BLOCK PARTY!

Today there's an awesome writer taking over the Ink Slinger Critique group blog! Go here to see who it is and what she has to say. It's going to be awesome.

BLOCK PARTY! Why I Think Bloggers Are the New Booksellers

It's a week long BLOCK PARTY at the Ink Slinger's blog this week! Super exciting!

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Today's post comes from author, Holly Schindler at Novel Anecdotes. She is awesome so go here to read her post at the Ink Slinger's and go here to follow her.

What's she talking about?

The role of bloggers in the book industry.  How much inflewence do we have? Where are readers getting their reviews from?

Awesome, right? Go check it out. Your life will be utterly incomplete if you don't.*

*Only you can judge the complete or incompleteness of your life. The writer of this blog is not stalking you in any way to prove or disprove value of your life....well, probably not anyway.

Hey all! Hope you're having a wonderful day in sunny where-ever-ville. It's PARTY TIME at the Ink Slingers' Blog. (Go here for an all access pass to our BLOCK PARTY!)

Part of a great Block Party is spreading the news about wonderfully awesome things and we have a great one for you! Tahereh Mafi is a 23-year-old author represented by Jodi Reamer of Writer's House. Her debut novel, SHATTER ME, is set to release November 15th of this year! We have the great pleasure of sharing a post she published on her blog (go here!) just a few days ago. 

READ ON! READ ON!

so this is a story.

it's a story about all the things you've ever wanted and all the things you didn't know you even had it in you to want and you sit there. you watch the windows and you wait for the mail and you jump up, alert, ready for even the smallest bit of news, something to change, something different coming your way, something to tell you your time has come. maybe now maybe in just a moment maybe even tomorrow.

you wait for it.

you open the doors and look outside and walk up and down the driveway. you check your watch and peek into the neighbor's yard and wonder why they never open their blinds anymore. you sit on the sidewalk. you smile at the strangers who stroll past, leashes laced into fingers clenched, concentrated on keeping the dogs at bay. don't step out of line, little quadruped. don't bark too loudly and don't jump too high and make sure, they tell you, they say make sure you sign on the dotted line and don't forget to file your taxes on time. wear your shiniest shoes just to stand in lines and fidget just enough, smile just a little, nod at nothing in particular and shove your hands in your pockets and pretend you're unable to make eye contact with anything but that spot, that little mark on the wall 50 feet from where you're standing. pretend you're just a number.

tap your left foot. shift your weight. tug at your collar and bite your bottom lip and take a deep breath. look around a little. check your wrist for the time you've lost and beg a stranger for a cigarette.

flip the channels on your television and watch the colors flicker and fade. pay your bills and play with the kids, touch the aging walls, run your hands through your hair and ignore whatever it is in your throat that you just can't seem to swallow. close the windows in your home and open the windows on your desk, forget all about outer space and lose yourself in cyberspace and click away the moments, the conversations you're not interested in having.

open that word document and stare at it.

wait for the moment. stare at the cursor blinking back at you and study it, try to ignore the bleats of your heart as you check your phone for no missed calls, no new messages, no news worth staining your screen. try to stop your fingers from running a marathon down your thigh.

tell the moment to jump off a cliff.

stack the dishes in the sink and shove the papers off your desk and cut the cord on your internet connection. lose the pleats in your pants. pick up your fingers and put them to work. catch the clock on the wall and put it in your pocket. chain it to your wrist. don't let it go.

don't wait for someone else's moment. write the book ripping a hole in your chest and seize the hours slipping through your fingers because it's now, the moment is now, it's right now it's always been right in front of you.

don't apologize for having a story to tell.

apologize for not telling it.

<3

Thanks Tahereh for letting us post it! Go here to visit her in her own domain. (You won't regret it!)

So, what did you think? Inspired? Fired up? 

What story do you have to tell? And better yet, are you telling it?

BLOCK PARTY!

This week is officially block party week at the Ink Slinger Critique Group Blog! ( go here) We've some fantastic guests lined up. Tell one, tell all! All are welcome to stop, share, and check out other neighbors/bloggers.

