Amparo Ortiz

Blog Chain: Hater Love

2012-02-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

Even though I'm a few days late, I'm super excited to start my very first blog chain round!! *moonwalks* Without further ado, here's this round's topic:

Since Valentine's Day is around the corner, I think it's only appropriate to pay homage to those we love. But instead of our better halves, family members, and friends, this blog chain will be all about loving the haters: write a love letter to your favorite literary villain/villain-ish character. It can be short, long, serious, funny. You can use song lyrics or poems instead. Choice is totally yours :)

So. I give y'all my favorite literary villain-ish character:

Dear Severus Snape,

Thank you for teaching me about love.

You are a badass.

No, you are not a nice person. You go out of your way to convince people of this, especially those with a surname that starts with a 'P' and ends with an 'otter'. You always wear black. If someone were to slice your skin open, you'd bleed sarcasm. Grudges weigh you down. You ~~are~~ were a Death Eater, for Christ's sake--Voldemort's most trusted Death Eater. YOU HELPED THE BOY WHO LIVED LOSE HIS PARENTS *even if you didn't know their identities and how much that reveal would screw you up*

And still, you teach me about love.

You teach me that love is this pretty and ugly thing. The kind of thing that can dig deep and linger forever, and the kind of thing that can dig deep and claw its way back out. We don't get to choose which kind we get. Sometimes, we don't even know which kind we have, but we always hope that first kind is the one we deserve. We fight for it and, as was your case, we might even die for it.

You teach me about purpose, and how we can either snatch it or run away from it. You chose to snatch it and never let go. In the end, your selflessness--your love and purpose--proved to be your greatest achievement.

And did I mention you're a badass?

Because you are.

Love,

Make sure you check out Sandra's letter to her favorite villain, and stay tuned for Matt's!!

Blog Chain: In Which I FEEL THINGS

2012-01-31T04:18:00.000-08:00

For this blog chain round, Kate wants us to tackle the following topic:

Post pictures, songs, movie clips, poems, or novel excerpts that make you feel. Feel what, you ask? Feel anything. Happy. Sad. Angry. Nostalgic. Hopeful. Hopeless. Jealous. Joyful.

I have read in several different places that YA novelist John Green said of his latest novel, The Fault In Our Stars that he wants to make his readers "Feel All The Things." I would love that someone could go through this blog chain and through what we all choose to post have that same Feel All The Things feeling.

So. Things that make me feel.

Le things:

Photo taken after earthquake hit Japan in 2011 (source)

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Older students are allowed to roam until the bell, but ninth-graders are herded into the auditorium. We fall into clans: Jocks, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Eurotrash, Future Fascists of America, Big Hair Chix, the Marthas, Suffering Artists, Thespians, Goths, Shredders. I am clanless. I wasted the last weeks of August watching bad cartoons. I didn't go to the mall, the lake, or the pool, or answer the phone. I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with.

I am Outcast.

--Excerpt from Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

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Outtake from Supernatural episode, "Yellow Fever" (bonus points: JENSEN ACKLES)

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Dogs + Babies = Awesome (source)

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"What is there but a dream? You can't trade in your dream for another dream. [...] And I have a special, special note to the kids in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and Segway Institute of Learning in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to dream big, and dream fierce."

--Viola Davis's winning speech at 2012 SAG Awards for her role in The Help.

There you have it! Some of the things that make me feel. *feels a lot* Make sure to stop by Abby's blog to see her entry, and stay tuned for Sandra's post tomorrow!!

And remember: tomorrow is Operation Awesome's Mystery Agent contest!!! :)

Game Of Thrones + Season 2 Trailer = AWESOME Monday Morning

2012-01-30T04:58:00.000-08:00

If you saw Season 1 of HBO's Game of Thrones, you know that show is O_O

Last night, the trailer for Season 2 was released!

Le trailer:

April 1st cannot come soon enough.

*dies*

Now tell me: do you watch Game of Thrones?? Have you read G.R.R. Martin's books?? (I haven't, but it's on my to-do list!). Are there any other shows you're excited about???

Chemistry: The Adorable Edition

2012-01-23T06:19:00.000-08:00

Confession: I am OBSESSED with Once Upon A Time. No joke.

For those of you who don't know, it's a TV show on ABC. And it is awesome.

Anyway. I won't dwell on all the reasons why I think it's awesome, BUT I must point out something that's been on my mind since the show's third episode. You see, there are these two characters who are destined to be together: Snow White and Prince Charming.

On the show, they look like this:

So. That's them as their true fairy tale selves. This is them in the real world setting, where they're both victims of an evil curse that's wiped their memories:

In the real world, they have NO IDEA they're Snow White and Charming. At all. That's not the saddest part, though--David (Charming in the real world) is in a coma when we first meet him. Mary (Snow) reads to him in her spare time, even though she doesn't know him. Her big heart keeps her coming back to the hospital, spending time with someone who's never had any family members visit. He's alone, and she doesn't want him to feel lonely.

When David wakes from his comatose state, things get reeeeally interesting. I knew he'd wake up eventually. I also knew that he'd be grateful to Mary for how she treats him, and that he'd want to get to know her. I also also knew there would be STUFF that keeps them apart. The romantic tension quota is HIGH, my friends. Oh, so high...

Which leads me to why I wrote this post about two people who are in love on a TV show: the chemistry between Snow/Mary and Charming/David is adorable. It's not the ohmyGodIwantyousobadletsmakeout chemistry. It's not the I-have-always-loved-you-and-now-you-are-mine-forever chemistry. It's just... beautifully awkward. In the fairy tale world, they're enemies who later work together to get out of a bind, and fall in love. In the real world, they're strangers who share a deep connection, but they're so not equipped to handle that connection. They both struggle with accepting why they're drawn to each other, and neither feels comfortable with the idea of being a couple just because there's something between them. STUFF needs to be dealt with first. It's all that STUFF that adds fuel to the awkward fire. They're even adorable when they argue.

What does this offensively long post have to do with writing, you ask?

Think of your main character and the love interest. Hopefully, you've created enough tension, romantic or otherwise. Now look at them again and ask yourself: what do they admire about each other? The minute you have your answer, ask yourself another question: how can I make my characters feel uncomfortable about the traits they initially admired in each other? Snow cannot stand the fact that Charming's such an honorable guy, and yet that's one of the reasons why she loves him. Charming cannot stand the fact that Snow does whatever she wants, even if it means risking her life, and yet that's why he loves her. Denial is what makes their relationship awkward to me. Sweet, funny, and beautifully awkward.

So. Once Upon A Time. Watch it, swoon, and learn something :)

Now tell me: any other fake couples you think are adorable/awkward/awesome??

Blog Chain: Childhood Memory

2012-01-15T07:11:00.000-08:00

For this blog chain round, Jonathon Arnston asks:

Imagine the home where you grew up, and start drawing a floor plan. As you draw, memories will surface. Grab onto one of those memories and tell us a story.

Le story:

My puppy is missing. She's been here for less than a week, and she's already sick of me.

Great.

"Ruby?" I scan through the jungle-ish backyard, seeing nothing but green. And a bit of brown, but that's a stump--when we first moved here, this huge coconut tree towered over the whole house. Dad had the good sense to cut it down, though. Whenever a coconut fell, I'd gasp so loud, you'd think the Backstreet Boys had arrived at my doorstep. Shirtless. But there are no shirtless Backstreet Boys and no Ruby here today. Just green and a bit of brown.

I walk back inside the house. My dog isn't on her throne, the red velvet recliner Mom bought for those of the human variety. She's not hiding behind the home theater speakers, either. Or in front of the big floor fan, which blows her hair out as if she's racing through a hurricane.

Someone is shouting in my parents' bedroom. I walk down the hall, ignoring the Vin Diesel poster taped on my door, and head into the room at the end. The TV is turned on. Cartoons are arguing about something. My little brother lies on my parents' bed, totally out cold. He holds on to the bed sheets as he snores.

And sleeping right beside him, paws up and on the sheets, is Ruby.

I sigh. "You've got to be kidding me..."

So. There you have it, folks. One of the most traumatizing memories of my life. I am still going to therapy because of it.

Thanks to Jon for an awesome topic! Make sure you check out Christine's entry over at her blog!

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS By John Green Is...

2012-01-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

Perfect.

That's all the review I have for you, folks.

Oh, and if you must know, I cried. A lot.

But John Green does that to me. I'm used to it.

Now go read this book. Seriously. You won't regret it.

*basks in John Green's awesomeness*

A MILLION SUNS Giveaway Winner!!!

2012-01-09T05:23:00.000-08:00

Folks, the random number generator has spoken. I'm pleased to announce the winner of Beth Revis's highly anticipated A Million Suns.

That winner is...

*drumroll*

*more drumroll*

*confetti*

Christina Lee!

Congrats, Christina! I'll be emailing you soon!!

And thanks to all of you who entered! There'll be more opportunities to win free books, so don't worry :)

Have a great Monday!

My Reading Challenges: An Epic Fail And REVENGE

2012-01-03T04:21:00.000-08:00

So. Reading challenges. I <3 them.

Last year, I committed to reading 30 YA contemporary novels. Out of the 30, I only read 25.

*hangs head in shame*

Because of my EPIC FAIL, I've decided to redeem myself in a huge way. This year, I've accepted the Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, and have set my goal to 55 books.

Yep. 55 books. 52 weeks to read them.

And guess what? I WILL DO IT. This is my revenge against... myself. The reason why I raised the bar this year is, of course, because I sucked royally last year and want to push myself harder. Also, the 55 limit allows me to read books in a bunch of genres, not just one (I do intend to read more MG fiction this year, though. Certainly lacking in that department...).

So yeah. 55 books, here I come!!

*flaps cape around*

Now tell me: have you joined any reading challenges this year? If so, which one?

Ringing In 2012 With A BOOK GIVEAWAY!!

2012-01-02T04:21:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR, BLOGGING BUDDIES!!

I am sooooo excited for 2012. You have no idea. There are a few personal reasons for said excitement, but a huge chunk of it is due to the super awesome books coming out this year. Among them, one I cannot wait to get my hands on:

A MILLION SUNS by Beth Revis

Here's the blurb for the highly anticipated sequel to ACROSS THE UNIVERSE:

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.
But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.
In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

So. Since I want to kick off 2012 with happy vibes and all that jazz, I figured I'd give a copy of A MILLIONS SUNS to one lucky winner!

Here are le rules:

1) You must be a follower on my blog.

2) Comment on this post to enter the giveaway.

3) The giveaway will run till Sunday, January 8th.

4) The winner will be announced Monday, January 9th.

4) Giveaway is international (wherever Book Depository ships).

That's it. Best of luck to all who enter, and I hope 2012 started awesomely for you!!!

Two Things On A Monday: Ryan Gosling and Robbie P's Identity Crisis

2011-12-19T03:35:00.000-08:00

So. It has been a WHILE since I've blogged, you guys. A. While.

In order to fix that, I have decided to share two memes with you. Because that's how I show my love, of course. With memes.

Le memes:

Ryan Gosling Reads Young Adult is one of my absolute favorite things in the universe. If you're feeling down, or mad about the cold you thought you'd gotten rid of (*points at self*), this page is for you.

Someday he'll figure it out, folks. He will wake up, look at himself in the mirror and say, "OMG, you're that murdered wizard/sparkly vampire dude AT THE SAME TIME."

He will faint from the excitement seconds later.

*pulls out camcorder*

*waits*

So yeah. I'm back to bloggy land. Which means there are more memes to come, and more randomness than should be legal.

