Thursday, October 18, 2012
Guest Post With Miranda Kenneally + Giveaway
The Art of Making Mistakes: Why messing up is one of the most important things you can do.
I love reading reviews of my books. I always listen to what people have to say in hopes I can make my writing better. However, there’s one thing I’ll never change about my books, no matter what: I’ve seen some readers get upset when my characters make mistakes.
My characters make big mistakes and small mistakes. Some decisions have serious repercussions on the life of not only my main character, but sometimes on the lives of others.
When I was a teenager, I did some very dumb things. Like, one time my parents told me I couldn’t go to the Aerosmith concert, but I took their car and went anyway. My parents got really upset. Sure, I loved the concert, but afterwards I had to live with the guilt of hurting my parents and doing something I knew was wrong. They grounded me for a month!
Another time, I told a friend a serious lie because I thought it would impress her. She was always doing things that were “cool” and I wanted to feel cool too. I wanted her to think I was worthy of our friendship. Instead of thinking I was cool, she told a bunch of people what I said and spread the gossip about me all over school. What made it especially bad was that some people knew it wasn’t true. I was so embarrassed and ashamed. And I was sad that my “friend” wasn’t a true friend. But I learned from the mistake. I learned not to lie anymore, and I learned that true friends will love me for who I am, not what I’ve done.
When I’m writing a book, I’m not scared to have my characters screw up. If we don’t screw up, we can’t learn, and then we can’t become better people.
GIVEAWAY:
Thanks to Sourcebooks, I am giving away a copy of STEALING PARKER. If you didn't notice, I reviewed STEALING PARKER yesterday and thought it was the shiznit. It's a must read, and here's your chance to win a copy.
All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. As per usual, extra entries will be rewarded to people who follow Miranda on twitter, "like" CATCHING JORDAN on Facebook, etc. This giveaway is only open to US and CA participants and will end November 17th.
Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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This is great advice! Too often, I'm afraid that people will like my characters less if they're not perfect. Plus, I don't like doing things that will hurt them (I know, I know...)
ReplyDeleteI loved Catching Jordan, and I'm looking forward to getting to read Stealing Parker! Thanks for the giveaway!
I just recently fell in love with YA lit all over again (I've been in school, so reading for fun was pretty much non-existent for a while!), so I'm trying to catch up on all of the great books that I have missed. I have read great reviews of Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker, and I can't wait to read them both!
ReplyDeleteI actually want to read Stealing Parker because I have heard so many amazing things about Catching Jordan.
ReplyDeleteI want to read it because the story sounds absolutely compelling! Plus, a lot of my favorite book bloggers absolutely loved it. And I love reading Miranda's tweets! ;)
ReplyDeleteI read and loved Catching Jordan and I'm looking forward to reading Stealing Parker and many more books by Miranda Kenneally!
ReplyDeleteI loved Cathing Jordan and can't wait to read Stealing Parker! :)
ReplyDeleteI want to read Stealing Parker because Catching Jordan was so good! I'm sure I'm going to love Stealing Parker too!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Catching Jordan :) Definitely want to read more from this author!
ReplyDeleteI really liked reading Catching Jordan so I'm excited to read more from Miranda Kenneally and to see more of Sam Henry! :)
ReplyDeleteLacey T
I have read great reviews about this book, and I think my students would love it. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleteBecause I loved Catching Jordan, and I bet I will love Stealing Parker too.
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing great things about this author's novels. I want to read it and see for myself!
ReplyDeleteI want to read Stealing Parker *because* the character makes mistakes! Perfect characters have no room to grow and very little common ground.
ReplyDeleteThis series looks so good. And I've heard amazing things about Catching Jordan.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved catching jordan!
ReplyDeleteObviously because Catching Jordan was amazing and there's no doubt that this won't be!
ReplyDeleteI really want this book based on your review, and also it sounded really good in the blurb! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThe blurb sounds really good plus I heard nothing but good reviews about Catching Jordan :)
ReplyDeleteThank you !!
It sounds amazing and I loved Catching Jordan!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Miranda Kenneally's books :)
ReplyDelete-JennyC
I loved Catching Jordan, so I have really been looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteI read Stealing Parker in ebook. It was such a a great read that I would love a hard copy for my personal library :)
ReplyDeleteBecause this series sounds so good, fun and entertani g.
ReplyDeleteParker is the best. I loved her character!
ReplyDeleteI want to read this because I have seen nothing but good reviews for it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Catching Jordan yet but it's at the top of the list. Miranda Kenneally is just one of those authors whose books I can tell I'm going to love. I really want to read this one.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read it because I've heard such great things about Miranda Kenneally's books!
ReplyDeleteI have heard great things about it!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks so amazing! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDelete