Awards! And random stuff! Oh joy!

Much thanks to Anna, for awarding me this! I have no clue why this is underlined, so I hope y'all don't mind.

The Prolific blog award goes to bloggers who blogs consistently. Once you get it you have to give it to 7 other people.

I award: uh...oh man. I'm going completely blank. Okay, if you blog at least once a week regularly, go ahead and take this!



The Beyond Your Imagination Award

1. List 8 stories or books that you would like to live in (for two weeks?)

1. Lord of the Rings (duh!)
2. And Then There Were None, although I'd probably be dead. =)
3. The Chronicles of Narnia
4. Healing, the working title for my book.
5. My NaNoWriMo book.
6. Peter Pan in Scarlet
7. The Hunter Brown Series (I think that's what it's called)
8. Star Wars



2. List 8 other bloggers who deserve this award

Uh..well, I've already done this tag at least once, maybe twice, so whoever wants can take it!

3. Comment on their blog and tell them that they've been awarded
You normal people can follow that one...

I cut my finger pretty badly while washing windows. Interesting story there. I was scrubbing really fast, and I jammed my finger into a very hard, sharp part of the window. Hard to do. Very hard. But for an accomplished klutz, it was a piece of cake! Reminds me of how I ripped the top of my toe off while playing street soccer on hot asphalt...ouchie. I still can't feel the very top of my big toe.

Anyway, my finger looks like it's been through a gory battle, and my head agrees. I've had a raging headache all this week. I was mystified as to the cause, and then I realized I forgot to take my weekly vitamin D pill. Problem solved!

Can't believe it's July. Sniff. Farewell, sweet June! 6 months till January 1, 2011! Where does the time go? Ladies and gents, we'll never have a July 1, 2010 again. Ever again. Don't waste it.

I just started something very interesting. In a notebook that I have, I'm writing letters to my daughter! Letters of encouragement, like how to get out of a faith rut, and the joys (ha ha) of siblings. Advice that, when I actually have my own daughter, I probably won't be able to get into words. Oh great. Now I bet I'll have all sons when I'm married! =) I wouldn't mind. Although I would like one daughter, so I can name her Colleen. Y'see, both Dad and I love that name, but Mom absolutely hates it. Coincidentally, Dad really wanted me to be named Colleen. Instead, I was named...well...never mind what I'm named...but it's definitely not Colleen!

Sigh. I'm rambling. But I'm also very bored, and in pain from my finger. Why I'm typing, I have no idea. I do have a funny story, though.

Erestor (my bro) is known for well, loving kicking around a soccer ball in the basement instead of doing his summer school work. And I'm known for getting things done very, very fast. Earlier this morning, I had looked in the paper and seen that the Netherlands and Brazil were playing soccer.

So I, being the sister I am, finished all my chores and school at 9:30. Erestor, being the brother he is, played soccer until ten o'clock in the basement. Actually, he would have played longer, but I ran down the stairs, confiscated the ball, and told him that he was wasting time and that Netherlands and Brazil game was on and I wanted to watch it and I couldn't until...

Anyway. Erestor quickly did his Latin, math and chores, in mortal fear that he was missing an awesome soccer game. He finally emerged from the basement, to find me sitting on the couch reading Agatha Christie.

Turns out, soccer really wasn't on. I had assumed the paper meant today, when really they didn't say. It was actually tomorrow! Whoops! But guess what?

That made us finished with our work at 10:30! Ha ha. That was hilarious. Erestor sure was mad.

So, there's the whole shibang.

Goodbye! Galdor is intent on deleting this, so I'd better sign off.

Izori

Two Things

First of all, please pray for Eldarwen's dad! He is unresponsive and in the hospital. I know this is got to be so hard for their family. Please pray for his health and for the rest of the family to deal with this. Read the original post HERE.

Secondly, Olive Tree's contest ended, and I didn't win. Well, that was kinda expected, so no big deal. Thank you so much, Olive Tree, for having such a fun contest! And now I'm going to head over to the Awel Prince's lovely blog, Inspired Designs Studio, to pick out a new blog look from the free stuff section. Hope you like the new look! Awel Prince's designs are wonderful!

