This year's NaNo was a bust for me, being stuck at 1,142 words, and having started days into November. Still, it was exciting to start FIFTEEN SOULS and I feel like I need to continue it! Now that I have my workstation in the house all set up nicely, I can take my progress seriously.
NaNo is a great thing to participate in, though, and I think next year I will definitely try again, hopefully with plans all up BEFORE the start. In the meantime, there's plenty of stories to work on, big and small. Besides FIFTEEN SOULS, I'm going to have to finish this short story that I started a while ago and then edit a couple of times, then try to submit it to some magazines. No clue where yet, but I want to finish it first, so I am trying not to get ahead of myself.
I know a woman who is working on her novel so earnestly that she decided to deactivate her Facebook so that it doesn't distract her. I'm taking a few leaves out of her book- I'll be sitting out of Skype and AIM for now, then later on from Facebook Chat. I'll leave my account up, since there are days where I don't even check my profile and I don't mind it at all.
In other news, I've had this migraine for two days now, and I'm wondering, when will it go away? But, it's funny that I have it right now, since FIFTEEN SOULS starts with a migraine within the story. Go figure.
A combination of original work and not-so-original thoughts, Bollocks Fic You! intends to deliver only the finest that the writer can offer at the time of posting.
01 December 2010
24 November 2010
BFY! Book Review: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
So, I decided that BOLLOCKS FIC YOU! will be about what I'm reading, what I've finished reading, and what I'm currently writing. (While I'm always writing, I'm not always finishing. Sadly, there is a difference in my little world.) I also will hint at what's happening on other things I'm working on, but not as much, especially when I finally get everything set up.
I thought I'd start the great USA Thanksgiving Weekend of 2010 by giving a personal review of The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. I watched the film months before and as a result, kept picturing Anne Hathaway as the main character Andrea. Also, in my imagination, her best friend Lily was the actress who played Lilly from The Princess Diaries. Fancy that! Good thing that the book's version of Miranda Priestly was not Meryl Streep but, rather, whomever I wanted to imagine her as according to Ms. Weisberger's writing. I want to steer away from biases like these at all costs, but I really couldn't help it, it was too easy. (This is starting to happen with the Harry Potter series, too.)
Either way, all mental pictures aside, the book's version of Andrea and Miranda Priestly felt developed for what it was: a simple, almost "popcorn," read. I had both empathy and sympathy for Andrea, especially after having had a glimpse of the fashion industry within the last year myself. Her thoughts of getting through her year-long term with the fictional magazine Runway consistently changed with the progression of the book. I thought that was a really good thing to do- I saw the progression of Andrea's personality go from someone who was unaware of the big city life and too innocent of what she was getting into to a person who was on her way to being a worldly human being, but definitely was still far and away from it at the end.
The antagonist Miranda made me laugh. Her demands were so absurd and her personality was awful. I loved it, she was definitely a great villain to have in a story. It's too easy to create a villain and just have them throw one bad thing after the other at the protagonist without justification. The background for Miranda also gave Andrea a foundation to find out what she wanted out of her life and rounded out Miranda just a little bit. I liked the timing of revealing the meaningful bits through the research in the beginning, chatter between characters, and even Miranda herself admitting what a shadow of her former self might have been. I say "might," since the conversation with her admitting this happened to be when she and Andrea are together alone in a car and she is still cold and inexpressive, according to Andrea's observations of the event - a bias that the book understandably has, considering everything has been written to be in Andrea's point of view.
Supportive characters were important in this book, too. Andrea's immediate family kind of served as a contrast to Miranda Priestly's own, and appropriately, they showed up less and less throughout the novel as Miranda's role in Andrea's life expanded more and more. Alex the boyfriend was O.K. but I think even without him, Andrea functioned well and was still a good character. If anything, I think Lily was the better of the two non-familial people in Andrea's world to both interact with her and be a catalyst to Andrea's major decisions.
Having recently moved away from New York City, The Devil Wears Prada made me miss it a little bit, since the bulk of its action happened in Manhattan. I had an opportunity to see both the Hearst and Condé Nast buildings at one point, very briefly, and kept filling in mentally that the Elias-Clark Building was a combination of those two plus some other offices, but even if you haven't seen those buildings I mentioned, Ms. Weisberger describes the layout of Elias-Clark with enough precision expected from someone who only works in it and not having had anything else to do with its appearance.