Today's guest is Ghenet of Ghenet Writes. 


She is talking about.....

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Trust me, this post is a must read. Check it out here!

Flower Maintenance for Spring! (REPOST)

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Deadheading flowers is a process that removes the flower head and the developing seed pod from a plant in the hope that it will bloom again. (Basically, you remove dead flowers to make new flowers will bloom in their place.) By removing the flower head and seed pod, a plant will put energy into making new blooms instead of making seeds.

Why It Works:

The goal of a plant is to reproduce. Generally, their entire hope of reproduction is held in their flowers because the flowers are an essential part of the seed making process. When you cut off a flower, the plant gets a little worried it won't be able to reproduce so it sends out a couple more flowers and so on until it has satisfied its goal.

Who to Deadhead:

Plants that respond the most to deadheading are annuals like Zinnias, Marigolds, and Daisies. Google any flower and the word, "deadheading," to check for all the varieties in your garden that can benefit from this process. Some plants, like Impatiens and Petunias deadhead themselves.

How to Deadhead:

Use garden shears or just your fingers to snap the flowers from the stems. Try and get as close as possible to the first leaf that comes after the flower head. If you use garden sheers, remember to keep them clean to avoid transferring diseases from pant to plant.

Ready for spring? I know I am! Let me know what you're going to plant this spring.

Titles Reign at Ink Slingers and BLOCK PARTY INVITE!

Hey all! So titles, they will drive you crazy, drive you wild, make your hair fall out, and give you the urge to slit throats. <---just me? 

*cough*

How embarrassing. *blushing like a firetruck*

Titles are super-substantially-importantifical (yes, I did just make up that word, it's 1 am. Give me a break) because they are the first thing the reader is exposed to, aside from the cover in some cases, of a book. A book called, "Dusk" is most likely going to be different than something called, "Willy and the Witch's Brew." It gives a general idea of your story. 

How to come up with a title: No Clue

This is what I do: _________<---big period of time where I wait for it to "come to me"

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What I suggest: Find titles that you like and try to figure out why. Symbolism? Simplicity? Superficiality? (just kinda kidding on that last one. I really just wanted 3 "S" words...like I said, it's late.) Then, mess around with some words, think about what you want the reader to get make a big mess of what your brain is thinking on a whiteboard, chalkboard, wall, or other shiny surface, like a mirror. Play scrabble (but with words) just have fun. You'll be suprised what comes out...like Girl of Words, Boys of Betrayal or even Children of Reptiles. (At least one of those is a future book of mine. Guess which in the comments)

Part 2 of this post is a super awesome and amazing event the Ink Slingers are hosting all week long next week. It's going to be totally fun and really awesome. What is it? 

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We're inviting all of our friends and that means you! YES YOU! Bring your friends, your family, your fellow writers! It's fun for all! 

The best part is we've lined up some fantastical guest bloggers. Check some them out!

SUNDAY: My guest is Lisa (aka The Blonde Blogette) - http://the-blonde-blogette.blogspot.com/. She's a pop-culture/reality TV kinda guru. ~B. Robison

MONDAY: My guest is YA writer Ghenet, of www.GhenetWrites.blogspot.com. Her blog is a must-read for me, and I'm so glad she'll be regaling us with her insights about time management in writing. As someone who continued to write during a period where she was working full-time, planning her wedding AND receiving an MFA, she's an inspiration to us all! ~Emery

TUESDAY: Surprise guest blogger!

WEDNESDAY: My guest is YA and MG writer Holly of www.hollyschindler.blogspot.com. In addition to being the author of the fantastic books A Blue So Dark andPlaying Hurt Holly was the first author whose blog tour Ella and I participated in. Her insights about using blogs to promote newly published books were a real eye opener for me. ~Aaron

THURSDAY: Surprise guest blogger!

FRIDAY: Surprise guest blogger!

So, what about it? Are you going to be at the cyber world's largest BLOCK PARTY!? 

How to be Inspirational: The 10 Step Process

You know those people....those people that just have the magic?
(No, for once I'm not talking about Harry Potter)

They've got this thing...CHARISMA.

