Creativity.... Pass It On..

Creativity... For writers, having this is so extremely important. I can't stress that enough.

There are so many sides to it too. Whether your building a magical kingdom or writing a new character, both of things require creativity & imagination.

Imagine what Harry Potter would be like without Hogwarts? Or Jane Eyre without Mr. Rochester?

As we go into the weekend, let's take a moment to think about creativity and how we apply to our writing... So.... I'll leave you with a little quote to think about..


Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will. ~George Bernard Shaw~

Rejection Letters ~ Your Best Asset...

Hey readers! If you missed this, check out my awesome debate with fellow author Teresa D'Amario author of She Wolf on which is better Vampires or Shifters... Personally, I'm siding with the vamps! http://www.bookloversinc.com/2011/01/vampires-vs-shapehifters-by-lauren.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Rejection letters, every writer has gotten at least one rejection letter or more in their life. For today's post, I'm going to let you know why I think they are your best asset in literary land.

I know in the beginning it sticks, you get letter after letter, telling you I'm sorry but this project isn't right for us. It's rough, I know, I've been there.
But, I considered those rejection letters to be a golden ticket. Why? Because it made me push myself harder. And I also like to think that most people would rather get a rejection letter than no reply at all.

Think of it this way, at least you know they've read what you've written.

Cheers!

He's So Beastly...

Now, I have to admit, I saw the movie trailer for this week's book of the week before I actually found out it was a book.

Like I said before, I'm a huge, HUGE fan of re-tellings, so this book immeadiatly caught my attention. Not to mention Alex Pettyfer(also from I am number four) is staring in it.

And this book doesn't strictly strike a chord with me just because it's a re-telling. I'm a firm believer in the phrase: You should NEVER judge a book by it's cover. In a world that's so obsessed with image, I think it's good for people to read a book with the underlying message of image isn't everything. Because in all reality, despite what we see in the media, it's not.

So readers of this blog... I'm proud to present... The book of the week... Beastly by: Alex Flinn

I am a beast.

A beast!

Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll,stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.(Summary from Goodreads)

Check this book out!

Cheers!

What Kind Of Music Inspires You?

First and foremost, check out my interview on L.M Preston's blog! I've pasted the link here: http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/2011/01/lauren-hammond-lit-agent-author-of-love.html

Secondly, I hear a lot of writers talk about what kind of music inspires them. Others say they don't like to listen to music at all.

I have to admit I'm guilty of the first. It's not very often that I write without music. The type, well, that depends on what kind of scene I'm writing. I'm a big fan of classical music. Moonlight Sonata by: Beethoven has to be my favorite by far.

I find that the haunting melody puts me in a creative zen zone. And honestly, I feel like that's when I write the best. When I'm completely relaxed and Beethoven is blasting from itunes.

I've compiled a list of my favortie tunes to listen to while I'm writing.

1. Moonlight Sonata~ Beethoven
2. Fur Elise ~ Beethoven
3. Canon in D ~ Pachabel
4. Ohh La La~ Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
5. My Heart~ Paramore
6. Grenade ~ Bruno Mars
7. E.T ~ Katy Perry
8. Free Bird ~ Lynard Skynard
9. Me & Bobby McGee ~ Janis Joplin
10. Young Lust ~ Pink Floyd

What are some of your favorites?

Cheers!

My 2011 Number 1 YA Pick..

With so many great books being released in 2011, I'm sure you're thinking it's nearly impossible to choose a favorite. I was nearly thinking the same thing until I heard about this book.

Love is a feeling that's so tragic, yet at the same time so beautiful. It centers around a good many things in our world today. I honestly feel like we are so lucky to have it. Imagine what our world would be like without love. Imagine having the one feeling, that makes every nerve ending in your body feel like a live wire taken away.

That's where my number one pick for the book I can't wait to read in 2011 comes in.

Bring on the Delirium....

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.(summary from goodreads)

I'm a sucker for this kind of book. Maybe it's because I'm a hopeless romantic. And in all honesty, I don't know how I'd function in a world without love. I adore the chaos it adds to your emotions. I love the butterflies you get in the pit of your stomach. So for me, love's advocate, this book has already sucked the cash right out of my pocket because I'll be buying it the day it's released.

Cheers!

It's NOT A Shore Thing....

I have to spout off a little bit on this whole Snooki book thing... It has really peeved me in the worst way.

Number one: Because society will actually read her novel. (that wasn't actually written by her)

Number two: Because she said this: I just called my manager and told them what to put in the book, just like every other novelist.~ Snooki~

That last quote had me fuming. I think you readers will realize that every once in a great while, I go off on rants about subjects that bug me and this is one of them.

I will probably never read her book. Why? Because do you no how many writers that are out there that work so hard, and are so talented, that actually deserve to have their novels read. And when you pick up their book and read the first page, you can tell that they poured their heart in soul into it. They don't just do it for the money or to say they did it. They do it because it's their passion..

That's all I'm saying..

Cheers!

Writing Wednesday... What are your goals?

When writing, sometimes it seems like some of the tasks that come with it are endless. Whether you're writing a chapter, fixing grammatical errors, or doing line edits, sometimes all of the writing tasks you're trying to do builds up. Suddenly, before you know it, you're overwhelmed.

Here's a little tip on how I deal with that..

I write down every writing goal I have for the week on a blank sheet of paper and go from there. Monday's I do line edits. Tuesday I work on the chapters and so on and so forth...

If you make a goal sheet and take it one day at a time it helps tremendously, trust me. Then, at the end of the week, you'll be surprised with how much you can actually accomplish.

Cheers!

Win A Publishing Contract & BQOTW!!!!

Monday, Monday... The beginning of the week... Lovely! So for all of you that follow this blog, I will be posting my contact information where you can send queries and I will be live Feb 7!!!!

