Shorty

I typically disdain writing short stories, which means I should practice more often. So I found a prompt, and here the results are.


I smile dreamily as I hear the vehicle at the stoplight. The sun gleams on burnt orange paint. The motor rumbles like a machinated feline, low, deep, waiting for its signal to pounce.

The light turns green. The Aston Martin sees the stretch of an empty block, and the lion roars.

A tingle of sheer joy shoots down my spine.

Darren’s head shoots up so hard his cap nearly topples backwards.

I push my arm in front of him. “No way, dude. This is mine.” He got the Camaro yesterday.

The Aston noses up to the curb. The driver steps out, impeccable in a Brooks Brother suit. He’s young, obviously loaded, and has the sterling looks of his vehicle. He glances at Darren. Then me, an eyebrow half-lifted.

I know. He’s never seen a female valet.

He tosses the keys to me, jerking his chin at the car. “Take good care of it.”

Translation: I’ll have your job with a snap of my fingers if you so much as scratch the paint.

I smile, savoring the feel of keys in my grip. “Trust me, it’s safe with me.” I step in, fire the engine, and the cat purrs.

Prompt 163

Ponderings

Mood: A little impatient but otherwise content
Listening to: Prince Caspian Flees from Prince Caspian

Go David Cook! I'm sure a lot of you know by now that the older David took the title of American Idol last night. Personally, I thought Archuleta (such a cute kid) sang better on the finale night, but Cook has a range of genres. Though I have to say, they sounded great singing "Hero" together. Can't wait until the Davids have albums out (because producers are undoubtedly hovering with contracts for Archuleta).

A short story idea has been knocking around my head. This is rare, so I think I'll write it and try to post it within the next few days.

Speaking of writing: After hours of research and refining, today I send out the first batch of query letters *deep breath*. I have narrowed it to a list of eight agencies. I almost feel I should knock off one more, for the Biblical number of perfection (and my favorite single-digit number). It's one of my quirks. Now I have to not hover around the computer and check my email every fifteen minutes. The usual response times are usually in weeks, not hours.

Let the fun begin. Bring on the agents.

Movies and other Random Things

Something momentous has occurred: I've seen two movies in theaters within two weeks (rare), and both of them were excellent *jaw hits floor*. The first was Iron Man. I was a bit worried it would be a too-common action flick - studly action hero, beautiful girlfriend, flat characters, adrenaline, and lots of explosions.

Yes, there were a few spectacular explosions, and people did die. However, *thanks producer*, the gory factor was close to nonexistent. I don't want to say I'm okay with people dying, but if it's in a movie, and I'm not seeing blood and guts... you get the drift. I'd never seen Robert Downey Jr. in anything, and he did an amazing job. For those of you out there who are actors, study this. He made it so real.

I also liked the cars - some futuristic Audi speedsmobile that screamed down the road, a hot rod, flame-orange Lamborghini. So, if you like action/adventure at all, I'd recommend it. Even if you don't usually, it isn't a usual action flick. There's character development, which as a writer, I appreciated.

The second movie: Prince Caspian, what else? Excepting from the toddler who babbled and shrieked at random intervals (it's basically a war movie, why is a small child in here?), I enjoyed it more than the first Narnia film. Ben Barnes is amazing as Caspian. I was afraid from the previews that his accent would be overblown, but it totally fit the character. Definitely, the movie was more intense than the first. It pushes PG, but as with Iron Man, clean violence. (That sounds weird).

I know this has become a point of contestation with diehard Narnia fans - the Susan/Caspian thing. If you haven't seen the movie, don't highlight the text below.

I'm inclined to disagree with the decision to have the faux-romance thing between Susan and Caspian. Even a compromise would be alright: they look at each other, and even the whole part with the horn ("You might need to call me again") is not that bad. It's the kiss at the end. Come ON! That is so not in the book. I'd settle for a good-bye hug (which does happen, but after a brief kiss). Your opinions?

*clears throat*. Anyway. That's just my opinion.

First Sentences

Taking inspiration from yet another amazing blogger, Miss Erin, I am posting three opening sentences. The catch: These are the hooks of my novels.

1. War Games. Not your typical summer camp.

2. No one ever accused Lex Holmes of being normal. Still, almost getting mashed by a flat-faced Metro Bus in front of the U.S. Courthouse wasn't the birthday present she'd ask for.

3. The wind buffets my helmet, the bike hums under me, and I am speed.

EDIT: I totally forgot the next one *my bad*.

4. Edward Taravella loathed hostages.

So...do they catch your attention?

Top Ten List

I have been inspired by Gretchen to compose a list (my favorite of hers, BTW, is one concerning the ten literary characters she would marry without hesitation. See her blog for details and make sure to read all the comments.) So, here it is:

Top Twenty List of Music Pieces I Recommend To Anyone:

1. This is possibly the best soundtrack piece ever created: The Battle from The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Gregson-Williams. Absolutely amazing. Go listen to it on iTunes. And then buy it.

2. Merchant of Death by Ramin Djwadi (mouthful, huh?) from the Iron Man soundtrack. If you like electric guitars at all and are in the mood for a kick-butt song, get it.

3. All Around Me - by Flyleaf. Cool alternative song. Shiver-inducing. It makes me think of The Phantom of the Opera. If you listen to it, it makes sense. (I think).

4. What I Want - by Daughtry. If you like rock, this is a great song. Intense, great message, amazing guitar.

5. Victory - by Yolanda Wilson. If you like gospel. Amazing, amazing.

6. Everything - Michael Buble. If you like Josh Groban. But this guy's voice is incredible. Think David Archuleta's style, but older. Sweet song. Girls' pick.

7. Feeling Good - Michael Buble. Same story, but not a romantic song. It's just FUN.

8. The Last Car - from Gone in 60 Seconds by Trevor Rabin. Great combination of electronic and symphonic. Adrenaline-inducing.

9. Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne from the Eragon soundtrack. If you're having a rough day, put this on. It helps.

10. Storm - Vanessa-Mae. Fusion of a little electronic and amazing violin. Happy Valley is great too.

11. Collide - Krystal Meyers. Not sure how to describe this one but intense. Just listen to it.

12. Spanish Heist - Michael Giacchino from Alias soundtrack. Cool stuff, Spanish flare.

13. Briony - from the Atonement soundtrack, by Dario Marianelli. Incorporates typewriter into the music. Creative. Will leave you smiling.

14. Sweet Caroline or Love Me Tender - David Archuleta. Enough said.

15. Chevaliers de Sangreal - Hans Zimmer, Da Vinci Code Soundtrack. Breathtaking.

16. Anything from the National Treasure soundtracks by Trevor Rabin. Especially The Chase, Foot Chase, Cibola, So!, Spirit of Paris

17. Eleanor Rigby - David Cook. Enough said. He's gonna win.

18. Life is a Highway - Rascall Flatts. Amaaazing.

19. Flying - James Newton Howard, Peter Pan. The title says it all.

20. Now you tell me what to listen to!

Gotta go - to work. Oops. I should eat lunch too...

Well, I made it back with a sore throat and stuffed nose, but I'll live. I've certainly been sicker. So, we went to Austin for the weekend, and a few extraordinary/interesting things happened.

1. My sister medaled in her state track race.

2. We went to the church we used to attend and saw a lot of people I hoped to see - not to mention one friend who's in the Dominican Republic for a year but happened to be back that weekend also.

3. I wanted to shop for possibly the third time ever.

4. I found some super deals at Express.

5. I couldn't resist the lure of another store: BookPeople. I bought Airman and The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson 4).

I know. I could have waited for paperbacks, or to pick them up at the library (read: a very long time). But the hardbacks are so elegant and beautiful and smooth. Besides, I was out of new books.

I LOVE Airman. It starts a bit slowly, and reads almost a little like a classic, but not nearly as thick. There are some definite similarities to The Count of Monte Cristo, but Airman certainly has a unique plot. Once I got into it - which didn't take long - I chewed through it in one day on the drive home. I highly recommend picking it up, especially if you're a fan of TCMC. It's darker than the Artemis Fowl books (also great reads), but excellent. Come on, how many YA books use SAT vocab words like 'inveterate'?

Percy Jackson: Rick Riordan continues to be a genius. The way he modernizes these myths is amazing. Besides, the little hints of romance always help.

Interesting Randomness

David Archuleta is amazing.

Since I heard last week that this week was Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-themed, I thought David Cook, the resident American Idol rocker, would thrive. Not that he did poorly, but I never expected the kid crooner to blow everyone away. I'm not always huge on slow/romantic songs, but I plan on buying both of his songs from last night. (Evil iTunes won't have them up until tomorrow.)

You know how some people talk about their characters rambling on and on in their heads, and they exorcise the characters by finally writing about them? I haven't suffered this. My characters were relatively well-behaved.

Well, until now. Some of the people in my manuscript I finished a couple weeks ago will not shut up. I keep thinking about snippets of plot line. I fall asleep wondering which characters should fall in love with which. That in itself worries me, because I usually treat romance as a minor side plot, an embellishment on the theme. It will be more central to this book.

Oh, great. I just called it a book, insinuating I'm going to write it. (Lex Holmes is smirking. She's the main female character. So here's what I have to say: "Lex, shut up already!"

I have my last final today! *cheers*. So maybe, just maybe, I'll get started on this sequel in the next few days.

EDITEd: The final is finished, and I am now forevermore free from community college!

Wow and My VERY FIRST Meme

Yesterday was the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen. The groom I've known for nine years, and is more an uncle to me than five of my six blood-related uncles. Usually he's a fairly quiet guy, but I swear, he smiled for ten minutes straight during the ceremony. I don't think I've ever cried at a wedding before, and of course, I didn't have a handkerchief. The thought did come that I had some tissues in my bag, but as they were green and covered with monkeys, I decided to use my fingers. *cheers for waterproof mascara*

The wedding was at night, and I am am now sleep-deprived but happy. This may also have to do with the gluten-free, dairy-free cookies I made yesterday. They are surprisingly tasty, although my sister made 'real' oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies yesterday, which smell better. Oh well. At the wedding I broke my diet briefly with a miniature spinach-cheese pastry.

I am now aware to the dangers of cheese. It was the best cheese-related pastry I have eaten in my life.

Now, the wonderful Q has tagged me, so my very first meme is!

The Rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3.Find the fifth sentence.
4.Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to the person who tagged you once you've posted your three sentences.

"Once a work has been cited in full, subsequent references to it should be made in shortened form. These forms are full discussed and illustrated in 8.86-96. With some exceptions, such as references to legal, classical, and biblical works and to certain classes of public documents (see chapter 12), information in notes citing a published work for the first time is given in the sequence indicated in 8.24-25."

From A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. By: Kate Turabian.

Sorry, it was the closest book.

I tag: Debbie, Jamin, Miss Erin, Anilee, and Gretchen! Go and do, and sorry if you've been double-tagged.

Hold on, don't go yet. Around weddings, I usually think of romance and dating. So, I have what may be a controversial question: What are your opinions on dating? How old one should be? Rules? etcetera, etcetera? Please comment - I'm interested to hear what you think.

Finally -

I have time to write a real post. Despite the fact that only one person commented on the last one *sniffs*. Thank you, Q. I appreciate your patronage. No pregunteme escribir esto en Espanol. ugh. The lack of accent marks is bothering me, so I'll not write on Spanish until I find those.

I'm going to be updating my blog roll (or creating it, actually), so please let me know if something doesn't work or if I left you off.

So. I'm going to a wedding rehearsal tonight. The guy getting married is the cross-country coach at a local university. My family has known him for eight years. He's in his forties and has never been married (say "awww!"). I'm so excited for him.

Any notable wedding moments you've had? Participated in any? I'm sure most of you haven't been the bride or groom yet.