Its Official ...

After going on a sacavadger hunt for essays and surviving Fall 2011 Exam HELL 101 ... it's official, I'm FREE for the holidays! Just in time too, my brain was really starting to hurt from the massive study overload. No more late nights with me going to bed around 1AM, 2AM, 3AM, etc etc.  'Cause its just ridiculous and quite frankly I rather be writing/working on my book projects.

There are several MAIN projects I have either on paper, in a notebook, on my laptop or in my head at the moment.

01. The Last Masterpiece
           My first Comtemporary piece stand alone novel that I've been working on since April/May Post-Graduation 2010, has more than half written/typed up

02. The AfterGlow Pentalogy
           My Major Series that I've been working on since before Thanksgiving 2010, has various parts planned and written up

03. The Cybernetics Duology
          My first Sci-fi/Thriller/Romance that I just cooked up a day ago, has ideas floating around and forming somewhat

And these are only a FEW of the books & story ideas floating around in my head.  You readers are probably thinking: Good lord woman where do you fit all these things?! .... personally I dunno, I just do. [laughs]

Now I have to grab some books for next semester and return a Christmas present .... yippy.

Always,
Magpie~

*

From the Inner Workings of MAGPIE Comes ....

.... multiple story ideas, of course!

I have so many stories that whenever I think up another, my friends/family tend to say, "You got that look again." which I reply casually: "Look? What look? ... oh you mean THAT look." 

Fortunately for them, I'm only working on TWO main projects at the moment - a stand alone and a 5 book series.

The stand alone book is half written ... actually its a bit more than that really. I can't remember. The last time I touched it was September and that was quite a while ago. It's very different from what I usually write, which is probably what keeps drawing me back to it. Most stories I'll write several chapters, plan it out, jump around, and such - only for something else to distract me and I never really seem to come back to it.

A sad thing, yes. Bad thing, yes. A good thing, perhaps yes too.

Every story I think about needs a strong voice to it, one that will keep bugging me to no end unless I actually write it. Of course the characters and setting and plot has to be interesting and complex/simple to some extent. But its the voice that keeps calling me back. Or rather something about the story that makes it so compelling that I must simply HAVE to write it.  Kind of like those books I stumble upon and I can't put it down until I reach the end and crying for more - only better, because I can learn and discover the story on my own without having to wait.

And that's exactly what this book's main narrator/protagonist did.

That was April/May 2010 before I graduated Secondary School - now I'm at the halfway point of my second year in university.

That narrator/protagonist's story is still staying strong - voice and all.

He's fairly stubborn in that sense.  Yes, it is a male protagonist. Yes, it is in first person.  And that what makes me so nervous.

I'm not a guy but I have a guy-like mindset to an extent. Yes I like action, yes I like fighting, yes I like sports, yes I like getting down and dirty. Quite frankly I love doing "guy" stuff but that doesn't mean I'm not a girl in any way - oh no, I may hate make-up and girly things but I do adore stuff animals and cute/cuddly things.  I'm a sucker for a cute kid/baby/animal every single time.  Which is why I still can't say no to my 4-year-old cousin whenever he demands (in a cute nice way of course) to play trains and cars and whatnot.

Now that I've established the point I'm not a guy but a girl who LOVES her guy stuff - my uneasiness should be clear.

I've never written from First Person, much less a GUY'S.  But I am willing to take up the challenge.  I love challenges. Always have, always will. And yes, I've somehow managed to delved deep into his subconscious and ripped out what makes him tick, what makes him sad, what makes him happy - all the necessary things I did to know about him.  In figurative sense of course, not literal!

Then for a test drive (yes, I like to think of the first draft as a test drive because you never know how readers are going to react) I gave the first chapter - the prologue - to my brother, who is younger than the narrator/protagonist, to read it. Now my brother often states he's not a BIG reader like I am (I'm just MAD about books) but he gave me the benefit of the doubt and read it.  Oh the suspense that awaited me as I held my breath as he read it carefully and slowly.  Once he was done I asked him how it was and the conversation kind of went like this:

"It's different."


"Yes, I know its different, but is it a 'GOOD' different?"


