Wanderer's Pen

Thursday, December 18, 2014

'Bout This Blogger

Paper Fury formally the Notebook Sisters is doing a link-up about blogging in celebration of their blog move, and I thought since this is the end of the year and nostalgia abounds it would be a good idea to do it. If you'd like to join in with your blog check out Paper Fury! It's a really cool site. ^ ^ Here are the questions!

1.) Why did you start blogging?
I began shortly after joining Go Teen Writers. I saw a bunch of other people doing it so I thought I'd give it a shot to build my writing platform. I wasn't very consistent at first, and I didn't really know what I was doing, but now I feel like I somewhat have a handle on things.

2.) What’s the story behind your blog’s name?
I've always thought it was funny that my nickname "Tori" rhymed with "story." It makes me think that it was destiny I was to be a writer and since this blog is partially a journal for my writer journey, I thought it would be a fitting name.

3.) How many designs have you been through since you started blogging? (Pictures! We demand pictures!)
Only two major overhauls. This design and the former one that had a black background. I like the new one because it's cleaner. I don't have any pictures of the whole design, but I'll show you the former blog header. I've designed both of my headers.

My old blog header.

4.) Have you ever switched blog platforms? What made you move? If you haven’t ever changed…why?
I haven't, and I just haven't wanted to invest in buying a URL yet. I may eventually switch to Wordpress, but I'll have to see how things go.

5.) How long does it take you to write a post? What’s your postly process like?
It depends on the post. Some take about fifteen to twenty minutes while others have taken an hour or two. I post four times a week and each is different. For Tea Tuesday, I buy cool teas then try them and write about the taste and such. For Wonderful Wednesday, I keep tabs on any cool words be it a word I've heard from somewhere or a cool one pops up on my dictionary.com app. For Soundtrack Sunday, it's usually just about the soundtrack song I'm currently obsessing over or an old favorite.

My weekly Saturday posts are link-ups (like this one), book reviews, author interviews, character interviews, journal posts or writing how-to posts. Inspiration for those varies. For my how-to posts, I usually just let the inspiration come to me naturally.

6.) Have you ever been super nervous about a post? Why?! What was it?
I've been nervous about a few. It's usually when I'm being really honest or I'm talking about a controversial topic. I was nervous about "So Your Character is a Christian ...", "Harnessing Pain for Your Writing", and "Dear Christian Writers ...".

7.) Do you have a blogging schedule?
I partially covered it above. I blog on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and posts go up around 1 p.m. EST.

8.) Do you tell people In-Real-Life about your blog? Their reactions?
I sometimes mention it, but not that often. If I do, people usually say they'll read it ... but they don't often do.

9.) Top ten blogs you read/comment on the most! Go! Go!
1. Go Teen Writers
2. Paper Fury (Of course.)
3. Helping Writers Become Authors
4. Meek Geek
5. Summer Snowflakes
6. Get It Write Tonight
7. Dimensions of My Universe
8. Dreaming Hobbit
9. Sometimes I'm a Story
10. S.J.Aisling.com

10.) If you could change/improve things about your blog, what would they be?
I'd like to eventually get my own URL, and I need to get even more consistent with my posts. I tend to not post around the same time occasionally, and I possibly need to specify what sort of thing I'll post on every Saturday like the second Saturday I'll do a link-up and the third Saturday I'll do a book review or something like that and stick to it.

Well that's a little bit about the history of this blog! I hope you enjoyed it!

Do any of you blog? What's your journey been like?

If you liked this post, come back every Saturday for more writing advice, character interviews, book reviews and more! On Sundays I have Soundtrack Sundays where I post a new score piece, Tuesdays are Tea Tuesdays with tea reviews, Wednesdays I have Wonderful Word Wednesdays where I post a new vocabulary word, and Fridays are Fan Fridays where I post tags and other goodies. To help support my dream to be an author follow this blog, like me on Facebook, watch me on deviantART, and follow me on Pinterest and Twitter. If you want to know more about my books check out them out here. Thank you! :)

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Wonderful Word Wednesday: Baleful

It's Wonderful Word Wednesday again! Do you as a writer ever struggle finding that perfect word to describe something or you want to shake your writing up with some new words? Each Wednesday I post hand-picked descriptive words for writers and other vocabulary nerds out there. ;) This is a cool word. ^ ^

baleful

adjective

1.) full of menacing or malign influences; pernicious.

2.) Obsolete. wretched; miserable.

Example Sentence: Mor crept quietly through the dark interior of Nzelt's baleful laboratory.

Have you seen or used this word before? What do you think of it?

Click here for last week's word!

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Tea Tuesday: Armin and a Bit Alarmin'

I'm not really a coffee person. I prefer tea, and I know a lot of fellow writers love tea, too. But have you ever wanted to break out of the Early Grey or English Breakfast norm and try something new? Well, let me help you find some cool new teas! If you need a little hot and flavorful boost to help you reach your writing goal or you're just a lover of tea or you'd like to try some tea but aren't fond of the stereotypical types, these Tea Tuesday posts are for you.

This weeks tea is ...

*drum roll*

Armin and a Bit Alarmin'

How I found it: I'm back with another fandom set from Adagio Teas. I've had my eye on this one for a while and I'm so excited I finally got it. This is the Attack on Titan set which includes Erin Jeager, Mikasa Ackermen, Armin Alert, Sasha Blouse, Levi Rivaille, and Zoe Hange blends. Attack on Titan is one of my favorite animes and I'm so excited to finally try the teas!

This is the same site I bought the Avengers set, Sherlock set, Tolkien set, Avatar: the Last Airbender set, and Doctor Who set from!

The Tea: This is the tea I was the most excited about trying, because this is my favorite character in Attack on Titan: Armin Alert. I love the unique flavor and how it reflects Armin's personality.

The tea doesn't smell very thrilling when it isn't brewed, but when it is prepared it has a vibrant, fruity flavor. This made me think of how Armin looks weak at first, but he has a fire of his own. This blend has three different teas in it that have a wide variety of flavors: Rooibos vanilla, mango melange, fruit medley and the tea is accented with little bits of mango.

The flavors of rosehips, a tint of lemongrass, and hibiscus from the fruit medley tea make me think of his eccentricity as a reader and strategist among physically strong soldiers. The tang of the mango from the mango melange tree made me think of his inner spirit. The flavors of apple and strawberries make me think of his sweet and loyal friend side since he is loyal especially to Eren and Mikasa. Lastly the hint of vanilla reminds me of his cleverness.

I love Armin so much--even if he can be a little klutzy.

Serving Recommendations: I steeped this tea for four minutes, but I could have possible steeped it for a minute or two more, and I added sugar.

How much is it and where can you get it? You can find this tea at the Adagio website. I bought this tea in a sample set which was about $22 including shipping and you get a goodly amount of tea since you only need about a teaspoon per cup. Some of these teas you can buy individually for about $10 a pouch.

So how good is it? The tea definitely has a unique flavor, but because it is so eccentric, I probably won't drink it too often, but I'll give this tea four to four and a half stars, because it is delicious. ^ ^

Have you tried this tea? What did you think of it? Have you seen Attack on Titan? Who's your favorite character?

Bonus! If you are a first-time Adagio customer I can send you a $5 giftcard! Ask in the comments for details! (This is no joke and no catch I seriously can. It's part of the amazingness of Adagio Teas)

Click here for last week's tea!

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Soundtrack Sunday: Mountains (Interstellar)

It's Soundtrack Sunday again! The day where I post awesome music to write to or just listen to for pleasure if you're a fellow soundtrack junkie. I have not seen the film Interstellar, but the soundtrack is pretty awesome. I love the clock noises, the glittery sounds, and the organ. You don't hear those too much in soundtracks.

This piece has a lot of unusual instruments and together they build then finish on a softer note. This song is pensive and a bit tense, but not too much. Perhaps grandiose like someone is looking out over a vast expanse. Over all a really neat track. For more awesome tracks check out my Soundtrack Sundays YouTube playlist!

Have you heard this piece before? What do you think of it? Have you seen Interstellar?

Click here for last week's Soundtrack Sunday!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

A Book Review of Rebels by Jill Williamson

Buy from Amazon!

The remnant of Glenrock has been scattered. But they are not beaten.

The Safe Lands have long kept the true meaning of Liberation secret from their people. But after being sentenced to Liberation themselves, Mason and Omar soon discover the truth.

Levi watched his brothers’ public sentencing and tries to hold out hope they are still alive, He is forced to focus his attention elsewhere, however, when his new wife, Jemma, is captured and made the Safe Lands’ newest Queen. His only choice to save Jemma may be to take up Omar’s old role of undercover vigilante, leading the rebels in their quest to overthrow the government. But will Levi’s new role be enough?

Meanwhile, Jemma’s sister, Shaylinn, is ready to give birth to the “Safe Lands’” children … but not even Ciddah is sure they can be delivered safely in the midst of a rebellion. And Mason must face the fact Omar’s illness could be fatal.

If they can all unite their efforts, together they may be able to expose the Safe Lands’ lies to the people. But if they fail, they will all surely die.

Series: The Safe Lands (Book 3)
Genre: Dystopian
Publisher: Blink (August 26, 2014)
Page Count: 400

What I liked: Most of this book is major spoilers so I'll try to keep this spoiler-free as possible. Liberation is the main focus of this book and definitely not what I expected it to be. It's presumed to be death, but I think it's worse in a lot of ways. Like the other books in the series this one has a bit of a Hunger Games feel what with strange senses of fashion and the Effie-like character Luella Flynn.

There are lots of good twists that throw you for a loop and Shaylinn's birth complications really had me worried and flipping the pages. The whole plot with babies I've found very intriguing. I really like how the author describes them very well. I've noticed this in some of her other books. She's very good at describing children. And the rebels' plan to overthrow the government I thought was very tactful and unique from other dystopians I've read.

I like how the characters developed in this book. Levi became less of a jerk, but Jemma and Mason are still my favorite. There is a lot of cute banter between them, but probably my favorite line of the book was, "Worry doesn't take away the dread of tomorrow, but it does take away today's strength." I tend to be a worrier and this really impacted me personally.

What I didn't like: Unfortunately I felt like some of the writing slacked in this book. I found several typos and got a rushed feeling like the author just wish she were finished (I've seen this in other books too.). Near the end the POV character gets lost. I forgot he was there, because there were no reactions to him about the detrimental information being revealed in the scene.

The ending of this series was satisfying, but I *SPOILERS* wish the author had a cure be found perhaps in an epilogue and that she cemented if Mason and Ciddah were going to be together. I also would not have chosen Luella Flynn for the new Task Director general. I would've chosen Ruston. Effie for president wouldn't be the wisest thing in my eyes lol. *END OF SPOILERS*

Content Cautions: I'd give this book about a PG-13 rating. There is some violence in this book, but nothing too gory. There are alcohol and drug references and some sexual implications. One character tries to commit suicide and gets involved in prostitution, but the subject is handled well.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a good closure for the series. Four stars!

About the Author:

Jill Williamson is a chocolate loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms and the award-winning author of several young adult books including the Blood of Kings trilogy, Replication, the Mission League series, and the Safe Lands trilogy. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two children and a whole lot of deer. Visit her online at her blog, where adventure comes to life.
You can find her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Goodreads.

Check out the reviews for the first and second book of the series!

Other books by Jill I've reviewed:

The Safe Lands Book 1: Captives

The Safe Lands Book 2: Outcasts

Blood of Kings Book 3: From Darkness Won A Book Review of Replication by Jill Williamson
A Book Review of Go Teen Writers: How to Turn Your First Draft Into A Published Novel

If you enjoyed this review, you can find more over on the Book Reviews tab of click the link. :)

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Wonderful Word Wednesday: Gossamer

gossamer
noun
1.) a fine, filmy cobweb seen on grass or bushes or floating in the air in calm weather, especially in autumn.
2.) a thread or a web of this substance.
3.) an extremely delicate variety of gauze, used especially for veils.
4.) any thin, light fabric.
5.) something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.
6.) a thin, waterproof outer garment, especially for women.

Example Sentence: Dina selected a gossamer fabric for her next dress.

A dress like one Dina would make.