Vacation

Hello everyone!

I'm on this beautiful island in Maine, which is why I haven't been writing here much. It's hard to justify sitting in front of a computer when you have so many beautiful things to look at. Like this:

A puffin

Book Recommendation: How I Paid For College

The other day, I was clicking through GoodReads, and I suddenly remembered this awesome book I read back in high school. The book is called How I Paid For College: A Story of Sex, Theft, Friendship & Musical Theater by Marc Acito. It's about, as the title suggests, a boy who gets into Julliard but can't afford to go. But then, with the help of his crazy theater friends, he devises an elaborate plan to get some money.

I have to say, I don't remember all the details of the book, which is why I'm not going to write a review of it. But I do remember that it was hilarious. So, so funny. I think those of us who were involved in theater in high school would especially enjoy it. But even if you weren't...it's still really funny. Check it out and then let me know what you think!

Also, in a similar vein, there's this book: The Havard Lampoon's Guide to Colleges. It's a hilarious spoof of those college guide books we all hated in high school. So, so funny.

Review of Tangled

It all started with the book Love and Other Four Letter Words. After I read Carolyn Mackler's first novel, I was hooked. I wanted to read everything she'd written. Then I read The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round things and loved it, too. So once I finished that, I ran right out to the library and got this one, Tangled. I'm sorry to say it, but I was a little disappointed by it. True, it had many of the elements that I liked about Mackler's other books: humor mixed with real-life situations, realistic-sounding first person narration, characters that felt like friends. But something was just missing...and I think I know what it was.

The book tells the story of four different young people who are all living very different lives: Jena lives a normal and (she thinks) boring life in upstate New York, Dakota is the hot jock at his high school, Skye lives the fast-paced life of a New York actress, and Owen mostly lives on the internet. But then their lives start to get all tangled together, and they cross paths with each other, starting with a trip to a resort called Paradise, where all four of them go on vacation.

I think it's important to point out, though, that the trip to Paradise is only a small part of the book. It begins there, but then the story goes through the months that follow that trip. The story switches narration, and each character narrates a different month, starting with Jena, who narrates about May, the month when they actually take the trip. Before I read the book, I thought the entire thing took place in Paradise, and in some ways, I wish it had, because it made for an interesting setting. At the same time, though, I guess only so much can happen in a week's vacation, so maybe that's why the author chose to move the characters around.

Like I said before, there were a lot great things about the book. The characters all had really unique voices and were going through different, complicated problems. It also really showed how little we really know about the people around us and what's going on in their lives. 

However, in other ways, the jumping narration weakened the story. Since we didn't spend much time with any of the characters, I didn't feel like any of their stories were really developed that deeply. They all felt a little rushed, except for maybe Jena. It just felt a little...empty. Also, at times, I didn't really find the character's actions or thoughts believable, especially the character Dakota, who just seemed like too much of a jock stereotype. And since there was no big, over-arching storyline, sometimes the book got a little boring, and I didn't feel pulled to keep reading. 

Even though this book did have some interesting things to say about the way people affect each other, and the way we see ourselves and others, I have to say that I just didn't enjoy reading it that much. I don't think I would recommend it to a friend. You'd be better off reading one of her other books, which, from the ones I've read, are pretty awesome.  

Top Ten Blogs I Read that Aren't About Books

Hey everybody!

It's top ten Tuesday, hosted by the Broke and Bookish Blog. Today's topic is "The ten books I read that aren't about books." This is hard for me, because most of the blogs I read have something to do with blogs, whether it's book reviews or author blogs. So I don't think I'll be able to come up with ten...but here it goes:

1. What I Wore - There are a lot of fashion blogs out there, but this one is my favorite. It's written by a woman named Jessica Quirk. She has really great style, and her blog seems really friendly and approachable, not like other fashion blogs where all the clothes are designer and nobody is smiling. I get lots of ideas for outfits from her blog.

2. Kendie Everyday -Another one of my favorite fashion blogs. She has really great style, very original. I like how colorful her outfits are.

3. The College Prepster - This blog is written by a girl I went to high school with, who then went on to college at Georgetown. I don't really consider my own style "preppy," but I still like a lot of the fashion she posts about.  Also, she writes about more than clothes, like her life at school. For me, it's always interesting for me to read about other people's college and life experiences.

4. Pearls and Lemonade - My friend Laura writes this blog. She writes about lots of different things - movies, cooking, college life. I think reading friend's blogs can be a good way to keep up with them, too.

5. Little Blog on the Internet - My friend Cassie writes this blog. She loves cooking and has some great recipe ideas!

6. Vulture's Gossip Girl Blog - I'm a huge fan of Gossip Girl, even though the show has kind of gone off the rails lately. This blog recaps the episodes every weeks and points out all the ridiculous things that happen. It's so funny.

7. The Current Conscience - This blog, written by a man named Yashar, covers a lot of different topics, most of them related to women's rights. He has a really interesting take on it, being a man and all. He's had some really insightful posts, like when he wrote about how many people manipulate each other emotionally.

8. The Good Men Project - I used to read this blog a lot, but I haven't kept up with it much lately. Still, it has a lot of interesting posts, and they're not just important for men to read. They talk a lot about how we define "maniless" in our society and what it means to really be a good man. It's really interesting to see the kind of issues men struggle with.

9. The Kvetching Board - I'm not sure if this counts as a blog, but I read this column religiously. It's posted every Friday in UNC's newspaper, the Daily Tar Heel. Students send in anonymous complaints about life on campus and in town, and then they get published. How great is that! I love listening to people complain! But really, they're pretty funny, and I can always relate to a few of them. Some will only make sense if you've been to UNC, but some a pretty universal.

Review of The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things

As you might be able to tell, I'm on a Carolyn Mackler kick, and I just read her Printz-Award winning novel, The Earth, My Butt and Other Big, Round Things. Even though the title is pretty funny, the book is actually pretty serious. But it was also funny. Let me explain...

The book is about a girl, Virginia, who lives in New York City. Sounds awesome, right? Well, Virginia is having some issues. First, she feels like she's a little bit over-weight, and it doesn't help that other kids at school and even her parents say she is, too. She also is interested in a boy named Froggy the Fourth, but she doesn't think he'd ever go out with her because of her weight. Then, to top it all off, her brother does something terrible and shocking, something Virginia, who hero-worships him, never thought he would do. This  event really shakes up her family, and it forces Virginia to rethink her relationship with her brother, her parents, and herself.

