tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69996944527343304072024-03-14T02:27:39.742-07:00Lauren Carroll Reads and WritesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-11199551998114117742018-02-13T05:00:00.000-08:002018-02-13T05:00:15.879-08:00My Top Ten Bookish Boyfriends w/ FAN CAST! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week's <b>Top Ten Tuesday</b> (hosted by <a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>) is a <b>love freebie</b>...a mushy-dushy free-for-all. Favourite kiss scenes. Favourite OTP's. Favourite non-canon ships....whatever you like...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>So of course</b></span></div>
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I am taking this time to wax poetic about all of the fictional men I am hopelessly in love with <span style="font-size: x-small;">and constantly compare my real-life prospects too thus they fail miserably. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Anyone else? </i></span></div>
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These are my <b>top ten bookish boyfriends</b>....complete with fan-cast pictures of what I KIND of imagine them to look like. </div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-small;">DISCLAIMER: We all have separate imaginations...therefore we picture our book characters very differently. If you DON'T think one of my guys looks the way I said...that's fine...don't kill me for it. This is just the way I see them. Pitchforks down. </span></div>
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That being said...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BRING ON THE MEN!!! </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Dimitri Belikov from Vampire Academy</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dimitri is my number one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Always.</i></span> </div>
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Although the series itself wasn't the best thing I ever read....DIMITRI WAS! I completely fell in love with him in Vampire Academy and only continued the rest of the series because of him. By Shadow Kiss I was head-over-heels <span style="font-size: x-small;">and also devastated!</span>. Dimitri will forever top a list like this...there's just something about his character that is just so ME....</div>
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I love you Dimitri </div>
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For the record....</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">MOVIE DIMITRI BELIKOV WAS JUST WRONG. ALL WRONG. THAT IS NOT MY DIMITRI. THEY DID HIM WRONG!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Just no</span></div>
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It's hard for me to find any model/actor that I picture as Dimitri because he's just so perfect and specific....but the picture of Chris Hemsworth above next to the Vampire Academy cover is pretty close! </div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Will Herondale from The Infernal Devices</b></span></div>
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The love triangle in The Infernal Devices is a perfect example of how that trope can be done well. I adored every point of the triangle...<i>Tessa...Jem...Will</i>...but my heart always swayed a little closer to Will.. I love my hilarious, damaged, sensitive, book-loving, demon-fighting little cinnamon bun and forever will....<span style="font-size: x-small;">will...ya get it? </span></div>
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I don't know who this guy above is...but he is kind of how I picture Mr Herondale in my head. </div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Captain Thorne from The Lunar Chronicles</b></span></div>
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I'm a sucker for a funny guy - and Carswell Thorne is hilarious! His character had me laughing out loud so many times when I read this series and just like Cress I fell in love with him. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>'I promise, I will not let you die without being kissed.' </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Still one of my favourite lines ever *le swoon*</span></div>
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I can't remember exactly how Thorne is described in the books, but I always pictured him as Sam Claflin and I think he fits perfectly. </div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mr Rochester from Jane Eyre</b></span></div>
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Rochester is described in the book as ugly...yet I never saw him so - and judging by the way he is always cast in films and productions - I'm not the only one. Again...Rochester is funny<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (at least I think so) </span>and while is character is MORE than problematic...I can't help but love him and will forever adore his and Jane's story. I don't have a specific picture in mind when I think of Rochester...but the Toby Stephens version is not hard on the eyes, is he? </div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>How perfect is this guy for Kaz? </i></span></div>
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I have no idea who he is, but give him a pair of gloves and a crow-topped cane and he IS Kaz! </div>
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Kaz is another problematic character who isn't your typical hero - <span style="font-size: x-small;">in fact he's far from it </span>- but the complexity of his character, the genius of his brain, and the sensitivity of his heart just <b>has</b> to put him on this list. Two books wasn't enough Kaz for me, and I really hope that Leigh Bardugo writes more from him and the Dregs in the future because<span style="font-size: large;"> I NEED IT!! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ron Weasley from Harry Potter</b></span></div>
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I was always a Ron girl...never falling for The Boy Who Lived but preferring his red-headed, clumsy, loyal companion. I've always loved Ron's character, always shipped him with Hermione <span style="font-size: x-small;">or myself </span>and when Rupert Grint took on the role I thought he was perfect. </div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ronan Lynch from The Raven Cycle</b></span></div>
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Before anyone points out the glaringly obvious fact of why Ronan could never be my boyfriend</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">apart from that he's fictional and doesn't actually, you know, exist </span>- </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">YES I KNOW I KNOW! </span></div>
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I want to keep this a spoiler-free zone as far as Ronan's concerned so I won't go into details...but I know we wouldn't be compatible. That does not stop me loving his character more than all the other Raven Boys and I think this guy looks pretty close to how I see him in my head. </div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thomas Cresswell from Stalking Jack the Ripper</b></span></div>
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A fairly new addition to the list...and I'm still not completely enamoured with him <span style="font-size: x-small;">(some of his actions in the second book were questionable)</span>...but I love how respectful and supportive he is of Audrey's non-traditional ways and for that reason he makes my top ten. Again - no idea who this guy is but he's how I picture Cresswell for sure. </div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;"><b>Simon Lewis from The Mortal Instruments</b></span></div>
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A list like this wouldn't be complete without the boy with a first name as a surname. While some fawn over the Jace and Julians of this world...<span style="font-size: large;">I'm 100% team Simon </span>and just wanted him to be happy throughout this entire series. I love how nerdy he is, how loyal to his friends even when he's terrified....and his ability to get himself into THE most dire of situations in every book. Yes. I'm a Simon fan most definitely, and Alberto Rosende plays him perfectly in the Shadowhunters tv show - one of the only good things about that adaptation in my salty opinion. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;">Etienne St Clair from Anna and the French Kiss</span></b></div>
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A tentative addition from teenage self. </div>
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<i>You see, </i></div>
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I LOVED Etienne when I first read this series. He ticked all of my little boxes back then and couldn't see any issues with him whatsoever. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">BUT...</span></b>as a grown adult with more life-experience than teenage self and less blinkered eyes....I can see the problems with Etienne and his romance with Anna. Skirt around it however it tries - this book deals with cheating...at least EMOTIONALLY if not physically...and that's wrong. While I will always hold a place for Etienne in my heart...it's a place that is no longer viewed through rose-tinted glasses. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Which book characters have you fallen in love with? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Have your opinions changed of them since you first read them? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Who do you fan cast as your favourites? </b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-22488371124432550192018-02-10T03:40:00.005-08:002018-02-10T03:40:44.521-08:00My Writing Process - The First Round of Edits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDnTmzOWNLGlmZ6u5vg100-KBjtPknkOrhnOAoWrCzpWoPZXEI4lk2T8pJAAOyLqBfWctfXnZfjs2-p2q9VBLq4h6xYG7pGpvmYfh7rY0zKjVbNQ3eL_rHTLYiV9UxAPEyFgIOrSIessF/s1600/Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="597" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDnTmzOWNLGlmZ6u5vg100-KBjtPknkOrhnOAoWrCzpWoPZXEI4lk2T8pJAAOyLqBfWctfXnZfjs2-p2q9VBLq4h6xYG7pGpvmYfh7rY0zKjVbNQ3eL_rHTLYiV9UxAPEyFgIOrSIessF/s640/Title.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
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Let me begin by emphasising that </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THIS IS NOT A SCRIVENER TUTORIAL! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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If you are looking to familiarise yourself with the ins-and-outs of Scrivener and learn about all the handy-dandy features of the software</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU</span></div>
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There are TONS of fantastic tutorials on YouTube to show you how to get to grips with Scrivener...but this post is all about how<b> I </b>use it for editing my novel. If that sounds interesting to you then by all means come in, pull up a chair, I'll make some tea. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Milk? Sugar? </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlYJDIKyEUi1OG-uap5QQrLd9x0Bg4XQFaFwFaVF_e0aUK3A5znyuEK-bz-MXZzHvYQtk2_6OOjX_mMfxv5jXsQzgaWkOOs3xigFOnoZCbekZQPwoiTNUsKFt32APESopg5105lwWQKnT/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlYJDIKyEUi1OG-uap5QQrLd9x0Bg4XQFaFwFaVF_e0aUK3A5znyuEK-bz-MXZzHvYQtk2_6OOjX_mMfxv5jXsQzgaWkOOs3xigFOnoZCbekZQPwoiTNUsKFt32APESopg5105lwWQKnT/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Okay</span></div>
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Now that we have THAT established...let's move on.</div>
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So as I've mentioned many times on this blog - I use the Scrivener software for writing. If you don't know what that is...let the good people who make it tell you more...</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">'Scrivener is the go-to app for writers of all kinds, used every day by best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, lawyers, journalists, translators and more. Scrivener won't tell you how to write—it simply provides everything you need to start writing and keep writing.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Tailor-made for long writing projects, Scrivener banishes page fright by allowing you to compose your text in any order, in sections as large or small as you like. Got a great idea but don't know where it fits? Write when inspiration strikes and find its place later. Grow your manuscript organically, idea by idea.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Whether you plan or plunge, Scrivener works your way: hammer out every last detail before typing a word, or carve out a draft and restructure later. Or mix your methods and do a bit of both. In Scrivener, everything you write is integrated into an easy-to-use project outline. So working with an overview of your manuscript is only ever a click away, and turning Chapter Four into Chapter One is as simple as drag and drop.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Need to refer to research? In Scrivener, your background material is always at hand, and you can open it right next to your work. Write a description based on a photograph. Transcribe an interview. Take notes about a PDF file or web page. Or check for consistency by referencing an earlier chapter alongside the one in progress.</span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Once you're ready to share your work with the world, compile everything into a single document for printing, self-publishing, or exporting to popular formats such as Word, PDF, Final Draft or plain text. You can even share using different formatting, so that you can write in your favorite font and still satisfy those submission guidelines.'</span></i></span><b></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Sounds amazing, right? That's because it is! If you are a writer, and are:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>a)</b></span> serious about working hard on your manuscript</div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>b)</b></span> are willing to invest in something that makes your life easier</div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><b>c)</b></span> need to keep all of your ramblings in one organised place</div>
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Then Scrivener is for you! You can get it <a href="https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview" target="_blank">HERE</a> - and while you do have to pay for the software I promise you it's worth it if you learn how to use it and do so consistently. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I would be LOST without Scrivener</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">#notsponsored </span></div>
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Now...that being said...I did NOT plan, outline or write my original first draft of Prince of Blades on Scrivener. There's no exact reason why not...in fact there are lots of reasons why Scrivener is PERFECT for outlining your novel <span style="font-size: x-small;">again watch the tutorials</span>...but I did a lot of the planning stage free-hand on paper and that worked fine for me. </div>
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I wrote the first draft in <b>Microsoft Word</b> - <span style="font-size: x-small;">all in one big long document that took longer and longer to fully load each time I opened it </span>- and transferred it over to Scrivener when I was finished. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Was that more hassle? <b>Yes</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Did I care? <b>No</b></span></div>
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But next time I may draft the entire thing in Scrivener, who knows? Just do what feels right for you at the time and be happy! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzFQmI4OyX3-A35OpBGob2h4dewQmpNnsnuKNzceO_jMO49X09kGK1wbFp2QO8H6KYAUyzs23lHLGSRlcZ2zLoBgej2yPh8s1aDri8yaahRW4a5P2ypH2dbqY9uxj8Xkc6SiSHy_hEizq/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="892" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzFQmI4OyX3-A35OpBGob2h4dewQmpNnsnuKNzceO_jMO49X09kGK1wbFp2QO8H6KYAUyzs23lHLGSRlcZ2zLoBgej2yPh8s1aDri8yaahRW4a5P2ypH2dbqY9uxj8Xkc6SiSHy_hEizq/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I<b> transferred the document over to Scrivener,</b> I split it into individual chapters as you can see at the left side of the picture above. Then I wrote a few words on each of the note-cards in the corkboard that allowed me to see what each chapter was about at a glance. </div>
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Next I<b> colour-coded the chapters based on who's POV</b> it was in so I could get a visual representation of how that looked and see if there were any places where one character had a little too much page time. </div>
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Ignore the fact that it has 'REVISED DRAFT' stamped across each card...that's just how it looks now. At the start of the editing round it would say 'FIRST DRAFT' and I changed it as and when I revised each chapter. The same goes for the little tick icon in the corner - again changed when edits on that chapter were complete. </div>
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So that's the basic set up. The manuscript is all transferred...everything is organised and colour-coded the way my Type A brain likes it...now we're ready to go! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">NOTE: Of course you can do all this from the start or as you go along if you originally draft in Scrivener...making life easier for yourself in the process. Like I said - this is just how I did it this time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Getting into the document itself...this is where we begin the edits. </span></div>
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The example picture above shows the roughly-edited beginning of my prologue -<span style="font-size: x-small;"> which already doesn't look like that after the next round of edits I'm currently doing -</span> to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. </div>
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When you open one of your text files on Scrivener - in this case one of my chapters - the body of text appears in the centre panel of the screen and you can adjust all of the surrounding panels to your preferred visibility...I liked them like this so I can see everything I need to see. </div>
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On the right-hand side you have DOCUMENT NOTES...and this is where I put all of my thoughts and ideas as I initially read through the chapter again. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I don't actually change the text at all at this point!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is very important. </span></div>
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<i>Let me tell you why...</i></div>
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I take breaks between each round of drafting and revisions so that I can look at my work with a fresh pair of eyes each time. This means I don't remember every exact thing I wrote...and if I go making changes before I've read through the manuscript..<b>.I could be doing more damage than good. </b>I could make a note that I want a character's hair colour to be mentioned in this scene...add it in...only to see that I've already described it in the next paragraph. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ya see why that could be a problem? </span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span>So I read through the text, making notes in the sidebar for anything I want to change. These could be setting notes, character notes, plot changes - even entire lines or passages that I think of on the spot and know I want to add in later, but my main goal with this first round of edits was to <b>focus on structural stuff. </b>I had made some pretty big changes in terms of plot, character and overall structure of the story during the first draft and I need to switch a lot of things around, delete some scenes, add some others...in order to make it all make sense and flow properly. </div>
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After I had read through the manuscript and made all of the notes I wanted to, I went BACK TO THE START and <b>applied all of the notes into the actual text.</b> I worked chapter by chapter - which is one of the most attractive features of Scrivener in my opinion. By splitting your work into individual little sections it becomes WAY less daunting and you can take it one step at a time. </div>
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It took me a<b> long </b>time to fully complete the first round of edits, and there was a big chunk of time where I didn't work on Prince of Blades at all for one reason or another. But I finally finished right at the end of January and have already jumped straight into the next round. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">YOU CAN WATCH MY JANUARY WRITING PROGRESS OVER ON MY BRAND NEW AUTHORTUBE CHANNEL <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gLIIXLQFJA" target="_blank">HERE!!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Have I mentioned that a thousand times yet? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>CURRENT STATS: </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763;">Overall word count after second draft:</span></b> 91,037 </div>
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<b><span style="color: #073763;">Overall page count</span></b>: 413 </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span>So that is how I went about the first round of edits on my manuscript using Scrivener. Hopefully this was helpful to someone <span style="font-size: x-small;">anyone?</span> I'm currently halfway through the next stage of edits (on paper) and blasting through it so I will put up another post soon talking all about how I'm doing that. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span>What are you currently working on? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you use Scrivener or different software? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How do you go about editing? </b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-48364931055316458242018-02-06T05:00:00.000-08:002018-02-06T05:00:29.322-08:00Top Ten Books That Have Been On My TBR The Longest <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTcpPHPhYXbXUSk3Y5kM6X_FP_rkdqOSwnHRlwTnWWs1fMmOC9UwNTYzFIKgmmw_u-loHa6xLMMl9pHXCaaLt6p5UZKw4FYS4-pTwysLgFm5_tI62hWZOLh4C7tjVSmWyq5Z4TpjJ-ErT/s1600/Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTcpPHPhYXbXUSk3Y5kM6X_FP_rkdqOSwnHRlwTnWWs1fMmOC9UwNTYzFIKgmmw_u-loHa6xLMMl9pHXCaaLt6p5UZKw4FYS4-pTwysLgFm5_tI62hWZOLh4C7tjVSmWyq5Z4TpjJ-ErT/s640/Title.jpg" width="634" /></a></div>
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This week's <b>Top Ten Tuesday</b> (hosted by <a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>) is all about the <span style="font-size: large;">sorry little books that have been shelved so long they create a cloud of dust when you flick the pages</span>....okay maybe not that bad - but there ARE quite a few books that I've owned for<i> aaaaages.</i>..and still haven't read yet. </div>
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I did a big clearout of my shelves before Christmas and got rid of so many books...so here are the ones that are left my <span style="font-size: large;">PHYSICAL TBR</span> that have been there the longest and I really should get round to reading sometime <b>NOW</b> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8a6C0dyp277jt_6gJ9Bm6S6OV8Hi8yD_6fyfL4nj3SXadUEwQ9WrvkgYvtwtyyqDW96GXLQRbBvzx-lo4o3orTBDj9KHuS-cmxLRbduOfgjBe9VDprBbhwvDgjHYQ3UIso925bIqiCR5G/s1600/PassengerCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1090" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8a6C0dyp277jt_6gJ9Bm6S6OV8Hi8yD_6fyfL4nj3SXadUEwQ9WrvkgYvtwtyyqDW96GXLQRbBvzx-lo4o3orTBDj9KHuS-cmxLRbduOfgjBe9VDprBbhwvDgjHYQ3UIso925bIqiCR5G/s640/PassengerCover.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
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I do really want to read <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Passenger by Alexandra Bracken</span></b> and there's no good reason why I haven't already. For some reason I keep telling myself that I should read her <b>Darkest Minds</b> trilogy first - even though it's completely unrelated to this one and there's really no NEED at all - and I think that might be the reason I haven't picked it up yet. </div>
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A lot of people say that <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard</b></span> is just a re-hash of your other run-of-the-mill dystopian fantasy books....<i>but I kind of like them</i>...don't sue me...</div>
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I don't believe in calling something a <b>'guilty pleasure'</b>...because if something makes you happy you shouldn't feel ashamed or guilty about it....<span style="font-size: x-small;">unless it's illegal in which case stop that right now</span>...so yeah, I love me some dystopian and I'm expecting to fully love this series. I just need to pick up this one...</div>
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I have read everything by Gillian Flynn except for <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sharp Objects</b></span>...and so far I've loved all of her books. I DO find them very intense and kind of stressful to read...which is why I leave long breaks between them and<b> inevitably </b>why I haven't read this one yet. I'm definitely going to pick it up soon though...I feel ready to sink into the pits of morally grey characters and mysteries I can't solve!! </div>
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I've heard so many good things about the <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Winner's Curse trilogy by Marie Rutkoski</span></b> and I have wanted to start it for so long...like all the other books on this list there is literally no good reason why I haven't yet. Shame on me, I know. </div>