It's magic.

I want it.

I think I might be turning green (jealousy)....or maybe my thumb is just stained from greenhouse plant work...hmmm.

I really have no idea on how to be inspirational, but in my time of watching and observing inspirational people these are the things I've noticed:

1. They know everyone. Bill Clinton it is said knew everyone's name. This is probably a lie because I'm pretty sure he has no idea who I am. It probably is true that he could remember a lot of names easily. This makes everyone feel connected to that person. People naturally talk about other people. It's like having their name wired into brains around the world and having those brains extend the network.
2. They are happy. Or...they at least act like they're happy. No one likes a downer.
3. They are tremendous speakers.If this isn't a strength for you, good news, practice makes almost perfect. I have to concede that some is just natural talent.
4. When they speak, they soften their voice at the important parts so you really pay attention. Brilliant.
5. They are open and honest with their experiences. When they speak, they tell true stories from people they know or from their own lives. It begins this connection. You don't see them as a random person talking, you can see their life and what makes them tick. It connects you to them because something also makes you tick, even if that something is completely different. It doesn't matter, it's a connection. 
6. They know when to stop. This one is key. It's the difference between shooting the target and blasting it to smitherines. It's the balance between informing and preaching. 
7. They can make people laugh. This is really varied. I've laughed with inspirational people when things are slapstick funny, gross funny, stupid funny, genuinely funny, sad funny, and not really funny at all. I think this tunes into the next point. 
8. They are their own person. They know who they are as completely as a person can know themselves. They have direction and drive because of this and it gives them  set of confidence. This part in itself is magic. 
9. They respect others and accept that they don't know what exactly another person has gone through. Respect some say is earned, but I don't think that's completely true.  Respect should be given freely until it is deemed undeserved. Everyone (and I really mean everyone) deserves respect because of the simple fact that none of us know exactly what that person has felt or been through during their lifetime. 
10. They genuinely believe in what they are trying to share with others. No one can really inspire people unless they believe passionately, whole-heartily in what they are sharing.  

You might be saying...well, that's great. 

What does this have to do with writing?

If you don't already know, then maybe nothing for you. For me, it means everything. I started writing because I wanted to have someone tell me that the words I wrote made them reflect on their life and the future. I take some of the things I wish had never happened to me and offer them up for judgement through my characters, my plot, and my themes. 

Will I ever be one of those charismatic, inspirational people?

I don't have a clue. All I can do is work towards my goals and continue my path on self discovery. I think that's all any of us can do. 

Are you charismatic? Inspirational? Have something to add? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Blastin' through the Block: HUNTING PICTURES EDITION!!!

It's that time again. The time where I give you my many (and I do mean...MANY) ways of combating writer's block. This week's edition?

HUNTING PICTURES

One of the best things that can give you a spurt of inspiration is a picture. They weren't lying when they said a picture's worth a thousand words....or several thousand in our case. Take a look at the pics below. 

 

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Pretty intense right? They don't even look like they're from this world. There are thousands of other pictures on the web, just do a google search. See what inspires you. 

This is my favorite part: You can type in anything your want.

Try common words and uncommon words; use ideas from your story. You can even type in abstract words like hope, love, happiness, or cruelty. Go. To. Town. Have fun. See what you come up with. I'm sure the results will surprise you. 

Now, take the pictures that have really drawn your eye and think about why that is....is it the flow of the image, the bright colors, the lack of color, the idea behind it? What is it that really "speaks" to you. Think about how you can incorporate this into your book. Does it remind you of a character? A chapter? Or even an unwritten plot line? The pictures you've found is complete...now, you just have to make your WiP that way. That's the real challenge.

So, have you hunted for pictures? Plan to hunt for them? What have you found? Let me know in the comments!

Love is in the Air at Ink Slinger Blog!

I love a good classic romance like pretty much everyone else. (Including my critique partners, go here to check out their thoughts on our group blog.)

Ron and Hermionie = Perfection. 

