Yep, you guessed it... Road Trip Wednesday!

What better way to get back into my blogging world (after a very long hiatus) than to hit the floor running with another Road Trip Wednesday post? Yes I know it's Thursday, but I don't think the blogging police will spend too much time fretting over it.

RTW topic of the week - What was the best book you read in October?

This is a remarkably easy question to answer, mostly because I've only read one book in the past month... or four. But I've got to say, even if I had read a hundred books in October, this would probably still be my answer -

The final book in the Divergent series. 

I'm not going to go into any details; I would hate to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet (which you should). But I will say this book broke my heart in all the right places, and I commend Miss Roth for taking such bold risks. I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us. 

~A

Another RTW... on a Thursday!

I'm a day late, but hey, who cares?

This Week's Topic: If you could escape somewhere (anywhere!) for the summer, where would it be?

I like this one, and I barely had to think about it before I got my answer -

It's my dream to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail at some point in my life (preferably while I'm still young. Hear that AARP? I'm only 26, stop sending me insurance pamphlets!). First of all, I love to hike... I mean, who doesn't, right? Second, it would be a major accomplishment to hike the entire 2,180 miles in one go!

So, if I could escape anywhere for a whole summer (and spring... and fall...), I would definitely spend it hiking the A.T., taking in all of it's beautiful wonders, and becoming completely detached from the technology that we have become so dependent on. And then, once I've reached Mt. Katahdin, and have found my way back home to recover, I would write a book about my epic experience!

~A

Road Trip Wednesday

I recently started following a blog called YA Highway and I have decided to participate in their RTW this week:

Road Trip Wednesday is a 'Blog Carnival," where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This week's topic: What song would you love to see a book based on?

The first song that comes to mind is Carrie Underwood's "Two Black Cadillacs"-

I love this song, and I think it would make a great revenge/mystery novel.  I'm not a mystery novel girl myself, but I would definitely read this book! This is the song that inspired my idea for a short story that I am currently working on.

The second song that comes to mind (because I can't choose just one) is Nickel Creek's "When in Rome", because... well, it's my all time favorite song and it is absolutely beautiful, and I just know that there is a great story lurking in the depths of its lyrics. Enjoy - 

Right?!

~A

Dear blank document,

We have grown very close over the past week, but I am afraid our relationship is not progressing the way I'd hoped it would. We spend most of our time just staring at each other, waiting for the other to speak first, and while I do enjoy spending time with you, we can't fool ourselves. This isn't working for either of us. I wish I could trust you, that way I can pour my heart out and tell you everything, because there is SO much floating around inside my head that I want to share with you. It's not you though, it's me: I am going through my own issues right now, and I am sorry I cannot give you what you need. But I want you to know, I will never give up on us.  I have faith that we can make it through this rut that we are stuck in.

Forever yours,
A

The evil that is the series

I have been reading a lot lately, A LOT, per doctors orders. No seriously, my doctor actually recommended that I practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, and reading, and yoga. Prior to this I hadn't been reading much because I am extremely frugal and couldn't justify spending money on a book instead of food, or gas, or bills. This left me to swim through the masses of free Kindle eBooks, hence the reason I hadn't been reading much. Although I must say that I did find some gems in those depths, but it took a lot of digging. Anyways, I jumped at the opportunity to start reading the "good stuff" again, guilt-free, because my doctor said so. I spent the next day devising a list of books that I wanted to read, because that's what I do, I plan things. In my hours of research I stumbled upon Divergent by Veronica Roth and ultimately decided that this was the book I wanted to read first. I am a HUGE sucker for YA dystopian, so I bought it, and I read it... in two days. Then I proceeded to buy the sequel, Insurgent, and read it in another two days. Now this is where my blog title comes in, I just HAD to read the third and final book to know what happens, and I'm sure you can imagine my horror (unless you are one of those sane people) when I found out that the third book won't be out for another FOUR MONTHS! What? This is what happens, I get addicted to an awesome series (like Divergent, seriously, you need to check it out if you haven't yet) and if I have to wait for the next book I go NUTS. Thankfully it only lasts about 24 hours before I start to calm down and forget about it, but still, it SUCKS.

The moral of this story - If your doctor recommends that you read a book to relax, do not, I repeat DO NOT start a series unless ALL of the books have been released already.

Oh, and read Divergent by Veronica Roth, because it's totally, yeah that's right, TOTALLY awesome. It's been a long time since I've read a book that had a really strong female lead. For one, she is not beautiful, and yet she can still command the attention of those around her because she is just that awesome (and not because she's hot). Two, she doesn't mold her beliefs to fit those of her love interest: in other words, she isn't going to change her mind because her boyfriend told her to. So thank you, Veronica Roth, for giving us a solid three dimensional character to look up to.

~A

Out with the old

The time has finally come... my old dinosaur of a laptop has finally bit the dust! THANK GOODNESS!!! Why am I so happy you ask? Because last night I went out and bought a new one, guilt free! Now I have 15.6 inches of shiny, sleek, awesomeness sitting on my lap, and it doesn't weigh 30 lbs, or heat up to the point of combustion! Oh, my precious, how I have been longing for this day to come.

Now I just need to install a word processor so I can start writing again, because it has been so long since I have written even a single word. I can't blame it all on my old laptop though; it's mostly been my own insanity holding me back. But no more, because I have this new, beautiful piece of machinery to inspire me. Sometimes that's all a person needs...

~A

If it's not writer's block, then what is it?

For the past couple of weeks I've been visiting my blog with every intention of actually writing a post... but then I just end up sitting there, staring at the blank screen, waiting for inspiration to strike. 

It never does. 

It's like my mind is completely empty. The itch is still there every day, nagging me, drawing my fingers to the paper, but as soon as I'm there all of the creativity just seeps out of me and I have no idea what to write. 

I know a lot of people don't believe in writer's block, but I am not one of them. What else could I use to describe my complete lack of inspiration? I do agree that it's something one creates for themselves though. I take full responsibility for this wall that has been put up in my mind, and I fully intend on breaking it down, very soon! Just as soon as I figure out why I put it there in the first place. 

~A