The Future Door: No Place Like Holmes Volume 2 by Jason Lethcoe

The Future Door: No Place Like Holmes Volume 2 is a children's book about Griffin Sharpe, his uncle, and their race through time to save the fate of the world.

I'm going to be honest, I did not enjoy this book. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that it is the second book and if you haven't read the first (like me), you miss a bit of the back story, and the fact that it is geared toward a younger age.

I had to force myself to finish this book.

I'd maybe recommend this for boys ages 8-12.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Long Time No Post. Again.

So, like I feared, I have become bored with this type of blogging.

I've been spending a lot of time on Tumblr and I just find that it fits my needs much better. It's more of a social blogging experience, which I like.

Tumblr: http://www.ohshizzitsrachel.tumblr.com

I'll probably still post here occasionally.

I have a couple projects coming up:

1. Literary Heroes: http://pledgie.com/campaigns/16347 This is just the link to the pledgie page. If you look at the guest post by Erica from Crapfiction, she talks about it and has all the information on her blog.

Okay, so it's just that one. I've decided to stop taking on so many projects at once, in the hopes that I'll actually stick with one.

I've started a new channel on Youtube, and I'm starting to get more consistent with posting videos.

Update!!

So, a couple days after my last post, the computer got a virus. :(

My mother was looking for a recipe and opened a site that turned out to be a worm. And my brother's been to lazy to fix the computer.

 Anyway, my mom gave my brother and I our Christmas presents early, and mine is a Netbook the I am currently typing on :)
 
 I have a couple posts lined up. One of them is a haul from tkb trading, which I'm excited about.

Diamond Candles

Want an opportunity to review and giveaway a diamond candle?

Check out: http://theladiesloungeguide.blogspot.com/2011/12/diamond-candles-campaign-announcement.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FddFHa+%28The+Ladies+Lounge%29

Diamond Candles are a unique product with a ring in every candle.

No, I haven't forgotten you, and I want a Sugar Glider

Hey, so it's been a while. I haven't forgotten you, I just haven't really had a lot to blog about lately (suggestions would be great).

So, Happy Thanksgiving!

I have found the cutest little creatures ever.

Wait for it.

...

Sugar Gliders.

They are adorable and gorgeous. I want one so bad, unfortunately they're illegal in California.

It seems like all of the cool animals are illegal in California. Ferret's, Chinchilla's, my adorable Sugar Gliders.

Isn't California supposed to be the fun state?

:( They're like pillow pets, but warm and fuzzy and loving.

Apparently they bond to a specific human, and get all heart broken when that human isn't around. That's true love baby, who needs a man when you can have a Sugar Glider.

I think they're part of the Kangaroo family because a couple sites referred to the babies as "Joey"'s, which is what baby Kangaroos, right?

Imma go be depressed that I can't have one now.

Unless of course I decide to go to college in MS like my dad wants...

Or I could go to Illinois like I've always wanted.

Decisions decisions

Rebecca Black-Person of Interest Part 2

For some reason my previous post isn't showing up in my blogger app, so i'm just making a new post.

The song really isn't that bad, I actually kind of like it.

That's it.

I really wish she'd stop with the autotune though

Rebecca Black-Person of Interest

Oh Rebecca...

I thought you were going to do so well...

But looks like we're back to "Friday" quality...

Stop with the autotune, it's not needed

You're Pro-what?

So, some of you might have seen this going around Facebook:

Find the gay person：

유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유

Can't do it？That's because they're humans too and we're all the same.

Copy and paste this as your status if you support gays、bisexuals and lesbians

Well, I posted it, and this girl I haven't talked to in like, three years commented this:

Find the pedophile：

유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유 유

Can't do it？That's because they're humans too and we're all the same.

Copy and paste this as your status if you support pedophiles and rapists.

And this is the conversation that happened after that, and honestly, I'm a little surprised, because both Alyssa and Paul are christian. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like that they were arguing pro-pedophilia. Am I crazy?

Rachel: ‎Alyssa, that's not even the same thing, please refrain from posting stuff like that on my statuses.

Alyssa: Sorry, I just felt like making a statement about the leftist society we live in today. I realize that was an exaggeration, but sometimes I wonder if someday it won't be..

Alyssa:  I don't mean to be picking on gays either, I love my gay friends, it's just that absolutely EVERYTHING seems to be becoming socially acceptable these days.

Rachel:  Pedophilia will NEVER be socially acceptable.

Alyssa:  Oh, you say that now. There once was a time when people said there will never be a day sex would be seen on television, and a kiss on the beach in a movie by a married couple was considered taboo.

Rachel:  Unless the world becomes a place where pedophiles are the majority, that's not going to happen. There's a huge difference between supporting gays, and supporting pedophiles. For one, Gay people aren't doing anything illegal by being gay.

Alyssa: But there was a time when being gay was illegal. Things chance.

Rachel:  I don't think there's a big possibilty of that changing. And it has nothing to do with this status, so it shouldn't have been brought up at all.

Alyssa:  I know, I'm sorry. This is the kind of thing I should really keep to myself. Would you be so kind as to delete this whole thing and forget about it?

Paul: actually rachel, your friend is right. just this past summer, members of the APA (American Psychiatric Association) met to discuss "normalizing" pedophelia. here's the link.
http://dailycaller.com/2011/08/15/conference-aims-to-normalize-pedophilia/

not only that - go to my wall and scroll down a bit - there is a video with a professor from princeton talking about beastiality being okay.

Rachel:  What I got from that is that they're trying to make it scientifically acceptable, not socially, I don't think anyone will ever be okay with someone touching their child or any child inappropriately.

Alyssa: You realize it is socially acceptable and totally legal in Saudi Arabia today, right? Apparently someone thought it was okay.

Rachel: I'd like to point out that this is NOT Saudi Arabia.

Patricia: I would like to point out that originally pedophilia was not against the law but now it is, making it so that it is becoming less socially acceptable. There has been laws against gays since the bible came about (potentially before), meaning gay rights are becoming more socially acceptable. So it is not the same thing.

Nothing REALLY Prepares you for High School

I know I don't have the "usual" high school experience, since I was at an academy that had one hall way and never more that 120 students for the first two years, and then we combined with a "real" high school, but I think I have enough knowledge to say that NOTHING prepares you for high school.

Parents tell you that you should just worry about your grades, not your friends.

And T.V? They're probably the worst. Television and movies have the WORST representations of high school ever (Except Secret Life, that's surprisingly accurate). They give you this idea that there are these "popular" kids, that run the school and bully everyone, but honestly, most high schools are too big for there to be one group of people that everyone knows.

You're more likely to get stabbed in the back by your best friend than by and enemy. Which upsets me. A lot. I can handle enemies, they're whatever. They don't mean a thing to me. But when my best friend hurts me? I turn into a complete mess. I'm just not capable of dealing with someone I care about betraying me, it's not a skill I have.

Maybe I just chose the wrong group of people to be friends with. I know not all people in high school are like this, in fact, my junior friends have the LEAST amount of drama. And I'm jealous of them. I WISH my life was that drama free. I WISH that my friends didn't feel the need to talk about everyone and everything.

And you know what pisses me off the most?

I'm one of the most honest people ever. I HATE lying, and by association I hate liars. If I have a problem, I tell you. And if I do talk about you, I'll tell you. But somehow I STILL get people saying that I talk about people behind their backs.

Oh, and the double standards people seem to have, "Oh, when I do it it's venting , but when you it it's talking crap." Seriously? Everyone needs to vent sometimes, and most of the time, I don't even mean what I say when I'm venting, I just need to let off steam, which is exactly what venting is for.

I can't wait for high school to be over.

I'm not even sure I'm going to post this...

Stressed and drama-free for the moment,
-Rachel

This is What Happens at Slumber Parties...

Klaire and I really wanted to do "Edge of Glory"

Invasion by Jon S. Lewis

Hey!

Invasion is the story of Colt McAlister, who's parents just died in a car accident. He moves to Arizona with his Grandfather and recieve's a phone call that makes him think his parent's deaths might not have been what they seemed. After that he gets thrown into a world he thought only existed in comic books.

So, I read this book in literally one day. I was hooked. The story was very engaging, the character's were believable, and it was very unique. I can't wait to pick up the second one, as soon as I get the money I'll be going to buy it.

Definitely recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Dear Sprint,

I've spent the last hour trying to get my phone to work.

Last night I plugged my phone in to charge and went to sleep, the phone was on.

This morning I woke up and reached for my phone, and it was off. This wasn't all that unusual because my phone likes to turn itself off sometimes. I tried to turn it on and it wouldn't. I took that battery out, I begged I pleaded, nothing.

So, because I'm lazy and don't want to go to the Sprint store this early, I went to their website. They have this thing where you can chat with a representitive to get help. It's almost as unhelpful as their phone representitives.

While I was chatting with the representitive my phone turned itself on, I was extactic, until I saw that it said it was only 5% charged and it turned itself off...

My phone was on the charger all night, how on earth could it possibly be only 5% charged?

I'm annoyed.

Anyway, I got fed up with the representitive and X-ed out, I've since gotten my phone to charge, but if I'm still having problems I'm going to take my phone into the store on Sunday.

It's now made it to 20%

Also, I'm blogging from my friends computer, I'm staying the weekend with her.

Don't forget to follow and like us on Facebook!!

Annoyed and Phoneless,
-Rachel

New Writing Blog

So, I decided on "Flatter the Writer" for my new blogs title. I would love it if you all would go over and check it out. I don't have any writing up yet, but you should follow so you know when I do put things up :). I'm a little terrified because I haven't shared my writing with anyone in about three years.

http://www.flatterthewriter.blogspot.com

I'll still be posting writing advice and NaNo stuff here, the new blog is only for things I wrote.

formspring.me

Ask me questions about anything http://www.formspring.me/AbelleKingsley

National Novel Writing Month: Day 2

Ugh. Today is not going well. I don't even thing I made to 1000 words today. Fail.

Post have been so short lately, but at least I'm posting.

Anyone interested in guest posting? fred_the_leaf@yahoo.com

With lots of fail,
-Rachel

I really need your help. Desperately.

Okay, so I've been asking people on twitter for help for like 2 weeks, and nobodies replied. But, I am hoping that you guys would be more willing to help.

I want to start a new blog just for posting the things that I write, however, I need a title. I can't for the life of me come up with one. So, I asked a question on the FB page asking people to help. If you could leave suggestions there or over here, that'd be awesome. Whoever's title I pick will get my eternal gratitude, A giant virtual cookie, and a spot light in the "Friends with WTRAC" section.

Please Please Please Please Please.

Can I Count Blog Posts Towards my Word Count?

Hey!

So, it's still the first day of NaNo (at least where I live). I hit 2,000 during the first hour, so I'm good for today and figured I'd write a post (I'm such a procrastinator, I should really get working on tomorrow's word count.) It's going well so far... Just wanted to stop by, I really don't have anything else to say...

Don't forget to follow and like us on Facebook!!

Happy Halloween and NaNo, here I come

Hey!!

It is currently 3:23AM and I am lying in bed typing this from my phone (so please excuse any errors, tiny keyboard).

Just wanted to stop in and say Happy Halloween. Tonight I'll be hanging out with a big group of friends and going trick or treating for the first time in two years. I feel kind of silly because,well, I'm 17 and I'm going to be dressed up as a fairy (and you can bet I'll be wearing my fuzzy boots, I hate the cold).

What are your Halloween plans?

NaNoWriMo is less than 24 hours away. I'm nervous and excited. A few days ago there was a mishap where I couldn't find my flash drive, I almost cried. And then I put in my favorite sweatshirt and there it was, i had left it in the pocket last time i used it. I'm so glad I found it though, I was ready to give up on NaNo.

I hope your NaNo planning is going well and that you enjoyed all the guests posts.

I wish I could say that I'll be back on a normal posting schedule soon, but with NaNo starting it isn't likely. I probably wont be able to post regularly until February. The next few months are always super busy for me.

Don't forget to follow and like is on Facebook!!

Have a spooky Halloween/NaNoWriMo Eve

-Rachel

P.S. Isn't my niece the cutest thing ever?

Cursing in Blogs

Hey!

A few days ago I ran across a blog where literally every other word is the "F" word. I was flabbergasted, do people actually think that using language like that is impressive? I'm not saying I don't curse, but I certainly don't do it on my blog, and when I do use it it's to emphasize a point (or because I hurt myself...). I get that it's the internet, and that kind of language is to be expected, but you should treat your blog like a business, and I would personally never want to be associated with a business that uses that kind of language.

Your opinions?

Don't forget to follow and like us on Facebook!!

Guest Post: NaNoWriMo: On Writing: Victoria from Victoria Alizabeth Levesque

Victoria Alizabeth (victoriaalizabeth.blogspot.com)

I participated in NaNoWriMo for the first time last year. I only made it halfway through the word count, but for me, that was still a win. Part of what helped me was that I had a group of friends that also participated in NaNo. We met at least once a week to work on our novels, ask crazy questions, and generally have a good time. Since it was all of our first time, I don’t know if any of us knew exactly what to expect from it. Our kickoff party started at about eleven, with some brain storming, and little exercises. I went home around three, but a few of the others stayed well into daylight the next day.

Last year, I had a year’s worth of outline and world building with me. I’m doing things a little different this year. For the past few months I’ve been working on a novel, and don’t plan to finish the first draft until a week before NaNo begins. I’ve done some thinking about what I’ll write, but still have no idea. This will be well and truly the first time I write something with virtually no planning. I am definitely nervous about this.

On the other side, I’m not taking classes this semester, so I’ll hopefully have more time to write. I’ve also still got my group from last year, though it’s dwindled down to four people instead of eight or nine. Still, as it gets closer to time, I get more excited. Even though I write whenever I have something in my head, I’ve spent the whole year looking forward to November. It’s quickly becoming my favorite time of year.  

Guest Post: On Writing: NaNoWriMo: Voss from Demon Hunting and Tenth Dimensional Physics

 

I consider NaNoWriMo the one, key turning point in my writing career. I know I’m not alone on that front, but it doesn’t make it any more meaningful to me. The first time I used the process, it was in total seclusion, and I followed the rules of the even to the “T”. I think it was July, and I sat down three days before and planned the whole thing out, from characters to plot to combat systems—everything.
I also scrapped most of that later, but that’s another story to be told…eventually…
The real importance of it was the fact that I finished writing a full 50,000 word manuscript. It was ugly, rough, and ugly…and ugly. But I finished it, and that’s what counts.
Now, entering my fifth or so NaNoWriMo event, I’m much more confident, and much better off as a writer. Stories have been published, others are just about ready to be sent out, and I’m taking in pay—and I’m not even twenty at the time of writing this, though I might be by the time you all read it. Without NaNo, I would be all of nowhere, except maybe stocking shelves at Wal-Mart. The real thing to take away from the event is the feelings—every feeling. The Excitement of the planning, and of writing those first ten-thousand words…followed by a toenail pulling session when you reach the mid-point (our dreaded WEEK TWO of NaNo). And finally the finish. Mostly, this all adds up into confidence. Confidence that you can write, that you can produce product quickly, and that it’s okay to write crap in that zero draft.
I’d like to think of this NaNo as a year of change: the Office of Letters and Light are trying to change the negative name attached to the number thirteen, our new members are again changing their minds and joining the ranks of insanity, and we’ve had a change of Leadership with Chris Baty stepping down. So why shouldn’t we all change along with it?
***
Voss foster writes speculative fiction, and begrudgingly admits to writing romance. When not stuck to his laptop, he enjoys singing, cooking, and photography. He can be found and contacted at http://vossfoster.blogspot.com

Writing Prompt #2: Losing

Hey!!

Writing prompt: Write about losing someone, it doesn't have to be that the person died, maybe something just happened with a friend. It can be from a character's point of view, or from yours.

Looking forward to reading your writing!

I'm not sure what happened, exactly. One day we're sitting next to each other laughing our heads off, and the next she's on the other side of the room, and she took the rest of the group with her. I wish I knew what happened. I wish that I wasn't losing my best friends. I wish that highschool wasn't so hard.

Don't forget to follow and like us on Facebook!!

London

Article first published as Music Review: London - Diving Heart First on Blogcritics.

So, there's this amazing musician named London. She is a 21-year-old singer/songwriter with a very unique sound that's edgy and raw with emotion. Unlike most mainstream artists, her lyrics tell us about her experiences in a very blunt way, instead of sugarcoating it and churning out the same thing over and over again like many artists. If you follow her on Twitter you'll see that she is down to earth and absolutely adores her fans, which is something you so rarely see with people trying to make it big these days

I first came across London three years ago while I was browsing through YouTube. I was amazed from the first note she sang, and have only become more amazed as time has gone on.

I think that growth is important in any type of artist, and London has grown so much artistically in the last three years. She's gone from a young teenage girl who had a tendency to sing through her nose, to this beautiful young lady who's been signed and is currently trying to raise funds to produce her second album.

Her music is easy to relate to and catchy.

Her debut album, Diving Heart First, came out in March 2010 and is full of fun, catchy songs that really tell you who London is.

The following are some of my favorite songs from the album:

"Girl in the Crowd" is a fun tune that tells the story of a girl just wanting to fit in, to get everybody to understand that there's more to her than meets the eye. I love this song because it reminds me a lot of the person I was in middle school.

"Tools of Persuasion" is a great way to let a guy know that unless he commits, he isn't getting any. This song is one of my favorites because in today's society, everybody seems to treat sex so lightly, but I believe that it should be something people should be more careful with. I'm not one of those people who think you should wait 'til marriage, but I definitely think it should be with someone you love and not just a casual thing.

"Carried Away" Everyone gets carried away sometimes. When I think about the song "Carried Away," it reminds me of two people who have different ideas about what their relationship is. For instance, maybe one of them thinks that they're exclusive and the other thinks they're just casual.

I've heard a few people say that they think that London sounds like Miley Cyrus, and I don't agree. To me, Miley just seems like she's trying to hard to be "edgy" and that ruins the effect, London isn't trying to be anything, she's just being herself.

I think that Diving Heart First is great for people looking for new, unique music, sung by someone who truly cares about her fans.

I really hope you check out London's music and that you enjoy it.

You can listen to some of her songs at purevolume.com/MissLDN, and buy her muisc via her website at MissLDN.com.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-london-diving-heart-first/page-2/#ixzz1axcjIHhF

Let's Get Social Blog Hop

On Writing: NaNoWriMo: Organizing

Hey!

Gonna talk about organizing today!! So, I've tried a couple different organizing strategies in the past that haven't gone so well, but I think I've found the perfect system for me.

Materials:
-1inch 3-ring binder
-5 Dividers
-Loose-leaf paper
-Pencils
-Flash drive
-Composition books (I'm thinking I'll use at least 4)

-I Inch 3-Ring Binder:
     -I'm just going with a really simple one I got for a dollar, it's black and does what I need it to do.
-5 Dividers
    -I labelled these
       -Outline
       -Notes
       -Character Profiles
       -Solo Scenes
       -2nd Draft
-Loose-Leaf Paper
     -Make sure you have plenty of this, you'll need it. I'm starting with 2 150 packs, but I'll probably get tons        more by the time November is over.
-Flash Drive
     -At the end of each week I'll be transfering the 2nd draft into a third draft which will be kept on my flash         drive.
-Composition Books
     -This is where I'll be writing the first draft. They fit easily into my school bags and purses, so I can take them out and write anytime I feel inspired.

That's it for now!!

Don't forget to follow and like us on Facebook!!

Join the Stand Against Bullying

Bullying is a serious problem that needs to be stopped. Everyday people are bullied and most don't know how to handle it. And many choose to handle it by ending their life. No one should ever be made to feel like they aren't good enough, like they don't matter, like they don't deserve the life they were given. Everybody deserves to be able to go to school or work or anywhere and know that they aren't going to be bullied. You can help by taking a stand against bullying. Get informed, inform others, and do something about it.

http://volunteerguide.org

standagainstbullying.org

www.stopbullying.gov/

Monkey Do Monday: A No Rules Hop

Guest Post: On Writing: NaNoWriMo: Erica from Crapfiction

I want to thank Rachel (@AbelleKingsley) for inviting me over to guest post. I have only recently jumped on the bandwagon of engaging in social media, and it has allowed me to connect with people across the world in just a couple of months. I would like to apologize in advance for my post. I write #crapfiction, and it's usually littered in confusing statements and grammatical errors. I'll address more of that later.

I'm lost. I'm the proverbial needle in a haystack of writers; as a result, it smothered my potential for years. I had a love for reading at a young age, easily getting sucked into the fantastical worlds that authors had illustrated through writing. And those stories would spark my own ideas. Three comments were always on my elementary report cards: I was a social butterfly, a great reader, and I had wonderful creativity. The first trampled the other two in high school. I spent days “studying in the library” to gossip with friends and play hacky-sack. I took numerous classes on creative writing and English composition, but never adequately prepared myself for college. So I didn't go.

Don't get me wrong; I completed a few semesters of community college down the road. But then I traded that in for a family. But now that things have settled down? I'm back with my thoughts and unwritten stories. Being a writer can suck. Go to any website like Smashwords or Goodreads, and find the hundreds of people who are trying to push their way into the literary spotlight. And most of them DID go to college, HAVE been practicing their craft for years, and DO have publishing contracts. How can I break into one of the most supersaturated industries around? I have no connections and less education. And that realization gave birth to my blogging project (The actual name will be released in a couple of weeks; I still need to buy the URL).

I've started a new blogging project inspired by lots of ideas - “Brainstorm to bookshelf” - “For writers of all backgrounds by writers of all backgrounds” - “Blogging one error at a time” - to name a few.

As stated on my blog,

“... someday I want to get published. Someday I want to sit at a table in a bookstore, sign my awesome signature in my novel, and have people weep about how much they love me. Too much? Maybe. Impossible? I think not. I wanna prove to the world that writers don’t have to be “perfect” or “normal” to be successful. I am a misfit. Are you? ”

This was originally going to be a solo project; I've changed my mind. I thought about everyone I have connected with and realized I'm not the first person who feels like this. And I won't be the last. So why not scoop up all of our talents? Why not share our drunken slurs about our 50th rejection letter? Why not show an audience of people that anyone can be successful? You just have to believe. I know I've been rambling on, so if you are interested, head over to http://crapfiction.wordpress.com/ and find out more. We're in the baby stages, so now is the best time to get involved!

We will be starting with NaNoWriMo. If you've never heard of the concept, head over to their website. In summary, it's an annual event in which writers all over the world compose their own novel (of at least 50,000 words in length) during the month of November. This will be my first year, and I'm terrified. But that's okay. I'm not the only person poppin' the NaNo cherry this year. I already have a few writing buddies lined up, Jack Daniels included, and am ready to face this adventure head on. Who knows? Maybe one day you'll see said novel on the bookshelf in a Barnes & Noble. One can only hope.

Thanks for letting me stop by and throw some ideas at you. If you, too, are a budding writer? Check out and subscribe to my blog, find me on Twitter (@EricaWing), and let's take over the world. Later tweeps! This lady needs a drink!

New phone, New hair, New Month

Hey!!

So, this post is going to be really short (what else is new?). I've got new hair. It's not exactly what I wanted, it's a little to short and bob-ish than I told her to do, but hey, hair grows. I also died it a chestnut brown. I'll post pictures once I get my new phone (which has an 8mp camera, the same as the "new" iPhone 4s or whatever it's called. R.I.P Steve Jobs). I should be getting it in a couple days. If you're wondering, I'm getting the Motorola PHOTON from Sprint.

And, it's mah birfday month!!! I'll be seventeen and I wish I could invite you all to my party :)

That's pretty much it.

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Guest Post: On Writing: NaNoWriMo: Jaclyn from Rambles from Insanity

*Steps on stage*

So, being as this is my first time guest blogging, I might end up rambling. Feel free to drag me out with a giant cane ha-ha.  Any who, my name is Jaclyn and I blog about NaNo out in the Heart of Dixie. I started my blog last year, and my first year to NaNo was in 2008. I believe I wrote 7,000 words that year. Sadly, my computer got an incurable case of the Blue Screen of Death and has yet to be revived. Although I do happen to remember putting poodles in that novel on account of a dare….

*Runs from the giant cane*

Ahem, back to what I was saying…

That novel was horse puddle anyway. My 2009 attempt was a lot better. I remember discussing details of what would happen with my friend while we both sat on giant slides and procrastinated. We’re very bad at that. I didn’t finish that year either…but I do believe I hit the 10k word mark.

I was never really good with longer projects.

*dodges a flying rotten something*

This, as you could probably guess, is why I didn’t finish last year’s novel either. BUT, I handwrote 15,000 words. And I also attended my first write-in. Last year was the closest taste I’d ever had of that finish line and now I have it in me to finish this year.

This is why I have several sheets on copy paper with multitudes of words printed on them to help me plan.

But that is also why I only planned five chapters and then gave up. I knew I wasn’t going to follow it anyway. So, I downloaded yWriter5 and typed up some rooms, [actually, I mainly got them from the adoption thread on the forums <3] and put together what room goes in which chapter. So, when I DO run out of plottedness, all I need to do is pull up yWriter and I have the chapter, the room, a brief description of the room, and I can get to work.

I specifically planned out this NaNo to have the ability to jump around. I’m going to attempt to write out of order, jump write in the middle of a chapter and write where I feel like it. Because each chapter is a new room. And with this, I hope will lead to the success of winning my first NaNo.

