More Author Insight: Reread, Revise, Rewrite!

How do you know when a scene needs rewriting?

 

"I usually know as I’m writing it that something’s off, but I give it until morning and reread with fresh eyes." - Leah Clifford, author of A Touch Mortal.

"If I cringe when I read it." - Daisy Whitney, author of The Mockingbirds.

"When I’m bored reading it or can’t clearly answer the question 'what’s the point of this scene?'" - Jen Nadol, author of The Mark.

 

 

"Every scene needs rewriting. The trick is to know when to stop." - Jon Skovron, author of Struts & Frets.

Author Insight: Reread, Revise, Rewrite!

How do you know when a scene needs rewriting?

"Because all my scenes do!"- Elizabeth Scott, author of Grace.

"When it sucks." - Heidi Kling, author of Sea.

"If I keep nitpicking at a scene, changing a word here or  a phrase there, I know there's something wrong.  Something in my subconscious keeps sending me back to that scene, and until I fix it, I'm going to keep tweaking." - Scott Tracey, author of Witch Eyes.

"I know a scene needs rewriting when I read it out loud and it lacks emotion." - Danielle Joseph, author of Indigo Blues.

The Great Escape Contest Winner

And the lucky winner of ARCs of Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel, Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, and a signed hardcover of The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller is...

   

   

ThrouTheHaze!

Congratulations! I have sent you a notification e-mail and will ship your books out as soon as possible.

Thanks to everyone who entered and stay tuned for more!

More Author Insight: Books They Love

Is there one book that has had an impact on not only your writing, but on you personally?

 

"When I was very young my grandma used to read me stories. My favorite was Winnie the Pooh…the one where he eats all the honey and gets stuck in Rabbit’s hole. Well, my grandma stopped reading one day and I just kept going where she’d left off. I was about four. I’d memorized the whole book. I remember realizing people wrote those books and wanting to be one of those people." - Leah Clifford, author of A Touch Mortal.

"A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean has had the biggest impact on my writing and on me personally because that book contains so many universal truths about people, relationships, our failings, and our successes." - Daisy Whitney, author of The Mockingbirds.

"Wake by Lisa McMann.  I was toward the end of The Mark’s revisions - my editor had asked me to speed pacing and trim the fat and I thought I was doing what she wanted.  Then I read Wake.  Lisa McMann’s prose is so tight and the storytelling so focused…I loved the book and, more than that, I finally got it that if a word or passage or dialogue can be cut with no measurable impact on the story, it should be." - Jen Nadol, author of The Mark.

 

 

"Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins. It's funny and it will hurt your brain every single time you read it. The mark of great book is that you see different things each time you read it. Not because the book is different of course, but because you are." - Jon Skovron, author of Struts & Frets.

Tweet News (14)

What did you miss on Twitter this week?

Author David MacInnis Gill shared the musical inspiration for Black Hole Sun with Harper Teen...  TWEET.

Penguin Teen announced that film rights to Ally Condie's Matched have been sold... TWEET.

Author Tessa Gratton unveiled the cover of her debut novel, Blood Magic... TWEET.

Speak, Twenty Boy Summer, and Slaughterhouse Five were trashed in by Missouri college professor...TWEET, TWEET and TWEET.

Author Sarah Ockler spoke loudly about Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak... TWEET.

Harper Teen revealed the trailer for Kisses from Hell, a paranormal anthology featuring Richelle Mead, Alyson Noel, and more... TWEET.

Author Lauren DeStefano offered you a sneak peek at Wither... TWEET.

Author Cassandra Clare shared the Bulgarian cover of City of Glass... TWEET.

Harper Teen reminded you to check out the first six chapters of Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen free online... TWEET.

Author Sophie Jordan and Harper Teen announced that there will be a Firelight movie... TWEET.

Author Elana Johnson revealed the cover of her debut novel, Possession (formerly titled Control Issues)... TWEET.

Harper Teen showed you where you can read the first four chapters of Francesca Lia Block's The Frenzy for free... TWEET.

Author Janet Gurtler unveiled the cover of The Weight of Bones... TWEET.

Author Insight: Books They Love

Is there one book that has had an impact on not only your writing, but on you personally?

"One book? No, not one--but hundreds! I adore reading. I always have."- Elizabeth Scott, author of Grace.

"Yes." - Heidi Kling, author of Sea.

"I'd have to go with The Secret Garden.  It's the first book I read where I remember being absolutely fascinated by the story, the world, and the characters.  I finished it and immediately started reading it all over again." - Scott Tracey, author of Witch Eyes.

"There are quite a few books that have had an impact on my writing but one in particular is White Oleander by Janet Fitch. I read it before writing Shrinking Violet. It was so good and well written and gave me forward momentum to jump writing into my novel." - Danielle Joseph, author of Indigo Blues.

More Author Insight: In the Name of Research

What is the most outlandish thing you've done in the name of research?

 

"I had a trunked novel that featured a body underwater in a pond. Thought it would be a good idea to Google what would happen to said body when it was left underwater. DO NOT GOOGLE THINGS LIKE THAT BEFORE BED. …or ever." - Leah Clifford, author of A Touch Mortal.

"My husband once got me access to the Yankees lockerroom after a game with the Mariners in 99. Oh wait, that was for a screenplay I wrote on a cool chick sportscaster!" - Daisy Whitney, author of The Mockingbirds.

"Spent a morning with a funeral director, touring the mortuary and learning what happens to a dead body from start to finish." - Jen Nadol, author of The Mark.

 

 

"I do a lot of outlandish things. Some of them end up as research. Some of them just end up as really bad ideas." - Jon Skovron, author of Struts & Frets.

Tweet News (13)

What did you miss on Twitter this week?

Author Hannah Moskowitz posted a teaser from her sniper book... TWEET.

Harper Teen announced that Kiersten White's Paranormalcy will debut on the New York Times Bestseller list... TWEET.

 Simon & Schuster Teen unveiled the trailer for Fallout by Ellen Hopkins... TWEET.

Harper Teen showed you where to read the synopsis and see the cover of Veronica Roth's Divergent... TWEET.

Author Lisa Desrochers invited you to check out the playlist for Personal Demons... TWEET.

Penguin Teen showed you where you can read the first chapter of Brenna Yovanoff's The Replacement... TWEET.

Harlequin Teen announced that Unraveled by Gena Showalter has made the New York Times Bestseller list... TWEET.

Author Kody Keplinger shared details and pictures from the launch of her debut novel, The DUFF... TWEET.

Harper Teen revealed the trailer for The Unidentified... TWEET.

Penguin Teen gave you a listen to the music that inspired The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff... TWEET.

Author Maggie Stiefvater showed Nook owners where they can read a deleted scene from Forever, the final book of the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy... TWEET.

Tor Teen celebrated the release of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers... TWEET.

Harlequin Teen showed you what book was in the Emmy's gift bag... TWEET.

Penguin Teen unveiled the new website for Catherine Fisher's books... TWEET.

Author Lisa Desrochers shared the first sighting of Personal Demons in the wild... TWEET.

Harper Teen gave you a sneak peak at the cover art for A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford... TWEET.

Author Insight: In the Name of Research

What is the most outlandish thing you've done in the name of research?

"Talked to people who'd lived in a country I'd rather not name to find out if it was as bad as I'd read. (Short answer: YES!) Oh, and I learned how to disable most common in-home security systems for my novel, Stealing Heaven --not that I've done it, but it's almost scary how easy it is to learn how to do it."- Elizabeth Scott, author of Grace.

"Joined a coven*  (*I really haven't, but I would like to visit one.)" - Heidi Kling, author of Sea.

"I put on a hoodie and then asked my writing partner to stand on the couch and start choking me, all so I could figure out how the hoodie would bunch up on the body, and what would hurt." - Scott Tracey, author of Witch Eyes.

"I went to a nudist colony! I was able to go fully clothed with a friend but that was certainly a very cool experience. I saw things I had never seen before, lol!" - Danielle Joseph, author of Indigo Blues.

More Author Insight: Wait on the muse or kidnap her...

Do you write when you're inspired or do you write to get inspired?

 

"A combination of both. Sometimes you just can’t force it, but you can’t have too many of those days in a row or they become a pattern." - Leah Clifford, author of A Touch Mortal.

"Writing is like exercise. I try to do it every day. And I believe the inspiration comes from the habit, the act, the daily discipline of writing." - Daisy Whitney, author of The Mockingbirds.

