The World Lost One Of It's Brightest Stars

Yesterday I came online and found e-mails from the Diana Wynne Jones club I joined. I wondered why there were so many. There were at least five or more. I thought, perhaps another new book was announced. But, no . . . . It was not a new book.

I opened the first e-mail, scrolled down and laid my eyes on the first message. Maybe it shouldn't have come as a shock. Maybe I should have expected it. But, from the day she was diagnosed with lung cancer I prayed for her and only thought positive things, like that she would get better. I even sent her a letter, letting her know that I'm sending her positive thoughts and well wishes. Telling her also how much she has inspired me.
But, it did come as a shock to me. Diana passed away. She was 76 and yet, I believe she was still too young to die. I know she had probably lived a life of adventure, did many things and lived life the way she wanted to. Diana had a wonderful imagination, even after being diagnosed her imagination was still wonderful.
Diana was diagnosed in 2009 with lung cancer and in 2010 Enchanted Glass was released. The book was wonderful, the story, the characters and everything was what I had come to know and love about her writing. Even with lung cancer, Diana still had her imagination and gift for words.

Some might find it silly, but I felt her death on a personal level. It felt as if I had lost a best friend, someone who knew me inside and out. Of course, I never met her and didn't know her personally. It felt as if I did, though and I suppose in a way I did know Diana. It was through her writing I and many others knew her.
She is like a close friend that I never met, never even talked to, but I knew her and she knew me and it was all through her writing. That is what I also said on my Xanga blog, but I have been reading other fans blogs that are mourning Diana as well and I have found a better way to explain it. This blogger got it right with this quote:
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something, a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things, which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.”

The blogger had said that hand for her was Diana Wynne Jones and I feel exactly the same. However, I didn't grow up reading her books, which makes me sad now because I wish I did. I've been a fan for two years and in that two years Diana has taught and inspired me more than anyone else.

Diana was a beautiful person, inside and out. She loved her fans, even helped other writers and her books were one-of-a-kind.
I'm grateful to Diana because after reading her books I became to write again and now I'm very happy because again I am doing what I love. I thank her for that and I will continue to write and make it my career like I've always wanted. I will become an author.

Diana's passing was a great loss to her family, friends, fans and to writing. There will never be another writer like her. And I mourn her passing with great sadness.

Diana, may you rest in peace and thank you for inspiring me to write again. Thank you for writing, for sharing your words and stories with the world to read. I will miss you.

Book Signing

Today I will be going to my local library for a book signing.

Maria V. Snyder will be there. She is the author of Poison Study and many other books.
I've never read any of her books and don't have any, but I've been looking at her books for awhile and thinking about reading one of them. All her books will be for sale at the library so I'm going to buy Poison Study to get signed.

She will also be doing a talk before the book signing. I think it will be interesting to hear what she talks about. And I'm sure I will enjoy her book.

I'm excited about going. I've never been to a book signing before. I wanted to go to a book fest last year and get a book signed by Jeff Markowitz - I read his first book and it was so good - but that didn't work out because we had car problems. However, I do have books that are signed by the author, but some of them I've won from Goodreads and others are ghost books that I bought in Gettysburg that were already signed. One book I bought from a library book sale and came home and saw it was signed. I was excited about that and I'm excited to have other books that are signed by the author.
But, I think that actually going to a book signing and being there when the book you bought is being signed is probably an exciting experience. Being able to talk to the author and everything. So, I am very excited for this.

If I have time later, I will write a post about the book signing.

Well, better get to bed.

2011: A Year Of Coming Good

I haven't updated since October. I've actually been really busy. I was delivering phone books in November and plus a lot of other things. I was usually out almost all day and when I'd come home I'd be tired. It wasn't really bad though, I enjoyed being busy for once. And for now, things have slowed down a bit. Well, as far as being out almost every day. But, I have been busy at home. Cleaning and getting rid of things I don't need. It's been good. No. It's been great these past few months, or should I say, past year. I've really changed in a lot of ways and it was all for the good. I'm happier now, a lot happier. There is so many good things that happened in 2010 that I could probably write a book about it.
But, I am looking forward to the coming good that I know will happen this year. I'm excited about it and look forward to more good change.

And what have I been up to? Lots of things.
Like, writing (of course), reading and trying to find ways to make money.

I'm still writing my book and I'm writing the last chapter now. Once done I will begin the second book and start editing the first. I find it exciting that soon the first one will be finished and I see that it belongs me all the closer to being a famous author. I'm just all the more closer to having an agent and signing with Random House.
And I know I'm a dreamer. But, that's ok! I know my dreams will come true.

Also I changed my layout on here again. New year, new layout! And I really like it too.

Well, this year I will do my best to blog on here more. Hopefully in a few days I will have time to write something.

Wow . . . . . . Two Months!

It's been two months since my last post. I didn't mean for it to be that long. I've been busy and dealing with personal issues and with all that I just haven't had time to update this blog.

Well, I'll talk about my book a bit. I've currently written over 200 pages so I am more than half way done! I am proud of myself and I'm excited about being able to finish it soon. Once I finish I will starting on my next book. I just can't wait to get them finished and starting on the road to publishing.

My boyfriend is still searching for a job and is putting in more applications. Some of the places around here are hiring now and I'm hoping one of those places will hire him.

I've still been reading a lot, I'm close getting to having read 100 books this year. Currently I am reading Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Journey by Kathryn Lasky. I saw the movie and it was wonderful, definitely going to buy it on DVD when it comes out.
An author on Goodreads has asked me to review her book series and I accepted. She has sent the books already and I'm waiting for them to come in the mail. I was surprised she asked, but happy she did and after she asked me, I got an idea - What if I became a book reviewer? I'm exactly expecting to become a famous book reviewer, I want to be a famous author though. But, I've been thinking about trying to review books for money. I was doing some reading and saw that you can sell book reviews to magazine for money and I think that would be great for me. The money from selling book reviews would be great, but also I do like reviewing books and it would give me some experience in the writing world. I figured I will do some more research and find magazines that take reviews of young adult, or children's books since that is mostly what I read. I really hope I can do this.
But, of course, I'm going to still keep working on my writing and my books. My books are probably one of the most important things to me. I really can't wait to get them finished and get published. I know my books will sell very good.

And some good news I found out . . . . . Diana Wynne Jones wasn't feeling so well earlier this year, but now she is doing much better and that makes me very happy. I think I'm going to buy another card and send it to her. I hope she liked the first card I sent.

Anyway, I'm glad I had the time to update this and change my layout. It's now October, my favorite month and my favorite holiday is at the end of this month - Halloween! I love Halloween and decided to change my layout to a Halloween one. Well, I guess that is it for the update. I'll do my best to update more this month.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I know I haven't posted in about a month. Sorry for that. I've been sort of busy though. I'm mostly on my Xanga blog and post on there every day. Plus I have been doing this "A Picture A Day" thing, which has really been fun.
I also might be in a book about Diana Wynne Jones. I don't know if I posted about that yet, but I hope what I submitted gets picked for the book. I really do.

I've been writing my book, over 180 pages done now! And I've been writing short stories lately too. I'm working on one I'm calling The Mystic Castle, which I am loving how it is turning out. I might try to find a magazine that takes short stories and see if I can get one published! That'd be pretty cool.

Earlier this month I went to the Padre Pio Centre and Gettysburg, both were great. Anyway, I will update more later. I don't have much time right now. Just thought I would do a quick update. I'll try to update again soon.

Expecting Something Is Not Unrealistic

I wrote a post on my main blog about people telling others to be realistic about their dreams. Like I've always wanted to be a singer, and now an author. But, I've had many people tell me not to be unrealistic because there is a high chance I won't be able to do my dream job. Or the "you'll never make it!"

That is basically what my post was about and I was just wondering why people think that way. Because I think that you can do anything you set your mind to, anything, ANYTHING is possible and you can make your dreams come true.

I haven't gotten rude comments, or anything like that. But, I've gotten a few comments so far I haven't responded to because I'm not sure how to. See, I don't think if you sit and do nothing your dream will come true. I believe you have to work for it and know, truly and completely know in your heart that it will happen. And nor do I think it is wrong to have a day job until your dream can take off. What comments bothered me the most was this: "What's unrealistic is expecting to have the next textual blockbuster and expecting it to takecare of you financially. Sure, that can happen, but having things to fall back on is not a bad idea."
It was not a rude comment, but I don't know how to respond to this because....I don't think that way. I'm not mad at the person because I do understand that is how most people think and I really feel that is what holds people back: their thinking. From watching The Secret DVD I have learned that everything is about how you think. I know people say you shouldn't expect something to happen because you will only be disappointed. But, that is not true. If you truly want something whether it is money, or your dream job you have to expect it to happen. You have to know it will defintly happen for you. You have to truly and completely feel in your body and heart, you have to feel it with your whole being.

But, for most people a dream is just that...a dream. I do understand though that people don't think the way The Secret teaches you to. It's not their fault. It is the way our world is and the way we are brought up. I hope that one day that more people can begin thinking that way.

And I know this is my first update in probably three weeks. I've been busy writing either on my Xanga blog, or in my book. And tomorrow I'll be going to the Hershey library to sign up for the summer reading program. Can't wait for that. I'll try to update again tomorrow if I can.

