What do you think about Christmas movies?

 Hello Bookworms!
Alright, I haven't yet finished the Silmarillian, it could be a while. However, for Christmas-or more specifically the first full day of winter-I am addressing something that my sister brought up. It can be generalized as one simple question: What defines a Christmas movie? From that question, my sister claims that her favorite Christmas movie is Marvel's Iron Man 3. I shall endeavor to explain why she thinks so; also, I would like to get several opinions on whether she is right. Mainly, I would like to ask you the question: What is a Christmas movie?
Before I get started, I would like to agree with my sister: Iron Man 3 is a Christmas movie. However, I will let you come to your own conclusions.  I won't be able to thoroughly delve into it, but I shall do my best to explain the main points.
SPOILERS!!!! If you haven't watched Iron Man 3 and you don't want spoilers, Don't Read Yet!
Starting with simple easy requirements which need no explaining. Snow: Check. Presents: Check. Christmas time: Check. Tree: Check.
I have two main points,  first of all, Christmas spirit. As I am unaware what most people define as Christmas spirit, I am forced to resort to my definition: something which captures the essence of Christmas and all that it means. For me, Iron Man 3 does just that. For me, Christmas is: sentiment being appreciated when the gift isn't, feeling like no one understands what is really happening and what you see as important, people from your past who you really don't like, flames and destruction, erupting into fits of anger, feeling like the day will never end; ah yes, Christmas. For those of you who don't have an explosive Christmas, be glad.
My second point is that, while the specific details of the plot are unique, there are underlying story arcs from a story which is commonly agreed to be a Christmas story: A Christmas Carol. (I'm not sure who first noticed it, I heard it from my sister, and she heard it somewhere else) Tony is pretty obviously Scrooge, and instead of not appreciating Christmas and being stingy about money, he doesn't appreciate those around him and is focused on his suits instead of Pepper and Happy, among others. There are two ghosts of Christmas past; Mia, who is the 'ghost' of his past opportunities, and the young kid, who is the 'ghost' of tony when he was young: an unappreciated genius whose father wasn't there for him. The ghost of Christmas present is, strangely enough, the Mandarin, acting as simply a jolly old fellow who likes to drink and party, and doesn't have much in the way of wit. The Ghost of Christmas future is Killian, who shows Tony what his life would be like without the people whom he cares about, and inadvertently making Tony realize what he really had. "You're wrong, she was already perfect"(Tony, battle on the ship). Finally, Tony uses the suits which had been for himself, to help others, and is also willing to give them up.
So, this is my explanation of why Iron Man 3 is not only a Christmas movie, but also my favorite Christmas movie. Please let me know what you think in the comments, and I would love to hear what your favorite Christmas movies are. Habent sua fata libelli!

I'm Taking a Break!

Alright, so yes, I am taking a break from posting, and yes, it has been over a month since my last post. I've been pretty busy, so I just haven't had the time to post; however, I am will being taking on the challenge of reading The Silmarillian, so my next post will be on that massive tome. I hope that when I start up again I will have several posts ready again!
Habent sua fata libelli!

Shady Friday #16

Hello Bookworms!
Ok, so I'm still working on my schedule, finding time to blog and all that. So, I noticed that I haven't really posted that much about my book "Shadow of a Leader", or Soal, as I call it. Therefore, today I will be posting a riddle from it. This riddle is what starts the events of Soal, so it's not the kind to solve immediately. I hope you enjoy it!
~
Follow the star of the north ten days,
to seek out the answer, the cure,
Seeking my refuge in wavering ways,
Who'll find the answer? The pure.
From this dark mountain I'll seek my home,
then flee to the fortitude high,
I can return there from where I roam,
There where the answer shall die.
I sought for my rest then was searched for,
Through dark forests many have come.
I seek out the city of Luntror,
To darkness I'll never succumb.
I travel to seek out the answer for all,
Those seeking me will find,
That dark men when finding me will fall,
While only the pure will keep mind.
~
So, I know it's not much, but it is the catalyst for the story. I hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading!
Habent sua fata libelli 