How have the holidays treated you so far, blogging buddies??? I've missed you!!!

Blog Chain: Where The Magic (Writing) Happens

2011-12-03T04:10:00.000-08:00

For this round of ye olde Blog Chain, Tere asks us to spill on the following topic:

What conditions do you need to get your best writing done? Closed door, crowded coffee house? Computer or notebook? Can you just sit down to write, or do you need to wait for the time to be right?

Closed door vs. Crowded coffeehouse

Closed door. With headphones. There's something about staring at a wall while listening to a playlist that shifts between pop and metal, you know? Plus, coffeehouses have pretty people in them. And I am easily distracted by The Pretty.

Sit down to write vs. Wait

Definitely wait. It's impossible for me to just push the words out when I'm not feeling it. That usually ends up in one of two Very Bad Things: 1) I either count how many times the cursor blinks; 2) or write a bunch of words that suck. Epically. The kind you're embarrassed to share with three-month-old babies.

I've tried to change my writing style often, but nope. Doesn't work. Even my muse is stubborn :)

Make sure you go check out Abby's post, and stay tuned for Sandra's post tomorrow!

This Year, I Am Thankful For...

2011-11-24T04:11:00.000-08:00

4) YA authors who write books that change my life as both reader and writer.

5) Bloggers who are generous, witty, and uber-insightful. If you're reading this, you're one of them :)

6) My Operation Awesome partners in crime, for letting me unleash The Crazy on a weekly basis.

7) My family, for not disowning me.

8) My dog, for not running away when I sing showtunes.

9) Whoever invented Tumblr.

10) Randomness. Because it lets me look at things like this:

O_O

Hope y'all have an awesome Thanksgiving!! And save some of that turkey for me. I can NEVER have enough turkey.

Blog Chain--My Best Accomplishment Ever

2011-11-19T12:05:00.000-08:00

It's blog chain time!

This round's question is brought to me by Michelle H. She wants to know the following:

This is the month in creating writing goals and making big accomplishments. What is your greatest accomplishment--in writing, your life or perhaps something incidental that had a big effect on you?

So.

I've been very lucky in my short life. Despite my many injuries (no, I am not an athlete, which makes said injuries even more embarrassing...), I'm happy with where I am right now. Of course, that hasn't always been the case. But I know why I'm finally okay with everything I've done in the past.

I've found who I really am.

Yes, I've graduated with honors my whole academic life. Yes, I fulfilled a fantasy and flipped peer pressure the middle finger when I went to Europe at sixteen, leaving behind a lot of confused friends. Yes, I got accepted into Psych grad school and Law school at the same time. Yes, I've finished a novel. Four, to be exact.

But my greatest accomplishment is knowing myself.

There's still a lot left to learn, to travel, to write, to dream.

The only difference is that now I know I can do it all, and how happy it'll make me to watch it happen.

*dances*

Make sure you check out Abby's post, and stay tuned for Sandra's post tomorrow!

Now tell me: what's your greatest achievement?

CONGRATS To My Operation Awesome Buddy, Angela Townsend!!

2011-11-18T04:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a pretty good day, folks.

Why?

Because THIS happened:

Angela Townsend's AMAROK, set in a remote Alaskan town, when a runaway is kidnapped by an evil man and his black wolf, whom she later discovers is a boy enslaved by an ancient shaman; she must find the strength to save herself and the wolf, and in turn discover what love truly means, to Kate Kaynak at Spencer Hill Press, by Jill Corcoran at The Herman Agency (NA).

*break-dances*

*screams*

*dies*

HUGE congrats to Angie!!! I can't wait for y'all to read Amarok!! And I can't wait to actually hold it in my hands!!!

You can go congratulate Angie on Twitter, and stay tuned to Operation Awesome for our celebration!!

Why THE HUNGER GAMES Trailer Is The Perfect Query

2011-11-15T06:49:00.000-08:00

For those of you who still haven't seen it, here's the full-length trailer for The Hunger Games:

So.

Not only is the trailer OMFGawesomeonastick, I think it's a little instructional for writers. After I saw it, I kept remembering the dreaded Q-word: queries. The more I dissected the trailer, the stronger the impression I got that it resembled a perfect query letter.

Here's why:

The World-Building

For the most part, the HG trailer focuses on how this dystopian world works. How the Tributes get picked at the Reaping, how they train for battle, how they're groomed for the reality TV-obsessed audience, and what the Hunger Games actually are. And it does so in very little time. The trailer focuses on the key info that's necessary for a general understanding of what the movie's about: cruel government + children competing in a fight to the death = world-building.

The Conflict

Katniss doesn't want to be selected for the Hunger Games, but she's prepared for it. Her little sister, however, isn't. So she has a choice: volunteer on Prim's behalf to save her, or stay out of the Hunger Games. When she steps up to take Prim's place, audiences can see her heart breaking. And when she meets her fellow Tributes, her fear and discomfort are palpable as well--she doesn't want to take anyone's life. But she does want to survive. Katniss's inner and outer conflicts are well defined, which is what agents/editors expect from your query. Above all else, they should care about your characters. Paying close attention to the inner and outer conflicts helps do just that for them.

The Cliffhanger

The trailer could've shown a bit of footage from the Games. But it didn't. It stops right when the Tributes are racing toward the Cornucopia. Right when the good stuff is about to happen. That's how your query should end--it should compel agents/editors to request pages. It should make them go "Whoa, whoa, whoa... You can't just leave me hanging like this! WHAT HAPPENS NEXT??". Some authors/agents suggest only including what goes down in the first 3 chapters, or first 50 pages, of your manuscript in a query. I'd have to agree, but the key thing to remember is to hint at something big, terrible, and inescapable for your MC. Something that whoever gets your query will only find out if they ask for more.

So. Not only is this post an excuse to watch The Hunger Games trailer for the umpteenth time, it's hopefully a helpful tool for your query writing process!

Now tell me: do you have any query writing tips to share? Do you like writing queries (like me), or loathe it with all your being?

Nina LaCour + Book Banning = Worst. Mistake. Ever.

2011-11-10T04:46:00.000-08:00

I think it's no surprise how I feel about book banning.

Not a fan, folks. Not a fan.

Some of those banned books are my absolute favorites. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, for example, changed my life as both a person and writer forever. I owe so much to someone I've never met.

That's exactly how I felt after reading Hold Still by Nina LaCour. I actually recommended it a couple months back. LaCour's writing is not only gorgeous, but her characters feel like long lost friends. Through them, I learn about the world and myself. I see light where darkness reigns supreme.

Which is why banning it from school libraries is a mistake.

Sure, parents--the good kind--want what's best for their offspring. They care about them, of course. But telling other parents' offspring what they can and can't read? That's overstepping, folks. Big time. And more likely than not, teens who pick up Hold Still need to read it. Not for a grade, but for themselves. For their friends, or loved ones, or strangers they wish they could help. F-bombs and sex are in the book, and if teens take issue with those particular story elements, they will choose to put the book down on their own.

But here's the kicker: we have to let them choose.

They are not little kids. They are young adults.

Please stop disrespecting them.

Blog Chain: My Favorite Monster

2011-11-06T04:11:00.000-08:00

Okay. For this blog chain round, the ridiculously awesome Matthew asked:

What is your all-time favorite monster?

*ponders*

So. My fave monster.

Thing is, I've never really thought about it. There are so many books, movies, and TV shows with creepy creatures I love. Choosing was much harder than I expected!

But as I usually do, I go with the first thought to pop into my mind.

Folks, my all-time favorite monster is...

*drumroll*

Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Confession: Tim Burton is my hero. He's one of the reasons I write, and why I believe dreaming isn't a waste of time. Even though he didn't direct The Nightmare Before Christmas, he wrote the screenplay, and had its characters living in his head for a long time. To me, Sally is his crowning achievement in this film.

For all intents and purposes, Sally is a monster. She's broken--literally. Her body's held together by black threads. She's a walking, talking ragdoll. Whenever her limbs fall off, though, Sally grabs her needles and sews herself back together. Despite her physical restrictions (and her caretaker's desire to have her with him 24/7), she yearns to see the world and the beauty it has to offer. She's kind, rational, and painfully shy when it comes to sharing her feelings for Jack. She's relatable.

But she looks like she haunts little kids in their sleep.

Sally proves that age-old saying: never judge a book by its cover.

Make sure you go check out Abby's fave monster, and stay tuned for Sandra's pick tomorrow!

Now tell me: have you seen The Nightmare Before Christmas? Is there another character you think is an awesome monster??

Mystery Agent Contest: Get Those Twitter Pitches Ready!

2011-11-01T05:18:00.000-07:00

Happy NaNo, everybody!!

*tosses confetti*

For those of you not entering NaNo this year, and have a completed manuscript, I've got great news. We're celebrating another Mystery Agent Contest over at Operation Awesome!

To enter, you need a Twitter-length pitch and the first 500 words of your manuscript.

Click here for more details.

And best of luck!!

Trick-or-Treaters You Should Stay Away From...

2011-10-31T04:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween, folks! Hope you're stocked up on candy and spooky reads today!

Me? Well, I'm... scared.

You see, trick-or-treaters will knock on my door tonight. And although I love giving people unhealthy foods, I may just keep all my lollipops to myself when these dudes come around.

Here's my Halloween Survival Guide: Trick-or-Treaters You Should Stay Away From:

I don't care if his eyes sparkle. Or that his hat fits him perfectly. Or that his skin is flawless. Or that his eyes sparkle.

Oh, wait... I said that already...

Muscles? HA! Nobody cares, dude. Nobody cares. If he shows up half-naked to your doorstep, he should not be trusted, people. Plus, nobody cares about muscles.

*stares at muscles*

Do not take his hand. Ever. No matter how deep and reassuring his voice is when he says he'll save your life. Dudes that do this might kidnap the heck out of you, okay? Say no to the hand.

Why do I insist on staying away from all this pretty?

Oh, come on. You know the truth about pretty, don't you?

STAY AWAY FROM THE PRETTY!!

Now if you'll excuse me, I must go chain myself to the wall before The Pretty ring my doorbell.

*flees*

Are you prepared for The Pretty today? What survival tips work best for you?

Why Your Dreams WILL Come True

2011-10-22T04:47:00.000-07:00

Folks, I have found the reason why all your dreams will come true.

Exhibit A:

James Marsters (Spike) and Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel

Exhibit B:

James Marsters and Charisma Carpenter on Supernatural

Reason: because mine did.

So yeah. Anything is possible.

*raises fist in the air*

Now tell me: are you a Supernatural fan? If so, did you watch last night's episode? What did you think of this e-p-i-c reunion???

Marketing Lessons With Ryan Gosling

2011-10-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

So. Marketing. Not exactly my favorite thing to discuss, and I certainly haven't discussed it a lot on ye old blog.

Folks, there are exceptions.

Ryan Gosling is sure as heck one of them.

Le evidence:

Le marketing lesson of the day: If you want your book to stand out, regardless of genre, do the unexpected.

And don't apologize for it :)

Now tell me: what do you think of the Feminist Ryan Gosling Flashcards??? And do you think they can help you write a better book?

Blog Chain: The Critique Partner Edition

2011-10-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

So, so, so sorry I've been MIA the past few weeks! In fact, I've been so MIA that I forgot to post for the blog chain! *face palm*

Okay. Time for some blog chainin' :)

This round's question is from the lovely Sarah. She asks:

Do you work with critique partners? How did you find your crit pals, and what influence have they had on your work?

