From The Jazz Side (NaNoWriMo 2012)

So, it's here again. Tomorrow starts the most panic ridden and crazy month of the year, and it's all due to the  challenge we put upon ourselves. That's right! Tomorrow starts NaNoWriMo. (see the end of this post to get a glimps of my cover for this year ;-) )

Some of you are giving advice for dealing with NaNo from a planner's point of view, and that's great! But for those of us who are more on the Jazz side, instead of Classical, (see little to no planning) I thought I would give a little advice of my own. (I know it's the day before, but people do still jump in within the first few days of the event.)

If you're like me, and cannot make and stick to an outline for the life of you, that's fine. I find doing so lets creativity and inspiration flow much better than with such boundaries. Not that creativity and inspiration can't flow with an outline, but for some people, like myself, it tends to be too restricting....we end up focusing on sticking to it more than letting creativity thrive. However, I do recommend some planning. I don't know that even I could write completely by the seat of my pants- no plot, no thought out characters, no scenes already planned out in my head and possibly noted down somewhere.

So, as I said, I do recommend a little bit of forethought, and have a page (written or on your computer) where you keep all this info. Write down your character's bios, facts about your story's setting, and even descriptions and/or bits of scenes that you want to add into your story later.

I know this is general advice, but- pace yourself. Pace yourself, but also strive to reach more than the average. I recommend a daily goal of 2,000 words a day. It's a pretty reasonable amount to strive for on a daily bases, it's not too much more than the 1,667 words of the 50k split evenly, and it gives you a bit of a cushion... you know, just in case you have to miss a day or you have a day of massive writer's block. ;-)

Don't be too hard on yourself. Don't focus on just the quantity, but try to get the quality in there, too. At the same time, don't be scared to write a bunch of drabble if you're not getting the right inspiration for the quality at the moment. Drabble can always be edited later- and it boosts the word count. ;-)

Take time to chill out and relax. If you get too stress, it can drastically stifle the creative flow. Set aside time each day or every few days, depending on  your life's schedule, to do something you enjoy. Read a book, paint a picture, play a computer game- whatever it takes. A couple hours of that can spur days of creativity.

That's all the advice I can think of for the moment...a lot of that goes for both the jazz writers and the classical, and is pretty typical advice, but you probably can't hear some of that too often.

As for me, this year I have a little more structure than normal. Considering my story is based off of the Josh Groban song So She Dances, I have the lyrics for a rough outline- not that I won't be switching around a few of the lines...for storyline sake. I'm hoping this story will cooperate more like Hwinny's Story did, giving me both quality as well as quantity; not  like Naji's Story which put up a fight over both. :-P

If you would like to see a little more info about this story, I have a few posts hanging around here giving some hints. ;-)
You can also check out my NaNo page, and feel free to buddy me, if you'd like. ;-)

And here is the grand blog unveiling of the NaNo version of the So She Dances cover art. :-)

Hwinny's Eleven

So, Hwinny was tagged by Kendra's character Marryanne for the Elevensies tag going around.
This is a little strange for me, as I don't usually let my characters speak for themselves (they prefer to be represented, you know), but I suppose there is a first time for everything.
Hwinny has requested to dispense with the eleven facts, and stick only to the questions. In order to get her to even do this (especially since I woke her up from a long nap), I agreed to the request.

Can we just get this over with?

In a moment. We have to get through certain formalities, first.

Hang formalities!

And what would Lady Nory say to that?

Considering everything, I don't think she would be happy- but this is one of those times where I really don't care...and I know Naji would be cringing if she heard me say that.

All right. Fine. Here are the questions. Are you ready?

No, but here goes:

1. How many knives do you usually have concealed on your person? I'm not going to ask where you conceal them, but if you want to answer that, you may.
I don't usually keep a knife on me, unless absolutely necessary, but, when I do, it's only one. After all, one is all you need if you know how to use it right.

2. How many times have you run away from home? Do you ask your parents permission before you do so?
Well....what do you count as running away? I suppose I did run away from my guardians home and college, but I don't know if that counts. Besides, that was actually running to home, not away from home.

3. What is your rank and station in life?
In the mortal world I am a college student and a youth ministry assistant. In Faerie, I am a princess.

4. Do your cousins like you?
Oh, yes! They like me very much. 

5. How many siblings do you have and do they like you?
I always thought I was an only child, but it turns out I have a twin sister. She's the only sibling I have, though, and I think she likes me...she doesn't always approve of my adventures, but she ends up joining in with me and I think we've started becoming the sisters we were born to be.

