11/19/2009 A/N: Almost finished with my novel--it's shaping up to be around 80,000 words (0_o) and I plan on posted the chapters on here as I edit them. In the meantime, I'm posting a vampire short story I recently wrote.

8/18/09 Author's Note: I am currently working on a story that is coming along very well (32000+ words at this point and the most promising story idea I think I've ever had). I don't want to post anything here until I'm positive that it's the best I can do, so it may be a little while before any chapters appear here.

Author/Book Recommendations:

J.K. Rowling

Robin McKinley

Melissa Marr

Stephenie Meyer

Garth Nix

Orson Scott Card

The Beacon at Alexandria - Gillian Bradshaw

Joanne Bertin

His Dark Materials Trilogy - Philip Pullman

Donna Jo Napoli

Jane Austen

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

Diana Wynne Jones

Cornelia Funke

Holly Black

The Princess Bride - William Goldman

Annette Curtis Klause

Gerald Morris

Susan Cooper

Alice Hoffman

Scott Westerfeld

Charles deLint

The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

The House of the Scorpion - Nancy Farmer

Kristen Cashore

(this list will hopefully continue to grow, and if you have any suggestions of your own, please send me a message!)

Reviews make my week, so please, leave reviews! Tell me if you liked it or if you have any critiques or suggestions. Don't worry about being harsh, I'm a big girl and can handle it. Improving my writing is a priority for me--but no flames please. Believe me, I don't need to hear how badly I suck at life from a perfect stranger. And pop over to some of my other things (even if they are woefully unfinished) and tell me what you think. It's unlikely that I will continue any of my past stories at this point, but honest opinions on past work can still only help. Oh and by the way, although I am not a poet by any stretch of the imagination (and the imagination can be verrry stretchy), I am quite proud at my attempts at poetry, so please let me know what you think.

If you review my story, I'll review yours!

If you know anyone who likes commenting and editing and all-around ripping authors' work to shreds with, of course, the intention of trying to make it better, then send them a link to my story. The more the merrier.

I really enjoy reading and critiquing the work of fellow literary hopefuls, so if you want someone's opinion, are having trouble getting reviews, or just want to up your hit count, send me a message! I will be honest and try not to pull my punches, but I won't be an ass just for the sake of talking down to someone.

Happy reading!