December 31, 2014
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Thanks to the Great Year!

2014 (250x187)If I were to pick a word to sum up my writing life in 2014, the word would be “progress.” (Inspired by Carrie Snyder’s word “success.”)

In the short space of one year, I:

And what, through all this, have I learned about a writing career?

  • Writing a book is the opposite of peeling an onion; it’s layering it.
  • Other people’s feedback is vital.
  • Nothing goes quickly.
  • If you work hard and give things time, they might work out as you’d hoped.
  • No one said it would be easy; commit yourself and keep plugging away.

Thanks go to the authors of all the great books I’ve read this year. Here are a few that inspired me:

Fiction

Non-fiction

I wish a fantastic new year to you all!

Tell me what was great about your 2014.

Read previous posts.

About the Author

Posted by Galadriel

Hi, I’m Galadriel: blogger, author, reader and resident of a quaint small town in the breathtaking West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.

December 27, 2014
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We Were Liars

We Were LiarsAlthough I’m a young adult author, for a while I read few young adult books. My vampire interest was over, the writing was bland, the conflicts were predictable. Seems I had hit a lengthy bad batch.

But lately I’ve hit a couple of wows.

I’ve already raved about Jandy Nelson, particularly I’ll Give You the Sun. Now let me gush over E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars.

I originally wasn’t keen to read the book. The description didn’t appeal: rich kids, private island, deception. A snooty “we’re perfect and we know it” kind of thing, a tally of their designer clothing kind of thing. Which it isn’t at all.

So what makes it good?

  1. The main character’s voice.
  2. The main character’s vulnerability.
  3. The unique writing: chopping the sentences like poetry, throwing in make-you-think fairy tales.
  4. The two-way suspense: what happened in the past? what will happen in the future?
  5. And then the twist. My, oh my, what a twist. (What flavour of twist? Get a hint here.)

Needless to say, I can’t say more without ruining it. So run out and get it now!

What other amazing YA books should I read? What do you recommend?

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About the Author

Posted by Galadriel

Hi, I’m Galadriel: blogger, author, reader and resident of a quaint small town in the breathtaking West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.

December 20, 2014
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Work-at-home-aholic

to do listI’ve always scoffed at the idea of being a workaholic. When I leave the office of my day job, I may have lingering thoughts about to-dos, but I’ve always maintained a clear line between work and life.

These days though, my “off” time—aka writing time—is getting just as bogged down as my work time. At any given moment, I’m probably telling myself that I must:

  • complete this character sketch.
  • write this blog post.
  • edit this short story for a competition.
  • keep up to date with the writing industry by reading this magazine.
  • research writing by getting through my pile of to-read books, and then read some more.
  • make connections through Twitter and Facebook.
  • prep and practice my next Toastmasters speech.
  • figure out financial aid for my Master of Fine Arts. (And where will I say for the summer residency in Vancouver? Must book that too.)

This, on top of paying attention to my family and maintaining my house and doing the million other things that make up a life.

Then I think ahead to the wonderful but time-consuming tasks that may be taking place in the future: edits from a publisher for my young adult novel, assignments for my MFA classes. When the time comes, something will have to drop—and I don’t mean even more sleep.

So why do all this? Why place these self-imposed demands? Because I love it. Because I’m taking the necessary steps toward success. Because without this drive, sure I’d be relaxed, but I’d also be restless and unsatisfied.

So bring it on; I guess I’m a workaholic after all.

How do you fit it all in?

Read previous posts.

About the Author

Posted by Galadriel

Hi, I’m Galadriel: blogger, author, reader and resident of a quaint small town in the breathtaking West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.