Mourning Fictional Characters

It's about that time I jump back into this. So here goes nothing! 

My latest Facebook status triggered by angst and devastation reads,

• I hate when writers unnecessarily kill off the totally freaking awesome protagonist. And just to uplift the whole selfless heroine theme. Readers of fiction don't need to be taught any lessons from the novel, just give us a good freaking story....if J.K didn't have to kill Harry for her books to rock then surely.....never mind, screw it...can't believe I'm mourning a fictional character.

You guys know I am sooooo dramatic! So yes, you read right. I am officially mourning the loss of a fictional character. Don't worry, I won't spoil it and tell you the name of the character or book series I am referring to; I don't want to completely ruin it for you. As well, the series is pretty popular right now and there's even a film adaptation to it....a film I kind of don't want to see now because I know what happens at the end of the book series, lol.

Nevertheless, over the weekend I was feeling so incredibly sick because the main character died. The ride or die, faithful and loyal, courageous and loving protagonist DIED! Granted, she selflessly gave her life to save an entire city...but still! She had an awesome love interest! One of those worthy of being a total character crush type of guys! She had a future to live for! She'd endured so much! And for what? Just to die an unexpected and unfair death whilst everyone else lives happily ever after? Ughhhhh, seriously I'm still a little salty from it...and I'm mad she was cremated. Just saying!

Anyway, to make my theatrical reaction even worse, I started praying for the girl as if God was going to miraculously change the PRINT in the book. I sat in my chair screaming, "What the freak just happened!? Noooo! God No! Help her Jesus, help her!" Then I started incorporating scripture with my freak out, "I thought she could walk through the fire and not get burned! I thought the flame couldn't scorch her! What the heck! God, what is going on?"

Let me tell yah...it was a rough weekend. However, that's what good writing is all about. Triggering emotion and developing a deep connection with your readers. Having such awesome character development that your characters become actual people. That's the sort of impact I desire for my characters, yah know?

Oh, and if there is any prayer my lovely Lord may have rolled his eyes at...it was probably that one. But hey, what can I say, He totally made me this way! ;-) That was a pretty awesome scripture I thought of though. Kudos to me! Train up a child and all that jazz! It's below in case you're interested! 

Witches of East End Novel & TV Series

So I was playing ketchup with the telly the other evening and I saw a totally awesome looking preview that reminded me of several novels and other TV shows that I used to be obsessed with growing up. Initially I thought of the The Fyne Witches series. You know those Sun Witch, Moon Witch, etc. books? Then it kind of put me in the mind of Twitches, but a more edgy and racy version of course. And lastly I couldn't help but think about that totally awesome TV show "Charmed." You guys remember that show that centered on three powerful witches who were also beautiful drama filled sisters? "The Power of Three" ladies?


Well anyway the preview ended...and I realized I didn't even catch the title of the show. I knowww, all that contemplating and I ended up missing the actual name of the show. So I did a little researching and discovered that it's a TV show focusing on three cursed witches. A mother and her two daughters try to live normal lives (why do supernatural folk always try to live normal lives? That's like the oldest and biggest fairytale lie they tell themselves.) but ends up entrenched in a web of magic, fate, betrayal, and the usual good vs evil adventures. Here's an actual summary from an online article.

~~Julia Ormond stars as Joanna, a witch in a seaside town who is cursed to lose her daughters, Freya and Ingrid (Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Rachel Boston), over and over — giving birth to them again each time they die. She decides to break the curse by casting a spell over her girls so that they won’t dabble in witchcraft or know their true nature. Now they’re grown and fate has come calling on the night of Freya’s engagement party: Spells are cast, gloom and agony are foretold and, when Freya starts making out with her fiance’s brother, a vase of roses bursts into flames.~~

Sounds good right? Right!

I actually can't wait for the premiere. I've been waiting on another good supernatural show to break the mold and I'm hoping this is it. I'm a sucker for a good witch tale and the fact that this series is based off the book series from Melissa de la Cruz, the ones with those lovely mythological and totally in-depth Beauchamp ladies, I think it may be a winner. Check out the promo below!

Looks good, yeah? Freeeaaakkkkin' Yeaaahhh!! I think my other supernatural freak of a sister will love this show too! Yay!

Hey Film Adaptations! Why Alter Brilliance?!?!?!

So over the weekend I finally (I've been waiting on this film for the past two years, mind you!) saw The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie with my dear friend Ames! As typical movie goers we were pleased and pretty much impressed with the outcome. However, as avid readers and huge fans of the book series we expected a bit more. Hollywood loves to shake things up a bit though, right? Right. Nevertheless, I truly do applaud the cast, Cassandra Clare, the production team, writers and yada yada yada...BUT I have a bit of a bone to pick with Hollywood in general. My question isssss

Why alter brilliance? There were some BIG differences between the book and movie. I'm just saying!

Now, the cast/characters were virtually true to the books, but I would have preferred Mr. Bower to pull off a better sarcastic (although Jace claims it is for the imaginatively bankrupt folks), troubled, and hauntingly beautiful Jace. The other characters were virtually spot on--Simon and Alec were performed quite well--but I hope to see more of Isabelle's complex personality in the next movie. And Magnus Bane...well, let's just say I'd love to see more of that guy in the next film. Bom chicka wah wah, anyone? As well, what the heck happened to Max!? The youngest Lightwood! He should have made an entrance towards the end. As well as the Lightwood mom. And Raphael Santiago! Got to love Hollywood, right?

Another aspect of the film that had my gears-a-grindin' were the altercations regarding major and minor plot details. I just don't get it--why mess with perfection? I don't know about any other reader but I can distinctly recall Valentine (that awesome, awesome villain--yeah I tend to root for the wrong side, what of it?!) to have white hair and NOT BRAIDS! Where the freak did the braids come from? Why were his eyes leaking crocodile tears? Good Lord, keep the villain just the way he is. Hardcore, wicked, manipulative, and dark as hell.

Also, Clary was supposed to kill the demon with a sensor. Okay, so I admit that explaining this creative device would have been a bit challenging for non-readers, but c'mon! I did not care for Jace swooping in and saving Clary like she's some damsel in distress. I was looking forward to her throwing that in Alec's face later on but...it never happened.

Additionally, I wanted Luke to fight Valentine and exchange a few choice words....like it happened in the book. I wanted Simon to turn into a rat....like it happened in the book. And I didn't want the demons breaking into the institute and the showdown going down there....totally not like it happened in the book.

And don't even let me get started on Church the cat. That little sly devilish thing of a cat didn't even make the big screen! Shameful! But not that shameful because I harbor a deep hate for cats--childhood scars, don't ask.

All in all, it was an excellent film but as a reader of the books, I know exactly what was missing and what was added and let me tell yah...this girl right here was not too joyful in that aspect. But hey, I get it...to an extent anyway. I just hope the next film stays a bit more true to Ms. Clare's written work.

My Absence is NOT Justified...However I will Attempt to Make it so!

Yeah, yeah, yeah I suck...I know. Forgive me!

My lovely readers (assuming I still have some), it has been an embarrassingly lengthy time since I posted anything on this here little humble blog of mine. One of my best friends had to give me a swift kick in the butt and with just a few encouraging words I was motivated to create a post! And Voila! Thanks, Dana!

But really, it’s perfectly okay if you want to refer to me as Judas or Brutus for a bit because I know that I have absolutely no legitimate excuse to justify my betrayal to you very beautiful lot! Jesus wasn’t down for Judas betraying Him and I’m sure Caesar didn’t take it too well from Brutus either. I’m just saying…I get it!  

But, here’s what happened. My priorities shifted and I needed to take a step back and figure out where my life was headed. I reexamined my spiritual and natural life, career and educational plans, visions for my future, and ultimately what actions I need to perform now in order to achieve what I desire to achieve. It may sound cliché but my hopes and dreams, five year plan, and daily routine has changed drastically. Me right now is totally not the Me from six months ago. You understand me? I guess I’m growing up. It’s all a part of life. And I hear that around my age, mid 20s, perspectives start to change. And I needed that air, yah know? I needed it without the many distractions cyber city brings. And that’s pretty much it in a nutshell.

So yes…I had a bit of a “find me journey.”  I never thought I would embark on what I once considered such a trivial thing but hey…you learn a lot about yourself when you just take time to contemplate, breathe, and settle down. Now I didn’t do any hardcore contemplation on man’s existential dilemma, take a meditation class or some mess like that (not knocking it, just saying). I asked God to reveal to me my purpose and His plans for my life so I can do what He made me to do instead of wanting to do what I want to do. Also, I just needed to truly rediscover my likes and dislikes, beliefs and values, what I deserve/my worth in this world, strengthen my relationship with Christ, and be set free from circumstances holding me back spiritually, physically, and naturally. Okay, I'm done yapping.

So there you have it. I did some soul searching and I recommend you do the same. You know how you complete a detox or spend some time eating clean? Your soul and spirit demands the same attention. Spend some time in the library/bookstore. Take a vacation. Bask in scenery you’ve never experienced before. Cut some unnecessary people or activities out of your life. Start a journal/diary. Depict your life years from now and write about how you’re going to get there. Pray and open up to God about your concerns, wants, and needs. Take up new hobbies. Do something wild and crazy-something folks wouldn’t expect of you!

Now that we’re done playing ketchup, ;-), I’m going to jot down some more blog topics and I’ll meet you back here later on this week! Sound good? Good! See yah!

**Oh yeah! Check out the film adaptation preview to The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. CAN'T WAIT! One of my all time FAVORITE books! Up there with Harry Potter, I tell yah!**