"Both. I always write down stuff when inspiration strikes – there’s a pile of those scribbled notes next to my keyboard and they often become the best passages or key connections in a novel. But I also force myself to write when it doesn’t come easily. The discipline is important and eventually – sometimes over many days – the words start to come." - Jen Nadol, author of The Mark.

 

"Both. I write a lot." - Jon Skovron, author of Struts & Frets.

Tweet News (12)

What did you miss on Twitter this week?

Harper Teen showed you where you can read the first six chapters of Anna Godbersen’s Bright Young Things… TWEET.

Author Rachel Vincent posted the trailer for her latest werecats novel Alpha... TWEET.

The YA Rebels continued to read from their novels... TWEET, TWEET, TWEET, and TWEET.

Author Richelle Mead unveiled the cover of Iron Crowned... TWEET.

Harper Teen let you read the first 11 chapters of Beastly by Alex Flinn... TWEET.

Author Aprilynne Pike announced the title of her third book... TWEET.

Open Book Society told you how many copies of Suzanne Collins' Mockingjay were sold in the first week... TWEET.

Author Kiersten White hunted down her debut novel, Paranormalcy, in stores on release day… TWEET.

Harper Teen gave you a chance to browse inside Firelight by Sophie Jordan… TWEET.

Author Maggie Stiefvater announced her UK tour schedule… TWEET.

Check out the covers of Harper Teen’s August and September releases… TWEET.

Author Insight: Wait on the muse or kinap her...

Do you write when you're inspired, or do you write to get inspired?

"I write because I love it--and because it is my job. Inspiration comes--the writing must go on even when doubts creep in."- Elizabeth Scott, author of Grace.

"Both." - Heidi Kling, author of Sea.

"I write every day, so inspiration comes and goes. For me, the only way I can work is if I show up every day and put in the work, whether or not the inspiration is there." - Scott Tracey, author of Witch Eyes.

"I can't go too long without writing. If I do, I feel off balance, kind of icky. However, I can't start on a new idea until I get sparks from it." - Danielle Joseph, author of Indigo Blues.

The Great Escape Contest

Do you live in a fantasy world?
Is there room on your shelves for these recently released YA titles?
Well, this is your chance to win them!

One lucky reader will win ARCs of Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel, Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, and a signed hardcover of The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller.
Just fill out the form below to enter. U.S. Only. Contest ends 9/21 at midnight EST.

   

   

More Author Insight: Bookish Battles

What is the worst fight you've ever had with a character?

 

"I tried my damnedest to keep a character from showing up until Book Two. He wouldn’t have it. He was very right to stick to his guns though! " - Leah Clifford, author of A Touch Mortal.

"I tried to break up a character from her true love for the longest time and she kept getting back together with him. Finally, I just said, 'Girl, I am in charge and that boy is not yours right now!'" - Daisy Whitney, author of The Mockingbirds.

"We don’t really fight. They just give me the silent treatment which is much worse. I hate when they won’t talk to me or figure out what they should do next to move the story along." - Jen Nadol, author of The Mark.

 

"I don't have fights with my characters. Because I'd always lose." - Jon Skovron, author of Struts & Frets.

Tweet News (11)

What did you miss on Twitter this week?

Fountain Bookstore passed along the word about Random Acts of Publicity... TWEET.

Harlequin Teen told you where you can read the first chapter of Mara Purnhagen's Past Midnight... TWEET.

Penguin Teen gave you a sneak peak into Across the Universe by Beth Revis... TWEET.

Author Carrie Ryan revealed the cover of The Dark and Hollow Places... TWEET.

Author Gena Showalter blogs about her latest YA novel Unraveled... TWEET.

Penguin Teen let you open the mail with them... TWEET and TWEET.

Harper Teen gave you a look behind the scenes of the Bright Young Things cover shoot... TWEET.

The YA Rebels read from their novels and will continue all week... TWEET.

Publisher's Weekly shared that Borders has launched a new loyalty program... TWEET.

Harper Teen reminded you to check out the trailer for Holly Cupala's Tell Me A Secret... TWEET.

Penguin Teen unveiled the cover of Gayle Forman's Where She Went... TWEET.

Author Maria V. Snyder spilled the goods about Spy Glass... TWEET.

Harper Teen gave you another chance to read the first nine chapters of Paranormalcy by Kiersten White... TWEET.

Author Scott Westerfeld announced that Leviathan ranked with Steampunk Scholars... TWEET.