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 :)

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 :) 

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 :)

Welcome, Welcome!

Written: March 2^nd, 2012
Posted: March 2^nd, 2012
Currently Listening To: All Time Low – Guts; All Time Low – The Beach; All Time Low – Poppin’ (Champagne); All Time Low – Stay Awake

Hello. I see you’ve found my little blog, and I’d like to be the first to warmly say, “Welcome, welcome, welcome!” Thank you for joining me.

(Gosh, I feel like the witch from Hansel and Gretel after that. New approach…)

Hey there! Thanks for coming and reading my blog! I really appreciate it!

(No… it feels too preppy… and has too many exclamation points. Trying again…)

Hi. You’re reading my blog, which kind of blows my mind on a million different levels. And poke around, if you wish, even though there’s really not much to poke at. But yes – thank you for reading this. It’s actually really awesome that you are.

(… Meh. That’s sadly the best I can come up with. But I am thankful you’re here and haven’t left yet. Though I can’t guarantee you will be by the end.)

So, as the little column thing on the side that gives you the “About Me” of the blogger whose blog you’re viewing says… I’m May. Okay, well, honestly that’s my internet name because my parents don’t like me giving out my real name. And yes – I do get my parent’s permission for everything. And I’m talking about calling up my mom at work and asking her if I can buy food because I forgot my lunch. (Even though I’ve recently been smart about that and now must have at least four granola bars at a time in my backpack.)

So, a little about me that will find its way into the “About Me” section once I figure out how to actually work it (and everything else on this site):

I’m a female sixteen-year-old high school student in Canada. Also, as I’m sure you can tell by the “currently listening to” line – I like All Time Low. I like brackets and bolding and underlining and italicizing (but there probably won’t be any of that in this post because I have no idea how to work it yet. Just wait for the next post, though). I’m generally very organized, and I usually have to have a list of what I’m going to say, otherwise I forget something and become sad. In fact, I had such a cool idea planned out for this entire thing and now I’m totally blanking out on it and it’s kind of driving me crazy.

What was it? The world may never know.

I’m also far more sarcastic and witty on the internet. Therefore, if you ever meet me in person, don’t be surprised by the fact that I may be quite socially awkward around you. Well, that or I’ll talk your ear off with random nonsense and you’ll probably avoid me forever afterwards.

I’m also a very symbolic person. I guess that’s important because today is symbolic to me.

(No, it’s not my birthday. I’m disappointed as well.)

I’ve officially wanted to be a writer for six years today.

That, dear people who are following my blog (who are probably only going to be my friends, I swear. Though, if you’re not, it’s very nice to meet you! Or… well, the internet “you-actually-read-my-blog” equivalent of meeting, that is) – that is the most important because this is the blog of an aspiring author.

Wow… Typing that felt kind of weird, actually. Not because it’s not true, but because I’ve never actually called myself “aspiring.” I’ve always just said, “I want to be a writer.” Aspiring sounds so official.

Um… so, really the point of me starting this blog was kind of to just have a release where I can talk about my writing and what I want to write without forcing it on people.

(Cough cough Mom/Dad/Other family/Friends/Random teacher who taught me a couple of years ago and doesn’t even remember my name cough cough.)

(No, seriously, that last one actually happened… just today, in fact. My grade nine French teacher was covering a class so I talked to her about all the stuff I’m about to mention. I could tell the entire conversation she was just thinking, “What is this girl’s name?”)

But yeah – I’ve wanted to be an author for six years now, and writing’s just always been this thing I liked to do, but I never would’ve wanted to do it if it weren’t for my grade five teacher making me realize, “Wow. I’m kind of good at this and I actually like doing it.”

I don’t think my grade five teacher intended to get me borderline-obsessed with it. Oh well.

Also, I use borderline because it’s be scientifically proven that I’m not obsessed, I’m merely borderline-obsessed. (And by scientifically proven, I mean my friends did a project on passions and obsessions for their Anthropology/Psychology/Sociology course and I was determined borderline-obsessed. I even beat out one of my friend’s YouTube addiction – err, passion. I must say – I felt as though that was an impressive feat.)

So – I know this should be shorter for a little intro, but I do talk a lot, so bear with me here because I have a little bit more to talk about. Thanks and congratulations on getting this far, by the way!

Anyways, I am currently looking to get published, but I don’t have anything finished or iron clad done or anything yet, so I guess you’ll all read a little bit about that along the way. My goal is to get published by the end of high school. Or at least have a book deal… or an agent. Yeah, the main goal is to get an agent within the next sixteen months. I’m currently doing a lot of research on the publishing industry as well, because I’m kind of a newbie at… everything. So I’m trying to get a feel of how everything works.

Wow. This is so much longer than I intended it to be. I was hoping it’d be like… half a page. I guess not, since it’s two full pages. So, the last thing I wanted to say:

Welcome to my blog.

-          May :)