Charlie's Reads and Informal Reviews (Merry Christmas, everyone!) # 1

Hey guys! Sorry for not posting anything for the past two months. A lot has been happening that doesn't involve school. I'm supposed to write a brief plot on what happened for my 2012 NaNoWriMo (in which I won, by the way). :D But I feel kind of tired for the moment, but I would like to share to everyone what I have just finished reading, currently reading, and books that I bought but haven't read yet. Some of you guys probably would be raising an eyebrow because most of the books are aimed for adults. Err... I don't really know what I should say, even though I should be justifying my books, but my immature mind would like to say to you who questions my choice of reading:

But moving on...

Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco. I've been wanting to read this book ever since I've stumbled upon the book's rather spoiler-y tvtropes page. When I found, like, copies that takes over two shelves on NBS, I freaked out and ran home. And then a couple of days later, came back with money that was just freshly received from my mother abroad. While the premise looks pretty simple (a student and friend of an infamous Filipino dead writer, Crispin Salvador, goes back to their hometown, the Philippines, to piece together Crispin's whole life and write a biography and also to find out what led to his friend's death), there's just so many plots. It's cool for me to read a lot of stories at once. But the constant changing of POVs and styles and story lines could make you confused (happened to me), but in some extent it connects to the main plot. Somehow. While I was spoiled a bit about the ending, the ending still made me put the book down when I was done and stare at space and leave me speechless. A good book, I say. Has great, vivid description of the Philippines as it is now.

Paper Towns by John Green. I've heard of John Green all over the internet. Well, maybe not all over the internet, the but the writing and fandom part of the internet. Which is my internet. I see my friends shed tears over his books. Quotes from the books are, well, quoted. Seeing that he has a good reputation among us, I decided to check him out. I was planning on picking up The Fault In Our Stars, but I chose this instead. Good writing, good humor, a pretty good book. I'm actually looking forward to read his other books.

I'm also currently reading 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. This is my first Murakami book. Still chugging along finely. Totally not weirded out by anything. Probably because back a couple of years ago I watch anime like there's no tomorrow. There's a lot of weird stuff in this anime. There's a lot of weird stuff in this book. I'm not even done yet.

Also chugging along Darkside by S.K.S. Perry. I'm not really into online novels and ebooks, but when I need to take a break from all the craziness in the book I would be reading (which is rare!) I run to this. Pretty neat read. You guys can read it for free here.

And two books I just got today for Christmas!

 Can't wait to read them. :D

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years, guys!

I wanna be a teacher.

So I wanna be a teacher.

NO, that does not mean I'm giving up my hopes on becoming a full-time writer.  I WILL BE ONE DAY YOU WILL SEE YOU WILL AAALLL SEEEEEEE. But hey, not all writers are successful (over-night). And also, it's only a few more years (one and half, to be exact) until I graduate from high school, and my ultimate goal right now is to write a book while I'm still in school. So when I'm a teacher, I'm technically in school right?

Genius.

 But hey, there's still college, right? That's school, too! Yes. But I don't count it. :P College is like mixture of school and work (sorry if I'm wrong, I have no idea what college feels like except from what I heard from a couple of people, and they say it's piles and piles and piles of homework and projects and normal work).

But I think being a teacher can be pretty cool. And yes, I've watched my teachers my whole life  get sick of my classmates, since in every school I'm transferred, my classes are always the most naughtiest class with the biggest amount of trouble-makers and bullies. Or maybe that's how all individuals in a class who are like me who feels the same way as well.

I feel really bad for my teachers. I've seen a lot of them develop sickness because of us. Just last week, my favorite English teacher's voice was husky, and she couldn't speak very loudly, but during our class (English class, despite my favorite time, is the most heavily abused subject time of the day), when everyone should be having their oral interpretation done in front of the class, most of the class were chatting and laughing away loudly, taking out their cellphones and tapping away, hearing nothing of the weak cries of the woman. She grew agitated that she stormed to the nosiest group and snapped at them (I'm going to have to spare the details on what happened at this part). After that, she stormed out of the classroom.

The next day, my teacher didn't come to our class. And everyone in my class were rejoicing because there was no teacher in the subject time, and all teachers were too preoccupied with their own schedule no one was willing to substitute. Who would want to? We're the worst class, after all. I mean, how would you feel when you're in front of the class trying to teach and everyone is ignoring you, making noise and chaos right in front you and yet they're still ignoring you?

