I Got A Liebster Award
Wow, I honestly did not expect to receive another one of these blog awards so soon. I can’t express how grateful I am for being nominated for it. A wonderful writer, Sheila Pierson awarded me with this gracious honor and now I have the opportunity to pass it along to other wonderful bloggers.
My understanding is that the Liebster Award is for those blogs with 200 followers or less, thus giving some much needed attention and blog love to those just getting off the ground. I find that wordpress blogs aren’t always truthful with the amount of followers, so I can’t tell who is under or over 200 whereas blogspot can have duplicates so I’ve given it to people I believe more people should read.
1. Kurt Chambers http://geniusborderinginsanity.blogspot.com/ Not only does this man remark on the great questions of our world (always gets me scratching my head) but he is a spectacular supporter of other authors that more people should read.
2. Jase Rosenberg http://resurrectedwriter.wordpress.com/ It’s payback, buddy! Besides being a little ray of sunshine, Jase recently resurrected his talent and its worth the read every time.
3. Alle Wells http://allesreviews.blogspot.com/ If you’re looking for information on recently produced stories (maybe from people you know!), stop by her blog and read these great reviews.
4. Krystal Wade http://krystalwade.blogspot.com/ Among some humorous posts that are always entertaining, her blog is used for short fiction that is worth catching every week.
To Accept the Award:
1. Thank the person who nominated you on your blog and link back to them.
2. Nominate up to 5 others for the award.
3. Let them know by commenting on your blog.
4. Post the award on your blog.
Thanks you very much again, Sheila, and if you haven’t read her blog, I would suggest a visit there as well! Congrats new nominees, you all deserve it!
Review of Awake
Two equally plausible outcomes to one tragic incident and yet, Detective Mike Britten cannot decipher which one is reality and which is a dream. Or could it be that in both worlds he is awake? The tag for this new drama on NBC caught me almost immediately. People like hooks and I’m no different. When I saw this gruff, middle-aged detective trying to resolve the loss of his loved-ones in a psychiatrists office, I thought, “So what?” I’ve already involved my time in other cop-dramas, I certainly don’t need another. “I can assure you,” one doctor said, “That this is not a dream.” Detective Britten replies, “Yeah, that’s exactly what the other shrink said.” GOT ME!
Awake is one of those original concepts I was yearning for not too long ago. Sure, Alcatraz and Person of Interest are also interesting narratives, but they rely too heavily on the action-packed, sitcop (if you will) instead of focusing on the wonderful uniqueness of the plot. If Awake fails anywhere, it’s the decision to drive the background through the perspective of a policeman. It’s overdone. It just is. It can work, and it does for Detective Britten, but I wish they had ventured into less familiar waters.
Enough complaints. I have to give Awake some well-deserved praise. I’m a high concept lover, so anything that makes me scratch my head or talk to friends, family, coworkers or other critical nuts like me to uncover theories is worthy of praise in my book. If I leave the episode saying, “What just happened?” That’s even better! The parallel storytelling in Awake nearly makes me drool with envy at the neat interweaving of criminal subplots and how the crimes are stark opposites in context and eventually resolution yet hold the episode together with a basic theme.
Moreover, the touching growth Detective Britten makes with his family in either world is showcased as he progresses with his wife on one term and carries the sentiment over when he wakes up with his son. Although the ability to live each possible outcome of the crash that took one family member away does emotionally set Detective Britten back (as he cannot come to closure over which person died), he doesn’t take any moment for granted having been allowed a second chance at appreciating his family. Something everyone should take to heart.
Honestly, the first twenty minutes of the premiere were excellent at hooking the viewer. The subsequent episodes, meh, not so much. What grabs my attention is the deeper questions, not the well plotted inquiries of the shrinks, or the crimes at hand, but the how and why of the incident at the epicenter of this drama. He can’t possibly be living in two separate planes of existence, can he? I suppose so, but how and why? A brief mention of the inner workings of his troubles is hinted at when his boss admits to the viewer that the crash was a set up. And so begin the conspiracy theories and my obsession to find out where he really is awake.
For those of you that don’t know, Detective Britten is played by Jason Isaacs (aka….Mr. Malfoy) and he does an impeccable American accent that really absorbs him in the character. Furthermore, I am most pleased with the character names: Mike, Rex, Hannah. Yay for originality! Give Awake a shot and I’m sure you’ll be dreaming about it all night.
Dare to Look Back
A friend told me about this post by Mike who dared to look back at his previous writing not only to show where he came from, but to display how he’s grown as a writer. He challenged others to do the same. Meg, my aforementioned friend, posted her own response to this call. It sounded like an interesting idea, so I said, Challenge Accepted!
While these two talented writers have dug up a piece from their not-so-distant past, I was only able to uncover something from when I was a wee writer of 10. In, believe it or not, a bound “writing book”. I’ll be the first to say, my cursive writing was horrendous! And of course, back then I only wrote hardcopies, so here’s the transcribed version:
A Sunset Dinner
One warm evening in summer on a beach in Cape Cod, my family went to dinner. We went to have a clam dinner at the Pearl Gates. When I walked in the clams smelt so good in the restaurant. Many people were talking while they waited for their dinner to be ready. We sat down and soon our clams arrived. I tasted the fresh clams with butter, they were hot, but my drink was cold and wet. I picked up a squishy clam and ate in all in one bite.
When we were done with dinner we went outside to watch the beautiful red-orange sunset. The sunset was halfway down the clear blue sea, lighting the bouyies on the water. The salty air and fresh breeze mixed together and smelt like summer. I could even taste the salt on my tongue!
The boats and low tide made the air smell a little dirty, but it was okay. I took off my shoes and shoved my toes in the sand. I could feel pebbles and tickly sand beneath me. The warm water rushed over my feet, making a swoosh sound. I could also hear the splash of waves and rustle of beach grass. Then I got out and walked back to the car and then returned to the cottage. It was a delicious dinner.
Wow…that made me cringe. At least little me knew to use sensory description! Haha, If I can share my past writing, so can you.
So, now I must ask, Are you up to the challenge? If you are brave enough to face your past, here’s what you should do:
In the opening of your post, link back to Mike’s Post, Meg’s post and this post
Include your piece from your early years, obviously (it could be a short story/poem/art/or whatever it is you do)
Invite other people to join. And, if possible, go out and find them if they won’t come to you! Off you go!
Good luck!
I Was Nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award!
I have to say, this is pretty sweet. Sweet in both the super cool (yet slightly poser-ish) teenager way,
“SWWEEETTT” and sweet, the little old lady way, “Aw, ain’t that sweet.” I was nominated by Jase Rosenberg (find him here on twitter) who is hands down, the nicest and most encouraging writer I have met through the twitterverse. He is always around to brighten your day and his blog is a pleasure to read. BTW, if you don’t read it, you should. He goes off the beaten path in a personal manner that plenty of writers shy away from, but not him. He’ll cut himself open and bleed into his blog, the very beatings of his heart. And if that mental imagine doesn’t spur you to investigate, maybe this link will.
Oh, and while you’re there, return the kind favor and leave him a sweet comment 😉
The Versatile Blogger Award has certain rules:
- Thank the award giver and link back to them in your post.
- Share 7 things about yourself.
- Pass this award along to 15 other bloggers.
- Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.
Seven things about me.
- I am a huge animal lover. From the tiniest bug to a big ole elephant, the natural world amazes me. But to be honest, nothing can top a feline. Nope. Nothing.
- My only other sibling is 10 years and 10 months younger than me. Love the little goober to bits.
- I am an anglophile and I’m not afraid to show it.
- I love to learn. I love school, I love educational tv, I love recalling random facts. Did you know, the Amazon River contains more water than the Nile and Mississippi combined?
- Even though I am from Boston, I happily pronounce my Rs. I get in the car and go to the park. I do not, nor shall I ever, pahk the cah in havahd yahd (never mind that you can’t actually park in Harvard Yard).
- I love food. Any and all food. I am not afraid to try new things in my own kitchen or at a restaurant. I’ve been meaning to try chocolate covered crickets.
- My current series has been nearly ten years in the making. I’m currently seeking representation for it and won’t stop until I get it xP
I’m going to have to go with Jase on this one. I know the original rules say 15, but I have literally just added a whole slew of new blogs to check out. I’m behind. So for now, 5 will do. And curse you, sir, for jumping on the nod to Sean’s blog.
Another blogger who ventures into the world of the real is LM Preston. Not only does she comment on topics at hand, like the struggles teens face, but her commentary on sci-fi topics is witty and thought-provoking.
I don’t know why fate has kept us apart for so long, but Nicole Bates could be my writing twin. She shares her own helpful writing challenges along with the delectable foodie fridays that I can’t get enough of! MMM!
Another individual who brightens my day is Kristen Conner. Much like Jase, her perspective is constantly positive and friendly. Check in for interviews or six sentence sunday and stay for her talent. Somehow, after every entry, I have a smile on my face.
If you like reviews and love fantasy, Fantasy Cookie is the place for you. The variety of books reviewed really helps survey what’s popular and what people have enjoyed reading.
Last, but always first in my book, Meg’s blog is all quality. Our journey together has spanned years, so maybe I’m biased. But, if you want great writing, great analysis and a great read, you’ll find it all on her blog.
Pitch Wars Mentee 2014
Awards
