January Book Club!

Alright guys, so for the month of January, we will be reading THESE BROKEN STARS by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner. This book is definitely different to what I would normally read, however the reviews look promising and I'm looking forward to it. Kate and Marie are the two lovely ladies who will be posting their reviews along with mine on the first Thrusday of February. HOWEVER, I still want ALL of you to read and partcipate! Comment and let me know if you will be reading the book along with us :) Happy reading!

The Real Reason That I Write

Yesterday I went to see Saving Mr. Banks in theatres, and it left me feeling inspired on multiple levels. It's one of my new favorite films and while everyone should treat themselves by going to see it, writers will perhaps benefit most of all. While there are many lessons to be gleaned from the movie, the supreme theme and the one that touched me the most served as a reminder that is easy to forget: written stories are meant to redeem, and provide hope in a world where we often feel hopeless.

Without spoiling too much of the movie, I will lend that Pamela Travers (the author of Mary Poppins) wrote the stories to heal her childhood wounds. By writing an alternate ending to her own story, she was able to not only satisfy herself, but provide the same joy and faith to children and adults around the world.

I tend to say that I don't like sad movies or stories. I read books to learn, laugh and maybe cry in the middle, but we all want a good ending even if we wouldn't label it as a 'happy' ending. One of my main aims as a writer, and I'm sure many of you relate to my agenda, is to provide the world and future generations with novels that aren't just there to thrill, or provide a nice little love story that gives them unrealistic expectations. I hope to write and publish books that doesn't simply entertain; yet rather, teaches lessons about life and the literary realm and in all hope, inspire and heal. Just like the Mary Poppins books and movie did for so many people.

I thought I would share this all with you because as young writers especially, we are often tempted by fame. Looking at the current literary patterns, we know that if our book contains a love triangle, a little violence and suspense, folks today will probably readily read our material. But what good does that do besides provide temporary entertainment? No, I think we all want to write something we can take pride in, so I would encourage you to examine your motives, or realign purposes that may have gone astray.

 Folks in an already currupted world with so much death, pain and wrong, deserve an escape that doesn't just take them into another world, but stories that provide real hope and real truth.

What I learned in 2013 (as a person and a writer)

You probably won't believe me when I say that 2013 has been the best and the hardest year of my life. I'm sure you can see me now, crying into my Starbucks coffee and furiously texting my friends about the typical teenager girl dillemas. "Why doesn't he like me?" "Why don't I have a thigh gap?" "My parents are sooooo strict!" etc. Fortunately for you (and probably everyone I know) I'm not that dramatic, and I ain't just blowin smoke when I reiterate that this has been one of the best and hardest years of my life. Honestly, I wouldn't be sad if 2014 carried on similarly, because I've enjoyed myself immensely these past 12 months. I thought I would go over some of my favorite things of the year, along with ways that I have grown as a person and a writer. Feel free to skip down to the lower section of this post if you don't care about my personal life. Go on, I won't be offended. *cue sappy montage music*

Favorite Book: East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Please, don't do yourself the diservice of neglecting to read this book.

Favorite movie I saw in theatres: I think I'll stick with Catching Fire, although The Desoloation of Smaug is a close runner up. But Monster's University was really good too! Do you see my problem here?

Favorite blog: That's still gotta be thewritepractice. Seriously, if you're a writer, that website will become your new favorite reference.

Ok, now why was this year so awesome? Well, I happened to do a lot of things I never had before. SHARE TIME OMGGGG!!! (sarcasm) but here it goes: I learned how to drive, I got my first car (I know right? Go me!) I went to my first "concert". Yeah, I saw the Pentatonix but I'm not sure you could call it a legit concert since it was free and they just performed at a local pavillion. Either way, it was awesome. I performed in my first "concert". I also put this in quotes, because by concert I just mean that I joined choir and we did a lot of performances. I made lots of new friends, grew closer to ones I have known for a while, and received my first fancy rejection from a publisher! (more later)

And finally, as I writer, well--I learned a lot. As afore mentioned, I received my first rejection regarding my full mauscript, rather than just a query. Meaning, a legit new york agent read my story, and told me what she thought. There were things she liked and of course, things she didn't like. The entire exchange ended up being more encouraging than anything, and I was mostly pumped about the free, yet professional advice. For now, I have laid aside an old story, and dedicated my time to a new one which I have much more faith in. If anything, this year I learned to listen to your literary instincts. Don't do what the current patterns recommend, or what you think is the "proper" thing to to do. You're a writer! You've read tons of books! And by now you should know a thing or two about what you're doing. Stop listening to the masses and start listening to yourself! HOWEVER, I would equally urge you to seek out honest opinions. Try to get a varied audience and learn to sift through their varied opinions.

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my year. I would love to hear about your 2013 in the comments!

Book Club Suggestions

Alrighty folks, I have received just enough partcipants to make my online book club happen, HOWEVER, I have only gotten three book suggestions, and I am giving y'all one more day to submit some more choices if you desire! Between the 30th and the 31st I will choose what book we will be reading and discussing in January.  Feel free to comment below or email me at: karolinamazingATgmailDOTcom