Camp NaNoWriMo Aug '12: Day Two

 

Day: Two

Where I should be: 3332

Where I actually am: 12167

Word count for today: 7163

Favourite line from today's writing: His whispered promise 'I will be back,' lingered in my mind. He was like a creepy version of the Terminator, only without Arnie's accent and shades. Well hasta la vista, baby. I was going to terminate him permanently, if I could.

Experiences of the Day: I had a total 'find and replace' fail today, while changing tuna to salmon, and end up with words like unforsalmontely instead of unfortunately. I've had a few more instances of having to stop myself from fixing things or researching points. I guess since I've started editing my other works in more detail, I've become more aware of stuff. I also had to stop to make some more notes, and jot down characters who've appeared since my initial brain-storming pre-NaNo. The good news is though, I've now got the ending all planned out.

How is everyone else getting on? I'd love to hear about it. 

While I'm here, I'd also like to give a shout-out to  Tess of The Framed Lady who is giving away a signed paperback copy of Kiersten White's Paranormalcy. You all know how much I love Kiersten White and the Paranormalcy - I got the final book this morning, I've only read a page, but it was epic. Can't wait to dive into the rest tonight - so hop on over there and enter. You won't regret it!

Speaking of giveways, don't forget the one I'm hosting where you could win a £15 Amazon voucher.

Buccaneer Blogfest: Week Three, Day Nine

 

I'm back again with day nine of the month long Buccaneer Blogfest hosted by Sharon Bayliss and Courtney Young.

Before I get started, first I'd like to thank everyone who commented on Wednesday's post. The continued support and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.

   

Reading: July 27 - Recommend or review a book of choice. Tell the interwebz why you love it!

 

  

I've been waiting for this, because I've so excited to talk about Kiersten White's Paranormalcy series, the third instalment of which was released on July 24th in the US and will be out on August 2nd in the UK.

Before I read the Paranormalcy series I, wrongly, assumed that all paranormal romances were like Twilight, and lacked compelling characters or substance. Kiersten White proved me wrong. The Paranormalcy series is what paranormal romances should be like.

Evie, the protagonist, is compelling. She's independent, while still vulnerable. Sassy, while still caring, and full of life. Her teen voice, which could have become annoying, is actually hilarious and one of the aspects that really drew me in to the series. I love how she says "bleep" instead of swearing.

The boys … oh the boys are something else. While there is a triangle, of sorts, it isn't contrived. Evie isn't flip-flopping between the two in an annoying manner. Her love interest, Lend, is an exceptional typical guy. I won't reveal what his deal is, but he manages to couple the paranormal with the normal. He goes to college, he has lab work to do, they talk about prom. While her ex, Reth, is the bad boy you love to hate, and you know if you just scratch the surface there's a lot of depth and mystery there.

Coupling the normal with paranormal is actually a huge part of the series, and while Evie slays vamps, she still has to go to class and do her homework. Along with the fantastical elements, there's something really releatable about a story of a girl who just wants to fit in, find her place in the world and have a normal life. I think we've all been in that position.

The "monsters" are thrilling, and it's clear Kiersten White knows her stuff. My particular favourites are the vampires, who aren't glamorous, dazzling creatures of the night, but in fact walking corpses under their Glamours. 

Each book is full of twists and turns, and the endings were never obvious, while still been successfully set up for. They left you guessing what happened next, and wanting more, while still offering a sense of completion.

All these reasons, a many more – fantastic supporting characters, a fully realized thought out world (including the concept of the International Paranormal Containment Agency) – are why the Paranormalcy series is one of my favourite young adult urban fantasy series.
 

You can buy the books here: Paranormalcy | Supernaturally | Endlessly

NA Pitch Contest, July Follow My Lead Fiction Contest and Teaser Tuesday

You're all going to be sick of me by the end of the week, aren't you?

With the Buccaneer Blogfest happening, I wasn't going to blog today, but it seems I have too much to say! LOL

First, in case I haven't mentioned it enough, the New Adult Pitch Contest is happening RIGHT NOW! It's open until 23:59 on July 10th, 2012 OR if 100 pitches are received, whichever comes first. WINNERS of the pitch contest will be chosen by Heather Howland of Entangled Publishing and literary agent Sara Megibow. The prizes are an undetermined number of full (maybe partial) requests.

So, if you've got a NA novel and you haven't gotten your butt over to the contest do so NOW!

Talking of contests (you know I can't get enough of them), Candilynn Fite is hosting the Follow My Lead Fiction Contest. All you've got to do is write a 300 word flash fiction, using the image provided on Candilynn's site as a prompt. The prize on offer is Catherine Stine's Fireseed One.

Here's my entry:

You watch the fireworks, as I watch you. Everyone else is caught up in the excitement of a New Year dawning, but not you. Your long dark hair is untied as you quietly contemplate the future ahead of you. You're framed by the open window, as you perch on the sill, caught in the night breeze and unaware of those around you. For you, it doesn't matter if Natasha Phillips is kissing Ryan Brierly, or if Nathan Fellows is throwing up in the plant pot. All that matters to you is the dark night sky, illuminated by showers of green, red, and gold.

At the calls of "Happy New Year, " you turn your head as the light reflects in your bright blue eyes. You smile, an action that highlights your whole face, and repeat the greeting.

Your bare legs dangle inches above the floor, your glossy red toe nails just brushing the wooden boards. You're always barefoot, I don't think I've ever seen you with shoes on, even outside.

You accept a drink from Hayley, some florescent green concoction that's probably highly alcoholic. You purse your lips as you take a sip, your, usually undefined, Adam's apple bobbing as the cocktail makes it way down. Then you scrunch your face up, your nose wrinkling and your eyes closing, as I've seen them do when you eat a jalapeño.

You catch my eye, and smile again. "Happy New Year, Jason," you say brightly, noticing me for the first time all night, and never knowing how much you mean to me.

Hubby entered too, so go along and cheer him on. His entry is all kinds of awesome, and could be the start of a bigger story.

Finally, I've seen a few people taking part in Teaser Tuesdays, and wanted to join in, as I have a great series to share.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  
  
  

I'm cheating a little, and rather than giving my current read, I wanted to give a teaser from the book I finished this weekend. Supernaturally the second book in the Paranormalcy trilogy by Kiersten White (the final book is released on 24^th July 2012).

The Paranormalcy trilogy are what paranormal romance novels should be like. Evie, the series' herione is sassy, funny, and endearing. The mythology is original and interesting. The plots are gripping. And the boys are hot!!

Here's a two sentence teaser:

"Oh, bleep. I was going to die. I was going to die a horrible, gruesome, painful death."

Okay, I'll be back tomorrow with day two of the Buccaneer Blogfest. Everyone have a lovely day.