Meet Ryun Yamanaka
Here’s the interview with Ryun Yamanaka, he’s the main male protagonist of Mistaken Identity.
Relational:
- How old are you? 34
- Where were you born? I was born in Bangkok, Thailand. But my parents moved to America shortly afterwards. I was raised in Santa Ana, CA
- Who do you look like? Your mother, father, or someone else? My father’s father or so I have been told.
- Do you have any brothers or sisters? No
- Are you married or single? Single
- Do you have someone you care about? My family is very important to me.
- Did you or do you know your grandparents? No
- Is anyone in your family famous? No
- Are your parents still living? Yes
Personal:
- What do you like to drink? A well aged cabernet sauvignon wine.
- Are you a morning person? Yes, no point in wasting the day away in bed.
- What are your hobbies or interests? I don’t have time for hobbies.
- What do you do for a living? I’m a lawyer, a corporate lawyer.
- What is your education level? I graduated from law school.
- What’s your favorite food (or drink)? Vegetarian gaeng keo wan, it’s a spicy Thai curry
- Do you travel much? Yes, I have clients all over.
- What do you hope to accomplish in the future? To keep building my clientele and practice.
- Do you like to read? Yes, I think reading is very important to all.
- Where are you going? Forward.
Which Describes You Best?
- Nervous or calm? Calm
- Teacher or student? Both, you can never know it all; one must be a student before they can teach anything. But be ready to teach others what you have learned.
- Leader or follower Leader, I follow no one.
- Brave or fearful I am afraid of no one.
- Religious or superstitious I believe there is a higher power than I will ever know, but I make my own path.
- Humble or proud Humble
- Tall or short? 5’9” you tell me
- Long hair or short? Short.
- Honest, stretch the truth when necessary, or all out liar? Everyone’s truth is different
- Introvert or extrovert? That is irrelevant.
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Tags: Mistaken Identity, NaNoWriMo 2009
Meet Adrianna Valdez
So in preparation of November I decided to do some interviews of my characters. I’ve actually never done this but found that it help me to really get to know the character. As well as think of scenes to come in the story. So this is an interview with Adrianna Valdez, the main character of Mistaken Identity.
Relational:
- How old are you? 24
- Where were you born? San Barbara, CA. But my family is originally from Mexico.
- Who do you look like? Your mother, father, or someone else? Everyone says I look like my mother. I don’t really remember her. She died when I was young. But I’ve seen pictures of her. I can see some resemblances I guess. To me she’s way more beautiful than me. My dad said she was a model when he met her.
- Do you have any brothers or sisters? Yeah, I’ve got three older brothers…also known as overprotected guardian angels.
- Are you married or single? I’m single and proud of it.
- Do you have someone you care about? Sure lots of people. My father and brothers are really the only family I have, they’ve spoiled me rotten and I love them for it. I’ve some friends that a very dear to me, and the older couple who own the little grocery store on the corner. They’ve been a big help to me lately. Oh and my baby, Sprite, she’s my crazy kitten.
- Did you or do you know your grandparents? I didn’t know my mom’s parents they passed before I was born. My dad’s parents live in Mexico, we visited them once a year around Christmas.
- Is anyone in your family famous? My dad’s a famous lawyer; he deals with civil suits mostly. I think he did some criminal ones in his younger days. My brothers are lawyers too, following the whole family tradition thing.
Personal:
- What do you like to drink? I’m a soda addicted. I’ve got to have a Pepsi sometime during the day or I’m just not the same.
- Are you a morning person? No not at all. I’m the worst person you would want to be around in the morning.
- What are your hobbies or interests? Let’s see being an 80’s baby I grew up in the 90’s meaning I can’t live without my computer. I’m an avid gamer, computer and video.
- What do you do for a living? I just got my own place downtown. It’s a condo loft in this refurbished building that use to be a warehouse. It’s great.
- What is your education level? I’ve got a B.A. in Fine Arts from some private school that my dad made me go to. The deal was he could pick the college but I picked the major. Boy was he mad when I picked fine arts. *Smiles*
- What’s your favorite food? Caldo de Res or Mexican beef stew. Whenever the maid had a night off my dad would make that. It’s so good and fulfilling.
- Do you travel much? Like I said we go down to Mexico every year, and I’ve gone on a few business trips with my Dad, but I don’t really travel now a days.
- What do you hope to accomplish in the future? I want to start my own graphic designing firm. Be my own boss and all that.
- Do you like to read? I don’t hate to read. Every now and then I’ll pick up a novel and read it but I’m not one of those people who reads religiously. *shrugs*
- Where are you going? That’s a random question, ‘where am I going?’ Does anyone really know the answer to that. I’m going wherever destiny is leading me I guess.
Which Describes You Best?
- Nervous or calm? I’m totally a calm person, except for those times when I’m not.
- Teacher or student? I guess I’m a student, you should always be open to new experiences and learn from them.
- Leader or follower? Leader most definitely, I don’t follow anyone.
- Brave or fearful? I think sometimes I can be fearful, I’ve lived a shelter life. I’m not sure if I can handle all there is out there.
- Religious or superstitious? Superstitions are around for a reason, that’s all I’m going to say.
- Humble or proud? Proud and humble, I’m proud of who I am and where I’ve come from. But I know there’s always a place for humbleness.
- Tall or short? I’m of average height, 5’4” thank you very much.
- Long hair or short? Long, I love my hair. It’s long black and wonderfully wavy…it does exactly what I want it to do…in my dreams. But no really I do love my hair, its pretty long.
- Honest, stretch the truth when necessary, or all out liar? Well I believe that sometimes you need to stretch the truth sometimes when its for the greater good.
