Love Letters to Forever

2.11.10 Teaser Tuesday

Posted by Raven M on 6:50 AM in

It's been a long time since I've did one of these.

So as I mentioned before, I'm participating in NaNoWriMo. This will be my third year, and hopefully my third year winning.

I got a late start because just like last year, I was unprepared, and I kept switching projects.

To make a long story short, instead of the post-apocalyptic romance, I'm working on the rewrite of my YA Contemp novel. So much for taking risks, huh?

I don't have a lot done, but here's the beginning.

"Let's do it," Cord said, pulling off his shirt. His tan muscles gleamed in the pale moonlight, and the cool summer breeze that rose up from the river made each strand of his hair dance in front of his faraway eyes.

Liv tugged at the bottom of my shirt.

"Come on, Kenny," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

I shook my head. Getting naked in front of a crowd of people who I barely knew was definitely not my thing. It wasn't Liv's either. But whenever she got drunk, which was every time she threw a party, she turned into a completely different person.

9.10.10 I'M GOING TO CHICAGO!

Posted by Raven M on 11:47 AM in

Okay, I'll admit, it's more of an "educational" trip than a vacation, but still...it's CHICAGO.

I don't know much about the city, but I'm having fun looking at all the pictures of the skyline and the buildings and I think the one I chose to use in this post is extremely gorgeous.

*squeals*

I'm not looking forward to the bus ride down there, but I think once I actually get to the city, once I breathe in the windy air, and look at all the skyscrapers, and take in all the people, I'll explode.

I am only going to be there for two days, which in my opinion, is not enough time to explore. But hopefully, I'll get to take some cool pictures, and maybe a get a spark of inspiration from the change of scenery because I am desperately in need of a change of scenery.

I don't know if anyone got a chance to read my rant about school I posted last month, but just to sum everything up, my school is closing next year.

My senior year.

I can't even begin to explain how much it hurts to have to graduate from another school, but basically the school that the kids from my school have to go to is going to be a single gender school.

It's a big building so they're putting two separate schools in there. One is going to be an all girl's school, the other is going to be an all boy's school.

I am an ambassador for my school, along with sixteen other girls, which means we get to travel to different cities Chicago being the first, with single gender schools.

The school we plan on visiting is the Young Women's Leadership Charter School.

I'm not really for all-girl schools because for one, some teenage girls are annoying, and having guys around helps balance out the annoying, snobby girl ratio. *ahem* I know since I'm a girl I should be for an all-girl school, but truthfully I just like boys too much, and spending the whole day with girls would kill me. You hear me. KILL ME.

Anyways, that's the reason why I'm going.

But we do get ONE DAY to look around the city.

Not only that, but once we get back home, we don't have to go to school if we don't want to. We get passes to stay home, and... OMG this is going to be awesome.

SO SO AWESOME.

Chicago, here I come.

6.10.10 RTW: My little paradise...

Posted by Raven M on 4:49 PM in

Road Trip Wednesday is a meme that was started by the lovely ladies over at YA HIGHWAY. Every Wednesday they present a question, and invite bloggers to answer this question on their respective blogs.

Today's Topic

You're packing for a month on a deserted island. What, as a reader and writer, must be in your backpack?

I have been camping in the middle of nowhere. I have been to a "beach" in Florida. I'm really a city girl, but if by chance I should ever get to visit a deserted island for a month.

I would bring:

A notebook (or two, or three, or four)
My iPod
Some books (If I can't fit all of the ones I want to take with me in my bookbag, then I'll just carry them in my arms. I don't mind.)
Food to last me a month
Water
A portable tent
A blanket (just in case there's a breeze)
Really awesome sunglasses
A pack of sparkly pink pens with the feathers on the top.
A camera so I can take pictures of anything amazing I see. I mean, you never know. Hot mermen could really exist.

So, yeah, as a writer, a deserted island would be my ideal getaway. I like peace and quiet when I write. Correction - the only thing I like to hear when I'm writing is my music. If someone is talking to me, or standing over me, I can't really concentrate.

Last but not least, I would take all of my writer-buddies over at AW. I know they can't all fit in my bookbag, but...there's no harm in trying right?

27.9.10 Teaser Tuesday

Posted by Raven M on 5:37 PM in

As of now, this is the beginning of my novel Lost & Found.

I could taste the night on my tongue. The acrid smoke, as fire licked at pieces of wood. The bittersweet scent of beer, as it was passed from mouth to mouth.
This was the usual flavor of Olivia Chang's parties.
She only threw them when her parents weren't around, and lately they have been going on a lot of business trips, so once their cars pull out of the driveway, she dials a few numbers, and in less than an hour, music, booze, and bonfires fill her backyard along with a lot of people from school whose names I don't even really know or care to know.
The dock is the only place where people aren't smoking, drinking, dancing, doing whatever, so I step off of the porch, and make my way over to the lonely wooden slab.
Before all of the drinking and the partying, Liv's place used to be my getaway. Out here, surrounded by the mountains and the open sky, I felt like I was in another world, one that was so much more beautiful, so much unlike my own.
There weren't any plates being launched at my head, no drunken insults, no beer bottles, no cigarette butts, no pervy men who liked to stare at my chest. It was just me and Liv and sometimes Cord, who over the past three years, has traded in his bifocal glasses for contacts and a sex-drive bigger than Texas.
It's colder near the lake. I pull my sweater closed, and stand there looking out into the sky, at the white-gold peaks of the mountain range. They look close enough for me to touch, but you could walk for miles and miles and still not reach them.
Who knew a small town could feel so big?
The legs of the dock wobble, as I sit down, and dangle my legs over the side. I can feel the water licking at my toes. It's cold and wet and for a moment, I wish that it would pull me under, let me sink down to the bottom where kisses were stolen, and childhood trinkets were lost.

What do you think?

18.9.10 Why I think adults should just shut the BLEEP up...

Posted by Raven M on 5:22 PM in

I read a book where the main character had sex with a guy she really really liked, and because this main character had sex, I'm going to go have sex with the guy I really really like.

The word "fuck" was mentioned in said book like a gagillion times, so now I use it, and I even know what it means because of this book.

To tell you the truth, I shouldn't know about these types of things because I'm only sixteen and the only things I should be reading are school books and Bibles.

Young Adult novels, especially ones that drop the f-bomb should be censored and sex should be something so taboo that no one should talk about it, no one should HAVE it, even though we all are the products of SEX.

Yes, that three letter word is the one word one man has a serious problem with.

Before I link you to one of the most absurd articles I have read in a long time, let me tell you a little something about the world.

IT'S NOT THE SAME AS IT WAS YEARS AND YEARS AGO.

Teens have evolved, and even though some of us do drugs, disobey our parents, and have unprotected sex, at least we aren't as CLUELESS as the teenagers back then.

I hate how adults want to criticize today's youth, when they forget where these sex-crazed, devils came from. YES, they came from YOU.

Don't try to point the finger at Young Adult authors just because they are writing about LIFE and what really goes on because YOU as adults are afraid of letting your children know about what's going on around them.

Just because I read a book about a girl having sex with a guy doesn't mean I'm going to go out and do it myself because I know about sex, and I know about all of the dangers of having unprotected sex.

I KNOW.

Parents, teachers, all of you adults out there, let me tell it to you straight.

We aren't going to be teenagers forever.

You're not going to be able to dictate what we know and what we don't know forever.

Now, I wouldn't condone letting a seven year old watch The Clockwork Orange, but know that one day that seven year old is going to watch it (because I watched it when I was fourteen) whether you like it or not.

You can stop them from watching TV, but then when they go to school, they're going to learn about sex and rape and abuse and pick up a few curse words, if not from what they read, then from what the other kids say, because not all parents are uptight and overprotective like you are.

Now, if you're reading this, you might ask what started this whole rant.

I follow Sarah Ockler on twitter, and I happened across her tweet where she posted a link to this absurd article I was talking about: Scroggins: Filthy books demeaning to Republic education

"For example, my review of the eighth-grade sex education curriculum revealed that children at the middle school are being introduced to concepts such as homosexuality, oral sex, anal sex and specific instructions on how to use a condom and have sex. Sex education curriculum in the fourth grade includes topics on reproduction. Is this what parents and taxpayers in this community want their children exposed to in school?"

Why not have kids exposed to sex in a learning environment?

I had Sex Education when I was in eighth grade, when I was in tenth grade, and I'm taking another Sex Ed class now in my junior year of high school.

Just because I know about sex and condoms doesn't mean I'm going out and having sex. But it's nice to know that when I do have sex for the first time I know a little more than my mom told me about, which isn't a bad thing.

Then this man had the nerve, the audacity, to mention Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. I read that book in ninth grade. It was apart of the curriculum in English, and I'll admit that at first I didn't like it, because who likes assigned reading? But later on in the year, I read it on my own, and I began to like the book, and feel for the main character who was RAPED.

Rape happens in today's world, unfortunately. It's not going STOP happening just because Speak and other books like it are banned from English classes or school libraries.

Many people could relate to Anderson's novel, and that's one of the things I love about Young Adult novels. People, no matter who they are, can relate to them.

"The cheer squad also gets their group-rate abortions at prom time. As the main character in the book is alone with a boy who is touching her female parts..."

OH FOR THE LOVE OF PETE.

FEMALE PARTS?

WTF?

It's called a "vagina". Seriously, I should know, I actually have one and if this guy can't even use the word "vagina" then he seriously has problems.

HUGE problems.

Maybe he never had a girlfriend or maybe he never had sex. He's probably just some lonely lonely man who is afraid of girls and their "female parts".

PUH-LEASE.

"In this book, drunken teens also end up on the beach, where they use their condoms to have sex."

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THEM USING CONDOMS?

Twenty Boy Summer and Speak are excellent novels and I don't think this man read either of them. He probably just skimmed because Twenty Boy Summer isn't about sex and condoms. It's about a girl and her best friend grieving over a boy they both loved, in different ways.

And if he has a problem with that, then you know what, forget him.

He and all the other people like him need to shut the BLEEP up because I'm a teenager and I'm going to read whatever the BLEEP I want.

You can BLEEP out all of the "inappropriate" stuff but it only goes to show that YOU'RE uncomfortable, and not me.

Step into the 21st century.

16.9.10 Battle of the Betas

Posted by Raven M on 1:12 PM in

Hey guys! Today on the blog I am beta reading Alicia Gregoire's first page of her urban fantasy, Phoenix Rising for Battle of the Betas an event where eight readers, me included, read one page of someone's WIP and give an honest critique.

This is only the second round, but I'm really excited to apart of this, and I hope my critique is helpful to Alicia.

Here is the original page:

20 Years Ago

Ianos studied the chimera pride that roamed the foothills outside Timmons for months in search of the runt. With a pair of large males and several females, it took him longer than he wanted, but once discovered, he kept his eye on it. In a final attempt of self-preservation, they abandoned it weeks ago. Each day it grew weaker, languishing without the companionship of the pride. On the fourteenth day, Ianos executed his oh so easy plan.
Armed with nothing other than his knowledge of spells, he made his final trek to the foothills. He was much closer than he’d been in his previous visits to the chimera grounds and never seen anything like the beast before. It lay in the sun, with only one head awake, but not alert. The lion head mewled, mourning its fate. Its paper lantern thin wings stretched on the ground while the dragon and goat heads slept.
It was awing.
The lion head despondently watched Ianos’ approach but roared to awaken the other two heads when Ianos crossed some unknown border. The beast rose to its full height, stretched its wings wide, and bellowed—all three heads created a cacophony of rage.
Ianos snarled and crouched, ready to strike. Electricity spurted from his palms towards the chimera. It dodged at the last second and ran head-on towards the sorcerer. He ran into a cave to his right; he’d have better luck surviving the fight if he was able to corner the animal. The beast skidded, turned, and charged again. Ianos leapt onto its back. He held tightly onto the lion’s neck scruff and struggled to pull a lasso out of his jeans.

My notes are in purple:

Ianos studied the chimera pride that roamed the foothills outside Timmons for months in search of the runt.

To be honest, this first sentence didn't really reel me in. For one, it was too wordy. This was one of the sentences in your excerpt that had my tongue tied. So, I would suggest breaking this up into two sentences just so that it flows a little better, and the reader doesn't get confused.

I'll admit that I didn't know what a chimera was, until I Googled it. A chimera is, according to Wikipedia a "monstrous fire-breathing creature", which is really cool because this comes from Gerek mythology and I can already sense that your urban fantasy will be different from all of the others out there.

With a pair of large males and several females, it took him longer than he wanted, but once discovered, he kept his eye on it.

This sentence could be a bit more clear. I don't like that you're using "it" because I'm assuming that you're talking about this "runt" but I'm not really sure. So far, I can't see the scene in my head, and I don't know anything about Ianos, except that he's been studying in Timmons for months.

I have read a lot of books, and I have found that most novels written in first person rely on voice to hook the reader, whereas books written in third person rely on setting and style to hook the reader. But I haven't gotten a taste of the setting yet. I know that Ianos is in Timmons, but I want to see this place. What's it like?

The most important advice I will give you is to set the stage right off the bat, using a lot of imagery, and a mixture of short and long sentences, otherwise you'll lose your reader.

In a final attempt of self-preservation, they abandoned it weeks ago. Each day it grew weaker, languishing without the companionship of the pride.

Again with the word "it".

On the fourteenth day, Ianos executed his oh so easy plan.

I'm not sure what his "oh so easy plan" is, so I'm going to read on to find out.

Armed with nothing other than his knowledge of spells, he made his final trek to the foothills.

My first impression of Ianos was that he was some sort of scientist or adventurer, but then I read "other than his knowledge of spells" and started to wonder what and who exactly is Ianos. You don't really establish that in the beginning, and I think that it's really important that you do, because I assume Ianos is an important character.

He was much closer than he’d been in his previous visits to the chimera grounds and never seen anything like the beast before. It lay in the sun, with only one head awake, but not alert. The lion head mewled, mourning its fate. Its paper lantern thin wings stretched on the ground while the dragon and goat heads slept.

This is your cue. Describe the beasts a little more, I get that they have three heads, and that their wings are "paper lantern thin" but is there anything else you can tell us about them. What color are they? Is one of them breathing fire? If so, describe the fire. Like I said, third person relies on the setting and the descriptions. You have a lot of opportunities to weave in imagery and make it a little more "colorful".

It was awing.

Hmm. Maybe you can reword this sentence. I would say something like "The sight of the chimeras made their mouths fall open in awe." Or something to that effect, because I don't see how something can be "awing" it can be "awe-inspiring" but not awing.

The lion head despondently watched Ianos’ approach but roared to awaken the other two heads when Ianos crossed some unknown border. The beast rose to its full height, stretched its wings wide, and bellowed—all three heads created a cacophony of rage.
Ianos snarled and crouched, ready to strike. Electricity spurted from his palms towards the chimera. It dodged at the last second and ran head-on towards the sorcerer. He ran into a cave to his right; he’d have better luck surviving the fight if he was able to corner the animal. The beast skidded, turned, and charged again. Ianos leapt onto its back. He held tightly onto the lion’s neck scruff and struggled to pull a lasso out of his jeans.

WOW... so a lot is going on here. Let's break this down:

The lion head despondently watched Ianos’ approach but roared to awaken the other two heads when Ianos crossed some unknown border.

