Coloring the Page: Green

And we’re back with another installment of one of my favorite writing tools — a descriptive kaleidoscope of color synonyms created by a gentleman who is blind but had his sight until he was 11. Today’s spin of the color wheel focuses on GREEN!

Apple Green: A moderate or vivid yellow green to light or strong yellowish green
Alpine Green: A fresh bright green
Bottle Green: Light to moderate green
Celery Green: A pale green
Chartreuse: A strong to brilliant greenish yellow to moderate or strong yellow green
Cyan: Greenish blue
Electric Green: Metallic illuminating bright green
Emerald: A strong vibrant green
Evergreen: Fresh dark green
Forrest Green: Brighter than Evergreen, but still fresh like foliage
Hunter Green: Dark green,  bordering on black
Jade: A pale variant of Emerald
Kelly Green: A bright green leaning toward yellowish
Khaki Green: Olive green
Lime: Yellow green
Metallic Green: Silvery, or somewhat reflective green
Mint Green: Pale to light green
Moss Green: A moderate yellow green to grayish or moderate olive, or dark yellowish green
Olive: A yellowish green where green is still the dominant color
Pea Green: Moderate to dark green
Pine Green: A fresh dark green
Sea Green: Greenish blue
Spring Green: Fresh new light to medium green
Teal: Moderate bluish green to greenish blue
Turtle Shell Green: Light to dark green

In case you missed them, check out the earlier entries for “Red” and “Blue.”

Ask the Reader #2

Next up in our “Ask the Reader” series is my cousin Katie, who – I must say – gives some absolutely fantastic answers. Enjoy!

What genres do you typically read?
I kind of read everything. I don't really focus on a specific genre. I'm not huge into science fiction and I've never read a western, but if the story is good, I really don't mind what genre it is. I have a lot of fantasy books on my shelf and realistic fiction like Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters. I'm a theatre major so I read lots of plays and lots of Shakespeare too. I like lots of adventure, lots of twists and turns and romance of course!

Who/what are some of your favorite authors/books?
Tolkien, Rowling, Austen, Bronte, Shakespeare...the typical. It's been a while since I've read anything new though.  I gotta start reading again...

What is most likely to draw you in to a book?
A wonderful story that just makes me want to ignore everything else except the pages in front of me. I've neglected going out or hanging out with people to read every once and a while. Characters who I wish so badly were real people or who would jump out the pages and be my friend of take me on some sort of adventure. It almost makes you sad sometimes when you close a book and realize that they don't exist or that adventure never took place. I like books that make me think or evaluate my life, even if they have no connection whatsoever. A book with all that is a book that will keep me turning pages and keep me coming back for another read.

What are some of your big turn-offs in a book?
Predictability. Characters with no great purpose. Very obvious stolen ideas from other authors. It's ok to borrow and twist or steal. Who doesnt. But if you don't change the description of a nazgul very much in your book but just call it by a different name, I don't really enjoy that. I like a lot of character interaction too...so a book that's got pages and pages of a description of a tree just doesn't excite me. Describe that tree all you want and make me feel like I'm there. That's cool. I love it. But not for 20 pages.

What do you wish authors would do more of?
There are so many things I wish authors would do...but if they did it, then the stories wouldn't be as effective. Every couple can't get married and grow old together. Not everyone can survive the battle.  We want them to of course, but they can't. So although I have notes and notes of things I want authors to "fix," I feel like if they listened to every fan they ever had the work wouldn't be there own and the story would be less effective...depending on the notes of course.

What kind of books would you love to read, but can’t find on the shelves?
Hmmmm I'm not really sure...I think whenever I finish a good book I always want more. Post series books, as it were. Continuations of some kind.  But you always risk them not being as good or not being what you want. So I don't know...I feel like there are so many great books out there, I have yet to wish for a type of book that can't be found.

How do you interact with your favorite authors (visit websites, write letters, etc.)?
Usually websites. Back in the day I sent some letters and emails. Not so much anymore. Just follow their websites.

How do you hear about new books that might interest you?
My wonderful awesome cousin, the author of this site! (Katie, I owe you a round of tubing on the lake this summer for this shout out!)  And (guy pal) Patrick. That's pretty much it. 

Where do you typically get your books these days?
If I have something specific, I start at the used bookstores and work my way up to Barnes and Noble or online just because I am a poor college student. If I just want to browse I always go to the bigger bookstores.

Have you ever had a “throw the book across the room” moment? If so, why?
Oh goodness yes. Haven't we all. Death of a character, shocking twist moment, surprise, the two lovers finally getting together, something bad happening to the lovers, a stupid cliffhanger at the end of a book...I have physically thrown books countless times!

What do you look for in a good story?
My answers are pretty similar to what I look for in a good book. But a good story should seem so real no matter how make believe it may be. To me a good story has that weird visual complex with it...if its good, I want to see it in front of me acted out and performed or lived...but i don't because it won't be what I imagined in my head. If it's a good story I just want it to continue on. Or show up in the real world. I dont' know it's hard to explain and sounds kind of silly. You just want it to keep going.  If its good you just kind of want to disappear into it. 

Any other thoughts, ideas or comments that you wish more authors would do?
Keep writing!!! Keep thinking of new stories!!! Keep taking us away into magical lands and introducing us to awesome characters!!!

And this is why I love my cousin! Once again, I think a round of applause is in order for our fabulous reader. Thanks, Katie!

Blog Tag and Random Questions

You’re it! I’ve been tagged by Laura over at Stranger Than Writing, so I get to answer a bunch of fun questions for you guys.

1. Which book are you currently reading? And why did you choose that book?
I’m re-reading Linnea Sinclair’s Shades of Dark because it’s a great source of inspiration for my current WIP. Plus, it’s just an awesome sci-fi romance!

2. Have you ever bought a book just for the cover? And if so which one?
Oh yes! I bought Sherwood Smith’s Inda and The Fox (two books) based on their covers. Same with Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn – absolutely gorgeous cover! I also buy pretty much any book with a Michael Whelan cover on principle.

3. Which book-to-film/TV show transition did you think was done the best?L
OTR hands down! I’m usually disappointed with seeing my beloved books on film – but this one (actually all three) rocked my socks off.

4. If you are a writer, where does your inspiration come from?
All over! Dreams, conversations, songs, moments…taking out the trash. I think inspiration can come from anywhere.

5. Your fictional boyfriend/girlfriend?
Besides any of the male MCs in my own books? Because they all qualify for sure! There are so many to choose from…but I think I’d have to go with either Mat or Perrin from WOT or Alan from Sarah Rees Brennan’s Demon series.

6. Which author do you own the most books by (if that makes sense)?
Right now, it’s Robert Jordan at a whopping 14, but he might soon be tied with Jim Butcher once I order the rest of the Dresden Files.

7. Graphic novels - yay or nay?
Hmm, to the stories I’d say yay! But I’ve never gotten into the format, so I guess that gets a nay.

8. How many books do you own?
You’re really going to make me count? Hold on. Stand by…170 that I can count on my shelves here. That doesn’t include what’s left at my parents', which would put us easily into the 200 range.

9. Do you own an e-readery device? And if so, do you still buy physical copies of books?
Nope, don't own one – I like my paper!

10. What is your favourite genre of book?
Fantasy.

11. Favourite snack food?
I’ll munch on pretty much anything.

That's all for now, folks!

You might be a writer if…

To steal a page from Jeff Foxworthy’s book, you might be a writer if:

• You narrate your life in 3rd person
• The word “query” makes your eye tic (“synopsis” brings out full-on conniptions)
• The month of November both excites and intimidates you
• You understand the terms Miss Snark and Bransforums
• You own a thesaurus and the cover is worn with use
• You know exactly how many times you’ve used the word “was” in your manuscript
• When people say the name Janet, you immediately picture a hungry shark
• You walk through a bookstore and realize you’ve shared blog comments, tweets or emails with at least one of the new-release authors within the last month or so
• You walk through a bookstore and can immediately name the agent of at least one new-release author
• You spend more time with your characters than with your friends
• You know more about your characters than you do about your friends
• A portion of your brain is constantly working on your plot...even at 3 a.m.
• You grin like a madman (or madwoman) after each particularly kick-ass writing session
• You’re pretty certain beta readers are actually worth their weight in gold

*Additions from the Comments Trail*

• You've skipped meals because you were too busy writing
• You find yourself thinking 'that would make a really great story' when someone is telling you something that has happened to you and you're meant to be acting like a sympathetic friend
• When you find yourself eager to recommend books in your genre to people at the library. This is especially concerning if you're an adult browsing the MG fiction shelves.
• You often drift off in the middle of a conversation and have to make excuses to leave because you have just had a great idea about your manuscript

Keep the list going – add your own!

Writerly Wisdom: Detours

Every once in a while, we must detour off the path of our own dreams
to help someone else achieve theirs’.

And then, just the same, we must have the tenacity and courage
to find our way back to our own path and start forward again.

The Author Behind the Curtain

It's been a while since I did a "Lessons from My Day Job" post. Today I want to talk about recognition…and when you shouldn’t get any.
Public Relations (my day job) can be a funny little world, because if you do your job well, no one sees you. Your name doesn’t appear on article bylines, your face isn’t the one on camera, you aren’t the one giving high-profile testimony.

True, you’ve a) organized the opportunity, b) written the articles and scripts, and c) coached your client on how to handle it. But the whole point of PR is that the spotlight shines on your clients, while you smile knowingly in the background off-stage.

In some aspects, novels work the same way. Your name is on the cover (yay!) and you get to do fan interviews and book-signings (double yay!), but aside from that, your “author personality” shouldn’t be visible on the page.

Your characters should speak for themselves without any forced commentary or viewpoints from you. Readers will see right through any heavy-handed agendas you try to weave in, and it’ll likely be a turn off for them.

Don’t feel like you can’t be opinionated in your novel, just realize you’re best served by letting your characters do the talking…and get the recognition. The best authors can make us forget we’re merely reading a book, because their voice disappears completely to allow their characters to come fully alive.

Ask the Reader #1

I thought it’d be fun to get an outside perspective on the world of writing and books. We authors are always wondering about the state of the market. Who better to ask than readers themselves?

First up is my friend Ann from Chicago. She’s an avid reader and, as an elementary teacher, she also takes note of what the kids and school libraries are stocking up on. Take it away, Ann!

What genres do you typically read?  It varies, usually some combination of mystery/adventure/romance, or children's lit.

Who/what are some of your favorite authors or books? Harry Potter- J.K. Rowling, Randy Wayne White, Jodi Piccoult.

What is most likely to draw you into a book? Recommendations from friends or family, an interesting plot and setting, fast-moving, easy read.

What are some of your big turn-offs in a book? Slow-moving, drawn out descriptions, characters I don't care about.

What do you wish authors would do more of? Tell a good original story without getting too "englishy."

How do you interact with your favorite authors (visit websites, write letters, etc.)? I don't really.

How do you hear about new books that might interest you? From friends and family.

Where do you typically get your books these days? Barnes and Noble or the library.

Have you ever had a “throw the book across the room” moment? If so, why? When a favorite character was killed.

What do you look for in a good story? Characters I like and can relate to, and an interesting plot.

Thanks Ann! I'll sprinkle these reader interviews in on a regular basis, so stay tuned for more.