*does my happy dance*
Are you looking for a short, poignant, tenderhearted read? Well look no further. Angeltiger's letter (based on a true story, I have to mention) has only been posted on Inkpop for LESS THAN A WEEK and is already ranked number 8 in short stories, and is already being recognized by top trendsetters and critics alike. We all agree that Yours Truly is relatable read, especially for the raving YA readers and teens! Even if you are a reluctant reader, I'm sure female adolescents especially will enjoy this. I know I surely did (I put this on my pick list!) The beautiful characterizations of how Angel feels nearly flows off the page, streaming endlessly off the pages in order to create the perfect letter. It's already top five bound, and is still holding strong at a number 8 ranking. I can't even say how much I am in love with this... now that you heard what I have to say... leave your thoughts in comments. READ the critically acclaimed letter by Inkpop writer, Angeltiger626! :) Please.
Always is a promise that only a few of us can keep. In my upcoming short story Always, seventeen-yeaold Josh is still trying to cope over the loss of his girlfriend, Peyton. She killed herself a year ago, leaving alone a note for him leaving Josh asking why. But he soon realizes, even when she's gone, that maybe their romance wasn't so fairy-tale perfect after all. Soon turning off the help from friends even family, Josh's spiraling depression and desperation for love grows into an obsession for self-perception within himself. When his feelings for the new girl in town grows into an inexplicable connection of attraction, Josh isn't quite sure if he could open himself up to a relationship again. However, the two realize that they may have more in common than they might think... and despite of their differences, the two must learn the hardest part of all is letting go.
EXCERPT:
If you’re reading this this I must be dead. I’ve started and stopped this letter over and over again always writing it in my head.
Josh, I love you. I will always love you and I’m sorry I just couldn’t do it anymore. The thought of waking up one more day and pretending that everything was alright was unbearable. Truth is things haven’t been okay in a long time.
All I ever wanted was to be free. To be free from life, to be free from the world, to be free from all my burdens.
And I am Josh, I’m free now.
– Peyton
He knelt beside the gravestone, his feet sinking into the soft patches of snow.
The emptiness of Peyton’s voice replays in his mind, unable to stop; like a broken record, he could still hear her whispering ever so softly, desperate. And I am Josh, I’m free now.
Could this have been his fault? Could he have stopped it? That, he wasn’t so sure. But he was sure that Peyton was gone, and no matter how many times he whispered “sorry”, or how many tears he cried, she would never come back. This time she was truly gone forever.
And he was left alone; with nothing more than the fading voice of the girl he once loved, and a single note to give comfort.
There are just some days you can’t forget.
The day you finally had your training wheels taken off your bike.
The day you finally had your first kiss with the girl you’ve been dreaming of.
And there was June 15th; a day that he was afraid would never leave.
* * *
Isabel Davis, author of top picks project Anywhere but Here has been a big encouragement and help to me starting it. Thank you.
Listen to the song that inspired it all.
Leave your thoughts and opinions in comments. I want to know what you all think.
Taking Every Step, or as I know him as Anthony, is a critically-acclaimed poet on the website—knowing how the master the imagery and romance perfectly. Truly, it is a shame that he doesn't get more recognition for his work, he's one of my favorite poets. Honestly. And today, September 1st, he debuts with his song, Breathing's a Melody. Breathing's a Melody is a love song written for a special girl he loves, and I couldn't agree more that when you love something, it's best to show self-expression through writing it. I nearly devoured every stanza, every little line of this poem, the rich poetry flowing off the page. It's worth the September pick, and if you can, take a look. Click here to read the critically-acclaimed song on Inkpop.
School. Ugh, I start school tomorrow. And many of have you endured my whining and complaining that the first day of school is in fact on my birthday. Therefore, I won't get to swaps for all you Inkpoppers, I'll blog less often for all those blogspotters, and I won't be able to get to covers as much for all those...cover-wanters (?) And as you can see I am not happy about this at all. But I'm not going to tell you my sob story of why I hate this school so much, and why I don't even want to go. Ugh. Oh well. I'm just going to have to deal with it and find the time to write somewhere in-between, which will be though. For now, I am trying to get Photoshop installed onto my computer so I can make even more...awesomer covers! XD
Bleh. I honestly don't want to spend time in my blog babbling about Beautiful Nightmare once again, but I'm anxious. Excited. Filled with emotions. I only have this to say to you Inkpoppers: You. Guys. Are. So. Awesome. Standing at 40 critiques, 26 picks, and now currently ranked number 28 in short stories... I am eager to say that the book outline of my upcoming dark paranormal romance, Beautiful Nightmare has finally broke into the 20s! Which is so friggin awesome. The support has been awesome. Everyone's been awesome, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed to be ranked at least number 15 next month. I have Inkpoppers who have been swapping for it, telling people about it, and everything -- even more amazing. Seriously. I'm so overjoyed, and I never thought I would get this far with it. I would love to have Beautiful Nightmare published someday, and since I know the HarperCollins editors are seeking outlines, I was hoping one would be willing to develop one with me. I started promoting Beautiful Nightmare back in late June/early July, and Inkpoppers have been so encouraging. I can't thank you all enough; the ones who read the outline, the ones who read the excerpt, the ones who critiqued them both, the ones who helped me decide which path the story should go, the people who have been supporting me with it, the ones who showed even a silver of interest for my story... Thank you. The soul-catchers and Darkness of the Underworld may envy you deeply (Beautiful Nightmare reference there), but may the Everfall Heavens look down upon you. Heh-heh. Click here to read the outline.
