F is for Friday Fun. In all of our adult rushing about and trying to get everything done and in order, we often to forget to take some time out for good old fun. Even if we enjoy the work we do, or if you are like some of my oddball friends are soothed by cleaning, you still need to let loose and laugh. On Thursday I took a break from words that were frustrating me and took the kids outside to play. We had fun, we were silly, it soothed my mind like nothing else A good tickling match and round of zerberts followed by relaxing for a bit and eating lunch had me in a much better place. It had the kids in a happier place too.
Friday, or any other day, deserves a break for a little bit of silly fun. Find something to do on this Friday to make you feel silly and laugh. Me? My silly Friday plans just might involve the kiddos and some Easter Egg decorating. Maybe. Or perhaps I will break out the paint, or play dough, or some equally insane project (or combination of projects) that will bring joy along with the inevitable clean up. Because the sheer fun and enjoyment will be worth it and make everyone in the house happy for a bit.
Sometimes I loose track of the fun and get caught up in the no's and details of the day and forget to have fun. This Friday, and hopefully every possible day, I will make my household a much more entertaining place and give in to the fun.
Book Review: Spirit Fighter by Jerel Law
What I really like about Spirit Fighter is the realism of the characters. Even as an adult, I can see bits on myself in Jonah. He worries about being good enough, about meeting other's expectations. However, he also is more thoughtful in concern to his family and those weaker than himself than most people would admit, or actually act on. Eliza also reflected parts of myself, she might be very smart but she still has doubts in her own abilities and questions herself. Even the guardian angel, the parents, other children, and other characters we run into throughout the story reflect aspects of reality, no matter how improbable a reader might find the particular situations. Faith, and faith in oneself, both move the story forward, without making the reader feel like they are being taught a Sunday School lesson.
I think that Spirit Fighter just might call to many readers. It is full of action, the children in the midst of the action are ones many readers can see a little of themselves in. Parents that want their children reading faith friendly fiction are in luck. This series combines Old Testament teachings in the action, and faith and prayer play an active role in the story. However, these elements are used in a way that blends beautifully into the story, so that young readers and adults of other faiths or beliefs can still feel comfortable reading the book. That is a balance that is hard to achieve in religious fiction for all ages, including adults.
E is for expectations- A to Z Challenge
My E is for expectations. If you read my post yesterday (which I wrote on Tuesday and scheduled for publication) you know that I had big expectations for my day. Like most times you have big expectations, life steps up and can trough a curve ball. Instead of spending my Wednesday organizing, planning, and scheduling my time I spent it huddled in my bed savoring the dark and a bottle of Excedrin. Tuesday night a migraine crept up on me as a simple project turned into something much more complicated as I manned the busy children's desk for three hours. So Wednesday morning, instead of my expected free time, I just stayed as still and quiet as I could. Good times.
There are many other types of expectations we have for ourselves, our children, and our lives that seem to fall short. What soon to be parent had expectations of exploding diapers, sleepless nights, ER visits, and feeling like you will never be good enough to get it all done? None, every one of us might have known these things were a possibility, but thought our children would be perfect angels and sleep, eat, and potty train just like the experts say they should. Ha! I think none of these experts have ever had children of their own.
When starting school, any job, or joining any kind of group did you expect the grade school gossiping and whatnot that seems to invade any space that holds more than four personalities? If you are married, you expected the perfect wedding, honeymoon, and marriage. And you might very well have it, but I bet even the best of everything had at least one moment that did not meet your expectations.
The same is true in every king of creating or enjoying another person's creation. Reading a book that does not meet your exceptions is not always a bad thing, sometimes the surprise is a good thing. Same when you are writing and your characters or plot takes you somewhere you did not expect. Other art forms hold the same chance for wonderful surprises. Of course, there are the times when these breaks in expectation make you want to toss the source across the room. (I say that a lot, but have yet to actually do it, so don't worry too much). But anything that make you feel, good or bad, is worth reading, watching, looking at, whatever. That is what art it for.
Wow, that post veered off from my exceptions I built while I pondered it in the dark on Wednesday...
