Sep 2, 2017

// AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS //

Hellooooo everyone!! It's been a while, don't you think? It breaks my heart, yup. But i'm finally back! Hope you're all doing fine :3

August was an in-between month. It was busier than July for sure, slightly off. I've got lots of big things coming up in September, October and the beginning of November, so August was just a soft reminder of the last days of my chilling time and the looming beginning of the amount of things in my to-do list. Don't get my wrong, i'm excited about all the things to come in these months, but i'll be surely exhausted. I'll try not to disappear hahah.

So, yeah, August was a great month.

Anywaysss, this is gonna be a short and sweet post, down to the nitty-gritty.


I read 16 books this month!! All of them were fan-tas-tic, except for a couple of them. However, i did have some amazing reads this month and i'm so grateful. As you may see as well, i've had the time to read xD, so this won't be happening again any time soon.

The what?? Sorry, i have no idea of what you're talking about....

Oh, yes!! Now i remember!! The writingssssss!! Long time, no see, huh?

We could probably say that i haven't written a word since the last day of July. I've got this super cool book idea that i've tried to put down to words and kinda failed. So i sent it to my beta reader across the world for her to tell me if it was worth it, if the book idea was truly worth and wasn't just something i was utterly obsessed with. And she loooved it. So i said: "Yeah, i'm gonna write this".

What happened since i made the decision of keeping on with writing that book? Well, let's just say i took a break xD. I chilled for a long while as my beta reader devoured my book and then found it extremely hard to go back to work. So i just didn't. For an entire month.

I was basically the queen of procrastination this month xD.

No writing in August, peeps.

However, i do intend to go back to work during September, despite of all the things i have to do during this month. I've got my notebook and i just have to sit down and PLOT this novel. I've got to plot and plan and scheme and think. I just have to get down to it and kick off with this novel.

Because i believe in this story idea.

I believe it can be great and it can be truly something. I've writte books before, but this one's different. This one could change it all.

I know i've been kind of absent in the blogging/writing world, but no more. I've been reading all the post of those who i follow in this community, but i just haven't been posting much of my own work.

So September will be accompanied by many posts, okay? Many, many, many. I don't know much more than that, but that's what i can say xD. Just be waiting for my return :3

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HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT MONTH AND I WISH YOU A HAPPY SEPTEMBER !!!


Aug 19, 2017

THE STORIES I WANT TO WRITE

I've been thinking a lot about the stories i want to tell. About antiheroes, villains, heroes, darkness and diversity. All of it and, at the same time, none of it. I discovered the things i want to tell the world in my books. I became acquianted with what i want to portray and what i wish to create. There are six, big bullet points i discovered regarding this matter.

I recently read a book where an author grabbed the personalities of hardcore, arrogant men and emotional women and flipped them. Most boys in books are found attractive because of their arrogance, sarcasm and bravery. On the other hand, girls are usually pictured as emotional, brave and sweet characters. Girls are often described as the dreamers and boys as the go-getters.

As a writer, i want to change that, just as his certain author decided to do. I want to grab these clichés about characters and change them COMPLETELY.

I want to see guys who are afraid, not only of losing something precious or a certain person, but truly scared. Scared of a situation just because it is naturally terifying. Afraid as humans tend to be from time to time. I'm not saying i want to make them weak, because i certainly don't. Instead, i want to make them dreamers. Arrogant, yeah, because that makes a character hilarious, but i don't want them to be self-centred. I want to write about boys who allow themselves to feel.

I also want to write about cutthroat female characters. Girls that tend to be less feminine by our standards of what feminine looks like. Girls that are self-sufficient and also dream. Not because i consider myself a feminist, but because that's what i want to see in books. And i'm gonna write about this cutthroat characters that think that saving the world is dull. Because maybe -- just maybe -- it is.

This is the biggest dilema in literatre, don't you think? In fantasy, there often comes a time when a character finds himself in the midst of a fight between darkness and light. Between what's right and what's wrong. Between good and evil. Generally, this character ends up choosing light and goodness, because it's considered to be "the right choice". Regardless the odds and despite the reality that darkness would provide to that character, books always allow the light to step in and shine at the end of the day.