Secondly, don't forget to check out Punkin House's Novice Novelist writing contest! Enter for a chance to win a cash prize and... Dun dun dun... A publishing contract with Punkin House Press! The contest started Saturday... Check it out here... http://www.punkinhouse.com/Novice_Novelist_Contest.html


And last but not least, here is this week's Book Quote Of The Week! And it comes from Last Sacrifice by: Richelle Mead.

I grow and I shrink. I run and I crawl. Follow my voice, though I have none at all. I never do leave here but I travel around- I float through the sky and creep through the ground. I keep my cache in a vault although I have no wealth,
Seek out my decay to safeguard your health.~ Richelle Mead ~ Last Sacrifice.

Win A Publishing Contract...

Do you have the "write" stuff?

Well, do you?


Starting tonight at midnight, Punkin House Press is holding their first semi annual Novice Novelist Writing Contest, where the Grand Prize Winner wins $1000.00 dollars and a publishing contract with Punkin House Press.

Punkin House Press is an author-focused independent publishing company, that puts the author above anything else.. And you can read an article about the company itself right here.

http://womeninbusiness.about.com/u/sty/networking/share-womens-business-networks/Women-in-Business---Punkin-House-Press.htm

Punkin house never charges any fees for the author, EVER..

I have to say, that they published my novel Love Sucks and I couldn't have been more pleased. They go above and beyond for their writers. They include you in everything and I don't know very many CEO's that will personally answer any questions you might have. But the CEO of Punkin House does..

So if you think you have the "write" stuff, follow the link below and enter your query and the first 1000 words of your Mss for the chance of a lifetime, to see your book in print. There is a 35.00 entrance fee.

http://www.punkinhouse.com/Novice_Novelist_Contest.html

Cheers!

In The Town Of Sleepy Hollow...

I just have to say that I'm a huge fan of re-tellings. I obsessed over Jane and now apparently I can add a new book to that list...

When I originally picked up The Hollow by Jessica Verday, I actually had no idea that it was a re-telling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. With that said, I was absolutely thrilled once I figured it out...

When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. It only makes things worse that everyone now treats Abbey like either a freak show or a charity case. Thank goodness for Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special. Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.(summary from goodreads)

Honestly, it took my a little while to get into this book but once I did, there was no stopping me..

I liked all the historical refrences to Washington Irving's masterpiece. Such as the actual bridge, museum's and so on in so forth...

If you enjoy a good retelling as much as I do.. I highly recommend this book!

Cheers!

A Week In Reflection...

Friday....

Friday is usually the day of the week where I like to take a second and look back at my week, refecting on what I accomplished thus far.

When writing, I know sometimes it may seem like you are never going to get to where you need to be. But if you take a second, once a week, you might surprise yourself.

This week, I edited and rewrote portions of a screenplay, started a new novel, changed my blog around, and started re-writes on my ya romance/thriller.

At the time, it didn't seem like I was doing that much but after reflecting back, yeah, I'd say I accomplished a lot this week.

Also.... In the next few weeks, I have another very exciting announcement! So stay tuned!

How about you guys?

What did your week have in store for you?

Enjoy the weekend!

Cheers!

You know I'd Die For You..

Or cut off my wings for you...

Okay, let me kick this off by saying I've already written a post about this book. But, it's so beautiful and utterly fantastic that I had to write another one about it.

Ashes To Angels by: Natalie McCollum is a love story told as a horror story and a horror story told as a love story about a fallen angel named Auryn who cuts off her wings for the man she loves, Asher, an artist who just happens to be an atheist.

I was awed at the tale of these two star-crossed lovers, whose relationship can be summed up in one word, troublesome.

The entire novel is written poetically. When I read it, I felt like I was reading the lyrics to a haunting love song.

So, I thought I'd give you a sample of what drew me to this story and tell you, prepare to be wowed.

So, I give you this week's Book quote of the week....

"There was a girl who fell out of the sky, they say, a love story drop-out, horror story knock-out, delinquent daughter of poison love, no sleeping pills to anesthetize the wing amputation, just gravity's laws of laceration." Natalie McCollum~ Ashes To Angels~

You Know What Time It Is?

Yes people, it's time for the book of the week! And this week's book of the week is none other than....

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.

This book was first recommended to me by a couple of people on twitter. Then I saw the cover and thought I had to read this book. The cover is absolutely gorgeous! But I am 100% certain this is not just a pretty cover. I have heard wonderfult things about White's debut and cannot wait to dive into it.

What A Query Means To Me..

Let's face it people, writing query letters, is a grueling part of the writing industry. Some excel at it, others don't.

In my opinion, query's are your gateway into the literary world. And this is why...

A query letter is a publisher's/literary agents first impression of your writing talent and capabilities. This is your opportunity to show them what you're really made of. When writing myself, in the past, sometimes I'd re-write my query several times before hitting that send button. You want to make sure your query is in the utmost perfection before it is being read by your peers.

What I'd like to see in query's:

I want to be wowed. Make me want to read your book. Not in the sense of YOU believe that your book is better than everyone else's( speaking from an author's POV we all believe that about our manuscript's.) You don't need to tell me how fabulous your book is. If it's fabulous, your work will stand out on it's own.

Also, make sure your query is flawless. What do I mean by that? Free of all mis-spellings, typo's, and grammatical errors.

I promised myself along time ago that I would never be one of THOSE writers/literary agents. What do I mean by that? I mean that I will never not help anyone. If anyone needs help with a query or an answer to any question, I will provide the best answer possible.

I know that ficton writing is a subjective business, but I've been YOU. I've spent hours upon hours working on my manuscripts, query's, and everything else that comes with this business.

Good Luck with all of your writing endeavors!

Cheers!