"Yeah, it is." A pause. "I like it."


"Really?"


"Yes. I really did."


".... You realize its from a guy's perspective right?"


"Yeah."


"Was it any good? I didn't want him to sound corny or whiny or anything annoying like. Mainly does he sound like a guy?"


"Yes, he does, but one question: He's not going to stay this way throughout the whole novel is he?"


"Oh hell no!"


"Good."


"He's going to change over the course of the novel for the better."


"Better not be because of a girl, 'cause that's SO cliched."


"Umm .... not exactly?  More like the reverse.  She acts as a guide but in reality he ends up helping her. Completing his journey in a sense in a full circle-like effect."


".... alright, I'll give it a read when you've finished it. Don't go getting a big head about it though, I'm just curious how it'll turn out.  It's actually very different from what I'd expected of you Mags."


"Aww really?  Thanks lil bro!"


"Yeah, yeah, just don't turn him into a pansy or anything."


"I won't! I promise!"

Well that was pretty much the exchange that has renewed hope in me and installed confidence that I can see this story through. My younger brother happens to be a very HARD guy to sell a story to, especially a contemporary one.  He's the kind of guy that likes those old war movies and actiony guns-ablazing dudes with explosives happening everywhere constantly. [laughs] But for him to say that was very shocking.  Because every story before it, he'll nod and say its good but nothing else - probably thinking silently that it might be cliched or corny or "its been done before" mindset. So if he thinks its good, it's going to be. I'll be keeping my fingers cross about it.

As for other responses, I've explained the overall plot to one person who just looked at me in awe and told me I really should write it. That was my grandfather, who has been waiting to read it for almost two years now. [chuckles weakly] The other two people I've shown are friends of mine and they pretty much demanded more, which is kind of my own fault that I broke off in mid-sentence in the middle of the first chapter - not the prologue but the first. [laughs] Lastly I read a passage to a cousin of mine who just thought it was really well done.  She's also been spreading the word to, about me aspiring to be a writer/novelist to her class, much to my embarressment. [laughs]

Once the next two days end, exams will be finally done for me, and I'll officially be free to actually do some major writing.  I hope to complete it over the holidays and send it to people I know as a New Year's gift for feedback and whatnot.  Then I'll spend time alternating between this novel, which is very likely to be my debut novel should it ever be published and my 5 book series.

This post is getting incredibly long now so I'll leave you guys with two things:

The stand alone novel's title is: "The Last Masterpiece"

And tagline is: "Even in the heart of a tragedy, there is a way to a smile."

It's also one of my many personal mottos too. [winks]


Always,
Magpie <3

*

My Dream Cast for The AfterGlow Quintet ~ B1 VictorianQueen

Just thought to do this for fun.  I've always wanted to (and love doing) dream casts for my stories, makes it a bit easier to image the characters and whatnot. It needs work and more actors/actresses though ...

Modern Day Cast ~ Year 2009

_{Kayilar 'Kai' Starrett – Alexz Johnson}

Mainly because Alexz Johnson has several of Kai's characteristics (being 5'4" feet, pale, the right short hair style currently), she’s also got attitude and a tough side to her and emotion, I’ve watched her in Instant Star and LOVED her so just dye her hair brown and I think we got our Kai! Plus her music resembles Kai's personality ... I've been listening to several and they suit Kai, especially Perfect, which is Kai's theme song for VictorianQueen. [smiles, smiles]

Arien/Sam – possibly Max Thierot OR possibly Rupert Grint

Arien & Samhain Labrador - Max Thierot

From the moment I saw Max Thierot in early movies such as Catch That Kid and The Pacifier, he just stole my heart and I just adore him~! [laughs] His acting in My Soul To Take has me firmly believing he can portray Arien’s darkness perfectly and capture his good side, also I think he can do Sam’s mischievous side. Just need to dye the hair orange-red. And lose some height since he needs to be shorter than Shiloh (apparently he's 5'11") … oops.

