To whoever might find this, I'm running at half mast.
This past year has been a mess of everything: Covid, losing my job, my housing, independence.
I just don't have it in me at the moment to write anything nice or inspiring.
If you find this, leave one of your favorite images from a film, or TV show. Brighten up the blog.
I realize this week that it's been two since I added anything to this blog.
It's been a rough month.
A year since I was laid-off from my job and evicted. Since being home.
Working on this blog every week has given me something to do. The only problem is at this point it's just for me.
I'll probably keep updating it for fun.
Thanks for the journey.
I am currently out of ideas for the moment. Maybe next month I’ll have a film worth talking about.
Any films you love that don’t get discussed? Let me know.
Happy Valentine's week!
I know I'm a few days late, being sick is the pits.
There are a few projects I've been trying to keep in the works. Today I'll post a snippet from NaNoWriMo 2020.
When they entered the house Katherine nearly gagged on the
excess of dust hanging in the air. They
walked in further, and Rhys opened one of the windows. A breeze came in
stirring up the dust in the unused building. Katherine sneezed.
“A bit dusty?”
Katherine looked over at her newly found brother. There was a
sly smirk on his face. Casually putting her hands behind her back, she scooped
up a bit of the dust. Walking over to him she gently blew it into his face,
smiling. As he inhaled it, she stepped back, knowing what would come. As if on
cue he sneezed.
“A bit dusty?” She asked
scarcasticly.
Putting on his best fake smile he stepped forward, scooping
up a handful of dust and walking towards her. The smile turned into a genuine
grin when she moved away.
“No…” she started,
backing away a memory flashed across her mind. “Rhys, don’t you dare . . .”
What have you been up to this week?
I may have done this novel before, but I began rereading it again recently. (Nearly done once more.) It's a nice break from the other novels I've been reading. More light-hearted and what-not.
Here are a few of my favorite aspects of this novel
1. It was written during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) purely for fun
2. It plays with something every fan has encountered at least once.
3. It doesn't take itself seriously until it does
4. It covers more material than any book that size should (and does it well)
Rainbow Rowell's introduction is pure gold. She states how and why she wrote the book from the very beginning. At the end she then thanks everyone who's ever read or written FanFiction as well.
Ah, FanFiction. The art of taking something you love and writing a new character into the universe to meet the original characters. Taking the original characters and putting them into new circumstances. Slash.
WARNING PAST HERE BE SPOILERS!
This novel follows Cather through her first year of college and all of the awkward socialities that ensue.
We meet the following cast of characters in the regular narrative:
Wren - her twin
Regan - her upperclassman roommate
Levi - The smiling guy who's always in their room
Art - Cather's dad
Nick - fellow student and story thief
Cather prefers to be alone. She goes to classes, engages when she has to, but people are not her cup of tea. (To which I can relate, hiding in my room and avoiding people in the safety of my book-filled bedroom.)
Her preferred method of coping is writing.
FanFiction.
Slash.
Simon Snow and Baz slash, to be precise.
She has been writing her fanfiction, Carry On for two years and has to have it finished before the final book in the series comes out. All while attending college and taking a writing course which wants a 10,000 short story as a final.
Between trying to focus on Simon and Baz and her courses is a bi-weekly meeting with Nick. He's in her Fiction Writing course and wants to "collaborate" *coughstealherstuffcough*. Then there's Levi who's constantly in their room because he's Reagan's boyfriend (or so we assume because Cather assumes).
This novel deals with new roommates, social anxiety, mental health, and abandonment.
I won't spoil it all completely, but the issues that it talks about definitely are not listed in the fun going title. This is an excellent read for anyone beginning college, moving away for the first time, and living with mental issues. It takes us through the steps from the point of view of someone who is coping with them firsthand.
I recommend reading this book. And fear not.
Carry On is next on my To-Read list....provided I don't get caught up in another Cozy Mystery.
What is your favorite novel to read? Any recommendations?
See you next week!
Welcome to the shortest month of the year!
I hope all of you made it okay.
Expect a few new W.I.P.’s this month.
Stay safe and healthy, I'll catch you next week.
It's Obscure Movie Day!!
I realize that I've been doing mostly Disney films. I readily acknowledge that.
It's just that I'm particularly excellent at Disney films. That being stated I am on the lookout for lesser-known films you enjoy watching. I do ask any film recommended to be PG-13 and under.
Which leads me to find out something to do a quick write-up about this week. Getting back on track for this wayward blog.
For some of the entries, I've gone to the back of my DVD case (you read that right, case). Though now it's a bit more frustrating figuring out which to pick.
I suppose that for the sake of a new year, and a new time line . . . hmmm. . . .
Based on a novel of the same name by an author you're bound to recognize.
In 1999 Michael Crichton wrote a novel based on the science of time travel. He takes a group of archeologists from the modern era and twists their world up around.
