busy as a bee

Hello followers, I will be taking this week off of blogger. I have speech camp, writing, and such that will keep me very busy this week. But, rest assure, I will be back in time for the 15 day challenge (writers edition)!

*jumps up and does super awesome dance*

I'm so excited for the 15 day challenge in August. If you don't know what it is check it our HERE. Good-bye and have a great day.

As you read above, my summer is going pretty good. How is all of your summers going?

Curse of the Spider King {book reveiw}

About the book:
The Spider King's minions are crossing from Allyra to Earth to hunt for seven unsuspecting thirteen-year-olds who are royalty from a foreign world. Stopped once by an ancient curse the dark forces are determined to finish the job. The Seven's only hope for survival is a remnant of exiled Elves intent on restoring their kingdom - but can they be trusted.

Navigating the tangled web of the Spider King, the teens must make a perilous choice: go to Allyra and face an uncertain destiny or remain on Earth and risk the lives of the ones they love.

My thoughts:
Um...I am a huge fan of Wayne Thomas Batson, but this book didn't meet the expectation I had for it.

Some lines in this book:

"I don't understand," said Thomas, feeling like he might have blown a fuse in his brain.

Such as this ↑, look like they came from an amateur writer. I don't really understand where a sentence like this come from amazing authors such as Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper.

The plot line was cool and I did really like the characters. The suspense was okay, the spiders creeped me out! I thought that the tree creatures were unoriginal, being they make me think of ents from Lord of the Rings.

*spoiler alert*
I thought the main element of the books suspense & plot line was very predictable. I don't understand it, the Spider King is the only one who has the power to shut down the portals that connect the Earth with the Elve world, Allyra. And all of the portals shut down except for one in Scotland, and so all the Elves gathered to that one portal and they seem surprised when an ambush is waiting for them from the Spider King. Maybe it's just me, but I found it somewhat predictable
*spoiler alert ends*

So, as you read, I am unhappy about the book. I think if the authors would have read through it a couple times and edited it, it would be much better. Both of the authors are amazing writers, but I think the book needed a little bit more thought.

page number: 361 pages
genre: children fantasy/ fiction
recommended for ages: 12+
bad stuff: There is a little bit of violence
romance: A very small amount
recommendation: I would have to give this a 3 out of 5.

Do you have any questions? What are your thoughts on this book? I'd love to hear and answer them.

15 day challenge (writers edition)

Yep, for two weeks this summer I plan on doing my own 15 day challenge (writers edition).

For those of you who are new to this, the goal of a 15 day challenge is to post for the next 15 days on the subject you are given each day. My own writers edition set:

Day 1 - Your favorite character you've written.

Day 2 - Your favorite male author.

Day 3 - Your first attempt at writing.

Day 4 - A novel or author that has inspired something in your writing style.

Day 5 - Your least favorite character you've written.

Day 6 - One thing on you bucket list that has to do with writing?

Day 7 - Your favorite genre to write (fantasy, non-fiction, sci-fiction, history, poetry, etc.)

Day 8 - A video about books or writing.

Day 9 - What is your current writing project

Day 10 - Your answer to, "What is the most important thing I should know about writing".

Day 11 - Your favorite female author

Day 12 - A song about writing or books

Day 13 - Your favorite book about writing

Day 14 - One of your favorite quotes about writing or books.

Day 15 - Your favorite song to write to.

I would love it if anyone wanted to do this with me, even if it's not all 15 days. Just comment on the post that matches and leave me a link to the post, I'd love to look and comment on everybodys. ☺

I will be starting this challenge on August 1 and ending August 15, I hope you can join.

Uncheered? a quote

"Nobody can be 'uncheered' with a balloon." - A.A. Milne

My writing dreams

If any of you know me in person you know I love lists. Lists of any kind: shopping list, big lists, small list, bucket lists, etc.

Cause I'm short on something to write about, and being inspired by Cassie's post, I thought I'd share a part of my writing bucket list with you today.

My Writing Bucket List

~ Figure out the ending to one of Agatha Christies novels on my own

~ To complete NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)

~ Have one of my picture books published

~ To write a book while traveling Europe. Think of the inspiration!

~ Discus books with some of my favorite authors

~ Read Charles Dickens unfinished mystery, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood

~ Visit a bookstore in Paris

I, of course, have many more things I'd love to do. And a lot of them have to do with both writing and traveling at the same time, I guess it's my love for both. ☺

What are some of the things on your bucket list?

my summer reading list

Summer is here which, for me, means more time to read. And for remembrance and goal purposes, and if any of you want to know what I plan on reading this summer, here is a list of books. Both serious and funny, non-fiction and novel.

Serious:

- One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

- Crazy Love by Francis Chan

- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
- The Pastor's Wife by Sabina Wurmbrand

- Joni: an unforgettable story by Joni Eareckson Tada

- These strange ashes: is God still in charge? by Elisabeth Elliot

Fun Novels:

- Deadline: a novel by Randy Alcorn

- Curse of the Spider King

- The Death Cure by James Dashner

- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (again)

- As many Agatha Christie novels as I can read!

- Poetry

If you've read any of these books please comment on how you liked them. I'd LOVE to hear your opinion.

And a question or two for all of my blog friends, what are your thoughts about posting poetry on this blog? And what are some writing things you would like me to post about?

Have a great summer day. ☺

Fourth of July

Happy fourth of July to you all in the U.S.A. I hope you are having an enjoyable, wonderful, fun fourth on our country's 235th birthday.

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave.
O're the land of the free and the home of the brave.
- the last three lines of 'The Star Spangled Banner'

to be or not to be (character development)

To be or not to be, that is the question. - Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Oh, dear characters, why do you let me down? It's so odd that main characters do what main characters should not do. To me a main character is a hero, a Robin Hood if you will, a defender of the weak. I was very upset every time I started writing a book my main character was far from what I wanted him/her to be. So what was wrong with me?

As I started reading books and paying close attention to plots line, characters, and such I noticed a ground breaking thing. No character is born/introduced perfect. No character starts as the hero but develops into what he/she must become, like real people. As I thought this another thought entered my mind: It would ruin a book to just happen upon a perfect hero. Like opening a book in the middle and trying to understand it.

Characters need development, trials, and choices to make them who they are. I like to quote Shakespeare's famous saying, "To be or not to be, that is the question", when referring to characters choices. For "to be" will take them in one direction while "not to be" will, as well, change there live. And sometimes us writers don't even know what will happen one way or another. We, most of the time, are just along for the ride. So just keep in mind that it will not always appear the way you want it to, but it will become more clear in the end.

One thing to keep in mind thankfully is that God does not write stories like us. He has no plot issues, no character issues, and no second thoughts for He has written our story with care.