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Hello, Internet!
So, today was a pretty good Friday. In French class my friend K and I started planning our epic, French fantasy graphic novel. We flipped through a French-English dictionary, picked out random words, then based our characters off of them! It was so much fun--we have a complete plot, six very flawed, very exciting characters, and tons of enthusiasm to get started.
If only all writing worked like that.
I've heard countless times, and always kind of knew myself, that working in collaboration can be both rewarding and fun. Too bad I'm such a control freak and couldn't stand to give up that much of the process. Still, cool idea, I need to try it one of these days.
After school today I walked down town, talked to my favorite grumpy (but nice) nurse, and got shot up with a nice dose of dead Hepatitis A virus ;) In other words, I got my vaccine today, and that's one more thing I can cross of my list of things to do before Cuba. We're leaving in 16 short days--I think. I'm horrible at counting. How many days are in April, again?
It was warm today, and fairly sunny. Now it's a bit overcast. I'm afraid it'll rain, although that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Everything is a pretty, young shade of spring green and the tulips are blooming heart-beat red weeks before due.
Peace and love,
Erika
Friday, April 16, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
scintillating saturday
Yesterday was my name day. All 365 days of the Czech (as in Czech Republic, where my mother is from) calendar have names attached to them (or, rarely, it's a holiday--like Christmas--and therefore has no name attached). April 2 is Erika.
That was all well and good--my mum bought me some very pretty flowers that are on my desk as I write this--and it got me thinking slightly on the highly complex idea of the name.
You have a kid (or a cat, or a dog, or a fish, or a particularly well-loved inanimate object) and you slap a name on it. A calling card, really, that can be as simple as, "Hey, You!" or as confusing as Ahkmarethnian.
So maybe the idea of it isn't so hard. But naming my characters has always been a bit of an obsession for me. I hoard names. I write them down in spiral notebooks that I return to years later and guffaw at. I collect them and wait until just the right character comes along so that I can give them a name that's been burning a whole in my imagination.
I visited the Nanowrimo forums (yes, they do exist outside of November, and believe me, they're just as addictive) and clicked on the "Adopt a Name" thread. Half an hour later, I had a page full of my cramped, half hand-writing half printing of everything from dreamy first names, to ironic pet names.
I was most certainly not disappointed.
I always tried to go for a certain kind of distinction in my character names. Heaven forbid I decide, in a moment of creative weakness, no doubt, to call someone "John" or "Kelly". From real life experience with certain people and their names, I had a mental list of all sorts of associations. For instance, Meryl on its own reminds me of a terribly thin pre-puberty girl with dark eyes and a perpetually runny nose. Paired with just the right last name, however, and, like Meryl Streep, you have the picture of class and elegance.
Just recently, however, I've found myself using simpler names. My pages are now littered with Claires, Erins and Sams. They make the reading easier, are certainly quick to spell, and let the reader focus on the character.
What do you think? When you read or write a book, how much focus do you put towards the names of characters? Or, conversely, when you come across a name in a book that has 4+ syllables and dozens of complex letter combinations, do you get scarred off, or, like a friend of mine, just replace it in your head with a simple name and move on?
When you read a book and the MC has a name that you positively can't stand, does it affect your attitude towards the work?
That's all for me today. My room is filled with the toxic tang of freshly applied nail polish, and strewn with the rewards of a busy shopping day (including a fabulous cook book I can't wait to try--whoop, whoop!).
Have a great Easter,
Erika
That was all well and good--my mum bought me some very pretty flowers that are on my desk as I write this--and it got me thinking slightly on the highly complex idea of the name.
You have a kid (or a cat, or a dog, or a fish, or a particularly well-loved inanimate object) and you slap a name on it. A calling card, really, that can be as simple as, "Hey, You!" or as confusing as Ahkmarethnian.
So maybe the idea of it isn't so hard. But naming my characters has always been a bit of an obsession for me. I hoard names. I write them down in spiral notebooks that I return to years later and guffaw at. I collect them and wait until just the right character comes along so that I can give them a name that's been burning a whole in my imagination.
I visited the Nanowrimo forums (yes, they do exist outside of November, and believe me, they're just as addictive) and clicked on the "Adopt a Name" thread. Half an hour later, I had a page full of my cramped, half hand-writing half printing of everything from dreamy first names, to ironic pet names.
I was most certainly not disappointed.
I always tried to go for a certain kind of distinction in my character names. Heaven forbid I decide, in a moment of creative weakness, no doubt, to call someone "John" or "Kelly". From real life experience with certain people and their names, I had a mental list of all sorts of associations. For instance, Meryl on its own reminds me of a terribly thin pre-puberty girl with dark eyes and a perpetually runny nose. Paired with just the right last name, however, and, like Meryl Streep, you have the picture of class and elegance.
Just recently, however, I've found myself using simpler names. My pages are now littered with Claires, Erins and Sams. They make the reading easier, are certainly quick to spell, and let the reader focus on the character.
What do you think? When you read or write a book, how much focus do you put towards the names of characters? Or, conversely, when you come across a name in a book that has 4+ syllables and dozens of complex letter combinations, do you get scarred off, or, like a friend of mine, just replace it in your head with a simple name and move on?
When you read a book and the MC has a name that you positively can't stand, does it affect your attitude towards the work?
That's all for me today. My room is filled with the toxic tang of freshly applied nail polish, and strewn with the rewards of a busy shopping day (including a fabulous cook book I can't wait to try--whoop, whoop!).
Have a great Easter,
Erika
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
who, what, when, where, how, why... CHOCOLATE!
So this weekend (starting tomorrow for me, I'll explain later, but anyways, whoop, whoop!) is Easter weekend. I'm not Christian so I don't really celebrate Easter as anything to do with Christ. I do, however, love me a good Easter egg hunt. Or just the chocolate--either works.
As I mentioned, Easter weekend starts tomorrow (Thursday). This is because tomorrow is a NID (Non Instructional Day) at my school. Then there's Good Friday (or very good ^^), the actual weekend, followed by Easter Monday.
If you've been keeping track, counting on your fingers, or care at all, you may have reached the same eager conclusion that helped get me through Socials, French, Band, Math, etc.
5 day weekend!!!
Anyways, to mark such a truly momentous occasion, I've decided to make this weekend into a bit of an even for myself. Rather than just "Lie Around the House for 5 Days Straight" like I would normally consider doing, I'm rather motivated and am making Easter weekend 2010 "Erika's Epic Easter Write-a-thon"!
I have this crazy schedule all worked out. It basically consists of writing, reading books about writing, doing writing exercises, and writing some more. Oh, and food. Right... On a side note, Friday is my name day, which calls for one thing and one thing only: cake!
Just to keep it real, I'm going to toss in a goal or two. I wanted to manage at least three pages a day, for a grand total (I'm not doing my write-a-thon Sunday or Monday because of school work and, you guessed it, an Easter egg hunt :) Never too old) of about ten pages. That's over 3 times as many as I would probably do on a normal, day-to-day basis. Plus I'm hoping to start some snazzy new stories and try out a few writing prompts/exercises that I've been putting off.
Okay, I realize that this is probably not interesting at all for anyone else, but personally, I'm totally geeking out!
Wish me luck, oh Writer Gods,
Erika
PS: As a side note, K and I did some lettering for our school Concert Band's t-shirts, and they're going to be part of the design! Woot! The main design is like evolution, from primate to caveman to person to BAND GEEK! And the color? It's teal, "Like Kiyle's hat". Good day :)
As I mentioned, Easter weekend starts tomorrow (Thursday). This is because tomorrow is a NID (Non Instructional Day) at my school. Then there's Good Friday (or very good ^^), the actual weekend, followed by Easter Monday.
If you've been keeping track, counting on your fingers, or care at all, you may have reached the same eager conclusion that helped get me through Socials, French, Band, Math, etc.
5 day weekend!!!
Anyways, to mark such a truly momentous occasion, I've decided to make this weekend into a bit of an even for myself. Rather than just "Lie Around the House for 5 Days Straight" like I would normally consider doing, I'm rather motivated and am making Easter weekend 2010 "Erika's Epic Easter Write-a-thon"!
I have this crazy schedule all worked out. It basically consists of writing, reading books about writing, doing writing exercises, and writing some more. Oh, and food. Right... On a side note, Friday is my name day, which calls for one thing and one thing only: cake!
Just to keep it real, I'm going to toss in a goal or two. I wanted to manage at least three pages a day, for a grand total (I'm not doing my write-a-thon Sunday or Monday because of school work and, you guessed it, an Easter egg hunt :) Never too old) of about ten pages. That's over 3 times as many as I would probably do on a normal, day-to-day basis. Plus I'm hoping to start some snazzy new stories and try out a few writing prompts/exercises that I've been putting off.
Okay, I realize that this is probably not interesting at all for anyone else, but personally, I'm totally geeking out!
