Here's To The Heroes

     It's Remembrance Day here in Canada, a day to remember those who have fought, bled, suffered, lived and died to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. A day to honor those who are still fighting today. My brother was one of those- he returned from Afghanistan earlier this year.

     One thing we do here in Canada is wear a poppy to show our support. I wear one every year (and poke myself with it at least twenty times a day). The poppy comes from the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by John McCrae- a Canadian soldier who wrote the poem in Belgium in 1915. Since it's been a long time since I've read it myself, I thought I'd post it here.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

     Last week while at my parents house, my dad played me a song that brought tears to my eyes. It happens to be perfect for today. Take a couple of minutes and listen to it and just... Remember.
     Lest We Forget.

Here's To The Heroes, sung by the Ten Tenors

Awesome Songs and An Irish Crush

     I thought I'd lay off talking about music for awhile, but I just can't help myself. I've loved Christina Perri ever since Jar of Hearts on SYTYCD (love her). I'm also a Bruno Mars fan (love him). And if you couldn't tell by the Breaking Dawn widget at the side of my blog, I'm also a Twilight fan (love it all). So what happens when you combine the three?
     Pure magic in the form of two songs on the Breaking Dawn soundtrack that I just had to share if you haven't heard them yet.

A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

It Will Rain by Bruno Mars

     I have to do crush of the week since I won't be seeing much of this guy anymore. He just got booted from DWTS on Tuesday, or rather, his partner Nancy Grace was booted. Anyway, I love his dancing, he's such a cutie, and I go ga-ga over that accent (even the way he says "turd" instead of "third")! So this week's Crush of the Week: Tristan McManus. (Can he be my partner when I make it on the show one day?!)

I Am So Not Supergirl

     It's Road Trip Wednesday again! Here's this week's topic:

What are your writing and publishing superpowers (drafting? beta-reading? writing queries? plotting? character creation? etc.) -- and what's your kryptonite?
     Superpowers? Moi? I wish! Seriously, I can't think of anything. I know what comes easier to me and I know what's more difficult, so maybe I should just go with that. I find dialogue, emotions, and scenes between the love-interests the easiest and the funnest to write. They come naturally and quickly to me. But that doesn't mean they end up good so I couldn't really call that a superpower.
     As to the kryptonite... sheesh- everything?! Okay, descriptions for me are hard. I don't have the patience for them when I'm reading, nor do I have the patience to write them. I write them anyway because I know they're necessary. But when I read, it's the story, the characters, the actions that capture me, not what they're wearing or what the house looks like or how pretty the sky is. That's the kind of reader I am and that's the kind of writer I am. So descriptions are something I really have to slave over so they don't totally suck.
     I'd also have to say that writing the dreaded synopsis is like a trip to the guillotine. Mine for Daze and Knights totally sucks and I'm going to have to rewrite it before I do another round of queries in the new year.
     What about you? Do you have Superpowers? And if so- mind sharing?

Last Day

30 Day Song Challenge, Day 30: My Favorite Song This Time Last Year
    
     I've made it! The last day of the song challenge. While I had fun choosing the songs, watching the music videos, and listening to music I love, I'm glad it's over.
     So for my last day- my fave song last year- easy. Two Is Better Than One by Boys Like Girls. I've put this song on my blog before and I'll do it again. Because I love it. Martin Johnson and Taylor Swift's voices blend really nicely together, the words are simply but lovely, and the video is nice. But mostly, this song is my theme song for Daze and Knights. Every time I hear it I see a book montage go through my head and I love that. Enjoy. And I'll get back to writing posts tomorrow!

Boy Bands and RyanDan (these two are linked, trust me)

     I just discovered something this weekend. Anyone fans of RyanDan? I first heard their song Tears of an Angel on someone else's blog (can't remember whose) and loved it. So I downloaded some of their songs cuz I wanted more. This weekend I was listening to them on my iPad, and sort of absently staring at the album cover that was on the screen. And I realized- these two dudes are familiar!
     Ever heard of B4-4? They were a Canadian boy band back when boy bands were huge. I still have their CD on my bookshelf. I particularly loved this song: Get Down (seriously, watch it, it's hilarious)

    

     I also liked Go Go and Endlessly. But anyway, RyanDan are the same guys!!! (minus the brunette) What I'd like to know, is how they went from cheesy boy band above (admittedly, I loved it) to this:

Like The Sun

     Or another comparison, if you don't want to watch the videos:

 B4-4

     RyanDan

     Craziness. Dudes have grown up, that's all I can say. Anyway, that has nothing to do with writing of course and neither does this, 30 Day Song Challenge, Day 29: A Song From My Childhood.
     Speaking of boy bands, the first band I ever liked all on my own (older sibs didn't like it first) was New Kids On The Block. I was in Grade Four so I think that qualifies as childhood.

Step By Step

Love Suckage

     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 28: A Song That Makes Me Feel Guilty
     Ummm, well... sheesh. This is a bit personal, don't you think? Can I plead the fifth. Maybe say we're experiencing technical difficulties and play some elevator music instead? No?
     Dang.
     Okay, I chose a song by one of my fave bands, Simple Plan. The song is called You Suck At Love. Now, if you know this song, or if you decide to listen to it right now, just know that I am NOT a "serial cheater". But I listen to this song and can't help but be reminded how much I suck at love. Seriously, I do. I love to write about it, but in real life... I'm not so great at it. Maybe that's why I do write it- to try and redeem myself a bit.

     ANYWAY...

WIP Ramblings and Rag-Time

     Ahhh, I'm so close- I can see the end in sight! I'm at 69,000 words on my WIP, I've got a few scenes left to write, and then I'm DONE! It makes me all antsy inside. And I get doubly antsy when I start to worry about all the things that could be wrong with it. But of course, you've gotta push that aside and just write. I tell myself that all the time. Wait till after, fix it later, etc.
     I made a comment to someone yesterday that sort of popped out but I realized as I was saying it (or texting it) that it was true. I said that I never worried so much about my characters when I wrote Daze and Knights. That makes me worry a little that I didn't put in enough effort into Daze. But as I was thinking about it, I realized a few things. One, Jessica- the MC in Daze- is a lot like me. Her thought processes, her actions, her likes and dislikes... a lot of me came out in her and so it was very natural to write her. The love interest, Alric, was also easy to write, mostly because I wanted an almost perfect guy and so all I had to do was imagine what my perfect guy would be like. The rest of the characters sort of just came together naturally.
     The thing with Sway, is that these are not my original characters. They aren't coming solely from my imagination. Instead, I'm copying them, or stealing them might be the better way to say it, from a classic novel. I'm reinventing them. Which, can I say, is HIGHLY stressful. I want to do them justice, I want them to keep a lot of the same characteristics as their original selves, but I need them to be modern and believable in our world.
     Yeah, that stresses me out. And that's not even mentioning the pressure I feel to do the entire classic novel justice. Agh- what was I thinking writing this? Ha, nevermind. I'm almost done, there's no point worrying about that now! And it's been a blast writing it, that's for sure.
     Anyway, enough of my ramblings. 30 Day Song Challenge, Day 27: A Song I Wish I Could Play
     Easy-peasy. I've always wanted to be able to play Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin on the piano. I can play most of it, all but the last page. But I've never nailed that last page down. And I've never played it really well. I tend to lose control of my fingers and the right hand ends up going faster then the left. Ah well. Practice right? (Ohmygosh, I just listened to this and realized how much I suck at this song! I wish I could play it as well as this!)

Coaches and Serenades

This week's Road Trip Wednesday: What kind of writing coach do you need? When you have to coach friends, what kind of coach are you?

