For those of you who love writing, National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, starts at midnight tonight, in a little more than eight hours from now. I'm participating for the first time ever, and while the prospect of writing a 50,000 word novel is tantalizing, I'm very nervous.
Scatter-brained as I am, I had a fully-fledged story idea in mind a few weeks ago...and then it waltzed away. I mean, I still have all the characters and the basic gist...I just don't quite know where to start. Writers are notoriously never satisfied with their own writing, and this is so very true for me. I'm a compulsive perfectionist, so the idea of writing and writing without reviewing or revising any of it is scary, to say the least.
I'm going to try and outline some of my story idea (tentatively titled "Within and Without") here, for anyone who's remotely interested:
-This world is a hybrid between Medieval serfdom and futuristic America, but don't assume this is completely sci-fi.
-Everyone in this particular gated community, Nad, has white-blonde hair and gray eyes and pale skin
-Well, not everyone. Sometimes, children are born with jet-black hair, and occasionally some are born with freckles. This is rare and considered undesirable. Many (such as the mother of Myra - the main character) dye their hair to hide it.
-Recently, some have been developing a...condition. The eyes of some people have changed from the pleasent gray to a bloodred.
-Along with the red eyes has come some...tension. The weather patterns in the area have fluctuated violently, as often as once every five minutes. A few younger children are being pulled out of school, and their parents are talking about a disease that causes "blindness."
-The story follows an adolescent named Myra, the daughter of the head of law enforcement in Nad. Not only does she have black hair, but at the age of six her eyes turned crimson. She has been home-schooled since. In public, she wears black glasses and feigns blindness.
-One day shortly before her eyes changed color, in the market Myra saw a blonde, freckly boy with one eye gray and one eye red. A decade later, she is sure he has died on the streets.
-To escape the boredom of her home, Myra slips out to the market and assists the butler in the selling of her mother Camilla's apples. Here, she sells a bushel to a young man, and only as he leaves does his scarf slip and show her his left red eye and right gray. Not a minute later, a blonde toddler picks a fight with a passive brunette baby boy, and in the end the black-haired one gets slapped. This sends Myra into a nose-dive.
-That night, as Myra packs a bag to run away, Camilla seeks her out and hands her a bottle of bleach. Myra realizes her mother has been like her all along.
-The butler helps Myra abscond, but as soon as she's out of the house, the world overwhelmes her.
-Just on time, the boy with heterochromia, Lin, finds her and leads her out of the gates. No one ever leaves the community.
-The rest of the story is the journey Myra, Lin, and Cass (a 25-year-old rebel leader from Nad with black hair, red eyes, and freckles) make to the red-eyed holding and their discoveries as they battle their powers and themselves.
So yeah. Wish me luck. :)
-Hannah
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
In Which Golden Rules are Meant to be Broken
Like the one about sharing? There is a point where it's necessary to scream "TMI" to the heavens. I've just about reached that point.
(I will not name names, but those who read this can prolly infer who I'm talking about.)
I have a very close guy friend. I also have a close female friend. They're hanging out on the weekends.
...and making out.
The girl - let's call her *Bathsheba - is having school problems, but not boy problems. Luckily for me, she doesn't bother me much about it for advice. The boy - who we'll call *Adonijah - is having girl problems, which will - according to him - lead to school problems. Unlike Bathsheba, he always bothers me for advice about it. They're a problematic couple, you see.
Bathsheba is okay with this "friends-with-kissy-face" situation because she isn't ready for a relationship right now. However, Adonijah is having some feelings. These strong feelings are causing him a great deal of confusion and pain. I'm not trying to downplay his feelings, but I've told him he will probably have to deal with this on his own.
Unfortunately for me, he has spent the better part of the last month asking me for advice. I want to help him, but I've discovered I don't know how to. So, not only will he not stop reminding me he's in pain, but he's now constantly rubbing in my face that for one of the first times in my life, I can't help someone.
It's a scary thing that I can't help. I'm my group's therapist. They come to me when they need advice or help or just to rant. But, for once, I want Adonijah to stop coming to me. I actually started crying today because I'm drowning in his pain! I'm sure he doesn't mean to be doing that, but that doesn't change the fact that other people's drama is suffocating me.
Normally I'd be okay with handling other people's drama. It's not the first time I've had to do it. But, in relation to this post, I've just got over a whole lot of my own drama. I'm in no state to be sorting out the problems of my friends when I am struggling with my own.
Well, that's really all I had to say. I needed to get that off my chest.
One more thing before I go: we might not have Quidditch at the party, guys. Rebecca and I are considering a smaller-scale thing, but I'm not sure how that'll go. Regardless, we'll still have fun - we're a fun group. It's not the end of the world if it doesn't happen because you can trust me when I say we've got alternatives.
That's all.
-Hannah
*These are some Talmudic allusions. Just sayin'.
(I will not name names, but those who read this can prolly infer who I'm talking about.)
I have a very close guy friend. I also have a close female friend. They're hanging out on the weekends.
...and making out.
The girl - let's call her *Bathsheba - is having school problems, but not boy problems. Luckily for me, she doesn't bother me much about it for advice. The boy - who we'll call *Adonijah - is having girl problems, which will - according to him - lead to school problems. Unlike Bathsheba, he always bothers me for advice about it. They're a problematic couple, you see.
Bathsheba is okay with this "friends-with-kissy-face" situation because she isn't ready for a relationship right now. However, Adonijah is having some feelings. These strong feelings are causing him a great deal of confusion and pain. I'm not trying to downplay his feelings, but I've told him he will probably have to deal with this on his own.
Unfortunately for me, he has spent the better part of the last month asking me for advice. I want to help him, but I've discovered I don't know how to. So, not only will he not stop reminding me he's in pain, but he's now constantly rubbing in my face that for one of the first times in my life, I can't help someone.
It's a scary thing that I can't help. I'm my group's therapist. They come to me when they need advice or help or just to rant. But, for once, I want Adonijah to stop coming to me. I actually started crying today because I'm drowning in his pain! I'm sure he doesn't mean to be doing that, but that doesn't change the fact that other people's drama is suffocating me.
Normally I'd be okay with handling other people's drama. It's not the first time I've had to do it. But, in relation to this post, I've just got over a whole lot of my own drama. I'm in no state to be sorting out the problems of my friends when I am struggling with my own.
Well, that's really all I had to say. I needed to get that off my chest.
One more thing before I go: we might not have Quidditch at the party, guys. Rebecca and I are considering a smaller-scale thing, but I'm not sure how that'll go. Regardless, we'll still have fun - we're a fun group. It's not the end of the world if it doesn't happen because you can trust me when I say we've got alternatives.
That's all.
-Hannah
*These are some Talmudic allusions. Just sayin'.
Friday, October 22, 2010
"Ponies AND rainbows?"
Ah, nothing like a good quote to end the school week with. Courtesy of The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. For Percy Jackson fans that don't already know, this is the first book in the second PJ series. No, Percy and co. are no longer the main characters, but they do still exist. In fact, this book begins just a few months after the end of The Last Olympian. I do have my own copy, and you can borrow it if you'd like, but I'll warn ya now that the waiting list is long.
(Speaking of which, I still haven't quite figured out the official list. Excuse the interlude...
-Liz
-Danielle
-David
-John R. from math
-Andrew from English and Spanish
-Rebecca, somewhere down the line?)
Like I said, a lot of people. Which gives me some happy, fuzzy feelings in my tummy. Why? I have no idea. I just like that I have a big enough library that I can lend out books all the time. It feels good. Which brings me to another interlude...
(Who has what of mine? Let's try to remember:
-Rebecca - Witch & Wizard - is also next in line for complete PJ series and Nicholas Flamel series
-David - all three Night World volumes - and I have his Greek/Roman mythology book
-Andrew - Battle of the Labyrinth and The Last Olympian
-Julia - my DVDs of HP5 and HP6)
Hey, if I can't become a psychologist, and the CIA rejects me, I could always be a librarian.
Speaking of YA fantasy novels, I had a super-power moment again while I was home alone an hour ago. I tend to do that when I'm alone: imagine I've got some ability. Today, I was shooting invisible arrows made of energy and flying on air currents.
Every since I was very young, my dearest wish has been to have a power. Any power would be fine, but in particular powers of the mind (telekinesis, telepathy, premonition) and of the elements (pyrokinesis, cryokinesis, "bending" of the elements, - like air, water, earth, and fire in A:TLA - summoning of elements like Percy Jackson or Leo Valdez can do in Riordan's books) pique my interest.
Why would I need or want a power? I'm definitely unique enough as I am, what with my insane-fast brain and other traits my friends and peers and family love to emulate. Truth be told, I'm not sure. Maybe I want the reassurance that there's something more than the darkness clouding my view as I form my opinions on this world. Maybe I've got an over-active imagination. Maybe I'd rather live in my books and shows and movies than on Earth.
So, my few readers, a parting question: What power would you want? And, more importantly, would you even want a power in the first place?
-Hannah
(Speaking of which, I still haven't quite figured out the official list. Excuse the interlude...
