tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36894132175762824942024-03-15T03:16:34.041-06:00Finding the Write WayJenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-24279528539192621362013-06-20T14:50:00.003-06:002013-06-20T14:50:55.189-06:00Made-up movies/actors/TV shows for books?When I sit down to read a book set in contemporary times, whether it be an actual contemporary novel or a paranormal/light fantasy set within our real world, I expect to get the real world.<br />
Maybe I'm alone in this, but whenever I get reading and then the story brings in actors or entertainment which I know doesn't exist, I get pulled out of the reading. Like, yanked. Because suddenly it's not my world anymore. It's something else and I don't know where it is. It doesn't feel genuine.<br />
But characters watch stuff and like actors and read books. So what to do?<br />
These are the things I've found I've liked:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>If the actor/actress/famous person is an integral part of the story (like <i>Airhead</i> by Meg Cabot or <i>The Actor and the Housewife</i> by Shannon Hale) then I don't get as knotted up about it, because clearly they can't use real people.</li>
<li><i>The Fault in Our Stars </i>has a book (<i>An Imperial Affliction</i>) and a band (The Hectic Glow) that John Green made up. But while reading it, they seemed to be obscure, and not huge and part of general pop culture. You can't know every book and band in existence, so I read it as if they existed, and in fact looked them up to see if they were real while I was reading. Obscurity in the novel grounds it into the real world.</li>
<li>Using old TV shows/movies/bands. If an MC's favorite movie is <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> or <i>The Sound of Music, </i>or her father is watching re-runs of <i>Seinfeld </i>then that is something readers will forever know. I know there's pressure to not "date" a book, and these classics will make it not dated.</li>
<li>Using things that are modern, but will be around for a long time. I read <i>The Outsiders</i>, which was written in the 60s, and it mentions the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Update that to today, and you might mention Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, people who won't be one-hit wonders and specifically date your book (like The Jonas Brothers would). These artists will mark a decade or so with their music. And honestly, with the speed of technology, books set in the real world will be dated a few years after their release anyway. It's okay to mark a book as one written in the 2010s like <i>The Outsiders</i> did with the 60s. If your book makes it that far, people will love it anyway. The key is to not have The Jonas Brothers roll in for a concert, so that people in 2013 would say, "Wow, this is so from 2008!" Specific--bad. General--good. </li>
</ul>
How do you feel about made-up titles and people in books? How do you get around the debacle of making your book dated with pop culture?Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-8710374806888858152013-06-13T14:48:00.000-06:002013-06-13T14:48:07.393-06:00My two weeks as an intern at a publishing companyFor the past two weeks I've been interning at Cedar Fort Publishing, and it's been really cool to see what goes on with the people who bring us books to read. My job so far has mostly consisted of reading through the slush pile and writing rejection letters (that part's oftentimes a pretty big bummer, but it has to be done).<br />
<br />
Here are some things I've learned so far:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I really want to like what I read. I get these big fat manuscripts, and I know the author has put a lot of time and effort into it, so I really want to like it.</li>
<li>However, I more often than not don't.</li>
<li>Some reasons why the manuscript doesn't work for me: it's poorly written, there wouldn't be a market for it, it's not right for our company, or it just doesn't interest me.</li>
<li>I usually know by page 30 (at most) whether or not I'll send it up to the editor to look through.</li>
<li>I've started working on the slush from December. It can take a long time for someone to even look at your manuscript! Patience is key.</li>
</ul>
So, really, this is everything agents and publishers have said and I now can say from personal experience I agree with. Seriously--know as much as you can about the market, the agency/publisher you're submitting to, hone your craft, and be patient!Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-24809036367483168522013-05-07T13:30:00.000-06:002013-05-07T13:30:21.533-06:00Minor Characters that readers loveI've been thinking a lot about minor characters. Readers rarely get into their heads (unless they're talking to an MC, and even then things might be edited) and yet I've always felt like the books I've LOVED rather than liked in part have been because of minor characters I cared about as much as the major players. Some of these include Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen in general), and many others.<br />
<br />
So I've asked myself, what makes their minor characters so lovable? This may not be THE answer, but it's my answer. And that is their personalities are so strong, they compete with those of the MC.<br />
<br />
Let's look at Harry Potter, which has a huge cast of minor characters. SPOILERS.<br />
<br />
Who cried when Fred died? (everyone's hand should be up now!) Why was his death so sad? Because whenever he graced the page, he made us laugh. His goofy behavior came through with one line of dialogue, and we saw how brave he was as he fought in the battle.<br />
<br />
What about Dobby? That funny little elf had his own way of speaking, an earnestness and desire to help that he became endearing to the reader, and his death also brought many, many tears from the readers who over 6 books loved him.<br />
<br />
Tonks? Her quick replies, confidence in herself, loyalty, and bravery jumped out on each page (well, except the 6th book when she was mopey, but at that point, we cared about why she was so sad!).<br />
<br />
With minor characters, they need a ZING to their personalities. You don't have a whole book dedicated to their arc, you have a few conversations with the MC. Make the reader love them because of their vibrant and apparent personalities.Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-6557386423448192852013-05-02T10:51:00.001-06:002013-05-02T10:51:21.441-06:00Update on meHey everyone! School and things were crazy, but I hope to get back in the swing of things.<br />
<br />
