Oh, I have a YouTube Blog BTW…

Thanks to working two jobs, living in three cities at once (Chicago, Champaign, & Streamwood), and struggling to become proficient in my two newest languages (French and Japanese) for my job.  I hardly have time to be my creative, socially critical, technologically active self.  So that’s why I haven’t been writing blogs often or checking my FB, well I limit my FB checking anyway, because I fully believe Facebook can (and is) easily used for evil or to drive yourself crazy.  My tumblr stats are at 0 right now, but its all cool.  Because all of this crazy running around transition stuff is going to pay off in a big way.  I keep reading Jeremiah 29:11, yes I’m a Christian, no I’m not holier than thou.  My faith just works for me, and yes I believe in Evolution and the Big Bang…I hope all your stereotypes don’t collapse at once…because I also refer to myself as human not as a race, I listen to indie rock, and I don’t speak in ebonics.  UH OH.

Anyway, I have a YouTube channel, I mean who doesn’t these days?  I thought I share it…that’s all.  The videos are not interesting.  I’m awkward.  I’m boring.  I just make them b/c I can and I have freedom of speech, and freedom to be hoplessly dorkish.  Hopefully someday I’ll have interesting things to say and do for people to watch, and I also hope not to cut off my eyes in the video next time.  Ciao!

An Answer to Your Question

So a very nice reader wrote on my entries about Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Series.  She asked me a question:

Hey, just saying, that an unknown author wrote a better book than Stephenie Meyer. It was about vampires and it had humor, action, and adventure. Plus it had some of the vampire legends like fangs and no sparkling. Please email me back with your opinion of what should be in a vampire book.

So I emailed her back and here’s what I said:

Hello,

You asked on my blog at wordpress.com what I think should be in a vampire novel.  First I think there are certain elements all novels need to be good regardless of what genre they fall into.  Character development and Plot development are key factors.  Now, you can strike a balance between the two or you lean towards one more than the other.  Some literary and graphic novels are very character driven and the plot takes the back seat. One example of this the graphic novel The Watchmen it was recently made into a not so great movie.  However, the grapic novel is a masterpiece.  The reason the movie was so bad is that the director tried to make the plot the major point instead of focusing on the characters like the comic does.  If you choose to go this route you have to create complete, well rounded people.  No one is one sided, no one is just good or bad.  We’re all multifaceted and have many motives that may lead to a single goal.  If you want to your book to be more about plot or what’s going on around the characters make sure that your plot is strong.  Personally I feel this is more difficult than creating a character.  You have to continually ask yourself why is this happening?  Does this make sense?  Is there anyother way these problems can be solved?  What are the conficts? etc.  Also with a plot driven novel, you still cannot slack on developing the characters, which is what Steph Meyers did.  Her books focus more on the drama and plot, but her writing is poor because her characters are flat. I mean can you name one interest Bella has besides Edward?  No.  Personally the most interesting characters in the Twilight series are Alice and Jasper, and their backstory.  So there’s double work with a plot driven novel you still have to have solid characters and a STRONG plot. But with a Character driven novel a weaker plot can still be successful.  The plot in the Watchmen is very weak, well its very simple and a little washy, but since the focus is on the people involved its still brilliant.

I’m sorry this email is so long.

When you figure out how you’re gonna balance your characters and plot, then your major issues, themes, motifs and other literary devices usually fall into place.  For example I’m writing a book (a trilogy really), and yes it has vampires but that’s a secret that you wouldn’t know until you read to the end of the first novel, anyway  in my book I have very strong plot with very strong and intricate characters.  Eris is a college aged girl, she’s of mixed race, she’s catholic, she has specific interests and talents.  Tristan is her long lost childhood best friend.  He’s white, from a very wealthy upper east side NYC family, his mother is racist and very religious also catholic. Tristan is forced by his mother to stay away from Eris and they lose touch at age 13 & after his mother’s death becomes agnostic.  While at college Tristan learns that Eris has been kidnapped and eventually learns of her death.  Already just from a brief look at only 2 of my characters and just a small snippet of my plot major issues and themes have surfaced.  Race/Racism and Religion are the two most obvious, but there’s a lot more going on in the book that I haven’t put down, so other issues and themes arise like Aging/Death, Sexuality, Gender Roles, Class/Status, and Family

When it comes to other lit. devices like motifs, allusions, symbolism that all depends on your style.  I love to layer meanings, and have clues that point to several different ideas or things at once.  The Watchmen does this too, the little smiley face with the blood means a lot of things!!! Other writers prefer to be more straight forward.  This may depend on your audience as well.  If you’re writing for teens you may not want to get too complicated or let’s say if you were writing a politcally charged novel you might want to code things so they point to what you really mean, but also to something else to avoid offending others or being accused of slander.  I have a lot of symbolism, allusions, motifs, etc.  Example: Eris is the greek goddess of strife and my main character is surrounded by confict.  Tristan’s name is linked to the French word Triste which means sad.  Ryn another character of mine means Dragon.  Also Eris is my character’s name after she changes it.  Her real name is different (not giving it away) but her last name is Leigh, pronounced Lee.  and her Middle name is Annabella. This an allusion to Edgar Allen Poe’s poem Annabelle Lee, which fits my story perfectly.

So I know that’s a long email, but I hope it helps!!! And thank you for reading my blog and commenting.

~Starshine

Oh, One more thing specific to Vampire Novels…sorry I forgot this.

I think in a vampire novel YOU need to create exactly what you think a vampire should be.  Yes, you should research and look back on Vampire legend and folklore, but ultimately what you want to see in a vampire is what counts.  My vampires are created in a very special way, and have different strengths and weaknesses than vampries created by Anne Rice, Steph Meyer, and even those that you hear about in European legend.  I’ve focused on Catholic religion, and Eastern European folklore to help create my Vampires, but if you want them to  fly they can or melt at will they can as long as you can back up why they can do these things.  Unless your book is for young kids, who may be content with not having a why, you need to support why and maybe how your vampires are the way they are because there is already so much information on vampires out there; no Teen, Young Adult, or Adult is going to believe your vampires can melt just because you want them to.  My vampires enjoy food, small amounts of it at least.  I decided this because in most vampire folklore the senses of vampires are enhanced; they can see better, smell better, & are more aware of their surroundings than humans.  So why would their taste be left out?  So I added that and explain why.  Also you mentioned humor and adventure.  My book pulls alot from Gothic literature so my themes and settings are darker, but I put in some humor just so the book is palettable or easier to swallow without being depressing.  So if you want vampires that go on an Indiana Jones like adventure then that’s fine, but again its all about supporting why things are happening.

~Starshine

So that’s what I sent to that commenter.  I’m sorry I haven’t been writing lately I just graduated from college, and before that I was really busy.  I was researching Grad Schools, Planning my Birthday/Grad party, and sadly my PawPaw (my grandpa who I miss so much)  passed away which took up emotions and motivation to focus on other things.  I love to hear from the few who read my blog.  So thanks for checking out my page, Starshine at WordPress.com and plese continue leaving comments.

Much Better…

My past two posts have been pretty bitter.  I admit I cringed a little when I re-read them.  I’m feeling much better now.  I don’t know why, because honestly nothing has changed, but I guess I’m just putting it in perspective.

So, most of my bitter,  hard feelings stemmed from my conflicting feelings, and the list of let downs concerning a person.  It still hurts.  But I guess there are other people out there…and I’m committed to finding mine.

Seriously.  I’ve been single for what…ever?

Anyway the point is I’m feeling pretty good now…not 100%, but good…decent.  Thanks to my friends, and tasks that need to be completed, which are taking over most of my focus.  Also God.  I went to church on Ash Weds.  I gave up alcohol for Lent.  I’m focusing on me, and what I need emotionally which is something I ignore alot, especially when I like someone and I think what should I do so they like me, what does he want?…etc.

Instead its like this:  I’m already awesome enough to be cared about.  So the question is: What can you do to get me?

I know: Get me a pizza and some orange juice…I’m starving.

Sweet…

I must say I love to blog even though I’ve been unable to for a while.  Thank you school and work, thank you.

I just want to thank everyone that works at WordPress.com for the wonderful new features on the site, I love it.  I’m having more fun blogging than ever and now maybe I’ll force some time into my schedule to do so.

