10 Things I didn't do in 2011

Christmas is over and the whole year is coming to an end. It's time to take stock, sort out my desk and make the inevitable collection of what-to-do-next-year list.

So I thought I'd share with you guys all those things on my list that are going to make it onto next year's list, too... *sigh*

OK so I'll only share 10 things, but believe me, there's more.

1. Finish one of the WIPs to the point where it can actually be submitted somewhere
2. Stop hopping from one idea to the next shiny new thing
3. Actually organize my desk rather than just shuffling papers to and fro
4. Lose weight (yea, perpetual favourite there)
5. Be consistent with my blogging. Okay, so that worked for the first part of the year, but I've really been lazy blog-wise lately and I'm sorry to have lost touch with so many of my bloggy friends. I shall endeavour to do better! 
6. Complete several reading challenges. I did pretty well, considering - I managed the 100-books thing on Goodreads - but I've been really, really lax in blogging about it or even keeping my lists up to date.
7. I managed to fail my own (!!) reading challenge - I've only gotten through five classics this year, and didn't write a single review. #headdesk, as one would say on Twitter. 
8. Finish my (second) degree, which failed due to administrative problems (apparently I'm not the only one who messes with paperwork). 
9. I also wanted to write a couple of short stories. I managed exactly one, and even that one is not looking good in edits. Maybe I'm not cut out for keeping things short? 
10. Go visit more blogs and comment regularly, which is like the common-courtesy-handshake-thingy of the blogging world. And yet I failed so many times. My bad. Forgive me? 

Anyhows, I hope I'll manage to get more stuff done in 2012.... 

Birth of a Novel - sort of, anyway

Today, I'm a Winner.

Yes, you read correctly. I finished my NaNo-Experience of the year at 50,800 words. Good thing, too, since I won't be able to do any writing tomorrow! 

Just over 50 000 words of utter nonesense, now that I'm re-reading it, but it's there, so YAY! I went ahead and ordered myself a Winner T-Shirt. Spend when you're winning, I say. The story, as it stands, will probaby live at the bottom of my endless story drawer (endless coz the stories will never end - get it, huh, huh?), never again to see the light of day until I'm brave enough to do a re-write. 

Instead of touching that particular story now, I'm off to work on last year's NaNo, instead. I'm even considering the whole write one, sub one thing for next year - that's like NaNo all year long, pressure wise. 

No idea if I'll dare, but maybe...who knows...

Thank you to everyone who popped in on my sporadic blogposts - I love you guys!!! 

*HUGS*

And special hello and thanks to my fellow Birth-of-a-Novel-ers - sorry I've been so uncommunicative, but not updating my wordcount regularly and being offline a lot helped me get to the end this year. I'm gonna go say hi to you now....

Angela H. Anna M. Brooke Busse Charity Bradford Elizabeth Davis Elizabeth Poole Fida Islaih Huntress Jen McConnel Lena Hoppe Mia Hayson Miranda Hardy Nyxie Moon Tessa C Zoe

Monday Music - Jessica Bell

Given yesterday's Jessica Bell/String Bridge Fest (please do go check out the interview and the review), here's some of her music:

String Bridge by Jessica Bell - A Review

Yesterday I interviewed Jessica Bell, author of Spring Bridge. Today, I'm going to talk about her book...

String Bridge by Jessica Bell

(spoiler-free review, so no worries!)

Published:  Lucky Press, LLC on Nov 1st 2011

Source: ARC from the author

Blurb (as per String Bridge Website): 



Greek cuisine, smog and domestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, was expecting when she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen to play in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a 'proper' career and her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer and plots a return to the stage—and the person she used to be. However, the obstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy that awaits, and she realizes she's been seeking fulfilment in the wrong place.


Quote: 

Music is the shadow of thought. 

page 7

What I thought: 

String bridge is an unusual book, and certainly not for the faint of heart. The story pulls you in - no, Melody does - and you fall right into Melody's world. The language is poetic and lyrical, so much so that music seems a character in it's own right, a player in the game of Melody's life as much as she herself is. Everything around her seems to be conspirint to stifle Melody's dreams and hopes, people around her are fairly drowning in their own problems, and Melody is left more or less to her own devices. Every day problems combine with more serious ones to form obstacles in Melody's path. 

Life is not what she would have planned for herself, and reading her story, you can feel her trying to find herself again, see her discovering bits and pieces of who she was and who she is now. This book is a story of a path taken that leads off the plotted course and into Melody's very self. 

Melody isn't perfect, and her life even less so compared to what she thought it would be, but she's a sympathetic character nonetheless. It's well worth taking the journey with her -  if you dare. 

