'Nother Year, 'Nother NaNo

Just in case anyone was wondering, I'm behind in NaNoWriMo by 2,000 words. Am I worried about it? Not incredibly. In past years I thought I would die if I didn't reach the 50k by the 31st... this year it's important, but I think I'll survive if I should fail.

You know that outline I mentioned I had? Yeah, well, I completely decided not to use it and go with a novel I'd written the first year I did NaNo. Only, 1,000 words into that novel and I decided it needed a major overhaul.

So, I might have taken a complete fantasy novel and transformed it to a futuristickindofnormalbuthasrandomburstsoftechnologyyouweren'texpecting novel. No, that's not a technical term so don't quote me on it.

The point is, I've written a lot more this way then I think I ever would have if I'd decided to stick with the plots I had before. It's been awhile since I decided to write with no sort of anything planned, but amazingly enough pieces are coming together and I believe brilliance is in the making. (Just kidding, I'm not Charles Dickens)

Also, RainyMood is a gift from God.

K, bye.

(This post is brought to you by the girl who didn't get enough sleep last night due to the fact that she figured her alarm would go off at the wrong time and she would be late for work. Daylight Savings Time is dumb) (btw, I wasn't late) (part of me is glad about that because... well, I wasn't late, but the other part of me is kind of irritated because my alarm would have gone off and aroused me at the right time and I could have slept soundly) (Daylight Savings Time is dumb)

Vlog Time

Hey ya'll, hope you're doing fine. Things have been pretty insanely busy for me. I'm wrapping up a week of visiting with Sam and we figured we'd take a minute (or 12) to talk about one of our favorite things ever... NaNo!

Just in case you didn't get enough, we forgot to mention Beautiful People...

Explore. Dream. Discover.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. 

Mark Twain was a smart guy. I used to think this quote's only meaning was to drop everything and go travel the world. Maybe that was what he intended for those who heard the words, maybe he simply meant, live the life you have to the fullest. Explore, dream, and discover the life around you. Maybe he meant both.

Either way, I can't really drop everything at the moment, so I've been discovering things at home.

1. Les Miserables is a beautiful book. Victor Hugo is a bit long winded, but it's worth it. 

   2. Expectations can be good, but sometimes they get to high. Then it stings when they fall down again. 

3. Nobody is perfect. Even when you thought they were. 

   4. Books take up a lot of space, the more books you get, the more space you need. (maybe that one was obvious for some peoples) 

5. Forgiveness is good. To give and to receive. 

   6. I'm a bit fonder of Fall then I thought I was. (despite the fact that it means no more summer) 

7. November comes very quickly every year. (NaNoWriMo anyone?) 

   8. Sometimes it's worth fighting for. Sometimes you've just gotta shrug and say "okay." 

9. Marshmallows sooth a sore throat. Happy day. 

10. Change happens. Welcome it with a smile. It makes life easier in the long run. 

What About Now?

I don't remember the last time someone asked me what I was going to do with my life. Aside from myself of course, because if it came down to that, the answer every time would be, five minutes ago.

You remember when we graduated highschool and it was the only thing anyone could talk to you about? What comes next? What amazing talents does this generation have to share with the world? We've given you our everything, now what will you give us?

A year and a half later, they've stopped asking. I guess they got tired of hearing the one answer I could consistently give. I really don't know. What a disappointment.

With another one of those awesome birthdays we all looked forward to from the ages of three to eighteen fast approaching, it's been on my mind a lot lately. What now? Actually, not as much that as, why haven't I done it yet?

The world has been sending me mixed messages. One minute I'm being told that I'm young, now is my chance to do the things I've always dreamed of doing. Now is the chance to see the places I've never thought I'd get the chance to see. "Why not?", is the only question they have for me, when I tell them I can't just leave. Oh, you know,

Family.

Friends.

A job.

People. Mostly people. I can't walk out on them.

"Yeah, that's what held me back too. Don't make the same mistake."

Minute number two has other things to say. Most of them directly contradicting with Minute One, yet explaining to me that Minute One is right. Now is my chance. Wait, what?

My chance for what exactly? I still haven't figured that out.

Have I mentioned Minute Two doesn't make a whole lot of sense?

I work at Safeway. I'm a courtesy clerk, which is a nice way of saying, I bag peoples grocery's, and push carts. My co-workers are awesome.

I've lost count of how many of them have told me to find another job. One of them reminds me rather frequently. "Find something you enjoy doing, because if you can go far here, you'll do even better while you're happy."

I was talking to a friend of mine awhile ago about all of this, and she smiled and said, "it's like a real live coming of age story."

Right, only, where's the climax? At what point do I get hit on the head and come to with the knowledge of everything I've always wanted, and how to achieve it? At one point does everything boil down to the one moment that changes it all?

