Good Weekend For Writing

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It’s been a while since I’ve talked about writing, so today is the day for talking about it!  Because a few days is a really long time and all. 

Things are going along pretty well, and I’m finally all caught up!  Hopefully I’ll be able to get to 50k.  Actually, I’m sure I will, since I’m very determined to finish.  I’m not going to be working on this idea anytime soon, but I might pick it back up in a few months.  Most importantly, though, I need a break from writing.  Not completely, but I definitely want to slow things down.

I’m currently at 35,136 words, and wrote a total of 8,299 words on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to get my word count back to normal!

Speaking of slowing things down, I think I might really slow things down.  Last week, I wasn’t in the mood to work on all 6 of my “side projects,” so I just did 3.  I think I’ll the other 3 this week and see how it all works out.  I’m not sure if that’s something I want to continue in September or October, but since I won’t be writing any 50k novels in the next 2 months, I might do all 6. 

It is something to consider for November, though.  I feel like I could handle 2 50k novels plus the 1500 or so words per week for the other 6.  One novel plus various projects is a lot different than 2 novels and various projects.  I was hoping to have at least one or two finished by November, but at the rate I’m going, I’m not sure if anything will be finished by then.  I guess I won’t know for sure until November.   

It’s weird though.  I’ve been writing something pretty much everyday, and it’s been fun.  But at the same time, weird too.  I’m definitely not used to writing so much, and it’s really different writing in a month that isn’t November.  And not the 15oo or so a week, but writing an actual novel in a non-November month!  It’s been hard to find the motivation the last couple months, but I manage to do it…somehow.

I’ll be back with more tales from my camping adventure!

Fruits Basket, Volume 6

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Book: Fruits Basket, Volume 6 by Natsuki Takaya

Pages: 208 (Paperback)

What I Thought: In Volume 6 of Fruits Basket, we meet Kazuma Sohma, who has raised Kyo since he was little, but doesn’t want Kyo to go and live with him because Kazuma thinks Tohru is a good influence on Kyo and has gotten Kyo to open up.  Kazuma takes off the bracelet that Kyo wears: the bracelet is significant because it keeps Kyo’s true form from appearing.  Kyo’s true form is not pretty: a very grotesque, terrible-smelling creature.  Tohru (being Tohru) doesn’t care, and goes running off after Kyo.  He tries to push her away violently, but she refuses to leave until he comes to terms with the fact that she accepts him for who he is.  We also go to Ayame’s dress shop, and meet his assistant Mine. 

Takaya really balances the seriousness and the funny very well.  A good chunk of this volume is serious…and then we see Ayame, who’s over the top.  I liked the volume as a whole, and of the 6 I’ve reviewed so far, this one is my favorite.  Even though Tohru is scared of Kyo’s true form, and is clearly nauseated by the smell, she still goes running after him, and still accepts him for who he is.  It’s a good lesson in accepting people for who they really are, for what they’re like inside, and not to judge by appearances.  People aren’t always what they seems, and if there’s anything that showcases this, it’s Fruits Basket. 

And as always, the artwork is amazing, the sidenotes are fun, and the fan art is really cool!  Plus, we learn about the year of the rabbit. 

Rating: 5 out of 5.  I think most of the 5 star ratings I’ve been giving out have been to Fruits Basket, but it really is that good!

Fruits Basket, Volume 5

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Book: Fruits Basket, Volume 5 by Natsuki Takaya

Pages: 208 (Paperback)

My Thoughts: In this volume of Fruits Basket, Tohru and the Sohma’s go to a Sohma summer house for Golden Week.  Once they get back from vacation, they find Hatsuharu holding a small tiger- Kisa, who ran away from home.  She got teased a lot because of her orange hair, but Tohru and Yuki help her through it.  Meanwhile, Yuki’s fan club visits Hanajima in order to find her weakness- they go through all this because they resent Tohru for being so close to Yuki.

It’s another good volume and again, the artwork is amazing!  It keeps getting better.  We also learn about the year of the boar, we have the final installment of an interview with the author, and we have more fan art!  I love how she includes fan art, and it’s cool to see what the fans come up with.  And all of her side notes are really fun too.  She mostly talks about video games, and while I don’t play a lot of video games, it’s still interesting to see how she’s doing with them.

As for the actual story, I like it!  We’re always getting introduced to new members of the zodiac, but it is hard to keep all of them straight.  Yuki’s fan club is hilarious, especially the way they worship him…but at the same time, it’s a little frightening.  Ayame (Yuki’s brother) really is a character, especially when you get him together with Hatori and Shigure.  Yuki and Kyo not arguing is strange, and I can see why it would worry Tohru, who blames herself for saying something to offend them.  Everything works out, and they start arguing again, much to Tohru’s relief.  Now onto Volume 6!

Rating: 5 out of 5- it’s a good story, and it keeps getting better!

The Dreaming

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Book: The Dreaming by Queenie Chan

Pages: 175 (Paperback)

What Did I Think? I’m really not sure what to think about The Dreaming.  The Dreaming is about Jeannie and Amber, who are twin sisters that get accepted into an Australian boarding school.  However, the school is really creepy, since the entire school is surrounded by bushlands…and every once in a while, students disappear into the bushlands, never to be seen or heard from again.  The vice-principal is creepy as well, having a hatred for twins. 

It was an interesting story, and since this is only the first volume, the rest of story is probably revealed in the following volumes.  The artwork is interesting- detailed, but the shading is amazing!  I find it especially interesting that Chan manages to convey a certain darkness throughout this volume, and giving off a weird, creepy vibe.  This volume didn’t really live up to the horror tag on the back off to the book, but you did get a sense that there was something waiting in the shadows. 

Rating: 3 out of 5.  I liked it, and it was interesting, but I found it a little hard to get into.

Losing Power Is An Adventure

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I totally had a different post in mind, and all planned out, but I decided that I wanted to talk about the joys of power outages instead!

So, I’m writing, just minding my own business.  Lately, I’ve started writing at around 7 pm or so, I have no idea why, but that’s when I feel all creative and stuff.  So, you know, typing, with the tv on in the background, and all of a sudden…tv goes off, lights go off…and…I realize the powers out.  I mean, clearly, right?  I start panicking (just a little) because my battery’s pretty much dead, and I can’t remember if I saved my work.  I tend to save after typing something, so I figure I’m safe until the power comes back on.  And that won’t be long, right?

Wrong…no power for about 4 hours, which isn’t too bad in the grand scheme of things.  It could have been worse, and while I really wanted to actually write, I couldn’t.  So…I started reading, at first by candelight, but that didn’t work out too well, since the candle was bright enough.  I read by flashlight instead, so I’ll have a couple book reviews over the next couple days, because of the reading I managed to do. 

It was really weird, and you don’t realize how much you use technology and electricity until the power’s down.  I was fine, for the most part, since I could read by flashlight, but…it was still weird not writing.  Or watching tv, or surfing the net.  Today is going to be a 2-post day, I’ve suddenly decided to post the book review I have, so enjoy the double posting!

Waiting For My Hogwarts Letter

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I’m currently waiting for my Hogwarts letter, and I’m somehow managing to not check my email every 5 seconds.  It’s rather impressive if I do say so myself.  I’ve seen previews of people who have already gotten in, and the common rooms look amazing!  I’m definitely hoping to be in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw…even Slytherin looks pretty cool.  I’ll admit that I’ll be disappointed if I end up in Gryffindor, but I’ll end up wherever I end up.  And I can’t wait to get a wand and everything else!

I also have another blog!  I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I’ve decided to start my own food blog.  I’ll still talk about food every once in a while over here, but for the most part, all food-related thing will be over at Nikki Bakes.  I’m not sure how often I’ll be updating it, but it’ll be once or twice a week, maybe more.  It really depends on what I’m making, and what pops into my head.

I’ve been writing too, but the last few days, I haven’t really wanted to write.  I like my idea and all, but my heart just hasn’t been in it.  I’m trying to write something everyday, since that’s better than nothing.  Even if it’s not as much as I want to write, at least I’m writing something.  I’m currently at 26,023, so if I get on a roll, or if I tack on some exta words, I should finish with 50k sometime this month.  Random stuff keeps happening, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens.

Avielle of Rhia

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Book: Avielle of Rhia

Pages: 397 (Hardcover)

What Did I Think? Avielle of Rhia is about 15 year-old Avielle.  Avielle resembles her Dredonian great-great-grandmother, with her silver skin and silver hair.  Everyone thinks Avielle will turn evil, just like her great-great-grandmother, so she’s hidden away, and shunned by everyone around her, including her own family.

One night, though, the Bretgren of the Black Cloaks (evil wizards/priests) attack the castle, which kills the royal family and hundreds of other people.  Avielle escapes, keeping her identity secret since the Brethren want to kill her.

The book was just okay for me.  The people of Rhia don’t particularly like the Dredonians, and thonl they’re evil, and measures are taken against those with silver skin.  There’s definitely a theme of hatred and prejudice, and you really can’t miss it.  It’s not really explained why people don’t like the Dredonians- in fact, the only reason I can think of is Avielle’s great-great-grandmother, who accidentally killed the birds of Rhia, and so all people with Dredonain traits are considered evil.

While Avielle’s hiding, the High Council rules in her place, but in the end, she takes her rightful place as Queen, and everyone accepts her because she defeats the Brethren and brings the birds back to Rhia.

It wrapped up too nicely, but I wasn’t surprised that she became Queen and was accepted as Queen, because it was pretty clear that’s what her journey was.  I would have liked Calhoun to have gone deeper into the reasons why people didn’t like the Silverskins.

The ending was slightly ambiguous- if Calhoun wrote a sequel, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Rating: 2 out of 5.  It was just okay, and while I liked the concept, there was something…off about it.  The cover art was beautiful, and Calhoun is a good writer.

Wintergirls

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Book: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Pages: 278 (Hardcover)

What Did I Think? I’ve been a fan of Laurie Halse Anderson ever since I read Speak in high school. 

Wintergirls is about 18 year-old Lia, who is struggling to overcome anorexia.  Her best friend Cassie dies in a motel room, alone, after her esophagus erupts. 

I’ve never struggled with anorexia (or bulimia), but I have struggled with my weight since middle school, and I knew exactly what Lia was going through.  Anderson captures it so well, and I felt like I was experiencing what Lia was going through.  This is what I love about Anderson- her books are so realistic that I feel like I know what the characters are going through even though I’ve never experienced it myself.

It was really haunting, and I found myself unable to put it down.  I loved the way it was written- text was run together, certain things were italicized, certain things were repeated and the blank pages…it definitely gave a lot of insight into Lia’s mind, and what she was going through.  At certain times during the book, I felt like I was Lia. 

There were a couple paragraphs I had trouble reading- Lia takes a knife, and cuts herself from her neck to her ribcage.  The detail…it was definitely disturbing, but at the same time, I knew exactly how Lia felt. 

Are you tired of hearing that?  Really, though, that’s how realistic this book is.  Yes, it’s slightly creepy, and a little disturbing, but very compelling.

Rating: 5 out of 5!  It’s that good, and Wintergirls is definitely up there with Speak.

I Love The 90’s

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I like all kinds of music, but 90’s music is one of my favorites!  One of the local radio stations here in San Diego had a best of the 90’s weekend, and so I just had to listen to it!  This is my list of essential 90’s music:

  • N*Sync:  I have a soft spot for boy bands, in particular the Backstreet Boys, so no 90’s weekend is complete without boy bands!
  • Alternative and Grunge: it was a really important part of the 90’s, and I heard a lot of bands like Garbage, No Doubt and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  And no 90’s weekend is complete without Nirvana- it always seems like Smells Like Teen Spirit is at the top of any best songs of the 90’s list.
  • Will Smith: when he actually had a music career!  Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It is an essential 90’s song, and it’s another fun song.
  •  Insane In The Brain: I love this song, and it’s so fun!  It’s a fun song is something I’ll probably be saying a lot.  Back to the song really quick, it’s insanely catchy.
  • Nothing Compares To You: It’s not a 90’s weekend until you hear Sinead O’Connor!  Of course, this is the only song of hers I know, so I wouldn’t know anything else of hers, but it’s an essential part of any 90’s playlist.
  • New Kids On The Block and Color Me Badd: I have no idea why they’re not included with the other boy bands, but whatever.  Hangin’ Tough and I Wanna Sex You Up…why I like those songs, I have no clue. 
  • MMMBop: I love this song.  So much, in fact, that I’ll randomly sing the chorus.
  • Macarena: Oh, macarena.  The macarena was annoying, yes, but oh so fun!  They played it, but I missed them playing it.  😦
  • Spice Girls: I’ve mentioned a bunch of boy bands, it’s only right I mention the Spice Girls.  Girl power!  Sadly, I never heard them play the Spice Girls…and I have no idea what they were thinking.

I noticed they tended to repeat certain songs and artists.  I was sad I didn’t hear Aqua, Right Said Fred, and Kris Kross. At least they played TLC.  Waterfalls is a good song.  Actually, there were a bunch of songs I never heard, but since I wasn’t glued to the radio for the whole weekend, it’s possible they played it when I wasn’t listening…if they played them at all. 

It was fun listening to 90’s music almost all weekend, and I found myself singing along quite frequently.  Have a great day!

Sorceress

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Book: Sorceress by Celia Rees

Pages: 343 (Paperback)

What Did I Think? Sorceress is the sequel to Witch Child, and picks up where Witch Child left of…kind of.  Agnes, who is also known as Karonhisake (or Searching Sky), is a college student who reads Witch Child.  She thinks there might be a connection between herself and Mary Newbury; she thinks Mary might be one of her ancestors, a medicine woman whose personal belongings are treasured by her family.  Agnes contacts Alison, the person who edited Mary’s journal and published it.  It goes back and forth between the past (Mary’s story) and the present (with Agnes finding answers).

I didn’t like it as much as Witch Child.  While I was curious about what happened to Mary at the end of Witch Child, I didn’t particularly care for the two distinct storylines, even though they fit together rather well.  I didn’t like Agnes, and found her rather boring. 

I was also a little bored with Mary’s story after fleeing Beulah, although her first section (the 1st couple pages) were really interesting.  After that, though, it was hard to care about mary and what happened to her.  There was also little mention of her former life as the story continued, which does make sense, but you’d think that would be something that stayed with her.

My Rating: 1.5 out of 5.  I’m fine with Mary’s story as it was at the end of Witch Child, and hope her story would have been more interesting.