-Liz
-Danielle
-David
-John R. from math
-Andrew from English and Spanish
-Rebecca, somewhere down the line?)
Like I said, a lot of people. Which gives me some happy, fuzzy feelings in my tummy. Why? I have no idea. I just like that I have a big enough library that I can lend out books all the time. It feels good. Which brings me to another interlude...
(Who has what of mine? Let's try to remember:
-Rebecca - Witch & Wizard - is also next in line for complete PJ series and Nicholas Flamel series
-David - all three Night World volumes - and I have his Greek/Roman mythology book
-Andrew - Battle of the Labyrinth and The Last Olympian
-Julia - my DVDs of HP5 and HP6)
Hey, if I can't become a psychologist, and the CIA rejects me, I could always be a librarian.
Speaking of YA fantasy novels, I had a super-power moment again while I was home alone an hour ago. I tend to do that when I'm alone: imagine I've got some ability. Today, I was shooting invisible arrows made of energy and flying on air currents.
Every since I was very young, my dearest wish has been to have a power. Any power would be fine, but in particular powers of the mind (telekinesis, telepathy, premonition) and of the elements (pyrokinesis, cryokinesis, "bending" of the elements, - like air, water, earth, and fire in A:TLA - summoning of elements like Percy Jackson or Leo Valdez can do in Riordan's books) pique my interest.
Why would I need or want a power? I'm definitely unique enough as I am, what with my insane-fast brain and other traits my friends and peers and family love to emulate. Truth be told, I'm not sure. Maybe I want the reassurance that there's something more than the darkness clouding my view as I form my opinions on this world. Maybe I've got an over-active imagination. Maybe I'd rather live in my books and shows and movies than on Earth.
So, my few readers, a parting question: What power would you want? And, more importantly, would you even want a power in the first place?
-Hannah
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Halloween Update
*headdesk*
-Rebecca and I are picking up our respective Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw! tees from HT
-The bulk of the scavenger hunt is planned - many thanks to Liz
-Rebecca and I went shopping last weekend and picked up most decorations
-We begin decorations this weekend :) should be fun
-FINALLY GOT OUT INVITES. Managed to be green and only print 12 (when I'm inviting like nearly 30 people :D ah, the power of the internet)
-Will be writing Quidditch rules this weekend and making up tournament board
-*sigh*
Gotta go. Happy late arrival!
-Hannah
-Rebecca and I are picking up our respective Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw! tees from HT
-The bulk of the scavenger hunt is planned - many thanks to Liz
-Rebecca and I went shopping last weekend and picked up most decorations
-We begin decorations this weekend :) should be fun
-FINALLY GOT OUT INVITES. Managed to be green and only print 12 (when I'm inviting like nearly 30 people :D ah, the power of the internet)
-Will be writing Quidditch rules this weekend and making up tournament board
-*sigh*
Gotta go. Happy late arrival!
-Hannah
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Doubt
I'm a skeptical person. I spend half the time yelling at people for complimenting my intelligence, and I spend the other half worrying over whether my intelligence is still intact.
This is one of those moments where I'm wondering if my intelligence is still working.
Reasons it might be:
-I memorized fifty symbols and names in for chemistry...in five minutes.
-I'm so immersed in Spanish that at one point today when my math teacher said something, I translated it from English into Spanish in my head and then back to English...without even meaning to.
-I was recently asked by student from the next grade up to edit his essay for his AP US History class...even while rushing on an essay, my grammar is always perfect. His was no where near.
Reasons it might not be:
-I don't quite know what I'm writing on this essay.
-I procrastinated for the second day in a row on this essay. It was originally due today. It was moved to tomorrow.
-I think my brother is better at math than I was when he was his age. Normally, that wouldn't bother me, because my main things are English and writing and history, but then my mom read off every individual score he got on the ISATs in math. He got everything right. EVERYTHING. And then she read off his lexile level. And then she asked me what mine was. There's only like a five-hundred point difference between our levels, which Mom found amusing. She then stated how little the difference is. (My mother is uninformed. I couldn't figure out how to word it, but I tried to explain how little the level raises every year. Then I realized how pitiful that would sound. So I said nothing.) Apparently my face looked funny. That may or may not be because I was trying so hard not to cry. MY BROTHER DOESN'T EVEN LIKE READING. I LOVE READING. The only pleasure I got out of this was that I was better at his age at writing than he is.
I'm tired. I got nine hours of sleep. It is 9:39 PM. Last school year, I could stay up 'til 3:00 easily. Now it's a battle to stay up past 8:30. I don't know what happened, but it's screwing with my ability to get my homework done. I was forced to "take a break from" Speech and Drama, and I'm just waiting for Mom to tell me to quit Hebrew Club. Right now is not a happy time.
