tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39177296372804391802024-03-06T19:33:38.079-08:00Amparo OrtizAmparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-85233294539931333932019-10-13T08:42:00.000-07:002019-10-13T08:42:49.910-07:00Once More With DRAGONS: My YA Book Deal Announcement Is Out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_JvdFAdj3TvginW7nwmrURf2lxYpigG2z6kI-6yeGORqZztoQyiliNyrFKxWAvS_kZCWMFWA_p-vi7o90KU5RWQubZuxPSaM_DVYXk60UxHVUlhwkM84Z0OfqpZO06Up3mi51cSbe_L3/s1600/Blazewrath+Announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_JvdFAdj3TvginW7nwmrURf2lxYpigG2z6kI-6yeGORqZztoQyiliNyrFKxWAvS_kZCWMFWA_p-vi7o90KU5RWQubZuxPSaM_DVYXk60UxHVUlhwkM84Z0OfqpZO06Up3mi51cSbe_L3/s640/Blazewrath+Announcement.jpg" width="443" /></a></div>
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There you have it, folks. BLAZEWRATH, also known as The Book Of My Dreams, will be published in Fall 2020. </div>
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I can’t believe I wrote that sentence.</div>
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This book has been haunting me since 2014. It took me two years to
figure out the story it really was, and to find the courage to write it.
No other book had intimidated me quite like this one. I figured I was
too terrible of a writer to actually try drafting it. When I finally
started it in December 2016, it was a slow and painful process made even
more so after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017.
That first draft took a backseat while I dealt with the lack of power,
water, and the will to do anything productive. Hands down, it was the
worst period of my life.</div>
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I hope to write more about how BLAZEWRATH came to be a completed
manuscript, and how it’s going to be a real book next year. For now, I
just wanted to share my excitement over a project that’s challenged me
and fulfilled me the most out of anything I’ve written. This wild ride
started three years ago. </div>
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I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.</div>
Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-34150083588168275002018-11-12T18:04:00.001-08:002021-09-28T12:52:47.224-07:00Book Launch Interview: Mia Garcia & THE RESOLUTIONS!Hi, there! Today I'm super excited to share an interview with one of my favorite authors, Mia Garcia!<br />
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<i>M. García was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She moved to New
York where she studied creative writing at The New School, worked in
publishing, and lived under a pile of to-be-read books. She is the
author of <b>Even If the Sky Falls</b> and the upcoming <b>The Resolutions</b> from Katherine Tegen books (an imprint of Harper Collins) coming November 13, 2018.</i> </div>
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That's right. <i><b>The Resolutions</b></i> is out TODAY. Here's a bit more about this amazing book:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vrdgepW-XLZXnBGzvldy0T9FP4AGM9X67NQih-1xeJfqJ5O4zCYkK9HEFBT8clAn3gRtFB6qh5AkGLINqPAxOqWR5LRSD5QOR52swGXhD6ub9vWxhkS8k_6uLw7PKhtq2143QOy8yAMQ/s1600/Resolutions+Cover+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vrdgepW-XLZXnBGzvldy0T9FP4AGM9X67NQih-1xeJfqJ5O4zCYkK9HEFBT8clAn3gRtFB6qh5AkGLINqPAxOqWR5LRSD5QOR52swGXhD6ub9vWxhkS8k_6uLw7PKhtq2143QOy8yAMQ/s400/Resolutions+Cover+2.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<i><b>A heart-expanding novel
about four Latinx teens who make New Year’s resolutions for one
another—and the whirlwind of a year that follows. Fans of Erika L.
Sánchez and Emery Lord will fall for this story of friendship, identity,
and the struggle of finding yourself when all you want is to start
over. </b></i><br />
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<i>From hiking trips to four-person birthday parties
to never-ending group texts, Jess, Lee, Ryan, and Nora have always been
inseparable. But now with senior year on the horizon, they’ve been
growing apart. And so, as always, Jess makes a plan. </i><br />
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<i>Reinstating
their usual tradition of making resolutions together on New Year’s Eve,
Jess adds a new twist: instead of making their own resolutions, the four
friends assign them to one another—dares like kiss someone you know is
wrong for you, find your calling outside your mom’s Puerto Rican
restaurant, finally learn Spanish, and say yes to everything.</i><br />
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<i>But
as the year unfolds, Jess, Lee, Ryan, and Nora each test the bonds that
hold them together. And amid first loves, heartbreaks, and life-changing
decisions, beginning again is never as simple as it seems.</i></div>
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In honor of Mia's book birthday, I sent her some questions and did my best not to <i>exclusively</i> discuss food (it was very hard not to!). Here's what Mia had to say:<br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>1) Let's talk writing. How would you
describe your drafting process for <i>The Resolutions</i>? How did it
differ from your (AMAZING) debut, <i>Even If The Sky Falls</i>? </b></span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">This is an excellent question because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even If the Sky Falls</i> felt like such a
plot driven story – not that emotions didn’t play a large role in it – but
because of the 24-hour time constraint I had to keep the action going and make
sure you were always aware of the storm that was approaching moments away. </span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">With <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Resolutions</i> we follow four characters over a whole year, which meant I had
more time to work with feelings and linger on small moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also meant that with four characters
that time was limited. </span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I forgot where I was going with this…Ah
yes. Both novels were started under-contract so I had a strict deadline for
both. Both were written in under 4 months and each editorial round took around
6 weeks to complete. But (going back to my earlier statement) because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even If the Sky Falls</i> was a much more
plot driven story, there was a clear skeletal structure that I could grasp onto
while I was editing. It took me several revisions to find that structure in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Resolutions</i> because each character
had their own beat and each beat had to come together with the other to form a
symphony or at least a runaway pop hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>2) <i>The Resolutions</i> centers
around a group of friends who pick New Year's resolutions for each other
(confession: I wouldn't trust <i>my</i> friends with that, lol). What
came first during your brainstorming process for this particular story, the
characters or the premise? </b></span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I hear you – I’m not sure if I’d trust my
friends with that either, though I have a feeling I know exactly what they’d
pick. </span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Resolutions</i> was a
collaboration between my editor Alex Arnold and myself. We both have a love of
book friendships. In fact, I think the way she described this book when it was
announced was “friendship = life’s blood” which is totally true. We
brainstormed each character’s resolutions, which gave us the skeleton for the
story. But it wasn’t until I figured out their relationship and voices (and
particularly their repartee) that things really came together. My favorite
scenes to write were the text exchanges and the moments where they were being
silly and supporting each other.</span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>3) One of the reasons why I love <i>The
Resolutions</i> so much is the FOOD. You have no idea how stoked I am to
see Puerto Rican cuisine so often in this story. If you could eat only <i>one</i> Puerto
Rican dish for the rest of your life, which one would it be?</b></span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Amparo! How could you do this to me? ONE
dish!?! Can I have a savory and sweet dish? I’m going to pretend you said yes. </span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I’m a sucker for a good bistec and
habichuelas – particularly because I can never find recao over here so it never
tastes right when I make it. For dessert I am very judgmental of flan/tres
leches because I’m partial to my mami’s. OMG I almost forgot mallorcas – like –
how could I? </span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Clearly I can’t answer this question…</span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>4) If you were a character in <i>The
Resolutions</i>, what's a resolution you'd like for your friends to pick for
you? It can be one that's not featured in the book!</b></span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ohh, that’s interesting, because I put a
little of myself in each of my four main characters so in a way it feels like I’m
in the novel already, but…Amparo this is hard!! OK, I think they would
encourage me to have a little more patience with the dating process, but to be
honest it feels like another job and I don’t need another job! <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>5) Which fictional character from any
other story would you pick a resolution for and what would that resolution be? </b></span></div>