Again, you have so many opportunities to use imagery to your advantage. This is urban fantasy, imagery is a great asset to this genre, so instead of telling us that the "lion head despondently watched Ianos approach..." show us.

The beast rose to its full height, stretched its wings wide, and bellowed—all three heads created a cacophony of rage.

I'm not sure a "cacophony of rage" is the right choice of words. This is a creature with three heads, we're talking about. What exactly does a "cacophony of rage" coming from them sound like?

Ianos snarled and crouched, ready to strike. Electricity spurted from his palms towards the chimera.

Okay, who in the world is this Ianos guy? He really does have a lot of surprises up his sleeves. I mean, he has a "knowledge of spells" and now he's getting ready to take on a creature who is possibly bigger than him with ELECTRICITY SPURTING FROM HIS PALMS?

Again, who is Ianos?

It dodged at the last second and ran head-on towards the sorcerer.

OKAY...so Ianos is a sorcerer.

He ran into a cave to his right; he’d have better luck surviving the fight if he was able to corner the animal.

It feels like this cave just magically appeared. Where are they exactly? I mean, I know that this is Timmons, but what's it like? I know it's in the mountains, but there are caves....hmm. I can't really picture it in my head.

The beast skidded, turned, and charged again. Ianos leapt onto its back. He held tightly onto the lion’s neck scruff and struggled to pull a lasso out of his jeans.

Okay, Ianos is wearing jeans and he has a lasso. I know that this is urban fantasy, so I am assuming that this story takes place in the modern times, but in the beginning it had this other-worldly feel to it. Like, I thought this took place back in Ancient Greek, and I would honestly be surprised if this actually takes place in, let's say, present-day New York.

I know I already rambled on for a long time, but I just want to give you a quick overview of all of my notes.

1. Use a mixture of short and long sentences. When writing in third person, one thing you want to focus on, is the flow of your sentences. You don't want them to be too wordy, or too vague.

2. Imagery. It's vital. Make sure you weave enough of it into the story to keep your reader intrigued and to hold their attention.

3. Establish your main character. I didn't really know who Ianos was ( I still don't) but it wasn't until later on that I discovered that he was a sorcerer. I would mention that a little earlier, and then work from there.

4. The uses of "they" and "it" made everything impossibly confusing. You want to make sure that you're clear, and be more specific, especially since you're writing in third person.

Thanks for contributing your first page Alicia! I really hope that this wasn't a bunch of nonsense, and that I actually did help out. This is a good skeleton, and I think that with a little more skin and flesh, this could be an amazing first page.

Here is the list of the other betas:

Kate Hart
Meredith Primeau
Windy Aphayrath
Sarah Enni
Corrine Jackson

8.9.10 Lost & Found - book trailer

Posted by Raven M on 7:37 PM in

I was playing around on this website called Animoto, and I found out that they're giving away free codes to make full-length videos, that you usually have to pay for. So I decided to use my code to make a book trailer for my novel, Lost & Found.

I still have to tweak a few things, but how is it for my first trailer?

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

What's in your Duff kit?

Posted by Raven M on 2:01 PM in

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the lovely ladies over at YA Highway.

This week's question: What's in your DUFF kit?

Super amazing author Kody Keplinger's book The Duff was released yesterday and if you haven't got your copy yet, I suggest you leave my blog now and go to your nearest book store, because it's definitely worth reading.

To celebrate the release of such a fab novel, for today's Road Trip Wednesday we're going to put together our own Duff kits.

I LOVE Emilia's definition.

DUFF Kit n. A collection of fun, comfy items to be used during a relaxing night alone or with friends; this collection entails zero pressure to be the prettiest, smartest or funniest person in the room. I was feeling like a disgrace to Earth, but then I broke out my DUFF kit, and it was AWESOME. (Yay!)

Okay, so here's mine:

1. OMG. Who doesn't like a nice vanilla bean frappucino with a shot of mocha on a nice hot day or any day....

I want to live in Starbuck's. That is seriously like a writer's paradise. I don't care how many carbs are in a frappucino. They're good, and I love them so that is that.

2. Shoes? Those are so overrated.

I am seriously not a fan of shoes. Not that I don't wear them because duh I have to, but I'll have to say that socks by themselves are way more comfortable than any shoe. Especially when it's like super hot outside. But, I do love a nice pair of bunny slippers.
(See, that dog knows what I'm talking about.)

3. Johnny Depp is just...there are no words

I used to dream of marrying this man. I know he's like thirty years older than me, but I LOVE him. He's an amazing actor, possibly one of the best male actors out there, hands down. Who cares about Taylor Lautner and Zac Efron? Hmm...I can't possibly pick a favorite out of the many JD movies I've seen, but I have to say that I really really like the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Chocolat, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Sleepy Hollow, and Edward Scissorhands.

4. Entenmann's Devils Food Donuts

These are the kind of donuts you would sell your soul for, seriously. When I have an unbelievably horrible day, I just eat two of these and all my worries are washed away with every sweet, chocolatey bite. I don't even care that it's ridiculously high in calories. Chocolate = A girl's best friend. Unless, you're the kind of girl who freaks out if you eat any carbs.

5. Pajama pants & T-Shirt

This is my ideal comfortable outfit. Even though I like to wear jewelry and fitted tees and fashionable outfits, I really veg out in pajama pants and a T-shirt when I get home.

So that's my Duff kit. What's yours?

7.9.10 Two For Tuesday

Posted by Raven M on 2:18 PM in

What is it? Post two of anything: book reviews, pictures, quotes, poems, songs, videos, rants, shout outs, whatever floats your boat. Just connect them somehow. That's it. (via Kate)

Today: I decided that I am going to participate in NaNoWriMo. This will be my third year doing it, which is pretty exciting. Lost & Found started off as a nano-project, and so I hope that this one will turn into something more because I really like the idea.

It's going to be a YA retelling of Hansel and Gretel. I'm thinking of calling it BREAD CRUMBS for now. So...the two things I'm going to share with you today have to do with this new project, that I am going to start outlining very soon.

I am slowly falling in love with Death Cab For Cutie, and once I heard this song I knew that it had to be on the BREAD CRUMBS soundtrack.

Don't you just love love LOVE this picture? I *squealed* when I happened across it. This will definitely be a scene in the book.

2.9.10 There are no words...

Posted by Raven M on 2:37 PM in

Today was my first day back to school.

I walked out of the house with a smile on my face, even though I missed lazing about at home, I was eager to see my friends, and eager to start off my junior year. Because, guys, I'm OFFICIALLY A JUNIOR.

But, to give you guys a little background, I go to an inner-city school. Which, if you're not familiar with the term, means that I go to a school where there are security guards and metal detectors and drugs and fights and because of this, it's not really an ideal school, but it is a school nonetheless.

I believe in many things, but I strongly believe in education. Sure I may whine about having a butt-load of homework. Sure I may whine about how I hate getting up in the morning, but that doesn't mean that I hate school in general.

I love school and because I believe in education, I also believe that even the worst of schools deserve a chance.

High school is your last chance. After that, it's time to face the music. That's what everyone is always telling me, other young people my age. It's a universal law: knowledge is power, and then I think about the many countries out there whose kids don't have a chance at receiving an education, I think about how blessed I am for being born in one of the greatest nation's in the world. Even though we have had our ups and downs, America is supposed to be the land of the free. It's supposed to be the land of opportunities and possibilities and then there is the American Dream:

The meaning of the "American Dream" has changed over the course of history. While historically traced to the New World mystique — especially the availability of low-cost land for farm ownership — the ethos today simply indicates the ability, through participation in the society and economy, for everyone to achieve prosperity. According to the dream, this includes the opportunity for one's children to grow up and receive a good education and career without artificial barriers. (Wikipedia)

So, yeah, even the American Dream requires for every child to receive a good education and a career, but let's face it, you can't land a good job, if you don't make those four years in high school count, and get accepted into a good college.