- Introvert or extrovert? Extrovert…is there any other way to be?
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Tags: Character Building, Mistaken Identity, NaNoWriMo 2009
NaNoWriMo 2009 Story
Two minutes before my self given deadline I’ve chosen a story. The story I will be working on is titled Mistaken Identity.
When I come up with an idea the first thing I do is write it down. Usually this is on some scrap piece of paper that is near me. And it’s basically random sentences that help me remember what the idea was at a later date. Then when I have time I type of the idea that you might find on the back/inside cover of a book. Depending on idea and how clearly I remember it there might be more details about the overall idea sometimes not. Then I kind of guess on how long the story might turn out. Sometimes you can look at an idea and now that it’s going to be a short story or a novel. Looking at the ideas I have already typed out I only have two that I think are worth being over 50,000 words (the goal of NaNoWriMo). So that helped, then I just had to chose between the two. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe ensured and it came down to Mistaken Identity.
There’s a short synopsis on my NaNo profile. I still plan on doing posts on how I prepare for this major event. If there’s any other writer’s out there participating this year, add me as a writing buddy. I’ve only got one now, my best friend. If you haven’t joined and you like to write…go join now. Even if you don’t reach 50,000 it’s okay…you still rock for even trying!
Well I’ve got some reading to do before class tonight.
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Tags: Mistaken Identity, NaNoWriMo 2009
NaNoWriMo 2009
I feel I should explain what NaNoWriMo is. It stands for National Novel Writing Month, basically thirty days to write a 50,000 word novel. For some it doesn’t matter about quality and the content of the novel, just quantity. I’m under the first group more so than the second. Since this will be the first year that I can actually participate in the last 3 years that I’ve known about it, I don’t plan on aiming for 50,000 words. Maybe half of that, 25,000 and I’ll be happy.
First I have to come up with the novel I’m gonna work on. I have some story ideas already for upcoming projects. But which one should I go for. I have no idea. I thought about just going with Passing Time, but I think it has to be a novel that you haven’t done before. I’m not sure if that is allowed. At any point I need to come up with a to do list and due dates for myself.
The first thing would be to pick a story to work on. I’ll have that due Monday 3pm. I have class at 5 so that should give me enough time today and tomorrow to decide.
Anyone else out there participating in NaNoWriMo this year?
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Tags: NaNoWriMo 2009, Passing Time
Mac Kegor
Now that I find myself with a computer of my own I just don’t know what to do with myself. I mean I’ve been with one for just over a year. I think I lost Shiba-chan back in October of last yeah and now I have Mac Kegor. It’s weird. I know I said I was done with laptop but I didn’t buy this one. So I’m not going to look a horse in it’s mouth. It’s a FREE MACBOOK…with Microsoft office on it. So yeah it took forever to get the darn thing but hey I’m done complaining.
My sister has the same macbook but she has iWorks, I was just starting to get use to it too. This one doesn’t have iWorks, I thought it was like PCs, that automatically came with Works loaded. Oh well. I mean it’s the same thing I’d rather have office over works, just because I know more short cuts. I just have to learn shortcuts on Macs again.
I haven’t started writing yet. I’ve got some major reading to do for my Monday night class. But it is the second day of October, which means I need to get cracking on planning for Nanowrimo, next month. I’m gonna participate even if it kills me. And it just might. I just got get scheduling down and I should be okay. I hate that I didn’t get to do it last year, I wasn’t around a computer to work on anything. Took me forever to get to handwriting DYTCiYC.
I need to find my CD for the Fly pen Jen got me for christmas last year. I know I brought from my mom’s. I distinctly remember taking the stuff out of the box and putting it somewhere. I just don’t remember where that somewhere is.
At any rate I’m gonna go read or maybe lay down then I get working on some writing tonight. I do have a one shot that’s near finish.
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Tags: Mac Kegor, NaNoWriMo 2009
I finished the whole series and so I’ll just go ahead and review the series instead of each book.
In total there are seven books to the series; Harry Potter and: the Sorcer’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half-blood Prince, Deathly Hollows.
Overall I really enjoed the series, the books wre thought provoking and left their mark. I don’t really have a feeling of wanting to know more about the characters. Ms. Rowling did a through job of developing the characters. There were lofty themes that carried out through the books but at the same time each book was of its own accord. THere isn’t one that actually stand out above the rest however. And I can’t really say they get beetter as you go along. They do get darker in the themes and people start to die left and right. In my opinion she stays somewhat level in her writing.
I did notice that the book, Order of the Phoenix, was in itself lacking. I felt like it could have been chopped up and the first half could have been tacked onto the previous book and the second half could have started the Half-blood Prince book and it would have had the same result.
Would I read these again? Probably not. Am I glad I read them? Yes. Recommend to others? Yeppers.
Rating: 8 of 10
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Tags: Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling
Over Hexed by Vicki Lewis Thompson is from her Nerd series as in Talk Nerdy to Me and Nerd in SHining Armor. Books where the hero wears glasses ad is usually really good at math. I had hear of Mrs. Thompson from a friend’s mother but it took me some time to get around to picking up one of her books. Fell immediately in love with her geeky heroes are just so much fun. And for a girl who has a little nerd in her (only little) and is sort of dating a guy who has more in him than she does it seemed like a perfect read to me.
In Over Hexed, Thompson introduces us to a matchmaking couple who happen to be a witch and wizard. After being exiled to a city in the middle of nowhere they decide to help Sean Madigan, a reluctant sex god find his soulmate. Sean is tired of having to fight off every available woman (and some not so available). Even though he doesn’t think they can really do anything he agrees. