Friday, August 30, 2013

Chat Speak/Text Speak

Yesterday I was on the phone with my mother and we were talking about "chat speak" or "text speak".  For 

anyone who isn't familiar with it, it's the act of butchering the spelling of a word, or in some cases making whole 

sentences acronyms.  For example: WYD (What are You Doing) or LOL (Laughing Out Loud).  In some cases 

people will use a different letter when another letter is correct. For example the word "GOING". The other day I 

actually saw some one spell it "qoinq". No lie. I can't make this stuff up.  I really don't understand it.  Don't get 

me wrong. I've been known to use chat speak acronyms.  Sometimes on here, sometimes on FB (see), but 

mostly IN CHATS OR TEXT MESSAGES.  That is where that type of speech is appropriate.  Wen ur fb stat l

00ks lik dis....perhaps it's time to reevaluate what you're doing. That is how a fifteen year old speaks.  But hey 

what do I know? What do you guys think??

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Being A Writer in This Economy

So last night alone I applied for five different jobs. None of which include writing. Most of the writing jobs that I've seen require some type of higher degree or years and years of experience.  These are things I don't have unfortunately.  That's fine, though.  It won't stop me from writing when I can.  As much as I would love to be a stay at home mom and write full time, in this economy that is just impossible.  Especially with a child. One income households just aren't realistic anymore.  So now I'm waiting for an email or a phone call. Something. Anything.  Any suggestions or job opportunities that you know about?? Feel free to comment.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Blogger VS WordPress....and some updates on some stuff...

It's weird...I'm on WordPress more than Blogger but I have more followers and fewer page views a day over there. Here, I have fewer followers and more page views. Currently I'm using both but if these stats keep up, then I might consider just returning to just Blogger....
Anyhoo....

For the past couple of months I've been working on a YA novel.  Recently (as recently as last night) I've added a love interest for my main female character.  I read a lot of romance and write some too, but I'm really interested in writing a YA adventure type novel with African American MC's.  I feel like there are so few stories for young POC to read and see themselves in.  I want to play a part in changing that.  I want my son or my nieces and nephews to be able to read a book and say, "Hey! They look like me!".  I'm currently working on a piece that falls into that category.  The main character is a black female. She and her twin brother are looking for their missing parents.  Along the way the female MC meets a love interest.  That's the bit that I was building on last night...
So that's what I'm doing now. Feel free to comment with questions or any type of feedback

Monday, August 26, 2013

Kindergarten

So today the kiddo went to kindergarten. He was so excited! I was excited too but still....my day has been so empty since dropping him off this morning.  I took a nap in the middle of the day; something I wouldn't ordinarily do.  I suppose this will give me more time for writing. I'm almost finished with the short short that I've been working on. Going to edit it soon....
It just feels strange. Eerie almost. I had dinosaur chicken nuggets for lunch.....I'm pathetic LOL

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Randomness..........

So this blog is supposed to be about a day in the life of me: An Aspiring Writer. I'm thinking about starting a Tumblr in addition this blog about the books that I read. Sort of like a review type thing. I've read a lot of books. Not as many as others but still quite a few, and of course there are many more to come.  I'm still hashing out the details of how I want to do this. I just read an interesting bit of info (I'm researching in the process of writing this blog). Some bloggers contact other authors for guest posts. That sounds cool.....and scary!
......Maybe instead of writing reviews about the books themselves, and I can talk about the book covers. I've never seen a blog about that before (there's probably one out there, though)....
Yet another blog post that I started and didn't finish.  I still haven't seen a blog that talks about the book covers and I do have a Tumblr now that is being neglected. I'm thinking of trying to maintain this blog, the WordPress that I'm working on, as well as the neglected Tumblr. Hmmm...we shall see....Stay tuned

My Thoughts (so far) on A Song of Ice and Fire

*WARNING SPOILERS*
So a few weeks ago, I began reading A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R.Martin. The story is about a kingdom that was usurped by a man and held for many years. When he died the throne fell to his son. However there were those who believed that his children weren't "true born" (born of him). There were rumors that his wife, the Queen Cersei, had an affair with her twin brother and that he is the real father of her children. So now there are five people vying for the Iron Throne; the throne that sits in Kings Landing, the capital.
The king in the North, Robb Stark is the son of the late Lord Eddard Stark. He was the kings hand but his head was chopped off b/c they accused him of treason. King Robb along with his bannerman, sworn lords, and his trusty direwolf Grey Wind mount attacks against the Lannisters (the Queen Cersei's family and the young King Joffrey's family), among other houses and armies that stand in their way as he works to protect his kingdom in the North.
King Stannis in Dragonstone is King Joffreys uncle on the late King Robert Baratheon's side. He is one that believes that Joffrey isn't true born, and since King Robert didn't have any other true born sons, then that would make his brother Stannis the lawful successor to his throne. King Stannis is being influenced by a woman named Mellisandra who believes in the God of Light. This God of Light is far different from the seven Gods that some worship as well as the tree Gods that others worship.
Balon Greyjoy is the Iron Born king. I don't really count him because he isn't mentioned much. I guess that tells you just how big his claim is....
I apparently started this awhile ago and never finished. I have however finished reading the series thus far. After the first two books, Mr. Martin tends to get a bit wordy. However it was a great read.  I'm looking forward to the next installment; whenever that may be.  A lot of fans of this story haven't actually read the book series.  The watch the show.  I watched the first season and I must say, I was impressed! I haven't been able to watch the seasons so far.  I feel it is safe to say that I'm behind in the story as books that transition to television or film often times have a tendency to stray from the original storyline. Hopefully in the near future I can get caught up, and I look forward to bringing you more reviews on books/series that I'm  reading. Most likely it will be the adventures of Robert Langdon as told by Dan Brown.

No title....just a little something...

I'm on WordPress mostly but I decided to come post over too...my kiddo starts school tomorrow and I decided to express my feelings about his momentous occasion in verse. Feel free to comment....

It's hard to believe
that tomorrow's the day.
Just one more sleep
and he'll be on his way.

His bag is all packed;
his uniform pressed.
You're figuring it out now.
You've realized. You've guessed.

It's the first day of kindergarten.
A day most mother's dread.
The road leading to it
can be difficult to tread.

Don't get me wrong
it's very exciting.
Even right now
it's what I feel as I'm writing.

The thought of his little eyes
shining with joy.
The same joy you'll see
on every girl and every boy.

Still there's that feeling
that every mother will get.
You're feeling it now
as you read this, I bet.

But mothers don't fret.
Don't weep, don't ball.
Kindergarten is the beginning.
The beginning of it all.

For now it is time
for new memories to be made,
things to learn,
and a groundwork to be laid.

So cherish those memories.
However great; however small.
Cherish those memories.
Cherish them all
-Leann Stewart 08/25/2013