Izori

A little ahead of schedule...

Guess what! I'm back early! I have my schedule fairly under control, and have spending most of my time watching World Cup Soccer. U.S., you rock, even though you lost! Ghana, WE SHALL MEET AGAIN!! MHUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Glad I'm back? I hope so, although according to the poll, two of you aren't. Sigh. I'm feeling the love, people. Now if I could just get comments...oh, speaking of comments...

Ladies, thank you so much for your comments! Teresa, thank you especially! Your constructive criticism is very, very helpful! :) Vellvin, I would get right onto the tag, but my computer is giving me grief. Actually, so is spell-check.

Anyway, I hope y'all have had a wonderful end of June! Happy Summer, everyone!

Izori

Quick Post

Thanks for the comments on my excerpt! I hope to get some more...hint, hint.

Anyway, I have decided to take a brief sabbatical for two weeks to get into my summer schedule. It's very rigorous because I'm hoping to regulate the active period of my day for what may very well be the most hectic school season ever. :/

I'll be back...well, look at that! According to my calender, I'll be back on the 4th of July, which is also when I'll be on another vacation! So I'll actually be gone for fifteen days. I'll see you all on July 5th!

Izori

Book Excerpt (and I'm back!)

Well, I was hoping to schedule this in the middle of our trip. But unfortunately I forgot to before we left, and then while we were there my laptop didn't have internet connection.

So, vacation was very fun. We stayed at my grandparents house, which is by the beach. The water was actually on the warm side, which is very unusual. Another unusual thing...no sunburn for me! Wow! This may be because I put sunscreen on, like, every twenty minutes. =)

Did anyone else watch the US--Slovenia soccer game? For everyone who didn't, US won 3-2. However, your local newspaper may say that it was a *tie*, 2-2. This was because the ref kept on making the STUPIDEST calls EVER! Our last goal, which would have won us the game, was cancelled for no evident reason. Grrrrr...but anyway, we won, even if the ref doesn't say so. Now lets move on before I get very mad...

Here is the excerpt from my NaNoWriNo book (still lacking a title). Please, PLEASE comment and tell me what you think!
-----------------------------------------

It was not quite the middle of the night. Angela, Skye, Elizabeth, and Thea had all taken the bed to sleep in, and Abriel insisted he was comfortable on the floor. Elizabeth, however, couldn’t get to sleep. The mattress was itchy, and someone in another room was snoring thunderously.

Restlessly, she softly slid out of bed, succeeding in not rousing the other girls. They slept peacefully on as Elizabeth tiptoed to the window.

The silver moon shone down from the sky with a glowing, pure light, illuminating the city of Glenchin in a pale aura of light. There was no one down below in the streets, and (other then the man snoring) all was quiet.

Then Elizabeth saw a movement in the dark streets. It was only a small one, but it managed to catch the very corner of her eye. What was that, down below in the street? Whatever it was, it was moving toward the tavern door.

She gasped. At first, it had been hard to recognize in the shadows, but now she knew exactly what the dark thing was—an Eruik Cariol.

And now it was not alone. Another Eruik Cariol joined it, and then another. Soon, five had gathered at the tavern door.

Five is one for each of us, Elizabeth noticed. It was odd that she even noticed that in a moment of terror, but she did. Was this planned?

Then she realized what she must do. Tremblingly, she bent over the prophet, who was stretched out on the floor appearing fast asleep.

“Wake up! Wake up!” she hissed, shaking Abriel. “Hurry, will you?” The Eruik Carol were most likely in the tavern by now.

Abriel’s eyes slowly opened. “What?” he groaned.

“Eruik Cariol are in the tavern!” Elizabeth snapped at him. “Get up and get a move on!”

Standing quickly, she aroused Angela, Thea, and Skye with a silent shake. Then she turned back to Abriel. “How are we supposed to get out of here?”

It was then that Elizabeth heard the soft but audible step on the tavern stairs. Everyone else heard it, too. It was like the warning tick of a clock, telling them that their time was running out all too quickly.
------------------------------------------

Enjoy!

Izori

Before I leave...

...I shall try tying up a few loose ends.

Seeing as we're leaving tomorrow, I'll be closing down the poll just after I publish this post. Sorry if you didn't get to vote. It looks like that y'all are going to be seeing a tidbit of...my NaNoWriMo Novel! (that, by the way, is in the process of being graciously edited by one of my BFFs, Catherine Morland). If 'Mystery Book!' would have been picked, you guys would be reading an excerpt from either the book that I just started, or my book that has all the fairy tales blended together into a retelling (and that will be edited by Liz' (my piano student) older sister).

Also, the poll for my blog background has expired, and it looks like that I need to change back to my old layout. Well...I got some 'editations' for you. I'm not going to change it quite yet because I have entered Olive Tree's lovely little give-away for a new background. If I don't win, I suppose I'll change it back...for a little while...

Has anyone else been watching the World Cup? You should see our TV; I decorated it with home-made banners for the U.S. Yes, most Americans may not be known for their soccer skills, but we are known for our patriotic-ness! (Er...everyone but Mr. Bow-and-apologize-for-our-existence-to-all-foreign-powers) I was shocked when we tied with England in our first game! We and Catherine Morland's family battled it out, afterward. =) I watched the North Korea vs. Brazil game today. I LOOOOOOOOOOVE soccer!

Well, I'll have to start packing soon. Have a great few days, everyone!

Izori

EDIT: Oh, I forgot! Thanks for praying about my Vitamin D deficiency! My month-long headache cleared up the day after taking my first pill (the pills are so pretty! They're like transparent emeralds), and the top of my wrists have been hardly hurting at all! Unfortunately, my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has been acting up from forgetting to wear the braces, writing, playing the piano, and basically living.

Writing Tip: Use Variety

Example 1:

The stage was lit by a thousand lights, all resting on Adriana. The fact that she couldn't see the huge audience because of the blinding light was a mercy. The music started up, and so did the sweat on her palms. The voice instructor, Miss Helaina, peered at her from behind the curtains, nodding her head in time to the music. The tune trembled, soared, and then the time came for Adriana to sing.


Example 2:

A thousand lights lit the stage, all resting on Adriana. Finding herself staring into a bright nothing, she knew that the blinding light was a mercy. With a flourish, the music started up, and so did the sweat on her palms. Miss Helaina, smiled at her from behind the curtains, her head nodding to the beat. Adriana gulped. The tune trembled, soared, and then the time came for her to sing.

Look at the first example, and then the second. Do they sound different? Does one sound boring and repetitive? Is the other eye-catching and sounds better when you read them aloud? (You should answer yes =)

Actually, the two paragraphs are pretty much the same, except for one thing that may seem to be small. In Example 1, all of the sentences start with 'the'. 'The stage', 'The fact', 'The music'...if you read it aloud, you'll find that it doesn't have good flow.

Look at the second example now. 'A thousand lights', 'Finding herself', 'With a flourish'. These keep your reader interested.

I think that variety is highly important for good writing. It makes your writing easier to read, and it adds 'pizazz'. Also notice that, in Example 2, two rather long sentences are sandwiching a two-word one. This adds flow as well.

Izori

P.S. On a side note, I see that, on the poll, not many people like this current background (or at least at the time I wrote this, they didn't--this is scheduled). Does anyone have suggestions for my background? I actually am getting kind of attached to the current one, so make 'em good!

Lolz...

Here it is...a little late. Three cheers for Catherine Morland (the blogger)! Everyone else...don't ask. Inside joke here.

=)

Izori

Go Follow!

Just a lighting quick post (sorry, no daybook today--too busy!)

Olive Tree is having a contest at her blog, (of) HorseFeathers! Please go follow her and then also comment and tell her that I sent ya over! You can join the contest yourself, too! This is a goal for her to get 100 followers, and it would be sweet if she actually did.

