However Improbable

"By Juniper! I have a beard! Since when do I have a beard? Tintin, what's wrong with me? What's going on?"

2012-02-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

The last book in my still titleless series will be ending in about two weeks. In honor of this I'm doing something I've never done before. I will be revealing a chapter. And YOU, my readers, will get to vote on what chapter and what book it will come from. So, here are your options and the rules.

RULE: Can't be the last chapter of the last book, because, that wouldn't be right.

1: A battle scene

2: Some cool, revealing secret about the character of your choice

3: A humorous scene

4: Or something slightly romantic

You have two weeks to vote. If you want to find out more about the characters check out my character page which I'm slowly updating, and make sure you mention which book you want. This is your chance to see HUGE spoilers so don't waste it because I might be evil and not give you this chance again for awhile. Bask in my sudden surge of kindness and use it to your advantage.

Also, I'm going to be holding a contest soon and giving away something very cool and very Steampunk. I won't tell you what it is yet. You know me better then that by now. BUT voting now will get you one more chance at winning the contest. Also, more things are coming soon. I might start revealing some of the inventions in my book, the aeroplanes - which I love - and the Zeppelin among others. But for now I'm going to leave you, because I have to get something written.

Allons-y!!!

"You're twins!" "No!" "Mum should have told us!" "I feel deceived!" "Dubbed!" "Hoodwinked!"

2012-02-23T15:50:00.000-08:00

I thought I should give a real update. You know, because, it might make you all happy. Or not. I don't know, I failed at the whole mind reading thing.

Book four is steadily nearing it's end. It has a few surprises in it. I know they will surprise you, because they surprised me and I'm the author. It was one of those surprises where I was happily scribbling away and all the sudden, out of nowhere, my character said, "By the way, this is going to happen." Just like that. They do it a lot.

I'm also almost done editing the second book. And sending out query letters that are getting rejected. One rejection was a bit hard to take, naming things that were wrong with my book. Well, it was a generic rejection they send to anyone, and it listed things that could be wrong with my book. It said that's why she rejected it, but she didn't name the things she disliked about my book, just generic things. Kind of bummed. I can handle being told that my book needs work, but I'd at least like to know what it is so I can fix it.

With the nearing completion of the last book comes the planning for my next series. I have some ideas. I don't think I want to tell you them. But a friend of mine voted on which she'd like me to write next, you can still vote it's a few posts back. So, that said, I can tell you that as of right now it is probably going to be fantasy. I might reveal the title later. Or not. Depends if I want to be evil or not.

And now, I think that is it. I can't really tell you spoilers, that wouldn't be right. So I think I will go change my shirt and get ready for a chocolate tasting tonight. Bet you wish you could come!

Allons-y!!

"Spock was shot!" "That wouldn't have happened if they had taken Helmsman."

2012-02-17T14:49:00.000-08:00

So...I thought I'd post and tell you about something evil. Just because.

As I've said often, but will say again because this is how much I'm scared of them, I'm scared of spiders. And they know it. They have these little sensors in them and when someone who's scared of them appears they put on extra creepiness. Just trust me on this.

I got mobbed by spiders this summer and my only hope was to last till winter when they'd all freeze. I was so relieved when the weather dropped and all winter I've been safe, except for Halloween when they had spiders all over Walmart. But I even made it through that. And have been enjoying my spider free life.

Wednesday this changed.

I went to work Wednesday happy. The lady I work for was in a pretty good mood. She wanted me to do her laundry. I took it into the basement, put it in, and came up. Did some other things. Then went to put it into the dyer. I skipped down stairs, up to the washer, and took a flying leap backwards with arms flaying.

There, on the wall, was not just a small spider, but a HUGE one with long spiny legs that were arching up and down as he crept his way toward me. I think my heart jumped out of my chest and out the window. I would have fainted, or came close, but I always worry what would happen if I faint around spiders. Would I wake up with it on my face?

I tried not to look at the creepy thing, but also didn't wish to loose site of him. I saw him head to a corner, then paced about as I waited for the washer to finish. I had to get close to that corner to get the clothes out. However, by the time it was ready he had vanished, which was worse. I hitched my skirt up, just in case, and worked quickly, then made a dash for it. Checking myself in the mirror to make sure he wasn't on me.

Now, this isn't right for several reasons.

One: It is winter. February. Spiders aren't supposed to hang out in Wyoming during these months. Didn't he get the memo?

Two: We have SMALL spiders here, not HUGE ones. I'm telling you, this guy was bigger then a quarter. I knew no one would believe me so I took a few extra looks to be sure.

Three: If this HUGE spider is here, now, when we have snow on the ground and freezing nights, will we have even bigger spiders this summer? If so, I'm out of here. I don't know where I'll go. Maybe, Alaska. Yeah, where it doesn't get above thirty.

And, well, that is about it. My post.

The End.

"And you're sure he's related by blood?"

2012-02-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

This is not a book update, just pictures. I've been wanting to upload them for awhile but I was waiting until I got my new pet. And I did Monday. So now you can all see her!

This is my writing desk I may or may not have mentioned before. My brother helped me re-sand and stain it. I am pleased how it turned out. Now if only I could convince my kitty to quiet scratching it at night. My quill pen, ink, and letter opener - which is in the shape of a Scottish Dirk and has my real name upon it - fit nicely on top of it.

Okay, these are two patterns I have wanted for a full year. They are very Steampunk and look like the dresses worn by two of my characters. However, they cost a lot. Monday my mum and I were about and found them for a dollar each. I was thrilled. Every time I finish a book series I take a week off. When I get the fourth book done these will be my project during my week off of writing. I cannot wait!

This is the typewriter I've been talking about. It is from the 1910's. I used to say 1020's but the year on the back says 1917, so I suppose 1910's is more correct. It doesn't quite work get, the bar on the top doesn't move, but my dad has been helping me fix it so it should soon, once we can figure out what is wrong with it.

A closer view.

A friend found out the above one wasn't working and said she had an old one she didn't use so gave it to me. It is from either the 1940's or 50's, 50's I think. I don't like it as much as my other one but it was free and works. I've already tried it out, it is grand fun. The best part is that the ribbon still has ink on it, not much, but it will do until I can afford more.

And finally! May I introduce you to Indy, my baby corn snake! I would have gotten a closer picture but I just feed her and cannot pick her up for two days. So until then this is the best picture I could get. I was going to get a green snake but they were out and didn't know when they would get more so I went with a corn snake. She eats mice, wherein the other would have just eaten crickets, but, oh well. She is cute and I like her already 8-D. And yes, I did name her after Indiana Jones, call it my weird sense of humor. I don't know if she really is a girl but the lady kept saying "she" so I decided to as well 8-D

And now I will leave you because I'm in the middle of a VERY good book. All I need is the hot coco...

Allons-y!

"I am not the one who abandoned Narnia!" "You invaded Narnia! You have no more right to lead it then Miraz does. You, him, your father! Narnia's better off without the lot of you."

2012-02-02T07:31:00.000-08:00

ANNOUNCEMENT! As you all know I have been working on the last book in the series. I made it to chapter ten the other day but I have never liked how the book was turning out. I kept telling myself it was just because I was sick and when I re-read it and edited it I would like it. But I couldn't get over the feeling that it was a horrible way to end a series and wouldn't be fair to readers or characters. So it is official. I am scrapping it and starting over. And here are my reasons why.

One: I finished NaNo so I get a free copy of whichever book I send in. I want to send it all four and get a big copy of them all for fun. So I have been writing like mad to get it done. Forcing it all out. I can write under deadlines but this was a pointless one and it was ruining the story.

Two: The final book has to tie a lot of things up and has to be the most carefully written of the four. However, since getting sick, I lost sight of what things HAD to be in it and which didn't. I was putting everything in that didn't need to be there and leaving out everything that had.

Three: The last book is VERY exciting and has a lot going on. I was working hard on this one, making sure it was exciting at every chapter. But I was actually making it dull. What makes it exciting is the characters and their struggles and I was leaving this out to make room for other things. Revamping the plot has fixed this and I can still have the last exciting - things that I can't tell you about - and more importantly I can have the characters as the central plot. This is they're story and I cannot change that or the ending will be ruined for everyone.

Therefore, I am doing this re-write as much for you, my readers, as I am for me and the characters. And already I feel relieved. The moment I decided to re-write it I knew I was doing the write thing. There isn't much that can be saved from the first draft, but that is okay. In writing, this sometimes have to happen. Things have to be tried and scrapped to know what is really needed.

Now I will go away happy to work on the first chapter and to edit my letter, which I think is finally coming around!

Allons-y!!

"What did you do with all the Tribbles?" "Well, it was really Spock's idea." "Yes, but Scotty used the transporter."

2012-01-31T08:59:00.000-08:00

I like movies. All you have to do is be around me for a few hours and you will notice this. Half the things I say are movie quotes. I have a movie quote for nearly everything. Of course, I have a Bible verse for everything *Smirk* I used to think my linking in movies was bad. After all, I was told too much TV fries your brain and since I quote a lot of movies I was worried my brain was already fried. But then I got to thinking about it more.

I'm not the kind of person who sits in front of the TV all day and does nothing else. I usually only watch one movie a day if that. There was the time I was sick when I watched almost 5 seasons of "Get Smart" in a month, but that isn't normal. I don't go to the movies every Friday night, though sometimes I would like to, like when "Tintin" was out. I would have gone to that every Friday...

I once took a quiz on what kind of writing style I have and it said screen writing. I thought it was insane. ME? Write movies and plays?! Did it even know me?! I've tried to write plays and they sound bad! But then I looked closer. It said I am the writing who sees every scene I write down, like it is in a movie. And that is very true. Everything I pen has been playing in my head for awhile. The characters are real to me, I talk to them, I see them. Sounds creepy, eh?

I do not write things I have carefully plotted out, I write things I have seen. And I think I can thank this to my long standing love of movies. Even before I wrote I loved movies. So, while I do read - as all authors should - I also watch movies. When writing certain books I have certain movies I watch. Like write now, the top on my list is "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," "Sherlock Holmes," and "A Series of Unfortunate Events." For adventure books it is "Sahara," and "The Ghost and the Darkness." And so forth. I watch these movies and gather things from them.

I enjoy the movies. They are my favorites and I don't just watch them to help with my writing, I watch them for fun. But while I watch them my brain is always working. It is always thinking, "What if this had happened? What if you did something like that in your book? Why didn't your villain ever think of wearing a mask and blowing a bank up with some cool tank thing?" In fact, I got an invasion idea from "Captain America," when the bad guys cool machine rams into a castle. Have I mentioned "Captain America"? Such a cool movie, and I just LOVED Howard Stark. Best character in the movie I think. And now all those fan girls that loved Steve and his huge muscles and sweetness are going to haunt me down. I can see them now, "You liked Howard more then Steve?! How DARE you!" Imagine how mad they will be when I say I liked Thor more then Steve. *Smirks*

But, I got off subject. Now you can see the reason behind my movie quotes on my titles. See, there is a reason behind it. I'm not as insane as you thought. And, as I see everything happening while I write, it is my hope that you - my readers - will see it all as you read. Maybe you will be pulled into the world where I live, and if you see me wave hi. I'm the one the characters are always ignoring or arguing with. Except for the extra sweet ones.

Now I am going to go because I have a query letter I am working on, and I said no writing until it was done. Sh! Don't tell anyone I was here.

Allons-y!

"He insulted you, Captain." "So that's when you hit him?" "No! I knew you didn't want us to start a fight." "Why did you hit him then?" "Well, he said the Enterprise was garbage. THAT'S when I hit him."

2012-01-27T14:08:00.000-08:00

It is cold and snowing outside. The heater is on inside. I have Enya playing on my ipod, a blue cape over my shoulders, and a book of codes at my feet. This would be a grand day to stay inside but I have to go to work in a few hours. Thankfully it is only for two hours, then I can come home and watch "Star Trek," with my mum while making something with my sweet potatoes which are turning fuzzy.

My writing was starting to pick up again as I felt wonderful last week. However, I forgot to remind myself that I've been sick for months and did too much work for being better just one week. So this week I am completely worn out. I wrote two chapters and have been taking it easy since. I've been working on some short stories for contests as well, and trying to get the perfect query letter. I keep forgetting how hard this book is to write a query letter for.

I've noticed with my short stories that they take on either a depressing note or sound like they came out of the Twilight Zone. I don't know why but for someone who has never been able to write a short story, I will take what I can get.

I am nearing the part in my book where I start to get, moody I guess you could say. I am on chapter ten of the last book of this series and though chapter ten isn't half way through it is near enough to remind me that it is ending. What will I write next? Adventure, Science Fiction, Fantasy, or another Steampunk? Maybe I should go so far as to try some of the Historical novel ideas I have. You can sit and ponder, through out some votes while you're at it. If I use your suggestion I will mention you on the dedication page.