I might not have won yet, but you can’t say I’ve given up. :D

*curtsies to the cheers that shake the building, er, blog*

Well, I guess I have rambled enough, if you want to hear more, feel free to hop over to my blog where my madness continues.

Thanks for reading!

Jaclyn

http://stealmedead.blogspot.com

Monkey Do Monday: A No Rules Hop

Oh My Gosh...

There's only 28 days left until NaNo. And to get you all prepared for that, we will be having  a series of guests posts from people doing NaNo. One will be going up every Wednesday this month, with the exception of one, I'm not sure when it will be going up, I'll decide once I've receieved it. If you are interested in guest blogging send me an email and we'll set it up.

Todays kind of a quiet day.

Oh and my friend Klaire injured me, I was giving her a piggy back ride when she hit me and we fell over...

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Halloween TAG!!

Hey!!

So, Halloween is coming up!! I'm so excited (Halloween is ten days after my birthday!).


For Halloween my friend and her family always do a haunted house and for the last few years I've been helping out so I'll be spending Halloween weekend at her house, oh and we have Halloween off, It's a teacher work day.


What will you be doing for Halloween?


Do you "celebrate" Halloween?


TAG Time!


Questions:


1. Favorite Halloween movie?


Hocus Pocus. It's kind of dorky now, but I've watched it a million times every Halloween since I was little.


2. What age did you stop trick-or-treating?

I think it was around 14, I don't really remember (we still get candy though, when we don't have any people going through the haunted house we go to the end of it and steal candy from the bowl).


3. Favorite Halloween Costume you have ever been?


I don't really have a favorite costume, it's been a while since I was actually something, usually I just throw pieces from old costumes together and call it a costume. Once, I was a clown, Vampire, and a Zombie all mixed into one...

4. What are you going to be this year?


I'm probably going to be a zombie, I've been experimenting with liquid latex and costume make up, so...


5. Do you like haunted attractions?


Yes, I will be working one again this year.


6. Vampires or werewolves?

Zombies.


7. Favorite Halloween Candy?


Kit Kats, it's actually the only time of the year that I eat them, except for once last summer when I had a weird craving.


8. Do you decorate your house?


I like to, but my mom doesn't, so we compromised, I could put up scarecrows, and then our scare crows got stolen.

9. Least favorite Halloween costume?

One year my cousin and I were both witches, and that made it my least favorite costume.
10. Have you ever repeated a costume and what was it?

No, but I've reused parts of costumes.
11. Do you believe in ghosts?

Yes.

12. Scariest Halloween?




Last Halloween it was almost closing time for the haunted house, and some guy was walking around the maze part of it wearing a mask and not saying anything, it was creepy. Later we found out that it was one of their friends from down the street.


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Blog Hop!!

We Made Soup Today!

Hot and Sour to be specific.

As, the guy in our class said, ours looked more gross, but it tasted amazing.

Today in my History (that's right) class, we made soup. We're studying immigrants and their culture, so my teacher thought it would be a good idea to make soup. Yeah, not so much. I was annoyed because I didn't sign up for culinary arts (my BFF did), and my group wouldn't let me see the directions (because they were going in the wrong order). Oh, and I'll probably never become a vegetarian, Tofu is gross.

 Sorry for the short posts lately...

The NaNoWriMo posts will be starting monday, so posts will be longer then. I'm still accepting posts, The latest I'll take them is Oct. 7, I extended it because I want a few more posts...Just email me for details...

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On Writing: Well, that's a first...

Yesterday after the thing that happened that I can't talk about (see last post), I had to fill out an "Incident Report. Today I got called in his VP's office to talk about it, and as we were going over it, she told me I'm a good writer.

...

It was really random, and I was kinda just like "uh, thanks". Is it sad that, that Incident Report was better written than any fiction I've ever written?

Sigh, I'll just have to keep trying and try not to end up writing another Incident Report.

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Bullying, Alcohol and School

I know that bullying is kind of a hot topic right now, and it's kinda just a coincidence, this post was actually inspired by something that happened today, I can't give specifics because it's still being investigated, but I just want to talk about some things.

Bullying:
Not okay, at all. It doesn't make you look tough, or cool, you just look dumb and weak. Kids, barely old enough to be out past 9PM are killing themselves because of bullying and it needs to be stopped. And if you see someone being bullied, say something, don't just sit there and watch it happen. I saw a crowd of over twenty people sit there and do nothing while someone was obviously getting bullied (Don't worry, a couple friends and I went over and stopped him, and one of us went and got security). It made me sick, because a lot of the people sitting there claimed to be anti-bullying.


Alcohol and School:
Don't bring alcohol to school, it doesn't make you seem cool. And don't walk up to people who you know are against alcohol and offer them "wine" (we have a couple theory's about what was actually in that bottle). And don't go around bragging about it, we will turn you in. Alcohol is dangerous. It destroys lifes, family's, friendships, it destroys everything, I've seen it happen.

I just hope that when the time comes, you guys make the right decision.

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I'm getting this haircut...

So, I'm getting this haircut in a few days


















And I'm really scared, I'll be cutting like 6 inches off my hair and It'll be the shortest I've ever had it...But I lov the style so I also can't wait :)

That is all...

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On Writing: National Novel Writing Month

Hey!!

So, does anyone here do NaNoWriMo?

Oh, you don't know what it is?

Well, basically, you have 30 days (November) to write a 50,000 word Novel. Website

Have you done it? Are you planning on doing it? What are your experiences with NaNo? What are you expecting this year?

If you'd like to do a guest post talking about NaNo and your experiences with it/what you're expecting, please email me at fred_the_leaf@yahoo.com. I'd like the majority of the posts in by Oct. 3, but if you'll need more time just let me know.

NaNo Questionaire!!

AT THE START: DO YOU:
Have an outline? I've tried doing NaNo with an outline before, and it just felt too restricting, so I won't be using one this year
Scene-by-scene? I'll be writing whatever pops into my head, it'll probably be a lot of random out of order garbage.
Know how it starts? Yes, probably the only part that's going to be planned.
Know how it ends?  No, idea.
Have your climax in order?  Nope.
Know your main characters yet?  One of my mains first name is Jenna, I haven't chosen others
Have a particular tone in mind?  It'll change as the story progresses, starts happy, sad, content
Plan to draw on your own experiences? Nope, but if someone else would be willing to that'd be awesome

IS YOUR WORK GOING TO BE:
Funny?  No
Serious?  A little
Sad?  It'll have moments
Semi-Autobiographical?  My original idea was actually to write a 3 part autobiography, but I've changed my mind, I'll probably still do it someday

Based on another story? It was sort of inspired by the "In the Garden" Trilogy by Nora Roberts, but the differences are huge.

HOW HAVE MUCH YOU PLANNED? HAVE YOU USED:
A paper journal?  The little I've planned is in a composition notebook
Pens?  Yes
Multicoloured pens? I've tried writing each scene in a different color, but switching pens just takes up too much time
A computer?  I'll probably do most of it in a notebook and then transfer to a word document at the end of each day
Index cards? Yes.
Bulleted lists?  I have.
Plot charts?  No.
Character charts?  Not really my style
Character formulas?  Not sure what this is...
Favourite writing resource?  The forums.

ODDS AND ENDS:
A line you would like to use:  "I think fate needs to but the fuck out"
A scene you would like to include: A scene that shows significant character growth
A concept you would like to explore: personal Growth through pain
A cliché you would like to avoid:  I'm not sure...
A character you would like to use:  I don't really have any characters I'd like to use, most from other stories are from completely different parts of the world most of my stories take place in

FORWARD THINKING:
Do you expect to be able to complete it? I think I'll get to 50,000 words, but the story probably wont be done by the end of November, but yes
Do you intend to complete it? Yes. But will I? Who knows what course life will take?
Would you ever try to publish it? After I spend 2 years editing it.

What do you expect to get out of this month of frantic writing? A giant pile of literary (it took me like ten minutes to think of that word) crap.

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In the Garden Trilogy by Nora Roberts

Hey!!

 

Instead of doing these books seperately, I'm just going to do them all together. So, this is the story of three Women at different places in life meeting and growing together. 

I absolutely love these books. Seriously.

I love all of the books I've read of hers (I can name them all without looking at my bookshelves, so it's not many.). I mean she's famous for a reason. Even those people who don't read this genre at least know who she is. Anyway, this book has characters who are realistic and following their story as they grow and change is a fun experience. And the fact that there's a little bit (*cough*) of the paranormal in there is just cupcakes.

Definately recommend these books.

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Interested in Guest Blogging?

Hey!!

So, some opportunities for you to do some guest posts and get some exposure for your blog is here :). I need some people who have done/are going to do NaNoWriMo to do a guest post talking about that.

And I need some people to answer the question "Why do you blog?". If interested please email me at fred_the_leaf@yahoo.com.

If these aren't to your taste, but you would like to know about future opportunities, just sign up for the mailing list (still working on a widget for this, for now just send me an email telling me you want to be added and I'll add you by hand), or like We Throw Rocks at Cars on Facebook. There's a widget to do that on the left of this post.

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On Writing: As a Writer and an Actress: The Money Side of Things

Hey!!

For those of you who don't know, most writers don't make much money, and ditto for actors. So, if I'm choosing to do both of those things, how the F am I going to pay bills/eat? You're going to have to get ANOTHER job, now, you must think I'm crazy, how am I going to juggle being an actress, a writer, and having a "real" job? Graphic Media. In college I plan on majoring in Graphic Media Design, minoring in Performing Arts, and taking a few English composition and writing classes. Which is probably going to kill me.

Some of my other friends who plan on being Performing Artists are going to Major in accounting (blegh) or business (I thought about this one), and minoring in the Performing arts.

You need to do what's right for you, but I recommend that you pick something you enjoy as your fallback.

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Change

Change is something that most people have a hard time dealing with, me included. I hate change. Hate it, hate it, hate it.

I want to talk about personal change. A personal change should be something you decide to do for yourself, because you feel it's the best thing for you, not because somebody else asked you too. I have a friend who hates smoking (Not a big fan of it myself), and she keeps falling for guys that smoke, and when she first first starts dating them she tells them that they have to stop smoking. And they usually try. And fail. Why? Because they aren't doing it for themselves. If you're giving something up for someone else it makes you more likely to relapse because it doesn't mean as much to you.

All I'm saying is, don't change for other people.

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On Writing: As a Writer and an Actress: Character Objective and Actions

Hey!!

Today I want to talk about Character Objective, which is what your character wants, whether it's a character you're playing in a play or a character in your story/book, all characters have an objective. In both writing and acting, you want to know your characters objective, it'll help make things more believable for both.

I also want to talk about Actions, which is what your character does to obtain their objectives. You as and actor/writer have to decide which actions to take to get to your objective.


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On Writing: As a Writer and an Actress: It's a Hard Life

Hey!!!

So, I got a request to do more "As a Writer and an Actress" posts, and since I already had a few ideas floating around in my head, I thought "Why not post today?"

Being both a writer and an actress is a crazy life. I mean being one or the other is pretty crazy already, but both, sometimes it makes me wanna give up and become a hobo.

With being an actress, you have to balance rehearsals, school, the time it takes to memorize lines, family, friends, and a whole mess of other things.

Now add being a writer on top of that, research, actually writing, editing, finding an agent, printing a million copies to send out.

Basically, you have to give up sleeping, breathing, and eating, but I wouldn't give it up for the world. I'm doing two things I love most in the world, with some of the most amazing people ever helping and supporting me.

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On Writing: As a Writer and an Actress: Acting Classes

Today I read a blog post about whether or not an aspiring writer should take a writing course (You can find that post Here), and I decided I wanted to do my own post about a sort-of-but-not-really similar topic.

Acting Classes.

I've wanted to be a writer since about 7th grade and I've wanted to be an actress since my sophomore year, but I didn't take my first acting class until my junior year. As soon as we starting going over all the things you need to do as and actor, I knew that the class would help my writing. The different techniques really help you understand characters and avoid plot holes. When preparing a scene/monologue, you have to make choices, why is my character doing this, how can I portray this. You also have to figure out your characters goal and the conflict that stops the character from getting to that goal. Sigh, I feel like I'm explaining this all wrong and just confusing you guys...Just take my word for it, if you want to be writer, a good acting class can definately help you improve.

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Forever Plaid: The Movie

AHHHHH!!!

So, I saw this in play form when my acting/english teacher was in it, and it was absolutely hilariously amazing, and a lot of it had to do with the fact that I did know the actor playing one of the main characters and my old music teacher was in the live band they had for the show and the director was either the guy who created my school or his wife, I don't remember which. I'm not sure how I'll feel about it with different actors. I'll probably have to buy the movie and find out...

It's directed by the guy who created the play, so I guess this will be his original "vision" for it...

Have you ever heard of "Forever Plaid"?

Would you be willing to buy the movie version?

(I'd tell you who my acting teacher is, but that would giveaway what city I live in, soooo....)

Source" http://technorati.com/entertainment/film/article/forever-plaid-the-movie-2010-is/

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Fashion is Beauty, Beauty is Fashion Giveaway!!!

Gemma-Louise from "Beauty is Fashion, Fashion is Beauty" is having a 50 followers contest. The winner will recieve their choice of the two mirrors shown above.

Edit: That awkward moment when I forget to put a link http://fashionisbeautybeautyisfashion.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-50-follower-giveaway.html#comments

Writing Prompt #1: How Did That Get There?

Hey!!

I'm slowly trying to incorporate writing into my blog, so whenever I come up with one or someone sends one that I like, I'll be posting it here.

We've all seen it, the pair of shoes tied together with their shoelaces hanging from power lines, the T-Shirt on the side of the road, a forgotten teddybear in a bush, an we've all wondered, "how did that get there?". Well, it your chance to decide, write a storie/snippet/sentence about how that shoe/shirt/teddybear got where it is. I'd love it if you would share what you come up with me, you can post it here or email it to me (fred_the_leaf@yahoo.com), maybe I can even feature a couple of your guys's work.

(I know it's popularly believed that shoes on a power line is a gang thing, I don't know if it's true or not, but if you choose to do shoes too, you can just pretend it's not like I did)

 *******************************************************************

Mine:

The car is filled with the sounds of my four and six year old boys arguing. My oldest, Michael is poking his younger brother, James, doing the "I'm not touching you thing.". I look in the rear view mirror and see James, eager to show off his shoe tying ability (and make his brother mad), lean down and tie his brother's shoes together with the shoelaces. Michael pulls and tugs, but can't get the shoelaces untied, with a frustrated groan he rips tha shoes off and throws them out the open window.

"Michael!!" He jumps and looks at me guiltily.

"Ma!! I couldn't get them off."

"I don't care, now I have to turn around and get them." But even as the words are coming out of my mouth I can see two teenagers pick up the shoes and throw them so they get caught on a power line. "Damn it, Michael, those were expensive shoes."

"Sorry, Ma."

Fin.
*******************************************************************

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Haul/I Won a Contest!!!

Hey!!!

Haul From Forever 21: The Love and Beauty color on the go 3-in-1 convertable eyeshadow palette. My Camera died and I couldn't take anymore pictures, one of the palettes and the "On the Go" container's is missing 'cause it's in my car.

 

NYX:  Eyeshadow Trio #7: Baby Blue, Pacific, Navy

 

 For those of you who don't know, I won the Island Beauty33 50 follower giveaway.

 Contest Prizes: 

Box it came in (with addresses covered of course)

The little note

When you first open the box