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YA 2015 Trend Predictions || Wherein I gather MANY BLOGGERS to chat

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A delicious part of book blogging is looking forward to books.

Let’s face it: books make our mouths water. And with 2014 wrapping up, our brains are straying to next year’s YA releases and wondering what the trends will be.

Although my opinion on these things is (obviously) fabulous…I thought it’d be nice to swim through the blogosphere and ask other bookish bloggers what they think 2015’s trends might be. They humoured me greatly. They are the nicest friends. And I accumulated a glorious post of our predictions!

The Opinion of Yours Truly:

I think 2015 is going to be the year Fairy Tale Retellings (which makes me insanely happy because retellings are my favourite). Sure I’m a teeny tiny bit worried they’ll explode (like vampires) and everyone will write a retelling and we’ll lose the quality…but for now? I’m enjoying it!

Movies definitely inspire people to read and, on the film front, we have Into The Woods and Pan and Disney’s new Cinderella. Then coming from 2016 onwards is Pinocchio (played by RDJ!) and The Huntsman and Beauty (with Emma Watson).

But for the bookish front we have (of course) the retelling queen, Marissa Meyer, with Fairest and Winter. Then A.G. Howard’s Alice in Wonderland retelling concludes with Ensnared. Danielle Paige brings us Dorothy Must Die #2 with The Wicked Will Rise. OH and let’s not forget Rosamund Hodge’s Crimson Bound! There’s also A Wicked Thing (Sleeping Beauty) and Beast Charming. Phewf. Is that enough? WAIT LET’S SQUEEZE IN ONE MORE! How about Sarah J Maas’ new retelling of Beauty and the Beast with A Court of Thorns and Roses?!! WHO IS EXCITED FOR THIS?

Amanda @ Book Badger

I’d think I could confidently say, based on what people have enjoyed in 2014, and the film adaptations that have come about within the last year, that there could be a surge in the amount of Mystery/Thriller novels next year. Looking at how well novels such as Don’t Look Back, Dangerous Girls/Boys and Gone Girl have done within 2014 and the constant and need and want for more criminal based reads, I don’t think it would be a far cry to expect novels like The Dead List by Jennifer L Armentrout and Liars Inc by Paula Stokes to do very well. I also think with the craze brought on from the ending of The Lunar Chronicles, that 2015 could prove a good year for retellings too, with Crimson Bound, Mechanica, A Wicked Thing and the start of Rick Riordans fourth mythology series, Magnus Chase and The Gods of Asgard, but to mention a few, and of course, the release of both Fairest and Winter by Marissa Meyer – it really shouldn’t be surprising that other authors would jump onto a genre/sub-genre that has pleased an awful lot of readers lately. I, for one, am most interested in reading The Dead List and The Fill-In Boyfriend, as well as finishing The Lunar Chronicles and The Unknown Assassin series’ and I hope I’m not let down.

Asti @ Oh, The Books!

So wait, Cait, I tell you I have these supernatural powers, that I can see into the future and know what is to come, and you waste my powers on this piddly task? For shame. 😉
 
In all seriousness, I think it can be somewhat hard to tell what exactly readers will want. Let’s face it, if it were something we could easily predict, then the publishing world wouldn’t be so difficult. (Or maybe it would be, because what if anyone start publishing the books we wanted but then we were so overwhelmed by all the choices within our desires and then ended up being turned off! WE JUST CAN’T WIN!)
 
While this isn’t a genre, I think the reading area that will be (or should be) hot in 2015 is VILLAINS! Personally, I find it fascinating when we are able to see the villain’s point of view in a story. To understand why he or she is motivated to do such horrible things in the world and if there is ever a chance for redemption is a really intriguing thing, and I think with so many horrible things happening in the world daily there is a certain desire I think to understand why people fall into such desperation situations. Plus you have movies like Maleficient and books like The Young Elites and Vicious, which have received great interest from readers proving there is a desire for this type of story.
 
That all being said, I am sure you can guess which book I am most excited to read in 2015 – Fairest by Marissa Meyer, the “bridge book” between Cress and Winter in the Lunar Chronicles where we get to see Queen Levana’s side of the story. I haven’t actually read Cress yet, but I plan on doing so soon because I want to read Fairest as soon as it comes out! 
 
 

Kelly @ Diva Booknerd

Personally, I think magic realism will be one of the main genres in young adult next year. In the past few months we’re seeing a trend of authors mixing generic teen contemporaries and fantasy, which doesn’t always result in a compelling read. Overall, I’m not a fan of the genre, and I’d prefer to see apocalyptic make a comeback. Not necessary dystopians, but natural disasters that show characters fighting to survive. And more standalone novels, because sometimes I don’t want to invest in an entire series that could have been wrapped up within one book.
The books I’m most excited for are Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke, The Winner’s Crime and most importantly Ensnared. Because honestly, who doesn’t need more Morpheus in their life.

Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

To be honest, I think fantasy will be a popular genre come 2015. After the success of series such as Throne of Glass and Shadow and Bone, I have a feeling that authors will find this to be a “go-to” genre in terms of marketing.
And only one or two?!? GAH! THAT’S SO HARD! *thinks deeply* I’m going to have to go with Winter by Marissa Meyer and the untitled 3rd book in the Starbound trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.

Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

So I’ve seen a few different YA genres rise and fall over the past few years, it’s amazing how short lived they usually are. First it was paranomal with the VA and Twilight craze, then paranormal books became boring and substandard. Then we saw the dystopian trend rise up after The Hunger Games, with many, many clones of it in it’s wake. 2014 was the year of contemporary, I can’t count how many different contemporary books I’ve read this year. From the heart-wrenching, to the light and funny, to the meaningful and thought provoking, it was a great year of YA contemporaries. On the wake of These Broken Stars, the Lunar Chronicles series, Dissonance and A Thousand Pieces of You, I can see YA sci-fi being the next big thing! Which is awesome, because it combines some amazing technological concepts with futuristic worlds. 
 
I just CANNOT WAIT until WINTER is out by Marissa Meyer! I mean this series is the best fairytale based sci-fi story I’ve ever read. I ship most of the couples in here too, especially my favourite Cinder and Kai. 

Jen @ The Starry-Eyed Revue

Retellings have always been a thing, but it does seem like they’re gaining momentum here lately, and I anticipate that we’re going to see even more of them in the coming year. I’ve already added several to my TBR: two from Marissa Meyer –Fairest and Winter, A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge, and A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas.
 
I also think criminals and crime families are going to be an oft-seen trend in YA lit in 2015, one I’m delighted about, if I’m being completely honest. After loving The Curse Workers series by Holly Black, I’ve been hoping for similar stories to see the light of day, and it’s like someone heard my prayers…just look at all of the new crime-related stories arriving next year: Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes, All Fall Down by Ally Carter, Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt, and Lies I Told by Michelle Zink.
 
