Meradeth Houston's Blog, page 13

After Reading: THE ADRIAN MOLE DIARIES by Sue Townsend

Adrian Mole faces the same agonies which life sets before most adolescents: troubles with girls, school, parents, and an uncaring world. The difference, though, between young Master Mole and his peers is that this British lad keeps a diary--an earnest chronicle of longing and disaster that has convulsed more than five million readers since its two-volume initial publication. From teenaged Adrian's obsession with intellectuality after understanding "nearly every word" of a Malcolm Muggeridge broadcast to his anguished adoration of a lovely, mercurial schoolmate, from his view of his parents' constantly creaking relationship to his heartfelt but hilarious attempts at cathartic verse, here is an outrageous triumph of deadpan, and deadly accurate, satire. ABBA, Princess Di's wedding, street punks, Monty Python, the Falklands campaign--all the cultural pageantry of a keenly observed era marches past the unique perspective of Sue Townsend's brilliant comic creation: A. Mole, the unforgettable lad whose self-absorption only gets funnier as his life becomes more desperate. (Goodreads)
Somehow I hadn't heard of this series, but a good friend told me about loving them as a kid and I had to pick up a copy. It is hilarious! Adrian is goofy and incredibly self absorbed--but in a way that comes across as amusing rather than completely annoying. He is dealing with some difficult issues: his parents are in limbo, he finds himself with younger siblings in a rather unexpected way, and he's definitely teased. However, he carries on, in true British fashion, and somehow never loses sight of who he is. The diary format was a great one of this--I don't see how it could have worked really any other way--although it did mean that I often ended up reading well into the night because finding a good breaking point was impossible :) Overall, even though Adrian is a definitely flawed character, he's also a very human one, and one who represents the early 80's well. There are apparently a bunch more novels in the series as Adrian grows up and I hope to check them out!
Have you ever read any of these novels? How about diary format--is it one you enjoy?

#InkRipples: Book Covers & Themes! #amreading #amreadingYA

#InkRipples  is a themed meme hosted by Mary Waibel, Katie L. Carroll, and Kai Strand. We post on the first Monday of every month. If you would like to participate compose your own post regarding the theme of the month, include any of the images displayed on this page, and link back to the three blogs. Feel free to post whenever you want during the month, but be sure to include #inkripples when you promote so readers can find you. The idea is that we toss a word or idea into the inkwell and each post is a new ripple. There is no wrong interpretation.

So, somehow I haven't managed to post yet this year. Oops! How did that happen?? Oh well, blame it on the post-holiday break and need to get some work done that took all my brain power :) I'm back now, and may be trying to post only once a week for a while. As much as I adore blogging, I'm working on economizing my time more this year. 

Anyhow, the fabulous Kai Strand sent me an email a few weeks ago, asking if I'd like to join in on her project with Mary and Katie. I've enjoyed their posts over the last year and definitely wanted to join in! They posted last Monday, but I'm up today because...well, because I forgot. That's the honest answer. This month's topic is book covers, something I totally love. I mean, as authors, it's kind of like someone creating (or for the super talented, creating themselves) a distillation of your novel. A little window into the world inside, with the hope of catching the attention of people who will want to read the book to truly explore what it contains. I've been very lucky to have excellent cover artists, and have to admit that I absolutely *love* to cover to Travelers. (I'm probably not supposed to have favorites, but hey, this one just does it for me!)

One thing that has always amused me is the trends that happen in covers. It seems that suddenly I'll be wandering the bookstore shelves and almost all of the covers have some massively similarity. One that I've seen a whole lot of is the back-to-the-reader female with some kind of pose. Often there is some kind of very fancy dress involved:
Or the variation, kickass female with weapons and often hidden features:
Lately there's also been the slightly disturbing single image, often accompanied by something bloody:
 I've also noticed a few more illustrated covers, often with simple lines that are really wonderful:
These are just a few that have caught my eye of late, but of course there are so many more. It makes me wonder how this era in books will be defined later--the covers of the 70's and 80's and 90's are all so classically obvious. What about ours today will stand out? :)

