Heather Rigney's Blog, page 5

Book Review - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the first half of this book. The plot was intriguing and the flow of the story lead me along, building my curiosity. The ideas were fresh and new to this reader, and I found myself enjoying the experience. Overall, the writing was clever, humorous, and, at times, both lovely and poetic. These aspects of the book were very enjoyable and perhaps this would change my mind about reading a second book.

However, somewhere in the middle of the book I discovered that I was not connecting with any of the characters with the exception of the grandfather. I found myself, much like his former headmistress and lost love, pining for Abe long after he had left.

The use of  vintage, photographic images was, at first, fun and interesting. But after a time, I found the photo references to be forced. It was akin to jamming a square peg into a round hole. Having a peg does not justify filling holes for the sake of filling holes. This forced use of photos made me aware of the writer, something I prefer not to be aware of when I read fantasy.

The main character, (I finished the book yesterday and find myself stretching to remember his name...not a good sign. Ah, Jacob!) I felt that Jacob was mostly unlikable and not all that deep of a human being. His final decision left me questioning his moral character. I also took issue with his lack of questions upon his initial meeting with the islander friends of his grandfather's youth.

The main female lead, Emma (?) was at first, coarse and aggressive which segued into flirtatious and sexually aggressive. I did not find myself enjoying nor relating to either set of qualities and, given her age (both outward and inward), I found these qualities to be even more confusing.

The book ends abruptly with many loose ends, leading the reader into a second, and possibly third, book. This reader isn't all that interested in continuing on the new journey. Especially not a journey that sets out to find a lost character that only arrives towards the end of this first book. Sadly, I just don't care enough to find out what happens to the lost character or anyone else.


View all my reviews

Scrivener is my new obsession

I have discovered the Scrivener App.
SQUEEEEEE!
If you are reading this and your discovery has already happened, then you know this elation and are probably over it. I encourage you to go look at another post of mine (maybe this one?) 
If you, dear writer, have never heard of Scrivener and you are writing a novel, screenplay, short story, graphic novel, something creative with words in it, or even (gasp!) a non-fiction piece…this program is amazing. 
It allows you to think in a non-linear fashion. It allows you to organize everything! It allows you to set session writing goals (as in--I plan on writing 3,000 words this morning.) It allows you to include websites, photos, character dossiers, setting worksheets, as well as keywords (such as-- characters, time of day, time of year, setting, etc.) And…
Did I mention the cork board with the index cards?!
I’m not going to lie—the tutorial was exhausting and I’m not really sure just how much I absorbed (I took several Instagram/Twitter/Coffee breaks.)
BUT it has the promise to revolutionize the way I write.
Prior to Scrivener, I used MSWord and my files looked like:


Yeah, a big mess. I had a document for every chapter. Very confusing and hard to look at the final word count. I did a lot of cutting and pasting towards the end...it was a newbie nightmare.
I give you this as well:


That corkboard is heavy, dear reader. HEAVY. We live in a small space. I no longer have room for that cork board. 
I no longer need it!
Here’s a screenshot from Scrivener:

Do you see how neat those cards are compared to my scrap-paper autopsy above? Do you notice the keywords in the lower right so that I might, at a glance, check a scene and know: who's in it, where it takes place, and the time of year?

I'm gushing, I know.

If you are craving a place to put all your notes and such together AND color code them AND have the ability to write your synopsis without having to go back and take notes (why? Look at the cork board!) AND have the ability to scoot things around at will AND create character sketches then you have come to the right app.

It's only $40 after a 30 day trial.

I sound like an ad, but really I just like sharing cool stuff.
Consider yourself gushed upon by…

Your Favorite Mermaid

BTW - The Beastie Boy reference in the tutorial was not lost on this mermaid
who's always
cold kickin' it live.

Mermaid Coloring Page - please print, color, enjoy!

I loved to color in coloring books when I was young.
I still do.
I'm still young.
No, really.
I am.

Anyway, this past summer, I was quite inspired (and impressed!) by Nina Chakrabati's coloring book, MY WONDERFUL WORLD OF FASHION

It's amazing! Where else can you design your own fingernails, gloves, and shoes while learning the history of fashion across different cultures and eras?

I was camping and I saw a few of the cool, older girls in our group busting out this book and some fancy coloring implements.
I was soooo jealous! 
They sat for hours coloring, side by side, remarking on each other's progress. *sigh* It was warm then, too, NOT the balmy 26 degrees it is now... Insert sad face.

Well, I made my own fancy coloring sheets, and I plan on releasing them over the next few weeks (maybe even longer if I get some good feedback!)

Please go to the link of the first ever, mermaid coloring page! It's all about lipstick... Then print, download, color, enjoy, then SHARE! Let me know how you did! Instagram me! Email me (my address is on the sidebar!) Tweet me! Comment below! Just send me some mer-color-love!

xoxox
Your Favorite Mermaid

My Dysfunctional Relationship with George R. R. Martin

I’m having a dysfunctional relationship with George R. R. Martin.
That’s right. He’s so possessive, so demanding, so needy that I have no life outside the one I have with him—and oh, how I love spending time with him. I love his world, his words, his magic. I can’t get enough! But the world outside is moving on and I am still his, and his alone.
It’s not healthy.
It has to stop. I need to put an end to it. But I just can’t. I can’t.
GAME OF THRONES has had me in its clutches for ten months now. I have read little else since I entered this relationship. Instead, I spend countless hours lounging on the couch as my mind adventures through the world above and below The Wall. The Lannisters, the Starks, the Targaryns have become my friends, my family. I spy on them from afar--watching their triumphs, feeling the crush of their defeats, agonizing over their losses as if they were my own. Winter is Coming is the motto of House Stark. Let me tell you something, Winter is already here. I never leave MY house! I will read for hours and the little percentage gauge on my Kindle moves a measly two percent! Oh, the endlessness of it all!
It’s not healthy.
In the meantime, I have had other suitors. They have come to my door holding flowers of their tales. Their modest gaze cast downward, their feet tracing circles in the sand as I longingly brush my fingers along their beautifully designed covers. I wonder longingly about the adventures I am missing-- possible tales that will thrill me and take me away from my beloved dragons and direwolves, swords and crossbows, knights and ladies.
Here are a few of the suitors I have missed out on:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern


The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis


Unwind by Neal Shusterman


The Twelve by Justin Cronin


The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

I know, I know. You are probably shaking your head at me. Sucking your teeth and tisking at my folly, “Girl, you are missing out on some good books! What is wrong with you? End that damn relationship with Martin. End it now!”
I know. It’s not healthy.
I’m on book five,  A DANCE WITH DRAGONS and I hope to god George takes his sweet time with book six (its expected to be released in 2015--thank the gods.) However, once he sends the call out regarding its release, like a war horn warning the Night’s Watch, I will come running. Like some wanton trollop, some filthy camp follower, I will leave behind whatever it is I am reading and run, arms outstretched, Kindle at the ready, to be reunited with my dysfunctional love...

My Dysfunctional Relationship with George R. Martin

I’m having a dysfunctional relationship with George R. Martin.
That’s right. He’s so possessive, so demanding, so needy that I have no life outside the one I have with him—and oh, how I love spending time with him. I love his world, his words, his magic. I can’t get enough! But the world outside is moving on and I am still his, and his alone.
It’s not healthy.
It has to stop. I need to put an end to it. But I just can’t. I can’t.
GAME OF THRONES has had me in its clutches for ten months now. I have read little else since I entered this relationship. Instead, I spend countless hours lounging on the couch as my mind adventures through the world above and below The Wall. The Lannisters, the Starks, the Targaryns have become my friends, my family. I spy on them from afar--watching their triumphs, feeling the crush of their defeats, agonizing over their losses as if they were my own. Winter is Coming is the motto of House Stark. Let me tell you something, Winter is already here. I never leave MY house! I will read for hours and the little percentage gauge on my Kindle moves a measly two percent! Oh, the endlessness of it all!
It’s not healthy.
In the meantime, I have had other suitors. They have come to my door holding flowers of their tales. Their modest gaze cast downward, their feet tracing circles in the sand as I longingly brush my fingers along their beautifully designed covers. I wonder longingly about the adventures I am missing-- possible tales that will thrill me and take me away from my beloved dragons and direwolves, swords and crossbows, knights and ladies.
Here are a few of the suitors I have missed out on:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern


The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis


Unwind by Neal Shusterman


The Twelve by Justin Cronin


The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

I know, I know. You are probably shaking your head at me. Sucking your teeth and tisking at my folly, “Girl, you are missing out on some good books! What is wrong with you? End that damn relationship with Martin. End it now!”
I know. It’s not healthy.
I’m on book five,  A DANCE WITH DRAGONS and I hope to god George takes his sweet time with book six (its expected to be released in 2015--thank the gods.) However, once he sends the call out regarding its release, like a war horn warning the Night’s Watch, I will come running. Like some wanton trollop, some filthy camp follower, I will leave behind whatever it is I am reading and run, arms outstretched, Kindle at the ready, to be reunited with my dysfunctional love...

