Източник: Ришел Мийд

I swear to god I had flailing arms after finishing The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead, second in the Bloodlines series. Y’all my expectations have been met and surpassed. As you may recall, I was disappointed with Bloodlines because of the lack of kissing, but OMG, The Golden Lily TOTALLY MAKES UP FOR THAT! Plus, we get some legit character development and actual additions to the story with some reveals and answers. Basically, The Golden Lily was NOT one of those middle books that feels like a waste of time.

Може да прочетете цялата рецензия – ТУК.

Източник: Good Books and Good Wine

Lots to say today. If you looked for tangible evidence of my work this last week or so, you wouldn’t find a whole lot. I’ve been adding on to my character and world building notes, and the more I work on those, the more the plot unfolds in my head. So much of what I do is character driven that having them fleshed out goes a long way to build the book. Their personal stories are just as important as the book’s main conflict.

I mentioned before how useful it is to write these bios and notes as though I’m explaining them to someone who knows nothing about the story. This is becoming more and more true. There are a few gray areas in my head that I thought I understood, but when forced to write them out in detail, I realized some things didn’t make sense yet. And if they don’t make sense to me, how will they make sense to the reader when I actually write the book? These exercises have forced me to make sure I’ve got everything thought out. There’s a group of people in the book who are instrumental to the plot, and I thought I understood them inside and out. But, as it turned out, there were a few snags, which forced me to step back and reevaluate things.

I’m often asked how to deal with writer’s block. For me, the best way to overcome it is to prevent it in the first place. Writer’s block often happens because you don’t know what’s going to happen next. If I can figure it all out before I write the book, then most of my battle is fought. Now, this method isn’t for everyone. In the writer divide of plotters and pantsers (as in, those who write by the seat of their pants), I’m definitely a plotter. Some people don’t need to know anything in advance. They can sit down and figure out their book on the fly. But, if you find yourself stalling out and staring at the screen for a long period of time, it might be beneficial to join the plotter ranks.

The other thing I’ve hammered out is the book’s big arc, which I divide into three acts. A lot of books naturally fall into this pattern. For me, Act 1 is usually the set up–catching up with our characters, finding out the status quo, etc. Act 2 is when the main conflict initially unfolds and the characters are working to achieve their various goal. Act 3 is when the conflict really explodes, the characters must deal with it, and many of the secrets woven throughout the book come to light. To use Vampire Academy #1 as an example (spoilers ahead), Act 1 is Rose and Lissa returning and readjusting to school. Act 2 is them trying to work through their goals and the consequences that unfold: Rose training and falling for Dimitri, Lissa fighting her madness, Mia, mysterious notes, etc. Act 3 is when things really hit their crazy point (the lust charm, Rose and Lissa’s fight) and then result in the ultimate dangerous showdown at Victor’s. This is also when all the secrets about spirit come out and when the characters have to wrap things up afterward (a happy romantic ending for Lissa, less so for Rose). Again–this doesn’t happen for all books, but it does for many. It’s not a cookie cutter pattern. It’s another way of looking at the “rising conflict” diagram you may have learned about in school. Stories that hook us having building action and tension. The three act system helps me break that down.

And, since this is part of a series, the series also has an overarching plot that also has three acts. The VA series very neatly splits off into two books per act (this will not always be the case). VA and Frostbite are the first act, setting up the world and characters. Shadow Kiss and Blood Promise are when things go bad, ending the act with the OHMYGODHOWCANTHEYGETOUTOFTHIS moments. And Spirit Bound and Last Sacrifice are when the C4 comes out and they have to work to fix Act 2 and wrap everything up. That’s why those middle books in a series often have the jaw dropper endings–not because I hate the number three, but because so often in storytelling, the second third is when you deliver the sucker punch. So, as I work on Age of X, I have to be conscious of each individual book’s structure, as well as how those books fit into the big structure of the series. It also means I need to know my end game (i.e. the conclusion of the series) to really make the other books count. And along the way, there will be countless details and subplots that need to be worked out.

It boggles the mind. And I’d best get back to it.

Източник: Even Redheads Get the Blues

I’m already seeing some positive comments from readers and am just thrilled that you guys are enjoying the book. ^__^ If you’re in the US, I’m afraid the release date will be on the 24th May, so just a little longer to wait, but the book is available for pre-order from all good stockists.

