Two Week Read #1

So I'm doing something new here on Rissa Snepp Wreck! Two Week Reads!

Every two weeks I will pick a novel to read. Initially I will post a summary of the book and encourage others to read it as well. Two weeks later I will hash out a short review on the book--why it's so awesome or why it isn't so awesome (honestly, honesty is a beautiful thing). Then I will randomly choose one of my followers/subscribers to receive the book!

Yayyyy! Let the Giveaways begin! Prizes! Books! BOOKS AS PRIZES! Yippie!

Moving right along....

The book will mostly come from various sorts of Young Adult or New Adult genres. The novel will, of course, be a good read but I also want it to be a novel that can help writers cultivate their own craft. I don't think I've ever stressed the importance for writers to read, read, read! But folks, it is a MUST. There is nothing wrong with learning to perfect your own writing skills while studying successful (Not just PUBLISHED, but SUCCESSFUL-there is a huge difference) authors too. How else did you learn how to write so well? Where did your love for books come from? Reading! Duh!

So whilst browsing the lovely Barnes and Noble this weekend I found myself searching for a novel with some effective world building, a well done complicated plot, innovative concepts, and well developed characters. After reading the summaries and flipping through the pages of a few books I came across All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill.

Below is a short summary from Good Reads of the book.

****"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. 

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. 

Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.****

People Watching and Character Development

I like watching people. It helps with character development. Let me explain how.

So everyone is different, right? Right. And oftentimes our external appearance reflect our internal self. The clothing we choose to wear. The hairstyles we don. What we carry in our bags. The amount of makeup we use (I should really tone down the blush). How we walk and talk. The company we keep. Our posture and stance. The length or color of our fingernails. It all says SOMETHING about who we are as one individual in this massive world.

Now as writers we can look at complete strangers and develop an entire list of challenges, insecurities, pet peeves, family members, mind-blowing secrets they're harboring, and other scenarios for that person. It's just what we do. We have some of the more creative and brilliant imaginations on the planet (toot toot)...simultaneously however we just have one mind--bummer, I know. There are so many diverse personalities, attributes, bad habits, behaviors, hobbies, pet peeves, and so on floating around this world and its perfectly fine to discover those facets from simply watching regular day folk.

Honestly, it's not as weird as it sounds. Although some folks make deem me rather nosy, eccentric, or downright stalker-ish, it actually aids with character development and expanding your scope in regards to human personality. Our experiences in this world and simply what we capture with our eyes help form our characters, it's just that watching people can aid in shaping and perfecting that character too.It can also help with showing and not telling, knowing how to give brilliant detail, how to focus in on what's important about the character and so on.

So, what I like to do is go to the bookstore and take notes on my laptop or iPad (the one my father allowed me to "steal" from him as he likes to put it). I may drink a cup of coffee or have a glass of hibiscus tea with my earphones in, pretending to listen to music (s/o to Mike--one of my superdy duper awesome best friends!) but actually eavesdropping--I'm a mastermind at this, mind you. And I just watch people's mannerisms, demeanor, quirky little habits, and so on. And from what I capture of them I form it into a totally new idea.

This is what I saw yesterday at Panera.  This is the character I immediately thought of.

• The fancy girl constantly tugging her sleeves down and steps back when someone inches too close.--Her speech is polished. Her walk is poised. She is as posh as can be. Her entire demeanor screams that of a wealthy daddy's girl who lived a life so charmed that growing up her elegant and jeweled hands couldn't even hold a broomstick properly. But what outsiders don't know are the amount of doctor visits she's had, the countless pills she's nearly choked on, and the number of hours she's laid awake, her eyes tracing the swirls on her ceiling, hoping the childhood memories in her dreams won't haunt her sleep. Praying she won't have to see the broad and shadowy figure of the familiar man who slipped into her bedroom every night. That's why the scars trail up and down her arms like a second skin. She's so angry about her weakness. She wants to stab it. Kill it. Quickly get rid of it. Just like she can her skin. But she can't cut her memories. Cutting the memories would mean cutting her skin deeper. What would her daughter do without her? That would just be downright selfish and even wicked considering...leaving her with daddy would be unthinkable. He would just find a way to enter her bedroom too. 

•  A ragged looking woman toting three toddlers -- She's so annoyed with her life right now. She should have listened to her parents. Her father begged her not to do it. And now running to the courthouse with the first guy to say "I love you" and knock her up was the biggest regret of her life. But who would have thought she'd pop out triplets? And don't even let her really get started on Bill. His five-year plan was totally a five-year and everything goes kaput plan. Whenever she looks in the mirror she can't help but reflect on the broken promises, flawed plans, and the size 4 she once was. She curses, as usual, as she plucks yet another gray hair from her scalp. And good Lord she's not even 25! Who grays before 25? And when was the last time she went to church? Oh yeah, Bill is an atheist. He doesn't want to force a so called false God onto his children. She wish she'd found that out before having his babies...the jerk.

See what I'm saying?! And those are just my random notes on the folks I saw. I haven't even worked them into complete characters or anything. I just compiled a short little summary and that was it. You can easily build off it or work it into current characters. I call the first lady the Unlucky Princess and the second...I don't know, The Drowning Mother or something. I didn't like that chick too much (lol).

So that's why I people watch. It's entertaining, it's helpful, and it really gets you thinking about the various types of people in this world. Good luck with your stalking! ;-)

Hey Film Adaptations! Why Alter Brilliance?!?!?!

So over the weekend I finally (I've been waiting on this film for the past two years, mind you!) saw The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie with my dear friend Ames! As typical movie goers we were pleased and pretty much impressed with the outcome. However, as avid readers and huge fans of the book series we expected a bit more. Hollywood loves to shake things up a bit though, right? Right. Nevertheless, I truly do applaud the cast, Cassandra Clare, the production team, writers and yada yada yada...BUT I have a bit of a bone to pick with Hollywood in general. My question isssss

Why alter brilliance? There were some BIG differences between the book and movie. I'm just saying!

Now, the cast/characters were virtually true to the books, but I would have preferred Mr. Bower to pull off a better sarcastic (although Jace claims it is for the imaginatively bankrupt folks), troubled, and hauntingly beautiful Jace. The other characters were virtually spot on--Simon and Alec were performed quite well--but I hope to see more of Isabelle's complex personality in the next movie. And Magnus Bane...well, let's just say I'd love to see more of that guy in the next film. Bom chicka wah wah, anyone? As well, what the heck happened to Max!? The youngest Lightwood! He should have made an entrance towards the end. As well as the Lightwood mom. And Raphael Santiago! Got to love Hollywood, right?

Another aspect of the film that had my gears-a-grindin' were the altercations regarding major and minor plot details. I just don't get it--why mess with perfection? I don't know about any other reader but I can distinctly recall Valentine (that awesome, awesome villain--yeah I tend to root for the wrong side, what of it?!) to have white hair and NOT BRAIDS! Where the freak did the braids come from? Why were his eyes leaking crocodile tears? Good Lord, keep the villain just the way he is. Hardcore, wicked, manipulative, and dark as hell.

Also, Clary was supposed to kill the demon with a sensor. Okay, so I admit that explaining this creative device would have been a bit challenging for non-readers, but c'mon! I did not care for Jace swooping in and saving Clary like she's some damsel in distress. I was looking forward to her throwing that in Alec's face later on but...it never happened.

Additionally, I wanted Luke to fight Valentine and exchange a few choice words....like it happened in the book. I wanted Simon to turn into a rat....like it happened in the book. And I didn't want the demons breaking into the institute and the showdown going down there....totally not like it happened in the book.

And don't even let me get started on Church the cat. That little sly devilish thing of a cat didn't even make the big screen! Shameful! But not that shameful because I harbor a deep hate for cats--childhood scars, don't ask.

All in all, it was an excellent film but as a reader of the books, I know exactly what was missing and what was added and let me tell yah...this girl right here was not too joyful in that aspect. But hey, I get it...to an extent anyway. I just hope the next film stays a bit more true to Ms. Clare's written work.

Be Your Own Worst Enemy AND Most Loyal Fan

As Writers we tend to down ourselves a tad too much for my liking. Don't believe me? Okay, let me tell you why...

We are totally our own worst enemy. And I suppose that is alright, but only to an extent. It's more important to be your most loyal fan ever. Considering how much commitment, time, organization, brainstorming, and just a crap load of energy we've invested in our work we should be the ones to love it the most because WE KNOW what it took to create such a thing. Am I right? Of course I'm right. I'm always right.

I don't believe there is anything wrong with accepting that your work needs improvement. Knowing that your character development could use some tweaking. Or realizing that you do a little too much telling rather than showing. Or that your dialogue doesn't flow smoothly. Heck, not everyone can grab ideas from their head and execute them on paper so easily. For some of us it takes a billion tries.

But in those billion tries just remember there is nothing wrong with being unsatisfied and wanting to fix problems (like the ones listed above), but there is definitely something wrong with being unsatisfied and wanting to give up the ghost or quit. Nuh uh, not cool my friends, not cool at all.

Let me give you an example. Us writers have a knack for strolling right on into Gloomy Grove whenever we receive harsh (but you know it's true) criticism or form/blunt rejections from literary agents, editors, or critique partners. I remember when my father's friend read my novel and days later he had a mouth full of feedback for me, both positive and negative. And I'm not going to lie...for a minute there he was no longer my favorite. I didn't think of him as a cool Uncle anymore because he was being way too honest with me (I mean he's ALWAYS way too honest with me to the point of embarrassment, but still!) and I didn't want to hear it. However...I NEEDED IT!

And that's what writers need to realize when facing rejections or criticism--you need the advice, silly! I didn't realize it so quickly though. After receiving rejections from agents, talking with editors, and getting feedback from critique partners and family/friends, this girl right here fell into some writer depression. Now every other aspect of my life was fine and dandy but I didn't even have the desire to look at my book. I just didn't want to face the inevitable...the dreaded revisions and edits and blah blah blah. That's right, she didn't want to do it. And when I say she, I mean me! At the time I didn't recognize it, but I was prolonging the completion of my novel. I was causing the growth of my writing career to become stagnant. It was me who was allowing a lack of confidence to weigh me down. And before I knew it...it'd been months before I took a peek at my manuscript. Bad, right? Yep, real bad.

Essentially what I'm attempting to explain to you is never be completely satisfied with your WIP (work in progress) because there is always room for improvement. Heck, even J.K. Rowling wishes she could rewrite the Harry Potter series! Blasphemy, I know! But, don't be so unsatisfied that you want to give up and quit the whole writing thing. Be a bit of an enemy and a loyal fan, yah get it? Hope so. And this isn't just for writing your novel, this can be with anything in your life. Stop allowing the monkey on your back (stress, life issues, setbacks, unfulfillment, etc.) to weigh you down. And good Lord, definitely don't let that monkey turn into a gorilla....or even worse KING KONG! Life isn't as serious as your mind wants your heart to believe.