Friday, September 30, 2011

TGIF {10}

TGIF is a fun post created by Ginger at GReads.  It’s to recap what you’ve posted about through the week and then Ginger asks a fun question.


Friday, Sept. 30th - Banned Books: How do you feel about the censorship of the freedom to read? Do you think the education system needs to be more strict on what children are exposed to in books? 


I don't agree on censorship or banning books though I agree that there are some books with edgier themes out there that are not suitable for children. But to say that all children think the same, understand the same, and should not read these books is untrue. There are some fourteen year old kids that are more mature than some eighteen years old.


To me, the education system shouldn't be the one who decides what a child should or should not read. It's not their place to push their opinions or beliefs on children. It's the job of the parent. Only they know what their child is capable of. I think there should be some way of asking what parents would like or not like their children to read and base curriculum off of that. Or if there are "controversial" books in the library have them placed in a certain section and have children bring permission slips before being able to check those books out.   


I actually wrote a blog post about this topic after a certain article made it's way around twitter. You can find that here for a longer explanation. But basically it's a parents right to decide what they feel their child is able to handle and understand, they know their child. If a child doesn't have someone around to do that for them, they need those books that much more.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tune In Tuesday {12}

Tune In Tuesday is a fun weekly post hosted by Ginger at GReads.  It's a great way to see what kind of music other people are loving.  I’ve seen these around and just had to join in the fun.


MESSAGE FROM G HERSELF: "*This week's post is a great opportunity to let you all know about Tune in Tuesday during the month ofOCTOBER.  I will be hosting another theme related Tune in Tuesday all month long, and this time it will be a SOUNDTRACK EDITION!  So find your favorite tunes you've heard on various movies, tv shows, or musicals and have them ready to go starting Tuesday, October 4th."



This week I'm dedicating my post to Ginger! If not for her, I might not have heard of this band. And just so you know, Ginger celebrated her 1year blogoversary yesterday! Check out her post here.


SafetySuit is an alternative rock band Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ginger raves about them all the time on twitter so I had to look them up. I now see why, they are awesome! Here's a few of my favorites from the Life Left To Go album. 



Friday, September 23, 2011

TGIF {9}

TGIF is a fun post created by Ginger at GReads.  It’s to recap what you’ve posted about through the week and then Ginger asks a fun question.


Friday, Sept. 23rd - Reading Challenges: Did you sign up for any this year? How has your progression been?  


I have signed up for the Post-Apocalyptic/ Dystopian Challenge reading challenge hosted by books ahoy. It's the first one that I've done and when I saw Melanie post it I HAD to join. Dystopian is my favorite type of book to read at the moment and I can't get enough. Sadly I've only read one since the challenge started (Amanda Hocking's Hollowland, The Hollows book one) because I had I read about five in the month or two before it began. I'm going to fix this problem in the next few months as The Hollows book two, Crossed (will read Matched before Crossed comes out), & Shatter Me are released in October and November. I'm anxious for the sequels to Across the Universe (A Million Suns), Divergent (Insurgent), Delirium (Pandemonium), Enclave (Outpost), Possession (Fugitive), Wither (Fever). I've also got The Uglies series and Blood Red Road in my possession to read as well.


I also set up my own 2011 Challenge on Goodreads of 50 books this year. Right now I have 42 out of 50 read  and am 1/2 way through my 43 (I'm six books or 11% ahead of schedule). I did get behind a few months ago and was at the point where I had to read 5 or 6 books a month for the rest of the year, but now I'm on track. Next year I might end up lowering my goal. If all I had to do was read, that would be one thing. But working full time and having an almost four year old doesn't leave much reading time. Plus I split my "me" time with writing. But we'll see when the time comes.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tune In Tuesday {11}

Tune In Tuesday is a fun weekly post hosted by Ginger at GReads.  It's a great way to see what kind of music other people are loving.  I’ve seen these around and just had to join in the fun.


MESSAGE FROM G HERSELF: "*This week's post is a great opportunity to let you all know about Tune in Tuesday during the month ofOCTOBER.  I will be hosting another theme related Tune in Tuesday all month long, and this time it will be a SOUNDTRACK EDITION!  So find your favorite tunes you've heard on various movies, tv shows, or musicals and have them ready to go starting Tuesday, October 4th."


I'm keeping with my current trend and posting songs from another concert I went to. This was in March 2010, another great concert (although the first two bands, to me, sound better on CD than live, the last rocks both).


Flyleaf is an American rock band from Belton and Temple, Texas. The first song I heard from the group was I'm Alive. I fell in love and had to get the CD. This tour was for their second CD Memento Mori.
I'm Alive



Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Pennsylvania. This tour was for their newest CD, Dear 
Agony. Here's a few of my favorites.
The Diary of Jane-Love this song.
I Will Not Bow - Great song, amazing for working out







Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band. I can't tell you how much I love them. I constantly listen to all of their CDs. To pick a favorite would be impossible. This tour consisted mainly of songs from the Life Starts 
Now CD. 
Last to Know - I listened to this CD a lot while reading Dear John and this song almost goes along with it perfectly. I tear up every time I hear it. Love it.
Riot - Great get pumped song! My little boy ADORES this song, he asks for RIOT all the time! It's our jam in the car song.

Get Out Alive - Love this song, has such a creepy vibe to it.

Friday, September 16, 2011

TGIF {8}

TGIF is a fun post created by Ginger at GReads.  It’s to recap what you’ve posted about through the week and then Ginger asks a fun question.


Friday, Sept. 16th - Book Disappointments: Have you ever come across a book you were so stoked to read, but it failed miserably in your eyes?   


There's a few books, not YA, that jump into mind. Red Riding Hood - it got on my nerves with all of the excessive descriptions. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - The book wasn't bad, it just took SO LONG to get to the good part of the story. I have the second in the series, but have yet to read it.   


Honestly, I can't think of a YA books that has exactly failed miserably to me, but have let me down slightly. And with all three it's the endings. The first is Forever. I love this series, but I wanted more from the end. Even a page or two of an epilogue. The other two are amazing books, I love them, and if I had the next book in the series, I doubt I'd feel this way. They are Enclave and Delirium. Maybe I just shouldn't read these types of books until I have them all in my hands (like I did with The Hunger Games). Yeah, like that would happen. I know there has to be something to lead you into the next book, but I hate when the love interest is just left hanging. I need closure with them, leave another plot hole open.   Have I mentioned I'm a HUGE fan of happily ever after story endings? I know it's not reality, but...neither are these books. That's what I read for. No matter what happens, I want the people to come out okay. Otherwise, what's the point of reading, could just watch the news. Yes, a bit melodramatic. But seriously, loved the books, just wanted more at the end.


This week on the blog:

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Paying it forward...

This post is to say thank you and pass along a gift.


I would like to thank Wendy Jane who awarded me with the Liebster blog award. A great way to pass on blogger love.




The Rules:
1) Show your appreciation to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2) Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3) Post the award on your blog.
4) Bask in the camaraderie of the most supportive people on the internet - other writers.
5) And best of all - have bloggity fun and spread the love. 



So here are my picks (all of whom are great friends from twitter as well as people who help me with my WIP)
1) Heather Rebel - Heather is a new friend (though a mutual friend). It has been fun getting to know her through twitter, email, and words with friends (where she usually kicks my butt). She has shown me some amazing ways to take my WIP to the next level. I can't wait to meet her in person at WiK 11 in October!
2) Jamie Manning - Jamie is all around awesome! From daily chats on twitter, to lending books I must read (team kilt forever), to helping whip my WIP into shape. I can't wait for the release of his novel. Check out his blog for more info.
3) Jess (who co-writes a blog with Kelsey) - Jess is a new friend I met through WriteOnCon. We critiqued each others first 5 pages. I noticed she was from AL and started a convo. She, along with Jamie and I, now have our own AL crit group. I can only say good things about her WIP. Hope for her to be able to share it with everyone one day.
4) Keriann - A member of the secret ninja assassin club. She is a great friend, always one to brighten the day. Just wish she didn't live on the opposite side of the US so we could tweet more.
5) Melanie - Another member of the secret ninja assassin club. Melanie is Mason's (my male MC's) biggest fan and a huge asset to my writing. She's also a kick butt writer herself (now cough up those pages, Missy!)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tune In Tuesday {10} The Sound of Madness!