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I have <b>Strange the Dreamer</b> by Laini Taylor and I desperately want to read it...but as with Passenger, I feel like I have to read her earlier books before I can start that one <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I know I KNOW that I don't, it's just my strange little mind, okay).</span> I'm planning on reading <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Daughter of Smoke and Bone </span></b>in the next few months so I'm knocking this off my list ASAP!! </div>
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This is the book on this list that's been there the longest...<i>I'm talking 3-4 years maybe more</i>. <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">The Beast House Trilogy by Richard Laymon</span></b> is something that I always save to read at Halloween...then forget to read it on Halloween...then feel I must save it again for Halloween....it's a vicious cycle of this book never getting read. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Plus, I'm scared. Plus, it's huge</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BUT</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span>I am FOR SURE going to read it THIS October I solemnly swear! </div>
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No reason why I haven't read <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall </b></span>yet. I want to. And I haven't. What else is new. </div>
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I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'm definitely going to be reading <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir</span></b> soon. <b>I NEED TO!!</b> I need to read all of these books soon!! I've heard really great things about this book and I think I'm going to like it...<span style="font-size: large;">but I'll never know unless I pick it up will I????</span></div>
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My daughter actually picked <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd</b></span> out of my TBR jar TODAY...so this one will definitely be getting read in the next couple of weeks. <b>YAY for progress!!! </b></div>
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I've mainly left <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson</span> </b></span>for so long because it intimidates me. Sanderson has created such a huge extended world in his books and I feel like once I dive in I'll start drowning....but I love a good heist book and I've heard this is one of the best...so I must push away the fear of the water and...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Which books have been on your TBR for the longest? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you plan on getting to them anytime soon or leaving them to fester for longer? </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Should I read any of these books RIGHT NOW?? </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/lauren-carroll-reads-writes-18227327" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #e30e76; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14.46px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">bloglovin</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.46px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> // </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LKCarrollWrites/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #350b21; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14.46px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">pinterest</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.46px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> //
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-69465093625006632582018-02-02T05:00:00.000-08:002018-02-02T05:00:32.657-08:00January Writing Update + NEW AuthorTube channel !! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYdR_4ghOjMqwIfPKbQkecS8MAaRwsZfiZhoEfoNWvJblJYhIjmTw1dg9Bi2fy5cUCic4BE5eOHL8gvgKXIOX71k7YHfITrgxwPv9sPpCc3MynCOMBiqIE3UXJXoemv5c4eDIdYWSHMAc/s1600/Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="600" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYdR_4ghOjMqwIfPKbQkecS8MAaRwsZfiZhoEfoNWvJblJYhIjmTw1dg9Bi2fy5cUCic4BE5eOHL8gvgKXIOX71k7YHfITrgxwPv9sPpCc3MynCOMBiqIE3UXJXoemv5c4eDIdYWSHMAc/s640/Title.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>January was such a productive month for me!! </b></span></div>
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<i>(mainly because there was no uni and Sophia went back to school so FREE TIME!)</i></div>
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I had an exam at the start of January, and handed in the remainder of work for last semester...</div>
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one of those pieces was a research project on the <b>growing demand for diversity in young adult fantasy fiction</b> - a paper that I really enjoyed writing as it's a topic very close to my cold twisted heart. </div>
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The second was a short story called <b>'His Friend Charlie.</b>' I worked SO hard on this story, and wanted to screw it up and throw it in a bin at one point. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It made meh feel like dis....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJHixWUQjXkP2vn-_T186NE2pLG2_hg3y3NOAs2QW8cO3FJUVyJyCR0ln24iA8Iwl3CPE_A9eMyG8NM0J9eViHcTMxjAbjITQsnQwHdEsG4wXO-j5WiSpWkjv1d5eO8qKavJx2eBAmreR/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="466" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJHixWUQjXkP2vn-_T186NE2pLG2_hg3y3NOAs2QW8cO3FJUVyJyCR0ln24iA8Iwl3CPE_A9eMyG8NM0J9eViHcTMxjAbjITQsnQwHdEsG4wXO-j5WiSpWkjv1d5eO8qKavJx2eBAmreR/s320/giphy.gif" width="279" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BUT </b></span>in the end I managed to produce something that is very different from anything I've written before and I'm actually very proud of it. I <i>maaaaaaaaaaay</i> post it on this blog sometime soon if </div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">a)</span></b> I feel brave enough </div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">b)</span></b> anyone wants to read it </div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">c) </span></b>I get a good grade and it's not actually a pile of shazoomi <span style="font-size: x-small;">(dats a word yes? yes!)<a name='more'></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Some things about 'His Friend Charlie'....</span></div>
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It's dark</div>
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It's violent</div>
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It's strange</div>
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There's more to the eye than what's on the surface</div>
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Unlikeable narrator</div>
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Toxic friendship</div>
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Sarcastic narration</div>
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Blood</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sound lovely? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS6yK8KkWuum3_7fKNP92tmYWSMJKF9UFssyQK-2LdESS5TYedfM4jNeadWP0DpL5kASPN6u0k_1nfKWoGEBJgvZSJWQdNzNIjpwhYes3btAzZu87MDTaQqSIi5Pakk8Pb0IHIkSdGAE4/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="480" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS6yK8KkWuum3_7fKNP92tmYWSMJKF9UFssyQK-2LdESS5TYedfM4jNeadWP0DpL5kASPN6u0k_1nfKWoGEBJgvZSJWQdNzNIjpwhYes3btAzZu87MDTaQqSIi5Pakk8Pb0IHIkSdGAE4/s400/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>My WIP - Prince of Blades...</b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u></u></b></span></div>
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I really knuckled down on Prince of Blades this month...just like I promised last month and <span style="font-size: large;">SEE I KEEP MY PROMISES!!!</span> </div>
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After spending waaaay too much time in doubt about this book over autumn/winter of 2017...I finally fell back in love with it and steamed my way through the first round of edits. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">And</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Reader, I finished them</i></span></div>
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The book is nowhere near completion yet and there is still so much work to do - but it's one step closer to growing up and I'm so excited!! </div>
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I'm going to do the next round of edits on paper so that I can see the words differently than on a screen...and to save my poor eyes for a while. So far, the story is sitting at <b>413 pages</b>...which isn't TOO bad and way less than I thought it would be. So yay! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Here it is all printed and ready to be butchered...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDl9BZ_S8GqX6o2e-zU4rxprZ-e_gr67u5vYMfUNE9Z8zha-cbcP2k-64x1wQjcjnVeg0gKVU2XN3mTlBgxxW3faxKfWPsP1JqdxFZ1yfhr0wFCo7r-W9oJoIlUuPCoE1IfJ9GmrxACIS/s1600/IMG_5357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDl9BZ_S8GqX6o2e-zU4rxprZ-e_gr67u5vYMfUNE9Z8zha-cbcP2k-64x1wQjcjnVeg0gKVU2XN3mTlBgxxW3faxKfWPsP1JqdxFZ1yfhr0wFCo7r-W9oJoIlUuPCoE1IfJ9GmrxACIS/s640/IMG_5357.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">isn't she pretty? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>NEXT....</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have a scary announcement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not SCARY as in a ghost is about to swoop in and steal your soul as it speaks...but more scary for ME!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<i>So here goes...</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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It was one of my goals this year to finally create an <b>AuthorTube channel</b> to document my process and talk about all my writing stuff in yet another medium. </div>
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<b>Well I did it! </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Please<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9mXHrHJw0pDEx5AXmrHfyg?view_as=subscriber" target="_blank"> CLICK HERE </a>to be taken over to my brand new AuthorTube channel! </span></div>
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So far there is only one video up...My <b>January Writing Vlog</b> <span style="font-size: large;">PLEASE WATCH IT.</span>..but I have lots of ideas for other writing and bookish videos and I'm excited and terrified to start this new venture. This is a huge leap for me so I would really appreciate you hopping over there and subscribing to more videos from me :)</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Did you get any writing done in January? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">How are you feeling about your progress on your current WIP? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What are you working on?</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-kD4oAuDSyiqtO81kaEs1ME-Trf2OjQTM0YuDQ5fHGpEixZQpL21caEdpWBOw-HyXqOruzfBvqpnctGV59V4wtQ1EPNHXwwoUHlyizKzh6rlpt-MNQvGKj7cYtwrdFj3VDNdAJvreC79/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-kD4oAuDSyiqtO81kaEs1ME-Trf2OjQTM0YuDQ5fHGpEixZQpL21caEdpWBOw-HyXqOruzfBvqpnctGV59V4wtQ1EPNHXwwoUHlyizKzh6rlpt-MNQvGKj7cYtwrdFj3VDNdAJvreC79/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/lauren-carroll-reads-writes-18227327" target="_blank">bloglovin</a> // <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LKCarrollWrites/" target="_blank">pinterest</a> //
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-87119383182986822332018-01-30T05:00:00.000-08:002018-01-30T05:00:00.311-08:00Books I Read in January<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0G_cUS8rP0_sgrwvbv0chKU56IkEg-gTMsfYeE8-tiKkBng5MmbX8-yjMcHnY-SDu3WJdlcdqhI3SdxgB4i-_LmDmZB7tMNP9g1f7dmycsm2qH732BIudGx_yuLMcUnU8B8ov6NV_J99y/s1600/Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="599" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0G_cUS8rP0_sgrwvbv0chKU56IkEg-gTMsfYeE8-tiKkBng5MmbX8-yjMcHnY-SDu3WJdlcdqhI3SdxgB4i-_LmDmZB7tMNP9g1f7dmycsm2qH732BIudGx_yuLMcUnU8B8ov6NV_J99y/s640/Title.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>It's the end of the first month of 2018</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I read a lot of books</span></div>
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Let's jump right in...we have much to discuss...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSrcHXBKtQgq2_ZTKhU5ZPLNhp64xqQ1kDNeprIxL1JIzWndAy9pNJGr5io80ms9_juDJdBN_ooXGNJcr9q9o6B43mNPqGo7pykl8R-gy-WXp5Q3mOlo1fA0iWwS1YJ9J9hAmVzoqCRI_/s1600/IMG_E5246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSrcHXBKtQgq2_ZTKhU5ZPLNhp64xqQ1kDNeprIxL1JIzWndAy9pNJGr5io80ms9_juDJdBN_ooXGNJcr9q9o6B43mNPqGo7pykl8R-gy-WXp5Q3mOlo1fA0iWwS1YJ9J9hAmVzoqCRI_/s640/IMG_E5246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first book I read this month (and this year) was <b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton</span></b> - and it had become <b>one of my favourite books of all time</b>. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It. Was. Fantastic.</span></div>
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I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book - but it gave me so much more than I ever knew I needed. The mystery element of the dollhouse and the miniaturist was so intriguing...but what blew me away were the characters - and the relationships between them. I can't say ANYTHING about why I loved the characters so much because <b>SPOILERS</b>...but they were so complicated and well-rounded and my heart broke for every single one of them in this book. The last third of the story had me sobbing into my pillow and I couldn't stop thinking about this long after I put it down. Needless to say, this was a five-star read for me and I URGE more people to pick it up!! </div>
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<span id="freeText9841805244108071093" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">'On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office--leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />But Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist--an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways . . .<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />Johannes' gift helps Nella to pierce the closed world of the Brandt household. But as she uncovers its unusual secrets, she begins to understand--and fear--the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society where gold is worshipped second only to God, to be different is a threat to the moral fabric of society, and not even a man as rich as Johannes is safe. Only one person seems to see the fate that awaits them. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation . . . or the architect of their destruction?'<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />Enchanting, beautiful, and exquisitely suspenseful, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.'</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfnFtRxRBr65V0GLzriHsZz4xs-aYu_PawlZs1F4RY7cXDej36JinA_0u6ZYllgYnQpJ0t9FC495tJd3Sr7zAZ_luYB5zNhuTrvucJvoV__hDTP2kT4OvzFZpl6hCfcwq8slecgBlRSTW/s1600/DayFour-animated-cover_11a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfnFtRxRBr65V0GLzriHsZz4xs-aYu_PawlZs1F4RY7cXDej36JinA_0u6ZYllgYnQpJ0t9FC495tJd3Sr7zAZ_luYB5zNhuTrvucJvoV__hDTP2kT4OvzFZpl6hCfcwq8slecgBlRSTW/s640/DayFour-animated-cover_11a.gif" width="414" /></a></div>
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I kicked myself very hard when I realised that I hadn't taken a proper picture of<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"> Day Four by Sarah Lotz</span></b> - so I hope this creepy little GIF cover will make up for it -<span style="font-size: x-small;"> seriously though - nightmares *shudder*.</span> This book was a sequel to <b>The Three</b> that I read at the end of last year, but I found them to be very loosely connected. Like the first book, I was sucked straight into this and pulled along for the horrifying ride...but also like the first book...<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I still don't get what really happened? </i></span>This was weird, but I enjoyed it and I gave it four stars. </div>
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Also - if you're interested in these books, I highly recommend the audio versions, the narrators such a good job</div>
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I picked up <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire </b></span>because everyone was talking about this series and it sounded right up my alley. The book was so short and I flew through it...but there is so much packed between the pages that it feels so much longer!! I DID guess WHODUNNIT before it was revealed...but I enjoyed the way it was done anyway. While I liked this book,<span style="font-size: large;"><i> I was left wanting more</i></span>...which is why I think this series is genius as we explore connecting stories in the next book. I gave this one four stars. </div>
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<i><span id="freeText6375167342010020976" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">'Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />No Solicitations<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />No Visitors<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />No Quests<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />Nancy tumbled once, but now she’s back. The things she’s experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West’s care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />But Nancy’s arrival marks a change at the Home. There’s a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of the matter.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />No matter the cost.'</span></span></i></div>
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If<b> Every Heart A Doorway</b> was right up my alley....then <b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire</span></b> was up my alley, through my front door and right onto my sofa!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> I LOVED THIS BOOK!! </span></div>
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This one explores what happened to Jack and Jill in their horror world before they came to Eleanor's Home For Wayward Children.....and it was <span style="font-size: large;">SO good!</span>! I adore the characters, the world was creepily delicious, and just like the first book so much was packed into such a short space. I gave this second book in the series five stars and I can't WAIT for <b>Beneath the Sugar Sky</b>!! </div>
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This is the story of what happened first…
Jacqueline was her mother’s perfect daughter—polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it’s because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline.
Jillian was her father’s perfect daughter—adventurous, thrill-seeking, and a bit of a tom-boy. He really would have preferred a son, but you work with what you've got.
They were five when they learned that grown-ups can’t be trusted.
They were twelve when they walked down the impossible staircase and discovered that the pretense of love can never be enough to prepare you a life filled with magic in a land filled with mad scientists and death and choices.'</span></i></span></div>
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Next I read <b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Pines by Blake Crouch</span></b> and </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What the actual eff?!?</span></div>
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Let me start by saying this book was horrifying. </div>
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Terrifying. </div>
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A living breathing nightmare. </div>
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I spent the first three quarters unable to breathe and cringing within the safety of my own home. Blake Crouch writes horror <span style="font-size: large;">so well</span>...and I felt so so sorry for the main character in this book!! </div>
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BUT...I didn't love the direction this book went in at the end. It was cool and clever...but not the kind of thing I wanted and so I won't be continuing with this trilogy...<span style="font-size: large;">but that doesn't mean this book isn't worth a read. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Read it</b></span></div>
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Feel unsafe in your own skin</div>
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And maybe you will enjoy how it all ends and want to read on? I gave Pines four out of five stars and I still have nightmares about it now. </div>
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My daughter picked <b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys</span></b> out of my TBR jar this month...so I read it. <span style="font-size: x-small;">That's how these things work. </span>I feel weird saying I liked this book...because it's tragic and devastating and based on awful true events...so I can't say that I enjoyed it. But I did appreciate the way the story was told - with facts mixing in with fiction - and the characters were so distinct and interesting. I'm glad this book exists, not <span style="font-size: large;">least </span>because it educates people on a maritime disaster that nobody talks about. Definitely worth the read. I gave this five stars. </div>
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I've had all four books in the <b>Raven Cycle Quartet</b> on my shelf for so long that I decided I was finally going to read them at the start of 2018, starting with the first book<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"> The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>And...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I can't say I loved this book....and I can't say exactly why. </b></span></div>
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The writing is so unique and interesting...the characters are lovable and intricate...But I think the plot is where I...well..<i>.lost the plot.</i> I was just so confused for a lot of the time about what exactly was going on and I had to concentrate so hard to just merely keep up!! I'm really sad because I DESPERATELY wanted to love this book. I wanted to fall in love with this world as much as so many other people have. </div>
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Also....I listened to this on audio and I'm not sure if that was a mistake. I didn't love the audiobook narrator. He read the book okay, but the voices he put on for the characters were just laughable at times. Call me mean....but I don't think he did this story any favours. </div>
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I gave this book three stars. </div>
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<i><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Merriweather","Georgia",serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">'It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Merriweather","Georgia",serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Merriweather","Georgia",serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Merriweather","Georgia",serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Merriweather","Georgia",serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.'</span></span></i></div>
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I may not have loved the first book and yet I chunder on!! I continued with <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater</b></span>...and this was a significant improvement for me. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Mainly because RONAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ronan Lynch is my sweet steamed bun and I love him so much.</span> I LOVE that this book focused on his POV so much more and we got to learn more about him. I enjoyed his storyline and his character development. I just love Ronan. </div>
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As for the rest of the book. I'm still hella confused about the plot<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (especially all the Adam stuff - what's going on with him)</span> - but at this point I'm feeling like <span style="font-size: large;"><b>LOST Season 4 all over again. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I have absolutely no clue what is going on but I'm down for the ride anyway because Sawyer's got his top off. </span></div>
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Four out of five stars for this book - but only because <span style="font-size: large;">RONAN</span></div>
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Aaaaaand finally, to wrap up the month I read <b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">S.T.A.G.S by M.A. Bennett</span></b> - another TBR jar pick from Sophia. I am<span style="font-size: large;"> SO glad t</span>hat she picked this out because who knows when I would've picked it up otherwise. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This was such a big surprise! I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. </span></div>
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While the writing was a bit juvenile and vague at times, I can completely see that the write did that deliberately to match the main character's style of speaking and thinking. <span style="font-size: large;">This story was so exciting!!!</span> I had no clue what was going on and couldn't stop turning the pages to find out. The sense of dread grew with every chapter and the story was so well done. The author managed to weave threads together using little seeds from early chapters that you never realised were so important till the end...and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. </div>
