Book Review: Abandon

I really enjoy Meg Cabot's books (especially the Heather Wells series). Not only is she prolific (writes a TON), but her stories are fun escapes. This weekend I finished the first book in a her new series: "Abandon." It's a "dark re-imagining of the story of Hades and Persephone." (From Greek mythology, where the god of the Underworld kidnaps Persephone.) I only know the basics of the Hades/Persephone story, but from what I do know, Cabot's re-telling is definitely new--and, eventually, I think it'll be fun. This first book was a little all over the place, giving us the background of Pierce (her death and her escape from the Underworld) and the mysterious John Hayden. The book was good, but it had a lot of back and forth jumps in time. I'm all for flashbacks and whatnot, but in some cases (most cases actually), I just want to get from Point A to Point B. I prefer telling stories that way, so I think I like reading them that way as well. Regardless, the strange of structure of this novel didn't make me dislike the book. Quite the opposite. I give it a B+. I do recommend it and would love to hear from anyone who's read it too. Did you like it?

In other news. Editing is drrrrraging. I have managed about 5 pages a day (I edit by-hand during my lunch break), but I haven't been able to put those edits into the computer. I guess I'm still making progress, right? I'd hoped to have it finished by now, but that's just not happening. Oh well, I guess you can't really rush these things. I did start the outline for book two (I haven't decided if it'll be just a sequel kind of thing or a trilogy). PLUS... I need to rename it: "Surrender" just doesn't really work 100%. My initial title (when I started writing this novel when I was in high school) was "A Fallen Gift." It still works, but I wanted to veer away from "fallen" in the title because it seems like most angel/demon books dealing with fallen angels has "fallen" in the title. So, I searched my brain for something different, but maybe I just wasted time. Another idea: "The Fallen Guardian." *Sigh* I don't want it to seem like I'm just "going along with the trends in publishing." I didn't write this novel because paranormal YA is so hot at the moment. I just love it.... who knows what will happen with this. I can only hope good things. If you're interested in reading, check it out here.

I have so much work to do. My new goal is to be done with edits by September 1 and have the manuscript out to agents a few weeks after that. Who knows if this will happen. I've got a lot of life things going on in the next few months. First, I have to find myself a cheap apartment. Second, I need to figure out if I can survive on one job or if I'll need to keep a part-time evening job, which will totally cut into my writing/editing time. I'm so depressed by that thought.

Another thing I'm depressed about is this missing chapter in "Hostile Kisses." For the life of me, I can't understand what must have happened to it, or how it disappeared. I did look through a lot of my back-up disks, but it looks all the same. Sad thing is that I can't remember what computer I used to write that story. A mix of computers, I think. I really hope that I can track it down, but I'm afraid that it might be lost forever. I may have to rewrite something later on after I take "Hostile Kisses" down from FP. I think the next one I'll post is "Chemical Games." After that.... I'm just not sure. I don't think I'll be re-posting the KM series on FP. I know this will make a lot of people unhappy, but I'm so proud of that series (and excited to work on it again), that I think I'd rather pursue self publishing (either through hard copy or ebook).

Anyway, that's all the news I have at the moment. Read "Abandon" it's worth it. Next on my list: "Just Like Heaven" by Julia Quinn (my favorite author for Victorian England romance novels, think Jane Austen, but with kinky scenes). :c) She's my inspiration for stories like "My Darling Bunny" and the still unfinished "Arabelle Wild."

Hostile Kisses Re-Posted!

I've re-posted "Hostile Kisses" to FictionPress for a short amount of time (probably six months or so).

Things have slowed down with both writing and editing lately. Tomorrow I start a full-time job and that will really limit how much work I can do on my novel and on other things. It's kinda sad and I think I'm actually a bit depressed about it. I'm not at all excited to start this new position. I hope that eventually I will love the job, but right now it's making me blue.

In other news: "X-Men: First Class" was a great movie! I always leave the theater wanting my own powers or with the desire to write something about mutants, but then I stop myself because it's kinda been done already, and been done successfully. At any rate, it was a great revamp and anything with James McAvoy is awesome. I love him in "Penelope." So, there we have it folks, a few little updates for the blog.

Facebook!

