…there was Alanna of Trebond.

As part of Beth Revis’ Thankful for Books contest, I thought I’d give thanks for the book that first drew me into the world of YA fantasy: Alanna: The First Adventure, by Tamora Pierce.

As part of our Medieval Studies unit in fifth grade, our teacher split us up into four groups and gave us each a book from the Lioness Quartet. My group got the first one. Alanna is a fantastic character. She’s brave, strong, and doesn’t put up with any crap.

As soon as I’d devoured the first book, I moved on to the rest of the quartet, then on to the Immortals Quartet. I loved her characters, her plots, her humor, her worldbuilding. Tamora Pierce was now my favorite author.

From her books I launched into the rest of the genre, with classics like Dealing with Dragons, Ella Enchanted, and The Hobbit. I’ve never looked back.

Fourteen years later, Tamora Pierce is still my favorite author, but I’ve discovered other favorites along the way. She’s the main reason I decided to write YA fantasy myself.

And it all started with one book.

So, what was your Gateway Book?

I’ve been under the weather since yesterday, so instead of an intelligent post, here is a video that managed to cheer me up!

Happy Friday!

Sorry for the late post, I had trouble accessing the server. So, onward!

1. Be Faster.
Challenge your friends to a word war, and then gloat when you beat them. You wrote the most words in so many minutes, so you are clearly the superior writer for writing more than your friends.

2. Be More Motivated.
Make a schedule and stick to it. Hold your friends accountable, and make them feel guilty for not keeping to the schedule.

3. Aim Higher.
This is more of an attitude change. The next time you read a crappy novel, know that yes, you can write better than something that actually managed to get published. If this trash can get into print, why can’t your marvelous work?

If you’re like me, you like to pair up the songs you hear with characters in your works in progress. No Air fits the main character in Rumpelstiltskin, and My Life Would Suck Without You fits Fragment of the Moon. It’s a fun way to pass the time if you’re doing something tedious like driving or work.

And, if you’re like me, you like to play music while you write. So why not play songs that match your story? Make a soundtrack for your novel. Maybe some songs set the mood and some remind you of certain characters. The connection between the music and your writing should help you focus and create.

The other day I had a conversation with someone who was trying to figure out what to do with her life. She couldn’t decide between nursing school, culinary school, or some third option. She loves cooking, but doesn’t want to work hundreds of hours for pittance.

It’s the same with writing. People love writing, but don’t want to risk putting in all the work with only slim chances at rewards.

But you need to have enough courage to go for your dreams.

For example, I’m finally seriously pursuing my dream of being a novelist. But my back up plan for noveling is working in publishing. It’s nice to have a steady job, so I don’t have to worry about living off my writing (or not).

It’s said that if you do something you love, you never work a day in your life. And you only have one life, so why not spend it doing something you love?

Don’t be afraid to do what you love, no matter what the risks.

…with the Sound of Music!

Sound of Music, Belgian style:

I want to know where they practiced that. Must have taken forever.

While trying out StumbleUpon, I came across a page of quotes. Some were funny, some were inspiring, and some were none of the above. Several of Winston Churchill’s “contributions,” however, seemed particularly applicable to writers and their craft. Behold,

Winston Churchill’s Tips for Writers
With Commentary by Jenn

“Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.”
When do we writers need enthusiasm more than while submitting our work to be published? Keep your spirits up! Someone out there is bound to want your novel.

“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.”
Who cares if your first draft isn’t riddled with wit? Just keep writing and see what happens!

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
Getting our stories critiqued might be the most painful thing we can do. But as Mr. Churchill said, it’s necessary in order to make your work the best it can be.

“Do not let spacious plans for a new world divert your energies from saving what is left of the old.”
When the going gets tough, don’t abandon your current project for newer, “better” stories. Don’t get distracted by temptation, and stick with it!

“Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.”
This could go many ways, but I’m going with: it’s good to know the rules so that you know when to break them.

“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.”
Don’t get lost in the realm of planning. You need to get your ideas on paper if you want anyone to read them. It’s called “writer” for a reason.

“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.”
Be open to constructive criticism. You will not always be right, no matter how tempting it is to believe you know all the secrets to the universe.

“I never worry about action, but only inaction.”
If your story is becoming more stagnant than the local pond, inject some conflict! That’s bound to churn up the waters. [/metaphor]

“If you are going through hell, keep going.”
Hell = The Middle. ‘Nough said.

“If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time – a tremendous whack.”
Obviously, don’t be as blatant as “The theme of this work is…” but you can have one of the characters say what the theme is in their own words.

“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see.”
Backstory-riffic! The more you know about your character, the more you can do with them in your actual story.

“The length of this document defends it well against the risk of its being read.”
Translation: don’t write a Bible-length novel. No one. Will. Read it.

“I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.”
This isn’t really advice, but I can totally see some characters saying this. You are, of course, their Maker, and you will probably never be prepared to meet your characters.

I hope you feel inspired or, at the very least, well-advised. Enjoy your weekend of writing!

You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart.

~Author Unknown

A few years ago I was introduced to Matt’s dancing adventures. I re-visited it this week and found some more videos, including one where he dances with masses of people (re-posted below). Enjoy!

Where the Hell is Matt?