Writing Update: Four WIP's

When I was in school, I told myself I was never going to become a teacher. I had several motivations, but the main one was that someone once said when they became a teacher, they didn’t have the energy to write. Ouch. Why would I want to do a job if it meant giving up writing?

Long story short, now I’m a teacher and a writer. Ha! Not today, discouragement.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve changed jobs, schedules, number of projects, you name it. Usually, I tend to write about two novels a year. Whether I stick with that project or not is another matter entirely. Lately, though, I have two projects in the editing phase, another I just finished writing, and a fourth one that I’m outlining.

Four whole works in progress. So many!

 

Novel 1: Edge of the Solar System

Genre: adult sci-fi, mystery
Stage: Draft 3

Cory Bailey is used to working alone. When the Interspecies Investigation, a cross-cultural agency, offers her a position as a linguist, she jumps at the chance to work in her field, even if it takes her halfway across the Solar System. Now she has to figure out how to work as a member of a team if she’s to survive. But meeting with the Tchotovoroc, an alien species resident to the colony outside Neptune, isn’t quite what she expects, and the greatest threat may just be the humans closer to home.

Oooooh! I’m so excited to share this one with you guys! I’ve gotten some feedback from my critique partners and soon I’ll be looking for beta readers and sensitivity readers. Then it’s off to querying literary agents.

 

Novel 2: Water Sprite

Genre: YA contemporary fantasy, poetry
Stage: Draft 3

Astor Foster doesn’t plan on making any new friends during her last year in Germany. Not since her best friend moved back to the States last December, and not when she is going to move soon. Nobody is more surprised than she is when a family outing leads her to hang out with a girl at the local pool. But there’s more to her new friend than her strange name—Sturm. There’s also her ability to breathe underwater, and Astor wants to know how.

I had a hard time settling on the plot for this story, but once I turned it into a novel in verse, it really took form. I just need to find some more critique partners… It’s a trickier to find people who are willing to read a novel in verse.

 

Novel 3: Not-So-Secret

Genre: YA sci-fi
Stage: Draft 1

I started using Campfire Writing to outline my books, and had a lot of fun developing the story even before the writing process. I just finished the rough draft. Like any first draft, it’s a mess, but that’s a good thing. I’ve got plenty to work with, and I get the feeling I’ll enjoy rewriting it come summer.

I’ve been experimenting with style a lot lately, and it’s been lots of fun!

 

Novel 4: Secret

It’s a little early for me to share much about this one because it’s so new. Even if I were to tell you about it, that info would likely change by the time I get around to writing it. I’ll just say it’s a fantasy.

 

Blogging

Because I’m working on so many books, I’ve decided to step back from my blog for a while, posting once a month instead of once a week. I haven’t yet decided whether I’m going to share poems or book-related posts. Maybe a bit of both. We shall see.

Until next time, happy reading!

 

Let’s chat! Fellow writers, what kind of projects are you working on? What’s your favorite genre to write? Do you have a preferred writing style?

 

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Similar posts: Campfire Writing, Writing Update: To Sequel or Not to Sequel?, and My Latest Writing Desk

Book Review: Alone

“There is something about poetry

being nonfiction

but not factual.

“The most intimate personal thoughts

—things people would never dream

of saying out loud in middle school—

right there on the page in black and white.”

 

I really enjoy novels in verse, and this one hit at just the right time. Last year, I attended a novel in verse writing session by Megan E. Freeman. I even turned one of my own stories into a novel in verse. After hearing about her story, I eagerly awaited reading it. I suggested my library purchase a copy a while back, so I was first in line for checking it out. Freeman did not disappoint!

 

Book: Alone by Megan E. Freeman
Genre: MG, contemporary, survival, poetry
My rating: 4.5 stars
Mini description: isolation

 

I’ve always enjoyed survival stories. This one feels like a mix of a survival story with a smidge of dystopia. An entire city becomes devoid of people, and young Maddie is left by herself, until she adopts the neighbor’s dog. Usually, I’m not a big fan of dystopian stories, but maybe my taste is changing. Either way, I really enjoyed the overarching survival elements, from Maddie’s storing up wood for the winter to finding food and water.

Of course, one can’t forget the poetry in regards to this story. Like a good novel in verse, it’s not too heavy on the metaphors, but the imagery is enough to be compelling, allowing a perfect comparison between the beauty and harsh realities of nature.

