BOOK REVIEW: The Wednesday Wars

I usually refuse to do book reviews. I'm even reluctant to properly use GoodReads as it's intended: a review site for all. Why?

Two reasons.

1) As an author, people actually want to know what you think about other people's books. Some of those people are other authors. Some of those people you know - including the author. If you really said what you thought about a particular book you'd hear about it, particularly if it was nasty - and honestly, do you really want to give every book 4 or 5 stars, just to keep the peace? It's simply not fair. And it's not very nice the other way, either.

2) I don't find many books I love with enough of a passion to review.

I'm happy to say that THE WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary Schmidt makes 1) obsolete - because this is a 5, shoot, a 20 - and 2) I love love love this book. Love.

Other people did, too - it got a Newberry!

On paper, it's not much. Shakespeare. A kid who's convinced his 7th grade english teacher hates him. A regular semester with regular friends and regular problems.

But it's so, so much more. This is an AUTHENTIC boy's book. The voice is spot on. The situations Holling (I know, awesome name, right?) finds himself in are believable - and any kid reading will recognize them, too. The subplots are fantastic and resolve in a satisfactory manner (a sore point with me). And while the plot was there, oh so cleverly there, this book relied on character. This baby hit a home run on character.

Honestly. Guys, this one is tremendous. Give it a shot, and come back here and tell me what you think.

To Gary Schmidt: Dude, I don't know you. But whenever I'm in the US and you're up for it...coffee? *fangirl*

MG book to movie - your favorites?

You find a lot of different opinions about movie adaptions of books amongst authors and readers:

NooooooOOO stinky adaptions! Books are for BOOKS and not for filmsies! You are so tricksy!

Movie adaptions are de BOMB and we love them!
Just the movie, thanks. Book = no way!

(I think some authors are afraid of this last one the most.)

And so on.

I think that movie adaptions are definitely not all bad. I like the idea of kids (and I've known a few) reading the books afterwards to find out the 'real story'. I like the idea of that continuous promotion and the "now in film!" stickers they find to put on them. I like the idea of the extra money the author gets for selling the rights.

That being said, there are drawbacks. The random plot. The hatchet job. Low sales. The worst aspect of it for me is the change in your imagination. I had a very clear picture of Harry in my mind before I saw the movie. After, it had changed, and I didn't know if I liked that.

What are your favourite film adaptions? One that you saw before you read the book? One that you thought actually worked from the book? One that was so far off the track you wondered if they'd actually even read it?

Mine are, hands-down:

1. LOTR (I actually went & read the books *after* seeing the movie. I liked the movie better, ha!) I'm going to count this one because I know that the Hobbit (mg) will be every bit as good if not better.

2. Harry Potter (while they did not have all the details, I think everything was good. But what was up with Daniel Radcliff's eyes? HELLO, green!)3. The Black Stallion (while the plot was mostly there, I'll admit it. I watched it for Cass Ole)

Honorary mention: Where the Red Fern Grows. The dogs. Were. Gorgeous. Rats of Nimh was also super.

What are your favourite MG film adaptions? Will Harry Potter win? Stay tuned....

SCRIVENER GIVEAWAY !!! & Writing product review

Hello, all!

I know most of you (if you're like me) have very exacting requirements for your writing software. I'm a very bare bones type of writer but Word was not for me because of the random, irritating little bugs. When I decided to take this whole writing thing seriously, here were my requirements:

- full screen capability

- chapter breakups (but being able to see the list)

- a research section

- a way to export to Word (as that's what my editor/agent - and every editor/agent I know - uses)

I hadn't found anything close to what I wanted. I had originally started with Open Office (remember that?) and then moved to Pages once I had my Mac, but it still wasn't doing anything for me. Then I found Scrivener. (Or to be honest, my husband did, and made me get it).

Ahhh, Scrivener.

As they say: they can't teach you to write, but they can sure organize it for you! What I like most about Scrivener is that you can take your idea - from initial idea to writing "THE END" on your final draft - start to finish - inside one file, THEN compile it however you need for whoever - including single or multiple chapters, and whatever format you require.

So I started working with it, and I fell in love. The 'binder' allows you to switch between Chapters. (Ka-ching!) Research is a snap = and has its own little section. New content pages are a breeze to set up. Basic outlines are easy peasy with the 'corkboard' feature (try using this to do your synopsis. It is awesome!) You can choose your poison, export-wise...Word, epub, etc. It is so simple and SO fast. Need a full screen to get you away from the internet? *raises hand* Consider it done.

But the nicest part about this program is the flexibility. My husband does PHD work on his thesis in Scrivener (and is a real whiz at it). Screenwriters I know use it. A journalist writes and separates all her stories inside her scrivener. Being a tech writer, I could well imagine how nifty this would be (and bypassing all the huge confusing programs out there.)

It really is great. (and they did not pay for this blog review).

HOWEVER! For our wonderful Project Mayhemers, I've got an AWESOME giveaway today!

You could win a free license for Scrivener! We've got two, thanks to the totally awesome people over at Literature & Latte!

There are caveats:

1. You must be a follower of this blog (So become one! We're cool!) Leave a comment and let us know you're a new follower!
2. Tweet, Facebook this link or otherwise promote it, and leave a comment here letting us know!
3. And sorry! You have to have a Mac.

Interested in Scrivener? Then try it for free on your Mac for 30 days here if you don't win. (It's coming soon for the PC.) Want to buy it? It's a steal for $45.00. Check out their homepage here, as it's got lots of neato little vlogs to help you decide how best to use it.

Do you use Scrivener? What do you think of it? I have to say I do and I love it. I'll not switch ever again.

Do you use another writing software? What do you like/not like about it?

We're all ears!

And good luck! I'll announce the winner on Monday!

Do you GOT POSSUM? Comment & WIN!!!

Possum Summer by Jen K Blom

Heya Mayhem-ers!

I've got some snazzy news! My book will arrive in the warehouse in early April! Like, MY BOOK. Arriving! Real books! Not just imaginary books!

So to celebrate this I want to give a GIVEAWAY out here today on the blog! Because ... MY BOOK. Is. Arriving! Soon!

If you click follow and make a comment here, you can win:

- A signed hardcover of POSSUM SUMMER!

- A GOT POSSUM? T-shirt!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you will look OH SO FLY as you recline in your fantabulous got possum tshirt, reading your copy of POSSUM SUMMER!

Don't delay! Comment today and follow the blog if you don't already!! That's it!

(Giveaway ends next Monday. Tell your friends! Depending on the amount of comments (and followers added) I will add to the prize!)

Watch the Possum Summer Book Trailer HERE!!!!