More on Body Image

Hey, guys!

Just finished reading Pretties by Scott Westerfield, which is the sequel to Uglies. Like Uglies, I read Pretties in middle school and didn't really retain much. So I reread it. Good stuff.

Now, let's see if I can write a review of Pretties without giving away the ending to Uglies. Doubtful, but worth a shot.

So, in the beginning of Pretties, Tally is a pretty. Well, it didn't take long to give it away. But I think the title does that for me anyway.

Okay, so Tally's gotten the pretty operation and she's in New Pretty Town, and she's going to a costume party with her new clique called the Crims. Crim is short for criminal and is a clique for pretties who played a lot of tricks as uglies.

So, Tally's at this awesome bash and she feels like she's exactly where she's always wanted to be ever since she was an ugly, when an ugly crashes the party.

And not just any ugly. It's Croy, someone whom Tally had known as an ugly. Someone who had run away to the Smoke as an ugly. And he's brought something for Tally.

Hmmm, would I be giving anything away by telling you guys what Croy brought for Tally? Only a little. But I think it's worth it for the sake of this review.

Basically, when Tally got the pretty operation, she didn't just end up looking pretty: she thinks pretty now, too. What does that mean? Well, when you get right down to it, she's a total ditz because of the operation. But that's no accident or terrible side-effect.

The doctors made her - and every other pretty - like that on purpose. And Croy brought the cure.

After the party, Tally would've totally forgotten about the cure if it weren't for a fellow Crim: Zane. Turns out that he's been fighting being pretty-minded ever since he became a pretty. He doesn't eat much, binges on coffee instead of booze, and hoverboards often.

See, Zane discovered all on his own that fighting pretty-mindedness, also known as "staying bubbly," keeps him from being like everyone else. And when he meets Tally, he helps her find where Croy hid the cure from authorities, and then takes the cure with her.

Now Zane and Tally have been getting bubblier by the day, despite Zane's headaches and Tally's struggle to stay bubbly. And now that they're cured, they know that they can't stay in the city anymore. They have to escape and find the Smoke again.

With the authorities after them (terrifying pretties known as Special Circumstances), Zane and Tally have to plan the biggest trick of all just to find their freedom.

This is an excellent second installment of the series. It isn't as fast-paced as Uglies in some parts, but I'm just nit-picking about that. Still action-packed and still thought-provoking. Recommended for middle school and high school audiences, but when you think about it, YA literature is pretty universal. Am I right?

Hope you enjoyed the review and that you'll think about reading the book. As always, check back for more reviews and writing exercises. Until next time, guys.

Happy reading!!

Name Game

Hey, guys!

Really looking forward to today's writing exercise. I don't know why, but it appeals the creative side of my brain. Anyway, this is a fun one. Trust me.

So, although not a crucial aspect of creative fiction, character names do imply a lot about their character and can be symbolic in some ways.

For example, if you guys recall, I once posted a list of my favorite short stories, one of them being "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The name Goodman Brown implies that the character is average (Goodman being a title similar to Mr. or Sir) since the surname Brown is so common. The fact that his name is the color brown also implies that he has muddy morals.

See what I mean? Okay, good.

So, that's what this writing exercise is: I'm going to give you a list of character names.

But wait! That's not all!

Many works of fiction and series involve a natural aspect. I'm thinking of stories taking place in nature or involving supernatural creatures, such as faeries or nymphs.

So, the names I have compiled are going to be derived from plants, trees, and herbs. And the challenge is that you should choose a plant name and base that character off of the characteristics of the plant.

For example, if I were to pick to name a character Onion, I would base that character's personality on the characteristics I associate with onions. The smell of onions makes me tear up when I chop them. Maybe Onion has an abrasive personality and can be cruel and make people cry without meaning to. Maybe he has a certain smell to him no matter how well or often he bathes.

It's completely up to you. But try to draw on the character of the plant: the smell and the taste; the appearance and color; whether it's edible, medicinal, or poisonous; whether people associate it with strength, healing, flavor, what have you.

Here we go.


1) Lilac

2) Sumac

3) Lily

4) Oak

5) Sage

6) Birch

7) Poppy

8) Basil

9) Ginger

10) Corriander

The possibilities are endless, so have fun.

Happy writing!!

Drums

Hey, guys!

Maybe some of you have been playing a musical instrument since before you could even walk (overachievers), but the only instrument that I've been able to somewhat master is the recorder. And I hate the recorder.

Well, tell you what. Troy from Fat Kid Rules the World by K. L. Going is just as musically inept as I was in high school, and yet he ends up playing the drums. Quite a change, huh? Maybe I should explain what happens in between.

So, Troy is an obese high school student. Sometimes he feels like he should eat less and exercise more, but it's something he's been doing since his mom died. You can't help but feel bad for Troy.

And having a military father with high standards, a snotty little brother who used to idolize the big brother whom he now looks down on, and being constantly picked on by peers about his weight doesn't exactly increase his self-esteem.