Източник: Emma Vieceli

Потопете се в тъмния свят на буреносни страсти и спиращо дъха действие, където шестима необикновени воини са призвани да защитят расата на вампирите от тяхното пълно унищожение.

В сенките на нощта в Колдуел, Ню Йорк, бушува ожесточена и смъртоносна война. Последните вампири са безмилостно преследвани и избивани от Обществото на лесърите – организация на лишени от души ловци, които не се спират пред нищо, за да унищожат враговете си. Шестима изключителни воини, най-добрите бойци на вампирите, обединени в Братството на черния кинжал, имат за задача да спасят расата си от гибел.

Ривендж е симпат, наркобарон и собственик на известен нощен клуб, който се посещава от богатите и тежко въоръжените. И именно тъмната му слава е причината да се обърнат към него с предложението да убие Рот, Слепия крал и водач на Братството на черния кинжал. Ривендж винаги е стоял настрана от братята, въпреки че сестра му е омъжена за един от тях, защото той крие смъртоносна тайна. Докато интриги във и извън Братството заплашват да разкрият истината за Ривендж, той се обръща към единствения източник на светлина в неговия мрачен свят – Елена.

Елена е жена вампир, недокосната от покварата на Ривендж, и единственото нещо, което стои между него и пълното му унищожение.

Дж. Р. Уорд
БРАТСТВОТО НА ЧЕРНИЯ КИНЖАЛ: Отмъстена любов (книга седма)
Формат: 14,5х21 см
Обем: 620 стр.
Меки корици
ISBN 978-619-157-019-5
Цена: 17,90 лв.

Начало на книгата:
- Кралят трябва да умре.
Четири прости думи. Поотделно не значеха кой знае какво. Но събрани заедно? Извикваха в съзнанието все лоши асоциации: убийство, предателство, измяна.
Смърт.
В напрегнатите мигове, след като бяха изречени пред него, Ривендж остана смълчан и ги остави да се реят из застоялия въздух на кабинета.
- Имаш ли какво да кажеш по въпроса? – попита Монтраг, син на Рем.

Източник: ИК “Ибис” & VA Bulgaria

Between supervillains and the writing process, we haven’t talked much about my upcoming books in a while. This past weekend marked one month until the release of The Golden Lily, which comes out June 12 in English-speaking countries. I’m really excited by this book and think the ending will leave a lot of people saying, “Whaatttt?” If you haven’t read the first chapter yet, it’s here.

As usual, I will be autographing copies of The Golden Lily for University Bookstore. If you want an autographed copy, the detailed instructions are here on my website. The bottom line is that you order through their site and then note in the comments who you want the book (or books) made out to. University Bookstore can’t ship TGL before its release date of June 12, so if you want a signed copy, you’ll have to wait for it to get to you. (If you can’t wait and don’t need an autograph, pre-order at your local bookstore!). To make sure your book ships on release day, place your orders no later than about four days in advance of release date. The sooner, the better. I’ll come in and sign a big ol’ bunch of books, and then the store will ship them out!

And next week, we’ve got something else good: the Frostbite graphic novel comes out on May 24! (It’s out in Australia/NZ already). If you’ve read the regular books, you know Frostbite is when things start to get crazy, so this is a good one. I’ll also be autographing these for University Bookstore, and you can order them by following the same link above. To find the graphic novel on their website, do a title search for Frostbite and scroll down until you see the cover, which looks like this:

The Frostbite graphic novel can’t ship before its release date of May 24, so it’s the same deal. Place your order in advance, I’ll sign it, and out it goes on release day. If you order both of these new books together, neither will ship until the later release day (June 12) unless you pay separate shipping. The store carries all of my other titles if you want signed copies of those, and they ship internationally. Direct questions to: ubsmail@u.washington.edu

Phew, that’s a lot! I hope it all makes sense. I also want to add that although the store goes out of its way to get new books out on release day, it can’t be held responsible for delays that are out of their control. Sometimes they don’t get their shipments on time. Or, you know, I could break my hand. Those are unlikely, but I just want you to have the heads up. And of course, this is all only for signed books. You have lots and lots of other options to get my books elsewhere! However you manage it, I hope you enjoy them. This is going to be a good spring.

Източник: Even Redheads Get the Blues

Източник: BloodlinesBooks

Източник: ИК “Ибис”

Източник: Bloodlines – The OFFICIAL global page

Източник: Bloodlines – The OFFICIAL global page