DIY eBook Case Tutorial- Make a home for your Kindle, Nook, or iPad

If you own a kindle that predates the new Kindle Paperwhite, then you know how difficult it is to read at night. If you own any eBook device, you know that the cases (the nicer ones) can be ridiculously expensive and not accommodating for a book light.
I have a solution for you...









In my new, video tutorial I can guide you through the creation of your own eBook holder. It doesn't cost much and I have received many compliments on my FAMILY OF MAN version (which is looking quite beat up! I do not recommend using a black page for where your thumb will rest on the device's page turner. As you can see from mine, it wears away from use!)

Wasn't Steinbeck dreamy?!

Too lazy to make your own but love the idea?Keep your hands clean, save time, and support another artist: go here or here on etsy to purchase a pre-made one.
On to the video!



DIY eBook Case Tutorial- Make a home for your Kindle, Nook, or iPad from Heather Rigney on Vimeo.

Writing Prompt: The Strange Life of Objects

What has this chandelier witnessed? Is it so juicy you would just die to read it?

Create a voice for an inanimate object. What would you choose? Would you choose something intimate, like, perhaps a box of condoms?
While driving the other day, I heard writer, Simon Rich discussing his new book, THE LAST GIRLFRIEND ON EARTH: AND OTHER LOVE STORIES. I was laughing out loud at his excerpts and was delighted to find a sampleon NPR’s website. (Go on. Click the link back there. Read the excerpt and get back to me…)

Rich, for those not in the know, is the second youngest writer for Saturday Night Live. His newest book explores the awkwardness of relationships through a series of short stories. The book is divided into three sections: Boy Meets Girl, Boy Gets Girl, and Boy Loses Girl. Although I have not read the entire book yet, I am delighted at the unique approach Rich takes in tackling his subject matter.
So, based on the genius of Simon Rich…what object would you choose, dear writer? And what would you write? An inspirational poem from the point of view of a tissue? Perhaps, a love story based on one of the objects in the bottom of the produce drawer in your refrigerator? What about a sci-fi short from the perspective of your favorite accessory?
These shoes have seen things...strange things.
Let me know how it turns out, dear writer…
Your Favorite Mermaid

FREE Original Star Wars Lyrics- Nerd Girl not included

Everyone has their thing--the thing they like, perhaps the thing that may or may not have traveled with them since childhood.

Mine is Star Wars. 

It's always been there. I've even posted about my unfulfilled Star Wars dreams of youth in this post. Being of the write sort, I also occasionally like to write songs. Some are incredibly stupid (my favorites), some were based on dares from my husband, and some just happen. My darling husband even recorded one.

And then there are the Star Wars Songs (SWS).

My dream was to have a band called, "Ani & the Kins." I am now releasing this band name to the world, along with my SWS, in hopes that some other, more musically-talented nerds will take the torch (light saber) and go forth to make others smile. You have my blessing. I only ask that you give me credit in a font preferably over 10 pts and that you let me know that you used it.

Here's the first one, world:

OWEN'S LAMENT
Original Lyrics by Heather Rigney

I know you're a dreamer
I'll buy you a racer
The sand isn't any beiger
over there

(Chorus)
Don't leave
Don't leave Tattoine
My Golden Boy


Oh, my brother's child
The universe is wild
There's so much I can't say
Won't you just stay?

(chorus)

We'll fix the irrigation
We've all got our frustrations
But it's a farmer's life
That we had planned

Won't you stay
There's nothing out there anyway
Please don't fly
There's three sun's in our sky
One for me
One for you
and one…for Aunt Beru

(chorus)

Writing Prompt - Inspirations from the Dead

Jewel Street Cemetery, Mansfield, MA

Have you ever wandered through a really old graveyard and looked, I mean really looked, at the names, the dates, and/or the little extra something family members may have added?

There's a richness in that information. I challenge you, dear writer, to enter a graveyard (preferably an older one--they have the best off-beat stuff) and read some of the headstones. Do some math and figure out the ages. Check out the relationships of those buried nearby one another. Take note of some of the quotes chosen by the burying family included on the stones.

There's a story in there, maybe a poem, a haiku, a limerick, and/or a song.

Here's one that haunted me (pun intended.)

Jewel Street Cemetery, Mansfield, MAThe small writing on the bottom reads: Like shocks of corn that's fully ripe, He to the grave is borne. Of earthly things, a perfect type. Then let us cease to mourn.

No one talks like that anymore! This is some serious, heavy 1800 wording! Very inspirational.