And there is poor Troy, waiting at the station and totally committed to leaping in front and ending his life. He is contemplating his gruesome end when a homeless drug addict and former classmate sits next to Troy and totally saves his life.

Now, I don't mean that he rushes towards Troy (in slow motion, no less) and pushes him out of the path of the train in a dramatic and heroic fashion. No. I mean that Curt (the homeless guy) talks him out of it. Does Curt do so in a heartfelt and compassionate manner. No, no, no. That is not how Curt rolls.

Even though Curt could have been less of a douche about it and demanded that Troy buy him lunch afterwards, he still saved Troy's life. And that most definitely counts for something.

So where do they go from there? Well, Troy buys Curt lunch, Curt eats like it's his last meal (because who knows - he's homeless and poor), and Curt convinces Troy to take up an instrument. Because Curt is no ordinary homeless guy; he's a legend at his former high school.

The legend? He's the amazing lead guitarist in Troy's favorite band. And guess what? They need a drummer.

And there you have it. And don't get me wrong, it's not like sitting behind the drum set and holding those drumsticks unlocked something inside of Troy that made him play as though he were born to play the drums. He sucks. He really sucks on his first go, but who doesn't?

So he practices every chance he gets, despite his dad's disapproval and his brother's mockery. And he's almost given up a few times. But eventually, Troy focuses more on his drumming and a little less on eating and feeling sorry for himself.

Awesome book overall. I recommend it for high school students as well as above and beyond the high school crowd. And it's not just for musicians, druggies, homeless people, and those suffering from obesity or low self-esteem. I am none of the above, and I really enjoyed it.

When it comes right down to it, this is a book for people who do fit into those categories and for people who want to see the world from someone else's perspective. This book is perfect for learning tolerance and acceptance of others. Just saying.

Anyway, definitely give the book a try and check back for more reviews and writing exercises. Until next time, guys.

Happy reading!!

Character Profiles

Hey, guys!

Time for a new writing exercise! But let's shake it up a bit.

As all of you writers out there know, other than daydreaming and coming up with a story and then writing it down, developing characters is a super fun aspect of writing a story. And making sure that you have character development down pat is a really important part of making a good character and writing a good story.

Also, clothes make the man or woman. I'm sure you've all heard that at some point as well.

So, to get you guys started with writing a super awesome character, I made an awesome writing exercise.

Below, I have created a list of outfits that anybody may find suitable to their personality. Choose one to create a character (or just a character profile) who might wear that ensemble.

The challenge? Don't go for the obvious. Say, for example, that a character is wearing a plaid skirt. The character does not necessarily have to be a total good girl. For all you know, it could be a Scott wearing a kilt. Or some dude or dudette trying out a different persona for a day for that matter.

And now for the list.


1) A homemade calico dress.

2) Slightly worn jeans and a knit sweater.

3) A band T-shirt (your choice of band), sneakers, and a fedora.

4) A long skirt (your choice of pattern and color) with a camisole top.

5) A muscle top and denim shorts (which may or may not be ripped at the edges).


As always, the possibilities are endless. Avoid overly common characters. But if you're going for a trope, give the character something that sets him or her apart from their crowd.

And, as always, have fun. :)

Happy writing!!

So different from the movie

Hey, guys!

So, I know that for the most part when I say, "The Vow," you guys say "Channing Tatum" or "Rachel McAdams" depending on your preferences. And, yes, the movie is quite fantastic. Admittedly, I wouldn't have wanted to see it if my mom hadn't wanted to. Turns out that the movie made me curious about the book.

The Vow was written by Kim and Krickitt Carpenter with assistance from Dana Wilkerson, Kim and Krickitt being the couple who lived the love story we are all so familiar with by now. Or are we? I mean, come on, we all have to know that Hollywood embellishes just a little bit to cater to what the audience is looking for.

In the movie, it was Paige and Leo. Paige was an artist and Leo was into music. They got married in an art exhibit and then were chased out by security. After the car accident that gave Paige amnesia, Leo has to make his wife fall in love with him all over again, despite her parents' wishes to keep her away from him.

News flash: the book was practically the polar opposite.

Paige wasn't an artist. Her name wasn't even Paige. Krickitt was a customer services operator over the phone. And that was actually how she met Kim: he talked to her on the phone and fell in love with her voice, how happy she sounded and how willing to help she was.

It was a few months before they met in person, and a few years of dating before they got married. They had been married for roughly three months at the time of the car crash.

Another thing the movie overlooked: the recovery process. In the movie, Paige was forgetful but functioning with perfect hair. In reality, Krickitt had to learn how to walk and talk and take care of herself all over again, and it sure didn't happen overnight.

Their marriage after the accident was so much more difficult than the fact that she couldn't remember being in love with him and, in her mind, she was still engaged to her ex-fiancee. Not only were they drowning in hospital bills, but Krickitt was actually very resentful towards the husband she couldn't remember.

But the one thing the movie avoids is what really helped Kim and Krickitt keep their sanity and help them stay together: their faith.

Both Kim and Krickitt were Christian from early on in their lives. And even after her accident, Krickitt still held on to her faith in God, and it's probably what helped her hang on to a life she forgot.

I am by no means a religious person, but I could still appreciate the fact that their love and their faith was what brought them together and it was what kept them together even when they were driving each other nuts.

Hollywood probably thought that the concept of faith would be targeting a very limited audience; they were probably right. But my intention is not to belittle the movie. I actually really enjoyed the movie and (despite the lack of accurate details) there was still the crucial message that was in the book. There was also a universality to the movie speaking to peoples of all denominations.

So, by all means, learn about this awesomely true miracle of a love story and read the book and see the movie if you haven't. I would recommend the book for many audiences (I will not specify age groups, because anybody could find something they enjoy in the book.

Hope you enjoyed the review and that you'll give this story a chance. Check back again for more reviews and writing exercises. Until next time.

Happy reading!!

Zombies Everywhere

Hey, guys!

Story time. Once upon a time I went to the movies with my mom and my brother. I forget what we went to see, but I do remember seeing a trailer for the upcoming movie Warm Bodies. I watched the trailer in rapt attention. When it was over, I leaned towards my mom.

"That looks like a good movie," I whispered.

"It looks stupid," she responded.

Then I went home and bought the book by Isaac Marion on my Kindle. The End.

You get the picture: same deal as If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Except with zombies. And I know that a lot of you will be put off by the idea of a zombie romance, but hear me out.

Basically, the world has ended and nobody really remembers how the zombies came around; they just did. So, now the humans are holed up in an old stadium, which they repurposed to keep out the zombies and to make their home. Houses, farms, gardens, public services, the whole shabang.

Meanwhile, the zombies stick around this old airport. It's a metaphor. So, this one zombie, R, is pretty different from the others. For one thing, he feels bad about eating people. But he's a zombie; he can't help it. For another thing, he collects human stuff in his airplane home.

But not everyone shares his appreciation for human life. The Bonies, for example, have no remorse whatsoever. They are zombies that are so old that they are just bones. Cruel, scary, and dangerous, you do not want to mess with these guys.

So, one day, R is hungry. Even though he ate a few days ago, he's starving. So he and his friend, M, go back into the city and see if they can find some human scouts.

And indeed they find some tasty human snacks. But I should explain something first. Zombies don't dream . . . I know, I know it's quite the shocker, right? But get this: eating a human's brain is the best part, because the zombies can see that human's memories. Which is kind of like dreaming when you think about it.

Back to the summary. After snacking on the brains of some poor guy named Perry, R comes face to face with Julie. Yes, Julie, also known as Perry's girlfriend. But don't worry, R's not going to eat her.

Instead, he covers her in blood to hide the smell of her status as a living, breathing human and takes her back to the airport with him. What could possibly go wrong?

In addition to all the zombies and Bonies roaming about, Julie isn't too fond of being held captive by a zombie. But R can't really help it; she just makes him feel so . . . alive. And that's how it all starts.

A totally unorthodox love story, but it was bound to happen. And I know that it sounds pretty cheesy, guys, but it is not the sappy romance like all the others. It is told in such a mature and sophisticated nature that it just works in a way that a zombie-boyfriend story shouldn't.

Plus, it says a whole lot about love and human nature and I definitely think it would be worth your while to read. Just give it a try. I would recommend it for a high school audience or above.

I also recommend the movie. Although the movie is a lot more sarcastic and teen-angsty (plus the ending is totally different), it's funny and sweet and a good movie in its own right.

Hope you guys enjoyed and that you'll read the book. Also, check back for more. Until next time.

Happy reading!!

Treasures

Hey, guys!

Time for a new writing exercise. I feel pretty good about this one, too.

So for this exercise, you guys have to create a fictional character based off of their most prized possession. Since I'm so nice, I'm going to provide you guys with a list of potential "treasures" that a character may have. If you don't like any of the ones I suggest, feel free to make up your own.

Be sure to include as much history as you can with the treasure you choose. Does it hold sentimental value in the character's eyes? Does it unlock a secret or a past that the character knows nothing about? Basically, what draws your character to this object?

Also, don't go for the obvious. If the treasure is, say, a ring with a precious gemstone, don't say that the character likes it because it's shiny and pretty. Maybe it's a family heirloom. Maybe it's all that's left of the character's mother after a horrible fire. Maybe the character stole it and it's their only chance at a better life. Get creative with it . . . that is the point of a writing exercise after all.

Have fun with this one, guys!


1) Notebook

2) Dingy stuffed animal

3) Old coin

4) Locket

5) Pair of glasses

6) Old ornate box

7) Pen

8) Charm bracelet

9) Photograph

10) Key


Go nuts.

Happy writing!