#WIPMarathon Update #7

Last report wordcount and chapter count/scene count: I'd finished my pre-edits on Darkworld 4 and 5, plus I was at 45K of my draft.

Current report WC + CC/SC: I finished my draft at 75K! Including one crazy 6K-in-a-day marathon! :D

I've also done a ton of planning, research and outlining for Shiny New Series, and started writing the first book! I'm at around 30K so far. ^_^ It's been a crazy few weeks!

WIP Issues this month: Getting distracted by Shiny New Series, which took over my mind and demanded to be written. The problem? I knew it was a complex idea, with multiple alternative universes and layers of plots and magicky stuff. But I couldn't let it go, so I decided to let myself research whenever I had free time after meeting my daily writing goals and finishing work.  I have to finish every draft I start (and the WIP wasn't going badly... it was just less appealing than the new shiny, which is always the way!) so I made myself juggle both at once until I'd finished my draft. It was tricky, but I'm glad I did it - I hate leaving projects unfinished!

Four things I learned this month in writing:

• If I really, really love an idea, then it doesn't matter how much work I'll have to put in or how many other things I have to do - I'll find a way to make it happen. I forgot how amazing it is when a story creeps up on you and takes over your mind so you HAVE to work on it, regardless of whatever else is going on! Like when my flash drive broke when I was on the way to Italy...and the only other copy of the series plan for my novel (not to mention 23,000 words of the manuscript!) was at home. But it didn't kill my desire to write, and I actually wrote 14K in 4 days, including 7000 words of a companion novella. (And the file survived! Hallelujah!) 
• To maintain sanity, I work on plotting in small stages. As I've been wrestling with a super-complex series idea for the last month, I've been trying to focus on the details rather than the whole project at once to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Also, keeping all the information in one Scrivener document = a good plan! I have all the worldbuilding info, character profiles, and files just for cool ideas that occur to me as I go along. BUT I did get quite a dramatic reminder to back up my files in more than one place. o.O
• I've been trying out new techniques to get more words down per day without sacrificing quality. For instance, running through a scene in my head beforehand and scribbling in a notebook, writing bits and pieces of it down, then putting it all together. It takes a bit longer, but it ultimately has a smoother result! Right now, I'm actually writing several chapters at once, in fragments, and when I run into an issue with one, I move onto another. This is partly because I'm alternating between two 1st person POV's, so two stories are happening at the same time.
• Speaking of the dual 1st person POV, it's also the first time I've done that - and the first time I've written from the perspectives of two characters who couldn't be more different from me! It's challenging, but I never expected it to be so much fun!

What distracted me this month when writing: 

My book re-releasing!

Also, querying. o.O And various mini-breaks and fun trips. :) Spending time with the boyfriend and the family. ^^

Goal for next month: Carry on with this draft! :D I'm trying to stick with one series rather than hopping around, and this particular one is...demanding. Obviously, I'll have to take breaks for Darkworld edits and if anything happens with the book I'm querying, but for now, I'll focus on this new series! :)

Last 200 words: *deep breath* This is a tad nerve-wracking, but I'll share the opening to Shiny New Series Book 1! (Bear in mind the first-draftiness of it!)

Pulling my hood to hide my face, I slipped from the fog-shrouded London street into a narrow alleyway between two broken-down buildings. No one saw me.

I rubbed my arms, feeling the chill from the alley wall penetrate the thin fabric of my coat. Several feet in, the brick gave way to another substance which wasn’t obvious at first glance. This area was so off-radar, no one would ever come looking for trouble here - not of the magic variety, anyway. But my fingers found the familiar cracks between brick and metal, and a gentle push was all I needed. Before my eyes, the fake part of the wall slid away, revealing cold metal in an arched shape.

Whoever had first found the Passage here, I didn’t know. Even Nell didn’t. They couldn’t be created - they just existed, anomalies in nature.

The metal wall was icy to the touch and vibrated under my fingers. It wasn’t a door, exactly, though it functioned like a sliding panel, moving back to reveal a dark corridor.

I stepped over the threshold.

The Passages were always freezing, no matter the time of day - there was no sun here, and it grew colder the further in you went. Officially, only the first corridor was accessible, but there was nothing official about this. And I knew all the secrets of the Passages. I could walk them blindfolded, even into the dark places the Alliance didn’t want anyone on Earth to know about.

August Monthly Reading Wrap-Up! (And changes on the blog!)

