Art: Character Aesthetics

As a writer we all imagine certain things about and for our characters. I break down all my character into boxes and specifics until I see an image in my head. This can lead to either great things or horrible mishaps. (I have a tendency to be disappointed with myself). So as an inspiration tool I decided to create Character Aesthetics. Basically it's an image made up of things that are a representation of that character. Doing this helps me narrow down what my character(s) is about. 

This year I decided to take my talents to NaNoWriMo and create designs for others. Doing this allows me to practice as well as build up my portfolio. Plus it's a great way to make friends with other writers and artist! This NaNo will be a great one and if anyone wants to add me you can go right ahead. Phoenix.Trinity

Examples of my work! 

Gabriella Alejo from Breaking Down

Sijak for a NaNoWriMo Writer

Good Luck!

Goals 2016 - 2017

 Its that time of the year where my best friend and I do our Goals for the year! 

1. Get into the English Honor's Program  [Accomplished December 2016]
2. Get at least a 3.6 GPA [Accomplished December 2016]
3. Enjoy my 26th Birthday [Accomplished October 2016]
4. Buy My iPad [Accomplished October 2016]
5. Publish a Book
6. Save Money for a Car [Accomplished February 2017]
7. Start Holiday Traditions [Accomplished December 2016]
8. Write at least 2 novels
9. Start looking for a bigger apartment [Accomplished May 2017]
10. Read a new book once a month [Accomplished March 2017]

Book Review: Me: A Compendium A Fill-in Journal for Kids by Wee Society

Me: A Compendium A Fill-in Journal for Kids by Wee Society

Rating: 4/5 Stars

The color in this book is one of the selling features of this book. Each page has a colorful illustration with a question that pegs the child to think.  Once the child has figured out what they would like to put you can write it in. Although my daughter is too young to comprehend the depth of this book its great to just flip through the pages. Its a great hardcover book that can become a memento for children as they grow older. There is also a "secret page" under the book jacket for a fun little treat. 

Recommend for Kids 6+

Excerpt: Breaking Down I - Chapter 1 Handcuffed Angels

While looking through my post Ive noticed that I never posted an excerpt from Breaking Down. I am actually surprised that I never posted an excerpt for this story! Not only is this story my first published novel, it is also my favorite one (sorry Blue Blood Series!). This novel is my baby and a piece of soul that I poured out in a year that is mixed with my sweat and tears. 

Here is the beginning to 

Life

Friendships

Step Series/Breaking Down Series

Charlotte & Daniel (Channy)

 

Charlotte Diaz

------

Handcuffed Angels

Charlotte sat in her room and stared out of her bay window. She traced the raindrops that had cascaded down the glass. A contented sigh fell from her lips and brought her knees close to her chest. Tears mirrored the raindrops onto her face and she could feel the rumble of the storm within. Charlotte could still hear the loud screams and fight her mind, taunted at her.

Charlotte Diaz was supposed to be a cheerful seventeen year old teenage girl, but anguish hid behind her clouded dark brown eyes. The once popular bright eyed, curly brunette now hid behind dark hoodies and straight on bangs. The screech of voices came to a cease in her ears and now the harsh jagged words from her bellowing parents invaded her.

She couldn’t take it anymore, she couldn’t breathe in her own skin not today.

The rain, lightening, the dark gray clouds above were became enticed her. The fight took a turn for the worse for her parents. Sounds of loud rumbles mixed with breaking material had been the last straw. She opened the large bay window and stepped onto the roof. Down the side of the roof thanks to the drain pipe she landed on the wet grassy lawn.

Charlotte pulled on her black hood and ventured down the street to her familiar place, the lake down the road of her neighborhood. Strong gush of the wind fought against her, pressed her backwards but she ignored it. A sharp icy feeling graced her feet from the puddle she just stepped into. Black and white converse were not the best type of shoes to wear during a rainstorm but they were her favorite shoes, the ones with the etching of C & D carved into the soles.

She reached the lake and walked onto the wet, lush hills towards her favorite bench, the solitude one away from the paired ones. Her favorite tune of crashed waves into smaller rocks creating her ambiance. She pulled out her small purple smart phone and started to dial a number, but as her finger was ready to hit the green phone button she just resulted in the end button.

Charlotte looked down at her shoes and then looked at the soles of them, the old scratched initials were there, C for Charlotte and D for Daniel. Daniel Grey her ex-boyfriend of six years, her junior high sweetheart. She hadn’t seen him in over a year, ever since that night. As Charlotte started to reminisce, thunder and lightning woke her from her thoughts.

She watched a lightning bolt about fifteen feet away from her strike the water. Everything started to move in slow motion, but she shook her head as it started to come back into focus. Onto her feet, she ran down the street back to her house soaked. The back door to her house was the best way to escape her mother.

However life had a different plan.

Farrah Diaz, was a regular socialite in the city, she seemed like the perfect wife, the perfect mother but she was far from that. Farrah sat at the kitchen counter with an open bottle of Vodka. Her face was down, but Charlotte could hear the sniffles from her mother.

Farrah looked up and saw Charlotte gawked at her. The prey had been spotted by the hunter. Farrah’s haggard dirty blonde hair and bloodshot hazel eyes squared on her daughter before she poured another drink.

 “What?” Farrah asked hoarsely.

