Tuesday, April 24, 2012

U is for Unwind (Teaser Tuesday - 4/24/12)

This was going to be my political post. I had a couple rants stored up, and I was thinking about trying to get a debate started in the comments section. And then I decided... I really didn't want to introduce politics into my blog. I respect everyone's opinions (or at least their right to have them), but I tend to get... heated when I talk about politics, like I imagine most people do. It doesn't always bring out my best side.

But Teaser Tuesday worked out perfectly anyway, since one of the books I'm reading (because I refuse to carry the ARC of Tin Swift around in my backpack where it can get wrecked) is Neil Shusterman's Unwind.

But first, I had a revelation last night that I need to share. As some of you know from following me on Twitter, I had a few copies of my most recent draft of Capitoline Hill printed up yesterday.

book

I know I had Staples print it. I know it's not done yet. I know it doesn't even have a cover page. But, you guys, that's my book. And it's all pretty and bound and 388 pages that I sat down and wrote.

I have to admit, I got a little giddy. I was holding something that was entirely mine, something I created from the ground up and slaved over until it was (almost) right. I've known I wanted to be a published writer since about the time I figured out that books were written by people. There was never really a point in my life when this wasn't the endgoal, the number one thing on my bucket list. But it truly became clear to me yesterday that in less than a month and a half, I'll (hopefully) be sending this book--roughly a year of writing and 20+ years of hopes and dreams--to agents. I've never been closer to holding a real copy of my book than I am now.

It's a bit of a rush.

OK, and with that, I'm going to move on to Teaser Tuesday. I'm currently reading Neil Shusterman's Unwind.
In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them. Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

And the rules for Teaser Tuesday are:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  • Then hit up Should Be Reading to add your link.

And the teaser is:

It was real, it was pretend, and that combination made it all right--it made it safe, like performing death-defying acrobatic tricks above a safety net.

She holds on to that unexpected feeling as the two of them catch up with Lev, and move toward the frightening prospect of civilization.

10 comments:

  1. A printed copy of your MS really does help you feel that much closer to completion. :) Good luck with your MS!

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  2. I have yet to print out one of my books, but I know I would feel the same way as you!

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  3. I really enjoyed Unwind - I'd forgotten how much until I read your teaser! Really great book! My teaser is here. Cheers!

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  4. That's a good book - and this is the second time I've seen someone post about it today. The unwinding is one of the most disturbing scenes I've read in the last few years.

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  5. Wow! Unwind looks really good. I'll have to check it out!

    Here's my TT:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2012/04/teaser-tuesdays-42412.html

    Colletta

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  6. Sounds good. I'll pick up a copy, too!

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  7. I LOVE seeing my book printed out.
    It's even more awesome when it's in BOOK form :-D

    Also - the book you're reading sounds awesome.

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  8. Sounds like a very interesting, and somewhat twisted, book.

    Teaser:
    But even if it didn't, your daddy would have to believe. It's coming on spring, and he's a farmer.

    From Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (Which I am LOVING, by the way.)

    Speaking of loving, I loved your line, "since about the time I figured out that books were written by people."

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  9. You should feel proud. Holding it in your hands must be a great feeling!

    "Unwinding" sounds horrible. Intriguing premise.

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