Aren't We All Artists?!

   I am a little behind on my ideas for PicBoWriMo, but no worries ... I will have 30. In fact, last week I found my next book idea and got really excited about it! I told Jason at a moment we were making dinner (so, he was distracted) and he was mildly responsive. When I questioned that - he became over-excited. So, okay. A writer's work is never nearly as exciting to anyone else as it is to yourself. That's ok; an artist's work is often not appreciated until the observer sees the finished product, right. And after all, aren't all writers artists, as well?!

The Son of Neptune

   I just finished another book. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan. It is the second book in the Heroes of Olympus series. For lovers of Camp Half-blood and Percy Jackson this is perfect. Riordan has more stories and quests for the demigods. The first series was centered around Greek mythology, whereas this new series centers around Roman mythology and uniting the two together.
     In book one a new found hero winds up at Camp Half-blood and a new group of heroes embark on a quest for Hera. In Son of Neptune Percy finds himself at Camp Jupiter, the Roman camp for the children of the Roman gods. As he struggles to regain his memory, Percy travels with two underdog demigods to Alaska to break free 'Death' from the chains of Gaea's newly risen son.
     Lots of adventure, comedy, friendship, and youth discovering their own strengths. Great series for youth ... or to read with your youth. Too bad I have to wait til next fall for #3. Just a good thing that there are so many awesome books out there to keep me entertained.

Princess of the Midnight Ball

    I have rekindled excitement for reading again. Which I am thrilled about. I finished reading Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George. And now I have a few new books sitting on my shelf just waiting their turn.
     This book is a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, The Twelve Dancing Princesses. A king has 12 daughters. Every night they go to sleep with beautiful dancing shoes, and every morning the king discovers that their shoes have been worn through. The king wants so desperately to discover his daughter's secret that he offers one of his daughter's hands in marriage - which would give the winner succession to the throne - to any man who can discover their secret. In the fairytale the daughter's love to go dancing, whereas in this book the daughters are cursed to have to go dancing each night, but have no way of breaking the curse. Until Galen, an orphaned soldier enters the picture. He becomes an under gardener to the king and falls in love with the eldest princess. Hand in marriage or not Galen is determined to break the curse and save the princesses from their misery.
     It was a fun read; interesting to take a short fairytale and turn it into an over 200 page explanation and background. Good read for young girls.

NaNoWriMo = PiBoIdMo

     Every November novel writers take on the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel from scratch starting on the 1st and finishing by midnight on the 30th. If you have the discipline and determination. It pushes them to take a kamikazee approach; take an idea and run with it without inhibition. It gives no time to over think your writing and second guess yourself.

    However, I write picture books. My books are 500-1,000 words and 32 pages long. So, I was looking for alternatives last year per a friend's advice in my writing group and we found one: National Picture Book Idea Month.  It started 2008. I started last year. Instead of us writing a novel we take the 30 days and generate a new idea every day. Some will stink and some, hopefully will be awesome! Some days we may only have a title and others we may write the entire story. Either way by the end of the month ... 30 new options. Which means: Yea!

    So, awesome. I did it last year and it worked out really well for me. So, I'm doing it again come November. I think it's just what I need to give myself a good swift kick in the butt and get back to writing again.

    

Alice the Fairy

      Remember the days of youthful imagination; where everything was possible and reality was something different entirely? That is what Alice is all about in Alice the Fairy. 

     Written and illustrated by David Shannon (same creator as the No, David books),  Alice is a little girl who runs around with a wand explaining to the reader how she is in training to become a permanent fairy. She makes leaves fall from trees, turns her dad into a horse, and can make cookies disappear. And that's just for starters.

     Alice is a true little girl to me. Although her teeth are a little creepy she has a vibrant personality of a small child who likes to dream big and see things better than they are. This book is not traditional story format, but rather focuses on the character. It's simple, yet fun to read to kids. I can just see my daughter being like this one day and look forward to reading it with her one day.

Taking the Plunge

     Yesterday my husband and I went on a hike. Although we enjoy hiking together we have not been able to venture out on many trails this summer due to rather busy and conflicting schedules. However, it was refreshing to get back out into the canyon. We went to the Wind Caves - which is where he took me on our second date. It is a 1.3 mile hike one way and opens up a pretty view at the top. It's nice to work the legs and glutes, but my favorite part is all the random talking we do on these little adventures. It was a beautiful day.
     On the way back home we decided to stop at 3rd dam and take a few jumps off of the bridge into the river below; he loves cliff diving; I love water. (This is one of our reverting back to childhood moments). But HOLY COW! The moment my body plunged into that current my whole body felt as if it might never be warm again. So freaking cold! It was seriously and literally shocking! I did jump once more, but merely for picture's sake (I do love pictures!) and decided to enjoy a sunny rock after that. Jason, however was more than happy to jump again and again; he has little reserve at moments like this and I admire his youthful inhibitions.
     I, on the other hand just wanted to be warm again. It was like that moment you come in from the snow and put your fingers or toes under warm water to defrost them and it feels as if the warmth is attempting to bite those appendages off. I hate that feeling. Jason likes that feeling (weirdo), so it makes a little more sense. But good for him. I did get some fun pictures and promised to do it again with him next time - hopefully on a warmer day.
     The good thing about it being so cold ... doctor recommended for the 'boys'. 

Time for Change

    Lately I have been feeling so blah about myself. I feel overwhelmed and underaccomplished. I am a slacker with my writing.  I haven't read a book that was more than 32 pages in months. My workouts suffer ... not so pleased with how I fit my jeans. I am too tired to do much housework and new recipes lately. And we still aren't pregnant.
     RUT!
     So, I'm gonna do something. And I am not awesome at follow through, so I am really going to push myself. But I guess I have to because today I ordered a BBT thermometer for tracking my ovulation, I finally ordered my author cards (Yea! They look awesome!), and my Insanity workout will be here in 5-7 days. I have to be insane to do that, cause it looks intense. However, 60 days and I get a t-shirt! Oh, and better health and energy as a perk.
    I am ready to rock and roll! This should be fun.