I guess I know my problem. I've been listening to the world to much. Thinking they're the ones I'm meant to please. Forgetting Who really matters, cause in the end, He's the one I'll be spending eternity with... gosh, and I thought, "the rest of my life" sounded like a long time.

Life Doesn't Have a Mute Button

My one rule in blogging. Only do it when I want to, not when I feel I have to. Unfortunately, sometimes this results in extended periods of time where I type not a single word for you to read. Shame.

Actually, one of the very few reasons I'm back, writing this now, is because of my Sam. You've heard me mention her before. It's not that she's told me repeatedly that I should start blogging again *cough, cough* (she has), it's more the posts I've seen on her own blog recently. Please, go read them. They've inspired me, maybe they'll provide you with the same favor.

Today was one of those days where I just wanted to turn and tell whoever was talking to me to shut up. I wish I could say I would have said it in a nicer way, but truth is, if I'd actually done it, that's exactly how I would have said it. Shut up.

Question. Does adding please to the phrase "shut up" make it any less rude? I feel not.

The weird thing about days like this, for me, is that I'm really not in a bad mood. On the contrary, I could easily describe today as a good day, yet I still just wanted the world around me to be silent. No, not silent, I just wanted the words to stop flowing. From everywhere.

I guess maybe sometimes I overwhelm myself with to many words. To many spoken, to many written, to many to read. They're everywhere, and on days like today, I just don't want them anymore because I can't think anymore. My brain is suffocating. Let me breath. 

I can't though.

You don't have the option of turning words off at work.

You don't have the option of turning words off at home.

You don't have the option of turnings words off with friends.

Turning words off is not an option.

So, on days like today, I bite my tongue, and I nod and smile at the appropriate moments. Well... maybe sometimes I don't always smile.

Today was good. Today I envied the deaf man.

Beautiful People - Villain Edition

Annnnd, we're back, with Beautiful People. I know, I'm failing at getting posts on this blog. I apologize, but life gets in the way I suppose. Newish job, crazy schedule. I guess the whole blog thing has just taken a backseat for me.

Beautiful People shall not die however. At least for awhile yet. It might be continually late, but once again, Sam and I have scrambled about for 10 questions. 

If you're new to Beautiful People, it's pretty easy to jump right in. Each month Sky and I post 10 questions on our blogs. Pick one, or many of the characters in anything you happen to be writing, (novel, script, short story, comic book...) and answer the questions about that character. Post it on your blog, sign the linky. Fun stuff all around. Not to mention it really helps in getting to know your characters. Always a good thing. 

This month is Villain Edition. Thanks to Alexandra for suggesting the idea, and thanks to Fin for suggesting some of the questions. 

So, choose a villain, and... "here... we... go..." *said in the voice of one of my favorite villains ever, The Joker*

1. What is their motive?
2. What are they prepared to do to get what they want?
3. Are they evil to the core, or simply misunderstood?
4. What was their past like? What about their childhood? Was there one defining moment that made them embrace their evil ways?
5. Now that they're evil, have they turned their back on everyone, or is there still someone in their life that they care for? (Brother? Daughter? Love interest? Mother? Someone who is just as evil as they are?)
6. Do they like hugs?
7. Are they plagued by something? (Nightmares? Terrible thoughts?)
8. Who are they more similar to: Gollum or Maleficent?
9. If your villain could have their choice of transportation what would it be?
10. If you met your villain in the street, how afraid would you be? Are they evil enough to kill their creator? 

I encourage you let loose an evil cackle while answering these questions. Just because. 

Beautiful People - Karis

Yes, I'm finally getting around to answering this months questions for Beautiful People. Part of the reason it's taken me so long is because for the longest time I just didn't even feel like writing. It was bad, I was pretty much getting nothing done. Then yesterday morning happened.

Every week I get together with some writing friends of mine at a local coffee shop and we work on whatever writing projects we've got going on. While drinking coffee. Talking... observing all the strange people. I've been outlining for the novel I'll be using for Camp NaNo in June. It's great, only it had a ton of plot holes I couldn't bring myself to fill. Until yesterday morning. Talk about inspiration migraines. Anyway, since then I've been outlining a ton, which includes character analysis. Thus, this Beautiful People post is finally going to get done.

Now that I've explained that in full detail, I'll move on to the questions.

Karis is my hero's best friend, and later becomes his wife. She used to work for Prince Trinn, but she disobeyed him one day. He had all her beautiful hair chopped off and she was stoned out of town. Lovell, the hero, found her in the woods and he's the one that got her to leave the trees again. He showed her that anyone can be forgiven, no matter what they've done. She showed him that love is a real thing.

1. What is their favorite type of shoe? 
She doesn't wear shoes. She hates them. She had to wear them all the time while she was working for Prince Trinn and now that she's free of his command she avoids them as much as possible. She probably hasn't worn a shoe for several years.

2. Do they journal?
Nope.

3. What's their favorite animal? 
A dog. She loves dogs, and always manages to find time to scratch a strays belly.

4. What does their average day look like? 
When she's living in the woods it's pretty simple. She pretty much just goes with whatever happens to come her way. Living at home though, she spends a lot of time with her family, and doing chores for her Mother, or just playing games with her sisters.

5. Night owl, or morning person? (Optional: What time do they normally wake up, and go to bed?)
Night owl, she always seems to be more alive once the stars have come out, and she loves the moon. She'll generally stay up as late as she possibly can, even though she also gets up early. In other words, she doesn't sleep much.

6. Do they have a sweet tooth? 
She doesn't really have sweets. So, not really.

7. What colors are their bedroom? 
When she lives in the woods she sleeps in a cave. When she lives at home she sleeps in the same room as the rest of her family. No beds, they sleep on the floor. The walls are brown.

8. Can they cook? 
Yes, when she's actually got food to cook with.

9. What is their favorite household chore? 
Getting water. It means a walk, often times by herself. It gives her time to think.

10. Favorite kind of tea? 
She doesn't really drink tea. If she did she'd probably like something fruity, or maybe peppermint.

Beautiful People - April

Well, here it is. Finally. Beautiful People. Some of you may have already seen it over at Sam's blog. That's fine, but I figured it's about time I actually posted it here as well. Yes, it's late. Very late. I apologize. I could give you several reasons why, but you've heard it all before so I'll spare you the details. (Just so you don't feel completely left out, my script for Script Frenzy hasn't been finished either. My blog isn't the only thing that's been neglected) 

So, here's 10 questions for the month. If you're new to Beautiful People, it's not hard and you're welcome to jump in whenever you like. Simply choose a character to answer the following questions for. Post them on your blog, and come back here to join the linky. Fun stuff. Easy to do. Great for character analysis (which I've said before, and I'll say again, helps more then one can imagine when it comes to plot holes).

Thanks to Mime for suggesting the first question. The rest of them... well, let's just say it's been a long couple of weeks for Sam and I.

1. What is their favorite type of shoe?
2. Do they journal?
3. What's their favorite animal?
4. What does their average day look like?
5. Night owl, or morning person? (Optional: What time do they normally wake up, and go to bed?)
6. Do they have a sweet tooth?
7. What colors are their bedroom?
8. Can they cook?
9. What is their favorite household chore?
10. Favorite kind of tea?

"Where was I when the rockets came to life..."

Just when you feel like something inside of you has died...

A fuzzy puppy, and a breath of spring air comes your direction. Despite the distractions of life, you realize you are alive. Very much alive. 

A Post that is Really Just Me Rambling About my Trouble Child

As I just told a friend of mine, 99% of the time, when I've got writer's block, character analysis will help me figure it all out. Even if I didn't think it had anything to do with the characters ( < That isn't possible by the way, it always has to do with the characters). If I go back and do more character sketches, write short stories about the character, dig deeper into who they are, I discover something new that helps me figure out the road block in the plot.

I say 99% of the time because I know for sure it doesn't work all the time. Example.

You guys remember Heskith? You met him here, and here.

I can tell you a lot of about Heskith. He was born to a wealthy family and was raised to be the best body guard he could be. He has an older brother who turned evil and just to spite his father, he planted the seed to box in Heskith's mind. Why? Because the perfect body guard should keep himself in top condition, and staying up all night to beat people with his firsts acts as a distraction.
He loves Miany, the princess of the kingdom and the daughter of the man he spent years protecting, but doesn't really know how to tell her.
He's pretty wicked with a sword, can hold his own with knives, and generally tries to avoid bows.
He eventually becomes King, has two children, and tries everything in his power to avoid a major war that would bring his kingdom to ruin.

I could probably tell you even more about Dugan, Heskith's brother. Don't worry, I won't, if only because I don't really have the time, but I recently used him in a Beautiful People post.

The point is. I know these guys. I know their story. I know how they feel, how they move, what they like, what they eat, who they get along with, and even how they sleep at night. I've analyzed them into the ground, and yet I still can't seem to bring their story together. It's in my head, but putting that into words just hasn't worked out.

No, I'm not giving up. While having so much trouble writing this blasted novel is killing me, dropping the characters in the dirt would probably be the last twist of the knife. I don't think I could do it.

Maybe I just need to go back further. Maybe I'm not starting at the right point in the story. Maybe I need to start with the story that leads up to this story. Yes... maybe that's it...

Beautiful People - Wes & Lyric

As you could probably tell by how quickly this was posted, I'm pretty exited for this months Beautiful People. In honor of the one year annivsary we're doing something a little different. Instead of focusing on just one character, we're throwing another one in there and discovering more about a relationship.

I may end up doing Beautiful People twice this month. I had trouble deciding which two characters I wanted to focus on, and I may just end up doing all four.

So, for this post, I'll be focusing on Weston and Lyric. Two characters from The Way We Are series. Lyric is in the first book, but she actually doesn't become a big part of the story until book two.