So last post I let you guys know that I got into BYU's MFA program, and I was waiting to hear back from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Well, I also got into VCFA, which meant I had a really hard decision to make. In the end, though, I decided to go with BYU.<br />
<br />
Now I'll be teaching freshman writing in the fall (eep!) and staying at one of the prime locations for writers--especially children's writers. So far, I have no regrets about choosing BYU, and think that the next two years will be incredible.<br />
<br />
Also! Pictures! I graduated last Friday with my BA in English.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/282267_4266586802849_1073242379_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/282267_4266586802849_1073242379_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/935514_4266591562968_1730240015_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/935514_4266591562968_1730240015_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> With the proud parents.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Now I'm home and waiting to hear back from an internship, and continuing writing.<br />
<br />
How's everyone else been doing?Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-83568584687913277222013-03-05T08:50:00.000-07:002013-03-05T08:50:01.597-07:00Some big news!As I've mentioned on the blog before, I'm applying to schools to get my MFA in Creative Writing. And yesterday, for a class where we use computers a lot, I had to get into my email to get the link to a blog. I opened up my email and saw that I had an email from BYU graduate studies informing me "a decision has been made on your application."<br />
<br />
I was too scared to open in it class, in case I made any noises of joy or pain. Since turning in my application in January, I haven't felt too great about getting in. My GRE scores were so-so, did that research paper really meet the requirements for a grad student, and I hadn't taken a class they had suggested I take. I spent the hour in class preparing myself for a rejection. It was fine. I had other schools I was applying to, this one rejection wouldn't mean I wouldn't get in to <i>any </i>MFA program.<br />
<br />
I wasn't sure if I wanted to open up the email before I got home (which would be around 4:45, and my class ended at noon) or if I wanted to take the chance and feel horrible all day about it. I went into the break room at my work and decided I'd just look and have a crappy rest of the day.<br />
<br />
I pulled out my laptop, got onto my email, and followed the email's link to the school's system. I logged in and found the letter, which said they were "pleased to inform you that you have been accepted..."<br />
<br />
I had to read that line three times before I understood that "pleased" and "accepted" meant that I had gotten in. I could get an MFA. I was in it. Yes, silly, I know, but I'd so convinced myself I wouldn't be getting in that I had to make sure my grasp on the English language was strong enough to make sure this wasn't any sort of miscommunication.<br />
<br />
BYU has a lot of great advantages. While not a degree in Creative Writing for Young People, it's still open to YA and has a fantastic program. I'll be able to teach freshman writing, and I've loved living in Utah where there are so many writers and readers, with the Provo library just a twenty minute walk, where a lot of awesome authors come to speak.<br />
<br />
I still have to hear back from Vermont College of Fine Arts, which has an amazing program for writing for young people, and with its low-residency format, I'd be able to live in San Diego again--free from snow and cold and bipolar weather!<br />
<br />
So IF I get accepted to VCFA, then I'll have a decision to make. But right now I'm just glad that I have a definite option for this upcoming fall.Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-48859414082166508952013-02-19T10:00:00.000-07:002013-02-19T10:00:05.112-07:00Read more non-fictionIt's really important to read as a writer. That's one of the first things you learn (and as a serious writer, probably had some initiative to do anyway).<br />
<br />
But often we focus on our genre, or at least fiction. We might read a book on the craft of writing.<br />
<br />
May I just suggest reading more non-fiction? And not just for research. To learn about new things and nothing more (of course if you get something for a novel out of it--great! But not going into it for something is the key).<br />
<br />
I've been reading more non-fiction lately. Not as much as fiction, but a lot more than before. Some of them are <i>Shipwrecked at the Bottom of the World </i>by Jennifer Armstrong, <i>Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith </i>by Deborah Heiligman, <i>Hole in My Life </i>by Jack Gantos, <i>7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens</i> by Sean Covey, and I'm currently reading <i>Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me) </i>by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson.<br />
<br />
The first three are great because they tell real stories about real people. I mean, how great is that? The characters are already three-dimensional because they're real, and the plot never has holes, because this stuff actually happened. The last two are great for helping you with your own life, and give you a bit of edge into character psychology.<br />
<br />
I've found in my college experience that learning more real-life facts has inspired me in my writing. Several things I've learned in my coursework from the general education classes has helped me in developing my own stories through themes, characters, and even titles.<br />
<br />
We can't always be in school (and thank goodness, it's exhausting and costs a fortune!) but we can always be self-educating, which often comes through these non-fiction reads.<br />
<br />