Thanks!

Izori

P.S. Remember...vote on the poll!----->

My Summer Schedule and Blog Wishlist

Whew! It's really hot out today!

I am going to be very busy when school starts up this fall. Well, maybe 'busy' is an understatement. Let's try "exhaustively rushing hither and thither until my hair turns frizzy". Let me count the ways...

1. I'm going to be starting high school, which means extra school work for a longer time.
2. I'm going to be participating in one co-op,
3. Not to mention another smaller one.
3. I'm going to be taking on 45 minute piano lessons,
4. And 30 minute voice lessons.
4. I'll be teaching at least one student, maybe more.
5. I'll still work on my books.
6. I'll be playing soccer.
7. I'm considering playing in another league of soccer as well.
8. Hopefully, I'll be published/in the process.
9. Of course I'll be blogging.
10. And I'll be a docent at a local historic sight.

Yeah. That's scratching the surface.

I figured that I would desperately have to make a schedule for my life so that I can actually do all of that listed above. And I decided that summer would be the perfect time to learn how to be on a schedule.

IZORI'S SUMMER SCHEDULE

6:00-6:30--Exercise
6:30-7:00--Shower, get prepared for the day
7:00-7:10--Bible reading
7:15-7:30--Craft and memorization
7:30-8:00--'Before Breakfast Chores'
8:00-8:30--Eat
8:30-8:45--Brush teeth and straighten room
8:45-9:00--Piano/Tin Whistle practice
9:00-9:20--Latin
9:20-9:30-Weed and other yard work
9:30-9:40--Piano practice
9:40-10:30--Script
10:30-11:00--Craft/cooking
11:00-11:15--Spanish brush-up
11:15-11:25--Bible reading
11:25-12:00--Creative writing
12:00-12:20--Latin
12:20-1:00--Reading
1:00-1:45--Before lunch chores and lunch
1:45-2:00--Woods
2:00-2:30--Research of J.R.R. Tolkien/C.S. Lewis
2:30-2:40--Piano practice
2:40-3:00--Soccer practice
3:00-3:20--Latin
3:20-4:00-Chores and cleaning
4:00-4:10--Bible reading
4:10-onward--Relaxation time

Yeah, I have a bad feeling that this will last all of two days. But I'm really hoping that I can get my life on schedule, because it will be SO less confusing in the fall when things REALLY start up. After all, our God is a God of order!

This next thing is an idea that I got from igirl, the Blog Wishlist! Sweet idea, igirl! I hope you don't mind if I borrow it. =)

1. To have at least 3 comments on each post
2. To have 80 followers by fall
3. To write meaningful, God-honoring posts
4. To be able to encourage other starting writers
5. To get to know other people
6. To make my blog a safe place where everyone knows no trash will ever be posted
7. To make people laugh, or sometimes even cry
8. To have fun!

Oh, BTW, in less then a week I'm going on vacation! Does anyone want a book excerpt while I'm gone? Tell me quick, because if more than two people say yes I'll put up a poll to decide which book I'll take the excerpt from!

See y'all!

Izori

My FAVORITE Writing Tip

Doncha wish that there was just one simple thing that could completely transform your writing from amateur to awesome? Admit it, sometimes the normal learn-by-experience can require too much...patience. Hard work. Are there no shortcuts?

No, sadly, there are no shortcuts in writing. Writing just seems to be one of those things that is gained by pain. No one is a Shakespeare/Bronte/Lewis/Tolkien as soon as they pick up their pen for the first time.

However...

...there is one writing tip that (I think) is pretty close to a shortcut. It's transformed my writing just over the course of six months. It solves the problem that nearly all starting writers have. Just my opinion, but I hope as you read you'll agree. =)

Let's take this as an example.

Juniper wasn't very happy that Jake had put the frog in her bed. She yelled at him for a while, and then just went to her frog-free bed.

