Breaking News!

Guess what? Our episode of the Apple Seed is airing at noon! Yup, in about fifteen minutes. Here are the details from the host of the show.

The “Defining Moments” class stories will air today, as our engineer just finished the editing in time. The show airs at noon and again at 9pm on SiriusXM ch. 143 or online at www.byuradio.org. They can always catch it again online in the archive a day or two later at www.byuradio.org/appleseed

Check it out if you want to!
And if you are wondering what the heck I'm talking about, look at my previous post called "Defining Moments."

Defining Moments

For my English class today, we did a radio session with The Apple Seed, which is basically an hour long show about story telling. We each took turns sharing our stories about defining moments in our lives. I'm not sure when they're going to air the show, but you're all welcome to listen to it. Here's a shortened link to get you to their website. http://bit.ly/1k9ZtaL

I'll give you the written version of my defining moment that I shared. Let me take you back to second grade, a little room filled with little desks filled with little people. It was time for our class to go to the library and check out some books. I remember distinctly thinking that I wanted a real adventure. I saw a lot of kids reading some picture books about dogs. As much as I love dogs, I did think, "I do NOT want to read a little dog book."

So I wandered around the library in search of something that would satisfy this book-craving that I had. I spotted a book that I had seen my older sister reading not too long ago, you might recognize the title, The Hobbit. Yeah, maybe a bit thick for a seven-year-old, but I really wanted to know what a hobbit was and what sort of things were going to happen in this story.

I took my book up to the librarian's desk and waited for her to check the book out to me. But she didn't. She looked at me, or perhaps towered over me is a better expression. I've always been on the short side, and when I remember this moment, it was like standing up to a mountain, and she peered over the edge of her gold-rimmed glasses. "You can't read that book." She said it simply, and my jaw literally dropped. What did she mean that I can't read the book? I didn't want to read any other book but that one! And I didn't even know that adults could tell children what books they could and couldn't read. The thought had just never occurred to me.

After a moment, she asked me to open it up to the middle of the book and start reading, and if I could read it then she would let me check it out. Fine! I thought, I will! And I did. And she let me check the book out. Now, I don't want you to think that I read and understood The Hobbit completely when I was seven because I did get bored halfway through and return it. But I knew that in another year or two, I would be able to finish it and enjoy it, and sure enough that's what happened.

So why is this a defining moment? I didn't realize at the time that the librarian was testing me and my knowledge of language when she had me read out loud. I thought that she was just being a malicious, evil librarian, but I don't think that was her intention. I realized though, that I was good at reading and that I really could read whatever I wanted. From that moment on, I just wanted to read more books, bigger books, more complex books. Of course, every book that I read had to be a fantasy, but I made an exception for the Nancy Drew books. I did like those a lot. But from that point on, I knew that I could read anything, and reading became a thousand different adventures.

Oh, and the school librarian never again questioned me about any book. I guess I made my point.

Freedom!

As soon as I wrote that title, I couldn't help but think of Braveheart. But I pretty much want to shout it out and do a little dance. Why? I withdrew from a class yesterday (an Italian one)! It's such a relief! I'm an English major, so why was I taking so many Italian classes? Well, I was planning on getting the Italian certificate, but I found that I was spending more time doing my Italian homework than doing my English homework, and I'm in my senior English class for heaven's sake! And on top of that, it's one of the coolest English classes I have ever taken, so it made me sad that I couldn't devote as much time to it as I needed to. But now I can!

And tonight, I'm actually going to watch a movie! My social life, though not too grand before, has pretty much gone to nothing. This is what I did on the weekend: Go shopping for my groceries (leaving at 6:30am!), then go to campus and study, eat lunch, study some more, go home. And even then, I was never able to catch up enough in this class that I just dropped. Now, I actually do something fun and even *gasp* go out with friends or *bigger gasp* go on a date. Of course, it's still going to be busy, but I think I'll be able to write more too! I wasn't getting any writing done except the academic sort.

This definitely isn't as epic as Braveheart, but I just feel so great! I had to tell the world that I'm free! So take some time to celebrate today--do something fun.

Maladaptive Bind

I just finished Sarah E. Seeley's book, Maladaptive Bind, and I must say that I enjoyed the read! I don't want to give away too much of the story for those who haven't read it, but I was particularly interested in the internal conflict of the main character.

Angela (the protagonist) is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as LDS or Mormons. As a member of this church myself, it was very interesting to be in Angela's point of view as she encounters a darkness that she had never imagined and struggles with her desire to embrace it but at the same time push it away. A huge part of the struggle involves her own physical transformation into something she considers a monster and the emotions and desires that accompany the physical change.

I mean, it's difficult enough at times to obey God's commandments as a normal human being. So what would happen if our bodies changed yet again, bringing with them a change in needs and a changed mindset? How much more difficult would it be to control our actions and our emotions? You can't help but sympathize with her as she battles within herself to live as she did before.

It was definitely worth the read!