6. How many pets do you have? What are they and what are their names?
I don't have any personal pets, unfortunately. I should remedy that.

7. Can you dance? Sing? Fight?
Well, I've had to learn more dancing than I was already able to do, once I got to Faerie. I don't know that I can say I'm entirely proficient, but I think I do fairly well. Yes, I can sing, though not enough to go professional. Fighting is a whole other matter... I had to learn, and I can defend myself, but I don't think I could lead a battle or anything- I'll  leave that one to Caleb.

8. How many adventures have you gone on?
Oh, goodness! I suppose it was all one big adventure, but there were a few smaller adventure type segments in there.

9. You enjoyed them? Right?
As much as anyone who's grown up in a somewhat mundane human life and suddenly thrown into all that can, I suppose.

10. Can you hop on one foot?
Maybe?

11. How many languages do you speak?
English, of course, and I did take a couple years of French and Spanish in high school, but I don't think I retained much of anything. Besides, those languages are no use to me here in Faerie, unless a courtier wishes to practice their knowledge of the mortal languages...which freaks me out, because I don't remember them very well- except, English, of course. I'll have to refresh myself on those eventually. Right now, though, I'm steeped in trying to learn Faerie. Not easy, but not as hard as I thought it would be.


Is that it?

Yep, those are all the questions.

Okay.....good....I'm out of here! I'm going back to sleep!

Hwinny! Pardon her, please. I don't think she's in a very good mood right now. :-P
And since Hwinny didn't leave any word of whom to tag, I'll just leave it as is. Sorry. :-(
But if you want to consider yourself (or one of your own characters) tagged, feel free, and here are some questions. You can answer them via post (please let me know if you do) or via comment. :-)

1. Paper or plastic?
2. Red and gold or blue and silver?
3. Potted plants or cut flowers?
4. Favorite lesser known (or completely obscure) fairy tale?
5. Cake or pie?
6. Do you wish the Grand Duchess Anastasia had actually survived?
7. Roses or daisies?
8. What is your favorite part(s) about Fall?
9. What is your favorite Christmas tradition(s)?
10. Do you still own VHS tapes?
11. What is the best food accompaniment to tea, other than scones?

Let Me Show You Around

This  is all explained again in the following videos, but I decided to spin off of Miss Laurie's bookcase tour and make a video tour of my own. Only I did my movies, as my books are fairly scattered at the moment. (I really need to fix that :-P )

I will warn you, this turned out to be quite long, so I split the tour into different segments. Each segment is labeled with what sort of movies (the highlights) are covered in that video.

Part 1- Intro, Narnia, Lord of the Rings

Part 2- Fairy tale movies, Hallmark collection, American Girl and Mandie movies

Part 3- Jane Austen, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Anne of Green Gables/Road to Avonlea

Part 4- Doctor Who, Merlin

Part 5- Literary, Braodway Musicals, Movie/MGM Style Musicals

Part 6- Miscellaneous/Classics/Animated....anything that didn't fit into another category, Conclusion

If you made it through all that, good on ya! I know I talked too much. :-P
Any questions or anything to add, just leave a comment! Or anything you want to comment on, leave a comment as well! :-)

As I said in the conclusion, I do want to do my books, eventually...I don't know when it will be, though.
Also, I hope to do a period costume tour via my paper doll collection. I've got some pretty good ones. ;-)

As for now, NaNoWriMo approaches, and our focus goes to that!

Autumn Princess- A Poem

As we are in this Fall season, I keep thinking about this poem. I wrote it back when I was in high school (making it over ten years old!), and it was dedicated to my cousin Rachael.
I hope you all like it. :-)
(And I've decided to share this poem in Katie's October Snippets.)

Autumn Princess

by Rebekah Porter

Princess of the Autumn,

To make her crown,

Around her head

Flaming leaves surround.

Waiting in the woods,

Down the paths she walks,

But when people see her,

Some know not

To Whom she talks.

She thanks Him for everthing,

From the brown of her hair

To the gold of her dress.

She knows that she must sing,

For each thing in her life

He did bless.

May she be a witness,

Her light ever strong,

That people see God's love

In this princess.

That it last

Her whole life long.

Artsy Award

The lovely Kendra E. Ardnek has awarded me the Artsy Award. :-)
I feel special! :-)

Rules
1. Normally this is where it says "thank the person who gave you the award and leave a link to their blog etc. etc." Well, you can do that if you want. I mean, if you like the award and you're glad you got it and you can do that. Or you can just copy this and have people listen to me rambling. :)

2. Answer the five questions set out for you and make the next five questions for the people that you nominate. 

3. OK, so usually there's a "NO TAGBACKS" rule. I'm here to say that in #3 of this award you can tag or not tag or whatever you want to do. Agreed? Agreed. ;)


The questions I have been asked:


1.) What is your opinion of Grape flavored Candy?
I suppose it depends on what it is. I've never been a big fan. Sometimes it tastes a little too close to Dimetap. :-P

2.) What is your second favorite color?
Well, I have so many favorite colors it is hard to say what my second favorite would be...I really couldn't say.

3.) Which is more important? A good plot or good characters?
Neither is more or less important than the other. They both enhance each other, really. One could have a good plot, but if you have bad characters, it really ruins the story. At the same time, if you have a bunch of good characters, but a rubbish plot, a person may get through the story, but I doubt they'll pick it up again. They are both equally important.

4.) You just found out that your neighbors are from Mars and that they have a device that removes your plot ideas out of your head and they're publishing them. What are you going to do about it? (If you don't write ... then how about the artwork you're planning to do?)
I shall find The Doctor.

5.) Do you enjoy being random.
I can have my random moments, I suppose, and enjoy randomness on occasion, but I'm really not a random person.


My questions for others:
1. Apple cider: Hot or Cold?
2. Mr. Darcy or John Thornton?
3. Favorite flavor of ice cream?
4. Are you participating in NaNoWriMo?
5. What is your dream job/life?


I think all of my friends deserve this award!
So, I am not going to tag anybody specific.
However, if you would like to do a post, feel free, as you are all awarded!
Or you can just answer the questions in my comments....and there are some of you I would love to see answer these. ;-)

Spiritual Themes of The Silver Chair

I'm really surprised I never posted this here yet. I should have ages ago.
Some time ago, a younger member of The Lion's Call (for those who don't know what that is, it is a Narnia fan site, more book based, and I am a staff member there) put out the question of what is the Christian spiritual theme of The Silver Chair (book 4 or 6 of The Chronicles of  Narnia). As SC is my favorite of the CoN, and I had in recent years started looking into the themes, myself, I posted the following list in answer. I thought some of you might like to read this, and I would love you hear any comments or any other themes you all may like to add! And, maybe encourage you to find the various themes of the other books as well? ;-)

Christian Themes of The Silver Chair

When you think about it, it's about redemption and the Christian life in general:

• How the children were calling to Aslan because he was calling to them (we reach out to Christ because He reaches out to us) 
• The scene at the river being Aslan offers relief to our thirst (Jesus offers us Living Water, also see the story of the woman at the well) 
• That there is no other stream (Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, there is no other way to the Father) 
• To lay down selfish pride to live a life of righteousness (Jill apologizing to Aslan for showing off) 
• To live in the Word (learning and memorizing the signs) 
• To follow that which God has called us to do (the quest to find Rilian) 
• To not fall into temptation 
• To be aware that Satan will try to deceive us (the LotGK) 
• That grace is offered to us when we fall, and that, as long as we get back up from our fall, we can still accomplish God's plan for our life 
• To live as like a Christian no matter what the world says (Puddleglum's speech) 
• That when we walk in the Word out of God's super-abounding grace there is freedom from bondage for us and those we minister to, and that we have power to break any attack of the enemy (breaking Rilian's bonds, destroying the chair, snapping out of the LotGK's spells) 
• That Christ's blood has defeated death to bring us life eternal in Heaven (Aslan's thorn pierced paw, spilling the blood into the river to bring Caspian to life in Aslan's Country).

Anywho...those are most of the one's I've found...there could still be more.

September Adventures

I know September is not over yet, nor is everything that is to be done this month done, but I thought I should post a bit of a catch-up.

I shall start this month's events on the 4th. Oh that interesting event. I, on that day, got my very first ever bee sting! One day short of a perfect 29 years sting free! And of all things, the yellow jacket got inside my shirt...while I was lying on our couch. How does that happen? How does a yellow jacket get, not only in the house, but into my shirt?! Needless to say, I hope that never happens again. :-P

Wednesday the 5th was my birthday. Yes, I am now (and have been for a couple weeks) officially 29. One year away from 30. That really is a scary thought. I could barely imagine myself in my twenties, and now I am close to thirty! But on to the day itself. I did work, as I had decided not to request off this year, and it was a good thing, as they had given me Labor Day off- which is extremely unusual. However, it pretty much turned into a day off anyway, as I was only at work for an hour before they realized how slow it was and told me I could go. So, I went to Starbucks and got my free birthday drink (a pumpkin spice blended creme frapp), visited my Moshu at the place he is at for post surgery rehab (but he was alseep the whole time), and went home. My parents gave me a Whitman's Reserve sampler (2 chocolates- delicious!) and $25! And I got $25 from my mom's parents- normally they only give $10, but this higher amount was under stipulation that I use it to get my driving permit renewed....again. I also got many birthday greetings from lots of my friends (thanks to all!) and I actually got some greetings from some of my family members who usually don't remember! (lovely!)
What was really the most interesting part of the day was this: When I got home I got on my computer to check the price of North&South on DVD, as that is what I had been wanting to get with my birthday money. Since I had gotten less than I was hoping for because of the express wishes of my grandparents toward their gift, I had to see if I could still afford it. Lo and behold! Barnes&Noble had just started a sale that day! 50% off! I could afford N&S! Plus a couple more books of historical paper dolls (American Family series by Tom Tierney- Federal Era also called the early republic (American fashion contemporary of Engand's Regency and Europe's Empire) and Civil War (representing the North- I already have family of the Confederacy)  to add to my collection. So, I made my dad take me back out to the bank so I could deposit my birthday money right away, in case the sale was only a 24 hour one (which it was not, but better safe than sorry). I definitely call that the grace of God! :-D I think the person at the bank saw on my ID that it was my birthday. He didn't say anything specifically, but he gave me a couple suckers. :-) All in all, it was a good day. :-)

Thursday was an extremely slow day at work again. Friday (7th) my sister was supposed to come over right after dropping her older two kids off at school, and help me clean up my room as much as possible before she had to go to work. I even got up early, expecting  her around 8:30. She was late! Doesn't that figure? But, even with the lost hour or so, we got quite a bit done. We went through all of my clothes and came out with two whole large trash bags full of clothes that don't fit me anymore to be put into a garage sale. We also came out of the room with one and a half large trash bags full of various items that could not be considered for anything anymore but trash. (You may now, rightly, guess that I do not thoroughly clean my room very often.) We got all, except a very few, of my books put up into my bookshelves, and it is quite full! I shall have to take a picture of them, for you could not put another book in if you wanted to. I'm afraid there is still quite a bit to do. This is all spurred on by the fact that we have to move out of our house (20 years in here, now) and into an apartment by next summer, due to bankruptcy. But we won't get into that.
That afternoon I visited one of my friends from The Lion's Call, who is going to college in my city. We had quite a nice chat, and she had brought me some soap and a lip balm and a small lotion from her family's business! They are wonderful! I highly recommend them. The rest of the evening was spent babysitting all three of my sister's kids. No easy feat, I assure you.

Saturday I got to meet, for the first time in real life, another one of my friends from TLC! (Lil' Princess, or more commonly and affectionately known as Lil', Lilly, or Diamond Lil') We got to hang out at the mall for a couple hours (while my parents were busy working on cleaning out our attic), and we had fun! Of course, Barnes&Noble was our first stop. Book lovers must put priorities first. We looked at lots of books, and Lil came out with a new C.S. Lewis book- and, lovely generous Lil, bought me North&South in paperback! (okay, so I finished reading it for the first time [via my Nook] over Labor Day weekend, and it's one of those ones that doesn't leave you alone after you finish....I still haven't been able to fully move on to a new book) We went on to look in at many shops, including tasting the tea samples at Teavana and smelling all the candles we could at Yankee. :-) It was a wonderful day spent with a new old friend. :-)

Sunday (9th) was my Bunica's birthday, and the whole family got together at one of my aunt's house for dinner and family photos.
The rest of the week was filled with work, which has picked up a little, but not much, and finally watching a bunch of DVDs I had purchased since Christmas but hadn't watched all the way through. I still have to watch N&S.

Now, I'm trying to avoid catching my mom's cold, and Artprize opened today. We're not going to Artprize until Monday or Tuesday next week, but I can't wait! It's really fun seeing all the creative works of art. I especially want to see a holographic art picture of a dragon I heard is on display. It's a great way for me to exercise my own artistic skills in my photography. ;-) I love taking pictures of both the art and the venues.
And this Saturday is the first day of Fall! I love it! I can't wait!
I can't help but agree to what many of our lovely friends have said about Fall being the most productive season for writing. I've recently been getting  ideas for So She Dances again, and can't wait for NaNoWriMo! One idea has to do with The Christmas Waltz. (If you don't know the song, here you go.)

So, that's all for now! More shall arise as we get closer to NaNo, I assure you. ;-)

P.S.
Somebody remind me to got to the Secretary of State's office on Friday to get my permit renewed, please!