Yes, I am planning to write another re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood. As I saw the novel Red Riding Hood slump over with rotten reviews for the book and the movie, I decided to take the time to write my own version of it with my own twist. What would happen with Red was the wolf? Was if Red was a theft? What if she was caught in a love triangle? What if the grandmother died when she was ill? And why does Red wear a red cloak all the time? Ha-ha, I plan for all those questions to be answered in my upcoming short story.
Sixteen-year-old orphaned Rose ("Red") is one of the most prominent thieve in the land, and is considered a defect of society as some believe she is a changeling. But when her grandmother falls suddenly ill, she is forced to go on a journey to go and find the cure. Of course, hunter Vincent tags along with their journey -- which isn't safe since Red is a werewolf, losing all control at night. Red soon falls in love with Vincent on her pilgrimage, but not without an obstacle in the way. Peter, the one who is more than aware of Red's dark secret, leaving Rose to chose between her love-at-first-sight and the one who could save her from herself. Who will Red chose? And will Red find the cure for her grandmother before its too late? Just a bit of a nutshell of the short story (eh, the draft is pretty rough). Certainly this is a different, more dark retelling of the tale. I somewhat stretched it out longer than it needs to be with more inner depth and plot, however I retain the same themes of the original: the the consequences of love and the dangers of men (not that men are dangerous, anyways; strangers in general). I loved Little Red Riding Hood as a child thanks to movies like Hoodwinked and many other re-tellings, and I thought it's my turn to tell the story.
Kiersten White's Paranormalcy has taken the world of a paranormal to a whole different level, with a "kick-butt" heroine in the supernatural field, unforgettable (and not to mention lighthearted) characters, and the hilarity of universal pop culture we all seem to divulge into. The story-line follows sixteen-year-old Evelyn "Evie", an orphaned girl who sought out for a family. When demonstrating her skills of the supernatural, Evie was successfully taken into the IPCA as she can see through paranormal "glamours". But when you're falling for a shape-shifter like Lend, your best friend is mermaid Lish, and your ex is a fey named Reth -- it's a bit hard to find normal. Especially when the paranormals are starting to disappear for no apparent reason. As a dark prophecy shadows over Evie's life, she will have to gain perception of who she is (supernaturally, of course) and why things like this are happening, all threatening the one thing she loves. Paranormalcy is certainly a different take on the world of supernatural. At moments, I couldn't help but splutter out a few sheepish laughs at the ridiculing of pop culture (vampires, especially). Paranormalcy, however, falls flat with the overuse of Raquel's nuisance of italicized sighs, the undeveloped characters (especially the romantic interest), and the not so descriptive descriptions. Especially in the beginning, I found myself confound with all the things going on -- especially in the setting. I have to give White props for yanking the reader in right from the beginning: with Evie capturing a not-so-tough vamp named Steve. However, you can't help but get lost in the plot. When (*spoiler alert*) Lish dies, I didn't give a silver of sympathy for the mermaid since she made very little appearances throughout the book, especially considering the fact that she is her best friend. I just found her underdeveloped, with all the "bleeps" being tossed around like it's nothing (but now I can't help but do the same now to restrain myself from cursing). But you can't help but feel for the mermaid since she's trapped in an aquarium all the time, which is filled with pollution. The most developed, interesting character I found was Reth. Despite the fact that he's a bit stalkerish for a faerie, a little on the dark side, he seems like my type. He's probably my favorite character, and lacks in little, if any, stereotypes like Evie (who reminds me of some sort of a valley-girl in a chick-flick). Lend is so two-dimensional. Sure, he's trapped in the containment center most of the book -- but he doesn't seem that developed to me, and lacks in the emotional depth needed for a romantic interest to have.
As you can see, Paranormalcy didn't do it for me. But the humor and pop culture is enough to keep be tuned into once again for another pointless sequel, Supernaturally and the comeback of the upcoming third book in the trilogy, Endlessly.
*does my happy dance*
