Writerly Wednesday - READ with PURPOSE!!

Happy Writerly Wednesday!!  Again - simple tip for you today:

READ with PURPOSE

What do I mean by that?  Well, I just finished reading The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker.  FABULOUS, btw!!

Check it out!!

I started reading this book with the purpose of picking out the reasons why it works/doesn't work.  (totally works!)  What did I like about it?  How did they set up their chapters?  How did they handle things like description and backstory?  Did they use any passive voice?  Were the characters identifiable/unique?  How can reading this book make me a better writer?

The answer to the last question was, "Umm - because it's AWESOME!"  Seriously, if Kate, Liam and Seth are looking for a fourth - PICK ME, PICK ME!!

Considering the event that sets off this story, the death of Kate's best friend, and Kate's struggle to come to terms with the loss of a loved one - the wonderful humor laced throughout is so well done!  And if you want an example of a kick-a teen-girl voice, Kate's your girl.  It taught me a few tips on dealing with backstory and peppering in sensory detail.  Need ideas on how to create suspense?  Please read this book!  I even learned that it's ok to "tell" rather than "show" on occasion.  It's also a great example of a fun stand-alone story that offers series potential.

I started reading this book with a purpose.  I enjoyed it as a bonus!  Tell me, how many of you take an approach to how you read a book?  And how does it help your writing?

I've got a TAG to catch up on ~ I'll try to do that on Friday.  Otherwise, I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday.  Happy purposeful reading!!

Celllllll-e-brate Good Times, C'MON!

I'm very pleased to report that I've peaked the first blogging milestone and come over the other side to 100+ followers - woo hoo!  A special thanks to ALL of you who've spent a little time visiting my blog, given me awards, linked to my blog for one reason or another, and shown me some blogosphere love.  I know I wouldn't be here without you ~ :)

Now, you might want to shade your eyes as I throw a little of this:

And don't laugh too hard as you imagine me doing this:



Now - for the good stuff!!!  FREE STUFF!!  Free = good!  Blogging has really motivated me to write, write, and write a little more (oh, and also read of course).  This is a great community to be in.  And since 2011 is the year of 100+ and more to come - here's what I'd like to do....  I want to give 4 lucky blogging friends a prize - please let me order/pre-order either the 2011 Debut Author book of your choice OR any book by one of my blogging buddies!!  Might I make a few suggestions:

(these are just a very few suggestions - feel free to pick any debut you want.  And if you have a book I need to list here, let me know!!)

And, because I know that you'll have to wait for some of these - in the mean time, the same 4 lucky blogging friends will get a special treat all the way from the home state - UT!!  (*trust me - I'll pick out something uniquely utah)

And ALL you need to do is 1. Be a follower AND 2. Comment (side-bars and blog shout outs appreciated, but not necessary) on this post by Feb. 13th (Happy bday dad!) and I'll announce the lucky winners on Valentine's Day!  Why 2/14?  Because, as Charlie would say "I'm in smit."  (bonus points if you can tell me where the quote comes from...)  Yes, I'm in smit with blogging.  And I hope you'll celebrate with me!!  I look forward to many more years of getting to know some great people through their wonderfully written words.  :)  Happy Sunday!