You must be thinking "What's the point of all this?" Well, let me finish telling you about my day.

I was so happy to finally be rid of my 10th grade status that I literally skipped to school, but once I actually stepped inside, my smile turned into a frown, and then from there, I started to get angrier and angrier.

Why?

Half of my school is off limits. This is not essentially why I was angry, but it's part of it. There are walls and padlocked doors to keep us from getting to the other side, and once I saw them, reality set in.

They are closing my school, guys.

I have sent letters to the superintendent, a lot of people in my school did. I have spoken to the local paper, but the article was never written. I have ranted and raved and parents of my fellow students have been in the news, talking about how this is not right.

Because it isn't right. There are a lot of people who disagree with me, but a lot of these people are American and they claim to believe in education and this so called American Dream, that clearly states that every child is eligible to receive a GOOD education.

But, how are children supposed to learn when they are closing schools down?

In my hometown, the city is divided up into four categories: the West End, the East End, the Northside and the Southside. I live in the East End, and you want to know something?

After they close down my school, there is going to be only one high school in my area.

Do you want to know what they want to do to my school once they close it? Well, they want to put another school in there, one that I couldn't even get into even if I wanted to, because there's a waiting list that started years ago, and these kids who will roam of the halls of my school, the one I have been at for almost three years, have parents who are rich, and they are not inner-city kids.

And do you know what else sucks? We don't even get a choose what school we want to go too.

It's either the one school that's left on the East End or another, which is on the other side of town. They say they will pay for transportation but...do you know what's so freaking funny about this whole thing?

The reason why they are using our school for this new school, is because the drop-out rate is high in my school and they think the building should be used for people who want to learn.

There are about 300-400 students attending my school, which is the norm for a lot of the schools in my area, or was, I should say, because they recently sold another high school building to a hospital, because the hospital needed more office space.

I SWEAR TO GOODNESS. It's like...this town doesn't even care about education. They are spending money building new hotels, and new gyms and new this, and new that when they can't put a penny into our education...which really pisses me off, and I don't want to just sit here and take it.

I won't, but what the hell can I do? I've tried to talk to the Superintendent but he doesn't give two shits about anything, nor does he know anything about anything. He's making these blind decisions, when he doesn't really know why the kids in my school are doing poorly, and it's not everyone...it's just a chunk of the student body, and that holds true in any school, no matter who attends it, inner-city or rich kids.

I'm a straight A student. I was one way before I went to middle school, and there are lot of kids at me at my school, but the school board doesn't want to see that, they just want to kick us out of our school...and it hurts so much, because I've come to like my school. I love the teachers, even though the students get on my nerves some times, I've had some great memories there, and to know that they're going to be washed away....I just...

And I'm not even going to have a prom. They're closing the school after the end of next year, and I graduate in 2012, which means I have ONE more year of high school left...but I don't even get to spend it with my friends, I have to go to a new school, one that is located in a bad area and bad is seriously an understatement.

People get shot just by walking down the street, in that neighborhood and they want to send us there?

And you know what the funny thing about that is? The school board knows that. That is why they wouldn't dare send those rich, non inner-city kids to that school. It's a bad neighborhood and they wouldn't want any of them getting shot up...but when it comes to us....who cares?

I'm sorry if this was just a whole bunch of ranting, but I had to let off some steam.

31.8.10 Two For Tuesday

Posted by Raven M on 7:50 AM in

What is it? Post two of anything: book reviews, pictures, quotes, poems, songs, videos, rants, shout outs, whatever floats your boat. Just connect them somehow. That's it. (via Kate)

Today: I'm five pages into the rewrite of Lost & Found. Yesterday, I decided that I needed to stop doubting myself and actually start writing, so that's exactly what I did. So to celebrate that here's two songs from the soundtrack for my novel.

When I first heard this song I literally squealed because it fits the plot and the title SO perfectly.

I just recently discovered Pixie Lott. OMG. Isn't her voice amazing? I am also a huge fan of Kings of Leon, and when I heard this...wow. But, yeah, I think her version of the song fits the book.

So there you go.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

27.8.10 Friday Five

Posted by Raven M on 10:19 AM in

1. I bought Florence + The Machine's CD Lungs and I can't stop playing it because every song is so unique, and different and I think the longer I listen to it, the more inspired I become.

2. I'm reading Mockingjay right now and I have the choice of rushing through it and finding out how the hell this AMAZING series is going to end, or I could savor it for just a little while longer. The second choice is exactly what I'm doing now because I don't want it to end. I loved reading about Katniss and the Hunger Games, and I'm going to miss the characters and even though I have to constantly fight the urge to read the last page, I'm not going to do it.

3. I decided that I'm actually going to start plotting/outlining the rewrite of Lost & Found because right now I am at a dead end, and I don't want to give up on this project because I love the characters and the plot too much. So, the next time I go to the store, I'm going to get me a new notebook, decorate the cover, and buy some notecards so that I can start planning out the chapters. I don't know if this will work or not, but there's no harm in trying, right?

4. I would like to start doing VLOGS. I have a digital camera, and though I don't really know how to use it (because the instructions are confusing) I'm sure I'll figure it out sooner or later. I did actually figure out how to use the video feature on the camera, but I don't know how to set it so that it's longer than a minute *scratches head*

Hehe, and you can hardly hear me but I'm saying "Hi, my name is Raven...." And then smiling like an idiot.

5. Lastly, I started working on an idea that I found in my pile of SNIs. You can read more about it under my BOOKS page but it's called Blood Red Lipstick On Your Collar and that is seriously like the longest title I have ever thought of and though I declared that I write YA Contemporary, I couldn't help myself! I needed a story with ghost and demons and other dark creatures of the night. Sometimes, it's good to take a break from reality. *nods* Tis true.

So, what's going on with you guys?

24.8.10 Teaser Tuesday (Right, like anyone will actually read this.)

Posted by Raven M on 9:40 AM in

I know everyone is either on their way out to buy Mockingjay, getting ready to go get Mockingjay, or are reading Mockingjay. So, you might not have time to read my tease, but it is Tuesday, so here you go.

I haven't been working on any of WIPs. I just figured I need a break from them for a couple of days, and I started writing a short story. It was inspired by the song Heavy In Your Arms by Florence + The Machine and I really like it.

It's only a first draft so....

In the last rays of sunlight, she could see a boy standing underneath a tree, something was watching him, it's bright bright eyes shone in the coming darkness, and Marie wanted to scream, she wanted to tell the boy to run, but before she could open her lips, the creature that had been lurking in the shadows, stepped into the light, revealing every sharp fang that glittered in his mouth.
Marie clutched the cross that hung from her neck, and cried silently out to a god, she wasn't sure existed in a land where creatures came in the night, stealing children from their mothers, leaving bloody pawprints in their wake.
The boy, with his dark hair, his ashen skin, his slits for eyes, opened his mouth, to speak, but nothing came out. This creature, this wolf sat back, and howled at the approaching moon, and then it's golden eyes rest on the boy, who was slowly inching towards the animal.
"Stop!" Marie screamed, her voice sounding new to her ears, like she had stolen it from someone braver, someone stronger than her. "Stop!"
But the boy didn't stop. He just turned his head every-so-slightly and gave her a look that she will never forget, a look that was as gold as the one of the wolve's. His lips formed around words that she couldn't hear, and before she could ask him what he was saying, the boy was snatched away, into the darkness, and that's when she heard it.
The growling, the snarling, the closing of death all around her. They were hungry, so hungry. Their jaws snapped, their fangs reached out towards her, thirsting for a taste of her blood, wanting to feel her beating heart, stop beating, as her flesh passed through their lips.
Still clutching her cross, she prayed to God, hoping that he existed in this strange land, and then her life ended.
Or so she had thought.
The Sandman was standing before her when she pulled out of her memory. She looked up at him with pleading eyes, knowing that a man like him didn't have feelings, or even a heart to feel.
"I would like to ask one thing of you before I die," Marie breathed.
"What?" he asked, and this time his voice wasn't rough or sickly sweet, it was just one syllable, one lonely sound that trembled in her ears.
"Let me die having a good dream." Tears started to fall down her cheeks once more. Heavy. So heavy. "Don't let the wolves take me."