In the midst of an unopened, unexplored site the group uncovers something unordinary. Something that looks centuries old, but couldn't possibly be.
A pair of glasses.
This leds them to a secret organization that's been making a time travelling machine.
The group travel back over six hundred years to confront a war between English and the French.
Check it out, it's a surprisingly fun film.
I'll catch you next week. Be safe and take joy in the little things.
With the past year being what it was I finally got around to some decent reading. Meaning I got the chance to start and finish some work.
I like to change up the genres I read so as not to keep things stale. Though I would be lying if I said I didn't have a type.
Cozy Mysteries
Fantasy
Science Fiction
Mixtures of them all.
I am always on the lookout for a new book, a new genre, something different.
Today I'm just going to list some of the novels I finished last year, most of which were fun. The final one will not be listed as it is residing in the corner where it belongs. It knows what it did.
Fudge Cupcake Murder - Joanne Fluke
The Woman in Black - Susan Hill
Undercover in High Heels - Gemma Halliday
Caraval - Stephanie Garber
The World Above - Cameron Dokey
Dead Beat - Jim Butcher
One Taste Too Many - Debrah Goldstein
Hiddensee - Gregory McGuire
Beauty and the Clockwork Beast - Nancy Campbell
As Old As Time - Liz Braswell
Tales From the Haunted Mansion - ??
Take a gander at any of these and they won't disappoint. Just check to see if they're part of a series first.
No one likes a spoiler
What are some books you love reading? Let me know and I'll see you next week!
I find the irony of dropping this blog during a quarantine absolutely histarical.
Perhaps this year I can resume, or at least pick it up once more.
If there's anything you'd like to see from me, let me know. I'll try and get back on the regular schedule Tuesday!
I fully admit that while I’ve managed to keep this up for nearly five years, 2020 has finally seen me drop the ball.
Gloriously.
While it’s been a mess this year, I have still managed to accomplish some writing. I have also managed to do some artwork, and since I have easier access to that here’s a little art.
BONUS!!!! Here’s a time lapse of the process.
How have you been doing this year? Leave a comment or share something positive that happened this year.
I see that I've missed a few quite a few weeks of blogging here.
So - school and virus' don't mix well. I dropped two out of four classes. I'm on the last two-term papers with an online final and a little make-up work.
I'm a mess and this blog is on the back-burner.
So, there.
Welcome to November 2020!
Or, writing 50,000 in 30 days and trying to keep
everything in order and have something coherent come out of it all.
I participate in National Novel Writing Month each year.
Usually it’s where I can get thoughts down or other random ideas that have
crossed my mind. This year I began trying to finish some chapters for a novel
(the idea ran out) so I began another (which ran out). Now I am re-editing and
re-writing some old pieces of work which still counts. So, here is a little
tidbit of what I’ve been working on.
The day she went off to college was the best day of her
life.
She was sad to leave behind friends, they were all sad to go
their separate ways, but it was a new beginning. A new time to escape from
their little town and move on to different things, to see what the world would
become for each of them – graduation day was full of mixed feelings.
While everyone spent the weekend preparing for a summer full
of fun, relaxation, expensive trips, or travelling, she spent it packing all of
her belongings.
In spite of the mess she usually had around her, she’d
gotten rid of everything that was absolutely necessary. All the small things
that could be given away she sent on their way to others who would appreciate
them better. By Sunday she had everything she needed to begin her new life away
from home.
“Hey, why are you still up?”
She glanced up at her mom. For some reason she wasn’t
finding it difficult to feel sad about leaving.
“Just making sure I have enough room for what I’m using
tonight.”
“You do know that even college students come home on
occasion,” her mom sat on the bed. “I’m trying to understand why you’re packing
as though you’ll never come back.”
She sat down beside her mom.
“Yeah, I guess I could leave some stuff –”
Her mother shook her head, “No. You don’t have to explain
Catherine. Sometimes we need to take that plunge, pack up, and move into what
the world has to offer you.”
They shared a side hug.
“I guess I’m a little sad you’re moving a couple states away
and not staying closer.”
Are you participating this year? If so leave a little
blurb with what you’re writing.
Book: We Have Always Lived in This Castle
Author: Shirley Jackson
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
This is a book I’ve been waiting
to read for a while. It took me a while, but I managed to snag the audio copy
of the book and was able to listen to it while driving to and from school the
last few weeks.
This was a story I hadn’t fully
expected.
I knew it was a scary story based
on what I’d previously heard about it, but I had to see if it was true.
It’s true.
From the onset we are introduced
to our narrator, Mary Catherine, or Merricat. She tells us about the routine
she and her household have.
She goes into the village on
Tuesdays and Thursdays for basic supplies. From there we learn that she and her
family are ostracized by the villagers.
Through the story we come to
learn that six years prior four people were poisoned during a family dinner.
Poison in the sugar bowl.
The elder sister, Constance, was
the prime suspect in the case. She was ultimately acquitted of the charges, but
suspicions run deep.
Now, Constance, their uncle, and
Merricat live in Blackwood house alone. The talk and scorn of everyone, until
an unexpected visitor shows up on their doorstep putting into play grievances
and stress.
I don’t want to give the ending
away, but this little book is worth the read!
After all, we have always lived
in this castle.
What are you currently reading?
Anything you think I should read?
I missed last weeks post.
Some things happened, which included someone at my house leaving a door open and my cat running out for two days.
So - here's a late
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
As we're all well aware, this year hasn't been great for much of anything.
This blog has certainly suffered due to ... everything.
While updating it has been *coughmissed* a few times this month, writing little bits per week has been something.
I have begun to outline various stories that I want to work on (some of them I actually have begun).
There have been little things going around stating "Use Your Initials and Find Out Your Y/A Novel Title!" I've done two of those and these were the results:
Assassins, French Kissing, and Other Bad Ideas
The Daughter of Nightmares and Smoke
Now, one of these actually has a little steam behind it, while the other one is currently being outlined. Here is a little blurb of something in the middle.
The idea was to write a novel.
"So - how long is this going to last. A month, a week...?"
"Not funny."
"It's true, isn't it?"
She rolled her eyes. This was a conversation that abounded each time a new
interest caught her attention. While it was true nothing lasted long and her
attention was dim in some regards, surely there was one thing she could see
through.
"Come on, let's get some lunch."
"You sure dessert won't distract me from eating?"
The chuckle confirmed the teasing nature. While they would always be in a
slight disagreement about her attention span, they would always be together.
"Hey Nicholas! How's the wedding planning coming?"
Well ... at least until he married and left.
"You know, Annabeth has everything covered. I'm just here to say the
vows."
"Well, that's good to know. How's the latest venture Catalyn?"
She took a seat across from Nicholas.
"It's slow, but coming along."
"What is this new venture, I always forget what you're up to."
Catalyn managed not to make her smile too tight.
"Opening a bed and breakfast at the old Sanderson place."
"Oh," Stephanie stepped back, "good luck."
Catalyn rolled her eyes.
"Geeze, doesn't anyone mind their own business?"
Nicholas laughed.
"What?"
"Come on Lynnie, you know I believe in you. I really do," he
raised the menu to hide his face, "but you've got a track of not finishing
big projects."
She wanted to argue, to say it was crazy, but she couldn't. She knew the
truth was a hard pill to swallow. She knew the town thought this one would fall
through too. But she knew something they didn't. Each time she came close to
finishing, something overcame her. A sense of dread that the ending was about
to hit, followed by a sense of panic.
"Lynnie, don't let them get you down."
She picked her menu up, "Yeah, sure."
She had to finish this project. No matter what - she would finish this one.
This would be the first project to be completed by her.
That was her final decision.
What have you been working on this month? Are you ready for NaNoWriMo next month?
Four years ago I picked up an interesting novel at a conference. Simple titled: “Beauty and the Clockwork Beast”.
It sat on my shelf since then until the beginning of summer when COVID hit.
When I began it I was under the assumption that it was just another retelling with steampunk additions
I.
Was.
Wrong.
This novel took me on a ride including vampires, werewolves, air ships, ghosts, and grisly murder.
I ate it up.
The best part?
Three more novels currently in the series.
I finished the latest (which came out this year) just last night and now I’m rather frustratedly awaiting the next one.
If you like fairy tales or alternative telling a these are a must have from amazing author Nancy Campbell Allen.
“Beauty and the Clockwork Beast”
“Kiss of the Spindle”
“The Lady in the Coppergate Tower”
“Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts”
This was one of the best series I’ve read in a while. Check them out!
(I may add photos later on.)
So we all know about the Jurassic Park films, right?
Well, Netflix made a mini-series based around the recent film, "Jurassic World".
It follows six kids who are campers at the new Camp Cretaceous. One of them got in by winning a video game, one because her family sent her, one so that she could blog about it, one is an Olympic runner, one got in because his mother works for the man in charge, and the last one is rich and his dad owns a condo on the island.
During the 8 episodes, you visit familiar locations in the film and get to know the reasons why everyone is here.
All the jumps of dinosaurs included all the mayhem of a park that shouldn't have created dinosaurs, and all the Steven Speilberg and John Williams you loved before now back again.
Holy cow, what a ride that was.
Well.
I feel as though this whole year has just drained the life out of me.
First I was working a great job, living on my own. Next, I'm back home and living with my parents, two of my sisters, and their eight children combined and unemployed.
Fast forward to August.
I'm back in school.
September - 2/4 classes are taking in a wonderful way. (3/4 online, which I've never been good with.)
Yup.
2020 is going great so far!
