Book Review – THE EMOTION THESAURUS (A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression) by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
THE EMOTION THESAURUS (A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression) by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
Synopsis
The bestselling Emotion Thesaurus, often hailed as “the gold standard for writers” and credited with transforming how writers craft emotion, has now been expanded to include 55 new entries!
One of the biggest struggles for writers is how to convey emotion to readers in a unique and compelling way. When showing our characters’ feelings, we often use the first idea that comes to mind, and they end up smiling, nodding, and frowning too much.
If you need inspiration for creating characters’ emotional responses that are personalized and evocative, this ultimate show-don’t-tell guide for emotion can help. It includes:
Body language cues, thoughts, and visceral responses for 130 emotions that cover a range of intensity from mild to severe, providing innumerable options for individualizing a character’s reactions A breakdown of the biggest emotion-related writing problems and how to overcome them Advice on what should be done beforedrafting to make sure your characters’ emotions will be realistic and consistent Instruction for how to show hidden feelings and emotional subtext through dialogue and nonverbal cues And much more!
The Emotion Thesaurus, in its easy-to-navigate list format, will inspire you to create stronger, fresher character expressions and engage readers from your first page to your last..
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My Review
I want to scream from the rooftops to every author out there: go get this book! We’re constantly told to “show, don’t tell,” but finding the right way to show can make all the difference in the world between a scene that merely goes through the motions and one that that brings the reader deep into the story and allows them to get lost. THE EMOTION THESAURUS is part how-to, and part reference. After learning how to use the guide, there are 130 entries to help you find the right way to show character emotions. With helpful cross-references it’s easy to find the right way to show escalation from anger to rage or de-escalation to mere annoyance. All the body language, both internal and external, can be used to kickstart the analogies and symbolism necessary to tell a compelling story. Because weak verbs can be the death of good writing, the authors also include power verbs for each entry to further stimulate creative writing. And finally, each entry includes helpful writing tips, such as:
Pay special attention to the events leading up to an emotional response. If the plotting feels contrived, the character’s emotion will feel contrived as well.
Each entry includes physical signals, behaviors, internal sensations, mental responses, long term responses to an emotion, and signs that an emotion has been suppressed rather than dealt with, providing all the pieces to construct dazzling scenes.
Bottom Line
One of the best references for creative writing I’ve ever read.
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About the Book
Title: THE EMOTION THESAURUS: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression
Authors: Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
Publisher: JADD Publishing
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Pages: 304
Category: Writing
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble
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Author Angela Ackerman
About the Author
ANGELA ACKERMAN is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of 7 bestselling books for writers, including The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression (now an expanded 2nd Edition). Her books are available in six languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world.
Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers®, as well as One Stop for Writers®, an innovative online library built to help writers elevate their storytelling. A strong believer in writers helping and supporting other writers, she tries to pay-it-forward however she is able to..
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Where to find Angela Ackerman
Goodreads | Website | Twitter.
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Author Becca Puglisi
About the Author
Becca Puglisi is a speaker, international writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via her newest endeavor: One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library like no other, filled with description and brain-storming tools to help writers elevate their storytelling. You can find Becca online at both of these spots, as well as on Facebook and Twitter..
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Where to find Becca Puglisi
Goodreads | Website | Twitter
PROM-WRECKED Excerpt and Teaser
See below for an excerpt and another teaser from PROM-WRECKED, our stand-alone young adult prom-rom-com, now available in ebook and paperback.
PROM-WRECKED by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
About the Book
Title: PROM-WRECKED
Authors: T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: May 6, 2019
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Synopsis
Their prom night ended in a jail cell with forty of their closest friends. But that’s hardly the worst thing that happened to them…
When the principal announces prom is canceled this year, senior Riley Hart is determined to save it. Armed with little more than her own enthusiasm, she ends up working closely with Owen Locklear, who is more than completely off-limits. Because he’s the boyfriend of her ex-BFF, Catherine Reed. Still, Owen knows Riley better than almost anyone, and his charming ideas for turning the prom upside-down and backward win Riley over.
