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January/February 2019 Fly-By Status Report – I’m a Grown-Up Hobbit (I’ll explain)
In December last year, I turned 33! Sure, cool number and everything, multple of 11 and whatnot, but it’s also a special age for Tolkien nerds like me. Because in the Middle-earth universe, when a hobbit turns 33, it means they’re considered an adult. And to celebrate, I designed my own temporary tattoo and bought a whole sheet of them! (I’m still not keen on getting something that hurts, that will never go away and that will only blur over time on my skin.) I made a post about it on Instagram discussing its significance to me: View this post on Instagram …
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VLOG: A Fantastic Beasts & Harry Potter Party!
My in-laws do it again, with food, decorations and all around merriment, this time in the Harry Potter universe!
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Hobbit Birthday Bash & The Scouring of the Gingerbread
Since there won’t be another Hobbit/LOTR movie this year, in lieu of their usual end of the year movie party, my in-laws held a Bilbo & Frodo birthday bash in honor of Tolkien Week and Hobbit Day! There was a cake with 111 candles creating a fiery rising heat vortex, and we dismantled the remains of the giant themed gingerbread houses, to make room for a new era of geeky parties. Featured snippet song is an acoustic version of Flight of the Conchords’ “Frodo, Don’t Wear the Ring.”
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Death is having a Near-Pratchett Experience
On March 12, 2015, Terry Pratchett’s twitter account posted the following: AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER. — Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) March 12, 2015 Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night. — Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) March 12, 2015 http://t.co/EzEDHf5EkW — Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) March 12, 2015 The End. — Terry Pratchett (@terryandrob) March 12, 2015 And all Terry Pratchett’s fanbase reading those posts felt various levels of this: Terry Pratchett narrating his own death is the only time Twitter has made the hairs on my arm stand on end. What a loss. — Peter Hewitt…
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6 of My Favorite Kid’s Book Author-Illustrators | Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators Week!
Happy Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators Week! This week is a great excuse to sit back and think about, or re-read, your favorite books from when you were little. If you look some up, you might be surprised (like I was) at how many were written and illustrated by the same person! There’s truly something fantastic about a well-written and illustrated kid’s book, whether textured by an author and a complimentary artist, or if both parts grew out of the same mind. I have a lot of respect for artists who dance in that middle ground, and there are so many with such rich talents! They have my undying admiration,…
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13 Books that have Stayed With Me
It began with a Facebook survey that my mother-in-law tagged me in: In your status, list 10 books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t take more than a few minutes and do not think too hard. They do not have to be the “right” books or great works of literature, just ones that have affected you in some way. And then the clever Sarah Shotts said she wanted to re-post her own answers on her blog, and I knew I had to do the same! Favorite books are such a special part of any writer’s life (everyone’s life!), I just wanted to share my list of enduring, memorable picks…
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VEDA 2013 – Day 5: Life, London and North Korea
Using my life experiences to help my writing along is something I really enjoy doing, even if it can get emotional. Also, was well-informed by Hank Green’s video on North Korea, and love all the Londoniness of Maureen Johnson’s “The Name of the Star.”
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VEDA 2013 – Day 2: In Which Much Writing Occurs
I love being ahead of the curve! We’re also reading a really mathy book. And the cat is adorable.
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VEDA 2012 – Day 18: Mistborn 3 Reaction *SPOILERS*
Haha I am super late haha! My immediate reaction to the ending of Brandon Sanderson’s third book in the Mistborn trilogy, “Hero of Ages.” We also discuss his “Alloy of Law” book.
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VEDA 2012 – Day 5: Hunger Games
A review of the Hunger Games from the perspective of a new fan who just saw the movies (me) and a fan of the books who discusses its adaptation from page to screen (Wervyn). Watch the Hunger Games trailer! SO EPIC! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgssLmsOa2s
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Book Cop & Independence Day
Happy Independence Day, American readers! In honor of this day, may I present Book Cop, from a hysterical webcomic Axe Cop.
