Not Much To Report

Date Written: July 6th, 2012
Date Posted: July 6th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Nothing.

So, I'm sorry this is so late, but I've been out of the house since 7:45 AM, and I've only remembered this now. Anyway, a slow week in terms of writing, seeing as I spend my days being depressed over summer school. But I've gotten one book read and finished this week, and I'm hoping to get another by tomorrow.

Right now, I'm at my cousin's house, where I'm sleeping over, and we're playing Nancy Drew. Hopefully that'll bring some inspiration.

- May :)

And They Say She's In The Class A Team

Date Written: June 29^th, 2012
Date Posted: June 29^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Ed Sheeran – The A Team

Today was my official last day of school, because I picked up my report card. I did pretty well (except English, ironically. Well, I did alright, just not as well as I wanted), I saw most of my teachers, and my Law teacher and I had a long chat about writing.

Then my aunt picked me up, picked up my cousins, and we went for a movie and then for lunch. I really enjoyed the day.

Also, I should probably say something about my deadline that I didn’t accomplish.

I’m not all that upset.

I know that’s weird, because I feel like I should be upset. But the only reason I really wanted to finish by this time is so I could spend my summer editing and querying. (Though, that was before I found out just how busy my summer was going to be.) However, if there’s anything I’ve learnt from the last couple of months, it’s this;

Writing a book is not an assignment. It’s not like a semester-long project you can write the night before. It’s something that can take way longer, and from what I understand, that’s completely normal. So, as long as I finish my novel by the end of high school (and land an agent too, hopefully!), then I’ll be happy with myself. And really, that’s what’s important.

Anyways, happy summer everyone!

-          May :)

My Hate Of Flash Fiction Has Been Conquered

Date Written: June 24^th, 2012
Date Posted: June 25^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Pierce The Veil – Kissing In Cars, You Me At Six – Nasty Habits

Hey, remember this?

Yeah, well, thanks to this amazing girl named Sonia, I’ve gotten over it and the contest is still open so I can still enter.

Also, she’s the finalist in a flash fiction writing contest she participated in so let’s all cross our fingers for her and her genius.

And exams are over tomorrow. Woot! I finished Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Laini Taylor today AND SHE BLEW MY MIND OMG I THINK MY BRAIN EXPLODED.

I can only hope to write that great one day.

-          May :)

My Current List of Library Spoils

Date Written: June 22^nd, 2012
Date Posted: June 22^nd, 2012
Currently Listening To: Marianas Trench – Push, Marianas Trench – Far From Here, Marianas Trench – Vertigo, Marianas Trench – Alive Again

I present to you my library spoils:

From top to bottom:

Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Laini Taylor
Lips Touch, Three Times by Laini Taylor
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake
Wither by Lauren DeStefano

My goal is to finish these by next Friday. (Just note I’ve already finished Jacob Wonderbar, already.) (And Hitchhiker's Guide isn't from the library. I'm borrowing it from a friend.)

Also, I’ve got my last exam on Monday, so I’ll be studying for that.

And lastly, my deadline is on Tuesday. I can admit that I probably won’t finish (I’ve got literally less than one percent done), but I will definitely try to get a good chunk done by the date. (I think I can get to page 50… if I’m lucky… and if I’m really, really focused… and if a miracle happens.)

Anyways, have a great weekend and rejoice that it’s almost summertime!

(… Unless you’re an unlucky duckling like me and are going to have to endure summer school. Joy.)

-          May :)

Of Exams and Poetry

Date Written: June 15^th, 2012
Date Posted: June 15^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Neon Trees – 1983

I haven’t gotten a lot of writing done this week, due to the lovely fact that exams start on Tuesday. However, I found some time yesterday to work on some Fanfiction, which I haven’t done in a while.

Also, I’m reading Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Laini Taylor.

My goodness, that woman is a genius.

Hm… I’m going to spend tonight catching up on Suits (instead of, you know, being productive and writing… or studying) and Rookie Blue.

And lastly, my school’s Poetry Club had a poetry slam today. This is the second time I’ve gone, and everyone who goes up was just wonderful and they’re always so good and I wish I can just go up and present like them.

It also helps that I know two of the heads of the Poetry Club, and they’re such super nice guys who really care about poetry and are so passionate about it. I’m seriously considering actually joining the club next year… except I’m not sure how my poetry is. I guess the club members of next year will decide?

Anyway, my weekend plans include studying. (Oh, joy.) What about everyone else?

-          May :)

Making Pictures Where The Lines Overlap

Date Written: June 8^th, 2012
Date Posted: June 8^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: A bunch of Paramore songs… a list of 28, actually.

First things first –

I may sound just the slightest bit loopy today. That tends to be what happens as a result of getting only an hour of sleep… and that mere hour of sleep may be the result of my starting finishing of an essay that’s worth fifteen percent of my English grade… an essay I’ve had an entire semester to write.

(IT’S NOT MY FAULT THE ESSAY WOULDN’T LET ME WRITE IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT TO MAKE ME FAIL IT WANTED ME TO DIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEE.)

Ahem.

Anyways, odd random outburst (expect a couple more of those in this post) and major lack of sleep aside, this week’s been interesting.

So, to start off –

Last week, I was saying how I wanted to do a post on something, but I had to finish something else to do that. Well, I’m going to do thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat NOW:

 

(LOOK WHAT I LEARNED. IT HAS A PICTURE WITH IT.)

I mentioned two weeks ago that I borrowed a book from the library. As I’m sure you can infer, I borrowed A Drowned Maiden’s Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz. I borrowed that book on a Thursday. Then, sometime between that day and Saturday after, I decided that I would try to make a habit of going to the library once a week – every Thursday, in fact. I would read a book in the span of a week, then return it and get another one.

But I didn’t go last Thursday, because I didn’t finish the book. It’s not like the book was super long. It’s not as though I couldn’t make time for it. It wasn’t as though I didn’t like it (trust me when I say it’s not that one. I recommended it to my English teacher).

It’s because I didn’t want it to end.

Now, I don’t know how many of you have read A Drowned Maiden’s Hair, but the basic rundown can be found here.

I adored Maud. She was clever for her age. She was sweet. She tried so hard to be everything Hyacinth wanted. But at the same time, she was eleven and still somewhat naïve. Her biggest trait, however, was this:

She desperately wanted to be loved. And it’s understandable why, too. That’s why she tried to be an “angel child” for Hyacinth.

But Maud Flynn was no angel child. She made judgements. She picked favourites. She indulged in the luxuries she was offered. She was vain. She had silly notions about adults. She disobeyed her orders for some freedom.

Yet the entire way, I was rooting for her.

(ESPECIALLY DURING THAT MOMENT IN THE HOTEL OHMYGOSH YES MAUD THAAAAANK YOU.)

She made mistakes, and she learned from them. She developed a sense of right and wrong throughout the book. She loved Hyacinth relentlessly, yet even she knew there was something that wasn’t quite right with her schemes.

Of course, Maud’s not the only one I adored. I could never quite figure out how I felt about Hyacinth, who was enchanting and terrible at the same time. I thought highly of Judith, who was so serious and knew what she was doing wrong, but understood why they did it. I adored Victoria, who tried to do the right thing and cared for Maud more than Hyacinth ever could.

And I loved Muffet, the deaf and mute hired girl for the Hawthorne sisters. Anything and everything that had to do with her had me almost jump with glee.

I have so much more I can say about the book, but if I do, then this post will never end and I won’t get to the point. (I wouldn’t mind, except I kind of need a nap after I finish this.)

Anyways, as you can tell, I simply could not get enough of that book. And while I knew Maud’s story could not go on forever, I didn’t want it to end. (And, while I thought the ending was good, it’s not the ending I wanted.)

And… is it really sad that I typed out all of this to realize that I completely forgot the point I was trying to make because I was so wrapped up in how much I adored this book?

Moving on, I guess –

So, I returned A Drowned Maiden’s Hair to the library on Monday. That day I ran to the library, because I the book I had put on hold had come in. Which book was that?

A certain Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.

I’ve heard so many glowing reviews about this book, and I totally understand why it got them. I’m not a super fast reader, but by the next day I was a hundred and fifty pages in, and there were several times when I was reading and practically stopped breathing. (And Kenji – I love Kenji. Even though I kept thinking, “That boy is just asking to get shot.”)

