Life Happens

Snowfest Blogfest!

2012-02-02T11:28:00.001-07:00

I am participating in the Snowfest Blogfest over at Roh Morgan's blog. It's a chance to write something inspired by snow! Go over there and check out what people are writing! Here's mine.

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Whenshe opened her eyes, blackness filled her vision. She threw herhands to her face, searching for something that might be blocking hereyes. She found her icy skin and nothing else. She patted down herface in disbelief; she could not see.

Alicefelt all around her, a wet, fluffy substance engulfed her legs. Shecould tell she was laying down on her back in snow. She didn't knowwhere she was, but she did know that it was cold – the “freeze todeath” type of cold.

Thissudden realization threw her into a panic – was she alone? How didshe get here? If she couldn't see, how would she get to safety? Hysteria set in as she tried to stand up, but something was holdingher to the ground at her ankles. She reached along her legs down toher feet, where she felt metal shackles. She jerked her legs awayfrom the bindings, but was only met with unforgiving hardware.

Alicetried to scream, but all that came out was a raspy squeak. She triedagain, but her throat was too dry. She heard a crunching noise toher right. It sounded like someone walking on tree branches. Alicewanted to ask who was there, but her voice was still silent.

“Well,hello Alice. So nice that you're finally awake.” His voice wasdark and heavy; it slithered through the air. He caressed her ravenhair, leaning over to smell the aroma of her milky skin. Alicesquirmed under his touch, scooting a few inches; not far enough toescape his intrusion.

“I'vebeen waiting for hours. It's not very nice of you to keep me waiting– I don't like to wait. You'll be rightly punished, but not justyet.” He paused, gently touching her throat. “It is a shame Ihad to choke you so hard, I enjoy a bit of good conversation.” Alice couldn't see, but she could almost hear his wicked smile.

Shetried to remember how she got here, but she only had flashes of amemory. Books in her hands, the softness of the gloves, car tiressquealing across the ice. Though her mind tried, it remained afractured puzzle.

“Ah,yes, you don't remember a thing. I can see by the confusion on yourface. Which brings me to why you can't see. I had to make sure youcouldn't see me or where we were going. Sorry about that, my dear. It must have been painful, having that sprayed in your face. You hadsuch enticing eyes. Little emerald beauties. But so are the spoilsof my profession. You could regain your sight, but you won't bealive long enough for that to happen.”

Aliceattempted another scream, but still, nothing came out. A low chucklefilled the air, his laughter made Alice shiver. He crouched besideher and she felt his breath on her ear. “You will die; Iwill kill you. My only wish is that you could see your bloodstain this virgin snow before you die.” His whispered threatfloated through Alice's ears, tickling her fear into full blownterror. She thrashed around, grabbing the air while her hands werestill free. She wanted to choke the smile off of his face, butinstead felt her nails dig into skin.

“Enoughof that!” he growled. Grabbing her hands with one rapid movement,he lashed her wrists together with a zip tie. “You seem to beanxious to get this over with. I have to admit, I'm a little excitedtoo.” She heard the scrape of a blade against a rock.

Shehowled inside, knowing her fate was becoming a reality. Alice felthim undo her coat, the zipper letting out her soul. He threw thecoat off to her side, leaving only her thin blouse between her andthe snow. The knife slid up the front of her shirt, slicing it intwo. The piercing cold air circled around her body, her smooth skingiving way to goosebumps. Her nipples raised, peeking through herbra. He purred with pleasure. He cut the threads connected in themiddle, and she felt the icy touch of his hands on her.

“Sodelicate.” He scraped the edge of the knife across her chest. “Sosoft.” Alice sat very still, afraid that any movement might takeher closer to the end. “I can smell your warmth.” He placed hisfingertips on her neck. “I can feel your heart beating. Alive.”

He brushed his lips across her cheek. He whispered again, “Areyou ready, Alice?” He readied the tip of the knife on her chest.

Thelast thing Alice felt was his lips on hers as the knife plungedthrough her heart.

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(picture credit)

Insecure Writer's Support Group (1)

2012-02-01T17:04:00.001-07:00

"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."
-Sam Ewing

Today I am participating in the Insecure Writer's Support Group from Alex J. Cavanaugh and his blog. There are so many people participating!! There must be a lot of insecurity - which is comforting. I'm not alone!

My insecurity today lies in my ability to finish my writing. The quote above outlines what I've been going through. I know I want to turn up my sleeves and write, but I fall into the "don't turn up at all" category most of the time. I always have the question, "How do you stay motivated?" and there are hundreds of books and articles about how to curb writer's block and advice to "just write everyday" or "only write when you feel like it". There is so much advice out there I'm not sure what will work for me.

So far, the "write when you're in the mood" hasn't worked. I've written 18K words toward a story that I absolutely HAVE to finish - it's not letting me write anything else. I'm struggling to just get words to flow.

I know that my inability to write consistently stems from my insecurities about the quality of what I'm writing. But HOW do I get past this?

I'd like to, for once, meet a confident writer. Who are you and can we have some coffee and a talk?

"For me, every day is a new thing. I approach each project with a new insecurity, almost like the first project I ever did. And I get the sweats. I go in and start working, I'm not sure where I'm going. If I knew where I was going I wouldn't do it."
-Frank Gehry

Would I write if I had no insecurity about myself and my writing? If I had nothing to get out of my head? Probably not. Maybe insecurity can be a good thing sometimes. Always being sure of yourself can be dangerous.

Thanks for reading.

Monday in My Coffee Cup

2012-01-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Monday morning for me is meditation time.

I know a lot of people choose Sunday, to reflect on the week past, but I am choosing to meditate on what is to come, and how to prepare for my week.

I am not necessarily a religious person, but I like to think that every religion has something to offer. Today I am feeling a passage from the Tao Te Ching.

Verse 11:

Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful.
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space within that makes it useful.
Cut doors and windows for a room;It is the holes that make it useful.
Therefore profit comes from what is there;
Usefulness from what is not there.

The part that sticks out for me is the part about the vessel. The space within makes it useful - moreover, being empty gives chance to become full.

I have been letting a lot of things out of my inner prison as of late. This is to allow myself to become full with the new life changes I am going through; the new adventure I am starting.

I am dealing with moving my entire life to a new state, starting a new (and serious) relationship, starting a new job, and all the little things that come along with these changes. All these things are happening within a month, and I'm a little freaked out. But if I read this passage from the Tao Te Ching, it reminds me to purge all my bad energy to be able to receive all the positive good energy that is on its way.

Sorry for such a deep passage on a Monday morning, but this is how I felt with my coffee this morning; a new sun on the horizon.

Thanks for reading my lovelies!

RemembeRED: Personification

2012-01-24T09:49:00.002-07:00

I am a pen.

I bleed for my owner; red all over thepage. She can only write with me.

I amspecial.

Her warm fingertips curl around me,taking away any doubts I may have had about her using anotherpen. Impossible!

Shetaps me against the blank paper; I can see her green eyes ripe withideas. Ideas she will write with myink.

Atonce she starts writing, her thoughts mixing with my blood red ink. I hemorrhage on the page, every word draining me.

Suddenly,a realization fills my chamber. I know that eventually, I will endup in the trash with my dead brothers and sisters.

Iwasn't aware of how much ink I had left in me – I was toodistracted by my selfishness. I took a moment to gauge my levels. Iwas too low! I felt a scream building in my plastic shell. My tipskipped across the page, ink catching in my throat but not escaping. I faded into a dull pink on the page.

“Well,this one's dead.”

Darknessspread through my eye; I knew it was the end.

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This was a practice in personification from Write on Edge

We had to write a story in 400 words or less from the point of view of an inanimate object.

Mine is a bit short, but I think I get my point across. Hope you like it, and go check out the other posts at Write on Edge!!

Teaser Tuesday (6)

2012-01-24T09:06:00.002-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Tuesday choice is Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay.

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

Teaser:

"I can never love him, no matter how much I might fear the hell he describes. Fear can force obedience, but it can never transform a heart."

Page 116

The few pages I read were full of beautiful, captivating words - and from the looks of these two lines it's going to be even better as I read on. Hope you enjoyed my teaser, and go check this book out!!

(and isn't that cover amazing?!?)

Winter's Respite Read-a-thon #2

2012-01-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

This is a small update to say "I DIDN'T EVEN READ YESTERDAY"

Horrible, horrible, horrible. Shame on me!!

I did other things like liquidate old clothing and clean my house.

Today will be different. Today WILL be different.

Winter's Respite READ-A-THON!!

2012-01-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

The True Book Addict - Starting Line Post

The True Book Addict is hosting the Winter's Respite Readathon starting TODAY!! Had I known I would have NOT packed up all my books this past weekend. I think I may still have some laying around.

So here is my list:

I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells - Link to Goodreads
Sacred Prey by Vivian Schilling - Link to Goodreads
(ebook) Hater by David Moody - Link to Goodreads
(ebook) (finish) Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - Link to Goodreads
(ebook) Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay - Link to Goodreads

And I think if I can actually finish 5 books in a week (with packing my house and cleaning) then I can call it good. If I run out, I'll read more! But I hardly ever finish my list for read-a-thons, and I'd sure like to finish at least one.

Don't forget to tweet at #wintersrespite !!

My Book Boyfriend (1)

2012-01-19T10:27:00.002-07:00

So today I am participating (late) in a meme hosted by The Unread Reader called My Book Boyfriend.

Anyway, here are the rules:

Here is how My Book Boyfriend works:

On Wednesdays, make a post about a fictional boy that totally made you swoon! In your post, make sure you include your book boyfriend's stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that had you at hello. Credit the book and please include page numbers when you can.
Grab the My Book Boyfriend button to include in your post.
Be sure to come back here and add the DIRECT link to your post on the Mr. Linky Widget that will be provided here on Wednesdays.
Don't forget to check out other people's My Book Boyfriend posts. Everyone that agrees to participate will try to visit others and leave comments. Bloggers love comments.
Anyone is welcome to join at anytime, but no one is obligated to participate every week.
In your post provide a link back to this My Book Boyfriend introduction post so that other people can find the information about participating.

This meme is just for fun! Likeness represented are all fictional fantasies.

(Note: all the "here's" refer to www.theunreadreader.com/ )

So without further ado, here is my book boyfriend for this week:

From "The Path to Freedom" by Lisa Pietsch

A man. A man who can handle himself. A man with a gun who takes no crap from anyone. Vince.

Sexy to no end.

"Broad shoulders so amassed with muscle that the weight of the world shouldn't make the stoop. His chest appeared chiseled from granite, rock hard with edges yet to be sanded and filed. Her eyes trailed lower to his legs, like tree trunks, they were solid and well defined. So well defined that even the drape of a finely tailored silk suit couldn't hide the power contained within. No, he wasn't pretty, but he was a man so completely male, so absolutely masculine that she couldn't help but be totally drawn to him."

Page 59

"The idea of Vince, the guy she had walked away from at Pure, haunted her. Her instant attraction to him was so powerful it was dangerous. He had the kind of voice a woman wants to hear in the dark from the pillow next to her. He was twisted steel and sex appeal. He was too much to let in and way too much to forget, try as she might."

Page 73

"In a flash, Sarah found herself on her back, on the bed. Vince had thrown her there and pinned her arms and legs with his. She could feel his breath on her lips. Vince stared into her eyes. "I had that coming but so help me God, don't you ever slap me again." Vince dropped to his elbows and kissed Sarah.

Oh, God, yes.

His kiss was hard and demanding and Sarah responded in kind. She wanted it every bit as much as he did. The press of his hips against hers made her wet with anticipation. Every breath he took brought his body closer to hers until they were a tangle of arms and legs.

After the longest, most passionate kiss she'd ever experienced, Vince pulled away.

"Thanks for saving my ass and my team. Now let's go have a drink and forget this ever happened."

Page 157

Vince is a man's man!
He knows how to handle a woman
JUST LOOK AT HIM!
He has a twin brother! There are TWO of them!
He can be both sensitive and serious
JUST LOOK AT HIM!

Lisa Thibault Pietsch is a fantastic author. These excerpts are from her first book in the Task Force #125 series. Yes, THERE ARE MORE! Get out there and start reading folks!! They are action packed, swoon-over-hot-men ready, and funny to boot!

Thanks for reading and go check out Lisa's crazy blog and GET THESE BOOKS!!

Booking Through Thursday

2012-01-12T10:10:00.002-07:00

I didn't have anything scheduled today, so I went out and found something fun for Thursdays. It's called "Booking Through Thursday" and it's a meme hosted over at Booking Through Thursday , every, well, Thursday! It seems pretty fun so here goes:

Instructions:

Copy the questions, paste them into your blog and answer them.
When you're done, come back here and post a quick comment or trackback letting everyone know so we can read your responses. Be sure to leave a link to your actual post!

1. What’s your favorite time of day to read?
At night. It's the only time I'm not distracted by everything else.
2. Do you read during breakfast? (Assuming you eat breakfast.)
No, breakfast is for EATING. I don't want to get bacon all over my books...!
3. What’s your favorite breakfast food? (Noting that breakfast foods can be eaten any time of day.)
BACON!!!
4. How many hours a day would you say you read?
Not nearly enough. Wish I could read even just an hour a day. I have a short attention span.
5. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago?
I read WAY less than I did 10 years ago. I guess I had less things to be stressed about. Reading came easy back then.
6. Do you consider yourself a speed reader?
No, I relish in all the words on the page.
7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Flight? I guess if I could read AND fly that would be sweet too.
8. Do you carry a book with you everywhere you go?
Unfortunately no, but if I did carry one it would probably be one of my other language dictionaries.
9. What KIND of book?
Dictionary!
10. How old were you when you got your first library card?
Probably about 5 or 6. I started early. I used to check out like 10 books and speed through them all.
11. What’s the oldest book you have in your collection? (Oldest physical copy? Longest in the collection? Oldest copyright?)
Well as I have so many I don't have time to go through them all. I have NO idea. Shame on me!
12. Do you read in bed?
Every night.
13. Do you write in your books?
OMG NO! Only the reference books like my Idiot's Guide to whatever books.
14. If you had one piece of advice to a new reader, what would it be?
Stick with it. Find the type of books you love and read!!
15. What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask? (Actually, leave the answer to this one in the comments on this post, huh? So I can find them when I need inspiration!)
Well I just discovered BTT, so I'm not sure what you have and have not asked.

So that's it for my answers to this week's BTT, what are yours? Head on over to Booking Through Thursday and link up your answers!!

Happy Thursday folks! Hope it's a great one!

New Year, New EVERYTHING

2012-01-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

IT'S TIME.

I have slacked off enough in the past two years that I've had this blog. I've promised and promised all of my followers (who thankfully have not stopped following me) that I would stick to a schedule and blog my little heart out. Book reviews, writing insight, read-a-thons, and more - all of which did not happen.

THAT'S ENOUGH FIBBING CHARLIE.

IT'S TIME TO CHANGE.

So anyhoo, a schedule has been made, and between moving across the country next month, starting school and a new job, I WILL be blogging. :)

Stay tuned for my adventure through regularity.

OMWTYIOAIHRMG Read-a-thon!!

2011-12-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

So I just JUST just found out about this read-a-thon. I'm already 18 hours behind, but I guess I can read for it anyway. It goes until midnight tomorrow. I guess I better get started! Check it out over at Squeaky Books !!!

It's Time

2011-09-25T17:55:00.000-06:00

So NaNoWriMo is upon us again. Just 36 days and counting.

It's time for a new story.

What to write? What to write??

I think I've come up with something. I had a little help from the "Adopt-a-plot" section of the NaNo forums. But I think it's good. I've started scouring all the writing websites, looking for help. Outlining, pantsing, synopsis-ing...it's still a lot to take in. I'm still new, even though I've been participating in NaNo since 2008. I also still haven't "won". Last year I got to 18,000 words. Maybe this year I'll get half way. Or maybe I'll get all the way. Or maybe even more.

In the words of Yoda,

"Do or do not; there is no try."

So I guess I have to win. :)

Anyway, my story seems normal...but underneath it's sort of fantasy-ish with a bit of magic thrown in there. I think I've even come up with a title.....

Echoes

Maybe....Sense of Echoes? Hm.

Hopefully it turns out well! I've been doing a lot of outlining since I can't write!! It's driving me crazy by the way.

Soon. 36 days.

Labor Day Read-a-Thon Shenanigans!!

2011-09-03T08:46:00.001-06:00

Good morning! If you're reading this, for shame! Just kidding. It's just that your books are calling you to be read, and right away!! It all started at 12:01 am today (whichever time zone you're in) and goes to 11:59 pm on Monday! So you have a lot of time (if you start now and stop reading this blog!) to read all those books you have been waiting to read.

The linky is over at Katie's Book Blog !! Go and sign up and START READING!!

Also, here are the books I plan on reading this weekend: (I'm always to ambitious so we'll see how it goes:

Eona by Alison Goodman 637 pages

Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer 276 pages

I am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells 271 pages

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld 304 pages

The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld 286 pages

Sacred Prey by Vivian Schilling 245 pages

Good Luck and Happy Reading!!

---Charlie---

Design Your Book Cover Contest!

2011-09-01T06:03:00.001-06:00

Today is the day to post the book covers you created for the contest held by Teralyn Rose at A Writer's Journey !!

Here is the link to her post with the linky to sign up:

Start Here

So remember:

1.People with the most followers on their blog always win these contests. It takes all the fun out of it. Please be fair and vote for ones that deserve it.

2.Don't open an entry or vote on one just because it has a lot of likes; that's not fair either.

3.Don't vote for yourself three times.

So without further ado:

Sacred Blood

My paranormal fantasy

Hope you like it! If you get curious about where the art is from, just ask. I give credit where it is due.

Thanks for looking! Can't wait to see all of yours!

---Charlie---

Chapters 1-5 Twilight Re-Read Along Questions

2011-07-06T21:19:00.000-06:00

Below are the answers to my questions for the first five chapters of The Twilight Re-Read Along!

1. Have you ever had to start over in a new place, like Bella did in Forks? This new place could be a school, job, or town... just something with a new setting. How easy or difficult was this for you?
I have started over many, many times. It's always disorienting finding your place in society, especially in Bella's case where society is small and unaccepting. I am in the military, so moving is second nature, as well as not fully unpacking in case you get orders to move right away. You also try to make friends as fast as possible, so that you don't lose each other through the years and across the continents.

2. Do you picture the actors from the movie as the characters in the book while you are reading?
I do not picture the actors at all from the movies. Re-reading the book after seeing the movies does lend a little character bleed-over, but my imagination has strength enough to rebuild my memories of what I thought Bella and Edward looked like in my head before someone decided Rob and Kristin were the faces of the characters.

3. What are your first thoughts on meeting Edward in Bella’s Biology class? At first he was annoyed by her presence, but then after a week away he returns & finds him self very interested in her. Do you think this helped or hindered the storyline?
I think he was so obvious with his emotions towards Bella, that she couldn't have missed his reaction to her. However, when his mood flips, it does lend a bit of mystery to why he was acting that way before, and why he's changed now. Though to some that sort of up and down can throw a person off. I think it helped the story line because it introduced more conflict.

4. Out of the secondary characters Bella meets at school, who is your favorite and why? (I am referring to the humans, not the vampires in this question)
I like Mike. He's always there for Bella, even when she dejects him, and he's cheery and upbeat - something that Bella could use more of in her little somber world.

5. There is a lot of dialogue between Edward and Bella in these first few chapters that I feel played a major role in developing their relationship. What are some of your favorite quotes? or moments?
"Of course he wasn't interesting in me, I tthought angrily, my eyes stinging - a delayed reaction to the onions. I wasn't interesting. And he was. Interesting...and brilliant...and mysterious...and perfect...and beautiful...and possibly able to lift full-sized vans with one hand." It shows how enamored she is with Edward, how she puts him on a pedestal almost right away. This shows the deep plunge she took so quickly into loving Edward, when there was nothing in her world to love. A couple other things are when she describes his voice as "quiet and musical" and when "his voice melted like honey" Absolutely vivid images. Loved it.

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Sorry I was so late on the response, a week behind - bad bad bad me! But so it is, and it is posted, and I shall continue reading the next chapters to prepare for the end of this week's questions!

Happy Reading (Re-Reading) !!!

Twilight Re-Read Along!

2011-07-05T20:10:00.001-06:00

I just discovered the Twilight Re-Read Along!! It's already started (27 Jun) but it goes to 1 Aug! There's still time if I start now!

If you haven't heard about it, here's the beginning post link : GReads Twilight Re-Read Along

That has the schedule and where all the blog posts will be at; it's being hosted by several bloggers. I'm so friggin' excited! Every week will be a post with questions to be answered! Hope you go check it out - it's not too late!!

Blogfest...Interrupted!

2011-06-26T14:11:00.000-06:00

Today is the day for the "Blogfest...Interrupted" blogfest! It's being hosted by Sash over at Sash's Secrets.

It's her first blogfest, so share the love!! Go check out the other entries and put yours up too!

It's 500-1000 word entry where your characters are interrupted in whatever they are doing! Sounds like fun, eh? Get to writing, it's today only!

Here's mine below, hope you enjoy it. I've used part of it before somewhere else, just can't remember where.
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Dragan’s onyx gaze fell on her throat. Her slender white neck gleamed in the moonlight. She was a few rows over, kneeling down beside a headstone crafted into a somber angel figure. Why she was in a cemetery alone and at night was a mystery to him, but he did not truly care why; she was a meal to him, and nothing more. Yet she was overwhelming his keen senses. He could smell her aroma from his perch atop a crumbling, mossy headstone. She smelled sweetly of vanilla and lavender. Her warmth filled his nostrils, sending him into a frenzy. His hands shook with anticipation. But he knew he must control himself, he mustn’t scare her away. Not yet. He needed her blood inside him.

Dragan eased off the tombstone, quietly making his way towards the woman he now considered already dead. His quickness landed him directly behind her; his silence left him standing close and undetected. At this distance her sugary scent devastated him; he could taste her now. He shifted momentarily, his boot heel crushing a twig under its weight. She turned swiftly, catching a glimpse of a tall shadow of a man.

“Hello my dear. I am Dragan of the nightwalkers. I am here to ease your pain.” He smoothed a dark strand of hair away from her face, revealing the sadness in her eyes.

“Ease my pain? No one can easy my pain. Not anymore.” She lightly ran a finger over the name on the headstone: Marcus Brennan. At that simple gesture she began crying all over again, tears mixing with the fresh rain. Dragan reached down and lifted her to his chest, wrapping his arms around her slim figure easily. She lost all composure then, sobbing into his shirt. He had her now.

“What’s your name, child?” He angled her chin upwards to see into her eyes.

“Elaina. My name is Elaina Brennan.”

“Well Elaina, prepare yourself for death.” Shocked, Elaina tried to pull away, pushing with all her strength against him. Effortlessly Dragan threaded his fingers through her hair and jerked her head back, revealing her soft, porcelain throat. A scream escaped her mouth, as his mouth lowered to her neck.

Suddenly a brightness filled his vision, a heat emanated from somewhere behind him. “I think you'll have to deal with being hungry for one more minute, Dragan.” Dragan turned slightly, squinting at the fire swirling around Sterling's hands, he would not let go of Elaina. Sterling stood there, feet planted firmly, hands ablaze with supernatural sparks of garnet flame, ready to char him to coals at any sudden movement. He contemplated finishing his meal, gazed into Elaina's eyes, and decided he too would live another day. “Someone is on your side today, my child.” He let her go. She shot out of his arms, headed in any direction that was away from him.

“Good choice, Dragan. Now, slowly turn around...” Dragan followed her directions. He however, did not stop there. He grinned darkly, eyes piercing Sterling's one last time. In one swift movement he crouched down, throwing all of his weight into his legs, and shot straight up into the night. “Maybe next time, Sterling, it'll be your life I'll have the pleasure of interrupting.” He laughed deep and quiet as he flew through the sky.

Review of Beautiful by Amy Reed

2011-06-26T11:18:00.001-06:00

"This must be what it feels like to be a piece of meat, to be wanted by someone hungry. This is all I have to do. This is easy. I am delicious."

When Cassie moves from the tiny town where she has always lived to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. This is Cassie's chance to stop being invisible and become the kind of girl who's worth noticing.

Stepping into her new identity turns out to be easier than Cassie could have ever imagined...one moment, one choice, will change everything.

Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. Swept into a world of illicit parties and social landmines, she sheds her virginity, embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, and floats through it all, knowing that she is now called beautiful. She ignores the dangers of her fast-paced life?but she can't sidestep the secrets and the cruelty.

Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral tinged with violence and abuse, and no one—not even the one person she thought she could trust—can help her now.

Cassie is a 13 year old girl looking for acceptance at a new school. She finds a crooked sort of reception into a crowd of other lost children and loses herself. Though the problem seems to be she never knew herself from the beginning. She says a few pages in, "It is not hard to change when you were never anything in the first place."

She begins her descent when a young rebel named Alex grabs her by the hand. "I don't see her coming." Cassie doesn't see anything coming, doesn't see Alex and her steam roller that is about to crush everything Cassie knows to be “normal”.

Her fate is sealed with this line: “I cannot think of maybes. I cannot think of 'What if I turned around right now? What if I went the other way?' There is no other way. There is only forward, with Alex, to the boys who want to meet me.”

When Alex takes Cassie's life by the arm and drags her towards the black hole she will become, she says to herself, “Remember, this is what you want.” She spends much of her time forcing her mind to accept that she is going to do all the things that these other kids want, anything, anytime, anywhere, so that she will be something, be noticed, be loved.

The rest of the story is akin to “going down the rabbit hole” as Cassie falls deeper into madness through engaging in sex, drug use, and alcohol abuse. The author keeps you tuned in at all times to Cassie's emotions, especially when she herself can't quite explain what she is experiencing. “...when really I'm nothing, when really I'm just skin wrapped around fog.”

I love the way the author sneaks in words that create feelings you don't realize are affecting you until later. “Cassie,” James says, and my name sounds like flowers in his mouth.” I can't help but feel how Cassie felt about a boy saying her name; she was completely enamored with the sound. This is just one example, there are many, many more.

Beautiful was more than just a book I read. I experienced this book as if I were Cassie, as if all her feelings were mine and we were the same mind in the same body. Amy Reed did an exceptional job at making the intangible something you could taste and feel, even if those things were hard to swallow. A 13 year old girl having sex and using cocaine are not things you usually read about, but they happen. This book goes about the telling in a way that you actually understand a little of the why it happens. It lets you in on the deep darkness that creates monsters out of nice girls.

I read a few negative reviews for this book, and though understandable, I think they are misguided. I think I must stand up for this author and her book as much as possible, and say that writing a story like this requires going somewhere a lot of people don't – inside the quiet spaces of your mind – to discover the darkness inside all human beings and share what you find with the world. Great job Mrs. Amy Reed, you shared something through your writing that I could connect with and will never forget.

I don't want to spoil anything, so I will leave it at this: Read this book. It is a good read with rough realism. It will be hard to imagine these young kids doing what they shouldn't be doing, but you won't be able to stop reading. You will have to find out what happens to Cassie.

I'll leave it at 4 stars, simply because I didn't really care for the ending. As I said, I will not spoil anything, just want to say that I wanted a different ending. Still a great book, however. I definitely recommend it!

On My Wishlist!

2011-06-25T19:57:00.000-06:00

It's time for "On My Wishlist"! It's a meme hosted by Book Chick City. It's where you list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post over at the Book Chick City blog!

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This week I chose three books, all with one word titles, all sharing a common thread of what lies beneath the surface of human character.

My first one is Beautiful by Amy Reed

When Cassie moves from the tiny town where she has always lived to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. This is Cassie's chance to stop being invisible and become the kind of girl who's worth noticing.

Stepping into her new identity turns out to be easier than Cassie could have ever imagined...one moment, one choice, will change everything.

Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. Swept into a world of illicit parties and social landmines, she sheds her virginity, embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, and floats through it all, knowing that she is now called beautiful. She ignores the dangers of her fast-paced life?but she can't sidestep the secrets and the cruelty.

Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral tinged with violence and abuse, and no one—not even the one person she thought she could trust—can help her now. (from Goodreads)

I'm excited for this book because it is always intriguing to follow the adventure (positive or negative) that life can take you. I also like exploring why people do what they do, and this book should deliver.

The second book I chose is Lifted by Wendy Toliver

When 15-year-old Poppy Browne moves from Boulder, CO, to Pleasant Acres, TX, with her professor mother, she has to attend Calvary High even though she's not Baptist. She makes friends with the popular girls and has a date for the Sadie Hawkins dance. Poppy gets caught in an ex-BFF rivalry between her friend Mary Jane and another schoolmate, Bridgette. Then she starts shoplifting. The first time, it's an accident. The second, it's induced by peer pressure. Subsequently, however, it's for the rush. Poppy, Mary Jane, and Whitney steal regularly, and Poppy doesn't know whether or not she can stop. Eventually, she overcomes her fear of disappointing Mary Jane and Whitney, but she still faces the consequences when her mother finds out what she has been doing.

I'm excited about this book because yet again, it shows what people are capable of under pressure; what sort of things they'll do out of the norm. It has good reviews, and hopefully when I do mine it'll be the same! Can't wait to read it!

The third book I chose is a bit different than the other two. Hater by David Moody

REMAIN CALM DO NOT PANIC TAKE SHELTER WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS THE SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL Society is rocked by a sudden increase in the number of violent assaults on individuals. Christened 'Haters' by the media, the attackers strike without warning, killing all who cross their path. The assaults are brutal, remorseless and extreme: within seconds, normally rational, self-controlled people become frenzied, vicious killers.

There are no apparent links as a hundred random attacks become a thousand, then hundreds of thousands. Everyone, irrespective of gender, age, race or any other difference, has the potential to become a victim - or a Hater. People are afraid to go to work, afraid to leave their homes and, increasingly, afraid that at any moment their friends, even their closest family, could turn on them with ultra violent intent.

Waking up each morning, no matter how well defended, everyone must now consider the fact that by the end of the day, they might be dead. Or perhaps worse, become a killer themselves. As the status quo shifts, ATTACK FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER becomes the order of the day... only, the answers might be much different than what you expect....

In the tradition of H. G. Wells and Richard Matheson, Hater is one man’s story of his place in a world gone mad— a world infected with fear, violence, and HATE.

I am EXTREMELY excited for this book, as murder/mystery/sci-fi is right up my alley. But it just seems the most interesting of the three as far as stretching the human capacity for action under pressure. I hear it's going to be made into a movie soon. That should be interesting as well! Can't wait to read and review this book!

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Those are a few of the many books that are on my wishlist. I hope you check them out as well! And head on over to Book Chick City to see what everyone else is hoping for!

Teaser Tuesday (5)

2011-06-21T12:44:00.002-06:00

It's time again for Teaser Tuesday, hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading !

Here are the rules:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
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"The problem with explosions is they nearly always wreak havoc on one's hair. And when one has to spend one's entire morning having one's hair pinned and curled and twisted just so, having it go up in flames is to be avoided at all costs."

   -Tick, Tick, Boom by Kiersten White
                                                     from an anthology with 12 other writers
                                                              Corsets and Clockwork

Taken from Amazon:

Dark, urban fantasies come to life in the newest collection of Steampunk stories, Corsets & Clockwork. Young heroes and heroines battle evils with the help of supernatural or super-technological powers, each individual story perfectly balancing historical and fantastical elements. Throw in epic romances that transcend time, and this trendy, engrossing anthology is sure to become another hit for the fast-growing Steampunk genre!

This collection features some of the hottest writers in the teen genre, including: Ann Aguirre, Jaclyn Dolamore, Tessa Gratton, Frewin Jones, Caitlin Kittredge, Adrienne Kress, Lesley Livingston, Dru Pagliassotti, Dia Reeves, Michael Scott, Maria V. Snyder, Tiffany Trent, and Kiersten White.

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So far I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. Well, these books. These short stories. :)

Can't wait to review them all! Hope you pick this up and check it out!

The Muse-ic Writing Blogfest!

2011-06-19T19:17:00.000-06:00

Over at Aleatoire there is a blogfest going on that was actually yesterday, but as I didn't find it until today, I will post now, hopefully not missing it by too much. Sorry!!

You were supposed to pick a song and write something that was inspired by it. Whatever it may be. I struggled with mine, I just tried to write without thinking too much about it - just let the song take me away. So here goes:

Kary drug her feet down the dusty road, her feet blistered and bleeding from the many miles she had walked. All she carried with her was her father's ring, a journal from her mother, and the clothes on her back. The sun seared her already burned skin. Her mind was heavy with dark thoughts of all she'd lost, of all she'd never get back. The only hope she had left in her empty heart was for someone to take her out of her misery. If she knew how, she'd do it herself. Everyone she loved was dead. The world was dead. She was dead.

Being dead wasn't new to Kary. This was her second time around. When she sold her soul to the Big Guy, the deal was simple. Do his bidding until he let her go, or her family would die. Whenever that would be. Now her family was dead; she had a little less motivation to help the tyrant that was Mr. S. Kary stopped, looked at the sky, and screamed through the dust clouds.

“YOU'RE MINE, S! IT'S OVER!” She unclenched her fists and fell to her knees, tears cascading to the ground. Her hands burned on the molten asphalt, but she left them there; she needed to feel the pain. She looked at her father's ring on her left middle finger; a silver band with a cross cutout in the center. She'd left that cross in plenty of people's faces with her sharp left hook. “For you Daddy.” She reached for her mother's journal she had stashed in her back pocket. Such a small, tattered thing, most would hardly think it was beautiful. But Kary knew every word on the old brown pages, every curve of the letters written from her mother's delicate hands. “For you, Mom.”

With all she held precious in her life right there in her hands, she vowed to do anything to stop Mr. S. from doing this to someone else. He didn't deserve to be the King of the Underworld. Not if Kary had anything to say about it.

The song/music video that inspired this short blurb is "New Low" by Middle Class Rut.

Hope you enjoy it! It's a really great song, IMO.

Inspiration Comes in all Forms...

2011-03-27T20:48:00.000-06:00

So if you have been following my blog at all (thanks, btw!) you will have noticed a slump in my creativity. Life has kept me so preoccupied that creativity has been a less than a last thought. However, lastnight I had an epiphany. I was playing my VERY favorite game, Sims 3, when I realized my favorite part of any game is character creation! I thrive on picking out how my character is dressed, what their personality traits are, and what their house looks like. I like deciding what they have to eat, what they read, and where they work. Perfect for trying to write a story about a person!

So I paused the screen of my game, and started writing about what I saw. I saw Egyptian vases, leather couches, marble statues. I saw an easel, a vast bookshelf, and maroon carpet. It was amazing! To have your thoughts visualized, but backwards!

I'm so very excited to have found this path of inspiration! Now the possibilities are endless. Well mostly, as Sims 3 only has so many combinations. :) But it is a starting point! Off I go to create!!

-Charlie-

To Blog or Not to Blog?

2011-03-06T07:40:00.000-07:00

Well, as it seems to be the usual, it has been awhile. I seem to be going at a pace of blogging once a month. I used to blog everyday. How does this get away from me all the time? I think it started to become a job instead of fun. I have so many things on my plate that blogging was just low on the priority list.

Hmph.

To blog or not to blog?

Winter's Respite Readathon! 17Jan-23Jan

2011-01-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Well I have found another read-a-thon! I'm so excited! I love read-a-thons! It's being hosted by Michelle at The True Book Addict <---That's the starting line post!

I have made my very hopeful list of books I intend to read, and as I only found out about this at 2 am this morning, I'm already behind.

Here is my list:

-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
-Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
-The Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge (finishing it)
-Room by Emma Donoghue

Short list, I know, but sort of realistic for me. I might actually complete them all! I do have to do other things though, like go to class and clean and stuff. But I'll try!

Good luck to everyone, hope you have fun!

Potter-Thon Update! (And review)

2011-01-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

It is already the 19th of January, and I have only just finished the first book in the Harry Potter series. I had surgery last week, so that slowed me up. Either way, I finally read a Harry Potter book!! And I'll do a short review of it now, before I forget.
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This book has been reviewed a zillion times, so my review may not hold any weight. I will, however, still share my opinion.

It's no secret that J.K. Rowling hit the jackpot when the idea for Harry Potter took over her brain. She has successfully crafted a series of stories that have enchanted all ages for over a decade. I can now include myself in this group! Of course I have already seen all the movies, but as it is with most movies made from books, the written word prevails.

J.K.'s words are creative, humorous, and full of emotion. She expertly describes the world from her mind so that all who read can experience it for themselves.

I finally started reading the book for a reading challenge over at Pure Imagination, but will finish the series because of J.K Rowling's fantastic writing. She made me care about the characters, and I must see then through to the end.

To all who haven't read Harry Potter, (however few that may be), get to it! You really are missing out.
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More updates for the Potter-Thon soon, as I'm starting The Chamber of Secrets in a few minutes!

Potter-Thon!

2011-01-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Potter-Thon over at Pure Imagination !!

I couldn't start yesterday; I couldn't get to the bookstore to buy any of the books. :( I know, I know, it's crazy not to own the Harry Potter books. Not even one! So today I'm off to the store to buy them and commence with the reading!

I'm so excited! I've only been waiting a million years to start reading them. I guess I figured that I'd wait until I saw all the movies, but there's only the last part left to see.....

Anyhoo, I'll try to update every week, probably on Sundays, of where I am, how I feel about what I've read, and see what you all are reading!

If you haven't signed up, head over to the SIGN UP PAGE .

Now get reading!

Triple Threat: Hunger Games Trilogy Review!

2010-12-09T20:18:00.001-07:00

I finally finished The Hunger Games trilogy. As you'll read, I was totally blown away. What an amazing series!! Here are the links to the GoodReads blurbs for each of the books so you can find out what they are about. It's a little long to put each synopsis here.

The Hunger Games

Catching Fire

Mockingjay

The Hunger Games Trilogy Review

The Hunger Games:

I had no idea how this book would affect me before reading it. I could not predict that it would change my expectations of books I intend to read. Suzanne Collins has written a book that leaves me almost wordless. Almost.

I felt so connected to Katniss and her world; felt as if I was there with her in the arena, battling for my life. The descriptions of everything were so perfect, I could see what Katniss was seeing, what Peeta was feeling. The other tributes were so real I felt for them when they died. Though this is fiction, it felt as though the world of Panem could be a place that actually existed.

Now I know some of you might be asking yourselves, “Is this book really as good as you say, Charlie?” Well, I recommend to all of you to read it yourselves. Always be your own judge. But trust me, all the bajillion people who have read it and loved it can't be wrong.

So off I go to read Catching Fire, the second book. Hope it's as good as this one.

Catching Fire:

This book rocked me to the core! It was so emotionally charged I couldn't stop reading it for anything. I think I stopped once or twice to use the facilities, but other than that I couldn't stop turning my electronic pages.

After the first one, I didn't think a second book would keep pace. I was wrong! Catching Fire did that and more. With twists and turns that kept coming, I had no idea what to expect. I don't want to give anything away, but just know that Suzanne Collins did a fantastic job creating this world and all of it's intricacies.

Katniss's emotional journey was expertly crafted. Her inner fire leaped off the pages and kept me enraptured through the whole book. Peeta's steadfastness to stick through his love for Katniss was so heart wrenching, it was as if I could feel what he was going through. It is so refreshing to read a book with characters I can actually care about.

The only thing that frustrated me was Katniss's back and forth game with Peeta and Gale. But it is part of what kept the story interesting, so it's not that big of a deal.

Overall, this book was amazing, shocking, and moving. If I could personally thank Suzanne Collins for writing it, I would. It was so fun to read, and it has been a long time since I've read a book I couldn't put down, even forgoing food breaks. Maybe since The Hunger Games.

Again, you must read it for yourself. And I hope you do.

Now, I'm off to read the next book, Mockingjay. I bet it's friggin awesome!

Mockingjay:

Wow. Just wow. I can't believe how good this book was. I can't believe how much stuff happened, and I can't believe how it ended. Simply amazing. I don't want it to be over! I want to keep reading about Katniss, and Peeta, and Gale, and all the others. I actually cried while finishing up this book; the events were so moving.

I am completely blown away at how good this trilogy was. I am again wordless. I just sat here after finishing it, shocked. Thinking, how did Suzanne Collins do this? How did she make such magic? Everyone should read these books. They tell a fantastic story of love and war and how those conditions change people's lives.

I can't wait to read these again. I've never re-read a book before, but I re-read the Hunger Games to prepare for the other two. And I'd do it again.

Nook Color!!

2010-12-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

The Nook Color has changed my world. I thought when I got the first Nook, everything was different. But this new Nook, well, it has shattered all that. As soon as you turn the thing on it amazes. It's bright, colorful, and you can touch the screen. You have to touch the screen. It begs you to touch the screen.

You first have to go through a quick and easy setup process, which is made even easier if you already have the B&N account set up and all. But after that is over, it's off to the exploring! The first thing I did was personalize the background (I picked the white snow with paw prints and red ribbon - fitting for December). There are only a few stock backgrounds, but there are many websites out there with free downloadable ones. But you are supposed to be able to set your personal pictures as the background, I just haven't figured it out yet, I've been too busy reading!

The next thing was picking out what books I was going to read first, then setting them on my home page (the main and biggest part you see here.) I've picked out several that I need to finish and some more that I plan on starting. It's a fantastic way to organize the books, because you can see them right there, staring at you, waiting to be read. There are no lists to go through, just the bold covers of the books. It's wonderful!

So you're probably asking, what's the big deal, I can read on the Nook (or other E-reader) I already have - it does the same thing, sort of. Well my advice to you is to keep reading. This Nook is like a mini-Ipad. Without the apps. It surfs the internet with ease, although the only thing that does bug me is how tiny the words are when you are looking at a full page. But you can easily zoom in and that problem is fixed. I tweet, facebook, and blog (mostly read blogs) all from my Nook Color. I can turn it sideways for better viewing, and it's almost as big as my netbook's screen.

It's lightweight, easy to hold, though as you can see I do have a cover for it - makes me feel better about carrying it around. This is one of the best Christmas presents ever, and would make any book reader squeeeee! with excitement.

So to wrap up, simply put, this Nook Color rocks. I don't have really any drawbacks to comment on. It's user friendly, organized, colorful, and fun. Better get to the store and get yourself one - they may just run out!

------Charlie------

NaNoWriMo Day 30

2010-11-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

Well bloggers, it's been 30 days of NaNo craziness. 30 days of oblivion to anything but writing. For me, 30 days of failure. I only really wrote two days out of the 30, and only got 2,454 words written. It's just a mess!

They say success is found through failure, but I don't feel like I'll be successful with writing any time soon. They also say that writing is a battle. A battle against laziness, procrastination, and fear. This year, I was afraid to use a "bad" idea for a story, so I procrastinated from writing anything, and then I just got lazy and wrote nothing. All I did was think about writing this fantastic story. But thinking doesn't get the job done. The positive thing I learned for next year is how not to be lazy, not to procrastinate, not to fear my ideas. I at least came up with a good idea finally, and will continue writing it now that the NaNo pressure is off. It's almost the same thing that happened last year. I only made 5,000 words during November, but in December I wrote 13,000 more words! Still didn't meet the goal of finishing that novel. But so I keep on learning stuff about myself. I'm not very good at finishing. Maybe that'll be my New Year's resolution: Finish What You Start. We'll see I suppose.

Anyway, I'd like to stop ranting now about all that. I'd also like to get back into blogging. This blogging once a month crap has got to stop! I lost a few followers in all this mess, so I'd also like to quit doing that. Not that followers are the only reason I blog, but they are so very nice and so very important to me. I appreciate sooooo much all the support I have recieved from my followers.

There I go again, off on a tangent. This is supposed to be a writing and book blog, but some of my life gets thrown in here too. I could only hope to one day be as big as some of the blogs I read out there.

Alright, I'm going to sign off, as I can't seem to stop blabbering. Plus I've got to get to the reading of my current book:

The Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge

Gosh it's a fantastic book so far!!! I recommend it. I'll most likely be doing a review of it as well. I do have one question: How do you review a book that your audience might find offensive or inappropriate to them? There are a few books I would love to review and recommend, but not sure how they will be taken, as they are pretty controversial. Any help with this would be great! Hope you all did better than I did in NaNoWriMo. Talk soon!

----Charlie----

NaNoWriMo Day One!!

2010-11-01T07:59:00.000-06:00

Good Morning! It's time for me to start my NaNoWriMo story! I fell asleep at like 1030 lastnight, so I didn't make it for the actual midnight kickoff. But I'm all ready!

I've got my first cup of NaNo coffee....

My bunny slippers are ready...

And so is my keyboard!!

So off I go! Good luck to all of you as well!!

So it's NaNoWriMo time...

2010-10-31T15:09:00.000-06:00

Just in case you haven't heard of NaNoWriMo, here's the link:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

For the rest of you....

AAAAAAHHHHH!!! IT'S TIME FOR NANOWRIMO!!!

I have approximately 9 hours until NaNoWriMo starts for me, and I'm still on the fence about my plot/story/characters/sanity. :)

I'm not sure if I should write in the super power direction, or the witchcraft direction. I've never done either, or even anything close. But that's the fun of it!

I'm also supposed to attend a kick-off party tonight, at a place I've never been with a whole crowd of people I've never met. AAAAHHH!!! But it should be interesting.

As for blogging while NaNo-ing, I will absolutely be keeping you all up to date on my awesome skills! HA!

As for all of you doing NaNo, I wish you the best of luck, and hope you all have a blast!

-----Charlie-----

Read-a-Thon Final Update

2010-10-09T23:48:00.000-06:00

I finished my second book at 1135pm, Impulse by Ellen Hopkins. What an amazing book. Just reminds me again how Ellen Hopkins is my favorite author. Anyway, here is the update info:

Title of book(s) read since last update: Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Number of books read since you started: 2

Pages read since last update: 268

Running total of pages read since you started: 982

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1hr 30min

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 7hrs 15min

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Wish I had spent more time reading, I could've gotten one more book in. But, I have to get up at 5 am to go volunteer at an animal shelter, or I'd read until 6 am. Oh well, there's always next time! I had so much fun, even though I was a bum and didn't participate in any challenges. I should take some time and go visit other's blogs. Soon it's bed time! Thank you all for the lovely comments and I hope the last few hours are productive and fun!! Keep your eyes open!

P.S. One last fun pic before I go!

Read-a-Thon Hour 16

2010-10-09T22:01:00.000-06:00

Well here it is, hour 16, and I'm still in my second book. But I'm having fun! It's a great book so far. Here's my update info!

Title of book(s) read since last update: still reading Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Number of books read since you started: 1.5

Pages read since last update: 270

Running total of pages read since you started: 714

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1hr 40mins (I took a long nap in there)

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5hrs 45mins

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Hope you all are enjoying your reading!!! Thanks for all the lovely comments!!! Happy Reading!

---Charlie---

P.S. Watch out for cookie stealing bunnies!!

Read-a-Thon 12 Hour Update and Survey

2010-10-09T17:18:00.001-06:00

Before I get to the survey answers, here's a little bun for the break!

Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now? Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

2. How many books have you read so far? Just one, and 84 pages into my second.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Wish I had one picked out.....I'm just looking forward to reading.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? No special arrangements, I thankfully don't have anything to do today besides read.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Eating took an hour and a half, so that was a bit frustrating. Now I'm all tired so I'm going to allow myself a 1 hour nap.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How many people are doing it! It's awesome to think that I'm sharing this with hundreds of people!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Not really, I think it's pretty darn awesome as it is!

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? As a reader I would prepare a little better. As it was I only found out a few days beforehand that I would be participating. Plus I would have started earlier, because now I probably won't reach the 12 hour goal I had set for myself.

9. Are you getting tired yet? LOL YES. I only got 4 hours of sleep today, so I'm a bit bushed.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Tips...tips....Well I usually have a hard time reading if I'm not in the mood for reading, but this time around I told myself, "Just READ. Enjoy it and get through some books." So JUST READ. And take notes for later. And pick good books, and have a lot of snacks! :)

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So 12 hours have gone by, and I've only read 3 hours and 40 minutes. But that's better than nothing. I've finished a book and am 84 pages into another one. But, I can only read for like 6 more hours, as I've got to be up at 5 am tomorrow. Either way, I'm enjoying myself, and that's what counts. Happy Reading all, see you in the next update!

Read-a-Thon Hour 9 (My Hour 3)

2010-10-09T14:53:00.001-06:00

Well hello again! I'm checking in after finishing my first book for the Read-a-Thon!! I finished It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini.

My next book will be:

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins (my favorite author, btw)

Three teens who have attempted suicide meet in a psychiatric hospital, battle their demons, and begin to heal.

The handsome son of wealthy parents, Connor has everything anyone could want—except his family’s love and affection. Jailed for years after killing his mother’s child-molesting boyfriend, Tony is confused about his sexuality. Manic-depressive Vanessa cuts herself. All three stories intertwine in a brutally honest story about pain and resilience.

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And now the update info:

Title of book(s) read since last update: It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
Number of books read since you started: 1

Pages read since last update: 318

Running total of pages read since you started: 318

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 2hrs 55mins

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2hrs 55mins

Happy Reading!!

Read-a-thon Hour 6 (My Hour 1)

2010-10-09T11:06:00.002-06:00

Hello fellow readers! I'm participating in Dewey's 24 hour Read-a-Thon today, but am a little behind schedule. It started at 6 am (my time zone), and now it's 11 am. I went out for a birthday party lastnight and didn't get in bed until 6 am!! So now it's now, and now I'm starting the reading!

Here's my first book:

Like many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life—which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job—Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That’s when things start to get crazy.

At his new school, Craig realizes that he isn't brilliant compared to the other kids; he’s just average, and maybe not even that. He soon sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. The stress becomes unbearable and Craig stops eating and sleeping—until, one night, he nearly kills himself.
Craig’s suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, isolated from the crushing pressures of school and friends, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.

Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness. For a novel about depression, it’s definitely a funny story.

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So off I go to begin reading! Happy reading all!!

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon!!

2010-10-05T03:23:00.000-06:00

So there I was, 2:30 in the mornin, layin in bed. I had just woken up from a bad dream, and lay frightened in the dark. My snoring boyfriend couldn't help me, holding the covers over my head couldn't help me, but lo and behold, my trusty phone with the internet could save me!

I checked Facebook first, bleh, nothing. Then to my blog. I scrolled down through my list and one caught my eye....one Poisoned Rationality! Lexie had posted about Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon (and Weekly Geeks, which is new to me as well, and in case you didn't know....I love read-a-thons!) (and geeks!)

So while I tried not to shake the bed with excitement, I shook the bed with excitement (only mildly waking the snoring boyfriend in the process). However, through all this excitement I decided I'd like to see these webpages in real person size, not cell phone screen size. I hopped out of bed and bunny-slippered it softly down the stairs. And now it's now!

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So now I can get to the Weekly Geeks post I'm going to do.

Sometime this next week, write a post that tells us:

* if you are participating in the read-a-thon or not.

* and if not, why not. (timing isn't right, you didn't know about it, life won't allow it, it's not your thing, etc.)

* if you are, do you have a strategy?

* do you have a stack of books prepared to read from?

* will you try to read as many books as you can or as many pages as you can?

* do you have special food and snacks planned?

* do you have a special spot all set up for reading?

* will you get your Saturday things done on Friday so you can read guilt free?

* if you have others living in your household, do you have to work around their schedules too?

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*Heck yes! I'm participating!

*Strategy.....strategy......I guess I don't have a strategy, besides picking books I'm pretty darn sure I want to read, so I'll actually read them!

*No stack of books as of right now, I just found out about the read-a-thon like 45 minutes ago. But there may be a small stack come Saturday.

*I will try to read as many books as I can, however, I will keep track of the pages, in case the whole book thing becomes an issue.

*Food? Snacks? ALWAYS. I prefer lots of these things. I may get a cheese/grape/strawberry plate I spied at the store the other day. It's light and good for you......or I may get Easy Cheese and Chicken in a Biscuits....we'll see how it turns out. The less crumbs on the books the better. :)

*No special spot set up for the reading, but will most likely start out in
bed and eventually migrate to the couch. As long as I have my comfy bunny slippers, I can read anywhere! ------>>>

*Saturday things......I hardly ever have Saturday things, so this week is
no different! I'm prepared for reading! I will however get my Sunday things done on Friday, so I can sleep from all the being awake on Saturday! :)

*My boyfriend is pretty low key, and my reading happens easily. Thank goodness!

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So there you have it! Now go sign up for the read-a-thon!! :) It's Saturday, 9 October!

Thank YOU!

2010-10-04T09:39:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to hit the big THANKS button on my imaginary keyboard (it has a lot of unconventional buttons, like GET COFFEE and PAUSE TIME) for all of my followers. You guys rock! You are all still following me after almost a year, and still leaving me lovely comments! THANKS!!!! You even put up with my non-blogging moments, that at times have gone on for waaaay too long. Thank you for your support you awesome-sauce readers, and I wish you all the best!

Hunger Games Book Club Discussion #2

2010-09-11T13:59:00.000-06:00

Yay! It's the second round of questions for the Hunger Games book club, held by Jamie at The Book Junkie's Bookshelf!!!

The 2nd Discussion Link: Questions!
The Book:

Blurb from Goodreads:
Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to 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 will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Questions and Answers:

1. How does Katniss feel about the country of Panem? Why does she need to make her face an “indifferent mask” and be careful what she says in public?

--Katniss is disgusted with Panem. She resents their rules, and disobeys the ones she needs to survive so she can keep her family alive. She has to keep her face an “indifferent mask” to stay under the radar of the Capitol and it's “Peacekeepers”. If she gets taken away, no one else will keep her family alive.

2. Describe the relationships of Katniss with Gale, with Prim, with her mother. How do these relationships define her personality? Why does she say about Peeta, “I feel like I owe him something, and I hate owing people.” How does her early encounter with Peeta affect their relationship after they are chosen as tributes?

--Katniss and Gale are obviously close, first out of necessity, but now out of a fondness for eachother. Katniss says there has never been anything romantic between her and Gale, but I can sense the tension between them. She describes his physique and personality and how he would make a good husband for any woman – so she must have thought about him for herself at least once. :)

--Katniss and Prim are very sisterly, sharing life happily together, with regular sibling tiffs in between. But Katniss also has to mother Prim, since her own mother won't support anyone or anything. Not even her own children. It is very telling how much love Katniss has for Prim when she takes her place as a tribute. She didn't even for one second think about letting Prim take that fate. She didn't even let her get to the stage.

--Katniss and her mother have a very strained relationship since Katniss' father died. Her mother gave up living for a very long time, forcing Katniss to grow up over night and support not only her mother, but her young sister. This created resentment and confusion for Katniss, not understanding completely how her mother could just stop caring about her children. Though it isn't right, it toughened Katniss, and I think that plays an important part in her volunteering to be a tribute.

--Katniss feels like she owes Peeta because he showed her kindness once where no one else would. He was the catalyst for her finding the resolve to keep going. She feels like she never got to thank him or repay him. This has cast a shadow on their current relationship, as Katniss keeps receiving help in some way from Peeta, and continues to feel in his debt where she normally wouldn't.

3. How does the fact that the tributes are always on camera affect their behavior from the time they are chosen? Does it make it easier or harder to accept their fate? How are the “career tributes” different from the others?

--Imagine if you were always on camera. You would be someone you weren't, especially all dressed up in weird clothes, people always fussing with your hair, everyone watching every single breath you take. You wouldn't have a chance to be yourself, especially with all the mess about needing sponsors and having to be strong. Would you cry in front of the world? Facing their own death cannot, obviously, be easy, and being watched while dealing with that kind of absolute is, in my opinion, makes things much more difficult.

As for the “career tributes”, they are literally a different breed. They have been raised with more food, more training, and more overall support than any other kids in Panem. They are ready to fight. However, they also do not understand going without things as trivial as hot water, or important things like eating more than once a day (sometimes even less). So they may have strong bodies and trained minds, but they don't have the resolve to stick out the tough times like others such as Katniss might.

4. Why are the “tributes” given stylists and dressed so elaborately for the opening ceremony? Does this ceremony remind you of events in our world, either past or present? Compare these ceremonies in real life to the one in the story.

--The “tributes” are given stylists and elaborate costumes simply for showing off sake. The bigger bang they make at the ceremony, the more they are remembered, and the more people might want to sponsor them. Hence the fire for Katniss and Peeta. It really set them apart from the others.
This ceremony reminds me of beauty pageants. Young girl get dressed up in their best dress with loads of makeup and hairspray, looking completely like someone else, just to flaunt their newness for some judges in hopes someone will notice them above the rest of the shiny, hairsprayed mess on the stage. And to compare that to the Games, to the beauty pageant girls winning is sort of like life and death to them, just like winning over a potential sponsor can mean life or death for a “tribute”.

5. When Peeta declares his love for Katniss in the interview, does he really mean it or did Haymitch create the “star-crossed lovers” story? What does Haymitch mean when he says, “It's all a big show. It's all how you're perceived.” Why do they need to impress sponsors and what are those sponsors looking for when they are watching the Games?

--I think it's a little bit of both. It was his idea originally, but Haymitch pushed it right along. And when he says “It's all a big show” he means exactly that – it's a show. You have to give the people what they want to see – give the perception they want.
The tributes need to impress the sponsors because the sponsors are the ones who get them stuff in the arena. The sponsors are looking for an interesting and exciting tribute, one who keeps the game going.

6. Before the Games start, Peeta tells Katniss, “...I want to die as myself...I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not.” What does this tell you about Peeta? What does he fear more than death? Is he able to stay true to himself during the Games?

--Peeta has a lot of secret pride he holds inside. He fears being perceived as something he's not; a killer, a mindless puppet to the Capitol. He wants to be seen as just himself and keep his pride intact. And I think he did stay true to himself as much as possible.

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I apologize for the long answers, I have a lot to say about this book! :) Happy Reading to you all!!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2)

2010-09-06T14:05:00.000-06:00

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a weekly meme held by Book Journey! I haven't participated since May, so I think it's about time!

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This week I've been reading White Oleander by Janet Fitch. It's amazing! I loved the movie, one of my favorites, and the book is even better! I can't stop reading it! Can't wait to do the review for it!

I've also started re-reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins for a book club. I can't wait to get through it so I can start Catching Fire and Mockingjay!!

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I wish you all Happy Reading!

Hunger Games Book Club starts TODAY!

2010-09-01T12:07:00.000-06:00

Jamie over at The Book Junkie's Bookshelf is hosting a book club for the month of September, for
The Hunger Games!!!

The Link: First Discussion

The Book:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to 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 will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Question:

For those of us who have read The Hunger Games before what is it about the book that you decided to pick it back up and discuss it as part of a group? Those of us who haven't read The Hunger Games yet what are your pre-concieved notions about the book, what are your hopes for the book? Has anyone read other books by Ms. Collins outside of The Hunger Games trilogy? What are your thoughts on her other works?

The Answer:

I have read this book. And I LOVELOVELOVED it! I read it last year, not knowing how amazing and addicting it would be, or how painstaking it would be to wait for the other books!

I decided to pick this book up again partly because I want to read the other two, and I want to get fully back into the books, and partly because it was an amazing book! It was fun and fast and unpredictable. I also love the experience of sharing a book with other readers.

As far as reading her other books, I haven't. Maybe after this series I'll look into her other stuff.

Thanks to Jamie for hosting this book club, and Happy Reading!!

Teaser Tuesday (4)

2010-08-10T11:38:00.000-06:00

It's time for Teaser Tuesday, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
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My Teaser:

"By the time I had chased three rabbits and teased a couple in a boat with a close-up glimpse of my lovely, furred self on the shore of the river, I felt much better. I don't have to change with the moon, but if I go too long on two feet I get restless and moody."
-p16 of Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Review of Fallen by Lauren Kate (i.e. My First Time!!)

2010-08-08T12:38:00.004-06:00

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Info:

Published: Dec 8, 2009
Pages: 452 (in hardcover)
Description (from goodreads):

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she ...more There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

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From the get-go, I was excited about this book. The cover art is amazing, the title is interesting, and the description was intriguing! So, I bought this book with high hopes.

I enjoyed this book. However, I think it was missing a little something. There were a few plot holes, a few questions left unanswered, and a few too many coincedences. I just didn't connect fully with the characters. When there was a tragedy (no spoilers here) with one of the students (a main player in the story) at the school, I wasn't really upset at all. And there were a few characters that seemed to show up only when convenient for the story lline. Otherwise they were extras.

The storyline had promise from the beginning, but it just fell short, in my opinion. I would have like to have seen a little more character depth, more explanations (or maybe just better), and maybe a little less clichès.
It was still a good simple read, and I will most likely read Torment, the second book, just to see where she takes the story.

Overall, three stars for entertainment, and I would recommend it, BUT, with a warning that you must take it as it is, and hit the "I Believe" button and just enjoy it at face value.

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Hope you all enjoyed my review, it's short, and not the most positive of reviews, but it is my first public review. Let me know how I did! :)

In My Mailbox (1)

2010-08-08T12:02:00.000-06:00

This is my first "In My Mailbox", hosted by The Story Siren.

Up for Review This Week:

My very first review.........it is.........

Fallen by Lauren Kate!!

(I'm so nervous...hope you all like my review)

What I Bought This Week:

Title: Evermore by Alyson Noel

Format: Ebook for the Nook

Pages: 320 (ebook pages)

Description (from goodreads): Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

Title: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Format: Ebook for the Nook
Pages: 240 (ebook pages)
Description (from goodreads): Werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way, but they'll leave you alone if you are careful. They are very good at hiding their natures from the human population, but I'm not human. I know them when I meet them, and they know me, too.
Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.
She's tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.
But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself ... and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.

Title: Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert

Format: Ebook for the Nook

Pages: 304 (ebook pages)

Description (from goodreads): At the end of her bestselling memoir Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert fell in love with Felipe, a Brazilian-born man of Australian citizenship who’d been living in Indonesia when they met. Resettling in America, the couple swore eternal fidelity to each other, but also swore to never, ever, under any circumstances get legally married. (Both were survivors of previous horrific divorces. Enough said.)

But providence intervened one day in the form of the United States government, which—after unexpectedly detaining Felipe at an American border crossing—gave the couple a choice: they could either get married, or Felipe would never be allowed to enter the country again. Having been effectively sentenced to wed, Gilbert tackled her fears of marriage by delving into this topic completely, trying with all her might to discover through historical research, interviews, and much personal reflection what this stubbornly enduring old institution actually is.

Told with Gilbert’s trademark wit, intelligence and compassion, Committed attempts to “turn on all the lights” when it comes to matrimony, frankly examining questions of compatibility, infatuation, fidelity, family tradition, social expectations, divorce risks and humbling responsibilities. Gilbert’s memoir is ultimately a clear-eyed celebration of love with all the complexity and consequence that real love, in the real world, actually entails.

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And that's all I've got folks! Happy Reading!!

Book Blogger Hop (4)

2010-08-08T11:10:00.000-06:00

It's time again for the hop! Here are the rules, they are new by the way. :)

ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!
The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!
Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.
RULES:
1. Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below
In your link, please state the main genre that you review: eclectic, contemp. fiction, ya, paranormal, mystery, non-fiction, etc. Please do not list every genre you review - if you are review a variety, please put eclectic! The Hop gets jumbled up if the title is too long, so please limit to one genre. I will be limiting the number of characters in the title to ensure the Hop doesn't look messy! Thank you!

Example: Crazy-for-Books (literary fiction)

NOTE: You no longer have to enter the length of time you've been blogging, but do let us know if this is your first time hopping with us!
2. Post about the Hop on your blog. Spread the word about the book party! The more the merrier! In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!). I have to thank my friend, Lori, for this week's question! I was drawing a blank and she came up with this fab question! If you have a question that could be used in a future Hop, leave it in the comments! Thanks!
This week's question comes from Chelle from The Prairie Library!

Do you listen to music when you read? If so, what are your favorite reading tunes?
3. Visit other blogs in the Linky List! Make new friends! Follow new book bloggers! Talk about books! Rave about authors! Take the time to make a quality visit! Check out other posts and content, make a new friend! Don't randomly follow someone if you never intend on actually following them! No spamming please! (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs - it's just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)
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To answer this week's question, no I don't listen to music when I read. It's too distracting, as I enjoy music almost as much as I enjoy reading! :) The only exception is maybe classical piano music, as it is easy to hear but not listen to. Thanks to all who stop by! Happy hopping and reading!!

Eat, Pray, Love - The End

2010-08-04T12:38:00.001-06:00

Finish Indonesia and discuss general feelings on the book. How did it affect you?

Overall, as I have said in previous posts, I aboslutely lovelovelove this book. I keep talking about connections, and that is important to me with a book, to connect with the content, with the words. But my soul opened up and let this book in. It planted a seed that is starting to grow ferociously into a giant tree. I love it!

The Eat part started out very depressing, but it was the truths I needed to hear about my own feelings about myself.

The Pray part was a little text-bookish, but helpfully informative. I loved this part a lot, but the least out of all the parts. I still connected with it, but I haven't found the balance she speaks of, so it was hard to connect with that. It also had a lot of comic relief mixed in. Plus I really am looking for spiritual guidance through meditation and yoga and such, so it was interesting to learn about it.

The Love part was slower for me, but I loved hearing the stories of all the people she met in Bali. I was happy to follow her on her bicycle rides through paradise, as well as watch her find balance and ultimately Love.

Will you go see the movie?

I will absolutely go see the movie, and already have plans for August 14th to watch it with a bunch of friends.

Will you read Committed which is Gilbert’s follow up to Eat Pray Love?

I was not aware (somehow) of there being another book! I will be looking for it as soon as I'm done with this post!

***Edit*** I looked up this book and will surely be reading it soon! I can't wait to see what happens when Elizabeth gets, *gasp*, married again!

What are some of your favorite quotes from the book?

"This part of my story is not a happy one, I know. But I share it here because something was about to occur on that bathroom floor that would change forever the progression of my life - almost like one of those crazy astronomical super-events when a planet flips over in outer space for no reason whatsoever, and its molten core shifts, relocating its poles and altering its shape radically, such that the whole mass of the planet suddenly becomes oblong instead of spherical. Something like that."

"...he did my laundry."

"Because God never slams a door in your face iwthout openeing a box of Girl Scout cookies (or however the old adage goes)..."
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There were more quotes, but I already lent the ebook to my friend from my nook, so I can't access all the quotes I saved. Oh well I suppose, they will make their way into other posts. :)
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Thanks to all for sharing so much of themselves with the rest of us while we went on this little journey together. I know not all of you connected with the book as much as some of us, but I'm still glad you read it. Happy Reading to all - I wish you all well!

WAG # 32

2010-08-03T11:51:00.002-06:00

The Writing Adventure Group is held by India Drummond at http://www.indiadrummond.com/

Writing Adventure Group Topic #32: “Altered State”. In the past week, I’ve read three different books that had scenes where a main character was either inebriated or taking drugs, and each scene was very different. So this week, either create a character or observe someone (unfortunately it isn’t hard to find someone drunk on the streets these days) who is partaking of a mind-altering substance. Your piece can be as long or short as you want, using any form you like. No Rules! Now Write! (You may add links to this list between now and 3 August 2010.)

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Noelle ran her fingers around the rim of the glass, contemplating taking the last sip of the crimson inside.
"One glass is never enough. Hell, one bottle isn't enough, these days."
She drained the crystal vessel and erased a few more memories. The dark bottle stared at her from across the kitchen countertop, just out of reach. It taunted her, knowing she needed its contents more than ever.
"Just one more glass," she slurred. "It'll only be one more glass."
As she turned to get off her stool, her equilibrium went the opposite way. She fell on the kitchen floor hard, cracking her forehead wide open. Blood trickled down her nose, dripping onto the floor next to her. She cried out, but to no avail, as anyone who cared about her was gone. Macey was gone. And no one cared that Noelle was still here, still grieving for losing Macey. Hot tears welled in her eyes and crept down her cheeks, mixing with the blood still flowing down her face. She had been mourning for a year, filling the emptiness with bottle after bottle.
It startled her when she heard footsteps, knowing she had been alone in the apartment. She looked up through the blood and tears, and saw Macey's angelic face. Her own face lit up with a smile, as she was lifted off the floor and set squarely upon her feet.
"Macey? What, how, I'm so confused!"
"Don't worry now my dear, I'm here to save you."
"Save me from what?"
"From yourself. Follow me, and it'll all be over quickly. I love you Noelle. Now let's go."
Noelle thought she glimpsed a flash of her body still laying on the floor as she followed Macey in a direction that seemed like up.

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Hope you liked it, I really struggled with writing this topic for some reason. I've been wrestling with it all weekend. Happy writing!

Teaser Tuesday (3)

2010-08-03T11:16:00.000-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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My Teaser:

"She had sand in her mouth and between her toes, the briny wind raising goose bumps on her skin, and the sweetest spellbound feeling spilling from her heart. She could, at that moment, have died for him."

-p197 of Fallen by Lauren Kate-

Stick Figure Saturday

2010-07-31T09:52:00.001-06:00

Ericka over at Alabaster Cow holds Stick Figure Saturday. Today is my lovely self portrait. I saw it this morning for half a second on my way in to the bathroom. The lights were off, thank goodness. Because I think I always look like this on Saturday mornings. My boyfriend must realllllly love me. :)

Tao Thursdays

2010-07-29T21:26:00.000-06:00

Picture From tao-meaning.blogspot.com

Tao Te Ching #71

My words are easy to understand
And my actions are easy to perform
Yet no other can understand or perform them.

My words have meaning; my actions have reason;
Yet these cannot be known and I cannot be known.
We are each unique, and therefore valuable;
Though the sage wears coarse clothes, his heart is jade.

I haven't written about the Tao in awhile, and I figured I would do it bi-weekly now, as to not bog you all down with serious stuff too often. :)

Also, in two weeks I am starting a Tai Chi class, and would like to buff up on my spirituality! :P

So anyway, back to this Tao Te Ching verse, verse #71. I take away from this verse the value of being unique. All of us have our own voice, and especially when it comes to writing. Most of what I hear is "find your voice", "use your voice", etc. I'm still finding my voice, and still learning to use my voice. That is why I still read things like the Tao Te Ching, as it helps me find my path, then I'm on the right path and I can find the right voice. :) Sorry for rambling.

So I pose a few questions:
How are you unique?
Have you found your voice?
How do you apply your unique voice to your projects, be it writing, reviewing, etc?

Thank you for reading, all you unique blog-goers!

Book Blogger Hop! (3)

2010-07-22T20:03:00.001-06:00

It's time again for the weekly Book Blogger Hop hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books! The question this week is:

Tell us about the book you are currently reading!

I am currently reading two books:

Fallen by Lauren Kate
(description from Goodreads)

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

I absolutely LOVE this book so far. I'm a little more than halfway through it, and it's really captivating. I really want to know how this book ends. Not that I want it to! :)

I am also reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
(description from Goodreads)

This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. By turns rapturous and rueful, this wise and funny author (whom Booklist calls "Anne Lamott’s hip, yoga- practicing, footloose younger sister") is poised to garner yet more adoring fans.

This is possibly one of the best books I have ever read! I am reading this for an online book club, and am two thirds through. I have connected with the author so much that I may even make this my first re-read! :)

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EatPrayLove Book Club, Eat Part Over

2010-07-21T20:42:00.000-06:00

Finish India, where she prays a lot. Richard is a major character in this part of the book. He really is a true friend and is brutally honest. I think everyone has a Richard, maybe write a post about that person in your life as well as any general discussion about this section.
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I feel like someone just ripped the bandaid off of my brain and showed me the truths I've always known but were too afraid to look at. I've also always wanted to meditate, but am afraid. Afraid of what I might find out about myself. I tried once, and it felt like all at once a thousand men with knives were flying towards me with ill intent. But even after that experience, and after reading this part of this book, I WILL try again. I must reach this level of calmness I so desperately am yearning for.

For me, this part of the book helped me connect to a part of myself that was different than the part I connected with from the Eat section of the book. It renewed my need to find spirituality in my life. The part where the poet/plumber gave Liz the instructions to read up on top of the ashram was one of my favorites. To just be with yourself is a spectacular thought. And an extremely difficult task.

I do agree that parts of it were a little text-bookish, but I did learn a lot about Yoga and meditation.

I REALLY enjoyed Richard from Texas, as he does remind me of a person in my life. My crazy friend L. P. is amazing, and ALWAYS tells me like it is. Which is what I think a true friend will do to keep you on track. I can tell her anything, and she will hand me a gift of advice packaged in truth. I have only known her for a short time, but I know we will stay friends for, well, as long as I can help it.

To sum this up, I still lovelovelove this book, and am highly anticipating to lovelovelove the Love part. I am curious to see what else she has to talk about, and how this story culminates.

--Charlie--

Blogfest of Death!!

2010-07-18T11:12:00.001-06:00

It's time for the Blogfest of Death, hosted by Tessa! My entry is a bit different, but I hope you all still love it!
It's from my very first WIP, named Shutter Click. Here goes!

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Holly Price’s heart always raced when she peered anxiously through the lens of her camera. Focusing her gaze on the most gruesome details of a murder victim’s body was her job, but her love was capturing that last remaining essence in their eyes. The victim she was examining was increasingly interesting. A young woman had been found in her loft, poised delicately in an armchair. She was gazing out her window at the bay. The girl was noticed by a neighbor across the street who called the police as soon as he saw that his cute watcher was not moving. By the time Holly reached the scene police had already set up tape and started asking questions. She couldn’t stand when people walked all over her crime scene. Detective Jerry Hudson was one of them she particularly despised walking anywhere. He had always been a fat thorn in her side at the unit; doughnut dust laden fingers always pointing out her faults. He was a self-proclaimed genius when it came to crime scene investigation, yet that was his biggest downfall. Holly strained not to point it out every moment she had the chance.

Click!

Holly tried to focus both her camera and her wits on the task at hand. She snapped a photo of the gashes on the girl’s wrists, the bruising around her slender neck. She captured the serene sadness emanating from her faded blue eyes. The girl had also been dressed post-mortem. The killer had meticulously placed every vital part of the pose. Her body was wrapped in a breathtaking Victorian gown. Every button was fastened, every lace tied securely. The royal purple material gleamed in the sunlight floating through the soft curtains. The dress flowed around her body in a plum waterfall of silk. Holly took notice of the gentleness the killer took tying her curls back with a sweet violet ribbon.

Click!

Another memory was ingrained in Holly’s roll of Kodak: the disparity between the dress and the girl’s skin. Her skin was a remarkable contrast of milk white porcelain, drained of all life, and yet still retained a crimson set of lips and a flush on her cheeks. This killer was creepily focused on details. Her eyes were softly lined with black, her lashes curled neatly with mascara, yet her gaze was racked with broken blood vessels. Her eyes retold what the marks on her neck had shared; death by asphyxiation.

Click!

The girl’s fingernails had even been painted with the same crimson from her lips. Under her exquisite manicure was some residual dirt. Holly spotted it in a close up. That would need to be gathered for evidence. Hopefully it had not been flushed away by the killer’s thorough cleaning. Holly noticed something small and white in the girl’s hand: a business card sized note. It was a creamy off white and on the front in flowing script read:

Freedom in Death

Holly shuddered at the haunting script as she flipped over the card. It was covered in a photo of bright purple orchids with screaming yellow centers. She swallowed hard at the sight. She placed the card into an evidence bag, her mind careening. She needed to remember to stay grounded, so she returned to the victim’s wounds. Holly was engrossed in her victim’s wrists when Detective Hudson came crashing into her thought space.

“Price! Hey PRICE! Yo! Snap out of it!” boomed the burly man, snapping his fingers in Holly’s face. Coming to, she jumped, startled at the screeching voice interrupting her contemplations.

“Was that really necessary, Hudson?” she questioned, one hand on her hip, one on her camera.

“Well you’ve been standing there starin’ at your girlfriend for over thirty minutes now, and we kinda have a job to do! Hurry your little picture takin’ up, would ya?”

Holly huffed at him with a sneer and spun back around to face her model. While she contemplated the beautiful yet unnerving corpse, she reeled about Hudson’s ‘picture takin’ comment. He was such a brutally disgusting old man; he made her edgy. She started to lose focus when she noticed she had forgotten to take one last picture. It was always the most important to her: the feet.

Click!

A pair of sateen amethyst heels adorned the victim’s angelic feet. Holly was ecstatic that the killer did not over look this part of the girl’s body. She kept her morbid oddity to herself, as most would not understand how much can be told from the special belongings on a victim’s body.

As her camera concluded the photo shoot with a resounding mechanical note, Holly was energized with thoughts of her next task. Developing the film was almost as exciting as taking the photos.

Eat, Pray, Love Book Club - End of Eat Discussion

2010-07-11T21:44:00.000-06:00

Having finished Italy discuss what the first phase of the journey has been like. Something fun could be that in Chapter 33 while sitting in an outdoor café in Rome, Gilbert’s friend declares that every city—and every person—has a word. Rome’s is “sex,” the Vatican’s “power”; Gilbert declares New York’s to be “achieve,” but only later stumbles upon her own word, antevasin, Sanskrit for “one who lives at the border.” What is your word? Is it possible to choose a word that retains its truth for a lifetime?

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Well, I felt inspired. I related so closely to Elizabeth's fears and insecurities, that I started remembering mine so wholly, I started crying, literally, for my losses. I however, felt inspired to change my sadness. Now, I know I can't move to Rome to change everything, the military doesn't exactly let that sort of thing happen. But I know something's gotta give. I can't run around with this deep depression clinging to my back, creating a super massive black hole in my center. One that I am just realizing I have been caking over with cement in hopes it will go away.

Now I apologize for my seriousness, but that is how this book is effecting me: seriously. I feel very connected to this book, as I have spoken about in our previous discussions. However, her words are not only a reminder of my pain, they have made me realize how beautiful life can be. One of my favorite things about this book is how she describes things in such detail. Such as this:

"There I approached a tiny vegetable stall with one Italian woman and her son selling a choice assortment of their produce - such as rich, almost algae-green leaves of spinach, tomatoes so red and bloody they looked like a cow's organs, and champagne-colored grapes with skins as tight as a showgirl's leotard."

You can see these things as clearly through her words as if you were standing at that same produce stall, picking out your own food.

So now onto the "picking a word" part. Hmph. One word. Just one? Maybe this: curious. That is the trait that sticks out the most to me, and powers most of my endeavors. Not sure if it's as powerful as "achiever", but it works for me. If I had to just pick one, that is. I'm not sure if it'll last a lifetime, as experience sort of shuts down curiosity sometimes. But I am pretty sure I've always been curious. :)

Anyhow, I lovelovelovelove this book. Can't wait to see what lies ahead in the Pray part. Happy Reading!!

---Charlie

Book Blogger Hop (2)

2010-07-09T12:14:00.002-06:00

ABOUT THE HOP:

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a placejust for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY (held by Crazy For Books) is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!
The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!
Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.
If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!
DISCLAIMER:

The Hop isn't just for you to throw your link in there and not visit any other blogs. It's all about networking and finding new blogs that are of interest. So, in the spirit of the Hop, try to make some time to visit other blogs and don't post your link if you are not planning on visiting other blogs in the Hop that week. This is a weekly event, so if you don't have time this week, that's fine! We'll see you next week!
If you sign Linky, please share the love and POST ABOUT THE HOP ON YOUR BLOG! How else will anyone else find out about it and come join the party?

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This is my second week doing the Book Blog Hop, and I'm super excited to find new blogs, friends, and followers. Happy Hopping to you all!! Here's this week's question!

This week's question: Tell us about some of your favorite authors and why they are your favorites!

That is always a tough one to answer. One of my favorite authors is Ellen Hopkins, author of Crank, Glass, Identical, Burned, and so many more. She is a phenomenal writer, and I love the way her words are formatted visually to match what words she is using. It's like one long, beautiful poem-painting. Plus the way she writes about topics that are so touchy - I give her so much respect for being able to write about her daughter's expriences with drugs.

Another favorite author is Scott Westerfeld. He has authored the Uglies/Pretties/Specials/Extras series superbly. They were quick reads, but still deep; the characters are people, not words on a page; and most of all his plot line is seriously fun. He keeps you guessing at all times. I have also read some of his other books and love them as well.

There are so many more authors out there I love, and so many new ones I'm finding. I keep my TBR list full of new names. Happy Reading and Happy Hopping!!

Eat, Pray, Love Book Club - Week One Questions

2010-07-08T12:25:00.000-06:00

After reading the book for a week what are your first impressions? So much of this part of the book is about Liz’s battle of modern v. traditional, where do you fall on the spectrum? Are you married with children or do you never want to get married, or like most I would guess are you somewhere in between?
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After a week of reading this book, I have to say I am really, really enjoying it. I am loving following her journey, especially the way she describes everything! I can feel her emotions oozing out of the pages. I love it! Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) I am connecting with this book on some higher level. I was married before, at a very young age, and went through pretty much the exact same things she did. Divorce, with the same emotions, the same jumping into someone else's arms afterwards. This book has hit me right in between the eyes. It has come at a perfect time, whether I like it or not.

As far as modern vs. traditional, I'd say I'm modern on the outside with a secret bit of traditional in the middle. I like sharing my life with my boyfriend, not walking behind him. But I still like the satisfaction in his eyes when I bring him a nice cold beer. :)

As I said, I was married once, no children, and I'm glad for that. I don't know if I want to have children; I certainly do feel pressure from all my friends and family who are having them. I am an only child and am still pretty selfish: daily afternoon naps, ice cream for breakfast, doing what I want when I want, etc.

Overall, I'm super glad we're reading this book, I need to hear its truths, no matter how much I hurt along the way.

WAG #29: Habits

2010-07-06T12:52:00.000-06:00

This week's WAG (Writing Adventure Group) #29 is about Habits. Here is my entry:
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Sterling nervously played with her hair, twisting and untwisting a single brown ringlet with her tiny fingers. Her other hand found her mouth, thumb popping inside, calming her instantly. She was anxious, it being the first time she met him. Him, with his handsome jaw line, onyx eyes, and intimidating shoulders. Him, serious and unforgiving. Him, her father. She smoothed her pink ruffles, making sure she looked perfect for him.

“Stop twirling your hair like that, you’ll pull it all out. And get that thumb out of your mouth, you’re not a child.” Sterling’s mother, Jewell, was abrasive with her daughter, telling herself always it was to toughen her up. “Living without a father will surely make her soft,” Jewell thought. “It’s up to me to make her strong.”

Sterling tried to sit still, tried not to fuss with her hair or suck her thumb. Her anxiety got the best of her as soon as her mother left the room again. Madly twirling her hair and sucking her thumb, she thought of her father. “Will he like me? Will he hug me? Do I have to call him ‘dad’?”

“What did I say about those habits! Quit right this moment!” Jewell caught Sterling and swatted her daughter’s hands away from her face. A single tear ran down her cheek, just as he sauntered in.

“Oh calm down Jewell. She’s just a kid.” And then he smiled - at her.

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Book Blogger Hop!

2010-07-02T15:40:00.002-06:00

Now I may not be a true book blogger yet, but the more I read book blogs the more I learn. What I really want to do is review books. So to answer this week's questions:

My name is Charlie and I started blogging out of curiousity. I wondered what the big deal was. And then I read a few blogs about writing and book reviews and realized what a treasure trove of awesomeness lay before me! There were tips for writing, recommendations for books, fantastic reviews, and so much more! I am still nervous about writing a book review, but like I said, the more blogs I read the more I learn. Soon I'll have my own review system in place, and I'll join the ranks of reviewers blog-world-wide!

Thanks to all who decide my blog might be worthy of reading! Can't wait to check out new ones too! Thanks also to Jen at Crazy For Books for holding the Book Blogger Hop!

Eat, Pray, Love Book Club: Day One

2010-07-01T11:17:00.001-06:00

Today is the first day of the Eat, Pray, Love book club! I'm so excited as this is my first time being in a book club, my first time reading a non fiction type book, and my first time telling people how I feel about it. I'm also excited because I've heard so very many good things about this book, and now with it becoming a movie, the previews have ramped up my 'preconcieved notions' about the story. I've heard it's uplifting, funny, and sad. I've seen in the previews for the movie that this story can change lives, just as Elizabeth Gilbert changed her life. I'm ecstatic to see what happens; what she goes through in her world travels, how she changes, and of course how it ends!

Thanks to The Book Vixen for hosting this wonderful book club!

Welcome to July with a little Tao on the side!

2010-07-01T10:03:00.001-06:00

Welcome to July!! The second half of the year has begun! I am dumbfounded at the thought that six months have gone already! Time to take inventory:

Questions for the past six months:

What were my highlights?
Starting painting and writing on the regular, talking to new friends

What things am I glad I did?
Tried hard to get into the Art Institute, even though I didn't make it, went to the Renaissance Fair even though at first I thought it was weird

What worked for you?
Believing in myself and trusting my friends to support me

What small moments brought you delight?
Taking naps with my boyfriend and puppy, eating dinner at the table instead of the couch, funny texts from my siblings

Who did you connect with?
New people! New friends! Online and in real life! :)~

Questions for the rest of the year:

How can I be a litle kinder to myself?
By looking at myself in a positive light, instead of living in a shadow.
Can I give myself permission to have more fun and less pressure?
This is a toughy, but I'm going to try.
In what small way can I pay attention to small delights?
By just keeping my eyes and my heart open to joy.

Now for a little Thursday Tao: (#36 from Tao Te Ching as translated by John C. H. Wu)

What is in the end to be shrunken,

Begins by being first stretched out.

What is in the end to be weakened,

Begins by being first made strong.

What is in the end to be thrown down,

Begins by being first set on high.

What is in the end to be despoiled,

Begins by being first richly endowed.

Herein is the subtle wisdom of life;

The soft and weak overcomes the hard and strong.

Just as the fish must not leave the deeps,

So the ruler must not display his weapons.

This week I'll let you come up with your own ideas about what this 'proverb' means to you.

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Also, it is National Ice Cream Month!

Who doesn't love them some ice cream? I'm sure there are a few, allergies and such, but come on and celebrate!! This gives me an idea.....more to come.

Anyhoos, thanks for reading, hope my questions help you with dealing with your half of the year that is gone, and preparing for the next half to be wonderful!!

Toast of the Day:

Here' s to laughing so hard you cry!!

Monday: In My Coffee Cup

2010-06-28T10:39:00.002-06:00

This wonderful morning I have something thought provoking in my coffee cup - some quotes!

While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our creativity, or our glorious uniqueness.
-- Gilda Radner

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
--Lao Tzu

Wisdom begins in wonder. Be as you wish to seem.
--Socrates

These quotes have a similar theme: BE. Be yourself, be creative, be glorious in your uniqueness! Let go of (most) of your inhibitions and let yourself become your best self!

I apologize (only a little) for all my positivity, it can be a bit much! :) But this cup of coffee I've got sitting here is really good! It's all vanilla-ey and warm. Mmmm....

Anyway, just remember that you are the only one that can hold you back, so keep trodging ahead. Work everyday towards BEING. Be something, hopefully something positive and productive. Good luck, and thanks for reading!

--Charlie

Focus

2010-06-26T16:19:00.000-06:00

I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work. --Pearl S. Buck

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Now I don't know who Pearl S. Buck is, but they sure knew what they were talking about. I am notorious for flying by the seat of my creative pants, which is all well and good, WHEN it happens. I had set a task to write everyday, no matter what, and I've failed at that. Why? Because I wait for inspiration to come. Bad Charlie! So I'm taking this Pearl person's advice and getting down to work! I've got too many WIPs and not enough focus! And you never know, maybe I'll accidentally come across something inspiring during my hard work! Good luck to you all!

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Toast of the Day:

Here's to accidents that result in unexpected creative destinations!

Fun Fact:

On this day in 1498, the toothbrush was invented in China! Ha! How about that?!

--Charlie

Bad Boy Blogfest!!

2010-06-20T12:23:00.000-06:00

Tina Lynn over at Sweet Niblets is holding a Bad Boy Blogfest today! Thanks Tina! Here is my entry!! Hope you enjoy it! I wrote it just now! Can't wait to read everyone else's!

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Light rain fell on his black trenchcoat, moistened his long dark hair. He didn't mind the rain, he was more interested in his prey. Dragan’s onyx gaze fell on her throat. Her slender white neck gleamed in the moonlight. She was a few rows over, kneeling down beside a headstone crafted into a somber angel figure. Why she was in a cemetery alone and at night was a mystery to him, but he did not truly care why; she was a meal to him, and nothing more. Yet she was overwhelming his keen senses. He could smell her aroma from his perch atop a crumbling, mossy headstone. She smelled sweetly of vanilla and lavender. Her warmth filled his nostrils, sending him into a frenzy. His hands shook with anticipation. But he knew he must control himself, he mustn’t scare her away. Not yet. He needed her blood inside him.

Dragan eased off the tombstone, quietly making his way towards the woman he now considered already dead. His quickness landed him directly behind her; his silence left him standing close and undetected. At this distance her sugary scent devastated him; he could taste her now. He shifted momentarily, his boot heel crushing a twig under its weight. She turned swiftly, catching a glimpse of a tall shadow of a man.

“Hello my dear. I am Dragan of the nightwalkers. I am here to ease your pain.” He smoothed a dark strand of hair away from her face, revealing the sadness in her eyes.

“Ease my pain? No one can easy my pain. Not anymore.”

She lightly ran a finger over the name on the headstone: Marcus Brennan. At that simple gesture she began crying all over again, tears mixing with the fresh rain. Dragan reached down and lifted her to his chest, wrapping his arms around her slim figure easily. She lost all composure then, sobbing into his shirt. He had her now.

“What’s your name, child?” He angled her chin upwards to see into her eyes.

“Elaina. My name is Elaina Brennan.”

“Well Elaina, prepare yourself for death.” Shocked, Elaina tried to pull away, pushing with all her strength against him. Effortlessly Dragan threaded his fingers through her hair and jerked her head back, revealing her soft, porcelain throat. A scream escaped her mouth, as his mouth lowered to her neck, piercing the skin with his razor teeth. Her syrupy blood teased his tongue, rolling around his mouth, increasing his need for more.

He drained her, leaving no trace of life. Propping her body up against Marcus’s grave, he glowed with triumph, his confidence growing with another successful kill.

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Tao Thursdays

2010-06-17T12:50:00.000-06:00

It has been quite awhile since I did Taoism Thursday, and in fact I only did it once. But today I'm feeling quite introspective, so here is some wisdom from the Tao. (Tao Te Ching as Translated by John C. H. Wu)

#22
Bend and you will be whole.
Curl and you will be straight.
Keep empty and you will be filled.
Grow old and you will be renewed.

Have little and you will gain.
Have much and you will be confused.
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That is only part of that one, but to me it is the most important part. This "proverb" means so many things to me: be humble, be open, be unexpecting. On top of that, just be and all will be well. Whether you are 'bent' or 'curled', 'empty', 'old', or 'with little' all will come to be. I love this 'proverb' and it helps me in my everyday life. "How would I apply this to writing?" you may ask. Well I think that if you don't force the writing, your true talent comes to fruition in the form of a masterpiece! Now of course not always are our writing ventures successful, but definitely when things are allowed to flow naturally true magic happens. I hope this wisdom can help you all in your adventures through life!

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Toast of the Day:
Here's to surpassing expectations!

Journal Juju:
If your life was a box of Crackerjacks, what would the prize inside be?

Character Interview Blogfest!!

2010-06-15T11:05:00.000-06:00

Sangu over at Echoes of a Wayward Mind is hosting a Character Interview Blogfest today!! Mine is available below.
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I interviewed my main character, Holly Price ( from my WIP Shutter Click ). The interview is a second in my series of interviews I have conducted with Holly. So you're not lost, in the first interview Miss Price pulled a knife on me, attempting very heartily to stab me for asking her a question. After we got permission to get her out of her cell for an interview, she was just a peach. Here it is:

CQ: Hi Holly! Nice to see you again…in handcuffs. No weapons with you today, eh?

(Holly glares at Charlie.)

Holly: I’m so glad to see you again…alive. (Holly balls her restrained hands into fists, her knuckles turning white.)

CQ: So right now we’re talking to dark Holly. Your split personality disorder is fascinating. How does having two personalities make you feel?

Holly: Fuck you. Can I have a cigarette??

CQ: Lovely. We’ll have to edit that out. I guess that’s what I’ll have to deal with. Anyway, how are you feeling today?

Holly: Just fucking great. Thanks for pressing charges, cause spending time in a jail cell is my idea of fun. I’m peachy, and you’re a bitch. Bitch.

CQ: Holly, I’m going to be frank with you, I don’t want to do this interview any more than you, but my publisher’s need to know more about you. Can you cooperate just a little?

(Holly’s grimace doesn’t prove promising.)

Holly: Gimme a damn cigarette and we’ll talk – a little.

(The guard puts a cigarette in Holly’s lips and lights it for her.)

CQ: So tell me what your experience with having a split personality is like.

Holly: Fine, don’t know why you’re so goddamn interested in it, but whatever. It’s like this: I remember being who I am right now, and I have blackouts where I don’t remember anything for hours or even days, and as far as I know I’m only Holly Price.

CQ: Have you sought help for your blackouts?

Holly: Hell no! I don’t need no shrink spouting his psycho-babble bullshit at me.

(Charlie knows that Holly has been seeing a therapist for years, but moves on.)

CQ: Well besides your “non-problem”, what do you do for a living?

Holly: You’re a dumbass, you know that? You know I’m a forensic photographer. I take pictures of dead bodies. You gonna analyze that now?

(Holly takes a long drag off her cigarette, and squints menacingly at Charlie.)

CQ: Thanks for that, but no, I’m not going to analyze you. I’m just interested in sharing your story with my readers. So do you enjoy your job?

Holly: Oh yeah, dead bodies just get me all excited. No, it’s not the kind of happy-go-lucky satisfaction that I might get with taking pictures of flowers. But it is what it is.

CQ: I love your sarcasm. And the fact that you made it through a whole sentence without cussing. Anyway, what made you get into the forensic field of work?

Holly: (feigns a laugh) My father got me a camera for my 15th birthday. I loved that camera. (Holly stares longingly off into oblivion, obviously lost in thought.) I took pictures of anything and everything. And then my mother took it away from me. But I got it back. (She muttered something probably profane under her breath.)

CQ: Why such a negative emphasis on your parents?

Holly: I never knew my father, and my mother died when I was a teenager. The only thing I got from my father was my looks and that camera. My mother lent me only frustration and tears.

CQ: I’m sorry to hear you had such poor parents. How do you feel it has affected you as an adult?

Holly: Isn’t it obvious? I’m addicted to cigarettes and wine, I take photos of dead bodies for a living, and I haven’t had sex in god knows how long. I don’t even have any real friends. I’m super healthy, can’t you tell?

(Charlie could tell Holly was calmer, more subdued even.)

CQ: Jesus Holly. That’s a laundry list of negatives. It’s horrible to see someone sink so low due to the negligence of their parents.

Holly: Ya think? Thanks.

CQ: Well you had to have some positives in your life before now. Did you go to college or anything?

(Holly takes another drag, and gathers her thoughts. Several quiet, tense minutes pass.)

Holly: Yeah, I went to school. I went to the University of Washington. I did enjoy learning how to take better pictures. And learning the forensic side was fun. (Holly finishes her cigarette, flicking the butt onto the floor.) Your time is running out, and I need another cigarette.

(The guard readies another one and lights it. Holly takes a long drag, a satisfied look taking over her face.)

CQ: Okay, satisfied? Let’s move on. Are you originally from Washington?

Holly: Yes, I grew up in Seattle and the surrounding towns.

CQ: That’s a great area; I’ve visited a few times. It rains a lot though.

Holly: Yeah, that’s what everyone says. So why are we talking about the damn weather?

CQ: Sorry. Let’s get back to you. How did you afford such an expensive school? Was your mother well-off?

Holly: She had a little money that she wasted on herself and fancy curtains. I had to work through college the hard way, getting student loans and having 3 jobs on top of a full school schedule. Thanks mom. I didn’t get anything when she died. Just a couple of crappy years in a mental institution.

CQ: You were hospitalized? Why?

Holly: Because I murdered my mother, but was found to be mentally ill enough to not know what I was doing. When I was 18 I was re-evaluated and my illness was controllable with medication. I was free to live what life I could.

CQ: So you murdered your mother, and now you’re roaming around free. Wow. And without an ounce of guilt.

Holly: It was an accident, Charlie.

CQ: Riiiight. How did you kill her exactly?

Holly: I stabbed her, and she fell down the stairs.

CQ: Well thanks for your blunt honesty. So that’s when your personality split, to save your mind. Well it’s surprising that you are mostly fine now, considering what you’ve been through.

Holly: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just do what I can; go to work, come home, drink, sleep.

(The guard interrupts, noting it’s time to wrap it up)

CQ: I guess our time is up Holly. I’ll be out of your hair now, at least for a little while.

Holly: Greeaaaaat. (Holly rolls her eyes dramatically)

CQ: Your attitude has been super today, and I’m glad I don’t have to press anymore charges.

Holly: This time.

CQ: Well then, until next time Miss Holly.

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Hope you enjoyed this little adventure into Holly Price's psyche!

Blogfest Mania!

2010-06-09T10:30:00.000-06:00

I've been reading WriteRunner's blog about upcoming blogfests and how to host one, and for some crazy reason I decided it would be fun to do just that. I love participating in blogfests, and I know you all do too. So I've started a poll with some ideas I came up with, but would also like to take suggestions for what you all might want to do. So let me know! Twitter me ( @CharlieQuillen) or comment here with all your fantastic ideas!!

Tingle on Tuesday

2010-06-08T09:26:00.000-06:00

My fingers are tingling on this fine Tuesday. From what you may ask? From the amazing verbage flowing from them! I wrote close to 2000 words today in my WIP, O Negative, and I feel fantastic about it! Tingly in fact! LOL My main character is fleshing out well, the plot is coming along, however I do need a little work on my descriptions and flow. Overall, things are moving in the write (right LOL) direction.

Anyhoo, just a check-in. How are you guys doing with your progress?

Toast of the Day:
Here's to enthusiasm!

Monday: In My Coffee Cup

2010-06-07T11:55:00.002-06:00

There is more in my coffee cup today than some smooth hazelnut flavored coffee. There is hope. There is a challenge. But mostly there is a chance to write something wonderful - it's just all waiting to be drank in and utilized! I have finally started writing again, and feverishly at that. I also am writing out of my comfort zone, which is usually murder mysteries. This time around I'm trying to conquer the paranormal world. No vampires though. :) *giggle*

I'm calling it O Negative, and I absolutely love it. I'm immersed in it so wholly that I can't stop thinking about it. I want to actually finish this time, so I'm more determined than ever. I am however undecided on the length of the book, not sure how many words I want to shoot for. I guess I'll figure it out as I go - I've already got the plot outlined and the chapters figured out. Now for the words!

*Gulp* Down goes all the awesomeness in my coffee cup this morning! What's in your cup today?

48 Hour Book Challenge: Final Update!

2010-06-06T10:29:00.000-06:00

It's the end for me! I made it 14 hours. I am so tired right now I can't see straight, so I've made a command decision to end my reading. I stopped on page 63 of 370 in The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey, and read 312 pp from Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey, so I've a total of 375 pp read. Glad we're not being judged by the quantity of books. :) It's been a blast and a challenge, thanks to Mother Reader for holding this fantastic challenge! I'm off now to sleep, and then start writing on a new WIP I started forming yesterday! Good luck to all who are still reading, and congrats to those who have finished!

Hours Read: 14

-Charlie

48 Hour Book Challenge: Update #4

2010-06-05T23:38:00.000-06:00

WOOOOHOOO! I've finished my first book for the 48 Hour Book Challenge! Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey. My goodness it was a great book. The first book in the series (Dragonflight) was good but slower; this one was fast paced, adventurous, fun, and emotional. I actually care about the characters as if I knew them personally - Anne McCaffrey does a fantastic job at making you (the reader) connect with all the characters. Just, wow, you know? I will recommend this series highly to anyone who asks. Maybe even those that don't. Now I have to read the third book in the series, The White Dragon. I am getting a bit sleepy, so I may take a nappy nap for a few hours. Here are my stats so far:

Hours read: 11
Hours blogged/twittered: 2
Total hours: 13
Hours to reach goal: 7

-Charlie

48 Hour Book Challenge: Update #3

2010-06-05T13:58:00.000-06:00

Well, things are not looking good for my goal of 30 hours. I don't even have 30 hours left. So I'm going to try to hit 20 hours. I hate changing a goal, but, well, it had to be done. I'm really having a hard time sitting still long enough to concentrate on reading. I keep thinking about writing, painting, the sunshine, food, whatever it may be. I only have 100 pages left in this book, and I really want to knock them out, but I'm so darn distracted!

Hours Read: 8
Hours Blogged/Twittered: 1.5
Total Hours: 9.5
Hours to NEW Goal: 10.5

48 Hour Book Challenge: Update #2

2010-06-05T10:08:00.001-06:00

Well I'm 5 hours in, on page 152 of 312 of Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey, drinking some coffee, and feelin good. Halfway done with the book, but I'm reading faster today, hope it doesn't take me another 5 hours to finish it. Well I hope I read for at least 5 more hours! :) I hope I can reach my mark of 30 hours. I hope all of you make your goals!! Good luck!

Hours Read: 5
Hours Blogged/Twittered: 1
Total so far: 6
Hours to go to goal: 24

48 Hour Book Challenge: Update #1

2010-06-05T05:27:00.000-06:00

I have read for 2.5 hours and reached page 81 of 312 of Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey. I don't know if that's good or not, and I know we're being judged by quantity of time, not books, but I still can't help feeling as if I'm behind everyone else.

I did only start at 6 pm, followed by an hour of reading blogs about the 48hbc and several minutes here and there twittering about the whole thing. Then I promptly fell asleep, lights still on and everything.

Now it's 5 am, I feel refreshed, and I have a plan. 1 hour of reading, 5 minutes or less of twitter about progress. That way I can mark my way hourly and stay on track, i.e. if I have a slow hour because the dog wouldn't get her nose out of my face, etc.

Writing this took 10 minutes of the hour I have for every 5 of reading, and twittering every hour is 25 minutes of that hour. So in 2.5 more hours of reading I'll be blogging again with the remaining 25 minutes of my hour. See? It's easy! LOL Good luck to you all - see ya in the twitterverse!

Here's some Bunneh to get you all started!!

48 Hour Book Challenge!

2010-06-04T17:44:00.000-06:00

Mother Reader is hosting the Fifth Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge! See how much you can read in 48 hours!! I am going to read from 6pm MST on Friday (today) to 6pm MST on Sunday. I'm hoping to reach 30 hours, if not more. Coffee here I come!!

Here is the list of books I plan on reading:

Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey
The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson
The Girl Who Played With Fire by Steig Larsson

I've got twenty minutes until I start, I've got my Triple Venti Raspberry White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks in hand, my trusty Nook at my side, and lots of brainpower to boot! Off I go! Good luck to you all!

Dream Sequence Blogfest!!!

2010-06-04T16:16:00.000-06:00

There is a Dream Sequence blogfest being held by Amalia T. over at Good to Begin Well, Better to End Well!!! It's a fantastic opportunity to test the waters with writing a dream sequence - not always an easy or well recieved part of writing. So here's my Dream Sequence - Enjoy!

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From a BRAND NEW WIP named O Negative:

Mist flowed around her feet, crept up the back of her thighs, enveloped her waist. The fog encircled her entire body, caressing her face gently. All around her was darkness except for a purple glow emanating from under the door, mesmerizing her. Her senses were heightened; her toes gripped the cool hardwood floor beneath, her breath was shallow and focused, she listened so intently she could hear her heart beating slow and hard in her chest. She slowly inched towards the strange door, placing her fingertip lightly on the silver filigree doorknob. A shiver of goose bumps shot up her arm as she felt the cold metal under her hand.

“What is behind this door??” She contemplated the millions of possibilities that lay before her on the other side of the thick oak.

She could faintly make out a melody floating out from under the door; an eerie sing-song tune that crept into her ears like a ghost.

“Alex wants to come and play..Alex wants to come and stay..Alex..Aaaaallllleexxxxx……ALEX!” The sheer volume of the last note stung her ears as she jumped several inches off the floor. Her heart thumped erratically, taking her breath with it. She couldn’t place the voice, but it sounded familiar; a young girl’s boisterous tone had asked her to come and play - and to stay.

“What in the hell is going on….” Alex rubbed her palms on her jeans, leaving sweaty handprints behind. She gulped one last time as she turned the knob slowly.

She pushed lightly on the door, fearing what was to come. Peering around the door Alex squinted with anticipation. Her breath was still, her mind was racing. She entered the wall of purple mist, anxious to see what this room was all about. The fog cleared, and she saw a young girl seated at a small white table surrounded by dolls. She was having a tea party all by herself.

“Who are you?” Alex questioned the girl.

“I am Alex. Who are you?” She glanced sideways at Alex. Alex tilted her head in confusion.

“But I’m Alex…”

“Can’t we both be Alex?” The young girl smiled coyly.

“I guess….what are you doing here?” Alex seated herself at the table, squishing herself into the small chair.

“I am here to kill you. Would you like some tea first?” She poured a tiny cup of the brown liquid and dunked two sugar cubes into it. “I know just how you like it. How we like it. Drink up!”

Older Alex jumped to her feet to attempt to flee the room, but the door had disappeared. Young Alex stood up, smoothed her braids, and pulled a knife from her frilly apron.

“Come and play Alex! Come and play!” Young Alex started after Older Alex. Older Alex was pounding the spot on the wall where the door used to be. The knife blade glinted in the young girl’s eyes. She had the blade firmly in her grasp, ready to plunge it into Alex’s back.

BANG! BANG! BANG! Alex’s fists burned with pain, her cheeks red with tears, her voice a shrill scream.

“Let me out of here!! Please!!” She pounded the door feverishly; on the last pound she flew through the wall and hit the floor of her bedroom hard, screeching the whole way down. She had made it out, but how? Her head thumped from the fall, a lump growing where it had landed. She patted her body down, checking for blood or cuts, but nothing was found. Looking behind her for a door she gasped at the sight of a knife point sticking out of her wall.

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Hope you liked it! Go check out Amalia's blog to link yours!!

Unavailable Thursday

2010-06-03T16:35:00.000-06:00

Yes, I am unavailable. I am unavailable because I am doing nothing. N.O.T.H.I.N.G. Nothing. NOTHING!!! It is blissful, quiet, tranquil, and AWESOME. After this blog post I'll really be doing nothing and it will be even more AWESOME. And just when you thought it couldn't get better, it does. I have the house to myself - which is AWESOME in its own right. What would you do if you could do nothing? *wink wink* NOTHING of course!! Here's my toast of the day:

Toast of the Day:
Here's to NOTHING!

I hope all of you get a chance to experience some nothing every once in awhile. And not the nothing that's in The Neverending Story - that's a scary sort of nothing. Just the quiet, peaceful nothing that peeks out from between the curtain that is life.

Wrapped up in Wednesday

2010-06-02T17:24:00.001-06:00

Welcome to June! ( a day late, but oh well ) It finally feels like summer here in Denver, getting up into the 90's and all the beautiful sunny days are changing the way I look at life. It's literally brightening my day! How is the weather where you are at?

Also, from my trusty Awe-Manac, it's National Candy Month!! I-i-i-i-i-i want candy!!! :) Get a piece of your favorite candy right now! Munch on it!! Savor it!! My favorite candies are Skittles!! The purple bag of course. What's your favorite?

Today is also Wednesday, as noted in my title. Wednesdays are almost always overlooked, as just another day in the middle of the week getting in the way of reaching Friday. Wednesdays are forgotten in the rush to see our weekend - never getting the respect it deserves. Wednesday is underestimated as the just the middle of the road, when its possibilities can lead to magical adventures!! Monday and Tuesday are gone by the time we reach Wednesday. But there still remains Thursday AND Friday until the weekend. There is still time to start a project or catch up on something you didn't give yourself time to do on the two prior days! Relish in Wednesday's gift of time and get to doing stuff! Maybe add some Wednesday words to your WIP! Paint some Wednesday into art! Sing a song about Wednesday! Okay, so maybe I'm a little over dramatic about Wednesday, but am I wrong? :)

Lastly, here is an inspring Wednesday quote:

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.

-Albert Einstein

Remember to live in this Wednesday. Thursday is only a few hours away.

Toast of The Day:

Here's to those pens that make your writing look better than it usually does!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (31 May, 2010)

2010-05-31T10:29:00.002-06:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme held by Sheila at Book Journey! I haven't participated in way too long, but over the last few weeks I have read a few books. I finally started Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series with Dead Until Dark. I can't wait to read them all! I feel so behind the times.

I read Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott. If you haven't read this, you must. It's a quick read, but I must warn, it's hard to read about what happens to this girl. But despite how sad it is, it's incredibly moving. At least it was to me.

And lastly I started a fantastic fantasy/sci-fi series by Anne McCaffrey called the Dragonriders of Pern. The first book is Dragonflight and I just finished it this morning. Which leads me to what I'll be reading this week - the second book in the series, Dragonquest. Dragonflight was such a well written text; I was fully immersed in the world of Pern. Anne McCaffrey is an amazing author! I can't wait to see what else happens to the Dragonriders of Pern!

Also, if I get through this book this week, which I probably will, I may read the third in Anne's series, The White Dragon. If I feel like taking a break from Pern, I may read the second Sookie Stackhouse novel. We'll see how it plays out. Good reading to you all!!

Found Poetry

2010-05-30T15:04:00.004-06:00

Well I have come across a poem I wrote in second grade!! Yep, way back when. It was in an anthology of poems my class did, apparently.

What is Pink?

Pink is a baby piglet when they are a few days old.

Pink is rosy and very happy.

Pink is a bouquet of tulips.

Pink are cheeks when people are happy.

Pink is a Farrari driving down a country road by a corn field.

Pink is a button on my shirt.

Pink can be passion or can be a beautiful silk dress!

Pink can be a vase of roses.

Pink is brighter than purple and lighter than green.

Pink sounds like birds singing happy songs.
Pink tastes like peppermint.
Pink is a classroom full of happy children.
That is pink!
-Charlie Quillen, Second Grade (1992)

Quite simple, but I still like it! LOL Hope you all enjoy my poem about Pink.

Thought-full

2010-05-18T09:15:00.000-06:00

Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible, thought is merciless to privelige, established institutions, and comfortable habit. Thought looks into the pit of hell and is not afraid. Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief glory of man. - Bertrand Russell

Paintings, Mom, and Toasts!

2010-05-09T19:45:00.001-06:00

Hello All! I haven't blogged in over a month. I guess I sort of fell of the earth for awhile. I needed some time to gather myself, I was getting a little overwhelmed with life - as it so happens sometimes. Trying to get my house ready for a lease-renewal inspection, applying for school, and dealing with family issues all at once. So I took to a lot of reading, painting, and relaxing. Here are a few of my new paintings:

Hope you enoy them! I know I do, and my mom at least. Haha!

Anyway, it's Mother's Day, so Happy Day to all of you moms out there! My mom is having a hell of a time right now, travelling from Washington to Denver in a motorhome. She's all by herself with just her two little dogs, and her motorhome keeps breaking down. First she ran out of gas from a broken gauge, then a flat tire stopped her, next the ignition went out, and now she's parked from her breaks and steering giving up. But she's not giving up - even though she didn't make it to me in Denver by Mother's Day. She's a strong woman, so I hope she can hold it together along with hoping her motorhome holds together. Just twelve more hours and she'd be here. I just hope she gets here!

So here's to everyone else hopefully having a good Sunday and Mother's Day!

Toast of the Day:

Here's to a moment of relief.

Noteable Notes:

Today is Billy Joel's birthday! Also, it is Lost Sock Memorial Day! Look out for those lost socks! :)

Opportunity

2010-04-06T18:16:00.000-06:00

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." -Milton Berle

That is all.

Lost

2010-03-30T19:18:00.000-06:00

Silly Saturday

2010-03-20T11:24:00.001-06:00

Silly Saturday is all about everything silly, off the wall, crazy, and senseless. I have some books from the series of "imponderables books" by David Feldman. They are titles like "How Does Aspirin Find a Headache?" and "Why Do Clocks Turn Clockwise?". I'll pick a question or two from these books and educate you all on something silly!

Silly Question of the Day:
Do Snakes Sneeze?

Norman J. Scott, Jr., zoologist and past president of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles told Imponderables, "As far as I know snakes don't sneeze with their mouths shut, but they do clear fluid from their throat with an explosive blast of air from the lungs."

Snakes don't sneeze very often, though. In fact a few herpetologists we contacted denied that snakes sneeze at all. Bu John E. Simmons, of the Americcan Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Information Committee, insisited otherwise:

"Snakes sneeze for the same reason as other vertebrates - to clear their respiratory passages. Snakes rarely sneeze, however,and people who keep them in captivity know that sneezing in snakes is usually a sign of respiratory illness resulting in fluid in the air passage."

Submitted by Sue Scott of Baltimore, MD.

Thanks also to June Puchy Lyndhursst, Ohio.
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There you go! Now you know that snakes most likely do sneeze, and if they are sneezing, they could be sick. Silly, eh? Hope you enjoyed this Silly Saturday.

Journal Juju:

Make a lundry list of everything you are glad you did in the past few days. Then celebrate your awesome accomplishments - even if they are just errands!!

Toast of the Day:

Here's to the promise of Spring!! (Today is the first day!!)

Favorite Friday

2010-03-19T17:01:00.000-06:00

I'm working out the kinks for Favorite Friday, but today it's going to be about my favorite thing today. Today in Denver, Colorado it is snowing its' proverbial brains out! It's blowing sideways snow - the kind that gets into your ear when you're walking outside! I just got about two pounds of ear snow while leaving work. So my favorite thing to do when it's snowing like it is, is to cuddle up under a blanket with a good book, all cozy and comfy. What book should I read today? And what is your favorite things to do when it's snowing all crazy?

comic courtesy of chickengiggle.com

Toast of the day:
Here's to the first sip of that perfect hot cider or cocoa!! (Cider - also a favorite thing to drink when it's snowing!!)

Tao Thursday

2010-03-18T17:06:00.000-06:00

I am going to implement Tao Thursdays. For those of you unaware of what the Tao is, here is a short explanation per Wikipedia:

Taoism (or Daoism) refers to a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions that have influenced Eastern Asia for more than two millennia, and have had a notable influence on the western world since the 19th century. The word 道, Tao (or Dao, depending on the romanization scheme), literally translated as "path" or "way", although in Chinese folk religion and philosophy it carries more abstract meanings. Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the Three Jewels of the Tao: compassion, moderation, and humility, while Taoist thought generally focuses on nature, the relationship between humanity and the cosmos (天人相应), health and longevity, and wu wei (action through inaction), which is thought to produce harmony with the universe.
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I am very interested in Taoism, and try to use its philosophies in every day life. Today I will begin with my favorite passages from the Tao Teh Ching (a piece of scripture of Taoism). It is #11 and this is how it goes in a translation from John C. H. Wu's book Tao Teh Ching:

Thirty spokes converge upon a single hub;

It is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges.

We make a vessel from a lump of clay;

It is the empty space within the vesself that makes it useful.

We make doors and windows for a room;
But it is these empty spaces that make the room livable.

Thus, while the tangible has advantages,
It is the intangible that makes it useful.

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So how do I relate this to writing, you may ask? Well this, lets call it a proverb, reminds me that it is not just the words that make up a manuscript - it is the feeling behind the words, the emotion, the connection an author has with the words - that is important. We can get too worried about word counts and forget about what we're actually writing. I know that happens to me. I feel the pressure of everyone else's accomplishments and start getting fearful and insecure about my work. This proverb helps me stay focused on what's important. Hope it can help you! Any thoughts? Leave a comment!

Toast of the Day:
Here's to reading something you really liked an realizing you wrote it!!!

Just Wednesday

2010-03-17T17:01:00.001-06:00

Just going to start off with a few good writing quotes:

"I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tange with human emotions." -James Michener

"Everybody who writes is interested in living inside themselves in order to tell what is inside themselves. That is why writers have to have two countries, the one where they belong and the one which they live really."
-Gertrude Stein

The Middle Part:

Today was a tiring day, so I don't have much energy to impart. Just keep on pushing through! It's already Wednesday!

Journal Juju:
Write about "envy" - what associations does the word bring up for you? Write about what people might envy you for and what you envy in others. Then remember to appreciate all the amazing things you accomplish every day!

Envy for me is a dangerous game. It leads to me doubting my capabilities, which is just downright self-destructive. Lately I find myself envying all you writers who write, or who have mulitple books written, or have books published! I know that it's a long, hard road, so I keep on pushing, hoping that one day I'll have someone who might envy my accomplishments enough to use them as inspiration!

Toast of the Day:
Here's to the feeling of receiving a genuine compliment!!

Teaser Tuesday

2010-03-16T17:08:00.000-06:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme held by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

"Touche," I said, and zipped up my pants while slipping on my flats.

"You've got to admit this isn't our usual way of relating."

-The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

Toast of the Day:
Here's to silly mistakes that turn into creative discoveries!!

Back to Work Monday

2010-03-15T17:04:00.002-06:00

"If you always take time to stop and smell the roses, sooner or later, you'll inhale a bee." - Anonymous

This quote reminds me to keep working amongst all the fun of life. Slack off too much and it'll eventually catch up with you. It's been a few days since I've put pen to paper, so to speak, or more correct fingers to the keyboard, and I have to start again! It's Monday! Time to get back to the grind of working. Just in moderation, cause I'm still gonna take time to smell some roses along the way!

In addition, my Awe-Manac tells me it's Rude Awakenings Day. So my Journal Juju for the day is this:

Any rude awakenings lately? List any from the past and elaborate on at least one. Use your daily soul vitamin (provided in the book) for inspiration.

Daily soul vitamin: "Never take counsel of your fears." -Andrew Jackson

Journal Juju:
I've had quite a few rude awakenings lately. One in particular being the fact that I am merely a speck of sand amongst a worldwide beach of people. Not putting myself down, I just realized that if I want to make a difference and do more than just exist I must actually try at life. But taking inspiration from Mr. Jackson up there, I can't be afraid of trying! So off I go, trying to make a difference with my smallness! :)
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One more thing before I go, I'm starting Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice today! So excited to be reading a super classic! Wish me luck!

One last last thing I'd like to implement from the Awe-Manac:
Toast of the Day:
Here's to finding a twenty dollar bill in your pocket!

Happy Birthday Albert Einstein!

2010-03-14T13:35:00.000-06:00

Yep! Today is Albert Einstein's birthday. Well it would've been his 131st birthday if he was still alive! Here's a quote from the old man:

"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." -Albert Einstein

I bought a book today called the Awe-Manac by Jill Badonsky. It has a "daily dose of wonder" on every page for every day of the year. Things like inspiring quotes, "journal juju" to get the writing juices flowing, "awe-servances" for things like famous birthdays and such, and many other little things for the soul. I plan on using this book for inspiration for some of my blogs, as everyone could use this book! :)

One more quote for the road:

"Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy." -Albert Einstein

Journal Juju for the day:
Break the rules and invent a new emotion. E=?

What emotions did you come up with? Feel free to share. I came up with frustappy. Frustrated/happy. It's a hell of a thing to be at once. Tears usually accompany it.

Gilmore Girls Reading Challenge!

2010-03-13T19:00:00.001-07:00

How did I not hear about this before today?? I'm already 3 months behind! This is a fantastic challenge and can be found at http://gilmoregirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ !! Check out this list of books! I'm going for the Rory level (at least 20 books from at least 4 of the offered categories). Hope you all can find space in your other challenges for this one! Good luck!

Oh, my! What a lovely montage you've got there!

2010-03-12T00:51:00.002-07:00

How do you write a montage? I was laying in bed, trying to sleep, when the next part in my WIP popped in my head, as a montage. I had to get up and hop on the computer to search for something, somewhere about writing montages. I mostly found screenplay writing software.

However, I did find one interesting article, not so much an instruction manual, but it is interesting and has a great snippet of Potemkin by Sergei Eisenstein. I like the snippet, in all its early 1900's glory. Either way, the article helped me realize that montages are just simple tellings of a bunch of "shots" of things that happen. I guess I knew it all along. It just seemed a bit overwhelming, squishing something like 15 months of time into a few short paragraphs.

How do you all go about montages? Or do you even go about them? I suppose it's just about getting the pictures into words, like a collage that is connected somehow. But I guess that's all writing is anyway. I just have to get this montage down into words. Guess we'll see what happens!

Guest Blog!

2010-03-11T08:27:00.001-07:00

Ha! Gotcha! I don't have a guest blogger on my blog, I'm guest blogging over at Lisa Pietsch's Blog today. Head on over for some giggles, hopefully! Either way, she's got some great guest bloggers on her blog every day starting last week and going for quite awhile! So go enjoy her blog, and mine while you're at it!

Lisapietsch.com

WWW Wednesday

2010-03-10T09:29:00.003-07:00

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme held by MizB at Should Be Reading!
To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading: Dial Me for Murder by Amanda Matetsky (great so far!)

Recently Finished Reading: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold ( fantastically creepy )

Planning on Reading Next: Wings by Aprilynne Pike (gotta read it so I can read Spells!)

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

2010-03-10T03:56:00.001-07:00

I've taken the idea from over at Bibliophilic Book Blog about this book of a list of 1001 books you must read before you die. It's a fantastic challenge to try and take on, even if it's only on the back burner. Thank you to Monica S. over there at the Bibliophilic Book Blog for the heads up. I can't wait to buy the actual book with the list in it. Does it count as another book? :) Also, I just read that on 23 March there is a revised edition of the book coming out! Guess I'll wait for that one. Happy reading everyone!!

MarNaNoWriMo Progress

2010-03-09T15:44:00.001-07:00

I know it's the 9th of March, and I haven't posted much about my WIP for MarNaNo. I've been busy sleeping off my surgery pain, but I do have some updates today. I read a blog today from one of my friends - Lisa Pietsch - and it inspired me to write. She had a guest blogger on -Cher Gorman - who talked about muses and their influence on writing. It made so much sense! So this morning before I even had breakfast I wrote 1,000 words to my WIP. I made it my #writegoal, and made it! I was so excited I set another goal of 2,000 words for the day. I haven't written more yet, but I've been doing some research before I jump in. Anyway, here is my progress and a snippet of my WIP, that of which has no name yet.

3,691 words of 15,000

“Well I enjoy reading too, perhaps not as much as you, but I will join you in a good book anytime. I mostly take pictures. Photography drives me wild! My mother, um, well she left me her camera. Can I take your picture sometime?” Alex held her breath.

“Absolutely! I can’t say I’d ever turn down having my picture taken. I think I’m very photogenic.” Roma grinned wide. “Not to be conceited or anything, it’s just the truth. Do you have your camera with you right now?”

“I take it everywhere with me! Do you want a photo now?” Alex was ecstatic at her new friend’s enthusiasm for being a muse. She needed practice at taking live action shots, and Roma really was a beauty. Her photos would be lovely.

“Of course I do!” Roma stood up, wiped off her skirt and struck her best Madonna pose, hands framing her face wildly.

“Oh lovely! Yes, yes, keep it up! You look great!” Alex giggled openly and glowed with excitement. She felt on top of the world. As she focused her lens on Roma’s smile, a lump formed in her throat. The last person she had taken a picture of was her mother. Since she went missing Alex only took wildlife photos or captured sunsets, flowers, and the like. This thought stopped Alex in mid-shutter click, a frown filling her face. She stood stiff, lost in her sadness.

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Hope you all enjoy my excerpt! And good luck in all your progress!

Teaser Tuesday

2010-03-09T15:22:00.002-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Here is my Teaser Tuesday Entry!

"You said you had something to tell me."
"Yeah I do," Abby murmered, "but you're not gonna be very happy about it, so I think we better have another drink first."

-Dial Me For Murder by Amanda Matetsky

NaBloPoMo

2010-03-08T13:57:00.001-07:00

As a brand spankin new member of NaBloPoMo, I will write my first official NaBloPoMo post. I'm not sure what the topic of the month STRANGE(R) means. Does it mean write about strange things that are rated R? Or write about strange things or stranger things? I'm also on percocet right now as I had oral surgery this morning, so everything feels a bit StRaNgE......I feel all warm and fuzzy, and sleeeeeepy. Anyway, beside my drug reactions, I'll try to figure out this topic thing. I might just write another blog later once I'm more coherent and have done more research about this NaBloPoMo thing. One last thing, I'm tryin to find focus for my blog, so this might help too. I really like the ideas everyone has about having certain things happen on certain days every week. I was thinking of 'New Novel Monday', couldn't figure Tuesday, "Wordy Wednesday", "Thankful Thursday", "Favorite Friday", and if I do the weekend "Silly Saturday" and "Summary Sunday". What do you guys think? And thanks to all the blogs I read for the ideas. You are all smarter than me to have thought of it first!! :) I just feel like if I had focus my blog might be more interesting for you all to read and enjoy! Anyways, starting to get hard to keep my eyes propped open. Be back later with something STRANGE(R)...... LOL

---ChArLiE

A small, yet important epiphany

2010-03-06T13:27:00.001-07:00

While writing on the fourth day I discovered my story was forming something of a prequel to my other WIP. It was beautiful! I didn't even notice! Now I have the framework and focus to really write some words! I'm so very excited. My characters in my main WIP will have more depth now based on what I'm discovering in this new transcript. On another note, I didn't write yesterday. Instead I went and saw Alice in Wonderland! AMAZING! I want to watch it again today, but I have other more "important" things to do, like clean. Bleh. Anyways, off I go.

-Charlie