Redwall Recipes

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with the Redwall series. It's always seemed a little... obscure. Usually when I mention it to someone they just sort of give me a blank stare. I actually had no idea it existed up until I was about eight years old, and then a family friend introduced it to us, and we fell in love with it. Since then I've collected every single one of the books, including the newest ones. I'm an avid follower and fan.

Well, today I opened the present my little sister had gotten me, and I was surprised to see a cook book! If you ARE familiar with the Redwall series, then you'll know that the descriptions of the feasts, and the food in general, are very exhaustive. I love reading about the food in the Redwall books. It's almost half the reason I read them! And the cook book I now own is a cook book filled with recipes for some of the most delicious sounding meals in the Redwall books!

I'm very excited to start trying them out. I think my first one is going to be something call 'Nunnymolers' or Honeymoles. I'll let you know how the recipes turn out, Readers!

- Aimee

Hey, Readers. It's been a while since I posted last, and I apologize for that. What with school, and finals week finally coming around, I've been very busy. Thankfully, tomorrow is my last day of school before Christmas break. I have my history and psychology finals tomorrow, but they should be a piece of cake.

Since I've been so busy with school, I've been having a hard time concentrating on my writing. I've gone through fifteen or so chapters of my novel, editing and stuff. And I just started writing something new recently. It's something about a dragon. I haven't gotten very far yet. I doubt I ever will. I just can't help writing down new ideas when they come to me. I've got far too many stories in my mind...

Well, hopefully over the Christmas break I'll have a bit more time to write, and edit my novel.

Have a merry Christmas, readers!

Failure/Success

This November has been a time of both failure and success. Although there are still three days of November left, I have called it quits. I reached the end of my novel, and have no more words to write. Even after attempting to fill in more of the story, I could not reach the world goal. So, while I did finish my novel, I failed to reach the 50,000 word goal of the month, and the end of November marks a time of mixed triumph and failure.

I never knew that both could exist together so peacefully.

Thank you for accompanying me on my journey this year, readers. I will continue to update my blog on a (hopefully) regular basis. In fact, I am about to embark upon a new adventure. I have decided that, in order to keep myself writing every day until next November, I will attempt to write one thousand words a day, following daily photo writing prompts. This will be my daily writing practice. Practice makes perfect, readers. Always remember that. Starting on December 1st, I will begin, and hopefully continue my writing on a/n (almost) daily basis.

If I do skip a day or two, forgive me.

- Aimee

Day Twenty-Two

Word count - 41,443

My word count has gone up by maybe 1,000 words since I last updated. I've written such a small amount in the last day or so, it's a little sad. Here I am, nearly done, and I can't seem to get any more words out! Plus, I'm not even sure if my plot will fill up the 50,000 words required to win.

Funny, I seem to remember having the same complaint last year around this time.

I really hope that I can manage to write another 8,557 words without ending my book. If I do reach the end, I guess I'll just have to go back and throw in some filler scenes that I may have forgotten along the way! The urge to put in a smiley is almost overwhelming, so here you have it, readers: =D

Now, I'd better get going so I can write at least a little bit today. I'm all done with my homework for the day (including my final Psychology paper that's not due until the ninth or something?) and now I have nearly all day to write! Good luck to all my readers who are participating in NaNoWriMo! We're nearly in the last week!

- Aimee

Day Twenty

Word count - 39,399

I'm so close to 40,000, it's not even funny. But I can't seem to get there. Only a few hundred words to go, and they just won't come! It's all because my stupid MC had to do something stupid.

On the plus side, I made a visit to the Department of Redundancy Department last night with the sentence: "Overwhelmed by an overwhelming feeling..." How fascinating, the overwhelming feeling overwhelmed her! I shall have to examine that statement more closely just to see how overwhelming one might find an overwhelming feeling that overwhelmed her.

I had to laugh when I wrote that sentence last night, but I was not too half asleep to catch it and correct it. My inner editor is pretty quiet this time of year, but when I make such a glaringly obviously mistake, I can't help fixing it, no matter how funny it is.

Right now, before I try to do any more writing, I have to do some research for a paper I plan on writing tomorrow. I have to research Anti-Social Personality Disorder, which I believe is the disorder The Joker suffers from. Even though no one ever says exactly what The Joker's problem is, I'm pretty sure that's it. I just have to do a little research so I can back up my opinion. After that, I will try to at least break 40,000 words. Wish me luck, Readers! And expect my next update soon. If not tomorrow then at least in the next few days!

- Aimee

Day Seventeen

Word count - 35,995

Welp, I've written very little today. I don't know why, but I've had trouble getting any words written. They're all stuck in my head somewhere, and they just refuse to come out!

On the plus side, I love it when small characters I never intended to be important turns into an important character. My character Jesse has turned from an unimportant character I threw in just for the heck of it, into a potential villain! I really have no idea who his character is going to turn into. He has the potential to go either way, so I guess I'll just have to see how this goes.

The Christmas season has started once again. Honestly, I turn into a bit of a Scrooge during the first MONTH of the Christmas season. When I have to put up with Christmas carols, and decorations, and all the commercialism of the holiday season every day after the first of November, I get a little cranky. I mean, what happened to Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. What's not to like about Thanksgiving? I mean, there's food, family, and thanks to be given! I guess the main reason I dislike the Christmas season is because it just sort of swallows up my favorite holiday. But once the actual holiday Christmas comes around, I tend to shed my Scrooginess.

This year, give Thanksgiving some love, and hold off your Christmas commercialism until at least December.

Thank you.

- Aimee

Day Sixteen

Word count - 34,131

I'm so close to finishing, I can nearly taste the victory. But at the same time, my plot has so much further to go, I highly doubt that it will fit within 50,000 words. So I won't worry about fitting it in. I won't worry about finishing my novel at 50,000. I'm ahead of schedule, so I ought to be able to finish the entire story by the end of the month.

My villain is busy being villainous right now. With his agenda revealed (to the readers, at least), he has only to reveal to the world what he plans to do. People will object, at first. Radical groups of rebels will fight back against his regime of terror. But in the long run, he'll succeed. Or will he?

I'm having a lot of fun planning out what will happen with my villain. Villain's are always so fun to write for. Their evil plans are fun to come up with, and planning their next move is cool.

Anyway, I'd best get back to writing. I'm not planning on doing a lot of writing tomorrow, since I have to teach and take piano lessons, and then do a lot of homework. I have a test to study for.

- Aimee

Day Fourteen

Word count - 30,209

That's right, readers. I'm only 20,000 words away from the goal! Even though I'm hoping to have a little more than 50,000 this year (since last year I won with 51,000) I'm still nearly to the point of winning. Unfortunately, I've come up against another wall. Last night I burst through the last wall in a triumphant blast of gunpowder and words, only to find myself face-to-face with another wall! This wall is proving more resilient to my bombs, shovels and pick-axes. I'll need to rethink my plans in order to get through/over/around/under this wall.

I did just have a spark of inspiration, regarding an event that happens somewhere along the line. I have a new villain, hehe. At least, I think he's a villain. He's more a misguided, confused young adult who's just looking to be appreciated. But he ends up in with the wrong people. I'm not sure how his story will end, but I know how it begins.

It's funny, because he is a character that was not originally intended to be important. Funny how those things work out.

I'll keep you posted on this guy's status as villain/whatever he may be.

- Aimee

I know that several of my readers are not people I know personally. But even the readers who do know me in real life will probably not know the small tidbit of personal information I am going to reveal tonight.

The making of friendships has always been an act I have failed at, repeatedly. In my life I have been introduced to many, many people. And yet only a few have I truly felt I could call friend. That is why it is so nice to be reminded that I do, in fact, have friends. And many of them are people I would never have imagined myself calling friend some day. That's the beauty of friendship, though, isn't it? Taking two unsuspecting people, and suddenly crossing their paths so that they meet, and unwittingly become friends. Friendships are made through experiences shared between two people, and it is just that that makes my friendships (the ones I have formed through the years) meaningful. I could call anyone 'friend'. I could know everything about this 'friend', and yet if we had not shared any experiences, on what would the 'friendship' be founded?

I may not have a lot of friends (comparatively) but the friends I do have are a huge blessing. I would be nothing without my friends (or the reason I have my friends. You know who you are!), and without them, I would probably not be the person I am today.

Friendship is special. Some friendships may not last forever; some 'friends' may turn out to be your worst enemies. But the friendships that last are one of the greatest treasure man-kind can posses.

Readers, never underestimate the value of a friend.

- Aimee

Day Twelve

Word count - 25,884

I did absolutely no writing today. I spent most of my day doing homework. I wrote a short paper for extra credit in Geography, did almost half of the assignment that's due in the same class in a few weeks, and read some history. I also cleaned the fridge, my room, and the bathroom. After that, I picked my mom up from work, and as soon as I got home I was picked up for D and D. Today has been a very busy day. In fact, I feel this poem reflects my day very well.

Today is very boring,
it’s a very boring day,
there is nothing much to look at,
there is nothing much to say,
there’s a peacock on my sneakers,
there’s a penguin on my head,
there’s a dormouse on my doorstep,
I am going back to bed.

Today is very boring,
it is boring through and through,
there is absolutely nothing
that I think I want to do,
I see giants riding rhinos,
and an ogre with a sword,
there’s a dragon blowing smoke rings,
I am positively bored.

