Archive for the 'Sunday Scribblings' Category

January 10, 2011 | Draven Atreides,Sunday Scribblings,The Fiction Project

I’m participating in the The Fiction Project. This project is sponsored by The Art House Co-op and is an opportunity to tell stories in a different way by fusing text and visual art. After traveling across the country, the Fiction Project will enter into the Brooklyn Art Library‘s narrative collection, archiving my story to share with the public. In light of this project, I’m allowing Draven Atreides, the MC from my YA series, to take the lead each week via word prompts from Sunday Scribblings.

This week’s topic: A Walk in the Park

Funny, but this gig started as a walk in the park. Well, not really. I actually met two undercover FBI agents in Central Park. My idea. Public place and all. I thought it would be safer, less conspicuous, but with plenty of witnesses and escape routes. Central Park became our meeting place on a weekly basis. They would tell me what what info they wanted regarding my foster parents and I reported back. I didn’t have anything for a while. I was convinced I never would. I was still new, just helping them out, unofficial-like. After certain…events occurred, well, their case blew wide open and it was all over but the cryin’. On their part, not mine.

So, a walk in the park. Literally?

During my time in Manhattan, Central Park was like a sanctuary to me. My walk in the park involved sitting near The Pond, making faces at the animals in the CP Zoo, skating at Wollman Rink, and making my heart jump in my throat as I swung higher on the swings in Heckscher Playground. Those were the good times. I was playing Harriet the Spy and just havin’ a grand ol’ ball. Until that one day…

And that walk in the park, figuratively?

Now that I’m officially in the Y.I.D. and have been given a license to, well, erm…inform, there are some great perks. Well, in my case, the perks are more like Perkilicious Times Eternity. I’m helping topple this big group from the bottom up (well, maybe like the lower mid-level) and, you know, that’s pretty heady stuff, yeah? But this walk in the park isn’t all zoos and skating rinks. There are little side trails that lead to poison ivy and areas with burned out lamps. Sometimes I wonder…..well, I just wonder.

Those walks in the park? They can be fantabulous. Honestly. Just watch out for the dog shit.

Technorati Tags: The Fiction Project, Brooklyn Art Library

January 3, 2011 | Sunday Scribblings,The Fiction Project

I’m participating in the The Fiction Project. This project is sponsored by The Art House Co-op and is an opportunity to tell stories in a different way by fusing text and visual art. After traveling across the country, the Fiction Project will enter into the Brooklyn Art Library‘s narrative collection, archiving my story to share with the public. MY THEME: It Must Be…

This week’s topic: Progress

I wasn’t sure how I was going to start this process. I’m a pantser and didn’t really have anything planned. I just figured I’d let it grow organically. And it did.

In the form of word prompts and a little character channeling.

So, until I’ve used up all my pages, Draven Atreides, will be guest posting every week using the weekly word prompts from Sunday Scribblings. So, without further ado, heeeeeere’s Draven.

Hey there, hi there, ho there. How fun is this? So nice of my Creator to focus on me a little since she seems to have momentarily dropped the ball on my story. Hee. Just kidding, C. You know I got nothing but love for ya. Sooooo, progress. When I first started this gig as an informant for the FBI, I was a bit of a nube. I was doing it because my foster parents were under suspicion and I got them even more on the radar because of a picture I saw on a website for runaways. Long story, not going there.

I really had no idea what I was doing, just letting the Agents dictate what they wanted me to do. But now I have a whole team of people to look out for me. Granted, they still tell me what to do ( I am only 16, after all), but they just give me my assignment, stand back, and let me do my thang. With help from all the gadgets, of course. And the special classes I have to take. Those are pretty fun. Pretty soon, I’ll be an expert at this and maybe, just maybe, I’ll make a career out of this. Maybe

Technorati Tags: The Fiction Project, Brooklyn Art Library, Sunday Scribblings

June 27, 2010 | Adv Children's Lit,How coolio is THAT?,Life in General,Reading is FUNdamental,Sunday Scribblings

Today’s word of the day is brought to you by Sunday Scribblings: Life Swap

After reading Shel Silverstein’s autobiography for my ACL class, I would life swap with him. But only certain parts:

~ Endless travel

~Homes in different places

~ Camping out in the conference room of my publisher to take over the production of my book (if I was going the traditional route, that is) and have people be on Celise Patrol (glorified gofers that would bring me whatever I needed)

~ Worldwide adoration of YA fans

~ To have ideas come so ridiculously often that if I don’t have any paper around, I have to use what I got–whether it be my arms are the tablecloth at the restaurant where I’m eating.

