Hairnets and Hopes

ZFF- no more excuses...

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!
and a happy FRIDAY to you!!!

So! Zombie Fitness Friday... let's get to the gritty-grimy.

I've been thinking a lot about why I don't achieve some goals.
And you know what it comes down to?
Of course you do!

excuses, Excuses, EXCUSES...

You see, I have a TON of them, and I like to whip them out of my pocket and play them like a worn stack of poker cards- shuffle, bridge, and deal. Boo-YAH! No effort, no trouble, no improvement.

Failure.

So!
This Friday, I'm laying them down- all those excuses- and I'm walking away from the table and into a healthier me. Because you know, when the day comes (as we all KNOW it will) the zombies won't give a flying flip about my excuses.

Thus, I introduce: ARGUING WITH MYSELF...

1.) I don't have the time (to cook healthy food, exercise regularly, whatev). There is never enough time to do everything you would like, nay, need to do. But health should be a priority, vic! How can you argue about time when a healthy diet and exercise will (possibly) increase your lifespan and quality of life?

photo from here

2.) I've struggled with severe thyroid issues since I was nine. And not just a little imbalance, I had the goiter and Graves' ophthalmopathy and a resting pulse over 130. Things were really bad there for a couple years, where I could only ascend a staircase a couple stairs at a time because my heart would go nuts, and I couldn't really exercise- at all. Years of drugs and blood tests and a very special radioactive green pill (that made quite a bit of my hair fall out) later, I still have thyroid issues. So, when I say it HURTS to exercise. I mean it. And I can't just jump in and keep up with other people. I have to take things at my own pace, and the current imbalance in my thyroid makes it very difficult for any weight to come off... Now, vic. The focus is not on some number on a scale, but to make your health improved. Your sister had a heart attack four years ago, and you've had six aunts and uncles have them in their forties. You need to improve your heart health. Ok. You can't jump in and be at the same pace as someone else. That doesn't matter. What matters is making yourself healthier. It does you no good to cling to what was- healthwise. Think about what could be.

3.) I'm a complete klutz mess when I exercise and I don't want other people to see me. Then exercise at home. :P

4.) Healthy food costs more. Really, vic, really? A banana costs about 30cents. A couple scoops of ice cream cost about 60 cents. Home-making your food from fresh produce really does save money as opposed to prepackaged foods. It's when you go for the prepackaged "health" foods that the wallet starts imploding from the vacuum inside. Stop being lazy, vic, and COOK! :P

5.) My family will complain. That might be true... at first. But the kiddos will learn healthy eating habits, which they'll need with your family's medical history of heart disease, and Kody's family's medical history of diabetes. Plus, Kody needs to eat better... it won't take much for that hypoglycemia to turn into diabetes. If Kody complains, he can fix himself something different. But you have a responsibility to teach those children good habits, darn it. A little complaining today isn't nearly as bad as dying young. Plus, who knows? They might end up liking the new foods! Remember! Love isn't lazy.

I think those are my biggest excuses, but as new ones pop up, I'm trying to bust them and keep going!
What excuses keep you from striving for better health?
Don't forget to sign up for the teenage heartthrob blogfest! :)

teenage heartthrob blogfest!!!

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!!!
So, the other day, I'm talking to my best pal at work Jodi (aka Sunshine).
And Sunshine's not feeling too sunny.
In fact she's feeling quite cloudy. :(
So of course, I need to cheer her up. I start thinking (ow!)... what makes her smile? What makes her smile?
And---
EUREKA!!!
Bradley Cooper makes her smile!
So, I rummage around Google images for a bit until I find a nice half-nakey pic of him, and then post it to her Facebook wall. And it worked! Whoo hoo!!!
And then I decide I need to spread the man candy around a bit more, so I find a pic of another fellow Em used to crush on when she was a teeny-bopper, and post it to her wall!
And JIMINEY CHRISTMAS was it fun!

The best part with Em was the reminiscing. The remembering of these gents that we swooned over as teenagers, and forgot about since.
How many hours did we spend gobbling up their appearances on tv or in movies, their musical gigs, and their athletic events? How many magazines did we borrow from our friends just because that dreamy celeb was on the cover, or cut out pics to tack-up on our walls, rubber cement to our notebooks, or stick inside our lockers?

In a really strange (and likely unhealthy) way, these heartthrobs helped shape who we were, how we saw ourselves, and the qualities we'd end up looking for in our future mates. Even as the battle rages over at Justine's place about Alpha and Beta Males and Katie contemplates the evolution of the modern hero, understanding just what it was about that fellow (or gal) that made our tummies butterfly is important when shaping our characters.

So!
We'd like to salute and celebrate the heartthrobs of OUR pasts. Those gents and ladies who taught our hearts to pitter-patter and (in some cases) slipped into the ether of anonymity.

On March 5 (cinco de march-o) , we ask YOU to join us as we remember, celebrate, appreciate, ogle, tease-each-other, and fanboy/girl out.

The linky-doodle-majig is over in my sidebar up near the top. Or you can find one at either of my co-hosts blogs:
Ms. Sarah Ahiers :)
and
Ms. Emily White :)
(lovely ladies-both- and you should totally follow them!) :)

Later Gators!

nerd fight!!!

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

heya guys!
ohmygoodness!
just a quick post here to tell you about a super nifty podcast thing i found this weekend.

NERD FIGHT is a group podcast put out by a heckuva lotta guys that have very strong opinions regarding nerd pop culture.
not to be confused with nerdfighteria.

in this first episode, they smack(talk) down about:
who's the better robin- dick grayson vs tim drake?
playstation 3 vs xbox 360
edwin jarvis vs alfred pennyworth
could r2d2 defeat a dalek?
episode 3 vs episode 6
and who is the best star trek cpt. ever?

and jiminey christmas! is it entertaining to hear these grown men get all hot-under-the-collar while defending their favorite characters and shows and whatnot.

mostly, i just wanted to let you guys know about the podcast.
but i also wanted to weigh in my opinions.

(dick grayson vs. tim drake--- ???? playstation 3 vs xbox 360--- ????)
*ahem*

jarvis vs alfred--- pennyworth all the way!

could r2d2 defeat a dalek?--- abso-freakin'-lutely. now, a bunch of daleks- i'm not so sure about that one.

episode 3 vs 6--- 6. i love ewoks (give me a break, i was a kiddo when i first saw them and they reminded me of teddy bears!)

best star trek cpt ever:
#1- picard
#2- sisko (he gets extra points for being jake's dad- *sigh* jake sisko!)
#3- kirk and archer-tie!
#999- janeway. blech.

so, guys!
weigh in your nerdom opinions in the comments!

health?!?!?!

2012-01-20T07:40:00.002-06:00

Heya Guys!!!!

For the benefit of my fellow Round to Well-Rounded Challengers (and myself), I'm thinking Fridays will be update days around here for awhile.

Because of the private nature of three of my goals, I won't really talk about those unless there's some kind of insight or something from those ventures.

And sense the main focus of the blog is supposed to be about writing stuff, Fridays will be for the physical health stuff... not that I'm an expert on that stuff, but- HEY! I like to learn, I like to work hard, and I like to share the things I learn.

So, this should work, right? Right???

Anyway!
You guys all know Jamie over at Mithril Wisdom (if not, remedy that- he's a cool fellow).
For the past... while... I'm not sure how long... Jamie has been having ZFF posts!

Don't know what ZFF is?
OHMYGOODNESS!!!!
It stands for ZOMBIE FITNESS FRIDAYS!!!!

Heeheehee!
It's his "get physically healthy so that I can survive the coming ZomPoc" fitness regime. And it's hilarious! And I've been wanting to join since he started!

So, I'm stealing his graphic, and his title and having some ZFF posts on Fridays now.
I might not focus on the zombies as much and more on the fitness and health tips that I learn, but still... really, I just want to play with the cool kids. :P

I was going to go ahead and have a content post today, but--
Aargh!
*grumble*
The stomach flu ripped through our house this week like a machete through a wet kleenex, and my oldest is working-up to pneumonia again, so I didn't gather any info.
Don't worry, next week it'll be up here!
BUT!
I did start a new exercise regime thing... the day before I got the flu. And JIMINEY CHRISTMAS did my body hurt!!!
Yikes!
AND!
I AM down seven pounds since the beginning of the year! (and the flu didn't help at all!)
So- hooray for that!
Anyway, I'm floundering here for a way to end this post... how about:
BYE!

?'s for you:
You following Jamie, yet?
Have you filled out your forms, participants? *nag, nag, nag*
The flu hit your house?
What's your favorite Zombie book/ movie/ show??? ((Zombieland for me!!!))
OOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!
speaking of Zombieland (and completely opposite to the health issue) did you guys see this?!?!?!

join the battle
Ensure that the twinkie jokes of Zombieland won't be lost to the next generation.
Also- after the ZomPoc, they will be the only enduring source of spoungy-sweetness.
C'mon folks! Make Tallahassee proud!
:P

don't steal art, music, words, or freedom

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

enter- if you DARE...

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!

from top left- rendering of Renesmee from BREAKING DAWN,
Dragonfly acrylic painting, portrait of musician Christoffer Franzen
Graphite Ood from Dr. Who, ink drawing of a path, Mermaid-digital

Today is the day that you get to officially start signing up for the Round to Well-Rounded Challenge!!!
*crowd cheers*

In summary, this is a year-long challenge to try to achieve better balance in our lives.

If you sign up, I will send you two forms. One you will fill out, and keep for yourself as a reminder. The other, you will fill out and e-mail back to me.

Each month, I will ask you a rough percentage of how well you kept to your three personal goals (spiritual, home, and career- check out the links if you don't know what I mean by spiritual or home goals), and where you are standing on your health and writing goals.

old rendering of Rue from THE HUNGER GAMES

I will then calculate points based on how well you are sticking to the goals you set for yourself.

Ever wanted to have a rendering of one of your characters? Or need a painting to match your kitchen decor? Or an illustration of a favorite novel setting?

At the end of the year, the person who stuck the truest to what they wished to achieve will receive a piece of art from me. They can even tell me what they would like and what medium they would like me to use.

Resolutions never seem to work.

Because no one seems to stick to their resolve.
Part of the difficulty is that it's hard to tough it out alone.
This challenge is a chance to work hard at what you want, alongside others working just as hard- to draw strength and support and encouragement from one another.
Please join us!

GAME OF THRONES weirwood

To sign-up:

Shoot me an e-mail at ca5well at aol dot com. Subject line- Challenge.

Or

Leave a comment on this post or the RoundtoWellRoundedChallenge Page above, I'll get back to you.

Or

Join our Facebook Group.

Remember! Be there or be square... err... round.

life is smacking me around...

2012-01-13T09:26:00.001-06:00

Man! I wanted to post all about my Round to Well-Rounded Challenge this week, but the attention-needing in-laws came up, work went nutso, and now I have a six-year-old with the stomach flu. So... it just didn't happen.

Here's the dealio.

Monday I'll have a sign-up for the Challenge. If any of you are interested in spreading the news that would be really nice!
Monday will be the easypeasy to understand post. That way I can write it this weekend, instead of this mad-typing in between mopping up rounds of sick.
See you then!
Have a lovely weekend!

safe harbor...

2012-01-09T22:31:00.000-06:00

As an introduction to the Round to Well-Rounded Challenge, this week I'll be discussing the five areas to which the challenge extends. Today we have:

Home

Our refuge.

Our family.

The place where we can feel free. Safe. Loved.

Home is a magical place.

And keeping it that way takes a lot of time and effort.

There are the people to care for.

Mothers and fathers, spouses, siblings, children, friends, pets.

Those people who hold your hair when you get sick, and who you'd wrestle lions to protect.

Home is not about a building or the material things that fill up the space.

It is about belonging, and helping, and loving.

And part of that is taking care of the needs of those you love most dear.

Feeding their stomachs and clothing their backs.

Keeping tidy.

Feeding their minds and healing their wounds.

Showing loving correction

Helping each other find Truth

and

see others,

see the world,

see their potential.

It's easy to see how your spirituality effects your home life, and how your home life can effect your spirituality. They are aspects of our environment and self that exist symbiotically, that feed upon each other.

Being well-rounded is about finding balance, and within that balance, peace.

Home is where peace dwells.

And with that peace and that love we are edified and enriched.

We have the strength to chase our dreams and endure when rejection slaps us hard across the face.

Inspiration is found in each day.

Stories are safe to grow.

Home should always, always be a priority.

When making my goal for the round to well-rounded challenge for HOME, I found myself thinking of my siblings, and how I've managed to move so far away from them, and grown so busy as an adult that I hardly know them at all anymore. My goal will be to try to communicate with them more often this year.

When coming up with a challenge for yourself, it can be a relationship one or a more practical one- keeping up on the dishes, spending extra time with so-and-so. Whatever is lacking. Whatever will make your peace more complete.

Again, for those of you joining the challenge, I will simply give you a field to fill in your goal, and ask you next December a percentage of how well you kept to that goal.

Who are some of the people that make you feel at home?

Is your dwelling place always mighty tidy or is it topsy slopsy like mine?

What kind of things disrupt the peace of your home?

The Heart of Matter

2012-01-08T23:48:00.000-06:00

As an introduction to the Round to Well-Rounded Challenge, this week I'll be discussing the five areas to which the challenge extends. Today we have:

Spirituality

For me spirituality is a funny word. It has all kinds of connotations and implications that don't fit what I mean.

We can argue the existence of the spirit/soul, the distinction between the two, and all sorts of religious and philosophical themes riffing on that.

And that's precisely my point.

Every single person that lives in this world has a core philosophy- a belief system.

And what each individual believes, changes and grows as they learn.

To me, our spirituality is that drive within us to do Good, to Help, to Serve, to Protect, to Learn, to Understand, and above all to Love.

And we may disagree about the best measures to take to live out these things.

But the fact that we have these disagreements rises from the fact that we all have our own philosophies and by my definition spirituality.

As a writer, it is not only necessary to recognize your own philosophies, but to embrace your spirituality.

It is impossible to separate the way you see the world from your own philosophies- IF you don't understand what you believe is specific to you. Take for instance... hmmm... I truly believe that every person has worth, potential, and deserves to be loved. Not everyone agrees with that. And if I'm writing from the point of view of... let's say, a gal who hates clowns (not a far stretch there!), like truly hates them, I have to recognize that the basic assumption I put on the value of individual life, doesn't exist for her. To her, everyone has value, unless they are Bozo or Krusty. And I know that's a silly example.

But there are other things, more specific things- that can be kinda messy to talk about online... like ANYTHING to do with politics, or religion, or Truth.

But these things shape the way we see EVERYTHING, and the way we interact with EVERYONE. Whether we realize it or not.

It is important to remember and embrace those things that you truly believe as you write. Because even if your characters don't believe anything similar to what you believe, and you recognize this, and you write that character as honestly as humanly possible. You still are responsible for what your book says. For the message it puts out in the world.

And you need to be in touch with that drive within you to do good, so that when your books are agented, and published, and sold, and read...

*your books will never, ever be something that makes you feel ashamed for writing them.

*your books will not do what you perceive to be harm.

*you can write books that are unique, because they come from you.

*your books will have heart, because you remembered yours while you wrote.

My goal in order to keep my spirituality growing, is to remember to study everyday- which I'm ashamed to admit I didn't do in 2011.

When signing up for the Round to Well-Rounded Challenge, you will need a goal to put here. It can be to volunteer somewhere, or to study, or to meditate, or to pray, or to help mow an elderly neighbor's lawn, or to smile at a random stranger a day, or whatever! Anything that reinforces and strengthens that drive in you to do Good, to seek Truth, to make the world better, to help, to learn, to LOVE.

I won't ask you your goal.

I believe that to be a very personal thing.

But in December, I'll ask you for a percentage of how well you think you kept to your goal.

I'll trust you to be honest.

Tomorrow, we'll talk about Home.

So, have you recognized any themes within your stories that are tied to your philosophies and/or spirituality? I find that twisted religions appear in much that I write.

2012 Challenge!- An Introduction

2012-01-02T19:24:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I don't know about you, but I'm really excited that it's 2012!

Now that you've had a chance to quick-view the scatteredness that is my brain, I'm going to try again. (but hopefully with a little more focus this time- *crosses fingers*)

INTRODUCING (dah-dah- dah DAHHHHH!!!!)

The Round to Well-Rounded Challenge!!!

This challenge takes the form of five parts (would that make it round to pentagonal?)

in no particular order:

#1 SPIRITUAL:

I don't speak much about my faith on my blog, because I don't really feel like this is the place to do so. But our beliefs and convictions lead us to action that takes time out of our schedule. Whether it be meditation, prayer, study, volunteer-work, whatever: these things are a time commitment, and not a commitment exclusive to people of faith, either.

#2 PHYSICAL:
I like to call this the NOT STEALING COOKIES BUT STEELING MY RESOLVE challenge. Writing is bad for my butt... and my heart... and my diet.
Let's be honest, it's an endeavor that doesn't require much movement- except for our fingers I guess. And that's not great for the health.

#3 HOME:
There are needs here, whether they be interrelationship needs or physical needs (like cleaning and laundry). Raising kids, being a good spouse, a caring daughter, a loving sister, a concerned aunt, a good friend... these things take time, and (for me at least) could always use improvement.

#4 WRITING:
If Nano has taught me one thing, it's that I make more progress if I set goals and deadlines for my writing.

#5 CAREER:
Though most of us would probably like to write full-time, I don't think it's wise to bank on that. I'm sure we all try to give our best every day we're at the day job, but I'm sure there is something we could do better.

So!
Here's the skinny:

Next week, I'll go into a bit more detail about each category and my goal for each.

You think about whether you'd like to play along at home.
If you do, I'll send you two forms next Saturday (1/14).

The first one is for your spiritual, home, and career goals. You write one specific, attainable goal in each field and you keep that one for yourself.
The second is for your physical and writing goals. They'll be more broken down than the other form, you fill that puppy in and send it back to me.

At the end of 2012, I'll send you another form to figure out how to rank your progress.
I'll compile responses and progresses.
AND:

The person who has stayed the truest-bluest-hardest-working-made-the-most-progress on reaching their goals will win a picture from me. It can be in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, graphite, colored pencil (you'll get the originals of these if that's what you'd like), or digital media (which you'll get a print of). You can even tell me what you want it to be of. You can even be international.

This post is littered with a sampling of some of my past work, or you can see my devArt gallery or past blog entries...
I know it's a silly prize, but I'm poor, and shipping anything will be about all the cash I'll have, I'm sure! Plus, it will be a prize of my time, and really is anything more valuable than time???

So, more details later! But get to thinking of whether you'd be interested in joining the challenge and what kind of goals you'd like to set for yourself!
Oh! and I'll go ahead and tell you my blogging goal for 2012:
To post at least once a week, and keep visiting others as often I currently do.
What are your blogging goals for 2012?

resolution confusion

2011-12-29T22:58:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!

Today's blog is brought to you by tired-vic-brain trying to organize all my 2012 goals into something coherent. I hope you enjoy my confusion.

I think I need to study Hart's year-end wrap-up posts some more...

Man! Can you tell I was listening to Art and Franco while brainstorming???
Tell me, what do you have planned for 2012???

See you next time---
hopefully with some organization...
.... and a CHALLENGE!!!!

Pure Talent- Anna Maxwell Martin

2011-12-26T22:42:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!

So, the other day I read one of Joshua's top-five Tuesday posts, this one was about underappreciated actors. And it got me thinking (ouch!) about some actors and actresses that I'm really impressed by, but seem to be lesser known. I do wonder if a lot of this is due to being in rural Kansas- maybe people elsewhere have heard more of these fine thespians- but I thought it would be a fun thing to run a few posts on! All photos in these posts do NOT belong to me, but the sites I found them are linksied for your further viewing pleasures. So without further ado, I present:

Anna Maxwell Martin

Photo Credit

The very first person who came to my mind- like right away- was this lady. I didn't know her name at the moment that I read that post, but I'd seen her around for a couple years and always wondered why she wasn't showing up more often on shows.

This week I watched BLEAK HOUSE and was ecstatic to see her in what I would call the lead role. Of course, BLEAK HOUSE wasn't the first thing I'd seen Anna in. That would be that one episode of Dr. Who with the cold top floor place and the gooey ceiling alien... a nice performance, of course, but nothing compared to her period pieces.

BLEAK HOUSE is phenomenal. I'll admit to never having read the novel by Charles Dickens- so continuity... beats me. But whenever I'd come to the end of an episode, I found myself just over the moon, needing to know what would happen next.

Photo Credit

Can't give Anna full credit for loving that show, because it seemed like every performance was extremely well done, as was the writing and the sets and the costumes and the... well, everything! But while watching it, it was her that I couldn't tear my eyes from. Her character was so strong and sensible and kind and good and wonderful. But that's all to Dickens' credit (or maybe in part the screen writer's) but it was Anna's ability to portray all of that so purely. she made Esther so very real, so very innocent, so very child-like. This lady just morphs into whoever it is she's playing. She isn't some one trick typecast, she's a true actress.

Photo Credit

Now, I don't know. She could be big as fish and chips in Britain, it's sort of hard to tell that kind of thing around here, but what I do know is that the people I know tend to blank out when I try to tell them of her amazing performances, seeing as most of them haven't even heard of the films/ shows/ miniseries/ plays that she's performed in. Even though I LENT my pal Jodi my well-worn copy of BECOMING JANE and insisted that she watch it. In which, by the way, I think Anna stole every scene she shared with Anne Hathaway.

Photo Credit

Writing this post has been really fun, because I've gotten to learn more about some other performances of hers, that I now really want to see. Like her role in something called POPPY SHAKESPEARE, where she plays a character called N in a mental hospital who is seemingly the most sane of them all until more is revealed... or at least that's the gist of the little summaries I've seen around the place.

Photo Credit

I forgot to mention her role in NORTH AND SOUTH! Oops! Loved her in that! She just mesmerizes and pulls at your heartstrings in that!

I also read that she has two newer projects coming out called SOUTH RIDING and THE NIGHT WATCH. I wonder how long those will take to become available over here.

*taps finger nails on desk impatiently*

Too long, I'm sure! :)

Photo Credit

I found a nifty quote while researching on Anna, from a blog called Old Fashioned Charm (also the source for one of the images here):

"Anna is very rare in this industry. She is without artifice as a person, and that is reflected in her acting. I remember sitting through a screening of Becoming Jane and there is a moment where Anna's character is grieving over the death of her fiancé that was just breathtaking in its simplicity.

She is incredibly beautiful, inside and out – although she'll scream when she reads that. She is a great mate to have, because she will listen to me for hours on end..."

- Fellow actress Lucy Cohu on being friends with Anna

Photo Credit

So, have you all heard of Anna Maxwell Martin? Seen her in anything? Who are some of your favorite actors who you think are underappreciated?

Getting all your New Year's resolutions ready to break?

I know I have a ton of them piling all around me!

to you!

2011-12-24T20:56:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas!

Have a great one guys!!!
-vic

i'm not disappeared, just burrowed a bit.

2011-12-18T22:27:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!

Now, we enter the season of my discontent...

*grumble*

I'm going to confess something, now:
Winter makes me a crabby patty.

I want to be nice.
I mean to be nice.
But sometimes...
I grumble a bit.

At least we have Christmas coming up! Hooray hooray! Sweet baby Jesus! :)

But...
ohno...
SNOW is supposed to come Monday, and I keep screaming at the radio and telling the weather man to stop saying that s-word, but he won't!! :(
stupid four-letter word.

But productivity this way is continuing. Not quite as much as I would like, but I've been making way on a couple projects I put aside in order to do nano.

My poor boss had to have surgery at the beginning of this month, so I'm at work quite a bit more trying to keep her paperwork up-to-date while she's gone. Good thing is she's the toughest woman ever (no joke!) and she's healing superfast! Yay, Patty!!! :) I can't wait for her to come back. She's truly the best boss I've ever had (and I'm not sucking up, either, because I seriously doubt she even knows WHAT a blog is, let alone will ever figure out how to find and read one :P)

The brand spanking new crit group I belong to has just completed our first week of critting! Which is super exciting to me! I'm loving the story that I'm getting to read for that!

The holiday time is just crazy busy, and my fingers and toes keep going numb, and all I want to do is snuggle under some blankies (preferably with the hubs or one of my babies!) and be warm!

So, all my excuses in this random blurty post are really just to tell you that I haven't been able to get around the 'sphere as much as I'd like to, and I've been lurking more and more. But I'm still here! Buried under work and holidays and snow and sick kids and projects, and hopefully hopefully some big thick blankets!!! and I'm really really trying not to snip anyone with my snow crab pincher-thingies!!! Hopefully all these layers I'm buried under will keep us all safe!

Sorry, my brain is crazy!
Really just wanted to say, "Heya!"
I've been missing you guys!
-vic

Flogging the Cow...

2011-12-02T09:13:00.000-06:00

Heya guys!

Ok! I'm going to try something today that I haven't done in a really, REALLY long time.
*cues drum-roll*

AN ACTUAL POST ABOUT WRITING!

((-ish))

So, my co-worker, I call her ChefRock, came up to me yesterday while I was putting groceries away.

"Hey, vic. If you come across any big boxes, can you save them for me?"

"Sure thing, ChefRock! You movin'?"

"Naw, I need 'em for Grace."

Now, I can't remember a Grace. So, I'm casting my thoughts all about trying to remember if ChefRock has a daughter. When she says, "It's so weird. Just the other day she was walking around, and now, she's all headless and everything."

WHA-BAM! *splat* <-- My jaw hitting the floor.
*scrapes off floor, reattaches to face*

"Who the heck is Grace?!?!?! What happened!??!?!"

"Oh, she's my cow. We took her to be slaughtered the other day, and we need boxes for the pieces." ChefRock says.

It only takes a second for the shock to melt away into hilarity, and I'm laughing loud and unhinged, and probably a little too much. But that's cool, because I love to laugh.

So, now I'm stuck at work (actually in ANTARCTICA- aka the freezer- which I hate!) trying to occupy my mind and I decide I'm going to make a writing exercise of this whole incident.

And one thing I really need to work on is humor, because I think humor- when done well- can take a story from very good to freakin' awesome in ten sentences flat.

So, I decide I'll work on a eulogy for poor Gracey, but all that will come out is poems, so I go with that. I gave myself only a couple minutes to work on each and then I had to move on.
You guys want to hear my favorite Grace limerick?
Yeah, I thought so!

There once was a heifer named Grace,

Who was charming in all of her ways.

But we took her to the packer.

He sliced her. He hacked her.

Now My! How good our Grace tastes!

But I didn't think that was enough, so on each box I put aside for ChefRock, I wrote a secret message such as:

Viva La Bovine!!! (or maybe not...)
You will be remembered... by my TUMMY!!!
mmmmm.... cow
and
Grace, she's what's for dinner.

And I gotta tell you, guys. Not only did it amuse me, it cracked up ChefRock... and Jodi, and Janey-Poo, and Suzie-Q. And it was so much better than just stacking up a bunch of empty boxes.

When drafting my first story, I focused on the atmosphere, the setting, the character development, the plot... the basics.
The empty boxes.
And for what was a first draft, I still don't think it was horrible.
But it was nowhere near publishable.
We need to remember that coming off Nano.
Because those boxes need labeled (as creatively as possible) and filled with their chunks of dead cow, and delivered to the famished farmers, to actually truly serve their purpose.
Otherwise they're just hunks of used cardboard.
Our stories can teach, build empathy, show an argument, change a heart, change a mind, change a society, whatever... but only if they're read. Only if they're seen.
And to help our readers stick with us, our novels should be at least to some extent entertaining.
There is no one magic ingredient to make your work entertaining. AND making your story entertaining does NOT cheapen the work, it enriches it.
Entertainment can be found in great writing, and moving plots, challenging philosophical questions, tricksy mysteries, heart-lifting heroes, and heartbreaking romances- all kinds of sources.

But for me, the most entertaining element of story telling is humor. Even if just in small doses.

I've never been a funny person... but I think I'm getting better. Because now at work everyone expects me to entertain them, which is fun to do. But I wanted to share with you the few tips I've learned about humor.

But this has been long already, so- I guess we'll get to that Monday. :)
Have a lovely weekend, guys!

30 Days of Thanks: Thank-a-pa-LOSER!

2011-11-29T10:22:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!

So, I FAILED at writing a gratitude post for every day of November, but you know what I didn't fail at???
Hmmmmm?????
NANO!!!!!

Yes, that's right!
50k. Met, defeated, ground into the ground. BOO-YEAH!

Neener, neener, neener NANO!!!

So! (no particular order here)

19: Nano (i OWN you!)

20: Sprinting (em, joshua, and hart- next time you're going DOWN!)

21: Hot Dates! (also grateful my c-sections were not performed via vampire teeth)

22: Hank and John Green (just watching their vids makes me feel all kinds of hopeful about the banishment of world suck)

23: facebook ( oh! how i used to loathe you, but now that i have witty writer-type people in my homestream you are a great source of entertainment.

24: OPEN MINDS (thankful for my Sue-penned Nano Carrot!)

25: punk'in pie! (yum!)

26: Janey- toocutetobeanadultladyatwork- walking around the cafeteria singing Friends by Flight of the Conchords

27: Go-Fish with the kids (and all the elementary-school smack-talk)

28: The moment my hubby finished Victoria Schwab's THE NEAR WITCH, and exclaimed how much I NEED TO READ THIS BOOK, ASAP! (likewise his reactions to THE MARBURY LENS and THE GIVER- book love makes me feel all fuzzy inside.)

29: Finishing the part of Inventory that requires prolonged exposure to the -10degree temp in the freezer (because I fear that day all year!)

30: Love! (because from it, all good in the world grows!)

Happy November guys!
Next time I'm back, who knows? I might have a real post...
then again,
maybe not!
:P

30 Days of Thanks: Day 18

2011-11-18T08:37:00.000-06:00

Not my pic- belongs to this person

Heya Guys!
I'm being super quick today, because I feel under the weather. Yuck!

Today is the three year anniversary of our house fire.
I'm thankful for the lives of everyone in our house that day. And for our Punk'n Patch kitty who died in my Jude's room assumably looking for him. They were best buddies.

I've told this story lots of times, but I'm always, always thankful that God woke Eli up (that's what Eli says), Brownie pushed him out of his room, and Eli woke the rest of us up. Fire marshall said if we would have gotten out of there less than a minute later, we might have all died.

So.
Big Gratitude!
Have a lovely weekend!

30 Days of Thanks:Days 16 and 17

2011-11-17T08:26:00.000-06:00

My pal Joshua over at Vive Le Nerd has an excellent post today. Reminded me of some things I should be thankful for.

Mom had Mark November 5, 1977. He was very premature (I can't remember the number) and only weighed 2lbs 2oz. He stayed in the NICU until Dec 25th. Getting to take him home was a very special Christmas present for Mom. She almost died having him as well.

I am very thankful that things turned out the way they did. We could have lost one of them, or both of them, Holly and I could not exist now. We could not have ever known Mark. For better or worse, I'm thankful for the miracle that was his survival as an infant. And I'm thankful for the March of Dimes who were an invaluable resource to Mom.

So, Mom and Mark- thankfulness.

I'm striving to keep up with the blogosphere, but I'm sure I won't be able to keep up with all posts. I apologize for my absence... but I feel the need to word vomit! :)

30 Days of Thanks: Day 15

2011-11-16T00:13:00.000-06:00

Not my gloves, not my hand, not my picture. Belongs to here! But I love the slight blueness of the fingers in this pic. I feel like this person is my hand doppleganger!

Today I was in mad cleaning frenzy mode... my house is still a mess though.

Anyway, I was doing loads and loads of laundry, and I decided that my writing gloves needed a good washing, so I threw them in.

BUT
they were still in the dryer when my Nano-ing time came tonight.
And I swear!
I really, really tried to write without them, but ne'er a word would come (for the hour it took my dryer to run)!

Plus my hands were FREEZING!

But THE INSTANT I slid those puppies on (really just the one, the other was eaten by the dryer... I will wage WAR in the a.m.!!!!) I had an epiphany about where I was stuck in my story!

Approximately an hour and a half later, I'd spit out as many words were my goal for today!

So, YAY! My gloves! I love them, and I'm thankful for them!
Any writer quirks (superstitions) that help you get the words a'flowing?

I'm striving to keep up with the blogosphere, but I'm sure I won't be able to keep up with all posts. I apologize for my absence... but I feel the need to word vomit! :)

30 Days of Thanks: Day 14

2011-11-14T08:25:00.001-06:00

One of the greatest mindset-instigators I have for turning writing-mode on in my brain is music.

Each story I write has different music I write it to. Some songs overlap, like themes within different stories.

I love youtube's options for organizing your playlists. You can have several of them, and all free music!

Which seriously works for me, because my hubs never wants to buy the kind of music I like to write to.

Most recently, I've been writing to a lot of ambient music like hammock, my sleeping karma, and the best pessimist. And I even talked Kody into buying one of hammock's songs!

I love the lack of prevalent lyrics in most of the music, for drafting.
I have a few songs on my playlist with lyrics and sometimes I start accidently typing in lyrics randomly in my story- especially Jessica Bell's trailer.

I swear the other day I was writing, and the action was getting all vivid and then all of a sudden a creature was like "Do you really wanna be this famous?" And I was like "Wha-huh? Those creatures don't talk!!!!! And then I was like... ooohhh! Jessica and her enchanting voice!" :)

Anyway, I'm really thankful for these musicians and their gifts and the format of youtube and playlists and what a great tool it is for getting my scatter-brain more mellowed and focused and to writing! :)

Do you write to music? Who? What? When? Where? and Why? oh yeah! and How? :P

Here's my current playlist for my nano story, working title THE CURSE OF CALLUM GREENE.

I'm striving to keep up with the blogosphere, but I'm sure I won't be able to keep up with all posts. I apologize for my absence... but I feel the need to word vomit! :)

30 Days of Thanks: Day 13

2011-11-13T21:43:00.001-06:00

One of my best friends ever in the realm that is real life is Jodi.
She is positive, strong, freaking hilarious, and all around awesome.
I call her Sunshine.

Every day I get to work with her I cheer!
Yesterday we finished our work too early, even doing a ton of extra cleaning, so we did "calisthenics" aka head and shoulders, knees and toes and then tried to outshine each other's awkward, uncoordinated line dancing. It was a riot, and I'm sure if we had one of those dirtier kinds of kitchens that have flies on the walls, the flies would think we were utterly nuts.

We also go to every new twilight movie together near opening, because seriously, the way those teenage girls freak-out can't me missed! And we're always sharing books (or I'm shoving books at her, saying you MUST read this one next!!!!) She will most definitely be my Hunger Games date!
*wolf whistles*
heeheehee! :P

I'm so very thankful for her!

Who's your best friend in the real life? (not counting spouses!)

I'm striving to keep up with the blogosphere, but I'm sure I won't be able to keep up with all posts. I apologize for my absence... but I feel the need to word vomit! :)

30 Days of Thanks: Day 12

2011-11-12T22:52:00.001-06:00

I made a decision not to drink or smoke or experiment with drugs early in my life.
My decision has always had more to do with my love of my own inhibitions and my distrust of my willpower and predilection for addiction than any kind of moral stand I have on the consumption of substances such as these. It's not really my place to judge anyone.
I wouldn't want anyone judging me.
This week, a good friend relapsed into her alcoholism.
And it's just really a very sad, very scary time for all of us who love her.
Today, I'm so thankful that I never started drinking, because it could be me just as easily as it is her.
And I'm thankful for all the days she managed to stay sober.
And I'm thankful for all the days in the future that she will be sober again.

I'm striving to keep up with the blogosphere, but I'm sure I won't be able to keep up with all posts. I apologize for my absence... but I feel the need to word vomit! :)

heart strings...

2011-11-11T06:36:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!
I'm going the hub-bub today to shout-out for our friend Jessica.
I still have yet to read STRING BRIDGE, but even though the genre isn't the most common of my reads, I'm looking forward to reading it sometime post-nano! Anyway, I've posted the trailer before but I just love it. Someone was nice enough to prepare this informational post for us, so here we go!

Today, I'm thankful for Jessica's talent!

-vic

Today is THE day to help Jessica Bell's debut, STRING BRIDGE, hitthe bestseller list on Amazon, and receive the all-original soundtrack, Melody Hill: On the Other Side, written and performed by the author herself, for free!

All you have to do ispurchase the book today (paperback, or eBook), November 11th, andthen email the receipt to:

jessica.carmen.bell(at)gmail(dot)com

She willthen email you a link to download the album at no extra cost!

To purchase the paperback:

Amazon USA

To purchase the eBook:

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

To listen to samples of the soundtrack, visit iTunes.

If you arenot familiar with String Bridge,check out the book trailer:

Rave Reviews for String Bridge:

“Jessica Bell’s STRING BRIDGE strummed the fret of myveins, thrummed my blood into a mad rush, played me taut until the final page,yet with echoes still reverberating. A rhythmic debut with metrical tones ofheavied dark, fleeting prisms of light, and finally, a burst of joy—just aswith any good song, my hopeful heartbeat kept tempo with Bell’s narrative.” ~ Kathryn Magendie, author of Sweetie and Publishing Editor of Rose & Thorn Journal

“Poet andmusician Jessica Bell's debut novel String Bridge is a rich exploration of desire, guilt, and thedifficult balancing act of the modern woman. The writing is lyrical throughout,seamlessly integrating setting, character and plot in a musical structure thatallows the reader to identify with Melody's growing insecurity as her worldbegins to unravel … String Bridge isa powerful debut from a promising writer, full of music, metaphor, and just ahint of magic.” ~ Magdalena Ball, author of RepulsionThrust and Sleep Before Evening

“Jessica Bell is a brilliant writerof great skill and depth. She doesn't pull back from the difficultscenes, from conflict, pain, intensity. She puts it all out there, no holdsbarred, no holding back. She knows how to craft a scene, how to developcharacter, how to create suspense. This is an absolutely brilliant debut novel.I look forward to reading hernext novel, and next and next.” ~ Karen JonesGowen, author of Farm Girl, Uncut Diamonds and House of Diamonds

Connect with Jessica:

String Bridge: http://www.stringbridge.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jessica_bell
Website: http://www.jessicacbell.com/
Blog: http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell
Publisher: http://www.luckypress.com

Please TWEET and/or FACEBOOK this post using #StringBridge!

30 Days of Thanks: Days 6,7,8,9,10

2011-11-10T08:14:00.001-06:00

EEKS!!!
I'm behind over here!
And now I'm running behind over at Nano! I wanted to hit 20 last night, but my hubs needed me to snuggle him and watch the end of season 1 of BEDLAM- crazy good show, by the way- with him.
So, I'm feeling a bit crazy about now!
How about you guys?
I think focusing on gratitude for a moment might help my nerves calm down.
Ok!
*deep breath*
hmmmm....
Maybe I should theme these ones.
OOOOOHHHH!!!!
I KNOW!
These are the members of my crit group- which we'll start post-nano.

Day 6:
L.C. Frost (aka Yosh!) I'm most thankful for those days Miss Yosh helped me through one of the hardest times of my life.

Day 7:
Emily White I'm most thankful for our long, crazy, silly, phone conversations about life, philosophy, writing technique, worries, victories, and man chest. :P

Day 8:
Kate Avery Ellison I'm most thankful for her cartoons and little purple bow, though the unicorns and ice cream cake come very close.

Day 9:
Dawn Kurtagich I'm most thankful for the laughs- the vivacity of spirit and the down-right excellent book recs!

Day 10:
Every single one of you guys!!!!
Whether it be Hannah
Sommer
Sarah
or Sarah
or Sarah
Dezzy or Mel
Joshua
Matt
Jamie
Ted
or Alex
Leigh or Luanne or Lyn
or new pal Hart
Kane or Mike or Jonathan
Bonnie or Sue
or Robyn/Robin
or Rebecca

And whoever else, I'm certain to have missed (because that's just a guarantee, you know!)
I appreciate your time over here reading and over there writing. Your encouragement offers me so much strength and camaraderie is always under-appreciated!
I'm thankful for each one of you, just crazy thankful!

There I feel better!

Now who'd I forget? Come on, peeps!
Guilt trip me. :P
I can find enough to be grateful for to make it even out! :)

30 Days of Thanks: Day 5

2011-11-05T08:26:00.001-05:00

photo credit goes too... click and see!

Need I say more?

I'm striving to keep up with the blogosphere, but I'm sure I won't be able to keep up with all posts. I apologize for my absence... but I feel the need to word vomit! :)

30 Days of Thanks: Day 4

2011-11-04T08:40:00.000-05:00

My kiddos love dress-up games! This getup was for a school play.

I work most weekends and quite a few afternoons and evenings. So, during the school year, I miss my boys like crazy.
Today there's no school due to parent-teacher conferences.
I'm ecstatic and very thankful!!!!
Needless to say, I won't be online hardly at all today. I've got the world's sweetest little boys to hang out with!!!

You feeling thankful today?

30 Days of Thanks: Day 3

2011-11-03T07:43:00.000-05:00

image courtesy of... (click and see!)

I have Raynaud's Syndrome, so the cold weather is killer.
Yesterday it snowed.
I am VERY thankful for Central Heating today!!!
And you???

I'm striving to keep up with the blogosphere, but I'm sure I won't be able to keep up with all posts. I apologize for my absence... but I feel the need to word vomit! :)

30 Days of Thanks: Day 2

2011-11-02T07:05:00.003-05:00

With Nano craziness in the air this November, time is short for all of us.
My intention is to keep everything quick, but I'd miss you guys way to much if I didn't see you!
So, this month, I'll be focusing on the holiday I feel never gets its due.
Politics aside, Thanksgiving is a great idea.
To quote Jr. Asparagus, "A thankful heart is a happy heart!"
So, each day I invite you to join me, in remembering and realizing all we have.
Please leave a comment of something you are thankful for.
Let's allow our gratitude to ground us in this month of hectic pecking!

Nano Word Count: 1915

DAY 2:
Alcove Springs

My favorite place to go hike. There's a lot of history here (the place being named by the Donner Party before they headed further west). But really, it's the trees and field of grass that just restore my inner peace.

Forgive the washed out colors, it was quite a dreary the day I took these pics!

Here's one of the places where the members of the Donner Party carved their names and initials into the stone, just months prior to their descent into madness and desperation.

Aaaaahhhh. Kansas. :)

Some of these grasses are taller than me... and I'm not a diminutive person.

So, the serenity of nature and the history of land. That's what I'm thankful for today.
How about you guys?

30 Days of Thanks- Day 1

2011-11-01T06:52:00.001-05:00

Sometimes a good scare allows us the chance to remember that we cherish something.
The night before Halloween, my husband had this dream that I left him. According to him, it wasn't an angry dream, but overwhelmingly scary and sad. He said he woke himself up crying.

We've been married for ten years now, and sometimes when you spend that much time with someone you start to take them for granted. I'll 'fess up. I do it.

That nightmare resulted in many more hugs yesterday than usual. Lots more smiles on my hubby's face- which brings smiles to mine! You should see his gorgeous crow's feet!

So, anyway, I'm thankful for Kody's nightmare today!

Your turn. :)

yikes! november's nearly here...

2011-10-27T22:57:00.001-05:00

these are the pumpkins we grew this year!!! mmmm.... impending pie!

oh yikes, guys!
yikes!
november starts TUESDAY!!!
how did it get here so soon?
i work the whole weekend.
i'm chairing the party for my baby's kindergarten class.
i wanted to finish this painting for my co-worker.
i was going to plot for nano.
i was going to help organize for my brand-new crit GROUP!!!!!
i don't have any punk'ins carved yet.
i'm halfway through rearranging the furniture.
i'm pretty much going nuts!!!
AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

you all ready for halloween?
november?
nano?
tomorrow!?!??

eep!

rubber duckies (or what i learned from mark waid today)...

2011-10-25T10:19:00.001-05:00

Heya Guys!

Today is another topic brought to mind via podcast.
This one comes from a discussion back in September over at the Aw Yeah Podcast with Art and Franco
Episode 31- Don't Make Mark Waid Angry.

While there was much silliness spoken in that episode, there were some truly brilliant, brilliant things said by Mr. Mark Waid.

Aside----Now, I won't pretend to be a comic connoisseur. I love to look at the pictures, hear the gist of them, and listen to people talk about them for (apparently) hours... but I'm not really a comic nerd... I'm more like comic-nerd-adjacent. Though I'm captivated by the whole subculture of comic-nerdom...

Mark Waid writes comic books. He's written for THE FLASH and SUPERMAN and DAREDEVIL and many, many others (it seems!).

I was really interested in some of the points he brought up on that podcast in regards to originality in back story. I'm going to quote him here, but please bare in mind, I tried to eliminate verbal ticks and repititions and bunny trails (and my hearing is often- you know- bad. too many loud concerts. bad, bad vic!)- so, these aren't exact quotes, but I seriously, seriously tried to get them as exact as I could.

Concerning some modern retellings of older character backstories (which I'd like to apply in concept to the common YA debate regarding axed parents).

“One of my big gripes about superhero comics in the 21^stcentury is that, I’m here to tell you, not every single superhero has to haveBatman’s origin. Not every single superhero has to have retro-fitted into theirback story the death of a mother or a loved one or a brother or a sister or aniece or a nephew or whatever. Every one of them, it’s like it’s beenretro-fitted onto these guys in the last few years- to the point where they’reall indistinguishable. And it doesn’tbother me from a nostalgic point of view, I’m not saying, “You changed that guy’sorigin, that’s not the same as when I was a kid, so I’m mad.” I’m looking at itmore like, “Geez. You know I kind offind that to be an insult to police men, and firefighters, and EMT guys.” Because that's like saying- and soldiers- that’slike saying no one can be a hero unless they are driven by personal tragedy. Which I think is crap. I think that’s an insult. I think absolutely people can- I guess peopleneed motives, superheroes especially need motives to do what they do, and theyneed good reasons to be altruistic and put on suits and do this stuff- but theydon’t have to be the same reasons.”

and later in regards to his take on what he has written for DAREDEVIL, he said this:

“He’s walking proof that you can have a wide spectrum ofemotions to your character and they don’t have to be- ... I talk about this all the time, it’s the rubber duckytheory. It’s the idea that every singlething about your character and everything about the way he views his world canbe traced back to the rubber ducky he had as a kid, like the one thing. And Ireject this notion, because people are more complex than that. It’s true thatyou find inciting incidents as a kid like that- like the death of Batman’sparents…- there are certain things that will always have an impact on thosecharacters and help define them. But Ikind of reject the fact that it’s only- that everything about theirpersonality, everything about their world always comes back to the one rubberducky, because people aren’t like that.”

I'm not (and I'm sure he isn't) arguing on the side of character inconsistency.

Absolutely not.

But I'm arguing on the side of character depth.

Who are you?

Are you defined by one moment in your life? One obstacle?

Or there many choices and tragedies and successes and challenges and education and work and morals and people and goals and hopes and... etc! that help to shape who you are?

Having a pat back story, where you say "his dad died." and expect THAT to cover your character's every choice and motivation is not only boring, it's shallow, lazy, unrealistic, and kind of offensive.

You can have ten different characters who all face the same huge challenge- let's use being abused as a child. They can all be the same gender/ ethnicity/ religion/ socio-economic background/ etc. They can all have suffered the same kind of abuse, under the same roof, under the same hands... whatever. But they will all react differently. Because WHO THEY ARE is not the same as WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM.

It is something more intangible than that, rooted in a million different causes- some perhaps genetic, some perhaps spiritual... we could debate for forever on what makes us who we are... but we all need to understand that it isn't just ONE rubber ducky that shapes us.

We should not see a rubber ducky when we look at our characters (or each other for that matter). People are more than that.

Characters should be more than that.

This rubber ducky thought Mark Waid spoke of, is just so true! It really struck a chord with me, especially considering how many times people have kind of gotten irritated with me when I insist that parents CAN be present in YA. (not that they have to be, but that they can be).

And the whole issue of characters becoming indistinguishable from each other.

That's become really annoying to me.

Sometimes, we writers become guilty of this "pop psychology mentality." Where we think, just because we observe people, just because we've taken a couple psych classes that we can shorthand who people are. We can label them- bipolar, sociopathic, grieving, whatever- and that defines them.

And our characters become numbers and lose souls, and every grieving book feels the same and every hero book feels the same...

And we can do better than that.

I don't know.

That's just what I've been thinking about this morning.

So, how do you keep your characters rounded?

How do you avoid rubber ducky syndrome?

And how wise is Mark Waid?

Seriously!

assumed familiarity...

2011-10-24T11:48:00.000-05:00

Howdy Partners! :P

I've recently become addicted to podcasts. (I blame Matt Jeske and his Bombast Podcast.)

I've been told of (and found) some gems! But the one most related to this blog is called Wordplay and is hosted by Nathan Bransford (cultist unite!!), James Dashner, and J Scott Savage.

I'd heard Nathan Bransford refer to it over at his blog, but seriously guys, twenty minutes is a LONG time to spend at one blog, so I'd never checked it out.

But with the dawning of Bombast, I was informed that you can download many podcasts for free from iTunes. Which is just about perfect, because then I can listen to them and learn (and laugh) while I'm cleaning and yardworking and excersizing and all of that instead of listening to Train, Stone Sour, or O.A.R. for the millionth time (though I still do plenty of that!)

Anyway, I've caught up on all the backlogged Wordplays now (my kids adored the just for kids episode they listened to Saturday!) And the episodes keep getting my old thinker a running!

I'll probably refer to Wordplay a lot in the next few... well, for a while- because I get obsessed with shiny new interests quite a bit.

So, on today's episode Aprilynne Pike of WINGS fame was their guest and they discussed many interesting things.

Networking via social media was one topic. And there was an interesting point made about assuming familiarity with the personalities we encounter these ways.

Sometimes, we read a blog faithfully (or listen to a podcast or view a vlog) and we begin to feel like we know those people producing those posts. We read about their struggles and successes. We worry with them and cheer with them and send them happy thoughts.

But if we never comment- if we only lurk- if we're a passive viewer, then there is no familiarity established. We may feel like we've grown to know them, but they have NO clue who we are. Sometimes there is such a HUGE AUDIENCE that even if we do comment regularly, there is no way possible for them to be able to pick us out of a crowd. And we should understand that. They don't have magic time-expanding machines. They are only human.

People like famous published authors and extremely popular bloggers can't get to know everyone personally. And that shouldn't be offensive to us. Just because we read their blog, doesn't mean they owe us anything- not give-a-ways or critiques or blurbs or even responses.

With social media, I think the key is to choose your friends. Choose where you want to spend your time. And don't do it with the idea of who is going to further your career the most. You'll only come across as a greedy, grimy, gopher-gut. Choose people you respect. People who interest you. People who move you to comment, to become familiar with them. Choose people who you want to actually be friends with.

Any other approach is going to make social networking hell. It's going to make a fool, nuisance, invisible man, or troll out of you.

When you find those people you really, really enjoy:

Commenting is very important. Otherwise, you aren't networking, you're viewing.

There is no relationship building.

And that's what networking is about, building relationships. It is NOT about a number of icons over in your sidebar, or a number of hits in your stats. It isn't about selling your novel. It isn't about branding yourself. It isn't about finding people to use to further your purposes.

A blog is a conversation. It's between you and me. But I can't know who you are if you never comment. I can't get back to you (easily) if you don't have your email linked to your blogger id, or if you only comment anonymously.

And who knows? I could be one of your best friends and you just don't know it yet. :P

At least that's the way I see it.

So, how about you guys?

Do you see blogging (or other social media) in terms of numbers or friends?

What makes you choose to follow an individual?

Do you comment at some blogs, but not at others? (I do this!)

Why do you lurk, if you lurk?

And anyone want to lynch salesman bloggers like i do? :)

all about the Phat Puppy!!! (numero dos)

2011-10-20T19:10:00.000-05:00

... continued from yesterday...

Her name is Claudia by the way!

link-a-doodles:

phatpuppyart at devArt gallery

website of da' phat pu-PPY!

This is by no means the extent of her work. She has just SO MANY mind-blowing images! I really can't recommend her gallery enough!

And now for z art!
Happy Friday!

Any faves here?
Any cool weekend plans?
(I have work and I'm hoping to brainstorm on my nano project.)

all about the Phat Puppy!!!! (numero uno)

2011-10-19T20:58:00.000-05:00

Heya Guys!
Last weekend I posted on things that blew me away that week.

But this week...
Well, this week..

I was so BLOWN AWAY by an artist I'd never seen before over at devArt, that I HAD to devote not just one little fragment of a post to her, but !!!

TWO WHOLE POSTS!!!

She goes by the handle phatpuppyart.

link-a-doodles:

phatpuppyart at devArt gallery

website of da' phat pu-PPY!

and I... erm... couldn't find any actual human name for her.
BUT!
I did manage to get her permission to show some images!

Not only are her images just unbelievably phenomenal in their own rights, but she has sold many of them (and I believe been commissioned) as book cover art.

So, if you ever decide to go the ole' self-publishing route and don't feel comfortable making your own cover (or don't have a friend or vic you want to ask to do it for you), you should TOTALLY think about taking your business her way.

Great covers sell. (right?)
OK!
Without further ado,
I present to you a few selections by z fantabulous PHAT PUPPY!!!!

HOW FREAKING FANTASTIC IS SHE!?!?!?!?!
Raving is SO allowed in the comments!
I tell you, I made a ToTaL FoOl of myself raving over at devArt!
*ahem*
Your thoughts ladies and gentlemen?

could this be my nano project???

2011-10-17T23:38:00.000-05:00

(don't worry mike and kane, i moved the sun! shadows and lighting are consistent now. thanks for the help!)

Heya Guys!

So, I've been pondering my project for my first-ever attempt at nano.
Like a lot.
That and working.
and painting.
and working.
and cleaning up vomit (hello flu! two rounds through our house already? really?)
and working.

ANYWAY.
I think I finally settled on a project.
Maybe.

And I thought maybe some of the factors that I noodled upon might be of some use to others still noodling on what to do for Nano.

1.) Is this a project that I have all necessary research (to my knowledge) prepared already.

research takes up so much time. I couldn't fathom doing research on a project AND writing 50,000 words in one month.

2.) Is this project going to be enjoyable? Because I have one project, that I'm excited about, but it is crazy depressing in nature, and I KNOW i'll need breaks to make it through writing that one. And Nano doesn't really leave room for brakes.

3.) Is this a project that I have a pretty good general idea where I'm going with it. I've pantsed before. In fact, all I've ever really done is pants. But after all these rewrites (for huge freaking plot reasons) I've been working on for the last two years, I want to have some direction.

4.) This is a good opportunity to try something new. Am I taking that opportunity?

5.) Am I going to freak out when my first draft of this story is a steaming load of hot mess?

Those were some of my reasonings for the project I chose.

It's going by the working title THE CURSE OF CALLUM GREENE.

I've had it rolling around in my head for a bit now. It's primarily fantasy- but with strong sci-fi bits.

The story popped into my head via a couple nifty creatures that kept escaping from my pen while doodling and the name Callum Greene.

And that name just might have started out as Callum Blue, but can you really blame me for that? :P

If you've ever Nano-ed or are planning on Nano-ing, how did you choose your project?

If you're not, how did you choose your current project?

And has the plague (i mean the flu) hit you guys yet, or is it just stalking us?

like a feather in the wind...

2011-10-14T22:02:00.002-05:00

Heya Guys!
The weekend is here!!! WHOO HOO!!!!
(except I still have to work :P)

Anyway, I'm a big fan of those wrap-up posts that are accumulations of awesomeness witnessed throughout the week.
So, I'm going to try that a couple times over here and see how it goes.

BLOWN AWAY BY:

Novels:
This week I read THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson.
If you haven't read it already, do yourself a favor and pick it up, please!
Goodreads Link:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6604794-the-sky-is-everywhere

Music:
Some of you might remember the interview I did a while back with Christoffer Franzen of Not Without Grace. Well, he's started up a new project which I'm sure will be awesome!
It's called Aerials.
Here's how his youtube channel thing reads:
"Aerials is built around the 23 year old swedish musician Christoffer Franzén. In the fall of 2011, he started to spend nights alone in the studio, learning about the different ways of recording and creating music.
With no one else there with him, he was forced to pick up all the different kinds of instruments that he felt he needed himself. There are some parts that are entirely acoustic, some are electric and some are very ambient.
Songs started to emerge during these late night sessions, and Aerials started to take its form.
Built on melodies and ambient soundscapes, Aerials draws inspiration from many different places."

And here's the first song!

Radio:
I'm always behind the times, it's true. But an old high school pal of mine (Matt Jeske) and one of his friends have joined awesome superhero forces and have started recording a podcast. (I'll 'fess up. I didn't know what a podcast was until Matt posted a link to their first episode. For those who are backwards like me, it's kind of like an online radio show.)
Honestly, I love it.
It's mostly about comics, but there's plenty of other discussion points- such as shingles, Doctor Who, and the suckage of the Green Bay Packers. :P
I'm hooked on anything that has nerd banter. Seriously. It just makes me feel all happy... and laugh really really loud!
They've only put out two episodes so far, and they're still a little rough. But man ohman, you should have seen how strangely the kiddos looked at me when I was listening to it on my mp3 player and scrub-a-dubbing the house down! I think they thought I went totally BeZeRk... well, more so than normal. :P
Anyway, linkage!
Bombast Podcast:The Blog
To download from libsyn
or they're available for free download from iTunes!
also, Matt's blog

Art:
I've been following this artist for a long time over at devArt.
She goes by the handle Albloo, and her art... ohman. Her art just blows me away. So creative, so unique!
Here's a fairly recent one:

And link to her devArt profile
and gallery
You should go explore. It's a beautiful, wiry, eggy, world of imagination!

Amazing People:
At work the other day, our resident too-sweet-to-be-an-actual-grown-up-gal Jane brought a big box of cookies into the caf while supper was going on. Nurses and Aides swarmed her like a pack of teenagers around free pizza. My co-worker Jodi smiled and said, "Hey Jane! Whatcha doin' here?" To which Jane said:

"I'm spreading JOY!!!" And struck her hands in the air as though to say "TA DA!" and daggummit, if she didn't make smiles spring on every face she passed!

So, pallyo's. What blew you away this week?
Books? Movies? Music? Art? Peoples? The fall leaves?

Now go! And spread JOY, like my Janie! :)

taking the plunge...

2011-10-13T22:20:00.002-05:00

Heya...

I'm kinda scared.

I decided to take the plunge this year and go ahead and sign up for Nano... but now-o I don't know-o what I'm doing-o.

I have a couple story ideas in mind.

But I just don't know which one is prepped enough that I can roll with it.

I know that Nano is no big deali-o. (Holy Crud! I can't turn the O's off!!!)

But I hate to not meet a goal I set for myself.

Yikes!

So, who out there is taking the plunge with me?

Anyone?

one...

*crickets chirp*

Ple-ase? (voice crack)

*swallowed by nano-ignorant-darkness*

eep!

it's not you, it's me...

2011-10-12T21:23:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys.

So, Goodreads.

It's great. I love being able to track how fast I'm getting through a book, and see what my friends think of the books I'm reading, and so forth.

It's like post-it notes.
Or check-lists.
There are few things in the world as gratifying as crumpling up a post-it and tossing it out with the trash, or marking a big, fat, red check (or OOH!!! scrawling a black, sharpie line of death!) across something on a check list.

Anyway, since I've started up on Goodreads, it's kind of upped my pace of reading, which I really, really love. That check off how many pages you've read, move to a new shelf kind of accountability just does it for me.

And I've had the best of luck. A couple months ago, I bought a whole stack of books I'd heard recommended around the blogosphere- and I've made a few trips to the library. Nearly every book I've read has been quite enjoyable.

I've been trying to write up short reviews over there, as a way of forcing myself to really think about the novels. To analyze what worked within them, what caught my attention, what kept me captivated. Really basic, basic stuff you know... but important to recognize.

It's also important to recognize what DID NOT work with the novels we read as well. To try to stray away from those things within our own writing.

(I know you all are saying, "Duh," about now.)

Well,... I've found things I didn't like within novels, whether it be underdeveloped characters or lazy writing, predictability, absurdity (not in a good way), inconsistency of voice... whatever. And those have been the things that lower a book in my estimations.

But recently I began a book that has me rather stumped.
(I've deleted it from my Goodreads history, because I don't like to spread hate, you know.)

The thing is, this book is written exquisitely. The language is well-chosen, the use of dialect flawless, the world imaginative- alternating between great beauty and great horror in a way that usually makes me go all weak in the knees- the concept is original, the characters while being mostly unlikable are less unlikable than characters I've loved, it is fresh, and vivid, and really a well-executed book.

Yet, I REALLY don't like it.

I wish I could say that it raises some political or moral opinion of which I feel adamantly against. Or that it was abuse of writerly craft that I cannot stomach. I wish I could say it was boring, or droll, or needing a better editor. I wish there was something tangible that I could call out. That I could stamp on the forehead of logic and feel solid in my state of dislike.

But there is no real reason.

I just don't like it.

I dislike it so much, that I'm planning on shelving it, and possibly never returning to it.

And that's scary as all hell.

Because I know me. I know how supportive I like to be for those who create art. There is something about creative works and creative individuals that makes me always want to help and encourage in any way I can. Especially when there is true, true talent evident. Such as you guys. Or the folks over at devArt. Or the kiddos I've taught art classes to from time to time. Or that gal at work who is thinking about starting to write. Or well, anyone that I see merit in their work... which is quite a lot of individuals.

Because I truly believe that we all have stories and dreams and inspiration to put out there in the world.

And some have an inherent skill to make those works art.
After much,much,much honing and practice.

Yet still.
Their works may be recieved poorly.

This is nothing new to any of us. We all know not only does it take much work, but a healthy dollop of luck to get our creations ready and out there for public consumption.

But it has never hit me so hard before.
I've never been at the critical end of disliking someone's creation without good reasoning.

I keep clinging to one line in the book I found offensive. I keep telling myself, that I can't get over that line-which was echoed as the sole line on the dustjacketbackcover- forever smacking me in the face. A line that insinuates that there is inherent evil in individuals that come from families like mine. That there is no good in us. A line that is rooted in all kinds of prejudice and hate and which alienates me and many others in a way that surely the author never considered.

But really, despite the harshness and ignorance of that one line, within the context of the story it brings about different kinds of meaning... which still are vaguely offensive, while not as offensive as that line by itself.

And I know I'm searching for something to make my dislike logical, because I'm sure that it isn't for the sake of that one line and what it means that I can't stand this novel. Because I can shrug off that particular prejudice to ignorance, because it is one valued by many people- many, many ignorant people.
But as for this novel...

There really is no true reason I dislike it so much.

Subjectivity.

This thought that we can create well-crafted, unique, interesting, rich worlds and characters and still....
still....
still...
come under this umbrella of "not for me"
is
like
terrifying.

What do you guys think about subjectivity? Have you ever found yourself not enjoying a novel, though you have no reason to not like it? (Like REALLY not liking it) What do you do? Do you plow ahead hoping it will get better (that's what I tried for like 150 pages after I was certain I was not liking it)? Or do you just move on? Does the whole concept of subjectivity scare you a bit?

In Praise of German Shepherds

2011-10-06T22:05:00.000-05:00

note: please excuse the profanity. there is much more here than usual, but i'm writing a character right now who loves to curse, and sometimes it's a bit hard to get out of his head.- plus, i've been immersed in will grayson, will grayson- how wonderful is that book!?!?! seriously!

Heya Guys!
I've been missing you like crazy and hardly able to check in on the blogs lately, so this'll just be a quickie!

We live kitty-corner (catty-corner??) from a park. It's really a great location for the kiddos to play and whatnot, and I can curl up at one of the picnic tables with a good book and keep an eye on them as the tear around screaming like banshees and not having to suffer the acoustics of our tiny two-bedroom house.
It's nice.
And it's small-town America.
And it's pretty much a safe place.

But I didn't grow up in small-town America, and everyone thinks I'm completely insane that I won't allow the kids out of my sight. But, I'll be damned if I'm going to let a predator hurt my child, or abduct my child, or even let my kid fall off the monkey bars and not be there to kiss the boo-boo if they need it. (Though admittedly my boys are hard-core and if the blood isn't flowing a river, they tend to shake it off.)

At nights, I really, really try to go out and walk/jog four laps around the park. That makes a mile, and my heart has not been in the best of health lately and I'm trying to fix that.

My husband thinks I'm kind of crazy, because I always take Cookie with me. (See her up there? Isn't she a DOLLY-BABY!) And not because he doesn't think Cooks can use the exercise, because my baby Cooks is getting a little chunky! But I take her for security. I don't think women are particularly safe walking outside alone at night. Seriously, maybe I'm paranoid, but I think it's a terrible idea to tempt the bad things.

Anyway, I walk with Cookie every night that I'm a good girl and go exercise (sometimes I take Brownie instead, but Cooks is my baby and she gets all miffed if I don't take her.) And nothing ever happens, except she tries to dart after the occasional bunny rabbit, and I get all out of breath.... and to be honest, so does she.

Until two nights ago.

Nothing really happened. Not really.

We were making the last leg of the square on our first lap, and Cooks starts barking... which isn't really unheard of because she's kind of a loud mouth. And I'm like, "Oh Crap. Another bunny... or a loose dog." But I look in the direction she's snarling, and a man is walking straight across the park towards us. He's in his twenties or thirties, greasy as all hell, with a weaselly face, and a terribly sparse goatee. And I'm thinking "Yikes! I hope Cookie doesn't bite this poor guy!" Because when Cookie gets going, sometimes she scares me a bit.

It doesn't occur to me in the moment that he's heading towards us. I mean, seriously, despite my constant paranoid-conspiracy-theorist-distrustful outlook on life, any serious threat I've ever had to face has come from people I know and love. And being around strangers- well, I'm super good at making myself invisible *shazaam* . So, all I was thinking was trying to curb Cookie.

But he keeps heading at us. And Cooks has this vicious snarling, growling bark that has to come from the bit of German Shepherd in her. And suddenly she seems to change from being 50 lbs to being 80 lbs, and the guy's face contorts to fear. Then he turns and slips behind the little restroom shack-thing and disappears... not even taking a different route to get past us to the area behind where we were- the direction in which he was heading. Which is kind of scary, though nothing happened, really.

I'm about half-way around the second lap when my mind finally adds it all up and I think, "Huh. That was strange." Because I'm slow like that. And seriously, I bet the guy just wanted to borrow a cell-phone or something. But the moral of the story is:
Ladies, (and gents, i suppose) do NOT walk alone at night. Bring a pal, bring a dog, bring your hubs- something. Mace, pepper-spray, self-defense are all good, but nothing deters a scary/shifty/potential cell phone borrower more than a snarling vicious pup. :)

Needless to say, Cooks got extra treats and lovin's that night, and the night after, and tonight.
I love my dog.

And while kitties are great and snugly and frisky and mischievous and the secret keepers of all the mysteries of the world, they could not kick a stranger's ass.
But Cookie could.
And I truly believe she would if she thought the kids or I were in danger.
And seriously, sometimes these bigger dogs take a lot of flack. German Shepherds and Chows- people think of them as mean. But they really aren't, unless they've been raised to be mean. What they are is loving and protective and loyal. So when they think their peoples are being threatened, they react. And that, my friends, is love.

To the NRA who keeps calling me:
I hate guns. I don't care what you have to say. I don't want them in my house. I don't want to have to be packing when I go for a walk. I wish like hell my mom and d would get rid of there's. And I know how easy they make murder.
So, listen here. You can take your damn guns and shove them where the sun don't shine.
Me, I'll keep my German Shepherd (chow, collie, travelling-salesman mix), because my baby doesn't ever go off accidentally on the ones she loves.
Thank you very much.
-vic
P.S. Would you please lose my number.

So, any dog lovers out there?

I'll be disappeared for a bit.

2011-10-02T20:16:00.001-05:00

Heya Guys!
I've lucked out, because it's not actually me that's sick this time, but a co-worker who will probably be sick for a couple weeks. That means I'll be there and not here for the most part!
I'll visit around as I can, but I don't expect that to be very much!
Have a lovely week!
AND
HAPPY OCTOBER!!!!! YAYAYYYYYY!!!!!
-vic

Getting it on with Mr. Grey

2011-09-28T22:45:00.002-05:00

Heya Guys!

We're talking about romance in YA over here this week. And as I'm sure I made clear on Monday, I am no romance expert, and very new to writing (or even appreciating) romance (and not in the sense as in a genre- but as an element within another genre of story). SO! I'm really looking forward to your comments in order to, you know, learn and stuff! :)

First, I want to say that this post will contain spoilers about the tv series ROSWELL.

I hate spoilers, but since this show has been over for nearly (ohmygoodness! I can't believe this!) a DECADE. I'm not too concerned. If you haven't seen it, and you like intrigue, aliens, mystery, suspense, and romance... not to mention unbelievably gorgeous people... you might want to check it out and skip all my spoilers to come (or should I say rambling...) It's available on Netflix instant view.

******SPOILER ALERT!!!******

Oooookay! Now, that I'm pretty sure that I've covered my bottom with the spoiler stuff (and look! an image that's not stolen! whoo hoo!) Let's do this thing, alien-style.

I've been working on a couple of paintings for people at work, and while doing so, I started re-watching ROSWELL. I really do think that we can learn a lot about story-telling from movies and tv shows, and I'm not afraid to admit that I spend time in front of the tube. Fiction can come in many forms, and it's only limited by how narrow our minds are.

So!

I watched some of this show as a teeny-bopper, and again a couple years ago. But it wasn't until now, that I realized the brilliance behind the romance between Max and Liz.

There are some other very interesting romantic dynamics in this show, but the early episodes are what I've re-watched, and wherein most of the magic I remember lies. And here I'm going to focus on what they did with Max and Liz.

You see, it's within about the first five minutes or so of the first episode (I didn't time it or anything) that Max saves Liz's life. They have this intense alien-mumbo-jumbo moment of mind-reading and connection, and she trusts him enough to keep his secret for awhile, and it's all very intense, and you think- oooookay.... they just played all their cards- these two are meant for each other. Where can they go from here?

But! They do what I keep hearing over and over again from other blogs. The writers of Roswell torture their characters. As viewers, we all know how smitten Liz is with Max the moment she comes back to, and that Max has been smitten with her since elementary school. So, we can see the tension, feel the tension. But it isn't just hemmm hawww la dee dahhhh... let's brood and whine and pity-party until we get what we want that fills the time in between them realizing their affection for each other.

I was shocked when on this re-watch, I realized that they do not kiss until episode 9. That means there are eight hour-long episodes out there, that are filled with romantic suspense. If it's not Kyle coming between them, it's the danger of Topolski (that actress will always be Darla to me) or Valenti finding them out. There's concerns over how Michael and Isabel will react. There's the rising mystery of Nasedo. There's familial misunderstandings and death of loved ones and bullying and safety concerns. There's grand theft auto and kidnapping and Michael and Maria's dynamic. There's guilt and identity issues and self-sacrifice for each other. There's just a whole lot of STUFF that keeps them apart.

I love romance that is a sub-plot within a story. We talked Monday about how romance (or any form of love- brotherly, neighborly, philanthropic, agape) helps readers sympathize with a character and how teens are experiencing puber *voice squeak*ty- and that leads romance to be an (let's be honest) easy fit. But I don't want romance to be the whole story (whilst I know MANY people that love those kinds of tales!).

To me the magic is in the STUFF that keeps them apart.

And it should be your storyline- plot, characterization, intrigue- that makes up the STUFF.

Nothing gets old faster (even to a teen) than page after page of whining and obsessing and acting like an asshole because what if they don't reciprocate/ they are so physically attractive I have to wallow in it/ I'm going to off myself if I don't get what I want because there's nothing else in the world worth living for... CRAP.

Because, seriously people, we owe more to our characters than that. They need to have depth, and they need to be doing something. They need to be round and have purpose and drive of some sort. They need to be flawed and not know everything. They need to compliment each other with different strengths and weaknesses or hinder each other for the same reason. They need to interact, not just be in their own head (I'm terrible about that one!) They need to be more than something glib. You have spent way too much of your life working on their stories to do any less. And the STUFF that you use your words on should be made of something more concrete and motivational than slushymushy-wallowy-gunk. Because you are better than that. And so are your characters.

And there needs to be the STUFF.
Don't skip it!
Ohmygoodness! There is nothing that pukes me out about a romance more than- love at first sight, like the kind where my breath is his breath, and I love everything about him even though I do not know his name, his jeans fit nicely so he must have a perfect soul--- BLECH BLECH BLECH BLECH!!!!!

COME ON PEOPLE!

That ain't love.
That's lust.
And jiminey cricket! Lust can be an interesting thing to write about- a completely valid thing to write about, but FOR THE LOVE OF PETE if you don't know the difference between love and lust (at least a tiny bit) please don't try to convince a load of bright kiddos that they are the same thing, because I can assure you that the ones who would be fooled are few and far between. Teenagers are unbelievably smart, and we can NEVER forget that. If your story requires rushing through a romance, maybe you're starting the romance in the wrong place. Maybe the characters should already be engaged or married or dating or whatever.

Don't go from zero to sixty in ten seconds... your readers won't be able to tell where they are and they definitely won't be able to appreciate the scenery.

If you rush through a romance, you lose SO MUCH tension potential. It's in the tension, mystery, suspense that our readers' breath is taken away. That's what keeps them turning the page. You can't forget that guys! You can't force that ending to just happen already, no matter how long you've been writing and how tired you are. The very essence of a good story is not the destination, but the journey to get there.
And forgetting that just loses the whole point of telling the story in the first place.

So, the main things I learned about romance from Roswell (the beginnings) are thus:
1. Suspense is EVERYTHING.
2. Make your STUFF something.
3. Romance is the moment before the lips meet.
~~4. Jason Behr has the most unbelievable eyes.~~
*ahem*
4. Torture the heck outta those characters.
5. Pine ain't just a type of tree.

So, umm, guys? What do you think? Do you like the love at first sight concept? Does it drive you bananas like me? Is it the suspense that keeps you reading? Can you stand when characters wallow? Any of you old school Roswell fans like me?

Romance & YA... What's the Deal?

2011-09-25T23:58:00.000-05:00

First off, I want to apologize for the extreme lame-i-tude of my illustration image.

I'm really trying to pay more attention to image copyright in regards to posting on my blog. Usually, I create all my own images, but when I'm referencing a movie or a tv show I pull images off google searches... I've spent the last hour and a half trying to figure out if images I found were copyrighted or not, but I'm still a little confused... so that means, i stuck my hand on the scanner, played with the colors in gimp for five minutes and said, "Screw it." And you're stuck with this... blech.

Copyright, to me, is like the stern, protective aunt to creativity. She scolds careless nieces and nephews and pulls them back into the house before some whack-job pervo steals them away. Sometimes she may come across as abrasive and antiquated, but really her intentions and actions stem from the need to protect the little ones dear to her.

If you are interested in learning a bit more about how to ensure you aren't ripping someone else off (especially regarding artwork) please check out the blog series on copyright by Sommer Leigh (I love this lady soooo much!) Here's a link to the most bloggy related post in that series! :)

So, I've been thinking a lot about romance lately.
No, I'm not cheating on my KodyBear, you silly gooses!
I'm trying to understand the importance of it within fiction.

I used to be terribly embarrassed by all things romance- both in life and in fiction. To be honest, I still sometimes am . Valentine's Day makes me cringe, and every once in a while I avert my eyes when the big kiss happens at the end of a movie.
I don't know why I'm that way.
When I was young, boys never had cooties- they made great pals. And there was always more important things than romance to worry about. There was school and work and volunteer stuff, and family drama- a lot of THAT. And Romance- well that was for the popular kids, or at least the ones with less family drama, or the super GORGEOUS ones like by amazingly beautiful sister... seriously guys, she's a looker! *wolf whistles* (heeheehee! That ought to embarrass her!) But seriously, when there is so much to do, so many clubs and concerts and papers to write and books to read, and trig, and physics, and anatomy, and then you have work responsibilities, and all those kids depending on you and that art project is coming due right when the term paper is and DUDE! All that stuff is way more important than the romance, right? RiGhT!?!?!

Well, right. ((Kind-of. Now that I've been married for ten years, I know that love- romantic love- can be such a source of strength. Having that other half of your soul who supports you and who you support. The feel of his arms around you as you sleep, and the comfort that you are not alone.)) Romance IS important in life. But there ARE other things you can't ignore. And in life there is much more time. Never enough, but many hours to pour into the different aspects of who you are and what you need to do.

But in fiction:

Not so right. There are only so many words in a book, so many minutes in a movie. You have a story to relate, and characters to make empathetic, and you don't have that much space to achieve that.

Romantic love is one of the many tools writers can use to quickly establish the humanity of the character.

The human condition- it's a multi-faceted thing. There's pain, sacrifice, yearning, apathy, hunger, power lust, compassion, desire, we can go on and on... the basic needs, the basic drives, what in the end makes us what we are, who we choose to be or are designed to be.

But all these things come down to love- the presence or absence of it.

There are so many different kinds of love, and you really don't need to choose romantic love to show a character's ability to love- familial love, phileo love, agape love- there's lots to choose from.

Think of our ole' pal Harry Potter. In the early books, it's his ability to love- his mother's love for him- that is his greatest strength. Throughout all the books, that's what helps him triumph over Voldemort time and time again. The brotherly love of his friends, the paternal love of his mentors, whatever. You get what I'm saying.

But as the books progress, in the later years, romance becomes a bigger part of the story.

And I think that's where a lot of YA books (please no arguing over whether HP is YA or MG, ugh!) get pigeon-holed into being glorified romance/chick-lit for a younger audience.

The teen years are really cool. Kids are searching to discover who they are and who they want to become. They are going through physical changes best described by pseudo-scientific voice-overs playing against still shots of pimply youths in polyester. Independence, abstract-thinking, and sexuality come to the forefront of their minds, and lead to rebellion and broodiness and know-it-all-ism and the need to be held close by someone, not because of obligation borne of blood, but out of desire.

We can't ignore those things, those impulses. Maybe romance isn't in your mc's mind, but I can bet you it would realistically be in one of your characters' minds-whether it is appropriate in the middle of whatever crazy plot is happening or not. Unless all your characters are cyborgs... or tree-stumps... or something like that.

This week I'm going to be writing about romance in fiction (particularly YA, since that's what I write and study in general), and the piddly little observations I've made about it. I had the great, green hand pic, because I was planning on talking about ROSWELL and what I learned about romance from that show, but I got on a bunny trail... whhhheeeeeee!!!!! and didn't get to it tonight! So- tomorrow, then- be here. ROSWELL, romance. Maybe pics if I can figure out the rules... :)

I've babbled, but I want to know what you guys think.
How do you feel about romance within the stories you read? Do you love it? Find it distracting or innapropriate? What are some books (or shows or movies) that you think portray romance well? Do you think it's important for your characters to display the ability to love in some form in order to seem sympathetic?

Worst Movies Ever Blogfest

2011-09-19T07:36:00.001-05:00

AAAHHHH!!!!
It's the WORST MOVIE EVER blogfest today! And I felt flu-ish last night, so I'm rushing this post.
I have not put nearly enough thought into this, but here are some movies I thoroughly did not enjoy.
Ooooh! I do want to say first, that even though I didn't enjoy these movies, I'm sure there are plenty of people who did, and I don't mean any disrespect to their creators. :)

#8 SEASON OF THE WITCH
Nicholas Cage used to be this fantastic actor, and I really enjoy Ron Perlman but UGH! this movie was so disappointing I thought it would be fun and I loved the twist, but I think I couldn't get over Cage or something.

#7 YEAR ONE
Now, I really enjoy a low-brow comedy from time to time. I know I'm not on the popular side here, but Jack Black and Michael Cera are two absolute faves. This movie though... I don't know. It rambled and fell flat. Maybe I was just crabby the day I watched it but I found myself yearning for it to turn into year two so the movie would be over.

#6 SPEED RACER
Another one I watched (actually all these so far we bought) because I thought I'd enjoy it. This one, it was the artistic direction and the way it was shot- literally made me nauseous. I don't know about its plot or acting or anything. I had to walk away.

#5 THE TOURIST
I fell asleep through this movie. I have no idea the plot. I just remember thinking that this movie had the worst sense of pacing EVER. Then the bliss of dreamland.

#4 BLADE
I think it was the nightclub/blood scene. There was just too much blood and too little sense. I thought there were some interesting concepts, but, again, this movie made me completely nauseous. I can't stand blood. I can't stand the concept of blood being consumed. And the glorification of which this movie did those things... just YUCK!

#3 ANY GIVEN SUNDAY
This movie made me hate professional football- So. Freaking. Much.

#2 BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA
I actually did vomit half-way through this movie. I was in Jr. high at the time, and I watched it at a brand-new friend's house. Not only did I ruin the hang-out, I lost major cool points. And that was quite hard to take because I didn't really have any cool points to start with.

#1 WORLD'S GREATEST DAD
When I first read about Alex's new blogfest, this was the first and only movie that came to my mind. I love, love, love Robin Williams. When I was a kid I wanted to marry him or Elijah Wood or Michaelangelo from TMNT (I was a kid! Give me a break!:P) AND I love, love, love dark/ disturbing/ twisted comedies and concepts. But this... this was too much. I mean, the acting was really good. I'll never look at Juni from SpyKids the same way (but you should check him out in April Showers for a better display of his amazing chops- though that movie is pretty awful as well). And there was social commentary that was so... ON! True, true, true... but... I just hated Robin William's character so much! I hated all the characters so much! The whole thing was too sad, and twisted, and pervy, and well- it just crossed the line too far for me. I had to turn it off about 2/3rds of the way through and I really wanted to like it, but- no.

I think what really ruins a movie for me is going into it with high expectations and being let down.
What's your movie deal-breaker?
Ok. Now I feel like I've been mean this morning!
Eeeks!
Why don't you guys defend these movies and yell at me! That will be my penance. :)

A New Series of Drawings...

2011-09-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

Can be found here.

Hannah was very kind to offer to post some of my works for her Tuesday Turn-On.
So, I've been crazy-hard working on some new ones.
I hope you guys enjoy them.
See you later!
-vic

p.s. Has anyone noticed these kinds of adds on AOL?
The images don't match the words at all...

p.p.s. Do I even need to say I don't own this add? Or the image or whatnot...

p.p.p.s. I'm not sure what time she'll run the post.

u-A/ u-H: A LONG LONG SLEEP

2011-09-07T22:28:00.001-05:00

Oh wow, Guys!
Just wow.

I just finished this book today, and... wow.
I had never seen it before until I came by a review from Bonnie at A Backwards Story.
And I've not seen it anywhere else since.

So, this book has been in my hand ever since I started it. I was even reading it while baking cupcakes for my baby Jude's kindergarten class. See cupcake:

Homemade chocolate cake with homemade peanut butter frosting (dyed orange because honestly, I'm getting excited for Halloween already!), chocolate sprinkles on top and a bite-size Reese's Peanut Butter Cup baked into the center.
Guys, you might not know the passion with which I love peanut butter and chocolate, but it's my favorite food combination- ever. So, I stayed up past midnight reading/baking, and didn't even get a chance to taste a cupcake (which I usually do to ensure that it isn't messed-up somewhere!) because I had to keep reading!!!
Well, then I got the kids off to school, and had a few extra cupcakes left at home. I told myself, "NO, self! You are dieting! Stop whining! I know it's your favorite, but you'll just have to wait until after lunch!"
And I happily fell back into my book.
Then lunch came and went... promise of my sweet cupcake calling to me.
But EVEN THEN, the power of it's rich chocolately goodness and salty peanut buttery sweetness, did not hold enough sway to pull me away from this book!
I HAD to keep reading. This book owned me.

So! The book:

Essentially, A LONG LONG SLEEP by Anna Sheehan is a modernized version of the fairy-tale of Sleeping Beauty.
But that doesn't hardly do this novel justice at all.
You could say it is science fiction and it is YA. You could say that's it's romantic, adventurous, and contemplative. All those things are true.
But to me... A LONG LONG SLEEP was much more a literary novel than a commercial one.
The heart of it was about the psychological distress and confusion of the main character Rose. Sure there was a LOT of plot- and heck! it was even high concept (imo), but... that's not what gets your heart. It's the characters. This story is all about the characters, and it grabs you. And it breaks your heart. Then it sweeps up the shattered pieces, pulls out the krazy glue and patches it back together into a brand new heart- different, but beautiful in it's own patchwork kind of style.

And even yet, there's more. Because A LONG LONG SLEEP doesn't just take you to a dark place and leave you there. It is so full of hope, and light, and above all innocence.

Guys, I highly highly recommend this book.
I'll paste my Goodreads review here in a second, but the last bit I want to reiterate here in case you scroll through the review.

If Paranormalcy by Kiersten White and Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers had a baby, abused it and guilt-tripped it, then locked it up in stasis for a couple generations, that baby would be A LONG LONG SLEEP, and I would take it home, adopt it, and love it forever!

We could be family. :)

Goodreads Review:

This novel knocked my socks off.
It was so much more than I thought it would be.

There are few things fiction-wise that capture my heart as much as interesting characters. And I believe this was Sheehan's greatest strength within this novel. Sometimes Rose could be frustrating, but it was all exactly how Rose would act. Xavier, Bren, Otto, Nabiki, goodness! Rose's parents!- they were all true to character throughout the whole novel. That might come off as annoying, because we might feel like, "why won't she just..." or, "why is he being such a..." but Sheehan didn't take any easy ways out. She knew who her characters were and let them be.

Rose's situation broke my heart. All of her situation. And if I were in her place, I feel like I would be much the same person as she.

One theme that struck such a chord with me was the loyalty a child feels for their family. I have worked with children taken from their homes by the department of child services and my family has it's own dark secrets, which even now I am compelled not to mention. But despite all the mistreatment and abuse, despite the debasement and dehumanization we sometimes suffer at the hands of our family- children who grow up that way can't just turn on our own. We hide their secrets, and we blame ourselves. We escape. Because a family is a family, and what we each do effects who the other becomes. It's so hard to feel innocent of the evils going on in your home. It's so hard not to blame yourself.

Afterall, you still love them.

Sheehan captures the pain and confusion and numbness of Rose's situation without glorification or wallowing. And the same is true for the other characters.

The setting, the vernacular, the concept (jiminey! the concept) all of these things were excellent! There were even bits in this story that I KNOW I'm going to go back and study Ms. Sheehan's technique and pacing. It was so funny, because I took a break in the middle of a scene I was writing, picked up to read for a bit, and came across a scene with a similar challenge for coheretiveness (is that a word?) and was blown away by how smoothly Sheehan's technique read. I'm SO going to studying that!

But technique, shmecnique. The thing that really just got my gut with this story is its heart! It has so much! and wow!

If Paranormalcy by Kiersten White and Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers had a baby, abused it and guilt-tripped it, then locked it up in stassis for a couple generations, that baby would be A LONG LONG SLEEP, and I would take it home, adopt it, and love it forever!
We could be family. :)

Oh! and about that cupcake:

Damn. That's good.

The book is better though.

And that's saying a lot from me.

I better do some extra exercise in the morning! :)

Tell me, what was the last book you read that you would deny yourself a cupcake for?

And have you ever heard of A LONG LONG SLEEP?

Read it? Interested now?

Email me if you have and we'll dish spoilers!!!

a Clash of Kings- Review

2011-09-04T22:19:00.000-05:00

Heya Pally-o's!

I've recently joined up on Goodreads.
Ohmygoodness!
It is so so so helpful for making a TBR list... one that isn't thrown away in the midst of a good-ole-house-scouring! (( Not that that's ever happened to me... Ok. Maybe it's happened once or twice... or twenty times! :P))

Also fun- comparing your book lists with others and hearing about books your pals love!

And it gives an option to export your review over to your blog. So- I'm going to try to figure out how to do that on this post!

My most recent reads were A GAME OF THRONES and A CLASH OF KINGS by George R.R. Martin. And I'd be super duper happy to discuss them in full-on spoilery goodness with you all in the comment section! But I'm going to try to keep the review spoiler free!

But! If you mention a spoiler in your comment please put a warning like this in the first line:
WARNING SPOILERS!!!!
Thanks!

I was hoping to get this colored before posting, but got too caught up in the novel! OOPS!!! Maybe I'll have the colored version ready when I finish the next one in the series. :)

Anyway, I give up on the technology! Hmmm.... Copy and Paste!
(( by the way, the ladies at work think I'm a computer genius because I know how to copy and paste! Hee hee hee!!!!))

My Goodreads Review of A CLASH OF KINGS:

jiminey! what did i think? well, that george r.r. martin is a GENIUS.

i love how he fits so many different storylines together so well. i did get a little frustrated sometimes leaving one perspective and flipping to another. but that is just because i enjoyed some of the characters more than others.

what i really love about the world he creates is that it is so rich and varied. i love the different cultures and subcultures and histories and mythologies.

i also love how gut-wrenchingly real the pain can be. and i love how he allows his characters to see beauty even amongst carnage... like during a certain battle.

i was a little annoyed by the perspectives added for this novel. ugh. theon's a... well, just gross and vile. and davos didn't add much (but i'm not really one for nautical stuff). and mr. martin executed those character perspectives very well... maybe a little TOO well with theon. :P

i also got a little bored from time to time. i love rich worlds and vivid description, but there were a few bits where i was like, "ok. ok. now what is going on!?!?!?" but, i felt like the pacing wasn't much slower than traditional high fantasy... or the little of it i've read.

when people would ask me what i was reading whilst on my lunch break at work, i would tell them that the story was a gritty soap opera set in a land of knights, kings, and maegi.

overall, i really enjoyed this book! and i 'm looking forward to the next in the series. but i'll probably read some other books before moving on to a storm of swords.

i really do want to see what becomes of all my favorite characters- and i hope the truly evil evil evil ones get gutted with a dull spoon!