Plot summaries, the Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Hello Bookworms!
How time flies when you're hard at work. That's not the actual saying, but it might as well be. It's true! When  you are working hard on something, making sure you do everything just right, you use up a lot of time! So, I need to start scheduling my time better. Now, time to talk about a movie. There will probably be spoilers, but I'll try to avoid the main ones. (As if I'm good at that!)
~
So, I finally  got around to seeing The Secret Life of Walter Mitty this week. Honestly, I wasn't planning on it, but it came on while I was waiting for another television show. So, I will keep this brief and to the point. The movie as a whole wasn't one of those "Brilliant, edge-of-your-seat action types with tons of comedic references", but it was well done. The basic premiss was more about normal life, and how "It's not so much about that character, but about how the seemingly unimportant things we know end up making us amazing" (Esther). The scenery was amazing! Iceland and Greenland, the Himalayas, excellent.
The acting was good, I especially loved hearing Patton Oswalt as Todd, hearing about all the places Walter was going. Of course, I couldn't help but think about Agent Koenig! Brilliant and hilarious!
My two favorite scenes would have to be when he actually jumps onto the helicopter and then seeing his face when he realizes, "Wait, this is real! I'm actually doing this! What was I thinking?" And when he out-drives the volcano. I loved that scene! (Yes, a bit of a pyromaniac) So, have fun watching it! Definitely a family movie, really well done. And come on, who doesn't dream like that?
~
So, please keep reading my blog, thank you! Please join the site, and PLEASE comment!
Habent sua fata libelli
Oh, and shouting back to my twin sister Elenore Jane! Check out her blog,  http://winterripple.blogspot.com/

Shady Friday #15

Hello Bookworms!
Alright, so it's been a while since the last Shady Friday. Still,  I've been pretty busy. So, Shady Friday time, what have I been working on? Power point! But don't worry, I don't know how to include power point in my blog. So, right now I'm running out of short ideas and working on longer books, which are harder to include. So, for the next few Shady Fridays I will be working on sharing the book idea I had about a month ago.
This idea is rather simple, and yet fascinatingly complicated. The basic idea is a zombie apocalypse book in second person. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's where instead of saying "He raced" Or "I raced", it says "You raced". Only, I'm also doing it present tense, so it's going to be "You race". Here's a small preview.
~

You really wish your life had turned out differently. There’s something wrong with you, you know. Yeah, you know it alright. You’re the type of crazy that knows it. Insane. That’s the perfect word to describe you. A crazy lunatic that no one believes; no one appreciates. Well, they will soon enough, those that are left. You hear the man in the box, He tells you it’s getting worse, the plague is spreading. You smile a little. Ah yes, this you knew.

 ~

So, basically it's about this one girl who gets a small hint that the zombie apocalypse is going to happen, but ends up in an insane asylum until two weeks before it strikes. The other thing to keep in mind is that she actually is a bit insane, so I'm not sure if it's actually happening, or she just thinks it's happening due to post traumatic stress disorder, as she was previously employed by the military, and wounded in action. 

Thank you so much for reading, PLEASE let me know your thoughts on the book! Thanks! 

Habent sua fata libelli. 

P.S. Yes, it may have been slightly inspired by Warm Bodies, but the main idea is mine

Plot Summaries, Warm Bodies.

Hello Bookworms!
Today I am first explaining what plot summaries are. It's basically when I review the entirety of a show, movie, or book, examining the fundamental aspects of whatever work I am examining, all from a writing perspective. I am hoping to be doing more of these later on. Anyway, today I am posting on a favorite movie of mine, Warm Bodies. Please keep in mind, I haven't seen the movie in a few months, so I am going on memory. Anyway, enjoy my analysis!
~
Some people like the movie for the romance. Some like it for the zombie apocalypse setting. There are even a few people, (like my sister) who like it for the social commentary. All of these are brilliant reasons, and I fully agree with all three of those ideas. However, my favorite aspect in the whole movie is the undertones that I recognized before my sister. (Yes, there is sisterly rivalry!) That aspect, is the subtle details that lead me to realize the entire plot was Romeo and Juliet in the zombie apocalypse. (I'm really surprised that no one had tried it earlier.) If you didn't see it before, that's ok. Most people didn't notice it. Anyway, right now I am analyzing it from several of those views, along with looking at my own list of 'necessary film criteria'.
I will be skimming over the romance, as I'm only good at writing it, not analyzing it. They did a good job with it, but when you're following the plot of the bard, it's hard to go wrong. The main point is, (from someone who has never read the play, (I'm getting around to it!) and only seen about ten different adaptions) They seemed to keep the main aspects. Except the part where they both end up dead, but in all fairness he was dead already.
From the aspect of a zombie apocalypse, it was slightly confusing. According to accuracy it didn't do so well. But, for changing the nature of zombies, (as several people do these days) they did it well. The idea of there being two stages of zombies was completely inaccurate, but I don't see any other way to still keep a real villain. I'm not sure if people become zombies only if their brain isn't eaten, that may very well be accurate. Still,  for the most part they kept to the main concept as well as they could. So far there is no confirmed cure for zombies, they are generally viewed as evil by nature. Still, they did a brilliant job keeping the scariest sides of zombies. (Although they sense humans by more than their smell.)
From the view of a social commentary, this was fascinating. The main concept I could find was that modern society was causing the destruction of humanity, and spurring on the zombie apocalypse; taking this view, the cure was unity between people, families, and society in general. So, yes. Please spend more time with people, and prevent the zombie apocalypse!
From the story of Romeo and Juliet, I have nothing to say, except to point out the few references I could see. R. stands for Romeo, Julie stands for Juliet. Perry represents Paris, and Marcus is a reference to another of the Bard's characters. (I'm sorry, I don't know who!) Oh, and then the scene on the balcony.
Anyway. Now, it's time for me to analyze a few small things that I feel all stories need.
1. Character developement.
They did a good job with this. Not only did they visibly show R's development, but they also showed a slight change in Julie's mindset of depression, to that of wonder. Never underestimate character development. It's what makes the whole plot mean something.
2. Mid-range-predictability ending.
Some people write these stories, and you know exactly where they're going, and exactly how they are going to do it. This isn't good. But, the other is worse: having an ending that there is no way to predict. The best way to write a startling ending is to layer it in. If you read or watch something a second time and you think, "There's no way I could have seen this coming!" Then it's a terrible ending. They did it right. You kind of knew where they were going with it, but you didn't see exactly how until it actually happened. You knew that they would likely live, but you didn't see her dad changing quite like that. You knew the societies would come together, but you didn't see her dad having a part in that.
3. Humor.
One of the reasons I hated super-hero movies until a little while ago was that all those super-heroes were too strict, rigid, and single minded that they never seemed real. Their conversations were superficial, and they always seemed to grasp the devastation at hand without ever stopping to think, "This is funny, I should laugh!" Luckily, this movie allowed you to have your laughs, and also your epic danger of the world moments. Actually, it had a lot of laughs. That was really good!
~
Anyway, thank you for reading that randomness, I hope that you keep reading my posts! I'm hoping to post tomorrow about a book idea I had, but we'll see.

Writing block corner, writing tips

Hello Bookworms!
Ok, so it just recently hit me that I have a writing blog on which I don't give tips about writing. That shouldn't be! So, today I am giving random pieces of advice on writing, and I'm not entirely sure where they came from. Some came randomly, Some are from family and friends, and some I remember hearing a long time ago, so just remember that I probably didn't come up with the original idea myself.
~
 #1 Keep Writing!
So you've probably heard this a lot, but one of the best things to do if you have writers block is to write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how bizarre it is. Sooner or later, you will have all the nonsensical ideas that you can't use down on paper, and you can focus on the really good ideas that you write for.

#2 Enjoy Your Writing (Esther)
When you start writing, you aren't going to be good to begin with. If you put off writing until you're good, you're never going to get there. But if you write to impress people when you aren't good, you won't get anywhere, and you will probably get discouraged. So write something you would enjoy in the years it will likely take to get reasonably good. I mean, it took me seven years to get here!
#3 Character Development
Ok, so I was going to do something on whether or not to plan out your stories, or to just let them run on their own, but I realized that to each their own; in other words you have your own specific way and style of writing, and I don't know what it is. But, when it comes to characters, I find that planning them out is much better than making it up on the go. With characters, I find it's best to plan where they start from, where they end up, and how they got there before writing it down. It helps realize where the story needs to go, and it also helps with character development, on of the major parts of writing.
#4 Feel Free To Ramble
"A writer is someone who has taught their mind to misbehave" Pinterest. When you are writing your plot, don't feel the obligation to follow a strict plan, let your story flow. Make it sound natural, and also insane. But don't go overboard on rambling! Don't spend three chapters describing something that has nothing to do with the plot, or character development. When all you do in your writing is get from a to z with as few complications as possible, you're writing an essay, not a story. So use that imagination!
#5 Details
One thing I found helps, is to visualize the scenery in my head, and write it out on paper. Nothing helps you pull the reader into your book like describing the little details. The crackle of the fire in a viking era fireplace, the dripping dew off of the emerald leaves of an oak tree; the reader should be living the scene as much as the writer. But don't get carried away! Tolkien took that too far, spending up to two pages describing traditions and gossip of a culture we didn't need to know that much about for the plot. But still, don't let that discourage you from details.
#6 History
If you come across a writers block and nothing is working, you might want to try tracing the history of your characters, culture, even important artifacts. You don't need to include this in your writing, but it can help if you are completely lost for words. Plus, it gives you deeper insight into your own characters.
#7 Read
 The single most important thing you can do is read books you are inspired by. You will learn how your favorite authors described the same events, and learn how to get past your own challenges. Also, it's always good to read a published author's work and learn how you think a sentence should work.
~
Ok! So I hope these helped, and I hope to be posting more later!