Now look at that. What are the two sentences saying? Juniper was mad because Jake had pulled a mean prank. She lost her temper, and then went to bed. Okay. That was kinda boring. There is no picture here--it's flat, dull, and makes for horrible reading. This style is called 'telling', and it's not suggested. At all.

Now look at this:

The door barely escaped flying off its hinges as it was flung open. Juniper stormed into the room, her face bright red with fury. Off in a corner, her brother Jake's eyes widened at her livid face.

"JAKE!" A bellow akin to an angry bull's rent the air as Juniper planted herself in the middle of the room. Her flaming eyes were fixed on the cowering form of her little brother.

Jake wriggled desperately into the corner of the couch.

"Don't try to hide. I know exactly who placed this frog in my bed."

A groan emitted from behind the pillow, held like a shield of last-resort. Everyone knew that when Juniper put on her deadly quiet tone, it was over. Slowly, Jake raised his head and prepared to face his doom.

Piercing eyes glowered as Juniper held out a plastic cup toward Jake. "Take it," she said coldly. "I found it on my pillow." A tell-tale ribbit sounded from the depths of the drinking vessel.

Hastily, Jake snatched away the amphibian and the cup, mumbling something under his breath. He was about to exit the room, when Juniper laid an unfriendly hand on his shoulder.

"Jake," she said. "I'm going back to bed now. But be assured...I won't forget this."

He gulped.

With no further fanfare, Juniper quietly slipped away. But Jake knew that it wasn't the last of this episode.

Now look at that. The same general information can be found: Juniper was mad because Jake had pulled a mean prank. She lost her temper, and then went to bed. However, wasn't that much more interesting? Hmmm...a break of about two days since I wrote 'bed.' and 'However' has elapsed...and I just lost my train of thought.

Ah! I had it again! Read the first example, and then read the second. Which one gives you a better, clearer picture? Which one reveals things about the characters' personalities, behavioral habits, pet peeves, and hobbies? Which one has flow?

Yep. The second one, the one that uses the style of 'showing'. Why? Because in the first, I just told you that Juniper was mad at Jake, and in the second I showed you.

I see the style of 'telling' in many starting-out writers' books, mostly my own. I actually wasn't sure why my writing sounded so bad, although I had mostly fixed the problem just on my own. But then I read a really great, informational blog post by SOMEONE, but I can't remember who! Aaargh, I hate it when that happens. I think that to hear Erestor jabber in my ear about Pokemon cards and other subjects, I have to erase things on my memory chip. That's how the data on how to type a capitol E with the two dots over it got lost.

But anyway, when I read that incredible post, I almost fell of my chair. That was it! As before mentioned, I had managed to fix most of the 'tell' parts in my books without knowing what they were, but because I wasn't able to make a full diagnosis other than that it sounded awkward, I couldn't get them all.

Anyway, can anyone tell that I LOOOOOVE this writing tip? All these years, I've suffered from 'telling', and now I FINALLY KNOW! Okay. Yeah.

On a tangent, this post has taken almost a week to write. I have no clue why; maybe because I've been so busy. Oh, and tonight's the night that Strasburg (*gasp* spell-check doesn't know his name! They marked it...a misspelled word!) pitches for the Nationals in the major leagues! Yay! I'll miss it, because I'm trying out a soccer league, but I'm still really happy. Finally, maybe this area will actually be GOOD at sports!

Izori

Soccer

Guess what? Our team is the best u-15 team! Yay! We had our all-day soccer tournament today, and it was a lot of fun. It was REALLY hot, though, which is never good. I played defense mostly, but I did do a wee bit of midfield. After this, we have 1 more game to play, and if we win it we'll have been undefeated!

Unfortunately, I now have a sunburn nearly as bright as my coral-pink fingernails.

Ooooh, I DYED MY HAIR BLUE!!! Don't worry, it washed out. I love doing crazy things.

Anyway, this is just a lightning quick because I'm flat out exhausted. And we have testing tomorrow...oh, dear. We do the California achievement test, and it's all easy except for the math.

Izori