#CampNaNoWriMo : Staying Motivated!

So, last week I wrote about my supplies for Camp NaNoWriMo. This week, I want to talk about some of the tools I use to get myself to write and to keep myself writing.

1. Scrivener

You know how a TV takes tiny pieces and puts them together for you to view on a screen? Well, Scrivener does that for the stories that are locked inside my head. I've never used a writing program I liked more, and I couldn't imagine writing The Sealer Saga any other way.

Let's break it down:

On the far left we have my Chapter List and my Research which are (I think?) call the "Binder". I can click on any of these at any time and get to specific parts of my story. By writing my story piece by piece, I keep from getting overwhelmed and when I go to edit--or need to make a note for something happening later--I can hop to the part of the story I need in one click.

In the middle of the screen, we have the space where I actually write the chapter. I tend to brainstorm my outlines in Word and then bring them into Scrivener and fill in gaps, move scenes around, etc. since each of my chapters on the left have an index card. But there's another reason I like bringing my outline in from Word. My favorite font for writing is Calibri, and when I bring in my outline it carries its formatting. That saves me having to switch it in each separate chapter. I type "chapter" once, copy / paste that into each file and I'm good to go.

On the right we have two really handy tools. The one at the top is the chapter's index card. This is a snapshot of what's suppose to go on. (Pay no heed to what's there right now; I did my outlining differently this time.) I've been too lazy to correct that here, but normally it would have a two sentence summary of the main gist of that chapter's purpose.

Below that we have what I like to cal the "idea pad". This is where I jot down ideas I get as I am writing. If I figure out that I need something in chapter eight while I am in chapter three, I can click chapter eight's idea pad (each chapter has one) and fill it in. Or if I think up a great piece of dialogue to use later in a scene I'm writing, I can stick it there until I am ready.

These are only the absolute basics of Scrivener, but they serve my purpose well. Oh! And I really like how anything I put into tabs under "research" does not effect my word count. For Camp, that's very helpful.

2. Sealed With A Kiss iTunes Playlist! 

Music is a huge part of my creative process. It effects my mood, it helps me to project the current moods I want my characters in, it can change the rhythm and tone of my writing... It's absolutely essential. I listen to a wide variety of music when I write, sometimes letting it free play and sometimes going to certain playlists for certain types of scenes. But I also always have a soundtrack for my books that tries to capture their overall themes. Shall we go through this one quickly?

1. Just One Little Kiss -- This is about the push and pull between Lucian and Carita during the first half of the novel. It's essentially their opening 'couple song'.

2. Enchanted -- This is their 'meet cute'. Neither of them wanted to be where they were that night, but both are better for having met the other. They have no idea how much this one moment in time is going to change their lives.

3. Dark Horse -- This is my villain, Ruby's, theme. She wants to start her life over by hosting this contest (as absurd as it is) and yet she is destined to repeat--completely against her will--the very things that made her miserable to begin with. I like the overtone of compassion and righteousness mixed with the dark undercurrent of potential vengeance here.

4. Beautiful Girl -- This is Lucian's theme. He's potentially the most dangerous being in the universe and he knows it. He's on a mission that is vital but also destructive. And then the woman of his dreams just falls into his life at the absolute worst time ever. Is there any way she'll stay?

5. Put The Gun Down -- This is our climax to part one. Lucian is the only man left, Carita has fallen for him completely, the prophecy must be fulfilled and Ruby is the only woman who can make that happen. Things are about to get very painful and very complicated.

6. Bring Him Home -- I've never seen the musical this is from, but Stages (the Album Josh Groban released that had this on it) came out as I was outlining Sealed With A Kiss and the moment I heard this I knew it was going to be one of the most important pieces of music I would use while drafting. There is a point in the second half where Carita makes a life changing decision and this song really echoes her reasoning and emotions while doing that.

7. America's Sweetheart -- This is Carita's theme. She does not follow the conventions or rules of her society, she's brutally honest, and she is very "okay" with who she is. She also won't accept people who refuse to take her "as is".

8. Building A Mystery -- This is about Lucian, the Underworld, and Carita's discovery that everything she has been told her entire life is a lie and completely false. It is only by allowing the lies to fall away and embracing the truth she is discovering that she will be able to survive the situation she has been thrust into.

9. Masterpiece -- This is the climax of the book, where Carita must finally, fully face up to what has happened to her and either succeed or fail. I love the idea that even though she will succeed here, she (and Lucian) are aware that this will continue to be a challenge for the foreseeable future. I also love the extremely tense pace of this song. It suits what has to happen really well.

10. Queen of Hearts -- So far I've mostly talked about the changes and sacrifices that Carita has made, but this song is important because it represents Lucian's ability to finally understand all that has happened and that he has to meet her half way. I also love the idea that after thousands of years he finally has someone with him whom he truly loves.

3. the Came NaNoWriMo Website

I've decided to post this for two reasons. First, because I love getting daily inspiration throughout the month. Second, because I believe this is one of the most powerful forms of motivation that can be used. There's one that trumps it for me, but maybe we'll talk about that next week? We'll see.

Writing is a solitary activity, but I'm an extremely social person. I want to share the things I care about with others. One thing I've said for years is that if I'm hanging out at Absolute Write I'm probably writing, and if I've been absent I'm probably not. But for Camp, I've been spending a lot of time writing back and forth with my cabin mates and on the "Campfire Circle" subform of the NaNoWriMo boards. It's very much like how I will stalk tech forms if I'm trying to save for / build a new PC, or how I joined health communities when I had to figure out how to deal with needle phobia. If you treat something like it's real, like you've already got it, you put yourself on step to making what you desire become reality.

I do not like competition where I have to face an opponent directly. I find that it reduces my performance in whatever I'm doing. (I always felt I'd sang my worst in competitions--even those I won.) But a graph like this, which is just as much about beating myself as it is keeping up with or exceeding what others are doing, is surprisingly effective at keeping me focused.

4. Facebook (a.k.a. Calling Home)

I don't believe in fear as a motivator. I do believe in telling people you are going to do something, and then bringing them with you along the way. It takes me a few minutes each day to update facebook with what I have accomplished, and in doing so I have a permanent reminder of what I have made happen. I've done this with every novel or novella I've written and it works (for me) every time.

Do you have any tools, tips or techniques that help you with NaNoWriMo? Feel free to share in the comments. :)

Road To #CampNaNoWriMo : My Camp Supplies!

If there is a line of fiction I do not want associated with my preparation for next month's Camp session, it would definitely be the infamous "You are not prepared!" from the Burning Crusade expansin pack for World of Warcraft. With that in mind, I've spent the last week or so getting everything settled around so I'll have the best chance possible of completing SEALED WITH A KISS (or at least reaching my 50,000 word goal.)

Does anyone remember my review of BZRK? One of the big things talked about in that book was the idea of two different worlds, the "Macro" and the "Micro". I feel the same in a lot of ways about the logic I've been using to get ready for camp. For me, though, the Macro is of course anything that's gonna make me more comfortable here in the real world. The Micro, on the other hand, is anything that's going to directly effect my story where it's sitting on my PC. Today let's take a look at some of the things that will be helping me ensure that I will be able to tell Lucian and Carita's story.

Planning for #CampNaNoWriMo: The Macro

My Writing Books

It all starts here. If writing a novel were a feat worthy of  super hero, this would be my "Bat Cave". I am quite addicted to collecting books on writing and I have some real gems (and admittedly a couple duds) here. Among the ones I figure I'll need most this July are Book In A Month by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Writing New Adult Fiction by Deborah Halverson, and The Art of Romance Writing by Valerie Parv.

While we're on the subject, please let me know if you'd like to hear my thoughts on these or any of the other writing books in my collection. I don't normally review non-fiction here, but I'd be happy to make an exception for this.

Sweet Treats and Sweet Stationary

I do about 98% of my writing on the computer, because the only thing I hate more then revision is coming stuff onto the computer that I originally wrote by hand. To try and make up for any pain that may cause me, we have good quality "bold" black pens and the cutest notebook in the history of ever. It says: "Give a Pug A Hug". <3

All of the sweets here are new or relatively new to me. The Laffy Taffy is what remains of two bags Jay brought when he visited the other week, while the Sweet Crisps are a discovery my mother and I made at WalMart. I still haven't decided whether I love the chocolate or the caramel more, but I know I love how well these compliment a cup of tea.

And here we have a completely new member to the Kat's Snacks family: Bear Paw Dipped cookies. These are pretty good, but I'm pretty sure I'll be switching back to my usual Quaker Dips granola bars in week 2, as these don't seem to pack enough of a punch in the "they make hunger disappear" category. They are quite tasty, though!

The crackers are both old favorites. I don't want to hazard a guess how many boxes of Original Wheat Thins I'll go through while writing SEALED WITH A KISS, but I'm pretty sure it'll be "a lot". The Ritz Bitz with Cheese are another personal favorite, although I must admit that I was bummed I didn't see the S'Mores flavor at No Frills this trip as I had my heart set on them since this writing project has the whole camp theme going on. Hmm... Maybe I'll have to get the ingredients and make real S'Mores later in the month as one of my writing rewards? We shall see. :)

And last we have an old favorite and a new addiction. I've had a love affair with Peanut M&Ms for months, so I'm not surprised that I decided to get them at all. But this kick I'm on buying Lindt's Dark Chocolate With Caramel and Sea Salt is something I wouldn't have seen coming in my wildest dreams until, bored one weekend, I decided to try it.

Lastly, here's one for my fellow Canadians! 

We all know that #NaNoWriMo involves massive amounts of caffeine, and if I'm going to get a coffee fix, chances are it's going to be from Tim Hortons. (Though if I want specialty drinks I prefer Mac's Milk--bigger selection, better prices.) I'm also a huge fan of all the non-chocolate Tim Bits. (I know..A Form of chocolate Kat doesn't care about. Blasphemous!) Either way, I'll be counting on family and friends to be feeding my Coffee and Tim Bit needs during the course of the event. Keep me motivated, people! <3

What are your must have items when writing? Did you put together a #NaNoWriMo Survival Kit? Feel free to share! :)

Going Digital #1: Print Books vs. E-Books

Going Digital is a blog article series I came up with when I decided that I'm either getting a new eReader or Tablet this holiday season. I thought it might be fun to share what I learn with here, and to see if you guys have opinions or experiences to share about choosing a new reading device, too. If this goes well it should lead to a smart purchase, rather than an impulse buy. It may also help other bloggers in the market for a new eReader or tablet make a more informed decision, too.

About two months after I started blogging back in 2011 I decided to buy myself a Kindle Keyboard when I discovered they were available at The Source. Now, before I start to bad-mouth this poor thing, let me say that my issue is in no way with the quality of this eReader. It's been a great little device and for the most part I love it. But it has a few drawbacks that have kept me from making a proper (or at least more active) switch from print books to digital ones.

The biggest issue I have with my Kindle Keyboard is how it organizes books. They sit on static lists on the front page. Yes, I can create lists and put books into them. But I've just never liked the setup. It's never been able to make the books feel "real" to me, if that makes any sense. I think if I can find a reader that works well and that lets me see my books AS books when I choose them (kinda like how my iPod touch lets me see my music?) that a big part of my issue will disappear. I like the reading experience on my Kindle. But I don't like the book selection or organization experience and that really bugs me.

My other major issue with the Kindle Keyboard is the keyboard itself. The thing is just too little for me and I find using it to search for things, make notes, highlight passages, etc. a pain in the rear end. These types of features, I think, are meant to be some of the advantages of an eReader--some of the things we get in return for the unavoidable sacrifices switching from print books to eBooks entails.

With those gains and losses in mind, I now present to you ten reasons I'm going digital, eight things I'll miss about print books and three exceptions to everything I've written here.

I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in saying "Print!" when someone asks me which I prefer. I'll answer that without batting an eyelash and it's true: I love print books. Heck, one of the things I'm most excited for with my own book next year is that I'll finally get to hold it.

But let's get real for a minute here. Print books may look beautiful. They may feel, for lack of a better word to describe them, alive. But no matter how much I love them, print books and I are having a few issues these days and I need to do something about them. All the pretty covers and beautiful formatting in the world is useless if the print books they're in are keeping me from getting reading done.

10 Reasons I'm "Going Digital":

1. Print size is mine to choose.

I'm legally blind, so being able to see what I am reading is a huge deal for me. I can read most print books, but sometimes I'll come across one that is a particular struggle, I won't want to deal with smaller print late at night, or I would just rather be able to choose the font by reading on my kindle. Font size and legibility of a book isn't an artform--it's like the user interface of a computer program or a video game. If I notice it's there and it's not for a cosmetic reason, it generally means something went horribly wrong. I find this happens to me less with eBooks.

2. Less chance of wrist strain.

I am prone to joint pain in my wrists because I've spent so much time with computers and gaming. Now that I am aware of this, I try to choose the things I do, and how long I do them for, with a lot more care. I also try to make sure things I am holding for a long time aren't too hefty--especially books. (C'mon, have you SEEN the Infernal Devices trilogy, or the Tiger Saga, or... You get the idea.) While there are some heavy books I would still want in my physical 'library' regardless, I would probably be better served to be reading them digitally from a health and wellness perspective.

3. Shelf space is limited.

I have two bookshelves in my room. It's currently so cluttered with books next to the other one that I can't open it. This is not how I want the books I choose to have on a shelf displayed. But with the fact that I keep all my stuff in a 10 x 10 room comes the reality that I don't have a lotta space!

Not only is this setup ugly as far as book displays go, it's also impractical. Have you ever experienced near death by book avalanche? Lemme tell you, it's not pretty! Plus when I move all of these to find the one I want, it also means I need to put them all back before I can sit down and read. One word sums that up: meh.

4. Portability.

Whether it's just wanting to be able to wander down to the dining room table or being in the car while my mother grabs stuff from Metro, there are loads of times when not only having a book on me, but rather the right book on me, would encourage me to get more reading done. I'm a moody reader and I am *not* afraid to DNF something that isn't working for me. But when it's the only thing I brought, I'm kinda nuked. With an eReader, though, I tend to sample before I buy whenever possible and I tend to make smarter purchases since I research my books before clicking Add To Cart.

5. Fast, easy access to the books I want--no car required.

Being able to try samples and download books at the click of a button is awesome. It only takes a few seconds for a book to go from Amazon to my Kindle and then it's there, waiting for me to read it, whenever I'm ready to dive in. That alone is a compelling reason, but when you couple that with the fact that I read a lot of authors, both trade and self published, the need for a good quality reader that will ensure a good reading experience skyrockets.

Oh, there's also the fact that I don't drive and I live half an hour away from the closest physical bookstore to me. Life before Kindle (or at least Amazon orders) really sucked for me as a reader.

6. Read more, pay less.

This one may not apply to everyone, but it definitely applies to a shopaholic like me. I tend to buy a lot of books when I'm out and about locally. Notice I said *bookstores* in my last point, not *books*. :) I can be a major impulse buyer and if I had a dollar for every time I've grabbed something and had buyer's remorse I'd probably be getting my new eReader / tablet for free!

While I'm a sucker for a sale, at least when books for an eReader go on sale they tend to be cheap or free, and if they cost money I have a LOT more time to check them out before downloading then I have to look something over in a store when I'm out with my family.

7. Forget launch day. How about launch minute?

I've done this a few times with books and albums (on iTunes) now and it's great! Getting something right away and not having to wait for it in the mail or for someone to take me to pick it up can be a really good feeling. There are times when I feel like I can't just "go do something" because of not driving and where I live, but being able to decide "I'm getting (Insert Book Here) today." and being able to because of pre-order and digital delivery is fun. Especially when it's something I've been waiting on for months.

8. Useful for editing, revision and beta exchange.

There are certain things that have become part of my writing, outlining, editing, etc. routines that I would not give up. Among those would likely be the outlining method I use, my Scrivener software and reading my work on my kindle when I am editing it. I catch a lot of things that way that I wouldn't on a regular computer screen, or even in print (likely because of my eyes on the latter?). Plus it makes it a lot easier to beta for someone, because I have the Kindle in one hand reading the book and it leaves my PC free (no having to swap programs or files) to make notes as I go in my word processor of choice.

