tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39510165537041083262024-03-12T22:45:12.616-05:00Cerebral LunchboxBecause every road trip needs a snackWitless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-77401465294532370412011-11-09T06:00:00.000-06:002011-11-09T06:00:04.103-06:00Wednesday Writer Club: Keep up the steam with Nano-Write or Die!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you're on the NaNo train, you're in your second week. Hopefully you have a good idea of what your plan is, and have been riding the wave of excitement and inspiration.<br />
<br />
For me, the second week was probably the hardest. I had blown through a ton of extra words, but then the second week, I started having a really hard time keeping up the pace.<br />
<br />
One of the things that really helped me was pushing myself through writing sprints (thanks, Twitter!) and using <a href="http://writeordie.com/">Write or Die by Dr Wicked</a>.<br />
<br />
It's a simple and brilliant concept. You set a goal (either time or word count) and begin typing. As long as you keep going, you'll be fine.<br />
<br />
But bad things happen if you stop.<br />
<br />
*Thunderclap and evil laughter*<br />
<br />
You can set the level of intensity, from gentle reminders, to the point where your words will slowly be erased if you procrastinate.<br />
<br />
If you need a kick in the pants and the coffee just isn't quite strong enough, give it a try.Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-14932245922588376932011-11-08T06:00:00.000-06:002011-11-08T06:00:25.684-06:00Geeky Girl Tuesday: Guilty Pleasure Movies<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTl1WiZqTgM/Tlw5s7iL72I/AAAAAAAAAww/AKgWLxuKyqk/s1600/GeekyGirlTuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTl1WiZqTgM/Tlw5s7iL72I/AAAAAAAAAww/AKgWLxuKyqk/s320/GeekyGirlTuesday.jpg" width="320" /></a>
It's time for another edition of Guilty Pleasure Movies!<br />
<br />
Today it's another movie from my childhood. It's one that I'm convinced helped spur my love of books and reading, along with a slightly unhealthy belief that a good portion of what I was reading just <i>might </i>be true.<br />
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It's <i>The Neverending Story</i>, a great fantasy movie that celebrates imagination, discovering confidence, and finding your purpose.<br />
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<br />
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<br />Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-87424749171784140892011-11-02T06:00:00.000-05:002011-11-02T06:00:01.951-05:00Wednesday Writer Club: Outlining for Nano?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Congrats to all of you that have jumped into the NaNoWriMo pool!<br />
<br />
I have to admit that I'm a little jealous. <br />
<br />
Maybe that's why this month, all of my Wednesday Writer Club posts will be NaNo themed.<br />
<br />
So lets say you have your idea, but don't know where to go from there?<br />
<br />
Don't worry, it's still early in the game, with a few pots of coffee and a couple of late nights you can still catch up!<br />
<br />
I really can't encourage you enough to write an outline for NaNo. It'll give you somewhere to go on those dark times that you've realized you're a hack and should never have tried this experiment (because I'm pretty sure all NaNo-ers have gone through this at least once).<br />
<br />
I've tried traditional outlines before, but they lacked the depth that I needed in those times. Last year when I went through NaNo, I stumbled across the Snowflake Method of outlining.<br />
<br />
The method is a bit intense, and may be a bit time consuming, but by the time you finish, you'll have an amazingly detailed outline and understanding of your characters that will make writing your novel that much easier.<br />
<br />
(But don't worry, Pantsers, I changed quite a bit from my outline to my draft. But it all fit well, because I knew the broader strokes of the story and the intricacies of the characters well).<br />
<br />
There are 10 steps to the outline (feel free to skip some of the latter ones if you'd like), each one taking your story one level deeper.<br />
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You start with a sentence, then move to a paragraph, then develop your character's motivation, etc.<br />
<br />
If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, need, or would like to use to procrastinate, check out the more detailed explanation <a href="http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php">here</a>.<br />
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Happy writing everybody, and good luck on your first week of NaNo!<br />
<br />
<br />Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-60441240936655256952011-11-01T07:50:00.001-05:002011-11-01T07:50:40.069-05:00Geeky Girl Tuesday: It's Free! (Sort-of)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You may or may not remember my ravings about <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/2011/03/gamer-girl-tuesday-dc-universe-online.html">DC Universe</a> during the ABC Challenge. I've been quiet about it for a while, because I stopped playing.<br />
<br />
There were some issues that I had with the game: 1) low server population, 2) the monthly fee.<br />
<br />
You see, when there aren't many people playing a cooperative game, it makes it very hard to achieve some of the higher level gameplay.<br />
<br />
As for the monthly fee...well, let's just say student loans took precedence.<br />
<br />
But now, DC Universe has made a couple of great decisions. They've merged a lot of the servers, so there's a higher population, and<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They're free to play!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
Sort of.<br />
<br />
You still have to buy the game (if you haven't already), but starting today, you can play without a monthly subscription.<br />
<br />
There are now three levels of game play:<br />
<br />
<b>Free</b>--A entry level view of the game, with limited character slots.<br />
<b>Premium--</b>If you spend $5 on DLC (downloadable content) or inventory slots, you get to create more characters and have more benefits.<br />
<b>Legendary</b>--If you pay the $14.99 a month fee, you get the top tier of gameplay, with all the bells and whistles that came with the original game.<br />
<br />
It's a great game for casual players (no hour long raiding nights like with another MMO we all know), and now that it's free to play, I hope that it gets the attention it deserves.Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-56849285449318446512011-10-27T08:03:00.000-05:002011-10-27T08:03:47.001-05:00Taking Liberty -- Part 26Well faithful few, here we go. I don't think it'll be much longer before we find out what happens to Liberty and Elizabeth.<br />
<br />
If you have no idea what exactly is going on, make sure you check out my <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/p/taking-liberty-3ww-serial.html">Taking Liberty</a> page. It has an explanation, links to all the story parts, and summaries if you're short on time. <br />
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Liberty took another step toward me. With each inch she crossed, I could feel waves of energy ripple toward me. Each slap of it made me feel a little weaker, a little less substantial. I tried to close my eyes and block it out, make it go away like I could once manage. I could feel the lids slide closed, but Liberty was still there in front of me. <br />
<br />
I was slipping away.<br />
<br />
Liberty had stopped stalking me. Now she was standing, squinting at me. <br />
<br />
"What does it feel like for you? Does it feel empty, lonely?"<br />
<br />
I heard a whimpering, and for a moment thought I might have managed to make the sound. But then I realized that it wasn't just Liberty and I in the room. <br />
<br />
James.<br />
<br />
Without actually moving, I found myself next to James. Inches from his face.<br />
<br />
"You have to help me." I whispered, and knew that nothing audible was said.<br />
<br />
His eyes got wider, and he looked up at Liberty. "I can't."<br />
<br />
I could hear Liberty moving quickly behind me. "Then I'm sorry. I really am."<br />
<br />
I pushed myself toward him. It felt like I was jumping into an icy lake, freezing me to the core.<br />
<br />
Then there was darkness.<br />
<br />
I opened my eyes and looked up at Liberty. I pushed myself up with a power I wasn't used to and staggered. <br />
<br />
"We're not so different after all, are we Elizabeth? Both willing to take what isn't ours."<br />
<br />
She leaned forward and brushed her hand across my arm. I could feel the sensation, but it was disconnected in a way. Distant. <br />
<br />
I heard James whimpering again. This time it was louder. <br />
<br />
"Don't worry, James. This part'll be over soon." I whispered to him. "But I'm afraid it's going to hurt you more than it hurts me."<br />
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I clenched my fist, feeling James' muscles ripple, and charged at Liberty.<br />
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<br />
I think this just might put a damper on the Elizabeth/James romance. Not sure you can really be with a person after they've been that...close to you. <br />
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Hope you enjoyed and you stick around for next week's episode!<br />
<br />Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-72583871330677449212011-10-26T06:00:00.000-05:002011-10-26T06:00:05.847-05:00Wednesday Writer Club: Getting started for NaNo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sadly this year I won't be taking part in <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a>. With a new job and a baby on the way, life has me pulled in too many directions to start a new project.<br />
<br />
But I took part last year, and I have to say, it was an amazing experience. <br />
<br />
So for any of you that might be looking of tips on making it through NaNo or looking for procrastination, I thought during this NaNo season, I'd offer my two cents.<br />
<br />
Today, we're looking at a way to get started on NaNo. For many writers, having a moment of inspiration is the easy part. But if you are having a hard time getting started, here's a few places to go to look for a spark to get your flame going:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.archetypewriting.com/muse/generators/plot.htm"><b>Plot Scenario Generator</b></a><br />
Each time you refresh the page, you get a starting scenario and a secondary conflict. Most of them are generic enough they could work for any genre. Every now and then, though you get a suggestion from left field. <b> </b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://nine.frenchboys.net/plottwist.php">Serendipity</a></b><br />
So maybe you have an idea, but you don't know where to go after your first big scene. Serendipity will give you a plot twist to help keep you going. You can generate up to fifty plot twists at a time. Most of the suggestions edge on the silly side, but it can be a good way to loosen up your writing and getting over a rough patch.<br />
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<a href="http://mdbenoit.com/rtg.htm"><b>Random Title Generator</b></a><br />
If all else fails, sometimes just an intriguing title can give you the flicker of an idea. Try this generator and see if it works for you. Some of them are ridiculously silly, but there are some that are interesting enough that I'd pick them up in the store.<br />
<br />
Where do you turn when you're stuck with no ideas? Any of you planning on doing NaNo this year?Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-72828458441999295432011-10-25T08:37:00.000-05:002011-10-25T08:37:17.242-05:00Geeky Girl Tuesday: Geek up your Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Halloween season is officially upon us (regardless of the tempting candy isle being around for about a month).<br />
<br />
If you're like me, trick or treating is too much work when you can stop down said isle and treat yourself whenever you want. So instead of costume ideas or things like that, I'm going to recommend some movies to turn to when the sugar crash hits.<br />
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<b>Beetlejuice</b><br />
Ahh, the 80s. When Tim Burton's style was still new and refreshing and Michael Keaton was still making movies. A fun movie, with what is undoubtedly the best random musical number ever.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AQXVHITd1N4" width="420"></iframe>
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<br />
<b>Whatever Happened to Baby Jane</b><br />
A classic that is only fun if you can fully embrace the camp of an aging Bette Davis AND Joan Crawford. Now that I come to think of it, a Davis & Crawford themed party would be awesome! Prepare yourself for unabashed drama and scenery-chewing that could only be handled by these two.<br />
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<b>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/648-2RE4XAk" width="420"></iframe>
<br /> </b><br />
<b>Anything with Vincent Price</b><br />
No really, anything with him. He is the high grand master of Halloween in my mind. Fun, cheap scares, and one of the best voices of any actor.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FmgAsLr2bgI" width="420"></iframe>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3vll8TZ4Qo4" width="420"></iframe>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/i4mYireNvcg" width="420"></iframe>Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-23559686858973782102011-10-21T09:56:00.001-05:002011-10-21T09:56:55.196-05:00Craftiness--Photography and shameless self-promotionThe nesting instinct is starting to take over, so expect lots of crafting and DIY posts in the next couple of months. But in the meantime, check out my side project <a href="http://fpphotographysa.blogspot.com/">Focused Perspective Photography</a>.<br />
<br />
A friend and I are starting the process of doing some photography on the side. You can see some of our work posted on our blog, as well as the occasional article about taking better pictures and hints for getting your pictures taken.<br />
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I hope you stop by and pass the word along to anyone who might live in our area. <br />
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Here's to a great weekend!Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-67523635935172223532011-10-20T09:25:00.002-05:002011-10-20T09:50:55.042-05:003WW Taking Liberty -- Part 25<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.threewordwednesday.com/2011/10/3ww-cclxiii.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6jw0VuXrNw/TIesbct9W-I/AAAAAAAAAiY/9_Gt7npsC00/s1600/3wordwednesday.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here for 3WW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Without a shadow of a doubt, we're close to the end now. After the events of <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/2011/10/3ww-taking-liberty-part-24.html">last week</a>, that caught even me off guard a bit, there's not much I can do to put off the face off between Elizabeth and Liberty.<br />
<br />
But now I'm in a dilemma. Do I post the climax in one big scene or in several smaller ones? <br />
<br />
I know that I usually don't bother when I open a page to a wall of text, so I want to avoid that if possible. I guess we all get to wait and see how wordy I get in this last stretch.<br />
<br />
If you'd like to catch up on exactly what's going on, please check out my Taking Liberty page. It has links to each individual episode, as well as brief summaries if you want to get an overview of the story. <br />
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<br />
Liberty's eyes grew wide at the sound of the floor creaking. Even though she was looking at me, I could tell Liberty's mind was elsewhere. She took a <u>tentative</u> step forward. I could hear the rustling of her clothes against her skin and the soft whisper of her feet on the floor.<br />
<br />
She was staring at her feet and hands, discovering them again, like a newborn. For a moment, she had forgotten that James and I were in the room. <br />
<br />
"James." I whispered. James didn't move or look at me. "James--" I tried to say louder, but my voice was still barely more than a sigh.<br />
<br />
I turned to him, reaching out a hand to touch his arm.<br />
<br />
My movement <u>breached</u> Liberty's calm reflection. She looked up at me.<br />
<br />
Her face was no longer calm, but a searing <u>ember</u> of fury.<br />
<br />
"One way or another, this ends now."<br />
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<br />
<br />
Well, Liberty's made my choice for me. One way or another. For the next few days, I'll be working on the ending of Taking Liberty sans the inspiration of 3WW. I'll still be posting new segments on Thursday (however many they might be), but expect more than the little nibble we had today.<br />
<br />
After today, it's serious business.<br />
<br />
Hope you come back next week for the beginning of the end...for Liberty or Elizabeth (or even James), I'm not sure.<br />
<br />Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-70374303037726068692011-10-18T17:10:00.002-05:002011-10-18T17:10:10.064-05:00DC relaunch pt 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is it for the number ones, guys! I haven't read all of the New 52, but overall, I think it was a successful experiment. I'm excited to see how some of these are going, and hope that DC is successful.<br />
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Check out <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/2011/09/geeky-girl-tuesday-dc-comics-relaunch.html">Part One</a> and <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/2011/10/geeky-girl-tuesday-dc-relaunch-pt-2.html">Part Two</a> of my reviews.<br />
<br />
Don't forget, DC is issuing reprints of these that you may have missed, and you can always go buy an electronic copy. If you have the choice, though, go support your local comic shop.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>All Star Western #1 </b></span><br />
I went into this one without any expectations. I think that might have been a good thing from what I'm hearing about it online. Jonah Hex, the most famous of DC's western stars is in Gotham hunting down a vicious killer.<br />
Artwork: 4/5--Interesting use of really heavy inking. Some really visceral stuff here, and violence galore.<br />
Story: 2/5-- I found the writing style a little wordy. Part of that is from the narrator of the story, but this one actually seemed to drag by.<br />
Potential: 2/5--I think it's an interesting premise, but not a whole lot grabbed me.<br />
Overall: 2.6/5 I'll give this one a bit more of a chance, but definitely not one of my favorites.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Aquaman #1</b></span><br />
If you ever thought Aquaman was lame, please, please, please check out this book. You will love it. And if you thought Aquaman didn't get the respect he deserved, you'll love it too.<br />
Artwork: 5/5--Aquaman has never looked better! Some great splash pages.<br />
Story: 5/5--We get a general character sketch of Aquaman in several short scenes. There were a lot of great nods to his less-than-stellar record as a superhero, and an answer to the question of if he talks to fish.<br />
Potential: 5/5--Definitely has me hooked with the clever writing style and the nice artwork. I'll be sticking with this one.<br />
Overall: 5/5--Hands down one of my favorite of the new 52. One I hadn't even planned on picking up, but got on a whim. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Batman: The Dark Knight #1</b></span><br />
Yup, I know, another Batman title. By this point even I am having a hard time keeping track! <br />
Artwork: 3/5--Pretty standard comic book artwork. A couple of really good splash pages of villains, but everyone else looks overworked to me.<br />
Story: 3/5--The first half of the book was a bit dull, as it didn't really add anything new to characterization and seemed to drag a bit. But the second half picked up and ended with a lead in for a good second one.<br />
Potential: 3/5--This was my least favorite Batman title, but I'll still give it a try for a while and see how it goes.<br />
Overall: 3/5--Straight middle of the road for me. Worth picking up if you're a big Batman fan.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Flash #1</b></span><br />
A good solid comic, but one that fades in the background of some of the better ones this week. <br />
Artwork: 5/5--A fun, slightly animated style that fits the Flash. Some great, unusual uses of panels and nostalgic touches here and there.<br />
Story: 4/5--A good job setting up an interesting story and introducing us to The Flash.<br />
Potential: 3/5--While I enjoyed it, it just didn't do much for me. Maybe it was because I enjoyed Flashpoint (the huge game changing series that brought about the relaunch and centered on The Flash) so much that this felt like a bit of a letdown.<br />
Overall: 4/5--One that I'll keep following. Hopefully it pulls away from the pack soon.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Justice League Dark #1</b></span><br />
This was an impulse buy. I hadn't really planned on buying it, but I'm glad I did. Several of DC's magical characters are getting together to fight the forces that only they can conquer.<br />
Artwork: 5/5--Good solid artwork all the way through, with some especially vivid (and creepy) images.<br />
Story: 4/5--Another team comes together storyline. This one's well handled, with everyone getting a moment or two to shine. I also like how they justify the need for a magic based league.<br />
Potential: 4/5--While I'm still a little fuzzy on some of the characters, I enjoyed this one and will definitely stick around for a while.<br />
Overall: 4.3/5--Good comic overall, but would be hard to pick up if you were completely unfamiliar with the characters.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Savage Hawkman #1</b></span><br />
I literally know nothing about Hawkman besides what I've seen in a handful of Smallville episodes and DC Universe Online. But, I've been told it's a good thing, as this is a complete overhaul of the character. Even if it might be a good thing, I was still a little lost on this one.<br />
Artwork: 3.5/5--A slightly abstracted painterly style that may alienate some. The jury's still out for me, but the Bear loved it.<br />
Story: 3.5/5--An interesting story, and definitely sets up for a good series, but I felt a little lost in this one. <br />
Potential: 4/5--There's enough good going on here that I want to stick around. Hopefully I start to feel a little less lost with each issue.<br />
Overall: 3.6/5--A good comic, that has some flaws that it'll hopefully overcome.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Superman #1</b></span><br />
Where Action Comics is Superman at the start of his career, this is after he's well established. We get to see that there are some major changes going on at the Daily Planet. And Lois...what's going on with you?<br />
Artwork: 5/5--Don't let the cover fool you, there's some good solid artwork in here, and an amazing first splash page of the new uniform.<br />
Story: 4.5/5--There's not a whole lot you need to know about Superman to enjoy this issue. My only caveat was that Clark got a little creepy at the end. Could have gone without the stalker-y vibe.<br />
Potential: 5/5--Definitely one that I'll keep reading. I enjoyed this much more than Action Comics.<br />
Overall: 4.8/5--One of the titles you should definitely be reading.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Teen Titans #1</b></span><br />
Another title that I have limited exposure to, but I didn't feel lost. We get to see the first two members of the Teen Titans come together (if rather reluctantly).<br />
Artwork: 4/5--Another solid, if typical comic book art. Only one really stand out splash page, but good work overall.<br />
Story: 5/5--A good setup for a common enemy, some interesting characterization of Red Robin and Wonder Girl (although don't call her that), and a really great teaser for the next issue.<br />
Potential: 5/5--Even though I don't know much about the Teen Titans, this book definitely drew me in and left me wanting more.<br />
Overall: 4.6/5--Another great title that you should pick up and give a try.<br />
<br />
Well, that's it for the regular #1s. Look out for a special Green Lantern edition some time soon and for me to highlight some of my favorites every now and then, in a blatant attempt to try and bring you over to the <strike>dark</strike> comic side.<br />
<br />
Who would have ever thought that Aquaman would win this one?
