Manic Monday

What I'm Reading: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

What I'm Working On: Tonight? Firming up Kevin's backstory.

Here's today's Manic Monday:

Do you enjoy brain teasers or do you find them frustrating?
I like them sometimes. Once I get going on them, I tend to be quite determined; however, I won't seek one out for fun.

Do you have any unusual collections?
Nothing unusual -- books, coffee mugs from places I've been. Yep, that's pretty much it. I'm the exact opposite of a pack rat or collector.

What do people notice about you within the first hour of meeting you (other than appearance)?
That I love books. That I have a short attention span. Technically, I've very reserved, so they might not notice much at all.

Waiting On Wednesday

What I’m Reading: Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

What I’m Working On: Adding layers to backstory. Motivation.

Waiting on Wednesday

What?
GENESIS by Bernard Beckett
Release date: April 20, 2009
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Synopsis:
Set on a remote island in a post-apocalyptic, plague-ridden world, this electrifying novel is destined to become a modern classic.

Anax thinks she knows her history. She’d better. She’s now facing three Examiners, and her grueling all-day Examination has just begun. If she passes, she’ll be admitted into the Academy—the elite governing institution of her utopian society.

But Anax is about to discover that for all her learning, the history she’s been taught isn’t the whole story. And that the Academy isn’t what she believes it to be.

In this brilliant novel of dazzling ingenuity, Anax’s examination leads us into a future where we are confronted with unresolved questions raised by science and philosophy. Centuries old, these questions have gained new urgency in the face of rapidly developing technology. What is consciousness? What makes us human? If artificial intelligence were developed to a high enough capability, what special status could humanity still claim?

Outstanding and original, Beckett’s dramatic narrative comes to a stunning close. This perfect combination of thrilling page-turner and provocative novel of ideas demands to be read again and again.

Why:
I’ve been quite interested in the post-apocalyptic, teen-angst story set lately. Maybe it was Hunger Games or perhaps it’s my writer pal’s new story. I’m not sure. Maybe it’s just the times we’re in, but I think new versions of 1984 will soon be the rage. Can’t wait to read this!

Manic Monday

What I’m Reading: Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

What I’m Working On: Writing. (Really.) I’m writing and exploring my main character’s backstory. I can’t really write the next section unless I truly understand how she will respond based on her history.

And for today's Manic Monday:

Do you screen your phone calls? Yes, both at work and on my cell. Sometimes I can deal so much better if I have a minute to listen to a message and know what the problem is in advance. In my job, I have to solve a lot of problems and deal with frustrated people. I’d rather not be ambushed.

When was the last time you lost your temper? A long time ago if you are talking a ranting temper tantrum. If you’re talking mild anger verbally expressed – yesterday.

When you're lost, do you ask for directions? Yes. I hate be lost.

A new blog thing

What I'm Reading: Shocker here -- I'm in between books. Just finished Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr and haven't picked the next read. However, I'm off to B&N soon to do just that.

What I'm Working On: Really... I should just remove this from my blog.

I haven't posted a "blog thing" in awhile so I'm due for one. Here goes.......

You Are a Creek

You are a dynamic, energetic person. You tend to change quickly and often. You are spirited and gleeful. You believe it's important to live a colorful life. You are also quite brave. You are able to look past your fears. You have what it takes to be very heroic. If the opportunity arises, you can use your strength.

What Body of Water Are You?

Waiting on Wednesday

What I'm Reading: Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

What I'm Working On: Still staying calm


Waiting On Wednesday: WINGS by Aprilynne Pike, May 5th, 2009 by HarperTeen


Synopsis: Aprilynne Pike's WINGS is the first of four books about an ordinary girl named Laurel who discovers she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon. When Laurel is thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to both worlds.



Why: Hmmm. Let's see. 1) Blurbed by Stephanie Meyer. 2) I love stories involving the Fae. 3) YA rocks. 4) The cover is enough of a reason to buy it. 5) It's the first in a series of 4 and I love getting hooked on new series!

Manic Monday

What I’m Reading: Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

What I’m Working On: Staying calm.

Wow. It's been a week since I blogged. Last week was quite busy and I missed my Waiting on Wednesday. Sorry about that. I was at a conference, but I'm back now and ready to go with Manic Monday. And, I have a great book chosen for Waiting on Wednesday, so tune back in then.

Here are today’s Manic Monday questions:

1. Are you a saver or spender?
Depends. I like to know I have a cushion. However, I also have some weaknesses – books, shoes, soda.

2. Do you prefer to walk around barefoot in your home? Socks? Shoes?
Depends. In the winter (what little of it we have), I want thick, comfy socks. The rest of the year, I’m barefoot (except, of course, when I need to vacuum or sweep – which is frequently – then I’m in socks).

3. Do you talk to yourself?
Yes, more often than I’d like. (Does this make me crazy?)

Manic Monday

What I’m Reading: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

What I’m Working On: A page a day.

Here are today’s Manic Monday questions:

1. What would you do with an extra hour each day?
Ah, this question is so interesting. I kind of got an extra hour everyday by moving downtown so that my commute was shortened. I said I’d use it to write, but I think it mostly went to the dogs – literally. I walk them twice a day now. It’s good for them and for me.
But the real question is what would I do now with an extra hour every day? The way I see it there are two choices. 1) Write. 2) Catch up on sleep. It’s probably a toss up.

2. Do you wear a watch? If so, tell us about it. If not, how do you keep track of time?
I keep break watches, so no, I don’t wear one. I have a work cell phone that I have to take everywhere. My phone keeps my time for me.

3. If it was possible, would you want to know how many days you had left to live?
Absolutely not.

Random album cover meme

What I'm Reading: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

What I'm working on: A new opening for something new.

I tagged myself with this little meme from Alyson over at Alyson Love.

Make your band's album cover!

1. Go to Wikipedia. Hit “random”or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random

The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band. Mine is Sigapatella. Sigapetalla is a genus of small to medium-sized sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Calyptraeidae which are commonly known as slipper snails, cup and saucer shells and Chinese hat shells.

2. Go to Quotations Page and select "random quotations"or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3. The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album. Mine is One Day At A Time, from the following random quote:
How does a project get to be a year behind schedule? One day at a time. (Fred Brooks)

3. Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days --Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover. Mine? The guard rail on a highway.

4. Use Photoshop (or something like picnik.com, which is what I used) to put it all together.

5. Voila!

(And, yeah, mine is really random.)

Waiting on Wednesday

What I’m Reading: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

What I’m Working On: My step-father-in-law has been in ICU, so writing is on the back-burner for a few days.

Waiting On Wednesday: FRAGILE ETERNITY by Melissa Marr, April 1st, 2009 by Harper Collins

Synopsis:
Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone—but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified her—but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.

In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth into chaos.

Why:

First, it’s no secret that I love really good urban fantasy/fantasy YA. I just finished Marr’s WICKED LOVELY. I couldn’t put it down. I will admit that it took a chapter or two to get into, but once I was there, I was hooked. INK EXCHANGE is up next on my “too read” list so that on April 1st, I’m ready to find out what happens to Aislinn, Seth, and Keenan.

Manic Monday

What I'm Reading: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

What I'm Working On: Writing. Yep. Really, truly.

Here are today's Manic Monday Questions:

It's going to be super-easy this week!

1. If I was a car, I'd be: In this economy, I wouldn't be a car, I'd be my cool Il Bella scooter. However, since the question said "car", I'd be an SUV Hybrid. Supposedly, the Ford Escape Hybrid is one of the best, so that'd be me. (Probably a black one!)

2. If I was a drink, I'd be: Rich, real hot chocolate made with milk and sinfully delicious chocolate, topped with whip cream and sprinkles.

3. If I was emotion, I'd be: Love. What else is there?

M