9. Potential to choose a device that integrates the reading experience, making it more social.

I would love to find a reader that will let me highlight a passage and share it on facebook, twitter, or GoodReads. I'd like to be able to see what my friends are reading and have things recommended by them if I pick something that has some kind of homescreen. I'm not totally sure if anything with these features will be available, but the fact that the possibility exists and that I am investing in that possible future is very encouraging.

10. Potential to better support authors I like by pre-ordering their work, getting more read (and reviewed) on this blog, and (in some cases) ensuring they get a better cut of the money I'm spending on the books I buy.

As someone who has spent almost two years studying self publishing, one thing I am very aware of is the fact that authors tend to make a lot more via digital sales than we do from print ones. While it's true that I don't buy every book I read, (many are given for review) when I do choose to buy a book I want the majority of that money to go to the person who wrote it--not to a giant corporation.

7 Things I'll Miss About Print Books:

1. The artistry and design of an actual book.

Who doesn't love pretty covers, thick, texture-edged pages, gorgeous title headers, and interesting internal matter like maps (in fantasy novels) or contemporary books that have lists, poems, etc. through them? (The Sky Is Everywhere comes to mind here.) Beyond that, the simple feel and even smell of a new book can be an almost heady thing. What an eReader will gain me in portability and access, it will cost me in individuality and tangible possession.

2. Going to book stores and buying physical books.

When I do get the chance to go to Chapters and actually choose new books by hand, there's not much I like better. There's something magical about being surrounded by all of the words and worlds and stories just begging me to pick them up and glance inside. Shopping online may give me more time to make decisions, but shopping in actual stores is an experience. Part of me feels that it's sorta like food. Even if someone invented a pill that would meet all your needs would you want to give up eating your favorite things?

3. Receiving packages with books I've bought in the mail.

I love getting mail. It may have something to do with living with my family and only having a cell phone bill? Regardless, little brings me as much joy as seeing something in the mail with my name on it. It's exciting. It shakes up my routine. It's usually something I really want, so I'm excited about it. Kinda the opposite of the "right this minute!" thing above. But we live in a world that wants everything now and sometimes it's good to have to wait for what we want. (Sometimes we even appreciate it more.)

4. Being able to do videos that show actual books to my readers.

Taking video footage of books on a Kindle, phone, etc. generally does not work. It can be done, but it doesn't have the same quality of connection, possession and passion that holding *the* book in my hands does. I've done both and this will likely be one of the things I miss most if I put as much of my focus on digital purchases as I think I will. (Provided I can get the right tool to read them.)

5. Knowing I own my books as opposed to questioning whether I'm just renting them.

This was one of the biggest reasons I held off on an eReader and one of the reasons I still predominantly buy physical books today. Look at countries in the world where some people are allowed to read while others aren't. Consider the idea that in the middle ages only a very small handful of people were literate. Consider that even two generations ago the average citizen probably had a fourth grade education. Then consider the quality of life that could be expected by each of this individuals.

My point is this: those who control books--and more importantly, their distribution--have the power to control the world. Do not make the mistake of undermining the power of fiction! For generations authors have been using the written word as a medium to express ideas, opinions, feelings and more. While I am not directly suggesting that the online booksellers are plotting a Roman style coup to take over the world, I am saying that readers need to be aware of what they are doing when they support large corporations in ways that could come back to bite us all on the butt in the future.

6. Being able to easily allow others to read my books.

eReaders and Tablets, when not being shared among a group of kids, are generally like Chihuahuas. They're a one man (or woman) affair. While I might be totally fine loaning someone a book, there's no way in hell I'd loan out my kindle! Seriously: what am I going to read on then? What if I want to read one of my other books? It's just not efficient. I know there are libraries that are working to get eBook collections available and that some online retailers are trying to set it up so books can be loaned digitally. But it will (likely?) never be as simple as, "Here. Read this and give it back when you're done." like I can do with a physical book.

7. Being able to trade my books with other bloggers, donate them to libraries, etc. if / when I no longer need them.

This weekend I'm going to a blogging meetup in Toronto and one of the things that has been going on in the months leading up to that is a massive online-organized book swap. I'll be bringing over 30(?) books to trade with fellow book bloggers. These are either books I've read and enjoyed but no longer have room for, or they are books that didn't work for me. Either way, though...aren't THEY better served being read by someone else than they are sitting in my closet or on my shelf untouched? I think so. I have a very strong belief that books only live or breathe when a reader opens and reads them. If this is in any way true, it could be said that the digitization of books is suffocating literature. However, that also doesn't take into account the amount of opportunities it has opened up for readers to discover new books and for writers to share their stories with the world. It's a tough call.

3 Other Things To Note:

1. I will still be happy to get signed books from authors when I go to events. I will also still buy print copies of books written by my friends. (I wouldn't want Sealer's Promise to be lonely!)

2. If the book in question is any form of a reference guide, for gaming, writing, web design, etc. print will still be my top priority (most likely).

3. I'm not getting rid of ALL my print books, nor am I saying I'll never buy one again. I will say that my "keeper shelves" will actually be keeping books I love, though.

My Question To You This Week Is...

Print or eBooks? Do you use one? Both? How has the invention of eBooks effected you as a reader? As a blogger? Would you change anything about this if you could?

Articles In This Series:

Why Go Digital? | eReader or Tablet? | Kindle or ePub 

What's Best For Bloggers? | Help Me Choose!  

Kat's New Reader! 

Book Blogger Confessions (3)

Welcome to Book Blogger Confessions, a meme hosted by Karen from For What It's Worth and Tiger from All-Consuming Books on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, to discuss some of the frustrations that are unique to book bloggers.

Topic: Comments are the holy grail of blogging. What do you comment on? And what do you do on your blog to encourage comments? 

Two things before I get going on this:

(1) Been a while since I did this meme. Glad to be getting back to doing it.

(2) "The holy grail of blogging" ... Yeah, that's about it. :)

What Do I Comment On? 

I only comment when I have something to say.

I love discussion posts and opinion pieces because they encourage the reader to talk. Whether it's "Do you like this or that?", "Such and such drives me crazy / I love it / makes no sense." or "What do you think of X?" ... I think posts like these are vital if you want your blog to be a discussion, rather then an electronic book in its own right. (There is nothing wrong with either aspiration, but they attract different readers and gather different responses.)

Memes are fun for discovering new blogs and making sure I poke my head in on blogs I might not have visited during the week. But finding something worth saying to each of those bloggers can be really tough sometimes. (I'll talk about improving this below...)

I think, truthfully, the thing that drives me the most crazy about being a book blogger is reviews. They are the most time consuming thing on the blog since I need to read the book and think about what I thought of it, how it was written, who would like it, etc. Then I need to write about that. And the kicker of the whole thing is that reviews are actually the thing I find it hardest to comment on / find ways to get people to have meaningful discussions about.

Sometimes, if a post is empty for a review and I can think of *something* to say aside from *just* "Great review!" I'll add to one, but commenting on reviews can be tricky because if you start really discussing the book too much you risk someone else getting a spoiler from what you've said.

How Do I Try To Encourage Comments On My Blog? 

If there is any advice I could give other bloggers it's this: Find your own voice. Find your own style, for the blog, for posting, for all of it. The thing that will make your blog stand out in the end is you.

How does this apply to getting comments? It applies because the way that you set up your posts is what will either invite, discourage or make people indifferent about saying anything.

Personally, I see my blog as a discussion. It's like one giant chat room, or Xbox Live Party, dedicated to books. My background is gaming and the games community is *very* vocal. Plus, I've always been a total chatterbox who cannot shut up. I often talk too much and too long. But for me, my blog is only as good as the discussions it is providing. So I make a point of trying to make sure my content makes people want to talk.

If you want people to give you an answer, ask a question. 

