My Camp NaNoWriMo Experience: Winning and Hardships

So Camp NanNoWrimo is officially over, and I am happy to say, I won.

If you are unaware of what Camp NaNoWriMo is, I have a post that talks briefly about it here

My goal was 50,000 words and I reached that goal on April 29th.

Camp NaNoWriMo was a very interesting event and is something I would recommend new writers to do. Before doing this event, I was a very picky writer. I always wrote something and went back and changed it immediately because I did not like how it sounded. That, would be called your inner editor.

NaNoWriMo does not let you do that. It pushes you to keep writing and to keep letting those words flow out. At first, it felt odd to not reread my words for 100 times and change every single one. For Camp, I had to keep writing and writing. Before I knew it, I had written more words in a week than I had in two months!

I wasn't particularly clean with my writing, something I'll leave for editing. As I continued, my sentences become more choppy, short, and 3rd grade-like. But for me, it didn't matter, because I was getting my words out and on the page.

Like expected, my story had some crazy turns. I did have somewhat of  general idea for my story, but not much of a strict outline. Random things happened, and I allowed them to happen because that's what the story wanted to do. In the end, I got a hot mess of a novel. But, it's still a novel!

I had a strong start to Camp, but I started to fall behind in the 2nd week. It did not feel great, but luckily, I had spring break, in which I wrote around 10,000 words to catch up. After that week, things were good again. I was maintaining my goals, and on some days, passed them! After day 16, I had a good flow going.

I could tell that the NaNoSprints via Twitter and the Virtual Write-Ins via Youtube were helpful for some. I did some sprints but I never used the prompts since I didn't want my story to be messier than it already was. I did think the sprints did help though. In a way, it was a strict demand. Write for a certain amount of time without stopping. I couldn't do any of the Virtual Write-Ins, but I thought the idea was cool.

Getting to the 50,000 words was great. It felt great and made me extremely happy and proud. It was like a realization state like, "wow, did I really just do that?"

This was my first time participating in anything Nanowrimo, and I was very happy i did it. It was enjoyable, yet stressful, and really showed me what i was capable of doing. Although my cabin members become pretty idle, I was able to encourage myself and do it.

I will not be touching or looking at my novel for the next to weeks. It will be best to let it sit there and will allow me time to read a little and rest my brain.

There is still a lot of more work to be done with my novel. But at least I have something to work with now.

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

Title: The Here and Now
Author: Ann Brashares
Pages: 288

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins. 

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. 

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.

My Rating:
✰✰✰1/2

I received a copy of this book from Random House Children's and NetGalley


The synopsis of this book really stood out to me. I remember seeing  someone explaining it and talking about a group of immigrants moving to America, but not from a different country, but time.  It really sounded good and I was able to receive a copy of this book from Random House Children's and NetGalley awhile ago. I planned on reading it before it got published but unfortunately, I wasn't able to do that. I picked up this book weeks ago and couldn't really get into it.  It wasn't the book, it was just that I wasn't in the mood to read a different book where there would be many new things to learn and understand. 

I was only about 30% into the story when I decided to do Dewey's 24 hour read-a-thon. I saw it as a perfect opportunity to submerge myself into this book and finish it. And I really ended up enjoying it.

The concept was very unique and the writing was very good. The plot was easy to follow as I continued and eventually I found myself not wanting to put it down! The main protagonist, Prenna, is apart of a group of time travelers who went back in time in an attempt to stop a deadly blood plague.  The story didn't really focus itself around the plague that much in the beginning which I found strange. There was a lot of world building and back stories in the beginning of the book which wasn't too thrilling.

Since I really did like the writing, it was easy to continue, and thankfully, the story did start to pick up.
Prenna's character was very  believable; her emotions and fears were realistic. I also enjoyed Ethan's character; he was sweet,charming and caring. Their relationship was great and didn't over power anything else. I did not think that their relationship was insta-lovey since they have know each for years and Ethan witnessed Prenna's arrival. 

 I do wish that we were able to see more of the side characters such as Katherine, Prenna's friend, who we don't really get to know. In the story, Prenna doesn't really have anyone by her side other than Katherine and Ethan. 

I did think that at some points there was too much going on in the plot and somethings over powered others. I think this book was pretty similar to The Giver in some ways. For instance, all of the rules they have and how there's a lack of privacy made me compare the two. Both of which I thought were great. 

I think Ann did a great job of writing this story especially since there are less than 300 pages in it. I really emerged myself into this story and really enjoyed it. In my perspective, it didn't seem like anyone was doing anything to prevent the plague. It was only when an old homeless man speaks to Prenna that makes her question her community which then leads to more events that ultimately lead to many big things. 

There seems to be a lot of mixed reviews and thoughts over this book but I would recommend it.


Now talking about some spoilers:

There were some nice plot twists in the story that I really enjoyed. I do have to admit that it was strange how Prenna only recognized the old homeless man as her father when he was dying. The story of him did really make sense and I really liked how the time travel made him age much more than the others. The whole thing with Mona was a bit too much. Some things in the plot really did make things more confusing and too complicated. But I did think that everything about Andrew Baltos was interesting. 
His suicide actually made me sad, even though he was a murderer. I did think that it would've been better if we found out about the start of the plague from someone who is really known in the book, not a character that has only been here for not that long.

I  really liked all of the character development that Prenna went through. In that long discussion she has in the end with Mr. Roberts really showed that and it made me want to clap for her. Speaking of Mr. Roberts, I think he was a good antagonist but it seemed as if he gave up in the end. The ending did seem a bit too forced and fast; it wasn't a bad conclusion though.

I really love the moments that Prenna and Ethan shared, especially when they were at the beach and shopping. Their love relationship was great and did make me sad how in the end they can never get what they really wanted. I loved how together they went searching for clues and discovered her dad's belongings that he brought back. I think the time traveling trait of this book  was extremely cool. 


My overall thought: A suspenseful book with amazing writing and real teen angst. 

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon 4-26-14

Hello everyone! I am going to participate in my very first 24 hour read-a-thon! I wanted to do this because I haven't been reading much recently. I also think that it will be very fun since I've actually had no time to read this month because of Camp NaNoWriMo. I will not be able to only read in one spot during the whole day, unfortunately. I will be going places but I still hope to be able to read. Majority of things I want to read are Ebooks.


Books I plan to read/finish:

Wild by Alex Mallory
The Here and Now by Ann Brashares
Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks
Red at Night by Katie Mcgarry
Searching for Beautiful by Nyrae Dawn

I will most likely not be able to finish all of the books, but I hope to get a lot done!

Sign up for the read-a-thon: http://24hourreadathon.com/

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars
Author: Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
Pages: 375


It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
                                                                                                   ~                                                                                                                   


Wow. This book was amazing. (along with it's beautiful  cover!) It was an awesome sci-fi and had great elements of survival to the story.  It was very fun and easy to read and felt like an adventure! The plot of this story was very interesting and had some really crazy twist to it.  There were many different aspects to the story I was not expecting, but was thrilled to read about.

I loved Lilac and Tarver as characters and their relationship. They both went through an immense amount of character development which really showed especially since in the beginning it was shown that they did not really get along well. The romance was probably one of my favorite things in this story. It wasn't rushed and forceful; it felt very real and genuine. You didn't really get to see any other characters that much, but just reading about Lilac and Tarver kept me going. 

I also loved the breaks between each chapter of dialogue between Tarver and the interrogator. It was very simplistic and quite enjoyable. The dual perspective and writing in general was great!
"Titanic in space." is a pretty good description of this story. The story itself was great and totally worth reading. I can't wait for the next two companion books for this series :)  I really do hope Lilac and Tarver make an appearance!

Now for some spoiler stuff! Skip to the bottom to find my rating and overall thought! :

One of the craziest things in this story was what happened to Lilac! It did take me by surprise and when she reappeared, like, woah woah woah. I found myself reading that part over again and question what's going on. I really shared Tarver's mixed emotions of this and felt bad for him. Seeing him confused and hopeless made me want to just hug him.

The ending of the book was great. I did wish there was an epilogue to see how Lilac and Tarver would go on. A part of me still believes that the new Lilac isn't his Lilac, yet she seems the same. It really made me think harder about life and what makes a person who there are, as if there was something else that made them them other than their soul.


My Rating:
✰✰✰✰✰

My overall thought: An adventurous story with twists following an amazing duo of characters.