Today is very boring,
I can hardly help but yawn,
there’s a flying saucer landing
in the middle of my lawn,
a volcano just erupted
less than half a mile away,
and I think I felt an earthquake,
it’s a very boring day.

~ Jack Prelutsky

I love that poem. I remember hearing it read on that old kid's show Arthur. Does anyone remember that show? I used to love it!

It's nearly midnight, and I'm still at a friend's house. My thought process is fuzzy and slow; I can't seem to get over the terrible wall that has fallen into my path. Writer's block, my eternal foe, how dare you stand in my way? I shall draw my mighty sword, and smite thee. Thy fall shall be great, and thy misery complete. No other writer, nay not one, shall be subject to your tortuous ways. This, oh writer's block, is my promise to thee.

- Aimee

Day Eleven

Word count - 24,341

I skipped yesterday, didn't I?

That's okay. Today I have a little time before History class, so I'm taking time to update right now. I should be studying for my Geography test or something, but a few minutes to update my blog won't really matter.

So last night I was writing, just chugging along trying to reach the half-way mark, when all of a sudden I get to the point where I introduce a new character, Lewis, who is heavily based on a good friend of mine, and as I was trying to write what he said, and all I could hear was my friend's voice in my head. I couldn't help laughing, and that was the end of my writing adventures. I hadn't expected my friend's voice to throw me off so much, but it did, so I'm stuck at a point where I've just introduced a new character, and I can't write anything about him without cracking up. I'm hoping today I'll find it a little easier.

I watched Ramona and Beezus last night with my family. It was so cute! It was just like a books, and it brought me back to the years of my childhood when my mom would read those books out loud to us. I love those nostalgic trips to my past.

Anyway, my teacher will be here any minute, so I'm going to pretend I'm studying.

Happy Thursday!

- Aimee

Day Nine

Word count - 21,050

I can not believe how giggly I am. It probably has something to do with the ridiculously small amount of sleep I've gotten this week. For example, I almost just wrote "I can't not believe". I'm tired, and me and my sister have been giggling since earlier today when I began reading the Nanoisms (that's terribly hilarious typos and grammatical errors for any Readers who don't know the WriMo lingo) on the NaNoWriMo forum. I haven't laughed so hard in my life.

I even realized that I had a few of my own. My favorite one goes as follows:

She was happy to see him, but

And that's it. I have no idea where I meant to go after that! I obviously had an idea in my head at the time, but after going a few hours without writing, the idea left, and I'm stuck with a half-finished sentence that has lost the original inspiration. That's the worst place to be. But I left it alone, and continued the story. I hope I can finish that sentence eventually.

Other than that one sentence that I've left hanging, the story goes well. Exciting things are finally happening, and I can't wait to see where else my novel takes me.

Here's to the second week of NaNo!

- Aimee

Day Eight

Word Count - 17,009

Sorry about skipping yesterday and the day before, Readers. I didn't get a whole lot of writing done on Saturday, since I mostly worked on homework, and since I was not home later in the evening I didn't have time to update. But yesterday I did a lot of writing. I was very proud of my word count, and of what I wrote.

I'm not counting on getting much writing done today. I'm with my boyfriend, just hanging out and watching Castle. Cop shows are always amusing, but when you throw a mystery writer into the mix, they're just awesome!

So, my villain is developing nicely. He's a very interesting character to write. Villains are the most fun to write as it is, but when a villain turns out well, much better than you thought he would, it's a pleasure to write him.

- Aimee

Day Five

Word count - 12,426

My word count is slowly climbing, Readers. I'm very pleased with what I've written, and with how my plot is coming along. It's funny, I threw in two random characters that only play a very small part in the story (but are kind of necessary) and I based the look of both of them on people I know, and the idea of the second one on a person I know. I say the idea, because I did not take his personality, just... the idea of him. His demeanor, I guess you could say.

Is it weird to use the looks and demeanor of people I barely know in my novel? It's not like they'll ever realize they were the model. I did use one of my friend's names, intentionally. But not for the character based on him.

Anyway...

I didn't get as much writing done today as I would have liked. I stayed up way too late last night, and now I'm exhausted. Sleep sounds so good right now.

- Aimee

Day Four

Word count - OVER 9,000!!! 9,743 to be exact

That's right, Reader, my word count is nearly at 10,000! I've reached an interesting part in my plot. The only reason it's interesting is because Ember has stopped moping, and now nothing is really happening. I'm just waiting for Ember to get a job at the local bar/restaurant, so I can get her so stressed that she finally has a mental breakdown and cries her eyes out. Then she'll be good to go!

Even though my story's hit a slow spot, I'm excited about it. Things are going very well so far! I've hit no walls (in almost 10,000 words) which means I haven't wasted time digging, bombing, vaulting, or otherwise trying to get over, around or through the writer's block. Then again, I'm barely even a fifth of the way through. Supposedly the 30,000 word mark is supposed to be brutal. I don't remember if it was last year or not. Last year's WriMo is all kind of a blur. All I can remember is the fact that I went to Disneyland one day, and only wrote 300 words that day. That was a cool day.

