Juliana Haygert

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Categories: Reading, RTW

RTW: Best Book of January

 

Road Trip Wednesday is a “Blog Carnival,” where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

 

This week’s topic:

What was the best book you read in January?

 

I’ve read 5 books this month and had post showing them off yesterday.

I tried to catch up with some amazing books of 2011. But to choose only one? Kinda of hard.

So I chose two.

On DYSTOPIAN/FANTASY/PARANORMAL  side:

From Goodreads:

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue–Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is–she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are–and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series–dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

 

And on the CONTEMPORARY side:

From Goodreads:

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far…and almost doesn’t make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won’t soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won’t be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge — and over….

 

Did you read these? Did you like them?

What was the best book YOU read in January?

Cheers,

***

Changing subjects, my query is up from critique on Michelle Krys’ blog. You guys are welcome to come and comment ;)

Thanks!

Categories: Reading

Reading: January

I don’t review books, but if you’re wondering if I liked or loved the books I read, you can check my GoodReads profile.

 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

 

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

 

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

 

Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell 

 

Have you read these? Did you like them?

Happy Readings,

Categories: Links, On Writing

Links about Writing

Following my friend Jani Grey idea, I’m launching a series of links posts about Writing, Publishing, Querying, Reading, Workshops, Contests, Agents, Conferences,  etc.

I decided to do this because I had thousands of web pages bookmarked, then I had to format my laptop … I forgot to save them and lost them all. So, having posts on links, I’ll never lose them ;)

 

Today, it’s about WRITING — novel writing, query writing, pitch writing, etc.

 

10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Dialogue – writetodone

Caution: Contains Strong Language – QueryTracker

Writing Killer Loglines – Query Tracker

The Best of Daily Writing Tips in 2011 – Daily Writing Tips

My Best Advice for Writers From 2011 – Jane Friedman

What Does Your Body Language Says About You? – Jinxi Boo

Eight Questions for Writers – The Blood-Red Pencil

To “Was” or Not To “Was” – The Blood-Red Pencil

A Writer’s Pre-Flight Checklist – Adventures in YA & Children’s Publishing

5 Narrative Mistakes You Can Fix Now – Roni Loren

What Will Make An Agent Gong Your Query – Roni Loren

How Do I Write A SteamPunk Story

Height and Weight Chart

Height Converter

Blank Sheet Form – Story Fix

World Builder (pdf)

Tools for Character Development

Word Count Dracula – Literaticat

How I Went From Writing 2,000 Words a Day to 10,000 Words a Day – Rachel Aaron

5 Tips For Cleaning Up Your Writing Right Now 

Body Language: An Artistic Writing Tool

How To Make the Most of A Scene by Jami Gold

How to Write a Pitch – Jami Gold

Rule of Three – Janice Hardy

How to Craft a Great Voice – Nathan Bransford

For YA books word Count  

GMC Wizard 

100 Characters Quirks

From Rough to Final: A Dissection of Revision – Maggie Stiefvater

Ten authors’ Dissection of Revision – Maggie Stiefvater

5 Things To Do In Your First 3 Paragraphs

Query Letter Template – BubbleCow

How to Make Your Book Play Out Like a Movie – Jody Hedlund

How to Find Original Ideas – Jody Hedlund

Put Your Reader in Your POV Characters’ Skin by Margie Lawson – Jenny Hansen

Connecting Your Opposite (Turning Points) – Lydia Sharp

Whats Your Midpoint – Lydia Sharp

Word Counts and Novel Length

List Love – Writer Unboxed

Paranormal Romance vs. Urban Fantasy – Susannah Sandlin

 

I’ll keep updating this list as I find more articles.

Cheers,

Categories: #ROW80, My writing

ROW80 Checkin 01/25

Hey guys! How are you all?

First, let me explain why I’m posting this today, instead of Sundays, which is the day I usually post check-ins. Because I’ll be out of town from today (Thursday) to Sunday, and, since there was a check-in for ROW80 yesterday and I’m not gonna do anything new until Sunday, why not just post it now? So, here I am!

Another piece of news: because some of you encouraged me to finish the novelette, I went for it. I finished the novelette. However, I won’t even start the novella lol I crossed it out from my goals list and revised my novel writing. My intention is to dig in my novel right now and go somewhere with it ;)

My revised goals:

  • Participate of the EditPalooza workshop offered by Savvy Authors from Jan/2 to Feb/4. (I’ve been warned this is super hard work and consumes many hours of the day. Let’s see if I can keep up!)
  • Write a novelette (10-15,000 words), revise it and sub it (due Feb 1st).
  • Write a novella (20-40,000 words), revise it and sub it (due April 1st).
  • Write a novel (or get as far as I can with it).
  • Read 2 book every 3 weeks.
  • Social network: blog at least once a week (not counting #ROW80 checkins), comment on blogs every other day, and tweet a little everyday.

