What I'm Reading
Last week I took part in the Bout of Books 10.0 read-a-thon. I had a very ambitious TBR and ended up reading none of the books on it, because a) I ended up having a very busy week (which literally always happens to me whenever I have something else planned) and b) I continued reading Feed by Mira Grant, got really into it and then had my heart shattered into a million teeny tiny pieces on Saturday when I finished it.
Since then I've been in... not a slump, exactly, but I've been in mourning since finishing Feed. This weekend I'm going to buy myself a copy of Deadline, the second book in the Newsflesh trilogy, and then I'm sure my already broken heart will break a little more.
Even though it broke my heart I highly recommend Feed; it's a zombie novel, but really it's actually more of a novel about the importance of truth and the news and it's just very thought-provoking and funny and heart-wrenching. Read it!
(Warning: If you look up Feed stay away from the other books in the trilogy; there's a huge spoiler in the blurb of the second book for something that happens at the end of the first!)
I also read the first few chapters of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights during the read-a-thon and I'm hoping to get back into that soon, I've enjoyed what I've read so far, and I also need to start Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I'm supposed to be reading it alongside my lovely friend Laura right now, but Feed broke me to the extent that I just wasn't in the mood for a happier, contemporary read over the weekend.
What I'm Writing
As always, I'm working away on Bloodroot and Bracken. Recently I've started to become more and more interested in one of my novel's side characters (which is ironic because she was originally going to be dead until I realised she was more helpful to the plot alive) and I'm considering writing her her own novel at some point in the future.
It's funny how the smallest characters make the biggest impression, isn't it?
What Inspires Me Right Now
The past few days I've actually found the weather pretty inspiring as far as novel writing goes. We've had a few really hot days here and on Monday it was really humid, so it's been getting rather stormy; one of the main characters in my novel is called Thora, so I can't help finding storms a little inspirational!
What Else I've Been Up To
At the weekend I went to see Godzilla. I feel like every week I update this section of WUW with a cinema trip, but I do go to the cinema a lot - I love me some films!
Other than that it's been pretty quiet here the past few days!
What's new with you?
FEED sounds very intriguing! I really recommend reading FANGIRL - although I don't tend to read contemporary, it's the kind of book that made me feel inspired to write!
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing mixed things about Godzilla - not sure I'll end up watching it! My brother was raving about it, but he likes anything with monsters and explosions. :P
I think you'd like Feed, I'd definitely recommend it. :) I'm definitely going to pick Fangirl up soon - I might get the chance to meet Rainbow Rowell in the summer so I'd like to read it before I ask her to sign my copy.
DeleteYeah, I'm still not 100% sure how I feel about it. It's not a bad film it's just not the film I thought I was going to see, so I'm finding it hard to decide whether I liked it or not.
I love what you said about your side character. I have a character like that in my second manuscript. She became vitally important to the plot, and some of that is because I adore her to pieces and just wanted her in scenes. Also, I love the title of your novel! Very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteHave an awesome week!
I know what you mean! So many times I end up giving side characters really interesting back stories only to realise I can't fit it into the plot anywhere, so I end up making room for it instead. Thank you very much! :)
DeleteThank you, you too!
I love what you said about your side character. I have a character like that in my second manuscript. She became vitally important to the plot, and some of that is because I adore her to pieces and just wanted her in scenes. Also, I love the title of your novel! Very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteHave an awesome week!
I just finished the Newsflesh trilogy. The second book was definitely my favourite. And I totally agree - it's not so much about the zombies as the world it's set in.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to buy myself a copy of the second book at the weekend, I can't wait! :)
DeleteSide characters are the so fun to write. I love outlining their background, and adding hidden secrets about the characters past in the text. Thanks for sharing :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot of fun, isn't it? :D No problem, thanks for commenting!
DeleteI've been hearing about the FEED series a lot lately. I'm not sure if I would like a zombie book, but I would love to read something that leaves me thinking about it long after I finish. It's been awhile... As for storms, I kind of love a good spring/summer storm. You know, as long as we get plenty of sunshine otherwise. Storms always feel so inspiring to me. Hope you're having a great week, Jess! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe good thing about this trilogy is that while there are zombies they're not really the main focus. The main focus is really quite political; it's very much about journalism and the truth, but it's also really funny. I definitely recommend it!
DeleteI just love listening to thunder - it always makes me even more glad I'm inside, haha! Thanks, I hope you're having a lovely week too!
Ooh, read Fangirl now! Although, while I liked it, I loved Eleanor & Park and Attachments more.
ReplyDeleteI feel like my What Else bits have always been about TV lately. Think I need to get some new things to do!
I read Attachments at the start of the month and I haven't quite decided how I feel about it yet. I did enjoy it, but I found Lincoln a little annoying from time to time. I am really eager to read Fangirl and Eleanor & Park, though! :)
DeleteI think it just says something about the kind of people we are! One thing I've noticed since I joined What's Up Wednesday is just how much film and TV us writers watch, and I think it's just because we love storytelling in all its forms. :)
I find it really interesting that you gave one of your characters a reprieve because she was more helpful to the plot alive. In my current WIP, I switched which character would die in the end. It's such a huge thing to decide! It's very cool that you spared this character and are now considering writing a story entirely about her. That's the creative process for you! And I agree that the smallest characters can make the biggest impressions. Love that. Have a great week! :)
ReplyDeleteThe creative process is certainly an interesting one! I think once we've created characters, the more we get to know them the more they seem to decide for themselves what's going to happen to them. It's crazy!
DeleteThanks, you too! :)
I hope you enjoy Fangirl it was one of my favorite books that I read last year. I love when side characters have a voice of their own. I'm trying to do that with a WIP that I'm drafting now. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm hoping I enjoy it too! Good luck giving that side character of yours a voice! :)
DeleteHave a lovely weekend!
I've heard similar things about Godzilla - I think it'll be a 'Wait for it to come out on DVD' thing for me...
ReplyDeleteI'm a big Rainbow Rowell fan, I really hope you love Fangirl! I haven't tried Feed yet (after a Walking Dead marathon, I think I'm about to OD on zombieness) but I have a feeling I'd enjoy it.
And congrats to your character for staying alive! Huzzah! I've killed off a lot more characters than I thought I would in my WIP - it's turning a bit Game of Throney, actually. Maybe I'll take a leaf from your book and reverse their misfortunes a little... ;)
- Caitie from Tea & Knee Socks
That's probably for the best, there's nothing worse than spending money on a cinema trip if you're not sure you're going to like what you're going to see.
DeleteThanks, I hope so too! I'm ashamed to say I haven't read Fangirl or Eleanor & Park yet, but I'm hoping to read both of them this year - I might get the chance to meet Rainbow Rowell in July so I'd like to read my copy of Fangirl before I ask her to sign it!
You definitely check out Feed - it has quite a different feel to it than other zombie stories like The Walking Dead. :)
Haha, oh dear! I feel sorry for your characters if you're turning into the next George R.R. Martin!
I'll have to check out FEED. I'm a sucker for a good zombie story! I saw Godzilla this past weekend, too. I really enjoyed it, although I was expecting something a little different because of the movie trailers.
ReplyDeleteDo! It's a brilliant book. :) I haven't quite decided how I feel about Godzilla yet - it might end up being one of those films I have mixed feelings about forever!
DeleteFEED sounds awesome. Adding to my TBR list. *TBR list explodes from too many titles* Oh well. I am debating about seeing Godzilla too. I love a good action flick but I, too, have heard a lot of mixed reviews on that one. Good luck with the writing and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHaha, my TBR list is huge too, and yet I just keep adding to it...
DeleteIf you love action movies then I'd say go and see it, just don't expect quite the film you see in the trailer. ;)
Thank you, you have a great week too!