How much do you read of non-fiction? Have an opinion of it?Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-27571015263463750152013-02-12T09:34:00.001-07:002013-02-12T09:34:35.715-07:00New hair!On Saturday my hair went from this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz6dadVD0WE/URpuXdrDlnI/AAAAAAAAAEc/esuFOElpSYI/s1600/DSC00222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz6dadVD0WE/URpuXdrDlnI/AAAAAAAAAEc/esuFOElpSYI/s320/DSC00222.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-be8OPUWEWqU/URpud6Cw1KI/AAAAAAAAAEk/M7sHgdFLyXc/s1600/DSC00219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-be8OPUWEWqU/URpud6Cw1KI/AAAAAAAAAEk/M7sHgdFLyXc/s320/DSC00219.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdWp4jE-06Q/URpung-IHnI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Ja-2Z2cEvLQ/s1600/DSC00223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdWp4jE-06Q/URpung-IHnI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Ja-2Z2cEvLQ/s320/DSC00223.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EhRkst4W2_c/URputzd9XNI/AAAAAAAAAE0/iA-J0WwQnZ8/s1600/DSC00226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EhRkst4W2_c/URputzd9XNI/AAAAAAAAAE0/iA-J0WwQnZ8/s320/DSC00226.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Twelve inches of it gone and sent off to Wigs for Kids. I love my short hair! It's so much easier to manage and I've never had it this short before, so it's quite an adventure for me.Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-74291783063209350822013-01-19T17:26:00.001-07:002013-01-19T17:26:21.609-07:00Book Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1354365736l/11283552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1354365736l/11283552.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Title: <i>Delirium</i><br />
Author: Lauren Oliver<br />
Publisher: HarperTeen<br />
Genre: YA dystopian<br />
Why I read it/how I found it: I got a free copy.<br />
<br />
Description:<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Ninety-five days, and then I’ll be safe.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">I wonder whether the procedure will hurt.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">I want to get it over with.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">It’s hard to be patient.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">It’s hard not to be afraid while I’m still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn’t touched me yet.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Still, I worry.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don’t.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Review:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Why did I wait so long to read this book? I don't know! For some reason it always missed me. I'm glad I found a copy and got to read it. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">The writing's beautiful, the world-building's strong, the characters feel real. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">I think what both surprised and pleased me most was that while this book is about love and the main plotline certainly focuses on the romantic part, a good deal of the book focuses on other kinds of love. Lena's best friend and her family are just as important to her as Alex, her love interest, and those relationships cause trouble just as the romantic storyline does. It was refreshing to have a heroine with all of these facets of her love that we as people have also.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Other information: First in a trilogy. Optioned for film by Fox. The third book, <i>Requiem</i> will be out in March. Oliver's website is <a href="http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/">here</a>.</span>Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-5035812028751499602013-01-10T09:11:00.000-07:002013-01-10T09:11:23.348-07:00Giving the reader some emotionIf it hasn't become obvious to you, I love <i>The Hunger Games</i>. The whole trilogy. Everything. And upon watching the movie for the fourth time or so, something that bothered me finally clicked as to why it did.<br />
<br />
In the book, right after Peeta's reaped, Katniss describes in detail how he saved her life by giving her bread and hope. In the movie, there's a brief flash of the two in the rain, but without context of what's actually going on.<br />
<br />
Why does this bother me so much? Because in the book, we're given a strong characteristic as to who Peeta is. We see that he's kind and willing to sacrifice for others (his mom beats him because of what he did). Right away, the readers like Peeta, and the situation of the two going into the games gets more complicated.<br />
<br />
In the movie, we get none of that. He's just a boy Katniss will have to fight against. Of course, those who read the books know about the bread, but those who haven't don't care. There's no emotion or connection between the two, and it takes a while to see Peeta's goodness come through the movie. And by then, most people will already have their feelings about him sorted.<br />
<br />
This made me think of how important it is for us as writers to set up our character's personalities sooner rather than later. We can make the reader love (or hate, depending) the character with even a sentence, and hopefully within a scene. The bland characters, without their good or bad qualities coming through immediately, won't grasp the reader and then they won't care.<br />
<br />
Sure, there are characters you can grow to love/hate, but the sooner the connection the reader has to them, the better. The sooner they'll think to themselves <i>One more page</i>, and get sucked in.<br />
<br />
What do you do to make a reader instantly have an emotional reaction to your characters?Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-43605385962929597632013-01-08T08:40:00.000-07:002013-01-08T08:40:03.604-07:00The Uncertain 2013Sunday night I found myself back in my apartment, back in the snow (*sob*), and back to school for the last time.<br />
<br />
It's really strange, because your whole life you go to school. You keep on thinking of all of years and time you have left, and how it seems so impossibly far away. School will never end, it seems.<br />
<br />
Now here I am with the last semester of my undergraduate degree and all I can think is <i>wait, already?!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Granted, I'm applying for a master's program, so that's another two years, but still. Even that feels like school's practically over. Plus, I'm so incredibly anxious as to whether or not I'll actually get into a program. So in addition to the looming presence of my current lifestyle ending, I have very little idea of what will be in the future. It's not a feeling I've had before and not one that I particularly care for.<br />
<br />
Do you have any recent changes coming up? What's been a big uncertainty in your life?Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-85204149276135254462013-01-05T12:16:00.000-07:002013-01-05T12:16:20.329-07:00Book Review: Red Glove by Holly Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327888670l/8288246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327888670l/8288246.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
Title: <i>Red Glove</i><br />
Author: Holly Black<br />
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books<br />
Genre: YA urban fantasy<br />
Why I read it/how I found it: Sequel to <i>White Cat</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
**Spoilers for <i>White Cat </i>below**<br />
Description:<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth — he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything — or anyone — into something else.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she’s human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila’s been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion-worker mom. And if Lila’s love is as phony as Cassel’s made-up memories, then he can’t believe anything she says or does.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">When Cassel’s oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue — crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too — they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can’t trust anyone — least of all, himself?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Review:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I love the magic of this world, how the touch of a hand can produce magic. I love placing it in an urban setting and watching how to incorporate the mobs.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">What I found to be a great strength of <i>Red Glove </i>was the hard choices Cassel had to make. He has to face the knowledge of his power and how everyone wants to use him, which made for great conflict. Making the right choice wasn't easy, especially when those offering the right choice were corrupt as well. It refused to be straight-forward. </span></span><br />
<br />
This was plotted so well, I didn't see the outcome until it was playing out in front of me. The mystery is great.<br />
<br />
My one gripe would be that it started a little slow for me, as at the beginning Cassel's simply finishing up his summer vacation of conning and there isn't much that's important to the plot at this point. But page 50 it goes and I devoured it.<br />
<br />
Other information: This is the second in a trilogy. Holly Black's website is <a href="http://www.blackholly.com/">here</a>.Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-82171512289639938762013-01-03T11:29:00.001-07:002013-01-03T11:29:56.923-07:00The power of what ifFor Christmas I got season 1 of the TV show <i>Once Upon a Time</i>. The first thing I watched was the bonus features, because I love seeing how these things are made. What stuck out to me was how many times the writers of the show said "we wondered what would happen if" or "this path was obvious, so we asked ourselves what if..."<br />
<br />
The biggest thing to me is when they were talking about Prince Charming's back story. They knew everyone would expect to know his story--the royal prince with a rich father who would take Snow White away. So they asked "What if that wasn't his story? What if he was actually a pauper?" From this simple realization that the story would be more interesting with Charming having a different back story, the show has a whole other plot to go into with the conflicts of becoming a prince without having been raised as one.<br />
<br />
As I've been plotting my next book, I've asked myself these same questions. What would the audience expect to happen from this? If it's something good--like the heroine winning, then I don't touch it. But who's expected to be the bad guy? The good guy? What cliches are in this genre that I want to avoid? Then from this, asking "what if this happened?" Sometimes it's awful. But sometimes it's good. And I've found that things are a lot less predictable and a lot more interesting.<br />
<br />
Do you have any tricks for plotting your story?<br />
<br />
<br />Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-80621646645502275642013-01-01T09:26:00.000-07:002013-01-01T09:26:21.630-07:00Best books I read in 2012I think 2012 was my greatest reading year yet. I read 120 books this year. This post will probably hurt, having to choose some of my favorite, but I chose my top 10 books I read in 2012.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340210035l/9413044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340210035l/9413044.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
1. <i>Everneath </i>by Brodi Ashton is an amazing paranormal romance based off of the Persephone myth that I devoured. It gave me so many emotions and I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel to come out on the 22nd.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1314327508l/231804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1314327508l/231804.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>
2. <i>The Outsiders </i>by S.E. Hinton. I finally got around to reading this classic, and I loved it! Completely deserving of its title. It's also considered one of the first young adult novels. It's certainly the first classic young adult novel.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348272658l/6604794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348272658l/6604794.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
3. <i>The Sky is Everywhere </i>by Jandy Nelson is a contemporary novel about Lennie, who's dealing with the death of her sister, a mother who abandoned her, and a new boy in town. I loved the setting and the characters and the depth of this novel. It was absolutely wonderful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345726316l/12926132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345726316l/12926132.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
4. <i>Palace of Stone </i>by Shannon Hale. This is a sequel that may just be better than the first. I loved where Miri's journey took her, the politics and personal stakes in this book.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317791510l/5303373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317791510l/5303373.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>
5. <i>The Chosen One </i>by Carol Lynch Williams is a contemporary novel about Kyra, a thirteen-year-old girl in a community that practices polygamy, and is told she's to marry her much older uncle. High stakes and beautiful language with strong characters--this book is a quick recommendation for me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346633606l/119787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346633606l/119787.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
6. <i>Fahrenheit 451 </i>by Ray Bradbury. I read this along with the nerdfighters and found it worth all of the hoopla around it (which unfortunately I don't always find with classics). So very thought-provoking and amazing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328867200l/537070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328867200l/537070.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
7. Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins. This entire series is amazing--lots of action, strong characters, and moving themes. Recommended in a heartbeat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320349604l/9064899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320349604l/9064899.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
8. <i>Endlessly </i>by Kiersten White is the final book in the Paranormalcy trilogy. A perfect ending for Evie and everyone else. Strongly recommend the whole series.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327876274l/1625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327876274l/1625.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
9. <i>Twelfth Night </i>by William Shakespeare. I think the only thing I could recommend more than reading this play is to watch it, especially the version from the 90s. This was my favorite Shakespeare play we read for my class.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317066615l/118944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317066615l/118944.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
10. <i>American-Born Chinese </i>by Gene Luen Yang. This year I was introduced to graphic novels, and I am now a huge fan of them. This Printz-winning book was probably my favorite that I read. Funny and meaningful, this is an amazing piece worthy of its award.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Other favorites from 2012: <i>The Fault in Our Stars </i>by John Green, <i>Rapunzel's Revenge </i>by Shannon and Dean Hale, <i>Wintergirls </i>and <i>Chains </i>by Laurie Halse Anderson, and <i>Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry </i>by Mildred D. Taylor.<br />
<br />
What were some of your favorite books you read in 2012?Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-62908766841934114892012-12-29T12:35:00.000-07:002012-12-29T12:35:09.973-07:00Book Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337042881l/9565548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337042881l/9565548.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
Title: <i>Grave Mercy</i><br />
Author: Robin LaFevers<br />
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt<br />
Genre: YA (historical fantasy)<br />
Why I read it/how I found it: The author was at a book signing I attended.<br />
<br />
Description:<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Review:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I loved the concept of this book. Assassin nuns. I was a little curious about how it would play out, but LaFevers nailed the building of the saints/gods and how they interact with the world. Also, serving the god of Death isn't as morbid as I thought it would be.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">The beginning starts out exciting, and sort of...fizzled from there. I can sit through long books, as long as things are happening. It wasn't a snorefest, but it got to be a little much for me. And the mystery wasn't so huge to me. I guessed it pretty early on, although I'm sure some other readers were taken for a surprise.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I loved Ismae's character. We really got a depth and understanding to her, and she used her brains. She's tough and definitely a character to root for. Duval, the love interest, is also a pretty great character. Not the stereotypical love interest, which was refreshing, and the two of them had time to get together.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Other information: This is the first book in a three-book companion series. You can find Robin LaFever's website <a href="http://www.robinlafevers.com/">here</a>.</span></span>Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-56765944302936750892012-12-20T09:40:00.000-07:002012-12-20T09:40:06.474-07:00Brand New World Blogfest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mev3o03ugKs/UNMii7DEgGI/AAAAAAAAA9I/wMv6_CPnYwQ/s200/Brand+New+World+Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mev3o03ugKs/UNMii7DEgGI/AAAAAAAAA9I/wMv6_CPnYwQ/s200/Brand+New+World+Badge.jpg" /></a></div>
Jaye Robin Brown has set up a <a href="http://jayerobinbrown.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-wish-for-world.html">blogfest</a> in which we imagine that on December 22, 2012, we wake up to a whole new world. What would we want that world to be like?<br />
<br />
I could go into personal wishes of mine (snakes are gone) but there is one serious wish that I think wouldn't be terribly hard, and hopefully in light of recent events, people will take action on it.<br />
<br />
And that's this: people would raise their kids right.<br />
<br />
There's a lot of wonderful people out there, which means there are a lot of wonderful parents. And sometimes, even wonderful parents can't stop their kid from going bad. But I noticed in high school a lot of the people I hung out with were people whose parents were present and taught them morals, which made me feel comfortable around them. Those whose parents were absent and didn't guide their kids were the ones I didn't feel comfortable hanging out with.<br />
<br />
Again, I know some people who have been amazing parents, but their kid made their own choices and it didn't turn out so great. But I see even more kids who could be wonderful, if only they'd been taught the right way to go.<br />
<br />
Imagine every child was taught love and consideration for others. Imagine every child was taught responsibility and respect. It's not that a lot of people aren't capable of it, it's that they aren't taught it at an early age from their parents.<br />
<br />
That's what I would want in the new world. A strengthening of parents to child.Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-3208038420547111352012-12-18T12:16:00.001-07:002012-12-18T12:16:24.516-07:00Sites that help a writerThe internet can be a distraction, sure, but I've also found a lot of websites that help my writing in some way. Here are some of those:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest.</a> I delayed getting one of these, because I thought it was so cliche to get one, and if I did, people would think I was using it for wedding ideas. But it's been really helpful in gathering visual ideas for my story. They let you have 3 secret boards, so no one else can see it, if you want to keep things private (like me).</li>
<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>. A lot of people post their crafts on this site. There's jewelry, clothes, costumes, and other bobbles. I found a necklace there that matches what I imagine an important necklace in my book to be.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a>. Copy and paste your entire book (or just a section) and see what words keep cropping up so you know what to avoid.</li>
<li><a href="http://babynamesworld.com/">Babynamesworld.com</a>. I can't get over suggesting this site for finding names. They have the best advanced search option I've ever seen.</li>
</ul>
What are some sites that you find help you in getting your writing better?<br />
<br />Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-44734106177381588032012-12-17T11:42:00.001-07:002012-12-17T11:42:24.691-07:00Project for Awesome 2012My roommate made this video for Project for Awesome 2012! If you don't know what that is, watch the video and she'll explain it. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/D_tKDDYrOiE/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D_tKDDYrOiE&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D_tKDDYrOiE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
Thanks you guys!Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-88396736924851819522012-12-15T14:57:00.002-07:002012-12-15T14:57:53.025-07:00Book Review: Reached by Ally Condie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330717582l/13125947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330717582l/13125947.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Title: <i>Reached</i><br />
Author: Ally Condie<br />
Publisher: Dutton<br />
Genre: Dystopian<br />
Why I read it/how I found it: Third book in the Matched trilogy<br />
<br />
Description:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising—and each other—Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Review:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Both the books previous to this lack action. But for this book, when the Rising would take a place, I hoped for more stuff.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Everything's always just so peaceful, even though they're in a rebellion! When was the last time you were in a history class and a rebellion/revolution went about without violence? Fighting is at most hinted at, but never truly described. There's a little explanation about the Society's government (finally!) but even that is highly dissatisfying. Apparently they rule by committee. Really? Does that really get anything done? Even the Rising is unbelievable. The leader's this big huge secret, which I don't buy at all. People want a face to lead them, even if the mystery of the Pilot is what brings them in.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">So instead of concentrating on all of the layers of a revolution, everyone just gets sick and Cassia and Co have to get a cure. This was a long, drawn-out process.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">In addition, let's just say this: love triangles are B-O-R-I-N-G. I have never yet failed in knowing who the girl would pick. I wasn't surprised in this one, so that was a snooze, too.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Condie has undeniable skill in writing. Her words are poetry, her images sharp and clear, and just beautiful. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">I'm sorry, but I'm still stuck on just how calm everyone was through this whole thing, from the governments down to the people. I still don't like it. It's not realistic and brings out nothing for the dystopian genre. I think Condie's probably really good at contemporary, but as for dystopia, I just don't think she has the right tone or style for it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Other information: The first book in the trilogy, <i>Matched</i>, is optioned for film by Disney. Ally Condie's website is <a href="http://www.allysoncondie.com/">here</a>.</span></span>Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-9076299351597425242012-12-13T10:46:00.000-07:002012-12-13T10:46:44.389-07:00Business Plan 2013This semester has been the craziest of my life. Just last night I finished the first draft for my honors thesis that's due on January 30, so I have a whole lot of work to do! Next semester I'm graduating (SO WEIRD) but I should have more time on my hands. :)<br />
<br />
Today Marissa Meyer, author of <i>Cinder</i>, posted on her blog "<a href="http://www.marissameyer.com/blogtype/business-plans-for-writers/">Business Plans for Writers</a>." And honestly, when I first saw this I thought, "Um...shouldn't this wait for New Years?" until I realized...it's December 13. WAIT, WHAT? Where did the time go?!<br />
<br />
So anyway, I thought I'd make my own business plan, as Marissa Meyer did. To make myself accountable, this list is going on the side of my blog, so it doesn't get buried and forgotten. Here we go!<br />
<br />
My 2013 Business Plan<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Polish honors thesis</li>
<li>Apply to MFA programs</li>
<li>Re-write FORGET ME NOT</li>
<li>Outline FMN trilogy</li>
<li>Polish FMN</li>
<li>Blog 3 times a week and revisit Writer's Guide to the Hunger Games</li>
<li>Comment on at least 3 blogs every day.</li>
<li>Practice writing queries (no promises on sending any out, though, I want to be ready when that step comes)</li>
</ul>
And now, the all-important succeeding at this. Giving deadlines.<br />
<br />
JANUARY<br />
Apply to BYU's MFA program.<br />
Rewrite, revise, and edit honors thesis<br />
Blog and comment (this continued the whole time)<br />
<br />
FEBRUARY<br />
Turn in rest of MFA applications<br />
Outline FMN trilogy<br />
Begin FMN<br />
<br />
MARCH<br />
Continue working on FMN<br />
<br />
APRIL<br />
Finish first draft of FMN, send to readers<br />
<br />
MAY-DECEMBER<br />
Keep up revising, blogging, commenting, and everything else! Re-visit for more specific goals when it gets closer<br />
<br />
So yeah, crazy year up ahead for me. MFA. I wasn't sure I was going to post about it in case I don't get in. And maybe I won't, but I'm trying. I feel like, with so much uncertain in my life right now, that's all I really can do. Just try and try and keep on trying.<br />
<br />
What goals do you have for 2013?Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-53521733790226531592012-10-27T10:32:00.000-06:002012-10-27T10:32:13.396-06:00Book Review: Goliath by Scott Westerfeld<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1299808712l/9918083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1299808712l/9918083.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Title: <i>Goliath</i><br />
Author: Scott Westerfeld<br />
Illustrator: Keith Thompson<br />
Publisher: Simon and Pulse<br />
Genre: YA (steampunk)<br />
Why I read it/how I found it: Third book in the Leviathan trilogy<br />
<br />
