tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37926116083147019572024-02-18T20:41:27.832-05:00Words On PaperTracey Neithercott's writing blog with a focus on young adult fiction.Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-35219727314064253762016-08-09T06:00:00.000-04:002016-08-09T06:00:02.724-04:004 YA Fantasies to Read<div class="MsoNormal">
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So I’ve been on a bit of a fantasy kick, which has nothing
to do with working like crazy and wanting an escape from real life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Almost nothing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anyway,</i> I assume
your to-be-read list is like mine—tall and mocking. Nothing says fun like a
teetering tower of books. Here are four more to add to your pile:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AVAILABLE NOW<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23308084-the-rose-the-dagger" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1443797156l/23308084.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>The Wrath & the
Dawn</i> was one of my favorite books last year, and I count its sequel, <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23308084-the-rose-the-dagger" target="_blank">The Rose & the Dagger</a>,</i> as one of my
top books of 2016. The world was just as lush, the characters just as layered,
and the prose just as evocative as the first. What I loved so much about this
book was that Ahdieh doesn’t pointlessly complicate Shahrzad and Khalid’s
romance with misunderstandings or wavering feelings. These two never falter in
their love for and faith in one another, and it made me love them (and the romance)
all the more. On top of that, the book is fast paced and exciting—there’s war, betrayal,
magical carpets, and flying serpents. It’s exactly the story I was hoping for
in this series conclusion. Renee Ahdieh is now and auto-buy author for me.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>COMING SOON</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25064648-the-reader" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1448040202l/25064648.jpg" /></a></div>
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This book surprised me in the best way possible. I knew it
was about a girl and a boy and a book. I didn’t expect it to be such an
experience. We have the main story—Sefia is in search of her aunt, using a
mysterious object (a book) to guide her way. But that’s only the most basic
plot. There’s a story about the past, a book within a book, a monster boy with
big heart, and a pirate you’ll adore. Here’s where it gets even more fun: the
pages of <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25064648-the-reader" target="_blank">The Reader</a></i> are marked up in
the same way Sefia’s book is. (Don’t miss the hidden messages by the page
numbers!)</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Reader</i> is a
love letter to language and reading. It’s no surprise, then, that Chee’s prose
is beautiful—the kind you highlight and come back to again and again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m currently dying for the sequel. Like, I’m pretty sure
that’s why I have a headache and stuffed-up nose. This is an actual medical
thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Cool fact: I’ll be posting an interview with author Traci
Chee next month on <a href="https://swankyseventeens.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Swanky Seventeens blog</a>, and a longer version here. Stay tuned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">COMING IN 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28116719-daughter-of-the-pirate-king" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1467982787l/28116719.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are so many reasons I adored <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28116719-daughter-of-the-pirate-king" target="_blank">The Daughter of the Pirate King</a>,</i> not the least
of which is that it’s set on the high seas and is about a bunch of pirates. (I
mean, PIRATES, guys!) But even more than that, I loved Alosa. </div>
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Raised by the Pirate King, Alosa is ruthless and driven, staging a kidnapping to get to a legendary treasure. </div>
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Slight spoiler (highlight to read): <span style="color: white;">I really liked how Levenseller lets Alosa be ruthless,
killing people purposefully and without remorse. I was worried she’d be
softened to be more likable, but this felt like a realistic pirate girl bent on
making her father proud. Besides, there were plenty of other things that
softened me to Alosa.</span></blockquote>
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She’s smart, she’s calculating—but she’s also spirited and funny and exactly
the kind of heroine I want to hang out with for 320 pages. I loved watching her
play the role of the outsmarted damsel … then outthink her captors time and time
again.<br />
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And then there’s Riden, the first mate who’s smart and kind and, yes, totally
swoonworthy. Their romance was slow building and so entertaining—it’s a battle
of wits between them, which I adored.<br />
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<i>Daughter of the Pirate King</i> has a quick, cinematic quality
(think <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i> minus Johnny Depp), which made
the book fly by. I read this in one sitting—it’s that exciting and fast paced.<br />
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I will now commence impatiently waiting for a sequel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883214-caraval" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1465563623l/27883214.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s no
wonder the film rights to <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883214-caraval" target="_blank">Caraval</a></i> have been sold: Reading this
book was like watching a film—gorgeous set pieces, splashes of color all over
the place, and a world unlike any I’ve ever read about. (In my mind, it took on
the same quality as Baz Luhrmann’s <i>Moulin Rouge</i>.) The world of
Caraval is beautiful and bone-chilling, the sort of place you want to get to
know and never visit.<br />
<br />
Garber’s story has been compared to <i>The Hunger Games</i>, which isn’t
exactly accurate, unless you count the fact that both have a game. But <i>Caraval</i> felt
more like a mystery, a puzzle: Follow the clues to win the game.<br />
<br />
Of course, nothing is as it seems at Caraval, and Garber kept me guessing. Who
is Legend? Where is Scarlett’s sister? Is Julian good or bad? Will everyone
make it out alive?<br />
<br />
It was easy to like Scarlett—she’s practical and cautious (to a fault, as she
learns throughout the story), but her hesitancies felt real. Above all that,
she’s fiercely protective of her sister.<br />
<br />
That’s what I love so much about Scarlett: There’s a super hot guy she’s pretty
sure she’s falling for, but everything she does is to save her sister. (Though
let’s be serious, I loved the romance between her and Julian and was ready for
them to JUST KISS ALREADY from the moment they arrived at Caraval.)<br />
<br />
I’m so excited there’s a sequel so we get more of Scarlett and Tella. If you’re
looking for a fantasy in a wholly new and originally world, this is it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What have you been reading?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-53226996121939129052016-07-25T06:00:00.000-04:002016-07-25T06:00:25.503-04:00Changing As a Writer<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b4/3f/2b/b43f2baf98c230d632862edb41797639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b4/3f/2b/b43f2baf98c230d632862edb41797639.jpg" width="529" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KALI BY GABOR SOMOSKOI FEATURING ZSOFI FENYVESI (<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298433912786683918/" target="_blank">SOURCE</a>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you get to be a certain-aged adult (which is basically
anything over 25), you get this idea in your head that you’re the you you’re
always going to be. It’s the idea that growing is for kids and once your body
has settled on a shoe size, that’s that. You’re you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had this idea about my writing after I wrote my first
novel. I drafted that sucker in a month. I felt pretty pleased with myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s the kind of writer I am,” I told myself. “I don’t
outline. I write fast. I love drafting. And I’m pretty sure revising is of the
devil.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I held onto that version of writer me. I am a pantster, a
fast drafter, and a despiser of all things revision. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But by the time I was ready to write the next book, I was … broken. I couldn’t
start it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I became very shouty at myself. The Man sent me these really
worried looks, then he put on his noise-cancelling headphones and mumbled
something about writers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I DON’T OUTLINE!!” I said it over and over again. Except,
maybe I do. Because for that second book, I made an outline. And then I could
write.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that was it. I had been mistaken after the first book. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s the kind of writer I am,” I told myself. “I outline.
I write fast. I love drafting. And I’m pretty sure revising is of the devil.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I held onto that version of writer me. I am a plotter, a
fast drafter, and a despiser of all things revision. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But by the time I was ready to write the next book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray Wolf Island,</i> I was … broken again.
Only this time it was worse. I outlined. I started it. And I was slow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, that’s a lie. I was SLOW. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I AM A FAST WRITER!!!” I said it over and over again. I
whined about it to friends who were very kind with my fragile writer brain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter what I tried, I stayed broken. I wrote the entire
book slowly. Writing each page was like pushing blood up through my pores. It
was a disgusting and scary process for someone who still considered herself a
fast writer who loved drafting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it came time to revise, I steeled myself for the
horror. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn’t there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The revision thing? Way easy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had no idea who I was anymore, because the Writer Tracey I
knew despised the whole ordeal, but this me? This me was tossing around words
like “fun.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week, I turned in a round of edits on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray Wolf Island</i> and the process
was—yes, I’m going to say it again—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fun.</i>
Unlike drafting my new WIP. Which brings me to a revelation I had: I’ve
changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not the type of writer I was when I first started.
Drafting is full of doubts and fears, while revision is a process I love. And
that’s okay. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think we stuff ourselves into boxes, partially because so
many writing articles force us into them: Are you a plotter or pantster? Do you
write fast or slow? Do you revise as you go or do you get it all on the page
first? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
It’s taken me a long time to realize it’s okay to change. It’s okay to vary
your process from year to year or book to book. We’re not expected to stay the
same version of us from the cusp of adulthood into eternity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kind of freeing, isn’t it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-55164984600508764992016-06-14T06:00:00.000-04:002016-06-14T06:00:09.098-04:00Pain-Free Guide to Slashing Your Word Count<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQUyZiTnRV8/V1Dpv1wQP9I/AAAAAAAAEOc/ChDj9JOs6QYR9EAd3yEgtSDwNSpB4TCxQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3038.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQUyZiTnRV8/V1Dpv1wQP9I/AAAAAAAAEOc/ChDj9JOs6QYR9EAd3yEgtSDwNSpB4TCxQCLcB/s400/IMG_3038.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the before days (several months ago), I had a very
specific and painful process for cutting words, sentences, scenes, and chapters
from my books:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Procure chainsaw.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">S</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">lice off limbs.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn’t the kind of approach to cutting I wanted to use
long term. Mostly because I only have four limbs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fact is, cutting a manuscript hurts. After days and weeks
and months of writing a story, the last thing you want to do is trash words. It
feels wasteful. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There are writers in the
world starving for words, and there you go throwing yours out. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During my last round of revisions, I had a breakthrough.
I’ve actually been holding onto this gem of a tip for months because I <s>kept
forgetting to post it</s> I had really important things to do and stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So here it is—four pain-free* steps to cutting your word count:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Print your
manuscript.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After reading my book so many times on screen, doing a full
read on paper is super helpful. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. As you read,
strike out words, sentences, paragraphs, even full scenes and chapters to cut. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do not freak out. You’re simply scribbling out ink on paper.
