Fun Friday: Something to Think About

On this Fun Friday, I bring you once again a quote for you to think about.

I find it interesting that the word maybe is included, because it doesn't have to be. Well? What are your thoughts on this?

Truth Thursday: Impatience Sets In

A short blog post for today, since I'm getting a lot together for the next few days.

I keep thinking, can't it be July 15 already? I just want to be able to hold my own book in my hands, to breathe in the clean new book smell of my very own novel for the first time. I want to discuss the ins and outs of my novel with people I never would've expected would actually want to read my work, to be able to walk into the library and stare at my beautiful book glistening on the shelf, smiling back at me.

Instead I'm pulling my dog out from under my bed because he keeps escaping into that space like he owns it, my room is getting turned inside-out as I prepare to host relatives, I'm recovering from scraping my butt while longboarding (believe it or not, nothing else got hurt when I fell), needles are getting stuck in my arm to make sure I don't pass tuberculosis to children, and I keep shoving other people's books in front of my face so I won't think about mine as much.

So the truth is, yes, I'm getting impatient and can't wait to see my book in print. But at the same time, I am enjoying the process. I'm savoring the moments of being an unpublished writer and preparing to unclench my fists and allow my baby (that is, my book) to become widely available for the public to ogle, look at from every angle, and even hate. I'm still allowing the fact that my book will be published in a month sink into my poor disbelieving brain, and probably won't believe it until a box full of books finds its way to my house.

Until then, impatient Jelsa remains impatient, but very grateful and excited at the same time.

Wacky Wednesday: The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel

Because I am not exactly skilled at book reviewing (hope to be one day, though), this is an attempt to begin reviewing books I've read recently. As a writer, what better way to learn how to write than to actually read? So here goes.

Summary (as seen on Goodreads):

Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples. 



After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy.

Cover Reveal: The Rose Master by Valentina Cano

I have the privilege of participating in yet another cover reveal! But wait! Before I do that, don't you want to know what the book is actually about?

Summary:

The day Anne Tinning turns seventeen, birds fall from the sky. But that's hardly the most upsetting news. She's being dismissed from the home she's served at since she was a child, and shipped off to become the newly hired parlor maid for a place she's never heard of. And when she sees the run-down, isolated house, she instantly knows why:

There's something wrong with Rosewood Manor.

Staffed with only three other servants, all gripped by icy silence and inexplicable bruises, and inhabited by a young master who is as cold as the place itself, the house is shrouded in neglect and thick with fear. Her questions are met with hushed whispers, and she soon finds herself alone in the empty halls, left to tidy and clean rooms no one visits.

As the feeling of being watched grows, she begins to realize there is something else in the house with them--some creature that stalks the frozen halls and claws at her door. A creature that seems intent on harming her.

When a fire leaves Anne trapped in the manor with its Master, she finally demands to know why. But as she forces the truth about what haunts the grounds from Lord Grey, she learns secrets she isn't prepared for. The creature is very real, and she's the only one who can help him stop it. 

Now, Anne must either risk her life for the young man she's grown to admire, or abandon her post while she still can.

Now that you know what the book is about, here is the cover!

At first I thought it was just a mirror, but then I realized there's actually a skull in the mirror! Also, I'm associating the bird with the skull and the idea of death, which makes for a very sinister cover. Seems like a fascinating read!

Finally, I leave you with some information about the author. Stop by and say hi! Feel free to say I sent you if you'd like.

Author Bio:

Valentina Cano is a student of classical singing who spends whatever free time she has either reading or writing. She also watches over a veritable army of pets, including her five, very spoiled, snakes. Her works have appeared in numerous publications and her poetry has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Web. She lives in Miami, Florida.

Website – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads – REUTS Site

My Writing Process Blog Tour

It is my turn to post about my writing process! Thanks to Keely Brooke Keith for tagging me to post this week.

Next, for the questions I answered:

1) What am I working on?

I am working on publishing Second Chance next month on July 15. Currently, I am also rewriting a novel called Solid Ground, a story about weather curses that also focuses on many themes found in realistic fiction. As for my editing project, I am working on hand-edits for Chains, a novel about an abusive relationship combined with a love triangle.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?

This is difficult for realistic fiction, but I often layer and combine different ideas together in unique ways so as to not tire out a theme. For example, my project Facades combines themes of life and death while incorporating a photography project set in the main characters’ sophomore and junior years of high school. Chains’ combination about an abusive relationship from dual perspectives and its love triangle is unusual, and I enjoyed writing it. Most of my projects involve exploring combinations of events sparked by my imagination.

3) Why do I write what I do?

I write to bring awareness about certain difficulties people go through. For example, I write about abuse in several different forms, divorce, single-parent families, etc. I do this to personally learn how to understand people who go through these situations better, and in the hopes that my readers will learn to better connect with more fellow human beings as well.

4) How does my writing process work?

It looks different every day. For example, some days I wake up in the morning and write the moment I’ve finished brushing my teeth, breakfast in one hand, pen in the other. I normally write by hand, but if I’m doing rewrites I always use my computer, so it depends on what project I want to work on that day. To tell the truth, I could use a better balance between all my projects, but I tend to go with what I feel like that day since I don’t really have any deadlines. Every day, it looks different. Some days I crank out five thousand words, and others I barely manage one hundred. On other days, I don’t write anything at all. It can be difficult to find time to write in between rock climbing, church duties, and school, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Finally, I'm supposed to tag three people to be up next, but I only have one's info currently. I should get it from my other two friends soon and will edit in their info when I have it!

Next:

Anah Spiers

In her non-superhero life, Anah is a student at the University of Northern Colorado, studying semi-hard as an English major with a minor in writing. Although she’s always liked English, she never really considered writing outside of class until high school. Once she joined the seedy world of online writing websites she discovered her true passion: writing fiction.

Ever since then, Anah’s been writing about hot guys, monsters, and all-types of apocalypses. Her favorite genres are dystopia, paranormal, and futuristic fantasy.

While she’s never finished a novel, she completed various short stories. Her short story, Dusk Light was picked as the winner of The Dark Unwinding Contest by Sharon Cameron on figment.com.

Anah is an editor and graphic designer for The Crucible, the student literary and arts magazine on her campus, as well as a blogger for the writing website, Hexbound. When she’s not sitting in class or making flyers, Anah is preparing vigilantly for the zombie/alien apocalypse, composing music, playing viola, and attempting to learn how to art.