I'm writing an essay about happiness, and I myself am not happy.
*sigh*
-Hannah
This is one of those moments where I'm wondering if my intelligence is still working.
Reasons it might be:
-I memorized fifty symbols and names in for chemistry...in five minutes.
-I'm so immersed in Spanish that at one point today when my math teacher said something, I translated it from English into Spanish in my head and then back to English...without even meaning to.
-I was recently asked by student from the next grade up to edit his essay for his AP US History class...even while rushing on an essay, my grammar is always perfect. His was no where near.
Reasons it might not be:
-I don't quite know what I'm writing on this essay.
-I procrastinated for the second day in a row on this essay. It was originally due today. It was moved to tomorrow.
-I think my brother is better at math than I was when he was his age. Normally, that wouldn't bother me, because my main things are English and writing and history, but then my mom read off every individual score he got on the ISATs in math. He got everything right. EVERYTHING. And then she read off his lexile level. And then she asked me what mine was. There's only like a five-hundred point difference between our levels, which Mom found amusing. She then stated how little the difference is. (My mother is uninformed. I couldn't figure out how to word it, but I tried to explain how little the level raises every year. Then I realized how pitiful that would sound. So I said nothing.) Apparently my face looked funny. That may or may not be because I was trying so hard not to cry. MY BROTHER DOESN'T EVEN LIKE READING. I LOVE READING. The only pleasure I got out of this was that I was better at his age at writing than he is.
I'm tired. I got nine hours of sleep. It is 9:39 PM. Last school year, I could stay up 'til 3:00 easily. Now it's a battle to stay up past 8:30. I don't know what happened, but it's screwing with my ability to get my homework done. I was forced to "take a break from" Speech and Drama, and I'm just waiting for Mom to tell me to quit Hebrew Club. Right now is not a happy time.
I'm writing an essay about happiness, and I myself am not happy.
*sigh*
-Hannah
Saturday, October 2, 2010
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hog-y-wog-y-wog-warts, teach us something please!"
HALLOWEEN PLANNING CRAZE.
Once again, I am planning a super-amazing Halloween party, only this year, IT'S AT BECCA'S HOUSE. :D I'm getting really good at planning events to be held at other people's houses.
Guess the theme. What? I can't hear you. So I'll just tell you.
*clears throat*
HARRY POTTER. (That shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.)
It being my original true obsession, I believe a Harry Potter-themed party has been my destiny since 2004.
There's gonna be:
-CLASSES (a scavenger hunt)
-QUIDDITCH (yes, really)
-A SORTING CEREMONY (Julia and Danielle, you should know where you're going.)
-COMMON ROOMS
-FOOD
-AND A MOVIE (guess which!)
XD I'm enjoying myself right now; can you tell? Just sayin', I'll either be in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, depending on which one needs more people. SO HARD TO CHOOSE. I used to be a hard-core Gryffindor, but recently I started getting Ravenclaw A LOT. (And the occasional Hufflepuff; what sucks is, I'm actually a REALLY good finder.)
Anyway, yeah, that's all. I have to make a to-do list, start planning the scavenger hunt, do two subjects of homework, make some invitations, try to watch the last two episodes of Haven, and try to get a few chapters read in The Da Vinci Code.
Hark, a vagrant!
-Hannah
Once again, I am planning a super-amazing Halloween party, only this year, IT'S AT BECCA'S HOUSE. :D I'm getting really good at planning events to be held at other people's houses.
Guess the theme. What? I can't hear you. So I'll just tell you.
*clears throat*
HARRY POTTER. (That shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.)
It being my original true obsession, I believe a Harry Potter-themed party has been my destiny since 2004.
There's gonna be:
-CLASSES (a scavenger hunt)
-QUIDDITCH (yes, really)
-A SORTING CEREMONY (Julia and Danielle, you should know where you're going.)
-COMMON ROOMS
-FOOD
-AND A MOVIE (guess which!)
XD I'm enjoying myself right now; can you tell? Just sayin', I'll either be in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, depending on which one needs more people. SO HARD TO CHOOSE. I used to be a hard-core Gryffindor, but recently I started getting Ravenclaw A LOT. (And the occasional Hufflepuff; what sucks is, I'm actually a REALLY good finder.)
Anyway, yeah, that's all. I have to make a to-do list, start planning the scavenger hunt, do two subjects of homework, make some invitations, try to watch the last two episodes of Haven, and try to get a few chapters read in The Da Vinci Code.
Hark, a vagrant!
-Hannah
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