Ringing in 2017

I've made no bones about looking forward to the end of 2016. It's been a beast of a year. One can only hope that 2017 will be a better year for all of us. I'm doing my best to remain optimistic that it will, if only because I need the hope that it's going to happen :)

That being said, I'm not one to just sit back and not make things happen. I'm a big believer in creating your own destiny. Granted, I understand that sometimes the universe has other ideas, but for the most part I want to work toward what I want. This coming year, these include:

Getting tenure. Gulp. This is a biggie and something I've been working my tail off for and will continue to do so.Getting external funding. Sigh. This is a bit out of my hands, but I've certainly been working hard for it. We'll see if the NSF gods like me this time around, or if I'll need to start sacrificing...something. Being more comfortable in my own ski. Haha. I've got a lot of work on this one, but I do work on it, and have faith that my work will pay off. Hopefully :)Write something awesome. Eep. I've been a bad author lately and feeling too little motivation, and far too little free time (see #1 & #2 above). But that's gotta change. Writing is too important to me.These are some of the big things I hope to accomplish this year. We'll see if one or any of them happen. If not...well, that's cool. I'll survive. But it won't be for lack of effort :)
What are some of the things you're hoping for in 2017? Hehe, just for fun :)

After Reading: MAN TIGER by Eka Kurniawan

A slim, wry story set in an unnamed town near the Indian Ocean, Man Tiger tells the story of two interlinked and tormented families, and of Margio, an ordinary half-city, half-rural youngster who also happens to be half-man, half-supernatural female white tiger (in many parts of Indonesia, magical tigers protect good villages and families). (Goodreads)

The synopsis above does little to explain the depth and power of this novel. Slim though it may be, it's story is captivating and winds through the lives of interrelated members of a family and their struggles. It's a glimpse into their world, how they came to be the way they are, and how their relationships have influenced them. It starts with a murder, and one that is described in quite graphic detail later on, but as the story unfolds it slowly starts to make sense in the larger picture. And it's on the very last line that it all clicks together, in total perfection. I loved reading this book, and witnessing what life was like for the characters. It drew me in and still lingers in my mind, days after having finished. I definitely recommend this one to anyone looking for a fascinating story of human nature and the way we are all intricately intermeshed in one another's lives.

Anyone read any of Kurniawan's work?

And don't forget: PAPERBACKS :)

Paperback Copies Are Now Available! #amreading #amwriting

How about some good news to round out a bit of 2016? :) The paperbacks of THE CHEMISTRY OF FATE and SURRENDER THE SKY are now available! Woot! I'm quite happy about this as the whole Sary Society Series is now out in paper. I haven't had a chance to get my author copies yet, that'll happen soon though, which means I'll have signed copies available to anyone who wants one.

So, where can you find these lovelies?

THE CHEMISTRY OF FATE:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
“They are everywhere, can be anyone, and are always the last person you’d expect.” When Tom stumbles across his grandfather’s journal, he’s convinced the old man was crazier than he thought. The book contains references to beings called the Sary, immortals who are assigned to save humans on the verge of suicide. They certainly aren’t allowed to fall in love with mortals. Which the journal claims Tom’s grandfather did, resulting in his expulsion from the Sary. As strange as the journal seems, Tom can’t get the stories out of his head; especially when he finds the photo of his grandfather’s wings. Tom’s only distraction is Ari, the girl he studies with for their chemistry class. 
Ari has one goal when she arrives in town: see how much Tom knows about the Sary and neutralize the situation. This isn’t a normal job, but protecting the secrecy of the Sary is vital. If Tom is a threat to exposing the Sary to the public, fate has a way of taking care of the situation, usually ending with the mortal’s death. While Ari spends time with Tom, he becomes more than just an assignment, but how far can a relationship go when she can’t tell him who she really is? When she finds out just how much Tom actually knows about the Sary, Ari is forced to choose between her wings, and her heart. THE CHEMISTRY OF FATE is a companion to COLORS LIKE MEMORIES and is set before the latter takes place.
SURRENDER THE SKY: Amazon and Barnes & Noble and BooksAMillion and Powells!
Gabby lives by two unbreakable rules: don’t expose her kind, the Sary, and don’t fall in love—too bad some rules are made to be broken. When Gabby’s most difficult charge accidently shoots her in front of a class full of students, the event exposes her carefully hidden identity. She shifts from looking like a normal teen to her secret Sary form, revealing her wings and the existence of her kind—immortals who try to keep people from committing suicide. Her incident attracts the attention of the next leader of the Sary, Jassen, who offers her an impossible bargain: she can keep her wings if she makes amends with those who know the truth. Things get more complicated when a rebel Sary, intent on exposing them to the world, starts interfering with Gabby’s work. And there’s no denying her attraction to Jassen, who is torn between his duties and his heart. With threats at every turn and her immortality on the line, Gabby has to find a way to save the Sary or surrender the sky forever.

