Ravenous Reader Interview
Another Very Faery Interview (getting tired of them yet?), this time with the hungry Ravenous Reader from A Lush Budget Production. Okay, guys, you know the drill: the characters from THE IRON KING—Meghan, Ash, and Puck—will ask the questions, and hopefully not scare our poor blogger to death. Okay, you three, its all yours.
Meghan: Okay, here we go. So Nancy, inquiring minds want to know: how did you get into blogging, and why? How long have you been at it, and is there anything you wished you did differently when you started?
RR: Hiya! *waves hello* Before I get started I wanted to say thank you, for wanting to interview little ole’ me I began blogging a few years ago and on occasion I would review some of the books that I would read. My BFF knew that I read a lot of books and asked me if I had a book that my twelve-year-old godchild might enjoy. The only YA books that I had read at the time were those of the Twilight Saga. I gave her my books and within a few days she had read them all and wanted more. I really had no idea where to go from there so I went to many bookstores and began checking out YA book blogs and review sites for some guidance. I soon had a plethora of books of which I began to read for my own enjoyment. That interest combined with my blogging was the jumping off point for me to begin my YA book blog. And so I created A Lush Budget Production: Tales of a Ravenous Reader blog and now I am here Meeting wonderful authors and readers alike. I totally love it.
As for doing things differently, I totally cringe at some of my earlier posts but think it is all part of the growing process. I constantly evolve and change things, trying to find a balance that pleases me and those that visit my blog. It has been an interesting ride and I hope to keep changing and getting better as time passes.
Puck: Ravenous Reader, huh? So, what would you do if all your books suddenly attacked and tried to eat you? (Not that I’d have anything to do with it.) Would you spare them because they were books, or would you torch them all?
RR: Yikes!! I would probably run screaming and try to figure out a way to save myself and my books. While the temptation to destroy them would be strong I could never cause them any harm. I adore my books to much. I treat them like my they’re my babies. So no roasting parties with my beloved books.
Ash: I sense a theme in eating coming up. *Shakes head* Anyway, what are some of your favorite books and authors? What kind of book do you prefer; fantasy, contemporary, ect.?
RR: Where do I begin? I have so many books that I love. I am a big paranormal/fantasy fan but in the last few months I have developed an appreciation for contemporary novels. I am a huge sucker for an amazing story that has a romantic edge to it, ahhh romance.
My favorite reads, hmmm…boy this is going to be hard I will give my top five in each and in no particular order.
Authors: J.R. Ward, Kristin Cashore, Melissa Marr, Libba Bray and Suzanne Collins
Books: The Hunger Games, Graceling, City of Glass, New Moon and Rebel Angels
Meghan: Do you have any pets? And if you don’t, what kind of pet do you wish you had?
RR: I have quite a few pets, first of my precious Pomeranian named Liberty, she was born on 9/11. Then I have 3 Cats named Smokey, Ash and Tazzy. Last but not least a white dove named Blanca
Puck: Haha, hey Ash, you’re a kitty cat.
Ash: *Ignores*
Puck: What’s your favorite reading snack? Also, if you suddenly had to eat ONE THING for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
RR: My favorite reading snack is TWERPS a fabulous candy of yumminess that is being discontinued. Thank goodness that my absolute favorite food that I could eat for the rest of my life is Pizza. I love the stuff and it is not going anywhere except my tummy.
Ash: If you could learn anything you wanted—a skill, a language, a particular secret—what would it be?
RR: I wish that I could speak any language so that I could be able to communicate with anyone. My job requires me to interact with some people that do not speak English and I would love to assist them better. I also think this gift would greatly help me when I would travel. I would never have to rely on someone else to assist me.
Meghan: Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows.
RR: That you can open any book that I have read and get a glimpse into my life. I always leave the receipt inside the book and then any event that I attended during the course of reading that book. i.e. movie tickets, book marks, BART pass, playbill are all safely tucked inside. They why’s about this custom I have truly no idea, but it gives me a sense of comfort when I re-open a book and can see a bit of a memory coming back to me.
