tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90585325223824924062024-03-05T11:44:28.778-06:00My Fault LineThe light can get in, the light can get out...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-46031280982088073182012-10-02T11:37:00.001-05:002012-10-02T16:31:52.226-05:00Female Assassins Are So Fetch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Female assassins. It just sounds good, right? It sounds like bad ass, feminist
candy. It sounds like my new favorite trope. <br />
<br />
In actuality I have only
read three YA books with female assassins but I love them all and therefore
raise them up into magnificence.<br />
<br />
<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3236307-graceling" target="_blank"><strong>Graceling by Kristin Cashore</strong></a><strong> </strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7896527-throne-of-glass" target="_blank"><strong>Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas</strong></a></div>
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<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1335819760l/7896527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1335819760l/7896527.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9565548-grave-mercy" target="_blank"><strong>Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers</strong></a></div>
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<br />
<strong>1.
Fantasy</strong><br />
<br />
As soon as I realized my love for female assassins I also
realized that they were all fantasy. Which makes sense...in a way. In order for
women assassins to be sensationalized in a culture that culture has to be pretty
restrictive to women. And since fantasy usually takes place in a medieval
setting this is set up nicely. Also, assassins mostly go after people in the
royal court or royal family. Bam! Fantasy.<br />
<br />
However...all of these girls
are "special" because of the effects of their fantasy world. Katsa is born with
the extraordinary skill to kill and survive. Ismae is marked by Death and
trained to be his handmaiden. Caleana may seem like your regular deadly assassin
but with her mysterious past there is undoubtedly something fantastical lurking
under the surface. <br />
<br />
So is it really that feminist? Hard to
say.<br />
<br />
<strong>2. Levels of Girliness</strong><br />
<br />
As I said before I love all three
girls, dearly. They just rubbed me the wrong way sometimes.<br />
<br />
<em>Katsa.
Girliness Level: -2</em><br />
It isn't how she dresses, or keeps her hair short or
her intolerance of most men. It really isn't. It is the fact that she rejects
everything female, to the point of denouncing marriage and children. A lot of
people have problems with this and Cashore has received some grief on the
subject so I'm not going to go on and on.<br />
<br />
It's just hard to fully connect with
a "strong female" who doesn't even like being a girl. In my opinion Katsa is a
bit too extreme but, hey, that's her choice and her personality so I respect it.
<br />
<br />
<em>Ismae. Girliness Level: 5</em><br />
<br />
LaFevers has a wonderfully balanced
female character in Ismae. She loves being so capable and even loves making all
those arrogant men pee their pants a little. She enjoys the freedom of being
less feminine. YET. Yet she doesn't lose her femininity. She still appreciates
dressing up and looking nice and bonding with other women.<br />
<br />
As a girl I
admired Ismae's strength and skill without losing camaraderie with her. I could
see myself in Ismae, in her vulnerability and struggles to do the right
thing.<br />
<br />
<em>Calaena. Girliness Level: 9</em><br />
My, my, isn't Calaena snarky
and whip smart! I loved her confidence and even, at times, her arrogance.
<br />
<br />
Mix this superior attitude with atypical longing for material things and
beauty though and I have middle school flashbacks. Did Calaena need to be so
materialistic? Did she need to use her beauty as her weapon? Maybe not but that
is her character and while it didn't sit right with me at times I still liked
her. <br />
<br />
In summary: Katsa is too manly, Calaena is too girly and Ismae is
just right. God, I sound like a horrible feminist right now but I'm just being
honest. Some psychological introspection is probably needed but there is my
opinion. (<a href="http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/09/28/strong-female-fallacies/" target="_blank">this post</a> has some great points)<br />
<br />
<strong>3. Court Intrigue</strong><br />
<br />
Dear God, I love court intrigue!
Perhaps it stems back to Shakespeare and Chaucer but it is so satisfying to
follow the dramas of the high and mighty. Us peasants just don't have those big, society altering dilemmas very often. Add assassins to the mix and everything gets so deliciously complex that my fragile heart can barely take it. <br />
<br />
It is so cathartic somehow. And it's the classic "wow, my problems look so puny and easy compared to these peoples". Also it's the "even though this is no way resembles my problems I definitely feel this way, this character totally understands". <br />
<br />
(this post is getting <em>so articulate</em> as it progresses)<br />
<br />
<strong>4. ...IN SPACE</strong><br />
<br />
It is a truth universally acknowledged that every plot gets better when your add "in space" to it. My favorite is <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12993856-mothership" target="_blank">pregnant teenage boarding school in space.</a> <br />
<br />
So you can probably guess what is on my Christmas Wish List this year. Yep, FEMALE ASSASSINS IN SPACE.<br />
<br />
Can anybody do me a solid and write this?<br />
<br />
Now that would be fetch.<br />
<br />
<strong>Please comment with your thoughts on female assassins, especially if you disagree with me or have something new to add :)</strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-33440924814622824602012-08-07T20:31:00.001-05:002012-08-07T20:31:16.647-05:00Nerd Life is So Much Better Than Real Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For real. First things first.... </div>
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Firefly (and Serenity)</h2>
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<img height="320" src="http://geek-news.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/firefly_mmo.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Wow. How did I avoid seeing this for so long??? I really can't say enough good things about this too shortly lived tv show and it's follow up motion picture. After deciding to be more fiscally responsible I cancelled my little used Netflix subscription. So it was about time to watch that sci-fi show that is recommended to me every time I watch <em>Doctor Who </em>(which is very often). And, oh boy, it's fantastic delicious genius. It's part science fiction, part western, part comedy, part mystery, part romance, part crime show, part everything. </div>
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<img height="235" src="http://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/images/serenity.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Long story short, you gotta watch it. </div>
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Leaky Con LitDay </h2>
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Two days. TWO DAYS. My brain doesn't comprehend.</div>
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It's just hitting me that John Green is going to be there. I will be in the same room as him, hear him spout brilliant funny awkward things, for two days. This is going to be epic. Here are two of my favorite quotes from him:</div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Saying 'I notice you're a nerd' is like saying, 'Hey, I notice that you'd
rather be intelligent than be stupid, that you'd rather be thoughtful than be
vapid, that you believe that there are things that matter more than the arrest
record of Lindsay Lohan. Why is that?' In fact, it seems to me that most
contemporary insults are pretty lame. Even 'lame' is kind of lame. Saying
'You're lame' is like saying 'You walk with a limp.' Yeah, whatever, so does 50
Cent, and he's done all right for himself.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Lucky Charms are like the vampires of breakfast cereal. They're magical,
they're delicious, they're a little bit dangerous and bad for you. They
initially make you feel great, but then over time you realize that maybe your
relationship with Lucky Charms is just a little bit unhealthy and you start to
think, 'Maybe I don't want to be in a long-term relationship with a breakfast
cereal that tastes delicious but damages my health.' But then the Lucky Charms
gets all stalker on you and for some reason you kind of like that. It makes you
feel special. So yeah, you spend your life with Lucky Charms. That's awesome.
That's a great way to... get diabetes.”</span></div>
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The Domestic Rebel</h2>
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<a href="http://thedomesticrebel.com/" target="_blank">This dessert blog</a> by a very cool girl named Haley is where I get my sugar, girly, colorful, venting fix. I might be making assumptions, but if her <a href="http://thedomesticrebel.com/about/" target="_blank">amazing glasses</a> are any indication she is proud nerd/awesome human being. Haley makes such creative yet simple treats and every recipe blows my mind. The best part is that they are all so easy, many utilizing box mixes and such. Unlike most food blogs where I dismiss a majority of it as too complicated I feel like I could tackle every delicacy of Haleys. Also every recipe is preceded by her beautiful ranting, so funny and relatable. Give her some love! </div>
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Book to Move (Trailers)</h2>
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There are so many great movies coming out in the future and a good chunk of them were originally books. Yay literature!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KgI6EeYbV84?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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This trailer for <em>Cloud Atlas</em> (Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw, Jim Sturgess, oh my!) is BY FAR my favorite. I cried the first time I saw it and never grow tired of it, even after watching it, oh, 20 times. My library copy is begging to be read. The day that I get to watch this on the screen will be pure, uncontained bliss. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xk5UStefYmE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Another winning combination: the director of <em>The Kings Speech </em>with Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway. All of the singing was done on set, pure and sweet, no auto tuning or mixing. If this teasar is an indication this is going to be an instant classic. </div>
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I couldn't resist including Gatsby. Baz Luhrman, check. Leonardo Di Caprio, check. Carey Mulligan, check. Awesome music, check. Visually and emotionally stimulating, check. I hope this brings about more classic remakes, not gonna lie that would be stupendous. </div>
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<strong>Are you nerding out with me? Anything nerdy or awesome to share?</strong><br /></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-37648029969888942012012-07-23T20:52:00.001-05:002012-07-23T20:52:31.616-05:00Random Pining (Pinning?)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Uh...<br />
<br />
I suck at consistency and lately this blog has fallen down the priority list. <br />
<br />
I would feel a lot worse if it wasn't for the fact that I am sticking to my writing goals for the first time (out of November that is). Update: I just hit 60,000 words in my current draft <br />
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<strong>O.O</strong> </div>
<br />
For some people that would be "haHA finished!" but for me it's like "What the hell I'm not even 1/3 done??? This book is a) going to be a bitch to publish and b) going to weigh as much as a very sturdy newborn child."<br />
<br />
Oh, guys....But no complaining! Time for SHARING. Thanks to Pinterest (<a href="http://pinterest.com/meganisabiscuit/" target="_blank">find me here!)</a> and the tide of life I have tons of random stuff to share.<br />
<br />
<strong>1. I have recently discovered the majesty of mug cakes/brownies/cookies</strong> that you make in the microwave. I love baking and this is baking for the lazy, plus portion control! Win/win! My favorite I've tried is <a href="http://prudentbaby.com/2011/10/entertaining-food/a-cup-of-coffee-cake-in-under-five-minutes-2/" target="_blank">A Cup of Coffee Cake</a> SO GOOD!<br />
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<a href="http://prudentbaby.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_39911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://prudentbaby.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_39911.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
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<strong>2. Recently I finished the </strong><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7896527-throne-of-glass" target="_blank"><strong>Throne of Glass</strong></a><strong> e-novellas and fell in lit-love.</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3433047.Sarah_J_Maas" target="_blank">Sarah J. Maas</a> is such a great new talent and I can't wait for the main book to come out on August 7th. But in the mean time there are four novellas to enjoy: assassins and pirates and empires and pretty dresses and a swoon worthy guy and plenty of attitude and angst. </div>
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<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1335783827l/13419891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Assassin and the Desert (Throne of Glass, #0.2)" border="0" height="320" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1335783827l/13419891.jpg" width="212" /></a><img alt="The Assassin and the Pirate Lord (Throne of Glass, #0.1)" height="320" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1335782612l/13415554.jpg" width="212" /></div>
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<strong>3. Pinterest may be a more evil time suck than Facebook but it can be productive!</strong> I have boards for my <a href="http://pinterest.com/meganisabiscuit/k-l/" target="_blank">Work In Progress</a> and my <a href="http://pinterest.com/meganisabiscuit/set-your-mind-alight/" target="_blank">Set Your Mind Alight Board.</a> This is where I put the images that inspire and intrigue me. What is the story here? Where does this take place? What secrets are there to unearth? </div>
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Here is a small selection:</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/231442868320734657_9D9q2wga_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pinned Image" border="0" height="299" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/231442868320734657_9D9q2wga_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>4. Why not some music? Mix it up, eh?</strong><br />
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This song by Fun makes me want to rock out and cry all at the same time. So catchy and so eloquent!<br />
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This is the perfect summer song. When I listen to it I just want to hang with friends, sip a fruity drink and let the worries slip away.<br />
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<strong>5. In complete hypocrisy of that last song I am going to be getting an iPhone soon.</strong> Yeah. I am 90% excited and 10% embarrassed. I used to make fun of iPhone owners, all the time! As long as I don't loose hold of reality I'll be good. Hey, look at these adorable cases from Case Mate:<br />
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<a href="http://casematecdn.shopvisible.com/getDynamicImage.aspx?path=iph4PEACOCK%2D1%2Ejpg&w=480&h=480&q=100" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Case-Mate Peacock - Silicone iPhone 4 / 4S Case" border="0" height="320" id="imgMain" src="http://casematecdn.shopvisible.com/getDynamicImage.aspx?path=iph4PEACOCK%2D1%2Ejpg&w=480&h=480&q=100" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://casematecdn.shopvisible.com/getDynamicImage.aspx?path=Xing%2DSilicone%2DiPhone%2D4%2DCase1787%2Ejpg&w=480&h=480&q=100" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Case-Mate Xing - Silicone iPhone 4 / 4S Case" border="0" height="320" id="imgMain" src="http://casematecdn.shopvisible.com/getDynamicImage.aspx?path=Xing%2DSilicone%2DiPhone%2D4%2DCase1787%2Ejpg&w=480&h=480&q=100" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>6. Lastly, Corgis right?</strong> They are everywhere! As usual I am on top of the trends (ha!), I've been obsessed with Corgis for years. So more of them I say. More more MORE!<br />
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<strong>What have you obsessing over late? Any new discoveries?</strong></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-47230980969568194472012-07-11T17:47:00.000-05:002012-07-11T17:47:43.538-05:00A Literary Love Story: The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
During my mini vacation from blogging I, well...<br /><br />I fell in love.<br /><br />I
fell in love with the Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4932435-finnikin-of-the-rock" target="_blank">Finnikin of the Rock</a>, the first book in the trilogy, was suggested to me by the lovely
<a href="https://twitter.com/vanesdigregorio" target="_blank">Vanessa</a> in the comments of my <a href="http://myfaultline.blogspot.com/2012/06/hipster-book-list.html" target="_blank">Hipster Book List</a>. I happily took
her advice and looked it up on Goodreads. So many raving reviews! I got it from
the library and soon found myself completely and utterly <em>taken</em>. A true marker of
my love is that I immediately bought my own copies. I am stingy, this a BIG
DEAL. <br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4932435-finnikin-of-the-rock" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles #1)" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1227961623l/4932435.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<br />Here is the synopsis of Finnikin: <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span id="freeText1679526734234310617">At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. He stands on the rock of the three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and Balthazar's cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood to safeguard Lumatere. <br /><br />But all safety is shattered during the five days of the unspeakable, when the king and queen and their children are brutally murdered in the palace. An impostor seizes the throne, a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere's walls, and those who escape are left to roam the land as exiles, dying by the thousands in fever camps.<br /><br />Ten years later, Finnikin is summoned to another rock—to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive. This arrogant young woman claims she'll lead Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, to the prince. Instead, her leadership points them perilously toward home. Does Finnikin dare believe that Lumatere might one day rise united? Evanjalin is not what she seems, and the startling truth will test Finnikin's faith not only in her but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny.<br /><br />In a bold departure from her acclaimed contemporary novels, Printz Medalist Melina Marchetta has crafted an epic fantasy of ancient magic, feudal intrigue, romance, and bloodshed that will rivet you from the first page</span></blockquote>
<br />Marchetta
writes the most believable, realistic fantasy I have ever had the pleasure of
reading. I cried, I gasped, I laughed, I wept. I felt grief and joy and anger
and hope and triumph. It was everything, <em>everything</em>.<br /><br />I could gush for
hours (the Goodreads reviews have some epic gushing, so go there if you want
more!) but that would be self indulgent. So I have decided to concentrate my
love. I asked myself these questions: what is it that I loved most about
Marchetta's story telling? What elements do I want to include in my own
writing?<br /><br />1. <strong>Emotion</strong>. For me emotion is the hearts blood of any story. I
can not get into a story if I am not emotionally invested, it is impossible.
Marchetta had me going "Oh, Evanjlin!", "Oh, Finnikin!", "Oh, Froi!", etc. every
few pages. This is a hard story to read, and I imagine it was a hard story to
write. These characters feel so fiercely because of the pain they have been
forced to bear and the hope they have chosen to keep alive. I truly ADMIRED
these characters, I wanted to befriend them and help them and protect them. I am
dedicated to them, I have an intense emotional attachment to them. This has only
happened to me a handful of times before. Marchetta deserves applause for this.
<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10165727-froi-of-the-exiles" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Froi of the Exiles (Lumatere Chronicles, #2)" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1306866851l/10165727.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br /><br />2. <strong>Redemption</strong>. Oh, boy, do I love redemption. Finnikin and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10165727-froi-of-the-exiles" target="_blank">Froi of the Exiles</a> have redemption in spades. And I don't mean revenge or good conquering
over evil. So many characters are perceived as bad or selfish or reckless or
heartless. As a reader I was ashamed of their actions, their words, their
beliefs. But Marchetta always turned that around. Here are two great quotes from
Finnikin that reflect this:<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size: large;">"Everything is evil that humans can't control
or conquer."<br /><br />"There are worse things than a lie and there are better
things than the truth!"</span></em><br />
<br />The ambiguity of "goodness" is a lesson I took
away from these books. Everybody has a story, everybody has regrets and
everybody has a reason for why they do things (and its not always logical).
Thanks to Marchetta my belief in human goodness, kindness and perseverance has
been reaffirmed. She deserves awards and bricks of gold for this. <br />
<br />3. <strong>Secrets</strong>. There is mystery in these books, even in the most unexpected
places. Of course I don't want to give any of this away. But as a fervent reader
I can see plot twists a mile away (the end of <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11735983-insurgent" target="_blank">Insurgent by Veronica Roth</a>? Called
that in the first book)...most of the time. I was honestly shocked in both of
these books. Marchetta fooled me many, many times. She deserves her own castle
or small country for this.<br /><br />My goal is to make every person who reads this
go out and read these books. They have shot to the tippy top of my favorite
list, without a doubt. Trust me, guys, you will not regret it!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10165761-quintana-of-charyn" target="_blank">Quintana of Charyn</a>, the highly awaited third book, isn't released in the US until <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT51_com_zimbra_date"><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT52_com_zimbra_date">March 2013</span></span>.
<em>However</em> it is coming out in Australia in late September. For the first time ever
I am going to hand over as much money as necessary to get <a href="http://www.fishpond.com/advanced_search_result.php?rid=815512707&keywords=marchetta%20melina" target="_blank">a foreign edition of a book</a>. I am as DEVOTED to this series as I have ever been to
any book. <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10165761-quintana-of-charyn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quintana of Charyn (Lumatere Chronicles, #3)" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1331187719l/10165761.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><strong>Are you enticed to read the Lumatere Chronicles? Have you ever
had such a strong affective response to a book or series?</strong></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-598888377461543912012-07-08T18:11:00.001-05:002012-07-09T18:05:58.478-05:00Inspiration: Freakin' Adorable Edition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I haven't updated this blog in FOREVER. Honestly, I don't have some great excuse as for why. I've just been reading great books and writing a lot and marveling at how boring my life has been lately.<br />
<br />
So I think some squeal inducing baby animals are in order. What about you?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec8.pinterest.com/upload/141722719494149355_fEaxE6vl_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pinned Image" border="0" height="400" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec8.pinterest.com/upload/141722719494149355_fEaxE6vl_c.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's up? I was just born yesterday. Wanna hang?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinterest.com/upload/61643088619327295_5vsStqFF_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pinned Image" border="0" height="400" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinterest.com/upload/61643088619327295_5vsStqFF_c.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So fierce!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec8.pinterest.com/upload/146015212888744850_OwB8qjgS_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pinned Image" border="0" height="246" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec8.pinterest.com/upload/146015212888744850_OwB8qjgS_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KISSES</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pinned Image" height="300" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/upload/8373949277218820_INCjiYom_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every shade of huskie puppies :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pinned Image" height="400" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/upload/62206038573179770_PqUkdpOC_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="265" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My eyes say "stuffed animal", my brain is screaming "it's real! holy crap, it's real!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pinned Image" height="400" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/247909154458551217_5tR8Yv3O_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="287" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream big. Future Olympian?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pinned Image" height="400" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/upload/4081455882962832_imq4k25m_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charismatic little fellow, huh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pinned Image" height="400" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/133841420146127278_cU5xouV0_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to finish with a corgi! I mean, come on, look at that face!!!<br />
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I hope this brought your moment of zen today ;D</div>
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<strong>In your opinion, what is the cutest baby animal?</strong></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-22759953338150019632012-06-30T21:33:00.000-05:002012-06-30T21:41:44.481-05:00Lit Day Ecstasy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have known about this for over a month now and haven't said anything. Which is saying something because I am not a quiet person!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*drumroll please*</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am going to LeakyCon 2012's Lit Day.</span></h2>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
*epic gates of heaven opening music*</div>
<br />
I have never been to a book signing or conference or anything. Hell, I haven't been to a concert since I was 13 (American Idol tour. No. Joke). Despite being a Nerdfighter since 2007 I have never gone to a gathering or a tour event. <br />
<br />
You know that game Never Have I Ever? I ALWAYS win. Now is the time to remedy that!<br />
<br />
If you're wondering "What the heck is Lit Day?" or "Where can I sign up for this majesty?" please mosey on over to <a href="http://leakycon.com/schedule/littrack/" target="_blank">this lovely page here.</a><br />
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This is the part where I start fangirling. Because I am going to meet...<br />
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<a href="http://leakycon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MaureenJohnson.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Maureen Johnson" border="0" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1093" height="195" src="http://leakycon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MaureenJohnson.png" title="Maureen Johnson" width="156" /></a></div>
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<strong>Maureen Johnson</strong>. Bestselling author, Twitter goddess and who has been promised to be the most eccentric person I will ever meet. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<img alt="Stephanie Perkins" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1095" height="195" src="http://leakycon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/StephaniePerkins.png" title="Stephanie Perkins" width="156" /></div>
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<strong>Stephanie Perkins</strong>. The best YA romance writer there is with awesome hair and a soul that is made of puppy sized elephants. I already claim her as my best friend. I call dibs!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<img alt="Laini Taylor" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1098" height="195" src="http://leakycon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/LainiTaylor.png" title="Laini Taylor" width="156" /></div>
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<strong>Laini Taylor</strong>. Soon to be canonical writer of YA fantasy, wearer of pink locks, owner of my dream life in the Pacific Northwest and creator of an adorable daughter whose middle name is Pie. 'Nough said.</div>
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And last but not least...</div>
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<img alt="John Green" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1091" height="195" src="http://leakycon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/JohnGreen.png" title="John Green" width="156" /></div>
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<strong>John Green</strong>. You heard me right. Printz award winning writer, epic vlogger, creator of online communites and all around awesome person.</div>
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These are the attendees I am most excited about but make sure to check out the link above to see what other amazing writers, agents and industry professionals will be there. </div>
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If you are also going to Lit Day I would love to hear about it. How cool is it, not only that we are going, but we could meet each other?!?!</div>
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If not rest assured that come August I will be posting plenty of pictures and stories and most likely more fangirling. I already have a Stephanie Perkins tribute video along the lines of <a href="http://myfaultline.blogspot.com/2012/06/example-of-my-work.html" target="_blank">this</a> in the works. Its bound to be a bit creepy but hopefully it will be mostly funny.</div>
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<strong>If you were meeting any of the epic people who are going to be at Lit Day how would you react? What would you say to them? What kind of questions would you ask them?</strong></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-81192160104323590512012-06-26T19:15:00.002-05:002012-06-26T19:16:15.326-05:00Writerly Resources<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Until recently I didn't have much in my writers toolbox. I read a lot of books, I'm an English major, what else is there? I had the blinders on.<br />
<br />
Then last month I had my eyes opened <em>wide</em>. There are so many things out there that I had no idea I needed!<br />
<br />
Think of it like this: you up and decide to build a skyscraper. First you need to learn about architecture and physics and safety and costs. You need materials, you need to find people to help you, you need to get investors. If you went into building this skyscraper blindly you wouldn't get very far. It would be falling apart, dangerous and possibly the shortest "skyscraper" ever to bear the name.<br />
<br />
Writing is the same. You need to do your research, you need support, you need practice. <br />
<br />
Here is a list of resources that I couldn't do without.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.publishingcrawl.com/" target="_blank">Pub(lishing) Crawl</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.publishingcrawl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.publishingcrawl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I randomly clicked on a link to this site and <em>I am so glad I did</em>. This is a blog about writing, books and the industry. The lovely ladies at the Pub are authors, agents, editors and book sellers. Every week day they dispense advice and insight and recommendations. An absolutley invaluable wealth of knowledge. Love love love.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://notforrobots.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Not For Robots by Laini Taylor</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIwepvu5cEgaMVLiaBQT_q44f5r-njFrI7uLU6BGy9VU8d6HJMVgRsKcmaqzt4jygk2HUujO45U9cmHWxnA1rKfcRUZiB09onju800ZGXeg50CS5gpGJuA7jjOzI_214zWdjzDf7Rrxo/s1600/notforrobots+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIwepvu5cEgaMVLiaBQT_q44f5r-njFrI7uLU6BGy9VU8d6HJMVgRsKcmaqzt4jygk2HUujO45U9cmHWxnA1rKfcRUZiB09onju800ZGXeg50CS5gpGJuA7jjOzI_214zWdjzDf7Rrxo/s400/notforrobots+header.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I credit this collection of essays with altering my mindset on writing. From brain storming, to drafting, to editing, to publishing its all covered here. Laini (one of my favorite authors/people I have never met but I will do anything to remedy that) describes everything in a way that absolutely sets my mind on fire. Ever read one of her books? Yeah, its more of that poetic majestic goodness. Her writing fills me with a burning need to write. <strong>Literary aphrodisiac???</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://yalitchat.ning.com/" target="_blank">YALitChat</a></div>
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<a href="http://yalitchat.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/cropped-yalitchat-new-logo-website-header-for-wordpress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://yalitchat.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/cropped-yalitchat-new-logo-website-header-for-wordpress.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is where support comes in. If you write YA, plan to do so or just really love YA you need to join this site. Whether you're looking for a critique partner, need help on a tricky scene, want information on contests or want to promote your blog its all here. I am really excited for the day I get to participate in some of their agent contests. Every one is really nice and helpful and super talented. Join up immediately!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://queryshark.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Query Shark</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usxhmnxu3_I/T6Aeiod13OI/AAAAAAAAB-g/d6JP7Y73vJg/s1600/sharkbait.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usxhmnxu3_I/T6Aeiod13OI/AAAAAAAAB-g/d6JP7Y73vJg/s200/sharkbait.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Admittedly when I first discovered this blog I was scared out of my freaking mind! Who knew queries were so hard and met with such judgement? I sure was blind. But the more I read the better I felt about queries in general. People submit queries to be critiqued and are given chances to revise until its perfect. Being able to watch that progression really helps me wrap my mind around it. I'll no doubt be on this site an excessive amount when I write my first query.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.booktrust.org.uk/writing/online-writer-in-residence/featured-materialsresources/" target="_blank">Patrick Ness's "How To"</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patrickness.com/img/pat-diary2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.patrickness.com/img/pat-diary2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOSS</td></tr>
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If Laini's how to is a little too abstract for you or if you just want another opinion this has you covered. Ness is a genius award winning writer for adults, teenagers and children. He sets out the steps in a very logical and straightforward manner. When I saw that his daily writing goal is only 1000 words I felt <em>relieved</em>. It is always nice to know that the talented and successful people find it hard too right? His discussion of voice and pacing I also found very helpful. Another great tool. </div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10569.On_Writing" target="_blank">On Writing by Stephen King</a></div>
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Okay, okay, I'll admit it: this is the only book on writing that I have read cover to cover. <em>Eep. </em>I know, I'm naughty like that. Come on guys its Stephen King! The literal king of our diverse literary world. Part of the reason I love this book so much is because its part memoir, his life was so interesting (he lived in the same town that I go to college!). The stories that relate to his writing and his journey to becoming Stephen Freaking King will connect with everyone. I take his advice very seriously. </div>
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<strong>What are your favorite writerly resources? Is there something that completely changed your outlook on writing? What couldn't you do without? </strong></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-15784157968405526812012-06-23T14:02:00.000-05:002012-06-23T14:02:18.012-05:00Self Publishing Mayhem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Is it just me or is self-publishing the new Y2K? Everybody is threatening each other, playing up the issue or playing it down, acting like publishing as we know it is terminal. <br />
<br />
This is, of course, an over exaggeration but it holds some truth doesn't it? <br />
<br />
I wasn't even aware of self publishing until last year when I started looking into getting a Kindle. It intrigued me but not enough to take a chance and buy many self published ebooks. I've read a few (of the best selling kind) and was pretty impressed. Sure there were some minor grammatical issues and the stories weren't as polished as I was used to.<br />
<br />
But you know what? Those books were all refreshingly different from what you might find on the bookshelves at Barnes & Noble. I could go on for an entire blog post about the need for college aged YA (I probably will) but the point is I never took traditional publishing vs. self publishing seriously.<br />
<br />
Until I read the prosecution and the defense. On her blog Shannon Hale wrote a post entitled "<a href="http://oinks.squeetus.com/2012/06/the-self-publishing-paradox-or-why-i-love-my-editor.html" target="_blank">The self-publishing paradox; or, why I love my editor</a>." Jessica Park wrote a piece for the Huffington Post called "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/06/how-amazon-saved-my-life_n_1575777.html" target="_blank">How Amazon Saved My Life</a>." Woah. For the first time I was able to see how the issue went far beyond quality. Both ladies have valid points and were very persuasive in their arguments. They are also on different ends of the spectrum, and tend to speak in absolutes that don't reflect the general population.<br />
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<br />
Hale and Park are very successful in the mode of publishing that they have chosen. They are not the norm. Most writers cannot live off of their earnings and must make ends meet other ways. Despite conceptions authors don't have a lot of control over what is published; from the cover to marketing. Not every book that is traditionally published is popular, innovative or widely read. But there is a trust in the population that these books are worthy of your time and money. <br />
While there may be more "slush" self-published books (not well written, not worthy of your money) nobody can deny that sub-par books get published traditionally every year. BECAUSE IT ALL COMES DOWN TO TASTE. <br />
<br />
It's hard to say what the general population will like, what book is going to touch that nerve. And it won't always be something "of substance."<br />
<br /><br />
<em>Twilight</em> and <em>50 Shades of Grey</em> are good examples of this. Both are wildly popular and making their authors exorbitant amounts of money. And yet both books have been accused of being badly written with weak plots. People like what they like despite the quality (reality television comes to mind, I love me some 16 and Pregnant!). Sometimes we like escapism, something that is "bad" for us to break up the monotony. <br />
<br />
This is what makes me sad: big publishing houses take on books that they think they are going to sell. Park's break-out <em>Flat Out Love</em> (which I read and really enjoyed) got turned down because it didn't fit nice and pretty in the YA market. But every publisher liked it, thought it was a strong piece of work. They didn't think it would make money but Parks proved them to be very, very wrong. <br />
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<br />
<br />
The elitist image the publishing houses are giving
themselves is, I imagine, what is making many people resort to self-publishing.
Good and bad more books than ever are finding their way into the world through
this method. And getting a bad name because the slush hasn't been weeded out. <br />
<br />
I
ask you though: don't readers know best what they like? Look at all the best
selling self published authors who got turned down for not writing something
that fits in the market. <br />
<br />
As a young writer all of this makes my head
hurt a little. The big dream has always been the traditional route. Write a
book, polish it up, get an agent, get a publisher, watch everything fall into
place. <br />
<br />
I'm honestly concerned though. The book I'm working on now doesn't fit
into that neat, little picture of what YA "is". I like breaking the rules and I
believe the story is the better for it. Its the kind of story I would want to
read and I would like to think that readers will embrace it for its differences.
But will agents and publishers see that? Or will they just see a marketing mess
that could loose them money? <br />
<br />
In conclusion: lets not be snobs about how
a book gets into our hands. Judge it as a story not a product. Lets respect our
fellow writers. Professional or amateur, successful or still slaving
away.<br />
<br />
Also in conclusion: I plan on working hard towards traditional
publishing. That is my biggest dream. I really, really want it. But it is nice
to know that self publishing is there for me if I need it. <br />
<br />
<strong>What do you think? Would you ever consider self-publishing? Are there any self-published books that you love?</strong></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-36760269448120817732012-06-20T18:45:00.000-05:002012-06-20T18:46:03.805-05:00Inspiration #2: Video Edition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I don't know about you guys but I've been a little bit all over the place lately. Just yesterday I read a book that half way through had me dancing around singing. Yet by the end of it I was emotionally devastated. It took a lot of talking to myself encouragingly to get back to a state of homeostasis. <br />
<br />
I needed to be grounded. Reminded whats important, what makes me happy. Thanks to these videos I found my center again, regained control and came out the other side refreshed.<br />
<br />
This first video is the speech that Severn Suzuki gave at the UN Earth Summit in 1992. Isn't it amazing how a wise 12 year old can put everything in perspective? I wish I was as aware and passionate when I was her age.<br />
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My high school Sociology teacher played this Baz Luhrman video in class. I'll never forget sitting there and feeling the bubble of high school dissolving away to reveal the bigger picture. "Don't worry about the future. Or worry, knowing that worrying is as useless as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum." True. Life. I get chills every time I see this.</div>
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And lastly for those people who are in a creative slump (god knows I have one of those every week!). Elizabeth Gilbert does a great job of articulating those moment of genius we all have in our art. As well as the feeling that we can't always call on that genius or rely on it. "Show up for your job," she says. If that genius decides to make an appearance that's wonderful. If not, at least you worked on something you love. </div>
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<strong>Are there any inspirational videos that you have stumbled upon lately? Or ones that you turn to again and again?</strong></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-89643586302054010322012-06-17T10:15:00.002-05:002012-06-17T10:15:21.243-05:00Hipster Book List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Everyone has one.*</div>
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Rachel Seigl's post this week on Pub(lishing) Crawl, <a href="http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/06/13/under-the-radar-authors-who-dont-always-get-the-buzz/" target="_blank">Under the Radar: Authors Who Don't Always Get the "BUZZ"</a>, really got me thinking. </div>
<br />
Everyone has those handful of books that they love but you seem to be alone in this infatuation. Those books aren't wildly popular or widely read or perhaps even highly acclaimed. But heck you don't mind because this makes them <em>your </em>books in a way. One might even get a little proud and, dare I say, <em>hipstery </em>about it.<br />
<br />
Here is my Hipster Book List:<br />
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<strong>1. Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness.</strong> </div>
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So if you are from England you are probably thinking "these books are highly acclaimed and wildly popular". Yeah, well, I live in America and that is not the case here friend. I have never met another soul who has read these magnificent books and that just makes me sad.<br />
<br />
This series is so unique and innovative and heart wrenching that it blows my mind. Todd Hewitt lives in a community made up entirely of men. Every body's thoughts are painfully audible, called "Noise". What happened to all the women? How did the war get started that caused this mess? How can a community survive with no privacy and no dishonesty? These are just the questions being asked in the first chapter! Never has a book made me cry so hard as <em>Monsters of Men</em>. I was a sobbing, inconsolable pile of mucus by the end of it. This is some VERY special science fiction that is genius and violent and insightful.<br />
<br />
Everybody needs to read it. NOW...are you reading it yet? Well, hop to it!<br />
<br />
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<strong>2. One on One by Tabitha King. </strong></div>
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<img height="200" src="http://img1.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n1/n7273.jpg" width="130" /> </div>
This is one of those books where I honestly have no idea how I found it. Was I perusing the Stephen King section when I picked up a book by his wife? Who knows, but I am so glad I did.<br />
<br />
Be warned: this is a sports book. Trust me though, as someone who avoids sports at all costs, that is just a thin veil over the bigger story. Sam Styles and Deanie "the Mutant" Gauthier came so close to winning the basketball state championships last year. Sam is determined that both the boys and girls team can do it this year but that means trying to help the most damaged, hostile and bizarre girl in school. Deanie shaves her head, wears chains across her face and loves smoking illegal substances. All of this is a method in concealment as she has a mother who hates her and a step dad who beats and molests her. Sam has to fight the administration, his friends and even Deanie herself to get the teams ready for state. <br />
<br />
This is one of those books that is successfully gritty and honest and jarring. It is also the strangest and most satisfying romance I have ever read. <br />
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<strong>3. Enchantment by Orson Scott Card. </strong></div>
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<img height="200" src="http://thecaptivereader.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/enchantment.jpg" width="118" /> </div>
It seems like everyone and their cousin have read the Ender Games series by this great American author. But how many, I ask, have read this fairy tale re-telling?<br />
<br />
Ever since I read this diamond in the ruff four years ago I am constantly measuring other fairy tale re-tellings up to it and they never compare. The elements that combine to make Enchantment great: time travel, medieval Russia, Judaism, linguistics, magic, science and the gods of ol'. I truly admire Ivan for being his bookish good natured self and Katerina for her royal tenacity. <br />
<br />
Definitely a fairy tale made for adults who like intellectual and religious debates alongside their quests and spells.<br />
<br />
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<strong>4. Love Walked In and Belong To Me by Marisa De los Santos.</strong> </div>
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Yay for something lighthearted! (you guys probably think I'm all doom and gloom over here) These two books are where intelligence, hilarity and cuteness come together. What I imagine an Adult Nerdfigher book written by Stephanie Perkins would be like...<br />
<br />
Cornelia Brown--a big hearted, day dreaming, literary and cinema geek--is one of the most likable and admirable main characters ever written. <em>I want to be Cornelia. </em>If you're looking for something gorgeously written than look no further than the books by this award winning poet. Or you could read them for the warm fuzzies, adorable romances and true to life family dramas. As feel good as these books are they also deal with such issues as mental illness, parent abandonment and cancer. <br />
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You'll learn something, be inspired, feel joyful and optimistic about life all at the same time.<br />
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<strong>5. Tea Rose/Winter Rose/Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnely.</strong> </div>
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<img height="200" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/103370000/103374033.jpg" width="132" /></div>
I remember going to a school book club meeting when I was 16 and ranting and raving about these books. "They have history and romance and adventure and politics and mystery oh my!"<br />
<br />
Seriously, when I think of epic I think of these books. They span from the time of Jack the Ripper to the end of WWI, all the while following the Finnegan family. Entrepreneurship, mountain climbing, White Chapel gangs, Parliament, England, New York, Kenya, California, the Middle East, death, birth and war. <em>They have everything</em>. <br />
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This series is like a one stop shop for any sort of reality based fiction you can think of. You'll cry and laugh and gasp and scream and you will love every second of it. I promise.<br />
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<strong>6. Stories of Columbyana by Linda Winstead Jones.</strong> </div>
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<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309204308l/351015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309204308l/351015.jpg" width="122" /></a><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309211065l/238524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309211065l/238524.jpg" width="123" /></a>Now, I don't often read a lot of Adult Romance. They can be, frankly, cheesy and one dimensional. These three trilogies are the exception.<br />
<br />
I would describe these books as paranormal fantasy. Each trilogy focuses on the love stories of a whole slew of characters but has an over arching conflict. Curses, prophecies, spells, shape shifting, folklore and court politics play heavily into these stories.<br />
<br />
That is probably the reason why I like them so much: you get your romance kick without feeling like you're reading complete fluff. Jones does a great job of world building and tying all of her books together. <br />
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<strong>Readers, what literary gems are on your Hipster Book List?</strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*I apologize to any hipsters who may have found their way to this list. Honestly I don't know if you will approve of these selections. Your taste is more obscure than mine.</span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-64688352298298253182012-06-13T19:52:00.001-05:002012-06-13T20:01:29.671-05:00The (Not So) Bare Bones<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
[Note: This a serious post, you have been warned. I put off hitting publish for days because it so emotional and close to my heart. Here goes nothing.]<br />
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Full disclosure: I have been overweight my whole life.<br />
<br />
That's twenty years. Two decades. For some people, a lifetime. <br />
<br />
I am staring at these words and I can't grasp thier truth. If I were to describe myself I would never say fat. 1) because it is shameful (or so the world has taught me) and 2) because I am more than my shell. <br />
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The reason I decided to write this post is because I don't think people talk about the truth of being overweight often. And those who do aren't often heard. The world doesn't seem to want to hear it. <br />
<br />
<strong>The first truth: being overweight is painful.</strong> In the physical sense (low stamina, aching joints, muscles that cannot support their load) and the psychological sense. <br />
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As I look back on my life I am angered by how my weight has held me back. Every dream I ever had for myself has been relegated to the back of the line to make way for my most pressing dream: losing the weight.<br />
<br />
In my head, from a very young age, losing the weight was a magical cure to all my problems. If I got down to XXX weight I would finally write that book I always wanted to. If I was normal sized I wouldn't be so shy, I would have more friends, I would become someone others wanted to know. After I lost the weight I would meet the love of my life, travel the world, discover a cure for cancer, blah blah blah. But not before I lost the weight, never before.<br />
<br />
Somehow my weight made me unworthy of the things I desired for myself.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGQ5cHhfOqcGLoVIO0gvJ3RuNu2-FCPNadmuxqAWhbIMeAOoR1hZ5OUaK3F-l8PBzOlwLmpN3U4L1UXHvbhkULittLuvPH6axnoALQmwDd1DXf88Ly8JsWifvHkExXByTZLKCl30NoEU/s1600/family+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGQ5cHhfOqcGLoVIO0gvJ3RuNu2-FCPNadmuxqAWhbIMeAOoR1hZ5OUaK3F-l8PBzOlwLmpN3U4L1UXHvbhkULittLuvPH6axnoALQmwDd1DXf88Ly8JsWifvHkExXByTZLKCl30NoEU/s320/family+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at 4 years old (in the pink)</td></tr>
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<strong>The second truth: people who are overweight are not lazy.</strong> Everyone meets challenges in life and different people chose different ways to deal with them. I chose to overeat, to spend the majority of my time sedentary, to lose myself in the stories of others. I avoided my problems. But I never looked in the mirror and was satisfied with what I saw. For some reason I never had the tools I needed to deal with my problems in a healthy way. <br />
<br />
So for anyone who ever thought that a person is fat because they want to be or because they don't want to lose the weight you are wrong. You are so wrong.<br />
Our culture is very firm on the fact that to be overweight is to be wrong. From someone who has personally experienced this I would edit it to say that to be overweight is to be separated from normality. A misplaced puzzle piece, sticking out like a sore thumb, someone to be pitied or ridiculed or ignored.<br />
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<br />
I have been on a quest to be "normal" since I was eight years old. I can remember being at summer camp, looking at everyone else, feeling depressed and deciding that I needed to lose weight. I was in fourth grade. And so for the next twelve years that was my mindset. I went on diets, started exercise programs, changed my "lifestyle". I joined Weight Watchers. Twice. I lost some, gained more back, lost some, gained more back.<br />
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To this date I have never been at a "normal" weight.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_su9c5y4NAJ7ltsCeWqr1hnfXt_woksrzqEEMPCEr5RvaQYykIcKW9bcySM2jjavSat9MEz1mUnHqCFm7H8UKp1gXvUDLmAonGVkDGbXg86iSsXH-PcB-i_MQeRJ5uDUanCb9urr76w/s1600/mask+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_su9c5y4NAJ7ltsCeWqr1hnfXt_woksrzqEEMPCEr5RvaQYykIcKW9bcySM2jjavSat9MEz1mUnHqCFm7H8UKp1gXvUDLmAonGVkDGbXg86iSsXH-PcB-i_MQeRJ5uDUanCb9urr76w/s320/mask+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I wear a mask.</td></tr>
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<strong>The third truth (a very recent truth to me): the number on the scale isn't the issue.</strong> And what I mean by this is that bigger people are taught that being fat is <em>their </em>problem, it is a result of <em>their </em>actions, only <em>they </em>can save themselves. Why is this okay?<br />
<br />
All of a sudden being overweight is solely an internal problem and the burden of fixing it is all on you. This is very lonely. No wonder people who are overweight have <a href="http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/01/26/being-overweight-tied-to-anxiety-depression/22889.html" target="_blank">higher rates of anxiety and depression.</a> <br />
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Imagine being told to change your eye color or the way your brain functioned or structure of your bones. Science could surely offer you some drastic (and horrifying) solutions but who would you be in the end? <br />
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<br />
I have found that treating my obesity as a external problem can be very empowering. I was a child and countless adults allowed me to reach this point. The United States obsession with fast food. The thousands of channels of television. How healthy food is more expensive and harder to come by. That I was allowed to skate by in physical education. And the silence. The silence that was lent to the issue of obesity for so many years (silence that was similarly lent to teen pregnancy and homophobia and the failures of our school systems). <br />
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With those thoughts in mind I can breathe deeper, dig for more strength and see a clearer vision of my future. I am not my whole problem. Some of the pressure has lifted and I feel capable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYfPnxP9EvzIy-SETSkfYLA36s5l6s_GGUVi42M0L7S34zFQXqDQv_MnTqRFre9yUVPjgrKO7GEG91GdcERO7Y3DP1LSNydi_C8x86cAVzZm8xPI9gAEyOqJ4algjP5QrcgbrwU2TgR0/s1600/birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYfPnxP9EvzIy-SETSkfYLA36s5l6s_GGUVi42M0L7S34zFQXqDQv_MnTqRFre9yUVPjgrKO7GEG91GdcERO7Y3DP1LSNydi_C8x86cAVzZm8xPI9gAEyOqJ4algjP5QrcgbrwU2TgR0/s320/birthday.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at 19 years old</td></tr>
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<strong>The fourth truth: I don't know everything.</strong><br />
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I am not blaming any one person or group of people for what is being called "a national epidemic". I am not saying that I, or anybody who is overweight, should be left off the hook. I am my own person, I am responsible for my health. <br />
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But I am saying that obesity should not be regarded as an individual problem and treated as thus. This is isolating and cruel and misguided. I wish that I had been made to do more physical activity, I wish that healthier food was served in my school cafeteria and I wish that as children we were taught to love ourselves and others at any size. <br />
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So many of the pitfalls I have encountered could have been avoided if I was taught to treat my health as a precious and immediate thing. As it is I have had to discover this slowly until now when I am an adult and so much less open to change. <br />
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Already, the world is so different from when I was a child. Fast food restraunts are ushering in healthier menu items, the First Lady is working hard on getting children more active and there are big beautiful people popping up everywhere in pop culture. The kids of today live in a different world than I did. But it will be decades before we see if its enough.<br />
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<br />
I am no where near a success but I am smarter and more experienced and I know I will get there.<br />
I put off writing something like this for years. Breaking the silence feels like my first full breath. It feels like I am letting the light out.<br />
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Readers, Internet, Universe: I am ready and eager to let your light in.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eaTQk4-OFiZs8q2jKRoJEK5f1-6NJ428cu4zsuPBv7Rf4aOySe2e7QZaRMV4wmxFS4heKaQl1EC3fCFD7Es0uQK5YBXR8Cou3xCswQPnXrOTdaQCUfE0icd43zyucmzE3co2ft8PkUo/s1600/group+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eaTQk4-OFiZs8q2jKRoJEK5f1-6NJ428cu4zsuPBv7Rf4aOySe2e7QZaRMV4wmxFS4heKaQl1EC3fCFD7Es0uQK5YBXR8Cou3xCswQPnXrOTdaQCUfE0icd43zyucmzE3co2ft8PkUo/s1600/group+photo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like to smile.</td></tr>
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<strong>What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you see promising changes or are things the same as they always were? Would you have anything to add or something you disagree with?</strong></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-21764937681556345492012-06-10T15:33:00.000-05:002012-06-10T15:33:28.089-05:00An Example of My Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I made this little animated gem last year as an homage to the dysfuncional relationship between my friends Garrett and Alex.<br />
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It is SO full of inside jokes that posting it here is probably shooting myself in the foot but, heh, oh well. I like to think that I am pretty hilarious (she said all humbly ;).<br />
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The gist of it: Garrett often refers to himself as a bear. Alex's nickname is "Alex the Lion". BP means "Bitch Please" because someone gave up cussing for Lent... Garrett hates Ancient Aliens. Alex loves it. Bickering ensues.<br />
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WARNING: strong language</div>
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It is sad how proud I am of this, out of all the things I have ever made *sigh*</div>
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If this is funny to anyone who doesn't know these two I would love to hear about it!</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-13941287680675267372012-06-09T11:07:00.000-05:002012-06-10T11:17:13.517-05:00Inspiration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For some reason I've been thinking a lot lately about this quote from one of my all time favorite books, <em>The Fault In Our Stars </em>by John Green:</div>
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“I was blind and heart broken and didn't want to do anything and Gus burst into my room and shouted, "I have wonderful news!" And I was like, "I don't really want to hear wonderful news right now," and Gus said, "This is wonderful news you want to hear," and I asked him, "Fine, what is it?" and he said, <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #20124d;">"You are going to live a good and long life filled with great and terrible moments that you cannot even imagine yet!”</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wow, right? Whenever I'm feeling lost or sad or scared these words comfort me. So much of life is unplanned so don't stress out just enjoy the ride. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Also, Augustus Waters is just so swoonworthy ;D</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-36038325471462719462012-06-05T20:39:00.000-05:002012-06-10T11:18:28.772-05:00Joint Book Review: Shatter Me and Incarnate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After reading--and really enjoying--<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10429045-shatter-me" target="_blank">Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi</a> I moved on to <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8573642-incarnate" target="_blank">Incarnate by Jodi Meadows</a>. I was suprised and pleased to find that they shared some interesting ideas and themes.<br />
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Here are thier synopsis from Goodreads: <br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10429045-shatter-me" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1)" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1310649047l/10429045.jpg" width="212" /></a>" <span id="freeText12153413824179376775"><strong>Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.</strong><br /><br />The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. <br /><br />The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.<br /><br /><strong>Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.</strong><br /><br />In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as <em>The Hunger Games</em> and a superhero story as thrilling as <em>The X-Men</em>. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, <em>Shatter Me</em> is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel."</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8573642-incarnate" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Incarnate (Newsoul, #1)" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1307385651l/8573642.jpg" width="211" /></a>"<span id="freeText1462912705248603164"><strong>New soul </strong></span><br />
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.<br />
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<strong>No soul</strong><br />
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?<br />
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<strong>Heart</strong><br />
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?<br />
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Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life."</div>
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Wow. Don't you just want to go devour these books and then horde them forever? <br />
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If those enticing bits are too much for you then I say shoo! Go forth! Read read read!<br />
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Are you still here? Did you just get back from reading these two yummy nuggets of awesome? Nice...<br />
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The main thing that inspired me to write this joint book review (comparison? analysis?) was the heroines: Juliette and Ana. I would describe them both as isolated, unprecidented, abused, powerful and underestimated. They are in the position of being the first of thier kind and are therefore constantly in danger. Juliette can kill with a touch. Ana is the first new soul in 5,000 years. They have many enemies and no friends. But that is about to change...<br />
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The boys *Victorian swoon* The BOYS! Just by virtue of allying with these girls alone I would love them. They're not the bad boy or the unattainable guy or the clown or the super bad ass. What I loved so much about them is that they weren't cookie cutter but they were the smart-girl choice. Things they had in common: mature, passionate, responsible, sacrificing and not threatened by strong women. It takes a special guy to break down the walls that Juliette and Ana have built around themselves and these guys were perfect for the job. Although I love me a good love triangle I really appreciated the abscence of one in these novels. As a reader I was able to focus on one couple, I knew where to put my energy and hopes. The world outside the romance was where I needed to put my anxiety and I found that refreshing.<br />
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Next on the roster are the worlds that Mafi and Meadows created. <em>Shatter Me </em>is set in a dystopian future shrouded in mystery. A new goverment has taken over and wants to effectively destroy the past. <em>Incarnate </em>takes place in fantasy world that resembles our own in minor ways but is completely original in major ways. It is baffling to think about a group of people who can essentially live forever (of course they have to body hop, but for immortality? psh whatevs) and what that would mean culturally and socially. Juliette lives among chaos and drastic change. Ana brings the chaos and drastic change. Seeing as this is science fiction compared to fantasy these books stayed true to thier genres. Some cool connections my brain made (because my brain never concentrates for long, too much of a free spirit that one) involved some all time scy fy and fantasy favorites. <em>Shatter Me </em>definetly has some X-Men elements that I really look forward to being explored in further novels. On the other hand <em>Incarnate </em>reminded me of <em>Lord of the Rings </em>with modern elements. Mostly because of dragons but also because of sylph eggs and a magic city that came out of nowhere. How did Heart get there??? Yet again I must wait for the sequels. Le sigh. <br />
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The point of this joint review isn't meant to pick a winner, it isn't a contest. However I am dying to talk about the strong elements that aren't necessarily shared by both novels.<br />
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1.<strong> Steamy Romance</strong>. Boy does <em>Shatter Me </em>have this in spades! I was all blushy and had to resist the urge to fan myself and kept thinking "this is so much hotter than most YA...hooray!" Don't get me wrong <em>Incarnate </em>gets nice and steamy but its not as prominent. Think about it: Juliette hasn't been touched/held/cherished her whole life. And when she gets a taste of that, well...*gives in and fans herself*<br />
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2. <strong>Character Building</strong>. For me <em>Incarnate </em>hits this out of the park and its all because of the complexity of souls and Sam. This beautiful boy has lived for thousands of years, lived and died, as a man, as a woman, had every job imaginable. He was like this huge onion (cake? parfait?) and I couldn't go through his layers fast enough. And yes he made me tearing up (Megan: making onion analogies work since This Sentence).<br />
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3. <strong>World Building</strong>. Both books were successful but for very different reasons. <em>Incarnate </em>benefited from being a fantasy which requires a good deal of background and doesn't require a super fast pace. I was fascinated by the culture and religion and history that Meadows dreamed up. <em>Shatter Me </em>on the other hand needed to be action packed and able to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I was totally satisfied by Mafi's dystopian future but have a ton of questions that I trust will be answered in time. <br />
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In conclusion: I love how complex characters, original worlds and satisfying romances are being written for YA more and more. <em>Shatter Me </em>and <em>Incarnate </em>are amazing debut novels that give you substance and fun and an unquenchable thirst for more.<br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-40347946544830320512012-06-02T13:43:00.000-05:002012-06-02T13:43:01.311-05:00Five Random and Amusing Things About Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am a strange person. Here is proof.</div>
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1. <strong>I cannot wink with my left eye.</strong> This is a serious problem. When I try winking with my left eye I end up looking like I am having a seizure. I cannot help but close my right eye. I try and fight it and the result is quite unattractive. This has become a sort of party game among me and my friends. They think I'm hilarious ;D<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ihumanable.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/wink-puppy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://ihumanable.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/wink-puppy.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little guy has got it down!</td></tr>
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2. <strong>I own only one pair of sunglasses, they are weird.</strong> Owning a sole pair of sunglasses is abnormal enough. Don't most girls own like five? This is compounded by the fact that they are heart shaped and floral patterned. Most of the time I feel like a bad ass walking around with these baby's on. I will admit, however, I have gotten some strange looks...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.monikapolitan.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/floralheart2.jpg&maxx=300&maxy=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://shop.monikapolitan.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/floralheart2.jpg&maxx=300&maxy=0" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snazzy.</td></tr>
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3.<strong> I have too many stuffed animals</strong>. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that this is a<em> problem. </em>But as I enter my third decade of life (gulp) this definitely sets me apart. I don't mean that they sit in a closet somewhere either. They travel between home and college with me. They are affectionately arrayed around my dorm. Every one knows them by name. The queen of this collection is Suzie, she is a <a href="http://www.squishable.com/?gclid=CKLD9b6UsLACFWaFQAodcB7HVw" target="_blank">Squishable</a> sheep. Filling out the family is a pillow chum panda named Dumpling, a mini Squishable kangaroo named Marigold and a monkey-sheep named Norby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GuMxPK4X2IsOG97mfoQZWHA05VrBSenabeG6NXkjTy6mru9cv9N88aX0VHXst39zCL-TlbZiZMpTELYN0qwoaatERUKvwFb20UH25wHP2z9Fv_ZjQFHDdtpLOyzN3sAyvFwnlah71kk/s1600/Suzie.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GuMxPK4X2IsOG97mfoQZWHA05VrBSenabeG6NXkjTy6mru9cv9N88aX0VHXst39zCL-TlbZiZMpTELYN0qwoaatERUKvwFb20UH25wHP2z9Fv_ZjQFHDdtpLOyzN3sAyvFwnlah71kk/s320/Suzie.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzie is prepared for that Wisconsin winter.</td></tr>
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4.<strong> I have to stare at a winter scene desktop for the next two years</strong>. This is a minor inconvenience in the scheme of things but an annoyance nonetheless to me on a daily basis. As a student office worker they have to restrict us somehow. My computer at work had a "deep freeze" placed on it over spring break. This means that any changes I make (new desktop, updates, adding programs, etc.) will be erased after shutting it down. I had yet to change my desktop to a picture of milder weather. Winter scenes are pretty sure, sure. But, dude, I live in Wisconsin. Its summer. I don't need to be reminded of the snowpocalypse that will bury us in 5 months. Can't I live in ignorance bliss for a few months? The universe says NO.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travel-visit-places.com/wp-content/uploads/Neuschwanstein-Castle-castles-119737_664_480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://www.travel-visit-places.com/wp-content/uploads/Neuschwanstein-Castle-castles-119737_664_480.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awww. So pretty, right? Shoot me now.</td></tr>
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5. <strong>My friends enjoy remarking on how "moist" I am</strong>. Sounds dirty, but its not! I have a bit of an obsession with moisturizing, especially with my hands. I have lotion on my person <em>at all times</em>. There is nothing worse than when your skin is dry and your cuticles are pealing and it is just plain uncomfortable. The "moist" joke started because the first time I tried henna it turned out all wrong. I am the palest person I know and you could barely make out the design. My friend Shaina blamed it on my moisturizing habits. People started feeling my hands to confirm and were genuinely amazed. Apparently I have really, really soft hands. There are worse things to have a claim to fame to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/stives1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://moneysavingmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/stives1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My secret weapon.<br />
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<strong>What do you guys think, am I a truly unique individual? Are there any random or amusing facts that you wish to share about yourself?</strong></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058532522382492406.post-13122839132307412322012-05-31T21:32:00.000-05:002012-05-31T21:32:37.894-05:00Hello World!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey there. How you doing? What are you up to? Where you going? Got any plans for later?<br />
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Okay, okay. Focusing.<br />
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The Big Question: Why am I writing this blog? <br />
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What it really comes down to is my growing impatience with my life. I am essentially sick of putting things off until tomorrow or next week or next month. I want the things that I desire <em>now. </em>I don't want to hold back or play it safe or put my life in the hands of others. Life isn't slowing down; in fact I'm pretty sure someone just slammed the gas, I'm going to be 20 soon. <br />
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"Let the light in, let the light out" is a good explanation too. I would consider myself a classically shy person. I take awhile to warm up. I am overly cautious. A bit of a perfectionist too. This is bad combination for times when you need to grab life by the cojones if you will. So here I am grabbing life in the no-no zone and putting myself out there. I'm letting the world in and hoping that it draws me out.<br />
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The Medium Sized Question: What is this blog going to be about?<br />
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Two answers come to mind immediately: everything and I don't know. I am a somewhat serious person so I plan on getting deep but I am also a somewhat crazy/weird person so I also plan on having fun.<br />
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Here is a list of ideas:<br />
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1) <strong>Writing</strong>-where I am at with my own writing, what I'm learning, general <span style="background-color: white;">musings</span><br />
2)<strong> Reading</strong>-what I'm into, new discoveries and book reviews (very excited about creating conversations about good books, one of my favorite things!)<br />
3) <strong>Health</strong>-body issues, weight and self-perception<br />
4) <strong>In the Kitchen</strong>-food blogs, new recipes and inspiration<br />
5) <strong>Entertainment</strong>-music, movies, TV, YouTube, you name it<br />
6) <strong>Random!-</strong>anything wacky or hilarious or surprising<br />
<br />
I like these ideas, I really do.<br />
<br />
But you want to know the best part? I have no idea what I'm going to write or whose going to read it or where this all is going to take me. <br />
<br />
I am so excited. The possibilities are as daunting as they are delicious.<br />
<br />
The Little Question (or Big Question for You, Reader): <strong>What do you want out of a blog? How open do you expect a blogger to be? For you, what is lacking in the blogosphere?</strong><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03520506539037948507noreply@blogger.com0