City of Bones: Yeah, I Just Read It

So, if you're an Oasis Seeker, then you know that I finally crawled out from under my rock and read City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.  I've been following Mundie Moms for months, and all I hear about on hero-worship chats is "Jace-this, Jace-that," so it seemed like it was about time I read it.

I must say, I'm glad I did. (Yes, that's me holding a real book. As much as I love my Kindle, I just had to buy something "paper" at Target one day.  Head over to the Oasis for YA if you'd like a chance to win it.)

Here's the synopsis from Barnes & Noble:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Overall, here are my thoughts:
*  The plot and storyline are unique, interesting, complex, and logical.  These are angels without God; demons without Hell.  It's a fascinating take on the supernatural.
*  I would have liked it a lot more in first person.  This is clearly Clary's story, and it's told in close third person, but the book would have felt more immediate told from her first person perspective.  The book kept me interested, but not staying up too late to read.
*  The plot twist is totally unexpected and you won't want to believe that it's true.  At this point, the book became a total page turner.  Too bad it was almost completely over.
*  I liked all the characters.  I liked their adventures.  Ultimately, I liked the way it ended.  But all I can say is that I "liked" it.  Not "loved" it.  I'm sure I'll eventually read the next in the series, but I'm not salivating to pick it up.

 

In the end, I give it a 3 out of 4 Greek coins -- a URA* rating.

Co-authoring: Getting Started

As promised, I'll be sharing some of the techniques that Nikki and I used to co-author Beneath the Surface. (Nikki's also sharing her tips, so be sure to check out her blog too.)  Our experience is particularly unique because we've never met in person. Nikki lives in California; I live in Florida. We're separated by thousands of miles and three time zones. But we still made it work. Here's how.

Myspace Quotes, Teamwork Quotes at WishAFriend.com

1. I asked Nikki to work with me because I had read her first novel, Shoreline, and felt our writing styles were compatible. My first book is a retelling of a Greek myth; hers draws heavily on mythology, although it's set in present day. So for me, step one was finding someone with similar interests and a comparable writing style. I can thank #YALitChat for allowing us to meet.

2. We researched how other sucessful co-authors (notably Kami Garcia & Margie Stohl) have made the process work for them. The main goal is to have seamless writing- it's imperative that the voice remain the same from chapter to chapter. So our first & most important rule of co-authoring is that either of us can change the other's words, no questions asked. We don't red line and ask the other for permission. That was the primary ground rule we established before we started writing.

3. Our last step before we started writing was to create very detailed character skeches and a pretty thorough outline. When I say detailed, I mean we went online shopping for all of our characters. We picked out outfits & shoes typical of them all. We nailed down their personality quirks, favorite everything, all biographical information. In conjunction, we created a fairly detailed outline. Our characters are working on a set timeline (2 weeks), so we laid out all 14 days and made sure we had a general idea of what needed to happen each day & night. (And yes, we did go back & revamp the outline when we were about 1/2 way through.)

Sheri asked specifically last week: How do you collaborate ideas at the very beginning?
I had the primary idea for BTS when we got started, but I had stalled and didn't know where to go with it. Nikki and I wrote back and forth, exchanging ideas.  Then, we started the outline, again passing it back and forth.  I'd fill in some ideas and e-mail it to Nikki.  She'd add to it and send it back.  We passed in back and forth until we'd created a story line and characters we were happy with.  Along the way, we'd ask each other questions.  How would this work, etc.? And it helped us solidify the mythology in our minds before we started writing.

So that was our getting started process. Next week I'll talk about how we divided work and did the writing. Got any questions? Leave us a comment and we'll be sure to answer.

We're Outing Ourselves

Doo, du, du, doo! (*those were trumpets blaring*)  I'm excited to finally be able to tell you about the WIP I've been working on.  Only I haven't been working alone... the lovely and talented Nikki Katz, has been co-authoring with me.  [If you don't know Nikki yet, be sure to check out her blog.]  I feel so blessed to have met Nikki on YALitChat, worked with her on Oasis for YA, and now can say we've co-written a book together.  SQUEE!!

