Write - a - thon challenge 4,5,6

Challenge #4
Take the current book you are reading, or if you aren't reading one now (shame on you!) the last book you read. Try to write a one sentence “pitch” of the book. 

This challenge may sound simple (only one sentence!), but don't let it fool you!

My challenge:

"Witches of the Three Sister Island have to come together to save the island from the same fate as Atlantis."

(I'm reading Nora Robert's 3rd book in the series of the Three Sisters Island. You can read my book reviews on my other blog juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com )

My thoughts: Finding how to describe a book in one sentence is really hard to do. But those taglines are so important. 

Challenge #5
Make a list of the Top 10 Books (You Think) Every Writer Should Read. You can cater the list toward whatever genre you write (i.e. Top 10 Books Every Poet Should Read, Top 10 Books Every YA Contemporary Writer Should Read, Top 10 Books Every Picture Book Writer Should Read, etc.)

October Madness Challenge #5

My challenge: Top 10 YA Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Romance every writer should read:

1. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

2. Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

3. Great and Terrible Beauty series by Libba Bray

4. City of Bones series by Cassandra Clare (city of bones) (book-review-city-of-lost *Spoilers)

5. Clockwork Angel series by Cassandra Clare

6. Kissed by an Angel series by Elizabeth Chandler

7. My Unfair Godmother series by Janette Rallison (My Unfair Godmother book review)

8. Erasing Time by C.J. Hill (book-review-of-erasing-time-by-cj-hill)

9. Dragon Slayers by C.J. Hill (book-review-of-slayers-by-cj-hill)

10. Eon & Eona series by Alison Goodman (book-review-of-eon) (book-review-of-eona-by-alison-goodman *Spoilers)

My thoughts: It's really hard to narrow my list to only top ten. I think as a writer, reading lots of books is the best way to learn. I included another top 10 of my favorite books I read over and over. They are in all kinds of genres but they help mold my writing. 

1. How I Write by Janet Evanovich  & Stephanie Plum series

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

3. All's Fair in Love, War, and High School by Janette Rallison

4. Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena (Dangerous Favor book review)

5. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

6. Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

7. The MacGregor series by Nora Roberts

8. Zenobia - Birth of a Legend by Russ Wallace (book-review-zenobia-birth-of-legend)

9. Wizards First Rule series by Terry Goodkind

10.Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (book-review-hunger-games) (Catching fire book review)(Mockingjay review)

Challenge #6 
Set a writing goal for yourself to complete by the end of the year. Make sure it is easily measurable. Also, make sure it is something that is possible to accomplish, but also push yourself!

My challenge: 

By the end of this month I will have "The road to my love" completed and enter Writer’s Digest short story contest. 

End of the year goals:

I will have "Far From Normal" edited 

I will have query letter, synopsis, and 1 minute pitch perfected

I will send a query to agent Gary Goldblatt 

I will write first full draft of "Far Far Away" book two

My thoughts: This week has been a great motivation for me. I really dropped the ball on my writing and now I'm back on track. Can't wait to accomplish my goals and be a published writer. 

Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines - Brian Tracey