The Secret Adventures of WriterGirl

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Video Killed the Radio Star by Amber Pacific [remix].


I have made another giant leap in super-hero-dom. WriterGirl now can fight the evils of the world in style. Yes! I finally have a car of my very own after a year without (there have been tears, let me tell you). My beautiful first car, a complete clunker and the perfect college car in my opinion finally could not pass emissions anymore, and so I had to give him up (there were very real tears there. I loved my little faded red hatchback like no other). But he went to a good home, and now he is running again. I even see him in the neighborhood sometimes. He even has a CD player in him now, which he certainly never had with me. I'm glad he is there. I really couldn't bear the thought of him in a junkyard.

And being in a small college town, I could walk to mile or so to the grocery store and back without too much problem (or bum rides with very nice friends). And in DC, well, the metro is awesome. So I got by pretty fine, but now as I am back home in a much bigger city with a less awesome public transportation system, I needed a car. So began the four month scouring search for a (running) vehicle worthy of WriterGirl. And I found one. Boy did I find one. Batman, Wonderwoman, you've got nothing on this (and Spiderman, I have yet to have a genetic mutation, so you don't even count).



Isn't he beautiful? It's a 2002 Saturn, manual (I'm in heaven to drive a manual again). It's got a CD player, it's got four doors (that's new), and it has AIR CONDITIONING. Nothing against my gorgeous baby, but summers are not temperate here (desert, remember), and cold air feels so nice.

And guess what? I paid for him in full. I am so happy. I've never bought anything this big before, and you can tell I'm a little more than ecstatic about it. He's a salvage title, but hey I figure, all the best superhero vehicles have to be in at least one wreck, right? Where would the batmobile be without all those explosions? Not cool, that's where. It gives them character. So rock on, I'm now a part of a team now! We're going to be close buds, I can already tell.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Schindler's List Main Theme by John Williams.


ElaineG! Congratulations. I can tell you were very excited about this contest. I loved seeing all the amazing entries, and I'm hoping something like this can be done again. Please contact me by email with your mailing address within 48 hours, or I will pick the next most-voted-for winner. Thanks you guys for making this such a great contest.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Only Superstition by Coldplay.


I know you have probably already seen this around the blogosphere (trust me, I know). But it really is just far too good not to feature on Feature Fun Friday. For the very few who don't know, Maggie Stiefvater did ALL the work for this trailer herself. Yes, all. Including the music, which made my jaw drop.

I am restless when it comes to the world. I am always wanting to try something new, to always be learning something. That is one of the reasons why I love being a writer so much. Every day is new. I need that. (Wow, I'm bearing my soul here when I really didn't expect to).

So Maggie Stiefvater is kind of an awe-inspiring force. Because yes, I have also been trying to write my own music for my novels (you won't be able to see them until after my publishing contract, of course. They wouldn't make sense).

So let's do the math... There are usually 24 fps (frames per second) in fluid film (HD has 30). But she doesn't use every frame (hence the slight "jerk" of the movements), so let's even take it down to 15 fps. The actual stop motion of the trailer runs for :51 seconds. *doodling in my head...* That is 765 individual photos that she had to take and string together. Wow. It makes me appreciate the video all over again. You go Ms. Stiefvater. You rock. Go ahead, give it another watch.





And here is what happens when a publisher pitches in to make one of their own. It looks very pretty as well, but I think there is more magic in the simplicity of Ms. Steifvater's stop motion trailer.





But I bet you haven't seen this. How about a PLAY-DOH version? Yeah, cool, right?




Okay, this woman is just too cool. Look at this animated story-board for her October 1, 2009 release of Ballad. And yes, she composed the music for this too. I'll be buying this one immediately too, I think. Have a fantastic weekend everyone. Go make an adventure of your own.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Cemeteries of London by Coldplay (look! I'm off my Christmas binge). ;)


Okay, these are just way too cool not to show right now.

Ben and Jerry's is considering a Library-flavored ice cream. Can I say "die and go to heaven" kind of joy? Some flavor names being considered include: Dusty Stacks, Li-berry Pie, and (my favorite) Gooey Decimal System. Doesn't that just sound like something amazing with fudge and caramel all wrapped up inside? Gimmie. ^_^

And to think it all started with a facebook group. (I'm joining right now).


And this has nothing to do with anything, but my little sister found it last night and I almost choked on an almond laughing so hard. It's Titanic - in 5 seconds. I think it tells it quite... succinctly.




Oh, and I must also mention that reviewabook123 has quite a contest going. She is planning on giving away (get this) either a bookshelf of your choice or a computer desk. Ends August 29th, with a maximum of three entries (one of which you have to tell her how to fix her blog. A worthy prospect, even without the reward). I would go check it out.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): O Holy Night by Aled Jones (yes yes, I'm still listening to Christmas music. I'm binging). :)


Someone has raised a concern to me about the Once upon a time contest. There seems to be something unusual going on with the voting. If you have voted (and if you haven't, I totally think you should, nudge nudge), you will see that one particular choice is winning by a landslide. A very big landslide. I have checked the parameters of the voting system, and it is indeed accurately recording the choice you pick. So my conclusion is - this entrant has a lot of friends. Since the system is working properly, there is nothing I can do because I gave this contest over to you.

Go gather all your friends, family members, puppies, and voodoo dolls and tell them to vote for the one you think should win. You still have three days. This landslide does take some of the anticipation away, so I say, put it back in your court. It's all in your hands. Go out and have fun with it. Facebook, Twitter, bribe your neighbors with cookies, all those effective networking techniques you know (I'm particuarlly fond of the last one myself). You still have plenty of time. The "unnamed one" ;) received over 4/5 of their votes in a single day. You can do it! Go forth, and remember to have fun with it. This contest was only supposed to be fun. :)