I'd like to take this moment and say sorry for not keeping up with the blog (since my last post was what, August???). Though I'm certain you all have vastly interesting lives, and actual things to do other than read my blog, for the times you did drop in to see if a new post was up, I firstly want to thank you, and also extend my apologies for not having posted in quite some time and not having anything up for you to read. I always tell myself I'll get better, I'll post more...but alas. Perhaps some of you have good ways to avoid procrastination? (Though the obvious, most blatant tip is JUST DO IT.) Because seriously, I'll take anything.
Ahem.
Moving away from the somberness of the above paragraph, I thought I'd post a link to a video I found SO funny, SO inspirational...just so APPLICABLE to us dedicated, can't-do-anything-but-write writers out there, editing, writing, thinking...just going through the process of writing the book.
It's from the amazing, the sprightly, the fabulous K.M. Walton, whose debut contemporary novel CRACKED hits stores January 3rd, 2012! She did a parody of the song "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars--with a writer twist--and it's just downright, hilariously incredible (not to mention heaps of inspirational).
Here's the link: http://skateorbate.blogspot.com/2011/10/billionaire-parody-for-writers.html. Enjoy! And remember, never give up!
Write on!
"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers." -Charles W. Eliot
Monday, November 7, 2011
A Bit O' Inspiration
Labels:
Ramblings,
Release Dates,
Writing
Monday, August 29, 2011
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.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Defying Gravity
Yes, actually, this post does relate to the song from Wicked (which I want to see SO bad! I've heard it's mind-blowingly incredible.)
Ahem. Ignoring my ramblings...
I've been an avid follower of author Kody Keplinger (ya know, who wrote The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)) for probably about a year, and I just love her humor and YouTube videos. She's such an inspiration to aspiring authors, and gives fantastic advice.
Take, for instance, what I'm going to post.
In this video she discusses rejection, and how defying a little gravity can do loads of good for you when pursuing that elusive, fantastic, published author dream.
It's basically one of my favorite videos to watch when I feel down, or when I need to rid of some stress and get myself inspired. Enjoy! (And make sure you check out Kody's blog if you've yet to already; you won't regret it! It's http://kodymekellkeplinger.blogspot.com/.)
On a different note, Harry Potter was AWESOME!!! It's been two weeks since my last post, and--whadaya know--I've seen it two times since then! Yes, there were things that could've been done slightly differently, but that's just the nature of the beast when dealing with movie adaptations of books. I still give it a glowing 5/5 stars, and still completely, wholeheartedly, undoubtedly LOVED it. =D Make sure you see it too!
And that's all I have. Have a great day! :)
Ahem. Ignoring my ramblings...
I've been an avid follower of author Kody Keplinger (ya know, who wrote The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)) for probably about a year, and I just love her humor and YouTube videos. She's such an inspiration to aspiring authors, and gives fantastic advice.
Take, for instance, what I'm going to post.
In this video she discusses rejection, and how defying a little gravity can do loads of good for you when pursuing that elusive, fantastic, published author dream.
It's basically one of my favorite videos to watch when I feel down, or when I need to rid of some stress and get myself inspired. Enjoy! (And make sure you check out Kody's blog if you've yet to already; you won't regret it! It's http://kodymekellkeplinger.blogspot.com/.)
On a different note, Harry Potter was AWESOME!!! It's been two weeks since my last post, and--whadaya know--I've seen it two times since then! Yes, there were things that could've been done slightly differently, but that's just the nature of the beast when dealing with movie adaptations of books. I still give it a glowing 5/5 stars, and still completely, wholeheartedly, undoubtedly LOVED it. =D Make sure you see it too!
And that's all I have. Have a great day! :)
Labels:
Movie,
Rejections,
Tips
Monday, July 11, 2011
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!!!
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!!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
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!
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... ;)
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Why the Book Hate?
Ugh. I'm a little angry right now... One of our friends was over a few hours ago, and--for whatever reason--said she hates books. Just hates 'em. I kept my curious composure after she'd said it, and just sat there (shaking my head inside) as my brother showed her a few of our books, trying to convice her to read at least two before summer's end.
She agreed, though I remained suspicious, and then, five seconds later, decided she didn't want to read them anymore. She said, expressionless, "I hate books." And, don't get me wrong, I'm not just pointing her out...because, sadly, I've heard this more times than I can recall.
It greatly angers me when I hear that, and saddens me. Books can do so much for someone, for anyone...and even if you're not into that whole intellectual aspect of them, they're still most definitely a source of incredible entertainment. I honestly don't know why people say this. In fact--perhaps there are others--I can really only think of one reason, and it's unfortunate. That reason--the only real thing I can attribute it to--is school. Because we are given required books we (most of the time) don't like, or barely even read (or just don't read at all) through our years of school, I suppose a bad taste is put in our mouths about books, and thus makes various people "hate" them as a whole.
I still don't understand, though. Go ahead. Don't read whatever you're being "forced" to read. Fail your test. Whatever. But don't say you hate all books because of that.
Yes, there have been numerous things I've read in school that I haven't liked much. I haven't hated them completely, but I've certainly disliked them. But so what? Everyone has books they don't like. On the other end of the spectrum, though, there have been other books that---had it not been for school--I probably never would've heard of, never read, and never fallen in love with. "School," to me, seems like a sorry excuse for hating books, yet it's unfortunately the only one I hear every time I ask why, and that's the truth.
So, that's my little angry rant for the day. I can't figure out how you can hate an object that's done nothing to you, something so glorious as a book, no less. You don't have to like reading, but don't just hate all books because of one experience or what you're being told.
So, what do you think? Is the reason I run into so many kids and teenagers who "hate" books school? Do you know anybody who hates them as well? Maybe there are other contributing factors...?
She agreed, though I remained suspicious, and then, five seconds later, decided she didn't want to read them anymore. She said, expressionless, "I hate books." And, don't get me wrong, I'm not just pointing her out...because, sadly, I've heard this more times than I can recall.
It greatly angers me when I hear that, and saddens me. Books can do so much for someone, for anyone...and even if you're not into that whole intellectual aspect of them, they're still most definitely a source of incredible entertainment. I honestly don't know why people say this. In fact--perhaps there are others--I can really only think of one reason, and it's unfortunate. That reason--the only real thing I can attribute it to--is school. Because we are given required books we (most of the time) don't like, or barely even read (or just don't read at all) through our years of school, I suppose a bad taste is put in our mouths about books, and thus makes various people "hate" them as a whole.
I still don't understand, though. Go ahead. Don't read whatever you're being "forced" to read. Fail your test. Whatever. But don't say you hate all books because of that.
Yes, there have been numerous things I've read in school that I haven't liked much. I haven't hated them completely, but I've certainly disliked them. But so what? Everyone has books they don't like. On the other end of the spectrum, though, there have been other books that---had it not been for school--I probably never would've heard of, never read, and never fallen in love with. "School," to me, seems like a sorry excuse for hating books, yet it's unfortunately the only one I hear every time I ask why, and that's the truth.
So, that's my little angry rant for the day. I can't figure out how you can hate an object that's done nothing to you, something so glorious as a book, no less. You don't have to like reading, but don't just hate all books because of one experience or what you're being told.
So, what do you think? Is the reason I run into so many kids and teenagers who "hate" books school? Do you know anybody who hates them as well? Maybe there are other contributing factors...?
Labels:
Ramblings
Monday, June 27, 2011
I'm a Little Behind, Yes...
...but for good reason.
I began a new novel a week or so ago, and though there's always that underlying, seemingly elusive this-is-the-book-I-can-feel-it-deep-down-inside kinda feeling with everything habitual writers write, I sorta wanna admit that I get that feeling with this one, too. But I think it's pretty strong. Maybe stronger than normal. *sounds really stupid and realizes it*
Funny thing is, I hadn't even been intending to start it when I did. Heck, I didn't even plan on writing something new that day, or for a long while, for I already have a few WIPs (that I'm beginning to lose touch with--cue sad face)...but of course I only want to work on those projects that I'm most passionate about. So I was mindlessly checking my email, laughing through some YouTube vids, and checking up on everything else--and suddenly, I was wrought with an itch to write. So, naturally, I opened Microsoft Word and started something...and kept going...and going...and going.
And here I am, blogging about how awesome it is to have something I'm so excited to get going on!
I don't have a plot. I don't have an ending. I'm only a few pages in. But it's started. And I don't plan on stopping.
So, yes. I'm incredibly excited to see where this project goes...or doesn't go (though I'm rooting for the former, of course!).
In other news (I believe I can safely say I'm a little behind on this one, too), I was checking up on Beth Revis's website and blog (Across the Universe is looking so enticing on my TBR pile right now...), which led me to her helpful things for writers page, and thus to Authoress's blog, a.k.a. Miss Snark's First Victim. I think I'm falling in love. It's a fantastic blog for aspiring authors where monthly "Secret Agent" contests are held, among other things, and where success stories are beginning to become abundant! Go check it out, if you haven't already (which, considering there's already over 400 followers, I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't already been loyally following)! You won't be disappointed. And what more, but Authoress and I share somewhat of a common trait: we're both a little mysterious, and haven't fully given our true identities away (though she's an agented YA author, and may be revealing herself anytime now...).
So, that's it for now. Thank you for reading; I aim to be back soon!
I began a new novel a week or so ago, and though there's always that underlying, seemingly elusive this-is-the-book-I-can-feel-it-deep-down-inside kinda feeling with everything habitual writers write, I sorta wanna admit that I get that feeling with this one, too. But I think it's pretty strong. Maybe stronger than normal. *sounds really stupid and realizes it*
Funny thing is, I hadn't even been intending to start it when I did. Heck, I didn't even plan on writing something new that day, or for a long while, for I already have a few WIPs (that I'm beginning to lose touch with--cue sad face)...but of course I only want to work on those projects that I'm most passionate about. So I was mindlessly checking my email, laughing through some YouTube vids, and checking up on everything else--and suddenly, I was wrought with an itch to write. So, naturally, I opened Microsoft Word and started something...and kept going...and going...and going.
And here I am, blogging about how awesome it is to have something I'm so excited to get going on!
I don't have a plot. I don't have an ending. I'm only a few pages in. But it's started. And I don't plan on stopping.
So, yes. I'm incredibly excited to see where this project goes...or doesn't go (though I'm rooting for the former, of course!).
In other news (I believe I can safely say I'm a little behind on this one, too), I was checking up on Beth Revis's website and blog (Across the Universe is looking so enticing on my TBR pile right now...), which led me to her helpful things for writers page, and thus to Authoress's blog, a.k.a. Miss Snark's First Victim. I think I'm falling in love. It's a fantastic blog for aspiring authors where monthly "Secret Agent" contests are held, among other things, and where success stories are beginning to become abundant! Go check it out, if you haven't already (which, considering there's already over 400 followers, I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't already been loyally following)! You won't be disappointed. And what more, but Authoress and I share somewhat of a common trait: we're both a little mysterious, and haven't fully given our true identities away (though she's an agented YA author, and may be revealing herself anytime now...).
So, that's it for now. Thank you for reading; I aim to be back soon!
Labels:
Contest,
Manuscript,
New Book Idea,
Writing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)