tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72779969714138646262024-03-14T09:52:50.685-05:00JESS CAPELLECoping with an absentee muse.Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-10535214173907879232014-08-24T23:10:00.000-05:002014-08-24T23:10:26.291-05:00Top 10 Books that Influenced MeI was tagged on Facebook to post a list of the top 10 books that influenced me. I love challenges like this, because it says a lot about where I am at the time, since there's always a slight variation (why can't it be 20 books? Then I could list ALL of them!)<br />
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Without further fanfare, here's the list, in no particular order:<br />
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1. FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury This
book is brilliant and important- reading it when I was a teenager was the first
time I truly realized how powerful the written word is in society and how much
people want to restrict it and silence it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. <i>Othello </i>by William Shakespeare (I want to cheat and say THE
COMPLETE WORKS) I had a very high reading level and a huge interest in Europe
when I was growing up, so my grandmother’s neighbor suggested Shakespeare &
gave me access to her attic library with a whole shelf just of Shakespeare. Even
though I didn’t understand all of the richly layered prose and the intricacy of
the word choice and the adult themes, I felt like I’d entered into a secret
society based around these enormous leather-bound books full of stories that
had been passed down through time. It was magical. I picked <i>Othello</i>, because the emotion is so raw
and powerful, and Iago is, in my opinion, the best villain ever written.<o:p></o:p></div>
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3. THE LITTLE PRINCE by Antoine de
Saint-Exupéry This book spoke to my heart so deeply. I read it in French first,
and while the English book is just as powerful, something about reading it in
the original language deepens the experience. The messages are so simple yet
have so much truth in them. And the illustrations are the best.<o:p></o:p></div>
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4. HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE
PHOENIX by J.K.Rowling (since I had to pick one) I so envy those who got to
grow up with Harry. Besides just loving the books, the series made me realize that
“normal people” could get published and that I could write books I’d wanted to
read growing up. I picked Book 5 because to see Harry so happy with Sirius and have
him ripped away… it gutted me as a reader and as a writer, it taught me that
you have to pull your characters to the lowest possible point and let them find
their strength to move forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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5. SPEAK by Laurie Halse Andersen
This book saved me. Reading it gave me a voice too. I got to meet Laurie this
year and tell her how much it meant to me and thank her for giving me
“permission” to let go of what I’d been holding in and let the wounds
completely heal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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6. AMERICAN GODS, by Neil Gaiman This
wasn’t my first Gaiman, but it’s the one I turn to over and over, probably
because of how much I identify with Shadow. For most of my life, I’ve felt very
directionless, very much just existing in the world, being pushed from here to
there, not being a part of the world around me and not being understood by the
people in it. Like Shadow’s journey, mine has been paved with difficulty and
heartbreak, and many times I didn’t think I’d make it out the other side. I’m
still not where I want to be yet, and I guess that’s kind of the point. We’re
always changing and adapting. That’s why this book speaks to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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7. THE EIGHT by Katherine Neville
This is a book I have pushed so many people to read. The dual timeline with
events in the past tying into the future, is so well-done. I love how Neville
mixes history and chess with the fight to possess this magical chessboard. Any
story that takes place around the French Revolution is going to intrigue me,
but Neville equally holds my attention when the story shifts to the 1970s. Such
a great thriller, with two awesome female protagonists.<o:p></o:p></div>
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8. THE GRAPES OF WRATH by John
Steinbeck I read this in high school, and I remember being so captivated by the
story. Part of it was Steinbeck, but part of it was my English teacher. We had
to write a significant paper on the book, and I choose the use of color. It was
fascinating, and the first time I truly got the point of literary analysis. The
book also really spoke to me about looking beyond myself and into the
situations of others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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9. THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by
Alexandre Dumas, père Oh this book… Justice, faith, love, revenge… Such a
powerful story with powerful themes. Is it any wonder I used elements of it for
one of my own stories? As someone who always knew I wanted to study law,
reading this in high school, with its discussion of justice and divine
retribution, cemented that for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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10. THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien This
is one of the first books I remember reading that didn’t feel like a children’s
book to me, so it made me feel very grown-up at the time. I dove into the
world, and re-read it over and over again, like it was my own little secret
dream-world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'd love to hear about your most influential books too!</div>
Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-56503307944979619872014-03-18T03:02:00.000-05:002014-03-18T03:02:14.699-05:00What's On Your List?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not much gets me on here to blog. With such limited time for writing, I feel like I should be spending all my time working on my fiction. But when Julie Murphy put out a call for bucket lists to celebrate the release of SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY (out TODAY!! Go Get It!!), I knew I had to participate. First of all, Julie is just awesome. Second, SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is one of the best debuts I've ever read, and I'm just madly in love with the book. Lastly, I have a bit of an obsession with bucket lists. :)<br />
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I started making bucket lists when I was in elementary school, secretly writing about all the lofty ambitions I would accomplish and exotic places I would visit. In first grade, I'd pored through all the books in the classroom, so my teacher gave me a biography of Napoleon. That fueled an obsession with France that persists, as well as resulting in my first travel list, which was also my first somewhat realistic bucket list (i.e. the one that didn't have winning 3 Olympic gold medals and 3 Oscars).<br />
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From that list forward, there are certain items that pop up on almost every version of a bucket list I've ever made. I'm a big believer in writing things down if you want to make them happen, so perhaps it's no surprise that I have crossed quite a few "perennial" items off the list. I chose to share some of this "Ultimate List" to honor Alice, the main character in SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY.<br />
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1. <strike><u>Graduate from law school</u>.</strike> DONE. Many people who meet me in a writing capacity are surprised when I tell them that I also practice law because I don't have the personality most people associate with lawyers. I've always loved law, but I prefer to stay behind the scenes & out of court.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BCU8Aszca7J3PKNk0zoBf2vORs8NDuVoyqmAeqjBeFux76RTzQH-4PZDoGjS6yG1Eo7NzAcTqLLnZhVpioLFgbAuEJkEG15lXUGsBX1q4OG4nLcY-aBzi6EnDuZA7APHrqyQIi89TxYP/s1600/law+school+graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BCU8Aszca7J3PKNk0zoBf2vORs8NDuVoyqmAeqjBeFux76RTzQH-4PZDoGjS6yG1Eo7NzAcTqLLnZhVpioLFgbAuEJkEG15lXUGsBX1q4OG4nLcY-aBzi6EnDuZA7APHrqyQIi89TxYP/s1600/law+school+graduation.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></div>
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A lot of hard work and tuition money went into the picture above.</div>
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2. <u>Publish a book</u>. This has been a goal ever since the first scribblings of stories in crayon, but I didn't seriously start writing fiction until November 2008. Since then, I've been working hard on improving my craft and learning about the industry. I've had two short stories published, and each sentence I write brings me one step closer to this goal. I haven't reached it yet, but I'm getting close.</div>
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My first published short story, in an anthology called UNDEAD IS NOT AN OPTION.</div>
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3. <u><strike>Visit and live in Paris</strike></u>. DONE. As I said, my obsession with France came early. I studied French in high school and college and fell even more in love (my undergraduate degree is actually in French). I finally visited for Paris for the first time in March of 1998, and I went back that summer to study. Unfortunately my financial aid for my program fell through, so I only stayed a month. But I was able to soak up the city and culture more than I ever would have had I sat in class all day.</div>
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This is <span class="st">Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. It's so peaceful and full of beautiful monuments.</span></div>
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4. <u><strike>Study great art</strike></u>. ONGOING. I always like to keep a few things that can't be crossed off as a reminder to keep learning and keep striving for goals. Whether through museum visits, books, or courses, I'll be studying art for the rest of my life. I definitely have specific pieces I've crossed off my list (the Winged Nike of Samothrace, Boticelli's Birth of Venus, Van Gogh's Starry Night are a few), but there will always be many more I want to see.</div>
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This is <em>Agapanthus</em> by Claude Monet at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. It figures prominently in the Middle Grade book I'm revising.</div>
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5. <u>Visit the Taj Mahal</u>. I'm a bit obsessive about architecture, especially this building. I almost got to go during law school. My study abroad in India included a short trip to Agra to see the Taj, but because of safety concerns after September 11th, they had to cancel the program. Instead that summer, my favorite professor convinced me to come take a class with him in Durham, England. As sad as I was to miss out on the experience in India, I will never regret going to Durham. Some of my favorite memories were made during that trip. I spent three weeks prior to classes in London, parts of Italy, and Brussels, then a month in Durham with side trips to Edinburgh, Newcastle, Amsterdam, the North Yorkshire area, and back to London. Two experiences really stand out: traveling halfway across Northern England following Hadrian's Wall and riding with a Belgian couple from Menaggio Italy to Brussels via Switzerland, Luxembourg, France in one day.</div>
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This was the view walking to class each day that I would have missed if I hadn't gone to Durham.</div>
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As much as I still love my lists, my experiences with crossing items off have taught me a valuable lesson over and over: never get so married to your plans that you miss out on other experiences. Going "off script" often leads to the best stories!</div>
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In SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY, Alice creates an altogether different bucket list. Here's the description:</div>
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<em>When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs. So she convinces her best friend to help her with a crazy bucket list that's as much about revenge as it is about hope. But just when Alice's scores are settled, she goes into remission, and now she must face the consequences of all she's said and done.</em> </div>
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You can find the book at one of these sites or in your local bookstore.</div>