Hello, lovely readers! I'm back from Italy, and I'll be sharing my photos during next week's What's Up Wednesday post. ^_^

I have a confession. Like a lot of writers, my TBR list is out of control, and my time's extremely limited. Now, I'm a fast reader, but my reviewing speed is flagging, and I just don't have time to review everything I read...which often leads to me feeling guilty for reviewing some books and not others! So, I've decided to start doing monthly recaps of my reading with mini-reviews of what I've read that month.  This is taking the place of Monday Mini-Reviews after September!

First up: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead! Technically, I read this in July, but I've reviewed all the other books in the series (and if I'd been reading at normal-human reading, I'd have finished it this month... but with my crazy reading speed, I finished it in a couple of hours!).

Silver Shadows is the fifth book in the Bloodlines series, and follows Sydney Sage, an Alchemist who, when sent into hiding with the Moroi (vampire) Queen's half-sister, became embroiled in magic and a forbidden relationship with a Moroi, Adrian. Now, she's suffering for the mistake she made in the previous book, and the tension's at an all-time-high. Richelle Mead writes in a way that pulls you into the story immediately, and keeps you there from beginning to end! I can't wait for the conclusion to the series!


Next up: I read The Falconer by Elizabeth May! I've had my eye on this one for a while (faeries? Steampunk Edinburgh? Kickass female lead? Hell yeah!) and I'm happy to say it met my expectations! The ending, however, was cruel. *wants sequel*



I had my eye on Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee ever since I first saw the blurb, and I'm glad to say the story more than lived up to the beautiful cover! There's so much originality here, and so many cool elements (time manipulation, mythology, even a dash of steampunk). Highly recommended!


This has been a great month for unique fantasy! Based on many recommendations, I read The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, and wow. It's about a thief who's offered freedom from imprisonment in exchange for stealing a treasure from legend...but it's so much more than that. It's hard to say without spoiling the story, but I really appreciated how subtle and clever the whole setup was. Amazing!





As a reader, I'm picky when it comes to epic fantasy, but I was instantly hooked by The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley. The compelling story, gripping action, and three-dimensional, complex characters made this one of the best epic fantasies I've read - I can't wait for the sequel!



Blackfin Sky by Kat Ellis has to be one of the most original books I've read in a long time! The setting and the creepy atmosphere drew me in, and the mystery had me guessing up until the end.




Another great find was City of A Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster. I loved how the story-world was different to most other YA high fantasy I've read, rich and detailed and full of mystery. It had me hooked from beginning to end!



 Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the final book in the sci-fi romance Lux series, and I really enjoyed it!  I never thought I'd enjoy sci-fi alien romance before I found this series, but JLA's writing is addictive and the suspense, drama and hilarious one-liners make her books difficult to put down. And this is no exception! Packed with tension, action, and the usual JLA humour and romance, I thought this was a great end to the series.


Another fantastic finale was the final book in the Experiment in Terror series by Karina Halle! Dust to Dust wrapped up this NA paranormal/horror romance series wonderfully. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book!



I've had Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers on my list forever, but I finally got round to reading it! It's about assassin nuns in medieval France, who kill whoever is marked by the god of death himself. I'm picky when it comes to historical fiction, but this story is the perfect balance of politics, tension, romance and the fantastical. I was hooked!

I was really excited for the second book in Zoe Marriott's exciting Name of the Blade trilogy, and I loved Darkness Hidden even more than The Night Itself! I can't wait for the finale!

It's definitely been a great reading month! I think I'm going to enjoy doing this feature. ^_^

Ready. Set. Write! Final Update

Ready. Set. Write! is a writing challenge hosted by Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin L. Funk and Jaime Morrow, and this is my final update!

●How I did on last week’s goal(s)

I wrote 16K of my shiny new draft - at 22K now! It's been a super-productive writing week, even though I've been busy with real-world things and freelance work, too! ^_^

●My goal(s) for this week

As I'm going to Italy (yay!), I might have limited writing time...but then again, I said the same thing last week. :P I'll aim for three chapters of the shiny new draft this week!

●A favorite line from my story OR a word or phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised

The beginning of my Shiny New series features alternative worlds, a sarcastic centaur, running around dark passages, and invisibility!

●The biggest challenge I faced this week

Time. Having to drag my brain away from story-world to deal with real-world things. Inevitably, the moment I get into serious writing-mode, something interrupts! And then I do silly things like trying to walk down "up" escalators. (I may have done that this week... :P)

●Something I love about my WIP 

I love everything about my new shiny series! ^_^ It's the first time I've written an urban fantasy set on an alternative Earth where magic is out in the open, and with lots of alternative universes involved. It's also my first time writing adult UF rather than YA or MG, so it's a new challenge! The characters are around 21-22 years old, so the voice is quite similar to my Darkworld series. But neither of the two MC's are anything like characters I've written before. It's fun to try new things!

