About Me

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Hi, welcome to my blog, I am a writer of short stories, children's and YA novels . An acceptance from People's Friend finally made me a published writer! Yeah, happy days! I have since had stories published in The Weekly News and The Last Laugh anthology. My main love is writing children's/YA novels...I'm now enduring a fruitless search for an agent... I also draw and paint, I like to draw animals (usually my adorable crazy cats!)Occasionally famous people and motorcycles.

Friday, 2 July 2010

Reading


There aren't that many books that I have that give me the 'can't put it down' syndrome, but I have just read 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins, loved it! As luck would have it when I asked for it at the library, the lady said ' you may as well have the next one as well' so I did. So having raced through part one, I jumped straight into the second book 'Catching Fire' which I finished yesterday, I am now anxiously awaiting the last of the trilogy. Brilliant story. Here's a quick bit of what it's all about in case you haven't read it.

In a dark and not too distant future, Katniss Everdeen takes the place of her little sister who has been selected to participate in The Hunger Games. A sinister game where children are forced to compete against each other, a fight to the death, in a huge arena, the games are televised for the enjoyment of the Capitol's residents. There can only be one winner.

Main reason for reading was trying to figure where exactly my novel fits in age-group wise. It doesn't fit with the 7-11 junior fiction really as it's rather dark, but having read 'hunger games' I don't think it's quite dark enough for a teen novel. Not that teen novels have to be dark and sinister, but I'm going to weave some more darkness into it, it has sinister elements to it, so there is the oppurtunity to thread that feeling throughout the book. I'm inspired!

If anyone could recommend any great YA books, I'd love to hear about them, especially sci-fi or fantasy. Thank you!
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12 comments:

  1. HelenMWalters3 July 2010 at 01:51

    I don't really read a lot of YA, but Wasted by Nicola Morgan is very good and also My So-Called Afterlife by Tamsyn Murray.

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  2. Joanna3 July 2010 at 02:17

    My fifteen year old daughter loved the Suzanne Collins books too and can't wait for the next one. She couldn't stop reading them until she'd finished the whole book and then wished she had taken them more slowly because she missed them so much.

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  3. Old Kitty3 July 2010 at 04:54

    Wow! Thanks for the info about these books and this author - it does sound incredibly dark for YA - children fighting to the death in a public arena. It reminds me of that Japanese film: Battle Royale - that was disturbing!

    Take care
    x

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  4. penandpaints3 July 2010 at 08:32

    Hi Helen, thanks, I will try and get those, 'wasted' sounds great and 'my so called afterlife' sounds right up my street too.

    Hi Joanna, I know what you mean, I raced through them too.

    Hi Kitty
    I know disturbing stuff! It's well written though so that the main characters don't lose their humanity in the process.

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  5. Amanda3 July 2010 at 23:20

    I've been reading a few children's books to see where my children's novel may fit. My protagonist is 10, so I'm thinking it's probably for 7 year olds. Well that's if I ever get it finished! :-)

    Have you read Tamsyn Murray's book - My So Called After Life. It's for YA, although has a supernatural theme, so perhaps not quite right.

    Good luck with your novel! x

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  6. penandpaints4 July 2010 at 06:15

    Thanks Amanda, good luck with your novel. I will look out for Tamsyn Murrays's book, it's a different theme, but I like supernatural. I have a half finished teen supernatural book as well, so maybe it will inspire me to get myself in gear and finish it!

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  7. Ellie Garratt4 July 2010 at 07:50

    I'm afraid I can't offer much advice when it comes to YA, but I do know what it's like to be gripped by a book so much I couldn't put it down. And, as you say, it doesn't happen very often!

    Good luck with your novel x

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  8. Suzanne Ross Jones4 July 2010 at 12:04

    I agree with Helen - Wasted is terrific.

    Thanks for recomending The Hunger Games - sounds like a terrific read.

    XX

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  9. Jayne6 July 2010 at 10:11

    Hello! Your review reminded me a little of the book The Running Man by Stephen King - I was just reading it (gosh, have to get my reviews into gear sometime soon!) and it strikes me as a very similar concept, although Stephen King's book is definitely more aimed at adults. :)

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  10. Nicole7 July 2010 at 01:32

    Hello :) I'm a brand new follower and you've been tagged! ;p (see my blog for details).
    I recommend Tamora Pierce for YA - love her books with a passion!! Must return some to the library actually *lol*

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  11. Talli Roland7 July 2010 at 10:40

    I've heard so many great things about this book!

    You should also give 'Della Say: OMG' by Keris Stainton a try, and yes, 'Wasted' by Nicola Morgan.

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  12. penandpaints7 July 2010 at 15:27

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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I appreciate all your comments, thank you!

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