Countdown to #YALLFest2014: 8 weeks

YALLFest is coming!!! 

8 Weeks until AWESOME!

Details (from YALLFest.org)

YALLFest 2014

Who’s coming: 60 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers.

What: Panels, presentations and signings on three stages on Upper King Street, as well as the infamous YA Smackdown!

When: Fri., Nov. 7 and Sat., Nov. 8, 2014

Where: Blue Bicycle Books, the American Theatre, Charleston Music Hall, Upper King Street, Charleston, SC

Cost: FREE!

Every Saturday until YALLFest, I'll share why I'm looking forward to this event.

This week's topic:

Books I Want to Read Before YALLFest

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Panic by Lauren Oliver

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige 
(not pictured, I'm picking up a copy today)

And
at least one Sarah Dessen book

I have all of Sarah's published books, but have ready only half of them. With all of the books I want to read and all of the review books I need to read, it's likely I'll only read from the picture above. 

Which one should I choose?

Stacking the Shelves (2)

This week I'm joining Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews 

and sharing the books that I acquired throughout the week.

 

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (Purchased) - I picked this one up at YALLFest. After finishing FANGIRL, I have decided that I will read all things Rainbow Rowell.

Just One Day by Gayle Forman (Purchased) - Another book from YALLFest. I picked up an extra copy for a friend who NEEDS to read Gayle's books. Everyone NEEDS to read Gayle's books!!

Bang by Lisa McMann (Purchased) - This is the second book of McMann's Visions series. 

Broken by C. J. Lyons (Purchased) - A new to me author. This is Lyons's YA debut.

Asylum by Madeleine Roux (Purchased e-book) - I'm reading this for my book club. I'm a few chapters in and it's going to get creepy!

My Everything by Heidi McLaughlin (Audiobook; gift from the Author) - I cannot get enough of this series. Heidi just announced her next book will be out in December, so I have time to listen to it before Book #3 comes out. Who am I kidding? It's likely I will reread the series again.

The One Left Behind by Lena Nicole (Purchased e-book) - This was recommended to me and I'm participating in a read-along. 

Sneaking Candy by Lisa Burstein (Requested Review Copy) - I've loved Lisa's others books. While her other books are on the serious side, this one sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun. Check back for the review in December.

What new books made it to your shelves?

YALLFest Author Interview: Jocelyn Davies

On November 9th, 2013, the 3rd annual Young Adult Book Festival - YALLFest will take place in Charleston, SC. The festival will host 50 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. Today I, along with other enthusiastic bloggers, are hosting a series of interviews of authors who will be at YALLFest. For all of the details about YALLFest, check out their website at www.yallfest.org

Featured today is Jocelyn Davies, author of A Beautiful Dark Trilogy

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

COFFEE! And a cocoon of silence.

Describe your book in 5 words

Girl has angel blood, torn.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
It differs from book to book--really, it's anyone's guess! Sometimes, the first line is hardest, because I'm just getting started and I'm not warmed up yet, and by the time I get to the end, I've got the momentum of an entire book to propel me into that last line. Then again, sometimes a first line just pops into my head, and the whole idea unfolds from there. Theres usually no way to know what is going to happen until it's happening, which is often the approach I take to writing.

Best writing tip you ever received?
“Create interesting characters, give them an excuse to meet, and the story will write itself.”

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
I'm a dog person--cats kind of freak me out.

I was a theater kid in high school. I used to dream of being an Oscar-winning actress.

I love everything about autumn.

I live a few blocks away from my best friend from high school.

In my day job, I'm also a children's book editor.


What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

I love magical realism—a novel that's set in the real world, but ever-so-slightly different.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?
I usually have a pretty strong sense right from the moment the idea comes to me. I start writing knowing I’m embarking on a novel. 

 Visit Jocelyn Davies's Website

YALLFest Author Interview: Lisa McMann

 

On November 9th, 2013, the 3rd annual Young Adult Book Festival - YALLFest will take place in Charleston, SC. The festival will host 50 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. Today I, along with other enthusiastic bloggers, are hosting a series of interviews of authors who will be at YALLFest. For all of the details about YALLFest, check out their website at www.yallfest.org

 

Featured today is Lisa McMann, author of the Wake and Visions Series 

 

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

Silence.

