When Your Mood Doesn’t Match Your Character’s…

Posted on June 5, 2010 by Leah

The story of David and Dawn needs finished. The ending – well, technically it’s the beginning – has never been in question. My muse has had it gift-wrapped and ready to be opened since I finished “Misery’s Constant Companion.” I just haven’t made myself open it yet. No idea why, really. But today is the today. Or at least I hope it is.

You see, I’m having trouble getting into the character because my mood is so–happy is the best way to describe it. And the two scenes I need to write to finish the story are not happy ones. They’re dark and sad and somewhat depressing.

So how does one tap into their character’s mood and feelings?
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7 Must-See Indie Horror Movies

Posted on June 5, 2010 by Leah

Girl zombie eating her dad Night of the Living Dead 1968Independent films have really become my go-to for great movies. Sure, sometimes the production value isn’t as high as those backed by a major studio or the actors could use a few lessons and more experience, but the writing and the story’s authenticity overshadows the minor flaws in those lesser-known gems. That’s not to say I don’t end up sitting through some real crap films from time to time. However, when it comes to indie films – especially indie horror – the risk is worth the reward. The following indie horror films appear to be of the high caliber variety and promise to entertain true horror fans and film lovers.

Side note: I’ve only watched the trailer, not the full-length movie, and these films are in various stages of production – from planning/fundraising to completed projects – so please show your support.
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Balance: Don’t Tiptoe Around It

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Leah

Photo Woman Tightrope BalanceWe’re all gifted 24 hours a day. Some people squeeze those 24 hours until they bleed. Others let them slip through their fingers without even realizing what they’ve lost. So how is it that certain people seem to fit everything in while others barely make it out of bed every day?

It’s simple really — balance.

Now, not being the most coordinated person anyway, finding an acceptable balance in my life hasn’t been easy. At first it was, “How do I balance singlemomdom with employment?” Then it was, “How do I balance singlemomdom and self-employment?” Later on I started asking, “How do I balance singlemomdom, self-employment and university?” And as the years progressed I also wanted to fit in homeschooling, writing, homeownership, and a personal life.

When you look at everything you want to do it can overwhelm and discourage you.

Don’t let it!
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The Collector (2009) – Horror Movie Review

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Leah

Photo The Collector Movie PosterThis one’s all horror, baby. It’s what I refer to as a home invasion slasher, complete with a masked madman who never says a word and whose history is never revealed. His motives should be obvious, though, just read the movie’s title. And if you can handle the gore and overlook a teensy bit of unrealistic plot then you will probably like The Collector (2009) as much as I did.

Photo: Yellow starPhoto: Yellow starPhoto: Yellow starPhoto: Yellow star
4 stars out of 5

Remember when horror moviegoers used to pee their pants for movies with killers they didn’t know a thing about? Sometimes the killers wore masks and moviegoers never even saw the killers’ faces? And the mystery added to the film’s scariness and the villain’s badass factor.

Ah, the good old days.
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7 Attributes of the Truly Confident Person by Elaine Sihera

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Leah

Photo Orange Kitten Sees Lion in MirrorMondays are the day I usually need to give myself a little pep talk. These pep talks consist of positive affirmations – ones I’ve created specifically for me, my life and my dreams – and a brief reminder to keep my thoughts on track with my dreams (a.k.a. goals). Coaches and self-help gurus always preach the power of positive thinking but I’m not certain they reassure people that adopting such an attitude is not an overnight transition. In fact, it could take some individuals years to reach a place where they don’t have to actively self-talk themselves into a positive mindset.

For me, as long as I pay close attention to my thoughts and inner voice, I do not have many lapses into negativity or self-doubt. Another area where I have few problems is confidence. The first 21 years of my life were filled with shyness, insecurity, jealousy and all the other bedfellows of people lacking confidence. There were countless reasons for my low self-esteem, none of which further this post’s objective so I won’t go into detail, but one day enough was enough.
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31-Year Old Blogger Feared Missing: Later Found Buried Under Work

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Leah

Photo tree above ground naked woman undergroundOkay, maybe it’s not so nice to poke fun at Tiffany Tehan; however, the above blog headline just flowed out my fingertips and who am I to argue with my fingers? Plus, my whole objective in publishing a post today is based on the fact that I’ve been away for far too long without any warning or heads up. And really, after what she put her family, friends and community through, does Tiffany deserve anything less than jabs, name-calling and ridicule?

Call me judgy, or even snarky if you must, but when a mother abandons her child(ren) because she wants to “start a new life,” I’m not going to have buckets of positive feedback with which to shower her. Not only did Tiffany abandon her child, she just up and disappeared. No explanation. No “Dear John” letter for her hubby. Just skips town with her new fella and screw everyone and everything else.
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Top 5 Songs to Fuel Emotional Scenes

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Leah

I’m not sure if all writers rely on music for added inspiration before, during, or after specific types of scenes, but I do. When I’m going to write a dark scene with graphic violence or heated dialogue, I’ll listen to bands like KoЯn, Seether or Disturbed. On the flip side, when I’m writing an emotional scene, one filled with inner turmoil, self-reflection, or no-turning-back decisions, the most played artists in my iTunes account include Linkin Park, Band of Horses, Blue Foundation, Ray Lamontagne, and Damien Rice, to name just a handful.

I’ve handpicked the top five songs to inspire writing in heavy emotional scenes and/or scenes primarily centered around a character, his thoughts and actions, and how his world and others will be affected by them. These songs evoke specific emotions from me that filter down through my muse into my words. Sometimes the lyrics are the key; sometimes it’s a mixture of the singer’s voice, the melody, and the mood.
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Betrayal, Forgiveness and Jesse James by Karen Bentley

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Leah

Photo Angry LemonBy now, everyone – including people like me who avoid the “news” at all costs – knows about the trouble in Sandra Bullock and Jesse James’ marriage. He cheated. She left. Divorce is imminent.

Normally, the personal events in a celebrity’s life are of little interest to me. But this morning, when I read an article by a woman with an atypical viewpoint (at least to me), the situation really got me thinking about the concept of forgiveness.

Hate is something I’ve always avoided in my life. That old saying is 100% accurate: Hate is a poison that infects your life with nothing but negativity. I hate no one. However, living love hasn’t made it any easier to learn and practice spiritual forgiveness, the kind of forgiveness good for the soul. After I read the article (below) this morning, I sat in silence for about twenty minutes just thinking. Wondering…
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