Oh, before I go. I have an announcement! I was able to guest post on the blog, "Steamed." You can read my post here http://ageofsteam.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/why-i-write-steampunk-by-jack-lewis-baillot/ and make sure to look around the blog. They have some interesting things on there.

Now I am going to write.

Allons-y!

"Must we?" "It is faster then walking. Don't tell me you don't like cars, Spock?" "No, Captain...it is your driving."

2012-01-21T22:23:00.000-08:00

In writing, you are given the chance to see humans in a whole new light. When you sit down to write you think, "What will this character be like? What will he be afraid of, enjoy, what will he do when people are mean to him?" and so forth. Usually characters are based after people you know. But in writing so often and in creating so many different characters, and in studying people, I've learned something, a rather sad something.

Have you heard the phrase, "When they made me they broke the mold." Well, the truth of it is, when God made you He did break the mold. You are one of a kind, wonderful and unique. However, the world doesn't fancy this. Instead, the world has their own molds and you are supposed to refit yourself into them so you will be like everyone else.

It is like this...and I am sure you have seen it. If a girl likes fashion she is supposed to be a certain way. She is supposed to talk about her hair, her shoes, her makeup, and just like those things. So, if a girl happens to like fashion and say, cars, she has to hide one of those likings. She has to hide part of herself so she will "fit" in. It is the same with boys. If a fellow likes decorating his house he is called gay. A fellow cannot sit about with his friends and talking about cars and how much he likes flowers because that doesn't fit, he has to hide part of himself.

I have lately seen people saying things like, "I am bouncing about because I just got this thing, don't judge me." "I am gawking at old cars in my high heels, don't judge me." Now it is "fitting" to be as odd as possible. People go about trying to be, "themselves." But even in doing that they are trying to fit in. They go about declaring how different they are, trying to be as different as possible and bragging to everyone so people will go, "Oh! You are so different, so cool!"

But, here is my theory. Well, for the record, I am probably one of the oddest people you would meet. I won't go into that, but I am very odd. I used to go about declaring how different I am, how odd and strange I am, but then, it no longer seemed worth it. All of the people who were drawn to one side of my oddness fled when they saw the other side. I lost my friends because they learned the hidden part of me. True friends shouldn't do this. True friends should accept you as you are, not saying if there are certain things you do - such as lying and so forth, that you shouldn't try and change that. But if you like heels and cars, this shouldn't bother a true friend.

I suppose my point would be this. Instead of hiding, or making a big deal of being different, I believe people should be themselves. At a fancy tea party if a girl wants to talk about cars, I think she should go for it. If a person likes old black and white movies and jumps about when they get a new season of some old TV show, well, go jump about and be excited. Be yourself, who God made you to be. Don't worry what others think because if they are true friends they won't bat an eye. Don't declare your oddness to the world to be accepted, just be odd if you are and the world will more then likely see it anyhow. You are one of a kind, so don't try and fit into molds, it never turns out well 8-)

And there, you have a rant from me. Now I think I will go to bed.

Allons-y!

"It gets you right here, doesn't it, Spock? Oh wait, in your case it would be right here." "The fact that our anatomy is different pleases me to no end, Doctor."

2012-01-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

I've been making writing progress, which has been great. It is wonderful to write again. However, while I am writing everything seems to be turning out horribly, but in reviewing some of it today it sounds just how I want it to. Thankfully my characters don't need my brain to tell their story...though I wonder if this should bother me a little bit. After all, I am their creator, so shouldn't they listen to me, sometimes?

I am now on chapter eight of the last book in my series. This book has been a struggle to write, not only because it is the last one but because it is more complex then the others - in ways I cannot tell you because of, "SPOILERS!"

Also, I'm working on re-writing my query letter, again. Now that I have scribbled out so many I have some idea of what I am doing now. That was until I sat down to write it. The first half went great but when I got to the second half I felt like I had smashed into a wall and when I peeled my face off of it I went, "That sounds horrible!" Something of the same thing happened with my writing today. On opening my book I looked at the new page and went, "I've no idea what is supposed to happen now."

I am still editing the first book. I got behind on that but I am nearly done now, about five more chapters to go. It will be a relief to have it done, though after this one is edited I have to move on to the second.

So far that is all the updates I have. And now that you know what is going on I shall go away and get back to my writing - a word which here means staring at the blank page in the hopes I will find out what is supposed to happen.

Allons-y!

"How do you hide an island?" "You've head of the thousand islands?" "Yes." "Count them next time." "You don't mean-" "Yes! A thousand and one!"

2012-01-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

What makes a good villain? Who is the man or woman who, even hearing their name, fills you with fear though you've not seen or heard of them for years? Who is the one who makes you want to hide under your bed, who makes you cringe in fear when you see anyone who looks remotely like them?

There are all kinds of villains in the writing world. There are the funny, dumb kind. Or the funny, not completely dumb. (I will be taking most of the villains for this post from movies. Mostly because most of my favorite villains are from movies.) Fitting into this category is Sigfried from "Get Smart." He isn't the type of villain you would run and hide from, in fact he is the sort you might pick as a favorite character because he is so funny. He can take something that is normally very frightening and make you laugh. His ploys to take over the world are so insane and crazy you know they are impossible and just plan funny. After all, creating a huge magnet on an island to pull in the whole navy is unbelievable. So, while this type of villains are still considered villains they are not frightening.

There are the villains who, it is rather unclear if they are evil or not. Falling into this category you could put Loki from "Thor," as well as Boromir from, "The Lord of the Rings." These men do evil things, Loki takes over his father's kingdom and Boromir tries to take the ring from Frodo. But there is more to them then this. Loki is taking over the kingdom in an attempt to gain his father's love (unwilling to believe he already has it since he is not his blood son.) Boromir attempted to take the ring in the hopes it would save his city. So, though they were on the wrong side their intentions - at least at first - could be considered good. This makes a very interesting twist in the stories and in the characters themselves.

There are also the villains who are just trying to protect someone. If you have ever read, "The Last Sin Eater," or seen "The Village," you might know what I am talking about. These, "villains," just wanted to keep their families safe, at first. The men in "The Village," didn't want to have their children live in a world full of violence, or they wanted to protect their families from their own pasts. The same can be said of the men from, "The Last Sin Eater," though later this man truly did turn into a villain, going so far as to kill to keep his way of life from changing. So, these "villains," can be frightening at first, then when you get to know them you start to wonder if they were the bad guys at all.

Then, of course, we must not forget the truly evil villains. These are the ones who do evil things just to be evil. Who will stop at nothing to get what they want. I am certain as you read this a villain pops up into your mind. Some of the ones that I think about are Jadis and Miraz from "Narnia." Rastapoppolus (I am not sure if that is the correct spelling or not) from, "Tintin," or Sauron from, "The Lord of the Rings." These are the villains that fill you with fear, that make you want to hide under the covers and never come out, that make you glance nervously outside, fearing they might be peering in your window.

However, what makes them scary. Why might one person fear the White Witch but not the Black Riders when they seem so much more frightening then her? I think the key lies in the person themselves. For me the most frightening bad guy ever is from, "Star Trek, the Wrath of Khan." Even now I am scared of Khan. I think he is the creepiest villain that ever lived, far more so then the Black Riders with their sniffing and hooded, ghost heads. Why? The answer is simple. I am not scared of ghost, but I am terrified of a bug crawling inside of me. Therefore, it is Khan with his stick bugs in people's ears that frightens me, not ghost men who chase hobbits about - though the Black Riders are frightening.

The key to creating a frightening bad guy in writing is creating a man you are scared of. If you are frightened of him it will show in your writing and very likely your reader will feel the same fear. The villains in my books use poison, needles, and spiders to kill the heroes. For all I know they probably look like Khan as well - I've not seen the movie for years so cannot tell you what he looks like, though I am sure his face still haunts my memories and he wiggles his way into all my books somehow. Because, you must admit, that one villain you are terrified of is never going to leave you alone. He will always find a way to come back and remind you of his existence just to watch you cringe in fear. It is his greatest hobby, after all!

Who is the villain who still haunts you? And who is your favorite villain of all time, and which type is he or she?

"It's those books. Filling your head with...ideas."

2012-01-08T20:31:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking. Of course, you might be able to say this, "A dangerous pastime," which it probably is, but I've still been doing it. I've had a huge debate with myself that is going to lead me on a quest to find the answer.

What makes a book Classic? What is it about "Pride and Prejudice," "The Lord of the Rings," and "Sherlock Holmes," that has kept them around for so long? Other books were written during those times, books we know nothing about, titles out of print and forgotten. Sometimes they are found with their worn out covers and dusty smelling pages - I have three of these myself - but how many are never found? How many are buried in the past, never to be heard from again? And what kept the books we now call Classics from joining them?

I wonder this because, as a writer, it is my goal to write something that will remain a Classic. No one wishes to write the book that gets forgotten, that is never an author's dream. But how does one write a Classic? I am sure there are other keys to Classics, but I think one of them - maybe the most important - is that these were written from the heart. These stories are, in a way, the author's own stories. Their dreams, hopes, wildest ambitions.

Jules Verne was a man who lived in the future. He told us of travel on the moon long before it was possible. He gave us hope that those impossible adventures could be possible. He didn't hold anything back, he asked, "Why not?" and did it. He did the impossible and because of it we still like him. We still pick up his books and travel to the center of the earth, we travel to the moon and crash on mysterious islands. We go around the world in eighty days without one amount of disbelief that these things are impossible.

J.R.R. Tolkien told us a story everyone can relate to, but in a world no one had ever seen. I had heard it said that much he wrote about he based after his own life and experiences. The Shire was based after his home town. Is that why, when we visit there, we feel as if it were our home as well? Is that why, when we walk down those dirt streets and pass the small homes that we know everyone and have our whole lives? He understood the importance of a hometown and he was writing from what he had seen and lived in.

As for the battles, I also heard that he was basing these battles after ones he himself had fought in. He knew what war was like, he knew the horror and fear of it. Who didn't feel their heart start to race in the Mines of Moria when they start to hear the drums go, Doom. Doom. And the loss of Gandalf. How sad it was to loose that dear friend. It was a pain Tolkien likely knew all too well and was able to pass on to his readers.

Jane Austin wrote of families. Why? Because of her understanding of her family. Is that why the Bennets are so real to us? Why Mrs. Bennet sounds like so many mums we know, or the sisters so much like our own siblings?

In a world where the style of writing is sounding less and less sophisticated, these books carry on. Though the March sisters lived during the Civil War we still relate to them, in the midst of a world filled with technology, cars, and constant rushing. Why? Because we can relate to them. We can understand Jo's anger when Amy destroyed that which was most dear to her. We know how it feels, the excitement of going to a party. And watching your sibling moving out and starting their own life, oh yes, we all understand that sorrow.

I've not read many modern books so I am not much of a judge on them - they all sound nearly alike so if I've read some why read them all? But now I find myself wondering. Books come and go now, certain books are very popular for a few years and then they are gone. Is this because no one puts their own experiences in them? Their own feelings, things they are familiar with and understand? One doesn't have to just write about their life, look at Tolkien. He created a whole new world, but he still wrote about things we can relate to.

Right now, this is my goal. Of course, this is easier said then done. Putting your own feelings into a book is frightening. Letting the whole world see right into you is disturbing. But, even if it doesn't make a Classic, it makes a book much much better.

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

2012-01-05T13:21:00.000-08:00

My two brothers had their birthdays last week. This post is late but I've not had the energy to do it till now. First off I will do a post on my Older Younger Brother, or as I shall call him my OYB. (I'm older then both my brothers but he has always acted older then me and in many ways he has always seemed like an older brother.)

My OYB is amazing, that is the only word for him. He's a lot like me and my dad, quiet, not very excitable, seemingly gloomy on first appearance. He is laid back and probably thought of as dull by many, but I have the honor of knowing what he is REALLY like.

Because of his quietness he is ignored by many people. Everyone takes to my younger brother because he is outgoing and funny. Rarely do they give my OYB a chance. I suppose this happens with all quiet people. So, he only has one really good friend, well, two. My two cousins. And me and my younger brother of course. But no one else really gives him a chance at friendship. But does he complain or become bitter over this? Never once. He is not the least bit jealous of my younger brother, of his many friends, nor has he ever tried to change himself to be more liked. He is completely at ease with who he is.

When I was younger he was the one I went to when I needed help with anything. All I had to do was say, "I'm building something," and he would jump to my aid. It was he who helped me build my rabbit cage, fix my bike, and finish the canopy on my bed. He was never too busy and never got annoyed that I would need so much help. He is one of the hardest workers I know, not only doing very hard jobs but doing them until they are perfect. He goes above the call of duty without the slightest murmur. I've seen costumers yell at him and him stand there without a word, showing no signs of anger, then calmly fixing their car.