Wish me luck, oh Writer Gods,
Erika
PS: As a side note, K and I did some lettering for our school Concert Band's t-shirts, and they're going to be part of the design! Woot! The main design is like evolution, from primate to caveman to person to BAND GEEK! And the color? It's teal, "Like Kiyle's hat". Good day :)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
alarms going off in my head
I have just about 200 friends on facebook. Not a crazy high number, but respectable none the less. The majority of them are my friends, or at least people I know from school. Then there are those weird kids.
This is my Facebook picture--didn't want you thinking I was too creepy!
The whole "friend" (as a verb) thing is a little weird, I must admit. It isn't just limited to friends. It can encompass acquaintances, friends of friends, or, if you're really creepy or a "collector" (someone who adds friends just for the sake of increasing their total), searching for random names and adding whoever you think is cute.
Anyways! The whole facebook situation is a little weird. I'm happy that I have a facebook because it allows me to connect with my friend in Victoria, my aunt in the Czech Republic, my cousins in Southern BC and all sorts of people that I wouldn't otherwise keep in contact with. But honestly, in five or ten years (supposing that facebook is still around in five or ten years--which would mean that we can't yet teleport instantly wherever we want) I doubt that I'll recognize most of these people. Will they be famous? Will they be overweight truck drivers? Anything could happen.
A bunch of writers recommend using social networking sites (a fancy way of saying, "Look guys! Now you don't have to leave the house to have friends!") to promote yourself or your work, get in contact with other writers, keep your name fresh in people's minds... Etc.
Sorry--got side tracked there for a moment, ironically by checking my facebook. Almost like I planned this... Or was on facebook, felt like blogging, and had no other topics. Hey!
Here are a few links for articles on how to successfully use social networking to your advantage! None of that tweeting about having a shower, or making toast. No one wants to know. Although you never know..
Erika
I've been added as a friend by a succession of people that I either don't know or maybe heard of once or twice. You know what? I don't mind. It's kind of cool to know that they saw my name/profile/weird picture that isn't actually me and thought, hey, why don't I add this Erika person as a friend.
This is my Facebook picture--didn't want you thinking I was too creepy!The whole "friend" (as a verb) thing is a little weird, I must admit. It isn't just limited to friends. It can encompass acquaintances, friends of friends, or, if you're really creepy or a "collector" (someone who adds friends just for the sake of increasing their total), searching for random names and adding whoever you think is cute.
Anyways! The whole facebook situation is a little weird. I'm happy that I have a facebook because it allows me to connect with my friend in Victoria, my aunt in the Czech Republic, my cousins in Southern BC and all sorts of people that I wouldn't otherwise keep in contact with. But honestly, in five or ten years (supposing that facebook is still around in five or ten years--which would mean that we can't yet teleport instantly wherever we want) I doubt that I'll recognize most of these people. Will they be famous? Will they be overweight truck drivers? Anything could happen.
A bunch of writers recommend using social networking sites (a fancy way of saying, "Look guys! Now you don't have to leave the house to have friends!") to promote yourself or your work, get in contact with other writers, keep your name fresh in people's minds... Etc.
Sorry--got side tracked there for a moment, ironically by checking my facebook. Almost like I planned this... Or was on facebook, felt like blogging, and had no other topics. Hey!
Here are a few links for articles on how to successfully use social networking to your advantage! None of that tweeting about having a shower, or making toast. No one wants to know. Although you never know..
- Hub Pages.
- Useful Online Tools (Will Write For Chocolate)
- Part 2
- And, just so you don't get too engrossed, WWFC's take on Eva's Twitter Addiction
Erika
Thursday, March 25, 2010
petulance withstanding
It rained yesterday, and it rained today.
Normally, I quite love the rain.
On the way to the bus stop, dead and dying worms littered the sidewalk.
I saved one of them, but I was running late and nearly missed the bus. There were at least ten casualties.
After I let a worm die, it's like a part of me dies, too.
Oh, I do not know if I like the rain.
Normally, I quite love the rain.
On the way to the bus stop, dead and dying worms littered the sidewalk.
I saved one of them, but I was running late and nearly missed the bus. There were at least ten casualties.
After I let a worm die, it's like a part of me dies, too.
Oh, I do not know if I like the rain.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
we're all happy sushi
Is it weird that every time I type "blog" into the URL bar at the top of my screen, I get excited? Nah, didn't think so.
So, the days have just been flying by without much time or cause to blog. Exciting. Alack and alas, however, it's a Tuesday, still the beginning of the week, and I just want to curl up under my blankets and forget all about the secretory vesicle (Biology 9, oh joy).
Luckily, there is hope! The weekend is like a shining beacon that guides me through the crowded halls and dank classrooms. Or something like that. On Friday night, I'm going to be packing up my little laptop, maybe a notebook, and enough food for sustenance and walking down to a local cafe to just sit, order a chai latte, and relax.
Did I say relax? My mistake--I actually meant write my butt off.
Since this is, sad but true, going to be one of my first experiences 'writing on the road' or at least out of the house, I'm wondering if you have any tips.
For one thing, I sometimes like to read aloud what I've just written to make sure that it sounds okay--dialogue especially. I guess I could do this in public, too, it just might result in me being morally shunned for the rest of my life. I also really love to lose myself in my writing, and even though being around people should help with ideas (not to mention dusting off those social skills--I thought I left them somewhere around here...), I'm guessing it can be distracting. Any tips on how to effectively zone out?
That is all. Dinner, a science project, and eventually yoga await!
Have a great week,
Erika
Friday, March 19, 2010
introducing me
Introducing (drum roll please)... Erika!
So, no big whoop for this blog post, but I decided that I might as well (re) introduce myself to all of you! As of two posts ago, I'm officially half way to 100, and I figured I may as well use that time to get acquainted.
My name is Erika. My full name is Erika Vallillee (my grandma's maiden name) Loggin. I'm kind of trusting you not to be total creepy stalkers at this point--not that all of this info couldn' t be easily obtained on my profile. W/e.
My favorite color is yellow, with red coming in at a close second. I love the idea of the Mediterranean--places like Morocco, Turkey, Egypt--but for now I'd rather travel to/visit slightly cooler (if only in temperature) destinations such as France, England, Scotland, Russia, etc.
I love food. I went through a crazy period last year of avid cookery during which I wasn't really determined to be a chef, but made $20 a week cooking for a family in my neighborhood, anyways. I have a deep love of cats, camels, and indie music.
My fish, Cedric, may not have been the focus of many of my recent posts (I was at my dad's house this past week), but he shall soon be popping up. He's orange, white and black and lives in a stuffy tank on my desk that's in need of cleaning. But he has a castle!
Last, but certainly not least, I am an artist. I am a writer. I've wanted to be a writer my entire life, literally since before I knew what the word author meant--and long before I could spell it. I've tried unsuccessfully to complete a novel multiple times, and I'm at it yet again. Two of my friends and I have an arts magazine in our small town, of which I am the editor.
I have one mom, one dad, one brother, three cats (divided by two, so... 1.5 cats per house?), one dog, and a truly spectacular fishy friend.
That's me! Honestly, you could crack this blog post up to being way too tired, bored, and unmotivated for my self-centered mind to think of any other topic. I just thought I'd get some of this out of the way, though, so that the next 47 posts (and beyond!) can focus on more universal subjects.
Why not try introducing yourself to the blogosphere? It feels good to pretend to be known ;)
Erika
So, no big whoop for this blog post, but I decided that I might as well (re) introduce myself to all of you! As of two posts ago, I'm officially half way to 100, and I figured I may as well use that time to get acquainted.
My name is Erika. My full name is Erika Vallillee (my grandma's maiden name) Loggin. I'm kind of trusting you not to be total creepy stalkers at this point--not that all of this info couldn' t be easily obtained on my profile. W/e.
My favorite color is yellow, with red coming in at a close second. I love the idea of the Mediterranean--places like Morocco, Turkey, Egypt--but for now I'd rather travel to/visit slightly cooler (if only in temperature) destinations such as France, England, Scotland, Russia, etc.
I love food. I went through a crazy period last year of avid cookery during which I wasn't really determined to be a chef, but made $20 a week cooking for a family in my neighborhood, anyways. I have a deep love of cats, camels, and indie music.
My fish, Cedric, may not have been the focus of many of my recent posts (I was at my dad's house this past week), but he shall soon be popping up. He's orange, white and black and lives in a stuffy tank on my desk that's in need of cleaning. But he has a castle!
Last, but certainly not least, I am an artist. I am a writer. I've wanted to be a writer my entire life, literally since before I knew what the word author meant--and long before I could spell it. I've tried unsuccessfully to complete a novel multiple times, and I'm at it yet again. Two of my friends and I have an arts magazine in our small town, of which I am the editor.
I have one mom, one dad, one brother, three cats (divided by two, so... 1.5 cats per house?), one dog, and a truly spectacular fishy friend.
That's me! Honestly, you could crack this blog post up to being way too tired, bored, and unmotivated for my self-centered mind to think of any other topic. I just thought I'd get some of this out of the way, though, so that the next 47 posts (and beyond!) can focus on more universal subjects.
Why not try introducing yourself to the blogosphere? It feels good to pretend to be known ;)
Erika
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