Shady Friday #14

Hello Bookworms!
Thank you so much, I just reached 1,000 views on my blog! Ironic, two amazing things happen around the 14th Shady Friday, and my favorite number is 14. Anyway, I wrote this a while back, but I think it is my second best poem ever. Plus, it's the prologue to the second book in my trilogy. Enjoy!
~

The stars guide the nations that fall into ruin,

The stars guide the ships that sail to their deaths,

The stars guide the travelers that never are found;

How treacherous the stars that we trust with our lives!

Yet when the worlds fall, and our people all die,

It’s back to these treacherous stars that we flee.

Those stars by their millions have stolen our hearts,

Yet always we gaze up to them in our plight.

What would we do if the stars disappeared?

If our guides would just vanish, ne’re to be seen?

As the stars fall away the kingdoms cry out,

As light fades from life, the oceans decay.

Back then, when this glorious light filled the sky,

Back, when the people knew not what would come,

The light from our lives began its descent,

As the treachery of mortals invaded the sky.

~Treachery’s end game, by Ciella Woodsbridge, chief squire of the forgotten lands.

~

OK! I wrote that one morning on a long car trip, but for some reason it stuck. Oh, and yes, it is written in free verse. Thank you again, PLEASE comment, I would love to know what you all think! Oh, and please follow! Habent sua fata libelli!

Plot summaries, The Lizzie Bennett Diaries

47 VIEWS! Thank you, people who like my blog! I can't believe it, I have had 47 views on this blog, today! How does that happen?!
~
Hello Bookworms!
Ok, so that was an interesting rambling I just did there, but yes. After getting no more than 15 views per day on the excellent days, I just got 47 views today. Thank you, you just made my month. Oh, and this is the 30th post! So, today I am covering an online YouTube show that I just watched, The Lizzie Bennett Diaries.
~
Ok, so The Lizzie Bennett Diaries is a modern edition of Pride and Prejudice. (If that wasn't obvious from the name.) If you aren't familiar with the plot of Pride and Prejudice, then it's a good place to start. If you are and you didn't like it, that might be because of the plot, or it might be due to the writing style of Jane Austen. (Don't get me wrong, she was a great writer for her time, but sometimes writing styles change, and the books don't.) If you are familiar with the plot, and you did like it, you will probably like this one too.
The whole show is a video diary of Lizzie's life, and is told almost entirely from her perspective. (Her sisters and friends do highjack the show once or twice, but it's almost always to clarify an error.) Lizzie Bennett is attending grad-school, and is filming the video diary as one of her many projects. The show seems to center around her life, and her involvement in her sister's lives. Her sister Jane is sweet and wise, and is falling in love with a rich young doctor-in-training, Bing Lee. (Clever!) Her other sister, Lidia, is basically what you would call a 'teenage rebel'.(Basically, what Pride and Prejudice's Lidia would have seemed like in that era.) Then there is Lizzie herself, who is always standing up for her family, but sometimes when it isn't needed.
I liked this show, because it all seems real. The actors and actresses all know how to show exactly what reactions real people would have to everyday life. Plus, having siblings, I know the arguments people can have over misunderstandings. It's kind of nice seeing yourself reflected in other people, and seeing how they would respond to the problems you go through.
~
I know, not much of a description. But still, life will always be crazy. Just hope to keep up! Thank you again! Habent sua fata libelli!

Short Stories, Farmer Giles of Ham

Hello Bookworms!
Summer shouldn't be so packed! Farmer Giles of Ham is one of J.R.R. Tolkien's less known works, however it is defiantly worth a read. It's kind of like a parody of other fairy tales, but it's also a whole new tale. He wrote it for his children, and it's possibly one of his best works. (I personally think The Hobbit is his best)
~
This story centers around the life of a selfish, greedy, dim-witted bully, (not the best pick for a fairy tail hero, but definitely the best pick for a character) by the name of 'Farmer Giles'. This is not his full name, however I won't be repeating that illustrious title. The story starts as a giant is taking a stroll and gets lost, stumbling onto Farmer Giles' land. Giles takes offense, and shoots at the giant with a 'Blunderbuss'. (Don't ask me what a 'Blunderbuss' is, all I can surmise is that it's an early adaption of the shotgun.) The giant, (who had no idea humans lived in that part of the country) got irritated, and turned around complaining about 'horseflies'. This giant was mostly deaf. Fortunately for Giles, (Or unfortunately as the case may be) the rest of the village was not. So, the entire village had seen him 'stand up to the giant' and they insisted on making him the hero of the town. The king even sent him a sword. That sword, as it happened, would become the tool for shaping that bully into a true hero- and he didn't agree with its methods. Of course, things got interesting when the dragon came, and people started complaining.
~
So, thank you for reading that! I hope you will read the story, I personally loved it. So, I will be trying to write more, but all I can do is try. Anyway, please let me know your thoughts! Please follow! Habent sua fata libelli.

Shady Friday #13

Hello bookworms!
Interesting story behind thirteen. Apparently, (and I heard this from my sister, so don't quote me) back in the days when one of the monk's job was to maintain the calendar, the monks would schedule monthly feasts around the twelve moons of the year. Unfortunately, there are thirteen moons, so it caused a lot of headaches. (These monks weren't mathematicians.) Therefore, thirteen was named as unlucky, while in the end it was just another challenge to be solved.  Anyway, I will be working more on the poems as it ends the month, however I do have quite a few already. Enjoy!
~
15 is the Age
Some girls say that sixteen's it.
The age of romance, rebellion, fun.
The age you run to, dream of, remember,
The perfect age, what else is there?

I'm here to say, fifteen is great!
The age of confusion, chaos, dreams.
Keep running around, you'll miss out on life;
Parents, sisters, brothers, forgotten.

Fifteen is the age of planning your future,
Saying, "I'll do this!' knowing it all.
It's your last real chance, to be just a kid!
It's the first time you get to be an adult.

Fifteen is when your worst mistakes start,
When mom's always mad, and dad's upset too.
It's when you notice the flaws in our world,
When life all seems hopeless, and everything's old.

Fifteen is a challenge, when nothing makes sence,
When life is a circus, dragging you with.
When everything's over, there's a whole new beggining,
And nothing will ever quite be the same.

So get up, get going! Get on with your life!
Don't forget the past, but don't forget the future!
Never lose sight of what God has done,
Keep moving, keep growing. There's a point to find.


The Tale of the Stars
A dusty road, a long lost dream.
Fantasies haven't begun to take flight,
Abandoned paths that never were traveled,
Thus begins the tale of the night.

Soaring high beyond  our eyes,
Dancing, laughing in their glow,
Gems in the night restless seek
The secrets of mortals here below.

Amidst their hoards of crimson, scarlet,
They dance to each other in rings of gold.
History written in their eyes,
They remember what none have told.

The secrets they hide are beyond compare,
Their glory is beyond us simple kind;
As tales are spun of their glorius might,
Their wonders leave us far behind.

These wonders astound as we forget ourselves,
Yet back to our planet we must now return;
The everyday struggles of everyday life,
Return to those who in anger do spurn.

Ah, that dear country, up hid in the sky;
Where sleep has no meaning, and dark reflects light.
Yet stuck I remain on this simple land,
As stars stay beyond reach, just barely in sight.


The forest's tearful gem (Riddle, please don't solve)
A rift runs between culture and art,
The past and the future, they are worlds apart.
Roaming the wilds, the calm serine woods,
I long to leave this culture, for good.

Past the plain, not past the bridge,
Which spans my heart and spans the ridge.
Left not right, and right not left,
Of rest my weary limbs bereft.

So seek the steps of wood and dirt,
The vast divide between heart and hurt.
And yet don't pass the amber stream,
Nor travel on the bridge of dreams.

Do not stop on the valley of moss,
Yet travel past the split hill tops.
Stopping on the woodland's hem
Lies the forest's tearful gem.

A family's death, ne're remembered;
The lines between remorse and insolence blurred.
A child, carven out of stone,
A child, weeping, died alone.


Cafe on the corner
There's a cafe on the corner,
Its windows trim and neat,
There's a cafe on the corner,
On iron lace I take my seat.

In that cafe on the corner,
The waiters know what you want best,
In that cafe on the corner,
not a sound disturbs  your rest.

In that cafe on the corner,
I drink my coffee, topped with foam,
In that cafe on the corner,
I don't know why, I can't go home.