OR

Arien & Samhain Labrador - Rupert Grint

Rupert Grint has been one of my favourite actors that never ceased to make me laugh in the Harry Potter movies and it helps that Ron Weasley just so happens to be my absolute fave, right after the Twins of course and so on and so forth. But I think the reason why Arien and Sam have red-orange hair is because of Rupert and he could totally play as either or both of the Labrador Twins. He’s michivous and can be dark well he wants to be, and I’ve read somewhere in an interview that he’d like to try playing the bad guy like Malfoy so I think he really could do it, ya know? Plus he’s shorter (5'8" feet) than Felton (5'9") which reflects the height differences in the main story (Arien/Sam are supposed to be shorter than Shiloh).

Shiloh – possibly Tom Felton OR possibly Alexander Nifong

Shiloh Carter - Tom Felton

Everyone knows Tom Felton simply as Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter movies, don’t worry I do too. [laughs] But he is a talented singer which really suits Shiloh and I think he can play stoic unemotional Shiloh, would be interesting to see him do it especially the Australian accent. Ironically when I looked up Felton, his birthday is ironically the same day as Shiloh’s! This was unintentional of course! [laughs]

OR

Shiloh Carter - Alexander Nifong

Yes yes, who the heck is THIS guy? Well Glee fans saw Alexander Nifong (and even got a good taste of his singing apparently) in an episode and I just happened to be shuffling through actors that had auditioned and lost the role of TMI’s Jace Wayland to Jamie Campbell Bower and stumbled upon Nifong. Looking him up, I found out that he’s a part of a band called Light, which instantly made me think, “I might have found my Shiloh~!!” I think he could do it. He also has the height to do it too (he's like 6 feet where Felton is 5'9" I believe). (Sorry Felton …) Plus he's already digging the threads that Shiloh usually wears. [laughs]

Vito Nahuel Moreno – Luke Pasqulaino

Luke Pasqulaino is of Italian heritage which Vito is and he has dark-toned skin and dark hair. I haven't seen anything he's in but so far he seems to be the PREFECT Vito I've come across so I'm crossing my fingers.  Personally I think he would do wonderful as Vito, especially his playboy mischievous side [laughs]

Bradford 'Brad' West - Jeremy Sumpter 

I keep bashing my head against the wall for not thinking of Jeremy Sumpter for Brad until last night ... The one particular reason is that he actually plays all kinds of sports … including BASEBALL. Seeing him in Peter Pan won me over. Never did I think of him until I did. Luckily he’s tall so that helps wonders (Brad happens to be I think the third or fourth tallest in the series behind Nelson and Rankin with Shiloh and Moondoggie right behind him). Personally I think he would be up for the challenge too.  And plus he has the same birthday as me in real life! [laughs]

Izairae Petersen– possibly Jessica Stroup OR Kaya Scodelario OR Kierstin Koppel

Kierstin Koppel is probably the closest in looks for Izairae, but I still think there's someone else that could do Iza's character just right ... hmmm.  Any suggestions?

Gryffin Dore – possibly Rupert Grint [laughs] OR William Moseley

Again Rupert Grint could play Gryffin but he wouldn’t be portraying any dark sides, possibly more of the scaredy-cat underdog of the series.

However William Moseley could also probably do Griffyn's character. He has the right hair colour and looks, and I think he would definitly play Gryffin's gentle nature and worrywart personality.  I've adored Moseley in the Narnia movies and I think it would certainly be interesting to see him do Gryffin or be scared tryin'! [laughs]

Alain Carter – possibly Pierre Boulanger OR ???

Good natured as he is French, I think Pierre Boulanger could portray Alain’s calm demenor and tone. I think he’d be up for some trickery behind a smile too. Would certainly be interesting to see! [laughs]

Nelson – perhaps Ukweli Roach OR Corbin Bleu
Eshe (6-7 year old African girl) – ???
Rza (12-14 year old Native American girl) – ???
Marik (15-16 year old Middle Eastern boy) – ???
Moondoggie – possibly Mitch Hewer OR Alex Watson

Mitch Hewer certainly has the looks for Moondoggie. But I haven't really watched anything he's in yet. But I've seen a few clips of him and I think he could do Moondoggie I have faith. [smiles, smiles]

Oh my gosh! When I saw Emma Watson’s younger brother Alex Watson I thought instantly that’s he’s my Moondoggie! I just wonder how he’ll act … he looks understanding and good-natured.