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<span style="color: black;">IndieBound: </span><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062245359" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.indiebound.<wbr></wbr>org/book/9780062245359</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">B&N: </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/side-effects-may-vary-julie-murphy/1115554719?ean=9780062245359" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.barnesandnoble.com/w/<wbr></wbr>side-effects-may-vary-<span class="il">julie</span>-<wbr></wbr><span class="il">murphy</span>/1115554719?ean=<wbr></wbr>9780062245359</span></a><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.72px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.72px;"><span style="color: black;">Amazon: </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Side-Effects-Vary-Julie-Murphy/dp/006224535X" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.72px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.amazon.com/Side-<wbr></wbr>Effects-Vary-<span class="il">Julie</span>-<span class="il">Murphy</span>/dp/<wbr></wbr>006224535X</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="il">Julie</span> Murphy lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her, her dog who adores her, and her cat who tolerates her. When she's not writing or trying to catch stray cats, she works at an academic library. Side Effects May Vary is <span class="il">Julie</span>'s debut novel. <span class="il">Julie</span> can best be found on her website (</span><a href="http://www.juliemurphywrites.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.juliemurphywrites.com</span></a><span style="color: black;">), tumblr (</span><a href="http://www.andimjulie.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.andimjulie.tumblr.com</span></a><span style="color: black;">), or twitter (</span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/andimjulie" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.twitter.com/andimjulie</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span><br />
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Feel free to post your own bucket list and join in the fun!!</div>
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Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-30036258820774010722013-09-29T22:08:00.002-05:002013-09-29T22:33:49.146-05:00Writing 'Bad': Lessons Learned from Breaking Bad<div>
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I've just finished watching the finale of Breaking Bad, and so many thoughts are swimming in my brain right now. My friend Lynne Kelly is putting together a <a href="http://www.lynnekelly.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">post on her blog</a> with writing lessons from the show, so I thought I'd put together a few.<br />
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<strong><u>WARNING: SOME SPOILERS AHEAD</u></strong><br />
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I am pretty confident I could do a dissertation on this show's genius. I know I annoy my friends talking about it and analyzing it, but it's such a great example of not holding back in your storytelling, using technique and craft to the fullest, and creating complex, layered characters who feel realistic even in very unreal situations.<br />
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My intention is to do a complete rewatch of the series over several months and analyze the technique and overarching plot to help develop my own technique, and I may post about some of that. But for now, here are some lessons I've learned from Breaking Bad that I hope to implement in my own writing:</div>
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<li>You can still have a satisfying ending even if it's not "happy" as long as you wrap up the loose ends and keep it true to the characters and the storyline.</li>
<li>When a character is wronged, it's extremely satisfying to see him/her given the opportunity to choose whether to right the wrong or not, i.e. Jesse getting to go after Todd and having the option to take out Walt.</li>
<li>A central image or motif can really connect aspects of a story, especially if you're writing a series. The recurring connection to chemistry with references to elements of it ran through the story and reminded us that elements are volatile when combined incorrectly and put under pressure. The recurring theme of surveillance and being watched added to the tension and excitement, and its role became more and more sinister as the story went on.</li>
<li>Ask yourself "what if" but take it to the next level. BB constantly took things to places we didn't expect because the writers would continue to ask "what if" and pick something that still made sense in the story but was surprising to us.</li>
<li>Giving villains/antagonists something to humanize them makes for a more compelling story and can make them even scarier. Todd's lack of emotion made him disturbing, but his fixations on Walt and Lydia heightened that.</li>
<li>As your characters change, the way they exist in the world must change in more than just how they speak and think. After the things Jesse had seen and done, he couldn't go back to partying with Badger and Skinny Pete because he wasn't the same person. But he had to try it because he hadn't quite accepted that yet and had to realize it for himself.</li>
<li>Subtle and less subtle shifts in the way places and people are presented or details emphasized can show us a lot about what's going on in very subtle ways, even if we're not aware of it at the time. For example, Walt Jr. flipped back and forth between that name and Flynn when he wanted to distance himself from Walt, Marie always wears purple except in key moments on the show. This different identity through name and color is very clear with Walt's transformation back and forth between Walter White and Heisenberg in black. Shaving his head, he takes on the persona of Heisenberg. Even once he's recovered, he continues to put on that persona because he likes it. Stuck in the cabin in the woods, powerless to do anything, he tries to put on the persona again, but even that "bulletproof" persona can't help him at that point, riddled with cancer and alone. The thing that struck me the most in the last episode was how he looked like a shaggy version of the old Walt, putting that identity back on like a wolf in sheep's clothing to carry out his dirty work. If he'd shown up as Heisenberg, they would have seen him coming.</li>
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If you want to leave your own thoughts, feel free! I'd love to hear what others think about this amazing show and how it has helped their writing. Now I'm off to cry in a glass of wine and feel all the feels.Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-50372642927100785222013-02-09T00:03:00.000-06:002013-02-09T00:03:33.302-06:00Books I Recommend: DAYS OF BLOOD & STARLIGHTI just finished Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor, which is the second book in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. If you know me in real life, you know that I loved the first book with a passion because I bugged everyone to read it! So as excited as I was for book two, I waited to read it because I was scared I'd be disappointed. I'm happy to say that didn't happen. In fact, I actually like book two even more than book one!<br />
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I read the hardcover of Daughter of Smoke and Bone first, but for Days of Blood and Starlight I listened to the audiobook first. At times it was a little disorienting since the POV shifts a lot in this book, but I'm really glad I listened to the audio because it brought out the emotions of the characters and the subtext so much.<br />
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As in the first book, Laini Taylor does a fabulous job conveying setting. As I listened, I could close my eyes to a vivid picture of the surroundings. I loved learning more about both the angels and the chimera, as well as Karou and Akiva's struggles to reintegrate with their people.<br />
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In the first book, I fell in love with Karou and Akiva. In this book, I fell in love with the people who matter to them. I loved the lightness that Zuzana and Mik brought to the book, and Ziri won my heart. What we learn about what happened to Brimstone and Issa moved me, and Hazael and Liraz made me want to have them by my side.<br />
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I'm really looking forward to reading the hardcover now after listening to the audio. Unfortunately I will have to wait over a YEAR for book 3!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-82652516315727004142012-12-06T21:53:00.001-06:002012-12-06T21:59:24.359-06:00My newest zombie story is out!<span class="userContent"></span><br />
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<strong>The UNDEAD UNCENSORED anthology is out! I'm so excited about my story, "Save-Us", and can't wait to share it with zombie fans everywhere.</strong></div>
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<strong>Here's the blurb:</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Julie thinks she’s in for a fun day at Save-Us Warehouse,
grabbing food samples and watching product demos while her parents pick up
industrial-sized boxes of laundry detergent and pretzels. But when the horde
ruins their shopping experience, she and her mom must dodge fleeing people, reanimated
workers, and pallets of household goods to find her dad and escape. Cornered by
zombies, they join forces with Luke, an ex-soldier and unlikely friend when
Julie needs one the most.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Although she has supplies stockpiled for the
apocalypse, Julie’s college courses didn’t prepare her for combat with the
undead. Luckily, warehouse stores have plenty of handy killing devices. The
name of the store may be Save-Us, but Julie’s going to have to save herself to
make it out of Zombie 101 alive.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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<strong>Here's a sneak peek from the story:</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>I’d
always imagined zombies as male, but they apparently didn’t discriminate on
gender… or age. An entire zombie family—toddler in tow—slid across the concrete
floor, twisted mannequins with severed limbs. The lady giving out yogurt didn’t
stand a chance. Zombie mom dove for her neck. Fresh blood blanketed the sea of
white samples.</em></span></div>
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<strong>If you'd like to get a copy, you can order it from the following sites:</strong></div>
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Amazon</div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481015214/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1481015214&linkCode=as2&tag=jessicapel-20">Zombie Survival Crew: Undead Uncensored</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=jessicapel-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1481015214" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Zombie Survival Crew Store<br />
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<a href="http://zombiesurvivalcrew.bigcartel.com/product/undead-uncensored" target="_blank">Zombie Survival Crew: Undead Uncensored</a> </div>
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<strong>Thanks for all your support! If you grab a copy, let me know!</strong></div>
Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-87571798500039453552012-11-01T23:34:00.000-05:002012-11-01T23:34:32.717-05:00UNDEAD UNCENSORED!<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
I was very excited last year to have a story featured in the first anthology for the Zombie Survival Crew (ZSC), Undead is Not an Option. You can purchase it in paperback <a href="http://zombiesurvivalcrew.bigcartel.com/product/zsc-anthology" target="_blank">here</a> or as an e-book <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/60319" target="_blank">here</a>. You can also purchase the paperback on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Survival-Crew-Undead-Option/dp/0984238360/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351830525&sr=8-1&keywords=undead+is+not+an+option" target="_blank">here</a>. So when the editors asked if I'd submit a story for a new anthology, I jumped at the chance. And starting on December 1, you'll be able to check it out! I will post more info about my contribution to this book of zombie fun at a later date. For now, you can read the briefing below sent out by the ZSC Commander-in-Chief or check out the ZSC <a href="http://www.zombiesurvivalcrew.com/" target="_blank">website</a> for more info!<br />
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<strong><em>From the mobile unit of ZSC Commander-in-Chief </em></strong><a href="http://zombiesurvivalcrew.com/fearless-leaders/juliette-terzieff/" target="_blank"><strong><em>Juliette Terzieff</em></strong></a><strong><em>:</em></strong><br />
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<em>After months of anticipation the day has finally come when we can release the cover art for Undead Uncensored, the second Zombie Survival Crew anthology. This year’s anthology is a vibrant collection of short fiction, poetry and non-fiction pieces designed to help you get your zombie freak on and prepare for what we might all face if the zombipocalypse hits!</em></div>
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<em>Undead Uncensored features the work of yours truly alongside other ZSC Commanders actor Michael Rooker, award winning author LK Gardner-Griffie, and authors Jinxie G, R.C. Murphy and Amy Sundberg. ZSC crew members including Wendy Sparrow, Jessica Capelle, Robin Sellman, Amber Revelt, Stephanie Allen, Christopher De Voss and many others contributed their artistic endeavors to this creeptastic collection!!</em></div>
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<em>Undead Uncensored is already available for pre-order <b><a href="http://zombiesurvivalcrew.bigcartel.com/product/undead-uncensored" target="_blank">here</a></b> and orders will begin shipping on December 1, 2012.</em></div>
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<em>Now without further ado… (yes, you can stop holding your breath now)</em></div>
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<em>The cover for Undead Uncensored</em></div>
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Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-76070781073165533402012-10-01T23:00:00.000-05:002012-10-01T23:00:23.323-05:00Books I Recommend: SERAPHINAIn order to get myself blogging somewhat regularly, I've decided to mostly post about things I enjoy, especially books. I'm not planning to become a book blogger by any means, but I do find myself making recommendations a lot (and I do read a lot of books). Because I tend to get very enthusiastic when I read/watch/listen to something I enjoy, I'm hoping this enthusiasm will translate into regular blogging, something I've never been great at.<br />
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I chose to start with SERAPHINA by Rachel Hartman. This was one of my favorite books this summer. I received the digital ARC from Random House via NetGalley. Full disclosure, I wrote this review on Goodreads when I finished the book, so I am cheating a bit for this blog post!<br />
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What a fantastic, gorgeous book. If you're an epic fantasy fan, you must run out and read this now. The writing is beautiful and dense, best digested in small chunks so as to mull it over and re-read to hear the language again, however I often found myself so engrossed in the story that I'd devour 40 pages. It took me a while to read it because of how much I wanted to live in the world for a little longer.<br /><br />Seraphina is a marvelously complex and interesting character. It blows me away that this is a debut novel. The writing is so tight and lyrical, especially when the author makes descriptions of music come to life. I love dragons and castles and intrigue, and the author delivered and then some. I also really enjoyed the execution of the political intrigue, and the way Seraphina was caught between protecting her secrets and being truthful with those she cared about. This was a unique book that I plan to purchase and read over and over. I cannot wait for the rest of the series.Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-18173153712707102772012-04-17T00:09:00.000-05:002012-04-17T00:09:59.209-05:00My Love Letter to HoustonCan I just say that I'm so grateful to live in Houston?<br />
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We have a fabulous community of writers here, especially writers for children, and a fantastic support system through local groups, readers, and bookstores. I've known this ever since I started to dip my toe into the writing world. But this month especially, I'm feeling the love more than ever. There have been and will be so many literary events this month, and I wanted to take an opportunity to say thank you to some of the people who put in the hard work to make all this stuff possible.<br />
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Our local <a href="http://www.scbwi-houston.org/" target="_blank">SCBWI Chapter</a> is freaking fantastic. Houston is really blessed to have such a great group. The volunteers consistently put together the most amazing, inspiring events. On March 31 and April 1, I attended our chapter's Annual Conference and a special intensive workshop on voice with editor Heather Alexander. To say that I got something out of that weekend would be an understatement. The feedback from critiques was invaluable. The presentations during the main part of the conference were informative and interesting. And the intensive on voice? Priceless. It's rare that I get to attend a monthly meeting, Monday nights are usually really rough for me, but I always feel welcome and supported when I'm able to attend events. So many wonderful people put a lot of time and effort into this group, and I want to give them all big hugs!<br />
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This past weekend, April 14, was the <a href="http://www.teenbookcon.org/" target="_blank">Teen Book Con</a>. It's an annual event at a local high school where many authors come and do panel discussions and signings. This was my first year, and I wasn't disappointed. The authors were gracious and patient and seemed genuinely interested in meeting their fans. I watched author after author interact with the kids, asking them about their favorite books, school, and what they liked about the event. My little brother, who's in high school, came with me and was blown away by how "real" the authors were in talking with him. He came away inspired to focus on his own writing and kept telling me "I'll be up there one day". How awesome to have events like this where kids can interact this closely with adults they look up to! A very cool moment for me came during a panel where Siobhan Vivian mentioned that her editor was David Levithan and the kids literally swooned. I'm not lying. It was incredible. The kids were so enthusiastic and excited to be there. Kudos to the organizers of Teen Book Con and the authors who attended for giving back so much to the readers and encouraging them to be more involved in reading and writing.<br />
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The night before Teen Book Con, I had the privilege to attend a meetup hosted by several Houston book bloggers. Not only did I meet and interact with some incredibly fabulous bloggers (local and out of town), but I was able to talk with several of the authors attending Teen Book Con, which was a nice surprise. I sat next to <a href="http://michellezink.com/" target="_blank">Michelle Zink</a>, <a href="http://www.trinityfaegen.com/" target="_blank">Trinity Faegen</a>, and <a href="http://www.jessicaspotswood.com/" target="_blank">Jessica Spotswood</a>. I'd been looking forward to meeting Michelle since a mutual friend had said such nice things about her, but I was thrilled to get to talk to Trinity and Jessica as well. They were so lovely, as were all the other attendees I met. As a writer, it was interesting to listen to the bloggers talk about reviews and review policies. The bloggers I spoke with are genuinely concerned about posting reviews that will hurt the author and try to focus on the positive aspects of the book even if it wasn't for them. All of them clearly have a passion for books, and it made for an enjoyable evening of discussion. Thanks to <a href="http://cariblogs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cari</a> and <a href="http://www.exlibriskate.com/" target="_blank">Kate</a> for hosting!<br />
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This week is the <a href="http://www.txla.org/annual-conference" target="_blank">Texas Library Association Conference</a>. I am SO excited since it will be my first library conference, and I don't have to go out of town for it (it travels every year)! So many wonderful authors are heading to Houston to speak at the conference and sign books. I won't be attending the workshops unfortunately, but I will be visiting the exhibits area on Wednesday and Thursday. One of my friends is actually helping coordinate a lot of the stuff going on, and I know it's going to be great. I'm looking forward to connecting with writer, blogger, and librarian friends at the conference. Librarians are so full of awesome. I have several friends who are currently librarians or have their MLS degrees. Despite budget cuts, red tape, hiring freezes, and a million other difficulties, they manage to stay enthusiastic about promoting reading and encouraging kids who want to read and/or write. Librarians have encouraged and helped me from elementary school through law school and beyond. They are truly rock stars.<br />
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Saturday the 21st, we celebrate the Two Year Anniversary of the <a href="http://houstonyamg.org/home.html" target="_blank">Houston YA/MG</a> writing group. When Mary Lindsey, Iona McAvoy, Rose Garcia Moriarty, and I founded the group, we wanted a casual group who would meet each month to complement what we'd learned in other groups and provide support to each other along our journey to write with the "teen brain" in mind. Along the way, we've met so many fantastic people and had some wonderful speakers. We've seen so many of our friends sign with agents and get book deals, but, more importantly, we've seen our friends grow as writers and become more focused in achieving their goals. Thanks to my co-founders and all the wonderful writers who participate in the meetings and on the message board! Also thanks to Cari and Kate (links above) who will make our 2 Year Anniversary meeting so fantastic as they talk about promoting our books using bloggers and blog tours!<br />
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Lastly, without the support of our local bookstores, the Houston literary community wouldn't be nearly as fabulous. While there are many fantastic locals, <a href="http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/" target="_blank">Blue Willow Bookshop</a> deserves a shout-out for all the support it gives children's book authors. Valerie and the gang host launch events for local authors, handle the book sales at the SCBWI Conference and Teen Book Con, and bring tons of children's author events to Houston. Our community couldn't do it without you.<br />
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Are you feeling the love yet? ;-)<br />
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If you'll be in town, we'd love to have you at the Houston YA/MG meeting on Saturday the 21st. Details are at the <a href="http://www.houstonyamg.org/" target="_blank">website</a>. If you're headed to TLA, send me an email at jessicacapelle (at) gmail (dot) com and let's meet up! I'll be there Wednesday and Thursday.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by!Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-16867278788358064322012-04-10T02:11:00.000-05:002012-04-10T02:11:09.894-05:00Memes, Zombies, and Adverbs... Oh My!<div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Monday (on the West Coast at least). I tend to keep blogging early Tuesday morning instead of Monday. Maybe I should change my blogging day to Tuesday! :-) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A new meme has been going around on the Internet this week called Lucky Sevens. I wanted to play along, really I did, but I just couldn't follow the rules. It requires you to go to page 7 or 77, start with line 7, and post the next 7 sentences or paragraphs. Sounds like a blast, but here's my problem: I can't post anything I'm working on. Really. Here's why:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) My #norobotschallenge YA manuscript, MW: Both page 7 and 77 are pivotal parts of the book for the main character. Within those sentences/paragraphs are things integral to the plot. Really don't want to post stuff like that. Plus, I'm about to query, and I don't want an agent to stumble across it before he/she receives my query.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2) My partial roughdraft, MG manuscript, TI: Both pages 7 and 77 are bare bones with compressed time scenes that need to be fleshed out and have notes woven throughout. The sentences aren't even complete since I've been jotting notes all over them. Not really good for playing along.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3) My zombie short story for the Zombie Survival Crew's upcoming anthology: Not going there without permission!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, since I can't do the Lucky Sevens meme, I thought I'd do something related that's also fun. I ran across a snippet from my first zombie short story. I posted it on my Facebook page when I was working on the roughdraft. It's from August 31, 2009. After I wrote it, I couldn't find a home for it until I heard about the first Zombie Survival Crew anthology contest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"Erik cold? Jaimy warm up.” She pulled my face down to kiss me. After</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>a long kiss, she paused and pulled back. She opened her mouth</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>unnaturally wide and worked a loose tooth out of her decaying gums. It</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>popped out like she was 8. She giggled and made a comment about the</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Tooth Fairy. That’s the thing with dating a zombie; you have to watch</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>out for errant body parts.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now compare it to the final version, published in May 2011 in the anthology UNDEAD IS NOT AN OPTION:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>“Erik cold? Jaimy warm up.”</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Her hands hold my face in a vise-like grip as she pulls me toward her</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>deformed lips. Zombies are surprisingly strong for dead people. After a</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>long, drool-soaked kiss, she pushes me back and feels around in her</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>mouth. She opens it unnaturally wide as she yanks a loose tooth out of</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>her decaying gums, and a smell similar to rancid meat fills my nose for</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>just a second. As the acid rises in my throat, she giggles and mumbles</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>something about the Tooth Fairy. It doesn’t take me long to compose</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>myself since I’m used to it by now. Dating a zombie, you learn quickly</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>that you have to watch out for errant body parts.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is with all those adverbs?! Yikes! LOL It's interesting to see how the structure remained the same, and even a lot of the language, but I think I upped the "ick" factor. :-)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0F15MLxFa3F4gfOu1DOH083aq5z7dqjH-BMTnklnHbJgA7N7nrzXNh7wb-fytRBQj5gGqkHrONCrqsgtzauL1M4K_eP-ORitYbIQmYw3Fi74aDI3AuHqfdvplaZEcWISiSHudaJ1kQqgN/s1600/AdverbProtest_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0F15MLxFa3F4gfOu1DOH083aq5z7dqjH-BMTnklnHbJgA7N7nrzXNh7wb-fytRBQj5gGqkHrONCrqsgtzauL1M4K_eP-ORitYbIQmYw3Fi74aDI3AuHqfdvplaZEcWISiSHudaJ1kQqgN/s320/AdverbProtest_007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Not only is this cartoon awesome, it's by the fabulous Debbie aka Inky Girl. You should check out her site. Like now. She rocks.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It's amazing to look back at my writing from when I first started seriously working on it (late 2008) and compare it to now. I've learned and grown so much, but I continue to learn every day. Craft improves the more you work at it, but there's always room for improvement. I'll be continuing to hone my craft and learn as much as possible while I'm still breathing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This time, the adverbs are going down.</div>Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-49512925413426447272012-04-02T23:21:00.001-05:002012-04-02T23:27:05.558-05:00The #norobots ChallengeThis weekend I attended the SCBWI Houston Conference. It was so fabulous! The volunteers that run the conference outdid themselves. I learned so much and got some great feedback from my critiques.<br />
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After I had my first critique, I handed my friend Iona McAvoy my feedback letter. It was full of praise for my writing and voice and gave only minimal notes for improving my first 10 pages. Yes, I was beaming! After she finished, she said something along the lines of "now will you freaking send it out?!" Of course that could be what I heard, not what she actually said! ;-)<br />
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Accordingly, Iona gave me an ultimatum: send out queries soon or she will add transforming robots to my manuscript. Yes, transforming ones. And she has a whole slew of them in mind already (she's been trying to get me to add them for a year or so). She texted me about a German Shepherd one this morning. I have a feeling this will happen daily until the queries go out and she has proof.<br />
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I convinced her that I should be allowed to have a few more passes through the manuscript to make it perfect. She also will allow my beta readers and critique partners to take one last pass. This gives me a drop-dead, queries-in-the-"sent mail"-deadline of May 31. At 8 am on June 1st, Iona will begin putting transforming robots in my manuscript (aka "MW"). MW is part sci-fi, but it's not THAT kind of sci-fi! Apparently my genre is actually "sci-fi grounded heavily in realism with elements of light urban fantasy". Whew! No room for robots though.<br />
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My plan is pretty simple- I mapped everything out last night. If I do a close read of 50 pages each week, I will finish in 5 weeks. I will send the first half to readers when it's done, then the second half will follow after at the end of the 5 weeks. I'll take the last four weeks to do "nit-picky" stuff, read it aloud again for any spots that don't flow well, and make sure I've addressed any nagging concerns the readers have. One evening during each of the nine weeks is devoted to tightening my query letter and synopsis and updating all the agent research I've done. I even have a color-coded agent spreadsheet that I've been using to track preferences for a while. What can I say, I really like the highlighting function in Word. :-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUHw1nro0VDIyVSzdix9rzHn8jRHvDz2gGzh72XqtbWoa7_UzVZ5Sk7F5UHU76otUzik1xg7Q9dwG6HRAusYkpf6NzZsoTBXTFBQdpR35TzHvKzApFy3kXGnGB9yQlC1cYQPo2FsSBNss/s1600/lsnep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUHw1nro0VDIyVSzdix9rzHn8jRHvDz2gGzh72XqtbWoa7_UzVZ5Sk7F5UHU76otUzik1xg7Q9dwG6HRAusYkpf6NzZsoTBXTFBQdpR35TzHvKzApFy3kXGnGB9yQlC1cYQPo2FsSBNss/s320/lsnep.jpg" /></a></div>Cat2 is just as exhausted by my revision schedule as I am!<br />
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I will need help to stay motivated, encouraged, and on track! Please tweet, Facebook message, email, or text with gentle nudges and reminders. If you are willing to read for me, let me know that too. I know at least one of my readers isn't available right now, and I'd like a fresh pair of eyes or two to read the full. It's young adult, so if you don't regularly read young adult, I won't be able to use you. If you have a teenager who would be willing to read it, that would be fantastic!<br />
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Those of you who follow me on Twitter may see me tweet with the hashtag #norobots from time to time over the next two months. When I do, you'll know I'm talking about this challenge.<br />
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Wish me luck and remember... #norobots allowed.Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-54767517094319825142012-03-28T23:19:00.000-05:002012-03-28T23:19:23.697-05:00Special Guest Post- Danyelle Leafty on her Kindles for Kids driveI'm a little delayed with my post, since I've been sick. This is what happens when I let myself get run-down between emergency apartment moves, missing cats, and work insanity.<br />
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Today's post came about because of the awesome Danyelle Leafty. Danyelle is the author of the Fairy Godmother Dilemma series. I follow her on Twitter, so when I saw posts about her Kindle for Kids drive, I had to get the scoop.<br />
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I asked Danyelle to share a little about the idea behind Kindles for Kids as well as how it all works. Here's her guest post:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0Ak-o40bFW2BnNl-_ihabAdwbzVasfQKQc765iXUHi2mRkE1unmNJ8ehuEf0owSgBsR-5dVqAYBiMNIOzzTdYiw4kjZG5ZKxisCifOaxoJ2qMUfR1y0fHw3WX3P4VJdB4O9pFnT9OWg/s1600/kindlesforkids+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0Ak-o40bFW2BnNl-_ihabAdwbzVasfQKQc765iXUHi2mRkE1unmNJ8ehuEf0owSgBsR-5dVqAYBiMNIOzzTdYiw4kjZG5ZKxisCifOaxoJ2qMUfR1y0fHw3WX3P4VJdB4O9pFnT9OWg/s320/kindlesforkids+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>What exactly is Kindles for Kids?</b><br /><br />
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Kindles for Kids is <a href="http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/2012/02/paying-it-forward-kindles-for-kids.html">my way of paying it forward</a>. My goal is to raise enough funds to purchase 10 Kindle Fires for the pediatric unit of a local hospital in UT.<br /><br />
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<b>How does Kindles for Kids work?</b><br /><br />
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From March 12th-31st of 2012, I will be donating the *royalties I make on THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA: CATSPELL--both in paper and e-book form--toward the purchase of the Kindle Fires.<br /><br />
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Royalties are paid a month to two months after the fact. Factoring in that as well as putting in the order, receiving them, and getting them ready, I will be delivering the Kindle Fires to the hospital in June of 2012.<br /><br />
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<b>How can you participate?</b><br /><br />
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If you are an author (published) or a writer (unpublished), <a href="http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/p/kindles-for-kids-authors-and-writers.html">this link will explain it more</a>. A <a href="http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/2012/03/kindles-for-kids-authors-and-writers.html">more detailed link can be found here</a>. In short, I'm hosting an open call for donating **books you have the rights to for the hospital. One book per Kindle Fire. You can also participate by writing a ***<a href="http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/2012/03/kindles-for-kids-short-story-contest.html">short story for a fairy tale anthology</a> I'm putting together for the hospital. If you're a reader, <a href="http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/p/kindles-for-kids-readers.html">this link will give you a few ideas on how to help spread the word</a>.<br /><br />
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<b>How can you help?</b><br /><br />
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The greatest help of all is to help me get the word out. You can do this by talking to people--online and in real life, posting about Kindles for Kids on forums, groups, on your blog, and by printing out and posting fliers. <a href="http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/2012/03/kindles-for-kids-readers.html">More detailed link here, as well as details for a photo contest</a>. Link for the flyer <a href="http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/2012/03/kindles-for-kids-flyers.html">here</a>.<br /><br />
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<i>I can't do this without you, so thank you to all who participate in any way they can!</i><br /><br />
<i><br /></i><br /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*Royalties up to 249,000 copies. After that, I have to buy an extended license for the photographs I use for the cover.</span><br /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">**All books will be vetted by me personally for both formatting and content. Since the Kindle Fires are going to the pediatric unit, I would ask that any donations are formatted and edited well, and that they go no higher than a PG rating.</span><br /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">***As with the books, please keep the short stories at a PG or G rating. Again, all stories that are chosen for inclusion in the anthology will be vetted by me personally. Also, because digital copies of the anthology will be donated to the hospitals, and there will be no money made off of them, neither the editor (me) nor the authors will receive payment or money for them. However, everyone who is included will receive a digital copy as either a PDF, a kindle file, or epub.</span><br />
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What a fantastic idea, Danyelle!<br />
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As a way to drive traffic to the site (hopefully getting more to participate and therefore more Kindles donated), she's hosting a fantastic giveaway. You can read more about it <a href="http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/2012/03/100-reasons-for-kindles-for-kids.html">here</a>. You can check out the first book in Danyelle's series, CATSPELL, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11722351-the-fairy-godmother-dilemma">here</a>. Love that name!<br />
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Let's help get the word out for this great cause!Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-21180342454774180072012-03-20T02:15:00.002-05:002012-03-20T22:32:40.529-05:00Everything I Need to Know About Goals I Learned From My Cats<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Some people would call me a crazy cat lady, and they’re probably right. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not hoarding 100 cats and avoiding relationships with people. But, I do refer to my three cats as my boys, talk to them, and post way too many pictures of them on Facebook. So if that makes me a crazy cat lady, then hey, I own it. *</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">There’s nothing funnier to me than the cat craze that has swept the internet. It started with LOLCAT pictures (what is an LOLCAT? See <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolcat" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">here</span></a>), specifically this little guy:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/01/11/i-can-has-cheezburger-3/?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=sharewidget"><img alt="I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER?" class="mine_1709982" src="http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/i-can-has-cheezburger.jpg" /></a><br />
see more <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=sharewidget">Lolcats and funny pictures</a>, and check out our <a href="http://memebase.com/category/socially-awkward-penguin/">Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Simon’s Cat continued the cat obsession with its adorable videos <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat?ob=0&feature=results_main" target="_blank">here</a>. Heck, when you type in “cat” on You Tube there are 1,760,000 results! Then there’s the awesome collection of cat-related posters and comics on The Oatmeal (If you don’t know The Oatmeal, you must drop everything and run over <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/tag/cats" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">here</span></a>, then please come back and finish reading. GO NOW I SAID!!)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of all animals, but obviously I’m not alone in thinking cats are hilarious. A big reason why is cats are pretty entertaining when they’re curious about something. A cat’s goals are generally simple: get food and attention, play, sleep, and chase things. But while they may be simple, a cat’s goals are just as important to him as our goals are to us. People can learn a lot about goals from cats, even so-called “dog people”. **</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Take Cat 1 for example. He’s built like a linebacker, and no one would call him graceful. He’s also one big mess of fur (I threaten to turn him into a dustmop so he’ll earn his keep). Being klutzy is a handicap for a cat. It results in lots of skidding across tables, rolling off couches, and climbing half-way up the tree trunk before freezing and sliding back down slowly. I feel bad laughing when he tries to jump on the coffee table but glides across it and lands on the other side. Really, I swear I do. *** But even when I laugh, Cat 1 ignores me. He’ll jump right back up on the table and plop down in his favored position. He does what he wants to do, even if he doesn’t get it the first time. If he can’t climb the tree right now, he’ll wait a few minutes and try again. If it’s still not happening, he’s back the next day. Cat 1 pushes himself but also accepts that he won’t meet his goals all the time. Often, he’ll fail miserably, but he doesn’t give up and won't let criticism affect him.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Cat 2, on the other hand, is borderline reckless. He lacks fear, so it's fortunate he’s super strong and graceful. Everything he does looks choreographed. He flings himself out of trees onto rooftops. He leaps onto my shoulder from the top of a bookcase. He stares down large dogs, raccoons, and possums and convinces them to run away. This makes for some awe-inspiring viewing (of course never when I have a camera handy). Cat 2’s brain is always working the angles. He studies, calculates, and plots. It reminds me of the scene in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes movie where Holmes envisions every second of the fight to come in great detail and then executes it flawlessly. I once watched Cat 2 sit on the landing of my staircase and analyze how to make it around the room without touching the floor. His head moved back and forth, eyes focused, as he studied each piece of furniture to determine a path. A few minutes later, he stepped out with no hesitation onto the back of a chair, the treadmill, a bookcase, the tv, another bookcase, the fireplace mantle, another chair, an end table, the sofa and another end table. He then leaped onto the stairs and started the process again, probably to see if he could do it faster. It’s rare that Cat 2 doesn’t meet a goal, but I often see him repeating something or doing it in a different way. He is always striving to do things better and more efficiently.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Cat 3 is still a kitten, so he’s not 100% comfortable in his own skin yet. At times he’s just as klutzy as Cat 1, careening off the couch or dangling from the kitchen's pass-through bar because he misjudged the distance. However, he can be as graceful as Cat 2, shimmying up a tree and leaping from branch to branch with no effort. When he executes one of these amazing feats, he runs to me looking for praise. If I’m not quick with it, he gives me a certain “rolling” meow that increases in volume to get my attention. It’s the feline equivalent of a kid yelling “Mommy, Mommy” and shoving a picture he drew in her face. **** When Cat 3’s efforts to meet a goal fail, he heads straight to me and cries with a certain high-pitched squeal. This one’s like a kid crying for Mom when he falls off a bike into the grass, more wounded in pride than in body. He isn’t good at gauging his limitations and strengths yet, nor is he good at figuring out ways around them or learning from his mistakes. Cat 3 has ambitious goals, as any kitten does, but he wants to jump headfirst into achieving them without the preparation needed. Sometimes luck is on his side, but often he’s not quite ready and fails over and over since he won’t adjust his technique or expectations. After several tries, he’ll sulk off and attack one of the other cats or my feet in irritation.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes I’m like Cat 1, fumbling and making lots of mistakes but plugging along trying to accomplish what I desire. I occasionally make a fool out of myself. Sometimes I figure out I’m not quite ready and need to regroup. However, I often meet my goals. Like Cat 1, I don’t let it get to me and keep trying until I get it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Other times I’m like Cat 2, refusing to accept that it won’t work and fearless in taking something on. I’ll leap out and grab what I want with both hands and not let go. Confidence carries me through sticky situations just like it carries Cat 2 across the divide between tree and roof where failure means a long drop to the ground.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">With my writing, though, I’ve often been like Cat 3. For the longest time, I wasn’t comfortable in my writing skin at all. Like lots of new writers, I looked for praise and when I didn’t find it, I’d get discouraged. If I tried something and failed, I’d beat myself up and whine. I couldn’t accurately gauge when to make a leap, and my lack of preparation would drag me down. Sometimes I’d get lucky and hit the target, but usually I fell just a bit short.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I might never be 100% comfortable in my own skin as a writer, but I’m growing into it, like I know Cat 3 will do. I’m at the point where I recognize my limitations and difficulties and am finding ways to work around them and improve in those areas. I know I have issues with certain aspects of my writing, so I’m working around them by using critique partners and doing revision passes to look for these issues.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Just like Cat 1, I need to recognize my limitations but not be afraid to keep working towards my goal even when I fail. Just like Cat 2, I need to keep my confidence in my abilities high but recognize there is always room for improvement. And, just like Cat 3, I need to remember that sometimes I need to curl up in a corner, have a good cry, and lick my wounds. The tricky part will be to learn to balance all three.<br />
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So what about you? Are you more like Cat 1, 2, or 3 in your life and/or your writing?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Hope you enjoyed this post. See you next week!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">*DISCLAIMER: As much as I love cats, I would get a dog also if I didn’t have a crazy schedule and had an actual yard. I heart doggies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">** “Dog People” isn’t meant to be an insult, it’s just a handy reference for people who prefer dogs as pets. Please see disclaimer above. Dog people rule too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">***Laughing when your cat does goofy things is not animal cruelty, so please don’t send me any nasty messages. You can, however, ask me to post videos on YouTube for a fee.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">**** Yes, I compared my cats to your human kids. As anyone with pets (cat, dog, rabbit, ferret, etc.) will tell you, taking care of pets is often not that different from taking care of children. Many will even talk back to you. I’m not saying I’m better than you, busier than you, or work harder than you. I am, however, much more likely to grab my passport and fly off to Paris at a moment’s notice unencumbered by anything other than changing the cat litter and dumping a bunch of food and water into bowls.</span></div>Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-38663645751456341442012-03-12T22:26:00.002-05:002012-03-12T22:43:18.096-05:00Blog Relaunch with a FABULOUS Cover Reveal!<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been a very bad blogger. *hides face*</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So recently, I made a commitment to myself to relaunch my blog. I'd planned to start again at the end of the month, but then I saw a post from one of our Houston YAMG members about her upcoming cover reveal... What better way to kick off my new and improved blog! I'll be tinkering around with the format a bit over the next couple of weeks, but you can count on a blog about some random subject at least every Monday. Once I get that down, we'll see about other days!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the meantime, I'm so happy to announce the cover for Rachel Harris' MY SUPER SWEET 16TH CENTURY! I'm so excited for Rachel, and I cannot wait to read this book!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong><u>ISN'T THE COVER GORGEOUS?!</u></strong></span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vyxWSPWSxtpfj3TQmM3RfzmjsRsgFdbsLJ6-zLwyhFD0F39UIdLbJyv5Mur2tmgwxVCLWsMnwy2PS5b7KMgQEdxlqaxneO3m1gtuoVKUTBOdfVbzU4wXtkH5FcrEJqzbKGbOQYHfslJP/s1600/Sixteen-cover+FINAL_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vyxWSPWSxtpfj3TQmM3RfzmjsRsgFdbsLJ6-zLwyhFD0F39UIdLbJyv5Mur2tmgwxVCLWsMnwy2PS5b7KMgQEdxlqaxneO3m1gtuoVKUTBOdfVbzU4wXtkH5FcrEJqzbKGbOQYHfslJP/s320/Sixteen-cover+FINAL_1.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">MY SUPER SWEET 16TH CENTURY by Rachel Harris releases September 11, 2012. It's available for pre-order on: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Super-Sweet-Sixteenth-Century/dp/162061135X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331510394&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-super-sweet-sixteenth-century-rachel-harris/1108931140?ean=9781620611357&itm=1&usri=my+super+sweet+sixteenth+century" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>. Also, be sure to add it to your TBR pile on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13101487-my-super-sweet-sixteenth-century" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Be sure to connect with Rachel at:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.rachelharriswrites.com/">www.RachelHarrisWrites.com</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/@RachelHarrisYA">www.twitter.com/@RachelHarrisYA</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/RachelHarrisYA">www.facebook.com/RachelHarrisYA</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/RachelHarris">www.goodreads.com/RachelHarris</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's an excerpt from the book:</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I hear their muffled whispers and understand every Italian word. Every witty comment made at my expense. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It’s like my brain is automatically translating. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I bunch the soft fabric of the dress in my hand and then reach up to feel the ribbon in my hair. I lightly skim my fingers over my chin and feel my lack of zit. I take in the costumes of the crowd, the stench of the animals, and the Italian I can now speak and understand. And suddenly it hits me. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Reyna must have pulled some kind of gypsy mojo. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Maybe this is one of those nifty “change your life” magic scenarios like in the movies. I mean, mostly I’m still expecting to blink and be right back in the midst of overpriced, gaudy tourism, but for now, the gypsy-time-warp explanation is infinitely better than thinking I’ve lost my mind. As I decide to go with that option, I feel my frantic tension melt away. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The growing crowd seems to notice my change in demeanor and begins shooting one another amused looks, but I don’t care anymore. A smile stretches across my face. Evidently, I was wrong earlier; Reyna <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> a psychic mind reader, because if this is<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>her special brand of bibbity-bobbity-boo, then she made my exact daydream from earlier in the courtyard come to life. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The long red gown, the braided hair, the Italian merchant’s daughter, the time period. I am in Renaissance Florence.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I stare dumbly at the ground, the words and reality sinking in.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 1em 0px 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m in Renaissance Florence! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So cool! Major congrats to Rachel! The cats give it three paws up since it's set in Italy... they're demanding Rachel take them in her suitcase when she does research for the sequel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">See y'all next Monday!</div>Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-38362842408757803852010-02-10T12:56:00.002-06:002010-02-10T12:59:01.310-06:00We have winners!!Thank you to everyone who participated in my first ever blog contest! You guys are awesome :-)<br /><br />I counted up all your contest entries for my lovely Best of 2009 contest and www.random.org to determine 3 winners. Drumroll please…<br /><br />3rd place, winner of a $5 gift certificate from the online book retailer of your choice is, Y. BRESSANI!<br /><br />2nd place, winner of 1 book from my 2009 Best of List is KRISTIE COOK!<br /><br />And, the lucky 1st place winner that gets to pick 2 books from my 2009 Best of List is JESSICA TUDOR!<br /><br />Congrats to the winners!! I have tweeted all 3 of you, but please email me at jessicacapelle at gmail dot com so that I can get your addresses and get information from you for your prizes!<br /><br />Look for more contests in the future and thanks for reading my blog! I will be posting updates on my Banned Books Challenge, a new What are YOU reading post for February, and other miscellaneous posts in the next couple weeks, so make sure to stop back by!Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-17554828417821397012010-01-16T22:56:00.002-06:002010-01-16T23:02:55.666-06:00Special 2009 Edition- What Are YOU Reading (plus a contest!)Yes, I’m a little late posting a “best of” list, but I’m not going to tell you the best books of 2009. What I am going to do is comment on the books that I read in 2009that were my favorites. You see my “To Be Read” pile is so high that I’m a little behind sometimes!<br /><br />In connection with my list, I’m having a contest. Why? Because I’ve got some amazing followers here, on Twitter, and on Facebook, and I want you guys to discover some of these fabulous books!<br /><br />I read a lot of YA (young adult) books this year, because I’m writing YA but also because I enjoy them. Some of them are written much better than the novels labeled as for adults. This list is heavy on the YA, but I hope you’ll discover some great new books that interest you. I’ve marked them YA, A for Adult, and MG for Middle Grade (8-12ish), but I think you’ll see that these books transcend those labels.<br /><br />The contest will run through January 31st at 11:59p.m. Central Time. Entries will be randomized to come up with the winners. To enter, leave a comment here on the blog with your favorite book from 2009 and which book on my list is most interesting to you.<br /><br />For extra entries, you can do one or more of the following, just make sure and comment at some point before the contest is over so I can give you credit:<br /><br />+5 entries- new or existing follower of the blog<br />+3 entries- tweet about this contest or post about it on Facebook or post it in the sidebar of your blog<br />+7 entries- do a blog post about this contest<br />+3 entries- become a new follower on Twitter or Facebook<br />+5 entries- current followers on Twitter or Facebook<br /><br />PRIZES:<br />1st prize- choice of 2 books on the list (can be from same or different series)<br />2nd prize- choice of 1 book on the list<br />3rd prize- $5 gift certificate to your favorite online book retailer<br /><br />Rules: Contest is open to US, Canada, and anywhere that bookdepository.com will ship. If winner is not in US or Canada, book selected must be one that bookdepository.com will ship to. $5 gift certificate is in USD only- value will depend on winner’s currency.<br /><br />Depending on how many people enter, I may add some additional prizes that are writing/reading related or books that I’ve read that are in good shape. Books for 1st and 2nd prize will be new, but may be bargain books so may have retailer marks. If a winner can’t find a book they want on the list (I hope that won’t be the case!), I will make alternate arrangements.<br /><br />Okay, so now on to the books!<br /><br />It’s way too difficult to pick a favorite book. That being said, there were two series that so blew me away that I had to make a special mention of them. So… drum-roll, please… the tie for my favorite series of the year (in alphabetical order by author) goes to:<br /> THE HUNGER GAMES Series by Suzanne Collins<br /> The GONE Series by Michael Grant<br /><br />THE HUNGER GAMES is set in post-apocalyptic Panem (what’s left of the US), where the districts are kept in line through hunger as much as force. The ultimate show of control, however, is the annual Hunger Games; each district must send one boy and one girl to compete, gladiator-style. This novel is so brilliant that I can’t even do it justice. I was worried that I’d be disappointed with book 2, CATCHING FIRE, because I loved book 1 so much. But the second was as good as the first. Hurry up book 3! [YA]<br /><br />When people ask me what GONE is about, I always tell them it’s like LORD OF THE FLIES mixed with the X-men. Sounds strange, but the book is that and so much more. One day everyone 15 and older disappears into thin air, and a huge, impenetrable dome cuts off the town. The kids are left to fend for themselves, and, to complicate matters further, some kids are developing strange powers and animals are mutating. Once again, I was worried I wouldn’t like the second book in the series (HUNGER) nearly as much, but I actually liked HUNGER more than GONE. I’m on pins and needles for book 3! [YA]<br /><br />Now for my other favorites this year, all amazing books/series (in alphabetical order by author):<br /><br />MAGIC BITES (Kate Daniels book 1) by Ilona Andrews- The way Ilona mixes the supernatural world with the real world is amazing. Her descriptions are so tangible that you can see her world as clearly as if you had described it. I love this different take- a mercenary that cleans up magical problems. [A]<br /><br />THE SUMMONING (book 1 of The Darkest Powers Series) by Kelley Armstrong- Teens end up in a group home because they’re mentally ill… or are they? Chloe discovers she’s actually a necromancer and can talk to the dead. This leads to some genuine creepiness, I tell you. Great story and characters. [YA]<br /><br />The Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter- A boarding school for female spies-in-training? That was all it took to get me interested in this series. The writing and well-done characters kept me coming back for more. This series is funny and interesting but heart-breaking at times. Just like being a teenager. [YA]<br /><br />THE STRAIN (book 1 of the trilogy) by Guillermo del Toro & Chuck Hogan- I’m all for books about rampant zombie vampire viruses. I enjoyed how the book traced the experiences of many characters, the involvement of the CDC, and the back-story of the Master and his hunter. What they don’t “show” is even scarier than what they do. [A]<br /><br />THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman- Anyone who knows me well knows that I swoon if you just say Neil’s name- I adore his writing. This book is so beautiful, but it’s even better listening to him read it on his website. It tells the story of Bod, whose family is murdered when he’s a baby. The ghosts of a nearby graveyard raise him. I think it’s a gorgeous tale of not letting the dark things keep you from living. [MG]<br /><br />PAPER TOWNS by John Green- A great YA book told from the guy’s point of view. My SAT students kept telling me that I had to read this book. I’ll admit that at first I had a hard time getting into it. But after Margo disappeared, I started to love it, especially the scenes when Quentin is alone, analyzing her clues. Quentin’s search becomes as much about searching for his true self as a search for Margo. [YA]<br /><br />The WICKED LOVELY Series by Melissa Marr- I’ve never been into fairies/faerys/fae (or whatever you choose to call them), but I’d heard amazing things about this series. I’m glad I listened. I was engaged the entire time by the story and characters of WICKED LOVELY, and Melissa’s writing was so descriptive. I loved the tension she put into the book and how her characters were never what they seemed. I just finished the second book, INK EXCHANGE, which is just as good as the first. [YA]<br /><br />The WAKE Series by Lisa McMann- I really enjoy this series about a girl who has the (unfortunate) ability to enter people’s dreams. This could have been just another story about a teenage girl with problems, many of which relate to a power she doesn’t understand. But the story rises above that and is much deeper and intense. I won’t tell you much more because I don’t want to give it away, but Janie is a great, complex, real character, and what happens to her, especially in book 2 (FADE), is so powerful. [YA]<br /><br />NEVER GIVE UP by Joyce Meyer- This is an inspiring book of sticking with your dreams and goals, no matter what. Joyce includes scriptural references, personal stories, and the stories of people in history that overcame great odds and struggles. It’s a very empowering book. [ALL AUDIENCES]<br /><br />ANGEL TIME (book 1 of the Songs of the Seraphim series) by Anne Rice- This book was nothing like I expected, but I still enjoyed it immensely. Anne weaves the story of a conflicted hitman, the angel sent to offer him redemption, and the treatment of Jews in English history. Sounds odd, but it works. Beautifully written as always. [A]<br /><br />The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan- I devoured this series. Even though it was written for an 8-12 year old audience, the books held my interest. Mount Olympus is real? Kids are demi-gods and have to go to camp to learn how to fight? Heroic quests? Very cool. [MG]<br /><br />LEVIATHAN (book 1 of the series) by Scott Westerfeld- The trailer for this book had me literally salivating to get it. It’s a glorious, steampunk version of World War I. The Clankers (who worship steam machines) are fighting the Darwinists (who worship animals genetically modified to be war machines). I had some difficulty with the vocabulary and pacing at first, but once I got used to it, I loved the book. [MG/YA]<br /><br />There you have it- the most memorable books for the year for me. What’s on the agenda next? Lots of horror, supernatural beings, a lot of non-fiction (I have quite a pile waiting), retellings of classic novels with monsters, and other assorted fun books. I still have a lot of catching up to do, especially with books that came out in 2009. I’m betting a few of those will be on my 2010 list! Happy reading and good luck in the contest!Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-40440185875662215732009-12-29T21:35:00.003-06:002009-12-29T21:54:23.233-06:00Funky but Not in a Good Way...I've been in a bit of a writing funk lately. After the craziness of November, working on edits for book 1 and dictating book 2, I've been burnt out. Add to that a lot of stress and not feeling well, and I've accomplished little during the month of December. Well, I got a short story edited and submitted, but that's about all.<br /><br />Thanks to one of my fabulous friends from #amwritingparty on Twitter, the amazing L.K. Gardner-Griffie, I realized that I needed to get over this funk and put my butt in the writing chair. (BTW- please go to L.K.'s website <a href="http://www.griffieworld.com/">here</a> and read samples of her awesome work and buy her books!) In order to motivate myself, I realized that I needed a deadline. That's why I like NaNoWriMo so much- it keeps me accountable because I will not lose face with everyone by quitting! lol<br /><br />So, I'm creating my own little "writing month" to get me out of this funk and get my butt in the writing chair. If I ever want to do this full-time (which I do), I have to get used to writing every day like it's my job. Even if it's only a page, I need to be consistent. Not having a set work schedule this year has been great for me in some ways but has really hurt me in other ways. It makes it so much easier to be lazy and procrastinate.<br /><br />I love book 1, but now that I'm halfway through book 2, I realized that I want to change a few things in book 1. I know my characters and where I want the story to go better than I did when I started. I'm at 65,000 words now, but I'd like to be at 70,000. I think there's a lot of places where I can make the book stronger by increasing tension, adding some foreshadowing, and adding some scenes that give more "meat" to the story, including some that were originally going to be in book 2 but I feel will fit better if I move them to book 1.<br /><br />So here's where I need help. I must have a deadline to keep me accountable. I need everyone to encourage and support me and (gently) kick me in the butt to meet my goal. By the end of the night on January 25, I will be done with additions, edits, and changes to book 1, including any comments from my critique people and beta readers. By the end of the night on January 31, the first batch of query letters to agents will go out.<br /><br />I'm making these goals public so that I will force myself to meet them! lol Sometime in the next few days I'll be posting my overall writing goals for 2010, as well as a look back at the books I read this year. There will even be a contest in which I'll be giving away some of the books I read in 2009, new and old.<br /><br />Here's to a great end to 2009 and start to 2010. It's gonna be a great year!Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-71852653123678054472009-12-11T00:12:00.001-06:002009-12-11T16:57:55.918-06:00Watch Where You're GoingThe other day I saw a great post on creating visual tools to help you stay inspired as you move from that spark of an idea for a story to the finished product. You can read the post <a href="http://blog.writingspirit.com/2009/12/create-a-vision-board-or-other-visual-touchstone-for-your-book.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />This is a technique I've used for years for various things in my life. Call it visualization, The Secret, law of attraction... it really doesn't matter. I've used it to stay focused on my goals, such as saving money for a trip or getting through school, but I've also used it try to attract certain qualities into my life, like a job that has flexible hours or an apartment with both a fireplace and a safe place outside for my cats. The more I focus on the things I want, the better things always seem to go.<br /><br />Since I've always used pictures, vision boards, or vision notebooks representing what I want in my life, when I began writing my first novel, it made sense to me to have some visual "representation" to keep my goal in mind. I did what I had always done when I had a big goal- made a vision board. I cut out pictures of people reading books and smiling, headings from review magazines, and witty sayings related to writing that I'd find in magazines like "Do You Have the Write Stuff". I taped them to posterboard along with handwritten cards saying "Welcome to our guest author, Jessica Capelle" or "Ascending Angel, the debut novel by Jessica Capelle, will be released in the Fall". This board was my dream for my writing life, showing people enjoying my writing, showing myself successful and published. And that was a great vision to focus on, but I just didn't know how to get to that dream without a visual picture of the book that I hoped would take me there someday.<br /><br />Starting with a blank piece of paper and an idea, even an idea you've had for 8 years like mine, is a bit daunting. So of course I made an outline, but it wasn't visual enough for me to "see" the book. I then started collecting pictures that reminded me of my story or the characters and (poorly) drew pictures of key scenes in the book and items that were unique to my world. I found a beautiful picture (wish I could figure out the artist) that looked almost exactly like my main character and essentially summed her up perfectly. That picture became my desktop background on my laptop. While writing book 2, I even wore an ring shaped like angel wings (my story is about angels) that a friend gave me. When the ring went on, typing was on the book. If I'd veer over to Twitter or Facebook, I'd notice the ring and be reminded to head back into Word. All of these strategies helped me stay focused on where I wanted to go, who my characters were, and what I wanted in the world I'd created for them.<br /><br />But I was writing a series, so I also needed to know where I was headed in the future, even though I was a ways away from that. I didn't want to have inconsistencies to deal with later, so I needed a plan. The brief outlines I'd written (like 2 paragraphs) for each future book were great, but I couldn't see the whole story arc at one time. Then I had the idea to put up a board for each book in my office. I'd be surrounded by my world (literally) and be able to see all the books at the same time, so I could change things easily. I used dark purple post-its for the big themes that ran through each book and light purple post-its for key plot points and action.