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That being said...I felt like the ending beat around the bush a little, and could've been done in a more succinct and effective way - but I liked how it all came together and I gave this 4 stars on Goodreads but it's more like 4.5. I've not seen anyone talk about this book and I think it deserves way more recognition - <span style="font-size: large;"><b>so if you see it - pick it up!! </b></span></div>
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<i><span id="freeText14165614247197990047" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">'Nine students. Three bloodsports. One deadly weekend.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;">It is the autumn term and Greer MacDonald is struggling to settle into the sixth form at the exclusive St. Aidan the Great boarding school, known to its privileged pupils as S.T.A.G.S. Just when she despairs of making friends Greer receives a mysterious invitation with three words embossed upon on it: huntin' shootin' fishin'. When Greer learns that the invitation is to spend the half term weekend at the country manor of Henry de Warlencourt, the most popular and wealthy boy at S.T.A.G.S., she is as surprised as she is flattered.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />But when Greer joins the other chosen few at the ancient and sprawling Longcross Hall, she realises that Henry's parents are not at home; the only adults present are a cohort of eerily compliant servants. The students are at the mercy of their capricious host, and, over the next three days, as the three bloodsports - hunting, shooting and fishing - become increasingly dark and twisted, Greer comes to the horrifying realisation that those being hunted are not wild game, but the very misfits Henry has brought with him from school...'</span></span></i></div>
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So that's it. <b>Nine books for the month of January </b>- I think that's pretty satisfactory? I enjoyed a lot of what I read this month and can't wait to see what February holds - I'm already putting together my TBR!! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What did you read in January? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you read any of these books? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What did you think of them?</span></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><i></i><i></i><b></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-22631539160074739312018-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:002018-01-23T05:00:08.942-08:00Books I Can't Remember Much About<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.46px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As always, I'm linking this post up with</span><b style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia","utopia","quot"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Top Ten Tuesday</b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.46px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> over at </span><a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #350b21; font-family: "georgia","utopia","quot"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.46px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> (previously at The </span><a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" style="background-color: transparent; color: #350b21; font-family: "georgia","utopia","quot"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Broke and the Bookish</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 14.46px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I read a lot of book, and unlike Sherlock Holmes I do NOT have a mind palace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So it's only logical that some of the books I read don't stick around too clearly in the old brain for long, which is a shame</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"> except for the frightfully bad books in which case good riddance and plague me no longer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Today's post is all about the books that got away. The ones that I look at and think....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>what happened in your pages? I read you, I spent hours on you...I should know...but I don't</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Let's get started...</span><br />
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This first one shames me for many reasons - not least because<span style="font-size: large;"> I only read it about a month ago!!</span> In my defence, my mind is like a sieve and only keeps the big golden nuggets inside it...this one seems to have slipped through the holes. I loved Stalking Jack the Ripper...but this second instalment fell a little flat for me - so much so that I can't even remember what happened save for a few little details. Everyone loves this though! And I'm like...</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">why? what did I miss that everyone else got?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></i>I still want to read the next book in the series - Escaping Houdini <span style="font-size: x-small;">(which btw the cover was just revealed for and it is FREAKING BEAUTIFUL)</span>, so I will probably re-read this before that one and maybe pay attention this time I don't know. </div>
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It's been a long time since I read these -<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I'm talking pre-motherhood which honestly feels like a different era altogether -</span> so one could forgive me for forgetting them. I remember a few little things about Wither...next to nothing about Fever...and I honestly don't even know if I read Sever.<span style="font-size: large;"> I'm at war with myself I just can't recall it!</span>! I stand by the fact that these are some of my favourite book covers <b>EVER</b>...but I can't say the same for the stories inside. </div>
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Also - I'm not entirely convinced it's the same girl on any of those covers?? </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Now then...</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div>
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you may be wondering why Divergent isn't up here with it's siblings - and that's because<span style="font-size: large;"> I LOVED Divergent!!</span> I have the BEST memories of reading that book <i>(the movie too just blew me away</i>)...but the rest of the series was </div>
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I remember about 3.5 things from Insurgent, and apart from <span style="font-size: x-large;">THAT ENDING</span> in Allegiant...it's pretty much tabula rasa for that one. The movies followed suit too with the last ones dive-bombing with their book counterparts. </div>
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I was so excited to read this book because it deals with a school shooting and I was interested to see how it was done...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>and I still can't tell you how it was done. </i></span></div>
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The cover is striking...but the story was meh. I can remember the beginning...and that's it. No events. No character names. No ending. It all evades me. </div>
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<b>And I'm not even sad about it. </b></div>
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I still have so much guilt about this series. I binge-read the first two books and loved them...then waited over a year before reading the last one. <i>Who even does that? </i></div>
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I was so confused throughout the entire book that I think my mind drew a veil over it to protect me. A.G Howard gets the most amazing covers for her books, and I will forever love this series because <span style="font-size: large;">pretty</span> - but if you want to know how it all ended...ask someone else, I'm not your guy.</div>
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This is one of those books that I'm glad it fell out my brain. I didn't even try and catch it.<span style="font-size: large;"> I hated this book.</span> It was weird...and not in a good way. I had no clue what was going on, the romance was terrible...and I glazed over for the last two-thirds of the entire thing. Nope. I don't remember you, and I like it that way thank you. </div>
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Again...this series isn't even welcome in my memories. The first book was okay, and I remember bits and bobs of it....the second book was <span style="font-size: large;">like pulling teeth out one by one...re-attaching them and pulling them back out again.</span> It was painful. I remember nothing of the plot, only the pain...and it goes without saying that I never picked up the third book in the series. </div>
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This book was not bad. Let me repeat...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">THIS BOOK WAS NOT BAD</span></div>
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In fact...this series is fantastic and these books are great. I was completely drawn into The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and immediately dived into this second book - but it was <i>sooooo </i>different that I was left a little confused. These books are so intricate....especially this one, and it's not the easiest to follow. I don't remember much of the plot (or ending), but I DO KNOW that I wanted to finish the series...<span style="font-size: large;"><b>.so it can't have been bad</b></span>...but I never actually did...<span style="font-size: large;"><b>so it can't have knocked my socks of either.</b></span> Maybe I'll re-read this someday. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to Goodreads - I've read this book....</span></div>
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But I'm looking at it...and I'm reading the synopsis....and...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">not. a. clue. mate. </span></div>
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If I DID read this...it obviously went in one eyeball and out the other because not a fragment remains. </div>
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I actually remember more of this book than I would ever care too. I WANT to forget it. I've served it an eviction notice but it's <span style="font-size: large;">still </span>hanging around. The Heir was a massive disappointment to me <span style="font-size: x-small;">(having loved the Selection series as the ultimate guilty-pleasure read)</span>...and it still makes me angry thinking of the self-entitled unlikeable little brat that is the main character. I don't remember much else...and I'm glad. Just think of the brain space I would have if I didn't remember this book. Think of the things I would fill it with. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cake recipes. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">More Hamilton lyrics. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">How to train your cat. </span></b></div>
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The list of things I would rather remember than this book is endless</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So many hours spent on books that could've been spent on researching world domination and/or Mary Berry food photos. </div>
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So much bookish information not retained. </div>
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Ah well....what was I talking about? </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What books have you read and remember nothing about? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Do you ever wonder if it was even you reading them? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Do you feel like it's time wasted? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Talk to me</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-kD4oAuDSyiqtO81kaEs1ME-Trf2OjQTM0YuDQ5fHGpEixZQpL21caEdpWBOw-HyXqOruzfBvqpnctGV59V4wtQ1EPNHXwwoUHlyizKzh6rlpt-MNQvGKj7cYtwrdFj3VDNdAJvreC79/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-kD4oAuDSyiqtO81kaEs1ME-Trf2OjQTM0YuDQ5fHGpEixZQpL21caEdpWBOw-HyXqOruzfBvqpnctGV59V4wtQ1EPNHXwwoUHlyizKzh6rlpt-MNQvGKj7cYtwrdFj3VDNdAJvreC79/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-46894607721341674222018-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:002018-01-21T12:51:31.770-08:00Using Pinterest for Writing Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWgIpey7kkfriBRf4ZLhp9AlFl92i8kQwzLbm8Kqe2d-c4nxj9IF9WaOcPsQbm5ZObDMVvwLxhFK8iCOrfKiwFw3cJBJEXS3tR5jd3m9hAB2Y5hyphenhyphenR-xUTI6-k96B_wVIhTGVCqXdOuh1Z/s1600/Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="601" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWgIpey7kkfriBRf4ZLhp9AlFl92i8kQwzLbm8Kqe2d-c4nxj9IF9WaOcPsQbm5ZObDMVvwLxhFK8iCOrfKiwFw3cJBJEXS3tR5jd3m9hAB2Y5hyphenhyphenR-xUTI6-k96B_wVIhTGVCqXdOuh1Z/s640/Title.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Like a lot of writers, I use pictures as inspiration to help my tired little mind when writing. Sometimes just one image can trigger an entire scene, give you an idea about a character, or help you get the clothing right. Through a picture, you can view places you've never been to, sit in vehicles you've never been in, and gaze at food you will never eat. </div>
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<i>Keeping all this in mind</i>...where else would one go in the pursuit of inspirational pictures than...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">PINTEREST!!</span> The Holy Land of Images. The Mecca of Photos. </div>
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If you don't have a Pinterest account yet I entirely recommend that you get one....<span style="font-size: x-small;">and then prepare to lose hours of your life cycling through photos you never knew you needed to see. </span></div>
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As I've said before, the pictures I use for inspiration on Pinterest very rarely represent EXACT characters, scenes, or moments in my book. All of those things come from my own mind </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">and what a scary place that is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>No -</i></span> I use Pinterest more for aesthetic reasons. I love collecting pictures and photos of all kinds of things related to my book, so when you view them you can get a sense of the overall tone that I'm going for. Scrolling through my Prince of Blades board is like getting a tiny slice of the pie... but it is only a sample piece that is nowhere near as big or juicy as the rest of the pie. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What I'm essentially saying is my book is a pie and I want you to eat it. </b></span></div>
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So for my writing post today I just wanted to share some of my inspiration pictures for Prince of Blades. You can of course view <i>ALL OF THE DELICIOUSNESS </i>on my full <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LKCarrollWrites/prince-of-blades-inspiration-board/" target="_blank">Prince of Blades Pinterest Board</a>, but here are a few to tide you over. </div>
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<i>(Also....I won't really be featuring many character inspiration pictures....I already did that over on <a href="https://laurencarrollreadsandwrites.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/authortube-work-in-progress-tag.html" target="_blank">THIS POST</a>...this will be mainly settings, scenes and costumes etc) </i><br />
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So there we have it, there are just a few of the pictures from my Prince of Blades inspiration board. Don't forget to follow me over there for more updates and lots more piratey goodness! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Do you have Pinterest?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> Leave your links down below! </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/lauren-carroll-reads-writes-18227327" target="_blank">bloglovin</a> // <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LKCarrollWrites/" target="_blank">pinterest</a> //
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33034019-lauren" target="_blank">goodreads</a> // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ablondelibrarian/" target="_blank">instagram</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/ABlndeLibrarian" target="_blank">twitter</a></span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-22645353232368089732018-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:002018-01-16T13:28:06.251-08:002018 Reading Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO4jG_xwa15G3LZe-442cbZk8jLTNWawx7jvO8rT1NMViiKmpI9Pdz0G9Hki06Dub52uiQaZavLU3tpZ-eUDbeDgQKdBybqIbxHzXi5CMBEf4u4prryud_bj8t-B4I_tA0ptKi1_Fz8Xf/s1600/Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="601" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO4jG_xwa15G3LZe-442cbZk8jLTNWawx7jvO8rT1NMViiKmpI9Pdz0G9Hki06Dub52uiQaZavLU3tpZ-eUDbeDgQKdBybqIbxHzXi5CMBEf4u4prryud_bj8t-B4I_tA0ptKi1_Fz8Xf/s640/Title.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm linking this post up with<b> Top Ten Tuesday</b> over at <a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a> (previously at The <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" target="_blank">Broke and the Bookish</a>) because it's a list and who doesn't love lists? <span style="font-size: x-large;">They're just so aesthetically pleasing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For today, I'm doing that thing people do at the start of the year -</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">setting unrealistic goals and putting unnecessary pressure on myself for the year ahead so I can crash and burn with my targets around me and roll into the next year feeling like a complete and utter failure</span> - <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm feeling optimistic about my reading for 2018 and I want to manifest that into a series of little goals that I will most definitely accomplish! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBrhlPph-AtJcp5b_Tx_vAk5IduZjXd-WbnF9BHNEdj83a5cj_6ZmvFY7Z-IhjqrpNbWl4xAS4fNl-YVo6i3vhFw9pRAPuObXK6B7_D4r-AqyouY4GsSEseL21jBSbapZ8xy7XYzBkiG5/s1600/tenor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="298" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBrhlPph-AtJcp5b_Tx_vAk5IduZjXd-WbnF9BHNEdj83a5cj_6ZmvFY7Z-IhjqrpNbWl4xAS4fNl-YVo6i3vhFw9pRAPuObXK6B7_D4r-AqyouY4GsSEseL21jBSbapZ8xy7XYzBkiG5/s400/tenor.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">So without further ado, here are all of my 2018 bookish resolutions...</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Make Up With Contemporary</b></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></div>
I have a love/hate relationship with contemporary books, and I don't read them nearly as often as I should. I want to change that in 2018...catching up on some backlisted contemporary as well as reading some of the glorious new releases this year.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are just a few I want to pick up...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmP5vsatcKv9n24oqXDGlcbeAW_cCGwFFJbHO0RCOXBVh9bAFGXOV_4fkDGbeRaN-IXI9bCBIbtIo3XQEGjAQXHHRB1j38mbcaEp5jIS6X3HQdzLxnQRpC-vofg-kHXCbBmuYHAD0jZLm/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1046" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmP5vsatcKv9n24oqXDGlcbeAW_cCGwFFJbHO0RCOXBVh9bAFGXOV_4fkDGbeRaN-IXI9bCBIbtIo3XQEGjAQXHHRB1j38mbcaEp5jIS6X3HQdzLxnQRpC-vofg-kHXCbBmuYHAD0jZLm/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Give Dem Series Some Attention</b></span></div>
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Like any self-respecting bookworm, I've had many <span style="font-size: large;">many</span> books sitting on my shelf for quite the while, and a fair few of those are series that I've been DYING to get to...but haven't yet. This year I want to knock some of those series off my TBR and finally see what all the fuss is about. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm coming for you babies....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdqm0mQCmRPT9y3I1jrVw8fGxYxeMosAjYIWjtKbwDYCT3YPDqJWUBA00Wzxw_okJXkiZ3m7CEhOb3ZBI2_xoaeK9HDV9mlJf1Ie6DCG98oXbFBBz_mAZ4jOP0uRCqcLkZ24LIEv43Umf/s1600/Untitled2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1346" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdqm0mQCmRPT9y3I1jrVw8fGxYxeMosAjYIWjtKbwDYCT3YPDqJWUBA00Wzxw_okJXkiZ3m7CEhOb3ZBI2_xoaeK9HDV9mlJf1Ie6DCG98oXbFBBz_mAZ4jOP0uRCqcLkZ24LIEv43Umf/s640/Untitled2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Turn My Listening Ears On</b></span></div>
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Last year I really discovered the magic of audiobooks, and I want to keep utilizing that magic this year. I really enjoy audiobooks - and I'm getting through TWICE as many reads since I started listening to them. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have any audio recommendations definitely let me know! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pCBnm4StdMDMBilelVk01uWFV5_1tdPEm6Dn9wPGz1LstG9ISVafFnk_nj0Eqkp2DymsuGw1ReQoS_D5oBR_o013eVddEC90rzExb9RLb3OkT1WxeoIdDVbfe5wTiefPqXHmvlF6Z5hj/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="350" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pCBnm4StdMDMBilelVk01uWFV5_1tdPEm6Dn9wPGz1LstG9ISVafFnk_nj0Eqkp2DymsuGw1ReQoS_D5oBR_o013eVddEC90rzExb9RLb3OkT1WxeoIdDVbfe5wTiefPqXHmvlF6Z5hj/s400/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Enjoy the Words</span></b></div>
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I have a tendency to rush things. As soon as I start a book I'm already thinking about the next one I'm going to pick up...and <span style="font-size: large;">I DON'T LIKE THAT!! </span>I want to slow down my reading, to appreciate the words on the page, the story being told, and the skill of the author - instead of reading to knock books off a tally that exists only in my head. I'm in a one-woman race with myself and I'd like to step out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Buy Less...Read More</b></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Just imagine Aaron Burr singing that and it is SO much more satisfying</span></div>
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Having been a member of <b>Book Buyers Anonymous</b> for the longest time now, I can say that while I have made significant improvement in the past few years, I still have the urge to buy <span style="font-size: large;">waaaay </span>more books than I can physically read. </div>
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While I will make no false promises that I won't buy any books in 2018 <span style="font-size: x-small;">because seriously, who would believe THAT...</span>I <b>do</b> want to work more on the books I already own instead of<span style="font-size: large;"> BUYING ALL THE BOOKS </span>and having no place to even store them never mind read them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could go on at this all day, but the more goals I set for myself, the more likely I am to fail. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Am I right? </b></span></div>
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So that's all for now. Before I forget, I've set my <b>Goodreads Challenge</b> to 50 books again this year and I think that's achievable for me. I think I can stick at these goals, and in 2019 when future-Lauren looks back at this post she can give herself a big high-five and a pat on the back for her wonderful achievements. Also - don't forget to <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/19259159/?claim=gaada4dxn32">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> so you can keep up to date as I fail miserably at all of these goals this year. </div>
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<i>Aaaaaah...a girl can dream </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What are your reading goals for 2018? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>you set a Goodreads Challenge? </b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-22626687783874907672018-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:002018-01-12T05:00:18.179-08:00My Writing History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7cAoxPtxZp-PtIy-EwpdCpqNhYYmTWOFmdATIAYp2P5xEnEXK59c1BGYwCOGXY5h6o9eQeXUG80cLHk6g4CtoDZBWThPWb1JZpa5qFKdjQWNDzZJcSVLIvQGzQq4HUIeQ2j9T6z7R2jP/s1600/Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="598" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7cAoxPtxZp-PtIy-EwpdCpqNhYYmTWOFmdATIAYp2P5xEnEXK59c1BGYwCOGXY5h6o9eQeXUG80cLHk6g4CtoDZBWThPWb1JZpa5qFKdjQWNDzZJcSVLIvQGzQq4HUIeQ2j9T6z7R2jP/s640/Title.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Like most writers, I can say that I have <span style="font-size: large;">always</span> had an interest in writing in some capacity. As far back as I can remember I have been drawn to creating stories. Lainey Kress put up <a href="https://lrkress.wordpress.com/2017/03/31/me-as-a-teenage-writer-a-history/" target="_blank">THIS BLOGPOST</a> a while ago talking all about herself as a teenage writer, and her origins with writing as a hobby and possible career path. The post made me want to look back on my <i>own</i> journey as a writer. I wanted to take a little trip down my literary memory lane, and I wanted to bring you along with me. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">And so....</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Lauren Carroll....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMG5D-b8vxSf07GbIrRKXDkCLlwSwgKS8COJRJdI0o1Yt-zOE_MjQwaK8g_rSOCXcmeYYU1hfd58jrfr36XYFyDlveZmSs6_xJK6c76e4H9WNIbDbMTVIDoGeiYR-FKk8d-Rlax4J9ZnN/s1600/bigredbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="500" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMG5D-b8vxSf07GbIrRKXDkCLlwSwgKS8COJRJdI0o1Yt-zOE_MjQwaK8g_rSOCXcmeYYU1hfd58jrfr36XYFyDlveZmSs6_xJK6c76e4H9WNIbDbMTVIDoGeiYR-FKk8d-Rlax4J9ZnN/s640/bigredbook.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Childhood Plagiarism</span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></div>