Vincent Davies - ???
Brutus Malcovich - ???
Oberon - ???
Elieen (Kai's Mum) - Sandra Bullock

For as long as I can remember I've admired Sandra Bullock for her strength and her acting. She never ceases to amaze me in every movie she's in like The Blindside, The Proposal, While You Were Sleeping, and many more. My Mum is a big fan of her too. She introduced me to Bullock's acting one day several years back when I was sick in bed. And plus, I had asked her (as a random question of course) if there was ever any actress that could portray her who would it be and she simply replied: Sandra Bullock. So you got your wish Mum. [laughs] And I think she would do Elieen's character PERFECTLY.

Nate (Kai's younger brother) - ???
Dean Patricia Hawkins – possibly Amy Adams?
Mentor Kathleen Rowlings - Kate Hudson
Mentor Ruebus Rankin – Eric Balfour
Headmaster Char Hawkins – James Franco? OR Jensen Ackles [laughs]
Dementia – ???
Jack the Ripper (Voice Only) – ???

The Victorian Era Cast, Year 1888-1929

Vanessa 'Van'/'Vaness' Fritzsche - possibly Karen Gillan
Seamus 'Shamus' Morgan - possibly
Henry Jackson - ???

Frederick Abberline - ???
Henry Moore - ???
Walter Andrews - ???
Jack the Ripper - ???



That's pretty much the Cast List thus far ... will add more pictures and details and such on a later date.

Let me know what YOU think!

Suggestions are HIGHLY WELCOMED. [smiles, smiles]

Always,
Magpie~

Spreading Some Christmas Cheer Your Way

 

It's things like this that makes me proud to be not only be Canadian but to be born in Manitoba. [laughs]

And another thing when its one of my favourite christmas songs - completely remastered and possibly the best version I've heard yet.

And he has the guts to do this in SHORTS too. [laughs]

For those who don't know, winters in Manitoba are incredibly HARSH so that's why my hat off to you dude.

Much love to you Sean Quigley!

Keep on drumming!

Magpie~

PS.

I've finally read Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices Book Two: Clockwork Prince .... I just adore her writing style and her characters, but OH HOW MY HEART HURTS ....  twisted and torn in two radically different ways .... I just hope the last book will patch some pieces of my heart back up or merely smash it mercilessly .... either way I'm probably going to blubber like crazy again ...

I still can't decide between Will and Jem. //SOBS

..... perhaps I'll start reviewing these books to pass the time?

December Worries

Already the entire month of November has vanished, like the newly fallen snow - melted within a forenight last week. Where has the time gone? And I've been terrible with my writing projects and this blog.  I've seemingly abandoned the university tell-tales since my blackberry crashed and I lost everything I wrote ... how unfortunate.  it makes me sad but perhaps ... I'll continue it someday.

Still Christmas is in a few weeks.  I'm somewhat looking forward to the holidays ... not that I dislike Christmas, more like what blocks my path still -- two more essays and five exams. [groans]

But I digress.

Moving onto a happier topic.  I've been hard at work with planning and plotting stages of my stories and I say they've matured considerably.  I've also gotten addicted to reading Manga again, my current obession seems to be Medaka Box by Nishio Ishin & Akatsuki Akira.  Its a highly inventive story about the student council prseident and the gang trying to do good for the students and the school.  Then it evolves into a darker atmosphere from the overly comical side -- it still keeps it luckily.  I've seen mangas start out funny but then just drops to dead serious with no chance of comical moments.  I'm usually picky when it comes to series but I've seen a lot of AMAZING ones and pity they have to stand against the more widely popular series like Naruto, Bleach, One Piece and such.

Yet I remain hopeful.

Thank you for reading as always,
Magpie~


PS.
I'll try updating more ... sorry !!

