Firstborn- Book Review

I'm doing a book review today on Firstborn by Lorie Ann Grover.

I have mixed feelings about this book, but I'll try to give it a fair review.

Tiadone has been forced to live her entire life as a female accepted as male in her community in order to survive as a firstborn child. But when she needs to pass the rites of manhood, she finds the Creator may have use for her feminine traits after all.

(goodreads)

♥♥♥

There were several things I enjoyed about this book. The characters were likeable, and I was concerned for their welfare and where their stories would go. The idea of declaring a girl as male was intriguing, and I wanted to see how the whole arrangement would work out.

The religion system in the story was interesting, and I could see several parallels between it and Christianity, which is good, since it's published by Blink YA.

I did have some problems with the story though too. As far as mature content goes, there were a few descriptions of a female body as well as feminine desires toward a guy that got a little uncomfortable, but nothing too vulgar, so it didn't pose a huge issue for me.

The story moved very quickly though, with very little description or detail. If it weren't for the cover of the book I wouldn't have any clue what Tiadone looks like. It tended to jump from scene to scene with nothing to smooth the transitions. There were a few times where I was uncertain what was even happening in the scene.

While the storyworld was interesting, very little was explained about why it was the way it was.

My biggest problem was the ending though. If the ending had been done a little better I probably would overlook the other issues and read the story again. However, it happened so fast, and didn't tie up the story for me at all. Another chapter would have closed it down nicely, but as it is, it just seemed a bit rushed and sloppy.

I know I gave it kind of a rough score, but I am by no means writing off Grover as an author. I'm curious to see if she releases any more books, because she has very interesting plot and character ideas. I would just like them to be a little more fleshed out.

The Sunshine Award

Hello everyone! Hope you're enjoying life. Jessy at Barefoot in the Snow nominated me for The Sunshine Award. Currently, there is not a smidgen of sunshine to be had. It's all fog and wet. So, in the absence of sunshine I'm making my own.

Rules

thank the person who nominated you

tell us five facts about yourself

answer the five questions given

write five questions for your nominees to answer

nominate five bloggers for this award

(and let them know about it)

Here are my answers to Jessy's questions.

Five Facts

 

1. I was up almost all night last night, and I could be grouchy consequently.

 

2. I have threatened Minion 1 with bodily harm if America marries Prince Maxon in the Selection series.

(Multiple times) 

 

3. I hate Peeta. The boy. Not the bread.

 

4. I'm procrastinating from taking a test.

 

5. On a test one time it asked me a question that went:

The people you come into contact with at work are called-?

One option was Fanbase.

Fact.

I knew the correct answer.

I almost clicked Fanbase anyway.



1. What kind of posts would you like to see (more of) on my blog?

Oh, I don't know. I like you blog pretty well as it is. I do enjoy when you post writerly things.

2. If you could be a new character in your favorite TV show, which show would that be?

what role would you play in the show?

 

Well, they up and cancelled The Revolution on me, so I can't go hang out with Monroe, so I suppose I would be in Under the Dome. I'm not sure what role I would play, but I would probably be one of those people that is a little more rambunctious than their abilities, and wanting to go after the bad guys all the time. I may also serve as the official Dale Barbara fangirl.

3. Why is the sky blue?

 

God likes blue.

4. Tell me your worst nightmare

-_- Mushu. -_-

 

No, probably one of my family dying, or getting cancer. Something horrendous like that.

 

5. How and when did the writer's curse first consume you?

 

Curse?

Okay, well, I don't remember exactly, but I know when I was young I made lots of 'books'. Cardboard taped together with pages in the middle, full of horrible spelling and childish artistic masterpieces.

The first story I can remember is "The Oceanfront." Which consisted of a girl getting mad at her dad, climbing out the window, and going to the beach to do nothing.

Then I got older and decided to write a sequel to my favorite kid's book at the time

....I forget what it's called....

Things just sort of took off from there.


Now, on to the nominating process...
I nominate

J from The Journey's of my Beating Heart
Jillian from Covers and Ink
Carly from Books and Etc.
Lauren from Loving Our Creator
Sammie from Sammie the Star Girl

(The rules say five, but if you wanna do the tag, go right ahead)

Here are your questions:

1. What made you want to start blogging?

2. What is your favorite genre of music?

3. How many computer devices (iphone, laptop, tablet, etc.) do you have in your home?

4. If someone walked into your bedroom right now, what impression of you would they get?

5. Have you ever ate wild game (pheasant, deer, dove, etc.)?

Thanks for the nomination Jessy!
Enjoy everyone :)






 

The Janeite Tag

Well, Skye from Ink Castles wants me to do this tag, and I get the feeling it may just be so she can laugh at my expense when I blunder through these questions...

 

Joking.

 I shall give it my best shot. Katie, listen up. I'm sure you'll be after me about my lack of Janeite-ness by the time this post is through.

~Tell how you were introduced to Jane Austen and share one fun fact about your Janeite life (this fun fact can be anywhere from "I stayed up all night reading Emma," to "I visited Chawton and met Anna Chancellor.").