Harry + Ginny = (there are no words)

Emma + Knightly = LOVE!

Noah + Allie = Breath taking (The Notebook)

Benjamin + Andie = Lovely (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days)

Elizabeth + Will Turner = H.O.T.

Elizabeth + Mr. Darcy = Classic

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They can MAKE the story for me. That said....there are so many books/movies/etc out there with the happy couple ending that sometimes I want the love to be more complex. I want the challenge to be more that getting up the guts to ask that girl/guy out or get over the fact that your parents expect you to marry someone you'll never love. I'm not trying to say those aren't great, because they are. I find myself wanting...more. On those days I dig out the historical fiction books. Namely, anything to do with Elizabeth I of England, aka The Virgin Queen.


Elizabeth's love story is filled with rumors and accusations. That alone makes it fascinating. What I like most about her is she gave up love, among a lot of other things, for the chance to rule her people. I won't go into her history, because I know for some that's boring, but trust me when I say, she's more than the classic love story.

I adore love stories where one of the lovers has to make the ultimate choice: love or the greater good. I rejoice with them when they choose love, but I respect them when they choose the greater good. I think most of us would choose love, but people like Elizabeth couldn't be as carefree as we are. She had a country to lead, nothing she did could be done carelessly or selfishly, not even love. I find that really tragic.Which may be part of my fascination with her. I can't imagine going through the same thing.


If you are interested in Elizabeth's story I could name a million and one books to read, but I think it'd be more useful for you to check out what your local bookstore or library has. You'll be amazed the amount of historical fiction available. (One of the best things, is that these people lived. Sure, the writer may have fudged a little, but it's still fascinating.)

If want the quick version, I have yet to see an Elizabethan movie based on her life that doesn't give an overview of her love life. So go pick up a couple at your local rental. It seems they come up with a new one every couple years.  I just saw ELIZABETH, the Golden Age. It was amazing and held true to most of the history I know.



So what about you? What couples make your heart flutter? Let me know in the comments!

One last note: Don't forget to go congradulate Demitria Lunetta!!! She just got an offer on her manuscript, In the After. Go here to check her out, trust me, you'll be happy you did.

Spring Break??? Austria?

I think he looks comfy. Source

Well, I bet you're wondering what happened to Austria? Let's just say we had a few too many pints....or we had a Rip Van Winkle experience and slept through Thursday's trip to Austria? (Also known as....the internet at home ate my soul and wouldn't let me open up, let alone write, on my blog. So...adios spring break week idea. At least I had three ready to go. We had fun for a while. :)

I also want to thank everyone who commented on our spring break vacation. (again internet problems so I couldn't respond timely) I will be making my blogging rounds today so I can't wait to catch up on what I missed. 

On to today's post. 

I'm following the K.I.S.S. method today. (Keep It Simple Stupid)

I'd love your answers to the following questions:

What is your favorite meal to eat? What makes it special/awesome?

Let me know in the comments! (This is not as random as it seems. It will have a purpose in next week's posts.)

Spring Break Week: IRELAND

1. This is the sight you wake up to from the boat.

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Now that's a view a story can be inspired by. You have coffee on the deck while the boat comes to shore.

Day #3

Ireland

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2. Go do some local shopping. It's always fun and you never know what you're going to find in Ireland. Oh ad this (below) is a place you just can't pass up. It will make you physically sick if you do.

It is awesome. You buy too many not enough books about Celtic history and begin plotting your next bestseller. It's going to be stellar.

3. Hiking time. Look at the views that inspire you. People say there's no place like home...looks like you found home.

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4. Next, we're going to a restaurant with food that looks like this.
Oh, and yes, it does taste as good as it looks. You get the recipe from the chef, because that's just how nice people are in Ireland. (No joke, the recipe link is here) I don't know about you, but my mouth is watering. Let's head to one of the things Ireland is known for....

5. Awesome Irish pubs.
This is ours.

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We have a several couple pints and go on our merry way. Lots of traveling to do tomorrow. (Shhh! We're going to Austria!)

Have you been to Ireland? Was it as amazing as all the pictures I've seen? Are you ready to eat your computer after seeing that stew? I am. Let me know in the comments! 

Spring Break Week: EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

What would be a fantasy world trip during spring break if it didn't include Scotland?
It wouldn't be amazing...it would be sad. London was great, but today is all about Scotland.

Day #2

Welcome to Edinburgh, Scotland.

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Above is the view we're seeing from Scott Monument. Gorgeous, no? It is our stop #1 today. Go us.Though we would never get tired of this view and the intense people/place watching we could get from staying here all day, we have an appointment with someone in ten minutes, so we're storing this in our memory and in our camera until later.

2. Go to a cute little cafe and have Earl Grey tea, because it just tastes better in Europe and a crumpet, because well...you really just like the idea of having a crumpet with tea (it makes you feel all grown up inside). In walks the person you're supposed to meet. Say hi!

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You start chatting it up (and it is surprisingly not awkward at all). She's sharing with you her new stuff and how she can't wait to come visit you back in the states (you begin to think you might need to move out of that dorm room asap).

She asks to see your book and you give it to her. She has mad fast reading skills and reads it through in ten (slightly awkward) minutes. To the left is the face she makes towards the end. She says it is beautiful. (Hey, it's called a fantasy vacation for a reason, right? Might as well dream big, or gargantuan in my case)

3. Tour the rest of the city with J.K. Rowling. Both of you stopping mid-sentence to write some detail down about future novels in notebooks you stash in your purses. She says she's writing a character about you and you tell her that she is awesome and you're going to write more secret references to Harry Potter in your books.

4. Rest of Scotland, though amazing and beautiful, is a fog because...well it's J. K. Rowling and you don't start looking at pretty trees when she's talking to you about your book...or hers for that matter.

5. Say your goodbyes at sunset. Make plans for her visit in 6 months (<--longest 6 months of your life). Get on a train and then a boat. Sleep until tomorrow.

Anyplace you remember we stopped at that I was in a fog about? J.K. saw something awesome to you? Let me know in the comments.

Spring Break Week: LONDON

Hey all! So this week is spring break for me. Instead of posting normal things (<---not sure if I do this on "normal" days either but...) I'm going to post about places I'd like to go. We'll go exploring together.

Day 1

London, England

Things to do:
1. Go to some museums because that's like something you're supposed to do...right?
Let's go to this one.

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Looks nice. Quaint. It's The Sherlock Holmes Museum. Turns out this makes our trip part of our "job" as writers. (I'm thinking tax write off?) Because learning about other books is very important. That is what we're doing at this museum...right? (Or maybe it's just because we want to get a pipe and one of those fun hats...oh! and a magnifying glass. Can't forget one of those.)

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2. Let's just start exploring (note to selves, figure out where we're going to explore. It may not be the best idea to just start walking in a strange area)

Look where we end up! Always wanted to check one of these telephone booths out. Sweet! We are now calling home to brag tell  everyone how awesome London is and how we are officially going to make it out home for the rest of our lives. (We should keep in mind this is only Day 1 of our world trip....we decide to make many homes all over the world.)

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3. Take a tour of the city on a double decked bus. Sit on the top level and take in the sights. It is wonderful.

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4. Live and breath London. Absorb the city so you can create something from your memories. Make it wonderful.

5. Finally, get on a train at King's Cross railway station (and take a pic at Platform 9 3/4 like the one on the right) Head to destination #2.

See ya tomorrow!

Anyone been to London? Any suggestions of places to visit or things to do? Did we stop somewhere I forgot to mention? Let me know in the comments!

My Confession

1. I could not think of a better title for this post than the one above...sad, I know. (To see all Ink Slinger confessions, go here.)

2. Today, I found a little green man on my car in the parking lot. (He is plastic.) I think St. Patrick's Day is coming early this year.

3. I went to an awesome hockey game and now am dying to add something hockey related to some book I eventually write.

4. I really want to be on spring break right now so I don't have to worry about homework or class. Thank heavens it starts at 11a.m. today!!!

