Hello Bookworms!
Sorry I haven't posted lately, I've been busy. Anyway, Shady Friday again!
So, sometimes people who write get a mental block which we fondly call 'writer's block'. I've heard many suggestions about how to get around this, and I personally believe the best way to get around it is by writing something else. I find something in the room, and I start to think, 'where would I expect to find this, and what would be going on?' Well, I happen to have a writing competition with a great friend of mine to write as much as possible in one year. So, when I can't think of anything to write in my own book, I write randomness for the challenge. One thing to keep in mind while writing is that you don't have to follow any rules as you write, your story is yours. So, if you want to write about a talking pen, or an elephant who wasn't scared of mice, or in my case, fairy tails meeting modern zombies, then go ahead, and never decide you have to write about anything, because when you write, everything changes. Everything is up to the imagination, and it doesn't always consult you.
~
"Clark Clement. Just his first two names, he never remarks about his last. Some people say he's a twin, others say he's a doppelganger; other still say she's a doppelganger. Then the sane just look on and shake their heads. I don't know what I believe about him, other than the fact that he's different from anyone else in the world. Not sure how different, but he is."
This was the first of many such comments about my way of life. I guess no one really ever understood me. Then again, not many people get a chance to find the truth behind any myths. And look at me, I discovered the truth behind every fairy tale ever told. Except, most people leave out the really interesting bits. You don't see Cinderella's corpse mother walking in on the middle of the ball, you don't hear about how Snow White started to fall in love with her son due to a paradox, and you certainly don't hear about how the youngest bear from Goldilocks was murdered. That one's too hard, that one's too soft, this one's just dead. Then, no one ever talks about the fact that the evil queen's mirror was actually a television set on reality TV. No one talks about anything, so everything is lost.
~
I hope you enjoyed that, it's only the introduction, and I haven't gotten much further. Anyway, what do you do when you get writer's block? And what do you think about poems? Please comment! Habent sua fata libelli!
Friday, February 21, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Thoughtful Music: Bleeding Out
Hello Bookworms!
Today's post is about a song by Imagine Dragons called Bleeding Out (I got the link from YouTube, just type 'bleeding out'). Different, but I said I would be analyzing songs too. This song has puzzled my family for the past several months, ever since we heard it. I hope you agree with my conclusions.
He's bleeding out to bring someone down, however he is bleeding out for them. He holds on to hold out, and fights for someone he truly cares about. His final battle has come, his time is over. The color is fading as he breaths in his final breaths, and he focuses on the pain of his beating heart. His loved one is telling him to hold on, to avoid death, but everything that was once good is bad. When once it was best to survive, it is now best to die. He knows this is the final end, and he will spend his last moment fighting to bring them down. He only has to die, so he's taking in the pain and counting till it's over. He starts to feel that it was all for nothing, and his mind starts to fear death's howl. But whenever his loved one is faced with death, he will take their place and become the scarecrow to take death for them.
I don't know what the actual meaning behind the song is, however it seems to fit the relationship of Baelfire and Rumpelstiltskin from Once Upon a Time. Baelfire loves his father, but he is also willing to give up everything to destroy what his father has become. These thoughts inspire a different thought process. Is there anyone you used to be great friends with, who became something you can't stand? Would you be willing to die for them if they changed their ways as a result? Challenging, defiantly. This song also reminds me of Christ, he was willing to die for the people that crucified him.
I hope this song inspires you. If not in your life or your writing, then at least in the way that you see certain characters. Habent sua fata libelli!
He's bleeding out to bring someone down, however he is bleeding out for them. He holds on to hold out, and fights for someone he truly cares about. His final battle has come, his time is over. The color is fading as he breaths in his final breaths, and he focuses on the pain of his beating heart. His loved one is telling him to hold on, to avoid death, but everything that was once good is bad. When once it was best to survive, it is now best to die. He knows this is the final end, and he will spend his last moment fighting to bring them down. He only has to die, so he's taking in the pain and counting till it's over. He starts to feel that it was all for nothing, and his mind starts to fear death's howl. But whenever his loved one is faced with death, he will take their place and become the scarecrow to take death for them.
