Raven Huffman's Blog, page 2

A Compiled List of Must-Read Novels For The Modern Young Adult

A Compiled List of Must -Read Novels For The Modern Young Adult : This Author's List
First things first, hello readers. It's been a while. I know! 
But rather than pouring my heart out on how things have been crazy, my life got turned upside down and my absence was necessary to remain totally focused on developing stories that I plan to release within the future, let us dive into my post before I get all choked up!

Find me on Instagram to see what I'm up to: @onbothfronts



The List:Why I find this post absolutely important is be
cause the modern young reader is rather limited in their reading, as much of the market is restricted to school assigned reading and widely advertised, shoved down our throats, new released books by authors who are backed by a large published company focused on sales. Does this mean that the novels are not of quality? Of course not. Many of the novels geared toward young adults are wonderful honestly. But there is more out there. If you know where to look. So here is MY list of what young adults should read to start their lives in the modern world, with modern people and problems the size of a bucket list. 


1. Harry Potter Series - I would be crazy not to include this in the list, because, come on. It's Harry Potter! Magic, Hope, Betrayal, Obsession, Power, Greed, Compassion, Courage, Morality. All these novels cover a great deal of true character flaws along with strengths. Plus, it has been proven that younger readers who have read the series are more compassionate and generous versus those who did not read it. 
If you are one of the very few who has no idea what I am speaking of, click here. 

2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - This is an old one, popular when I was in middle school but I still saw a copy on the shelves of Barnes and Noble a month ago. This novel focuses on a young woman's journey with her own sexual assault and common high school bullying because of it. The author truly highlights the true struggle of sexual assault and what it feels to be a victim, abandoned of everyone's support. Click here to begin reading the novel!

3. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - Again, popular years ago but this novel is more relevant more than ever with our current state of affairs with race and racism. This book takes place back when segregation was trying to be undone in the South, while many of the Southern's resented the idea. "Get your plate in the back" kind of era. And that is almost a direct quotation from the novel, too. But it goes through a girls life with an abusive father after the death of her mother, leaving her in the care of a housekeeper who happens to be of African descent. These two venture on a path to find some meaning in their lives, and unlock months before her mother's death. The two are lead to a family of three sisters, all African women beekeepers. The story highlights the struggles of loss, race and letting go of the past to embrace the future. 
Click here to find it on Amazon!

4. The Great Gatsby - This novel is quite common without middle and high school because of the long standing lesson within the pages. It shows the harsh reality of wealth and those without it, and how the relationships between the classes are immensely favored in the direction of money and greed. It also gives a hard lesson of lust and love not being interchangeable. Find out the story by clicking here.

5. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - I know, I know. Her again. But this novel is just as well written as the first! Wintergirls now highlights the delusion of eating disorders, and just how diseased these girls are, mentally. As a teenage girl who used to value the ones who were able to do it to themselves, this book changed my view on bulimia, The author shows the disgusting side to the disorders, leaving the glamour of it all behind. Any girl entering high school, or struggling teen, should read this novel to understand just how much of a burden it is to be so sick. Click here now.

6. Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy - Another classic novel that should ring well with young readers on the hard truths of difficult and hidden pasts. There is a certain poetic writing about the book, painting a pleasant landscape, to the heartbreaking tale that it reads. No matter how dated, the plot still shows a common issue found today: abusive, manipulative relationships. How to break the cycle and find happiness in yourself, and read this tale with the caution of not following your heart no matter how hard times are.
Discover the tale by clicking the link here.

7. Sold by Patricia McCormick - I remember reading this as a young girl, amazed at the cultural difference and being relieved that I did not live in a place such as the one which the novel describes. But the story still holds true for many young girls, sold in sexual slavery, to pay off debts of a family. This novel gave me more a sense of understanding just how blessed I was as a young adult, and exposed me to a world problem that I could later help. Find this book by clicking here.

8. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - Now as a child, I loved the movie based on this book which is why I was motivated to read the novel. Not an easy read. I would recommend this to a high school senior, or a gifted younger reader. Viewing the movie did help because it wasn't identical to the novel, and with the author being French, some things were hard to understand so with the memory of the movie's happenings, a high schooler should be able to navigate through it. And all the work is rewarded for it too, because the lessons learned in this novel are by far, the most important. A young man named Edmund is imprisoned, just as pieces of his life are falling into place, and is bewildered at the betrayal done to him by three people who he never expected would want him gone. So in return for their selfish nature, he becomes bitter and full of hate. He devises a plan of revenge set to destroy all aspects of their lives. With a little help from a fellow prisoner and a hidden treasure, he sets out to do just that. But revenge is never without misunderstanding. Edmund finally understands the blessing of freedom and how to enjoy the life he has, rather than dwell of his past sufferings. 100% recommend to ANY reader. Click here to buy it now.

9. Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell - One of my favorites that I read over and over again. Written in poetic verse, so the novel just flies by! This one is perfect for the young reader who wants inspiration of love and courage, and the will to what is right, even when it is not easy.
Buy it here, and start reading today!

10. The Host by Stephanie Meyer - Author of the ever-popular Twilight novels, this novel is perhaps even better and served much more credit than it received. Of course this book is long. Really long. So explaining the course of the novel would take this whole post, and then some. So I'll just say, it teaches (in a very descriptive way) to overcome differences and work together in finding alternatives that suit everybody. Plus some romance, and internal struggle. All the good stuff, and plenty of explanation and action behind it. And if you have seen the movie I can promise the novel is 100 times better, and worth the read. Find it here; you won't regret it.

11. The Lord of the Rings and other stories - An everlasting obsession of mine. Just ask my tattoos. But these books, all once one big book, document a expedition to destroy evil in Middle Earth. There are many hiccups along the way, making it a three part series to read, plus all the bonus books released that explain further into the world and history of Middle Earth and the beings that dwell there. As I've been made recently aware, some lucky students get to READ this a part of school. I was not one of those ones, but I definitely support that being required as the story is one that will remain for a long time. Click here to start the journey!


Now I could go on and on and on about all the novels I think everyone should read and why. But I'm certain many of you are getting entirely bored of MY reasons why and you'd like to form your own reasons as to why you should love these novels as I do. So here is the rest of my list, listed within explanation. 

To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984 by George Orwell, Pride and Prejudice, The Chronicles of Narnia series, Night by Elie Wiesel, Morium by S.J. Hermann, When Rabbit Howls, The Stand by Stephen King, Annexed, Delirium, Memoirs of A Geisha, Unenchanted series by Chanda Hahn, A Shade of Vampire, 










**Disclaimer, NONE of these novels are paid or endorsed. These are my own, personal recommendations. **

BUY IT NOW!



My second novel has been released, young adult supernatural!

Cursed Hearts: Book 1 of the Tribe series. 

Find it on Amazon.
Find it on Goodreads.

Follow me on here to get updates by just typing in your email or following my blog! 



Psst: It's free, January 10th, 2017! Get it before it's gone! 

The Writing Lull

So back around the time I first published my novel, The Untold Story of Shirley Holmes, I was a whirlwind of writing power; so many ideas and plots burst into my head. As always, a young author tends to be a little over ambitious at times, and I stretched myself super thinly on many different kinds of projects. Top that off with being a mother and wife, and a lover of many other fine hobbies, I found myself flooded with writing that needed attention, novels that needed edited, characters that needed stronger qualities. Just a literal mess of writing, that I had wrote myself into.

Then summer came. The sun poked out from the clouds, snow melted. I felt the urge to run in the great out doors, gain some vitamin D. OK- I live in the Mid West, this is weather you take while you can get it.

Now three months later, school is starting up again. Though the weather is still pretty pleasant, I am trying to find the itch to write again. I've lost it. Motivation, passion, everything. I've lost it. My writing skill. My fairy writing mother took her magic wand away! I've had to forcefully take charge and hire out some people to become proofreaders and editors for my lost projects. Thankfully that doesn't require all that much from me inspiration wise, but it's still a big step. Some life needs to be breathed back into those works in progress that are so precious to my heart; I'm just sick of thinking about them in this moment. I've even started (yet) another writing project, a novel, that has really just inspired me-here and there. I'm trying to take my time, think out a good plot, develop a strong character and have every step analyzed by some readers so that I can make sure the novel is flowing correctly.

