I've been tagged again...

I've been tagged again by the lovely Cynthia over at Read is the New Black !  Now on to my answers...

1. How old were you when you started writing? I've been writing since I was a little girl.  My first official book was titled "The Twelve Beautiful Princesses."  Of course it was about twelve beautiful princesses who met twelve handsome princes, and my mom even did the artwork! (It was EPIC!)  I also won second place in the Scholastic Writing Awards, in junior high, for my short story entitled "The Library."  It was even published in my local paper. (Talk about fame and fortune!)

2. If you could talk to a dead person about writing, who would that be? Jane Austen.  Her romances remain true even today!  Is there any greater hate turned love story than Elizabeth and Darcy?

3. If you were the main character of a book, what genre would it be? I've gotta stick with my love, Young Adult.  Who wouldn't want to go back and experience their first love again.
 

4. What genre do you write in? I write Young Adult.  I love getting to explore a character as they come of age.  Plus I get to write about first loves and kissing…lots of kissing! In case you haven't noticed, I love writing kissing scenes. (Which you can pretty much guess if you've read my Challenge piece)

 

5. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? I think I'd like to have the power to teleport myself and others.  Going anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye, and never having to pay for gas or airfare again…is there anything cooler?  Plus no more cranky kids from long unending drives!

6. What do you like to read? I read an enormous amount of Young Adult, with paranormal/fantasy elements, although I enjoy contemporary as well.  Sprinkle in a little Janet Evanovich & Sophie Kinsella, and I'm good to go.  

7. What is something unusual that you've done?  I've flown all around the country, chasing after the Hubs when he was still on active duty with the Army.  And one time, I even flew on 12hrs notice to rescue my best friend in Florida when her 3yr relationship fell apart, only to turn around and drive the 14-15hrs back in her car with all of her stuff.  Hope that counts, because this question just made me realize I'm pretty boring!

 

8. How do you get names for your characters?  My main character came to me already named, and the rest sort of evolved due to research (baby name lists) & my imagination.

9. What one thing in the grocery store do you always want to buy?  Tons of fruit. But I usually only give into this temptation in the summer when I can go to the Farmer's Market for fresh.

10. Besides reading and writing, name two other hobbies you have.  Ahhh, you're killing me!  Honestly though, I love hiking and swimming!  I also love doing crafty things with my kids. 

11. Where in the world would you like to go? I'd love to go back to Barbados.  I went there my senior year of high school, and it is perfect, and beautiful, and there aren't enough descriptors in the english language to describe my love!  I'd also love to do a tour of Europe.  England is calling my name!

Saturday at the Movies...

So it's no secret to my family and friends that I am a complete movie fangirl.  I love that movies (to me) are the visual equivalent of books.  There are just so many different and wonderful world's to get lost in. 

Let me know if any of these are on your must see list, and if they aren't, let me know what is.  I'm always interested in finding a hidden treasure, be it book or movie!

The Hunger Games - One more month, only one more month!

 Snow White and the Huntsman - I love the Gothic Feel of this - here's hoping Kristen Stewart doesn't muck it up!   

                                                    

The Hobbit - Squee!  I'm so excited!  The dwarf song always get me!

The Avengers - I'm a total superhero fangirl!

Moonrise Kingdom - Love Wes Anderson & adore The Royal Tenenbaums

Dark Knight Rises - Christian Bale as Batman - Yes Please!

Jack the Giant Killer

Amazing Spiderman - Love me some Emma Stone!

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

                                                         

The Decoy Bride

Bel Ami - I love me some Robert Pattinson in period clothes!

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Brave - One of the best parts of being a Mom is watching cartoons!

The Secret World of Arrietty - I've always loved the story of the Borrowers! My boys are super excited about going to see this on the big screen!

Movies on my Watchlist: 

Dark Shadows - A gothic-horror tale centering on the life of vampire Barnabas Collins and his run-ins with various monsters, witches, werewolves and ghosts. Based on the cult TV series.

Director: Tim Burton

Stars: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Jonny Lee Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Eva Green, Chloë Grace Moretz, Bella Heathcote, Gulliver McGrath and Ray Shirley

You can read the full synopsis here

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 - Ok is anyone really shocked that this is on my list?  Well you shouldn't be….such a fangirl!