~Ciao! Puppies and Gelato!,

Dominica

Meet Tristan, and Certain Songs Make Me Miss You

So this guy I know really well.  His name is Tristan Kavanagh, he’s the greatest guy I know, and probably the most perfect.  haha.  Well, you’ll see in his blog.  Which is actually helping me get to know him even better.  He’s just a friend, well he already has a super awesome gf.  So no luck there ladies.  Sorry.  So here’s the link: Tristan’s Blog

Also I know everyone says the reason I’m single is because I’m so cold-hearted, and guys are intimidated by me (Why!?!  Whatever, losers, scared of a 5′2″, 100lbs…)  Sureel said it’s because I’m ambiguous.  Basically she says guys can’t tell if I’m really into them or just toying with them, so they’re scared to take a chance.    Julian, also my best guy friend and cousin, said guys get the vibe that my first answer is going to be “NO.” and I give off the feeling of “You don’t have a chance.” So let me make this clear:  I have a HEART, and it can be pretty romantic…sometimes.  Ok, so I’m never gonna wanna watch A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, anything by Nicolas Sparks or anything like that CRAP.  Still, I like romance, just a drier version of it.  I’m sorta like a teenaged-boy at heart (that likes guys).  My kind of love is care-free and innocent, lighthearted, and fun.  Not tear-jerking or anything you’ll find on LifeTime…GROSS.

So anyway.  I’ve been a softy lately.  I dunno, I’ve been head-in-the-clouds-hoping-for-love-to-come-around for some unknown reason, and I’ve been going on dates.  Basically I’m giving people a chance, and its amazing how many people open up to you once you open up to them first.  Wow.  Still, I’m not attached in any sense of the word (I really like freedom).  There are 3 guys that I like more than anyone else so far.  But, for various reasons, I can’t see them as much as I would like…well there’s a main reason for all 3 of them: SCHOOL!!!!  Stupid school, making their schedules and mine busy as hell!!! It especially sucks for…my favorite one.  He and Tristan are actually a lot alike…look eh, similar… both from the same city…but he’s not tall like Tris.  I’ve even been less picky lately.  Like remember when I was in that blonde phase?  Well, I met a couple of cute brunettes, and basically I’m not going by any specific features anymore…just hottness.  That’s all that counts, well that and being super-smart, into music (all genres please, not just hip-hop or just rock…jeez), funny, creative, likes to read actual books, political, aromatically appealing, taller than me, nice, honest, reliable,  proficiency at an instrument (preferably guitar or piano) is a plus, as are: a good sense of fashion, ability to speak a European language (preferably Italian or French), being spontaneous, willingness to dance in public (i.e. bars, clubs etc.), non-opposed to getting drunk occassionally, and just being fantastically, awesome.  Oh, and willing to accept my love for Megan Fox, ask Dave he understands.  Wait…and not whiny.  Ugh, please don’t call me drunk and beg for me to come over, and don’t say: “I care about you more than you care about me.”  and don’t ask “When you graduate do you want to move-in together?” if we’ve only been together a total of 2 months.  Yeah, the ex did all of those things…he was basically a whiny-teenaged-girl.  I already possess a vagina…I don’t need two.  Sorry I got carried away.  That list of what I want isn’t too specific or long right?  I’m sure someone fits that other than Robert Schwartzman/Carmine (He goes by either name.)

Wait, wait, wait!!!  The list!  Ok, so the point was:  Certain songs make me want to have a significant guy in my life and sorta make me miss/pine for this one guy those other guys.  Here they are:

Artist ~ Song

We Are Scientists ~ After Hours

Foo Fighters ~ Walking After You

The Virgins ~ Private Affair

The Virgins ~ Teen Lovers

Asobi Seksu ~ Thursday

MGMT ~ Electric Feel

The Cure ~ Just Like Heaven

The Veronicas ~ Unthouched (That goes for me and the Jonas Brothers)

The Bridges ~ All the Words

Sam Sparro ~ Black & Gold

Phantom Planet ~ Dropped

Brazilian Girls ~ Good Time

Marie Digby ~ Stupid for You

Noah and the Whale ~ 5 Years Time

Aqualung ~ Strange and Beautiful

She and Him ~ Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

Locksley ~ Don’t Make Me Wait

The Headlights ~ Everybody Needs a Fence to Lean On

Chairlift ~ Bruises

Coldplay ~ Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love

Bloc Party ~ Mercury (I don’t know why though)

Bloc Party ~ This Modern Love (I know exactly why)

Field Music ~ You’re So Pretty

Feist ~ Inside and Out (Reminds me of Andy Samberg)

Kaskade ~ 4AM

Paramore ~ That’s What You Get

Hard-Fi ~ Hard to Beat

Portishead ~ Glory Box

Charlotte Sometimes ~ How I Could Just Kill a Man (its the sound, not the words)

The Bravery ~ Time Won’t Let Me Go

Paolo Nutini ~ Last Request

James Morrison ~ Better Man

James Morrison ~ You Give Me Something

That’s all folks! So I’m going to do some actual work now, and practice my guitar, and go to sleep, and then wake up and go to class.  Love Ya.

Oh, I got a role in a movie.  More on that tomorrow.