Journal: DIY Spiderman Journal

Art has always been one of my favorite pastimes. Whether it be painting or sketching, doing something with my hands is therapeutic and allows me to express myself. Another interest of mines which I have stated before is journaling. Although it sounds childish I really do enjoy it and its my favorite thing to do. Writing is my passion and I think I deserve the best journals to write my thoughts and ideas in. 

However there are times where I can't find a journal with a cover that I like but the journal has the insides I want or the perfect inside but the cover is so plain or blah. So after a few scrolls through Pinterest I found some DIYs and decided to make my own. After a trip to Michael's (best craft art store ever/ next to BLICK of course) I came across some scrapbook paper for less than a dollar. I picked a few different prints to make additional journals. 

Things You Will Need

1.  A journal or composition notebook you want to change
2. Scrap-booking Paper - Spider-man Comic Print
3. Mod Podge (Gloss)
4. Foam Brush
5. A Pair of Scissors

First Step:Size the paper and then apply Mod Podge glue to the journal with foam brush. 

Tip: Once you place the paper onto the mod podge it will stick and be hard to pull back up after a few seconds. Careful with this step. A little glue goes a long way.

Second Step: Smooth the paper towards the edges

Tip: Doing this will prevent air bubbles and creases.

Third Step: Cut with the scissors where the book bends

Tip: This will allow a seamless look and create a better cover.

Fourth Step: Mod Podge the inner edges of the book and press paper onto glue.

Tip: This is to prevent the cover from pulling up. 

Fifth Step: Dry for ten minutes and open and close journal so paper can bend

Tip: This is to prevent the cover from pulling up. 

Final Product

So here is what I finished with and the final look after drying. 

Tip: You can use the Mod podge gloss on the paper to add a glossy look but be warned it may look streaky. 

Before & After

Book Review: God Gave Us Thankful Hearts by Lisa Tawn Bergren

God Gave us Thankful Hearts by Lisa Tawn Bergen

Rating: 5/5 Stars

For my daughter, I try to find books that have a great moral for her to learn. So when the opportunity to review this book came along I took the chance. If anytime I could fill Emmy's bookcase with a great book I jump at the opportunity. What is wonderful about this book is the moral and the illustrations which are beautifully done. The book is hardcover, which is great with any toddler who likes to "read" by themselves. The message within this story is to teach our young ones that we should be grateful everything that comes our way. The story is about a young pup who is saddened by the end of Autumn and look for the positive in all everything. Its a great lesson to be taught at any age.

I recommend this book for all ages, but great for children 3+

Story Excerpt: December

Before Spencer could pass the note back Julian the bus stopped at a screeching halt. The pause awoke the students on the bus. The bus driver stood up before he skimmed the students then back out the window. Alexis still fatigued tugged at Michael’s shirt and asked what was going on.

“I don’t know Alexis” Michael said and stood up as he moved to the front of the bus.

Michael stopped next to Julian, who peered at the driver. The two boys swapped dirty looks to one another and looked out the window. The night sky had darkened, blackness engulfed the outside and a white mist fog enclosed the bus.

“Frank what’s going on?” Julian inquired as the bus driver sat back down in his seat with no sound.

“Yo Frank?!” Michael called out and strode towards Frank as the rest of the students started to clean the windows. The fog had made the view unrecognizable and a chill throughout the bus. Michael shook Frank’s shoulders as he tried to catch his attention, but instead Frank fell to the floor lifeless.

“What the hell Mike?” Lewis shouted as everyone screamed in dread. Julian jumped out his seat hurried over to Frank and checked his pulse.

“Mike man he isn’t breathing” Julian said, and tried again to get a pulse.

“Julian I swear he was just fine you saw” Michael said as he watched Julian do CPR.

Alexis strolled to the middle aisle and sat in the seat next to Spencer and glanced at Avery, who had her cell phone in her hands. Frank started to convulse which alarmed Julian and Michael. The other students started to panic further as they tried to open the back door. Lewis leapt over his sister to the two boys who tousled around the unconscious driver.

“Lewis just move” Julian said as he pushed Lewis. The other students walked off the back of the bus and rummaged for a signal for their cell phones.

“Julian don’t” Avery said as she got up and helped Lewis off the floor.

“Okay guys I just think it’s time for us to go and call 911 maybe Frank had a stroke” Alexis said petrified and clenched the edge of a seat.

Spencer sat in her seat, she gawked out the window with her iPod still on. “I agree with Alexis lets go” Lewis said, grasped his sister’s wrist, pulled her to the back of the bus.

Alexis got off the back of the bus with Lewis and Avery. Julian felt culpable that he had to leave Frank there, but felt Michael thrust him towards the rear of the bus.

“Kevin has a signal and he is trying to call the police” Avery said the wind blustered around them.

Lewis in a frenzied panic looked around the grounds, he saw a million of the faces, but not the one he had anticipated for.

“Lewis …” Alexis asked and watched the alarm fill in his eyes.

“Where’s Spencer?” Lewis asked as the back door on the bus slammed shut.

“She was right next to me on the bus” Alexis said and glanced around. Lewis ran to the door and strained to open it with his might but it wouldn’t shunt.

“Spence, Spencer!” Julian screamed and slammed his hands on the windows as he exasperated to find her.

“Why didn’t you guys grab her!” Lewis squawked and sprinted to the side of the bus.

“This isn’t our fault” Michael yelled back at Lewis.

“Screw this” Lewis said. He punched the glass of the door and extended in to open the emergency door. Spencer staggered forward covered in blood and fell out onto the ground as everyone shrieked.