"What new books did you get this week?", "What book are you dying to read that hasn't released yet?", and one I REALLY need to start adding to my posts, and I feel so silly for not thinking of it sooner: "So, have you read [book name]? Are you hoping to read it? Or perhaps something you've heard has made you cautious? I'd love to hear your thoughts." (for reviews). These work especially well at the end of an article, where the next thing someone might do is start to type a comment. If you ask a question at the end, much like asking one while talking to someone, it makes them more inclined to want to say something back.

If you want something to be said, you have to begin by having something to say. 

So often I see people do a meme like Waiting on Wednesday and they'll just post the image of a book and its description without telling me a single reason why they are excited about it, or how they discovered it, or whether it reminds them of another book ... Something, *anything*, people. I hate going through a meme and going "Nice book!" or "Thanks for sharing!" all by itself. I tend to include those in my comments, but I *want* to leave something direct and personalized to *that* blog's selection if I choose to comment. I strive to provide quality in whatever I am doing, and commenting isn't an exception.

If you want people to comment on reviews, you need to make them personal. 

To be clear here: I mean you should tell us what you really, truly felt. Not that you should sling mud at authors! Adding this upon re-reading that and realizing it might cause confusion.

There are times I'll go to read someone's review of a book and I sit there wondering if they've actually read it. I understand that there is always the concern that someone might see a spoiler they're not suppose to, but there are ways to block those if you are nervous, and there are ways to discuss things without blatantly spoiling if finding a way to put up an alert makes you uncomfortable.

I am aware there are differing opinions on what makes a review look professional, and risking spoilers is something that can effect how others will see a blogger. But I guess the reason this doesn't bother me is that I don't see myself as any sort of "professional reviewer". I'm not getting paid for this. I'm a reader who strives to share her passion for the books she loves, and a writer who feels that other writers are entitled to fair, honest and considerate reviews of their work.

People often say that mean spirited or negative reviews are the ones that get the best feedback. The one thing those reviewers are doing that I don't see as much from us is this: they're putting themselves out there. They say what they really feel, they talk about the book as if they've really read it. The tend to have style and voice, whit and humor (even if I think some of the crueler things said are no laughing matter.)

What's holding us back from being like that about what we LOVE? About what was GOOD or GREAT? In being a blogger, you have consciously decided to put your opinion out there. There's always gonna be someone who thinks you're a fool. But there will also be people who think you're totally brilliant. If you aren't YOU, though -- if you don't give what you're saying 110% -- you're doing everybody, *especially yourself*, a great disservice. You've already decided to stick your neck out, to stand up and speak about something I *hope* you're passionate about.

Make. Your. Words. Count. 

If you do that and ask questions to encourage people to respond to your posts, comments will take care of themselves. (Realize I'm assuming people know about your blog and that you tweet / facebook / something when you release new content.)

I hope that this article is helpful.

So, what types of posts do you comment on? Do you have any tips for encouraging comments that I may have missed or never thought of? I'd love to know, so please feel free to leave a comment. :) 

Authors On Reviews: To Comment or Not to Comment?

To Comment or Not To Comment? That is the question that is being asked over at Reading Romances today, and as both a blogger and a (future) author, I could not resist giving my opinion. If you would like to find out more about the hop, please click here.

So, should authors leave comments on reviews?

Yes... and no. I don't think there is a wrong or right answer here, because the question is too general. Like many things in life, author comments in and of themselves are not a bad thing. It's how they are used, when they are used, and why they are used that must be considered. Think of all the things this applies to... Fire can cook our food, but it can also burn down a house. Medicine can be used by a doctor to treat an illness, but certain types and prescriptions can also be used as drugs, which in turn could lead to an argument over money where someone winds up shot.

There is a lot of talk about there being six degrees between people. They are far fewer degrees separating how "good" or "bad" most things in our world are. It is how we choose to use them that matters. Comments, be they on reviews, message boards, in a classroom or anywhere else are not exempt from this.

As a blogger, I love receiving comments from authors. They totally make my day! I will not lie, though. There are times when I have reviewed something in a way that might not be what they wanted, seen their name attached to an e-mail message or comment, and paused a moment before I read it. However, I have been fortunate. I do not tend to get "hate" mail for my reviews. Then again, I have done everything in my power to build my reputation as a blogger on giving reviews that are honest and fair.

I *hope* the readers who visit my blog feel secure that my opinions are really that -- my opinions; and that the authors who approach me about reviews feel more comfortable knowing that while I do not love every book I read, I have the utmost respect for anyone who has the guts to place butt in chair and bare their soul on the page. I'm down there in the trenches, I know what it's like, and I believe that writing a novel is no small feat. Nor does my solitary little opinion have the power to decree that a book was "garbage". Because even if I think a book is "ZOMG teh most a-MAZ-ing thing evah! 111" (You have no idea how long that took to type...) one of my readers could sit down to read the same book, even after my review, and hate it with the fire of a thousand suns.

Here's what I think authors should NOT do: Make Fools of Themselves. Running around and calling bloggers (or anyone) idiots or unenlightened for "not getting" the book. Or (God forbid!) trying to "explain" (read: argue with the reviewer) the book to the person who didn't like it. If two readers discussing a book get into this (civilly) it can make a great debate and be interesting. When an author does it -- especially on the internet where everything is basically written in electronic blood -- it's just a really, really, bad idea.

But for an author to come along and give feedback on my review such as "Wow, you really got (insert part)."? That can be really cool, as can being thanked for my time, having something random or funny posted to me regarding a character I liked, being asked an interesting questions, or pretty much anything else. As long as the author isn't telling me (1) I was wrong not to like their book, or (2) How I should interpret or feel about things in their book, we'll get on fine. Because both of those things are out of an author's hands the moment a reader picks up a book and starts to read.

Why Do I Feel This Way?

All during the writing and editing process, a book is like making a sculpture. You can chisel stuff away, or you can wet what you are using to mold the piece and reshape it. But when you publish a book and it is in the hands of a reader or a reviewer, it's like that piece has gone through the fire and been hardened. It is what it is, and just like a piece of art, it is open to being seen differently by everyone. So, what's an author to do? Get better during the shaping, accept that there will always be those who will see the finished piece differently then you do, and have the courage to go and work on another piece.

As long as you have the courage to keep writing, there is no need to be afraid that some people won't like what you have written. Since it is impossible to please everyone, the only person a fear of the inevitable is going to hurt is you. This goes for authors writing the books we read, and reviewers who seem to be constantly more afraid of backlash for reviewing them.

To read we need books. To write we need readers. Let's not forget this, people!

Should I Keep Reading?: Unearthly

Normally I read a book and then I review it. If I decide DNF is the right solution for a book I stop and keep my thoughts to myself. But I think that it might be worth talking about some of the books that I feel stuck on. Maybe I'm quitting them too soon, or maybe people just want to know what I think about something, even if I'm not going to attach a score to it.

I'm currently 108 pages into Unearthly, at the start of Chapter Six. And I must tell you all, I am deeply conflicted. There are things that I really love here, and things that are making my skin crawl and / or boring or annoying me. I'll talk about my thoughts on the good and the bad, and then, my dear readers, I will be asking you what the post title says: "Should I Keep Reading?". That's your chance to weigh in.

What Do I Like?

• The angel mythology is interesting. I am not a huge fan of the fact that we get it as a flashback, but it didn't kill the book for me. I like the fact that Cynthia Hand has clearly thought out how her universe works. I like the fact that it is unique (at least within my reading experiences; I'm pretty new to angels as a PNR / fantasy creature). 
• Tucker cracks me up. I think that he has an interesting attitude and I like the interactions between him and Clara. (Currently he annoys her, I think.) It will be interesting to see how that progresses.
• I like how well Cynthia has developed the school that Clara goes to when her family moves, as well as the friends she seems to be making along the way. 
• I like how things like having to switch school, or deal with bad hair, or needing to make friends -- essentially things that I would be looking for if I was reading contemporary -- are considered and addressed here. It's obviously not as deep as it might be if they were the center of the novel, but the balance Clara has to deal with between being part angel and being a 17 year old girl makes for interesting reading.
• I thought that the idea of Clara having a purpose and the reader learning more about it as the story continued and she prepared to face it was going to be an interesting premise.

What's Driving Me Nuts?

