Claudia Victoria, Author at PenMarkings

Give Me More than Just One Love Interest

July 18, 2016July 18, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

I will preface this saying that I would love to see a YA novel where there is no love story between two main characters, or with none at all. Maybe with the side characters, but I really want to see a book that doesn’t have love as a main selling point of the novel.

No, not love triangles.

God no.

But more love interests. characters falling in love multiple times. Fall in love, heartbreak. move on. fall in love again, and the cycle repeats. I can count on like two fingers where I see the main character go through more than one love interest. Want to guess?

First one: Throne of Glass.

Second one: A Court of Thorns and Roses

There are possibly more, but my mind is crowded by all the OTPs that only had to fall in love once.

And I get some people shit on those books because of how some certain love interests became (which I understand since I can’t say I saw those wild personality switches happening), but I’ve seen others frustrated with the MC because “omg, why can’t they make up their mind?”

Christ, people. Those MCs are 19 – 21. Do you really expect them to find their soul mate that early?

Right now, within the first chapter you’re almost guaranteed to meet the protag’s love interest. And 99.9% of the time, that person is – gasp – their soul mate. Their true love. Their one and only. Their star in the dark sky, their lifeline in the drowning ocean.

But first loves are not the only love stories out there.

What about the ones who struggled to let go but had too, and eventually found someone who could heal their wounds? What about the ones who fell in love, but realized that they had grown and needed someone else? What about the ones who simply fell in love too quickly, too fast, and realized after that they weren’t the perfect match? Where are their stories?

I understand that perhaps multiple loves are not the most fairytale-esque stories, but god do I think they’re still amazing. There is something particularly romantic about going through so many people until you find The One, no?

I don’t want to bash or spit upon all those who found their soulmate in their first love. If you are, I congratulate you, and I admire you. I could only wish for that kind of fairytale. But I would like some variety in these stories of falling in love to show to people – yes, including teens like me – that if you had a fall-out with your first love, that you wonder if you’d ever fall in love again, you will. There will be someone out there for you, and it might take a little trial and error, but they’re there. And they will love you not like your first love, but your true love.

And I realize this is probably the cheesiest thing I’ve ever said, but I don’t regret it, not really. This is something I so desperately want, and I want a less of a negative view on it too. We get so spoiled by having authors give us the first love interest and keep them as their eternal ones that we have a knee-jerk reaction when we realize that’s not how it’s going to play out. I want this to change, please. Give me different love stories. Give me variety. Give me more love interests.

Do YA Characters Have to be “Role Models”?

July 12, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

I’m not even sure where I saw this description.

Once, maybe twice, maybe a handful of times. Here and there, scattered around several books that it really shouldn’t have stuck in my mind.

But it did?

I mean, it did.

I was utterly confused, at first, seeing that comment. YA characters? As role models? Never even crossed my mind. There are a great deal of characters I love – but they aren’t exactly “role model” material, and it’s never occurred to me to look out for characters who are “role model” material either.

Truthfully, I think it’s pointless to try to make YA characters as role models.

One of the big reasons I read YA is to see myself – me, with all my wonderful problems and questionable morals – and I sure as hell ain’t worthy of being a role model. And if authors suddenly start churning out books with, y’know, Perfect Sue or Perfect Joe from down the street who you absolutely must adore because look, what a great role model! I’d probably roll my eyes hard enough for a migraine.

Sure, make them nice, make them with good personalities that every parent wants ingrained in their child, but don’t make them “role models.” That’s like disguising a “How to Behave” pamphlet as a YA book and shoving it down teens’ throats. Not fun. Not pleasing. And certainly not what I signed up for when I picked up a YA book.

It’s not like I’m saying write a book where it doesn’t show the consequences of things; not at all. Those books with consequences shown in all their harsh reality can service as an abrupt wake-up call, which I think some of us may need (myself included.) But it shouldn’t read like a commercial: “See, kids? That’s what not to do! It’s bad, very bad! Be like Perfect Joe so this will never happen to you!”

so, i’m dying to hear what you think. role models? no role models? what’s your stance?

Never Push to Finish ARCs

July 7, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

Some see it as a privilege, others, a curse. I see it as a book. A book that sometime I really really want but mostly just a book. An ordinary, perhaps sort of early, book.

Those books carry a lot of weight.

Mainly because it has a stigma of prestige (which really isn’t always true). You are a Big Blogger. Publishers like Big Bloggers for marketing purposes. They send you Incredibly Coveted Book six whole months before it releases, and the bookish world is in awe.

The subject of ARC envy has already been discussed, in great detail and in great depth so I’d rather just leave that specific nest alone, because I’m shining light on something else.

We all love to read. We all love to love reading. But there are books that we honestly don’t give any fucks to finish, and sometimes those books are ARCs. This usually makes us unsure of what to do. Do we discontinue? Will the publisher get mad?

Answer: no.

Or rather, they shouldn’t. Maybe a publisher is extra sensitive. Maybe they’re just being dicks. But they really should not get mad if a reviewer DNFs a book because they didn’t like it.

Isn’t that the whole point of a review? To give their honest to goodness, unbiased and uncoloured opinion of a story? I think publishers already acknowledge the fact that yes, we are all human beans (not beings, beans) and won’t love everything we get. We request the books in hopes of liking it, but there’s never a guarantee. I am a firm believer in that this an inherent risk publishers take, and that in sending out those arcs anyway, accept that risk in getting a measly DNF.

(Besides, as an author, I’d rather have a reviewer tell me the book sucked so they had to stop, than they trudge on not because they liked it but because they were afraid of the publisher getting mad.)

Of course, promo tours are another thing. Promo tours are usually made solely for sprinkling all the golden fairy dust over a book and making it as shiny and loud as possible. All the five four four and a half ratings get showcased and you’re just covered in glitter because this book is awesome promo everywhere. I understand if a publisher wants you to refrain from sticking a big red I DID NOT LIKE in the middle of their tour.

BOTTOM LINE THOUGH.

If you don’t like an ARC, dump it! Life is too short for this. Say you didn’t like it, detail why, and move on.

what do you guys think about this? do we owe it to the authors to finish it, even though we don’t want to? or is that a risk they accept when sending it out to us?

Five Things All Bloggers Should Know

July 5, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

Just a quick word of warning.

I am, by no means, the “master blogger.” Oh hell no. I know half of what I think I know, and only a small portion of that knowledge is about blogging. Don’t try to quote me on this stuff because I could be wrong. With that being said, I do think me compiling these little bits of wisdom (if you can even call it that) can be helpful and offer some slivers of advice to all them new bloggies out there.

being an overnight sensation is not always plausible

Reader A is oogling over Bogger B’s tons and tons of followers. They’re popular! They’re famous! Reader A wants to be just like them. So they start a blog. And churn out five posts in an hour. Then they publish said posts, and they wait for the follows to start rolling in.

This was me, in the beginning.

Yikes.

Now I know better, and this is something I would tell anyone who decides to take on blogging: overnight sensation is waaaaay out there, so don’t count on it to serve as your big break. (I’m sorry I don’t mean to sound so pessimistic. I just don’t want any of y’all to get your hopes up.)

it’s not just about churning content

I feel like content and posting posting posting content is something everyone thinks will get them the 20k followers they want. And it’s true that you’ll definitely attract a crowd if you post some interesting stuff, but there’s so much more to that. Build relationships. Talk to people. Make friends and join twitter chats. Twitter chats are one of the ways to make friends. So many of my bloggie friends were found through Twitter chats. It’s awesome. The social aspect is a huge part of blogging, and I would hate for you to miss it.

the beginning part is always the loneliest

More often than not when you’re starting out, blogging feels like you’re speaking to an empty room. You’ll get a sparse amount of views, even less comments, but don’t worry. Everyone goes through this. When I started I was convinced that it’d be like that forever. But it changed. Somehow (I still have no idea how) I got more views, more clicks. It takes time and I cannot stress this enough. I know this sounds like something you hear everyday, but it bears repeating. You will get pass this phase and I promise things will start to turn up. (Well, sort of promise? I can’t tell the future so don’t hold me to it I’M JUST TRYING TO BE INSPIRATIONAL DAMMIT.)

success is not a definitive concept

Like, what does success even look like for bloggers? Tons of followers? Thousands of comments? ARCs all day, everyday?