I really hope this influx of historical fantasies continues, as well. You know the ones: set in a historical backdrop but steeped in fantastical elements. One such that I’m REALLY looking forward to is An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. I would do unspeakable things to get my hands on a copy of that book right now. =)

Charnell @ Reviews From a Bookworm

I think contemporary YA will be on the rise, which seems silly because how could it get even bigger than it is now. But with the success of the TFIOS adaptation, we’re beginning to see more YA contemporaries turned into films. That’s always good for the book genre because those books begin to sell like crazy and then publishers are looking for the next big thing in contemporary. So I would put my money on contemporaries being the biggest thing next year. I’m excited for the release of All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven because, even though I’ve already read and loved it, I can’t wait for everyone else to get to read and experience it. They need to feel the joy and pain too. The other genre I hope to see on the rise is YA fantasy, which I definitely feel will be the case next year. I might be basing that solely on the fact Sarah J. Maas has not one but two books releases next year. And, to me at least, she is the YA fantasy author. 
 
Releases I am most excited for: Throne of Glass #4, A Court of Thorns and Roses and All the Bright Places. 
Haymitch (and coincidentally, me too) approve of EVERYONE.

Thank you so incredibly much to all the bloggers and their fabulous opinions!

I love this post. (Just sayin’. I do.) But you know what I also would like? YOUR OPINION. I want to know your predictions, blogglings…and also want to know your verdict on ours. A lot of us are hedging bets on Marissa Meyer bringing retellings to shine in 2015…but we’re also voting on crime and contemporary quite a lot too.

So your opinions on trends for 2015? Comments! LET US DISCUSS.

How to Write 10,000-words in One Day

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I am a speedy writer. 

Unfortunately, isn’t because I’m talented or have super powers. They might still be coming in though. It’s because of these very uninspiring reasons:

a) I have a terrible memory and if I don’t write fast enough I forget what I’m talking about and my sentences end with cranberry.
b) I learnt a few sneaky secrets.

Sneaky secrets are fabulous.

Like Gollum, sneaking is is a golden pastime of mine. Yes, I am Slytherin too, if you’re curious. I often sneak in shorcuts when I’m writing. WAIT! I know what you’re thinking! Shortcuts in writing are really evil, Cait. Well, yes and no.

But I’m going to be super specific here. My post is about first drafts. Not editing. Not rewriting. First ugly drafts.

SO! Let us begin! I will shed light on my secret with my sneaky ways. And therefore, unfortunately, show you peoples that I do not have superpowers. Although you can think I do if you want.

1. You need the whole day to yourself. 

If you have 2 million activities planned for the day, writing 10K ain’t gonna happen, my friend. You need a day completely for yourself. (And I don’t mean don’t talk to people….I mean don’t plan a huge activity that involves hours away from writing.) Also: don’t worry! You’re not going to write for 12 hours straight. Ha, ha, ha! Can you see me doing that? Heck, no. I have the attention span of a small goldfish.

2. Decided on mini-goals. 

I love ticking things off a list. I like to complete things. Saying, “I’m going to write until I can’t type another dot” is way too hard. Half the time I feel like that after 100 words. SO. I need small goals.

If I’m aiming for a 10,000-word day, then I mentally map my day. I need to write 3.3K in the morning (for me that’s like two chapters). After lunch is another 3.3K. Then after dinner is another 3.4K. Once you complete your goal, you have a mini party! And that’s were rewards come in…

3. You need rewards. 

I don’t just mean food either! Food is awesome, but if you eat a piece of cake for every 1,000-words you write? Well, it can a) get expensive, and b) your pants might not fit. Lucky for us, there are all sorts of ways to reward yourself.

Some ways I like to reward myself are: 

– Pinterest: very useful. A 5 minute browse does wonders for the inspiration, especially if I search for stuff that relates to my project.
– Go for a walk: Stretches them ol’ bones, if you know what I mean. Sitting can be boring. A 30 minute walk does wonders for refilling the creative tank.
– Eat: Well, duh. I’m not an advocate of “a chapter before breakfast”, but it IS a fabulous motivator to say “no-lunch-until-you’ve-got-two-chapters”.
– Drink: After you write a chapter, you get a hot chocolate or a tea or swig from the fountain of youth.
– Watch Youtube/TV: All you need to keep in mind is the time. Spend 20minutes. Not 5 hours.

Things I do NOT do in breaks:

– Read: it makes me feel like my own writing is horrible beyond belief (which it is, but I don’t need to be reminded right now).
– Play computer games: Anything that’s hard to stop, because believe me, you sometimes it’s hard to go back and write.
– Blogging/emailing: I’m not saying isolate yourself! I’m saying “guard thine fingers”. They’ll get tired.

4. Don’t think. Just write. 

(Remember: we’re talking about 1st drafts!) First drafts don’t need huge amounts of thought. (Some is nice, of course, but yeah, don’t sprain a brain cell.) I write WILD and I write MESSY. No thinking. Just spew words onto the page and you can fix them up later. If you’re fussing over every sentence, you won’t be able to write enough.

THIS IS THE KEY RIGHT HERE, OKAY?! Write messy. Throw words around. Just. write.

Technically I can write 100 words a minute. (Go typing tests!) Which means I should knock over 1,000-words in 10 minutes, right?!!

Haaaaa.

Don’t worry. I don’t. But I’d like to think I could knock over 2,000-words in 1.5 hours.

5. Enlist humans to keep you accountable/encouraged. 

You can do this so many ways. Like:

a) tell your writing buddy you’re doing 10K in a day and keep them updated
b) update twitter. Remember that funny sentence you wrote? Keep it handy and paste on twitter/facebook in your break.
c) are you in a writer group? Update them! (Possibly even recruit them to do a 10K with you.)

The key is telling someone. It makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something! And bonus if they can give a few words of encouragement too.

(And I know I said “avoid humans” for #1, but this is different. #1 means don’t go scuba diving on the same day you plan to write 10K. Duh.)

source

So how often have you written 10,000-words in a day, Cait?

Well, firstly, I’m so glad you asked. I have done it several times. In my perfect writing world, I would like to average 5,000-words a day. Hey. I said perfect. When I wrote Them Hungry Bones I averaged at 7K. And then, another day, did my BEST WORD COUNT EVER at 13K! But, gosh, was I exhausted after that one.

But, when I was rewriting another of my WIPs, I averaged 2K a day. It’s completely different when you’re first-drafting to when you’re rewriting/editing. So say I. But when am I wrong? Ha…don’t answer that.

I have churned out 10K days several times. Pros and cons? It’s obviously exhausting, but it really gets you through a manuscript.

And if you’re still looking at me blankly thinking, “there is no way I’ll ever be able to do this,” then give yourself the ulimate motivation: dare yourself.

You were saying, Gollum?

so, have you ever written 10,000 words in one day?! tell me about it?! exhausted or elated or both? just think: if you write 10K every day for 5 days you’d win NaNo! okay, okay, ignore me then. if you haven’t, do you plan to try? is my list helpful or maddeningly frustrating?

Cait would like to confess she’s been averaging only 2K a day during her round of sci-fi rewrites. It’s hard. Her brain hurts. She thinks she belongs in fantasy and away from sci-fi techno terms….but what’s life without a challenge, right? In other news, she just finished SPARK and has a delicious surprise coming with her review. It will be glorious. You will be surprised. 

10 Series I Wish To Eat But Haven’t Because I Have Not (Yet) Cloned Myself

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I have a confession: I rarely finish series.

Although I believe I have confessed this before…so I’m just airing my dirty secrets repeatedly. I have what I call the Squirrel Syndrome. I see a book, I read it, I forget about it being in a series, I see a new book…etc. There are SO many books out there to read! HOW DO I FIT THEM ALL IN?

Cloning is a possible option.

But I do like the thought of series (if not the commitment), and I have good intentions to finish them…or start them. One day. Maybe? Ha ha. Probably not.

This week’s prompt is: Top 10 New Series I Want To Start

1. Curse Workers by Holly Black

I’m going to specific and say these covers. Aren’t they gorgeous? I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE SERIES IS ABOUT! I assume it’s about freaky supernatural things because a) have you seen the covers? and b) it’s by Holly Black.

I love Holly Black.

She’s a genius of all things creepy and unique. I loved The Coldest Girl In Coldtown so much.*

* I also really love Spiderwick, but because I’m, like, a hundred years too old for that series, I have to keep it as my small secret. I really, really love children’s books.

2. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Despite the last cover reminding me a delicious biscuit, I like the sound of this series. Did someone say “frightening abilities they can’t control”?

Professor X understands. Let’s groove with these mutants.*

* I actually only assume they’re mutants by the use of “frightening abilities”. I haven’t read the books yet, so I could be wrong. Duh.

3. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

I LOVE CASSANDRA CLARE, TOO. I’m nearly finished The Mortal Instruments series* and therefore need to move onto this one. Lots of people have told me it’s even better. I’m 98.3% confident I will enjoy the socks off it.

Also I’m having serious cover-love palpitations here.

* A phrase here which means “Omg, I have just realised how freaking big book #6 is and I may pass out”.

4. The Lotus War by Jay Kristoff

If my dragon doesn’t come through as a yard-friendly household pet, I also want a griffin. Apart from that I have no idea what these books are about except they’re Japanese! Let me cheer! I like when books venture outside of America/Australia/Britain.

I am struggling with the author’s name though.

Basically everything relates back to Frozen these days.

5. Dante Walker by Victoria Scott

I’ve heard it’s insanely witty. Plus the blurb starts “Dante Walker knows is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it.” I feel kinship to him already.* Obviously he has wardrobe issues as he only owns one shirt in the first two books and loses it completely in the third.

* Since I, too, am flippin’ awesome.

6. Dust Lands by Moira Young

I keep borrowing book #1 from the library and it just sinks to the bottom of my TBR…and ends up going back unread. It is a huge shame. I need to finish it! Or, well, start it!

I know it’s a letter different…but the author’s name makes me think of The Mines of Moria every. single. time.

7. The Iron Fey by Julie Kawaga

They’re pretty. (Okay! I promise I’ll stop making that my first reason of why I want to read a book!) Also, faeries are delightfully horrible little creatures and I enjoy reading them. Maggie Stiefvater’s versions are my favourite, but I need to expand my horizons at some point.

And the covers are really pretty.

8. Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente

But seriously? The series is all “The Girl Who…” and then a boy comes along and totally loses the plot. Pfft. Boys.

I’ve been recommended this a lot, plus I own the first book! Why have I not started it yet?! What is wrong with me?

9. BZRK by Michael Grant 

It’s the only series of his I haven’t read yet! Considering I blather* about how much I adore Gone and hugged Messenger Of Fear (to name a few) I should really just read this. 

I have the first book on audio from the library, so possibly when I’ve finished listening to Disruption** I will read BZRK!

* But you love it. You love my recommendations. You love the way I tell you to read books that will rip out your heart and stomp on it. That’s why we’re friends.
** While we’re on topic, Disruption is amazing. I didn’t think I’d like it…but then I did.

10. The Wicked Years by Gregory Macguire

My sisters are in a plot to make me read this. One sister bought book #1 for me, and the other insists on belting the Wicked musical songs ALL over the house. I GET IT, GUYS, I GET IT. I will (and do really want to) read it…I just…

I don’t know. Why haven’t I read it yet?

I obviously need a clone.

so, my funky friends, i will take your recommendations now. any of these I should really really reeeeeally bump up the TBR and devour fast? did I list any of your favourites? and how about you: series finisher or series abandoner? and, yes, i want to read all of this basically based off cover alone. but that’s normal, right?

Cait is still rewriting her book. Ha! Actually she’s writing this post to procrastinate writing her book because writing is hard. It took her 2 hours to write 2,000-words, which is unokay. SHE IS UNOKAY! SHE NEEDS A BREAK. Her mind is breaking. So she’s given herself a moment to read more of THE GHOSTS OF HEAVEN which is a sad and miserable book where everyone dies.

The 10 Types of Book Bloggers

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Book bloggers are fabulous creatures. (Especially when you get to subtly make fun of them.) And, being a book blogger creature myself, I thought some analysation was needed of how different people approach book blogging.

Although, before we jump in, question: Why do we still say “book blogging”? It takes so much time. Why hasn’t it been shortened to “bogging” yet? Or “bookogging”?

Anyway. Food for thought. You may continue reading.

1. The Once A Week Wonder

These bloggers are marvellous at quality content. They put up some of the juiciest posts you’ll read all week…and then they disappear into their mysterious world of Real Life to be fabulous. And leave you refreshing their blog hopelessly. THEY NEED TO POST MORE.

2. The Review Ruler

How about a review? Or three? Or six? The thing you keep asking is how the heck does this blogger read so many books?! They always have fresh reviews on the blog. Plus their reviews are detailed and interesting… If you say, “Hey have you read” there’s a 99% chance they’ll say, “Yep. Read it.” What wizardry do they use?

3. The Bookish Photographer

Because being sickeningly talented as a book reviewer is not enough — THEY CAN ALSO TAKE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS. (No I’m not mildly jealous of this book blogger.) Their posts are adorned with pictures of their paperbacks doing everything from picnics to dancing ballet. (Well, let your imagination stretch a little, okay?) Their posts hold the most eye candy. And their instagram account is the best one you follow.

4. The Question Asker

We all like a good discussion — and this blogger has us covered. They think up ALL the awesome discussion topics. They ask questions about subjects you didn’t even know you were passionate about. It’s not just the old “do you like love-triangle” topics either. They’re digging deep and analysing character instincts and then asking us (us!!) what we think of their findings. They demand audience interaction and commenting on their blog actually makes you feel like your opinion is noted.