~ To leave a million dollar legacy that includes: continuing royalties, books translated in 20 different languages and sold well over 20 million copies.

~ To know that I lived my life to the fullest, doing what I love most, and not have any regrets whatsoever.

Technorati Tags: Sunday Scribblings, Shel Silverstein

June 6, 2010 | Dance Jam Productions,Life in General,Sunday Scribblings

Today’s word of the day is brought to you by Sunday Scribblings: Mess

This is an excerpt from DANCE JAM PRODUCTIONS, avail now.

***

“If we’re still going to continue to be partners in this contest, I’m going to have to explain something to you. You have no right to judge my situation when you don’t know all the facts and you sure as hell don’t know anything about Tykota.” She pointed an accusing index finger at him.

Jarek nodded, instantly contrite. He’d overstepped his bounds. He wouldn’t be surprised if she kicked him out, never to talk to him again. He wished he could take the words back, knowing he had broken the already fragile bond between them. He would have to bust his butt to get back to where they had been before he’d opened his big mouth.

“You’re right. I don’t know anything about him and I shouldn’t have said what I did. I apologize,” he said sincerely.

Mattie searched his face for a long moment. “Apology accepted,” she said.

But he knew nothing would be the same. At least, not for a while. She was still wary, probably wondering why she had told him anything in the first place.

“So help me understand,” he pleaded, hands out in supplication.

Mattie glanced at her watch, gave Judah a warning command, stood up, and started moving to the doorway.

“I think we’ve said enough already,” she murmured softly.

Apparently that was his cue to leave, so he got up to follow her. His gaze ran over her, taking in the braid that no longer fell to her waist, but now rested between her shoulder blades.

“Mattie.”

She paused and turned to him. Suddenly she felt so old. Old and tired.

“I don’t want to argue anymore, Jarek. And I don’t want you to be mad at me, either. It’s going to be hard enough to concentrate on this contest after spilling my guts to you, and we can’t afford any mess-ups on Friday. So how ‘bout a truce?” she suggested, holding out her hand.

Technorati Tags: Sunday Scribblings, DANCE JAM PRODUCTIONS

June 1, 2010 | "Whoa whoa I gotta go...back to schoooool...again",3rd Semester,Life in General,Prescott College,Sunday Scribblings,The 4-1-1 on Me

Today’s word of the day is brought to you by Sunday Scribblings: Mantra

To be honest, I’ve never had a mantra.

However, right now it’s:

One week at a time and remember to breathe.

I went back to school. After 17-18 yrs of not being in school. I started in the Fall of 2009 and it was a HUMONGO adjustment for me. I was only taking two classes at the time and about a month into it, I was feeling the pressure. I had a little breakdown, was emailing my core faculty (aka advisor) on a weekly basis…it was crazy.

I couldn’t figure out why it was so hard. After I graduated from high school, I did the community college thing for 2 yrs, then the 4-year university thing (ASU) for about a year. Possibly less. I don’t remember it being that hard before. And then my hubby put it into perspective for me:

“You weren’t working full time back then.”

Ah. The light bulb finally clicked on.

I’m working full time now. Some of my courses are online, others will be face to face/phone call convos with my mentors. During the first semester, I made the mistake of looking ahead at the syllabi (both of my courses were online). And got immediately overwhelmed.

I had to have pep talks with my core faculty, with my husband, with another co-worker also in school before this one phrase started to sink in.

“Just take it one week at a time. Don’t look at the weeks in advance, just what’s due the following week.”

I think it’s starting to work. I’ll be starting my 3rd semester in two days. This time, I’ll be taking 3 classes (and will continue to do so if I want to graduate in Dec 2011). I’m feeling both excited and anxious. I’m hoping I’ll be able to handle 3 classes and working full time.

I just have to remember my mantra.

Technorati Tags: Sunday Scribblings