“Success” is not some cut-and-dried result as of book blogging. Having 2k followers doesn’t necessarily make you successful, just like how having 500 followers makes you unsuccessful. It’s all relative and depends on who you’re asking. It’s all about what you’re envisioning. Maybe you’re hoping to be the Book Blogger, a household name. That’s cool. Or maybe you just want a stable platform of readers, not really aiming for Top 10 Book Blogs. That’s cool too. Just because someone has a set of requirements they need to meet to classify themselves successful” doesn’t mean you need to adhere to them too.

you can do anything differently

Sure, maybe many people do this One Thing a Specific Way. Maybe most of them do. But it doesn’t mean you have to, no? Many people don’t achieve the same achievement the exact same way. There’s variations, there’s personal twists, there’s a little bit of you added to those methods. Blogging is the same thing. There’s no Guide For All Bloggers, no one-size-fits-all method. So don’t sweat it if you’re doing things differently than other bloggers. I mean, this entire guide can be put in the trash if you think so. All of it are just suggestions. (Unless we’re talking about legal stuff. If so, please listen.) You do things your way.
(Please don’t do anything immoral though.)

i hope that was useful somewhat, if not a complete waste of time. got any tips? anything to add? let me know in the comments!

Website Theme Offer // Blogger Edition

June 30, 2016June 30, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

Woo!

It’s that time again!

For those who don’t know, last year (was it last year? Yeah, it was last year) I did a thing where I basically said, “HEY! I’M NEW AT CODING! SEND ME ALL YOUR DESIGN REQUESTS AND I’LL SEE WHAT I CAN DO!”

Not much has changed, to be honest.

Ha, no, well, some did. I’m more experienced. I sort of have a system going. But by all means, I’m still not a pro. I’m quite sure if a professional web designer/developer took at my code they’d freak a bit because it’s probably a bit of a mess.

But hey. I’m still learning.

Right now, I’m not able to do self-hosted WordPress themes (you’ll have to wait a bit until things are set up) but I can certainly do Blogger themes. Hence “Blogger Edition.”

Anyway, I know there’s still plenty of y’all who need some designs. And most of you probably don’t have the money/don’t care to drop $50+ on a new site design. (I know I don’t which is why I learned. Hehe.) So if you’re willing to put up with me and my still-green programming skills, I’ll be happy to do some for you.

Just remember that again, I’m still fairly new to this web designing scene. Don’t expect the most top-notch stuff, or quality on par with all the pros. I’ll try my hardest, but god knows I still have a ways to go.

If you’re looking for the best of the best (or if you’re a business) you’re better off looking for a professional designer to ensure the quality you get is the best in the business.

examples

basic rules

I reserve the right to deny any request I see fit
I will not permit more than 4 complete redos on the initial site design. After those four redos are up and you still do not like the design, you are free to let me know that I’m not what you’re looking for and find a better match for you elsewhere. I hope it doesn’t get to that, though!
Time frame can be from five days to two weeks, depending on how smoothly everything goes and how busy I get with IRL stuff.
I do this all out of my own free will and time. Please respect that and do not use the theme I give you as something to redistribute and/or sell.
Credits placed in the footer of the site may not be removed.

Quick note, though: I got absolutely overwhelmed with responses last time, so this form will shut down after I get 20 of them. It’ll be down for two or three months before I put it back up again to accept another 20 forms.

Cheers!

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Dreamology by Lucy Keating // Unremarkable, regardless of all the oreos

June 13, 2016June 10, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

Author: Lucy Keating
Publisher: Harper Teen
Series: N/A
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: eBook
Release Date: April 12, 2016
Goodreads • The Book Depository

For as long as Alice can remember, she has dreamed of Max. Together they have traveled the world and fallen deliriously, hopelessly in love. Max is the boy of her dreams—and only her dreams. Because he doesn’t exist.

But when Alice walks into class on her first day at a new school, there he is. It turns out, though, that Real Max is nothing like Dream Max, and getting to know each other in reality isn’t as perfect as Alice always hoped.

When their dreams start to bleed dangerously into their waking hours, the pair realize that they might have to put an end to a lifetime of dreaming about each other. But when you fall in love in your dreams, can reality ever be enough?You know, if this entire book was written differently, it’d be very easy to make the main character the antagonist.

Not because they’re all excellently-made grey character, but because her actions are similar to so many villains in your generic chick flicks.

Max – Real Max, not her Dream Max – has a girlfriend. Her name is Celeste. And no, she is not a The Other Woman cliche. She’s nice, she’s likeable, she’s not a btch. And she’s friendly to Alice. SHE’S NICE, PEOPLE. For the first time in forever (i’m sorry don’t kill me) we’ve got a “love rival” (I use this term loosely) that does not immediately be a btch and hate on our protagonist because reasons.

Alice even acknowledges it too. She says it herself.

But guess what? She still goes after her boyfriend.

She wants to get in between this happy couple – Max and Celeste, who obviously are very, very into each other because of apparently since she dreams of Max, he was hers first.

Like, no.

I get it, Alice. I really do. You love him (although you’ve never met him) and you know he’s your soulmate (despite not knowing much about him.) Uh huh. Got it. /sarcasm

The romance was also very boring. I felt no spark, no chemistry that I could sense. The building of it between characters was almost non-existent. I could probably let it slide since they’ve fallen in love through their dreams, but I still wasn’t really feeling it. I was crossing fingers for an epic love story, something that transcended reality and brought dreams to life, but all I got was a weak road trip with stringy characters.

This book is not all kinds of awful, no. It’s more of a solid chuck of “meh.” Nothing potentially remarkable; the main conflict is resolved in a matter of lines, the romance is some junkworthy aspect that doesn’t do anything to help the already drab-characters, and the entire plot seems to follow a dull path of walking from Point A to Point B. It literally just went from Plot Point One to Plot Point Two, to Plot Point Three until it landed at Underwhelming Conclusion.

I was so excited for this book. I was picturing this intense love-hate relationship going on because of Real Max not being like Dream Max (sweet, caring, all the qualities of a dream boyfriend, you know the drill) and I was, well, disappointed.

The only redeeming point in this story was Oliver. Oliver, my baby.

In short, this book doesn’t stand out as particularly amazing, and while I did rip it a new one it’s not that that bad. It’s… eh.

would i recommend it? possibly, if you’re into a somewhat-fluffy-but-not-entirely-cute story. maybe if you’re looking for something to fill your time with.

June SST // Outrun the Moon + Interview with Stacey Lee

May 29, 2016June 29, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

Author: Stacey Lee
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Series: N/A
Genre: Contemporary, Historical Fiction
Pages: 400
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Goodreads • Amazon

San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes.

On April 18, a historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Though fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, Mercy can’t sit by while they wait for the army to bring help—she still has the “bossy” cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenage girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?

heya peeps! it’s me. (of course.)

so, the last time i was here, i did an interview with the ever-wonderful erin l. schnieder. now, i’m here with the amazing stacey lee, writer of beautiful stories with vivid characters.

(also, i WILL have a proper post up. soon. someday. next week. soooon.)

What was the strangest thing you had to research for this book?

Whether there were koala bears in the Golden Gate Park in 1906. There apparently were koala bears at some point (as well as bison, zebra, and peacocks), but they don’t make it into the story

What made you pick the title for it? You come up with really pretty titles, so I’m curious on how you pick them!

For this one, I read a lot of poetry! I read Coleridge, Blake, Shakespeare, London. London got me thinking about the sky, and the idea that while the earth shakes, the sky remains still. The title eventually followed!

Do you listen to music when you write?

No. I find it too distracting because I’ll want to listen to the words. Occasionally, I’ll turn on classical.

Last line you wrote?

(This line isn’t from OTM, is that okay?)

Girls hung out the windows, and sour mash blew in your face every time the door opened.

What job would you have, if you had never wanted to be an author?

Ooh, I would love to work with sea otters. or on some wildlife refuge.

How does any of your past experiences shape the story of your novels?

I think authors can’t help having their books reflect some aspect of their experience. For me, the theme of family influence on choices seems to come up a lot!

Most helpful thing you’ve learned about the publishing industry?

Just because a publisher puts major dollars behind a book does not mean a book is good, add vice versa. Marketing dollars spent is not a reflection of quality.

Favourite quote (of all time)?

Oscar Wilde said, ‘Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go.’ Strive to be the former.

Team Iron Man… or Team Cap?

I’m behind on my pop culture, one of the many things I miss now that I maintain a full time writing schedule. One day, I aim to catch up.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stacey Lee is a fourth generation Californian with roots in San Francisco Chinatown. Born in Southern California, she graduated from UCLA then got her law degree at UC Davis King Hall. She has lots of experience with earthquakes, having skinned her knees more times than she wants to remember diving under tables. One day she hopes to own a hypoallergenic horse and live by the sea. See what she’s up to on Twitter & Instagram: @staceyleeauthor.

Let me just say one thing, before y’all trample me to get to the three (!!!) glorious giveaways?

Her covers.

Are gorgeous.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May SST // Summer of Sloane // Interview With Erin Schneider!

May 8, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

Author: Erin L. Schneider
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Series: N/A
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 304
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Goodreads • Amazon

Warm Hawaiian sun. Lazy beach days. Flirty texts with her boyfriend back in Seattle.

These are the things seventeen-year-old Sloane McIntyre pictured when she imagined the summer she’d be spending at her mom’s home in Hawaii with her twin brother, Penn. Instead, after learning an unthinkable secret about her boyfriend, Tyler, and best friend, Mick, all she has is a fractured hand and a completely shattered heart.

Once she arrives in Honolulu, though, Sloane hopes that Hawaii might just be the escape she needs. With beach bonfires, old friends, exotic food, and the wonders of a waterproof cast, there’s no reason Sloane shouldn’t enjoy her summer. And when she meets Finn McAllister, the handsome son of a hotel magnate who doesn’t always play by the rules, she knows he’s the perfect distraction from everything that’s so wrong back home.

But it turns out a measly ocean isn’t nearly enough to stop all the emails, texts, and voicemails from her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend, desperate to explain away their betrayal. And as her casual connection with Finn grows deeper, Sloane’s carefree summer might not be as easy to find as she’d hoped. Weighing years of history with Mick and Tyler against their deception, and the delicate possibility of new love, Sloane must decide when to forgive, and when to live for herself.

Hey guys! Today, I’ll be posting an interview with Erin Schneider, the author of Summer of Sloane for the May SST tour. if y’all don’t know what the sst tour is, go check out the lovely founder of this street team, nori, over here!

So I’ve done some (stalking) poking around, and I found that you’ve attended college in Honolulu! That’s so cool, since Summer of Sloane is set in Honolulu as well! How did your experiences there shape the setting of your story?

ELS: My mom’s side of the family is Native Hawaiian and I’ve been traveling back and forth to the Islands my entire life — so when it came time to pick a college, well, what better place than Hawai’i right? And somehow I always knew I’d write and set a book there, so when I started SLOANE, Honolulu just felt like the right home for it. Besides, writing about a place I’m so familiar with is definitely much easier than guessing at a place I’ve never been!

Do you remember the first story you’ve ever written? What was it about?

ELS: I wrote a lengthy story about Giraffe and his bed friend, Monkey. I remember being so enthralled in this story that I tried to convince my mom to let me get a pet giraffe — who could live in our fireplace / chimney. And if that wasn’t going to work, then at the very least, she should let me have a monkey. To this day, while I know a giraffe probably wouldn’t make the best pet, I’d still like a monkey.

Who were the authors that you always found yourself looking up to?

ELS: Definitely Roald Dahl — to this day, he’s still one of my all time favorite authors! And of course, J.K. Rowling…I’m not quite sure another author of her caliber will ever come along, at least in my lifetime.

What would you do if you had hit writer’s block when writing Summer of Sloane?

ELS: I don’t know what it is, but I always have my worst bout of writer’s block every Fall. It never fails, I swear. Come September – October, I will sit and stare at my laptop for HOURS. So finally after the fourth year of having the same problem, I realized I just needed to stop writing during that time and instead, I focus on the months that I usually have my best writing moments — which is spring, usually from April – June. Not sure if it’s because of the end of the school year and the weather changing, but that’s when I do my best writing.

Summarize your entire book in a single photo.

ELS: This quote was actually one of the first lines I wrote for SLOANE and somehow I just knew it was going to be what I centered most of the story around:

Name a book that had the biggest impact on you in the last year?

ELS: Hands down, THE LOOSE ENDS LIST by Carrie Firestone. It’s been a long time since I sobbed uncontrollably while reading a book, but this one had me completely undone. It deals with cancer and losing people that mean the world to you, which is something I can personally relate to.

What sparked the idea of you becoming an author?

ELS: I’ve always wanted to write for as long as I can remember…ever since I read my first Roald Dahl book. To this day, it’s because of him, the far away make-believe worlds I created were ever put into words on paper.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erin L. Schneider is native to the Pacific Northwest, attended college in Honolulu – and although Hawaiian – should never be allowed on a surfboard. With more than twenty years in corporate merchandising, she’s now a full-time writer living in Seattle with her husband, Neal; their baby boy, Kellan; a rowdy German shepherd named Ronin; and two crazy cats, Ono and Poke. She’s a member of both the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and SCBWI, and is also co-founder of the YA Buccaneers.

SUMMER OF SLOANE is her debut novel, out May 3, 2016 from Disney-Hyperion. Visit Erin online at Erin L Schneider or on Twitter: @ErinLSchneider1.

Erin is represented by literary agent Lisa Grubka of Fletcher & Company.

Summer of Sloane looks like the PERFECT read. Surfing + Hawaii = yes please! There’s also a wicked giveaway for y’all to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Diversity is ALWAYS Being Scrutinized – And This is Why

March 19, 2016March 19, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

my opinion lies ahead. you have been notified (and warned)

People have said that books featuring under diversity are under heavier fire than books that are without diversity, but to me, that makes perfect sense. Of course, I know some people try to brush this off. We got diversity – that’s what we asked for, right? Why not encourage it even though they’re wrong? There’s not many of them to begin with, so we might as well try to promote the ones we’ve got, even though they’re incorrect, right?

No.

NO.

That’s just the thing: we don’t have a lot of them.

White characters, they’re everywhere. Straight characters, there’s just as many. They’re all so commonplace that they’re the regular default, and any indication otherwise usually has people jumping out of their seats in disbelief.

Diverse characters are usually there for authors to tick the diversity box. Got one Chinese character? Welp, I guess you’re done that whole “diversity” part, right? They don’t need fleshing out or a proper plotline or to be more dimensional than paper, amirite? The gay boy’s come out? Sweet, that probably ends their plotline. Now they can resume their role as the see I have diversity look at this guy card when someone accuses them of the lack of it, only existing when useful.

Other times, we’re half-assed results of a five-minute Wikipedia search with nothing but an exotic name to separate us. Culture? What’s that? You’ve got the name, right? That should make up for their daily life not having even the slightest bit of their culture in it. Throw in some incorrect-but-impressive-sounding words in their native tongue as they speak, and that should be enough, yeah?

Nothing gets me more irritated than seeing authors cut corners on diversity. We are not some fucking box for you to tick off. We deserve to be as fleshed-out and as well-written as all those beloved white characters out there.

The heavy fire diverse books are under for being incorrect? Yeah, there’s a reason for that. There so little diversity. We’ve fought too hard to be written off as a token character, or to have our culture skimped out on. Let’s make sure we’re written right.

If you read a book, and you just know that there’s parts that’s inaccurate and you can tell an author didn’t do their research, call it out. Scream it, cry it, yell it to the world. Don’t be malicious, but let them know. Maybe they were poorly informed (but honestly, with proper research, it shouldn’t really be a problem), but at least know that they can’t – and won’t – get away with it.

But surely we can’t all be represented in a handful of characters, right?

Simple fix.

Support the writing of diversity. Support diverse authors who are pushing just as hard as we are to break the defaults of the publishing industry. Buy the books, raise awareness, show publishers that there’s a market here. That there are people who will buy the books even though the MC isn’t white or straight.

Show the publishers that this is what we want.

#WeNeedDiverseBooks

To the Unfortunate Readers of This Blog

March 17, 2016 | Claudia Victoria

It’s not you that’s unfortunate, not really. It’s me. Well, you having me as the blogger of this blog.

(That sounds like a breakup.

Oops.)

I’m utter crap at this. Well, I’m crap at a lot of things, but this one I’ve just been failing at outstandingly. It’s the heavy guilt that sits in my pocket when I open the computer, knowing I should I must I have to but can I? And I can’t. Not really.

Blogging slumps are the worst.

While I want to, I can’t. Because I owe you better posts that ones hashed out in ten seconds. I want to deliver quality. Quality over quantity, they say, but is that quality worth it if it comes every two weeks?

Answer: maybe not.

I don’t really know where this post is going. It’s one part me lamenting and wearing my woe-is-me cap, but it’s also one part me apologizing profusely of my lack of presence. Lack of posts. Lack of being that crazy Claudia girl that blogs at PenMarkings (who’s pretty okay, if you ask me.)

So I’m sorry.

I’m not going to stop blogging (hell to the fuck no. You crazy?), but I just want to tell you how sorry I am for not doing my housekeeping. And to my new followers: beware. It makes me insanely (even more so) happy that y’all found this little blog interesting. Just… don’t expect posts too too often, okay? Because I’d hate to disappoint you.

This is usually the moment where I pledge to kill that blogging slump and grind out posts for days and days. As you know, I’m pretty shitty at doing that.

What I need is someone who’ll kick my ass for not blogging. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE if you see me tweeting or reblogging and you haven’t had a post in the last couple days (weeks), YELL AT ME. Tell me, “hey girl remember this post? YEAH, YOU OWE US ANOTHER ONE.” I won’t get mad. I promise. Reader’s honour.

Love you. Hope y’all keep reading.