Abandonment Failure

GAAAAAAH.  I've been buried in essays and tests and midterms for the last two months-ish.  I no good perfect excuse for this but regarding the fact no one really reads my ramblings it should be okay ... for now anyway. [laughs weakly]

Updates regarding my writing projects: I haven't gotten the chance to do much writing this semester -- a mere blank.  Makes a writer sad you know?  And I've pretty much abandoned the other blog ... I have too much going on so I'll just focus on writing and university and life -- don't really have time to update that story. [sighs]

But maybe someday I'll return to it. [winks]

Laters!

Magpie ~

Different Worlds Begin With Different Languages

I've always been fascinated with different cultures and their languages. 

They're not the same even if they have similarities. Each language is beautiful in its own way whether its a soft sounding one or a harsh sounding. A language in its own sense symbolize what each culture and world means.  Despite all the bad things one culture or race is associated with, I like to believe there is some good in there too.  Just because one individual or a group did something terrible doesn't mean we must shun the rest of the culture and close off ourselves from actually looking at what it could provide us.

The reason why I bring this up is because I just took a crash course in not only Irish but Arabic as well (I came in halfway unfortunately) and I've once again fallen in love.  As much as I love to learn and speak new languages, I've been deemed useless in speaking it and tend to excel in the reading and writing prospects. In other words I tend to suck at speaking them but I love learning about languages regardless.

I would have visit and sat in for the other various languages such as Chinese, Yiddish, Japanese, Russian, Welsh, Portuguese, etc etc but there simply wasn't enough time for me to attend all of them fully, besides some had already finished their run -- like Welsh.

Still I think if we all learned each other's language we could better understand one another.

And the world would be a better place.

Maybe, just maybe . . .

The Story That Is UNIVERSAL LIVES

Quick update, I really should be studying for my Celtic Studies Mini-Test tomorrow but ... THIS JUST SIMPLY COULDN'T WAIT. 

[insert dramatic music here]

I've opened up a secondary blog to dedicate it to a project solely as what I call UNIVERSAL LIVES. 

Now you're all probably wondering -- WHAT THE HELL is UNIVERSAL LIVES???

Well . . .

I'll give you a hint.

. . . it's a story.  o_______o"

An on-going Online Blog Restricted Story. 

Full of funny moments, crazy adventures and ridiculous antics by five chilldhood friends, narrated namely by Theodore 'Theo' DeGrant who runs the blog with the others adding their own unique style to it. 

Mainly detailing of their misadventures while in university -- sometimes paralleling my own and those around me.  Yeah, I do take inspiration from real life (doesn't EVERY author?) and like Theo, I'm usually at the wrong place at the right time to capture such events.  Or I hear of them.

There's also another reoccurring character that could (and MAY) serve as the sixth member of the gang. 
But that's another story.

So why am I doing this?

Because I've been hearing and thinking about how there's not really any books or a genre that deals with age 19-27 protagonists and whatnot.  There's like a HUGE gap of a leap between Young Adult and just plain Adult.  So I wanted to create a unique way to go about it.  And remembering my favourite comic strip 'For Better or For Worse' by Canadian Lynn Johnston and rewatching/reliving the episodes on youtube, made me reminisce and begin to think about the story that became UNIVERSAL LIVES. 

What if there was some sort of story that could be followed along for the laughs, tears, and the sheer craziness that makes university/college life -- university/college life. [laughs]

I'm not funny, according to my younger brother, but I will try my best to make the adventure enjoyable.  I'm not quite sure exactly when I'll be updating it, but it will be constant and weekly.  They're like short stories or rather short snippets of the lives of Theodore DeGrant and his buddies as they navigate the new world that is adulthood and university. [insert evil laughter here]

You can find the first post here: http://universallives.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!  And let me know what you think!

Magpie~ <3

*

Regarding the Next J.K.Rowling . . .

Lately, ever since the Harry Potter series came to a 'supposed' close, everyone keeps whispering and wondering who'll will take on the famous authoress for the prestigious Literary Throne in bid to become the next J.K. Rowling?

Writers desperately try to live up to the rising success and popularity that J.K. Rowling has created for herself with the help of Harry Potter and his magical world of witchcraft and wizardry.

As Publishers scramble in a desperate bid against time and effort in hopes of securing what will become the NEXT big thing.