Another thing I've come to admire of him is something that happened last winter. Our roads get icy and last winter was bad. One day he was driving when he came to a stop sign. He stopped, but then went to ease out when a car came speeding down the road, saw him a little ways out, swerved and hit three parked cars. The girl got away free and my brother now has to pay for all the damage. He will be in debt for two to three years. And never once has he been angry about this or complained. He pays for an accident he didn't cause, barely making enough money to pay the minim. And when the money isn't there he says, "I don't have to worry, God will provide."

I've never in my life seen anyone as patient and kind as him. I've never seen anyone so unjustly treated, so often over looked and ignored and take it all without one murmur. I've never seen anyone so confident in God providing for their every need. And someday I hope to have the same patience and love for others as him. He is truly amazing. And someday I hope he finds someone who sees just how special he really is.

"I'll not be doubted by a ginger hair boy and his irritating dog! Give me those oars! Oh, look at them, fast asleep. Typical Land Lubbers."

2012-01-04T17:43:00.000-08:00

I've been discouraged for the last few months. I guess it happens to all authors, especially when they first set out to find agents and either get no answers or just get rejections. I am certain there is a time in their lives when they have sat back and asked, "Why in the world am I doing this?! I'm just some unknown person living in an apartment eating Raman Noddles because I cannot afford real food. What am I, crazy?"

Thankfully I am still at home so I don't have to eat nothing but noddles, not yet anyways. Still, this is one of those points where I am questioning myself. Me? I mean, how many people in the world know of my existence? How many people in my home town have heard my name? I'm just the girl who goes stalking about Walmart, spying on people in the hopes one of them will turn out to be a foreign spy. So far it is a safe hobby, I've not yet jumped anyone with a German accent. Yet.

Yet, every time I tell myself I should give up and get one of those, "real" jobs, I get a slap in the face. "What?!" something seems to yell. "You're going to give up just like that? All your hard work, you will just jump out of it? What about your characters?! And what else would you find to do that is as much fun as this?"

The truth is, I LOVE writing. Every bit of it. Sure, editing throws me, but I don't mind editing. I don't hate it, not like, say, Math. Math is evil. When I take over the world I am banning it to a Black Hole. But, I really don't think I can quit writing, I've never been able to quit. Since I was 13 I tried to run from it and it pulled be back. I'm, like a prisoner, captive...well, not too much. Now I am staying of my own free will.

But there is still the discouragement. Though, part of it now might be because of my illness. Or maybe it is just because things are a bit odd here. My dad has his own business, but he just got a new job. So he is trying to decide if he likes it while my brothers run the business. Which makes for some changes in my family.

Yet, not all is gloomy. I went to the doctor today, which wasn't fun, but I think I met one of my characters. In one of the series I've written the characters always met overly muscled men I described as "Ex-boxers." The man who drew blood today was one of these. His arms were huge. I wanted to run out the door when he came in with his needles but was worried he'd lay me out flat without really meaning too. To top it all off he had a shaved head and a short beard. Definitely Ex-boxer. At least he was nice. Nice Ex-boxers aren't as scary as mean ones. But I still question a Doctor's need for needles. Isn't there a better way to draw blood from us Needle Phoic people? I'd let them slice a cut in my finger if it meant no needles.

No picture, they are too creepy.

I've started writing again, a little at a time. I wrote a chapter in book four yesterday but was kept too long at the Doctor's and work today to do any. I was always busy hanging glittery, green snow flakes from the grow in the dark stars on my ceiling. They look cool when I plug the Christmas lights in - which are also strung on my ceiling.

Well, now I think I will go. I just started "The Poison Belt," which is the squeal to "The Lost World." They are fun stories, I especially like Malone though the Professor is a LOT of fun. Besides, it will be fun to do something relaxing after naming my whole Spork collection today. They now have all the names of the Avengers and the Doctor and his companions. The next batch gets Star Wars names. Except for my two Batman Sporks, oh and the Sparticus group. I forgot about them. *Smirk*

Allons-y!

"You do know what you're doing, right?" "More or less." "Which is it, more or less?" "Relax, I interviewed a pilot once."

2011-12-26T20:09:00.000-08:00

Merry day after Christmas to everyone! I hope it was blessed and filled with grand memories and that it was a reminder of Jesus.

I figured now is a good time for a book update, now that my Tintin posts are complete. My sickness is still hanging on but we've found a doctor if we can only get in now. Yes, I speak in the plural. No idea why. Of course, things are still going slow with my writing because of this, but I have made some progress which is nice.

Book three has been completed. I am pleased with the ending but fear the editing. Today I was looking over the start of book four - the last book - and cringed. My spelling in that one is horrid and sentences are choppy. I knew my brain was too muddled while I was writing it, but i like the context. Sadly, my explosion didn't work, which is the only spoiler you are getting.

As for agents, I got another rejection email so I'm making progress. I have to re-write the letter again but haven't had the brain power to do it yet.

In less book news I was given some money for Christmas and set out to hunt down a typewriter. I found a lovely one that was used in 1917. It was a little more then what I was given but I couldn't pass it up. Not often you find a 1900's typewriter online that doesn't cost a thousand. I also found a little lap desk, those things are hard to find! It was only 20 and since I was owed some money I got it as well. It has a painting of an Amish boy and girl on it and is a cute picture but I'm not sure if I will leave it or not. I might sand over it and redo the finish as it looks a bit faded and I have finish. While I'm at it I'm thinking of building a little shelf for my room with some wood I have.

This week my brothers have birthdays. One will be 21 and the other 22. I always take them out for their birthdays and my youngest brother has asked to go to see Tintin at the IMax in Denver. We are getting him a camera for his birthday so if he gets cool pictures of the day I shall get his permission to post some. He is a wonderful photographer. My other brother is getting his first laptop.

Progress on my car is going well, I hope to have it in a few more months. I'm really hoping to have it before my DLS comes to visit as I wish to go about and do things with her without having to worry about my mum needing our car - we share one.

And for now, that is all I have to say. I'm going to try and start writing again this week. I need to get my youngest brother to help me with the battles - and I should give them names so it will be less confusing when I speak of them on here. I could use their real names but that wouldn't be very mysterious, would it? *Smirk* But if I use their nicknames we use at home they would kill me so I shall have to think of other ones.

As for now, I believe that is it. I might have an interesting change at the first of the year but it may not work so I don't wish to speak of it yet - change in my family, not my blog or writing. But now you at least know how things stand with my books.

Now I shall be off. I want to go to sleep *Smirk*

Allons-y!

"The land of thirst. The land of thirst." "Will you stop saying that? There are worse things then sobering up, Captain."

2011-12-22T09:06:00.000-08:00

*SPOILERS!*

WeeEEeeeEEeell, I did it! I got to see Tintin on the opening night. We went to the nine o clock showing. The only time I was able to drag anyone to opening night was to "Prince Caspian," and we went to the nine showing then as well. All the best movies are worth a late showing if it means going on the first day. Now, you are probably all wondering what I thought about the movie....

I think I got my years mixed up. I believe I've known about Tintin for three years. After reading some of the books I looked up online to see if there would be a movie so, basically, I've been waiting for this movie for three years. I've followed it for that long, when it was really nothing more then a rumor and I watched the first preview enough to memorize it. So, as you can tell, I've been very excited for it for years.

I must admit, I was SLIGHTLY wary about seeing it. The line, "A treasure was lost that can change history," worried me. (I might have quoted that wrong, remember, I'm sleepy *Smirk*). Had they changed Red Rackham's treasure? Was it some kind of magic now? But still, this wasn't enough to stop me wanting to see it. I mean, come on! I haunted ALL the actors in it to see if they had been in other movies I had seen. I grinned wide enough to have my teeth fall out when I saw Moffat was writing it. I was GOING to see this movie.

Now I will shut up and give my review, starting at the beginning. For some reason I love those 20 style movies. You know the kind, mysteries, dark allies, screaming women when someone is shot, tommy guns and gangsters. And the opening scene made me flip. I was giggling through the whole thing. What a cleaver idea! Having a black shadow of Tintin running about, chasing the bad guys with the Thompsons blundering about around him was great! And I love his theme song all the more now, I think it fits him well. All mysterious sounding and fun and exciting.

Then there was the bit when we first see Tintin getting his picture painted by Herge himself with pictures of the other characters in the background and Herge asking, "Have I ever painted you before?" Of course, I was the only one in my family who got it so my brothers wondered why I was giggling so hard, but they already think I'm batty so oh well.

The next scenes show Tintin finding the model ship of the Unicorn and taking it back to his flat where Snowy chases a cat and breaks it, knocking out the scroll which Tintin doesn't see roll under the chest of drawers. He then goes to the library to search for more clues. (I loved that library. I want one that big where I live. Imagine all the books in there.) It is there he learns of the "curse" on the Haddock family. While he reads someone is sneaking about behind him but Tintin never sees who he is. I didn't get a clear look at him but now that I think of it I believe it was Mr. Barnaby who met him in the market after he bought the ship and told him to get rid of it while he still had the chance.

Anyways, after reading about the Haddock's Tintin returns home to find his flat has been ransacked, and it is then that Snowy shows him where the scroll is. And it is then that Mr. Barnaby shows up on his front step and is shot. I loved the line after that, when Tintin yells to his land lady, "Someone's been shot on our front step! Call the ambulance!" To which she shouts back, "Again?!" Poor lady, having Tintin as a tenant must be as dangerous as having Sherlock Holmes as one. After this the Thompsons show up, the next morning, to talk with Tintin and it is in this part they exclaim, "Great Scotland Yard! Bowler hats are half off!" "Great Scotland Yard! So are walking sticks!" I love that line, Soooo funny! And then when one of them trips over the cat and falls downstairs. At least I can safely say my whole family liked them.

Now, the next bits I have out of order I'm sure. I need to go see it like, ten more times before it goes out of the theatre. But in the next few scenes Tintin gets his wallet stolen by the pickpocket Mr. Silk, who isn't really a pickpocket but loves wallets 8-D I loved that scene and the chase down the street after him when the Thompsons crash into things and into each other and Tintin is almost run over by five or so different cars and saved by the Thompsons. The crashing bits was so funny and the part where Tintin is almost flattened is very exciting.

The other scene is when he goes to Marlinspike Hall to find his stolen ship and runs into the Rottweiler who chases him through the grounds and who Snowy befriends when he barks at him. Does this mean Haddock will have a pet dog AND cat when he buys Marlinspike? And then Tintin breaks into the house and meets Mr. Sakharine again.

Now, when doing my characters I left this man out, who was played by Daniel Cragg. In the books Sakharine looked evil but he turned out to be really nice, a ship collector who wanted to buy Tintin's model ship because it looked like one he already had. However, in the movie he is evil who wants the ships because he knows there are scrolls in them. So, I wasn't really sure what I thought. I mean, Sakharine looks MUCH more evil then the original bad guys, the Bird brothers, but he was SO nice I didn't know if I would like him bad or not. So, I kind of ignored him during my character posts. And now, I can safely say I love him both bad and good. I don't think they could have picked a better bad guy for this movie and the twist they added! Just grand!

But, back to my report. After one of these scenes Tintin goes back to his flat where he is kidnapped and stuffed in a crate, then smuggled on board Karaboudjan. That word is fun to say now that I know how. While there Sakharine goes down to see him, looking for the scroll, which Tintin doesn't have of course. He tells Tintin, "I will find it, with or without your help." And then when he leaves Snowy appears and frees him, giving him a chance to beam Haddock in the back of the head with a board while he tries to climb from one window to the other. And then there is the part with Allan and Tom blowing the door opened and getting shot by champagne corks. That part was great! I loved the whole scene. Also loved the part where Haddock accuses Tintin of trying to kill him and they sword fight with those sticks while running about his small cabin and jumping on things.

I also loved the line where Haddock is telling Tintin, "They've locked me in here with nothing to sustain my mortal soul but whiskey." Then Tintin walks over and opens the door, looking back at him and kind of rolling his eyes. Haddock shrugs it off and says, "Well, I assumed it was locked." I also liked the line where Tintin calls the ship a tub and runs out the door, leaving Haddock behind getting upset saying, "Tub? Tub?!" He then opens the door to find Tintin being beaten up by one of his crew members so he knocks the man out and he and Tintin introduce themselves. They then escape together with Haddock telling Tintin they have to reach a locked door. Tintin and Snowy break every hammock in the sailor's sleeping quarters and get buried under a pile of sailors to get the key only to find out the locked door is containing bottles of whiskey. Of course, Tintin gets annoyed but says nothing, leading the way out onto the deck where he sees one of the crew. He takes one of Haddock's bottles and tries to beam the man with it, only to have the bottle snatched by Haddock at the last minute so that he ends up beaming the guy with his own hand. For some reason I liked that part, not only was it funny but it shows how Haddock changes later. At first he is willing to do anything for his whiskey but later he lets bottles get smashed if it means saving Tintin's life.