Another element that I enjoyed was the coming-of-age element. Maddie becomes a teenager all on her own. As time passes, she makes long-term plans, often speculating whether it’s better to stay put or move on.

In all, I gave Alone 4.5/5 stars, rounding up to 5 for a compelling story, enchanting descriptions, and interesting themes. I’d recommend it to anybody interested in survival stories and/or poetry. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go buy a copy.

 

Interested in the book? Have you read it yet? You might also enjoy these novels in verse: Audacity by Melanie Crowder, Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu, Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton, and Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

 

Let’s chat! Have you read Alone yet, or has it made it to your TBR? What are your thoughts on poetry? Do you have any favorite novels in verse?

 

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Similar book reviews: Almost American Girl, Kids Like Us, and Audacity

Recommended Reading: Novels in Verse

As some of you may know, I recently attended WriteOnCon, an online writing conference, where I attended a wonderful session by Megan E. Freeman on writing novels in verse. For a while now, I’ve been in love with the style, as is evident from my previous post, 7 Reasons I Enjoy Novels in Verse, and I would like to some day write one of my own.

For now, though, I thought I’d share some of the ones I enjoyed in hopes of convincing more readers to fangirl/fanboy along with me. My recommendations are by no means extensive, and some readers may argue that some novels might have been better in prose rather than verse, but I enjoyed them for their form.

The following books are organized by authors’ last names.

1.   Audacity by Melanie Crowder (young adult; see book review)

“You will lose,
I say
if you try to strike
on your own without us.
[...] It is only by standing together
—men and women—
that we can ever hope
to outlast them.”

Personally, I find it easier to learn about historical events when I can connect with the people and their stories. This book focuses on the story of Clara Lemlich, who fought for women’s rights in the workplace. I may be making the book sound dull, but the story is far from it.

2.   Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu (middle grade)

A story about American citizens set in a foreign country? Yes, please! Though I’m not Japanese and haven’t been to Asia just yet, I could still relate to the characters, especially when it comes to the difficulty of time zones. Not to mention the story is also historical fiction set during 2001—wait, did I just call something that happened in my lifetime “historical?” Please excuse me while I have an existential crisis.

3.   Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton (MG; see book review)

“On this clear and moonless night,
Mama and I wrap up in our winter clothes
and go outside to watch and listen.
The trees beyond our backyard form a torn-paper line
between the snow and this sky
filled with stars.”

Of all the novels in verse I’ve read, this one is one of the most memorable. A delightful story about Mimi, a young girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut and moves with her family to a new town. Not to mention the gorgeous imagery, which is one of the many reasons I love poetry.

 

4.   Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai (MG)

“Would be simpler
if English
and life
were logical.”

When I see people recommend novels in verse, I tend to see this one recommended all the time. Not to mention, it’s a Newbery Honor Winner, so of course it gets a lot of attention. But it’s sooo good, so I won’t complain. The story focuses on Há, a young immigrant who moves to America from Vietnam with her family, and how she struggles to learn how to adjust to a new country and the complexities of the English language.

 

5.   Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough (YA)

This book was probably the most intense, so much so that I almost didn’t finish it, but it was ultimately worth the read, at least for me. The story focuses on a poetic interpretation of the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, a historic Italian painter, whose work often emphasizes empowering women. I learned a lot about history, injustice, and overcoming.

 

6.   Saving Red by Sonya Sones (YA)

This book was the first novel in verse I ever read, and it got me hooked on the style. After all, what’s not to like about the way stories combine with imagery? You can’t have purple prose if it’s not in prose. When I first started reading novels in verse, I found I also liked the style because the chapters were so short, and before I knew it, I’d finished more than I might have if the chapters had been long.

 

This April, I plan on reading a novel in verse a day (during weekdays only because let’s face it, work is hard). I gave up social media for lent, but after Easter, you can follow me on Instagram to see exactly what I’m reading.

Here are just some of the novels in verse on my To-Be-Read list:

• Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
• The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
• Bull by David Elliot
• Alone by Megan E. Freeman (top of the list!)
• Planet Middle School by Nikki Grimes
• Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
• Butterfly Yellow by Thanhhá Lai

 

Let’s chat! Have you read any of the books I’ve mentioned? When’s the last time you read a novel in verse? Have any favorites?

 

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Similar posts: Self-Publishing Poetry: A Glimpse into the Making of Dandelion Symphony, 7 Things I Learned from Writing Poetry, and 7 Reasons I Enjoy Novels in Verse

2019 Books in Review

This year was a good one for reading, and I’ve found that I definitely enjoy setting my goal for types of books rather than number. I still managed to read a lot, 92 in total, which is close to what I would have picked for a number goal anyway. For a full overview of all the books I read this year, check out my Goodreads list.

I also delved more into the joy of audiobooks and e-books while traveling, and when I reached my new library, I found all the books! Okay, not all of them, but my new local library has nearly four times the selection of my last library and that’s not counting inter-library loans and all the book clubs. There’s just so, so many options to explore!

Goal: 1 Book 700+ Pages

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson—I know I said 700 pages, but this beast lies in the 1,200-page range. I had started reading Middlemarch but got bored, then my local book club had a theme “books outside of your comfort zone”, and I figured a thousand-page novel should fit. I really enjoy Sanderson’s works, and if you don’t mind a long narrative and are into fantasy novels, the world-building and the characters are excellent!

Goal: 2 Novels that were Adapted into Movies

White Fang by Jack London—one of my favorite books from when I was a kid. I used to listen to the audiobook over and over, and more recently, I read it while my own dog lounged about. Though she’s quite domesticated, she’s got the alpha personality and some standoffish traits like White Fang. If you enjoy the book like I did, don’t bother with the latest Netflix adaptation.

Anne of Avonlea (Anne of Green Gables, book 2) by L. M. Montgomery—This series is such a joy! While it’s been a while since I’d read the first book, I feel like I’m still familiar with the story, so it wasn’t hard to pick up where the last book left off. After I read the main trilogy, I’d like to re-watch the adaptations with Megan Follows.

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (Hornblower Saga, book 1) by C. S. Forester—I remember enjoying the show Horatio Hornblower when I was in high school, and I only just recently found out it was based on a book series. All eleven of them. Not sure I’ll make it that far. This one was a big of a struggle to get through.

Goal: 3 Classics

To Kill a Mockingbird: A Graphic Novel by Fred Fordham inspired by the novel by Harper Lee—this totally counts. Or maybe I should list it as a book made into a movie made into a graphic novel? Send help.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy—a little predicable considering how familiar I am with some of the tropes and a movie based off a book based off this book. (Yes, I’m talking about Zorro.)  But still an enjoyable story.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo—technically several movies were based off this one, but it’s definitely a classic. Not nearly as good as Les Mis, though.

Goal: 5 Books I Own

Rulers and Mages and Healers and Warriors (The Order of the Twelve Tribes, book 2 and 3) by Daley Downing—I started off liking the third book best of the series, but then the plot took a twist I didn’t particularly care for.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan—good story, but I honestly don’t remember it very well.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness—also has a movie based on the book, but that’s such a broad category. Who’s counting? This was a wonderful reread, and I liked it even more the second time! If “liked” is an appropriate word for a book that made me cry. Twice.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson—I actually read this book three times this year. Once at the library as an impulse read, and again after I bought it at the bookstore. And they’re going to make a movie! Bring it one 2022!

A Conspiracy of Stars (Faloiv, book 1) by Olivia A. Cole—I reread this one before starting on the sequel, and I liked it even more than I remembered. Sci-fi fantasy is fun!

Goal: 5 Books Published in 2019

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee—kinda disappointing.

An Anatomy of Beasts (Faloiv, book 2) by Olivia A. Cole—technically I own this one, too, but it came out this year! Also, I totally thought it was a duology, but that ending needs another book. Wow, did I call that wrong. A trilogy perhaps? AaaAaahhhh! I need the next book!

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C. G. Drews—ended up liking this book a way more than expected. Sweet yet heartbreaking, Drews creates well-developed characters I found myself routing for.

Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca—an interesting concept, a contemporary Shakespeare retelling, just not the book that spoke to me.

Sounds of Deceit (The Terebinth Tree Chronicles, book 3) by Hannah Heath—the third installment of a collection of short stories leading up to a novel. I can’t wait!

Again, but Better by Christine Riccio—I wanted to like this one. I really did. Alas, I did not. I expected a contemporary and got… a fantasy? Yeah, that was weird. So unrealistic too.

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim—lacked the depth that I was looking for, and it felt like the same girl meets boy and oh, look! They fell in love. Again. Somebody save me from the romances.

Strange Waters by Kyle Robert Shultz, E.B. Dawson, Hannah Heath, Beth Wangler, Nate Philbrick, J.E. Purrazzi, and K.L. + Pierce—probably my favorite Phoenix Fiction Writers Anthology (see book review).

Supernova (Renegades, book 3) by Marissa Meyer—I got my sister hooked on the first book, Renegades, then she got her boyfriend hooked, and he’s not even an avid reader. So yeah. All superheroes! I’m still deciding which is my favorite book in the trilogy, but Supernova has an excellent ending with some staggering plot twists. I should’ve seen them coming.

Forward Me Back to You by Mitali Perkins—this book was one that made it to my TBR simply because a dear friend recommended it and lent me a copy. Wow, was it amazing or what! A powerful story about blood and found families, the fight against assault and human trafficking, and culture, this one is a must-read for fans of contemporary YA.

Starsight (Skyward, book 2) by Brandon Sanderson—I’ve been on a huge Sanderson kick lately! From Hero of Ages (fantasy) to The Alloy of Law (western fantasy) to The Way of Kings (fantasy) to Skyward (YA sci-fi) to its sequel, Starsight. They’re just so engrossing! And Doomslug comes back!

Now Entering Addamsville by Francesca Zappia—I enjoyed Zappia’s other contemporary YA novels, but this one just wasn’t for me. Ghost stories just aren’t my thing.

If I’m completely honest, I try to read recently published works each year anyway, so this one wasn’t much of a challenge. But it was fun to mention!

Goal: 1 Book Published Before 1800

The Art of War by Sun Tzu—not my usual read, I will admit, but there are so many stories and shows that mention it that I just had to find out what it was all about. And sure, it was an interesting study. If I was more into military strategy, I could see its value, though some of the points seemed obvious. The book led to some interesting discussions with my dad. Overall, the book was a good change of pace and mental exercise.

Goal: 3 Nonfiction Books

March: Book Two and Book Three by John Robert Lewis

Background Noise: Poems, Vignettes and Word Explosions by Danielsen Jerry—poetry! Check out my book review here.

God in the Dock by C. S. Lewis—amazing! While some of the transcriptions didn’t seem as logical as the essays, I really enjoyed reading Lewis’ theological arguments. So fascinating and intellectually stimulating.

The Pilgrimage: A Contemporary Quest for Ancient Wisdom by Paulo Coelho—eh, not my cup of tea.

Walden by Henry David Thoreau—why is his last name so hard to spell? A book full of great insights and an interesting perspective on life and simplicity.

Look me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s by John Elder Robison—more engaging than I had anticipated. Definitely recommend, especially if you want to better understand the autism spectrum.

The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman—honestly forgot this book was nonfiction until I was reading it. I might have preferred reading a first-hand account more because I felt like the narrative jumped all over the place.

Looking for Me by Betsy R. Rosentnthal—such a good little book based on the life of the author’s mother. Also a novel in verse!

I’ve enjoyed reading nonfiction this year. Who knew?

Overall: 20/20 Types of Books

Look, I actually did it this year! *throws confetti* *accidentally knocks over TBR stack* *shrieks*

Other Notable Books

Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes (see book review)

Kids Like Us by Hilary Reyl (see book review)

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke

Skyward (Skyward, book 1) by Brandon Sanderson (see book review)

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Let’s chat! What were some of your reading goals this year? Did you meet them? Any books I read make it to your TBR or Read lists?

Similar posts: 2019 Reading Resolution, 2018 Books in Review, and 2018 Reading Resolution

2018 Books in Review

This year, I set out to read 17 types of books, the main goal being quality over quantity. As far as numbers go, I read 100. As for how many of those books actually met my reading goal, you’ll just have to read and find out!

Don’t worry, I’m not going to be talking about books I didn’t enjoy unless they happened to be a part of my goal. Books that earned a five-star rating are marked.

1) At least one poetry collection. (Not a novel in verse.)

A Boy’s Will, North of Boston, and Mountain Interval by Robert Frost.

Turns out I like selected poems from Robert Frost. There’s maybe one or two of the poems in these books that I remember aside from the famous “The Road Not Taken.” I prefer “Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening” from his New Hampshire collection, but I didn’t make it that far in the complete works.

