On Craziness and Waiting

I have to be honest, I had a little bit of a hard time coming up with a topic this week. You see, my brain is a bowl of candy on Halloween. There is so much crazy in there, if you stick your hand in, you won’t know what will come out. I know, great visual for ya’ll, but its the truth. 

Does anyone else have weeks like that? 

Yet, I am not without a reason, oh dear ones. In a word, the reason (well one of them) for my madness is: querying. 

Query [ˈkwɪərɪ] “an inquiry from a writer to an editor of a magazine, newspaper, etc., regarding the acceptability of or interest in an idea for an article, news story, or the like: usually presented in the form of a letter that outlines or describes the projected piece.” (Dictionary.com)

Yes, that’s what I did. Or doing. Whichever. *shakes uncontrollably* 

The truth about publishing that no one ever seems to remember is the fact that publishing world is filled with rejection. People ask me all the time, “So when is your book getting published?” And more often than not, I really dislike that question. After the grueling (and ridiculously fun) process of actually writing and revising the book, there is agent search. Then, publisher search. Constant sanity search. But that’s beside the point. The point being, publishing world is brutal. However, while I toss and turn, fidgeting constantly while I wait, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  Why? Because this is the world I’m part of and that’s how it works. I know, crazy logic but I already mentioned my mind is a nuclear explosion in my brain. 

It would be cool if it was this. 

Instead, it's more of this.

So, here’s to waiting. 

Waiting. 

Waiting. 

Here’s a video for you (or me, whatever):

Still waiting. 

Much love, 

Valia 

Shit New Yorkers Say

I love this video with the intensity of a million suns.

Nova on Novel Playlists

NOVEL PLAYLISTS

So I am sure you have all heard of this before. It isn't something that is kept under lock and key though authors do usually wait until their book is released to post about their playlists.  A novel playlist, in case you haven't heard about it, is when an author lists together songs that help push them along in the writing process.  Depending on the author, it can be songs that pertain to their plot, characters, settings, feelings, etc. When you have the right music or inspiration, it can help all that much more during the writing process.  In my case, it helps me get into a certain feeling while I write a scene.  I've even had a certain song inspire a whole scene altogether.

When I sit down at the computer to focus on my work, I have to listen to something more soothing instead, say something like techno or screamo--which I can't stand screamo in the first place unless it is Flyleaf.  Usually I go for things with a strong guitar or piano leads because for some reason those tones help me focus more.  I do run into moments where I want to sing along though, which makes things a lil' more difficult but it is hard for me to write without something going on in the background.  I can however write in a coffee shop/bookstore with no music as long as I have headphones on to muffle the conversations.

I've been collecting songs for my novel playlist for quite awhile.  I have ones for certain characters, lists for certain emotions, and ones that fit perfectly into my story.  There are times when I feel like I've heard each song a million times so I just switch over to Pandora.com and pick an artist who has a similar tone to what I am writing and let it go for hours.  That is also the way I find some amazing new artists. I tend to go for artists who are less mainstream as of right now and a little on the folkie side.  No I'm not meaning knee slapping hillbilly music but if you ever watch The Vampire Diaries, Secret Circle, or Pretty Little Liars then you have an idea of what kind of music I lean towards.

Not only does playlists help out the author while writing, but I've seen many authors post their playlists for their readers so they can read along with music the author chose. Maggie Stiefvater posted one for her Mercy Falls books. Check out Forever's Playlist Here!   I think she has similar posts for all of her books but I just posted the one for now. And if you don't follow Maggie's blog, shame on you! She is wonderful and is amazingly entertaining.  If you are curious if there are author playlists for your favorite books, I suggest that you check out the author's website/blog.  They are usually pretty easy to find.

Once Novel playlists started getting pretty big on the net, something new popped up, fan made playlists.  I'm not just talking about songs that readers combine together on what reminds them of their favorite characters, I'm talking about actual songs that readers have created.  There are some amazing and talented fans out there and it is always amazing to see how one person's work inspires anothers.  Some of my favorites have been The Hunger Games Project and The Mitch Hansen Band. Check them out if you haven't!