So! Have any of you guys read these books? Seen the HBO miniseries thingy? What do you think of them?

And if you want to be my friend (this feels so awkward... it's like I'm back in Jr. High trying to get the nerve up to invite the cool kids- a.k.a. band geeks!! whoo hoo!!- over to my house) on Goodreads you can find me here:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6019659-vic-caswell

OOOOHHH!!!!! And we chose a name for the kitten! Hubby vetoed both Cinders and Zombie!!! UGH!!! But we decided to go with Coraline, Cora for short. Not only is the name a small homage to Neil Gaiman and Caroline Murphy :P, it is a bit Halloween-ish (high-fives!) and punny with it's Cat Cora-ness! Plus, she seems to respond to it more than Specter which almost won out. :)

What I Did on My Summer Vacation...

2011-09-01T20:28:00.000-05:00

Why, hello there strangers!

What's that you say?

Despite temperatures over 100, your summers were a little cold without me?

How sweet!

I've missed you too!

Although, I've been visiting around as I've been able. Gotta say, I think you all have managed to stay quite COOL despite the heat! :P

Man Alive! I had so much I wanted to accomplish this summer, but only completed a few of the tasks. That's always the way, huh?

Well, let's see.
I have been working on a little thing called "writing!" After a LLLLOOONNNGGG dry-spell, I've finally managed to get the courage back to try again. :)

So, my main project is to rewrite the first novel I ever wrote.

It's quite daunting, because I love the characters and the setting and much of the mythology and creatures and such- but I've realized the biggest issue with the story was... well... the plot. So. I'm totally rewriting the plot. Which means, the whole thing will need to be redone. It's so sad to see all that labor lost. But I keep telling myself, it's not labor lost if you learn something! :)

So, I'm going to try to actually plot and plan and diagram and organize prior to writing... which I've never really done seriously. That's where I am now. I've reworked the mythology, started to timeline out some things that need to happen, and tried to find holes and deeper levels of motivation for my characters. Let's hope I can get it better this time! :)

I've also been working at my art-ish stuff with a renewed vigor!
I've had an invitation from a blogger who I not only adore, but respect as well to post some of my art-ish stuff on her blog, so I've been primarily focused on those pieces. Here's a little sample (a tiny piece of one picture):

But what I REALLY want your advice on today is names!!!

We have adopted a new member to the family! See her. Isn't she adorable!?!?!

We're hoping she and Mischief (our other kitty) will become best of friends! Our dogs (Brownie and Cookie) already have their buddy-ship, and we thought Mischief seemed a little lonely and outnumbered in her feline-imity...

ANYWAY!

Naming is hard for us. And a big issue I'm having is that we've come up with several names we really like, but can't pick just one! I was hoping you guys would voice your opinions!

The top names we're considering:

Curiosity

(would match Mischief ever so well!)

Cora

(get it? cat cora? anyone else addicted to Iron Chef?)

Ember or Cinders

(because she has these orange-ish tones that seem to glow out from under her rich burnt browns)

Cupcake

(cuz she's sooooo sweet!)

Spectre

(we love Halloween)

Toffee

(again SWEET!)

Any opinions out there? Any better names floating around in those creative little skulls?

Help please! :)

And Hi!

See you later, alligators!

-vic

dead tired- but i am alive...

2011-07-05T21:30:00.000-05:00

heya guys!
just a quick note to say that i really am alive.
the day job is just out of control right now.
i'm in the midst of a schedule where i only have 3 days off in 28 (one of those days i had to travel out of state and home again, too). i just finished day 5 of a seventeen-days-in-a-row run and in just twelve more days i'll be off this schedule, and hopefully back to normal!
just wanted to say, keep writing! i'm rooting for you all! and i can't wait to check in and see how everything's going with you when things slow down here a bit!
see you all a.s.a.p.
until then, i'll be on this:

u-A/u-H: BANDSLAM!!!

2011-06-24T00:57:00.000-05:00

Heya Guys!
i've been working on these digitally-colored pics for crazy amounts of hours lately, which is just- the most fun EVER! and also allows me to screw around and watch (listen to) a lot more movies than usual, because i enjoy noise while i work. music for writing (sometimes for art) and usually films for art.

so, i've always felt like i have ODD taste in movies- in that i really enjoy a vast variety of films- and quite a few of them i feel are very under-appreciated and under-hyped. i feel the same way for books and music and well... a great many things.

so!
i think i'm going to start a new series over here on this little bloggy-o. u-A/u-H: stands for under-Appreciated/ under-Hyped.
because seriously guys: the unsung are usually the true heroes.

without further ado, i present you with the first entry of the series:

all images were freeze-screened off the movie and cropped etc in gimp... i don't own any of the rights... is this legal now??? :P

hmmmmm....

let me see if i can sum up:
a very genuinely awkward/ isolated teen boy (will) moves to a new school- largely in part to escape the extreme bullying he faced in his old school.
meets: super quirky gal characters with LAYERS AND LAYERS of character development named charlotte and sa5m-- AND the geeky not-so-chic-y members of charlotte's would-be band.
so happens that our will (who just developsanddevelops characterwise throughout the film) has uno obsession in life... and that is... well, music. cuz the movie's called bandslam, right? :P

will helps band... band helps will... things unfold... music ensues.

Witty, Gritty, Awkward, Heart-felt, Honest, not afraid to be LAME, OFF-BeAt, chockfullof TALENT!, coming-of-age, feel-good, well-crafted, just makes you smile, brings tears to your eyes, makes you cover your mouth so the whole house doesn't wake up to your fits of hysterical laughter (ohmygoodness-- the scene with the HAT!!! if you've seen the movie you know what i mean!)

Talen3t:
let's see...

we got:
Aly Michalka ((who my boys have grown up watching all the way back to her phil of the future days. this girl is super charming in everything, and has a voice like whoa. :P))
Vanessa Hudgens ((who should have started her career out with THIS movie, so i could take her more seriously. the girl has acting chops hsm has never seen))
Lisa Kudrow ((i LOVE her!))
Gaelan Connell ((is the gent who plays will. i haven't ever seen him in anything else, but that kid- shoot! he was perfect for the role!))

and we got MUSIC!!!!!

here's a couple songs for you:
first an upbeat one guaranteed to make you dance in your seat
cover of Steve Wynn's Amphetamine:

and second
a song that i believe is original to the movie (but i can't be sure about that- i tried to figure it out).
i thought the little fanmade video thing was actually kinda cool because they incorporate quotes from reviews of the movie... which was recieved quite well critically whilst being essentially a boxoffice bomb. :(

so guys!
have any of you seen this film?
you know i loved it, but what did you think?
did you like it? hate it? can't remember it?

a tidbit of housekeeping...

2011-06-16T19:20:00.000-05:00

heya guys!
i've been off working like crazy trying to tame our jungle of a backyard into something a little less... wild. i'll say one thing about all this yardwork/siding/painting/planting that i've been doing:

I LOVE MY CHAINSAW!!!!

seriously, i love it! it was my mother's day gift and i mwhahahaaaa when i use it! behold the power of my little electric poulan!! quake in fear you tree-like weeds! hmmmm.... now all i need is a hockey mask...
*evil grin*
ahem...

anyway,
i think i'm going to go to posting at least once a week. i need a schedule or i just forget to post! eeks!

beside working on the outside of our house, i've been working on this series of pics and trying to figure out how to color digitally, which has been both a learning experience and extremely FUN! :)
and
i just found out that my in-laws are going to take all of our boys to their house (we don't live in the same state) for a WHOLE month. i'm going to miss them like CRAZY! we have had one week with no kids in the last nine years... and two days in the last five. so, i'm sure i'll be a basketcase the whole time., but i'm sure it will be a great experience for the kids, and i wouldn't deny them the time with their grandparents for anything. also, i'm thinking about trying to do my own personal nano while the kiddos are gone-o. but i'm scared to make such a commitment! eeks! how did you nano-ers find your experiences?

and then, there is this TAG game going around that emily white tagged me with.

so, first i answer:
Do you think you're hot?
honestly, no. i think i'm rather homely. and i'm always cold anyway. :P

Upload a picture of wallpaper you are using at the moment.
this is my youngest-jude. and i'll admit i changed my desktop background, so i had a pic without kiddo faces that i could post. because i don't post my kiddos faces!

When was the last time you ate chicken?

(fyi i refuse to write the meat at the end of that question :P) supper tonight. chicken noodle casserole... from a box. i'm such a cheater!

The songs you listened to recently?

a TON!

embarassing confession: i've been listening to music from the Lemonade Mouth soundtrack because:

1- my kids love it

2- i love it, and

3- i'm addicted to disney movies. sad but true.

but in the land of grown-up music:

all or nothing-theory of a deadman

hello lonely- theory of a deadman

by the way- theory of a deadman

alligator sky- owl city featuring shawn chryst

change your mind- sister hazel

flavor of the week- american hi-fi

walkin' on the sun- smash mouth

so far away-staind

have all been getting a lot of plays on my mp3 player lately

What were you thinking as you were doing this?

that i better hurry up so i can read to my boys out of THE LOST HERO by rick riordan before they head to bed!

Do you have nicknames?

hmmm... growing up i was called punk'n, tori, tora b, toby, hippie (by mean classmates in jr.high. hey! my dissection protests worked- twice!), vic, vickster, gargoyle, victorious one (moms are odd), bird brain, burn well (kids are mean- often), lil' cuss (i love my grandpa), squirt (from the big bro), and the hubs calls me *shakes head* munchkin butt. (ugh.)

Tag five bloggers:

i can't remember who has already been tagged, so if this is a repeat, i apologize!

Matthew MacNish (Rush)

Whose listed as number one?

Hannah Kincade is a woman of fine, distinguished taste. You can tell by her choice in genre to write (horror) and the movies, music, and books she raves about. Not to mention: SUPERNATURAL!!!! She is super cool and I want to be her when I grow up! :P

Leave a lovey dovey message for number 2.

Oh, honey bunches!

Your eyes are like two swallows wallowing in swells of seawater.

Your mouth like the sunny side of my terracotta plantpot.

Where your feet meet the street is nothing but sweet.

How I love thee is too strong for words or cords or chords or... crap... this must be why i SUCK at romance! Seriously though, Sarah is super cool too! She's querying a book with a sea-creature-y thing and since i TOTALLY believe in cryptozoology, i can't wait for her to be picked up by an agent!

How did you get to know number 3?

I got to know Sommer over at the Bransforums. I followed her back to her blog, and I've been hooked ever since! Be sure to click on the Wicked and Tricksy button over in my sidebar for AWESOME writing tips!

How about number 4?

Ted is like my go-to source when I'm thinking about high fantasy stuff. He's also, just super cool as a person. He's the one who recommended George R.R. Martin to me, and for that, I will always be in debt to him! :)

Say something about number 5.

Dude. All I can say is that I honestly respect you. Completely.

And now my post has been super long! Do you know any of these great people? Aren't they all THE COOLEST!!! Did any of you nano it? How'd that work out for you? Has anyone else ever had the grass grow so tall in their yard that two 40lb dogs could hide in it?

It's All Fun and Games Blogfest

2011-06-06T03:33:00.001-05:00

I really suck at chess! But I love playing it! I think the pieces are extremely beautiful, and the way they move is like a dance. :) I manipulated this one to look spooky-whoo-ooo-ooo ghost chess!

Heya Guys!

Ohman! There's a ton of different ways to go about this one, and thank goodness Alex was so wonderful to remind us all about the blogfest (I totally forgot-oops)!

I'm not really very good at games, but I enjoy them. I like to play card games (5card draw is my favorite there), and silly games with the kids (like zombie tag or heads-up seven-up), or camp games with groups of kids (like red rover). I'm absolutely terrible at video games but I like to play the wii with the kids from time to time (mariocart's pretty fun), but I think I'm going to go a traditional route and list my favorite board games. Like all games, it's not so much about the game as it is about the people you're playing with. It's the time spent together good-sportedly competing and ribbing each other and cracking up that makes games awesome, and board games are usually what we play when we have the extended family around. So, they hold a special place in my heart! :)

#5 BALDERDASH
My father-in-law Jack can fool everyone everytime with his made up definitions. I laughed so hard once during a round of this game that I nearly ralphed! :)

#4 SCRABBLE
I love Scrabble, trying to make words out of all those jumbled letters! I recently started playing it with my Eli and it's really helping his spelling skillz! Pretty soon he's going to whooping me! :)

#3 TRIVIAL PURSUIT
I'm not very good at this game, but sometimes we play teams, and when the hubs and I team up, we can often do pretty darn good! :) How's it work? Teamwork! - Sorry, had a Bob the Builder moment there...

#2 SCATTERGORIES
Forgive the lack of humility here, but I love this game because I'm pretty darn good at it! :) You can't go wrong with a game that rewards you for thinking differently than those that surround you!

#1 CRANIUM
I love how this game is a little of everything! But it has forever won it's place in my heart for the time that my mom had to try to sculp a banana split out of the clay stuff... and ummm... my mom's such a lady, but even she busted a gut because the sculpture so strongly resembled a key organ of the male anatomy... maybe if she had sculpted three scoops of icecream instead of two, it wouldn't have... well, it wouldn't have been so funny! Let's hear it for nixing the strawberry! :P (I thought it appropriate to follow that with a raspberry)

Ok! I gotta run! I have an art class in the morning and I still have no lesson plan made out. And piles of folded laundry all over the living room! Eeeks!
*jets*

Please check out the other participants for more awesome games here! :)

So, what's your favorite game?

a different kind of shiver...

2011-06-03T23:33:00.000-05:00

Heya Guys!
It's been quite a while, huh? I'm thinking I'm going to need to have some kind of scheduled days to blog, otherwise I'll never post! Eeeks!

I actually have quite a bit I want to write about, but since it's a Silly Saturday, I thought I'd talk about this movie I watched last night. I'm a Netflix-Instant-View-Aholic. Usually anytime I'm watching anything, I'm also drawing, so I don't watch (listen to) many movies that aren't in English (can't read subtitles while drawing!) But I was exhausted and bummed and just wanted to veg for a little bit before I got to work on writing stuff. So, I was scrolling through the options, and the description of this one caught my eye. I had just been thinking at work, that it would be interesting to write a story with a mc who has xeroderma pigmentosum, so the timing of the blurb was just too perfect to pass up.
((DEZZ YOU WILL HATE THIS MOVIE! You can go ahead and save yourself some time and skip the rest if you wish!- Oh! Hi! by the way!)))
Image source:
http://www.movie-list.com/trailers.php?id=shiver
The blurb over at imdb:

Santi, a young high-school student with a serious physical reaction to sunlight, is forced by his health to move with his single mother to a shadowy, isolated village in the mountains of Spain where the inhabitants begin to reveal themselves as strangely xenophobic. When terrible, violent events begin to occur, Santi becomes first a pariah at school and then strongly suspected by the police of hideous murders. Santi himself, however, wonders if he is not the next victim. However, while this is a good blurb, I want to extend it a little further: Santi and his mother move into a home on the border of a thick forest where something else is living.

Before the cover image decieves you, this is NOT a vampire movie... actually I don't want to tell you what is really going on- because SERIOUSLY that would ruin the whole thing! But there is something just so beautifully dark and thoughtful about this film. I love how Santi deals with his illness and it effects his life, but it doesn't define him- although others define him according to it. I was impressed by the honesty of childhood bullying and the xenophobia of rural towns. I was COMPLETELY surprised by the last third or so of this movie... once I thought I had it figured out... I was wrong. Which is something I love, because it doesn't happen too often- especially in scary movies.

The acting was fantastic, the artistry was captivating, once the move happens- the pacing is perfect. I LOVE supsense!!! And this movie had me curled up on the couch, chewing on the neckline of my nightgown, peeking through my fingers at all the good parts, and wondering why in the world I'd never heard of this film before!?!?!? Although, I'm probably just late to the party. That happens... a lot. :)

And it was UNIQUE. Which is something I've been missing. So much.

My only problem with this film, is that I really, really, really need them to come out with a sequel or answer a couple of questions about a certain character, that I cared about too much that they left just up in the air... but that unresolvedness does help the storyline linger in my mind... and makes me want to research research research to see if ... well, I can't say...

Ooooohhhh!!!! If any of you have seen this film, we've gotta talk!!! Because, maybe it's just a really good fit for me, but i LOVED it! I'm a little strange on my movie tastes though, I know! But! Eeeks! What a show!

And any of you who haven't seen it, it's on Netflix Instant View if you are interested. It was made in Spain and filmed in Spanish the title ESKALOFRIO English title SHIVER.

And here's the English trailer- which I don't fell is nearly as good as the film-the trailer is pretty cheesy until you get to about the 45 second mark, imho. (funny, because usually trailers are better than the movies, lately)

Ok! I better get to writing!
How have you all been!!?!?!?

Book Swoon!!!!

2011-05-18T03:33:00.002-05:00

Heya Guys!

It's been a while, huh? Well, I was planning on writing an actual real post last night, but I got all wrapped up in a great book!!!! Actually, I meant to do lots of other things (draw, write, laundry, dishes, yardwork... you get the gist) over the last couple days, but couldn't possibly do any of them, because... this book... had to read... addicted... just SO good!

I bet you're wondering what book captivated me so...
Well, here it is:

"When college-bound Eliza falls into a cruise-ship pool, she doesn’t expect to fall in love. And when navy recruit David pulls her from the water, he finds her surprisingly hard to resist. But a whirlwind of rescues, candlelit nights, and beachside misunderstandings pulls them into a four-day love affair that threatens to break their hearts before their love has a chance to start.

When David leaves for endless drills and physical training in boot camp, and Eliza returns to Albuquerque to prepare for Princeton in the fall, they dare to keep loving each other and struggle to imagine a future when they can be together. But when miles and mistrust pull them apart, they are forced to choose between keeping true to their dreams and having the courage to love. "
- blurb courtesy of (stolen from) Omnific Publishing

LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PURSUIT by Susan Kaye Quinn was just so unbelievably cute! I loopy-smiled and giggled and carried on like a fool the whole time I was reading it!

I'm always SO SCARED when I read the writing of a fellow blogger, especially a blogger who I like. Because there's always the chance that what they write won't really resonate with me, you know.

I've been following Susan's blog for a while now, and she is one smart cookie! I really enjoy her passion for getting kids to love books, and her highly-detailed reviews and ratings for MG lit (especially marketed for boys). I swear I'm going to use her lists SO MUCH this summer for coming up with some summer reads for my boys. And she has the kindest smile ever, and is an active member of the Cult of Bransford.

But I hadn't really paid much attention to LIFE, LIBERTY, and PURSUIT because I just thought it wouldn't be my cup of tea. I don't remember EVER reading a romance book. You see, romance makes me all squirmy. Especially hot, steamy kinds of romance. I mean, seriously! I'm such a dork, but I often avert my eyes during the huge epic kiss at the end of the movie... no lie. I'm just that way- romantically squirmy.

So, Susan had a giveaway, and given her personality after reading her blog for so long, I was pretty sure her novel wouldn't be too, too, too steamy (a.k.a. make my nervous tick start twitching), so I entered, and was excited to win! HHOOORRRAAAYYYY!!!!! (a SIGNED copy! how cool is that?!?!)

Anyway, I cracked it open because I really needed to relax, and even though I'm reading a couple of other novels right now, I was looking for something a little more light-hearted than GAME OF THRONES or HOUSE OF LEAVES, so I tried the brand-new book that arrived in my mail! :)

AND...

I couldn't put it down! Time slipped away. I found myself stirring supper with the book in my hand. Sitting next to my hubby while he watched ESPN, book in hand. Sketchpad neglected on the coffee table while I curled up on the couch, book in hand. Clock yelling at me, eyes red and scratchy, heart begging for just ONE MORE SCENE!!!! You get the point! It was BOOK LOVE!!!!

The thing about LLP is that the characters were so completely loveable and charming. Every one of them... well except one, I guess.... but they were completely flawed as well, and I just HAD to see what became of them!!!! because they felt just SO REAL!!!!! And, and, and!!!!!

OOOhhhhhhh!!! In addition to characters- the settings just felt SO REAL (and I just wonder if that's the same naval training place thing around Chicago that my cousin John graduated from???) and ohmygoodness! The plot- so SWEET! and, and, and!!!! I just have so much trouble reviewing books without, you know, spoiling them.

But, honestly, I can't recommend this book enough, especially if you like innocent romance, sweet characters, remembering that time when you were newly in love, characters who put time thought and heart into their decisions... just good, positive stuff. Seriously. It's such a wonderful read! I dare you not to smile while reading it- it's completely impossible!!!!

And Susan, now what I NEED is for you to write another one like this about an aspiring astronaut and an aerospace engineer falling in love at NASA... or something like that... because, I would be TOTALLY over the moon about that!!!! :) :) :) :)

Any of you guys read LIFE, LIBERTY, and PURSUIT already? Any of you interested in reading it? Who wants Susan to write a rocketship romance???? If I start a petition will you sign it??? :)

oooohhhh!!!! and speaking of book love! i had to force my eli to go to bed tonight! there's school in the morning, but he didn't care so much, he was too busy being transported through space!
see? :)

in which i announce some changes...

2011-05-03T03:33:00.001-05:00

This is our pup Brownie. She's part sheltie, part chow, and part roaming stranger! She's also the pup who woke our oldest son up and pushed him out of his bedroom when it was in flames a couple years ago. Then he woke the rest of us up. Without our precious Brownie we would all be dead.

Heya Guys!

Here's the thing: I love you all! If I've ever clicked your "follow" button, it's because I truly believe in your talent. My two absolute favorite things to do in the world are help people and encourage genuine talent. When I started blogging, I never imagined finding so many kind people I honestly care about and want to see succeed. It's a wonderful thing- but also dangerous.

I find that I have become a blog junkie. I've been spending way too much time online, and not enough time working on my writing and my art. Seriously, it's like I can feel all the creativity building up and up and up inside me, and if I don't take the time to let it out, I'll explode!

BOOM!!!!

And that would be really yucky!
Are those entrails on the ceiling fan?
...

Anyway, I need to make some changes.
So, I might not be visiting you guys as often as I want too. Well, actually, I want to read every single post each of you write- so I'll definitely not be visiting as often as I want. I might lurk more often than comment... especially for those of you who already have a ton of support.

My posting will continue as it has the last month or so. I'll try not to post too often. Probably a couple times a week. The thing is, I'm not really striving to build a huge following. I'm trying to learn how to better my craft. So, the whole "regular posting boosts follower numbers" thing doesn't really apply to me at this point in time. Right now, I'm just trying to use my time wisely, and I respect YOUR time enough that I won't be posting unless I have something I want to say or show you!
There's just a bunch happening I can't keep up with, and I feel like my focus has been pulled away from actually trying to make a go at the writing dream.

So... I'm rambling. But what I want to say is that I'll be limiting my blogging time. I'm going to give myself a daily allowance of time, and then I'm cutting the connection. It's the only way I can get everything done!

But!!!

It's going to drive me nuts thinking I might miss something super important!

Guys! Pretty, pretty, pretty please!!! Use my email address!!! It's in the sidebar. If you are super excited and want to share with someone- write me! If you're totally stressed, or feeling bummed out- I CARE!!!!-write me! If you need a chapter crit or a query crit or a little help with something- I LOVE HELPING!!!- write me!

I'll be around, but I really need to get this nose of mine back to the grindstone!

Ding Dong!!!!

2011-04-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

Happy May Day!

*runs to the next door*

photos taken with camera borrowed from mom- super quick gimp manip

How are the flowers blooming out in your corners of the world?
These are all from my yard! tulip and daffodils are like the only things I can grow... well, I guess I can grow dandelions too! Oooohhh!!! And children! :P
Have a good one!

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!!! :D

2011-04-29T03:33:00.008-05:00

(quick graphite sketch of carol from a still gimp touchups)

Heya Guys!
OhMAN! If any of you haven't seen WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE yet, GO NOW!!!!
Dezz wrote the other day about a film he was excited to see, and he said that.... wait! Let me go look it up so I can quote it... ahem. ummm.... OH OKAY! Here we go:

It seems that with each scene IMMORTALS reminds us of one important, almost forgotten thing in Hollywood, that films are made of ... dreams.

Ohmygoodness! I can't say how much I love this sentiment, and how much it applies to WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.

Seriously, if you write for children, if you have children, if you ever... were a child (???)... this movie manages to capture the essence of what it feels like to be a child: frustration, wonder, magic, anger, joy, wildness, creativity, smallness, growth, peace, family, love, disappointment, friendship... I could go ON AND ON!!! I don't think I've seen a movie capture this essence so well since THE NEVERENDING STORY.

AND!!!!

OOOHHHHHH!!!!!

There are MONSTERS!!!!! Ohmygoodness! I don't think you guys know how much I LOVE monsters!!!! But OHMAN! I LOVE MONSTERS!!!!!!! Especially HENSON monsters!!! (ooh! and burton ones as well!)

Anyway, I'm sick so I'm trying to be quick! (hee hee hee! unintentional rhyming!)

There's a couple really cool things I've been meaning to tell you guys about, but I've been crazy busy (and most my blogging time has been spent trying to read as many of your a-z posts as I can! Yikes! You guys are KILLING me!!!).

First off:

My pal Emily White (who was so super sweet to hire me to do her cover and some art for her trailer!) is getting ready to launch her very first novel, ELEMENTAL!!!!!

I'm really excited for her, and she's really excited, and is having a couple cool giveaway-contesty-kinda things... here's a link if you're interested!

Second-but no less interesting:

I'm always raving about Sommer Leigh, because I learn SO MUCH from her blog!!!! And I've just started following another very clever blogger named Margo on Sommer's advice. And guess what!?!?!

No the moon is NOT made of cheese! Jiminey! You guys are silly!

Really though, Sommer and Margo and two other bloggers I'm not as familiar with- super sweet and cheery and I mean to start following Claudie A and the mysterious S.B. Stewart- are starting up a group blog!

It's called Wicked and Tricksy. And here's the vision a la Sommer:

We seek to provide resources for fellow aspiring writers on writing craft and theory. While we focus on all things speculative fiction, there will be plenty of craft talk for writers of any genre to use. We hope to create a community of aspiring writers who can share ideas, ask hard questions, and offer insights we as individual writers may not have had access to otherwise. Forget the writer’s solitary journey. At Wicked & Tricksy, we pool our energy together to turn it into a social adventure!

You can find out more about it by clicking this link here, or by clicking this link on the big start-up day May 9th!!! I hope to see you guys over there, because seriously, I'm expecting to learn oodles! You hear that Sommer! PRESSURE IS ON!!!! :P

Ok. I need to skee-daddle and swallow some medicinal pills (blech!).

But I really want to know~~~~~

Have you ever seen a movie (or read a book!!!!) that seemed to capture the wonder and experience of being a child???? Let me know which, please!!! I love me some regressing! :)

Non Sequitur This!

2011-04-21T03:33:00.008-05:00

Heya Guys!

I try not to be crabby online... at least not too much.
But- By Jiminey!- I'm really bothered by this.

For many reasons I'm not going to get into online, the cafeteria I work in needed to go to primarily disposable cups. Not a big deal, right? Get some cost effective paper cups and we're good to go.
But. No.
Instead we get these:

Well, not the ceramic coffee mugs... the styrofoam cup up there in the front. You see it?

Ok. Good.

Now, we all know that styrofoam is bad for the environment. And the boss people at my work are looking into getting a different kind of cup... last I heard... because they are... ummm... cool.

I'm not just saying that because my job is at their disposal.

Really, I'm not.

Quit looking at me like that!!!!!

Anyway-

What really got to me was on the cup itself. If you look right under the lip of the cup, you can see some text. (I'm not sure if the pic would get bigger if you click it or not...)

And it's the text that just pisses me off. It reads:

"AN AVERAGE WEIGHT PAPER HOT CUP GENERATES ABOUT 181% MORE SOLID WASTE BY WEIGHT THAN A COMPARABLE FOAM CUP."

!!!!!!!!

Ohmygoodness! My blood's starting to boil already... again!

OF COURSE styrofoam is lighter that hot-cup paper! But it still doesn't BIODEGRADE, you numbnuts!!!!

!!!!!!!!!

Sure, that statement is probably true, but what it LEADS people to believe is WAY off.

I love my coworkers like crazy. Seriously. Those gals (and guy) are hilarious!

But this is what a coworker said when I pointed out the statement on the cup. "Huh. I always thought styrofoam was bad for the environment. Guess I was wrong."

You see! Those treacherous cup designers tricked her! And they did it without TECHNICALLY lying.

I had to play wikipedia-linky-tag to come up for the right word to define this kind of statement, because I wanted to call it misinformation... but that would be misinformation- because it would be a false statement. (am I the only one who finds that funny!?!?) The closest I could come up with is this term "Non sequitor" which according to my great wikifriends means:

"...in formal logic, is an argument in which its conclusion does not follow from its premises.^[1] In a non sequitur, the conclusion can be either true or false, but the argument is fallacious because there is a disconnection between the premise and the conclusion."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_sequitur_(logic)

Those styrofoam bigwigs aren't lying (I don't think so at least.) But they are leading the buyer to believe that these cups are better for the environment than a comparable paper hot cup. Shoot! They even use green ink. Subtle guys, real subtle.

But you see, it's not just them.

The world is full of people who treat truth like play-doh. Who will omit, deny, rationalize, and flat-out lie to get what they want. They will manipulate you. And they don't care what detrimental fallout their manipultions may cause.

And we need to realize that.

Because words are powerful.

And we are in the business of words.

When we open up our wips, when we pull from an event in history, when we are inspired by a cultural tradition, when our characters have a psychological abnormality, when we present consequences to our characters' actions, when we write anything...

We have a great responsiblility. It may be cliche, but Uncle Ben had it right. Especially if we write kidlit. Especially if we want to be decent human beings.

My dear, clever, kind friends. Respect your audience- don't manipulate them. Do your research and stay true to it. Write with care and conscience. Don't be a styrofoam big-wig slimeball.

Because, seriously guys, you are too good for that kind of crap.

And so are your readers.

Please Welcome My Sensei to the Blogosphere!!!

2011-04-12T12:03:00.001-05:00

Heya Guys!

I sincerely apologize for dual posts today! ...So much breaking news!!!
BUT!!!
I'm so, so, so, so, so, so, so excited about this! I've been waiting for this day, and AT LAST it has arrived!!!

I met Yosh over at the Bransforums. We'd talked a bit before our matchmaking in a critique partner search thread. I'm sure you all are familiar with the unique kind of love that builds between well-suited critique partners....

But, guys, seriously- Yosh is THE BEST ever! She's not just my critique partner. She's one of the best friends I have ever had. She's helped me through personal struggles, partied over good news with me, as well as given me sage advice. Not to mention, I'm stark-raving fanatic about her novel SIMON'S PARADOX. Want more NOW! Really guys- seriously- I need to start a fansite or something!

The point that really relates to you all, is that she is EXTREMELY well informed. She is amazing at plot structure, character development, painting setting, all the things you need to know to write an awesome story- even grammar! And now she has decided to take up blogging! Her blog purpose (as I understand it) will focus on craft and publication and how to be a really smokin' writer!

She recently nabbed Weronika Janczuk of the D4EO Literary Agency and is currently facing the long silence of submissions!

Please guys, do yourself a favor and head on over there and welcome her to the friendliest corner of the blogosphere! She is so one of my favorite people ever, and a treasure to get to know.
Oh yeah! Her name isn't really Yosh- she goes by L.C. Frost these days.

I LOVE YOU YOSH! Welcome! :)
Thanks guys!

there IS something you can do about it!!!!

2011-04-12T08:25:00.000-05:00

WISH HIM A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Dezz is one of the biggest encouragers I've ever met. He's kind hearted and generous, full of compassion and conviction.
Dezz is always saying that he loves us and there's nothing we can do about it. But we CAN reciprocate!
Happy birthday, sweetie!

Spy stalkers unite! Head on over there and make him feel the love! :D

Introducing Her Honor...

2011-04-07T08:41:00.000-05:00

Heya Guys!

On Tuesday April 5th 2011, the citizens of Osborn, Missouri filed themselves into the voting booths in droves. The incumbent mayor appeared to be running unopposed until just a couple weeks before the election, when out of frustration another citizen joined the race. Running on a platform to enforce local leash laws- the abandonment of which had already led to a citizen being bitten and numerous cases of close calls- townsfolk began to align behind the woman.

Word spread quickly in the town of 400.

The turnout was gigantic for Osborn. 45 voters correctly wrote in the woman's name, whilst only 21 deferred to the incumbent mayor. They will swear her in next week.

Oh little town of Osborn, I highly doubt you realize what an amazing decision you made. Jennifer Burwell is by far the most intelligent, big-hearted, convicted, determined, strong, self-sacrificing woman I have ever met. She has great plans for your town, and will do everything she can to help you flourish. Jennifer Burwell has always been and will always be my hero. You guys really lucked out!

Congratulations, Mom! I love you!

I don't usually discuss politics online- oooh man! the messes!!- but I'm so excited for her!!

Anything new going on with you guys?

Step on a Crack: Break Your Mama's... Blog???

2011-04-05T22:12:00.000-05:00

I'm currently experiencing technical difficulties.
Please be patient with me while I try to figure out what in the world is going on... and then how in the world to fix it! :)
Catch you later, guys!

It's Here!!!!! YAY!!!

2011-04-04T06:46:00.001-05:00

Heya Guys!

OOooooHHhhhh!!!

I'm SO EXCITED!!!

Wanna know why?!?!?!

Check this out!
YAY!!!

*giddy giggling!*

See you later!

Memory Lane Blogfest

2011-04-02T05:33:00.000-05:00

Heya Guys!

I want to tell you something about this lady named Vicki Rocho. Not only is she silly, vivacious, and HILARIOUS- she is true blue.

Some of my funnest blog-post inspired backandforth banter has been with Ms.V, and she makes me laugh with every single email! We had a blast not quite cyber-stalking Mr. Craig Niedermaier. She creeped me out with late-night, real-life ghost and psychic stories while we were both supposed to be working. And she even put away her soda and drank water with me when i was trying to clear my system during the kidney stone curse!

TRUE BLUE.

So, if she says she's having a blogfest. I'm down for it... even if it might embarass me.

Memory Lane Blogfest rules are to answer these 6 questions:

1.) When did you start your blog?

Answer.) June 27th 2010... I didn't really know what I was doing... I still don't! :P

2.)What is the first denomination (price) of a postage stamp you remember?

Answer.) I'm not sure about this one... I think it's 25 cents- but don't quote me on that!

3.) How old were you when you learned to ride a bike?

Answer.) I had to have been six. My big sister taught me. She's the best! She taught me to read too! And I need pictures here to illustrate!!! Here's my sister Holly &---. Not only is she GORGEOUS! She's a GENIUS!!! See her circuits while working for the Fermi Lab! Can you tell I'm super proud of my Holl Doll!?!?!

4.) What was the first concert you attended without parental supervision?

Answer.) Well in 7th grade I saw Coolio in concert, my gal pal's mom was there, but nowhere near us... so I don't know if that counts. After that, it would have to be Agapefest at Greenville College in 1999. I was in 11th grade, and there was a Youth Pastor, but no parents. So... that counts, right??

5.) How old were you when you got your first kiss?

Answer.) Umm.. yeah. This is the kinda embarassing one. I was eighteen (I'm such a nerd!!!)... newly eighteen. He was a 23 year-old factory worker. He kissed me on the tip of my nose in the middle of the movie The Art of War. To this day, I still have no idea what that movie was about.

6.) What is your earliest memory?

Answer.) This is kind of a weird answer. You see I remember in pictures, like a snapshot of a moment. So sometimes it's hard for me to differentiate between what was actually a memory and what was a photo I saw or a dream I had once. I know! Weird! And then there's another tricky thing, both my sister and I have great difficulty trying to remember most of our younger childhood years... so, I'll try my best. Hmmm.... the earliest memory that I'm sure is a memory of mine would be meeting my best friend in fourth grade! Her name was Shannon, but everyone called her the Energizer Bunny Rabbit, because she kept talking and talking and talking... we were a perfect fit, because I was always scared to say anything! She was so full of life and a sweetie pie! I remember being so scared because the teacher moved my desk to sit inbetween kids that were talking (this happened to me ALOT in school) and I didn't know the kids I was moved inbetween. But Shannon started talking to me during freetime, and she just made me laugh and was such a warm person I actually felt safe around her right away! :)

So! Will you guys answer any of those questions for me???? Pretty please!!?!?!? Please, let someone be older than I was when they got their first kiss! (I'm doubting that one will happen! Eeeks!)

Don't Let 'Em Catch You Unawares!!!

2011-04-01T05:33:00.000-05:00

Heya Guys!

Z is for zietgeist... something I am not tapped into AT ALL!

BUT Happy Arlee challenge month!!!
I'm wishing you all the best with your blogging challenge!
Am I the only one not doing the A-Z thing?

Ooohhh!!! And Happy April Fools'!!! I wonder what those jokesters over at DevArt are doing today... eeks!

Is There Brain Juice Dripping out of my Ears???

2011-03-30T05:33:00.000-05:00

Because my mind has been totally BLOWN!!!!!

Truly great art of any form has a soul of its own. It transcends musical notes, or text, or paint- whatever media from which it was formed- and it becomes alive. It reaches out and grabs you. It whispers it's secrets into your heart, and moves you to tears or laughter or action.

I've seen some cute book trailers, and some really gorgeous book trailers... and some really atrocious book trailers. But this trailer for Jessica Bell's novel STRING BRIDGE is in a league of its own.

And when a trailer can capture my heart like this one did... Oh Man! How much more will the novel do so?

I haven' t been following Jessica, but I remedied that yesterday. I'm sure the rest of you guys have already seen this- but on the off chance you haven't, I present you with this trailer- this work of art:

So- is the brain juice pink or grey? I've always wondered about that?
And!!! Are your ears dripping brain juice as well?

Why Did You Start Blogging?

2011-03-29T05:33:00.000-05:00

heehee... this was a sign backstage of a musical I helped paint sets for, but this is how I feel on a daily basis.

Heya Guys! I've missed you!!!

I've been on hiatus for quite a while now, and lots has happened while I've been gone! I'm hoping that I'll be able to share some of it over the next couple weeks. :)

One thing I thought seriously about while on my hiatus was this whole blogging thing. After recieving some harsh words from a blogging bully before my hiatus and the total time-crunch that is life, I've decided I need to make some changes.

In the wake of DL's heart-breaking post yesterday- seriously folks, I cried. We love you DL!!!! I want to assure you that I haven't given up on the writing dream! I'm just trying to find a balance to my bloggerly habits! :)

So please bear with me! This was a harder post for me to write! :

You know that girl?

The one in school- with the curly hair and terrible fashion sense...that sat in the back of the classroom? The one who never rose her hand...who you weren't sure could even talk... You know who I mean, that girl you hardly remember? That girl was me. I've always liked to be invisible, to watch and learn from others, to help people anonymously from the shadows or around the corner. It's safe when you can manage to be invisible.

I refer to it as shyness, when really it is probably mild agoraphobia. When I was a child living outside Chicago, it was terrible. The crowds of people, the overwhelming social situations, the NOISE...

I'm not exaggerating when I write that I was in middle school before I stopped literally hiding behind my mom when we met new people. It's embarassing, but it's true.

The shyness got better when we moved to a smaller town... and then better when I transferred to a high school with a graduating class of 25. But it really didn't. I thought I was getting better, but I wasn't. I was just fleeing to less and less crowded places. Situations where I could avoid the conditions that bring on crippling panic attacks.

I learned to not speak my mind if it contradicted the popular opinion... sometimes through what were very painful experiences for me. Because contradicting popular opinion brings attention... and I hate attention.

But the potentially terrible thing about the relative anonymity of the internet and how people feel free to say things they never would in life... well, that potentially terrible thing has actually been a really great thing for a person like me.

I don't have to worry about people judging my appearance or the disorienting noise of a crowd. I can have this place where I'm allowed to speak my mind, to find a voice that is mine, and let it be heard to a few kind-hearted, wonderful individuals.

And the allure of such a haven was nigh irresistable.

I started following blogs to learn, because- jiminey!- I'm little more that a dishwasher by trade, and I don't know everything I need to in order to be the kind of writer I would like to be. And it's always been a priority to me to share informational, helpful posts to my blogger pals. But it's never been my place to teach you all. I often feel like I am the padawan and you all are my masters and I'm just trying to whack at that flying thingy with the helmet over my eyes- you know. :)

And the whole blogging to establish an internet presence/ build a platform thing FREAKS me out! That has never been my reason to do this. I mean, I've known since before I started blogging that it was something some agents look favorably on- but really, that more deterred me from wanting to blog.

You see the difference between blogging and creative writing is the luxury of channelling characters and anonymity of authorship. I'm not me when I'm writing creatively- I'm the character- or an anonymous narrator who is part of that world. But blogging... well blogging, that's me speaking. And it's terrifying, and exhilerating, and wonderful, and horrible...

And the whole concept of building relationships with other bloggers... well, that was a draw. Honestly, you guys know how much respect and admiration I have for you. I love when people chase their dreams! It's inspiring and full of life! Just BEAUTIFUL!

So- Growing a voice, learning, and comradery. Those were my reasons to begin blogging.

Why did you guys start blogging?

On Hiatus...

2011-02-23T19:59:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!

I've been fighting against the inevitable for a while here, but I'm going to have to go on blogging hiatus for some time. The hospital I work at is moving into a new building, and that requires a lot of extra work. And one of my sons is struggling a bit at school. Plus, I have a few projects that I want to invest extra time in.

I haven't been updating over here for a bit now, but I've really been trying to make the rounds to all your blogs. I'm afraid I won't have time over the next couple weeks to get around so much. I'm sure I'll be lurking around, and commenting when I can't keep my mouth shut. Ugh! It bugs me so much because I love blogland!

I'll be going CRAZY wondering what's happening with you guys! So, if anything important happens, or you just want to say hi, feel free to drop me an e-mail at ca5well at aol dot com! Ok! I gotta run now!

See you all soon!!!

Mad Love For...

2011-02-14T05:33:00.000-06:00

...YOU GUYS OF COURSE!!!!

Thanks for being true blue! Have a Happy V-Day! :)

And Sommer! I'm sorry I didn't have time to do a really nice Smitten post, but I'll post a photo of true love at first sight from my life. Here:

(Eli's watching me type over my shoulder and he just asked, "Me?" To which I replied, "Of course, you my dear!")

Be sure to hold those you love extra close today!!!
I love you guys! (and there's nothing you can do about it, as Dezz says:) )

Gender Diversity in YA

2011-02-10T05:33:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!

I'm still under the weather, so this is a super short post!

I recently started following Andrew Smith's blog. I heard a bunch of you folks raving about his novel THE MARBURY LENS- in particular the post by Sarah Fine concerning the bounds of reality.

He's a really bright and passionate fellow. You guys should check out his blog too. He's written a couple of other books: IN THE PATH OF FALLING OBJECTS and GHOST MEDICINE.

But what I really wanted to tell you guys about was this brilliant video he made concerning YA and gender diversity. We all know how many of the YA books appeal more to the female demographic than the male. It seems like somewhere along the way mainstream YA became a "No Boys Allowed" club. I know some of you all don't write YA, but for those of you who do: Ask yourself, "Am I female?" "How many of the bloggers on my blogroll are female?" "How many of the YA books on my bookshelf are written by females?"

My answers:

Yes.

72 females 28 male (several of those males are artists not writers)

I'm too exhausted to go through all my books, but out of the fifteen that I just peeked at that were specifally YA, fourteen of them were written by women. (Strangely enough most of my classics, middle grade, mysteries, horrors, scifis, and religious books were written by men.)

Females are dominating YA. It's a fact.

I've heard many arguments about this issue, and getting people to fight is never my goal. I just wanted to voice my opinion here on this little blog.

I think that diversity is beautiful. Whether it is gender, race, religion, philosophy, politics, style, personality, talents, intellect, abilities, socioeconomic, whatever. I think that one of the most marvellous things about people is how different we can be- and all still be human- and still be able to identify with each other, empathize for each other, be moved by each other. Man! It just really blows my mind.

And there is so much to learn from each other. Sometimes I think that is one of the awesome things about having a finite intelligence. We cannot comprehend everything. But each of us can comprehend a spectrum of something, and if we communicate and work together, all of our somethings grow. We are truly better united than divided.

Diversity, difference, individuality... I think these things should be celebrated and embraced.

I don't think that one of our qualities defines who we are as a whole. Sure, I'm a mom. But is that all of who I am? Sure, you are a writer. But is that the all of you? Sure you are male/ female. But does that define the extent of your self? No. We are not just one aspect of ourselves.

But does being a parent, a writer, a brother, an ex-con, a genius, wealthy, a kidney-stone patient, Serbian, or male effect how you filter your experiences, how you view relationships, the words you choose, the ambitions you have, your sleep pattern, your eating habits, your compassion, your motivations, your everything? Yes. The aspects of ourselves change the way we percieve everything.

So, when we have a chance to hear from someone whose little slice of life has taught them a distinctly different set of lessons- we do well to listen and learn. And we do well to expose our children to it.

I want the best for my sons. I want them to be voracious learners. I want them to be part of a society that embraces diversity.

And in five years when my Eli becomes a teenager, I do not want him to feel like the books written for kids his age are only written for the girls. I don't want him to HAVE to skip from MG to adult fiction. I want him to realize that there is a world of YA books written for boys and about boys (and many by men). And I want him to keep on reading!!!

Eeks! I said this would be short, but I guess it really wasn't so much.

What I really wanted to say today is that Andrew Smith posted a video over at his blog the other day where he gives (much more eloquently than I can) some great reasons why gender diversity should be embraced by the YA community, and also some great book recommendations! I sincerely hope you all will check it out! The video is longer than I usually watch (I think 14 minutes or so) but it is definitely worth your time!

Ok guys! I'm totally wiped out!

Have a good one! And please, please, please tell me your favorite YA book that is either written by a man or written for an audience that is essentially boys or gender neutral.

I'll start: BREAK by Hannah Moskowitz- I believe it is written for a gender neutral audience and has a male mc. And to come clean about what a hypocrite I am, I can't say for sure I've ever read a YA book targeted specifically at boys or written by a man (though I've just started Scott Westerfield's UGLIES).

S.O.S.!!! The BEAST Within!

2011-02-04T05:33:00.000-06:00

i WISH this were the beast within, but no. i'm pretty sure the beast within me wears tweed...

Heya Guys!

I need to OFF someone! Like yesterday!!!!

I have been trying to draft on this new WIP for forever! I'm talking MONTHS with barely any wordage making it on the screen.

I think I've figured out one of my main problems:

It's that pesky Internal Editor Fellow. He is PARALYZING me, and it's driving me batty!

When I drafted my first WIP, I didn't know any of the "rules" and the words melded onto the screen in no time! But now that my Internal Editor Fellow has been fed some nutritious nuggets of knowledge from you lovely folks, he's grown too big for his britches (and my brain) and he won't SHUT UP!!!!

I know from many a wise post (by Lyn especially) that you should just write your first draft without going back too much and working on in-line edits, because chances are likely you'll be trashing a ton of that first draft for major plot hole fixes, info dump removals, and tactical changes... but!!!!!

That Fellow just won't shut his yapper!!! YIKES!!! and GRRR!!!!

So! True confession time my friends: How did you murder your Internal Editor Fellow (or Gal) and did you get away with it? Or does his ghost still haunt you? Or are you like me and paralyzed under his hypnotic stare (man! could my Editor Fellow put Dracula to shame!)

Please, help! He's choking the life out of my writing!

I'm paralyzed!

Hurry!

BLARG! YALP!

*gasp*

can't... breathe...

*gasp*

*gurgle*

Has the dasterdly Internal Editor Fellow won? Can the mighty Legion of Aspiring Authors (or the League of Not-So-Evil) come to her rescue? Will vic survive to write another day? Who forgot to drain the bathtub? Stay tuned next week to find out!!! :P

*disclaimer for legality reasons, I don't actually intend on killing a real person!!! Please don't arrest me! (Unless your the grammar police- then who am I to resist? I totally plead guilty there!)*

Have You Been SMITTEN?

2011-01-29T21:16:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!

Just a short post today to tell you about the very cool blogfesty-contesty thing going on at one of my favorite blogs!!!
Sommer Leigh is hosting the SMITTEN contest. Here's what it's about in her own words:

Starting February 1st I’m hosting a blogfest and contest to run until February 14th. I want you to tell a story about love lost, love found, love almost was, love never could have been, but I want it to be your story. I want you to share a tiny piece of your heart with the world. The length is up to you, the style of storytelling is up to you. Tell it in pictures if you like. Tell it in art. Tell it in prose or poetry or essay or a piece of 15 word micro-fiction. Whatever you like.

And when you’ve shared your story and shared with me your link, enter the contest to win Neil Gaiman’s beautiful graphic novel Harlequin Valentine. As always, I’ll be drawing the winner at random. You don’t have to share your story to enter, but I hope you will !

And I, too, would be extremely excited to read your love stories!!! :)

So, click the link to read more (including a short true love story by Sommer herself that is sure to make you say, "Awww!")

Seriously, you've heard of author crushes- well I totally have an author crush on Sommer- her short fiction she's posted totally rocks! You guys should check out this scary-ish one she posted around Halloween called NERVES !!

Ok! Hope your weekend is awesome!

Don't forget to check our Sommer's contest! :)

My Top Ten (kinda sorta)- I Cheated

2011-01-24T05:33:00.000-06:00

Heya Guys!
Today is Alex J. Cavanaugh's Top Ten Music Blogfest!
You can find the many, many other participants if you click this link HERE. :)

This was supposed to be an easy blogfest. Post your top ten favorite songs and why you like them. However, I love music SO MUCH!!! And what I love switches with my mood. I know I'm going to be coming across song after song other people post and think, "OHMAN! I should have chosen that one!!!"

I know that some of my categories overlap, and that some of the artists I chose aren't the original performers of some of the songs, but- JIMINEY!- I really had a hard time narrowing songs down- and even cheated by having a few second places mentioned, and a tie for first place, but... I did the best I could to follow the rules!

Yikes! I feel like a rebel! :P

I was also surprised by how mellow a lot of my picks were! I always think of myself as liking harder rock music... but... well... this was surprising for me!

10.
Favorite Romantic Song:

I used to loathe country music, but my hubby loves it. He's even got me enjoying some of it now. This is "our song" so it's top ten by default.
REMEMBER WHEN by Alan Jackson

Favorite Beatles song:
I'm not ashamed to be a Beatles fan. Shoot! My youngest son goes by his middle name Judah, just so that we can holler, "Hey Jude!" at him when he misbehaves! :)

COME TOGETHER
(close second Here Comes the Sun- funny. You'd think the favorite would be Hey Jude)

8.

Favorite Happy Song:

This song just makes me smile! And no. I can't pronounce the gentleman's last name. :)

And it annoys me to no end how often they use this in commercials that it has nothing to do with!! Grrrr.....
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW by Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole

7.

Favorite Aerosmith Song:

Whenever anyone asks me my favorite band, I instantly answer, "Aerosmith." I was surprised to find them so low when I ranked these songs!
AMAZING
(close second Hole in my Soul)

Favorite Alternative Song:

This category is a misnomer for sure. There are other alternative songs on my list, and others I wish I could have added. Jiminey!
GOOD RIDDANCE by Green Day
(close second Slide by Goo Goo Dolls and The Scientist by Coldplay)

5.

Favorite Contemporary Christian Song:
I try not to preach on my blog, but faith is important to me, and music is so helpful in praise in worship. While this isn't necessarily a p&w song, it's one I love! :)

BOY ON A STRING by Jars of Clay
(close second- Dandelions by Five Iron Frenzy)

4.

Favorite Song by The Fray:

I didn't realize how much I love these guys...
YOU FOUND ME
(close second- How to Save a Life)

3.

Favorite Song from a Musical:

I love musicals... I know I'm hokey! I wish I could list the entire score of Les Mis, but if I have to choose, this would probably be my favorite...
WHO AM I- Les Miserables- 10th Anniversary concert by Colm Wilkinson
(close second The Circle of Life from The Lion King)

2.

Favorite Heart-Wrenching Song:
Even though this performance is by Johnny Cash, this is NOT a country song. It was written and originally performed by Nine Inch Nails. But there is something so visceral and real and moving about Cash's voice and interpretation of this song... It just gets to me every time.

HURT by Johnny Cash

1.

Absolute Favorite is a TIE between:
This song was originally written and performed by Leonard Cohen (I believe) but this version BLOWS MY MIND!!! The way these gentlemen's voices blend together is harmony at its finest. They have plenty of other covers they perform together. I totally suggest looking them up on youtube. We have "arguments" at home over which guy is the best (GO KURT!!!) but, it's really the combination of all their voices that is so magic!!! :)

HALLELUJAH by Espen Lind, Askil Holm, Alejandro Fuentes, and KURT NILSEN!!!

and AMAZING GRACE by Chris Tomlin

Amazing Grace has been my favorite song stretching back to my earliest memories of laying across my grandma's lap at church, her voice ringing out sweeter than all the rest. There have been so many unbelievable performances of this song!! This one is my latest favorite, and probably the only one that has changed lyrics and melody that I've loved! This version was written for the movie Amazing Grace which is likewise an AWESOME movie!!! Ok, I think I've raved enough now! :)

So guys- What's your favorite song? My hubby thought most of my picks were terrible- what do you think? :)