2) Two rereads.

Yes, I own several books with movie covers, and yes, I like them. Judge me.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (5/5 stars), A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle, The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (5/5 stars), Methuselah’s Gift by Mary Elizabeth Edgren (5/5 stars), Stardust by Neil Gaiman, and The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis (5/5 stars).

I think I like rereading books! Maybe I can calm down now? What is this “calm” I write of?

3) Three nonfiction books.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, A Philosophy of Walking by Frédéric Gros, The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery, Walking Home: A Poet’s Journey by Simon Armitage, The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper (5/5 stars), and the Bad*** Librarians of Timbuktu by Joshua Hammer.

Since when do I enjoy philosophy books? 2018 apparently.

Also, I have very eclectic taste in nonfiction. I thought I’d read more serious stuff (like astronomy and art) and ended up reading about octopuses. Yep, it’s octopuses not octopi.

The House on Sugar Beach, A Philosophy of Walking, and The Bad*** Librarians are pretty serious though.

4) Four classics.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (American classic), Kindred by Octavia A. Butler (sci-fi classic; totally counts), The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (children’s classic), Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada (German classic), and Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs (American classic).

There I go with the sea creatures again! The Old Man and the Sea explores the joys and trials of fishing, and The Jungle Book even features a story about a sea lion.

5) Five indie-published books.

The Beast of Talesend, The Tomb of the Sea Witch, and The Stroke of Eleven by Kyle Robert Shultz; Colors of Fear and Flames of Courage by Hannah Heath; Embassy by S. Alex Martin; The Crystal Tree by Imogen Elvis; and The Lake of Living Water: A The Firstborn’s Legacy Short Story by Beth Wrangler; Antiheroes by by Kyle Robert Shultz, E.V. Dawson, Hannah Heath, Beth Wangler, Nate Philbrick, J.E. Purrazzi, and K.L. + Pierce; and Masters and Beginners by Daley Downing.

I didn’t mean to pick such short books: the shortest being 19 pages, the longest 356. It just sorta happened. I also think it’s a trend for the indie authors whom I follow to write compact books and short stories. *shrugs*

6) One book published before 1800.

Paradise Regained by John Milton.

Yes, only one. I started it near the end of November, so can you blame me? Having read and wrote on its predecessor, Paradise Lost, for my dissertation, I thought it appropriate to finally pick up this one. Though I wasn’t as drawn to the story as I was in Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained certainly has some excellent principles.

7) One book over 1,000 pages long.

Soooo… I didn’t quite make this one.

Perhaps the longest book I read was Obsidio at 615 pages. The book that felt the longest was probably The Final Empire at 541 pages, and those pages were long. I know neither are thousand-page books, but I did read a total of 29,400 pages this year. In 2019, I’ll start my bigger goals a little earlier, like I did in 2017 with Moby-Dick (Jan. 1 through Aug. 24) and Les Miserables (Oct. 6 through Dec. 12).

Considering how many of my challenges I actually met, I’m pretty proud of myself. Next year maybe I’ll fully meet each goal.

Bonus: Novels in Verse

Audacity by Melanie Crowder, Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough, Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu.

I read my first novel in verse back in 2016, and I’ve been hooked ever since. This one wasn’t an initial goal, but I wrote a whole post on why I like this type of poetry, and I eventually want to write a novel in verse. So I had to read more of them! 

Other Books I Enjoyed

The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen (5/5 stars; see book review)

Ender’s Saga by Orson Scott Card (especially Xenocide; bought the series)

A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia A. Cole (see book review; bought it)

A Thousand Perfect Notes by C. G. Drews (see book review; pre-ordered)

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (see book review)

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan (see book review; want to buy)

The Art of Feeling by Laura Tims

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Beren and Lúthien by J. R. R. Tolkien (bought it)

Looks like I read 16 out of 17 target books. Maybe next year I’ll challenge myself to read more books I actually own. Seriously, not checking out books from the library and forcing myself to read books on my own shelves was hard. Rewarding, but hard all the same.

Let’s chat! What kind of books did you read in 2018? Do we share any books read? What are your reading goals for 2019?

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Similar posts: 2018 Reading Resolution, First Book You’ve Ever Read Challenge, and The Bookish Q&A Tag