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wuLLXQizuuY" width="420"></iframe>Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-62946687409545213282011-10-16T07:52:00.000-05:002011-10-16T07:52:00.924-05:00Six Sentence Sunday--Taking Liberty<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sixsunday.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="71" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQZXCSC6UrU/TYoYWxy_L8I/AAAAAAAAAu4/ll8bd0Jchpc/s320/sixsentence.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here for 6 Sentence Sunday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm getting close to the end of my serial story <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/p/taking-liberty-3ww-serial.html">Taking Liberty</a>. It's a story that I've been writing weekly (mostly, with some gaps) based on words provided by <a href="http://www.threewordwednesday.com/">Three Word Wednesday</a>.<br />
<br />
It's the story of Elizabeth and Liberty: two classmates who after Liberty dies, find themselves in a battle over possession for Elizabeth's body.<br />
<br />
This passage comes from later in the story, when Liberty starts showing more control over the situation. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Every muscle in my body turned to rigid steel. My back slowly started arching; my bones audibly creaking. Everything around me went silent and black.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Do you see what I can do to you? Do you really want to fight me on this?" Liberty growled inside my skull.</span></span></blockquote>
So what do you think? Intriguing enough to keep you reading? If you've enjoyed this, please come back for future episodes of Taking Liberty.Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-24628668472620477312011-10-13T12:30:00.001-05:002011-10-13T12:30:50.552-05:003WW--Taking Liberty Part 24<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.threewordwednesday.com/2011/10/3ww-cclxii.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6jw0VuXrNw/TIesbct9W-I/AAAAAAAAAiY/9_Gt7npsC00/s1600/3wordwednesday.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here for 3WW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, one more step closer to the end. I've been putting off writing this one, because I haven't really had any idea where to go from here. The dangers of writing without planning, I suppose.<br />
<br />
If you need to catch up, please check out my <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/p/taking-liberty-3ww-serial.html">Taking Liberty</a> page for all the links and brief summaries of the parts so far.<br />
<br />
Wish me luck. Hopefully it'll live up to what I put into place last week!<br />
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<br />
Liberty stood grimacing on my stairs, her chest heaving with effort. With each noisy breath, she became a little more solid, a little more real.<br />
<br />
James was slowly inching toward me, whether for my protection or his, I couldn't tell. Liberty's eyes <u>followed</u> his movement for a moment before turning to me.<br />
<br />
"Before all . . . this" she shrugged her shoulders, "before whatever this is, you know I used to <u>admire</u> you? Not very often, but every now and then, I really wished I could take a <u>piece</u> out of your life." <br />
<br />
Her voice quavered and she looked away from me. <br />
<br />
"Liberty, I'm sorry. I wish I had known. But this, it can't go on."<br />
<br />
She smiled a little at me. The smile you give a child when they talk about Santa being real. <br />
<br />
"You're right, it can't. Look at your hand, Elizabeth."<br />
<br />
I heard James groan behind me as I turned my head. My hand was holding the towel on my cut, but for some reason the towel was slipping out of my grasp. For a moment, I couldn't wrap my mind around it. Then there it was.<br />
<br />
I was looking through my hand at the towel. I jerked up to face Liberty.<br />
<br />
She took a step onto the hallway floor, and it creaked under her. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Not quite where I had planned for this to go, but I think it's an interesting twist. What do you think? This episode was short and a bit talky, hopefully next week we'll get to some action.Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-84327158320714215852011-10-06T06:00:00.000-05:002011-10-06T06:00:15.118-05:003WW--Taking Liberty Part 23<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.threewordwednesday.com/2011/10/3ww-cclxi.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6jw0VuXrNw/TIesbct9W-I/AAAAAAAAAiY/9_Gt7npsC00/s1600/3wordwednesday.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here for 3WW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope I didn't lose too many of you by playing hooky last week. Work got really busy, and I think I'm getting a bit nervous about sticking to my guns and finish this thing.<br />
<br />
I have to say, this whole writing without planning thing is getting a good bit harder now!<br />
<br />
When we last left the story, Elizabeth was trying to break the news to James about her "guest," and we found out a surprising reveal about James and Liberty's relationship.<br />
<br />
(If you need to play catch up, please check out my <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/p/taking-liberty-3ww-serial.html">Taking Liberty page</a> for summaries and links to previous episodes)<br />
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<br />
"Let me out of here, you bitch!" Liberty screamed inside my head.<br />
<br />
The sound of her voice <u>impacted</u> me like a body slam, and I fell to the floor. I crashed down into a console table with my arm, and barely missed the corner with my head. Somehow I felt that my trajectory wasn't a complete accident. Even locked away in the prison I made, she was getting stronger all the time. <br />
<br />
James rushed to my side again, but this time I was able to get up on my own.<br />
<br />
"She doesn't want me to tell you." I said, gasping for breath as I blinked away the stars in front of my eyes.<br />
<br />
"She--wait, you mean, she's in there with you?"<br />
<br />
I nodded and reached my hand down to rub my elbow. The stinging I felt there <u>rendered</u> into a deeper burning when I felt a deep cut and a steady flow of blood.<br />
<br />
"Jesus." I heard James say as he sprung to the kitchen. He returned and started wrapping a towel around my arm. "You might need stitches."<br />
<br />
His voice was fading as I stared at the blood on my hand. My brain itched with some thought triggered by the sight. And the burning in my arm was spreading. The sensation was pooling in my chest, building until I was sure my rib cage would crack open and <u>eject</u> some awful monstrosity.<br />
<br />
Like a flipped switch, the pain cut off. I must have jerked with surprise, because I heard James muttering apologies as he tied the towel tight around my arm.<br />
<br />
I looked away from my hand to watch him, and saw movement out of the corner of my eye. James saw it too, because he glanced up. He let out a strange hoarse yell and backed into the wall. <br />
<br />
I looked where I had seen the movement. <br />
<br />
Standing at the base of my stairs was a shadowy figure. As I stared, it began to take shape.<br />
<br />
It was Liberty.<br />
<br />
She looked furious.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Sometimes our subconscious works out problems for us. While trying to figure out what to do for my final climax, I realized that some of the groundwork had been laid in previous episodes.<br />
<br />
Now to just take this germ of an idea and see how this ends for everyone. I really want a happy bunny ending for everyone involved, but I'm just not sure how it'll believably happen.<br />
<br />
What do you think? Should everyone get what they want, or should they get what they need?Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-88525883217194451662011-10-05T06:00:00.000-05:002011-10-05T07:49:16.000-05:00Wednesday Writer Club: What makes you re-read?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My husband, the Bear, thinks I'm crazy.<br />
<br />
For lots of reasons, but today we're just going to talk about one.<br />
<br />
You see, I re-read books.<br />
<br />
Not a lot of them, but there are a few that I'm pretty religious about reading every so often. I think it's my own personal version of a pilgrimage.<br />
<br />
<br />
I've had more than one person ask me why I bother reading a book when I already know the plot. (Especially when I was still teaching). Here are some of the answers that I've given through the years:<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Note: I'm not counting if you re-read books in a series before the new one comes out, that's just for a completely different reason).</span><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<ol>
<li><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span>I'm a different person than I was back then</b>--I firmly believe that books like <i>The Scarlet Letter</i> (for example) should not be read in high school. I know that when I read it, I wrote it off completely as old-fashioned and dull. But when I re-read it as an adult, I could see it for what it was. A truly tragic story of redemption. Without my life experiences, I never really saw the big deal about Hester.</li>
<li><b>I'm sentimental</b>--There are a few books (<i>Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, </i>and <i>The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe</i>) that will always have a soft spot in my heart because they meant so much to me as a child. I find myself turning back to these books in times of stress when I need to unwind from more adult issues. </li>
<li><b>I discover something new every time</b>--I try to read <i>Catcher in the Rye </i>and <i>Jane Eyre</i> every few years (odd combination, I know). Every time I read these two works, I find some small detail or character that brings the whole book to life again. </li>
</ol>
<div>
I want to write books that people re-read time and again. I'm not trying to kid myself and say that I'm as wonderful a writer as those I've mentioned above, but I believe even the less "heavy" of books can become a perennial favorite. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Are there books that you re-read on a regular basis? Are there any reasons that I missed? <br />
<br />
<br />Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-57729998951202868812011-10-04T06:00:00.000-05:002011-10-04T06:00:07.698-05:00Geeky Girl Tuesday: DC Relaunch, pt 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTl1WiZqTgM/Tlw5s7iL72I/AAAAAAAAAww/AKgWLxuKyqk/s1600/GeekyGirlTuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTl1WiZqTgM/Tlw5s7iL72I/AAAAAAAAAww/AKgWLxuKyqk/s320/GeekyGirlTuesday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So for the next couple of weeks, I may sound like a broken record. Until the end of the DC relaunch, Tuesdays will be devoted to reviewing the ones that I've read and really enjoyed.<br />
<br />
For more info on the relaunch and a view of what I've read so far, check out <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/2011/09/geeky-girl-tuesday-dc-comics-relaunch.html">part one</a>.<br />
<br />
This week, it was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(mostly)</span> all about the ladies. I was really excited about several of these, and for the most part they didn't disappoint. <br />
<br />
Good news: if you've missed any of The New 52, DC is issuing reprints each week, so there's still a way to get your hands on a physical copy (or if you don't mind, DC is selling digital copies as well).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Batman #1 </b></span><br />
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I know, I've already written about one Batman comic. Batman is the largest franchise DC has, so there are actually several featuring Batty himself...but this one has Robin too, (and in one scene Robins-yup more than one). Less gruesome than Detective comics, and probably more along the lines of what most people expect from Batman.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 4/5</b>--Some good action scenes, and great title page. Very angular characters (Batman's huge chin will probably start to get on my nerves).<br />
<b>Story: 4.5/5</b>--Some good groundwork, a nice introduction to all of the main players and a twist at the end that has some interesting potential for the rest of this arc.<br />
<b>Potential: 4.5/</b>5--While I still liked Detective Comics better, this one is still a heavy contender and one I'll keep following.<br />
<b>Total: 4.3</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Birds of Prey #1</b></span><br />
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I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one since so many of the players have changed. But we still have Black Canary, and I'm very interested to see how they'll work Poison Ivy into being a heroine. Another "getting the team together" title, which is good since the average person won't know all the people on the final team.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 3.5/4</b>--I tend to prefer the rougher look of a more hand-drawn style as opposed to the slick air-brushed look of Birds. The figures are all well done, and aren't so over the top sexualized, which was nice.<br />
<b>Story: 4/5</b>--I'm all about starting in media res, and I liked the action of this one, but I felt that Starling was left out in the cold a bit. I still know nothing about what makes her tick.<br />
<b>Potential: 4/5</b>--I'll keep following this one at least until the team's together. If the characterization is still a problem, I'll probably let this one drop.<br />
<b>Total: 3.8</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Catwoman #1</b></span><br />
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Being such a fan of Gotham City Sirens (alas, I barely got to know them), I was really excited about this title. Not so much of a story as a character sketch of Selina, it's still a good one to pick up. Plus it's got some seriously sexy pages for those lonely nights.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 5/5</b>--Sexy, violent, and at times funny, the artwork is a perfect reflection of the character.<br />
<b>Story: 4.5/5</b>--I have no real feeling for where the story is going, but it was a great introduction to a character that many may just know as Eartha Kitt or Michelle Pfeiffer.<br />
<b>Potential: 4.5/5</b>--If nothing else, you'll want to know what happens the morning after. Definitely one I'll keep following.<br />
<b>Total: 4.7</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Supergirl #1</b></span><br />
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I'll be honest, I've never followed Supergirl before, and my only real exposure was the 1980s <a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Supergirl/60001761?trkid=2361637">movie</a>. But with the relaunch, I wanted to support as many female characters as I could, so I picked it up. A great place to start as it is a traditional origin story, no back knowledge needed. <br />
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<b>Artwork: 4.5/5</b>--I'm still not in love with the cover, but the inside is great. The redesign of her costume fits with the uniform idea thrown around. The final splash page is a real treat as well.<br />
<b>Story: 5/5</b>--I love how you're thrown into the confusion of Kara as she wakes up on this strange world and discovers her powers for the first time. No happy bunny exploration though, this is a chaotic discovery.<br />
<b>Potential: 5/5</b>--I can't wait to see where this goes from here.<br />
<b>Total: 4.8</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wonder Woman #1</b></span><br />
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The one that almost got away, there were literally no copies to be had in town on release day. Luckily we were able to go online and order it and still read it opening week. Not as good as I had hoped, but still a good title.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 3.5/5</b>--I was worried as soon as I saw the teaser cover. The artwork inside is very Saturday morning cartoon. However there are a few panels here and there that I really loved.<br />
<b>Story: 4/5</b>--While I really enjoyed it (and all the Greek mythology thrown in), it could be hard to follow if someone didn't know much about Diana or her ties to Greek roots.<br />
<b>Potential: 5/5</b>--What can I say, I'll stick with this no matter how bad it gets. But, the story looks promising, so I'm keeping my hopes up.<br />
<b>Total: 4.2</b><br />
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Have you picked up any new comics lately? Which ones interest you?Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-30542275176834940972011-09-28T06:00:00.000-05:002011-09-28T06:00:06.699-05:00Wednesday Writer Club: What do readers think?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you're like me, you follow a lot of writer's blog. There's lots of great information out there about honing the craft and making sure that your work is the best that you can make it.<br />
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Then I started wondering, but what about the readers? The ones that aren't trying to plan for NaNo or know the right name for literary elements?<br />
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Surely those people have a completely different experience while reading a book than someone who's constantly on the look out for inspiration (either good or the "I can do better than this" variety).<br />
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With that in mind, periodically I'm going to interview pure readers. Those that just read for the fun of it without any ulterior motives. First up, is my husband (otherwise known around hear as the Bear):<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What first got you started enjoying reading? </b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Wheel of Time series. A friend introduced me to them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What types of books, magazines, etc. do you like the most?</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I enjoy cheap fantasy (magic type) novels that have simple story lines and interesting characters. I’m also prone to reading just about anything that will make me laugh. I’ve also recently discovered a love of post apocalyptic zombie survival stories. Hmmm...what if there was a survival story from the zombies POV? That could be fun.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #38761d; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Why do these genres interest you?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Zombies and Magic? DUH!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What have you been reading lately that you loved?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I absolutely love <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Abraham-Lincoln-Vampire-Seth-Grahame-Smith/dp/B004Y6MTNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317143100&sr=8-1">Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.</a> It was funny and interesting and frankly it was so good I’ve considered reading an actual biography of Lincoln.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What made you love it?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I loved that the whole premise of the Civil War was that there were “good” vampires in the north that wanted to stop the “evil” vampires in the south from using the slave trade as an all you can eat buffet. I also loved the characterization of Lincoln in general. He’s extremely personable and still has some regalness to him that makes you really believe in his ability to lead our country.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What have you been reading lately that you </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">didn't</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> care for?</span></span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m currently reading the final trilogy in the Sword of Truth series and I have to say, while the rest of the series hasn’t really been a gem, this first book (Chainfire), really kind of sucks. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s got EXTREMELY repetitive theme’s and the main character isn’t interesting. He’s very single minded by I can only read about how worried he is about X thing so many times on the same page</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>If you don't care for the series in general, why have you kept reading it?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Well the plot isn't bad, it's just the characters. And it's not even all the character. Even the bad ones aren't bad all the time. Plus at this point, I'm invested.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What advice would you give the author of this book?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When it comes to describing the emotions of a given character, make it to the point and concise. Nothing will drag down the momentum of a story like the constant whining of a character who is supposed to be a hero...I’m looking at you Richard. We know you’re worried about Kahlan, why don’t you do something about it FFS?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>In general, what makes you pick up a book?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A variety of things. More often than not I read based on recommendation. Sometimes I read things that I think I might like based on other interests I have (ex - Warcraft novels because I played WoW or Star Wars books). Sometimes the cover art just looks cool and that gets me to pick it up.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What will keep you reading a book?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Generally speaking I’m not fond of over characterization. I like my characters to be somewhat simple yet likable. I’m usually much more interested in plot and how it moves forward. I like to think about how a given character will react to certain situations. The more situations and the more complex they are the more likely I am to continue reading.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There you have it folks. Here are some things to keep in mind:</span></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recommendations from friends are really important</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make sure you balance an interesting plot with your characterization</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can't fail with Zombie and Magic (well, with a certain population at least)</span></li>
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Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-50152407876266978322011-09-27T06:00:00.000-05:002011-09-27T06:00:06.893-05:00Geeky Girl Tuesday: Guilty Movie Pleasure #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You know those movies that you love, but that you are hesitant to share with others?<br />
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Well, welcome to Geeky Girl Tuesday's Guilty Movie Pleasures!<br />
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And first on the list, is one of my favorites from childhood (long before I got the lesbian subtext), that glorious example of 80s cinema and mullets:<br />
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It's a terrible movie, I know. Just about any -ist you can list, but for some reason, I still love it. Terrible accents and all. Just watch this trailer and tell me it doesn't make you feel like a kid again (if you were a kid of the 80s that is).<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vpfZ6IRXfY4" width="420"></iframe>Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-45712072323166649782011-09-23T09:36:00.000-05:002011-09-23T09:36:09.485-05:00Crafty-ness: Creating Victorian SilhouettesIf you read my <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-havent-died-i-promise.html">"Hey, I'm not dead yet" post</a> that marked my return to blogging, then you know that there are some big changes coming my way soon.<span id="goog_457455271"></span><span id="goog_457455272"></span><br />
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Along with having to change the way I eat, buy a few pairs of pants, and other not-so-fun things about pregnancy, I've also gotten a chance to do the fun things.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7WyTH6F7ylI/TnyVIQb5U2I/AAAAAAAAAyI/lT4L_9Nm0qw/s1600/eBook_389_32597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7WyTH6F7ylI/TnyVIQb5U2I/AAAAAAAAAyI/lT4L_9Nm0qw/s320/eBook_389_32597.jpg" width="207" /></a>Mainly, planning the nursery.</div>
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When we started trying to have a baby, the Bear and I decided on a Peter Pan theme. But not the Disney Peter Pan, but the original Victorian Peter Pan. </div>
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So we've been trying to come up with ideas that would make a Victorian themed nursery, but also be safe and not break the bank. </div>
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In my head I had lots of expensive ideas built up, and eventually I had to let a lot of them go. </div>
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But one touch that I knew would bring the theme to light and be fairly inexpensive was the artwork on the walls. So after some searching online, and remembering an art project from way back in the day, I settled on creating some silhouettes.</div>
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Silhouettes were a very popular art form during the Victorian era, and can be quite beautiful. I was hesitant to use my own profile though, seeing as I've never been able to produce a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Girl">Gibson Girl</a> hairstyle. </div>
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So I decided to create Peter Pan themed silhouettes. This project is fairly easy, but time consuming. Warning: If you're a perfectionist, you might want to buy some extra paper just in case.</div>
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<b>Supplies:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Printouts from online with a clear silhouette. Ignore colors, just look at the shape.</li>
<li>Paper for your background. I used scrapbooking paper in a pattern.</li>
<li>Paper for your silhouettes. Make sure this is heavy duty paper. Cardstock works great.</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Exacto knife</li>
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<b>Steps:</b></div>
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1. After you find your pictures online, print them out (regular paper is fine) and cut them out. Here are mine after I cut them out. You can see some areas have more detail than others. This isn't as big a deal right now, but may cause you headaches later.<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvZYjdPGxk8/TnuvokOQvqI/AAAAAAAAAx4/S1aoR9KwRBY/s1600/226182_1979904497292_1233543800_31795098_2008197_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvZYjdPGxk8/TnuvokOQvqI/AAAAAAAAAx4/S1aoR9KwRBY/s320/226182_1979904497292_1233543800_31795098_2008197_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>2. Trace your cutouts on your cardstock. <br /></div>
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3. Using your scissors, cut out the basic shape. Use your Exacto knife to cut out detailed areas (like Hook's Hook and the spaces between Peter's arms).<br /></div>
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4. Center and glue on your background paper. Frames with a mat really make this project pop. <ol>
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This sounds fairly simple, but it can take a while to find the right shape and to get your silhouettes looking just right. </div>
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Here are some pictures of the final products:</div>
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The room still looks a little barren, but once we get the crib and curtains in place, it'll start to come together. </div>
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Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-50927020620120767872011-09-22T09:57:00.004-05:002011-09-22T10:07:40.481-05:003WW- Taking Liberty Part 22<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.threewordwednesday.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6jw0VuXrNw/TIesbct9W-I/AAAAAAAAAiY/9_Gt7npsC00/s1600/3wordwednesday.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here for 3WW</td></tr>
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Thanks for all of you who've come back and stuck it through. For any new readers, I'd recommend you check out my <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/p/taking-liberty-3ww-serial.html">Taking Liberty</a> page to read all the episodes, or to read a quick summary.<br />
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Every week, I take the words supplied by ThomG at 3WW and write a mostly unplanned segment of the larger story of Elizabeth and Liberty. <br />
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When we last left, Elizabeth had gained some control over Liberty and was getting ready to let James in on her interesting situation.<br />
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"What type of things?" James furrowed his brows. The wonder in his voice had left. "What does this have to do with. . . <i>her</i>?" <br />
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The door in my head rattled a little louder. It couldn't be more obvious that I was <u>racing</u> against time to get the story told than if there was a countdown clock hanging over my head. I couldn't ease into this, it was all or nothing.<br />
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"Why did you jump into the lake to save Liberty?"<br />
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James took a step away from me. From the way he stumbled a bit, I wondered if his legs were as weak as mine were. They must have been, because he sat down on the stairs before answering me.<br />
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"I--" He swallowed, "I used to be friends with her, when we were little." He crossed his arms and leaned back on the stairs, his eyes focused somewhere behind me. "We went to daycare together, before her dad left. She was different then."<br />
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I walked over and sat next to him, putting my arm around his shoulder. He leaned his head against me and continued, his voice <u>dulled</u> by trying to hold back tears.<br />
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"She wasn't as . . . sad, angry. She was just a kid." He picked up his head and looked at me, a small smile on his face. "And she was really funny, too. When I saw her in the water--" His voice faltered again.<br />
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"I know." I said, hugging him closer to me. <br />
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We sat in silence for a while, and I stifled a <u>yawn.</u><i> </i>I felt James pull away and look at me.<br />
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"You never answered my question. What does all this have to do with Liberty?"<br />
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"That day, by the lake. After you tried to save her, she got inside my head."<br />
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In the distance, I heard the door rattle again and a guttural scream echoed faintly.<br />
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"Really deep inside my head."<br />
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So not quite the fireworks I had expected, but now I think we can see why Liberty attached herself to James. It makes Liberty seem a little bit sadder to me, instead of the angry force of nature she was becoming. <br />
