NaNo Eve!

NaNo is here again...if you didn't already know that.

So, last year was my first year at NaNo, and if you didn't know, SHADOW FUTURE was NaNo '11 book! :D

So just some pep talking to get you all ready!

1. Just do your best.

2. Don't rush yourself.

3. Set a work goal you can do, and add more if it looks like you'll go over! (I do this often)

4. Write, write, write!

There, some quick points to get you ready. And remember: if you DON'T win, it's not the end of your writing career, writing under pressure just isn't your thing! No big deal. :)

Good luck, and Happy Halloween!

-Madison

UPDATE: Write On! Teens is having a NaNo Begins party here from 11:30-12:00pm EST!

Stay Safe!

Me: I have FULL confidence that Millicent, Michael and Matthew didn't start Hurricane Sandy. *eyes them* right guys?

The Parkers: *just stares*

Me: RIGHT?! Tell me the truth!

The Parkers: *giggle, snort, chuckle*

 

Me: *swallows nervously* um well...*stares at the cat* I can at least trust you right?

Cloud: *walks off, ignoring me*



Me: *sighs*

All you guys out there, stay safe, k? Have a good book ready!

-Madison

Feels, books, and birds

I just randomly through that post title together...just so you know.

Ok, so I need to post something, so I'm just going to go all random:

Annabeth!!

Feels? Well, I just finished MARK OF ATHENA by Rick Riordan, Book 3 in the Heroes of Olympus series. (if you haven't read Percy Jackson yet, you NEED to.) and oh my word...the FEELS. I always think Rick can't be any better, and he does. He never disappoints. Ever. I'm hoping it comes to Ohio soon, so I can meet him. And get all my bookies signed!!!

Rick's website, in case you want to visit it! :)

And books? Well, I read through Two Rings #3, and it seriously needs help, but I will not be starting the editing process until AFTER NaNo. So I need to be strong!! I NEED TO BE. 

Also, THE STORM should start edits soon...my mom is doing it, then I will send it to beta readers, so on so forth.

Percy!! *swoon* (I'm going to marry Percy someday...Just sayin'.)

And birds? Well, I just needed to add something else to the title...but there ARE creepy birds flying around outside my window. And the sky is creepy. It's making my imagination freak out. Good thing it's too cold for tornadoes...must be Hurricane Sandy...

Before you stop reading this, because you're bored (lol): go check out the Write On! twitter page! We want to know what YOU'RE reading today! :) Link: https://twitter.com/WriteOnTeens

I hope everyone has a great rest of their Saturday!!

-Maddi 

Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins Cover Reveal!

This cover is awesome guys, you'll love it:

Blurb:

Anna Whitt, daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a claim. She’d been naive about a lot of things. Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

Publication Date:  April 30, 2013 from HarperTeen

Isn't it gorgeous?? HarperTeen is amazing with covers...I think it's even better than SWEET EVIL's cover. Tell me what you think in comments!! :)

Wendy Higgins was born in Alaska, grew up an Army brat, and lived all over the United States before settling in the Washington, DC area. She attended George Mason University for her undergrad degree in creative writing, and Radford University for her masters in curriculum and instruction. Wendy taught 9th and 12th grade English in a rural school before becoming a mother and author. She now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. Sweet Peril is her second novel.


(Book 3 of The Sweet Trilogy, Sweet Reckoning, is slated for spring/summer 2014.)

Author's website:  http://www.wendyhigginswrites.com

Wendy Higgins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_Higgins

Character Kaidan Rowe on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaidanRowe

Sweet Peril on Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15768191-sweet-peril

Preorder on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Peril-Wendy-Higgins/dp/0062265946/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351179630&sr=1-1&keywords=sweet+peril

Preorder on Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sweet-peril-wendy-higgins/1113200731?ean=9780062265944

Preorder on The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Sweet-Peril-Wendy-Higgins/9780062265944 

Author's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.higgins.315?ref=tn_tnmn

Sweet Evil's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Evil-novel-by-Wendy-Higgins/118348174915427

-Madison

NaNo Advice: Why character bios?

Ok, I'm back, with more #nanoprep stuff. Today's topic:

Why should I write character bios?

1. you get to know your characters better.

2. instead of winging your characters backstory, or making up things as you go along, you know EXACTLY what they're like, WHAT they like, and what their story is.

3. It gets you all excited to start writing about these truly awesome characters.

You may be asking: "But I like winging it, and making it up as I go." then that's you, do what you like. I used to do that, but I've noticed that things get really confusing if I don't know my characters at all. ;P (editing takes extra long that way...)