In that cafe on the corner,
The fluttering rags of a curtain shows.
In that cafe on the corner,
The breath of wind never blows.

From in that cafe on that cafe on that corner,
They've never had a patron leave.
For in that cafe on the corner,
We're the ghosts of Christmas eve.


End of a dream (For Esther)
What do you do when all your dreams die?
When everyday pleasures become just a wish?
When everyday life is no longer worth living?
When the simplest goal is a ginormous feat?

What should you do when the world turns its back?
When all that you trusted betrays you in turn?
How should you cope when the pain fills your life?
When agony tears you our of sleep's peace?

What should you do? Depend on me!
Let me work through this struggle with you.
Turn to me and I'll do all in my power,
Know when you hurt, I'm torn up inside.

Yet, know through this struggle that darkens your days,
It will make you stronger, it will make you fight.
Never forget that I'm there to catch you,
You're not alone, so please, reach out!


Midnight Fantasies (Inspired by Lindsey Stirling's Beyond the Veil)
A step, a leap into the night
A fairy waiting to take flight
Moonlight streaming on the ground,
Where tales of mystery abound.

Pale revery complete,
A simple stone the perfect seat
Air as fresh as the dew of morn',
This perfect land where dreams are born.

Sky as blue as the ocean's depths,
Grass as soft as a maiden's steps.
Countless stars to light the way,
Who would ever choose the day?

Trees are anxious for dawn's light,
Yet I need not the sun for sight.
My eyes gaze up till I fall down,
Back the the gem without a crown.


Summer Fun! (Inspired by Imagine Dragon's On Top of the World)
 Summer's the time for fun and games,
To see old friends, make new ones too.
The time to dream impossible feats,
And plan the craziest parties and games.

Life is full of crazy adventures,
The laughs, the jumps, the tears, the falls.
When all you knew turns upside down,
Then keep your spirit, and keep on turning.

Summer's full of mistakes and errors,
Heart breaks and scrapes added in.
So pick yourself up, dust off;
and join the fight with twice the spirit.

Though tragedy strikes hardest when your having fun,
and the sand runs out when your least prepared;
a friend is there to pick you up again,
And help you live your life to the max.


Whispers in the past
 Come with me, my friend;
Let us tarry here no longer,
Let us flee these cursed walls,
For restless shapes seek my demise.

Can you hear them, plotting now?
Can you hear their shrieking cackles?
Can you see, the door is bared-
Can you see, they've locked us in.

The floor is falling, so are we!
Through the door of our demise.
Our past is clinging, dragging us down,
Down the hole, and down the pit.

Can you see? They're watching.
The eyes of those who came before,
are watching us become like them.
We are staring at our death.

But no, they are not done with us,
The door is opened, there is hope!
But hope for what, a living death?
Within the maze of snarled roots.

Yet run we must or soon we die,
These creatures shall not have their way.
I see a chance, a last way out!
The marble steps, and then the door!

Alas, on running up the steps,
to freedom, and to safety,
I trip upon a vine I cut,
And land upon my dagger's blade.

So warning heed I pray thee friend,
Though treasure great you find,
Do not enter this my house,
Or death will haunt you still.
~
Ok! Thank you so much for reading all of that! I don't think I will get all fifty poems done by the end of the month, but I'll do my best. Some of the poems were written for my book, and some were just to provide a striking comparison between the normal everyday life and the world of literature. Sorry for not posting for a while, I hope to get back in the routine! Habent sua fata libelli!

Shady Friday #12

Hello Bookworms!
Happy Fourth of July! So, today I only have one poem for you, and it's about America. I just wrote it today, and I haven't worked that hard on making the rhythms match, just rhyming the words. Anyway, have a great holiday!
~
Remember America
This country began in the long, long ago,
Thirteen colonies, how far they would grow.
But each to his own, and each to his season,
Now we amble around, without rhyme or reason.

America's strong, its roots now stand firm,
But a parasite's grown, and its spread like a germ.
Now the leech of self entitlement grows,
As the people forget their American heroes.

The people who gave their lives for our freedom,
Weren't fighting to protect some fairy tale kingdom.
They were fighting for us, we should show our respect!
Instead of stuffing our faces every chance that we get.

They stood for our liberty, our freedom, our rights,
For what we hold dear, they gave up their lives.
Now we celebrate with family and friends,
but forget what it stands for, as the festival ends.

So remember our founders, this fourth of July,
As the fireworks blaze up into the sky.
Remember the price that was paid by our men,
Remember it was worth it, what they did way back then.
~
I hope this inspires you, (And hopefully doesn't offend anyone!) I wanted to dedicate something to the men who have died for the country we celebrate today. Habent sua fata libelli!

Inspiring poems, the highwayman

Hello Bookworms!
Alright, so for some reason I have poems on the mind. I just can't stop thinking about them! So, I am doing a blog post on 'The Highwayman'. I'm pretty sure you all have read it, and if you haven't I'm sure that you have at least heard of it. But, I could be mistaken, (as I usually am) and maybe none of you have heard of it. If you haven't, it's by Alfred Noyes, (apparently), and it's an epic dramatic tragic romance. So of course, read it! Anyway, this is my summary of the poem and its writing style and techniques.
This poem is quite dramatic, (As I have previously mentioned) and uses a lot of meta fores. The words in the opening paragraph imply a storm, which rages on as this highwayman approaches. I like this symbolism, because it's very accurate to his style of life. Constantly on the run, his life brings the army behind him and ends up destroying those he comes to care about. (A lot like the doctor, but that's a different post). The second paragraph gives us a look at his attitude. I personally see his whole manner as cocky and confident, as swash-buckling rogues are always made out to be in stories. (I make them seem like that too, it's just a writing habit). Like every epic poem, this poem is filled with exotic words and phrases. It has a jealous love which every romance seems to have, the enforcers of the law which are portrayed as the enemy of love and all teenagers, (Which I am guessing they are) and the dreaming girl ready to die for her lover. I personally loved the ending, even if it isn't altogether accurate. A part of me loves the idea that they might still be there in years to come, anxiously waiting for one another.
So, that's me rambling on about poetry again. (I know, I need to learn more about analyzing poetry!) Anyway, please let me know what you think some of the lines mean, and if there is something you want me to talk about. Habent sua fata libelli!

NanoWriMo camp

Hello Bookworms!
Yes, I'm back! I personally have problems with doing NanoWriMo in November, because that month is always busy for me. Therefore, I am trying my version of NanoWriMo camp, so I will be writing in the month of July, and instead of writing 50,000 words I will be writing 50 poems. (Not as much of a challenge, but this year is still kind of busy.) So, every Shady Friday I will be posting all my poems from the week. Yes, this will take up a lot of room, but please read them, I will be putting a lot of effort into them. Anyway, I start tomorrow, and I can't wait to share them with you all on Friday!
bent sua fata libelli!

Shady Friday #11

Hello Bookworms!
So, I've actually come across writer's block again! (I need to stop doing that!) Today I decided to continue the story I began in Shady Friday #5. However, I have also decided that this story is a several person first person adventure, so there will be several different stories all being told at once. I hope you enjoy this one!
~

Madness is necessary; a simply necessary part of society. Every genius is some part mad. Only the truly brilliant ones embrace that madness though. Without madness, humanity would have nowhere to look when it needed reminders of the fact, that the entirety of humanity is blind. Crazy, I know. But then, I wouldn’t be called mad if it wasn’t!

My name is William Kelvin Maxwell, and I’m one of the mad scientists that every average clinical mind dreads to meet. My insanity ranges from ‘I think that I can speak to all animals’ to ‘the octopus stole the banana from the shark, I have to go reclaim this ancient relic!’ Both of which I have, unfortunately, uttered within the past two hours. The year is 1947, and I am currently on the run from the loony bin; although I don’t know of a man alive who would live on the floor of the ocean. Sorry, not what I meant to say, but then my mind does random things. I just jumped back to the time an hour ago when I tried to save the banana from the octopus. It turns out I was in a market where a fish stand had been set up next to a fresh produce stand. Imagine my pride when I had finally vanquished the mighty jellyfish! Or was it a turtle?? Ah well, that’s my introduction. Live life to the full, and don’t forget to by insane, my brain! 

~ 

Alright, so as you can tell, we, the readers, all represent ideas jumping from one person to the next as the characters give slight updates in their minds. (Confusing). So, basically it's just like any other first person, only it's written in the moment. Most of the people are crazy anyway, so they have invented people inside their heads that they are talking to, and basically we as the readers get to listen in on the conversation. Or in other words, it's like a diary of thoughts. Anyway, I hope that you like the story! Habent sua fata libelli!

Recommending books, Anne of Green Gables

Hello Bookworms!
Unfortunately I will be gone through most of June, so I won't be able to post. I will be back by July though, so I will continue then. I will also be working on a song about the places I will be going, so I'll post that when I return. Anyway, today I'm posting about a book I'm sure you have heard of, Anne of Green Gables.