Tune In Tuesday is a fun weekly post hosted by Ginger at GReads.  It's a great way to see what kind of music other people are loving.  I’ve seen these around and just had to join in the fun.




This week I'm featuring three bands. The reason, they toured together during THE SOUND OF MADNESS tour two years ago. This entire show rocked. If given then chance, I would have followed them to hear them all play again.  




First Band: Adelitas Way. AW is a rock band from Las Vegas.  I'd never heard of them until 2 years ago when they were opening for a band I was going to see in concert (Shinedown).  We arrived late to the show and missed most of them, but what I heard, I liked.  This song, Sick, has been playing on the radio recently and is stuck in my head (I honestly can't remember what songs they played during their set). 

Second Band: Sick Puppies! SP is an Australian rock band trio. Shimon is guitarist and vocals, Emma the (kick ass female) bassist, and Mark on drums. I had no idea this band was performing that night (apparently husband knew, but never told me). I had also never heard of them, but I feel in love during the first song. Maybe is my favorite song, White Balloons is second (Emma sings a lot in this one, beautiful voice).





Third Band(the entire reason for us going): SHINEDOWN! Shinedown is a rock band from Jacksonville, FL. I can't describe how much I love their music. No matter what kind of mood I'm in they have a song that will match it. I was worried to hear them live, some bands just don't cross over well, but they are not one of them. Their music sounds just as good live as it does recorded, different, but awesome. We were seeing them on The Sound of Madness tour, and this entire album rocks. It's so hard to pick just one (I won't post one of my favs b/c it's kind of disturbing, but if you want to know, the initials are C.S.T.S. It's sad how hard I rock out to this song). I went with The Crow & The Butterfly and Call Me. Had to throw in Simple Man because it's one of their most known.




Hope you've enjoyed my Tune-In! I know there's more than one band AND more than one song from each...but I couldn't help it! Now go to Ginger's page and check out the rest!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Making mountains out of molehills...

It's been a rough week. Started out last weekend when my son had a fever. It didn't even last a day so by Tuesday he was ready for school. Or so I thought.

At 4:30 the director called telling me he had a fever and needed to be picked up. I left work, making arrangements to be out the next day (fever means you're out for 24 hours after fevers gone). I don't take many sick days, so I was looking forward to a day off. I got a bit of work done on my WIP and also spent time with my son.

By Wednesday night I had a sore throat and headache. I knew when I woke up Thursday morning with a fever I had strep (I've had strep almost once a year since I can remember, I just know). I went to the Drs and they confirmed it, saying I had to be out of work for two days. I let work know, filled my Rx and got some supplies, then headed home. I didn't feel too bad at this point, but it all went down from there.

Fever rose (highest 102.7), throat became more swollen, and all I wanted to do was sleep. I couldn't even open my lap top (this is the first time since Wednesday that I've opened it). I couldn't read either. All I did was lay around while watching a show on Netflix. And finally today I feel human again. No fever, throat isn't as tender (aside from cough) and I feel rested. Now I'm sure you're wondering what the reason for this post is. I'll explain.

Somewhere around the third time my temp rose, I started to think "I'm done." I'm done with my WIP. Done with writing, blogging, trying to get into running, all of it. I'm tired of getting up extra early to exercise and write. I'm tired of my MC's taking over my brain. I'm tired of wondering when I can fit in a run. It's too much with a family (husband works long hours and son is almost 4, into everything) and working a full time job.