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My writing journey started out much like any other...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by completely copying other stories that I liked and passing them off as my own. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5Hrfx1KKy9OUrB_sVgo3X-4wf_EcRjSDQ4uQmp_4lH8eSaUh2FvZvvSRThyhZK3WpI2BzYEf9F8VkbSxeR1MDKILw9bV6O6uNjf-vYeXJy3She-f-2SJF89WrYah-xOEjWAA8hlQ2_yX/s1600/tumblr_mr5y0l5WZ61qjiauvo2_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="500" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5Hrfx1KKy9OUrB_sVgo3X-4wf_EcRjSDQ4uQmp_4lH8eSaUh2FvZvvSRThyhZK3WpI2BzYEf9F8VkbSxeR1MDKILw9bV6O6uNjf-vYeXJy3She-f-2SJF89WrYah-xOEjWAA8hlQ2_yX/s400/tumblr_mr5y0l5WZ61qjiauvo2_500.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I copied them word-for-word, sometimes I took bits and pieces, entire characters and scenes from books and inserted them into my own work...and all the stories usually starred a girl who was eerily similar to myself </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I was the KWEEN of self-insert fan-fiction lemme tell ya</span> </div>
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This was back before computers were really a thing, and I wasn't cool enough to have a typewriter, so everything was handwritten and that held a lot of the appeal for me. There was something therapeutic about writing things down. It calmed my manic little soul. After a while I moved on to twisting existing stories - <i>lets call it retelling for the sake of my dignity</i>. I would change little things about them and then again...pass them off as my own. I kid you not! I re-wrote half of the first Harry Potter book with gender-bent characters, headed up by poor orphan girl Ruth Weaver!! I obviously enjoyed writing, but had zero faith in my own creative ability. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7SDqguC6pdTDxv91a_63HdCDc1u6go9eByEtW0cMbv6jECiBW1KD-bJRAEAekqU5QNc4Qmc7lWRRSNEvFvIIKBxI4aQdaA0v_sFqXSmEUGG1Sx3luULgaV5R6dl72jrWyi60vjI9giYM/s1600/tumblr_ob32mbFa7d1qeu2t7o1_400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="268" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7SDqguC6pdTDxv91a_63HdCDc1u6go9eByEtW0cMbv6jECiBW1KD-bJRAEAekqU5QNc4Qmc7lWRRSNEvFvIIKBxI4aQdaA0v_sFqXSmEUGG1Sx3luULgaV5R6dl72jrWyi60vjI9giYM/s400/tumblr_ob32mbFa7d1qeu2t7o1_400.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Early Stories</b></span></div>
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I eventually moved on from my<span style="font-size: large;"> blatant plagiarism</span> and ventured into new territory...actually writing my<b> own original stories.</b> There were so many, and I'm so surprised that I can actually remember some of them....but I can: </div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>The One With Planet-Based Gods Who Tried To Control Everyone's Lives</b></span></div>
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This story was basically the Weasley family mixed with Percy Jackson mixed with Narnia. <span style="font-size: large;">It had it all, my friends!!</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">It was also terrible </span>But I remember being so into this and wanting to work on it every day. It was back when we got our first family computer...in the days when everything was saved to floppy discs!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkka7hmqvOUfy-6JoDtd9ggl3xnMl8v_59pZy2PTpznWNdKd4_42K05S2T8T9MEL2bYphkAdXxjFPU0Bor69OQ5spIcBpUdX1nEFShd8UcQy9AlaGdtMiGQek7-J9StgqI8a5rz1z4WnKq/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="798" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkka7hmqvOUfy-6JoDtd9ggl3xnMl8v_59pZy2PTpznWNdKd4_42K05S2T8T9MEL2bYphkAdXxjFPU0Bor69OQ5spIcBpUdX1nEFShd8UcQy9AlaGdtMiGQek7-J9StgqI8a5rz1z4WnKq/s400/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">The One With The Girl Who Ends Up Coincidentally Related To Everyone Else In The Entire Book Somehow</span></b></div>
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A young girl, a seaside town, a group of boys, and plenty of secrets. I was actually mega-proud of this one and it was the first complete story I ever came up with. I remember writing what I now know was an outline in a complete frenzy as the ideas came to me. I started writing this but didn't get far and I don't know what became of it. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Role-Playing Fiction Games</b></span></div>
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As time went on, teenage-Lauren discovered the internet...and at the same time discovered that there were other people out there who enjoyed writing as much as she did. The world opened up to Lauren!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'll stop talking about myself in third-person now, shall I?</span></div>
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I was a huge movie-buff back then, and also found IMDB. They don't have them any more, but IMDB used to have comment boards for each movie, and one day I was casually browsing the Battle Royale board<span style="font-size: x-small;"> like you do. </span>If you don't know what Battle Royale is...think The Hunger Games...but Japanese and way more violent....plus <span style="font-size: large;">Battle Royale did it first! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlPyxJW7cKcJAYi7jq6yUUN_MBqTnVK2VDGgzHRQEB8ji2hsqHOt44_7yU5ce3d9l2mGzqmT-44YTiF13Gd6PudTJQY3gg9q7OaqvYC-SYm-OkhmEIFkA2dOrgDTmrL7K21QhkoJIfAkY/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="500" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlPyxJW7cKcJAYi7jq6yUUN_MBqTnVK2VDGgzHRQEB8ji2hsqHOt44_7yU5ce3d9l2mGzqmT-44YTiF13Gd6PudTJQY3gg9q7OaqvYC-SYm-OkhmEIFkA2dOrgDTmrL7K21QhkoJIfAkY/s400/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Anyway, I digress....</i></div>
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So I was trawling through the Battle Royale board and I came across a group of kids who were running their own<b> text-based Battle Royale RPG</b>. This is basically like a group-written story, where everyone has characters that they write scenes for. You all progress the story and work together in collaboration. Of course I was all over THAT, and decided to run my own RPG. It was such an amazing experience. There were so many of us joining in at one point and I met so many great people online as we created our twisted little violent story. Eventually though, the RPG just dropped off into nothing, life happened, and it ended. It was a long time ago, but I still remember it so fondly. I wish I could re-read all of the work we did but the demons at IMDB did away with message boards!! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Blogging</b></span></div>
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Somewhere along the way, I stopped writing stories. I know...the tragedy!! I don't even know why. I think I just got caught up in all the growing up and learning I was doing....that I didn't make time to write. I DID however, start blogging for a few years. I dabbled all over the place, running a lifestyle blog for three years, then after my daughter was born I really started reading again, and decided to start a book blog. Through that, I re-discovered my love of books and literature and in turn - writing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Joel</b></span></div>
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I've mentioned this before on my blog (mainly in <a href="https://laurencarrollreadsandwrites.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/a-writing-crisis.html" target="_blank">THIS post</a>), </div>
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but before I started drafting 'Prince of Blades', I was working on a young adult psychological thriller called<b> 'Joel</b>'. That book was (still is) <span style="font-size: large;">my baby.</span> I<span style="font-size: x-small;"> still want to write it one day, just not right now...</span>.anyway - Joel was the first story that I really decided to work on seriously. I sat down and dedicated <i>so</i> much time to it. Through working on 'Joel' I discovered AuthorTube, outlines, the 3 act structure, and Scrivener. I started thinking of writing as a career, something I could pursue. Then, while working on 'Joel'...I got the idea for Prince of Blades...and the rest is history. I put Joel to one side and started working on the novel that has now been my whole life for the past two years. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbdX6HNtTElV1wfRXnp_DBbSDncDYn5jYNAgkbNQY7zaTqzTMJiEajZD6zPYGcTwbedg39R3CEvmhl-YiRc__W__qMqVWjFLIK7cerz5VrfA1iT2iZ9SC2b5iNN_3TJZHLiO8yVgI-rqR/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Creative Writing Course</span></b></div>
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As you know, I'm currently in my second year of an English and Creative Writing degree - a decision spurred on by the fact that I had been working so hard on my writing and wanted to take it a step further. The course is soooooo different from what I expected - <span style="font-size: x-small;">that is a story for a whole other day</span> - and much more difficult than I thought it would be. When you choose to study creative writing at degree level, you delve into theories and techniques while developing your own. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love it, I hate it, and I love it again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">the conflict is real</span></div>
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Even though the course is challenging and so frustrating at times, I definitely feel like I'm a better writer now and I have met so many fantastically talented people. I do plan on posting some of the things that I have worked on for the course, but I need to polish them first and get them ready for all your delicate eyes. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">And that's me so far. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So what's next?</i></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">* Prince of Blades</span></b> - Of course this is next. I want to get this book finished. I want to start querying agents. I know I want to write for the rest of my life and right now I'm writing this. I want to make this novel the best that I can make it and see where it takes me. </div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>* Joel -</b></span> I would love to work on Joel again, and get the book written after all these years. It holds a piece of my heart (all be it a twisted piece) and it deserves to be written. </div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>*Wattpad </b></span>- I would love to post some Prince of Blades chapters to Wattpad, but I'm also mega-scared to put myself and my book baby out there like that. I'm still warring with myself over it, but watch this space...</div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>* AuthorTube -</b></span> I want to make my own writing channel. I really really really REALLY do!! But again...I'm all kinds of scared to put my face on the Tube for all to see </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tell me about your writing journeys. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How did you get where you are today? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What good, bad and ugly stuff did you write in between? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tell me...I'm all the ears</b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-91621093320418197112017-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:002017-12-30T05:00:04.862-08:00December Writing Update<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The last time </span>I posted a writing update on this blog I was on <b>Chapter 28 </b>of first-edits and feeling all optimistic for the future. </div>
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As I talk to you today, I am currently at...<b>Chapter 29</b> of first-edits. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes. </span></div>
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You read that correctly. </div>
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In an entire month I managed to edit JUST ONE chapter of my first draft. </div>
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<b>Shameful </b></div>
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I know it's bad, but in my shameful defence I have been SO busy this month.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Following are a list of excuses for why I only edited one measly chapter:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>Excuse 1: <span style="color: black;">Christmas.</span></b></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<i>Buying presents, stressing about buying presents, not buying enough presents, buying too many presents, Christmas cards, nativity plays, Christmas parties, wrapping presents, delivering presents, opening presents, eating Christmas dinner, drinking too much wine</i></div>
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All of the above takes time that I did not spend editing my novel. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Excuse 2: </span>Uni pit of doom</b></span></div>
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I have had a lot of uni work to get done this month - and the mountain has still not been climbed. As I write this I still have two things to work on and hand in, plus an exam to revise for. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed with the work at the minute and only JUST managing to stay afloat....so no time for writing anything else. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Excuse 3: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Crippling self-doubt</span></b></div>
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So this is the serious one, and the main thing I wanted to discuss in this post. I love my book. I'm proud of it. I adore the characters, the story is fun...but this month I have been filled with soooooo much doubt about my writing and the future of this book overall. I'm looking at it, and wondering........</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">are you really good enough? </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Are you the book I want to debut with? </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Are you written how I want you to be written? </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Are you the story I want to tell? </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Will an agent want you? </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Will a publisher want you? </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Will readers want you? </span></i></div>
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I looked at my manuscript and I asked it all of these questions and it didn't answer any of them because it can't talk.....</div>
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I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm having a serious down moment with this book and it makes me so sad. I don't know why I feel this way, and I feel like I'm betraying the story (and myself) by having these dithering thoughts. I think all writers go through this (from what I've seen anyway), and I know it's nothing new...I just wish I could push past it and feel the fire I felt at the start of this project. I want to do it justice, and sometimes I just feel like I'm not good enough to do that. </div>
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It doesn't help that I'm carrying these feelings over to my uni creative work too. We have to write a short 2000-word story...I've had my idea for so long, and I know what I want it to be....but I just can't <span style="font-size: large;">get it there.</span> Everything I churn out is so far away from what it is in my head that it's actually getting depressing to try. </div>
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I suppose the only way to get through this is to just <b>push on and keep writing. </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I've lost my mojo, </span>it's gone...so if anyone finds it can you please get in touch so I can get it back? </div>
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Next month I want to really knuckle down with this draft and finish these edits. I feel like I'm never going to get through them but I want to fall back in love with this book and tell the stories of these characters. I'm going to try...I'm not going to make excuses, I'm actually going to try and I'll be updating again in January so we will see if I stick to it. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beat me with sticks if I don't</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33034019-lauren" target="_blank">goodreads</a> // <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/lauren-carroll-reads-writes-18227327" target="_blank">bloglovin</a> // <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LKCarrollWrites/" target="_blank">pinterest</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/ABlndeLibrarian" target="_blank">twitter </a>// <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ablondelibrarian/" target="_blank">Instagram </a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-60617902310178483222017-12-27T05:00:00.000-08:002017-12-27T05:00:40.092-08:00What I Read in December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYclCX_j-96HV8Hv9ZDBHfktzDib8MFS3dNkj1I53k22oqvUVa7orjDSf0qFn2xvpHSK6Kbv1-t9R_xJsEA_b7Yl7dhEtrCkEFnOW-kjfGEpGe3ivP9asdTjORGKQgqW9qCoiipNrVAldY/s1600/title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYclCX_j-96HV8Hv9ZDBHfktzDib8MFS3dNkj1I53k22oqvUVa7orjDSf0qFn2xvpHSK6Kbv1-t9R_xJsEA_b7Yl7dhEtrCkEFnOW-kjfGEpGe3ivP9asdTjORGKQgqW9qCoiipNrVAldY/s640/title.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">December wasn't the best reading month for me...</span></div>
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there were just so many books that I picked up and TRIED to read but I just couldn't swallow them...so I had to cough them back up again</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Are we finished with this image yet? </span></div>
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BUT...I am currently reading two books that I am LOVING...I just didn't finish them in time to include them in this wrap-up - so they will be coming next month! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and before I forget....</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope all of you who celebrate had an amazing Christmas</span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With that out of the way, let's move on to the books I read or tried to read in December</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNhFq_UwmXG8rb7tvzyFbWuOPMpZ50H7grDh3egPes8MIhzmzdMea3deHRPRQvRvz1jCZXZOKl_aF9l2CztHTp3FYUimSXbREjv-ZoSRP5zVXz1WfN6-TPG27buW7OE3u2-J_ZyZfKAh5/s1600/71synbX3hrL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="649" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNhFq_UwmXG8rb7tvzyFbWuOPMpZ50H7grDh3egPes8MIhzmzdMea3deHRPRQvRvz1jCZXZOKl_aF9l2CztHTp3FYUimSXbREjv-ZoSRP5zVXz1WfN6-TPG27buW7OE3u2-J_ZyZfKAh5/s640/71synbX3hrL.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
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I had heard <i>so</i> many good things about <span style="font-size: x-large;">Nevernight by Jay Kristoff </span>and I love assassins - so I thought I was on to a new favourite with this one...<b>I thought wrong</b>. I got around 100 pages into this book before I just did <i>not </i>want to pick it back up again - so I didn't. <span style="font-size: large;">I DNF'd this mutha!!</span> But I feel bad...and I still feel like I should love this :( if you think I should PICK THIS BACK UP IMMEDIATELY then please do shout in my face...because, unlike Taylor Swift and her many boyfriends...we might get back together. </div>
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<i><span id="freeText4883433721398358066" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. If she bests her fellow students in contests of steel, poison and the subtle arts, she’ll be inducted among the Blades of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the vengeance she desires. But a killer is loose within the Church’s halls, the bloody secrets of Mia’s past return to haunt her, and a plot to bring down the entire congregation is unfolding in the shadows she so loves.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />Will she even survive to initiation, let alone have her revenge?'</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B8X3PCWtpE7D7S7wr_p6liDg9f_90YHTiFtfimyIHcj4d7mQyycHeIaAIYAeVcvMw563N9Ragp49XJoV9zL7S5SS4YQJwaGQ5rmCyIBZNnp7t-tVddYszExFl2DQCPMow6-D2znMGJBF/s1600/51VQlafnDTL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B8X3PCWtpE7D7S7wr_p6liDg9f_90YHTiFtfimyIHcj4d7mQyycHeIaAIYAeVcvMw563N9Ragp49XJoV9zL7S5SS4YQJwaGQ5rmCyIBZNnp7t-tVddYszExFl2DQCPMow6-D2znMGJBF/s640/51VQlafnDTL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
I listened to <span style="font-size: x-large;">Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco</span> on audiobook because I loved the first one...but this one just didn't bite at me the way the other one did. I don't know what it was about this book...I just felt like I waited so long for anything to start, but when it did I didn't know what was going on. The whole mystery was confusing and I just wanted it to be over so many times. I'm really sad...because I loved <b>Stalking Jack the Ripper</b>...<span style="font-size: x-small;">.but I think I just loved that one so much because I have a morbid obsession with old Jackie boy and I just love to read anything about him..</span><i>.that being said</i> - I DO want to read the next book in the series because I love these characters and I hope <b>Escaping Houdini </b>will be so much better than this one.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">P.S I am aware that this is a wildly unpopular opinion so I'm prepared for the fire and pitchforks...just don't be too loud when you attack me, my neighbours are old and easily worried. </span></div>
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<span id="freeText8654263263357579992" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">'Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.<br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;" />But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.'</span></i></span></div>
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Now onto the good news....I absolutely LOVED <span style="font-size: x-large;">The Three by Sarah Lotz!!</span> Again, I read this on audiobook and the narrators did a fantastic job of pulling you into the story. I was glued to this book from start to finish and instantly moved on to<b> Day Four</b> when I was done. I still don't completely understand the ending...<span style="font-size: x-small;">if you did please feel free to explain it to me..</span>.but I enjoyed this nonetheless and wholeheartedly recommend it. </div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Merriweather","Georgia",serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">'The world is stunned when four commuter planes crash within hours of each other on different continents. Facing global panic, officials are under pressure to find the causes. With terrorist attacks and environmental factors ruled out, there doesn't appear to be a correlation between the crashes, except that in three of the four air disasters a child survivor is found in the wreckage.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Merriweather","Georgia",serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Dubbed 'The Three' by the international press, the children all exhibit disturbing behavioural problems, presumably caused by the horror they lived through and the unrelenting press attention. This attention becomes more than just intrusive when a rapture cult led by a charismatic evangelical minister insists that the survivors are three of the four harbingers of the apocalypse. The Three are forced to go into hiding, but as the children's behaviour becomes increasingly disturbing, even their guardians begin to question their miraculous survival...'</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNScK85tbRT2my7RYpLWBBxe0uFhKhjK1nYacDhlcnthged47h_2UyILV_PqBnWOYoPXvvxROqnnwPRGI_hX4mvaZf_vjJlxM6WIQJNR-F3SLLJ0i9fQDpB4u7i6XOo7PvLbfGynfnbtse/s1600/30196357._UY200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="132" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNScK85tbRT2my7RYpLWBBxe0uFhKhjK1nYacDhlcnthged47h_2UyILV_PqBnWOYoPXvvxROqnnwPRGI_hX4mvaZf_vjJlxM6WIQJNR-F3SLLJ0i9fQDpB4u7i6XOo7PvLbfGynfnbtse/s640/30196357._UY200_.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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And finally to crash back down into the bookpit of despair...we have<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Alice by Christina Henry</span>. I wanted to love this. I adore Alice in Wonderland, I love dark twists on old tales, and the cover is so good! - but the story fell flat for me. I just didn't get what this book was <i>trying to do</i>. It was weird...and not in a good way for me. I just didn't like it and actually DNF'd this one quite early on. I'm sad, because I honestly thought this would be right up my street, but sometimes in life we meet a book that we are not compatible with and we just don't get along. It's a shame...but I'm over it. </div>
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Those were all of the books I read...<span style="font-size: x-small;">and didn't read</span> in December. It wasn't the best reading month, but I found a new favourite in <b>The Three </b>so I'm definitely happy with that little nugget. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What did you read this month? </span></b></div>
