Today is the last day to enter my contest for Twenty Boy Summer. The 2 winners will be posted tomorrow. Tomorrow is also the last day to enter my Nikki's Purse Giveaway. The winner will be announced the following day. The links to the contests are in my right sidebar!
-Amanda
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
In My Mailbox
These are the books that I received this week.
Bought:
Gone by Michael Grant
In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. Gone. Everyone except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Gone, too, are the phones, internet, and television. There is no way to get help. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen and war is imminent. The first in a breathtaking saga about teens battling each other and their darkest selves, gone is a page-turning thriller that will make you look at the world in a whole new way.
For Review:
Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner
When the girl who’s foresworn men meets the boy who’s devoted himself to picking up women, there’s bound to be drama—perfect for a sixweek summer program devoted to the arts. Olivia’s summer goal: to write a musical that censures men with wandering eyes. Max’s summer goal: to hone his acting skills, along with his talent for attracting the ladies. Before camp is over, they’ll perform Olivia’s musical onstage and in real life—though the ending may turn out differently than either expects.
Bought:
Gone by Michael GrantIn the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. Gone. Everyone except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Gone, too, are the phones, internet, and television. There is no way to get help. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen and war is imminent. The first in a breathtaking saga about teens battling each other and their darkest selves, gone is a page-turning thriller that will make you look at the world in a whole new way.
For Review:
Castration Celebration by Jake WiznerWhen the girl who’s foresworn men meets the boy who’s devoted himself to picking up women, there’s bound to be drama—perfect for a sixweek summer program devoted to the arts. Olivia’s summer goal: to write a musical that censures men with wandering eyes. Max’s summer goal: to hone his acting skills, along with his talent for attracting the ladies. Before camp is over, they’ll perform Olivia’s musical onstage and in real life—though the ending may turn out differently than either expects.
-Amanda
Friday, June 26, 2009
A Look Inside: Burned
"A Look Inside" Is a post where I'll have a featured author, and I'll choose a book that they wrote. I always come out after finishing a book with a favorite character, so I'll also have a featured character, and one of my favorite quotes from them.
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Book: Burned
If you have a favorite YA author, book or quote e-mail me it at txmandaxt@yahoo.com I'll make sure to give you credit!
Author: Ellen HopkinsBook: Burned
Character: Pattyn
Quote: The next-to-the-last thing I wanted was a baby. The very last thing I wanted was ever having to tell my dad I was pregnant.
If you have a favorite YA author, book or quote e-mail me it at txmandaxt@yahoo.com I'll make sure to give you credit!
-Amanda
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Bonus Interview With Samira Armin Hodges + Milestones Excerpt
"After breakfast, I found myself standing on a raft on the lake. The others were there as well. The raft was square and we were all lined up along the four sides. We were ordered to stand there indefinitely, facing the water, with our backs to each other, until the first person fell in. We were told the first to fall in would get their punishment and the day would subsequently be over. This was so not how I pictured my summer, by the way."Why did you write Milestones?
Well, there are many reasons so I’m just going to list a few of them.
1- I had a story that took a life of its own and I wanted to share it with the world.
2- I love writing and I had a secret dream of being an author someday.
3- I felt like it might speak to some teenagers. And if it does, I will consider it a job well-done.
4- I wanted to deviate a little bit from the genre of books I’d recently read. I’m always a fan or something different and I thought some readers might appreciate that as well.
How often do you write?
Every day. In some way, shape or form, I write every single day. I have to. It’s like an itch I have to scratch. I have to share something, with someone, IN WRITING every day. Whether it’s expressing how much I love somebody (I can never say it face to face – for me, it’s always about the written word), or writing a funny parody-type story to my best friends, it doesn’t matter. It’s a daily thing for me.
Now if the question is: how often do I write my novels? Well that waxes and wanes. Sometimes, I’ll write dozens of pages at a time and other times, I’ll just write one. It depends on what kind of “groove” I’m in. Overall, I write every two or three days or so.
In a previous interview you said that you were already planning another series, do you write more than one book at once?
Sadly, no. If writing was my only full-time job, then I’m sure that could be a possibility. But since it’s not….I’d have to say that residency, writing on my blog daily, keeping up with my friends and family and writing Milestones #2 is about all I can handle. Let me know if you guys find out a way to prolong the day though. I’d be all over that.
Is writer’s block a problem and how do you get past it?
Um….I don’t know! Sorta? I mean, there are days when I just can’t make any progress on my novel. If that constitutes as writer’s block, then yes. It’s a problem. But I never let it bother me, because if I let a few days pass, I will literally bulldoze my way back to my laptop and catch up on those lost times. Like I said: itch and scratch.
