Where do you find your motivation?

I find it when my friend comes up to me and says, "I've read your book eight times since you gave it to me. You need to give me all the sequels NOW."

:)

Where do YOU find motivation?

♥tg

Mock Covers

First of all, saw Hunger Games last night. LOVED IT. Even though there are certain moments playing again over and over in my mind that are probably going to give me nightmares for a week.

Anyway...

So sometimes I get into a writing slump, but all I can think about is my novel. I know that doesn't really make sense, but I'll be thinking and thinking about it and not able to force myself to type out the words.

When that happens, I usually make mock covers.

I can't tell you how many mock covers I've made for my books--probably at least three each. I have so much fun doing it, and it's interesting to see just how different it turns out than the last one I made.

I particularly liked the one I made today, so I thought I'd share it with you, just for fun :D

May the odds be ever in your favor! 

♥tg

Oh, Peeta.....

These three books have been my life over the past two days. Yes. Two days. I finished MOCKINGJAY at 3AM last night/this morning. I couldn't bring myself to put it down.

Yes, I know I'm late to the game on these. I've had a copy of HUNGER GAMES since last summer, and for Christmas I got all three in hard back. Still, I put off reading them, mostly because I didn't have time. But with the movie fast approaching, I decided the time had come to set aside some time. Little did I know I'd be setting aside my entire weekend.

I read HUNGER GAMES on Saturday, then didn't let myself start CATCHING FIRE until Sunday (I would have missed work...). On Sunday, I read all of both CATCHING FIRE and MOCKINGJAY. I didn't stop to do anything else. By the end of the day, there was a really bad crick in my neck.

I'd like to say that it was worth it. In ways, it definitely was. They're amazing books. The story is absolutely gripping. It helped me see ways I can make my own writing gripping like that, even though I write in a different genre.

But, at the same time, I cried the last hour of reading MOCKINGJAY. I don't know how I could see the pages through my tears. I also screamed at the book a few times in frustration, specifically in reference to Peeta's predicament (I don't want to spoil it in case there are some of you who haven't read it yet). 

The ending? I thought it was appropriate. I was pissed that a certain character died (well, a couple certain characters, but I think you know the one I mean) but with this series, you couldn't sugar coat it. It wasn't going to be sunshines and roses as soon as Snow was out of the picture. I thought the ending was actually pretty optimistic, considering everything that's happened in their lives.

There were things in the writing that were weaknesses, but I won't reflect on those now. The story was gripping enough that I ignored them as I read. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed reading these books, but I'd also be lying if I said I didn't. I'm not sure what to think.

So there's my two cents. If nothing else, if you want to know how to keep readers turning your pages, look at Suzanne Collins. Be prepared for a lot of conflicting emotions.

I think it was worth it. But we'll see how long my nightmares continue.

♥tg