I'm not going to go into details, plot wise - I don't want to spoil anything for you! 

What you should consider: 

Like I said, this book is not for the faint of heart. This is no airy romance or guess-along mystery. This is a powerful, emotional and very poetic book about one woman's journey to find herself, and perhaps even find her dreams. Be prepared for a serious and engrossing read (as well as seriously engrossing ; P). 

Jessica Bell has also published a soundtrack to the book (of her own devising - she's a musician as well as an author and poet), which you should definately consider buying along with the book! 

My rating: 

(8 out of 10 cupcakes)

Links: 

Book Trailer

String Bridge on...

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Soundtrack on...

iTunes 

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Find Jessica here:

String Bridge Website

Jessica Bell's homepage

Jessica's Blog

Jessica on Twitter

Jessica on Facebook

Say Hi to Jessica Bell, author of String Bridge

First of all, I suck. I was supposed to post this yesterday, but - guess what - epic #Tessafail once again. (I've stopped trying to schedule things because it ALWAYS goes wrong somehow)


Jessica, I'm SOOO SOORRY!!


Welcome to Interview Saturday @ Tessa's Blurb! (*edit: OKAY so technically it's Sunday now, just imagine it were still Saturday!)


And doesn't that sound nice? Maybe I should make it a feature... ; P


I have a special treat for you today - Jessica Bell, writer and blogger extraordinaire, author of the recently released String Bridge, has been so kind as to let me interview her today. She's been busy busy busy this past month, zipping back and forth on her String Bridge tour, so I've decided to forgo the usual interview questions and ask her something DIFFERENT! HA!


But first, here's a little something about Jessica:


Jessica Bell is a literary women's fiction author, poet and singer/songwriter who grew up in Melbourne, Australia, to two gothic rock musicians who had successful independent careers during the '80s and early '90s.

She spent much of her childhood travelling to and from Australia to Europe, experiencing two entirely different worlds, yet feeling equally at home in both environments. She currently lives in Athens, Greece and works as a freelance writer/editor for English Language Teaching publishers worldwide, such as HarperCollins, Pearson Education and Macmillan Education.

In addition to String Bridge, Jessica has published a book of poetry called Twisted Velvet Chains. A full list of poems and short stories published in various anthologies and literary magazines can be found under Published Works & Awards, on her website.

From September 2012 Jessica will be hosting the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca, home of Odysseus.


And now, the questions.... 


Tessa: Hello Jessica! Thank you for taking the time to pop in on my blog and answer my questions. Let's get right to the meat of it, shall we? You write about music with such poetry that it seems to me this must be something very, very close to your heart - both music and poetry, that is. So here's my first question - if you had to choose one single instrument - voice and pen included - what would you want to be? (I write fantasy stories, remember ; ) )


Jessica: Ha! I hate these sorts of questions. I guess it would be my voice, because then I could sing and tell someone else what to write for me 


Tessa: Sneaky! And what if you could do only one thing, music or writing? Or are they so intertwined for you that they're one and the same? 


Jessica: Definitely intertwined. What are you trying to do to me, Tessa? You’re as cheeky as Tessa is in my novel 


Tessa: Good to know I live up to the name! You live in Athens - do you find your surroundings inspiring? Or maybe something Greek just 'sneaks' into your writing, on occasion? Or do you think your writing would be the same if you lived somewhere else?


Jessica: I think being here is definitely inspiring. Sometimes I’m actually afraid I might forget how English speakers interact, because Greeks use their hands a lot.

Tessa: As a writer, I find myself reading a lot. More than a lot, in fact... ; P Is it like that for you? Do you have a favourite read, ever? Poetry, lyrics, novels - is there something you read, over and over again, something you can't leave on the shelf? 

Jessica: Everyone has asked me this! Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson. Read it cover to cover numerous times and each time I’ve gotten something new out of it.

Tessa: Oh no! And here I wanted to be original. Ah well. Housekeeping? I don't think I've heard of that one before. I'll have to look it up! Ok, so at the risk of not being original... Do you have a favourite place and time to write? I'm partial to the local coffe shop, myself - whenever I can spare an hour or so. Or maybe you stay at your desk, approach it like a job and write for a set amount of time? 

Jessica: I love writing in my purple and blue office, but I never approach it like a job. I write when I feel like it. But I can’t just sit and write for an hour. If I sit down to write I want to be able to dedicate an entire day to it.

Tessa: The whole day, really? That's dedication! I can only write for a couple of hours at a time before my muse runs screaming. Okay, one last question and I'll leave you to go write... What, exactly, is a "biriki"*?

Jessica: It’s a little pot that you make Greek coffee in!