Puck: Okay! There are three doors. Behind door number one is a man-eating unicorn. Behind door number two is a starving werewolf. Behind door number three is a swarm of hungry Cornish pixies. You have to pick a door to open, but you get to choose any weapon you want. Sooooo … which door do you open, and what will you take into battle?
RR: Yowza! This question is a doozie. What door to choose? A Unicorn, werewolf and pixies and they all seem hungry. Not a very promising scenario, but I think I might go for the man-eating unicorn behind door number one because I am a woman and thus the Unicorn would not have any interest in eating me. Right??? *fingers crossed* As for a weapon, I believe that I would want a shield that was strong enough to block any horned attacks in case my theory of man-eating and not woman-eating unicorns proved incorrect.
Ash: You’re facing a Zombie Apocalypse. The undead are beating down your doors and you must flee to safety, but can only take three things with you. What are they?
RR: Having just seen Zombieland I would want to have
1) My favorite pair of Nike shoes (CARDIO)
2) A loaded gun (don’t forget the double tap) not that I condone the use of guns, but when you are being hunted by flesh eating humans your priorities and ideals kinds change, ya know.
3) Twinkies. I love my sugar and I would need to keep up my strength.
Author: Thank you, Ravenous Reader, for being here today. You’ve been a great sport. Is there anything you would like to ask Meghan, Ash, or Puck?
RR: Well thank you for having me over. I have truly enjoyed the experience. Before I go I would like to know if any of you know how to cast a spell that would suck a character right out of my TV set? I seem to have a mad crush on Damon Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries. I know it is dangerous considering what an evil fanger he is but if he could learn to play nice I think I could bring him home to meet the rents
Puck: Ooooh, I’ve never thought of that before. I wonder …
Author: Don’t EVEN think about it, Puck.
Thanks for the interview!
*curtsies* Thank you!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I, ninja
If you didn't know, I am a ninja.
No, really, I am. Don't believe me? Here are the reasons why.
1. I'm half-Japanese
2. I know how to say "I'll kill you!" in Japanese.
3. I own several katana. (And some ninja stars.)
4. I'm a huge fan of Naruto, and I think Sasuke is way sexy.
5. I can turn into a log.
So, anyway, the point of this post is to say that Liyana is holding an awesome ninja contest on her blog, and giving away cool ninja merchandise.
http://liveandbreathesmexily.blogspot.com/2009/10/are-you-ninja-in-training.html
So if you fancy yourself a ninja-in-training, hop on over and enter.
Oh, and by the way, ninjas are WAY cooler than pirates!
*Turns into a log*
No, really, I am. Don't believe me? Here are the reasons why.
1. I'm half-Japanese
2. I know how to say "I'll kill you!" in Japanese.
3. I own several katana. (And some ninja stars.)
4. I'm a huge fan of Naruto, and I think Sasuke is way sexy.
5. I can turn into a log.
So, anyway, the point of this post is to say that Liyana is holding an awesome ninja contest on her blog, and giving away cool ninja merchandise.
http://liveandbreathesmexily.blogspot.com/2009/10/are-you-ninja-in-training.html
So if you fancy yourself a ninja-in-training, hop on over and enter.
Oh, and by the way, ninjas are WAY cooler than pirates!
*Turns into a log*
Borderlands review
This is my rant where I sing the praises of a video game instead of a book. Because, while I love books in all their bookish glory, there's something so fulfilling about actually getting to control the protaganist's actions. Therefore, when said hero acts like a twit or gets his/herself into trouble, you can at least try to rectify the situation, instead of screaming "Don't do that, you moron!" at the pages of a book, as if the hero will suddenly hear the voice of God shrieking at them from somewhere overhead and do something sensible. I realize this is why I became an author: I might have a bit of a god complex and it frustrates me to no end when I can't reach into the pages of the book and give the protaganist a good smack upside the head for being stupid.
Anyway, moving on. This week's game of choice: Borderlands.