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But I don't think she's happy that Elizabeth has spilled the secret. Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-59354252710066258532011-09-21T08:07:00.003-05:002011-09-21T08:08:02.050-05:00Wednesday Writer Club: Is freewriting a good idea?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week, we discussed the importance of planning (based primarily on the lack of my own). So we're drastically switching gears this week.<br />
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What about when the purpose of the writing is to write without a plan?<br />
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In other words, freewriting.<br />
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As a former English teacher, I know many of you have probably been scarred by freewriting exercised in class. That scenario goes something like this:<br />
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<b>Teacher:</b> Today we're going to do freewriting!<br /><b>Student:</b> Groan.<br /><b>Teacher:</b> Don't worry it will be fun! We're going to spend five minutes writing about whatever you want!<br /><b>Student:</b> But I don't know what to write about.<br /><b>Teacher:</b> That's ok, write about that!<br />Then the student starts to write with heavy sighs about how there's nothing to write about.</blockquote>
The philosophy in this take on freewriting is that writing of <i>any type</i> increases fluency in the language. The very act of writing itself (even if it's the same sentence over and over) decreases the fear of the written word.<br />
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I'm guilty of various scenarios like the one above, and I don't buy it.<br />
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You have to do more than just write anything. Especially if you're really wanting to sharpen your craft. But there is a place for freewriting in an author's toolbox. Freewriting is a way to examine aspects of writing without having to worry about plot, characterization, or pacing. <br />
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Here are some ideas for freewriting that may help get you going when you're feeling a bit of fear creeping in or have an encounter with writer's block:<br />
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<li><b>Emotions:</b> Write about a person who is angry, sad, happy, etc. If you practice with a generic person, you'll find it easier to hone in on the details in your "real" writing without having to resort to "She was happy."</li>
<li><b>Sensory Images:</b> We're pretty good about visual images, but what about the other senses? When's the last time you had to describe the texture of something? It can be pretty difficult. Try using all the senses except for sight to describe something. </li>
<li><b>Alternate Words:</b> Do you find yourself using the same word to describe something over and over? Do your characters always say something with chagrin? (I'm looking at you Stephanie Meyer). Sometimes just listing from your own vocabulary, which will sound more natural than pulling out a thesaurus, can help you stop using the crutch of your favorite words.</li>
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What other types of freewriting do you employ? Is it helpful or does it just fill the space for you? </div>
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Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-7844326427717364662011-09-20T06:00:00.000-05:002011-09-20T07:33:33.835-05:00Geeky Girl Tuesday: DC Comics Relaunch & Reviews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you didn't follow me during the A to Z Challenge, you might not realize it, but I'm a comic book fan. Specifically DC comics. While Marvel definitely comes out with better live-action movies, DC has them beat when it comes to comics themselves.<br />
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Beginning this September, DC has streamlined its list of comic titles to 52, relaunching all of them back to number one. (Check out these <a href="http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/26/whats-next-for-superman/?iref=allsearch">CNN</a> and <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/08/31/140081349/tap-click-slide-the-ambitious-dc-comics-reboot-arrives-er-downloads">NPR</a> articles for a better breakdown). DC is also launching <a href="https://read.dccomics.com/comixology/#/dc_the_new_52">digital downloads of comics</a> available the same day as print ($2.99, same price as printed) or back issues for $1.99.<br />
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This is a pretty huge deal for some of these comics that have been around since the 1940s. There's lots of hints that there are some big changes down the pike for some of the most iconic characters in American Comics. <br />
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Now is a great time to get into the comic scene if you've been hesitant
before. Don't forget, shop your local comic scene first, but if all
else fails, there's always the digital downloads if you just can't find
some of these.<br />
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Here's a quick and dirty breakdown of the #1s that I've read so far:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Justice League #1</span><br />
This was a great way to initiate the reboot. Lots of humor in the form of Green Lantern and angsty-darkness in the form of Batman. From this book, we'll get to watch as the league slowly comes together one by one.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 5/5</b>--crisp lines, great action panels, and really great final splash page<br />
<b>Story: 5/5</b>--Great world building, hints at future issues<br />
<b>Potential: 10/10</b>--One I'll definitely keep reading<br />
<b>Overall: 5/5</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Action Comics #1</span><br />
Less Truth, Justice, and American way and more attitude, arrogance, and . . . jeans? I have to say this one didn't quite do it for me, even though I'm glad Superman is less of a boyscout than he usually is.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 4/5</b>--some of the faces and people were less than stellar (I'm looking at you chunky Lex), but the final climax and splash page was really good<br />
<b>Story: 3/5</b>--It seemed like a lot of pomp and circumstance. There's not really a feel for where this one will go<br />
<b>Potential: 3/5</b>--I'll keep reading, if only until he ditches the jeans and work boots<br />
<b>Overall: 3.3/5</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Detective Comics #1</span><br />
As creepy and intense as we've all come to expect from Batman. Warning, this one is not for the faint of heart and includes some pretty intense violence. Not your Saturday Morning version of Batman.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 5/5</b>--If the ending splash page doesn't stick with you, you've seen way too much in your lifetime. <br />
<b>Story: 5/5</b>--Sets up some good groundwork for later in the series. <br />
<b>Potential: 5/5</b>--I'm a sucker for Batty, so I'll definitely be sticking around with this one.<br />
<b>Overall: 5/5</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Batgirl #1</span><br />
Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl is back in action. This caused a bit of an uproar in that for years she's been a paraplegic. I think the switch over is handled well, and we can see that even if she can walk, she's not really fully healed yet. Written by the first lady of comics herself Gail Simone.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 4.5/5</b>--After an amazing cover, some of the panels and proportions were a bit awkward<br />
<b>Story: 5/5</b>--This is why I <3 Gail Simone. In just one issue, we have groundwork laid perfectly and a really clear sense of who Barbara/Batgirl is<br />
<b>Potential: 5/5</b>--I'll definitely be sticking around to see how this one unfolds<br />
<b>Overall: 4.8/5</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Justice League International #1</span><br />
You've probably never heard of Booster Gold, and that would really hurt him. Watch Booster (notorious fame whore) try and build an international team of superheroes. They feel a bit like the Bad News Bears now, but with time I have a feeling they'll pull it together.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 3/5</b>--Standard comic book artwork. Consistent and nice, but nothing outstanding<br />
<b>Story: 5/5</b>--No centralized villain yet, but good character groundwork.<br />
<b>Potential: 4/5</b>--This one could go either way, based on future issues, but for now, I'll be sticking with.<br />
<b>Overall: 4/5</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Batwoman #1</span><br />
Thank God this one's out finally. They've been teasing it for over a year and decided to hold it until the relaunch. Before this I knew virtually nothing about Batwoman, other than she's one of the first gay superheroes. <br />
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<b>Artwork: 5/5</b>--At once beautiful and unsettling, the artwork in this book is completely unique<br />
<b>Story: 4/5</b>--They try to fit a lot of backstory in this one, and it left me more confused than enlightened. Good central villain/conflict groundwork, though<br />
<b>Potential: 4/5</b>--I was disappointed in this one, but that may be because I know so little of her story and was left out. I'll stick with it a bit longer<br />
<b>Overall: 4.3/5</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Suicide Squad #1</span><br />
I'll admit, the only reason I picked this one up is because of Harley Quinn. I've always loved her crazy and really dysfunctional character. The Suicide Squad is a group of Belle Reve Penitentiary's finest, who've been chosen for only the most dangerous missions.<br />
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<b>Artwork: 4/5</b>--Some really intensely creepy scenes that are skillfully drawn, but then turns more standard as it nears the end.<br />
<b>Story: 4.5/5</b>--Another "meet the team" book, but I found that not all the characters really interested me that much (looking at you shark-guy)<br />
<b>Potential: 3/5</b>--Not digging the really sexualized Harley, but I'll stick with it a while before giving up on it<br />
<b>Overall 3.8/5</b><br />