There are many other types of expectations we have for ourselves, our children, and our lives that seem to fall short. What soon to be parent had expectations of exploding diapers, sleepless nights, ER visits, and feeling like you will never be good enough to get it all done? None, every one of us might have known these things were a possibility, but thought our children would be perfect angels and sleep, eat, and potty train just like the experts say they should. Ha! I think none of these experts have ever had children of their own.
When starting school, any job, or joining any kind of group did you expect the grade school gossiping and whatnot that seems to invade any space that holds more than four personalities? If you are married, you expected the perfect wedding, honeymoon, and marriage. And you might very well have it, but I bet even the best of everything had at least one moment that did not meet your expectations.
The same is true in every king of creating or enjoying another person's creation. Reading a book that does not meet your exceptions is not always a bad thing, sometimes the surprise is a good thing. Same when you are writing and your characters or plot takes you somewhere you did not expect. Other art forms hold the same chance for wonderful surprises. Of course, there are the times when these breaks in expectation make you want to toss the source across the room. (I say that a lot, but have yet to actually do it, so don't worry too much). But anything that make you feel, good or bad, is worth reading, watching, looking at, whatever. That is what art it for.
Wow, that post veered off from my exceptions I built while I pondered it in the dark on Wednesday...
D is for Distraction- A to Z Challenge 2012
D is for Distraction, what is your biggest distraction when you are trying to work at home; writing, reading, or whatever your focus. I would say that the internet as a whole is my distraction. Checking email, playing on pintrest, tweeting, reading, and commenting. however, these things can also be used to promote my work and to learn things that I can use for future work, so more often than not I justify these distractions to myself, and sometimes do actually use them to my advantage. However, even my writing, crafting, and reading that I do at home and can consider work is a distraction in itself from my first and most pressing job, being a mom. This is why I try to schedule all of my distractions. I need to try harder at that.
I plan to do most of my writing and serious research for Wednesday mornings. Why? Because that is the one time that I am actually in my house alone. It is my day off from my part time gig as a librarian and both the kids are happily at preschool. You know what distracts me then? The desire to finish a book, to garden, the urge to seriously clean house, the time to grocery shop and run my errands- alone.
Needless to say sometimes I feel like everything is a distraction and I just cannot focus on anything. There are other times that I feel like I have it all balanced and I am super women. But I think all women are superwomen. The world expects us to be able to do everything, all at the same time. Often I find myself expecting the same from myself, hence the feeling that everything is more distraction than necessary, or that everything is vital and it is my lack that has me adrift. So today I will sit down and organize. I will set myself a schedule to avoid distractions and allow myself to focus more fully on each thing rather than bouncing between tasks. Unless.. Squirrel!
What is our biggest distraction and how do you handle it?
I plan to do most of my writing and serious research for Wednesday mornings. Why? Because that is the one time that I am actually in my house alone. It is my day off from my part time gig as a librarian and both the kids are happily at preschool. You know what distracts me then? The desire to finish a book, to garden, the urge to seriously clean house, the time to grocery shop and run my errands- alone.
Needless to say sometimes I feel like everything is a distraction and I just cannot focus on anything. There are other times that I feel like I have it all balanced and I am super women. But I think all women are superwomen. The world expects us to be able to do everything, all at the same time. Often I find myself expecting the same from myself, hence the feeling that everything is more distraction than necessary, or that everything is vital and it is my lack that has me adrift. So today I will sit down and organize. I will set myself a schedule to avoid distractions and allow myself to focus more fully on each thing rather than bouncing between tasks. Unless.. Squirrel!
What is our biggest distraction and how do you handle it?
Early Book Review: Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado
Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado is a children's
graphic novel which is due for release on April 10 2012. In this bright
and colorful tale young Claudette wants to be just like her parents, an
adventurer that slays monsters. Her younger brother Gaston, who is
timid but a fantastic chef, and best friend Marie, who aspires to be no
less than a princess, set of on a mission to kill a giant. A giant that
they have been told likes to eat baby feet. They face many challenges,
and discover just how brave and smart they really are, and the true
meaning of courage. Can they complete their mission before their parents
find them, and learn to look past appearances in the process?
See my complete review here on Yahoo! Voices.
See my complete review here on Yahoo! Voices.
Book Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers is the first book in a new young adult series, His Fair Assassin. The main character is seventeen-year-old Ismea,
who has been feared and shamed her entire life because of scars she
bears from her mothers attempt to abort her. She escapes an arranged
marriage and dedicates her life to the god, or saint, Mortain
who rules death. The convent that takes her in and trains her requires
complete obedience, but her skills and safety of the convent helps Ismae
grow and thrive. During her third assignment, she discovers that the
outside world is much more complicated than she had ever imagined. She
finds herself under prepared as she tries to protect the duchess, and
the country, amid traitors and plots that seem to become even more
tangled as she loses her heart to her partner, and potential target for
death. Lets start with the obviously fantastic reason everyone is interested by this book, assassin nuns. It could not be anything other than awesome. Ismea is saved from being further beaten, and most likely killed, by the man her father sold her to as a wife by a local priests and hedge witch that follow the old ways. She is taught to kill, to serve a dark god or saint and to protect her country. She learns to obey, and in turn to question the orders and plots that are driving her hands in death. Ismea becomes a strong, smart woman. Her partnership with Duval is far from insta-love, and develops slowly and will the appropriate amount of doubt and mistrust. However, I will say that I was occasionally annoyed with her jumping and being startled every time he touched her or looked at her a certain way. The court intrigue was well done, and held some surprises for me. I fully expected some of the players to be exactly who they turned out to be, but I was glad to find a couple unexpected twists and turns.
I recommend Grave Mercy to fans of historical fiction, court intrigue, and heroines that take charge of their destiny. There are some mystical elements and significant romance, but neither overwhelms the historical mystery that carries throughout the story. Some might be worried about the mystic elements or take on religion. I think most interested in the book, especially by the thought of assassin nuns, will be just fine. Those that are offended by the very idea of old gods and the way pagan religions were transformed to be part of Christianity through force, and the idea that the pagan community could have had (or still have) some things right, might want to skip it. But I think that anyone reading the reviews for any reason other than to be offended, will enjoy the book.
C for Creation; A to Z Challenge
C is for creation; creation of characters, plots, twists, music, illustrations, paintings and so on. How do you go about creating your art? Do you fly by the seat of your pants and just follow where the process takes you, do you plan and follow some strict structure, or do you fall somewhere in the middle?
I tend to be a seat of the pants kind of girl. I craft and write with a basic idea or inspiration in mind and just see where it takes me. It is in the editing and rereading that I fix things that do not work as part of the finished product. Whether it is a line of verse that does not flow well, and makes using as lyrics difficult, or a speckle of paint that disrupts what I have in mind, it is when I step back after the first rush of creating anything that I look at the whole thing. Sometimes it is the very mistakes, that speckle of paint, that really make the piece or inspire something else. I particularly find this true in creative writing and painting, much less so in essays and fact driven writing. Sometimes I find myself wandering off with no end in sight, and no real desire to find one. That is when I have to put something aside for a while and then come back with a more structured approach.
Please share your crafting methodology, your muse, your frustrations. Let us share our successes and frustrations, because we have all had some of each.
I tend to be a seat of the pants kind of girl. I craft and write with a basic idea or inspiration in mind and just see where it takes me. It is in the editing and rereading that I fix things that do not work as part of the finished product. Whether it is a line of verse that does not flow well, and makes using as lyrics difficult, or a speckle of paint that disrupts what I have in mind, it is when I step back after the first rush of creating anything that I look at the whole thing. Sometimes it is the very mistakes, that speckle of paint, that really make the piece or inspire something else. I particularly find this true in creative writing and painting, much less so in essays and fact driven writing. Sometimes I find myself wandering off with no end in sight, and no real desire to find one. That is when I have to put something aside for a while and then come back with a more structured approach.
Please share your crafting methodology, your muse, your frustrations. Let us share our successes and frustrations, because we have all had some of each.
