I Did My Research

Yes I did.

Well not really, since I don't really have much time to read (yes, shame on me). I know what everyone says, you don't have to tell me. "A real writer makes time to read," or "to be a writer, you have to read."

I.

KNOW.

I'm just so busy… ugh.

Anyway, as I was saying. While choosing options on CreateSpace for publishing, I looked at a lot of books. What sizes did I like the best? Which fonts? What would work best for my book?

After putting on my thinking cap and doing some very complex calculations (… like… addition, subtraction, and division…) I came to realize that if my book was 5.25 inches by 8 inches, From the Ashes would be just about the same size as the paperback version of Divergent by Veronica Roth. Just a little thicker, maybe.

So, that turned out to be a good size.

I also had to choose the page color. And after checking many books published by big name publishers, I noticed that ALL of the pages were crème colored. (Or cream colored. I prefer the "cooler" way to say it :) Naturally, I went with crème colored pages.

Then, I went through all the font choices they had, and finally decided on Hoeffler Text Roman. At least, I think it was something like that. I didn't choose a size though, because it always looks different to me on paper than it does on my computer.

Currently, they're working on my cover and interior design. I'm pretty anxious to see how it turns out.

Oh, and I have some VERY special news that I forgot to tell you on Wednesday.

Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh finally became my 395th follower! Thanks so much, Alex! Now, only 5 more to go. How long do you think it'll take me?

Oh, and since I love music so much, I'll leave you with this pretty song I found:

Have an amazing day!

--Jess

Genre Favorites Blogfest and KOMF #7 Winners!

Okay, I wasn't going to participate in this, but... I decided to anyway :)

The rules are:

List your favorite genre of:

Movie

Music

Book

And guilty pleasure genre from any of the three categories!

Favorite Movie Genre: Sci-Fi

Fell in love with Star Wars when I was five, and haven't gotten over it since! It made me dream and wonder about space, the vastness of the universe, and exploring other worlds. I mean, really. How much more awesome does it get?

Favorite Music Genre: Rock

Four years ago, when I was in 6th grade, I came across a video on youtube of people skiing. Over the sound of the video was a song called Bring Me to Life by Evanescence, and I just loved it. I've expanded to Red, Within Temptation, Nightwish, Krypteria and Epica ever since then! The above song is one of my favorites :)

Favorite Book Genre: Dystopian/Sci-Fi

The Hunger Games really introduced me to Dystopian. I really love the concept of imperfect worlds opposed to perfect ones. (Although, what world is really perfect?) Of course, Star Wars had already introduced me to Sci-Fi, and I read a lot of Star Wars books.

Guilty Pleasure Genre: Comedy

No comedy movies are coming to mind at the moment, but I like watching shows like Gilligans Island. Mostly because they're not very thought provoking and I can write while I watch. And my brother loves that show, so everyone's happy :)

***

For those who participated in this month's Knights of MicroFiction, the winners are:

T.Z. Wallace and Sally Scribbles!

Kathy and I will be contacting the winners as soon as possible! Thanks for participating!

Happy Monday!

--Jess

Interview with Ashna Banga

Hello everyone!

Today, I'm interviewing Ashna Banga from Journal of a Bookworm!  So, let's get this started, shall we?

Good evening, Ashna!  Thanks so much for agreeing to the interview!  My first question is:


What books have influenced you most?


Umm... this should be a straightforward answer, but the fact is, while reading any book, I try to understand people and their behavior in different situations and thus, feel influenced by them.

Books themselves have been such a positive influence in my life, the best being that you know if something is happening the way it is, there's a reason or an influencing factor behind it and you can't judge without knowing everything.  Though, I feel influenced the most by books with kids as protagonists or that deals with a sensitive issue.

So every book influences you!  That makes sense, because everything that happens to you or anything you read will in some way influence you!  And, I like books with kids as protagonists :)


How long have you been blogging and how has it improved your writing?


Technically, I've been blogging for more than two years, but my book blog is 8 months old.  I'm not working on a book as of yet, but I can definitely say blogging has been an amazing platform for considerable improvement!  I mean, I've had the opportunity to read some amazing blogs, interact with people from all over the globe, with different ways of writing.  I sure write much better now than I did when I initially began blogging.

Besides, I've even developed more as a reader!

Yeah, it's pretty cool that we can talk to so many different writers from all over the world!


When did you start reading?


My parents tell me I started reading ever since I learned how to read, so it started pretty early.  I come from a place where many people are not into too much of reading, so it's kind of great, especially that I love it so much.  I am also blessed with wonderful family and relatives from abroad who gifted books.  I cherish them the most, still! :)

If not for them, I wouldn't have read books when I should have.  In fact, one of them gifted me a Harry Potter boxed set with the first four books when I was 12 and that is when the real passion actually began.

I still have to get around to reading the Harry Potter books.  I read the 4th one and loved it, but I just haven't read the rest!


What do you think constitutes a great book?


Whenever I think of a 'great' book, the first thing that comes to mind is a descriptive aspect.  Any book with a good description of people, places and behaviours can can steal my heart!  If I have a movie-kind-of-story in my head and if, the real movie based on the book matches that, it's awesome for me!

lack of appropriate descriptions when readers don't get what they were looking for, isn't very appealing to me.  Also, I like sensible characters, they can be cribbers, but they should have a human touch to them, not totally made-up.  Something realistic please.

And oh!  I adore happy endings and endings that answer all questions!  I hate abrupt endings where the readers are left wondering...

I have to agree... I like fulfilling endings.  But then, it's nice to have some loose end that leaves readers wanting a sequel!


Is there anything else we should know about you?


Sure!  I love photography, observing people, Calvin and Hobbes, I fantasize about mountaineering (which I'll sure do when I finish with college), and all sorts of adventure sports!  I love eating, but not cooking, just like I love great-looking clothes but not 'shop-till-you-drop' shopping!  And yeah, I'm also very clumsy.  Just don't hand me any fragile object ;)

Thank you, Ashna!  Unfortunately, we're out of time, but it's been so nice having you here!  Stop by again soon and good luck with all your reading and writing!


Have a great weekend everyone!

--Jess

FINALLY OVER!

Yep.

The day has come.

School is finally out!!

To celebrate the momentous occasion, I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. last night with my best friend and slept in really late.  And, yes, I'm exhausted right now.

Honestly, I have no idea what to do with my time.  Never mind I've got a ton of stuff to do.  My brain just can't seem to handle a weekday that allows me to write EVERY FREE HOUR!!

Anyway, if I don't start making goals for the summer, it's just going to completely pass me by.

So, here I go.

I want to read at least 8 books over the summer.  I'm a slow reader, but maybe, just maybe I can get eight books out of the way.

I want to finish the complete second draft of The Inferiors.  That might be pushing it, but I think if I work really hard, I can do it.

I want to pass my Intermediate moves in skating.

Okay, I know I've got a ton of other things I have to do, but they're not really coming to mind at the moment.   (Maybe it's because I'm so tired?)

Either way, I'm going to have a very busy, writing filled summer.

What are your goals for the summer?


HAVE AN AMAZING WEEKEND!!


--Jess

Yes, I'm Back!

Hey guys, I'd just like to say... I'm back from the Caribbean!

The trip was really awesome, but gosh, I've got a ton of stuff to catch up on! So, I'm going to keep this post short.

Anyway, I know that vacations are for relaxing. And that on a cruise ship, you shouldn't have to do any work. But my writing and I have an interesting relationship. Some days, it's more like work. But others, it's just fun.

There were a few times when we were out at sea and my mom and I sat at the top of the ship, watching the waves and typing away. There's something about the deep, sapphire blue of the ocean that's so inspiring. It would take an effort to keep the inspiration from flowing.

It was awesome. I'll tell you guys more about it later, maybe even show some pics! Oh, and I got a ton of reading done. I'll tell you what two books I finished on Wednesday (there... I'll leave you with a cliffhanger, hehe).

I've got a lot of work to get done right now so I've got to go. 'See' you Wednesday!!

--Jess

Last Day of November

Well, today is the final day of November. No, I didn't meet my goal for NaNoWriMo of 50,000 words. But hey, who can say I didn't try? I'm at thirty three thousand something words, so there's no way I can turn back now.


Anyway, I'd like to let you know that my editing has suddenly taken a HUGE leap forward! I'm hoping to be done with my second and third drafts by December 10th, and will be hopefully be asking for beta readers soon after! I'm really excited!! That also means I'll have less time do other stuff, but I'm really close to being ready to query, so I've got a ton of work to do!


Also, I've got some fun news! I'm interviewing Author S.R. Johannes (aka Shelli) on Friday! I've never done an interview before, so this is pretty exciting! Her book Untraceable just came out yesterday so go give her a big 'Congratulations' at her blog! Here's a summary of her book:

16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies her whole life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. But when Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. When a Cheetos bag and stolen government file materialize, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.

Then one day while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent, that’s definitely not from her neck of the woods, and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly unrugged Wyn. 

Now with renewed confidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kickass heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.

I'd also like to thank Fairbetty for her awesome support throughout all of NaNoWriMo! She visited my blog and commented every day I posted in November, so thanks Fairbetty! You can visit her blog here at Fairbetty's World.


Finally, today is my official inauguration back into the blogging world! Despite my huge amount of editing I have ahead of me, I am back and looking forward to reading everyone's posts! November has been an awesome month! I just can't believe it's almost December. This year has gone by so fast!


Any new exciting news? Plans for December? (Hope to see you on Friday :) )


--Jess

Spookfesta & Darkspell Launch

Good morning, everyone! Today is the long awaited Halloween! Well, actually it's tomorrow that I'm waiting for. I keep checking my NaNoWriMo meter to see how many hours I have before I can start writing! I'm at the edge of my seat here! I swear, the moment I finish my school work for the day, I'll be typing away! (That kind of rhymed...)


Anyway, today is also the launch day of Elizabeth Mueller's first novel called Darkspell which can be found HERE on Amazon. Congratulations Elizabeth!

Okay so the prompt for the Spookfesta is:


If I had all the magic in the world, I'd...
Increase technology so that we find a way to travel through space efficiently and not have to wait eighty thousand years to get to the nearest star!


*That's actually not an exaggeration. If you traveled at seventeen kilometers per second (roughly the speed of Voyager 1), and headed straight in the direction of Alpha Centauri (the closest star) it would take about eighty thousand years for you to get there.


With that being said, I think we could use a little magic to help speed up the process there, or we're never going to see a planet outside of the solar system!


Alrighty, go congratulate Elizabeth and check out her awesome book!


Happy Halloween!


--Jess


P.S.
How do you like the new blog layout? I think it's a little more sophisticated than before. What do you think?