Demetra Brodsky

DIVE SMACK • 2018 • Tor Teen/Macmillan

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Earlier Event: July 20
Comic Con International
Later Event: September 23
Southern California Writers' Conference Guest Speaker

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This is me, in my car after finishing listening to S-Town. I know, I'm a little late to the party on this outstanding podcast. John B. Macklemore was such a complex and intrigue character, my brain is broken. I loved it. I recently started listening to Serial (also a bit behind on this one) and I'm enjoying that one as well. What's your favorite podcast? . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #stown #podcastlove #shittown
I'm shaking off the weekend. I'm tired, a little burned out from writing, but trying to see this Monday as a fresh start. A chance to renew my enthusiasm about my current WIP. I'm giving myself permission to take ten minutes to do nothing but think and be in the moment, and be in the writing, so I can embody the thoughts of my protagonist instead of thinking about the stuff I'll eventually have to do. But not this day. Today, I'm leaving those things for later, putting the writing first. I chose me. How are you doing this Monday morning with Nanowrimo goals. . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #amwriting #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #Monday #mondaymotivation #nanowrimo
One of my favorite review or reader comments I've received about DIVE SMACK is someone saying they couldn't stop reading because they had to know how everything was going to turn out. The DMs I got from readers who were clearing suffering with anticipation are some of my most treasured moments as a debut author. It was my exquisite pleasure to make you wait for the final twist. I think I'll go for that kind of suspense again. . . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #alfredhitchcock #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #anticipation
I'm loving this dark and creepy story by @melissaalbertauthor! As a thriller author, I found this one to be one part fantasy, one part thriller, and 100% intriguing. What book pulled you down a rabbit hole recently? . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #thehazelwood #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #fridayreads
Does anyone else straight up see the man’s bearded face in my Greek coffee grinds? My daughter is reading my cup tonight and said Zeus is looking out for me. I have two snakes 🐍 at the top near the rim that mean a recent betrayal (near the top of the cup is recent, and near the bottom is future). I also have a solid brown heart, meaning long-standing love. And I have a lot of eyes (Matis) which means I’m dear to many people who care about me. Thank you, all you many people, I care about you, too! 🇬🇷☕️ … #yaauthorsofinstagram #fligani #divination #greekcoffee #bookish #thisismynormal #yaauthor #iseethatevileye #greekamerican #greekcoffeefortunetelling
Don't mind me, I'm just sitting in my library hoping all the fabulous words will seep into my veins. Happy Reading! . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #shelfie #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #homelibrary #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis
The only way I can get into a flow with my writing is by writing. I know, I know. Common sense. What I really mean is that when I create a routine, the flow comes much faster. There's no such thing as perfect circumstances. I create the best possible circumstance by treating writing like a job, because it is. And I find that by creating rituals, telling myself, quite frankly, that it's time to write now, lighting a scented candle, putting in earplugs, turning off my phone, turning off my phone, turning off my phone, that I'm able to leave the outside world behind and immerse myself into the character whose perspective I'm writing from. The downside of that I tend to go in pretty deep and sometimes have a hard time coming out of that world and readjusting to the people around me. The real world, so to speak. I'll have to develop some rituals for coming back from my writing journey. . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #amwriting #currentwip #nanowrimo
My dog L.B. (aka Lucky Bitch) is seriously conditioned to stop in front of any and all book displays. This Thanksgiving she turns 9 years old. She's been my walking and writing buddy since I started writing seriously in 2012. I adopted her from a high-kill shelter in the Los Angeles area right after I lost my job during the 2009 recession. I remember saying, "I'm going to adopt a dog and call him L.B., because he's going to be the luckiest bastard around. Well, L.B. is female. Thankfully, the naming convention still worked. Do you have a pet that gets your crazy bookish life? . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #abookandadog #writersbestfriend #bestdogever #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #luckybitch
Yesterday did not go as planned. My quest to write 1,600 words a day turned into 546. I caught my the way I was chastising myself, saying things like, if I had just not picked up the phone, if I'd stayed up later instead of allowing myself much need sleep, if I'd skipped going shopping with my daughters, I could have hit my goal. But does it matter in the long run? Not really. I enjoyed all of those thing, and the 546 words I did write were strong, stronger than 1,600 words that I might cut later in the process. And I'm well-rested, refreshed, and ready to hit today hard. How did you guys do on your goals over the weekend? . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #amwriting #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #nanowrimo #Monday #mondaymotivation
There are few people for whom I’ll wake up at 6am on a Sunday morning, but my friend and critique partner @nikkikatz is at the top of that list. We’ve both been crazy busy the last few months, writing and revising, and it was so fun to walk a few miles with coffees while catching up on all the things. I hope everyone is having a great Sunday. #critiquepartners #friendshipgoals … #bookish #amwriting #yaauthorsofinstagram #amrevising #writersofinstagram #yaauthors #yaauthorsofig
#mood #amdrafting. Who’s with me? . . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #booknerd #werkwerkwerkwerkwerk #bookaholic #needmorecoffee #nanowrimo #booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #amwriting #yaauthorsofinstagram #amrevising #bookpassion #alwaysworking #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis
When I'm drafting, I have very little patience for outside influence or drama. I can barely get dressed in anything but leggings and t-shirts. I have to be all in, and I mean that to the extreme. Unless something really needs my attention, I usually hit 'em with a 'cool' and move on. Otherwise, I'm sending a message that interrupting me while I'm working is okay. And if I don't value my working hours, who will? Making your working hours a priority is not selfish. It's imperative. And it's not forever. Set boundaries to protect your goals. You can circle back to people later and tell them you were working. Better yet, set up an auto responder, or just go ahead and turn off your phone if you can. I've gotten into a terrible habit of having to respond to text messages and email right away, and I don’t think I’m alone. A 24-48 hours response time, depending on person and urgency, is perfectly fine and shows that you understand good personal and business etiquette. I was an art director. I know better. We don't have to be immediately available, unless it's an emergency. Ignoring people for days or weeks on end, usually not okay. That sends a different, more negative message, one of unimportance. Use Favorites on your phone for family, close friends, your agent. Send a response at the end of of your working session or before bed. Subscribe to internet blockers. Do what you gotta do. It’s okay to hit 'em with a cool and move on. People who love and support you will understand. . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #amwriting #amdrafting #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #nanowrimo
The daughter of immigrants. The face of a proud voter! … #voter #vote #voteforyourfuture #womenwhovote #electionday #hittheminthemidterms #midterms2018 #writersofinstagram #yaauthorsofinstagram #bluewave2018
Women have been fighting for our voice, our right to vote on the things that matter to us since 1848. Their blood, sweat, and tears paved our path to the polling stations. Please vote today. It is an honor and a privilege denied many. Your voice and your vote matters. . . . #vote #womenvoters #govote #yaauthorsofinstagram #beheard #yaauthor #yougotthis
There’s a DIVE SMACK GIVEAWAY happening now, hosted by the fabulous people at @curiositales magazine with @get_repost. — Follow the instructions below to enter. Good luck and happy reading! 🔥❤️💧 ・・・ International Giveaway! Twitter and Insta! Rules have changed, please read: Win a copy of DIVE SMACK by @demebrodsky To Enter: 1. Follow @Curiositales 2. Follow @demebrodsky 3. Tag a friend (no tag backs or duplicates please) Contest runs until November 12th. Winner will be chosen randomly. #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookphoto #bookphotography #bookpic #reading #bibliophile #booknerd #bookworm #booklover #bookaholic #prettybooks #instabook #bookstagramfeature #igreads #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #readmore #readabook #readinglist #readingislife #giveaway #readingismylife #readingcorner #relationships #bookgiveaway #readercommunity #curiositales #cmagazine
I'm using Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) unofficially to push through drafting my WIP. This is the 5th full-length novel I've written and I'm still learning. I still have to stop myself and question the cause and effect relationships in my scenes that move the plot forward, still need to pause an remind myself to tell the reader how my character might be feeling. I prefer drafting tight, editing and assessing as I go. It takes a little longer but I don't have as much revising to do after I type The End. But this month, I'm trying to draft fast, leaving big gaps with inserted notes in all caps that say HOW DOES SHE FEEL HERE? That way when I go back and take a minute to think about that question, I can provide the reader with an honest emotional response. What's your drafting style? Do you edit as you go? Are you doing Nano? . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #amwriting #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #nanowrimo #Monday #mondaymotivation
DIVE SMACK is a Fall (November) Junior Library Guild Selection and will be going out into subscription boxes for libraries. I am so honored that my book received this special designation. The thought of my book being in the hands of more readers than I ever thought possible is an incredible feeling that I'm allowing to wash over me this month. Thank you to everyone who bought, read, reviewed, and supported my journey to publication. I'm so grateful. . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack #juniorlibraryguildselection #booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #grateful #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis @torteen @macmillanusa @macmillan.audio
I'm doing an unofficial Nanowrimo to get my current WIP drafted. I made this promise to myself and intend to do my best to let other perceived obligations take a back burner. For one month. I don’t usually write fast. 12 weeks for a first draft is my normal, but that’s a super clean draft where I edit as I go. So...50K words? Sounds rough (pun intended). Thankfully I've already written 15k, so this will be my attempt to try and get a full draft together before December. I don't know if I'll get it done, but dammit I'm gonna try. IT'S ON. Who else is doing Nano, officially or unofficially? . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #amwriting #amdrafting #nanowrimo #current WIP #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis
Dive Smack “Lasagna is always good on… well, on unfortunate days like this.” Get the recipe for Chip's Lasagna by @ellejauffret inspired by #Divesmack by @demebrodsky in this month's copy of #Curiositales. Get the magazine for FREE by following the link in our bio. #FictionFood #reading #book #booklove #readers  #cmagazine #yaliterature #yalitchat #chicklitreads #yabookstagrammer #yabookclub #yabookblogger #yabooks #yafiction #yafictionlover #yafictionismyaddiction #yafantasy #livres #livrestagram #bookstagramer #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #bookstoread #bookstagramit #booksofig #booksonbooks #bookshopping #booksoninstagram