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Any Christmas reads? Let me know in the comments or by all means link your posts so I can go and read for myself. </div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LKCarrollWrites/" target="_blank">pinterest</a> // <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33034019-lauren" target="_blank">goodreads</a> // <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/lauren-carroll-reads-writes-18227327" target="_blank">bloglovin</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/ABlndeLibrarian" target="_blank">twitter </a>// <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ablondelibrarian/" target="_blank">instagram</a> </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-1763688707397599622017-12-26T02:00:00.000-08:002017-12-26T02:00:19.576-08:00Books from 2018 that I need right now! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI244CwTx8Vqz2IBDNZZ4qyf_A4t6kSJbwfzIuyS2o09OkX06EofSjJZ8ohldaooWC-q34ytvpu6TtSRYDSFqmmvnJXXPNeIzYa-crIrIXoVSO7EEeHWu4dU9T0C2IKpfk0BaiuxHQ1qLU/s1600/title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI244CwTx8Vqz2IBDNZZ4qyf_A4t6kSJbwfzIuyS2o09OkX06EofSjJZ8ohldaooWC-q34ytvpu6TtSRYDSFqmmvnJXXPNeIzYa-crIrIXoVSO7EEeHWu4dU9T0C2IKpfk0BaiuxHQ1qLU/s640/title.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
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I'm linking up with <b>Top Ten Tuesday</b> over at <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a> (soon to be at <a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a>), this week to talk about the top ten books I'm looking forward to in 2018. </div>
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There's sooo many beautiful little book babies due in 2018 that it's almost impossible to choose...<i>but choose I did</i>. This list is just a selection of books I'm excited to get my hands on next year. </div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>BEFORE I LET GO by Marieke Nijkamp - </b></span><span style="color: black;">snow-covered small towns, mysterious deaths, creepy locals...where do I sign up for this one? </span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi - </b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">a Nigerian-based fantasy is all I need to know to jump on this train. Also this cover is STUNNING! I can't stop looking at it. </span></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">Seriously, someone come and take my eyeballs off it!!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>QUEEN OF AIR AND DARKNESS by Cassandra Clare - </b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The final book in the Dark Artifices trilogy...yes please give it to me<span style="font-size: large;"> right now</span> not in DECEMBER like you're actually planning. <i>Please...I asked so nicely.</i> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>UNTITLED THRONE OF GLASS 7 by Sarah J. Maas - </b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Don't know the name, don't know the release date, but it's the final book in this epic series and I'm more than ready to eat it.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>A COURT OF FROST AND STARLIGHT by Sarah J. Maas - </b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">A little novella<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (though probably not little - its Sarah J. Maas people)</span>, with a delicious name and more of my favourite sexy Fae folk...come at me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>IRON GOLD by Pierce Brown - </b></span><span style="color: black;">I haven't finished the Red Rising books yet, I've still got Morning Star to read, but I know I'm gonna love it and I know I'm gonna want the next one. So thanks for this, Pierce. I appreciate you. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>BATMAN NIGHTWALKER by Marie Lu - </b></span><span style="color: black;">I'm living for these DC Icons books, Wonder Woman gave me life so I'm just rocking on my ankles to see Marie's take on Gotham City and a teen Wayne Bruce. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>LEGENDARY by Stephanie Garber - </b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I don't even know if I'm REALLY looking forward to this?? Caraval was weird and confusing...but I seem to want more? I'm just trash for circus books, I guess. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>KEEPER by Kim Chance -</b></span><span style="color: black;"> I love Kim, and I can't wait to support her when her debut comes out next year. I don't know much about it, and green is my least favourite colour - but I'M GON BUY IT ANYWAY! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><b>THE HAZEL WOOD by Melissa Albert -</b></span><span style="color: black;"> Dark fairytales, spooky estates, beautiful cover...need I go on? Please make your way to my shelf immediately, little book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Which books are YOU looking forward to in 2018? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tell me,</span> so I can add them to my TBR<span style="font-size: x-small;"> because it's not already overwhelming right now or anything..</span>..link your posts and I will pop on over to check out your lists. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-27539178768045401412017-12-05T09:00:00.000-08:002017-12-05T09:00:13.324-08:00November Reading Wrap-Up<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItQO8_vO6GCEgUKvlmB3a3njoEehDnSRerPt3dSNQEiFrDEXNRiKXBLY9M5BfyxCVXJw7OMU3bMSdIltePkpp_3ByvcVZ2t6ntFSWbTY7KbXq0raqa0LjukKu2GhwqH7AZCDdeRjZmLvI/s1600/IMG_4600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItQO8_vO6GCEgUKvlmB3a3njoEehDnSRerPt3dSNQEiFrDEXNRiKXBLY9M5BfyxCVXJw7OMU3bMSdIltePkpp_3ByvcVZ2t6ntFSWbTY7KbXq0raqa0LjukKu2GhwqH7AZCDdeRjZmLvI/s640/IMG_4600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am pretty impressed with myself. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Why? I hear you ask</span></div>
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Because I'm a slow reader <span style="font-size: x-small;">that's not why I'm impressed hear me out</span> </div>
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I'm not one of those people who can read 10+ books in a month. BUT...in November I read six books.....yes <b><span style="font-size: large;">SIX BOOKS</span></b>...which is amazing for me! </div>
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Before we get into all the books I read this month, I have a few pieces of news. Little snippets, if you will...</div>
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I have been subscribed to the wonderful FairyLoot book subscription box for over a year now and I can honestly say that I have never been disappointed with one of their boxes - in fact - I feel like FairyLoot are really stepping their game up right now and the boxes keep getting better and better! </div>
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I unboxed the <b>Ladies That Slay</b> November box over on my Instagram stories and also posted a full, detailed unboxing over there too. So <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ablondelibrarian/" target="_blank">head over to my Instagram</a> to read more about what came in this month's AMAZING box in more detail. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh...and don't forget to follow me while you're over there</span> </div>
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I did something <span style="font-size: large;">very</span> exciting in November....<span style="font-size: x-large;">I went to a Sarah J Maas event</span>!! Sarah is one of my favourite authors and when I heard that she was coming to Manchester for her <b>Tower of Dawn</b> tour I HAD to get a ticket - so I did!!</div>
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The event was fantastic -<span style="font-size: x-small;"> waiting outside in the queue was freezing</span> - but the event was fantastic. Sarah gave a talk and then we all got our signed books. Charlie Bowater (the artist) was also there and it was really interesting hearing how she interpreted Sarah's books into her own art form. </div>
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Going to this event gave me the <span style="font-size: large;">Event Bug</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(it's a real illness, google it - except don't because I'm lying)</span> and I just want to go to them all now! I will definitely be keeping my eye out in the future. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">And now onto the books I read in November...</span></div>
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First up I read <span style="font-size: x-large;">Golden Son by Pierce Brown.</span> I picked up <b>Red Rising</b> in October and was so close SO CLOSE to putting it back down again. I just could <i>not</i> get into it. So I had a little gander on Goodreads and <span style="font-size: large;">so</span> many reviews said to stick it out past the 100-page mark and it starts to pick up from there....so I did...and I am<i> soooooo</i> glad that I did. I loved Red Rising. The world that Pierce has created is so incredibly unique, his characters are amazing and the story was just.....WOW! So obviously I had to pick up the next book in the series. Golden Son was a little slower than Red Rising, and like the first book this one takes a bit of work to get into but its <span style="font-size: large;">SO worth it</span>. I listened to this one on audiobook which was really good and I'm tempted to get the third book <b>Morning Star</b> on audio too but I'm getting the physical copy for Christmas so it will be a little rude not to actually read it....hmmm. Anyway...<b>4 out of 5</b> stars for Golden Son. </div>
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(to avoid spoilers I haven't added the Golden Son description....here is the Red Rising one)</div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">'Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.<br />Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.<br />But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.<br />Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.'</span></i></div>
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I'm pretty sure I started <span style="font-size: x-large;">Slasher Girls and Monster Boys</span> in October because I wanted to read something spooky...but I didn't finish it until November<span style="font-size: x-small;"> because sloooooow</span>. This book is edited by <b>April Genevieve Tucholke</b> and features creepy short stories from lots of amazing authors. I really enjoyed this anthology and some of the stories actually freaked me out big time<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (In the Forest Dark and Deep by Carrie Ryan I'm looking at YOU!).</span> My favourite stories in the collection are: </div>
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<b>The Flicker, The Fingers, The Beat, The Sigh by April Genevieve Tucholke </b></div>
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<b>Sleepless by Jay Kristoff</b></div>
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<b>In the Forest Dark and Deep by Carrie Ryan</b></div>
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The other stories didn't hit me as much as the ones above but I gave the overall collection <b>4 out of 5</b> stars and would love to read something like this again in the future. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvZaVfm6CFvt9Qg1OSYxAHb6KwkVQLOpsm6vi9DAPGo90IPxAjRfdiduuE5usA2MMQgkgo4PGUz7Y8CIoWq9G9QQbHz4uj3c1p5JkDapxY6gddMV1VsmUIdXU6YrRBP5UDVUTXO6AyuI-/s1600/4+star.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="88" data-original-width="335" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvZaVfm6CFvt9Qg1OSYxAHb6KwkVQLOpsm6vi9DAPGo90IPxAjRfdiduuE5usA2MMQgkgo4PGUz7Y8CIoWq9G9QQbHz4uj3c1p5JkDapxY6gddMV1VsmUIdXU6YrRBP5UDVUTXO6AyuI-/s320/4+star.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span id="freeText13973185331710099851"><i>'For fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Lois Duncan, and Daphne Du Maurier comes a powerhouse anthology featuring some of the best writers of YA thrillers and horror A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke.Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.Fans of TV’s The Walking Dead, True Blood, and American Horror Story will tear through tales by these talented authors:Stefan BachmannLeigh BardugoKendare BlakeA. G. HowardJay KristoffMarie LuJonathan MaberryDanielle PaigeCarrie RyanMegan ShepherdNova Ren SumaMcCormick TemplemanApril Genevieve TucholkeCat Winters'</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVYVgjza2mb82oovhbwWBbESLcIk0sGbJXSESPRDpoO89AQvb3yQjWT_QIl07I1v2JJWD9ArFbKAoUf4Il34E9mPev0IosTEMC3QYvO4LxYrKgfmNr3KSX1vz8BNU6e87uEL8x2sS3c9s/s1600/GGVV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVYVgjza2mb82oovhbwWBbESLcIk0sGbJXSESPRDpoO89AQvb3yQjWT_QIl07I1v2JJWD9ArFbKAoUf4Il34E9mPev0IosTEMC3QYvO4LxYrKgfmNr3KSX1vz8BNU6e87uEL8x2sS3c9s/s640/GGVV.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I'd been hearing so much about all the greatness that is<span style="font-size: x-large;"> The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee</span> on Booktube but I just didn't think it would be for me. I'm not sure what actually possessed me to purchase this on audiobook<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (probably because EVERYONE recommended it)</span> - but I did and I am so glad! As I said, <span style="font-size: large;">believe everything you've heard about this book - and if you haven't heard anything believe everything you hear now</span> - because this novel is fantastic. It's funny, exciting and touching. The characters are great, the story is crazy and I actually had some 'hold my heart' moments at the end of this book: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxXxQG3NwARUSkZIIktZ_m8qjYr4G2Zgs03pcgSJ3WVbUW_hgc6gywHJFeEirmKe68n-l2OqcHXg_qkC5nVmp_KvZxfMDMTGzTUZhgHck1EMxDupDMlzWcEHw83R4XZ_ubn4hWFy8CKIB/s1600/giphy2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="450" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxXxQG3NwARUSkZIIktZ_m8qjYr4G2Zgs03pcgSJ3WVbUW_hgc6gywHJFeEirmKe68n-l2OqcHXg_qkC5nVmp_KvZxfMDMTGzTUZhgHck1EMxDupDMlzWcEHw83R4XZ_ubn4hWFy8CKIB/s320/giphy2.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This was actually me walking back from the school-run listening to the ending</span></div>
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<b>5 out of 5</b> stars from me</div>
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(and definitely get that audiobook. Tom Riddle from Chamber of Secrets narrates it and its wonderful!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0APiKnmnrH092B1R7ImhWoOY_RMuMMButsglb4WbsZWFqnOHrVE7nGjAm1zUWNJ49s6YvdTRULE18OOH7leABt65Efd_IoXcPq_L5uWD5bJea2VWGeXIS3sYwKk3JagpMZiaWs13uEGst/s1600/5+star.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="88" data-original-width="416" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0APiKnmnrH092B1R7ImhWoOY_RMuMMButsglb4WbsZWFqnOHrVE7nGjAm1zUWNJ49s6YvdTRULE18OOH7leABt65Efd_IoXcPq_L5uWD5bJea2VWGeXIS3sYwKk3JagpMZiaWs13uEGst/s320/5+star.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span id="freeText410167073352018085"><i>'Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men. But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy. Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.'</i></span></div>
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<b>Leigh Bardugo</b> has become one of my favourite authors this year. Literally - <span style="font-size: large;">she is Queen</span>. I adore all of the <b>Grisha universe</b> books so when I heard that she was releasing <span style="font-size: x-large;">Language of Thorns</span> I snapped it up on pre-order - <span style="font-size: x-small;">but then cancelled it quickly when FairyLoot announced they were including it in their October box</span>. This is a collection of short fairytale-esque stories from the Grishaverse and I loved them!!! First of all...the book is BEAUTIFUL. Little illustrations build up over every page into full-size pictures and it's<i> so</i> amazing to read. The tales in this collection are dark, creepy, rich and laced with feminist awesomeness. I gave this book <b>5 out of 5</b> stars overall, but if you only read one story from here <span style="font-size: large;">PLEASE read The Witch of Duva</span>. That one still haunts me long after I closed the book. </div>
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<span id="freeText11669436789711260786"><i>'Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns. Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price. Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love. Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse. This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.'</i></span> </div>
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Let me just say that I really like<b> Kristen Martin</b>. I watch her videos all the time and I think she is an awesome woman and wonderful person. But - this is the second book of hers that I have tried to read and <i>I...just...could...not</i>. While <span style="font-size: x-large;">Shadow Crown</span> was significantly better than her first book the<b> Alpha Drive</b><i>...I just still couldn't get through it.</i> Which is a real shame because I was definitely enjoying it at first and the world she has created is so interesting...but I couldn't get on board with the characters or the writing and never felt excited to pick this up. I ended up DNFing this about 150 pages in - so I gave it a good shot - but it wasn't for me. </div>
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I have <span style="font-size: large;">all </span>the respect for self-publishers, especially those that do it so well like Kristen...but I have yet to read a self-published book that blew my socks off and there's definitely something to be said for the rigorous editorial process that traditionally-published books go through. </div>
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I feel sad about this book, and I won't give it a star-rating because I didn't finish it and that's not fair...but I can't recommend it either. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry Kristen :(</span> </div>
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<span id="freeText6322985447131337121"><i>'For most people, the act of killing is intangible. Unfathomable. But not for seventeen-year-old Arden Eliri. Having been involved in Cruex assassination attempts as a mere child, killing is a natural disposition for her. Growing up without parents, in a castle ruled by an iron-fisted king, is the furthest thing from a fairy tale, as is being forced into the Cruex, the king’s group of hand-selected assassins. But with each passing year, she comes to enjoy the act of killing more and more. Kill or be killed—she chooses the former. A decade ago, King Darius Tymond banished The Caldari—those who practice illusié, or old magick—from Trendalath Kingdom, ensuring that no Caldari will ever step foot in his kingdom again. But Arden discovers otherwise after a dual-assigned mission goes horribly awry. Even more startling, she discovers that she may have more in common with the Caldari than she’s been led to believe. Arden wants to trust that King Tymond’s intentions are pure, but as their pasts collide in unexpected ways, the quicker she realizes the consequences and dangers of his reign. But Arden is also hiding something—something that threatens her very existence—and she’ll have to face her inner darkness and conquer it before it destroys her . . . and the kingdom she’s come to call her home.'</i></span><b></b></div>
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Emily over at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW5R53ckTBE4JJtUmc64lng" target="_blank">BooksWithEmilyFox</a> talked about <span style="font-size: x-large;">Sleeping Giants by Slyvain Neuvel</span> recently and lots of other people recommended this audiobook so I had to give it a try. Firstly....<span style="font-size: large;">100% get this on audio - </span>it has a full cast who do a fantastic job of narrating this story in such an animated way. This book is super science-ey and that was something that I initially struggled with because I am not that way inclined, but as the story goes on you begin to understand it all so much more and I felt <i>significantly</i> smarter at the end of this. As far as the story goes....this was veeeery interesting, but the pacing was an issue for me as I felt like a good portion of the book was slow but the final quarter felt very rushed and I couldn't keep up. I gave this book <b>3 out of 5</b> stars and I'm definitely interested in carrying on with this series but I'm not sure when I will pick it up and my fingers aren't twitching to do so immediately. </div>
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<span id="freeText14633714024996013696"><i>'A girl named Rose is riding her new bike near her home in Deadwood, South Dakota, when she falls through the earth. She wakes up at the bottom of a square hole, its walls glowing with intricate carvings. But the firemen who come to save her peer down upon something even stranger: a little girl in the palm of a giant metal hand. Seventeen years later, the mystery of the bizarre artifact remains unsolved—its origins, architects, and purpose unknown. Its carbon dating defies belief; military reports are redacted; theories are floated, then rejected. But some can never stop searching for answers. Rose Franklin is now a highly trained physicist leading a top secret team to crack the hand’s code. And along with her colleagues, she is being interviewed by a nameless interrogator whose power and purview are as enigmatic as the provenance of the relic. What’s clear is that Rose and her compatriots are on the edge of unraveling history’s most perplexing discovery—and figuring out what it portends for humanity. But once the pieces of the puzzle are in place, will the result prove to be an instrument of lasting peace or a weapon of mass destruction? An inventive debut in the tradition of World War Z and The Martian, told in interviews, journal entries, transcripts, and news articles, Sleeping Giants is a thriller fueled by a quest for truth—and a fight for control of earthshaking power.'</i></span></div>
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So that's my November reading wrap-up. I'm <i>super</i> impressed with myself for reading this many books alongside all of the uni reading and assignments that I also had to do <span style="font-size: x-small;">so many too many</span> Let's hope this pace carries on so I can finally make a dent in the 77 unread books on my shelf at the minute...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What did you read in November?</b></span> </div>
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Let me know in the comments and definitely link your posts so I can pop over and have a look at the stories you ate this month. </div>
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<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/lauren-carroll-reads-writes-18227327" target="_blank">bloglovin</a> // <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LKCarrollWrites/" target="_blank">pinterest</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/ABlndeLibrarian" target="_blank">twitter</a> // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ablondelibrarian/" target="_blank">instagram</a> // <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33034019-lauren" target="_blank">goodreads</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-70037372367069822872017-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:002017-11-30T09:00:19.918-08:00November Writing Update - AKA Prepare to be Extremely Underwhelmed at my Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So to be honest...the month of November was the best of a bad bunch when it comes to writing this Autumn. I knew this would happen. Over the summer I was on break from uni and so had writing time in<span style="font-size: x-large;"> abundance!</span> I finished my first draft and made a good dent in my edits. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yeeeeeah...not so much anymore</i></span></div>
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I started back at uni in October, and the workload this semester is fairly heavy - <span style="font-size: x-small;">at least compared to exactly zero work in the summer</span> - and it's taken me a while to get back into the swing of things. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">honestly though...goals</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>So what exactly did I get done in November....</b></span></div>
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Because I didn't post any updates in September or October either, I thought I would just give a brief summary of what I've done so far on this first round of edits and where I'm up to. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sound alright?</span></i> </div>
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Alright. </div>
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According to Scrivener...I have now edited <b>29 out of 43 chapters</b> (44 if you count the Epilogue)...so I'm over half way and feeling very good about that. I feel like the plot is really picking up the pace now and it's all just steaming ahead to the finish line! </div>
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I wrote my first draft of <i>Prince of Blades</i> in Microsoft Word, but I always knew that I wanted to edit on Scrivener. There are just<span style="font-size: large;"> SO MANY</span> tools for categorising and organisation that a Type-A personality like me just squeals in delight. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">See below for an accurate representation of how I feel about Scrivener:</span> </div>
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So I've been chugging through this first round of edits and...<i>lemme tell ya</i>...it has been<span style="font-size: x-large;"> HARD</span>! I have made some pretty big structural and overall edits to the book that take a really long time to implement. Scenes have been deleted <span style="font-size: x-small;">(oh the pain),</span> scenes have switched POV, and scenes have been moved around.It's been like moving house...but you can't remember where you put anything, or if you really want to keep all the crap you own now or just throw it out and start fresh all minimalist-like....I'm still feeling the effects of those big changes and adjusting the manuscript accordingly as I go along but man - it takes a long time! </div>
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To add insult to injury...my characters have gone and done that thing where they change. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">How rude</span></i></div>
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You think you know someone and then <span style="font-size: x-large;">BAM</span>...completely new person. I did really extensive profiles for my characters before writing the book - and these definitely helped - but I have learnt that the only <b>real </b>way to get to know your characters fully is to write in their shoes. As the first draft came along I learnt so much about the little people populating my pages that now I look back on the early chapters and slap my head going: </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>THEY WOULD NEVER SAY THAT!! SHE WOULD NEVER ACT THAT WAY!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Side note: only minimal slapping occurred but I still wouldn't recommend it</span></div>
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It feels like I'm trudging through some major sludge with these edits at the minute...but the end of the slush field is in sight and <span style="font-size: large;">I need to get there</span>! I already have soooooo many notes of things to include and change in the next round of edits, but once these major structural things are all ironed out I feel confident that the revisions will speed along nicely. </div>
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Don't you just love optimism? </div>
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I am hoping....silently pleading...that this first round of edits is done by the new year. I have a lot of work to do for uni over the next few weeks so progress will no doubt continue to be slow...but it's progress...and I'm making it. So yay</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How are you doing with your writing? What are you working on? Did you make any good progress this month? What are your goals for December? </span></div>
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Let me know in the comments and don't forget to link your blogs so I can pop over for a read. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(all photos sourced from Google unless stated otherwise) </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-77723093977755071272017-11-28T05:00:00.000-08:002017-11-28T05:00:05.272-08:00Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQR5K5J5U5xrP5FWa91qAHQOIYgmJX1iqGsnc3yP2RhnXPZt4k4902Av0ivHFfUTu4MvyFgIJ16vKRjSFysN26-51MDZpm14V4OqimeCUDkDKUodpDoaVPU-Dcd2F_RWIF-TUhW0YJzNE/s1600/toptentuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="870" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQR5K5J5U5xrP5FWa91qAHQOIYgmJX1iqGsnc3yP2RhnXPZt4k4902Av0ivHFfUTu4MvyFgIJ16vKRjSFysN26-51MDZpm14V4OqimeCUDkDKUodpDoaVPU-Dcd2F_RWIF-TUhW0YJzNE/s640/toptentuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used to participate in <b>Top Ten Tuesday</b> all the time back when I ran my old book blog and I've decided that I want to hop back in over here too. If you don't know - Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a>. Each week there is a new bookish topic to compile a list about. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>And who doesn't love lists?</b></span> </div>
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This week's topic is: </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR</span></div>
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<i>So let's jump right in...</i></div>
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There are a few books that I know I <span style="font-size: x-large;">definitely</span> want to read over the coming months, but this list isn't concrete. I'm always changing my mind when it comes to what I'm reading next so this could <i>aaaaaallll</i> change in ze future. That being said, here are some of the books I plan to read in December, January and February</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(P.S. I'm not a 'seasonal' reader like some bloggers, so don't expect lots of Christmassy/Wintery/Valentines Day-ey books on this list. I just read whatever I want whenever I want. Oh the freedom!!)</span> </div>
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I am most definitely going to read <b>The Book of Dust</b> by Philip Pullman. His original <b>His Dark Materials</b> trilogy are my favourite books of all time in the world <span style="font-size: large;">EVER</span>. I have been waiting so long for this and I can't wait to pick it up <span style="font-size: x-small;">although it's a pretty hefty brick I have a feeling it might take me a while to get through</span>.<br />
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Another book that I am 100% going to read soon is <b>Hunting Prince Dracula</b> by Kerri Maniscalco. I read <b>Stalking Jack the Ripper</b> in one day and instantly picked up this one to read next. These books are right up my alley and so fun to read I'm excited to dive into this one. Plus - these covers are beautiful!<br />
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<b>Morning Star </b>by Pierce Brown is on my Christmas list so I will definitely be reading this one at the start of next year. I slowly made my way through <b>Red Rising</b> and <b>Golden Son</b> these past few months and I can safely say I have <span style="font-size: large;">never</span> read a book world like this one. I adore the characters in this series and...I'm not gonna lie...I'm super scared to read this one because <span style="font-size: x-large;">I don't want any of my babies to die!</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't do it Pierce...don't do it.</span><br />
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I saw <b>Emily</b> over at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW5R53ckTBE4JJtUmc64lng" target="_blank">BooksWithEmilyFox</a> talk about <b>Pines </b>by Blake Crouch and then I instantly bought it...<span style="font-size: x-small;">because that's how I work apparently.</span> I don't know much about this one other than it sounds like a really addicting mystery/thriller that I can't wait to read ASAP. Also - I let my stepmum borrow this one and she couldn't put it down...<span style="font-size: x-large;">so thumbs up all round!</span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2ZOmzymrXLeUs_tauDMpcb2fBPJKPTwxjpxcD0fMR4bWTVGr3pn8SquWs_dLwC0BxpyjU0Jq5IMSYE8ubUK4Dw5c_jM3LhmTxj2W0ruwPsp4t_sSZq4SlnfuKnYw72J2Pit3-15aJea6/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDKs1cZXkoalcyX9s2VGSnqeL4IUE_3-so7zDIfri_L-JieDHM4GnnlvEO-eHI_osoKgNSCYRxkOzRofbqUqNCY4ia_50tCQPsb2yju-EodyyI4RhdUvx9dRS_qoCQXXnZyU41ppsorKT/s1600/Raven+Cycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDKs1cZXkoalcyX9s2VGSnqeL4IUE_3-so7zDIfri_L-JieDHM4GnnlvEO-eHI_osoKgNSCYRxkOzRofbqUqNCY4ia_50tCQPsb2yju-EodyyI4RhdUvx9dRS_qoCQXXnZyU41ppsorKT/s640/Raven+Cycle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I already own the entire beautiful <b>Raven Cycle</b> quartet by Maggie Stiefvater and have decided that I want to binge-read them in January. I've heard so many wonderful things about this series, the covers are stunning, everyone has read them and I feel left out, okay.<span style="font-size: large;"> This is happening</span>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2ZOmzymrXLeUs_tauDMpcb2fBPJKPTwxjpxcD0fMR4bWTVGr3pn8SquWs_dLwC0BxpyjU0Jq5IMSYE8ubUK4Dw5c_jM3LhmTxj2W0ruwPsp4t_sSZq4SlnfuKnYw72J2Pit3-15aJea6/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2ZOmzymrXLeUs_tauDMpcb2fBPJKPTwxjpxcD0fMR4bWTVGr3pn8SquWs_dLwC0BxpyjU0Jq5IMSYE8ubUK4Dw5c_jM3LhmTxj2W0ruwPsp4t_sSZq4SlnfuKnYw72J2Pit3-15aJea6/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ps0lTf8d6naki3OP9zUuR0upYFB9iZ8hjKf7tR1VHsvxD4JqT_pPekh7yvPc392VfsnzC9FtrFWXQn3FmRWZLJkNbbmT0g7txYRjhhMI0qVAAQiEh_NecsrUKLsbU8Dfo5F4TOghutt8/s1600/The+Three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="226" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ps0lTf8d6naki3OP9zUuR0upYFB9iZ8hjKf7tR1VHsvxD4JqT_pPekh7yvPc392VfsnzC9FtrFWXQn3FmRWZLJkNbbmT0g7txYRjhhMI0qVAAQiEh_NecsrUKLsbU8Dfo5F4TOghutt8/s400/The+Three.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<b>The Three</b> by Sarah Lotz sounds so so intriguing and I've had it for <span style="font-size: large;"><b>so</b></span> long on my shelf I really need to read it now. I planned on reading it in October but that month ran <i>right </i>away from me so it's still sat there unread and that needs rectifying. It looks super mysterious and creepy and just the kind of thing I'm into. </div>
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<i>Which leads me onto....</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS_EX0IX-hqrZ42nUqPD2qwoXRwSWJakC8Kcup3UbCt99JVWtfbTHOKELBKijvdBBsI21DpqucV4pI3KE-AFJCnk3OA0_koeFEA_BgBUNAHisV6iwaHsqPwHHilsF1_xozMkAogbiM6j0/s1600/Day+Four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS_EX0IX-hqrZ42nUqPD2qwoXRwSWJakC8Kcup3UbCt99JVWtfbTHOKELBKijvdBBsI21DpqucV4pI3KE-AFJCnk3OA0_koeFEA_BgBUNAHisV6iwaHsqPwHHilsF1_xozMkAogbiM6j0/s320/Day+Four.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<b>Day Four</b> by Sarah Lotz. I'm not exactly sure if this is a sequel to the first book or more of a companion but it looks <span style="font-size: x-large;">absolutely terrifying</span>. I am petrified of the ocean, and this takes place on a cruise-ship-gone-wrong. That, combined with this cover gives me <span style="font-size: large;">massive</span> heebie jeebies and I'm sure this book is going to give me nightmares. I plan on reading both of these books back-to-back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl-kUqPsxvOZ9FS2XDWNRjHwt4woSFP5nTc3-ob_SOSz3vMe_M81n0_GYOq4TXg_uOoj5mWckwSp89H8n0tPjkXIMruC7cbGE0G-3rxzXkpC-3CtZX4iMlm_uaoO4yMHvbzbNE05NksCe/s1600/Untitled+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="638" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl-kUqPsxvOZ9FS2XDWNRjHwt4woSFP5nTc3-ob_SOSz3vMe_M81n0_GYOq4TXg_uOoj5mWckwSp89H8n0tPjkXIMruC7cbGE0G-3rxzXkpC-3CtZX4iMlm_uaoO4yMHvbzbNE05NksCe/s320/Untitled+design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Daughter of the Burning City</b> by Amanda Foody is pretty new to my collection. I got this in a Fairyloot box a few months back and it sounds like something I am going to enjoy. I love anything circus/carnival themed and the premise of this one sounds super unique. I've heard pretty good things so I'm looking forward to reading it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HqrbZNqBVPL_EqPyKisCyOgfZ9602T7yfOtmadagky1YKX0Wv-vQoGikGN3B37vQTiKlXEO_gUBEx9-5XKG8IxtaRp5MuWhciGcVbiPLEBCKhRa8rFjkH8b1KWQPjCrEXRP6br85w705/s1600/91j7w%252BEJXvL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1051" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HqrbZNqBVPL_EqPyKisCyOgfZ9602T7yfOtmadagky1YKX0Wv-vQoGikGN3B37vQTiKlXEO_gUBEx9-5XKG8IxtaRp5MuWhciGcVbiPLEBCKhRa8rFjkH8b1KWQPjCrEXRP6br85w705/s400/91j7w%252BEJXvL.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<b>The Miniaturist</b> by Jessie Burton is another book that has been sat on my shelf for way too long and needs some love. I feel like this would be perfect to read over the winter as I've heard it is quite slow-paced and I don't know...it just feels RIGHT to read this when it's cold outside. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAeOQ0jOPB0tQcXy_S4QyB8ErQV0o7EdcYAXVc7z8nV9ifGLwxSGvqmE9otEYfYpb8hW4pu3Vjb3CE4m2X6gBY0qKSrn4Lm6ILfMGn7xs2TwQKSvIETC7lh8VVH6xmLZz81hOsXEId5wB/s1600/Smoke+and+Bone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="326" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAeOQ0jOPB0tQcXy_S4QyB8ErQV0o7EdcYAXVc7z8nV9ifGLwxSGvqmE9otEYfYpb8hW4pu3Vjb3CE4m2X6gBY0qKSrn4Lm6ILfMGn7xs2TwQKSvIETC7lh8VVH6xmLZz81hOsXEId5wB/s400/Smoke+and+Bone.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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And finally....I really want to read the <b>Daughter of Smoke and Bone</b> trilogy by Laini Taylor at the start of next year. I have a feeling I'm going to adore this and I don't know why I've put it off for so long! I also really want to read <b>Strange the Dreamer</b>...and even though it isn't connected at all to this series I just want to read Laini's earlier books first.<br />
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So that's it. Like I said, this TBR is tentative and who knows if I will actually read all of these books in the winter but if I do - I will post my reviews on here and on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ablondelibrarian" target="_blank">Instagram</a> so you can see what I think.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Which books are on your winter TBR?</span></b> </div>
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If you've done a post, pop the link in the comments and I'll be sure to come over and have a read. If not, just tell me in the comments what you plan on reading in these next few months. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(all pictures sourced from Google unless stated otherwise)</span></i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-67819596160507215992017-11-27T12:01:00.000-08:002017-11-27T12:02:48.984-08:00A Writing Crisis<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTTUKfSAzgvccE2Qr6eJzZgDAfj7Y8NmODESYvN8jf3hq8i8qFlMvF56tVuAX2MwC4lkfMYYxNU0SlMepcCmDtu8E9mW4QUfmzOqjnnZ8Y2XdyC2QDZ8p3hDGAb9svO_kO5eDixl4v5mY/s1600/Too-Many-Ideas-by-Charlie-Page.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTTUKfSAzgvccE2Qr6eJzZgDAfj7Y8NmODESYvN8jf3hq8i8qFlMvF56tVuAX2MwC4lkfMYYxNU0SlMepcCmDtu8E9mW4QUfmzOqjnnZ8Y2XdyC2QDZ8p3hDGAb9svO_kO5eDixl4v5mY/s640/Too-Many-Ideas-by-Charlie-Page.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm having a moment.</span> </div>
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I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one who has ever had this moment. </div>
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So I'm sharing the moment -<span style="font-size: x-small;"> mainly for self-cathartic reasons. </span></div>
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So I've been working on my book <i>Prince of Blades </i>since last August. The novel is the first in an YA/adult crossover fantasy series and it is my sweet baby cinnamon roll. I have lived and breathed this novel since I first got the idea for it. I'm honestly in love with the characters, the world and the story, and like I mentioned in my last post - I'm currently 70k words through the first draft. </div>
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To explain my 'moment'...I need to take a little step back in time to when I first conceived the idea for <i>Prince of Blades. </i></div>
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<i>Come with me if you will...</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>STORYTIME</b></span></div>
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Before the idea for this book came to me, I was actually working on something else. For years and years I had been cooking up an idea in my brain, and that idea began to take shape in the form of a novel called <i>Joel. </i>Now, <i>Joel </i>is a YA psychological thriller and it was my very first real idea that I knew was workable. It was my first-born - so-to-speak. I have been so very attached to this idea, and finally decided to begin writing it last summer. The writing was going really well. It felt natural, easy, and I was excited to be finally telling this story. I managed to get around 25K through the first draft. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Then...</i></span></div>
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Val and her ragtag group of misfit pirates literally walked into my brain and demanded I tell their story. I fought with myself. A big fantasy story was something VERY different from the contemporary psychological thriller I was writing now. And <i>Joel</i> was the story I had wanted to write for <i>so long!!! </i>But in the end, Val won. I closed the document for <i>Joel, </i>and began work on something that would later become <i>Prince of Blades. </i>It felt wrong, but I made the decision and stuck to it, eventually detaching myself from the first project <span style="font-size: x-small;">or so I thought.</span> I absolutely ADORE Prince of Blades and have not looked back since. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Until now.</span></i> </div>
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<b>Cue....the MOMENT I am now experiencing.</b> </div>
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Out of nowhere, Fleur has popped back up. Fleur is the main character of <i>Joel - </i>and she does <span style="font-size: large;">NOT</span> like being ignored. She has sat on the back-burner for months but she isn't happy with that anymore. All of a sudden, all I can think about is <i>Joel, </i>and how much I NEED to tell that story. And not just <i>that</i> one. When I started writing <i>Joel, </i>I got another idea for a story that was ALSO a YA psychological thriller. It would appear that THAT is my jam. And TODAY - lo and behold...idea number three came into my head...and guess what - its a YA mystery/thriller!!! </div>
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<i>Oh Lauren what's the problem...you are getting too many ideas....oh boo hoo...</i>I hear you say<i>.</i></div>
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The problem is, I feel like I can't do both. I adore fantasy, to read and to write. I am loving writing <i>Prince of Blades </i>and I'm excited about it.....but I also want to work on <i>Joel...</i>and possibly these other two stories in the future. Is that possible? Can a writer produce stories in more than one genre...or is it best to stick to just one. </div>
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The general consensus is that you <b>should fit in somewhere</b>. It's very difficult for a publisher to take a gamble on you, to market you...when they don't know what you will write next. If an audience LOVES <i>Joel...</i>they will come to expect more of the same from me...the same applies to <i>Prince of Blades. </i>What do I do? Where do I fit? Why can't I do both? <i> </i></div>
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So I'm stuck. I don't know what to do. I don't know I don't know I don't know. For now...I'm going to do both. I'm going to finish the first draft of <i>Prince of Blades...</i>put it to one side to simmer...and work on <i>Joel. </i>I'm going to perfect both of them and eventually query each of them to agents. Then I'll just see what happens and go from there. </div>
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I just know right now that both of these stories need to be told...and it has to be me that tells them. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Moment over....for now</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(all pictures sourced from Google. I do not own any rights to them)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-78374385042736778242017-08-23T05:59:00.001-07:002017-11-27T12:02:30.594-08:00AuthorTube Work In Progress Tag<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE6GABiSKpkdghnvmygk0PQYnxYBZd8L_mCpdcSsJVwtSOMKn4FnrupaV46QS5sRzImfeJTkLEwVl-JhEsAe5cle4voS-CGXkOijv3t4jkYkarMu0Ru_BxVmQShI1MtMKAB9k64HZENo0/s1600/writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE6GABiSKpkdghnvmygk0PQYnxYBZd8L_mCpdcSsJVwtSOMKn4FnrupaV46QS5sRzImfeJTkLEwVl-JhEsAe5cle4voS-CGXkOijv3t4jkYkarMu0Ru_BxVmQShI1MtMKAB9k64HZENo0/s640/writing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not actually on YouTube. I would absolutely love to have a<b> BookTube/AuthorTube channel</b> but I just don't know if I will ever actually set one up. Maybe in the future, who knows? This tag was originally created by<b> Jessi</b> from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeOfaTeenageWriter" target="_blank">LifeOfATeenageWriter</a>, I saw it on <b>Lainey'</b>s channel (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYU09KQeg_c" target="_blank">gingerreadslainey</a>) and decided that I wanted to do it here on my blog...so here we are. </div>
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There are ten questions in this tag to help you get to know my current project better, so let's just jump right in with...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>QUESTION 1: WHAT IS THE WORKING TITLE OF YOUR NOVEL?</b></span></div>
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Right now, the book is called<i> 'Prince of Blades'</i> and is the first in a trilogy <span style="font-size: xx-small;">hopefully</span> called<i> 'The Esperanza Saga'.</i> I don't think the book title is going to change now as it fits the story really well, but I'm still open to change if another one jumps out at me. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>QUESTION 2: WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR THE BOOK COME FROM?</b></span></div>
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I've touched briefly on this question before, but I'll go over it again here. Back in the summer of 2016, I began working on a writing project that had been simmering away in my brain for years. <span style="font-size: large;">Actual years!</span> I finally decided to dedicate my time to it and got around 27,000 words into the first draft...when I got a completely new idea. It was entirely different from the project I was working on, and I knew nothing about it - except that I NEEDED to write it. It began with the characters, I literally saw them walk into my head, and I immediately began exploring who they were. <i>Prince of Blades</i> was formed from that. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">QUESTION 3: WHAT GENRE DOES YOUR BOOK FALL UNDER?</span></b></div>
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My book is a young adult fantasy novel. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">QUESTION 4: WHICH ACTORS WOULD YOU CHOOSE IN A MOVIE ADAPTATION OF YOUR BOOK?</span></b></div>
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I find this question tricky, because I'm not the kind of person who pictures specific actors when creating my characters - especially looks wise. I do pull elements of inspiration from certain actors or characters I've seen in my own life, but the characters in my book are completely unique. I also don't like to necessarily tell the readers what the characters look like in anything other than the words on the page. I want them to be able to picture them in their own heads without restrictions. That being said, I do have a Pinterest board for <i>Prince of Blades</i> and have pulled a few pictures from that to represent a brief overview of the crew of the 'Esperanza'. I'm planning another post all about visual inspiration behind my writing, but here are a few little ideas: </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I also don't know who exactly all of these people are...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEl9bOdOls4_NcHEquVZGGHWRYJciYo5bRG-2tW4TiULOtWlR5ZiSBQ7oYTWNK1Jh7Ddw0yCybeoc4lxXojVZC6Jtr_fzaekwC-z-MwFm2yQdR0Rz30IuNSi4U3UQ02mgxECU188D4Q1A/s1600/Characters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEl9bOdOls4_NcHEquVZGGHWRYJciYo5bRG-2tW4TiULOtWlR5ZiSBQ7oYTWNK1Jh7Ddw0yCybeoc4lxXojVZC6Jtr_fzaekwC-z-MwFm2yQdR0Rz30IuNSi4U3UQ02mgxECU188D4Q1A/s640/Characters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">QUESTION 5: WHAT IS A ONE-SENTENCE SYNOPSIS OF YOUR BOOK?</span></b></div>
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I haven't yet started the query process so I haven't started working on a longer synopsis for my novel, let alone a one-sentence one. Let's have a go...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A rag-tag group crew of formidable female pirates must join forces with men of the king's guard to hunt down a stolen princess</i></span></div>
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Wow...that's very vague, but it works. So there you go. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>QUESTION 6: WILL YOUR BOOK BE SELF OR TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED?</b></span> </div>
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I think the self-publishing market has grown so much recently, but I will definitely be pursuing traditional publishing with <i>Prince of Blades</i>. I have always thought that I wanted to go down that route, and I just don't have the time, resources or money to really be successful in the self-publishing book market. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">QUESTION 7: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO WRITE YOUR FIRST DRAFT?</span></b> </div>
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It took a year. A whole year, for me to finish the first draft of this book. I could've done it sooooo much quicker, I know I'm able to - but I just didn't pressure myself and worked on the draft really slowly - probably too slowly. My first year of uni coincided with the writing of the first draft, and so definitely hindered the process, but I have no doubt that I can work quicker than I did. The second draft is already coming on so much faster. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">QUESTION 8: WHAT OTHER BOOKS WOULD YOU COMPARE YOUR BOOK TO?</span></b></div>
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There are lots of pirate books out there, but I haven't read many, and so can't really compare my book to those in that sense. In fact, when it comes to comp titles, it isn't books that come to mind it's movies and TV shows. So, I would say that Prince of Blades is:</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Black Sails meets Sucker Punch</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAE8UXDDvyLAC81x87yAuJlUlpXpvbcTo4ZrxlbDGKJxjnCmvuE-NXBvm-HWUPUKZnFUF8Qp2wifXMWR2uCScd04-TOktMhV2mYKBvczTVeTfkLPRuoyS7JAAFIU0OIs4cYxpGwSb3rw7Q/s1600/comps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1328" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAE8UXDDvyLAC81x87yAuJlUlpXpvbcTo4ZrxlbDGKJxjnCmvuE-NXBvm-HWUPUKZnFUF8Qp2wifXMWR2uCScd04-TOktMhV2mYKBvczTVeTfkLPRuoyS7JAAFIU0OIs4cYxpGwSb3rw7Q/s640/comps.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">QUESTION 9: WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK?</span></b></div>