~Answer the tagger's questions.

~Write seven questions of your own.

~Tag as few as one or as many as seven other Janeites and let them know you've tagged them.

I was introduced through Jane Austen by my mom, who I suddenly saw packing around a book that was three inches thick. I am the book worm in the family, so I was curious what the heck she was doing with said gigantor. Turns out it was a collection of Jane Austen books put together. She told me it was amazing and she really thought I would love it. Now, a fun fact about my Janeite life...Well, I disregarded Mom's advice to read anything by Jane for years. When I got a Kindle I downloaded the free version so I wouldn't have to lug around the delicate and obnoxiously large volume. I made it about....a quarter of the way through? I'm sorry, I just- there was no plot. It was only about a girl and I didn't sense any imminent danger or dastardly deeds coming up, so I just kind of let it sink down to the bottom of my reading list.  

1. 1995 or 2005 Pride and Prejudice? 

I haven't watched either of them, but I've seen pictures, and based on the characters looks I'd say I'd have to go with 2005. The best thing to come out of 1995 was me.

2. If you could meet one Jane Austen character, who would it be, and why?

Well, beings I only know of the ones from Pride and Prejudice, I would go with Darcy. He seemed like I would like him, since we both tend to be a bit blunt. It may end in war though...That and he seems to be a favorite character of lots of my favorite characters, so he must be worth meeting.

3.  Favorite Jane Austen quote?

4. How many of Jane Austen's novels have you read? 

1/4 of one.

   

5.Would you rather go a Christmas party with Emma Woodhouse or visit the sea shore with Anne Eliot?

 I believe I'd visit the sea with Anne. Based off their Wikipedia pages, I think I would get along better with her. She seems quiet and mousy. It would be fun to try to bring her out. And if we didn't get along, I'd rather play on the beach than be crammed into a Christmas party.

6. Have you ever been to England?

No, but my penpal lived there for several years. They don't have Thanksgiving and Will Herondale isn't real, so I really see no point in going.

7. Would you rather spend two hours listening to Mrs. Bates ramble or with Mrs. Bennet complaining about her poor nerves?

Bates. He could tell me war stories. I have zero patience for Mrs. Bennet.

There you go. Amused? You're probably all sitting there thinking good grief, this girl has no love of the classics.

I really don't know anyone with a blog who likes Jane Austen, but if you do, go ahead and take the tag. Or if you don't, but think your answers would be fun, that works too.

 

Shopping Trip!

 

My mom had to go grocery shopping last week, so naturally the Minion's and I tagged along.

The mechanic had asked her to pick up a part for my dad's truck, so we stopped at the parts shop first thing.

And they didn't even know what the thing was.

She had it in her hand to show them, and they still had no clue what it was.

So they sent her to a different store across town.

And they had no clue what the little rubber do-dad was.

So they sent us to another.

You guessed it.

No clue what the thing was.

This took over an hour.

We had to be back in time for mom to drive the school bus.

So we called the mechanic.

He sent us on a goose chase to some remote out of town shop in the middle of some abandoned army buildings.

There was construction. Everywhere.

Finding one shop took us over an hour, even with the owner on the phone giving us directions.

Did you know that men give too many directions? By the time the ordeal was over with we knew how to find every Bosslemans, Pump and Pantry, and any other landmark to be had for a 50 mile radius. But not that shop.

We did finally find them.

And guess what?

No one knew...Actually, there was one older guy there who actually recognized the dang thing and was able to get us one.

Day. Saved.

 

After that whole episode we had to fly through the stores like mad, but I was able to get my

The Revolution, Season 1

And

The Legend of Korra, Season 2.

 

I had a old Wal-Mart gift card from Christmas...who knows how many years ago,

so I went to the makeup isle to blow it.

I've been experimenting with makeup since I have to do my friend's makeup for her wedding.

Something about knowing it's going on a bride makes a gal question all her makeover capabilities.

 

And I've been wanting to try out red lipstick. I'm talking Taylor Swift lipstick here.

Taylor was actually my second inspiration for this.

I saw Mirriam Neal's makeup on her blog Wishful Thinking  and thought it was so darn pretty I had to try it. We have similar hair and skin colors, so I thought it was worth a shot.

 

Minion 1 and 2 laughed at me all the way home after I put it on.

 

All the way home.

 

But, mom says a little lip-liner and some knowhow (it is possible that I've never wore lipstick before, so I may have been kind of awkward while trying to put it on while riding in a vehicle that was driving across railroad tracks) will make it look just fine.

I hope she's right.

 

Teachers, Writers, and Who I'm Tired Of

 

Hi guys.

I'm tired of school.

So tired.

I'm tired of teachers.

 

I really shouldn't say that, because my teacher for my computer class has been great. She's been super speedy about grading my work, so I've been able to get ahead of schedule, which I love. And she's been super good with answering any questions I've had.

So I really shouldn't say I'm tired of teachers.

