“I picture the shark's grotesque face. I see her trying to wring the life out of Ailesse. She isn't majestic like the alpine ibex or beautiful like the peregrine falcon. She isn't even charming like the fire salamander. I won't mourn to see her dead. But does that mean she deserves to die?” Title: Bone … Continue reading Book review – Bone Crier’s Moon (Spoiler Free)
Tag: surprise
Book review – Helium (Spoiler Free)
“I know that our hands break things just as frequent as we can fix them. And we often forget that sexism is a family heirloom that we've been passing down for generations. As men, it is important that we start asking ourselves. What will the boys learn from us?” Title: HeliumAuthor: Rudy FranciscoGenre: PoetryPages: 96 … Continue reading Book review – Helium (Spoiler Free)
Common writing mistakes #3
#3 — Repeating words for emphasis In some cases, repeating words helps. “Please, Elie,” I begged. “You have to do this. You know how much it means to me. Please.” Notice how please repeats? It doesn't overdo the dialogue since they're separated out. It feels smooth. On the other hand, I’ve seen writers use the word … Continue reading Common writing mistakes #3
How many rejections is too many?
A while back, I was on a live stream with Anna Akana when she did something that surprised me. Instead of saying "aw man" or so when I mentioned how many rejections I have gotten, she got excited. She said it was good for me. After the rejections made a mountain on my desk, they … Continue reading How many rejections is too many?
Book review – Wildcard (Spoiler Free)
“Every problem has a solution. But after every solution, there's a new problem to tackle, some new challenge to take on. You don't stop after you solve one thing. You keep going, you find a new way and a new path, try to do better and create better. Tearing something down isn't the end; doing … Continue reading Book review – Wildcard (Spoiler Free)
Difference in success
At an English Major panel, I got advice for success in life-after-graduation. It was a cozy room, stuffed with English nerds. Afterward, I talked with a professional author. One of the first sentences she said was, "I don't agree with what she said during the panel." She pointed toward a CEO in the publishing field. … Continue reading Difference in success
Author interview — Brian H. Peterson
I got the wonderful opportunity to interview Brian H. Peterson. Brian is a multitalented artist that writes books, takes photos, plays music, and more. I wrote a book review about his book earlier this month. Thank you, Brian, for this lovely opportunity. What inspired you to write this book? Was it an event or did an idea … Continue reading Author interview — Brian H. Peterson
Thrift the books
I changed my ways of getting books...a bit. As a child, I loved fresh books. The new book smell was intoxicating. I liked the idea of owning something that no one else had owned before. It was mine. But since I got to college, money and gifts hadn't come as much as they used to. … Continue reading Thrift the books
Journey to publish
The last day of class was usually the day everyone bolts out the door when possible, but us writers stayed in our seats instead. “I’m just gonna talk about some publishing things for people who are interested,” our teacher repeated. I always called him Turtle, because he’s old, wise, and talks so slow. “You're not … Continue reading Journey to publish
Writers = fan girls?
After writing your first draft, you should expand the story. The deeper the story dives, the stronger it will become. Plot holes disappear. Characters develop more. Backstories appear. There’s a quick way to do all of this. Fan girl. You read that right. If you’re not in love with your story, no one will be. … Continue reading Writers = fan girls?
Robin LeeAnn 