Description:<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Alek and Deryn are on the last leg of their round-the-world quest to end World War I, reclaim Alek’s throne as prince of Austria, and finally fall in love. The first two objectives are complicated by the fact that their ship, the </span><i style="border: 0px none; font: inherit; line-height: 20.78333282470703px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Leviathan</i><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">, continues to detour farther away from the heart of the war (and crown). And the love thing would be a lot easier if Alek knew Deryn was a girl. (She has to pose as a boy in order to serve in the British Air Service.) And if they weren’t technically enemies.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Review:</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20.766666412353516px;">The first book, <i>Leviathan</i>, was a little harder for me to get into because a lot of it felt like introduction. But I'm really glad I stuck through with this series, because <i>Goliath </i>was amazing! There's a lot of angst and action, and I love Deryn's character. Even Alek grew on me, when I was apathetic toward him before. Seeing this alternate version of history wrap up was exciting and unpredictable. The illustrations are as brilliant as ever, and they make me wish every book had pictures with them.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20.766666412353516px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20.766666412353516px;">Other information: This is the last book in the Leviathan series. Scott Westerfeld's website is <a href="http://scottwesterfeld.com/">here</a>.</span>Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-70159020358775127712012-10-25T08:59:00.000-06:002012-10-25T08:59:29.663-06:00I am a library addictHello, everyone. My name is Jenna, and I'm a library addict.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bradwestwood.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/img_6423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://bradwestwood.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/img_6423.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Provo, UT library. Yeah, it's gorgeous.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Libraries are <i>free</i>. They have so many things there: books, movies, CDs, TV shows, and all of them you can borrow for <i>free</i>. When I get inside a library, I buzz with the knowledge that I can take out up to fifty items without dropping a single penny. There's no guilt like a bookstore, because I'm not spending any money on this stuff, so if a book turns out to be bad, what does it matter? It was free anyway!<br />
<br />
This may not seem like a problem, but believe me, when walking home with an armful of books you can barely carry, and then come back home to the mountain of books from your previous library trip, this becomes a problem. There's no way I could read all of these before they're due back, unless my professors decide hey, why give the students homework? Or make them come to class? And so sometimes, I have to return a book before I've read it which disappoints me, and other times I hold onto a book for weeks and weeks, making me feel guilty for hoarding it.<br />
<br />
Oh, and other cool stuff that libraries do? They have author visits. So you can meet the actual person who wrote the book you read! I've met amazing authors like Lois Lowry, Ally Condie, Shannon Hale, Marissa Meyer, and a whole lot of others because they came to a library. Only if you want a signed book (which I have an addiction to as well) you need to buy a book and suddenly, this whole thing is a lot less free. Help! I'm going broke!<br />
<br />
And then they do stuff like hold writing groups. Which, believe me, is great, except when I have a paper and two proposals and a test and a presentation to do! I go, and I feel guilty I'm missing out on school. I don't go, and I'm cursing my lack of time, wishing I could be there.<br />
<br />
My name is Jenna, and I'm a library addict. But I wouldn't have it any other way.Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-29179911297882358002012-10-23T15:26:00.000-06:002012-10-23T15:26:10.061-06:00New Writing RoutineSo I've come to my final year of college (yeah, <i>weird</i>) and for my honors thesis, I'm writing a book! I almost feel professional (minus the agent, book deal, editor, and all that stuff) because for the first time, I have a real deadline for a full book. I started off the year determined to do well in this.<br />
<br />
But home is distracting! Friends coming over, roommates doing fun stuff, social media, you know the temptations. Now I've buckled down.<br />
<br />
I set a word goal for the day, and I don't leave campus until that is complete.<br />
<br />
This works for me because I like home. It's warm and there's food and it's a place to rest after a long day of classes and work. But by staying on campus, I'm still in the mindset of work mode. I have to keep typing until I hit that word count, and only then can I eat food and play around on facebook and start my other homework.<br />
<br />
It's nice, here though. One of the buildings has comfy chairs with foot stools, an outlet, and no distraction from the strangers around me. It's working out great and I've gotten to my word goal every day so far!<br />
<br />
What do you do to keep distractions at bay while writing?Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-85220244706782320472012-10-20T16:46:00.000-06:002012-10-20T16:46:40.534-06:00Book Review Catch UpStill really busy, but wanted to get together some reviews that I did for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge. I'm only one book away from meeting the 12 book goal!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1333227435l/12432220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1333227435l/12432220.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<i>The False Prince </i>by Jennifer A. Nielsen:<br />
<br />
Orphaned fourteen-year-old Sage is taken from his orphanage to aid a noble's plan to impersonate an assumed-dead prince after the rest of the royal family has died. He has to compete against two other boys, and those who doesn't get chosen will die, when the one who does must commit treason.<br />
<br />
