Stuff I’ve Been Reading

February 18, 2015 by Christina June ♥ 2 Comments

For the first time in a long time, I’ve been in a reading slump. I’ve put several down. I’ve struggled through others that just didn’t connect. Then last week I was home sick for several days and managed to blow through a handful of really solid books and for that I’m thankful.

1. Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu – inspired by families like the Duggars who follow the Quiverful movement, I found this book to be incredibly powerful and quietly moving. It won’t be for everyone – the religious aspect could be a turn off for some, but if you enjoy character-driven stories with strong voice, this could be a winner. I enjoyed Mathieu’s previous novel but this one blew me away.

2. I Was Here by Gayle Forman – this was a really difficult book to read. It deals with suicide and the characters are never particularly likable, but the writing has such beauty that I couldn’t put it down. Forman knows her way around an inner monologue!

3. No More Confessions by Louise Rozett – the third in the Confessions series was the result of fans like me begging Rozett to write it. I love these characters so much and will carry them with me. I’m grateful for the realistic conclusion! If you haven’t read this series, please give it a try. One of my very favorites.

4. Leaving Amarillo by Caisey Quinn – my first CQ book! This is a smart, steam New Adult novel perfect for fans of Nashville. Really looking forward to the next in the series and following up with these complex characters.

I’ve also been doing some beta/advanced reading for some of my agency sisters and two books you want to add to your list are The Stars Turned Away by Lisa Maxwell and The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis.

What are you reading? What’s blown you away that I need to try?

NaNoWriMo 2014 Wrap-Up

December 8, 2014 by Christina June ♥ 2 Comments

So it’s been a week since NaNoWriMo ended for this year and I am pleased to report that I “won” for the third year in a row. And, a gigantic improvement over last year, I don’t hate my manuscript! NaNoWriMo will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the thing that got me writing seriously. And now, with 3 under my belt, I enjoy sharing it with my students and writing friends.

Writing 50,000 words (or more for you overachievers) in 30 days can be a very daunting task, so here are some things that work for me, in case you’re interested in trying (or trying again) with me next November:

1. Give yourself a head start. I am very fortunate that my job has some time built-in at the beginning of every November for me to do as I please. I now spend it writing. My first Nano, I holed up at a coffee shop for 2 days and banged out 10K. Last year and this year, I went on retreat with three of my critique partners and got 12K and 13K respectively. If you know what you want to write ahead of time, and you eliminate whatever your personal distractions are for a day or two (use a sick day perhaps, if your schedule permits it), you’ll be amazed at how many words you can write.

2. Plan ahead. I’m not a detailed outliner, but I do like to make notes and mull things over before beginning a new draft. Last year, I had a very loose idea of plot points and spent too much time figuring out my characters’ names. This year, I let my ideas and my characters marinate for about two weeks, and didn’t write anything else in that time, and took notes in Scrivener as the ideas came to me. I think making decisions about characters and their personalities/motivations was the most useful. When I got stuck, I had something to fall back on. Which year was more successful? 2014, by far. My lack of planning in 2013 really took its toll on the story.

3. Research in advance. Even if you’re creating a world entirely from scratch, there’s gotta be something you need to google to help you out. This year I wrote a book about swimming. I’ve never been on a swim team and haven’t taken a lesson in over 20 years. So I interviewed 2 experts – a student-athlete and a coach – for over 5 hours and took copious notes. I also read a number of documents online about various related topics. I saved items I knew I would need in Scrivener, but the process of talking about these ideas with experts was invaluable, so I rarely had to refer to the notes. Just talking put me in the right mindset. And, it saved me valuable time during November.

4. Rely on friends. Nano should never be a solitary experience. Even if your critique partners or fellow writers aren’t participating, just letting them know that YOU are helps you be accountable. I spent time with writing friends both in person and online, both of which got me really amped up about reaching my goal.

5. Reward yourself. 50,000 words is a lot. Just under 1,700 words a day is daunting, especially in a month where many people travel for several days or have family obligations more than normal. Make yourself feel good about what you do accomplish. I give myself stars for every 500 words written. November looks pretty impressive on paper! I also tend to reward myself with more coffee, which can be both a good and a bad thing.

That’s it. Piece of cake, right? Sure. If I can do it, you can do it.

I’m always on the look out for new tips – what helped you get through November this year?