 

I am tired of writers however.

 

Mmmhmm, you heard me.

 

Writers.

See, I've got this gigantic book on using Microsoft Word 2013. I don't mind reading a text book, but this is just getting ridiculous.

The chapters average 45 pages long.

With six, multi-step projects each.

And 5-7 Assessment projects at the end.

 

So one chapter takes me about three hours to finish.

 

Is it just me, or are they trying to kill me?

 

I mean, the book took three teacher/writer people to even come into existence.

And there's only one of me.

That seems a little unfair.

(I know, I know. Fair is for tourists)

*sigh*

Such is life I suppose.

 

 

My 100-4-100 Story

Hello guys! (I don't care if you're a girl. I will automatically lump you all into the guy category)
As you know, I've been doing the 100 for 100 challenge over at Go Teen Writers, and so far things are going smashingly. I decided to start a new story for the challenge, and I thought today I would take the time to show you a little bit of the storyworld, and maybe share a few snippets.

Thus far the story doesn't have a name other than RP Fantasy, as I got the idea for the main character from a guy I made for a roleplay about a year ago. It will hopefully be the first part of a trilogy, so I will eventually have to come up with three spectacular titles.

 

The summary of book one (Which I will be adding to My Stories tab) goes something like this.

 

Creed of Kein has grown up in the palace court under the care of his uncle, the King of Nequaf. He is currently the only natural born human magician, and therefore has some advantage over the schooled magicians, making himself a valuable political pawn.

When King Urijah declares war on the country of Pajjitz for their oil and advanced science developments, he enlists Creed's help in achieving the victory.

An injury and unusual activity along the border Nequaf shares with the elf kingdom sends Creed away from the front lines and off to investigate.

Along the way he encounters terrifying creatures such as dragons, the vicious beings known as Carqulups, and teenage girls.

 

That is a rough summary, but most of my ideas right now are for the second and third book.

I had tons of fun building the world for this story, and was able to add more details for it than I have with previous fantasy stories I've written. Creating the names was really fun with Google Translate, and it was fun drawing the map and then trying to figure out why they have five giant watch towers built along the edge of the mountains.

 

Here is a look at a few of the characters.

Creed:

 

I haven't quite pegged down what he looks like. Every picture I find is just a little too old, or Hispanic, or Murtagh. But I think you can get the gist of what he's supposed to look like.

 

Princess Nalik, and Lady Alize:

 

Nalik looks a little younger than this girl, but they're very similar. Nalik tends to be forceful and Alize is more of a giggler.

Both of which cause massive loss of vocabulary and thought processing for Creed.

 

Rafe:

 

Creed's goofy best friend.

 

Master Adekin

 

Creed's magic instructor is a small, artist type. He and I can't decide who he looks like for sure...

 

The elf girls, Mica and Silby

 

(Please don't kill be for using Kristen Stewart. She fit the part.)

Mica is the quiet one, though she can be feisty.

Silby is feisty all the time.

 

 

Extras:

 

I'm still working out all the details, but if Creed gets a brother it will be Mr. Dude on the Left.

And I'm thinking I need a sheriff, but his motives aren't certain, so he will be Mr. Creepi-ish smiler on the right.

 

 

 

Since it's no fun to go through all this and not share a few snippets, here you go. I will warn you that 'few' is the key word here, as I haven't been writing at it very long, and I'm only required to pound out 100 words a day. I think I've got just slightly over 2,000 words done so far.

Still, something is better than nothing.

 

Smoke billowed up from the rich, tasseled rug. Creed held his sleeve over his nose and stomped on the hungry flames. "Dog's blood!" He hissed, grinding his heel over a stray ember.

"Creed of Kein!"

Creed looked up from the charred carpet, his dark eyebrows knitting together. "Master Adekin." He mimicked his teachers exasperated tone.

"That rug cost someone a season's labor in the ports." His instructor sank into a worn chair in the corner.

"Well, then they should have kept it with them if it's worth so much."

 

"I came to get you for the banquet." Rafe paused and shifted his gaze behind Creed's shoulder. "If Master Adekin is through with you, that is."

The man stood. "Oh yes, I am quite through with him. For today, anyway."

Creed grinned and moved toward the door. Rafe's youthful face lit up with laughter as he followed him out. "He looks tired, Creed."

Creed nodded, descending the stairs. "Yes. I may have put him through a bit of an ordeal. I'm sure he'll recover quickly. What sort of banquet is this again?"

"For the advisors." Rafe filled in patiently. "Not too large."

"Any dancing?" Creed quizzed, taking the hall right, toward his chambers.

"Not likely, unless Princess Nalik insists on it. Alize will probably be there, so they might join forces against us."

"Janko forbid."

Rafe chuckled. "I think Janko planned for men and women to interact, back at the creation."

 

Creed straightened right into a puff of Spice from a bottle Rafe wielded. He coughed and backed away. "How many times must I tell you I hate wearing that blazed perfume?"

"It's not perfume, its Spice."  Rafe said calmly. "And young ladies like it."