Sage's voice is excellent in this. I loved the characters in this and the inner conflict that Sage has with his own family and his past. This book is tightly plotted with nice twists that I wasn't expecting. A great book for boys who might be difficult to be persuaded to read.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1339533695l/10194157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1339533695l/10194157.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<i>Shadow and Bone </i>by Leigh Bardugo<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This book takes place in the Russian-inspired land of Ravka, where the "Fold," an inhospitable, dangerous, and dark place, separates the country from the "True Sea." When being attacked in the Fold, Alina lets out light to protect herself and her best friend Mal from the dark creatures, she is discovered to be the Sun Summoner, the first in hundreds of years. Her magical power is more than rare, it has the potential to get rid of the Fold and bring light to Ravka again. With the Darkling, the most powerful "Grisha" in the land, she learns to unleash her power.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">While this has many similar elements to fantasy novels with the protagonist discovering her power, the unique situation and setting brings an added layer to this novel. The magical system is of a standard kind, with just enough explanation of how it works to keep the reader free from confusion. The plot goes along not slowly, but not quickly, either, at the beginning. Halfway through, the speed is at a gallop. The two opposing relationships Alina has with Mal and Darkling make excellent foils to each other, illustrating a deep, understanding relationship opposed to one based solely on the lure of power.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1334930557l/12962924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1334930557l/12962924.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><i>Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe </i>by Shelley Coriell</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chloe Camden, a junior who winds up doing a project on helping a radio show with promotion. This all happens just after Chloe's two best friends decide they can no longer stand her, and end up ditching her and spreading nasty rumors. But Chloe's upbeat personality won't be dampened, even if her grandma's Parkinson's is getting worse, and the boy she likes won't communicate with her.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Chloe's a fun, upbeat girl who always looks at how to better a situation through laughter. Her experiences with friends, family, and crush reflect what many teenage girls go through themselves. Sometimes I felt like her positive attitude diminished the pain she was actually feeling, but at the same time her character was refreshing among snarky teenage voices out in the YA market. Her life doesn't come to perfection, but it does come to happiness and plays out in a rather realistic manner. </span></span>Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-28824996378391653652012-10-02T19:32:00.001-06:002012-10-02T19:32:15.332-06:00I'm baaack! (hopefully)Life has been, well, insane.<br />
<br />
Let's just say: craziest semester of my life so far. But I'm hoping to get back into blogging again, because I miss it!<br />
<br />
I'll be catching up with some 2012 debut author reviews and sharing more of my thoughts and writing updates. My life's going through some momentous changes soon (namely graduating from college in April) and it's going to be opening up in a very exciting and sometimes nervous-making way.<br />
<br />
That's all for now. Tell me, what have you been up to while I've been buried in real life stuff?Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689413217576282494.post-2576621144240966302012-08-25T14:04:00.003-06:002012-08-25T14:04:52.839-06:00Book Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1337613719l/11808950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1337613719l/11808950.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Title: <i>Sweet Evil</i><br />
Author: Wendy Higgins<br />
Publisher: HarperTeen<br />
Genre: YA (paranormal)<br />
Why I read it/how I found it: 2012 Debut Author Challenge<br />
<br />
Description:<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?</span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Review:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I'm sure people who consistently enjoy paranormal romances will find interest in this story. For me, I love paranormal stuff done well, like </span><i style="line-height: 19px;">Everneath </i><span style="line-height: 19px;">and </span><i style="line-height: 19px;">Paranormalcy</i><span style="line-height: 19px;">. Unfortunately, there are more bombs than successes in this genre. While structurally I couldn't enjoy </span><i style="line-height: 19px;">Sweet Evil</i><span style="line-height: 19px;">, the mythology presented in it is very unique, given the angel/demon thing has been done a lot in the YA category. I think what I liked most about it is that it didn't shy away from the actual presence of God, or angels, or anything, rather than kind of just ignoring Him. The few angel books I've read have done this before.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">This has a lot of standard tropes you see in YA paranormal romance.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">-</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The sweet, innocent female protagonist. That would be Anna. But OF COURSE Anna isn't socially accepted by her peers. Because she's "different."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">-The dark, tortured, but hott (yes, two t's, because Anna insists he's hott with two t's)love interest. Who also happens to be British. And in a band. And rich. And an emancipated minor. And did I mention the hott factor? That is Kaidan.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">-The guy who gets thrown in halfway as a potential love interest, but she can't get over how her heart goes thump-thump over the first love interest, the one her soul sings to.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">-Insta-love! Four days is enough to feel love toward a guy, right? RIGHT?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">This did hold more entertainment for me than most other books in this genre lately, and it wasn't HORRIBLE, but it wasn't even good. I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy it who like other stuff similar to this, but for people looking for something different, <i>Sweet Evil </i>doesn't deliver quite enough. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Other information: This is a planned trilogy, but the rights to the other books haven't been bought yet. Wendy Higgins's website is <a href="http://www.wendyhigginswrites.com/">here</a>.</span></div>
Jenna Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329926652906059439noreply@blogger.com1