Ok, I know. I not only owe you reviews for one book, but now two. Truth be told, I have been writing, just for my own book and now with revision, my time is spent. But, here I am, better late than never. So let's jump in: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma I really don't know what to say about this book. It's a story about siblings falling in love. Lochan and Maya only have each other to rely on and in doing so, they go down this path that can never return from. The book club was at a lost for words. We felt that the story could have been done much better than it was and had so much potential that just fell flat. We wanted something different from the cliche of a broken home. Would this relationship have been the same if both parents were around and active in the kids lives? I remember reading this story going "what!?" It was just unbelievable for me and while I do realize it can happen, I wanted something more from the writer who took the risk in writing this story. Saving June by Hannah Harrington This story was split down the middle: two of us really liked it while the other two had some concerns with it. How can three teenagers drive cross country with no repercussions besides grounding? And how could they afford the money for hotels? I guess that's the magic of fiction. Some of the girls thought that Harper was kind of a brat. As for me, I came out thinking that the author did a good job with the grieving that comes from loss. Everyone handles it differently and no one way is better than another. We've all suddenly lost someone and I remember reading it thinking "yup, I remember feeling like that." I think if I can relate to a book in someone, then in my mind the writer did accomplish at least that. Our next book is Winter Town by Stephen Emond. We meet Thursday, Feb 21st. I will keep you posted (at least I will try). |
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That's the title of this blog post by Rachelle Gardner and as I read the post, my first response to the question was: YES!
Of course, the comments in the post reflect my gut reaction. Most every writer who commented said that writing for them is a way of life and what isn't worth it is the risk of not writing. I have to admit, sometimes I have my doubts. When the rejection letters keep pouring in, I think, maybe I should find something else to do. Maybe I should focus on my day job and make a career out of it because that I seem to be good at. But, instinctively, I reach for the pen. It is my home, the place I go to when all else has failed. When I'm down and feeling lonely, the pen is always there to comfort me. The characters I create never let me down, they don't end the relationship because they don't feel anything for me anymore, they don't walk out of my life unaware as to the regret they may feel later. They are there, always and forever. Not being published will never stop me and even if I never get published, I will never stop writing. Just today, I finished writing the draft of my second book and it is an accomplished feeling I will never let go. I sometimes forget this feeling is there. When I struggled through some of the scenes, I forgot about they joy that's waiting for me when I pushed through. Now here I am, ready to take the manuscript to the next step. Here I am, a pasted smile on my face because I did something I love to do. I wrote a story that means something to me even if it doesn't mean anything to anyone else and it is something I will never give up. Is the writing life worth it? I think the more appropriate question is: Is breathing oxygen worth it? Because that is what writing is, it is oxygen giving me life. |
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