The official trailer is set to debut during the previews of The Hunger Games, so double whammy of awesomeness!

Rise of the Guardians - A group of heroes - each with extraordinary abilities.

Director: Peter Ramsey 

Stars: Hugh Jackman

, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher, Chris Pine

Official Site here

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters - 15 years after their traumatic gingerbread-house incident, siblings Hansel and Gretel have become a formidable team of bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world.

Director: Tommy Wirkola

Stars: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Peter Stormare, Famke Janssen

The Great Gatsby - Nick Carraway, a Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. He is drawn into Gatsby's circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.

Director: Baz Lurman - one of my favorites!

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan,  Tobey Maguire

First Campaigner Challenge...

It's my first challenge, and for those of you who aren't aware of the rules, I've listed them below!  

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count. 

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:

• end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)

• include the word "orange" in the story

• write in the same genre you normally write

• make your story 200 words exactly!

I actually managed to have included all the criteria, including the word count, so I'm super proud and amazed with myself. So without further ado, here is mine. I hope you like it!

The First Kiss

Shadows crept across the wall, as the hazy blue glow from the TV flickered across our faces. I looked down at his hands, perfect and strong, his fingertips stained orange from the bowl of shared cheetos. I resisted the urge to lick the powdery goodness from my own. Instead I wanted to imprint my mark upon his smooth, tanned skin.

He smiled, a slow curling smile that reached out its furling tentacles and wrapped me in his warmth. My heart fluttered helplessly against its prison of bones, and I knew with a growing certainty that I was about to be kissed.

Delicious shivers danced upon my skin, as that perfect hand slipped behind the base of my neck, its nimble fingers digging and tangling into the wild mass of my hair. Tender, rough, silky lips teased and devoured me. I inhaled him, his taste dancing seductively through my veins, consuming me.

Clinging to him, my fingers sunk into his compliant body. I wanted to disappear into that body, to intermingle with his flesh, his sinew, to feel our hearts beat as one. Gasping I pulled away, shyly smiling over my heaving hormones. His lips claimed mine again, and everything faded.

Eleven Questions...

Yea! I was tagged again by Karina Lawrence over at Silver Linings, who I might add the Hubs is convinced is the doppelgänger of Drew Barrymore.

*Sidenote* Hubs was literally obsessed with Drew Barrymore for YEARS, although he will now deny this.  It all started when he was on leave from the Army, and he randomly danced with her at a nightclub in the early 90's.  The greatest part is that he had no clue it was her until her bodyguard wouldn't let him talk to her after they were done dancing.  She did sign a napkin that said "Thanks for the Dance -Drew Barrymore." So sad that it got lost in one of our many moves over the years… um…ok not really.

Anyways, I told him that I thought he needed to stop watching The Vampire Diaries with me.  He is obviously getting strange ideas….although Karina does bear a slight resemblance to Drew.  Did I also forget to mention Karina's to die for bangs?

So without further ado, my eleven questions…

1. Favourite all time top five movies?  The Princess Bride, Mansfield Park (pretty much all Jane Austen movies), Underworld (I'm counting all four as one), Anne of Green Gables & Anne of Avonlea (again counted as one), & The Royal Tenenbaums.  Wasn't that sneaky how I totally avoided the Twilight movies, even though I secretly LOVE them?

2. Best music to write to?  This is so hard.  Florence + The Machine, The Civil Wars, Joy Williams, Mazzy Star, The Five Ghosts, Barcelona, Birdy, Sleeping At Last, Sia, Stateless, & pretty much The Vampire Diaries soundtrack.

3. Mornings or nights? Nights.  I usually do the bulk of my writing into the wee hours of the night.

4. What made you want to write in the first place?  I've always been a ferocious reader, and then one day this idea popped into my head and I thought why not give it a try.  My WIP started out as a MG, but I swiftly realized it was better as a YA.

5. Do you have regrets or do you not believe in them?  I think everyone has regrets in life, but I choose not to obsess over them.  

6. Where's your favourite place in the whole world (real or fictional)?  Home.  I love listening to the crazy things that spew from my children's mouths on a daily basis.  I also love curling up on the couch and losing myself between the comforting covers of an good book.

7. What song(s) make you sing along or get up and dance, no matter where you are? Anything by Florence + The Machine, especially Shake it Off.  The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow, AWOL - Sail, & Adele - Rolling in the Deep.

8. Cats or dogs? Dogs.  Sadly, I'm allergic to cats.

9. One thing you can't write without (favourite pen, picture of your family, lucky smurf figurine? the weirder the better)?  This is going to be embarrassing.  My mom bought me a purple Snuggie for Christmas, which I promptly made fun of, but now I can't live without.  It's so snuggly and warm, and it has arm holes….ok I need to stop, I'm becoming dangerously close to buying the Forever Lazy (Yes that actually does exist, and yes that is a zippered butt flap.  It also comes with a matching pair of fleece socks.)

10. What's your proudest moment?  Having my two boys.  They really are my greatest achievements.  Plus they are unbelievably adorable!

11. One day of true love or all the riches in the world? True Love conquers all….at least that is what YA has taught me…oh yeah, and the Hubs.

Writers Campaign…..

So I've  joined the Writer's Platform-Building Campaign over at Rachael Harrie's blog, at the urging of my wonderful CP Carrie, so that I could boost myself back into the blogging world.  As you can see I haven't posted in a long, long, long, long time.  And if I'm going to be honest... I'm a bit nervous, anxious, excited, and terrified all rolled into one!  


I also have my first challenge from Gina at  This Is Not Your Blog It's basically a big game of bloggy-tag. I answer her eleven questions, tag eleven new people and ask them eleven new questions.  So without further ado…


1. What was the greatest live music experience you've ever had?  I'd have to say two of my brother's bands.  Skankin Buvas (my brother Josh)  and August Burns Red (my brother Jordan)

2. What was your worst date ever?  I went on a date to a local carnival, and he ended up getting sick on the first ride.  He was literally laying on the ground!  I would have felt sympathetic if it hadn't been the Ferris Wheel.

3. If money is no object, what would your dream vacation be?  I would love to go back to Barbados!  I went my senior year of high school for a missions trip, and would love to take my entire family back there some day.  It is beyond beautiful!

4. Would you rather live in a crowded city or small town?  Small town.  Although, I do like to go to the city.

5. Would you be willing to murder one innocent person if you knew it would guarantee an end to all world hunger? I think I need to plead the fifth.    

6. When did you last cry in front of somebody (who is not your partner)?  About a week ago…with my sister.

7. Would you be willing to endure night terrors- every night- for the rest of your life if you were given vast personal wealth to use however you wish in exchange?  No.  My husband suffers from severe PTSD, and I would never wish night terrors on anyone….not even my worst enemy.  Well maybe my worst enemy….bad Amber…..no, not even then.

8. If you could choose the manner of your death- but not the timing- what would you choose? Peacefully in my sleep…wouldn't everyone?

9. Would you rather switch back to black and white TV with only five channels, or no internet? Black and white TV.  Although, I would probably get so much more writing done if I chose internet!

10. If you could use a voodoo doll to hurt somebody, would you do it?  Now I'm tempted.  Is this possible? Do you have one I can use?

11. What if the voodoo doll was only able to annoy them tremendously (for example: causes pervasive itching of genitals while in public, causes slight ringing in ears at nighttime, etc), would you do it?  Hypothetically speaking, I might have a little fun with it.


Ok,  now it's time for my eleven questions… be prepared for the silly….….dun dun dun.


1.  Pantser or Planner?


2.  Favorite book, movie, and TV show?


3.  Would you rather have free Starbucks for five years or free itunes for life?


4.  What inspires you more, music or visual (ie: photography, scenery, etc)?


5.  Are you also addicted to Pinterest?


6.  The question for the ages, Edward or Jacob?


7.  Would you rather be able to talk to animals or to be able to speak and understand any language?


8.  Would you rather be kidnapped by terrorists or abducted by aliens?


9.  What is the genre(s) that you write for?


10.  *Warning stolen question* If money were no object, where would your dream vacation take place?


11.  Did you cry in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part two?  Was one of the times when Dumbledore asked Severus, "After all this time?" and Severus responded, "Always. "  And if not, are you sure you have a soul?


And now for the lucky eleven that get to answer my ridiculous eleven questions…drumroll please.


1. Carrie Bastyr -  Where I Get Wordy
2. Daisy Carter - Fresh As A Daisy
3. Laurie Dennison - Unavoidable Awkwardness
4. Callie Kingston - Callie Kingston
5. Karina Lawrence - Silver Linings
6. Jeigh - writerbrained
7. The Great, the Good and the Bad
8. Melodie Wright - Forever Rewrighting
9. Barbara - Barbara's Meanderings
10. Cindy M Hogan - Cindy M Hogan Author  It's All About the Suspense
11. Ashley Nixson - Ashley Nixson


And I'm finally done, and it was a lot of fun!  Can't wait to see the answers!

Thursday Confessional...

So yesterday the Hubs and I were out and about, and he tried to convince me to go to Ollie's with him.  For those who are unfamiliar you can click on the above link, but it is basically a bargain outlet that specializes in closeout,  surplus, or salvaged merchandise.  It's like a high class flea market, but sometimes it can be hit or miss.

Well, I wasn't really in the mood to go (I wanted to go to Target instead) so the Hubs decided to haul out the big guns.  With a knowing smile he informed me that they had bought out most of Border's remaining stock when they went out of business.  Of course the obsessive reader in me perked up with the mention of possible book purchasing, so I readily agreed.  And am I ever glad I did.

I might have went a teeny bit book crazy, but thankfully the Hubs was there to reign me in.  I finally narrowed my selections down to five.

What I would have paid -  $82.95 compared to What I actually paid - $18.95
The Nine Lives of Chloe King by Liz Braswell - $2.99
Possession by Elana Johnson - $3.99
Wither by Lauren DeStefano - $3.99
White Cat by Holly Black - $3.99
Red Glove by Holly Black - $3.99
                                                                   
Umm...savings of $64.00 = A very happy me!

I also need to add that it is a very good thing that the Hubs is absolutely clueless to the size or location of my massive TBR pile, because he totally would have axed my purchases.  (In my defense though, the majority were purchased with gift cards from my birthday.)

And I guess while I'm at it I should probably include my library pile.  The Hubs totally gives me the eye roll every time I come home from a new trip to the library. (Again in my defense, I have actually read the top half already)

That's not crazy right?  I mean it's perfectly acceptable to have that many glorious books lying around on your bookshelf waiting to be read...right?  Right?  Ok, ok...maybe I do have an addiction...just don't tell the Hubs he might stage an intervention...although that would pretty much fail because the sister would be invited and she suffers from the same disease so then they would have to include her and it would just get out of control with the two of us screaming/crying while clutching/half lying on our piles of books...so yeah...I think we'll just keep this our little secret...ok?

My Temporary Hiatus...

I never realized just how daunting it was to return to writing after an extended hiatus.  I feel nervous and sick, my fingers itching to do anything but actually type.  In fact, this post has been the bane of my existence.  I just keep rewriting and rewriting and rewriting.  It's a constant and brutal cycle, and I've made myself promise that this is the final time before I (for real this time) hit the publish post button.

Now my hiatus wasn't planned, it was more or less forced upon me.   You see I've been really sick.  I don't want to get into the details (believe me I'm not asking for your pity, I've been supplying enough of my own), but it's been a rough month and a half.

But if you think that my manuscript and blog have taken a hit, you should see my house.  I never realized just how much the running of my house (cleaning, dishes, laundry, cooking...etc) actually depended upon me, until I got sick.  Now the Hubs has really stepped up to the plate, but the extent of his cooking prowess usually includes such wonderful items as hot dogs, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, chicken noodle soup, etc.   My poor babies (although they love eating it.)

Anyway, I have finally kicked the flu (which decided "Hey Amber's already nauseous and tired from her meds, let's join the party), so I have a bit more energy.  And with that energy, I am attempting to dive back into my writing.  Hence the butterflies wrestling WWE style in my stomach and that infernal doubting voice telling me that I've lost my touch.

But I have to give a big thank you to my CP Carrie Bastyr who has been steadily checking up with me and giving such outstanding encouragement! I really don't know what I would do without her.

So here's hoping the muse hits and it's an easy transition back into the writing world!

Quote of the day:  "Write your first draft with your heart.  Rewrite with your head." -Finding Forrester