"All the more reason to keep the stuff away from me." Creed huffed and headed for the door.

"Well you need to interact with them sometimes, or people will think something's missing in your brain. You should like girls my now."

"I do like girls." Creed shrugged. "I just don't know what to do with them."

"Um speak, laugh. Make friends. Acknowledge their existence. Difficult things like that." Rafe came along side him, slinging his arm over his shoulder. "You need to figure it out. You're seventeen. Most men are married by then."

"You're not." Creed elbowed him.

Rafe moved away slightly. "I've courted several though. My father just keeps choosing gigglers, and I cant stand a giggling female. Any other peculiarity I am willing to endure."

 

So, that's what I've been working on lately. Hope you enjoy it!  

Storyworld First- A Book Review

It's time! Today I am reviewing Storyworld first: Creating a Unique Fantasy World for Your Novel  by Jill Williamson.

 

Here is the description.

 

 

The question I hear most about building a storyworld is,

“Where do I start?”

Oz, Wonderland, Narnia, the 100 Acre Wood, Neverland, Hogwarts, the United Federation of Planets, Westeros, Middle Earth, Alagaesia, Terabithia, Gotham City, Jurassic Park, Fablehaven, and a galaxy far, far away.

These fictional places have become real in the minds and hearts or readers. These storyworlds that someone invented-someone who was once like you, learning to tell stories, learning to write, and dreaming about publishing a novel.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or are looking to add depth to a finished story, Storyworld First will get you thinking.

 

Includes tips for worldbuilding:

-Astronomy
-Magic
-Government
-Map making
-History
-Religion
-Technology
-Languages
-Culture

And how it all works together.

 

♥♥♥♥♥

I loved this book.

I love it to no end.

 

I've read quite a few books on writing, and lots of articles, but they usually read like a list of rules. Jill's book is chuck full of useful hints, tricks, and ideas for me to pursue, but doesn't set any hard fast rules that must be obeyed at all cost.

I've been using this book for world building my fantasy novel that I am doing for this years 100 for 100 challenge  . , and I am thrilled to say that this is the best story world I've come up with so far (in my opinion).

 

Jill covers all the major points of interest in a story world, as you can see from the list up there ^. She also covers most of the minor ones (as well as giving helpful reminders to quit plotting and start writing already).

Her examples were very helpful and I am in love with the diagrams and information sheets at the end of the book.

(She has those for free on her website, and you can find them here.)

 

I don't have any down points for this book. If you're a writer and like to have your world play a big role in your story, this is a must.

You can find it on paperback and kindle, along with all of the other cool books she has written, here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numbers!

EEEEEK!!

I've made it past ten followers everyone!

Eleven, count 'em, Eleven followers.

First off that calls for a huge Thank You to all my followers.

Second off, that calls for a crazy post that somehow relates to passed up tens, and the number eleven.

Sorry.

Big Ten is the conference my state's football team is in.

 

The Wonderful World of My Life has made it past the big ten.

 

I don't have a football conference that has to do with eleven,

But I do know that Nebraska used to be in the

That was a good conference to be in, let me tell ya.

But eleven is just as good (as long as you're not OCD about things like odd numbers)

 

 

 

Waking up to new followers just makes me so happy.

I should probably do something for you guys to celebrate, huh?

Any ideas?

What would make you guys feel celebrated?

 

Job Applications

I submitted another job application this week, to a farm store called Orscheln.

(Yes, that is spelled right)

Proof.

Did you know that applications are a confusing thing for me?

Everyone fills these things out at some point,

And the questions are all about me,

Yet somehow I have the hardest time with them.

Something about job applications makes me forget even the simplest things about myself.

Imagine, if you will, me sitting hunched over a piece of paper and coming to the part that wants to know what my nationality is.

"White. I'm white right? Mom, you said we had Polish background. Why is there no Polish here? What is going on? My whole life is a lie!"

That's just about how it goes. Or the part where it asks for you work experience.

"Work? I've been working my whole life. On a farm. Chasing cows where they don't want to go. Scooping two rows of mowed hay into one row of mowed hay. And changing sets of water to fields of beans and corn. I totally have work experience....oh wait...Work title? Manager? Hourly wage??"

The part that really gets me is when it asks for you to tell a little about yourself to help them make a choice.

It's like...what do I say?

The first time my mom told me to "Sell myself. Make yourself sound good."

So I was like, "Okay, let's see..."

(No. I'm not a huge Jace Wyland Morgenstern Herondale etc. fan. I've never even read his series or seen his movie. I do however, fancy his great grandfather (a few times removed), so it is only natural that I would brush up on him a bit. He obviously speaks my soul's language)

Have you ever had to fill out a job application? Do you get lost in the maze of boxes to check and dotted lines to sign?

 

Preparing To Be A Book Review

Today I'm reviewing a book called Preparing to be a Helpmeet  by Debi Pearl. Here is what Goodreads has to say about it

It was with good reason God said let the aged women teach the younger. Trial and error is not the best teacher when it comes to marriage. Being a good wife starts long before marriage. It is a mindset, a learned habit, a way of life established as a young unmarried girl watching mom and other older women honor and obey their husbands. Much has been lost including the joy of wifehood. Debi Pearl, married 40 glorious years and the author of the very popular Created To Be His Help Meet brings to us, Preparing To Be His Help Meet. Read some of the sweetest, most unexpected love stories. One love story began in a bar and another was arranged. Why do some couples have such deep abiding love? So much is learned by those who have found true happiness. Read what they all have in common. The book also has some terrible lessons from those who did not follow God's way. Learn what most married ladies unknowingly do which always kills joy and sweet love. Don't let it happen to your love. Preparing to Be His Help Meet continues with the ever popular concept of the three kinds of men that was introduced in Created to Be His Help Meet. This new book takes the concept further discussing the three kinds of girls and what type best suits you. Are you a Go-to girl, or a servant, or maybe a dreamer? How can you get the attention of a good man? Find out how to avoid being a Hidden Flower or a Grabber. Discover what you can be doing that will help your future husband succeed in his life and business. Find all these answers and more in Debi Pearl's newest book.

 

 

♥♥♥♥♥

My mom has the grown-up-married-woman's version of this book, and she got me this one years ago. I was a goofy thirteen year old, and this book about getting ready to be married seemed weird.

Really weird.

I read the book for the first time this year, and fell in love with it. There are so many smart points in it, and such great food for thought. After finishing it I felt challenged to get out in the world and do something with my life. Not to catch a guy, but to be ready if a guy comes along.

 

Sometimes the book got a touch uncomfortable. Debi tends to be blunt, and sometimes she makes you feel like you're about two feet tall. But it was also a sweet and humorous read too, and I'm sure I'll end up reading it again.

You don't necessarily have to read this book strictly if you're in a relationship getting ready for a wedding, or even being in a relationship in general. It's geared more toward people who aren't in the relationship yet. It's a book that helps girl take a look at themselves and check that they have the ability to be Miss. Right before they start saying someone isn't Mr. Right.

It is definitely worth the read if you think you're at an age where dating and such will be in the near future.

 

A Morning Post

Hello amazing readers! I hope your morning is off to a good start. Mine is...It's been hard. I had to get out of bed this morning. With nothing urgent pressing. No guitar lessons, no school work, no nothing that needed done. Nothing to pull me out of bed.

Except my honor. Honor wouldn't let me still be in bed when my mom and dad came home. So here I am, typing away, with mornings on my mind.

Do you know that I will go through a lot of work all for a good joke and a few extra seconds in bed?

I will.

See, a while back my cousin spent the night. She's from Colorado, and has an awkward schedule that consists of going to bed disastrously early, and then waking up early for school.
                                     It's kind of annoying.
She had spent several days with us, and I noticed that when she woke up, she would come tromping into my bedroom and start talking non-stop. So I decided to fix her.
The night before I plugged my earphones into my radio and popped in my Skillet CD. I went Don't wake me and listened till I got to the exact moment before the chorus started, then paused it. Unplugged the earphones and wrote up a gigantic note that said "Don't talk to me. Just press play on the radio."
It was going to be epic. What better way to prove my point than her favorite band telling her not to wake me up because I'm really enjoying the dream I'm having? It was sheer brilliance.

You know what she did? She came in, threw the note on the floor and jumped on top of me. Twice.

This morning my dad woke us up before leaving to go pick my mom up from her bus route. I was laying there in bed and...I don't know how many of you have an uncommon ability to remember songs and phrases from commercials of decades past, but when I was little there was a Cabbage Patch Kid commercial on TV that said "I don't want to grow up. I want a cabbage patch kid!" Sad to say, Cabbage Patch Kid's was one of my phases, and I always love things that defy growing up, so that little jingle stuck with me.

So this morning as I was laying in bed and telling myself I should get up, I sang out in that tune "I don't want to get up!" Harmless right? Until Minion 2 (who was not alive for that commercial or phase) answered back "I want to be a cabbage patch kid."

Which started a discussion about how we would simply have to explain to mom and dad when they returned that getting up was a bothersome business and it was much better to be cabbage patch kids. And since, you know, we don't have cabbages big enough to snuggle in, our blankets would have to substitute.

The morning does strange things to me, my friends. Strange things.

(We went shopping yesterday, and I brought home The Legend of Korra book 2, and The Revolution season 1. We've been watching Korra season 1 for the last few days, so I'm in the mood, as you can tell)

I don't know if you guys have noticed, but most of my posting comes in the afternoon or even evening. When I do post in the morning, it's because I wrote the whole thing the night or week before, and just hit the publish button the next day. I put no thought into blog posts the morning of. It is folly. This post is a perfect example of what you poor things get when I write a post in the morning.

I regret nothing.

....

I may regret a little bit, because I'm actually planning a book review, a incident from my life, and a writing related blog post for the very near future.

To redeem my honor.

 

20 Things You Might Not Know About Me Blog Tag.

I saw this over at Covers and Ink and thought it looked like all kinds of fun, so I decided to join in on it. You answer 20 questions about yourself.

Question 1: How tall are you?
I am five feet tall. Even.

 Question 2: Do you have a hidden talent? If so, what?
I don't know how hidden it is. But I can sing and play guitar pretty good. The singing part is way more hidden than the playing. I'll play in front of people long before I'll sing for them.

 Question 3: What’s your biggest blog-related pet peeve?
Having to type in the numbers or phrase before I can comment. I hate proving that I'm not a robot :P

 Question 4: What’s your biggest non-blog related pet peeve?
People having really long finger nails but not keeping them shaped, and people using pencils. I hate pencils.

 Question 5: What’s your favorite song?
Currently it's Diamonds by Manafest, but check back next week and it will be different.

 Question 6: What’s your favorite Etsy shop that isn’t yours?
Custom Catastrophes I've never bought anything from Ariel's shop, but I get loads of inspiration from it.

 Question 7: What’s your favorite way to spend your free time when you’re alone?
Watching movies no one will watch with me (Lord of the Rings, Eragon, Tron), playing guitar and singing really loud (while watching out the window to be sure no one comes home), and writing all day long.

 Question 8: What’s your favorite junk food?
Candy bars and Mountain Dew if I'm buying. If I'm just scavenging the house I'll take chips and salsa.

 Question 9: Do you have a pet or pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?
I have 6 horses, but only one I own. His name is Flint. Maggie is a red heeler puppy. And I have several farm cats. I think the ones that are officially mine are named Jem, Gale, Tater, and Rascal.

 Question 10: What are your number one favorite nonfiction and fiction books?
I'm going to exclude the Bible here, because that's kind of obvious, but I think my favorite non-fiction book is...Oh, it's a toss up between Company Aytch by Sam Watkins, or Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. Favorite fiction book is Eldest by Christopher Paolini.

 Question 11: What’s your favorite beauty product?
Um...I love eye shadow. That's probably where I put the most detail into my beauty get up. But hairspray is great too XP

 Question 12: When were you last embarrassed? What happened?
Yesterday I was in dollar store and my sister said "What happened to Maddie? She used to be so gentle and caring." And I said "I've never been gening and cartle." It just came out that way.

 Question 13: If you could only drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I love my coffee dearly, but I must say Mountain Dew

 Question 14: What’s your favorite movie?
For reals? Can I say my favorite for each genre? Fine. The Cowboys.

 Question 15: What were you in high school: prom queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist, prep?
I was the oldest kid that you would go to for help with math. Sorry. None of the options really apply when you're homeschooled.

 Question 16: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Hyannis Nebraska. No corn fields. Cowboys everywhere. Still in the greatest state there is.

 Question 17: PC or Mac?
PC.

 Question 18: Last romantic gesture from a crush, date, boy/girlfriend, spouse?
Well, while I was reading, Four was being a complete hunk, and that was romantic...Let me think...Okay, here's a real one involving crushes. Ran to catch up with me while I was walking away, and then talked to my dad for twenty minutes. Oh! Or, stood behind me for a picture and called me short. That was sweet. Me and Minion 1 had this conversation the other day. Her crushes all do sweet romantic things like get her a drink, or buy her candy, or talk about sunsets. Mine do nothing. We thought for a week and came up with nothing.

 Question 19: Favorite celebrity?
Garrett Hedlund is the best looking one I can think of, but I love Johnny Depp's acting.

 Question 20: What blogger do you secretly want be best friends with?
Well that's not all that fair to the other bloggers I know, is it? I like all of the bloggers I know, and love when I get to talk to them, and when we comment back and forth on each others stuff. I don't have a secret fave.

Now. I would take the time to tag everyone individually, but I've been supposed to be doing school for the last hour and all I've done is blog. So, if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged. Leave your link in the comments and I'll check out your answers if you want to participate :)

Here are the rules:

1. Copy and paste the questions below and then answer and turn them into a blog post. Or, record a video answering these questions and upload it to your blog post.

2. At the bottom of your post, tag anywhere from 2-10 bloggers you want to see answer these questions. (I also suggest hitting up your tagged people via social media just to let them know you tagged them to do this tag challenge.)

3. Use the title: 20 Things You Might Not Know About Me Blog Tag. Once you’ve hit publish, leave a comment below with the link to your post.

4. Use the hashtag #20ThingsBlogTag when sharing on social media so we can all find your awesome posts!

Question 1: How tall are you?
Question 2: Do you have a hidden talent? If so, what?
Question 3: What’s your biggest blog-related pet peeve?
Question 4: What’s your biggest non-blog related pet peeve?
Question 5: What’s your favorite song?
Question 6: What’s your favorite Etsy shop that isn’t yours?
Question 7: What’s your favorite way to spend your free time when you’re alone?
Question 8: What’s your favorite junk food?
Question 9: Do you have a pet or pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?
Question 10: What are your number one favorite nonfiction and fiction books?
Question 11: What’s your favorite beauty product?
Question 12: When were you last embarrassed? What happened?
Question 13: If you could only drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Question 14: What’s your favorite movie?
Question 15: What were you in high school: prom queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist, prep?
Question 16: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Question 17: PC or Mac?
Question 18: Last romantic gesture from a crush, date, boy/girlfriend, spouse?
Question 19: Favorite celebrity?
Question 20: What blogger do you secretly want be best friends with?

