Marching Forth with Beautiful People

Yikes. Long time no post. Sorry about that. Anyway. Not much going on... School is eating me alive [but that's normal].
To keep my blog alive and busy, here's Beautiful People-The March edition. This one was particularly fascinating, because it deals with more than one character at the same time, and because it involves relationships (and not just romantic relationships). Who doesn't find relationships fascinating?
Anywho...
I answered the questions using Sol and Lillee from my newest idea The Thirteen Tales of Solomon Wise. The title has nothing to do with the plot, so that's a problem. Actually, the book's more about time travel. It's an interesting study for me, because I generally don't go near any more sci-fi fantasy stuff like that. But the story is really engaging me, and I hope you find Sol and Lillee engaging, too :3


1. Do they believe in anything that most people think is impossible?
Time travel, for one, because Sol is a time traveller and Lillee is learning more about her deceased father's hand in the time travelling world every day. At first she was skeptical, but the chaotic events which occur when Sol comes to town imply that something bigger is going on.

2. Are they strong, or the "damsel/knight in distress" sort?
Lillee is tough; she dislikes being seen as helpless or in need of assistance. However, deep inside, the idea of being swept off her feet by a knight out of one of her many books fascinates her. Sol, though he suffers from some memory loss at the beginning of the story, is very committed to protecting Lillee and anyone else who is in danger due to his presence.

3. Do they have a special place? (e.g. a corner in his/her bedroom, under a tree...)
Lillee lives in her books. She is well-versed in many genres and knows most of her favorites by heart. She often concerns the townsfolk by walking down streets or in front of cars with a book held up in front of her face. Sol, since he is a stranger in the town and the time, feels out of place and is almost never comfortable unless he is completely alone.

4. What occupation do they have, or plan on having?
Sol is a time traveller. I haven't exactly figured out what he does, or why, or how, or anything. But that is his occupation, and he is an expert in his field. However, a bad accident landed him in 1919 from an unspecified future time and robbed him of a substantial part of his memory. There is probably a lot of corruption and conspiracy going on back at Time Travel Headquarters, and I'm still trying to figure out if there's someone higher up who is out to get Sol because of something he knows, or because of something he is trying to learn.
Lillee, though she's only 17, has made herself quite the scholar. She haunts the library and has more than once mentioned her desire to work there. She is also an artist, though she does not devote half as much time to painting as she does to reading.

5. Describe their current place of residence.
Sol stays at a boarding house while he's in Indiana. He rooms alone, but he has trouble paying for his room and has been threatened with eviction by the home's usually gracious matron.
Lillee lives with her estranged mother in a classic home on the edge of town. Her father bought the house for its character; it is a large house, furnished with ornate carpets and sofas from around the world. Professor Dae (her father) was known as "modestly wealthy" by the townsfolk, and left a substantial amount of money to help pay for the upkeep of the home. Most of the rooms stand empty, though, as Widow Dae refuses to change anything from the way her husband left the house.

6. Explain their last crisis. How had they changed when they came out of it?
Sol reminds Lillee of her father, whom she dearly loved. She wants to invest everything in him, help him in any way she can--after all, this is the first time she's really lived every since her father died and she buried herself in books. Sol, however, knows that not only will he need to leave 1919 before he overstays his welcome but also that there are certain persons searching for him who want to make sure he never leaves. Unwilling to put Lillee in danger and unsure of his own past, Sol rejects her help almost as forcefully as she offers it. Both are high-strung and offended after the fact, but the dire situations they encounter along the way force them to come up with a new strategy.

7. If they could drive any kind of car they wanted, what would it be?
I see Sol in a classic car, probably German and with a nice loud engine. Lillee would probably go for a brightly-colored buggy.

8. How do they deal with change?
Lillee recoils from it, ignores it, overlooks it, as though it never happened. Sol fights it, always unsure as to where another change might land him.

9. If they had to amputate one body part, which one would they choose?
Sol would cut off his hand, as he uses his feet quite often for running and getting from place to another.
Lillee, on the other hand [no pun intended] would rather amputate her leg than lose one of her delicate, overworked hands--and her ability to turn pages quickly and wield a paintbrush.

10. What would their favorite be at the local coffee shop?
Lillee would go for something tall and cold, like an iced coffee. Sol, though it surprises most people, is more of a hot cocoa guy.

Bonus Quezzies!
1. How did they meet?
Sol landed himself in 1919 Indiana after a massive accident. He is disoriented when he meets Lillee; he is looking for her father, Professor Dae, who was a distinguished time traveller before he died in the Great War. Since Dae was the only person who could have helped him, Lillee takes it upon herself to find a way to get Sol back to his own time.

2. How do these two deal with conflict?
Mostly by sulking or screaming it out--it depends on how hot the conflict is. Lillee will rarely dissolve into tears, but when she does, it's a veritable flood. Sol is more likely to stalk off and frown at the wall--or punch it.

3. Do they have a special song, phrase, item, or place?
Lillee often quotes her father. Sol whistles a lot when he's working.

4. What kind of things do they like to do together?
Although the two don't have much free time together, they both enjoy reading and do so to a great extent. One of the thing that endears Sol to Lillee is that he has read Paradise Lost and knows parts of it by heart. Paradise Lost was Professor Dae's favorite story and he read it Lillee when she was only three or four years old.

5. Describe their relationship as a whole in 3 words or less.
Confusing. Multifaceted. Endearing.

That's all for now! Enjoying the spring weather,

~Elisabeth

February Favorite: Scrivener

Hi guys! I just wanted to share with you a cool little writing tool I found via the interwebz this past week. It's called Scrivener.

When it comes to writing, I'm a very organized person [Unfortunately, my organizational skills don't extend into the real world, much to my mother's chagrin]. I love to have little folders on my laptop for each book, then subfolders for each character, then sub-sub-folders for every quirk my character has. In short, I love to organize my ideas, my characters, their personalities, their favorite foods, places they've been... I'm a veritable maniac when it comes to character analysis.

That said, I use Microsoft Word for my books. It's great--it has all the tools I need to get a story down on paper. The problem comes when I'm trying to file away characters, scenes, information about my worlds, etc. I can never find the folder I need, the character I'm seeking, the specific picture of a tree I've stashed away. And just as a note: NEVER put all your characters into one Word document. The results aren't pretty.

I've often wanted a better way to keep my characters filed, but I didn't know that way actually existed until I found Scrivener.

Scrivener is a computer program specifically for writers; it's geared towards better organizing your stories, your characters, even your scenes, places and creatures. The opportunities are endless... once you get the hang of the program. But that doesn't take long. After you've explored, it's time to stash. Scrivener has a unique corkboard background, on which you can place an infinite number of virtual 3 x 5 cards. Each card serves as a snippet of the massive document it represents--you can make long character pages without taking up pages and pages of space in a Word Document, and when you're done, all you see on the main page is a little card with your character's name. Same for cards representing scenes, places, interesting facts, etc. It's COOL. I'm having so much fun.

Now, you might be wondering why I'm telling you this. You guessed right if you thought Scrivener is expensive--it costs $40. I'm still debating on whether or not to buy it.

I'll let you wonder how I can have it without buying it for a moment :3

Okay, ready? This program is availible for a free, non-consecutive 30 day trial. It's super easy to download, and if you decide you don't want to make the investment when the 30 days are up, you can export all your information so you don't lose anything. I'm having a blast with those little 3 x 5 cards. I think you will, too.

So go check it out! You can find more information about the program and the opportunity to start your own 30 day trial at:
 http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php

I highly recommend this program. Now does anyone have an extra forty bucks I can borrow to have it forever? 8D

Beautiful People-February

Hello, lovelies! It's been a while since I did my share of Beautiful People, hosted by Sky at Further Up and Further In and Georgianna at Before My Penn Has Gleaned. So I decided that now is better than never ^_^
 I'm doing these questions for Anna, one of my main characters from Avaria, because I've recently dusted off her book and started plotting again [finally]. So here we go.

