Brenda Agaro

I know it's been a while since I posted on here. I got a new job over a month ago, and so my schedule's been sort of hectic lately. Hopefully I'll write a new entry soon, a book review (or two.)

Hope everyone's doing well!

Yeah...I have way too many links I wanted to share. Of course, the ones below are only some of them.

Mundanity and Lesbian Books: Is This All There Is, or Do You Want More? - I got teary after reading this, because it's so true. It was something I have been wondering about for years. If you haven't heard of this author, I highly recommend her novel THE DARK WIFE, a YA Greek mythology retelling of Hades and Persephone (with a lesbian twist.) Her writing is absolutely gorgeous. I might post a full review one of these days...

YA Dystopia Story Generator - this is fun for writing short prompts (or creating ideas.) I chuckled at some of them. Try it out!

What Are You Afraid Of? - I freaking LOVE this post. Just read it. Plus, this is another blog I recommend!

Birthday Book Bonanza! - a contest where you can recommend a book (or two, or more.) More details on the post. The author is awesome and helpful, and you should check out her blog, and her debut novel when it's out. Seriously, her excerpts got me excited.

I might share links to blog posts/articles sharing advice for writers once in a while here...

Filter Words and Distancing Point of View - this is from a blog called Let The Words Flow, which I highly recommend following. This particular post has helped me TONS. It's one of those things that some creative writing teachers/professors don't have time to teach/gloss over in their lesson plans (at least from my experience.) And it's also something I keep pointing out when critiquing others' works. Trust me, it will improve your writing.

"Thought" Verbs - awesome advice. Just like filter words, I tend to use "thought" verbs more than a few times in a draft. An eye opener.

Oneword - good for freewriting. Write what comes to your mind (from the word selected for you) for one minute.

Write or Die - stuck on a chapter/scene? Don't mind writing fast for the sake of getting something on the page? Type in a word goal and choose a consequence and grace period (located on the right.)

Writing For Young Adults Workshop - one of the best ideas ever that I want to share, in case anyone on my friends list (or who randomly visits my journal) is interested. It is free and first come, first serve, so you'd have to apply as soon as submission forms are opened on June 27th (Monday), 5 PM EST. If you're an aspiring YA writer and want to learn more about writing in the genre, this is your opportunity!

( And I feel like doing this... )

I just want to recommend something a friend linked to me earlier today. It's a series of blog entries by Malinda Lo (author of Ash, a YA lesbian retelling of Cinderella), Avoiding LGBTQ Stereotypes in YA Fiction. Very helpful if you're writing/planning to write LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning) young adult fiction (or adult.)

I'm currently searching for fantasy novels/series, both young adult and adult, with warfare involved in the plot (besides the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.) I just want to know what works and what doesn't when writing a fantasy story dealing with war. If there's any that you know of, free feel to recommend it, thanks!

I just watched Avatar the other day. In my opinion, it was an awesome sci-fi movie. Beautiful and action-packed. I especially like how the aliens (the Na'vi) are three-dimensional. I'm going to watch it over again...and again.

I've finished reading most of the books on my to be read list (shown here.) I'm still getting through the list of Sleeping Beauty retellings.

( incoherent rambling about a fantasy trilogy that I really like )

( My overall thoughts... )

( Me just rambling about some of the books I've read... )
And...I still have more books to read. Yes, I do read Young Adult (YA). As a matter of fact, I LOVE YA. I do read novels targeted at adults, but the majority are YA. There are more I want to check out at the library and/or buy (from recommendations/blogs), but these I'm going to read next.

You Are the Artist

You are unique and inspired. You aren't happy unless you are making art of some sort. Almost anything can be a catalyst for your creativity. You find the whole world stimulating. You have beautiful visions, and you're good at expressing them. You like people to see what you see. You also have an inventor's spirit. You're always thinking up new ideas and concepts.

You Are 67% Tortured Genius

You are smart. Brilliant in fact. And while it's a blessing, it's also a curse. Your head is filled with everything - grand ideas, insufferable worries, and a good deal of angst.