After this part is another fun chase over the decks while Tintin is being shot at. They then get into one of the boats and get away, where Haddock then knocks Tintin and Snowy out with the oars, finds a bottle of whiskey, and makes Gollum noises in his throat. I loved the Gollum noises, I wonder if Mr. Serkis does them all the time now, like he just goes about making Gollum noises. He wakes Tintin up to show him his fire, then realizes what he has done and tries to put it out, by pouring the rum onto it and making an explosion. Then there is the sea plane which tries to shoot them down, and Tintin telling Haddock, "I have bad news, we only have one bullet." "And the good news?" "We have one bullet."

Another line I liked was the line when they are in the aeroplane and Tintin is flipping through the manual with Haddock standing behind him saying, "You do know what you're doing, eh?" "More or less?" "Which is it, more or less?" "Relax, I interviewed a pilot once."

And the aeroplane crash was exciting and unbelievable and adventurous, the best kind of crashes there are. In the book the two pilots whom Tintin ties up stay in the aeroplane through the whole crash, in the movie they untie themselves and jump out yelling, which was really funny. After the crash Tintin gets knocked out and is almost chopped up by the propeller but Haddock saves his life, I loved that part, and then the part after it when Haddock, Snowy, and the propeller all fall off the aeroplane and Tintin is staring at them wondering what is going on.

After this they cross the desert where Haddock has nothing to drink and gets sobered up which helps him remember parts of the story of his ancestor who was on the Unicorn. In the book he found the story in his ancestor's journal but in the movie the story was told him by his grandfather right before he died. Upset, Haddock drank and forgot the story so he has no idea why Sakharine wants him alive and has taken over his ship. But, as I said he starts to remember. He remembers the whole battle, which was a COOL battle. In the preview the pirate ships suddenly seems to fly, passing over the Unicorn but what really happens is the masts get tangled together and the Unicorn, which is taller, lifts the pirate ship out of the water.

The pirate ship goes down but before the men have a chance to think they have one the pirate captain appears - Red Rackham himself. And then Haddock faints from the heat saying he feels all weird and Tintin tells him, "Just think, all it took was a day in the Sahara. Congratulations, Captain, you're sober." They are later found by the Arabs and taken to a fort where Haddock wakes up with no memory of Tintin or the plane crash or anything, that is until Snowy sneaks him some rum. Then they leaps about the room, jumping on things and fighting an imaginary Rackham as he remembers the rest of the story. And it is then he remembers that Sakharine is related to Rackham, and wants revenge on Haddock. This is the part where Haddock pulls Tintin out of a window and they crash into a wagon of hay, then agree to get to the palace where the last ship is and find the scroll before Sakharine.

As I have said before I LOVE friendship stories and the next scene was one of the best. Sakharine hires Castafoire to sing for the people of the palace and thus shatter the bullet proof glass that the last Unicorn is in. Tintin finds out what he is planning and he and Haddock sneak into the palace, but before this Tintin gives Haddock the one scroll they have, telling him to keep it safe. More or less saying, "I think you are as brave as your ancestor and I trust you." Haddock is clearly nervous about keeping the scroll but honored Tintin trusts him so much and puts it in his pocket.

While Castafoire starts singing Haddock starts getting all jumpy, unable to stand her voice. He then declares, "Every man for himself!" and runs into the garden, leaving Tintin alone with Snowy who is whimpering under his chair. Meanwhile, Haddock reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bottle of rum, not to drink though. When he does the scroll flies out and he grabs it, stuffing it back in his pocket only to be jumped from behind by Allan who smashes him with the rum. Then Castafoire hits her high note and shatters all the glass at the same time Sakharine sees Tintin and yells, "He's come to steal the ship!"

Snowy and Sakhaine's hawk race to get to the ship first while Tintin and Haddock are surrounded and have to fight their way out of the palace. During this time the hawk grabs the scroll and Haddock tells Tintin, "It's worse, Allan took the one we had. he got me from behind with a bottle of whiskey. I wasn't drinking it though."

Tintin doesn't believe him, telling him he can smell it on him, then jumps on a motorcycle to chase after Sakharine, telling Haddock he is going after him alone. Haddock jumps into the side car anyways and they chase Sakharine and his hawk all through the city, snatching the scrolls from each other. This is one of the coolest chase scenes I've seen and the part where Tintin's motorcycle becomes a unicicyle and then the wheel breaks off and he slides down a cable on the handle bars chasing the hawk. In the end he catches the hawk but Sakharine has Haddock and pushes him into the ocean so that Tintin is forced to let the hawk go or allow Haddock to die. I think that whole part was my favorite in the movie. I loved the chase and I loved the parts where Haddock knows Tintin is disappointed in him and is very sad about it, and then how Tintin is willing to give up the scrolls and the answer to the mystery to save Haddock. And the part after that, where he gets discouraged and Haddock tells him never to call himself a failure was just wonderful.

And now the ending. The whole ending was amazing. Sakharine and Haddock end up having a sword fight with cranes, which reminds me of something Jamie Bell told his interviewer when asked who would win in a fight between Jackson and Spielberg. He said they would have this grand fight with cutlasses and would be jumping off the masts and ratlines and then in the end would sit down tired and say, "Let's go make a movie." Well, if those two ever had a fight it would be with cranes and there would be tins of crab falling down on everyone below and metal getting all smashed up.

After the crane fight, Haddock and Sakharine have a fight with swords at the end of which Sakharine threatens to burn the scrolls, telling Haddock he will never get anything his ancestor left him. He offers him a bottle of rum, saying it is all he has left. But then Tintin swings down and grabs the scrolls and Haddock shoves Sakharine into the water, kicking the bottle in after him. I. LOVED. THAT. PART!!! You have NO idea how much I LOVED that part!! Okay, breath...

The ending has them returning to Marlinspike Hall where they are met by Nestor and end up finding some of the treasure and Tintin finds a map which will lead them to the rest of the treasure that went down with the ship.

So, I'm not sure if this is a good movie review - I've never really done one - but in short I loved this movie. I loved seeing the typewriters in Tintin's flat and still wonder if it had something to do with Jamie Bell who owns one and says it is Tintin's gadget. I loved Mr. Silk - and the scene where the Thompsons catch him and find their wallets and Tintin's. I loved the part where Haddock yells, "Geronimo!" And still wonder if Moffat had to sneak at least one Doctor Who line in. And I loved the Thompsons, they were SO funny. But best of all I loved the wild adventure and the friendship. I think Herge was right, only Spielberg could bring Tintin to the big screen. He captured everything the stories are about in wonderful ways. The characters run from one danger to another, Tintin is konked in the head so much you wonder that he isn't the one suffering from memory loss. And how Haddock changed in the story, THAT. WAS. AMAZING! Starting to believe there was some of his ancestor's courage in him and that his life wasn't a complete failure. And I just love slap stick comedy.

So, this is by far one of my top favorite movies of all time. I loved every part of it, even the ridiculous parts - rather, unbelievable bits. Because, everyone who has read the book knows that Tintin's whole life is unbelievable. Only he could live through an aeroplane crash like that, or stay on a motorcycle that suddenly only has one wheel. But the best part was how they brought his and Haddock's friendship to life. I think Herge would be pleased at how it was all done. And the ending, wrapping it all up but leaving enough hanging for a second. Calculus anyone?

And now, I think I will go as this post is quite long enough.

Allons-y!

"Great Scotland Yard! Bowler hats are half off!" "Great Scotland Yard! So are walking sticks!"

2011-12-20T10:55:00.000-08:00

Well, this is the day. And this is the post. And that was a corney line.

As promised I am here to share my findings from all of the Tintin books. Things about the Thompsons, Castafiore, and exclamations. As well as favorite lines and characters and books. So, sit back as I start with the Thompsons.

This all started with a quiz, which someone got the honor of asking the actors. You can watch the quiz Here. So, in the video the questioner asks Mr. Pegg and Mr. Frost which four books the Thompsons are not in, but he never lists all four of them. Now, I found five so if I am wrong someone feel free to say, but I counted, "Tintin in the Congo," which I think no one ever counts. But, here they are.

The five books I did not find the Thompsons in are, "Tintin in the Land of the Soviets," "Tintin in the Congo," "Tintin in America," "Tintin in Tibet," and "Flight 714 to Sidney." The Thompsons first appear in, "The Cigar of the Pharaoh."

Now, my brother and I have the collection of books that has three books in one. So, my page numbers will not match anyone who has the books in their separate copies. However, if you have these books you are more then likely a bigger geek then I am and have already found all of these things, so I won't worry about that.

In the same book, "Cigar of the Pharaoh," I found an unexpected character. On pages 75-76 I found a man who looks just like Haddock's first mate, Allan. And, on page 76 he is called Allan. So, again someone tell me if I'm wrong, but Allan knew Tintin long before Haddock and he met. (I've mentioned Allan before, the man who keeps Haddock drunk in, "The Crab with the Golden Claws," so he can be captain of the ship.)

Now, before I get much further into the series I have to go back. In the series Tintin has an arch enemy who shows up ever now and then and vanishes in, "Flight 714 to Sidney." He is Rastapopoulos and someday I hope I can learn how to pronounce his name. When Tintin first runs into him in, "Cigar of the Pharaoh," he says, "And it's not the first time we've met." When I first read that I was curious as to when they had met before as I had never seen this long nosed chap in any other book. Well, I've finally found it. It is on page 59 of, "Tintin in America." It is during a dinner given in Tintin's honor. When he stands up to make his speech, it is shown who is sitting beside him. Look at the man right next to him and tell me if you've seen that nose before.

In the same book, "Tintin in America," I made another interesting find. Now, I noticed this before but I thought it was my dyslexia playing tricks on me, but the more I stare at it the more certain I am. In this book, Tintin goes into a castle and he catches some of the bad guys by tricking them. In one picture he comes to two doors. The door on the left says Keep and the one on the right Dungeon, so he switches the signs around, but when he does, he switches the rooms. In the next picture the door that says Keep is on the right, with stars leading upward and once they are in Tintin says, "So now we lock them all in the Keep," when in fact he should be locking them in the dungeon and the stairs should have been going down.

Now, back to the "Cigar" book. In this book Tintin runs into a Sheik who is about to kill him. He asks him, "What is your name?" And Tintin gives him the line I quote most - and must do so again because I can. "My name? It would mean nothing to you but back home they call me Tintin." At this the Sheik gets all excited and tells Tintin he has read of his adventures. On cue, one of his servants brings out one of the adventures. I looked close on the cover, page 81, and was surprised by the picture there. The cover of the book has a picture of, "Destination Moon," though Tintin hadn't been on the moon yet, didn't know Calculus, and hadn't even met Haddock. I guess Herge had plans on sending him to the moon early in the series.

Now, moving on to "The Seven Crystal Balls." On page 79 Tintin meets an old friend of his General Alcazar who he served under in "The Broken Ear." When he first sees him again he says, "You remember my friend Captain Haddock?" I've looked, but I've never seen a meeting between Haddock and Alcazar before this book. So, either I missed something - very likely - or they meet between books, or maybe Tintin mentioned Haddock to Alcazar in a letter - not as likely as he didn't know Alcazar's country had been taken over.

Another thing I found, in one book - I forgot to mark which one - Haddock says "Jiggery Pokery." This might only be of interest to Doctor Who geeks. The Ninth Doctor tells this to Rose when he fixes her phone. "All it needs is a little Jiggery Pokery."

Okay, as for my Casatiore finds, I was off on those so I shall leave those out. Instead, I will move on to the exclamations. In the video Jamie Bell is asked which two phrases Tintin likes to use the most. he got the first one, "Great Snakes!" but didn't know the second. The questioner says it is "Crumbs." To which Jamie Bell says, "That is so un-Tintin like!" I think Herge agreed with him after a few books as Tintin says Crumbs less. I also found he says, "Heavens!" or "Good Heavens!" a lot but I don't know how many times it has to be to count. I kept track nonetheless. Now, for the grand totals.

He says "Heavens," or "Good Heavens," 37 times in all the books. In the first two books he doesn't say it at all, he says it once in the 3rd, 2 times in the 4th, none in the 5th, once in the 6th, 5 in the 7th, none in the 8th, 3 in the 9th, 4 in the 10th, once in the 11th, once in the 12th, 3 in the 13th, 3 in the 14th, once in the 15th, 2 in the 16th, 4 in the 17th, once in the 18th, 2 in the 19th, 2 in the 20th, 2 in the 21st, and none in the 22nd. And if you think all those numbers were confusing try typing them all out.

Now for the Crumbs. He says this 62 times. (Note, I am not counting "Tintin and Alpha Art" because I have the book someone completed later on and it has that girl in it and she bugs me.) Now, hang on. He says Crumbs 4 in the 1st book, 1 in the 2nd, 1 in the 3rd, 6 in the 4th, 2 in the 5th, none in the 6th, 3 in the 7th, 3 in the 8th, 4 in the 9th, 4 in the 10th, 2 in the 11h, 3 in the 12th, 1 in the 13th, 5 in the 14th, 3 in the 15th, 2 in the 16th, 6 in the 17th, 9 in the 18th - he had a lot to yell about in that one - 2 in the 19th, once in the 20th, none in the 21st, and 4 in the 22nd. (I might have missed some or mixed some up but I did the best I could.)

And, for the final one! He says "Great Snakes!" 95 times. Once in the 1st, once in the 2nd, 3 in the 3rd, 5 in the 4th, 2 in the 5th, 3 in the 6th, 6 in the 7th, 2 in the 8th, 4 in the 9th, 10 in the 10th, 4 in the 11th, 5 in the 12th, 4 in the 13th, 8 in the 14th, 5 in the 15th, 2 in the 16th, 8 in the 17th, 7 in the 18th, 2 in the 19th, 4 in the 20th, 5 in the 21st, 4 in the 22nd. Again, I might be off - numbers and my dyslexia do not mix. But there you have it, more or less! Now I want to read all the books without having to mark numbers on a piece of paper.

Now, I plan to pick up all the Tintin books off my bed and crawl under my warm blankets. And now...another random fact. Tintin never calls Haddock by his first or last name but always refers to him as "Captain." And that is the last of my facts and finds, now my favorite characters, books, and lines.

I did this same thing in, "The Lord of the Rings." I have my favorite characters, the ones you would naturally assume are my favorite. Aragorn and Faramir. I also have my favorite scenes - ALL of the battle scenes, and my favorite lines, such as Aragorn's speech before the last battle and Sam's at the end of, "The Two Towers." But then I have random, favorite parts and characters. My random favorite character is the Mouth of Saron. I love that guy and my dream job is his, to ride out and grin at everyone - I'm working on grinning extra wide so I will be ready. My favorite random scene is right after Aragorn is crowned and he sees Elrond and then Arwyn. Watch Elrond during that part. Makes me laugh every time. I've forgotten my favorite random line but I know I have one. Anyhow, I did the same with Tintin.

My favorite character, of course, is Tintin. My favorite books are, "The Black Island," and "Tintin in Tibet," you all can guess my favorite line, and my favorite scene is in "Tintin in Tibet," when Haddock is about to cut the rope to save Tintin's life.

The reason I like those two books is as follows, "The Black Island," is set in Scotland - huge win there - and Tintin wears a kilt in it which is beyond cool. But, also, it is very exciting and has aeroplanes in it - cool ones - and crashes, fights, mysteries, and the German bad guy Doctor Muller. It is a very fun, exciting story. As for "Tintin in Tibet," it is a wonderful friendship story. I don't think any other book shows the friendship between Tintin and Haddock better. It is one of the best friendship stories I've read. And that is why I like that scene so much, it shows that each was willing to give his life to save the other.

The reason, "My name? It would mean nothing to you but back home they call me Tintin," is my favorite is because it shows how mysterious he is. And that is probably why I like Tintin so much, I LOVE mysterious characters and if their past is mysterious all the better! Such as Sherlock.

But, those are the serious. Now for the not serious, random ones. Out of these, my favorite line is from "Tintin and the Picaros." In this book Haddock loose his memory for a few pages. After he looses it he starts to talk to Tintin who says, "Look Captain-"
"Who's captain here, you or me?" Haddock asks him.
"You of course. You're Captain Haddock."
"How ridiculous. What's my first name then?"
"Archibald, isn't it?"
"Even worse! What's yours?"
"My name's Tintin."
"Grotesque!"
I just love that part!

My favorite non main character is Skut, the pilot who attacks Tintin and Haddock in "The Red Sea Sharks." They save him after his aeroplane crashes and he turns good, joining them for awhile in that adventure and then for a little while in "Flight 714 to Sidney." I just love Skut, he is so nice, and a pilot, and really cool, and it isn't fair he only got small parts in two books. I shall forever sulk about that. Poor Skut, I mean, he has an odd name and then to crown it all he doesn't even get to be in the books much. Anyways...moving on before I start ranting.

Favorite scene. Sadly there is no scene that makes me laugh my head off like Elrond crying when his daughter kissing the new king, but I think it would either be the one where Haddock is dancing on the raft in, "The Red Sea Sharks," or when Tintin is dancing on the fallen star in, "The Shooting Star," and sees the spider - but boy is that spider creepy!! Or the one in "Red Rackham's Treasure," when he stars dancing with Calculus and Calculus looks confused, wondering what has happened.

And then there is my favorite bad guy. To be honest, Tintin's archenemy bugs me and his name is so weird and hard to say that I don't really like him. My favorite bad guy is Doctor Muller. He is evil, has a cool name, is German, is creepy and I wish he had been the archenemy. Then I could say his name at least. But having an evil German Doctor, that is just cool. You cannot top that as far as bad guys go.

And now I think I will close. Hopefully I'll have a movie review for you on Thursday.

Allons-y!

"Great Snakes!"

2011-12-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

Well, somehow I managed to live through another skiing trip. Someday I should learn how to stop on those things. My whole theory of gritting my teeth and speeding down till I hit a flat part is getting a little dangerous. One has to watch out for other skiers, and even if I did see them there would be no way for me to stop, I'd just end up going over them.

However, this post is not about my inability to stop on skis. This is about the "Tintin" movie. "The Adventures of Tintin, The Secret of the Unicorn."

The movie is being done it motion capture. I don't really understand all that means but from the interviews I've watched I know it involves wearing tight suits and acting the scenes out with little dots attached to the suits. Sounds embarrassing but hey, if everyone is wearing a suit it can't be all that bad. And at least one of the actors is used to it. It is reported he carries extra dots in his pocket. Bet you can guess who he is. *Smirk*

The movie is full of famous actors. And yes, I did look every actor up to see what he had been in before. One of the chaps played Westley in "The Princess Bride." But, since he has only a small part, I can't really tell you about him. I think he plays one of the pilots, I can't really remember and my computer is freezing too much for me to look it up, so why don't you go look?

Now, back on subject.

Playing Captain Haddock is Andy Serkis. And if you don't know who this man is then you need help, my poor friend. Though I doubt many know what this man actually looks like. I think all of his acting, or most of it, it done in a skin tight suit and the only thing we get to see if him is his spit...(as he put it). As I am sure you all know, Mr. Serkis plays Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings." So he is quite a pro at the green screens. Of course, he has been in other movies. He talked one of the mice in, "Flushed Away." I believe it was the rat who takes over Rondy's house but don't quote me on that, my brain has failed and I'm not dead certain. But, anyhow, pictures.

Haddock in the books

Haddock in the movie

And Andy Serkis not in a suit with dots.

Second are the Thompsons. They are played by actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Mr. Pegg is playing Thompson and Mr. Frost is playing Thomson. From what I read these two are very good friends, which is kind of clear in their interviews. Mr. Pegg talked Reepiceep in "Voyage of the Dawn Treader." And plays Scotty in the new "Star Trek," for all you Star Trek geeks out there. I would be one but I cannot find the shows online. Mr. Frost was in "Penelope," for a short part. He played the real Max.

The Thompsons

The movie Thompsons exclaiming, "Great Scotland Yard!"

And the actors. See, I was even able to find a picture of them together. Mr. Frost is on the left and Mr. Pegg on the right.

And then there is Snowy. And, I don't think any actor is playing him, not sure who is doing the barking though. I've not really looked up how they are doing him, I just assumed he was one of those round balls on a stick that someone holds at the right level and makes the actors talk to. If I wasn't sick I'd have some strange remark for this but you don't get one.

Book Snowy. I admire Herge for putting a dog in his books and keep him in all of them, and not forgetting him.

And the movie Snowy. And you don't get an actor picture here. Sorry

Lastly, again, is Tintin played by Jamie Bell. I first saw Jamie Bell (I don't think I can call him Mr. as I believe I am older then he...) in "Defiance," very cool movie but for all the language. So sad, because it was a REALLY cool story! I mean, WW2, Jewish brothers on the run, people hiding in the forest and fighting the Nazis, can't get a better story. And the ending!! LOVED the ending!!! Best ending I've ever seen in a movie, well, one of the best. SUCH a good ending. *Happy sigh* I need a language bleeper so I can see it again.

But, anyhow....I liked Jamie Bell's character in the movie. He played the middle brother, well, sort of. There were four brothers - maybe five and I forgot one - and he played either the middle or second youngest. I think I liked him best and was sad to learn that the brother in real life died in the war. The others lived through it. Okay, moving on.

When I first heard of the movie the actor who was going to play Tintin was Thomas Brodie-Sangster. I don't normally call boys cute but this little boy was SOOO cute! He was in "The Last Legion." I was disappointed to find he wasn't going to play Tintin. And then I was even more disappointed because the only pictures I ever saw of Jamie Bell were ones with him not smiling so I thought he must be a very, shall we say grumpy person. I've been proven wrong, but that was my first impression. I only started warming up to the idea after "Defiance."

Today I was board so I watched a bunch of interviews on the actors. Jamie Bell is really quite funny. He spends most of his interviews laughing, and he has read the Tintin books since he was eight. (Europe kids get all the fun books). He even watched the old TV shows as a kid. That's kind of like David Tennet going into acting because he liked "Doctor Who," and then getting to play the Doctor.

And, before pictures, I'll share some odd things I learned today that you might not be interested in but which you get to hear anyhow. Jamie Bell owns a typewriter. The only reason I found this interesting is because I've been looking for one and didn't think anyone actually owned them, I mean besides nuts like me. And now I think I've just insulted some people so...moving on. Second thing is his hair makes a natural cuff...however you spell it. Stands up in the front. Also, he once mentioned on set about 45 being old and everyone went, "45 is not old!" I probably only find that funny because I've done that. Try doing it around a bunch of women, I almost lost my head doing that. Now, pictures.

You know the routine.

And this one, because it is cool

And Jamie Bell. Smiling

Tintin Website
The movie site
The UK site
The Best Tintin Site Out There

Okay, now I shall be off. Join me tomorrow for my final before the movie post!

Allons-y!

"My name? It would mean nothing to you, but back home they call me Tintin."

2011-12-16T13:18:00.000-08:00

to the annoyance of my dear kitty, who wants on my lap, I am sitting down to write this post. She is very displeased with me for it, has even gone so far to turn her back to me. Probably plotting her revenge for tonight. But....it is worth it.

So, of course, the last character to make his appearance should be, Tintin himself. The one person in history who gets mistaken for a dog. Rin Tin Tin.

You know, saving the best for last as the saying goes. Of course, ask certain people and they will say things about how Tintin is the worse character in the books, dull, bland, and lacking in characteristics. My answer to this is, well, basically the same answer I have when defending Frodo, Lucy, and Max. (I'm a character defender, what can I say?) With characters like these you have to look past their, outward appearance. They hide their true characteristics well and you have to look deep to find them.

Tintin is, as someone put it, ageless. With the other characters you can get a good guess of their ages.

But with Tintin this isn't possible. He could be anywhere between 13 to 30. Sometimes he is called a boy, other times a young man. It seems that even his closest friends never find out his age.

Tintin is a reporter for the "Le Petit XXe." It is said he is their top reporter though it is only in a few stories that the reader actually sees him writing a story. He has a good dose of reporter nosiness - not that I know any reporters, I just would naturally assume they have to have a certain amount of nosiness. Tintin will do anything to get to the bottom of mysteries and is often referred to Sherlock Holmes by his friends.

Nothing is known of Tintin's past, before the first book, "Tintin in the land of the Soviets," that is. He never mentions a family and the only people he ever meets are people who have appeared in the books. Unlike Haddock who runs into an old friend he knew before he came into the stories, this never happens to Tintin. All that is known of him is that he is from Brussels, as he says in the first book. "Tintin, reporter, Brussels." It is later learned in, "The Cigars of the Pharaoh," that Tintin isn't his real name. When asked by A Sheik who he is he replies, "My name? It would mean nothing to you but back home they call me Tintin." Not even Haddock learns his real name, or anything about his past.

He never really talks about himself. The only way to learn anything about him, really, is by, "watching him," I suppose you could call it. Throughout the books his characteristics are clearly seen. He is daring, never hesitating if there is some danger in the way - if passing through it means he can get the answer he is looking for. If jumping on a speeding car means catching the bad guys then he will do it, to Snowy's constant concern. "He's going to break his neck with all these acrobats!"

He would do anything to save his friends. This is best seen in, "Tintin in Tibet," when he goes looking for his best friend Chang who is supposedly killed after a plane crash. Tintin heads up into the mountains, certain his friend is still alive, and searches high and low for him, facing blizzards, avalanches, and dangerous rock faces to find him. And, when everyone tells him it is pointless, that Chang is dead, he keeps going. He later walks into a trap to save the Thompsons and Castifiore to save their lives. The same goes for Snowy. He runs down a mountain, almost breaking his neck, to save him from drowning.

Also, no matter what you learned in history, it was Tintin who first walked on the moon, proving there is no adventure he will turn back from, even though Haddock over and over says the whole thing is crazy. I guess, though, the moon thing is up for debate. I heard that Control was landing on the moon way before anyone else to have secret meetings. So, maybe it was Maxwell Smart who was the first man on the moon...

On top of being a reporter, Tintin is also a pilot. Through the series he flies all kinds of aeroplanes as well as a helicopter in, "The Calculus Affair." In the movie, when he and Haddock take over a sea plane, Haddock asks, "Do you know how to fly?" To which Tintin replies, "Relax. I interviewed a pilot once." Who knows, maybe that is how he really learned how to fly.

One of Tintin's fears, it seems, is spiders. Snowy has arachnophobia according to a lot of people. It is never said if Tintin has it as well, but in some of the books it is rather clear he doesn't like spiders. In, "The Shooting Star," he sees one on a telescope and reporters to the scientist, "It is horrible! An eight legged monster!" Of course, thanks to "Get Smart," I cannot read that line without laughing, thanks to Max saying, "It is horrible! Hundreds of legs!" "Let me see!" Sigfried tells him, then says, "As I thought, a lady bug. Get rid of it!" But, back on subject. Later on in, "The Shooting Star," Tintin is eating his dinner while sitting on a fallen star that makes things grow really fast. He finds a spider in his lunch container and jumps with fright, then tries to squish it. Later it grows bigger then he is and chases him. Okay, so, after that anyone has a right to fear spiders. And I would find a picture of that scene but I'm not letting spiders on my blog so go look for yourselves if you want to see.

Tintin rarely ever loose his temper. Of course, in, "Explorers on the Moon," Haddock gets drunk and risks all their lives, and Tintin yells at him and tells him never to do it again. He also gets mad when people shoot at Snowy, hurt his friends, or break Snowy's leg. But he is very forgiving, often readily forgiving men who had tried to kill him and sparing their lives in return. This always displeases Haddock who says, "You will regret it later."
There are few people Tintin doesn't like. I think one of them is Abdullah, a spoiled Arab 6-year-old prince. And, well, you can tell how annoying he must be if Tintin can't stand him. He willing goes into a war torn country just to get out of the house when Abdullah is sent to Marlinspike. And since I cannot find pictures of the prince you can get another one of Tintin.

So, now you might better know Tintin. And all I have to say is, go and see the movie and read the books.

And now, I will give you a heads up on the next two posts before Wednesday when the movie comes out. The next post should be up Monday. It will be about the movie and have pictures of the characters as they look in the books and then how they look in the movie. Who knows, I might even find pictures of the actors. I might even put links up where you can watch some of the TV spots.

As I have mentioned, I am re-reading all the books, writing down my discoveries as well as counting the times Tintin says, "Great Snakes," and "Crumbs." I shall reveal my reason behind doing this in that last post, which shall go up Tuesday and shall reveal things I have learned. Such as an interesting fact I think I've discovered on the Thompsons, maybe something about the Italian singer Signora Castafiore, when Tintin's arch enemy first appears in the stories, and a very interesting find in one of the first books. Also, I shall reveal who my favorite not main character is and my favorite line. As well as my favorite book and why it is. And you will get to meet my favorite bad guy - yes, I have a favorite bad guy, and other such random things. THEN, if I can drag my family into seeing the movie on Wednesday, I will have a movie review up for you on Thursday.

So, there you have it. Join me again on Monday, unless I have broken my arm skiing tomorrow. And now...

Allons-y!!

"How silly they are! They've forgotten Uncle Cuthburt's brand new brolly!"

2011-12-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

One of the most beloved characters in the "Tintin" adventures is Snowy, Tintin's faith dog.

Besides Tintin, Snowy is the only one to appear in all the books. He never leaves Tintin's side, if he can help it, and gets him out of as many scraps as he gets him into.

I suppose there isn't really a lot you can say on a dog, but Snowy is no ordinary dog. With Tintin as a owner he cannot be.

Before Haddock came along it was Snowy who had to make sure Tintin didn't get into too much trouble. Of course, he never succeeded at this, always following after him and thinking things like, "When will we stop for dinner?"

If there is anything that can distract Snowy it is a good bone. More then once his love for bones gets him and Tintin in trouble. In one book he steals a bone from a dinosaur skeleton at a museum. Another time he looses a rescue note Tintin has written when he stops to chew on a bone. And, when he is sniffing out a bad guy's trail he changes course to find a bone, which gets him into a lot of trouble with Tintin. But, in the end, Tintin knows he can rely on Snowy to save him, even if there is a bone in the way.

Next to Tintin, I think the person Snowy loves most is Professor Calculus. In the book, "The Calculus Affair," it is Snowy who carries his umbrella all about the country after finding it in a bucket and thinking, "How silly they are! They've forgotten Uncle Cuthburt's brand new brolly!" Of course, he looses it when he runs into a hay pile but he ends up finding it later, tearing a part a lost and found to do so.

And now, I think I will close. Join me tomorrow to meet the last character before my special post. Tintin himself!

Allons-y!!!

"That's our motto, mum's the word." "To be precise, that's our motto, dumb's the word."

2011-12-13T19:34:00.000-08:00

Today you shall meet two of my favorite characters in the "Tintin" books. They are the Thomson twins. To be precise, the Thompsons.

The Thompsons are two blundering detectives who first appear in, "The Cigars of the Pharaoh." They are completely identical except for their mustache. Thompson's is straight wherein Thomson's turns up at the ends.

From what I read there is some debate as to whether they are related or not. It is never clearly established in the books. In, "Destination Moon," Snowy refers to them as twins but the two are always calling each other, "Friend, colleague," and so forth. But, related or not, they are inseparable.

When the detectives first appear they are sent to arrest Tintin who has been framed. He spends the whole book trying to avoid them and in the end they become friends, after Tintin clears his name. And after they nearly blow him up. Still, in spite of their friendship, they try and arrest Tintin in, "Tintin and the Black Island," when he is again framed for a crime.

The Thompsons almost top Haddock's ability to crash into everything and slip on everything. In one book they break their arms, they smash their noses more then once, and whenever they go to see Tintin in a hospital they wind up in the next room.

Often when one of the detectives says something the other will reply with, "To be precise," and try and repeat what the first has said, usually ending up in insulting the two of them. "To be precise, we can deny that we are ever right."

The ONLY reason the Thompsons ever catch the bad guys is because Tintin helps them, more or less catches them for them. In, "Destination Moon," the detectives arrest a skeleton, convinced it is he who shot Tintin.

Of course, the Thompsons get on Haddock's nerves and he often insults them, but since they are so clueless they rarely relieve they've been insulted. In, "Explorer's on the Moon," they did catch on once when they thought there was a lake on the moon and that they would be spending a holiday there. Haddock tells them, "Yes, there is a lake and they need two Punch and Judy men to work at the resort. You two should apply." They get mad at him because he called them Punch and Judy men and demand an apology to which Haddock says, "Okay, I'm sorry, they don't need two Punch and Judy men so you can't have the job." Which makes them happy, but disappointed they cannot have the job.

The Thompsons don't join Tintin on as many adventures as Haddock, mostly because they spend their time lost or following their own tracks. In, "The Land of Black Gold," they get lost in the desert and end up following their own tire tracks for a whole day, thinking they've found a road. In, "Explorers on the Moon," they run into their own foot marks and are convinced they're are other men on the moon, though everyone tells them it is just their own foot marks.

The only real time the Thompsons end up in the middle of Tintin's adventures is when they do so by mistake. Such as in, "Explorers on the Moon." They weren't supposed to go up into space but spent the night in the rocket and were aboard when it took off. In, "Red Rackham's Treasure," they are sent along on the ship to protect Haddock, but only end up annoying him to no end.

One funny scene in that book is when they are trying to locate where the "Unicorn," sank. Haddock did the calculations but the Thompsons are convinced he did them wrong so they do them themselves, then show them to Haddock saying, "We found a mistake." Haddock looks over the calculations and removes his hat, pretending to pray. When asked what he is doing he says, "Well, according to your calculations we are in the middle of Westminister Abbey."

Another thing I enjoy about the Thompsons is their exclamation of, "Great Scotland Yard!" Which they shout in the movie, which is just beyond grand. Another thing is their hats. Both wear bowler hats which they are quite proud of, and which are always getting sat upon - by Haddock - or squished by aeroplanes, blown away by the wind, and other such mishaps.

And one mustn't forget their disguises. Whenever they go aboard a ship, or into another country, they try and dress like the locals to, "Not attract attention." Sadly, I cannot find pictures online of these disguises but one of them is a kind of kilt thing, with a wide, puffy skirt. Their sailor suits look like something you'd find on a little boy out sailing his small boat with his dad. They get laughed at for these outfits but never notice.

I cannot wait to see them in the movie. Which, in case you forgot, is in nine days 8-D

But, for now, I shall be off. Join me tomorrow for another character, I hope. Tomorrow is busy for me but I'm going to try for another one, so we shall see.

Allons-y!

"Ten Thousand Thundering Typhoons!"

2011-12-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

In exactly nine days the new "Tintin" movie comes out. It is to be called, "The Adventures of Tintin, the Secret of the Unicorn." And, in honor of this movie I will be doing a series of posts on the main characters and then a special post containing all the discoveries I have made while re-reading all the books.

Like most Americans I didn't know who Tintin was for years. Then one day a friend of mine was talking about him. I'd seen the books at the library before so I decided to check them out. Of course, our library didn't have the first one so I had to start with the second. Making the first Tintin book I've ever read, "The Broken Ear."

All it took was that one book and I was hoked. I loved the wild, dangerous adventures. My brother and I ended up buying the whole series, except for "Tintin in the land of the Congo," which I am still trying to get. And, all that said, I discovered they were making the movie while looking up Tintin online. I learned of it, two years before it came out. So, when I found it was coming out December 21st of this year I was thrilled. And now I haunt the Tintin Website non-stop.

But, as I said, this post is to be on one of the characters. And which better character to start with then Tintin's best friend. The somewhat cranky old sailor, Captain Archibald Haddock.

Tintin first meets Haddock, whom he always refers to as Captain, in "The Crab with the Golden Claws." Haddock is the captain of a merchant ship, at least he is captain in name. A drunkard, his first mate Allan makes certain to give him plenty to drink so that he will never learn that Allan has taken over his ship.

Tintin discovers a crew member from the ship has died and on his body has been found a label torn off a can Tintin found only moments before. Wanting to investigate, Tintin goes on board and is kidnapped by Allan and his assistants. He manages to escape and makes his way to Haddock's cabin where he tells the captain his ship is being used to smuggle drugs.

Haddock ends up sneaking off the ship with Tintin where he sets fire to the oars of their life raft. Later they commandeer an air plane and end up crashing in the Sahara Desert. And, long story short, this is more or less how Haddock gets dragged on all of Tintin's other adventures. He later on becomes rich after finding his ancestor's lost treasure, he buys a mansion and Tintin ends up moving in with him and another friend of their's. So, there is the story, as short as I can give it. Now, on to Haddock himself.

As I said before, Haddock is a sailor. After he finds the treasure he retires from sailing and settles into Marlinspike where he tells Tintin over and over, "I'm done with adventures. I want to live a quiet life." Unfortunately for him, when you are friends with Tintin there is no such thing as a quiet life.

Haddock's age is never given, though it can be assumed he is somewhere in his forties. He's a negative person, the complete opposite of Tintin in many ways. His first reaction in meeting most people is to think they are up to no good. He is always warning Tintin that his, "Big heartedness," is going to get him in trouble and is the first to jump up and say, "I told you so!" On top of that he has a wild temper. Just about anything sets him off and he has a whole list of insults ready to shout at the offender. His most famous ones are, "Blue Blistering Barnacles!" And, "Thundering Typhoons!" And if you want to see how many times he yells this all you have to do is look online. I didn't keep tracking while I was reading but I know others have - which is why I didn't bother 8-D Also, he complains non stop about being dragged on Tintin's adventures. Especially on the moon where he was dead certain they wouldn't be making it back to earth alive.

So, on all outward appearances there doesn't seem much to like of this old, rough sea captain. But that is just outward. While he offers lots of laughs to the stories, with his constantly falling down and banging his head into things, he also gives Tintin the only family the boy reporter seems to have. (I'll tell you more about this in another post). Haddock rather adopts him, kind of like an uncle. In the first books it was always Snowy who had to "tell" Tintin to be careful. Now he has the Captain who is always trying to look after him, which isn't easy.

