Rereading, Series, and Advice

First, an apology for not having a catchy title. Now onwards and upwards.

I am a passionate advocate for rereading. I think that every time you read you can learn something different about the book, about the author, or about yourself. We're different at every point in our lives so we bring something new to a book every time we read. 

This time, I decided to pick up a series that I had read starting in sixth grade (don't judge) the Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman. Hoffman's concept is that teenagers use talismans to be transported to an alternate Italy in the 16th century. Firstly, the series is engaging, touching, and I love the characters. This time around though I also gained some valuable insights into how I can improve Guardians.

As I've been saying for the past few months I'm working on doubling my manuscript. Part of this addition includes a further look at Ben and Rafi in our world before they're whisked off to Cornerstone. I'd been worrying about these parts. Where they moving too slowly? Did they actually add anything to the plot? 

Enter Mary Hoffman and her flawless transitions between our world and the one she has created. At the beginning of each book in the series (there are six) she introduces the problems in both worlds, sets the tone of the book, and then quickly has the main characters intersect. I had picked up the series on a whim but I gained actual writing advice as well.