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I would tell Minerva McGonagall to take a
sabbatical – she needs it. </span></div>
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Thank you so much to Mia for letting me pick her brain! Make sure to get your copy of <i><b>The Resolutions</b></i> at the links below: </div>
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<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062656827" target="_blank">IndieBound</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Resolutions-Mia-Garcia/dp/0062656821/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1518802204&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-resolutions-mia-garcia/1127171420;jsessionid=19CDC29AF3EF310E47004965590C3575.prodny_store02-atgap08?ean=9780062656827&st=AFF&2sid=HarperCollins%20Publishers%20LLC_7310909_NA&sourceId=AFFHarperCollins%20Publishers%20LLC#/" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Resolutions/Mia-Garcia/9780062656827?id=7344503697608" target="_blank">Books A Million</a></div>
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Also, you can follow Mia here:</div>
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<a href="https://www.mgarciabooks.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/MGarciaWrites" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mgarciawrites/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> / <a href="https://mgarciawrites.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr </a>/ <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/MGarciaWrites/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> </div>
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<br />Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-8655684844614346302016-01-29T10:29:00.004-08:002016-01-29T10:29:52.604-08:00New Website!So I have a website.<br />
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You can check it out <b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.amparoortiz.com/" target="_blank">here</a></span></b>.<br />
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I'll still keep this blog around, but I'll be putting up more content on the new site more often. *pets new site* *blows kisses*<br />
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Happy Friday!<br />
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<br />Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-45870425131796221342016-01-04T12:46:00.001-08:002016-01-04T12:46:57.226-08:00Pride & Prejudice: My 2016 Reading Goal<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOg2cYnmITRZLvrsbp9I15fiHi4RL7afQAsu_fR2wv51TSQsajsjjTCB_CzIeamel9wbtc14Ci3hGscpWXcNCBfmysUZnp1vDo2mFExUTMZWqQpAYYLgfgYly8TAwBQ0v-d_52ei1r-6h/s1600/x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOg2cYnmITRZLvrsbp9I15fiHi4RL7afQAsu_fR2wv51TSQsajsjjTCB_CzIeamel9wbtc14Ci3hGscpWXcNCBfmysUZnp1vDo2mFExUTMZWqQpAYYLgfgYly8TAwBQ0v-d_52ei1r-6h/s400/x600.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">now KISS!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So. There's this book called <i><span style="color: #274e13;">Pride and Prejudice</span></i>, right? I'm sure you've read it. Multiple times. Because it's fantastic.</div>
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I've never read it.</div>
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I've started it, gotten halfway through it, but life happened and I put it aside and I haven't forgiven myself since.</div>
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Which is why I have two reading goals for 2016.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Goal #1</b>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read 50 books (and have the majority of those books be YA novels).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Goal #2</b>: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finish <i><span style="color: #274e13;">Pride and Prejudice</span></i>. </span></div>
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This is the year, folks. I'm finally reading the whole thing because holy smoke bombs it's about time. As soon as I finish the book, I'm watching the film adaptation with Keira Knightley, since a few of my friends are obsessed with it. </div>
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*cracks knuckles* </div>
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Let's do this, Austen!! </div>
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Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-5993763661296441302015-12-30T10:55:00.000-08:002015-12-30T11:01:01.010-08:00Thank You, 2015. You Were F*cking Swell.<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. The last day of 2015.</div>
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<b>Confession:</b> 2015 was the best year of my life. Hands down. Yes, I've had some amazing things happen to me in previous years, but as a whole, this one takes the crown. </div>
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I presented at my first academic conference.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehux1KedIOIZmVEJOOE0G56xi3B9d6-gzHvZeL5shcxeanav5kXxw28I_PQAG9fYb_a1-LWRMO_kJ5vf6uDH1Hp7X3SQwLMGm55AgDFc9W3_qauLejtO9g2PgKQV21wqIu24UcmWwTZcH/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehux1KedIOIZmVEJOOE0G56xi3B9d6-gzHvZeL5shcxeanav5kXxw28I_PQAG9fYb_a1-LWRMO_kJ5vf6uDH1Hp7X3SQwLMGm55AgDFc9W3_qauLejtO9g2PgKQV21wqIu24UcmWwTZcH/s400/IMG_1698.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Mad Max: Fury Road</i> became my new favorite movie ever.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO6ClGod9-UJ78G9yfa9T4jEL1kfpLawzho3pw4TJDjQrXc4w5TFVrcZXJljSWbMgJM1CQLzigfwR7fD4Mpk4GmvNUE6QsXjWP4o604HQuMyBPF62B_sTFsN308BcfGX8cADEJmAkmvUt/s1600/mad-max-furiosa-e1433201639266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO6ClGod9-UJ78G9yfa9T4jEL1kfpLawzho3pw4TJDjQrXc4w5TFVrcZXJljSWbMgJM1CQLzigfwR7fD4Mpk4GmvNUE6QsXjWP4o604HQuMyBPF62B_sTFsN308BcfGX8cADEJmAkmvUt/s400/mad-max-furiosa-e1433201639266.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I traveled alone for the first time. Destination: Washington, D.C. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAOBz0u-SjDAWjqIcPQgE5i9lMTmBVF3hOOaID0uMCkZ1TziiXrCEjnswa_yvRSi_mUVmtQPyjabzh_RRxqRRN7ArKhsFpDwbGuH9KnJ5OeL24-bI3JUiNPgmbt6d5H_AwSm-XGiwWdEQ/s1600/DSC03427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAOBz0u-SjDAWjqIcPQgE5i9lMTmBVF3hOOaID0uMCkZ1TziiXrCEjnswa_yvRSi_mUVmtQPyjabzh_RRxqRRN7ArKhsFpDwbGuH9KnJ5OeL24-bI3JUiNPgmbt6d5H_AwSm-XGiwWdEQ/s400/DSC03427.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I went to my first <i>Supernatural</i> fan convention.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgiuv3SlGkR7gqHWXEbqF3Jtpf9TXAXKGhE9xykTJR6BOEd0O9dLY1hRALWFKd6PFu-wgAtZty7GHF2QqaPHt29uqPl9bmiLz3i2myTNSGq4EzrO__mFJOhCa2_L7gvLhE2koqlNR4LAg/s1600/DSC03462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgiuv3SlGkR7gqHWXEbqF3Jtpf9TXAXKGhE9xykTJR6BOEd0O9dLY1hRALWFKd6PFu-wgAtZty7GHF2QqaPHt29uqPl9bmiLz3i2myTNSGq4EzrO__mFJOhCa2_L7gvLhE2koqlNR4LAg/s400/DSC03462.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej0byyf0AfDFW1JEGAdyEUx81W5WrXZcAkhyUO7rDetvFZrEEWdae-zpgECN1eBd7wJLoPcxfy69c5vkbY9hgwAZbVjXBYvUh596k4ExTEjT4PXTyUcghdfkm_2UBMKDrd_M49_5Jwj4s/s1600/DSC03455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej0byyf0AfDFW1JEGAdyEUx81W5WrXZcAkhyUO7rDetvFZrEEWdae-zpgECN1eBd7wJLoPcxfy69c5vkbY9hgwAZbVjXBYvUh596k4ExTEjT4PXTyUcghdfkm_2UBMKDrd_M49_5Jwj4s/s400/DSC03455.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me. In a hotel bathroom. Wearing my con badge. </td></tr>
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I MET JENSEN ACKLES. AND I HUGGED HIM.</div>
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The rest of the cast was A+++, of course, BUT JENSEN ACKLES Y'ALL.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4cY5-lAgf91EXd-3DuG2ejT7F_QjohlA3opDxcwtXND3RpBI1hA59EZT1I8-HDvZpv_mbqoqfdmyC4W-yTbKDjZAVnA3nb90131x_BCXPIu2UgsFqEfTkpv6TzvswVjdfjVEPnciye-Z/s1600/tumblr_ns9p4zzCVs1re79zlo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4cY5-lAgf91EXd-3DuG2ejT7F_QjohlA3opDxcwtXND3RpBI1hA59EZT1I8-HDvZpv_mbqoqfdmyC4W-yTbKDjZAVnA3nb90131x_BCXPIu2UgsFqEfTkpv6TzvswVjdfjVEPnciye-Z/s400/tumblr_ns9p4zzCVs1re79zlo1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you've forgotten what he looks like.<br />Which, by the way, is punishable by exile to a world without pizza. </td></tr>
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I recorded episodes for two of my friends' podcasts. Friend 1: <i>The Walking Dead</i> episode. Friend 2: <i>Archie</i> comics episode. </div>
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<i>Mockingjay Pt. 2</i> closed the series in spectacular (and emotional) fashion.</div>
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I signed with my agent!!!!</div>
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The spark I was missing to fix my manuscript is back in full force. </div>
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Lastly, I celebrated my 29th birthday by returning to Las Vegas. </div>
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Where I met One Direction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oJLr5M4DMTmLlFSjsmGSLmB2j1_-xWEgvU-jVoIaWxTZ66g4CuqqcHiwLbsnPMHSXIMaB6cftDXYrqRVBMPU2p3LqM7L2GZ73mdfbsIZHugiOGyy3YiAGFAM9fqnsiF6CvNljzIx6vYa/s1600/DSC03726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oJLr5M4DMTmLlFSjsmGSLmB2j1_-xWEgvU-jVoIaWxTZ66g4CuqqcHiwLbsnPMHSXIMaB6cftDXYrqRVBMPU2p3LqM7L2GZ73mdfbsIZHugiOGyy3YiAGFAM9fqnsiF6CvNljzIx6vYa/s400/DSC03726.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Okay, okay. I met Wax One Direction. </div>
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That still counts.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6ec8n842iO4p5VbtXc-zoCZTU9csZOO9EdROGsBbplmPr2IWVBhDTrSfcLVlICMFUzxM8XKE0_KSzrJQ30ApjFKc25wu6hq3IL70NbzNe4QoyowjZAz0_S-0TqW2XFgcSFT3R1eEUizB/s1600/DSC03727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6ec8n842iO4p5VbtXc-zoCZTU9csZOO9EdROGsBbplmPr2IWVBhDTrSfcLVlICMFUzxM8XKE0_KSzrJQ30ApjFKc25wu6hq3IL70NbzNe4QoyowjZAz0_S-0TqW2XFgcSFT3R1eEUizB/s400/DSC03727.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Wax Niall. <br />
*cuddles*</td></tr>
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So here's the deal. 2016 is right around the corner. I'm not totally ready to say goodbye to the best year of my life, but I'm ready to welcome better things. I'm ready to fight for my happiness again. Because that's what 2015 taught me. <b>If I want something bad enough, I have to work for it, and if I work for it, sometimes, maybe, I can get it.</b> </div>
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2016, you don't stand a chance against me, kid.</div>
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Happy New Year!! :) </div>
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Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-87778934078268976862015-12-23T10:35:00.004-08:002015-12-23T10:38:24.900-08:00How I Got My Agent, Part III: The Call<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. I've already discussed <b><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://amparo-ortiz.blogspot.com/2015/12/how-i-got-my-agent-part-i-timeline.html" target="_blank">my querying timeline</a></span></b> and <b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://amparo-ortiz.blogspot.com/2015/12/how-i-got-my-agent-part-ii-pitch.html" target="_blank">writing a one-line pitch</a></span></b> for my manuscript. </div>
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Now let's talk about The Call. </div>
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<b>November 2015</b>: Even though Linda emailed me on Thanksgiving Day, I didn't see her email until three days later. THREE DAYS. *face palm* I quickly wrote back saying that, indeed, I'd love to schedule a chat with her. We agreed on a date. I tried not to get <i>too</i> excited, seeing as my manuscript wasn't complete. Well, the old version was, but I'd started a brand new one. No chance I'd get offered representation with a manuscript in such a state.</div>
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<b>December 2, 2015:</b> Linda calls me to discuss revisions. We talked about my manuscript's new direction, our favorite books, diversity in YA fiction, my job as a college instructor, and life in Puerto Rico. I also pitched three other manuscript ideas I had. Linda sounded super enthusiastic about them (!!!). After an hour of awesome conversation, Linda told me she enjoyed speaking with me and hearing about my revision plan for the manuscript.<br />
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Then she said, "I would love to offer you representation."<br />
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COMMENCE THIRD AND FINAL FREAKOUT.<br />
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I can't remember how long my silence lasted, but Linda was gracious enough to carry on as I fainted on the inside. I proceeded to ask her some standard questions for when agents offer rep, as well as some questions of my own. To be honest, I don't even know why I interviewed her. My mind had already been made. So after Linda answered my questions, I accepted her offer of rep (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).<br />
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And now we've reached the end of this tale, my friends. I'm super pumped about what's next, which is a loooooot of revisions. A lot. Did I mention a lot? Because a lot.<br />
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Now if you'll excuse me, I must go finish a celebratory donut. It would be unwise to tell you how many I've eaten in the last month.<br />
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Happy holidays!</div>
Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-29817883925544981222015-12-19T05:15:00.002-08:002015-12-23T10:38:36.271-08:00How I Got My Agent, Part II: The Pitch<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. I've already shared a timeline and my query stats in <b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://amparo-ortiz.blogspot.com/2015/12/how-i-got-my-agent-part-i-timeline.html" target="_blank">Part I</a></span></b>. Today I'm talking about The Pitch that saved my life. </div>
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I ended my last post like this:</div>
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<b>October 2015:</b> Linda emails me out of the blue to ask how revisions are coming along.</div>
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I don't think there's an emoji that could accurately represent the sound that came from my lips. It was a happy noise of happiness. And panic. Panicked happiness. I was thrilled that she remembered my lil' old manuscript and that she wanted to see if I was still alive. I was also panicked because I hadn't done a thing to revise it. So I did some heavy brainstorming and light plotting.<br />
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The problem? The draft Linda read didn't speak to me anymore. I wanted to write a different story with the same characters and world. The new version hit me hard. It wouldn't let me go. So I sat down and worked on a one-line pitch.<br />
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Confession: I <i>love</i> writing one-line pitches. This one poured out of me, even though I was still unsure of sending it to Linda. She <i>did</i> contact me because of the previous version. I had no guarantee that pitching a different story was going to be a sound decision. I did it anyway. After polishing the one-line pitch, I wrote back to Linda.<br />
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She gave me the thumbs-up.<br />
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She told me to revise to my heart's content and keep her updated on how revisions were coming along. The plan was to send her the new manuscript once it was ready.<br />
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So I started revising. That one-line pitch served as my inspiration to go full force on this story. I wrote five chapters and had started a sixth.<br />
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<b>November 2015</b>: (Thanksgiving Day, to be precise) Linda emails me to schedule a chat.<br />
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COMMENCE SECOND FREAKOUT.<br />
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On my next and final post, I'll talk about The Call and signing with my agent. *flails*</div>
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Happy weekend!<br />
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Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-90524289071859077372015-12-09T10:38:00.000-08:002015-12-30T09:12:01.513-08:00How I Got My Agent, Part I: A Timeline & Query Stats <div style="text-align: justify;">
So. Earlier this week, I threw an <b><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://amparo-ortiz.blogspot.com/2015/12/breaking-news-i-have-agent_7.html" target="_blank">agent announcement party</a></span></b> with y'all. Today I'm sharing the story of how I got my agent. Mind you, I didn't spend a ton of time querying, and I'll explain why below. But first, let's begin with some stats:</div>
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<b>From first draft to query-ready draf</b>t: 3 years</div>
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<b>First query sent</b>: April 2015</div>
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<b>Total queries sent:</b> 12</div>
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<b>Full requests:</b> 4</div>
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<b>Full rejections:</b> 4</div>
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<b>Full rejections w/feedback:</b> 2</div>
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<b>Stopped querying to revise:</b> July 2015</div>
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Out of the two agents who sent me super helpful feedback, Linda was one of them. I (shyly) asked if she'd be interested in reading the revised manuscript once it was ready. To my surprise and excitement, she said yes.<br />
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The only problem? I didn't revise at all. I got sucked into a vortex of self-doubt and panic. I felt like my manuscript's premise wasn't innovative or original enough. Yes, the writing was good, but not great. There was too much backstory. I had characters with motivations left to clarify. There was just nothing that screamed SNATCH ME UP too loudly.<br />
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So I put off revisions and went on with my life. I <i>did</i> brainstorm from time to time, but never sat down to actually work on those new ideas.<br />
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<b>October 2015:</b> Linda emails me out of the blue to ask how revisions are coming along.<br />
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COMMENCE FREAKOUT. </div>
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So. On my next post, I'll write about what happened after that super awesome email. It will contain lots of exclamation points and Caps Lock. Because obviously.</div>
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Have a lovely day!!</div>
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Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-56328059286458430552015-12-07T10:46:00.000-08:002015-12-07T18:17:51.170-08:00Breaking News: I Have An Agent!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So. I'm here today to make an announcement. </div>
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What announcement, you ask? </div>
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I HAVE AN AGENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div>
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*flails*</div>
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I'm now represented by the super awesome <b><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.prospectagency.com/zoo.html" target="_blank">Linda Camacho of Prospect Agency</a></span></b>! </div>
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*flails even harder*</div>
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I'll totally share my querying (and signing with Linda!!) story at a later time, but for now, REJOICE. You get to eat cyber pizza, ice cream, and cake with me! Not as good as the real thing, but no worries. I'll eat all of it on your behalf. :) </div>
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Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to flailing. I don't think I've done enough of that. </div>
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*flails forever*</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D3917729637280439180%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F--TQ7TCDP7Tw%2FVmXPUOFeRWI%2FAAAAAAAACqo%2FWvnltYu-dzg%2Fs640%2FAgent%252BAnnouncement%252B4.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=0GGcAWYwFcSH&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 144px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 36px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D3917729637280439180%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F--TQ7TCDP7Tw%2FVmXPUOFeRWI%2FAAAAAAAACqo%2FWvnltYu-dzg%2Fs640%2FAgent%252BAnnouncement%252B4.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=0GGcAWYwFcSH&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 144px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 36px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-72317563525050265852015-11-20T06:49:00.001-08:002015-11-20T06:49:32.607-08:00An Open Letter To MOCKINGJAY PART 2<span style="text-align: justify;">Dear MOCKINGJAY PART 2,</span><br />
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I saw you yesterday. The theater was packed, of course. Lots of early risers ready for some closure. You lasted a bit, but I didn't feel like you were taking your time in vain. Every second counted. Every second mattered. Just like your literary counterpart, you were hard to swallow at times. I know a lot of people hated reading those pages. They hated the whole thing, even. You were a disappointment on the page for them, and so, many think you will be a disappointment on the screen.</div>
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I'm not disappointed.</div>
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This is what I believe: there's nothing tragic about surviving. Yes, unspeakable horrors happen in war. Win or lose, we're all losers anyway. We lose people. We lose parts of our hearts, ourselves. </div>
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Katniss Everdeen loses a lot. <b>Still, the reason why I respect her, the reason why I love you, MOCKINGJAY PART 2, is because she loses and fights on anyway</b>. It's so hard for Katniss. Impossible at times, even. But she keeps. Pushing. Forward. She has to acknowledge everything is not okay in order to have the slightest chance at ever believing it can be okay again. </div>
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I strive to be as strong as her every single day. I wasn't born in District 12. I don't know how to hunt. Braiding my hair on a daily basis? Nope. Not for me. I'm not Katniss Everdeen, but she's shown me how important it is to survive. To fight for what matters. Then, and only then, can I truly live. </div>
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So thanks, MOCKINGJAY PART 2. You weren't perfect, but you were everything I wanted.</div>
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Love,</div>
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A Grateful Fan</div>
Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-34631439007615538752015-10-12T10:47:00.002-07:002015-10-12T10:47:35.266-07:00On Redefining My Reader Comfort Zone<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. Books. I read them.</div>
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Or, I should say, <i>try</i> to read them. My Goodreads challenge has been politely reminding me that I still have a lot of catching up to do this year. "Fret not," I tell myself. "You'll get there!"</div>
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On the way there (there: 40 books), I've discovered something. My reading comfort zone is YA literature. It has been for a long time. However, this year has brought me a slew of books outside of YA that I've fallen head over heels for. Some of them are graphic novels. Others are nonfiction books. And a few are books written by actors I admire. </div>
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This last category is a game changer for me. I've always been the kind of person who's learned a lot by watching other people's mistakes. Sure, I learn from my own, too. I still prefer it when others are teaching me how to fail. And, more importantly, how to get back up after failing. </div>
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One recommendation? In case you haven't checked it out, Mindy Kaling's second book is titled <i>Why Not Me?</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk_YBZKsUIOgI6GvuabTfBrey6z3npOadqFjXRgTXYRQ7D4vq4suUZUrgxzNPjqXpp3dxI-bFh1bf_kh_2KTY9vMGqa3pDXJy1Un1y7RWuwNHoaPbGdK9mm3dKH2vq1B4PGxcsHTgcwvk/s1600/635685174558718456-Why-Not-Me-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk_YBZKsUIOgI6GvuabTfBrey6z3npOadqFjXRgTXYRQ7D4vq4suUZUrgxzNPjqXpp3dxI-bFh1bf_kh_2KTY9vMGqa3pDXJy1Un1y7RWuwNHoaPbGdK9mm3dKH2vq1B4PGxcsHTgcwvk/s400/635685174558718456-Why-Not-Me-Final.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I've also read Mindy's first book, which I loved to bits. Mindy's hilarious, yes, but she's this beacon of empowerment for me. Her advice to young girls and women is simple. Be yourself. Work hard for what you want. Embrace your numerous crushes on male celebrities (my personal favorite). </div>
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This is me basically telling you that you need to fangirl over Mindy Kaling and her awesomeness. This is also me basically telling you to not limit yourself, even if you already know the kind of stories you enjoy. I never thought I'd devour a book written by a celebrity. Now I've devoured more than one and have learned from all of them. </div>
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I'll go back to reading my beloved YA soon, but I'm not longer so judgmental about other options. </div>
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Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-40165614466463826792015-07-29T13:44:00.000-07:002015-07-29T13:44:35.681-07:00So I Met Jensen Ackles...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAutoWtNENXOAy_g7l2n2RAWxCjUCtPaTeSBmAxEHuKlAEoF-OY-fyQf-EKR8Ju5h5BfsJmkRNVuz4PGlAmBFw8-eGDkfxCRELIOHqfbQ4Bsyaw_YoDEyvsf4Fdsk-Gi4gkSVQsbFKwopY/s1600/Jensen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAutoWtNENXOAy_g7l2n2RAWxCjUCtPaTeSBmAxEHuKlAEoF-OY-fyQf-EKR8Ju5h5BfsJmkRNVuz4PGlAmBFw8-eGDkfxCRELIOHqfbQ4Bsyaw_YoDEyvsf4Fdsk-Gi4gkSVQsbFKwopY/s400/Jensen1.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNLFAco_F3xmWCRqWyhmp7dYJPyucG7C8Y9EaX9A__m_vns0_TVpovBL6bX0W2Oi_aiGnu8eRaVP6iPQfx83pKFFaWq7S5ulhtXLGwlJDEevXDPHsrCpvuSYsFlcacr49li3zTqm2o9jS/s1600/Jensen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNLFAco_F3xmWCRqWyhmp7dYJPyucG7C8Y9EaX9A__m_vns0_TVpovBL6bX0W2Oi_aiGnu8eRaVP6iPQfx83pKFFaWq7S5ulhtXLGwlJDEevXDPHsrCpvuSYsFlcacr49li3zTqm2o9jS/s400/Jensen2.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
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And I'm officially dead.<br />
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#achievementunlockedAmparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-75865260594852715692015-04-20T06:03:00.000-07:002015-04-20T06:03:16.661-07:00Things That Feed My Soul: FIRST DRAFT Podcast With Sarah Enni<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. Podcasts. </div>
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I don't usually listen to them, which is something I'm slowly changing about myself. A friend of mine started one recently (a super geeky, pop culture heavy one), and it was the push I needed to start diving into the podcast waters for real. </div>
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A few months ago, I'd heard about one that seemed perfect for me:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3RPzD1wE-gmol3w6v1YToRfIUf0LilZn4Xi_JYMDM3mjz4LW7TVXnbvq6WfG0Vg1fzizyf9YJ7hN6DfkIhxruCWuPCkepEebyr9FIRMof79MxcErO2KHLeWDBs6MzNwHS8wcbAW8wZIB/s1600/tumblr_static_durv92lbbj4g8kgksowgc00wg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3RPzD1wE-gmol3w6v1YToRfIUf0LilZn4Xi_JYMDM3mjz4LW7TVXnbvq6WfG0Vg1fzizyf9YJ7hN6DfkIhxruCWuPCkepEebyr9FIRMof79MxcErO2KHLeWDBs6MzNwHS8wcbAW8wZIB/s1600/tumblr_static_durv92lbbj4g8kgksowgc00wg.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Folks, Sarah Enni is brilliant. If you haven't read her posts on <a href="http://www.yahighway.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>YA Highway</b></span></a>, you're missing out. That's how I learned of her awesomeness. Then I read that she was starting <a href="http://firstdraftwithsarahenni.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>FIRST DRAFT</b></span></a>, a podcast featuring authors of both YA and MG books. My mind pretty much exploded, but since I wasn't too committed to podcasts back then, I didn't check them out immediately. </div>