I really liked this book. Really, really liked it. First of all, the narrator, Virginia, was so likeable and funny, and she felt like a real teenager to me. I found myself nodding along with so many things she said,  and remembering that I thought the same thing way back in high school. I also really liked seeing her transformation over the course of the book, and I liked how she began to question everything that she had previously just accepted as fact, like things that her parents and brother did.

I'm also a sucker for a good family drama, and this novel had plenty of that, although it never veered into melodramatic territory. As I said before, Virginia found herself questioning a lot of what her parents did, like, for example, her mother's tendency to ignore problems in the family and pretend that it was perfect. Virginia's family also put a lot of emphasis on how she looked and made some pretty mean comments about her body, something I found to be, sadly, pretty true to life.  I think realizing that your parents and your family isn't perfect, and that they don't always do the right thing, is a big part of growing up, and this novel did a great job of showing that. 

I think Publisher's weekly said it best when they wrote, in their review, that "The heroine's transformation into someone who finds her own style and speaks her own mind is believable -- and worthy of applause." Don't let the silly title fool you, guys. This novel has some serious, important stuff to say. There's a reason it won the Printz, after all. 

The Quotable Annie Dillard

Hey, everybody!

Today I thought I'd share some of my favorite Annie Dillard quotes with you, because she is so very quotable. 

"We sleep in time's hurdy-gurdy; we wake, if we ever wake, to the silence of God. And then, when we wake to the deep shores of time uncreated, then when the dazzling dark breaks over the far slopes of time, then it's time to toss things, like our reason, and our will; then it's time to break our necks for home.  There are no events, but thoughts and the heart's slow turning, the heart's slow learning where to love and whom. The rest is merely gossip, and tales for other times."  

- Holy the Firm

I'm not exactly sure what this quote is getting at, but I like how it sounds, especially the last part about the heart. To me, that part means that the most important thing in life is figuring out who and what deserves your love and attention. Also, if you haven't read Holy the Firm, I would recommend it.

That one is my favorite of hers, but here are a few others I like:

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives"

"Spend the afternoon, you can't take it with you."

“Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.”  

-The Writing Life

“He is careful of what he reads, for that is what he will write. He is careful of what he learns, for that is what he will know.” 

“There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by. A life of good days lived in the senses is not enough. The life of sensation is the life of greed; it requires more and more. The life of the spirit requires less and less; time is ample and its passage sweet. Who would call a day spent reading a good day? But a life spent reading -- that is a good life.” 

- The Writing Life

-

I'm Going to Maine!

Hey everybody!

I'm going to Maine today! I'm going to volunteer at this camp that I've worked at before. I'll be there for about three weeks. I'm really excited to go. The island is beautiful and I'll be seeing some old friends.

Lobster boat

Review of Love and Other Four Letter Words

Hey everybody!

I recently read this book by Carolyn Mackler, Love and Other Four Letter Words. I really enjoyed it. It was a nice dose of good old fashioned YA: lots of heart, a bit of angst, parent problems, friendship and, of course, a boy. The novel centers around a girl, Sammie, who moves with her mom from rural New York to The Big Apple after her parents get divorced. Suddenly, Sammie feels a bit like an orphan. Her dad is gone to California, and her mom can't hold herself together. On top of that, she's starting to grow apart from her best friend, but she finds some solace in the city's dog parks, where she meets a new friend, Phoebe, and with Eli, the hippie son of one of her mom's friends. 

As I said before, I really liked this book. It's was just classic YA - no crazy twists, no love triangles, no gimmicks. Just one young girl's thoughts and feelings. The narrator, Sammie, felt so realistic, and I enjoyed accompanying her on this journey. She was really funny, and I think Mackler did a really good job of portraying the whole teen experience. It felt so funny.

One of the most interesting things about the book, I thought, was Sammie's relationship with her lovable but absent-minded mother. After the divorce, Sammie's mom really started to fall apart, and Sammie basically had to take care of her. It was interesting to see those roles reversed. 

I also really liked how the book wasn't all about the boy. It was more focused on Sammie's friendship and her family. Even though I love a good love story, sometimes it's nice to examine other kinds of relationships, besides romantic ones.

I can't really think of any critical things to say about this book. I suppose this novel might not appeal to some people who like non-stop action, or who only like fantasy. But even though the novel was just about ordinary, everyday life, I never thought it was boring. I enjoyed being inside this character's head and getting to know her. Also, the New York City setting is always fun.

You should read this book!

YallFest

Hey guys!

Have you heard about the Charleston Young Adult Book Festival aka YallFest? I just heard about it, and I'm super excited! For one thing, it's actually in a city near me. Well, not super near, but drive-able. I feel like writers don't come this far south that often, so this is very exciting!

So many of my favorite YA authors are going to be there: Cassie Clare, Stephanie Perkins, Gayle Forman, and David Levinthan. It sounds like quite the party!

The festival will be held in Charleston, South Carolina on November 10th. You can find out more information on their official website.

Are any of you planning on going? I'm 99% sure that I will. It's on a Saturday, and I don't have class on Friday, and it's only a five and half hour drive away. And all those authors!!! Ahhh!

If any of you might possibly be interested in splitting a hotel room to save money, let me know. I know that's a bit strange, rooming with someone you've never met in real life, but I promise I'm not a serial killer. I'm thinking I might also recruit some people from library school to go with me, thus saving money on gas, but I'll have to wait till I get there for that. But I'm for sure going to be hunting down all the YA lovers at orientation! Woo hoo!

Review of City of Lost Souls

Ahhhh!!

Hey everybody!

As you might know, I've been anticipating this book, City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare, for months. Well, I finally got my hands on it! And I loved it. Every second of it.

Now, you should know that City of Lost Souls is the fifth book in the Mortal Instruments series. While I'll keep all spoilers for this book out of my review, it might contain some spoilers for the previous books. But if you haven't read the series, you should! The first book is City of Bones.

Anyway, so. The book. It was amazing. The action was non-stop. It pulled you in and didn't let you go. Every second of it was exciting, and there was so much going on. I loved it. I started reading it at nine in the morning and then all of the sudden, it was three o'clock and my brother was home from school. That almost never happens to me with books, that I get so into it that I lose track of time.