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If we are talking authors, then <b>Sarah J. Maas</b> is always a massive inspiration to me. Her passion and success is a driving force behind my own dreams and it was her that really inspired me to pursue my writing seriously. Also, more recently, <b>Leigh Bardugo</b> has inspired me to really work on this book and make the writing the best that it can be. I adore her books and they definitely inspire my own need to tell stories. </div>
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In my own life, <b>my Mum</b> has been a huge inspiration behind this book. Right from day one she has been my biggest cheerleader, research partner, name-finder and general supporter. She is as excited about this book as I am and has never made me feel like writing is a silly career to pursue. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">QUESTION 10: WHAT OTHER THINGS IN YOUR BOOK MIGHT PEAK READER'S INTEREST? </span></b></div>
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Okay, just like Eminem in <b>'Sick</b>', I'm bout to rattle off some other reasons...<br />
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* Lots of diversity between races, ethnicities, class and sexuality</div>
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* Pirate life</div>
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* Spooky cliffs and the women who live in them</div>
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* An island made entirely of ship-wrecks</div>
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* A hate-to-love romance witnessed from afar</div>
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* Female friendship</div>
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* Humour</div>
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* Platonic male/female friendship</div>
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* Morally grey characters</div>
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* Death</div>
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* Destruction</div>
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* Mystery </div>
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* A sweet and genuine blossoming romance</div>
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* Sword-fighting</div>
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* Sea battles</div>
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... and copious amounts of wine </div>
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So there we have it, that was my take on the<b> Work In Progress Tag</b>, I hope you liked it and it gave you some more insight into my novel <i>Prince of Blades</i>. I'm currently ALMOST half-way through the first round of edits and I'm really happy with how it's going. I'll check back in here soon with some more Prince of Blades teasers</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Lauren</span></i> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(all pictures taken from Google or Pinterest unless stated otherwise)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-50817014510409015692017-07-17T06:00:00.000-07:002017-11-27T12:02:16.638-08:00My Drafting Process<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZow-ATPBLz06fOUC3Cm80Ed7atS6sEfpBrrP8V3cDsvtesrvK1LsqCgu-asBjnQWwgAaZuNY8m_yP1xQ_hoBdTCBUikwk2iVS5ifSmc2OCtl0t-GyNX1Z9pGVAz5DDP38kx5V_3O3L2I4/s1600/manual-drafting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="423" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZow-ATPBLz06fOUC3Cm80Ed7atS6sEfpBrrP8V3cDsvtesrvK1LsqCgu-asBjnQWwgAaZuNY8m_yP1xQ_hoBdTCBUikwk2iVS5ifSmc2OCtl0t-GyNX1Z9pGVAz5DDP38kx5V_3O3L2I4/s640/manual-drafting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, did I mention that I finished my first draft of </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">Prince of Blades?</span> </i></div>
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<i>Let's celebrate again....</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYT6VxJLlM0hSTsaNhh79NGk7YXuueqLpxMTJoXSarYMOlgY_oyHzezO2_XTHtLtjLfio8_GlmSJGQI_iB-JcNRFEVfmbW0sAzgyP0Sky2CrfFH8hxn8Tr1tsjbRf_Nl2DKaBWdPeg2yln/s1600/anchorman-yes-jumping.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="400" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYT6VxJLlM0hSTsaNhh79NGk7YXuueqLpxMTJoXSarYMOlgY_oyHzezO2_XTHtLtjLfio8_GlmSJGQI_iB-JcNRFEVfmbW0sAzgyP0Sky2CrfFH8hxn8Tr1tsjbRf_Nl2DKaBWdPeg2yln/s400/anchorman-yes-jumping.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Okay, got that out of my system. Moving on...</i></div>
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This was the first time for me actually writing a <b>full novel from start to finish</b>, and my drafting process changed as I plodded along. I found a way of writing that really works for me, keeps me productive, and ensures that I never get stuck along the way. I wanted to share my process with you in this post. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">NOTE:</span></b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> This is just MY way of doing things. Every writer is different and this isn't going to work for everybody, but it works for me. Take my words with a pinch of salt, I am not Author God, but if you have found yourself stuck in your own drafting process, or you're simply reluctant to start because writing a book feels waaaay too daunting - then try my way and just see how it goes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">NOTE 2:</span></b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> I am an outliner. It's the way I do things, and my method is very structured. For all you pantsers out there, this may not be the best method for you, but feel free to tweak away and try and make it work.</span></span> <br />
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Before I started drafting, I made a pretty extensive outline for my entire book. This outline changed a fair bit along the way, but the story remained the same. I can't work without knowing where I'm going - I just can't. So I made my outline and I went from there. In my outline, I detailed all of the chapters I wanted to include, what order they should be in, whose perspective they should be in, and noted briefly what would happen in that scene. </div>
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Here's an example of <b>Chapter 1</b> from <i>Prince of Blades</i> taken from my actual outline: </div>
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Yes, it's very brief, but at a glance I know what that chapter contains and a few little details I want to include. The text is coloured blue because this chapter is from<b> Bianca's POV</b> - the pink chapters belong to Cresseida. My entire outline looks like this. </div>
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Drafting an entire book can feel so intimidating. <i>There's so much story to tell!</i> So I just took it scene-by-scene, chapter-by-chapter. To begin, I looked at the chapter I wanted to work on and began breaking it down in more detail. I make another, much more detailed outline of THAT CHAPTER ONLY. That's right, an <b>outline within an outline</b>. Things are starting to feel a little Inception-y but hear me out! It's less complicated than it sounds...</div>
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So I start with the very basics - <span style="font-size: large;">who is in this scene?</span> You have your <b>main characters</b> and you probably know what they will be doing - but what about everyone else? Are there any<b> side characters</b> in this chapter? Do they need to be there? If yes - give them something to do. Don't just have them stood around idle waiting for their turn to speak. What about any <b>extras</b>? Townspeople - even animals! Work out exactly who is in this scene and how they contribute to it. </div>
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Next, what I like to do is <span style="font-size: large;">involve the senses.</span> Your setting becomes so much more real, and your writing more immersive if you think about and include <b>sensory descriptions</b>. List each one and brainstorm how they apply to your scene. For this example I am imagining a scene in a <b>bustling city harbour.</b> Here's how I would break it down: </div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-size: large;">SEE:</span></b><i> (this is the biggest one, and you'll probably have the most to say about it. Keep it brief, you can expand on everything later, you just need to know what your characters can see).</i> Red-stone pavement. Wooden docks. Various ships of various sizes docked in the harbour and surrounding bay. Market stalls line the road selling refreshments for arriving sailors and last-minute wares for departing ones. It's a bright, sunny day. The harbour is bustling with people. Adults, children and animals alike. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>HEAR:</b></span> The hustle and bustle of busy people. Calls of stall-holders. Dogs barking. Gulls squawking overhead. Waves gently lap against the hulls of boats. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>SMELL:</b></span> <i>(This is my favourite sense to explore in a scene and I find it can really give it dimension)</i>. Baking pastries. Sweet-scented flowers from the mountainside. Salt water carried on the sea breeze. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b>TOUCH:</b></span> This is a tricky one. Are your characters going to interact with any of the scenery? Think of what that feels like: <i>the course, brittle fibres of the rope ladder as your character climbs up onto a boat, the cool metal of the ship hull</i>. You could also think about how the floor feels beneath their feet, how the wind feels on their face and in their hair etc. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><b>TASTE:</b></span> An even trickier one. Obviously, if your characters are eating anything, then describe it. Does the air have a taste to it? Has your character been in a fight in the previous chapter and can still taste the blood in their mouth? </div>
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Now that you have all of the senses explored, you can start to insert elements into the scene as you write it. <span style="font-size: large;">Don't</span> dump sensory descriptions on the reader all at once, weave them through the narrative as you build the story around them. </div>
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When you've done all of this, you can <span style="font-size: large;">start mapping out your scene</span>. Everything you've done so far will really help you visualise as you write, and hopefully make things easier. I find this bit fun. Don't worry about making the prose perfect - or even writing in full sentences - just flow down the page and jot down all of your ideas for this chapter. Work out what happens from start to finish, and all of the little bits in between. You are just brainstorming the scene, not actually writing it. </div>
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Sometimes I think of a beautiful setting description, witty lines of dialogue, or a whole passage that perfectly sums up a moment - other times I can only come up with a few words that indicate what needs to happen here. I couldn't find an example in my own work that didn't give away too many spoilers, but just think of it like the stepping stones of your chapter - how to get from A to B. You are <b>working out your scene from start to finish</b> so that when it comes to writing it, you won't get stuck wondering what happens next. As you go, keep an eye on your sensory descriptions and figure out where you can place them into your scene when it's relevant to mention them. </div>
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After that - you are FINALLY ready to <span style="font-size: large;">start writing</span>. It should be easy by this point, you are just fleshing out what you already have on the page. Turn your ideas into full sentences and those sentences into paragraphs, slowly building the scene. Write well, but don't worry too much. You will come back to this scene a million times during revisions and will have a chance later to perfect every word. For now, just worry about getting the words down. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then all of a sudden, hey presto - you have written a chapter!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQUwS3OePCXYR1zdDYR6QuWePm0ordiIHnphDvFYzn8Zk6U_IKCtND-SVKMCzR6mAmAVAKMsaJY3e-zy27SyDERfqdZbL_uSSBl8nBaVBi2PE1SizrgR6SzzJOcL0ZX_lGQUwQIFSUCQJ/s1600/tenor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="480" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQUwS3OePCXYR1zdDYR6QuWePm0ordiIHnphDvFYzn8Zk6U_IKCtND-SVKMCzR6mAmAVAKMsaJY3e-zy27SyDERfqdZbL_uSSBl8nBaVBi2PE1SizrgR6SzzJOcL0ZX_lGQUwQIFSUCQJ/s640/tenor.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now you just need to <span style="font-size: large;">repeat the entire process</span> again and again, chapter after chapter until you have a complete first draft - that's where I'm at now. It may sound complicated, and some of you might just want to sit down and write and see what comes out - that's great too! I'm just telling you how I do it, and breaking the scenes up this way really helped me. </div>
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I am currently making slow but steady progress through the first round of edits <span style="font-size: x-small;">I have just edited chapter 3....of 48,</span> and I am finding it <i>really </i>fun reading through some of the stuff I wrote so long ago <i>(I wrote the first half of this book in NaNoWriMo 2016!)</i></div>
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I hope this post was helpful in some way, I know I love reading about how other writers work. </div>
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<b>Happy drafting and I will speak to you soon</b> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(all pictures and gifs sourced from google unless stated otherwise)</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-28448344170669638192017-07-07T07:32:00.000-07:002017-11-27T12:01:56.040-08:00I've got the sand! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNAJAuajsFFI6H5x65jT1mKDH1Nii89_t1vTOCCZ9ss39o9Bh5ukEb5VfFb_epw0pS101uv6X8tyOsuUlAWT8mZk6XQuGZVQdgZqR87Ny1hRbDGqxrHv1bI5FB_ajVUrXRvCXVCzNmmDl/s1600/sandcastles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNAJAuajsFFI6H5x65jT1mKDH1Nii89_t1vTOCCZ9ss39o9Bh5ukEb5VfFb_epw0pS101uv6X8tyOsuUlAWT8mZk6XQuGZVQdgZqR87Ny1hRbDGqxrHv1bI5FB_ajVUrXRvCXVCzNmmDl/s640/sandcastles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's been <span style="font-size: x-large;">quite</span> the while since I last blogged. I could come up with all kinds of excuses, but truth is there isn't one. I've been neglectful. </div>
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<i>In all honestly</i>, I didn't blog because their wasn't much in the way of updates going on. The final semester of university was pretty <b>full-on</b>. I was so up to my eyeballs in essays and scripts that there was just no time to work on my own creative projects. I have finished now <span style="font-size: x-small;">until September when it aaaallll begins again, </span>and I've finally had chance to crack on with my writing. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I guess the biggest news to share is....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I finally finished the first draft of <i>Prince of Blades</i> !!!</b></span> </div>
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Let's not get ahead of ourselves. <b>The draft sucks</b>. Bigtime. The writing is terrible in some places, and the entire thing needs more work doing on it than Alicia Duvall has had done on her face - but the main thing is - it's <span style="font-size: large;">DONE!</span> I was watching a writing panel recently <span style="font-size: x-small;">like you do,</span> and someone <i>(I feel awful but I can't remember who)</i> said a quote that really stuck with me. She said:</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>'the first draft is just you piling sand into a bucket so you can make sandcastles with it later'.</i></span> </div>
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This is SO true. Nothing you write for the first time is going to be perfect - if it is, then you've hit the jackpot BIG TIME - but the overall consensus is that first drafts suck. And they are <b>MEANT</b> to suck. With the first draft, you are telling yourself the story, you are getting to know your characters and your world, you are chipping away at the earth to try and find those golden nuggets underneath. A first draft needs editing - a lot - to become good, but you can't edit a blank page. You can't build sandcastles from thin air - you need the sand in the bucket to begin with. </div>
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And now that my first draft is finished: </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I have the sand!</b></span></div>
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I know in my last post I said that I wanted to start working on the first draft of <i>Joel </i>after finishing this one, but for the time being I just want to focus on getting this book to the best that I can physically make it. I am leaving the draft to simmer for a little while, but I am <span style="font-size: large;">beyond</span> excited to jump into the first round of edits over the summer. I have already decided on some<span style="font-size: large;"> MAJOR</span> structural changes that need to be made (mainly to the beginning of the story). I have also decided to add a new side character -<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I clearly didn't hate myself enough so I wanted to make things harder</span>. This first set of revisions is going to focus on implementing the really big changes that need to be made. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYvf9osvJhwEbu4KG5WvcDGWPeDfZz7ULiWR9Nam6v8pR0TuFrqcsMYdZx01iwkuHD1YN2qgWy7k1QpNN7z0awqxqKGm2XmCL_4fv31ccvtJUoufqyzz_vEhiZxTeYOQiOTscH9-v5ldn/s1600/LB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1356" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYvf9osvJhwEbu4KG5WvcDGWPeDfZz7ULiWR9Nam6v8pR0TuFrqcsMYdZx01iwkuHD1YN2qgWy7k1QpNN7z0awqxqKGm2XmCL_4fv31ccvtJUoufqyzz_vEhiZxTeYOQiOTscH9-v5ldn/s640/LB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have been reading the <b>Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo</b> and I have fallen COMPLETELY in love with her writing style. I'm now reading <b>Six of Crows</b> by her, and the writing has taken a step up even further in that book! Her writing is <span style="font-size: x-large;">flawless</span> and reading her books has really inspired me to make my own better. If you haven't read anything by Leigh Bardugo I highly recommend her work! She has a Wonder Woman novel coming out in August that I cannot WAIT to get my hands on - I'm just eating up her books right now! </div>
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So that's all for now I think, no more updates. Like I said, this summer is going to consist of major edits to <i>Prince of Blades </i>while I have the time. Hopefully I can build some sandcastles<i> </i>and I'm sure I will check in again here soon. </div>
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:)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(all pictures taken from Google)</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-62250827260784486312017-03-13T06:21:00.000-07:002017-11-27T12:01:14.242-08:00On showing up and getting shit done...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So...it's been a hot minute since I last put up a post on this blog, and <span style="font-size: large;">A LOT</span> has happened since I last wrote anything on here. I've been meaning to come back for a while, but I just haven't had the time. </div>
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<b>I want to start MAKING time. </b></div>
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Let's start by talking about what I've been up to recently. The big new thing is I finally started my <b>English and Creative Writing degree</b> and so far I am really enjoying it. This first year has been mainly focused on introducing us to different aspects of creative writing (poetry, fiction and drama). For the 'English' side of the degree we have been studying all sorts of texts from poetry to Jane Eyre (which I LOVE btw). Overall the course has been brilliant so far and I can't believe that I'm almost done with my first year! </div>
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When it comes to writing my novel - things have been turbulent. I brainstormed, researched and outlined the book last <b>August-October</b>, and began writing the first draft in <b>November</b> for <span style="font-size: large;">NaNoWriMo 2017</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(more on that later).</span> I won Nano <span style="font-size: x-small;">(yay me),</span> and continued to work on the book afterwards. I am currently around halfway through the first draft and sat on <b>70K words</b>. One thing is FO SHO - <i>this book is already waaaaay too long</i>. Don't worry, I'm aware. There are already huge chunks that I've written and I<b> know</b> I'm going to edit them massively - maybe even cut them entirely. BUT I don't want to go back and edit a single thing until I finish the first draft. I'm a perfectionist, and if I'm constantly looking back I will never move forward - so push forward I must!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">CHAAAAAAARGE!</span></div>
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So yeah, I did Nano last year, for the first time ever - and I won! I was really proud of that win let me tell ya because I WORKED for it. Everyday, I sat down, opened up my laptop, and wrote....and wrote....and wrote...until I hit 50K words on November 30th. <i>Were those fifty thousand words the best word I've ever written?</i> Not even in the slightest, but I learnt a lot from participating in NaNo, mainly these three points: </div>
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<b>1)</b> NaNo gave me the kick up the arse I needed to actually start drafting the book. I had spent months in the initial stages. I developed characters, their world, outlined the plot, researched my arse off...but at some point you have to start writing...and NaNo helped me to do just that. </div>
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<b>2)</b> I realised that I can be rather productive when a deadline is chasing me. While the stress of the daily word count hung over me each day, it motivated me to write. <i>Want a night off?</i> Sure...but you have to make up double the words tomorrow....and so I wrote everyday. I also felt a huge sense of accomplishment each day when inputting my word count to the NaNoWriMo website. Long story short - deadlines work for me. Daily word goals work for me. </div>
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<b>3)</b> Perhaps the biggest thing that I learnt from NaNo was that <span style="font-size: large;">I AM CAPABLE.</span> I am capable of committing to a big writing project. I am capable of writing everyday. During NaNo I had uni work too - but I still managed to write around 1500 words a day...everyday. So I have no excuses. I know I can do it when I push myself to do it. </div>
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All of this leads me onto <span style="font-size: large;">NOW</span>. Like I said, I'm currently just over 70K words into the first draft of 'Prince of Blades'. Since NaNo I have been working slowly on the book, but I know I'm capable of working harder on it. The problem is...at the minute...I don't want to. It's not that I've lost interest in my story. I'm still as in love with the characters and their world as I was when I first thought of them. The long and short of it all is that I'm tired. Juggling Sophia and uni doesn't leave much time for anything else...and I'm not pushing myself to write like I usually do. </div>
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I want to be a writer. I want to write books for a living. That's what I want to do with my life. If I want writing to be my job one day then I need to start treating it like one NOW. I need to start showing up...and getting shit done. Whether I want to or not - because that's what a job is. I've shown myself I can do it...I <i>loved </i>writing everyday...so I need to keep doing it. I still have a lot of story ahead of me in the novel, but I want to push forward now and finally finish this first draft!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's to showing up and getting shit done!</span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-69794841966026385482016-09-15T05:04:00.000-07:002017-11-27T12:00:55.013-08:00Building a Character Profile<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB1HvOlvlCbQFT2rn3vyJpN5VyRjIF1TWnzT9DkAtb5rOv1cYWO9TBYnPKsC-msBbDrOUJ6Tza7KqjovYX7pXqFwa5WEzFLA9UDgGznkFJgGWjbVAF0Y8dg6U-F260SzRHehv_rJnKx6p/s1600/who-am-i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB1HvOlvlCbQFT2rn3vyJpN5VyRjIF1TWnzT9DkAtb5rOv1cYWO9TBYnPKsC-msBbDrOUJ6Tza7KqjovYX7pXqFwa5WEzFLA9UDgGznkFJgGWjbVAF0Y8dg6U-F260SzRHehv_rJnKx6p/s640/who-am-i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For me, <b>character profiles</b> are <i>essential</i>. You can think of the people you want to tell your story about, give them names....but they aren't believable unless you really figure out who they are. </div>
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No one person has a single facet. So we have a life-saving, award-winning surgeon...who also works as a volunteer at the puppy shelter <span style="font-size: x-small;">(aaaaaaw)</span> Or we have the life-saving, award-winning surgeon who kidnaps and murders women in his free time <span style="font-size: x-small;">(oooookaaaaaay).</span> Just adding that one other attribute to the same character completely changes who they are, it gives them another dimension than what we first see on the surface....be that good or bad. </div>