 

Social Media: All done.

Reading: Read Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols.

Still reading Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell. Honestly, lost the count of how many chapters we’ve read (we’re not reading it in order).

Gonna start Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally this weekend.

EditPalooza: Started slow this week. Then we had two assignments on Wed. It’s going well. My group is by far the most active on the forums ;)

Writing: Monday = 1306 words. Tuesday = 1,695 and I finished the novelette. Reread it, fixed the errors that jumped out at me,  and sent to beta-reader. Wednesday = re-writing an old novel. Got 2053 words and about other 500 that ended up deleted ;)

 

How are you guys doing? Kicking ROW’s butt? I hope so.

To check other members’ progress, you can go to the click here.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Cheers,

Categories: Blogging, Music, My writing

I Challenge You

Usually, I participate on RTW from YA Highway on Wednesday, but I confess I wasn’t too inspired to do what they asked today.

So my friend Jani came up with an idea. A challenge actually.

Here it is, in Jani’s words: My challenge to you.  Blog about a song that reflects one of your main character’s characteristics.  I want to get to know your MC and what better way than to have some fun with it, right?  

For more details (and to see her entry), check Jani’s blog.

Wow, this ain’t gonna be easy =P

Let’s see.

First, I should choose one protag right? Or perhaps I can choose two or three and post their songs too? =P

 

Okay, then, I give you:

 

Nadine from DESTINY GIFT

 

Mirella from GYPSY HEART

 

Ellanue from ENERGY

 

I really think these song resemble who they are and their quest in my stories ;)

Now it’s your turn!

So go blog your song and link me in the comment section!

Cheers,

Categories: #ROW80, My writing

ROW80 Checkin 01/22

Hey guys!

How are you all doing? Everyone still kicking ROW’s butt? Well, not me. I feel like I slacked this week a little.

Note: post written on Thursday night and scheduled to go live on Sunday morning. Friday my parents will be around and Sat and Sun are for family.

 

My goals:

  • Participate of the EditPalooza workshop offered by Savvy Authors from Jan/2 to Feb/4. (I’ve been warned this is super hard work and consumes many hours of the day. Let’s see if I can keep up!)
  • Write a novelette (10-15,000 words), revise it and sub it (due Feb 1st).
  • Write a novella (20-40,000 words), revise it and sub it (due April 1st).
  • Write a novel (or get as far as I can with it). Actually I’m thinking about re-writing some of my old novels, the ones I wrote when I just started down this path. The stories are good, but the writing isn’t lol I keep saying I need to re-write them, so this might be the time to choose one and get it over with.
  • Read 2 book every 3 weeks.
  • Social network: tweet, comment on blogs, and blog at least once a week (not counting #ROW80 checkins).

 

Confession time. I’m losing the interest in writing shorter pieces, so I might cross the novelette and the novella from my list. I just need more 2k words to finish the novelette, but the end is so … simple, I think. My problem is that I love a good, long, complicated plot and when I have to come up with shorter, simpler stuff, it doesn’t happen too well.

Some other things are happening here (I’ll tell you all about it next Sunday), and I think I’ll cut the novelette and the novella form my goal. I know, I know, I was almost done with the novelette, but I’m just not feeling it. So, there you have it.

 

Social Media: All done (or more).

Reading: Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell for the workshop. We’ve read about 10 chapters so far.

Finally finished Across the Universe by Beth Revis on Sat.

EditPalooza: Working on Scene Structure, Middles, and Endings.

Writing: Much slower than my usual routine, but I think the workshop has me compromised. Mon = 1079 words. Tue = 3482 words. Wed = wrote only 500 words. Not in the mood. Thur = wrote another 500 words only. Then start critiquing my CP’s manuscript. Frid, Sat, Sun = with family.

 

How are you guys doing? Hope all is well!

If you want to check on the other members, you can hop on ROW80 blog and click on the post for today’s check-in ;)

Cheers,

 

PS: guys, like usual, I’m gonna be out of town on Sunday and commenting on your blogs through my phone would be a pain in the *ss. So, I’ll stop by on Monday, okay? Thanks!