I have read this book more times than I care to imagine, and have been greatly inspired by Anne. For those of you who don't know, and I should hope that would be a small number, Anne of Green Gables is in essence about a young orphan with a wild imagination who is adopted by a brother and sister with a very strict, Christian mindset. When Anne comes into their world both sides learn more than they originally thought. I am sure that this is not the explanation that an avid fan of the books would give, however it is the simplest explanation I can give. Anne's lively imagination is one of the many things that set me on the path of writing, and I hope that if you haven't read it yet you will now!

One evening Marilla, coming in from the orchard with a basket of apples, found Anne sitting alone by the east window in the twilight, crying bitterly.
"Whatever's the matter now, Anne?" she asked.
"It's about Diana," sobbed Anne luxuriously. "I love Diana so, Marilla. I cannot ever live without her. But I know very well when we grow up that Diana will get married and go away and leave me. And oh, what shall I do? I hate her husband-I just hate him furiously. I've been imagining it all out-the wedding and everything- Diana dressed in snowy garments, with a veil, and looking beautiful and regal as a queen; and me the bridesmaid, with a lovely dress, too, and puffed sleeves, but with a breaking heart hid beneath my smiling face. And then bidding Diana good-by-e-e--" Here Anne broke down entirely and wept with increasing bitterness.
Marilla turned quickly away to hid her twitching face; but it was no use; she collapsed on the nearest chair and burst into such a hearty and unusual peal of laughter that Matthew, crossing the yard outside, halted in amazement. When had he heard Marilla laugh like that before?
"Well, Anne Shirley,"  said Marilla as soon as she could speak, "If you must borrow trouble, for pity's sake borrow it handier home. I should think you had an imagination, sure enough."
(Anne of Green Gables, chapter 15)

So, this is my second book post, and I hope you all appreciated it! Please comment, and follow!
Habent sua fata libelli.

Book idea

Hello Bookworms!
Today is idea revealing time! (You didn't think I would forget, did you?) So, I've been working on the ideas for this book for a while, and I am planning on finishing this book within two years! So, by June of 2016 I hope that this book will be Finished! (Just a hope, but I'll be working towards it)
Alright, so the book title is Villain's guide to fairy tales. The basic premise is that winners write the history books, and the only way to find out what actually happened is to ask both sides. So, we all know the heroes version of fairy tales, but do we know the villain's side? Maybe the true villains aren't actually the labeled 'villains', but those who we all thought perfect (AKA the 'heroes'). Anyway, this is a possible clip from the story, however it might change depending on what you guys think.
~

“So you’re Rumpelstiltskin?”

“No, not really. I mean if anyone has any right to claim being Rumpelstiltskin it’s me, but that’s not my real name.”

“I thought you were beaten because she guessed your name, and it was Rumpelstiltskin!”

“Yeah, I made that up. She was having such a hard time I made it up and let her guard hear. I didn’t know she would break her end of the deal!”

“Wait, I thought the deal was that if she guessed your name in three days she could keep the baby.”
“And I would get the gold she failed to pay. You know, a small bag of something or other. I’ve got to live too you know!”

“That’s not what I read. Wait, if your name’s not Rumpelstiltskin, then what is it?”

“Rowan. And she must have made the rest of it up. After she guessed my name I asked for my gold, and she pulled out an axe and started swinging away at me! I used up the last of my magic getting out of there, with nothing but my body in one piece to be grateful for. She must have made it up to excuse her bad aim.” She glanced quizzically at him as he explained. “She hit the floor a couple of times, so I think she was embarrassed.”

“So there’s more than one.”

“What, silly princesses? Yeah there’s more than one, there’s a ton of them!”

“No, misnamed villains! I was accused by my son and daughter-in-law; they said I cheated on a test that my husband orchestrated!”

“Wait a minute, you mean the princess and the pea? Wow, nice try miss ‘I’m so jealous of a teenage girl’”

“You’re one to talk, ‘Rumpelstiltskin’! I didn’t do any of it! I wonder if there’s more?”

“More what?”

“People who were accused who really didn’t do it! I wonder what their stories are!”

“I don’t care, just get me out of the rain!”

That was the start of what was to become the greatest team of underdogs this world has ever seen.

~

So, what do you think? I want honest opinions! Do you like the story ideas? Do you think they should meet in a different way? Do you think these characters should be completely innocent? Or should they still have a bit of a dark streak? Please leave a comment, and please follow! Have fun reading! Habent sua fata libelli.