Your manuscript is still safe and sound—and in its original, lengthy glory—on
your computer. Later, you can veto any marks you make, so go wild.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">3. When you’re done
editing on paper, open your digital file and highlight all of the sections you marked
to cut.</span><span style="color: #674ea7;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Forget about all of your other edits. Simply go page by page
through your printed manuscript and, whenever you’ve marked a word or passage
to be cut, highlight it in the file.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I use Scrivener, so at this stage I simply highlighted words
or chunks of text bright yellow, as noted on my printed page. I didn’t stop to
think about whether I wanted to cut that text. It’s a very fast transfer from
paper to Scrivener file.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Revise.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now it’s time to revise as you typically would. I should
point out that, at this point in my revision, I was completely unaware I was a
genius. I feel very humble pointing that out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s what happened: Whenever I got to a word or section
highlighted yellow, I knew I had two choices: cut or keep. Except in my mind,
I’d already let those words go—twice. And so cutting wasn’t punch-to-the heart
terrible like it was in the past.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s sort of like telling your brain to be prepared because
some time real soon you’ll be getting rid of words and scenes and it better not
put up a fight. And then telling it again. By the time you get around to
cutting those words and scenes, your brain will be like YES, THANK YOU, I GET IT—NOW STOP.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Alright, lay it on
me: What’s your best writing or revising trick?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Results may vary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-6503215306393783882016-06-08T06:00:00.000-04:002016-06-08T06:00:09.604-04:00Currently: The Summer Edition<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQQGWIRWFMA/V1egJOuAEuI/AAAAAAAAEO8/WzeLLU8N17MeD2PIl8wEHnemyXCaUuXtgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3068.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQQGWIRWFMA/V1egJOuAEuI/AAAAAAAAEO8/WzeLLU8N17MeD2PIl8wEHnemyXCaUuXtgCLcB/s400/IMG_3068.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Listen, I know Currently posts are supposed to go up on
Tuesdays but I’m a hard-core rebel and nobody, not even the internet, tells me
what to do.* <o:p></o:p></div>
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When you finish rolling your eyes, read on:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LOVING</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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The flowers are blooming, the sky’s ultra blue, and stepping
outside feels like walking into someone’s mouth. It’s summertime.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BGQK_zAJ1x0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jA7f2wBVa1M/V1efCOtAdvI/AAAAAAAAEOw/L7YUL3KFfWImWwaDC82DmW1gLAqcErFtACLcB/s400/IMG_3066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For me, that means drive-in movies. I’m lucky to live close
enough to two drive-in theaters that I don’t even have to build a time machine
and rewind to 1955. Though I’m sure I could rock a <a href="http://www.fashion-era.com/bras_after_1950.htm" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">c</span>onical bra</a>.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last weekend, The Man and I saw <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">X-Men: Apocalypse</i> at the theater. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Days of Future Past </i>is still my favorite, but this one was fun,
too. Bonus: James McAvoy’s voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">READING</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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About a billion books came out on Tuesday and I pretty much
want to read all of them. But I’m most excited for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Lady Jane,</i> a not-quite-true tale of Lady Jane Grey. </div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22840421-my-lady-jane?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1444923765l/22840421.jpg" /></a></div>
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To be
honest, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Princess Bride</i> mention in
the blurb sold me. But on top of that, I’m a big fan of Jodi Meadows’ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/106168-the-orphan-queen" target="_blank">Orphan Queen series</a> and Cynthia Hand’s <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/53763" target="_blank">Unearthly trilogy</a> (best love triangle ever—even
if you hate love triangles).</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">WATCHING</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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I’m in that in-between space where all of my usual TV shows
have gone on vacation and I spend 60 percent of my time explaining to The Man
exactly why overpaid Hollywood actors shouldn’t get months and months of
vacation when none of us do. And then he puts on his noise-cancelling
headphones and I have to feel the injustice alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x73-573aWfs" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
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Anyhow, I recently found this trailer for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Space Between Us</i>. It’s about a teen who
grew up on Mars and steals a rocket to fly to Earth for the first time. It
looks a lot less crazy and a whole lot more adorable and heartbreaking than my description. And
it’s starring Asa Butterfield, who I absolutely adore. (I just saw him in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3149038/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_4" target="_blank">A Brilliant Young Mind</a></i>, and he did a fantastic job
portraying a boy with autism.)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LISTENING TO</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been revising <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray
Wolf Island</i>, so naturally I’ve been listening to the playlist on repeat.
(You can see t<a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/traceyneithercott/playlist/5LwUvo6xAOKlys2f87riP6" target="_blank">he entire playlist here</a>. One day when I befriend a web designer
and exploit our friendship for a fancy website, I’ll have the whole playlist on
here.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here’s one that will make more sense when** you read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GWI</i>. It’s the song I imagine for two of
my characters’ first kiss. I’m pretty sure connecting this song to the scene
makes me super cheesy (and not, like, Roquefort or something fancy; I’m talking
neon orange “cheese”) but WHO DOESN’T LIKE CHEESE?<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I guess maybe the lactose intolerant? In any case, cheese is
delicious and I’m keeping this as my first kiss song:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THINKING ABOUT</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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My first round of revisions for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray Wolf Island</i> are due back to my editor on July 1, which means 80
percent my brain is dedicated to my revision. In case you’re curious, the other
20 percent is split like this: <o:p></o:p></div>
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15 percent: cute puppies on Instagram<o:p></o:p></div>
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5 percent: food<o:p></o:p></div>
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But the unexpected good news? I’m enjoying the revision
process. A long time ago I thought I was a pantster who loved drafting and
hated revising. Now drafting is a bit like bloodletting and revising is
freeing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If that makes no sense to you, just mutter “perfectionists”
and give a disapproving shake of your head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This round of revisions also reminded me that I had a
breakthrough during my first round of revisions and never shared it with you.
How greedy. So next week I’m blogging about the painless process that helped me
cut words from <i>GWI</i> when it was just a young WIP.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yep, painless. It’s a trick-your-brain kind of trick. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">ANTICIPATING</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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All the 2017 books. I’m lucky enough to belong to the Swanky
17s, a fantastic group of YA and MG authors debuting in 2017. There’s been a
ton of cover reveals recently and some of them … you have to <a href="https://swankyseventeens.wordpress.com/category/cover-reveals/" target="_blank">check them out</a> for
yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WISHING</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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You’d like my brand-spanking-new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTraceyNeithercott/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. I’m cringing
so hard while writing this. You can’t see that because of the whole being on
the other side of the internet thing, but it’s true. I’ll probably have wrinkles
from it years later, and I will call them my cringing wrinkles, or crinkles for
short.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
In any case, if you like Facebook and you like liking things and you think you
might like my page, then have at it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MAKING ME HAPPY</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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I’ve been playing <a href="https://www.facebook.com/THEclothingEND/videos/607687096063453/" target="_blank">this puppy video</a> on repeat. I can’t tell
you why I love it so much (I don’t want to spoil the twist) but it has the
power to restore even the most shriveled of hearts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So, what’s new with
you this week? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br />
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*I forgot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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**If<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-28402990103027604442016-05-02T00:12:00.001-04:002016-05-02T19:54:13.906-04:00Book Report: 3 to Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7CWQFVQ7cg/VybRNszYPeI/AAAAAAAAENk/e6QOhi1F_yEMZu3w5rMpG6BwFKNSAFBKgCLcB/s1600/mydesign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7CWQFVQ7cg/VybRNszYPeI/AAAAAAAAENk/e6QOhi1F_yEMZu3w5rMpG6BwFKNSAFBKgCLcB/s400/mydesign.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I’ve been slacking on my book reviews. I do have a reason,
though: I’ve been lazy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(I said nothing about that reason being a particularly good
one.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But I want to be better, like those on-the-ball women who
have kids and jobs and still manage to polish their nails before Instagramming
pics of their coffee mugs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So here’s what I’ve been reading—and you should be, too:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23346358-the-accident-season?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428338423l/23346358.jpg" /></a></div>
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The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old
Cara’s life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October,
foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara’s family becomes
inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp
table edges with padding, switch off electrical items - but injuries follow
wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and
fear. </blockquote>
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But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?</blockquote>
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I held off on reading <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23346358-the-accident-season?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">The Accident Season</a></i> for a while
because I was a loser who judged the book by the cover, and the cover said
horror (who knows where I got that idea) and I wasn’t in the mood. But I read a
review that made me insta-buy this book. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s the mystery that first got me reading—why does the
accident season happen? Can they ever overcome it? But Fowley-Doyle’s prose is
what really sucked me in. It’s beautiful and atmospheric. There’s a bit of
magic to the story, and it’s not always clear what’s real and what’s not. You
won’t get all the answers, but for me that was okay. This book is meant to be
experienced and the writing savored.</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25893582-tell-me-three-things?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1448596179l/25893582.jpg" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it
feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating
prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back
to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody
(SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High
School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed
help? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and
because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to
move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious
teenage son. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie
begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally.
Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better
left unsolved?</blockquote>
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I’ll admit I was drawn to this book out of hunger. But
waffles! And then when I heard <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Simon vs.
the Homo Sapiens Agenda</i> comparisons, well, I was sold.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Simon,</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25893582-tell-me-three-things?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Tell Me Three Things</a></i> has an email
romance between the main character and a mystery admirer. I guessed the identity of the mystery guy (called Somebody Nobody), immediately, but that’s okay. The book is more about Jessie coming
to terms with her new life, making friends—and, yes, guessing who Somebody
Nobody is.</div>
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The romance is great, but what really makes the story is
Jessie growing into her new life. That, and the great cast of characters—especially
Jessie’s new step-brother and Somebody Nobody. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17928147-walk-the-edge?from_new_nav=true&ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445043660l/27220873.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Smart. Responsible. That’s seventeen-year-old Breanna’s role
in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one
night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious
cyber-bully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas “Razor” Turner into her life. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and
good girls like Breanna just don’t belong. But when he learns she’s being
blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns
one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it’s time to step
outside the rules. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And so they make a pact: he’ll help her track down her
blackmailer, and in return she’ll help him seek answers to the mystery that’s
haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss.
But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly
they’re both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they
want, and where they're going from here.</blockquote>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m such a sucker for Katie McGarry books. If they’re
somewhat predictable—two characters with Big Issues fall in love and there are
Major Complications—it’s in the best way possible. I know what I’m going to
get, and it’s going to be good.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here, we have a boy raised in a motocycle club just trying
to get through each day and a girl whose family either ignores her or treats her as a surrogate mother for her many brothers and sisters. My heart broke for her, but it was Razor who really tugged my heartstrings. He
tries so hard to be good, to do the right thing—man can McGarry write a bad boy
who’s not really so bad.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Of course, it wouldn’t be a Katie McGarry book without romance, and I was totally on board with this one. It’s at
times sweet, at times steamy, and truly full of heart.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What have you read (and loved) recently?</b></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-39697359414871269052016-04-26T06:00:00.000-04:002016-04-26T12:48:33.993-04:00Currently: On Fear<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LOVING</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">It’s official: I am addicted to sheet masks. This has absolutely nothing
to do with the fact that wearing one makes my husband scream like a girl, douse me in holy
water, and chant, “The power of Christ compels you!”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">I mean, it </span><span style="background-color: white;">mostly </span><span style="background-color: white;">has nothing to do with that.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">They make my skin all soft and glowy, like the “after” shots of an acne
ad. I bought <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/TONYMOLY-Real-Mask-Sheet-Pack/dp/B00SAT6GVK/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1461634097&sr=1-1&keywords=tony+moly" target="_blank">Tony Moly’s masks</a> at <a href="https://katyupperman.com/" target="_blank">Katy Upperman</a>’s recommendation and was pretty
sure she was having an exaggerating day, but it really did make me feel 76
percent prettier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">And then <a href="http://a-nudge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alice</a> sent me the
loveliest birthday present, including my favorite lip balm and a gorgeous
necklace that I can’t photograph right now because it’s last night and super
dark in my house. It also included a couple sheet masks, one of which made me
look like I’d just worked out—but in a good way. Like the way celebrities look
after the gym.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">READING</span></b></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">I’m on a hot streak—back to back books I absolutely loved. Considering <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Raven King </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Rose & the Dagger</i> come out today, I’m 150 percent sure this
will continue. Go me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWXwuW4qsUA/Vx7JTnAGdKI/AAAAAAAAENE/wVS29F1gALkvWj1I8GsQNRocBC53uvEzgCKgB/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWXwuW4qsUA/Vx7JTnAGdKI/AAAAAAAAENE/wVS29F1gALkvWj1I8GsQNRocBC53uvEzgCKgB/s400/IMG_2619.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">So I finally set aside time for Jessica Love’s </span><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21525995-in-real-life" target="_blank">In Real Life</a></i><span style="background-color: white;">, which I read in one
sitting and then immediately wished I’d gone slower to make it last longer.