While Readers await anxiously for the next big thing that will spellbind, capture their hearts, and enchant them and irrevocably knock them right off their feet, making them laugh and cry along with the story.

As a big fan (Its been what? Nearly 11 yrs now?) of the series, I'll admit my curiosity has been peaked several times whenever I hear or read people either shouting excitedly or screaming with glee: "[insert author's name here] as the NEW J.K. Rowling!" just to see who can possibly match her, if any.

I can't help but think:

Are we putting too much pressure on WRITERS in general?

This question has haunted me for a while now, and as an aspiring writer myself, I'm worried and concerned about this possible revelation.

I would love to be praised in that light myself but I can't help think it would also be insulting to me, especially since I've heard the child cry wolf or, in this case, people cry new J.K. Rowling. To get one's hopes up only to be flatten is terrible. However to be on par with the world's greatest authors would be a lifetime achievement of epic greatness for me.

And as a vivid reader myself, I've strayed away from the popular books or rather I remain ignorant of it until I hear all the praise and show for it. Then I usually or generally get curious and read it. But I find sometimes I rather dislike it or think, 'it was okay, I guess'. But then every once in a while I'll discover a book that is so wonderful and magical and enchanting that I just simply wonder why haven't people been reading THIS instead?

Of course, I've read most of the REALLY popular stuff, like Twilight (I can't really stand it because of Bella, but the writing was nice . . . somewhat) and The Hunger Games Trilogy (left me in tears but haunted me too much that I can't seem to bring myself to reread it fully again) or The Inheritance Cycle (I remember starting it then stopping, then picking it back up one day and finishing it).

However I discovered the Percy Jackson books before it got popular (I just SIMPLY LOVE these books!). I remember doing a book report on it in 9th Grade. And I remember vividly everyone being enthralled and attentive when I can my spiel on it. Even my teacher asked about it and thought he'd give it a try.

Now not to toot my own horn, but I have an incredible knack for picking out good books, and when I mean good -- I mean EXCELLENT. My skill hasn't let me down yet. But the only time when I feel bored or discouraged about half of the time is when I go and see/read what all the commotion over said book is about. Half of the time I like/love it, while the other half is dislike/hate it or HOW THE HECK THIS CRAP GET PUBLISHED????

Still I think it’s unfair to try and match every possible good book to the popularity that is Harry Potter or [shudders] Twilight or any other popular series.

After all publishers, I know you mean well, but you might send something back that could have been great.  Then publish something not so great just because it's on the bandwagon.  Now when I say bandwagon, I mean THEE bandwagon like Vampires in general.  Sorry Twilight, but you're REALLY easily to get picked on for this. Ever since Twilight rose to its stardom (should I even call that?) it’s been NOTHING but Vampire this, Vampire that – a whole Vampire takeover invasion (with a few werewolves on the side to do some damage control it seems). 

I've gotten fed up with it to the point whenever I hear the word Vampire or anything dealing with them, I flee. I want to hide yet I can't. All because the stuff is EVERYWHERE.  Vampire Dairies, True Blood, Blood Ties, etc etc.  I'm sure there's more than that but I don't really care because I'm just tired of it all.  Exhausted really.  And personally I would be glad to hear the word again in 10 yrs time but right now I just look forward to Twilight ending on, hopefully, a peaceful note -- not a screamin' one by fangirls. [sighs]

Personally I LOVED her other book The Host. WAAAAAY better in my opinion. And best of all, NO VAMPIRES to worry about!

Anyway I'm getting off topic here, sorry.

I know, in the wise words of my mother and grandfather, it’s the matter of hitting the editor/publisher right in the face at the right time for it to blossom into something wonderful.  Which is why I have up-teen many book plots and series stored away either in my head, in the notebooks in my backpack/pocket/closet/floor of my room, or on my laptop or merely telling it to another person willing to listen to my nonsense that seems to enchant them one way or another.

One day I do hope -- don't get me wrong -- to be on par with the famous J.K. Rowling (who shares my one of middle names, which is so cool in a geektastic way of course!).  But I think that's still lightyears away now.  Right now I'll just continue writing until I find the 'right' one that publishers will scream for and demand more hopefully and continue to be on the lookout for the next big thing whether it’s another book from J.K. Rowling herself or something else.

Never stop looking, reading nor believing.

I know I won't.  8DDD

Magpie~ <3

School Blues & Sky Tunes

Sometimes I really wish I was like the sky -- so carefree and forever traveling and seeing new places and worlds.

But I digress.

It's already been a week and a half since I started my 2nd year of university -- and, I'm sure you've heard of this before, I'm exhausted.  The readings aren't too bad and the essays (yes, I'm starting them early dispite being due in Nov/Dec) are not too bad.  It's more of all the time being spent and I have to be in several different places at once.

Yet in the mist of it, I still get my plotting/planning done for my debut novel -- or rather what I hope will become my debut novel. 

A little background to this story, which I am currently juggling between two different titles that would suit the story either way.  I have had this story sitting in my head for nearly two years now, always bugging me every once in a while and now I think I should write it -- especially after reading The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.  It was a fairly good book, while it did make me laugh a couple times and almost cry other times, the words are beautifully written.  But I think I missed what everyone was raving about.  Still I liked it meaning I can't wait to see the next book by Jandy Nelson.

Now I'm getting a bit sidetracked -- going back to what I was saying earlier, this story has been holed up and bubbling in my head for nearly two years since graduation.  I can remember each part vividly as if I'm watching the movie version of the story which is pretty cool.  And now I'm finally going to get the chance to actually do some work on it and I have -- which means if you guys are still following me, will see snippets of as well as teasers. 

I'll probably do them on .... Fridays though.  Actually I'm not really sure when I should do them but so far my goal is to write a chapter or two a week so that's about 4/8 chapters a month, which means by the time its the end of the year I should have it pretty much done.  This is without factoring in the fact I have essays and studying and reading to do for classes, but they seem pretty light at the moment luckily.

I'll update more about this on a later day.

What's up with search for thee PERFECT Romance?

Lately I've been frustrated over the whole idea of a great romance. 

In my 19 years of being alive I've never experienced love other than what I've seen or read about.  While there were a few close calls -- I've seemed to stray away from it.  Have I wondered about it? -- Hell yes.  Dreamed about it? Hell yes.  Like many girls waiting for their prince charming or the residental bad boy to come along -- I've always been waiting for the right guy to appear.

Enough about me though, I'm not here to discuss my non-existant love life (although my friends try to usher me into it). I'm here to talk about what could be--please note the COULD BE--thee BEST romance?

There's movie loves, video game loves, book loves, tv show loves -- even real life love but what's the BEST kind to see or know?

There's always two sides of this debate:
guys vs girls,
the young vs the old,
the puppy vs the experienced,
and
the cynical vs the optimistic.

Personally there's many different kinds of love as many as there are different cultures.  It is vibrant and beautiful while it can be down right ugly and rocky.  There's laughter and smiles, sadness and comfort, anger and troubles -- like with every day relationships with family and friends but on a more intimate level.  And those of you who think I'm talking about THAT level of intimaticy GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE GUTTER (or that just me?).

Regardless I always thought a love should be slow and sweet -- er, perhaps more of the thoughtful side as the two parties being to acknowledge one another whether they got off on a bad start or not.  Then slowly and gradually grow to like the other.  Then again other times I think there's should be an instant connection.  Not to coin the phrase 'Love At First Sight' but it has happened before (not to me but those whose love stories I heard about from).  I think its sweet and daring but sometimes makes us forget what we could be getting ourselves into -- 'Love can be blind'.


However love comes in many different forms -- not just the physical and emotional ties. There's many different ways to portray love and to describe it -- a gentle caress, a passionate kiss, a loving embrace. And there's always many paths it can take -- marriage, best friends for life, lovers and whatnot.

Anyway I have to stop there for today and head to class.

Laters!

Of Dreamless Creations

[looks around]
Erm, is this thing on yet?
[blinks] It is? [eye widens]
[scrambles to get her thoughts together and some lame excuse to persuade you to stay]

Hullo, I'm fairly new at this -- as if THAT wasn't obvious -- and hope to detail my journey as a fellow aspiring writer. 

