Tuesday, August 10, 2010

"The *real* reason Daniel didn't go after Grace the night she found out what he did"...and a TLS giveaway

8/10/2010

Hey all-

Some blogger folks are counting down the days until the debut of Suzanne Collins's MOCKINGJAY by hosting a YA Showdown in which they are pitting characters from different books against each other to see who will come out as the YA fighting champion.

Editor Greg was practically giddy when the Showdown bloggers asked if I'd be willing to contribute my own version of what would happen if Daniel Kalbi were to fight Jace Wayland from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments books.

Honestly, the idea kind of freaked me out. Writing fight scenes is probably one the hardest things for me to do--and why on Earth would Daniel and Jace ever fight each other in the first place?

But Editor Greg was so excited about it, and the idea really was an interesting one, so I decided to try my hand at writing a short description of what would happen if (and why?) these two characters were to face-off . . .

And ended up having so much fun with it, it turned into a 7 page short story.

Um, did I ever mention that I have issues with brevity?

Anyway, the short story is set within the framework of TDD book #1--right after Daniel reveals to Grace what he did before he disappeared 3 years ago. It explores the *real* reason (haha) why Daniel didn't go after her when she left that night. And it's written from Daniel's POV, which was way too much fun to write from. (I may have to explore this more in book #3.)

You can read the short story by CLICKING HERE.

Then you can go HERE to read an alternate version of what would happen if these two characters fought. And then you can VOTE as to which version you like better--or who you think would win in the match-up. Personally, I think you should all vote for Daniel--but if you don't, I'll still be your friend. And you can see all the other character match-ups here. (Warning: there may be a few TDD book #1 spoilers on this website.)

And since I just got an email from my editor saying that my ARCs of THE LOST SAINT should be arriving at my doorstep any minute now . . . I think I might just have to give one away to somebody who reads the short story.

So go check it out. Read. Hopefully enjoy. Vote for your fave. Come back here and tell me you did so. And then I will enter you in a drawing for a signed ARC of THE LOST SAINT.

Voting ends on August 12th, so the contest will end at 11:59 pm on that day too. And if you spread the word about the contest/the short story/the YA Showdown, you'll get 1 extra point in the drawing.

xoxo,

Bree

72 comments:

Lena1xoxo said...

OMG, awesome! I read, voted then retweeted you about the contest. Twitter name= @Lena1xoxo

Dang, Daniel is getting his butt stomped. Where are all the Daniel fans? Calling all Daniel fans!!!

CONGRATS ON GETTING TLS arcs. I want one BAAAAAD And thanks for the giveaway.

*crosses fingers and hopes*

-Lena
addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com

Minas said...

I read and loved it! I would love to get my hands on a ARC of The Last Saint.



minas_1989@hotmail.com

Lena1xoxo said...

EEP! Forgot to post the link to my tweet:

http://twitter.com/Lena1xoxo/status/20820039711

Oopsies :P

Overlook Building said...

I loved your story! I think in the end the guys might tie. In a fight as long as Jace plays fair they really equally matched! I did vote for Daniel because the voting seemed heavily weighted towards Jace.

I also retweeted your contest @jenlam26

Congrats on getting the arcs in I am excited to read this book.

Jenn said...

I voted for Daniel. I think it fits his personality to let Jace go with a serious warning, rather than Jace killing him outright. But that's just my opinion.

I retweeted you about the contest - @ReadingIsSexy85 and I'm trying to get my book blog up and going and would love to win an ARC to review it. Plus I just can't wait to read what happens next! :) www.livelaughread.net

Thanks for running such a fun contest!

Speech Delay Mamma said...

I voted (for Daniel)! Loved it by the way!
And I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/ChanelleGray/statuses/20821245255

Jenni Elyse said...

I love your story. It's so fun. It was really hard for me to read, though, because I didn't want Daniel or Jace to lose. I like both of them too much! :) So, I really like how you ended it.

I voted and I spread the word about the contest on Twitter, which also went to Facebook. And, I spread the word about your short story on Twitter.

My Life With Books - Jennifer K Jovus said...

In my world I would like to have Jace and Daniel be friends. They both fight for good. But I am a God Fearing person and so is Daniel so I am cheering for him.

It was a fun read BTW.
kjovus(at)gmail(dot)com

Khelsea @ Once upon a review said...

Yay! Congratulating getting your TLS ARCs!

Your story wa amazing!! I voted and also tweeted with your name, @ onceuponareview

*crossesfingersbecausemereallywants*


khelseabrasuel(at)gmail(dot)com

Cassie said...

I think your story was more true to the charactes. That said, I really think it would be a draw. Jace is pretty merciless and has more experience fighting, so I voted for him, but Daniel has more to live for. Maybe they could just discuss things over cookies and hot chocolate.

Becky said...

I loved your short story and I think you got who those characters are. I loved reading something from Daniel's POV! Thanks for hosting the giveaway. I'm just getting started with a book blog and I'd love to review an ARC of TLS...plus I kind of cannot wait to read it! :D

bookworm_sylvia(at)hotmail(dot)com
bookwormboulevard.blogspot.com

Samantha Lewis said...

I read your story and loved it! I voted for Daniel, he is my favorite character! ;) I liked TDD more than the Instruments...

blackfirekitty@bellsouth.net

Anya said...

Loved the short story! And of course I voted for Daniel...can't wait till The Lost Saint releases!!! :)

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/AnyaKapllani/status/20823694756

Thanks!

Anja_Kapllani@web.de

Sandy said...

Gave it a read and a vote! It's cool to see Daniel's point of view for once :D

Tweeted about it here:
http://twitter.com/xsandypants/status/20823781366

Caitlin said...

I loved reading the short story! you did and awesome job with it! The whole concept of the showdowns are really interesting!

VanillaMusic15@aol.com

Jessica B said...

Read it! It was SO GOOD. I also voted for Daniel, and retweeted the contest:http://twitter.com/Pinkhair/status/20825543985

Thanks for the contest, The Lost Saint is one of my most wanted ARCs!

shutupjessicasreading @ gmaildotcom

Espe said...

Wow! Awesome giveaway and congrats on the ARC's! I read both stories and I liked yours much better :)

While I love me some Jace, I appreciated Daniel's perspective. Plus, Daniel has superpowers on his side!

Thanks again!

esperanza62 at gmail dot com

Jena said...

Well, that short story was fantastic! I love both characters so much! :) But, I would have to pick Jace, he's my all time favorite male character and I won't cheat! lol *don't hate me* :(. I love love love Daniel too, so I'm just going to stick with your short story and say both boys win :)

+1 I tweeted: http://twitter.com/Jenababy13/status/20828072253


Thanks again!! :)
jenababy13(at)gmail(dot)com

Krista Lauren said...

I voted for Daniel! I loved the short story, you are truly such a great writer!! I also spread the word on my blog!

http://siamesecatlover-kris.blogspot.com/

Angela Hoffman said...

Definitely checked out both versions of the story and voted for Daniel. I thought your version was great, especially since it didn't misconstrue any of your mythology of course. :) Good luck in winning this epic YA showdown!

Oh, and I would love an ARC of TLS! Keepin' my fingers crossed.

Thanks for offering this contest!

Angela

bookmarkr said...

I voted for Daniel!

Those were interesting stories! I love both series, and it was interesting to see them crossover on that level.

Your version was that one the I liked!

Anonymous said...

I definitely enjoyed your version better...I also felt that it was more realistic. I think they are both kick-ass fighters! I really do think Jace would win, but I really would want Daniel to win. I feel like Jace would only try to win because he's arrogant, whereas Daniel would try and win because he has someone he wants to live for. *cough*GRACIE*cough*

Haha this was fun!! I tweeted about it here:

http://twitter.com/kelseydickson/status/20831622375

Thanks!

xoxo,
Kelsey

Stacy said...

Great story!
And thanks for running the contest.
I voted for Jace, but I still love Daniel.
indians2014(at)yahoo(dot)com

throuthehaze said...

Awesome story!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Mariah said...

The YA fantasy Showdown is awesome! It was cool to read your take on what would happen and how it differed from the other version!

a_readers_adventure at yahoo dot com

Tales of Whimsy said...

I love that your taking part! Isn't Heather amazing for putting this together? :)

Elizabeth Morgan said...

I loved it. I voted for Daniel. He seems so awesome!

Seth and Andrea said...

I voted for Daniel! What a great story!!

I also retweeted it @aatchison1985

Good luck Bree!

Kate said...

I read and voted. So excited for you to get ur ARCs!! :)

Sithereandread (at) gmail (dot)com

Liviania said...

Both stories were fun, but I voted for Daniel! (And I'd love to see his point of view in the 3rd book.)

inbedwithbooks AT yahoo DOT com

Olivia Carter said...

HA! Love it! I'm a huge Daniel & Jace fan so your story was fun to read!

cowgirlprincess101@hotmail.com

Sharli said...

Awesome! Loved both stories :D I read, voted and RTed @Entre_Libros

(Go Daniel! xD)
entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

Andrea said...

Wow that was fun! I liked your short story better! And I voted for Daniel!

Andrea
belle2211(at)yahoo(dot)com

Claire @ YA Bookie Monster said...

Really loved both stories and I voted as well!!!

Here is my tweet:
http://twitter.com/Claireee94/status/20843924154

Awesome contest!

Claire
yabookiemonster{at}gmail{dot}com

Unknown said...

Fun story!

McKenzie
mac.attack17(at)yahoo(dot)com

timestandstill said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
timestandstill said...

I read both stories and I like yours better, but (and I know you wrote this on assignment as you did not get to choose who Daniel battles) Jace would not attack a "downworlder" without cause. Now if he were to battle say "Nick" the demon from DL then I could see it. I think Jace could be interested in Daniel but would not get involved without provocation. I think a battle with Daniel and Nick though would have been awesome. I love both books but regretably voted Jace. Eagerly awaiting the Lost Saint.
MSNKSU90(at)cox(dot)net

Bree Biesinger Despain said...

Haha. I said the same thing--that I'd rather have Daniel battle Nick.

Honestly, I know Jace is a better fighter because he's been trained to hunt demons since he was a little kid. And there's the fact that Daniel HATES to fight and would never attack Jace. But I also think Daniel has more to live for, superpowers, and if he were to lose control, his inner wolf would go crazy on Jace. That's why I decided to pretty much make it a draw.

But it was fun to write. And I'm having a love-affair with the idea of writing from Daniel's POV.

Anna said...

Okay I accidentally posted my comment on the wrong post...I read your short story and loved it. You did the Jace snark well even though he wasn't your character. I voted! Thanks for sharing with us. I can't wait for the The Lost Saint

Clarissa said...

Hi Bree,

what a fun contest. It's a fantastic way to count down the days till Mockingjay. I enjoyed reading both the mortal instruments and the dark divine, to mix the two is just pure awesomeness. You know, I think Jace would handle the kill better than Daniel would. It would weigh Daniel down more. I think Jace would just shake it off. But I also think Daniel could. SO I liked the way you chose to let Jace get away. Nice way to end it.

Llehn said...

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! And I voted for Daniel.

lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

Darlyn said...

I wish Jace can be more tolerate and not that mean!Daniel is not really a fighter. I think he would rather not to fight and run to save his and Jace. Btw, that is cool short story. Can I vote for a tie? If not, make it Jace.LOL

darlyn225 at gmail dot com

Kaysi said...

Awesome short story. Thank you Bree!!!!

I have voted... of course for Daniel. I have to agree that Daniel would win in such a manner as he did in your story... and if not, it would be good to see him turn bad-ass, which he could do if he had to!

Thank you for the opportunity to try to win a TLS ARC, link passed onto a group of friends who loved TDD.

Love all the way from Australia!

Twitter - Kaysi_23

Anonymous said...

I read it and voted! I really liked the short story. It melded the two worlds/characters wonderfully. Thanks for sharing!

shauntel said...

I voted (for Daniel) and would love a copy of TLS! Letting all my friends know about it on FB too.

Meaghan said...

Hi Bree,
Thanks for the contest. I tried to write a comment yesterday but I think it didn't post correctly so I am sorry if this shows up twice. I went and checked out the stories and voted for Daniel of course. I think your version stayed truer (is that a word) to the characters and fit is really well with the story line. :)

I also tweeted about the contest here

https://twitter.com/abookwormshaven/status/20834848219

Jacqueline C. said...

I've voted and spread the word. Here's the link to my blog post about the showdown: http://www.eclecticbooklover.com/2010/08/having-fun-with-ya-fantasy-showdown.html

Thanks for the contest, Bree!

jax1204[at]gmail[dot]com

Andrea said...

I voted for Daniel!
and I posted it on my book blog bookwormtellsall.blogspot.com

Jasper's Cherry said...

Voted and RT'd about the contest! :)

http://twitter.com/Jaspers_Cherry

Unknown said...

I loved the short story of daniel. I love Daniel but I think Jace would win the battle. I can't wait to read "Lost Saints".

hillari said...

Loved your short story, and voted. I have to tell you, back when I read The Dark Divine, I totally fell for Daniel--he is hot and romantic!

Krista Lauren said...

Ohh I also posted it too my twitter as well! So its on my blog and twitter and I voted.


http://twitter.com/Krista_Lauren

http://siamesecatlover-kris.blogspot.com/

Heather Cherry said...

I read the story. It was pretty awesome, but I haven't read the Mortal Instruments books yet. I did just get the first one though, so I will read it soon. So I'm not sure how Jace fights, but I can always see that forest seen in my head with Daniel and Grace when they're looking for baby James and Daniel does some werewolf "tricks." I did vote though. And read both stories.

Christina Foss said...

I have now officially voted! I read both stories, and they were awesome, though I do prefer them both staying alive! Which means that I prefer the first story, were Daniel refuses to fight him. I must say though, that you, Bree Despain, are one great author! I totally loved The Dark Divine, and I almost can't wait for The Lost Saint! Which of course means that I'm crossing my fingers, and hoping that I'll be the lucky winner of a signed copy :)

ExtremeReader said...

I loved your short story and I LOVED reading from Daniel's POV! I voted! I agree with some of the other comments in wanting to see them stand together and fight evil instead of each other! I can't wait for The Lost Saint!!
jenniferclodfelter(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I voted! I loved the story! And I can't wait for The Lost Saint!
courtneyvait6(at)gmail(dot)com

Katie said...

You know you're a book nerd when this kind of thing makes you giddy. LOVED the short story, and I voted. I had to vote Jace for the win, but I like Daniel better for trying to shut off the beast inside him instead of embracing it the way Jace does. And I agree with ExtremeReader, they should fight evil together...like the Justice League!! :)

Yay for ARC's!!! Enter me please. Can't wait to read THE LOST SAINT!!!! I think its cover is somehow even more beautiful than TDD one.

katiemstout[at]gmail[dot]com

Shannon Palmer-Realtor said...

Loved the story, had to vote for Jace though, didn't think Daniel could kill anyone.

Will tweet the contest and put it on our blog www.mysticallitlounge.com
@mysticlitlounge for twitter

Mundie Moms said...

That was a hard choice! I was really torn between Daniel and Jace. You know I LOVE Daniel, but I had to vote for Jace... *ducks* Really, I think it would be a draw. lol

We've got it posted on Mundie Moms.
Its been tweeted on Mundie Moms and I tweeted it under my account (KatiebMundieMom)

I can't wait to read it!!

Hollistic said...

Honestly, your 'author fight' was the best thing on the entire website. I've had silly fun with this all day at work. But even with the characters from books I haven't read, these fights seem so out of character for everyone. The draws make so much more sense then the senseless deaths.

Of course, I voted for Daniel. Though I like Jace, he needs his but kicked sometimes. I also posted on facebook.

Excited to see the continuation of Grace's story.

Bree Biesinger Despain said...

Yes, my biggest issue with having Daniel in this sort of showdown is that he wouldn't willing attack or try to kill anyone. He's all about keeping his inner demon restrained. Though, if her were to go wolf--I imagine he could cause a whole lot of damage.

Seriously, no hard feelings towards anyone who voted for Jace. he is a trained killer after all. And yes, I would love to see Daniel and Jace fight evil together.

I just want people to enjoy my little story.

Thanks for the love!

Sara B. Larson said...

That was really fun!! You should definitely write more from his pov. ;) thanks for the contest too! Can't wait for TLS!! :)

Anonymous said...

Well I voted for Daniel and I liked your story a bit better than the other one ha ha... I've never heard of Jace before either!

Well I showed my friend the mash-up AND introduced her to the TDD series I might add!

Daniel won. The end.

Lindsey said...

I voted for Daniel. Loved the TDD. Can't wait until the sequel.

Aleksandra said...

Hi, Bree! I loved your story, it's hilarious, so that's why I voted for Daniel :)
I can't wait to read TLS, so please, enter me for the giveaway!
sandric.sk(at)gmail(dot)com

Shell said...

LOVED the first version! But in the second I couldn't believe Daniel would lose, so I voted for him.

Thanks for helping my Thursday get a little better!

Shell said...

http://twitter.com/WulfLuva93

I posted the short story/contest here!

Catie S (Book Bound) said...

I read both, voted & posted!

http://twistedfates.livejournal.com/106376.html

meow_mix85(at)hotmail(dot)com

Christina T said...

I really enjoyed your short story. The showdown is a fun idea.

I tweeted about your contest:
http://twitter.com/readextensively

ylime1981 said...

<3<3<3<3 Two of my favorite guys!!!!!!!! So, so, so good!

Emily
ebdye1(at)gmail

Jessy said...

Voted for Daniel because I think he may need a little help. Great story btw, it's always fun to check out another characters POV.

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Emma015/statuses/21030064425

findjessyhere at gmail dot com

Mia Q-S said...

I LOVED this. I really love The Mortal Instruments series, almost as much as I loved reading 'The Dark Divine'. It's really great as a reader, to be able to see some interaction between characters from different series.

AWESOME (: