NaNoWriMo 2011

After enjoying last year's NaNoWriMo, I plan to start up again tomorrow for the international month of book-writing frenzy. I have a good idea as to what I plan to write this month, so that's a relief. I think that NaNoWriMo helps any interested writer push themselves. It also helps you get over editing fever, which often keeps you from making progress. So, batten down the hatches, readers. Perhaps you should get writing as well.

Hugo

When I first started this blog, I mentioned Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Now, Martin Scorsese will take on the film adaptation of the expertly illustrated book. A trailer is below. I cannot honestly say that I am very happy with the overall look, but it should be a cute movie nonetheless. Maybe good to watch on DVD?



The Invention of Hugo Cabret is writted by Brian Selznick. It can be purchased from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins certainly kept me on the edge of my seat in the teen fiction novel The Hunger Games. The first book in a trilogy, it is soon to be a major motion picture (that seems like an antiquated term now). However, I must say that while I read the book, I did not want to eat anything. The descriptions of food throughout the story are so poignant. It will be a book that will make you experience many types of emotions. Now, I just have to read the other two books.

The Hunger Games is written by Suzanne Collins. It can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your through appropriate sources for your e-reader.

The Help

I recently purchased The Help for my Sony e-reader. Told from multiple viewpoints, this period piece captures the spirits of wealthy white women and the black women that work for them. Though it feels very real, this story is actually a work of fiction. It will leave you feeling angry, tense, relieved, and somber. Dialogue is written with such character, you will feel as though you have heard each word aloud.

The Help is written by Kathryn Stockett. You can purchase this title on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and through appropriate sources for your e-reader. 

Read it first! The Help will be released as a motion picture in 2011. For updates, visit imdb.

Room

During a long trip, I found time to devour this simply-titled book. Varying from the usual, Room takes advantage of the voice of a child to tell a chilling, engaging book. I would hate to give away any of the story, so this will not be deeply reviewed. However, if you have been looking for a good read, I suggest picking up this title today.

Room is written by Emma Donoghue. You can easily purchase this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or for your e-reader.

The Rising Phoenix and Diving Whale: Porcelain Doll

For a moment, Cyprus had been amused by the passing youth from the city streets. She had witnessed his unfortunate drenching at the hands of a negligent kitchen boy. However, the moment faded as she drew closer to home. She bit her lip as she entered the luxurious villa complete with family dragons*. Inside, several members of the hired staff were setting the table for dinner. Other than their presence, the house was empty.

"Lady Cyprus," a gruff but friendly voice called to her from the main entrance, "Your mother has asked for me to tell you that she will be back soon. She has gone to pick up her dress for next week's gala."

The bearer of the voice was a large, friendly woman that had worked for her family for as long as Cyprus could remember. Though she was called Thela, many outside of the villa called her by many other names. She had served as Cyprus' nanny and friend in addition to her other chores around the estate.

Cyprus smiled and dipped her head sweetly. "How are you today, Thela?"

"Well enough, darling. Where were you earlier?" Thela raised an eyebrow.

"I went to the river to relax," Cyprus replied.

Thela's usually cheerful mood darkened. "You are not supposed to be going there, Lady Cyprus. You know that. I won't tell your parents, but you stay away from that river!"

As Thela stomped away to shout at a lazy worker, Cyprus clenched her fists angrily. She had always been kept like a rare bird never allowed to leave the nest. She was very clever and had marks at the top of her level in university. Yet her parents were so nervous of her being hurt and forbade her from going near water. She had been told that when she was younger, she had nearly drowned. However, Cyprus could not recall this time of her life. She only knew that she was tired of living inside of a doll's house where she was dressed up and presented when necessary and discarded otherwise.

Joining the Frenzy

Perhaps I am a glutton for writing with complete and utter abandon. Hours spent researching items, consulting online dictionaries and thesauri, and typing maniacally on my keyboard. However, joining this year's Script Frenzy will be a new experience. The point of Script Frenzy is to write a script for a stage play, television show, graphic novel, or screenplay in the month of April. Another 30 days, another project to strengthen creative writing skills. If you are thinking of participating, visit scriptfrenzy.org for more information. Also, your NaNoWriMo login works just as well. If you want to find me, search newfoundjoye.