To clarify, this is NOTHING like what I was before. You couldn't keep me away from my other stories, I just loved them so much. Now, I feel like the idea is just a struggle to even think about. It's like I'm sick of them. So, yes, I started another novel to ease out some writing kinks. I'm just praying that I get inspiration in me once the frost sets in the ground and I'm truly stuck inside.

There is still lots to come from my fingers before I give up, but right now, family is just taking up most of my mind right now. And I think I'm alright with that, as long as I try to give writing a shot a little bit at a time, I'll be fine!






Expecting another child is hard work, hence the delay in my writing. Though I hope to bring it hard before I welcome another little arrival this winter. However I don't plan on slowing down, as I have much more coming!


Stay Tuned!

Why There Is No Shame In Aspiring To Be An Author

 


I Am Not Ashamed Of My Dreams.

What about becoming an author makes people so skeptical? Why are parents quick to dismiss those dreams as fantasies while still encouraging their children to become professional athletes? Since when has it been embarrassing to be an author? Someone should let Stephen King know.

Let's get one thing out of the way: It isn't easy to become a "successful" author. 
I use successful loosely, mind you.

There are many stories of popular, best-selling authors being turned down by multiple publishing companies for one reason or another. So, yes, it is difficult. To become published by a traditional publishing company, a writer must edit their manuscript maybe one hundred times, contact all the publishing companies possible, fight the urge to give up. Most times it is all in vain. Tighter budgets means less and less opportunities for unknown authors to get their start. That is just the world we live in right now.

Still, there is always the off chance that a certain novel will be just what those companies are searching for. And even if it isn't, there are other ways to become a well-known writer. Amazon.com offers free publishing of novels along with distributing it through many other channels of book sellers. There is an actual explosion of new authors online because of the free book publishing using Print- On- Demand services (P.O.D.) and electronic avenues like the Kindle. Amazon isn't even the only one to offer free publishing. So there is a vast amount of options of writers looking to put their story out for readers without really sacrificing much money. With electronic readers offering book prices at nearly 90% discount, readers are able to buy more thus increasing an author's chances of being read by readers. This has worked out for several self-published writers who have made over 6 figures a year using this nontraditional route. See? Tradition doesn't always pay.

Many people can do the math and realize that chances of making a over six figure salary from book sales are slim. True, it would take a lot of work, dedication and true passion to keep that flame burning. In the meantime while awaiting a books success, another career is probably necessary to keep the lights on. 

Some of you still probably aren't impressed yet. Sure, they have a chance but is it really worth it?

First off, writing is one of the best careers in the world. Legally you can kill whoever you want, you are Cupid, you are the underdog, you are inspiring, you are anything you want. There is absolutely no other career that allows you to be anything and everything at zero cost. And sure, it takes a while to actually make a livable wage from sales, maybe even longer than you'd ever think. But, what does that measure to the fact that you are living out your dream? They are completing a life goal. That is something that money cannot buy, or fill the hole in their heart.

So there are literally thousands of reasons why writing is worth all the pain, but none of them matter. You have to find your OWN reason to write, and keep on writing no matter what anyone else says. Those people aren't the ones you have to live with; you have to be able to live with yourself. Don't regret not taking a chance because of other people's fears. 



Wanting to learn about free book publishing? Check out the links below for more info!











Click here to learn more about Amazon Book Publishing.

Next American Poet Musician

What is the reason we listen to music? Most would say they have to like the tempo, the sound coming out to really enjoy a song. But there are some deeper thinkers, those who enjoy quality lyrics. Though I am a fan of both styles, I definitely have a deeper connection with lyrics that are meaningful and reflect experiences. Most of you know that I enjoy music, since I have a playlist linked to this blog because I can't stand the silence. Because of this love of music, and music artists, I am constantly on the search for music that I enjoy. It isn't hard since I enjoy basically every kind of genre.
But then there was this one song, one artist that I stumbled upon that has really made me obsessed over her tunes. And the biggest factor is, that she has truthful words within her songs. Her lyrics reflect her own life, and struggles that she's faced. It isn't hard to believe that she is a success because there are many who could relate.

That is why I am branding Kat Dahlia as the next American Poet Musician.


Since she is pretty darn new to the world (her first song was released in 2013) her Wiki page is hardly lengthy at all. So the basics of her origin is that she is a Cuban-American singer from Florida. She started off rapping at 8 years old then upgraded by starting to write her own rap sons by age 15, which is really quite impressive.

Her first single was Gangsta, which she released in 2013.



She also released the music video, Happy and I Know It to YouTube.


One of her more popular songs that could be heard on the radio is Crazy.




Now her newest album named My Garden just released in 2015. On the album is the song Clocks.



Now we arrive at the song that I absolutely love, adore and worship constantly is Mirror. I stumbled upon it on my IHeartRadio app, and fell in love with it instantly. Frankly this is one of her best works, and it carries that meaningful lyrics that I crave so much.






That being said, I will further provide lyrics to further illistrate my point of her unique sound and worthwhile lessons that carry on through her music. So compared to a best seller of Beyonce's music (no offense because I love her too) where literally all she sang was "Who run the world, girls!" Kat Dahlia definitely puts more thought and heart into her music.
Sample: Mirror, My Garden (Kat Dahlia) 2015
I wear my heart on my sleeve
Don't act like that's a disease
Need ya'll to bear with me please
I just say what I see
We all just chasing a dream
In the land of the free
While we payin' a fee
To stay on this concrete
Well, I don't know the price of your roof
But, the first of the month we all pay our dues
When the rain falls, it don't rain on a few
When the sun shine, it don't shine just on you
I don't know the monsters you knew
But I'm tryin to forget the ones I met too

Read more: Kat Dahlia - Mirror Lyrics | MetroLyrics 
Sample:Gangsta, Single (Kat Dahlia) 2013
Put him in a big house before I ever see a Grammy
And my mommy started working days at the church
Finding Faith in God cause the real world hurts
So much evil lurks, they just make us work
But we cant find work
Abuela, mommy, and the girls in a one bedroom
South beach lifestyle, they just paying for the view
Mommy on the couch, since she was 42
Sacrificing for the kids, cause thats what mommies do

Read more: Kat Dahlia - Gangsta Lyrics | MetroLyrics 


So as you can tell, Kat Dahlia raps about real world issues, just like the great legends of rap did years ago. Dr. Dre and Ice Cube on the Straight Outta Compton album, which is currently being made into a movie. Those songs were about more than just being a "gangster" or making money, they exposed real life issues that most didn't want to hear about. They even shined light to the growing divide between whites and blacks at the time too. All important issues to address, and many view that album as the best rap album ever created. Though Kat Dahlia wouldn't be nearly as influential as those men were, her message still gives a great point to American life, and how the struggles are real for those who aren't born blessed. Her lyrics could provide inspiration to the next generation, and free their minds from the cages they are put behind. 
All these reasons are very good reasons to appoint Kat Dahlia as the next American Poet Musician. 
Find My Garden on iTunes now!

My Personal Struggle With Editing

So, I've been working on my second novel for a while now. Editing wise. I've had the novel completed, plot structure is concrete, yet I can't seem to do my last little bit of editing for the last 40 pages of my book. I can't say that I'm not motivated, because I want to publish it. But the struggle of repeated reading and checking over what I've written is mentally exhausting.


I can't really say how long I've been working on edits, because honestly I don't keep track, but I know it's been a while. I've repeatedly read my story, over and over. Trying to prevent plot holes, work out character development. All that stuff. So now that I am in the edits of my last drafts, I am struggling towards the finish line. So that's why I'm going to say this.

