Coffee Shop Chats - The First

Tessa at Christ Is Write has come up with this idea so that bloggers will be able to get to know each other better, and have an excuse to tell their readers about their life. I think it's a great idea, and I hope you guys will join the link-up, too! To see the rules as well as Tessa's post, go here.

What I did this week

Well, for one, I have NOT gotten any writing for NaNo done since I posted the last Beautiful Books post *hides in a corner* No, don't judge, I've been busy! 

As always, I've been doing a lot of school work. I went to my last skills lab for the CNA course on Wednesday (the 18th). We did vital signs for four hours. That was exhausting. Blood pressure is so hard to measure:p Anyway, our friends came to visit and they stayed the night. It was awesome to see them again! 

I had a phone interview with John Paul the Great Catholic University, an acting school that I've wanted to go to for a couple of years now. So that was exciting. I'm also working on the essay questions I need to turn in for my application. I'll need to take the ACT, and I'll probably do that in February. I'm getting really nervous for that, cause I took a practice test once, and - I'm not gonna expand on that. So I've been prepping for that.

Last Thursday, a family from our homeschool group brought a first class relic of Saint Maria Goretti to our church. St Maria is my confirmation saint, and it was a very blessed opportunity to be able to venerate her! I was able to pray for her intercession for some of my friends, and I'm confident that she will hear me:)

And of course, yesterday was Thanksgiving! I think it was our family's first year celebrating Thanksgiving on our own. We had a great day. We went to Mass in the morning to thank God for all of our blessings. My mom made a lot of great food, and we had a Thanksgiving lunch instead of dinner.  We watched the Dallas Cowboy football game as a family (they lost :( ), and had a nice, relaxing day.

So that was my week (and a half)!

Music I've enjoyed

This year, we have discovered a lot of great musicals. My sister and I have been listening to and singing songs from Hello, Dolly! and My Fair Lady lately, along with some random songs from musicals we've never actually seen before:)

Movies I've enjoyed

Everyone in our family except my mom and I had seen Inside Out in the theater. So we rented it the other night, and I liked it pretty well. The only thing I wanted to see more of was Riley. I know by the title the main characters were the emotions, but I wanted to see more of Riley's character because... I don't know, I just did:) It was a really creative movie, though, with a really good family theme.

Quotes I'm enjoying

"Greatly to be loved is his love who loved us so greatly." ~ St. Francis of Assisi

"How dim the earth seems when I raise my eyes to heaven!" ~ St. Ignatius de Loyola

Just to name a few!

Currently working on

I worked on a poem that I'd started a few months ago,  and I wrote a new one this week. I need to work on Christmas gifts soon. Also, my little sister's birthday is tomorrow, so I think I'm gonna work on knitting her something today. She's turning 3 years old, by the way!:)

Looking forward to

My sister's birthday tomorrow! She's the cutest thing, guys. I can't believe it's been three years since she was born. She's growing up too fast. I'm not gonna say what I'm making for her, cause I might not get it finished in time. But when I do get it done, I might post a picture.

I'm also looking forward to the March For Life. In case you've never heard of it, it's the biggest pro-life rally in the world, and it takes place every year in D.C.. My sister and I are going next year in January. It'll be our first time, and we're really excited!

1. Do you think it's okay to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving?

To be honest, I don't think so. I think it sort of takes away from Christmas day, the day Jesus was born. I mean, I don't think it's bad, but I think that it's better for us to slow down and take things as they come, and not jump ahead so far. My family celebrates Advent and we sing Christmas songs before Christmas day, and things like that, but Advent always starts after Thanksgiving. We have a family tradition to decorate our tree on Christmas Eve. And we don't stop celebrating Christmas after the 25th. We leave all of our decorations up and even give little gifts to each other throughout the 12 days of Christmas - until Epiphany. So, if you ask me, Christmas should be celebrated closer to the 25th than Thanksgiving, and longer than just the 25th:)  

2. Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? How much progress have you made? 

So, I'm currently (still) at 5,901 words in my novel Like A Writing Desk. I am in love with every thing that I have written so far, but I just don't have much time to write more this month:(

Here are my questions:

1. If you put your music on shuffle, which artist would play the most?
2. What is your favorite book that you have read this year?
3. Which genre do you write best in?

auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie

Mad - Six Word Story

She was mad, her smile said

auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie

Beautiful Books #2: Like A Writing Desk

Here is the second round of Beautiful Books questions.


Is the book turning out how you thought it would be, or is it defying your expectations?

It is defying my expectations in more ways than one.

In good ways.

I know that 5,000 words is a crazy low word count for NaNo (it's like, 1/10 of the goal), but I didn't expect to write that amount of words in the first two weeks. For one, I'm super busy right now - high school, CNA course, blogging, trying to read, writing other little things here and there. The other, I didn't even make it to 2,000 words last year and I wasn't as busy then. So, even though my word count looks ridiculously low to other NaNoers, I'm happy that I've been able to start a novel I've wanted to write for a while and to get out as many words as I can.

The actual novel as in plot wise is not how I expected, either. I honestly had no character for Tabitha (The Mad Hatter) before I started writing her, but I am really in love with her character now.

What’s your first sentence (or paragraph)?

Okay... Here's the thing. I started this novel in September, I think. But I'm only counting the words that I've written in November for my word goal, as it's only fair. So, I guess I'll give you the beginning of the actual novel + the first paragraph I've written this month.

(Note: The first paragraph needs a lot of work)

1) Once upon a time there was a little girl. Once upon a time her best friend was her pet rabbit. Once upon a time her favorite place was the large garden out at the back of the house. Once upon a time the little girl's name was Alice Young. Once upon a time that little girl was me. Once upon a time I was very different from who I am now.

2) She was silent as she thought about the first half of the year. She played with her new pet, stroking him now, and now burying her nose in his soft fur, coaxing the bunny to explore his new territory. Her mind, however, was elsewhere. She thought of the kind of boy her brother could have grown up to be, and how she would have helped her mother care for him whenever she would have allowed her to. She would gladly have changed his diapers and muddy clothes if all the while she knew that she was helping to secure his health and safety, and that the danger of his leaving was past. She did not cry as she thought of these things. Instead, she poured out her overflowing heart into the cuddles and caresses she gave her rabbit, knowing that this was what her parents had provided him for. She knew that they were taking care of each other, she and her rabbit.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Have you ever tried both methods and how did it turn out?

I'm usually a pantser. The first year I did NaNo it was a total spur of the moment thing (I joined on the 4th day), and literally all I knew about the story was that my MC had red hair, brown eyes, and that her boyfriend was teaching her swordsmanship before he went off to join a war. But I actually developed the longest plot for a book that I've ever had, during that NaNo. 

I'm trying both methods at once this year. I had a basic idea of the plot and I had written a lot in Alice's character bio* prior to NaNo. But everything else I'm just sort of going with as I write, and it's going pretty well.

What do you reward yourself with after meeting a goal?

Ha. Ha. Ha. I don't set word goals. I write (a little), and then I take a (long) break, so that I won't be too stressed out and won't be able to get any more words out.

What do you look for in a name? Do you have themes and where do you find your names?

Sometimes, I make up my characters' names. But most of the time, I use Behind the Name. I usually have a meaning that I want to use for a character's name, so I'll look up names with that meaning in it and choose one or base one off of there.

I really can't move the story forward if I don't have a name that fits the character. I won't just name a guy character "Joe," or "Sally" for a girl until I find the right name for them. I'll usually just say "he" or "she" if I really can't find a name and I need to continue writing.

What is your favourite to write: beginning, middle, or end — and why?

The beginning is definitely my favorite. I am horrible with plotting the middle. The end I normally have an idea about. But the beginning is what I think I'm best at writing.

Who’s your current favourite character in your novel?

Right now, it's Tabitha. She's an adult in a kid's body and is a boss at it. I'm not totally sure about her background, but I'm pretty sure that her parents died and she was left with the hat shop, and just kind of learned to take care of herself. There are times when she does seem like a normal child, though. Anyway, she's adorable, and I love her.

What kind of things have you researched for this project, and how do you go about researching? (What’s the weirdest thing you’ve researched?!)

Since the characters are still in Wonderland, I haven't really researched a lot. I guess the only thing I was trying to search for, really, was a name for Alice's pet rabbit. I searched "carrot(s)" on Google Translate in almost every language, and came up with nothing that sounded like a good name. So for now, he's named Felipe, and I can't stand it because he's a bunny and Felipe makes me think of a horse every time I hear it. But he's not any big part, so it doesn't really matter. 

Do you write better alone or with others? Do you share your work or prefer to keep it to yourself?

It really depends, I think. I can sometimes write pretty well when I'm with friends, but other times I just CANNOT think. I do better with word wars, though, because I'm actually trying to get a lot of words out and beat the other person:) 

I shared some snippets in last week's post. Most of the time, I'm really open with sharing my work. I like feedback and support;)

What are your writing habits? Is there a specific snack you eat? Do you listen to music? What time of day do you write best? Feel free to show us a picture of your writing space!

Sorry, no picture. 

I don't really know what is meant by "writing habits" and I don't really have time to think about. So that part is going unanswered.

I don't eat while I'm writing.

What I listen to depends on my mood. This NaNo, I've been listening to some of the songs from the album "Almost Alice."

I think I write best in the afternoon.



Yay, I did it! Sorry - my answers aren't very well written because I didn't have time to polish them. Not to mention that they're not very interesting either. But I wanted to give you guys an update on my novel, and thought I'd do this. Hope this didn't bore you, and that this week goes fantastic for you!

* I may post Alice's bio soon...That's a maybe.


auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie

Decisions - MMC (October 26, 2015)

"Coward." The accusation rang off the walls and echoed down the length of the tunnel. 

She looked at him in disgust before turning her back on him and continuing her march down the passageway. 

Lenny was motionless, his speech, too, frozen in his throat. She didn't really mean that. She couldn't have meant it. But the tears stung in his eyes, all the same. "You can't, Lana," he called through his tears. "You don't know what's out there. We might never see Mom and Dad again. If we stay, we'll have a better chance of figuring something out."

"This is our best chance, Lenny," she replied, turning back toward him, "of another life to live. We won't ever have Mom and Dad again. I'm sorry, but it's true. I'm trying to give you the best alternative there is. If we stay in the city, we'll rot with everyone else. Don't you want to come and make life as least painful as it has to be?" She held out her arm to him, wanting him to say yes.

But he didn't. "No," he said, wiping his face dry. "You've given up on Mom and Dad, but I won't." He turned and ran the way they had come. 

His sister stood and watched him, wondering which of them was more of a weakling than the other.

It's 224 words, and I used the picture prompt. It is a piece of the story I have been writing for the past MMCs. Thanks, Tessa, for hosting these! 

Oh, and last time I won 2nd place:D

auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie 

NaNoWriMo Week One: Snippets and Such

Today ends the first week of NaNo and begins the new one. I have some friends who are doing a phenomenal job on their word count, but I...Well, I'm a little behind. Meaning, I have +7,000 words to catch up to. But that's okay. *goes and cries in a corner* *returns feeling better* I wasn't expecting to win, in the first place. I just hope that I do better than my other NaNo years. I am so far, so that's good.

And now, for some snippets! Tabitha surprised me. I wasn't expecting her to be a big part of the story, but she is turning out to be a lot more so than I expected. Also, she may be my favorite character I've ever written. Maybe, I'm not sure. But take a look for yourself:)


It was wondrous and full of magic - the atmosphere of that day. The sky was blue-grey, the wind tossed about the tops of the trees, and there was something in the air that sang, "Something is going to happen." She had always been a serious child, but the wind that swept her hair that day and the sparrows that swooped so low to the ground gave her a feeling of excitement. It was unusual, for she was not a little girl who was very easily impressed. But so was every thing on this particular day.

***

Alice was very thankful that the subject had come up, for she was at a loss as to what this person wished to be called. "I am Alice Young. And, please, what would you like me to call you?"

"Oh," the girl said as she patted her mouth with a napkin. "I thought you would have known what. Everyone knows my name around here. But that is not the point. You may call me Hatter." Hatter looked down at her cup and seemed to wish to contrive a new subject before Alice inquired the next question that she did.

"That is your name - Hatter? But why such a funny name like that?"

"It's not a name," the girl who wasn't named Hatter sighed. "It is merely what everyone calls me, though they know my name. I'm not much of anyone's friend around here, I suppose. But you - if you do want to be a friend of mine - I will tell you my name." She leaned in toward Alice, an anxious look in her eyes.

***

“Stop. Stop, Tabitha, stop,” commanded Alice, the first time she’d done so to her friend. “I think maybe he’s speaking of my brother.”

“Felix, or what was his name?”

“Alexander,” Alice corrected. “And that’s not the point. I believe the...the Hare over there is talking about him. He said that someone, a child, was away from home and very young. Don’t you think, too, that it must be Alexander?”

“But Alice, my dear, how could he? He came from behind us and your brother went ahead.” The girl twirled her cane and continued in the same direction. “Really, Alice, I don’t see how-”

But the mentioned had turned back on her own and had made her way to the March Hare’s side. “How extremely rude,” the girl said aloud to herself. “I try to help her as a friend, and she goes and listens to someone she’s never even properly met. And he’s not even human, besides.” She waited, nonetheless, until the rude little child looked up to her from the conversation with the Hare, excitement shining in her eyes. At that, the hatter scoffed and rolled her eyes as adults sometimes do when their child does something that they think is adorable, but they don’t wish to show that they think so.

***

And now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to attempting to catch up on my word count.

Hope you enjoyed the snippets, and that your NaNo (and/or November) is going well!:)

auf wiedersehen, darling

-Maddie

Songs

Joy at Just Joy tagged me for The Song Tag! It's my first official tag:) This is going to be super fun. I mean, really, music is almost my life. So without further ado - Oh, wait, I gotta mention the rules.

~List the rules and include the button in your post:

                                    Ta-da!

~Tag a couple of other bloggers to do this tag (let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog).

And now, I present the questions and my answers to them.



1. First song that comes to your mind

Happy, by Pharell Williams. I think the original version is kinda boring, but I love the Africanized version by Alex Boye. It's a really, well, happy song and it always makes me dance.

2. A song that always makes you happy

So, a few weeks ago, we went to a concert at our friends' house. They had a duet called Adam & I play, and I loved them. We hadn't heard of them before we went, but we bought both of their albums that night. I love them because their music is so honest.* They write about things that I like to imagine I would write about, and you should give them a listen. Anyway, one of their songs that always makes me happy is We Have Love. It's a song that laughs at trouble and says everything's going to be all right <3

3. A song you hate

Current popular song that I hate? "Watch Me" (Whip/Nae-Nae). Just no. That is not real music, Emmet (sorry, I had to use that reference). "Gangnam Style" is also a really dumb song. Let me tell you that I went to a Christmas party once in the Philippines with my family and my friends' family. We watched about 30-40 performances from the different chapels that day, and at least 5 of them did a dance to "Gangnam Style". Plus, they played it in between performances, so yeah. Needless to say, we groaned every time we heard it playing.

I also don't agree with the song "Flawless" by MercyMe. I don't hate it, but it irritates me because I think the message is so *ahem* flawed. "...the truth is the cross has made you flawless" - really? I don't think so. Just because Jesus died for us does not make us perfect. He has opened the gates of heaven for us, but that doesn't mean that whatever we do is now justified.

4. Favorite romantic song

Grrr. Favorite? Okay, most of the romantic songs that I like are from musicals (I've never actually watched the last two, I've just heard these songs) :

"On My Own" from Les Miserables

"A Little Fall of Rain" from Les Miserables

"Come to Your Senses" from tick, tick...BOOM!

"Someone Else's Story" from Chess

And, yes, they are all sad romantic songs:)

5. Favorite sad song

This was a hard question. I was going to say The Last Goodbye by Billy Boyd, but I think I like I See Fire (the cover by Peter Hollens), better. All the feelings from this song...from both. 

6. A song that brings back memories

Oceans by Hillsong United always makes me think of a death. The death of a certain little baby boy whom I had the pleasure to know. They played this song at his funeral, and it seemed so fitting because he died by drowning. I will always and forever remember him whenever I hear it, and I know that he is in heaven praying for the rest of us to get up there, too.

7. A song that you have been playing on repeat

This was at the beginning of the year, but I have to say this. The cover of Jai Ho done by Peter Hollens and Alaa Wardi is probably the song I have heard on repeat the most times in one day. We were visiting our friends for Christmas and a wedding, and we stayed with them for a few weeks. Both sets of our parents went out one day, and we were left to babysit our siblings with our friends and their siblings. I remember playing music almost non-stop that day, and about every third song that we would play was Jai Ho. It just makes you want to dance, and dance it made us do. Everyone had their own little dance they would do to it when they would walk through the room, and it was so fun to watch everyone:)

But the song that I've been playing on repeat currently is "Topsy Turvy" by Family Force 5. It's Alice In Wonderland themed...of course I'm listening to it constantly because of NaNo. 

8. Favorite song by your favorite artist

I guess I'm going to say that Owl City- gosh, but I love Rich Mullins, too. I'm gonna say that they- oh, and Taylor Swift -are my favorites. So favorite one from each:

1) "Hot Air Balloon" by Owl City
2) "We Are Not As Strong As We Think We Are" by Rich Mullins
3) "Back to December" by Taylor Swift

9. Weirdest song you like

Okay...I'm pretty sure that I have more than just one that can fit into this category. The question is...Do you guys really want to know the answers to this? I'm gonna go ahead and give three examples: 1) "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift. It's not got the best lyrics and it's super repetitive. I guess I like it more for the beat. 2) "Bird With A Broken Wing" by Owl City. I'm not ashamed that I like this song. It is weird, especially if you listen to the commentary behind the song, but I like the dark and strange feeling that comes when I hear it. There's also a tinge of sadness. 3) This is the weirdest one. I saved it for last, for the impact:p *takes a deep breath and says really fast* "Dum Dum" by Tedashii featuring Lecrae. *exhales* I'm not even sure why I like this song. It's definitely not real music, Emmet (I had to say that again; sorry). Maybe it's cause it's one of the only rap songs I've heard that's appropriate, even though it's still dum dum (*laughs at her dum joke*...okay I'll stop now). There you go. Now you know some things about me that make me weird.

10. All time favorite song

This is not even a fair question. I'm really bad at saying my favorite anything, especially when it's a general question. I can answer better when things are in categories, like All Time Favorite Broadway Song or All Time Favorite Pop song, though I will still tell you three answers to the question (like I did for all other questions up there). So I think I'm gonna have to give you my top favorite from some different categories.
1) My favorite musical ever is Les Miserables, and my favorite song from that is "Turning."
2) My all time favorite Catholic song is "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent."
3) All time favorite credit song is "When Can I See You Again?" by Owl City.
And I guess I'll spare you from having to read any more.

So there you go. I officially gave more than one answer to all but one of the questions, and probably had a little more fun than I should have:D

And now I tag

Esther @ An Indefatigable Little Scribbler
Katie @ A Writer's Faith

Natalie @ On the Wings of Imagination

Annie @ Curious Wren

I hope you guys have as much fun as I did:)

*I'm going to do a post about "Honest Music" sometime. It may not be soon, but it will happen!

How's everyone's NaNo going? My novel is...almost non-existent:P Oh, well. I'm trying.

auf wiedersehen, darling

-Maddie