Writing tips...

So, there are a lot of "how to write" out there and I promised to give you some tips, too.
Well, that's harder than it sounds. Every writer has his or her own stile and writes in a different way. Some do exercises or something else. Others just write. And that's the only tip I can give you without having a bad  conscience: WRITE! (and breath, but beside that there is nothing you can do to be a better writer)

I found a wonderful "How to write" and I have to admit it is the best one I've ever read. This article really helps, when you lose your courage: How to be a writer

It's the only tip I have for you right now, but I hope it helps.
And to get back to the topic I had yesterday (Sun or Rain?) the sun is gone today and it doesn't stop raining... That's what I call a coincidence!?

A wonderful day for everyone
KJ

Sun or Rain?

Well, the weather is good again and I can't leave the house without burning in the sun. Some of my friends enjoy the warmth and are lying in the sun all day long. Other ones wish nothing more than a good storm or some thunder and lightning. Which brings me to my question for today.
Are you like Sunny or like Rainy?
Don't know what I'm talking about? Read the Blood Coven Series by Mari Mancusi! I posted a comment about the last Blood Coven book I read and while I was browsing through some new book covers I asked myself, Sunny or Rainy? Well I can't really decide... Sunny's Cover is prettier but I'm more the Rainy type... So, what about you?

Here is Sunny on the beautiful cover for Blood Ties, book six in the series will be released in august and is currently available for pre-order.

Or do you prefer Rainy on the Cover for the seventh book, Soul Bound coming in March 2012?

Which of the seven covers is your favorite Blood Coven Cover? And do you prefer sun or rain?
If it comes to me, I'm just going to hang my head in the Freezer and wait for the next little bit of rain...
I wish you all wonderful days with the weather you like...

KJ

Teaser...

I thought about translating one of my stories into English... And here is the first teaser :)

27 January 1848                                                             Český Krumlov

I went up and waited, hoping my eyes would become adjusted to the darkness around me. But the human eye is weak and to make matters worse slowly. So seemingly endless minutes went by, before I was able to see anything. Clouds covered the stars as well as the moon.

From the corner of my eye I could see that one of the shadows moved. Just a glimpse at the end of my field of view. But no doubt, it was there and I thought the blood in my veins would run cold.

What if... Time travelling 1

Welcome to the first part of "What if..."
The rules are easy and you will get it without me explaining it :)

So, what if I had a time machine that I can only use once? I would travel in time, of course :) To be more specific I would travel 195 years back in time into the wonderful 1816. And I wouldn't just travel anywhere I would travel to the Lac Lerman, the lake Geneva.
Back than was the literature period of romanticism (I'm a huge fan of that time) and people stopped thinking with their heads and started acting like they felt. Desire, night, nature and love were expressed in all forms of art. A young English poet leaves his wife to abscond with a young girl. They travel to Geneva were one of the greatest gothic novels in history is written.
I'm talking about Percy Bysshe Shelley and his love Mary Godwin, later known as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. They travel with Marys Half-sister Clara Clairmont, because she is searching for her lover George Gordon, who you all know as Lord Byron, one of the most famous english poets.
So the trio stays over the summer in Byrons mansion Diodati with Byron and his personal doctor Giovanni "John" Polidori.

On a stormy night the little circle decides to make a contest. They want to find out, who is able to write the best gothic tales. But the only ones finishing their stories are John and Mary.
In this night, inspired by the discussions about the "Prometheus spark" a few days ago, Mary W. Shelley creates one of the most misunderstood monsters ever and it's creator: Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his monster.
John Polidori writes The Vampyr, which is said to be one of Bram Stokers inspirations and the first story of modern-Vampires.
To finish this little story I want to say that I admire the work of those wonderful poets and writers and would love to spend one night with them in the Diodati mansion discussing Shakespeare, Voltaire, Goethe and how far a scientist can go...

Did you know that, based on the night when Mary Godwin gave birth to Frankenstein, a horror movie was created? It's called Gothic, but I haven't watched it yet, should I?
Have you read Frankenstein? And how did you like it?

Best wishes and weeks full of words
KJ

What makes me love Thursdays...

Thursday is the best day of the week... You can almost see the weekend and the evening gets really juicy, when our favorite TV Vamps kick some ass in The Vampire Diaries at the CW.

The finale of the second TVD season left us all totaly shocked and wanting more. So I thought I could not want the fall, and the new TVD season more. We all know, that Harperteen fired L.J Smith from her own series (I mean what?! ) and TVD is going on without her. 
Well, looks like The Vampire Diaries won't be the only show based on L.J Smith novels out there.
To keep it short: The Secret Circle, a series by L.J Smith about a coven of witches is heading the CW this fall. On Thursdays!

I loved the Vampire Diaries and how the witch Bonny was presented in the CW series, so I`m really looking forward to see some more witch power! And as a major plus: Brit Robertson (I blogged about her before) is staring as the leading role. I just loved how she portrayed the troubled Lux on Life Unexpected ( another CW show ;) ) and Phoebe Tonkin is staring, too. This better be good :)
Watch the trailer below and tell  me, what are you more excited for? The returning of our favorite Vamps or a fresh wind?

And don`t miss the other new CW shows, looks like they have something nice for us this fall.
Best wishes
KJ

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Storm Born - Comic delay

Richelle Mead announced on her blog yesterday, that there will be a delay with the first issue of the Storm Born graphic novel. There has been a production problem that will have no further effects on the other releases scheduled for august (Bloodlines and Succubus Revealed)
Long story short: Storm Born will release next week, not today.

So for me it's back to my school project about Macbeth :)
Wish you all a nice day
KJ

A book that makes you fly on cloud nine...

Lucy in the Sky by Paige Toon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


"Lucy in the sky is a wonderful book about friendship and love that makes you chuckle. It is the perfect reading for souls harassed by lovesickness. I rarely enjoyed another book as much as I enjoyed this one. It made me happy and sad equally.

Following Lucys' struggle for happiness and her interesting relationships was a fantastic adventure and really delightful.
Paige Toon is able to bring her character to life, something I apreciate most about an author.

A recommendation for everyone who likes reading books about love and even for those who prefer darker reads. But most of all for everyone who needs a encouragement considering their own love-life.

A wonderful weekend for everyone
KJ

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More Movie News :)

Harperteen announced:

"Firelight, the new book by bestselling author Sophie Jordan, is coming to the big screen. Mandalay Pictures has picked up the rights to young adult novel. Stay tuned for casting and release dates!"

A promising book about a young girl, who is a descendant of dragons and is forced to flee into the mortal world...

read with joy
KJ

Strange Angels

Strange Angels by Lilith Saintcrow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


As I started reading this book I thought of it as nothing new. But interesting creatures like the "Dream Stealer" and a wonderful heroine named Dru, who you believe her story, proved that it was better than I first thought. She comes to life through her thoughts and the really good writing.

Though the love-triangle between the characters is nothing new, too it is refreshing that you can not foresee who she will pick or if she will pick one.
Lili St. Crow takes old things and twists them into something new. With an end that leaves you desperate for the rest Strange Angels has everything a good book needs. And that's what it is. A good book. Nothing less but nothing more, either.
I`m definitely reading the rest of the series for it has great potential. And I just love dhampire :)

For fans of Richelle Mead and her Vampire Academy Series

Words and peace to everyone
KJ

Song of the Day: Dear Agony by Breaking Benjamin 

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Summer on the horizon...

The Days are getting warmer and warmer, so I`m going on a little journey to book-land to find out, which books I need too make a hot day at the pool even better and in which worlds I can travel if the summer sun and all the happy people go on my nerves again :)
This seems to be a good start:

What books are in your beach-bag this year?
have a nice weekend full with words
KJ