The Write Life

I've been out clicking random links that relate to writing. I am searching for that sage advice that will tell me how to turn off my internal editor. Among all the different links, I came across someone's blog. They were explaining why they write in their chosen genre. It led me to think about why I write romance.

I believe it's because of that awesome discovery that two people compliment each other, possibly even complete each other. Two halves of one whole....The character interaction that makes the journey such an interesting one. The poignant warm rush that we all as readers can relate to in our own experiences. That first heart-racing sigh of "will they call?", that is what I hope to capture. That moment just before we wonder "what will I say?" when the excitement over-rides the worry.

There is much more to it than this, I am just scratching the surface, but this is a starting point....

 Writing -

Fan fiction vs. Real Fiction
Why is it when we write for enjoyment (like with fan fiction) there aren't half the problems we find with real fiction? I hope this makes sense and I hope it opens a discussion. I like to think maybe it is because it is the enjoyment itself that makes the difference. I have heard a few of you write about Writers Block on your original ideas. I seem to have the same issue right now.

Writing Hiatus
I don't think I can survive a hiatus from writing, but maybe that is what I need in order to spark some creativity? Maybe if I enforce it for a set amount of time it will drive me into madness so that the creative flow will once again begin.

Smoking and Creativity
Many of you may not know that I was up until three weeks ago a smoker, pack a day in fact. Sunday marked three weeks without any smoking, but also without any creativity! I know, I know, logically, smoking and creativity are not in any way linked, but it does make me wonder what the hell happened to my creativity? On a side note - I have not had a single craving, my sense of smell is returning, and boy do I feel better....Best piece of advice possibly ever - Don't ever start!  As stupid as that may sound, it really isn't hard to get sucked into smoking....Trust me I was there seventeen years ago.....*God I feel old now!*
 
ETA  - Does anyone else notice their own ideas just coming off as lame or off the wall? That was my other question that I wanted to put here, but I forgot... ^-^;;

Hi hi, I just have to share my fleeting happiness. These beauties I bring to share came from my very own yard. :D  The purple one is called "Pale Moonshadow", the coral one is "Tahitian Sunset", and the yellow one is called "Fragrant Cloud". I do not know what the pale pink one is called.

There is a story behind them. My good friend moved to Puyallup last fall. When she moved, she pulled out her roses, not wanting to leave them at a rental. The Purple one, the yellow one and the pale-pink, were given into my care. I am so happy that they have done so well in my soil. The Tahitian Sunset, I bought a couple of weeks back at our local farmers market...

They each smell a bit different, but all have a fantastic scent!  I clipped all four blooms today in the rain as you can see. I put them in a shot glass on my desk for mood-enhancement. 

♥♥♥♥ I have to rave a bit about my Ipod.(Which means in other words - I LOVE IT) It is a 30 gig, which is fine for now. Eventually though, I will have a 160 gig, just because I can.(That much more room for Videos) :) So I am sharing a new MEME. There are tons for your music...What song are you hearing? or What's on your playlist? But my curiosity is What's in your VIDEO List....

So here's the deal...

Share your top ten favorite videos on your Ipod. Tell us just a bit about why you like your chosen ones and let's see what we learn about each other. So I'll start.

1. Hello Project, All for One Danceshot Video - This song is just so upbeat, and all the girls are so Kawaii. If you haven't seen it  I recommend checking it out....

2. Ouran Highschool Host Club AMV set to Black Parade - Awesome video, it touched me and that why I have it.

3. Jason Miraz Winterwonderland - He was on a latenight show and sang this live. Wow one of the few american videos I have on here. Who knew?

4.German Coastguard - This is a funny little German Commercial for learning English...."What are you sinking about?" lol

5. Matsumoto's Scary Story - A clip I found of a Japanese talk show, Matsumoto is the guest telling this freaky story, and it really will scare you....

6. Stadium Commercial - This a Japanese commercial and talk about funny. Guy moves to Tokyo, and is amazed by all the pretty girls, until they begin talking.....You'll have to see it...too funny!

7. Sailor Moon AMV set to Only Time by Enya - This covers the S season, Haruka and Michiru's relationship...again very beautiful and touching...

