Goodbye 2012...

This is my last post of the year and it couldn’t be anything else than New Year’s resolutions! As we all know when a year is ending we make promises to ourselves and we try to keep them and that’s what I will do. But before that, let’s recount the year that passed…

Talk or stay silent?

I was wondering…is it wise to talk about your writing? The obvious answer is that there is no harm in it but…is it really that way? And by talking I don’t mean to blog or tweet about it, I mean talking to people who surround you.

Do you keep notes when you write?

I do it all the time.

The truth is that without my notes it’s like I am blind. They are my map and guide me step by step from the beginning until the end of my novel. So far I have two separate notebooks for my two novels and I keep them with me all the time. I feel like the Gollum from the Lord of The Rings some times. They are my precious! If someone will look through those pages he will see my stories unfolding before his eyes, so I keep them hidden. I don’t want for someone to learn the end before they have the chance to read the book, right?

Inspiration has no time.

It’s true. You can never know when or how the next idea for a novel or the inspiration to continue an existing one, will come. It can come from every little thing. Me for example I have some experiences to share.

Holidays and work...collide!

So, holidays are good and we all want them. We get to rest from our job, to see friends and family, to do things that we couldn’t because of the everyday routine, to spend more time with kids and parents and generally holidays are days of joy and love. But is this really what people do on holidays?

World's end..hmmmm

Today’s post was predetermined and you know why. Everyone is speaking for the world’s end tomorrow and so I had the need to write my opinion too. Personally, I don’t think that the world will end but let’s assume that this is the end. And now…what?

Cover it...

Well, let’s assume that your book is ready, the editing is done and after many weeks and even months of polishing it, you are finally ready to publish it. What’s missing at this point? The cover! I don’t know about you but I am not capable of creating my book’s cover. I just can’t do it. Every time I tried, I created a mess that no one would ever like. So, what can we do and why the cover is so important?

Dedication

Writing a book is not easy and everyone who has tried it knows it very well. At this post though, I am not going to talk about those difficulties. I will talk about dedication, which I think is really important when you decide to write a book.

First of all, let me clarify that dedication is crucial for everyone who wants to fulfill his goals but I am going to talk about writers. So, fellow writers, if I had to pick one characteristic that a writer should have, this would be dedication. 

Exposure.

Recently I read a blog post from an agent who said that the reason for rejecting someone, in some cases, was his online presence and I agree with it. The online presence is real presence.

Liking or hating a book is really subjective.

I recently finished Switched by Amanda Hocking and I wrote a small review on Goodreads. So, while I have added my opinion, I take some time to read other reviews about it. As I scroll down the page, I see four, five and even three stars next to the title but when I see one single star, well, I have to stop and read it.

Write with your soul

Writing a novel, as I've said before, is going to take a lot of time! Whatever you do, whether you know how your story will go or not, it will need TIME. So, my advice as a young writer is not to rush it. Believe me, I want my books out there, available for everyone to read, but this isn’t how it works. And after all, the journey worth more than the destination. So, sit comfortable and enjoy each journey because it's unique and despite how long it may takes you'll remember it like it happened in a blink of an eye.

Try to do what you love and life will find a way to reward you.

Something I tweeted yesterday inspired me to write this post today. I said: “Try to do what you love and life will find a way to reward you.” I strongly believe that and I want to talk about it a little further.

Here is the thing. It is very important being able to do what you really like but as life goes on and we are growing, our priorities change and sometimes we are forced to let our dream jobs in order to do something else.

Why do you write?

I think this is a question that a writer may come to answer in his life. It can be form in many different ways like When did you start writing, or what writing means for you, or how you decide to write? However we can mask it, change and beautify it, the question is plain and straight…why do you write?!

This may address to a famous writer, a first time novelist but also to any person that writes a story. He may be a teenager, a student, a wife, a father or generally anyone who is trying to spread his words out there. So, why do you write?

What is happening when you finally finish your novel?

Well, new month arrived and I wish this will be the month I will finish my second novel! But there starts the real thing. So what is happening when you finally finish your novel? Here is my reality which you may find it helpful.

I have written almost two novels and yet I hadn’t the chance to publish one (self-publish). Well, I did publish my short story titled THE ANGEL OF CHRISTMAS and I am happy about that. To my point, when I finished my first which is an adventure/crime novel, I was so excited to publish it, and I still am, but there are things that must be done. Here is what I did and what I recommend you too.

