Melissa West

Strangely, this post feels almost like a dream. Two years ago on January 1st 2010, I decided I wanted to write a book. I had this idea that wouldn't die down and for some reason (that had nothing to do with silly New Year's resolutions) I decided to write. Looking back, I made all the mistakes. The novel began with a dream, was littered with adverbs, and etc. I thought I knew more than I did. I thought the writing thing would be easy. And many rejections later, I realized I had a lot to learn. Fast forward to November 2010, I had another idea. A great idea. And so I started writing, but I didn't have the time to dedicate much. So to keep my tradition (and b/c December is crazy), on January 1st 2011, I started with a blank document and dove into that great idea again. This time, it took. This time I couldn't stop writing. That novel was GRAVITY. I can't tell you how crazy it is that a year ago GRAVITY was just a thought, and now it's going to be published. I can...

++++++++++++++++++++ Title: THE VANISHING GAME Author: Kate Kae Myers Release Date: February 14th, 2012 Blurb: (Pulled from Goodreads) Jocelyn's twin brother Jack was the only family she had growing up in a world of foster homes-and now he's dead, and she has nothing. Then she gets a cryptic letter from "Jason December"-the code name her brother used to use when they were children at Seale House, a terrifying foster home that they believed had dark powers. Only one other person knows about Jason December: Noah, Jocelyn's childhood crush and their only real friend among the troubled children at Seale House.But when Jocelyn returns to Seale House and the city where she last saw Noah, she gets more than she bargained for. Turns out the house's powers weren't just a figment of a childish imagination. And someone is following Jocelyn. Is Jack still alive? And if he is, what kind of trouble is he in? The answer is revealed in a shocking twist that turns this...

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating! Want to participate? Post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave your link at Breaking the Spine. Here's mine: ++++++++++++++++++++ Title: PERIGEE MOON Author: Tara Fuller Genre: Young Adult Blurb: (Pulled from Goodreads ) . After a horrific fire claims the life of her mother, seventeen year old Rowan Bliss finds herself in the miniscule town of Ipswich, Massachusetts. It’s here that she meets Alex, a deliciously mysterious boy who holds the key to unlocking her family’s dark secret. . As Rowan falls helplessly over the edge for Alex, the secrets that he insists on keeping refuse to be contained, and the truth that she uncovers challenges everything she has ever believed. Alex is a witch. And now he’s awakened something within her she never even knew existed. But out of all of this, the one thing Rowan won’t accept is the fact that...

Sooo...remember my WoW INSURGENT pre-order contest? Well, I have a winner! I did the random drawing thing. And the winner is... . Rain Laaman . Yay! Congrats! Please watch out for my email so we can firm up the details. Thanks so much to everyone that participated. This was so much fun that I'm going to work up a monthly WoW giveaway. So make sure to check in, say hi, and watchout for awesome things to come in 2012. . Happy Holidays!

. So yesterday I was thinking about why I write (and read) YA and came to a really embarrassing conclusion. Do you remember when you were in high school and had your first real crush? Do you remember how it felt like the entire world was spinning when he (or she) would talk to you? Do you remember the intensity of your first kiss? . That’s why I write YA and why I love reading it. I get that same tingly feeling when I write (or read) one of those scenes. It’s addicting. I love recreating the amaziness, awkwardness, and general craziness of being a teen.

I'm jumping on the super cool WoW trend, but in the spirit of the holidays, I wanted to make it a bit more fun with a contest! . So here's how this will work--below you'll find my WoW pick. All you have to do is comment (including your email) and follow my blog for a chance to win a pre-ordered copy . Not interested in this book? Then if you're the winner, you can choose any single book on Amazon to swap out for this one. Don't want a book? Then I'll offer a 10 page (or 1st chapter) critique to the winner. Simple, right? Now to my pick. . ************************************************************************* . I love, love, loved DIVERGENT, so for my first ever WoW I decided to go with... . . Title: INSURGENT Author: Veronica Roth Genre: YA Dystopian What's it about, Fred?: (Pulled from Goodreads) One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must...

It's tough for us writers, don't you think? We have a zillion words we're not supposed to use, including an entire segment of the language called adverbs (which I do use, btw). Then we're told that our writing should flow, yet not turn purple. Keep it tight, but not choppy. How are we ever to get it right? . Here's my 2c. The most important thing in writing is that the narrative flows. We work on making sure dialogue reads naturally, so why not the same for the narrative? I think that's the secret. Our novels, especially if written in 1st, should sound like your MC is talking to the reader. . Now, would a person actually say every line the way you've written it? Of course not. There has to be balance between beautiful lines and lines that move the story. And if we focus too hard on making every line beautiful, then what happens? Over writing. Author talk. We don't have to prove we can write by making a line beautiful. We prove we can write by t...

Let’s pretend Santa could bring you a writing strength for Christmas. What would you ask for? And what author do you feel has that strength? For me, it would be world building. Those of you that have followed my blog for a while know I struggle with this more than anything. I write fast-paced, tight stories. You’ll find fight scenes, high tension, kissing scenes, and etc. in my novels. Long drawn out bits of description? Not so much. I have to force myself to weave in all the little details during revision that strengthen my world. I wish it came more naturally, but I’m not that lucky. As for the authors that do this well, for YA I think Suzanne Collins, Cassandra Clare, and Elizabeth C. Bunce are all wonderful world builders. And then, of course, Tolkien is the master. What about you? What writing strength do you want for Christmas?