Blog Award

Sorry for the lateness of my post. Life caught up with me today, but in a good way.

I received the Stylish Blogger Award from LMPreston.

Thanks, LM, you’re great!!! Now I have to pass on the award to other deserving blogs. I also have to list seven facts about myself that most won’t know.

1. I’m in school getting my English degree. I have an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies and started a business degree right after that then stopped. I hated business. It didn’t hold my interest and I knew I didn’t want to work in an office my entire life. So English is perfect for me. While I wait for my writing to take off, I’ll teach. I love kids so the choice was obvious. However, it didn’t occur to me until the company I’d work at for years closed. If it hadn’t closed I’d probably still be there – I was just that loyal. I’d still be writing but I’d be there doing it…on my hour lunch break with my company phone ringing off the hook and my email flashing.

2. I love being home with my family. Why hadn’t I done this before? Oh, yeah, reality says, “you couldn’t afford it.” Right. Well, I love it now.

3. I’m not an animal person. I love to look at them. I’ll swoon and say how cute they are, but I won’t touch them. And I don’t have any pets. We tried a dog but when I did most of the upkeep work, I told the kids never again. I meant it. I think?

4. I’ve written two full manuscripts and I’m almost complete with a third. None published. The first novel I wrote was so bad it ought to have a disclaimer: do not read while operating heavy machinery. This thing’ll put you to sleep faster than NyQuil. Yeah it was that bad. Great plot. Great characters. Horrible writing.

5. I loved the characters from my first novel so much. I miss them like I miss an old friend. I’m never going to give up on it (I mean making it shine. I only sent it to a couple agents so I’m good on querying it still). I am going to work on it as soon as I finish my current WIP.

6. I am the biggest nerd I know. I love the history channel, science channel, - well, anything not Reality TV.  One huge exception, American Idol. This is my first year watching it and I’m so excited. I loved Lauren from the start and hope she wins. I haven’t seen tonight’s episode and I’m anxious to see who went home.

7. The very first book I ever read was The Flowers in the Attic by the late V.C. Andrews. I was in the third grade ***too young, I know*** and I haven’t been able to stop reading since.


I’m passing the award on to four deserving blogs that I discovered just recently:

Tabitha Olson @ Writer Musings

Suzanne @ Suzanne Writes

Cat @ The World Crafter’s Inkspot

Carmen @ Carmen’s Chronicles

Please go check out these awesome blogs.

Have a great day, LOL, tomorrow. Read a book and laugh.

What's in a Word...or your story

I am the proud recipient of two awards. I received the Stylish Blogger Award from LM Preston. I’ll reciprocate this award on Thursday of this week. Thanks LM, you’re great!!!

Next, I received the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award from LisaAnn at Kicked, Cornered, Bitten, and Chased (Isn’t that name totally cool). I’ll reciprocate this award on Friday of this week. Thanks, LisaAnn you’re totally awesome!!!

I hadn’t posted any substantial writing tips, so I thought I’d post something today. I thought about the Literary Devices we could employ as writers to ensure our audience’s full attention would be on our book.

What is a literary device? A literary device is a method of story telling that expresses ideas through language and can be analyzed or interpreted. Simply put, it is the manner in which writers tell the story. You probably use some of these techniques in your own manuscripts but didn’t know the technical terms for them:

Cliffhanger - The story/chapter ends unresolved. This device is used to keep the reader reading. Example: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Witch and Wizard by James Patterson are great examples of this device at work. Almost every chapter ends with a cliffhanger.

Foreshadowing - To give the reader a sense of things to come. Example: You hint at a past love or a thought of a past love right when the MC’s boyfriend proposes to her. The reader automatically thinks that there might be a connection or that she still has feelings for this other mystery guy. Later at a crucial time in the story, you introduce this guy and wham – instant tension.

Hyperbole – this device is used in poetry but can be used to sprinkle your dialogue with. Not too much though, it can weigh the MS. It is exaggeration and not to be taken literally. Example: My stomach had started eating my surrounding organs I was so hungry. (Bad example, but you get it, right.)

Narrative hook – The elusive “hook” we hear so much about. It is the opening sentence of your MS and must grab the reader’s attention and make it impossible for them to put down your book. Example: (this is from my MS) If the Twilight Zone was a place, then I was there.

Plot Twist – this is an unexpected shift in what happens in the story. No *dues ex machina here, though. The twist must make sense and be apart of the logical clues and points left throughout the plot. Example: The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis had a great plot twist. If you hadn’t seen the movie, shame on you. Go rent it and you will understand what I mean. There are a number of clues that led up to the conclusion and it made total sense but we were so enthralled with the main plot that we forgot everything else. This is genius if pulled off correctly.

Ticking clock scenario – This device has to do with pacing. You up the stakes for your protagonist by making him/her have to accomplish the goal (they must have some goal/desire for a compelling read) within a specified amount of time. This device can be employed throughout the story or in a particular scene. Example: Nick of Time (movie) with Johnny Depp or Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers

Irony – this device presents a difference in what is expected and what actually occurs. Situational irony is where a discrepancy between what is expected and what is actualized occurs, Example – Your MC has a lifelong fear of flying at night. So he/she avoids the red eye flights at all cost, but is in a plane crash on his/her noon flight. Dramatic irony occurs when a character is unaware of important information already revealed to the audience Example – Horror films are great for this one. We know Michael Myers is behind the MC and we wish we could scream for her/him to run. The MC however is not aware of him lurking behind, waiting to spring. (This is also a third person point of view device. First person perspectives couldn’t do this, as the MC is the head you’re in – unless this was done to a secondary character) Lastly, Verbal Irony is irony in dialogue. It’s when someone says one thing but mean another. (No explanation necessary, right)

Setting – a richly imagined setting can act as a third character. And setting does not simply mean where the story takes place. It is the car the MC drives, the bed that they sleep in, the period of time the story takes places…Examples – The Hunger Games and Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling are great examples of richly drawn settings.

There are more, many more devices. Can you think of more? Did I get a detail wrong? Leave a comment.

Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!!!!

***deus ex machina - is a literary device that is evidence of weak writing. It is when the story/controversy/plot is resolved by some random act not associated with the story. Example: The villain has beaten the protagonist and an act of God rescues the protag - yeah this sucks and is a clear sign of a weak plot and writing. Don't do this!!!

Thankful Thursday meme...Teachers

It is Thankful Thursday and this weeks meme is, Teachers. Those teachers who inspired your love for writing or just inspired you in general.

The teachers that I'm most thankful for are: Mrs. Green and Mr. Demecurio.

Mrs. Green was a teacher that made learning fun. She was not an English/Writing teaching though, she taught Social Studies. Her method of teaching gave me an insatiable desire to want to learn and that desire has not dissipated in my adult years. Aside from her creative teaching methods, she listened to me and was almost like a second mom. I'll always appreciate her educational guidance, but it was her friendship that meant so much to me.

Mr. Demecurio was my drama teacher. He cultivated a love of books and writing in me. Well, I already loved to read but he introduced me to new literary works I had not discovered. He, when we weren't working on a masterpiece for the school theatre, worked on his own novel. After I'd made a suggestion once, he started enlisting my help on a regular basis. He told me that I had good creative instinct and that I should write a book one day. He said that he'd dedicate his book to me for all my help. Not sure if that book ever got published but he inspired me and I never forgot his words.

Do you remember that teacher that inspired you? Tell us about them. Leave a comment here and a link to your site with your favorite teacher that you're thankful for. Grab the badge and post on your blog.

Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!!!

Girl's Night in...I'm having a Sleepover

It’s my oldest daughter’s birthday. This post is inspired by her. She’s having a sleepover so I thought my blog could have a sleepover also. The things listed below are what her and her friends would do but also what we could do/talk about at our sleepover.

So get comfy and slip on your PJ's. Enjoy the night!!! But be warned, don’t be the first to fall asleep – you may get smacked in the head with a book!

                                                         Azia at five years!!!!

                                                                  Azia now!!!!

What other blogs would I invite to my sleepover? I limited it to 7 blogs because I told her only 7 for her sleepover. It was hard to decide!!! Can you think of more? Leave it in the comments.