Also, Haddock is selfless. This is hard to see, and only seen when they are in great danger. In, "Tintin in Tibet," Haddock and Tintin are climbing a mountain. Tintin is at the top with a rope attached to him and Haddock. When Haddock grabs a rock, the rock breaks loose and he falls, pinning Tintin to a rock. Tintin is unable to pull him up, and if he moves they will both fall. Haddock tells Tintin to cut the rope of they will both die, but of course Tintin refuses. So, Haddock grabs his own pocket knife to cut it himself. And I could tell you what happens but I'm evil and if you want to find out, read the book for yourself. But that is only one example of the scarifies Haddock has been willing to make for his friends. And though he often rebukes Tintin for his heroism and daring feats, whenever Tintin gets hurt Haddock is always there to watch over him and always has a series of insults and threats he would do to the men who have wounded him. (Example, "Destination Moon" where Tintin was shot.)

The movie is about three of the books, "The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn, and Red Rackham's Treasure." So it is going to be grand to get to see the start of this wonderful friendship on the big screen, in 3D, on the Imax. But, until then...

ALLONS-Y!

"Max, don't worry about folding up the carriage, we don't have car anymore to put it into."

2011-12-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

The Trouble with Cars.

If you follow me on Twitter you will already know I've been car hunting. And while this has nothing to do with writing, it has things to do with life, which inspires writing and therefore may be interesting.

My dad and brothers work on cars. His brother is restoring an old car. All of my uncles kids like cars. My aunt got a car for a birthday present. We are a car family. And then there is me. I got my permit at fifteen, the only one out of all us kids. And, I always said I wanted a truck. Well, my dad found a fifties truck. It was cool but I never liked it a WHOLE lot, never really cared. *Whispers* I don't care all that much about cars. But for almost ten years I have been trying to save up for this truck. You can see how much I wanted it, right? $500.

Well, my dad and brothers started working on a car for this guy. It is called a Karmann Ghia. It is German. And it's the cutest car you've ever laid eyes on. Don't believe me? https://www.google.com/search?q=Karmann+Ghia+pictures&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=fVbdTqDuH46CsgLqit2CDg&ved=0CC4QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=499 Check out that link.

These cars are rare and cost a ton of money, and I wanted one. But I knew I could never by one. Then, out of town, hidden among other cars, was a little Ghia getting all rusted up. My oldest brother found it. And he showed it to me. And I fell in love. I called the owner and he said he would sell it for a $1000. I almost flipped. But there was a draw back, he had no title. When I looked into getting a title I saw they cost a ton of money.

I started to look around for other cars. I had now decided I wanted a small car, like a spy car. Something like Maxwell Smart's. But once again I didn't care. Then I saw a car sitting at a used car place. It had a square shape with cute, rounded head lights. So, I dragged my younger brother to look at it with me. It is a 1971 Mercedes-Benz.

And, here is a picture of it.

It is also a $1000. It has no title but the man can get it. It has a blown up engine but my dad has one to put in it. And it needs no inside work like the poor Ghia. I mean, the inside is great. Only draw back is leather seats but I can get a seat cover.

Oh, and I forgot to mention. I can also get a newer Camero. My dad has one he was going to let me buy from him. And yes, I turned it down for a German car. *Smirk* But there you have it, now you can droll over my cars. Especially the Benz as I am certain that is the one I am going to end up going with. AND if I decided later on, I could sell it for a lot and buy my poor Ghia AND fix it up. Because, honestly, that little Ghia needs a nice home.

I suppose I should give a writing update. I've been able to write again. I finished NaNo. And I am almost done with the third book in my series which means one more to go 8-(

And now...

Allons-y!!!!

"He's just so, so...FRENCH!"

2011-11-08T09:41:00.000-08:00

So, for those of you who don't know, I have two major fears. They are well based ones and I have a jolly good reason for fearing them.

The first of my fears is spiders. Now I know what you be thinking, all girls fear spiders. Well...HA! My cousin adopts them. And carries them around, as does a friend of mine who is also a girl. So there. But me, I have that arachnophobia thing. Me and spiders are like Indiana Jones and snakes. Oil and water. Mordor and Aragorn. Fire and water - which I think is the name of a song. The Doctor and the Master. Termites and....well, you get the idea. So yeah, I don't like spiders. I see legs hanging off a wall and jump ten feet, then go stiff as a board. Even fake spiders do this to me. Supposedly it is great fun to watch but if you are thinking of trying it I should warn you, I will hunt you down.

My second fear isn't as bad, at least, I don't run into it as much so it doesn't seem as bad. I have a healthy fear of needles. Whenever I see one in movies I close my eyes, you should have seen me during Captain America. I just hate the idea of something that long and skinny injecting who knows what into my body. And if the doctor is named Muller, well he can think twice! Muller was the insane doctor in Tintin who tried to have him killed. Never trust a doctor named Muller, that's my policy.

So, now that you know that, you can know why I've not been around much lately. As I've said, I am sick. I don't know with what, but every time I eat, no matter what I eat, I get queasy. This has been going on for two months. I've tried everything but it is time to face the doctor. And, that means blood work, with those evil needles. And, as you can guess, I am just jumping up and down in glee to go. 8-P

I say all that to say, I've not felt like writing much. Everything is sluggish and odd and though I am working on NaNo still I am not sure how it is going to go. Hard to write when all I want to do is sleep.

But, in better news, I have a new book I am doing for NaNo. And now you have the honor of having the first sneak peak at a book that has been about two years in the making.

Long ago, the last king of Nightshade fought in a battle that would forever decide the fate of his kingdom. It was a long, bloody battle and though he slayed his enemy in the end, he fell as well. As he fell, he snapped his own sword in two but when his men found his body, the sword was not there.
A hundred years later a young man wakes up on a farm. He doesn't know how he came to be there, where he is from, or even his own name. He only remembers one thing. He has to find a sword. Setting out on a quest to find the missing blade of the last king, he meets four young men from completely different backgrounds. Together, they learn that a new enemy is planning on taking the divided kingdom and the only hope for freedom lies in the missing sword. But how can secrets that have been locked up for a hundred years be revealed? And what links do they have with a young man's lost memory?

This story is titled The Broken Blade. It is a Steampunk, mid-evil type novel and the first in a three or four part series. It is my dream book. A story about swords, quests, rangers, and secrets. I mean, really, you can't beat that!

I might not make it far in the story as I still have to work on the third book in the World War Series. But if I don't get it done during NaNo it will be my next project. As of right now I FINALLY found a beginning for it. That is the reason it hasn't been written in two years, it never had a beginning. And, well, you jolly well need a beginning.

So, there you have it, my REAL NaNo project...sort of. Now, I have to get ready for work.

ALONS-Y!!

"This wouldn't have happened if my mother had bought me a red sled when I was little. Why, Max why wouldn't she buy me one?" "I don't know, Siegfierd." "Do you think it was because we lived in Florida?"

2011-10-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

My plans for November.

In the hopes I don't sound like I am bragging, I've never found it a challenge to do NaNoWriMo. When I am well I can usually finish a book a month, which would be great if I didn't have such a hard time editing them later on. Editing, Bad, bad editing!

Anyways, back on subject. To make it more of a challenge I would shoot for 200,000 words in November. 50,000 a week. Last year I reached 150,000 but got so worn out I was unable to write in December and this threw me behind with my writing I needed to get done.

This year I planned to just work on one book and not worry about word count. To just write for fun. I even had a cool plot. It is called DragonSlayer and you can read about the plot on my NaNo page. http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/highlandwriter

So, I was really excited this year. I love the plot and the characters...but I ran into a problem. November has caught me in the middle of the World War series. I know if I take a month off from this book and try to pick it back up in December I will not remember what is going on and what I had planned. And that isn't something I can risk. The series is nearing completion and everything is flowing, to stop now is to loose all that. So, it simply can't be done.

On top of that, I am in the middle of editing the first book, getting my name out in the world, and looking for an agent. And it has caught me in the middle of a sickness that is making writing next to impossible.

I am gaining progress on the editing work. At least, on finding Steampunk sites and meeting people. My letter is still choppy and needs a ton of work, but I am slowly making progress on that as well. And, well, you can guess. There is no way I can stop the editing work and get thrown back there. Not if I want to be published.

Now, all that is to say, that this year I have a challenge. While keeping up on all this work, editing, writing, commenting, stalking, I am going to try my hand at DragonSlayer. I will see how well it works before it crashes down on my head.

Okay, on things as well. I've updated the Fun Things page. http://missjacklewisbaillot.blogspot.com/p/fun-things.html So, if you are curious about the characters, help spread the word 8-D As you can see in the character's list, there are a lot of them to find out about so the more followers the sooner you can learn about them.

Also, I am closing down my old blog today. As well as getting ready for NaNo. Letters to write, my bed to remake - not that you cared to know that - and a blanket to sew. Now I think I shall go. But first! Who else is doing NaNo? What are your plots? I would love to hear all about them!

ALLONS-Y!

"'I guess it works on princes too."

2011-10-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

How many of you have heard of Scott Westerfeld? He is a young adult author who is mostly well know for a series of books titled, Uglies. There are four in this series. Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras. I don't know much about this series, our library doesn't have the first one and I refuse to read out of order. However, I DO know about his other series.

This post is full of spoilers so unless you are River, Pond, or Song I would suggest you don't read it unless you have read Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan series.

I first picked up Leviathan this summer. I was wanting something new to read and the cover was so cool, and I was excited to see there was a second book. So, I thought I would give it a try. Before this I had heard nothing of Steampunk, but from the first line I was drawn in. I was fascinated by the world Mr. Westerfeld wove, and I loved Alek and his Walker. By the time I got to the part where Alek jumps out of the Walker to hack of the flare with an ancient sword I was hooked.

I eagerly started the second book, which I haven't done in awhile. I've really not found any good books lately, because we have the puniest library on the planet. But, that said, I even went so far to buy the two books for my Nook, and just before Goliath came out I bought them in hard copy. Then I bought Goliath the day it came out. It is because of these books I am writing mine, love airships, and have such a huge interest in Steampunk. That said, this is my review on the last book, and probably the first two.

If you are reading this you might already know what the series is about, but I will tell you anyways. There are two characters in the book. One is Alek, the Austrian-Hungry prince who has to flee from his people when his parents are killed. His mother was a commoner and, as such, he cannot take the throne. He has a letter from the Pope which will make him ruler, but he has to wait for his uncle to die. Till then he must flee for his life.

The other is a girl named Deryn Sharp. Deryn's one dream is to fly so she dresses like a boy, calls herself Dylan, and joins the British Air Force. She soon finds herself on board the living airship, the Leviathan. The ship travels to the Swiss Alps where it crashes, and it is here that Alek is hiding out. He goes off to help the crew and for his pains is somewhat kidnapped and somewhat rescued by the crew. Now he and Deryn, who are enemies, must work together.

The second book finds them in Istanbul where Alek jumps ship and joins a rebellion. He is later joined by Deryn who got separated from the ship. She joins in the rebellion and together they and some others help free Istanbul. This book, Behemoth, was very exciting and had a very cool battle at the end. I loved the train. And, I also came to like and dislike Eddie Malone a lot - the nosy, too smart American reporter.

Now, by this time Deryn has come to love Alek but he has no clue she is a girl. Also, he has told her often that he will not marry a commoner so his children won't have to go through what he has had to. This makes it hard for Deryn to reveal her secret to him though he has told her all his.

So, the final book opens with them heading out on a secret mission. They head to Russia where they have to pick up a special passenger, the inventor Nikola Tesla. This man claims he can stop the war with a weapon he has built and Alek, who feels it is his duty to end the war, wants to help. Deryn doesn't believe Tesla but she cannot convince Alek. And everyone else with any brains is uncertain as to whether they can trust this man or not.

The story takes place as they are traveling to America to take Tesla to New York. And along the way, Alek learns that Deryn is a girl, and also realizes the reason she never told him is because she loves him. For awhile this hurts their friendship, but then they make peace, with Deryn accepting that he can never love her. As she says, "The Pope can't write letters to make common girls into princess."

This all changes the night the two of them are caught on top of the airship in a storm. While running to a place of safety Alek falls and hits his head. Deryn rushes to his aid only to find he is fighting trying to stay awake. She starts talking to him but again he falls asleep, so she kisses him. I don't really like it when unmarried characters kiss, but this part was rather funny. The moment she kisses him, Alek wakes up and she says, "I guess it works on Princes too."

I think it was about that time that Alek started to love her, but the real moment was when Tesla was about to fire up his weapon, which would shoot out lightening. When Alek realized that the airship, which had Deryn on board, would blow up if this happened, he knew he had to stop the man before Deryn died. That part was cool as well.