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VEDA – Day 24: Recommendations
Werv gives some sci-fi authors and series recommendations. Lois McMaster Bujold’s site : www.dendarii.com —- download the entire Vorkosigan (Miles) saga for FREE! Really, it’s totally legal and Bujold-endorsed! baencd.thefifthimperium.com Orson Scott Card’s site : www.hatrack.com Neal Stephenson’s site : www.nealstephenson.com
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The House That Built Me
While with my parents over Christmas, I find remnants of a younger me with writerly aspirations. Also, made this entirely on my new Gen. 4 iPod Touch with the iMovie app, which is simplified but quite nice once I learned how to use it! Wherein I play around with my new iPod touch and shoot a vlog about a younger me, and the pieces of her I found at my parent’s house. The centered video with black sidebars reminds me of a certain Imogen Heap video, just with significantly lesser production values ^_~
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Dawn Treader Party (and Editor Update)
I went to an amazing party in honor of The Dawn Treader coming out in theatres! I geek out, and give a quick update on how my editor is coming with my manuscript. Check out other amazing stuff my mom-in-law has done: http://eventsbyemily.tumblr.com/ { Previously geeking about this house’s epic nerdiness on Facebook }
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Halloweek 2010: 4 More Classic Spooky Stories (Guest Post)
I hope you guys don’t mind a 5th guest post in one month! My dear friend Rosie is somewhat of an expert on the creepy genre, particularly for teens and young adults, and she always adds a wonderful dash of librarian knowledge to all of her reviews, so I asked if she’d do a little follow up on my post earlier this week on books of her choice (though I gave a few suggestions). Hope you like! ~CAN At the behest of my former roommate and very talented, dear friend, the authoress Christina Nelson, I bring to you a few reviews of my favorite scary stories in time for Halloween.…
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Halloweek 2010: 6 Classic Spooky Stories
This is the promised blog post! Wooo! In six days it shall be Halloween! Other than Christmas, Halloween is probably my favorite holiday, because of the costumes and the candy, but also because there’s so much to DO and have fun with! I love a good story, and Halloween is FULL of them! Just look at the old ghost stories and creepy tales you find tacked on houses or buildings in old historic towns: they all talk about people who used to be alive, and there’s something dramatic about the idea of spirits hanging on. How many stories have focused on ghosts over the years? But I digress. As you know,…
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Book Byte: Painless Learning!
Happy school year, guys! It’s the weekend and I’m posting an entry about SCHOOL! YAAAY! It’s just that the past few weeks I’ve been getting nostalgic flashbacks of buying school supplies and books, and the morning bustle of my dad, me and my sister getting ready for work and school as my mom rushed around helping all of us out get out the door on time. I remember on very rainy days the house seemed so cozy, and everything about our morning ritual just seemed…strangely perfect. There was a homey bustle to the start of school that I loved then and now. *happy sigh* Okay, so I haven’t been in…
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The Origins of Automata and the Uncanny in “Edison’s Eve”
All moveables of wonder, from all parts,/Are here–Albinos, painted Indians, Dwarfs,/The Horse of Knowledge, and the learned Pig,/The Stone-eater, the man that swallows fire,/Giants, Ventriloquists, the Invisible Girl,/The Bust that speaks and moves it goggling eyes,/The Wax-work, Clock-work, and all the marvelous craft/Of modern Merlins, Wild Beasts, Puppet-shows,/All out-o’-the-way, far-fetched, perverted things,/All freaks of nature, all Promethean thoughts/Of man, his dullness, madness, and their feats/All jumbled up together, to compose/A Parliament of Monsters. – William Wordsworth, The Prelude While doing some research for my webcomic a few months ago, I read a remarkable book called “Edison’s Eve” by Gaby Wood. It discusses the historical significance of automata from their initial…
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Hey, Oscar Wilde! It’s Clobberin’ Time!
Interesting title. Thank you. I cannot take credit for it. Not quite a writing charity or an author dinner raising money for illiteracy, but it’s so noteworthy and creative and…well, authory, that I knew I had to write a little bit about it’s existance. “Hey, Oscar Wilde! It’s Clobberin’ Time” is a website where, as they say themselves (capslock and all): NOW IN ITS TENTH INCARNATION SINCE BEING LAUNCHED IN 06.1998, IS AN EXTENSION OF A PERSONAL ART COLLECTION OF VARIOUS ARTISTS INTERPRETING THEIR FAVOURITE LITERARY FIGURE/AUTHOR/CHARACTER THAT HAS BEEN ACCUMULATED SINCE 03.1998. Basically, it’s a website where illustrators and artists do up pieces involving their favorite books or authors…
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"I was trying to feel some kind of a good-by."