Through our wanderings we also found a gravestone (in the same cemetery as featured above) of a girl who's age turned out to be eleven. Okay, nothing amiss there, UNTIL... you read that she was the wife of so and so and the grave next to her was that of an infant who died the same day. The husband went on to live a long time AND there was another wife in the same vicinity. Is this not a Decemberist song or what?

There is another cemetery near our home that is filled with sea captains and their families. How interesting is that? The names are usually fantastic as well.

I give you this gem, Fanny wife of Rufus King, born October 14, 1780, died March 4, 1867. When all the dust return to earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it…


Jewel Street Cemetery, Mansfield, MA
Let me know how it goes. I'm always interested in reading a dark and lovely tale of the dead...

Your Favorite Mermaid

You can not shrink my love for: Shrinky Dinks, HOMESTYLE, & Providence Restaurant Deals

Last night, after a tear-filled evening (more on that), we worked on Shrinky Dinks. I bought them at my new favorite home store in downtown Providence, HOMESTYLE. This store is a few doors down from the ultra-hip CRAFTLAND that was not open on a Tuesday night a week before the holidays. I’m so glad it wasn’t. A few dear friends and I met for shopping and then dinner in the city. We were outraged that CRAFTLAND had closed at six. That’s alright, CRAFTLAND, I still love you and all your gorgeous, homemade baubles and oddities. You still have a prominent place in my heart. BUT, you opened the door in my heart to HOMESTYLE. This lovely gift store was open and was filled with wonderful curiosities like mustache baby pacifiers, glitter wands, funky jewelry, and letterpress cards and, most importantly-- Shrinky Dinks.

Liv and I had gone back to CRAFTLAND on a Mommy & Me outing into the city. I just had to pop back into HOMESTYLE and I’m so glad I did. Not only did the sweet proprietor allow us to use the bathroom (a blessing for the mother of a pre-schooler) she complimented me on my well-behaved cherub. It’s true. My girl is a dream to shop with. She loves shopping—another blessing in my life. In addition to my Shrinky Dink purchase I made another fab purchase: The Providence Restaurant Deck. This amazing deck of cards cost me $20. It contains 50+ cards to various restaurants around the city of Providence for a total of $10 off a meal of $30. Included are a few of our favorite places such as: India, Abyssinia, Tortilla Flats, and Cuban Revolution. If you use it twice, it pays for itself. It’s also good to note that a dollar of your purchase will go to the RI Food Bank. I would happily have given more of my cash to that cause, but that’s a thought for another day. You could slip a card into a friend’s card. Just thought this cool offer was worth mentioning!

Back to the Shrinky Dinks. 
Miss Thing had been off all evening, and making Shrinky Dinks with her mom and dad hung above her head like the Sword of Damocles. Poor thing. She finally got it together and a good times commenced. The man and I reminisced about making these little, plastic goodies as kids. We talked about how amazing it was to come upon some tracing paper and how magical it was to trace anything. Anyone else feel this way? I remember the magic of tracing something and taking ownership (in a small way) for something I had created—sort of. I also remember waiting, patiently, in front of the stove, my face (almost) pressed to the oven door in anticipation of my Shrinky Dink creations. I remember how hot the little buggers were when they emerged from the oven and how, similar to cookies, I could not resist touching the objects of my affection.
We haven’t cooked them yet. That’s tonight. I still have to cut out all the objects, something I am not looking forward to-- I’ll admit it. I’m more into the drawing, the cooking, and the pre-creation Pintrest safari on Shrinky Dinks. Oh yeah, that yielded some fun results. Click here to see what I found. Some peeps be so crafty!
Miss Thing was adamant that she create butterflies to play with. She then went ahead and traced an assortment of objects from a girly sticker book I found.
“The butterflies need to have beach balls! And cupcakes! And gardening tools! And snacks…”

The man traced an assortment of Star Wars characters, including a Boba Fett. He shyly stated it was really meant for me. Isn’t he just adorable? How many men make Boba Fett Shrinky Dinks for their gals? Another one of my life’s blessings.

I made a donut and a cup of coffee that I am hoping will turn into necklace charms.  Of course, like a nitwit,  I was thinking ahead as to how can I use Shrinky Dinks to make my life better!(?) I should have been enjoying the whole process of drawing—which did happen, once I stopped Pinteresting… Sometimes putting the time in to just create instead of looking at what everyone else is doing is the best thing. (Yes, I’m talking to myself just there.)
Have any Shrinky Dink memories you care to share?Your Favorite Mermaid (wants to know!)