Luckily the fever broke and I woke up this morning with a different outlook. I don't want to give up, that was the sickness talking. My weak state of mind playing tricks. It's a good thing I don't make hasty decisions (and left my lap top alone while sick).

But the truth is we all have these moments. Days where the world seems to fall in on us and we can't breathe. Although it's been a rough one, these sick days have helped. I took a break from writing, blogging, twitter, all of it and am now refreshed and ready to go. And I can't wait to get back to it all. But only after finishing a read through for my newest crit partner who's been so understanding.


Friday, September 9, 2011

TGIF (7}

TGIF is a fun post created by Ginger at GReads.  It’s to recap what you’ve posted about through the week and then Ginger asks a fun question.


Friday, Sept. 9th - Books to Television: Which books would you love to see made in to a tv series? or movie?   


It's hard to pick. There are so many great book to TV shows already. Friday Night Lights, Roswell, The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, They Lying Game, Dexter, True Blood, Game of Throes. And those are just the ones I watch(ed)! I think series of books (more than two or three) make better TV shows since they run longer than a movie. I'm not reading any series right now, so it's hard to pick one. Movies...wow. My list here is LONG! (of course, only if they are done well) All of the current dystopian novels would make excellent movies: Across the Universe, Delirium, Divergent, Enclave, Possession, Wither. I just finished reading The Power of Six, the sequel to I Am Number Four. I love the books and would like to see them continue into the movies. I'd also like to see a Sarah Dessen novel made into a movie. I've only read Just Listen but I adored it and think it would cross over well. Hollowland by Amanda Hocking would make a great movie or TV show. 


Also...I am SO EXCITED to see The Hunger Games in March!


This weeks recap: Of Poseidon Cover

Tune In Tuesday

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Tune In Tuesday {9}

Tune In Tuesday is a fun weekly post hosted by Ginger at GReads.  It's a great way to see what kind of music other people are loving.  I’ve seen these around and just had to join in the fun.



Although it's not my favorite, I do like some country music.  One of the bands I LOVE is the Zac Brown Band (although there's also a little jazz/blues thrown in their mix).  If you've heard and like their music, let me tell you, it's even better live!  I saw them in concert just over a year ago and it was awesome.  One of the best shows I've seen.  It's hard to pick a favorite from them so here are a few.



Friday, September 2, 2011

Of Poseidon Cover

Yes! Of Poseidon, my sister-in-law Anna Banks debut novel, finally has a cover! And it is GORGEOUS! I almost cried when I saw it. I am so excited to see this project in final book form. It has been one roller coaster or a journey for Anna and I've loved watching her enjoy it. Can't even put it into words how amazing it is.


You can pre-order it on Amazon and add it to your TBR list on Goodreads!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

To Dream or Not to Dream...

That is the question.

Sort of.

My current WIP starts off with a dream. I've been told (a lot) that it's cliche, it gives a false start to the story, can be a let down when you realize that it's just a dream.

Honestly, I don't know. I can't use my own MS to judge because I know it's a dream, I know where the book is going, I know it's important. But the reader doesn't. I've also never read a book that started as a dream (except New Moon, which actually starts with a preface and Bella states she's 99.9 percent sure she's dreaming).

I posted the first five pages over at writeoncon and one response did mention starting with a dream. Then a friend read over my first chapter and said that she was kind of let down after the dream (yes, I still like her. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even about my MS). She also gave me an idea of a way to start the chapter without the dream.

So last night I wrote a few paragraphs for new opening. I sent the new start out to my beta readers/critique partners and I'm getting mixed responses. A few yes, a few no, one in the middle. Still waiting on a few responses and trying to decide which way to go. In the end, it's my story, but I do value each and every opinion and comment from those that have read (they know who they are and all super awesome).

So my questions for everyone:
1. Have you read a book that started with a dream?
2. What are your thoughts about it.
3. Can you recommend any books that do start with a dream.

I welcome all and any comments!
XoXo
Mandie!