20.8.10 Character Interview: Lowell Fitzgerald

Posted by Raven M on 7:14 AM in

I wasn't going to blog today. I just wrote a query (my first one EVER) for an idea that I haven't even started yet, which might change soon because it's a really sexy, scandalous story with a little bit of mystery thrown into the mix.

But then my characters started screaming at me.

It really is hard when a lot of people are screaming at you. Inside of your head. So, last night, I started yelling back at them. Telling them that if they were a bit more cooperative maybe just MAYBE I could tell their story, and then everyone would be happy.

Then I threw in a few tears, just so they would feel bad for making me cry.

Next thing I know, Low, comes up to me, gives me a hug, and starts rambling on about how he thinks character interviews would help me get into the story, so to speak.

I'm always up for trying new things, so I agreed, and here we are:

Low: You're

not going to cry on me again today, are you?

Me: No. *blushes* I'm sorry about your shirt.

Low: *shrugs* You could just write me another one.

Me: Okay so... Low, for my readers who might not know who you are, could you tell them a little about yourself?

Low: No problem. Well, I grew up in New York City with a big crazy Irish family. My grandfather was a musician, and when I was younger, he would pull me onto his lap, and sing songs to me. I didn't think playing an instrument and singing was very boyish, so I really never took an interest to it, until after my grandfather died. *looks down*

Me: I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather. But is that the reason why you sing and write songs now? To keep his memory alive.

Low: Partly, yeah. I really took up playing the guitar to get on Kip's nerve. He used to say I wasn't good at playing, and would leave the room whenever I took Gwendolyn out.

Me: *giggle snorts* Gwendolyn?

Low: Yep, that's my baby. In fact, I have her with me today.

Me: Maybe you can play a song later. So, are you and Kip close?

Low: Not really, but our relationship has always been strange. Brothers are supposed to have each other's back, but growing up, Kip and I always fought. All fists, no words. He was bigger than me, so I always got beat up...but yeah, it's always been awkward between me and my brother.

Me: Did you know that Kip was bipolar?

Low: My parents never talked to me about Kip's condition. It was a hush, hush thing in my household. But I always knew that something was wrong with him. Just didn't think he was bipolar.

Me: Were you afraid of him?

Low: Not in the sense that everyone thinks. My father, when he was still around, taught me not to fear anyone who used their fist to settle problems. *smirks* So, basically he was telling me not to fear him. That bastard....but no. I didn't. I just pitied him, and my pity for my brother, was what scared me the most.

Me: Your father beat physically abused your mother?

Low: Oh yeah. When I was five, I had to call 911 because my dad was going through one of his episodes, and.... I don't really want to talk about. Sorry.

Me: No, it's okay. I don't want to talk about anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Low: *smiles softly* I have a question for you.

Me: Fire away.

Low: How did you even come up with me?

Me: Well, you just appeared in my head one day, almost a year ago, and I knew that I needed to give you a story. You are probably one of the most interesting characters I have ever met.

Low: You're just saying that.

Me: I'm not. I'm really not...those songs that you write. Wow. I find myself singing them from time to time.

Low: You act like I write them all by myself. You're the genius behind all of the lyrics. You ever think about doing it professionally?

Me: I think about doing a lot of things professionally, but dreams aren't about thoughts, they are about actions.

Low: I could understand that. Back in New York, before my mom moved us all the way out to Thomas, I used to play at this cafe for a couple bucks. Could have kept doing it, but then I...stopped.

Me: Why?

Low: Because I didn't want music to become all about money and fame. That's where people lose their minds. I sing and play the guitar for my grandfather. Not because I want get a record deal, and make millions.

Me: *shakes head* I really can't understand why Kendall doesn't like you.

Low: *frowns* You wrote her.

Me: Well, it's not like I control everything you guys do. Kendall is a free spirit. She knows what she wants and...

Low: You saw the bruises right?

Me: *looks down* I did.

Low: She wants Kip and he's not going to do anything but bring her pain. He's just like my father.

Me: Kip isn't a bad person. Believe me, I know.

Low: Yeah, right. Whatever.

Me: So... What would you change about yourself if you could?

Low: I love too deeply. When I care for someone, I don't stop caring about them, and if you ask me, that's like committing suicide.

Me: Um...What makes you happy now?

Low: *pushes up sleeves* You see all of these? *points to the words* This, right here. This is what makes me happy. I love writing songs and letting them seep into my skin.

Me: I just have to ask you this, but do you like being called Low?

Low: Well, I certainly don't like to be called Lowell. Low doesn't sound anything like my name, and whenever I tell people that Low is my name, they give me this strange look, but oh well.

Me: I like that you don't care what other people think. But it looks like you have a lot of secrets, what is it that you've never told anyone?

Low: *leans forward and smiles* It wouldn't be a secret anymore if I told you.

Me: Okay, this is the last question, and then I promise you I will let you go. What do you want?

Low: I... I want everything life has to offer. Love, happiness, pain, joy. Everything. Just hand it to my in a jar and I'll keep them like fireflies. *takes out pen* That would make a great song....

Me: *giggles* You are so cute. But thanks for coming up with this idea. It was fun talking to you.

Low: It was fun talking to you. Oh, and about that song? *picks up Gwendolyn*

Thanks for reading!

19.8.10 How Do I Beta?

Posted by Raven M on 7:57 AM in

I just read Kathleen's entry in the Battle of the Betas and event where five writers/experienced betas critique the same page (via Sarah Enni)

If you haven't already, go check them out:

Beta-ing to me is all about giving your opinion on someone's writing in a positive and constructive manner.

You might think that everyone can do it, well they can, but there is such a thing as good Betas, and bad Betas. I'm not going to put myself in either category but I will say that I am a Motherly Beta.

By that, I mean I am nurturing. I try my best to be honest, without being harsh, and if I see something I don't like I explain to the writer why I don't like it and what I think they can do to fix it.

Good Betas don't just say things like: Oh I don't really think this opening sentence works or I don't like the personality of your main character. Good Betas explain why they don't like the opening sentence and why they don't like the personality of your main character.

If the writer understands the whys of your opinions/criticism it would help them to identify what they need to fix in their novel and how they are going to fix it.

And all of this can be done in a nice, well-mannered way.

Telling someone that their writing sucks and that you think the novel is horrible isn't going to get the writer anywhere and it certainly isn't going to get you as a Beta reader anywhere.

From my short-lived life as a Beta reader, I have learned that what you say is just as important as how you beta-read. Meaning, that you can't give off a negative vibe, because writing a book is a hard enough job as it is, and there are nicer ways in getting something across, than saying suck and horrible.

I trust that those of us who beta-read and write are aware of that, but just in case you happen to beta-reading for the first time, and you happen to read this post, know that there is a way to be constructive and firm without using harsh words.

So, when I beta, I try to be constructive, I try to be firm, I try not to be biased, because often times when people agree to beta-read someone's novel they *know* the person and like them and are afraid of being *harsh*

But, like I said, I'm the Motherly Beta, though I love you, I also care about your novel reaching it's full potential, and if I have to be constructive, and bare-boned for that to happen, then so be it.

