31 October 2009

NaNoWriMo vs. Schoolwork

NaNoWriMo starts tomorrow.

As much as I want to do it, I'm very doubtful I will have the time to write 1667 words a day. Neither would I have the story. Let's face it, the plot I conceived for this particular project does not seem very long. I even outlined it, and I don't think it's full-novel length worthy. At least not 50k words.

I feel like this weekend is pivotal because it's the beginning, but I also have to:
a) review a movie at least once more for my Film project
b) figure out a thesis for my English paper
c) research and create an outline for Journalism

School comes first, though. For now, it will always come first.

There is one other thing. I've been writing my other, bigger project recently, and I'm feeling that more than my NaNo story. Sorry Nano, you're going to have to wait. I have school and a story to finish.

More about my revelation about my own writing style next post. And you'll eventually hear about Working Title, but I've been hard pressed to get to meetings on a regular basis, so that may or may not be working out. I'm seriously trying, but it's hard when things are due Wednesday and Monday is your only day to do them.

18 October 2009

Coasties!!

Starting to get more into stories again after a haitus full of school work. Finally bought an interesting book by Orson Scott Card. Until I post something again, here's something to entertain you:

14 October 2009

Whip It

Director: Drew Barrymore
Starring: Ellen Page, Kristen Wiig
Personal Rating: B

I do not consider myself an expert on movies, but I do think I have good taste. I'm not picky (like some co-workers of mine), I don't set my sights too high, and I like to think that I'm a good judge on what appears to be something I'd like when I watch movie trailers.

I was excited to see this movie because I liked the look, I like Ellen Page, and the Badger Herald gave it a decent review. There is also full contact, all women roller derby involved. The cinematography was nothing special. I enjoyed the dealings with the mise-en-scene. Editing was also fairly decent. But what I really liked about this movie was the message behind it.

Here we have a teenager who dislikes the pageants her mother forces her to attend. Right off the bat, she bashes these pageants by announcing that she would like to have dinner with Amelia Earhart instead of someone lamely inspirational. She does this with blue hair. Then we track this same teenager (named Bliss) as she works her way to independence from under her mother's nose. She discovers a world of independence and strong female roll models (haha) who she strives to become. These are women who didn't attend a great college, but they still love life away from the mold of what's acceptable and what isn't.

It should also be noted that when things hinted at wavering, Bliss was the one who stepped up to reveal her lies. She was not called out on anything to her team, and I think that's saying something. Her parents did discover her lies, which made things that way worse, but it only made another message stronger. "Just because you found a new family doesn't mean you throw the old one away," so says Kristen Wiig's character Maggie Mayhem.

I also enjoyed how the romance didn't work out. Bliss was not going to be "that girl" and her choice was final. It just shows that a woman doesn't need a man in her life to be the best she can be. Another good message in the movie.

Although the motto for the movie seems like I've heard it in every other inspirational movie ("Be your own hero"), this movie does take it to another level. At least another placement on a shelving unit. Be your own hero, but don't do it because you have to save the world. Do it because you have to save you.

03 October 2009

On Badgers and Articles

Badgers currently winning against Minnesota. Ten minutes to go, fourth quarter. Go Big Red!

In other news, an interesting website posted an article about the difference between plot and story in regards to books. I thought it was interesting and relevant enough to post.

Yes, it's been a while. Yes, I am not on a standard system of blogging on a specific date. But neither is Patrick Rothfuss. But you have fun with my links while you can. And if you like surfing links on blogs, check out this one.

Next post will be about Working Title (if I can remember).

Minnesota just scored. Bastards!! They still suck.