Voices of YA Tag!

I'm thrilled to have been tagged by bravrayj/Janine in the wonderful Voices of YA Tag which was created by Caitlin Lambert!

Here are my answers to the questions, some of which I found really tricky to answer!



ABOUT THE WRITERS:

What draws you to YA?
YA is my passion. I don't enjoy any other genre as much as I enjoy YA. YA is more exciting and breathtaking and beautiful if you ask me. Everything is so raw and real, and I love that. Plus, in YA there's no fear. You can say whatever you want about whatever you feel and it's okay. That's what's great about being a teenager. You're still working the world out, and no one can tell you what to think or believe. I love that. 

Describe your writing process. Do you like outlines and structure, or seeing where the story takes you?
I tend to have an outline of some kind. I tend to do a lot of background digging of my characters, but with the plot it really depends. Sometimes I know how we get from one thing to the next. Sometimes all I know is how it ends. The only thing that's certain though is that I don't know everything. If I ever plot out every little detail, I won't get past chapter five because I'll be bored. I have to be surprised too!

How long have you been writing? Where are you in your journey?
I have been writing for almost eight years now! Last year I released my latest novel, ZA, which you can get on Amazon! If all goes to plan, my next book should be out next year.

What do you need to write? Coffee? Music?
Tea. Many, many mugs of it. Everything else depends on what mood I'm in. But I'm always in need of a cup of tea. I also tend to need my latest notebook by my side. I hate having to leave question marks in the manuscript until I can check my notebook!

If you could offer one piece of advice to another writer (other than "don't give up"), what would it be?
Gosh, this is a hard one. I suppose the best piece of advice I have is to write for yourself in the first instance (or for your best friend). Don't think about if anyone will like it. Don't think about if it's any good. The first job you have to do is enjoy it. You can tell if the author hated writing the book, so enjoy it. Everything else can get fixed in editing! Write because you love it and for no other reason.



ABOUT THE BOOKS:

What book still has you reeling from its plot twist? (*no spoilers please*)
I can't actually think of one that I'm still thinking about. I need new plot twists in my life!

What books are you most anticipating for this year?
The Undercurrent by Paula Weston. I love her stuff.
Release by Patrick Ness is also waiting on my shelf. I'm very excited about starting that!

In your opinion, which YA book/series has the most unique premise?
More Than This by Patrick Ness is the only book I can think of that was truly unique. I've never read a book with that premise before or since! Go check it out if you haven't read it!

What is your all-time favourite quote from YA lit (I know, I'm cruel)?
This is so hard, but I suppose if I have to pick one right here right now...

"I am not humanity." - The Last Star - Rick Yancey

It doesn't sound as mind-blowing without the context, but when I was reading The Last Star, it knocked my socks off.

What book do you most hope will have a movie adaption?
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. I think it might be in talks at the moment. It would be the most amazing film ever if done right. I love Carrie Ryan, especially The Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy, and it would fit a film so well!




I tag India Taylor  and Raimey Gallant

Here are the rules!

1. Thank the person who tagged you
2. Link to the original creator
3. Answer the ten questions
4. Tag at LEAST TWO other YA writers/bloggers

Thanks again for my tag! 


Molly Looby

Author / Editor in Chief at Molten Publishing / Freelance Editor / Writing Coach / Reviewer / Blogger / Wrimo / Movellian / ZA Ready

molly@moltenpublishing.co.uk

Visit me on Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / Movellas / NaNoWriMo

Let's Be Productive!

Happy Work Wise Week! As this is the week to work better and wiser, QuickBooks is sharing tips on productivity. So I thought I would take this opportunity to share my best productivity tips for writers. After all, we writers are sometimes more productive than we ever thought we could be, and other times we sit and stare at a blank screen.

So here are my top five tips to stay productive and stay writing!

1. Write Every Day

I'm sure you've heard this before; most writers say it a lot. That's because it's really important. Writing is like a muscle; it must be exercised. You wouldn't expect to be able to run a marathon without training. You wouldn't expect to be great at a sport you haven't played since you were six. And writing (and creativity) is like that. It doesn't matter what you write or to what standard, but writing something makes all the difference. If you write every day, it makes it easier to write every day, and before you know it, your word count will be growing, and you'll be that productive author you always wanted to be!

2. Set Aside Time To Write

Never underestimate the power of a routine. If you set yourself an hour each day and stick to it, you'll find it'll get easier and easier. We humans love a routine, so it makes sense to make writing part of your normal life. If writing is something you do each day, you'll get better (and faster) at it. This will only work if you keep to it and make sure you spend your hour (or however long) actually writing. Don't let anyone or anything get in the way - that includes your inner editor. This time is for writing ONLY, so write on!

3. Turn Off The Internet

This is the first thing I do if I find myself dawdling to start a chapter or continue on with yesterday's work. The distraction of the internet is too huge and has too many possibilities, so it has to go. Block the Wi-Fi on your computer during your writing time, and if you have to look something up, leave a mark in the manuscript and come back to it. I'm not saying the internet is your only distraction, but it is the biggest. And it doesn't hurt to put your mobile phone out of reach.

4. Set Daily Goals And Stick To Them

Just as important as writing every day is having a word count to reach. Don't panic, you can start small. If you have a word count to reach, you're more likely to write more in an effort to reach it. Otherwise, you might just sit there for your hour and then move onto something else, satisfied. I don't know about you, but if I haven't reached a certain amount of words, I am not satisfied. Once this becomes a habit, you'll find yourself going over the word count in a flash and not quite believing your eyes.

5. Get Help From Your Friends

There are all sorts of different people who can help you stick to your writing. Friends and cheerleaders are amazing because they keep asking for more work, and that gives you the added pressure to keep writing as you've got people you don't want to disappoint. But an underrated helper is the friendly rival. I wrote a novel in less than twenty days once because I wanted to beat my friend to it. Neither of us expected to finish so fast, and we were both flabbergasted by the results. Sometimes to be at your most productive, you have to initiate a 'word war'. I've always considered myself a prolific, productive writer, but never has that been as true as when I took part in my first 'word war'. I encourage all of you to try it at least once. You'll be amazed with the outcome!

Of course, some days are easier than others, and that's a fact of life, but I hope these tips can help you power through the hard days and write like the wind through the good ones.

Happy Work Wise Week, everyone!

First blogged on my website www.mollylooby.com

Molly Looby

Author / Editor in Chief at Molten Publishing / Freelance Editor / Writing Coach / Reviewer / Blogger / Wrimo / Movellian / ZA Ready

molly@moltenpublishing.co.uk

Visit me on Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / Movellas / NaNoWriMo

The Fate of Ten - Pittacus Lore

The Fate of Ten is book six in the Lorien Legacies series. Go read books one to five! The series starts with I am Number Four.

So, the weird thing about these books is that I put one down, dying for the next one, and then it takes me ages to pick it up. But once I do, I'm in, and it's over in a matter of days. Hours really, but I had to sleep and work and stuff.

Once again, I was blown away by the most intense, action-packed instalment yet. I have no idea what can possibly top this one, but I guess I'll find out soon.

It's really hard to review this as it was mostly action sequences, and Lore is a master at them. The brief periods without fighting were great too. I just love all these characters and how they interact with one another. I'm totally in love with the series, as you'd imagine. I've poured many many hours into these books at this point. And I regret nothing.

I read the first 100 pages in one go. That's how intense it is. I could hardly put it down. I didn't want to stop reading.

It's great to sink into a series and know what's going on. I thought I'd struggle to keep up, but Lore did a great job of reminding me of what I'd forgotten.

And there's nothing else worth mentioning other than I loved every word, couldn't turn the pages fast enough, and immediately grabbed for the next and final book, United as One, when I was done.

There aren't even words to describe how much I loved and devoured this book. It was just amazing. Gah!

The Fate of Ten was gripping, intense, emotional, and explosive. It was awesome!

Molly Looby

Author / Editor in Chief at Molten Publishing / Freelance Editor / Writing Coach / Reviewer / Blogger / Wrimo / Movellian / ZA Ready

molly@moltenpublishing.co.uk

Visit me on Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / Movellas / NaNoWriMo

Get ZA Ready This Zombie Awareness Month!

It's Zombie Awareness Month again! And that means that on the 13th May, ZA has been out for a whole year! Where did that year go? It's been such an amazing ride for me and ZA, and I'm so thrilled by the responses it's getting. And I'm glad you're all getting ZA ready.

I though this Zombie Awareness Month would be a great time to share some ZA quotes and remind you that you can read the first three chapters for free on Movellas, buy it on Amazon, leave me a review on Goodreads, like ZA's Facebook page, and join my awesome band of survivors!

Enjoy three of my favourite quotes! 

Are you ZA ready?

Molly Looby

Author / Editor in Chief at Molten Publishing / Freelance Editor / Writing Coach / Reviewer / Blogger / Wrimo / Movellian / ZA Ready

molly@moltenpublishing.co.uk

Visit me on Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / Movellas / NaNoWriMo