To all of you celebrating, happy holidays,
and to all of you who don't celebrate at this time of year, well wishes!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Happy Holidays!
To all of you celebrating, happy holidays,
and to all of you who don't celebrate at this time of year, well wishes!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Video: The Hunger Games
A while back, I wrote a review for The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and today, I get to revisit that post. This series has become quite popular since the first book was published. And, by the time Mocking Jay (the third book) came out, people were waiting in lines at book stores for its release. Today I heard for the first time that they are planning on making a movie, which I am aware that I'm behind times with this news, but I'm excited and sort of making a post about it anyway.
The thing is, though, I usually don't like movies translated from books. I find that the casting is usually less than stellar and they leave out a lot of important parts. I would love to rant about how they don't film some of my favorite scenes in the books, but this post actually has more to do with the casting.
The actors and actresses selected for main character roles in movies based off of books often seem to lack enthusiasm and they don't blend well with their role. I've heard of some actors and actresses who haven't even read the books until they decide to audition. While there's nothing wrong with that, to me that doesn't show that they're trying to snag a role because of a love for the characters or the story. So, today when I found this video on another blog, I had to post it here.
To the best of my knowledge, this was a video created to help Danielle Churchran get the part of Katniss. And, while she doesn't look like the Katniss in my head, the fact that she put the time and effort in to create this video tells me all that I need to know. She clearly has a grasp on the feeling of the book and is already working toward becoming the main character. It thrills me to see someone so attached to a role that they haven't even been cast into yet.
This actress is now my preference for the part of Katniss.
Do you have someone in particular that you would like to see playing this part yet?
The thing is, though, I usually don't like movies translated from books. I find that the casting is usually less than stellar and they leave out a lot of important parts. I would love to rant about how they don't film some of my favorite scenes in the books, but this post actually has more to do with the casting.
The actors and actresses selected for main character roles in movies based off of books often seem to lack enthusiasm and they don't blend well with their role. I've heard of some actors and actresses who haven't even read the books until they decide to audition. While there's nothing wrong with that, to me that doesn't show that they're trying to snag a role because of a love for the characters or the story. So, today when I found this video on another blog, I had to post it here.
To the best of my knowledge, this was a video created to help Danielle Churchran get the part of Katniss. And, while she doesn't look like the Katniss in my head, the fact that she put the time and effort in to create this video tells me all that I need to know. She clearly has a grasp on the feeling of the book and is already working toward becoming the main character. It thrills me to see someone so attached to a role that they haven't even been cast into yet.
This actress is now my preference for the part of Katniss.
Do you have someone in particular that you would like to see playing this part yet?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
2011 Debut Author Challenge
Hello, everyone!
Today I discovered the 2011 Debut Author Challenge on another blog and, because I'm feeling motivated and spontaneous this afternoon, I've decided to participate. I know, what a surprise, right? But, honestly, who doesn't like an excuse to read more? And it might just be me being too hopeful, again, but the image above (which they created) has diamonds on it, so I'm hoping that means we're anticipating a lot of good books this year.
What does this mean for you? Well, I will be posting book reviews on here for all twelve of the books I end up reading on top of those reviews I was originally planning on posting. Why? Because book reviews are nice, and I'm always looking for recommendations or warnings against books before I buy them. Also, because posting the reviews is part of the challenge.
Planning to Read:
The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Queen of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
And... that's all I've had the time to look into so far but, obviously, there will be more. I'm excited!
Anyway, I'll be posting a nice link for easy access to the challenge over on the sidebar in a few minutes.
Anyone else signing up?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Music Recommendation: Bullets
Occasionally, I happen upon a song that truly catches my interest. When that happens, I'll probably post a recommendation here, because I like finding new artists via strangers on the web and I thought you might too.
Several weeks ago, I heard this song and I loved it. Today I was wandering around on various websites and I heard it again, so I decided it was probably time to post it.
Voila:
Bullets - Tunng
I have included a link to the song on playlist.com. I don't know if this works because I've never tried this before, but I'm sorry if it doesn't.
The end.
PS: I'll probably be writing another post soon, but for now I have to go warm up because my hands feel like ice and they hurt. Perhaps I need coffee...
PPS: Someone outside is attempting to park their car, possibly with a trailer attached to it, but I haven't looked. All I know is that they're backing in and pulling out and backing in and pulling out, and every time they do so, I get to hear the sound of metal grinding against the curb. Point is: They are doing a terrible job and next time they should probably just pull in forward.
Several weeks ago, I heard this song and I loved it. Today I was wandering around on various websites and I heard it again, so I decided it was probably time to post it.
Voila:
Bullets - Tunng
I have included a link to the song on playlist.com. I don't know if this works because I've never tried this before, but I'm sorry if it doesn't.
The end.
PS: I'll probably be writing another post soon, but for now I have to go warm up because my hands feel like ice and they hurt. Perhaps I need coffee...
PPS: Someone outside is attempting to park their car, possibly with a trailer attached to it, but I haven't looked. All I know is that they're backing in and pulling out and backing in and pulling out, and every time they do so, I get to hear the sound of metal grinding against the curb. Point is: They are doing a terrible job and next time they should probably just pull in forward.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
November!
Hello again!
I've been absent for a while, as you might have noticed. You can blame it on the college. This semester has been a rough one so far and homework seems to be consuming all of my time lately. Even my non-internet people haven't seen me around. Proof of that was found yesterday when the following occurred:
I walked into my friend's house, intent on finding my lost sibling, only to notice that they had a new couch. It was a nice, L shaped piece of furniture and it was neatly fitted into their parlor. As a naturally curious person, I had to open my mouth, but I shouldn't have said a word. "When did you get the new couch?" I asked. My friend's mom smiled. "We got it in July," she replied. Cue realization that I had only stepped into their kitchen since before July and some embarrassment.
When I was little, I went over to their house every day. So, if you think my absence from here is terrible, just remember that someone else hasn't seen me in a longer period of time despite living two blocks away.
But let us move on to the focus of this post, shall we?
This is actually my way of sneakily informing you that I might not be around much until college is out for this semester.
However, before I get lost in writing papers and studying, I would like to introduce you to a wonderful thing occurring in the month of November.
Anyone looking for a challenge or some writing motivation? How many of you have heard of National Novel Writing Month?
November is National Novel Writing Month, more commonly known as "NaNoWriMo" or simply "NaNo". Over a period of thirty days participants in NaNoWriMo race to write a novel or, at least, 50,000 words of one. It won't be polished or brilliant. It may not even be good, but that's part of the fun.
For all of you writers reading this, I encourage you to follow the link and join up for some extra motivation to get some writing done. And for all of my other readers, if you've ever wanted to attempt writing a novel or if this just sounds fun, why don't you join us? We'd love to have you.
Thanks for reading and good luck to those of you who decide to give it a go!
I've been absent for a while, as you might have noticed. You can blame it on the college. This semester has been a rough one so far and homework seems to be consuming all of my time lately. Even my non-internet people haven't seen me around. Proof of that was found yesterday when the following occurred:
I walked into my friend's house, intent on finding my lost sibling, only to notice that they had a new couch. It was a nice, L shaped piece of furniture and it was neatly fitted into their parlor. As a naturally curious person, I had to open my mouth, but I shouldn't have said a word. "When did you get the new couch?" I asked. My friend's mom smiled. "We got it in July," she replied. Cue realization that I had only stepped into their kitchen since before July and some embarrassment.
When I was little, I went over to their house every day. So, if you think my absence from here is terrible, just remember that someone else hasn't seen me in a longer period of time despite living two blocks away.
But let us move on to the focus of this post, shall we?
This is actually my way of sneakily informing you that I might not be around much until college is out for this semester.
However, before I get lost in writing papers and studying, I would like to introduce you to a wonderful thing occurring in the month of November.
Anyone looking for a challenge or some writing motivation? How many of you have heard of National Novel Writing Month?
November is National Novel Writing Month, more commonly known as "NaNoWriMo" or simply "NaNo". Over a period of thirty days participants in NaNoWriMo race to write a novel or, at least, 50,000 words of one. It won't be polished or brilliant. It may not even be good, but that's part of the fun.
For all of you writers reading this, I encourage you to follow the link and join up for some extra motivation to get some writing done. And for all of my other readers, if you've ever wanted to attempt writing a novel or if this just sounds fun, why don't you join us? We'd love to have you.
Thanks for reading and good luck to those of you who decide to give it a go!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Writing Tips: The Thing About Writing
I read a lot.
When I was fourteen, I discovered websites full of stories written and posted for the public. Some of the material I read was wonderful and some of it was awful. I found a lot of stories that were littered with spelling mistakes and characters that made decisions that no conscious human being would make. But on occasion, I found stories that were decent, even enjoyable. In particular, there was one author that updated her story on a weekly basis with new chapters and everything she wrote sounded brilliant. So one day, I thought, I can do that too. I know the English language. I know what not to do. How hard can it be?
Let me just say one thing: famous last words.
Writing is difficult, from beginning to end.
That isn't to say that you shouldn't write, but you should know it isn't going to be effortless. Writing takes work.
- You need an idea.
- You need characters, perhaps even if you're writing poetry.
- There's a possibility you may even need to have a plot when you begin writing.
- At some point you are going to meet The Blank Page, which can be rather frightening.
- You need to keep your characters alive and your plot moving forward.
- And as you progress in your writing, eventually you'll meet The Blank Page again, when someone is expecting something good from you. That makes it even more frightening.
- At some point, you'll probably have a complete draft, but it won't come out perfect the first time.
- You'll need to revise, if not even rewrite.
- You may even have to repeat that step a few times.
- You'll have to edit.
- A few years after you write something, you may find yourself looking back and wondering what that thing on the floor is. Maybe it was writing, but it sort of resembles roadkill too, so it's difficult to say for sure.
If you want to write, then do it and do it well. Lists like that one can be threatening, especially when you're just beginning. But know that writing, like everything, changes with time and practice. If you don't give up, if you continue to learn and keep moving forward, you'll get better. It'll be a lot of work, but in the end, when you're holding your finished product it will be worth it.
(Note: I know I said I'd write a post on procrastination today, but I thought it would be better to start at the beginning. Funny, procrastinating on a post about procrastination...)
When I was fourteen, I discovered websites full of stories written and posted for the public. Some of the material I read was wonderful and some of it was awful. I found a lot of stories that were littered with spelling mistakes and characters that made decisions that no conscious human being would make. But on occasion, I found stories that were decent, even enjoyable. In particular, there was one author that updated her story on a weekly basis with new chapters and everything she wrote sounded brilliant. So one day, I thought, I can do that too. I know the English language. I know what not to do. How hard can it be?
Let me just say one thing: famous last words.
Writing is difficult, from beginning to end.
That isn't to say that you shouldn't write, but you should know it isn't going to be effortless. Writing takes work.
- You need an idea.
- You need characters, perhaps even if you're writing poetry.
- There's a possibility you may even need to have a plot when you begin writing.
- At some point you are going to meet The Blank Page, which can be rather frightening.
- You need to keep your characters alive and your plot moving forward.
- And as you progress in your writing, eventually you'll meet The Blank Page again, when someone is expecting something good from you. That makes it even more frightening.
- At some point, you'll probably have a complete draft, but it won't come out perfect the first time.
- You'll need to revise, if not even rewrite.
- You may even have to repeat that step a few times.
- You'll have to edit.
- A few years after you write something, you may find yourself looking back and wondering what that thing on the floor is. Maybe it was writing, but it sort of resembles roadkill too, so it's difficult to say for sure.
If you want to write, then do it and do it well. Lists like that one can be threatening, especially when you're just beginning. But know that writing, like everything, changes with time and practice. If you don't give up, if you continue to learn and keep moving forward, you'll get better. It'll be a lot of work, but in the end, when you're holding your finished product it will be worth it.
(Note: I know I said I'd write a post on procrastination today, but I thought it would be better to start at the beginning. Funny, procrastinating on a post about procrastination...)
Friday, September 24, 2010
Writing Tips: Procrastination
Dear Readers,
Tonight I was supposed to have been writing. Instead, I drew a pomegranate. Kind of. It didn't come out that well.
Procrastination is a dangerous friend. Be warned.
Signed,
Resident Temporary Artist, Usually Writer
PS: Tomorrow I'll write a real blog post, probably on this subject and more in depth. Promise. Now I'm going to write for real. Hopefully.
Tonight I was supposed to have been writing. Instead, I drew a pomegranate. Kind of. It didn't come out that well.
Procrastination is a dangerous friend. Be warned.
Signed,
Resident Temporary Artist, Usually Writer
PS: Tomorrow I'll write a real blog post, probably on this subject and more in depth. Promise. Now I'm going to write for real. Hopefully.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Book Review: The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I was hesitant to read this book originally -- mostly because someone had full-out convinced me that it was about cannibalism and I wasn't totally sure I wanted to read on that topic. It's not. When I finally purchased The Hunger Games, I was pleasantly surprised to find a blend of adventure (survival of the fittest) and sort-of romance in a dystopian setting.
Katniss is a strong lead, and she's got what it takes to keep this novel alive. She's not the sort of person to let anyone walk all over her, even when the odds are against her, and I enjoyed her spirit. Her knack for survival starting in the first few pages let the reader know that she was by no means to be considered helpless, and she didn't break down just because she was in a bad situation.
Emotional involvement isn't difficult to achieve with me when I'm reading; even a terrible work of fiction can keep me hooked until the end, if only so I can have closure. But it takes a decent plot, connection to the characters, and a pretty good writing style to keep me singing praises after a few days have passed.
By the end of this novel, I was ready to go fight my own battles. And even after several weeks had passed, I was still interested in the characters, so I bought the second book (which I have yet to read). While it probably isn't for the weak of stomach, this series has my praise.
The Hunger Games has captured my attention. I won't bash you over the head with it and tell you to read it or else, but I definitely recommend it to readers looking for a thrill ride.
This book can be found in bookstores and online:
The Hunger Games
Happy reading!
"Could you survive on your own in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't see the morning?
"In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
"Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before -- and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love." (Cover blurb on book).I was hesitant to read this book originally -- mostly because someone had full-out convinced me that it was about cannibalism and I wasn't totally sure I wanted to read on that topic. It's not. When I finally purchased The Hunger Games, I was pleasantly surprised to find a blend of adventure (survival of the fittest) and sort-of romance in a dystopian setting.
Katniss is a strong lead, and she's got what it takes to keep this novel alive. She's not the sort of person to let anyone walk all over her, even when the odds are against her, and I enjoyed her spirit. Her knack for survival starting in the first few pages let the reader know that she was by no means to be considered helpless, and she didn't break down just because she was in a bad situation.
Emotional involvement isn't difficult to achieve with me when I'm reading; even a terrible work of fiction can keep me hooked until the end, if only so I can have closure. But it takes a decent plot, connection to the characters, and a pretty good writing style to keep me singing praises after a few days have passed.
By the end of this novel, I was ready to go fight my own battles. And even after several weeks had passed, I was still interested in the characters, so I bought the second book (which I have yet to read). While it probably isn't for the weak of stomach, this series has my praise.
The Hunger Games has captured my attention. I won't bash you over the head with it and tell you to read it or else, but I definitely recommend it to readers looking for a thrill ride.
This book can be found in bookstores and online:
The Hunger Games
Happy reading!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Ink Is Gold: A Blogging Adventure
It's 2:15 in the morning. I'm tired. I should be outlining a book for my independent study class next semester, but my brain is a puddle of pillows and blankets, and I don't feel I'd be doing it much justice anyway.
So, naturally, I've decided to start a blog instead. That makes sense, because I've definitely been meaning to do that lately. But never you mind my abilities to stay on task. This is going to be fun, and I'm actually going to keep writing on here, honest. (Just because I have a reportedly bad track record when it comes to writing blogs consistently doesn't mean anything. It's going to be different now.)
What can you expect to see on here in the future?
- Book reviews
- News on my own writing progress
- Articles on writing tips
- Perhaps I'll even blog about publishing news in the future
- Updates on my independent study class when that comes around
- Song recommendations if I'm particularly in love with one at the moment of my blogging
- Neat things I happened to do or see that might somehow vaguely relate to this blog, or that I feel you might enjoy
- And some everyday life stuff
This morning is the beginning of my first real blogging adventure. Therefore, I have decided that it is going to be a good day. Don't sit around here reading, go enjoy it.
The end.
So, naturally, I've decided to start a blog instead. That makes sense, because I've definitely been meaning to do that lately. But never you mind my abilities to stay on task. This is going to be fun, and I'm actually going to keep writing on here, honest. (Just because I have a reportedly bad track record when it comes to writing blogs consistently doesn't mean anything. It's going to be different now.)
What can you expect to see on here in the future?
- Book reviews
- News on my own writing progress
- Articles on writing tips
- Perhaps I'll even blog about publishing news in the future
- Updates on my independent study class when that comes around
- Song recommendations if I'm particularly in love with one at the moment of my blogging
- Neat things I happened to do or see that might somehow vaguely relate to this blog, or that I feel you might enjoy
- And some everyday life stuff
This morning is the beginning of my first real blogging adventure. Therefore, I have decided that it is going to be a good day. Don't sit around here reading, go enjoy it.
The end.
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