Movies based on books...hmmm...

Yesterday I went to the movies for the Breaking Dawn part 2 and some thoughts came to mind about movies and series based on books.

Well, first of all I must say that I love Twilight saga and I was too excited to see the movies. After all I started reading it after I had seen the first movie and I had adored it. Now, some years after, I have read many books and I have seen the movies or the series that people have make based on books and an opinion has formed into my brain.

Letter to a child never born...

Few days ago I wrote a small review on Goodreads and I would like to talk a little about this book. The title is: “Letter to a child never born” and it is a unique book which sold four million copies worldwide. If you haven’t the chance to read it yet, I totally recommend it.

Well, as I said this book is different from every other I have read. It was written by Italian author and journalist Orianna Fallaci and it is like you are reading a personal diary. There are no chapters; no titles only entries marking events form her life.

Small Chapters-My choice.

Yes, it is official. I prefer small chapters in books. And by small I mean up to ten pages. As much as I like a book I have to admit that when a chapter is too big I kind of get tired sometimes.

In smaller chapters I get a feeling of integration as it is clearer to follow the events and my curiosity, anxiety, wonder are increasing so I want to read the next one and the next after that. As a result I caught myself flipping the pages and reading the chapters more eager than reading only one. I don’t know if you understand me so let me explain.

Are you thankful?

It is Thanksgiving Day in US today so I was thinking that we all should be thankful for something. So I am asking you…what are you thankful for?

I believe that the most important thing in life is health. If we are healthy we can work and we can fight the battles that life is bringing us. After that there are a million things that we should be thankful like family, friends, kids, work, money and countless other things. I am thankful that I have the time to write my stories despite the difficulties that I face. It is really important being able to do what you love even if it is just for a few hours in your busy day. I don’t know how long I will have the ability to write my stories in everyday basis and I try to enjoy every minute of it. I don’t even know if anyone will ever read them, but I love writing and that is enough for me. Every day is a new day and you never know how it will turn out to be. So, I say that we should be thankful even for the tiny little thing that is happening to us because life moves fast and it would be a shame to waste it with sad thoughts. 

Get Focused.

Last week I was searching blogs, reading posts, trying to learn how the marketing world is working and I realize that it is as hard as I was expecting. I have read a tweet some days ago where someone was saying that writing and marketing your novel along with all the other things you have to do and keeping your sanity…is really remarkable. And I agree.

With all that I hadn’t the time to write and I hated it. When I write everything seems better as the reality fades a little and I get to live along with the characters I am creating, who most of the times are even surprising me with their decisions. So, today when I woke up I said to myself. “Now you will write and nothing will stand in the way.” And so I wrote and I am close to finish my second novel which is going to have a sequel and maybe becoming a trilogy but this is too far away.

To my point, for an indie author like I am, it is really easy to lost track in the chaotic book industry while the best we can do…is write! That’s what I am going to do. I will be more focused on writing because that’s what I love and that’s what I want to learn better.   

Why book series?

It is a nice Sunday and my thoughts are about series of books. Over the years I noticed that the books I enjoy the most are those that don’t stop at book #1. Frankly the books that I have read, and aren’t a part of a series, are a few and I believe there are many people this moment who caught themselves nodding as they read my post.

So, I was wondering. Why we choose to read series? For me the answer is simple. I love it when I finish a book and I already anticipate the arrival of the next one. It makes me thinking how the story will continue, what the writer is thinking about it, what new adventure the characters will have to face. Many times I am creating my own scenarios about the story or I try to imagine how it is going to be. There aren’t few the times when I discuss it with friends and we share our opinions. This is a magic that a book without a sequel can’t give you. Not because it will not be good but because you will not be able to discuss it as much as you’d like since the story will finish and then all your questions will be answered. At one point I decided not to read any series and so I went to the bookstore to find something new. You know what the result was? I bought a book and when I sat down to read it I saw those little letters which said that it was a part of a series!! Not a big one and not that you couldn’t read it without reading the first, but it was a part of a series. Two things I got from this. Either I should pay more attention at a book’s cover or subconsciously I was craving for another series. I bet it was the second one.