I'm not going to post my playlist just quite yet but I will list some of my go to artists below.  What kind of music do you listen to while you write?  Do any of you share similar ones to my own?  I'd love to hear!

Without further ado...here are some of my favorite writing artists:

Adele
The Afters
The Avett Brothers
Birdy
Brandi Carlile
Dashboard Confessional
A Fine Frenzy
David Cook
The Fray
The Script
Oasis
Peter Bradley Adams
Sara Bareilles
Beside Lights
Brooke Waggoner
The Civil Wars ( I can listen to them all day.  They are one of my favorite artists)
Damien Rice
Ray Lamontage
Dry The River
Erin McCarley
Glass Pear
He is We

Ok that gives you an idea. If you want some recommendations let me know and I'll add some more to the list.  Enjoy!!

On Getting Involved

*Boo!* 

Sorry, had to get that out of the way. 

Writers are solitary creatures. There are not many careers out there that allow you to spend your days in pj’s, if need be, away from all the crazy that is outside of your house. We like solitude. We like to be able to live in our own little worlds. After all, our worlds are rockin! 

But on the other side of this solitude is the loneliness. I know we have talked about that here before, but loneliness is just as much a part of a writers life as breathing. We all get in the ruts of self doubt, procrastination, and various other depressing words that you can enter here. However, what I’ve discovered in the past year was that writers are also one big family. 

This is nothing new either. If you’ve been writing for any length of time you have discovered this for yourself. We band together to keep each other encouraged and motivated. So this is where the core of my post lies.

This year, I’ve decided that I would be more involved. On my personal blog, I write a lot of book reviews. I just adore the privilege to let others know about a particular author and their book. But what I’ve decided to do is to get the authors themselves a little more involved. On top of the reviews, I want to have a Q&A, or a sneak peak, or just some kind of a visit from the authors themselves. Like this Interview & Giveaway I have on my blog right now (Click here).  I want my readers to discover the authors and their work in the best light possible. Truth be told, it is a bit intimidating to reach out to those who have “made it” while I’m still searching for an agent *wipes brow* (but that is a topic for another day). However, the family that is us is a lot more open and receptive than I could’ve ever imagined. The people that take time to talk to me are the ones who encourage me to keep going and that is why I want to get involved. I want to give a little of it back. I encourage you, my friends, to give something back as well. Get involved in your writing communities. Drop a sweet note into an authors mailbox. Comment on a blog post *hint hint* We appreciate it more than words can express. 

Now I leave you with a questions: what authors would you like me to have featured on the blog? 

Go forth and do something nice for somebody today! 

(Even though its Friday the 13th)

Much love, 

Valia 

Nova on Getting Back Up Again

It has been said that if you take off one day from writing, your muse will take off the next three.  Only, I have taken off more than a day, we shall not name how long, and I am defiantly feeling the loss of my muse.  When my current career takes off, it is hard for me to make writing my center focus.  The kind of job that I have doesn't even leave me much time to sleep, let alone get in a daily word count.  Don't get me wrong, I love my job but writing does something different for me all together.  I beg for the moments when I can make the world disappear, to jump into someone else's.  But right now that my life has slowed down, I have found it hard to get back into the swing of things.  It isn't that I have changed my mind about what I am writing right now, but when I sit down at that computer screen, it's as if I have a brain fart or like that movie where they erase the guys memory and he is only given a few items to figure it all out.  I just can't seem to find what I want to say.  

I have my outline and every step is planned out, so why can't I put the words down onto the paper?  How do I push myself to throw up the words that I know are buried in there?  Should I stand on my head? Or should I just Dance around to loud music to shake them out?  SOMEONE GIVE ME THE ANSWERS!  I'M DYING OVER HERE!

On an unrelated note.  I just watched 127 hours tonight.  I know, I am way behind with the times, but can I just say, "What an amazing story!"  That guy was super smart to do the things he did.  My dad loves the survivalist stuff so I kinda grew up on that.  I knew alot of the things he did but there were a few that surprise me, like making a way for him to sit.  I brought that up in my head but I never put two and two together.  It's movies like that that really make you think about life and what you would do in that same situation.  Have you seen any good movies lately that made you really think or that inspired you?  Lemme know!  I would love to check them out!  Till next week!

Changing Times (or: Authors as Rock Stars)

I'm going to come right out and say it: I'm not that old. In fact, I'm a downright youngin' compared to some of you lovely people, and compared to some of my dearest writer friends. I grew up in the 90s; I've never owned an Ace of Base CD, I don't remember the Exxon-Valdez oil spill, and I was too young to get into either Fraggle Rock or ThunderCats.

I haven't had my 5-year college reunion yet. I sometimes frown in consternation when household chores don't mystically do themselves. I own a cheese grater, though I'm not entirely sure why. If the Power Rangers knocked on my door tomorrow and asked me to fight evil with them, I'd probably say yes. (So long as the original Blue Ranger was there. Because: BILLY!)

Basically, the point I'm trying to make is that I am still a bit of a wee one.

But I'm old enough to remember when things were different. I'm talking about books, here - and YA books in particular. All of us know the general zero-to-sixty history of the YA book market, which experienced exponential growth with the advent of the Harry Potter series and continued to metastasize over the next 10 years.

Thousands of YA books are published every year now. There's money in the market, lots of sales, and a recent report revealed that in 2011 young adult book deals made up the vast majority of 6- and 7-figure deals to authors.

I kind of take this for granted sometimes. This is sort of the new normal for us, as it were. We've come to expect it.

But I'll tell you what's different - and a lot more recent. More and more lately have I seen books and authors, and excitement for both of those things, hyped up in the mainstream entertainment industry. A lot of this is surely due to the enthusiasm that started with Harry Potter, that carried over with Twilight, and seems to be continuing with The Hunger Games. Loads of people, including many who've never even read the books, have watched and loved these movies - or in the case of THG, anticipate them just as much as the rest of us.

Movie adaptations have been made out of books for approximately a thousand years, but for the first time the reaction is not, "That was a book?" or "They always screw it up" or even "I don't want to see something based on a book". The reaction is, "I read these books and I can't wait for the movie".

Books aren't the dirty little secret or the kicked-around kid sister of the entertainment industry anymore.

I'm thinking of Tahereh Mafi's exclusive cover reveal a few months back, which was hosted by MTV. Mafi also wrote an op-ed that was featured in the Wall Street Journal, and I saw an ad recently for SHATTER ME in Entertainment Weekly.

My fabulous friend Miranda Kennealy's book CATCHING JORDAN was reviewed with glowing praise by SEVENTEEN magazine.

These are only two examples, really, because they're the only ones I can think of off the top of my head and I haven't saved the links. But I've been seeing more and more of this kind of thing, and it makes me so passionately, inexplicably happy.

I never thought when I was a kid, or even a teen - as both a writer and read of YA fiction - that I would see a day when writers were written up in Seventeen Magazine, when their books were featured on MTV or where bookstores would be so intimidated by crowds they opt instead to hold author events in the local Hyatt (John Green I'm looking at you).

I'm old enough to remember when things weren't this way at all, but I am so, so glad they are now and I hope this never changes.

Authors have always been my rock stars. I'm glad to see the rest of the world catching on.

I Kissed a Writer and I liked it!

Hello lovelies, 
So this week its my turn to cheat a little. Not that I'm really cheating I just wanted you all to have the opportunity to read this post (yes yes). 
A few days ago Michele Shaw (follow her, she's awesome) posted this little blog post. I read it, I laughed, I showed it to all my friends for future reference, and now I'm sharing it with ya'll. 


The title of this post is the phrase I want everyone to say in the new year. I think there should be bumper stickers! T-shirts! Barbie dolls wearing the T-shirts! Coffee Mugs! A new logo on the Red Bull can! And...and...did I miss anything? 

Well, anyway, the reason for this phrase should be obvious, but for those who don't know, writers are quite loveable if you get past the quirks and don't need a lot of attention. 