I only have a hundred pages left, but I actually had to put it away on Wednesday and Thursday to work on the essay mentioned above. I knew if I didn’t, I’d lose fifteen percent of my grade.

Anyways, on Tuesday Tahereh Mafi revealed the new cover for the book.

(OH HEY LOOK MORE PICTURES YAAAAAAY.)

(The original cover is on the left. On the right is new cover.)

Everyone seems to adore the new cover… but I’m not as excited about it. I’m not saying it’s bad – in fact, I really like it. I just prefer the original cover. Maybe it’s because I haven’t finished reading the book? More likely it’s because I’m used to the original... And because I like the font on the other

(However, I really like the bird that’s in the eye, since the bird is such a recurring thing.)

And lastly, I think –

I have my Mock Trial for Law class on Tuesday, and today we just got “a break in the case,” I guess you could call it. I’m a defence lawyer, and my “witness” recorded one of the “prosecutors” admitting that they would lie during the trial. And then one of the prosecution’s witnesses came forward and admitted that he believed my witness (also the accused) was innocent.

So, Tuesday’s going to be interesting. Just thought I’d share.

So… voila!

Hopefully that wasn’t too painful to get through… even though it’s longer than my introduction post I wrote back when I first got a blog.

Anyways, how was everyone else’s week? Any weekend plans?

-          May :)

Better Think Of Something Good To Say

Date Written: June 1^st, 2012
Date Posted: June 1^st, 2012
Currently Listening To: Pierce The Veil – Kissing In Cars

Blah.

I had a blog post in mind for today… except I can’t bring myself to finish it right now because to do so, I need to finish something else first, and I haven’t finished that yet.

So, you should be getting that post next Friday.

Also, I’ve noticed that I’ve been writing a little everyday for the last couple of days. A huge accomplishment after sometimes going a week without typing a single word because I wasn’t sure how to proceed, I’d say. And right now, I’m in the mood to work on something different than that, but I like the inspiration.

So, nothing big to report right now, obviously – but there should be something next week.

Anyway, have a great weekend, everyone!

-          May :)

How I Celebrate The End Of This Week

Date Written: May 25^th, 2012
Date Posted: May 25^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: The Fray – Turn Me On

So, I just went through one of the most stressful weeks of my life (not including exam time, of course. That’s a whole other category on its own), and this is because of my English seminar on the book Three Day Road.

Let’s just say that I will permanently refer to it as The Awesome Train Wreck.

So, how do I plan on celebrating my freedom?

I watched the premiere of the third season of Rookie Blue. I’m going to finish one of the books I borrowed from the library yesterday. (YES I WAS AT THE LIBRARY AND BORROWED A BOOK. HUZZAH.)  (However, there will be no afternoon nap that goes into tomorrow like I planned and told everyone. Oh well, at least I’m being productive.) The rest of my weekend, there will be more reading. There will be writing. There will be homework. Visiting my cousin for her birthday is very likely to be sneaking its way in there, as will Digimon.

Oh. And there’s this for you guys:

-----

I couldn’t speak. The idea of it shocked me thoroughly. I looked at him, probably gaping like a fish, but I really couldn’t help it. I needed him to repeat what he just said. I had to know it was real, that it wasn’t some sick joke he was playing on me.

“I’m sorry. You do what?” I asked incredulously.

“We throw insults at each other,” Landen said, eyeing me skeptically. He obviously didn’t expect me to be reacting the way I was. After a moment, he added, “You know… when we’re all feeling stressed out and stuff.”

“And it helps?”

Landen looked thoughtful. “Well, it is entertaining. And it’s pretty much the only time Hayley’s ever mean. So, are you in?”

He looked at me as though it was no big deal, but I could see the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. No, I did not think it made him look more adorable than he generally was, and immediately blocked out any thoughts that would evidence otherwise.

After all, it may not have been true, but I didn’t need the boy getting any ideas.

I thought about his offer for a moment and sighed. Oh, what the heck? I figured.

“I’m in,” I said resignedly. I was sure I wasn’t going to enjoy this. Landen processed my answer for a moment. Then a grin stretched entirely over his face as though he were the Cheshire cat, making my suspicions even more prominent.

I also thought I saw his eyes brighten up a bit, but I decided I’d only imagined that part.

“Come on,” he said, gently pulling on my hand and leading me to the living room. I forced myself to keep my thoughts at bay. They may not have been inappropriate, but I certainly didn't want him hearing them. Though I don’t think he would have noticed if he somehow did. He was now visibly excited, speaking a mile a minute as he explained what usually went on.

“You’ll just say a different insult to each of us,” Landen said, “And try to be creative, because we generally pick at the end. Don’t be scared about hurting our feelings – none of us really ever mean what we say. And then there’s… Mia? Are you okay?”

Oh, I was better than okay. The second Landen had uttered the words be creative, I’d stopped paying attention and all doubts I’d been having about this slipped away.

Creative, I could do. After all, how many of the others in the room knew how to insult in Shakespearean terms?

-----

Voila. Now you’ll all know I’m not completely talentless. Or maybe I am and you all have proof. Either way, I finally got around to that writing excerpt.

Have a good weekend everyone!

-          May :)

P.S. I don’t know why part of it shows up a different colour. It’s just odd like that.

The Original Post For Today

Date Written: May 18^th, 2012
Date Posted: May 18^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: All Time Low – The Party Scene

Um… a bunch of things have happened this week (the past two in particular), but none of which really relates to writing in particular, except for the fact that I wrote 1,180 words this week. So let’s cheer for that.

Yay!

Have a good long weekend, everyone!

-          May :)

Guess Who's With Family!

Date Written: May 18th, 2012
Date Posted: May 18th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Nothing. That is about to be explained.

 

 

Okay, so this will be edited tomorrow because I don't like this font.

 

 

I'm currently at my cousin's house (not using Alchemy, which really sucks because I don't really like this laptop... it's confusing and already deleted my post once while I was in the middle of typing) and everyone asks me what I'm doing and/or stares whilst I type (when they're not laughing at the pranks they're playing on each other). It's beyond awkward... and really loud, actually.

 

 

I started a post at home but didn't finish it in time, and because of that you guys aren't getting your excerpt today.

 

 

So the main gist of the post was supposed to be that I wrote 1,180 words this week and was going to write more, except I'm here. And, once again, I was supposed to give you your excerpt. I'm really sorry.

 

 

Anyways, any plans for the long weekend? I've got a wedding to attend.

 

 

See you all next Friday!

 

 

         - May :)

I Was Sort Of Productive? (Not Really)

Date Written: May 11^th, 2012
Date Posted: May 11^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Ellie Goulding – Lights, Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed, You Me At Six – Starry Eyed (Ellie Goulding cover)

I’d been meaning to post earlier in the day, except I had a PD day today. My reasoning was that I would get something done, then blog about it and look accomplished.

Aaaaaaaaaaand… nothing.

(Unless you count finishing chapter six of Peter and Wendy… which, by the way, has one of the best death scenes EVER. In chapter five, I think it was.)

(Also, I kept forgetting it was Friday.)

Anyway, I had a new story idea that I want to test out a bit before I totally toss it on the back-back-burner. Where, you know, it totally is going to be in like, a week.

I like this new one though. The concept isn’t exactly original, but I haven’t heard of anyone trying it out the way I’m doing it… which is why I won’t say what it is. Just know that it has to do with Peter Pan (which is why reading Peter and Wendy can be classified as being productive).

And in response to what I wrote in my post from Tuesday – okay, I was kind of curled up in a fetal position on my bed on Wednesday, so I think I’ll let that one slide. And I wrote something yesterday (1,165 words!) but it wasn’t a story – it was me venting about something in story format.

And be excited for next week. It is ninety-five-percent positive you’ll finally be getting a writing excerpt. I finally found one I like enough to post (and doesn’t really give away too much – or any, in this case – plot of the book), but it’s full of fragmented sentences. So I’m going to clean that up a bit and post it next Friday.

That’s all (that’s somewhat relevant) for this week. See you next Friday!

-          May :)

If Life Won't Wait, I Guess It's Up To Me

Date Written: May 8^th, 2012
Date Posted: May 11^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Simple Plan – When I’m Gone

There’s been something that’s been bugging me as of late.

I’ve been finding it really, really hard to write recently.

For one, school’s actually starting to stress me out a little. It’s May, and exams are starting to creep up, little by very little. But it’s still there, and I’ve got a play to practice for. I’ve got an essay that’s worth fifteen percent of my grade to write. Mock trials are going to be coming up in a few weeks, and if my friends from last semester are any indication, that’s going to be stressful stuff.

And it’s not just that; I don’t feel like writing anything.

It’s not that I’ve lost my passion for telling stories – it’s just that I can’t seem to put those words out on paper. And when I do, I think it’s absolutely terrible.

So when I got home from Writer’s Club today (another thing; we haven’t been very productive as of late, so that hasn’t been very helpful) and I suddenly had the urge to listen to the song When I’m Gone by Simple Plan. And while listening to it, there’s one bit that really stuck out to me that I never seemed to comprehend until now;

“Procrastination, running circles in my head/While you sit there contemplating/You wound up left for dead/Life is what happens/While you’re busy making your excuses/Another day, another casualty/And that won’t happen to me.”

As you can see, I’m procrastinating. I’ve made excuses for why I’m not writing. And I’ve just been sitting around, trying to figure out how to do this and that and whatnot, while other people are actually going out and trying to make their dreams come true.

I want to be one of those people making something of themselves. And therefore, I need to suck it up.

So what?

So what if I don’t like what I write? There’s editing for that.

So what if I don’t know everything I’m doing in my story? There’s editing for that, too.

So what if I have school work? I’ll actually do my homework at home, instead of doing most or some or a little at home and then saving the rest for lunch the next day. I bring Alchemy to school almost every day anyway. I might as well put her to use.

So what if I feel kind of stressed? I’m going to learn time management.

No more making excuses. I want to write, so I will write.

So time management for today:

1) Finish off my book for English class.
2) Try to get through that book from the girl at my school who is published.
3) Try to write something. Also, if possible, plan what I want to get accomplished on Friday (which is a day off school).

No more making excuses. I’ve got a book to finish by the 26^th of June.

-          May :)

Because Today Was A Good Day!

Date Written: May 4^th, 2012
Date Posted: May 4^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Simple Plan – This Song Saved My Life

I’m happy.

I felt this should be known because I had a really average Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and then had a bad Thursday. But I woke up this morning and I was like, “Wow. Today is going to be a really good day.”

And it was.

It started with a good hair day and so far is at me reconnecting with my childhood and watching Digimon. Somewhere in there, there was: finally finishing Psych (OHMYGOSH HENRY), my Law class not acting like savages (which is how certain people having been since our teacher went on pregnancy leave), having a really good feeling about my English summative (something to do with finishing it, thinking it was alright, re-writing it, thinking it was good, handing it in, and still having ten minutes left over in class), and deciding to sing for a Drama class production (in which I will be singing This Song Saved My Life).

It didn’t happen necessarily in that order, but still. And I’m going to enjoy the rest of today, because for the weekend, I’ve got 28 questions to finish for Law, a whole book to read for English class, write an entire thesis proposal, and catch Once Upon A Time on Sunday (in which Sebastian Stan is returning. OHMYGOSH JEFFERSON).

*Fans self.*

How was everyone else’s week?

-          May :)

Ahead Is Another Weekend Of Accomplishing Nothing

Date Written: April 27^th, 2012
Date Posted: April 27^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Breathe Carolina – Chemicals, Breathe Carolina – Blackout, Breathe Carolina – The Dressing Room

So, promise not to tell my friend Nova something?

This week, I cheated on my deadline work. Instead of working on it, I worked on another one of my books. I didn’t even get like, a page done, because there’s a major plot point introduced at the beginning of it that I kept going back and forth between, but I figured it out.

In addition, I’ve recently gotten back into my love of Castle. It’s definitely one of my favourite shows, even if season four has a lot more emphasis on Castle and Beckett’s relationship. But seriously – a writer who solves murders? My TV dream come true. I’m currently on “Pandora” (4x15)… This is a reminder as to why I love this show so much. And I might be finishing Psych off this weekend, too. (I don’t how, but I might.)

Lastly, I was hoping to work on my checklist this weekend. Seeing as I have a presentation Monday, a test Tuesday, another presentation that could be Monday or Tuesday, and an entire book to read by Tuesday, checklist work is not happening. Maybe it’s like Psych, where I’ll magically get it done. Or maybe I’ll get something done on Wednesday? We’ll see.

-          May :) 

I Feel Like Banging My Head Against A Wall

Date Written: April 26^th, 2012
Date Posted: April 27^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Pierce The Veil – Kissing In Cars

I feel like pounding my skull against an area that is made of brick.

I’d do it against my keyboard, but I doubt my laptop, Alchemy, would appreciate that. Mommy and daddy wouldn’t be too pleased with that, either. And I’m at school, so I’d get a tad too many weird looks and a lot of people would ask me questions as to what’s wrong and a lot of them wouldn’t understand the reason if I told them unless all of them write stories. Which would be beyond awesome, but really – what are the chances of that happening?

So, why do I feel the need to bash my brain against some sort of hard surface?

Because for the last little while, I’ve been contemplating joining some sort of writing competition. So, on Tuesday, I was talking to one of my friends and she asked me about looking into a short story contest for a local newspaper. So I did, and while I didn’t find one for a newspaper, I found a link to a website that does a free one.

It’s a story that has to be between 100 – 1499 words and it’s flash fiction. And after researching flash fiction, I’ve realized something that makes me want to beat my cranium against a rigid plane.

I don’t like flash fiction very much.

Well, the closing date is July 12^th, so I guess I’ll pull it together by then. After all, it’s like… two and a half months. Or I’ll, you know, find another contest to do.

-          May :)

So, Goodnight Moon, And Goodnight You

Date Written: April 20^th, 2012
Date Posted: April 20^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Go Radio – Goodnight Moon

So, first thing; I wrote and posted this late just because today I heard the song I’m currently listening to and I’m in love with it and I wanted to use a lyric from it that was accurate to the post. This is what I came up with.

Next thing; I actually got somewhere in my writing. Not far, because I’m such a procrastinator, but I was in a slump that I couldn’t get out of, but I finally did, which leads me to…

Third thing; I couldn’t write description for a while. Not that I wouldn’t, I literally could not do it. I’ve always been better at writing dialogue, but suddenly I had pages and pages filled with conversations between my characters with the random two lines of random description because I felt I had to add it in. So today, I spent my lunch hour today outside of my school and describing what I saw, heard, and felt. I got one page (double-sided) filled, and the descriptions got progressively longer as I went along, so I’m really happy.

Fourth thing; I’ve started on summaries for my books. They probably won’t be up for a while – I’ve got like… eleven to do, and I’ve only done three – but I’m not (totally) slacking!

Fifth thing; I don’t know what to post for the writing excerpt. I’ll be consulting my writing buddies (AKA bugging them into oblivion) as to what I should post, but it’ll be up soon enough… or, you know, “eventually” would be the more accurate term.

Last thing; I found out today that a girl who goes to my school has a book published. I’m even more determined now.

So, these were my closing thoughts for the week. Goodnight to all of you!

-          May :)

I GOT A REPLY

Date Written: April 18^th, 2012
Date Posted: April 20^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: All Time Low – The Beach, All Time Low – Poppin’ (Champagne)

I GOT A REPLY.

So, for those of you who are thinking, “What exactly is she talking about” (which I’m sure is all of you), this is the basic run-down:

In the second blog post I ever posted, I wrote about how I sent an e-mail to the person who inspired me to be a writer, and I was upset because I never got a reply.

Well, guess what.

I GOT A REPLY.

I saw it and read it and did a happy dance around my kitchen and called my friends and OHMYGOSH I GOT A REPLY SHE’S NOT DEAD SHE REMEMBERS ME SHE DOESN’T HATE ME OMG I GOT A REEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPLLLLLLLLYYY.

*Dies of happiness.*

-          May :)

Listen To "Painting Flowers" For A Title

Date Written: April 13^th, 2012
Date Posted: April 13^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: The Veronicas – Revenge Is Sweeter (Than You Ever Were), The Veronicas – Cry, All Time Low – Painting Flowers

So… this week, in terms of writing;

I feel like I've done nothing and feel like I've felt everything.

For one; I’ve recently become obsessed with Nathan Bransford’s blog. I mean, I’ve been reading it for a while, but all of a sudden I feel the need to devour it whole. I feel so different after reading something he writes. I truly feel like his posts have helped me.

Secondly; if anyone says anything about creativity, I’m immediately on alert. I listen as though they’re saying it about writing specifically and how to be a better writer and I think to myself, “this person’s totally right.”

Example: yesterday, I went on a trip for Drama class to see a play (The Prisoner of Tehran, which was so good, by the way. I had goose-bumps all throughout and nearly cried a couple of times) and the person holding the workshop before it started was talking about interpretations and I just thought wow, because it was really wow, even though I’m sure she didn’t mean it to be wow.

Third; we read the poem Words by Venus Khoury-Ghata in English class, and it talks about the destructive power of words and I just want to tack bits and pieces of the poem to my bedroom wall because it’s all so wonderful and beautiful and terrifying and I love it.

Fourth; as you can see, I’m currently listening to Painting Flowers by All Time Low and

oh
my
gosh.

I don’t know why, because I’ve heard this song a million times before but suddenly it’s completely different, like I’m hearing it in a different… sound wave? I don’t know, but it’s suddenly so amazing.

I’m in a really weird mood where it feels as though everything’s spiritual and reflective and golden and I don’t even know. But yeah – just expect me to have something to report next Friday on the progress of my novel, which I’m sure will have actually progressed (especially in comparison to the last little while).

Also – should I put up some of my writing? I’m working on summaries for my stories to post on here if anyone wants to read, but does anyone want to actually read an excerpt of something I’ve written? Let me know.

-          May :)

I've Got Real Big Plans

Date Written: April 6^th, 2012
Date Posted: April 6^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: You Me At Six – The Consequence

So, I have accomplished really nothing over the week and I have an essay due on Tuesday that I will spend the entire weekend writing and I will also be watching a lot of Psych and try to fit in some reading and writing if I can.

Have a great Easter Weekend, everyone!

-          May :)

Just A Note To Everyone

Date Written: March 30^th, 2012
Date Posted: March 30^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Avril Lavigne – Complicated

Just a note to everyone:

Don’t read Nathan Bransford’s blog before bed. If you’re anything like me, you’ll start querying in your sleep.

(Though I don’t recall any rhetorical questions in them, so I guess it wasn’t too bad.)

See you next Friday!

-          May :)

It's Just Me Killing Time

Date Written: March 29^th, 2012
Date Posted: March 30^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: The Spill Canvas – All Hail The Heartbreaker, The Spill Canvas – All Over You, The Spill Canvas – Our Song, The Spill Canvas – Low Fidelity

Hello, all of you darling, lovely people. It’s 10:47 AM and I’m typing a blog post, even though on any regular day I would be in second period, anxiously counting down the last few minutes of class.

But I’m not, because there’s no school, and I feel absolutely wonderful because today I’m going to be doing one of two things (or maybe I’ll do both?):

1 – Work on my checklist. As I stated in my last post, I now have a deadline for which I will finish my novel. And to get there, I have a bunch of things I need to work on so I know what to write and when to write it. (I’m a plotter to the core.) I have twelve things on said checklist (the last one being my favourite, because it’s “Make an actual plot”) and as of yesterday, I have checked off one. (Considering I thought I wouldn’t finish any of it until maybe mid-April at earliest… I feel proud. And I haven’t even had this checklist a week yet, either.) So I could spend today working on that, or…

2 – Reread The Hunger Games. Well, reread the first one. I haven’t read the second or third yet, but my cousin now has them and I shall be stealing them from her as soon as she gets through Catching Fire. Anyway, I’m going to see the movie on Sunday. And since it’s been two years since I’ve read it, I decided I need a refresher. I saw a picture of Seneca Crane and while I was looking at it, I was struggling to remember who he was. (As you can see, I need that refresher. I totally would’ve done that over March Break, but my cousin had it.)

So, number 2 is probably the option I’m going with, but who knows? Maybe I’ll get through them both yet. And for anyone who’s seen the movie… I’ve heard a lot of good reviews from people who have read the books, so I’m hopeful. What did you think? I’d love to know.

-          May :)

Novels and Deadlines and Pressure, Oh My

Date Written: March 25^th, 2012 (finished March 26^th, 2012)
Date Posted: March 30^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: The Killers – Change Your Mind, These Kids Wear Crowns – Oceans

So, tomorrow, I have a plot test on another book I haven’t read, but will hopefully finish by today. And I decide I’m going to do the same thing with this as I did with A Separate Peace.

I’m going to sit down on my bed with my door closed and listen to a bunch of music and read. I won’t chart my progress, but I will make sure to finish it by the end of tonight. It worked last Sunday, right?

So I’m in the middle of picking out my playlist to which I will read Her Fearful Symmetry to, when suddenly, it hits me.

I need deadlines.

(I find this absolutely hilarious, because I am a procrastinator extraordinaire.)

Deadlines give me something to work towards. Without them, I feel like there’s no pressure, and the thing is – I like pressure. Pressure also means something to work towards. It means that there is an expectation to do better and if you get it done, you can show off the fact that you can handle pressure when it’s thrown at you and if you get it done creatively, even better. And as long as the deadlines are doable, I generally get them done.

(With the exception of reading English novels, obviously, because I’ve had A Separate Peace and Her Fearful Symmetry since the beginning of February and I’ve only started within the last two weeks. But I still get them done… hopefully.)

So, ladies and gentlemen and other lovely creatures who inhabit the universe that are reading this:

I have a deadline.

I want to finish a(n approximately) 200,000 word novel by June 26^th, 2012.

I am now a man with a plan… well, girl with a plan… no, girl with a mission. There we go.

I’m a girl with a mission.

-          May :)

(P.S. I finished Her Fearful Symmetry in time for my test. Can I get a boo-yeah?!)

My Wing Tips Waltz Across Naive

Date Written: March 23^rd, 2012
Date Posted: March 23^rd, 2012
Currently Listening To: Panic! At The Disco – The Ballad of Mona Lisa, Panic! At The Disco – Nails For Breakfast, Tacks For Snacks, Panic! At The Disco – Nearly Witches (Ever Since We Met…), Panic! At The Disco – Time To Dance, The Band Perry – If I Die Young

Guess what I realized?

When it comes to my blog, I don’t talk to people. I talk at people. I don’t generate any conversation. So I thought about it and decided something.

I want to know: what do you guys want to hear (read?) me talk about?

Partially because I’m still getting used to this blogging thing and really don’t know what to write and partially because I do want to hear about what you guys want to see, I was hoping you guys could give me ideas.

Also, I was hoping you guys could give me a reading list.
For a writer, I’m not that avid a reader (which I know is terrible). But I’ve got $70 worth of gift cards to Chapters that I have yet to put to use, and I was hoping of compiling a giant list for when I do. (Also, I need a job so I can pay off my library fines and actually use my library card.)

So if there are any recommendations, I’d love to hear them.

And lastly, I would like to point out that this is approximately half a page. Ha – I don’t rant all the time!
See you next Friday!

-          May :)

How I Spent This Week

Date Written: March 16^th, 1012
Date Posted: March 16^th, 2012
Currently Listening To: Marianas Trench – Fix Me album, The Fray – Run For Your Life

Well, well, well. I have to ask myself – what exactly did I accomplish this week? (In terms of… anything, really.)

The answer to that is: something. Not a lot, but I accomplished something.

(Sadly, that short list of accomplishments doesn’t include finishing either of the novels I need to read for English… one of which I have a test for on Monday. After this, I am coming for you, A Separate Peace.)

On my wonderful laptop, Alchemy, there’s a sticky note function. I used that to organize all the story ideas in my head.

Also, the song I chose for my WC assignment is…

The Fray – Run For Your Life

Of course I would end up choosing a song by The Fray. But I’m glad that’s settled. Yet, for some reason, I have not yet actually written the darn thing. Oh well, I’ve got five days. I’m sure I’ll pull it together by then.

And in terms of my actual writing – I didn’t really write anything for my story. But I spent a whole day developing my characters for my Current Main Focus, which is awesome because I feel like I actually understand them now (especially since three of them were so similar. I have individualized them). Also, I’ve decided that I have a daily goal starting Monday: write three hundred words a day. It’s not much, but I feel like I need to write something so I don’t feel as though I’m slipping behind.

So – I guess it wasn’t as productive a week as I’d hoped in terms of my writing, but it was a good week and that’s all I really have to say on it. See you next Friday!

-          May :)