The next day, just this Friday where we were holding the annual Spiritual Retreat in our school, I saw my English teacher looking fine. I ran to her and hugged her (yeah, I actually did that) and asked her if she was alright. She smiled to me and said that she was fine now, and the reason of her absence the day before was because she was sick. And I think that was our fault. I was really glad that she was okay and smiling, because, good lord, the woman had went through a lot of things she feels like a friend. No need to add ourselves to her causes of her headaches and troubles.

Being a teacher is really hard.

But after incidentally coming across songs and blog posts (specifically this one) about school and teachers, I feel like I wanted to be one. You know, experience what they feel. There's also this saying that if you're a teacher, you can't be rich. Oh hey, that sounds like a challenge!

Being a teacher won't have the published-at-a-really-young-age charm that I really wanted to have, but my favorite author was once a teacher! :) It's good to be in the company of children when you're writing books about kids doing adventures (except I noticed how many of my protagonists are around eighteen or nineteen years old, basically college age, and they're venture more on a worldly quest of...politics). You can learn from them a lot!

And also, for some reason I wanted to feel their pain. To me (and I know most of you will agree to this because it's a universal fact that everyone is aware of) , pain is experience. And I need all the experience to write my stories. Because in all stories you tell, there's a part of you in there. There's a message buried deep the pages.

But you might also be thinking, hey, reading books makes you experience stuff, right? That's totally true! And it takes effort to finish a book, right? I mean, for the non-book readers, finishing an actual novel can be a chore, unless it's the book they really like. So finding the right book for them can take a while. It might be even painful! xD

So this is my rant piece for now. The only disbelieving thing about this whole statement is because I'm going around back to square one, which is: my dream job when I was a really small kid. Like, when I was four years old. Kinda endearing, but huh.

Writing this in the morning and I haven't gone to bed yet, so, ummm.

P.S. Nanowrimo just in a few days, guys!

NaNoWriMo in one month.

I don't feel really good. Didn't go to school today for... I don't know. I just don't feel like it.
That aside, one more month until NaNoWriMo. I'm totally going to do again this year, since last year I failed epically because I stopped writing my novel in... less than 6,000 words. So, this year, I might try something different.

Fan fiction.

Yes, please do dub me as  the worst writer in the world.

But I'm actually considering writing an Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit fan novelization, and when I'm done I wold revise it and put it up for everyone to read. I guess I'm taking this opportunity to try and practice and polish something, though I don't know what. My writing style? Or my sense of narration, how I timed events and dialogues and thoughts? I think it's a good way to practice writing, generally. I'm not yet ready for the publishing industry, and for some reason, I feel really safe on the self-publishing thing, you know?  I've been reading a lot of articles about the choices of how an author could publish, and, normally I could go to some major publishing company, because, whew, fame and fortune, it's hard to turn it down, right? But yeah, self- publishing is equals to much familiar ground.

Oh, that's just me, being anxious.

It was said that the game script is way twice longer than the game itself, but something had happened and the creators had to cut out a lot of things in the game, especially the last part of the game, which makes it looks rush But I've collected some sources (err, more like words of the creator, playthroughs, gameFAQs, trivia reading, etc..) that could provide me guidance.

Of course I'm not planning to publish it.

It's a good option, really, for NaNo. I have other options, but I still have a month to think about it all.

On the other hand, going slow and easy on the history project. The first draft might be done next year, when I keep going. And, if I'm really the luckiest teenager in the world, maybe by the last year of my high school I might sign a contract, and the book would be published.

Hey, a person can dream, right?

But as of now, not getting my hopes up anymore.

P.S. Mark of Athena tomorrow! I hope I get the book, and I will totally neglect exams.

Look who's back.

Well, it certainly has been a while. I haven't written anything in this for a while now. Not that I have many people reading this blog. So anyways, just a quick catch-up with what had happened the past few months when I was not updating here.

Well, my last post is about me going through the summer and what to do with. But now it's September, and I've returned to school. I have to admit, my performance have improved a little. A little. It's probably because I suddenly have the sense of freedom, and the freedom of moving around without someone or something restraining you. I think going to school is a tiny bit bearable now. Tiny bit. But I'm not here to angst about school, I came for the art of literature and art and other really cheesy stuff!

Since that start of the new school year, I decided to set aside the other two novels that I had mentioned in the previous posts. I have two other novels that I'm currently writing right now, the concept of both stories are far more stable than the other two I used to work on. I think I may have my subconscious combine the other scrap novel ideas and made it into one big epic explosion. These books would get me killed. There's this one book, which I should dub in this blog as the "creator" project, that I really want published, because of the whole world I have constructed for it. But the other book, I shall call "history" project, a book set in the country I'm standing, is where I felt strong to write, probably because I am in familiar ground, and I very well know the premise and conflict and all the themes that would be tackle in the book. It's probably because I'm experiencing what the country is experiencing, and I feel what they feel, and understand them, and that I need to speak out for them. Cliche as it's sound, that's how I feel. There's a lot going on in the country lately, both positive and negative. Plus, it's more fun in the Philippines, says a local slogan or something.

Anyways, back to writing! I welcome you, weekends, and I hope you give me enough time for my writing.

Move, Pen, Move!

Now that the school is finally over, I have already booked the whole summer vacation, dedicating myself to writing a lot of things. Each day planned, what to write, what to finish. Have to remind myself to bring a notebook and a pen with me every time I have to leave the house. Read and write, watch TV, be inspired. Guh.

I am trying to busy myself with the Theodore Project, and the Diary Project. I also have to start a blog for my web serial novel, but, I guess most of them are going to wait for a moment and I'll have to do it one at a time. Or else, they'll just crash on top of me!

But anyways, not much happening in our household. Except maybe that I might be moving to Canada this year. I'll probably post more about it when I have more details. I only know that I made my decision to go there. Hoo, boy.

The Theodore Project

Heartstrong (or whatever its future title it will be) is a science fiction drama story (but not a lot of drama) aimed for a young audience (kids, maybe?). It can be a really, really thick novel, or a trilogy. I've been writing it since I was eleven (twelve, maybe), so that was a long time ago, and the story--since back then my writing really sucked--has went through many changes, rewritings, trials, different cheesy titles, themes, et cetera.

The basic plot (so far) is about a brilliant but sickly young boy who is forced to train in a space school with a couple of other kids for a war that will come years later. He is trained normally...until the authorities have learned that the boy is the product of two powerful family lines intertwined together. The boy, then, is forced to pull out from the school and, with his grandfather, his last surviving relative other than his exiled father, decides to hide from the Imperium, a small group of scientists who are researching about foreign extraterrestrial life, and are out to get the boy for his unique alien bloodline. But as time pass on, the war looms closer, and the boy must make decisions. Will he help save his home planet and surrender himself to the authorities, or continue to run away?

There's actually more to this, but let's stick with the really, really basic premise.

And now, here is an excerpt of the draft I'm currently working on (oh, it better be the draft). It's nothing special, really. It's just...a part of the draft of the novel.

Visual DNA Personality Quiz Result

You're a Culture Vulture

You're a true original. You embrace all kinds of culture and love new ideas that push boundaries and explore new avenues of thinking. You don't believe in playing it safe.
Sophisticated and inquisitive you have a real passion for art and culture. You pride yourself on being in the know when it comes to the latest music and films and you always like to have a good book on the go. You believe in immersing yourself in interesting experiences that make you look at people, places and opportunities from new angles. Being sensitive and creative you want to feel connected to the world around you and actively seek out opportunities to explore it. It's all about broadening your horizons and living life to the full. Anything else would not fulfill your curious nature.

Asking about the latest book you've got on the go is probably the best way to get you talking. You like to lose yourself in another world or lifetime, as each page is turned you become more involved with the plot and characters and increasingly enjoy the sensation of fueling your imagination and knowledge.
You're open-minded and a positive thinker so when you get the chance to go traveling, you love to head somewhere exotic and off the beaten track. For you, escapism is the ultimate in relaxation - it's the perfect antidote to the stress of everyday life. You love the feel of the sun and sea on your skin so your perfect vacation would definitely include a beach. Even better if it's secluded and luxurious.

To sum it up in a few words, you love the mystery of life. You are not someone who only sees the humdrum of human existence - you like to marvel at the wonders of nature and universe.

Source: wikia.visualdna.com

What is Up

I know some of you (my beautiful and awesome real life and online friends, whoever you are) are probably out to get me for starting a rather serious blog about myself, my stories, and other things that tackle about literature, books and writing and tvtropes.

My fan fiction friends, do not worry! I will still continue to work on my fan fics, and hang out with fandoms. In fact, I'm actually pretty focused on my fanfic, but of course, I'm also also interested in writing original fiction. I have a plot for a online web novel ready, and I might set up a blog for it so I could start posting chapters; I also have two novels at the works (one in MS word, and one in notebook),  and I might post some really old writings (old novels that I didn't bother continuing anymore because I thought the ideas are stupid) I wrote back when I was still a little kiddie. I also have a couple of short stories, which I could compile into one book, and then probably publish it via lulu.com. I have a lot stuff that I held back for more than two years.

Because I'm still a student studying in a school, I'll probably be working on original fiction slower than fan fiction. But don't worry! I'll be managing fine. (I hope.)

P.S. Don't bother understanding the blog's title.