**This blog post is a part of the ’20 Things You Might Not Know About Me’ Blog Tag started by April from Blacksburg Belle. She began this blog tag experiment to build community among creatives, help us bloggers to connect more and get to know each other better. This month’s topic is all about sharing just a little too much information about yourself. If you’d like to participate or want more info,check out the beginning post right here.**

 

Novel Idea- Creed

It's time! A Novel Idea is up and ready, and I do believe I'm behind one set. But that's okay. I like playing catch up sometimes...all the time...don't necessarily like it but I end up doing it anyway...
I have something to admit. There is a 99% chance I won't have The Iron Curse even half finished by the time it's due. Because I started a new story idea. It's been screaming at me to write it for a year. I really couldn't put it off any longer.

The characters are kind of fuzzy in my head right now, so I can't promise these answers wont be complete lies by the time I finish the book, but for now, this is what I think is accurate.

So, without further ado, let me introduce you to the main character, Creed.

(This week's questions)

1. What is their favorite thing in the refrigerator? 
Well, Creed doesn't live in a time of refrigerators, but his favorite thing to eat would have to be Black Walnut Pie. He has an unhealthy liking for the stuff.

2. What is on their nightstand right now?
Right now there is a little knife, a book of spells, and an empty cup.

3. It’s time for spring cleaning – what is easy to throw out and what is hard to let go of? 
Toss it out, he really doesn't care. He's a boy, so he's not sentimental about too much. Weapons and spell books must stay, but clothes and such he's pretty neutral with, except his red shirt. He loves his red shirt. Don't touch it.

4. They are getting ready for a night out. What are they wearing? Where are they going?
He is wearing the above mentioned red shirt, and dark pants. Probably some kind of dark jacket, with silver buckles. He and Rafe are probably going out to cause trouble in town. He might also be going to a ball the King is hosting. He is obligated to attend those sort of things.

(Last week's questions)

1. Who are their parents? What are their names, occupations, etc? Are they close to their parents?

His Parents names are Kein and Mae (pronounced Mayee). His father is a cousin to the king, and his mother comes from Nacparso. His father served in the guard, and his mother was a wife. Creed isn't close with them. His mother was afraid of him and didn't stay around him much. His father was gone or hung over most of the time until he was killed in a battle.

2. Do they have any siblings? If so, what are their names and ages?
That is still to be decided. It is possible he has a brother who is slightly younger than him, but I'm still kicking that around, so the lad doesn't have a name yet. If he doesn't have a brother though, his best friend Rafe is closest thing to a sibling. He's 17.

3. If they’re old enough, do they have a job?
Creed is learning to master his magical skills, which will give him a high position with the king, but no, he doesn't have a job. He lives in the castle court and doesn't have to do anything.

4. Are they right or left-handed? Or ambidextrous?
I suppose he's right handed, just because I haven't thought him out that far. If he was ambidextrous he'd probably have to hide it, because it would scare the living willies out of folks if they knew.

5. Do they have any allergies or diseases of any kind?
Currently he does not, but check back with me in book three. That's sure to have changed. (Did I mention Creed gets to have a trilogy?)

There you have it! Not my best attempt at a Novel Idea, but it really does fit the name this time. This is just an idea I've been toying with in the last few days trying to flesh out. I haven't wrote one scrap of story yet, but I'm pretty satisfied with the story world I've created so far.

 Hope you like him, anyway.

A Tutorial

Hi guys! So remember I said there was a surprise for my friend Brennan's birthday, but I couldn't tell you what? Well, his birthday is over, so now I can.

 

His mom asked me to make him this, since he's gotten into bull riding in the last few years. Funny thing, I threw it in a Wal-mart sack for him and told him it was some fabric from my mom to his.

He delivered his own present.

 

Anyway, I thought it might be kind of fun to show you guys how to make these yourself. Lot's of people have asked me how to do it, and it's actually super easy. I know there are lots of tutorials online for how to do this, but I've had trouble with them, so I thought I'd put my two cents out there on how to do it.

 

So here we go.

 

 

 

What you will need:

 

A t-shirt. I've used brown, black, purple, and pink and they all bled just fine. I prefer black, just for my style, but any color should work as long as it's fairly dark.

The brand that seems to fade out the best is Jerzees, 100% cotton. Others work okay, but these get the brightest colors. You can get them at Hobby Lobby, and JoAnne Fabrics.

 

A bleach pen and bleach. A typical Clorox pen that you can get at Walmart works fine. For bleach I use Clorox, or the generic version. It just has to be bleach.  

Scissors, Chalk, an Iron, Trash bag, Paper Cup, A small sponge paintbrush, a spray bottle, and a permanent marker. .

Parchment Paper. You can get this stuff the same place you get sandwich bags and Reynolds wrap etc., for your kitchen. It's papery on one side and kind of slick on the other.

 

 

Step One:

Trace our your design on the paper side of the parchment paper. You can print out your picture and trace it, or you can do it freehand. Be sure you make things big. Small lines and shapes will soak up and turn to blobs. Try to keep the details simple. (If you look at the first pic, I had to make the bull's tail and the nail holes in the horseshoe thicker than my original picture, so they would show up)

 

Step 2.

Cut out your design. There are two ways to do this. If you want the design to be black, like the bull rider shirt, you will cut out the actual design as a whole. So for my example pictures, I would carefully cut out each letter and save them.

If you want the design to be bleached, you will cut out the outline, like this

 

Keep the centers of your letters- like the circle in the p and d.

 

Step 3.

Position your design. For the front or back I want the top of the design to be my hand width from the collar, and about three fingers from the sides.

 

Once you know where you want it, iron it down. You should have the iron set at a medium heat, and just slide it over the whole thing. Don't leave it too long, but keep going over it until you can run your hand over the paper and no edges peel up. Pay special attention to points, and little pieces, like the circles in your P's and D's. They like to peel up and get smudged around. For those it's best to set the iron straight down on top of them and not slide it at all.

 

Step 4.

Put the trash bag inside your shirt. If you forget this you'll have bleach soaking through it all over. Don't put it in first cause you'll melt it with the iron and ruin your moms trash bags and make her mad. You want the whole area you'll be bleaching to have plastic under it. I usually tug it through the sleeves and collar as much as I can, then smooth it down to the bottom and I've had no trouble with bleach soaking through. Make sure your bag is dry though, cause that spreads in the shirt and makes a mess with the bleach.

 

Step 5.

This is when you bleach the shirt. There are three ways I've done this. 1. If you want the shirt to have orange around the design, you'll take your spray bottle and put straight bleach in it. You spray around the design. Try not to douse the paper too much, because it can soak through, but a little wont hurt it. In areas with lots of details and lines, go easy on the spraying, so they don't soak under the paper.

2. For making the design orange you put the bleach in your cup, and sponge it into the stencil.

Make sure you get the bleach up to all the edges, and around all the corners. Doing stencils you can go pretty heavy on the bleach because you've got a lot of paper between each space, and it doesn't usually soak that far.

3. Using a pen, you can do narrower words, or make drawings. Careful, because if you squeeze too hard they splatter all over. Don't let your letters get too close together. You just write it on however you want. You can also use chalk to draw it on first, to be sure you like the spacing and such, then just bleach over the top of it.

 

 

Step 6. This is where things get tricky. If you used straight bleach, it's going to take a little longer to fade out, especially if you sprayed it on. Depending on the shirt you get, and how much bleach used, it could take anywhere from ten to twenty minutes. At first you'll panic and think it's too dark, but don't stop it yet. That bright orange will wash out and you'll have a barely there design when you're finished. Wait a little longer. Bleach that you put on with a brush fades out slightly faster than that, and bleach pen only takes maybe five minutes. Make sure all of your design is faded first. The first letter or shape you did will be dark way before the last. Wait until the last one is faded out before stopping the bleach.

When you feel like you're bright enough, peel off your stencil. It comes right off usually, but if it sticks, just make sure not to touch the bleached spots with your fingers cause they will smudge your fingerprints around as you peel.

 

You can see that the edges of my penned words are flowing, so I'm going to throw them in the shower.

 

Step 7. Run COLD shower water on it, and leave the bag inside. Scrub it, rub all the bleach pen off. Wring it out. Run it under the water. Get that thing totally soaked. Dump the water off of it so the bleach doesn't sit on it. Then you can take the bag out and scrub it some more. Wring it out. Douse it again. Some color might come out into the water. That's fine. When it quits you should be safe.

 

 

Step 8. This is the cleaning up stage. Most people say to hang the shirt up and let it air dry, but I've thrown the last four I've made into the dryer and they were just fine. If you are doing a design on the front and back, do the front first, dry it TOTALLY, then do the same procedure on the back. The dryer makes multiple step shirts a lot quicker. If it's dry and you see a spot that didn't fade like you wanted, you can go back over with your pen or a paint brush and soak it up some more. These shirts aren't a one time thing. Your trash bags won't be ruined, you can give them back to mom. Rinse out the brush and spray bottle and everything is back to normal.

 

You can do all kinds of things with them. Different fonts. I drew a castle for one. I bleached a hat. Put your favorite lyrics on one. If you accidentally splatter on it (like someone did on their Hunger Games t-shirt) splatter all over the whole thing. No one will know Take it to the fair. Win ribbons on them. Win lots of ribbons on them. Get them sent on to the State fair. Have fun!