5. The Organised Strategist

They put the rest of us to shame. How do they do it?! What time machine do they possess? But, honestly, they have their blog scheduled like 3 weeks in advance. They’ve got the right ARC reviews up. They’ve got posts for all the top linkups. They do blog hops and giveaways and tweet links and connect with everyone. While the rest of us get our post up 3 seconds before midnight…

6. The ARC Eater

source

Similar to the Organised Strategist, but this blogger has contacts. Not only do they know which books are coming out when, but they manage to land all the hot ARCs. (Are we jealous? Pfft. Of course not.) They get themselves to book expos and comic cons and author signings. They know the publicist by name.

7. The Fangirl

BRING OUT THE GIFS. This blogger knows how to a) party, b) flail, and c) write posts of epileptic gif proportion. They aren’t afraid to show which fandoms they belong in. Geek and proud. Their blogs aren’t limited to books, because, hello, there’s a world out there of movies, comics, and tv series. And they can gif like you’ve never seen a gifer gif. They’ve got the perfect reaction images in their reviews. Plus shipping? Oh they have more OTPs than passengers on the Titanic. Which is conicdentally how most of their OTPs end up. Sunk.

8. The Too-Awesome-For-This-Area Elitist

They’ve been blogging for…forever, basically. They’ve been on every blog, done every linkup, worked with ever publisher, met all the authors. They’re not weary of blogging, but they have a firm direction and (with a couple thousand followers under their belt) they’re happy to cruise. Answering comments and visiting newbie bloggers isn’t the top of their agenda. And it’s freakishly hard to break into their clique. But you admire them. OH. You so admire them. They’re the pinnacle of Blogging Majesty. 

9. The Ideas Queen

They exhaust you with the pure amount of content they put out. And it’s never consistent. Reviews, lists, life posts, discussions, memes…are they intent on doing it all?! Just watching them makes you want to take a nap. Yet, their blogs are exciting. You never know what’s going down because they keep NO schedules. 

10. The Omnipresent Master

This is the blogger you truly take your hat off to. They don’t post a million times a week, but they sure get around. They’ve already commented on a post before you get there. If they join in a linkup, they visit like every link. They visit your blog and answer comments and chat on twitter. In a word: friendly. In another word…are they stalking you? Just kidding.

what do you think?! did i miss a “type” of book blogger? (add to my list!) and OH! which one do you fit into the best?

Cait enjoys laughing. At books, or movies, or herself, or others (although, as Lemony Snicket says, you shouldn’t laugh at other people unless they’re wearing a really ugly hat, and then it’s okay to laugh). Currently she’s laughing at herself because she thought she could rewrite a 70K book before November. Bah hahaha. No. It’s not working out for her.

How To Make A Writer Furious In 10 Easy Steps

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Writers are peculiar creatures. 

Remember my post about How To Make a Book Blogger Angry in 10 Easy Steps? Well there are very specific instructions for how to make a writer angry (as inspired by the fabulous Emily, by the way, and if you haven’t been to her blog yet, go! go!).

Mostly writers are docile creatures, kind of blinded by sunlight, and prone to make psychotic conversations about deaths of people who don’t even exist. But they, too, have a dark side if you anger them.

Although if you are crazy enough to anger a writer…um…they can write you into a book and kill you. Name their villain after you. So, be careful with this list, okay?

1. Ask them when they’re going to get a “real job”.

That hurts, you know? There are so many authors who successfully make a living out of selling their books. Sure, not all of them do. BUT THERE ARE STATISTICS.

Plus, I think non-writers sometimes don’t realise what it’s like to switch your brain into being a different person and writing and writing and rewriting and rewriting and editing and editing until you can’t even THINK because your brain has melted. Living other lives is exhausting okay? The only thing that helps is cake and naps.

2. Ask them to get you contacts in the publishing world.

Hm. Probably not. 

3. Ask if you can read their current work-in-progress.

This is a very difficult question. Because, on one hand, a writer does want you to read their books. They want to be published, right?! They want the world to see the words they have to say! BUT. There is such a thing as “I am not ready yet” or “it’s not finished” or “I don’t trust you with my baby”. (The latter is a logical and acceptable thing to say, okay? Remember that.) 
When a writer says “no”…let them say no! And plus, hey maybe they want to make money off their thousands of hours project and giving it to you for free isn’t cool.

4. Then say they, “Oh well you can read/critique/edit my stuff since you like that sort of thing!” 

I’ve had this happen. I’ve said “I’m a writer” and the conversation will turn into “well, you can read some of my work and tell me what you think!”. Like they’ve just given me a huge lollipop. But at least I would be able to say “I don’t like lollipops” and not offend anyone. You can’t say that about someone’s book.

Editing and beta-reading and critique-partner-ing are all very hard. Extremely hard. It’s not something you just take up in a spare moment. I pour hours of thought into my CP’s books. I don’t take on CPs unless I think we’re a hugely good match. Plus I’m so busy! I have books to write!

Oh let me sob my frustration.

5. Give them aaaall the advice you can!

Because gosh knows we don’t know what we’re doing! You can practically feel the violent sarcasm.
I’m just going to take a moment, okay? Okay. 
When someone tells you they really love doing something, it’s best to assume that they’re intelligent on the subject. Chances are they don’t know everything. Chances are you might know something they don’t. But, honestly? If my sister came up to me and said, “I like cooking cakes” and I said, “Bet you didn’t know how important baking powder is!” I could expect to be punched in the nose. 
Expect writers (or just people in general) to be intelligent.

6. Ask why it’s going so slow?

OH MY GOSH. Because writing isn’t just about spewing words on a page. It’s about making them perfect. It’s about making them sing and dance and stab and shout and cry and evoke all sorts of raging little emotions — AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THAT FAST.
Also (just so you know) the publishing industry is slow. Getting edits from people is slow. Rewriting is slow. Getting writers block (which is a legit thing) is slow. Having cramped fingers/hands/wrists makes things slow. Being tired makes things slow. And going back to that publishing industry? It’s still super slow.

7. This phrase: “Oh I’ll just wait until your book is a movie.”

I don’t even want to take a guess at the percentage of books that never even smell the popcorn of a cinema. It is highly unlikely that a book will be made into a movie.

Unless your name is John Green. Then all your books will be made into movies. Like, ASAP.

8. Ask when their book will be published.

If you’re going traditional, this is not something you control! Writers can’t control the length of time before they — get an agent, or an editor, or a publishing house. (Which is why I maintain it’s silly to put “get an agent” or something of the calibre on your list-of-things-to-do-this-year. It’s not something you can control!! But I digress.) It’s frustrating when you don’t know something (and are perhaps nervous about it) and people continually ask you when it’ll happen.

9. Assume they’re psychotic character-killing-maniacs.

Ah ha ha ha ha haaaaa. No. 
I know we like to joke about it. I JOKE ABOUT IT. But I’m not psychotic myself! In order to prove this, hear me out! Only yesterday I tucked a balloon into my sister’s bed with a sticky note on it saying, “Please pop this because I am not a killer today.” I could not pop a balloon. 

10. Offer them coffee.

I happen to like coffee, so you can give me some. But it’s still a vicious stereotype! Most writers I know drink tea. Some drink water. Many drink the tears of the small children they ate for breakfast. Vicious stereotype again. But I couldn’t help it.

i want to hear your opinions on my 10 easy steps, by the way, peoples. add to my list! any ways to make a writer furious that i’ve missed?

Cait doesn’t usually rant. SO FORGIVE HER IN THIS POST. Usually she a) flails, or b) hyperventilates over books, or c) gifs with abandon. She has been quite slacking off blogging at the moment, but this is due to her Great Blog Name Dilemma. She would like to figure it out. So far she’s bombarding her sisters with name suggestions like Paper Fury and Everyone Bow To Cait (that wasn’t met well) and Well Frankly. She’s also reading THE SCORCH TRIALS and loving it.

Beautiful Books #1: Let’s Talk Books || New Linkup of Awesome

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Greetings, writerlings! Let me introduce you to Beautiful Books!

Now I know you’re saying, “What the heck is going on, Cait, you confusing antelope.” But calm down. Please. Let me explain. Obviously you know of our Beautiful People linkup? It’s on the 5th of every month…EXCEPT FOR THIS MONTH.

This is why.


 Sky and I wanted to theme a version of Beautiful People around NaNoWriMo…and it turned into a three month long event. Because we have enormous imaginations. Thus, Beautiful Books!

What is it exactly?

Beautiful Books is a three-month-long blog event linkup focused on three different stages of writing: plotting, writing, and editing. It was designed with NaNoWriMo in mind. NaNoWriMo is a writing event where you write a 50,000 word novel in a month. Because a lot of writers will be participating, we decided to help get your juices flowing! We’ll be focusing on plotting in October, writing in November, and editing in December. See how organised we are? Super cool.

Do I have to be doing NaNo to participate?

Nope! Just pick a work-in-progress and you’ll be good to go. If you don’t have a novel that works for the entirety of the blog event, you can feature different ones. The point is, you absolutely don’t have to do NaNoWriMo to participate, and we really want you to join! We also want your friends to join, so if you have writing groups…spread the word!

How does it work?

The format is really similar to Beautiful People (see what that’s all about here). Each month, we’ll be posting 15 questions to answer about your WIP. These questions will correspond to either plotting, writing, or editing, and are designed to help you with each of these stages. Even if you aren’t up to editing yet, they’ll get you to think about making your book the best of ever — basically turning it into a beautiful book. You’ll take our 15 questions and answer them on your blog, then come back and link up here! And don’t forget to go around and read the posts of the other participants — it could be a great way to make friends!

What about Beautiful People?!

We hope to do both concurrently, but, depending on life and reasons, there could be a few breaks here and there. Thankfully, you’ll have Beautiful Books around to fulfil your blog link-up needs, and there’s always the archive if you get the itch to do BP at any time.

So… what do I do? Sit tight and read the questions Sky and I will post in the next three months, then use them to help you think through one of your novels! Then link back, and overall, be your awesome self! And totally share with your writing friends. We wish to have a ginormous writerly party.


The Questions

  1. What came first: characters or plot idea? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
  2. Do you have a title and/or a “back-cover-blurb”?
  3. What wordcount are you aiming for when your novel is finished?
  4. Sum up your novel in 3 sentences.
  5. Sum up your characters in one word each.
  6. Which character are you most excited to write? Tell us about them!
  7. What about your villain? Who is he, what is his goal?
  8. What is your protagonist’s goal? And what stands in the way?
  9. What inciting incident begins your protagonist’s journey?
  10. Where is your novel set?
  11. What are three big scenes in your novel that change the game completely?
  12. What is the most dynamic relationship your character has? Who else do they come in contact with or become close to during the story?
  13. How does your protagonist change by the end of the novel?
  14. Do you have an ending in mind, or do you plan to see what happens?
  15. What are your hopes and dreams for your book? What impressions are you hoping this novel will leave on your readers and yourself?

The buttons

Grab whichever you prefer! Or just link back to my blog or Sky’s. 

The Linky


Let’s do this, writerlings!

The linkup is open all month, and if you have questions…throw ’em at me in the comments. I will be joining in just as soon as I figure out which book I’m writing for NaNo. (It’s a battle between two of them now.)


so writers, are you joining in?! is this an acceptable swap for the Beautiful People characters-themed linkup for this month?! we hope so. anyone have plans for NaNo? and remember you can totally do this even if you’re not doing NaNo.

Cait only has two ARCs left to review and 3 library books. A manageable TBR? What IS this wizardry? Mind you, she’s officially filled her bookshelf and is now relocating her Narnia audios and DVDs so she can squeeze more books into their old spots. Terribly sad. Currently she’s listening to an audio of DISRUPTION because Twitter told her to.

10 Things I Will Do To Improve The World (when I’ve dominated it)

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Someday I will rule the world. 

This is not a joke. Do I sound like I’m joking? No. No I do not, because I have it ALL planned out. The cogs are spinning, minions, my plans of completely mastermind and villainy are underway. And though this may sound scary at first, believe me, world domination by yours truly will improve your way of life.

I will prove it to you.

I have made a list.

10 Things Cait Will Do to Improve The World Once She has Dominated It

(You’re all very welcome in advance, no need to thank me.)

1. Mandatory try-before-you-buy fruit testing.

Eating fruit is a wonderful yet terrifying processes. Because sinking your teeth into a bad piece fruit is worse than consuming an ocean of Alice’s tears. Too-soft bananas? Floury apples? And (forgive me for even mentioning it) SQUASHED GRAPES? Ugh. There is nothing worse than the anticipation of awesome coming crashing down.

If you could taste all fruit before you bought it, this would eliminate “what if these grapes are squishy” and “what if this apple is soft and floury”. I run a risk, every time I reach for an apple, that it’ll taste like a worm died six generations ago inside.

2. Nerdy clothes will not be so dang expensive.

Everyone has to make a living, I appreciate that. I do. But seriously…$10 for a pair of denim shorts or $50 for a pair of denim shorts with a Marvel sticker on them? THAT IS UNFAIR. Plus nerds are usually poor (unless they’ve been recognised for their nerdiness and therefore are rich. Like Mark Zuckerburg). We should be putting money towards sardines and warm socks, but nooooo. If we want to show our true colours (like with a simple Avengers hoodie!) then we must starve for weeks and months.

3. Postage will make SENSE.

I don’t ask for much. Just a world where I don’t have to mortgage Mount Doom in order to post books for my giveaways. I would give away a lot of books if postage was cheaper. Believe me. Plus, with the rise of internet shopping (why helloooo never-leaving-my-house), why does postage continue rising?

4. Coffee shops will serve their drinks in awesome mugs.

Coffee shops are (well, in books and movies) where nerds in funny glasses go to read or work on their computers with atmosphere so they can secretly inhale coffee (that’s a Thing) while they work. It’s also for socialisation and perk-me-up-because-I-stayed-up-too-late-last-night-watching-all-the-seasons-of-Sherlock. Does this not scream I NEED MY DRINK IN A NERD CUP to you? It does to me. It should at least be an option.

5. Libraries will have barter systems.

Sometimes it’s really really hard to put books back in the library. I so completely fall in love with them. But sometimes I buy books that make me reconsider my stance on book burning. SOLUTION: Libraries should have swap-trading days. You could meet up with other book lovers and librarians and swap and trade your books. Every Saturday! (I’m flexible about the day.)

6. Movies would not take 63 million years to come out on DVD.

I get it! They want people to go to the cinema. But, failing fixing this, the cinema should NOT be so expensive. I could buy a BOOK for the price of a movie ticket. And I can keep the book forever! Does this not seem wrong to you?! (Spoiler: It seems wrong to me.)

7. Small talk would be outlawed.

I was talking about this with Lydia. I suppose it can be useful. But who really cares about the weather, okay? (Unless something magical has happened, like it truly is raining money. Then I want to know about it.) And those stupid questions of “where did you go to school in your wild and woolly youth” etc. and etc. Who cares? If it was in a book, I’d edit it out.

Instead, people could carry around small notebooks with their interests written on them. They could swap lists with people they meet and if it looks like a conversation would commence — go for it. No words wasted.

8. Free WiFi in the streets.

I’m surprised this isn’t a world-wide thing yet, as is. (At least, it’s not in Australia.) But there’s this teeny tiny town in the outback that I visited once, and it has FREE WiFi in the streets! There are less than 900 people living in that town, yet they have free WiFi?? WHY IS THIS NOT COMMON? It will be common once I rule.

9. Warp speed.

I really don’t need to expand on this. But I’m confused why no one’s inhabited more planets yet. Really. We could stumble across our very own Thors, but noooo. They’re not exploring that. Humans are too busy squabbling over who leads the country. And THAT would be sorted out, too, because (obviously) I will be ruling. No one will argue with that.

10. Authors and Artists would be on par with sports people.

As much as I hate and try to ignore the nightly news, I do know that there is a hefty segment dedicated to relaying the local sporty gossip. Which stupid footballer punched who. Who’s doing drugs. Who’s onto their 5th girl/boyfriend in a week. Who won what award/competition…and excuse me, I’ve shut down.

Authors and artists do ALL these things, too! (Except, I still don’t care who is going out or marrying who. Isn’t that private? I think it should be private.) Why don’t people report in nightly news who’s got a book deal? Which artist has a new display? What the critics are saying about the latest movie?

I WANT THIS VERY BADLY.

Obviously my plans are nefarious and infallible. 

And I’m barely scratching the surface of things I will change for the better. There is most definitely more coming to a blog near you.

Until then, continue about your little lives which lack the marvellous improvements that I will (eventually) implant upon all. Go about your menial tasks. Go on.

And, because I’m a generous overlord, I WILL actually hear your petitions. So if you’re after any world-improvements, list ’em in the comments and I will have a minion peruse them. Most likely I will ignore you. (Because I’m the smartest.) But exceptions might be made.

Cait has been busy drawing up beautiful World Domination plans, as usual, today. But she’s also devoured the third book in the All the Wrong Questions series by Lemony Snicket. Evil is afoot there. She took notes. Apart from that, she has been beta-reading copiously for a friend and putting sticky-notes all over her walls.

The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco || Woah, that was sufficiently scary

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Because this pretty much sounded like an episode of Supernatural, I knew I needed this book in my life.

And I actually got approved to read it on NetGalley! YAY! Sorry, this is cause for great celebrations, because although my NetGalley ration is about 80%…I still get denied everything because I’m an Aussie not American and that’s not really fair, don’t you think? Okay! Okay! I’m done!

Thank you Sourcebooks Fire on Netgalley for the eARC. The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco came out in August, 2014.

You may think me biased, being murdered myself. But my state of being has nothing to do with the curiosity toward my own species, if we can be called such. We do not go gentle, as your poet encourages, into that good night. 
A dead girl walks the streets.
She hunts murderers. Child killers, much like the man who threw her body down a well three hundred years ago.
And when a strange boy bearing stranger tattoos moves into the neighborhood so, she discovers, does something else. And soon both will be drawn into the world of eerie doll rituals and dark Shinto exorcisms that will take them from American suburbia to the remote valleys and shrines of Aomori, Japan.
Because the boy has a terrifying secret – one that would just kill to get out. 
The Girl from the Well is A YA Horror novel pitched as “Dexter” meets “The Grudge”, based on a well-loved Japanese ghost story.

add it on Goodreads

I have to shout one thing first, okay? Okay. Keep calm, just let me get this off my chest:

THIS WAS AMAZING AND SCARY AND FREAKISHLY FANTASTIC. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ IT YET, YOU’RE MISSING OUT.

Aaaand…I’m done. I am! I could end the review here, to be honest. But, I’m not positive you’re convinced. (Although, in all honesty? Everyone knows I’m trustworthy and that if I like a book you ought to drop everything and rush out and read it.) But for the SKEPTICS, I will explain.


Warning: YES THERE WILL BE SUPERNATURAL GIFS. You’re not even surprised.

The Girl From The Well is part Japanese ghost stories, part mythology, part scariness.

Not that I was actually scared. Pfft. I don’t scare easily. (Unless I lose my library card, then and only then do I admit to freaking out irrationally and perhaps breaking down in heartfelt sobs. But I digress.) I was pleasantly (that sounds wrong, but keep with me) surprised at how chilling this book was. Plus I hadn’t heard anything good about it. The reviews I’d read verdicted it with “meh”.

But Japanese ghost stories?!! What could possibly be more awesome?!

It’s also got a unique narration style. 

For starters, it’s narrated by a dead girl. Don’t judge. Just because you’re dead doesn’t mean you can’t write a book. Okiku is a ghost who pops around the world avenging murdered children. Which is very nice of her…I guess? She likes to count so her narration is full of interruptions of numbers.

I count the condiments hanging from racks that line the walls. (Eight.) In the time it takes them to finish I have counted the flower patterns on their wallpaper, the lights overhead, the knots in the ceiling, the kitchen tiles. (8% kindle ebook)

I like it. I am a huge fan of books that don’t follow the typical styles or rules. BREAK THE RULES, I say. I like Okiku’s styles (with the counting) and also her view point which was unreliable to say the least. You, the reader, have to piece together the story from what she says and what she hears. Love that.

While Okiku the ghost is narrating, the book is also about Tark. 

He’s a 15-year-old kid with weird tattoos on his arms from some Unnamed Thing From His Past. I was desperate to know the WHYS behind his tattoos. Basically, the book flings all these WHYS at you and you can’t stop until you understand it all. Like “why-is-Tark’s-mother-insane?” and “why-did-him-and-his-father-just-move?” and “why-does-Okiku-hate-the-number-nine?” It was flipping pages late into the night, just eating it all.

Then there’s Callie. She’s Tark’s cousin. She plays a huge part in the book and in Tark’s life and actually…there’s no love-interest. The book is about surviving creepy ghosts and Japan and supernatural events. There’s possibly noodles involved. Thank goodness. Food saves lives.

These are not Japanese noodles, but whatever.

Then creepy stuff happens. Lots of it.

From ghosts to murderers to weird children (they’re the worst) to Tark’s freaky mother to travelling to Japan…oh. That’s right, I didn’t mention that! THIS BOOK ACTUALLY MOVES OUTSIDE OF AMERICA AND GOES TO JAPAN! I’m sorry! I have nothing against Americans, it’s just that 90% of American books don’t even mention the rest of the world. But we actually journeyed to Japan and saw ancient mountains and temples and noodles (important) and Okiku went along and creepy stuff went down.

Like really creepy. I’m not saying more.

Trust me. You’re supernatural senses will be tingling.

Anything I wasn’t impressed about?

Well, the Parental-Disappearing-Act happens. Tark’s dad doesn’t believe in ghosts so we throw him off on a very convenient business trip. Ah-huh. The plot isn’t particularly fast. The ending is too tidy and didn’t quite throw the — BAM OMG WHAT JUST HAPPENED — that I was hoping for. Up till then I was stoked on the noir feel. But the end? A little meh.

But in all honesty? I just couldn’t get enough of this book. I am so, so happy with it.

For someone who’s (okay, I admit it!) a little hard to impress when it comes to paranormal activity, I was really happy with how much I adored this one! I love mythology AND ghost stores AND Japan AND noodles and this book delivered. It’s like a 4.5 in the star rating category.

how do YOU feel about scary books? scarier the better or…wait, are you hiding under the bed right now? GET UP. BE BRAVE! face your fears. and (of course) i want your thoughts on The Girl From The Well if you’ve read it! do you like it when books hop around different countries? noodles, anyone?

Cait’s most read genre is urban-fantasy/paranormal. She doesn’t necessarily intend to base her bookish diet off them…but it happens. She likes to read books about the impossible, things that don’t exist, and delicious food. Currently she’s reading ROSE UNDER FIRE, which is actually Historical Fiction (not her norm) and she’s crying a lot because it’s about WWII and it’s sad.

Your Help Is Needed || Including Blogging Life Decisions, WordPress, Wattpad, and Names

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This post terrifies me in ginormous quantities. 

Believe me, I’m shaking in my socks as I write. I am an over-thinker, so I have stewed over these things (which I have not yet mentioned, but you’re seriously curious about now) for copious amounts of time. I SAY NONE OF THIS LIGHTLY.

But what is “it”, you ask? Oh, oh blogglings, I need to talk to you seriously.

You may pause here, collect coffee, perhaps fudge or cake and prepare yourselves.

I propose great changes to come to Notebook Sisters.

Don’t freak out! NOT JUST YET. I know change sucks, and I (for one) am usually entirely opposed. And I’m not saying I will change anything. I actually just want your opinions first because I’m not good at making decisions and to be honest, stewing over these Terrifying Ideas Of Change is stressing me out.

I need input.

That is your job.

I have been thinking about three things:

1. If I should launch into wattpad.
2. If I should move from blogger to wordpress.
3. If I should change my blog name.

I am a writer.

Most of you probably already know I have an agent and we’re editing a book ready to go onto submissions to major publishing houses (cue screaming and flailing here because this is my dream). But. I also write a lot. I mean A LOT. And I also write books that won’t necessarily sell. (Like Peter Pan retellings and lengthy fantasy series.)

I’m considering cautiously venturing onto Wattpad to a) meet and chat with other writers something I don’t get to do very much b) get feedback and input into my writing, c) share a few pages or chapters of stories that tentatively won’t be going anywhere otherwise. I don’t feel like I’d post whole books there at this stage. Just bits and pieces.

But of course: risks. I don’t want my writing to be stolen (which is why I wouldn’t put whole books on there) and I’m terrified of showing anyone my ideas. IT IS SCARY A BUSINESS.

If any of you have experiences (good or bad) with Wattpad, I wish to hear your voices. Like, now.

I would like to blog, probably, forever.

I know lots of established, large, and awesome bloggers are on wordpress. It seems the more “professional” way to go. And I have a brother-in-law who a) does web-designing, b) would do all the change over things for me, c) would launch me into self-hosted-wordpress. I babysit his kids a lot, so he owes me.

(I would also have a url direct.)

Things I Would (Awesomely) Achieve By Moving:
– Standard, easy and awesome commenting platform. That should not freak anyone out.
– I would take all my old posts with me, no worries.
– I would be able to style the posts better (spoiler tags, drop menus inside the actual post, cleaner look with less glitches).
– Professional and sleeker looking site not owned by ANYONE. Just owned by me!

Things I Am (Currently) Freaking About At The Prospect Of Moving:
– Losing my email followers and GFC followers (I would keep the bloglovin’ ones)
– The difficulties of a new blogging interface behind-the-scenes.
– Possible drop in page-views, comments, followers, FABULOUSNESS. Moving would risk everything.

I’m sure there’s more good (and bad) reasons.

Which is why I would dearly love your advice, especially if you a) have moved from blogger to wordpress and you’re experience, and b) if you have sage wisdom about wordpress I should know.

LOWER YOUR PITCHFORKS, MY FRIENDS.

Let me explain, okay? Obviously no I do not hate our current name of “Notebook Sisters”. People know us for this name! (We’re even in the back of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, in a list of blogs being thanked. Yes! It’s awesome! Fame!) I have successfully branded myself as “Notebook Sisters” literally everywhere.

But.

You might have noticed…there is pretty much no Mime anymore. Things change! She’s very fabulous with school and music exams and socialisation. Ugh. Her life is only going to get more busy, as she goes to university and gets rich and very famous. She doesn’t have time to read. She doesn’t have time to blog. We have discussed it and…look, it’s kind of obvious, but it’s the Notebook Sister these days.

I can’t blog under “sisters” when there’s just me. And let’s face it: you aren’t losing me anytime soon. This is my platform for being a published bestselling, duh, author! Blogging is my favourite.

Name changing will suck. I’ll url redirect so you won’t be going to a new blog…but…BUT IT WILL SUCK. Thinking up a new name? Even harder. Although this is why I have proposed a move to WordPress at the same time. To me, it’s marginally logical. But still doesn’t mean I HAVE to do both.

I also can’t think up a new name.

Here is what I’ve come up with so far:

– Oh Cleverness (as in the Peter Pan who I greatly admire because he never grows up…a life goal of mine quote “Oh the cleverness of me!” I’m dryly sarcastic. This title would be a small joke.)
– Jabberwock (I’ve always loved Alice in Wonderland)
– Lemony (as in Lemony Snicket, perhaps my favourite author of all time, and also a nod in the direction of all things obscure, odd, bitter, and a little bit tangy)
– Muchness (again with an Alice in Wonderland direction)

I’m not sold on any in particular (I like them equally but not overly). But all this deliberation? IT IS WORRYING ME.