Catherine is willing to join Owen and Riley on the prom committee, but only because her legacy as prom queen is at stake. She’s already suffocating under the weight of her parents’ expectations for after senior year, and compared to that, ensuring prom happens should be easy. At least until everything starts to go wrong.
First they lose their deposit. Then they book a band full of octogenarians. And lose their venue… Twice.
Riley will have an unforgettable teenage experience, damn it, if it’s the last thing she does…
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Excerpt #1
RILEY – TWO MONTHS UNTIL PROM
I turn the corner and glance over my shoulder, hoping to catch another glimpse of Owen’s familiar dark brown hair poking above the crowd. When I recognize his spiky-messy style, my breath catches in my chest. With a wave to Catherine, he breaks away and trails behind me, leaving half a hallway between us. I veer off into an empty stairwell and wait.
Eventually, he makes his appearance, towering over me in the cramped space. Although he’s not as big as the basketball players, Owen stands at least six inches taller than me, which means I’m always looking up at him when we cross paths in school. We met during recess on the first day of kindergarten, when we decided to join up with Catherine and fight the imaginary monsters hiding under the playground equipment. Years later, Catherine has found other things to do with her free time, but Owen and I still fight monsters together—virtual ones, in our favorite video game.
“Haven’t caught up with you on Q-Chat lately,” he says, breaking into his familiar wide smile, one that could take down the entire cheerleading squad. Though it’s a struggle, I manage to remain upright. But just barely.
“Sorry, but I’ve been busy.” I speak too fast and nearly drop the bag of tech club pamphlets I printed last night. Talking to Owen in real life always seems to throw me off. It’s much easier to pretend I don’t have a crush on him when we’re battling aliens online.
Faking disappointment, he shakes his head. “Priorities, Riley. Immortal Quest released an update yesterday with an all-new army of zombies. They suck your life force away, and I really need your shields for protection.” His blue eyes brighten as he steps closer. “C’mon, Evil Skater Girl.”
I raise my finger to my lips. “Shhh! We promised never to call each other by our Quest names in school!” No one needs to know about my secret virtual superhero persona. At eighteen, I’m practically a grandma in the Immortal Quest world.
“Yeah, you’re right.” He backs away, darting his eyes toward the hallway, probably checking for his girlfriend. “Just…log on once in a while, okay? Keep me company.”
“Doesn’t Catherine do enough of that?” The words rush from my mouth before I think about them. I really don’t want to know what he and Catherine do when they’re alone together, but for some reason I can’t resist bringing her up, if only to remind myself that he’s in love with the girl who tossed me aside without a second thought way back in middle school.
Owen flashes his smile again. “No one does it like you, ESG.” He hikes his backpack higher on his shoulder and turns to go. Before I call him out on the name thing again, he says, “By the way, did you hear anything about prom being canceled?”
“What? Is that even possible?”
He breaks out in a small smile. “According to Cat, it is.” His smile falters before he picks it back up. “So, you haven’t heard anything?”
“No, but if I do, I’ll let you know.”
With a wave, he ducks around the corner and out of sight. I count to ten before continuing on to my locker.
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crazy looking teenage girls wearing goth inspired clothes with pink and black hair wearing novelty gas mask standing in a shower
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Author T.H. Hernandez
About T.H. Hernandez
T.H. Hernandez is a published author of young adult novels. THE UNION, a futuristic dystopian adventure, was a finalist in the 2015 San Diego book awards in the Young Adult Fiction category. SUPERHERO HIGH, an urban scifi teenage romance, set in San Diego. Her first young adult contemporary co-written with Jennifer DiGiovanni, PROM-WRECKED, releases May 6, 2019.
She thrives on coffee of any kind, though pumpkin spice lattes are her favorite. Her free time is spent hiking, reading, painting, and binge-watching Game of Thrones and Stranger Things. She adores Star Wars, Comic-Con, Doctor Who, Bad Lip Reading videos, and all things young adult, especially the three young adults who share her home.
When She’s not visiting the imaginary worlds inside her head, you can find her in usually sunny San Diego, California with her husband, three teenagers, who are far too tall to be considered children, a bearded dragon, a couple of cats, and a dog who thinks he’s a cat, lovingly referred to as the puppycat.
Where to Find T.H. Hernandez
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Amazon | BookBub
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Author Jennifer DiGiovanni
About Jennifer DiGiovanni
Jennifer DiGiovanni is the author of contemporary and light fantasy novels for teens. She’s spent most of her life in the Philadelphia area, except for two wonderful but slightly colder years in Canada and a summer in Cincinnati. When she’s not reading or writing, she likes to travel and try new sports or activities, from archery to ballroom dancing, all in the name of book research.
Where to Find Jennifer DiGiovanni
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Book Release – PROM-WRECKED by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
PROM-WRECKED, a stand-alone young adult contemporary romantic comedy, is now live. See below for information on the book, buy links, and a mood board I put together for the book.
PROM-WRECKED by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
About the Book
Title: PROM-WRECKED
Authors: T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: May 6, 2019
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Synopsis
Their prom night ended in a jail cell with forty of their closest friends. But that’s hardly the worst thing that happened to them…
When the principal announces prom is canceled this year, senior Riley Hart is determined to save it. Armed with little more than her own enthusiasm, she ends up working closely with Owen Locklear, who is more than completely off-limits. Because he’s the boyfriend of her ex-BFF, Catherine Reed. Still, Owen knows Riley better than almost anyone, and his charming ideas for turning the prom upside-down and backward win Riley over.
Catherine is willing to join Owen and Riley on the prom committee, but only because her legacy as prom queen is at stake. She’s already suffocating under the weight of her parents’ expectations for after senior year, and compared to that, ensuring prom happens should be easy. At least until everything starts to go wrong.
First they lose their deposit. Then they book a band full of octogenarians. And lose their venue… Twice.
Riley will have an unforgettable teenage experience, damn it, if it’s the last thing she does…
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Author T.H. Hernandez
About T.H. Hernandez
T.H. Hernandez is a published author of young adult novels. THE UNION, a futuristic dystopian adventure, was a finalist in the 2015 San Diego book awards in the Young Adult Fiction category. SUPERHERO HIGH, an urban scifi teenage romance, set in San Diego. Her first young adult contemporary co-written with Jennifer DiGiovanni, PROM-WRECKED, releases May 6, 2019.
She thrives on coffee of any kind, though pumpkin spice lattes are her favorite. Her free time is spent hiking, reading, painting, and binge-watching Game of Thrones and Stranger Things. She adores Star Wars, Comic-Con, Doctor Who, Bad Lip Reading videos, and all things young adult, especially the three young adults who share her home.
When She’s not visiting the imaginary worlds inside her head, you can find her in usually sunny San Diego, California with her husband, three teenagers, who are far too tall to be considered children, a bearded dragon, a couple of cats, and a dog who thinks he’s a cat, lovingly referred to as the puppycat.
Where to Find T.H. Hernandez
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Amazon | BookBub
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Author Jennifer DiGiovanni
About Jennifer DiGiovanni
Jennifer DiGiovanni is the author of contemporary and light fantasy novels for teens. She’s spent most of her life in the Philadelphia area, except for two wonderful but slightly colder years in Canada and a summer in Cincinnati. When she’s not reading or writing, she likes to travel and try new sports or activities, from archery to ballroom dancing, all in the name of book research.