Borderlands is a first person shooter that combines the elements of an RPG. Think Fallout 3 meets Oblivion. I could go on about the cool cell-shaded technology and the leveling system and the online four person storymode, but all you need to know is that the game kicks @$$. There's no complex plot, no having to rescue your sibling/child/significant other, no having to save a kingdom from an evil demon sorceror. Here is the extent of the plot: you're a fortune hunter; kill stuff, get loot, level up. And there's something thrown in about some lost alien technology and a mysterious vault somewhere on the planet, but again, you're looking for it cause you're a treasure hunter and nothing else.
The game is obviously visually gorgeous. As for the heroes themselves, you get to choose from four fairly typical arctypes: soldier, sniper, brick, and sexy female. The Wasteland planet is huge, and filled bandits, alien life, and all sorts of persistantly aggressive bad guys that you get to shoot. And to help you with this, there are literally millions of guns; sniper rifles, pistols, shotguns, revolvers, you name it. You recieve quests from the planet's eccentric settlers, or from the job board in the middle of town, and quests are basically "go here, kill stuff," or "go here, collect stuff, kill stuff," very much like an MMO. Quests are segregated by level, and you'd better be the level they suggest, otherwise you will get an important part of your body handed to you on a platter. Make no mistake; you will die, and die often, but there are handy spawning points scattered throughout the land, AND baddies don't respawn health or friends if you're killed, so you can literally keep coming back to pick away at them until they die.
And, much like an MMO, this game is addicting. My husband and I played it together (another reason I love it; splitscreen!) for five hours last night and barely noticed the time until it was two in the morning. I recommend it to any hard-core gamer, or anyone looking for a violent, fun, free for all. And anyone who tells me violent video games make people more violent better shut up or I'll kill them. :P
Anyway, moving on. This week's game of choice: Borderlands.
Borderlands is a first person shooter that combines the elements of an RPG. Think Fallout 3 meets Oblivion. I could go on about the cool cell-shaded technology and the leveling system and the online four person storymode, but all you need to know is that the game kicks @$$. There's no complex plot, no having to rescue your sibling/child/significant other, no having to save a kingdom from an evil demon sorceror. Here is the extent of the plot: you're a fortune hunter; kill stuff, get loot, level up. And there's something thrown in about some lost alien technology and a mysterious vault somewhere on the planet, but again, you're looking for it cause you're a treasure hunter and nothing else.
The game is obviously visually gorgeous. As for the heroes themselves, you get to choose from four fairly typical arctypes: soldier, sniper, brick, and sexy female. The Wasteland planet is huge, and filled bandits, alien life, and all sorts of persistantly aggressive bad guys that you get to shoot. And to help you with this, there are literally millions of guns; sniper rifles, pistols, shotguns, revolvers, you name it. You recieve quests from the planet's eccentric settlers, or from the job board in the middle of town, and quests are basically "go here, kill stuff," or "go here, collect stuff, kill stuff," very much like an MMO. Quests are segregated by level, and you'd better be the level they suggest, otherwise you will get an important part of your body handed to you on a platter. Make no mistake; you will die, and die often, but there are handy spawning points scattered throughout the land, AND baddies don't respawn health or friends if you're killed, so you can literally keep coming back to pick away at them until they die.
And, much like an MMO, this game is addicting. My husband and I played it together (another reason I love it; splitscreen!) for five hours last night and barely noticed the time until it was two in the morning. I recommend it to any hard-core gamer, or anyone looking for a violent, fun, free for all. And anyone who tells me violent video games make people more violent better shut up or I'll kill them. :P
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Waiting on Wednesday limmerick
Todays Waiting on Wednesday limmerick pick:
The Mark, by Jen Nadol.
On with the limmerick
Cassie has seen in the past
when The Mark behind someone is cast.
So how far would you go
when only you know
that this day is their very last?
The Mark, by Jen Nadol.
On with the limmerick
Cassie has seen in the past
when The Mark behind someone is cast.
So how far would you go
when only you know
that this day is their very last?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Teaser Tuesday
Teaser Tuesday again. For those who are curious, every Tuesday I post a short teaser from my upcoming novel, The Iron King (www.juliekagawa.com). Last week, Liyana posted a request for this week's teaser. And, since Liyana requested, Liyana gets. She wanted to see a scene with Ash and Meghan, soooooo ....