1. If your character could be played by any actor, who would it be?
Eh. I'm not exactly sure. I don't watch enough movies to know any actresses around her age who would make the cut. Maybe... No. I just don't know xD
2. Does your character have a specific theme song?
I almost feel like it should be Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen or something melancholy like that. But maybe that's just the guilt for all the horrible things I've put her through getting to me ;_;
3. What’s their worst childhood memory?
Her dad leaving when she was about ten years old. She's sixteen, and she hasn't seen him since. It scarred her badly--I don't even know how badly, and I've been writing her story for about five years o_o
4. If your character had a superpower, what would it be?
She'd probably be able to fly or something cool like that. Though she's fast, so maybe she'll be Flash 2. Or Flash Jr.
5. If your character crashed on an island with a bunch of other people, how would your character help the group survive?
Not by having a mental breakdown, that's for sure. She'd probably do a good job of masking her fear, organizing the survivors, and being all rough and tumble; then she'd have her breakdown after rescue.
6. Are they married? If not, do they someday wish to be?
She's not married; she'd like to be, but she's terrified of having her marriage end the same way her parents' did. I think she could do it, though, if the right guy walked along. Which he did. In book three. But she doesn't know that. So SHHH.
7. What is a cause they would die for?
A good cause? Saving a friend, because she hasn't had many. A bad one? Getting revenge. She's an unstoppable monster where revenge is involved. It could be her undoing.
8. Would they rather die fighting valiantly, or quietly at home?
She'd prefer to die quietly. But she's not afraid of fighting. She's been fighting herself all her life.
9. If someone walked up to them and told them they were the child of the prophecy, would they believe them?
You know what, that's funny, because that actually happened. As I remember it, she fainted. Or laughed. Or both. But she ended up being a pretty good child of the prophecy, if I do say so myself.
10. Do they prefer the country or the city?
The city. She grew up in New York, and she despises the small Virginia town her mom's job took them to. *sigh* I guess she can't be perfect.

Okay, that was fun! Every time I finish one of these, I realize that I need to do them more often =D Try one for yourself--you won't regret it!

YOU just got tagged [Yes, you]

So Jeanette at Capricious Scribblings and Christina at Parenthetically Bizarre  gave me a reason to get back on my blog and actually post something for you to read by tagging me =D Here we go. Warning: this post is gonna be MILES long. I'm just glad I didn't get tagged three times :P

The Rules
1) post these rules.
2) post 11 random things about yourself.
3) answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4) create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5) go to their blog and tell them they've been tagged.
6) no cop-outs in the tagging section like “if you are reading this/follow me,” blah blah blah. you have to legitimately tag people.

11 Random Things About Myself
1. I love to listen to classic Irish love songs. One of my favorite singing groups of all time is The Irish Tenors.
2. I'm a skiier. I've skiied for about six or seven years [maybe longer]. I don't ski with poles, which gets me some weird looks, but I have braved black and double black diamonds and survived.
3. I am a major WWII history buff. One of my favorite things to do is read historical nonfiction about the war and the damage done to the entire world.
4. I've been co-writing a YA fantasy series about unicorns for about six years now.
5. I'm innately afraid of tight spaces--once I got stuck in a box maze and ran over several people to get to the exit. I have no regrets.
6. I fail majorly at cooking. I can bake, but the only thing I can make is zucchini bread. It's pretty good, but my family gets sick of it after about four loaves.
7. I once took a spill off a hyper pony and busted my hip. I limped around for a month afterwards and was lovingly referred to as "the crippled lamb" by my friends. Why they equated me to a lamb I shall never know.
8. One of my favorite foods in the whole world is potatoes. I'll eat them any way I find them--mashed, baked, scalloped, you name it. However, I do not like sweet potatoes, and avoid them like the plague.
9. I'm a bad gamer. I rarely win at any game I play. One of my favorite games is Mario Party, which my dear friend Danielle forced upon me ^^
10. I have two little brothers who were adopted about a year ago. I'm so thankful that God put them in my life.
11.  I'd rather live in a perpetual summertime than a perpetual wintertime. ^^

Jeanette's Lovely Quezzies:

1. What is your favorite book and why?
Oh my. WHY. I don't have a favorite books--I love way too many of them. Some of my favorite books are:
The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit
All four books in the Auralia's Colors series
Great Expectations
Jane Eyre
The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment
The Chronicles of Narnia
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

And quite a few more =D

2. What is your favorite movie and why?
Again with the favorites! I really like movies, so I have a lot of favorites. But my biggest favorites are:
Judgment at Nuremburg--It's a courtroom drama with the best actors I've ever seen and an excellent storyline.
Schindler's List--A poignant portrayal of one man's fight against the hated which existed everywhere around him during the Holocaust.
It's a Wonderful Life--Come on. It's just...the best movie out there.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas--A really shocking movie with a powerful message.
Tangled--Long hair, chamelons, glowing lanterns and a cute love song. What's not to like?

3. Who or what inspires you?
Jesus, for His unconditional love and His perfect example.
My parents, because they put up with me for seventeen years 8D
My friends, because of the way they make me laugh even when I'm pretty unlikable.
My characters, because even though I gave them life, they're original and independent, and they make their stories that much better.

4. What is the last book you read? Did you like it?
The last book I read was: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Did I like it? I thought it was sad, rushed, and a little sloppy, but still well-written and a total psychological thriller.

