Writing in your Heart discussion

Okay so if you awesome people want to gain some knowledge - then here are some books that you may want to sink your eyes into - perhaps you'll learn some new ways to lay out your story.

Cassandra Clare - The Infernal Devices
- The Mortal Instruments

L.J.Smith - The Vampire Diaries (series of 13)

Rachel Caine - Morganville Vampires (series of 15)
- Weather Warden Series (series of 11)

This is just the start of a very long list to come - the Vampire Diaries will show the downsides to a whiny character. Whilst the Infernal Devices will show how writing a period set story, is unique and will help you plan amazing twists in your story and create more developed characters. Have fun and don't forget to post any ideas for other books that can help us, in our Knowledge Trial.

Thanks ;)

Hayley wrote: "Okay so if you awesome people want to gain some knowledge - then here are some books that you may want to sink your eyes into - perhaps you'll learn some new ways to lay out your story.

Cassandra ..."

Great idea. The best way to write better is read as much as you can and write as much as you can.
I LOVE Infernal Devices. I read Clare's other books, but nothing is as beautiful as Infernal Devices.

I totally agree Sarah - however the Bane Chronicles is interesting - but Infernal Devices is by far my favourite. In 2016 the first book to the Dark Artifices comes out, so can't wait for 2016!! XD

Hayley wrote: "I totally agree Sarah - however the Bane Chronicles is interesting - but Infernal Devices is by far my favourite. In 2016 the first book to the Dark Artifices comes out, so can't wait for 2016!! XD"

I know, I was just fan girling with a friend about this new series. Can. Not. Wait. But I will... :)

Oh and I need to read Bane Chronicles. Love Magnus.

Haha I have been fan girling for tons of books and Magnus is just damn hilarious. And you know the other series I have yet to read...YOURS! And its killing me because I now have a really long TBR list. We need more hours in the day. ;-)

Hayley wrote: "Haha I have been fan girling for tons of books and Magnus is just damn hilarious. And you know the other series I have yet to read...YOURS! And its killing me because I now have a really long TBR l..."

Magnus is an epic character. Thank you! I'm honored you want to read my series. But I totally understand the long TBR list. More hours would be great!!! I'm actually about to release a new book, the first in a series. I think it's better than my first. If you want an ARC ebook, then let me know. No pressure though. Just if you're interested in dystopian. The book is entitled Defects

I read pretty much anything - hell I am now hooked on manga! So I am sure reading a dystopian won't be a problem, I need to at some point buy your series off of amazon; when I get the time and more money.

I was thinking the other day how you can never have too many books in the world - you can though because it would take centuries to read every book that has been published in the last 3 decades. Never mind poems, plays and the classics.

Shame that is. And I need another bookshelf/bookcase *sigh*. Sadly I don't have room for another, so I may need to re-organise my shelfs. XD

Hayley wrote: "I read pretty much anything - hell I am now hooked on manga! So I am sure reading a dystopian won't be a problem, I need to at some point buy your series off of amazon; when I get the time and more..."

I know. I promised myself after my last move that I'd stop buying books. Those things are heavy. Hasn't happened. I appreciate the support. And I'm always happy to share ebooks. But I totally understand wanting hard copies. There's just something about holding a story in your hands.

I know right. I have a really bad addiction to books - so please tell me this is not just me. When you buy a series of books, and you know there are different covers, would throw a fit if say 6 had one style but only 1 had another?? I would and do, another thing that annoys me is when you have say a trilogy and 2 are paperbacks but one is hardback.

And sizes. I never thought that books in the same series would be done in different sizes - personally I think the publishers are laughing knowing about people out there like me - are gonna flip if they get say the 5th book in a series; only its slightly taller than the rest.

Is this just me or do others do this???

Hayley wrote: "I know right. I have a really bad addiction to books - so please tell me this is not just me. When you buy a series of books, and you know there are different covers, would throw a fit if say 6 had..."

That's hilarious. I think that publishers are trying to make you go insane for sure. I feel the same way when I get books.

Glad its not just me Sarah! And I think the publishers like being annoying - since they have at least 2 different front covers for most books. It's ridiculous...but amusing. XD

Hayley wrote: "Glad its not just me Sarah! And I think the publishers like being annoying - since they have at least 2 different front covers for most books. It's ridiculous...but amusing. XD"

Oh I'm convinced publishers love being annoying. It's their thing.