Do they believe in anything that most people think is impossible?
Wes - Well, yeah. Most people don't really believe that superpowers are real, but considering he has one he's inclined to disagree. Other then that, not really. He's a pretty straight forward kind of guy. No nonsense, just the facts.

Lyric - She believes Sheleg, the snow dragon on Third World, is real. Probably because it's her job to take care of him.

Are they strong, or the "damsel/knight in distress" sort? 
Wes - He can take care of himself when he needs to, but whenever there's someone to lend a hand he isn't the kind that would turn it down.

Lyric - She was the only human on Third World for 15 years. She learned to be strong. She had to be. Once the gang comes along she begins to understand that you don't always have to do everything on your own. Those who love you will always be there to help you.

Do they have a special place? 
Wes - Not really. He's moved around so much that one place is about as good as the other.

Lyric - Her cave on Third World. She lived in it for near to 16 years, and it was the only place on the entire world where warmth could be found.

What occupation do they have, or plan on having?
Wes - He's a teacher/owner at The Academy for superhero's on Fifth World. Not really what he'd planned on, but things have a way of changing when you least expect it.

Lyric - She planned on being a writer. Then she was taken to a world where there was no paper, no pens, and no people to read the novels you might have had published had you written them. Instead she became keeper and companion to Sheleg the snow dragon.

Describe their current place of residence. 
Wes - He lives in one of the dorm rooms at The Academy. He was given the option of having his own house built, or at least having a bigger room, but he shrugged them off. It's a square room with a bed, a desk, and a dresser. The walls are bare and there are no decorations except for one picture leaning against his lamp on the dresser. It's a picture of Exie, the girl he loved.

Lyric - It's a large cave beneath a snow covered mountain. It was already there when she got there, so she didn't have to do much to make it livable. There's a pile of furs to sleep on, a fire pit in one of the hallows (smoke escapes through a hole drilled through the stone), and various other random items scattered neatly about the cave. It's almost always warm, and when she's got a fire going a friendly orange glow fills the entire cave, making it a welcome place to rest.

Explain their last crisis. How had they changed when they came out of it? 
Wes - The death of Exie. He'd loved her for awhile, but never worked up the courage to tell her about it. Then ECG killed her, and it was to late. It made him realize he's not in control of his life, and anything can change at any moment. He taught himself to go for it, rather then sit back and wait for a better day. What if that better day never comes? His face also became a bit thinner, and his eyes sadder.

Lyric - She doesn't really have a lot of crisis in her life. She's pretty good at taking things in stride, but I guess the last one was when she was suddenly taken from her home on First World and placed on Third World. Her life totally changed because of it, and for a few years she was angry, but then she learned to love where she was.

If they could drive any kind of car they wanted, what would it be? 
Wes - I doubt he'd really care. He's pretty satisfied with the army jeep he's got on Fifth World.

Lyric - A black, 1960 Cadillac convertible, with fins.

How do they deal with change? 
Wes - It doesn't really bother him. It's got to be something really significant before he even notices. Like, someone he's close to dying, or moving across five worlds.

Lyric - She hasn't gone through much, but the one change she did go through was huge. She battled with herself over it for awhile, but then she learned to be content, and she even came to love it.

If they had to amputate one body part, which one would they choose? 
Wes - A leg. Being wheelchair bound doesn't scare him as much as not being able to work with his hands.

Lyric - An arm. She needs to run, but she could bring herself to do things one handed if she had to.

What would their favorite be at the local coffee shop? 
Wes - Just a regular cup of joe. Black.

Lyric - Carmel Latte with whip. She likes sweet things.


Now for the extra five questions for both of them.

How did they meet? 
The gang (Grant, Luna, Exie, Ranen, and Weston), stumbled onto Third World and almost got themselves killed. Sheleg led Lyric to them and she brought them to shelter.

How do these two deal with conflict? 
They tend to turn and walk away, and then find each other later to work it out if they have to.

Do they have a special song, phrase, item, or place? 
Nope, not really. Not with each other.

What kind of things do they like to do together? 
Save other superheros. Read. Teach. Laugh. Talk. Almost anything.

Describe their relationship as a whole in 3 words, or less. 
Unexpected.

Beautiful People - One Year Edition

This month marks the one year anniversary of Beautiful People! A year ago, my Sam and I started what we called a "blog thing" (mainly because we didn't like the word meme), to aid writers in the quest of character analysis. I'd like to say we've achieved that goal, but I can't really speak for all of you. I will say that it has been a huge help for Sam and I.

We decided to give everyone an extra challenge this month for the occasion. It's kind of put together in two parts. Don't worry, it's completely optional.

Part 1: Instead of one character, choose two that are somehow tied together in a relationship. It doesn't matter what kind. They can be siblings, sweethearts, enemies, friends. Just two people who know each other. A relationship that you, as the author, would like to discover more about.

