Read ’em and Write

As many of you know I am on a major deadline. Thankfully, I am surrounded by supportive and understanding people. But their understanding only goes so far because, well, they don’t really understand what it’s like to write all day. So in times like these when my brain hurts and I’m in need of encouragement, inspiration and improvement I turn to the very things that got me into this mess. Yup, books.

The following is a list of books I have downloaded and turn to every time I need support. I highly recommend them all.

Write-A-Thon: Write your book in 26 days (and live to tell about it)   By: Rochelle Melander

Because I have crazy deadlines and I need to know it’s possible.

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression    By:Angela Ackerman & Becca PugLISI

Because I DETEST cliche and have run out of ways to describe insecurity.

Stein on Writing  By: Sol Stein

Because he does a GREAT job explaining the basics of great writing. He uses tons of examples. And it’s always inspiring to hear how others are doing it.

How To Write Hot Sex: Tips from Multi-Published Erotic Romance Authors Edited by: Shoshana Evers

EW!!!!!! I swear, I am not a perv and I am not writing Fifty Shades of Grey but my new book is called The Dirty Book Club and I squirm every time I have to go there so…

Deep Sleep Every Night (audiobook) By: Glenn Harrold

Because I am stressed and this hypnosis thing really works.

TTYW,

      LISI

43 Comments

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  • J.M says:

    Don’t focus on how much you have to go, focus on how far you’ve come, Lisi! You wrote the first Monster High book in about a month. You’re a fierce writer and you can handle anything that comes your way:) Can’t wait to read your next novel!
    -Fan Since 2004
    🙂

  • Haylee says:

    Just caught up on OUAT and wow, just wow. I’m in love with Hook/Captain Swan already that I swear if the writers pull a Graham on him, I’ll be so pissed off.

  • Syd says:

    Arianna, are you planning on going to a show in Taylor’s RED tour?

  • Arianna says:

    Bridgit Mendler shouldn’t be near a mircophone. There’s a reason her song “Hurricane” was free. Disney should stop trying to make their actresses sing. This is so bad…

    • Haylee says:

      I agree! Like those Shake it Up actresses *shudder* The actors on PLL like Lucy Hale and Tyler Blackburn can sing good however.

  • Zula says:

    I feel your pain Lisi, deadlines are the worst! I have scholarship applications due tomorrow for my school, and I’m applying for two! I cant write in a self promoting way, not coming off big-headed or even keeping to topic is impossible?! AHHH! I’m drowning in my own private sea of teenage school drama, but who isnt?! :L 🙁 Good luck Lisi, I know you’re a pro at this and you’ll come out just peachy 🙂

    • Haylee says:

      Whenever I have to write anything last minute, I just use this paper one of my former teachers gave me and then it’s not as hard. Ugh, I feel your pain? And I never got to ask you this: How was the Louise Rennison visit? And did you see my reply from the previous blah-g?

      • Haylee says:

        And that paper is sort of like a guide on how to write those kinds of essays. I used to be terrible at writing essays of any sort, but then I got better and I can finish them pretty quickly. 🙂

  • Haylee says:

    Oh God I love Lana Del Rey! I’m listening to “This Is What Makes Us Girls” right now.

  • Jewel says:

    Keep writing Lisi!!!! Can’t wait for Phoenix Five to come out, I REALLY want to read it! Also, I just found out there’s a Clique DS game…. OMG I am going to get it!

  • nadiabean21 says:

    Everyone check out my blog!

    http://www.nadiabean21.wordpress.com

    It’s on private so just request to view it and I will accept you asap!

  • nadiabean21 says:

    Oh and the picture of Bee Bee (is that the name?) is adorable! What is she laying in? Is it a mattress?

  • nadiabean21 says:

    Lisi,
    we are all here for you just keep writing! Just keep writing and think about other things and you’ll be done in no time. I’ll definitely have to check out some of these books. I also like your little sticky note to the Prez.

  • Arianna says:

    Okay, I’m going to start on my synopsis. Please wish me luck. I already know this is going to be bad.

  • Maggie says:

    Great blah-g! I seriously love your shout out. It’s awesome. ITS SO HARD TO TYPE WITH A TOUCH SCREEN KEYBOARD!!! It’s driving me crazy.

    And yes this is the same Maggie who loves the nyan cat and adventure time. I just couldn’t log in on my tablet. And I’m too lazy to go get ed.

  • Deserae McG says:

    I love the Emotion Thesaurus! I found out about it like a year and a half ago when it was still in blog form and am so proud of them for being able to share it in book form! Knowing that you use it, too, is a great comfort, Lisi. Sometimes I worry it’s cheating? But then I remember that a resource as great as that one is invaluable to a writer’s progress.

    Keep up the good work!
    Deserae

  • emily* says:

    yay finally got power back!!!!!

  • Haylee says:

    Lisi, I loved reading this post! Good luck writing 🙂 And totally agree with you about FSOG, ew! Not because I’m not an adult, but because there’s better fanfic on the Internet and I don’t understand why out all there was that got published. Oh well. :/

  • Arianna says:

    Is anyone else failing at NaNo or just me?

  • Thanks for sharing Lisi! It really helps the young, aspiring writers!

  • SAM says:

    can you plez make more mh when you’re done!

  • rujuta says:

    hola:) is anybody on??? ill definitely check back on this list when i actually start writing one of my books:p im totally obsessed with vampire diaries:D:D but im only on season 1:(:(<3<3

    • Haylee says:

      I’m on. And yes, I do watch it but I hated the first half of season 1. Putting up with Stefan/Elena cheesiness (The fact that he stalked her for four/five months is just creepy.), those god-awful diaries, the one-dimensional, uninteresting characters and the fact that I didn’t believe the show had direction back then. It was too Twilight-y. And I know most people started off like SE and then DE, but I’ve been a Damon/Elena fan since ep 3 <3 and never shipped SE. And I hated season 3 too. It was just too dragged out and tiring. But this new season is OK.

    • Haylee says:

      You’re on vacation? Lucky! And yes, I love Delena in both the books and show. 🙂 What episode are you on? And I really love Caroline with Stefan, they’re so adorable 😀

  • Laila says:

    LAWL, I love your sticky note for Obama x)

    Anyhow, I suppose, when I get to this stage, I’ll take these into consideration. So thanks (:

  • Shaila Gottlieb says:

    Hey babe…

    I love the fact that you are ALWAYS taking the high road and giving great practical advice instead of leading the teens down the trashy lame-brained road.

    Congrats on the election of Pres. Obama…let’s hope they can all work together to get the US back on track.

    Love MOMOMOMoxoxox

  • Madison says:

    Hey Lisi, my birthday is tomorrow- I’m finally going to be 15!!!- and I was wondering of you could PLEASE give me a shoutout?? Thanks!!!!!! Keep up the ah-mazing work Lisi, love ya!!

  • kat10235 says:

    Try to Read Letters to a Yong Poet, it’s very inspirational when it comes to writing. I feel your pain with deadlines, i’m doing National Novel Writing Month, to write 50,000 words in a month and Im only a little over 10,000 words. It would mean the world to me if you could read the preview I’ve posted on figment http://figment.com/books/464487 I wonder if i’m doing good, i wonder if im insane for loving this so much, writing under a deadline. Maybe I should be looking at schools with writing programs not fashion programs. Any ways i Hope you like the first chapter or Masquerade 😀 It’s clear that me reading you books over the years has influenced my writing.

    • Lisi (yes it's me) says:

      No way!! I’m doing it too! Congrats!

      • kat10235 says:

        Thanks! Did you read the sample? Did you like it? I wasn’t able to reach my 50 thousand word goal but i did reach 20 thousand words and i’m still working on my novel, Masquerade. It’s no where near finished and i’m working to reach that word goal by the end of the year. Thought i wont stop until it’s finished!

  • Syd says:

    Good luck with the rest of your writing 🙂

  • Arianna says:

    Keep writing, Lisi! We love you!

  • Ibby says:

    great post lisi 🙂 woohoo first comment!! xx

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