Monday, January 30, 2012

Music Challenge


I'm late to the game, but I couldn't pass this up because I love music and it sounds like awesome fun so I'm doing this!
Jani at Life Debateable issued a challenge last week ..... Blog about a song that reflects one of your main character's characteristics. I want to get to know your MC and what better way than to have some fun with it, right?

**I don't have a "set" title for my current WIP (I have it dwindled down to two.) It's a YA Urban Fantasy (as of now.) My MC's name is Kara. The song below describes her feelings after a break-up, which leaves her vulnerable, empty, broken. We've all been there.


Kara - Fool Of Me by Me’Shell Ndegeocello



Lyrics | Me’Shell Ndegeocello - Fool of Me lyrics


**The song below is for my finished YA Sci-fi, BREATHE FOR ME.
My MC's name is Hadley. She has supernatural powers and kicks some serious butt when it comes to martial arts, but has she met her match in the doctor that's extorting her?

Hadley- Skin and Bones by David J. Roch


Don't lose your soul as your eyes roll shut
Don't worry, it will be over
Hold on though, you're alone, I am there with you
That much at least I can promise

You know what's to come to not accept this
Don't lose your soul, you must fight for each breath
Don't go quietly

Don't cry out for God
Just breathe in and out
Don't cry out for God
Just breathe in and out

We are but lambs to the slaughter now
I have no fear of death itself
So don't try and save me and please, God, forsake me
I'll suffer alone, I just want to be left

My soul has flown and I am what is left
I am skin and bones




Friday, January 27, 2012

There's No Crying In Baseball

Tear jerkers. There are movies and books that, no matter how many times I watch and/or read them, I always end up in tears. Crying isn't a bad thing. I firmly believe it's good for the soul. A release of sorts that frees us and makes us feel whole again.

Here are a few movies and books that make the water works flow for me.


A League of Their Own (1992)
"There's no crying in baseball," Coach Jimmy Dugan says to Evelyn.
Well, sorry Coach, but I cry at this movie every single time.
Maybe it's the sisterly bond in the movie that's tattered and slowly put back together again near the end.
Or perhaps it's because I feel connected to it. I played catcher in softball from 6th grade - Senior year and loved every minute of it. And the girls were like family to me.
I don't know the exact reason for the tears.
I do know, I cry. And have uncontrollable sobbing when **SPOILER** Coach Dugan has to give one of his players the news that her husband was killed in war. It's a gut wrenching thing that tears me up every time.



Marley & Me (author: John Grogan)
Marley & Me (Movie: 2008)

I watched this movie and cried my eyes out. The dog brought such comical chaos to the family, but yet gave love and loyalty ten-fold. Animals are special like that. Susan, a dear friend of mine, recommended I read the book. So, I did because 1) Susan is one of the best advice givers out there and 2) I love to read.
I ended up feeling even stronger emotion when I read it than seeing it played on the screen.




The Notebook (novel: Nicholas Sparks)
The Notebook (movie: 2004)

I'm a sucker for Nicholas Sparks. He has a beautiful way of telling a love story, you feel like you're right there in his book. The tears shed here are bittersweet ... Noah loves Allie like no other and will go through whatever life throws at them to show her, but they go through hell to get there.







Steel Magnolias (1989)
Six women, a hair salon, gossip galore.

But it's the friendships - kindred spirits
that these women share that make the movie.
**SPOILER** One of them passes away.
The funeral scene crushed me -
the mother was in such pain for
her deceased daughter, I ended up
bawling my eyes out.



Are there any movies or books that cause you to cry or get choked up? Or do you prefer to steer clear of sappy films?

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Writing Fuel

When I write, I like to have snacks on hand. I refer to these foods as my "writing fuel." When I'm hungry, I end up shutting down, which is not good when I want to write. I have my writing comfort foods that help to give me energy while my brain plots, revises, etc.


Since I LOVE to eat, I have a long list of foods I could name, but I'll spare you and only list my top 5 that I like to eat while I write:


Chips & Salsa
I eat this almost everyday. For real. Even when I'm not writing.
It's that good to me.





Fruit or crackers dipped in cottage cheese
Okay, I could live on this stuff, too. Any fruit tastes good, but pineapples, IMO, are the best with cottage cheese.







Dark Chocolate
I love chocolate.

Period.
But dark chocolate is by far my first choice.










Animal Crackers
I've liked these ever since I was little.
There are different flavors,
which are all good.











Pizza
Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Snack.
I'll eat it whenever. A mushroom, tomato, & green pepper pizza
is my ultimate choice.

Anyone who knows me knows that I can tear through a pizza
like there's no tomorrow.
:)






Do you have any favorite foods that fuel your writing? I'd love to know what they are. :)