The book has several different stories going on, but the biggest is the search for Jace who, everyone suspects,  is with Sebastian. All of the characters we love, from Magnus to Luke, are involved in the search in some way, but at the same time, they all have different issues to deal with, too. The book switches perspective a lot, which I enjoyed. I liked getting to know the other characters a little better, and seeing their stories develop. The Jace and Clary story is still the biggest chunk of the book, though, which is also great because I love their story. The book also had lots of new settings and new developments in the Shadowhunter world. I especially enjoyed getting a peek into the world of the Iron Sisters. (I don't think that's too much a spoiler, right?)

Overall, I loved the book. I think it may have been the best one in the series at time. It was fast-paced and gut-wrenching, even painful at times, but so, so much fun to read. The most painful thing of all, though, will be the wait for the next one!

PS. For those of you who have read the book, I wrote a post on Tumblr with my reaction right after I finished the book. That post has spoilers. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Authors I'd Like to See on a Reality Show

credit

Guys, I'm really excited for today's Top Ten Tuesday topic. Are you ready for this? It's "Ten Authors I'd like to See on a Reality Show." This one was tricky, but fun. Tricky because I don't really know the authors, so I don't know how they'd behave on a reality show. I have some sense of their personalities, though, from their blogs and Twitter accounts, and the rest I just made up. That was the fun part. Just try to picture this...

1. Sarah Dessen on Real Housewives  - I know from reading Sarah Dessen's blog that she is a fan of the real housewives' show, so when I read this topic, this combination immediately popped into my mind. Would she go to New York City or would they have a Real Housewives of North Carolina? I don't know. Either one would be pretty fun to watch, I think.

2. John Green on Jersey Shore - How great would it be to bring a little nerd-power to this intellectually-barren show? Can't you just see John Green trying to get the Situation to read a book, or asking Snookie about her ultimate concern? Maybe he could show them all that there's more to life than the gym, tanning, doing laundry, or being famous. Alternatively, maybe John Green would go native and start putting gel in his famous "puff," which would also be hilarious. (But then would he stop writing beautiful books and start tanning all day? That would be sad.)

3. Cassandra Clare on...some show where they make you tell secrets - I don't know enough about reality TV to know if this exists, but I think Cassandra Clare needs to get sent on to some show where they make you tell all your secrets, and fast. I don't mean her personal secrets, though. I mean her secrets about what happens in the rest of her books. Does Tessa chose Will or Jem? Why? Does Simon die? I have this really bad feeling that Simon is going to die, and I want to know ahead of time if that's going to happen so I can prepare for it. I can't wait any longer to know. So somebody get this lady on TV!

4. Alternatively, if she wouldn't agree to be on the secret-spilling show, Cassandra Clare could also compete on Project Runway. She could make fashions inspired by her character, Magnus. And with those, she would undoubtedly win. Although it would take a lot of glitter.

5. Megan Mccafferty on American Idol - A few years ago, Megan Mccafferty posted a video of herself singing a Barry Manilow song. And you know what? She was really good! I think she could totally win this thing, guys. Although I feel like she would only want to sing Barry Manilow songs, and I'm not sure if you're allowed to do that on the show. Maybe they'd make an exception.

6. Bill Bryson on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy - I've never met Bill Bryson, but based on his books, I get the feeling that he is, for lack of a better term, kind of a grumpy old man. Which is why I think it would be so funny to see him mixed up with the five high-energy guys from Queer Eye. And okay, the show's not on the air anymore, but that's a technicality. Anyway, I would love to see Bill Bryson transform from a bearded, plaid-wearing (I imagine he wears a lot of plaid) old man into a fresh, hip guy. I bet by the end of the show, he'd be raising a mojito and thanking Carson for all the tips. Just picture it...

7. Suzanne Collins on Survivor - Do you think Suzanne Collins is as tough and resourceful as her heroine, Katniss? Let's find out! Is that show even on anymore? Who cares. She's going. It'll be great. I can't wait to see her with her bow and arrow, shooting some squirrels. But before she goes, someone better make sure she knows she doesn't have to kill the other competitors. Instead, she just has to back-stab and manipulate them and try to get them voted off the island.

8. Maureen Johnson on Keeping up with the Kardashians - I don't know why, but I just have a feeling this would be a hilarious combination. Just picture it. Maureen and Kim could tweet together, and maybe Maureen could give her some pointers on how to tweet more interesting things. Maybe she could help settle some of the family's many arguments, or maybe she'd just start some. Who knows. It'd be fun to watch, either way, although I'd feel bad subjecting her to that. The big question is, though, would she change her name to Kaureen?

Frazen is fierce

9. Jonathan Frazen on America's Next Top Model - Let's all take a moment to imagine Mr. Toast-of-the-Literary-Town in high heels and short-shorts, strutting his stuff in front of Tyra. Yeah, you're never going to be able to get that image out of your head, are you?

10. Libba Bray on Pawn Stars - Again, I don't know why, but this combination just feels right. I think it'd be pretty funny to see Libba Bray, or any YA author really, cast in among those large, tatooed men from Vegas. Plus, a lot of Libba Bray's writing is historical fiction, and I hear she does a lot of research for that, so I bet she'd be really good at researching the origins of the things that come into the pawn shop, and determining whether they're authentic or not, and what they're worth. Yeah! Libba Bray, I think I just found you a new career. You're welcome.

So that's my list. I had a lot of fun making it, and I hope you guys enjoyed reading it and are not too scarred by the mental image of Frazen in stilettos. I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with! And if you'd like to participate in Top Ten Tuesday, you can visit the Broke and Bookish blog for more information.

Winners!

I have picked the winners of my two giveaways! THUMPED went to Sandra and THE SELECTION went to Alexandra.

The winners have been emailed, and I hope they'll email me back soon with their addresses! (Please!)

If you didn't win this time, know that you are all winners in my heart, and that I'll probably have another giveaway sometime in the future. Thanks for visiting my blog! I hope you'll keep coming back!

Querying Agents (Part 2)

I'm praying to Tim Tebow that somebody will take me on

Hey everybody!

Yesterday I talked about my decision to start querying agents for Cardboard Characters. Today I'm going to tell you a little bit more about what the process has been like, now that I've made that decision.

So, let's begin at the beginning. First I wrote a query letter. A query letter, if you don't know, is kind of like the writer's equivalent of a cover letter. In a query, you give a brief (emphasis on brief) summary of your book, sort of like what you'd put on the dust jacket of your book. You try to catch the agent's interest. You also talk a little bit about yourself, especially if you have any previous work published or have some special experience that makes you in expert in what you're writing about.  Writing the letter was fairly easy for me because I've done it before, so I just tweaked one of the old letters I had. Maybe it's a bad idea to use the same letter but...I like this one, so I'm sticking to it.

Then I started researching agents. I like to start by looking up who represents the writers I enjoy and admire, or whose work I feel is similar to mine. This information is fairly easy to find. I just look in the acknowledgments in the back of a book! Strangely enough, I also think it's really useful to find agents on Twitter. Finding one can also lead you to another, thanks to the handy "similar to this person" feature, and Twitter also gives you a sense of the agent's personality. I also find this blog, which profiles agents, enormously helpful.

Then came the annoying part - I had to go to their agency's website and figure out what exactly they're looking for and what their submission requirements are. I would just like to take this opportunity to ask the agencies of the world to maybe make their websites a bit more user-friendly. I consider myself a pretty tech-savvy person, but even I had a hard time finding the information I needed on some of these sites. PLUS, all the agents have different submission requirements. Some want just a letter, some want a letter and ten pages, or fifty, some have special forms that you have to use. Whew!

Also, it can sometimes be hard to figure out what the agents are looking for. Now, some agents are very specific, and they put their areas of interest in big bold letters, and I must give them props for that. Also, I find it extremely helpful when agents list what writers they enjoy or who would be their "dream clients." Those specific examples give me an instant idea of what they're looking for. What is not helpful, however, is when agents say they're looking for "great writing" or "fresh material." Um, isn't that what everyone is looking for? I'm pretty sure there aren't many agencies out there that represent terrible writing and boring stories. Those kind of vague phrases just aren't very helpful, but they are ever-present on the web...so if you're thinking about querying: you've been warned. However, when I see something like that, I just go ahead and query them, as long as they represent YA. The worst they can say is no. (It also helps to Google them and try to find out a little bit more about them. See if they have a blog or Twitter account!)

Other things that drive me crazy: Agencies that don't have websites. Or that only accept snail mail queries. What!?! What century are they living in? I don't even know how to use the post office. (Just kidding. But seriously.)

But really, for the most part, the experience has been...well, not pleasant, but not miserable. Many of the agents are very accessible and give you a clear idea of what they're looking for. I started out by querying a rather large number of agents, and then after I had done that, I saw this blog post about how querying a bunch at once is not recommended.  Whoops. I did not, however, query any agency that required a synopsis, only because I haven't written one up and am lazy. I'll probably save those agencies for later, if I need them.

I have not heard back from many of them yet, which doesn't help with my compulsive email checking. At the time of this posting, I've mostly been rejected. Rejection doesn't bother me too much. I know it's all part of the game. We've all heard the stories: J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer and Suzanne Collins were all rejected a bunch of times, and now they're laughing all the way to the bank. (But seriously, can you imagine if you were the one who said no? I'd be kicking myself.)  Also, when an agent rejects me, I just tell myself that it's probably because they're not taking many clients or because they already have something similar on their list. Maybe this is a lie, maybe they think the writing is terrible, but it makes me feel better, and what does it really matter as long as I accept the basic fact that they've said no? Sometimes it's better not to agonize over people's motives, because you really just never know.

But I would be lying if I said I didn't feel bad about rejection sometimes. The worst is when you get rejected by an agent who was one of your top choices, or whose opinion you really respect. I also have this fear that I'm going to end up being one of those crazy writer stories. Like, I can just picture the agent having a drink with his swanky New York friends and yukking it up about the awful query they got that day (mine), and being all "Oh, you'll never believe what I read today."

However, at the time of this posting, one agent is reading my full manuscript, which makes me super excited but also super nervous. I don't think I should say who, but it's someone I really admire and an agency that I would love to work with. I mean, really. Really. BUT sometimes people still reject you after they read the full manuscript. It has happened to me before. So I'm trying not to get my hopes up. As I said before, rejection is part of the game.

Even so, I still believe that I'll get published someday, and maybe that's crazy but hey. I know it will take a lot of work and a lot of rejection, but I think someday, if I keep trying, someone will say yes. It's just a matter of finding the right fit (I hope). And then when they make the movie about my life, this will be the part where I overcome adversity and prove them all wrong, with heroic music playing in the background.

Anyway, if I do end up getting a solid offer of representation, I probably won't say anything about it on here until the contract is signed and it's all official. But maybe I won't wait that long. I don't know. We'll see! But let's not get ahead of ourselves. For now, I'll just sit here refreshing my inbox...

PS.  If you want to know more about querying, feel free to leave questions in comments or get in touch with me. There are also about a billion blogs online about agents and querying, many of them written by agents themselves. I would recommend KidLit, which is written by agent Mary Kole and is helpful even if you're not planning on writing for children. You can use the search tool on the side to look for posts about querying and agents. I've also heard that a lot of people like this blog, also run by an agent, although I don't read that one myself.

Querying Agents

All of these books started as a query letter. Well...probably.

Hey everybody!

So...I have some news. I've decided to start querying agents about my book/manuscript, Cardboard Characters.

For those of you who don't know, I self-published Cardboard Characters as an e-book in March, partly as an experiment and partly so that my friends could finally read it (my brother has been bugging me about it for ages). By experiment, I mean I was curious to see what self-publishing was like and if anyone would actually read it.

As it turns out, self-publishing is fun but very difficult. Well, the actual publishing part isn't hard - you just hit "Upload" on the website, but getting the word out about the book is, especially because I think there's a bit of stigma associated with self-publishing. People tend to think (and even I am guilty of this) that if someone is self-publishing, their book must be so awful that every publisher has rejected it. However, that's not always the case. Personally, I self-published, like I said, as an experiment, and also because I didn't want to get into the whole publishing thing while I was trying to finish college.

This is not my first time querying agents, and I actually successfully landed a contract with an agent about two years ago. My ex-agent was a very nice, smart person, and we went back-and-forth with the revisions for about nine (ish?) months. In the end, though, she let me go because she felt she wasn't seeing the kind of changes she wanted to in the manuscript. In my own defense, I have to say that I really considered all the feedback she gave me and made some pretty significant changes based on her comments. But really, when I look back on it, I think she was mostly right. I think I got too eager to publish and started hurrying through my revisions. Not a smart move. (If any of the agents I've queried recently happen to be reading this, I've learned my lesson and I swear I'm not a diva. I love revising. Revision is my middle name.)

That experience, with my old agent, was part of my decision to self-publish, too. I realized maybe I just wasn't ready for the publishing biz. But now I think I am.

These past few months as a self-published author have been really great, but at the same time, I think I'm ready for something different. I've learned a lot, to be sure. Self-publishing has forced me to become more outgoing, especially online, where I used to be afraid to talk to people I didn't know (crazy, I know). It's also helped me gain confidence in my work, because I've gotten some positive feedback from both friends and book bloggers (thanks, guys!). BUT, I think publishing through a traditional route will help me gain a larger audience, which is, of course, what every writer wants. (Well, most. Maybe not the really hermit-y ones.) And not because I want to make mad money, but because I want to talk to people. I really hope I get the chance to do so.

Whew! Well, this was supposed to be a post about the querying process and what it's been like for me so far but I started to wander. Maybe I'll make this a two part thing.

Also, in case you're wondering, I'll continue to have Cardboard Characters available as an e-book. If and when I get an agent, I may take it down, depending on what the agent says. We shall see...

(Man, I just realized it's going to be super embarrassing if I post about this here and then no one wants me as a client. Ah well...I feel optimistic that someone out there will take me, even if I have to query every agent in the known universe...There's someone out there for everyone, after all.)

Summer Reading

It's Summer!

Hello my friends!

So in case you missed all those posts about Graduation....I am officially out of school and on summer vacation! And yes, it is summer vacation for me, not The Real World, because like a smart person I have decided to continue on in school.

Anyway, since I'm a huge nerd, the first thing I want to do when I have a lot of free time is READ. And then because I'm an even bigger nerd, I like to make lists of books to read and post them on my blog. So here it is...the list of books I want to read this summer. I'm sure this list will grow and change.  I bet I'll fall in love with at least one of these authors and want to read their entire back list. (That's happening with me and Carolyn Mackler right now). I'm sure some I'll start and won't finish, and some I won't have time for.

1. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - I started the audiobook but couldn't stand the narrator. I'm a little skeptical about whether I'll like the rest of the book, and I already know how it ends, but it's gained such high praise from fellow book bloggers, so I'm willing to push on.
2. Paradise Lost by John Milton - I've been meaning to read this one. You know how it goes. I read a bit of it for a class once. If I'm being totally honest, I got interested in it because of the Mortal Instruments seires
3. Dante's Inferno - Also one that's referenced in TMI a lot. And my dad talks about it all the time. So...
4. MORE David Foster Wallace - I'm so in love with his writing right now. I don't think I'll be attempting Infinite Jest anytime soon, though.
5. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon - I've had this sitting on my bookshelf for a while and I'm curious. Although not Jewish myself, I love stuff about Judaism.
6. Lots of Holly Black's books - I've heard her novels are extremely well-plotted and exciting. So I can't wait to read one!
7. Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter - Still on the wait-list at the library for this one. Arg.
8. The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot - How have I not read this yet!? I know, crazy. I think it'll make for a nice fun summer read.
9. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - I want to re-read this one. Once just wasn't enough.
10. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead - I like to read this one and many of the other Newberry and Printz honor books. I need to catch up on my awards books!
11. The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson - I must know what that envelope contains! I'd also like to read some of MJ's backlist, like The Bermudez Triangle and Girl at Sea.
12. The Lord of the Rings Triology - I realllly want to read this one, although I feel like it might take me a while.
13. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - I've started this one before but never finished it. However, now I'm determined to do so. Maybe I'll go on a little Bronte's sisters kick.
14. The whole Percy Jackson series - I loved the movie and I've been meaning to read the series for so long. 
15. Divergent by Veronica Roth - I swear I am the only person left who hasn't read this. This must change.
16. Wanderlove - This book has been getting lots of good reviews from the blogging world. I love books about travel, so I have a feeling I'll like this one. 
17. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach - Quite a few people have raved about this one, too.
18. Some of Anne Lamott's books - Now that I've read Bird by Bird, I'm totally obsessed with her. I'm eager to read some of her other work. 
19. Markus Suzak. That is all.
20. The Bible - I hesitate to put this on here, because I'm worried about controversy...BUT I've actually never read it before. I think I should, if only to get all the literary references. I doubt I'll finish the entire thing this summer, because it's quite long and dense but...we'll see. I've already started a bit and made it to the part where they mention Nephilim. Heh heh.

There's probably a whole lot more, but that's enough for now. If I list too many, it starts making me antsy. I don't know if this happens to anyone else, but sometimes I feel kind of panicky, thinking about all the books I want to read...Is that just me?

Okay, so there we go. If you want to see my full To-Read list or follow my progress, you can find me on GoodReads. 

What are you reading this summer? Any recommendations?

Review of The Selection

I'm not going to lie, I picked up this book mostly because of the cover, and I've heard many other people say that, too. To the person who designed this cover - you should ask for a raise!

Anyway, The Selection is by Kiera Cass and is book one of a trilogy (I think?). It tells the story of America Singer, a girl who lives in a future society, where people are divided into numbered castes, and their caste determines their profession, their wealth (or lack thereof) and standing in society. America is from a lower caste, although not the lowest of the low. Her family gets by, but they are sometimes hungry and often struggling. But America gets the chance to change her family's lot in life when she enters into the Selection, a competition among women in her country to win the hand of the Prince. The problem is, America has no desire to wed the Prince. She's in love with someone else. But as she goes through the competition and gets to know the Prince, she starts to change her mind...

Okay, let's first address the big blue elephant in the room. This book is a lot like the Hunger Games, except with dresses and killing the competition is not encouraged. Now, I try not to make a habit of comparing books to other books, because there's no such thing as an entirely original story, and there's nothing wrong with stories being slightly similar to each other. But this one, I have to say, was sometimes a little too much like the Hunger Games, complete with a struggling family, a love triangle, funny names and a cheesy TV host. However, this could be seen in a positive light: If you're a fan of the Hunger Games, and you're itching for something more to read, this book could be for you. Or, if you want something like THG, but with less violence, this would also be a good choice.

Overall,  I found this book to be an enjoyable read. For the most part, it was light and fun. I loved hearing about the dresses and of course, the prince. I also liked the protagonist, America, and I enjoyed accompanying her on this crazy journey. Also, this book was incredibly addicting. I just couldn't stop reading it.

I sometimes felt like the dystopia world in the book was under-developed. That is, the author didn't give a ton of information about the nature of the society and its rulers and whether the people accepted their castes or rebelled. She gave you the basics, but the story was mainly focused on the competition and America's developing relationship with the Prince. For the most part, I didn't mind this lack of world-building, but it did sometimes feel a little under-developed.

That being said, the book had some good messages in it, I thought, like the value and importance of staying true to yourself, and how many people will respect you for doing so. America tried to stay true to herself throughout the competition, and often this worked in her favor, as often happens in these kind of fairy tales.

I also have to say that I felt that the writing in the novel was sometimes a bit weak. Some of it was excellent, and some of the dialogue, especially between America and the Prince was quick and funny. However, other times, the dialogue, both between those two characters and others, fell flat, and sometimes the dialogue didn't give you a sense of the character's personality. Additionally, I sometimes felt that the descriptions in the book were rushed and lacking. I just wanted to know more about what rooms and buildings looked like, or what a character was feeling or thinking or looked like, and sometimes this felt brushed over.

Overall, though, the book is entertaining and fun, and the narrator has a great voice. I also think the concept is highly original, and it's interesting to read about how all these women react when placed in this situation. And of course, I loved the Prince. As I said before, this is the first of a triology, and it does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger, but it's not bad enough to leave you wanting to claw your eyes out in misery (*ahem* Cassandra Clare). So if you're wondering if you should read the first book now or wait for the second one to come out, I'd say just go ahead and read it. I'm looking forward to the next one, though!

PS. Did you know I'm giving away a copy of The Selection!? It's true! Enter here.

Review of Thumped

Hello everyone!

I recently read the book Thumped, sequel to Bumped, both by Megan McCafferty (author of the amazing Jessica Darling series). Overall, I really, really liked the book. I think it was maybe even better than Bumped, not that it's a contest. The pacing was really great -- the story flowed well and there was never a dull moment.  Let's discuss...

First of all, I have to say, even though I read Bumped, the futuristic lingo in Thumped still threw me off a little bit. It was hard to get used to at first, but eventually I did. So, if you start out reading it and find yourself getting confused, press on! It will all make sense, too, I promise. One of the words...reproasthetical or something like that...especially threw me off. How do you even pronounce that!?

On the other hand, I thought the lingo was a really creative way to show just how obsessed this futuristic culture is with reproduction and fertility. After all, language often reflects the preoccupations and values of a culture.

Speaking of which, I think this book presents some really interesting ideas about sex and, surprisingly, about religion. This was a part of Bumped too, but I think these themes were further developed in Thumped, especially the discussion of religion. You wouldn't expect that to be part of a young adult novel about sex, right!? But it is. However, I never felt like the author was preaching to me, or that she was glorifying a religious lifestyle over a non religious one, or vice versa. Basically, the message I got from the book regarding religion (and a lot of other things, actually) was that your life is your decision, not anyone else's and it's in your control.

Speaking of messages, I also liked another idea presented in the book, which is that you have to consider the people involved in a situation or an issue, not just the issue itself. For example, in the book Zen gets so involved in his movement to stop "bumping" that he sometimes forgets to consider the people involved, like the couples who really want to adopt children. I think that's an important idea to remember, especially in the United States, where we are often fiercely divided on certain issues.

Anyway, back to the book...As you can see, it's a very thought-provoking read, but it's fun at the same time. The book has some great humor and very likable, lively characters. It also delivers (heh) a satisfying ending, and if you enjoyed Bumped, I think you'll really enjoy Thumped as well.

PS. Did you know I'm giving away my copy of Thumped!? It's true! Enter here.

Getting Rid of Books

One book I could never get rid of, especially since it's signed

You guys all like to read, right? When you read, do you normally get books from the library or buy them? If you buy them, do you get rid of them after you're done reading?

I'm asking because right now I'm trying to pare down my book collection. I just have way. too. many. books. Everytime I move, which is often, it's a huge hassle to move my books. And now I'm moving to North Carolina in August, and I can only take what can fit in my car. True, I could leave some books behind at my parents house. But if I don't have them with me, is there any point in owning them? If I'm willing to leave them behind, why not just get rid of them? These are the kinds of things I'm asking myself.

But I'm SO bad at getting rid of books. I just hate doing it. So many of the ones I have, I haven't even had a chance to read yet (I get a lot at used book stores and thrift stores). If I get rid of them, I may never get around to reading them. Sure, I could get it from the library, but it's more convenient to own the book. You can't take library books on vacation, for example.  Plus, I really like to re-read books, and I also like to underline things while I'm reading. Of the books I own that I have read, I don't want to get rid of a lot of those either, because I might want to re-read them someday. Also, I'm kind of attached to them.

What's a girl to do?

For now, I'm trying to ask myself - okay, do I really need this? Is it something I'd want to own and re-read, or could I read it once at the library and move on? Indeed, will I ever really want to read it at all? For example, I have a copy of The Red Tent, and I'm just not sure I'll ever get around to reading it. There's nothing wrong with it, but there are so many other books in the world. And that's another thing: More books come out all the time! When I think about what I actually read, most the books are ones that have just come out and that I've gotten from the library.  And what if I want to read The Red Tent one day!? What if !?

Lastly, I just kind of like having books around. I like to pick them up, flip through them. I hope to one day have a big library in my house. But then, I would first have to move all those books into my house...ugh.

What do you guys think I should do?

Top Ten Favorite Quotes from Books

The ever-quotable Dumbledore
Source

Hey everyone!


It's Top Ten Tuesday again, hosted by the Broke and Bookish blog. My first Tuesday as an alumna of the University of Florida!! Wooo hoo!! And I really like this topic: Your favorite quotes from books. I love quotes! I'm always writing them down. And I love books! Hooray!


1) From The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer"

Ahh, that is one of my favorite quotes of all time. I always think of it in the beginning of summer. It really does feel like life starts anew in the summertime. 


2) From Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling:

"Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy."

This Dumbledore quote is one of my favorites. It's so true that the easy thing to do is rarely the right thing to do.


3) From Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

This is one of my favorite opening lines from a book. So funny.


4) From The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

"My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations."

I feel like this all the time, and I love the simple, elegant way he expressed that feeling. In fact, I loved that quote so much that I made a painting of it and sold it for chairty and then it got featured on the Penguin Australia website. So that was cool... And because one cannot just quote TFIOS once...

"Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”

5) From A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens:

“A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.”

6) From Lolita by Vladmir Nabokov:

"Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta. She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always Lolita."

Now, I know this is a book about a pervy old man, but you have to admit, that's some good writing. Another great opener. 


7) From Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King (Again, I couldn't pick just one!)

“The thing you don't see while you're still there on Earth is how easy it is to change your mind. When you're in it and you're mixed up with feelings, assumptions, influences, and misconceptions, things seem completely impossible to change. From here, you see that change is as easy as flicking a light switch in your brain.” 

I think that's really important to remember: that we're always in control of our own destiny, and that your thoughts influence your world.  I also really like this following quote, because of the way it's written and the way it gives you such a clear idea of the character:

“Because with Charlie, nothing was ever easy. Everything was windswept and octagonal and finger-combed. Everything was difficult and odd, and the theme songs all had minor chords.” 

8)  From The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson:

“All her knowledge is gone now. Everything she ever learned, or heard, or saw. Her particular way of looking at Hamlet or daisies or thinking about love, all her private intricate thoughts, her inconsequential secret musings – they’re gone too. I heard this expression once: Each time someone dies, a library burns. I’m watching it burn right to the ground.” 

Not to be morbid, but I think this is really good way of describing death and grief. There was another really sad but interesting quote in the book about how her dead sister's bookmark would never move forward, but I can't find it.


9) From Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. I recently read and reviewed this book. I loved it. I underlined every other sentence and want to quote every page...but I tried to just pick one. 

“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.” 

10) Finally, in honor of City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare coming out today, I'm going to post some of my favorite quotes from The Mortal Instruments series. I'll try not to post too, too many, although it will be extremely hard for me to pick just a few. I have like 50 of them on my GoodReads quotes.  First, here's one of my favorite snarky Jace quotes:

"You know, some people think Shadowhunters are just myths. Like mummies and genies." Kyle grinned at Jace. "Can you grant wishes?" "That depends," he said. "Do you wish to be punched in the face?” 

And this is one my favorite Izze quotes:

"Latent homosexual panic will do you in every time”

So true.  And one of my favorite Simon quotes. There are so many, but this is one:

“Sorry, are you telling me that your demon-slaying buddies need to be driven to their next assignment with the forces of darkness by my mom?” 

Another Simon one, but this one is sweet instead of sarcastic:

“I wouldn't change it," Simon said. "I wouldn't give up loving you. Not for anything. You know what Raphael told me? That I didn't know how to be a good vampire, that vampires accept that they're dead. But as long as I remember what it was like to love you, I'll always feel like I'm alive.” 

And finally, one of my favorite wise-yet-crypitc quotes...this one from the Seelie Queen.

"Desire is not always lessened by disgust. Nor can it be bestowed, like a favor, to those most deserving of it."

Ahh!! So true, but so creepy. And apparently the Seelie Queen is going to play a bigger role in City Of Lost Souls!? Ah, I can't wait for my copy to come in the mail!!

Anyway, thanks for visiting my Top Ten Tuesday. I hope you don't mind that it kind of turned into a TMI-Love Fest (how could you mind that?). See you later!

City of Lost Souls Predictions

Hello everyone!

As you might know, I graduated this past weekend, and it was a monumental moment in my life. But, this Tuesday, something even more life-changing is about to happen to me. I am speaking, of course, of the release of City of Lost Souls, the fifth, long-awaited installment in the Mortal Instruments series.

If you haven't read The Mortal Instruments series, the rest of this post will make little sense to you and may even contain some spoilers. But if you haven't read the books...what are you waiting for? Seriously. Why are you sitting here reading this when you could be reading about teenage demon slayers? If you need further convincing, you could check out my gushing review of the series.

But for those (extremely wise) people who have read the books...OH MY GOD are you excited?!!? I am!!! AH!!! City of Fallen Angels ended on such a cliff-hanger, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Plus, I need some more Clace and Simon in my life, you know?

What do you guys think is going to happen in City of Lost Souls? Personally, I have no idea, but I'll still make some guesses...

First of all,  based on the book trailer and some of what Cassandra Clare's posted on Tumblr, it seems like Sebastian is going to have a much larger role in this book. I would bet that much of the book is going to focus on the weird relationship going on between him, Clary and Jace. I predict that they're all going to be traveling around together, looking for something...but what? I also predict that Clary and Jace are going to try to find a way to un-bind Jace from Sebastian, but of course they can't tell Sebastian about that.

Speaking of traveling around, I got this idea that maybe they're be going around the world. Why do I think that? Well, first of all, in The Infernal Devices, Gideon (I think?) travels to Spain, and someone mentions that all Shadowhunters are encouraged to travel after they turn eighteen. And shouldn't Jace and/or Clary be turning eighteen by now? Plus, if you read the infamous Club Scene that Cassandra Clare released (and you know I did)...it seemed to me that they were in a club in another country. But that's just a guess.

I also think there's going to be some major shake-ups in the Lightwood family. I remember in one of the snippets Cassandra Clare posted, Isabelle said something about their parents getting divorced. I bet this is going to be hard on the whole family, but especially Izze, and I think that Izze might start to spiral out of control, at least a little bit. But maybe she will get comfort from Simon? I hope so, because I really want to see that couple happen.

Speaking of Simon....what's going to happen to our favorite Daylighter? I have no idea. And what about his roommate Kyle (er...Jordan), and Maia? I predict that they'll all have a role in the big Sebastian mission, but I bet something else will happen will all of them, too. Maybe something with that group Kyle is in, the Beati Bellacosi (I may have spelled that wrong). Ah, I just have no idea, honestly.

As for the Jocyln and Luke, as you all know, they got married in the last book. I think they might have a bigger role to play in this book, especially Jocyln, since she's Sebastian's mother. I think she'll have a to come to terms with the fact that her son is super evil, which will not be easy. Besides that...who knows...

Finally, there's been a lot of speculation online about who might die in the books, if anyone. Cassandra Clare hasn't indicated that someone is going to die (at least not as far as I know), but it seems like a possibility, because the characters will probably be in battle, and Sebastian is trying to burn the world down so...someone could get caught in the fire. But who!? No one, I hope. But if I had to guess...Maybe Alec. or Magnus. Or both. Someone online suggested Jocyln, which could make sense from a storytelling perspective, but that would be very very sad.