Where to Find Jennifer DiGiovanni
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Preorder Giveaway – PROM-WRECKED by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
My co-author, Jennifer DiGiovanni, and I are hosting a pre-order giveaway for PROM-WRECKED, our stand-alone young adult contemporary romantic comedy, releasing May 6, 2019. See below for information on the book, pre-order links, and details on our giveaway.
PROM-WRECKED by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
About the Book
Title: PROM-WRECKED
Authors: T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: May 6, 2019
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Synopsis
Their prom night ended in a jail cell with forty of their closest friends. But that’s hardly the worst thing that happened to them…
When the principal announces prom is canceled this year, senior Riley Hart is determined to save it. Armed with little more than her own enthusiasm, she ends up working closely with Owen Locklear, who is more than completely off-limits. Because he’s the boyfriend of her ex-BFF, Catherine Reed. Still, Owen knows Riley better than almost anyone, and his charming ideas for turning the prom upside-down and backward win Riley over.
Catherine is willing to join Owen and Riley on the prom committee, but only because her legacy as prom queen is at stake. She’s already suffocating under the weight of her parents’ expectations for after senior year, and compared to that, ensuring prom happens should be easy. At least until everything starts to go wrong.
First they lose their deposit. Then they book a band full of octogenarians. And lose their venue… Twice.
Riley will have an unforgettable teenage experience, damn it, if it’s the last thing she does…
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Author T.H. Hernandez
About T.H. Hernandez
T.H. Hernandez is a published author of young adult novels. THE UNION, a futuristic dystopian adventure, was a finalist in the 2015 San Diego book awards in the Young Adult Fiction category. SUPERHERO HIGH, an urban scifi teenage romance, set in San Diego. Her first young adult contemporary co-written with Jennifer DiGiovanni, PROM-WRECKED, releases May 6, 2019.
She thrives on coffee of any kind, though pumpkin spice lattes are her favorite. Her free time is spent hiking, reading, painting, and binge-watching Game of Thrones and Stranger Things. She adores Star Wars, Comic-Con, Doctor Who, Bad Lip Reading videos, and all things young adult, especially the three young adults who share her home.
When She’s not visiting the imaginary worlds inside her head, you can find her in usually sunny San Diego, California with her husband, three teenagers, who are far too tall to be considered children, a bearded dragon, a couple of cats, and a dog who thinks he’s a cat, lovingly referred to as the puppycat.
Where to Find T.H. Hernandez
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Amazon | BookBub
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Author Jennifer DiGiovanni
About Jennifer DiGiovanni
Jennifer DiGiovanni is the author of contemporary and light fantasy novels for teens. She’s spent most of her life in the Philadelphia area, except for two wonderful but slightly colder years in Canada and a summer in Cincinnati. When she’s not reading or writing, she likes to travel and try new sports or activities, from archery to ballroom dancing, all in the name of book research.
Where to Find Jennifer DiGiovanni
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
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Giveaway (Open to U.S. Residents Only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Cover Reveal + Preorder – PROM-WRECKED by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
My co-author, Jennifer DiGiovanni, and I are delighted to unveil the cover to PROM-WRECKED, a stand-alone young adult contemporary romantic comedy, releasing May 6, 2019. See below for the cover, information on the book, pre-order links, and an exclusive teaser.
PROM-WRECKED by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
About the Book
Title: PROM-WRECKED
Authors: T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: May 6, 2019
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Synopsis
Their prom night ended in a jail cell with forty of their closest friends. But that’s hardly the worst thing that happened to them…
When the principal announces prom is canceled this year, senior Riley Hart is determined to save it. Armed with little more than her own enthusiasm, she ends up working closely with Owen Locklear, who is more than completely off-limits. Because he’s the boyfriend of her ex-BFF, Catherine Reed. Still, Owen knows Riley better than almost anyone, and his charming ideas for turning the prom upside-down and backward win Riley over.
Catherine is willing to join Owen and Riley on the prom committee, but only because her legacy as prom queen is at stake. She’s already suffocating under the weight of her parents’ expectations for after senior year, and compared to that, ensuring prom happens should be easy. At least until everything starts to go wrong.
