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!

Authentic Me

I'm participating in Abigail Kraft's Authentic People Blog Party.

So, for newcomers to my blog, this is me.

I'm a daughter of the most high God. I'm an aspiring theater director. I'm an opinionated film critic. Mostly, I just write words. Especially, during the month of NaNoWriMo.

1} What's the nerdiest/geekiest/weirdest think about you?

Let's see... I have a crooked face. Seriously, if I put on any pair of glasses they will sit crookedly on my face. Unless it's my glasses, those were made to look straight.

2} If you could live in a fictional universe from any book, movie, or television show, what would it be?

Aanoor. That would be... my own fantasy land. Almost all of my fantasy novels/stories are set somewhere in Aanoor. It's been growing considerably over the years.

I made this map several years ago and it has changed a bit since then, but it gives you a general idea.

3} Little or big, practical or frivolous, what is one of your favorite items in your house?

My book shelves. A fairly recent addition to my house, but my favorite none-the-less.

Reasons love to them? 1. My Daddy made them for me. 2. They hold awesome books. 3. They're green.

4} Do you like animated movies? If so, what's

your favorite?

Oh yes, I love animated movies and my all time favorite is Lilo & Stitch. How could you not love a cute and fluffy mutant alien?

5} What is your favorite household chore?

Sweeping. I used to hate it, but after years of doing it every day, I actually kind of like it now.

6} What's your favorite thing to get at Starbucks (or your favorite coffee shop)?

In my case, that would be my favorite coffee shop. I don't visit Starbucks much. Anyway, my usual, memorized by two different baristas in town would be a 12oz white mocha. They're also pretty good and guessing if I want it iced, or not by how thick a coat I'm wearing.

7} What is your favorite pizza topping?

Pepperoni. I'm pretty basic when it comes to pizza.

8} Waffles or pancakes?

Uh... I don't really like either of those. Especially for breakfast. Then again, I'm not much of a breakfast eater in general.

9} Do you like to play games? If so, what is your favorite?

I actually don't really like to play games. I get weird looks whenever I say that, but it's the truth. The only games that I'll actually be in the mood to play are card games. My least favorite is probably charades.

10} Have you ever let anyone win a game?

I don't remember. I doubt it.

11} Have you ever dyed your hair?

No, although some people find that hard to believe when they see my natural red highlights.

12} Do you make your bed every morning?

Ah-ha, let's just say, I try.

13} Picasso or Norman Rockwell?

Norman Rockwell. I'm actually not crazy about him, but I find Picasso disturbing.

14} Do you like carpet, tile, or hardwood floors?

Hard wood, but it's all carpet in my house.

15} If you could put one thing in a safe under your bed, what would it be?

I'm not really sure. My favorite books?

16} What's your favorite condiment?

Barbecue sauce. Yes, I hail from the west.

17} Have you ever thrown up on someone (excluding when you were a child)?

No... I don't even remember the last time I threw up.

18} What was the last thing that made you laugh.

My brother playing charades last night. It was rather comical.

19} Think fast... what's the first song that pops into your head?

Blessed Assurance. I was just playing it on my guitar. One of my favorite hymns, especially when sung by Alan Jackson.

Characters Make the Plot

As you've probably noticed, I like to fancy myself as a writer. It's something I greatly enjoying doing and have spent many hours not only doing it, but learning how to become better at it. I've read books on the subject, written by published authors. I haven't agreed with everything they've said, but it helped me to see that every writer is different. Every writer has things that work best for them.

I hardly consider myself worthy to give advice, but I would like to expound on something that has worked for me. Character analysis.

That's right. Character sketches. Not just piddly little profiles though. I'm talking extensive stuff. This is a person that you're trying to create. A person that is making up the contents of your novel. There is always more to discover. Always more to uncover.

I get writer's block. I know, surprise, surprise. Probably one of the most obvious statements a writer can make. There are very few things I can do to break that inspiration stopping wall. One of them, the one that seems to work the most for me, is character analysis. Discovering more. It's amazing how learning one little morsel of information on one little side character, can open up a whole slew of new plot ideas.

Not only can you find a ton of character sketch material online, (I'm now going to shamelessly advertise) such as Beautiful People, but you can find some great books on the subject as well. I myself have only had the chance to get my hands on one, but there are at least a few more out there. The one I've used a little bit is called, What Would Your Characters Do. The Director recommends one called 45 Master Characters.

Check these books out. Look around for more like them. Get them from the library if you can. Find the one that works best for you. Find several that work best for you. Maybe none of them will work for you. Maybe you feel you don't need extensive character sketches. That's cool too, just remember that with writing, it's always a good idea to try something before saying it's not for you. You never know, you might surprise yourself.

Book Housing

Before

After

The point of this post is to show everyone that my Daddy is most defiantly the most awesome Dad on this earth. He builds me awesome bookshelves. 'Nough said.

Sorry about the poor picture quality. My only camera is the one on my ipod and it doesn't exactly take the best shots.

Weakness

I just finished making the cover for The Way We Love. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, despite the complications I had while making it. You all probably want to see it, but you'll have to wait. It'll be on my updated Current Writing Projects page, after NaNo starts.

I'm sitting on Fins bed at the moment, listening to Celtic Thunder. It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year since we went and saw them in concert. It was the kickstart to NaNo last year for me. This year I'll be taking a trip to the best bookstore on the face of this earth. Powell's. Books on my list to look for? Oh, you know, the usual. Charles Dickens, Ted Dekker, John Keats, C.S. Lewis... the list goes on. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to find one, or two books to lug home with me.

Someone shared a verse with me lately. I love it when that happens.

And he said unto me, "my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I think the world overrates the wrong kind of strong. Who cares if you've got abs. Until you are weak in Him, you will never be truly strong. I think I need to work on that more. Much more.

Braindead

I haven't been writing much lately. I've been reading. I actually haven't been doing much of that either though, so it's a lame excuse. Oh well, I just keep telling myself you've gotta have a break before the big bust, right? I would certainly call November the big bust of my writing life, and it's coming on fast. At this point, I'm not even really sure what I'm gonna write either. I've got ideas, but there's no saying that won't change. Like it already has three times.

I've got to get up early to go to work tomorrow, so I'm not even really sure why I'm taking the time to write this post. This could be one of those moments when I could be writing, or reading. I'm writing a story about gypsy's, a highwayman, and poor villagers. I'm reading Wuthering Heights. I'm enjoying both.

I guess I decided to post because I felt like I wanted to, the only thing was, I didn't know what to post. So, I decided to follow the example of My Sam and not think about it. Just write, right? We won't go into how much she inspires me right now, just know that she does.

Speaking of being inspired, I'm in love with music right now. Oh wait, I'm always in love with music. Let me rephrase that, I'm in love with Barrage right now. This is one of my favorites. It's called Allen's Bar.

This ones pretty good too. Until We Meet Again.

I'm in the midst of refurbishing my room. Well, I have been in the midst of it since we moved into this house, but it's getting closer. My Daddy is going to build me some awesome bookshelves so I'll be able to get my books off the floor and I'm hoping to find a nice, big, comfy chair to stick in the corner. I love big comfy chairs. Especially when surrounded by books.

Books Inspire

Day 4 - A novel or author that has inspired something in your writing style.

While I can make this easy and just say Ted Dekker, and Charles Dickens, I have to go a bit further than that. Honestly, almost everything I read inspires me. Even if it's a bad book. It inspires me to go and write something better. If it's good I try and figure out why and if I can take on that quality in my own writing. The two kinds of books this doesn't work with...

The AMAZING

When a book is so amazing I don't even pay attention to what made it so good. I'm so caught up in the story I don't even think about it. By the third, or fourth time I read it I can get down to that stuff.

The GAG-worthy

You know. The ones that I read the first chapter and stop. If I even get that far. Sometimes I only get to the first line, if I made it past the paragraph on the back... if I even picked it up to begin with.

A writer should be able to learn something from almost every book in my opinion. How to do something, or what to avoid. Books in general are my inspiration.

Join the 15 Day Challenge over at Eat... Sleep... Write!

Three Favorites... Again

Day two of the 15 Day Writer's Challenge over at Eat... Sleep... Write. If you're a writer I encourage you to check it out and think about joining us!

Day 2 - Your favorite male author.

Another difficult one that I'll have to narrow down to three choices.

James Herriot

I've never really been a great fan of animal stories. While my family enjoyed the stories of Rascal, and Where the Red Fern Grows, I found them rather boring. I don't remember a time when I didn't like James Herriot though. I've grown up listening and reading his stories, based off of his real life experiences as an English country vet.

We had Every Living Thing on tape, and I think that's probably the most listened to tape there ever was. The stories are certainly worth hearing, but what makes them captivating is the way he writes them.

Not only that, the books make a pretty amazing tv series.

Charles Dickens

Look at this guy. With a face like that, how can you not write a whopping good novel? I've actually only read three of his books and am currently in the middle of the forth, but the ones I have read are amazing. This guy has got to be the master of plot. As I was reading Great Expectations, the first book I've read of his, I was thinking it was good, but by the time I got to the end I was blown away. Things unfold that you never would have expected.

Not only that, the books make some pretty amazing Masterpiece Theater adaptions.

Ted Dekker

I'm not even sure where to start with this guy. I guess from the beginning. Thanks for getting me into this addiction Beth.

Ted Dekker opened my eyes to the world of thriller novels. His was the first books in a long time that I clung to the spine of during the wee hours of the morning. I finished Black overnight.

The awesome part is, he's not only still alive, but he's still writing!

Not only that, the characters on the pages seem so real already, it gives me chills just thinking about a film adaption.

The Best Antiques Are Old Friends

Everything has been kind of crazy lately. Fin and I have a friend visiting for a few days. Life has been filled with pictures,

and buying awesome old books from antique stores.

Those books would be Kipling: A Selection of His Stories and Poems Volume I & II, and Robin Hood, by Howard Pyle. I love Kipling. I love Robin Hood. 'Nuff said.

I've also been outlining.

Yes. I've finally gotten into it. It helps when both of your friends are also working on outlines. Coffee Shops with inspiring atmospheres also come in handy.

In Which Georgie Feels Bookish

As the weather begins to get warmer, I no longer feel like curling up with a thick book, but sprawling out with one. On my bed, the floor, the freshly mowed lawn. The book nooks of the summer months. I wish I could read all day.

Bookish by GeorgiePenn featuring slim jeans
Sadly, I can't. With graduation looming in the distance, I must keep to my studies. My library pile must remain small for now. Not forever though. No, not forever. Summer is almost here.

Alice - Then & Now

I've been reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland lately, and loving it! I've seen the original Disney movie, and the new one is one of my favorites, but I've never actually read the book completely.

The Dormouse had closed its eyes by this time and was going off into a doze; but on being pinched by the Hatter, it woke up again with a little shriek, and went on: "that begins with an M, such as mouse-traps, and the moon, and memory, and muchness -- you know you say things are 'much of a muchness' -- did you ever see such a thing as drawing of a muchness!"

This book has a lot of fun quotes, and I've been laughing through the whole thing.

"If you knew time as well as I do," said the Hatter, "you wouldn't talk about wasting it. It's him."

It's interesting to see, as always, what parts of the book they incorporated into the movie, and how the characters have changed over the years. I still love the Hatter, all versions. Alice on the other hand, I find her highly annoying in the book, while I adore her in the 2010 film.

"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail,

"There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.

See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!

They are waiting on the shingle - will you come and join the dance?

Will you, wo'n't you, will you, wo'n't you, will you join the dance?

Will you, wo'n't you, will you, wo'n't you, wo'n't you join the dance?

"You can really have no notion how delightful it will be

When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!"

But the snail replied "Too far, too far!", and gave a look askance--

Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.

Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance.

Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.

"What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied.

"There is another shore, you know, upon the other side.

The further off from England the nearer is to France--

Then turn not place, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.

Will you, wo'n't you, will you, wo'n't you, will you join the dance?

Will you, wo'n't you, will you, wo'n't you, wo'n't you join the dance?"

Through the Looking-Glass is next.

Just The Facts

Hi. I'm just here to say...

• God is good. Without a doubt.
• The Oregon coast is to beautiful to put into words and inspires like you wouldn't believe.
• Second families can bless you more then you would ever imagine possible.
• Writing song lyrics in giant letters on the beach was added and scratched from my bucket list in one day.
• It is possible to get a book, copyright date 1908, for a dollar.
• Adorable four year old boys on horseback melt my heart.
• Coming home from a trip to find a brand new MacBook Pro on my bed would make my night. Oh wait... it did.

Little Known Facts About Georgie Penn

One of the things I love about blogging is the different people you "meet." I found Mrs. Kraft's blog through one of my all time favorite blogs to read. (life is to short not to) wear red shoes. Seriously, this girl makes my day every time I see she's posted. You should check out both blogs, 'cuase they are both awesome.

Imagine the day I find this new blog, she is hosting a blog party. A blog party I can participate in! Always lots of fun.

What celebrity/celebrities would create a "Star-Struck" feeling if you saw them in real life?

The truth is, there are several. The first ones that come to mind are all the guys from Celtic Thunder. One of my very few celebrity fandoms.

Another one would be Steven Spielberg.

Call me a nerd, but there you have it.

What is your comfort food/drink?

To tell you the truth, I don't really have one. Food has never really been something I've turned to when I need comfort. I guess if I had to choose one though, it would be ice cream

. I love ice cream.

Be brave - tell us something very random about yourself.

Ever since reading Sherlock Holmes, The Sign of Four, I don't like to have the blinds on my window up after dark. Every time I glance up and see it I see an ugly fact plastering itself against the glass. Yes. This is the affect Sherlock Holmes has on me. Yes, I still read Sherlock Holmes and enjoy it to the utmost.

Do you have a strong desire to do something you've never done? What is it?

Where should I start? I have a huge bucket list people. A small sample for your enjoyment...

• Visit Australia
• Learn to play the saxophone
• Direct a play if not a movie
• Take a ride (or three) in a hot air balloon

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite

genres?

I enjoy almost any genera of movies setting aside horror and westerns (although there are one, or two westerns I like). My favorites would have to be thrillers and comedies. I humorous thriller makes my day.

Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?

Ah! Books! Books! My kingdom for some books! (You can ignore that if you wish, kiddos if you know what I'm talking about) Once again, I love almost any kind of book. My favorites in fiction are fantasy, thrillers, and historical fiction. I also love reading non-fiction on writing and film. True stories are always neat too!

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?

For the longest time I was a country girl and only a country girl (Don't take this the wrong way. I can't stand Taylor Swift's music). In the last year however I've began to branch out. I still love country, but Celtic Thunder, Josh Groban, and Owl City have shown me a new kind of music and I do have to say, I'm in love. I also enjoy film scores, oldies, and folk.

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?

Oregon. I love Oregon. My second choice would be the village they call the Moy in Ireland. Just so I could say, "I live in the village they call the Moy."... and because I love Ireland

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?

Leather. Journals, saddles, boots, they all send me into ecstasy.

What are your favorite animals?

Once upon a time I wouldn't have had to answer this. You would be able to tell as soon as you saw my blog. Alas, even though I love the animal just has much, writing has taken over in my blogging life. To answer the question, "The wind of heaven is that which blows between a

horse's ears." -Arabian Proverb

What movie or book character can you most relate to?

This will sound strange, but I believe the answer to this question

would be Edmund Pevensie. Yes, the boy who turns on his siblings for want of attention and power. Honestly though, while others were talking about how terrible he was for doing it, I was telling myself I probably would have done the same thing. Not because I don't like my family, or feel I need power, but because I'm human. I fall. I make mistakes. The great thing about Edmund is he learned his lesson and in the books to come he is stronger then ever because of it. A character to admire for realizing his wrong's and letting "Aslan" change his life for the better. I can easily imagine how he felt as the White Witch offered him everything he thought he wanted, and how he felt when he realized what a mistake he had made.

Awesome Mr. Twain

"In a good bookroom you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin, without even opening them." -Mark Twain

Someday, I want to have a bookroom like that. Mr. Twains name shall be on some of the books found there. Mr. Twain is awesome.

Favorites of 2010 - Books

My dear blogging friend, Tarissa, from In The Bookcase, listed her favorite books she read last year and invited others to do the same. It sounded fun to me, so here goes.

I've read a total of 34 books in 2010. Rather sad, even more so compared to the 62 I read in 2009. Anyway, my favorites...

1. Blood Red Horse by K. M. Grant. Ever since I read this book it's been a favorite of mine. The crusades, horses, the slightest touch of romance. I love it.

2. The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. Set in Roman Britain, packed with history and suspense. Written by one of my seester's favorite authors, I've been meaning to read more of her novels.

3. Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. I've heard this book was confusing, I've heard it made perfect sense. I've heard people put it down, I've heard it praised to the skies. So, I read it. It was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone. Honestly.

4. Tuck by Steven Lawhead. The third book in the King Raven trilogy was most certainly the best. If you haven't read the King Raven series, and you're into Robin Hood as much as I am, you need to.

5. White by Ted Dekker. Another third book. Second only to Black in my opinion, however I read Black in '09. Ted Dekker made it to my list of awesome people after I finished this series.

6. In Defense of the Faith by Dave Hunt. I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing this book was. Defending the faith is something all Christians should know how to do, and (next to the Bible of course) this is the handbook.

7. Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris. Not as good as Do Hard Things, but it still makes you think. A powerful books written for teens, by teens.

8. The Martyr's Song by Ted Dekker. Ted Dekker again, I know. The first book I read of his that wasn't in the Circle Trilogy. It had me hooked from the very beginning. If I remember correctly I even cried at one point. Not something I do to often.

So, one of my goals for 2011, read more books.