This is definitely a wonderful dream come true. And after last Monday's post (*grin*) something to add to the positive column of this year :)

Author School Visits

So, I have this new experience coming up on Friday. I'm actually incredibly nervous about it. See, I'm supposed to give a school visit to a bunch of younger kids. Think 4th-6th graders. My cousin is a teacher in a nearby city and they asked me to come and speak. Cool, right? I mean, I think it'll be neat. But, really, it's the age range that's got me quaking: I don't deal with younger kids all that much! I am legitimately freaked out that I'll let the f-bomb fly. Or even some other word that I don't consider a swear but will be considered such there.

(I gave a guest lecture in a friend's college class the other day and totally said a few choice words, but I'm dealing with all adults--all college students--and didn't think a thing about tell them that it's possible to get ancient DNA out of sh*t. Elementary kids on the other hand....)

The other thing is, I'm not certain how to engage younger kids. I'm planning on giving a little talk about crafting a story--something that's broadly applicable, both to those who like to write and also anyone who just wants to tell a story to their friends. (We'll see how this goes, as I haven't actually managed to write the presentation...I've too many papers to grade to get that done until later this week.) But what do I do to ensure they're entertained? I am certain I can bore anyone to tears, but get them interested and engaged? How am I supposed to do that?

So, thoughts? Tips, tricks, ace-in-the-hole ideas? I guess if it comes down to it, I can always tell fart jokes ;)

And just remember not to swear!

Eep. Why did I sign up to do this again? :)

Is anyone else ready for 2016 to just be over already?

Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm focusing on the negative. Maybe it's just been a confluence of bad karma and other lousy star alignments, but HOLY CRAP CAN THIS YEAR BE OVER ALREADY? I know that 2017 may not be any better, but somehow I need some kind of punctuation on this year from hades. And I'm really, really hoping that 2017 decides to play nice. Or else :)

Sorry for the language...but yeah, exactly.Though, really, I feel like even posting this is inviting the last couple of weeks of this year to be even more epically difficult. I swear that's not what I'm doing. This is not meant as a challenge, promise. But yeah, it's been a long one, filled with grant rejections, and everything not going according to plan in the lab, and challenges at work, and my book not selling, and lack of writing, and divorce final paperwork, and epic "adventures" in dating, and generally just feeling like a giant steamroller flattened me. I could really use a few days (or weeks, months) on a beach somewhere...

Anyhow, just my ramblings about this year. Please tell me other people have had a wonderful year? That the faint glow of January 1st in the distance isn't as alluring as it is to me?

Paperback Cover Reveal: THE SECRET FILES OF FAIRDAY MORROW by Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\0022times new roman\0022"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-alt:Cambria; mso-font-charset:77; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:auto; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} p {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Times; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Times; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style> --> <div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 14.0pt;">Happy 1st book birthday to THE SECRET FILES OF FAIRDAY MORROW</span></b><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 14.0pt;">! It's been a year since the mystery of the Begonia House was revealed to the world, and now the paperback will be available January 3rd, 2017. The new cover stays true to Fairday's snazzy style, sprinkling in a few added charms. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Can you spot the differences from the hardcover? ;) </b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jshMqCy3Z7..." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jshMqCy3Z7..." width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0KCJdb4-9B..." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0KCJdb4-9B..." width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Catch the book trailer to find out about the mystery...</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-SpugumVEws/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Spugum..." width="320"></iframe></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVI0ONCWy0..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVI0ONCWy0..." width="90" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 14.0pt;">Planning to pick up the paperback?</span></b><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Files-F... style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Pre-order a copy</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: cyan;"> </span>and you could win a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">$50 VISA card </b>to treat yourself after the holidays. Contest is open to all! For more details on how to enter, </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorr... style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">click here<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b></span></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 16.0pt;">For more information about the book, visit the DMS at </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "\22 times new roman\22 "; font-size: 16.0pt;"><a href="http://www.fairdaysfiles.com/"&g... class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6nRLIaURF..." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6nRLIaURF..." width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Writing advice from Stephanie & Jess </span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1vGmwVm3R64/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1vGmwVm..." width="320"></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lE6mRdW3L..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lE6mRdW3L..." width="155" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Stephanie: </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Read as much as you can! Reading helps spark your imagination and allows you to picture stories in your mind. Writing will come much easier if you already have words swirling around in your mind. Growing up, I kept a diary. I wrote in it every day from the time I was in 5th grade until I was about 30. When I want to remember what it was like to be a certain age, I can go back and reread what I was thinking. Sometimes I am a little embarrassed by my thoughts, but they help me go back in time. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style></span></div>--> <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In school, I never liked editing my work, but now I embrace the edits. I know that it's impossible to look at your own writing through fresh eyes and the edits are what makes the writing sparkle. They may be a lot of work, but they are well worth the effort. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUTZzNm2-Y..." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUTZzNm2-Y..." /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOa31-6uyR..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOa31-6uyR..." width="145" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">"You miss 100% of the shots you never take." </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>~ Wayne Gretzky </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mq34hlWqAtQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mq34hlW..." width="320"></iframe></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jess:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> My advice to people who are interested in writing stories is to develop your unique style. Reading what you like will help improve your craft. I am a visual person, and I like to to draw. Stephanie and I will discuss a chapter, and then I’ll come up with an illustration that helps pull the idea together. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tnRekdnmWz..." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tnRekdnmWz..." width="293" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style></span></div>--> <div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My most important piece of advice though, is to enjoy yourself! As a creative being, it’s not about the end goal, but more the process of your work. The successes and failures are all bunched together with each step, so relax and let your imagination soar! Creating worlds and characters is magical, but it takes time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tYshfb7Uu..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tYshfb7Uu..." width="208" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><b>"Whatever you do, make good art." </b></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><b>~ Neil Gaiman</b></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span>

Monday Mishmash

Thanks to the awesome Kelly Hashway for her wonderful weekly meme (that's really helping me out today because I'm completely stuck on what to write about :)

So, everyone, I'm back! Here's things going on in my little corner of the world:

It's started snowing.My car broke down last week, leaving me stranded right before the holiday party I was in charge of for my department. Because, yeah, that's always fun. I am still carless.I edited ~25 student papers in 24 hours. They're ~10 pages each and required detailed line and content edits. I won't scare you all with the amount of caffeine consumed to accomplish this.This week is the last week of classes. Can we get a Hallelujah?I haven't started Christmas shopping, though I finally made my Naughty and Nice list. Amazon Prime will be incredibly useful this year.I haven't written anything new in weeks. Something that WILL change this week. I need to write to stay sane, and the only hope I have of keeping my mind this finals season is with a healthy dose of words. Somehow I will make this work :) So what's going on in your world? How is your holiday season going?

Short Blogging Break

Hi all! So this week is a bit crazy at work (think of a giant stack of research paper drafts to edit and return with a two day turn-around). Sooooo, I'm going to take the week off here. Be back next week with hopefully something fun to talk about!

Hope everyone who celebrating Thanksgiving had a wonderful time, and all is well with you all!