I don't know what the actual meaning behind the song is, however it seems to fit the relationship of Baelfire and Rumpelstiltskin from Once Upon a Time. Baelfire loves his father, but he is also willing to give up everything to destroy what his father has become. These thoughts inspire a different thought process. Is there anyone you used to be great friends with, who became something you can't stand? Would you be willing to die for them if they changed their ways as a result? Challenging, defiantly. This song also reminds me of Christ, he was willing to die for the people that crucified him.
I hope this song inspires you. If not in your life or your writing, then at least in the way that you see certain characters. Habent sua fata libelli!
Friday, February 14, 2014
Shady Fridays #2
Hello Bookworms!
In today's Shady Friday I am sharing a part in my book where one of the side protagonists is about to marry the antagonist, and her friend comes to try and convince her otherwise. The character is based upon Belle from Beauty and the Beast, with a bit less forward courage and a bit more gentle kindness.
In today's Shady Friday I am sharing a part in my book where one of the side protagonists is about to marry the antagonist, and her friend comes to try and convince her otherwise. The character is based upon Belle from Beauty and the Beast, with a bit less forward courage and a bit more gentle kindness.
~ Mariana gazed into the mirror at the foot of her bed. She
smiled as she braided a lotus into her hair for good luck. The door opened
behind her and she lit up with excitement.
“Hannah, I’m so glad you could make it today!” The young
woman raced into the room.
“Maria, I received your message, you must be mad! You
cannot possibly marry this man! He is pure evil, he will destroy you!”
“Do you not think that I know all this? I love him
through all his faults though. Love does not dwell on faults, you have learned
that.”
“Yes I know, however in all those tales we always read,
did you ever hear of the damsel marrying the villain? No! There is a reason!”
“And there is also a chance! He loves me! He has never
truly loved another before, and he has given me his heart! How can I refuse?”
“Simple, say no, like a normal, sensible girl.
What chance do you think there is, that somehow, you will appease the mighty
beast, and he will not ravage the earth, but accept your noble sacrifice
instead? Normally the savage beast just eats the sacrifice and then devours the
rest of the earth until a hero saves the day.”
“He’s not a savage beast! He is a normal human being,
just like you and me, and we all make mistakes.”
“A normal human being that’s lived for ten thousand
years?”
“Alright, so he’s
not strictly normal, however that’s not why I’m marrying him. I’m
marrying him because he can change. He loves me, and I love him, and maybe from
that one string of love which has pierced his soul, I can finally bring warmth
to that heart of stone! If he were to
change, he is strong enough to change the world for good! I am willing to
devote myself to this hope; even if it takes my whole life to save him.”~
I'm still working on the details, but do you have any thoughts? Also, is there a book you want me to review? There are a lot of big ones I'm working on but they take a while. Habent sua fata libelli!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Short stories, The Night the Bed Fell on Father
Hello Bookworms!
Sorry for the long delay, time is going wibbly wobbly on me.
One of the short stories that my mother loved to tell me growing up was James Thurber's "The Night the Bed Fell on Father". A dramatic comedy, this story is perfect for late night reading when everything else is done and your trying to fall asleep. Then again, looking at the title, maybe you shouldn't read it late at night, especially if you sleep in an attic...
A lot of unnecessary back-story is involved, however the tales of 'Aunt Gracie Shoaf' who believed that even though nothing was missing, burglars had been running all around her house every single night for the past forty years. As such, every night she would go to bed, get up five minutes later and toss every pair of shoes in the house down the hall in opposite directions. The actual story centers around a young boy whose father decides to sleep in the attic, while his mother frets that the bed will fall on him in his sleep and kill him. At two in the morning the young boy rolls over in his own room and ends up bringing his bed crashing down, which his mother of course assumes is the boy's father's bed and that the father is dying. This crash awakens the whole household and all their crazy phobias while the father has conveniently locked the door to the attic, (and is a very sound sleeper). While half the household thinks their father is dying the other half is trying to shout above the noise of everyone else. With a lot of yelling, tackling, hysterics, and a pandemonium of unwarranted fears, this story will likely have you rolling on the floor with laughter. Habent sua fata libelli!
Sorry for the long delay, time is going wibbly wobbly on me.
One of the short stories that my mother loved to tell me growing up was James Thurber's "The Night the Bed Fell on Father". A dramatic comedy, this story is perfect for late night reading when everything else is done and your trying to fall asleep. Then again, looking at the title, maybe you shouldn't read it late at night, especially if you sleep in an attic...
A lot of unnecessary back-story is involved, however the tales of 'Aunt Gracie Shoaf' who believed that even though nothing was missing, burglars had been running all around her house every single night for the past forty years. As such, every night she would go to bed, get up five minutes later and toss every pair of shoes in the house down the hall in opposite directions. The actual story centers around a young boy whose father decides to sleep in the attic, while his mother frets that the bed will fall on him in his sleep and kill him. At two in the morning the young boy rolls over in his own room and ends up bringing his bed crashing down, which his mother of course assumes is the boy's father's bed and that the father is dying. This crash awakens the whole household and all their crazy phobias while the father has conveniently locked the door to the attic, (and is a very sound sleeper). While half the household thinks their father is dying the other half is trying to shout above the noise of everyone else. With a lot of yelling, tackling, hysterics, and a pandemonium of unwarranted fears, this story will likely have you rolling on the floor with laughter. Habent sua fata libelli!
Friday, February 7, 2014
Shady Fridays #1
Hello Bookworms!
Today I am posting a part of my book! I wrote this part about two years ago, however it has endured through my constant editing to this day relatively unscathed. Also, as a slight explanation as to 'Shady Friday', I always thought it would be nice if shadows held a part of our memory, so whenever I write something I always give shadows special attention. That way even when we die, our shadows carry on a memory that others can learn from. Unfortunately, this is just an idea. Enjoy!
~Dark clouds gathered round, lightning ripped through the sky, and thunder roared its hunting call to the night. Streets were abandoned, their occupants gone to seek shelter from the raging storm. A lone traveler observed the city, his cloak drenched from the pounding rain. Back at last, he thought to himself. It has been a long time, but my search has not been in vain.
Slowly, he trudged on towards the house which he knew best. His mud stained cloak dragged him back as his soaked books sloshed water everywhere. On the edge of town lay a tiny cottage, little more than a shack. The yellow paint had long since peeled, leaving plain, dirty planks in its place. The disused sign which had once read 'Eliza Berry's home for children' now held but a dim memory of a long lost dream. The pathway on which so many children had planted their hands was now bleak and forlorn. It was on these cobblestones of memory that the traveler now trudged, weary and fatigued.~
I hope you enjoyed that, and I will be posting parts of my writing every Friday that I am available. Anyway, Habent sua fata libelli!
Today I am posting a part of my book! I wrote this part about two years ago, however it has endured through my constant editing to this day relatively unscathed. Also, as a slight explanation as to 'Shady Friday', I always thought it would be nice if shadows held a part of our memory, so whenever I write something I always give shadows special attention. That way even when we die, our shadows carry on a memory that others can learn from. Unfortunately, this is just an idea. Enjoy!
~Dark clouds gathered round, lightning ripped through the sky, and thunder roared its hunting call to the night. Streets were abandoned, their occupants gone to seek shelter from the raging storm. A lone traveler observed the city, his cloak drenched from the pounding rain. Back at last, he thought to himself. It has been a long time, but my search has not been in vain.
Slowly, he trudged on towards the house which he knew best. His mud stained cloak dragged him back as his soaked books sloshed water everywhere. On the edge of town lay a tiny cottage, little more than a shack. The yellow paint had long since peeled, leaving plain, dirty planks in its place. The disused sign which had once read 'Eliza Berry's home for children' now held but a dim memory of a long lost dream. The pathway on which so many children had planted their hands was now bleak and forlorn. It was on these cobblestones of memory that the traveler now trudged, weary and fatigued.~
I hope you enjoyed that, and I will be posting parts of my writing every Friday that I am available. Anyway, Habent sua fata libelli!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Short story: Ransom of Red Chief
Hello Bookworms!
Today I am posting a summary of the short story 'Ransom of Red Chief' by O. Henry. When I say summary, I mean a writer's thoughts on the story while trying to avoid spoilers. The tale is a well done first person account following the villains of the piece, even though no one really knows if they are the true villains. They get an idea to kidnap the son of a respectable citizen in a back road town. Unfortunately, the boy is quite pleased to be away from home and soon proclaims himself as the Indian 'Red Chief'. At first the men think nothing of it, but that all changes when the boy tries to scalp one of the men, and tries to burn the other at sunrise. The story continues as the pair slowly learn what a hassle a young boy can be. I believe the best line in the whole piece is "The kidnappers considered themselves desperate men. After Red Chief had joined them, they realized that they hadn't even known what desperate meant." Besides that, tomorrow I plan on posting something special, so keep looking for that! Habent sua fata libelli!