I'm done with that. Of coouuuurrrsseee i adore happy endings and findin the glory at the end of the tunnel. I believe in those things. I truly do.

Still, i think it's time for some darkness to take over books. Not forever! But at least for a scene or a couple of chapters. Not because it's nice or hooking or rebellious, but because it's real. Because it gives light a more powerful meaning and because darkness has to be allowed a saying. Because characters always doing the right thing is not real. And i think books are all about real.

So i wanna let the darkness win in my stories. At least for a little while before the light takes over once more. I want my characters to make mistakes and take a bite from the dark side. Maybe regret it later, maybe not. But i'm pretty much fond of it, you know?

This kiiiind of break my heart *cries dramatically*, because i am indeed a true romantic when it comes to books. When it comes to anything, actually. I love romance and OTPs and stuff. They sweeten my heart and soul.

I am the kind of person that will include romance in her novels. Even if i wanted not to do it, i wouldn't be able to help it. It's who i am.

But i also want to create a world where friendship and family (by blood or not) are more important. I want them to be more important in my stories. Because they are.

I haven't had a boyfriend. Ever. I have kissed a couple of people, but never a serious thing. In my life, friends and family have always defined who i am. They've always been more precious than gold for me. They're my entire world.

And i want to prove the power of the sense of friendship.

Diversity in books is a number one topic nowadays. Everywhere and at every moment. The LGBT+ community is constantly asking for representation in books. Personally, i strongly believe that absolutely everyone deserves to see themselves in books. No exception made. No doubt intended. No hesitation in my words.

But there is more than one way of doing this. Most of times, people say there is representation in a book because a certain character is inclined to a specific (or not) sexual oriantation or due to the colour of their skin. That is, of course, a way of diversity in books.

Still, i refuse to believe that just because a character that shares someone's sexual orientation is a character in a book, that's it. Who says that that's where it ends? Who says that someone will feel a connection to that character because of who they fall in love with?

I want to implement the idea of falling in love with a person first and not with a gender.

I want to create a conenction between my readers and my characters, apart from the diversity already included. I want people to see themselevs in my books not only because of who those people like or what they look like, but because of what those characters are inside.

I want everyone to see themselves in the stories i write.

Okay, okay! I know, antiheroes are a thing now. The latest trend in literature, some would say.

And i adore them.

10000000%

Heroes are underestimated in this day and age. They are. But they're also overrated. (Am i making any sense? Probably not.)

Heroes are the reason we fight. They're the reason books include such things as hope, bravery and faith. And there's no comparison for those, i must admit.

Villains are -- for me -- super interesting people. They're so deep and cunning and they always make me shudder. I adore villains, specially writing them. But they have to be real for me. Real to the reader. Which is both tricky and exciting.

Antiheroes are right in the middle.

I've seen things like this more than once:

heroes = gods
villains = demons/monsters
antiheroes = humans

I really don't know about the first two, but i agree on the fact that antiheroes are humans. They're the most human side of characters.

Humanity in heroes and villains make them real, but antiheroes are the best of all. They're true.

I want to write about antiheroes.

Yup. You read it. I don't wanna write books where my characters want to save the world JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. That's dull and, c'mon, would you do it?

_____________________________________________

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Aug 9, 2017

CHARACTER KARAOKE TAG || about music and WIPs

Hi, everyone! You doing good? Hope so! I'm having a good month so far; lots of books, good music and inspiration. However, i'm kind of struggling with my WIP :( Yup, really sad thing. But i feel that this book is better. I know what my plans are and i'm so excited about them. So i'm fine *winks xD*

Aaaaanyway! I was tagged to this super cool thingy by Anna from A World Through Her Heart (btw, go check out her lovely blog). I usually listen to weird things while writing, but the music always has to match the atmosphere of the scene. It's a really interesting thing. I don't tend to build enire playlists for my books, though. I'm more of a run-and-make-a-Pinterest-board-ASAP kind of person. So, here we go!! I really enjoyed this tag <3

However, as i didn't know who to tag in the end and as i found this post too short, i decided to include some of my own questions for you to get to know a little bit more about my #WorkInProgress. How does that sound?

It's your OTP's wedding day, what song plays during their first dance?

Who says I've got an OTP, huh? *squints* Just kidding! (Am i?) Hmm, i don't think my OTP would make a fancy wedding with dances and stuff. Maybe just a lot of food and something to steal (they're thieves, you know?). They're more like the kind of people that would get married in secret and be really cute and romantic without having an actual wedding. But, as the question requires it, I guess they'd dance "Kiss Me" by Ed Sheeran. They'd probably jump to something a lot more fast and wild-dancing-like soon enough, though.

What song describes your protagonist?
I have two protagonists.

Regarding my masculine protagonist, i think there would be two. The first one is mostly because of the lyrics and because the character's back story. It'd be "How to Save A Life" by The Fray. I can picture him jumping around and singing that song, both loving it and enjoying the lyrics. Due to his personality, i think a song for him would also be "Sucker for Pain" by Lil Wayne. He's KIND OF a rock n' roll person locked inside a fantasy world. Wild.

And for my female protagonist, it'd be "Believer" by Imagine Dragons. It fits her wild and funny personality. She's sweet, so she'll probably love any of Ed Sheeran's songs, among others, but she's also a cutthroat female character...

Any instrument players or characters with ties to music?
Sorry-not-sorry, bu the answer is no. I mean, both of my characters are really fond of music and it's important for them. Like, knowing what kind of music other people listen to tells them a lot about that person. But that's the end of it. None of them play any instruments. Also, they live in a fantasy world around the Industrial Revolution time (more or less, give or take), so the fantasy doesn't quite fit.

Go-to songs for battle, romance or intense scenes?
I... don't... know... While writing epic scenes I usually listen to "The Burton's Corpse Bride" soundtrack, or the Star Wars soundtrack. I like soundtracks and instrumentals for these scenes because there are no lyrics to interfere. On the other hand, when writing romance, i tend to listen to Ed Sheeran (yeah, i love him, in case you haven't noticed xD) and LET the lyrics play a role in my thoughts.

What song matches the first scene of your book?
"Sinister Kid" by The Black Keys. Yup. That's probably it. Cunning, sharp, loud and knowing-like. A lot like my first scene.

If your book were to be a TV Show, which song would be on the intro?
Easy! "Castle" by Halsey. I can picture the entire thing in my head while listening to that song. <3

If you received a call from an agent saying that you're getting published, what song would you sing and dance along to celebrate?
Actually, there's really no way for me to know that xD. Maybe whatever i find first, who knows? But if i get to choose, i'd like to play "The Greatest" by Sia. There are so many good memories for me behind that song and i'd like to cry with joy because of it. I'd dance it and stand on the table as i did, singing as loud as i could (while i kept crying xD) and smile as i sang the tiny rap in the end. Mix of emotions!

And that's it, peeps!!
Hope you enjoyed!
Who do i tag? No idea! But feel free to do this amazing tag! <3 

Aug 1, 2017

|| THE BLOOD RACE || BLOG TOUR TIME!!


Hi, everyone!! Guess what?? It's blog tour time!! First of all, i wanna say i'm so excited and grateful for this oportunity both to get an ARC of The Blood Race by K.A. Emmons and to review it. The book has been released today!! AUGUST 1ST 2017!! SO AMAZING!
He’s spent his life running from who he is. She’s been trying to escape her past for 100 years… 
Born with unexplainable abilities he struggles to control, college student Ion tries desperately to integrate into his new school and finally put his dark past behind him. But after making a serious enemy, which leads to an accidental rendezvous with the mysterious old man next door— and his hauntingly beautiful but troubled young protégée Hawk, Ion realizes his life will never be normal again.
Late one evening, Hawk drags him by the hand into a closet-turned-rabbit-hole to an extra dimension, and Ion finds himself stumbling involuntarily into a secret society of training for “anomalies,” teenagers with a special set of abilities. Just like him.
As they train to become Protectors of future Earth, battling each other as well as their own demons, both Ion and Hawk begin to realize that they are far more alike than they realized. Unsettlingly so.
When the Dimension is shaken by an unthinkable betrayal, will an ancient prophecy bring Hawk and Ion together—or will a deadly threat hidden in plain sight cost them both their powers… and their lives?
*basically me saying how much i adored this book*

As every reader ever, i was slightly scared to read this book, personally because it's not the genre i tend to read. My fears soon vanished when i read the prologue, of course, because Kate blew my mind in those very first pages. I think every good writer has to hook the reader and grasp him/her tightly so that this one can't walk away. And Kate did it. Perfectly. From the first chapters, she seemed to say: "Come here. Hush. I have a story to tell you and, trust me, you wanna know this." And she was right, because i defintiely did. And everybody should.