And before I forget -- I'm usually called Magpie, which stems from a childhood nickname that seems to stick to me today.  This is also the explanation for some of my creative phrasing or phrases like ' EPICALLY AWESOME'.  It's been dubbed as Magpie-Speak, so if you don't think you've ever heard of such a saying or laugh at my poor attempt at deadpan humour -- THIS IS WHY. [laughs]

Besides that, I think the major question I'm asking myself today is why the heck would I do this a day before classes start? 

Well, I've been brooding on the subject of having my own blog.  For years I've either adored or loved reading blogs about other fellow writers, book reviewers and whatnot.  It's an exciting journey and task to undertake, especially to hold readers' interest.

To warn you, in the long run, I tend to ramble -- whether its a good thing or not -- I just thought you would like to know that.  This tends to happen when I'm either really really happy or really really fustrated or feeling mighty philosophical (ARGH I simply HATE that word sometimes) or poetic.  It really depends on the mood I guess. [shrugs]

So what I hope to do with this blog? 

Like I told you earlier, I hope to detail my journey as an aspiring writer even though I might take a while to get published and whatnot.  (Note: I tend to like saying 'and whatnot' so beware!) 

Perhaps I should tell you a bit about myself:

I'm entering my 2nd Year of University as an English Major.  I'm fairly short.  Often mistaken for a 11-14 year old when I'm already 19. [winces]  But no worries about that -- it just means my Youth Exilir is working. [insert evil laugh here]

And now my favourite past-time loves in my life besides my family and friends:

VIDEO GAMES, VIDEO GAMES, VIDEO GAMES!! <3
I've been a gamer since 2nd Grade when I received my first gaming system N64 and it still works today -- Man! Do I ever feel old! -- and played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.  That is just simply ONE of my favourite games of all time (no pun intended).  So I haven't played as much as I used to but I still enjoy duking it out on Brawl, fail horribly in Halo, or traveling with Donald, Goofy and Sora as we try to save the worlds from darkness (Kingdom Hearts). 
Currently I'm playing Portal 2 and just ADORE IT. <3

MOVIES ARE JUST WONDERFUL FUN. <3
I have so many movies that I don't know what to do with them other than cycle through and watch them over and over and over again.  I have favourites of course, but I'll address this in a later post. ;]

And MAINLY I JUST SIMPLY LOOOOOOVE BOOKS.  <3
Heck, my whole room is littered with them.  I've read all kinds of genres -- mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, thriller, romance, dystopian, historical, suspense -- you name it, I've probably have read something in that genre.  I've also read TONS and TONS of books so if you ask me about a certain book, chances are I've read it and can still recite a good portion of the book back to you.  Try it.  I always love remembering various types of books and talking about them.

Lastly I LOOOOOOOOOOVE TO WRITE. <3
I've spent a good majority of my lifetime just simply writing, beginning as early as 1st/2nd Grade.  I know this because my friends would often ask for suggestions on what to do and explore today for recess and of course I'd create something on the spot. Whether its traversing an unknown world or raising a sword to save the world -- we did that.  Now writing serves as my drug. [laughs]  I probably shouldn't say it like that but what can I say? I LIVE TO WRITE. :]

So feel free asking me about any of the above whether its books, video games, movies, tv shows, or simply writing. (I just love it when people ASK me about my writing!)

Anyway I think this first post is getting a weee bit too long (this was what I was saying about the rambling curse I have) and will stop here for today.

I dunno if anyone would read this but if you do -- GREAT! You've JUST made my day.
If you comment -- AWESOME!! You've JUST made my day.
If you ask a question -- EPIC!!! You've JUST ABSOLUTELY MADE MY DAY.

Okay, now I'm just getting ridiculous.  But really I just love it if you just drop by to say hullo.  I tend to worship any given  comments/opinions/feedback and whatnot.  Not to sound desperate but really I just LOVE/ADORE hearing from you.

And now I just rambled on more ... again. [sighs]

Until next time!
~Magpie <3

PS.
I just TOTALLY forgot to talk about what I'm currently working on -- oh well. 
That'll be the second post for this blog.
Hopefully I'll see you then!