You can get it in paperback or on your kindle at Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1cdBDmp

Or it's also at Barnes and Noble
http://bit.ly/1k1IFT2

My Personal Shakespeare

Today ended up quite interesting. Let me tell you the story. In the middle of reading that Jack Zipes article that I mentioned in the last post, a random guy comes up to me and just says, "This is for you, bye!" It was just a few words written on a note card that said, "I love you! Study hard now and then have fun later. You rock!!" I have absolutely no idea who this guy was, but I assume he had a small stack of note cards and was handing them out to random people studying in the library.

I thought it was funny, and I showed my roommate when she came out to see me (she works in the media center, and I tend to study right outside of there). At this point, another guy sat across from me at the table and asked to see the card, and he chuckled at it. Then, after about 20 minutes, he slides a piece of paper and a pencil over to me and says, "Here's another one for you."

What was it? To my utter surprise, he had written a poem about me while sitting there. It was pretty clever actually, and he wanted to know if I was single. I started to freak out just a little at this point. This type of thing never happens to me, and my mind honestly went blank as I tried to think of a witty response. I managed to get out four lines of poetry and give him my number (20 seconds of courage, right?). Definitely single.

We went back and forth, writing poems until he had to go. He asked me out for 7:30 tonight, but I already made plans to see a show, so that was a no go. He didn't tell me his name, but he took down my number and said that he would text me sometime (probably also in rhyming verse).

I was kind of dumbfounded at this point, and of course, it was kind of difficult to concentrate, so I left too. And I was trying so hard to not look at him and be super awkward that I don't think I got a really good look at him. I think I was pretty awkward anyway. That's the story of my life when it comes to attractive men--I get awkward. This was only augmented by the fact that when I lived in Italy for a year and a half, it was for a mission, and I was basically sworn off of dating until I got back. Granted, it's been almost a year now, and I have gone on dates, but the awkwardness remains.

I really don't know if he's going to ask me out again, and maybe I just acted like a complete idiot, but it was pretty exciting. Even if he doesn't, that made my day! It would be the perfect way for someone to ask me out, since I'm an English major and I greatly admire wit. But for now, he remains my elusive, personal Shakespeare.

Why Fantasy Matters Too Much

I thought that today would be pretty ordinary and boring, wake up, go to the gym, get ready, go to campus to do research, blah, blah, blah. It was pretty ordinary and boring up to that point, doing some research on campus, because it just so happens that I'm doing research for my senior English paper and the subject matter must have something to do with fairy tales. My class is actually called, "The Fairy Tale," so I'm not kidding.

I'm in one of those predicaments where I feel like I've been writing too many papers, and my creative energy feels like it's draining fast. In this class, which I enjoy more than any other, why is it that I can't think of a good paper topic? Everything about this class is fascinating and interesting, and in all of the everything, it's so hard to settle down on a specific something. But my fancy was struck the other day by a particular retelling of the "Hansel and Gretel" story, but this one was set in modern Italy.

Perfect, right? I guess, for those who don't know me very well, I lived in Italy for a year and a half, and I love love love most Italian things. This fairy tale was particularly interesting, though. Unlike most of the fairy tales we read in class, this one read just like a middle-grade novel, except it was only six or seven pages. I knew that some of the fairy tales were not originally meant for children, but the fact that I have not yet read a fairy tale in that class where the child was the hero (until "Nino and Nina" by Gianni Rodari) made me wonder if, in fact, most fairy tales were actually intended for adults.

I began looking for the origins of the middle-grade novel. When exactly did people start writing for kids, and were fairy tales an influence in that? It may not sound like a paper topic yet, but I'm working off of this idea. And, getting back to when I was starting my research in the library, I stumbled across an article called, "Why Fantasy Matters Too Much," by Jack Zipes, a well-known name in the field of folklore. I don't have too much time to summarize the article, but I'll share some of my favorite quotes from there:

"It is through fantasy that we have always sought to make sense of the world, not through reason. Reason matters, but fantasy matters more" (78).

"In fact, much of what we call fantasy is predictable schlock and tritely conventional because it lacks critical reflection and self-reflection and appeals to market conditions and audience delusions" (81).

"If fantasy can be subversive and resistant to existing social conditions, then it wants to undermine what passes for normality, to expose the contradictions of civil society, and to right the world out-of-joint-in the name of humanity" (82).

"It's effect [the effect of the fantastic] cannot be totally predetermined or determined, except to say that a reader and viewer will always be impelled by the dynamics of the fantastic to reflect seriously and imaginatively about the customary ways she or he engages with the world" (83).

"Hope for change can only be created if the fantastic illuminates and exposes delusion" (83).

Of course, he uses the term fantasy in a broad sense, with many different meanings, but it does make me pause and consider the literature that we read and print. To what end does it serve? Do we, as individuals, use fantasy to be deluded or enlightened?

My heart is set on NYC

Well, it's official, my heart is set on NYC. You know when you make a decision, but its kind of flimsy? And then as time goes on, you have to really decide? I've been toying with the idea going to NYC since I got back from Italy. I think I acquired a taste for big city life after living in Milan for a while. But last week was a big decision moment.