Perhaps they only know how to be annoying - and they can't do anything else. Since they excel at being annoying. xxx

Hayley wrote: "Perhaps they only know how to be annoying - and they can't do anything else. Since they excel at being annoying. xxx"

Lol. And I think publishers are feeling the pressure by indies and really pulling out all sorts of gimmicks. I hope they feel the pressure.

Sarah wrote: "Hayley wrote: "Perhaps they only know how to be annoying - and they can't do anything else. Since they excel at being annoying. xxx"

Lol. And I think publishers are feeling the pressure by indies ..."

They absolutely feel the pressure! I noticed that this spring- all of our books, both my son's and mine were edged out of the top 100 in their genre by publishing house writers. So, if both Stillwell and Captain No Beard were in the top 100 of their genre ( for close to three years), they disappeared under the onslaught of Anne Rice, Stephen King, and in my case, Mo Willems for about four weeks until the publishers stopped paying for them to get their top spots. Ours bounced back sometime in July. I am seeing the same trend right now- sales have fallen off a bit- the kindles are not moving as they had- so either August is slow or the big guns push their releases edging out us "do it yourself guys."

I totally agree. And I think that in an ideal world - even those authors who self publish should just be judged on how amazing their book is. However this is not the case, and for this I apologise on behalf of the world and thick idiots. XD

Hayley wrote: "I totally agree. And I think that in an ideal world - even those authors who self publish should just be judged on how amazing their book is. However this is not the case, and for this I apologise ..."

@ Hayley, Your apology is appreciated. Lol. They just get more exposure and that's the trick.

Carol, that is really interesting. I love that they are feeling the pressure. I wonder how it will change publishing in the next year. It seems it's just going to keep adapting based on indies.

I bet that was frustrating for you to lose your rank, but I'm glad you recovered. It can be tough to get back on the top 100 once pushed out. August has been slow, but I think it's across the board, so that helps us all keep our ranking.

Sarah wrote: "Hayley wrote: "I totally agree. And I think that in an ideal world - even those authors who self publish should just be judged on how amazing their book is. However this is not the case, and for th..."

I used to get nuts about the rank- especially when it fell out of the top 100. Now Amazon ranks everything- it's very helpful gauging the effectiveness of ads- seeing the books movement. Whether an ad is successful.

Carole wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hayley wrote: "I totally agree. And I think that in an ideal world - even those authors who self publish should just be judged on how amazing their book is. However this is not the ca..."

Yeah, I've calmed down about it too. At first it's fun, but then tiresome. I'm glad Amazon has improved because it takes away from the guess work.

Oh and thanks for the fantastic review of Awoken. I'm truly honored. :)

My pleasure! Hope it sells some books. I enjoyed it. Loved the spunky main character, Roya !

Carole wrote: "My pleasure! Hope it sells some books. I enjoyed it. Loved the spunky main character, Roya !"

Thanks! And I totally signed up and advertised with Publisher Weekly at your recommendation. I'm hoping they review as well. :)

Fingers crossed. They passed on all of mine, but reviewed two of my son's with the promise of two more.

Carole wrote: "Fingers crossed. They passed on all of mine, but reviewed two of my son's with the promise of two more."

Thank you! If nothing else, I'm hoping the advertising will get me in front of new readers. Thanks for all the recommendations. Using them all. :)

Hey another way to meet new readers, and fans would be by visiting schools, hosting signings, visiting libraries. I'm sure you've already thought of all this though.

And perhaps when you take off you can come visit England, Nottinghamshire of course! Since I live Nottinghamshire and would love to meet my goodreads pal. You know the only author I have ever met is Rachel Caine, one book signed by her and I won a free signed hardback of the last book in a series.

But hopefully I will get to meet you one day. XD

Oh and you too Carole - then we can discuss books, the world and how it would be such nicer to live in one of creations. I certainly would, if not mine then someone elses! Lol. ;-)

Sounds like a beautiful thing, Hayley!

It does doesn't it? The UK is very good at spurring my imagination onwards - we are an island anyway - the land has country and then urban areas; all good things to inspire a story.

Although I really would love to visit the USA in my lifetime, when I have no clue. But I'll let ya both know when I get round to it. xoxoxox

Hayley wrote: "It does doesn't it? The UK is very good at spurring my imagination onwards - we are an island anyway - the land has country and then urban areas; all good things to inspire a story.

Although I re..."

I love the idea of visiting schools and libraries. I have it on my list to hit up some literature teachers.

Oh and I would LOVE to come to England, and visit you. The UK definitely inspires. You know I have a forthcoming novel set there. I had to have some natives beta read it to ensure I was accurate. It's a fan fiction novel about a side character who readers have fallen in love with. His name is Ren and he's from a fictional town in the South of England and he's quite snarky and abrasive. Anyway, I think it is a requirement that I visit and do author events when that book comes out. :)

I totally agree Sarah. I love going up to Scotland when its our holiday, its very different to England. The places we go are surrounded my nature - trees, rocks, lochs ect. But yes you must come to England and then I can meet you, haha I was just thinking what would happen if you came to my school.

No doubt everyone would be bored cause its 'books'. Honestly the best TV series and films are based on books, shows how much they know. XD

Hayley wrote: "I totally agree Sarah. I love going up to Scotland when its our holiday, its very different to England. The places we go are surrounded my nature - trees, rocks, lochs ect. But yes you must come to..."

I've been to England once, but my time was too brief. I would love to explore more of the natural settings.

That's too bad about students and books. We're just going to have show them what they're missing.

My school is kind of in a similar situation but a few years ago before I came some students started a book club which is basically just a biweekly meeting held in the library where book nerds talk about the books they read and just hang out. This fall I actually helped get an author to come and talk to our book club which is so awesome!

Hailey wrote: "My school is kind of in a similar situation but a few years ago before I came some students started a book club which is basically just a biweekly meeting held in the library where book nerds talk ..."

That's awesome Hailey! It only takes one nerd to start a movement. Sounds like a fun club. :)

Hailey wrote: "My school is kind of in a similar situation but a few years ago before I came some students started a book club which is basically just a biweekly meeting held in the library where book nerds talk ..."

Hailey wrote: "My school is kind of in a similar situation but a few years ago before I came some students started a book club which is basically just a biweekly meeting held in the library where book nerds talk ..."
It's great that you enjoy books and set up a way to discuss them. We learn so much from books, about ourselves, others- it's a great way to learn and enrich your life. Kudos to you for doing that!

That sounds like fun Hailey - which author did you get to come in? And Sarah I think we totally should show them what they're missing, books are where we learn about ourselves as people, writers and readers. xxxx

The author I got was Renee Ahdieh the author of The Wrath and The Dawn which is an amazing book!

Haven't heard of her before - but will get round to reading her stuff. Hey do you like Sarah J Maas??? I love her and her books they're amazing! XD

Yes! I love Sarah J Maas and I got to meet her at a signing at my local Barnes and Noble and she was so awesome and sweet!

Aww I've seen interviews of her on youtube. Love her stuff - Chaol and Dorin, Celine. luv em all <3

Yes! Dorian and Chaol are two of my book crushes and Throne of Glass gave me all the feels! I love all her characters and the world building is amazing!

Totally agree with you. Although my personal favourite book crushes are Will and Jem from the Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare. If you haven't read it then you should, its amazing! xxxx

I have and Jem is so sweet and precious and I can't wait to see him and Tessa together in Lady Midnight but I am also not prepared for all the feels I am going to have!

Same here!!! I actually preferred TID to TMI - which did you prefer??? Can't wait to read about Emma and Jules too! xxxx

I like TiD more because of Jem and Will but I love Malec, Sebastian, and Jace in TMI and it's so hard to chose between the two because they are both amazing! I cannot wait to see Jem and Emma together and I heard there will be a wedding in Lady Midnight and I am hoping that it's either Malec or Jessa!

For me I just preferred TID because of the banter and the characters - they were always being sarcastic or having funny moments. Where as with TMI it was serious with some romance and fun.

And I hope its Jessa!!! xxxx

Yeah same but I also love Malec from TMI and I found the villains of Valentine and Sebastian but I really liked Jem and Will's friendship and Henry and Charlotte's romance was amazing.

I agree! I loved their friendship and how if anything, Tessa made their friendship stronger! xxxxx