friday5 for November 11, 2016: 2016 nanowrimo edition

I just realized this is the first Friday5 I've done since the summer. That right there is a real measure of how busy I've been. But despite it being such a long time since I've done one, today's Friday5 is not going to be a return to the usual format because we're in the midst of National Novel Writing Month (when you write a 50k novel during the month of November), one of two reasons (the other being that December is crazypants) there's a good chance I may not do another Friday5 until January. Just kidding. Kind of. But probably not... Anyway, for this month at least, I'm making serious writing progress, and sorry, but that wins out over blog-writing. 

So in the spirit of NaNoWriMo, or NaNo as it's more briefly called, here are five things I've learned as a YA author writing her first adult romance for her NaNo project: 

1. I'm writing without thinking too hard about what I'm writing and it's actually working. 

This has always been my biggest challenge when it comes to NaNo, as I'm sure it is for many people. I tend to edit as I write, which means fussing over dialogue tags, finding just the right word, and worrying over whether there's enough stuff going on beyond the dialogue (setting, mood, tone, etc). It's very hard for me to not ruminate on these things as I write, but the first thing I've done every day that I've sat down to work on my NaNo project is to remind myself that when it comes to NaNo, quantity is more important than quality. And it's actually working. I'm not sure if you can call managing to keep up with the expected word count for NaNoWriMo "crushing it" but if you can, I'm totally crushing it. Which feels kind of amazing cause I haven't done that in a long time. I'm writing without worry because I've kept reminding myself that I can go back and fix things later. That's what editing is for and while I've always found it easier to edit as I go, I don't have to. I can crank out words without them being perfect. Things are rarely perfect in a first draft anyway. 

2. My small town somehow feels ready for the big leagues.  

I've been working in the romance industry for the past eight years. I know romance novels pretty well. But this is the first time I've ever attempted to write one and despite how much exposure I've had to the medium, I'm still learning things through this process. I've always known books that fall into a series, with continuity and connected characters, are very popular within the genre, but I always saw those series as something that were extended because they were popular and because they sold. And while that's definitely part of it, I don't think I ever truly appreciated the author's likely compulsion to tell more stories in the same world until now. I've written first books in a trilogy before. I've written books meant to be the first half of a duology. But this is different somehow. When I set out to write this book, I had an idea for a story set in a small lakeside town here in Ontario. It wasn't until I started writing that I realized there's definitely more than one story here. The secondary characters have taken on lives of their own. I almost feel like it's my duty to tell their stories one day too. And that makes me feel like I now get it in a way that I didn't before. Series romance authors aren't searching for stories to tell--the stories are begging to be told. And there's something kinda wonderful about that. 

3. Tone is so important, especially when your story has potentially dark elements.

Aspects of my plot are a bit dark. There's death. There's infidelity. There's family drama. But most importantly, there's love. A lot of love. I mean, it is a romance, right? And I'm finding a big part of my focus with regards to crafting the story is going toward maintaining that hopeful, romantic tone all good romance novels need. It would be very easy to take the plot I've mapped out and turn it into something darker. The same story could easily be a thriller if I tweaked a few things. But one thing I've learned about romance over the years is how important it is to pin down the tone of the genre. And writing my first adult romance has only reinforced that fact a dozen times over. 

4. My adult characters are adult versions of my teen characters.

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about writing adult characters. Until now, all the novels I've written (short stories of the past aside) have been YA, with teen characters and teen issues. The adults in those books were parents, teachers, side characters. They were never the focus. And now I have this heroine who's 28 and at a serious crossroads in her life and I'm realizing, she's actually not that different from some of my YA characters. Sure, a lot of that has to do with my own voice while I'm writing, but I think it also has to do with the fact that both YA and adult romance have elements of self-discovery to them, of "figuring it out". And I love exploring those themes. One of the reasons I love writing YA is that I love the excitement of first loves and first experiences. Adult romance is less likely to dive into "first" territory, but it definitely explores experiencing something very other for the first time.  The first love to come along that changes you, that makes you see the world in a way you didn't before. I'm really enjoying the writing process so far, and while there are times that my adult characters feel like grown-up versions of my YA characters, I know the differences are what will make this book stand apart--the careers, the adult life problems, oh, and the sex. Not that my YA books don't go there, but this is the first time I'm writing a book that's going to go there. Good times :) 

5. I'm really enjoying writing something different.

It's been a rough road. I know I've written about this on the blog before, but publishing is a journey. For some authors, it's shorter than others, but mine, unfortunately, has been something of a long, winding path filled with very talented editors saying "thanks, but no thanks". It's definitely not easy, and as with all long journeys, you get tired after a while, you get discouraged, despite your best efforts not to. Sometimes it's nice to change things up a bit. YA is still my first novel-writing love, and I have a lot of great ideas for YA stories that I can't wait to explore, but for now, I'm really enjoying writing something different. I feel like it's giving me something of a recharge, one that I desperately needed. I still have high hopes that there's an editor out there who will love my YA novels enough to publish them, but now I have something else to focus on, to hope for. I'm doing the work. I'm always doing the work. And you've gotta do the work if you want to succeed. 

Are you working on a NaNo book of your own this month? If so, I've love to hear about it in the comments and/or friend me on the NaNo site! My username on there is earthcrosser. Happy writing and

Happy Weekend!

gearing up for fall and everything that comes with it

Remember back in August when I said I was swamped, but was hoping to get back on track soon? Well, it hasn't really happened yet. But it's on the horizon, I swear. And regular blog posts will return, I swear. I spent most of September working, and cleaning and organizing. There are a lot of little things that have been sitting since we moved into this house over a year ago, and before I dive in on my new WIP (which I'll share more about soon!), I want to get as many as I can squared away so they're not continuing to sit on my brain like those birds that sit along the fence waiting for something to die (...crows?).