Judgmental Writers

Through out my whole life I've experienced bits and pieces of judgement for my writing, or at one time, lack of better spelling ability. I was not always the best speller and I've always been truthful about that. I'm not ashamed and I didn't have a learning disorder, I just had to learn in a different way.

Anyhow, like I said I've had my own experiences with judgmental people. Back around when I was 15 I had shown a part of a short story of mine to someone who claimed to be John Jakes. Didn't know who he was at the time, but found out he was the author of the North and The South books. I don't know if it was really John Jakes who read my short story. But, John Jakes, or whoever it was, wasn't very nice. He called my story and writing terrible. He said I should give it up and I would never make it as an author. Needless to say, that hurt. It would hurt anyone, wouldn't it?

When I was 16, close to 17 I had given up on writing stories, or a book. The books I was writing at the time I felt weren't good enough. Back in late 2008 is when I got into writing again and it happened because of blogging on Xanga. Blogging on Xanga made me find my love for writing again. It was last year once again that I decided to write a book. This time the book writing is different. I haven't given up and I won't. I like my story and my characters. My writing and spelling has improved greatly. But it's not because of what 'John Jakes' said. It's because writing is what I want to do, it's what I'm good at and I know that I can be a successful published author.

But, now that I've really gotten back into writing I've noticed there are different groups of writers. There are nice, supportive writers who want other writers like them to succeed. And then there are the judgmental and there are quite a few more judgmental writers out there then I realized.

I think it's fine to help someone, give them advice or tell them if they aren't doing something exactly right. Some people want that actually, and while I understand not everyone is going to like your writing, I don't think any writer wants to be harshly judged. These judgmental writers try to act like they are better then you and attack people who are non writers for the fact that their spelling and such might not be so good.

On my Xanga blog there is a girl, she is a writer and I've been nothing, but nice to her. However, I have noticed that whenever she replies to one of my blogs she tries to act as if she is better then I am - as if I am stupid and have no idea what I'm talking about. She's done it to some other people that comment on my blogs as well. I've never said anything to her because I'm not into starting drama. But I don't like her "I'm better then you" attitude. Maybe my grammar isn't amazing, maybe I don't always know where all the punctuation marks go. Not all writers do, but I think what matters is we try our best. Isn't that what editors are for? To fix our mistakes, or help us.

I just think that if you are a writer and come across a fellow writer, just try to be nice and encouraging. I didn't improve because people were judging me harshly and all that does is make someone feel bad. I improved because I read and write a lot. And I mean a lot. Whenever I see a fellow writer I encourage them and give them advice. I tell them if they wish to get better at writing then just write and read a lot. It honestly works.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't believe in being harsh. You can help a fellow writer improve by just telling them nicely how to do so. There isn't no need to be harsh, or insulting.

Well, I guess there isn't much I can do to change other people. I just know that I'm not going to be harsh on anyone whose dream is to be an author. I'll give advice and try to help, but I could never be insulting or harsh. I know too much of how that feels.

I Haven't Forgotten This Place

I know it might seem as if I have forgotten this place, but I haven't. I haven't had a chance to write. I've been doing all of my blogging on my main blog on Xanga. Speaking of that, I'm going to have to change the link I have on here. I recently changed my name on Xanga.
Anyway, besides blogging on Xanga and doing a few other things online I've been busy writing my book. I've been really going at it and I think it gets better by the day. I've also been writing short stories and I can really see an improvement in my writing. It's amazing. I can see with the book I'm writing and this latest short story I wrote. I just feel really happy with myself and my writing.

I'm getting ready for the Summer reading program to start at Hershey library June 1st. I know a few books I'm going to get.

Dial-a-Ghost by Eva Ibbotson

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

Ghosthunters and The Gruesome Invincible Lighting Ghost by Cornelia Funke

Tamora Pierce is on my friends list on Goodreads and I haven't read any of her books yet, but she seems like a really down to earth person. I'm actually really excited to read her book Alanna: The First Adventure. I was also checking out her web site, reading different things and this one thing she said really stood out to me:

"One other thing: a number of people who write to me these days say they may be too old (16, 20, 34, 53, 80) to read my books. As a person with a library that is one-third teen books, intermediate books, beginning chapter books, and picture books, I say the only thing that matters is that the reader enjoys the book, whatever her/his age. Any decently written kids' book should be just as enjoyable for adult readers. Good stories and good ideas are ageless."

This is so very true. I have noticed that there are quite a few adults, even teens, that will not read YA or children's books because they feel they are too easy and not challenging enough for them. There are some pretty amazing YA/children's book out there. You just have to look for them and just because it is YA/children doesn't mean it won't be a good read, or it's not a real book. There is lots you can learn from YA/children's books and plus some can be really fun to read. I'm open to read anything that catches my interests. I just wish more people would give YA/Children books a chance.

