For anyone who is trying to figure out Goodreads still — or maybe just me — you need the handy list of hints I found this week. It’s just a taste of what you can do on the site. There’s an interview with Sarah J Maas (SPOILERS) and Chuck Wendig gives some advice on how to write something like hacking. There’s some advice from an award-winning author, playwright and poet about how to write multicultural characters, and a gorgeous, GORGEOUS list of seven YA novels spread around the world.
What you can do on Goodreads: I am an absolute noob when it comes to Goodreads. It’s just intimidating with the groups and the books and half the time, I forget how to post a review, because the button is not in my face like I think it should be. I know I’m scratching the surface of what it can really do, so I love this handy guide as to what you can do on it. YAY.
Sarah J Maas on the inspiration for Queen of Shadows: Everyone — EVERYONE — is raving about Sarah J Maas and Queen of Shadows, and then I found this gem and I can see why. Beware though, Spoilers ahead!
Chuck Wendig on hacking: it’s not as exciting as you think: And, on the same site I found this gem from Chuck Wendig about how he wrote hacking in his new novel Zeroes. Here’s the thing, watching hacking can be so exciting, but writing it is something different altogether. For him, it’s about capturing the spirit of it. Read on, it’s GOOD.
Peter Kalu on how to write multi-cultural characters, without making them cliched: Pete Kalu is an award-winning UK poet, writer and playwright and here, is his list of how to write multicultural characters. Of particular interest is number 4 — even if an author is writing about an Indian event, they need to remember that some of their readers have read and lived these events over and over… so go for another POV on the event, something unexpected. But most importantly, like the authors on my #LoveOzLit project have stressed, talk to people in the know.
Seven YA novels that show the lives of teenagers across the world: A beautiful list that goes from India to South Africa to Iran and more with a range of diverse stories and characters. It’s glorious — and Australia’s Fiona Wood and Wildlife make it to the list! Have you read any of these?
What did you think of this week’s list?
Oooh off to check out the YA novels list. I like books set in different countries!!
I’ve been on Goodreads for a long time but I need to use it more, so I’m sure there is a ton of stuff I didn’t even know you could do. haha
-Lauren
It’s such a good list — I hope you find something you like on it! Regarding Goodreads — I’m the same! I forget to use it too! If you ever find any other handy hints, let me know, ok? i can use all the help I can get!
What an interesting post, Verushka! I didn’t know Goodreads had so many articles, and I’ve been a member for five years! Well, the thing is, I’m always short of time….. The only thing I do on the site, aside from posting reviews and emailing friends, is doing the Never-Ending Book Quiz from time to time. So it’s GREAT that you’ve published this list! I’m going to check out these articles! I’m especially interested in the Sarah J. Maas interview, and the list of YA novels, but heck, I’m going to read ALL of them! Thanks for this feature!!
Also, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting on my “Shelf Candy Saturday” post!! I really liked your comparison of the cover to Ophelia floating in the creek. : )
Maria, You have no idea how happy your post made me — that is pretty much all I do on Goodreads too!! If you ever have any other tips, please let me know! And happy anniversary!!
P.S. I’ve just bookmarked this post!! : )
YaY
Ooh great roundup. Yea that Goodreads post is great, there’s so much fun to be had and you can spend more time shelving and organizing books than reading heh.
I’m beginning to think Goodreads is a place where there’s always something new to find doing… I just need to find the time to sit and go through it properly! LOL