I keep getting more and more settled on the matter. It's kind of weird to think about leaving everything behind, but it's exciting too. Plus, it's the city where Ingrid Michaelson lives, so that makes it one of the coolest places. I never realized just how much there is in a big city before I lived in one. They're pretty exciting, and there's always something new to find. Plus, think of all of the food! Oh, I can't wait to see what Little Italy is like! If they have real mozzarella, I might just die!

Orson Scott Card

What am I doing right now? Just sitting in the awe and aftermath of Orson Scott Card's keynote address at LTUE. What a funny guy! And his insights about his own life in connection with Ender was incredible. And we have a new edition of Ender's Game to look forward to someday. When? Well, we don't really know. But someday. It will be almost the same except for some minor changes. And instead of just being lucky, according to Card, Ender is finally smart.

Last night there was an epic author signing with the room packed with authors and eager fans, waiting to get their signatures. I bought books (and then had them signed) by Lisa Mangum, Mette Ivy Harrison, Jessica Day George, Joe Vasicek, and Sarah E. Seeley. I also bought an awesome Orc valentine from Sarah. Best valentine ever!

I'm really going to be sad when this is all over, and it's back to thinking about school and my papers. Just a little bit longer and I'll be done!

LTUE

Yes, that's right, it's time for LTUE 32: Life, the Universe, and Everything. Ah, I wish I didn't have class or work or homework and could just spend all day over there. I was only able to go for about an hour today, but I saw some friends of mine there. I ran in to Joe Vasicek first. He's a self-published author and does a lot of space opera novellas. His blog is at http://www.onelowerlight.com/writing/ if you want to check out his stuff.

Then I ran into Sarah Seeley. I know her from Leading Edge Magazine, the good ol' days! I know Joe from there too. Her blog is at http://slithersofthought.com/ and you should all totally check it out. I've actually never visited her blog, so I'm going to check it out too! But she recently self-published her first novel, called Maladaptive Bind. Check it!

And then, of course, I ran into my supervisor! I don't mean from my BYU job, I mean my Cedar Fort internship. His name is Daniel Friend, and yes, he is my supervisor for all of my work at Cedar Fort. Even though we were at a sci fi, fantasy symposium, it doesn't mean that nobody will have a non-fiction book that they want to publish.

Oh, and I ran into my first college English teacher. How random is that? He's a cool guy though, and he taught a rockin' class--I mean, I'm an English major, so that says something, right?

If you're into the sci fi, fantasy scene, you should totally go to LTUE. Registration is free for students, so why not! And I think Annie Sowards (I think she also goes by Anne) is still here for LTUE. She came to my class yesterday and gave us some great info.

I've been thinking about New York a lot lately, trying to figure out what to do when I graduate (just about two months away). I keep oscillating back and forth between wanting to stay here and then wanting to go somewhere else, but last night helped me make an important decision. Annie said that a lot of the publishing houses want you to start at the entry-level positions and move up within the company, so it would actually be the perfect time to go. I'll never be more "entry-level" than I am now, so why the heck not? It was reassuring to hear from somebody that you can move to New York and find a job (probably not right away, but eventually you can get one in editing) and do what you want. 

Therefore, after going to my brother's wedding in June and then WIFYR right after, I think I will hop a plane to New York with a one-way ticket!

Annie Sowards at BYU!

Hey everyone!

I have to be really brief, but I just wanted to give a little update since I have a couple of spare minutes. Annie Sowards, one of the executive editors for Penguin Books, just came to BYU! Well, she spoke last night, and she'll also speak today at 11 am. She is an acquisitions editor for their science fiction and fantasy department.

Anyway, I'll have more later on what she talked about. See ya!

How to Survive

I've moved into survival mode. It's cold outside, but there's way too much to do inside anyway. It is indeed the week of death, make that the beginning of the weeks of death. When I say, "week of death," I mean a week full of midterms, or papers--however it turns out for you. I have papers. Right now, I'm working on three of them, and two of them are in Italian.

I suppose I really can't complain too much because I figured it would be like this--two papers in each Italian class and a small paper and a really huge paper in my senior English class. So, I guess I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for it. And the papers are not altogether kill-joys. I'm actually liking how they're turning out. What does get me is that I have to work on them all at the same time.

So, how does one survive the "week of death"? Good question. Ideally, you will have already thought of that and have been working to get ahead for the week of death. But often, even if you do so, you may still suffer. I kick things into survival mode. This means I pretty much go to school as soon as I wake up, eat bits here and there when I'm hungry, and then go to bed once I've finished everything for the next day. Oh, and don't forget the coke! I bought a nice six-pack last night to help keep myself going.

Other possible solutions/alternatives:
1. Build a freeze ray and stop the world.
2. Set loose a basilisk in your school.
3. Sleep through it.
4. Save yourself time--wear the same clothes the whole week (no shower!)
5. Contract some deadly disease (just make sure you live through it)
6. Go to Dagobah (ask for Yoda)
7. Have Scotty beam you up.
8. Do it Katniss style--show them what happened to Seneca Crane.
9. Get Sherlock to take your test for you.
10. Rent a puppy!

One of those should suffice.