Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Why I Write Blogfest!

So, my buddy Kayeleen organized a "Why I Write Blogfest" and as I have a HORRIBLE track record with remembering I signed up for these things from time to time (sorry Kristin....a million times sorry!), I thought this was my time to prove that I really can follow through if I put my mind to it!

Please ignore the fact that it's now 11:46 pm the night before, I'm at the beach for one of my BFF's weddings, and during a random conversation, I remembered this and freaked out. The important thing is that I ACTUALLY remembered!

BONUS!!!

So, back to the matter at hand, why I write?

For me, it's easiest to begin with the reason I decided after all those years of school essays and papers to put a pen to paper. And yes, it was a small notebook I purchased and wrote in and yes, I still have it. What I wrote was more of a journal, accompanied by a few poems you can find throughout the blog that I've posted before. The reason was my sister. She was sick. Bad sick. Cancer sick. She was young. Way young. High School young.

I know, right?

Don't worry, she's alive, well, and getting married in a few months. But I didn't know that back then. None of us did. I like to think of her as quite the miracle, though many who have been through this with a loved one, will probably confess that the feeling of dread, that struggle, that thought that life is so precious, it really does fade once the drama has passed.

Wait...I'm off topic. Sorry, it happens. My point? I needed somewhere for all that pain and confusion to go, an outlet, somewhere to put it, so I turned to my journal. I wrote down my feelings, created a few poems, expressed myself. And it helped. Alot. I shared it with a friend who wrote the most amazing song for my sister, one that still moves me to tears, reminds me of that time, her courage, the darkness.

And then I finished college, began to work at a real job, and the writing slowed as her health went back to normal. I'm not quite sure when I picked it back up again, but for me, writing has always been a natural place, therapeutic, my own personal getaway.

Over the years, I wrote a novel, finished it, shelved it, wrote another one. Always writing, but more for hobby than anything actually professional. I never even thought of being published.

Then one day it hit me. What if I could do this thing for real? Have something out there in book world with my name on it? It would be a dream. I love books, I love reading, I love writing, it's a natural progression and with each edit and each book I've written, I've seen myself grow. I don't know where the end of the road is, whether or not I'll ever find that dream agent, but I do know that I'll always write. It heals me in a way few other things can.

Even now, I'm sitting at a party, rock band and singing in the background *taps my foot to the music*, typing away at my keyboard with a smile. There's something about words that sets me free. I can't explain it exactly, but I bet you know what I mean.

And my sister? She's still my biggest fan and reads everything I write. She's a walking inspiration.

What about you? Why do you write?

Friday, June 17, 2011

Writing is like...

Hey everyone!

It's time for a writing-related-meme that's been making it's way around the blogsphere lately. I was tagged by the lovely Kayeleen, and you can read her meme entry here.
 
For me, writing is like...
Snowboarding

It starts with an urge,  this insane desire at your very core, this obstacle that you don't just want to do or accomplish, it's more than that. There's a part of you that NEEDS to do it. Not doing it isn't an option.

You've watched the X-games (read loads of books), you've gone to the mountain (finished your first manuscript), you've seen those talented skiers and snowboarders (authors you admire) flying through the powder like gazelle's (hello NYT bestsellers).

But you're tired of watching, it's time to participate.

So you rent or invest in some equipment (find a critique group) and buy some cool-looking clothes (blog or website), because let's face it, if you're going to fall on your butt that many times, you might as well look good doing it. That first trip down the mountain is painful. You fall more than you stand (revision, revision, revision), you're butt and knees are bruised (not to mention your ego), you're body is totally exhausted (late nights), but you know what? You made it down the mountian in one piece. You survived! (first manuscript revisions down!)

So you get on the chairlift and you do it again (even more revisions), only this time you have more experience and it's less painful. Little by little you learn what to do, how to shift your weight, what foot to put first (present or past tense), what NOT to do.

You feel pretty good. You've GOT this. So you start recording yourself (querying), sure that you look like a pro, you've done your time on the ground, you know how to carve the snow, to move back and forth with speed, without falling. You're on a snowboarding/writing high.

And then you watch it back (get rejections). It's horrible. You want to cry. You want to crawl inside a closet and never show your face again. It hurts. Days, week, months go by. It doesn't hurt so much. You feel the NEED you did in the beginning, that basic instinct, that desire.

You realize the video (and agents) doesn't lie. You still need work. And you've come to terms with it, you know it's the right thing to do. So you go back at it with a passion that wasn't there before. You practice like never before. You NEVER give up. Because giving up isn't an option.

Each trial, each mountain gets you closer to that goal. I haven't reached the end of either adventure yet, but I'm ready and the passion is there.

What's writing like to you?

Tag...you three are IT. 
    
Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wednesday Book Recommendation!

Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate, #3)Blameless by Gail Carriger


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.


Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.

While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto.

My thoughts:
Before I begin, I should let you know that this is the third installment in this series, so if you missed my reviews of the first two and want to read them, you can click here (Soulless) and here (Changeless).

The main character in this series, Alexia, is easily one of my favorite main characters ever written. She stands out in a class all her own and makes each story a joy to read. She's charming, witty, courageous, not to mention hilarious, and of course, polite when needed.

For me, these books are genius and never cease to make me smile and laugh out loud. The humor is perfect, the plot is unique and fresh, and the entire cast of characters relatable.

The only complaint I have is that it always ends too soon. And I did deeply miss Lord Maccon in this installment, but alas, so did Lady Alexia, so we were together in that.

