We are lucky enough to have J.C. Cervantes with us once again, and today, I get to tell you all about her upcoming middle grade novel, The Storm Runner. Brace yourself for all the amazing:
A contemporary adventure based on Maya mythology from Rick Riordan Presents!
Zane
Obispo spends every day exploring the sleeping volcano in his backyard.
"The Beast," as he calls it, is the one place where he can escape other
kids, who make fun of him because he has a limp and walks with a cane.After a twin-engine plane crashes into The Beast, a mysterious girl named Brooks shows up at Zane's doorstep, insisting that they meet at the volcano, where she will reveal a terrible secret. Zane agrees, mostly because beautiful girls like her don't usually talk to him. Brooks tells him that the volcano is actually a centuries-old prison for the Maya god of death, whose destiny is directly tied to Zane's. No way, Zane thinks. He's just a thirteen-year old nobody, and destiny or no destiny, he wants nothing to do with any of it, especially some god of death.
But Brooks opens his eyes to the truth: magic, monsters, and gods are real, and Zane is at the center of an ancient prophecy that could mean the destruction of the world.
Suddenly finding himself entangled in a web of dangerous secrets, Zane embarks on a quest that will take him far from home and test him to the very core.
Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich and delicious as a mug of authentic hot chocolate.
Doesn't that sound fantastic? I'm so here for this! But while we wait for this baby to hit shelves (9/18/18), let's tackle today's panel question, shall we?
Jen: ALL the time! I read all genres from contemporary to fantasy across all age ranges. Although, I try to avoid reading middle grade for example, if I’m working on an MG book which has been the last year and a half! So, I actively look for pockets of non-writing time to read whatever I want.
Steph: I almost always have a book I’m reading, and usually I have a novel and a nonfiction book going. Sometimes I have an audiobook going too. Young adult is always my go-to, but I love historical fiction and mysteries too.
Jill: I read all the time, and I will read most anything for entertainment purposes. When I’m working on a first draft of a new story, I try to read books that are in that genre or are a research topic--books that will inspire me or at least, keep my author voice in the right cadence. For example, right now I’m writing a Regency-esque fantasy novel, so I’m reading lots of Regency novels to keep the formal dialogue, types of dress and architecture, and manners of the era in mind.
Shan: I'm a lot like Jen. I read all the time, but I do avoid books too similar to my current work in progress while I'm actually writing. That means I go through seasons where I have to set aside YA fantasy. During those times, I read a ton of detective stories and historicals. Those are my two guilty pleasures these days. I'm a huge WWII-era reader and I'll devour anything that has me seeking to solve a mystery. I'm also a fan of rereading. I reread more books in a year than new books, I bet.
I like reading books and I think I can finish 3 books a month. I like romantic books. Thanks for this Shannon!
ReplyDeleteYou're fast!
DeleteI read almost exclusively historical fiction and writing books. I rarely read something in modern-day settings. I avoid anything with magic and romance, that's not me;) I actually prefer middle grade novels because they tend to be clean and leave undesirable topics alone.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm writing, I try to find some books on my time period to read, ex. The War Between the States. It keeps me motivated! If I like something in the story and want to borrow it, I of course make it unique, and usually set it in a different time era. I definitely don't want to take someone else's work!
Historical fiction is one of my favorites! Escape at its finest.
DeleteI love to read other books! I read a lot of historical fiction. Most often the historical fiction I read is set some where between the Civil War and World War 2. I also like reading most anything that falls under Christian fiction. I have read romance, though I’ve been trying to lay off of it lately.
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard some people say that reading something similar to their own book they’re working on helps them. I tried this and it only distracted me from my own story. So while I’m trying to get a lot of writing done I try to read only nonfiction. Reading writing books always is fun and helpful too.
-Sophia E
I absolutely think reading books in your own genre is necessary. It helps a ton with understanding the genre conventions and the flow and the age group you're writing for. I struggle to read anything too similar to what I'm writing while I'm writing it and that's for several reasons. I don't want to accidentally converge the ideas in my head, especially if there's a mythology involved. And I don't want to find myself comparing my ideas to another's. Also, it can feel like a simple continuation of my writing session if the genres are too similar, and then reading stops being relaxing for me and I need it to be that as much as possible. BUT! Everyone's different and I am jealous of those who can read whatever they want while they write. That would be very helpful.
DeleteOh my goodness! I had no idea that other authors were big rereaders! That is totally my favorite guilty pleasure. I used to reread CONSTANTLY, but I’m learning to control myself so that I actually have hope of making it through my towering TBR ;)
ReplyDeleteI typically read clean contemporary YA (if I can find it...) but I also really enjoy a good historical, especially if it takes place in Europe during the Regency or WWII era. I also have a secret, nerdy love for middle-grade books. And while I’m typically not a fan of anything that involves magic or the otherworldly, I’ve recently been enjoying Sara Ella and Nadine Brandes’ books.
Yes! The rereading definitely contributes to the growing TBR pile, but there's a sense of returning to something beloved, something comfortable, something like vacation when I reread an old favorite. I need that in my life.
DeleteI read all the time, and sometimes two books at once if I’ve got a hard copy and an ebook. I’m typically a YA reader, with an occasional foray into the dreaded adult section. Within YA though, I’ll read basically anything. Fantasy, historical, dystopian, sci-fi, mysteries. All the books, basically.
ReplyDeleteJEALOUS! I'm so not good at reading more than one book at a time.
DeleteShan, I'm fascinated by how much you re-read! I do it sometimes, but not very often.
ReplyDeleteIt might be a sickness. I'm not sure.
DeleteI'd love to read more than I do (I used to read a ton when I was younger, and would only read one book at a time). I usually have a novel, a nonfiction, and an audio book all going at once ;p Though the audios change out faster as I have more time to listen. I rarely reread - I can't imagine doing that more than reading!
ReplyDeleteketurahskorner.blogspot.com
Wow! It takes me FOREVER to get through an audio book. Because I'm constantly surrounded by my kids, I usually only get to listen to my audio books when I'm road-tripping alone and that is so not often.
DeleteI clean houses for work, so I have a lot of time to listen to audios and podcasts
DeleteI actually love reading other peoples book. It gives me the feeling of excitement. I like nonfiction books.
ReplyDeleteYes, excitement!
DeleteIf I can tear myself away from my writing (or when I'm not particularly inspired), I LOVE reading other people's books. I read a lot of middle grade, actually, and books about writing. I never thought about not reading books in the genre you write in. I actually seek out books like the ones I'm writing to get more into the world of my characters. But I understand the other side of the coin, especially if you write fantasy. I write contemporary and historical, so it's not an issue for me.
ReplyDeleteI read a LOT. If I'm writing and it's during the school year, I read maybe 1-2 books a week. If I'm writing and it's summer, then more like 2-3. If I'm not writing and it's the school year... 4-8? I think? If I'm not writing and it's summer, I'm on vacation (in which case I try to read 1 book a night, or write. Sometimes I can't tho, just depends). If I'm not on vacation during the summer and I'm not writing, then I don't have time to read either.
ReplyDeleteBecause I read an absurd amount, I read anything MG or YA that I grab at the library. I've gotten pretty good at knowing what's clean (unfortunately from experience, blearch).
I never realized some people didn't like reading what they're writing. I'm nearly the exact opposite. I almost exclusively devour the genre I'm writing. Cool to see that!