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Saturday, 31 August 2013
U-haul hasn't updated their graphics in s while, but I don't mind.
Semi-Daily Book Graphics #1356
Penulis : Unknown on Thursday, 29 August 2013 | 20:00
Thursday, 29 August 2013
©1980
Behind the Scenes of Harvester
Behind the Scenes gives you a closer look at the process of writing a manuscript. This edition features Rachel Russell and her manuscript, Harvester. Rachel is a YA author who loves dirty martinis and eating pickles on her pizza. She is the Submissions Coordinator for Month9Books, as well as an editorial intern for Swoon Romance. She regularly posts giveaways, interviews, and submissions tips on her blog.
Inspiration for Harvester:
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| the cute seven-tailed kitsune, the rustic charm of cowboys in dusters, the mysterious sidhe faeries, blue fire, underground cities, and beautiful - yet creepy - caves |
About Harvester:
"I recently completed Harvester, a YA fantasy about a sixteen-year-old headstrong girl named Catalina. She's a mage and lives in a city hidden underground. In the story, there are some mages who go around murdering faeries and harvesting the body parts to increase their own power. Which is why these few mages are called Harvesters. Catalina ends up being framed for one such murder. With the help of a scarf-loving best friend, a boy who’s dying from a curse, and an outlaw faery, Catalina must work to stop the serial killer and prove her own innocence."
A piece of Rachel's writing process:
"I’m a plotter like whoa. If I don’t map out my entire story, I inevitably end up petering out halfway through. Or screaming 'SHINY!' and abandoning the manuscript for a new idea. So, yeah. Like I said, I plot. If you’d like to try my method of plotting, you’ll need: an array of colored pens or markers, index cards, and a corkboard.
First, I start by jotting down a one-sentence summary of the main plot for each chapter on a regular ole sheet of paper, from start to finish. Once I’m certain about the outline, I break out the index cards.
On the index cards, I re-write the one-sentence summary of the plot for that chapter. Beneath that, in a different color, I write a summary of the scene.
Beneath that, in yet another color, I map the emotional journey. Character emotions shouldn’t be stagnant, but rather flow from negative to positive and vice versa. If the main character starts off in a positive emotion at the start of a scene or chapter, I try to ensure in the following portion they’re in a negative state. If you do this right, the emotional journey should form a wave-like pattern, always rising and falling.
Beneath all of this, I also record what the core conflict is in that scene.
After I’ve finished filling out all my index cards, I tack them onto my storyboard (corkboard). This allows me to take a step back and evaluate the entire story for any weak spots. Scrivener has an awesome version of this, but I prefer handwriting and actual paper at this stage."
BookCamp Toronto: Internships
I attended BookCamp Toronto this past weekend where Canadian book publishing professionals got together to discuss books and the publishing industry. This week on the blog, I'll be sharing key points from a few of the sessions I was able to attend on Saturday: digital publicity, tech platforms for authors, and internships.
As some of you may know, I've been an intern in the publishing industry for over ten months now. Both of my internships are on the agenting side of the industry, so my roles are completely different from what most publishing interns experience. Since I am an intern, I have a strong interest in what I like to call "the great internship debate." Are internships legal? Are interns exploited? Do we actually learn anything from interning? (If you're interested in my personal opinion, read this post.)
The internship session at BookCamp focused on how to make the most of an internship. I think the following advice is really important for current and future interns to keep in mind.
Before Your Internship
Know where you're applying. It's tempting to apply to every available position, but remember that you will be working for free (or for very little pay). Make sure you want to gain experience from the company and search online to see if any previous interns have said anything negative about his/her experience.
Choose an internship that is applicable to your interests. If you want to be an editor, then an internship position in publicity may not be your best option. You want to use your time as an intern to cultivate skills. Despite popular belief, most internship positions do not lead to a full-time job. Make sure you will be learning transferable skills during your time as an intern.
What do you want out of the internship? Really think about your answer to this question and then have the conversation. You are working for free and you should not be afraid to make your expectations clear. You increase your chance of success if both you and your supervisor understand what you want to learn from your internship.
During Your Internship
Network. Talk to as many people at the company as possible. Go outside of your department and introduce yourself. Ask questions. Make sure people know who you are and know what you are capable of doing.
Schedule meetings with everyone, not only your supervisor. If you're interested in what someone does for the company, ask them if they're available to have a brief chat. You want to learn as much as possible while you have the chance.
If possible, ask to complete one large project on top of your smaller, day-to-day, intern duties. If you have a major project finished by the end of your internship (most in-person internships in publishing are three or four months), then you know that you've shown the company your dedication and skills.
Always ask for feedback. Many interns go through their entire internship without getting any feedback. If you don't know whether you're doing a good job, then ask. Feedback will make you a stronger editor, publicist, salesperson, etc.
After Your Internship
Keep in touch. When it comes to finally finding a job, it all comes down to who you know. Don't be afraid to send the occasional email or tweet to say hello to someone you connected with during your internship. If you recently completed an internship, the people you worked with know that you're looking for work. They won't be surprised if you ask them to be a reference.
Other things to consider:
Don't go in to an internship expecting a job. Think of it as an extension of your formal education. The goal is to gain experience. Working for free isn't an ideal situation for anyone, so make sure you're getting the most from the experience. Many people now working in publishing started as interns. They understand the struggle. Make good use of your time.
The 8 List: My Favourites
Penulis : Unknown on Wednesday, 28 August 2013 | 04:00
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
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| In honour of my birthday, here are eight of my favourite books. |
#1 THE BIG SLEEP by Raymond Chandler
Mystery. Femme fatale. Guns.
#2 WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte
Romance. Ghosts. Houses.
#3 WINESBURG, OHIO by Sherwood Anderson
Small town. Loneliness. Quirky.
#4 WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams
Bunnies. War. Sunshine.
#5 HARRY POTTER & THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX by JK Rowling
Freedom. Feminism. Victorian.
#6 WICKED by Gregory Maguire
Oz. Witches. Evil.
#7 OF BEES AND MIST by Erick Setiawan
Families. Love. Magic.
#8 THE BLOODY CHAMBER by Angela Carter
Fairy tales. Feminism. Horror.
BookCamp Toronto: Tech Platforms for Authors
Penulis : Unknown on Tuesday, 27 August 2013 | 04:00
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
I attended BookCamp Toronto this past weekend where Canadian book publishing professionals got together to discuss books and the publishing industry. This week on the blog, I'll be sharing key points from a few of the sessions I was able to attend on Saturday: digital publicity, tech platforms for authors, and internships.
Wattpad presented an "ask me anything" session about technology platforms for authors. While a few other platforms were mentioned briefly, the panel focused on Wattpad's model. In case you're unfamiliar with Wattpad, here's a short description from the website: Wattpad is the world's largest community for discovering and sharing stories. It's a new form of entertainment connecting readers and writers through storytelling, and best of all, it's entirely free. With thousands of new stories added every day, an incredibly active community of readers, and the ability to read on your computer, phone, or tablet, Wattpad is the only place that offers a truly social, and entirely mobile reading experience.
Here are some highlights from the session:
- The writing experience on Wattpad takes away the usual isolation that surrounds writers. Users often update on a chapter by chapter basis and readers are encouraged to comment on what they're reading. This leads to an interactive writing process - the writer receives instant feedback and can change the storyline to readers' tastes.
- It's worth noting that a lot of the content on Wattpad is fanfiction based. Some writers start with fanfiction to build his/her audience and then move on to original stories. However, there are some exceptions. One of the most interesting examples mentioned at the BookCamp session was a nonfiction project where a writer posts diary entries from her teenage years and includes new present-day commentary.
- Wattpad has seen the most success with book series. In particular, when an author's first book is made available (for free) on the Wattpad platform, then interested readers are likely to purchase any other books in the series.
- The company has some upcoming partnerships with publishers to make books available to Wattpad users before the on-sale date. For example, a title may be available on the website to generate buzz, but will be removed once preorders for purchase begin. Wattpad is also being used as a platform for novellas and excerpts that coincide with published material.
There are already success stories of authors who started on Wattpad and now have publishing deals with major publishing houses. Writers: Do you have any experience with Wattpad? Would you ever consider using a platform like Wattpad to share and critique writing?
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Un été en Provence
Penulis : Unknown on Monday, 26 August 2013 | 05:34
Monday, 26 August 2013
Tout doucement l'été s'enfuit ...
...
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(Ma Caroline chérie )
Mais septembre est parfois si doux chez nous qu'il le prolonge de très agréable façon !
Les belles tablées ont encore de jolis jours et le petit rosé aussi
...
Deux domaines qui produisent de quoi étancher la soif des amateurs
Dans le premier le stock était épuisé !
Deux magnifiques chevaux qui valaient bien une photo ...
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Ambiance différente dans le deuxième, un peu plus sophistiquée, mais quelques beaux objets du temps passé y avaient encore leur place ...
...
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J'aime ces domaines perdus dans la garrigue ...
Il faut parcourir un long chemin avant de les découvrir, mais le paysage qui les entoure est une belle récompense !
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Bientôt les vendanges ...
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Les lavandes sont enfin coupées !
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La sieste sous le vieux figuier pour la petite gâtée de la maison
...
Un été très rempli, pas beaucoup de temps à consacrer à mon blog et aux commentaires, mais je passais régulièrement chez mes copinettes.
La rentrée approche, encore une année de Collège pour les jumeaux Caroline et Guillaume ainsi que pour Zoé qui passe en 5ème.
Les années collège sont terminées pour Sarah-Lou, la voilà au lycée
Quant à ma petite niçoise Pénélope elle fait sa rentrée ... à la crèche
Je l'ai vue hier à Nice où nous fêtions l'anniversaire de son papa, c'est un bonheur de petite fille ...
MERCI DE VOTRE FIDELITE
AMITIES
BookCamp Toronto: Digital Publicity
I attended BookCamp Toronto this past weekend where Canadian book publishing professionals got together to discuss books and the publishing industry. This week on the blog, I'll be sharing key points from a few of the sessions I was able to attend on Saturday: digital publicity, tech platforms for authors, and internships.
The digital publicity session was an "ask me anything" where @reederreads, @amynicks87, and @IndigoTeenBlog answered questions about the topic. Most of the discussion focused on Twitter and how to increase your number of followers without being obnoxious. There were a lot of great points brought up by the three panelists that are applicable to any role in publishing (from writer to agent to corporate account).
Here are some interesting pieces of advice from the session:
- When you're trying to increase your followers, focus on composing one tweet a day that is really effective. Share articles and information that you think your current followers will enjoy. Don't shy away from mentioning someone (@) in a tweet or including a hashtag (#). Social media is meant to be social.
- Continuing off the point above, engagement is absolutely key to your social media success. If someone mentions you in a tweet, remember to reply. Always consider who you want to engage with on your social media platforms and structure content around this goal.
- Clickthroughs are important for any type of digital publicity. You don't want to give away too much information. Entice the audience to click on the link (especially when you're trying to direct traffic to your website or blog).
- Above all, don't have a social media account (on any platform) if your content is not genuine. Users can tell if your online persona is forced. Again, social is the word to remember. People follow an account because of the personality behind it. No one will stick around if your digital publicity sounds like a machine. The goal of publicity is to get people talking about whatever it is you're promoting - so make sure you're taking part in that dialogue.
The Sunday News (08.25)
Penulis : Unknown on Sunday, 25 August 2013 | 09:59
Sunday, 25 August 2013
A weekly collection of storytelling links. Best enjoyed with coffee or tea on your Sunday morning, afternoon, or evening. This week's edition of The Sunday News is brought to you by paintings, Cookie Monster, and horror stories for children.
→ Why we'd be screwed if young adult books were real.
→ 12 of Wikipedia's greatest sentences.
→ A selection of great poems inspired by paintings.
→ Literature has a whole bunch of unreliable narrators. Who is your favourite?
→ A super cute proposal involving a library and an original children's book.
→ 5 forgotten fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm.
→ The 20 best creepy H.P. Lovecraft book covers.
→ The Romantics: The Avengers of Classic Literature. A Quirk Books post written by yours truly.
→ Do you like cookies? Of course you do. Cookie Monster's famous cookie recipe is exactly what you need.
→ Have you watched the movie trailer for The Book Thief?
→ More J.D. Salinger books will be published as early as 2015.
→ The Summer 2013 issue of Underneath the Juniper Tree is available. Read some wonderful horror stories for free!
Montague Projects on Instagram
Penulis : Unknown on Friday, 23 August 2013 | 10:11
Friday, 23 August 2013
I am now on Instagram as Montagueprojects. I'll be posting a some graphic design related images and some other things I wouldn't normally put on the blog.
Behind the Scenes of Heart Breaths
Penulis : Unknown on Thursday, 22 August 2013 | 11:05
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Behind the Scenes gives you a closer look at the process of writing a manuscript. This edition features KK Hendin and her manuscript, Heart Breaths. KK Hendin’s real life ambition is to become a pink fluffy unicorn who dances with rainbows. But the schooling for that is all sorts of complicated, so until that gets sorted out, she’ll just write. Preferably things with angst and love. And things that require chocolate. She spends way too much time on Twitter (@kkhendin), and rambles on occasion over at her blog.
Inspiration for Heart Breaths:
"The idea for Heart Breaths came from a whole bunch of places. I had the original idea a long time before I wrote it. After I had finished my last manuscript, I planned on writing this one. And then I stumbled on the Reddit thread talking about creepy things kids said to parents, and one of the comments someone made just kind of made the proverbial light bulb go on over my head that took the story to a whole different level. And added a couple of characters. And added lots more angst, which is always a good thing.
The Outer Banks, NC was a huge source of inspiration for Heart Breaths. I was there last January, and ever since I stepped foot on that empty, windy beach, I've wanted to write a book set there. It's a beautiful place, and it seems like the perfect place to try to get your life together again. The history of OBX is interwoven in the story - I'm a huge history nerd. Huge. History, to me, always has a funny way of helping you understand what you're going through by looking at what happened to other people, and that's reflected in the book.
And coffee. Always coffee."
About Heart Breaths:
"Heart Breaths is a new adult contemporary. 21-year-old Maddie is on the run, trying to forget her past, and Eno, North Carolina looks like the perfect place to do that. What she doesn't count on is a group of friends who become her new family, a single dad with a past of his own, and his adorable daughter who's more connected to Maddie than any of them could have expected. Heart Breaths will be published in November, and you can add it to Goodreads."
A piece of KK Hendin’s writing process:
"I think the most important part of my writing process is being in the right mood. I can write from pretty much anywhere (although I somehow keep on ending up back on my bed) as long as I'm in the right mood for the story. I have a playlist for each book I write. Some people have songs on their playlists that reflect the characters, but mine are to get me in the right kind of mood to write the book. I'm a huge believer in people being able to trick themselves into getting into the mood for whatever they want to do, and blathered about it on my blog. It's sometimes hard to transition into the mood for your book, and having music to get you there has been an absolute lifesaver."
No More Chick Lit
I really dislike the term “chick lit.”
I understand the marketing appeal of dividing products based on gender preferences. Having “for the boys” and “for the girls” tables in a bookstore make decisions easier for consumers, especially when purchasing gifts for someone you may not know too well. Still, my personal preference is to avoid gender-specific labeling as much as possible. I don’t like a lot of fiction targeted specifically at women. I also read a lot of fiction targeted specifically at men. It’s absurd to assume that someone will enjoy a certain book genre simply because he or she identifies as a woman or a man.
Leaving aside the issue that “chick” is meant to be synonymous with “woman,” I don’t like the assumption inherent with the term that only readers of a certain gender will enjoy the story. I’m a woman. I read literary fiction, short stories, nonfiction, and middle grade novels (among other things). That’s the fiction that I – a woman – read on a regular basis. So, my very own form of “chick lit.”
I decided to analyze a few definitions of "chick lit" and explain why I don't like to think of it as a separate fiction genre.
Chick lit is genre fiction which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and lightheartedly.
“Issues of womanhood” can’t be lumped into one category. Every woman goes through different issues. Also, most “issues” aren’t lighthearted or humorous.
Chick lit is smart, fun fiction for and about women of all ages. Story lines often revolve around jobs, children, motherhood, romance, fame, living in the ‘big city,’ friendship, and dieting.
I do not want to read a book about dieting and I am, typically, not interested in a plot that revolves solely around romance. Smart and fun fiction should be accessible to readers of all identities.
Literature that appeals to women, usually having a romantic or sentimental theme.
If we’re going by the above definitions of “chick lit,” then these books do not appeal to me even though I am a woman. What does this say about me?
“Chick lit” is really just fiction. Some fiction has female narrators. Some fiction has male narrators. Some fiction is humorous. Some fiction is serious. I don’t see why we need to label a book for women or for men when we can simply read the back cover copy and decide if it works for us on a personal level. You’re allowed to read outside of your comfort zone. You’re allowed to define what your comfort zone is.
Even worse than my dislike for the term are the stereotypes that surround this genre. A definition taken from Urban Dictionary (certainly not the most reputable source of information, but a decent compilation of slang): Books written by bad female writers, aimed towards stupid female readers. Usually marketed in pink jackets adorned with semi-retro pictures of high heeled shoes and martini glasses. Always about trendy twentysomething bitches whining about their jobs or relationships.
I think there are many problematic things surrounding the intended and perceived meanings of “chick lit” and its readers. I’d like to hope we’re moving closer to a time when looking at fiction through a gender-neutral lens is the norm. I want to know that you read a book because the topic is unique and interesting to your personal tastes. I don’t want to know that you picked up a book because someone told you it was the right fit for your gender.
What do you think about "chick lit?" Does the category bother you or are you an avid reader of these female-centric books? Discuss in the comments or write your own blog post and link up with us for The Book Chat, hosted by The Tangerine.
Daily Book Graphics #1353
Penulis : Unknown on Wednesday, 21 August 2013 | 08:05
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
©1975
On the Shelf: Y
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| Y | MARJORIE CELONA | HAMISH HAMILTON CANADA | 2012 |
“My life begins at the Y.” So opens Y, a novel about a wise-beyond-her-years foster child abandoned as a newborn on the doorstep of the local YMCA. Swaddled in a dirty gray sweatshirt with nothing but a Swiss Army knife tucked between her feet, little Shannon is discovered by a man who catches only a glimpse of her troubled mother as she disappears from view. That morning, all three lives are forever changed. Bounced between foster homes, Shannon endures abuse and neglect until she finally finds stability with Miranda, a kind but no-nonsense single mother with a free-spirited daughter of her own. Yet Shannon defines life on her own terms, refusing to settle down, and never stops longing to uncover her roots—especially the stubborn question of why her mother would abandon her on the day she was born.
Before the story begins, a page is dedicated to the various meanings of the letter y. The page claims y to be “that perfect letter.” It represents wishes (a wishbone) and the choice you have to make when a path diverges into two. It’s a question. It’s a short form for “yes,” a word that springs us all into action. “Y, a Greek letter, joined the Latin alphabet after the Romans conquered Greece in the first century – a double agent: consonant and vowel. No one used adverbs before then, and no one was happy.”
This very first page of Y had my mind spinning before the story even began. It’s literary fiction at its best, forcing the reader to think about large questions and apply them to his/her own life. It’s amazing how one thing, one letter, can have so many meanings.
Y continues down this path, only it’s Shannon who asks the questions. Abandoned as a newborn baby, Shannon narrates her way through numerous foster homes and struggles to accept and understand who she is without the knowledge of her past and her family to guide her.
I formed an immediate connection with Shannon. A meaningless fact in the novel struck a chord with me on the third page: “It is August 28th, at five-fifteen a.m.” August 28th is my birthday – and, evidently, Shannon’s birthday as well – so there was an unspoken bond made through circumstance.
Many of the books I love are narrated by children, but aren’t stories for children. Shannon is a great narrator, with all of her second-guessing and longing for acceptance. It is heartbreaking to read about some of her more troubling times in foster care and even more heartbreaking to read how her personality changes for the worse as she grows older. The past haunts and breaks her. She doesn’t cope well with not having the answers to her questions.
Y is a coming-of-age tale that feels different than other books in this category. It isn’t heavy with morality tales or life lessons, but instead tells the story of a troubled girl, and her troubled mother, both searching for answers. “Like mother, like daughter” is a strong sentiment in the novel even though Shannon and Yula’s lives take place a generation apart.
The back cover copy explains the heart of the book so wonderfully: “Y is a novel that asks “why?” even as it reveals that the answer isn’t always clear and that it may not always matter.”
Echoes of Paris
Penulis : Unknown on Tuesday, 20 August 2013 | 12:13
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
©1953 / 10 inch record
Semi-Daily Book Graphics #1352
Penulis : Unknown on Monday, 19 August 2013 | 16:09
Monday, 19 August 2013
©1977
Semi-Daily Book Graphics #1351
Penulis : Unknown on Sunday, 18 August 2013 | 19:58
Sunday, 18 August 2013
©1980
The 8 List: Required Reading
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| A few favourites I never would have found if not for required reading. |
#1 WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams
Bunnies. War. Sunshine.
#2 WINESBURG, OHIO by Sherwood Anderson
Small town. Loneliness. Quirky.
#3 KISS OF THE FUR QUEEN by Tomson Highway
Equality. Dance. Family.
#4 SONS AND LOVERS by D.H. Lawrence
Girlfriends. Mothers. Love.
#5 THE AWAKENING by Kate Chopin
Freedom. Feminism. Victorian.
#6 THE WARS by Timothy Findley
Photographs. Animals. War.
#7 THE BIG SLEEP by Raymond Chandler
Mystery. Femme fatale. Guns.
#8 WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte
Romance. Ghosts. Houses.
The Sunday News (08.18)
A weekly collection of storytelling links. Best enjoyed with coffee or tea on your Sunday morning, afternoon, or evening. This week's edition of The Sunday News is brought to you by literally, Ron Burgundy, and incest.
→ The informal definition of "literally" is causing controversy.
→ Do you like snail mail? Here's a collection of children's literature stamps from around the world.
→ Charlotte's Web was banned from a school in 2006 because "talking animals are blasphemous and unnatural." Buzzfeed presents 15 books banned for absurd reasons.
→ Stephenie Meyer is so over Twilight.
→ It's true, Penguin signed a thirteen-year-old author. All of you hoping-to-be-published writers are allowed to have an extra drink at dinner tonight.
→ The legendary anchorman Ron Burgundy is publishing his memoir.
→ Egmont partnered with a hotel chain to provide children's bedtime story books in a small hotel library.
→ Kiernan Shipka, known to most as Sally Draper on Mad Men, will star in the upcoming Lifetime adaptation of Flowers in the Attic.
Behind the Scenes of Behind the Scenes
Penulis : Unknown on Thursday, 15 August 2013 | 11:00
Thursday, 15 August 2013
No, it's not a glitch. This blog post's title is a little awkward because this edition of Behind the Scenes features Dahlia Adler and her manuscript, BEHIND THE SCENES. Does it make a little more sense now?
Dahlia is an Assistant Editor of Mathematics by day, a Copy Editor by night, a YA writer, and blogger at The Daily Dahlia and YA Misfits at every spare moment in between. She is represented by Lana Popovic of Zachary Shuster Harmsworth and her debut novel, BEHIND THE SCENES, releases from Spencer Hill Contemporary on June 24, 2014. You can find her on Twitter at @MissDahlELama.
Inspiration for Behind the Scenes:
Hollywood, 90210/Matt Lanter, “Factory Girl” by The Pretty Reckless, Paris/the Eiffel Tower, Florence/the statue of David, Ally, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Malibu
About Behind the Scenes:
“BEHIND THE SCENES is the story of Ally, a high school senior who finds herself in need of a job and ends up working as an assistant for her best friend, a rising TV star. While working on set, Alley falls for her best friend’s co-star, Liam, but just as she finds out her feelings are reciprocated, the show’s publicist forces her best friend and new boyfriend into a very public relationship for the cameras.
In my totally unbiased opinion, it’s a really fun Hollywood romance, but it’s also about the limits of friendship, the importance of having faith in the people you love, and opening your mind to accept alternate paths and realities. So while it definitely has its elements of wish fulfillment, I think – and hope! – everyone will find something to relate to!
There’s also a part of the story that’s based on my life, but it never seems to be the part people think it is!”
A piece of Dahlia’s writing process:
“The most necessary part of my writing process is probably having Gushers at my side – I like to call them ‘Writer Vitamins.’
As for the actual putting-words-down-on-paper part, I’d say my most useful external tool is the Evernote app. I commute over two hours a day, which is a lot of computer-less time, but Evernote allows me to jot down a quick quote or thought or even a scene. It’s been really instrumental for making the most of my time each day.
I also love creating playlists for manuscripts – when I find the right songs for a WIP, just hearing them can trigger my urge to work on that book, which is really helpful for getting into the zone during the limited time I have to write.”
Memoirs & Autobiographies
A great memoir is the most inspiring kind of book. Of course I love fictional stories, and words telling lies can be captivating and beautiful, but reading about someone’s life story and how they’ve overcome obstacles is a unique experience. I don’t read memoirs or autobiographies too often (I don’t think I’ve ever read an actual “autobiography”), but the few that I have read left a lasting impression on my mind.
Back in high school, when I was a little more wrapped up in celebrity culture, I loved Learning to Sing by Clay Aiken (yes, I went through a Clay Aiken phase) and Without You by Anthony Rapp. Both of these books covered completely different content, but I loved learning the personal stories behind “celebrity” figures.
There are two memoirs that immediately come to mind when I think of this genre. The Glass Castle and Girl, Interrupted. The Glass Castle explores issues of poverty (there are a couple scenes that are described a little too well for my liking). Girl, Interrupted explores life in a mental institution (a subject that I always find fascinating). I recommend both of these books if you’re looking for a captivating read.
I’m excited to read through everyone’s posts and write down a few memoirs and autobiographies to add to my to-read list. If you have a book in mind, please join us for this week’s book chat – hosted by The Tangerine.
Querying: Sample Pages
Penulis : Unknown on Wednesday, 14 August 2013 | 11:00
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Most literary agents will ask for a few samples pages to go along with your query letter. These sample pages are an extremely important part of your query. While the initial letter is meant to attract the agent’s attention and make him/her want to read your manuscript, the sample pages you provide show off your writing style.
- Follow the directions. If an agent’s submission guidelines ask you to submit the first five pages, then submit the first five pages. Ignoring the agent’s request is a mistake made far too often. If your sample pages end in the middle of a sentence, I’d suggest including the next few words to conclude the sample (but don't include one or two extra pages of text to end a chapter).
- Edit more than once. Your manuscript should already be edited (never submit to literary agents unless your manuscript is polished), but you want to go over your sample pages again before sending in your query letter. An agent is counting on these few sample pages to give off an impression of your writing style, so you want them to be free from errors.
- Consider the strength of your first chapter. Too often writers will submit pages from the middle of a manuscript because it is a “more interesting” scene or “shows off the writing” better than the beginning of the book. Your manuscript should shine from the very first paragraph. Of course the story is going to improve as someone reads along, but your opening pages should be captivating. If you picked the book up at a bookstore and read the first page, would you want to continue reading?
Remember that your query letter is only the first step to winning over an agent. Your sample pages need to deliver what your query promises, so you need to spend extra time critiquing and editing those pages before hitting send.
On the Shelf: Looking for Alaska
Penulis : Unknown on Tuesday, 13 August 2013 | 14:15
Tuesday, 13 August 2013
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| LOOKING FOR ALASKA | JOHN GREEN | SPEAK | 2005 |
Before: Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. After: Nothing is ever the same.
I was hesitant about posting a review for Looking for Alaska because I wasn’t sure if I could say anything about it that hasn’t already been said. I must be the last book lover to pick up this YA novel. I avoided John Green for a long time (I’m usually wary when a book or an author gets too much hype) and when I finally did read one of his novels (The Fault in Our Stars), it wasn't for me. (You can read my thoughts on The Fault in Our Stars here.)
I didn’t want to give up on John Green altogether. I expected to appreciate the writing in Looking for Alaska, but not necessarily love the plot. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I think it has more charm than TFiOS and I’m looking forward to reading Green’s other novels to see how they fall on the spectrum.
Looking for Alaska reminds me of The Catcher in the Rye except no character in Green’s novel is as insufferable as Holden Caulfield. I loved the layout of the chapters (I kept asking "before what?!" as I read through the first half of the book – and I still didn't quite understand what was going on when the “event” arrived). The characters are complex and filled with flaws (I much prefer flawed characters to cookie cutter stereotypes). The story is sincere and balances philosophical questions with real-life events.
If, for whatever reason, you’re like me and have avoided the John Green craze, I highly recommend Looking for Alaska. It’s a short novel with a quick pace that has a story packed with emotion. I had no idea what direction the narrative was going to take and I think you’ll be surprised as well.
A-Z Book Survey
Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner posted a book survey last Friday and encouraged the rest of us book bloggers to join in on the fun! There are 26 topics in the survey, one for each letter of the alphabet.
Author you’ve read the most books from.
It’s most definitely Francine Pascal because I think I read the entire Sweet Valley Twins series as a child. I don’t read many book series now (the one exception being Harry Potter). If we discount book series, then it's probably Ernest Hemingway.
Best sequel ever.
I rarely read series, so I truly don’t have a response for this letter.
Currently reading.
I’m still working on The Palace of Curiosities by Rosie Garland. I have not been reading very much these past couple of weeks.
Drink of choice while reading.
Coffee. I rarely read without a mug of coffee beside me. It’s no surprise that I’m addicted to books and caffeine.
E-reader or physical book?
Physical books. I do all of my work/intern reading on my iPad, so I prefer physical books when I read for fun. The difference between physical and digital formats helps me separate work and play, which I think is necessary because I read so much on a daily basis.
Fictional character you probably would have actually dated in high school.
Back when I read the Gossip Girl series, I had a book crush on Dan Humphry. Which is absolutely ridiculously (and sort of true to my real-life high school dating experience) when you know how his character develops throughout the books.
Glad you gave this book a chance.
Looking for Alaska by John Green. I was pleasantly surprised after not enjoying TFiOS.
Hidden gem book.
Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan is absolutely wonderful magical realism. Whenever I mention it to someone, they look at me with a blank stare.
Important moment in your reading life.
When my 3rd grade teacher recommended Danny the Champion of the World by Road Dahl. It was the first time I took something out from the school library that was different from everyone else and I’m pretty sure it’s where my passion for my books began. I loved that story.
Just finished.
Y by Marjorie Celona. I loved this one. Literary fiction about children always keep me interested.
Kinds of books you won’t read.
I don’t read romance. It’s not that I won’t read it, but I prefer books to have a plot beyond “boy meets girl,” “boy meets boy,” girl meets transgender boy,” etc.
Longest book you’ve ever read.
Goodreads tells me it’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. I’m perfectly okay with this because it’s my favourite book of the series.
Major book hangover because of…
I always have a “book hangover” after reading a great magical realism novel. After reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, nothing I read was good enough. Most recently, I felt this way after reading The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker.
Number of bookcases you own.
We currently have three big bookcases of books that have already been read (and my collection of fairy tale anthologies). I also have a smaller bookcase for my to-read “pile” and three small shelves for the vintage books I collect for my Etsy store.
One book you have read multiple times.
I’ve read Wicked by Gregory Maguire more than any other book. I re-read it every December (usually), so it’s become a sort of tradition.
Preferred place to read.
At home, I have a reading chair (which is somehow starting to fall apart now). However, I do like reading books at coffee shops – as long as they’re not too loud.
Quote from a book you’ve read that inspires you.
“I believe in story.” It’s a quote from Gregory Maguire’s What-the-Dickens and it (obviously) left a big impression.
Reading regret.
I regret neglecting contemporary books while in university. I fell in love with a lot of classics over the four years, but missed out on most of the new releases.
Series you started and need to finish.
Almost every single one. I have a habit of reading the first book in a series and never continuing. I plan to read the rest of The Hunger Games soon and I’d like to read all of His Dark Materials (I’ve only read The Golden Compass).
Three of your all-time favourite books.
Wicked by Gregory Maguire, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, and The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter.
Unapologetic fangirl for…
Fairy tale retellings. Magical realism. Short story collections.
Very excited for this release more than all the others.
Night Film by Marisha Pessl. I think about this book on a daily basis (excerpts, interviews with the author) and it’s not out until August 20th.
Worst bookish habit.
I write, underline, and highlight in my books all of the time. I also break the spines and dog-ear pages. I know these things bother a lot of book lovers, but I’m of the opinion that a book should look (and be) well-read.
X marks the spot: the 27th book on my shelf.
Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel.
Your latest book purchase.
The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer.
Zzz-snatcher book (latest book that kept you up way late).
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani. Middle grade books are always addictive.
Author you’ve read the most books from.
It’s most definitely Francine Pascal because I think I read the entire Sweet Valley Twins series as a child. I don’t read many book series now (the one exception being Harry Potter). If we discount book series, then it's probably Ernest Hemingway.
Best sequel ever.
I rarely read series, so I truly don’t have a response for this letter.
Currently reading.
I’m still working on The Palace of Curiosities by Rosie Garland. I have not been reading very much these past couple of weeks.
Drink of choice while reading.
Coffee. I rarely read without a mug of coffee beside me. It’s no surprise that I’m addicted to books and caffeine.
E-reader or physical book?
Physical books. I do all of my work/intern reading on my iPad, so I prefer physical books when I read for fun. The difference between physical and digital formats helps me separate work and play, which I think is necessary because I read so much on a daily basis.
Fictional character you probably would have actually dated in high school.
Back when I read the Gossip Girl series, I had a book crush on Dan Humphry. Which is absolutely ridiculously (and sort of true to my real-life high school dating experience) when you know how his character develops throughout the books.
Glad you gave this book a chance.
Looking for Alaska by John Green. I was pleasantly surprised after not enjoying TFiOS.
Hidden gem book.
Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan is absolutely wonderful magical realism. Whenever I mention it to someone, they look at me with a blank stare.
Important moment in your reading life.
When my 3rd grade teacher recommended Danny the Champion of the World by Road Dahl. It was the first time I took something out from the school library that was different from everyone else and I’m pretty sure it’s where my passion for my books began. I loved that story.
Just finished.
Y by Marjorie Celona. I loved this one. Literary fiction about children always keep me interested.
Kinds of books you won’t read.
I don’t read romance. It’s not that I won’t read it, but I prefer books to have a plot beyond “boy meets girl,” “boy meets boy,” girl meets transgender boy,” etc.