I'm also reading Nightshade City by Hilary Wagner. I won it from Goodreads and it's a signed copy! It's very good so far.

Well, maybe I will put up another post in a few days. I'll try to start writing on here a bit more.

About My Other Blog...

Okay, like I said I'm going to write about what happened on my other blog. Xanga has changed the front page a bit. The Featured Blogs are still there, but off to the side while the Top Blogs are on the front page now. The Top Blogs are changed every day, they are said to go by how many comments, recommends, views you get. So I made my own post about the Top Blogs. Saying how I think it's great they are on the front page so users can get more traffic, but I said not everyone gets on the Top Blogs. I said that I've had posts of mine get 30, 40 or 50 comments and it doesn't make it to the Top Blogs and I've seen other bloggers say the same thing.
I said that I think there should be some type of thing for those who don't, or can't seem to get on the Top Blogs. Well, most of the people think Xanga can't do anymore to help people get traffic and that it's up to the user who wants traffic to get it. But, these people who say that are the ones who complained about Xanga not giving the users traffic and Xanga needed to do something about it. But, they aren't complaining now because they get the Top Blogs often and they are now located on the front page.

But...The comment that bothered me came from someone on Xanga who has been my friend for awhile. Here is her exact comment "I think it's fine the way it is. It's completely equal-opportunity. If you write stuff that people are interested and you network/comment lots of other people, you will make top blogs. When I didn't have sign-in lock I was somewhere within the top 100 everyday. You seem really concerned with getting lots of traffic and Xanga changing, but you never try to change what you blog about or how you blog. There really isn't anything else Xanga can do to get you more traffic, it's up to YOU to get traffic, not up to Xanga to give you traffic."

One thing I want to say is that I like getting comments because I like to connent with others on Xanga and hear their opinions, but I'm not so worried about traffic, or comments like she says. Also I do comment lots of other people and if you notice she mentioned how she made the Top Blogs every day. I was upset because this is a person who has been my friend on there for awhile and she reads all of my posts and she has the nerve to say that I'm concerned with traffic and Xanga changing. I didn't see her go after other people when they were complaining about how Xanga needs to change. And why do I need to change anything? If I become a popular blogger I want it to be because I'm being myself, not being fake to get comments/traffic.

Now what she is doing is she went off sign-in lock so she is able to make the Top Blogs, she's now blogging about things she knows will get a lot of traffic and comments and she keeps talking about traffic. Like the other day "Xanga must be dead today...I'm not getting a lot of traffic :(" and this morning "Wow.... I'm getting a lot of traffic, I've gotten 954 footprints since midnight."
I just have a feeling she's doing this now to throw it in my face that she can get traffic and on the Top Blogs. I have never been mean to her. I've commented and recommended a lot of her posts and now she acts like a jerk to me and judges me from one single post after reading my blog for months. Know how people say "When someone accuses you of doing something it means they are the ones really doing it themselves"? Well, over the past week I've really learned that it's true. She accused me of being concerned with traffic, but it's really her. If anyone were on Xanga saw how she blogged before compared to after my Top Blogs they will saw she changed.

Sorry for the rant....Needed to get it out. It just sucks when you are nice to someone and they do some crap like that.

Crystal Skulls, Books and More

It's been more then a month since I last updated. A lot has been going on. Was pretty stressed out for awhile, but everything is okay now. I've been helping my boyfriend to find a job and he has an interview at Pizza Hut on Monday. I have a good feeling about Pizza Hut, I think he'll get hired there.

The most recent books I've bought are Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones, The Hooded Man by Jay Bennett and Whispers From The Grave by Leslie Rule. Haven't read any of them yet, but I will probably will within the next few months. I'm currently reading Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix. It's awesome so far.

Okay, this is probably going to get weird now, but I've really been into Crystal Skulls lately. It started earlier this month when I watched the documentary Mystery of The Crystal Skulls. I even found this website: Crystalskulls.com and it is awesome. The website has tons of information on Crystal Skulls, the legends and mayans and so much more. The website even sells Crystal Skulls. I'm going to buy a pocket sized one for now since it is only $20. It's very small, but I'm excited about getting it. I should be ordering it next week sometime.

But, there is another skull I want that is named Ami. To buy it cost about a million dollars. I don't know how I'm going to buy it, but I believe it will happen. I think it'll be great to get Ami as well.

Well, something happened on Xanga that I wanted to write about, but I'll try to write about it tomorrow. So I'm going to stop here for now and write again tomorrow if I have time.