First they lose their deposit. Then they book a band full of octogenarians. And lose their venue… Twice.
Riley will have an unforgettable teenage experience, damn it, if it’s the last thing she does…
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Author T.H. Hernandez
About T.H. Hernandez
T.H. Hernandez is a published author of young adult novels. THE UNION, a futuristic dystopian adventure, was a finalist in the 2015 San Diego book awards in the Young Adult Fiction category. SUPERHERO HIGH, an urban scifi teenage romance, set in San Diego. Her first young adult contemporary co-written with Jennifer DiGiovanni, PROM-WRECKED, releases May 6, 2019.
She thrives on coffee of any kind, though pumpkin spice lattes are her favorite. Her free time is spent hiking, reading, painting, and binge-watching Game of Thrones and Stranger Things. She adores Star Wars, Comic-Con, Doctor Who, Bad Lip Reading videos, and all things young adult, especially the three young adults who share her home.
When She’s not visiting the imaginary worlds inside her head, you can find her in usually sunny San Diego, California with her husband, three teenagers, who are far too tall to be considered children, a bearded dragon, a couple of cats, and a dog who thinks he’s a cat, lovingly referred to as the puppycat.
Where to Find T.H. Hernandez
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Amazon | BookBub
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Author Jennifer DiGiovanni
About Jennifer DiGiovanni
Jennifer DiGiovanni is the author of contemporary and light fantasy novels for teens. She’s spent most of her life in the Philadelphia area, except for two wonderful but slightly colder years in Canada and a summer in Cincinnati. When she’s not reading or writing, she likes to travel and try new sports or activities, from archery to ballroom dancing, all in the name of book research.
Where to Find Jennifer DiGiovanni
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
An Excerpt from SUPERHERO HIGH (Heroes and Zeroes)
I’m happy to be able to share an excerpt from SUPERHERO HIGH, the first book in my young adult urban scifi series, Heroes & Zeros, about teenage superheroes. See below for an exclusive excerpt, and links where you can find the book. You can read it for free with Kindle Unlimited or buy the ebook for just $3.99.
Ren hands me the syllabus and we go through them together, with me highlighting some he should read and letting him choose some others. When I’m done, I hand the paper back to him and catch him staring at me, or more accurately, staring at my mouth.
Oh my God, is he . . .? No, he wouldn’t. My throat goes dry and I swallow hard. I should get up, but the thought of Ren’s lips pressed to mine keeps me from moving. My breathing escalates to the point that he must notice, and my hands curl and relax at my sides.
His gaze lifts to mine, and the vulnerability in his eyes steals my breath. I’ve never seen this side of him. Not really. He’s been unsure, or nervous, but not this. Ren searches my face for something, and I’m pretty sure all he’s going to see is pure fear. Because if I kiss this boy, nothing between us will be the same.
My tongue darts out and moistens my lips before I can acknowledge that probably wasn’t the best idea. His pupils dilate before his eyelids drift closed. He leans closer, tilting his head.
Holy crap, this is happening, and I’m not doing anything to stop it. Which means I must want this. My breath catches as my eyes close, and I wait for the soft brush of his lips. The mattress dips next to me, and the heat from his body’s proximity radiates to my arm and chest.
His warm breath, minty and clean, dances close to my lips. I part mine slightly as he gets closer, waiting, wondering for a brief second if he’s about to tell me this is all a big joke or make fun of me. The scent of sandalwood and soap fills my senses, and rough whiskers rasp against my chin. I take in a sharp breath and . . .
“Ren, I need—oh, oh, I’m so sorry. Mom said you were studying, and . . .”
Ren pulls back from me so fast, he creates a breeze that ruffles my hair. When I open my eyes, he’s standing beside the bed, his hand on top of his head. “Hey, M, what’s up?”