So, I guess I'd better sign off. I may end up writing some more tonight, but it's not too likely. I'm hanging out with my boyfriend; we have a few hours before going to see the new movie Megamind at midnight. We're going with a bunch of people. (So far only five, for sure, though.)

Oh, before I go, I wanted to brag about something.

I don't think I told you (or maybe I did and just can't remember it) but I had to write an essay in class for my History class last Thursday. It was part of the exam. Well, I just got my results today, and guess how well I did, compared to my last score of 78? I got a 98!! I was very proud of myself when I found out; I guess I just needed that one practice essay to figure out exactly what my teacher wanted from our essays. And once I get that practice essay... I rock.

Thank you for dealing with my conceit, Reader.

Happy Thursday!

- Aimee

Excerpt

Time for you to read my excerpt, Readers! I figured I may as well share it with you, since I'm just sitting around waiting for my geography teacher to show up. Please keep in mind that it is very, very rough. Otherwise, enjoy!

London, England

Heavy clouds hung over the city; a thick fog clung to the buildings, and drizzling rain fell steadily. Inside an old, handsome building, a young, well-dressed man sat behind a desk. Two men, older and gray-haired, sat across from him. They were deep in discussion.

“I don’t understand your proposal, Stephen. Please, explain it again.” One of the older men leaned forward expectantly.

Stephen, the young, blond man, tried his best to keep from sighing in frustration. His proposal was of a somewhat delicate nature. To explain it again was to waste precious time that could have been spent convincing others to follow his plan. He already had many of the high officials in America on his side. He needed the support of the English to get his plan rolling.

“Once again, for Mr. Griffin.” He spoke slowly. “You have heard, of course, about Novo flu.”

Both men nodded the affirmative.

“What you have not heard, perhaps, is that the sickness changes its victims. Makes them... different.”

“Yes, yes,” Griffin nodded, gesturing impatiently. “You’ve already given us a fine demonstration with your girl, there.” He indicated a young girl standing silently in the shadowy corner of the room. Only a few minutes ago Stephen had displayed her power; she could understand and translate foreign languages perfectly, even though she could not speak them. The black-haired girl stood as though frozen in her place, her hands clasped behind her back, and her eyes down-cast.

Stephen waited a moment, gathering his thoughts, and then went on. “It has come to my attention that these... people may be very useful to us. Some of them have powers that are quite extraordinary. My associate in America told me of a girl who could change anything into pure silver. Imagine what we could do with a power like that! We could make use of these Deviants; put them to work.”

“You mean, slavery.” The second man said bluntly.

“If you like to think of it that way,” Stephen replied in a careful tone. “Personally, I look at it as a kind of economic salvation. With these Deviants working for us, we can do things we’ve never thought of before. We can heal wounds with a touch; cure sick minds with no more effort than it takes to sit and concentrate on something.” He sat back, throwing his arms wide. “We could rebuild the world; we could bend the very weather to our wills!”

Stephen stared at the two older men. His wide, brown eyes took in their expressions; they looked at one another, and nodded. Stephen, smiled, pleased. His idea was taking off.

Day Three

Word count - 8,903

Ahh, things are finally working out. I had to have a very stern talk with Ember, because she would not stop moping about David. She needs to just chill out, and get on with her life. And least for a few chapters. Nothing was happening, because she was just moping around and being all annoying. Well, no more! She and her friends just had an epic snowball fight, and that was enough to cheer her up. I hope she'll be a little more cheerful now. Otherwise we'll never get anywhere!

I honestly have no complaints right now. I got a little stuck earlier, but the snowball fight fixed everything. I used almost 1,000 words on that snowball fight. It was fun! Now Ember has to go find a job, though. It'll help. It won't be boring to write about. (I hope.)

I don't have a lot to say right now, Reader. Today was a semi-lazy day. I just had piano lessons, and that's it. No homework, no pressing obligations. All I did was write, after my piano lessons, of course. And I did tie up that loose end that was bothering me...

Being three days ahead of schedule, I am feeling very good about this year's novel!

- Aimee

Day Two

Word count - 6,926

I'm alternately proud, and ashamed. I managed to write more than a thousand words today while I was at school. Most of it was done in Psychology, the one class that I barely need to pay attention in. It's nice to know that I can write even when someone is talking in the background. Sometimes I do my best concentrating when I have background noise, such as the television, or my freakishly loud family. Other times, I need to be in complete solitude. Today was not one of those times, I guess.