I believe that the reader loves the characters more when he follows the journey from one book to the other. This is something amazing because the author is creating a world which loved and cared by people and somehow behind the pages, the paragraphs, the sentences, the letters, that world materializes and take its place in our hearts like it happened in real life. And that is the magic of all the books but I personally sense it a little more alive when it is about series. Don’t you?

Are Hunger Games...just an imagination?

Currently I am reading the Hunger Games trilogy and now that I am closer to the end I decided to talk about those books that triggered something inside me. I guess more or less everyone knows about the Hunger Games and especially now that there is a movie too. So, give some time to read and if you want to comment on this post because I believe there are some things that must to be said.

Well, these books have something that is more than a nice read. Especially the first one where you learn about Katniss, the districts and the way people are leaving. It really shocked me. I guess it might be because the days we are living are difficult for people all around the world. The idea of Panem rising through the ashes of what used to be North America and the way Capitol was desperately trying to keep people in order, isn’t too science-fiction in my head. I am worried how the world will be in the future and I just hope that it will be a nice place for the next generations.

Suzanne Collins created a new reality which at the end wasn’t too strange. Poverty exists around the globe and year by year it keeps increasing and people are struggling for the necessary when there are those who have more than they need. OK, I know that this isn’t new and I don’t want to judge anyone, but I am just wondering how those people can keep living in their bubble when the world rises its hands waving for survival?! I don’t know about you, but I could easily see a Capitol pattern floating on air. Don’t judge me wrong, I am not saying that something from the book will really exist but I realize that in a gentle way we do live in some districts and we do ruled by some Capitol. I haven’t felt a book so alive before and Suzanne Collins succeeded to make it stick in my head. Some may think that I am exaggerating but spend a moment to really think about it. I don’t know…I just felt it that way and I’d like to share it with you.

Feel free to tell me your thoughts about this and correct me if you believe I am wrong. After all…this is just my opinion. 

Writing is a very lonely procedure.

I don’t know about you, but I was always a lonely girl. I am not saying that I don’t enjoy company or spending time with friends and family but I adore those moments where I get to sit alone and just write. Those are the moments where my emotions and thoughts, are coming to surface effortlessly. Either I am writing a novel or a post, or just a diary, it is an important part of the day. For those moments, which can last either half an hour either four or five, the world around me fades and nothing really matters. Sometimes in the sound of a beautiful song or in perfect silence, I get to be me and just put random words on paper which in the end turn out to be a story hidden between my lines.

For me writing isn’t something I have to do or someone expects for me to do. Most of the time, no one knows that I am writing and very few are those who know how I really feel about it. Deciding to share my stories and even creating this blog wasn’t easy, but as I said again, publishing my novels is a way to fulfill their destiny, which is to be read and maybe loved. And if none of the above ever happens it’s OK, because I will know that I did my part. I completed my stories and I put them there…in plain sight in case someone will decide to read them…and I have made my peace with that. J

Writing makes you a better writer.

It is a fact! Writing makes you a better writer.

When I was writing my first novel I was reading articles around the internet and there were many opinions that the more you write the better you become. Of course I agreed and I couldn’t wait to see it happening to me. And…it happened. 

Now that I am writing my second novel, I see the differences. First of all I write faster. I guess that with the first one I was hesitating, I was afraid but then it was coming more naturally and now that I have written all these pages, is even better. Then I noticed that the descriptions were easier to write and generally everything was coming without effort. As everything in life, writing needs practicing too. Either we write a novel, a post or a review it is good. We learn how to put out thoughts on paper, to express our feelings and spread the word out to others.

For me, writing was always my way out and paper was my closest friend. The things I didn’t want to share with my actual friends I was glad to write them down. I want to continue writing and I am just dreaming that someday there might be someone who will like what I have to say. I know it’s not easy but I also know that writing is what I love that’s why I will not give it up. So, if you are having second thoughts or you don’t trust the way you write, don’t give up. Everything will be better with time. 

Game of Thrones makes me shiver...

Today I want to talk about a series of books that I believe will stay in history and that is Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. I have read the three of them and I am definitely going to read the others too. What can I say about those books…they are just amazing!

It was the first time I ever read that kind of book and I don’t regret it. I mean…George Martin has written a masterpiece!! All the details, the characters, the places, it is like I am reading something that really exists and I want to go visit Winterfell and all the Seven Kingdoms. I like the way he writes, showing the cruelty and the beauty of living in such a place. I adore Daenerys and her dragons and I am anxious to see them growing and help her take the kingdom.