(I will most likely continue doing character bios for novels in the future, these characters are going to be prettttty sweet.)

Another question: "how do I write character bios?"

Well, what I did was: find their name, or if you don't have their name yet, just put something else down. Then, you write about them. Doesn't have to be perfect grammar, or anything fancy. Just write what you know about them, add things when you think of it. Like for my MC, I wrote: "She has pink hair." now...that can say a lot about your character, can't it? It's kind of liking writing a summary about someone you know. Maybe say that their stubborn, or nice, or pretty. (whatever suits you.)*

*You can also find people who look like your character. Like actors, and actresses. And if you have trouble finding a name, just look through newpapers, books, movie credits. It'll come to you!*

For the final thing you may be thinking: "what if I go through all that trouble, and I never even glance at my bios?" then that's fine, if you don't use them, that's a-okay.

...

Again, I felt very inspired to write a blog post. Remember to add me as a buddy: maddielb (if you want to, that is. ;))

-Madison

Teaser Tuesday: Dim Future #3

Helllllllo, everyone!!! Here's the teaser for this week!! ENJOY! :D

I never saw him enter the school, and he was always the first one on the bus. Everything was so confusing. Life was confusing.

Hope you guys enjoyed! ;D

-Madison

PS: Don't forget about the awesome blog post going up Nov. 1st!

Why my Monday just got 100% more awesome

Ok so...as you know, SHADOW FUTURE is now available in the Ohio library system...so...today, after lunch, I went to the library to see it, so I could take pictures of it, and fangirl.

When I got there, I couldn't find it on the shelf. And I was all like: "SAD FACE." Then, we asked the YA librarian if it was on the shelves, and she said, yes. She looked up the book in the system of the library, and told us:

"Someone has checked out your book."


I was all like:



Then I was like:



Then I was this:



It's like: YEAHHHH! SOMEONE CHECKED OUT MY BOOK, then you're like...oh my gosh, I'm going to pass out from happiness, then, you're like...someone's reading my book...right now...and I have no idea who they are at all...AHHHHHHH.

I also told Pearl about it, and she had the same reaction as I did:

She totally understood this...

Ok so, all in all, my Monday got 100% more awesome. It was already awesome because 1. I had no classes all day, just math. And 2. we went out for lunch. So this just added on to the awesomeness. 

....

I hope you guys are having as great a day as I am!! You guys rock! :)

-Madison

NaNo Advice: Why Outline?

I've asked this question many times before, and I've been told the answer. But I've never actually done it. Until today, that is.

Today, I outlined my NaNo Novel. And I must say, I'm really confident about NaNo this year. All my brain is spilled out onto 2 pages of a notebook...my brain feels so...empty. lol

Now the question: "why outline?"

1. You're brain feels empty.

2. It's your cheat sheet in case you forget your plot, or get stuck.

3. You feel more confident that your book WILL get written, and it won't sit around, untouched, because you can't think of anything to write.

Now, you must be saying..."those are good ideas, but...I like it in my brain. Why can't I keep it there?" Well, I used to say that, and I still do like my plots in my brain. And this one is still in there, I just have somewhere to go, just in case I forget.

(Of course, after NaNo, will most likely never outline until the next NaNo, but you never know...)

Another question: "How do I outline?"

What I did was: take a piece of paper, and write: Beginning on the top, and I wrote what happens in the beginning of the novel (not all in detail, just in a couple fragments). Then, I wrote: Body. And I wrote everything that would be in the middle of the novel (again, fragments). Then, I wrote: Resolution.  Where I put what happens at the end. (fragments)*

My outline! :P (this will go on big poster board, soon!)

(Of course...I have no idea what happens at the end yet. lol)

And I'm going to stick all that on a poster board, in marker, and stick it on my wall. Then it'll always be there!

*You can also do this on a computer too.*

Another way you could outline is, buying a bunch of different colors of post it notes, and then outline on those. Stick them all on your wall. (I really want to try this one, but alas, I don't have any post it notes...)

Another question: "What if I don't use my outline?"

*shrug* then you just don't. No harm done. If you like the way your novel turned out, good for you! :) And if you're not sure you won't even use your outline, don't make a big deal, just write it down on a piece of paper, in sloppy hand writing you can only read. Or, go all out, and then have it hanging in your room to show your friends when they come over. (hehe)

....

I don't usually write posts like this, but I was feeling very inspired today! ;P

I hope everyone has fun outlining their novels this weekend! (or whenever you do!)

-Madison

New Page on Write On! Teens

Guess what guys? Write On! has a new page for NaNo contestants!

NaNo Cafe! 

If you're doing NaN, and you're a teen, you should come check it out!! :D (I've noticed for me, it works better in FireFox, if it doesn't work for the server you use.)

-Madison 

Mini Updates

Bonjour everyone! I hope your week is going good!! October is almost over. Shocking really...feels like it just started!!

Anyway, as you know, I joined Write On! Teens Team, and I am the official Tweeter! :D You can check out the other team members here.

Also, I finished THE STORM's first rounds of edits! It won't go through the same process as SHADOW FUTURE, and DIM FUTURE did. I'm just going to give it to my mom to edit. ;)

Two Rings #3 is ALMOST finished! EEEEK! Will most likely finish it this week. This book is one of the intense-ist ones of the series I think. Hopefully, not too intense for you guys. ;)

SHADOW FUTURE on Kindle is on sale for .99! Kindle wouldn't let me put SF down any lower like the other sites did, so when it goes down, grab it while you can!

Also, if you have any questions, it will most likely be answered in my FAQ page.

Annnnd....NaNoWrimo is here!! Only a week or so away from Nov.!!! Here's the link to the site: http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/ and my username is: maddielb, add me if you want. :D

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!!

-Madison

PS: The super awesome blog post is going up on the 31st!!!! DON'T MISS IT.

Adskhan's Halloween costume, you like? ;) He does, really.

Narrative Switch Up: The Big Bad Wolf's Full Proof Plan

((I did this for extra credit in my LAC class, the teacher just wanted me to switch up the narrator, with only 2 paragraphs, so I picked the Big Bad Wolf from "Little Red Riding Hood". Enjoy! :P))

The Bid Bad Wolf's Full Proof Plan

By: Madison Louise

I watched as Little Red Riding Hood came skipping down the path, humming to herself. Her basket brimming with goodies. Goodies for her sick grandmother. My stomach growled, I wanted those goodies. But how would I get them without scaring her away? Sure, I could just jump out, eat her, and run off with the goodies, but I wanted to be smarter than that. Cleaner, if you will. I made up a plan right then and there: I would hurry ahead of Little Red to her grandmother’s house, and dress up as her grandmother, than Red would give me the goodies, thinking it was her grandmother. It was full proof.

I ran along ahead of the humming Little Red Riding Hood, foam forming in my mouth. I could almost taste the goodies in that basket. When I made it to grandmother’s house, I peeked into the window, and I saw grandmother in bed, I rubbed my claws together, and chuckled to myself. I snuck into the back door, grandmother yelled at me, as she tried to swat me away with a broom, but I shoved her into a closet. Snickering, I grabbed some of her clothes out of her dresser, and I climbed into bed. Just as Little Red came. “Grandmother!” she called, “I brought you some goodies!” she walked inside, and came to the bed, she looked at me strangely. “My, what big teeth you have grandmother.” She said, the goodies were so close…so close…but just as Little Red was about to give them to me, she noticed that I wasn’t her grandmother. She started to swat at me, then she threw open the closet, and grandmother came out, trying to swat me with her broom. Defeated, I ran out the back door. Humiliated. I guess my plan wasn’t full proof after all…

There you guys go! I hoped you liked it. ;)

-Madison

Updates

Hey everyone! Happy Saturday!!

Just wanted to update you guys!

DIM FUTURE updates: it's still being edited by three awesome editors!! Even they're done, I will be getting a proof of it. (squeee)

THE STORM updates: I'm going to finish doing the first round of edits with it today!

Also, if I owe you any mail, it will be going out on Monday! I promise. I've just being super busy with school, writing, and dance. Saturday and Sunday are my only days to actually get things done.

I want to thank everyone who helped me a part of the #SFTwittergiveaway yesterday!! It was tons of fun!!

Here's my to-do list for today, in case you're interested:

Buy paper to make bookmarks

Edit THE STORM

Write

Sew

and find a Halloween costume.

(I've got a lot to do...)

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

-Madison

PS: Do you like the new blog look?

Twitter Giveaway!!

I reached 100 entries on the Goodreads giveaway for a paperback copy of SHADOW FUTURE. (check out the page.) So now...I'm going to have a Twitter giveaway!!

When?: Friday, 3pm EST. Until we're done!

Where: Twitter. ;) (my twitter: @MadisonYALouise)

Here are all the rules and prizes:

When you answer a question, attach: #SFTwitterGiveaway at the end of your tweet!

All of the questions are going to be on SHADOW FUTURE (Two Rings, #1) so have your book handy! ;D

When I answer, the FIRST PERSON TO ANSWER CORRECTLY, gets the prize.

There will be six questions (unless I think of more), and places when you can RT or favorite to win.

The prizes include:

Bookplates (3)

ebook of SHADOW FUTURE (2)

Bookmarks (3)

Pre-order of DIM FUTURE (2)

Pre-order of THE STORM (1)

e-ARC of DIM FUTURE (when they are available!) (1)

I hope that enough people join in, so I can giveaway all of these!! :D

I hope to see you guys there!!!

(so does, Max. ;))

-Madison

Teaser Tuesday: Dim Future #2

Hey everyone! It's been three weeks since a teaser, and I promised LAST week, that there would be one this week, so, as promised, here's the teaser!

I groaned, and tossed the blanket across the bed. “He’s going to kill me.” 

 “Correction: Axel is going to kill Jayden, who will kill you.” 

 “You’re not helping.” But I smiled a little.

There's a new character in this teaser! And I'm very excited to share them with you! ;)

Well, there's the teaser! And it's now October! And that means that the DIM FUTURE, cover, summary, and release date will be released VERY soon. Keep an eye out for the blog post!!!

-Madison

THE STORM Cover Reveal + A talk with Felix Walter UPDATED

****SCROLL DOWN FOR THE UPDATED INFO!****

Ok...the moment you have ALLLLL been waiting for...the FULL cover of The Storm.

But first.....I made a puzzle widget, and once you put it together, Tweet me the picture (my Twitter: @MadisonYALouise ) and when I get 5 pictures, I'll update this post, with a interview with Felix Walter from THE STORM. :) And I'll also put the full cover in it also!

Instructions: Below, there's a picture of THE STORM, click on it. It'll load, and then it'll ask for a nickname, and your country. (you can totally lie, I did. lol) And then it might ask you if Java is allowed to load, click yes. Then it'll load again. And the puzzle will pop up. Just click on a piece, it'll turn red on the edges, and then click where you want to move it.

Use this for a guide if you need help!:

You guys ready? GO!

Jigsaw puzzles, (c) Luksoft

(((Thank you guys so much for putting the puzzle together!! You guys rock. :))))

Ok, here's the full cover:

I JUST LOVE IT. Hope is so amazing with covers. This was ALL her you guys. Like I said, amazing.

And, here’s the book trailer!!! (also made my Hope!)

(if you can't see the video, here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Kh_yNeiqiU&feature=youtu.be )

And...here's my interview with Felix from The Storm! (btw, I stink at writing interviews...)

Me: Hi, Felix! Thanks for taking time to join me!

Felix: *smiles* It's a pleasure, Madison!

Me: Now, Felix, tell the readers what your storm element is.

Felix: Thunder. I control thunder.

Me: Now tell them a bit about yourself, what are your hobbies?

Felix: I live with my foster parent, Marian. She's a wonderful woman. I go to school everyday, well...most days. *winks* and I'm trying to learn how to play the piano.

Me: Sounds interesting! And what's something you'd like to share, that's very teaser-ish from THE STORM?

Felix: You guys are totally going to love this book. And Madison has also given me permission to post a teaser for you guys:

He dug his fingers in my hair, and I smiled some more.

He groaned again. “I missed you, Windmill.” He murmured against my mouth.

I kissed him again. “I missed you too.”

My body felt so alive, it felt like a storm was coming, but without the pain and nausea. It was…happy. Excited. I gripped onto his suit, and tried to pull him closer, even though I knew it was impossible. 

Madison: Wow!! That's some teaser! Thank you, Felix!

Felix: Thank you, Madison!

And I want to thank everyone for participating in THE STORM Cover Reveal! I love you guys! <3 The Extras page at my website is now open! It has the playlist, characters, everything! Thanks again you guys!

-Madison

PS: I will post the winner of the giveaway soon!

Cover Reveal Thursday: The Elite by Kiera Cass

This cover is awesome guys, it's BEAUTIFUL.

Can't wait to read this one!!

-Madison

Sneak Peek of The Storm Cover #5

Here's another piece of THE STORM cover!!

And character:

Name: Michael Parker

Age: 16 to worldly standards. 298 by years.

Hobbies: driving his awesome car, impressing girls, controlling wind.

Other: Michael may seem obnoxious, but deep down, he has a sensitive side, and deep down, he's broken, and sad.

And a song for you guys:




 and giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway


And don't forget to check out the cover puzzle in the sidebar! ----> It's almost full!!

-Madison

TIMELESS Trailer Reveal!

Here's the trailer to the final book in the Transend series by Michelle Madow!



 

I'm so excited to read this book! :)

Check out Michelle's website.

-Madison