The respark

Whoa. It's been a while again. I apologize, but I've been writing a novel that's kicking my butt and it's finally flowing again. I go through these dry spells, which I should be used to by now. It's as if the well of creativity dries up and there's no rain in sight. A drought so to speak. It could be a burn out of forcing it to happen. I don't know. But I love it when it rekindles. It's like taking a breath of air after holding your breath for ages. Anything can do it. For me, sometimes a song, a movie, but my most recent spark is a book.

My good friend, Joanne Fritz, gave me a book called RUSH by Eve Silver. I've been sort of down with my writing. I don't write the norm nor do I write anything that's "sellable" but I like what I write, it makes my frowny face turn upside down. So when I can find something that allows me to see that what I'm doing is okay, my insides flutter and my brain restarts. It makes me happy so why get down. Taking breaks are fine, the brain needs to reboot.

Anyway, this book has everything I love--first person present tense, scifi, teenage romance with a "bad boy", short choppy sentences--it's the stew that makes my heart beat fast and my brain wanting more. There are some things that bother me about this book, but the pros outweigh the cons. I'm a sucker for these books and I took the bait--hook, line and sinker. I like to read many different things but when I'm in a slump, reading what you love to write can ignite a fire that makes you feel giddy. It's makes what you love to write okay. And I love it when it happens. It's that mountain moment making you crawl out of the deep crevice you fell into. It sort of a validation. Basically, write what you want to read and stick to it.

So have you had the moment of clarity?

Have a great week!

RETURN TO ME by Justina Chen

Thanks to Joanne Fritz for recommending this book.

 

Title: RETURN TO ME

Author: Justina Chen

Publisher:Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 352

 

Blurb:

Nothing is going as planned for Rebecca Muir. She's weeks away from starting college--at a school chosen specifically to put a few thousand miles of freedom between Reb and her parents. But her dad's last-minute job opportunity has her entire family moving all those miles with her! And then there's the matter of her unexpected, amazing boyfriend, Jackson, who is staying behind on the exact opposite coast.

 

And if that isn't enough to deal with, mere days after moving cross-country, Reb's dad drops shocking, life-changing news. With her mother and brother overwhelmed and confused, Reb is left alone to pick up the pieces of her former life. But how can she do that when everything can change in an instant? How can she trust her "perfect" boyfriend when her own dad let her down? Reb started the year knowing exactly what her future would hold, but now that her world has turned upside down, will she discover what she really wants?

 

 

My take: I really adored this book. The writing is beautiful and the character sucks you in to her world that's spiralling out of control. Reb is trying to find her place down a path she never expected to wander on and I think everyone can relate to it. I also enjoyed that her want in life is to become an architect. It's a profession I haven't seen in teen books before. It's refreshing. The touch of the unknown "magic," so to speak, is fantastic too. Right up my alley. It's following-your-gut type thing brought up a couple of notches. It wasn't over the top and I think it fit into the story well. I would recommend this. A great summer read.

 

Thanks to Amazon.com for the photo and blurb. 

 

 

Have you read this book? Thoughts?

 

Have you read any great books you would like to share?

 

Have a great weekend!!

CRACKED launch party!!

I've got a few (maybe a little more) photos from the CRACKED launch party. Of course it was awesome. Kate is the most down to earth and optimistic gal I know. She's an inspiration and an amazing author (if you don't have the book already, go get it).

First, I stink at photos of people. I really do. I'm better with photos of inanimate objects (think buildings). So sorry. I'm also a blabber mouth so I wind up talking over taking photos.
Second, this was so much fun. Chester County Books and Music was packed (I think 300 folks showed up) to see Kate speak and sign. It was great to see so many familiar faces.

Some local authors that attended: A.S. King, Beth Kephart, Amy Garvey, Amy Holder, Dianne Salerni.

Of course, the PLN folks were there. Frankie Diane Mallis, Simon Larter, Jessica Corra, Donna Gamble, Sara De Sabato, Paul Joseph, Kelly Lyman, Ilene Wong, Kevin Sheridan, Lillie, Jenna, Shveta Thakrar, K. A. Magrowski, Joanne Fritz. I hope I didn't forget anyone. (If I don't have your link, please let me know and I'll add it.)

On with the photos:

How cool is that cake?

Kelly Lyman and Paul Joseph 

The crowd.

The scene: Joanne Fritz starting off the night. Kate even had favors. See the bags on the table.

Joanne Fritz

Big smiles from K. M. Walton.

Frankie, Jenna, Simon (partially hidden) and Kelly

Frankie taking a picture of me, taking a picture of her, and Jenna.

Frankie Diane Mallis, Simon Larter and Donna Gamble

Kelly taking a picture of me and Amy Garvey

Frankie has way more pictures and an interesting vlog, so go check it out. Also check out the other folks' links (above) for more photos and interesting posts.

Don't forget, I'm giving away a signed copy of CRACKED. Go here to enter.

Have a great day! 

Laughing at challenges

I know, weird, right? Laughing at a challenge, me. I used to run or hide in a corner, complain and whine. Not anymore. I realize challenge is learning. I obviously learn slowly because many of you are probably saying, duh, we do this already. Hey, give me some credit here sometimes my brain is thick and stubborn. It's been a long road to this point, and as I look down the road ahead, it's longer, but I know (how, I don't know) that one day it can will happen. I just have to take the good with the bad and tackle those challenges head on with a smile. Oh and lots of chocolate helps.

Faces any challenges?

How do you tackle them?

Keepin' it short today. Go check out Joanne Fritz's giveaway's. A.S. King's EVERYBODY SEES THE ANTS and Richard Peck's SECRETS AT SEA. Both are hardback and signed. Ends November 9th.

Have a great day!