Mandi Lynn | Author Interview

Today I will be interviewing Mandi Lynn, author of the YA novel Essence.

Mandi Lynn is the young adult author of her debut novel, Essence. Beginning to write the story when she was only thirteen years old, after three and a half years of hard work, Essence was published in print. To graduate in 2014, meanwhile Mandi goes to a vocational high school where she takes cosmetology besides writing nivels and doing regular schoolwork. Mandi can be found on YouTube hosting YA Ink- a series of videos about writing and publishing- and sharing her journey as a writer.

 1. So you're a self-published teen author. Can you tell us about what it was like going through that process and how long it took you? From writing the novel, getting an editor, and publishing your novel, what was the hardest/easiest and best/worst part of it all?

I spent three years writing Essence on and off. I was also contacting literary agents for representation at the same time, but I never heard any feedback from them. After writing the eighth draft of Essence I knew it was almost ready so I looked into self-publishing. From there I found an editor and went through another two drafts for the novel. I officially decided to self-publish in March and the novel later came out in August because I knew it was something that had to be done over the summer without the distraction of high school. I think the hardest part was the tight deadline I had, but it all worked out in the end and I started senior year as a published author!

2. Why do you write fiction and why did you want to become an author? Who/what inspires you to write?

I don’t really know why I started writing. I just found a love for reading and one day I decided I was going to write a novel of my own. It was only a little personal project at first, but it obviously developed into something more than that. But I write because, simply put, it makes me happy. If I go too long without writing I just don’t feel right. It’s a therapy for me.

3. Assuming that you've written other stories before, how did the story of “Essence” stand out to you and why did you decide to go through with that story?

Essence was the first story I had ever written and it remained that way for a long time. I just kept working on it and re-writing because I was determined to make it something. If I go back and read the first draft it’s nothing like the published version. To be said, I’m just a very stubborn person and I wanted to make the story work, even if I had to go through ten very different drafts.

4. Can we be expecting another book from you anytime soon? What are you working on now? I heard you're writing a prequel to "Essence" currently! How is that going for you? How much research has gone into it?

I am currently working on the first draft of the prequel to Essence. It finally has a title but I can’t reveal it yet! I’m extremely excited for this new novel because it’s so different from Essence. I can’t say too much about it just yet, but it took me months to find all the proper research I needed to write the historical novel. I had started writing it a long time ago, but I kept abandoning it and starting again from scratch because I wasn’t happy with where the story was going.

5. What are some of your future plans? Do you know if you'll be taking any future writing courses/classes in college? Do you hope to be traditionally published some day?

This fall I’ll be going to a liberal arts college where I’ll be majoring in English with a focus of creative writing. I’ll be completely honest when I say I don’t know if I’ll be going for all four years; frankly because I don’t know if college is right for me and what I want to do. I do know I want my novels to be traditionally published, and if that goal takes me away from college I think I’m alright with that.

6. You also have a YouTube channel dedicated to books and helping others with writing! What are your main tips for any writers out there that might be struggling?

 The biggest thing it to just keep writing. It’s so easy not to work on a novel and once you stop it’s hard to get back into the habit of writing every day. Because of my schedule it’s extremely hard to write every day and when I do have the time to sit down and write I’m exhausted, but you have to cut your excuses and get your words down. In the end you’ll be happy you mustered through it.

7. Reading or Writing?

It depends on the day. Sometimes I rather get lost in another author’s world and escape reality for awhile, but then there are the days where I feel I need to write or risk losing my sanity.

8. Typing or Hand Writing?

Typing. My hand writing is awful for the most part. And I cannot, for the life of me, write stories down on paper. I need to type it, I don’t know why, but the words flow easier when I type.

9. Hardcover or Paperback?

Hardcover. My parents tell me I have expensive taste.

10. What book did you just finish reading? And what are you reading currently?

I just finished The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick and I loved it! And right now I’m not reading anything, which is very strange for me, but I’ve been writing a lot. And anyone who’s been a high school senior knows how hectic your life becomes in the last few months before graduation, so I haven’t had time to sit down and read a lot.

11. Do you have a specific playlist you listen to while you write?

I do! It’s named after a novel I had started writing but then abandoned because it didn’t connect with me like I wanted it to. But it’s full of a lot of emotional songs and indie bands that help me get into the zone.

12. This might be hard, but list your top 5 favorite books of all time.

I’m bending the rules and choosing six because I’m starring at my bookshelf and can’t cross one of these books off the list.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Every Day by David Levithan

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini’

Rapture by Lauren Kate

Allegiant by Veronica Roth (my copy is signed!)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

13. And lastly, if you had to get any tattoo right now, what would it be?

I love this question because I was just talking to my friends about tattoos. I don’t know if I’ll ever actually get it, but I wanted to get Strength tattooed onto my calf. I have anxiety every now and then, but one of the things that helps me (along with writing) is running and long distance bike rides. So to me it means having strength both mentally and physically. 

Thank you so much for answering these questions Mandi :) I really appreciate it and I hope all goes well for your senior year in high school!

It starts with a shift in the atmosphere. The forest greets Emma with startling force. At first she can’t move her limbs. Then her vision is rendered useless. The sensation comes more often, and the symptoms become frightening as Emma is left paralyzed to the force that emerges from the forest. Voices come in dream at first, commanding against her will. Something is out there that calls Emma to the forest. It isn’t going to fade until she surrenders.

Mandi's debut novel Essence can be bought on Amazon HERE

For more information on Mandi and her novel, check out her website where you'll find all her social media links as well! : http://mandilynn.com/

The Book Sacrifice Tag

I was tagged by My Fantabulous Bookshelf to do the Book Sacrifice Tag!


The rules of this tag are:
1. Choose a book you want to sacrifice in each of the scenarios below
2. Once you finish the tag, make sure you tag other people!
DISCLAIMERS: The original tag was created by Ariel Bisset on YouTube and this tag was not meant to be offensive to any authors or people who like these books. It's just something fun we're doing :)

Scenario #1:
Imagine you're in a bookstore, casually walking up and down the shelves, browsing, when suddenly zombies begin attacking. An announcement comes over the PA system, saying that the primary weakness of zombies has been found: over-hyped books. What over-hyped book do you run to first to use as a weapon against the zombies?

I know a lot of people will scold me on this, but I will have to use The Hunger Games series. I would honestly chuck any one of those books in that series at the zombies. The series isn't awful or horrible, as some people describe books, but I just personally didn't quite like it. Part of the reason I didn't like it I think was because it was so over-hyped and so popular when I picked it up. I had already saw the first movie before I read the book and knew all of the actors who played the characters. It's unfortunate that I couldn't get to create my own characters for Katniss and Peeta in my head. 

Scenario #2:
You just left the hair salon with perfect hair when bam it starts raining. What sequel do you sacrifice as an umbrella to protect your beautiful hair?

I cannot think of a sequel I did not like, so I'm just going to go with another over-hyped book I did not like which is Perks of Being a Wallflower. (I bet a lot of people are shaking their heads now) One of the main reasons I didn't like this book was because it was just told in letters. Personally, I don't like books that just depend on letters to tell the story. I even tried watching the movie which I couldn't even get through. I hope one day to re-read this book, and maybe I'll like it if I give it another shot. 

Scenario #3:
Your English teacher is going on and on about how great this classic is. How timeless and universal and symbolistic it is. Everyone in the class seems to be buying into it, but you've read the book and know just how bad it is. Which classic was so stupid that you would risk detention just to throw it at your teacher to make your point?

Haha. I'm slightly regretting doing this tag since I can't come up with an answer for this one either! Since I've only read one classic, I'll just use that book, which is The Giver. Once again, another popular book. I read this book in school awhile ago, but my teacher takes the longest time to get through a book. Although The Giver is less than 200 pages, our class spent over two months just to finish this book. I didn't love this book but I didn't hate it either. The writing was good, but the world seemed a bit strange to me. I think it was kind of a weird dystopia, but it wasn't bad at all! I wouldn't exactly want to sacrifice it, but if I didn't have a choice, I probably would. 

Scenario #4:
You're hanging out at the library when suddenly global warming explodes and Earth has turned into a frozen wasteland. The only way to survive is to keep warm by using a book as fuel. What book do you run to first, knowing that if you burned it, you really wouldn't regret it that much?