I've been getting random bursts of inspiration all day. I've been considering whether or not to kill off a character or two, and if I do end up killing someone off, then who? My boyfriend suggested that I kill off David, saying that 'it would offer great character development for Ember!' But if David died, Ember would spiral into insanity. She would fall apart, and there would be no story anymore. So David will definitely NOT be dying. Not in my story, anyway. He'll probably die of old age just like the rest of us, eventually.

Now that I've passed the initial reintroducing my characters part, I'm enjoying my novel a lot. The characters are lovely, as I've come to expect, and so far my plot hasn't had too many holes. I decided I need to cut one character out completely, so I'm going to be doing some major editing to my first novel once November is over. And I forgot that the group had a big ol' Saint Bernard dog with them, so I'm going to have to figure that one out too. He'll probably show up unexpectedly, and I'll have to go back and fix the fact that I haven't mentioned him yet in the story. My plot holes have been easy to fix, so far.

Things are going quite well! I hope any pf you readers who are participating in NaNoWriMo are doing as well with your novels!

- Aimee

Day One

Word count - 4,991

November is off to a great start. I was up until nearly three in the morning, and wrote three thousand words between midnight and the time I went to bed. I'm expecting to write at least a few more thousand today. I'm glad I decided to keep as far ahead of my word count as possible. Some people think writing 1,667 words in a day is hard. I think it would be hard for me to stop myself from writing more than that!

So far, I'm pretty pleased with how things are going. I didn't anticipate that writing a sequel would be so difficult, but I've worked through the first part of reintroducing my characters, and now my plot is getting somewhere! It's so much fun, writing for characters who have developed in the last year. A lot of character development has occurred in just the week and a half or so that's passed between the first book and this one. My main character, Ember, is a lot sadder, a lot more sociable, and infinitely more reliable. She's learning to trust people, and think of them as friends. It's very nice to write for someone who's a little more... up-beat. Even though she's done nothing but mope since the book started. She'll be more cheerful later on, after she gets David back.

I'm sitting on the bed in the extra room in my boyfriend's house right now. It's mostly quiet, but I can hear voices downstairs; his mom, and one of his friends talking. I really ought to be writing, but honestly I'm having trouble concentrating right now. I'm very tired. Maybe I can jot down another thousand words or so in the next few hours.

I can't wait to see where this story takes my characters!

- Aimee

So it begins...

Well, readers, tonight is the night we've all been waiting for. In ten minutes time, I will begin my novel writing escapades. I am going to put my word goal for the first day at a good three to five thousand words. I need to keep my word count far ahead if I'm to have any hope of succeeding.

I have very little to say, reader. I am tired, and barely able to comprehend that I'll be writing a novel soon. Join me as I attempt this seemingly impossible feat. Some time tomorrow I'll update and let you know how my word count is going so far.

Tally ho!

- Aimee

It's a little sad, when I look back at my various writing, to see how much depressing stuff I've written over the years. Here, see for yourself just how capable of writing depressing stuff I am!

"I don't need any of you!" She screamed in a passion of frustration and hurtful anger. "I don't need your approval or affection to be happy! I got on just fine without you before, and I can do it again if I have to!" Her friends just stared at her with sad eyes. She had hurt them; That realization just made her more angry at herself, which pushed her defensive mechanisms on to new heights. Her life was a vicious cycle...

Sad, isn't it? And yet writing it makes me feel better when I'm depressed, or just feeling down. I'd share more, but I don't need my readers getting all depressed. Especially not any who are joining me in NaNoWriMo. No use being depressed right before you try writing a novel!

As far as my novel goes, I'm going insane (or more insane, anyway) trying to keep myself from writing before it's time. I have my title all typed up, just waiting for me to fill in the story behind it. My main character Ember won't stop poking me. She's very excited to see how her relationship with my other main character, David, is going to turn out. Romance may not be the main focus of my novel, but it does play a part. What do you expect when you throw several teenagers into a group. Feelings are going to develop. Feelings are going to be hurt. And someone may end up with a broken heart. I'm just glad that I'm not focusing on the romance too much. It will be a key part in the story, at one point. But I'm not planning on focusing on their relationship, or lack thereof, until at least the third book. So any readers who dislike romance can rest assured knowing that I will be focusing more on the war aspect of my story than anything else.

Now, I'd better go pay attention to my cat before he slits my throat. Good day!

- Aimee

Four days

There are roughly four days until November. My novel is finally falling into place. I've fixed plot-holes, developed characters, and decided how to begin it. Now I'm just waiting for November to roll around.

It's a good thing I have so many other things to keep me busy until then.

Today, I am taking the multiple choice question part of my history exam, and tomorrow I will be writing my essay in class. I feel very prepared for both, and hope I will do well on them!

Friday night will be spent playing Dungeons and Dragons with my friends. I'll be the Dungeon Master, and I have quite the adventure planned for my adventuring company!

On Saturday night, I am going to a birthday party.

And then on Sunday, Halloween, I will be playing a special, spooky dungeon with my D n D friends. My character, Kal-Tyre, consul and right hand to Death himself, is a good-natured, cheerful vampire. Kind of contradictory, isn't it? I'm very excited to be playing him. I sense that his character will definitely go places. Perhaps he'll even find a place in one of my stories!

And then of course, at the stroke of midnight, I'll be writing my novel. I don't care whether or not we've finished the dungeon. I will be writing, and I plan to write a good amount of words on my first day, so I can get as far ahead as possible early on. I think being ahead on my word count is my only hope of winning this November.

- Aimee

I know I haven't been updating, readers. I've been busy preparing for NaNoWriMo. I've got the vague plot, the various conversations playing out in my head, and maybe a couple fight scenes. It's very amusing to go through these things. I still need an opening line, but I'm working on it.

Once November starts, I'll be updating regularly. Hopefully daily. But for now, I'm just focusing on preparing my novel and stuff.

- Aimee

Tests

I despise tests. Their hard enough in high school, when you have one every so often, but when you have one every four weeks or so, it gets ridiculous. I took a psychology test today; I'm making up the geography test I missed last Thursday tomorrow morning; next Thursday I'm taking a history test. There's just too many tests!

At least for this history test I only have to prepare three essay outlines. I've completed about one and a half, and I have just over a week to finish the last one and a half essays. I'm not too worried about it. I'm only worried about the multiple-choice questions part of the exam...

I can't wait for November to start.

-Aimee

School

Sometimes, it's nice to get your schoolwork done before it's due. I know I've always liked to finish my homework as early as possible. A couple times in high school I finished my term papers weeks before they were due. Some people called me an over achiever for doing this. I call it enjoying my free time more because I don't have homework lurking at the back of my mind.

In keeping with that principal, I am going to finish as much homework as possible in the next two weeks or so, so I can enjoy National Novel Writing Month to the fullest. So, I am now working on a paper that is due in my Psychology class on December 2nd. I know, why bother turning in a paper so early? My answer: Because I can.

I actually probably won't turn it in until it's due. But if it's written before then, then I won't have to worry about it at all.

Take my advice, and finish your homework early, even if it means taking an hour or two out of your Saturday and Sunday mornings. It's worth it.

- Aimee

My boyfriend is gone for the weekend. It's a little depressing, but I've got lots to do while he's gone, so I should be okay. Tomorrow I'm going to be babysitting for a long time. While I'm there, the kids will be asleep, so I'm probably just going to bring my laptop and a book, so I can get a lot of writing done. I'll probably just be working on characters.

November can't come fast enough. I have no many ideas, I just need to start writing them down. Once November comes around, I'll be writing almost non-stop. Except when I need to do homework.

Now I've got to go join my friends in our game of D and D.

- Aimee

I have a test this Thursday. But I won't be able to be at college that day. The woes of not having a car are killing me. I'm sure I'll be able to take it on another day, since my teacher seems pretty reasonable about stuff like that.

On another note. Only about 19 and a half more days until I can get writing! I can't wait! It's so exciting to be doing this again! I'll probably post little excerpts from what I write, but mostly my updates next month will be word count, and complaining about my characters. It's really funny, how my characters tend to decide things on their own. I had decided, quite firmly, last year, that my main character was NOT going to have a love interest.

Apparently she had different ideas.

- Aimee

Progress

Do you know what time it is, reader?

That's right, it's time to read a synopsis of the novel I've got planned for this November!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have super powers? Most people have imagined being a super hero at some point in their lives. It’s understandable to wish you could control the weather, fly, or even bring inanimate objects to life. Everyone wants super powers!

Ember never really gave it much thought, but now, essentially, she’s living the life so many people have imagined.

After catching the infamous Novo Flu, being captured by the N.I.D.R and then escaping with a band of new friends, all paling in comparison to the discovery that she can now manipulate fire, Ember is sick and tired of adventures. She, a normal high school senior, had never dreamed she would be caught up in a national conspiracy, and yet there she is.

One of their freinds has betrayed them. David has been captured again by the N.I.D.R, and it is up to Ember to step forward and protect her growing group of friends. But when they’re forced to leave the place they have come to think of as home, will she have to leave David in the clutches of the evil organization?

There you have it, reader! Obviously, it's not the first book about these characters, it's actually the second in a trilogy. But does it sound like something you'd read?

- Aimee

All this past week or so I have been lurking around the National Novel Writing Month website. (I'll post a link at the end of this post). It's finally time to start seriously thinking about my novel. For the last year or so I've been jotting down random ideas in a little notebook. I've developed a few characters, I have a general plot, and several scenes are vivid in my mind. At this point, it's just a matter of killing time until November, so I don't break down and start writing my novel too early!

There are any number of ways to distract myself from actually writing my novel. I can work on developing characters, which I've been doing extensively lately. You can never know a character too well, I think. I should probably be working on figuring out my plot. I have a vague idea of where it's going. And I have several specific scenes playing almost constantly through my head. The only problem is figuring out how to string all those scenes and ideas together so that they make sense.

Maybe I'll focus on that this week, and figure out a solid idea of where my plot is going!

- Aimee

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Fall

It's that time again! The seasons are shifting, the Earth is continuing its revolution around the sun, and we have finally reached my favorite time of year: Fall! I don't know how many times I must have ranted about how much I love fall, but I'm going to do it again, none-the-less!

Fall is my favorite season because:

Candy corn is finally available in bulk!

The leaves have started changing, and falling. I was walking home from a piano lesson last week, and accidentally stepped on a crunchy leaf. I couldn't stop smiling the rest of the way home.

National Novel Writing Month is less than a month away!

Those are the reasons I love Fall. If I had candy corn right now, I would be perfectly happy. Mostly.

- Aimee

Life has been sort of hectic lately. I had to take a History exam (which I got an 85/100 on) and then write an essay in History class as the next half of the exam. I'm still not sure how I did on it, but I was the third person to turn my essay in, and then I was only the third because I took the time to read it twice to make sure it was good. And then after that, I was rejected by another agency, and now I'm waiting to hear from yet another agent, who is from the same agency that represented both the Eragon books, and the twilight 'Saga'.

So lately I've just been trying to relax as much as possible. I spend Tuesdays and Thursdays sitting in uncomfortable chairs, surrounded by strange people I barely know, and trying desperately to learn the subjects I'm being taught. So obviously on the weekends I try to relax. This would be a lot easier if I didn't do my homework over the weekend.

Actually, I'm glad I do my homework over the weekend. The only class I really have regular homework in is History, and it's just reading a chapter and then completing the chapter assignment, so by splitting it up over the weekend, I can finish it days before it's even do, and then I don't have to worry about it during the week.

Too bad people would call me an 'over achiever' if they knew I did that. As if being an over achiever is a bad thing.

- Aimee

Queries

It's frustrating, reader, to realize that every agent you've sent a query to doesn't want to represent your book. I've sent in queries to at least three different agents, and heard back from none of them. Fortunately, the reason I haven't heard back from the most recent one is because I just sent it an hour or so ago. I really hope this will be the one. I've had this book for nearly a year, and nothing has come of it.

Wish me luck, readers!

- Aimee

It's just an idea,

It's just an idea,

Formless, nameless and vague.

It's just an idea,

A nameless idea,

An annoying, brilliant plague.

I'm sure any readers out there who have ever striven to create something from nothing know this feeling. I was just sitting at my piano, struggling to get an idea to flow from my brain, to my fingers, and then into the keys, but very little made it through. Instead, I found myself mimicking the same key and feel of the song I recently learned, A River Flows in you. Any artist out there, whether you be an author, a poet, a painter or a musician, must know how frustrating that is.

That's the whole idea of the little poem I felt like posting today. I actually just wrote it a few minutes ago. At least a few words made their way out of my head today. It's more than I can say for most of the week. I'm hoping I'll find my inspiration again somewhere, but until I do, I'm stuck doing history homework, and hoping I'll be able to write an essay in an hour and twenty minutes this Thursday. (History exam, yay!)

- Aimee

Once upon a time, a little girl proudly showed her mother a story she had written. The story the childish and morbidly brutal murder of a Thanksgiving turkey, and it was on that day that the little girl knew she wanted to be a writer.

Years later, that little girl, now grown up, sat on her laptop, mourning her lost inspiration. So many stories, started and never finished. So many poems, a deep chasm reaching into her soul. So many ideas, wasted, squandered, unwritten. The words echoed 'round and 'round in her skull, begging for release, tormenting her with their cries.

That little girl is me, reader. Yes, I once wrote a story about a Thanksgiving turkey being murdered and eaten. I've also written a story in which a hungry wolf fights, and then devours Barney the Dinosaur. My childhood stories were rife with violence, for reasons even I don't know. But now, I look back on those stories and wonder what happened. At least then I could get my ideas out. I could form the stories with my words, and feel the satisfaction of a world becoming more and more real with each word I wrote or typed. Now, all I feel is an endless swamp of words in my head, and my inspiration miring down in them...

I suppose every writer feels this way sometimes. I know I've felt this way many times before. I'll just have to wait until my inspiration returns.

- Aimee

Dreams

"There now, child. Doesn't revenge taste sweet?"

The little girl staggered, her crimson eyes fading. "No," She whispered into the darkness as it rose up to welcome her. "No, it takes like... blood."