What's Up Wednesday

It's time for What's Up Wednesday, a weekly meme run by Erin L Funk and Jaime Morrow. Here's what I've been up to this past week!

What I'm reading

I read Dust to Dust, the final book in the Experiment in Terror series by Karina Halle. I never expected to love this series as much as I did, and I'm sad it's over!

I also read Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, which has been on my list forever! Assassin nuns in medieval France? Hell yeah!

What I'm writing

I finished my draft!!!! :D In a crazy marathon session on Saturday, I wrote over 6000 words. I'm still not sure how I managed that...but my artsy WIP is finished! :D Well, the first draft is, and it'll be joining the other two drafts I've finished this year in the "Needs Serious Revision" folder. But for now, yay! *dances*

I've also been doing more outlining for the Shiny New Series and officially started writing it! ^_^ I'm casually working on the first book for now, because the next couple of weeks are going to be busy. It's my first adult book, which is proving an interesting challenge (especially as the voice is turning out to be similar to my YA books!). And I still haven't nailed down the genre. (It's urban fantasy with alternative universes, so it's basically tap-dancing over all the sub-genres of fantasy...)

What inspires me

Epic marathon writing days! Until Saturday, I hadn't had one of those in a while! :D And now, I'm inspired by my shiny new manuscript! ^^

What else I've been up to

I finally watched Guardians of the Galaxy, and I absolutely loved it! My boyfriend and I also spent a day in London, seeing the sights, and then we went to a gig. ^_^

I've also discovered the genius of the Welcome to Night Vale podcast. It's awesome. 

And today, I'm travelling up north to visit my boyfriend for a few days. Then I'll have one day to pack for my second impromptu mini-break of the year. On Monday, I'm going to Italy with my family for three days! So life's going into Crazyville for a bit, and my presence on le interwebs might be a tiny bit scattered (I'm on a train today, but I'll return comments as soon as I can!).

Monday Mini-Reviews - Mary: The Summoning by Hilary Monahan and Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

There is a right way and a wrong way to summon her.

Jess had done the research. Success requires precision: a dark room, a mirror, a candle, salt, and four teenage girls. Each of them--Jess, Shauna, Kitty, and Anna--must link hands, follow the rules . . . and never let go.

A thrilling fear spins around the room the first time Jess calls her name: "Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. BLOODY MARY." A ripple of terror follows when a shadowy silhouette emerges through the fog, a specter trapped behind the mirror.

Once is not enough, though--at least not for Jess. Mary is called again. And again. But when their summoning circle is broken, Bloody Mary slips through the glass with a taste for revenge on her lips. As the girls struggle to escape Mary's wrath, loyalties are questioned, friendships are torn apart, and lives are forever altered.

A haunting trail of clues leads Shauna on a desperate search to uncover the legacy of Mary Worth. What she finds will change everything, but will it be enough to stop Mary--and Jess--before it's too late?

My review

The creepy cover and blurb caught my attention immediately. This is one seriously scary story! It starts with the well-known game “Bloody Mary”. Shauna’s friend Jess is obsessed with the idea of summoning the ghost of Mary from a mirror, and manages to convince Shauna, Kitty and Anna to go along with her plan. None of them expect it to really work, and for the gruesome spectre to walk out into the real world. Mary attaches herself to Shauna, haunting her through every reflective surface and threatening everyone she cares about.

There are very few books which I can honestly say terrified me, but this one did. From the beginning, it had me glued to the pages. The characters and their friendships are well-drawn and the added conflict when Mary targets them made each chilling reveal even more effective. The suspense kept me riveted and it never slowed down, keeping just the right pace. I haven’t read a ghost story this good since ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD. Recommended for all fans of creeptastic horror!

4.5 stars.

 

 There's something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia....

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family as fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walkers by. But this is nothing compared to what she's just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor...from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she'll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel, the situation becomes dire. An now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

My review

I’ve been wanting to get my hands on this book for ages, but as it isn’t published in the UK, it’s taken me ages to find a good-quality second-hand paperback. But it was worth the wait! Susan Dennard’s debut novel transports us to a 19^th-century Philadelphia with a zombie problem, and I was thoroughly swept up in the story. Eleanor Fitt’s brother has disappeared, and when Eleanor receives a note from him delivered by a dead man, she decides to seek out the Spirit-Hunters, a group dedicated to fighting the supernatural forces invading the world.

