A Post About Writing
I was asked if I had any advice to give fellow writers. As I started to think about it, the best thing for any writer to do is read. A LOT!! Read everything you can get your hands on in the genre you are writing. Reading will teach you structure, pacing, dialogue, as well as familiarize yourself with what’s out there. You need to know what works, what sells, and what doesn’t. When I read a book that I fall in love with, I reread it several times. It’s amazing what you can learn about the writing process from reading the same book multiple times.Another thing that helped me was finding a group of fellow writers that write in my genre. We critique each other’s work and push one another to be better writers. People sometimes think that writing is lonely, and something done in solitude. That’s not the case. You have to have other people read and critique your work in order to get better. And not your friends. You have to have other people who know the craft. Since I write YA, I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). This organization is how I met my fellow critique partners. It also helped to attend the monthly meetings and learn what’s going on in the publishing world.
I also recommend that you write every single day. The first thing you write most likely won’t be the first thing you publish. The first book you write is simply you figuring out your voice, style, and what the heck you’re doing!! Each book will get stronger.
Sometimes it’s so easy to give up. But keep writing, reading, and get involved with other writers. Your perseverance will eventually pay off!! And I believe that writing a story that touches someone’s life is one of the most rewarding experiences.
Review of "The Key" by Jennifer Anne Davis
I love fantasy, but I am always hesitant to pick up a new fantasy writer. When you become used to a certain world, it's characters, and a writer's style, it's hard to switch and become invested in a new fantasy world. For other readers like me, have no fears of taking a chance on Davis's "The Key."
The world David creates for her True Reign series is rich and has a depth that will draw readers into the world. The history of the kingdom is positively compelling, built on blood, betrayal, and only the smallest hope that everything can be set right. I loved learning about how this society worked, the class system of tattoos, and the boundaries that keep everyone locked into a small area for their entire life. Description is always important in fantasy, and Davis painted a beautiful picture of this brittle kingdom on the brink of exploding into chaos.
The characters in The Key were well developed and hard to pull away from. Rema is someone readers will connect with from the first page. She's so full life, so eager to have a bigger life and make her mark on the world. Watching her face trials, danger, and heartbreak isn't easy. I came to truly care about Rema and I wanted very much to see her succeed and escape. The emotional journey readers will accompany her on will keep them turning page after page.
Prince Darmik is another excellent character. He is extremely complicated and carries not only the heavy weight of his father's constant disapproval, but the burden of trying to uncover a truth which may show him more than he is ready to see. Darmik struggles throughout the book to live up to his father's wishes while still being true to himself. He wants to know the truth, but he's afraid of what finding it will mean. On top of all that, the woman he loves, Rema, has been placed just out of reach and getting her back could cost him everything.
The romance between Darmik and Rema was beautifully crafted. This is not your typical fairytale prince falling for the girl of his dreams. Their relationship is dangerous, in more ways than one. It's hard to explain too much without giving away spoilers, but readers will be hungrily turning pages right up to the end. And when they get to the end, they'll be eager for the next book in the series. I'm already itching to get my hands on it!
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~ BOOK TRAILER ~
MEET JENNIFER ANNE DAVIS
The Official Version:
Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she finally married her best friend and high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.
The Long Version:
I graduated with Department Honors from the University of San Diego with a degree in English. While working to earn my teaching credential, I was a legal assistant for an attorney.That’s about the time I finally married my high school sweetheart. Once I received my credential from USD, I taught high school English until I had my first child.
Currently I am a stay-at-home mom. I have three kids, one large dog, a gecko, and a frog.
A couple of years ago, I entered a writing contest about motherhood and won. My essay “Caution: Warning Lable Not Included!” was published in the anthology Manual for Motherhood, reaching number one in the Parenting section of Amazon! This sparked my need to write on a daily basis, and I have been writing ever since!
My debut young adult novel The Voice was published by Lands Atlantic in January 2013. The Voice is nominated for three Novel Grounds Literary Awards: Best Indie, Favorite Five Star, and Best Book Boyfriend!
My second book,The Power to See, is a new adult novel and was released in October 2013.
My third book,The Key, is a young adult light fantasy novel, was released in November 2013.
I’ve always had a passion for reading and writing. Being transported into another world and experiencing things beyond my imagination – what could be better? Besides being an outlet and a love, I hope to write books that encourage all to read.
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