This book is all sorts of adorable. I’m a sucker for pen pals meeting in
public, and on top of that </span><i>In Real Life</i><span style="background-color: white;"> offers up
some really great characters and a fun twist I’m not going to reveal. And the
romance? Oh man. It’s Stephanie Perkins cute.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">Next up for me was Elizabeth Briggs’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26722944-future-shock" target="_blank">Future Shock</a>,</i> a YA sci-fi thriller with a group of (mostly) delinquents, a
mysterious mission, and nonstop action. The goal: travel to the future and
collect data on new tech—though things don’t go quite as planned. My favorite
part of time travel novels is the moment everything clicks together and you can
see how the past and future are entwined. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Future
Shock</i> didn’t disappoint. I also loved the characters, especially Elena, who
was supremely badass, and Adam. Nerdy, awkward, sweet-as-sugar Adam. If you
liked Karen Akins’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Loop</i>, you’ll like
this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WATCHING</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">Three cheers for the new season of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Game
of Thrones!</i> I loved the first episode, but I want to go on record right now
and say that if they kill off Tyrion I might send a herd of White Walkers to
HBO studios.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LISTENING TO</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">This is the perfect song for my male POV in my current WIP. And not just
because it’s called “Thief” and he’s a thief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THINKING ABOUT</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">Fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">Am I ever not thinking about fear? I mean, I guess so. Like when I’m
thinking about pizza. Or when I’m thinking about Matthew Daddario’s perfectly appropriate <a href="https://45.media.tumblr.com/099e4c049e1f3d3e20ed0fa0287343c4/tumblr_o1bfove8vs1qiw6dho1_250.gif" target="_blank">eye</a> <a href="https://49.media.tumblr.com/05e80ec7a92e75b0ff13ed7e50a60531/tumblr_o340cpYKwV1tik5j4o1_250.gif" target="_blank">rolls</a> as Alec Lightwood in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shadowhunters</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">But aside from that, fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">So naturally I’ve been all fearful while trying to write my current WIP.
What if it’s not good enough? What if I don’t love it as much as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray Wolf Island?</i> How is it possible to
write so slow?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">Then the lovely <a href="http://www.lizparkerwrites.com/" target="_blank">Liz Parker</a> (aka the personification of my sanity) reminded me that I
wrote <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray Wolf Island</i> super slow and
whined about it the whole time. Okay, she’s to nice to say whined, but let’s
get real: I whined. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">Which turned out to be a good thing, because I was able to reread my blog
posts from my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray Wolf Island–</i>drafting
days and remember that, yes, I wrote that slowly. Also, I was all angsty about
it. Basically everything I’m feeling right now, I was feeling back then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">It appears my writing process goes something like this:</span></div>
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<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Think I’m going to
write perfect words super fast.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Realize the words don’t
pour our perfect.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Realize getting the
prose right slows me down.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Worry I write too slow.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Believe I am a hack.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Angst.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">More angst.</span></li>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">So, yeah, it’s my thing and I think I need to work through it so I don’t
let fear mess with my head. And so I can actually write. I might do a post
about this in the future if I can get it under control. In the meantime, send
hard alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ANTICIPATING</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">I have never anticipated anything as hard as I am anticipating <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Raven King.</i> But I bought mine
autographed, and the last time I did that, my copy took a while to get to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">In the meantime, I will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> be
thinking about Gansey or the thing Maggie Stiefvater promised to do to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">Also, should any of you spoil the ending, I will be forced to send you
links to the most disgusting health-related Google image searches I can find. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>WISHING</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">This is not a test. I have an actual book. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29906023-gray-wolf-island" target="_blank">ON ACTUAL GOODREADS</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cdn.stepfeed.com/uploads/2016/03/22143724/20160322-tumblr_m88bqvg78g1qzluj5o1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://cdn.stepfeed.com/uploads/2016/03/22143724/20160322-tumblr_m88bqvg78g1qzluj5o1_500.gif" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://vomzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/45-im-so-excited-gif-466.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://vomzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/45-im-so-excited-gif-466.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">I am not freaking out, per say. Just enjoying how immensely cool this is.
Like the professional I am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">Ahem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0in;">So, yeah, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray Wolf Island </i>is
on Goodreads. You can add it to your to-read shelf if you’d like. Or you can
add it to your authors-who-overuse-gifs list. It’s really up to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none; color: black; padding: 0in;"><b>What’s new
with you?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-46237813278766122702016-04-12T17:43:00.000-04:002016-04-12T18:25:42.394-04:00Big News (Yes, That Big News)<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bYgH7cxPnY/VwKXygf0J9I/AAAAAAAAD_w/xcEBO0Ij4dIFKwBywRG3KCxzC0zYgD05g/s1600/IMG_2682.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bYgH7cxPnY/VwKXygf0J9I/AAAAAAAAD_w/xcEBO0Ij4dIFKwBywRG3KCxzC0zYgD05g/s400/IMG_2682.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
So there I was, fumbling my phone. My hands were shaking—my
whole body was shaking—and my fingers couldn’t find the right button or my
brain couldn’t compute. There was something about an offer. And then I hung up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I should back up. Give you the whole “once upon a time”
story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once upon a time there was the girl on fire. When my phone
rang that Thursday, I’d been burning for 24 hours straight, and I was in the
sort of pain that settles into your mind. I was also on the furious side of
angry that my <a href="http://www.erythromelalgia.org/" target="_blank">EM</a> wouldn’t leave me alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a bad day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then the phone rang. My agent, Sarah, said something
about an editor and my mind exploded. My cheek bumped the FaceTime button and I
was too out of my mind on excitement to know how to get back to the regular
call.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so, the hang-up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was shaking. Even when Sarah called back and kindly
laughed at my half-crazed mumblings, I shook and shook and tried to take notes
because it seemed like the smart thing to do. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They read like the ravings of a mad women, which I guess
isn’t too far off the mark. Because, guys: Karen Greenberg, and editor with
Knopf Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Random House)(!!!) loves my book.*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPRNFP7ucHo/VwKXyKhs1jI/AAAAAAAAD_s/ng21t3UdeLAYCQJgbDPF9l-xlRc2Xg3OQ/s1600/IMG_2683.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPRNFP7ucHo/VwKXyKhs1jI/AAAAAAAAD_s/ng21t3UdeLAYCQJgbDPF9l-xlRc2Xg3OQ/s400/IMG_2683.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I’m just going to sit here and let that sink in some more.
Because at this point, it’s still not real.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’d gone on submission for my YA magical realism novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray Wolf Island</i>, in January. A little
under two months doesn’t seem long, but what you may not realize is that
submission time is like dog years. You have to multiply it by seven then add
1,000 and that’s how long it feels when you’re waiting to hear from editors.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Incidentally, that math holds true when considering the wait
between selling a book and being able to tell the world about it. Oh how I
wanted to tell you all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wanted to tell you that all of the insane time we put into
our writing pays off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wanted to tell you that writing the next book is always a
good idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wanted to tell you that your friendship over the years has
kept me going, even when it felt like I’d never, ever get here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">am</i> here, still
not sure how it’s possible that an editor loves my book as much as I do. I’m a
weepy mess of excitement and gratitude.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suppose that some time before fall 2017—when my book (!) is set
to release (!)—I’ll be a fully functioning human again.<br />
<br />
<br />
* But WHAT IS IT ABOUT!?! I’m just going to go ahead and
steal the <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/69932-rights-report-week-of-april-11-2016.html" target="_blank"><i>Publisher’s Weekly</i> blurb</a>
for this. <i>Gray Wolf Island</i> is a
magical realism story of “five teens looking for a legendary treasure on a
mysterious island, only discover they must reveal their darkest secrets in
order to succeed.” Goonies never say die.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-84017811462401193192016-03-29T06:00:00.000-04:002016-03-29T06:00:16.801-04:00Currently: Trusting My Gut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F603mNaAkn0/VvoLUKgYPwI/AAAAAAAAD-c/koUFIJsmSuYWW-SU-U27B2RJNNIixNbQg/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F603mNaAkn0/VvoLUKgYPwI/AAAAAAAAD-c/koUFIJsmSuYWW-SU-U27B2RJNNIixNbQg/s400/IMG_2678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">LOVING</span></b></div>
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My head is not misshapen. I mean, it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i> be misshapen—I’ve never shaved my hair to find out—but I’m
pretty sure it’s just round. Which is why I’m severely annoyed each time I put
on a headband only to have it slip off a few minutes later. But I have finally
discovered one that stays put all day. With glasses. And without inducing a migraine. So, yeah,
I’m loving <a href="http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1032101&vid=1&pid=489243032" target="_blank">Athelta’s Thin Sparkly Headband</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTvcAmJkg6c/VvoMKm21MtI/AAAAAAAAD-k/S25Cqt1-sckDUAcADITPFKWsV52-wKBfw/s1600/IMG_2674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTvcAmJkg6c/VvoMKm21MtI/AAAAAAAAD-k/S25Cqt1-sckDUAcADITPFKWsV52-wKBfw/s320/IMG_2674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">READING</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been trying this thing where I wait for an entire
series to be published before beginning book one. This has to do with my love
for binge reading, my inability to remember the details of a book a year later,
and my extreme impatience during the wait between books. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So anyway, I never read Becky Wallace’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18488433-the-storyspinner?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">The Storyspinner</a></i> when it came out. But <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25732163-the-skylighter" target="_blank">The Skylighter</a>,</i> the second book in the duology, released on March 22, so
I began the series. It has so many elements I love: hidden identities,
hate-to-love romance, a world that comes to life, and great character arcs. Both
books are told from multiple POVs, and I have a hard time picking a favorite. This
is a fast-paced fantasy with characters who feel real and romances that are
compelling and (for my two favorites) incredibly sweet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18488433-the-storyspinner?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://s3.foreveryoungadult.com.s3.amazonaws.com/_uploads/images/46967/bwallace_thestoryspinner__span.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25732163-the-skylighter" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://foreveryoungadult.com/_uploads/images-new/49690/bwallace_theskylighter__span.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">WATCHING</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleven-year-old Tracey is rolling her eyes right about now.
It’s just that, well, I tried to do the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fuller
House</i> thing. I really, really did. But not even nostalgia could get me
through that cringe-fest. <o:p></o:p></div>
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(I know, I know …<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> how
rude!</i>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">LISTENING TO</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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So my WIP has absolutely nothing in common with <i>Cinderella</i>, but the song itself is inspiring some later scenes in the
novel.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QFK-21wYFbU" width="560"></iframe>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">THINKING ABOUT</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Nova Ren Suma’s <a href="http://distraction99.com/2016/03/22/the-unstuck-story-of-the-walls-around-us/" target="_blank">blog post</a> about getting unstuck. She
talks about her struggle while drafting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Walls Around Us</i> (am I the only one who loves hearing successful writers
talk about the struggle they had writing their books?)—specifically the
struggle to just get words on the page. She says she started thinking about all
of the things the book should be, all of the books it should be like, instead
of trusting her gut. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s a great read, and one that spoke to me as I was
struggling with my novel’s opening. When I stopped thinking about what the beginning
of my book should do and trusted what I wanted it to do, I finally found the
words again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ANTICIPATING</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I can’t wait until Friday, when Elizabeth Brigg’s YA sci-fi
novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23536973-future-shock?from_search=true&search_version=service#" target="_blank">Future Shock</a>,</i> hits shelves.