"What will happen then?"
Ash stepped closer. His fingers came up to brush the hair from my face, sending an electric shock through me from my spine to my toes. His cool breath ticked my face as he leaned in.
"I'll kill you," he whispered.
That's this week's teaser, now show me yours!
"What will happen then?"
Ash stepped closer. His fingers came up to brush the hair from my face, sending an electric shock through me from my spine to my toes. His cool breath ticked my face as he leaned in.
"I'll kill you," he whispered.
That's this week's teaser, now show me yours!
Friday, October 16, 2009
A Very Faery Interveiw with Reverie Book Reviews
Time for a new installment of A Very Faery Interview, this time with the lovely Vania of Reverie Book Reviews. This time, it’s even more special, because it’s Vania’s birthday this month; Happy Birthday, Vania! Meghan, Ash, Puck, take it away. (And Vania, do not accept any gifts from Puck, no matter what he offers.)
Meghan: Hi Vania, and Happy Birthday. How old is your blog, and what has been the best and worst parts of blogging?
My blog’s having its (over) half a year blogaversary. So excited! /I love everything about blogging but what I enjoy most if getting to talk to everyone about books. I love discussing books with the bloggers and I have gotten to know some of them because of our shared love of books. The worst? Not being able to read and blog enough. I am always running out of time.
Puck: What would you choose: having to eat birthday cake for every single meal for the rest of your life, or living your birthday over and over again forever?
As much as I love sugary goodness I think I will die of diabetes if I eat cake every day for every meal. So I pick living my birthday. Who wouldn’t love getting presents every day??
Ash: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What kind of books do you enjoy reading the most?
Gosh… that’s so not a fair question. Can I plead the fifth? I will say that I love fantasy and paranormal and there are some GREAT books out there and coming up that I love!
Meghan: If you could have any gift, regardless of money, space, or time, what would it be?
Ummm unlimited vacations so I can travel and explore the world? I love traveling so I think that would be the one thing I can never have but would LOVE to be able to do more of one day when I graduate and can actually make some sort of living. HA!
Puck: Halloween is just around the corner! Costumed pirates, witches, and werewolves are filling the streets. Now, imagine if everyone—by some freak accident that I had absolutely no part in—suddenly thought they were the character they dressed up as. What would you be, and what would you do?
Really, Puck… I kinda don’t trust you. If I got stuck as say Katsa from the HUNGER GAMES at least I’ll know I’ll be cunning and smart enough to outwit my opponent like maybe say.. you??
Ash: What are some of your goals for the upcoming year?
I am hoping to be able to work towards finishing school and finding work but most of all I hope for many more opportunities to take pictures and do art.
Meghan: Tell us a little about your photography, since it seems to be a big part of your life. What are some of your favorite things to photograph? What would be your perfect picture?
I LOVE taking pictures of people. I think they have so much to say and their expressions and body language is unlimited. The perfect picture? WOW umm I don’t think that’s possible…
Puck: Okay, Vania, I have presents for you! But you have to choose which one you want, gift A or gift B. Which one do you want?
*Gift A: A large, pink box with holes drilled in the sides that shakes and growls. Black smoke drifts out the holes.*
*Gift B: *A large blue bottle with a bow attached, plugged with a cork. Inside, many small things fly and swirl around frantically.*
PUCK!!! Seriously DUDE! What’s with the scary gifts? I am considering the blue bottle though….. what will the little swirly things inside do if I let them out??
Puck: What, these? They’re just harmless little Cornish pixies. They’ll grant you a wish if you let them out.
Ash: And then they’ll eat you.
Puck: That’s just an old superstition. I think. Look at them, though! They’re so cute with their tiny little wings and hands and … sharp pointed teeth. Uh, maybe I should put these guys awa—Oops!”
*Crash*
Puck: Uh oh.
Vania: *Runs and hides in the closet* TELL ME WHEN THEY’RE SAFELY AWAY! *Clutches a broom*
Author: *Joins Vania in the closet.* I’m going to kill him for this. Anyway, thank you, Vania, for the lovely interview. And a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! You’ve been great.
