Sunday, June 26, 2011

The Winners!!!

I'm so sorry that I took forever to do this! My schedule just got really busy! XD

So, only four of those that signed up actually did the contest, XD. I didn't think that it would be fair if three of you got something and the fourth person didn't, so, I included the fourth person in my drawing that I did through Text Mechanic. Here is the winner order:

1. Tessa @ Tessa's Blurb
3. Charlie @ Life Happens

Now, since I didn't originally have a choice for fourth place, I came up with the idea that Dawn could have a choice of the following two options:

-A review of the first chapter in one of your WiPs.

-OR-

- 1-2 character sketches of characters in your WiP.

Dawn, please let me know, when you can, which of those two options you would like. =D

Congratulations to all! =D

-Tara!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Entry for the Blogfest! =D

Alright, so, here goes my awesome post for today, completely typed up just now:


She glanced at him. His hair was brushed back, his glasses resting on the tip of his nose. He had pulled out a photo album and they had spent the past two hours reminiscing. Cassidy sipped at her tea and set the cool mug down on the coffee table. She folded her hands in her lap and smiled.

"That was fun, but it's getting late. I have work in the morning." She stood up, as did he. "Thank you for inviting me over, Blake."

He chuckled. "You don't have to say your good-byes here, Cassie. Let me walk you to the door, at least."

She glanced over at it. It seemed so far away. She hesitated, looking down at the photos again and then back to him. "Okay."

They reached the door in four, easy strides. Blake opened the door and cast a look outside. It was raining. He grabbed his umbrella, leaning in the corner by the door. He held it outside and opened it.

"How about to your car instead?" He grinned and stepped outside, holding up the umbrella and held out his hand to her.

She stepped out, without his help. "Thanks."

Thunder cracked overhead as she reached in her purse for her keys. She sighed and unlocked her door. Blake bumped his shoulder against hers.

"So," he said. He coughed to clear his throat. "I was thinking."

"That was never good."

A pathetic smile slipped across his lips. "That hurt. I've changed."

"I'm sure you have." She pointed to his house. "I mean, just look at what you bought. It's so simple. You've learned to cut back on your spending to be an efficient adult."

"Cass, I was wondering if we could do this again," Blake said. "I've missed you, you know? It's been a long time."

"Yeah," her voice drifted off. She avoided his eyes. "It was nice, but I couldn't meet with you again."

"Cass, honest, I've changed." Blake shut her door. "Please?"

She stared at her car and then looked at him, a look of irritation crossing her pleasant features. "No."

"Cass, I don't understand. Why are you so mad at me? What did I do?"

"Nothing."

"Well, I must have. Ever since graduation, you never spoke to me. Now you're back here and you agreed to see me tonight. I thought that you might give me another chance. I was hoping that you would explain to me what it is that I did."

Cassidy studied him. Blake had never been one to be so persistent. His eyes were filled with a concerned light and his hair was sliding into his face from the rain. He seemed so, truly...confused. She sighed.

"You didn't do anything."

"I must have!" he insisted.

"Listen to me, Blake. I'm telling you straight to your face. You didn't do anything. Nothing. Okay? Now, please, I have to go."

"You can't go," Blake complained.

"Why not?"

"Because! I don't know what you mean." He grabbed her hand. She looked away. "Cass, please."

"No."

"No what?"

"I don't want to hear it. I don't want to listen to your excuses." She pushed him away and felt the cool rain fall over her. She clutched her keys tight in her hand. "I don't care anymore."

Blake stared at her. The umbrella lay, forgotten, on the ground between them. "Cass, I-"

"You what?"

"Whatever it is that I did, I'm sorry."

"I forgave you some time ago, Blake."

"Then why are you still mad?"

"It's difficult." She opened her car door and glanced at him. "You broke my heart, Blake."

"How?" He tried to open her door, but she had locked it. He peered into her window, her face blurred by the rain. "Cass! How?" He knocked on her window and the engine revved to life. He pulled at her handle. "Cass, open your door, please! Cass!" His grip tightened on the handle to her door as she began to back into the road. "Cass, I won't let go. I've waited a long time for you to show back up in my life. I won't let you go so easy this time." Her car stopped at the edge of his driveway and the lights and engine died. He watched her slump down against her wheel and hit her hands against the dashboard. She opened her door and glared at him, her tears mixing with the rain.

"I left because you didn't do anything, okay?" she shouted angrily. "You said you loved me, Blake. You said that we would be together forever and you didn't do anything about it. That night, at graduation, after we were done everything, do you remember what happened?"

"I drove you home, Cass. I drove you home and I did what I always had. I kissed you and told you that I loved you."

"Exactly. It was rubbish."

"Rubbish? It was not. I was sincere, as always."

"What happened the next day, Blake?"

"Your family moved and you stopped talking to me." Blake leaned over her.

"Right. We moved. I left. And after you told me we could stay together."

"What was I supposed to do, Cass? I mean, I didn't want you to leave, but what was I supposed to do?"

"You didn't ask me to stay."

Anger lit his eyes. "If you wanted to stay, then you should have, Cassidy!"

She sobbed into her hands and shook her head. "But, you didn't ask me to stay, Blake. I had no reason to stay. We weren't engaged, or anything, so, I had to go."

"Oh." He knelt down and cupped his hand under her chin, lifting her head to look into her eyes. "That's what you meant when you said that I did nothing, isn't it?" He took her silence as her answer. Blake stood up. "You're leaving at the end of the week, aren't you?"

"Unless you stop me," she said, a faint smile hinting at the corners of her mouth. "My flight is at seven in the morning. You'll have to get up early to catch me, Blake."

He sighed, a grin spreading across his mouth. He held his hand out to her. "I'll have to think about it. Your car died, didn't it? Come back inside with me, Cass."

"I have work in the morning, I have to go, Blake."

"Nope. I can't let you out of my sight until after your flight has left."

Her face fell and her racing heart slowed with the depression that started to filter in. "Ah."

"Cass, I have to be honest with you. There is no way that I will be able to get up that early in the morning to catch you before your flight, but, I've missed you too much and I want you to stay with me. So, as a precautionary measure, you'll just have to stay here so I can't lose you again." He laughed lightly. "I mean, if you think that you can handle living with a slob like me."

"You're an idiot, Blake."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek before he opened the door to his house. "So it seems."

-----

So, the song that I used was:

"Another Heart Calls" by The All-American Rejects" (For a video without people acting to the song, click here.). Personally, I'm not quite sure that my post corresponds with the song very well, and I'm not sure that I like my entry either. I think it's weird. XD

-Tara

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Totally Slacking!

Well, I did a horrid job of writing another post after I was done work the other day (two days ago? EDIT: It was really 4 days ago! O-o). Meh. My apologies, if you were looking forward to something.

Tomorrow, I will be posting my sketch of a new cover for the book of my selection for a blogfest that I signed up for about a week ago, I think. And, then, on Saturday, I will be posting my post for my own blogfest, which I have yet to write yet. I will most likely sit here and listen to music and type something random for my post. Yes, most likely. =P

Other than that, there is nothing really special going on today, post-wise. For me, anyway. I have work in about 2 hours, or so. I have to go in for three hours and mull about the bookshelves. I wonder if I should look forward to that. Eh. Maybe I will get some good story plotting done. Maybe. Or, I could talk to people. =P

Last night, I had a treat to go to the Pop Shop, simply because I was in that area. It was featured on an episode of "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" (if that was the title of the show) on Food Network! My meal was very delicious. Make sure to check out their link.

Also, if you are a fan of the game: "The Legend of Zelda" and a fan of Mr. Robbin Williams, as am I, then I think that you would really like to see the commercial that he did and then check out the video he made, to explain the commercial. =P All in all, as a true fan, I am super excited just for the game, and, if I manage to get my hands on the 3DS (not that there is anything wrong with my GBA, or my Micro), then, by all means, I will look into obtaining the game for it as well. =D

Sunday, June 12, 2011

"Heigh-Ho! It's Off To Work I Go!" =P

So, I just wanted to say hi before I go into work today. I plan on posting another entry when I get back around 6:30p.

You know, working at a bookstore is great. You can get a lot of thinking done because, aside from the cool jazzy/movie soundtrack/random music they play, it's not often that loud. =D

-Tara

P.S. Please sign up for my blogfest. It starts in just 6 days. Tell your friends about it, too. I'd like to see at least 10 people signed up. =P

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

"It's the Muse-ic Writing" Blogfest!

Hey Everyone!

So, I've figured out how to celebrate my blogiversary. What better way than to host my very own (and first official) blogfest! Here's what's going to go down:




The Rules:

-Pick your favorite track of music (only one) and listen to it as you write a scene.
-The scene can be about anything, as long as it corresponds with the music.
-How will we know that it corresponds? Well, you must tell us what song you were listening to when you wrote your scene.
-Other than that, just have fun with it. =)

The Prizes:

As I am not entirely rich, I will not have any money prizes like cash or gift cards and what not. Sorry. However, the prizes will go as follows:

1st Place: Congratulations! You've just earned yourself a review/edit of your first 4 chapters to your own WiP of your choice.

2nd Place: Congratulations! You've just earned yourself a review/edit of your first 2 chapters to your own WiP of your choice.

3rd Place: Congratulations! You've just earned yourself a review/edit of your first chapter to your own WiP of your choice.


Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Oops! XD

So, I've only just realized that I missed my first year blogiversary by almost 3 weeks! I hardly realized that it has been an entire year since I started my blog and I'm not quite sure that I would have realized if I hadn't gone to check Rosie's blog "East for Green Eyes" and had seen her post about her blogiversary. Now, while I did miss the official one year mark (May 18th) of my blog, there is no reason not to celebrate it. Tomorrow, I will announce my plans for it, so, please check back. =D

-Tara

Stereo-typed

Heroes. Heroines. Sidekicks. Villains. Masterminds. Characters, in general, are important. So, let's focus on them.


Heroes:

Most often or not, the hero of a story almost always has one or more of the following characteristics: Strong, Clever, Reliable, Loyal, Quick, Witty, Charming, Skilled, a Fighter, Love-able, Romantic, Haunted (by a dark past), Hopeful (for a better future), Magical, Courageous, etc.

The hero is the focus of the story and, mostly, the POV. He knows what he wants and will seek it out, whether it is the noble cause of rescuing a damsel in distress, or saving the world. He is determined to see his fate through to the end and protect those that he loves. Of course, he could be the tormented hero, constantly second-guessing and always judging himself. He always puts himself down and demeans himself to the point where he is anguished and lacking in motivation to continue. Usually, this type of hero will have a sidekick or a lovely heroine to keep him in check.


Heroines:

Characteristics of Heroines are usually: Strong-willed, Meek, Crafty, Clever, Wise, Slow-to-anger, Understanding, Caring, Kind, Cute, Beautiful, Intelligent, Tortured, Distressed, Magical, Hopeful, Prepared, etc.

The heroine is the focus of her own story and her own POV. She is dauntless and stubborn when it comes to her task and tries not to stray on her journey. She may be willing to help out fellow maidens (probably more than she would like to help men, especially if she is the tortured-type, ie., she was oppressed by a loved one, or harmed, etc.). Depending on the story, her love interest can always include a hero, a sidekick, and on occassion, the villain.


Sidekicks:

Characters who will keep the heroes and/or heroines motivated and focused on their cause. They will show their strength only when the hero/heroine needs them most and otherwise will be shadowed by the M.C. until their purpose is called upon again. They are great movers, tending to the plot and making sure that it is seen through to completion, despite the efforts of the villain.

Characteristics will include: Noble, Loyal, Dependable, Smart, Cunning, Silver-tongued, Quick-witted, Ready, Comical, etc.


Villains/Masterminds:

Usually, these two characters will go hand in hand, if not the same character. They are the darkness that plagues the heroes and the heroines and often find pleasure in the suffering of others. Villains/Masterminds are written to be hated and end up loved just as much as the other characters. Of course, that depends exactly how the author wrote them into the story, because there are some villains that can't be liked.

Often sterotypicalized, just as the other three listed above, the Villain/Mastermind can often be found with the following characteristics: Sly, Brilliant, Dark, Tortured, Deviant, Apathetic, Cruel, Miserable, Foul, Detestable, Harsh, etc.

Friday, June 3, 2011

The Interrupted Blogfest!



Hello all! I wanted to promote the blogfest of someone that I have very recently just started to follow. It will take place on June 26th, and it will be hosted by Sasha from Sasha's Secrets, so make sure to check it out if you are interested. =D

-Tara

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Travel in Writing

Traveling long distances always gives one a good look a perspective, I think. Especially when it comes to writing.

Normally, when I sit down to write or type, and I say that the characters leave one town to get to another city, it doesn't seem to take them no longer than an hour, but it isn't always like that. Major cities are often far apart. Today I drove into a city in PA and then all the way down to NJ. It took a ridiculous amount of time, the ride, I mean. The drive was only about an hour or so, traffic wasn't horrible, but the actual car ride, felt like it took longer.

Traveling can be a strain, and while one might not always want to focus on that strain at the exact moment it is taking place in their story, it is a good idea to take into thought that the characters will be exhausted from their travels. They can't go from one place to another in an hour and then be whooping butt or saving damsels in distress. I mean, maybe they can. Maybe they had "Red Bull", or "5Hour Energy" drinks, or something, but most often, wouldn't they be just a tad tired? Wouldn't they like to take a short rest. If not a short rest, if they are instantly attacked upon arrival, are they still up to par? Or, is their "A-game" digressing a bit? It's just something to keep in mind, hm?