View all my reviews


Obviously, I am totally in love with this series, and have to admit how shocked I was at first, to find how many very DIFFERENT reviews were on Goodreads. I always find it interesting when there's a wide mixture of love/hate type of reviews for a book, especially ones which I particularly liked. I think as both a writer and a reader, it's an important thing to notice.

It just goes to prove how very different we each are in what we like and how we perceive things, which in my mind, is a very good thing. If we all loved the same thing, imagine how boring that would be. Though, I'm also mentally taking note that as an author, thick skin is a must.

What are your thoughts? Have you read it? What did you think? 
 

Monday, June 13, 2011

I'm an Aunt!

It was a VERY busy weekend around the Chestnutt household,
but one event on Friday stood out above all the others.

At around 3:30 in the afternoon,
I became an AUNT for the very first time to this little sweetie:
Precious little Audrey.

She may only be 7 pounds, 4 ounces, but she's already won all our hearts.
Mommy, Daddy, and baby are all doing well!

Hope everyone out there had an awesome weekend...any exciting (or unexciting) news to share?

I dare you to trump mine.

*GRIN*

Also, if you haven't entered already and want to win a copy of Delirium by Lauren Oliver, click here!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wednesday Book Recommendation AND a Giveaway!

Delirium (Delirium, #1)Delirium by Lauren Oliver


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.


But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.
My Thoughts:
So I've read some pretty awesome books so far in 2011, but honestly, this one might be my absolute FAVORITE. I'm obviously infected with the Delirium at this point...and you know what? I don't care. It feels GOOD.

I smile just thinking about this story and to say it's a cheery, happy, feel good book is totally inaccurate. Parts of it were terrifying, chilling, stressful, and I spent a good part of it worried about which direction Oliver would go. And I loved every minute.

The way in which she describes this world where love is a disease that can be removed scientifially, makes you nervous from the very beginning. The more comfortable with it her main character is, the more uncomfortable the reader becomes. The material is thought provoking without being too technical or pushy. The concept is fresh and realistic.

The suspense of it all had me turning the pages, HAVING to know what happened and at the same time, terrified to find out. In essence, this book did what all really excellent books do, it consumed me, sucked me in, and took no prisoners.

Now I'm left raving about it's deliciousness and waiting for the sequel. (Okay, and convincing everyone I know that they MUST read it.) The Delirium has begun.

View all my reviews

Anyone else read this? Fall in love with it??? You know I love hearing your thoughts!

THE GIVEAWAY:
Okay, so here's the deal.
When I love a book this much, I want everyone to read it.
And I want to give one away.
A new shiny one, delivered straight from Amazon to YOU.

What do you have to do to enter?
Simply be a follower and comment on this post with your
email address or a blog site in which I can contact you if you win.

That's it! Easy Peasy.

For you overachievers out there who want more chances:
Leave a separate comment for each of the below to up your entries:
Follow me on Twitter (@kristikay13) (+1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway and comment me the link (+1 entry)
Blog about it and leave a link (+1 entry)
Sidebar it on your blog and leave a link (+1 entry)

GOOD LUCK!
***Contest ends Sunday, July 3rd and the winner will be announced on the 4th of July!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Friday happy dance!

Why is it time for a happy dance, you ask?

Because I just found this:

AND in case you aren't in the mood to clickety-click, I'll give you a little secret.

It has to do with this:
Forever

AND meeting the fab Maggie in person!

Can anyone guess which autographed book I'll be giving away in August?

Hmmmm.....

Any of you NC bloggers planning to attend?

Let me know, I'd love to meet you in person!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Wednesday Book Recommendation!

Hi friends!!!

Sorry for my extended absence as of late...things in my work and personal life got a bit out of control in the month of May, but I'm starting to feel more grounded, so expect to have me back commenting away and updating more regularly! That darn LIFE thing can be tricky from time to time...seems like some days it's all or nothing, right? But all good news on my end and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

So, how about we get back to our regularly scheduled Wednesday activities?

*grin*

The ReplacementThe Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Goodreads Description:


Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

My thoughts: Perfectly creepy and unique!

The descriptions within this book made the town of Gentry, rotten soil and all, come to life in a very horrific way. Brenna does an excellent job of world building. She starts the reader off slow, endearing us to the main character, Mackie, who little by little, is drawn down into the murky magical depths of the world beneath the one we see, as he fights for his own life, as well as those of the people he's come to consider unlikely friends.

There aren't many books out there right now that truly have that fun creep-factor that keeps you awake at night, shivering from the thought of what the next page might hold. This book, for me, did just that. And the way the story grew creepier with each turn of the page was magic...it wasn't until near the very end that I realized just what a hold the book truly had on me.

I foolishly put it down a few chapters from the end, my eyes tired from an hour of reading and my day to day routine. But my mind wouldn't shut off. The town of Gentry called to me. Visions of creepy crawly things had me wide awake, staring at my bedside clock, willing myself to just forget about it, to close my eyes and get the rest I need, to finish it the next day.

But sleep wouldn't come. I HAD to know the end, HAD to know that everything was okay, that it would work out, even though part of me was terrified of what Brenna may do, how she was going to end it. So I did what most book-obsessed readers do. I CAVED.

With a sigh, I gave in, warned the husband that I couldn't sleep without finishing it, turned on the light, and read every last word. The many cups of coffee consumed hours later and the dark bags under my eyes from too little sleep were definitely worth it.

The uniqueness of this book is what I loved most and I would definitely recommend it.

I can't wait to read more of Brenna's work in the future and I hope she continues to keep me guessing and staying up late at night to find out just what she has in store.

SO, have you read it? What did you think?

View all my reviews