I would have to pick The Coldest Girl in Coldtown for this one. I did not really like that book because I didn't feel any connections to the characters and plot. It took me a while to get through this book and I couldn't wait to finish it. I am not a fan of vampire books.

But in reality, I would never sacrifice any YA fiction book because I would never hate on a book that much. (I would probably use a textbook for protection since I don't care about those!)

 I am going to tag: The Bookish Owl and Arkham Reviews

This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl

Title: This Star Won't Go Out
Author: Esther Earl, Lori Earl, Wayne Earl, John Green
Pages: 431


A collection of the journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of the late Esther Grace Earl, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 16. Photographs and essays by family and friends will help to tell Esther’s story along with an introduction by award-winning author John Green who dedicated his #1 bestselling novel "The Fault in Our Stars" to her.
                                                                                                   ~                                                                                                                   


I cannot explain how beautiful this book is and how I have grown a deep relationship for Esther Earl. I don't want this to be a book review; I do not want to simply "review" it.  I do not want to feel sad when I think about Esther, who was such a beautiful girl, because she said so. This book did not simply feel like a nonfiction novel or a biography. It was much more meaningful and deeper than that. 

It is impossible for me to physically be able to talk to Esther, or to look at her and have a simple conversation. But that does not mean that I cannot connect to her and love her.  Reading her entries and her writing made me feel loved and made me love her. I regret not knowing about her when she was alive, but I do not believe she is dead. For her soul and spirit is still there, somewhere, starting a new adventure each day. 

Like I said, I can not review such an empowering emotional book, but instead I would like to send a letter to Esther.



Dear Esther,

I know you do not know me, but I feel like I've known you all my life. It seems unfair to say that, but I truly believe it. I know you don't want to be remembered as the sad girl who died from cancer, so you won't be. I pray for you, Esther. I know that what you said about God is true, and that he is controlling everything and is the reason for everything. I don't want to feel sorry for you, but I am sorry. I'm sorry that you couldn't do everything you wanted to. I'm sorry that I never got to meet you and be able to see how amazing you are in person. You've really enlightened a lot of people, and I am sorry you aren't here to see that.

It's funny how you said you felt useless and lazy and wanted to help more, and I, as a person living a normal life, am ashamed to say that I did not feel that way before reading this book. I know if you were here, you would tell me to take advantage of my life and to embrace life and not chastise over death, which is exactly what I am trying to do.

There are many reviews of this book, praising you for how wonderful you are. I can honesty say that even if you weren't as known as you were, as the girl who John Green dedicated his novel to, I would still love you just as much. I want to spread my love for everyone in the world who needs it. I am not one that over uses the word, but uses it greatly to express my feelings. 

You are a beautiful child Esther. An amazing person. Know that my love is here for you always.

~Cindy (I promise you, that this star will NEVER go out)


My Rating:
✰✰✰✰✰

My overall thought: An empowering  influential book that isn't about a girl who died from cancer, but about a girl who embraced life more because of it.

Michelle Muto | Author interview

Hello everyone! I'm happy to announce that my first author interview will be with the amazing Michelle Muto, author of the YA novels The Book of Lost Souls , Don't Fear the Reaper, and The Haunting Season.

Writer of urban fantasy, the paranormal, and all things eerie and curious.

Michelle has always loved storytelling. When she was a child, her favorite stories were of monsters and things that lurked in the dark. Telling stories often frightened her classmates and got her into a lot of trouble with her teachers. They had no sense of humor.

As an adult, Michelle traded her love of writing for the corporate life where she was an IT professional. Today, she’s doing what she loves best – writing and storytelling.

She loves scary books, funny movies, sports cars, dogs, chocolate, old cemeteries, and changes of season. Michelle even loves photography. One day, maybe she’ll upload a better photo – one that wasn’t taken in late afternoon with Photobooth. Or, maybe not.

Michelle writes on a Mac and is a true geek at heart. She agrees with her dogs who think cheese and bacon should be in their own food group. But most of all, she believes everyone should trust their imagination, have a kind heart, and should definitely have a sense of humor.

Awesome :) Thank you so much! I hope your doing great Michelle!

 Thank YOU! I’m doing well, thanks for asking. I hope you are as well, Cindy.

Here are the questions :) Since this isn't an in-person interview, feel free to be open to any answers or comments you may have!

1. So you like to write in the genre of paranormal and urban fantasy. Why does this genre intrigue you and why did you decide to write books on these topics?

 I've always been fascinated with campfire tales and scary movies, so writing creepy stories just seemed a natural way to go. It’s also extreme escapism. We know there are no such things as werewolves or dragons, but it’s fun to read books that contain them. It’s nothing like our own world.

2. Why do you write fiction and why did you want to become an author? Who/what inspires you to write?

 I used to also write how-to tech manuals for a living. While I didn’t mind writing manuals, fiction is so much more fun. Fiction is limited only by our imagination. It’s not black and white. We each play this little movie in our heads when we read fiction. 

I wanted to be an author probably ever since my teens. My inspiration? My mom used to read to me when I was very little. Her love of books rubbed off on me. To me, books were always magic. Today, they still are.

3. Assuming that you've written other stories before, how did your published novels (The Book of Lost Souls, Don't Dear the Reaper, The Haunting Season)

 stand out to you and why did you decide to go through with those stories?

 Each book is a different side of me. They’re all different writing styles. Don't Fear the Reaper is dark, dystopian, emotional. It’s also written in first person. The Haunting Season is the haunted house story I’ve just always wanted to write for myself. The Book of Lost Souls is the ying to Reaper’s yang - it’s light and fun, with a certain amount of comedy. Each style helped me grow as a writer, to explore different aspects of writing: atmosphere, suspense, literary, emotional, comedy, characters. 

I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself as an author. 

4. Can we be expecting another book from you anytime soon? What are you working on now? I heard that your writing a sequel to "The Book of Lost Souls" and to "Don't Fear the Reaper" as well as a new urban fantasy!

 The newest book is with my editor at Amazon Skyscape as we speak. It’s a dark fantasy. Since so many readers wanted a multiple point of view book, I decided to write one. It is scheduled for late 2014 or January 2015.

Meanwhile, I will be coming out with a novella based on The Haunting Season this year. It’s the number one request I get. As for The Book of Lost Souls and Don't Fear the Reaper, I have sequels planned for them as well. But it’ll be up to my publisher and agent as to what book I write next. 

5. What was the hardest part of becoming an author? Was it coming up with a story idea and writing the book? Or was it finding an agent and/or publisher?

 The hardest part about becoming an author was writing entire novels. It takes a long time. I have more ideas than I know what to do with. In fact, I’ll be going over them with my agent and editor soon. 

As for the publisher, Amazon approached me, so I was lucky. Not long afterward, I researched and queried three agents, two of which were interested. I decided on my awesome agent, Scott Miller at Trident Media and the rest is history, as they say.

6. I know that this question gets asked a lot, but what are your main tips for any writers? Other than to read and write a lot that is.

 Always look for your weakest ability and work to improve on that. Read books on writing.

7. Reading or Writing?

 Both.

8. Typing or Hand Writing?

 Typing. I’d never be able to read my handwriting.

9. Hardcover or Paperback?

 Depends on the author. If it’s a favorite or classic, I prefer the hardcover.

10. What book did you just finish reading? And what are you reading currently?

 Just finished John Connolly’s Every Dead Thing. Next up: Dean Koontz’s Odd Hours.

11. Do you have a specific playlist you listen to while you write?

 I generally don’t listen to music while writing the first or second drafts. But once I’m done, I tend to make playlists that fit the mood of the book.

12. This might be hard, but list your top 5 favorite books of all time.

 Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling

The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson

The Shining, Stephen King

The Stand, Stephen King

When You Are Engulfed in Flames, David Sedaris

13. And lastly, if you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be?

 A gargoyle.

Thank you so much for answering these questions Michelle :) Also, congrats on having "The Haunting Season" on the Amazon top 100 list recently!

 Thank you so much for having me as a guest, Cindy! And thanks for the congrats on hitting the top 100!

 Michelle's novels can be bought on Amazon  HERE

For more information on Michelle and her novels, check out her website where you'll find all her social media links as well! : http://michellemuto.wordpress.com/

The Liebster Award | Get to know me!

The Liebster Award is given to bloggers by other bloggers in recognition. 

Thank you Saloni at My Fantabulous Bookshelf

These are the rules: 

Link back and thank the blogger who nominated you in your post.

List 11 facts about yourself. 

Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you. 

Pick 5-10 new bloggers (must have less than 1000 followers) to nominate and ask them 11 new questions. Do not renominate the blogger that nominated you.

Go to each blogger's new site and inform them of their nomination.

11 Facts About Me

I want to become an author when I get older.

I have a huge obsession with anything related to Divergent including the series, movie, cast, etc..

I do not like it when things get over-hyped.

I enjoy running and staying active. 

I look older than I actually am.

I don't complain very often and I hate it when people do.

I prefer sweet foods over salty.

I praise Shailene Woodley. She is my role model and queen.

I'm in the 8th grade and terrified of high school. 

I prefer not to talk if nothing needs to be said.

I don't watch TV but spend too much time on the internet.

I can get jealous and selfish sometimes. I am also very denial but positive. 

Questions from Saloni

1. When did you start reading?

I'm assuming this means when I really got into reading, which was just around a year ago. I actually really hated reading in elementary school for some reason. If only I knew the possibilities of books then...

2. If you could pick one character to switch lives with, who would it be?

This is pretty hard since a lot of my favorite characters have some really big hardships. But I would have to say Cath from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. We are pretty common and her life in college seems pretty swell :) Plus, Levi... <3

3. If you could only keep one book from your bookshelf, which would it be?

Definitely Divergent because it is my life.

4. Why do you like to read?

Reading is my escape from reality. It makes me happy :)

5. Do you have any cool talents?

Does shipping count? If not, then reciting the alphabet backwards. 

6. What's the coolest place you've traveled to?

I don't know. I haven't been to many places!

7. What's one thing on your bucket list?

Other than to marry Theo James? Meet all the authors of my favorites books and go ziplining!

8. What's your favorite social networking website?

YOUTUBE

9.What's the best thing that's ever happened to you?

This is really hard because I can't think of only one moment that's been the best moment of my life. 

10. If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you bring with you?

A notebook and pen, an expert survivalist, unlimited food.

11. What is your favorite color?

Pink!

Bloggers I Nominate:

1. The Fangirl Existence

2. My Addiction: Books

3. Jordypaigebooks

4. Kelly Martin Books

5. Book Wyrming

Questions for My Nominees:

1. Do you prefer standalones or series of books?

2. If you had to pick one book that would become a movie, and you would star in the main role, what book would you pick?

3. Do you judge a book by its cover?

4. What is your favorite food?

5. What are some of your hobbies?

6. What is the first book you've loved?

7. What is your favorite genre?

8. Do you cry over books? If  so, what book made you cry?

9. Why did you start blogging?

10. Favorite movie?

11.Would you rather go back in time to the past, or into the future?

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Title: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Author: Holly Black
Pages: 419

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

Going into this, I did not know it was going to involve vampires. If I did know at the time, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I'm personally not a fan of vampire books and/or movies at all, so this book was a little hard to get through.

Throughout the book, I kept getting lost and confused almost. I understood what Coldtowns were for and what it meant to be Cold and such, but it was mainly the names that made me confused.
I might have missed something or didn't read carefully enough, but names such as Caspar Morales, Thorn of Ishtra, and Spider made me get all mixed up on who is who. It was only in the end did I manage to clarify things.

One thing I did enjoy in the book was the writing style. Holly Black's writing is amazing and really descriptive and enjoyable to read. (Well maybe not during those creepy blood-sucking ones) The quotes about death at the beginning of each chapter really added to the dark tone of the story.

The plot didn't really keep me interested, which made it hard for me to pick this up and read it. It actually took me more than a week to finish it and put me in a reading slump. It felt pretty slow to start off with.
I didn't really understand why the characters were doing what they were doing until someone actually said it in the story.

The ending was a lot better than the beginning in my opinion. It concluded things nicely and I think I understand everything now. But parts were confusing at times.

My Rating:
✰✰1/2

It may be because of the plot, or just because I do not like vampires that I didn't rate this book high. The writing was great and so I hope I'll be able to read more of Holly Black's books. I do recommend this book if you like vampires, and even if you don't, why not give it a shot?


My overall thought: An interesting take on vampirism, written beautifully.