My Latest Middle Grade Crush

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

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!!!

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

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

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

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!

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! :)