I. Hate. Editing.

Yes, I know how important it is. And how much better the story is once it is edited one hundred, thousand times but I hate it. I hate every part of editing. I have to be over critical of every word I put into my novel, and even select new words that change the demographic audience of the novel. Even when a scene originally flowed well, but because of minor edits, the fluid motion is lost, I feel defeated. So I'll say it again.

I. Hate. Editing.

No person likes to hear their work ripped apart into a series of "why this?" and "change that"s but it's the system that creates great stories. And I'm not saying that I won't love my finished product when I'm done, because I probably will. But, in no way, shape, or form do I elect to do this. I do it because I have to. Just like everyone else says you have to do it. So I do. But...

I. Hate. Editing.


So while you all get to write about situation and form new characters and even add in some new romances, enjoy that time. Even savor it. Because once the edits come around, you are going to hate everything you wrote, you'll want to throw it all away, and never think about it again. Because guess what? You get to edit. And edit. And then edit some more.


This is my random thought of the day, and even a little bit of a rant. But now I plan on enjoying this wonderful, warm spring day before I get back to editing my book.


By the way, if you don't know what book I'm talking about, click here to read more on my upcoming novel.

Writing Will Break Your Heart

As we are writing a great struggle for our main character(s), sometimes there are things we have to write that are going to be hurt them. And if we hurt the main character, the reader hurts too. So, some writers avoid killing off characters, or pushing their story further because of their own love of the characters themselves, which no one in their right mind can blame them.

But to make the story feel real, for the reader, the author has to impact their soul with their story, their pain, their loss. If you can't deliver devastation to the story, how can the story ending seem comforting or happy? How is the reader going to feel relieved at the end of the story, when the plot is solved, when nothing absolutely awful happened? 



Example: The Hobbit. Yes, I know- I have an obsession. One day I'll be able to deal with, but until then, Tolkien is here to stay! So anyways, the novel (and the movie) go on through their adventure, then at the very ending when you have come to love Thorin again for seeing that his greed was costing many lives, and when the nephews of Thorin couldn't get any cuter, they are murdered.
Die.
Just like that.
Besides being vastly unprepared for that ending, I was deeply impacted by their deaths. How could the good guys, the ones who you came to love, the ones who made a difference just die? Because personally that ending feels like the white orc's wish, not the dwarves actually winning in the end. But still, the whole plot remained whole and well, then they die, and the reader feels as though they will never be the same again. 


The readers latch onto strong characters, that are well-written, and stand for some kind of good of humanity (depending on what genre you're writing). The audience you are writing for must connect to the characters you introduce so that their loss, or death may effect how they see things. Because you know that if you hurt your readers, you are doing a good job. 

This is not to say that you must kill everyone you hold dear. In the Lord of the Rings, only ONE person (not counting Gandalf) died over the course of their journey. Boromir died in the first novel, The Fellowship, and then nobody else from their party died. However, some secondary characters who sometimes who reader favorites did die. So, there is a give and take when it comes to death. Don't break your readers entire spirit. 

I always said that if The Walking Dead killed off one of my two favorite characters, Tyreese and Daryl, that I wouldn't watch the show anymore, because I lack to see the point anymore. So now, I don't watch the show anymore. Heartbreaking, but with the loss of Beth, I couldn't take another major death. That's TOO much. So now I'm zombie free. 


Moral of the Story: Don't be afraid to kill someone. Cry, get over it, put all of that emotion into your characters, and the story will blossom. 



If you want to learn more on writing stronger characters, click here to read more.
Can you successfully kill a character? Read here to learn how to.

A Dip Into My New Novel

Cursed Hearts : Book One of The Tribe Series

What makes a good heroine, great? Is it because she's popular, or secretly beautiful, or maybe she's outgoing that makes her so charming? Well my next main character is unlike any other heroine I've written. Anouk is a lonely girl, who spends most of her time reading in her dark room, in her dark home that houses an extensive and rather boring museum. She's ordinary in her own ways, but rather unique in others. For instance, she doesn't have any friends. At all. Anouk chooses to dedicate her life to avoiding people as much as possible. 

From a very young age, Anouk's parents have let her down in every possible way. They aren't normal, like she wishes. They love, and obsess, over history. They isolate her from the world. So within her silent world she has learned to be content without noise, or emotion, or people. 

At least, she was. 

But when there is a new, mysterious guy named Biyen who enrolls in her small town high school, she is quickly and quietly enthralled with him. His naturally tan skin and long black hair wrap around her thoughts until she can hardly keep them straight. But the distance doesn't last long. 

Biyen seems to take to Anouk like no other person has before. Being an outcast at his new school, Biyen took to her side since she too was a fellow social pariah. So with much resistance, Anouk allows to have a tail through her life. She partially even begins to like his presence. That is, until the popular girls find out who Biyen really is, besides gorgeous in every way. 

Biyen suddenly becomes a popular jock at school, but still drags Anouk every where he goes, leading her into the spotlight of many harsh stares from other students and envious girls. But that's not the only thing that comes from her association with this Native American stud.

A wrath, ancient and consuming, is placed on the two as they venture to find out what life has in store for Biyen, and who ever he chooses. But is that the kind of life she really wants? Does she really want to live in a fairy tale, or read one from the safety of her own room?

Anouk has to decide which path of life will lead her to the place she's only ever dreamed about.

Look for Cursed Hearts on Amazon in the coming future to discover the tale for yourself. Because you can never just judge a book by it's cover; to find out the true story, you must flip through the pages. 




Some Questions About The Tribe Series: 
What inspired you to write this sort of novel that entwines a different culture and folklore into the plot?  Rather than creating a story about two people from the same background to fall in love, I decided that this sort of relationship is dying. There are SO many different types of people, and cultures, and traditions, in this world. Combining two worlds isn't just as easy as one, two, three. It takes work. And through the course of this novel, you learn about another culture while understanding how hard it can be to belong into two different types of worlds.
Is the main character based off of someone you know? Yes, and no. I've taken random pieces from people I know and formed a person who I feel is perfect for this role in the story. Her love of books comes from one person while her withdrawn, bitter attitude comes from another. So she is actually a smashed up version of like five people I know.
What can we expect from this upcoming series? Well, be prepared to take a ride. Besides exposing different cultures, my novels plan to invade any and every kind of different type of living. Anouk is going to take everyone on a journey to far away from their comfort zone, and plunge into many mature areas of life that many try to avoid. But you can expect to find out many things about Native American culture, folklore and tradition along with some city life that is unlike you've ever known. Plus the dash of paranormal capabilities will create a limitless realm of possibilities. 



For Raven Huffman's first novel, you can purchase The Untold Story of Shirley Holmes  on websites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Createspace. It is available in printed and ebook version. 



Watch my blog to find the release date of  Cursed Hearts .Subscribe on the left side of this page.

Some of My Favorite Things.

Pride and Prejudice
AUTHOR FAVE:
Not a classic, but still a timeless love story
Harry Potter
Percy Jackson! Narnia
The Hobbit The Hunger Games (movies, not books)

The Great Gatsby!

Lord of the Rings

How To Deal With Multiple Book Ideas

While you are writing, other ideas tend to pop into your head; it's only natural, of course. When you are encouraging thoughts, or plot ideas into your mind, other unrelated ideas will enter your mind as well. Believe me, they are going to sound like great ideas too, which they may be. But spreading yourself thin can make you suffer, or your writing not be as passionate as it was if you were only focused on one goal. So basically, what I do is always do one thing at a time, either editing or writing, or even promoting my works. It is a hard job to do, yet alone trying to get other things done as well. 

Personally, it is difficult to switch my brain from one work to the next. If I am writing, I am in the mindset of the novel, all about the characters. I AM the character. But once, I switch back to my other novel to edit, I am out of swing. I've learned to get one task at a time. Although it seems like I have so much to do (Which is no lie!) I feel obligated to try to do it all. Thus creating a time when I'm not doing well at either thing. My writing becomes bland, I cut corners when it comes to promoting my novel, and I even space out when I'm trying to edit. My mind cannot keep focused! I'm all scattered brained when trying to do anything.
Yes, you can certainly do it all. I'm not advising against trying to do it all, because if you can, then do it! But, it's so hard to be totally invested in a piece when you are trying to keep up with so much stuff going on in your writing career. Your novel deserves better than that! All I'm suggesting is finding a balance, so that you can completely dedicate your time to the right task. 

I've found that switching days isn't effective, for me. I can't do blogging, writing, promoting, editing and having my sanity all in one day, or even one week! I've found that switching between weeks, what exactly I do is a great balance for me. One week I am in the mind of my editing brain, where I'm scanning for grammar mistakes and trying to enhance the wording. The next week I am trying to be creative and write a great plot story while making strong characters. See? It's just too crazy to try! 

Now, I'm sure you are wondering how to handle all the other book ideas that come into your head. I've found that it's effective to keep a notepad (or Word document) handy for when you have ideas come. I have a list on my computer of all these great book summaries, and quotes. Surely I am trying to resist writing them too. They seem like such great stories. But I've come to grips that I can't write like three books at one time, along with everything else. So, keep them safely locked away for when your time opens up (mine will be like three years from now), but hey! Eventually I'll be able to check those out again....someday.

As I've mentioned, it's hard to do so many projects at once so don't try it. However, if that's your only way to keep sane (How do you do that?) and be able to be in control of your own career, then do it! Of course, I'm not trying to boss you around! 

Wanna know how to write an instant best seller? Click here to discover how!

The True Hero Of Harry Potter

When the movies first came out, I was totally in love. I LOVED Harry Potter. The first, second and third movie were the best movies of my middle school-hood..Prisoner of Azkaban was my favorite. Then the Goblet of Fire released, and I wasn't impressed with the ending. Then after that, I hated the movies. They turned dark and depressing. It wasn't like the first year when Harry was learning about magic, and the wonders of everything. Also, I started to hate Harry.. So I boycotted watching the ending of the Harry Potter series. I didn't watch the last two movies, The Deathly Hallows 1 & 2, until recently. Frankly, I have to admit that I fell in love with them again. Even though Harry still wasn't my favorite character, the story came back to me as interesting... But upon the ending of the series, I realized that there was an unsung hero of the whole entire story line. Someone that this whole series couldn't have been done without.


But first, let's just touch on some awesome characters who deserve recognition. 

Sirius Black- He was my overall favorite character, and honestly I don't know why. I just loved everything about him, and how wonderful of a person he was. He sacrificed so much for the love of his friends and justice. Now who can't love a person like that?

Remus Lupin - First off, he's just plain amazing because he has to deal with being a werewolf. In the Harry Potter series, werewolves aren't the greatest looking things ever. So automatically he deserves a standing ovation. Still, he was a great, personal friend who showed Harry how to be sincere and loving when other's demanded violence and retaliation.

Now comes the ball dropper... Snape- Yes. It wasn't until the end when I realized just how great of a person he was, then instantly he became my absolute favorite character of the whole series. Why? Because not only had he done the most selfless act of all, by giving his life to protect Harry, he loved Harry more than anyone could have ever. Still I had some reservations about how he could have been a father to Harry because he needed one, but there were some outside forces that were affecting that. And yet I could go on and on about how much I love Snape, but frankly I don't have the time.




So, now you are wondering who could be the unsung hero of Harry Potter...


Lily Potter!!


That's right. Lily Potter is the reason that Harry survived, and overcame Lord Voldemort. She was the one who gave her life, so that Voldemort couldn't touch Harry. She was the reason that he survived in the first place. Then her happy memory gave Harry the ability to create an intense charm that could fight off Dementors.. Now those are both some great things. But the most defining act she ever did was befriend Snape. Snape's love of Lily was the reason that Harry was able to live. Snape was the one who had helped Harry all those years, behind the scenes. His love of Lily kept his dedication to keeping Harry alive. Lily was the protector of Harry, even after the grave. Totally amazing, and the unsung hero of the Harry Potter series.