<br /><br />Everything I did served as a visual reminder of my goal and the fact that I need to be working towards it. Having the picture of the book to keep in front of me has been so valuable in making my writing stronger and more consistent. It has kept me focused on wrapping up loose ends and making sure if I don't explain something now that I sure know the answer for later. I believe that when (not if, but when) I become a successful writer, the hard work that went into creating the "visual book" will be a big part of what got me there.<br /><br />You can see my initial boards for Book 1 and 2 in the picture below (there are a lot more purple post-its now!), as well as one of my notebooks for the series on the desk (how cool that my friend found a notebook that had a heart with angel wings on it?!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrmOunVbgdImw6F6TMXzKg7LMadPKkQzoiCLVAR9RvIzgCwPEa6xHtFBYqkXuvw6gMVzJjgH_VxkCJWfuig3SFcp9C2wtKNXthTXoLFEw401zf3Osww2UvX3rmniGSTjCOaePTnM9pEgS/s1600-h/iphone+pics+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrmOunVbgdImw6F6TMXzKg7LMadPKkQzoiCLVAR9RvIzgCwPEa6xHtFBYqkXuvw6gMVzJjgH_VxkCJWfuig3SFcp9C2wtKNXthTXoLFEw401zf3Osww2UvX3rmniGSTjCOaePTnM9pEgS/s320/iphone+pics+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413860762473560226" /></a><br /><br /><br />Are there any visual representations you use for your book or characters?Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-21163112119699560262009-12-10T19:05:00.001-06:002009-12-10T19:07:21.629-06:00What are YOU reading?When people find out that I’ve written a book, one of the first questions I get is about what I’m reading. So, from time to time I’ll post a list of what I’m reading and what I’ve got in the pile that’s lined up next. Some are new, some old. A lot are YA or MG books. I read what I like, and my tastes vary wildly. I also read multiple books at the same time. :-) People are always lending or giving me books, I pick a lot up in the bargain bins at various bookstores, I buy some that I know I’ll want to keep at full price, and I get the rest from the library. I’ve even got readers on my iPhone and audiobooks, but nothing beats flipping the pages…<br /><br />Didn’t get to post for November, mainly because I wasn’t reading much. I was working on edits for Book 1 and doing NaNoWriMo also, so November was a “read my own stuff” month! Lol<br /><br />Here’s what I’m currently reading for December:<br /><br />1) The Golden Compass(His Dark Materials book 1) by Philip Pullman: I have heard about this book for years but just hadn’t gotten around to it. Enter a $2.99 paperback copy from Borders, and the rest is history. I saw most of the movie but wasn’t in the right frame of mind to watch it so I was pretty confused. I’m thinking the book is a better intro to his world.<br /><br />2) Paper Towns by John Green: I’m finally reading this after months of having my SAT students tell me I needed to because he had nailed YA language. And he definitely did. The characters sound very much like some of my students…<br /><br />3) The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor: alternate Alice in Wonderland story? I’m SO there! I rushed to get this as soon as I heard about it.<br /><br />4) Tempted by P.C. and Kristen Cast: I’ve read the whole House of Night series, so of course this was on the list. Always love vamp books.<br /><br />5) Go Ask Alice by Anonymous: Reading this as part of my Banned Books Challenge.<br /><br />Just Finished:<br /><br />- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- I have read this several times over the last couple months. It’s just SO good. It’s an amazing example of world-building. The details are fantastic, and her descriptions are vivid. I fell in love with Katniss, Prim, Gale, Peeta, and Rue. I’m holding off on reading Catching Fire (book 2) until I can let my anticipation die down a bit. I don’t want to be disappointed, and I’m so in love with THG that I fear I will be. If you haven’t read it, you must!<br /><br />Some of the books coming up next:<br /><br />- The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan: One of the first genres I fell in love with was horror, and I’m finding myself drawn back to it a lot right now as I’m writing a series very grounded in the light that needs to touch on the darkness. Vampire virus run rampant? YES!!<br /><br />- Angel Time: The Songs of the Seraphim by Anne Rice: I’ve always been a huge Anne Rice fan but haven’t read any of her recent work that’s focused on religious themes. Since I’m writing about angels in a VERY different way, I’m really curious to read her take.<br /><br />- City of Bones (Mortal Instruments book 1) by Cassandra Clare: I’ve heard great things about this paranormal series and it’s been in the TBR pile for a while now.<br /><br />So, there you go. I’m never without a book or twenty to read! I’d love to hear what other people are reading or want to read so comment or send me a message.Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-66225390096833837832009-11-08T13:19:00.002-06:002009-11-08T13:34:32.507-06:00What I Learned on My Twittercation (and Facebook Fast)In the spirit of elementary school teachers everywhere that make you write about your summer vacation, I'm writing about my vacation from Twitter and Facebook! Hee hee. :-)<br /><br />Being off of Twitter for a week and Facebook for a week and a half was very hard. I seriously had become addicted to both. At least I could admit I had a problem. I did cheat by checking briefly what was going on while I was stuck somewhere waiting with nothing to do. I didn't post though. But, my lesson learned from that is never go anywhere without a book or notebook. That's what I SHOULD have been doing.<br /><br />I did get a lot of writing done during this vacation, which was the major point of the exercise. Would have gotten a lot more done if I hadn't gotten the flu, but I digress.<br /><br />As much as I love chatting on both Twitter and Facebook, this break was good for me because I realized just how much time I truly spend that could be spent writing, napping, or even (eek!) cleaning.<br /><br />So what did I do on my Twittercation?<br />1) Edited, revised, edited, revised some more, wrote a new scene, edited, and revised, all in hopes of making Book 1 better and ready for querying.<br />2) Re-wrote my query letter a couple of times and now, IMHO, it is quite awesome!<br />3) Worked on my synopsis since I feel like it's too dry.<br />4) Worked on evil day job work.<br />5) Had a 3 hour lunch with some fab YA writers to talk about our plans for world domination.<br />6) Watched WAY too much tv while sick in bed with the flu.<br />7) Watched Wolverine and swooned over Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds.<br />8) Snuggled with the fur kids.<br />9) Napped.<br /><br />I missed all my fabulous Twitter and Facebook buddies! But now I'm back, although I probably won't be around as much as before. Got lots of writing to get done. :-)Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-80722517064959369452009-11-01T02:29:00.008-06:002009-11-01T03:00:58.800-06:00On NaNo Eve... A Look BackIn honor of starting NaNoWriMo today, I decided to re-visit something I wrote after I finished last year’s NaNo (my first). I learned a lot while writing my first book, which I am finishing final edits on as we speak. It will be going out to my critique peeps for a final look in the next day or two, and then query letters will go out mid-month. I think it’s quite appropriate that I’m finishing book 1 as NaNo is starting. NaNo got me to put my butt in the chair and write. I’d had the idea for the book for 8 years, but it was always something I’d do “one day”. Thank you to the NaNo gang for getting me to finally write that book!!<br /><br />If you want to track my progress or be my NaNo buddy, my NaNo page is: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/433001<br /><br /><em>Tonight at 6:45pm, I finished with 50,229 words. I met my personal deadline of finishing by 7pm so I could watch a movie and relax in front of the fire tonight. There is no way to describe how I'm feeling right now. I've had the idea for this book for years. I had done some outlining and character development and a lot of research but hadn't really written much. The NaNo challenge was my opportunity to force myself to do it- if I told people about it and gave myself a deadline, I'd have to write it, right?<br /><br />My novel is not terribly pretty right now. It's like a diamond when it comes out of the mine- dirty, a little yellowed, and needs to be cut. But then the master jeweler starts cleaving, polishing,and cutting... and before you know it, it's sitting in the window at Tiffany's as a flawless piece of art. I have a lot of chipping, polishing, and cutting to do. I have to beef up wimpy sections,rework awkward transitions, and break up lengthy dialogue passages. But I have a diamond in the rough. I have the raw material to shape now. I'm no longer sitting there with the map and shovel planning my dig. And you know what? A lot of it is pretty darn good! :-)<br /><br />What did I learn along the way?<br /><br />- 50,000 is a lot of words. Supposedly 50,000 words is a 175 page book. Think Catcher in the Rye sized.<br /><br />- The first sentence is the hardest (I knew that, but this cemented it).<br /><br />-The last sentence is the easiest.<br /><br />- The first 10K words go by really quickly. The last 10K feel like eons.<br /><br />-17K to 18K, 27K to 28K, 37K to 38K, 47K to 48K were the hardest sections for me to write. Every time. Don't know why that particular set, but so it goes.<br /><br />- There are a thousand things a day that will keep you from your novel. Don't let them.<br /><br />- You can consume too much coffee, tea, apple cider, coke, vitamin water, root beer, etc., etc.<br /><br />- Novel writing requires crunchy and salty things (and lots of them), as well as creamy and sweet things. You must have all on hand because you never know which craving will strike.<br /><br />- Having a writing cap helps tremendously. It keeps all the ideas contained so they don't fly away.<br /><br />- Cats do not like it when you spend too long typing on the computer. Just saying.<br /><br />- Electronica music is surprisingly good for writing.<br /><br />- Something I knew already, but need reminding of constantly : Anything you dream of doing, you can do. You just have to take the first step and keep putting one foot in front of the other.<br /><br />Even if this novel never were to be published, I am a novelist. No one can take that away from me. I think that's pretty cool. It will be cooler when I can say "published novelist" though! :-)</em><br /><br />So now, I’m embarking on NaNo number 2 with book number 2. I’m revisiting all my lovely characters and throwing a few new ones in along the way. This year, though, I don’t think I need the writing cap. Instead, I’ve got a sparkly writing ring that a friend gave me in honor of my angel book. :-) And yes, I'm a NaNo Rebel this year because working on a sequel is breaking the rules. At least I'm a rebel WITH a cause! lol<br /><br />I’m stocked up on drinks and snacks, have told everyone I’m on a Twitter and Facebook fast for the first week, and figured out a way for Cat 2 to snooze in my lap while I still type on the laptop. Now to put on my writing ring and get to work!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mYKSD8G4R7BdjLwahPKAqagnmfMeABxqjzGzEXe6ND0kUB1lDHbIggp-kyuU03M6M-08Lax8PPYLbfdMZbOR8PN0KF2JYG5N-pCQkeDheFdEQtshcUO_skpP9_9pY5jdion27gHPLdqb/s1600-h/angel+ring+pic.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399051492423783618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mYKSD8G4R7BdjLwahPKAqagnmfMeABxqjzGzEXe6ND0kUB1lDHbIggp-kyuU03M6M-08Lax8PPYLbfdMZbOR8PN0KF2JYG5N-pCQkeDheFdEQtshcUO_skpP9_9pY5jdion27gHPLdqb/s320/angel+ring+pic.jpg" /></a>Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-14148380630455008922009-10-31T12:11:00.007-05:002009-11-01T03:00:22.675-06:00Absent, But In a Good Way<div align="justify">Yes, I have been horribly remiss in updating my fledging blog. I know that I need to post regularly if I'm going to get more followers, build my writing platform, etc. But, you see, there's this book I'm writing...</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The book has been taking up my time lately... okay, life stuff has too, especially as the Fibro/CFS has been acting up, but I digress. I've been going through final revisions and edits before sending off the finished product to my critique peeps. Once that's done (first half minimum out tomorrow, rest to follow 2-3 days later), I will be revising my query letter and will send agent queries out mid-November. I'm also getting ready to start National Novel Writing Month (<a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">http://www.nanowrimo.org/</a>) again to work on Book 2 of my series.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Because of all this going on, I took a self-imposed exile from Facebook for several days. I stayed on Twitter because I have support from other writers, especially through #amwriting, #wordathon, and other hashtags. Being off of Facebook for a few days freed up some time to write (no more Bejeweled! no more watching funny You Tube vids posted by my friends!). One thing I've learned from dealing with Fibro/CFS is that I have to pace myself and manage my time well, and I hadn't been doing so hot with that the last few months.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">In the spirit of putting my biggest priorities first, I have decided to join my Twitter buddy Nova Ren and many others in a Twitter and Facebook break from November 1 through November 7. A lot of the time when I'm not working goes to resting and doing things I need to do to manage my health, and that amount of time has increased over the last few months since I've had a lot of flare-ups. So, with the free time I have left, I have to put my writing first. NaNoWriMo is great for doing that, but I also can't afford to get behind on it. Twitter and Facebook are huge time sucks for me, so I'm admitting my addiction and facing the problem head on. :-)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="left">If you want to read more about the break, I've posted the link to Nova's blog here: <a href="http://novaren.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/twitter-break-november-1-7-2009/#comment-43750">http://novaren.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/twitter-break-november-1-7-2009/#comment-43750</a> If you want to check out my NaNoWriMo page, I've posted that link here: <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/433001">www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/433001</a> I'll be checking email (jesscapelle at aol dot com) and NaNo mail during the week, as well as direct messages that come through to my email from the two social networking sites that shall not be named!</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I'll also be blogging here during November about NaNo if you want to check in from time to time. Would love to have you stop by! :-)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">xo</div>Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-3668531192690626452009-10-12T00:18:00.007-05:002009-11-01T03:02:24.035-06:00My Little Banned Books ProtestI know we already had Banned Books Week, but I'm a little behind the eight ball since I've been busy and not feeling great. A couple days ago, I saw a post about the American Library Association's list of the most banned books from 1990-2000. The list is here: <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedbydecade/1990_2000.cfm">http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedbydecade/1990_2000.cfm</a><br /><br />I was quite surprised by some of the books on the list, like Where's Waldo?, To Kill a Mockingbird, and How to Eat Fried Worms. Others, I was not so shocked to see because of their subject matter, like Madonna's Sex, Curses Hexes and Spells, and The Anarchist's Cookbook. I have read quite a number of these books but was surprised by how many I had not. So, I decided to read them... all of them... as my personal protest to people trying to tell us what we cannot read. No, I don't think kids should have access to be able to read some of the adult books on the list, but I don't think books should be banned from libraries because someone deems them controversional or against their own morals and beliefs.<br /><br />So, over the next year, I am going to read these books under the following guidelines:<br />1) If a series is mentioned, I will read at least one of the books.<br />2) I will re-read books that I have already read.<br />3) I will not read the following books, only because they don't apply to me now or never did: The New Joy of Gay Sex, What's Happening to My Body: Book for Girls, Asking About Sex and Growing Up, Boys and Sex, What's Happening to My Body: Book for Boys, Girls and Sex.<br />4) I will keep a list of the books on this blog and will update it as I cross them off. I will report on these books and their appropriateness from time to time.<br /><br />Anyone who cares to join me in reading the books on this list is welcome to. Now I just have to pick which one to start with! :-)<br /><br />P.S. Why are the books "What's Happening to My Body" banned so frequently?! Maybe if kids had more information on what was going on with their bodies they wouldn't "experiment" on each other at the age of 10!<br /><br />Update- have decided to start with A Wrinkle in Time. Have no idea what happened to my original copy but saw it at Half Price Books a few weeks ago and picked it up. I figure it's a good start!Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-48366060479816268302009-10-03T10:43:00.004-05:002009-11-01T03:03:21.159-06:00What are YOU reading?What is "What are YOU reading?" all about? When people find out that I’ve written a book, one of the first questions I get is about what I’m reading. So, from time to time I’ll post a list of what I’m reading and what I’ve got in the pile that’s lined up next. Some are new, some old. A lot are YA or MG books. I read what I like, and my tastes vary wildly. I also read multiple books at the same time. :-) People are always lending or giving me books, I pick a lot up in the bargain bins at various bookstores, I buy some that I know I’ll want to keep at full price, and I get the rest from the library. I’ve even got readers on my iPhone and audiobooks, but nothing beats flipping the pages…<br /><br />Here’s what I’m currently reading:<br /><br />The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman: He's one of my fave authors, so of course I'm reading this, just can't believe it took me so long to get to it! :-) It's beautifully written (duh!) and I love the mood the illustrations make.<br /><br />Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis: Won a signed copy on the Bees' Blog <a href="http://yawriters.blogspot.com/">http://yawriters.blogspot.com/</a> and just started it. Why was I so excited to read? 1) Debut book and 2) werewolves. Cool.<br /><br />Story by Robert McKee: The guru of screenwriting has a lot to say about how to write, and I've been told by everyone who's anyone to read it. It's helping me tremendously so far.<br /><br />Planet India by Mira Kamdar: (carried over from last month)<br /><br />The Host by Stephenie Meyer: (carried over from last month and will probably carry over into next year)<br /><br />The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: (carried over from last month)<br /><br />Just Finished:<br /><br />Gone by Michael Grant: I am obsessed with this book. It's like Lord of the Flies meets X-Men as everyone 15 and over disappears and Perdido Beach is cut off from the rest of the world. And then kids start developing powers. It's awesome. Go buy it now. As soon as I can allow myself to buy another book (I'm on a book buying freeze for a bit till the pile gets lower) I'm getting the next in the series, Hunger, and will probably finish it in one sitting. SO GOOD! Are you at the bookstore buying it yet?!<br /><br />Some of the books coming up next:<br /><br />My Life in France by Julia Child: Gift from a friend since I'm a definite Francophile and love to cook.<br /><br />Geektastic- Stories from the Nerd Herd edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci: anthology of short stories about geekiness by a great group of YA authors.<br /><br />The Shack by William P. Young: It's been in the pile for quite some time because I've been told I will bawl like a baby.<br /><br />The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe: She had me at Salem Witch Trials.<br /><br />**************<br /><br />Not sure how much actual reading I'll get done this month. I'm prepping the WIP so I can send queries to agents later this month, and then it's time to prep for NaNoWriMo. Here's my NaNo page if you're doing it this year- I need some buddies!! <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/433001">http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/433001</a><br /><br />And now, off to write...Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-40278877556820456692009-09-25T00:11:00.003-05:002009-11-01T03:06:42.094-06:00Why can't writers follow the rules?So I'm finishing edits on my first full manuscript (eek!) and therefore working on my query letter and synopsis. Accordingly, I am soaking up the information on agent blogs like a sponge. There's some darn good information on agent blogs, including some truly important items... rules for submission. However it appears that many writers have some kind of visual blockage that doesn't allow them to see those rules. Hmmm- writers can read just fine until it comes to following rules for sending in their writing. Maybe the AMA needs to coin a new disease name for it: "Writer-itis"<br /><br />I see so many blogs by agents reminding everyone what NOT to send. On every one of these blogs, I've looked at the rules for submission/submission guidelines. The rules always include the EXACT items they want submitted and the EXACT way they want them submitted. One wants just a query letter, another wants the query plus the first 10 pages. One doesn't accept fantasy, another doesn't accept picture books. Everything is clearly spelled out on the submissions page.<br /><br />So why do the agents have to keep reminding us what NOT to do?! Why can't writers follow the rules? Every time someone sends in things outside the guidelines, it makes things harder for the rest of us. I for one don't want my submission to be read the same day that an agent has to wade through 50 submissions for adult fantasty when he/she only represents YA and 45 queries with no sample pages. That would be enough to put me in a foul mood, and I'm not an agent. I personally want my agent to read lots of wonderfully compliant submissions, grab a bottle of Chianti and some good chocolate, and then sit down to read my submission in front of a nice fire.<br /><br />Why would a writer want to do that anyway? Why would you spend all those hours of perfecting and polishing your "baby" and then send it out to someone who isn't going to look at it? And why would you submit something they specifically said not to send and risk them rejecting you on that alone?<br /><br />Do yourself and the rest of us writers a favor- learn to read the guidelines and follow them. Oh, and one more thing- don't rely on old copies of Writer's Digest from the library. Look up the agent's website and see what they currently are looking for, how they want submissions, and for goodness sakes make sure their bio doesn't say they're closed for submissions!<br /><br />This has been a public service announcement on behalf of unagented writers everywhere. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming. Thank you for your attention!<br /><br />Oh, and agents... I've got a nice submission for you with only things you want in it that I'll be happy to send along when you're sitting in front of that fire.Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277996971413864626.post-31802622731743554152009-09-23T17:53:00.006-05:002009-11-01T03:05:17.717-06:00Guilty PleasuresSo I haven't posted since the 1st (boo, hiss on me), but this month has not quite gone as planned! :-)<br /><br />Been hearing about lots of book sales, paperback releases, foreign releases, etc. SO happy for my fellow writers. Their success is all of our success, because it means publishers are buying books. Anything to get publishers buying more books is a good thing for writers, right?! So it disheartens me to see so much negativity all over the Internet with writers criticizing other writers who are selling a lot of books. I'm not talking constructive criticism here people- I'm talking downright attacking.<br /><br />It definitely puts an ugly spin on things. Now, to be fair, not all writers bash others, and I am not talking about someone saying "I just don't like that book". We're all entitled to our opinion, but over the last couple of years I've seen a lot of "this person can't write at all" or "his/her writing just absolutely sucks". Obviously there is a market out there for everyone, from high literary concept to trashy beach reading. There's a time and place for all of it.<br /><br />There are plenty of books that I have enjoyed despite poor writing. Those authors know how to tell a good story, even if the characters aren't developed that well, the grammar stinks, or the history is a little "off". In my mind, someone who can keep me interested in the story and focused on it instead of the errors and problems is a great storyteller. Not a great writer, maybe, but a great storyteller.<br /><br />Compare it to movies... I love David Fincher's directing style, and I love Michael Bay's as well. They are two completely different directors in style and genre. Fincher is very dark, artistic, and symbolic in his directing. The setting is another character in his movies, and his genius continually amazes me. Michael Bay, on the other hand, directs movies that require an "in your face", blunt style. They're over the top and have lots going on at the same time, with things blowing up everywhere. He has signature camera shots that are just cool, and the colors are always vivid.<br /><br />Would I say that Michael Bay deserves to win an Oscar? No- he doesn't do that type of film. What he does is give me an escape from the stress of the real world. His movies aren't the best written or acted, but I don't focus on that when I watch them. The effects, music, and visuals distract me from the flaws. His movies are candy for my brain.<br /><br />When I watch a David Fincher film, I think and analyze and pay attention to the symbolism. He directs movies that are complex, nuanced, and layered in the storyline. His way of directing makes me appreciate the story and the acting even more. His movies are gourmet meals for my brain.<br /><br />Gourmet meals and candy both have their place in life, and both are to be enjoyed and savored. Why should writing be any different? So embrace the "guilty pleasure" book, just like you do movies and t.v. shows. I find my mom's comment the other day pretty relevant here- "most people buying books don't care about how perfect the writing is, they just want to be entertained". I think it's time for us to lighten up on ourselves and each other and write things we enjoy. Hopefully others will get the chance to enjoy our writing too, even if we misuse commas sometimes. :-)<br /><br />My favorite guilty pleasures at the moment:<br />T.V. Show- Gossip Girl<br />Book- Dan Brown- The Lost Symbol (just started it)<br />Movie- Any movie where things blow up or there are zombies<br /><br />Got an opinion? Let me know!Jess Capellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741941211633766673noreply@blogger.com0