     I don't think I'm much of a coach. Actually, writing this post is reminding me that I'm supposed to give reminders to my sis-in-law about her writing every week. I haven't done it once. Ugh, I'm so awful!
     On the flip side, she is an awesome coach for me in the way that if I need to brainstorm, I can ping her on BBM and she'll help me out. I think it was Stephen King who said that writing the first draft should be done with the door closed- meaning you do it on your own without outside help, coaching, reading, etc. While I don't let others read what I've written in a first draft, it is nice to have someone to talk about it with when I get stuck. Or when I have worries or concerns. That kind of person is invaluable (thanks Emily!!!). There's been lots of times when I've wondered where I should go next, or how I should do a certain scene, and just having her say, why don't you try this, or this, or this? is so helpful. Even if I don't use exactly what she says, it usually gets my brain rolling in the right direction. That's the kind of coach I need. I guess I also need to work on being a better coach myself!
     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 26: A Song I Can Play On An Instrument
     I don't know if I've ever mentioned the fact that I play the piano. My mom taught me from when I was young until sixteen or so. I still play, although not as much as I should. One song I've fallen in love with lately and just had to learn on the piano was this one:

Serenade by Schubert

About Secondary Characters and Being Lazy

     Halloween is over... it's time to get ready for Christmas!!! Seriously. It's never too soon.
     Anyway, there's something I've been wondering about so I thought I'd put a question out to the blogosphere. In my WIP I have a lot of characters. Of course, when you have a lot, most are secondary. My question is, how much do you develop a secondary character? I feel like I use them for my purposes- they appear to do what I need them to do, and then disappear when I don't want them around anymore. It is my story and I can do what I want, but I'm wondering if it will end up too contrived. So then I'm thinking, I need to add a scene with this character or that character because I've kind of forgotten about them lately and they haven't been around in awhile. But then am I just adding unnecessary stuff? So how much do you develop secondary characters? Is it okay if they are only around here and there?
     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 25: A Song That Makes Me Laugh
     I don't usually laugh- at least not out loud- to most songs. Let's face it, songs aren't usually that funny. Or maybe I just don't listen to the funny ones. Anyway, this is the only one I could think of.

The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars



Halloween and Funerals

     Happy Halloween everyone. Tonight I'll be freezing my butt off with Batgirl, Mario (as in Nintendo), a mermaid, and Rapunzel. Of course, it had to snow last night- perfect timing! Sometimes I think Halloween in general is a pain in the butt. But then I look at how much fun my kids have dressing up, going to all the parties, and getting candy, and it makes it all worth it.
     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 24: A Song I Want Played At My Funeral
     Seriously? At my funeral? I do not like thinking about death. And I DO NOT like thinking of my funeral. No- I'm going to somehow become immortal whether through vampirism, the Philosopher's Stone, or some kind of immortal-elixir, so... no funerals for me!
     Okay, seriously. I'm not going to be immortal obviously. But I still don't even like to picture my own funeral, so the only way I can answer this question is by referring to a past game. Have you ever done My Life in iTunes? I did it a few months ago as a blog post. There's a list of questions and you press shuffle on your iTunes list and answer the questions with the song titles that come up. One of the questions was, you guessed it, a song that will be played at my funeral. I still remember what song I got. Some might think it wildly inappropriate for a funeral, but I love the thought of people dancing and having a party instead of the solemn, sad, depressing occasion that most funerals are. So here it is:



     Heartache Tonight by Michael Buble

Wedding Memories

     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 23: A Song I Want To Play At My Wedding
     I was married ten years ago last April. I was a week over age 21. And I was still an 'N Sync fan. When we were dating, my hubby stood in line with his (male) cousin to get tickets to an 'N Sync concert for me. When the wristband numbers were called just four before his, he let out a loud "woo-hoo" (eliciting glares from girls all around). We got fourth row seats. It was an awesome concert and I still regret not having my camera there because I could have gotten some amazing pictures. Naturally, we chose This I Promise You for our wedding song. A song I still love today. And oddly enough, maybe because it's an old song, I couldn't find the full music video! So I picked a live version instead.