I’ve honestly never read a book quite like this. 19^th century and zombies is a combination that works (perhaps surprisingly) really well, and the storyline is enjoyable with no dull moments. The developing romance between Eleanor and Daniel and the social complications of this are well-handled and the chemistry between the characters is one of the books’ strengths. A creepy and unique historical-paranormal mystery for anyone looking for a unique spin on zombies!

Rating: 4.5 stars. 

Review - The Night Itself by Zoe Marriott

A breathtaking new urban fantasy trilogy from the critically acclaimed, award winning author of The Swan Kingdom and Shadows on the Moon.

When fifteen year old Mio Yamato furtively sneaks the katana - an ancestral Japanese sword - out of its hiding place in her parent's attic to help liven up her Christmas party costume, she has no idea of the darkness she is about to unleash on modern day London, or the family secrets that she is going to uncover.

The paralysing paranoia that descends on her before she gets to her friend's party is her first clue. The vivid and terrifying visions that nearly get her killed are a pretty good warning too.

The giant nine-tailed cat demon that comes after the sword and tries to rip her throat out? Overkill.

Seconds away from becoming kitty-food, Mio is saved by Shinobu, a mysterious warrior boy. But it's already too late. Mio has ruptured the veil between the mortal realm and the Underworld, and now the gods and monsters of ancient Japan stalk the streets of London, searching for her and the sword. 

With the help of her best friend Jack, a fox spirit named Hikaru - and the devoted protection of the betwitchingly familiar Shinobu - Mio attempts to discover the true nature of the sword and its connection to the Yamato family. Because if she doesn't learn how to control the katana's incredible powers, she's in danger of being overwhelmed by them. And if she can't keep the sword safe from the terrible creatures who want it for their own, she'll lose not only her own life... but the love of a lifetime.

Amazon
Amazon UK

I love unique urban fantasy and I love Japanese mythology, so I jumped at the chance to read Zoe Marriott’s first YA fantasy which takes place in our own world. Set in modern-day London, The Night Itself follows fifteen-year-old Mio Yamato, whose decision to borrow the ancestral sword that once belonged to her grandfather to liven up her costume for her birthday party has unexpected consequences. The katana was meant to stay hidden for a reason, and now an ancient evil is unleashed on London.

I absolutely loved the characters. Mio is a strong, independent lead with a supportive best friend in Jack, and their interactions leap off the page. Shinobu, the warrior trapped inside the sword, is a swoonworthy hero, and I really like how Zoe turned the ‘insta-love’ trope into something not only convincing, but emotional and compelling.

The world-building is just as compelling as Zoe’s wonderful fantasy novels, and I love the way the modern world of London is juxtaposed with the spirit realm of Kitsune. This book is action-packed from start to finish. There are terrifying monsters, nail-biting fight scenes, and twists and turns throughout. A fantastic start to what’s sure to be a favourite trilogy!

Rating: 5 stars.

What's Up Wednesday

It's time for What's Up Wednesday, a weekly meme run by Erin L Funk and Jaime Morrow. Here's what I've been up to this past week!

What I'm reading

I read Blackfin Sky by Kat Ellis, which was wonderfully creepy and haunting - and unique!

I also read Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee. I've had my eye on it since reading the blurb, and it's just the kind of high fantasy I love to read - intriguing and well-developed worldbuilding, great characters, and creative use of magic/mythology. I loved it!

And I read Opposition, the final book in Jennifer L. Armentrout's Lux series, and found it to be a nail-biting and fantastic ending!

Finally, I read City of A Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster, another awesome YA high fantasy! I've had this on my list for a while, and I loved how the story-world was different to most other YA high fantasy I've read. The mystery had me hooked from beginning to end!


What I'm writing

Carrying on with my draft and outlining Shiny New Series. :) It's a really good job I love this story idea, because I haven't had to do this much planning and research in a long time...that's what I get for writing about multiple alternative universes! :P

What inspires me

This post from Natalie Whipple about the importance of focusing on what you love about writing, rather than on publishing politics. Which is one of the reasons why I'm on the fence about a certain contest. As I mentioned on Monday, these contests are an anxiety trigger for me, and it's easy to get caught up in the game and forget the important thing: WRITING.  Obviously, contests do work for some people, and that's great! But querying is stressful enough without adding more pressure.


