Insecure Writer's Support Group: INSPIRATION

I can't believe it's already December! O__O That means it's almost 2015, and I can't even...wow this year's gone by fast.  Honestly, the flat out, plain truth is I'm still insecure about basically everything having to do with my writing.  Submission really did a number on me, so confused about what my next step should be yadda yadda...  So, this week I decided to make my IWSG post about a few of my favorite things (yes, that's a Sound of Music reference :)) that inspire me to write.  Here's a short list:

1. Songs and lyrics

2. Movies

3. Sherlock :)

4. Real life conversations/interactions (I love to people watch!)

5. Books, books, books

6. Dance choreography

7. Famous Quotes...like this one from Ernest Hemingway: "There is nothing to writing.  All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."

Yep, pretty much.  So what are your writerly inspirations?  What are are you working on?  I'd love to know!

Happy Holidays,

Ninja Girl

Insecure Writer's Support Group: WIPs

Hi again!  Since it's November--and also NaNoWriMo--I decided to make an IWSG post about my WIPs.  I'm a writer who can only work on one novel at a time.  If I try to do more, things get a little cuckoo, so I try my best to finish a book before starting another.

BUT before I got an agent, I'd started a novel, got 30,000 words in then got The Call and stopped to focus on revising before sub.  Once on sub, I started another novel (to stay sane), got almost 10,000 words in--then put that aside when agent and I decided I should work on a different project.  I ended up completing that project (a companion to my novel that was on sub...confused yet lol?!?), but never got back to the other two before my writerly mojo took a severe hit (see post below).

Now, I have another idea for a series in a genre I've never tried writing before: New Adult.

That's three projects I could tackle.  In case you're interested, the two I'd set aside are paranormal YAs and the novel I'd subbed plus companion are YA contemporaries.  And I really haven't bounced back yet after this awful year, sooo...

How do you decide which project to focus on next?  Is it based on which book you're most excited about?  Is it based on the market?  Do you go with what you think  you write best?  I'd love to get your input :).

Ninja Girl

P.S. Thank you to everyone who commented and for the support on my first IWSG post.  Much needed and very appreciated!

Insecure Writer's Support Group: FEARLESSNESS

Hi guys, this is my first IWSG post (jeez…and my first blog post since July!).  Sorry, it's a day late.  I've read a few of the articles on the IWSG site, have actually been silently following/rooting for several of the writers on here for a while, and it seems like a great community.

So, here's where I'm at in my writing journey:

My agent and I have recently gone our separate ways.  It was a very hard decision, especially after all the time we'd spent subbing my manuscript.  It was coming up on 2.5 years that we'd been on sub (3 years with my agent), got some great responses/comments but no definite bites.

*FYI if you haven't been on sub, just know that if you're not one of the lucky few who get an offer immediately, the silence is a terrible thing.  Awful, the worst, it sucks.*

Anyway, it took me three years and three manuscripts to find an agent--which was tough, I remember--but I don't think I ever felt as craptastic as I do now :(.

I remember when I was in the pits of querying hell with everyone else.  There was a sense of camaraderie.  We were all suffering the same form R woes and slogging it out day after day.  Everyone celebrated together when someone got a partial or full request or--hit the jackpot--got The Call.

I used to bounce back after a day.  Get a rejection?  (and man, I got a TON of those)  Just get back on that horse.  Send out 2 more queries so you know the story's at least out there.

But rebounding this time has been a lot tougher for some reason.

I think it may be because when I signed with my agent I thought I was signing for the long haul.  And also I thought, "Here's someone who believes in your work.  It's only a matter of time before we find the right editor..."

I've still got so many book ideas floating around in my head.  And really I would love to see the 4 manuscripts I've written published.  I just need to find that fearlessness again.  That courage all writers whether they are looking for representation, indie or self-publishing seem to have.  I want that back.  Badly.

Got any ideas on how to get that writer-ly mojo back?  What would you do?

Have a great one,

Ninja Girl

STACKING THE SHELVES (24)

Hi there! Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.  Here are the books I got this week :).