We have many, many good points. For example:

1. Soft lips. We use a lot of Chap Stick. All that hunkering down in the dry air requires copious amounts of lip balm.

2. Virtually wrinkle free. We never go out in the sun, so that unlined baby's bottom skin is ours! (disclaimer: Most of us aren't vampires.)

3. We go green. While we consume our fair share of electricity, our footprint is low when you consider the lack of showering, and wearing the same shirt for a week really saves on laundry.

4. We create jobs. The coffee industry stays vibrant and healthy due to writer consumption of their product. Even if all non-witers quit drinking coffee, the bean would still be in high demand.

5. We make a cheap date. Take us to the library, sit and discuss books for a few hours, then spring for a bag of chips from the vending machine on the way out and we're set.

6. We're good listeners. It's all about YOU! We like for YOU to do most of the talking. That is...if you're answering our research questions about how you hold your fork, when you lost your virginity, or what's the best way to kill someone with a can of hairspray. 

7. We're generous with your free time. We'll never complain about how much time you spend playing video games or watching You Tube videos. That just frees up more time for us to write.

8. We have interesting friends. Do you know many people who sit around and talk about the best way to write a sex scene (in detail) and consider it all in a day's work?

9.  We're easy to please at gift time. One solid trip to the office supply store and you're done for the year.

10. Writers are freaking cool.  Nuff said.

I think everyone should kiss a writer...then go get the shirt.


For more Michele inspired fun go to her website: http://micheleshaw.blogspot.com/
Or her twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/veertothewrite


Much love, 
Valia 

What to do when Steven Spielberg steals your idea

I had just finished the first draft of my book when the interwebz began to buzz about this hot new show from Spielberg titled Terra Nova. I knew immediately that I had a problem. My book was titled Terra Nova. Its all about virtual reality and building new worlds and of course the Berg was gonna PWN my tiny manuscript. I hated him for a moment with the white hot passion of a million suns. Then I realized. Terra Nova was easy. It was wholly unoriginal and I could do better if I put my mind to it. While I miss having the ease of everyone knowing what the term Terra Nova meant, I had to dig a little deeper to find something of my own.

In the end my husband found it. Sekai is the Japanese word for The World and since my story is set in Tokyo we chose Sekai Virtual which roughly translates to world virtual. It took some digging and it took some time but I think my name is way better than Spielberg's... don't you?

Nova is....Sick :(

So I had this blog all planned out or shall I say vlog.  I was going to surprise you all and post something all great for the first Wednesday blog of the year but alas, I am in bed with a terrible cold.  Currently I am struggling to breathe and don't even get me started about the stuffy nose.  I don't understand how a nose can be runny and stopped up all at the same time.  So since I have been in bed I have been getting some reading done.  I have almost finished this current book in a few hrs.

The reason I am not going to name it is because I want to bring something up about it without being detailed.  You know how films say the title of the movie in the dialogue?  Well this book has said not only the title of the book multiple times, but also the chapter titles.  Is it just me or does that bother anyone else?

Stick around for next week for a vlog because I am dying to do one for you all! Send meds to me like they do in The Hunger Games and I shall forever be your best friend! Toodles!

Feedback (Paying It Forward)

I did some editing/beta-reading for a friend today. It was on an article that was only 5,000 words long, but it's the first time I've done this in quite a while.

That's a slightly ironic feeling, since people have been reading for me for the better part of a year.

The whole thing took me a little over an hour. I had the time to set aside as soon as I received the piece in question, which was fortunate. But I had forgotten what an involved process it is. How hard, how challenging, it is to not just read something and be able to identify what works or not, but then to come back and explain, to make editorial suggestions, to not just be critical but constructive.

It's the difference between saying "This didn't work for me" and "I know how to make this better".

I felt out of breath by the time I finished. Editing those 5,000 words for my friend was almost as challenging as if I'd had to write 5,000 new words on my own story.

And I'm so, so glad I did it. I have a few more things on my plate now, more work by more people that I've committed myself to. And even though it's daunting, and challenging, and time-consuming, it's one of the best ways I can think of to give back to the friends and the community that has been so supportive - and so willing to go out of its way to help me, when I am nobody.

I can't do this for everybody. I'll never have that kind of time. But I no longer feel like I am just taking and taking, accepting generous favor after favor without anything to contribute in turn. The community of writers is an extraordinarily gracious and giving one, and it's important to pay it forward; to keep that momentum going.

There are a million ways to do that. But for now, this is mine.

Who has helped you along your writing journey - and what are you doing to pay it forward?

Let it Snow!!! (and winners)

So yesterday I went to find snow. You see, in Arizona you have to go places in order to see a white Christmas. So my best friend and I took a little road trip. And we found snow, lots of it!

The significance of this is that it was the best kind of vacation. I started revisions again and my head is exploding. No, seriously, its a mess. A big messy mess. My mini vacation was only a day and half but it was pure heaven. You know how I know? Because my revisions are rocking. 

Anyone else take vacation (even a mini one) this holiday season? Where did you go? 

Now, I know you all dying to know who won our Holiday Giveaway. Well, here are the winners!

Deann Fox

Pao Parente

Jessica S.

Katharyn

You have 48 hours to reply to your emails or we pick new winners!! I’m off to my revising cave! Have a wonderful New Year everyone!!! 

New Years Resolutions

I hope you all had a great Holiday!  Mine went great!  I got some awesome stuff, including my beautiful new guitar, and I got to spend some much needed time with my family.  Was it just me or did it not feel like it was Christmas this yr?  Maybe it was because of the weather here in MO or maybe because it came and went so fast.  I don't know but part of me is glad it's over but another part of me wishes I still had time.  Any big plans for New Years?

You know how everyone sets new years resolutions and well, most people never stick with them?  Maggie Stiefvater lives by them and tries to succeed in each goal she sets for herself.  I can never recall setting any New Years Resolutions myself but I am seriously considering it this year.  I am thinking about this long and hard because if I am going to set resolutions, I want to make sure I don't put them on the back burner like the rest of America--this honestly isn't a diss to you all.  Alot of the goals I have set for my life I have accomplished but I haven't set any official writing ones.   Since I am all new to this Resolution thing, I don't know if it is taboo to say what goals you are considering.  I know Maggie doesn't say hers until the end of the yr but heck...what can it hurt.  I will only name a few that are topping the list:

• Make more Writing time
• Take this blog seriously and get more involved with promoting it
• Learn more about vlogging and integrate it into my Wednesday posts
• Finish my first draft, edit, and query agents (scary just thinking about that last part)
• Learn guitar for when the writing doesn't flow well

So those are currently on the list.  I am going to try with everything I have to stick with them.  I love making goals so this is just a different kind.  Hope you all have a fun and save New Year and I shall see you again on the other side!  (btw...not the dark side...god I hope not the dark side LOL)

Because I Couldn't Have Said it Any Better...

Have a wonderful Christmas weekend!!!! Happy Holidays!!!

Much love,
Valia

Micro Blogging: It is good for the soul

From Wikipedia: Microblogging is a broadcast medium in the form of blogging. A microblog differs from a traditional blog in that its content is typically smaller in both actual and aggregate file size. Microblogs "allow users to exchange small elements of content such as short sentences, individual images, or video links".

As with traditional blogging, microbloggers post about topics ranging from the simple, such as "what I'm doing right now," to the thematic, such as "sports cars." Commercial microblogs also exist, to promote websites, services and/or products, and to promote collaboration within an organization.

My favorite micro blog other than Twitter is Tumblr. I only follow 100 or so people right now and my dashboard is constantly filled with beautiful pictures, smart text, and funny videos at all hours of the day. Writing can be a lesson in lonely, and I think that micro blogs like Twitter and Tumblr have given the writer a way to take a break and come out and play without ever really leaving the writing cave.

Micro blogging is there to help you reach your fan base or build one. To inspire you when your muse is on vacation and to give you a social outlet while you work. It is vastly better than being punch drunk Hemmingway. Tumblr is a free service like blogger but cooler. It has many cheap themes or free themes you can easily install with the click of a button. You can reblog friends, and your fans can reblog stuff about your book and it becomes this huge news outlet and your fans can ask you questions that you can answer publicly and that can then ... be reblogged.

Try to remember to schedule your Twitter/Tumblr time or you will never get anything written. Other than that have fun reblogging!

Yep...I almost forgot it was Wednesday...

*Hits self over the head* Yep...today is Wednesday...not Tuesday.  All of this Christmas stuff has me crazy mixed up.  It's the 21st for god sake!  How did this happen?  I'm still wrapping presents, let alone making some last minute gift decisions. Darn it for me being thoughtful with gifts.  It would be so much easier if I could just say, "hey...her ya go!  A fruit basket!"  (sorry if anyone is doing that as a gift...not hurt feelings intended)

Anyway!  I promise when the holidays are over my blogs will be more productive.  Right now my main focus is what picture frames go with my art photos I am giving to my family.  So for now I leave you with a question...

Have you ever done something you knew could turn out badly but did it anyway as research for your stories?

They love me! They really love me!

I have been bouncing in my chair cheerfully, grinning ear-to-ear for about an hour now. Why? Because I just got the very first full set of comments from one of my beta readers. I was crazy nervous about this, both because letting other people read your stuff is scary but also because this was kind of the make-or-break moment, wasn't it?

The first person to read this close-to-final draft. The point by which I'd done massive amounts of rewriting already, added and deleted characters and changed entire portions of the story, plot points, motivations. If the story still didn't work for my readers, I probably would have panicked.

And there's no guarantee - I may still have to panic, depending on what others say. But for now, it seems I am safe! My beta reader was hugely complimentary and gave me lovely notes, things she loved but also brilliant, succinct ideas on how to tweak the things she didn't - and those tweaks are small and pretty fast and relatively easy, considering the huge labor pains that involved rewriting this novel in the first place.

(Say it with me: If I got through that second draft, I can get through anything.)

Another writer friend - one who is quite busy with her own writing and quickly becoming Quite A Big Deal in her own right - also reached out today and offered to read my query.

I am floored by the outpouring of support from my friends and community. 10 months ago, I did not have a single writer friend. Today, I am so very blessed to be surrounded by some of the most amazing people I've ever met.

I know I've said this before, but it really can't be said enough: Having a community, as writers, is so important. I never would have kept my sanity, let alone gotten as far as I have, if it weren't for writer-friends, the internet on which we hang out, and the Twitter on which we congregate.

Once Upon A Time

       I was having a discussion earlier today with fabulous Leigh Fallon. Halfway through the discussion I realized we were discussing a show, and I was quite into it. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love shows! I love movies. Anything with pretty pictures on the screen, sign me up! But what I find hilarious is how involved I get in these things. 

Stories. They get me every time.

     

       Then I started thinking, why is this show so interesting? What makes me what to go back to it, week after week? Is it the fairy tale aspect? Is it the awesome characters? Or how about the plot line of two worlds? But in truth, it is all of those things and more. Not one of the aspects I mentioned could be as gripping if they were a stand alone fact. 

Someone please bring him back!

That is what I want my writing to be. I want my characters to jump off the pages. I want my story to be so breathtaking that you want to turn to the next page. Most of all, I want something that will stay in your hearts forever like those fairy tales do. Yes, I want a lot of things. Sometimes I feel like those who don’t write don’t really understand how big of an undertaking something like a story truly is. Would you be willing to kill off a beloved character? Seriously, did anyone else NOT see that coming? This is what I’m talking about. Taking risks, pouring your heart into your work, being fearless. This is the kind of a writer I want to be. How about you? 

Much love, 

Valia

So it is Wednesday right?

This is what my head says EVERY Thursday. That it is Wednesday even though I watched American Horror Story last night. Which obviously airs on... Wednesday. So I am sitting here in my Iron Knight pajamas (yes, I haz those) when I get a tweet from one of the Warehouse wives... "Darling, did you forget its Thursday? :-)". You know how wives are, always reminding you of stuff... I don't want to forget anymore and I have a crap ton of commitments, and I have the plague. If I miss next week you will know I was taken in the prime of my life by the black death. Please buy my book postmortem. Speaking of commitments I thought I would give you the schedule of my day:

7am - up to rush husband and kids out of the door.
7:45am- coffee and email.
8:00 am- Facebook and Twitter.
9:00am - Musa Publishing work.
11am-Social media.
12pm- lunch and shooting any videos I need to do for InterrobangYA and such.
1pm- reviews and blog work at Bookalicious
2pm - go get daughter from school.
2:30pm - homework ugh.
3:30pm- revise my book.
5:30pm - cook dinner

Then after that I revise some more, do some more work or just watch TV (American Horror Story) with the husband. Weekends are all filled up with family time and there are tons of other things that happen on any given day. Packages, I start my new agent-y work in January and calling my Mommy. Yes, I call my mommy.

And now I will leave you with the most awesome video I have seen floating around online today. I love the holiday season.

Wednesday's a cheater too...

Hey guys!  I am going to follow right behind Rick and be a cheater as well.  I know, I can't help it.  Currently I am trapped under pounds of wrapping paper and if I scream, please send a rescue team!  Sooo I am going to pass you off onto the Amazing Kristen Lamb's blog post on Taking Your Novel from Good to Great.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS Y'ALL!

This is totally cheating.

But Monday is exhausted and braindead, and also forgot it was Monday.

So let's just all rap together:

The One Where We Give Away Books!

      So in case you didn’t notice, Holidays are here! I know, shocker right? If you’re like me it seems that your days I filled with things to do and by the end of the week you feel as if you have done a whole lot of nothing. I think its the holiday magic. It drains us until we are too weak to even think straight. That’s why we eat so much at Thanksgiving. The fuel is all gone before Christmas hits and then we all eat once more. Its a crazy vicious cycle!

Anyway, what I meant to say was, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Christmas, Happy Holidays, and whatever else may be on your list this year! And since I’m in such a jolly mood I have some happiness to share with you.

We got Books!!! That’s right oh dearest ones, we, YA Warehouse crew decided to spread some holiday cheer and host our very first giveaway. 

The rules are simple. Fill our the nifty Rafflecopter, spread the word, and make 

sure to do something nice for someone this year! Our gifts include but are not limited to:

• ARC of Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves 
• Witch Eyes by Scott Tracy
• $10 dollar gift card to Amazon/Book Depository
• Swag

        Have a wonderful day!!! 
        Much love, 
        Valia 

Write What You Live

I know the concept isn't too hard to grasp but for a writer it is easier said than actually done.  Most writers--not all writers--like the home body kind of life. I like it sometimes as well.  What's not to like about it?  You get to chill on your couch for hours on end, read, be sheltered from the world, etc but that is just it.  You are sheltered from reality.  Yes certain things are scary but you know what, do them anyway.  Once you do, record everything about the event.  How did you feel?  What was the room like when it happened?  Who was with you?  What did they say or do in reaction?

I'm about to get personal up in here yo'

It's been awhile since I have had a serious relationship.  I got out a super long one a couple years ago and didn't have the heart to give to anyone until I could give it to myself.  I'll admit I was also scared.  I was scared of letting someone in.  Recently the love connections have started to pick up and one in particular has started to interest me.  (now stay with me...this is going somewhere)  I've been writing more in the Classified Novel but it has been hard getting my characters love connection just right.  I know they feel it but the words just weren't matching until the love connections in my life started escalating.  It seems strange until you really think about it.  I truly believe that all good writing has an author behind it who really grasps what the characters are feeling.  Yes, characters have a strong voice and some can do all the work for you, but I believe the best writing comes when you are connected to the subject.

I feel like I have refreshed my Well on love:  I know what I feel when someone brushes the hair out of my eyes, how my cheeks burn when he locks eyes with me, and how much you miss them the second they leave your sight.  Who would have known this would have brought just as much fire to my writing.

Lesson for the week, get out there and do something you wouldn't normally do.  You maybe surprised on how much you will enjoy it and how much valuable info you gain.    

For the World to See

I have returned from my trip, and despite being jetlagged and overtired and hungry at odd hours, I do think I'm making a good deal more sense than I was last week.

Since I got back late Friday night, I have been pretty darn productive. I unpacked, did laundry, cleaned my apartment, went grocery shopping, made new To-Do Lists and tossed old ones, and finished the third draft of the novel. (That last one's not as impressive as it sounds. I only had two chapters left.)

And then, my friends, I sent it off to my group of beta readers.

That's right. A whole group of people! Who are going to read a book. That I wrote.

Ruh roh.

I was talking to a dear writer friend about this stage of the process, and how both exciting and nerve-wracking it is. I mean, you want people to read your stories, right? That's why we write them! But at the same time, it removes all plausible deniability you might have had, from your friends or family or coworkers or casual Facebook acquaintances. You can't be all like "yeah I write sometimes there's this story that maybe someday IDK just give me the vodka".

Now you're all like, "Yeah. I wrote a book. That's a thing that I did. Shit."

There's a lot of reasons that's a good thing. There can be a few drawbacks, though. If your friends are anything like mine a bunch of them will be lining up going, "Oh oh oh when can I read it!" and you want to be all NEVER but then you'd feel bad and also, maybe they'll buy it when it's on shelves someday. But I'm not going to e-mail my book out to all 300 people who send me pleading Facebook messages.

My beta readers are writers - published and non - or book reviewers or avid readers in the genre that I write or, ideally, some combination of the three. The same way a painter would not be expected to make 3,000,000 photocopies of their own work and stick them in just as many envelopes to mail out to their friends, so too should writers not be expected to provide ON DEMAND access to our work.

Like, I want to sell that shit someday, yo. You want to read it, pony up.

But one way or the other, if we're successful, these people are all going to have the ability to read it someday.

And that's pretty cool.

How do you feel about sharing your work with the world? Does the idea excite you? Terrify you? Are you close to having to consider it as a Really For Real-Reals Possibility, or are you not yet to this RIDICULOUSLY TERRIFYING portion of the publishing journey? Please share!

In Which I Fangirl Over a Book!

Hello darlings!
So I had this whole post planned for today, but then lo and behold, a book I'm particularly in love with came out early. 5 days early! So instead of my wondrous amounts of wisdom, ya'll are getting a book review. I know, I must really love this book to sacrifice myself in this way. 

Starting over sucks. 

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. 

And then he opened his mouth. 

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me. 

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 

If I don’t kill him first, that is.
From Goodreads.com

Well, hello perfection! No seriously, I cannot find a bad thing to say about this book (or any books Jen writes for that matter). But let’s start at the beginning. 

Katy just moved to a new town and her mom keeps pushing her to make friends. So she walks next door, where according to her mom’s still working eyes, a boy hotness will be able to direct her to the nearest store. The door opens and this is where the fun begins. Katy is pulled into a world of obnoxious boy, sweet but hyperactive girl, and a town full of secrets. 

Katy’s character is fabulous. She’s a girl who works at making herself more than she is. She doesn’t take crap from people, even if those people are a gorgeous next door neighbor Daemon. Awe, Daemon, how do I not drool as I write this review? I’m pretty sure just the name sends goosebumps up my arm. He’s definitely a league all of his own. Oh my Holy Franking Superman! Daemon is just so, wait, is this review supposed to be G-rated? But really, I think I tell Jen daily she has ruined any chances for me with “real” boys! 

Obsidian is hot, sexy, funny, and breathtaking beginning to a series. The action is fast paced, the storyline is fabulous, and the relationships are adorable. Every page will leave you wanting more, in every way imaginable. *Snickers* The characters are fresh and exciting. I’ve only mentioned two but every character in this story is a work of art. Jen takes a story that is familiar and moves it to a whole another galaxy. I’m already having anxiety separation! 

Obsidian can be ordered now from Amazon. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone! 

Jennifer's blog: 

http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/

(Follow her, she's fabulous! )

Buy links for Obsidian

http://www.amazon.com/Obsidian-Lux-Novel-Book-One/dp/1937044238/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/obsidian-jennifer-l-armentrout/1033604979

Obsidian on Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12578077-obsidian

Happy reading and much love,
Valia

Thursday forgot it was Thursday

So I give to you a video of me, showcasing what happens when I get excited for an ARC.