Two words: time travel.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23536973-future-shock?from_search=true&search_version=service#" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447353838l/23536973.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">WISHING</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I used to think I was a fast drafter, but that was back when
I spent millions of years revising my quick drafts. It was … not ideal. With my
last book, I wrote so slow I was basically inactive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hated my book, then I realized it wasn’t my book’s fault,
so I hated myself. I still do sometimes, especially now that I’m drafting
again. I’m constantly wishing I was a fast drafter. But I try to remind myself:
What works for one writer, doesn’t have to work for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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More than that, I tell myself this: Writing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray Wolf Island</i> may have been
excruciatingly slow, but revising was so very fast. It’s what’s saving me from
crazy as I write Carnival Novel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">MAKING ME HAPPY</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I mean, Pinterest is always making me happy because it’s
basically procrastination in picture form, but I’m loving the board for my
current WIP. I’ve been finding <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so much </i>inspiration
in images. <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/tneithercott/carnival/" target="_blank">Here’s the board</a> if you want to check it out.<br />
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/64176363418098634/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7MWV-aAuVA/VvoQIAt3WGI/AAAAAAAAD-4/068JwdeBvuEpkmS-dezpRsC9kAXGtss6A/s320/3b7e3aab9b24b3c64325843f9590633e.jpg" width="251" /></a><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/64176363417109717/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsmPeEG834M/VvoQHz8GtvI/AAAAAAAAD-w/OtC9kb4l-DMI7qSPj9gfbSGN4E9X21Cwg/s320/240e3a0cde7af6f1fa47a200676bff0f.jpg" width="232" /></a> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What’s new with you?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-85652962852948889072016-03-15T15:11:00.000-04:002016-03-15T15:11:02.007-04:00Currently: In and Out of WIP Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I’m just going to be honest with you: The fancy gold-leaf type here is about as exciting as this blog is going to get today. I can’t compete with gold lettering. I just can’t. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s catch up: </div>
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You might remember my brief yet impassioned treatise on
opening chapters, those works of the devil meant to whittle away the confidence
of even the most self-assured writer. At the time, I was trying to write the
first chapter of a new story.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Trying really is an overly kind word for the thrashing
about I was doing.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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So there I was, nearly dead from all the blood I lost while
poking my brain out with my pen. And I realized I was missing key research that
wouldn’t make writing the first chapter easier (because nothing can help that
except maybe a tranquilizer dart) but would make all the chapters after that
easier.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I paused that WIP to gather research-y books. While I was
waiting, I jumped to another WIP. I quickly finished outlining it. And then one day I
wrote the first line. This is strange for me. I never write a first line in a
day. And don’t you start in about how a line shouldn’t take an entire day,
never mind and entire week. I get enough of that from my brain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But this one is just flowing. It’s like falling in love the day after a
terrible breakup. I plan to keep going with it until it until it realizes it’s
still in love with its ex.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzh3S_MTtcA/VuhNZJ9t5eI/AAAAAAAAD9g/xImLIoYBjIIS1qR-Bh6x9dXh3rjj7AUQw/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-AAAFE2EC12A6-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzh3S_MTtcA/VuhNZJ9t5eI/AAAAAAAAD9g/xImLIoYBjIIS1qR-Bh6x9dXh3rjj7AUQw/s200/JPEG%2Bimage-AAAFE2EC12A6-1.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I have been dying to read Jessica Love’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21525995-in-real-life?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">In Real Life</a></i> since I first heard the
words <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pen pals.</i> See, my just-for-fun
project is a pen pal story. I was craving a book like this, couldn’t find one,
and decided to write it myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t work on it often, so it’s barely written. Which is
okay, because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In Real Life</i> will fill
my craving for a good pen pal story. After years of seeing Jessica talk about
it on her blog and of hearing about its path to publication, it’s finally in my
grasp. I almost cracked it the other day, but I want to wait until I have a big
chunk of time free so I can read it all at once.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My sister and I belly-laughed our way through the second
season of <i>Galavant</i> this weekend. We would have watched the first season, too, but
Hulu didn’t have it. Guys, this show is unexpectedly hilarious. Or maybe you <i>do</i> expect it because you’ve heard how it’s the Broadway version of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Monty Python</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Princess Bride</i>. It’s ridiculous and silly in a
self-aware way. But it’s not guaranteed another season, which is the
opposite of funny.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of my main characters is mostly evil, so I’ve been listening
to this song nonstop. To be honest, it felt much more vicious before I watched
the video. So, you know, shut your eyes. <o:p></o:p><br />
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My grandmother, who passed away a little over a week ago.
She’d been suffering from dementia, and I’m glad she’s not struggling anymore,
but I still miss her. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We got a glimpse of spring last week, when the temperature
finally rose above obscenely cold. I’m ready for spring’s mild temperatures.
Actually, it’d be great if nature could just stick with spring and fall
forever. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnYjVUjoCew/VuhNYNfn3BI/AAAAAAAAD9g/K0Okn5cgNVw2FOnpgf-KsdQ0_jImxQ5tQ/s1600/JPEG%2Bimage-70CB4B0FF8E3-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnYjVUjoCew/VuhNYNfn3BI/AAAAAAAAD9g/K0Okn5cgNVw2FOnpgf-KsdQ0_jImxQ5tQ/s200/JPEG%2Bimage-70CB4B0FF8E3-1.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Celebratory macaroons go to Elodie Nowodazkij, whose <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28487424-love-in-b-minor?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Love in B Minor</a></i> comes out today. I love
this series, so I’m excited for more dancing and more swooning.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
See also: hints of spring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What’s new with you?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-80576824420839480162016-02-16T20:02:00.000-05:002016-02-16T20:02:00.609-05:00Currently: Read This Book Now<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aylEIdGDarA/VsPFVHoKVhI/AAAAAAAAD8U/7Kme29Q2cq4/s1600/Image-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aylEIdGDarA/VsPFVHoKVhI/AAAAAAAAD8U/7Kme29Q2cq4/s320/Image-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A little late to the game today, but here nonetheless! Let’s
do this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yq3OQUKKwL4/VsPAFZeqd7I/AAAAAAAAD8A/kWtWLYgPSME/s1600/IMG_2525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yq3OQUKKwL4/VsPAFZeqd7I/AAAAAAAAD8A/kWtWLYgPSME/s400/IMG_2525.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LOVING</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This new journal my aunt got me for Christmas—and, yes, I am
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> behind on sharing my favorite
gifts on Instagram, which is where all good gifts go for validation. The
question, of course, is whether I can bring myself to mess it all up by writing
on its pages. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428342329l/23688792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428342329l/23688792.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>READING</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I devoured <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23688792-these-vicious-masks?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">These Vicious Masks</a></i>, a YA historical that’s pitched as Jane Austen meets X-Men,
which is appropriate but not nearly the best part. That would be Evelyn, who is
full of wit and sarcasm and whose quips had me laughing throughout the whole
thing. Bonus: While there are two men interested in Evelyn, her major focus is
on finding her missing sister, so while <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i>
was swooning, she was not. Somehow, this made the romance even more fun. (I
plan to review this in more detail one of these days.) Next up: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25467698-the-love-that-split-the-world?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">The Love That Split the World</a></i>, which
sounds just as amazing as it looks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nerdist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/112263-francofeature-10302015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://nerdist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/112263-francofeature-10302015.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://nerdist.com/first-pictures-of-james-franco-in-stephen-kings-11-22-63-released/" target="_blank">VIA</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>WATCHING</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I’m super exciting to start Hulu’s <i>11.22.63</i>, a time travel
drama starring James Franco that’s based off the Stephen King novel. But what
really sold me was J.J. Abram’s involvement because I’m a sucker for anything he creates.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8d3mXgtrH_4" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>LISTENING TO<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stumbled upon Daughter’s “Youth” in my endless Spotify list,
something I’d added before I wrote <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gray
Wolf Island</i>, and realized it was perfect for the story. I’ve been listening
to it on repeat ever since.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>THINKING ABOUT</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beginnings. And how much I hate them. This is about writing,
but it might as well be a metaphor for my life. I’m always a nervous wreck when
starting something new.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Multiply that by a thousand when it comes to writing a book.
There’s something about that first chapter that makes my insides seize and my
brain go mushy. So there you have it: Beginnings hit me like food poisoning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>ANTICIPATING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is Tuesday too soon to look toward the weekend? No, I really
don’t think it is. And I’m antsy to spend long stretches of Saturday and Sunday
working on my new story. You have permission to clobber me over the head if I’m
still struggling with Chapter 1 by then.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>WISHING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had married a massage therapist, or at least a guy who
could feel the difference between tight muscles and shoulder blades. (The Man
has other fine qualities, I assure you.) Anyone else feel like they’ve gone 12
rounds with a ninja after writing for long stretches of time?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/20/17/74/2017745d2b7a87ed636957e45a94924a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/20/17/74/2017745d2b7a87ed636957e45a94924a.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/226305950002681907/" target="_blank">VIA</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MAKING ME HAPPY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rebecca and Rebekah. How’s this for happy-making:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://rebekahfaubionbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Rebekah Faubion</a> sold her YA fantasy, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of Blood and Promises</i>, which will release in Fall 2016. I was so very lucky
to get a chance to read this story, and trust me when I tell you to add it to
your TBR list right now. But be warned: Rebekah really knows how to punch you
in the feels.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://rebeccabarrow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Barrow</a> sold her YA contemporary, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You Don’t Know Me, But I Know You</i>, releasing in 2017 release. I haven’t read this one, but it sounds ah-mazing. Read the blurb
on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29008379-you-don-t-know-me-but-i-know-you?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Congrats, ladies!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What’s new with you?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-24677568575169116002016-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:002016-02-09T06:00:09.850-05:00The Dream Thieves, According to The Man<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes I like to recommend books I love to The Man, and
sometimes he reads them even though they don’t all have fighting scenes or
superheroes or sports. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I asked him to read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Raven Boys.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yeah, it was good,” he said like that’s it. Good. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I <s>bullied him into reading</s> suggested he read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dream Thieves</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was good,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Better than good,” I said, thinking of the strain between
Adam and Ronan, Adam and Gansey, Adam and everyone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I felt bad for Adam,” he said. “Like, his dad beats him,
then he goes to see Blue, who won’t kiss him. So he’s like, ‘Why won’t you kiss
me?’ And she’s like, ‘If I kiss my true love he’ll die.’ And he’s like, ‘Oh.’
And she’s like, ‘But the real reason is because I know it’s not you.’ And then
she scampers up the hill with Gansey where they, like, rub faces.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He shrugged.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I like the cars.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-24569371349739223692016-02-02T06:00:00.000-05:002016-02-02T06:00:21.535-05:00Currently: An Embarrassing Teen Tracey Confession<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As part of my 2016 goal to be the kind of blogger who
actually blogs, I’m joining the biweekly Currently post. I will do my best to
make my supremely uneventful life sound thrilling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">READING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m doing this thing where I wait for an entire series to be
published before picking up book one. Better to binge read, my dears. I’ve only
been moderately successful. (Patience isn’t really my thing.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cinder.</i>
Then I told myself I’d wait until book four to read on. Except I gave up and
read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scarlet.</i> And that was great,
aside from the yearlong wait for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cress</i>,
which I didn’t read because I knew I’d be forced to wait a year for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Winter. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I waited. And waited. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a really long time.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206900-winter?from_search=true&search_version=service" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447171461l/13206900.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, this weekend, I finally started <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cress.</i> Followed it up with a serving of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Winter,</i> which has kept me glued to my Kindle whenever I’m not doing
the day job thing to keep books in my bookcase. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m nearing the end and still loving it. All of the
characters are great, but I’m not sure anyone can beat Scarlet and Wolf—especially
their reunion. Those two melt my icy heart.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WATCHING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So. I saw <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Martian</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wait, first a disclaimer. When I was younger I was in love
with Matt Damon. I clipped a photo of him from a magazine, framed it, and kept
it in my room. It was going to be something we laughed about when we were
married.* “Hahaha, darling. Remember when I had a photo of you on my bureau
before we even met? Oh, how <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">droll</i>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not that I thought about it much. Anyhow, you should know
that before I tell you what I thought of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Martian</i>. I might be biased. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/12/16/12-life-lessons-from-the-movie-the-martian/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2EAWTXblOs/VrAnwa5nwGI/AAAAAAAAD7c/cNPUxvLkR0g/s640/martian-728x400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was worried, going in, that it was going to be one long
snoozefest, what with him being trapped alone in space. Alone. But I figured,
why not? (See also, Matt Damon.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it was good. Funny and interesting—science fiction, yes,
but with a hefty dose of realism. It felt plausible that this man could live on
Mars, in those conditions, for as long as he did. (Please keep in mind that I’m
no botanist or physicist or person who enjoys long division, so realistic to me
might not be realistic to someone with a sciencey brain.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LISTENING TO<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This actually has nothing to do with Jared Leto’s face.
(Though you’re welcome for that.) I’ve been listening to this on repeat as I
plan my next WIP, which has some boy vs. girl elements. This is war, indeed.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zcps2fJKuAI" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THINKING ABOUT<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Female friendship. When I was in college, I studied abroad
in New Zealand and became quick, close friends with a group of girls, most of
whom I hadn’t met before. We studied together. Traveled together. Jumped out of
planes together. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Typical girl bonding. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/64176363417615802/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/9d/1b/74/9d1b744d110a9dd7b2007dce8c813d3e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I wanted to write a story with a group of girls who were family, who had lives
outside one another but whose lives centered on one another. I wanted to write
a story about what we’ll do for our friends, what it means to be best
friends—and all the messy, complicated stuff that comes with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now let’s see if I can pull it off…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WISHING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Freezer repair didn’t cost $600. That new fridge/freezers
didn’t cost even more than that. That I was Elsa and could create my own
freezer system with a flick of my wrist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MAKING ME HAPPY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pumpkin the Raccoon, who has <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pumpkintheraccoon/" target="_blank">her own Instagram profile</a> and 570,000 followers. And who is, undeniably, the cutest raccoon ever. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/ThisIsPumpkin/status/694157742832013312" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaIkygfWAAA9-Vu.jpg:large" width="318" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b>
<b>What’s new with you?</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
*This was my backup plan in case my thing with Leonardo
DiCaprio fell through. <o:p></o:p></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-53749736093488085502016-01-21T00:13:00.000-05:002016-01-21T01:02:07.789-05:00On Reading, Writing & Addictive TV<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oHgNy9HcPTM/VqB0IjwCD7I/AAAAAAAAD7I/4LF2w3jaqeo/s1600/IMG_2484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oHgNy9HcPTM/VqB0IjwCD7I/AAAAAAAAD7I/4LF2w3jaqeo/s400/IMG_2484.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I tried.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I even had one of those reminder things set on my calendar
to yell at me twice a week about being lazy and not writing my blog posts like
those highly organized and industrious bloggers. (<a href="http://katyupperman.com/" target="_blank">You know who you are</a>.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I even knew that on Tuesdays we post Currently. The problem
is that I spent half this week with mixed up days. I blame the day off on
Monday and a weekend full of <i>Making a Murderer</i>. My brain is still 84 percent
righteous indignation, so I’m sure you can understand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyhow, two days late, but isn’t half of winning playing the game?
Even if it’s on the wrong day? On the wrong field? GIVE A GIRL A BREAK.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LOVING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m feeling rather British with the new electric tea kettle
I added to my writing space. It makes it a lot easier to drink fifty cups of
tea while attempting to create worlds and whatnot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The downside (because of course there’s a downside, this is
Real Life) is that I’m forced to choose between hot tea and
electricity, what with the number of times the tea kettle, upon reaching a
rolling boil, shuts off the entire right side of my condo. And then The Man has
to come home and wonder whether writing in the dark is some sort of metaphor
for the state of my mind while attempting to write the first line of this new story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes. Yes, it is. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/4zi9noJ109/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-juy5jBoHIe8/VqBkM6VhwnI/AAAAAAAAD60/kd_U7fakqm8/s400/IMG_1979.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">READING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve basically promised my firstborn child to The Man should
I not read Ernest Cline’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9969571-ready-player-one?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Ready Player One</a></i> soon.
It’s not really that huge of a motivator considering my firstborn child would
be his, but he says it with menace so I get the point. Plus I want to read it
anyway, even though I’m not into video games and am, in the words of my dear
husband, so not fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m also antsy to read Marie Lu’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20821111-the-young-elites?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">The Young Elites</a></i>. The Man got me a signed copy for Christmas
because despite his child-stealing threats he’s a nice guy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WATCHING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I try not to brag about my ability to binge (because some
people call sitting on the couch all day lazy) but I’m going to brag about my
ability to binge: In under two days this weekend, I’d watched all <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Making a Murderer</i> episodes. I have three
recommenations:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Stay away from cops.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Stay away from Wisconsin.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Watch this show, pronto.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside from the true crime documentary, I also watched <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shannara Chronicles</i>, which was
surprisingly good and filled the <i>Game of Thrones</i>–sized hole in my life. (Though
no one will take the place of Tyrion, may he never meet the sharp edge of George R.
R. Martin’s pen.) The two female leads are equally kickass and all sorts of
awesome, and Will is a fun sort of idiot who I can’t help but like. I’m on
board, even though they killed the super hot elf whose voice was an exact
replica of Finn’s from <i>The 100</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also watched <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shadowhunters</i>,
which hahahahahahahahahaha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LISTENING TO<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m pretty much playing this song on repeat as I brainstorm
my next friendship-heavy story:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cqz713hhz1Y" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THINKING ABOUT<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing a multiple POV novel for the first time. Writing
third person for the first time. Whether I’m clinically insane or just headed
in that direction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://givemeapaper.tumblr.com/post/136473182523/richard-campbell-gansey-iii-i-missed-gansey-on" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://57.media.tumblr.com/bfe4853efb44a9bfcf97f39d7213d7e3/tumblr_o0c9ta9szg1qm7g6po1_500.gif" height="400" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://givemeapaper.tumblr.com/post/136473182523/richard-campbell-gansey-iii-i-missed-gansey-on" target="_blank">VIA</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ANTICIPATING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The nine gajillion 2016 books I’d like to download to my
brain right now. And I’m both anticipating and anti-anticipating <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Raven King</i> because A) the series
will be over and B) Gansey’s life will be over. And I’m not sure I’m ready for
that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WISHING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That you’ll <a href="http://veronikelly-mars.tumblr.com/post/137686071474/dias-latest-social-action-project-is-the" target="_blank">check out this post</a> about a young black girl who
was frustrated with a lack of diversity in the books she was reading. She decided
to start a book drive (check out the hashtag #1000BlackGirlBooks), and she’s aiming for 1,000 books with black girls as the
main character. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MAKING ME HAPPY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writer friends! Writing a book is such a mental game for me,
and I can be pretty mean to myself most of the time. I tell myself I’m not
capable. I tell myself I’ll fail. I tell myself my ideas are crap
and my words are dumb and I’m having a really, really bad hair day. (Okay, that
last one is true 99 percent of the time.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I’m happy I have friends to support me. My lovely CP <a href="http://www.lizparkerwrites.com/" target="_blank">Liz Parker</a> is the equivalent of a cheerleader and pro-bono psychiatrist, and she gets
full credit for my sanity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What’s currently making <i>you</i> happy?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-70190941478179985502016-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:002016-01-12T06:00:04.184-05:00New Year, New Goals<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyhowardsocial.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2021fd7072e3ac6519b0a99d85fe36ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://amyhowardsocial.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2021fd7072e3ac6519b0a99d85fe36ee.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">APPLIES TO YOUR WRITING, TOO (<a href="http://amyhowardsocial.com/inspirational-quotes-for-the-girl-bosses/" target="_blank">VIA</a>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Contrary to popular belief, I haven’t fallen off the face of
the earth. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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(The earth doesn’t have a face. <a href="http://www.brandquarterly.com/remaining-authentic-going-global" target="_blank">Unless</a>...)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I have been MIA around here. I could say it was a short
blogging vacation, but the truth looks more like this:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
busyness + laziness x
holidays = no blogging</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a new year, though. I have in me at least four months
of pretending I’m going to be a better version of 2015 Tracey. And that
includes reviving this dusty space. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve read so many great books! I’m plotting a new story!
There are Things happening that I miss sharing with you in longer than 150-word
blips on Twitter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consider that my first writer resolution for this year.
Here’s the rest:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Read more outside
YA.</span><span style="color: #741b47;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did a quick scan of the books I read in 2015 and realized
a couple things:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li>I barely read any adult or middle grade novels this year.</li>
<li>I spent an obscene amount of money on books.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll probably always be
spending an obscene amount of money on books, but this year I plan to make more
of those nonfiction, adult fiction, NA, and middle grade. There’s an especially
large number of MG books on my TBR list, including <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23271637-the-nest" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Nest</i> by Kenneth Oppel and Jon Klassen</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24396876-the-thing-about-jellyfish" target="_blank"><i>The Thing About Jellyfish</i> by Ali Benjamin</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20971472-nightbird" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nightbird</i> by Alice Hoffman</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22453777-hour-of-the-bees?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Lindsay Eagar’s forthcoming <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hour of the Bees</i></a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Go easier on
myself.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I left my CPs the same sort of comments I leave myself
while writing, I wouldn’t have any friends. I’m not entirely sure why I think
it’s okay to tell myself “Worst sentence in the history of the written
language” or “THIS BOOK IS A PIECE OF TRASH” when I’d never even <i>think</i> that of
a friend’s manuscript, but there you have it. I am a Mean Girl to myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll be honest: I had a really difficult time with this in
2015. I was writing a book that I has such a grand vision for—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> type of prose and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> type of character development. It
needed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel</i> a certain way. And
mid-draft, it didn’t. I just about convinced myself the story would never end
up on paper how I saw it in my mind—and I wasn’t too nice about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But then something happened: I finished it. I revised it. More than once. And
it’s now my favorite of all the books I’ve written. I should have trusted
myself to get there—maybe not in draft one, but eventually. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
This year, I want to be kinder to myself. I’m gearing up to write something
new, and my goal is to remember that I felt this way before. That’ll help me be
nicer to me when something’s not perfect. It can get there, eventually.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stop comparing.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is it possible to be a writer and not compare yourself to
others? To not compare your book to others? If you can do it, you’re required
by law to share your secret with me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I easily let the fear of not being good enough get to me.