• Clara's interactions with Christian this far make me feel like I am reading about a female version of Edward Cullen. She has this semi-stalkerish quality that is annoying both because its *weird* and because she is coming across as desperate for his attention as a girl (rather then researching for her purpose). 
• This part of it likely comes from the fact that Christian has a girlfriend, Kay. I don't care how bitchy she is -- she was there first. Plus, last I checked Clara's job is to save him, not to date him. The constant thoughts she has of him seem to lean far more toward her being attracted to him, and at this point nothing has been introduced that makes this make sense. 
• Clara herself. She's whiny and needy. She complains too much. She constantly thinks about Christian to a point where it seemed creepy and obsessive to me. (She seems more focused on 'He's cute' then on, 'Okay, what do I need to learn about him so I will be ready when the time comes?'. 
• Clara even goes so far as to totally ditch Wendy, one of the new friends she has made at her new school, so that she can follow Christian to where he and his friends are having lunch. Even if Wendy is a new friend, I still cannot respect a girl who does that kinda crap, and the results of her actions drew no sympathy from me. 
• I'm beginning to have the sinking suspicion that this whole "purpose" thing might just be a way to allow Clara to stalk a hot guy and likely end up with him by the end of the book. (To be clear, that last part is a *guess*.) My response to this, despite me being me, is actually *yawn*. I know, I'm shocked about that too. Truthfully I'm more interested in Tucker.

So, what are your feelings on Unearthly? Did you love it, hate it, feel 'meh' about it? Or perhaps you haven't read it yet and were leaning one way or the other? This is definitely an opinion piece, guys. And your opinions are both wanted and welcome. 

...Should I Keep Reading?

RANT: Thanks, But I'll Read What I Like

I'm usually a pretty classy blogger. Or at least, I try to be. I don't read books for the sake of ripping them apart. I stay out of the majority of the drama I hear about in the blogging world -- heck, half the time I don't hear about it until months after the shots have been fired and the dust has settled. But every now and then something comes up that I simply cannot ignore. Something is said that demands my attention. That is how I feel about this article by Joel Stein.

I am a firm believer that the experience between book and reader is a deeply personal one. That is why I often say, even when I don't like a book, that someone reading my review should not simply take my word about the text I am discussing. I cannot tell you how you will feel about a book; I can only share how I felt about it and why. After that, the rest is totally up to you. (And thank goodness, I have enough trouble making choices for me.)

I am going to post parts of Mr. Stein's article and I am going to respond to them. In many ways, I must say that my short review of the article would be to call it "a joke" because it contains many flaws, primarily that Mr. Stein admits to not having read within the genre he is bashing. However, the potential dangers and implications of an article of this nature are no laughing matter. There are many people, from authors, to agents, to editors, to book sellers and bloggers and librarians who make the world of literature go 'round. The number of people insulted before we even get to the average book lover in a general sense is staggering.

We cannot afford to let pot shots of this nature go. All literature deserves to be respected, because someone took the time to sit down, to write it, to make sure it got out there and to give it the chance to touch peoples' hearts. The amount of gall it requires to mock creativity of this magnitude is not something that our community should just silently accept. We all put way too much effort into this, regardless of what part we play, for that to be an acceptable response.

The only thing more embarrassing than catching a guy on the plane looking at pornography on his computer is seeing a guy on the plane reading “The Hunger Games.” Or a Twilight book. Or Harry Potter. The only time I’m O.K. with an adult holding a children’s book is if he’s moving his mouth as he reads.

Considering the fact that you are about to publish a novel entitled Man Made: A Stupid Quest For Masculinity I must immediately question, based on the way you have chosen to open your article, if you subconsciously aren't aware that your book is done being drafted. Frankly, I can't think of much, in the realm of entertainment, that could conceivably be more offensive then seeing some sicko watching porn in a public place. 

Does the idea of a man reading a book written by a woman offend you? Lets face it, folks: a large majority of the books written under the YA banner are, and it wouldn't be the first time the genre has come under attack for this. Further, and more important, the three (Really, dude? Three? Weak sauce.) examples specifically chosen are. 

Last, how the heck do you expect anyone to take you seriously if you actually have time to waste seeing what everyone else is reading on a plane, anyway? With the array of devices available to us nowdays -- Vita, iPad, Kindle, 3DS, even smart phones -- this just seems like an epicly counter productive waste of time. That would have been far better used reading The Hunger Games then silently mocking the gentlemen in the next seat for choosing to do so. 

I’m sure all those books are well written. So is “Horton Hatches the Egg.” But Horton doesn’t have the depth of language and character as literature written for people who have stopped physically growing.

So tell me, darling, where does the entry bar for "depth of language and character" begin and end? With your book? *snort* Don't even attempt to lie to me here. No one writes a book about something, especially not a memoir, unless they felt that they had something valuable to say. In the interest of honesty and fairness, your book actually looks legitimately interesting. But there is something that your argument about Horton misses entirely, and that is that the value of literature goes beyond "language and character", transcending into what those things make a reader feel. 

Unfortunately for your article, this is an individual response. What one person may feel from reading, say, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, another reading might be able to just as likely glean from reading Ryder by Greta Maloney. (Trust me, I've read both and noted this in my review of Greta's debut.) Are they written the same way, or in the same style? No. But they do share the theme that would be required. That's what matters. Here's the thing: to really grasp that internal core of a book, to truly get it on a soul deep level, you have to have enjoyed it. So if these two readers were to swap books they could both come away with a deeper and richer appreciation of the theme, or they could both walk away completely empty. And it would have absolutely nothing to do with the author, but instead, everything to do with the needs of the reader. 

I've never read the particular book you listed, but (as an example) every Christmas I still read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve. Is it a deep philosophical text with some deep underlying message that I need in order to open a secret door? No. But it allows me to recall doing the same thing with my grandfather, which is something that none of the literary greats that have been produced during the past 3,000 years has the power to conjure. Dare to challenge that?

I appreciate that adults occasionally watch Pixar movies or play video games. That’s fine. Those media don’t require much of your brains. Books are one of our few chances to learn. There’s a reason my teachers didn’t assign me to go home and play three hours of Donkey Kong.

Last I checked, one of the joys of choosing one's own reading materials is that we do not necessarily need to have a specific purpose in mind when we do so. Are you honestly trying to tell me, Mr. Stein, that you actually stand before your bookshelf going, "Today I want to select a book that will teach me the value of showing restraint economically, despite the fact that I live in a capitalist society?", or are you suggesting that the only time you touch a book is when, say, you need to understand the fine workings of your iPod? 

If you choose to read something, already thinking you know what it can teach you, it is highly likely that you will come away empty, or (far more dangerous) hear what you already had set in your mind. The real power and beauty of the knowledge that comes from fiction can only really come when we do not actually expect it. That high school senior stuck talking about the various themes of betrayal in MacBeth, or the parallel of parent-child relationships found in King Lear isn't actually learning shit aside from how to use the three point formula and quote a play properly, unless she or he was already interested in reading the damn thing. 

The actual value of the play, the real 'point', is going to slip into the recesses of their memory to be forgotten the way that the unneeded parts of the burger they had for lunch will later slip into the toilet. If you actually think that we really 'assign' books and they will effect someone where it counts because we 'assigned' them, you are both niave and a fool. We can 'hope' they will, because there are some fantastic books that have been written that should be shared, but there is no guarantee. 

It is vital that we teach people to read, and that we encourage the habit of reading (generally) regardless of what the individual is choosing, be it a comic book, a YA novel, manga, a picture book, or Mark Twain. Because if the love of reading itself is instilled in an individual, there is hope that they will find the books that they, specifically, need. And who knows, some of those may just be the 'fine' pieces of literature you'd hope they are. But if we ridicule people for the choices that they make for themselves as readers, if we make reading seem and feel like there is actually a way not only to do it wrong (misreading words or context) but also to respond incorrectly, people can, will, and do shut out out, do not learn to do it, and then any hope regarding the written word is lost completely.

And that's a damn shame, because it becomes increasingly difficult to learn to read, to develop it as a habit and have it feel natural. And much like a language, the *joy* of reading is something that can be lost.

I have no idea what “The Hunger Games” is like. Maybe there are complicated shades of good and evil in each character. Maybe there are Pynchonesque turns of phrase. Maybe it delves into issues of identity, self-justification and anomie that would make David Foster Wallace proud. I don’t know because it’s a book for kids. I’ll read “The Hunger Games” when I finish the previous 3,000 years of fiction written for adults.

You go right ahead and do that, Mr. Stein. Considering the fact that you have been referencing and insulting a novel you have never read -- and that you admit you have never read at that -- I sincerely must question whether you would be able to comprehend the novel, even if you were able to read the words on the page, if you tried. The Hunger Games, after all, does touch on the dangers of ignorance as a theme -- consider the fact that many people die because of a lack of knowing how to survive in the arena rather then from other tributes killing them. Your article is a clear indication that ignorance is a topic that you are intimately familiar with in all the wrong ways, so it's a shame you feel uncomfortable reading a book that could potentially address it well. I suppose you could always opt for the movie. (No insult to the film, guys. I did five star that.) 

Let’s have the decency to let tween girls have their own little world of vampires and child wizards and games you play when hungry. Let’s not pump Justin Bieber in our Saabs and get engaged at Cinderella’s Castle at Disneyland. Because it’s embarrassing. You can’t take an adult seriously when he’s debating you over why Twilight vampires are O.K. with sunlight. If my parents had read “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” at the same time as I did, I would have looked into boarding school.

Now you are advocating deliberately avoiding reading things our children might read? I'm not a mom, and I'm definitely on the more 'let them read it' and of the book blogging scale, but I'd bet someone's gonna ride you hard about that one. I'll let them have it -- that's not my war. However, I will say two things:

(1) Many of the kids that I have worked with (I do a lot of tutoring kids with reading issues, I've worked at camps for kids with disabilities, etc.) appreciate it when someone older has read, or seen, or heard something that they have. Entertainment was always something with a very open door in my parents' home (see above with The Night Before Christmas) which actually added an additional level of value to many books, movies, games, etc. I loved growing up.

(2) You can be embarrassed for me if you wish. I'll be busy having fun reading what I want, listening to what I want (although I prefer Ke$ha to Beiber, thanks) and if I were to want to get engaged at Cinderella's Palace, there's not a damn thing you can do to stop me. 

I'm going to Build-a-Bear next weekend to celebrate my 30th birthday, I'm the one who bought that last darn C.A. Cupid monster high doll at WalMart, and after I make my Star Wars version of Kyden (one of the characters from my book, for anyone who's popping a question mark) I'll probably go and spend far to much at the YA section of the Oshawa Centre's Chapters. 

The nightmare's on me, doll. Enjoy it. ;)

In all seriousness, though, do you really have time to care about this? Really? I can think of a million more interesting things to do. (Admittedly, responding wasn't much better. Perhaps the issue actually irritates you just as much as your irritation at it irritates me.) But, in the end, you get to stay mad and I get to go and read Fever by Lauren DeStefano, Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa or any of the other fifty or so YA books I have sitting here and waiting. I think I'll bow out while the odds are in my favor. Good day.

I Can't Seem To Get Hooked...

Reading slumps. Ever had one?

My schedule has been insane the last while. I've blogged about that before, so I'll spare you the details. That's not the problem, or at least I am guessing it isn't, at this point. I seem to be going through a massive reading slump of epic proportions. What are the symptoms?

Nothing I read sticks: I start a book and read for a bit, but I am not really retaining it, clicking with the characters, etc. I'm not being drawn in and 'leaving my chair' the way that normally happens. I do not actually feel that this is the fault of the books I am reading because I have tried several.

Lack of attention span and motivation: I have hundreds of books here, a great many of which are ones that I bought because I am dying to read them... Some are sequels like Tiger's Quest, The Iron Daughter, Lenobia's Vow (which is a spin off novella, but still...), and some are new books I've been dying to read like Shatter Me, Across the Universe or The Summer I Turned Pretty. Yet I feel almost asleep in a way.

Pressure build up: If I am not reading, I am not really blogging. That annoys me. I like blogging. While I do have things to talk about, like my thoughts on the TERA beta, my rage at the ending for Mass Effect 3 and my progress for Moon Dance, I Write, I Read, I Review is suppose to be a book blog, which means that at least 50% of it's content is suppose to be book focused. (And generally I try to keep that average a lot higher).

I suppose that the best way to find a solution for this is to figure out what is causing it. If it is simply pressure build up, then I need to realize the world will not end if I don't have a review scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday. (In my perfect blogging world, that would always happen.) I also need to access whether I am reading for pleasure or reading for my blog, because if I have stepped into doing the latter that could be a real problem. I suppose, also, the truth might simply be that I've been too busy, or that since I am in the middle of huge revisions for Moon Dance that is eating up my 'book time' and focus. (One thing I am noticing when I try to read something is that in the back of my head I am going "You are stalling! You could be getting editing done!")

Here are some ideas I have come up with as possible solutions:

(1) Let it sort itself out naturally. I love books, so it's not like I am never going to read again.

(2) Sort out my library and go through all the books I have as if I am in a book store, waiting until one of them jumps out at me with the "read me now!" factor that undoubtedly got me to buy it in the first place.

(3) Don't push myself to read and place my focus on this round of Moon Dance revision so that is a weight off my shoulders, and then (I am hoping!) get back to enjoying reading once I have that out with betas.

(4) Push through the pain. Everything I was doing -- TERA, the singing contest, revisions, ME3, etc. really messed up my reading schedule. If there is anything I know about me and reading / writing it's that it's like exercise. If you suddenly stop doing it every day and have to reform the habit, it can be a real pain.

(5) Go back and read an old favorite, purely for enjoyment, and see if that breaks the cycle. For me, the characters in books that I love are truly alive and while I don't go back as much as I use to (way too busy with the blog!) I do enjoy reading through something I love more then once every now and then.


So, I am wondering if something like this has ever happened to any of you. What did you do about it? 

Who Do You Love? -- Kat's Post

Okay. So I can't enter my own contest. But that certainly doesn't mean I'm not going to participate in what it stands for. When I came up with the idea for Who Do You Love it was first and foremost because this was something I wanted to do myself for valentines day. ...And then I sat here, trying to figure out who I would pick!

There are many, many book boys that I really love. Joe Fontaine from The Sky Is Everywhere. Brom Griswald from Dearly, Departed. Daemon from Obsidian. Kishan from Tiger's Curse.

But much like the genie in the Aladin movie when he's trying to choose a mode of transportation, I kept snapping my fingers as I went through my favorites and going "not enough".

Then the answer came to me and it was so simple I couldn't believe I hadn't been planning it all along...

The Book Boy I Love Is...

Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games

Who Is He?

Peeta is the district 12 tribute selected alongside Katniss who is going to compete in the 74th Hunger Games. He has been in love with Katniss since childhood although the two have only ever had one major interaction prior to the games, when Peeta deliberately burnt bread so that he could give it to Katniss to keep her family from starving.

Why Do I Love Him? 

Romantically, he takes the lead. In so many books I've read, its the girl who wants the guy and the book is about her chasing him. In The Hunger Games, it's Peeta who has had feelings for Katniss since forever. Further, these feelings are not an afterthought in the novel, but actually at the very heart of the story -- of the characters' very survival -- as the book moves along.

Marching to the beat of a different drummer. Most people who end up in the Hunger Games are most worried with simply not dying. Peeta is more worried about making sure that he is himself the whole way, whether he makes it through the games or not.

Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to... to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their games.

I think this is incredibly important. It's one of the things that makes this character, and these books, stand out. Especially when you combine it with the fact that...

Peeta and Katniss reverse the roles that we generally set for heroes and heroines on a subconscious level. As a default, guys tend to be tough and girls tend to be the ones representing emotion, humanity, etc. in a book like The Hunger Games. Yet that could not be further from the truth here. Peeta is more concerned with preserving his humanity and protecting Katniss then he is about getting out alive, where Katniss (at least initially) is able to keep going because she has promised her family she will not die.

