Author Insight: Hooked on Books

Is there one book that has had an impact

on not only your writing, but on you personally?

What do you love about that book?

"It's impossible to pick a single book that impacted my writing the most, because I think all the books you love become part of who you are as a writer--but certainly classic fantasy (Diana Wynne Jones, C.S. Lewis), science fiction (Ray Bradbury) and Southern/Southern Gothic lit (Harper Lee, Flannery O'Connnor/Anne Rice) have influenced me the most. The book that impacted me the most personally was The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. The voice and the characters spoke to me, and I related to the idea that people are not always what they appear to be--that often people who appear to be the toughest are the ones who have been the most wounded by life." - Kami Garcia, co-author of Beautiful Creatures.

"Oh, hard question. It's a tie between The Graveyard Book, and Shel Silverstein. Silverstein shaped me as a writer, because my parents read him to me all growing up. His rhythm and rhyme scheme has worked its way into my bones. But Gaiman's Graveyard Book...Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors, and he's also the first author I was ever compared to, and I just loved that book so much. It had a wonderful apparent simplicity, the same as William Blake, that disguises something much richer, and that's something I aspire to in my writing." - Victoria Schwab, author of The Near Witch.

"I’m not sure it’s one book, but rather one writer. Around age 12, I started my all-things-Stephen King obsession...er…phase. Don’t we all go through this phase??? His books really hooked me on reading, and steered me toward horror/thriller/supernatural (anything creepy!)." - Kimberly Derting, author of The Body Finder. 

"I read Little Women and Little Men about fifty times each when I was a kid and they made me want to be a writer like Louisa May Alcott. I knew she based the character of Jo on herself and Jo wanted to be a writer...so I understood that it was a dream that was possible to attain." - Rhonda Hayter, author of The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams.

The Rise of Renegade X Winners!!!

Apologies for not being my normal prompt self and posting these contest results a day or two after, but I was in Kentucky over the weekend and didn't have a chance to write a post. More on the Kentucky trip later. Right now, I have to announce the winners of a signed copy of this book and some pretty fabulous swag.

The swag packs go to...Misty, Laura, and Allison.

And the grand prize, a signed copy of The Rise of Renegade X,

 goes to....*drumroll*...Liz.

Congratulations ladies! I've sent your information to RRX author Chelsea Campbell, who will be sending your winnings to you soon. Thanks to everyone who entered!

More Author Insight: Writerly Faults

What do you feel is your biggest writerly fault,

and how do you deal with it?

"My biggest writerly fault is probably my eagerness to finish the story that I am writing. I stick to a strict schedule, writing as much as I can every day because I’m so excited to get the story on paper. Sometimes, I rush through my writing, but I believe that that’s what the first draft is for. I’ve learned to write the first draft from the heart and the second, third, etc. from the head. As long as I get the story on the page, I can always edit it later." - Riley Carney, author of The Fire Stone.

"You're going to laugh after the past few questions, but it's lack of planning! LOL!" - Michelle Zink, author of Prophecy of Sisters.

"Distraction haunts me. Strangle it, but unfortunately, there are unlimited members in the family of Distraction." - Bonnie Doerr, author of Island Sting.

"I am a lazy, lazy procrastinator, and sometimes I need my husband to kick my but into gear in the morning with a firm shove and some strong coffee." - Lisa Mantchev, author of the Theater Illuminata series.

Epic Contest Winners!!!

Is everyone ready?

It took forever to tally the thousands of entries, but Sherry at Flipping Pages for All Ages and I powered through and got it done in a pretty timely manner. (At least I think so.) Now, the results of the Contest of Epic Proportions are in and, as promised, we have 21 fabulous winners. So without further adieu...

Author Insight: Writerly Faults

What do you feel is your biggest writerly fault,

and how do you deal with it?

"I think my biggest fault is rushing through my work because I desperately want to write that cherished climactic scene. I have to make myself slow down and give the details, think harder about the worldbuilding, etc." - Tiffany Trent, author of the Hallowmere series.

"My biggest writerly fault is having too many ideas and not enough time (and a messy desk--such a messy desk). Anyhow...I'm constantly jotting down ideas and filing them away for later." - Shannon Delany, author of 13 to Life: A Werewolf's Tale.

"My writing can be passive. I have a great critique partner to help point that out for me. Also, I'm fairly plot-challenged. I think having the right critique partner to balance out your weaknesses is key." - Denise Jaden, author of Losing Faith.

"Plot. There, I said it. I love words so much that I could write internal, meandering "pretty" moments all day, and never get out of the character's head and into the action. My editor has been kind enough to hit me with a stick when that happens. I'm getting better." - Victoria Schwab, author of The Near Witch.

In My Mailbox (2)

*In My Mailbox is meem created by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie

I have no idea how I got so lucky, but I received a ridiculous amount of fantastic titles this week thanks to Penguin Group, my book fairy, kind blogger friends and the lightening of my wallet. Take a look...



People mentioned in this vlog:
Lynsey at Narratively Speaking



Books for Review:

Paisley Hanover Kisses & Tells by Cameron Tuttle
My Double Life by Janette Rallison
Faithful by Janet Fox
Plus by Veronica Chambers
Sea by Heidi Kling
A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Bought/Won/Trade/Gift Books:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (UK version)
Hunger by Michael Grant
Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine
Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn
Thief Eyes by Janni Lee Simner