Mattea’s eyes dart between us. She’s clearly agitated about something, whether from what she walked in on or something else isn’t apparent. “It’s Ian. He’s missing.”
Okay, something else. Good.
“What do you mean he’s missing?” Ren asks.
“I mean he was supposed to meet me an hour ago, but he never showed. No text, no call, nothing. That’s never happened. I called his mom and she hasn’t heard from him, either. She says he’s not at home and his phone’s offline.”
Ren glances at me, then back to his sister. “I’m sure it’s nothing, Mattea. His battery’s probably dead.”
“He’s never disappeared like this without calling. Something’s wrong. I know it.”
“Okay, I get it. What do you want me to do?”
I stand and grab my bag off the floor. “I should go.”
“Wait . . .” Ren’s lips part, as if he’s going to say something more, but he doesn’t.
“I’ll see you on Thursday.” Before I can say or do something stupid, I rush from the room. “Bye, Mrs. Gonzalez,” I call as I fly out the front door, not waiting for her response.
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About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Title: SUPERHERO HIGH
Author: T.H. Hernandez
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Release Date: 2018
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary/Science Fiction Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Annarenee Stevens is the sole member of her family without a super power. The only time she feels powerful is in the pool. With her sights set on swimming for U.C. Berkeley, she’s ready to win it all at the State championship and secure her future.
When the government unexpectedly ends the secret Genetically Enhanced Asset (GEA) program, Annarenee is uprooted from Dayton, the only home she’s ever known, and relocated to San Diego with all of the other GEA families. Queen of her public school, Annarenee is just another zero at Superhero High, a school without any sports teams.
With the end of the program, her hero older brother now needs a college education, too, meaning the only way Annarenee is getting into Berkeley is on a scholarship. Her dream is slipping through her fingers, no matter how tightly she clings to it. To make matters worse, super hot superhero, Ren Gonzalez, is paying too much attention to her. The kind of attention that has Ren’s ex-girlfriend intent on making Annarenee’s life even more miserable.
But when heroes begin disappearing, zeros and heroes will be forced to team up in order to solve the mystery. If they don’t kill each other first.
Teaser Tuesday – SUPERHERO HIGH (Heroes and Zeros Series) by T.H. Hernandez
Check out the latest teaser from SUPERHERO HIGH, a young adult science fiction romance, releasing later this year. You can stay up with all the latest news, including when it’s available for pre-order, here.
#1LineWed – Gift
Today’s theme for 1 Line Wednesday, sponsored by RWA’s Kiss of Death Chapter is Gift. Here’s a line from Chapter 3 of SUPERHERO HIGH, releasing in 2018.
I remember Ronny’s present and yank the gift out from under my seat. I settle the pale blue bag with crumpled gold tissue paper on my lap and undo the curly navy and white ribbons she attached with care. My BFF, a sixteen-year-old Martha Stewart.
You can see previous week’s themes and lines here.
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Cover Reveal – SUPERHERO HIGH by T.H. Hernandez
I’m so excited to finally be able to share the cover to SUPERHERO HIGH, a young adult contemporary/science fiction romance, releasing in 2018. See below for the cover, information on the book, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR
SUPERHERO HIGH by T.H. Hernandez
About the Book
Title: SUPERHERO HIGH
Author: T.H. Hernandez
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Release Date: 2018
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary/Science Fiction Romance
Links: Goodreads
Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Annarenee Stevens is the sole member of her family without a super power. The only time she feels powerful is in the pool. With her sights set on swimming for U.C. Berkeley, she’s ready to win it all at the State championship and secure her future.
When the government unexpectedly ends the secret Genetically Enhanced Asset (GEA) program, Annarenee is uprooted from Dayton, the only home she’s ever known, and relocated to San Diego with all of the other GEA families. Queen of her public school, Annarenee is just another zero at Superhero High, a school without any sports teams.
