Hope is a Happy Thing

Hope is contagious. Hope is like yeast and baking powder. It has an energy that makes things rise. If you want to know if you are good for others, ask yourself how much hope you've given them. It is there you will find your answer.

Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB author of Seasons of the Heart 

Yesterday was the Boston Marathon and the Boston Globe reported that 21,963 ran in the race. Now, I'm not a runner so the idea of that many people pushing, training and preparing to run for fun is completely crazy to me. I can't even comprehend the amount of work it takes to prepare your body--and your brain--for running 26.2 miles. In the heat. With thousands of other people. But I'm sure, that the answer is a lot. But there's something I appreciate about it: it's people running toward their goals.


It's crazy in life how you wait, you yearn, you work whole-heartedly toward a goal and sometimes, you never really think that goal is going be accomplished. I bet yesterday, in the 87 degree weather, a bunch of those runners probably felt they were never going to make it. They probably wanted to quit--I have no doubt of that--but they didn't. Why not? Because they were in the midst of this goal that they've been preparing for and other people were succeeding around them. There's nothing that's more motivational than seeing other people succeed at the same goal you have.

They have this hope.

Now again, I'm not a runner. But I get what this whole thing is like because I am a writer. Writing is one of those things that so often feels like a far away, un-achievable goal. You train, you prepare, you practice, you get tips and helpful information everywhere--but there's still the doing, the trying, the waiting. The waiting in writing is the hardest part for most people.

But then, something good happens.

Maybe it's a spark of something. An encouraging word. A friend succeeding. Something that validates that what you are doing is worth something. It can be anything and it can be teeny tiny--but those things are the things that keep us hopeful. Like for me, only four days ago, I was so trapped in my own head that I couldn't make my WIP move forward. All it took was for me to stop being selfish and to approach things with a new perspective. It wasn't even my idea! That's a spark of something good and it gave me the ability to keep going.

This industry--especially for those in-between here and there--is not easy. It's not for the faint at heart or the impatient or the jealous. Those things will eat you alive. The only way to survive the bad things that want to tie you down, is to have hope.

My friend Cindy said to me today "I'm happy. I have hope. Hope is a happy thing."

And she's right. Hope is a happy thing.

You know what else hope is? It's contagious. The more we spread it around, the happier people will be while we are training or waiting or running and about to pass out.

Wherever you are in this race, if you are feeling tired or impatient or not good enough. If you want to turn around and quit before you even get to start, then say something to someone you trust. Maybe you will find some hope to keep going. If someone can one 26.2 miles in a few hours, you can do this too. Have hope.

I hope you come to find that which gives life a deep meaning for you. Something worth living for--maybe even worth dying for-- something that energizes you, enthuses you, enables you to keep moving ahead. 

 Ita Ford Maryknoll 

Hope is a happy thing. Pass it on.

EXTRACTED (The Lost Imperials, Book 1)

 Have you heard about this yet????

Sherry Ficklin and Tyler Jolley's EXTRACTED (The Lost Imperials, Book 1), in which two siblings, unknowingly stolen from history, fight on opposing sides of a battle to control time and space, to Kate Kaynak at Spencer Hill Press, in a nice deal, for publication in November 2013 (World).

I am one of the editors on this book. And guys, I AM PUMPED. (side note: Doesn't it sound amazing??! Eeek!)

It's weird, though--being someone's editor.

Saying things like "I have a meeting with my authors on Saturday." Or being put on twitter lists for "book editors" or exchanging emails with author-friend-clients and having them be excited about your ideas for their book.  It's weird.

It's also very exciting! I'm all official like. And I get to be all official like with my best friend. So, that's awesome. And these two fantastic authors, which is also awesome.

This is me right now:

*skips off to do happy things*

Book Talk: GRAVE MERCY

Guys, guys, guys. I read Grave Mercy last week and I have not been left salivating for sequel like this in a very long time.

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others. 

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Grave Mercy is a unique book. The premise is exciting, intriguing and the world is really solid. I enjoyed reading every second of the book.  Now things you should know going in: it is not a quick read. The story takes place in the 1400's and it's written for the period. There's a lot of world building happening--not only for the mytho and the nuns, but also for the history of the time. It slows it down some, but once all that is developed, the story is unputdownable.

Why should you read it? 

Well, aside from there being NUN ASSASSINS?!!?!? There's a kick-butt female heroine, who knows her way around a poison, a knife, a bow, and how to kill with her pinky. She's like Nikita--only in fancy clothes and timely speech. She's Nikita in disguise as Elizabeth Bennett! Ah! That's totally it. But she's more than just as assassin--she's a girl, devout and yet uncertain. She's willing to bend, to grow, to change and to take a stand at the same time. I like that about her.

Plus, there's a boy. (Of course there's a boy!) Duval is his name...and he's very Mr. Darcy meets Miles from The Pink Carnation books meets Robin from AC Gaughen's Scarlet. He reads like all these boys I already know, only he's very much the best parts of them and that makes him his own. He's smart, loyal and unwaivering, which I like. He's a little aloof, but that's totally because he has to be. I mean, nun assassin girl. I'd be aloof too. But then he's a great gentleman, worthy of all the swooning that takes place on the pages and off, and he too is kick-butt. And unlike a lot of romance, they develop slowly and it was very believable.

Now, this wasn't just a romance story, even though that definitely sticks out as a major component. It's also more. 

The plot was refreshing and even though I already said that, I think it's worth noting again. I'm a huge fan of historical books (when they're done well) and Grave Mercy totally was. In addition to the characters, all of whom seemed to jump off the page for me, and the amazing writing, the whole world was well-researched and utilized. The politics of the time, the war against France, the over-taking of the church, the fight for power and nobility and truth was all encompassed here. It's very much a world in the middle of changing and  trying to hang on to something.  Plus, toss in a little bit of paranormal and I think it's the perfect backdrop for this story. 

The second book is supposed to follow another character from the nunnery--and I'm pretty sure I know the boy involved, which makes me very happy! I can't wait for it. If you're looking for something a little different, with some mystery and romance then you should look no further.


Have any of you read it yet? What did you think??

Check it out on Goodreads ||| Order it on Amazon 

**Also, as an update, right after this review went live, I read THIS from the author.
Check it out. **

**

YA is Exploding the Internet

Alright, if you haven't noticed...this week has brought a HUGE in-flux of YA buzz. It's probably rebounding from the success of The Hunger Games movie this weekend, but it's certainly everywhere. At least in my world. Today especially--even though it's only 9:30 am when I'm starting this--the New York Times has a slew of posts about YA fiction. (Check all these out here!)

My favorite pieces are the last paragraph of this article and this quote from a teenager who wrote an article: 

Teenagers do not passively love young adult fiction and its authors. The ferocity of our devotion rivals the heartbreak caused by the very same novels. 

And I really liked this one too: 

Bottom line, there's one thing that young adult novels rarely are, and that's boring. They're built to grab your attention and hold it. And I'm not as young as I once was. At my age, I don't have time to be bored.

Why am I sharing this right now?

A few reasons.

First, this is really exciting to me. I love that people in the world are talking about YA books, even if some opinions seem completely ridiculous.  I love it because I am an adult reading YA, writing YA, talking about it, passing it to friends, getting excited. I can't even attempt to read adult fiction for reasons that the people in these articles point out. I know how good YA books are. How amazing the authors are. I am passionate about these books. So if people are talking about them, that's awesome! Because I want other people to be passionate about them too, to see them for what they are and to discover something about themselves from reading. That's what makes YA so special I think.

Second, as much as it excites me, it makes me nervous. I want to build up this little protective shield that says STAY AWAY. This is threefold.

1. I am a writer. This industry is hard already and the more people who fall in love with YA, who branch out into it, the harder it will be for me. Now, I get that it's totally selfish--but that's okay. My selfishness doesn't mean I don't want YA to be talked about or read--because I do--it's just part of my nervousness/shielding.

2. Quality. YA books are quality. What if that changes? What if we get so focused on the popularity and the next big thing that we (as a genre) loose the essence of what makes us so amazing and connectable? Now, this is a weird nervousness because I don't really believe that would happen. But it's something to think about. YA books stand out because they are supposed to. Because they are well-written and deal with hard issues. They are not afraid. I don't ever want to see us become afraid.

3. It's a territory thing. You know how some of us are "originals" in the Hunger Games phenom? Like, we read the books first! I can't help but feel this way in regards to the genre as a whole. "I was here first!" I know that's kinda silly. But I get really protective of things that I love, be it a book or an author. What would happen if they get lost or changed in the rush? I don't even know what I'm trying to say with this point...but hopefully you get it.

Ultimately, I think it's a good thing. It's exciting! I love YA and I'm glad people are talking about it. It allows me to talk about it too in avenues that I wouldn't normally. I can't wait to see where this growth takes us. It's all about getting people to read, to connect and to grow. And as long as YA keeps doing that, then I think we're going to keep taking people by surprise.


What do you guys think about all this talk??? 

Hunger Games Movie Thoughts

I wanna preface all this with saying: I am completely satisfied. I think it was probably the best adaptation from book to movie.

**Warning: spoilers below!! From books and movie and pics**

I read this post over at my friend Nikki's blog and I was like "hmm...." This is not in direct comment to her post, but she really made me think, so I wanted to address those thoughts too. Nikki writes:

...the first time around, I couldn't help but be fixated by all the little things that weren't there.

I was okay with Madge not being there, but I missed seeing Peeta's dad give Katniss cookies, I missed getting to know Rue, I missed Peeta saying "come to finish me off, sweetheart," I missed more time in the cave, I missed the Mutts being the dead tributes, I missed Katniss and Haymitch right after the games, and a hundred other little details that weren't there....

Again, I was pretty satisfied, but after reading her post I started thinking. And now, I'm gonna nitpick. Which is all this is because, ultimately, they did an awesome job. 

I can see how those little things were missing---the only one I noticed while watching was Madge and the mutts. It did lose something on the horrifying level without the tributes faces.

I felt like we knew Rue enough. Sure, it's not this history lesson of her life and character, but we saw the thing that drew Katniss to her: her similarity to Prim. As an older sister, I understand her instinct to protect her and really that's all I ever needed. So I think they handled that well. (And I love the flashback to District 11 in that moment. It was so so emotional that it made me cry.)

I think everyone was pretty perfect. Haymitch and Effie were just amazing. Seneca Crane, President Snow, Caesar Flickerman, Cinna (despite his smaller role): perfection. Even the setting was how I imagined it, if not better. District 12 and the Hob, so perfect.

I love all the little things that I didn't expect to be in the movie. Mainly, the way Ross foreshadowed Mockingjay with the use of roses. I guess they're in the book, somewhat, but I never noticed it before. Snow in the rose garden with Seneca Crane..Katniss having a rose in the chariot at the parade...Peeta talking about 'smelling like roses'. It was sorta awesome.

I also think that Jennifer Lawrence was an amazing Katniss. I've never seen a movie where the main character has less lines than anyone else and yet, still manages to carry the whole movie. Her eyes and the looks, her facial expressions were amazing. So amazing. She was also perfection. I'm so impressed with her and the way Ross still made the movie feel first person.

AND OMG--I have never liked Gale in the books (I was always sorta apathetic to him) but I do in the movie. I DO. I did not expect that.

Now I wanna talk about Peeta, because in all the things I've heard since Friday the opinions on Peeta have been the most torn.

I think people, even people who are Team Peeta in the books, are a little torn because the movie was missing something. First, I don't think that should be blamed on Josh--b/c he delivered. Trust me. I've seen every movie the boy has done since he was twelve, and he delivered. But I think they wrote LESS of him in the movie, and that's why there's not a lot of talk about how awesome he was. They wrote him down a bit.

He was so adorable and perfect in all these moments.
Especially when he's waving to the people. Gah!

Nikki mentioned in the quote above that she wanted him to say that line "come to finish me off, sweetheart," but I don't think we needed that. This Peeta, movie Peeta, wouldn't say that. There's just this lack of development with him in aspect to the writing of the story and while they were pretty true to him, it's the small things that totally change a character. They didn't really write him with the snark and the "sweetheart" thing just wouldn't fit him. The charisma is there, as we see in the interview scene and the train scenes, but the rest of the small Peeta things aren't as prominent. I think what they did capture is the essence of who Peeta is and why people like him: this underdog, this really genuine and sweet boy. He's totally the boy who would secretly love a girl and never tell her, and the same one would give up everything for her, who would fit and sacrifice himself. Plus, can't yall just imagine Josh saying "Real or not real?" and your heart swoon over that. I can.

And sure, the cave scenes could have been longer with Peeta and Katniss--but geesh the movie was already over two hours. There's only so much they can put in there.  

I also think Josh did really really a good freaking job with what he had. I think he and Katniss had this really WEIRD chemistry, which if you think about it is how it's supposed to be in book one. B/c it IS a weird chemistry. They're on the brink of the death and they have this history and there's no one who can say that isn't weird. I really liked their chemistry, especially in the cave and when he almost eats the berries. The first part in the cave, when he's talking about her, the audience was silent in both screenings. I don't think that can happen without chemistry. and then later when he rubs the medicine on her forehead, yeah, that's so hot that it's almost weird. I don't even care.

I don't know. I was not disappointed in the aspect of their chemistry, but it seems like I stand alone on this side. I've been defending it a lot on twitter. I think they were amazing.

After two viewings, I still feel satisfied. I do think they changed small things but it's not like HP where it's not fixable. That's the positive thing about Gary Ross directing the next one (and hopefully all of them) b/c he can already have this vision and follow through on it. 

I can't wait until Catching Fire. Josh is going to win over all the naysayers in that one if they write his role well. Just wait. Just wait. I'm really excited for the new cast of CF and MJ to be announced. As long as they nail the script and Finnick, we'll be golden again.

What did you guys think of the movie??

(Also, side note: here's my pick for Finnick: Taylor Kitsch. Someone with power please make it happen.)

Shifts in Passion

Passion is one of those things that surprises you.

When it hits, at least for me, it initially comes with this overwhelming sense like "I had no idea I liked that so much" and then, pretty quickly, life becomes unimaginable without it.

I've always been someone who harped on living life with passion. It's one of the things I never saw anyone in my own life have growing up, and it was the only thing I really wanted to achieve: passion. 

It's spring time and guys,  I LOVE SPRING. I've been in a good mood all week. In a post-London (which was more amazing than words can express), welcome to sunshine good mood. And with the sunshine, comes the realization that my passions are shifting. 

Not away from writing, don't worry. I still can not live without writing. I couldn't not be a writer now that I am. 

But I love editing.

In case you didn't know (I didn't announce it or anything) I'm an associate editor with Spencer Hill. The last few months have been me jumping in and helping with nearly finished books, copy edits, promotion, and the never-ending slush pile. But then Kate told me I could be on the look out for my own project. 

I don't *officially* have a project yet, but I've been reading MSs like the world is ending just hoping to find one I get excited about, one I connect with, one I see potential in. It's hard.( I totally get why agents complain sometimes.) But, I have learned that I love the idea of working hands on with a book. Of brainstorming with an author. Of offering suggestions to make a story be the best it can be. 

And let me tell you--I love it. 

I guess it makes sense. I do have my tendency of being a Type A person. Plus, I'm a reader. I should love it all, I think, so those two sides of me--mixed with my writer me--are so prominent. 

Passion is surprising. 

If you would've told me I would find this immense pleasure in editing for other people, I would've probably called you insane. It just makes me wonder what other things are out there that I don't know I love yet. 

I can't wait to find them.

A Picture For Everything Random

Prepare for a random post--which is actually about good things! Mostly. I think

• You know how sometimes people say really really really NICE things about you and you're not sure what to say? Because I've had that happen a couple times this week and I'm just so speechless by it. Because what do you say without it coming off as, "Why yes, I do know I am awesome!" If anyone thinks of an appropriate response, please share. Sometimes "thank you" doesn't seem like enough.

• Despite this one randomly awful day on Wednesday, this week has pretty much rocked for me! I mean, like stupendously. Part of that is because of London and part because of friends and part because things I've been working so hard for are on the brink of becoming something else. Maybe. And I mean, I have awesome friends who have lots of exciting things happening--and excitement is contagious!! (Even when my arm is killing me.)

• Did yall see that my girl Carrie Underwood released her new album cover AND single? No??? Well let me share! 

She's so pretty.

Her new song is called "Good Girl" and I'm addicted! Here's a sneak peek, but you should (and must!!) go buy  it. 

• Speaking of music anyone else been watching The Voice??? Love that show, yall. Love that show...And I enjoy looking at and listening to Adam Levine. As always. Geesh...so good.

He's so pretty.

• I read a really really really REALLY awesome book ---Something Like Normal by Trish Doller. It comes out in June 2012 and it's this really amazing story of a marine who's come back home on leave, back to the life he left behind and how he has to fit again. It's beautifully written and underlined with humor. It has the most amazing male protagonist voice I've ever, ever read. You should check it out. 

• I am so excited for the final installment of THIS BOOK which comes out on Tuesday while I'm in London! And then Rachel Hawkins comes here and I'm so pumped to meet her. YAY. 

Anyway, that's my random Friday morning update. Time seems to be standing still since I am London bound in only a few more hours! I don't leave until 9pm so help me pass the time by leaving other fun updates in the comments!! 

Everyone have a lovely week!!!!