Tuesday, October 18, 2016

NaNoWriMo - Prep

I have decided to try out NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and see where it takes me. I tried it last year, but I didn't get a whole lot done. I have problems with finishing projects. *sigh*
But this November I WILL complete my WIP and shake my fist at procrastination! I've already written around 35,000 words, so 15,000 more can't be that hard...right?
I have only finished one writing project longer then 10,000 words which ended up being 20,000 ish words. So this is a heftier project.
I will prevail!
Anyway...my weakness is outlining. I'm a natural pantser, but I have to write a thorough outline or else my ideas and plans start spider-webbing with no end in sight. If you're familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality types, I'm an INFP which means I am not what you would call organized or structured. Plus I'm extremely right-brained which kinda means my brain does little multi-colored explosions that send sparkly unicorns prancing toward new shiny ideas...ideas which they eat up and then run wildly in all directions.
So as I prepare, I am refining my outline and trying to stay inspired. Oh yes, and saying no to tempting new concepts that smell like cinnamon rolls and bacon.
I've been rummaging through NaNo's forums and I see that people are making lists of things they need to do before and during November. Lists...hmmm...remind me what those are again? They sound...practical. And they don't smell like cinnamon rolls and bacon. They smell like...new shoes. *eyes them skeptically*
We'll see how this goes.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Book Review

A Time to Rise by Nadine Brandes 


A Time to Speak: *Parvin dies*
A Time to Rise: *JUST KIDDING*

Okay, so Parvin is back with God guiding her steps. She literally came up from the grave because He wasn't done with her yet.
I love how much Parvin has grown throughout the series and though she has changed a lot since book 1, it hasn't been unrealistic. I loved her confidence in the Lord. It's amazing how when we let go of our own desires to serve God, He gives us the boldness to walk in His path. Parvin was definitely more bold, but not cocky. Spiritual boldness is much different then arrogance. In fact, it's quite the opposite, for to be truly confident in God, you must surrender your pride. I really enjoyed that message throughout the book.
The plot was riveting and not at all what I predicted. in some ways I liked that, but in my Skelly Chase predictions, I wasn't as satisfied. Lots of plot twists, surprises, and awesome moments.
Of course, just like the previous 2 books, the action was none stop and yet somehow Nadine managed to fit in character development, humor, sweet moments, and little things that really glued the book together.
Nadine's writing has improved and I really felt myself drawn into Parvin's world even more so then the first one.

Violence: shooting, beating, a dog attack in which everyone ends up okay. There are also some moments where a character deals with violent thoughts (said character couldn't help it).
Language: zero
Romance: one quick kiss. Can I just say, even though there was a love story, Nadine didn't feel the need to revolve the book around their relationship. It's hard to find a young adult book where the romance is clean, crisp, and cute without it becoming the center of the characters story. It was refreshing.

Over all, A Time to Rise was a great ending to the Out of Time series, and I look forward to more of Nadine Brandes' work in the future!