1. First of all, a recently-rediscovered source of lulz: Slush Pile Hell is a collection of query letter fails that are posted–and snarkily commented upon–by an anonymous literary agent. I giggle way too much when I read it, which is kind of funny, considering that I plan to work in publishing someday. Maybe it won’t be so funny when it’s a workday reality. Or maybe it will.
2. Also, in a similar vein, this is too good (and sadly true) not to share:
Courtesy of The Rejecter.
3. A useful post from blogger Taylor “The Readhead” about the false dichotomy between plotting and pantsing. I pretty much agree with her points across the board, so I’m more than happy to share this.
4. RainyMood.com is an awesome way to create a productive writing atmosphere. Also great for inducing sleep. But hopefully not sleep while you’re writing.
5. A great post on the anatomy of a character, in 25 blunt and easy-to-understand points. Super, super useful.
6. A two-parter:
a) First of all, the first poster for the film version of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins has just been released. And it looks freaking awesome. (Random note: opening this link while listening to RainyMood is an interesting contrast.)
b) Secondly, I am such a sucker for parodies. Seriously. If you play a pop song for me, the chances are much higher that I will know the lyrics to a parody version than to the original. At any rate, this is my new favorite parody these days:
7. Finally, all writers need procrastination materials, so this is courtesy of my good friend Hali Alspach. Open at your own risk. Who knew musical bouncy-balls could be so addictive?
Adeebadeebadebadathat’sallfolks.
Tags: awesome links, blogging, getting published, Hali Alspach, pantsing, plotting, publishing, rainymood, slush pile hell, snark, snarky, sunday sharing, the hunger games, the readhead, the rejector, writing
Hey Ari! This is Katie Hawley (we haven’t talked since high school, but hi! how are you?). I hope you don’t mind the unsolicited comment, I stumbled onto your blog via facebook. I think it’s really neat that so many people from AHS are [becoming] writers! I was wondering, actually, about The Hunger Games, since you mentioned them. I have a bit of money left on my b&n gift card and lots of space on my Nook, and I’m thinking of buying it but need a little encouragement to actually do it. If you don’t mind, why should I read it? Anything you could say in its favor would be much appreciated. :]
Hi Katie! Wow, it’s great to hear from you! I hope you’re doing well.
As for The Hunger Games, I would recommend it if most of the following are true of you:
- you like YA fiction
- you like fast-paced page-turners (the kind where you sit down to read a chapter and only come up for air three hours later having practically finished the darn thing)
- you like post-apocalyptic/dystopian sci-fi
- you like richly-imagined worlds
- you like strong female protagonists
- you don’t mind violence involving pre-teens/teens (there are exceptions: see below)
I really enjoyed the book (and series), as did my aunt, sisters, and most of the friends I recommended it to. And strangely enough, my mother–one of the most nonviolent, gentle people I know and who could barely make it through the LOTR films–also loved it. I read it aloud to her during a 9-hour car trip last year, and though we were supposed to switch off driving, she drove the entire way so we could finish reading the book. There was even a moment after the last book came out where I found myself in the peculiar position of complaining that I felt parts were too gratuitously violent and having my mother defend Suzanne Collins’s choices (“Well, I think that’s what happens in war situations…”). Anyhow, for what that’s worth.
Regardless, I hope you find something you enjoy reading–book gift cards are awesome–and that you’re having an awesome summer!
(And unsolicited comments are also awesome. Don’t ever feel shy. I think most bloggers agree on this. :-p )