5. Are you looking forward to The Hunger Games film?
YES. I am so looking forward to it ^^ The book's very visual, and so I can't wait to see how the story is on the big screen!

6. Have you ever gotten your friends obsessed with something?
Yup--Les Miserables. I did that.
And also, I got Danielle on the DragonKeeper forum. My greatest work ^^

7. What is your favorite novel genre? Why?
I think fantasy is just the best thing ever. It's creative, but it can also pack a true-to-life punch. You can send a message without sounding like a preacher; you can create worlds, new creatures, and have a blast writing.
And also it's fun to read, too ;-;

8. What is your favorite period of history? Why?
MUHAHAHA.
I love the 1930's-1940's. I became obsessed with WWII era and never looked back. It's an amazing time in history, when a seemingly advanced and cultured world either murdered millions or stood by and watched. I am shocked that something like the Holocaust could have happened [though not surprised, given the sinful nature of man]. The tortures people all over the world endured should never be forgotten. I'd like to play a small part in making sure they never will be.

9. American accents or Irish?
IRISH! Oh yes please!

10. What is one of your favorite quotes?
Those who are ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it, or something like that. I think it's a great warning, because we see history repeated every day. Nothing new is under the sun.

11. Jane Austen or Charles Dickens? xD
Hmm. I think Dickens. I LOVED A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. But I also liked Pride and Prejudice--I just don't buy into the whole romance thing as much xD

Pippin's Spectacular Quezzies:

1. Have a hilarious cooking story? Pray do share. Bonus points if involves unintentional fire.
Hmm. Once my mom and I were making potatoes, and the oven caught on fire and my mom turned all fire-lady and put it out with BAKING SODA 8D I was about five, and she was my hero forever.

2. How do you feel about strawberry chapstick?
I don't know. I've never met it before. I think I'd like it.

3. Hot air balloons or helicopters?
I'll go with the hot air balloons. Anything that flies really fast intimidates me xD

4. How do you feel about the craze for SillyBanz a short year ago?
I was neutral. I actually have a couple... unicorns ;-; They're so cute ^^

5. Have you ever tasted tiramisu? Tell me what it tastes like, cuz I haven’t. Points for most obscure descriptions.
Hmm. I think it tastes kind of like sushi, because it sort of rhymes. Also, it probably has sprinkles on top, because it ends with a "u". And I think it's fried.

6. TY Beanie babies? Remember them? Have they gone to the dogs, in your opinion?
Oh my yes! I have hundreds of them upstairs. If the world ever needs to be replenished, come to me. When I say hundreds, I mean HUNDREDS.

7. Favorite character from Percy Jackson in three . . . two . . . one . . . go!
....
I've never read Percy Jackson ._.
So... I guess nobody? *ducks*

8. Who’s your favorite American President?
It's a tie between Lincoln and John Adams.

9. What was the last paper you wrote about for school?
It was a huge poetry assignment that almost killed me xD

10.    Toy Story 1, 2, or 3?
Meh. I like the second one ^^

11. When was the last time you blew bubbles?
This past summer. Bubbles are awesome!


That was fun ^^

Here are my eleven questions for you.

1. Have a favorite book or movie character? Who is it, and what do you like about him/her?
2. What's your favorite type of music to listen to?
3. Ever created a dream cast for your favorite book/play/own original book?
4. Do you like potatoes (answer carefully)?
5. What's your favorite place to visit?
6. Ever ridden a dragon?
7. What qualities would you like to see in your characters? If you don't have characters, what qualities would you like to see in yourself?
8. College, or no college?
9. If you had all the money in the world, what would be the one thing you'd buy first?
10. What sports do you play [if any] and what musical instruments do you/have you learned?
11. Favorite song ever, and why?

Okay, I tag everyone who's reading this, excepting Christina and Jeanette [because I don't think I can re-tag]! You're officially tagged; no use trying to get out of it. Yes. Because I'm that lazy xD

That was fun! I shall make a note of the joy it brought to me.

TTFN,

Meet Mimi

This is my great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann, and the first picture I've found of her so far :3
 The caption under the picture said, "Mimi." My grandmother said that Mary Ann's very first grandchild used to tug at her dress and cry, "Me! Me! Me!" when he wanted her attentions. The name stuck, resulting in "Mimi" as the grandmother title for Mary Ann.

All this is so cool. I feel like I'm swimming in history.


Cheers to all you NaNo participants this year! 16 more days!