Kelly @ Kelly Hashaway's Books
Jessie @ The Daily Harrell
LM @ LM Preston
Jennifer @ Serendipity’s Library
Adrian @ The Mother Centurion
Aimee @ Seeking the Write Life
Christina @ Kafe Castro

What movies would we watch at our sleepover?

Thor

Twilight: Eclipse (to get ready for Breaking Dawn part 1)
Devil (gotta have one scary movie)
Hanna
Her movie: The Hot Chick
X-Men: First Class

What books would we talk about?

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
If I stay, Gayle Foreman
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

What music would we scream the lyrics to?

Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”

Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records”
Cee Lo’s “Forget you”
Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson
Waka Waka by Shakira
Her Choice: Rihanna, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Fergie, and Alicia Keys and …. ‘s  “ All of the lights”
Azia's choice: Casey Abrams version of I put a Spell on You

What hot guys we’d talk about?

Channing Tatum from The Dear John

Idris Elba from “Takers”
Ian Somerholder from “Vampire Diaries”
Paul Walker from “The Fast and Furious”
Josh Duhumel from “Life as we Know It”
Azia's choice: Taylor Lautner from “Twilight”
Azia's choice: Zack Efron from Charlie St. Cloud

Items of Discussion

Beiber Fever – Do ya’ got it?
Team Edward vs. Team Jacob
What new books should be movies
Writing, YA or MG

Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!!!

To: Writing, From: Dawn

I have a love, hate relationship with writing. I hate that I love it so much. But honestly, I can't live without it. If I stay away too long, I feel lonely, sad, depressed. I'm lost and abandoned sometimes by it, but I know that it does not do it on purpose. I forgive writing for making me cry and making me feel inferior to others. I can get pretty jealous at times too. Does this sound like your relationship with writing. Yeah! Funny huh - how it feels like a real relationship sometimes. Writing makes me cry more than my real husband. I thought Kelly Clarkson  put it perfectly. "My Life Would Suck Without You"

Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!!!

Thankful Thursday - Book Series

It's Thankful Thursday Meme, courtesy of Oasis for YA.

What book series are you most thankful for and why?

I, like Jessie over at Oasis, had the hardest time narrowing this down. I love The Hunger Games but she used that one already. So, I had to come up with something original. I choose, The Witching Hour by Anne Rice. It is about a family of witches, The Mayfair's. The books are grouped as, The Mayfair Chronicles. The Witching Hour, is the first book; Lasher, is the second; and Taltos, is the third and final book. They aren't YA but they are a great read!!!

I love this series because it cultivated my love of all things paranormal. And that's what I write now, and overwhelmingly what I read. I do like other genres, but Anne Rice put paranormal on the map for me!

Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!!!

Another Blog Award...Yay Me

Yes, that is my stylish blogger award. Thanks!!!***ahem*** Isn't it pretty. I received this striking award from Judy @ Among the Pots and Pans. Thanks so much Judy!!! Please stop by and visit her wonderful blog.

Now according to the rules I am to write seven facts about myself. Next I am to give the award to other deserving blogs.

Seven Facts about me:

1. I like to write and read...LOL, I know I'm not really giving too much away here, am I.

2. I have a son who is in the fifth grade. He once saw a picture of me when I was his age and commented, "Mom, your mother must not have liked you that much to let you take a picture with your hair like that."

3. My youngest daughter, aka "The Diva" once exclaimed to a female cousin I hadn't seen in over 10 years, "You are a lot bigger than my my mom."

4. My oldest daughter, "The one who wants to date" said proudly at the tender age of six, "I want to be a police officer when I grow up because they get to eat all the best donuts."

5. My husband has a nickname for someone we know: slobber. The embarrassing part is it's a grown person. He whispers it to me when they are around and we both howl with laughter. Of course, this is unbeknownst to that person.

6. I think maybe my house is haunted. If so, that's cool with me. But every niece or nephew that comes over is scared to go upstairs by themselves. Even the ones that are bigger than me!!!

7. My son to me: "Mom, why do you write so much if you don't get any money for it." Me: "Because I love to do it. But some people do actually get money for it. Some get a little but some get a lot. Like the ladys who wrote Twilight or Harry Potter, those were books before movies." My son: "Really. Oh, Wow! Keep writing and I'm gonna pray for you to hurry up and finish."

Do you see what I'm dealing with here. Loads of material - in-house!!!

The blogs that I've chosen to give the award to are:

http://adayintothewriter.blogspot.com

http://www.erinlschneider.com/blog

http://ambersteenreads.blogspot.com

http://www.madiganreads.com/

Please stop by and visit these great blogs. Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!!!

Blog Hop and Randomness

Hello, fellow She Writers!!! Glad you could stop by:

I thought I'd list some random things about my family and myself and offer a writing tip.

1. I have a teenage daughter. She recently came to us (the hubby and I) and wanted permission to date. So, you can imagine what my life is like right now!!!
2. My youngest daughter (8) is a total diva. She often looks at me crazy when I suggest clothes or hairstyles that she doesn't like. Seriously, I can't understand whose child she actually is. She's been picking out her own clothes since she was 2.
3. My husband is a hoot. He keeps me laughing and that's probably the biggest reason I keep him around. Oh, and the help with the kids is invaluable.
4. My family and I love playing card games, especially Phase 10.
5. My oldest daughter (15) is in love with Casey Abrams from American Idol. Seriously. She loves music and singing and she says he is the best "artist" on the show. Ever.
6. My favorite TV show of all time is "Lost." Of all times, no others even come close.
7. I think I have a super power. Seriously. I do. It hasn't fully materialized, but its there, lying dormant until the moment that I need it the most.

Okay, now for my tip.

Pacing is very important in your novel. If done right it can transform your work. I know that many people aren't fans of Stephanie Meyers, Twilight, but I am. For the simplest reason of all - the pacing was great. She didn't give everything away in chapter 2. No, she made you wait and languish over what would happen. Will they end up together or not? Another great YA novel that has awesome pacing is The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins (my favorite YA book- right now). Study both books and you can learn a lot about pacing. Even if your not a fan of either - you can read to learn.


The thing about pacing is it keeps your reader engaged. If you give everything away in the first chapter, what are they to keep reading for? Give them hints of what's to come (foreshadowing) but don't give away the big moment. And don't just give us one big moment. Give us a couple. Each time make the stakes even bigger and make us bite our nails with anticipation over how the MC is going to solve/get out of this one.

 Pacing people...it’s the star of the show.
 

Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!!!

A Little Inspiration

"Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams. Just go head let your hair down..."
Go ahead - you really should relax a little. You're dreams are coming. It's okay to take a break sometimes.

Have a great day. Read a good book. Relax. And laugh.

Blog Award

I received this award from awesome Jennifer over at Serendipity's Library. I am to thank the person who gave me the award - check. Provide a link to their site - check. Write seven things about myself - check, see below. Get ready to be dazzled and delighted by yours truly - check.

1. I love chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I'm not a chocolate lover by itself though.
2. I moonlight as a supermodel and I have three obnoxiously beautiful kids. Okay, just joking, they're not that good looking.
3. When I was younger I read books that were highly inappropriate for my age. While other little girls were sneaking to play with their Barbie's I was reading Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews under my bed. A book I stole from a cousin.
4. I love to cook. Unfortunately, me and food aren't on speaking terms right now and haven't been for the last six years. Well, I'm kinda in love but I keep getting the cold shoulder.
5. I love American Idol. This is my first year watching and I want to slap myself for it.

Now I have to give the award to other deserving blogger. This was the tough part for me. There are so many great bloggers. I tried to give the award to new bloggers, like myself, but admittedly most of these bloggers have been around for a while:

Beth's Blog
The Mother Centurion 
Departing the Text
The Daily Harrell
Fi’s Magical Writing Haven
The Scribblers Cove
Carpe Keyboard
Writer’s Blog
YA’s the Word
Nindogs
T.G. Ayers Blog
Creepy Query Girl
See Heather Write

Please visit these wonderful blogs. Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!!!