Did You See This?!?!?

If not, just watch. 

March 23rd, 2012 baby!  (And Jennifer Lawrence looks like she's gonna pull this role off PERFECTLY.)  

Wait, what's that?  It's August?  

Crap.       

In Which I Blab About Harry Potter

So, anyone else terrifically excited for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2?  I know I am!  And I'm like, SO very excited, because, for the first time, I'm going to the midnight premiere!  I'm completely psyched, and cannot wait!  The movie's going to be completely EPIC (I mean, did you see the trailer???).   

So, anyone else been to a Harry Potter midnight premiere?  I'm a little unsure of what time to get there.  We were thinking 9 but that seems almost too late to me...I've looked it up on Google, and a lot of people were saying to get to your theater at 2 or 3, or sometimes even earlier (unless you live in a small town...which, we don't).  So, if anyone could give any suggestions, that'd be great.  :)  Also, do people dress up?  I suppose if you're a true Potter fan you do, but I'm not so sure I want to (and I don't even know who I'd go as!).  =P  I guess we'll see...

Well, that's about it.  On a random note, I'm like completely in love with Stephen King's stuff.  I'm only about halfway through my first novel of his, and I've already bought another...and I'm just totally blown away.  No wonder everyone praises him so much.  :)  Certainly a writer all aspiring writers should look up to...

And now, I post one of the trailers for the amazing, the epic, the LAST of them all: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (can't believe this is it already--sob face) and watch it a trillion times and get all jittery and crazy...  =D 

SO EXCITED!!!

One Year Already?! My 1 Year Blogiversary!

So, being the incredibly attentive person that I am, I went on through my day, doing this and that...and then, suddenly, I paused, said crapcrapcrap, and realized today was the 1 year anniversary of my blog!  =D  My little baby An Author's Quest has turned the big 1!  [insert confetti and roaring applause here] 

So, as I did when I hit fifty followers back in October, I decided I'm going to write another poem to celebrate such amazingness.  (I unfortunately don't have any cool prizes to give out, or really any imagination at the moment since it's now 10:30--I'm such a party pooper--so I hope this suffices, though, trust me, I'm truly ecstatic that it's already been a whole year!) 

So, here we go again.  I think I'll call this one An Author's Quest Hits One Big Year.  Enjoy! 

My oh my the time has flown 

Through twelve short months our words have grown 

I've met new people on these blogs

And gobbled up your posts like a flock of ravenous hogs (okay, that one was bad) 

Being writers we're all so cool

And one day all our books will rule 

I'm proud to annouce and be so clear

That An Author's Quest hits one big year! 

I thank you all it's been so fun

And look, another year's begun! 

So, there you go.  Oh, and thank you thank you thank you!!!  =)  I really couldn't have pushed onward and gotten where I was without all of you behind me, leaving comments and being genuinely good people (and writers) as I moved forward on this crazy (understatement anyone?) journey.  I can't wait to see where this new blog year takes me, and I can't wait to see what you guys all have going on as well!  

Again, thank you so much!  Now, if I could just figure out some way to better remember things...  ;)   

Can't Smile Enough :)

I'm SO SO SO completely ecstatic to see I've surpassed 100 followers, most of whom are fantastic Crusaders! You guys are amazingly amazing; I'm coming as fast as I can to all of your blogs to say hi and introduce myself (and follow, of course)! :)

I guess all I'm trying to say is welcome, new followers! I hope each and every one of you enjoy all my blog has to offer, and that we all grow as friends and authors as our journeys move forward!

Also, I'd like to give a special shout-out to my fellow group 8 Crusaders/buddies (ironically, there are 8 of you!). I'm extremely excited to get to know you all, and can't wait to see where this Crusade goes!

So, you could say I'm pretty pysched!

WOW.

There's no other word to describe what I just recently saw. WOW.

I've taken a few weeks off from the blog, and I sincerely apologize. Time flies too fast, and suddenly what feels like a just-posted post is ages old. But I'm back, and for good reason, because I just saw HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1!!! :D (Cue applause.)

So, yeah, that's why I felt the title of this post could be aptly summed up in that one single syllable word that so completely wraps up how I felt about this movie. WOW.

It. Was. Fantastic. Arggghhh! I just wish part 2 would be out already! I'm a Potter fanatic, so I was clenching my fists in anger (yet complete happiness, because the movie was truly spectacular) when it ended. They left us hanging, I tell you. Left us all hanging... (unless you've read the books, but even still...)

Any of you Potter fans? I'd hope so. I still find myself constantly awestruck at how Ms. Rowling could come up with such a beautiful world we "muggles" can immerse ourselves in for periods of time. It's simply stunning.

Alas, I didn't get to see it last night at midnight, but still, I got to see it in its first 24 hours of release. I think I may even see it again...

With that, I say goodnight (I'm tired, yet energized from the movie; does that make any sense?). Definitely go check it out and here's to hoping it completely and utterly shatters records! :)

I'd also like to take this moment and welcome my new followers to An Author's Quest. Thanks for following!

With that, I end this simple, terribly amazing blog post, and as always... Write on!

The Hunger Games Post!

The Hunger Games. Many of us have heard about it (I say many and not all because, to my astonishment, I was talking to a friend who had never, EVER heard of The Hunger Games only a few weeks ago), many of us have read it, and many of us have loved it.

I'm here to discuss it's utter mind-blowingness (new word???) =) and why, from what I've read and gathered, it's so dang popular. Though I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. ;) (Sidenote: every time I use the word check, I'm virtually placing a check mark next to reasons why, I believe, the trilogy is so successful.)

For those of you out there who've yet to discover anything Hunger Games (go buy a copy NOW) I'll brief you on the trilogy's premise: in a ruined, no-longer-exists America's future lies a harsh capitol that controls twelve districts. Because the districts (at that time there were thirteen) once rebelled against the capitol causing a war (yeah, the districts lost), the captiol conjured up a maniacal form of punishment to remind the disctricts of who's in charge every year. That form of punishment, my friends, is The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a televised fight to the death, where two young citizens of each district (a boy and a girl, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, respectively) are sent and, well, shoved in a being-filmed arena where they all have to kill each other until there's one person left--a winner. (Check! The plot is just awesome, yet so simple. Very easy to understand with quite a wow-that-sounds-like-a-great-book hook.)

That's one colossal reason I feel this trilogy's seen the success it's seen, and arguably the biggest one of all. The plot.

It's gruesome, yes. (Check! Who doesn't like a little terror/gore (toned down gore, mind you) every once in a while?) And suspenseful. (Check! Suspense is delicious.) And young adult, my favorite genre EVER. (Check! This is just my opinion; I'm certainly biased, thinking young adult is amazing and all.) And, to top it all off, it has downright memorable characters who've truly jumped into my heart and stayed there, even though I've long ago turned the last page in the third novel. (Check! Perfectly created characters are essential when writing.)

It's written by Suzanne Collins, a woman whom I've come to respect because of the truly imaginative world she's created in the trilogy. Here's a fun piece of trivia for those of you who didnt know: I was watching her talk in a YouTube video (watch it here) where she talks about how she got the idea for the whole story. She explains that one night while watching television, she found herself flipping back and forth between reality TV and footage of the Iraq war. The two shows ended up swirling together, and thus, The Hunger Games was born! (Cue applause and confetti!)

If you didn't notice already, I said that the story of The Hunger Games is a trilogy, with the second novel being titled Catching Fire and the third and final novel being titled Mockingjay. I highly recommend this series not only because of its snappy, raw writing and its to die for plot, but because, as you'll see in the videos following the video I've linked to above, Suzanne explains that the whole idea of how far we humans are taking entertainment is the basis for the series. Quite simply, when we watch horror and thriller movies and see people getting slashed, chopped, and murdered in the most brutal ways imaginable, when or where do we draw the line? (Check! This just stuns me, the whole "story behind the story." It's very interesting.) At times, I feel, that line never really exists. It's a thought-provoking subject to ponder, one I've pondered for quite some time myself. Overall, it's simply a brilliant backstory to main character Katniss Everdeen's adventure, one you'll see is filled with surprises, cliffhangers, and of course, romance. (Check! Romance isn't essential, but it certainly spices up any story!)

So let's review. These are the reasons why I feel The Hunger Games has been such a success:

1. The plot. It's utterly amazing.
2. It's raw goriness; Suzanne never "writes down" to her young adult audience, and I respect her for that.
3. The suspense! This trilogy's oozing with suspense.
4. The fact that it's young adult, which therefore, in my opinion, attracts readers of all genres
5. The "story behind the story," or whole how far are we taking entertainment? idea.
6. Lastly, the romance. Gale and Peeta. Peeta and Gale. Katniss torn between the two. Throw in this love triangle on top of all that's mentioned above, and you've got yourself a darn good story.

I just love this trilogy. It tops my list of best novels EVER, residing rightfully next to Harry Potter and Pendragon. It's amazing. It's brutal. It's suspenseful. It's romantic. It has lovable characters, memorable characters, truly great characters, and even some ugh-please-get-away characters--but isn't that what makes stories so great?

It's The Hunger Games.

5 out of 5 stars, for sure. All three books were a thrill ride that had my heart pounding until the final page. Plus, the cliffhangers peppered throughout it were downright fantastic.

By the way, the movie's coming in the next few years, so look for it! (Suzanne's writing the screenplay, so I'm certain it'll be AMAZING.) So excited!

With that, I end what I believe is my longest post ever. But it's for The Hunger Games, so I'm completely fine with it. :) Until next time, write on!

Oh, and by the way, I'm team Peeta.

50 Followers!

Yes, I know I stated my next post would be all about The Hunger Games. And it's still coming (stay tuned!). But, I just had to post this new post, because, after posting the blog award post a few days ago, I was lucky enough to have hit 50 followers! You guys honestly astound me, and so, since I can't give you any dandy gifts, I decided to write you all a poem...

I call it 50 Followers...

Dear followers, both new and old
Please know you have a heart of gold

Since summer break you’ve joined me here
And been so utterly sincere

Your words have helped me, made me beam
You’ve pushed me toward my single dream

You’re all so great, don’t go away
You make me smile every day

I hope your many dreams come true
And bring the writer out in you

Thanks Ellie Great, you’re pretty nifty
In fact you’re lucky number fifty

To all of you, I wish the best
Let’s move on with this author’s quest!

Who Knew #25 Was So Lucky???

Whoa. I just have to breathe for a second.

Breathing.

Breathing.

Breathing.

And now, I'm going to jump up and down and freak out because I was the lucky 25th follower on fellow bloggers Erica and Christy's blog.

And your point is, Miles???

Well, I was the 25th follower on their blog, so they had a sort of celebration, and did a post. And not just any post. It was a special post...ALL. ABOUT. ME.

I seriously couldn't believe it when I read it. It was a mix between shock, thinking I was dreaming, and feeling on top of the world. The funny thing is, Erica and Christy, you guys were the 25th follower on my blog here, too! :) Funny how things work out, isn't it?

Here's the post. Go check it out, and definitely follow Erica and Christy's blog. Who knows? If they continue to do this, you may be lucky number X and end up in a post completely and utterly dedicated to you!

Oh, and there were two prizes involved. :) Erica and Christy granted me (drumroll...) TWO, yes, not one, but TWO virtual flowers, in addition to the One Lovely Blog Award. They have been convienently placed below for your viewing pleasure.

I'm so honored to have been given both the flowers AND the award! All I can say to you, Erica and Christy, is thank you! :) You both truly made my day. (I'm adding the flowers to the blog!)

So, that about wraps up this post. I'm still so astonished that out of all of their followers, I was that follower who followed at just the right moment.

Remember to check out and follow their amazing blog as they, like me, journey toward publication. I'm rooting for both of you, too! :)

Write on! :)