Don't Censor Yourself

I've been thinking about voice a lot lately and have come to this realization: Don't Censor Yourself.

I'm not talking about swear words here. I'm talking about those times when we're writing and we think something that maybe is a little weird or confusing and so we change it, streamline it, make it more "normal" for our readers. Or maybe we haven't done that- maybe we've written without censoring ourselves, and then a beta reads it and says, huh? Or strikes it out. And so we go along with it because we don't want our readers to be confused.

The more I think about voice, the more I realize it's our uniqueness that makes our voice. The way we say things in a completely different way than someone else. The truly great writers don't censor out their uniqueness- they go with it. They write it. Those are the sentences we are wowed by.

Example. The Book Thief is full of this kind of writing which is why it's one of my favorites.

The last time I saw her was red.

Does this sentence really make sense? No, it doesn't. But you keep reading anyway because you're intrigued...

The sky was like soup, boiling and stirring. In some places, it was burned. There were black crumbs, and pepper, streaked across the redness. (page 12)

Amazing. Seriously. To think of comparing sky to soup for one, and then for making it work so easily. The Book Thief is full of sentences like this. Even simpler ones, where the author uses one unexpected word to convey his meaning. Like this:

Of course, there was also the scratchy feeling of sin. (page 169)

Instead of using a word like awful or horrible, he uses scratchy. Which really doesn't make a lot of sense, but yet it DOES. It conveys an image more vivid than horrible ever would have done.

We can't censor out those interesting/different/weird/crazy ways of saying things. That's what will make us stand out as writers. That's what gives us VOICE.

Random Thought Thursday

1. Have you heard the latest couple mash-up? Yep, apparently some fans have done it to The Hunger Games main characters Peeta and Katniss. Can you see where this is going? Yep... Peeniss. Hahahaha! That totally makes me giggle like a little kid. Read about Josh Hutcherson's reaction to the nickname here.

2. Waiting is HARD. You'd think I would've learned patience by now.

3. Have you seen this pic of Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean? Can't wait for this movie!!!

4. I keep thinking we're done with snow here in Alberta and then it snows again. Apparently our province didn't get the memo that it's spring.

5. I'm taking my daughter to see Mirror Mirror this weekend. Should be fun!

6. What is with Alaric going all psycho on Vampire Diaries? I love the show, but that storyline is a little bit out there.

7. I'm working on the sequel to Daze because I hate to leave things unfinished. I'd forgotten how much I love Jessica as a character. It's nice to immerse myself in her world again.

8. Anyone know any phrases or titles with the word Days in it? I'm trying to title my sequel and wanted to play on the word Days/Daze again but can't think of anything great.

Best Book 'O March

This week's Road Trip Wednesday hosted by YA Highway is asking the question they usually ask at the end of the month:

What was the best book you read in March?

(And yes, I totally have that Hot Chelle Rae song stuck in my head, thanks YA Highway. But it's okay, I like it like that. Haha!)   

Holy Moley, I read A LOT of books this month! And as usual, a lot of great ones. But if you look at these pictures, you can probably guess which book I'm going to choose.

I'm gonna choose The Hunger Games, just the first book because that remains my favorite of the three. There's something about those books that stick with you. Something that stuck with me even though 1- I'm not a fan of dystopian, and 2- I usually like books with a lot more dialogue. Maybe because it was such an original idea. Maybe because of the action. Maybe because of the very memorable characters. Maybe because of Peeta. Who knows. What I do know is, I like it like that. (Told you the song was in my head.)

Coming a close second, The Sky is Everywhere and The Summer I Turned Pretty. Both great contemporary reads. Loved the stories, the words, the images both books conjured up. Those are definite must-reads, especially if you love contemporary YA.

What was the best book you read in March?

Teaser Tuesday

My teaser this week for Teaser Tuesday, hosted by Miz B. at Should Be Reading, is from Looking for Alaska by John Green.

The Colonel explained to me that 1. this was Alaska's room, and that 2. she had a single room because the girl who was supposed to be her roommate got kicked out at the end of last year, and that 3. Alaska had cigarettes, although the Colonel neglected to ask whether 4. I smoked, which 5. I didn't. (page 14).

What are you reading today? Any great teasers?

A Bit of Everything

I'm happy to report that the Hunger Games movie did not disappoint, in case you didn't make it to a theatre this past weekend. It was great to see the world come alive- the houses in the Seam, the arena, especially the Capitol. The main characters were AWESOME- I was especially impressed with Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, but that's probably because I was the most worried about his portrayal (still Team Peeta!). My only gripes are very minor- they could've amped up the action a bit more, not to make it more bloody, just more suspenseful, and they cut out some of my favorite lines (one of the great things about the Twilight movies). But that's it! It was a great movie and it's gonna be a loooong wait for the DVD.

And because I haven't done Crush of the Week in ages... You know I gotta do it.

Completely unrelated... I was tagged last week by Prerna at The Sands of Writing for the 7 meme that's going around. Here's what you do:

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS/WIP
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines – sentences or paragraphs – and post them as they’re written. No cheating
4. Tag 7 authors
5. Let them know

This is from Daze and Knights because Sway is still out with readers right now.

But it was hard to ignore the feeling that my insides were about to burst right out of my skin.
Lord Alric waited for me on the practice field, looking all godlike and handsome.
“Good morning,” he said.
I stopped breathing and moving and thinking. “Uhh…” It was way too early in the morning for this. My brain hadn’t started working yet. “Hi,” I finally managed.
“Are you ready to learn the sword?” he asked. “I must warn you, it will prove very difficult for you.”
I nodded forcefully. Heck yeah, I was ready. Ready to show Lord Purvis that he couldn’t mess with me.

And because I occasionally like to break the rules, I'm ignoring rule #4 and 5. If you read this and want to take part, consider yourself tagged.

Tonight's The Night!

I just wanted to say...

HAPPY HUNGER GAMES!

And may the odds be ever in your favor.

Team Peeta vs. Team Gale

There's never been a choice here for me. Never a question. From the start of the books to the finish, I've always been on one Team only.

To be honest, it wasn't until I finished Catching Fire for the first time that I noticed this was even a question. That people were dividing into different Teams. I was completely shocked by it. I mean, is there really any other options but one?

     Team Peeta all the way!

How can it ever be Gale? He's her best friend, that's it. Sure, he's a good guy. He provides for his family. They hunt together. He's good looking (Liam Hemsworth is a good choice for that argument). He's smart. He's tough. Him and Katniss have a special bond.

Blah blah blah.

How could it ever be anyone but Peeta? I mean, really?

He's so giving, loving, perfect, selfless, and kind. Maybe he doesn't have the hunting skills like Gale, but he's strong. He can fight.

And for those who call him things like Nancy-boy because he paints and bakes instead of hunts? *Glares* I'd take the painter any day. And before you argue back, but if they were starving, how would he provide? Come on. He's Peeta. He'd find a way. He does whatever he has to, whatever it takes, to keep those he loves alive. Even if it means sacrificing himself. Because he's that kind of guy.

There was a post done about this on Monday over at YA Confidential. Alison does a much better, and more eloquent, job describing why it should always be Team Peeta. Check it out if you're not convinced. Or even if you are, you'll just fall more for Peeta than ever. Trust me.

Team Peeta for the win! (I need to get myself a t-shirt or something.) And I just had to add this last picture because it made me laugh.

So, what about you? Team Peeta, or Team Gale. Come on, you know the right answer.