5. I have a reoccuring thing in a couple of my dreams. That thing may or...may not be a carrot vending machine.

That is all. What confessions do you need to voice? Let me know in the comments!

Video Day!

Hey, so I decided last night that I'd do a random video day, like pajama day in school (loved those days), but on the blog. Brilliant, yes? Watch one watch them all, it's up to you. Let me know what you think in the comments!

Video #1
Yesterday Jennifer Earp had this video on her blog. It's definitely worth sharing. Go here to read her thoughts on it.

Love it. Pretty much sums up why I want to be a teacher. Have any teachers that really meant something to you? I'd love to hear about it down below. 

Video #2

Ahh, love Disney. Love this song. Thoughts? Do you want adventure in the great wide somewhere? I already signed up.

Video #3

I'm really looking forward to the date this movie comes out. I hope my expectations aren't greater than what the movie is though. Did you like it?

I want your opinion. Yes, you!

Hey, so I've been bouncing around an idea in my head for a couple weeks now and I'm not anywhere closer to figuring it out than I was two weeks ago. So, enter you.  All you have to do is answer the following question in the comments. Easy, right? (not that question) Right.

This blog is mostly about writing and my journey to publication, but I also talk about agriculture from time to time as the need arises (or because I just feel like it). My question is:

Would you like to hear more about agriculture on this blog? 

Like, a weekly or bi-weekly post on something of interest...gardening, production, what's new in agriculture, etc. I'll keep an objective opinion if controversial topics come up.

Bonus question: If yes, anything you'd like to know more about? (Can be specific or general)

Calling all Writers, Readers, and People of the World

Have you ever had that moment where you feel like something has to be done? A moment of enlightenment that says, hey I can't do much, but I'll do what I can? I had one of those last night and I want to share it with you.

I've been blessed to have good health for my entire life. No broken bones. No stitches. No real sickness or disease scares. I've had my share of childhood mishaps, but nothing has really threatened my life. I feel truly blessed for that.

I don't think anyone can really appreciate anything until it is gone. Think about the first best friend you ever had. Are you still close friends with them? Do you still share all those secrets with the same person? I don't. Somewhere along the line things changed. We changed. I mourned for our loss of friendship. Until I lost a friend, felt betrayed by a friend, loved a friend;  I never really knew what they meant to me. What having that kind of bond could mean to me. Knowing what it really means changed everything. It changed my life.

It's the same thing with good health. Those of us blessed with good health, even decent health, have no clue what it is to go through what others do who aren't as lucky as us. Really luck and chance are the only differences.

You might be wondering where I'm going with this.

Aaron, one of my critique partners in the Ink Slinger's Critique group, send an email last night asking the group to help someone she knows.

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Hannah is a fifteen year old girl in California, who is waiting for a heart transplant at the Ronald McDonald house. There's one thing she'd like to do while she waits, read letters. The thing is, she hasn't gotten that many. This is where I'm asking for your help. A lot of the people who read this are writers. I'm asking you to use your craft. Write Hannah a letter. Some of you are readers. Write to Hannah what you'd want to read. Some of you are people who don't read or write more than the average person. I'm asking you to open an email and write.

It could be that you don't have a clue what to write. That's alright. I don't have a clue what I'm going to as I write this post. What do you say to someone you don't know? Think about it. Reflect on it. Pray about it (if that's something that will help you). Inspiration will come. Then, write. Send your letter to thebloggergirlz@gmail.com. No postage necessary, Aaron will take care of the rest.


Want to do more? Check out the links below. Some need funding, others volunteers, and some...well, organs.   Think about how blessed you are and ask yourself if you can't do something. It doesn't have to be big or complicated. It can be as simple as a letter, dropping your change at the donation tub at McDonald's, or volunteering at a local Ronald McDonald House. If I've learned anything, it's that I may not understand what someone else is going through, but that doesn't mean I can't do something about it. A lot of the time we get stuck in the thought that we are too small to make a difference, my challenge to that is: if not me, then who?

Ronald McDonald House
OrganDonor.gov
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Make-A-Wish Foundation