Almost Wordless Wednesday: Photo, Snap, Shot

During the library reading challenge this past Winter, I discovered the Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery books by Joanna Campbell Slan.  The series quickly made it to my favorite reads list.  As soon as book number 3 became available in the library's system, I placed my hold.  Monday,  "Photo, Snap, Shot" was placed upon that glorious hold cart just for me.  I could swear brilliant light shone upon this brand new unread copy as I approached.  The yet uncreased cover of the the book made me feel as though I'd won a prize.  My selection was checked out and I was on my way home in no time, hoping for some free time to read.  There is much happening around me at the moment, unfinished projects, incomplete chores, and general every day activities to accomplish, yet I simply cannot fully apply my focus to the aforementioned thoughts and tasks.  No, I'm distracted by the need to absorb the latest mystery in the life of Kiki Lowenstein and her fellow cast of characters!  

Where does the local Book Addicts Anonymous group meet?

Are you reading any good books right now?  What's your favorite old/new book series?  Have I tempted anyone into checking out this book series yet?  If so, check out the author's website for more details...  http://www.joannacampbellslan.com/

My week hasn't gone as planned so far, so I'm hoping to catch up on the blogs I read this afternoon!

Happy Wednesday!

Falling In Love With Characters

Over the many years that I've been reading, I find that I'm often falling in love with a bunch of characters.  As a young girl, I enjoyed reading about Stan and Jan Berenstain's grizzly creations, the Berenstain Bears.  I loved Mama, Papa, Sister, and Brother as though they were practically an extension of my real family.

As I grew older, I admit that I started getting a little more girly with my thoughts.  When I read, and watched the movie, Anne of Green Gables, I developed a crush on Gilbert Blythe.  Throughout many mysteries, I was often torn between brother detectives Frank and Joe Hardy.  Today, I fully understand Bella's Jacob vs Edward dilemma, except that I love Jacob the best.  

I grew up identifying with and wanting to be like strong female characters.  My admiration for Anne Shirley, Nancy Drew, Jo March, Elizabeth Wakefield, Caddie Woodlawn, and many others has not faded to this day.  I have added other characters to the list since becoming an adult, such as Princess Mia Thermopolis, Kiki Lowenstein, and Alice Cullen to name a few.

Stories are nothing without the literary heroes and villians portrayed within the words.  As a writer, I want to create a character that is remembered and loved.  Feeling connected to those carrying a story is a factor that can make or break your reader's interest.  With this in mind, I'm asking myself a very important question.  Am I falling in love with the characters in my WIP?  Would others fall in love with my characters?

What are some of your favorite characters (as a child & today)?  If you are a writer, do you ask yourself those same questions as you write?  If you are not a writer (then of course you must be a reader), what makes you fall in love with the characters of your favorite stories?

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My Reading Challenge Update:

Blackout BINGO (entire sheet) Completed:  3/16/10

Automatic Prize Received With 2nd Bingo:  Window Scraper with library logo

Prizes Won:  $20 Meijer Gift Card

Total Books Read: 16/16

Challenge Ended:  March 31, 2010

Books Read (in no special order):

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

Unconventional by J.J. Hebert

Austenland: A Novel by Shannon Hale

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

The Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

Silver Bells by Debbie Macomber

Vision In White by Nora Roberts

Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle

It's All About Him: Finding The Love Of My Life by Denise Jackson

Scrap Everything by Lesley Gould

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Paper, Scissors, Death: A Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery by Joanna Campbell Slan

Cut, Crop, & Die: A Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery by Joanna Campbell Slan

Christmas With Anne by L.M. Montgomery

Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah

Everything I Needed To Know About Being A Girl I Learned From Judy Blume by Jennifer O'Connell (& various authors)

Favorite Book(s) Read & Other Comments:  I discovered a new book series by Joanna Campbell Slan!  I wasn't able to put either book down without constantly thinking about whodunit!  I'm looking forward to May when the 3rd book in the series is released.  Go check out Paper, Scissors, Death  and Cut, Crop, & Die!

I really enjoy this Winter reading challenge.  Reading 16 books in the amount of time given was a great goal, but adding in the large number of new to me authors added to it.  All but 1 of the writers were new to me this year and gave me the opportunity to open myself up to great stories.

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Post #96 in the Count Up to 100!

A Countdown and the Latest

Hooray for Monday!  Okay, that's not my honest opinion of Mondays, but it is a good day for blogging.  I'm going with the glass half full attitude today.  At least that's my attempt.

I realized this morning that I am on blog post number 90!  Before long I will hit that 100 mark and it seems a wee bit excitin'!  As the countdown to 100 begins, I'm pondering what type of confetti will fly and if a ticker tape parade is in order.  Maybe a prize of some kind will have to be involved.  I think it's worth celebrating and must thoughtfully think it over.

Are you ready for the exciting news that I briefly spoke of in my I simply ran out of time blog vacation day?  Reading pays!  At least it did for me this past week.  On Wednesday, my youngest son and I came home from working in the classroom and running errands to hear our answering machine *beep* *beep* *beeping.*  As I listened to the message, I realized that it was a librarian from our local library informing me that I WON a prize in the monthly drawing for the reading Bingo challenge.  I'm not a lucky winner when it comes to these types of things, so I had to listen to it one more time to be certain.  Wednesday instantly turned all bright, shiny, and sparkly!  On Friday, I went to the library to pick up the last couple of books on hold for my reading challenge as well as my $20 gift card to Meijer.  Spectacular!

The moral of the story... reading pays!

 

This past week also held some writing excitement for me.  Recently, I was asked to write an article for an wonderful organization that my Mom is involved in.  A deadline for an annual scholarship, awarded to a high school senior, was fast approaching and they wanted to be certain all eligible students (and their parents) had the information.  Another important feature in the article was geared towards potential future club members.  The Lioness Club is committed to bettering their community and helping those in need, so I was more than happy to assist them.  After it was written, they ladies reviewed and approved the article before I submitted it to a local paper.  This week, the paper published my article!  It is not the first time that they have published my writing, as I was a student writer in my high school days, but it is the first time since I've been married.  Yesterday, I held the black and white newsprint in my hand and felt all warm and fuzzy inside.  

As promised, I will give you a brief summary of my weekend scrapbooking event.  You may laugh at me to know that I've been prepping for this event off and on for the past couple of weeks.  I organized my photos, picked out the right papers, and used my Cricut Expression to precut letters and designs to be featured on various pages.  I chose to work on our 2008 family trip to Disney World, and didn't bring anything else with me.  

When I left my home on Saturday, the scrapbooking day was minutes away from opening up.  I had sick kids Thursday & Friday night, by now this should not be shocking, so I was finishing my packing and telling the kids to be good for Daddy before I could head out.  After reaching the main road near our house, I looked out into Christmas shopping worthy traffic.  Sadly, I still had to stop at my local Hobby Lobby to grab a couple of items that I planned to use during the day.  By the time I arrived, I was an hour late.  No worries, I got my stuff out and went straight to work.  

During the event, I spent time talking with one of my good friends, and number one scrapbooking buddy, Stephani.  I really lucked out last year when I met a couple of great friends through my son's Kindergarten class.  Upon arrival, a sticker pack was given to each participant as a thank you for being here today gift.  Anyone catch the Princess Diaries reference?  Prizes were given away throughout the event and everyone received something.  I walked away with a rival school's t-shirt (it's great sleepwear), a pack of Whoppers candy, and a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant.  The best part of the day for me...  beyond the conversations amongst the women, it was a quiet atmosphere.

Here's hoping that this week is happy and fun filled for all of you!  I've already received a slight adjustment in my days, as I will be helping in the classroom one day this week.  My son's teacher stopped me this morning to ask if I would be willing to do so, and of course I said I would be there.  

Happy Monday everyone!

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My Reading Challenge Update:

TWO BINGOS COMPLETE!

Automatic Prize Received With 2nd Bingo:  Window Scraper with library logo

Prizes Won:  $20 Meijer Gift Card

Next Goal to Complete:  Blackout BINGO (entire sheet)

13/16 Total Books Read

1 Book In Progress!

3 Total Books Left to Read 

 24 Read Days Left

Playing Catch Up

I don't know about you, but I find that my life is a constant cycle of playing catch up.  For instance, this current school year has been interrupted by many sick days for my sons.  As most of you know, when your children aren't feeling well you put off the general household duties (and extra items on your "to do" list) as you tend to your ailing offspring.  When it comes to my boys, I've noticed that they are always a few days different in their illness cycle.  Which means an even longer period of time where progress on personal projects is placed on the back burner.  Should I even mention the extra work that comes with sick kids?  When everyone is finally healthy, the most pressing responsibilities come first.  Lately it seems as though I'm barely caught up with those chores before someone is once again in need or feverish.

Believe it or not, my sons have been sick for the past 2 weeks!  First O was hit with the sickies, then M.  My boys are now healthy, and I'm praying they stay that way!  It's hard to see your children not feeling well.  I put my kids needs first, even though I've avoided some of the personal projects I need to accomplish.  No matter what, my boys are more important than the never ending "to do" list.

For those of you who blog, you may have noticed my lack of comments in recent weeks.  I have yet to catch up on the every day responsibilities around my home and I'm already exhausted.  Over the next week, I'm hoping to find a few extra moments to comment on your blogs.  My own blogs may be simple, short, and sweet for a while.

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My Reading Challenge Update:

TWO BINGOS COMPLETE!

Next Up:  Blackout BINGO (entire sheet)

9/16 Total Books Read

1 Book In Progress

7 Total Books Left to Read 

38 Read Days Left

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Coming Wednesday:  A blog award from Jill Kemerer
THANKS JILL!  I <3 your blog!