First answer: Yes, I have critique partners. Two. And no, you can't have them :)

Second answer: I found them through the wonderful world of the blogosphere. My first CP ever had commented on agent Mary Kole's Critique Connection post. I recognized her from her blog, which I followed and enjoyed. Since I didn't have a CP, I decided to email her, and waited for her reply. Luckily, she took me on as CP, and we've been together for over a year. We actually belonged to a critique group, but since I prefer to share my pages once the whole thing is done (instead of just a few pages every three weeks, and while still drafting), I left the group. But she stayed with me!

*hugs first CP ever*

My second CP and I have a similar story. She'd submitted to Natalie Whipple's Crit Partner Classifieds post (yes, I'm a stalker. Don't tell anyone...). I read the description she'd written about her project and could not. Stop. Laughing. Also, she loves Veronica Mars. Done deal. So I emailed her, and lo and behold, we hit it off. We've been together since this past February, and I currently owe her the longest email in the history of emails.

*hides face*

Third answer: Their influence on my work is HUGE. Both CPs get rambling emails with new WIP ideas, writerly frustrations, and of course, sample pages. I have this annoying habit of starting and quitting a project, and they manage to both shout at me and cheer me on. But what I enjoy most about having two set of eyes looking at my work is how they sometimes spot the same problem, and how sometimes they spot problems the other didn't. One CP is a pro with sentence/scene structure, character development, plot holes; another CP is a genius at dialogue, voice, setting, and that ever-elusive thing called tension.

I do think I drive them crazy with my whole "Oh, you know what? I'm not feeling this story anymore" attitude, but they haven't kicked me to the curb yet! *crosses fingers*

And who are my awesome CPs, you ask?

Lindsay Scott and Feliza David!

*squeezes CPs*

Without them, I'd be WAY more lame than I already am :)

Don't forget to check out Matt's post today, and go read Sandra's post tomorrow!

Two Agents + One-Line Pitch Critique Contest = Reel YA!

2011-09-26T04:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone!

Today's post is going to be a short one.

Why?

Because I'm over at Reel YA celebrating its first contest!

*shimmies*

And guess what? TWO literary agents will be critiquing one-line pitches. And guess what else? Their commentaries will be posted on the blog! So everyone can soak in their awesome advice!

*shimmies again*

Okay. Enough shimmying.

Head over to Reel YA for official contest rules and details.

Best of luck to all who enter!

Blog Chain: 3 Slow Starts That Are SO Worth It

2011-09-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

Yep. It's blog chain time again!

For this chain, the uber-awesome Shaun wants us to answer this:

What are three books you would tell people that they need to keep reading even if they aren't immediately sucked in by the first page?

It took me a while to come up with my options, to be honest. Many openings appeal to me, but of course, there are exceptions (weather is a big no-no, for example...). So here are my picks for books with slow starts that are worth reading:

1) THE GIRL WHO COULD FLY by Victoria Forester.

This MG is un-be-lie-va-ble. Funny, charming, super sad yet hopeful. But since I felt like the beginning was all voice/backstory and no action, I read it veeeeeery slowly. MG isn't my forte, so I attributed my lack of interest at first to the fact that I read primarily YA. Then Forester introduces readers to the top secret government facility for "gifted" kids, where Piper McCloud, the main character, is sent to study and hone her power of flying. Piper's voice, the variety of awesome characters, and the insanely evil obstacles (both physical and emotional) Piper faces are what kept me pushing through.

2) WARM BODIES by Isaac Marion

Yes, this is a best-selling YA zombie novel. Yes, I was excited to read it. The first line even hooked me: "I am dead, but it's not so bad." Even so, this book wasn't what I expected. It's not a zombie slaughterfest. It has a lot of interiority. Don't get me wrong--R, the main character (who's a zombie with no recollection of his past), is a joy to read about. And the writing is top-notch. BUT again, I like my fiction voice-y and action-filled. Things pick up when R meets his love interest, but it does go slow for a while again. The romance is so, so, so sweet. Too sweet, I think. I was rooting for R to reach his goal and all, but I wanted him to be more proactive. By the final page, though, I couldn't stop marveling at how wonderful the story is.

3) THE NAME OF THE ROSE by Umberto Eco

I adore thriller/mystery films. Books? Haven't had much experience with them. This one by Eco, though, happens to be one of my faves. Despite that fact, I couldn't get through it when I read it during my sophomore year in college. First of all, it's a detective novel. The detective isn't really a detective, but a monk. He sets out to uncover the truth behind seven weird deaths at an abbey. And there are a lot of clues. Sounds promising, right? Well, when I first read it, I was overwhelmed with heavy world-building and references to Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and world mythology. The mystery unfolds at a painfully slow pace. It's almost torture to find yourself uncovering one clue, then three others pop up. But the ending makes the wait SO worth it. I swear.

So there you have them, folks. My three picks for books you should read, but beware: they start a little slow.

Don't forget to check out Abby's post, and go see what Sandra says tomorrow!

The Kenny-From-South-Park Syndrome

2011-09-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

Confession: I love South Park.

I don't watch it as often as I'd like, but oh, do I love South Park.

Most importantly, I love its characters. My all-time fave is, hands down, Cartman. He is vile and cruel and just plain wrong, but I can't imagine my life without him. At all.

I also love someone else, though. Someone who doesn't get a lot of respect on the show. Or a lot of say.

Kenny McCormick.

He's the dude with the orange hoodie. The dude who dies in almost every episode.

The dude no one can hear 'cause of his zipped up hoodie.

His words come out like a weird, baboon-ish cry for help. To viewers, what Kenny's saying is hard to decode. But Kenny's friends have no problem figuring it out.

Of course, here comes the writing analogy.

Kenny's friends--Stan and Kyle and Cartman--are like critique partners. Whenever Kenny can't quite get his message across, they pull it out of him and make everyone else understand, too. Think about it: don't you consider yourself to be writing with a weird, baboon-ish voice in certain scenes? That nobody can get your point?

That's the Kenny-From-South-Park Syndrome.

And its cure is awesome critique partners.

Now tell me: have you suffered from Kenny-From-South-Park Syndrome lately? Do your crit partners keep you afloat during that baboon-ish phase?

Awesome Writing Tip From Betty White

2011-09-19T04:22:00.000-07:00

So. Betty White.

What more is there to say?

Well, if you watched the Emmy Awards Pre-show last night, like I totally did, you have something extra to add about Betty White. You see, during an interview, she was asked how she's managed to make this point in her career the highest, most memorable one.

And she said, "I just don't go away."

By not going away, or giving up, or bemoaning her failures, Betty's guaranteed an unforeseen success for herself. It's all about the attitude, folks. Of course you're going to have sucky writing days. I've have quite a few this past week. And guess what? There are much more to come.

But the next time I want to go away or give up or bemoan my failures, I'll whip out this pic:

And that's all I need to keep pushing on :)

Now tell me: what do you do when you're down in the writing dumps?

Reel YA: Where YA Books And Teen Movies Rule

2011-09-13T03:57:00.000-07:00

So. I love YA fiction. But you all know that.

I also love movies. But you all know that, too.

What you may not know is that I decided to mash up these two loves.

And that, my friends, is Reel YA.

This new blog is dedicated to the books and movies that celebrate young adulthood best. Not just according to me, though. According to awesome people like YA authors, bloggers, and random folks I pick off the streets.

Okay. That last one? Not so much.

BUT Reel YA is what I like to call a party. One I'd love to invite all of you to.

I'll be sharing guest posts, interviews, book/movie reviews, and the latest news on everything YA. Today I kick things off with the first post of Vampire Week! And stay tuned for this Thursday, when Reel YA's first guest post takes on the bloodsuckers!

Now tell me: have you read any awesome YA books lately? I need recommendations!!

Read For Relief Auction!

2011-09-12T03:37:00.000-07:00

When I was asked by the lovely Caroline Tung Richmond to join a relief effort for victims of Hurricane Irene, I jumped at the chance. Caroline and a few other awesome writers put together Read For Relief, an auction that kicks off today. You can win all sorts of great stuff, including signed ARCs, query critiques by agents, partial critiques by editors, and group critiques by YA Highway!

Me and the ladies of Operation Awesome are also offering a group critique--we'll be giving feedback to the first 30 pages of the winning manuscript!

So yeah. You SO want to go to Read For Relief right now, and start bidding!

See you there! :)

Fess Up Friday: Bravery In Writing (Cat of Awesomeness Pic Included)

2011-09-09T05:59:00.001-07:00

Most days, I am a wimp. There's no benefit to denying that.

Whether it's in writing or real life, I get scared a lot. That doesn't mean I don't take chances, but I spend A LOT of time thinking about whether I should take them or not.

Then there are those other days.

The days where I am like this:

That cat is a badass.

It is unafraid of the BAZILLION DOGS who could chomp his tiny butt any minute. But you know what? The cat doesn't care. It's like, "YOU CAN'T SEE ME. I'M A NINJA CAT OF AWESOMENESS." Cat of Awesomeness walks right in front of danger and acts like it's nothing. It takes a huge risk by putting itself out there.

And guess what? It came out unscathed.

Writing isn't an escape for me. It's part of my reality. But sitting down to write can sometimes scare the crapballs out of me. For example, right now, my WIP feels complicated. Like it's too much for me to handle because of the genre. Two things keep me going: 1) my love of the premise; 2) knowing that when I finish the manuscript, I'll be a much better writer than before.

So yeah. It pays to be Cat of Awesomeness.

*puts on Ninja outfit*

*flips the bird at laptop*

*writes*

Now fess up: is something scaring the crapballs out of you? How do you push through that fear?

Confessions From An Edit-As-I-Go Convert

2011-09-07T04:34:00.000-07:00

So. First drafts.

I used to never edit as I go. I wrote the whole thing as sucktastic as possible, then fixed it during edits.

Not anymore.

Well, I'll still do edits after Draft #1, BUT maybe they won't be as substantial. Maybe, just maybe, my WIP's level of sucktasticness will be considerably less.

Why?

Because I've converted to the Edit-As-I-Go approach.

Image found here.

This new story I'm working on? It's torturing me... in a good way. I can't stop thinking about it. Whenever I reach my writing goal of the day, I want to keep going. That has only happened once (with a WIP that's currently simmering as a second-ish draft). Since I really, really, really love this freakin' story, I want to treat as nicely as possible. That means I'm taking things s-l-o-w-l-y.

And I'm whipping out my Internal Editor.

I already blogged about the IE's benefits, but I've never actually relied on it during first drafts. This time, though, I came up with a system: 1) write 2-3 chapters a week (did I mention I'm going s-l-o-w?); 2) edit those 2-3 chapters on weekends; 3) rinse, repeat. It'll probably take me a billion years to finish Draft #1, but I think it'll be worth it. My plan is to spend Christmas holidays revising like a madwoman, so I have a few months left to work on Draft #1. *sigh*

This WIP might not go anywhere publishing wise, but OMG, it's so fun to write. You know how long it's been since I've had fun writing?

Too long.

I'm glad I'm back in the game :)

Now tell me: do you let your Internal Editor out during first drafts? If so, any tips you'd like to share with this newbie?

Blog Chain: A Dark And Stormy Night... Sort Of

2011-09-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

Yep. I'm at it again this week, folks. Another blog chain post!

This time, the super fab Christine asks us to join her in a writing prompt:

Since we are all writers, I thought it was about time for us to stretch our creative muscles and do a little writing. So, take the following topic and go crazy! Show us what you've got. Your story can be as long or as short as you choice.

The topic: A dark and stormy night.

For this post, I've chosen an excerpt from my YA paranormal romance (which is now shelved, but I still heart it! I've been thinking about changing the genre and premise, but keeping the characters. *ponders*). It's a brief (barely edited) scene, and it ends in a cliffhanger-ish moment, so I apologize in advance!

Le excerpt:

The gravestones glimmered as raindrops polished the marble. My hands throbbed from climbing over the cemetery gates, which were locked due to the late midnight hour.

Midnight…

One day ended while another begun.

Shuddering, I walked deeper into the graveyard, a shower of rain engulfing me in the cruelest degree of cold. If I didn’t hurry, chances were I’d have to swim through a swamp.

I found the spot where Vincent summoned Morgana, convincing myself to look away from the headstones and up at the sky. All I could see were small white dots on a black velvet mantel--it seemed like every star in the universe had come to witness this.

Guessed they were all subscribed to Gossip Girl: The Galaxy Edition.

Focus, I told myself, just focus.

Closing my eyes, I beckoned my body to relax underneath the downpour.

Which didn’t work. I shivered from the cold and the wave of nerves crashing over me.

Focus.

I pushed back Vincent’s face. I erased the memories of my family, of the sun-kissed island I used to call home, of the friends I’d made and lost.

Balthazar’s instructions rang loud and clear: just Call to her wherever Vincent summons her. And then, you wait.

“Morgana,” I said as loudly as my voice would allow, “vindicatum meus animus!"

Silence.

“Morgana!” I yelled, eyes pressed shut. “I'll do it, okay? Come down here and take it already!”

The sky rumbled, a symphony of doom above me.

My nostrils detected a strong scent overpowering that of the damp earth.

Smoke.

Ashes.

Fire…

Opening my eyes, I searched for the pale horse among the clouds.

The flaming pet galloped to the ground, magically untouched by the rain falling around it.

Morgana rode on top of him, onyx hair whipping in the wind.

Showtime…

That's it! Hope it's not too sucktastic. :)

Go check out Abby's post from yesterday, and make sure to head over to Sandra's blog for her post tomorrow!

Now tell me: any dark and stormy nights in your WIP?

Blog Chain: In Which I Talk About Publishing, Ebooks, And Fears

2011-08-31T05:19:00.000-07:00

Once again, I'm sending a shout-out to my Operation Awesome buddy, Michelle. She's invited me to join a super awesome blog chain, and today's my first post!

The lovely Sandra chose the topic for this round:

Have the recent changes in the publishing industry affected your writing plans/career? If so, how?

Very short answer: No.

Slightly longer and possibly incoherent answer: Ever since I started writing YA, I've always dreamed of the same thing--seeing my book on shelves. With the booming ebook industry, those shelves are different for a ton of authors. These are people who have taken charge of their careers in every sense of the word. They have the passion/drive/focus it takes to design and market a product. Sometimes it's hard to remember that writing is a business, after all. To me, e-pubbed authors know that very well, and are doing an excellent job of exploring both the creative and commercial aspects.

Me? I am a huge fan of change.

But self-publishing isn't for me.

I have a very strong feeling I'll always write. YA fiction, for the most part. It's what makes me happy. While it would be super amazing to have a book of mine out in the world, I don't think I'd be that heartbroken if it doesn't happen (but ask me again in ten years... *winks*).

We all know the weird truth: not every awesome writer gets published. The traditional route sometimes excludes amazing storytellers. Sucks, but what can you do? Well, if you're like me, being in charge of your career in such an absolute way terrifies you. I honestly feel like I might topple over and faint. Or worse, sell a really crappy book, unlike some of my Operation Awesome friends, who are self-pubbed with really kickass stories.

Here's my plan: 1) finish WIP; 2) revise x100000; 3) query agents.

That's as far as I have control of my career. Whatever happens after that isn't entirely up to me.

And for some reason, I'm okay with that.

Thanks to Michelle and the gang for letting me join in on the fun! You can see Abby's post on the subject here, and check out Christine's blog when she posts on a brand new topic tomorrow!

Tagged! 10 Random Facts About Me (Jensen Ackles Pic Included)

2011-08-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

My Operation Awesome buddy Michelle McLean tagged me last week, and since Hurricane Irene was being a pain, I didn't have an Internet connection. BUT now I'm back in the game, and ready to spill ze beans.

Without further ado, here are 10 random facts about me:

1) I'm a Capricorn. For some reason, that makes me feel proud. Like I accomplished something just by being born on a certain month. Why, yes, I'm lame.

2) I love to eat peanut butter straight out of the jar. But I have to do it whenever my dad isn't looking. Not because he frowns upon this act, though. Because he wants to steal the jar for himself.

3) My favorite color is a four-way tie between green, black, blue, and purple. The world is a better place because of them.

4) Whenever I'm really happy, I speak with a Southern accent. And I'm Puerto Rican. Yeah.

5) Even though my wardrobe consists primarily of T-shirts, jeans, and Chuck Taylors, I l-o-v-e fashion. My obsession with Project Runway and The Rachel Zoe Project only fuel this love even more. When I was in middle school, I told my mom I wanted to be a fashion designer. She designs and sows like a BAMF, but me? Not so much.

6) I have all the Buffy the Vampire Slayer seasons on DVD. It's the only series I have all the seasons to on DVD, but trust me. There are more to come.

7) Seven is my favorite movie of all time. Kevin Spacey's performance is one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen in my life, and I LOVE it. Also, the movie taught me so much about plotting, characterization, and foreshadowing. If ever I get published, it is going right into my Acknowledgements page.

8) I am currently learning Italian. It's a requisite for grad school (I have to know three languages), but I've ALWAYS wanted to learn Italian. One of my dreams is to live in Italy for a summer, and I'm loving every minute of this experience.

9) Reality TV is my crack. There. I said it. *blushes*

10) And last but not least, I am married to this man:

But you knew that already.

Now I'm tagging the following peeps:

Lindsay

Pam and Quita

Emy Shin

Can't wait to read your posts, ladies!

Movie Trailer Monday: THE HUNGER GAMES brain explodes

2011-08-29T05:41:00.000-07:00

I don't think I need to prelude this trailer with anything, do I?

*shakes head*

Okay. I'm just going to lead you straight to it, folks.

Le first official trailer for The Hunger Games:

I know it's still rough (filming hasn't ended yet, so they don't have much footage to show us), but I think it's a decent teaser. Jennifer Lawrence looks like the perfect mix of badass and vulnerable. The voice-over with Gale warms my heart, too. OH, AND RUE'S WHISTLE AT THE END.

*dies*

I cannot wait to see a full-length trailer with... wait for it... PEETA!!!

*fist pump*

Now tell me: what did you think of the teaser? Are you excited, or underwhelmed?

An Open Letter To Boys Who Don't Read YA

2011-08-22T04:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Boys Who Don't Read YA,

If you can watch her show...

and her show...

and even her show...

you can read YA novels.

Yes, there are girls in them. And they share their feelings. And sometimes, swoon over boys who look/act/speak n-o-t-h-i-n-g like you.

But guess what? Girls read books with boy main characters. With girls who sometimes look/act/speak n-o-t-h-i-n-g like them. And girls still LOVE those books.

Be a dear and show girls some respect. Their voices matter just as much as yours.

Also, go read this post by YA author Saundra Mitchell.

You're welcome.

Sincerely,

A Girl Who Reads Books With Boys And Wants Boys To Read Books With Girls

Movie Trailer Monday: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, Anne Hathaway As A Badass, And The Importance Of Taking Risks

2011-08-08T04:03:00.000-07:00

Yep. It's another edition of Movie Trailer Monday!!!

And it's all about...

BATMAN.

*flaps black cape*

So. I l-o-v-e Batman. Especially if Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan had anything to do with it.

Which leads me to the final installment in Nolan's trilogy.

First, le trailer for The Dark Knight Rises:

Now, le Anne Hathaway as a Badass a.k.a. Catwoman:

And now, le importance if taking risks: raise your hand if you ever thought Anne Hathaway would get to play Catwoman.

*blinks*

Exactly.

She's beautiful, nice-looking, and soft-spoken. But she wanted to audition for Nolan's film. She wanted to play Catwoman. AND SHE IS. Bottom line? Anne Hathaway should be your sensei. If you want to write a genre you've never tackled, GO FOR IT. Repeat after me: risks are our friends. They change our lives for the better or worse, but the point is that they change our lives. They make us stronger. They force us to learn.

Don't ever turn your back on a chance to learn.

Nuff said.

Now tell me: are you excited for The Dark Knight Rises? And what do you think about Anne as Catwoman??

WIP Playlists And Why They Rule

2011-08-03T09:10:00.001-07:00

So. I love music. Some genres more than others, but overall, I'm an equal opportunity music listener. My poor iPod is filled with songs by artists who would NEVER duet in real life.

*cough Marilyn Manson and Taylor Swift cough*

Before I start drafting, I love to put together a playlist for the project. Sometimes I create two playlists--one for the main character, and another for the MC's relationship with the love interest.

Why, yes, I do have way too much time on my hands...

Seriously, though, I think writers should be open to music when drafting. To me, a playlist is useful for three reasons:

1) Songs that help with character development/voice

These are the easiest ones to pick for me. They're usually songs that deal with what my MC faces in the story, or is about to face. Either way, they give me an idea of how my MC would react or feel in certain situations, and I write accordingly. Out of all the songs I pick, these get the most plays.

2) Songs that help with plot

This is where I usually feel like I'm cheating. Songs are stories, after all. There's an outcome the singer is either happy or sad about, right? Well, whenever I get stuck with my plot, I sit back and listen. The lyrics make me come up with brand new scenes, goals, obstacles, and resolutions. They don't have to be exactly what the lyrics refer to, but a good chunk stems from them.

3) Songs that help with mood

Battle sequences = Metal. A huge breakup = Ballads. Party scenes = Dance/Pop/Hip Hop. I think atmosphere for the writer translates into atmosphere for the story. Of course, there are writers who can whip out these scenes without music, and they come up with sheer brilliance. Me? Not so much. *hangs head in shame*

So. There you have it. Playlists save fake people's lives.

Tell me: do you create playlists for your WIPs? Any specific kind of music you keep gravitating toward?

It's Mystery Agent Contest Day!!!

2011-08-01T04:22:00.000-07:00

Once again, Operation Awesome has found a Mystery Agent!! If you have a completed manuscript and a one-line pitch, hop on over to the blog and enter.

Your prize? A full manuscript request!

And who knows? Maybe our Mystery Agent will pick more than one winner.

*bats eyelashes*

Best of luck to all who enter!!

Fess Up Friday: A Series I Wish I'd Read Sooner

2011-07-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

So. There's this author. Her name is Richelle Mead.

She wrote this book:

And OMFG it is incredible.

No, I am not exaggerating.

It. Is. Incredible.

If you're not familiar with the book, I give you le blurb:

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Confession: I'd known about the Vampire Academy books for about two years now, and I hadn't picked them up. I wanted to read them, but I kept buying other books first. Then my mother bought all six books and read them. AND SHE WOULDN'T STOP HARASSING ME. Or talking about some Russian dude named Dimitri.

So I read Vampire Academy.

And my life has changed forever.

I really, really, really wish I'd read Mead's books sooner. Not only do I enjoy her storytelling, but I learn from it. A lot. The characters, world-building and HOLY COW IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING plot twists are what make her such an amazing author to me. And Rose? She's now one of my Top 5 Best YA Heroines of all time. Maybe even Top 3. Maybe even #1.

Yes. I just said that. Sue me.

Oh, and that Russian dude named Dimitri?

O_O

That is all.

But I'm curious: is there a series you wish you'd read earlier?? Which one? *takes notes*

Sequels: What I Like As A Reader

2011-07-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

So. I seem to have a bit of an obsession with book series.

Which means I read more sequels than standalones.

That's changing, though, with my 30 Contemp Books Challenge, in which I aim to read 30 YA contemporary novels this year. I'm reading a lot more standalones in YA contemporary, and I love them. The minute I finish, I have all the freedom in the world to discover another author.

But when it comes to series, that's not the case.

And it is because of this that I've compiled a list of Things I Like In Sequels As A Reader:

1) A new question/mystery

I love sequels for two main reasons: a) I get to spend more time with the best characters ever, and b) I get to see them react to different dangers/problems and higher stakes. BUT these dangers/problems and higher stakes are much more enjoyable for me when they're a product of a new question or mystery. Sequels that are pretty much the characters dishing out new information and plotting against the baddies are okay, but not as compelling to me. So yeah. New story + New question/mystery = Awesome sequel.

2) Deeper characterization

Since I already know the MC and supporting cast, I want to be surprised. What secrets are they hiding? Do they have talents they didn't know about? Did they get a crush on that girl/guy they thought sucked at life? To me, it's all about taking those characters into new directions, and peeling a layer off them. Fears and goals can be either strengthened or changed. Anything to get a clearer picture of who I'm reading about is fine with me.

3) Fresh world-building

Sequels can have brand new settings. Or, if it's the same setting, new rules. In some cases, it's a new villain, instead (usually stronger and more dangerous than the last one). Whatever the case, I think it's exciting to throw some curve balls at characters in terms of what they can accomplish in their world, and how that world is an ever-evolving character itself. And the more unexpected and impossible-to-deal-with that world seems, the more exciting it is for me.

So there you have it, blogging buddies. If a sequel doesn't have any of those three things, I'll still read on, but not as quickly and as engaged.

But I'm curious: what do you like to see in sequels? Are there any authors you think write super awesome sequels?

Movie Trailer Monday: Snow White And The Huntsman

2011-07-24T13:27:00.001-07:00

Okay. There's no trailer for Snow White and the Huntsman yet.

BUT there are pictures. AND the cast was at Comic-Con.

*blinks*

Oh, okay... I am looking for an excuse to blog about this movie...

Why?

THESE PICTURES:

Yes, that is Kristen Stewart with a sword and shield.

WITH A SWORD AND SHIELD.

O_O

Here's a quick summary from the Huffington Post of what the flick is about:

The story, according to Entertainment Weekly, features Snow White, having escaped from the Evil Queen's imprisonment, off in the woods, being chased down by the Huntsman. He's charged with returning just her heart, but when he can't bring himself to kill her for it, they become partners in the fight against the queen.

SOLD.

Now tell me: is this new spin on Snow White interesting? Or do you think fairy tale retellings should be left alone?

How To Get Nothing Done: The Modern Family Edition

2011-07-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

So. There's this TV show I've been meaning to watch for the past two years. But due to an already crowded TV schedule, I've never actually seen it. Just a trailer here and there.

Until now.

A few days ago, I downloaded the first episode.

Then the next one.

And so on.

Which show am I talking about?

ABC's Modern Family.

I am a huge fan of funny. But to me, the best funny comes with the serious. Modern Family is that show. It makes you laugh and think at the same time. And it has a ton of heart.

The cast is uh-may-zing (Sofia Vergara has never made me laugh harder).

And the characters? THE CHARACTERS. This show is the definition of diversity. I cannot begin to tell you how refreshing it is to see non-stereotypical stereotypes! *fist pump*

I'm almost done with Season 1, and believe me, I will tear through Season 2. Hopefully, there'll be room in my TV schedule this fall to include Modern Family, and I won't have to watch it on a computer screen.

*crosses fingers*

So yeah. Modern Family. So awesome, it's insane.

Now tell me: do you watch Modern Family? If not, what shows have you discovered a little later in life that you've ended up loving?

Thank You, Harry

2011-07-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

So. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

Folks, I saw it.

Yesterday.

And I plan on seeing it again.

As many times as I can.

Yes, the franchise is over. There will be no more books or movies. And while this makes me very sad, I can only be grateful:

And, of course, thank you, J.K.

You changed my life for the better.

Bad Reviews: Why You Should Keep Your Potty Mouth Shut

2011-07-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

So. Book reviews.

I love them. Heck, I write them for Operation Awesome sometimes.

But I only review books I love.

Why?

Because I am full of sunshine and sparkles and confetti.

*bats eyelashes*

Okay, okay. Maybe I'm not full of sunshine and sparkles and confetti.

But I am, however, respectful.

I have a ton of respect for authors. Especially YA authors. You know, 'cause I read their books and stuff...

Anyway, there's this website:

I love browsing Goodreads. L-O-V-E.

But sometimes I don't.

Sometimes I find book reviews that aren't really book reviews. To me, you can't review a book if you haven't finished it. Not finishing a book means you quit. You can't tell me if the book picked up steam or not. You can't assess the best parts of it because you don't know which parts are the best.

And then there are bad reviews for books people did finish. Only they're not bad reviews at all. They're rants. Unprofessional, poorly written rants. With rambling, incoherent sentences and bad grammar and super foul, offensive language.

And sometimes, those rants are from aspiring YA authors.

*face palm*

Folks, remember respect.

And karma.

That is all.

Please tell me: am I the only one who rolls their eyes at these bad "reviews"? Or do you cringe when you read rants, too?

Fess Up Friday: Will Harry Make You Cry?

2011-07-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another edition of Fess Up Friday!!

*throws confetti*

My question for y'all today is: do you think you'll cry while watching the last Harry Potter film?

"Come and get me, Lizard Face!"--Harry Potter

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING LIZARD FACE?????"--Voldemort.

My answer: HELL YES.

I will cry.

I will lose my very soul.

*sigh*

Wake me up when July ends, folks.

*runs off to a corner and sobs*

What about you? Will seeing Harry one last time make you cry?

From Book To Film: A Novel I'm Dying To 'See'

2011-07-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes books get turned into films.

Sometimes those films suck.

Sometime they don't.

That's why I enjoy the before-it-gets-made phase. You know, the period between the studio announcement and the official movie trailer. I get to imagine how the scenes will be adapted, freak out (in a good way) over casting choices, and pretty much count the days till that first glimpse of the movie. I'm not a patient person, but for some reason, the wait always makes me happy. Like I'm spending energy on a worthwhile cause or something.

Anyway, while I'm super stoked to see The Hunger Games (!), there's another adaptation I want to check out. Badly.

I recently read that this dude...

Nicholas Hoult from X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

...will play the main character from this book:

And I am so. Effing. Excited.

*fist pump*

Haven't read Isaac Marion's Warm Bodies? Here's the blurb:

R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, noidentity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and stragely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead, and the blurry line in between.

As if I didn't love zombies enough already...

So yeah. I'm excited about the film version, which is expected to hit theaters sometime next year.

Also, a quick shout-out to my critique partner Lindsay, who's responsible for me reading this awesome book!! :)

Now tell me: any book-to-film adaptations you're dying to see??

10 Killer Queries That Worked

2011-07-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

Confession: I love query letters. Reading them. Writing them. Whatever. I can't get enough of them.

Yes, I am weird. But you knew that already, didn't you?

Anyway, I thought I'd share a few of the most awesomesauce queries I've ever read. This is mostly because I wanted to compile them all in one place, but also because I feel like they help writers struggling over their queries. Seeing how others boil down their stories into 3-4 paragraphs is both encouraging and educational :)

In no particular order, here are some of the best queries in the universe:

1) Lisa and Laura Roecker's query for THE LIAR SOCIETY

2) Karsten Knight's query for WILDEFIRE

3) Kirsten Hubbard's query for LIKE MANDARIN

4) Elana Johnson's query for POSSESSION
(then titled Control Issues)

5) Kody Keplinger's query for THE DUFF

6) Susan Dennard's query for SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY
(then titled The Spirit Hunters )

7) Gennifer Albin's query for CREWEL
(I actually stole the idea for this post from her Friday Five about queries. Yes, I am evil...)

8) Miriam Forster's query for THE HOUSE OF A THOUSAND DOLLS

9) Heather Brewer's query for EIGHTH GRADE BITES

10) Lisa McMann's query for WAKE

If you haven't read any of them, or just a few, I suggest taking a closer look at every single one. Their that awesome, I promise you.

For those of you in the querying trenches, best of luck! *hugs*

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go write a query letter...

*cracks knuckles*

How about you? Any queries you love that aren't on this list? Any queries you'd love to see, like one from your favorite book? Share them with me in the comments!

How Small Goals And Alexander Skarsgard Help Me Write

2011-06-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

Confession: Sometimes I have trouble writing.

I sit down and stare at the computer screen for an eternity, unable to come up with anything remotely good. Through time, I've discovered my biggest problem--I sit down with the wrong attitude.

Writer Me From The Past was all about cranking out a billion words a day. If I didn't, I sucked. A failure at life. Writer Me From Right Now is a bit more carefree, though.

And it's all because of two things:

1) Small goals

I promise myself to write a paragraph. When I finish that paragraph, I go, "Hmm. I kinda want to do one more." Then I do one more. And I go, "Hmm. Maybe just one more." Then I do one more.

Rinse. Repeat.

Why does this trick work for me?

I get excited about the story. After a little taste of what I can do, I want to see if I can push myself a bit more. But I do the pushing in small bursts, not sprints. Sprints tire me out and make me give up. Most of the time, Writer Me From The Past wrote a lot of Bad Scenes while sprinting. I wrote for the sake of saying I'd reached X amount of words.

Now? I go slow. Then I keep going till I stop and look back.

At a whole bunch of words.

Not So Bad ones.

2) Alexander Skarsgard (from TRUE BLOOD)

I convince myself that if I write that paragraph, or that scene, this man will knock on my door:

He'll take me to dinner...

To the beach...

Or wherever else he sees fit.

If those eyes aren't inspiration enough, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.

*clears throat*

So. There you have it, folks. Small goals and Alexander Skarsgard help me write. A lot.

I hope they can help you, too :)

Now tell me: any tips you've found useful for writing a lot of Not So Bad Words?

Reminder: Don't miss Operation Awesome's July Mystery Agent Contest!!! Hop on over to the blog tomorrow for your chance at a full request!!

Movie Trailer Monday: Pixar's BRAVE (Girl Power Included)

2011-06-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

*waves*

Hi, there! Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

I, for one, enjoyed myself. I finished Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, which I reviewed for Operation Awesome (spoiler: it was AMAZING).

That book got me thinking about femininity and how girls are portrayed in literature/films/TV.

Then Pixar released a teaser trailer for their 2012 movie, BRAVE.

*fist pump*

Check out the teaser below:

Now tell me: what did you read/watch this weekend??? And what do you think of BRAVE? Are you looking forward to it?

Slutty Werewolves: An Interview With Jacob Black

2011-06-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

After reading "Writing Young-Adult Fiction: Better Than Going To The Prom", an article in Slate Magazine, teen werewolf Jacob Black invited NO REST FOR THE LAZY correspondent Amparo Ortiz to his Forks residence for an exclusive interview.

Amparo: "Thank you so much for having me, Jacob. How are you today?"

Jacob: "Pissed."

Amparo (sits back): "Why is that?"

Jacob: "Well, I just read the Slate article. That one about YA."

Amparo: "So you know what those two authors are saying about you."

Jacob (nods): "They called me a slutty werewolf."

Amparo: "Correct. And what do you think about that label?"

Jacob: "It's stupid."

Amparo: "Why is that?"

Jacob: "Because I'm not a slutty werewolf. Sure, I've saved Bella a couple times, and I've tried to hit on her while she was all sad about the bloodsucker dumping her. Really dumb, I know. But I'm not hitting on anyone else. I'm not getting it on with everyone in Forks. In fact, I'm not getting it on with anyone. So yeah. I'm not a slutty werewolf."

Amparo: "Any thoughts on why they would call you that?"

Jacob: "Maybe because I'm always shirtless?"

Amparo (pulls out photographic evidence): "We can see here..."

"...that you tend to save people while half-naked."

Jacob: "Sure, sure."

Amparo: "And here..."

"...that you're best known for strolling around in the woods while half-naked."

Jacob (nods): "It's part of the package, you know. Being a werewolf means taking your clothes off. If people have a problem with that, then don't look at my half-naked body."

Amparo (puts the photos away): "Going back to your comment on not having sex with anyone. Do you feel like being branded a slutty werewolf ruins your chances at a relationship?"

Jacob: "I can't control what people think. Some girls might take it to heart and stay away from me. Others might like it and see if it's true. I don't know what'll happen, but I do know that most of it will be out of my control."

Amparo: "How do you feel about the rest of the article, though? How the authors view YA as a whole?"

Jacob: "Same thing. YA authors can write the best stories they're capable of, pour their hearts and souls into them, and there will still be people who won't respect them. Who call them lazy and immature for writing books for teens. They can't control what others think or say, only their stories. Which, if you ask me, are pretty awesome. So to them, I say fight back the right way: keep writing awesome stories."

Amparo: "Agreed. So after this debacle, what's next for Jacob Black?"

Jacob: "The usual. Running through the woods. Hanging out with my pack. Protecting Bella. Protecting Forks. And I'll do it all shirtless."

*Ms. Ortiz would like to add that Jacob Black was shirtless during this interview, but he never tried to sleep with her. She is still recovering from the lack of flirting.

That Dude: Why Jordan Catalano Should Be In A YA Book

2011-06-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

So. Remember that time I was hooked on Veronica Mars and the rest of my life seemed irrelevant?

It happened again, folks.

With a show you may or may not know about.

Claire Danes was fantastic on this show. You can feel the angst dripping off your TV set (or, in my case, the laptop screen...). But she's not the only reason why the short-lived My So-Called Life conquered my soul. There are several, in fact, and I've chosen to highlight one of them today:

Jared Leto as Jordan Catalano

Jordan is one of those characters that stays with you. Yes, he's gorgeous, but this isn't why I couldn't get him out of my mind. (okay, okay, it's not the only reason why...).

He's what I like to call That Dude.

I believe everyone knows That Dude back from high school.

The one who slept during class, then woke up looking like he was on an alien planet.

He might've been in a band.

He might talk to himself, then act all confused when you snap him out of it.

He might've stared at you like you meant something to him, but never really did anything about it...

until he did.

My point?

That Dude made high school a bit more interesting, and that's why you noticed him. Not because of who he was, but because you weren't really sure. He seemed like one thing, but what if he wasn't?

Jordan Catalano is not just a pretty baby face. He has a secret he's ashamed of. He has insecurities. Doubts. Frustrations. Fears. And dreams, too.

He's a Real Dude.

And there should be more dudes like him in YA books.

If you haven't checked out the show yet, I urge you to watch the first and only season ASAP. Trust me, it's like one of my CP's said, "the show is like a contemporary YA novel." *nods*

Now tell me: what kind of YA dude are you most drawn to?? And if you're familiar with My So-Called Life, what do you think about Mr. Catalano??

Monday Book Madness: HOLD STILL by Nina LaCour

2011-06-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

Folks, I have three words for you on this fine Monday morning:

Read. This. Book.

An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, from a breakthrough new voice in YA fiction.

dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself.

I know this subject matter isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy gut-wrenching, honest, and hopeful storytelling, Hold Still is for you.

And that's all I have to say about it.

Because it is just plain awesome, and I am unworthy of describing its awesomeness.

Now tell me: any books you would recommend to me this week???

Origin Stories: How Do You Do It?

2011-06-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

So I saw this movie yesterday. It is called X-MEN First Class.

Maybe you've heard of it. Maybe.

Anyway, the cast was amazing. Particularly these two gentlemen:

James McAvoy (Professor X) and Michael Fassbender (Magneto)

What I really enjoyed about their performances was that, in the back of my mind, I kept remembering Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, the actors who play these characters "in the future". And all the while, I kept telling myself, "I can totally see these two growing up to become those other two."

In other words, their backstories were great, but the way they interpreted how those backstories make them the men they will become was flawless.

So I got to thinking: how do you do it? Does a character's backstory come first, or is the character's future much clearer to you during the brainstorming process?

Also, go see X-MEN First Class. Even if you hate superhero movies. It's just that good. :)

Happy Book Birthday, Elana!!

2011-06-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of reading Elana Johnson's YA debut, POSSESSION, a few months back.

And folks, you need to buy this book. N-o-w.

Here's the blurb:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even thinkabout kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

Trust me. This is a wild and thought-provoking ride. And the ENDING.

The. Ending.

*brain explodes*

In sum, I just wanted to congratulate the uber-fabulous Elana Johnson on her book release day! *fist pump*

Now tell me: have you heard about/read POSSESSION?? Do you have any other dystopian recommendations for me??

Why Rewriting Is Like A Cover Song

2011-06-06T07:02:00.000-07:00

So. Rewriting. My current task.

Confession: I LOVE rewriting. Like, LOVE.

Drafting... not so much. But rewriting gives me this unspeakable sense of purpose. I know where I'm going. I know what I have to do. I know Draft #1 is stoopid, and I have new ways of making it better.

A couple weeks back, while I was still on hiatus, I braced myself for the Epic Rewrites of Epic Proportions I had to face soon. I was happy, but scared.

Then I thought about cover songs.

You know, the new versions of older songs that are sort of different, but not at all? Some people hate them, but I tend to like them. To me, a cover song is kind of like an homage to that original version. It's saying, "You're so awesome and I want to be just like you."

But it's also saying, "I found another way to make you sound awesome."

Some artists record covers using the same instruments/vocal range as the original. Others do a 180 on the original and keep only the lyrics intact. Either way, they're slaving over the new version, trying to do the original justice. In their hearts, I'm sure artists doing covers know the original is much better than their versions, but that doesn't stop them from trying.

With rewrites, you're doing Draft #1 justice, but you're making it awesome in a different way. A clearer, more streamlined way.

There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself, folks. Do it till there's nowhere left to push you.

To wrap this post up, I'd like to share the original and cover song versions that inspired it:

Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance"

and...

30 Seconds To Mars's "Bad Romance" cover.

Now tell me: what do you think of cover songs? Any cover songs you love better than the original?

Blog Hiatus Is Officially OVER... And I Brought Gifts

2011-06-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

*waves*

Hello, blogging buddies!!!!! I missed you!!!!!

Did you miss ME???

*blinks*

Oh, wait... don't answer that...

So. Blog Hiatus is kaput. I have returned.

AND I brought two lovely gifts for all of you!!!

Gift #1: Best Writing Advice EVER

So. During my blog hiatus, I went to see Kung Fu Panda 2. It was too much awesome for words. BUT I can speak about something that's very important for Po, the movie's main character. Before he can defeat his antagonist (a very fluffy and evil and annoying peacock), he must achieve one teeny weeny thing--inner peace.

Why am I implying Po's inner peace is related in any way, shape or form to writing? Well, imagine you're Po. Now imagine your WIP is that fluffy and evil and annoying peacock. You can't tackle the WIP when you're frustrated, or when you don't value yourself as a writer, right? How about when you think this whole writing thing is a waste of your time? Or when life gets in the way so often, you can't get yourself to stop and organize the chaos around you?

Being happy with yourself as both a person and writer is what will motivate you to go further. And sometimes, that happiness will be the result of taking a step back and just reevaluating things. It's okay to stand aside and not push through the blues, or pretend they're not happening. Accept your truth, and inner peace will just come running after you.

Gift #2: Pics of Fake Boyfriends (SUPERNATURAL Edition)

You knew this was coming, didn't you??? DIDN'T YOU???

Well, here they are:

And my personal favorite...

You're welcome.

Now tell me: WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING ALL THIS TIME??? Any books or movies I should check out???

Blog Hiatus... With A Parting Gift!

2011-05-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

So. I am going on my first ever blog hiatus. *sigh*

Why am I leaving?

School. It is a time suck. Plus I have been *quite* irresponsible with it. By procrastinating. You know, with critique partner duties, my own WIP, ze blog...

Also, my wireless router has inexplicably died. I can't use the Internet as often as I used to until I: a) figure out what the heck happened to it, or b) get a new one.

*sigh again*

But not to worry, blogging buddies. I will be back on June 1st with a bang. I am talking full blown cyber party. And gifts.

For now, I bid adieu with a lovely parting gift I'm sure some of you will appreciate:

Chris Hemsworth in THOR

You're welcome :)

I'll see you all in June!!! Take care, and KEEP WRITING!!

Fangirl Moment Of The Week: Harry Effing Potter!

2011-04-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have not stopped screaming since watching THIS:

You're welcome.

Now tell me: what have you been excited about this week??

What Makes A Good Bromance?

2011-04-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

Before you start rolling your eyes at me, thinking this is just an excuse to upload pictures of them...

...you are wrong.

Sort of. *blushes*

Okay. Bromances. I love reading books of all kinds, of course, but there's something about friendships between guys that get to me. The story can be told from a girl POV, but if she has a crush or boyfriend, I always smile when she has to interact with his friends. I don't really know what it is, but I love watching how those friendships came to be, and how they've grown (or are about to collapse).

Since I happen to watch an obscene amount of movies, I figured I'd use that medium to show an example of a bromance that works (I'll talk about my favorite book bromance soon, though. Pinky swear). So. Here's one of my favorite movie bromances: Dominic Toretto and Brian O'Conner from The Fast and the Furious series.

*faints*

*gets back up*

*clears throat*

Why this bromance works for me

At first, they didn't get along. At all.

Then they took a second to stop glaring at each other and, you know, talk.

As they talked, they discovered they're both in love with the same thing.

This shared love made Dominic (big beefy one to the right) totally forgive Brian (skinny surfer to the left) for hitting on his little sister.

Even though things were looking up for these two, they almost split for good after Brian confessed he was an undercover cop, sent to bust Dom for stealing.

But then Brian let Dom run away, and risked his job to save both him and his sister.

Now they're both fugitives who love to smirk at douchebags.

Why would Brian save Dom? He's a criminal, isn't he? Criminals should be in jail, right?

To me, they don't just share a love for cars, or care about the same girl in different ways. They're on opposing teams, they have two very different personalities, but they understand each other. This understanding leads to respect, which leads to the inevitable bromance.

And that, folks, is why I love these movies. Take away the flashy cars, and these two still have a story to tell.

Now tell me: what do you think makes a good bromance? Any movie bromances you love?

What's In A (Character) Name?

2011-04-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Confession: I love Googling baby names.

Sometimes for research. Sometimes for no reason at all.

Yesterday, as I was remembering all the main characters I've ever come up with, I thought about how I named them. Then I found a connective thread--all of their names have meanings that are evident in their personalities.

Let's take my name, for example. I am Amparo. It is in Spanish.

In Spanish, my name means:

1) protection

2) shelter; refuge

Do I offer protection and shelter to others?

Some people would say, "Sure. In a very... stalker-ish way... *flees*"

Others would say, "Ha! Amparo, PROTECTIVE??? *dies laughing*"

Others would say, "Who the heck is Amparo? And what is his problem? *rolls eyes*"

So. According to my parents, I was born to protect and shelter.

Very kind of them.

Anyway, character names. They have meanings. If you're anything like me, your fake people will probably behave according to what their name means. Because of this, I figured it would be very protective and shelter-y of me if I helped y'all out. You know, to make sure your characters have the best names possible.

Here are a coupe gems:

If your MC can rock-climb while asleep, or is related to Jensen Ackles, you can name him...

If your MC is a high maintenance girl with neon fuschia nails and a pony, you can name her...

If your MC is in a Southern setting and has a beer belly, you can name him...

If your MC is an elf/dwarf/wizard/hobbit walking around an epic fantasy manuscript, you can name him...

If your MC is the belle of the ball and has a great time socializing with all sorts of people, you can name him...

There you go. Options, galore. :)

Now tell me: do you research baby names with particular meanings for your characters??

How To Be An Irresponsible Critique Partner

2011-04-19T05:39:00.000-07:00

Confession: I am an irresponsible critique partner.

Why?

Because I just am.

Exhibit A: I'm currently wrapping up my crits for one of my partners, and so far, my Track Changes look like this...

"OMFGGGGGGG"

"HOTTTTTTTTT"

"BOOM!"

"*FANS SELF*"

"[insertsomething]FTW"

"OH NO YOU DIDN'T"

So. As you can see, those comments aren't... very... helpful...

But before you can slap my wrist and berate me, allow me to distract you with CUTENESS OVERLOAD!

What was this blog post about again???

Oh, right. Me SUCKING at critiques.

*sigh*

Pretty please, tell me: are you an irresponsible critique partner, too??? What do you do to flesh out your crits more?

Outlining With Robert Pattinson: The Resolution

2011-04-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

At long last, we come to the final installment of my Outlining with Robert Pattinson series *sigh*

The part I'll be discussing today is the one most readers are dying to get to. What will happen after all those pages of conflict/backstory/world building/superamazeballs action???

Yep. Today I'll be tackling...

THE RESOLUTION

Or denouement, if you prefer the term.

So. Your main character has faced the antagonist. They have battled it out, WWF style. There are bruises and broken bones and tears. But there's also a victory. Either your main character came out on top, or your antagonist did. Whoever won, your story's inciting incident has now been laid to rest.

Sort of.

You see, in the resolution, your MC deals with the aftermath of his victory or loss. Their internal/external conflicts have been resolved. Lessons have been learned. Your MC has done a 180 degree change--their emotional arc has morphed them from who they were during the setup to a) someone different or b) the same person, but with a different outlook.

This new outlook can be a product of one of two things:

1) Your MC wins the battle, but has lost something valuable

2) Your MC loses the battle, but has gained something they never thought they'd value

This makes your resolution a bit more complex than saying, "We won, we won, we won! Now let's go PARTY!" or "FML, we lost... F. M. L!!!!!!" Everything in your manuscript has been pretty layered so far, right? Why not make your ending just as interesting?

Other things to worry about at this stage of the story: 1) have I answered all the questions I introduced during Acts I and II?; 2) is there any plot hole I forgot to fix?; 3) are my scenes full of tension?; 4) do my scenes propel the plot forward, or drag it down? (cut those that drag it down!); 5) is my resolution a product of the hints I've dropped throughout the manuscript? (no Deus ex Machina, please!). Of course, you'll come up with more details to work with, but these are the ones I'm always freaking out over.

So. During the resolution, your MC has two options. They could be walking around like this:

"Don't look at me... I'm in a mood. A BITCHY mood"-- direct quote from your WIP

or like this:

"Leonardo DiCaprio can suck it. I'M the king of the world!!!!!!"-- direct quote from your WIP

It's up to you to see which Robbie P fits best with your story: loser or king.

Aaaaand that's a wrap! Hope you've enjoyed my outlining series, and that Robbie P has been useful to your manuscript! Because, come on, the dude is useful for almost every writing analogy ever made.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must go work on my outline...

Tell me: how do you feel about the resolution? Do you know how your story will end before you even start writing it? Or do you figure it out as you go?

Why Crazy Good Singers Help Me Write

2011-04-14T05:28:00.000-07:00

So there's this crazy good singer. She's British. And awesome.

Adele.

Then there's this other guy. He's not British. But he's still awesome.

Adam Lambert.

So. These two can wail their throats out. Every time they do, I turn into mush. They own me. I have no choice but to listen.

But that's why I love them as a fan.

As a writer, I still love them for the same reason, but I also take something else into consideration: when they sing, it's their voices that tell a story, not the song lyrics.

This is how I see it. I can stand in the middle of the street and read the lyrics to Adele's "Someone Like You" like a grocery list. Sure, the lyrics are pretty powerful by themselves, but I'm 99.9% confident no one will be moved by the lyrics alone. I could do the same with Adam's "Whattaya Want From Me", and people will probably roll their eyes.

Both Adele and Adam are what make my jaw drop. Or cry. Or both.

They teach me that, no matter how pretty my prose is, or how kickass that action sequence was, it's all about the voice. The emotion behind what is said and done. That's what pulls people in.

Next time you find yourself struggling with that connection between plot and character, listen to your favorite singers. Keep your ears open for when they hit those super high notes, then take you back down. That's pacing, but it's also internalization. Some notes need to be higher because they evoke something stronger in the singer, and the low notes are what build up to them (like the complications you've thrown at your MC throughout the manuscript).

So, yeah. Adele and Adam push me to be a better writer.

Who knew?

Now tell me: which singers help you? What have they taught you about writing?

My Latest Middle Grade Crush

2011-04-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

No, I am not crushing on a middle grade dude. That would be weird. And illegal.

BUT I do have a massive fangirl crush on this:

KAT, INCORRIGIBLE by Stephanie Burgis

Le blurb:

Twelve-year-old Kat Stephenson may be the despair of her social-climbing Step-Mama, but she was born to be a magical Guardian and protector of Society--if she can ever find true acceptance in the secret Order that expelled her own mother. She’s ready to turn the hidebound Order of the Guardians inside-out, whether the older members like it or not. And in a society where magic is the greatest scandal of all, Kat is determined to use all her powers to help her three older siblings--saintly Elissa, practicing-witch Angeline, and hopelessly foolish Charles--find their own true loves, even if she has to turn highwayman, battle wild magic, and confront real ghosts along the way!

Warning: this is not a review. I save those for Operation Awesome. This is, however, a mini gushfest. I laughed while reading this book. A lot. I also cringed and cursed, but I laughed even more. Kat is, quite simply, the bomb. Won't tell y'all why, though. You have to read the book to find out :)

Already added the sequel on Goodreads. Oh, yes, I did.

Folks, go read this book. It'll make you a better person. And prettier.

Now tell me: any books you've read and loved recently? My TBR pile is HUGE, but I can always use more recommendations :)

Movie Trailer Monday: Water For Elephants

2011-04-11T06:25:00.000-07:00

So. Movie trailers rule.

Well, some of them...

Today I've chosen to share one with you, blogging buddies. I'm sure you've seen it a bazillion times already, but I figured one more time wouldn't kill you :) Plus, this is the start of yet another feature on my blog, called Movie Trailer Monday. Every time I find a trailer for a movie I want to see right this second, I'll post it here!

So. Le trailer for Robbie P's new flick, Water For Elephants (this is also a novel by Sara Gruen, which I haven't read but am dying to).

Now tell me: do you want to see Water For Elephants? Or do you plan on skipping this one?

Random Sunday Post: Win WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman!!!

2011-04-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

So. I don't usually post on Sundays, BUT I had to share the news.

The awesome Frankie Diane Mallis is giving away a SIGNED COPY of Where She Went by the equally awesome Gayle Forman!!

If you've read If I Stay, then I'm sure you've been dying to get your hands on this sequel. Now go check out Frankie's contest here.

Best of luck! And happy week!

Outlining With Robert Pattinson: The Climax

2011-04-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay. It's been a while since I continued with my Outlining With Robert Pattinson series. Blame it on life and a failing memory. But today, I'm back with more outlining goodness.

And more Robbie P.

Yes, that is what I call him sometimes. Because, you know, we're totally friends and he lets me call him that.

*blinks*

So. Last time, your MC was stuck in the turning points. Their lives changed, in a bad way. They were shocked out of their minds by the twists you put in their path. Today, I'll be discussing what comes after WTF:

THE CLIMAX

What I love most about the climax are two things: 1) at long last, your MC will go head-to-head with the antagonist/problem; 2) it will bring all those previous plot threads and turning points together. Yes, your story's climax is where the most action happens, but it's also where the internal aspect of your narrative gets pushed to its limit. Here, your characters will face the consequences of everything that's led up to this final confrontation. There's no turning back. Your MC may regret what they've done throughout the book, but they can't chicken out and run away.

I usually come up with the climax right after I settle on an inciting incident. To me, these are the easiest parts of the story to brainstorm, mainly because they're so tied to each other (main problem + how you solve it). If you're one of those writers who have a hard time ~~seeing the light at the end of the tunnel~~ finding a coherent way to solve your MC's problem, I suggest thinking about the following things:

1) Your MC's strengths

2) Your antagonist's weaknesses

3) Your story's theme

#1 and #2 are pretty straightforward. Your MC's strengths will help him/her beat the crap out of your antagonist's weaknesses. #3 is harder for some writers to remember during the climax. What is your story about? Redemption? Loss? Justin Bieber's hair? Your theme can guide you to a list of possibilities to solving the big picture/internal problems. With redemption, your MC can prove to everyone they've changed by doing the opposite of what other characters expect, which will also be something the antagonist doesn't expect. With loss, your MC could sacrifice what they love most for a greater good, despite not wanting to lose more than he/she already has. With Justin Bieber's hair, your MC could...

...

*shrugs* You figure that one out.

So yeah. During the climax, your MC may be pissed off/sad/terrified, but they are also determined. The Big Bad doesn't stand a chance against them. Your MC walks around looking like this:

"I. Am. INTENSE!" --direct quote from your WIP

There you have it, folks. The climax makes Robbie P want to bite your neck off.

Next week, I'll finally go where every writer wants to be: the resolution.

Now tell me: how do you come up with the climax of your story? Do you think about it beforehand, or just let the story go wherever it wants to?

An Open Letter To Josh Hutcherson And Liam Hemsworth

2011-04-05T05:56:00.000-07:00

Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson

Dear Josh and Liam,

Congrats on your latest gigs, boys.

No, seriously. Congrats.

I know many fans of The Hunger Games are pissed. Plotting your murders. Hacking into your email accounts, if your accounts are anything like Robert Pattinson's. As a fan of Suzanne Collins's series, I am here to tell you I'm not pissed. Surprised? Yes. Very much so. But not pissed.

I haven't seen Liam act yet, but I'm familiar with your work, Josh. You, my friend, can act. No, you don't look a thing like Peeta Mellark. You're too short. Not blonde. But there you go. Sometimes people just have to compromise. I'd rather it be you than... someone else... *twitches*

As for you, Liam, I think you're hot. There. I said it. You. Are. Hot. Are you capable of playing a convincing Gale Hawthorne? *shrugs* I'll save my judgment for when I see the trailer.

Boys, you've been chosen to do something so important, the world will implode if you get it wrong. Your task? To make girls and women swoon their faces off.

Get it done, gentlemen. Get it done.

Sincerely,

The Only Person On The Planet Who Believes In You

The End Is Nigh: Three Things I Don't Want To Part With

2011-04-04T03:52:00.000-07:00

Folks, I am sad. Three things I love are coming to an unfortunate end. *sobs*

Thing #1:

The INHERITANCE CYCLE by Christopher Paolini a.k.a. the only hardcore YA fantasy books I LOVE (besides Kristin Cashore's books).

End date: The fourth and final book comes out November 8th, 2011

Thing #2:

Okay, okay... Veronica Mars already ended. In 2007. BUT I still haven't seen the last two episodes of Season 3. You know, the last season. Because the show was cancelled. And there are no more episodes after the last two that I'm stalling on because I AM SCARED. And IN DENIAL. *slumps shoulders*

End date: Sometime soon. Damn it...

Thing #3:

Smallville. A show I didn't watch from the beginning, but fell in love with five years later. And no, it wasn't just because of Tom Welling... *blinks* This show has lasted ten years. Let me say that again, TEN YEARS. In TV years, that's a hardcore senior citizen right there. Most shows are lucky to get past Season one. That should tell you something.

End date: (just typing this makes me sad) May 13th, 2011

Ugh.

So there you have it. I am sad. Saying goodbye is stupid. It should be illegal.

Now tell me: is there anything that's coming to an end soon, but you don't want it to?

April Mystery Agent Contest Starts NOW!

2011-04-01T04:47:00.000-07:00

HURRY OVER to the Operation Awesome blog and enter your one-line pitch in the Mystery Agent contest!! The M.A. will pick one winner, who'll get a FULL MANUSCRIPT REQUEST.

And no, it's not an April Fool's joke. Pinky swear.

See you there! Best of luck to everyone!

And have a great weekend! :)

WIP Fire. Or... How To Get Your Groove Back

2011-03-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

So. A while ago, I wrote a post on how to get back to your WIP after being away for, like, forever. Today, I'm sort of discussing the same thing, but not exactly.

*scratches head*

I'm currently working on the second draft of my WIP. I say second draft, but really, it's a HUGE rewrite. The task is much more daunting than I had expected, folks.

But I love it.

Well, I love it when the words flow easily for me. Those other times? Not so much.

So here's an extra tip on how to get your groove back after a while of not writing a particular project:

4) Give yourself permission to brainstorm

I often stare at the screen for waaaay too much time, not knowing what the heck to write. But if I don't write something, I feel guilty and lazy. Here's the deal: if this happens to you, DON'T FEEL GUILTY AND LAZY. Brainstorming is work. You're thinking about improving your WIP. How to inject sense into the thing. These days, I spend more time brainstorming than I do writing. And when I do sit down to write, the pages fly by because I know where my story is going (keep in mind, this is a second draft. First drafts can be trickier). It takes me less than an hour to meet my word count goal of the day. All because I didn't force it out, and took my time to ponder first.

Folks, embrace the pondering. It is awesome.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must go ponder how to tackle my homework... *sobs*

Reminder: Don't miss Operation Awesome's next Mystery Agent contest! Be sure to check it out this Friday, Aprils 1st. And NO, it's not an April Fools joke :)

My 1st Blogoversary Book Giveaway WINNER!

2011-03-28T04:32:00.000-07:00

At last, the random number generator has spoken!!!

The winner of my 1st Blogoversary Book Giveaway IS...

*drumroll*

*more drumroll*

*even MORE drumroll*

*evil grin*

Laura Diamond!!!

Congrats, Laura!! You get your preorder pick of Elana Johnson's Possession!! *fist pump*

Email me your mailing address to aortizzle (at) gmail (dot) com!!

A huge THANK YOU to all who participated!! Rest assured, this won't be my last contest, so make sure you stop by in the coming months!

Now tell me: which books are you reading right now?

If You Do One Thing Today, Read THIS:

2011-03-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

So. I love Kody Keplinger. A lot.

Now? I love her even more.

Exhibit A: this amazeballs post, which touches on a subject I take very seriously. Yes, she discusses rape. But what I take even more seriously than the consequences of such an atrocious act is The Other People.

You know, those who love to say, "she had it coming."

*takes deep breath*

Folks, go make my Friday and read that post. Pretty please.

And DON'T FORGET! My Blogoversary Book Giveaway ends on Monday the 28th, so hurry up and enter!!

Have a great weekend!

Genre Hopping: How Do You Cope?

2011-03-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

So. I'm working on a manuscript that belongs to a genre (you know... as most manuscripts do...).

I have another WIP on standby. And it's in another genre.

I keep going back and forth between the two, brainstorming ideas for both plots.

All. The. Time.

Folks, I am going insane.

To the point where I was actually humming a Justin Bieber song yesterday *facepalm*

That's why I wanted to ask ya'll a little question. You know, for the sake of my sanity. If you're a genre hopper like me, how do you cope with getting ideas for both at the same time? How do you choose which manuscript to set aside in order to work on the other? Or do you schedule time to work on both?

And more importantly: Is there a procedure, like some type of brain surgery, where doctors can remove the cells that cause humming Justin Bieber songs???

Any and all help will be VERY much appreciated. :)

Oh, and don't forget! You can still sign up for my Blogoversary Book Giveaway!

I Would Have Given ANYTHING To Be Like...

2011-03-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

The fabulous and uber-talented Kirsten Hubbard wrote a book. It's called Like Mandarin. It is on its way to me as we speak (hurry, FedEx!!!!). But I've read snippets on her blog, and oh. My. Lord.

As Michelle Hodkin said, "she is f*cking talented."

In honor of Like Mandarin, Elana Johnson and LiLa Roecker are throwing a non-blogfest. All you have to do is share a little secret:

So. I have two answers. One is the person I wished I was in high school. The other is the person I wished I were now (aside from Mrs. Jensen Ackles, of course...).

In high school, I would have given anything to be like...

Kurt Hummel from GLEE.

Yes, he's a dude. Bear with me. He can sing. And dance. And has great hair. And great clothes. But the real reason why I wanted to be like him?

He knows who he is.

At seventeen, I didn't have a clue who I was. Other people knew waaaaay earlier than me. They'd encourage me to keep writing plays, acting in our school's theatre group, and reading books no one had heard about. But I didn't want to do that. I wanted to be pretty. Fun. Fearless. The girl boys couldn't stop looking at.

I wanted to be like my friends. I convinced myself I was like my friends.

Kurt is the total opposite of me, but his confidence blows me away. Of course he gets sad, but he doesn't regret being the way he is. He just regrets that very few others can see how happy he is with himself, and that he'll never change for anyone.

He would've slapped me across the face if he'd met my seventeen-year-old self. But hey, she totally deserved it :)

Right now, I would give anything to be like...

Kirsten Hubbard. Duh.

At this point in my life, I know who I am. I'm a Literature grad student who finally owned up to loving books and theatre. I'm obsessed with movies and TV, especially with characters and premises.

I'm a writer.

But I'm not nearly as good as Kirsten.

I'm still learning, and she's one of my teachers. She doesn't know it, of course, but I hope I get the chance to tell her face-to-face how much her prose pushes me to be better. To not settle for 'okay'. To see beauty where others see nothing special.

Kurt and Kirsten, thank you :)

Amparo Ortiz

Blog Chain: Hater Love

Blog Chain: In Which I FEEL THINGS

Game Of Thrones + Season 2 Trailer = AWESOME Monday Morning

Chemistry: The Adorable Edition

Blog Chain: Childhood Memory

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS By John Green Is...

A MILLION SUNS Giveaway Winner!!!

My Reading Challenges: An Epic Fail And REVENGE

Ringing In 2012 With A BOOK GIVEAWAY!!

Two Things On A Monday: Ryan Gosling and Robbie P's Identity Crisis

Blog Chain: Where The Magic (Writing) Happens

This Year, I Am Thankful For...

Blog Chain--My Best Accomplishment Ever

CONGRATS To My Operation Awesome Buddy, Angela Townsend!!

Why THE HUNGER GAMES Trailer Is The Perfect Query

Nina LaCour + Book Banning = Worst. Mistake. Ever.

Blog Chain: My Favorite Monster

Mystery Agent Contest: Get Those Twitter Pitches Ready!

Trick-or-Treaters You Should Stay Away From...

Why Your Dreams WILL Come True

Marketing Lessons With Ryan Gosling

Blog Chain: The Critique Partner Edition

Two Agents + One-Line Pitch Critique Contest = Reel YA!

Blog Chain: 3 Slow Starts That Are SO Worth It

The Kenny-From-South-Park Syndrome

Awesome Writing Tip From Betty White

Reel YA: Where YA Books And Teen Movies Rule

Read For Relief Auction!

Fess Up Friday: Bravery In Writing (Cat of Awesomeness Pic Included)

Confessions From An Edit-As-I-Go Convert

Blog Chain: A Dark And Stormy Night... Sort Of

Blog Chain: In Which I Talk About Publishing, Ebooks, And Fears

Tagged! 10 Random Facts About Me (Jensen Ackles Pic Included)

Movie Trailer Monday: THE HUNGER GAMES *brain explodes*

An Open Letter To Boys Who Don't Read YA

Movie Trailer Monday: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, Anne Hathaway As A Badass, And The Importance Of Taking Risks

WIP Playlists And Why They Rule

It's Mystery Agent Contest Day!!!

Fess Up Friday: A Series I Wish I'd Read Sooner

Sequels: What I Like As A Reader

Movie Trailer Monday: Snow White And The Huntsman

How To Get Nothing Done: The Modern Family Edition

Thank You, Harry

Bad Reviews: Why You Should Keep Your Potty Mouth Shut

Fess Up Friday: Will Harry Make You Cry?

From Book To Film: A Novel I'm Dying To 'See'

10 Killer Queries That Worked

How Small Goals And Alexander Skarsgard Help Me Write

Movie Trailer Monday: Pixar's BRAVE (Girl Power Included)

Slutty Werewolves: An Interview With Jacob Black

That Dude: Why Jordan Catalano Should Be In A YA Book

Monday Book Madness: HOLD STILL by Nina LaCour

Origin Stories: How Do You Do It?

Happy Book Birthday, Elana!!

Why Rewriting Is Like A Cover Song

Blog Hiatus Is Officially OVER... And I Brought Gifts

Blog Hiatus... With A Parting Gift!

Fangirl Moment Of The Week: Harry Effing Potter!

What Makes A Good Bromance?

What's In A (Character) Name?

How To Be An Irresponsible Critique Partner

Outlining With Robert Pattinson: The Resolution

Why Crazy Good Singers Help Me Write

My Latest Middle Grade Crush

Movie Trailer Monday: Water For Elephants

Random Sunday Post: Win WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman!!!

Outlining With Robert Pattinson: The Climax

An Open Letter To Josh Hutcherson And Liam Hemsworth

The End Is Nigh: Three Things I Don't Want To Part With

April Mystery Agent Contest Starts NOW!

WIP Fire. Or... How To Get Your Groove Back

My 1st Blogoversary Book Giveaway WINNER!

If You Do One Thing Today, Read THIS:

Genre Hopping: How Do You Cope?

I Would Have Given ANYTHING To Be Like...

Movie Trailer Monday: THE HUNGER GAMES brain explodes