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Sunday, October 9, 2011

An Update.

Oh my, its been a while since I last posted. I don't think anyone here even looks at my blog now-a-days.

But anyway, I've been procrastinating so much lately. I haven't written anything at all, and I haven't even thought about NaNo.

But, I promise I will be back on track this week. Expect a new "What I Read Wednesday" this week (I know, I know - I haven't done that in forever) and maybe even a writing update.

I'll also do my best to follow you all. Please leave a comment with your blog if you'd like to be followed.

Thanks everyone! Have a great and productive week.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

My attempt at an alternative ending - Stray by Cynthia Rylant.

Hello everyone!

Before we begin, I'd just like to say that I am going to follow every single one of you back either this week or next. Please leave a comment including your blog name and link if you'd like to be followed. (:

Moving on, I had to write an alternative ending for this short story we're reading in English, Stray by Cynthia Rylant. If you've never heard of it, its about a girl named Doris who finds a stray puppy that her family cannot keep because of their small budget. But, in the end, instead of taking it to the animal shelter, her father brings it home for Doris to keep.

Please leave your opinions, positive or negative, suggestions or even errors that I made. They're greatly appreciated. (:

Here it is - my alternative ending to Stray.

Doris made herself a glass of powdered milk and drank it all down. Then, she walked back up to her room so she could sulk some more.


She found herself wishing that the snow hadn't cleared up so she could have kept the dog for a longer period of time.


Doris sobbed and sobbed into her pillow, thinking about the dog and what he might be doing now. She knew the people running the animal shelter weren't very kind. She wanted to blame her parents for all of this, but then she remembered that they had a point, not keeping the dog.


"Why can't I be richer?" she wondered out loud. "Why can't we afford the dog? Why?"


"Doris, its dinner time, honey." her mother called out in that quiet, petite voice of hers. Doris wiped off her tears and went back to the kitchen.


After a silent and mildly awkward supper, Doris returned to her room. She grabbed her pillow and thought about the good times she and her almost-puppy shared, and the memories they could have shared if she had kept him.


Suddenly, she heard someone - or something - on the awning. Looking out of her window to see what the commotion was all about, Doris saw a shape that looked vaguely like a dog... As the shape got closer, Doris saw that it was her almost-puppy.


"Is it really you?" she asked in wonder.


Realizing that she wouldn't get a response, Doris slowly stuck out her hand so she could pet her dog. She wanted to feel his warm, soft fur again; oh, how much she missed him! But, as her hand touched the tip of his fur, everything disappeared.


It was only just a dream.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Procrastination is my third hobby.

But I guess all writers have to do it in order to succeed, right? Or is it just me?

I've been neglecting my WiP lately. I really haven't written anything in about two to three weeks. I haven't even touched the notebook I'm writing it in, or the computer file. But, I have an excuse!

Oh no, you wonder. What is it this time, Isabella?

Blame it on middle school! School has eaten me alive, seriously. Its really just the pressure of the first few weeks or so, when you're desperately trying to get organized and into the mix again. I solemnly swore to myself that I would write more after I finished this post. Well, after I finish my English project, which is due on Wednesday...

I have, however, been thinking a lot about my NaNo novel, The London Eye. (read about it here.) I know NaNo isn't for another two months or so, but hey - it won't hurt to get excited. I've also been thinking of my current WiP as well.

It is still nameless, and I'm making no progress on names... Anyone care to help out? Read the (temporary) pitch here and give me some suggestions!

I've also thought about holding a blogfest - at least, once I get more followers. But, I was thinking of making it about your current WiP's "soundtrack", if it was to be made into a movie. Someone hasn't already thought of that... Right?

This weekend, I promise I'll get on track. I'll write as much as I can, especially tonight - Andrea and I are going to attempt to pull another all-nighter. I also need to finish The Diary of Anne Frank (still haven't finished!), reading more Campaign blogs and working on looking through the three book order catalogues one of my teachers handed out... Looks like I'll be spending quite a bit for some new books. [:

What are your weekend writing plans or goals? Anything new with your WiP (unlike mine... yet)?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

I'm loved more, when I'm not here.

Its a fact. Seriously.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for the positive comments on my Campaign piece. I'm honestly glad a lot of you liked it. I've also been chosen as one of the judges' favorites pieces, and it will move on to the next round of judging! I know it might not really last, but its my first time - this is too exciting.
Also, thank you so much for following my blog. 13 followers isn't much, but I'm glad you guys can take the time out of your busy schedules to follow, read and comment on my posts.

I haven't worked on my WiP like I planned on this weekend, but I am going to work on it Tuesday if its the last thing I do. I am on page 187 out of 283 of The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank. I haven't made progress but I will soon, just you wait and see. (Hey, that's the name of a song!)

I was at Staples on Thursday, going back to school shopping, and I saw the most adorable journal. Of course, I had to buy it (I have an obsession with journals and I collect them. I'll write a post about my collection sometime.) and I'm going to share it with you all.

Do you guys like it? Its focused on traveling, which I absolutely adore. I bought it because it really reminded me on this upcoming project of mine, The London Eye. Read about it here.

Might I add that I am stoked for NaNo now - not only is my good friend Josie participating in it, but I found out that this girl in my classes (a new friend of mine), Sara, is participating in it too! I'm not a loner in class anymore, and I have someone to talk to (about writing) in gym. [:

Anyway, that's the latest news on myself. I'm going to head out to bed now, good night. By the way, if you followed, expect a new follower and a comment on your blog in the coming week... Its not going to be from me or anything, but who knows!

PS: Today is the 10 year of the Twin Tower attacks in New York. My prayers go out to the families affected and the innocent lives lost. They may be gone, but never forgotten.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Campaign Challenge Numero Uno!

Before we kick off this post, I'd like to welcome all my new followers. Thanks for following and I will get around to following your blog soon.

Anyway, the time has come for the first Campaign challenge! I actually just came back from a mini-vacation in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I have school tomorrow so I was rushing through this. But I did complete all three of the challenges - the two phrases at the beginning and ending of the story, and the story is exactly 200 words.

Here it is!

 The door swung open, letting in the crisp fall breeze and an excited twelve-year-old girl. “I'm home!” she called out.

She kicked off her shoes and threw her backpack on the floor, much to my dismay. Then she rushed to her room. “Honey, come pick up your stuff from the floor, please.” I ordered her as politely as I could.

The girl rolled her eyes and ran back to the living room to pick up her belongings. Afterward, she ran back to her room and started to get ready. “We don't have much time, Mom! It starts at six!”

She wriggled out of her uniform and changed into more casual attire. Then, she grabbed her cell phone, small poster, and slipped on her sneakers. “This is so exciting! I can't believe you're doing this for me! Thank you!” she squealed, jumping around the kitchen. “Oh, and hurry up and finish getting ready!” she added as she ran back to the door.

I couldn't help but laugh; I have never seen her so happy, even though we weren't there yet. I finished applying my make-up, grabbed my purse, and stepped outside. Then, the door swung shut.

Like I said, I was rushing through this, so I apologize if it isn't the best. Its about a young girl attending her first concert with her mom. I used myself as an inspiration for this story.

Well, I guess I better wrap this up. I start school tomorrow and I need to read all of your entries I need to finish getting ready.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

I must stop procrastinating!

I have only a week left of summer.

Well, technically, summer doesn't end until September 20th or something, but I start school on the 7th.

Anyway, I have tons to do before the 7th. I didn't complete my summer goals and I am nowhere near completing them.

First of all, I still have some extra math work I had to do over the three-month break (curse my old math teacher) and I'm not done with it yet - I still have about five pages to go? I promised myself I would finish it by the first week of August. That sure failed.

Secondly, I told myself I would complete the first draft of my current WiP (still untitled) by now, since it is the last day of August (or the first day of September, if you're on the east coast), and I am nowhere near finishing. I'm not even halfway done!

Finally, I thought I would get through reading all the books on my TBR list and also get through all the other books I own. I still have two more books to read from my list and I haven't even touched my other books.

What have I been doing all summer? I honestly don't remember.

Anyways, I got my school schedule today. I'm pretty bummed, too, because I have no classes with two of my best friends, Andrea and Merna. As for my other friends? They still haven't called or texted me back.

On a lighter note, I did manage to get theater for my elective. Basically, in theater we get to practice our acting and screenwriting skills, not to mention we get to act out our plays in front of the other classes.

Anyways, I have not read at all today, but I'll attempt to read more tonight. I'll get around to following everyone from the Campaign first thing tomorrow. I promise.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

I've been hit by a lightning bolt.

You know that feeling you get when you get hit by an idea? That tingly sensation? Yeah, that happened to me. Today, to be exact.