Best writing tip you ever received?

“Think of the one thing your main character would never, ever do. Now make her do it.”

What are you working on now?

We’ll be ramping up the releases of books 5, 6, and 7 in the Unwanteds series, so I’m working on Unwanteds book 5 right now.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

I really enjoy writing in a variety of genres, from realistic to paranormal to dystopian fantasy. At the moment, fantasy is winning, but that could change at any moment. My favorite genre to read is memoir.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

As soon as I have a one line concept that gives me a little shiver.

 

 Visit Lisa McMann's Website

 

 

YALLFest Author Interview: Michelle Hodkin

On November 9th, 2013, the 3rd annual Young Adult Book Festival - YALLFest will take place in Charleston, SC. The festival will host 50 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. Today I, along with other enthusiastic bloggers, are hosting a series of interviews of authors who will be at YALLFest. For all of the details about YALLFest, check out their website at www.yallfest.org

 

 

Featured today is Michelle Hodkin, author of the Mara Dyer Series 

 

Describe your book in 5 words
Romeo and Juliet meets Hitchcock

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
I spend a lot of time thinking about my first lines. A lot of time. Too much time. Luckily the last lines usually come to me as I write. 

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
What I love about YA is that I don't have to choose a genre. I can blend elements and mess with conventions from all of them—horror, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, whatever. I'm not sure I could choose a favorite, if I were ever told that I had to. And my reading is all over the place, but right now I'm reading a lot of old school sci-fi and fantasy, with some literary fiction thrown in.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?
The Magicians by Lev Grossman. It's not YA, but it is about a teenager who reminds me of my teen self. And maybe also my adult self. Anyway. I basically push the book into the hands of everyone I meet. It's just that good.

What are you working on now?
A secret project that is secret. But I'm wildly excited about it, and I think my readers will be too.

 Visit Michelle Hodkin's Website

 

YALLFest Author Interview: Lisi Harrison

On November 9th, 2013, the 3rd annual Young Adult Book Festival - YALLFest will take place in Charleston, SC. The festival will host 50 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. Today I, along with other enthusiastic bloggers, are hosting a series of interviews of authors who will be at YALLFest. For all of the details about YALLFest, check out their website at www.yallfest.org

 

 

Featured today is Lisi Harrison, author of The Clique Series and Monster High

 

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

A scented candle. Each book has it’s own scent.

Describe your book in 5 words

Popular freshmen’s secret journals revealed.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

First. 100%

Best writing tip you ever received?

Stop writing in the middle of a chapter instead of the end. It will be easier to start up again the next day.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

Stargirl.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

I can’t run.

I have a tattoo with a type-o. It’s supposed to say, “creativity” but it says, “dry.”

In college I thought it would be cool to get a tattoo written in Chinese characters.

I was supposed to be on one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. I changed my reservation at the last minute. Now every time I look at a clock it says 9:11.

I can’t stand being asked about my “favorites.” I don’t have favorites. If I did I’d forget what they are the minute you asked and would remember them the minute you leave. It’s maddening.

I prefer to give 6 random facts. 

Where's your favorite place to write?

My office.

What are you working on now?

Pretenders #2: License To Spill.

 Visit Lisi Harrison's Website

 

YALLFest Author Interview: Shannon Hale

On November 9th, 2013, the 3rd annual Young Adult Book Festival - YALLFest will take place in Charleston, SC. The festival will host 50 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. Today I, along with other enthusiastic bloggers, are hosting a series of interviews of authors who will be at YALLFest. For all of the details about YALLFest, check out their website at www.yallfest.org

 

 

Featured today is Shannon Hale, author of Princess Academy and Austenland

 

Describe your book in 5 words

Boarding school for children of famous fairytales

Best writing tip you ever received?