With the end of the program, her hero older brother now needs a college education, too, meaning the only way Annarenee is getting into Berkeley is on a scholarship. Her dream is slipping through her fingers, no matter how tightly she clings to it. To make matters worse, super hot superhero, Ren Gonzalez, is paying too much attention to her. The kind of attention that has Ren’s ex-girlfriend intent on making Annarenee’s life even more miserable.
But when heroes begin disappearing, zeros and heroes will be forced to team up in order to solve the mystery. If they don’t kill each other first.
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Author T.H.-Hernandez
About the Author
T.H. Hernandez is the author of young adult books. The Union, a futuristic dystopian adventure, was a finalist in the 2015 San Diego book awards in the Young Adult Fiction category.
She loves pumpkin spice lattes, Game of Thrones, Comic-Con, Star Wars, Doctor Who marathons, Bad Lip Reading videos, and all things young adult, especially the three young adults who share her home.
When not visiting the imaginary worlds inside her head, T.H. Hernandez lives in usually sunny San Diego, California with her husband and three children, a couple of cats, and a dog who thinks he’s a cat, affectionately referred to as “the puppycat.”
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Where to Find T.H. Hernandez
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
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#1LineWed – Rough or Tough
Today’s theme for 1 Line Wednesday, sponsored by RWA’s Kiss of Death Chapter is Rough or Tough. Here’s a line from Chapter 1 of THE RESISTANCE, book 5 in The Union Series, from Evan’s POV.
“Oh really. Is it tough being held against your will? Are these conditions too rough for you, Draya? Maybe you’d prefer a concrete closet where you can sleep in your own shit.”
You can see previous week’s themes and lines here.
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Book Review – THE SUCCESSFUL AUTHOR MINDSET by Joanna Penn
THE SUCCESSFUL AUTHOR MINDSET by Joanna Penn
Synopsis
Being a writer is not just about typing. It’s also about surviving the roller-coaster of the creative journey.
Self-doubt, fear of failure, the need for validation, perfectionism, writer’s block, comparisonitis, overwhelm, and much more. When you’re going through these things, it can feel like you’re alone. But actually, they are part of the creative process, and every author goes through them too.
This book collects the mindset issues that writers experience, that I have been through myself over the last nine years, and that perhaps you will experience at different times on the creative journey.
Each small chapter tackles a possible issue and then offers an antidote, so that you can dip in and out over time. It includes excerpts from my own personal journals as well as quotes from well-known writers. I hope it helps you on the road to becoming a successful author.
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My Review
This book is full of helpful advice on how to be a writer, everything from handling self-doubt and rejections to finding your tribe. Peppered with quotes from successful authors as well as the author’s own journey, not everything will apply to every writer. I found myself skimming many portions of the book, but I suspect that’s the author’s intent — find the pieces that you can relate to and devour them, but move on if it doesn’t apply to you. I found much that did apply to me though and I highlighted a number of passages, including:
Think long term. Create a body of work.
This one really resonates. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the end of the current work in progress. To only think about the upcoming release day, but writing isn’t a trip with a start and end point, it’s a journey, a career. Even in all the years I worked as a project manager, with one eye on the end-date of my current project, I knew another contract needing my attention was on the horizon.
Bottom Line
Lots of good advice on surviving the writing process.
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About the Book
Title: THE SUCCESSFUL AUTHOR MINDSET: A Handbook for Surviving the Writer’s Journey
Author: Joanna Penn
Publisher: The Creative Penn, Ltd.
Publication Date: June 29, 2016
Pages: 166
Category: Writing
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble
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Author Joanna Penn
About the Author
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Book Review – WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS by Regina L. Brooks
WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS by Regina L. Brooks
Synopsis
Break into the Bestselling Young Adult Market with this IndispensableGuide!
Whether you’re just getting started or are on the hunt foran agent or publisher, Writing Great Books for Young Adults is your completeinsider source on how to succeed in the flourishing world of YA fiction andnonfiction. In this updated and revised edition, veteran literary agent ReginaL. Brooks offers invaluable advice for YA writers on everything from shapingyour novel to crafting the perfect pitch for your book.
Learn How To:
�Develop an authentic, engaging voice and writing style
�Construct dynamic plots that will resonate with readers
�Avoid common pitfalls related to tone and point of view
�Navigate the emerging genres of YA nonfiction and New Adult
�Create an exceptional query letter and proposal that will grab the attention of agents and publishers
You’ll also discover how successful film adaptations like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games have broadened the market for your book.Filled with tips and advice from agents, editors, and popular YA authors,Writing Great Books for Young Adults is your ticket to an incredible YA career!
“Brooks offers writers who are serious about attracting teen readers solid guidance through the creation process of writing YA fiction.”—LibraryJournal
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My Review
This one has been sitting on my bookshelf for a while, and I think I might have found it more useful if I’d read it when I first bought it a few years ago. There’s certainly useful tidbits throughout, but it’s neither a how-to nor a definitive resource on all things young adult fiction. Instead, it’s an overview of fiction writing with additional information on what makes writing for young adults different from writing for adults. It’s pretty void of details, but the overall concepts the author touches on are critical to success. I found the most useful information in Chapter 9 on theme. Depending on where you find your own writing lacking, you may discover something to help you as well.
Bottom Line
Useful information at a high level, but not much depth.
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About the Book
Title: WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS: Everything You Need to Know, from Crafting the Idea to Getting Published
Author: Regina L. Brooks
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: October 17, 2014
Pages: 225
Category: Fiction Writing
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble
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Author Regina Brooks
About the Author
Led by Ms. Brooks, Serendipity Literary Agency LLC., has established a diverse base of award-winning authors in the adult and young adult fiction, non-fiction, and children’s genres; including three-time National Book Award finalist, Newberry and Coretta Scott King award-winning author Marilyn Nelson, and Coretta Scott King Award winner, Sundee Frazier, author of Brendan Buckleys Universe and Everything in it, an Oprah Book Pick and an Al Roker Book Club selection.
With over fifteen years of experience in senior positions at major publishing houses, including John Wiley & Sons Inc (where she was the youngest member of the editorial staff and the first African-American editor in their college division) and the McGraw-Hill companies, Ms. Brooks, a graduate of the Howard University Publishing Institute and faculty member of the Harvard CME publishing course, is also the author of the childrens book, Never Finished! Never Done! (Scholastic, 2004). She is a book blogger for the Huffingtonpost.com
Ms. Brooks is also the founder and executive director of YB Literary Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the reading of literature as a meaningful, lifelong activity and transformative experience for youth. Much to her delight, this aspect of her charitable work in particular keeps her apprised of the latest teen trends. Through a roster of community-focused programming that draws on popular culture, YBs goal is to expose youth to literature that is relevant to their livesliterature that speaks to their realities, their experiences and to their potential as future leaders. The organization has touched thousands of high school students in the NY/NJ area alone. Under her guidance, the YB Literary Foundation established a partnership with The National Urban League to launch the hiphopreader.com program.
A New York Urban League Rising Star Award winner and a 2004 finalist for the StevieTM Award for Women Entrepreneurs, Regina Brooks is featured in books such as The Guide to Literary Agents and the NAACP nominated Down to Business 10 steps for Women Entrepreneurs. She is also listed in International Who’s Who under the categories of Professional Management, Technology, Entrepreneurs, and Engineering.
Ms. Brooks serves on the board of Soul Mountain Literary Retreat Center and is a member of the Brooklyn Book Festival Committee for Childrens and Young Adult Literature. An active member of the National Association of Female Executives and NY Women in Television and Film and a member of the National Association of Professional Women, she lectures at over a dozen conferences annually, including the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Bologna Book Fair and the American Library Association.
Where to find Regina L. Brooks
Goodreads | Website | Twitter
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