What makes me shiver in those books is that they are so unpredictable. I don’t know who the main character may be in the future since they keep dying!!! And I like that nothing’s given, because that’s life! We don’t know what a new day will bring. Every book has its own magic and up to the third everything changes. I don’t have a clue what is happening in the fourth and don’t even ask me about the rest. What I know is reading this series it's a unique experience! They're long books I know, but I don’t believe this is a reason not to read them. I know many people who say that they are too big and they can’t read them and many stuff like that, but I always tell them that they are missing a wonderful experience.

Reading Game of Thrones isn’t just reading a book…you got to live in the Seven Kingdoms and you know everything and everyone. When I'm reading I feel like I open a portal and travel with the writer in his amazing world.

If you having second thoughts about reading those books…just go for it!! Trust me you'll not lose!

Don't lose your will.

Today I am too excited. I don’t have a particular reason to be, since I have many things troubling my mind but…being able to write and continuing my story makes me happy.

Being an indie author isn’t easy but I believe there is a particular beauty to it. Writing a novel on your own it might be difficult, and speaking of myself, there are many times that I lose my strength. Those are the times I doubt if my stories will ever reach a reader and that is one of the difficulties for being an indie author. We have to do everything alone, editing, promotion and of course there are things we shouldn’t do alone. But I will not talk about that.

I am writing this post because I want to encourage everyone I can, including myself, to keep doing what they love. I am too stubborn to stop because sometimes I am disappointed or because I read an amazing novel and I believe that the world doesn’t need my story. Who knows, there might be one person who will love my work. Isn’t that enough? I believe it is and I am not talking about friends and family who will be supportive and optimists. I talk about unknown men and women who will search the internet and even by chance they will decide to read whatever I have to tell them. And they may end up like it!

So when you feel sad, disappointed or pessimist, don’t give up! The difficulties exist so we can overcome them and keep going. So, sleeves up and keep writing.

My first short story!

I finally did it! I uploaded one of my short stories and I would like to talk about it.

The title is “The angel of Christmas” and it is a very old story, meaning that I wrote it thirteen years ago. I was eleven years old and it was one my favorites, still is. I didn’t want to do many changes because I like it to be a story from a child to another.

It is a Christmas story but not in the “typical” way. It describes a family where the father is focused on his work and he isn’t willing to be with his wife and daughter even for Christmas. But life is unpredictable and everything can change in a single moment. The story shows the importance of family, the way people react when things are going wrong and the need to help others and not being selfish.

I hope for people to read it and let me know with a review or a feedback even if they didn’t like it. I have mixed feelings since it is the first time I have something in public and I know that someone might read my story but…I hope they do! :)

Random thoughts about NaNoWriMo.

November is here and since yesterday has started the National Novel Writing Month. The rule is simple, write the first draft of a novel in a month. 50,000 words at least and you are in! It is a project that started in 1999 and since then many-many writers participate every year.

I was so excited about participating too in NaNoWriMo but that would mean I have to stop writing the one I am working on and start another. That’s makes me sad since I am so focused on the YA I’m creating. I don’t know what to do…continue writing what I already have or start a new one? The clock is ticking and I have a decision to make.

I know that writing a novel in a month will be a unique experience since I will be able to talk with others who experiencing the same and it will be fun but I want to finish my novel and write the sequel since I am planning to make it a trilogy (I hope!)

If only I could participate with what I already have but…rules are rules and I know that some of you out there are wishing the same…right?

So, you want to be a writer?

I think we all agree that a book is the best choice when we want to relax, to rest or simply to leave the real world behind us and enjoy the magic of the story that hides between the lines. 

I love those moments, sitting on the couch, or a comfortable chair, wrapped in a blanket and drinking a hot tea while I read a book of my choice. A good story can make us forget our troubles, inspire us, isn’t that right?

The same way I feel about writing. 

The moment I sit down to continue a story a whole new world materializes in front of me, waiting for me to lead the way. Since I started writing, when I was a child, I had in my mind short stories which could teach something. I never read those to anyone except for a few, but it wasn’t my intension to read them either way. I just was feeling complete by writing them. 

I believe we must write because we have the need to write and not because might come something out of it. I want to continue writing and lately I decided to share my novels with others thinking that they may enjoy the story I have to tell them. And that's enough for me.

I want to share with you a video that inspires me and makes me chill. The title is “So…you want to be a writer?” and I want to shout a big YES to that, but I guess only time will show. 

How good it feels to write!

I don’t have anything specific on my mind this time; I just want to share with you my feelings when I’m writing. Writing it is a very personal procedure, especially if you are starting a new story or if it is your first attempt. Whatever is the case, you are lost in your thoughts and time seems to fly along with a million scenarios on how this is going to work. At least that’s how I felt.

I remember when I decided to write something that I could publish. I had a story on my mind but only some pieces and I was hesitating. One night I said to myself that there is no point wasting time thinking about it and so I started writing. I still didn’t know the whole story but I knew how I wanted to start and just like that I wrote the preface. After that everything came naturally. I kept writing and the story unfolded before me. Sometimes even surprised me! I can’t explain the feeling when I completed it, but I am sure that any writer out there knows what I am talking about.

I have a lot to do yet, since I am editing, but I know it is a unique experience. Now I understand what they say that when something ends another begins since when I was finishing the first, a new idea was born and now I am in the half of the second book, which is completely different from the first.

What can I say…? I feel so enchanted by the writing world that I want to transmit my feelings across the world. Hope I did it!

What makes a good book?

What makes a good book? There is more than one answer that someone can give to this question and so I am going to give mine. I will not talk about preferences, everyone has his own. There are those who enjoy mystery, adventure, fiction, paranormal, those who like romance, historical, non-fiction and many-many more. I want to talk about the things that anyone expects from a book.

A good story.

The first thing we do when we see a book is to read the description which tells us a bit about the story we are going to learn. This is our first encounter with the book and I believe an important one. We want to be excited, curious and even thrilled and that’s a reason to make us read it. So, an interesting description is crucial but it will not be a surprise if at the end it wasn’t a good book. Yes, there is the case that an astonishing description may lead us to a book that we wouldn’t choose for many reasons.

An interesting start.

The second thing that I do when I have a book on my hands, is to read a few opening lines. This is a way to take a peek at the way the author writes and a hint about how the story begins. This may be a prologue or a preface or even the beginning of the story. Whatever is the case it must be something that we will remember.

Well written.

A huge presupposition is for the book to be well written. This takes a lot of discussion and I know that there are many experienced people who can explain it better than me. From my experience though, even if it is a little one, and form my aspect as a reader, I have to admit that a well written book is the most important thing. But…this doesn’t mean that the author must use some difficult technique or something. Of course when you have studied and you have spent years analyzing, reading and taking advices from experienced people, you see things more clearly than someone who just writes. Writing is not easy but I believe people can do it, and I don’t speak of those who force themselves to do it, because there are those too. I am speaking about people who writing comes from their souls and they will do mistakes and everything will not be perfect to an experienced eye, but those people can create a good book too. The reader doesn’t know what the author has studied; he only enjoys the story and travels along with the characters. If a book can do this to you, then I don’t think that there is anything more we can tell.  So, my advice is to anyone who writes because he likes it, because he is passionate with it, is…write! I do the same thing. I write and I don’t know if it will lead me anywhere but I love to write and I just wouldn’t be myself if I stopped for any reason.

Of course there are a million more that we can tell about a good book but those three are the top on my list. Which are yours? Feel free to tell me.

 xoxo

A.

Our reading affects our writing.

Our reading affects our writing. Don’t you agree?

I personally believe that this is a fact. Every person has his likes and dislikes and I guess that we all read different kinds of books and not just one. After all it helps us create a general opinion. What happens though when we write at the same time?

I can’t speak from everyone (of course!) but I think in one way or another, what we read affects our writing. I am not saying that we copy another author but even the slightest detail or idea we have may be triggered of something we read. Or the way we write may have been affected.

Me for example, I wrote my first novel while I was reading Game of Thrones. DAZED is a mystery/adventure and it takes place in Boston. It has absolutely nothing to do with George R. R. Martin’s masterpiece, but due to that I wrote it on the third person. It was something that happened unconsciously but I was reading in the third person and so I was thinking in the third person and I ended up writing in the third person too.

I don’t know, it may be different for you out there, or you think that I was affected too much, but how a good book can’t affect you? Isn’t that its purpose after all? And I say again that I don’t mean to copy it! Personally I am glad when I finish a book and I have beautiful feelings and ideas which can make me create something good and give me the sparkle I need to keep going.

What about you? Have you ever had a similar reaction to a book? 

Children's Book on the way...

New week, new step! I am a little excited today because I made a decision. I will publish (self-publish of course since I am doing everything alone) one of my short stories for Children! It is a very short story, meaning 14 pages, and it is childish. Of course it is that way because I wrote it when I was 11 years old! (About thirteen years ago.) The story is about a man who is selfish and uncaring and he ignores his family but when something tragic happens, everything changes. The story is simple and speaks about the value of family, love and helping people who need you the most.

Well, I searched my documents and I found it sneaking somewhere between a few unfinished ones and I said “We will need to spend some time together.” I have read it three times while I do the editing part. I don’t want to make extreme changes because it is a story from a child and that’s how I want to maintain it. I will have to find a cover and edit some more but I hope that soon enough I will publish it on Amazon. And that is another step of daring!! (if you have read my post “Daring” then you know what I mean). 

Hope!

Well, today I was thinking about hope! If you have read my older posts you should know that I am writing because it’s something I love and I think that it’s worth trying to share it with readers. The first novel I wrote it is an adventure/crime/mystery and it is a lot different than the second one that I am working on. But I will come to this another day.

So I was thinking…what my hopes should be? Of course every new writer hopes big and dreams big which is understandable I think, but I am not like that. I believe in my novels a lot and I hope that one day at least one person will read them but what more? I don’t even know if that will happen. I am a little pessimistic I know, but that’s who I am!

Careful though, there is a fine line that we mustn’t cross. We should hope and dream because that’s helping us continue and inspires us but we must do it in a healthy amount. If we give too much hope and we fail, we could lose the love to write again. On the other hand if we are not hopeful at all there is the chance that we don’t find any reason to write and once again this is something we don’t want. Acting wisely and with faith it is important and even if it won’t pays off we will know that we did the best we could and keep aiming for something better. There is always something better we can do. All we need to do is working hard, believing and loving it. Well, we need a little talent and luck too but we all have a bit of those. We just need to nurture it and grow it and make it ready for the others to enjoy.

So, we keep our heads down and our hands on the keyboard working for the best. I don’t know about you but that’s what I am going to do and I hope it’s worth a try. J

Passionate about writing.

Something funny happened yesterday. I was writing my YA novel like crazy. It is an urban fantasy novel with a bit of love triangle in it. I knew what I wanted to do with the story and I was confident about my writing. But here is the interesting part…in some point my story took a turn that I hadn’t thought about. It’s just happened like the characters said “Hey we want this to happen here.”…and it happened. So, I continue writing it without changing it back to what I had thought and it turned out to be better than I expected. No-no I know what you are thinking, I am not crazy. I’m sure that this has happened to you too. Think about it! It is what I’ve said again. At one point the story has its own existence and that’s amazing. It’s not just words on paper. At least I don’t see it that way. It’s that sparkle of creation that tickles inside me.

This is what I love in writing (and reading too). It is fun, it is interesting, it is coming naturally and it can surprise you. I know many people who believe that reading is boring and I don’t want to know what they think about writing! Well, I don’t judge, people aren’t the same and that’s the fan of it. Like writers aren’t the same. Everyone has a unique writing and that’s what makes them special. I just hope one day someone will love my writing too. 

I'm just wondering...why??

I am a little disappointed about a “separation” that takes place between the regular publishing and self-publishing. Looking around the internet I saw that many sites and blogs that accept books for review can’t review self-published work.

And I am wondering now…if someone has a literature agent or a publisher, wouldn’t be easier to advertise his novel? Of course he would need a review but he would have already made a step in that world. On the other hand someone who writes and edits alone finds it harder to appear in the world. And don’t give me wrong. I am not talking about money. I am referring to put your story out there. This is, I believe, what a writer wants, this is what I want; to entertain and keep the reader excited with my work.

I admire the good writers and I believe that we will be amazed from their future work but…I can’t help but wonder. New authors don’t deserve a fair chance? I strongly believe that somewhere around us there are more than one persons who can make us chill with their amazing story or their will rock our world with the stunning novel they will create. Don’t you believe that we should check them out? Of course their work may not be perfect at the beginning and their first novel may not be unforgettable but…is this reason to ignore them?