So there you have it...my best guesses. What do you guys think is going to happen?

Also, are you going to try to read the book right at midnight? And are you going to rush through it or try to make it last? Remember, it will be a year before the next one comes out (GAH!) so maybe you should make this one last. But then again, I know I'm going to be racing through it. And even though I won a copy of the book from the Dark Angel Reader blog (thank you!), I'm also extremely tempted to download my own copy at midnight. We shall see...

Cinco de Graduación

Hello friends!

Today I graduate from the University of Florida, the Foundation for the Gator Nation. I'm excited and overwhelmed and just amazed to be graduating. If ever there was a time to use my "major life moments" tag, I think this might be it.

And that's really all I have to say...

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. And to my fellow graduates, congratulations to all of you. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope the world is ready.

Cardboard Characters Review and Interview

Hey everybody!

I'm excited to tell you that my novel, Cardboard Characters, just got another great review! The novel was reviewed by Lynn from the Snark and Ramble blog. Check out some of the nice things she had to say:

"Leah made for an incredibly realistic teenage girl. She spoke like so many of the teenagers that come into contact with when I work at the library."

"The drama kids were realistically portrayed. In my high school experience I encountered drama kids that were obsessed with the club and only cared about their “craft.” However, my favorite aspect of this novel had to be the power-tripping student government kids."

"All and all, Julie Seifert’s Cardboard Characters was a quick and different contemporary read. I think it would be of particular interest to drama kids or past drama kids!"

Wow! Thanks, Lynn. You can read the full review here. 

Also, I did an interview with Lynn. You can read it here and find out all my secrets, like what my ideal writing conditions are, who are my favorite authors, and what I think Kyle's band really sounds like.

The Best Commencement Speeches

I'm graduating!!

As you might know, I'll be graduating from college tomorrow! Ah!! Now, at UF's graduation, we actually don't have a commencement speaker. Like, you know how some colleges get fancy speakers, like the First Lady or somebody who invented post-its? Well, we don't get anyone. They send us out into the world without an inspiring bits of wisdom to guide us. Cruel, really. (Just kidding). Luckily, many great commencement speeches from years past are available online. I'll share some of my favorites with you now...

First of all, I've mentioned this one before, but it's worth repeating, because it's awesome. I am, of course, referring to the speech This is Water, given by David Foster Wallace at a Kenyon College commencement. You can read it online here or watch it on YouTube.  What I took away from this speech is basically the idea that "you are not the center of the universe." I mean, people always say that, but he really illustrates this point. For example, I like when he says that when someone gets in your way on the road, you should consider the fact that maybe they're having an emergency, and maybe you are actually in their way. Of course, as Wallace points out, it can be hard to think like this, and it might be the effort of a lifetime, but it will help you avoid the frustration that so many people feel.

Another great piece of commencement advice: The famous "Wear Sunscreen" speech. (Actually, I'm not sure it was a speech. Maybe just a column in a newspaper.) This one contains lots of great advice like, "Don't read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly," and "Be careful of whose advice you buy into" and, of course, "wear sunscreen."

Also, I recently saw this article, in the Wall Street Journal, written by a former commencement speech writer. Some of his advice I don't really agree with, or just feel kind of "meh" about, but some of it is good. I especially likes when he says that one way you can measure your success after college is to see how many of your college friends you're still in touch with.

Someone on Facebook suggested this one to me: Conan O'Brian at Dartmouth in 2011. The beginning is funny, and then he delves into some Dartmouth in-jokes which is not all that interesting unless you go to Dartmouth, but hang in there because the last ten minutes are really interesting. He says that by failing to achieve the thing you think you want, you might actually achieve something bigger and more important.  I also liked when he said that everyone shows up to college with a certain idea of what it will be like, and that idea almost certainly doesn't match up with what actually happens to them at college. That really rang true to me.

Another person on Facebook suggested this one: J.K. Rowling at Harvard. I had no idea that J.K. Rowling gave a commencement speech! So that was cool. Also, her speech was extremely inspiring. It's interesting, both she and Conan O'Brian talked about how you can profit and better yourself from failure. I also really like when she talks about the importance of imagination and using your imagination to empathize with others. Also, when she quotes Plutarch, saying that "what we achieve inward will affect outwardly."

And finally, there's this rather famous speech, given by Steve Jobs at Stanford in 2005. I like how he says that you shouldn't be trapped in living someone else's life or drowned by other's opinions. And again, he talks a lot about how failure can help you grow and ultimately succeed. So I guess what all of us graduates really need to do is go out there and fail! Are you excited? I know I am.

Review of Bird by Bird

I recently read this book, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, a writing guide. I loved it, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in writing. It was so good, so wise, and so full of great advice. It was also incredibly well written. Her advice was clear, succinct and straight forward. The book feels approachable, not pretentious or snobby, just simple advice interspersed with funny anecdotes. 

In Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott goes through all the different aspects of writing, like plot and character. She also gives you a few tips to get you moving when you're writing. For example, I really liked her idea of "short writing assignments." Basically, the idea is that sitting down and thinking "Okay, I'm going to write a whole novel," or even "I'm going to write a whole chapter" can be really overwhelming. So you don't. You just focus on one short moment, like the way the building looks or what the character thinks about someone they just met. Then you write a whole novel, just focusing on these small moments. 

Another thing that I liked about it was that, as I said before, it was simple and straightforward. Some books I've read about writing make writing sound like a terrifying activity, or something completely impossible, or something only for crazy people. It wasn't like she made it sound easy. But it was never melodramatic. It actually made writing sound like something you could do, if you really worked at it. And it actually inspired me to write, and made me want to write, which is not something I always feel.

One of the best things I got out of the book was the idea that you should think of your writing project as a gift for someone. For example, let's say you're writing a story inspired by something in your childhood. You should think of someone who would be really moved by this story, like maybe your siblings or your parents, and pretend that you're writing this story as a gift for them. (Or maybe not pretend. Maybe it really could be a gift for them.) I think this idea could be really great motivation for writing, especially when you're having a rough day and don't want to keep going. Just imagine how happy this person will be when they read your story. After all, as Lamott points out many times, we are a highly communicative species, and isn't the point of writing to share your thoughts with someone else? 

Also, if you're a writer and you're on Twitter, I would highly recommend following Anne Lamott. She tweets writing advice and encouragement almost every day. It's like having your own writing cheerleader.