ANALYZING CHAPTER ONE

Chapter One is the most important chapter in the entire book, in my opinion. Here is your chance to establish the hook, your characters. Here is your chance to make your reader comfortable with your main character and your additional characters and hopefully, here is your chance to reel in agents who request partials and fulls.

So, yeah, Chapter One is really important.

I spend a lot more time on this chapter then any other one. I give it a good two or three read-overs making sure I have nothing to add, and when it comes to note-taking I usually put them in brackets and make the font color red, just so my words stand out, when the writer looks over them.

There were a few occasions when the person I was beta-ing for had good first lines, a good voice, a good grip on their plot, until I got to the middle of the book. And that's where my next topic comes in.

2. STARTING OUT STRONG, THEN GOING ALL WRONG

Personally, when reading, I start out very weak (because beginnings aren't my strong-suit) and hopefully in the end, I come out strong. I am always envious of writers who can start off strong. It makes the story so much more enjoyable, but it also makes the places that are weak obvious.

I try to point those areas as best as I can, because you don't want an agent to request a full or a partial, start off strong, grab their attention, and then all-of-a-sudden lose it because you lost your grip on your main character/plot etc.

I read every book like I actually picked it up at Borders or something. Therefore, I start reading having high expectations, and with that attitude, I'm able to determine what I honestly think should be changed, and what I honestly think the reader should to, because that's what constructive criticism is all about it. It's about being honest, and honesty is key to a healthy relationship between you and whomever you are beta-ing for.

They should feel like they can ask you anything, and if you say that their story starts out strong, but gets weaker towards the middle, then they should be able to ask you for help, and ask you to explain your critique a little bit more.

3. YOUR MIND WILL BE BLOWN

As a writer, I know that some people go through three or four drafts before they send their baby off to betas, therefore they probably put blood, sweat and tears, into their project, and from personal experience, that is when the writing really jumps off the page.

I can't begin to explain how many times my jaw-dropped because I read a passage so amazing that it just blew my mind, or maybe the character's said something outrageously funny or the plot just took a turn that I didn't expect, and I loved it.

So, what I'm trying to tell you is this, when you're beta-reading don't just point out the things that need some worked on, point out the things you like, because writers (I should know) love to hear about what they're doing write. It helps them stay confident. It helps them believe that they can polish up their novel.

4. QUESTIONS

It's important to ask what the writer wants you to point out, in general. Often times, they have insecurities but they forget to mention to say things like: Oh, I think my main character is weak. Do you think he/she is? or Oh, I don't like the climax? Do you think it works well with the story or should fix it?

Personally, I love asking questions, just so I can be able to add in additional notes when I send in my full-critique, but that might just be me.

5. GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION, AND THINGS WE HAVE LONG SENSE FORGOTTEN ABOUT

I am horrible when it comes to pointing out tense-changes, grammatical errors, and what not. So, I make sure I mention that to whomever I'm beta-ing for just so they know that they'll need to find someone else who can focus on that area, better than I can.

It's okay to not be good in one or two aspects of beta-reading. Just let the writer know that something isn't your stronghold and they'll work out something.

Again, I am no expert on beta-reading. But that was a gist of how I beta-read. I don't know if I do a good job or a bad job, but I hope I am of some help to the writer.

Now, it's your turn. How do you beta-read?

17.8.10 realizing your writerly dreams

Posted by Raven M on 9:56 PM in

It has always been my dream to see one of my books on shelves for everyone to read, not because I want to be famous, but because I am a storyteller and I believe that stories are meant to be shared with the world.

But everyday I don't write, everyday I fall out-of-love with my WIP, is another uncertainty to add to the list.

Am I a good writer?

Am I cut out for the business?

Is this really what I want?

Because writing doesn't get easier just because you have an agent.

I need to know that I am ready for this, before I start jumping on the query-bandwagon.

Maybe in the next couple of years or so, I will have grown as a writer, I will be more committed than I am now, but if there is anything that I have learned it's this: There is no hurry.

Sure it would be nice to have an agent. Sure it would be nice to put I am repped by.... on the top of my blog, sure it would be nice to write a blog post about HOW I GOT MY AGENT. Man, I'm telling you, if that happens sometime in my life, then I will be the happiest person alive, but I am still young. I have my whole life ahead of me, and I can't stress myself out just because I am not agented or published or whatever.

I obviously still have a lot to learn and I know this. That is why I'm going to put my dream on hold, because dreaming is useless, if you're going in blind.

Meaning, I want to learn a little more about the publishing world, before I decide HEY I WANT TO QUERY and HEY I WANT AN AGENT and HEY I WANT TO BE A FULL-TIME WRITER.

Plus, I need to be willing to work hard. To stay committed, to NOT GIVE UP, because I am telling you nine times out of ten, I am more likely to trunk a project than to keep working on it unless people yell and scream at me to keep trying.

I also noticed that people who have critique groups and support from friends and family are less likely to give up, and they don't suffer from TSS. (This Sucks Syndrome)

I have a lot of lovely lovely online writerly friends, but in real life my family doesn't support my writing, my mom doesn't really take my writing seriously, my friends don't like to read so they really don't care for writing, and sometimes it gets really hard not being able to talk about characters and plot holes with people, and other things that us writers talk about.

Knowledge, support, commitment. All of these things play a HUGE part in realizing your dream, and achieving it.

It's after one o'clock in the morning and I should be sleep, but this was one of things on my mind.

So... thoughts?

16.8.10 Teaser Tuesday

Posted by Raven M on 9:38 PM in

Here goes the rough opening to my new project WE ARE NOT ENEMIES.

THANKS FOR READING EVERYONE!!

You guys are amazing and I'll be sure to update everyone when I reach new milestones with this project, considering that this isn't my main project right now, that might be rare, but we'll see.

Again, thanks for taking the time to read this! I still have a few more teasers to get to, so don't take yours down just yet.

<3

15.8.10 WE ARE NOT ENEMIES

Posted by Raven M on 7:59 AM in

I started something new.

It's not a main project are anything, because I'm still rewriting LOST & FOUND, but whenever I need a break from rewriting, I'm going to work on WE ARE NOT ENEMIES.

I don't want to give too much away but it's about a boy whose cop-father is killed by a member of a gang, leaving Scott Perkins (my main character) to take care of his broken mother, and his gay step-brother Jeremy, while trying to control his anger.

He later befriends Jonathon Reese, a boy who hates anyone who isn't like him, and a few other people who are in a club where hate is the national anthem.

There is more to the story, but I'll talk about it more when I finish the first two chapters.

Here's a little snip from the prologue:

"Don't say a word," Reese muttered, as the police officer stood in front of us staring at the bloody shoe that was sticking out of the river bank and the bloody boy that was sitting beside it.
Alive.
Very much alive.

Anyone else working on any side projects?

9.8.10 Rewrites + Tease + Music

Posted by Raven M on 3:57 PM in

I am STILL trying.

I refuse to give up on this novel, even though it is being really really REALLY impossible. There is just so much to do. I have to fix plot holes, tighten up character arcs, make Kendall more real and not the whiny baby she was in the first draft. I mean, as I was reading over the first draft, I began to realize that Kendall wasn't the way I pictured her. The way I wanted her to be.

So character makeovers are at the TOP of the list.

Damn - by the time I finish this novel, I mean REALLY finish it. I'm going to be an old lady. Hopefully that's not the case, but maybe JUST maybe I'll finish this first draft before the year is over.

Keep your fingers crossed for me. :D

Okay, since I missed Teaser Tuesday last week, I'm going to post my teaser early because I have to go to work tomorrow and I won't have time to post until I get home from work.

This is the NEWEST beginning of Lost & Found. At first, I loved it, then I hated it, then I loved it, and you get the picture. So before I push the backspace button I'm going to let you guys read it, and tell me if it: A) Hooked you B) Made sense and C) Read well.

