Very Important, Reading Is: Guest Post by Jen Wagner

I am so blessed to come from a family of writers. Here's my cousin-in-law, the INCREDIBLE Jen Wagner. She's a writer and freelancer and reader and mother-er.

Truth: I hated reading when I was a kid.

I would go to the library with my mom and older brother, and I would come out empty handed. My brother, however, would load up on Garfield comics and baseball trivia books. I had no clue what I enjoyed reading. Yet when I graduated from high school, I decided to major in English because I wanted to force myself to have to read. But even then, I still had no clue what genre was “mine.”

And then, one glorious day, I met Harry.

Harry Potter opened up a door—a little door underneath a staircase if you will—which then led me to Stephanie Perkins, Maggie Stiefvater, Becca Fitzpatrick, Lauren Kate, Colleen Houck and Veronica Roth. Young adult fiction was my thing.

I finally had a passion for reading and I couldn’t get enough. I still can’t. Thank you, Harry.

And perhaps I never discovered my passion because there wasn’t enough of it to choose from in the 90’s when I was a teen. YA consisted of works by Judy Blume, Ann M. Martin, and Lurlene McDaniel. While these books were good, there just wasn’t enough of it.

 https://jclaireinocencio.wordpress.com/author/jhesikaclaire/page/2/

As an adult — one who loves teen angst and the quirky best friend — I have discovered how desperately I want to write my own YA book. In fact, my ideas have been brewing for five years now (quite the realization seeing that confession in print).

But, I know I’ve needed these five years to find my voice and uncover my style. I had to read books from several different YA authors in order to discover what I like and dislike in a YA novel.  

Books Are Like Dessert.

The options are endless. There are stories that are simple, and ones that are elegant. Others are quite time consuming because they transport you away from reality and into a completely different dimension, revealing each bit by bit.

Yet each book must be explored and analyzed to help determine what satisfies, what falls flat ... and in some instances, what disgusts.

Often, books will have similar characteristics and story-lines, just like desserts which have similar ingredients. For instance, consider author Nicolas Sparks.

In my opinion, Sparks is the king of stealing from his own work and incorporating the same “ingredients” over and again: boy and girl meet; one or both have a history or issues that need resolved (perhaps one has an abusive ex-lover, is widowed, or is a single parent); and someone (always!) dies in the end. The names change, the settings change, but the ideas are often the same. And women go crazy for this! The same goes for author James Patterson. Each of these men have discovered their personal “plug and play” when writing a book.

Read, and then Read Some More. Find YOUR Pattern.

Reading allows you to seek and find the pattern that works for you. Take an idea from one author you love and twist it into your own. This is not plagiarism. This is called inspiration. And if you aren’t reading, you can’t be inspired.

“Nothing inspires a writer like reading someone else’s words.” -Jeff Goins

So, you want to write a book? Well, I suggest you start reading. Peace.

Relationships

Welcome back, folks, for more sass and sarcasm, and, hopefully, a little substance.

For the letter R, we're talking Relationships. More specifically, fictional relationships. Brace yourselves, because this might turn into a rant.

I hate hate hate HATE most fictional relationships. I think that they are so non realistic. Just because the characters aren't real doesn't mean the relationships have to be fake. 

Literally this is about every YA romance (okay, not every, but the majority) summed up in a paragraph: Boy runs into girl. Exchanges glance. Something happens to them that makes them somewhat close. Then they either a) start "making out" or b) start dating. Am I right or am I right?

I should probably clarify. This does happen and it is real. People meet and starting dating a week, two weeks later. But that doesn't lead to a forever type of relationship.

So the thing with that kind of relationship though, is it's not going to last very long. If it does, it's not going to be a healthy relationship. Most likely, it will be centered on emotion and being physical (which could be anything from kissing to having sex). The emotion and physical pleasure is fleeting and is not what keeps a relationship together.

There are not positive outcomes to these relationships. Most books make it seem like meet, sparks fly, have sex, boom, forever. It doesn't work that way. The truth is, that that sort of relationship isn't going to last. It will fade. Not only that, but both people in the relationship will be left with a lot of hurt. Neither sex nor kissing nor intense emotions will keep a relationship going. And if sex is being had outside of marriage, the relationship is most likely going to go down hill, as that's not a good thing either emotionally or physically.

A strong relationship is one that is built on a strong friendship.

Friendship first is so underrated, both in real life and in the writing world when it comes to being friends first. When I come to a point in my life when I'm ready to date, I want to date my best friend. No, not just want--I refuse to date anyone who is less than my best friend. If I settle for anything less than that, what will the basis of the relationship be? Not a strong one, that's for sure. If I can't make a friendship strong, how will I ever be able to make a relationship strong? Relationships (and friendships) require work, they require insistence death to self and self-sacrifice. 

So, my challenge to you, writers, is to examine your fictional relationships. Are they realistic? If they are intended to last forever, then what is the base?

One of my favorite books that is an AWESOME example of a healthy relationship is This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith. So amazing. Another great example is that of Harry and Ginny in Harry Potter. They were friends for YEARS before they started going out and their relationships was totally based on friendship and respect of each other. Ahhh. Just love it so much.

Copy Catting, Thoughts on Plot Holes and

I have been quite blessed to grow up in a family that is very much into the arts. My parents and my five siblings and I all have pleasant discussions on literature, music, and movies.

However, I have gotten to the point where I simply cannot watch movies with two of my brothers. I can barely even talk about books with them.

My brothers love to shatter stories.

They think that it is their life's mission to point out and exaggerate plot holes in absolutely every story they ever encounter. These boys could probably find a plot hole in the Bible. This is so frustrating to me, because I just so desperately want to believe in everything. I fall in love with characters, I breathe the air that they're breathing, I feel their hearts shattering, their joy consuming their bodies...it's all so real to me.

Another thing my dear brothers do is point out how many stories (whether it's movies or books) mimic another work. Nothing annoys me more when they start on how they believe that Harry Potter is just a retelling of Lord of the Rings.

UGH. NO. NO. NO.

Within all stories, there is the over-all (or under-lying) theme of Good vs. Evil. It's in Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Harry Potter, Divergent, Hunger Games, everything. That theme is the core theme of our very existence. So, of course, aspects of all these stories are going to be the same.

Additionally, what is the difference between being inspired by and copy catting? There is a very thin line between the two, I believe. However, I think they are both distinguishable though it is a case-by-case basis sort of thing.

My sophomore English teacher once said, "It is the reader's job to believe in the universe that the author creates." Of course, it's the author's job to create a believable universe, but we readers must give enter into the story and suspend disbelief. Perhaps it is better to say that the author's job is to make the unbelievable believable. Just the same, the reader must discard all he thinks he knows and enter into the creation of the writer. As readers, we must not let things like desperately searching for plot holes and blame for copy catting deter us from entering into the writer's story.

An old friend and a new blog!

#modelstatus

About a month (or less) after I moved two years ago, I attended a Steubenville Youth Conference with my new parish.

I remember walking with this girl named Anna and two or three other girls and having a lively conversation about the Harry Potter series. About two minutes into the conversation, I discovered that Anna also had a great appreciation (if not infatuation) of the character of Severus Snape.

SAY NO MORE. LET'S BE FRIENDS.

We continued to gush over the incredible writing skills of J.K. Rowling and her character development. Soon, we were walking behind the rest of our "posse" and delving deep into the Theological themes of Harry Potter. This girl was seriously hard-core best friend material.

I was sure that it couldn't get any better than that. We both cared deeply about our faith and our personal relationships with Jesus Christ and loved Harry Potter. That's basically what I look for in my friends.

She loves me! Even though I'm weird!

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.

After barely scratching the surface with this Harry Potter stuff, I found out that Anna also loved writing. LIKE WHAT HOW PERFECT CAN YOU BE!?

Two years later...I sit writing this post while texting this absolutely amazing young woman. She inspires me in so many ways. She has such a beautiful heart and loves deeply and really lives life to the fullest. She is one of the most understanding people ever and is just so much fun to be with!

Me trying not to laugh and looking constipated.
And no one will ever be as cool as Anna in this picture.

Our friendship is truly a gift. I absolutely love how we can both relate on writing stuff, because that is so important to both of us. My other friends try to be sympathetic when it comes to my writing issues (writer's block, having to kill characters, the works), but let's be honest: we writers often come off sounding quite insane. I'm so blessed to have someone who GETS IT. The nights spent writing, finishing a draft, getting positive feedback from a beta, everything. Anna has been so supportive of every single aspect of my writing journey and I love being a part of hers.

This girl is literally one of my favorite people ever. Check out her absolutely INCREDIBLE writing talent here at her brand new blog, WONDERFUL JOY. Make sure to leave some comment love!

ALSO, check back on April 1st for the first post of the A-Z Challenge! I'll be reflecting on the word "author" and what it means to me. Furthermore, stick around for Anna's guest blog here on AM Station on April 14th!

Me and my beautiful best friend <3

A Round of Happy Birthdays!

*HARRY POTTER SPOLIER ALERT!* Just so you know=)

Happy birthday to Harry Potter, JK Rowling, and my baby-sister-who-isn't-a-baby-anymore!!!!

JK Rowling has seriously touched millions of lives and inspired millions of writers with the Harry Potter series. There are honestly very few books that have had such a strong emotional hold on me.

Afters months and months of pestering Catherine to read HP, she finally picked it up and fell in love almost as much as I did. And, actually, here's a picture of her reading it:

Appearently, we both get very emotionally involved with HP. She had just read about Lupin and Tonks dying. Poor kid.

What I wouldn't give to read HP again for the first time. *Sigh.*

Anyway. . .

I'm so blest by Catherine's life. I had to wait four loooong years for her=) She turns eleven today, which is way too crazy and makes me feel old. Before she was born, I would always tell my mom how unfair it was: she shared a room with my dad, and my brothers shared a room, but I had no one to share a room with!

After Catherine was born, we moved to a bigger house and my wish came true. I finally had a sister to share my room with! And then, about a year later, another sister came along and I had TWO sisters to share a room with! Wasn't I lucky?!

I was a strange child.

. . .years later, we would fight over who got to have their own room in our new house. . .naturally, being the oldest, I won. Isn't it funny how much we change?

But I did share a room with her for ten years. She's a neat freak (like, a crazy neat freak. She looooves cleaning anything. Even like a bathroom or a kitchen.) and she's kind-of-sort-of rubbed off on me.

Catherine inspires me. So much.

She's one of the most giving people I've ever met. She will seriously drop whatever she's doing and listen and help with whatever problem. She has a beautiful smile. She has a beautiful voice. She loves to read and make up stories. She loves watching Pride and Predjudice with me. (BBC-- there is no other watchable version as far as we're concerned.) She read the first chapter of my book and is constantly asking me question after question about it.

Catherine encourages me to press on with life, even when it's hard. When I have bad days, she makes me feel better. When my best friend and I resolved a very long fight we had, Cate was so excited for me. Everyone in my family couldn't believe that we were friends again, but Catherine told me how happy she was.

And sure, we argue just like sisters have since the beginning of time. We fight over the bathroom, over hair ties and bobby pins. . .typical girl stuff.

We were arguing about something a week or so ago, and I was clearly winning the argument, when Catherine exasperatedly threw her hands up in the air and said as she walked out of the room:

"FINE. But I get to marry SNAPE then. So THERE."

Isn't there a saying about how those who you love the most and who love you the most can also annoy you the most? Because if there isn't, there should be.

Anyway. . .Catherine rocks. And I'm so glad that she was born.

Happy birthday, baby sis. I love you forever<3

The Joy of Reading

Life can be hard. High school life can be really hard, I'm finding out. Some teachers are nicer than others; some make more sense than others. People float around in bubbles, you could say, not wanting to let anyone in or anyone out. Friendships change. They fade away or strengthen. Everything in this life changes. And that can be a good thing and a bad thing. Actually, I wouldn't keep everything the same even if I could.

But in this ever changing world, books are the only thing that remain the same. And I love that. They can be the most real part of this world. They can be the most sane part of this insane life. Their characters are just as real to me as the air I breathe. I can always visit them in my mind and feel them in my heart. They are the only people who can be guaranteed to never change, to always remain faithful. Some of the most real relationships I've had, I've had with characters. From Anne Shirley to Severus Snape, every single character of every single book I have read has a place in my heart. From Elizabeth Bennet to Minny Jackson, they are all part of me.

My ten-year-old sister is officially hooked on reading. She began reading Harry Potter a few days ago and is enthralled. She has been swept away in the fascinating world of Hogwarts. My mom told me that she's been smiling and crying and laughing. I'm so happy that she is finally enjoying reading! I guess the only that I am disappointed about, though, is that she "HATES" Severus Snape. Ugh, I'll have to work on that. . . .

I'm so happy, though, that she'll meet the characters that never cease to amaze me. And that she is discovering that not all things that take place in your head aren't real. . . .

"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?” -- J.K. Rowling, via Albus Dumbledore

Dementor Girls

Many of you may know that I am a freshman in high school at an all girl's Catholic school. It has been quite the leap-- going from being homeschooled for six years to a school with 300 girls. Not large, I know, but slightly overwhelming coming from a class of six kids.

A few weeks ago, we had an all school Mass. "All school" includes our brother school from down the street.

Yep. Today we got to see real live boys. Short ones, tall ones, fat ones, muscular ones, blue eyes, brown eyes, green eyes. 350+ boys. SO exciting. Like, oh my goodness, this one guy like totally glanced at me, so he's definitely going to be like totally asking me to prom.

Ugh.

Ok, so of course everyone has on their mascara and liner and shadow. I was completely blinded by the pinks and purples and greens. Hair usually worn in a messy bun or pony tale was worn straight down the back or in ringlet curls. I sort of missed the memo, so that must have been why I didn't get a date.

The whole bus ride there, all I could hear was, "Oh, my gosh, I get to see Andy!" and "I wonder if I'll see that hot guy who rides my bus. . ." and "Ugh, I so don't want to see Jack again." I wanted to scream, "How about thinking about the most amazing guy ever who you are going to recieve into your heart and soul?!" Not that I have a problem with guys (that's not completely true. . .I have rather large problems with certain guys), but c'mon.

The first thing that came to my mind to describe these girls were dementors. If you've read Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, you know that dementors feed off of human emotions. You would have thought these girls were human dementors feeding off the presence of boys. The very presence of the opposite gender caused backs to straighten, eyes to widen, and smiles to be glued upon faces.

           Seriously, though. It's sad to me how teens can change personalities and appearence at the first whisper of "boy." If I ever get married, I want to marry a man who will love me for who I am. I know everybody says this, but how much do people truly believe it?

            It was all rather sickening to me, but then again, I have a whole new scene for my book. . .if only I ever have time to write it.

             Ah. Girl Dementors. What an interesting concept. . . but so true.