Wednesday Reads: Hunger

I read the back cover of this book and just had to read it. I love the idea, the plot--it's beautifully morbid in all the right ways. Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler.

Synopsis: (from Amazon)

Lisabeth Lewis is seventeen, anorexic...

and the new Famine, one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Seventeen-year-old Lisabeth is fighting a series of demons the only way she knows how: by refusing to eat. Her cold, acerbic mother; distant father; and friends who disapprove of her and each other all trigger her inner Thin Voice, which derides food, confirms her fatness, and shames her into the control necessary to reject food. As she sinks deeper into anorexia, she summons Death, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who in turn assigns her a black steed and a scale and transforms her into Famine, another of the Four Horsemen. Kessler has written an unusual allegory about eating disorders, one that works on several levels. As Lisabeth gallops across the world, she witnesses examples of both gluttony and starvation. Using her newfound power, she combats famine, visits horror upon the privileged, and strives to bring balance to the world, all while ignoring the need for balance in her own life. Kessler offers a refreshingly new approach to the YA eating-disorder genre that reinforces the difficulty of conquering these diseases. 

First Sentence: "Lisabeth Lewis didn't mean to become Famine." I'm usually not a fan of first sentences in which a character is introduced by name, but it's such an excellent hook that it works. Who doesn't want to keep reading after that?

Beefs: I couldn't help but imagining what this book would have been like had it been longer, for an older audience, and more in depth. As it was though, it worked, and was an excellent read.

Brownie Points: The characterizations of Lisabeth and her friends, especially her bulimic friend Tammy, were wonderfully done. Heart wrenching in every way, honest enough to be real, but written in a style that's in-your-face without pummeling-your-face-in.

Ending: As it should be. A wonderful self-discovery.

Recommendation: Teenage girls should definitely read this, especially girls with a penchant towards fantasy, because it mixes just the right amount of fantasy in with the real world to be very effective. I'm not saying this book will make an anerexic girl better; but it is a good self awareness book for all girls.

Would I represent it? I've said before that I like longer books, things much more in depth. So I'm not entirely sure what I would have done with it had I found it in my slush pile. I'd like to think I would have snatched it up, but who knows? I love the idea of girls becoming the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, so I'd love to see something like it.

Happy reading!

Webinars

With today's dependence on the internet, is it any surprise great resources are made available online? The more important question: are you taking advantage of these resources? Fairly cheap, fantastic information, without having to buy a plane ticket.

I took two online courses a couple summers ago. That's pretty much my extent of online learning. So (don't quote me on this, who knows where the future goes) it's probably safe to say I won't be trying to do much more than impart a few words of wisdom on this blog.

Today the topic is pretty open. I want to hear from you. What have been your favorite online resources for writing/learning/etc (other than blogs)? Webinars, classes, phone-in conferences, etc, etc.

This is your opportunity to rave about something great that has helped you.

The reason for my sudden interest in this online stuff? Andrea Hurst is hosting a webinar this Thursday. "Crafting Fiction & Memoir That Sells--An Agent's Point of View." Among some of the great advice you'll get, is about how to make that first page POP. And by signing up she'll even critique the effectiveness of your first page. This is a great opportunity to learn from a great teacher (trust me, I know) and get some hands-on help with the most important part of your ms.

So, while you're out there attending conferences and pouring over writing books, don't forget the resources available from the comfort of your LazyBoy and Snuggie.

So please, now's your turn to impart your wisdom!

Happy writing!

Wednesday Reads: Matched

Matched by Ally Condie is everything I love about dystopian fiction.

Synopsis: (from Amazon)

For Cassia, nothing is left to chance--not what she will eat, the job she will have, or the man she will marry. In Matched, the Society Officials have determined optimal outcomes for all aspects of daily life, thereby removing the "burden" of choice. When Cassia's best friend is identified as her ideal marriage Match it confirms her belief that Society knows best, until she plugs in her Match microchip and a different boy’s face flashes on the screen. This improbable mistake sets Cassia on a dangerous path to the unthinkable--rebelling against the predetermined life Society has in store for her.

First Sentence: "Now that I've found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night?" This is Cassia's imagination at work. The first paragraph, of her making things up in her mind, isn't that telling. It's the whole first page that is though. Sample: "I smile at myself, at the foolishness of my imagination. People cannot fly, though before the Society, there were myths about those who could. I saw a painting of them once. White wings, blue sky, gold circles above their heads..."

Brownie Points: If you want a lesson in how to construct the perfect plot, character arch, opening, closing, surprise, world building, then this is definitely the book to do it with. It's almost flawlessly crafted.

Ending: Open ended enough for another book, but if you never read another one, you'd be satisfied enough.

Recommendation: Read it.

Would I represent it? Oh yes.

Happy Reading!

San Fransisco Writer's Conference

What an amazing weekend! My first time in San Fran was a success! Visited Alcatraz my first day there (amazing!), and did conference stuff the rest of the time. It rained every day but Sunday when I left (California was teasing me).

Alcatraz

Highlights (among many):

Donald Maas, literary agent and author of Writing the Breakout Novel. If you ever get a chance to attend one of his workshops, do so. It's an invaluable experience and I've met countless writers and authors who have benefited from his wisdom.

Friday's lunch keynote speaker Dorothy Allison, author of Bastard out of Carolina. She was so funny that I really want to read her book now, though normally it isn't something I'd read.

Panel "Making Setting a Character in Your Novel" with authors Cara Black, Bharti Kirchner, and Kemble Scott. Fascinating topic, one I hadn't given a lot of thought to before.

YA panel with agents Amy Burkhardt, Minju Chang, Gordon Warnock, Jill Marsal, Caryn Wiseman, Christine Witthohn, April Ebernhardt, and Laurie McLean (I recommend all of them--wonderful people with so much wisdom to share).

Panel "How to Find your Tweet Spot: Promoting Yourself 140 Characters at a Time" with Tee Morris and Rusty Shelton.Check out both of their books (about Twitter and marketing). They were very informative and great speakers.


Speed Pitching: Pretty fun. I enjoyed listening to pitches and meeting a variety of interesting people. (Great to meet reader Heather McCorkle!)

San Fransisco from outside the hotel

Inspired by the topics of the conference, look for future blog posts. I'll pull from the experts while adding my two cents. Of course, the best place to really learn these things is by going to conferences yourselves or going directly to the source (when applicable). I'll be sure to give credit where credit is due.

Hope to see more of you at future conferences.

Happy writing!

San Fransisco Conference

Going on a business trip (don't you love how professional that sounds?). I'll be at the San Fransisco Writer's Conference this weekend, as will be fellow agent Gordon Warnock. If you're in the area, come hunt us down.

I don't have a fancy technology phone, so I won't be updating Blogger or Twitter while I'm gone. But I'll take good notes and blog about it on Monday. But check out the agency blog at www.andreahurst.com because Gordon might update.

Things I'm looking forward to:

• All star cast of panels. From Donald Maas and Alan Rinzler, to Laurie McLean and Amy Burkhardt (and Gordon of course), and of course best selling authors.
• Meeting the editors. What, you think you writers are the only ones who smoochz? While you're chasing us, we're chasing the editors, making and updating contacts (someone's gotta sell your book).
• Meeting other agents. Talking about the business, bragging about what projects we're working on, etc, etc. Because how would a job be any fun if you don't get to talk to people with similar passions?
• Meeting the authors/writers. Here is a hot spot of talent. If you've never been to a conference, do so. And pitch agents. We know that you're here to learn, to develop your craft, that you're serious about your work. We like seeing that, because it's less risky to go with you than someone who has never been to a conference or who doesn't work on their craft. We know you're in for the long haul. We like it.
• San Fransisco. I've never been! So I'm super excited to get in a teensy amount of sight seeing.

Happy writing!