J. D. Salinger, author of “Catcher in the Rye” died yesterday (Jan. 27th) of natural causes, at the ripe ol’ age of 91. {read the article} The funny thing is that I thought he died long ago. That’s how reclusive he’s been. His only published novel is “Catcher in the Rye,” and a few short stories, including “Franny and Zooey.” I first read “Catcher in the Rye” in high school, with our grade divided into different period English classes, and in my small group I was surprisingly one of the few who expressed enjoyment reading it. I never fancied myself having teenage angst at the time, though looking back, I…
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The Delightful Maud Hart Lovelace
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I have a special Book Byte for you. On this wonderful night, my heart is warmed by thoughts of Christmases during my childhood, and all the happy memories I have of days gone by. So, I felt it only fitting to talk about one of my favorite heartwarming book series. I’m only sad that it took me so long to finally hear about it, but I’m so happy that I can read it as an adult. It’s even more of a pleasure. Maud Hart Lovelace is not an author many recognize by name, but those who do, it’s safe to say they are fierce fans of…
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In the Realms of the Unreal
Sometimes, authors and artists fantasize about being hermits. It’s a romantic notion: cast off worldly things like cell phones, the internet, acquaintances and jobs, and run away where there is no one to bother you, and you’re blessedly detached from the looming, ugly world that threatens to come between you and your creativity. I still get nostalgic for that strange place of creative bliss that I’ve only found a few times in my own mind, yet, I’d never really thought about the flipside of this coin until I heard the unusual story of Henry Darger. I’ve just finished watching “The Realms of the Unreal” documentary about the life of Henry…
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The Illustrious Terry Pratchett
This is the first Book Byte-featured author so far that is already published, and has considerable notoriety and very devoted fans. I started reading Terry Pratchett (or I should probably say Sir Terry Pratchett!) in high school, and I’ve been on a quest to read all of his Discworld series since! (Quite an endeavor, as there are over 20 books and he keeps adding more.) With an infectious, comical writing style that reads like a witty, British comedy, Pratchett creates a fantastic, magical world that is alive and thriving (if not a bit grubby and smelly at times, but it does its best ^_^), and engages the reader so much…
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Lisa Patton
Lisa Patton and I met by random chance at a car repair shop as I was leaving and she was entering. After a mere minute-long conversation, we found out we were both authors, and we’ve been friends ever since! FIRST LINES: “Memphis is my home. It always will be no matter where I live. In the South we have a tendency to be possessive of our hometowns.” It’s about a Southern belle and her tales of moving up to Vermont and running an inn with her family. Lisa has also been an innkeeper in Vermont, so I think it’s safe to say that this book has a lot of truth…
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Chris Carlton Brown
I’m going to start a new little series here on me blog: the Book Byte, where I briefly showcase writers or books I really like. I’ll cover my favorite mainstream ones, but especially ones published by personal author friends, because I believe we writer types should help each other out! So, in the words of Strong Bad: “Let’s take a look. A book-look.” Chris Carlton Brown is a dear friend of my family. “Hoppergrass” is his debut book, and I was lucky enough to read it earlier this year. FIRST LINE: “It’s always a clean, white car—this time a Ford.” It’s a story about a teen juvie and his stint…
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Decisions, decisions (Traditional vs. Self-Publishing)
I am pleased to say that since I have time to actually organize my life now, I feel safe in saying that I have time to write again. I keep finding myself scribbling story ideas on little pads or scraps of paper as I work throughout the day. I just had an interesting conversation with my friend Todd over lunch, a fellow writer. We were discussing the pros and cons of publishing with an acutal publisher vs. self-publishing. Big publishers have been losing ground recently, not unlike the music industry with the indie movement, where artists are pursuing their dreams on their own terms. I’d agree that self-publishing is becoming…
Artist, Author, Geek