Today I am posting a summary of the short story 'Ransom of Red Chief' by O. Henry. When I say summary, I mean a writer's thoughts on the story while trying to avoid spoilers. The tale is a well done first person account following the villains of the piece, even though no one really knows if they are the true villains. They get an idea to kidnap the son of a respectable citizen in a back road town. Unfortunately, the boy is quite pleased to be away from home and soon proclaims himself as the Indian 'Red Chief'. At first the men think nothing of it, but that all changes when the boy tries to scalp one of the men, and tries to burn the other at sunrise. The story continues as the pair slowly learn what a hassle a young boy can be. I believe the best line in the whole piece is "The kidnappers considered themselves desperate men. After Red Chief had joined them, they realized that they hadn't even known what desperate meant." Besides that, tomorrow I plan on posting something special, so keep looking for that! Habent sua fata libelli!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Book time! The Westing Game
Hello Bookworms!
Due to my sister's request, I have decided to change the font to something everyone else can read. Anyway, sorry I haven't been posting lately, school got busy. Today I will be posting a recommendation for the book, The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin. I don't think anyone in their right mind could say this book isn't funny. The first chapter introduces itself as a mystery while still remaining one of the funniest opening chapters of all time. The main characters are all specially invited to live in an apartment house much cheaper than what it's worth, and after a couple of months one of the main characters stumbles across the body of a rich eccentric who was rumored to be living out his retirement in the south seas. After telling no one of her discovery, the protagonist returns home, only to find that the very next day the entire apartment house is invited to the reading of the will, where they discover that the whole apartment house is involved in the solving of the murder mystery, and one of them is the murder. With plenty of riddles, explosions, mystery, and the occasional loon, the tenants slowly learn the difference between who people are, and who they pretend to be. My personal best line in the book is "Who were these people, these specially selected tenants? They were mothers and fathers and children. A dressmaker, a secretary, an inventor, a doctor, a judge. And, oh yes, one was a bookie, one was a burglar, one was a bomber, and one was a mistake. Barney Northrup had rented one of the apartments to the wrong person." From the first chapter of the book. Anyway, Habent sua fata libelli!
Due to my sister's request, I have decided to change the font to something everyone else can read. Anyway, sorry I haven't been posting lately, school got busy. Today I will be posting a recommendation for the book, The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin. I don't think anyone in their right mind could say this book isn't funny. The first chapter introduces itself as a mystery while still remaining one of the funniest opening chapters of all time. The main characters are all specially invited to live in an apartment house much cheaper than what it's worth, and after a couple of months one of the main characters stumbles across the body of a rich eccentric who was rumored to be living out his retirement in the south seas. After telling no one of her discovery, the protagonist returns home, only to find that the very next day the entire apartment house is invited to the reading of the will, where they discover that the whole apartment house is involved in the solving of the murder mystery, and one of them is the murder. With plenty of riddles, explosions, mystery, and the occasional loon, the tenants slowly learn the difference between who people are, and who they pretend to be. My personal best line in the book is "Who were these people, these specially selected tenants? They were mothers and fathers and children. A dressmaker, a secretary, an inventor, a doctor, a judge. And, oh yes, one was a bookie, one was a burglar, one was a bomber, and one was a mistake. Barney Northrup had rented one of the apartments to the wrong person." From the first chapter of the book. Anyway, Habent sua fata libelli!
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Inspirational Poems: The Outlandish Knight
Hello Bookworms!
Today I am posting about one of the poems that I grew up with. The Outlandish Knight is a poem out of the 'Golden Treasury of Poetry' book, and was written anonymously. It centers around a young woman who is wooed by a knight from the north, who isn't what he seems to be. The ending is 'somewhat surprising, and very satisfying' to quote my sister. It's not long, yet it has excellent descriptions, and a clever wit about it. Habent sua fata libelli!
Today I am posting about one of the poems that I grew up with. The Outlandish Knight is a poem out of the 'Golden Treasury of Poetry' book, and was written anonymously. It centers around a young woman who is wooed by a knight from the north, who isn't what he seems to be. The ending is 'somewhat surprising, and very satisfying' to quote my sister. It's not long, yet it has excellent descriptions, and a clever wit about it. Habent sua fata libelli!
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