Also, I’ve ready about authors who don’t know how a story is going to end and they let their fingers lead the way, but I’m not that type. I'm different. My stories are already thought out (to the chapter), so it’s just a matter of getting them onto paper. For me, it’s a bit easier that way. There’s less of a “block” problem if all I have to do is regurgitate it onto paper. J
Milestones is book one of a trilogy...do you already have the ending to book three in your head?
Of course! I did from day one. My family and friends can vouch for that. I told them, "I have this story and this is how it's going to go and this is how it's going to end". It’s just the way it HAD to be. For me, there were never any alternate endings.
Is Benji based off of an old school crush?
HAH! I wish! This question made me laugh out loud. I guess I can see how that would be a question but the answer is a big, fat, definite, NO. Sorry. He’s purely fictional.
Is Camp Milestone based off of a real camp?
Maybe…
Tell us a bit about Galiana. She certainly makes an impact in the book, what inspired her personality?
I’ve met many people like Galiana in my life. They are the type of people who come off as so intense when you first meet them that you can’t imagine there would be another layer to them. But inevitably, there always is.
Anything else you would like to tell us about Milestones?
Yes, there will be a book trailer coming out soon! And I’m having an absolute blast with the blog tour so feel free to contact me with any further questions.
Thank you so much for having me again Amanda. It’s always a pleasure and as usual, I wish you all the best!
Well, there are many reasons so I’m just going to list a few of them.
1- I had a story that took a life of its own and I wanted to share it with the world.
2- I love writing and I had a secret dream of being an author someday.
3- I felt like it might speak to some teenagers. And if it does, I will consider it a job well-done.
4- I wanted to deviate a little bit from the genre of books I’d recently read. I’m always a fan or something different and I thought some readers might appreciate that as well.
How often do you write?
Every day. In some way, shape or form, I write every single day. I have to. It’s like an itch I have to scratch. I have to share something, with someone, IN WRITING every day. Whether it’s expressing how much I love somebody (I can never say it face to face – for me, it’s always about the written word), or writing a funny parody-type story to my best friends, it doesn’t matter. It’s a daily thing for me.
Now if the question is: how often do I write my novels? Well that waxes and wanes. Sometimes, I’ll write dozens of pages at a time and other times, I’ll just write one. It depends on what kind of “groove” I’m in. Overall, I write every two or three days or so.
In a previous interview you said that you were already planning another series, do you write more than one book at once?
Sadly, no. If writing was my only full-time job, then I’m sure that could be a possibility. But since it’s not….I’d have to say that residency, writing on my blog daily, keeping up with my friends and family and writing Milestones #2 is about all I can handle. Let me know if you guys find out a way to prolong the day though. I’d be all over that.
Is writer’s block a problem and how do you get past it?
Um….I don’t know! Sorta? I mean, there are days when I just can’t make any progress on my novel. If that constitutes as writer’s block, then yes. It’s a problem. But I never let it bother me, because if I let a few days pass, I will literally bulldoze my way back to my laptop and catch up on those lost times. Like I said: itch and scratch.
Also, I’ve ready about authors who don’t know how a story is going to end and they let their fingers lead the way, but I’m not that type. I'm different. My stories are already thought out (to the chapter), so it’s just a matter of getting them onto paper. For me, it’s a bit easier that way. There’s less of a “block” problem if all I have to do is regurgitate it onto paper. J
Milestones is book one of a trilogy...do you already have the ending to book three in your head?
Of course! I did from day one. My family and friends can vouch for that. I told them, "I have this story and this is how it's going to go and this is how it's going to end". It’s just the way it HAD to be. For me, there were never any alternate endings.
Is Benji based off of an old school crush?
HAH! I wish! This question made me laugh out loud. I guess I can see how that would be a question but the answer is a big, fat, definite, NO. Sorry. He’s purely fictional.
Is Camp Milestone based off of a real camp?
Maybe…
Tell us a bit about Galiana. She certainly makes an impact in the book, what inspired her personality?
I’ve met many people like Galiana in my life. They are the type of people who come off as so intense when you first meet them that you can’t imagine there would be another layer to them. But inevitably, there always is.
Anything else you would like to tell us about Milestones?
Yes, there will be a book trailer coming out soon! And I’m having an absolute blast with the blog tour so feel free to contact me with any further questions.
Thank you so much for having me again Amanda. It’s always a pleasure and as usual, I wish you all the best!
-Amanda
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