The plot was SO freaking original!!! I enjoyred it so much!! I loved how Kate revealed things little by little. I could feel the secrecy and it drove me crazy. I was so curious and intrigued all the time, and she revealed things slowly so that i'd remain hooked. I loved that. Then, when all my previous questions had been answered, new ones had popped up. I cherished that a lot, because that's how every good book should be.

I fell in love with the characters sinde day one. Firstly, they were different from the usual clichés and their mysteries and personalities made me root for them since the first moment. Also, i loved how human the characters were. I felt a real connection with them and their humanity was so freaking real to me, the reader.

The worldbuilding was fantastic. The characters were mind-blowing. I loved the plot and the plot twists and the WRITING. And, well, everything. I ADORED THIS BOOK, ´peeps!!

YOU. HAVE. TO. READ. IT.

I think i'm kind of repeating myself here. 'Cause that's what i do when i love a book. I run out of adjectives and ways to say how much i liked it and begin to say things again. Because it's wonderful - it's wodnerful - it's wonderful.

*DUUUHH*

SO. Reason number one is, of course, because of the plot. It's not only unique and original and MIND-BLOWING, but also perfectly planned and written. As i said before, Kate has planned this novel wonderfully and reveals things just when it's necessary. The entire boo is fantastic. The plot itself drove me mad and made me wanna read faster in an unnatural speed i unfortunately don't posses -- yet. The themes this story touches are deep and realistic, which symbolizes the entire purpose of reading. There's plenty of action and i loved all of it !!!!

My first thought after finishing The Blood Race: I. NEED. MOOOORREEE!!!

My second thought: This was beautiful. This was great. I wanna do it again.

*HAWK AND ION*
*ABOUT THE CHARACTERS THAT MOVED MY HEART*

Heroes don't have to be super cool warriors that never fail and are total badasses, you know? Of course, the characters in The Blood Race are super cool warriors i loved from the bottom of my heart,, but they're also unnervingly HUMAN.

And, guess what? Tha counts for 1000000000000.

There are two protagonists: Ion and Hawn.

Ion was so REALISTIC to me!! I thought about what i'd do if i were in that situation, and it turned out i'd be doing exactly the same thing. I'd react the same way and think similarly. And it was human. He was not just a guy who went through some things and reacted in a way that made it impossible for me to feel identified with him. Nope. All the opposite, in fact. He was so HUMAN and i could see his heart and mind reflected in his actions. It didn't only take the writing to get me to like him, but Ion himself stole my heart.

Hawk was so WONDERFUL. I really liked Hawk because she was such a DEEP AND WELL-BUILT CHARACTER. There was sp much depth in her and i kept knowing her. I feel like i know her so well (thanks, Kate! You're a freaking genius!).

Yeah, there are supernatural characters in The Blood Race, but they honestly couldn't be more human and real to the reader. That is worth gold, peeps. Real gold.

K.A. Emmons is a fantastic writer.

That's it.

...

Do you want me to justify my statement? Seriously? Trust me here, there's no need for me to do such a thing. But.... if you really wanna know more...

Her writing had everything the book -- and the story -- needed. Sometimes it's not about us writers, but about the story itself. And she got it. The writing was poetic, touching, efficient, deep, intriguing, filled with suspense, beautiful, adorned with precious metaphors and accurate when action, feelings or plot twists came about.

Oh, the plot twists! Kate, if you're reading this, i want you to know you did play with my heart, girl. A LOT.

*CAN I PLEASE GO LIVE THERE?*

There are clearly people who are meant to write fantasy. People who are constantly plotting story ideas of stranger worlds and cunning adventures. Stories that most people would find odd and therefore think: "how did you come up with this stuff?!".

Kate is definitely one of those people. I don't know her, of course, but i know enough to tell.

The worldbuilding in The Blood Race was gorgeous. I wanna live there!!!! I want to go to that place!! PLEASEEEE?! Isn't there a secret ticket you can give me?! Pretty please?

When she’s not hermiting away in her colorfully-painted home office writing her next science fiction, passionate story-teller and adventurer Kate Emmons is probably on the road for a surf or hiking trip, listening to vinyls, or going for a power run. Emmons lives in the often-snowy hills of rugged Vermont with her husband and dog named Rocket.

Jul 29, 2017

JULY HIGHLIGHTS || {books, writing, blogging and happiness, peeps}

Hi, peeps! Hope you're doing fine!!

So... July was alright. It was about holidays and chill, so i deeply appreciated it for that. But i'm kind of glad it's over, because i'm really excited for August to come. Not only because it's the month of my birthday (yeeeyy!!), but because good things are coming.

My reading month has had some ups and downs, really. I began devouring books during the first days of July, and then lowered my pace. In total, i read 9 books this month! YEY!

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (Strange the Dreamer #1) ★★★★★
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab (Shades of Magic #2) ★★★★
Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare (The Dark Artifices #2) ★★★★★
History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera ★★
Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton (Rebel of the Sands #2) ★★★★
A Torch against the Night by Sabaa Tahir (An Ember in the Ashes #2) ★★★
Hunted by Meagan Spooner ★★
A Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez ★★★★
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab (Shades of Magic #3) ★★★★★

I'd like to recommend you the Shades of Magic series for this month. Seriously, peeps, those books and mind-blowing. Amazing and beautiful. And i could go on all day talking about them. Fantastic worldbuilding, a unique plot and gorgeous characters. Seriously, go check those books out!!

There weren't much bookish releases i was interested in during the month of July, really. Maybe that's why i'm also excited about the months to come and the books they'll bring, you know?

SO. Book writing, huh?

July was the time for Camp NaNo again!! I didn't participate this time -- though i did during April -- but i do hope you all had a great time. Well, i know writing often involves frustration as well, so i hope everything turned out alright in the end.

Regarding my writing life, i did write every single day during those past two weeks. I began a new project! Cheers to that! *i guess*

It's been only thirteen days since i first started and my current word count is at 30.1k. SO EXCITING!!

This is the second novel i write, you know? It'd be the third, actually, but the first one (which i wrote during NaNo in 2016) is currently abandoned and left aside. Probably never to be edited xD. So i often forget about it. 

Anyway. This is the third novel i write. Somehow, i feel this one is THE ONE. It's more serious. With my previous book, Burden of Stars, i just wrote things and created a great character-driven story. This time, however, i'm plotting and planning a lot. It's not about me writing a book anymore. It's about me getting the story right. Meaning: stress and happiness and frustration and excitement.

My #workinprogress doesn't have a title YET. What can I tell you about it? Well, it's a YA fantasy read with witty characters and lots of magic. And monsters! Yup <3 I'll surely tell you more about it with time.
I plan to be around here a lot more now. I know i haven't been posting regularly and from now on things are gonna change. I'll be more active and wandering around the blogging/writing world a lot. So here we go!

By the way, i've opened an instagram account for the blog (and myself), so go follow me at @everthebookish.

xoxo

Jul 25, 2017

ABOUT NAMES AND PEN NAMES

Hi, peeps! How are you doing?! Hope you're all fine! It's CampNaNo for those who're participating (not me, though) so i really hope everyone's writing is going alright!!

Today's post is one that nearly kept me up all night yesterday. I've tried writing it several times and failed *hugely*, but i'm finally doing it. Now.

I created this blog on June 10th. I introduced myself as Ayra Lynn and told you about myself.

I'd always wanted to have a blog like this one. Truly. During the past months I've had the pleasure of reading some amazing bloggers and I simply got inspired to have my own.

So i gave myself a pen name.

Arya Lynn.