Answer the first 10 questions as you normally would, but do it for both characters. This is where that optional part comes in, if you're not interested, feel free to use these questions as you would for just one character.

Also, if the question isn't suited for the world your character lives in, answer it as if they lived in a world that it would, or feel free to change the question to fit the situation.

(Thanks to Finvarra Penn and Alyianna for suggesting some of this months questions!)

1. Do they believe in anything that most people think is impossible? 
2. Are they strong, or the "damsel/knight in distress" sort? 
3. Do they have a special place? (e.g. a corner in his/her bedroom, under a tree...)
4. What occupation do they have, or plan on having? 
5. Describe their current place of residence. 
6. Explain their last crisis. How had they changed when they came out of it? 
7. If they could drive any kind of car they wanted, what would it be? 
8. How do they deal with change? 
9. If they had to amputate one body part, which one would they choose? 
10. What would their favorite be at the local coffee shop? 

Part 2: Here are 5 more questions. These ones are focused more on that relationship we mentioned above. The goal is to become more familiar with the way your two characters relate with one another. Think about your answers, don't be afraid to give us detail.

1. How did they meet? 
2. How do these two deal with conflict? 
3. Do they have a special song, phrase, item, or place? 
4. What kind of things do they like to do together? 
5. Describe their relationship as a whole in 3 words, or less. 

Have fun, and don't forget to sign the linky!

Someday...

I want to take a massive road trip. When I say massive I mean, across the United States. My family kind of already did that, except we were in a motor home. I don't want to do it in a motor home. I want to do it in a 1960 convertible cadillac. Blue. With fins.

I'm going to find a country road in the dead of the night, and someone else will drive while I lay back and watch the stars roll by. The radio will be playing ever so quietly, and I'll probably fall asleep, but that's okay. Also, it won't rain, despite what my pessimist of a sister says.

That is all. 

I'm Yours, and Writerly Musings

First of all, I love this kid. 

This video has 53,468,658 views. 20 of them were probably me. 
I haven't been doing a lot of writing lately, although I should be. My plan is not only to convert my NaNo novel of 2010 into a film script for Script Frenzy, but I would also like to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo this year. Both times. Thus, on top of the rewrites I should be doing to The Way We Think, I should be outlining. Ha. 
By the way, if you go to the Script Frenzy website and use the Plot Machine on the main page, you'll probably laugh. I did. 

While drowning in the Caspian Sea a wedding photographer with Tourette's puts his life on the line to save the ant colony. 

The great thing about writing is that nothing is really impossible. The other great thing, is everything you can put the characters through. You would think drowning in the Caspian Sea was rather life threatening, but just wait till we reach the ant colony. That's where you'll find the real danger. 
I have been working on a bit of a short story. It's based off of a quote Fin and I found on the internet. You can read the entire thing here (it's rather long). It inspired something along these lines. 

He reached the little shop within twenty minutes. A sign on the door warned him to step down as he entered. The first thing he noticed was the air. Not just the smell of an old book, or turning pages, but that thick air that surrounds them and makes them feel that much different. The second thing he noticed was the cat, sitting next to the cash register. Perhaps he'd chosen the place to rest, not only because he could easily keep an eye on those who entered, but also because every other surface on the counter was covered with books. Piles of books. The long haired creature blinked lazily, as if Reed held no interest for him, and yet the soft green eyes remained locked on him. Watching his every move. Reed found an uncertain smile on his face and a few words stuttering from his lips. "I... just wanted to... to look around." He stopped when he realized he was talking to a cat. He wasn't sure if there was any other human in the building. Not only could he hear no evidence of it, but he could also see none. 

I'm sure I'll get to my outlining eventually. The week before Camp NaNo begins perhaps? 

Beautiful People - Dugan Cealnoor

It took me awhile to decide which character I would use for Beautiful People. I knew I wanted to use a character from the novel I'll be writing for Camp NaNoWriMo, but I was tied between two. Heskith, and his brother Dugan. I finally decided on Dugan, because I've done Heskith before. Although, there is still a ton more about Heskith I'd like to discover, so I'll probably do him next month.

Anyway, Dugan is considered the villain of his novel, although I'd like to point out that he's not the kind of villain who's purely evil. No, more like, misunderstood, and misguided. 

1. If your character could be played by any actor, who would it be? 

Tom Hardy all the way. Down to the tattoos on his arms. Well, Dugan doesn't have the exact same tattoos as Tom Hardy, but he does have tattoos on his arms.

2. Does your character have a specific theme song? 
Blackbird. I know, it's the Beatles song, and I do love it when they sing it, but my all time favorite cover is done by Cameron Mitchell.

3. What's their worst childhood memory? Dugan just tries to forget his childhood. The entire thing is kind of a terrible memory for him. His Father tended to ignore him. When he was noticed, he was yelled at to disappear again. He spent the majority of his time in the woods, by himself. 
4. If your character had a superpower what would it be? Invisibility. He's already got the skills to vanish when he needs to. He would love it if he could literally disappear. 
5. If your character crashed on an island with a bunch of other people, how could your character help the group survive? He wouldn't really care about the other people. He would slip away before they even realized he had survived. He'd take care of himself, and keep an eye on the other survivors, only to keep track of what they're up to. 
6. Are they married? If not, do they someday wish to be? He's not married, and he's never really thought about it. The thought of marriage was brought up once in his life, and the purpose was to marry the princess so he could take the throne. As soon as he realized there was no way he'd be able to win the girls heart from his brother, he rung his hands of the experience and went back to attempting to take the throne in... uh... other ways. 
7. What is a cause they would die for? The attempt to get himself on the throne. He would die to get there. 
8. Would they rather die fighting valiantly, or quietly at home? He doesn't really care. If he gets killed while fighting, then he'll die, if he has a heart attack while he's sleeping, he would die. Doesn't make a difference. 
9. If a stranger walked up to them and told them they were the child of the prophesy, would they believe them? No, not really. Most likely he wouldn't give the stranger time to talk before he would either walk away, or kill them. 
10. Do they prefer the city, or the country? Country. He knows his way around the city, and it doesn't make him uneasy, but while in the country he is truly at ease. He feels peace. 

I'm the Kind of Girl Who...

... cuts herself on barbed wire because she was distracted by singing the Indiana Jones theme song.

... really does enjoy sitting on the sidelines.

... has an opinion on everything.

... gives her dog a theme song.





... loves all things Robin Hood. 
... sets herself impossible writing goals. 
... tends to fall in love with the villain. 
... will most certainly fall in love with the rogue. 
... visits IMDb to many times to count in a day. 
... is learning to laugh in difficult situations. 
... watches bull rider documentaries. 
... can't whistle. 
... would fly around the world in a hot air balloon if she could. 
... isn't crazy about Jane Austen. 
... doesn't like snakes, but wishes she did. 
... doesn't like her feet touched. 
... calls french fries her comfort food. 
... can count her close friends on one hand. 
... isn't understood by many people. 

Beautiful People - February

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here we are, with another month past, and ten more questions posted for Beautiful People.

Beautiful People is a blog thing hosted by Sam and I. Each month we post ten questions for you to answer about the characters you've created. It's designed to help writer's discover even more about the beautiful people they've created.

We try to keep the questions neutral so they can be applied to any genre. However, as my Sam has said, "if you do write fantasy or sci-fi, try to adapt them so that they do fit your genre, or pose the question as if your character was in a modern world."

Moving on to the questions...

1. If your character could be played by an actor, who would it be? 
2. Does your character have a specific theme song? 
3. What's their worst childhood memory? 
4. If your character had a superpower, what would it be? 
5. If your character crashed on an island with a bunch of other people, how could your character help the group survive? 
6. Are they married? If not, do they someday wish to be? 
7. What is a cause they would die for? 
8. Would they rather die fighting valiantly, or quietly at home? 
9. If a stranger walked up to them and told them they were the child of the prophesy, would they believe them? 
10. Do they prefer the country, or the city? 

If you have any suggestions for next months questions, feel free to let us know in a comment on mine, or Sam's blog.

Enjoy, and don't forget to sign the linky!

Life

Every once in a while, I go through these phases where I'm thinking about life. I'm guessing that's pretty normal of anyone out there, so it's not like that in itself is anything special. Actually, the thoughts that go through my head aren't really anything special either. I'm sure they've gone through many a head before.

When I say life, I mean my life. My future life, the life that's whirling around me at this moment, and the life I've already gone through. Life. 

Once again, it's nothing special that I often wonder where I'll end up in the next five years, or even the next year. I guess every kid my age probably wonders the same thing from  time to time. Some of us have plans, a lot of us don't. Some of us are filled with confidence. Some of us aren't. It's the way God made us. It's the way He wanted us to be.

I can't believe what has happened in my life as it is. Where I am at the moment, I never saw coming. Where I'll be in the next year? I can't really see that coming either, but God can. He's got it all planned out. I've just got to follow His voice.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do his good pleasure. -Philippians 2:13

Okay, I'll push post now before I delete these rambling thoughts.

Puppy Dog Eyes

What happens when you finally work up the courage to ask your parents for that puppy you've been wanting? What happens if they say yes?

Photo by Fin

You'll spend a lot of money, not only on the puppy, but on everything that comes with it.  

Photo by Fin

You'll try to remember what it's like to sleep all the way through the night. 

Photo by Fin

You'll find yourself saying "no, bad dog," repeatedly and wonder if you actually know how to say anything else anymore. 

Photo by Eyebright

You'll suddenly become popular and people will ignore your stand-offish manner. You will find yourself talking to strangers, and hear their "baby talk," voice before ever knowing how they really speak. 

Photo by Fin

Most of all your heart will melt, and you'll fall madly in love with those perfectly imperfect eyes gazing up at you. 

Beautiful People - Heskith Cealnoor

Beautiful People! It's back. I love answering random questions about my characters. You would be amazed how much you learn about them in just ten questions!

This month I'll be answering the questions for the main character in the novel I'm working on outlining at the moment. His name is Heskith Cealnoor, and he fights to keep the royal family alive, while his brother seeks to destroy it.

1. If his house burned down, and he was left with nothing but the clothes on his back, what would he do? Where would he go? 

Well, the entire capitol and castle would have to burn down before it really affected him to the point of doing something drastic. If it was just his house though, he would move into the castle until he could get things sorted out.

2. Is he happy with where he is in life, or would he like to move on? 
He's pretty happy with where he is, but he doesn't complain when change comes his way.

3. Is he well-paid?
That he is. He's body guard to a king, and then a princess. They pay well.

4. Can he read? 
Yes, but he's never really enjoyed it.

5. What languages does he speak? 
English... that's it, although he later learns to pick up at least a few phrases in other languages.

6. What is his biggest mistake?
In his eyes? Letting his brother slip from his life and become evil.

7. What did he play with most as a child? 
Miany, his best friend. Their most used "toy," were their horses.

8. What are his thoughts on politics? 
He believes Miany should be on the thrown, not Dugan. He would die to defend this belief.... actually, it's his job to defend this belief.

9. What is his expected life-time? 
He's expected to life for awhile... I still haven't actually decided if he will, or not.

10. If he was falsely accused of murder, what would he do? How would he react? 
He would probably laugh, and then once he realized everyone was seriously, he would attempt to find all the flaws in their theory. If they still wouldn't believe him, he'd get angry as the escorted him to the dungeon, where he would stew in his cell until his death. Yep. He would.

If you're a writer, feel free to answer the questions for a character of your own!

The Author's Giveaway Winners

Yes, we are finally announcing the winners of the giveaway! Thank you so much for entering, it has been one marvelous time. I've discovered many of you wish to meet Agatha Christie. Who knew, right? 

Winners! 
Anna Mittower - Choice of print from Anna Delores Photography. Three sizes to choose from. 8x8, 8x10, or 8x12. 
Keaghan - Shakespeare Inspiration Dice from Palimpsestic.
*Charity* - The Pride and Prejudice Ornament from Inspirations by Faith. 
Ashley - Author Postage Note Card set of four. You're choice of author. Robert Penn Warren, Steven Vincent Benet, or Thornton Wilder. Donated from Piccadilly Post.
Melody - Your choice of author and color silhouette from Hello Grey Day. 
Please email Kylie with your mailing address and such so we can get that information to the kind people who have donated the prizes. Also, Anna, Ashley, and Melody, please be sure to include the details of your prize, as far as, the choices you've made, in that email as well. 
mountainfireflower{at}gmail{dot}com
Thank you so much to the wonderful sponsors of this giveaway! Please feel free to stop by their shops and check out some of the other neat things they have to offer. 

We Tried the Vlog Thing

The Penn is Mightier Then the Sword
Further Up and Further In

Beautiful People - January

**Be sure to check out The Author's Giveaway. There are only a few more days to enter!**

And we're back! If you've forgotten about Beautiful People, don't feel to bad, because I did too. Sam had to remind me we needed to get the next set of questions out there.

For those who don't know what Beautiful People's about, check out the guidelines on Sam's blog, HERE.

Also, if you're interested in reading over the past questions we've used for Beautiful People, you can view the archives HERE.

With a new year of Beautiful People, we thought we might try a new kind of question, based on a comment left by The Director.

"I think more than "what is their favorite (blank)," perhaps questions concerning how the character would react to certain circumstances or situations would be even more helpful :-) Just my humble suggestion."

Great idea Abigail! Thanks for the suggestion. We threw a few of those questions into the mix this month.


1. If character's house burned down, and they were left with nothing but the clothes on their back, what would they do? Where would they go? 
 2. Are they happy with where they are in life, or would they like to move on? 
 3. Are they well-paid? 
 4. Can they read? 
 5. What languages do they speak? 
 6. What is their biggest mistake? 
 7. What did they play with most as a child? 
 8. What are their thoughts on politics? 
 9. What is their expected life time? 
 10. If they were falsely accused of murder, what would they do? How would they react? 

Enjoy the questions, and please feel free to leave feedback! Don't forget to sign the linky! 

Which Author Would You Meet?

If you haven't gotten the chance to read over the details of The Author's Giveaway, you can check it out HERE. Fin, Sam, and I are will be giving away some pretty awesome stuff, generously donated by Esty shop owners. 

So, to gain an entry in the giveaway, answer the following question. You can either leave a comment with your answer, or write about it in a blog post of your own, and then leave a comment with the link to your post. 

If you could meet any author from any time period, who would it be?

Ah, what a question. So many authors, so many time periods. This question is actually pretty easy for me though. Charles Dickens, without a doubt. I think that man would be awesome to chat with, and I'd love to hear some of his thoughts on writing. Somehow I get the feeling it wouldn't be the structured plot points, with character arcs and a diagramed outline posted on his wall. Yes, I think chatting with Dickens would be glorious. 

To gain two more entries in the giveaway, be sure to visit Fin, and Sky's blog to answer the questions posted there! 

The Author's Giveaway

I love classic literature. I love old books I can find for a dollar at the thrift store, and I love the smell of musty pages. The look of words printed on a faded page thrills me. I love to fill notebook after notebook with scribbles from my imagination. I love to put words together so that they tell a story.

Combine that with my love of awesome blog giveaways, and throw in two of my best friends, and you get an author's giveaway!

What can you win by entering? Let me show you.

Emily from Anna Delores Photography has offered to donate one beautiful print from her Etsy shop! While she has a stunning collection of typewriter prints bound to please any writer, you can also find almost anything to suit your taste. The winner can choose any print from the shop and can get it in one of three sizes; 8x8", 8x10", or 8x12". Be sure to check out Emily's blog as well!

Marguerite from Piccadilly Post will be giving away an Author Postage Note Card set of four. Winners choice of three different authors. Robert Penn Warren, Steven Vincent Benet, or Thornton Wilder. Each set comes with four lined note cards printed with "write your own story" and a thermographed vintage typewriter image. The entire set includes; four note cards, four envelopes, four envelope wraps, four postage stamps, and is packaged in an envelope folder tied with twine.

One winner will receive their choice of author silhouette from Hello Grey Day. Winner will be able to choose author, and color of the silhouette. This would make a beautiful display in any writer, or book lovers bedroom, or library. Kirsten also has a facebook page for her shop.

Don't we all wish some of the great authors were still alive, to push us in the right direction when we come across writer's block? I guess we'll have to settle for the second best thing. These are a set of Shakespeare Inspiration Dice. Made by Jennifer at Palimpsestic, these dice were created to inspire the beginning, the middle, or the end of any story. 

This beautiful ornament has been donated by Faith from Inspirations by Faith. It will make a lovely addition to any writer's Christmas tree next year! Filled phrases from Pride and Prejudice makes it perfect for any literary lover! 

How do I enter?
Entering will be simple. Fin, Sky, and myself will all be posting questions on our blogs tomorrow. Each blog will have one question posted. Each question you answer will gain you one entry. You can answer by either commenting on each post, or post all three answers on your own blog. We would also be grateful if you included a link back to the giveaway. If you decide to do this, comment with the link to the post so we are able to read your answers!

While not mandatory to share the giveaway, we would appreciate any advertisement you felt like sharing.

Deadline for entering is January 23rd. Winner's will be chosen randomly and announced shortly after the 23rd, on all three blogs.

Have fun, and good luck!

The Troublesome Ones

Part of the reason, actually, probably the biggest reason, My Sam and I started Beautiful People was to have a way for writer's to get to know their characters. I would say it's worked wonderfully for at least the majority of those who have taken part. I know it's certainly helped me out a lot.

However, I'm beginning to wonder if there are some characters out there who just won't... come to life. I really don't know how else to put it. Let me try and explain.

When I'm writing, and I create a new character, I can see them in my minds eye. A lot of the time, they are just a name, or a vague image I can't quiet see yet. The character seems to be almost 2D, and as I discover more about them and their story, details begin to come clear. Colors are filled in, the fog is lifted. Last of all, when they really seem to come to life, it's almost as if someone has blown them up like a balloon. They become 3D. Real. That's what happens most the time at least.

Meet Miany Love Cealnoor. Her maiden name is Kingly. I could tell you the stories of her Father, husband, brother in law, and children. I could even tell you the story of her nurse maid from when she was a child. In telling you their stories, you would get the idea of her own. You would figure out where she stands in, and the parts she plays, but she would still be just a drawing on the page. She would never step out of the story and grab you by the throat.

I can't really classify her as a mary sue character. I can affirm that by saying I took The Writer's Mary Sue Test. They called her healthy with a great future ahead of her. Why am I not feeling the same way?

I've been struggling with Miany for around five years now. I've started writing her novel several times, but it never turns out. Why? I think it's her fault. So, today, I said this has to stop.

In my attempt to bring this character to life I'm writing a series of short stories about her, and I'm convinced I shall discover her story. If I fail in this mission I shall see about changing her to someone else entirely. I would get rid of the character, but someone's got to fill that space. I guess that's my biggest worry, I don't want a character to fill in the blanks. I want a character who will remove the blanks.

If you've made it to the end of this writer's rant, I salute you.