Crushes and Tears

     So my crush of the week is actually a crush from last Saturday when I saw The Three Musketeers. I know what you're all going to think- I'm picking Orlando Bloom, right? Well, while I do think he is totally crush-worthy, in The Three Musketeers, he looked like this:

Nice outfit dude 

     A little girlie, a little fruity, a little freaky. And he wasn't the nicest guy in the movie either, which sort of ruins it for me. No, my crush this week is him:

     I know what you're going to say, isn't Logan Lerman a little young? Well, yes, at nineteen, he is a bit young. But what a cutie. And he was the perfect D'Artagnan- cocky yet sweet, innocent yet dangerous. And I love a guy who can handle a sword. (Haha.) I loved the movie too. It was a little strange at times- it reminded me a bit of Pirates of the Caribbean, although I couldn't really say why, you'd have to watch it to see the similarity. My hubbie thought the plot was a little thrown together. But I have to admit that when I'm watching a movie with excellent costumes and lots of swordfighting, I don't really pay attention to anything else. Sad but true.
     Oh, and I need to give an honorable mention to an actor who, while he doesn't exactly rate high on the hot-o-meter, I LOVE LOVE LOVE him as an actor- I think he's amazing: Matthew MacFadyen.

     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 22: A Song I Listen To When I'm Sad
     The Lonely, by Christina Perri. Love this song, even though it makes me feel all achy inside. Listen to it, you'll see what I mean.

Deep Thoughts

     Yesterday, I said that Before I Fall (by Lauren Oliver) might be the best book I read in October, but I couldn't say for sure since I hadn't finished it.
     Well, I finished it last night and yes- it was the best book of the month. Have you read 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher? This book reminded me of that one. It's powerful, it makes you think, it sticks with you. And they both made me cry.
     The premise: Samantha Kingston lives out the day she dies seven times- which makes for seven very long chapters (my only complaint). Each time, each day she changes things, and on the way, well she learns some things. I speculated about the ending but it didn't turn out like I thought, or like I hoped.
     An interesting thing about: after the first chapter, I really wasn't liking Sam or her friends. They weren't nice people, not likeable characters. Then there's this quote, taken from the end of the first chapter, the end of the first time- the original way- she dies.
     I  know some of you are thinking maybe I deserved it...
     But before you start pointing fingers, let me ask you: is what I did really so bad? So bad I deserved to die? So bad I deserved to die like that?
     Is what I did really so much worse than what anybody else does?
     Is it really so much worse than what you do?
     Think about it.
     There the narrator was, pointing out exactly what I was thinking. Which got me really thinking. That's what this book does- gets you thinking about life for real.
     One thing I was thinking about, and this is me just rambling a bit here... but I'm long past all that high school stuff. I still worry a bit what people think of me, but I don't care about being the most popular, the prettiest, the best. After reading this book, I wasn't so much thinking of myself, but of my kids. If you've read it, maybe you'll remember Kent and Rob. What makes one boy turn into a Rob and what makes one turn into a Kent? Or what makes someone a Juliet and what makes one a Lindsay? That is the question that haunts me after reading the book. How will my kids turn out? In high school, will they be the bully, the bullied, or someone in between? How can I stop my kids from going through all that pain and hurt in high school, or how can I stop them from inflicting that pain on someone else?
     I'm asking these questions when really, I already know the answers. I know what I can do just like I know that no matter what I do, I can't shield them and I can't make them perfect. I guess for now, I can sigh in relief that I have a few years yet before they reach that age, and also prepare myself for when they do.
     Having kids is hard.
     To totally change the mood- 30 Day Song Challenge, Day 21: A Song I Listen To When I'm Happy.
     Lots of things make me happy. It makes me happy that I can find happiness in the little things in life, like music. Like Michael Buble. Like his song Everything which, when I hear it, I smile, I dance, I sing, and everything is right with the world.

 

Don't Make Me Choose, and Muse

     This week's Road Trip Wednesday Topic:

What was the best book you read in October?

     Hmmm, this month, that's tough. The books I read in October were these: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, Shade and Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready, The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore, and Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler.
     These were all good books. I hate to say that none of them blew me away. I couldn't pick one that was the best. Especially since they are all quite different. Beauty Queens and Twenty Boy Summer are both contemporary, but one is silly/funny while the other is more serious/sad. Shade and Shift deal with ghosts, while The Power of Six is about aliens with super-powers.
     The book I'm reading now- Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver- would probably be my top pick, but I'm not finished it yet. While I started out not liking it much (the MC and her friends are not very likeable- at least not in the first chapter), it's grown on me. I want to keep reading to see what happens and I've formulated a few different scenarios on how it will end. It's sticking with me when I'm not reading it, and that alone would put it top of my list.
     So that's not much of an answer, but too bad.
     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 20: A Song That I Listen To When I'm Angry
     Usually, if I'm angry or sad or whatever, I listen to anything- anything that will cheer me up or lighten my mood. But if I'm angry and I want to hold on to that feeling... well, I'd probably listen to this:

Supermassive Black Hole by Muse

(And because I first discovered this song, and Muse, from Twilight, I couldn't help but use a video with clips from the movie. Twilight haters- suck it up and deal)



In Which Melanie Rambles About Age And Shows Some Hot Pics

     Something I think everyone should know...
     First off, some backstory. In my query for Daze and Knights, I mention how my MC, sixteen-year-old Jessica, wishes Zac Efron would show up.

     Now, if you don't like Zac Efron or if you don't think he's cute or if you wish he'd just go away... okay fine. This post really has nothing to do with Zac Efron himself. (Although if that's the case, what is WRONG with you? Do you not see the photo above?)
     So what does the post have to do with, you ask? I've had my query critiqued a few places (which was awesome- you should do it before you send it to agents), and one of the comments I got was how it's creepy that a sixteen-year-old would be into a twenty-four-year-old. (And FYI, while I think Zac is hot, I had to look up his age because I'm not obsessed or anything. Swear.)
     I thought about this bit of critique, and then dismissed it because I really like that line in my query. Then recently (and this will seem totally off-topic but I swear it's not), someone did a post where they asked teens what they thought of Justin Bieber. (FYI2, I'm NOT a Bieber fan. Double Swear.) EVERY one of them responded that they didn't like Bieber at all.
     So what is my point exactly? Some more backstory- AKA: some of my crushes as a teen.
     New Kids On The Block. I was ten at the time and Joey- the YOUNGEST member of the band- was eighteen. And I hate to admit it but he wasn't even my favorite. Jon was, who at the time was twenty-two (and also gay but whatever, I didn't even know what gay meant when I was ten).

     I was thirteen when I watched The Three Musketeers and fell in love with Chris O'Donnell. He was twenty-three at the time. I watched that movie and Circle of Friends, Batman Forever, In Love and War, School Ties, and Fried Green Tomatoes over and over again.

     It was between the ages of thirteen and sixteen that I majorly crushed on Jonathan Brandis (SeaQuest DSV- ever watched it?). I had posters of him on my door (my mom wouldn't let me put posters on the wall because tape ruins the paint). He was four years older than me.

     Then there was Christian Bale. I was twelve when Newsies came out and thirteen when Swing Kids came out. I used to daydream we starred in a movie together where I played his love interest. He is six years older than me.

     I was sixteen when I saw A Time to Kill and thought Matthew McConaughey was the hottest guy in the world. He was twenty-seven at the time.

     And let's not even mention the (admittedly somewhat-strange) obsession I had in my teens with Gene Kelly- an actor who was born in 1912 and died when I was sixteen. (It was his amazing dance ability that really got me. And I'm a sucker for musicals.)
     Are you getting my point here (overused parantheses and hot-boy photos aside)?
     It is NOT creepy for a teen to crush on a twenty-something. That is what they do. It does not surprise me one bit that a lot of teens don't like the Biebs. Nine-year-old girls crush on him. Sixteen-year-old girls like Zac Efron, Alex Pettyfer, Chace Crawford, Ian Somerhalder, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Evans, or whoever floats their boat and is most likely at least a few years older.
     Proof to back me up? Go to Walmart and look in the teen section of clothes. Then look in the girls section sizes 7-12. The 7-12 section is where you will find Justin Bieber t-shirts. At least in my walmart.
      And I KNOW I'm not the only one who crushed on older guys as a teen. Case in point: Katie Holmes crushing on sixteen-years-older Tom Cruise as a teen, and Blake Lively crushing on thirteen-years-older Leonardo DiCaprio, both years before they ever married/dated their crushes.
     So this is just an insight into the very complex mind of a teenage girl. And yes, not every teen girl is like this, and yes, some probably HATE every single name I mentioned, and yes, I am no expert on being sixteen since I am now almost double that age (oh no, I can't believe I just said that out loud, and worse, that it's true). But if you're an adult writing YA, I happen to think this is an important point.
     Okay, maybe it's not THAT important. But it is a mistake adults seem to be making lately so I thought I'd point it out. Because if anyone knows crushes, it's me.
     And speaking of crushes and high school... 30 Day Song Challenge, Day 19: A Song From Your Favorite Album. I couldn't pick an all-time fave album so I picked just one. Thunder, by Boys Like Girls from the self-titled debut album- the perfect song when talking about crushes and high school. Don't believe me? Listen to the words. (FYI3- Martin Johnson, the lead singer of BLG, wrote the song about his first love which happened during HS.) (FYI4- speaking of crushes and Martin Johnson... you get the idea, although he's actually YOUNGER than me.)

     Anyway, watch the video. I'm going to go watch Newsies.

Books and Music

     I've read some good books lately that I haven't really talked about. Just a quick mention...

    
     The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore, which is the sequel to I Am Number Four. The book was good, exciting, fast-paced. We got to meet another of Lorien's Garde- Number Seven and it was interesting to hear her point of view and her story. I love all the different characters in the book (Number Four, Six, and Sam) and I can't wait to see what happens next. Also, I wish they'd make the sequel into a movie, but mostly so I can see Alex Pettyfer play Number Four again. My only complaint: the two POV's (Four and Seven) were hardly distinguishable to me. Their stories are way different, so I knew who they were when each was talking, but the voice itself didn't seem much different. I still liked the book though.

     Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. I heard a lot of high praise about this book which is why I picked it up. The book was good, but I wasn't blown away and I wonder if it was because of all the pre-hype. My only complaint: The MC was a little annoying at times. Sometimes I wanted to just tell her to get over herself (which another character actually did). But the writing was simply amazing- Sarah Ockler came up with ways to say things and wording that I would never be able to imagine. I simmered with jealousy while reading. So good book- pick it up just for the writing alone.

     Shade and Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready. Maybe because one of the books is called Shift, but for some reason, I thought this was about werewolves. Haha- it's so not. The concept of the book is great, it felt fresh to me even though it's basically about ghosts. I fell for the characters, especially the hot and Scottish Zachary. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what I loved about these books, but I was turning pages late at night because I couldn't stop reading. My only complaint: A lot of times, Aura's (the MC) search for the reason of the Shift is swept under the rug and I wanted more of that- more answers, more search even, and less drama over her dead boyfriend. But great books and I can't wait for Shine, the conclusion of the trilogy.
     That's it, I'm on to Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, which I've heard a ton of great stuff about to I can't wait to read it.
     30 Day Music Challenge, Day 18: A Song I Wish I Heard On The Radio
     There's a lot of songs I wish they'd play on the radio. But that's why we have CDs and iPod's right? Anyway, it was hard to choose but I finally settled on one of my songs by One Republic- All This Time. I've made notes for my last Jessica book if it ever became a series, and I see this song at the end of that book. Enjoy.

Adele and Sean (aka, Songs and Crushes)

     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 17: A Song I Hear Often On The Radio
     I don't listen to the radio often. Well, that's not true. I'm a radio-surfer. I'll surf through the different stations I have programmed in my van, and if I don't like any of the songs, I'll turn on a CD. Sometimes I'll get involved in the CD and not turn it off, but other times, when a song is over, I'll check the radio again, just to see.
     One song I was surprised to hear on the radio is Adele's Someone Like You. I love this song, but it surprised me that she chose it as her next single. I'm psyched every time I hear it on the radio though, and I love to sing along, even though my voice totally butchers it. If you don't listen to Adele, you should, because she's amazing.

     Last night my hubbie went to a Flames game, so I had my pick of what to watch on TV. Sitting on my PVR was the movie You Again, starring Kristen Bell and Jaime Lee Curtis. It was funny if over-the-top sometimes, and occasionally cheesy, but I enjoyed the movie and the whole getting over high school theme. One person that stood out to me, even though he had hardly any lines, was Sean Wing. I don't know why he stood out, maybe cuz of his looks... okay, yes because of his looks. What a cutie. I've heard he's on 90210 sometimes but I don't watch that show so I hope we'll get to see more of him in the future.

Oops, I Did It Again... Or Maybe I Didn't

     News: I'm going on a cruise at the end of November. Yay for me! I've been married for ten years, and my husband and I have yet to go on a real trip (somewhere not in the US and Canada). So we're totally psyched.
     Because of this cruise, I've got two major goals going on right now.
     1. Exercise 4-5 times a week.
     2. Finish WIP
     So, since the last week of August, I've stuck with the exercise goal. Even though the scale is refusing to budge (stupid thing- you will go out the window if you do not drop at least five pounds), I'm proud of myself.
     My WIP is also going well, although I'm a little nervous that I won't get it done like I want. I SHOULD get it done- there isn't anything to stand in my way but me. But still...
     Anyway, because of these two goals, I've been one of the worst campaigners out there. ***Hangs head in shame*** I didn't do the second challenge and don't know if I'll get to the third. And I swear, I try to comment on a few blog posts a day, but I don't always get to it.
     So, sorry sorry sorry. I think I bit off more than I could chew with the campaign, although I'm happy I joined just to get the chance to meet other bloggers.
     I bit off a bit more than I could chew with this song challenge too. Sheesh, it's a lot of posting. 
     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 16 (ohmygosh I'm only halfway through): A Song I Used To Love But Now Hate: Oops I Did It Again, by Britney Spears. Enough said. (Although I could still rock this in karaoke.)

Number Ones

     This week's Road Trip Wednesday prompt from YA Highway is as follows (ooh, I sound all smart and stuff):

What's your numero-uno reason for writing?

     Sheesh, that's hard. I can never pick just one of anything- one reason for writing, one favorite movie, one cookie...
     A couple years ago, when I'd wanted to be a writer but hadn't finished any stories, my reason would have been as simple as, I want to be a writer.
     Now, my answer is different. My numero-uno reason- because it makes me HAPPY. It really does. Sure, sometimes its super-frustrating. Sometimes I find excuses not to write. Sometimes I write and think, man I SUCK at this! But in general, it makes me happy. It makes me feel useful. It makes me proud of myself. And it's cathartic. Not just escaping into my own head, but writing it down, having those characters and scenes from my head come to life on paper is simply amazing and when I do it- I SMILE.
     So what about you? What's your numero-uno reason for writing?
     And on those days when I feel like total garbage, or like I suck bricks and will never do anything but write stories that only a handful of people will see... I try to remember this song...
     30 Day Song Challenge, Day 15: A Song That Describes You
     I couldn't really think of a song that describes me. I listen to some songs and think, I wish I was like that, or I wish my life was like that. And other songs remind me of the worst parts of myself (is it a big surprise that I don't want to share those?). So I chose a song that motivates me- that makes me want to rise above it all, pull through anything, survive. A song that is so heartbreakingly beautiful. A song I hope I can live up to.

Skyscraper, by Demi Lovato

Checklist and Opera

     I swear, where does the day go? Every day it feels like I've got a billion things to do and I'm lucky to get done maybe five. Like yesterday- I could give a check for exercise, a check for groceries, a double check for writing because I wrote over two thousand words (yay), a check for blogging, etc... But I feel like I've hardly been reading other blogs, I barely read yesterday, and I didn't even get to watch Spooks (which I've been watching online lately when I find the time). Okay so maybe those aren't huge things, but I hate the slacker feeling. Not that I'm slacking, I just hate it when I don't get things done. It's even worse when I know an extra full day looms in front of me (Tuesdays mean loads of laundry all day, cleaning my bathrooms- ugh, and spending from 3:30-7pm in the car driving my kids to their stuff). I think I need Hermione's Time-Turner. Except we all know how she wiped herself out trying to do too much, so maybe it's better this way.
     Anyway, 30 Day Song Challenge, Day 14: A Song No One Would Expect Me To Love
     Honestly, I like probably one song from every type of music. But most people probably don't know that I have major love for this song. I even mention it in Sway. While I'm not this huge opera lover, I like some of the songs, and I like to sing it sometimes (my kids like me to sing their bedtime songs opera-style). So here's today's pick:

Nessun Dorma from Turandot by Puccini