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Present Me is all sorts of upset with Past Me. Sarah's interviews are both enlightening and inspiring. She sits down with the most remarkable artists anyone could ever encounter, then proceeds to let them school her audience in the art of resilience. Last week, I was so, so sick. It was the cold from Hades, I tell you. But once I pressed Play on an episode of FIRST DRAFT, boom. Instant remedy. I felt like stopping everything and writing until the wee hours of the morning. I felt like strapping on my boots and climbing as many mountains as I could. I felt like dancing and belting out party songs with my ridiculously terrible singing voice.</div>
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I felt like not giving up on my dreams.</div>
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Go ahead. If you haven't done it already, press Play. Now. Right now. </div>
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Happy listening!</div>
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Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-74657781466284816212015-04-11T05:54:00.001-07:002015-04-11T05:54:44.683-07:00Book Giveaway: THE WALLS AROUND US By Nova Ren Suma!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Qoer6y7HgdYnUC5kdVgqcWw6KYLJtG-YNq2J1yMehAhqTZYjxSfkqRozO4XJM-qzGYa1MLNdSfYQ8BfMSxet5kUQ2gPRKnYaVLiP2Bsc2z6HaNCkH6gfzf8JnC4alhx3bJ8fjS19EOqy/s1600/9781616203726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Qoer6y7HgdYnUC5kdVgqcWw6KYLJtG-YNq2J1yMehAhqTZYjxSfkqRozO4XJM-qzGYa1MLNdSfYQ8BfMSxet5kUQ2gPRKnYaVLiP2Bsc2z6HaNCkH6gfzf8JnC4alhx3bJ8fjS19EOqy/s1600/9781616203726.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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So. I'm a certified Nova Ren Suma fangirl. This is fact. </div>
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This week, I finished reading her latest gem, THE WALLS AROUND US. In case you haven't heard of this brilliance of a book, here's the summary:</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>“Ori’s dead because of what happened out behind the theater, in
the tunnel made out of trees. She’s dead because she got sent to that
place upstate, locked up with those monsters. And she got sent there
because of me.”</b><br /><br /><b>On the outside, </b>there’s Violet, an
eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when
something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement.<br /><br /><b>On the inside, </b>within the walls of the Aurora Hills juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom.<br /><br /><b>Tying their two worlds together </b>is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries . . .<br /><br />
What really happened on the night Orianna stepped between Violet and
her tormentors? What really happened on two strange nights at Aurora
Hills? Will Amber and Violet and Orianna ever get the justice they
deserve—in this life or in another one?<br /><br /> In prose that sings from
line to line, Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and of
innocence, and of what happens when one is mistaken for the other.</span></i></span></div>
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Folks, this book is my new everything. IT IS MADE OF YES. I only wish I could've read it when I was thirteen years old, angry and aimless, wondering what to do with what I felt about myself and the world. This is the kind of story that would've pushed me to stay strong, to believe. </div>
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I think it can bring a little magic into other people's lives, which is why I'm hosting this book giveaway. It's <u><b>open internationally</b></u> (wherever Book Depository ships to), and all you have to do is: 1) follow this blog, and 2) comment on this post. That's it. </div>
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The giveaway will end next <b><span style="color: #351c75;">Saturday, April 18th</span></b>, when I'll announce the (randomly chosen) winner! </div>
Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-91435782917808121692015-04-02T07:30:00.000-07:002015-04-02T07:30:16.842-07:00The Synopsis Post. Or, A Collection Of Posts On Writing A Synopsis That Are My New BFFs. <div style="text-align: justify;">
So. The synopsis. </div>
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*cracks knuckles* </div>
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I've written synopses before, but they still intimidate me. Not as much as they used to, I'll admit. They just take me a while to get right. Aaaaaaa whiiiiileeeeeeee. I'd rather write a gazillion query letters than one synopsis. #fact</div>
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The very first time I had to write a synopsis, I scoured the interwebz for advice/moral support/pizza. I found plenty of great resources. There's even <i>more</i> of them now. Seeing as I'm not the only one freaking out over Death By Synopsis, I figured I'd collect my favorite posts on how to write a banging one. I hope they guide you into the mystical land of Ninja Synopsis Writerdom. Word on the street is they have chocolate cake. *packs everything*</div>
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<u>Here's my list of faves</u>:</div>
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<a href="http://blog.janicehardy.com/2009/04/sum-of-parts.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">The Sum of the Parts: Writing a Synopsis</span></b></a> by author Janice Hardy</div>
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<a href="http://www.writing-world.com/publish/leblanc.shtml" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Writing a Synopsis from the Ground Up</span></b></a> by Dee-ann Latona Leblanc </div>
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<a href="http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2009/02/in-short-writing-novel-synopsis-that.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">In Short: Writing a Novel Synopsis That Rocks</span></b></a> by H.L. Dyer on the QueryTracker blog</div>
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<a href="http://www.marissameyer.com/blogtype/6-steps-for-writing-a-book-synopsis/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #073763;">6 Steps For Writing A Book Synopsis</span></b></a> by author Marissa Meyer </div>
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<a href="http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/04/17/how-to-write-a-1-page-synopsis/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">How To Write A 1-Page Synopsis</span></b></a> by author Susan Dennard</div>
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Hope these help!! :) </div>
Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-73506214146432069762015-02-13T09:40:00.001-08:002015-02-13T09:40:18.919-08:00Happy Galentine's Day!! Or, Leslie Knope Knows How To Party.So. It is officially Galentine's Day.<br />
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What's that? You don't know what Galentine's Day is?<br />
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*tries not to judge you*<br />
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Here. Let Leslie Knope explain:<br />
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<br />
Basically.<br />
<br />
Now if you'll excuse me, I must go shower all my lady friends with cyber hugs and chocolate.<br />
<br />
Happy Galentine's Day! :DAmparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-19586688847414509332015-02-08T12:46:00.000-08:002015-02-08T12:46:43.488-08:00My Celebratory THE-WALKING-DEAD-Returns-Tonight PostSo. THE WALKING DEAD returns tonight.<br />
<br />
This pleases me.<br />
<br />
This pleases me a lot.<br />
<br />
Mostly because of him:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-Hc3hhzSXqtBhmyDPi6yMQUKk4enaChFXPIBzIoumX3gMHmHiqqi6RR8s2GDNyhn2B8iIUWdWsU0ZSbTA3lnVzJqRRoa-Sc33Xg8fGCF0bpM9mbgxa2tA8ILHiaIhNT-0vIKxzNPJFAs/s1600/andrew-lincoln-the-walking-dead-rick-grimes-season-3-amc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-Hc3hhzSXqtBhmyDPi6yMQUKk4enaChFXPIBzIoumX3gMHmHiqqi6RR8s2GDNyhn2B8iIUWdWsU0ZSbTA3lnVzJqRRoa-Sc33Xg8fGCF0bpM9mbgxa2tA8ILHiaIhNT-0vIKxzNPJFAs/s1600/andrew-lincoln-the-walking-dead-rick-grimes-season-3-amc.jpg" height="266" width="400" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheriff Rick Grimes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And her:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaf2q6k5c3rLCMLsxqSmXEbqUU9ni8mQ2Bd1JQFla_f2OiPxxBFmZ_dhWORO8bQ7Z9cdSL_b8WK1mkjzjBCXF7DqS3ri-U1tLLWLW0YHEZfa5qsFpNbmv4fBltzSfCMsSTJxmVhwXEFjS0/s1600/walking-dead-michonne-danai-gurira-season-3-amc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaf2q6k5c3rLCMLsxqSmXEbqUU9ni8mQ2Bd1JQFla_f2OiPxxBFmZ_dhWORO8bQ7Z9cdSL_b8WK1mkjzjBCXF7DqS3ri-U1tLLWLW0YHEZfa5qsFpNbmv4fBltzSfCMsSTJxmVhwXEFjS0/s1600/walking-dead-michonne-danai-gurira-season-3-amc.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michonne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And them:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJLsPSWqT_3WVQr74B7hgrXBa13w1nocjvcrfp8JnOOgTvChNj0wbSY2yDwRoXO-KrQBllOZkIAmOmrVhehz83KWcY_7CSg38Xyn3Ez732J-kql6E23Ai51AYwPTgNjDqJHrQWoI1RKc3/s1600/rick-and-michonne-shipping-the-walking-dead-who-will-find-love-in-season-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJLsPSWqT_3WVQr74B7hgrXBa13w1nocjvcrfp8JnOOgTvChNj0wbSY2yDwRoXO-KrQBllOZkIAmOmrVhehz83KWcY_7CSg38Xyn3Ez732J-kql6E23Ai51AYwPTgNjDqJHrQWoI1RKc3/s1600/rick-and-michonne-shipping-the-walking-dead-who-will-find-love-in-season-5.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will go down with this ship. Oh, yes, I will.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And also her (<i>always</i> her):<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mlz3RAhWIqJy3mPkFDU-WHKhqBn8RiLrA3uhhgFV_GJbYVTX2ZA8Tp7gv_vn2T37dRsBCIWvZWnuNP4hsonXmP_T5_UzeCrgriAKsK6agKW8RW_79othc7TrkNXIhv_UF6YGLa9ifzap/s1600/f9cef892-2fa8-b635-6ca3-901ce6342860_TWD_403_GP_0530_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mlz3RAhWIqJy3mPkFDU-WHKhqBn8RiLrA3uhhgFV_GJbYVTX2ZA8Tp7gv_vn2T37dRsBCIWvZWnuNP4hsonXmP_T5_UzeCrgriAKsK6agKW8RW_79othc7TrkNXIhv_UF6YGLa9ifzap/s1600/f9cef892-2fa8-b635-6ca3-901ce6342860_TWD_403_GP_0530_0050.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My precious Carol.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
AND ALSO THEM:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D1n76rzJRoZRDl5Gu5o3ZgaN78KuptUYeDmgFjgFqod2ZiuktoFdAONtgSQHmCXcvxYPbHhzpFjpb0Wj3zOACwjnfwIdQJc-_8lKKijC_WpMFBwgk5EbEAfUGHm0MI_cLNGuzAuhzFP9/s1600/the-walking-dead-season-4-daryl-carol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D1n76rzJRoZRDl5Gu5o3ZgaN78KuptUYeDmgFjgFqod2ZiuktoFdAONtgSQHmCXcvxYPbHhzpFjpb0Wj3zOACwjnfwIdQJc-_8lKKijC_WpMFBwgk5EbEAfUGHm0MI_cLNGuzAuhzFP9/s1600/the-walking-dead-season-4-daryl-carol.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DARYL AND CAROL. BECAUSE YES.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Oh, and can't forget about them:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
So yeah. I'm pretty stoked. :)<br />
<br />
Happy THE WALKING DEAD Day!!<br />
<br />Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-87571762610849745702014-12-31T08:25:00.002-08:002014-12-31T08:25:42.642-08:00In Which I Say Goodbye To 2014<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. 2014. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Intense year, I must admit. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Terrible things happened. To me. To friends.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Great things also happened. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I graduated from my Master's program. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I got a new job one month later. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I rescued and adopted another stray puppy (my very first boy!). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I rescued <i>yet another</i> stray puppy and found it a forever home on Thanksgiving Day (yep, a boy, too) (I think stray puppies are just texting each other about how kind I am to them, so now they're all like, HOUSE PARTY LET'S GO). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After months of struggling, I have fallen back in love with my WIP. It is a mad, consuming love. I vow to work my butt off even harder on this project. I must. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So yeah. 2014 was both terrible and great. I made a lot of mistakes, but I have no regrets. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2015 might be terrible. It might be great. It might be terrible and great, too. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I just hope it's weird enough to remember, and that it comes with candy. :) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happy New Year, folks!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-58086949573100729312014-11-08T08:40:00.001-08:002014-11-08T08:40:40.560-08:00On Inspiration And The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had never gone to the WWOHP until last week. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hogsmeade. Diagon Alley. I went to both of them. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
AND I HAD A BLAST. OBVIOUSLY. BECAUSE YES.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was also quite inspired by everything. <strong>Confession</strong>: I've been putting off WIP revisions for about a month now, but once I returned from my trip, I felt reenergized to work again. I've written a little, but I plan on writing more as the days roll on. My drive and focus? Back where they belong.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I owe a lot to the WWOHP. Not only did I fangirl squeal most of the time, I also felt this weight lifted off my shoulders. There I was, skipping along streets and barging into shops and eating food that existed in one woman's head for so long, and they were right where I could touch them. Right where I could<em> enjoy</em> them. I stopped thinking about stories as things I needed to perfect. Revisions are fun for me, but with this WIP, I've been struggling. The joy was sucked out of the writing experience. <strong>For the rest of my trip, though, my WIP and other stories became fangirl squeals</strong>. They were my source of joy, even if most of them aren't even worthy enough of full commitment. Even if they give me the hardest time of all hard times. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's about time I enjoyed my imagination again. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. WWOHP. Thank you for giving me back what was missing. Oh, and I'm definitely returning someday. Because this: </div>
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*swoons*<br />
Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-72941442825448326482014-07-26T09:54:00.002-07:002014-07-26T09:56:23.646-07:00Never Say Never Because Benedict Cumberbatch Finally Went To Comic-ConI think this post's title explains itself.<br />
<br />
So.<br />
<br />
Enjoy Benedict Cumberbatch at Comic-Con.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLoLfVUxF0dPkJG4oceTrzMrGXeRnYWtEI" width="425"></iframe>Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-21007840410579977852014-07-03T14:30:00.002-07:002014-07-03T14:31:58.877-07:00Why It's Okay To Want (And Some Laini Taylor Gushing)<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. Laini Taylor. Lots of people have been telling me--no, no, INSISTING--that I read her books. All of them. Immediately. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well. This week, I finished her short story anthology, LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES. Holy amazeballs, Batman. Holy. Amazeballs.<br />
<br />
First off, there's the (glorious) cover.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoihjatkDs6hAcP85nQD2YDvOhicvCq8oN9aHFoSSROdEeIdu7d8wzsEZjucFwSp6-93MmFZJ-qWSD9-G43AO9KjK3WQile70aQBLaPnB8eKFyS7TpCNSqHrTLDFm-8wNPd0jkHJG8izO1/s1600/6369113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoihjatkDs6hAcP85nQD2YDvOhicvCq8oN9aHFoSSROdEeIdu7d8wzsEZjucFwSp6-93MmFZJ-qWSD9-G43AO9KjK3WQile70aQBLaPnB8eKFyS7TpCNSqHrTLDFm-8wNPd0jkHJG8izO1/s1600/6369113.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">The eyes! The flames! THE LIPSTICK THAT MATCHES THE FLAMES!</span></td></tr>
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Then there are the actual stories.<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span id="freeText14347620079853856777">Goblin Fruit<br />In
Victorian times, goblin men had only to offer young girls sumptuous
fruits to tempt them to sell their souls. But what does it take to tempt
today's savvy girls?<br /><br />Spicy Little Curses<br />
A demon and the ambassador to Hell tussle over the soul of a beautiful
English girl in India. Matters become complicated when she falls in love
and decides to test her curse.<br /><br />Hatchling<br />Six
days before Esme's fourteenth birthday, her left eye turns from brown
to blue. She little suspects what the change heralds, but her small safe
life begins to unravel at once. What does the beautiful, fanged man
want with her, and how is her fate connected to a mysterious race of
demons?</span></span></span></i><br />
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Awesome, no? Well, I enjoyed all three stories, but my absolute FAVE was "Goblin Fruit." Like the talented Laini Taylor, I'm quite fond of Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market." I even chose to study it for my comprehensive exams in my M.A. program. <i>Everything</i> about "Goblin Fruit" rocked my world: the mythology, the dynamic between main character Kizzy and her friends, her BADASS grandma, the tempting suitor.<br />
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Which is why I've decided to highlight something particularly awesome about this story.<br />
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You see, there's a paragraph on page 41 that knocked me sideways with its brilliance. It deals with the many, many things Kizzy daydreams of having and doing. The paragraph is immediately followed by a single sentence:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZSWt-R-mOy8MzWsvC4dPpCfW42s833H1eKlhB6q4N1w1U8Hyp9dZ-38rVEjHeX2Yk3lqqufTdCWy5B-ni6tsHNidodZTTfRIYvO7Q0nkXyon5SXfKKM5-orKOSFQHgsSlfOMwwB0q2bE/s1600/Kizzy+Wanted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZSWt-R-mOy8MzWsvC4dPpCfW42s833H1eKlhB6q4N1w1U8Hyp9dZ-38rVEjHeX2Yk3lqqufTdCWy5B-ni6tsHNidodZTTfRIYvO7Q0nkXyon5SXfKKM5-orKOSFQHgsSlfOMwwB0q2bE/s1600/Kizzy+Wanted.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