List of Books: Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole
                       Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole
                       Lothaire by Kresley Cole
                       Tease by Sophie Jordan
                       Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern
                       Hexed by Michelle Krys

Yes, I'm a little obsessed with the Kresley Cole series, and I can't wait to read all of these stories!  Hope you got some great books this week!

Ninja Girl

WHY I (almost) LOVED THE NEW X-MEN MOVIE

Confession: I'm a major X-Men fan.  Like seriously.  Of all the superheros, X-Men--and more particularly, the AMAZING Rogue--is my fave.  Hands down.  So yeah, of course I went to the movie, X-Men Days of Future Past, and I loved everything about it...almost.

Here is where I let my geek flag fly, people.  You ready?  Okay then, let's go!

The government created these bad-guy robots--the Sentinels--to commit mutant genocide.  However, the creation ends up backfiring (of course), attacking and targeting humans as well.  In order to prevent this, Professor X and Magneto send someone (Wolverine) into the past to stop Mystique from publicly killing the guy who created the Sentinels--which would stop them (the government) from gaining access to her blood/DNA in the first place--which is supposedly the key to how the Sentinels can mimic the powers of mutants and destroy them.

And here's why that doesn't quite work.

In the Mystique vs. Rogue Conundrum, the break down of powers goes like this...

In the X-Men universe, Mystique is a mutant shapeshifter.  She can alter her appearance to look like anyone--but CANNOT steal their powers.  Rogue is also a mutant, but she has the ability to absorb the life force (and powers) of others through touch.  Now, as far as I could tell from the movie, the Sentinels eliminate mutants by taking on their powers.  Their appearances doesn't change--at least not much.  They basically look like these big, black, vaguely humanoid shaped beings (see awesome drawing above).  Sooooo...

Rogue's blood, her DNA, being the key would've made this plot make sense.  I really can't believe no one else has noticed this.  I mean, you could argue that the Sentinels really aren't taking the powers of the mutants, that they just reflect the powers.  BUT there was at least one scene where a Sentinel fought off a fire-creating mutant with Iceman's power.  You could also say that maybe the Sentinels are just absorbing the powers, adapting and fighting back.  But even that sounds more like Rogue than Mystique.

So yeah, Mystique's DNA might give the Sentinels the ability to look like other mutants (Wolverine, Storm, Jean etc.).  But it wouldn't convey/transmit their power.  That would be my girl Rogue's DNA.

If you feel differently, that's cool.  Actually, I'd love to know that they didn't just go the Mystique route because Jennifer Lawrence is a hot item right now.  Katniss is one of my favorite heroines--but I love Rogue, too.  Not sure who'd come out on top in a fight ;-).

Happy Memorial Day!

Ninja Girl

STACKING THE SHELVES (23)

Hi there! Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.  There's this incredible event that happens only once a year, and sometimes I miss it--but not this time!  It's called the Old Book Sale.  I love searching through all the books and finding gems, usually priced at 25 cents.  Like I said: Incredible and every booklover's dream :).

List of Books: Six books in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole
                      The Pleasure Slave by Gena Showalter
                      Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn
                      The Playboy by Carly Phillips
                      Anna and the Duke by Kathryn Smith
                      Dancing Queen by Erin Downing
                      Bad Girls in Love by Cynthia Voigt

Can't wait to read them all!  Hope you got some great books, and lookout for Old Book Sales.  They rock!

Ninja Girl

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Book Covers I'd Frame As Art

Hi everyone!  This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic sounded like a lot of fun: Book Covers I'd Frame as Art.  I picked out some of my favorites that I'd definitely consider framing and hanging on my wall :-).

 

Hope you're having a great week!

Ninja Girl

TUNE IN TUESDAY: James Vincent McMorrow

Hi there! Tune in Tuesday is a GReads meme currently hosted over at Kate's Tales of Books and Bands.  James Vincent McMorrow.  There's really nothing more to say :-).

1) If I Had A Boat

2) We Don't Eat

3) Look Out

His voice...shivers.  Hope you enjoy!

Ninja Girl

STACKING THE SHELVES (22)

Hi there! Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.  I told ya I wanted to read 'em, and I went out and bought the two I didn't have today :-).  Ninja Aunt was kind enough to get me Endless Knight for Easter and I devoured that one like nobody's business.

 I'm really looking forward to reading these books; they all sound fantastic.  Hope you got some great books as well!

Ninja Girl

Teaser Tuesday: ENDLESS KNIGHT by Kresley Cole

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules:

• Grab your current read
• Open it to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO REVEAL SPOILERS! (Be sure not to spoil the book for others!
• Make sure your sentences don't reveal something important!)
• Include the title and author to, so that other participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser:

"The Arcana.  Into every dark age, twenty-two kids are born with supernatural powers and destined to fight in a life-or-death game.  Our stories are depicted on the Major Arcana cards of a Tarot deck.  I'm the Empress; we play again now.  Death, the reigning victor, won't stop until my blood bathes his sword."--start of book (and the reason to read :-))

I loved book 1, Poison Princess.  This follow-up sounds amazing, and since I can't wait to see how Evie deals with Death and the other Arcana, I'm hoping for great things.  And also: Jackson and his Cajun-ness :).  Can't wait to check out all the other teasers!

Ninja Girl

HAPPY EASTER!

Hi all!  I just wanted to do a quick post to say Happy Easter :-).  Virtual eggs, chocolate bunnies, and those too-sweet, foamy peeps for all!  I haven't been inspired to review in a while (which I hope will change), but here are some of the books I'm looking forward to reading ASAP:

 Whether you celebrate or not, I hope everyone has a great holiday!

Ninja Girl

TUNE IN TUESDAY: NICKEL CREEK

Hi there! Tune in Tuesday is a GReads meme currently hosted over at Kate's Tales of Books and Bands.  This week's pick is "Destination" by Nickel Creek, a trio with great harmonies, a driving pace and a down-home, folksy sound I just love :).

Happy Tuesday!

Ninja Girl

ALIENATED by Melissa Landers

Okay, so I've come to a conclusion: I <3 Aliens.

And apparently so do a lot of other people :-).

Aliens are making a comeback, and I'm loving every second.  I was a big Roswell fan back in the day (still am, actually--Liz and Max, Michael and Maria, Isabel and Alex…yes, yes, YES).  There's this new show, Star Crossed, which I like more than I thought I would.  There's also an Asian drama with an alien/human romance that I'm watching, My Love From Another Star.  FYI: I love me some Asian drama!!  I haven't read Obsidian (yet), though a lot of people fangirl over it.  Didn't love I Am Number Four, didn't hate it.

Anyway, my point is aliens are a thing, like a real trend in books and other media, and I'm enjoying the ride.

Alienated is another nice addition to the alien/human romance category.  Although I can't say I fell in love with the book, I did like it.  From the idea of an alien exchange student to the adversity of humans vs. aliens to the chemistry between our two MCs, this story had a lot going for it.

My favorite thing about Cara was how she stood by Aelyx the entire time.  She was loyal to him and, more importantly, to her convictions.  Even when her friends gave up on her, Cara didn't give into the ignorance of fear and hate, and I really respected her for that.

Different anti-alien groups rose up, distrustful of the L'eihrs, and tried to force them to go back home using scare tactics and violence.  But they also targeted Cara and her family.  This kind of plot really works for me.  The discrimination against a new race of people, the fear, the hatred of the unknown.  Even if you don't believe in aliens, history has shown that people do react this way, and it makes the story more believable.

(Star Crossed does this--a bit better imo--which is one of the reasons I enjoy it.)

The chemistry was there as well.  Cara and Aelyx, two opposing personalities who can't help but be attracted to each other--and one is a super-intelligent, super-hot alien?  Yes, please!  Also, I loved how the L'eirh vs. human mindset differed about things like romance, emotion, food etc.

I didn't like how Cara's "best friend" Tori abandoned and then betrayed her.  I didn't like that two of the people Cara considered her friends would become part of the anti-L'eihr hate group--and hook up behind her back.  I mean, WTH?  I've read a couple books in a row where the BFF ends up stabbing the MC in the back, and I am not a big fan.  Sisters before misters, always.  Also, I didn't love the ending.  I know it's a series, but there were a lot of things left up in the air.

Again, I <3 Aliens--but did I <3 Alienated?  I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I did enjoy it.  Guess you'll have to make up your own mind on this one ;).

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl