New Website!

Hi all!

In case anyone still checks in on here, I wanted to let you know I've made an official author website, that I will now be using instead of this blog. Check it out here.

You can also find me on Twitter @MilesMcGWrites, and Goodreads here.

Thanks again for reading! The journey continues!

-Miles

Taking a (Possibly Permanent) Break

So, this is sort of a weird post to write.  I'm not quite sure where to begin.  I suppose I'll just get right to it.

I'd just like to say that, for the moment, I'm retiring the blog.  That's absolutely not to say I won't return--in fact, I'd love to return--but the way life is going, blogging is sadly not my priority at the moment.    

In case anybody still reads my blog, firstly I'd like to say thank you.  I'm very glad you stopped by to check out the journey, be it for a moment or through all my posts.  :)  (And believe me--the titular author's quest is still going; I'm still writing, still reading…still being a bookish nerd.)  Secondly, I'd like to point out this post is twofold: 1) so you, any readers, can know there will likely no longer be anymore posts, and 2) for me, to tie things up.  See, I often remember I have a blog I'm supposed to be writing, then remember I honestly just do not have the time; this post will help in closing things down.  I just do not want to disappoint anyone, and have anyone continue to think I'm blogging (again, I may return, but I'm not entirely sure that'll happen).      

Again, I'd like to thank you all, for commenting and being joyful fellow bloggers.  I've loved this blog.  It's fun to look back through posts, see where I've been, and also look forward, and hope I'll reach my dream of publication one day (I hope the same for all of you, too, in case you haven't reached it!).    

So, perhaps for the last time, I simply have one thing to say:  

Write on.  

-Miles    

We Are Writers

This writing business is no piece of cake.

In all actuality, it's pretty brutal.  

But, you know what?  That's why I love it.  

There are no easy routes.  

No easy answers.  

All it boils down to is you and your writing.  

In the end, you are your own worst enemy, own worst critic, own best reader and best understander of your work.  You are the reason things are created and slashed and rebuilt and destroyed.  You are the one who is bringing a story to life, from your mind to the page.  

You are the reason.  I am the reason.  

We are writers.  

We will write on.  

Here, There, and Everywhere

So I'm here, and I'm writing, and I'm reading multiple novels right now (why do I do this to myself?)...but most importantly, I'm here, and I'm writing.  And not writing a novel or poem or muse-induced what-have-you, but a personal, right-here-right-now blog post.  I truly apologize to each of you for the enormous gap between blog posts as of, oh, probably 2011, especially the post you're reading now and the previous one. There's no excuse for the decline, and I'm truly trying to get better.  

But I'm here, and I'm writing.  :)  And while I can say with certainty my life is about to get pretty hectic come a week or two from now, while I can say with certainty I'm about to be here, there, and everywhere, I can assure you I'll continue writing.  On here, hopefully.  On here, especially.  

So...was there really a point to this post?  Not really.  Other than to note I'm still here.  I'll hopefully update this much more than I have in the past, which is an atrociously small amount.  

Let's end with a random fun fact, shall we?  

In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator.  (http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~bingbin/)  

As always, write on!  

Random Factoids!

Let me first say this is for no particular reason, save for my current boredom and my attempt to keep up with my blog and get back into the "swing of things."  Basically, I wanted to spice things up and do something fun.  Enjoy! 

In no particular order... 

1. I really REALLY want to learn how to play the piano.  It's my favorite instrument.  Sometimes I just sit and blast Beethoven and Mozart, among others, when I need inspiration or a good jolt of stunning talent. 
2. Today is apparently the Oreo cookie's 100th birthday!  Happy Birthday Oreo!  :)  
3. I've recently found myself stalking the twitters of celebrities.  
4. My favorite season is summer!  :)  
5. I used to watch American Idol, but after Simon left I basically stopped watching it (I'll catch a few episodes here and there).  
6. I think it'd be so cool to be in an animated movie.  
7. I'm SO EXCITED for THE HUNGER GAMES!  March 23rd is coming quick!  Woohoo!  =D  
8. You should all play Rummikub, the board game that's not really a board game, but it's in a board game box, so I call it a board game.  
9. And, on that note, Catch Phrase.  
10. The show Impractical Jokers is hilarious!  Check it out if you haven't.  

And that's all.  Have a fantastic day, and write on!  :)   

Prose vs. Verse

I'm here, and I'm writing.  :)  Writing this post, of course, and loads of other works tucked away (poetry, prose, short stories and verse novels, among seemingly a million other things I just can't shake away or write fast enough).  Which is a definite blessing, and also a bit of an obstacle.  Now, I know there's no excuse for not updating the blog as regularly as I should be, and honestly, these hi-I'm-here-and-apologizing-yet-making-excuses-of-why-I'm-not-blogging-as-often-as-I-should-be posts are probably starting to annoy you just as much as they're annoying me.  But, of course, I'd rather be writing and plowing away at my dreams than updating you all on my menial life, which I assure you nobody would want to read about.  That and I'm at a loss for new posts...   

...Until now!  *cue applause and balloons releasing into the air*

Prose vs. verse. 

Which do you prefer?  Do you guys even prefer one over the other?  I like prose better, and like writing prose better (I feel you have to know how to write poetry--and thus verse novels--rather than just jump into them; essentially, I feel it's an inherent skill), but have no problem reading verse and occasionally attempting it.  Now, I know I'm no Shakespeare or Hopkins (yes, those two authors are very much in the same sentence, because they're both brilliant in their own ways and are both well-known poets), but can still have fun trying to put words together in succinct and flowing ways. 

I guess it's all just a matter of opinion.

So, do you guys like to read one or the other?  Don't mind?  In all honesty, I didn't even know verse novels existed until a few years ago, when I saw someone reading Ellen Hopkins's BURNED.  I fell in love with the cover and quickly got myself a copy--only to open it up and see the words in this bizarre new format (fantastic book, by the way). 

Hmmm. 

I suppose
the debate
will forever
go on.   

HAPPY NEW YEAR (And Other News)

Well, yeah.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  =D 

I simply cannot believe it's 2012 already.  Really can't.  But, hey, I'm always up for a new year, with new people, new things, new craziness, new books, new writings, new chances... 

The list goes on and on. 

I simply wanted to wish each and every one of you the best of luck in 2012, with whatever it is that you do.  I sincerely hope you all can achieve your dreams and push forward with whatever it is you want.  I give you all a cyber thumbs up and a pat on the back!  :) 

In other news, I just finished Khaled Hosseini's THE KITE RUNNER.  And man.  WOW. 

What a stunner.  Like, honestly, one of the most moving books I've ever read.  I just finished it a few hours ago, but I'm still thinking about it.  Every character, every event...  I'm not joking when I tell you to read this astonishing novel.  I've really never been so touched by a book, and hope to one day write something as spellbinding as this. 

Wow. 

So, again, a big warm HAPPY NEW YEAR; my sincerest wishes to each of you, hoping we all achieve our dreams in 2012 and find comfort and love (and good writing within ourselves!) and, above all, happiness. 

From An Author's Quest to you, I bid farewell (until next time; maybe that was a teensy bit overdramatic...). 

Write on!

Torn

So, I'm torn between reading two different books: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. 

Any ideas?  I've heard great things about both, and I've really wanted to read both for a long, long time.  But now it's come down to me choosing one at the moment.  And me, being arguably the most indecisive person ever, can't decide which.  Sometimes I feel I should read one, but then it changes within the hour. 

Basically, I need help.  Any.   

So.  Anything?   

On a sidenote, I started writing a romance, a full romance, a good six or more months ago--but then I put it off to the side since that's not something I typically write (I certainly include romances within my novels, but never have I embarked on a total romance novel).  I love my characters in it though, and though it's romance, and typically happy and, yes, turbulent at times, I feel I've really pushed the boundaries with this one and come up with a killer plot.  I think, after posting this, I'll go check up on it (since you're supposed to put your work away for a bit then go look at again, with "fresh" eyes).  So, yep.  Just felt like sharing.  Maybe something will come of this one.  :)

So, that's it.  As always, write on!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo = Good Stuff

So, as many of you know, the American version of Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo hits theaters the 21st of this month, in...(hang on while I count)...8 days!  (Well, 7, if you don't count the day it comes out.)  To say I'm excited would be a terrific understatement; I was so wholly captivated by the first novel, so flabbergasted by (most notably) one of the two main characters, Lisbeth Salander (look her name up; it'll be quite interesting), that I simply was ecstatic when I heard David Fincher was taking on this incredible Swedish thriller.  I recently purchased the sequel, so I'm hoping to get around to that as soon as possible.   

For those of you who don't know what it's about, I'll surmise it here (perhaps this'll help me hone my hook skills).  A recently convicted journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, and a computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander, work together to piece together the puzzle of a girl who disappeared more than forty years ago. 

Sounds wonderful, no?  So, if you're into thrillers, mysteries, fascinating characters (I warn you, there are some heavily revolting scenes both in the book and, according to what the movie is rated R for, in the movie as well), and twists around every corner, pick up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and prepare for the movie on the 21st.  Already read it?  Let's wait together!  (I'll start counting down on my fingers.) 

And remember: Evil shall with evil be expelled.  (Seriously one of my favorite movie taglines ever!)   

Write on!

A Bit O' Inspiration

I'd like to take this moment and say sorry for not keeping up with the blog (since my last post was what, August???).  Though I'm certain you all have vastly interesting lives, and actual things to do other than read my blog, for the times you did drop in to see if a new post was up, I firstly want to thank you, and also extend my apologies for not having posted in quite some time and not having anything up for you to read.  I always tell myself I'll get better, I'll post more...but alas.  Perhaps some of you have good ways to avoid procrastination?  (Though the obvious, most blatant tip is JUST DO IT.)  Because seriously, I'll take anything.

Ahem. 

Moving away from the somberness of the above paragraph, I thought I'd post a link to a video I found SO funny, SO inspirational...just so APPLICABLE to us dedicated, can't-do-anything-but-write writers out there, editing, writing, thinking...just going through the process of writing the book. 

It's from the amazing, the sprightly, the fabulous K.M. Walton, whose debut contemporary novel CRACKED hits stores January 3rd, 2012!  She did a parody of the song "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars--with a writer twist--and it's just downright, hilariously incredible (not to mention heaps of inspirational). 

Here's the link: http://skateorbate.blogspot.com/2011/10/billionaire-parody-for-writers.html.  Enjoy!  And remember, never give up! 

Write on! 

Did You See This?!?!?

If not, just watch. 

March 23rd, 2012 baby!  (And Jennifer Lawrence looks like she's gonna pull this role off PERFECTLY.)  

Wait, what's that?  It's August?  

Crap.       

Defying Gravity

Yes, actually, this post does relate to the song from Wicked (which I want to see SO bad!  I've heard it's mind-blowingly incredible.) 

Ahem.  Ignoring my ramblings...   

I've been an avid follower of author Kody Keplinger (ya know, who wrote The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)) for probably about a year, and I just love her humor and YouTube videos.  She's such an inspiration to aspiring authors, and gives fantastic advice. 

Take, for instance, what I'm going to post. 

In this video she discusses rejection, and how defying a little gravity can do loads of good for you when pursuing that elusive, fantastic, published author dream. 

It's basically one of my favorite videos to watch when I feel down, or when I need to rid of some stress and get myself inspired.  Enjoy!  (And make sure you check out Kody's blog if you've yet to already; you won't regret it!  It's http://kodymekellkeplinger.blogspot.com/.)   

On a different note, Harry Potter was AWESOME!!!  It's been two weeks since my last post, and--whadaya know--I've seen it two times since then!  Yes, there were things that could've been done slightly differently, but that's just the nature of the beast when dealing with movie adaptations of books.  I still give it a glowing 5/5 stars, and still completely, wholeheartedly, undoubtedly LOVED it.  =D  Make sure you see it too! 

And that's all I have.  Have a great day!  :)

In Which I Blab About Harry Potter

So, anyone else terrifically excited for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2?  I know I am!  And I'm like, SO very excited, because, for the first time, I'm going to the midnight premiere!  I'm completely psyched, and cannot wait!  The movie's going to be completely EPIC (I mean, did you see the trailer???).   

So, anyone else been to a Harry Potter midnight premiere?  I'm a little unsure of what time to get there.  We were thinking 9 but that seems almost too late to me...I've looked it up on Google, and a lot of people were saying to get to your theater at 2 or 3, or sometimes even earlier (unless you live in a small town...which, we don't).  So, if anyone could give any suggestions, that'd be great.  :)  Also, do people dress up?  I suppose if you're a true Potter fan you do, but I'm not so sure I want to (and I don't even know who I'd go as!).  =P  I guess we'll see...

Well, that's about it.  On a random note, I'm like completely in love with Stephen King's stuff.  I'm only about halfway through my first novel of his, and I've already bought another...and I'm just totally blown away.  No wonder everyone praises him so much.  :)  Certainly a writer all aspiring writers should look up to...

And now, I post one of the trailers for the amazing, the epic, the LAST of them all: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (can't believe this is it already--sob face) and watch it a trillion times and get all jittery and crazy...  =D 

SO EXCITED!!!

One Year Already?! My 1 Year Blogiversary!

So, being the incredibly attentive person that I am, I went on through my day, doing this and that...and then, suddenly, I paused, said crapcrapcrap, and realized today was the 1 year anniversary of my blog!  =D  My little baby An Author's Quest has turned the big 1!  [insert confetti and roaring applause here] 

So, as I did when I hit fifty followers back in October, I decided I'm going to write another poem to celebrate such amazingness.  (I unfortunately don't have any cool prizes to give out, or really any imagination at the moment since it's now 10:30--I'm such a party pooper--so I hope this suffices, though, trust me, I'm truly ecstatic that it's already been a whole year!) 

So, here we go again.  I think I'll call this one An Author's Quest Hits One Big Year.  Enjoy! 

My oh my the time has flown 

Through twelve short months our words have grown 

I've met new people on these blogs

And gobbled up your posts like a flock of ravenous hogs (okay, that one was bad) 

Being writers we're all so cool

And one day all our books will rule 

I'm proud to annouce and be so clear

That An Author's Quest hits one big year! 

I thank you all it's been so fun

And look, another year's begun! 

So, there you go.  Oh, and thank you thank you thank you!!!  =)  I really couldn't have pushed onward and gotten where I was without all of you behind me, leaving comments and being genuinely good people (and writers) as I moved forward on this crazy (understatement anyone?) journey.  I can't wait to see where this new blog year takes me, and I can't wait to see what you guys all have going on as well!  

Again, thank you so much!  Now, if I could just figure out some way to better remember things...  ;)   

Why the Book Hate?

Ugh.  I'm a little angry right now...  One of our friends was over a few hours ago, and--for whatever reason--said she hates books.  Just hates 'em.  I kept my curious composure after she'd said it, and just sat there (shaking my head inside) as my brother showed her a few of our books, trying to convice her to read at least two before summer's end.     

She agreed, though I remained suspicious, and then, five seconds later, decided she didn't want to read them anymore.  She said, expressionless, "I hate books."  And, don't get me wrong, I'm not just pointing her out...because, sadly, I've heard this more times than I can recall. 

It greatly angers me when I hear that, and saddens me.  Books can do so much for someone, for anyone...and even if you're not into that whole intellectual aspect of them, they're still most definitely a source of incredible entertainment.  I honestly don't know why people say this.  In fact--perhaps there are others--I can really only think of one reason, and it's unfortunate.  That reason--the only real thing I can attribute it to--is school.  Because we are given required books we (most of the time) don't like, or barely even read (or just don't read at all) through our years of school, I suppose a bad taste is put in our mouths about books, and thus makes various people "hate" them as a whole.     

I still don't understand, though.  Go ahead.  Don't read whatever you're being "forced" to read.  Fail your test.  Whatever.  But don't say you hate all books because of that. 

Yes, there have been numerous things I've read in school that I haven't liked much.  I haven't hated them completely, but I've certainly disliked them.  But so what?  Everyone has books they don't like.  On the other end of the spectrum, though, there have been other books that---had it not been for school--I probably never would've heard of, never read, and never fallen in love with.  "School," to me, seems like a sorry excuse for hating books, yet it's unfortunately the only one I hear every time I ask why, and that's the truth.   

So, that's my little angry rant for the day.  I can't figure out how you can hate an object that's done nothing to you, something so glorious as a book, no less.  You don't have to like reading, but don't just hate all books because of one experience or what you're being told.

So, what do you think?  Is the reason I run into so many kids and teenagers who "hate" books school?  Do you know anybody who hates them as well?  Maybe there are other contributing factors...?      

I'm a Little Behind, Yes...

...but for good reason. 

I began a new novel a week or so ago, and though there's always that underlying, seemingly elusive this-is-the-book-I-can-feel-it-deep-down-inside kinda feeling with everything habitual writers write, I sorta wanna admit that I get that feeling with this one, too.  But I think it's pretty strong.  Maybe stronger than normal.  *sounds really stupid and realizes it* 
 
Funny thing is, I hadn't even been intending to start it when I did.  Heck, I didn't even plan on writing something new that day, or for a long while, for I already have a few WIPs (that I'm beginning to lose touch with--cue sad face)...but of course I only want to work on those projects that I'm most passionate about.  So I was mindlessly checking my email, laughing through some YouTube vids, and checking up on everything else--and suddenly, I was wrought with an itch to write.  So, naturally, I opened Microsoft Word and started something...and kept going...and going...and going.

And here I am, blogging about how awesome it is to have something I'm so excited to get going on!

I don't have a plot.  I don't have an ending.  I'm only a few pages in.  But it's started.  And I don't plan on stopping.

So, yes.  I'm incredibly excited to see where this project goes...or doesn't go (though I'm rooting for the former, of course!).

In other news (I believe I can safely say I'm a little behind on this one, too), I was checking up on Beth Revis's website and blog (Across the Universe is looking so enticing on my TBR pile right now...), which led me to her helpful things for writers page, and thus to Authoress's blog, a.k.a. Miss Snark's First Victim.  I think I'm falling in love.  It's a fantastic blog for aspiring authors where monthly "Secret Agent" contests are held, among other things, and where success stories are beginning to become abundant!  Go check it out, if you haven't already (which, considering there's already over 400 followers, I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't already been loyally following)!  You won't be disappointed.  And what more, but Authoress and I share somewhat of a common trait: we're both a little mysterious, and haven't fully given our true identities away (though she's an agented YA author, and may be revealing herself anytime now...). 

So, that's it for now.  Thank you for reading; I aim to be back soon!        

Some Short Advice

I often write short stories (page or two long, or at least until I lose interest in my practice characters, practice plot, etc.) and get to thinking about the best (and worst) ways to begin a piece.  Book, blog post, newspaper article...  The list goes on and on.  But, of course, I'm speaking more toward novels. 

So, the best way to start your tale?  Or, rather, the way you NEVER want to... 

DON'T START YOUR NOVEL WITH YOUR CHARACTER WAKING UP. 

Don't.  Don't EVER.  If there's one piece of writing advice I've seen everywhere, from literally every agent that's ever spoken on the topic to other writers' blogs, it's that you do NOT ever want to start your novel with someone waking up.  Why?  It's a cop-out.  No, really.  As other agents have said in one way or another, surely there's another way you can start your story.  Surely.  And trust me, it'll do you loads to make this fix.  In fact, agent Mary Kole once said that if your story does not begin with someone waking up, you're already a caliber above 50% of the submissions she sees.  This, of course, does not determine whether or not she chooses one submission over the other, but it most definitely places you in a better light, so-to-speak.   

In other news, I recently began The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.  And I'm not lying when I say it's AMAZING.  I can't put it down.  And the weird thing is, it's a war story.  I don't like to read about war when it so abundantly (and unfortunately) happens around the world, for death is not exactly a happy topic, but it's so heartfelt and sincere a work that I just cannot get away from it.  Go check it out from the library or read some reviews online.  You'll know what I'm talking about. 

Well, that's it for now.  =)  (Oh, sidenote: I don't exactly know why the date on my last post says April 4th, because I most definitely posted it around the 20th.  Just something that was bothering me, and something that I wanted to make note of.  Hopefully this post has the date right...even though if it doesn't it's my fault in the first place, for I should be checking things more thoroughly; today's May 22nd.) 

I leave with this unusual fact (who doesn't like random, unusual facts?):

When glass breaks, the cracks move faster than 3,000 miles per hour. To photograph the event, a camera must shoot at a millionth of a second!  (http://www.strangefacts.com/facts1.html)

To Prologue or Not To Prologue?

Hello again, everyone! I'd imagine, while reading this, some of you are curious where I've been the past weeks. In earnest, it's quite a long story, but things just seemed to pile all up and crash together, making for a very hectic few weeks and basically zero time to blog. But hey, that's life. :) I hopped around every so often, reading other bloggers' blogs and simply checking up on mine. And now, finally, I'm jumping back in, ready to put this blog of mine into drive and slam on the pedal. =) Hopefully, you guys are all willing to jump back on, rev your engines, and get ready to ride too! (Not sure why I'm using the car metaphor so much...?)

So, moving right along...

There are a lot of things I've been wanting to gush about on here--I've probably started to forget some, but they'll return--so I suppose I'll just have to take things one at a time. With that, I wanted to discuss prologues...

Frankly, I don't know whether or not to write one, and if I do...is it really necessary? I understand prologues serve the purpose of explaining something indelibly important to the novel, hence the fact they're at the very beginning, but still... I often find myself reading some that I feel are entirely unnecessary, ones which, after I finish the book, I flip back to and ask "Why the heck are you here???"

Hmmm.

So, any opinions on the matter? Like 'em? Hate 'em? Can't even write 'em? (I try...but then I realize there really is no point, no matter what I'm writing.) I've seen quite a few posts about it from agents and industry peeps in my days of perusing blogs, blogs, and more blogs, and more often than not, they say you really, truly, totally need to look at your prologue/preface (is there a difference?...because I truly don't know) and ask yourself if it's critical to the opening and the novel as a whole. For if it's not, it better pack up and head out before it lands in front of an agent who probably won't be too happy about it, since odds are they have hundreds of other queries to read.

Now, let's take a big breath. :) Gosh, publishing is tough.

Random fact: I started a new novel! And this one's a first for me. For one, it's literary, not commercial. Two, it's first person (99.9% of the time I do third). And three--the weirdest one of all--it's romance. Something I've never written, and something I most certainly never intended to write. Yet there's something about it... I keep writing and writing. I continue to dive back into it and think of more and more things. I hope it goes somewhere. :)

So, that's it. I better be back here in the next week or so (I really need to make myself a schedule, like so many diligent bloggers do), typing up another post. I apologize for leaving so abruptly, as if I'd fallen off the face of the planet. I'm here! I promise.

Now let's dance!

Write on!

Can't Smile Enough :)

I'm SO SO SO completely ecstatic to see I've surpassed 100 followers, most of whom are fantastic Crusaders! You guys are amazingly amazing; I'm coming as fast as I can to all of your blogs to say hi and introduce myself (and follow, of course)! :)

I guess all I'm trying to say is welcome, new followers! I hope each and every one of you enjoy all my blog has to offer, and that we all grow as friends and authors as our journeys move forward!

Also, I'd like to give a special shout-out to my fellow group 8 Crusaders/buddies (ironically, there are 8 of you!). I'm extremely excited to get to know you all, and can't wait to see where this Crusade goes!

So, you could say I'm pretty pysched!

Calling All Crusaders!

Yes. It's that time again.

Rachael Harrie, glorious blogger, created the one and only Writers' Platform-Building Crusade months and months ago. And, as of February 4th, the 2nd Crusade has kicked off!

What is it, you ask? Well, it's a way for us bloggers (those of us on the book journey, whether we're aspiring authors, industry peeps, published authors, or new or established bloggers) to make a name for ourselves in the blogosphere, so-to-speak, and hopefully gain some more followers and make awesome new friends, all while helping the other Crusaders build their platform and grow as bloggers and writers as well.

I'm a Crusader, and I ask you to join as well. You'll love it! Click here to check out the official post from Rachael's blog explaining it much better than me, and also to (hopefully) become a Crusader!

Well, what are you waiting for? :)