Puck: *From beyond the closet door.* AH! Get away from me! Stupid pixies! Oh, great, now the dragons’ loose! ASH! A little help, here?
Ash: Not a chance.
Author: *facepalm*
Meghan: Hi Vania, and Happy Birthday. How old is your blog, and what has been the best and worst parts of blogging?
My blog’s having its (over) half a year blogaversary. So excited! /I love everything about blogging but what I enjoy most if getting to talk to everyone about books. I love discussing books with the bloggers and I have gotten to know some of them because of our shared love of books. The worst? Not being able to read and blog enough. I am always running out of time.
Puck: What would you choose: having to eat birthday cake for every single meal for the rest of your life, or living your birthday over and over again forever?
As much as I love sugary goodness I think I will die of diabetes if I eat cake every day for every meal. So I pick living my birthday. Who wouldn’t love getting presents every day??
Ash: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What kind of books do you enjoy reading the most?
Gosh… that’s so not a fair question. Can I plead the fifth? I will say that I love fantasy and paranormal and there are some GREAT books out there and coming up that I love!
Meghan: If you could have any gift, regardless of money, space, or time, what would it be?
Ummm unlimited vacations so I can travel and explore the world? I love traveling so I think that would be the one thing I can never have but would LOVE to be able to do more of one day when I graduate and can actually make some sort of living. HA!
Puck: Halloween is just around the corner! Costumed pirates, witches, and werewolves are filling the streets. Now, imagine if everyone—by some freak accident that I had absolutely no part in—suddenly thought they were the character they dressed up as. What would you be, and what would you do?
Really, Puck… I kinda don’t trust you. If I got stuck as say Katsa from the HUNGER GAMES at least I’ll know I’ll be cunning and smart enough to outwit my opponent like maybe say.. you??
Ash: What are some of your goals for the upcoming year?
I am hoping to be able to work towards finishing school and finding work but most of all I hope for many more opportunities to take pictures and do art.
Meghan: Tell us a little about your photography, since it seems to be a big part of your life. What are some of your favorite things to photograph? What would be your perfect picture?
I LOVE taking pictures of people. I think they have so much to say and their expressions and body language is unlimited. The perfect picture? WOW umm I don’t think that’s possible…
Puck: Okay, Vania, I have presents for you! But you have to choose which one you want, gift A or gift B. Which one do you want?
*Gift A: A large, pink box with holes drilled in the sides that shakes and growls. Black smoke drifts out the holes.*
*Gift B: *A large blue bottle with a bow attached, plugged with a cork. Inside, many small things fly and swirl around frantically.*
PUCK!!! Seriously DUDE! What’s with the scary gifts? I am considering the blue bottle though….. what will the little swirly things inside do if I let them out??
Puck: What, these? They’re just harmless little Cornish pixies. They’ll grant you a wish if you let them out.
Ash: And then they’ll eat you.
Puck: That’s just an old superstition. I think. Look at them, though! They’re so cute with their tiny little wings and hands and … sharp pointed teeth. Uh, maybe I should put these guys awa—Oops!”
*Crash*
Puck: Uh oh.
Vania: *Runs and hides in the closet* TELL ME WHEN THEY’RE SAFELY AWAY! *Clutches a broom*
Author: *Joins Vania in the closet.* I’m going to kill him for this. Anyway, thank you, Vania, for the lovely interview. And a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! You’ve been great.
Puck: *From beyond the closet door.* AH! Get away from me! Stupid pixies! Oh, great, now the dragons’ loose! ASH! A little help, here?
Ash: Not a chance.
Author: *facepalm*
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
My Lonely Little Arc
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
My arc, my arc! I finally got my arc! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Isn't it pretty? So lovely and shiny and .... arc-y. Words cannot express how awesome it is to see your story in arc form. Like a real, live book. :D
My one lonely little arc. I'm so proud of you. *Goes back to petting it*
My arc, my arc! I finally got my arc! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Isn't it pretty? So lovely and shiny and .... arc-y. Words cannot express how awesome it is to see your story in arc form. Like a real, live book. :D
My one lonely little arc. I'm so proud of you. *Goes back to petting it*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)