So, in lieu of signing up for Twitter (as I pondered in an earlier post below)... I've made myself an account on Facebook instead (I like it better). Add me as a friend today. I think I might have set up an author page as well, but I'm not sure.

I'm pretty sure if you look me up by my email star_7_angel@yahoo.com or by name "Tatiana Moore" you'll find me.

Progress Report

I am almost halfway through my third (? I can't even remember anymore) round of edits for "Surrender." I may change the title before this is all said and done, but I'm not completely decided on that yet. I have a feeling things are going to get much slower for me. After nine months of looking, I've finally found a full-time job, which means that my editing (and eventual writing) will take place in the evenings and weekends. My goal is to finish this project before my birthday in September. At that point I'll have been working on it for a year.

The editing is going well, I think. I was concerned at first because I was still adding things, but the last few days I've slowly reduced my word count. I'm trying not to worry too much about it at this point. I think I'm making it better, over all (fingers crossed), but it's so hard for me to judge this as the writer. I'm so close to everything. I am definitely the type of writer who only works on one project at a time. I really should be writing as well as editing, but I get consumed with one project and then it takes over my life. I wish I was a bit better with my time.

I'm also wondering if I should sign up for Twitter? I know nothing about that site, but it seems like it could be a good venue to use to connect with readers. Thoughts? Anyone out there addicted to Twitter?

Moving Right Along

First, let me just say that I'm beyond excited for the new Muppet movie, due out November 2011. I've always loved the Muppets, even know as I approach ultimate spinsterhood, I still feel a child-like joy when I see Kermit or Rizzo. I have a feeling that this movie is going to be off the hook. They've got a lot of good comedic talent participating (as actors and writers) so honestly, they can't lose. And it's far past time for a new Muppet movie. So... just wanted to get that off my chest.

Second, I've finally hit the 200 page mark on this third edit of my novel. Too bad I've got like 395 pages to go. The novel is too long. I'm very optimistic that I will be able to cut some of it as I get closer to the middle and end, but I've done a lot of adding so far. My biggest reason for wanting it cut down a little is because I feel like it's on the longer side (especially for a debut novel). It's probably 150 pages over the majority of YA novels out right now. I haven't done any research into this though, just going by sight and what I've read. I'm not going to sacrifice the story in order to get it to an acceptable range, but it is a worry that I have. I've done no new writing in the last month (I think), unless you count all the new/revised stuff that's going into the novel. I really need to start on something new, but I just have a hard time working on multiple projects at one time. Something always takes priority.

As a reminder, I will be taking down "A Stater Boyfriend" from FP on June 1. So, still a couple more weeks to read it if you feel like it. I'm not sure if I'm going to put up something in it's place. I know so many people want the "Killing Memories" series back up. Maybe I'll upload book 1? Or maybe "Chemical Games"? I don't know.

I hope everyone's well!

Warning!

I will be removing "A Starter Boyfriend" from Fiction Press on June 1, 2010. Read or re-read while you can.

Random Bits of Fact

So, it's been a little over a week since I last posted. Not a whole lot is going on. My schedule is all thrown off in regard to writing/editing. Things have come to a halt with "Arabelle Wild." I'm not giving up on that story by any means, I just haven't written anything new in over two weeks. Editing of "Surrender" is also going pretty slowly. I think I'm on chapter seven right now and still have over 500 pages to edit. It's so unbelievably daunting at times, but I've decided to set a goal for at least two chapters each week, hopefully more. I just need to find a rhythm.

Currently I'm reading "City of Fallen Angels" by Cassandra Clare. I'm a fan of her novels, but I'm not that far into this new one yet so I don't know how I feel about it. I'm always wary of authors who continue a series after "the third and final installation." It makes me wonder if the story really should continue or if a new spin-off series should be created. In this case, "City of Fallen Angels" is book 4 in the Mortal Instruments series. Ehhhh.... we'll see.

I also recently finished "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett and that was SUPER good. I can't wait for the movie to come out this summer. Speaking of summer movies what is everyone looking forward to? I know "Thor" is out right now and I'm a fan of the superhero movies, but I haven't seen it yet. I'm also looking forward to "Captain America" and many others. Yay for summer blockbusters, although I can't really understand why summer blockbusters can't happen year round.