We finished our first draft this week (after about two months worth of writing) and figured we could finally "out ourselves" and share the details with you.  We're about to roll up our sleeves and get to work on the edits, but plan on blogging about co-authoring process. It's gone remarkably well for us (we think) and we'd like to share our tips in case co-authoring is something you've ever considered yourself. Next week, I'll tell you the process we used to get started.  Do you have any questions about co-authoring?  Leave a comment here or on Nikki's blog and we'll make sure to answer them!

For now, I'll leave you with my top 3 reasons to consider co-authoring a novel (I could write more, but then you might get bored):
1.  It's motivating - when someone else is waiting on your chapter, you get it written
2.  It's fun - like reading a great book you just picked up, only you get to be an editor and breathe life into too
3.  You have a built-in brainstorming & critique partner - it's harder to miss logical inconsistencies or date blunders when two sets of eyes are looking at it. Plus, ideas really start flowing when you're bouncing them off each other.

And without further ado... our description for Beneath the Surface.  Tell us what you think!

The chase is on....

Seventeen-year old Wren Lassiter planned on a relaxing summer break on an exclusive, remote island in Lake Huron. But when island newcomer, Chase Regas, nearly plows her over in his speed boat, he winds up tearing apart more than just her shoulder.  From Chase, Wren learns that she's descended from an ancient Greek monster, she pays a role in fulfilling an ancient curse, and she's about to rekindle a romance that spans past lives.  Turns out, whether it's dealing with herself, Chase, or the curse, Wren finds there's way more than she expected Beneath the Surface. 

Teaser Tuesday: City of Bones

I'm doing it. I'm doing a meme. *woo-hoo*

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading and asks you to:
1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share 2 "teaser"sentences also citing the title of the book and the author and in that way people can have great recommendations if they like the "teaser"
4. Please avoid spoilers

I'm reading City of Bones by Cassandra Clare presently, and feel like I'm the last person on the planet to pick it up.  But, if you -- like me -- haven't read this book yet, you ought to consider picking it up.  It's very entertaining so far.

Here's my two-line (oops, I mean four-line, I couldn't help myself) teaser from the novel - page 94:

With the tip of the stele, he traced a line connecting the two arms of the star. When he lowered his hand, the mark was shining as if it had been etched with phosphorescent ink.  As Clary watched, it sank into his skin, like a weighted object sinking into water. It left behind a ghostly reminder: a pale, thin scar, almost invisible.

Beautiful imagery, huh?

Flashback Friday: Powder Puff

Fall is undoubtedly in the air (even here in Florida), and there are few fall activities I look forward to more than college football. (Ok, pumpkin patches and Halloween costumes are better, but that's it. Oh, and pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks.)  Anyway, all the football fever going around my house made me think back to Powder Puff football.

You remember! When the girls donned jerseys and cotton shorts with paw prints on their butts and the guys dressed up as cheerleaders and put on a pep rally in the gym. Isn't that how it happens in all high schools?


My powder puff memories are actually pretty pathetic. I got the uniform my junior year, but wasn't brave enough to practice, let alone play.  Let's just say I've never been known for my athletic prowess or my pain threshold.  I'm sure I went to the game, but I honestly don't remember it.


I do remember a sleepover the night before Powder Puff where all the un-athletic chicks (yep - that's me) stayed up too late and woke up early to don blue tiger paws on our cheeks before heading off to class.


Then, I didn't even get the uniform my senior year. But learned later that a girl in my class suffered a broken collar bone during the game. SEE?? I wasn't crazy about the little game of girlie flag football being dangerous. Girls are mean!


But now, as my little four year old daughter screams at the television, encouraging players to "get him" or announcing a "touch down" (she's not particularly accurate in her calls yet), I can't help but think that I have the makings of a future powder puff player on my hands. (That, and she prefers to play with boys and roll in the grass over "cooking" in housekeeping.)

Okay ladies -- did you play? Why or why not?