Giveaways Inspirations and Influences

Guest Author & Giveaway: Brenna Yovanoff on Inspirations & Influences

Inspirations and Influences” is a series of articles in which we invite authors to write guest posts talking about their…well, Inspirations and Influences. The cool thing is that the writers are given free reign so they can go wild and write about anything they want. It can be about their new book, series or about their career as a whole.

Today’s guest is Brenna Yovanoff, debut author of the Young Adult dark fantasy/horror novel, The Replacement. We were thrilled when her UK publisher contacted us with an opportunity to have Brenna over for a guest post, especially since her debut novel received so many rave reviews when it made it’s US debut in 2010.

To celebrate the release of the book in the UK, please welcome Brenna!

First, I just need to say that I really, really like collages. Like, a lot. In fact, when I was a kid my room was basically one big collage. The walls were covered from floor to ceiling in drawings, poems, newspaper clippings, and pictures cut from magazines. I wouldn’t hang posters because they seemed unwieldy—they took up too much space expressing just one idea when the same stretch of wall could be used to display ten others.

My collection of bits and pieces had a system, but not a particularly coherent one. I didn’t arrange things by theme or subject, they just needed to have an intuitive connection of some kind, a reason to be near each other.

The Replacement is, in a lot of ways, a testimony to my love of the eclectic. Which isn’t to say that the fictional town of Gentry is anywhere near as chaotic as the bedroom of my twelve-year-old self, but it definitely features some of the same cluttered contrast of ideas. When I think about the world and the characters, I start to see shades of things—nineteenth-century history and pop music and Stephen King. Shirley Jackson is there, with her matter-of-fact brutality and her moral ambiguity. I read her short story “The Lottery” when I was in the tenth grade and it scared me in a way that I’d never been scared before—a quiet, unsettled way, with no easy answers.

Because of this fascination with all the little shiny pieces, my fantasy worlds are dark, but never hopeless. The people in The Replacement can be strange and unpredictable, some of them as eclectic as my wall, but they are rarely black-and-white. Their story evolved as a kind of mixture of ideas, made up of the things I like, of all the reading I’ve ever done, the best songs and the prettiest photographs and all the moodiest, most atmospheric parts of my favorite horror movies and everything that scares me.

I don’t make many collages these days, and my walls are a great deal more dignified without all the taped-up scraps, but when it comes to writing, the principle is the same. The stories arrive in my head a piece at a time and sit there, waiting to be assembled.

Thank you, Brenna!

Giveaway Details:

We have FIVE AUTOGRAPHED COPIES of The Replacement up for grabs! The contest is open to ALL and will run until Saturday, January 15 at 11:59pm (PST). In order to enter, in the style of Brenna Yovanoff and her writing, let us know what is your favorite or most inspiring story, artwork, book, movie…whatever! Good luck!

88 Comments

  • RK Charron
    January 8, 2011 at 12:25 am

    DO NOT ENTER ME IN CONTEST

    Just wanted to leave a comment thanking Brenna for the excellent post. I love the collage imagery she evoked.
    All the best,
    RKCharron

  • NLMars
    January 8, 2011 at 3:49 am

    Ooh, what a great post! I’d love to get my hands on The Replacement after reading this.

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    January 8, 2011 at 4:13 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Book Smugglers. The Book Smugglers said: Brenna Yovanoff on Inspirations and Influences + 5 signed copies of The Replacement http://tinyurl.com/3azj9y3 […]

  • PinkStuff28
    January 8, 2011 at 4:25 am

    The most inspiring story : The story of Dracula (not the typical vampire story you hear everyday , but the romanian one 🙂

    raluk.93 at gmail (Dot) com

  • Katy
    January 8, 2011 at 4:58 am

    Poetry is usually what inspires me most, especially Izumi Shikibu’s “Even if I now saw you”. It reminds me that good writing doesn’t need many words to tell a story.

  • Hollie M
    January 8, 2011 at 5:23 am

    Ooh thank you very much for the chance to win! What inspires me most is music. Not necessarily the lyrics but the tune and instruments used. They can create intense, dramatic, emotional responses within the short time their playing 🙂

  • Cindy
    January 8, 2011 at 5:27 am

    Tough question ! I would say eveyrdaylife is so full of surprises it is a constant source of inspiration. But music, films (like the Lord of the Rings for instance)…they help 😉
    Thank you for the giveaway !

  • shala_darkstone
    January 8, 2011 at 5:28 am

    Gosh, I have so many favorite books. Let’s just say my favorite today is Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  • Janette
    January 8, 2011 at 5:34 am

    Excellent post – I really enjoyed reading it! Also, The Replacement is an excellent read! One of my favorite books that I read in 2010.

    Throughout my life, many pieces of art, music,& literature have inspired me. I find that it evolves, and a different piece will inspire me at different times. Currently I am inspired by the artwork – mostly origami – created by my 11 year old daughter. She will sit for hours and work tirelessly on the most intricate and beautiful creations. No amount of effort is too great and no creation is deemed unworthy. That speaks volumes to me.

  • Rana
    January 8, 2011 at 5:51 am

    I like Brenna’s writings. I read a short story of hers on The Merry Sisters of Fate blog and it gave me chills.

    Oooh awesome giveaway! I love the cover of the U.S one. The UK one, not so much. It’s fine I guess but not as creepy as the US one.
    Anyway, I’d like to win a copy. Please?

  • Rana
    January 8, 2011 at 5:54 am

    Oops I forgot to answer the question.
    Hmm The most inspiring book I read is hands down, The Knife of Never Letting Go. The depth and simplicity is just WOW
    The most inspiring movie is 10 Things I Hate about You because well I don’t really need a reason 😛

  • Deb
    January 8, 2011 at 7:02 am

    Favorite book of all time for me is Anne of Green Gables, I love her spirit, imagination, dramatics. It wasn’t until I checked my birth certificate a while back that I realized my middle name was in fact Ann, not Anne with an E. 😯 _However_ I still add the E.

    Thanks for the post—and you know, must re-read The Lottery, it’s been a few years…

  • Gerd D.
    January 8, 2011 at 8:19 am

    Most inspiring, ho-hum, that’s difficult to say.
    So allow me to cheat a little and let me put down Eric Rohmer’s “Four Seasons” cycle as most inspiring, those movies heavily influenced my ideas of love of relationships.

    Btw., let me just add I love the US cover; it’s sooo scary!

  • Ceilidh
    January 8, 2011 at 8:45 am

    I wish us Brits got the cool US cover of the book, it’s so eerie and immediately grabs your attention. The UK cover is just so derivative.

  • Kristen H.
    January 8, 2011 at 9:16 am

    The most inspiring book I’ve ever read would probably be Speak by Laurie Halse Anderon – I think that’s a book that ever teen girl should read.

  • JenP
    January 8, 2011 at 9:26 am

    Most inspiring book for me is always Anne of Green Gables.

  • Laura Moore
    January 8, 2011 at 9:26 am

    thanks for this awesome giveaway. I think most books by laurie halse anderson are very influentual, mainly speak and wintergirls, and also a blue so dark by holly schindler

  • Linda Henderson
    January 8, 2011 at 10:22 am

    I like art, Bev Doolittle is one of my favorites. She has some of the most stunning artwork.

    seriousreader at live dot com

  • Scribe Kira
    January 8, 2011 at 10:40 am

    I love so many books! i have been inspiring so many times its amazing. I think in a nutshell i ones and loved and found the most inspiring were:
    The Hunger Games Trilogy by: Suzanne Collins
    Speak by: Laurie Halse Anderson
    Stargirl and Love, Stargirl by: Jerry Spinelli
    The Book Thief by: Markus Zusak
    Paper Towns by: John Green
    Primavera by: Mary Jane Beaufrand
    Nobody’s Princess and Nobody’s Prize by: Esther Friesner
    Walk Two Moons by: Sharon Creech
    A Countess Below Stairs by: Eva Ibbotson
    and there’s probably a whole lots of others i’m forgetting about, so i’m terribly sorry to ALL of those novels, besides the fact that i still have many more books to read!!!!!!=o)
    =o)
    😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

  • Jo
    January 8, 2011 at 10:48 am

    Very cool post! I read The Replacement and totally loved the story — very original. I also loved the dark setting — totally my kind of place. I used to make collages out of my bedroom door when I was in college, and in my first few apartments. I like the art of Dave McKean — it’s dark and thought-provoking. 🙂

  • Robin K
    January 8, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Oh wow, what a question. Movies with Angelina Jolie inspire me to want to kick ass 🙂

    Titanic inspired me to hug my husband.

    As a cover designer so many book designs inspire my art. Far too many to mention.

  • Stephanie
    January 8, 2011 at 11:45 am

    Psgel’s Star Crossed Anime Blog not only reknidled my love for anime, as his blog covers so many different genres and shows, but also they helped me not be ashamed of being an “anime freak.” It’s also helped me to be less judgmental and stand firm in my beliefs.

    Those covers are so gorgoues! Love both of them. *sighs dreamily*

  • MarieC
    January 8, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Wow, great post and giveaway.

    Of late, I am inspired by stories of human kindness or heroism found in day to day life.

  • Brenna
    January 8, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    Most inspiring story for me is Les Misérables. My paperpack version is all underlined and sightly worn but I love it. Also I’m excited to finaly find an author whose first name is the same as mine!

  • ThisViewOfMine
    January 8, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    M. Manson’s music really insires me.

  • jenmitch
    January 8, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    This is tough — looking around my library, I came up with this initial list:
    *The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
    *The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Michael Chabon
    *Mama Day, by Gloria Naylor
    *The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman

    I am constantly listening to music, across many genres, and right now am finding inspiration in mashups, which can be so creative and awesome.

    Another place to find infinite inspiration is in nature. Evolution has produced such incredible variety and adaptations. Life is so tenacious and tough and beautiful…

    And, somewhat outside the scope of the question, I am infinitely inspired by my family. I think my mom is responsible for most of the good and kindness in me, and my father has taught me to face the realities of life with dignity and stoicism. My older sister has taught me that I don’t know as much as I think I do. My two younger sisters remind me of the infinite possibility of youth; they are everything to me. And I am inspired by my partner – he is so devoted and kind without even knowing how valuable or rare this is.

    I love reading people’s responses to this question. Its a good reminder that there is a lot to be inspired by in this world! Thanks for the contest… 🙂

  • Indigo
    January 8, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    Silence inspires me…I know strange coming from a deaf woman – maybe not, considering I’ve only been deaf 6 years. There is something almost hidden beneath the noise people seldom see or pay attention to when they hear. I aspire to look deeper, closer to the little things.

    As for another writer in the same stream as Brenna’s writing, Charles de Lint comes to mind. He tackles some serious issues with exploration into the fairie unseen in reality.

    Great Interview! (Hugs)Indigo

    ravensquietscreams@gmail.com

  • Tina
    January 8, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    I think the most inspiring book I’ve read is Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta. The characters face a lot of issues and everything’s not perfect at the end, but there’s a lot of growth, change and development. It’s one of my favorite books to read when I feel discouraged.

  • Monica
    January 8, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Oooh. I’ve been really wanting to read this book since I’ve been hearing nothing but raves about it.

    Music is probably what inspires me, especially moody music. Right now I’m addicted to Vienna Teng, who rights the most beautiful lyrics. Her songs tells very vivid stories.

  • Chelsea B.
    January 8, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    This book sounds fabulous and I can’t wait to read it!
    Favorite movie: Pride and Prejudice.

  • Lillian Maloney
    January 8, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    The novel that inspires me the most would have to be No Country For Old Men. In terms of movies, the Sixth Sense. Both of them changed my outlook on both the mediums they represented as well as life itself.

  • Other Meredith
    January 8, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    I agree with everyone else. The US cover is freakin’ creepy (in a good way). A book that really inspires me is Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork. Marcelo is so courageous, and he always does the right thing, no matter what the consequences will be for himself. I really wish that I was as brave as him (in an “ethical dilemma” sort of way, not a “fight monsters” sort of way).

  • Sarah
    January 8, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    This looks great! Thanks for the givaway!

  • Alexandra
    January 8, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Hey Guys! love the blog and the chance to win.. 🙂 Right now I’m knee deep in the Kushiel’s series by Jacqueline Carey, which I thoroughly enjoy. But if I had to say one that I hold dear to my heart would always and truly be Harry Potter. I’m also a fan of the Anne Bishop, Black Jewels, I could read it several times over. Not really inspiring but adoration, yes!

  • fairy_morgaine
    January 8, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity. My inspiration comes from emotion. And emotion comes from too many places. As for books the one that changed me the most was The mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Still haven’t found another mind blowing as that one, because it really touched me inside.

  • Ginny
    January 8, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    One of my favourite/most inspiring books is Tithe by Holly Black as it introduced me to the darker side of fearies & traditional myths about the fey.

  • zaakirah
    January 8, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    that is a good question
    what inspires me the most is books, each book is unique and delightful in their own way. one of my favourites are the hunger games series, it taught me never to give up and there is always a way to make it work 🙂

  • SaraC
    January 8, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    What inspires me is seeing characters work through the problems they may have in their life and manage to make it out ok. It gives me hope, even if tehy are fictional.

  • ritu
    January 8, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    For me, recently, the best inspirations have been music. Sometimes you hear a song or just the music and it really resonates with you. It’s been like that. And I love the daughter of the forest by Juliet Marillier. Really really love Sorcha and Red.

  • Lynossa
    January 8, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    I’ve been inspired by many things, but The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho must be one of the most inspiring books I ever read. It show me that sometimes what matter the most isn’t what you’ll get in the end, but the process that you take in order to get to the end.

    Thanks for the opportunity ~

  • Victoria Zumbrum
    January 8, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    I love the Twilight series. I really want to read this book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

  • Amy C
    January 8, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    The book that inspires me most is “Postcards from No Man’s Land,” simply because of all the lessons it holds in the words of its characters.

  • Laura
    January 8, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    I like to read the “How to write” books. They inspire me to read and journal and blog – they inspire me to communicate with others.

  • Bethie
    January 8, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. There are so many inspiring books out there. I think The Horse Boy was one that I found very inspiring. I would love to win one of the five books.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  • Stephanie K.
    January 8, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    An inspring book to me was Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin because of the lessons about friendship.

  • Llehn
    January 8, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    My fav story is one Ms. Yovanoff wrote called Auburn.

  • Martha
    January 8, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    The most inspiring work for me is Sahara Mizu’s work. She is a Japanese mangaka and I love her work both for its art and its stories.

    She has a skill with character that I admire. One work in particular (“My Girl” is its title) does an admirable job of portraying the inner thoughts of children and is very good at portraying what parenthood is like for someone with no experience.

    And then her watercolor art has such a natural and vibrant appearance I can’t help but stare at it and be at a loss for words.

    Also, the fact she does all this magic and beauty in a medium that is usually under appreciated makes me very happy.

    I have the Replacement waiting for me at the library. I just haven’t had a chance to get down there. I want to read it so much!

  • morganne wilbourne
    January 8, 2011 at 9:31 pm

    harry potter is my inspiration. its why i love too read…. 8)

  • Emily
    January 8, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    There’s an Alex Grey painting that never fails to capture my attention and make me stare at it for a period of time to remind me why I love it so much. It’s part of his Progress of the Soul series and this particular one is called “Kissing” and it’s a painting of these two people kissing, but their bodies are stripped of flesh so you see all their internal systems and organs, and it just reminds me that when you get past the individual identities of who’s doing what, kissing and any other form of human intimacy is such a beautiful thing.

  • Jade
    January 9, 2011 at 1:06 am

    Oh, this is so great, I love reading what inspires the authors because I’m looking for a way to stop the writers block myself. It’s great to learn about both Brenna and her book, and I just hope to get it. I’ve wanted to read this, but as unlucky as I am, can never find it 🙁
    Maybe this is my chance? 😛
    Thank you for the opportunity and for an awesome giveaway! 😀

    legally_write[at]hotmail[dot]com

  • Mariska
    January 9, 2011 at 3:42 am

    Anne and the Green Gables is one book that inspired me.

  • The Book Smugglers » Blog Archive » Smugglers’ Stash and News
    January 9, 2011 at 3:49 am

    […] don’t forget: the giveaway of 5 signed copies of The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff runs till Jan […]

  • Claudia
    January 9, 2011 at 5:04 am

    Most inspirational, perhaps is music – it can inspire a range of emotions and thoughts in a short time.

    I read The Replacement and enjoyed it. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • debp
    January 9, 2011 at 6:09 am

    I think the poem the second coming by yeats and the road by cormac mccarthy, inspire me.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  • LiseO
    January 9, 2011 at 6:51 am

    what inspires me, is music. I always need to have my Ipod charged and ready. through the music I listen to, I can drift away and daydream, and it makes an otherwise boring bustrip fly by.

  • vickyvak
    January 9, 2011 at 7:03 am

    What inspires me is music! So many songs, so many different emotions!

    vicky.vak8(at)gmail.com

  • Dovile
    January 9, 2011 at 7:57 am

    To me, the most inspiring were JK Rowling’s books, as after finishing the last one, I started to write my own sequel:)

  • Jen
    January 9, 2011 at 8:12 am

    What inspires me most…?
    Well pretty much every day I am inspired by little things, but I know that two Vocaloid songs that inspire me a lot are Soundless Voice and Proof of Life (I prefer the Wotamin and Valshe version).

  • Kailia
    January 9, 2011 at 10:44 am

    I find inspiration in everything. One of my resent inspirations with the movie Inception. The characters, the scenes, everything about that movie made me think!

    twilightforever.edward at gmail dot com

  • Laura
    January 9, 2011 at 11:08 am

    My students are a huge inspiration. They have a great sense of humor and imagination, but keep me firmly grounded in reality.

  • Kaya H
    January 9, 2011 at 11:15 am

    mmm I am always being inspired by Hiyao Miyazaki films. Howl’s Moving Castle would have to be my fav. and for art pieces I love Photography and placing canvas sized prints around the house. I heard rave reviews on this book, I cannot wait!.

  • Teri C
    January 9, 2011 at 11:19 am

    I am inspired by the SUN! Right now that is the top of my list! We were fogged in for two weeks and it was 28 degrees but thus morning for the first time this year there is sun and the roads melted = I can go to the bookstore!
    In art i love photography also. I love impromptu pictures, the ones not planned or shot from the car window on some trip.
    I am also inspired by carousels, especially the wooden old classical carousels.
    And I loved the Replacements, I read and Arc a while back and I would love a copy 😉

  • Adrienne
    January 9, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    I guess I am inspired by my humming birds that live in my backyard. Now before you say ” huh”? They are the most amazing lovely creatures; so graceful and a few of them always come around and “buzz” around my head to see what I’m up to and to say hi. They make me want to do more good things for the desert animals and help them in small
    ways that make their life a little easier in the AZ heat. Thanks for the give away!

  • Lucia Hua
    January 9, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    This book looks really good! There are so many books that have inspired me. There isn’t really just one that has inspired me the most. Each one touches me in a different way, whether it’s a romance book or a humorous one. I love music, too, and it’s inspired me in so many ways. Lyrical pieces especially. I also love classical.

  • SylviaSybil
    January 9, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    I have to go with a song: Atlas by Battles. It’s a weird sound with a strong beat and it gets under my skin.

  • sue brandes
    January 9, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Wonderful post. Music usually inspires me. I like many kinds. Enya is one of my favorites.
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Alex
    January 9, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    My favourite (and most inspiring) book, at least for today, would have to be I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Not only are the characters and voice absolutely fantastic, but there is a castle, not to mention beautiful passages on history, creativity and love that make me shiver.

  • Theresa A
    January 9, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    My favorite for a while has been Shannon Hale’s The Goose Girl. Love that story.

    Excited to read The Replacement…with or without winning a copy!

  • Ariana A.
    January 9, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    Most inspiring fiction for me was Ricardo Pinto’s Stone Dance of the Chameleon trilogy. It was like on long, slow beautiful dream of opulence and horror, revolution and war.

  • winterfall
    January 9, 2011 at 11:13 pm

    Harry Potter magical fantasy world.

    Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

    Airplane movie.

    Firefly TV series.

  • Nikki Egerton
    January 10, 2011 at 3:13 am

    Thanks for the giveaway, and great post. It prompted me to go and read The Lottery and I’m glad I did, it’s so creepy.

    I get inspired by all sorts of things, documentaries, movies, poems, art. It’s hard to pin down one thing, but I read Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer not too long ago and that really inspired me in my personal life. Seeing how Miranda and her family loved each other and fought to survive made any problems and irritations in my life seem petty.

  • Su
    January 10, 2011 at 8:27 am

    Thank you for this contest! I take a lot of inspiration from the Colour Lovers website. Just pages and pages of shades and tones, waiting to inspire me.

  • Iffath
    January 10, 2011 at 10:45 am

    I think I get most of my inspiration from the things around me. I’ll just hear people talking about the randomest things and something will just pop into my head..

    Music too, a lot of the music I listen to just makes me want to get up and WRITE AND WRITE AND WRITE!

    lovereadingx[at]gmail[dot]com

  • katsie
    January 10, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    I always come back to U2’s Achtung Baby time and again for inspiration. I’ve drawn, painted, and written from theses songs’ inspiration. 🙂

  • Bohemienne
    January 10, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    Stay wonderfully eclectic, Brenna!

    Hard to argue with Brenna’s choice of The Lottery… but I am always inspired by a great ghost story. Something about the paranormal, with pain, love, and mysteries that transcend one lifetime–really touches me.

  • Melanie L
    January 10, 2011 at 9:59 pm

    I really liked the movie The Pursuit of Happiness. It was very inspiring.

  • Amy C.
    January 11, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Sounds amazing! I’d love to enter 🙂

    Because I couldn’t possibly just choose one, my three favorite books are:

    GONE, BABY, GONE by Dennis Lehane: beautiful prose at the same time that it’s full of truly fleshed out and flawed characters, mind-blowing twists and turns, and a brilliantly created mystery, and addresses issues like child abduction and corruption against a backdrop of a beautiful and gritty Boston

    NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro: such beautiful yet sparse writing, a heartbreakingly realistic voice, characters I was so invested in, and a speculative fiction work that broke down the doors of lit snobs everywhere

    THE SHADOW OF THE WIND by Carlos Ruiz Zafón: beautiful writing (yet again!), a breathtaking Barcelona, gothic beauty, characters I loved, brilliant twists, and that certain magic that pervades every page of this book…love! 🙂

  • Mieneke
    January 12, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    I can be inspired by a lot of things, but in the past nine months I’ve been inspired by my daughter. Her wonder as she explores the world and her unconditional trust that mommy and daddy will make everything better and take care of her, inspire me to be a better person and to find strengths in myself I’d never expected.

  • Giada M
    January 12, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    One of my most inspiring book? The Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. I love everything in this book. It’s pure magic!

    Thank you for this chance! 😀

    Giada M.

    fabgiada (at) gmail (dot) com

  • Amanda
    January 12, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    I don’t know if I could narrow down just one inspiring thing…but lately, the music of Michael Giaccino (he composed the Lost soundtrack) has really spoken to my imagination.

  • Isabeleeta
    January 12, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    For me, it was the music of Mozart. I know it seems random, but Mozart seems to center me, and it allows me to find a safe place of beauty within me. In terms of fantasy/sci-fi books, Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis trilogy made me realize how important is sci-fi literature and that it should be part of literature curricula in colleges and high schools.

  • Jules@OneBookShy
    January 13, 2011 at 10:32 am

    Thank you for the interview and great giveaway. I think one of the most inspirational for me when I was a kid was King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It made me dream of a world full of chivalry and honor.

    Jules
    onebookshy at yahoo dot com

  • Josie
    January 15, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    This book sounds amazing! I hope I get to read it soon.
    Well, lots of things inspire me. Poetry, by Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson, for example. Music, sometimes the lyrics, but a lot of the time it’s just the song itself, the sound of it and the way it makes you feel… that can really inspire me. The most inspiring books I’ve ever read would have to be:
    Stargirl (and Love Stargirl) by Jerry Spinelli
    The Hunger Games series, by Suzanne Collins
    Grumble Bluff, by Karen Pease
    A Great and Terrible Beauty (whole Gemma Doyle series) by Libba Bray
    And a whole lot of others (I read a LOT 😀 )

  • Noel
    January 15, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    The book that has most inspired me up until this point has been the book nevermore because it introduced me to poe

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    Sample URL: https://technewsera.com/Tech/life-style/
    If you think that my quality matches your website, s requirements, that please let me know.I will submit my first article for review within next 2 day after your confirmation.
    Thank you
    Elle
    Elle45456@gmail.com

  • Elle Irin
    February 9, 2018 at 8:23 am

    Dear Admin,
    I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now, and I love your content and the lessons you share with your readers.

    I believe I can add value to your audience on a few different topics about psychology. I think I can really resonate with your readers.

    I assure you, I will make this process as seamless as possible for you by sending you a formatted document with links included. I don’t need any payment. I will be happy if you allow adding my website link in the article. My article length will be 1000+ words. I also have a copy-write free image for my article.
    My writing is 100% unique by http://smallseotools.com/plagiarism-checker/
    Grammar error passed by https://app.grammarly.com/
    Thank you for your kind understanding of my request. I look forward to a positive response.

    Thank you
    Elle
    Elle45456@gmail.com

  • Iqbal@gmail.com
    February 20, 2018 at 4:28 am

    HMU implies Hit American state Up. Used often on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and connected sites, the HMU means that Hit American state Up. HMU, or “hit American state up”, is associate degree signifier used all the time on online networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, in applications like Instagram, and in-camera messages, comments, and chats. a person can use the signifier “HMU” after they area unit advising someone to induce involved with them. they often raise that individual to hit them up after they area unit reaching to leave a discussion or area unit creating arrangements. for example, if someone messages their friend and lets them understand that they’ll be home from excursion before long, their friend might reply them speech “Awesome. HMU!”. this means the friend desires that person to achieve them after they area unit home so that they will build arrangements or hang around. The expression “hit American state up” is usually aforementioned, beyond doubt, not in the least like varied different slang expressions, for instance, ” ROFLMAO” or “SMH.” If 2 individuals area unit hanging out and one goes to go away, the opposite person might instruct them to hit them up or get involved with them.

  • friv
    October 21, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    Your child will play with the friv games, then eat. Let your child touch the food, help him to play with the food. Allow him to take his fingers to his mouth. So eating, eating, eating should be as enjoyable as playing a game. Small colored plates, heart-shaped breakfast plates, prepared lunches such as picnicking, dinner prepared like playing house, can be transformed into a pleasurable event made with family.

    It seems difficult for mothers and fathers to give their children food in front of television. Instead they need to turn off the television. Friv needs to find solutions that will increase interest and desire. For example, funny facial shapes, simple games such as airplane flying, eating games for toddlers, interesting and entertaining to eat contribute to your child’s movement and cognitive development. When your child is hungry, he can feel grumpy and cry without any reason. Most of the time, these reactions are outdoors. It is necessary to evaluate this reaction well and encourage the child to eat.

    Can children who do not eat food add a habit of eating with the game?
    Of course, the game at friv 2 is very important for the development of a child. However, the game should be applied up to 2 years of age. The game can be cooked until 2 years of age, after which the game is not suitable for eating and eating habits. Because we can apply certain rules, we have to give this habit to the child from their early ages. It is an important role model for the child to eat together with the family, to sit in the table together. Even if you have not eaten your food, sitting in the family cafeteria is important for the development of the child.
    It is best not to make your meal times boring. This is also very important in terms of communication with children. A child who does not eat will want to have a loud tone and different and abrasive expressions will be used. I think it is also important in terms of food.
    You can make your child’s dinner sessions more engaging at some point. But do not take it to the point of a child who opens your mouth like a robot in every advertising cycle, sitting in front of friv unblocked video-recorded ads.

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