MHUAHAHAHAHA! TORTURE TIPS!

Ahem. Not for little brothers, for your characters. Right, Catherine Morland?

#1. Make it realistic. If you want your character to survive the torture, then don't make it too drastic. If you want them to die, then don't make it just a level above harmless.

#2. Show that your character is in pain. Put a little in of their reaction, or make note of what they look like (i.e., beads of sweat on their forehead, ragged gasps for breath, speaking through clenched teeth).

#3. Physical torture is not your only option. I love Regina Doman's torture scene in Shadow of the Bear. (SPOILER) She not only has Fish suffer physically, but mentally as well when he is forced to watch Rose getting tortured. (END OF SPOILER) This technique is one of my favorites, although caution must be advised as sometimes this can get a little sappy if you're not careful. Also, it can also be cliche, such as when the character's true love is getting tortured before their eyes. However, add plenty of action and the reader won't notice. Lol.

#4. Consider your audience. Is the rest of your book written for eight year olds? Then you probably don't want to get too gruesome.

#5. Try 'invisible torture'. I love this one. I actually used it in my NaNoWriMo novel. These scenes are usually written from the perspective of one character. Usually, they only hear the screams and see the aftermath of the torture scene. Like, two characters are both sitting in a prison cell. #1 is suddenly dragged off by the jailer. #2 sits and listens, then screams break the silence. The thoughts and worries of #2 are shown. A half-dead #1 is dragged back. That is just a rough example. This is also really good for someone who isn't experienced at torture scenes.

#6. Make it good. Self-explanatory.

#7. If your too attached to your characters, then what? Well, get over it...? jk, lol. So anyway, if you can't bring yourself to torture your poor character, then make it up to yourself. Say, if you torture them, you'll make something really awesome happen to them that wasn't afore-planned.

If you have any more tips to add, then feel free to comment!

Izori

P.S. Happy *ahem* 25th Birthday to my wonderful mom!

BIG Praise!

Y'all know about the big shooting contest that's coming up on the 24th? The one that is the qualifier for States? Well, if you do remember, Dad signed me up for that. However, we were a little worried because my gun wasn't working properly. It went through three cylinders of air last shooting time...and that's bad. What it was doing was letting out puffs of air (i.e. it had sudden spurts of leaking)...very, very bad. Well, it did that again tonight. An instructor shot it, and it was doing the same thing with her. She passed it to another instructor, and guess what.

It worked absolutely FINE with him!

We figured it out--neither me or the first instructor was fully cocking the gun.

DUH!

How we were both doing it, we'll never know. But I am SOOOOO glad we figured that out, because it would have badly affected my scores if we hadn't.

Whew. God is really great.

Izori

Tagged by Eldarwen! And Awarded by Nahla of the Eastern Winds!

Wow! This looks really fun!

Dear Erestor,
I don't really know how to tell you this, but I dislike your eyelashes. I think I realized it when I finally changed my t-shirt at the mental hospital and I saw you sit on the Montreal Canadian's goalie. I'm sure you're shamed enough to understand that I'm allergic to your earlobes. I'm returning the couch cushions to you, but I'll keep your left ear as a memory. You should also know that I can't stand your singing and that I'm crying as you read this.

Greetings to your frog Leonard,

Izori

Here's how you do it:
Dear (someone you recently talked to),
I don't really know how to tell you this, but (1). I think I realized it (2)(3) and I saw you (4)(5). I'm sure you're (6) enough to understand (7). I'm returning (8) to you, but I'll keep (9) as a memory. You should also know that I (10) and (11).(12),(Your name)

(Eldarwen changed some of the answers, thankfully, because they were kind of inappropriate)

1) What's the color of your shirt?
Blue - I love with your cat
Red - Our affair is over
White - I’m going jet skiing
Black -Our romance is over
Green- Our socks don't match
Grey - You're a leprechaun
Yellow - I'm selling myself for candy
Pink - Your nostrils are insulting
Brown - My dad wants a word with you
No shirt - Purple hedgehogs want to destroy you
Other -I dislike your eyelashes

2)Which is your birth month?
January - That night you picked your nose
February -When I quoted Forest Gump
March - When your dwarf bit me
April - When I tripped on peanut butter
May - When I finally changed my t-shirt
June - When you kicked me
July – When I saw the purple monkey
August - When you slapped me
September - Last year when you drooled in your sleep
October - When we tried to walk on water
November - When your dog bit my leg
December - When I threw up in your sock drawer

3) Which food do you prefer?
Tacos - In your apartment
Chicken- In your car
Pasta - Outside of your office
Hamburgers - Under the bus
Salad – As you were eating Kraft Dinner
Lasagna - In your closet
Kebab - With Jean Chrétien
Seafood - In a clown suit
Sandwiches - At the Elton John concert
Pizza - At the mental hospital
Hot dog - Under a street light
Other- With George Bush and Stephen Harper

4) What's the color of your socks?
Yellow - Ignore
Red - Put whipped cream on
Black - Hit on
Blue - Knock out
Purple - Pour syrup on
White - Carve your initials into
Grey - Pull the sunglasses off
Brown - bite off
Orange - Castrate
Pink - Pull the banana peel out of
Barefoot - Sit on
Other - Drive over

5) What's the color of your hair?
Black - My boyfriend
White - My father
Grey – The Catholic Priest
Brown – The Montreal Canadian’s goalie
Purple - My corned beef hash
Red – My knee caps
Blue - My salt-beef bucket
Blond - My cute, new purse
Orange - My Blink 182 CD
Pink – Your ‘My Little Pony’ collection
Other --The elephant in the corner

6) What do you prefer to watch on TV?
One Tree Hill - Senile
Heroes- Frostbitten
Lost - Lost
Simpsons- Cowardly
The news - Scarred
American Idol - Masochistic
Family Guy - Open
Top Model - Middle-class
Other -shamed

7) Your mood right now?
Happy - How awful you are
Sad - How boring you are
Bored - That I get hurt only when I fall
Angry - That your smell makes me vomit
Depressed – That we’re related
Excited - That I may pee my pants
Nervous - The middle-east is planning their revenge on you
Worried - That your Ford is ridiculous
Apathetic - That you need a life
Silly - That I'm allergic to your earlobes
Cuddly - That Santa doesn't exist
Ashamed - That there is no solution to you being a dumb kid
Other - So your driving is reckless

8) What's the color of your walls in your bedroom?
White - Your toe ring
Yellow - Your love letters to me
Red - The pictures from dinner last night
Black - Your pet rock
Blue - The couch cushions
Green - Your car
Orange - Your false teeth
Brown - Your nose hair clippers
Grey - Our matching snoopy pajamas
Purple - Your old New Kids on the Block blanket
Pink - The cut toenails
Other - Your Hannah Montana t-shirt

9) The first letter of your first name [or name you primarily go by]?
A/B - My virginity
C/D - Your photo with the mustache drawn on it
E/F - Your neighbors dog
G/H - The oil tank from your car
I/J - Your left ear
K/L - The results of that blood-sample
M/N - Your glass eye
O/P - My common sense
Q/R - Your mom
S/T - Your collection of butterflies
U/V - Your criminal record
W/X – Your rude note
Y/Z - Your credit cards

10) The last letter in your last name?
A/B - Love your sweet, sweet smile
C/D - Always will remember the pep talks
E/F -Never will forget that night
G/H – Will not tell the authorities that you stole the whale from the backyard.
I/J – Mocked you behind your back constantly
K/L - Hate your cooking
M/N - Can't stand your singing
O/P - Told my mom you pulled my hair
Q/R - Get sick when I think of your feet
S/T - Always wanted to break your legs
U/V - Will try to forget that you broke my heart
W/X - Haven’t showered in a month
Y/Z – Am better off without you

11) What do you prefer to drink?
Soft drink – I’m off to lead a new life as a lemon
Soda – I will haunt you when I’m reincarnated as an Eskimo
Milk - The apartment building is on fire
Water – I'm crying as you read this
Juice – You ruined my attempts at another world war.
Snapple/Vitamin water – You should get that embarrassing rash checked out
Hot chocolate – Your Cucumber-collection is weird
Other – you should stop picking your nose

12) To which country would you prefer to go on a vacation?
Thailand – Warm tingly sensations
Australia - Greetings to your frog Leonard
France - Love always
Spain - With tears of sadness
China – You make me sick
Germany – Please don’t hurt me
Japan - Go milk a cow
Greece - your everlasting enemy
USA - Best of luck on the upcoming test
Egypt – Say good-bye
England - Go jump off a cliff

Lol. I think that this has been my favorite tag ever.

I tag...

...anyone who follows/will follow my NEW BLOG!!


And now the award.


Rules:

1. List five random facts about yourself.

2. Tag people who you think deserve the 'Stylish Blogger Award'. I'm not sure, but I don't think it matters how many people you tag.

Okay. Five random things about moi.

1. I have never been able to choose a favorite Bible verse.
2. I have written at least fifteen poems that I consider 'keepers'.
   
3. I'm 5' 5 1/2" exactly. I actually think it's a very good height.
4. I have played soccer for about seven years.
5. My name means bittersweet.

Now I tag...

Igirl over at idream because she's one of my best friends and because her blog looks really cool!

Bekah from The Word Crafter because her posts are very meaningful (not to mention her blog background very stylish, too!)

Eldarwen from The Faithful Elven Princess because she's one of my 'online friends' and because...well...she's awesome!

There ya have it!

Izori

He Has Risen!

"He has risen! He is not here. Se the place where they have laid him."
Mark 16:6b

Perhaps the sun shone brighter,
Than it ever had, that morn.
Did the stars, that night,
Shine secrets of the dawn?
For now the grave is empty,
The stone is rolled away;
The off'ring of the Savior
Conquered death that day.

What love caused this great wonder,
The Holy One to come?
No oath to us had tied Him,
And yet He left his home.
Rags replacing glory,
Thorns to grace his head;
Blood speaks testimony
Of what our Savior did.
-- Y. Truly


Happy Easter! Centuries ago, pure blood was shed so we could live!

How can we ever say thank you enough?

Izori

P.S. And Happy 2nd Birthday to my li'l brother, Galdor!

Writer's Daybook

What time is it...4:49

I'm feeling...relaxed. And excited.

Outside is...the sun, and all that beautiful weather!

Today I...went to IHOP for breakfast w/Mom and Dad and Luthien and Galdor, so we could get Erestor back from our grandparents because he went down with grandpa to get great-grandma to bring her to their house so that she can come to our house for a week before she'll be going back to their house to go back to where she lives. Confusing? You betcha. And we did other stuff. Like, remember last summer when we were planning on moving, but we never did? Well, I just found a box chuck-full of my stuff that I had never unpacked from then! Lol.

I am hearing...clicking computer keys.

I am hoping...that I'll focus more on Jesus and less on candy tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to...Easter! Up from the grave he arose (he arose), with a mighty triumph o'er his foes (o'er his foes)! Lol. That was me singing.

I am glad that...Jesus arose!

What I'm currently working on writing-wise...nuthin.

What I just finished reading...'Journey to Freedom' by Gilbert Morris. Blech. Horribly written, although it had pretty good morals.

What I'm hoping to read...Oh, I have no clue...

Writing buddy who I talked to last...igirl.

Writing tip of the week...don't force yourself to write. it will sound really bad.

Number of words I wrote this week...idk.

Oh, by the way...

I cut my hair.

No, not really.

My barber did. Lol.

But anyway, now it's down to about my shoulders. Big difference from nearly waist level.

Izori

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down;
now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory,
What bliss till now was thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call thee mine.

What thou, my Lord, hast suffered
Was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression,
But thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
Look on me with thy favor,
Vouch-safe to me thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
To thank thee, dearest Friend,
For this, thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love to thee.

--Bernard of Clairvaux

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23: 44-46


What a price to pay. Precious, pure blood for the stains of us.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus was thinking on the cross?

All of God's wrath--wrath that was meant for us--was being poured out onto him. His spiritual anguish must have been severe.

The physical pain--sweating blood, like he did just before, is an actual condition that causes the skin of the place (his forehead) to become extremely tender. Right in time for a crown of sharp thorns to be pressed onto his head. He was whipped with barbed whips. Being elevated into the air on a wooden cross by nails hammered into his hands and feet. Ouch.

The humiliation--being hung out for all to see and to scoff. The soldiers split his garments between them, meaning that he was unclothed. He had a mocking sign hung above his head.

I think that this story has been told so many times that it has kind of lost it's meaning. "Yeah, yeah. Jesus hung on the cross to pay for sins. I know. I've been told a million and two times." But each year we should think on this story afresh. Because if it weren't for Jesus, we would be without hope. We would be doomed.

It's not a good thing, being doomed.

Praise the Lord that we aren't anymore.

Izori

An Announcement

I've decided, people. I'm really sorry.

*takes a deep breath*

I'm going to quit Blogger. It's just been too much to keep up with, and I feel kind of stretched out. So, this is my last post.

Bye!

Izori





JUST KIDDING!!!!! Lol! Happy April Fools Day! Man alive, did I ever get you! You should have seen your face...did I get anyone with that?


Just a few seconds ago, I took my laptop out onto the front porch. Let me tell ya, it's WONDERFUL writing out in the fresh air with all those bees buzzing around, and the forsithia's yellow blossums whacking your face because of all the wind. No, I'm not being sarcastic. Forsithia pollen must be this world's fairie dust!

Anyway, some wee random writing tips that I have:

1. Don't stress the first draft. That is very important. The first draft SHOULD be messy. It's the part where you can get all of your thoughts and ideas down. The next drafts are to make it more eloquent.

2. Totally stress the last draft. Even more important! I was just reading a book (I couldn't bring myself to finish it) that was worse than MY first drafts. It was pretty bad. The main thing is for your finished project to look like a finished project. If it's sloppy, badly written, etc., there's a good chance not many people will read it and the people who do will give it bad reviews.

3. Move outside to write, or go down to the basement or up to your room or anything like that! Just switch locations. It will help inspire you.

4. Decide early if a project is worth keeping. That way you won't waste your time.

5. Make your characters really strong. Add personal thoughts, backgrounds, a wee bit of romance about them...whatever.

6. Try not to have a cliche plot. It's actually quite hard. After all, cliche ideas are that way because they're good ideas! But still, be original.

7. I can't stress originality enough. Copying other works ain't going to cut it! Even if it's on accident, don't copy anyone. I was reading a book that was otherwise great...except for when they totally copied the scene in Return of the King where Eowyn slays the Witch King. It was sooo taken from LotR, down to the line, "I am no man!". It was really, really, really, REALLY awful.

Izori