Friday, August 28, 2015

Character Study: Annie Whitman

Annie is said to be one of Jessica's best friends in this series. I guess the ghost writers forgot that Jessica was only nice to her after she bullied her into a suicide attempt the previous year. Regardless she never judges Jessica. She occasionally mingles with the other girls tho. & when we see her in this series she's often talking to Jade.
What I Love. Annie's a sweet girl. I wouldn't have complained if she'd have been a bigger character in the book. Both of the twins apparently like her now. She could have been like another Tia.

What I Hate. Not enough about her. I just really like Annie. I wonder what happened to her and Ricky but maybe they explained that in a book I didn't read. I don't know.

Overall. I think I've said it. Annie's sweet and a good friend despite everything.

Up next is Megan and she will be followed by Todd. :)

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Character Studys: Matt and Josh

I've decided to do Matt and Josh together since neither are major, major characters.

What I Like. Josh actually has a bit of a role when he and Jade hook up. I love that Jade doesn't care that he says he got somewhere with her either. I wonder why Lila didn't pull a Melissa over it but she's really weak in this series. & both guys do kinda try to get Will to wise up before he does. I like that.

What I Hate. The series could really do without Matt. I know Will needs two best friends since Melissa has two but like her's one doesn't serve any purpose at all and the other only does at times. It's just weird.

Overall. I actually kinda like Josh at times and even Matt too. They're mostly a waste tho.

Next up is Annie. Annie will be followed by Megan. Thanks for reading =]

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Character Study: Cherie Reese

Cherie is introduced as early as book one but she's pretty much just a lapdog of Melissa's til Melissa screws her over. Then Cherie gets a more promiment role for a book or two.

What I Love. Cherie is the most in your face one of Melissa and her friends.

What I Hate. She's a bitch. She doesn't often show any personality and when she does it's awful. I also don't like how like she's so anti Jessica and then they have Jessica sitting with her and Gina one day randomly. & when Melissa turns on her she never apologizes to Jessica. It's never like okay now we know Melissa sucks. Let's call a truce. It almost seems like Melissa and Jessica have an unspoken truce toward the end of the series. Jessica seems to feel that way anyway. Anyway Cherie's awful but I like her better than Melissa.

Overall: You could almost do without this character too but just almost at least.

Next up is Matt followed by Josh followed by Annie Whitman.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Character Study: Amy Sutton

Despite being a fairly major character in other series Amy is really in the background in this one. In the past she set trends. In this series she's just depicted as a mindless follower. That's when she's mentioned which isn't a lot.

What I Love. Never was a big fan of the character so I don't miss her very much.

What I Hate. They could have said she moved and the series would have been almost exactly the same. She's just a useless character.

Overall. I don't think the ghost writers bothered to read the previous series or Francine changed things. This series Amy is way different.

Next up is Cherie Reese who will be followed by Matt Wells who will be followed by Josh Radinsky.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Character Study: Gina Cho

Gina is one of Melissa's minions. They say she's her friend but I don't see where Melissa has friends besides Cherie and Will. She's a bigger part of the series at times and then she fades out and repeat.

What I Love. Nothing really. i don't like her. I don't think she's a nice person and they never really give her a storyline.

What I Hate. She just goes on with Melissa no matter what til Cherie turns on Melissa. Then Cherie becomes queen bee. It's weird.

Overall. I just plain out don't like her. The series would be fine without her too.

Next up is Amy Sutton followed by Cherie Reese.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Character Study: Lila Fowler

I guess at one time I liked this character but honestly I can not stand her now. She's almost human at times and loyal in the original series but in the spinoffs she's a total bitch. Lila is Jessica's best friend in every series except Senior Year. She doesn't have a major role in senior year either.

What I Love. She seems to still care about Jess in a twisted way. She stands up to Melissa as the series continues. She even helps Jess out a few times.

What I Hate. She flip flops between wanting to follow Jess and wanting to follow Melissa. She's overjoyed when Melissa chooses her and completely backstabs her best friend. She comes around to Jess when it looks convienant tho. Also I liked her and Josh together, and they totally dropped that without really mentioning why.

Overall. I just don't like Lila in the series. I just don't. Next up is Gina Cho followed by Amy Sutton.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Character Study: Ken Matthews

Ken Matthews is part of the series from the get go. Apparently he's not the super popular ultra jock who's best friends with Todd and who Jess kinda likes and Liz respects anymore. He's really depressed over the death of his girlfriend prior to the series and quits the team. He gets paired up with Maria in book five and they slowly become friends and later a couple. She helps him get his glory back. As soon as she feels insecure he leaves her tho and hooks up with Melissa Fox. He and Melissa break up soon and later he gets Maria back. They end the series together.

What I Like. He actually seems like a good guy when he's getting into Maria. He develops some in the series.

What I Hate. There are so many things that don't make sense with his storylines. He's mad at his dad because he's not there for him one day and the next he's not. He goes from Maria to Melissa because Melissa cries over Will one day. They don't really have anything together but he tries anyway. He never sits down and talks about anything. He just goes on making things harder for example when he doesn't just ask Maria on a date.

Overall. I guess I like the character okay but he and his storylines are nothing special.

Next up is Lila Fowler followed by Gina Cho.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Character Study: Angel Desmond

We meet in Angel in book two. Everyone comments on how gorgeous he is. He's obviously very in love with Tia also. He's a nice guy too.

What I Love. I think Tia has a stronger relationship with him. You can tell they love each other. He's nice to Tia's friends too. He's also friends with Conner and Andy I guess.

What I Hate. The gambling storyline. He loses it all in like one night after like two nights there. It's just not realistic. Also he and Tia break up because she cheats on him ten seconds after he leaves even tho she was always afraid he'd do that. Then they totally forget about that like 15 books later and decide they broke up because of the distance. & his dad seems like a nice guy. Then you read that he's a douche. It's weird.

Overall. I like Angel. I think he's a good guy. They shouldn't have had Tia cheat on him. I guess that added more drama and they needed to get rid of him tho. I don't know. I'm glad they didn't last.

Next up is Ken Matthews. He will be followed by Lila Fowler.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Character Study: Trent

Trent enters the series in the 4th book I believe as Jeremy's best friend. He goes on to date Tia. Tia originally cheats on Angel with Trent. They have a real relationship later on. He kinda crushes on Jessica too which causes a break up of Jeremy and his friendship and one with Tia as well. Trent and Tia make up tho. Later so do Trent and Jeremy.

What I Like. He's funny. There for Jeremy. Just a good guy.

What I Hate. The crush on Jess thing. He's kinda whipped with Tia. She kinda does whatever she wants and then gets mad at him for it. It bugs me.

Overall. I like the character. I don't mind most of his storylines. I need my memory refreshed on him.

Next up is Angel who will be followed by Ken, Maria's boyfriend.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Character Study: Six Hansen

Six is Andy's girlfriend in two or three books. She goes on to help him out in deciding to tell his parents he's gay. I believe she essentially drops off the face of the earth afterward before making her final appearance on Prom Night.

What I Love. She's there for Andy. She really likes Andy tho I don't understand why. He doesn't seem particularly handsome and they don't talk much before she starts throwing herself at him. I think she turns out to be a good friend anyway.

What I Hate. They could have given her a boyfriend and made her part of their group.

Overall. She's just a minor character that they use to talk about Andy's sexuality. They could have done a little more. I wouldn't have liked her to be as big a character as Maria or Tia tho. I didn't like her that much.

Alright next up is Trent. He's followed by Tia's first boyfriend in the series Angel. Stay tuned!

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Character Study: Jade Wu

Jade enters in book one as a good friend of Jessica's. She was a shy, sweet girl who had trouble standing up to her father last year. Now she's some wild, outgoing, bold, sexy party girl who's parents have been divorced for years. They kept around the strict father part tho. She doesn't get a more major role til she starts working at HOJ with Jessica and dates Jeremy. She goes on to date Evan who she finishes out the series with eventually.

What I Love. She's sort of the original SVH's Jessica. She's a bitch but it's a cover up to avoid getting hurt. She's really supportive and caring toward Evan when they're together. I guess she learned from her Jeremy malfunction.

What I Hate. There are a ton of things with her storyline that don't add up. They completely dropped the Jade Wu from the original like I said earlier. First she quit First and Ten where she worked with Maria and then she got fired. It's like the writers don't care enough to keep up with her. She drops Jessica just to pick back up with her like ten books later. She won't just talk to Jeremy. It's like she doesn't make it clear she wants a commitment then she does only to retract it. They might have worked if uh hello they'd bothered talking about anything. Jeremy seemed into her at first too. Then he just didn't. It was like yeah hey Jade but I'm really all about Jessica. I feel like they could have tried to make their connection worthwhile. Jeremy is one of the sweetest guys in the series. & I feel like the writers never really did try with Jade. Maybe it changes tho. I'll check out the rest of the series again to see. Maybe I missed something.

Overall: I just feel they totally wasted her character and besides Jeremy needing someone with to temporarily get over Jess, and Evan needing to stop his Liz obsession, Jade could have been pulled. & no one would miss her. Plus she's a huge bitch. Sorry I guess I never realized it but I don't like her.

Keep reading as there are more to come :)

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Interview With Kitty Jones

Check Kitty out on her facebook page. Here. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kitty-Jones/445383865596535?fref=ts Give her a like please. Also check her out on wordpress. https://smithandleduc.wordpress.com

Why did you start writing?
When I was younger I had trouble reading, I'm talking even up until I was 8 or 9. Eventually I got sick of the books I was able to read. I wanted something more, something like Lord of the Rings; so I decided I was going to write a book that I would enjoy for the reading level I was at; but if I was writing before that I can't say for sure- it's been a long time.

How old were you when you started writing?
Again, not really sure- maybe 8 or 9? Probably about there.

How did you feel when you got your first thing published? What was it? My first work was called With Three We Shall Be. It was a short poly romance that I put a lot of time into. I submitted it the day I turned 18, and was lucky enough to have a publisher contact me about it. While it needed quite some work the editor who reached out to me saw some potential in it, she made some suggestions and I made some changed. It was accepted a month later.
I was thrilled! In shock but thrilled! I couldn't believe it. I spent five years improving my craft for that day, and it was finally there.

How did you come up with your pen name?
Depends which one you mean. I've had two., The first was Kelly D.Smith- why that one? Well, it's simple.
Kelly=super common name
Smith=super common name
I grabbed the name out of thin air in a matter of seconds. But the thing was, I wasn't happy with it. I spent a year thinking I should just get over it and that I shouldn't change it. Just recently I decided to change it. I am now Kitty Jones; and honestly I love it! I'm so much happier, and when it comes down to it, that's what matters. There is no point in sticking with a pen name you hate.

What's your favorite thing you've written?
I would have to say it's a tie between two works. Both I'm trying to find a publisher for right now.
The first is about the Devils daughter and her choices in life now that she is a grown woman. Since her mother was from our world she urns to come up here; and since her father is always in need of help she tries to convince him to let her help. As a father the Devil doesn't want to see his daughter get hurt, but he lets her go; on the condition that she has a demon with her to keep an eye on this.
The second is typical urban fantasy type of book with a twist; I won't give said twist away, but I will say it's inspired by a very popular TV show ;-)

What's your favorite character you've written about?
Over the past 12-15 years I've had such wonderful characters, but I would say my favorites are the ones I write a series about. I don't write the series about them because they are my favorite; but more so they become my favorite because I get to know them more and more. I get to see them grow.

I understand you do ghost writing as well. What do you like and dislike about that?
Ghost writing is another wonderful thing that has happened to me! For anyone who doesn't know, in its simplest ghost writing is a form of freelance writing. I've been doing lots of informational posts about it on my blog, Here; or you can always leave me a comment if you have questions and I will get back to you ASAP!
But anyway, there are lots of great things about it, firstly it's a writing career that you can make a (somewhat) livable wage off, and I know for a lot of authors (even award winners) that is hard. Second, ghost writing has been a great way for me to get feedback as well as explore new genres and see what is popular.
The major downside to it of course is that you give up all rights to it that and sometimes you get really mean clients.

Do any of your characters resemble people you know in real life?
I have a lot of characters that I personally relate to. I've had a couple that resemble my parents; but that's about it.

How do you feel about having something in print?
When it first happened it made me feel like I was a "real" author. Now, well I honestly forget. It's really rewarding to know that I've written something long enough that could be put in to print, but I'm always looking for the next goal. To be in major bookstores, to be a best seller, to be able to help other authors- there is always something. Right now my main focus is to just get better at writing. As much as it means to me that I've been so lucky in my career and do have my book in print (I actually keep a copy on my bedside table; something I smile at whenever I see) I just want to make sure it isn't the last one!

Thanks Kitty for letting me interview you. I really appreciate it. Thanks to my readers for reading. I am always open to do interviews so just let me know. :)


Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Character Study: Andy Marsden

Andy Marsden enters in book two and he's seriously a really likeable guy. Nice, sweet, funny, fun, always there for everyone else. He's a right hand man for Tia and Conner which he later comes to regret when he realizes he's gay, and none of his friends will bother with him. Usually Liz would be tearing herself apart to talk to someone about something like this and Tia too, but they're too wrapped up over Conner. Andy deals with it alone until he talks to Six, his ex and his parents. I really like Six too. Andy has his share of heartache until he finally ends up with Dave who's a lot less secure with his sexuality than Andy.

What I Love. Andy is seriously one of the best guys in the series. He's smart, nice, and funny. He's there for everyone. He's amazing.

What I Hate. Everyone treats him like he's just there and always going to be. Tia and Angel don't seem to at first but then Tia does. Conner kinda treats everyone at crap at times. Liz and Jess act like he's always someone who's just there except when Liz is getting to know him and Tia in the beginning. Same with Maria. It's like yeah he's there but Tia's the one threatening her friendship with Liz in the beginning. Hopefully somewhere along the line I'm wrong. I'll read and reread and find out.

Overall. I absolutely love Andy if you haven't guessed lol. I just never realized it. & I like that he occasionally gets his own storylines. Like the writers know he's important even if his friends don't. Good going :)

Up next my interview with a friend who by the way has a new pen name. & then Jade Wu followed by Andy's girlfriend Six Hansen followed by Tia's boyfriend Trent. This is subject to change.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Character Study: Tia Ramirez

Tia Ramirez enters in book one as a good friend of Conner's and becomes friends with Liz in the second one. They begin to get close. Tia starts becoming closer to Jess in the second book though she stands up for her from day one. Tia is suppose to be best friends with Conner, but they have a more low key friendship. She seems to really be closer to Andy and even Liz at times. Tia and Elizabeth suffer a setback when she catches Tia and Conner together behind her back. They pretty much gloss it over though which makes no sense. Elizabeth never glossed anything over with Todd. Tia cheats on Angel even tho she fears he'll do it to her. & she seems more equal with him than Trent. & she moves on quickly to kissing Conner. It's weird.

What I love. Tia's personality. She's really smart, sweet, and fun. & I like her interactions with the twins. Like she likes them but she isn't overly impressed. It's nice to see. I also love that she's like one of the guys.

What I Hate. Her kissing Conner. She never acts attracted to him til she gets lonely and then she convinces herself she's head over heels. Then it just gets dropped. Total bust storyline. Also the Berkely thing? When Evan wants to go and she kinda does so she won't make any kinda decision so he won't get it. That's what it seems like anyway.

Overall. I really like Tia. She's one of the best characters. I wish they didn't bust on her storylines. I wish she hadn't kissed Conner while he was with Liz tho I like that he didn't dump Liz for her. That would have been too cliche.

Next up is Tia's friend Andy Marsden. Next up is the interview with a friend of mine. After that is Jade Wu who is Evan's girlfriend. This is subject to change.