Life in the country: probably the only reason I know what season it is

I did finally get all caught up on PLL, which was awesome, and I had planned on doing a big recap post, but again, life got in the way. So I'll just say that my little Haleb shipper heart is very happy and I'm super excited for the final stretch of episodes, which I WILL be recapping, come hell or high water. Or both. It is PLL we're talking about. Both seem very likely. 

Anyway, yeah, just another quick update post. I must get back to my current project, but if all goes as planned, I should be shifting from organizing and outlining mode to writing mode soon, and that will involve regular blogging too. If you don't hear from my by Halloween, something has gone terribly wrong... :)

crushing it...or being crushed

Maybe a little bit of both? Just a quick post to say, Hi! I'm still here! But my cup is filled to the brim with work and life at the moment so the blog has been sadly neglected. To give you an idea of how busy I've been, I haven't even watched the last two episodes of PLL. See? It's not just you I'm neglecting. If all goes well, I hope to get caught up before the summer finale next week, but even if that fails to happen, a grand, all-encompasing Pretty Little Reaction post will arrive at some point before the leaves start to turn. As I understand it from glimpses on social media, there is much to talk about! Until then, step outside and breathe some of that summer air before it's gone :)

pretty little reaction: what goes around, comes around...with a bomb

Photo credit: Freeform

7.07 ORIGINAL G'A'NGSTERS

Jason returns to town to stop Ali from getting too close to Mary. The girls learn something new about Mary and Mrs. DiLaurentis that leads them to a storm cellar full of clues. Ezra gets a call about someone in his past that could change his course. Noel Kahn grows more and more suspicious and rises to the top of the list of suspects for Uber A.

Official synopsis courtesy of prettylittleliars.com

Photo credit: Freeform

1. These girls sure make time for brunch a lot considering everything else they have going on. And how are we to believe they're told Sarah Harvey is dead and aren't immediately certain it was Jenna to the point where they should probably just tell the police, cause then maybe Jenna would be arrested and no longer be their problem? 

2. Pam Fields! A PLL mom is alive! And she's spending quality time with Emily. I feel like we're finally getting some decent Emily scenes in this episode after a lot of her being mostly boring with that coffee shop girl. 

4. I love how the call comes in about Toby's place and Spencer has to be all, "that's your address!" Spence, you don't always have to be the first to get there. 

5. Jason "Pouffy hair" DiLaurentis is back and his hair isn't Pouffy anymore--it's glorious! I think he needs to be referred to as“Jason's Hair” from now on. It’s like a promotion. At least his glorious hair isn't standing in the way of him finally manning up and helping his sister. 

6. Holy crap. How many days have passed since Ezria got engaged? Why are they so far ahead in their wedding planning? Any why does Ezra think Aria would want to elope? Does he not realize his bride to be probably wants everyone at her wedding to wear birds in their hair? 

7. Haleb!!! Finally, they are reunited. And he's working at The Radley = continued contact endorsed by Mama Ashley herself! Watching these two work late into the night together is PLL gold! And she finally tells him about Jordan! But why oh why aren't they kissing now??? Come on, Haleb! That was the moment! 

8.  Jason's Hair and Aria were a thing?! I feel like I'm exclaiming a lot this episode!!

9. Secret storm cellar?! This is PLL gold too!

10. Oh Spoby. I was never that invested in you, but I feel bad for Spencer and you guys should probably find a way to come back together. That said, I feel like Spencer wasn't that invested in him until the second he said he'd originally been building the house for her. Like, everything else she already knew right? Of course Toby is into his fiancé. He proposed to her… It feels like her grief over Hot Caleb is somehow resurrecting her feelings for Toby. 

10. A few questions to cover the final scenes: Why would the FBI seek out Ezra about Nicole to the point of showing up at his house? Why not her family? Why did Spencer decide they all needed to rush into the car and close the doors to make the alarm go off? Why is new A so certain the girls know who killed Charlotte? Haven't they proven by now that they don't? What's up with Aria's file? Is she somehow the missing Drake child? Or are we just supposed to think that? Whew! 

Prettiest Little Quote of the Week:

"We're gonna blow up! That's what countdowns mean!" -Hanna, who had too many good lines this week, so I had to pick at random

~PLR~

pretty little reaction: not the only brit in the sea

Photo credit: Freeform

7.06 WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

The Rosewood P.D. begins to unravel the Liars’ cover-up, which leads them to question Rollins’ death altogether. Hanna deals with an inward battle on whether or not to tell the cops the truth, while Ezria struggles with an awkwardness in their relationship. Jenna reveals part of her plot and a new partner she is in cahoots with. Ali learns that the Liars gave her up as Charlotte’s killer in order to free Hanna, which does not go over well.

Meanwhile, someone is murdered for playing with the wrong team.

Official synopsis courtesy of prettylittleliars.com

Photo credit: Freeform

Quick intro--in case you didn't notice, there was no PLR last week. We had a little staycation/cottage long weekend and with Little E home from camp, there was simply no time for blogging beyond my exciting interview with debut author Hayley Stone (which you should check out here if you haven't already!). I didn't even watch last week's episode until right before watching this week's, which ultimately wasn't a big deal because #PLLProposal aside, it was a bit of a snoozefest. I'm also so not here for Hot Caleb-less episodes. Happy to see him back this week, but I need more... Okay, let's dive in:

1. What is Aria wearing? Okay, clearly they're keeping us on the hook with regards to how the proposal went--though she isn't wearing a ring--but if anything is a clear sign she'll say yes, it's her return to wacky outfits similar to Ezria's glory days.  

2. In other wardrobe news, Ali is wearing the red jacket. Sassy Ali is always welcome at my table, but wardrobe department, can you please find a jacket that emphasizes what a babe Sasha is, instead of making her look frumpy? The cat sweater last week was bad enough. 

3.  Does anybody else kinda want to see a workplace spinoff featuring Hanna and Lucas? Have I said this before? It feels so perfect that it feels like I've probably said this before. I'm too lazy to look it up.