8. Ouran Highschool Host Club AMV set to Sexy Back - Somebody had mad skillz, that's all I will say

9. Still Doll Wakeshima Kanon - This is the actual PV. It's creepy and fits the song, plus she is so beautiful.

10. Nakanaide" (Don't Cry), Live Performance - if you don't know about this yet read my past two posts and you'll understand. I still don't know the bands name. (Thanks to aiwritingfic for the song title! *♥♥♥♥ Hearts you*)

11.  Carlos Man of Love - Ouran, This video is too cute...If you haven't seen it try to find it. There are several, but this one is actually the one where it ends with Tamaki waking from a dream....I couldn't not give this one a nod, the ending just makes it a winner. 


So I went over by one, forgive me, it was hard I have so many I wanted to list. This is why I love my Ipod, because I can take all my favorites with me. Sad but only about five of mine are actual American clips. The rest are a variety of AMVs' and funny commercials. *Helpless Shrug* What can I say, most American TV I find boring....

Thanks to aiwritingfic for pointing out that the video has been removed due to copyright issues, and the song title! Nakanaide" (Don't Cry)    Here is a photo  of the guys, from a Yahoo article in Japanese. Does anyone know this group's name?




http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080625-00000028-maiall-ent.view-000&kz=ent      

Here is a link to the article. If anyone can read Japanese, and catch the groups name, I would owe someone a huge favor. Onegai Shimasu? *puppy dog eyes*     

 

 

 

 

Okay short explanation I was surfing youtube last night and I came across this video! Please, does anyone know who this group is or the title of the song. I already have their video on my Ipod but I want the song too. I have the video titled "unknown" right now. ^-^;;  Here is a link to the Video on youtube, I would embed it but I am not sure how....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uT5oMB_gjA

Please please watch it, and let me know if you recognize this group or the song title. *puppy dog eyes*  Onegai Shimasu....

 Yeah I know I haven't  updated lately. Life has been crazy. But that is not why I am posting. It's crazy really....what I want to talk about tonight is something along the lines of fate, destiny or something like that. My good friend has spent ten and-a-half long years in an empty marriage with a inmature guy that treated her like dirt. 

This spring she finally woke up to realize she didn't want to spend the rest of her life in this empty place, so she decided that it was time for change. She finally found her courage and just recently filed for Legal Seperation, with a divorce down the road. In the process of all this happening, she also happened to meet her soulmate. It's like changing of the seasons in her life. From cold dark winter to a sunny mild spring. The timing is just amazing...

I write romance for a reason, this reason exactly. Anything is possible! I don't know about fate, destiny whatever you want to call it, but there is something to it. The timing in the grand scheme of things, is not just coincidental. It's too weird for words, but there you have it.

It's about time I finished this, I know, but it took forever to froth. ^-^;; lol I can't believe I just typed a coffee reference. *helpless shrug* Well I did...moving right along. Here it is finally. This was a direct commandment from Akinarei. Put under an lj  cut for sanities sake. Hey it is just over 1100 words. I hope you like it, because it definitely fits your requirements. ^-~   So without further ado, I give you "A Coversation about the Japanese"

( Read it, you know you want to.... )

 

 
 
 

Hey I know it has been a few weeks since I updated with a post. Although, I have still been commenting on my friends' posts that catch my interest.

The neat thing right now is I am posting this from my phone, just to see how easy it is. I am heading for the Tacoma/Seattle area this weekend, so this is a test run. ;)

ETA : 1 - Akinarei, I am still working on your story, I haven't forgotten. 2 - I am still hard at work on my VK story also....Other than that Saturday, I had to back everything on my laptop and wipe it to reformat. I did not have a virus it was just all messed up.. :S Now it is running smoothly and with speed.

Okay so I was inspired by seeing all these great banners and such. Here is the result. Remember, before you laugh, I really have no skill, not because I don't try, but I just need some good tutorials I think. ^-^;; You know to learn what all of the possibilities allow you to do. So without further ado, here is my best so far attempt at this photoshop stuff.



As you can see I did play a little and learn a bit more, but still.....I'm undecided.

I read Vol. 3 today of Vampire Knight, and I am preparing to start on 4. :D I have questions for others that have read this Volume. In Twelfth Night : We were powerless back then - Towards the end Yuki fell asleep on the stairway waiting for Kaname. When he shows up  he bends down to pick her up. In one frame only they show his fangs extended quite near her neck. In the next he is covering her with his coat. So my question. Did he actually bite her, or did he stop himself? Why are we left to wonder?


I got some bad news today. My grandfather is ninety-nine years old this year. In August he will actually turn one-hundred. My dad didn't call, but my mom let me know that he had a small heart-attack today. They are keeping him overnight for observation. It's kind of sad really, because you realize what's coming. He's really, really old, and he deserves to be able to meet his wife again. She died fourteen years ago, just after my oldest was born. While I can rationalize that completely, there is a certain sadness that accompanies it.. I guess you just take things for granted without even realizing it. Is that really possible? I don't know, right now I am just trying to accept the inevitable....


On a different note I want to append my answer to Number 6 of the of the fanfiction meme. I knew I was forgetting something, but I couldn't remember what it was. ^-^;;

The other big trend I hate is when people won't update unless they get a set number of reviews. Talk about arrogant and egotistical. I won't review a story unless I really feel the story has an element I need to comment on.

If I start a story, and the Author says. "I want twenty reviews and then I'll update."  That will kill my interest quicker than anything else. I don't care how good a story is, that behavior is a major turn off. I believe if my story touches someone or they have something to comment on then that is fine. For Authors to demand such a thing is completely unfair. I find the practice egotistical and technically I feel it should be unethical as well. :P This is just my humble opinion.

Anyway I am off to read Vol. 4!  A big  Thank You goes out to everyone that responded which was everyone I asked. :D

First props go to yamikakyuu for the wonderful Yuki Icon. Let me know what fandom you want, and I'll write something. Okay, now it's time for some serious raving.

I loved the first episode. It actually gave me the shivers, in a very good way. Kaname's seiyuu is perfect for the role. The classical mood-setting music added to the tension. Yuie Horie I am familiar with from somewhere. The episode was pretty close to the Manga. By the way, I have finished Volume 2 and am picking up 3 tomorrow, and hopefully 4. I have to know more. The wait is killing me....

If you have already read my prior post you will know I want at some point to be able to write a Kaname/Yuki story. YUMMY! But I need to know things first. Please, please don't post spoilers in your comments, because I don't know certain things yet. ^-^;; Let me say this once....

KYAA! I really love this show! 

Thats out of my system for now, at least temporarily, there may be more fan girling posts as I see more episodes and read Vol. 3 and 4.

Fanfiction Meme  that I actually  found quite  fascinating. I borrowed it from aiwritingfic

Yes with permission...

1.) How about a brief introduction?  Hi Daisuki-chan here, I am just some crazy writer with a lot of ideas bouncing around inside my head.

 2.) Fabulous, and what got you into fanfiction to begin with? Well that is funny, you see, I was looking for something Sailor Moon, and I came across fanfiction.net. Imagine my surprise to find that people actually wrote stories about Anime, Books, Movies and Television Shows. The bug hit instantly. I thought I can do that, and I already had ideas.

3.) I see. So what kind of fanfiction do you like to write? I love romance, with angst. There is just something special about falling in love, and I like to explore that. I’ve mixed it with a number of other aspects, and it went over well.

4.) Do you find writing easy? Hard? What are the aspects of writing you struggle most with? It is by no means easy, but the term hard is subjective. If I have a good plot to work with then it isn’t too difficult. I struggle the most with plotting things out. I don’t actually do that. When I begin a story, it is as much a journey for me as it is for the characters.

5.) Write a few sentences or so of your favorite pairing or character. Naru shoved Mai behind him, as the Poltergeist manifested directly in their path. Mai hid from the horrendous sight, ducking her head against his back. His scent clung to the soft material of his coat, providing a strange sense of comfort.  

6.) Are there any fanfiction clichés or trends you're sick of or just can't stand? I have come along way since I began writing fanfiction. What I used to devour now bothers me. Mary-sue and self-inserts have driven me crazy from the start. I also find that I becoming more fussy about grammar and spelling. Whereas plot has always been something I had to have, now I find I need good grammar and spelling to go with.

7.) Are you guilty of any fanfiction clichés you hate? Or any other ones? My biggest clichés would have to be AU stories. While some tend to stick to the original, I have shaken things up a bit. I haven’t really done that much since my Sailor Moon days. My other bad cliché is writing song fics. I don’t include the lyrics or anything, but I have several stories that were inspired by a certain song.

8.) What was the first fandom you wrote for, and do you still like/participate in it? Sailor Moon is where I got my start, but I find there are so many Anime with possibilities.

9.) Name your OTPs or most frequently written pairings/characters and explain what it is about them that you love to write.  Well from Sailor Moon it would be Usagi/Mamoru and Usagi/Seiya, oh and we mustn’t forget Haruka/Michiru. True love--it’s there in the story already, I just like to play with getting them there.

10.) From Ghost Hunt I enjoy writing Mai/Naru because the love is quite subtle and that makes for great angst. I also like Bou-san and Ayako because they fight. I think they mistake their true feelings for dislike, and that is fun to bring to life.

11.) What would you call your writing style? My writing style is simple. I like to draw the reader in and keep them there. If my reader came away with anything new then I have done my job well.

12.) Do you read other people’s fanfic? If so, what do you find yourself reading the most? I do actually. I used to read even more, but then I grew as a writer and a reader. J Now, plot holes, bad grammar, spelling errors, all drive me nuts.  I find I will give the writer two paragraphs to draw me in or I won’t read it. That may sound harsh, but it’s just the way I am.

13.) Name one thing you'd LOVE to write, but have been too afraid or shy to do. A well-written lemon would be awesome. I would like to challenge myself, but I am unsure of the reaction such a story would get. Other than that, I want to find another hard topic, like child-abuse to challenge myself as a writer. I also long to write a Yuki/Kaname romance from Vampire Knight, but because I have only read the first two volumes, I have to see where the relationship goes. In addition, the Anime just aired so we shall see….

14.) Do you have trouble taking criticism? Or worse yet, do you have the dreaded bloated ego? No, I have learned to love criticism of any kind. It is truly my best friend. Seeing my story whether bad or good through another’s eyes is awesome. I see things I might have missed. I have to remember not to try to explain why I made certain choices. Also I have learned that I don’t have to listen to all advice, only that which I agree will make my story that much better.

15.) When you write, is there anything that helps? Music? A quiet room? I like to play that certain song on repeat to help maintain the feel I am going for. When there is no certain song, I find silence can work well.

 
16.) What inspires you? My inspiration comes from discussing writing with other writers. I love bouncing ideas around, and just talking about plot, characterization, or anything related to writing.

17.) Lastly, how would you sum up your fanfiction experiences and yourself as a writer? I love it so much that I could cry. That is by no means a joke. It has taught me so much, reading, listening, attempting new things. It has opened my creativity, it has touched me in so many ways, and I am unable to explain all of it. If you are curious, just ask me about my tattoo and I’ll explain in-depth. I am striving to write professionally, and fanfiction has brought me a million times closer to that goal.

Tag some friends because they'll hate you for it.  akinarei  aliciablade
  sakura_h_chan  yamikakyuu  

Please don't hate me for this, but I thought it would be interesting to see your answers....

Anyone with photoshop skills out there at all? Please please I humbly beg and throw myself on your kind mercy. I need two icons and have no photoshop skills to speak of, okay none at all, I suck. There I admitted it.... Below are the two images with explanations






This is Oguri Shun, my Idol. (Yummy, there is just something about him that I can't resist) I need an icon for that.





This is the image I want for fangirling, because I don't have one at all. So please please take mercy on me somebody anybody, I'll do a fic in return as a trade in a fandom I'm familiar with! Incentive always helps, I know....

OMG Has anyone else out here read the Manga "Vampire Knight"? Okay I was reading Gentlemen's Alliance Cross and in the back they advertised "Vampire Knight", so the other day on Animesuki I see a preview. KYAA... *Fangirling* So of course being Vampires and love I went right out and bought Vol. 1, that was Saturday.

Today I finally got to read it...I had to buy Vol. 2. OMG Kuran Kaname-san has to be one of the hottest Vampires, I think I've seen.






Can you say yummy? I cannot wait until April 7th. That is when the first episode will air. So far there is something inexplicable about this manga that just draws me in....The only other Manga I have raved about is Ghost Hunt also a Paranormal.

I am heading off now to look at seiyuus and such, I'll post more as I learn more. :D

Happy Easter.... 

and for your viewing pleasure.....










I hope you all get lots of CHOCOLATE! yummy 

 http://beckyzoole.livejournal.com/  

This will explain it all, but basically it is NO CONTENT, NO COMMENTS, NO VISITS, NO ANYTHING on LJ for twenty-four hours. 

So I am on the west coast of the United States, and I checked here just specifically for this,  

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?year=2008&month=3&day=21&hour=0&min=0&sec=0

Damn daylight savings time anyway. For me and anyone else near Seattle this means Thursday 5pm - Friday 5pm

Do you know how many times a day I visit just to see who has updated? I am such a peek whore it is not even funny. I wait with barely bated breath just to see if there are updates, this is damn near gonna kill me, but for the good of the cause I can suffer from LJ withdrawls- this is something I never thought to utter. Damn that arrogant Russian bastard anyway. If you haven't read his interview slamming all of us, I recommend you read the translated version here.

http://darkrosetiger.livejournal.com/373663.html?page=3  

This is why I am going to do this. Yes he bought the company, yes he has the right to make business decisions, but the way he refers to LJ users lights my fire. The only on up side is I love Aki's cute little Strike Icon. :P  Unfortunately I have been unable to find any....


Now on to something completely different, I am dead tired in a good way, sort of. Did that even make sense? Well let me explain. Okay you all know "Twilight" Stephenie Meyers book is being made into a movie, right? Well it just so happens that they are filming not twenty minutes from where I live. 

I have a fourteen year-old daughter that loves Twilight. So I get the hare-brained idea--from a friend in the know--to be there at five this morning. They were beginning filming at that time. We were up and out the door at four camera in hand. We pull up in the dark and I finally find a place to pull off and park. So we sit and watch for a bit but can't figure much out. We climbed out and walked down the hill only to see the Vehicles being used during the wreck scene, including Bella's Truck. 

I wish, I wish I could have gotten pics. 1.) It was still quite dark...  2.) The security guard was glaring suspicisiously at us as we strolled by. By the way here I should mention, we went disquised as early morning joggers. ^-~ Creative eh?  We watched as they brought in the stars in those white mini/not quite mini-vans. Unfortunately the filming is on an actual closed set. We did ask one production crewman, and he was very polite, when he could have been quite rude. So that was my adventure that led to one very early morning....

 Last week I posted such cryptic words, if only I had known. "Misery loves company". You all read last Tuesday how two of my children were home sick with the flu. Well, Wednesday and Thursday they were both still home sick. Finally on Friday we saw a break. They were feeling better, and went back to school.

This is where my words come into play. Friday evening, I felt a little chilled. I thought a warm bath might help. Unbeknownst to me, I was actually running a slight fever. Into the warm bath I climb loving the warmth. It didn't hit until I climbed out that I was even colder. I felt a slight headache, and climbed into bed trying to warm up. I'll skip all the gory details, I am not crude after all. Up until today I have been flat on my back, sicker than a dog, with you guessed it the stomach flu.

I seriously lost a few pounds being unable to eat anything solid until today. I lived on ice-water, Sprite, and Gatorade. Yummy! lol I slept Saturday clear through, laid in bed achy and hurting yesterday. So anyway I am back in the land of the living finally. I seriously hope no one picks it up. It grabs you, knocks the crap out of you, and leaves you weak and hurting, no joke.

This has been such a fun day, I use the term fun loosely here. My 10 year-old son woke me at 4 this morning. He had a puke coating down the front of him. Here I am bleary-eyed, and half-awake. My only reply was "Get in the shower...." Okay so he's home for the day of course. Then my oldest gets up at six for school, and then comes flopping on my bed to tell me that her stomach hurts. "God please not her too". I clearly remember begging, pleading, and bargaining if only she would be okay. No such luck. She left-off to get ready or so I thought. Nope, she was in bed sound asleep.

So I run my oldest son to school, race back to get my youngest on the bus. Two kids home sick-let me tell you it was not an enjoyable day. My oldest felt the urge, but never actually hit the jackpot. I am still waiting for that nightmare. My son spent the day having a vomit festival with a glass bowl and the toilet. The saddest part is this flu hit him hard because he has never really had any stomach flu. *hanging my head* What else can add to my misery.

Oh of course, I forgot to add, my oldest son had his band concert tonight, on top of everything else. He plays the clarinet. So I leave the oldest sick child with the two youngest children, to attend this band concert. Boring is an apt term for this event. I mean it is neat to see the skills they are learning, but this round I had to sit through the whole tortuous event by myself. Usually my mom would attend with me, but because of the other kids being sick she could not risk getting the stomach flu.

All is quiet now thank god as they all drift off to sleep even my really sick kid is finally sleeping somewhat more comfortably. Okay I am off to relax now.....

Okay ,  yamikakyuu   this is all your fault....Snagged it, couldn't resist. 

Ghost Hunt music meme...
Original meme:
1. Pick a character, pairing, or fandom you like.
2. Turn on your music player and put it on random/shuffle.
3. Write a drabble related to each song that plays. You only have the time frame of the song to finish the drabble; you start when the song starts, and stop when it's over. No lingering afterwards!
4. Do ten of these, then post them~ 


Three done....