What else I've been up to

Today, I'm in London! I planned to take a research trip there anyway (for the book series I'm outlining at the moment)...then my boyfriend won free tickets to a concert. I'm out until very late tonight, so I'll return all blog comments tomorrow. :)

Monday Mini-Reviews - Incarnate trilogy by Jodi Meadows

 New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Amazon

My review

I've been meaning to read this book for ages - with such a stunning cover, I couldn’t resist! The premise is fantastic – a society where the same million souls are reincarnated over and over again, and Ana, a “newsoul”, who disrupts the whole pattern. Mistreated by her mother, Li, who sees her as a bad omen, Ana leaves for the city of Heart, where she discovers unexpected acceptance and friendship on her journey to find out why she exists and why another soul vanished when she took their place.

The worldbuilding in this book is stunning, completely unique and fascinating. Meadows has put so much thought into the way the story’s world functions and what life would be like in a society in which the same people are continually reborn. It has a futuristic feel in places, but also has fantastical creatures like dragons and Slyph. Ana’s relationship with Sam is sweet and develops naturally throughout the story. Ana is a relatable teen who feels like she’ll never belong – understandable, given that she’s been told throughout her life that she’s a mistake and a bad omen.

A creative and beautifully written YA fantasy with a unique plot – this had me spellbound!

Rating: 5 stars.

 DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.

SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.

In this second book in the Newsoul trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

My review

Asunder, the second in Jodi Meadows’s Newsoul trilogy, is just as compelling as the first book. Here, Ana deals with the consequences of the events of Templedark, in which many lives - and souls - were lost. Now, more newsouls like Ana are being born, but many people distrust them, and blame her for what happened. Meanwhile, Ana wants to uncover the truth about reincarnation, while becoming a voice for the other newsouls.

I loved this book just as much as the first one!  Ana’s character growth is wonderful, and I loved how her relationship with Sam developed as she overcomes her doubts and insecurities. The two make a lot of mistakes, but I liked that their characters are flawed and three-dimensional. Once again, I was completely emotionally invested in the characters.

But the worldbuilding is the best part of this story. I loved how Asunder took us deeper into this fascinating world, in which souls are reincarnated and humans are one of many creatures in a dangerous environment. I loved the mystery around the sylph and how that tied into the overall plot involving Janan and the city of Heart. The plot unfolds with surprises at every turn and with breathtaking revelations. And after an ending like that, I’m reading the final book right away!

Rating: 5 stars.

Infinite by Jodi Meadows

DESTRUCTIONThe Year of Souls begins with an earthquake—an alarming rumble from deep within the earth—and it’s only the first of greater dangers to come. The Range caldera is preparing to erupt. Ana knows that as Soul Night approaches, everything near Heart will be at risk.

FLIGHTAna’s exile is frightening, but it may also be fortuitous, especially if she can convince her friends to flee Heart and Range with her. They’ll go north, seeking answers and allies to stop Janan’s ascension. And with any luck, the newsouls will be safe from harm’s reach.

CHOICEThe oldsouls might have forgotten the choice they made to give themselves limitless lifetimes, but Ana knows the true cost of reincarnation. What she doesn’t know is whether she’ll have the chance to finish this one sweet life with Sam, especially if she returns to Heart to stop Janan once and for all.

With gorgeous romance and thrilling action, the final book in the Incarnate trilogy offers a brilliant conclusion to the compelling questions of this fascinating world, where one new girl is the key to the lives of millions.

My review

I started reading this immediately after finishing Asunder, and finished it in a day! Jodi Meadows wraps up the series wonderfully in an emotionally wrenching and gripping conclusion.

As Janan prepares to return, earthquakes and natural disasters plague the Range, and Ana is the only person who can uncover how to stop him. Exiled along with Sam, she struggles with her knowledge of the true reason the oldsouls reincarnate and what really happened five thousand years ago. The story expands to explore new places in this fascinating world, including the dragons and centaurs. I loved how the sylph continue to play a major role in the plot, and

This is a fast-paced and beautifully written novel, and the character development is superb. Ana and Sam are perfect for each other, and while their relationship isn’t free from struggles, there’s minimal angst – one of the reasons I love this series so much. The minor characters are equally well-developed, and I was sad for some of their fates. Janan is a truly terrifying villain, and the spell he casts over the citizens of Heart is gripping and scary.

There are even more surprises, twists and shocking reveals than the previous instalment, leading up to a very satisfying conclusion. The Incarnate trilogy is a rare series which gets stronger with each book, and one I’ll be adding to my “reread” list for sure!

Rating: 5 stars.