Cover Reveal: BETWEEN EVERYTHING AND US by Rebecca Paula

December 4, 2014 by Christina June ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Friends – today I’m celebrating the reveal of the GORGEOUS cover of my amazing critique partner’s new book. Without further ado, here it is!

Title: Between Everything And Us

Author: Rebecca Paula

Genre: New Adult

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Cover Design: Maggie Hall

Synopsis

Matisse Evans is determined to make her sophomore year of college successful after failing out of a prestigious art school and spending a horribly boring gap year at home. Despite her focus, time isn’t on her side as she struggles to hold down three jobs so she can afford her first apartment while juggling course work. In the chaos of it all, Beau Grady moves in and shakes up her world. A college dropout and tattooed bad boy, the rumors about Beau mean one thing for Matisse—trouble. Paralyzed by the fear that she’s missing out on life, Matisse discovers plans may unravel, but what rises in their wake can be worth the uncertainty.

After spending the summer couch surfing, Beau Grady moves into an empty room at his ex-girlfriend’s Portland bungalow, skipping his senior year of college to spend his days working at a Vietnamese food cart instead. Once a star hockey player and gifted student, he’s put his life on hold after receiving a life-altering diagnosis, complacent to live in the moment. Hiding behind false rumors and bad habits, Beau falls for Matisse, letting her believe the worst until their relationship blooms into something they both can’t ignore. Falling for her means having to face a future he’d rather forget, but loving her just might be worth it.

Excerpt

She grabs my hands and pins them together. I don’t fight off her touch. I let Mati gather them and raise them above my head. “I think it’s so easy to fall into the world when you’re not ready,” she says seriously. Her free hand brushes over my brows, then sweeps down my nose. “It’s such a big place and we’re all very tiny in the scheme of things.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“It sucks being an outlier, Beau. I get it. But in spite of everything, we’re always going to feel a bit lost. It’s the part of growing up that no one ever tells you about.”

“You’re very wise today, Miss Mati.”

“I’m lots things, mister. I’m…” Her voice drops off and she nervously glances down at my chest. “I think I’m a little bit in love with you actually.”

At least I’m sitting. That doesn’t help the way my stomach drops though.

I snake my hands out of her grip and brace them around her face. There’s a reason why outliers exist on the outside—they can’t find their way in.

Mati is no outlier to me.

We kiss for what seems like hours. I don’t care if it’s for days. But we kiss until my mouth wipes away the nervousness in that confession of hers, while I still cowardly hide behind mine.

In the wild, in the sun, Mati and I are…well, we’re something I never thought I’d have or find. And that’s everything.

About The Author

It began with a boy who survived a plane crash in the wilderness.

I discovered my love of writing during a fifth grade writing assignment for Hatchet. After that, I knew I wanted to be a writer.

Always the hopeless romantic, I write late Victorian and Edwardian historical romances as well as contemporary New Adult romances.

I am a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), as well as the New Hampshire chapter (NHRWA) and the New England chapter (NECRWA). I contribute regularly to the Modern Belles of History blog, a site dedicated to writing, reading, and researching 20th century women’s historical fiction.

When I’m not writing, I’m most likely reading or daydreaming about my next travel adventure. I live in New Hampshire with my husband and our cat, Bella.

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What I Learn About Writing From Reading

October 29, 2014 by Christina June ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

When I started writing seriously, just over 2 years ago, I changed the way I was reading. I no longer read solely for pleasure or escape, I began reading to learn from the writer. I paid closer attention to what words they chose, the characters’ voices, how plots were layered, etc. I studied the words of authors whose books I loved but who wrote very differently than I do to see what exactly made me a fan and was I accomplishing the same thing in my own way.

Thankfully, this mental analysis doesn’t take away any of the fun of reading and actually often helps me work through a tough spot in my own work. This past weekend, I finished 2 incredibly different books and learned a great deal from both of them.

BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE by Maggie Stiefvater – the third book in the Raven Boys series was highly anticipated for me. A little more literary than I often see, Stiefvater has a way with words that always leaves me in awe of the things that must be going on in her head. This is a book where there’s a lot and very little going on at the same time. There is tension on every page, and yet it moves quite slowly compared to the other two. When I was reading, I tried to think about the word choice and how a writer might elevate the mediocre language in a first draft to one with dream-like qualities where even the smallest of details are nuanced. I’d love to ask Stiefvater how much change there is between first and final drafts.

Stiefvater also has a lot of characters and a lot of moving parts. She must have some kind of magical powers to keep track of all the small details that appear and change throughout her books. This made me think about organization and how one might catalog characters, traits, important objects, etc. And, also, how does a writer make sure that all the voices of their characters – when writing from multiple POVs in third person – are distinct.

In the end, I was admiring the work, while wondering where else this is going and how it’s all going to end. Lots of questions, which of course will have me picking up the conclusion.

THE START OF ME AND YOU by Emery Lord – I took a break from my regularly scheduled reading for this one, which doesn’t hit shelves until 2015. I’m a sucker for a good contemporary romance with teeth and this is definitely that. I love how Lord took one girl’s personal journey and turned it into the journey of a family, of a couple, of a group of friends. Often one or many of those elements are left out and I think, especially in contemporary books, the writer can’t forget that the world-building includes those elements.

The takeaway for me as a writer here is voice. Lord gives her main character lots of really insightful inner monologue. She gets to the heart of the emotions her character is experiencing, which is so so important writing teens. This is a weakness of mine, so I like to pay close attention to what the character is thinking and how it contributes to the story as a whole. Then I take that back to my own work and apply it when it best helps my story.

Are there authors/books that have taught you specific things as a writer? Feel free to share in the comments!

Raising A Reader?

October 24, 2014 by Christina June ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

My daughter doesn’t sit still. Ever. She’s never been one to sit quietly and flip through a picture book or color a bunch of pictures, until very very recently (like the last 3 weeks). And even then her attention span is that of a gnat. At bedtime, she would make it through the reading aloud of one relatively short picture book and wouldn’t tolerate books with minimal pictures or more than about 25 words on a page.

As a life-long obsessive reader who would rarely like be doing anything else, this distresses me. I know everyone is different and if she turns out to only be a casual reader, she’ll be passionate about something else and that’s totally fine. However, I can’t help but hold out hope that she’ll grow up to be like her mama and carry a book with her wherever she goes “just in case.”

Recently the lovely folks at Macmillan sent us a game-changer.

Find It On Goodreads

It’s listed as for ages 5-8, and as my wee one is 4 and change, but I took a chance. I introduced it at bedtime last weekend as a “big girl chapter book” and she took the bait. As a family we read a chapter a night this week. The story is very engaging, pictures are sparse (but also adorable), and every chapter ends on a cliff hanger. My kid, my always active hooligan, loved it. She begged me to keep going every night. Part of it was the wonderful story full of winged animals and adventure, and part of it was the thrill of being grown up, of doing something she might get to do next year in kindergarten.

Would I recommend this book to others? Heck yeah. It’s girly enough for the princesses, but also suspenseful and full of surprises for those who shun the pink. And, bonus, there are more books in the series, which we will be buying immediately. A big thanks to Lily Small and the lovelies at Macmillan for keeping my dream of raising a reader alive.

I would also welcome suggestions of more books guaranteed to hook reluctant young readers – please share if you know of some!

Author Interview: Rebecca Paula

October 16, 2014 by Christina June ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Today I’m thrilled to host the very talented Rebecca Paula, who I am blessed to have as a critique partner, in celebration of her forthcoming novel EVERLY AFTER. Friends, this is a book that will make you cry, scream, swoon and sigh. I can’t wait for you to journey to Paris with Becka, but in the meantime, let’s get to know her a little better:

How/when did you start writing?
- I had to write a POV journal for a fifth grade project on Hatchett and then fell in love with creating stories. I was a closet fiction writer after that, focusing on journalism instead. It wasn’t until 2012 that I finally had the nerve to put some writing up online and then I met some incredible people who’ve cheered me on during this crazy writing adventure of mine.
What’s your writing process like? Are you a pantser or a plotter?
- I’m a total panster. I start with a bit of dialogue or character, and I build off that. At some point I figure out my ending point, but I mostly write and see where it goes. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to be a plotter, and then I usually ignore those notes. Pantsing is chaotic and messy, but it’s 100% my process.
Any favorite writing tools?
- I make a playlist for each book I write and listen to it on repeat through drafting and revisions. I’m a bit lost without those playlists.
Any wacky places ideas tend to strike you?
- Usually while I’m running errands. I can be picking up dish detergent at Target and BAM – an idea hits me.
What was your querying/publishing journey like?
- Well, I don’t have an agent yet, so my querying journey is on hold for now. I’ve decided to self-publish, but only after I received some really encouraging feedback during querying three books. I have what I call “the best rejection ever” hanging up on my pinboard above my desk. That note made the scary decision to go out on my own a little easier.
Advice for aspiring authors?
- To keep writing. I know that’s cliché, but if I listened to everyone who said I couldn’t be a writer or wouldn’t write a book, then I wouldn’t be here chatting about EVERLY AFTER. So keep at it.
What’s your favorite thing about your current book?
- I love EVERLY AFTER because it wasn’t easy to write. It pushed me to find the edge of what was comfortable for me as a reader and a writer, and then leap over it.
Can you share your favorite line with us?
- Hmm, this is tough…but I’ve always loved this line: A church bell rings out in the distance, echoing in the quiet aftermath of Everly’s quick jump into the unexpected.
What’s up next for you?
- My next New Adult romance, BETWEEN EVERYTHING AND US, will be released January 20, 2015. It’s about a determined art student, Matisse Evans, falling for her college dropout roommate, Beau Grady.

What is your favorite dessert?
- I could write love letters to the deliciousness that’s lemon gelato.
- What toppings do you order on your pizza?
- I lived in Boston’s North End during college and was spoiled with great brick oven pizza. So it might be boring, but some herbed olive oil drizzled over a quattro formaggi or margarita pizza, and I’m in heaven.
If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- Oh, so many places! I have a serious case of wanderlust. I would love to vacation on the Amafli Coast again, and I would gladly move to Galway if ever given the chance. I fell in love when I visited in 2005. As for new places, India and Thailand are on my travel bucket list.
What are you currently reading?
- Dangerous Boys by Abigail Haas and it’s so, so good.
What was the last TV show you watched?
- I don’t watch much TV, but I did just finish Outlander. Jamie Fraser will be my book boyfriend for life. And now that Gilmore Girls is on Netflix, I’m all for watching that again. I ship Rory and Jess so hard.
What clique/group were you in when you were in high school?
- Hmm, the nerds? I don’t know. I got along with everyone, but I was definitely on the nerdier side of things with taking AP classes and loving Model UN.
What’s your favorite adult beverage?
- I’m a sucker for a tall glass of Guinness, but if we’re talking fancy drinks, I love a French 75. It’s lemony champagne goodness.
What does the last text message you sent say?
- I love you – to my husband.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
- I want to be an early bird like I want to be a plotter, but I’m most definitely a night owl.

Everly After is available for preorder and releases October 21, 2014:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00MX5DUA2
B&N: http://is.gd/waAW0w
Kobo: http://is.gd/j5xg6Y

Find Becka on the web:

www.rebeccapaula.com
Facebook Author page: http://is.gd/D9s9iq
Twitter: @beckapaula
Add Everly After to Goodreads: http://is.gd/O2QXhf

What I’ve Been Reading

October 7, 2014 by Christina June ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The most common piece of advice I read from writers to aspiring writers is “READ!” I read a lot. A LOT. Here’s what’s been keeping me occupied lately:

2 books I think ought to be taught in classrooms –

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley: A really beautifully told story about the integration of an all-white school in a fictional town in 1959 Virginia. Talley address not only racial tensions, but LGBT concerns as well. The story is told through dual-POV and I found the evolving perspectives from Linda and Sarah to be moving and challenging. This is an important book and I’ve already recommended it to an English teacher friend for school approval.

Published September 30th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin – this was my first Martin book since I devoured her Babysitters Club series as a child. While there are several books out there now with narrators with Asperger’s Syndrome, this one stands out with it’s honest voice, unique details, and a story that is universal for any age group. I think middle grade readers and their parents will find Rose’s relationship with her dog extremely touching. This would be a wonderful story to be read together, as it invites discussions about other-ness, as well as complicated family relationships. I plan on passing it on to a friend with a daughter about to enter middle school.

Published October 7th 2014 by Feiwel & Friends

I’m also slowly but surely making my way through Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater, which I’m trying very hard to savor.

Expected publication: October 21st 2014 by Scholastic Press

In writing/reading, I’ve been tackling my critique partner Katherine Locke’s sequel to the forthcoming Serenade (title most likely to be changed), which is just lovely. Can’t wait for the world to get their hands on Zed and Aly’s story.

Expected publication: 2015 by Carina Press