Zoe Carmina's Blog: Zoe Jane Carmina, page 28
February 2, 2015
Badass Training #001 - Spiders
Spiders
This may sound silly to you, but I consider myself to be the most badass chick you know. Besides just being an awesome person, I put myself through mini tests, as training for becoming more and more badass. This is test #001.
Level One: Look at a spider without making any noise.Level Two: Look at a spider without making any noise, and then kill the spider without jumping about.Level Three: Look at a spider without making any noise, and then remove the spider to an outdoor location.Level Four: Look at a spider without making any noise, and then remove the spider to an outdoor location with your bare hands.
This may sound silly to you, but I consider myself to be the most badass chick you know. Besides just being an awesome person, I put myself through mini tests, as training for becoming more and more badass. This is test #001.
Level One: Look at a spider without making any noise.Level Two: Look at a spider without making any noise, and then kill the spider without jumping about.Level Three: Look at a spider without making any noise, and then remove the spider to an outdoor location.Level Four: Look at a spider without making any noise, and then remove the spider to an outdoor location with your bare hands.
January 31, 2015
Disney: A Rant
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I've been obsessing over Disney for my entire life. I recently looked up a list of all the Disney movies ever made, so that I could find out how many of them I'd seen. The number according to this list, by the way, is 106 out of the 513 that were made up until the end of 2014 [which is only 21%]! Yeah, if you think you've seen a lot of Disney movies in your life, checking that list out proves how very wrong you are. Anyway, there was something that occurred to me while I was going through the list.
The unfortunate thing about Disney in general is, they will often take a classic tale, [for instance, Sleeping Beauty], desensitize it, and change the meaning of the story. When not doing that, they are making up a sequel to a story where once it didn't exist [like The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea], or remaking an animated classic into a live action film [101 Dalmatians], to the story's detriment. And, if that isn't the case, then they are assuredly making 'original' movies which are utterly boring and worthless [Air Bud and all its absurd sequels].
Case in point: I am loathe to see the first Disney Star Wars film, as the series they made based on the previous movies was, can I say, abysmal.
Now, Disney has put out a few things since the year 2000 that are impressive, but the things I am thinking of, for instance, Studio Ghibli films, as well as Pixar ones, are really the only things that have been fantastic. When Disney steps aside to let true visionaries create masterpieces, great things happen.
But Disney cannot, for the life of them, get good things going for themselves anymore. I've seen only one Disney movie (other than Ghibli and Pixar ones) that was worth watching in the last dozen years. And let me tell you, The Princess and the Frog, as far as a story and a badass Princess goes, is a MUCH better choice for your children than Frozen. Don't get me wrong, I love Idina Menzel, probably more than you ever could know, but I am incredibly saddened that she got famous for her work on Frozen, instead of her jaw-dropping performances in RENT and Wicked, which is how I discovered her several years ago.
I suppose I just wanted to tell you that Disney has really fallen off the mark in my eyes. It has turned away from the fun animated classics, even the part-animated, part-live action classics like Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, to this new Disney. This washed-up Disney. And I don't like it one bit.
I've been obsessing over Disney for my entire life. I recently looked up a list of all the Disney movies ever made, so that I could find out how many of them I'd seen. The number according to this list, by the way, is 106 out of the 513 that were made up until the end of 2014 [which is only 21%]! Yeah, if you think you've seen a lot of Disney movies in your life, checking that list out proves how very wrong you are. Anyway, there was something that occurred to me while I was going through the list.
The unfortunate thing about Disney in general is, they will often take a classic tale, [for instance, Sleeping Beauty], desensitize it, and change the meaning of the story. When not doing that, they are making up a sequel to a story where once it didn't exist [like The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea], or remaking an animated classic into a live action film [101 Dalmatians], to the story's detriment. And, if that isn't the case, then they are assuredly making 'original' movies which are utterly boring and worthless [Air Bud and all its absurd sequels].
Case in point: I am loathe to see the first Disney Star Wars film, as the series they made based on the previous movies was, can I say, abysmal.
Now, Disney has put out a few things since the year 2000 that are impressive, but the things I am thinking of, for instance, Studio Ghibli films, as well as Pixar ones, are really the only things that have been fantastic. When Disney steps aside to let true visionaries create masterpieces, great things happen.
But Disney cannot, for the life of them, get good things going for themselves anymore. I've seen only one Disney movie (other than Ghibli and Pixar ones) that was worth watching in the last dozen years. And let me tell you, The Princess and the Frog, as far as a story and a badass Princess goes, is a MUCH better choice for your children than Frozen. Don't get me wrong, I love Idina Menzel, probably more than you ever could know, but I am incredibly saddened that she got famous for her work on Frozen, instead of her jaw-dropping performances in RENT and Wicked, which is how I discovered her several years ago.
I suppose I just wanted to tell you that Disney has really fallen off the mark in my eyes. It has turned away from the fun animated classics, even the part-animated, part-live action classics like Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, to this new Disney. This washed-up Disney. And I don't like it one bit.
December 17, 2014
Dealing with Writer's Block as an Indie Author
I find I deal with writer's block in the same way I deal with a tough boss in a video game. Sometimes, when the same guy has been kicking my butt over and over again, no matter what I do, or how many level grinding sessions I've done, I have to just save my game and walk away.
In the same way, I find that I can be writing a passage smoothly, words flowing effortlessly from my hands, when all of a sudden, something shifts. Someone might ask me a question, breaking my train of thought, or I might slip over the too tired to write threshold, or I write an incredibly amazing sentence and have no idea what I could possibly say next that could be just as good. At those points, I have to save my file and walk away.
Maybe that sounds a bit counter-productive, but give me a moment to explain.
When Indie authors write, we rarely write for a living. For us, it's a passion. We scribble plots in the margins of our notebooks instead of paying attention to class. We talk endlessly about our character's entire life story, and how to work it all into a single book. We fuss around with the most minute details, such as whether an angel could fly after being thrown in a pool of water, or how to describe human emotions like your heart fluttering madly when your character is, well, dead.
Being an Indie author means you really don't write for a living. Not usually. We have to find time to write outside of our everyday responsibilities. We have real jobs that we go to, children and animals to take care of, and then if there's time, maybe some time to ourselves. We grapple every day with the injustice that there isn't enough time in a day for life, let alone to be writing on top of that. How can you justify sitting at the computer and writing when there's dishes piling out of your sink, cat litter to scoop, and laundry steadily trickling out of your basket like a slow-burning lava flow?
So we write in the margins. We write on the subway on our commute to work. We write on our cell phones in the line at the DMV. We write on our lunch breaks, or while sitting at the pool watching the kids swim, or find a quiet corner to write at our family gatherings.
But let me tell you. Walking away from writing when you have a serious writer's block is the best thing you can do. Because when you walk away, your thoughts can begin again. You might be ringing up a customer at work, talking to your neighbor about their Christmas light display, or even driving home, but in those moments, you are thinking. You are thinking about your story and where it sits. Because you walked away, you are thinking about your story, and just itching to get back into it. You want to get back into it. Because let's face it. You're an Indie author. We do this for fun.
In the same way, I find that I can be writing a passage smoothly, words flowing effortlessly from my hands, when all of a sudden, something shifts. Someone might ask me a question, breaking my train of thought, or I might slip over the too tired to write threshold, or I write an incredibly amazing sentence and have no idea what I could possibly say next that could be just as good. At those points, I have to save my file and walk away.
Maybe that sounds a bit counter-productive, but give me a moment to explain.
When Indie authors write, we rarely write for a living. For us, it's a passion. We scribble plots in the margins of our notebooks instead of paying attention to class. We talk endlessly about our character's entire life story, and how to work it all into a single book. We fuss around with the most minute details, such as whether an angel could fly after being thrown in a pool of water, or how to describe human emotions like your heart fluttering madly when your character is, well, dead.
Being an Indie author means you really don't write for a living. Not usually. We have to find time to write outside of our everyday responsibilities. We have real jobs that we go to, children and animals to take care of, and then if there's time, maybe some time to ourselves. We grapple every day with the injustice that there isn't enough time in a day for life, let alone to be writing on top of that. How can you justify sitting at the computer and writing when there's dishes piling out of your sink, cat litter to scoop, and laundry steadily trickling out of your basket like a slow-burning lava flow?
So we write in the margins. We write on the subway on our commute to work. We write on our cell phones in the line at the DMV. We write on our lunch breaks, or while sitting at the pool watching the kids swim, or find a quiet corner to write at our family gatherings.
But let me tell you. Walking away from writing when you have a serious writer's block is the best thing you can do. Because when you walk away, your thoughts can begin again. You might be ringing up a customer at work, talking to your neighbor about their Christmas light display, or even driving home, but in those moments, you are thinking. You are thinking about your story and where it sits. Because you walked away, you are thinking about your story, and just itching to get back into it. You want to get back into it. Because let's face it. You're an Indie author. We do this for fun.
October 5, 2014
Books are My Mistress
I love books. In fact, I love them so much, I consider them like a mistress to me. They are closer to my heart than most human beings could ever wish to be. They're there for me, even when no one else is around. Moreover, I'm a true book proponent. I enjoy books in both electronic and print forms.
In the electronic category, I keep audio books on my music player. Many book junkies despise the existence of audio books. In truth I used to as well. I still hold animosities towards people who say they've read something when they only actually listened to the audio book. That, to me, is cheating. Still, I find that I don't feel so bad listening to a book I've previously read. When I'm incapable of turning pages, such as while washing dishes, driving, or bicycling down the road, I can pick up a story I love and continue on. It is admittedly slower than reading the book myself, but I can get through many chapters more this way, because I can read them at all hours of the day or night, no matter what I'm doing.
Also in the electronic category is the ebook. Absolutely a wonderful form of reading. I am typically in the process of reading 5 to 10 books at any given time. It matters not that I haven't finished the reread of some epic series yet. I fully intend to do it. One of these days. And so, here I am, months later, wanting to pick up where I left off, and trying to remember where I stopped. I don't want to start my reread all over again! Are you kidding me? This is where the ebook comes in handy. With my handy dandy pocket ereader, I can carry around potentialy hundreds of books without the bulk, and it saves my progress, even as I'm reading. I don't even have some fancy model. All my reader does is... yep! You guessed it! Allow me to read. And even without judiciously conserving my battery, I'm capable of reading 7 to 10 books without having to plug back in.
I guess from the least bulky to the most bulky then. The hardcover. This is the form of reading I enjoy the least. Of course, most books release in hardcover edition first. This is why I have so many of them in my collection. But they don't quite fit right on my shelf, or in my bag. I typically take the covers off of them while I'm reading, or they stand to get ripped up. However, the hardcover is often worth more in value than a paperback. And in hardcover form, your books do not get the obnoxious reading lines down the spines. I always am careful not to make them in my own books, or the books of others. But the moment I lend a paperback book out to someone, they seem to come back much worse for the wear. This is not a problem with hardcovers. They stay largely intact despite the years. That's also probably why they don't make many paperback bibles. (Oh yeah, I went there.)
Last of all is the paperback book. This is not, however the least. Though I spend less time these days reading a 'real' book, preferring the ebook version a little more, I truly have the fondest memories of reading a paperback book. There really is nothing like the smell and feel of a paperback book in your hands. You walk into the local library or used book store and the first thing that hits you is the smell of paper. It is such a comforting smell. A book is the smell of a very long airplane ride, a sunny white sand beach with clear ocean waves, and even a calm and quiet sleepless night. When I walk into a library or book store, and it has that smell, I feel completely at peace with the world.
I can't help myself. I just love books. I plain love them. They have always been there for me, whenever I need them.
In the electronic category, I keep audio books on my music player. Many book junkies despise the existence of audio books. In truth I used to as well. I still hold animosities towards people who say they've read something when they only actually listened to the audio book. That, to me, is cheating. Still, I find that I don't feel so bad listening to a book I've previously read. When I'm incapable of turning pages, such as while washing dishes, driving, or bicycling down the road, I can pick up a story I love and continue on. It is admittedly slower than reading the book myself, but I can get through many chapters more this way, because I can read them at all hours of the day or night, no matter what I'm doing.
Also in the electronic category is the ebook. Absolutely a wonderful form of reading. I am typically in the process of reading 5 to 10 books at any given time. It matters not that I haven't finished the reread of some epic series yet. I fully intend to do it. One of these days. And so, here I am, months later, wanting to pick up where I left off, and trying to remember where I stopped. I don't want to start my reread all over again! Are you kidding me? This is where the ebook comes in handy. With my handy dandy pocket ereader, I can carry around potentialy hundreds of books without the bulk, and it saves my progress, even as I'm reading. I don't even have some fancy model. All my reader does is... yep! You guessed it! Allow me to read. And even without judiciously conserving my battery, I'm capable of reading 7 to 10 books without having to plug back in.
I guess from the least bulky to the most bulky then. The hardcover. This is the form of reading I enjoy the least. Of course, most books release in hardcover edition first. This is why I have so many of them in my collection. But they don't quite fit right on my shelf, or in my bag. I typically take the covers off of them while I'm reading, or they stand to get ripped up. However, the hardcover is often worth more in value than a paperback. And in hardcover form, your books do not get the obnoxious reading lines down the spines. I always am careful not to make them in my own books, or the books of others. But the moment I lend a paperback book out to someone, they seem to come back much worse for the wear. This is not a problem with hardcovers. They stay largely intact despite the years. That's also probably why they don't make many paperback bibles. (Oh yeah, I went there.)
Last of all is the paperback book. This is not, however the least. Though I spend less time these days reading a 'real' book, preferring the ebook version a little more, I truly have the fondest memories of reading a paperback book. There really is nothing like the smell and feel of a paperback book in your hands. You walk into the local library or used book store and the first thing that hits you is the smell of paper. It is such a comforting smell. A book is the smell of a very long airplane ride, a sunny white sand beach with clear ocean waves, and even a calm and quiet sleepless night. When I walk into a library or book store, and it has that smell, I feel completely at peace with the world.
I can't help myself. I just love books. I plain love them. They have always been there for me, whenever I need them.
June 10, 2014
A Few Pieces of Technology that I Think are Cool
The 3D Printing Pen.
No longer do you have to doodle on sheets of paper! Bring your doodles to life with the all-new 3D Printing Pen! Doodle in 3D!~
3D Printing Pen
The Scribble Pen
Also in this same line is the Scribble Pen that allows you to scan any color in the world, and doodle in that exact color! Bringing together the technology of RGB sensing, and a 5 color ink cartridge, you can now flawlessly color your world!
Color Ink Cartridge Printer
Glow in the Dark Roadways
Piloting in the Netherlands, Glow in the Dark paint absorbs sunlight, and then can glow for up to 8 hours in the dark, virtually eliminating the need for highway lights. Don't get me wrong, it isn't perfect, but damn that's a cool idea!
Glow in the Dark Roadways
No longer do you have to doodle on sheets of paper! Bring your doodles to life with the all-new 3D Printing Pen! Doodle in 3D!~
3D Printing Pen
The Scribble Pen
Also in this same line is the Scribble Pen that allows you to scan any color in the world, and doodle in that exact color! Bringing together the technology of RGB sensing, and a 5 color ink cartridge, you can now flawlessly color your world!
Color Ink Cartridge Printer
Glow in the Dark Roadways
Piloting in the Netherlands, Glow in the Dark paint absorbs sunlight, and then can glow for up to 8 hours in the dark, virtually eliminating the need for highway lights. Don't get me wrong, it isn't perfect, but damn that's a cool idea!
Glow in the Dark Roadways
April 30, 2014
Camp NaNoWriMo Winner 2014!
Lucky for all of you, I have worked very hard this month, put aside nearly all my books to read, and my laundry and dishes to wash, and completed Camp NaNoWriMo this month! The goal was to double my word count from 15,000 words to 30,000 words. I can happily say that I have accomplished that, with much dancing around in my computer room! And because of this epic push, Utopian Melody is halfway written! Huzzah!
April 9, 2014
NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNoWriMo
I'm signed up to be a participant for NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNoWriMo! If you don't know, NaNoWriMo is the National Novel Writing Month which happens in November every year.
I have been working on Utopian Melody so that I may have it out for you all soon. I feel excited about this, so we shall see what comes of it!
I have been working on Utopian Melody so that I may have it out for you all soon. I feel excited about this, so we shall see what comes of it!
November 4, 2013
Interview with Zoe Carmina
What are your five favorite books, and why?
1. "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card. [Science Fiction]
I never believed I would be into a Science Fiction Novel. I didn't see it coming when I got to the end. I was so thoroughly engrossed in the storyline. I have bought a physical copy of the book 8 times now, because everyone I've ever lent it to kept it.
2. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. [Classical Literature]
This is my favorite piece of Classic Literature. I honestly love the relationship between Scout and Dill. I love the mystery of the neighbors next door. And I love the delicacy with which such a gruesome crime is dealt.
3. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. [Historical Fiction]
This was a compulsive buy that called out to me in a tiny bookstore and coffee shop. It sat on my bookshelf not getting read for over a year. And then I read it. And read it. And couldn't put it down. It's World War II, and the Grim Reaper Death is tired and overworked. But in the midst of the craziness, he becomes interested in the story of a little orphan girl, who, among other things, enjoys stealing books.
4. "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel. [Historical Fiction]
I love the way this book is broken into chapters. I love the little recipes, the bits of folklore, and the tiny bits of history that get thrown in around the story of the main character and her family.
5. "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn. [Spiritual Fiction]
This book really made me think a lot, and reassess my entire world view. It made me feel hopeful.
Who are your favorite authors?
I love the universe that Terry Goodkind has created for the Sword of Truth novels. His world is extremely vast, and the lessons you learn from his characters are extremely relevant to everyday life.
I admire Christopher Paolini for being published at such a young age, and with such a great story. I think his work is something to look up to.
I can't tell you how many times I've read the Harry Potter series from J.K. Rowling. Every time I read it, I find something new, some clue or seed that was planted way earlier than I had previously realized. It was all there, all along. She built and orchestrated an extensive world, right under our muggle noses.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
It is my belief that everyone has their own creative outlet. Some people play music, some are artistic. Nobody is the same. In this way, writing satisfies my creative outlet.
What are you working on next?
"Utopian Melody"
Christine is a young woman whose life is turned upside-down by tragedy. Though her destiny seems bleak, she chooses to become a Mercenary for Heaven and work to keep the balance of power between Heaven and Hell back on Earth. But when the Fallen One, Lucifer, crosses her path, Christine finds temptation is a very powerful force, and must choose for herself whether to stay her hand and play the cards dealt, or to change her destiny and forge a new one on her own.
Part One in the Oblivion Duet!
"The Dark Knight"
Rachi has just realized her purpose and has started to make a name for herself. But when a master of the Dark Arts comes calling, Rachi finds herself falling into his sway. Will she succumb to the darkness in her soul, or will she use it to wield an even greater power?
The sequel to The Story of Rachi!
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
"Crystallina the Fairy" was an assignment in 2nd Grade that I wrote. It was pretty extensive for a 2nd Grader. I really loved the movie "Fern Gully" at the time, and I based my character and world after that. My mother loved it so much that she kept it. I bet she actually still has it somewhere, after all these years.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I read a lot of books. I probably have 10 books that I'm in the middle of reading at any point in time. I average out at about 50 books a year. This year I'm over 70 books.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Often, if I'm in a library or bookstore, I will see something worth picking up. I don't especially like to borrow or buy books I'm not sure of, so instead of taking it home right away, at least half the time I (try to) just put it back on the shelf and add it to a list on my phone. If I can find it in ebook format, then I typically prefer it that way. In this manner, I can take tons of books with me, and simultaneously read them all at my leisure.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I love my 1st generation Sony Pocket ereader. It's teeny. It fits in my purse. I can read ebooks in any format I can get them in. And the battery life is fantastic!
What do you read for pleasure?
Almost exclusively fiction. I like to read Fantasy, Paranormal, and Young Adult genres, with a small amount of Paranormal Romance or Scientific research mixed in.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I am the first child in my family, and my parents were really good to me. They read to me all the time, and I read several books of my own when I was a child. I loved Eric Carle, Mercer Mayer, Dr. Seuss. I read the Babysitters Club series for a while. But what truly sparked my passion for reading was picking up "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madelene L'engle in 4th Grade. I loved that book, and I still sometimes think about the 4th Dimension, Time, or draw the Tesseract in my doodles.
Describe your desk
Chaos. Or rather, entropy.
There are constant stacks of papers, notebooks, books, tea cups, pens, folders, and sometimes even a cat on top of my desk at nearly all times.
1. "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card. [Science Fiction]
I never believed I would be into a Science Fiction Novel. I didn't see it coming when I got to the end. I was so thoroughly engrossed in the storyline. I have bought a physical copy of the book 8 times now, because everyone I've ever lent it to kept it.
2. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. [Classical Literature]
This is my favorite piece of Classic Literature. I honestly love the relationship between Scout and Dill. I love the mystery of the neighbors next door. And I love the delicacy with which such a gruesome crime is dealt.
3. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. [Historical Fiction]
This was a compulsive buy that called out to me in a tiny bookstore and coffee shop. It sat on my bookshelf not getting read for over a year. And then I read it. And read it. And couldn't put it down. It's World War II, and the Grim Reaper Death is tired and overworked. But in the midst of the craziness, he becomes interested in the story of a little orphan girl, who, among other things, enjoys stealing books.
4. "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel. [Historical Fiction]
I love the way this book is broken into chapters. I love the little recipes, the bits of folklore, and the tiny bits of history that get thrown in around the story of the main character and her family.
5. "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn. [Spiritual Fiction]
This book really made me think a lot, and reassess my entire world view. It made me feel hopeful.
Who are your favorite authors?
I love the universe that Terry Goodkind has created for the Sword of Truth novels. His world is extremely vast, and the lessons you learn from his characters are extremely relevant to everyday life.
I admire Christopher Paolini for being published at such a young age, and with such a great story. I think his work is something to look up to.
I can't tell you how many times I've read the Harry Potter series from J.K. Rowling. Every time I read it, I find something new, some clue or seed that was planted way earlier than I had previously realized. It was all there, all along. She built and orchestrated an extensive world, right under our muggle noses.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
It is my belief that everyone has their own creative outlet. Some people play music, some are artistic. Nobody is the same. In this way, writing satisfies my creative outlet.
What are you working on next?
"Utopian Melody"
Christine is a young woman whose life is turned upside-down by tragedy. Though her destiny seems bleak, she chooses to become a Mercenary for Heaven and work to keep the balance of power between Heaven and Hell back on Earth. But when the Fallen One, Lucifer, crosses her path, Christine finds temptation is a very powerful force, and must choose for herself whether to stay her hand and play the cards dealt, or to change her destiny and forge a new one on her own.
Part One in the Oblivion Duet!
"The Dark Knight"
Rachi has just realized her purpose and has started to make a name for herself. But when a master of the Dark Arts comes calling, Rachi finds herself falling into his sway. Will she succumb to the darkness in her soul, or will she use it to wield an even greater power?
The sequel to The Story of Rachi!
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
"Crystallina the Fairy" was an assignment in 2nd Grade that I wrote. It was pretty extensive for a 2nd Grader. I really loved the movie "Fern Gully" at the time, and I based my character and world after that. My mother loved it so much that she kept it. I bet she actually still has it somewhere, after all these years.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I read a lot of books. I probably have 10 books that I'm in the middle of reading at any point in time. I average out at about 50 books a year. This year I'm over 70 books.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Often, if I'm in a library or bookstore, I will see something worth picking up. I don't especially like to borrow or buy books I'm not sure of, so instead of taking it home right away, at least half the time I (try to) just put it back on the shelf and add it to a list on my phone. If I can find it in ebook format, then I typically prefer it that way. In this manner, I can take tons of books with me, and simultaneously read them all at my leisure.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I love my 1st generation Sony Pocket ereader. It's teeny. It fits in my purse. I can read ebooks in any format I can get them in. And the battery life is fantastic!
What do you read for pleasure?
Almost exclusively fiction. I like to read Fantasy, Paranormal, and Young Adult genres, with a small amount of Paranormal Romance or Scientific research mixed in.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I am the first child in my family, and my parents were really good to me. They read to me all the time, and I read several books of my own when I was a child. I loved Eric Carle, Mercer Mayer, Dr. Seuss. I read the Babysitters Club series for a while. But what truly sparked my passion for reading was picking up "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madelene L'engle in 4th Grade. I loved that book, and I still sometimes think about the 4th Dimension, Time, or draw the Tesseract in my doodles.
Describe your desk
Chaos. Or rather, entropy.
There are constant stacks of papers, notebooks, books, tea cups, pens, folders, and sometimes even a cat on top of my desk at nearly all times.