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. And I will try to get to everyone's teasers. Ever since I started working, things have been really hectic, but this is my last week at my summer job, so next Tuesday, I will definitely be able to get to more teasers.
Ooh and sense it is technically Music Monday here is a song from the Lost & Found soundtrack that I absolutely adore.

********** SNIP *********

Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your Monday. :D

6.8.10 Things That Bother Me About YA

Posted by Raven M on 4:07 PM in

I love young adult fiction.

It's hard to explain why - wait no it's not. I love YA because there are so many sub-genres, so many great books in the genre, so many amazing authors, and being a young adult, as well as a writer of young adult fiction it really is rewarding in many ways.

So yeah, I am a die-hard fan of YA.

But that doesn't

mean there aren't things that bother me about the genre, as well as the industry, and what not.

For one, what is up with these female leads these days? I know I rant about this a lot from time to time, but come ON. Females are strong, we can hold our own, and not all of us fall prey to a guy just because they are gorgeous and stoic and (insert cliche description here). Okay, I'll admit there are A LOT of shallow girls out there but when it comes to romance, a real girl wants a guy who actually respects her, and in a relationship the two should play equal roles.

Often in books, the female lead is giving up everything to be with the 'guy of their dreams' while the guy himself, gives up nothing, which really really bothers me because that's not how a relationship should be. I know I'm not a relationship guru or anything, but everyone knows that's how it's supposed to work.

Real girls don't fall head over heels for some guy who has only one good quality, which is their good looks. In some YA books, mostly ones of the paranormal variety, the leads speak constantly of how good-looking the love interest is, and it really makes you wonder. Why does the love interest have to be hot and smexy?

As most of you may know, I am a huge fan of Jane Eyre, both the book and the 2006 movie. I had read the book before I had seen the movie, and while reading I already had a good mental picture of Mr. Rochester. He wasn't handsome, but it was the things that he did and said that made me fall head over heals in love with him.

Looks, I find, are not important when you fall in love. It depends on how fast your heart beats when that special someone is near, it's how often they enter your thoughts, it's how they make you feel, how they don't make you feel, it's how they treat you, and at the end of the day, their face, their outer appearance doesn't matter because you love them, and love is blind.

Or at least it's supposed to be.

Unfortunately, we live in a society where beauty is shoved down our throats.

In order to be beautiful you had to have perfect hair, perfect skin, perfect figures, perfect everything and NO ONE IS PERFECT.

So characters shouldn't be perfect.

I love book covers. They are what pull me in, make me want to see what's inside.

But in case you haven't noticed - there is no diversity in YA. Okay, okay, there is but you have to go on a hunt in bookstores just to find a YA book with a model on the front who isn't white.

I really don't care what color the character is because I was raised to appreciate everyone no matter what they looked like, but still - can we see some diversity on YA bookshelves?

I also can't stand how plain some of these main characters are. I mean, talk about boring. There are some authors like, Courtney Summers, Melina Marchetta etc. who come up with female leads, as well as characters who have great dynamics and are not two dimensional, but three dimensional because they JUMP off of the page.

And notice that I keep saying female characters - WHERE THE HELL ARE THE MALE LEADS?
I want to read more YA fiction where there are male main characters. That's why I tip my hat to writers such as Hannah Moskowitz and John Green because they do a great job of writing male voices.

Maybe this is not something to be annoyed about because maybe people just aren't writing books with male MC's. YEAH RIGHT. I know there are writers out there who are trying to query books with male leads, or maybe they are on sub but still.... I know that they're out there and for some reason they're not being grabbed up.

Which leads me to another issue I have with YA, some authors of the genre are afraid to stray far from the norm or in other words, they are afraid to be different, take risks. I mean, how many vampire/werewolf/angel novels do you see on YA bookshelves.

I don't know about you but I see a lot.

As I said before, there are many writers out there who are trying to pitch their books that stray from the norm, and for some reason they are not getting any attention.

ONE MORE THING and then I promise I am finished with this. Where are the PARENTS? You know, the people who gave birth to these young adults (well, you know what I mean).

They are pretty much non-existent in the YA world.

And instead of just complaining about all of these issues, I am doing my best to address them in my novels, and make sure that I don't fall into the habit of the norm.

So yeah, what bothers you about YA?

Come on, guys, I know you have a few things that really REALLY annoy you.

Seriously, just because you find a few faults in an awesome genre such as YA, doesn't mean that you dislike it, it just means that you agree that there needs to be a few changes, like everything in life.

So, come on.

Spill.

Looking forward to reading and answering comments. :D

27.7.10 Teaser Tuesday

Posted by Raven M on 4:32 AM in

I just wrote this, so it's pretty rough.

But it's a random scene from Lost & Found.

I'll try to get to everyone's when I get home from work.

Enjoy.

***

"Maybe we can rob somebody," he sung, eyes closed, fingers strumming the chords of his acoustic guitar effortlessly, like he's been doing it since the beginning of time. I feel my cheeks flush, the longer I watch him.

This is a private moment, I can tell by the way his lips pull at the corner, the way his voice melts over the words that is pouring out of his mouth, the way he rocks side to side to the melody of his own music.

"Show them how we feel." He plucks a few more strings, and I think about walking away, leaving before he opens his eyes and finds me standing in his doorway.

But I couldn't move. His music paralyzed me. "If we're really nobody, then maybe we're not real." He began tapping his foot, stumping out another beat. It sounded like a drum, only it was softer, fainter, it made the next line in his song soar through my ears, and into my heart.

"Baby, won't you take my hand. I'll lead you out of this place." Low slid his hand down the guitar, making me shiver, because he touched it the way he would if he was making love to somebody. Not like I knew that from personal experience, but he was gentle in that way. The word hurt and pain weren't in his vocabulary, only he was hurting me as he played his song, as the words sunk in.

It was about me and him, leaving, escaping. He wanted me to run away wit him, he wanted me to take his hand, and go to the edges of the universe, with him. He loved me, only I didn't love him.

My eyes burned as tears began to gnaw at them.

"We can be together forever," he whispered. "We'll leave this human race." On that last note, his eyes opened, and as always, they found me, picking me out of the darkness with their intensity. His eyes were like a muddy ocean, I drowned in them, because his words left me so lost, so angry, so sad that I didn't know what to do anymore.

"Kendall," he breathed, and my bones thawed. I backed away from the doorway, away from him. "Kendall."

24.7.10 Query

Posted by Raven M on 10:46 AM in

So, I am a HUGE Maroon 5 fan.

And I am in love with their latest song Misery.

It's really catchy, and the video is funny. Poor Adam!

But anyways, I started thinking about querying and writing and agents and I thought "Hey let me write this song from a writer's perspective." So that is exactly what I did.

This is song is nowhere near perfect, and I haven't queried a day in my life, so basically the song is just for fun, so enjoy.

Oh and here's the original lyrics for Misery.

