Author Insight: Book Blurbs

What does a book blurb mean to you as a reader and a writer?

 

"Not much, usually. As a reader I try to avoid reading them, because they give away too much. As a writer, I try to write them myself instead of leaving them to the marketing folks, for the same reason." - Amy Kathleen Ryan, author of Glow.

"As a reader, I always notice the book blurbs on jackets and covers. As a writer, I feel so honored that these amazing authors would take the time to read an early version of my work and feel confident enough in my abilities and my story to lend their words and their names to my cover. It's thrilling, really.  And humbling." - Brodi Ashton, author of Everneath.

"They mean as much or as little as they say. Mostly they will help with the genre and feel of the story." - Anna Sheehan, author of A Long, Long Sleep.

"They're huge for me as both a reader and writer. If an author I respect blurbs a book I'm definitely more likely to check it out. As a writer it's great to have that vote of confidence from another writer. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to adequately thank Suzanne Collins for the blurb she offered for The Eleventh Plague. - Jeff Hirsch, author of The Eleventh Plague.

More Author Insight: Accomplishments

What was one thing you hoped to accomplish as a writer that you already have? What is one thing you still hope to do?

"I'm amazed that I've gotten this far. It's hard to view my journey as an 'accomplishment' - I feel incredibly lucky and almost randomly chosen. I don't feel I've done anything to deserve all this. But, looking forward - I'd really love to see a Dearly, Departed video game. Or a musical. I think I'd take either one of those over a movie! And I'd love to be involved in the creation of either. Realistically, I just hope to finish out a solid series." - Lia Habel, author of Dearly Departed.

"I really wanted to publish multiple books.  That's going on (whoa, crazy).  I want people to hire me to read live, just because I'm funny (maybe I want to be a stand-up comic?).  (Yes.)" - Geoff Herbach, author of Stupid Fast.

"The one thing I hoped to accomplish... write my first novel.

The one thing I hope to still accomplish... write my next novel!

Seriously, it's all about the writing.  That's the part of the job that wakes me up in the morning and that I go to sleep thinking about at night.  I plan to continue writing books for as long as I live.  Any other accomplishment is just icing on the cake." - Sarah Beth Durst, author of Drink, Slay, Love.

"I hoped that someday I’d be able to write full-time. Now I do, and I’m very grateful for it! My next dream is to get mail from actual teen readers who love my book. That would be so exciting!" - Jessica Spotswood, author of Born Wicked.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (...and giveaway!)

Release Date: December 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Age Group: Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Author
Pages: 288
Buy: Fountain Bookstore / Amazon
Description: Goodreads

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

Catching Jordan is a hilariously fun book with a kick-ass heroine.  Jordan Woods has always been the girl on the football team, and she’s good enough to be the quarterback of her high school team in Franklin, Tennessee.  Her teammates (and the boys she’s grown up with) trust her and treat her like the captain she is, including her lifelong BFF Sam Henry.  Suddenly, a new (and super-cute!) guy named Ty Green comes to town, and he’s looking to play QB too.  She can’t have this, not while Alabama is talking about scouting her or before her NFL QB father, the great Donovan Woods, can finally come to see her play.  Dealing with her feelings for Ty, her anxiety over the upcoming Alabama-scouting game, and some odd things she’s hearing about Henry’s more-than-friendly feelings for her, Jordan’s got an interesting couple of weeks ahead of her.

Honestly, I love Jordan Woods for tons of reasons.  She is who she is, take it or leave it.  She’s always the girl with all the boys, and she more than holds her own against them.  I love how open she is about her sexual side and her slight pottymouth.  I haven’t found another girl like her in the other books that I’ve read, and I find Jordan to be so refreshing in that way.

Working perfectly in Jordan’s favor is Miranda Kenneally’s no-frills writing style.  It’s uncomplicated and straightforward, and it is excellent as Jordan’s voice.  Occasionally, I wish there would have been more details and description about how she felt during important conversations with Ty or Henry, but the more I think about it, the less that makes sense for Jordan.  She isn’t the type to get frivolous with her words; she says what she means, and she doesn’t feel the need to elaborate.  One of my favorite scenes (and the best example of this style) is Jordan getting ready for school and trying to make herself “girly” so she impresses Ty.  I think it’s great because it is the perfect snapshot of Jordan’s personality.  The best part is that her interpretation of “girly”- Chapstick, shea butter lotion, a fitted tee, and actual brushed hair- is the average 17-year-old girl’s definition of “every day.”  (I also love that Jordan’s girly look blows her teammates away!)  Because this style fits Jordan so well, I am curious to read Kenneally’s next book.  I am interested to see how her style will translate to a character that isn’t Jordan.

Author Insight: Accomplishments

What was one thing you hoped to accomplish as a writer that you already have? What is one thing you still hope to do?

 

"I wanted to be able to make a living as a writer, and I’m thrilled to say that I have done that. And though it is vain, I do really want to be a finalist for a national award someday." - Amy Kathleen Ryan, author of Glow.

"I always hoped to accomplish getting a really good cover, and I did. Although I can't really claim that as my own accomplishment. One thing I still hope to do is write a book that makes my husband cry. He is a heartless man with cork eyes, and if I could make him cry, that would be awesome." - Brodi Ashton, author of Everneath.

"I hoped to make a difference in someone’s life, and almost immediately I started getting letters and reviews saying that I had. My book had offered hope or support to someone in a bad situation, and I feel if you can do that for even one person, you have fulfilled your role as a writer. I’d love to become a wildly popular bestseller, but not so much for the fame and the money. The more people who have heard of you, the more likely it is that you can reach someone who needs your story... and I then I could make a difference in a lot of people’s lives." - Anna Sheehan, author of A Long, Long Sleep.

"Well, being published was a pretty big hope. From here on out I hope to keep getting published and keep getting better with every book." - Jeff Hirsch, author of The Eleventh Plague.

More Author Insight: All I need...

What are five things that you always have on hand when writing, either physically or virtually?

"Caffeine (did you know that they make caffeinated lollipops?), a snack, a hair clip, lip balm, and at least one totally blank Word page." - Lia Habel, author of Dearly Departed.

"Something to drink. Nicotine lozenges.  Sometimes a little buddha.  My cell phone (where I can read a little message to myself that says: get back to work, slacker dork). Notebook for notes." - Geoff Herbach, author of Stupid Fast.

"1. A computer -- I have to type to write.  Often, it feels like my fingertips are the first to know what will happen in a scene.

2. At least one free hand (two is preferred) -- See #1.

3.... hmm...

I like to write at a desk in a comfortable chair.  But I have written on the floor and in a bed and on a couch and outside on a mountaintop.  (Not recommended.  Way too much wind and glare on mountaintops.)  I like to have chocolate nearby, but it isn't essential.  (Shhh, don't tell my husband that.  He buys me fudge during particularly challenging revisions.)  Really, the only other necessary thing is:

4. Sheer pig-headed stubbornness -- Sometimes life is busy or the writing doesn't flow or you're tired/sick/grumpy/whatever.  To be a writer, you have to do it anyway.  I firmly believe that the most important trait for a writer to possess -- more important than talent or intelligence or a sense of humor or nice hair -- is perseverance." - Sarah Beth Durst, author of Drink, Slay, Love.

"Tea: Earl Grey in winter, apricot iced tea in summer. Relative quiet. My Macbook Air. Microsoft Word and either Write or Die, which I find very helpful while first-drafting, or Mac Freedom." - Jessica Spotswood, author of Born Wicked.

Author Insight: All I need...

What are five things that you always have on hand when writing, either physically or virtually?

 

"Coffee, tea, or some other liquid medium by which I can deliver caffeine to my system. My trusty MacBook. A dog nearby, for moral support. I usually have some kind of snack on hand –right now gummy bears. A window I can gaze out when I want to look contemplative." - Amy Kathleen Ryan, author of Glow.

"Music, Diet Coke, cherry tomatoes, a space heater... and... a laptop." - Brodi Ashton, author of Everneath.

"A thesaurus. Very useful when you find yourself repeating a word.


A rhyming dictionary. At least when I’m writing poetry.

Water or Earl Grey Tea. One needs to stay hydrated, and Earl Grey always makes me think of writing conferences.

Music – mostly instrumental, and mostly to drown out other noises.

Edward Gorey’s The Unstrung Harp. I keep it by my computer and look at it when I’m stuck, or feeling hopeless. It’s a story of an author trying to write a book, and it’s very funny and VERY telling." - Anna Sheehan, author of A Long, Long Sleep.

"I try pretty hard to not rely on having anything particular on hand to write, cause you never know when it's not going to be there. I just need a working computer and as much peace and quiet as possible. Sometimes a cat hops into my lap to offer editorial assistance and that's always appreciated." - Jeff Hirsch, author of The Eleventh Plague.