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I couldn't help but stop reading to stare at the wall in front of me. Not only was the writing gorgeous, it was also speaking of true things. Of things we can all relate to, whether or not we've been seduced by a goblin disguised as a pretty face. Publishing offers aspiring authors many things. But before we can attain any of them, we're left with the insatiable yearning. Some people advise against thinking of landing film deals and hitting the NYT Bestseller List and touring the world and having monuments built in your name. I say there's nothing wrong with wanting. <i>It's okay to want. </i><b></b><br />
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<b>The problem comes when we turn a blind eye to what's within our reach--writing--and only see what we would love to have. Or even worse, when we only see how others obtained what we want first. </b>This helps no one. You should want as many things as you can, but you<i> must</i> fight for them. And even if you fight for the things you want, that doesn't guarantee you'll get them. <b>That's why you should always put writing first.</b> Regardless of what happens, you'll have put in the work toward your dreams instead of just dreaming all the time. <i>You tried</i>. Others might not make it past the first page, but you will. <i>You want</i>. That's the first step to having and doing. <br />
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Now go out there and write, folks.<br />
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Also, if you haven't already, please devour Laini Taylor's LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES. I insist.<br />
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Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-10630854183628269312014-07-01T08:00:00.003-07:002014-07-01T08:00:34.961-07:00Book Giveaway WINNER!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Guess what, y'all? It's announcement time! With the help of <a href="http://www.random.org/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Random.org</span></a>, I can finally choose a winner for my <a href="http://amparo-ortiz.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-giveaway-deadwood-by-kell-andrews.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">DEADWOOD book giveaway.</span></b></a> Without further ado, let's get to it.</div>
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*drumroll*</div>
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The winner of DEADWOOD by Kell Andrews is:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">LORI ALEXANDER</span></b></span></span></div>
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Congrats, Lori!! Please email me your home address at<b> amparoortiz (dot) author (at) gmail (dot) com</b> so I can send your copy of DEADWOOD!</div>
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This giveaway showed me how much I <i>missed</i> doing giveaways, so hopefully there will be more where this one came from. :)</div>
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Happy Tuesday!</div>
Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-32775644022981589972014-06-24T13:02:00.000-07:002014-06-24T13:02:18.961-07:00Book Giveaway: DEADWOOD By Kell Andrews!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. There's a book coming out today. Well, there's more than one book coming out today, BUT I'm focusing on one of them. Because it's awesome and you should read it. </div>
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Which book, you ask?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3cOFCKIULzCMHj8qOdIhd68XCMlJHuhol-o_waUQN9cn6B3FePXnP27EBm-efl0QQXQshOK0FFz0UvZwvqWZiwbM0EaAphBAT6qzNCG5KazpmQt3GMf4PVirf-u54eaC3twjrXoUsAQM/s1600/Deadwood+Final+5-lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3cOFCKIULzCMHj8qOdIhd68XCMlJHuhol-o_waUQN9cn6B3FePXnP27EBm-efl0QQXQshOK0FFz0UvZwvqWZiwbM0EaAphBAT6qzNCG5KazpmQt3GMf4PVirf-u54eaC3twjrXoUsAQM/s1600/Deadwood+Final+5-lo.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span id="freeText8132185779665665121">There’s something evil in Deadwood Park. <br /><br />Martin
Cruz hates his rotten new town. Then he gets a message from a tree
telling him it’s cursed — and so is he. It’s not just any tree. It’s the
Spirit Tree, the ancient beech the high school football team carves to
commemorate the home opener. And every year they lose.<br /><br />But the
curse is no game, and it gets worse. Businesses fail. Trees topple like
dominos. Sinkholes open up in the streets, swallowing cars and
buildings. Even people begin to fade, drained of life. <br /><br />Martin
teams up with know-it-all soccer star Hannah Vaughan. Together they must
heal the tree, or be stuck in Deadwood Park at the mercy of the psycho
who cursed it.</span></i></span></b></span></div>
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And since I think you should read it, <b>I'm giving away a copy </b>on le blog!!! <span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">All you have to do is</span><b> comment to enter</b></span> the giveaway. That's it. If you want to blog/Tweet/Facebook/Tumbl/whatever about the giveaway, that's great! It won't get you any points, but it <i>will</i> get you my infinite gratitude. :D The deadline is next <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Tuesday, July 1st</b></span>. So go forth and comment! </div>
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Best of luck to all who enter!</div>
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Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-70319858013464007852014-05-26T06:51:00.001-07:002014-05-26T06:51:03.271-07:00Writing Blog Hop! Or, In Which I Talk About My WIP(s)<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. My friend Kell Andrews tagged me for this writing blog hop that's been going around. Thank you, Kell!!</div>
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Now. Here's a little about her:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRJdjd8j1Lj4d-eQXIyo3l7Mgr_RD7EWAouc8XFsjqaRiNi-Er3FfXZlABQJYAd5sbjvgY9i3-AEHr6by6aN-aqLMyijeVtxer7tX04WXL6RWz5BVe3KdcIg-L7r2rkP4PEUZ5PToWWBQ/s1600/8643746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRJdjd8j1Lj4d-eQXIyo3l7Mgr_RD7EWAouc8XFsjqaRiNi-Er3FfXZlABQJYAd5sbjvgY9i3-AEHr6by6aN-aqLMyijeVtxer7tX04WXL6RWz5BVe3KdcIg-L7r2rkP4PEUZ5PToWWBQ/s1600/8643746.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>We first met as members of the Operation Awesome critique group. Later on, we became CPs and co-bloggers! <span style="font-size: large;"><b><i></i></b></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Kell writes nonfiction for adults and fiction for children. A little
bit of "magic" helps with both. DEADWOOD, her middle-grade contemporary
fantasy comes out from Spencer Hill Middle Grade in June 2014! </span>(YOU SHOULD READ IT!). </i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">G</span></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">rowing
up, she spent a lot of time reading, writing, drawing, and looking for
treasure in the woods and on the beach. She still does. Kell holds a
humanities degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master of liberal
arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. A lifelong
Philadelphian, she lives with her husband and two daughters in
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, right next to a park a lot like the one in
Deadwood. Kell is represented by Kathleen Rushall of Marsal Lyon
Literary Agency.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">You can find Kell a</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">t</span></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://kellandrews.com/" style="line-height: 1.5;" title=""><b>kellandrews.com</b></a></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">,</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"><b><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> </span></b><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="color: black;">on <a href="https://twitter.com/kellandrewsPA" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <span id="goog_471802371"></span><a href="http://kellandrews.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span style="color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3917729637280439180" title=""><b></b></a><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span id="goog_471802372"></span>, </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">and the </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://operationawesome6.blogspot.com/" title=""><b>Operation Awesome</b></a></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> blog.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Okay. Let's answer some questions!!</span></span></div>
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*cracks knuckles*</div>
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<b>1. </b><b>What am I working on?</b></div>
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Two things. I'm currently trying to write a synopsis for my WIP, which is a YA high fantasy I've <a href="http://amparo-ortiz.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-next-big-thing-or-not.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">previously written about</span></b></a>. To sum it up, the story follows a seventeen-year-old girl who rebels against a magic-wielding tyrant bent on conquering her homeland. You know. Happy-go-lucky stuff. :) Synopses are not my friends, let me tell you. BUT I do love my manuscript and my main character and everything else, so I'm keeping the faith. I think.<br />
