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Q. If you could write yourself a part in a book, what book would it be and what role would you play in that book?

Well. Confession time. As a writer, I'm pretty sure every character I've written to date has at least a smidgen of my personality somewhere within their inky veins. Most of the time, it manifests in a constant supply of big brothers (I always wanted a big brother, but being the eldest in the family - and a girl - you can see that never really happened), or sometimes a heroine that makes her male adversaries break down and start trembling at the knees.

Yeah. I'm not boasting or anything, but have you ever seen that button that reads "I make boys cry"? That's me. In real life. Totally true story.

That being said, to really put specifics to this question, I think I'd most like to be my main character in my newest work-in-progress (which is the one that I really want to query, fingers crossed!) She's fiery, she's beautiful, and she's got...bottoms...to kick and names to take.

Alright. That's my over-share for the day.

Have you ever read a book and not wanted to review it? Are some books too personal that we want to keep our thoughts our own?

Okay, here's the thing. When I don't want to review a book, it usually means that it was too disappointing, or not my cup of tea, or confusing (read: I HATED IT) and I don't know what to say without having a league of irritated fans chasing me down with pitchforks and razor-sharp comments.

(Prime example: my review of Ashfall. If you don't know what happened there, I won't be the one to fill you in. Suffice it to say that when I hate a book, it's probably better for all involved that I keep silent.)

If I really love a book, I will try my best to get that love out there. Often, I won't be able to find the right words to say about it ("Um, there was this part where she just...and then he...yeah, it was awesome") but sometimes you just have to let those emotions out without knowing how you're going to be able to express them.

Coming up from Kaye!

As you can see, the blog has been neglected for a bit, and for that I apologize. The reality of the matter is that Ramadan started and I usually don't read during that period because when I read fiction I go into this other world and thinking about unicorns and dashing heroes in leather jackets doesn't really go with religious fasting and thinking of those who don't have what we do.

Whew. That was a lot.

Anyways, I should be tip-top and back on schedule with a TON of new reviews and such around the 30th (which is when Ramadan ends). In the meantime, you'll probably see me around on Twitter, or entering hundreds of giveaways I haven't a prayer of winning. 

(Speaking of giveaways, the Maryrose Wood giveaway is still open and running. Keep that in mind if you're looking to win some total awesomeness.)

And the renovation, you ask?

To be honest, I'm not sure anymore whether a complete overhaul is necessary, or if I just need a little housekeeping. We'll have to see how it goes. 

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Q. Name three authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?

Well, I actually experienced this earlier in the year with Anna Godberson (a private volunteer's-only breakfast before Authors Unlimited!), but it wasn't what I was expecting.

Sooo...

One author I can definitely say off the top of my head is Laini Taylor, because a) as I said before I think that pink hair on her head is the sign of an awesome person, and b) I just love the poetic way she writes, especially in Spicy Little Curses Such as These. *sighs* India and a fairy tale. Positively gorgeous.

Okay, who else? I'd love to meet Gail Carson Levine, because Ella has always been one of my childhood heroines, and she wrote in a way that touched my brave, needy little nine-year-old heart. So yeah. Even if I just got to hug her and blurt out like three questions about her writing process, I'd be completely satisfied.

Last one...well, I might fudge it and add two more...but then I'll stop and be good, I promise! I would've loved to meet and talk with Diana Wynne Jones, but, well, there's no way I could do that anymore, unless I believed in Spiritualism (which I don't). So, probably, Meg Cabot, simply because she writes super fast and I want to know HOW DO YOU DO THAT?! and she's pretty much written a title in every genre and that's something I aspire towards.

Okay. The last two I'm not supposed to add (but really want to). Gah. Forgive me.

Ally Carter. *insert squeal* To me, Ally is the queen of kicking bottom and taking names and positive feel good about yourself girl power - which, to be honest, there is a disappointing lack of in today's YA market. I'd love to sit next to her and watch her write and hope it rubs off onto me because seriously, she is amazing.

Neil Gaiman. Let's face it, the guy is good. Really good. He's like the greatest author of the 21st century. I'd just like to hear his experiences and dream of someday getting good at what I do.

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"What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?"

Okay. So let's just pretend I haven't gushed over the Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfield so many times and go with that. When I read the first book earlier this year, the uniqueness of the plot - I mean, an alternate WWII? A prince on the run? How cool is that? - was initially what hooked me into the storyline. Of course, there's also the writing style, and the cool illustrations that go along with the chapters...

...Alright, let's just leave it at the uniqueness factor. That's pretty much the main thing that hooks me because I HATE REDUNDANCY and when authors don't have their own mind. Case in point: all the pale-skinned, broody heroes that have emerged in the literary world since Twilight burst onto the scene.

Which, by the way, segues us successfully into the second part of the question: what makes me stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf? Ever since I started book blogging, I've developed the annoying habit of persevering for a) the sake of reviewing the book for prosperity, and b) a vain hope that the hero will get his...ahem...behind into gear and do something interesting before the last fifty pages.

But, since we're on the subject, as I mentioned before, I hate when authors are unoriginal. Or add in a bit of tawdry smut in order to keep things going. This is my own moral standing, but I don't think you prove yourself as a good writer if you have to resort to profanity or graphic scenarios in order to keep the plot-line going. And, from the mouth of a teenager, I don't feel as though "you understand me" if you add in these so-called plot mechanisms.

Alright. So I think I gave you enough for your money's worth.

"Ack! Your favorite book character (ie. Hermione Granger as played by Emma Watson) has just stepped into the room! How do you react?"

Okay. So my favorite book character would be someone like Percy Jackson (as played by Logan Lerman, even though he didn't really do as great a job as expected IMO) or, yeah, Hermione or Ron would be awesome as well.

Probably, if any of my favorite characters - manifested in movie form or not - appeared in front of me, I'd probably jump up and be like, "Take me with you!" because believe me, there has to be something exciting going on.

(Though I'm not sure I'd like to get involved with bloodthirsty Greek gods or Dementors in real life. Whatever. It'd still be cool.)

Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop (62411)

 "When did you realize reading was your passion and a truly important part of your life?"


Okay, wow. Excuse the poor pun, but I really "hopped" into this meme at the right time.

Reading has, quite literally, been a lifelong love affair for me. I've been reading on my own since I was three years old, and due to being home-schooled, my family has always encouraged me towards it, to the point that when I was in fourth grade, I was already on a 11th grade reading level.

The library has always been like my second home. I know which shelves to browse first for a new favorite, and I'm probably the only patron who has to be policed by her younger sister into leaving a few books behind - very reluctantly.

With the affection that I hold for reading, it's a bit surprising - even to me - that I only just realized that I would be able to transmit this love into a career in Library Science. It's pretty much the only way I can think of at this point, besides my goal to become a YA author, to make my passion an official part of my life - and give my dad a proper excuse for why every solid surface of my room is choked with books.

Q. In light of the Summer Solstice - also known as Midsummer - let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?

Oh, boy. Fairies. Let's see...My favorite childhood story, quite literally the one that started it all, would be The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks - you know, of The Indian in the Cupboard fame? I used to read that book over and over in elementary school, and think how cool it was if there were little faeries living in my backyard.

Of course, there's also William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, which I adore (well, I just love Shakespeare's plays in general, so no surprise there). I am loving the influx of books centered around the idea of Puck, who is the ultimate fairy bad-boy to me.