Who's Your Editor?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

WYE?s Bookmark Break Challenge (2 Month Update!)

Well, it's already been two months! I feel like this year is just flying by (Wait! Don't go!) And the beginning of each moth means less and less time for you to crack open those books and save those poor old bookmarks that are just suffocating! Well, some of you have done the most honorable thing my joining the Bookmark Break Challenge! Your efforts have aided in the saving of over 130+ bookmarks. I am so very proud! NOTE: If you would like to save the bookmarks by joining in on the Bookmark Break Challenge, simply click here to get started!
Now, onto the competitor's list to see where everyone stands!

GET THE CODE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE!

SAVE THE BOOKMARKS!

COMPETITOR'S LIST:

This list is looking pretty fabulous! Susan has been holding her on at the top! (Although, I will note that Rose should have her new list up for February and she could be jumping up quite a bit!) I'm still sitting quite happily in the middle! I love knowing that I am reading and that so many other people are reading right along with me! Good job to everyone! Also, as you may have already noticed, we have some new people. Moana and dtwilight joined as a mother-daughter duo, both having read three books a piece. Kyria is also a new entry and is already kicking my butt at 10 books. It's lovely to have all of you. Of course, the veterans are holding their own and we love to be competing against them as well. Keep up the good work my friends!

Also, you can click on any of their names to get a good look at their list of books, see what they have been reading, and track their progress. The same can be done with my list that I post on the Bookmark Break Challenge page (or listed conveniently below.) You can see what books I have been reading. Also, title on my list is a link to the amazon page so if you would like to read it as well, you will know what to look for!

MY BOOKMARK BREAK BOOK LIST 2011:

Until next month!

Monday, February 28, 2011

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!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

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.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

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?

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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 :)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

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!

Monday, February 21, 2011

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!!!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

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.