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Let me know if any of these peaked your interest. And since these are all monthlies, you still have time to find a copy of the first issue to catch up.Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-46980489875294798212011-09-19T12:41:00.001-05:002011-09-19T12:41:23.289-05:00Movie Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes (or If you give an Ape a Cookie . . .)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So this past Sunday, the Bear and I finally got around to seeing Rise of the Planet of the Apes.<br />
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I have to say I unequivocally loved it.<br />
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Was it a bit cheesy in parts, yes. And you did have to suspend some belief (or takes some things for granted) in the final act, but everything leading up to that point made you willing to go with them.<br />
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The CGI work on Caesar was amazing, and he really felt like a genuine character to me, even more than Gollum did in the LOTR movies.<br />
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There were lots of little nods to the original film that you would miss if you weren't a dorky fan like I am. But there were also some great big nods (just wait for the scene with the "damn, dirty apes" line and see if it doesn't grab you).<br />
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And the groundwork they laid to bring about the fall of mankind was well thought out, and plausible in the world of the movie.<br />
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I'm telling you, it's enough to make me forget that Mark Wahlberg ever made a PotA movie.<br />
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It does make me really nervous about Chips Ahoy though. They're the cookies of the revolution. Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-74338296991714411532011-09-15T12:42:00.003-05:002011-09-15T12:42:45.623-05:003WW-Taking Liberty Part 21<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.threewordwednesday.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6jw0VuXrNw/TIesbct9W-I/AAAAAAAAAiY/9_Gt7npsC00/s1600/3wordwednesday.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here for 3WW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Do you get the feeling we're in the home stretch on this? I do. I have to admit there are times that it's very hard to restrain myself to sticking to this schedule. I might have to include some bonus entries here soon.<br />
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If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out my <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/p/taking-liberty-3ww-serial.html">Taking Liberty</a> page for links to all the parts of the story, and a quick summary if you're short for time.<br />
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When we last left the girls, Liberty had just asserted more . . . control over Elizabeth. <br />
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"No, Liberty! You can't do this to me." I screamed, pushing myself <u>backwards</u> off the wall. Echoing through my bones, I heard the crash of a door slamming shut.<br />
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I collided with James, his eyes even bigger than before.<br />
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"Lib--"<br />
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I pushed my hands against his mouth, cutting off the name. I could already feel her stirring inside, and I wasn't sure if his voice would summon her or not. My knees were starting to shake and my hands were trembling as I slowly <u>eased</u> them off of James.<br />
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"Don't say it." I said, leaning back against the wall. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.<br />
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Somewhere deep inside my mind, I could feel her squirming, wondering what was going on. I thought about the door I had heard. As I remembered the noise, I could see a large oak door in my mind. There were boards nailed across it and even a padlock or two. <br />
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She was behind that door. The door <b>I </b>had made. The knob rattled, and I could hear her banging on the other side, but she was in there. And I had done it. <br />
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For now, I was free of her.<br />
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I opened my eyes and looked at James. He was gaping at me, arms limp at the sides.<br />
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"Your hair, your eyes, they're. . . different again."<br />
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I looked at the mirror behind me. I looked like my normal self again. A more exhausted version, but myself. Turning, I tried to find the strength to look James in the eye.<br />
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"I might have <u>omitted</u> a few things about our . . . relationship." I said.<br />
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Crap! I guess next week will be the moment of truth. I have to figure out how James will handle the big reveal. I'm glad Elizabeth is taking control, even if it might be just for now.<br />
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And I bet Liberty will be pissed when she finds a way out from behind that door.Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-54604134651046538052011-09-14T08:51:00.000-05:002011-09-14T08:51:14.614-05:00Wednesday Writer Club: Importance of planning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You might have noticed that this post is not up as early as my posts usually are. That's because I broke a cardinal rule for the serious writer.<br />
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I didn't plan.<br />
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You see, I had originally thought to write this wonderful, insightful, and inspiring post using a really crappy passage of mine and the new improved one that I recently edited.<br />
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But last night, when I sat down to write the post, I realized I deleted the crappy original.<br />
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So there went my idea. And my chances for being wonderful, insightful, and inspiring. <br />
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But then I realized that I was just a perfect example of what often goes wrong. When an author neglects to plan, they end up with pieces missing, or never getting started at all.<br />
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Now, before you start yelling about the joys of writing by the seat of your pants, remember that I have a whole <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/p/taking-liberty-3ww-serial.html">feature</a> dedicated to that. I'm not saying that you have to do an in-depth planning session for every short story or poem you write, but you do need to have some basic things in place.<br />
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Even if you just plan in your mind, you should have the following things planned out before you start writing:<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Who is your protagonist?</b> Don't worry about the details of physical description, unless they're important to the story (a la Harry Potter's Scar). Instead, think of who they are and what they want.</li>
<li><b>What is your conflict?</b> Every good story needs a conflict at the heart. No one wants to read about a character that's perfect in every way and never runs into any trouble. Conflict is what gets us initially involved in a story.</li>
<li><b>What's your endgame?</b> Even if you do change the ending while you're writing, it's useful to have the final goal in mind. It gives you a destination, so you can focus on the journey while writing. Otherwise, your characters and plot will wander the desert, trying to find some kind of meaning.</li>
</ul>
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Those are the barest of bones when it comes to writing. What other "musts" are there that you must plan before you need to get started?</div>
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<br />Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951016553704108326.post-19247556495547877452011-09-13T06:00:00.000-05:002011-09-13T07:08:06.348-05:00Geeky Girl Tuesday: She'll never have a chance. . . Geekery started early<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So if you read my big <a href="http://cerebrallunchbox.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-havent-died-i-promise.html">"Hey, I'm not dead yet!"</a> post a couple of weeks back, then you know that the Bear and I are expecting a little girl at the end of the year.<br />
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So along with reading all the standard pregnancy books and a lot of books on natural childbirth (with some lovely illustrations, btw), I've also been looking at all the paraphernalia that goes along with having offspring.<br />
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But, I can't just go with the standard buttons and bows. Nope. With parents like us, our kid has no chance of escaping the geekiness. So, if there's no escape, why not embrace it? Here are some of my favorite really geeky baby items:<br />
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So babies are super right? And your baby is the most super of them all, right?<br />
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Well, now you can show how super you think your baby is with a superhero onesie. You can choose from the whole Justice League (well, except for Aquaman and Martian Manhunter, who everyone forgets anyway). I bet you can guess which one we're getting first.<br />
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Check them out at <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/newborn-infant/e6b6/">ThinkGeek.com </a><br />
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These next onsies are both from the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/videogamedecals?ref=ls_profile">videogamedecals</a> store on Etsy. If you like these, make sure you check out the store, because there's a lot more goodies in there.<br />
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<br />
That's just the tip of the iceberg, too. There's also cybermen, Adipose, and lots of Tardises (or Tardi? Has anyone figured out the
plural of Tardis?).<br />
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So what are your little geeky loves that you hope to pass on to the little
ones in your life (or future, or of the type you can send home with someone
else)?Witless Expositionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07455282931743006892noreply@blogger.com2