Tessa: Ah! That explains a lot. I should know that, really, considering my addiction to coffee! Thank you, Jessica, for answering my questions, good luck this book and with all your future writing! 

Tune in again tomorrow (*edit: later today) for a review of Jessica's debut novel, String Bridge. 

* it's mentioned in the book


You should also visit Jessica's wonderful BLOG and her WEBSITE. There's a Book Website, too.


Other interesting interviews with Jessica:


Madeline Sharples (interview/review)
Emily White (interview)
Pam Torres  (review/interview)


If you want to buy the book, you can do so here:

eBook

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319369262&sr=1-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319370801&sr=8-1

Paperback:

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-bridge-jessica-bell/1030101696

Soundtrack:

iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=465313522

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7ARNS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118328&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7G02A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118484&sr=8-1

Friday Fiction - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Many of you out there in the blogging world may already know Ms Mafi and her wonderful blog or her Twitter escapades (@taherehmafi). You can also find her on her website.

Well, her first book has just come out and I'm thrilled to announce that I

1. pre-ordered it
2. received it on Wednesday
3. read it on Wednesday, in the bath, oblivious to the fact that the water had gone cold around me
4. LOVED IT and yet....
5. and am now reviewing it

You should probably know that I always read books all the way through before giving the review any depth of thought at all. I read it, liked it, then thought about the details and this is what I came up with...

SHATTER ME by TAHEREH MAFI

(carefull spoilers ahead!)

Published:  15th November 2011, Harper Collins 

Source:  pre-ordered off Amazon

Blurb/book description (as per Amazon):

"You can't touch me," I whisper.
I'm lying, is what I don't tell him.
He can touch me, is what I'll never tell him.
But things happen when people touch me.
Strange things.
Bad things.
No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon.
But Juliette has plans of her own.

Quote: 

"You can't touch me" 

Juliette, at various points in the book

What I thought: 

First of all: I absolutely had to finish it. That's aways a good thing - but then again, it was rather easy to read through it in one go. I did like it. But...

Well. Compared to other dystopian YA novels out there, Ms Mafi's book stands out in style, but not necessarily in plot. I was thinking X-Men through a lot of it (there's a girl that can't touch anyone in there, right?). The idea is a great one, and the book starts off great, too, but I did find it somewhat lacking in depth. 

I'm of two minds as to the style used - strike-throughs and numbers and sentences that are pretty much stream-of-thought for Juliette, or perhaps diary entries (first person present, in case you were wondering). On the one hand, it eminently fits Juliette and lets you see her as she is, but on the other, it is a bit odd. I kinda liked it, but it took some reading to get to the point where I didn't consciously notice the oddities anymore, just the story and the mood created. To be fair, this kind of "gimmick"(as one Amazon.com reviewer called it) seems to be quite fashionable right now. About as fashionable as distopian YA novels, I guess. I'm not - in general - a fan of those (I didn't like The Hunger Games, either), but I know many people are (more about that in What I thought of the Setting).  

What I thought of the characters: 

Juliette's mind is a little shattered, much like the title, and it's reflected in the way she tells the story (that's the style thing I'm of two minds about). I'm not entirely sure I like her, though. While she's well drawn, I had the impression she sort of floated through the story, emotionally speaking. She does pull herself together a bit by the end, which is good - she's much more convincing at the end than at the beginning. 

So she got abandoned by her parents - that wasn't really explained to my satisfaction, and I'd have liked to be clearer on the timeline of what happened. She was bullied in school, then there was that incident with the kid that put her in government hands and outed her lethal touch? Or the other way around, but then why was she suddenly given away by her parents? When, exactly, did people find out about her 'talent'? Maybe the (inevitable, given the end) sequel will clear that up. 

And the actual touch thing? She's so afraid of it - everyone's so afraid of it they lock her away for 264 days without touch - that it overpowers pretty much everything else she may feel/think. I know that's probably the point but after a while it bothered me that she didn't seem capable of focusing on anything other than that and how nice Adam is/isn't. 

And Adam is nice. He's the love interest, and he can touch her, too (YAY for love). And he appears to be on her side.... then not...then yes...well, let's say it's a major plot point. 

Then there's the bad guy, Warner. He's actually the best-drawn and most convincing of the characters, and I kind of liked him, in a twisted sort of way. He's both the major villain of the piece (Reestablishment aside) and, at the same time, the major rival for Adam. At least in theory - the idea is there but the setup on Juliette's side is lacking. Who knows, maybe there'll be some redeemable features to him in the sequel that will give this kind of plotline more credibility. 

For comic relief (of a sort) there's Kenji, who makes a brief (insulting) appearance early on and then comes back later. He makes (sometimes tasteless) jokes, comes on to Juliette, and turns out to have a bit of information they really, really need. Uhm yea.


What I thought of the setting: 

This book is dystopian, yes, but only in a very schematic way. General dystopian features are there (they're hungry, government wants control, book burning, etc) but it's not really convincing and at times a little too preacher-y for my tastes. But then I'm not a fan of dystopian fiction anyhow, so maybe I'm not the best judge. 

The start-up setting - the cell - was well thought out, though it appeared a little large to be truly intimidating (they fit two beds in there, didn't they?). Then there's the going-to-the-shower scene that seemed kind of pointless if to me. So what happened if she wasn't fast enough? Why make her go there in darkness? I guess it was supposed to build up the intimidation of the "prison" but it lacked something for that in my opinion. 

The last bit, the bit 'opposition' to the Reestablishment, seemed somewhat contrived. What, they've always been there? Why not act earlier? Or did I misunderstand and this really is some resistance movement rather than a kind of we-are-the-last-of-mankind place where all the "gifted" and their hangers-on end up, protected from the Reestablishment? Again, I have hopes for the sequel...

What I think you should consider: 

If you're a huge dystopian YA fantasy fan, go ahead and buy this. It's easy to read (once you get past the stylistic stuff) and certainly light entertainment. It's mainly romance, though, not so much dystopian society going on. Maybe this will be revealed in a sequel - which, judging by the end of the book, will have to come eventually. If you really, really don't like not having things explained, maybe wait for the sequel and then read them together. 

If you liked The Hunger Games, you may like this book, but don't expect quite so complex a society here. The dystopian setting is just that, a setting, and not a pseudo-character like it is in The Hunger Games or similar books. The setting could just as easily be the 'ordinary world'.

All in all, though, I liked Tahereh Mafi's debut novel, and if you like YA romantic fantasy, do go ahead and have a read.  

Quite apart from all that, do go visit her blog, it's fantastic. 

Rating: 

6 out of 10 cupcakes...

Birth of a Novel or How Tessa is Rubbish at Keeping Up

Major Tessa Fail, here.

I meant to do this post on Tuesday. It's Friday today. What is wrong with me! And it's only Week 2 of NaNoWriMo, so no excuses there.

Although, come to think of it, Monday is about where my NaNo's at, wordcount wise. I'm at least 8000 words behind, and no hope of catching up any time soon. Maybe ever. NaNo keeps telling me that at this rate I will finish after Christmas (if I'm lucky), which is just SOOO cheery.

I don't know what's going wrong this year. Last year I practically breezed through NaNo (ok maybe it was more of a bumble but still), this year I can't seem to string two words together in a line, never mind a sentence. It's not even funny.

My story is completely stuck, what plot I had has come undone, and no replacement looming on the horizon, either. My Muse is apparently on holiday, and inspiration is slow going, if that. I'm piecing things together one very painful word at a time and it isn't getting me anywhere.

I blame the fog.

You see, for the last couple of days (weeks) we've had little but foggy weather around here. Ideal writing weather, no?

No. Because apparently, when there's a fog, everything at work decides to go wrong and/or need my personal attention, which leaves me with a) little time to write b) no brain cells left to think with at the end of the day, never mind type up some words. I'm seriously considering an investment into a dictaphone, though - who knows, maybe I can find the energy to talk, at least. Though goodness knows when I'll have the time to transcribe that (probably at 23:55 on November 30th, knowing me).

OK enough whining for now. How are you guys and gals doing with your NaNo? Everything on track, or are you perhaps one of those depressingly cheerful over-achievers who will end up with a gazillion words at the end of November, all of it neatly edited and wrapped up with a pink bow? Or maybe you're in the middle of a train-of-thought-wreck like me, and in dire need of some novelist first aid?

I use chocolate for that. It has just the right consistency to patch up brains and mend hearts, you know?

Ahem. So here's the other Birth of a Novel NaNoWriMo-ists, do go give them the shout-outs I couldn't give them this week...


Brooke Busse  http://brookerbusse.blogspot.com

Charity Bradford   http://charitywrites.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Poole  http://writerelizabethpoole.blogspot.com/

Fida Islaih http://fida-islaih.blogspot.com

Huntress  http://spiritcalled.blogspot.com/

Lena Hoppe  http://lenalothanas.blogspot.com/

Mia Hayson  http://literaryjamandtoast.blogspot.com/

Miranda Hardy   http://www.mirandahardy.blogspot.com/

Nyxie Moon  http://creativedawdle.blogspot.com

Have a nice weekend, everyone!

Sunday NaNo Review

It's Sunday today and NaNoWriMo is well under way. More or less.

I'm almost on track with my story, although I am still sorely tempted to change it to something else entirely...but no, I won't, because I'd have no chance of catching up.

ah well.

So....how are you doing this fine November? How's your NaNo? How's your non-NaNo stuff going?

Ten Things about my NaNo 2011

Yep, I'm doing it again, starting today.

1. I'll be writing 1,667 words each day this November, or at least that's the plan. 
2. This year, I'm also part of the Birth of a Novel Blogchain hosted by Charity. The aim of the game is to post updates on our NaNo progress every Tuesday, pop in on the others and generally revel in the madness. 
3. I'm actually writing this post late on the 31st of October, and as of yet, I have NO CLUE what I'll be writing tomorrow. This will be the ultimate pantsing experience for me. 
4. Actually, I'm always a pantser. Whenever I try to plan (too much or even at all) my characters go on strike and my Muse wrinkles his cute little nose at me in disdain before flouncing off to make someone else happy. Bitch. 
5. I'm in a really busy place, job wise, so doing NANo is probably not the most intelligent thing. But hey, it's all about the rush, no?
6. I really wish I wasn't such a pantser. I'd love to be able to outline properly, just once, without it killing the mojo. 
7. I love - LOVE - drawing maps. Yep, maps. What! I write fantasy. I'm allowed. Only problem? I have yet to figure out how to fit 1677 words onto a map. 
8. Maybe I'll start off my NaNo with a map anyway. 
9. I hope I'll be waking up tomorrow with my Muse at my side. The imaginary one, that is. The most I can hope for physically speaking is one of my two dogs. *sigh* 
10. Please do pop in again next Tuesday and say hi! It'll make my NaNo week, really it will. And maybe, if you have time, say hi to the others, too? Here's the list of The Birth of a Novel-ers: 

Brooke Busse  http://brookerbusse.blogspot.com

Charity Bradford   http://charitywrites.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Poole  http://writerelizabethpoole.blogspot.com/

Fida Islaih http://fida-islaih.blogspot.com

Huntress  http://spiritcalled.blogspot.com/

Lena Hoppe  http://lenalothanas.blogspot.com/

Mia Hayson  http://literaryjamandtoast.blogspot.com/

Miranda Hardy   http://www.mirandahardy.blogspot.com/

Nyxie Moon  http://creativedawdle.blogspot.com

Return to the Real World

Tomorrow is a big day...not only do I get to sleep an hour longer (thank you, winter time), I'm also going home.

From Spain to Austria, in case you're wondering. Which means I have to

a) pack, which I hate

b) leave behind the wonderful weather

c) say goodbye to the beach

d) prepare to be inundated with work on Monday and

e) spend hours on airports tomorrow.

BUT

Hey, I'm going home! And once there, I can prepare for NaNoWriMo!! Can't wait! Although due to the buddy thingy only recently going up I'm sadly bereft of friends. 

*hint, hint*

I'm Tessa C over there, btw!

Ten Things about studying for an exam...

It's been a while since I had to take an exam - a proper one, not some language course or other where all you do is get a certificate. In fact, it was so long ago that I had to relearn how to study for the exam I took on the 6th of October (the one that kept me from blogging/writing for close to a month).

Here's some revelations that smacked me on the back of the head while I was trying to remember basic accounting....

1. Make sure you schedule enough time. Now, I know there's different study types - those that cram and those that plan - but a certain amount of planning can never be wrong. You don't want to find yourself a week before the exam, not having started yet... 
2. Organise your books beforehand. This is particularly important if you're studying law, like I do (or rather did). All sources you study from should be up to date, no matter whether you buy them, copy stuff (legally, please) or borrow them from the library. If you miss some new development, it's going to look really bad in the exam. 
3. Find lectures on the subject if you can. It's surprisingly efficient to learn by listening - maybe you're even lucky enough to have movies on your subject. Just don't make the mistake of thinking that's enough by itself. 
4. Make up a study playlist for your audioplayer of choice. Mix up lively songs with calm ones, make sure they're not too overpowering but not so gentle they put you to sleep, either. I like mine on the lively side of things, with a definite head-bobbing kind of beat. 
5. Don't just read about what you're supposed to know (with or without highlighter in hand). Take notes! You'll find you remember more if you read AND write what you're supposed to know. Engage your brain. 
6. Try visual methods of studying - make up mind-maps, diagrams, comic strips, whatever strikes your fancy. It'll help loosen those mental muscles, even if you're not really a visual type of person. 
7. If you have a dictaphone, try reading your study material to yourself, tape it, then listen while you go for a run/walk/sit on the sofa. It'll be like your own private little lecture. 
8. Change your actual study environment regularly. There's nothing worse than being stuck at your desk for hours on end, staring at the same papers/computer screen. Go to your local coffee shop, library, park, and study there for a couple of hours. If you find the noise surrounding you annoying, listen to your study playlist if you made one. 
9. Cover your home in your notes if you can get away with it. Dedicate each room to a particular topic, stick your notes/mind maps up on the walls, doors, windows, and study whilst walking around. This is how many memory buffs train their brains (well actually they just imagine things in certain places in their home but hey). 
10. Don't forget to take regular breaks. You're doing noone any good if you fry your synapses. Go take a breather, watch a movie, meet up with friends. 

You know what? I think most of that can be applied to writing, too... who'd have thunked?  ; P 

Ten Things about Vampires

You know vampires, right? Bloodsuckers, issue with the sun, blah blah blah? Well, here's 10 things about vampires, or rather 10 takes on the vampire I've come across.

1. Go Bram Stoker, Mr Dracula himself! His book has to be the most famous vampire book, ever, and the only one (as far as I can tell) that's acceptably transcended into the "classics" section. Another book with a "dark and evil" take on vampires is Stephen King's Salem's Lot, which should be considered a classic, too, if you ask me. 
2. Way the go, Anne Rice. You rock. Thank you, thank you, for giving us the sexy, seductive, endlessly compelling and wholly ruthless Vampire Lestat. I do believe that without him (or rather Ms Rice), vampires would not be what they are today. 
3. Laurell K Hamilton, in her Anita Blake books, shows us a slow revelation of vampires as (very sexy and rather over-sexed) real people (with all the flaws real people have, from petty to megalomaniac, from compassionate to sociopathic)(ok so maybe there's more sociopaths but hey, you try living that long). I'm speaking early books, here, the series slides a bit further into erotica with every book (not necessarily a bad thing but not everyone's cup of tea, either). Her vampires are sexy (for the most part) and come in different varieties depending what bloodline they belong to. This can range from succubus/incubus powers to being able to let their body rot and repair again (need I tell you which ones are the good guys in most cases?). They are manipulative as hell, too. There's even a Church founded by a vampire, the church of eternal life... 
4. Christine Feehan, with her Dark series covering the "Carpathians", as she calls her vampires - a different race entirely, searching for their true mates who are the only ones to save them from true darkness and turning into the more classically evil kind of vampire. They're immortal warriors (for the most part), shape-shifters and blood-drinkers but also extremely sensual. A much darker, grittier take on the "mates for the warrior vamps" theme can be found in JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series for those who need more suffering and angst with their romance. 
5. MaryJanice Davidson's iconically funny Betsy, vampire queen and beloved of Sink-Lair (as she calls him). This is chick lit with vampires, pure and simple. It's quirky, it's fun, and there's lots of pretty shoes involved. Brilliant. 
6. Ms Meyer's Sparklepires. Please don't make me say more. 
7. Gail Z Martin's Chronicles of the Necromancer is the first book I came across that's fairly classic fantasy and has vampire characters in it. I'm sure it's been done before, but this is the first time I read something like it. Usually, it's urban or historical or some such.
8. In Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series, vampires are mindless beasts 'navigated' by people with power over the dead (necromancers, to use the newly fashionable designation for such people). The vampires themselves are not characters, merely tools to be used. 
9. And then, of course, there's Blade, ultimate movie vampire that he is. Daywalker, the only one in existance. Come on, admit it! He's cool. 
10. More recently (Sparklepires aside), there's a lot of YA takes on vampires, with interesting variations. A good example is Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, which also has a "dhampire" in it. Then there's P.C. and Kristin Cast's House of Night series, which starts out great (I lost interest later on in the series but hey that's just me), too - vampires as those chosen by the goddess of the night. Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires series is cool, too, full of fascinating characters, ghosts and intrigues. There's many more, but these are the first few that occured to me. 

There, that's 10 takes on vampires, more or less.. did I miss any earth-moving vampire variations? What do you think of vampires, and what sort of vampire would you (or would you not) be interested in? I think I may do shifters/werewolves next....

Begged and borrowed...

I've recently started re-reading Robert Jordan's epic Wheel of Time series (and it truly is epic in so many ways), and in the process of doing so, I've come to a conclusion...

Writers are magpies (I've always thought this is particularly true of fantasy writers, but I'm probably wrong seeing as I read mostly fantasy and may be biased...). 

We pick up anything that looks shiny or colourful or bright, brush it off and add it to our collection. Snatches of conversation, bits and pieces we hear on the news, our own experiences and those of others, folklore, religion and myth - nothing is out-of-bounds, everything has its use. 