I hope I didn’t offend someone. This wasn’t my intention. I’m just wondering and writing my thoughts. So what are your thoughts on this?

A sad day...

I feel a little disappointed today. Imagine a nice day: you are doing whatever you love, trying to create something good and suddenly life happens reminding you that there are things you must do in order to keep living. A bunch of things that must to be done because in life don’t anyone get to do what he loves! I am happy for those who have the opportunity to make their dreams come true. The rest of us we just hope.

I wish I could be able to write all day continuing the story that awaits me. After all…I owe it to the characters right? Don’t you ever have this feeling when writing a story? It’s like the characters on it have some kind of substance. They have a past, a future; they grow through the pages creating their own destiny and sometimes that conflicts with the one it was on your mind at first.

I don’t have much experience in writing but one thing is for sure. It comes from inside me guiding my hands on the keyboard, it expresses how I feel and it turns into words the story that hides on my mind.

If only I had the chance to focus on it…but we all need to make sacrifices.

Reading and Writing.

Today I am thinking about books. At the moment I am reading the hunger games. I am finishing the second book and I am waiting to put my hands on the third. I don’t think there are many out there who haven’t read it but, if you don’t, I strongly recommend it.

The thing is that when I read a book like this, I am not focused only to the story. While I read I notice the way the author writes, the phrases he uses, the way the story is being revealed and I believe that everything matters! A tiny little thing can inspire me to write something on my own. I strongly believe that if we want to write, we need to read a lot and many kinds. (Which means I have to read romance sometime even if it’s not my favorite.) How we can write if we don’t read? I am asking you!

Reading is crucial and amazing. We need to bury our faces into books and we need to spend time on our writing too. These things need time. You can’t imagine how impatient I am about my novel. I have written it for a while now and it is on editing process still which means I can’t put it on the internet which is like a torture for me. But we need to know that when we write a novel, it is not going to be published soon! It isn’t something easy. You can’t just write one day and publish it the next. (Ok maybe there are some who do it but I think they are just the exceptions to the rule. I am not!)

So, if I can give a piece of advice, which I also give to myself is this: Be patient, be hard working, be passionate and who knows…one day maybe our stories will be read and loved by someone. Isn’t what we want? 

We must dare.

Today I’d like to talk about daring. I’m sure many of you out there have some great ideas but you can’t or you are afraid to put on paper. I was like this for a long time. I was thinking a million things but I never went through with them because of fear. I was writing a lot but I was trembling in the idea for anyone to read them. I was scared.

One day I realized that if a story won’t be read …what’s the point? The stories are for people to read, to feel what the characters are feeling, to travel with them in new places, to hate and love with them. A good story can make you relax or laugh or get passionate with it. That’s the point of a story. And so…I dared.

Actually I dared more than ever. I created a new file on my PC and I started to write. I didn’t know where this could get me but I liked it and so I continued and after some months I had written my first novel. It is the biggest story I have ever write-101.741 words and I am proud about it. Friends who read it say nice stuff, which I think is good, but I keep editing and editing until I will be ready to put in online and that will be another step of daring.

So…why we need to be scared or afraid? I say we don’t!

Personally I don’t know if anyone else out there is ever going to read my novel (or novels since I will keep writing!) but I am happy I dared to do this step because I love writing and sharing with others what’s going on in my mind and, believe me, it is a mess in there.!:-) 

Getting to know me

Hello,

I feel like I should introduce myself. I am Athina, and I finally decided to create this blog. It was in my mind for a while, but I guess I wasn’t ready to take that step. Well, now I am here and I hope you' ll find some interest in what I have to say.

In “Between My Lines” I'll blogabout my two passions. You'll now wonder what these may be. Well, I love reading and writing. I read many kinds of books like mystery, thrillers, urban fantasy, I can’t name them all, but I must admit that I'm not a big fan of romance.

Writing is my unconditional love. Since I remember myself I was writing something even if it was just my diary or some make up story that popped in my head. Also I have written a novel but I'm editing so I'll come to that another time.

That’s it for now, I hope we'll get along just fine and I would be pleased if you ever like something I said and you want to post it somewhere, please include my link. 

The rest will be in…Between My Lines.

Yours,

A.