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The other thing I'm "working on" (as in, brainstorming a lot) is my next WIP, which is yet another fantasy, but set in contemporary times. It involves a girl and a boy and the magic keeping them apart. That's all I can share for now. :) I've been having WAY too much fun brainstorming this one. It must be a keeper. *crosses fingers*</div>
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<b>2. How does my work differ from others of this genre?</b></div>
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My main character is a POC, which doesn't usually take center stage in YA high fantasy. The manuscript features a large cast of mostly female characters with different hopes and dreams and they get along. Sometimes. :) Also, my manuscript deals with identity through gender, race, politics, religion, blood ties, and romantic love in ways that I *hope* are complex and layered. Of course other novels do this in better ways, but I think my little story has something to add in those departments. </div>
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<b><b>3. Why do I write what I do?</b></b></div>
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I write two kinds of books: <b>books of my heart and books of my dreams</b>. The former are stories that resonate with me because they're about a personal truth. The latter are stories that resonate with me because they're about someone else's personal truth that I wish to see on bookshelves. They're stories I'm dying to read, but haven't been written yet. So I write them. I have no power over when and where and how these stories come to me, though. They just do.</div>
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<b><b><b>4. How does my writing process work?</b></b></b></div>
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Depends on the book. Sometimes I can sit down and write and write and write. This is super rare, though. Most of the time? I sit down to write, listen to music, then write a page or less. I get up, away from the computer for about an hour or two, then come back to write some more. Rinse and repeat throughout the day. <b><b> </b></b></div>
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That's it from me, folks! A huge thank you to Kell for tagging me! :) Now. Let me keep this chain going by tagging two more writers:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLe18nHJC7jShqDo0EuN_aKxroHF36g4cpnDnBCZ0hAHFpyJNA5iy0Eh6jmXtPKKQmd0qFsCkQhyphenhyphen7XftupPjWWnmJmaGaN6w6XBLzWmyWYlxY9IMX0kaij0k0v52-2VM-Tn8BXtTAO7LaL/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLe18nHJC7jShqDo0EuN_aKxroHF36g4cpnDnBCZ0hAHFpyJNA5iy0Eh6jmXtPKKQmd0qFsCkQhyphenhyphen7XftupPjWWnmJmaGaN6w6XBLzWmyWYlxY9IMX0kaij0k0v52-2VM-Tn8BXtTAO7LaL/s1600/photo.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><b>Natasha Heck</b></b> is one of the Iron Keys, which is my critique group! I'm tagging her because she writes beautiful stories that make me want to punch myself for not being as talented/evocative/lyrical/imaginative as she is. *sigh* Natasha is a native North Dakotan. She attended <a href="http://www.mnstate.edu/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #8da1ad;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Minnesota State University Moorhead</span> </a>and
graduated with a degree in English emphasis Creative Writing. She has
touched Stonehenge, climbed the Glastonbury Tor, walked the
Philosopher's Path, and kissed her true love on the Eiffel Tower. She's a
fangirl, Jedi Knight, and Gryffindor whose love of unicorns led her to
live in the land of geekdom and sunshine (San Diego, California) with
her programmer husband Joey and their two kitties, <span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://natashamheck.blogspot.com/2010/01/proper-introductions-are-in-order.html" target="_blank">Topher and Sophie</a></span>.<br />
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Natasha is a member of two writing fabulous groups, Stone Circle and The Iron Keys. She writes a bi-weekly column for <a href="http://www.yainterrobang.com/" target="_blank">YA Interrobang</a>. She attends various science fiction and fantasy conventions and served as a con chair for Fargo's <span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.fargocorecon.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Core Con</a></span> for three years. She is currently working on her dream of writing when she's not wrangling cats.</div>
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You can find Natasha on her website, <a href="http://www.natashamheck.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>The Heroine's Domain</b></span></a>, and on <a href="https://twitter.com/natashamheck" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Twitter</b></span></a>! </div>
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<b>Kaye M.</b> is <i>another</i> member of the Iron Keys!! I bet you're sensing a pattern here. :) Anyway, I'm tagging Kaye because I also hate myself for not being as talented/evocative/lyrical/imaginative as she is. AND she loves dragons. Kaye is a self-professed twenty-something Muslim girl who reads a lot of books, drinks a lot of tea, and wears a lot of (figurative) hats. <br />
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Currently, those hats include student aiming for a future MLS, YA and MG
book blogger, staff writer for online YA magazine YA Interrobang, and
fantabulous intern for Pooja Menon of Kimberly Cameron and Associates. </div>
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She's also the Once and Future Queen of the Iron Keys, which gives her life-long tiara rights.<br />
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When she's not reading, Kaye writes about dark worlds, high stakes and tough,
wounded girls who carve out their own happily ever afters. </div>
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You can find Kaye at her <a href="http://watercolormoods.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>blog</b></span></a> and on <a href="https://twitter.com/gildedspine" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Twitter</b></span></a>!<br />
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Stay tuned for what Natasha and Kaye have to say next <b>Monday, June 2nd</b>! <br />
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Happy weekend! :D</div>
Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3917729637280439180.post-45691972050506233442014-03-30T08:56:00.001-07:002014-03-30T08:56:48.764-07:00That Time My Father Loved The Divergent Movie<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. After a week of the film hitting theaters, I finally saw <b><i>Divergent</i></b>. As a fan of the book series, I was expecting to enjoy it. I did. A lot. </div>
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My family went with me to the theater. </div>
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Including my dad.</div>
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And he loved it.</div>
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Dad: "The movie was awesome. I loved it."</div>
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Me: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1apZllf13OeKCJ7kWnKu1D-OXR_erRQfLXTMQ_bfvW5yKZ3OeJW4p-_KT6TJ2inSlWpvvFAwBFk1ZUtkJyfj-Qj39ZalZtv6B1pcLUtUTYkaO31ZFYD7uiEMxpa83L9V06FgY29MpMJpW/s1600/Divergent-New-Stills-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1apZllf13OeKCJ7kWnKu1D-OXR_erRQfLXTMQ_bfvW5yKZ3OeJW4p-_KT6TJ2inSlWpvvFAwBFk1ZUtkJyfj-Qj39ZalZtv6B1pcLUtUTYkaO31ZFYD7uiEMxpa83L9V06FgY29MpMJpW/s1600/Divergent-New-Stills-7.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Dad: "No, really. I loved it."</div>
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Me:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOv61HLyexODkBJNayQeYJrcEK1WpiIVGwfsFvB0nkIB9uGX_nFCORpUwjhBsvW0szthhGXA62K5zisFFIchCRCSxFyIkpTh8uBDzJ0graYxosEbP48CZpfZjCYpqQOhC0xOVKvQxPJqq/s1600/Divergent-New-Stills-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOv61HLyexODkBJNayQeYJrcEK1WpiIVGwfsFvB0nkIB9uGX_nFCORpUwjhBsvW0szthhGXA62K5zisFFIchCRCSxFyIkpTh8uBDzJ0graYxosEbP48CZpfZjCYpqQOhC0xOVKvQxPJqq/s1600/Divergent-New-Stills-7.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Dad: "For real."</div>
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Me:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOv61HLyexODkBJNayQeYJrcEK1WpiIVGwfsFvB0nkIB9uGX_nFCORpUwjhBsvW0szthhGXA62K5zisFFIchCRCSxFyIkpTh8uBDzJ0graYxosEbP48CZpfZjCYpqQOhC0xOVKvQxPJqq/s1600/Divergent-New-Stills-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOv61HLyexODkBJNayQeYJrcEK1WpiIVGwfsFvB0nkIB9uGX_nFCORpUwjhBsvW0szthhGXA62K5zisFFIchCRCSxFyIkpTh8uBDzJ0graYxosEbP48CZpfZjCYpqQOhC0xOVKvQxPJqq/s1600/Divergent-New-Stills-7.jpg" height="266" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Dad: *asks me questions about the plot* *seems genuinely interested in my answers*</div>
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Me:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9k1zxb2993Lu-zgvprZZ1oVAAW7yJuIKH89arMviOUgyaKX0rSbZ_tYwjA8DWHMBhzc368pvhGVOwsqfhoUY1A-yVah3aXUWDOU371vn1T75h1Ij7VzxHH8J8-N-rqyMPkvEB8BYZQLZ/s1600/divergent2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9k1zxb2993Lu-zgvprZZ1oVAAW7yJuIKH89arMviOUgyaKX0rSbZ_tYwjA8DWHMBhzc368pvhGVOwsqfhoUY1A-yVah3aXUWDOU371vn1T75h1Ij7VzxHH8J8-N-rqyMPkvEB8BYZQLZ/s1600/divergent2.jpg" height="260" width="400" /> </a></div>
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So now you know. </div>
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Amparo Ortizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751368034351196820noreply@blogger.com0