Tuesday 22 July 2014

Writing Scraps | Circa 2009

I've forgotten, Sarah is dead to me.
I can see the veins and the twitching nerve
a painful reflex 
I've come to deserve.
My breathing hurts with each
vocal stretch and
strain, loss of sound
or are you deaf.
The same words on repeat
sound better
in her speech.
Or am I mute.

I found this in one of my many notebooks. I remember writing this whilst working at an indoor mini golf. I was sat in that booth for hours with nothing to do. I got a lot of great reading and writing done in that time though.
Love and Bugs
xoxo

Monday 14 July 2014

Fifteen For Free | Summer Reads





Hello My Lovelies!
Now we're well into july I've found myself craving some Summer reads. Being short of space (and cash) I decided to raid the Kindle Freebies. And I was quite surprised at what I found, lots of good stories.
I decided to share some of best picks. Originally I was aiming for five titles, but I couldn't narrow it down which is why I have fifteen listed below. (I have several more I could recommend too)
These are a mix of short stories, novellas and full novels. They are all contemporaries ranging from YA to NA. And they're all free right now!

Sunday 13 July 2014

Thoughts On | Stupid Girl by Cindy Miles


Only fools fall in love...

After her senior year of high school leaves behind nothing but heartache, Olivia Beaumont is sure of this: She’s no stupid girl. She sets out for Winston College, promising herself that she will remain focused on her first and only love – astronomy. But all it takes is cocky sophomore Brax Jenkins and an accidental collision with a football, to throw her entire year off course. 
A quick-tempered Southie who escaped the inner city streets of Boston to pitch for Winston, Brax is known to play way more fields than just the baseball diamond. So, when his name is drawn to take part in his fraternity’s hazing dare, Brax eagerly accepts the mission to take Olivia’s virginity. But he doesn’t plan on falling hard for the sweet and sassy Texas girl who sees right through his bad-boy persona. 
As Olivia and Brax battle their feelings for each other, echoes of the past year begin to surface. A boy who once turned Olivia’s whole world upside down reappears, and “harmless” pranks wreak havoc. Pretty soon the aspiring astronomer is on the verge of revealing her most difficult, heartbreaking secret. All the while, Brax must wrestle with the irrevocable dare, and Olivia struggles against all logic as she does the one thing only a stupid girl would do: fall in love.
Synopsis Taken From Goodreads
*EBook provided by NetGalley for an honest review*

Classic Steal | The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald



Hello My Lovelies!

I was browsing Amazon I came across this great steal. With the release of Baz Luhrmann's adaptation last year, The Great Gatsby has had a lot of renewed interest and is currently free to download from Amazon. Perfect for those who haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Or if you prefer physical copies there are great range of cheap editions, I love the cover on the Wordsworth Classic Edition.
When I was a teenager buying books with my pocket money I would always keep an eye out for Wordsworth Classics. They were the cheapest editions that you could get unless you could find a Penguin Popular Classics copy. Ah... the days before the E Reader. I used to get tripped over a lot sitting on the floors of book stores. Good times.
The Great Gatsby is the most accessible of Fitzgerald's works. I studied it in English and it has since become one of my all time favourites. If you haven't read it yet, you simply must.
I hope to be re reading this soon and when I do a review will happen.
Love and Bugs
xoxo

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Show + Tell | Book Haul #11

Hello My Lovelies!
So I've fallen victim to great book deals... again!
 photo bookhaul11_zpsf7f711e4.jpg
Although I don't feel too bad, as most of these were sequels or literary masterpieces. I hope to get to most of these soon. 
Of course the Song of Fire and Ice series is going to be a long term commitment that needs to wait until my TBR flood has dried a little.
Have you picked up any good books lately?
Love and Bugs
xoxo







Sunday 6 July 2014

Camp Nanowrimo | July Edition


Hello My Lovelies!
Maybe you'll remember back in April when I took part in Camp Nanowrimo. It's kind of like a baby Nanowrimo where you get to choose your work goal and it doesn't need to be prose either. You can use this time to work on a play, editing previous work, or even planning for the big November Event.


I'm taking this opportunity to do the latter. In April I had the idea for the Channelers series and I just went straight in to writing it. For the most part it went well, but the more I wrote the more plot holes started appearing. 
I hadn't thought it through, I was work off of bare bones. This time I want focus more on build the world and the back story. I also want to work out the pacing and how my story will flow from one major point to another without becoming bland filler. Between these events I want the reader to see the characters grow and learn more about their history. And why these people do what they do and the conflict that faces them.

I plan on putting all these ideas on paper so when November roll round I can immerse myself in this world and their lives, and finally write the story that's spinning in my head.
Are you taking part?
Love and Bugs
xoxo

Summer Reads | My Plans

 photo summerreads_zps470647eb.jpg

Sunday 13 April 2014

Thoughts On | Succubus Blues By Richelle Mead

Title: Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid #1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Date Published: 1st August 2007
Rating: 4/5


Synopsis:
When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they can often pay with their souls, but why get technical?
But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid's life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusak movies, and she can't get a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life. At least there's her day job at a local bookstore - free books: all the white chocolate mochas she can drink: and easy access to the bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can't.
But dreaming of Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle's demon underground. And for once, all her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help because Georgina's about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny...
 Review:
After reading the Vampire Academy I decided I wanted to read more of Richelle Mead's work. This series is about Georgina Kincaid, and she is a succubus (a female sex demon). She survives by stealing the life force from humans through sexual acts.
But Georgina kind of sucks at being a succubus. She has a human job, wears human clothes rather than shape-shifting into them and she only preys on asshole. She doesn't date the nice guys, she doesn't want to hurt them. So she lives a quiet life working at a bookstore taking energy only when she needs it. But when other lower demons start being attacked by an unknown entity, that throws a spanner in the works.
For me Succubus Blues is an urban fantasy/chick lit/mystery. I did really enjoy the plot and all the possible love interests. The book has a steady pace and you really get to know Georgina and her history and why her existence is so ironic.
I find the supporting characters a bit shallow, but they didn't play a big role so we don't get to know them very well. One of my favourite characters is Carter. He is an angel who is friends with a bunch of demons.
He is very understanding and protective, and kind of badass for an angel.
Throughout the book I was kept guessing what was going to happen. The love stories were a bit predictable, but no less enjoyable. But on the mystery side of things, I didn't see that coming.
I would recommend this if you wanted a quick entertaining distraction. I kind of think of this as the Mills & Boon of the Urban Fantasy world. I have already order the next to books in the series and I can't wait for them to get here.

Have you read the Georgina Kincaid series?
Does it get better or will I be disappointed?

Love and Bugs
xoxo

Camp Nano | Day 13 + The Week Of No Writing

Hello My Lovelies!
Yes, it has been well over a week since I last updated my Camp Nanowrimo journey. I had been writing quite steadily until last week. I hit a writing slump. It's the school holidays and I work as a waitress at a beach front cafe. I'm sure you can imagine how busy I've been and consequently how exhausted I've been. I'm sure if I'd managed to stay awake longer I would have gotten more done but it just wasn't happening last week.
But last night I was at it full force and I think I've passed the 5000 word mark. I just need to type it up and update my profile to make it official. 
I'm really enjoying the writing process. I started with a skeleton of a story and the more I right the more the story grows. And to be honest it's going to have to grow if I ever want a finished book to publish (I found out that the average novel is around 100,000 words). Safe to say I'm confident of meeting if not surpassing that ultimate goal. 
If I want meet my gaol for today I'll have to get on.
Love and Bugs
xoxo

Wednesday 2 April 2014

CampNaNo | Day 2 + The 2000 Words

Hello My Lovelies!
I've had another great Nano day. I've been expanding my original outline in to a more indepth structure. I'm using the the 3 Act 9 Block structure. It's kind of like get the corner pieces together in a puzzle, I can now clearly see where all my holes are (and there's a lot). I got a bid distracted by the romance storyline that I forgot to place the core plot. And I need to do so much more research on crystals, witchcraft and alchemy. The more I work on this novel the bigger the story is getting, and that can only be a good thing (as long as it doesn't run off without me).
I also hit 2000 words today! I'm incredibly excited. During the week I'm not really energized enough, but when the weekend hits I'm aiming for epic wordage.
Now I'm off to read and go to bed. I made an Amazon order at the weekend and some of it arrived. Specifically some Richelle Mead goodness that I'm finding t impossible to resist.
Love and Bugs
xoxo

Tuesday 1 April 2014

CampNaNo | Day 1 + Music Discoveries

Hello My Lovelies!
It's only Day 1 and I'm off to a great start. I've already hit 1500 words, well over my daily goal of 334 words. I'm seriously starting to rethink my word goal. I set a modest 10,000 words so as not to put myself off before I started, but I'm thinking of upping it to 25,000 words.
The story itself is coming along nicely. I like to get key scenes out of the way first and the link them up later. I started with an out line and a plot full of holes, but as I'm writing the holes are filing themselves. Yay that's one less stress!
I'm also branching out in my choices of writing music. I was originally listening to Charlotte Martin whilst doing my planning, but I realised I was going to need something a bit more epic to get my in the gothic mood I need to write most of this novel. I started with Nightwish and Within Temptation (long time faves of mine). But a few hours travelling through Youtube and I found some real gems. Tristania, After Forever, Serenity, Draconian, Dragonland and Sirenia. Lots of power and symphonic metal. I used to be really into metal but have slipped away from it in recent years. I'm glad to have it back. I forgot how emotionally driven the genre was, perfect for writing.
Wish me luck for tomorrow, hopefully I can keep my word count up.
Love and Bugs
xoxo

Sunday 30 March 2014

Book Haul | No 9

Hello My Lovelies!
So I've been book shopping ( and I've been again since this too). I'm reading at a much faster pace so I feel I can justify these purchases. And to be honest I desperately wanted to find out how Vampire Academy finishes, everything else was just collateral damage.
 photo marchbookhau_zpsaf25004b.jpg

Helpful Links

I'm looking forward to devouring these books, especially the Lunar Chronicles. I've heard nothing but good things about them, so I can't wait to see what I get out of them.
Have you bought any good books lately?

Love and Bugs 
xoxo 

Saturday 29 March 2014

On Writing | Camp Nanowrimo + Writing Goals

Good Morning All!
As you can Guess from the title I'm going to be taking part in Camp Nanowrimo this April. There are less than 3 days to go and I'm super excited.
As most of you know I have recently started writing again. I've decided that this is the year I achieve my goals. One of which is to put my stories out into the world. I have a notebook full of my story ideas and I've collected all my writing scraps together, and now I feel ready to get down and write.
I know three of my ideas will end up as trilogies. This year I want to get first drafts for the first books to those trilogies on paper. I'm going to take full advantage of the opportunity Nanowrimo offers and participate  in both Camps as well as the main event in November.
For the camp in April I have set myself a goal of 10,000 words just to get myself warmed up. The project I'm working on is about energy channelers. When I was a teenager I met a man on Valentines day 2005 and had one of the most influential conversations of my life. He talked to me about bands of energy that wrap the earth and where they cross they create points of great magical power, but also weaknesses in the border between our world and others. He also told me some areas are mostly positive energy and others are more negative, creative a 'Hell Mouth' of sorts. And basically I'm using this as the background for my story.
I'm having to restrain myself from writing right NOW! So I'm settling with plotting and character building. Everyday I spend on the planning I'm coming up with more back story and plot, I'm worried I won't be able to rein it in enough. I don't want to be one of those writers whose story stretches for 10 books, but I don't my reader to think "She could have done more with this bit". It'll be a fun challenge to find the balance.
Also I'm looking for beta readers. I know it's a bit early in the game, but I thought I should start asking. Anyone out there want to read my first draft and give me brutal honesty?

Love and Bugs
xoxo

Thursday 27 February 2014

Excerpt | Unknown Scrap

Hello My Lovelies,
The writing process has begun again. I'm feeling very creative and full of ideas, words are flowing through my pen. I was digging out another pad of paper when a loose leaf fell out. I wanted to share it.
The bus pulled in with its doors already swishing open. Megan boarded and took her usually seat half way along the single level bus. She wasn’t cool enough to sit at the back, nor was she geeky enough to be forced to sit at the front. Even though Megan caught the bus early in its route that didn’t make her immune to the hierarchy. If you sat in the wrong place you would be made to move.
The first day of term was always tense. Not knowing if you were in on the right trend, or if your hair was out of style. Or, if you were a veteran of the back seat, is there someone hotter than you? Are you looking your best? How you look on the first day of term has an effect on your social standing for the entire year.Megan sat in her freshly pressed uniform of a grey pleated skirt and black blazer adorned with a new purple trim on the cuff, signifying her as a proud senior. Her Grandma had even bought her a new black canvas back pack to celebrate her final year, which was now reserving the seat next to her for Anne, her best friend.As the bus pulled into the most populated stop Megan watched everyone troop on. Every girl was tanned and most worn their skirts at barely legal length. They claim it gives the old bend and snap a bit more oomph.Anne was one of the last in the line. Catching sight of each other Megan beamed at her excitedly.“Hey! I’ve missed you so much” She squealed, locking Anne in a death grip of a hug. “I’m sorry I haven’t called. Gran’s house is like the back end of nowhere and then some. Sometimes I’m surprised she has electric and hot water.”“Well you might be glad you were cut off from the world” Anne gave her a sombre look, trying not look like she was delivering a death warrant.As the bus pulled off on to the motorway the usually noise and chatter resumed.“What do you mean?” Megan asked with a puzzled look.Anne took Megan’s hands in hers and took a deep breath. “Well, just promise you’ll stay calm and quiet, and for the love of god don’t cry.”“Why would I cry? Did someone die?”“No, but do you promise?” Anne checked no one was listening.“Fine” She sighed, “I suppose I’ll have to if I want to hear it from you and not from someone else” She faked a laugh to hide her bad feeling.Anne’s face drained a little. “Actually it would be better you heard it from me and not one of those oompa loompa bitches you run with.”“Hey, I get that you don’t like them but those ‘oompa loopa bitches’ are my friends”
“No. They’re back stabbing whores” She raged under her breath. Anne lost her calm, Megan always was too nice to people who didn’t deserve it. “When you were away Gemma Cairns moved her orange ass in on Jamie. They were at a party…”Megan tuned out, but she knew how the story would go. It had happened before on many occasions. They’d be at a party Jamie would get drunk and start getting off with whoever was in the shortest skirt. Usually Megan would be there to stop it. They’d have a fight but he’d come grovelling the next morning and Megan would forgive him. But the humiliation from this would be unbearable
 I can't remember when I wrote this, or how I'd planned to continue it. Let me know what you think, we could turn it into a choose your own adventure of the teen drama genre.

Love and Bugs
xoxo
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...