 Like I said, I too am not fond of change. Getting a new name is the only thing I am 87% positive I will do.

I am 92% worried that changing things will destroy my blog and make me lose you fabulous readers. What? I’m a mild worrier and also dramatic. Writer. Duh. I am 99.84% sure I can’t blog under “sisters” WHEN IT’S JUST ME!

I will not being doing anything too soon (but probably before the end of the year). I have made no definite decisions and I really truly honestly want your input in the comments. Talk to me, peoples. I am ready to collapse with worrisome decisions and curl into a ball and ignore reality for a while. I do not do stress. I do fun. So I would like to get this sorted.

Cait has always struggled naming things. For instance, her first book was titled “The Book” (unfortunately not joking) and she has a book titled “Six” (how’s that for generic?). Naming things like blogs is impossibly harder. She would refer to herself as “Hey you” but it’s already taken. Currently she’s reading STATE OF GRACE and drawing zentangle patterns in her new notebook.

How To Make A Book Blogger Furious In 10 Easy Steps

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Book bloggers are very interesting specimens.

Mostly we’re nice and chatty and flail about books and haunt Goodreads all year round. But, just like any creature, making a book blogger furious is a BAD IDEA. If you value you’re life, don’t do it.

We have 600-page hardcover novels on hand. HELLO. Would you like to have one flung at your head? Always be nice to a book blogger. Some even bite. No wait? That might be just me.

But, if you would like to enter the book blogger’s habitat and make them furious, I have a list (as I do) of just how to go about it. R.I.P you, though.

1. Tell them their opinion is wrong.

This gets me every single time. How on earth can an an opinion be WRONG?! I…I’m baffled. I have honestly had people tell me, flat out, that I reviewed a book wrong.

Everybody is different. THAT FACT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. I expect to disagree with people about bookish opinions, but that doesn’t make either of us wrong! It makes us either a) intelligent because we have an opinion on a topic OR b) cantankerous and most likely enjoying playing devil’s advocate. Please, don’t ever be option b). 

2. Ignore their “no review requests” sign and ask them to review your book.

The funny thing about some authors is…they can’t read.

Okay! I’m being mean. I apologise. But really, is it that hard to understand the phrase “no”? If I say “I do not take review requests” and you send me a review request. There is a 100% chance I will say no. BECAUSE YOU DON’T RESPECT MY OPINION NOW!

3. Spread their email addresses around.

Yes my email address is easy to access. It’s on my blog. But this doesn’t mean you can just add me in a group email with 2 million other bloggers. Privacy is still a thing, you know. Educate yourself and BCC.

4. Leave spammy self-promo comments.

“I haven’t heard of these books but I hope you enjoy them. My blog.” That’s not a comment. That is spam.

Look, I get it! Figuring out an awesome comment to leave is hard. I am queen of leaving a) weird, b) eccentric, c) rambling comments. Sometimes mine are super short and just say I enjoyed such-and-such book and this part was my favourite.

The thing with the spam example means you actually have nothing to say but you want a comment back. Don’t. If you don’t have anything to say: DON’T SAY ANYTHING.

5. STEAL THEIR IDEAS.

Stealing is stealing. You never have a good enough excuse for it. And original memes or bloggish ideas are actually insanely hard to come up with. INSANELY HARD! I nearly cried with tender happiness when I finally put a name to my Honest YA series. It’s the only original thing I’ve created over the blogging years and it’s kind of precious. I would be devastated if someone used it.

But seriously, don’t freak out! If a blogger invites discussion, like “my top blogging pet peeves” then you can totally do a spin-off post. (It’s often nice to ask the blogger first, though.) And there’s no copyright on topics. I’ve seen bloggers post about a topic and I found out I had a big opinion about it. So I drafted the post and let it sit for a month or two, then posted mine. I’m not copying them in anyway. My opinion is voiced differently. My angle is different. I’M GOOD. And if a blogger has a particularly cool “series” going…ask them if they’ll make it into a linkup! You never know! They just might.

Just don’t steal ideas. Credit people. Ask permission. And if you’re not sure whether something is stealing or not…it probably is.

6. Say they’re greedy since they own books and don’t read them all.


Confession: I used to be jealous over book blogger ARCs. They get all these free books! That is so freakishly cool…but wait. They don’t even read them all?! WHY ARE THEY SO UNGRATEFUL.

Now that I’ve been book blogging for over a year, I learned things. Peoples: there are so many books.

Book bloggers get given books unsolicited. Maybe it’s a sequel of a series they haven’t read yet. Maybe it’s not their genre. (Heck, I get too many fluffy contemporaries and sometimes I cry, because I don’t like fluffy books!!) Don’t think they don’t appreciate and love their books. 99.9% DO LOVE THEIR BOOKS. They just run out of time to read.

The average person reads one book a year. Give us a break okay.

7. Be rude in the comments. 

This is just dumb. Just because it’s the internet and you can’t see their face, does NOT mean they don’t have feelings. We do. Sometimes meanness makes us cry.

8. Spam them with invites on Goodreads…or via twitter, or facebook, or email.

I had to turn off my Goodreads invites. When total strangers tell me to read this book, enter this giveaway (usually one I couldn’t enter anyway because it wasn’t for Australians) and join this group? I just want to bury myself. If I don’t know you, it probably smells like spam.

(And it’s not hard to get to know someone! Comment. Send them a private message and chat. Tweet them! It makes all the difference later when you want them to “enter your giveaway” or whatnot.)

9. Let spoilers run wild and free with no warnings.

Please, someone explain to me why it is that people think that EVERYONE has read a book?! I can guarantee you that not everyone HAS READ THE BOOK ALREADY. It’s okay, I’m fine. I’m not steaming out of my ears. I’m calming down now. I’ve had whole series ruined for me by someone off-handedly leaving a spoiler (with no “spoiler warning” labels) in a post. Or a tweet. Or in a comment.

Please. Stop.

10. Tell them how much you hate their favourite book.

Like I said earlier: I expect people to disagree with me. DO IT! It’s fine! What I can’t stand, though, is when someone launches into a rant in the comment section of just how much they HATE a book I’ve just said I loved. Dude, obviously I’ve made my point in the post: I love this book. You’re pretty sad if you’re trying to make me hate a book. Just don’t comment if you hate the book I love so much.

i want to hear YOUR opinions on my 10 steps, by the way, peoples. and add to my list! any ways to make a blogger furious that i’ve missed?!

Cait never gets mad. Ha! That’s hilarious. Of course she does…she gets extremely very mad if she accidentally ruins a book (like bending the cover or smudging sticky fingers on a page) and she won’t deny her hackles rising she goes to eat an avocado and it’s rotten. Nasty avocado. So rude. So unfeeling to her pain. Currently (after a helpful twitter poll) she is reading The Knife Of Never Letting Go.