Verse 1

Oh yeah
Oh yeah
So scared of messing up
Making mistakes that I can't mend
And I wrote two hundred drafts
That I know I won't ever send
It's bad enough that it sucks
Worse than the WIP
I'd rather curl up
Then write this damn query
So let me be
Let me trunk this story

Chorus

I can't write this query
Isn't there anybody
Who can write it for me
Oh yeah!
Why won't the agents answer me?
There silence is slowly killing me
This book really got me mad
It really got me mad
Is it really that bad
Is it really that bad

Verse 2

Your painful rejection, and how
it makes me want to whine
The way it feels so much
like a sign
Not that I don't care about it
It's just, I really don't know
It's not what I'm querying,
It's what I didn't show
So let me be
Let me trunk this story

Chorus

I can't write this query
Isn't there anybody
Who can write it for me
Oh yeah!
Why won't the agents answer me?
There silence is slowly killing me
This book really got me mad
It really got me mad
Is it really that bad
Is it really that bad

Verse 3

You say the story is not for you
Dear agent, how you make me blue
You keep me wide awake and
Waiting for inspiration
I'm fighting a war I'm gonna lose
So far away from finishing
That I'm getting closer
to trunking

Why can't I write this damn query, yeah
Why won't you represent me, represent me, yeah
Why can't I write this damn query, yeah
Why won't you represent me, represent me, yeah

Chorus

I can't write this query
Isn't there anybody
Who can write it for me
Oh yeah!
Why won't the agents answer me?
There silence is slowly killing me
This book really got me mad
It really got me mad
Is it really that bad
Is it really that bad

21.7.10 RTW: My Greatest Posts

Posted by Raven M on 3:49 PM in

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the lovely ladies over at YA Highway. Every Wednesday they present a question, that readers are invited to answer on their own respective blogs.

This week's topic:

Give us a link to the best blog post(s) you've ever written!

I know I am not the best blogger in the world.

I hardly post, but I do have a few good ones up that I am sorta proud of.

If you haven't read them, then I guess now's your chance. :D

RECIPE FOR A YA PARANORMAL ROMANCE

This post is one of the recent ones I've done. It was supposed to be really goofy and sarcastic, and basically it's a light rant about the paranormal romance scene in YA. I'm not attacking any books in particular, just the overall genre, and the trends I've been noticing.

ONCE UPON A TIME

Mostly all of my great post, come from Road Trip Wednesday. Really, they come up with the best topics. But anyways, this post is about why and when I started writing.

BEING BEAUTIFUL

This post was inspired by Kristin Otts who started a meme where people post a picture of themselves, and talk about beauty means to them, and I really liked that idea, as well as my post, because it came straight from the heart, and I didn't know I felt that way about beauty, and about myself, so take what you may from it.

BULLYING

Ah...this was a very emotional post, namely because I am a victim of being verbally bullied and it just made me feel sick to know that people still belittle others to the point where they commit suicide. I cried while writing that post, so it's not really great, but it meant something to me, and I hope that it meant something to the people that read it.

YOU AND ME CAN WRITE A BAD ROMANCE

I seriously had a girl-crush on Lady Gaga, but that is not what this post is about. It's about romance in YA, and how I think it needs a HUGE makeover, because some of the relationships in these YA books are not love...they're lust and infatuation which are completely different from love and romance. But I totally, got the idea from Choco, which goes to show that none of the blogs I write, are my ideas. *ahem*

GIRLS CAN KICK BUTT TOO

This title is pretty self-explanatory.

So there you have it.

You get funny (hopefully... I try to be funny, but it never works out for me) and serious all rolled into one blog.

Do you have any particular post that you are proud of?

20.7.10 Teaser Tuesday

Posted by Raven M on 4:34 PM in

I am rewriting.

Or at least I am trying to.

Here is a snip of what I have gotten done so far.

It's pretty self-explanatory, I hope.

***

"Hey babe," Cord whispered in my ear. Water seeped through my shirt, as he pulled me into him.

"You're getting me wet," I murmured, which made him laugh. His chest felt like an engine against my back. Of course he would find that funny. He always heard double meanings in words, especially when he was drunk.

"I could do more than that," he said, spinning me around, so that I was nose to nose with him. Brown hair dripped into his sparkling eyes, and a smirk pulled up the corners of his lips. He pressed them against mine, forcing them apart, slipping his tongue inside, making my head feel like it was on a carousel.

I pressed my hands against his chest, and pushed him away, not really wanting to make-out because every time we did, he always wanted to take it to the next level, and we weren't going there tonight. We weren't going there ever.

12.7.10 Teaser Tuesday

Posted by Raven M on 7:44 PM in

This blog feels so empty.

Wasn't going to blog, but I feel guilty so here goes a tease from the fantasy novel that has been plaguing my mind.

It's an experiment so YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

***

The village was lit up like the night sky, lights twinkling, putting the stars to shame. An assembly of colors danced across Sera's vision, as she sipped her cup of tea. It's sweet taste wasn't enough to calm the butterflies that gnawed at her insides.

Sirens wailed in the distance, signaling not only the end of the war, but the approach of the entire army. She could see the soldiers marching towards the gates of the kingdom, their torches raised high in victory.

Though it was hard to tell how many there were, she wouldn't have been surprised if all of the men who went out to war had come back, alive.

"They're in good hands," she thought, sure that the mug would shatter into a million pieces underneath her fingertips. Her grip had tightened, and all the hope she had felt for the soldiers, had been abandoned, because if her brother wasn't amongst them, then there was no reason to be happy.

Sera still couldn't get over the fact that the king picked a seventeen year old to command an entire army, but he had, which brought both grief and pride to Sera's family. Grief because they didn't know if Nevir was going to return home or if he was going to be seriously injured. Pride because it wasn't a secret that he was the finest fighter in the kingdom. Not only could he wield a sword, but he had the ability to predict his opponent's next move, even before they got a chance to strike.

Sera was certain that no man could bring down her brother. Even the king - who atoned for his short stature with thick bands of muscle that wrapped around his arms, and legs - was no match for him.

Taking another sip of her tea, she tried her best to keep thinking he is alive, he is alive, he is alive, not wanting to accept the possibility that he might be dead.

3.7.10 Saturday Snippet

Posted by Raven M on 11:37 AM in

Because it's Saturday and because I feel like sharing, here is the beginning of something I just started. I find it funny how I get ideas right around the time I have to start editing.

***

Music blasting, bodies moving, hands feeling. Long, bony fingers exploring every inch of my body. Lips nibbling my ear, sending chills down my spine.

"Jason," I slurred, grabbing a hold of his shirt. He takes it the wrong way, and pushes me deeper into the couch. I hate his lips. I hate how they feel on my skin. So sloppy, so wet.

They crash against mine.

I close my eyes.

No fireworks there. No fireworks ever.

He lets me come up for air. It's now or never.

"Jason."

"Wha..."

I wrinkle my nose. His breath reeks. It smells worse than my dog's poop, and believe me when I say that I would rather press my face into a pile of Spot's shit, then be here, kissing the biggest ass of all time.

I still can't believe I went out with him.

"Get the fuck off of me." My words are like puzzle pieces scattered across the floor, even so, Jason gets the big picture.

He pulls away, "Come on, babe."

"I'm not your babe, Jay. Now get the fuck away from me."

"You never used to be like this."

People were always saying that to me. My mom, my dad, my best friends, and sometimes, when I wasn't drunk enough, high enough I would look in the mirror and say it to myself. So it wasn't like I didn't know I was different.

I just didn't want to accept it.

A huge smile lights up Jason's face, making his eyes even more electrifying then they already are. "Your point is?"

"My point is that you used to be fun, Sky. Skinny dipping in neighbors' pools, making-out in the backseat of my car, staying out all night drinking and partying, doing whatever, now you're..."

"Different? Yeah, I know."

"I just want to know why, babe. I mean, you used to like making out with me," he said, poking my nose.

"Don't touch me." I smack his hand away, and he starts to laugh. It's a wonder that one of his many girlfriends never told him that he was in need of a tic-tac, or better yet, a toothbrush.

I reach for my purse, hoping that I have some mints on hand, but I come up empty. Leaning over, I scan the floor, hoping my knock-off Coach purse was beside my feet, but nothing is there.

Oh, shit. My fucking purse is gone. My fucking keys were in that purse, which means I can't go home unless I find it. Even so, someone would have to drive me, and I doubt anyone would be able to considering the fact that everyone here is drunk out of their minds.

Fuck.

"You okay?" Jason asked, and I glare at him, because if he hadn't came to bother me, I would remember where my purse was at.

"No, I'm not."

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