I think it is an easy read, took me a total of a day to get through the entire story. I kept going on and off while reading, so I didn't just start on it today. I would recommend it for anyone above age seventeen, since some folks at that age tend to have a grasp of how post-college life might work, due to research about post-high school life or by questioning those that have already gone through college. Since this book happens to be about a woman who is coming into her first career after graduation, I would think anyone younger than a college-bound person might miss out on references or think less of what's going on between characters.
I thought I'd start the great USA Thanksgiving Weekend of 2010 by giving a personal review of The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. I watched the film months before and as a result, kept picturing Anne Hathaway as the main character Andrea. Also, in my imagination, her best friend Lily was the actress who played Lilly from The Princess Diaries. Fancy that! Good thing that the book's version of Miranda Priestly was not Meryl Streep but, rather, whomever I wanted to imagine her as according to Ms. Weisberger's writing. I want to steer away from biases like these at all costs, but I really couldn't help it, it was too easy. (This is starting to happen with the Harry Potter series, too.)
Either way, all mental pictures aside, the book's version of Andrea and Miranda Priestly felt developed for what it was: a simple, almost "popcorn," read. I had both empathy and sympathy for Andrea, especially after having had a glimpse of the fashion industry within the last year myself. Her thoughts of getting through her year-long term with the fictional magazine Runway consistently changed with the progression of the book. I thought that was a really good thing to do- I saw the progression of Andrea's personality go from someone who was unaware of the big city life and too innocent of what she was getting into to a person who was on her way to being a worldly human being, but definitely was still far and away from it at the end.
The antagonist Miranda made me laugh. Her demands were so absurd and her personality was awful. I loved it, she was definitely a great villain to have in a story. It's too easy to create a villain and just have them throw one bad thing after the other at the protagonist without justification. The background for Miranda also gave Andrea a foundation to find out what she wanted out of her life and rounded out Miranda just a little bit. I liked the timing of revealing the meaningful bits through the research in the beginning, chatter between characters, and even Miranda herself admitting what a shadow of her former self might have been. I say "might," since the conversation with her admitting this happened to be when she and Andrea are together alone in a car and she is still cold and inexpressive, according to Andrea's observations of the event - a bias that the book understandably has, considering everything has been written to be in Andrea's point of view.
Supportive characters were important in this book, too. Andrea's immediate family kind of served as a contrast to Miranda Priestly's own, and appropriately, they showed up less and less throughout the novel as Miranda's role in Andrea's life expanded more and more. Alex the boyfriend was O.K. but I think even without him, Andrea functioned well and was still a good character. If anything, I think Lily was the better of the two non-familial people in Andrea's world to both interact with her and be a catalyst to Andrea's major decisions.
Having recently moved away from New York City, The Devil Wears Prada made me miss it a little bit, since the bulk of its action happened in Manhattan. I had an opportunity to see both the Hearst and Condé Nast buildings at one point, very briefly, and kept filling in mentally that the Elias-Clark Building was a combination of those two plus some other offices, but even if you haven't seen those buildings I mentioned, Ms. Weisberger describes the layout of Elias-Clark with enough precision expected from someone who only works in it and not having had anything else to do with its appearance.
I think it is an easy read, took me a total of a day to get through the entire story. I kept going on and off while reading, so I didn't just start on it today. I would recommend it for anyone above age seventeen, since some folks at that age tend to have a grasp of how post-college life might work, due to research about post-high school life or by questioning those that have already gone through college. Since this book happens to be about a woman who is coming into her first career after graduation, I would think anyone younger than a college-bound person might miss out on references or think less of what's going on between characters.
19 November 2010
Short Harbingers
Above is the URL I mentioned in my previous entry. What's with the name? Well, this has everything to do with the upcoming online (for now) publication I've been planning. I would like to do a kind of literary magazine, the bulk of it to be concentrating on short stories, with spattering of poetry- a genre of literature I'm not very good at being picky and critical over- and, hopefully, some photography, especially those that can tell stories with the series of images, whether literally or if there's a theme going on. I figure it would be a learning process all around. So, the short stories bit is where "SHORT" comes into the name.
"HARBINGER" is a very intense word in my opinion, meaning "messenger." My intent with the publication is to deliver stories, which are messages from their authors. Whether the messages within stories are deliberate or they are totally just STORIES in someone's mind, it's all right- I believe all writing pieces are ways to deliver messages. Hence, the place of "HARBINGERS" in the name. It's also not very commonly used in the Modern English language. I note that when it is used, it usually is in a dramatic or even foreboding tone.
In the meantime, I am redirecting the URL to the my page on the aggregator, Flavors.me, which is a great site, by the way. It's easy to use, but not all social media and blogging services can be linked through it, so you have to do some exploring.
In other happenings, I've relocated and all the fun of settling down had definitely taken up a lot of my time, but now that the house is just about finished in being equipped with necessities (more or less), I will be devoting more time to myself and my writing. For example, I have chosen to put my project, FIFTEEN SOULS, as a NaNo. I doubt I'll be finishing on time, since as of this entry its word count stands at 1,142. Still, you never know. It's worth a chance and I'm finding it good for me to have started on this project.
19 October 2010
The RETURN!
So, I have returned. Sorry for my delays. I have nothing to say about my delays.
What can you expect for the next few months from me on this blog? Quite honestly, I will be working on a number of projects by myself as well as with a few friends. In addition, I mentioned on my Twitter that I would be launching a publication. I would love to say more but I am still planning the heck out of it. Also, I have purchased a domain name and may be using it within early next year, which could mean that this blog will either get a new address or a different focus!
I am pleased that things are moving along and will provide more substance soon than just some almost-random entries on this bit of blog.
What can you expect for the next few months from me on this blog? Quite honestly, I will be working on a number of projects by myself as well as with a few friends. In addition, I mentioned on my Twitter that I would be launching a publication. I would love to say more but I am still planning the heck out of it. Also, I have purchased a domain name and may be using it within early next year, which could mean that this blog will either get a new address or a different focus!
I am pleased that things are moving along and will provide more substance soon than just some almost-random entries on this bit of blog.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3
23 May 2010
BLAST you, Polyvore!
Damn Polyvore site...some of the pics I wanted to use for a set just keeps fucking up.
So, I copy and paste here the damn text I wanted to use for the set. But, it doesn't mean as much when there's no pictures of the reference. (BUT there's always Google and if you know who Keira Knightley is, then you can skip the Googling step.)
---
I thought I'd make a polyvore...reminding myself of how awesome Keira Knightley is as an actress and as a model. I admire her portrayal of her characters, and I can't wait to see her in NEVER LET ME GO, a film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's book of the same title (which I love!). It's a pity that when I first encountered the news on the internet, the synopsis clearly states the entire movie.
As a writer, I admired the brevity of the summary. At the same time, as a writer, fan, and reader of Kazuo Ishiguro's work, I was really miffed at finding out the entire movie's story laid out like that.
ANYWAY! My favorite images of Keira Knightley are here, especially with her in the green dress from ATONEMENT, one of the best stories I've ever read/watched. I was trying to find the picture of her from an editorial where she wore so well a dress from Vera Wang's S/S 2010 collection...but I can't. Oh well.
So, I copy and paste here the damn text I wanted to use for the set. But, it doesn't mean as much when there's no pictures of the reference. (BUT there's always Google and if you know who Keira Knightley is, then you can skip the Googling step.)
---
I thought I'd make a polyvore...reminding myself of how awesome Keira Knightley is as an actress and as a model. I admire her portrayal of her characters, and I can't wait to see her in NEVER LET ME GO, a film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's book of the same title (which I love!). It's a pity that when I first encountered the news on the internet, the synopsis clearly states the entire movie.
As a writer, I admired the brevity of the summary. At the same time, as a writer, fan, and reader of Kazuo Ishiguro's work, I was really miffed at finding out the entire movie's story laid out like that.
ANYWAY! My favorite images of Keira Knightley are here, especially with her in the green dress from ATONEMENT, one of the best stories I've ever read/watched. I was trying to find the picture of her from an editorial where she wore so well a dress from Vera Wang's S/S 2010 collection...but I can't. Oh well.
16 May 2010
Halfway through 2010...almost
I'm feeling like there's been a lot of failed relationships lately! How could some of them start back up to the same way as they were before?
I think I've ruined a lot of my own myself. There's plenty of acquaintances that could have been friends eventually. There are friends who could have been 'Besties,' and the 'Besties' into FAMILY. And FAMILY itself is another level. But, I think I'm coming to terms with a lot of the failures, if only because I am very aware of how the next several months can be like if it goes in the direction it's going in right now. (being cryptic on purpose <3 sorry folks, ask me in person and I MIGHT answer- otherwise, won't reveal for a while, if ever, on this)
I don't regret having certain failed relationships, because of the learning experiences...but I do regret having lost time with those I still want to keep in my life. But only for a moment, because I might lose some more time if I dwell too long.
I think I've ruined a lot of my own myself. There's plenty of acquaintances that could have been friends eventually. There are friends who could have been 'Besties,' and the 'Besties' into FAMILY. And FAMILY itself is another level. But, I think I'm coming to terms with a lot of the failures, if only because I am very aware of how the next several months can be like if it goes in the direction it's going in right now. (being cryptic on purpose <3 sorry folks, ask me in person and I MIGHT answer- otherwise, won't reveal for a while, if ever, on this)
I don't regret having certain failed relationships, because of the learning experiences...but I do regret having lost time with those I still want to keep in my life. But only for a moment, because I might lose some more time if I dwell too long.
10 April 2010
10 is a magical number
I was born on the 10th and I always thought, since I was an even younger girl than I am now (start your giggles), it was a great number.
Right now is my 2nd anniversary of being a Moo! It happened to fall on the 10th, because he decided that he shouldn't ask on the 9th since I was expecting it.
Clever of him to, since it was one of the most pleasant surprises of my life!
Right now is my 2nd anniversary of being a Moo! It happened to fall on the 10th, because he decided that he shouldn't ask on the 9th since I was expecting it.
Clever of him to, since it was one of the most pleasant surprises of my life!
10 March 2010
Working full-time...
I have to say that the universe is watching out for me, keeping me employed in such a nasty economy, which is getting better slowly, many are saying. But, of course, it's not the same as before for me, as well as for everyone else.
"It'll never be the same."
What a used line. Whatever. The world is cyclical, and knowing my life, it'll be fine enough, even after all of the economic hoohah.
Anyway, all this work and hardly any ME time!!!! But then, HARDLY ANY FRIEND TIME! The biggest issue at hand, then, is budgeting the time that is available....outside of work. Now, how am I going to use the time...
So, with that...I have decided to forgo using FB for primary contacting! Most of those that I keep in touch with already have my cell phone number, and I theirs, but the rest of the ones that want to start contacting me out of the blue, there are ways to get to me. If you really want to talk to me, it will get done, I promise.
I'll keep my account, and check it every so often. But, by not using it as heavily as I did before, I will definitely free up a lot of my time for other pursuits, like repairing a jewelry box, practicing my violin, and spending time with loved ones.
Now, on to watching Doctor Who before it's due at the library tomorrow...
21 February 2010
Happy New Year?
As ridiculous and as "under-a-rock" as I can sound, Happy New Year! Seriously, this is my first blog entry here since 2010 started, so I only think it's proper to greet with that. I also celebrated Chinese New Year (though, not as serious- I don't know enough about it yet), which makes my greeting valid, especially since many people throughout the world are still celebrating the joyous Lunar New Year!
But what have I been doing? I don't think I've been doing too much. It's almost the same old routine before the solar and lunar new years took place. I've been reading, writing, resting, working full-time, sporadically working with my violin, shopping, etc. etc.
Yet, it feels like everything I've been doing has a new twist, something never seen before to anticipate. I don't think it's just because of a new decade. I am feeling a constant flow of hope and appreciation for just about everything that I've always done or been around.
However, I do believe that I should express that in this new year, I have a few goals I don't mind sharing with the internet's public:
1) I want to buy more (newly manufactured) items as locally as possible - I feel borderline ridiculous, but I've finally come to realize that I would rather take time to find as many items as possible that have been made in the United States; then going from there, depending on the item, I'd rather go as locally to my area as possible. Sometimes, I've gone into stores and walked away from good prices- because, upon examination of the items that attracted my attention in the first place, I found that the qualities of the items are just not that good (strings hangout, the stitching can be undone, the fabric is a bit too cheap and feels gross on my skin; or, the items are plastic AND in terrible shape already) and they're made in different countries!
2) ORGANIZE! - Messes are often caused by just living in the space alone. I am a bit particular about how things are organized but I have not been able to organize everything as how I'd like to. So, this year is the year I find out what I want to get rid of and what I want to keep, and then keep as best as possible whatever stays with me by the end of the (constant) purging
3) I need to exert more patience than ever before - I considered myself a decently patient person but lately, I'm finding myself more and more tempted to smack away what bothers me, just right when it starts. (Most of this occurs on the subway trains that I ride- it seems like there's more people riding them than ever before) The stress won't help me nor anyone else around me out, if I let things get to me.
4) Revise revise revise - My habits, eating, writing, music (this one by practicing, not writing the music) - Anything I want.
Also: I've been working on a list of 101 things for 1001 days, and as it's 2010...and the deadline happens to be on September 30, 2011. As it's 2010 and certain sections have yet to be really worked on...well, I better get a move on.
Thanks for reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)