’re at all interested!
Do It Anyway
I’ve always been the kind of person who struggles with fear – fear of not being good enough, fear that I’ll fail. Fear that people won’t like me. It’s exhausting living in fear. And I work really hard to make sure I don’t let it worm too deeply into my life any more.
I’ve also always been a huge Jim Henson/Muppets fan (just watch all my Muppet flails around the blog and you’ll get the point.)
So when I saw Ben Folds had a new video, with FRAGGLES (produced by the amazing Chris Hardwick – yeah total nerd crush)! I was all over it. I link it here for your viewing pleasure. More than once this past week, I hummed the chorus – I might be feeling fear, but I was sure as hell going to do it anyway
Some lyrics:
And if you’re paralyzed by a voice in your head
It’s the standing still that should be scaring you instead
Go on and
Do it anyway
Do it anyway
So what do you guys do anyway, despite the fear?