Longest book you’ve ever read.
Goodreads tells me it’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. I’m perfectly okay with this because it’s my favourite book of the series.
Major book hangover because of…
I always have a “book hangover” after reading a great magical realism novel. After reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, nothing I read was good enough. Most recently, I felt this way after reading The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker.
Number of bookcases you own.
We currently have three big bookcases of books that have already been read (and my collection of fairy tale anthologies). I also have a smaller bookcase for my to-read “pile” and three small shelves for the vintage books I collect for my Etsy store.
One book you have read multiple times.
I’ve read Wicked by Gregory Maguire more than any other book. I re-read it every December (usually), so it’s become a sort of tradition.
Preferred place to read.
At home, I have a reading chair (which is somehow starting to fall apart now). However, I do like reading books at coffee shops – as long as they’re not too loud.
Quote from a book you’ve read that inspires you.
“I believe in story.” It’s a quote from Gregory Maguire’s What-the-Dickens and it (obviously) left a big impression.
Reading regret.
I regret neglecting contemporary books while in university. I fell in love with a lot of classics over the four years, but missed out on most of the new releases.
Series you started and need to finish.
Almost every single one. I have a habit of reading the first book in a series and never continuing. I plan to read the rest of The Hunger Games soon and I’d like to read all of His Dark Materials (I’ve only read The Golden Compass).
Three of your all-time favourite books.
Wicked by Gregory Maguire, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, and The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter.
Unapologetic fangirl for…
Fairy tale retellings. Magical realism. Short story collections.
Very excited for this release more than all the others.
Night Film by Marisha Pessl. I think about this book on a daily basis (excerpts, interviews with the author) and it’s not out until August 20th.
Worst bookish habit.
I write, underline, and highlight in my books all of the time. I also break the spines and dog-ear pages. I know these things bother a lot of book lovers, but I’m of the opinion that a book should look (and be) well-read.
X marks the spot: the 27th book on my shelf.
Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel.
Your latest book purchase.
The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer.
Zzz-snatcher book (latest book that kept you up way late).
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani. Middle grade books are always addictive.
Daily Book Graphics #1349
Penulis : Unknown on Sunday, 11 August 2013 | 08:22
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Early 1970's
The Sunday News (08.11)
A weekly collection of storytelling links. Best enjoyed with coffee or tea on your Sunday morning, afternoon, or evening. This week's edition of The Sunday News is brought to you by Orange is the New Black, Meryl Streep, and vintage magazines.
→ A lovely list of 10 Illustrated Books Made for the iPad. Does reading a picture book on a screen take some of the magic away?
→ This tumblr is determined to name all the books shown on Orange is the New Black. If you're a fan of the show, you should take a look!
→ I love this Guide to YA Novels with LGBTQ Characters.
→ Did you hear that Meryl Streep will be the Chief Elder in a movie adaptation of The Giver?!
→ Archie Comics to release horror stories. Will you be reading the undead version of Betty and Veronica?
→ Mental Floss highlights The Very First Issues of 19 Famous Magazines.
→ Looking for the perfect book to read this summer? Check out Flavorwire's list of What to Read While You're Missing Your Favourite TV Shows. I need to pick up copies of Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link and Bad Behavior by Mary Gaitskill. Let me know if you've read one of them!
→ A lovely list of 10 Illustrated Books Made for the iPad. Does reading a picture book on a screen take some of the magic away?
→ This tumblr is determined to name all the books shown on Orange is the New Black. If you're a fan of the show, you should take a look!
→ I love this Guide to YA Novels with LGBTQ Characters.
→ Archie Comics to release horror stories. Will you be reading the undead version of Betty and Veronica?
→ Mental Floss highlights The Very First Issues of 19 Famous Magazines.
La photo de la semaine
Penulis : Unknown on Friday, 9 August 2013 | 22:04
Friday, 9 August 2013
Pour AMARTIA
Décor de rues à CUNEO (Piémont)
...
(photo prise par Guillaume)
AMITIES
Il semblerait que le méchant virus qui parasitait mon blog soit parti et que je puisse enfin en avoir l'accès ...
Summer Reading
I am oh so happy that The Book Chat is back! This week we're catching up and discussing what we've been reading this summer.
While I usually devour books through the summer season, this year it has been a little different because the majority of my reading material has been for my internships. I've read some lovely manuscripts lately and I wish I could tell everyone about them! I'm in the middle of one right now that is equal parts amazing and creepy.
The book I am currently reading (and loving) THE PALACE OF CURIOSITIES by Rosie Garland, pictured above. I bought this book because I loved the cover design (I've had a love affair with gold lately) and a review featured on the back cover compares the writing to Angela Carter. I'm not too far into the story yet, but I think it's a fair comparison. It's making me wish I could read Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber for the first time again. I'm looking forward to devoting some time to finish the book and really get lost in the story.
Summer always makes me nostalgic about childhood, so I think I want to add a few middle grade novels to my list for August. What is your favourite middle grade novel? Let me know in the comments!
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