Now, the best things I liked about this book was that Alek realized Deryn was a girl and that she loved him without her having to tell him. Of course, he had a little help in learning that she was a girl, but it was done in such a cool way that I didn't mind. 8-D

I also loved the ending, when Alek throws his letter into the sea and decides to join Deryn as a spy instead so they can be together. I mean, really, how cool is that?! The sad part, I was wanting to know how Volger would react to this. I bet it would be terribly funny.

The book also had some good battles, any book with battles rates high in my mind. I love how they went to nearly every part of the world, how they ran into Toyota, and how Bovril said it slowly so readers like me caught it. Oh! And I LOVED the scene when the Lortis - is that what Bovril was? Put on the mustache! SOOO funny! Sucha cute picture! And I was SO completely shocked that Dr. Barlow didn't know Deryn was a girl! I did NOT see that one coming. I thought she knew in the first book.

All in all, this book had a very good, satisfying ending. There was enough left hanging that the reader has room to imagine the afterward bits, and enough tied up that we aren't wondering about all the important stuff. And, it is safe for me to say, this series is now one of my favorites!

You can learn more about Scott Westerfeld here, his offical site, http://scottwesterfeld.com/

Allons-y!

"Heavens! I've been skewered!"

2011-10-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Some of you may already know this, but I sent my book into author William Greenleaf to have an evaluation done. He has been working on it for the past two weeks and this morning, I got his response. I am so happy.

First off, I must just say, if you are ever looking for an editor I would strongly suggest Mr. Greenleaf. Not only is he an author and has helped many get their books published, but he is very nice to work with. From the moment I emailed him with my questions he has been most helpful, patient, and clear on everything he has written back in response. Also, he took the time to email me and tell me he got behind working on my book and would be delayed. That in itself won me over.

So, that said, I have found it a most enjoyable time working with him. He has offered me a lot of hope about my writing. And this evaluation was the best investments I've ever made.

As some of you know my book, Haphazardly Implausible, is set in a Victorian time period with a world war on the edge of starting. Now, I knew there was some faults with this but I never addressed them as it is a Steampunk book and I didn't think it mattered. Clearly it does 8-D. I suppose it is like all writing, you have to stick to time periods for the story to be clearer. No matter what you write, there has to be a time, a date, something to give the story foundation. I am already working at fixing this.

Another thing was one of the characters in the story. Isidore Thaddeus Reichmann is the greatest detective in the world, and he gets sidetracked and lost on his case because of Jack, a British girl who wanders the streets. I knew there was some faults in this as well but again I didn't address them. While writing and trying to keep the story working, I got two things mixed up. What needs to happen to Isidore and his case. Mr. Greenleaf pointed this out and offered suggestions on how to get it back on track.

Also, when telling the story I jump from one character's point of view to another, and then to mine. I knew this needed fixed as well but again I just kept writing. So now my little book is going back into the editing room to get some more work done on it, but this time I feel much better about it as I have a clear focus on what needs to be done, and a list to keep me on track.

The best news I had from his email is that the opening scene was good. I detest writing opening scenes. They have to draw the reader in from the first word, and that is so hard for me to do. Such a relief that I don't have to re-write that part like I did with some of my other books.

On top of all this I am still working on my letter. This is proving to be a battle. This plot isn't the easiest one to just sit down and say, "This is what it is about." This is why I have such a hard time with pitches. The story has two subplots that tie in with it, but weaving these together is a challenge. And then to have to sit down and write a short, gripping letter on which the story is about. Well, go read the book page and you will see one of my attempts. There are two major elements I want in the letter, namely how Peter is having to trust his enemies while learning he cannot trust his friends and how some unknown orphan is suddenly the most important man on the planet. Putting them together in a way that would attract an agent hasn't been easy. I had another go at it last night, so I am going to re-read it today and see what happens now.

Also, I am working on book three. It is going slower then book two because I have been sick. Still trying to find out what it causing it so we can fix it, but so far nothing has worked. Also, something happens in the third book, something I am not looking forward to writing. And it is going to happen soon, so I am dragging my feet.

But for now I need to be off. I have a book to edit and one to write, books to read, blogs to comment on, twitter to haunt, and other books to read the plotlines on. Oh yes, and agents to hunt down.

Oh, and lastly, my dear sister made my signature! Very cool, no? She's extremely talented.

And now, for real,
ALLONS-Y!

"It's called the Snugly Duckling." "Well, I do like ducklings." "YEA!"

2011-10-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

My second guest post is by the lovely Miss Clair. You may find her blog here http://redambrosia.blogspot.com/ now I shall leave you to enjoy her post.

We interrupt your regular programming...

Hello all you charming and good-looking people. My name is Clair, though I also go by a lot of other names, and as you may have guessed already, dear Jack has asked me to guest post. That is why you are confused about this stranger who has invaded your screen. But confus no more!

I am here to talk about my favourite character.

At first, when Jack asked me, I was all (in my head), "How on earth am I going to choose from the wonderfully delicious array of characters the world has handed to me? That's impossible. Forget it." But in real life I was like "Totally love to!"

Ah life.

But anyway. If you are not familiar with a delightful person by the name of Luna Lovegood, I suggest you head to the nearest bookstore and make yourself acquainted RIGHT NOW.

Luna Lovegood, daughter of Xenophilius Lovegood (just as a side note, Xenophilius means 'love of strange things' in Greek), is a student in Ravenclaw house at Hogwarts. She is fourteen when we are first introduced in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and she is her own person. She is what any of us could be if we stripped away our insecurities, self-consciousness, and inhibitions -- honest yet kind, confident yet humble.

The kids think she's weird -- I mean, which of us wouldn't gigglesnort a little if we met someone who went around telling the straight-faced truth unabashedly, and seemed to live in a dream world of her own? But she doesn't care because it doesn't matter what other people think of her. Her father loves her, she excels in her classes, and she's talented in the areas that interest her. I think she's got it pretty good.

I've longed to be like Luna ever since I met her. It would be so nice not to have all that peer pressure weighing down on me, so nice not to ever think about what people would say if you did something weird -- or to use perhaps a better term -- extraordinary. It takes courage to step out on your own.

I myself have always been an outside-the-lines kind of girl (all you have to do is look at my teachers' comments on my homework to know), but that courage is something I don't possess -- yet. I don't necessarily believe in that Disney 'follow your heart, your dreams, at all costs' stuff -- sometimes you have to sacrifice your dreams to accomplish something greater -- but I do believe that we should recognize our passions and pursue them. That is something Luna has taught me.<

For a long time I laboured under the mistaken assumption that unless I could squeeze myself into some kind of label, and then strive to meet all the 'requirements' that label presented I could never function as a normal human being in the real world. But when I realized that it didn't work out that way, I crossed to the polar opposite and forced my 'individualism' to define me, which was also a mistake.

And right about now, I'd like to share an excerpt from a letter by Evanna Lynch, who acted the role of Luna for the Harry Potter movie franchise, written to her own character. She can articulate herself more aptly than I on this particular subject.

"Luna, you instantly captivated me. I didn't know why but there was something about you with your upside-down magazine, straggly blonde hair and the honest, unabashed way you stared at people without blinking that fascinated and perplexed me at once...you didn't stop to excuse yourself or feel ashamed when it became clear that everyone found you strange...You baffled me, not because you were odd, but because you were...perfect. It was the way you carried your oddness like it was the most natural thing in the world. You didn't market your oddness as your defining feature the way some insecure teenagers do, in guise of confidence and security. Nor were you oblivious to the awkward and uncomfortable feelings your oddness provoked in others. When, unable to comprehend how you wore your oddness so honestly and unashamedly, your peers reverted to mockery and bullying; you recognised this as a reflection of their own deep-seated uinsecurity and calmly let them carry on, quite above your head. You weren't trying hard to present a certain aspect of yourself that would boldly identify you in the world. And that's when it occurred to me how bizarre and positively ridiculous it was to apply the word 'weird' to describe you, when you represented the most natural and unpretentious state possible to be; you were yourself."

Does that strike a chord with you? That strikes a chord with me. The idea of all that freedom definitely is appealing. In my own life, that would be the freedom of finding my perfect identity in Christ, finally discovering just exactly who it is that He wants me to be, and realizing that I am completely capable, through Him, of becoming that person. As it is right now, I'm struggling with that day by day. I'm tempted to be selfish, to look out only for myself and make my way in the world like that, but I think C. S. Lewis sums it up so beautifully:

"When first things are put first second things are not supressed but increased."

I know I've gotten a little off-topic here, but this is what happens when I find something beautiful. I suppose this isn't really about Luna herself -- hard facts about her personality, appearance, and behaviour -- but more about the way Luna makes me feel. I think, really, that's the way it is when you've become really good friends with someone. If a random person were to ask you to describe your best friend, you wouldn't -- or shouldn't, anyway -- tell them that she has blonde hair, or he's kind of short, or she has freckles. You would tell them that she has the wildest sense of humour ever, that he gives the best hugs, that she tells you that you're beautiful when you're feeling your ugliest.

Luna and I give each other book hugs. We're pals. We connect. And in a sense, she's real. She may not be tangible, but she can offer comfort or laughs or tears, depending on what you need. All you have to do is flip through the pages till you find her.

And that is why she's my favourite.

Thanks again to Jack, who is lovely and helpful and encouraging. Peace my brothas and sistahs; have a magical day!

Clair

"How long will you stay with me?" "Forever."

2011-10-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

Today is a very special day. Today you are honored with my first guest post. This is from my sister, whom small be given the nickname of River on here. She is a fashion blogger and here is her site, http://www.beautifully-pure.com/, which you simply must go visit. And now, without further ado, River.

Well... I was going to write a post on a Doctor Who character, but I as soon as I thought I had decided on whether or not to do the Doctor or Rose, I would change my mind, so Jack said I could do a post on both of them. (Ain’t she sweet?)

The Doctor and Rose. I would say they are inseparable except the writers were cruel and did separate them - which was one of the saddest things ever to happen in Doctor Who (second only to the 10th Doctor having to regenerate). The reason it was so sad was because they were perfect for each other.

The Doctor is a nine-hundred-something old Time Lord. Actually, he is the last of the Time Lords, and he is lonely. He’s traveled through space and time ever since his planet, Gallifrey was destroyed, but he doesn’t like to travel alone, so he takes companions with him - usually a human girl. The companions however, can never stay with him. They have their own lives and their own families on earth that they want to be with. So he always has to say good bye, and be on his own again until he finds a new companion.

Rose Tyler is an ordinary girl working in a shop in London. She lost her father when she was a baby, and her mother and she don’t always see eye to eye, but they love each other. Rose, however, is bored, and secretly wants to have adventures. But she doesn’t know how to - until she mets the Doctor, that is. He shows her how amazing and exciting life can be. Without even thinking she runs off into the wonderful, big, blue TARDIS and goes off to travel through space and time with him.

But the best thing about the Doctor and Rose is how well they fit together. Rose loves traveling and having adventures just as much as the Doctor does - like when they find out that the royal family are werewolves. Rose is just as excited and giddy as the Doctor is. Or when they accidentally end up in 1952 London instead of at a radio studio in New York City to see Elivis. Rose gleefully goes knocking on random doors with the Doctor to interrogate the residents, call the mean ones name and all around make them look like idiots.

But it’s not just the Doctor changing Rose. She changed him as much as he changed her. He went to Christmas dinner with her, and even let her mother on the TARDIS despite the fact that he had said in the first episode he had made it clear that he didn’t tolerate family. And when someone hurts Rose’s mother, he’s just as concerned as Rose is, and is 100% behind her as she goes to yell at the guy.

The Doctor and Rose - completely and fully supporting each other. Did they always get along? No. the Doctor was very angry when she went back in time and nearly destroyed the world trying to save her father’s life. And she was terribly angry at him when he stood and watched as earth burned up 3,000,000 years in the future. But they always managed to work it out, because they loved each other. And when Rose had to make the decision to leave with the Doctor and never see her family again, or stay with them and never see him again - she chose him, despite his protests. And that’s what made them so cool together- their undying love, devotion, support, and protection of each other.

They’re one of the best couples I’ve ever seen on television before. If you haven’t see it before, I highly suggest you try it.

"Is that one of Stark's?" "I don't know, that guy never tells me anything."

2011-10-20T18:59:00.001-07:00

Well, here it is, my site. I will be closing down the old blog soon, not deleting it, mind you, but closing it down. The reason for this is I don't want confusion, you know, having a blog with the same name. Also, the reason I am just not fixing up that blog is because I want a fresh start. This is me, taking my writing seriously - er, more seriously then I have before. So, I am...very serious now? Anyhow...

I have just bought the book, The Essential Guide to Getting your Book Published. I'm still on chapter one and, it is amazing. I mean look! It's got me creating a site and hunting down young adult readers! If you ever plan to write, I would suggest this book. It is wonderful! And very helpful.

And now, now that I've got this all set up, I am thinking of taking a break and resting. That said, I will now say...

ALLONS-Y!!

A Bit Unlikely,
Jack