Author Interview: Mandi Slack, of "The Alias"

One of the coolest things about ANWA is that it's put me in the way of lots of really cool ladies who've had their work published! And they're all so nice they let me practice my blog-interviewing skills on them. After reading and posting the review for Mandi Slack's "The Alias," I emailed her and asked if she'd be willing to answer a few questions for a blog interview. Of course she was more than happy. Thanks, Mandi!

Sweet Saturday Samples: from "Bloom"

In case nobody noticed, NaNo WriMo is RIGHT around the corner. Throughout the month of November, every Sweet Saturday Sample will be from my past and (if it's not too awful!) present NaNo Novels. To kick things off with a huge bang, the entire first chapter of "Bloom," my first NaNo Novel, and the first novel I ever totally completed! To read the story of how "Bloom" turned from a NaNo Novel to it's polished version now, check out this page. So, on with the show!

Born into one of the Big Three families of the Enchanter realm, 17-year-old Finna Claremont’s lineage—yeah, lineage—should mean she’ll make a great guardian…. Right. 

Review: "The Alias" by Mandi Slack

When I heard through the grapevine (i.e. Facebook) that "The Alias," a book already on my to-read list was on sale for Kindle, I snatched it right up! It's so fun to read books by people I "know" on Facebook. It's *usually* a boost to me to see so many friends published!

Sweet Saturday Samples: More From "My Best Friend is a Superhero"

I just finished polishing it up to start sending out queries, so I figured what better way to celebrate than giving everyone another "sweet" taste! So here's the hook, and the sample from Chapter 2. (For a sample of Chapter 1, check out this post; for another from Chapter 10, check out this post.)

Hook: (And definitely tell me what you think)

If seventeen-year-old Bek Black is right about her best friend being a superhero, falling in love with the notorious player means putting more than her heart on the line.

Query Help Anyone?

So here's the latest query for "My Best Friend is a Superhero." I would LOVE to hear all your comments so I can make it simply amazing and get an agent overnight. (Is that too optimistic...?)

Dear NAME,

I would like to submit to you my 52,000 word YA novel MY BEST FRIEND IS A SUPERHERO.

If seventeen-year-old Bek Black is right about Adam Axley being a superhero, falling in love with the notorious player means putting more than her heart on the line.

Abbreviated Review: "The Best Intentions" by Candice Hern

My mom loaned me this book (I LOVE the new Kindle loan feature!) and I got right to it. (I only had 14 days, after all.) 

The Earl of Strickland, Miles Prescott, knows it's time to find a new wife. His daughters need a mother and his home needs a mistress. So despite reservations, he allows his sister to bring the widowed Lady Abingdon as an excellent prospect. And she's attractive. But is she the right mother for his two young girls?

Decluttering: Getting Rid of Unnessary Words, Part 1

Time for another Ranee's Pet Peeves rant. I want to talk about some words that crowd up your manuscript. Usually you hear all about adverbs, so I'll spare you that lecture for now. The words I want you to get rid of fall into two categories:
* words that dilute the action
* words that crowd the sentence