I think that, quite apart from doing it on purpose, most writers (me certainly) can't help themselves. Inspiration comes, the Muse strikes, and we write. Fragments of memory make their way into our stories whether we want them to or not. 

Do you find yourself doing so? 

Right now I'm toying with the idea of doing a mini-series of posts on what ideas writers incorporate into their stories, things that might resonate with the reader, familiar schemes and frameworks that are so, so familiar, and yet entirely part of the universe the writer created. 

Would that interest you? 

Maybe someone wants to join in? 

Writing exercises galore!!

With perfect timing (seeing as it's my CampNaNo month and I need to get hoppin'), Charmaine Clancy of Wagging Tales is holding a blogfest:

It's all about posting a writing exercise and trying out other people's. My favourite writing exercise is actually more of a characterisation exercise.

The Character Interview! 

• Imagine you're a journalist, writing a column for your favourite newspaper/magazine. 
• Pick a character you've been having problems with
• Invite him or her to your office, offer them coffee/tea/lemonade
• Play 20 questions with them! All questions must be relevant to the character and/or the plot. He/she asks you about things that will or did happen in the story, you ask him/her about what they think, feel, whatever. 
• Rinse and repeat as necessary ; P

I absolutely adore this exercise. Many, many of my plot and character problems have resolved themselves during these interviews. Sometimes, we (the character & I) discover entirely new storylines and plot points. I can definitely recommend this, particularly if you're suffering from writers' block! 

Have fun! 

ps. here's some character interviews I've done before:

• with Redblade and Cavan
• with Silence

Pet Peeves - concerning long series of books

I'm mainly talking about fantasy, here, because that's my pet topic - but it does concern some other genres, too.

You know those sprawling epic fantasy series? The ones with lots of intrigue, politics and character development? Those are the ones I mean. I love those kind of things, but there are things that annoy the H out of me. Here's some of them...

• There's usually a large time span between publication dates. At the start, they'll be reasonable, but move more and more apart as the series continues. Don't get me wrong, as a writer I totally understand. As a reader, however, it's inconvenient to say the least. 
• With some of them, later in the series, there's no more hardback books. I like having all books in a series in the same kind of edition, so I'm not a fan of this. 
• They require a lot of attention. There's so much detail in these books (I'm thinking Game of Thrones or Wheel of Time, or the Cheysuli Chronicles) - that's what makes them so fascinating - that the whole experience looses a lot if you can't read one book after another. I'm not talking publication this time, but pure reading time. I mean, who has the leisure to read 12 books in a row? Or the attention span? 
• Halfway through the series, they bring out a new cover design. *sigh* 
• Unless they're REALLY good, there's bits that the story could have done without. At least in my opinion. At some point, it has to end, right? 
• Then there's the stories where the poor hero NEVER gets left in peace. One book ends, happy ending, but you just KNOW the poor guy's world will be shattered all over again in the next one. And the next. And the next. Leave him alone, already! 
• When they DO end, these series, it's traumatic. 

What about you? Any pet peeves with long series? 

10 Things about The Book Bunnies

Yesterday I told you about the new website/blog for my critique group, The Book Bunnies. Today I'm going to tell you 10 things you absolutely should know about us...

1. It took us, oh, maybe 2 months to come up with the name "The Book Bunnies" for our critique group's blog. In case you're wondering... we each of us have our own plot bunny farms, so book bunnies seemed the logical choice...eventually
2. We bonded over last year's NaNoWriMo. All of us had a blast, and the sense of community really helped get into the writing game. 
3. All 6 of us write romance of some kind or another... 
4. Four of us write m/m stories - that is, romance between two men. All of us greatly appreciate the "beauty of the male form", as Sasha put it... 
5. Sasha Conte is my pen(name)sister, in case you were wondering about the name. 
6. Kerry Freeman is a published author (!!). Her short story "Realize" is available at Torquere Press, and the novel she's been working on is set to be published, too. 
7. We read. Lots. And then we talk about it... possibly on our newly minted website... ; )
8. We all have blogs/websites of our own...mine is here, obviously, then there's Kerry's, Bella's, Becca's, Kimberley's and Sasha's. 
9. All of us are on twitter... Becca is @booknerdbecca, Sasha is @sashconte, Kerry is @kfwritesbooks, Bella is @bellaleone and Kimberley is @kimberleydane. Me, I'm @tessasblurb, in case you didn't know that yet....
10. And most important and somewhat self-serving is this: we'd be very happy if you'd stop by our new website The Book Bunnies and gave us a follow! *grins*

10 Things about summer holidays

I'm on holiday. I'm guessing a fair percentage of you guys are, too... or about to go, or already back. Here's 10 things I think everyone on summer holidays should remember/think of/have fun with...