4. I love that Aria asks to see Hanna to ask for advice and Hanna makes it about her then storms out. Hanna, you are definitely my girl, but sometimes the trauma needs to take a backseat, like when your friends are reaching out to you. I'm not saying Aria's drama is more dire than Hanna's cause it's not, but yeah. Hanna's funny like that. All that said, thank god the truth about the Jordan break up is finally out in the open. Now we can all move on with our lives!

5. Why do we keep seeing/hearing about The Radley but Mama Ashley is nowhere to be seen? I know the girls are more grown up now, but I miss the PLL moms. 

6. I know I'm probably supposed to know what's going on with Mary Drake but I just don't. And the whole Jenna being friends with Charlotte and helping her and Archer thing? Yeah, can someone please explain this to me in some sort of chronological sequence of events? Cause I'm lost. I barely even remember who Noel Kahn is.

7. Yay! Hot Caleb is back! And he and Spencer finally (Right? For real this time??) have broken things off for good. And in such a mature manner! No messy problems for Haleb to overcome now! Especially with Spencer basically endorsing their reunion. If there isn't a Haleb scene in next week's episode, I might have to write a sternly worded letter. 

8. That cop's mask doesn't look even remotely real. How does Ali feel safe with that guy? Is he Rollins? Someone else? Yeah, probably someone else cause, you guys, there is more than one British man in the world, not to mention in the game itself. Does nobody remember Wren? Are we not supposed to??

9. I have a feeling Ezra might feel Aria's confession just puts them on level ground--statutory rapist meet accessory to murder. Now they can get married and have criminally adorable children! One aside: Ezra, when someone asks for time to think, you don't hound them with follow up messages all day. It's not like you asked her if she wanted some frozen yogurt. Give the girl some time and space!

10. Sara Harvey is dead--is it possible anyone but Jenna is behind her death? Did she maybe just legit slip in the shower? Of course, this being PLL, it's also entirely possible she's not dead at all. 

Prettiest Little Quote of the Week:

"Honey, I'm home!" -creepy red paint on the wall (classic PLL)

~PLR~

friday5 special edition: interview with debut author Hayley Stone!!

I'm beyond thrilled to have a very special guest here on the blog today for a very special author interview edition of the Friday5. Please welcome my agentmate, and sci-fi writing superstar, rockstar extraordinaire (girl did a signing at this year's SD Comic-Con!), debut author and all-around awesome person, Hayley Stone! Hayley's stunning debut, MACHINATIONS is out now, and you guys, YOU GUYS, you seriously need to check out this whirlwind of thrilling sci-fi goodness! 

Before we get to today's special edition Friday5 Q&A, here's a little more about rockstar Hayley, and Machinations:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest

Hayley Stone has lived her entire life in sunny California, where the weather is usually perfect and nothing as exciting as a robot apocalypse ever happens. When not reading or writing, she freelances as a graphic designer, falls in love with videogame characters, and analyzes buildings for velociraptor entry points. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in German from California State University, Sacramento.

Machinations is her debut novel from Hydra/Random House. Its sequel, Counterpart, releases October 11th, 2016.

Admit it, you adore her already, don't you? :) Well, just wait until you hear about Machinations!

Perfect for fans of Robopocalypse, this action-packed science-fiction debut introduces a chilling future and an unforgettable heroine with a powerful role to play in the battle for humanity’s survival.

The machines have risen, but not out of malice. They were simply following a command: to stop the endless wars that have plagued the world throughout history. Their solution was perfectly logical. To end the fighting, they decided to end the human race.

A potent symbol of the resistance, Rhona Long has served on the front lines of the conflict since the first Machinations began—until she is killed during a rescue mission gone wrong. Now Rhona awakens to find herself transported to a new body, complete with her DNA, her personality, even her memories. She is a clone . . . of herself.

Trapped in the shadow of the life she once knew, the reincarnated Rhona must find her place among old friends and newfound enemies—and quickly. For the machines are inching closer to exterminating humans for good. And only Rhona, whoever she is now, can save them.

"A tension-filled story of loss, loyalty, and forgiveness, with abundant Terminator-style shoot-em-up scenes and a snarky, kickass female warrior. I inhaled it!”
– Jennifer Foehner Wells, bestselling author of Fluency

Welcome to the blog, Hayley!

I'm delighted to have you here to answer five questions for my first ever Friday5 author interview! Let's get right down to it :)

Question1> I love hearing about authors’ journeys to get where they are today. When did you decide you wanted to be an author, and how did the idea for Machinations first come about?

Hayley> I’ve always wanted to be an author. Always. There was never a time before that goal, although I did toy with the idea of becoming a storm chaser (too dangerous) and/or a veterinarian. From a young age, I was telling stories, however I could. Over time that transformed from picture books to short novels to fanfiction to roleplaying and then, finally, to full-fledged novels. 

Machinations was born from a fusion of several different sci-fi stories that dealt with the idea of doppelgängers and/or resurrection of some kind: Doctor Who, Girl with the Third Eye, and Mass Effect 2. With those tales percolating in my brain, I had a dream about my own clone essentially stepping in and taking over my life—with my blessing. It made me wonder: what circumstances could lead to something like that happening? 

I’m not sure where the machines came from, but they showed up when I started writing,and I went with my gut. As it turned out, combining two possibilities for artificial life (robots and cloning) ended up working very well, allowing me to explore some interesting themes of personhood.

Question2> Machinations is a thrilling, futuristic adventure full of everything I personally love in a good sci-fi read. What do you love about the sci-fi genre as it exists today, and what would you love to see more of in the future?

Hayley> Thank you! I love the curiosity of the sci-fi genre, and it’s ability to be both challenging and political while also telling a damn good story. To me, the speculative genre is all about asking questions (about humanity, about our future and our past), without necessarily providing clear-cut answers. It leaves room for interpretation, and I think many SFF readers bring their own experiences into that space, thereby personalizing the story.

I’d love to see more female authors writing under their own names, breaking down that bias against feminine-sounding names. I’d like more diversity, and more portrayals of women as fully-realized characters: full of flaws and fears and passions, who don’t fall into easily quantifiable definitions of “likeable” or “unlikable.”

Of course, there are some fantastic authors already doing this: Kameron Hurley, N. K. Jemisin, Victoria Schwab, Jennifer Foehner Wells, to name a few. Hopefully I can follow in their footsteps.

Question3> You probably get lots of clone questions, but I have to ask—if you had a perfect clone of yourself at your disposal, which one task would you ask her to perform? (And yes, given the times we’re living in, getting her to play Pokemon Go on your behalf is a perfectly acceptable answer.)

Hayley>I have to confess, having her play Pokemon Go wouldn’t have even occurred to me, but that’s brilliant! Apart from that, I would probably have my clone work a normal 9-5 job, so that I could stay at home and write without worrying about money.

Question4> If you were to play matchmaker for your main character, Rhona Long, how would you describe her to the person you’re setting her up on a blind date with?

Hayley> A quick-witted redhead who wears her heart on her sleeve and isn’t afraid to sacrifice for the greater good. Enjoys debate, not being brutally murdered by sentient machines, and pop culture references.

Question5> Machinations is set in a world where the machines have risen up against the human race. When—I mean if—this (cough*inevitably*cough) happens on earth as we know it, what would your first course of action be?

Hayley>One of the reasons I set the book in Alaska was because I thought the remote location and treacherous winter climate would give the machines some trouble. So in the event of a robot apocalypse, I’d probably grab my loved ones and book it into the wilderness as fast as possible, getting away from any major technology.
 

Thank you so much, Hayley! It's been a pleasure having you on the blog today. And for anyone who now can't wait to get their hands on MACHINATIONS, either for your own reading pleasure or for the sci-fi lover in your life, you can order your copy today!

In Canada: Amazon | Chapters-Indigo 

In the US: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

And don’t forget to add it to your Goodreads!

Happy Weekend!

friday5 for July 15, 2016

1. LIFE & STUFF

It's been a busy couple weeks, and I've been working hard amidst a new routine, shuffling the kids around more than ever, now that Little E's daily routine doesn't involve a bus. It's nice in some ways, getting to spend more time in the car with her, just talking, sometimes singing, or playing car games. Baby H gets in on the fun too--or tries to, but most of the time he doesn't know what we're doing. He's turning 2 next week, which seems crazy to me. Wasn't he just a tiny little baby in my arms? How has it been two whole years already? 

As I noted above, I've been working hard, both editing and writing. There's been a lot of writing, actually, which is good, because I'd been struggling to fit it in and honestly, I think the overall discouragement I've been feeling was creating mental blocks I had to overcome. I also came to really recognize over the past few weeks how much what point I'm at in a book can affect my mood. Part of that can be attributed to the type of music I listen to while I'm writing certain scenes--fun, flirty, sexy, or heartbreaking. I went through a real high when my main characters were falling in love, but the drama has hit the fan, kids. In a big way, and it's had me feeling in a funk the past two days. I think I'll have to put together a playlist for the book because it really has a solid soundtrack. Here's a hint about where I was today--My Invitation by Sarah Slean

She has such an awful lot of soldiers
Quite a lovely army all her own
Night and day they stand before the fortress
Very safe but very all alone

2. BOOKS & PUBLISHING NEWS

There are a lot of lists of Summer Beach Reads circulating at this time of year--and why not? We're all looking for something to help us escape reality as we bask in the sun while it's still here. Basically, you can take your pick when it comes to these lists, but if you're into YA like I am, might I suggest this list put out by The New York Public Library? Basically, all you need to know about it is that E. Lockhart's We Were Liars is on it, and you need to read that book like yesterday.

3. POP CULTURE NEWS

I feel like I can't even try to talk about anything else here this week--Pokemon Go and HarmonQuest. Two very different things. Both not available in Canada yet. Come on, seriously? WAIT! Harmon Quest episode one appears to be on YouTube! Rejoice!!

4. JUST PRESS PLAY: Samuel L. Jackson Recaps Game of Thrones and it's the best

5. NOTEWORTHY NEW YA: THE KILLER IN ME by Margot Harrison

Seventeen-year-old Nina Barrows knows all about the Thief. She’s intimately familiar with his hunting methods: how he stalks and kills at random, how he disposes of his victims’ bodies in an abandoned mine in the deepest, most desolate part of a desert.

Now, for the first time, Nina has the chance to do something about the serial killer that no one else knows exists. With the help of her former best friend, Warren, she tracks the Thief two thousand miles, to his home turf—the deserts of New Mexico.

But the man she meets there seems nothing like the brutal sociopath with whom she’s had a disturbing connection her whole life. To anyone else, Dylan Shadwell is exactly what he appears to be: a young veteran committed to his girlfriend and her young daughter. As Nina spends more time with him, she begins to doubt the truth she once held as certain: Dylan Shadwell is the Thief. She even starts to wonder . . . what if there is no Thief?

-Courtesy of Indiebound

Happy Weekend!

pretty little reaction: always on the run

Photo credit: Freeform

7.04 HIT AND RUN, RUN, RUN

The PLLs desperately attempt to cover up their secret, and in turn, end up straining their relationships with their respective bed buddies by keeping them in the dark. While the aftermath of Haleb’s kiss weighs on Spaleb’s relationship, Spencer copes in ways she might later regret. Mona intervenes with the cover-­‐‑up plan, for better or worse.

Official synopsis courtesy of prettylittleliars.com

Photo credit: Freeform

1. We return to the burying a body in the wood scene. Aria is being reasonable. Spencer surprisingly isn't. Emily delivers dialogue that seemed intriguing in the premiere ("I can't believe we're burying..."), but doesn't make as much sense now, knowing who they're burying. Can you really not, believe it, Em?  

2. Shards of glass aside, you can tell Hanna didn't wash too thoroughly in the shower, cause, sure, she got the blood off, but what about all that pesky eye makeup? 

3. This Spaleb/lowkeyHaleb scene is heartbreaking. Not because Spaleb are breaking up for the 40th time (seriously guys, it's dead, stop poking it), but because it's so obvious how crushed Hanna is to hear Hot Caleb struggling to save a sinking ship. I get it Hot Caleb. Hanna shot you down when you tried to talk to her about the kiss. This Spencer thing is probably worth saving in your mind, but she has a point about you not loving her. And she has a point about deserving someone who does.

4. Aria loses Ali like, immediately. Why did they think this was a good pairing? Basically, Emily needs to always be in charge of Ali-related tasks. She's the only one fully committed to the job. 

5. I know Spender is sad, but getting drunk during a murder cover-up seems dumb. Really dumb. Which is one of the reasons I don't like Spaleb. Hot Caleb and Hanna are good for each other. Meanwhile, Hot Caleb seems to make Spencer turn into a stupid person. This is not a good relationship. Again, stop poking it.   

6. And the car is missing. Why did they leave it in the woods unguarded in the first place? Also, this is the second time this episode that Aria has lost something important. I can't help but feel, when the liars break into team Hanna/Aria and Spencer/Emily that the former is the kids' table.  

7. Whoa, Spencer and hot guy (didn't catch his name) in the elevator. I can't say I blame her. And this definitely adds an interesting new dimension to the big mess they're all in. I'm not going to pretend Spencer wouldn't be capable of this if she really loved Hot Caleb. I think she is hurting, and wants to feel better. But it definitely puts her in a position to not be as angry and Hanna for her part in the Haleb kiss. Cause, hypocrite much? Then again, are Spaleb even still together? They did leave things kinda open-ended (again). Does this count as cheating? 

8.  All hail Mona, the queen of all things shady business. I'm sorry I ever called you creepy. 

9. Jenna is back and creepy/awesome as ever. I hope she's back for a legit reason and not just as a red herring. Because she's GOT to be up to something, right?

10. Okay she has the number to Archer/Elliot's burner phone. Maybe this will lead somewhere?

Prettiest Little Quote of the Week:

"You didn't exactly do a crackerjack job of erasing the tire tracks." -Queen Mona

~PLR~

pretty little reaction: a cattle prod in the right direction

Photo credit: Freeform

7.03 THE TALENTED MR. ROLLINS

Still reeling from the trauma of Hanna’s abduction and dark fate, the Liars must shift their focus to another one of their own. In order to protect Alison from Uber A’s threats, the PLLs snap into action at a chance to rescue her from the hospital. However, in doing so, they make a deadly mistake that changes everything.

Official synopsis courtesy of prettylittleliars.com

Photo credit: Freeform

1. I can believe how on point Emily is right off the bat. It's so unlike her, but I can definitely appreciate a smarter, more savvy Emily. 

2. I'm glad Ali still has some fight in her--a little reminder of old Ali--but I can't seem to look past how obviously this is a stunt double thrashing around with Rollins, trying to keep her face hidden. Maybe he should have put the mask on her first?

3. Ashley's handing out bartending jobs? Oh, is that where she's been all this time WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS GETTING KIDNAPPED?

4. Emily is pretty lucky that every single hot chick she encounters just happens to be a lesbian. Why is the show trying to distract us with randos when we know she really only has eyes for Ali? Also, Sabrina seems kinda judgemental. 

5. Oh Spencer and Hot Caleb, just break up already. Just do it. Now. Now. Okay?

6. Why aren't Spencer and Hanna going into the house with Aria? And why is Aria taking so long to photograph everything? Just snap a pic and get the hell out, Aria!

7. I was really hoping for a Hanna and Hot Caleb scene. I know these things take time, but I'm impatient! 

8. Creepy Amish girl. Creepy dolls. Creepy Amish old dude. This is classic PLL territory and I love it! Side note: did I miss the part where the liars are now certain that Rollins is the one who kidnapped Hanna? 

9. These Spaleb scenes are plenty emotional, but they need to eeeennnnddddddd...

10. One of the more shocking endings to an episode of PLL for sure. I thoroughly can't wait for next week! Is Rollins really dead? Is he definitely who the liars were burying at the start of the season? Or is this all leading somewhere else? 

Prettiest Little Quote of the Week:

"You like me. But I love you." -the death of Spaleb (I hope)

~PLR~

friday5 for July 1, 2016

1. LIFE & STUFF

Another busy couple of weeks. My little girl is officially finished her first year of school--and her first round of swimming lessons to boot. I can't believe how quickly that went. It makes me kind of terrified for how quickly the next several years will go. Having kids has definitely taught me a lot, but one thing that stands out more now than ever, is how fast time flies, and how important it is that we pursue the things we love, and enjoy them for as long as we possibly can. 

In other news, Happy Canada Day! 

I'm so proud to be Canadian, always, but especially today as I see the world around us struggling. Of course, we're not perfect either, but things here in Canada are vastly improved these days with our kind and compassionate new PM. His love for this country and its people is palpable, and I truly believe it's spreading, bringing this country back to life after many years in the dark. 

2. BOOKS & PUBLISHING NEWS

Have you been sorted into your Ilverymorny house over on Pottermore yet? I have, and apparently I can add Thunderbird to my house resume (along with my Hogwarts house, Hufflepuff--I'm sure at one point I'll share the story of how I discovered I'm a puff, hated it, then came to absolutely love it). Pottermore also features a really cool intro video for those who want to learn a bit more about the NA school of wizardry. I've seen some interesting theories as to how the new houses might relate back to the ones at Hogwarts too, though JKR herself denies there's any connection. Really, Jo? Really? If you've been sorted, I'd love to hear what you are--and what you think of these new houses to obsess over!

3. POP CULTURE NEWS

Ready for more Gilmore Girls? Not yet? Blasphemy! But okay, I feel you. Netflix has released a cute little video starting chief Gilmore Girl, Lorelei (Emily would have you believe it's her, but it's not; it's totally Lor), explaining that GG is now global for all your binging needs. I don't think I'll have time to rewatch the entire series again before the movies hit Netflix in the fall, but that's okay. I've probably already watched it six or seven times already and I know I'll get around to another rewatch before long :)

4. JUST PRESS PLAY: 5 Things That Are Harder Than Registering To Vote, Featuring President Obama (warning: Game of Thrones spoilers)

5. NOTEWORTHY NEW YA: MAGIC BITTER, MAGIC SWEET by Charlie N. Holmberg

Maire is a baker with an extraordinary gift: she can infuse her treats with emotions and abilities, which are then passed on to those who eat them. She doesn t know why she can do this and remembers nothing of who she is or where she came from.

When marauders raid her town, Maire is captured and sold to the eccentric Allemas, who enslaves her and demands that she produce sinister confections, including a witch's gingerbread cottage, a living cookie boy, and size-altering cakes.

During her captivity, Maire is visited by Fyel, a ghostly being who is reluctant to reveal his connection to her. The more often they meet, the more her memories return, and she begins to piece together who and what she really is as well as past mistakes that yield cosmic consequences.

From the author of The Paper Magician series comes a haunting and otherworldly tale of folly and consequence, forgiveness and redemption.

-Courtesy of Indiebound

Happy Weekend!

pretty little reaction: fallout fallout everywhere, let's all have a drink

Photo Credit: Freeform

7.02 BEDLAM

With the fallout of Hanna’s abduction still weighing heavily on the PLLs, the Liars begin to grow suspicious of Elliott Rollins as Ali’s condition worsens. Tensions rise between Liam, Aria and Ezra as they work on the book together. Spencer and Caleb are on edge, as neither of them want to talk about the awkward elephant in the room. Meanwhile, Emily receives a disturbing phone call and tries to find a way to see Ali.

Official synopsis courtesy of prettylittleliars.com

1. Mary Drake's speech about secret people is definitely weird. And suggestive. Does Hanna's family have a secret member? 

2. Hot Caleb and Hanna's reunion isn't what I expected or hoped for. But it's okay. They're playing it slow so we can savor it,  I'm sure. But the way she looks at him when he gives her back her ring? It's definitely on. 

3. This Spencer and Hot Caleb scene is kinda heartbreaking. I don't blame Hot Caleb for trying to pretend everything is normal after Hanna pulled the "old habits die hard" card, but I also don't blame Spencer for rebuffing him. Get out, Spence. He's in love with someone else.  

4. I love how oblivious Emily seems about the Haleb Spaleb triangle (uh, quadrangle. Sorry Jordan. I keep forgetting you exist.) Also, why is she talking to Rollins like he's a normal person? Did Aria and Ezra not sharehow sketchy he was being? Dammit Aria! 

5. Blah bah blah Lucas. I just can't bring myself to care. 

6. Guys. Rollins is super sketchy. How are you not all suspecting him by now? Aria, why are you still not saying anything about his creepiness?

7. PLL is really big on bars where couples first got together being distractingly meaningful. First Aria's jukebox diversion and now Hanna breaking up with Jordan. Okay, obviously that was coming anyway. But it's definitely a noticeably similar plot device. Also, I really hope we get to see Hot Caleb's reaction when he finds out Hanna's "old habits" speech was followed by dumping her fiancé. 

8. If Aria and Ezra are going to be together, they really need to not work together. It just seems like a bad idea all around. But it does lend to Liam's awesome rant about the inappropriate nature of Ezra and Aria's initial coupling. 

9. Mary Drake sure does seem to like randomly popping up and distributing convenient bits of backstory. Huh. I kinda like that she seems to be the kind of crazy where she's out to get the liars but is also willing to help Emily see Ali, and may eventually turn against Rollins. 

10. Oh drunk Spencer. Poor, drunk, fired Spencer. This conversation definitely doesn't feel like it's happening between two people who are currently dating. Sorry, Spaleb. It was a mistake. And you have little left other than the past tense. 

Prettiest Little Quote of the Week:

"I understand the impulse. The Lolita myth. Not the Nabokov original, but the whole older man, inappropriately younger girl idea that's been trashed by lesser writers." -Liam (get it, boy)

~PLR~

the writer's arsenal: making and missing the mark

A writer's life is full of goals--daily word count, first draft deadline, books written in a year, hopes for getting published... Some of these goals are moving targets. You can aim for them, but you won't always hit them. Writing plans get derailed. Outlined books don't get written. In publishing, it's usually the biggest goals that are hardest to hit--but that's also what makes them the most rewarding when you do. 

Back when I first started writing with the aim of being published, I had a certain set of goals in mind. My writing schedule was usually dictated by the time and energy leftover from my day job, but I still tried to stay on track. I had to. Writing goals helped me finish my first, then second book. Then when my first maternity leave came along, I set a more concrete goal for myself--I want to find an agent before I went back to work. And with a few months to spare, I met that goal. And there was much celebrating. But a much longer-standing goal still remained--it was an arbitrary one, mind you, but at some point I'd made it--and with an awesome agent to work with, it felt more possible than ever. That goal was to be published (or at least sign a book deal) by the time I turned 35. 

Well, here I am, with just over two months to go before I turn 35, and while I'm closer than many aspiring authors can claim to be, I don't have a book deal, and I'm certainly not published.

Could it still happen?

Possibly.

But not probably.

Summer is usually pretty slow in publishing. The industry takes time to breathe. Maybe I'm being overly protective of myself, but it feels like the right time to start accepting that particular goal is unlikely to be met. There's definitely a sadness that goes along with failing to reach a goal (even a relatively arbitrary one), but the important thing to remember is that it doesn't have to mean the door is now closed. Yeah, okay, the "under 35" door is closing, but the "after 35" door is wide open and I have no reason to not want to walk through it instead. 

Goals are important because they keep us focussed. Keep us hoping and wanting. Goals have helped me write five books, with one more in progress, and enough ideas to keep me moving for years to come. But not every one has to be met. It's okay if the goal's only accomplishment was keeping me motivated. And it's okay if I have to reset the clock. Because failing to meet a goal doesn't have to mean the end; sometimes it just means I have a reason to set a new one. 

I haven't hit the bullseye yet, I sure as hell plan to keep throwing darts.

Photo credit; ABC

pretty little reaction: can I get a Hanna?

Photo credit: Freeform

7.01 TICK TOCK, BITCHES

After Hanna’s shocking abduction by “Uber A,” the PLLs and company desperately race against the clock to save one of their own. The only way to do this is by handing over evidence of Charlotte’s real murderer to “Uber A.” In order to do so, the girls must decide what blatant lines they are willing to cross that they have never breached before; and once they cross that line, there is no turning back.

Official synopsis courtesy of prettylittleliars.com

Photo credit: Freeform

1. Who are the liars burying? They're definitely upset enough for it to be Hanna, but I'm not convinced it's Hanna. Still, definitely related to Hanna in some way...maybe they kill Jordan? Do we know how far in the future this is? 

2. Determined and Passionate Hot Caleb is my favourite Hot Caleb. His feelings for Hanna are definitely showing. And how much he freaks out when he thinks she's dead in the bell tower? Sigh. Go get your girl, Hot Caleb. 

3. The new A has really stepped it up. That Hanna doll is Hillywood special effects perfect! Is it too much to ask that they later have a really good explanation for that? Also, is Uber A texting Mona now? Is that new?

4. Spencer is clearly miffed by Hot Caleb's devotion to Hanna, and distancing from her--including a hang up! Maybe just focus on Tony, Spence. Even if he is engaged. (He's still engaged right? I need to rewatch the finale...)

5. I love how Ezra still always seems like a school teacher. Even when he's sneaking around with the liars. It has a bit of a "who brought their dad?" quality to it. 

6. I'm kind of skimming over the Emily and Alison stuff. I guess I just don't like Ali stuck in a bed, when I'd prefer her out and being her feisty Ali self. I don't think she killed Charlotte, but it would be a good twist later if they could throw us off her trail again. 

7. I realize this is a stupid question--but shouldn't they involve the cops at some point? I get that having Toby be a cop sort of helps with this constant problem, but come on, Hanna's life is on the line! 

8. Hanna's dream about Spencer is sweet. I do wonder why her? Because she's in the part of Hanna's brain that's clever and scheming? 

9. I love that Hanna escapes, especially considering how distracted all the liars seem to be while trying to rescue her. Plus, girl power and all that. Hanna is and always has been totally capable. But damn I do want a scene where Hot Caleb saves her. I hope that happens in some form, but it looks like she's with Mary Drake for now. Is she the one who checked on Hanna and found she wasn't there? Was Rollins the one who picked up the red jacket? Probably not because both of those things are too obvious! But Rollins sure did change his tune quickly regarding Ali...

10. One thing is for sure--Ali is in for a lot of trouble this season. And I really hope they don't just keep her locked up. I want Ali on the loose, kicking ass and taking names. It's gonna be an exciting season! 

Prettiest Little Quote of the Week:

"And then what, waterboard her?" -Mona, being her awesome Mona self

~PLR~

friday5 for June 17, 2016

1. LIFE & STUFF

Well, the summer is filling up quickly, and I can already say, the Friday5 is not going to be able to be a weekly feature over the next few months. There's just too much going on! But it's all good. And we all need a little vacation sometimes. I wish I could say the reason there hasn't been a June Friday5 yet is because I've been relaxing, but it's actually quite the opposite. I've been working like a mad woman on everything from freelance edits, to back cover copy, to my own writing, to attending end of the school year events with Little E, to building a vegetable garden in the backyard, to, well, the list goes on. But I think you get the idea. It's been a busy few weeks, and it doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

Everyday life stuff aside, I've also been finding myself feeling a bit overwhelmed by life stuff lately as well. A lot of heavy stuff in the news, pushing down, settling deep. If you happen to be reading this at a time other than the week of June 17, 2016, maybe google what was going on and you'll see what I mean. I don't really want to get into it here because I know I can't do it justice, so I'll just say this: the world is full of love and goodness, but it's not enough. We need more of it. We're at like, 80% love, and we need closer to 95%, maybe even 100%. Okay, I can already feel myself wanting to launch into a long rant, so I'll leave it at that. Love. LOVE <3

I also want to add a quick note about the ups and downs of being on submission, because I'm in a bit of a down trend right now, feeling the hopelessness (which is probably only compounded by badness in the world right now). I've posted in the past about rejection, and how it's all part of the journey, and how you can't take it personally, and need a thick skin, and can usually learn so much from the experience, and YES, all of that is so, so true. But even when you know that logically, you can still find yourself in a funk sometimes. It's rough ride. And if I somehow knew it would work out in the end, I wouldn't mind the bumps so much, but not knowing makes it hard sometimes. Of course, that doesn't stop me from writing, and it doesn't stop me from trying. Even when I'm feeling really down about the whole thing, the seeds of hope are still there, asking me to water them, because they want to grow big again. They don't want me to give up, and thank goodness, that's usually enough--enough to keep going. Keep working hard and keep hoping. Maybe you can relate, in some way or another, with regards something that you want, but can only do so much to achieve. If you don't want to give up, you have to learn to live with hoping, but not knowing. You just have to. Because when you want something, there's no other option than to keep going.

But enough about that. Let's get to some news, shall we?

2. BOOKS & PUBLISHING NEWS

Photo credit: @HPPlayLDN via Twitter

I feel I must address the fact that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has now been seen. I won't post any spoilers here but I will note that I have read them, and everything I've heard has me hoping more than ever that a much wider audience will get to see the play, as opposed to just reading it when it hits the shelves on July 31st. Screen it in theatres, show it on TV, I don't care, but let us see it. Because it sounds like something that needs to be seen. And while I'm certain I'll still buy the play when it comes out, I can't help but feel I'll be missing something vital if I don't get to see it with my own two eyes. 

3. POP CULTURE NEWS

Photo credit: EW

Are you excited for Bryan Fuller's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's American Gods? You really should be. The cast is shaping up to be fantastic (Gillian Anderson!), and you can't go wrong with the source material. EW has just released a few teaser images to whet our appetites too. Will you be watching when American Gods debuts?

4. JUST PRESS PLAY: MOANA

Note: This section of the Friday5 was formerly called, "Trailer Worth Watching"--I've decided to rename it to open it up to other share-worthy videos, though this week, it is a trailer for what looks like Disney's next hit:

5. NOTEWORTHY NEW YA: LOCAL GIRL SWEPT AWAY by Ellen Wittlinger

They are four best friends who've shared joy and secrets, love and memories, and since the beginning, Lorna was the one who held them all together. Then, the unthinkable happens. During a storm, Lorna is swept out to sea, leaving the three survivors with nothing to cling to except grief and questions. How did this happen? Why was Lorna in such danger, and was she alone? When her body is never found, the mystery deepens. Did Lorna really die? Or has she made a crazy bid for freedom? Inevitably, the dynamic of the four friends' everyday life is changed forever. But the pain and confusion go deepest for Jackie, who must face her feelings of unrequited love for Lorna's boyfriend as well as try to put to rest her own questions about Lorna's presumed death. Does one of the boys in their inner circle know more than he's letting on? Will Lorna's fate ever be discovered? And how will Jackie become her own person in the wake of a wound that may never close? In this beautifully written, intense novel, one girl has to travel through loss and disillusionment to make sense of her own future.

-Courtesy of Indiebound

Happy Weekend!

friday5 for May 27, 2016

What happens when you mix the Friday5 with The Writer's Arsenal? Why, an all writing-related edition of the Friday5, of course! And since this is primarily an author blog, I'm assuming you won't mind the diversion.

When people find out I'm a writer, not all, but many mention that they'd love to read something I've written. My usual response is, "well, hopefully one day you'll be able to!" But lately, I've been thinking a lot about ways I can share snippets of my writing with curious friends and family, without sending full manuscripts out all willy-nilly. And that brings me to today's special edition of the Friday5, which is about writing sites. Specifically, sites where writers can share their work. Now, obviously, writers can always share their stuff right on their own personal websites, but it won't have the same exposure or reach as it might on a platform specifically designed for sharing creative works. So today, I'm going to take a look at five such shared writing platforms, and maybe, whether you write as a hobby or in pursuit of publication, you'll find a good place to share a taste of your own work. 

1. WATTPAD

Admittedly, I haven't researched the numbers, but Wattpad claims to be the biggest writing community out there, and as far as web presence goes, I'd have to agree. If you know any of the sites on this list, you probably know Wattpad. From fiction to fanfiction to just about anything else your imagination can conjure, Wattpad is ready and waiting for your creativity. I don't have any personal experience using Wattpad, but it's the go-to for a lot of collaborations with publishers when it comes to contests, and sometimes even book deals. I will probably give it more of a look one day, but for now, I have a few other sites I find myself more drawn too (see below).

2. FIGMENT

Figment is the first website of this type I've ever personally used. It's targeted at YA, which is a natural match for my writing, and it also has a heavy emphasis on Fantasy and Sci-Fi (again, a good match). It's YA slant is obvious right from the homepage, with a fun, youthful design, and links to create, read, and participate in polls, quizzes, and contests. A contest is actually what first drew me to Figment, and the short sci-fi story I wrote for it, while not chosen for an anthology they were putting together, did earn me a personal email from the author judging the contest, noting that she loved my story, but it was too similar to another story in the anthology. So, Figment will always hold a special place in my heart because of that.  

3. FICTIONPRESS

If you're not one for flashy graphics and other distractions, FictionPress is probably the site for you. We're talking bare bones, with an emphasis on category fiction and poetry. Not a lot else to say about this one, but I did want to include a site that gets to the point, and is reminiscent of what fanfiction sites used to be back in the day before website design got all super fancy on us. 

4. SCRIBOPHILE

What sets Scribophile apart from the other sites is its emphasis on reading and critiquing the works of other writers. In their own words, "Scribophile is a respectful online writing workshop and writer’s community. Writers of all skill levels join to improve each other’s work with thoughtful critiques and by sharing their writing experience."  In fact, you can't even post your own writing to Scribophile until you've earned "karma points" by reading others' works. If you're looking for a site where your writing won't just sit there unread, Scribophile might be a good option, but you do have to give a little to get a little, which, let's face it, should always be the case, right? 

5. STORYBIRD

Finally we arrive at what's probably my favourite shared writing site, Storybird. What sets Storybird apart from the others? Well, for one, it's just so damn pretty. And there's something about that little blue bird that just makes me want to create adorable stories. Storybird has a whole visual element to it that the other shared writing sites don't quite capture. It's where authors and illustrators can come together to create beautiful stories and share them with a young, vibrant community of readers and fellow artists. I heart it.

So, to bring this whole thing full circle, I'm going to go back to what I said above about people asking to read my work. Well, now you can sample a taste, both here on the website, and on Figment. To read samples of my works here on the website, please click on the BOOKS link at the top (or, if you're too lazy for that, I'll include links below too). There you'll find the same story synopses I've always had here on the site, but you'll also find new links to samples from each of my completed works. The selections featured here on the site have been taken from varying points in each book, but if you'd like to read the first chapter of each book, you'll also find a link to those on Figment. As always, I'm happy to hear feedback from anyone who takes a look. Happy reading, and if you plan on checking out any of the above sites, happy writing! I'd love to hear about any experiences, good or bad, in the comments, along with any links anyone would like to share to their work!

Read a selection from Shimmer and Shade
Shimmer and Shade, first chapter on Figment

Read a selection from Skin Deep
Skin Deep, first chapter on Figment

Read a selection from The Broken Season
The Broken Season, first chapter on Figment

Read a selection from This Hideous Heart
This Hideous Heart, first chapter on Figment

HAPPY WEEKEND!