BONE GAP!

Today is the day, darlings. The day you've all been waiting for. You get to find out what I thought of BONE GAP. In great, great detail. Lucky, lucky you.

BUT FIRST. We have some business to get through.

First order of business is a RESOUNDING HAPPY BIRTHDAY a day late (because how else would it be) to the MAGNIFICENT, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED, EVERY-SINGLE-GOOD-ADJECTIVE Faith Hough! Faith seriously inspires me to no end...I'm so blessed to call her my cousin. It's partially her fault my imagination is so big; she and her sisters were literally the most attentive older cousins ever. Pretty sure they played every single game I ever suggested.

Anyway, it's such a joy watching (albeit from afar, as sadly we're separated by many states) her raise her beautiful daughters. She's literally mom goals and writer goals...actually, just plain person goals. She was a huge help when I started this blog and continues to be throughout my writing journey, providing me with insight and feedback. She's the first person I was ever a beta for, and one of the first people I allowed to read my WIP. She's always been there for me...words cannot even express how much I love and appreciate her. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FAITH!! <3

Second order of business, go check out Jessica Wolf's latest post that is ON POINT. It's all about not buying into writing either strong or weak women, but real women.

There was a third order of business but I forgot it. So you're spared. For now.

Know what that means? It's time. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE GET ON YOUR FEET FOR THE INCREDIBLE BONE GAP! No, seriously. You've probably been sitting for a while, anyway, it's good to get the blood flowing.

Okay, you can sit back down now. Because I know you were listening to me. Probably not, my siblings don't even listen to me. Which is stupid, because I'm the oldest. It's really frustrating, you know, like I'm only trying to help, and I get--ANYWAY.

Before I get any further, here's the summary via Goodreads:

Everyone knows Bone Gap is full of gaps—gaps to trip you up, gaps to slide through so you can disappear forever. So when young, beautiful Roza went missing, the people of Bone Gap weren’t surprised. After all, it wasn’t the first time that someone had slipped away and left Finn and Sean O’Sullivan on their own. Just a few years before, their mother had high-tailed it to Oregon for a brand new guy, a brand new life. That’s just how things go, the people said. Who are you going to blame?
Finn knows that’s not what happened with Roza. He knows she was kidnapped, ripped from the cornfields by a dangerous man whose face he cannot remember. But the searches turned up nothing, and no one believes him anymore. Not even Sean, who has more reason to find Roza than anyone, and every reason to blame Finn for letting her go.
As we follow the stories of Finn, Roza, and the people of Bone Gap—their melancholy pasts, their terrifying presents, their uncertain futures—acclaimed author Laura Ruby weaves a heartbreaking tale of love and loss, magic and mystery, regret and forgiveness—a story about how the face the world sees is never the sum of who we are.

So. *cracks knuckles*

This book was so absolutely unique. Everything about it was...for lack of a better word, WEIRD. In the best sense.

The setting, for one--Bone Gap. Weird. It was a stereotypical small town (actually kind of reminded me of a somewhat sketchy Avonlea, if that even makes sense) without actually being stereotypical. Sure, there was the typical busy-body, gossipy atmosphere, but it was so different. And weird.

What made it so different, in part, was the characters. Who were even weirder. Every single character, even the side ones, was so well-developed that I could literally guess their responses to situations (on a side note, these characters taught me a lot about writing). The main characters were so...bizarre. Again, in the best sense of the word. Their struggles were struggles that I've never seen any writer tackle before, and Laura Ruby (the author, if you didn't infer that, which if you didn't, shame on you--actually she's a goddess) did it remarkably well.

The story is told from third point of view, which is not my favorite, but it worked very nicely for the story. Also, Laura jumped a lot between different characters. Probably something that wouldn't typically work, but she really worked it.

Another thing that made the town so different was the plot. I was so confused through the majority of it, not due to poor writing, but due to WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH THESE PEOPLE OH MY GOSH THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME HOW DOES THIS EVEN FIT TOGETHER. Needless to say, I couldn't put it down. It was weird. However, it was ABSOLUTELY FABULOUSLY weird.

Plus this happened. And made me really happy.

SO GO READ BONE GAP! Right now. I hope you listen better now than when I told you to stand up...sheesh. Have a great week, my lovely readers. Y'all mean the world.

The Muse Party Blogfest!

A GINORMOUS amount of CONGRATULATIONS goes to the absolutely AMAZING Sarah Foster for FOUR years of blogging! I discovered Sarah during this past A-Z Challenge and was immediately taken in by her blunt, real writing voice and on point advice. She blogs over at The Faux Fountain Pen.

I am so excited to be participating in a blogfest to celebrate her anniversary!

1. Who is your muse (or character)? Tell us a little bit about him/her and why you brought them.

This is Cassandra--say "hi", Cass--and I brought her because we're basically best friends. Not even joking, we're like the same person. Sometimes when things happen, I'll literally be like "Oh I can't wait to tell Cass--oh wait." Anway, Cassandra is eighteen years old and just graduated from high school. She can't wait to leave for college in a few months and is so sick of her family and town. She's kinda quiet at first, but once she trusts you, she won't shut up. When she's hurt though, she will shut up and GOOD LUCK trying to get her to forgive you. (Sorry, Cassie, it's true.)

2. What are you guys wearing? Dressing up or keeping it casual?

Dressing up, duh! We're wearing knee-length sundresses, with jewelry. And wedges.

3. It's a potluck! Did you bring something yummy?

OF COURSE. Cassandra can't cook to save her life but I made no-bake Oreo bars. (Oh my gosh, Cass, it IS true! Remember that one time London asked you to make pizza with the kids...is the floor still red? Pretty sure you also almost exploded the oven.)

4. Open bar! What are you both drinking (booze or otherwise)?

Being the good-girl-under-21's that we are, not alcohol. Cassandra is drinking a safe Sprite, while I'm drinking some super sugary concoction. 

5. Wallflowers or social butterflies?

I'm a TOTAL social butterfly. Cassandra just likes to stare at people. (Calm down, I'm JOKING. Maybe.)

6. What song(s) will you and your muse sing for karaoke?

If I can manage to convince Cassandra to do it with me, definitely God Made Girls by Raelynn. We're both suckers for country. 

7. What's your favorite party game?

Cass is boring and doesn't like anything.(Cassandra, shut up, I made you. Do you want me to kill off Ben? Then respect me.) I'm partial to anything that involves the sharing of deepest darkest secrets. And Apples to Apples. Oh, and Guesstures. 

8. Which one of you is more likely to end up dancing on a table top?

Me. Definitely me.

9. Has your muse been a good date and would you ever hang out with them again?

She's never good, but neither am I. Guess that's exactly why I would hang out with her again. (Love ya, Cassie ;))

Congratulations again to Sarah! Looking forward to many more years of blogging to come. Also, I guest posted at Jess's blog Simple Scribbles (book review) as well as Nicole's blog Carpe Veritatem (opinion post). So you have three blogs to stop by and leave some comment love for!

Lastly, have a blessed Memorial Day. Thank you, God, for all the amazing men and women who gave their lives for this great country. God bless America!

Writing, Mermaids, and Ice-Cream?! An Interview with Jessica Wolf!

I am so excited to host JESSICA WOLF, creator of Simple Scribbles! Jessica is an incredible sixteen-year-old writer who loves to (you guessed it) write and read. Also, she has a twenty-two pound cat...you'll have to go over to her blog to see the proof, though!

Without further ado, I bring you...JESS!

AMS: What’s your writing history?

JW: I started writing as a youngster like most youngsters do. My stories ranged from gnomes that lived in pinecones to two princesses who were bffs. I stopped writing, then, from 2rd grade until 7th grade when I really started to write seriously in the fanfiction world. It's only been in the past year or so that I've begun working on original novels.

AMS: That's awesome! Sounds like you have quite the diverse collection of writings.

Which author would you most like to share a cup of coffee with?

JW: Oscar Wilde. He was such an interesting man and so, so funny.

AMS: I have never actually read any Wilde! I'll have to add it the summer bucket list.

What genres do you write? And why?

JW: Historical fiction is the only genre I write in, specifically the romance subgenre. I've always loved reading historical fiction and watching period films and TV shows; I just have a fascination with the past. I also read historical romance extensively, so I figured I would try my hand at it a while ago and haven't stopped.

AMS: I LOVE historical fiction, and there isn't enough of it out there, as far as I'm concerned! Also yes, go period movies and TV. And what's historical fiction without romance? Actually, what's anything without romance?!

Favorite fictional character?

JW: Tough question! I am in love with Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie's Poirot novels. He's such a dear little man it's hard not to love him.

AMS: Agatha Christie is a boss. Nuff said.

Social media of choice?

JW: Pinterest! It is beyond useful for organizing your writing thoughts and ideas.

AMS: PINTEREST. YES. YES. YES. Especially for writers, it's amazing. Plus, it's drama free! Why do you write?

Simple: I can't not write. If I didn't write, I would go insane.

AMS: That's a fabulous answer. I am the exact same way.

Favorite book? (Or books!)

JW: 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. It's incredibly moving and really inventive for its time. Second pick would be 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë. (Hint about me: I love the classics.)

AMS: Not enough people (especially teens) read and appreciate classics, I think. There is so much to be gleaned from that sort of literature, both writing-wise and just life-wise. Absolutely love Jane Eyre.

Would you rather ride a unicorn or swim with a mermaid?

JW: Even though I'm not a fan of swimming, I would definitely swim with a mermaid. What girl hasn't swam in a lake/pool pretending they had a tail?

AMS: Plus I would probably be afraid of being stabbed by the unicorn. Even though mermaids are sometimes depicted as having major attitudes, so I really don't know which one I'd pick.

Do you ever use a pen and paper to write?

JW: Only when I have to. I would much rather use my computer, but if that's not available, I'll use a pen and paper.

AMS: Gotcha! I always favor my laptop, though I do love journaling by hand and I hand write most of my outlines.

Any hobbies besides writing?

JW: Does reading count? I don't play sports or sew or crochet, but I can play the piano.

AMS: GIRL. We are literally twins, I don't play sports either! I used to play piano, too, though I kind of lost it a while back...and yes, reading always counts, as far as I'm concerned!

What time period would you most like to live in?

JW: I feel that, as a girl, going back in time would not be smart no matter what era, but I would love to go back to the late 1800's. Oy those dresses were beautiful.

AMS: Yes, I suppose that there would be pros and cons either way...but I'm a sucker for that clothing, too.

Are your characters based on people in your life?

JW: Oh gosh, I'm not sure. Maybe inadvertently, but I've never sat down and thought up a character with someone I know in mind.

AMS: Interesting! I suppose life naturally bleeds into our writing, whether we realize it or not!

Do you listen to music while you write? What music inspires you the most?

JW: I used to. Now I can't; it's too distracting. But, if I did, I would probably listen to John Williams' soundtracks.

AMS: He's amazing, good choice!

When is your favorite time of day to write?

JW: Early to late evening. So from 7 o'clock onwards.

AMS: I'm the same! Inspiration comes to me on rainy days and through star-filled skies.

Favorite ice-cream flavor? (really, this is the most important question)

JW: I don't actually like ice-cream. (*hides*) My dad is an ice-cream snob and makes it and eats it all the time, but there's something about the combination of the cold and the creaminess that I don't like. I do eat it sometimes, and when I do, I go for chocolate chip cookie dough.

Well, we can't be friends...joking! This interview was so much fun. Thanks for doing it, Jess! Everybody else, be sure to head over to Jessica's blog and subscribe to her wonderful posts! =)