And it’s hard to write what with all that “will I ever get there?” stuff going
on my head. My goal is to forget don’t have a book deal. To forget that my
first draft isn’t as good as the amazing published novel I just read.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I read a quote somewhere by someone (if you know, hit up the
comments) that said something like, “Don’t compare your beginning to someone
else’s end.” Your draft isn’t going to be as good as a published novel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(If it is, I might hate you a small bit.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year, I don’t want to spend time worrying about whether
I can tell the story how it needs to be told or whether my prose is perfect
enough or if I’ll even sell the book. I’m writing for the love of writing and
hoping everything follows from there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What are your 2016 goals?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-85309264758004380472015-09-16T06:00:00.000-04:002015-09-16T06:00:01.965-04:00Happy Release Day, Sweet Madness<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23340891-sweet-madness?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1427109945l/23340891.jpg" /></a></div>
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I love the mystery of the Lizzie Borden murders: Did Lizzie
Borden kill her father and step-mother one night in 1892? And if so, why?<o:p></o:p></div>
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There’s no answer, in case you’re skimming ahead. (Well,
really, there <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> an answer. I just
don’t have it. Nobody does, except for the dead.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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But authors Lindsay Currie and Trisha Leaver take a guess in
their YA horror novel, <i>Sweet Madness</i>. It’s narrated by the Bordens’s maid,
Bridget Sullivan, a historical figure who was there the day the bodies were
discovered and may (at least in this fictional account) be able to shed light
on what really happened in that small Massachusetts town.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m so excited for this to be out in the world. If you’ve
never read anything by the authors, here’s what you need to know: They do
creepy well. Like, disturbingly well. They’re also great at telling fast-paced
and engaging stories that take off running and don’t stop until way past your
bedtime.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Want to know more? Go on, have all the links:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23340891-sweet-madness?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Madness-Trisha-Leaver/dp/1440588945/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442355054&sr=8-1&keywords=sweet+madness" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://lindsaycurrie.com/" target="_blank">Lindsay’s website</a> | <a href="http://www.trishaleaver.com/" target="_blank">Trisha’s website</a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What’s your favorite
scary story?</b></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-44167838078129763492015-09-08T10:12:00.000-04:002015-09-08T10:12:12.823-04:00Review: The One Thing<div class="MsoNormal">
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Today marks the release of Marci Lyn Curtis’s <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18369372-the-one-thing?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">The One Thing</a>,</i> which not only features a feisty heroine, a cute boy, and a bit of magic, but the best little kid ever. Here’s why you should read it:</div>
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Maggie Sanders is my kind of heroine. We’d never be friends
because our personalities are basically the same and we’d get in some stupid
fight because we’re both quick to anger, then we’d never speak again because
we’re both terrible at apologies. It’d be sad. <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Anyway, I loved being in her head because she basically
reacted to things in the same way I would. Well, okay, I’d probably tell more
people about the being able to see thing since, you know, she’s blind and
then—BOOM—partial vision. But I loved that she went off on Mason when he was
being a broody, mean jackwad. And I loved that she went off on her mom because
the woman deserved it. She stood up for herself, which I respected.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She’s also a terrible friend, and even with Ben’s cloud of
light, she’s blind to the fact that relationships make dealing with adversity
stronger. I was dying for her to get over her frustration and embarrassment
enough to embrace her friends, so I was super excited to see the relationship
between her and Clarissa grow. In fact, Maggie’s resistance and then reluctant
friendship with Clarissa was my one of my favorite parts of the story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But let’s be serious: The shining spot in this book is Ben.
The precocious 10-year-old is super smart, sort of a perv, and totally
adorable. He’s no stranger to disability (he has spina bifida) and is exactly
what Maggie needs in her life—a tiny dude in early-stage Augustus
Watersdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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As the blurb mentions, there’s romance between Maggie and
Ben’s older brother, Mason, who happens to be the singer of an on-the-rise
band. It’s dislike at first sight—and, yes, Maggie can see Mason, provided he’s
in the bubble of light Ben emits. But while the romance is usually my favorite
part of contemporary stories, I didn’t love it as much as I loved the Maggie-Ben
friendship, which was basically the best thing ever. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I also loved the ending. Highlight the following spoiler-filled white type at your own peril:</div>
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<span style="color: white;">I’ll be honest: I
might have felt Maggie-level anger at Marci Lyn Curtis when I thought Ben was
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pretty. I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and this one was
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* I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an
honest review. Which you just read. <o:p></o:p></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-89680404064319731402015-08-10T06:00:00.000-04:002015-08-10T06:00:00.715-04:00RSW: End In Sight<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm8QTpTc0U1QHzH8bQOqWyDUxMrfRa4WUgL9-BnyWAzen3yDIwnye4mDPCzgjkQlzwde2lhbmBdBdStIqrdHsgaTgefpWCxluvUe-2GyqhJyV1zJjvV2pDmv7rDP0uI6r0PNMzYHvU3m7/s1600/RSW4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm8QTpTc0U1QHzH8bQOqWyDUxMrfRa4WUgL9-BnyWAzen3yDIwnye4mDPCzgjkQlzwde2lhbmBdBdStIqrdHsgaTgefpWCxluvUe-2GyqhJyV1zJjvV2pDmv7rDP0uI6r0PNMzYHvU3m7/s1600/RSW4.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In case you’ve just tuned in, I’m taking part in Ready, Set,
Write. It’s a summer writing intensive hosted by <a href="http://alisonmiller20.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alison Miller</a>, <a href="http://katyupperman.com/" target="_blank">Katy Upperman</a>,
<a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Erin Funk</a>, <a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" target="_blank">Jaime Morrow</a>, and <a href="http://elodienowodazkij.com/" target="_blank">Elodie Nowodazkij</a> that encourages goal-setting and
provides accountability. Basically it’s a bunch of writers cheering each other
on to meet their writing or revising goals. There’s whip-cracking, too, for
slackers like me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now, my update:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. HOW I DID ON LAST
WEEK’S GOALS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m pretty sure my name is in the dictionary, right in the
“goal-setter” listing. Not, like, within the definition or anything. You’d get
the whole explanation, then there’d be:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ANTONYMS: Tracey Neithercott</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Incidentally, “goal-setter” is not in the dictionary. But
OMG and selfie are. Way to keep it classy, English language.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the plus side, while I’ve been a crap blogger and haven’t
set a goal about a month, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i> been
working hard. I’m so close to the end of this revision I can practically taste
The End. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(If you’re curious, it’s chocolaty with hints of relief and
booze.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. MY GOALS FOR THIS
WEEK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is so easy: Finish this revision. If I can’t do that,
you all have permission to heckle me online with things like “YOUR HAIR IS UGLY
TODAY” and “NICE DAYTIME PJs, LOSER!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. A FAVORITE LINE
FROM MY STORY OR ONE WORD/PHRASE THAT SUMS UP WHAT I WROTE/REVISED <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If my first draft was a human it’d be skin and bones. The
kind of human you’re not quite sure is alive because its skin is
semi-transparent and its knobby bones poke out at weird angles. So a lot of
this revision was beefing this thing up—adding setting details, writing scenes
I so thoughtfully left blank or with kind comments like “Come up with
something.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which is to say: I have a lot of new words and can share
some this week:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
My hands are shaking. I double knot my bikini ties to give
them something to do. Fitz tugs my hands away, holds them in his. This should
be Sadie, standing atop a slimy green rock, skin to skin with a boy who looks
death in the face with a wink and a dare. Gazing into Fitz’s eyes is like
staring at a beating heart. He’s so intensely and perfectly alive.</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGE I FACED THIS WEEK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The headline for this week was definitely TRACEY VS. TIME:
FIGHT TO THE PAIN! It was crunch week at work, so I had less time to revise.
But I still managed to get some in five days this week.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This weekend my 9-year-old nephew and father-in-law came up
from Maryland, so it was a work-free few days. Instead?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETwUXCs0kKM/VcgFUkCClmI/AAAAAAAADis/MJSDOvM0xag/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETwUXCs0kKM/VcgFUkCClmI/AAAAAAAADis/MJSDOvM0xag/s400/IMG_2093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We played a mean game of Mouse Trap. This included building
instructions only slightly better than Ikea’s and hours of testing and
re-testing the trap because that’s the fun part.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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We went to the drive-in up in New Hampshire and he gorged
himself on pizza and cotton candy (the most best thing there is!) and cookies
(moms make the best cookies—they all use the same recipe) and soda (Pepsi >
Coke). My sister-in-law is going to love us.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tpM3bBt8WLE/VcgFm0l4yvI/AAAAAAAADjE/9tDZsGPPR8c/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tpM3bBt8WLE/VcgFm0l4yvI/AAAAAAAADjE/9tDZsGPPR8c/s400/IMG_2107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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There was comic-reading time. And video games. Bumper boats,
an arcade, and so much junk food I think he’s 98 percent sugar now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. SOMETHING I LOVE
ABOUT MY WIP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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The friendships. My main character is a bit of a loner at
the start, and I love the slow building of friends over the course of the
story. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p><b> How was your writing week?</b></o:p></div>
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<o:p><b><br /></b></o:p></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-17031129558281356182015-07-06T06:00:00.000-04:002015-07-06T16:41:12.467-04:00RSW: Writing and Revising<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETO86g8sn6MAM4i5g9aLHFvcVJSxAi0imneziahE8p6S-v2wFNwVLYoalyPuJ_0e6e75uLd-XJNEUj7ciaHyuRa0p9AGowDM7ucfFiTiU7F8NzmWMSm2-zvC_TtqmQ2kFEXwd96jpYh3k/s1600/RSW7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETO86g8sn6MAM4i5g9aLHFvcVJSxAi0imneziahE8p6S-v2wFNwVLYoalyPuJ_0e6e75uLd-XJNEUj7ciaHyuRa0p9AGowDM7ucfFiTiU7F8NzmWMSm2-zvC_TtqmQ2kFEXwd96jpYh3k/s1600/RSW7.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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In case you’ve just tuned in, I’m taking part in Ready, Set,
Write. It’s a summer writing intensive hosted by <a href="http://alisonmiller20.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alison Miller</a>, <a href="http://katyupperman.com/" target="_blank">Katy Upperman</a>,
<a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Erin Funk</a>, <a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" target="_blank">Jaime Morrow</a>, and <a href="http://elodienowodazkij.com/" target="_blank">Elodie Nowodazkij</a> that encourages goal-setting and provides
accountability. Basically it’s a bunch of writers cheering each other on to
meet their writing or revising goals. There’s whip-cracking, too, for slackers
like me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And now, my update:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. HOW I DID ON LAST WEEK’S GOALS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Considering I didn’t have any goals last week, I’d say I did
a bang-up job. I revised at least five times last week, which was my goal from
two weeks ago. This week, that was a lot of writing new scenes and doing
crucial research.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. MY GOALS FOR THIS WEEK</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Work on revisions at least five times this week</li>
<li>Revise at least six chapters</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. A FAVORITE LINE FROM MY STORY OR ONE WORD/PHRASE THAT
SUMS UP WHAT I WROTE/REVISED<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I did some writing this week, I have stuff to share. It’s
unedited, so read at your own risk.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“One day, maybe you’ll tell me about it.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“You might not believe me.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I rest my head on his shoulder. “You can’t imagine the
impossible things I’m willing to believe. Like right now, I believe there’s
more to us than on the island.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Was that ever even a question?” He’s looking at me like
he’s discovered a treasure, like I was buried for years before he dug me up. He
dips down and kisses me so deeply it sinks the sun into the ocean and draws the
moon up into the sky.</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE I FACED THIS WEEK</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back when I was writing this, I sped through a plot element
I knew I’d need to come back to during revisions. I was being all cutesy and
writerly, leaving myself a note in the MS that said something to the effect of “No, YOU fix this giant plot hole.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, I mean, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">come on, </i>Past
Tracey. Way to pass off all the work. So this week I spent a crazy amount of
time trying to rework an element of the plot that makes no sense if you account
for people acting like rational human beings. Which they tend to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. SOMETHING I LOVE ABOUT MY WIP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The story is primarily told from the POV of Ruby, a teen girl
on a treasure hunt. But some chapters are also told from the POV of Cooper, a
boy with no memory of his past who recently woke up on the mysterious island. I’ve
never written from a boy’s point of view before, and it was insanely fun. One
of my favorite things about the story is the relationship between Cooper and a
man named Bishop:<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Bishop rolls his eyes, which is strange for a guy so old.
“The way you act. You have a Bart-ness to you.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“What the hell’s that even mean?” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Don’t curse,” he says. “And it means that I had a really
nice dog named Bart and you remind me of him.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I’d really rather not be named after a dog.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“He was a good dog.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“How’d you like it if I called you Rover instead of Bishop?” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“You have a dog named Rover?” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I slump against the store window. “Obviously I don’t know
that. I don’t know anything. But I could.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Oh, do whatever you want. It’s your fake name.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How are you doing with <i>your</i> writing goals?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-24935452596837230042015-06-22T02:30:00.000-04:002015-06-22T02:30:50.408-04:00Ready. Set. Write: One Step at a Time<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuHpH8bgD9uFtchJu9PvhOD26KLC7cwacpKbsbkLn7VmJXiS3lZUBsrZgv0LPeNJbpcY73ZHBQfJmGLJE17SmSHx8sXNKArMbz4Nw_9jnNt9NaOCwvBglRdOdP5L0vbwTAptRQV5hT5Oa/s1600/RSW2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuHpH8bgD9uFtchJu9PvhOD26KLC7cwacpKbsbkLn7VmJXiS3lZUBsrZgv0LPeNJbpcY73ZHBQfJmGLJE17SmSHx8sXNKArMbz4Nw_9jnNt9NaOCwvBglRdOdP5L0vbwTAptRQV5hT5Oa/s1600/RSW2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In case you’ve just tuned in, I’m taking part in Ready, Set,
Write. It’s a summer writing intensive hosted by <a href="http://alisonmiller20.blogspot.com/">Alison Miller</a>, <a href="http://katyupperman.com/">Katy Upperman</a>, <a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.com/">Erin Funk</a>, and <a href="http://jaime-morrow.com/">Jaime Morrow</a> that encourages
goal-setting and provides accountability. Basically it’s a bunch of writers
cheering each other on to meet their writing or revising goals. There’s whip-cracking,
too, for slackers like me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now, my update:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. HOW I DID ON LAST
WEEK’S GOALS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My goal last week was to work on revisions at least five
times a week and complete a list of needed revisions. Done and done. I now have
a handy list of changes to make, divided by type of revision.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course that was the easy part…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. MY GOALS FOR THIS
WEEK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, bother. Now that I’ve met last week’s goals, I’m at
the hard part: putting all that brainstorming to use. This week, I’d like to:</div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li>Work on revisions at least five times per week</li>
<li>Revise major plot issues</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. A FAVORITE LINE
FROM MY STORY OR ONE WORD/PHRASE THAT SUMS UP WHAT I WROTE/REVISED</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No line this week since I didn’t make any changes to the
text. I did do a lot of brainstorming, especially to turn one of my flat side
characters three dimensional. The most appropriate word for that
process? Long. Long, long, LONG.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGE I FACED THIS WEEK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’d probably get bored if I listed fear here every week,
so let’s pick something different. I’ll go with belief. I have a (very long)
list of changes to make to my WIP, and this week I struggled with the belief
that I can get the story from where it is to where it needs to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m sticking with last week’s mantra: One step at a time. So I have about eleventy billion things to revise. That’s
okay. I’ll start with No. 1 and not worry about the rest until I hit No. 2.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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At least, that’s the plan. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. SOMETHING I LOVE
ABOUT MY WIP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For all the whining and moaning I’ve been doing about my
WIP, I do love it. Like, if we were in a YA novel, I’d hate my WIP so much but
at the same time be strangely attracted to its charm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, that wasn’t creepy at all.<br />
<br />
What I love most at this point is the dialog. The
characters are either inconsistent or flat or otherwise a mess, the setting
needs beefing up, and subplots vanish somewhere between the beginning and the
end, but the dialog works. That’s no surprise—it’s the easiest for me to
write—but it’s nice to see at least something was working in this draft.<br />
<br />
<b>How are you doing with your writing goals?</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-40405394265014771772015-06-15T13:12:00.002-04:002015-06-15T13:13:35.333-04:00Ready, Set, Write: On Goals and Having Them Finally<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s something you might not know: When you burn alive for
a living, summer isn’t actually the greatest season of all. On the plus side,
there’s Ready, Set, Write, hosted by <a href="http://alisonmiller20.blogspot.com/">Alison Miller</a>, <a href="http://katyupperman.com/">Katy Upperman</a>, <a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.com/">Erin Funk</a>, and <a href="http://jaime-morrow.com/">Jaime Morrow</a>. I’ve been participating in this summer writing
intensive for years, and each year it’s responsible for a huge chunk of the
words I write.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I missed last week’s goals post, but because I’m feeling
inventive I’m going to combine it with this week’s update. So, here’s how I’m
doing:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. HOW I DID ON LAST
WEEK’S GOALS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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This is assuming I had goals last week. Which I didn’t.
Unless you count the goal of finishing the entire season of <i>Sense8</i>. In that case, nailed it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Because that’s lame, I’m going to set an overall RSW goal
and pretend it isn’t completely unrealistic.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Revise BLACKBIRD ISLAND</li>
<li>Send revised draft to beta readers</li>
</ul>
</div>
<o:p></o:p>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. MY GOAL(S) FOR
THIS WEEK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>Work on revisions at least five times per week</li>
<li>Complete list of needed revisions</li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. A FAVOURITE LINE
FROM MY STORY OR ONE WORD/PHRASE THAT SUMS UP WHAT I WROTE/REVISED<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Last week, I finished the draft of BLACKBIRD ISLAND—with a
second storyline for the same low, low price! Also, with an in-the-dark kiss. I
should post a part of that here, right? Right. Everyone loves kissing.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Then I can’t take it anymore, the not kissing. I want my
lips on his, but I get his eye instead, which is exactly as sexy as it sounds.</i> </blockquote>
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<b><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGE I FACED THIS WEEK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fear. If you wrote a song about my writing and revising,
it’d go something like this:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Fear, fear</i><i>Fearful fear</i><o:p><i> </i></o:p></blockquote>
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And it would suck. But at least it’d be accurate. I have a
lot of revising to do. I mean, an all-caps A LOT. I also have such a clear
vision for what I want this story to be, how it should <i>feel</i>. I just hope I can get it there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. SOMETHING I LOVE
ABOUT MY WiP </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That it’s done. That sounds like a cop out, but this is my
blog and I can write cop outs all day long. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was a hard one for me to write. It was hard to get past
my inner editor, which means I drafted it much more slowly than
anything else I’ve written. But it’s done and I do like it—major flaws and all.
And though I’m afraid of not being able to turn this into the book in my mind,
I’m thankful I’m at the revising stage because I know where it needs to go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now I’ll be off, tattooing my new mantra to my hands,
where I can see it while typing: One step at a time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-63391513603101177582015-05-11T06:00:00.000-04:002015-05-11T06:00:04.788-04:004 Great Reads<div class="MsoNormal">
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47xsA3glJ6s/VUvl4NNqsmI/AAAAAAAADTo/lV449wASsts/s1600/Image-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47xsA3glJ6s/VUvl4NNqsmI/AAAAAAAADTo/lV449wASsts/s400/Image-1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I always feel a bit off after disliking a book everyone else
loves. Like we’re a show choir and everyone’s belting out some big, epic
song—maybe from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wicked</i> because those
songs are always big and epic and meaningful on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Glee</i>—and I’m over here singing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and not
even remembering all of the words.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I had this off-ness at the start of April and I had a feeling I was
about to enter a massive book slump. But miracle of all miracles, the exact
opposite happened. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not that I suddenly gained musical talent and knew the words
to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wicked</i> songs but that I loved
pretty much every single book I read. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are the books you should be buying this month:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19547856-simon-vs-the-homo-sapiens-agenda?ac=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402915678l/19547856.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is probably the most adorable book I’ll read all year. It’s
smart. It’s funny. It’s 320 pages of Oreo-sweet scenes with depth and mystery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22501055-under-a-painted-sky" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404520780l/22501055.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s so rare that I read a book with such a strong
friendship between girls. I wanted to insert myself into this young
America—forget the dangers of the wild West—just to be part of the magic that
was Samantha and Annemae. This book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i>
Sam and Andy. It’s a captivating story (with a diverse cast!) of love and hope, family and friendship. Above all, the kind of friendship that turns
strangers into family. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16096824-a-court-of-thorns-and-roses?ac=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417961340l/16096824.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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Wonderful. Just wonderful. It’s somehow both slow building
and fast paced, the characters both quiet and gentle and as vicious as beasts.
If you don’t fall in love with Feyre and Tamlin, you may not have a heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18806240-bone-gap?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402928507l/18806240.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel a little like face-blind Finn trying to describe this
book. It’s lovely when you look at all of its parts neatly arranged—this plot
here, those characters there, the setting just like that—but absolutely
beautiful when you stop looking and start feeling. It’s magical and haunting
and powerful. This may just be the best book I’ll read this year. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What’s the best book
you’ve read recently?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-4831898929495824082015-05-05T06:00:00.000-04:002015-05-05T06:00:03.705-04:00Catching Up<div class="MsoNormal">
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I used to love What’s Up Wednesday posts because they told
me exactly what to write, allowing me to maintain my status as a mindless
drone. Which is all I ever want in life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Which is why I’m joining <a href="http://katyupperman.com/" target="_blank">Katy Upperman</a> for her Tuesday
Currently post. Here’s how it goes:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbGOV8UPc7M/VUg0TclQlpI/AAAAAAAADRk/38lzYocMBmY/s1600/Loving.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbGOV8UPc7M/VUg0TclQlpI/AAAAAAAADRk/38lzYocMBmY/s320/Loving.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It’s no secret I’m a sucker for a great book cover design,
and I’m loving the cover art for these two adult novels (they’re part of a
larger list of books over at <a href="http://thebooksmugglers.com/2015/04/on-the-smugglers-radar-198.html" target="_blank">The Book Smugglers</a>). </div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25372801-all-the-birds-in-the-sky" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1429225322l/25372801.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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I’m crazy about the way the
illustrated birds overlap the title and author’s name. The design is so appropriate
considering the title.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23197290-written-in-the-blood?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1412067520l/23197290.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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And then there’s <i>Written In Blood</i> which is chilling in its
simplicity. The streaks of color that reveal the girl’s face beneath remind me
a bit of water drips on a foggy mirror. Water drips that maybe reveal something
scary behind you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1DM1Swm6jo/VUg0wK6mivI/AAAAAAAADRs/Dce1-MgbXTA/s1600/Reading.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1DM1Swm6jo/VUg0wK6mivI/AAAAAAAADRs/Dce1-MgbXTA/s320/Reading.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If every book I bought was as good as the ones I read in
April I wouldn’t have to worry about broken e-readers. Those things <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do not</i> take being thrown across the room
well. Anyhow, I loved the books I read last month so much that I’m going to
write all about them in a separate post, complete with ❤️ ❤️ and !!! and
pronouncements that you must read them immediately.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Right now, though, I’m getting ready to read Jessi Kirby’s
<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17571215-things-we-know-by-heart?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Things We Know by Heart</a></i>. If it’s anything like her previous books, I’ll be sad
crying and happy crying and avoiding the mirror until I hit The End. (I’m not
one of those pretty-cry people. My face turns into something from an episode of
<i>CSI</i>.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCp_FvERaYM/VUg1CnpH5TI/AAAAAAAADR0/gbecXycEWb4/s1600/Watching.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCp_FvERaYM/VUg1CnpH5TI/AAAAAAAADR0/gbecXycEWb4/s320/Watching.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I’m slowly making my way through <i>Supernatural</i>—I’m on season nine
and seeing the end. That sort of feels like an accomplishment, but mostly it
feels like I’ll soon have commercials and weekly waits crashing my friendship
with the Winchesters. Not cool, man.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve also really been loving <i>iZombie</i>, which has been
cracking me up with the way the main character adopts the personalities of the
people whose brains she eats. Add bonus points for a loveable sidekick and
personality-changing former-Arthur boyfriend and I’m hooked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If I tried to write to music with lyrics my novel would read
something like this:</div>
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“What’d she say?” I asked.<br />
<o:p> </o:p>“Nice to meet you, where you been? I could show you
incredible things. Magic, madness, heaven, sin. Saw you there and I thought,
‘Oh my God, look at that face. You look like my next mistake.’ Love’s a game.
Wanna play?”</blockquote>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not that I listen to Taylor Swift ALL THE TIME. Only most of
the time.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Anyhow, I’m an instrumental-only kind of girl when putting words on paper, but
I like to listen to other sorts of music while staring into space (though the
literary term for that is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">brainstorming</i>.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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And this songs is basically my book in broken into beats and
measures and other musical terms someone as tone deaf as me wouldn’t
understand. Here’s how my book goes:</div>
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Fear. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ve been struggling
with my current WIP, and that has nothing to do with how much I love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Because I really, really love it. Like,
risk-of-death-by-hug love it.) It has everything to do with fear and doubt and
worries that it’s not original enough, not well-written enough—never mind the
fact that it’s not actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">written</i>
yet—not exciting enough, not surprising, not smart, not…oh, you get it. I
recently went back to <a href="http://susandennard.com/2014/11/25/facing-fear-and-tackling-writers-block/" target="_blank">Susan Dennard’s posts on facing fear</a>, and reading how a
published author handles this is super helpful. If you’re blocked by fear, it’s
worth a read. <a href="http://susandennard.com/2014/02/03/from-frab-to-fab-part-4-the-best-laid-plans-of-frabs-and-men/" target="_blank">Her post</a> on taking writing-related fears and putting them in
their place is especially helpful.</div>
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Getting my hands on one of the eleventy billion books that
released today. I need a pause button to hold time until I’ve had a chance to
read some of these:<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23009402-saint-anything?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414680105l/23009402.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21570318-crimson-bound?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413217438l/21570318.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18660447-the-fill-in-boyfriend?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414605032l/18660447.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TOgaAoHJeWY/VUg2R3LUkkI/AAAAAAAADSY/hz6UAok6AtE/s1600/Making%2BMe%2BHappy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TOgaAoHJeWY/VUg2R3LUkkI/AAAAAAAADSY/hz6UAok6AtE/s320/Making%2BMe%2BHappy.png" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Nothing feels like summer quite like watching a cartoon
wiener dance for a circus ringmaster during a double feature at the drive-in.
I’m lucky enough to live close to a few—something I didn’t realize was so rare
until I moved to Philly and then Northern Virginia, neither of which are near
working drive-in theaters. The theater’s opening seems to usher in summer, and
I don’t care that the movie selection is smaller than at the cinema. Will a
1950s announcer tell you that ladies can arrive in casual housedresses at
Showcase Cinemas? Will he tell you to have a gay old time? I don’t think so.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What are <i>you</i> currently up to?</b></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-24798309391587297032015-03-30T05:00:00.000-04:002015-03-30T15:51:16.736-04:00YA Book Club Review: Red Queen<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://traceyneithercott.tumblr.com/post/114450093473/the-ya-book-club-is-reading-red-queen-this-month" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZB6GQVR7pr0/VRhjkCdaeZI/AAAAAAAADBw/eoU4D4kf6IU/s1600/tumblr_nloc0tBjye1qkt0dqo1_1280.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello book clubbers, and thanks for joining in on the
discussion of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22328546-red-queen" target="_blank">Red Queen</a></i>, which is not
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Red Queen</i>, no matter how many
times I typed it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s start with a description, shall we?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Graceling</i> meets <i>The Selection</i> in debut novelist Victoria
Aveyard’s sweeping tale of seventeen-year-old Mare, a common girl whose
once-latent magical power draws her into the dangerous intrigue of the king's
palace. Will her power save her or condemn her? </blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Mare</span> Barrow’s world is divided by blood—those with common,
Red blood serve the Silver-blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman
abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village,
until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king,
princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play
the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As
Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her
new position to help the Scarlet Guard—a growing Red rebellion—even as her
heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her
death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First off, can we all agree that the cover rocks? It so
simply gets at the plot and theme of the novel, and does so in such a striking
way. I think what first drew me to <i>Red
Queen</i> was the cover.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It also sounded pretty awesome from the blurb. But I think
that’s what tripped me up. It’s reads like YA fantasy (and that’s how it’s been pitched elsewhere), so I was a bit turned around at the beginning when I
realized the world was really dystopian. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I should also point out that the blurb calls <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Red Queen</i> a sort of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Graceling</i> meets <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Selection,</i>
which didn’t feel like the most appropriate mashup. Yes, the Silvers have
abilities, but they felt more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">X-Men</i>
than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Graceling</i>. (Which is fine; I
love <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">X-Men</i>.) And while, like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Selection,</i> there’s a contest for the
princes’ hands in marriage, it’s a small part of the book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Red Queen</i> felt
more like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hunger Games</i> (girl becomes
face of a revolution, and both sides want to use her for their own purposes)
meets <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shatter Me</i> (girl with unheard
of power is torn between two boys, one who may be may be her enemy). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I liked Mare as a character. She’s strong without being
cold—even second-guesses her role in the revolution when faced with the loss of
innocent lives. She hurts for the children she’ll leave fatherless. Some might
say that makes her wishy-washy, but I think it’s a realistic reaction for a
17-year-old girl. Hey, I’m an adult and I’m not sure I could sentence people to
die.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I had a hard time with were some plot elements. For
instance, I couldn’t quite buy the queen’s plan to hide Mare in plain sight.
The king and queen tell their people that Mare has Silver blood, but was raised
as Red and only came into her abilities recently. I’ll believe a Silver could
grow to 17 without using her powers. But I’m not sure an entire kingdom would believe a 17-year-old girl
never got a cut, scrape, bloody nose, or even her period. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were also a lot of characters who were suspicious of
Mare, and I wondered why no one cut her “by accident” to see the color of her
blood. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t want to talk too much about the ending and [spoiler], but I will say I liked Mare’s final decision on the
romance. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Red Queen</i> has a love
triangle between two princes—two brothers—and, well … read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/618002164" target="_blank">my Goodreads review</a>,
which hides spoilers, for my full thoughts on that. <br />
<br /></div>
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document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=510679&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-42382349222163929562015-03-04T12:02:00.000-05:002015-03-04T12:02:06.520-05:00What's Up Wednesday and the YA Book Club<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDRUvYAVXJA9FKGgOnEbSSsery4B6sxYpJzEZXis7bleEi-yaF-oT1dIf1SoHHdS5OG2XpKgZnd7TtcZXJVkPZyhfjP8133iMTfFzwwlQ7Wlo1B_Zr6Grv9AGDPBgFhnFsj8SG2z-C570/s1600/Castle+Button+(Final).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDRUvYAVXJA9FKGgOnEbSSsery4B6sxYpJzEZXis7bleEi-yaF-oT1dIf1SoHHdS5OG2XpKgZnd7TtcZXJVkPZyhfjP8133iMTfFzwwlQ7Wlo1B_Zr6Grv9AGDPBgFhnFsj8SG2z-C570/s1600/Castle+Button+(Final).png" height="320" width="273" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s time for What’s Up Wednesday again. If you’re
unfamiliar with the idea, here’s the deal: What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly blog
hop created by <a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/" target="_blank">Jaime Morrow</a> and <a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Erin Funk</a> for like-minded writers to meet and
encourage one another. Everything you ever wanted to know about it (now, 50
percent off the retail price!) is <a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/p/whats-up-wednesday.html" target="_blank">right here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17878931-red-queen?from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1411472322l/17878931.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT I’M READING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m so excited so many of you are interested in joining the
YA Book Club this March. Let this serve as official proclamation that the book
club is a go—and our book of the month is <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17878931-red-queen?from_search=true" target="_blank"><i>Red Queen</i> by Victoria Aveyard</a>. (See, I’m
getting in the royal spirit and all.) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">On
Monday, March 30, we’ll post our reviews.</b> Be sure to link to your review
here, then hop to everyone else’s blog to see what other book clubbers thought
about the novel! (More about how the book club works <a href="http://thewordsonpaper.blogspot.com/p/ya-book-club.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT I’M WRITING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m still drafting my Island MS, which seems to be going
much, much slower than any other book I’ve written. Recently I’ve been having a
hard time getting my inner editor to shut up. She’s incredibly rude and only
interested in deleting words. I’m hoping this is only a temporary thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT WORKS FOR ME<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just about the only way I can get any words on the page is
if I tell myself that even ridiculously low word counts make a difference. So I aimed
for 1,000 words in a writing session and got 200. That’s better than zero,
right? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But really I’d love
to hear what works for you when it comes to killing your inner editor. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792611608314701957.post-70266759023745114492015-03-02T06:00:00.000-05:002015-03-02T06:00:00.795-05:00Sapphire Blue Readalong<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttGa_eTcTPU/VPPIl5C-qTI/AAAAAAAAB-k/1wx7ECBtLzQ/s1600/Sapphire%2BBlue%2BReread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttGa_eTcTPU/VPPIl5C-qTI/AAAAAAAAB-k/1wx7ECBtLzQ/s1600/Sapphire%2BBlue%2BReread.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, February is over which means I’ve reread <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ruby Red </i>and realized I don’t really
know myself as well as I thought I did. It also means we’re closer to tax day,
but I’m doing my best not to think about that because it makes me want to turn
the Boston Harbor into a giant cup of tea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But back to my identity crisis. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See, I thought I loved Gideon de Villiers from the first
moment I met him. Looking back, I imagined this sweet guy who was also really
capable and swoon-worthy and all of the other good things. Except he’s not. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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As I reread <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ruby Red,</i>
I was all “What witchcraft is this?” because Gideon was not kind and he wasn’t
swoon-worthy and he was only mostly capable because he did need Gwen to save
his life after all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the month ended with me looking at a dress and seeing
it go from white and gold to blue and black and back again, and that really
cemented this personality disorder. Anyway, what became clear
very early in the book is that <i>Ruby Red</i> is about Gwen being awesome and kicking
butt even though pretty much everyone but her equally awesome BFF underestimate her.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So if you’re one book in and thinking, “These jackholes
promised me a swoon-worthy boy and all I got was Judgy McJudgerson and his
Cloak of Superiority,” well, you’re mostly right. But you also got an amazing
heroine who learns quickly, stands up for herself, and is basically hilarious. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17254055-sapphire-blue" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358354772l/17254055.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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And there’s more of that in the second book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17254055-sapphire-blue" target="_blank">Sapphire Blue</a>.</i> There’s also a kinder
Gideon and a gargoyle who steals every scene he’s in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Join in the big readalong this month by tweeting your
thoughts under the hashtag #SapphireBlueReread.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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In other reading news, I have an announcement about the YA
Book Club … but you’ll have to wait until Wednesday for that.<o:p></o:p></div>
Tracey Neithercotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.com0