I had a very strange dream last night. That little piece of random writing up above is the only part of the dream I can remember vividly. The rest is all little flashes that don't make much sense. I think the main gist of it was a little girl with red eyes who had been raised by a vampire. She made a friend, but the vampire decided to use the friend as a sacrifice or something. I don't remember that part too clearly. Either way, the vampire wanted to kill her friend, and get revenge or something like that. I'm not really sure what the dream was about at all. But, it was interesting, I'll give you that.

I'm tempted to write a story about it.

- Aimee

I don't know how many years it's been since I got snail mail that wasn't a birthday card, something from the bank, or a catalog from the clothing store my mom works at. And the catalogs aren't even for me.

But that is all an issue of the past! A friend of mine, who I used to only keep in contact with by stalking the home page of Facebook, and occasionally chatting with her over the same deplorable website, is now my pen pal! I just got another letter from her in the mail, and I can't describe how it brightened my day! My day went from a less than perfect school day that I spent coughing my lungs out, and fighting a head ache, into a very awesome day. Who knew bringing back a lost art was so much fun?

I think more people should use e-mail, facebook and IM's less, and go back to good old fashioned snail mail. It's more fun! Who doesn't enjoy getting a letter in the mail? I know I do!

- Aimee

I like to think I have a good imagination. People tell me that my writing is good, and descriptive, almost as though I know exactly how the characters are feeling because I've felt that way myself. Usually, I have never experienced the feelings I'm writing about. I don't know what it's like to lose someone I was very close to. I don't know what it's like, or what could drive someone to contemplate suicide. But there is a word for what I experience, and that word is Empathy.

Empathy - the power of understanding and imaginatively entering into another person's feelings.

I may be an empathetic person. But I will never be able to imagine what it must have been like to experience the events that took place on 9/11 nine years ago. I was little more than a child at the time, about nine years old, so I remember only bits and pieces of that day. But now that I've grown up a bit, my heart aches for the families who lost loved ones and friends that day.

I can't imagine what it must have been like, what it must still be like...

We ought to continue praying for them, as well as for our soldiers and their families as well. So many people have sacrificed so much in order to protect innocents like me, and you, Reader. Their sacrifices should never go unnoticed.

- Aimee

The world around me is silent, and still, as it is every time the clock strikes five in the morning. All the color has been drained away by the lack of light. Everything is gray, the only distinction between objects made by the different shades of gray they display in the barely distinguishable light. I sit silently in bed, my head resting back against the wall behind me. Outside, I can hear the mockingbird I have come to recognize singing his heart out. A thought springs to mind, and it makes my lips twitch upward in a smile.

Why does a mockingbird sing at such odd times of the day? Is it because he's stayed up too late and has gone slightly crazy? Or did he just wake up, ready to tell the world that he's starting a new day?

I'm inclined to think that it's the latter.

- Aimee

This story isn’t like other stories. It doesn’t start with ‘once upon a time’. The ending is not a ‘happily ever after’. If you want to hear a story like that, I suggest you rent a Disney film. You will find very little to cause happiness in this story, unless you’re the sort of person who enjoys subterfuge, betrayal, torture and double-agents. If that sort of thing entertains you, then feel free to skip this introduction and get on with the story.

For those of you who are still reading this, I feel obligated to offer some explanation for the story you are about to read.

The events recorded in this story are true. They really happened, to me, and to others. They caused me much strife, and it has taken me years to come to terms with it enough to attempt putting them into writing. During the course of the events I kept a sketchy, sporadic journal. I have included some of my journal entries, although only a few were written in a way that others would understand.

Without further ado, I end my ramblings and leave you to examine my past.

Sincerely,
A shattered soul.

This is something I found a while back in one of my notebooks. I barely remember writing it, and I haven't the foggiest idea what the inspiration behind it was. Personally, I think it's always fun to find an old piece of writing you had forgotten about. I may use this snippet as the beginning of a book some day, for all I know. But until I decide what to use it for, it remains exactly what it is: A snippet. A forgotten piece of writing with no meaning, no context, and no remaining inspiration.

This was accompanied by a poem, which I shared the other day. Sometimes I get into inspired moods, and I just have to write. I wrote five poems in one morning once. Other times I go days or weeks without writing a thing. Those times are always very frustrating for me.

On a side note, I've been listening to Yiruma, a very talented Korean pianist, for the last half hour or so. I just learned one of his songs on piano recently, but listening to his music makes me feel inadequate. I feel like I should be writing music like his. After playing piano for thirteen or fourteen years I ought to be able to write amazing songs. I mean, sure, my music is okay. People tell me it's good, and I'm usually pretty pleased with it, but still. Sometimes I wish I could be good enough at composing to make a living with it... (Maybe I ought to have started taking professional lessons a few years earlier...)

- Aimee