Waiting on Wednesday: Wintersong

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that focuses on the yet-to-be released books we're waiting for. It's hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm talking about a goblin-infused marriage!

Title: Wintersong

Author: S. Jae-Jones

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publication Date: February 7, 2017

Add to Goodreads

Goodreads summary

Beware the goblin men and the wares they sell.

All her life, nineteen-year-old Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, mysterious Goblin King. He is the

Lord of Mischief, the Ruler Underground, and the muse around which her music is composed. Yet, as Liesl helps shoulder the burden of running her family’s inn, her dreams of composition and childish fancies about the Goblin King must be set aside in favor of more practical concerns.

But when her sister Käthe is taken by the goblins, Liesl journeys to their realm to rescue her sister and return her to the world above. The Goblin King agrees to let Käthe go—for a price. The life of a maiden must be given to the land, in accordance with the old laws. A life for a life, he says. Without sacrifice, nothing good can grow. Without death, there can be no rebirth. In exchange for her sister’s freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King. He accepts.

Down in the Underground, Liesl discovers that the Goblin King still inspires her—musically, physically, emotionally. Yet even as her talent blossoms, Liesl’s life is slowly fading away, the price she paid for becoming the Goblin King’s bride. As the two of them grow closer, they must learn just what it is they are each willing to sacrifice: her life, her music, or the end of the world.

Why I'm Waiting

Goblins are usually overlooked so that intrigued, but I was also drawn to the idea of sacrificing life over passion. Most people might think life is greater, but without my writing, I would have no passion for things to pursue and most importantly, I wouldn't know how to help or connect with others because writing is how I try to do that. This book sounds like it will be spectacular!

AND THAT COVER. STUNNING.

What books are you waiting on?

Other posts you may like:

• Book Review: The Winner's Crime (YA fantasy and romance)
• Waiting on Wednesday: Outrun the Moon (diverse historical)
• Book Review: Spelled (Wizard of Oz retelling)

Waiting on Wednesday: The Star-Touched Queen

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that focuses on the yet-to-be released books we're waiting for. It's hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm talking about a story that focuses on Indian folklore that I absolutely want!

Title: The Star-Touched Queen

Author: Roshani Chokshi

Genre: YA Fantasy-Mythology 

Publication Date: April 26, 2016

Add to Goodreads

Goodreads summary:

Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you're only

seventeen?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire...

But Akaran has its own secrets -- thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most. . . including herself.

A lush and vivid story that is steeped in Indian folklore and mythology. The Star-Touched Queen is a novel that no reader will soon forget. 

Why I'm Waiting:

Again, I minored in Asian Studies for a reason, and my country of concentration was India. A YA fantasy based on Indian mythology and folklore? I'm going to be all over that. YA writing and Indian-inspiration--it sounds like the perfect arrangement!

What books are you waiting on?

Other posts you may like:

• Waiting on Wednesday: Outrun the Moon
• Book Review: Six of Crows
• Cover Reveal: Frost Like Night

#WritersLife: Camp NaNoWriMo 2016 Update

#WritersLife, where I talk writing in real life.

Camp NaNoWriMo has gone in a way I did not expect and is proving to be a mixture of joyful and frustrating moments. I'm pleased.

Cons of my Camp NaNoWriMo 2016 Experience

I am currently at 12,478 words. Where should I be as of April 15? At 22,500 words.

I'm behind, but that's my fault.

I have organized a way to fit my manuscript reading for the lit agency in between my work hours, so that's not the problem. The distraction comes from me trying to focus on things that are just as important as my writing.

I'm job hunting in the middle of baby NaNo.

My internship ends the first week of June (I think; it could be last week of May). So I've been looking for new work since March. I got my first interview on April 1, and my next will be April 22. All this traveling means less time to write, but it's still important so it's okay.

For those who follow me on Twitter, you may have seen my cries for help as I shamelessly promoted my online portfolio. That will probably continue until I sign new employment papers, so I'm offering a friendly warning to be prepared for those Tweets.

But alas! I discovered something amid the chaos!

Pros of my Camp NaNoWriMo 2016 Experience

The darling Rae, whom you all should follow and shower with love, tweeted some time ago about a blog post that talked about creating a DIY Writer's Retreat. 

The summary is this: reserve a hotel room for one or two nights, don't ask for the WiFi password, and write and work until you check out of the hotel (but the full article is very eloquent so check it out).

I decided to try it out at home this weekend to 1) save money and 2) because I had a four day weekend from work so Friday and Monday the house was empty.

Friday, April 8, I wrote 4.3K words. Monday, April 11, I wrote 3.1K words.

I average 1,200~ words per hour during my rewrite session because I have to care about which words I choose, whereas during NaNoWriMo 2015 I was averaging 1,000~ words every half hour (#1K30 on Twitter). When I sit down and close all my sessions and treat myself like I'm on a retreat, things got done.

I didn't call back my car insurance agency about my quote although I promise to do that...this week. I finished my manuscripts by Thursday so I wouldn't be tempted to read instead of write. And Monday I put down The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski to write those 3,000 words.

Because of this, I want to try to plan out sessions throughout the week. My day off is usually Monday and then if I can carve out alone time on Saturday that would give me at least two. 

My goal is to write 1,800 to 2,000 words a day to catch up, and then use sessions days until the end of the month. 

How's Camp going for you guys?

Updated Stats for Camp NaNoWriMo 2016

Start: April 1, 2016

End: April 30, 2016

Daily word count goal: 1,500 words (same as my original revision goal)
Actual average daily word count: 891 words

Current novel word count: 12,478 words

Projected end count: 70,600 words

Projected cups of tea: 55-70 cups
Current cups of tea: 35 cups

Cabin: Awesome girls from around the world!



Other posts you may like:

• #WritersLife: Participating in Camp NaNoWriMo 2016
• #WritersLife: Importance of Writing Everyday
• Book and Writing Goals for 2016

Waiting on Wednesday: Outrun the Moon

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that focuses on the yet-to-be released books we're waiting for. It's hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm talking about a beautiful sounding (and beautifully covered) historical fiction story set in 1906 Chinatown/San Francisco.

Title: Outrun the Moon

Author: Stacey Lee

Genre: YA Historical

Publication Date: May 24, 2016

Goodreads summary:

San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes.

On April 18, an historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Mercy can't sit by while they wait for the Army to bring help. Fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, yet Mercy still has the 'bossy' cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenaged girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?

Why I'm Waiting:

This story captured me with its Asian-American roots. I love the cultures of Asia and have fallen in love with so many transition stories (A Step from Heaven and American Born Chinese are among my favorite books of all time). Pair that with the historical twist and I'm sold!

What books are you waiting on?

You can pre-order Outrun the Moon on Amazon: Hardcover and digital copy. 

Other posts you may like:

• Waiting on Wednesday: RoseBlood
• Waiting on Wednesday: Marked
• Book Review: The Winner's Curse

Waiting on Wednesday: RoseBlood

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that focuses on the yet-to-be released books we're waiting for. It's hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm talking about the next book from one of my favorite authors, and it's another retelling!

Title: RoseBlood

Author: A.G. Howard

Genre: YA Retelling

Publication Date: January 10, 2017

Goodreads summary:

In this modern day spinoff of Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-

old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. 

Hoping creative direction will help, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera. At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn -- an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks.

As the two discover an otherworldly connection, a soul-deep romance blossoms. But when Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light, he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known. 

Why I'm Waiting:

I love A.G. Howard and I love retellings. Not only that, but Phantom of the Opera retellings are definitely not as common as princess stories! I can't pass this book up!

What books are you waiting on?

You can pre-order RoseBlood on Amazon: Hardcover and digital copy.

Other posts you may like:

• #WritersLife: Meeting Author A.G. Howard
• Book Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard
• Book Review: Fairest by Marissa Meyer

#WritersLife: Participating in Camp NaNoWriMo 2016

#WritersLife, where I talk writing in real life.

I decided to go out on a limb and sign up for Camp NaNoWriMo this April! You can find my camper's profile here.

For those who have been following this series, I've been working on a YA SF about parallel universes for a few months now. I wrote the draft during NaNoWriMo 2015, worked out a revised outline in January 2016, and have been rewriting the second draft since February.

Here's the thing: I'm only at 25,600~ words for the second draft. I planned on finishing between 60-70K words by March 31st. That's not going to happen.

Enter, NaNoWriMo! I love this community and have joined the Camp version for the first time. I set a goal of 45,000 words by April 30th, which would put my novel just at 70,000. If it needs less, then I'll stop before my goal.

Camp NaNoWriMo 2016 Stats

Start: April 1, 2016

End: April 30, 2016

Daily word count goal: 1,500 words (same as my original revision goal)

Current word count: 25,600 words

Projected end count: 70,600 words

Projected cups of tea: 55-70 cups

Cabin: TBA

I'm hoping with the second draft finished that I can start looking at minor edits or changes I might want to make rather than piecing together most of the plot.

My problem started because 1/3 of the way into my first draft, I changed the voice to better match the protagonist. About halfway, I realized I wanted to incorporate more hidden plot points between the protagonist, the villain, and the mentor. Lastly, during the revision outlining, I knew some kind of romance was needed and used a character I wanted to save for later in the series and introduced him sooner. 

All of that changed the bulk of the draft. That's probably why the editing is sucking the life out of me.

For those who have participated in Camp NaNoWriMo, how do you like it? I'm so excited to see what cabin I get placed into!

Other posts you may be interested in:

• #WritersLife: Finishing the first draft of NaNoWriMo 2015 novel
• End of Revision Round 1 for NaNoWriMo 2014 novel
• #WritersLife: Working as a (Creative) Writer