1. Summer holidays require...wait for it...SUN. Ideally including sand and water of some sort or another. If you can't get to the beach, bring the beach to you... buy a mini zen garden, stirr the sand (ideally once it's warm from the sun) with your fingers (maybe sprinkle some on your hair for extra post-beach shower feeling later on). Have some ice-cold lemonade, or sangria. Put on your sunglasses and enjoy. Hey, presto, instant beach feeling. 
2. Most summer holidays involve traffic jams or airport waiting times of some sort. So really, think about that zen garden. 
3. Heat is nice. Unless you forget your sunscreen, your bottle of water, or your airconditioning is broken. Again with the zen garden. 
4. Remember that pre-summer diet you meant to go on? Forget about it. Put it back on your schedule for post-christmanstime... 
5. Summer holidays mean time to relax, to be yourself, to recharge those batteries. Don't forget that! Holidays can be stressful - don't let it get to you. Zen garden, I'm telling you. 
6. BEFORE you go on holiday, sit down and write one of those "Last Summer I did..." essays we all used to dread be thrilled about when we were in school... write down everything you think your summer holiday should be about, then go to sleep. The next morning, read it and set out to do as much of the stuff in that essay as you can manage. 
7. If you're going on holiday with your family, pack some extra patience (and anything that might help you with that - sugary treats, books, favourite music, whatever). You'll probably need it.
8. Don't go for one of those student-type get-as-drunk-as-possible holidays. You do want to remember what you were up to, right? Or maybe you don't...
9. Write postcards to friends and family. In the days of electronic everything, it's unbelievably nice to have something other than bills and/or stuff you ordered yourself in your mail. Also, it's nice to have a box of them and leaf through them on occasion. 
10. Don't vanish off the face of the earth when you go on holiday. I have a bad habit of doing this - not answering my phone when I'm away and all that. Thanks to modern technology for making keeping in touch so easy... #lazyTessa... 

Last but not least... HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!! Let me know if you want a postcard from Spain... ; P

Hullo from Spain

Sunshine, beach, bronzed skin and a very embarrassed Tessa who somehow forgot all about that I-will-fit-into-my-bikini diet she was supposed to go on.

But I digress.

What I wanted to say is...

HOLA CHICAS (Y CHICOS)! Estoy en Marbella ahora, disfrutando...

But strangely, it's difficult to write whilst lying on the beach. Ah well. I'll get there in the end, Camp NaNo or no Camp NaNo.

Hasta pronto,


ps. Do sign up for my Blogfest!! (see sidebar)

Blogfest, I Hate You! (+giveaway/contest)

As promised...

(*sorry, in the process of reorganizing my blog I seem to have mislaid the picture*)

OK, OK, so I overdid the design a bit... sorry 

; P

I'm calling it the Hatefest for short. (MWAHAHAHA and all that) 

Here's the rules my dearies: 

1. Sign up by the end of August 12th
2. On August 12th, post a story, an excerpt of your work or a poem you've written that shows HATE of some form or another - your character hates someone, someone hates your character, or maybe you hate someone/something? 
3. Once you've posted, go check out the other entries and share some comment love! 
4. Don't forget to link back to my blog when you post so people can find the other entries

If you want to win something... 

Now, for this blogfest, I shall be giving away some ebooks for your reading pleasure... 

 

THE BEAR WITH TWO SHADOWS

by my bloggy friend

Roland Yeomans

Purple Knot

by Raquel Byrnes, another fellow blogger

Searching

by Stuart Sharp, who does the funniest lists on his blog

So if you want to qualify for the one of these, you have to do the following in addition to the stuff up above:

• Post your entry on August 12th, not later (date on post counts) - 1 extra entry
• Advertise the Hatefest on your blog (sidebar note by Aug 6th) - 1 extra entry
• Advertise the Hatefest on your blog (badge in sidebar by Aug 6th) - 1 extra entry
• Do a blog post advertising the Hatefest (please tell me the link in comments so I don't miss it) - 2 extra entries
• Advertise the Hatefest on twitter using #theHATEfest (and @tessasblurb to be sure I don't miss it) - 1 extra entry
• Follow me on my blog, twitter or FB - 2 entries
• Comment on at least two other Hatefest entries (mine doesn't count) - 1 entry

The 3 winners shall then be chosen by random.org and announced on August 18th. If you want to take part in the giveaway/contest but you already have one or more of those books, let me know so you don't get a double...

And finally, here's the Linky list!