People remember a story for its characters.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. It’s smart, engaging, and discusses so many things I was struggling with.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

I have 4 kids (including identical girl toddler twins). 

My husband likes to wear masks and hide around the house to scare me. 

I like to read while lying on my belly. 

I love the sky. 

I’m not a very good speller.

What are you working on now?

The third Princess Academy book.

 Visit Shannon Hale's Website

 

YALLFest Author Interview: Veronica Rossi

On November 9th, 2013, the 3rd annual Young Adult Book Festival - YALLFest will take place in Charleston, SC. The festival will host 50 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. Today I, along with other enthusiastic bloggers, are hosting a series of interviews of authors who will be at YALLFest. For all of the details about YALLFest, check out their website at www.yallfest.org

 

 

Featured today is Veronica Rossi, author of Under the Never Sky Series

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

Yeah, those. And all the ones in between!

Best writing tip you ever received?

$5. Just kidding. Um… tip… I think it’s probably to allow yourself to suck when writing early drafts. It takes away a lot of the fear of generating good material. It’s not easy to be creative when you’re judging your work.       

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

1.       In the past year, I discovered a deep love of Brussel sprouts

2.       I talk to myself. Heck. Sometimes I argue with myself.

3.       I’m arguing with myself about including that last point at this very moment.

4.       My favorite animals are elephants.

5.       Dresses with pockets make me happy.

Where's your favorite place to write?

I usually work in my home office, but I love working in hotel rooms. No distractions!

What are you working on now?

Something I’m very excited about! Can’t divulge any details yet, but it’s an idea I’ve been mulling over for years.

 Visit Veronica Rossi's Website

 

YALLFest Author Interview: Ransom Riggs

On November 9th, 2013, the 3rd annual Young Adult Book Festival - YALLFest will take place in Charleston, SC. The festival will host 50 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. Today I, along with other enthusiastic bloggers, are hosting a series of interviews of authors who will be at YALLFest. For all of the details about YALLFest, check out their website at www.yallfest.org

 

 

Featured today is Ransom Riggs, author of Miss Peregrine's Home 

for Peculiar Children

 

 

What one thing do you need to have when you write?
Silence. My noise-cancelling headphones have become almost essential.


What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
The first. I rewrite and rewrite it a million times. The last comes easy.


Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
I’m six foot four. I lived on a working farm until I was five. I used to know how to cook Indian food but now I’ve forgotten. I love documentaries. One day I will conquer the moon.

What are you working on now?
A novel for Little, Brown the plot of which is SECRET! (Sort of, for now. But I’m really excited about it.)

 

 

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
Oh, definitely YA to write in. I read everything, lots of YA, lots of adult, nonfiction of all sorts. I even read poetry when I’m feeling ambitious. I think it’s crucial to have lots of different influences. If you only read in the genre you write in, your writing will sound like everything else that’s already out there. 

 

YALLFest Author Interview: Rainbow Rowell

On November 9th, 2013, the 3rd annual Young Adult Book Festival - YALLFest will take place in Charleston, SC. The festival will host 50 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. Today I, along with other enthusiastic bloggers, are hosting a series of interviews of authors who will be at YALLFest. For all of the details about YALLFest, check out their website at www.yallfest.org

 

 

Featured today is Rainbow Rowell, author of Eleanor and Park, Attachments, and Fangirl

 

 

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

Lip balm.

Describe your book in 5 words.

FANGIRL

Earnest, snowy, swoony, minty, bookish.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

THE FIRST! The whole first page is a nightmare. I want people to just skip it. And I always end up rewriting it.

Best writing tip you ever received?

“Just finish your book.”

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt. I think it would have made me feel less alone.

Where's your favorite place to write?

At coffeeshops. In giant overstuffed chairs.

What are you working on now?

I’m revising my adult novel, Landline, which comes out in spring 2014, and playing with a romantic/political/tragicomic fantasy.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

I write mostly contemporary. I read mostly fantasy.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

All of my ideas are full-length novels. I have a hard time narrowing my scope.

 

 

 Visit Rainbow Rowell's Website