Why I'm bad with vocabulary -- Writing Prompt (#2)

Get a dictionary and choose 10 5 words from it without looking at the definitions. Write them down and create definitions for them. What do the words make you think of? What do you think they should mean?


Ah.










Oh, this brings back memories of SAT studying. The Critical Reading section of the SATs is supposed to be the most difficult section for a reason. Vocabulary is some difficult stuff (<--see? I used "difficult" twice. That's some serious vocabulary list I have in my head) Especially for me. Which might sound weird coming from an aspiring writer, but let's just forget about that for now.

If you do happen to know what these words mean beforehand...well. Don't laugh. I mean it -.-

- VESPERTINE: Did you know that Google Chrome says that this isn't even a word? It has a red squiggly line underneath it right now. Hrm. Interesting.
Anyway. I'm going to break this down: vesper + tine = vespertine. So what's a vesper? No clue. For some reason it reminds me of a snake (probably because it's sort of similar to the word "viper"), so I'm going to say that it's someone with...snake-like attributes. Or um...something slithery? Slimey? I'm just assuming this is a noun >.>
- MUGWUMP: Wait a second. Google Chrome says "vespertine" isn't a word, but when it comes to a word like "mugwump", it says it is one? Ridiculous, I'm telling you >.<
So mugwump. Probably an adjective. Definitely not having anything to do with mugs (just assuming that right now). Um...let's see. I'd be lying if I said that the first image that popped in my head when I saw this word wasn't an image of a mug, but that has nothing to do with the definition, I'm sure of it. It's probably an insult. Probably an offensive word someone would use. Like, "Hey, you're such a mugwump." Oh wait. That would make it a noun then o.o
- INCURSION: Curses? Cutting? Wait, no, that's incision. I think. Agh. I really don't know this one, I don't. All I can think of is incision right now.
- PURBLIND: All right, this one looks like pure-blind. Like "pure blood" but instead of blood, it's blind. So then...someone who's completely blind? No, that's too direct. Um. The definition of this word doesn't reflect anything good. There.
- VICISSITUDE: A pretty weird word to pronounce. Its pronunciation is equivalent to that of the name "Narcissus". Lots of "sss". Like a snake. Rhymes with "attitude". All I can think of is someone with some kind of harsh, offensive personality. But I really have no clue.

Well there you go. Some literary embarrassment right there, I guess. At least I can spell (what? what is this spell check you speak of?)

Reviewing Hourglass later today! And Happy MLK Day ^-^

- E

THE ACTUAL DEFINITIONS


- VESPERTINE: of, pertaining to, or occurring in the evening (way off with this one)
- MUGWUMP: a person who is unable to make up his or her own mind on an issue (bah. so it is a noun)
- INCURSION: an invasion of a place or territory (eh. cutting into a territory, maybe?)
- PURBLIND: nearly or partially blind (close enough)
- VICISSITUDE: a change or variation occurring in the course of something (right, I completely failed this one.)

I'm killing trees/The Giant Outline of Dread.

Confession time!

What does a writer/potential author do best?

Kill trees.

No matter what kind of writer you are, whether or not you write brilliant stories or crappy stories, you will have to kill trees. Well, indirectly. Words go on paper, paper comes from trees. End of flowchart.

I try to avoid printing as much as possible. Since two weeks ago, I'd done all my editing on the computer, but it had been very slow. I felt restricted, like I couldn't see the Bigger Picture. Then two weeks ago, I started printing out my manuscript at school, 10 pages each time I managed to get a computer. So far I've printed about 100 pages, and...you know. 100 pages. That's...a lot. Way more than enough to make me feel guilty.

*sigh* 100 pages. 200 more to go. *winces*

The reason for killing trees, however (at least for me) is to get ready to make the Giant Outline of Dread, or GOoD for short. GOoD will either drive me crazy or make my life considerably easier--or maybe even both. Or neither.

The point of GOoD is for organization purposes. So far I've been working on my WAP (Wikia Article Profiles--they're ideas/word building of my story based on the articles and format of Wikipedia), which also helps with the whole brainstorming ideas part of the organizing. But what I really need is GOoD:

story arcs > chapters > major events = post it notes
post it notes + more post it notes = GOoD

(^if that made any sense at all)

I hate to get all technical, but that up there is GOoD. It's time to stop spending hours trying to remember tiny details in my manuscript and start getting organized.

*sigh*

- E

Book Review Policy (ehhhh.)

I think I have everything covered on the FTC policy for book reviews. If not, let me know (pretty pretty please).

All right. Here goes nothing.

- Whenever I review books, it is done without any payment or compensation, and it is based solely on my own individual opinions. If I buy a book, borrow a book, or receive a book from a contest or an author/publisher/anyone else, or through any other process, the process through which I obtained the book will be specified in the review. Again, the review itself is all based on what I think.


Soooo...That's it.








--------------------

Originally, I started this blog with the intentions of not reviewing books because I still do not like making authors feel bad. But then I changed my mind for several reasons:

1. There are some pretty good books out there. I mean, many people love books, right? And there are a lot of blogs out there that review books. There are blogs only for reviewing books, blogs that hold book-related contests, blogs that hold character competitions, etc. Unfortunately (or fortunately; it really depends on how you look at it), this blog isn't one of those blogs. Well I mean, starting now, I might post a few reviews here and there, but I'm not going to dedicate everything I have to book reviews. The point is, good books = compulsion-for-people-to-know-about-said-books. Which also brings us to reason two:

2. There are some pretty bad books out there. As well. And I mean awful books. Horrible, whiny books that make you want to throw it at a wall, or burn it, or do other violent things to it. Haven't you always wanted to rant about the crapiness of a book? I know I have. And frankly, sometimes the urge to complain overrules the guilt of insulting a piece of work someone poured their heart and soul into.

3. Book reviews are inspiring. Because they're all opinion, and they can even make authors or would-be writers question their own WIP(s). I know they have for me. (This is going to sound messed up and sadistic-ish, but I love reading the 1-star reviews of bestsellers on Amazon or Goodreads, especially of books I loved. So interesting.) (I'm not sure how this really pertains to me wanting to start reviewing books, unless I somehow manage to be inspiring.)

4. There's this one book called Hourglass by Myra McEntire. And other books similar to its genre/themes. That I really. Really. Want to write. About. Maybe this goes along with reason #1/2.

So guys, that's all there is to it. Four reasons on why I'd like to review books.

Oh, here's the review list thing in case you're wondering:

- Cover (o' course)
- Title, author, genre
- The very important "How I Obtained Said Book" part
- Series: Yes/no (if it's a series, the name of the series will be stated. hopefully.)
- The Blurb
- THE REVIEW (*cue epic music*):

• First, overall plot summary
• Then a bit on characters
• And a bit on the plot
• And a bit on the key elements/themes/creative ideas/premise/whatever else that was/was supposed to have a long-lasting effect on the reader
• "In conclusion...!" part

- Rating--and what it means (this will go off a 10-point scale)

• 1: No. Bad. Never again. Shrivel-up-and-die-worthy of a book. A-b-o-m-i-n-a-t-i-o-n. Grr.
• 2: The appeal of this book was equivalent to the appeal of kissing a(n) (fill in blank here with horrific creature), though after being paid $20 (<-- why, you could buy another book with that money. ahem.)
• 3: This was flat out awful. Save a few parts, I suppose. But very few.
• 4: So much potential, eh? Too bad it failed to reach it.
• 5: I could care less.
• 6: Hey, you. Unless you just have absolutely nothing else to read, I would recommend passing this book on the bookshelf.
• 7: Now this, this is a book. Just a book.
• 8: Hey there. I think I'll read you again another time.
• 9: I love you.
• 10: The light of my life. Currently.

I'll be reviewing Hourglass next week. Heh.

- E

The Creative Writing Prompt Introduction / The Greasy Paper Plate (#1)

In order to motivate myself to do my Spanish homework, I decided to get my brain going by using this nifty web site: Creative Writing Prompts for brain juice...flowingness. I dunno if that made any sense (or if Spanish homework even needs brain juice creativity, but let's just forget about that part) but...I found that site a long time ago, though I just never had the motivation to do much with it. I guess that's changed now. Who knows?

These things will be weekly! I know, I know. I barely even post monthly, so how could I possibly post weekly?

Ah, but one of my new year resolutions is to be a better blogger. So...there you go.

Anyway, here's this weeks.

Close your eyes briefly and think of one object in the room. Focus on it and try to recall as much detail as you can about it. After 3 minutes or so, open your eyes and write about that object without looking at it.

The Greasy Paper Plate

You are on the table, next to my netbook, taunting me like--like those pigs in Angry Birds (after I lose). You, with your grease spots and stains, compelling me to grab another blueberry muffin. Because once upon a time--well, five minutes ago--you once had a muffin upon you, but now that muffin is gone, consumed. By me.

You are white, but not completely clean; round, and not completely smooth. You were once a plate for pizza, a plate my dad picked up from Sam's Club. But you were left alone, by yourself, while the other plates were gradually thrown away one by one. But you, you were left alone until the moment my older sister put a blueberry muffin on you and carried it to me. You were the last paper plate. And now, you too are gone.

My sister asks me if I'm done with you, and almost without a second thought, I say, "Yes, yes I am", still with my eyes closed. I hear her move to the kitchen and the rustle of the plastic bag of the trashcan as you are dumped inside. I should feel guilty, parting with you, but I don't. I don't. All I can think about was how lovely that blueberry muffin looked on you.

I'm not sure why, but I really couldn't take this prompt seriously. Maybe it's because if I had, then it would've sounded REALLY boring. And dull. Possibly. Hm. Maybe you found what I just wrote dull as well. And silly. And ridiculous. 

Until next week then? :D

- E

Soul Screamers Reading Challenge !

So guys, I just entered myself into the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge for Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series. Basically all I have to do is read (well, in this case, reread) the Soul Screamers series and write a review for each book that I reread. Participating in this challenge will put in you in the drawing for many fabulous prizes. You can find more information on this here.

Typically, participants would post their reviews on their blogs, but I'm not going to because of that review policy for blogs that still befuddles me (so if anyone by chance understands that policy--and I'm sure many of you do since you're not like me--feel free to comment and explain it to me. I wouldn't mind reviewing books on here every now and then). I'm posting it on my Goodreads Account instead. Hurray!

Basically, if you want to know what I think of each book of the series, go to my Goodreads account some time and check out my reviews. [As you can see from the banner above] I have five months to reread the series, which is a fairly long time for just five books (a book a month, apparently). I'll hopefully be posting a review on every 15th of each month. So I guess that means by review for My Soul to Take will be up on January 15th (Goodreads account, everyone :P)

And just in case you're interested in participating as well, here's the link again: clicketh me

That's it for now guys! I'm running on limited time, so I'm cutting this post short *shoots pre-calc homework dirty look*

- E

Apocalyptic views.

Thoughts? Opinions? Views?

- E

Book List: Wings of the Wicked (#4)

My Ultimate Book List is a collection of books that I really, really want to read, whether they have been released or not. Some of these books might not be on the shelves yet; some of these books might have been on the shelves for ages. It doesn't matter. I just really, really want to read them.

 Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined. 
Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night. 

She’s been warned. 
Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself. 

She’ll be betrayed. 
Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay. 

Right, so there's this pretty amazing, good book called ANGELFIRE by Courtney Allison Moulton. It involves reapers and swords and angels and great characters. And a bunch of fight scenes I think you'll love (well, anyone who enjoys reading fight scenes anyway). And if you enjoyed Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments Series (or her Infernal Devices one) you might like this. Even though Will and Jace are pretty different. But still.

The point is, the sequel to ANGELFIRE is coming out soon (WINGS OF THE WICKED), and the first 100 pages of the book are up! Well all right, this probably means nothing to you if you haven't read the first book yet, but it means quite a bit to me. Which is why I'm posting it here. I guess o.o Even though I still haven't read it yet. *punches homework in the face*

But in case you have read the first book, here's the link to blog post that has the link (heh :P) clicketh me.

What's more, the lovely author is also hosting a contest...to see who can win the ARC of a pretty interesting book called INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows. The link to that contest is here. And the summary for INCARNATE is here.

That's it, guys! That's all I've got to say.

Actually, no. I lied. I have some other things to mention.

First, if you're a fan of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls books (and even though it's totally out of my genre, I am a huge fan), The Gallagher Academy web site is up. If you haven't heard about this yet, this web site has some exclusive scenes, excerpts, and what not that are in the POV of many of the characters--including Zachary Goode. (Because Zach is amazing <3) Ally's next book in the series, Out of Sight, Out of Time will be out in March, so...remember that :P

Second, have you guys read the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent? Because those books are pretty good too. At one glance, it might seem like another Twilight-Saga-based-series with the whole "helpless girl falls in love with mysterious guy!" thing. But it's not. Because there is another character in the series who is awesome, much more awesome than Mysterious Guy, who isn't even that mysterious. His name is Tod. And I suggest you read the books because Tod's pretty amazing. (My vocabulary's pretty bad tonight.) (Also, read the books because the word-building is quite unique and interesting--Tod isn't the only reason I've kept up with the series, though he is a main one.) Check her blog out for more info, or just read the summary here for My Soul to Take (book 1 of the Soul Screamers series).

Ahh...promoting books. Spreading the love.

What good books have you guys been seeing around lately?

- E