Killing is his last resort. On the rare occasions that Peeta does kill someone, it tends to either be a flat out accident, or he tends to regret it.

Smarts are strength, compassion a weapon. Peeta always seems to know the right thing to say, and while Katniss might be the one who knows how to survive the Arena it's Peeta who knows how to survive the Capitol and who willingly uses his (very real) feelings to protect the one he loves. He is essentially able to take who he really is and use it to his advantage.

You love me. Real or not real? 

Definitely real, Peeta. While I love many of the characters in The Hunger Games, it was you that first drew me in and compelled me to keep reading despite all better judgement. It is for you that I read Catching Fire and Mockingjay after telling myself that I wouldn't. But I think Katniss sums up why you're worth loving the best:

What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again.

This times one thousand. War is a terrible thing, conflict of any kind is. What makes Peeta so important and special is that he is a reminder of what people fight for and why they are fighting. No matter how terrible a conflict, people fight because they think they can make things 'better'. But Peeta reminds us that if you lose yourself along the way and don't have the strength to find your way back to being essentially who you are, winning or losing a battle doesn't matter. Because in failing to be true to yourself, you ultimately lose everything.

The greatest power of love is its ability to let us cling to hope even in our darkest hour, and it is because of this that I feel Peeta is a step above even the finest book boyfriends.

Now that you've read about who I love, it's your turn! Click here to go to the contest page for Who Do You Love, make a post on your blog with your choice and link it up!

Busting the Blogger Blues

This event is hosted by Ruby's Reads and Small Review. Thanks also go to Michelle from Book Briefs who tweeted about it. I might have missed this otherwise.

I'm going to write in response to the big blogger questionaire. There are definitely some areas that I have advanced further in then others. But I feel that I do have some general advice I would like to share so the questions regarding that seem like they would be worth answering. I'm going to take part in both events, though, because in truth I feel like I am somewhere in the middle. I'm not brand new -- the blog is nearly seven months old -- but I'm a far cry from being a really big blogger either. The fact that I'm actually good with that now -- and that I know what I want from my blog -- is a large part of why I'm choosing to answer the way that I am. 

Q: When did you start your blog?

A: I started my blog on June 8th, 2011. It originally began as a random blog for the sake of having a blog, since most of my friends on Absolute Write had one. When I reviewed The Hunger Games and Summer on Fire in late July / early August and got such a positive response I decided to focus it more. The name I Write, I Read, I Review comes from the fact that I am a writer with a book blog. I'm currently in revisions for my first novel, Moon Dance. Interesting fact: my book blog helped me find critique partners for my book.

Q: Do you ever still feel like a newbie?

A: Absolutely! I think that the moment I ever fully stop feeling like a newbie -- which to me means feeling I have something left to learn -- will be a day I do myself a great disservice. I still get yeses *and* nos from NetGalley requests. I get excited about every comment that is posted on my blog and every blog related e-mail I get. I suck at managing my TBR pile. I still haven't mastered the art (or science, maybe?) of scheduling things in advance (I know how to do it. It's getting it done that is the problem!) I still wouldn't dream of contacting a publisher about reviewing something (other then via NetGalley.) ... The list goes on and on.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you've faced so far? Have you made any mistakes other bloggers can learn from?

A: The hardest thing for me is telling people no. I like being told yes about things, and so I figure that others do, too. But here is the truth: for every thing to which you say yes, you are silently telling something or someone no. And all too often, the people we give the silent no to are ourselves. Balance is the key if you want to stick around. There are too many books in this world for one person to try and read them all. And each month's new releases and requests are the exact same story: there is just no way it can all be done.

In my review policy and process pages I state that time is the real resource that readers have to realize they are expending when they read books. My other hobby is gaming. It is expensive and it can be time consuming. But if I put the same amount of money into books that I put into a standard game, it equals out to anywhere from 32 to 48 hours of entertainment, depending on the books I buy. (I'm talking abouit standard priced paperback or hardback books. $10-$15 per, with an average reading time of 8 hours per book. The number gets insane if we start talking Indie stuff.) Time is a far more precious commodity then money, too. Why? You can earn money back. Once time is used, there are no exchanges or refunds. 

The same thing applies to blogging. Each component takes up time and as a blogger, the most vital thing to decide is where you want to invest that. What are your passions? What do you want your blog to bring to the world? Do you want to spend 3 hours a week blogging or 30? Being honest with yourself and producing something that you are satisfied with -- or better yet, proud of -- is the greatest challenge, in my opinion. Being able to look yourself in the eye about what your doing is vital. You are your first and last audience for anything you write. If you aren't loving what you are doing, find out why and do something about it. The most important thing about your blog is *you*. You are the one constant, the one variable, that no other blog on the net can reproduce. 

Q: What did you find the most discouraging about being a new blogger? What did you do about it?

A: I've gone through phases with regard to this, so I'll point out a few things here.

-- I couldn't find a blog design that I was totally satisfied with. I am relatively good with HTML but I don't have any training in CSS, which is the guts of most blogs. I can make minor alterations, but generally when it comes to big stuff I am clueless. Fortunately, if you are willing to learn there are people willing to teach. For instance, my lovely berry pink quotes are CSS that is from a tutorial done over at Parajunkee's View as part of Book Blogging 101. 

-- If I don't post every day, every hour, every minute, all my readers will disappear. Figuring out how often you want to post is likely something that will take time and effort to balance. I went from being a fairly laid back blogger to blogging about everything I could get my hands on. Now I strive to blog about the things that matter to me. Would I love to receive ARCs for every book *I am excited about* and be on blog tours for all the authors whose work I obsess over? Sure. But would that leave me time to help other Indie authors? Time for my family, friends and other hobbies? Time to discover new books and authors I love? Time for my own writing? Probably not. Which leads us to...

-- If I'm not reviewing an ARC, nobody is going to care. Ready for the truth? I get more discussion by naturally reviewing books that I already wanted to read then I have gotten for anything I have reviewed ARC-wise. And I have noticed this a lot when looking at reviews on other bloggers sites, too. (Please not that when I say this, I am talking about other bloggers who *appear* to be at about the same *stage* of blogging that I am.) Why is this? There are many reasons. Some people do not like reading reviews of books they have not read yet. Many ARC reviews are extremely vague to avoid ruining the book being reviewed. And since less people have read the book, and more people are trying to protect its contents, there is less room for discussion in general. Relax, chicken little! The blogesphere is not going to think you have demon pox for not drowning in a swamp of ARCs. 

Q: What do you find most encouraging about being a book blogger? 

A: I love the community! As I said earlier, my background is primarily as a gamer. Which means that I am often the solitary girl in a jungle of guys. They don't care how fascinating the role reversal characterization of Katniss and Peeta is in The Hunger Games. They wouldn't understand, or likely notice or feel, the absolutely sizzling chemistry between Daemon and Katy in Obsidian. And they would probably either be confused over or outright laugh at my latest book boyfriend crush, which is definitely Jem from Clockwork Angel (<3!). 

I'm certainly not saying there aren't any great male YA book bloggers out there. Benji from The Non-Reluctant Reader, Adam from Roof Beam Reader and Kevin from Try This Book On For Size all immediately come to mind. But there is no getting around it -- the large majority of blogs that I follow and blogger friends I've made are fellow ladies. And as someone who has spent the large majority of her life with only or primarily male friends, this is an interesting change and in some ways quite a learning experience. It's so nice to be able to have a blog that is done in swirls of bubblegum and berry pinks with hearts and butterflies and not have it be viewed as a weakness! *laughs*

I love how often we unite about things, whether it's through events like this one, or memes like IMM or Top Ten Tuesday, or advice columns like Book Blogging 101 or to support a noble cause like You Give = We Give. For the most part, the book blogging community seems to be committed not only to raising up the books that it loves, but also the bloggers who love them. That's something to be proud of, ladies and gentlemen alike. 

Q: If I Could Write A Letter To Me... (What 5 things would you tell your newbie self?)

A: Alright, here we go:

1. Read first, blog later! I wish, wish, wish I had read and written reviews for ten books before I started to seriously promote my blog as a book blog and get people reading it. Why? Because I'm always behind! And there really seems to be no way to ever catch up. (I won't lie: there are still days I'm terrified that if I don't post something that all my readers will disappear. I'm always secretly afraid that people will stigmatize my blog as being a memes & giveaways only blog, which seems to be viewed in a very bad light. That's a whole other topic for a whole other time, though.) 

2. Make sure all your social media matches up! If you haven't started yet, set all that stuff up first. You can do this while you're taking pauses from r&ring those ten books. You want Twitter, facebook, e-mail, klout, etc. to all connect properly. In my case half of my stuff is Kathy (Ann) Coleman and half is Katallina. 

3. Find a central image to tie all of your stuff together! It can be anything, really. My friend Krystle uses a red butterfly, and Giselle uses a coffee / expresso cup. A lot of bloggers use the really cute avatars from Parajunkee designs (I'm seriously thinking of getting one of those, past self!)

4. Take some requests, but leave room for life, too! While there is something to be said for grabbing hold of every opportunity that you get, what do you do once you get them all? If you end up feeling tired, frustrated and blocked then you've probably taken on too much. "Know Thyself" may be the most well known quote from the oracle, but "All things in moderation" isn't too far behind it. 

5. You are the U in Unique! There will come a day when you will have to decide between honesty and what you think can *maybe* make you famous. Remember that you are the thing that makes the blog unique. Being a successful person mist come before the desire to be a successful blogger. Because if you don't have the former, you won't do any good if you achieve the latter. "Honesty is my policy, fairness my guide." it may sound a bit deep or serious, but I do really mean it. You need to make sure that you remain you. If you take nothing else away from my post, *please* let it be this. This is important. 

Q: What do you like most in blogs you've read? Have you tried to replicate it?

A: I've found a lot of the memes and features I take part in, and events I have participated in, thanks to the blogs that I follow. I have certainly taken some things that I have seen, such as likely quote boxes or making sure that every post I do has an image for the "You might also like..." addon that I have at the end of my posts. But while I use other blogs to find out what is going on, I do my best to make sure that I put my own spin on everything that I touch. If I just copy what someone else did, it means I didn't really do it. It shouldn't be here. 

I am extremely careful about using things I find from others or that are inspired by others. I would rather give someone credit for their part in an idea -- such as Marie from Ramblings of a Daydreamer when I did the Keeping it Real Reading Challenge, or Working for the Mandriod with regard to the categorized approach of Lets Talk About Love -- then not credit someone and have someone mistakenly feel that I stole another blogger's idea or copied them. 

The only thing I can think of that I wish I *could* be brave enough to replicate from other blogs is the way that bloggers unite to create events. Shyness in contacting others about things is still one of my greatest weaknesses and one that I will hopefully someday get past. 

Q: What do you dislike about blogs you have seen? Do you try to avoid it?

A: Please be aware that this question, and its answer, are very subjective. 

Music that auto-plays. This annoys me to no end. It's totally cool if you want to have a playlist with music that I can click on, or if you want to do something where there is a video with something you like. But anything that automatically puts sound through my TV makes me want to get off a site as quickly as possible. I am a nightowl and I leave my volume on low, but constant sound that I don't want can still wake family up. Or mess up anything I might already have playing. Or just irritate me. By the way, it also tends to slow the way your page loads, which is never a good thing.

Anything that is a pop up that I need to click shut. Those programs that offer award points? *bang, bang, shoot, shoot* and I don't remember what blog had it, but there was a twitter bird that I thought was totally cute til it started flying down the page as I scrolled and landing amid the blog's main text. It was likely because I had the blog zoomed in, but still ... I think it might be the sole most annoying thing I have experienced in seven months of blogging and I hope never to encounter it again. It drove me nuts! 

I am potentially guilty of two, possibly three, major offenses. Many people feel that my current header is pixelated. (I actually left white around the letters on purpose.) Some people feel that my blog is too bright and that the background I have is too busy. (Others love it. So do I.) And some people feel that a blogger who likes having things in their side column should run a three column blog. My blog is two columns because I don't have to have it zoomed out as much and I can still see the whole thing -- including my background -- this way. 

The big thing I tend to be concerned with being accused of, as I said earlier, is the "Oh, it's just a memes and giveaways blog" stigma. It never occurred to me that I should check the balance of content on blogs that I read. I have always just used the thing at the bottom of google and scrolled through what's been posted, clicking on what I want to read, or going through linkys for events or memes I like and finding blogs that way. 

I've actually found that the race to make sure I have two reviews up every week, no matter what, was really dampening the whole thing for me. There are some weeks where I might read five books. There are others where I might read one. How and what I read should not be dictated out of fear of being a "meme" blog. (Especially since I like memes just as much as I like reviewing and anyone who thinks this has likely left a long time ago.) 

Right now, for instance, I have three books read and ready and I'm working on reviews for them. One should have went up on Tuesday. It didn't because I'm sick, I overslept and I didn't feel up to doing the video review I want to go with it. Anyway, enough on that! 

Q: How did you bring your blog to the attention of so many people? 

A: Let me ask you a question in return: are you looking to get big numbers, or are you looking to get people who visit (and comment) consistently. Because the advice I would give you is different depending on the goal that you want to achieve. 

If you want big numbers, join giveaway hops. My blog gained nearly 250 followers in October when I took part in three Halloween hops. People like free stuff, and they don't tend to mind clicking ***a FEW*** buttons for a shot at it. Make sure that you use stuff like Twitter, groups on GoodReads that have space for giveaway advertising, Contest Girl, the giveaway group for BookBlog.ning, an event announcement on goodreads, etc. to promote it. 

If you want consistent readers, you'll need to work harder. Get out there and take part in events and memes to make sure people know about your blog. Make sure you tweet your posts, but also take time to get involved with others on twitter by joining conversations. Follow other bloggers, authors, publishers, etc. and don't be afraid to speak up! Visit blogs and leave *intelligent, well thought out comments*. "Great review!" is nice, but it really doesn't encourage any further discussion. On the same token, when you post something consider whether it will invite others to leave comments. Do you ask questions? Seek opinions?Say things that might make someone want to say something back? This stuff takes time, but as the weeks turn into months, you will find your blog growing and you will notice certain "faces" popping up in the comment section. 

Q: How did you get your first ARC / first ARCs? 

A: When it comes to mainstream publishers, I have had the most success using NetGalley. Since most of my requests -- ones I make or made of me -- tend to be electronic I purchased a Kindle to make my life easier. (Looking back I partially wish I'd purchased an e-Reader with a touch screen. I generally have to decline PDFs because they do not work well when paired with my vision and the 5 way button that a Kindle uses.) 

I have won a few ARCs in giveaways. If someone is doing a giveaway for a book you are dying to read, enter it. :) What do you have to lose? 

The largest majority of my requests come directly from authors, though. And while I don't always say yes --  I've become very, very cautious about what I accept --  I am always deeply touched that someone would like me to read their story and share my thoughts about it with the world. When I do say yes it is generally having read a sample of the work and feeling confident that I will at least enjoy it. Which, for me, is as it should be. I don't have time to read something I am not connecting with. And if I realize I have made an error 100 pages into a book and it completely isn't working for me (or worse...) I think I am doing someone a greater service by contacting them and telling them it is not for me, rather then pretending I read it and writing a review. 

That's why, for the most part, I either stick to reviewing stuff I purchased or I do everything I can to make sure I have some idea what I'm getting into before I accept a review request. I treat every book, whether I buy it from a store or not, as if I have (or am going to). Because one of the things I've learnt since I started book blogging is that there is no such thing as a free lunch -- or a free book. When I started looking at every book as if I was going to buy it I started making much smarter decisions and found that what I decided to do was a lot more balanced when dealing with authors and publishers. 

You still there? I'm impressed! Thanks so much for sticking with me through all of that. I had no idea how lengthy this would end up being. I hope that some of the things I have said are of assistance, or at least get you thinking. Every blogger gets the blues every now and then. The big secret, the answer to all prayers, is to remember that once you can answer "What's wrong?" the next question should be "Okay. So what can I do about it?". 

To quote Josh Groban, "Don't give up ... You are loved."