So here's the great revelation: it's not my real name.

*sorry*

I feel hugely ashamed for having lied like this. I'll understand if you all choose to run away now or something. I get it.

I joined this community with a pen name.

*sorry* *sorry* *SORRY*

So here they go, two enormous words: i'm sorry i lied

Maybe you're thinking it's no biggie. Perhaps you're about to say it's nothing and you get it. Or maybe you'll look away and shame on me blah blah blah.

I just wanted to be honest because, if i'm going to do this, there'll be no more pen names.

The only lie, however, was my name. When i told you all about myself, my reasons for joining the blogsphere and who i am as a person, every word was true. I am that dreamer, writer and reader i said i was. I am the person i've let you see through my posts, tweets and sentences. I am that.

My name: Julieta.

You can call me Juls, if you want.

Julieta. Juliette. Juli. Juls.

So why did i use a pen name? Honestly, no idea. Maybe for the old times romantic's sake. Who knows? I do know i don't want it to be a thing anymore. So i'm getting rid of it.

Jun 16, 2017

#TheVoicesOfYA TAG

Okaaay, peeps!! So, no one actually tagged me to do this but i guess i'm doing this anyway because, yeah, i love tags!!


What draws you to YA?

Most of all, the fact that i'm a young adult xD However, it's not only about that. It's about the voice. The voices those books have are meaningful. They have the power to change lives and worlds and minds. Young adult voices are the ones of those who dream... those who want to tell stories they know are powerful. And that power draws me to these books. Because they do have the ability to change things and they're the ones i can truly feel connected to.

Describe your writing process. Do you like outlines and structure, or seeing where the story takes you? 

To begin with, i outline. I actually suck at planning -- specially the part of getting down to do it once and for all -- and i'm more of a panster. Still, i know my writing works better once i have planned things, so eventually i get myself to plot everything.
Still, i always like seeing where the story takes me and i leave a great room for that. I outline the general idea, but i don't go into details. I don't know, i guess i work better with my inspiration alone, and not with a couple of written notes.

How long have you been writing? Where are you in your journey?

I've been writing since... forever, i guess? Yeah, pretty much forever. I wrote my first book at the age of 14 and my second one at 15. Now, i'm editing this second novel and i think i'm gonna try get it published. But who knows...

Where am i in my journey? Getting started? I honestly have no idea. I'm not a beginner, that's for sure.

What do you need to write? Coffee? Music?

Definitely tea! Sorry, i'm not the coffee type xD Please don't kill me for being such a weirdo hahah but i prefer tea over coffee. So yes, I need a cup of coffee and my notes. And music! But it can't be any kind of music. Nope. It has to be some kind of soundtrack appropiate for the story.

If you could offer one piece of advice to another writer (OTHER THAN “don’t give up”), what would it be?

Write. That's the most important one of all. And believe -- believe in your dreams and in your own voice. BECAUSE IT MATTERS. People can tell you what writing a book is like and how the whole process is, but nobody can get you the whole picture. Not really. Only you can get the idea of writing a book by yourself, and only by the action of writing. So write. Write because you have a story to tell and it's worth it.

And read! Reading is the key to being a good writer.

What book still has you reeling from its plot twist? (*no spoilers please*)

"A Court of Wings and Ruin" by Sarah J. Maas

What books are you most anticipating for this year?

"A Court of Wings and Ruin" was actually my most anticipated read for 2017, but i'm also dying to read "Lord of Shadows" by Cassandra Clare <3

In your opinion, which YA book/series has the most unique premise?

Okay this is a very hard question!! There are so many unique books out there that i can't only choose one! However, i'll have to go for "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo. GO READ THAT NOVEL NOW!!!

What is your all-time favorite quote from YA lit?

Eaaaaassyyyy one !! Most people have trouble choosing only one book quote, but i know perfectly well which one is my all time favorite:

"To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."
"To the stars who listen -- and the dreams that are answered."



What book do you most hope will have a movie adaption?

Idk... Maybe "Iluminae" de Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. Though adaptations give me the creeps hahah as i hate it when movies aren't loyal to the books.

I wasn't tagged to do this, so do feel free to do this tag if you want !!!