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Once we start adding lots of these different sides to our characters, they become 'real' people. They have motivations, fears, quirks etc - they aren't just made from a cookie cutter mould, each person on the page is unique to your story. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So how do I do this?</b></span> </div>
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Some writers prefer to just get to know their characters as they write, which is great - but I need something more to work with before I start. Then, when I start writing, I feel like I truly know who my characters are, and how they would believably react in given situations....<i>as well</i> as getting to know more about them as I write. <br />
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I build my characters using a profile. You can find tons of different templates online that you can use, ranging from those with 300+ questions <i>(whoa there!),</i> or the very basic skeletons that you can build on. The template I use is a mixture of different ones that I came across. Filling this out for each character really helped me develop them and work out who they were. </div>
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Can this process become tedious? YES. If, like me you have ALOT of characters, then profiling all of them can feel like a waste of time - but <i>trust me</i> it will be worth it. Don't leave characters out. Focus on your main characters first, and go the most in-depth with their profiles....after that, you pick and choose what to include for your side characters. But I definitely recommend profiling all of them in some form. </div>
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During this process, you can really explore the backgrounds of your characters, and discover things about them that you didn't even know! For instance - in my book, there is an EXTREMELY badass pirate named Enobia, who you would not want to meet at night in a dark alley....<b>trust me....</b>and as I was working on her profile I had the vision of Enobia snoring while she sleeps.....loudly. I laughed when I came up with this little addition to her character. Does it change who she is as a fundamental person? Nope, but it gives her just one more trait that makes her human...and it's funny. </div>
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Try to have fun with this stage, grow confident with the people you are going to be writing about. The characters drive your story, they need to be complicated and believable. That starts from the beginning. With the profiles. </div>
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Below is the profile that I have used for the main characters in my novel. For side characters, I just took some questions away that I didn't feel were necessary, and for some characters the profiles were really short. Just pick and choose what you feel is important. This profile goes pretty in-depth, that's how I prefer to do it. Not all of this will make it into the books, not all of it drives the story forward - but I know these things about my characters and that's what matters to me. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Character Template</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">BASIC:</span></b></div>
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<b>Name - <br />Age - <br />Birthday - <br />Nicknames/Titles - <br />Nationality - <br />Accent/Dialect - <br />Parents - <br />Siblings - <br />Children - <br />Other Family - <br />Pets - <br />Money/Wealth - </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">HEALTH:</span></b></div>
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<b>Illnesses/Disorders/Allergies - <br />Broken Bones/Physical Ailments - <br />Mental Health - <br />Diet/Exercise - <br />Sleep Patterns - </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">APPEARANCE:</span></b></div>
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<b>Skin Colour - <br />Facial Features - <br />Eye Colour - <br />Hair Colour - <br />Hair Length/Style - <br />Facial Hair - <br />Height -<br />Scars - <br />Piercings - <br />Tattoos - <br />Dress Style - <br />Most Prized Possessions - <br />Makeup - </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PERSONALITY:</b></span></div>
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<b>Priorites/Motivations - <br />Worries/Fears/Phobias - <br />Desires/Wishes - <br />Secrets - <br />Soft Spots - <br />Quirks/Mannerisms - <br />Likes - <br />Dislikes - <br />Attitude/Outlook on Life - <br />Religion/Beliefs - <br />Virtues - <br />Vices - <br />Favourite Animal - <br />Favourite Colour - <br />Favourite Food - <br />Favourite Drink - <br />Dominance - <br />Humour -</b> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>SKILLS:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ROMANCE:</b></span></div>
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<b>Sexual Orientation - <br />Sexual History - <br />Romantic History - <br />Love Interests - </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">PAST:</span></b></div>
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<b>Birthplace - <br />Manner of Birth - <br />Childhood/Adolescence - <br />Accomplishments/Achievements - <br />Failures/Regrets - <br />Traumas - <br />Schooling -<br />Previous Jobs - </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">COMMUNITY:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Confidantes/Friends - <br />Enemies - </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">DEVELOPMENT FROM START TO FINISH OF NOVEL:</span></b></div>
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Please do feel free to take and use this character profile template and apply it to your characters. I hope that it helps you create the people in your book and get to know them better. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>How do you create your characters? Do you enjoy this process or find it tedious? Do you use a template like this one?</i></span> </div>
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<i>Lauren </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">all pictures sourced from Google</span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-73863956926173920702016-09-05T09:05:00.000-07:002017-11-27T12:00:30.350-08:00Brainstorming and Research<div style="text-align: center;">
So I'm <span style="font-size: x-large;">FINALLY</span> done with the first stage in my novelling process - <b>the brainstorming and research.</b> </div>
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I feel like I know enough about my world, characters and plot now so I can jump into my story, start fleshing out the plot and working on my outline - <span style="font-size: x-small;">the part I've been looking forward to and dreading in equal portions - but we can talk about that another time. </span><br />
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Overall, I spent roughly a month brainstorming and researching for <b>The Prince of Blades</b>. This was a brand new idea to me. When I first thought of it - I knew next to nothing, so I had <span style="font-size: large;">ALOT</span> of work to do before I was convinced that this was a story I could really work with. <br />
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I know that some writers do very little brainstorming and researching when they first begin their novel. They prefer to discover things as they go, and that's great. But I'm a planner - and I can't move from one step to another without feeling secure in what I have done so far. So I brainstormed up a whizz, and I researched my little butt off - and I got <span style="font-size: large;">WAY</span> excited about this book and everything that I came up with along the way. <br />
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Every book is different, just as every writer is different. So this first stage will be different for everyone. But for me, I found it <i>incredibly</i> useful in building the bare bones of my novel and exploring potential ideas. In this blog post, I'm going to give a little bit of insight into the things that I did to prepare me for the outlining stage. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CHARACTERS</span></b><br />
My novel has them. <br />
Yay. <br />
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<i>But who are they? What are their names? What do they like doing? What are they scared of? Why are they here? Who do they love? What is their story?</i> <br />
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These are all questions that I've been asking myself during this process. Characters are the driving force behind your story. You can have the best plot in the entire world, but if your characters are dull and unrelatable - chances are your readers isn't going to stick around. <br />
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So characters was the first port-of-call for me. I worked out who I needed in the story <span style="font-size: x-small;">(and why).</span> I also spent a <span style="font-size: large;">really</span> long time figuring out their names. I researched different nationalities and meanings, explored baby name sites, fantasy name generators, and finally came up with a cast of characters with names that fit them perfectly. <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Some credit definitely goes to my Mum though. She came up with more than a few names in the book when I would throw her a text like <i>'What's a good name for an exotic, sexy princess?' </i></span><br />
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After I had everyone named, I wanted to explore who they were. That's where character profiling came in. I'm going to do a whole separate post about characters profiles, so I won't ramble on too much here - but I basically figured out <b>everything I could possibly want to know</b> about my characters. Some of it might never see the light of page - but <i>I</i> know it, and that makes <i>me</i> feel better when I write about them. I know them now. <br />
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I <i>did</i> start to find this part quite tedious. I have <span style="font-size: large;">ALOT </span>of characters in <b>The Prince of Blades</b>, and I want them all to matter. I want them all to feel real, and human. So I profiled all of them - and it took a long time. But I'm glad that I did it and I 100% recommend doing this for your characters before you start writing your novel. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">SETTING</span></b><br />
My book is set in a world that isn't ours - but is similar to ours in many ways. I wanted to keep it grounded in reality, but I didn't want the constrictions of our world. I wanted to invent things, and have things happen my way, without someone pointing out that <span style="font-size: large;">that isn't realistic enough</span>, or <span style="font-size: large;">they would never be able to do that</span>!<br />
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I'm calling it a fantasy world, but there isn't really any magic. There are hints of some supernatural forces, but nothing major. So is it fantasy? I don't know? <br />
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I worked out the name of my world (<span style="font-size: x-small;">it's called Etharia in case you were wondering</span>), and then I worked out how it functioned. Who ruled it? Was it split into countries like ours? <br />
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To come up with country names, I used a lot of Latin inspiration. When you see the names in the novel, you instantly get a sense of the place in our world that it's based on. Here are a few examples:<br />
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<i>China - Uspijan</i><br />
<i>England - Angliae</i><br />
<i>Italy - Florentiae</i><br />
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A large part of my book is spent at sea, or in various pirate places. So I brainstormed a thousand and one ideas for names of <b>seas, coves, bays, storms, regions, cliffs, caves, harbours</b> etc. I won't use every single name on my list, but I have them there to refer to when I need to name somewhere in my writing. <br />
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Having a sense of the world where my story is based, is essential. If I want this place to be believable, I have to know the details. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MYTH, MAGIC AND MORE</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><b></b>Like I said, there isn't really any magic in my world, but there are elements that stray from the ordinary. For instance, my crew go to a Seer for advice. She lives on the cliffs and seems to know way more than she should. <i>Is she magic? Is she a witch?</i> We don't really know. <br />
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Also, my characters believe in a lot of <b>sea gods and deities</b> - as well as religion on land. To come up with these, I delved into pirate and sea lore from all over the world. I took inspiration from all over and then came up with my own versions of the gods that my characters worship and fear. These gods never make a physical appearance in the book, but are referenced throughout and we never truly know if they are real or not. <br />
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There are a few instances in my book where I had to flat out <b>make shit up</b> in order to push the plot forward. Here is an example. In real life, it would be impossible for a large pirate ship to be crewed by a group of ten women. But I didn't want to add irrelevant characters to my plot, just so the ship could leave land.....so I invented an element called<b> Coals</b>. These work like an engine, propelling the boat and giving it that extra man power needed to sail it. <span style="font-size: large;">Problem solved</span>. <br />
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The invention of the Coals led to more plot developments in my mind. <i>Where do they get Coal? Is it expensive? Are there different kinds? What does it look like? Maybe they can use it for other things - they could heat up water with it....use it for cooking......</i>the possibilities are endless - that's what I love about brainstorming. <br />
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After spending so long figuring out my characters and the world they live in, I feel really confident to move forward to the outlining stage and begin working on the novel in a more structural format. Without this first step, I wouldn't know half of the stuff that I know now, I wouldn't have half the ideas for scenes that I have now, and the book wouldn't be half as good as it will be due to spending the time fleshing out the world. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Some of my brainstorming and research notes. Plus cat. </span><br />
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At the moment, I have JUST started working on my outline, but I hope to have it finished really soon. I will be putting up a post next week about how I used profiles to build my characters, and the steps that I followed to create believable and complicated people to fill my fictional world with. <br />
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As a side note - my uni course starts NEXT WEEK, so I'm not entirely sure how much work on the book I will be able to get done right away...but I'm hoping to keep on track. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Are you writing a novel? Did you use a brainstorming and researching process? Or are you just someone who jumps right in and waits to see where the journey takes you?</span> <br />
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Let me know, and don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin (link is up in the corner), on Twitter @ABlndeLibrarian and on Instagram @ablondelibrarian<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Lauren </span></i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-77999798174534177682016-08-15T14:18:00.003-07:002017-11-27T12:00:05.727-08:00A Bit About My Book....<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay, so this is the thing. I'm very reluctant to share too much about my story right at this stage. It's a very new idea, and at the moment I'm just poking at it to see what happens. This may sound silly, but I'm protective over my story just now, so I won't be sharing too many details for a while yet. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what can I tell you? </span></div>
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The book is a <b>YA potential trilogy about an all female crew of very badass pirates</b>. This group of amazing kickass women literally walked into my brain and I just knew that I had to write about them. I barely knew them at first. I didn't know their names, their personalities. I didn't know what world they lived in or what they were doing. But I was determined to find out. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why a trilogy?</span> Because I honestly feel like the story could stretch that far. I can see a clear plot and arc for all three books and for a series overall. There may end up being even more than three - I honestly don't know, but I've got way too much to explore with these characters and their world and I'm definitely going to need more than one book to do it. </div>
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I'm currently almost done with brainstorming and researching, but I still don't feel ready to start outlining just yet. I have all of the characters down. I spent FOREVER coming up with their names, looking into cultural meanings and finding the perfect name for each person. I still want to do some more in-depth character profiles so that I can get to know them all better. I have quite a lot of characters so this might take me a while yet. I will be posting the template I use for character profiles soon. It's a sort of hodge-podge of lots of different templates and I go pretty in-depth with them because I really like to know my characters. </div>
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I've also been working on the world. I've decided that my book will be set in a fantasy world that is loosely based on our own. I'm not 100% decided, but I'm fairly sure that there will be no definite magic in this world, but there will be some supernatural aspects alluded to and sometimes shown. For instance, my characters believe in sea gods, goddesses and deities, and these aren't shown physically but sometimes things happen that might make you wonder if they really exist? </div>
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A lot of my book takes place at sea, so I've been coming up with lots of sea names, sea regions, cliffs, caves, coves, bays etc - all those pirate things. I've also been coming up with country, town and city names and other locations. I'm confident that I know my world pretty well right now, but I'm sure that I will explore it a lot more as this process goes on. </div>
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As for plot, I have a basic skeleton. I know most of the beginning, I'm almost sure on an ending, and have lots of scenes in between. I just have to put everything together and stitch it all up. But that will happen mostly in the outlining stage. To tell you the very bare bones of the story - it's a rescue story, with lots of action, romance, danger and twists. That's all I want to say right now. </div>
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I've been taking SO many notes in a notebook that I've dedicated to this project. Literally page after page of rambles, ideas and scribbles that are all making up the start of this process. I love taking notes with pen and paper, doing charts, lists, graphs and thought maps. I definitely find that this messy procedure lends itself well to this stage of the process. I even take the notebook to bed with me, because my brain is constantly churning up ideas and if I don't write them down I will forget them. </div>
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I still have quite a bit of research to do. I've never sailed a pirate ship, and I need to write like my characters are professionals at it - so I need to research that. I need to know the basics of sailing, the jobs on board a ship, general life on board etc. Of course, this is my world and I can create it how I want, but I want to base it realistically and to do that I need to make sure my facts are correct. </div>
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I've created lots of boards on Pinterest for inspiration on character, settings, scenes and costumes. I've kept them set as private for now, but I'll be making them public later in the process. </div>
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As for a title, I do have a working title, but I'm not completely set on it and it definitely could change. As of now, I think that I might call it 'The Prince of Blades'. I'm not entirely sure. This title definitely encapsulates the plot, but I'm not sure that it really signifies the characters. We will see. </div>
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I've honestly been having so much fun during this stage. Everything is so open and there are no constrictions. I'm just asking myself lots of questions. <i>'Why? How? What if? Who?'</i> and answering them with lots of different possibilities. I have absolutely loved researching different sea gods, myths, legends and stories and then twisting them to apply them to my world. I feel like I'm chipping away at a block of marble and discovering what is lying underneath. Creating these characters, this world and this story is exciting and I'm really enjoying it. I'm feeling so excited about this project and very motivated to keep on with it. </div>
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I think that's it for now. That's where I'm at, still brainstorming and researching but getting a lot closer to being ready to outline. I'm really hoping to have everything completely outlined and finalised in time for November, because for the first time ever I'm hoping to participate in <b>NaNoWriMo</b>! That will be fun and very interesting if I could do that. </div>
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I'll update you again very soon and let you know some more about my book. </div>
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<i>Lauren </i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6999694452734330407.post-84997086916001933632016-08-15T13:44:00.001-07:002017-11-27T11:59:45.278-08:00Introductions<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">So hi everyone :) </span></b></div>
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I've been meaning to set this blog up for a while now, but haven't had a <i>literal</i> minute to sit down and do it. Now, finally, I've got it up and running so I thought I would introduce myself. </div>
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My name is Lauren, I'm <span style="font-size: x-small;">(at the time of writing this)</span> 26 years old and I live in rainy North England with my 3-year-old daughter Sophia and our two cats Hamilton and Angelica (any Hamilton the Musical fans in here?<span style="font-size: large;"> WHAT TIME IS IT? SHOWTIME!!)</span></div>
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I've always wanted to be a writer, I've always wrote bits here and there and dream of becoming a professional author for a living. I have had tons of ideas, and apart from a few false starts, I've never really written anything of much substance - academic work aside of course. </div>
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So finally, this year I've decided to do just that. It's time to put the pedal to the metal and finally crack on with this dream I have. A book isn't going to write itself right? <br />
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I'm due to start a three- year English and Creative Writing course at University next month - so things are about to get pretty busy around here, but I'm determined to make time for my writing (<span style="font-size: x-small;">especially with it being a part of my course</span>), and hopefully be sitting on a finished project sometime soon. </div>
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This was just a tiny little post to introduce myself and tell you a tiddy little bit about me, but I'm sure you will find out a lot more about me over the coming months, maybe even years? Who knows. I plan to use this blog to completely document my writing process on this first book from start to (<span style="font-size: x-small;">hopefully</span>) finish, and all the bits in between. </div>
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In my next post, I'll tell you a bit more about the book that I am currently working on and where I'm at with that, so keep tuned for that if you're interested. </div>
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Also, I'm very well aware that this blog is<i> uber</i> basic and plain right now, and I do plan on jazzing it all up a bit, but I really just don't have the time at the minute to sit down and tinker with all the little Blogger bits. I will though, at some point, I promise. <br />
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I AM on Bloglovin though, which in my opinion is the best way to follow blogs that you love. You can follow my blog there by clicking the link below:<br />
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/18227327/?claim=2fsn2j8qzqg">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
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I think that's pretty much all for now. I hope you will enjoy this blog, and that following my writing journey will be interesting for you. If you are a writer, please comment and let me know. If you have a blog, leave it in the comments and I will pop over and say hello. Also, you can contact me at my email address - <b>LKCarroll@hotmail.co.uk</b> and follow me over on Twitter - <b>@ABlndeLibrarian </b></div>
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<i>Hope to hear from some of you soon. </i></div>
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<i>Lauren</i> </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878679888470378928noreply@blogger.com0