Live. Laugh. Love...Boston Trip

I've been very lucky that I've gotten to travel so much over the past year. This trip to Boston was for a family wedding (is EVERYONE getting married or what?). It was amazing! My stinkin' memory card filled up two days in, though, so you'll just have to take my word for it...Boston is fabulous. The city has SO much history...PLUS I met some of my new family. They're all Italian Boston-ers with thick accents. Everyone is a cousin and now they're all MY cousins.

In front of our hotel

Copley Square

Church built in the 1600's (yeah...before America!)

Dressed up for the wedding

Cove in Marblehead

The gorgeous couple!

 Speaking of weddings....MY OFFICIAL WEDDING PICTURES ARE IN!!!

Check Out Jessica and Brian's Slideshow As photographer's, we had a great time interacting with you at Jessica and Brian's Patriotic Wedding. View our favorite highlights from the event by clicking here.

Writer's Campaign Challenge #3

As part of Rachael Harrie's Platform-Building Campaign we've been given a third challenge:

Write a blog post in 300 words or less, excluding the title. The post can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should show:

• that it’s morning, 

• that a man or a woman (or both) is at the beach

• that the MC (main character) is bored

• that something stinks behind where he/she is sitting

• that something surprising happens.

Just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: "synbatec," "wastopaneer," and "tacise."   (NB. these words are completely made up and are not intended to have any meaning other than the one you give them).

SAVED

I watch Nathan’s lips move as he prattles on about the new world, but all I can see beyond the rusted bow of the ship is water, black as coal in the night.

A rush of air chills my skin, and I fake a yawn, in hopes that he’ll excuse himself. He does. Thank God.

When I stand to leave, I hear a bang and the clatter of splintering wood. The boards shake beneath my feet.

“Pirates!” someone shouts.

Another bang. This time I fall. I scream as I tumble over the edge, but nobody hears me. I hit the water with force, then nothing.

***

I wake to the taste of salty lips on mine as breath is forced into my lungs. I cough and choke up water, digging my fingers into the wet sand when I catch sight of the half-naked man above me.

“Synbatec,” he whispers.

I freeze.

“Where am I?”

Source

The rising sun has stained the sky with pink, and I see no sign of the ship. I try to take deep breaths, but the smell of festering seaweed invades my nose.

He points to the jungle behind us.

“What?” I ask.

“Wastopaneer el tacise. Tu et Synbatec.” I can see every muscle flex beneath his coconut skin as he gestures with nervous eyes.

He beckons for me to follow him. My heart skips with hesitation, but I take his hand.

We walk in silence.

Without warning, a soundless arrow pierces my chest, and I cry out as sharp pain tears through me.

He catches me before I fall. I’m as good as dead. He grips the arrow, and I expect him to pull it out. Instead, the arrow disappears. The wound disappears. The pain is gone.

I stare at him. He smiles. We run.

If you liked my story, you can give it a thumbs up here. I'm #70.

The Buzz: Blood Red Road

Maybe I shouldn’t be so excited about a book I haven’t read, but I am. The reviews I’ve been reading about Blood Red Road by Moira Young are crazy good. Some say it’s better than Divergent…I know. I can’t believe I just wrote that. Better than Divergent? Anyway, I’m anxiously awaiting its arrival in the mail. Good books always inspire me to write, and I’m in need of some good inspiration. I’m currently writing book two in my series CHILDREN OF THE GODS. It’s actually going really well, but I have a June deadline, so I’ve got to step it up a notch.

See what others had to say at Bookshelves of Doom. What book has you excited these days?

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Road Trip Wednesday: Update on OPPRESSION

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.

We'd love for you to participate! Just answer the prompt on your own blog and leave a link -- or, if you prefer, you can include your answer in the comments.

This Week's Topic:

What has your writing road trip looked like so far? Excitement? Traffic Jams and detours? Where are you going next?

What a fun topic this Wednesday! I've been wanting to give an update on the status of OPPRESSION. It's getting close...

For those of you who haven't been following my blog, OPPRESSION is book one of my YA series CHILDREN OF THE GODS. It is being published by ZOVA Books and will be available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. in regular old book form and as an e-book this February.

Over the past few months I've been consumed by the editing process. I'm not sure what other authors go through, but I imagine it's something similar to my experience. When I signed with ZOVA I assumed the publishing process went a little something like this:

Publisher: "You're book is amazing. We want to publish it."

Me: "HECK YEAH!"

Publisher: "Everything looks perfect. We'll fix all the little mistakes and get it in stores ASAP. Just sit back and watch the magic."

Me: "No problem. I'll just start writing the next one. See you in 8 months!"

Wow, right? I'm a bit of a dreamer, I know. Needless to say, that is NOT how it goes. After all the time you've slaved over that precious manuscript of yours (thinking all the while it is as perfect as anyone could make it) get ready for more work.

This is how it really goes:

Step One: Content Edits - So you remember that supposedly flawless manuscript you've slaved over? Get ready to hand that puppy over...it's not so perfect after all. Thankfully the people that work for ZOVA are pretty close to writing super heroes. They didn't just take my manuscript as is and put it in print all easy breezy like I thought they would. Instead they opened my eyes to the weaknesses and the strengths of the story and gave me the opportunity to reorganize, take out chapters that didn't move the story forward, write in new scenes that are now key elements of the plot, and develop characters further. You can't imagine how much better the book is. Content edits are hard. They hurt. But they are worth it. If your publisher tells you your manuscript is flawless, you're either not getting the attention you deserve, or you're a super author genius and I hate you for being so dang perfect (just kidding...but seriously though).

Step Two: Fine-Tuning - After you get the email that says the content edits are good and you can move forward, don't get too excited. Although the really hard stuff is over, there is still a ton of work to be done. This second read-through is where you strip out redundant sentences, add more sensory details to the places that have too much internal monologue/narrative, and fine-tune sentences that seem choppy. 

Step Three: Line Edits - This is the most recent step I've taken on my writing road trip. Line edits mean it's the publisher/editor's turn to read through the manuscript and correct the remaining mistakes that you've failed to catch. These are mostly commas or whatever seems to be your bad writing habit (mine habit is comma placement...I'm terrible). After they do this, you then have to do a third read-through to approve the changes and make any last minute corrections. Sounds like the easy part, right? Unless, like me, you have to do it in two days. I didn't mind though. There was a reason behind the sudden rush to finish. Today they are having the largest book fair in the world in Frankfurt, Germany, and OPPRESSION is there! They're on the hunt for international publishers to pick up the series. It's very exciting...

As for what's next? I believe it is proofing (one last editing step) before ARCs are produced and sent out for reviews. Also, we drew up a mock cover, so that should be coming up soon as well. Stay tuned for updates!

Where are you on your writing journey?

The Buzz: Hunger Games Movie Update

165 days until the Hunger Games Movie! They came out with some more pictures on the official Hunger Games website and on EW.com. Enjoy...

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Live. Laugh. Love...Wedding Pics

Our wedding photographer, Jillian Bisinger, posted some teaser pics of my new husband and me on her photography blog. It's been three months since we got married, but it feels like forever (in a good way). I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful man in my life...not only because he's super awesome, but because when I write about love, it's not contrived, but inspired by genuine experience. It's easy to write a character who is in love when you know exactly what that feels like. Enjoy the pics :)

Road Trip Wednesday - Supporting Characters

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.

We'd love for you to participate! Just answer the prompt on your own blog and leave a link -- or, if you prefer, you can include your answer in the comments.
 

This Week's Topic:
What supporting character from a YA book would you most like to see star in their own novel?

In terms of supporting characters, I find myself most intrigued by any MC's love interest. Stephenie Meyer had the great idea of actually writing a book from Edward’s perspective, but sadly that never made it full circle. I would love to see her do the same thing with The Host… Jared’s character (Melanie’s “soul mate”…lol…if you’ve read it you get that joke) is so mysterious and bad ass. It would probably be more of a masculine book, as I’m sure he did his share of alien killing and butt kicking. I would read it. It would be killer.

I find it so interesting how minor/supporting characters sometimes take on a life of their own. When I first started writing OPPRESSION, I had everything outlined. I knew what was going to happen and who would take part in what. As I progressed through the novel, there was this voice I couldn’t ignore coming from one of the minor “enemy agent” characters that helped “the bad guys.” I found myself writing chapters about her, and they were intriguing chapters. Well, soon enough she elbowed her little way into the book and became an integral part in the plot. It’s crazy how they do that….I would definitely love to write a whole book just about her. Maybe I will…

What supporting character do you love? Answer in the comments or click the picture above to join the road trip!

Blog Love!

A while ago I recieved some blog love from three great writers/bloggers. Thank you to the following blog buddies of mine for the awards!

Jaime Morrow for the Leibster Award:

See my list of Liebster blogs here.

Sara Biren for the One to Follow Award:

Brenna Braaten for the One Lovely Blog Award:



I would like to pay these awards forward to the bloggers of my favorite Campaign Challenge #2 posts. I am passing on all three awards. I don't know if I'm allowed to do that, but I am. They are much deserved.

Awards go to:

MC Rogerson at Lifebeyond

Carrie Butler at So, You're a Writer

Jocelyn Rish at Exploring the Magic of Stories

Cherie Colyer at Cherie Colyer

The Buzz: DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

I was waiting to post about this book because I haven't finished it yet. See, I have this weird thing where I can't bring myself to finish amazing books, because if I finish them, they're over....and I just don't want them to be over. Ever. I know that is ridiculous, but I've been saving the end of Divergent (by Veronica Roth) like it's the dessert after a really delicious meal. I want to savor it. Every little word.

If you haven't heard of Divergent yet, you will. Treat yourself to something wonderful, and buy it. It's one of those read-under-the-table-at-dinner kind of books. Remember reading Hunger Games? Devouring the pages? Like if you didn't read fast enough the words might disappear? Well...this is one of those books. Enjoy :)

Writers Campaign Goodies

If you're wondering where I've been...I've been sick (sigh). You'd think it would be easy to keep up with the social networking when you're sick, but honestly my brain is mush and my head is pounding. I can't drag myself away from the couch, my cozy fleece blanket, and HGTV show marathons. Pretty pathetic I know, but when you're sick, you're sick...

I just wanted to post a quick thank you to those who donated prizes for Rachael Harrie's last campaign challenge. It has been so fun talking with you all and getting the little goodies in the mail.

Two people in particular donated prizes that took some extra time and effort:

Mina Burrows was kind enough to give me a social media/blogging consultation and Marcia Richards gave me a great blog critique. Both were so helpful and informative. I'm so grateful for their advice!

If you see a few changes on the blog, that's why...

Also thank you so Sangu Mandanna for her 30-page critique and Rebecca Emin for her MG novel NEW BEGINNINGS.

Thanks so much writer friends!!

Final Title Decision

From the time I signed with ZOVA books until now I've been using a working title in reference to my debut novel, coming out in February. Like Twilight, once called Forks, working titles may not always be the best fit. Maybe the working title doesn't have that pizazz it needs for sales, maybe it's used by other authors, or maybe there's a George Clooney movie coming out the month before your book with the same name. For any number of reasons, a final print title needs to be decided on at some point. One that you and your publisher feels is right.

Over the weekend, as I said in my previous post, I was able to sit down with ZOVA to make some decisions. One was the official and final title of my book.

Series Title:

Children of the Gods

Book One:
OPPRESSION

I wish I could show you the cover design that goes with it, because it really ties everything together. It gives you a sense of what and who the book will be about, but since that isn't available at the moment, here is a little snippet from the press release:

Mrs. Therrien's young adult title, Oppression, tells the story of a young woman who discovers that she belongs to a secret society of individuals with extraordinarily long life spans and unusual abilities. Fearful of prophecies about their only daughter, her parents kept her hidden from the world – and the society – for as long as they could. But when their own untimely deaths leave her to fend for herself, the truth of her origins and the fateful prophecy find her at last. Joining the ranks of such widely popular works as the Twilight Saga, The Hunger Games, and the Mortal Instruments series, Mrs. Therrien's paranormal romance/adventure promises to be the next fan-favorite in its genre.

Exciting Announcement Tomorrow!

The Southern California Writers Conference in Newport Beach was as productive as the San Diego conference. This time it was because I got to sit down with my publisher for almost four hours discussing all the juicy details about my book (the kind of details that make me squirm with anticipation). Is it February yet?

I pretty much cornered Matt Pizzo, the CEO of ZOVA Books, and interrogated him about what was to come. In the process I came to understand why he is CEO...he wasn't wearing his cape, but he should have been. He's a publishing superhero.

We made some big decisions, designed the cover, and talked formatting, timeline for ARCs, and international publishing. I know, right?! This is really happening.

I can't share most of what we discussed yet, but we did make one decision that I will be announcing tomorrow. It's finally time for the fun part! Okay so maybe this whole process has been "the fun part." I guess I should say the SUPER fun part.

Stay tuned....