Books- A-Z Challenge 2012
Books is a pretty obvious chose for my b word, but I just could not help myself. Books are precious. They are windows into great knowledge, to imagination, to fantasy, to reality, to whatever you love, or even what you hate, or do not care about at all. When you open up a book you never know what you will find.
Covers, and even descriptions, can make you think you are getting a simple story, but you quickly find yourself lost in complexities that were unexpected. Sometimes the opposite happens. I think any book has value, as long as it makes you think and/or feel. Even if the feeling you have s the urge to throw the book across the room, because it has elicited a response. It is the books that leave me cold, with the 'blah' feeling when I am done that hold the least vale for me. However, even in those books you can learn something. Like how not to write books that will not hold the interest people like yourself.
Even in non fiction, you can be surprised by what you find. In Quiet by Susan Caine I discovered bits and pieces of myself in her stories. In Paradise Lust I found hope, humor, and heartfelt souls looking for the Garden of Eden. I am not usually a big non fiction reader, mainly because I read to escape to conflicts and chaos that can often fill day to day life. Usually my non fiction consists of children's non fiction or books about practical subjects like gardening of herbal remedies to expand my practical knowledge instead of getting lost in the pages. So when a work of non fiction catches my attention, I think it is really special.
The really wonderful things about books it that they can take you places. A group of people reading the same book will be able to discuss and share what they thought of the book, and how t made them feel, but everyone will get something a little different from each. Our worlds and perceptions are so colored by our pasts, hopes, and current stresses that twelve people with the same basic tastes in books can have twelves very different responses to a book. When the enter the world of the book, they can picture very different scenery and characters despite reading the same words. I think the same holds true for all forms of art. It is the wonder of getting lost in a world partially created by your mind, started by someone else's words, that makes getting lost in art so amazing.
Covers, and even descriptions, can make you think you are getting a simple story, but you quickly find yourself lost in complexities that were unexpected. Sometimes the opposite happens. I think any book has value, as long as it makes you think and/or feel. Even if the feeling you have s the urge to throw the book across the room, because it has elicited a response. It is the books that leave me cold, with the 'blah' feeling when I am done that hold the least vale for me. However, even in those books you can learn something. Like how not to write books that will not hold the interest people like yourself.
Even in non fiction, you can be surprised by what you find. In Quiet by Susan Caine I discovered bits and pieces of myself in her stories. In Paradise Lust I found hope, humor, and heartfelt souls looking for the Garden of Eden. I am not usually a big non fiction reader, mainly because I read to escape to conflicts and chaos that can often fill day to day life. Usually my non fiction consists of children's non fiction or books about practical subjects like gardening of herbal remedies to expand my practical knowledge instead of getting lost in the pages. So when a work of non fiction catches my attention, I think it is really special.
The really wonderful things about books it that they can take you places. A group of people reading the same book will be able to discuss and share what they thought of the book, and how t made them feel, but everyone will get something a little different from each. Our worlds and perceptions are so colored by our pasts, hopes, and current stresses that twelve people with the same basic tastes in books can have twelves very different responses to a book. When the enter the world of the book, they can picture very different scenery and characters despite reading the same words. I think the same holds true for all forms of art. It is the wonder of getting lost in a world partially created by your mind, started by someone else's words, that makes getting lost in art so amazing.
Picturebook Review:Little Pig Joins the Band
Little Pig Joins the Band is a picture book written and illustrated by David Hyde Costello. This fun book follows little pig as he tries to keep up with his older, and larger siblings. He is tired of being small, and told he is too small to do things, and being called 'Little Pig' rather than his name. When Grandpa brings out the box of musical instruments for the pigs to play with he is very excited. However, he soon discovers that he is too small to play any of the instruments. As his larger siblings test out their instruments and try to march, the little pig discovers that he can play a very important role after all.Little Pig Joins the Band is a fun, and delightfully illustrated, picturebook. I think children will easily relate to being 'too small' to do the things they want to do. They will enjoy the misunderstood words and funny misunderstandings that arise as he asks for small instruments to play. Those of smaller stature, like myself, will get some satisfaction of seeing the little pig step up and take charge. The lesson of letting people of all sizes and abilities take part is well sewn into the story, and does not seem overdone or preachy to the audience.
The classic illustrations and smaller print for the conversations the little pig has with his family might make this better for sharing a single child or smaller groups. It is perfect for a bedtime story or during some serious one on one time. I recommend reading this with your favorite young children, and enjoying little pig getting to have his special role in the family band. I think children of all ages and sizes will enjoy the story.
Angsty anbout Angst; A to Z Challenge
Angst can be a wonderful story element, or it can be the downfall of a
story. Since so many of us feel some level of angst while writing, or
forced to stop writing to do something silly like cook, it is no
surprise that angst makes its way into so many plots. Angst can be
necessary to get a character thinking, or moving, and hence it is
important. However, I do not want to talk about angst gone right,
because to fully understand how it should be used, we need to look at
instances where it has gone wrong, and how to avoid falling into the
same traps.
I think angst often gets over or misused in romance and young adult novels, because these are moments that require heavy angst levels, right? Wrong. Yes, unrequited love, the horrors of adolescence, and joys of schooling do cause high levels of stress. I know my teen years were far from my favorite. However, no one needs to read a book that is at least held half in one characters head as they over analyze and doubt everything about themselves. There are situations where heavy angst does work, but it is far too common to go over the invisible line in the sand that I have no map to.
How many times have you read a book and gotten so annoyed at one character's angst about how the love interest, appearance, weight, alignment of the stars, or other obsession will ruin their lives. It often makes me want to throw my book, or whatever I am reading a digital book on, across the room. One much beloved teen novel comes to mind, where one little miss spends the hole series mooning over a guy. (I will admit that I loved the whole series when I first read it, but after all the hype and looking back I just want to shake her and somehow unread the last book.) Angst should be a tool to motivate the characters. It can be used to get them thinking so that their thoughts are shared with the reader, but some action should follow the thoughts.
Stories about real women; women with curves, glasses, social status, or other assumed imperfection often run into the same issue. There is so much inner dialogue, or even external dialogue bemoaning the issue at hand that I just want to scream at them to do something about it. While there are some issues that hold no solution, there are still things they could do to improve their lives or at least their confidence. Again, I want to kick the characters and tell them to just get over it already and move on.
I have no magic bullet to fix this common issue. However, my rule of thumb is that if a conversation with a friend, sibling, coworker, or even your own internal dialogue followed the same path at that is laid out in the story makes you slap happy then there is too much angst.
And so ends my angsty rant about angst in fiction.
I think angst often gets over or misused in romance and young adult novels, because these are moments that require heavy angst levels, right? Wrong. Yes, unrequited love, the horrors of adolescence, and joys of schooling do cause high levels of stress. I know my teen years were far from my favorite. However, no one needs to read a book that is at least held half in one characters head as they over analyze and doubt everything about themselves. There are situations where heavy angst does work, but it is far too common to go over the invisible line in the sand that I have no map to.
How many times have you read a book and gotten so annoyed at one character's angst about how the love interest, appearance, weight, alignment of the stars, or other obsession will ruin their lives. It often makes me want to throw my book, or whatever I am reading a digital book on, across the room. One much beloved teen novel comes to mind, where one little miss spends the hole series mooning over a guy. (I will admit that I loved the whole series when I first read it, but after all the hype and looking back I just want to shake her and somehow unread the last book.) Angst should be a tool to motivate the characters. It can be used to get them thinking so that their thoughts are shared with the reader, but some action should follow the thoughts.
Stories about real women; women with curves, glasses, social status, or other assumed imperfection often run into the same issue. There is so much inner dialogue, or even external dialogue bemoaning the issue at hand that I just want to scream at them to do something about it. While there are some issues that hold no solution, there are still things they could do to improve their lives or at least their confidence. Again, I want to kick the characters and tell them to just get over it already and move on.
I have no magic bullet to fix this common issue. However, my rule of thumb is that if a conversation with a friend, sibling, coworker, or even your own internal dialogue followed the same path at that is laid out in the story makes you slap happy then there is too much angst.
And so ends my angsty rant about angst in fiction.
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