It has been nearly ten years since Charlotte Murphy last saw her birth parents in Birmingham, England. After her father starts to drink - more often than usual - and abuses her mother, she is whisked away to the United States. Charlotte, 16 now, begins to have nightmares; not about usual teen ones about zombies and werewolves. Nightmares about her mother being abused and what might have happened to her during the ten years.

When a two-week class trip to England is announced, Charlotte and her best friend, Bijou Sanders, take the opportunity to find out more about Charlotte's birth mother and her whereabouts, as well as her father and the punishment he has received for the cruel things he has done.

Two weeks. Two girls. One big mystery.

I'm actually really excited about this one. Its going to be my first (hopefully successful!) mystery novel, and I loosely based it off of the book Elixir by Hilary Duff.

I'll probably use this idea for NaNoWriMo; this one is better than the other hundred or so ideas I have. But I'm not sure yet.

I still don't qualify for the main event, so I have to participate in the YWP. (Young Writer's Program) Curse the fact that I'm not yet a teenager.

Anyway, what do you guys think? I honestly LOVE it - I'm super excited to start writing. I still need a title, though. For some reason, I was thinking about The London Eye.

I haven't worked on my current WiP at all today; I've been procrastinating. I'll attempt to write as much as I can once I finish writing this post.

So, I have to go. I must catch up on my WiP! (which, by the way, is still untitled.) Bye everyone!

PS: I recently joined the Third Writers' Platform Building Campaign, hosted by Rachael Harrie at Rach Writes, under the group Picture Books/Chapter Books/Early Readers/MG/YA. Hello to my new followers! *waves hello* I'll try to follow all of your blogs and introduce myself on Thursday; I have this rule where I have to read every one of your posts before following, so it might take a while. Thanks for following, though!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

California summers suck. Oh, and my first award!

The title says it all.

Its been well over 100 degrees for the past week, yet this week is the last week of summer. my stomach has been hurting like insane, and I can't even eat chocolate without having a strange urge to throw up.

Also, I cracked my iPod Touch. its not too bad [only the outside] and its currently in repair; I kind of feel sorry for my mother, who had to pay $100 to get it fixed. Oh well, I'll make it up to her.

Bad news aside, I got awarded by the amazing Brooke; the Liebster Blog award. Unfortunately, I can't pass it on, as all the blogs I follow have well over 200 followers [the rules were to pass them on to someone with less than that] and the only person that reads my blog anyway is Brooke. xD

Anyway, I'm going to head out. I'm having a major headache and I want to finish Anne Frank by tonight and start on Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift.

PS: The MTV Video Music Awards are tonight! Are you going to watch? if so, who are you most excited to see?

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

What I Read Wednesday - The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

Hey guys! so this is a new feature I'm going to be doing every Wednesday, and its basically listing what I'm currently reading at the moment, complete with a few quotes to go along with it.

The book I am currently reading is The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank, and I am on page 24 out of 283.

"Discovered in the attic in which she spent the last years of her life, Anne Frank's remarkable diary has since become a world classic - a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and eloquent testament to the human spirit.

"In 1942, with Nazis occupying Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the "Secret Annexe" of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death.

"In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, her account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and fraility and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive ad spirited young woman whose promis was tragically cut short."

[summary taken from the back of the book; picture taken from Goodreads.]

I'm not very far in but I think the book is great so far! I was recommended to read this book by my English teacher, after we did a unit on it last year. Anne was an amazing writer and I honestly can't believe that this is nonfiction and written by herself.

Now, time for some quotes!

1. "I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart." [page 2]

2. "I want to go on living even after my death."

Oh, before I go, I just wanted to apologize for not posting a writing update last night; I was busy. But I managed to write chapter six of my [still untitled] WiP, lasting 5 pages because I simply couldn't sleep. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up this weekend.

Thank you for reading!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Information on my WiP.

Okay, as I promised in my last post, I'm going to tell you all about my current WiP (work in progress), which is untitled at the moment.

Paisley Tuckett is an animal-loving, tree-hugging twelve-year-old who works to make the world a better place. After her best friend Cheyenne wins a part on a tween-based reality show, Paisley is invited on set and finds out the shocking truth on what goes on in the world.

I apologize, I'm absolutely horrible on typing up summaries. But this is the temporary one until I finish writing it.

I'm on the first draft and I'm three chapters and 11 pages in. I would write now but I've been distracted by my new iPod.

I guess I'll stay up till later tonight to write. but for now, I'm going to watch YouTube videos. (I am such a procrastinator...)

By the way, happy 14th birthday to Greyson Chance!

Thanks for reading guys. [: