Wednesday, July 27, 2011

New Book Ending

I'm working on this one book that I originally wrote way back in high school. The characters were bugging me a few months ago, so I took out the book. It was horrible. Really bad. But, the storyline was good, the characters were good. It just needed a lot of tweaking.

Basically, I grabbed the character's names and personalities and wrote a whole new story, keeping some of the same story. But, now I'm getting to a part where I could go a few different ways with it.

I could keep the original type of ending - happy, predictable.
I could make the ending sad and not so predictable.
I could make the ending not what I wanted, but probably more realistic. Happy, yet not happy.

I read so many people get tired of predictable, happy endings. But, how many readers are like that? Most? Some? Only a few?

And I LIKE the happy endings. So, should I just write what I would want to happen even if it's predictable and happy?

I'm sure I'll write whatever comes to me at the second I get to that crossroads. But, right now, I'm kind of conflicted about what to do.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Giveaway!

Brand new website starting out strong with iPad2!

The Rules are Simple: Go to this blog and follow it so we can confirm you entered and click the Facebook like page for one entry. Purchase one of the $2.99 books below and send the receipt to authorgiveaway@gmail.com Each receipt equals 10 entries you can enter as many times as you want. The winner will be chosen at random by AuthorGiveaways. The Ipad2, valued at $499, will be sent directly from Apple to the winner.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Character Description

I recently read a blog about describing your character's appearance. It made me think about how I write.

When I introduce a character, I try to describe them.

But, then, I don't usually describe them anymore. Especially if they're not the main characters.

One of the things I dislike is when an author constantly reminds you of what the characters look like. Repeating what color eyes or hair a character has, no matter how many different ways you can say it gets boring! Yes, we know he has blue eyes because you've told us 100 times. And oh the cold skin, can't forget that. He had cold skin in the beginning of the series, he still has cold skin at the end. WOW, who would have thought?

How much do you notice you neighbor? Spouse? Someone you pass in the store? Best friend?

Other than my children and my husband, I couldn't tell you what color eyes anyone I know has. Unless maybe they were SO different, I couldn't help but notice. If a neighbor changes something about their hair, I'd notice that.

So, readers - how much do you like reading descriptions of the characters? Is there something specific you like to know? What their hair looks like in that scene? What they're wearing that day? Or does it not matter after the first major description?

How about you writers? How much description do you put in?

Saturday, July 2, 2011

This Week in Talia News

A review of If I Die Young and an interview at Colleen Wait Writes.

It's reviews like this one at Gathering Leaves Reviews of Damaged: Natalie's Story that keep me writing. I am very protective of Natalie, so this review brought tears to my eyes.

A review of The Ultimate Sacrifice at Le' Grand Codex.

And just to prove I don't put all good reviews on here... a 3 star review at All Things Supernatural.

A review of If I Die Young on Brittany's Fantasy.

A new blog for Young Adult Authors.

I'm 47,000 words into my dark, edgy drama. As soon as that is finished, I'll be writing the sequel to The Ultimate Sacrifice.

And, don't forget, I'm participating in an iPad giveaway next week. Want one? Details to come. Follow this blog and check back soon!