And the Winners Are...

Well, the BLOSCARS are over (and so are the OSCARS) so it is time for the winners to bask in all their glory while secretly worrying about everyone they forgot in their "Thank you" speech. Oh, no! But the Academy cut me off! The music started playing and people were screaming for me to get off the stage! I know they told me I would only have 30 seconds to deliver my speech, but I am "Blah-blah" and I thought they would give me more time. I was nervous! That's why I forgot all about you!

Ahem!

Anyway, and the winners are...

For MOST HELPFUL BLOG goes to....

AARON at AARON OUTWARD

For MOST THOUGHT PROVOKING blog the BLOSCAR goes to...

KATIE from LOVE IS EVERYWHERE

 

For the MOST SUPPORTIVE BLOG the BLOSCAR goes to...

Aubrie at Who' Your Editor

YEAH! THAT'S ME!!!

and

for the MOST CREATIVE BLOG the BLOSCAR goes to

Liesl at Fabulous Fashions for Sensible Style!

Congrats to all the winners and a very special thank you to EisyMorgan for hosting this event! I am absolutely beyond thrilled to have been a part of it all!

Weekend Wonder: Sarah

General Questions…

Name: Sarah

Penname: Don’t really have one so I’m gonna go with Sarah the Writer, which is what I’ve been calling myself in blogland the last few months.

A sentence or two about yourself: I’m a super shy girl who loves to read, write, bake, listen to country music, and watch Disney Channel and crime dramas (NCIS, anyone?). I’m from beautiful Washington state, am a chocolate addict, and am a cat lover.

Link to blog: http://introvertedwriter.blogspot.com

A sentence or two on what your blog is about: My blog started out as a way to share my reflections as a teacher with friends and family. When my teaching dreams changed, so did my blog’s purpose, so now it’s just whatever’s going on in my life.

Book Lover Questions…

What is your favorite book and why? I’m not sure I have a specific favorite book. My taste in books is about 10 years too young for me: Young Adult Lit. As much as I like the Princess Diaries series, they don’t compare to the classics I read in junior high, high school, and the teaching YA Lit course I took as an elementary teaching major. Books like To Kill A Mockingbird, Brave New World, The Great Gatsby, The Giver, and Walk Two Moons. I’m not sure why I prefer them over books that are more age-appropriate for 20-somethings.

Other favorites? I also love the Uglies series by Scott Westerfield, which AubrieAnne has reviewed. Also (don’t judge me!) I’ve been a fan of American Girl since I was 9 and got my first doll.

What’s your favorite genre to read? As I mentioned, I tend to favor Young Adult Lit.

Where do you like to read? To be honest, I don’t read very often. I’m too attached to technology. But if I were to take the time, pretty much anywhere that’s comfortable: a chair, my bed, our backyard porch swing.

Do you prefer paper books or ebooks? Definitely paper books. There’s nothing like holding a hard copy in my hands.

Do you prefer to buy or borrow books? Definitely buy. That way, I can read it again sometime in the future.

Do you stop reading when you are tired or when you hit chapter breaks? I try to stop at chapter breaks. It helps me know where to start when I return to the book.

When you finish a book do you usually keep it, throw it away, sell it, or give it away? Keep it, just in case I want to read it later.

What helps you decide on a book? (Book reviews, suggested by friend, by browsing the shelves, etc.) Usually just by reading a summary of the book. If I like it, I’ll get it. Knowing the author and that I’ve read his or her work before and like those also helps.

Do you prefer to read a book that stands on its own or is a part of a series? I don’t really care if a book is a series or on its own. In a way, it’s kind of like asking if you like a TV series or TV/regular movie.

So You Want to be a Writer questions…

A few sentences about your writing: What do you write (blog entries, novels, poetry, etc)? Why do you write? These days I mostly write blog entries and class assignments (which aren’t always as creative as I’d like them to be). Otherwise, I write short stories and poems.

I’m not sure why I write. I just like it I guess. My mom and I have decided that my love of writing came from my love of reading. The two go hand-in-hand when you think about it.

Did you always know that you wanted to write? Not really. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was 12. Before that I had a lot of different career dreams. But for some reason, being a writer has stuck with me for the past 12 years. Even as a teaching major, my minor was Creative Writing.

Favorite Questions…

What’s your favorite food? I have a lot that I call “bad-for-you” foods, but I’m just going to stick with pepperoni pizza and chocolate.

Favorite color? PINK! It’s been my favorite since before I can remember.

Favorite song? I have a TON, but I’ll just go with “I Run to You” by Lady Antebellum and anything by Sugarland.

Favorite movie? For years it’s been Lilo & Stitch. But as I’ve grown up, I’ve discovered so many chick flicks! I don’t really have a specific favorite of those.

Favorite TV show? I have a long list, but I won’t bore you with it. A few of my must-watch shows are NCIS, Parenthood, The Big Bang Theory, and anything on Disney Channel.

Random Questions…

If you developed a superpower what would it be and why? I would hope it would be mind-reading. As a shy and quiet girl, I’m not good at talking to people or even starting conversations. It would be nice to know what people really thought of me.

What did you want to be when you were little? It changed often. I remember wanting to be a mail carrier, a teacher, and other careers I can’t remember.

What is the answer to life? Family is the most important. And when you don’t know who to trust concerning everyone else, trust your instincts and anyone who has been around the person you doubt.

Weekend Wonder: *M*

General Questions…

Name: Mary

Penname: *M*

A sentence or two about yourself: I am a Twenty-something, Newlywed, Grad Student, Mental Health Worker, List Writer, Elephant Obsessor, Coffee Drinker, Bookworm, Rain Reveler, Thrift Store Peruser, Amateur World Traveler, Occasional Running Fanatic, and Overall Blessing Counter.

Link to blog: www.elephantsrainboots.blogspot.com

A sentence or two on what your blog is about: I love making lists (or rather, I love crossing things off) and became obsessed with the idea of making a life list. So I made a list of 100 things I want to do before I go and started my blog as a way to record my progress. However, I also blog about random things that are unrelated to my list.

Book Lover Questions…

What is your favorite book and why? This is a hard one, but I think I have to go with To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Sorry to go all 9^th grade reading list on you, but it really is such a perfect literary work. The characters, the plot, the style. I love everything about that book. I’ll be honest though, I don’t think I fully appreciated it until the 2^nd or 3^rd time I read it. So if you haven’t read it since the 9^th grade, give it another try!

Other favorites? Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Mama Day by Gloria Naylor, Generation X by Douglas Coupland, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

What’s your favorite genre to read? Realistic fiction is usually my preference, although I’ve also dabbled in science fiction and other genres.

Where do you like to read? Coffee shops! Preferably cool, comfy independent ones.

Do you prefer paper books or ebooks? Paper books, there’s nothing like flipping the pages! However, I did receive the nook for Christmas. I haven’t had the chance to use it yet (too much reading for classes), but maybe it’ll convert me into an ebookworm.

Do you prefer to buy or borrow books? Borrow for the initial read, but I like to own my favorites.

Do you stop reading when you are tired or when you hit chapter breaks? I stop when I’m tired. Sometimes the next chapter is just too far away.

When you finish a book do you usually keep it, throw it away, sell it, or give it away? Never throw it away! Do people do that? Depending on the book, I do any of the other options.

What helps you decide on a book? (Book reviews, suggested by friend, by browsing the shelves, etc.) Hm, I’ve done all of the above in the past but lately I’ve been asking my well-read friends for recommendations.

Do you prefer to read a book that stands on its own or is a part of a series? I prefer a really good book that stands on its own, but back in the day The Baby-Sitter’s Club was my absolute fave! You know you read them too!

So You Want to be a Writer questions…

A few sentences about your writing: What do you write (blog entries, novels, poetry, etc)? Why do you write? I used to write short stories and prose. I even participated in nanowrimo once and completed the piece, but I never submitted it. Lately my blog entries are my only outlet for creative writing.

Did you always know that you wanted to write? I always loved reading and wanted to be able to do for other people what books did for me. So, yes, I always wanted to write.

Favorite Questions…

What’s your favorite food? My mom’s cooking! She is sooo good! I especially love her eggplant parmesan

Favorite color? Blue?

Favorite song? It’s really hard to pick just one, but I’d have to go with “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes.

Favorite movie? It’s a Wonderful Life, classic.

Favorite TV show? The Office

Random Questions…

If you developed a superpower what would it be and why? To see into the future! Because I am the most impatient person you will ever meet! Seriously, it’s a problem.

What did you want to be when you were little? I wanted to be a writer, haha.

What is the answer to life? What was the question again?

I've Been Nominated for BLOSCARS!!!

I've been nominated for BLOGSCARS! I think that's pretty cool. If you guys are interested, click on the BLOGSCARS picture above and come check it out (Even vote for me if you feel like it!!!) Or, you can visit this link...http://eisymorgan.blogspot.com/2011/02/bloscars-voting-time.html

HAPPY OSCARS WEEKEND EVERYONE!

(Not that I condone The Academy. I think they've made some pretty lowsey choices in the past, but that's for a later rant :)

Book Review #8: “The Metamorphosis” by Fran Kafka

Title: The Metamorphosis

Author: Franz Kafka

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Edition: Paperback: February 17, 1996

Summary: A novella about a man who finds himself transformed into a huge insect, and the effects of this change upon his life.

*******

Now, with a summary such as, “A guy wakes up only to find that he has turned into a giant bug,” I can hardly see why one would pick up such a novella in the first place. However, it was assigned for my World Literature class so I was forced to pick it up and see what I could make of it. This was my first attempt at reading surreal fiction.

High Notes: It’s actually quite the entertaining story. Not because the poor man gets turned into a bug, but because NO ONE, not even the main character himself, asks WHY! Everyone freaks out for a few moments and then it’s on with normal life. The man insists on getting out of bed, trying to get on clothes and go to work. Sadly, it takes him forever to get out of bed because he is stuck on his back, his clothes do not fit, and he can hardly make it out the door without injuring himself. It’s actually funny until everything turns unbearably bad.

Low Notes: the lowest note is the pain you feel for the character. He spent his entire life taking care of his family and then when he actually needs them to take care of him, even just feed him something, they eventually fail him. He suffers, unable to communicate as he actually begins to feel and act like a bug, lost in this world that no longer suits him. It’s heartbreaking. It was the worst feeling as he withered away and his family just waits for it to happen so that they may be free of him and the burden he had become, like they weren’t terrible burdens on HIM when he was slaving away to take care of them! I just wanted to punch a character in the face!

Ratings:

Character Development: 4/5

Dialogue: 3/5

Prose: 5/5

Believability: 3/5 No one EVER asked why! But it is mean to be surreal.

Style and Grammar: 5/5

*NEW* Entertainment Value: 4/5

Overall Rating: 80% Strange!

Blond(s) vs. Blonde(s)

The difference between “blond” and “blonde” has escaped me for many years now. Finally, I looked it up and the difference will never me. It also makes for a good discussion/argument (depends on how you look at it or how defensive someone gets) in creative writing classes.

So, I digress…

“Blond” and “blonde” are spelled differently because they have two different meanings.

Blond:
Refers to the color! People have “blond” hair, golden retrievers have “blond” fur, that paint looks “blond,” etc.

Blonde:
Refers specifically to a female with blond hair. Therefore, my cousin is a “blonde” because she has blond hair.

Here’s the catch…
A male with blond hair is a “blond.” “Blonde” only is used when referring to females.

What if it's plural?
From what I have seen. If you are making it plural. You use "blonds" when referring to a group of males and "blondes" when referring to a group of females, or a group of males and females.
Exceptions…
Because of the female/male catch, some people believe that “blonde” is a sexist term and will not use that spelling. They spell everything as “blond.” So, I guess, if you are ever unsure, just use “blond” in all instances. However, if you want to be technically correct, differentiate appropriately.

The end!!!

Weekend Wonder: Patrick Tocci

General Questions…
Name: Patrick Tocci
Penname: Padraic
A sentence or two about yourself: I’m something of a poet, but lacking the steady manic-depressive, chemically altered or delusional state that makes most poets prolific. I enjoy writing and playing music, cruising on my motorcycle, taking an odd part or two in theatre productions, and journaling my thoughts and experiences.
Link to blog: http://thedivergentlife.blogspot.com/
A sentence or two on what your blog is about: The Divergent Life is a symposium where all the personae which my imagination conspire together in artistic self-sabotage! Mostly poetry, some prose, and odd personal posts or pseudo-philosophical ramblings find their way in, from time to time.

Book Lover Questions…
What is your favorite book and why? "Walden Pond" by Henry David Thoreau. He wrote there, "A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting." Walden Pond has ever had that effect upon me.
Other favorites? The Silmarillion, Les Miserables, Ivanhoe, Men of Iron, The Scarlett Pimpernel, Jane Eyre, Stalky and Co, War and Peace, The Lord of the Rings.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Historical fiction. I am slowly and cautiously working my way through works of many great 19th-20th century Scottish, Russian, French, and British novelists. I'm not overly fond of American literature, which as a majority I've found to be overwhelmingly dark and soulless; neither am I a fan of the modern novel. So few authors write truly well these days, and I'd rather not read whatever everyone else in the world is currently indiscriminately devouring at the time.
Where do you like to read? I can read anywhere, really. Growing up with five brothers has made me quite inured to chaos, and being a bachelor for several years has made quite accustomed to solitude.
Do you prefer paper books or ebooks? Each has their merits, but in my current transient bacheluxurious lifestyle ebooks have proven especially handy.
Do you prefer to buy or borrow books? I like to buy books and borrow ideas. I also steal epiphanies.
Do you stop reading when you are tired or when you hit chapter breaks? I usually read until I fall asleep or I am unavoidably interrupted. I rarely put down a good book of my own free will.
When you finish a book do you usually keep it, throw it away, sell it, or give it away? Keep it and sometimes I'll loan it to friends - which is often the same as giving it away, and understandably so.
What helps you decide on a book? The title, then the first three chapters. If I'm not hooked by then, it's pretty much hopeless.
Do you prefer to read a book that stands on its own or is a part of a series? I prefer a stand-alone book, but I do enjoy occasional series that don’t necessarily railroad me into reading the next installment just because of a cliffhanger. Plot is essential, but developing characters and caring about the quality of your writing is much more important.

So You Want to be a Writer questions…
A few sentences about your writing: What do you write (blog entries, novels, poetry, etc)? Why do you write? I write poetry, prose, lyrics, essays, and I'm working an assortment of novels in various stages. My poetry usually turns into lyrics once it meets my musical, and my lyrics sometimes turn into poetry when they meet my blogger side. As far my novels go, one is Tolkien-esque fantasy novel that I’ve restarted five times so far. Then a couple of others are being written under a pseudonym, and feature blatant exploitation of humanity's weakness for pulp fiction and romance. Just kidding... or am I? Writing is a crucial weapon in an artistic gauntlet I have run through to keep myself sane. Writing poetry came naturally to me, it's most rudimental form (four lines that somewhat rhyme.) Seeking to exercise ever less restricting forms of the discipline has been an interesting, but often tortuously and unconfidently pursued journey.

Did you always know that you wanted to write? Definitely not. I have only just become self-aware in the past eight years. I didn't even realize what my reflection was up until then.

Favorite Questions…
What’s your favorite food? Irish Oatmeal.
Favorite color? Royal Blue.
Favorite song? Bon Iver - “The Wolves (Act I & II)”
Favorite movie? Fiddler on the Roof.
Favorite TV show? Dexter

Random Questions…

If you developed a superpower what would it be and why? To separate myself into several different people: i.e. a bohemian poet, a soundtrack composer, a jaded, yet sometimes inspirational philosopher, an unfettered adventurer, an industrious novelist, and a hard-living war-fighter. I would tell each to focus on just one thing and I’d be so very productive and only the last alter-ego would have bad knees and back-pain. Then, at an appointed time, we could all get back together and argue about whose work was more important and I, the blogger, would make the final decision.
What did you want to be when you were little? A cowboy.
What is the answer to life? Don't get hung up on the details. Or something like that.

Weekend Wonder: Moana Brantwood

General Questions…

Name:  Tanya Louise

Penname:  Moana Brantwood

A sentence or two about yourself:  I am seeker of peace and often the go-to person when a problem arises. I love to write, and get lost in books, but it’s the love of my reality that keeps my fires burning.

Link to blog:  www.moanabrantwood.blogspot.com and http://bloggerholicsanonymous.blogspot.com/

A sentence or two on what your blog is about:  A mix of mystique, wicca, fantasy and real life, with a few reviews thrown in, to make it feel real. Oh, and a selection of some pretty damn fabulous pics!

Book Lover Questions…

What is your favorite book and why?  Madigan Mine by Kirstyn McDermott – Ingeniously written, Kirstyn’s style is gripping and darkly seductive. I can’t get it out of my mind.

Other favorites?  The Matrix by Jonathan Aycliffe (not Keanu’s Matrix); Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman; Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson; and The Fall of the House of Usher by (Sir) Edgar Allen Poe.

What’s your favorite genre to read?  Speculative fiction – anything paranormal, supernatural and haunting.  Must have a twist, a be a little sexy!

Where do you like to read?  In the shade of our backyard pergola (where the cats spend their days :))

Do you prefer paper books or ebooks?  I prefer a hard copy.

Do you prefer to buy or borrow books?  Buy, definitely buy!

Do you stop reading when you are tired or when you hit chapter breaks?  I stop only when the book tells me to.

When you finish a book do you usually keep it, throw it away, sell it, or give it away?  Keep it, occasionally lend it out, but I insist on its return.  Masterpieces are too hard to part with and become part of your soul.

What helps you decide on a book? (Book reviews, suggested by friend, by browsing the shelves, etc.)  Book review, blurbs, and I confess I’m a lover of covers. If the cover appeals, generally the book follows suit.

Do you prefer to read a book that stands on its own or is a part of a series?  I enjoy both, but a series would need to be captivating.

So You Want to be a Writer questions…

A few sentences about your writing: What do you write (blog entries, novels, poetry, etc)? Why do you write?  At present, I’m writing a novel, and have written poetry since I was small. Blogging is my latest obsession.  I have a need to create, confess, and express.

Did you always know that you wanted to write?  Always had a vivid imagination, but it was my English teacher who made me promise to write a book.

Favorite Questions…

What’s your favorite food?  Lobster

Favorite color?  Green

Favorite song?  Frozen by Madonna; Dreams by Fleetwood Mac; oh and Shine by Collective Soul.  (Can thirty-something people choose more than one, AubrieAnne?)

Favorite movie?  Mothman Prophecies

Favorite TV show?  King of Queens

Random Questions…

If you developed a superpower what would it be and why?   To have magic fingers, that with one touch would bestow mutual respect among people. (It’s what this world lacks)

What did you want to be when you were little?  A teacher.

What is the answer to life?  (Butterscotch Schnapps!) To do what the heart desires and never postpone your dreams.

Why Are All My Pens Dying?

Someone is cursing all my pens and I ask that you please refrain from doing so. Okay, maybe no one has actually cursed my pens, but it is one of the many conclusions I have come to in the last few weeks. See, a good amount of my pens have died on me lately. At one point, I was writing and my pen died, and then literally the next 2 pens I picked up died within minutes of each other! In total, I think I have thrown away 7-10 pens in the last 3 weeks. It’s kind of creeping me out. Thus, I have concluded many different things…

1. Someone is cursing my pens.

2. These pens are all very old.

3. The pens have all banded together and gone on strike.

4. It is a sign from the gods that I should stop writing. (I certainly hope not.)

5. Computers are the pens of the future.

6. The weather is colder and the ink in my pens has thickened?

7. The atmosphere is dryer so the pens are just drying up faster.

8. There is a mass pen suicide going on that I have yet to hear about.

9. I am unconsciously using every pen I own at an equal rate, therefore, it stands to reason that they would also die at an equal rate.

10. They’re just really crappy pens.

So, tell me. Is the age of the pen coming to an end? Is this a portent of something to come?

The Weekend Creation Feature!

I was featured by Shah @ Wordsinsync on Wednesday, February 9th! Now, I am going to share it with all of you because Shah set up a wonderful questionnaire on creativity for me to fill out! I also want to let you know that you too could be featured by this lovely lady merely by joining her weekly blog hop!

This is me!

What is your name?

AubrieAnne

Blog URL:

http://whosyoureditor.blogspot.com/

Creative out-let (crafts, cooking, writing, painting etc)?

I like to write, draw, and making jewellery.

What is your favourite colour? 

Black, but I also really like grey now.

When did you first realize that you needed to express your creativity?

Very early on. When I was a child, I started doing really creative things, such as dancing in my living room, drawing with pencils and crayons, singing in the bathroom, writing, making plastic jewellery, journaling, etc. My mom is also very creative so she got me into a lot of different things.

What is your favourite drink? 

Alcoholic? A White Russian. Now-Alcoholic? Ginger Ale.

Have your personal experiences (or situations) influenced your creative abilities? Definitely, any time I am really stressed, my creative abilities, at least as far as writing, can shut down. It’s scary in a way, but getting back into those creative outlets always makes me feel a lot better. :)

This is a graphic design project of mine
that depicts my two sides: my artistic side
and my more serious, bookish side.
(All the pieces you see on this are images
of my own work.)

Tell us a little about your latest project. Give us the link.

I’ve got ton of projects going on, but here’s just a quick overview.

I am writing a book (http://whosyoureditor.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-second-novel-unclaimed-darkness.html),

I am running a reading challenge (http://whosyoureditor.blogspot.com/2011/01/wyes-bookmark-break-challenge-2011.html),

I am fighting for better followers (http://whosyoureditor.blogspot.com/2011/01/discussion-topic-lets-start-revolution.html),

and I am featuring some of my own followers (http://whosyoureditor.blogspot.com/2011/01/celebration-for-200-followers.html?showComment=1295923547586#c6417917269502771699).

I don’t really have any links for my crafty projects, but I’m thinking I am going to have to add more of that to my blog.

How does your creative process/production benefit you?

It’s a stress reducer, a very productive way to pay time, and it’s FUN! When I am creative, I got into this mode that my mother affectionately has labelled my “machine mode.” I can whip off 5 pairs of earrings in a half hour.

How much of your creative ability do you think is innate and how much is learned?

I feel that you can’t have ANY creative ability without IMAGINATION and I definitely feel that my imagination is innate. Lol. I’ve been drawing for a very long time and thought I was sooo good, then I went to college and took every drawing class I could get myself in and I couldn’t believe how much I improved. So, a lot of that talent was learned, and now, I am soooooo good. :).

In truth, I am always learning. There is always something I can improve on. Luckily, it is innate in me to learn.

Me taking photos at Lake
Michigan.

What is the last book you read? What are you reading now?

The last book I read was “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley. I read it for my Sci-Fi and Fantasy class. I don’t know why I had never read it before because it was fascinating. Now, I am currently reading 2 books. I am reading “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy and “Killer” by Sara Shepard. I have actually been reading these books for a while now, since the beginning of the year, but the stuff I am required to read for school is getting in the way. Anna Karenina I know will take me a while. It’s a difficult book to read, but a very interesting. Killer, when I get the chance, will be done in a jiffy. I hope to be reading a lot more young adult novels (my favourite) when school chills out here.

What other, non-creative interests do you have?

Hmmm? This is hard. Lol. I like to swim in the summer and lounge on the beach in the sun. I love to SHOP! I love to watch movies. I’m good at archery!

What was the last movie you went to see? Do you have a favourite genre?

In theatres? Tron. On dvd? Prince of Persia. My favourite genre is scifi/fantasy/action/adventure!

What motivates your creative ideas and creative activity?

Mostly inspiration from various places. I get a lot of my writing ideas from movies or something that someone said. I also like to people watch. A truly gorgeous profile on a fashion magazine (W is my favourite) makes me want to draw. Nature inspires my poetry. And other jewellers make me want to create my own unique pieces of jewellery.

What role do you think emotions play in your creative process?

Mostly, if I am in the mood, I am creative. It’s pretty much a black and white kind of thing.

What would I find in your refrigerator right now? 

Leftovers. Some spaghetti, chilli, and chicken.

I've never shown
this many pictures of
myself. Feel lucky!

If you could trade places with someone for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be? 

I think I would like to trade places with Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice. I just think it would be fun to be rich during that time, and to have her confidence (and be a bit of a b*tch at the same time.) I would just love to be able to say some of her snarky lines.

What is your favourite (song) and why? 

“Here Today” by Paula Brancati and Flashin’ Midnight. It’s from the Degrassi Takes Manhattan soundtrack and the lyrics are fabulous.

You are invited to a large formal party. When you arrive, the room is already over half full of guests. How do they react to you and how do you feel?

Usually, if I got to a party, I know almost everyone (granted, the parties I go to are small). Usually, I’m met with hugs and greetings. It’s warm right off the bat. I am happy.

If you could be any character in fiction, who would you be? 

I answered this question a few days ago and it was hard to come up with one answer. When I was younger, I always wanted to be Hermione from Harry Potter. Now, I would love to be either Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice or Yelena from Poison Study.If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Oh, geez! The redheads in Hollywood are limited. I really like Kate Winslet. Although she is 10-12 years older than me, I think she is gorgeous! Or Emma Stone, but I’m not nearly as funny or as bada** as she is.

Do you believe that creativity and genius go hand in hand?

YES, but I also believe creativity and madness go hand in hand. :)

Discussion Topic: How old (or young) should you be to read yound adult fiction?

This was a guest post I did for Shah @ Wordsinsync while she was a on trip to the UK. I hope you had fun, Shah!

This was the topic of discussion around the proverbial table a few weeks ago on a WEbook.com forum I was participating in and the discussion got pretty lively and interesting. So, I thought I would bring it here to Shah's lovely blog.

So, how old (or young) should you be to read young adult novels. According to publishing companies, they aim for 14 to 21 year-olds. However, my cousin started reading young adult at 12 and a friend of my mother's has a 10 year old that brings home novels from this section of the school library because she wants to read more advanced books (plus, she thinks it is cool to read a big book.) But are they too young? Many young adult novels deal with such horrors as death, rape, the end of the world, adultery, murder, genocide, etc. Are 10 and 12 year-olds able to face that? Should they be protected from it? Should parents be reading it with them? (If any of you know me, you probably know that I advocate for family reading and that parents should be reading almost everything their children are reading so that they may explain difficult concepts!) Then again, some young adult focus on story lines such as friendship, loyalty to the ones you love, the outsider, difficulties at school, divorce, love as the most powerful force on Earth, strength, and courage. These are things young people can relate to and themes they can look up to. So, do we draw the line?

Now, on a lighter note, how young should you be to read young adult novels. I am 23 and I LOVE young adult. I race to the young adult shelves when stepping into a bookstore and rarely do I venture out unless looking for something specific. In the WEbook discussion, there were also several middle aged people and even a 65 and 73 year old that still confess to reading young adult. Should they (and myself) move on?

Now, it's your turn! Note some of the questions above. How would you answer them?
What do you read? Are you already reading young adult? Are you still reading young adult?

A Day of Awards 2!!!

It’s another interesting day of awards as in the last week I received 2 fabulous awards that I cannot wait to share with you all and even pass on to some of my lovely friends…

The first award is the Seven Facts Award which I received from the infinitely loving Katie over at Love with Katie! Thank you, Katie!

First, thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog.

Check! and Check!

Second, post seven random facts about yourself.

Here we go everyone....

1.  Eventually, someone does run out of things to tell you. Or least it feels like that at times, but a person can always try to surprise you with something new!

2. I LOVE horses! Did you see that one coming? I actually took lessons for about six years, basically until I was riding the most advanced horse on the farm. It was so much fun and I miss it all the time!!!

3. My favorite holiday is Halloween! I don’t really know why, but I love it! I also like the fall and the dark so that could have something to do with it.

4. Two of my best friends are getting married this summer! I can’t believe I am to that point, where I actually am attending weddings where I am not related to either the bride or the groom. It’s scary and cool at the same time and I can’t wait. I’m buying each couple a nice, pricey bottle of champagne! Because when else do you get the chance to drink really awesome champagne?

5. I get a lot of headaches. Some people would consider that a sign of genius, but I consider it a pain in the a**! And I am sure it comes from my glasses, from reading a lot in crappy lighting, and from staring at the computer screen for far longer than I should!

6. I like fuzzy socks! I love them so much that I got them for EVERYONE for Christmas. There is just nothing cozier than a good pair of socks (and a nice cup of tea!) Plus, in the winter my feet are ALWAYS cold!

7. I am now collecting nail polish! I’ve just decided this right now so it is a very NEW thing about me and entirely random, so yeah! I really like having pretty nails which pretty much sucks for me because I have some of the flimsiest nails on the planet. Every now and then, I get either a gel or acrylic set put on, and they look fabulous! However, I hate maintaining them and making all the appointments for them so I eventually give up and then my nails are more trashed than they have ever been. So, now, I just live with having to change my nail polish about every two days or so. It’s a pain, but they look so pretty!

Thirdly, pass this award along to 15 other bloggers!

Well, I don’t have quite 15 people to give the award to, but I have a few. Here ya are…

Sarah the Writer @ This Writer’s Journey

JJ @ The Disconnected Writer

The Creative Muslimah @ The Creative Muslimah

Matt @ The Entry into the Unfamiliar

Dawn @ The Goddess of Light

Natalie @ The Adventures of the Vereen-Davies

Tammilee @ Tammilee Tips
Shah @ Wordsinsync

Erin @ My Little Corner
Kristin @ My Bookish Ways

and

PoeKitten @ Many Waters

***

The second award is the Irresistibly Sweet award which I received from the irresistibly sweet Shah over at Wordsinsync! Thanks, Shah!

So here are the rules:  Share 4 guilty pleasures.  Pass this award on to six amazingly sweet blogs. 

Ok, here are my 4 guilty pleasures:

1.  Disney. I don’t know what it is, but I pretty much love all things Disney, especially, but not limited to, the Disney channel. I actually DVR Wizards of Waverly Place, Sonny with a Chance, and Shake it Up! I also used to watch Phil of the Future and Hannah Montana when it was on as well. I have been to Disney World twice and Disney Land once. I had a blast all three times and would love to take my children there, when I do in fact have children to take. For now, I could kidnap someone else’s child and take them instead. (NOTE: I do not advocate the stealing of children. I was just kidding.) But I do really want to go back to one of their theme parks.

2.  Young Adult Fiction. I have discussed this and will discuss it more in the future. (Very near in the future considering I have a post planned for TOMORROW that is entitled “Discussion topic: How young (or old) should you be to read young adult fiction?” be looking out for that one!) I like that it’s easy and fun to read. Plus, I am writing young adult fiction write now, so I consider it to be “research.”

3.  Chocolate!!! I’m addicted! I would eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I knew it wouldn’t give me a stomach ache and that it provided me with all my daily servings of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and grain. Yeah right! But I love it all the same.

4.  Movies. Yes, I indulge in movies! I love to watch them, buy them, and share them with friends. My collection is astounding! (Whew! Did my modesty just fly out the window? Come back!)  But, yes, it’s good. I tell my friends never to go to the video rental store until they have called me first. Lol.

And the sweetest blogs I know (other than Shah's):

Katie @ Love with Katie
Selena @ The Enchanted Book

Donna @ Refusing to age Gracefully (You know I can never deny sending an award your way!)

The Adventurer @ Life’s Adventures

Moana @ Kepper of Secrets

And

dtwilight @ Goddess of Cats

PS. I will be by later today to let all the nominees know they have been given such awards and I can't wait to see their guilty pleasures and random facts!

Thanks for sharing this fun day with me!!!

Book Review #7: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare

Title: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Author: William Shakespeare

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Edition: Reprint Edition: July 27, 2004

Summary: One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, chronicling the on-again, off-again relationships of four Athenian lovers and a Faerie King and Queen. Full of magic, meddling, marriages, and a play within a play.

*******

So, as many of you may know, I am taking another Shakespeare class in which we will study five or so of Shakespeare’s famous plays. Number one of the list was the comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I was excited to go over this play again because I haven’t studied it since high school and it really is one of my favorites.

High Notes: Absolutely hilarity ensues when the young Athenian lovers Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius enter the forest where the fairies dwell. In the beginning of the play, Lysander and Demetrius only have eyes for the fair Hermia and poor, lanky Helena is left pining for Demetrius on the side. However, when they enter the woods and the fairy king and his mischief maker try to intervene on her behalf, they turn all the lover’s lives upside down. The confusion, bickering, and magic spells makes for a great plot and a good laugh.

The play also ends happily in marriage which is a nice change from some of Shakespeare’s more tragic endings. This is also one of the shorter plays so it’s a good one to start with. Just about all the characters are entertaining and there aren’t really any long monologues to get through.

Low Notes: The language is obviously strange for our 21^st century tongues, but honestly, the more you read it, the easier it gets. When reading Shakespeare, I will often find a movie version of it and follow along as the actors on screen read the lines. Obviously, some movies are more true to the script than others, so you may have to pause the movie to catch up on what it has skipped. It has been my experience that any of Kenneth Branagh’s movies are pretty faithful. That can also mean they are very long, but if you like the content, it’s worth it.

Other than that, nothing else was low, for me at least. :)

Ratings:

Character Development: 4/5

Dialogue: 5/5

Prose: N/A (Although in some of Shakespeare’s plays, some people speak in prose, I usually use this portion of the ratings to judge all non-dialogue points, and since everything is dialogue in a play, I’m considering this to be N/A and will not include it.

Believability: 4/5

Style and Grammar: 5/5 (What else would I say here!? It’s flippin Shakespeare for goodness sakes!)

Overall Rating: 90%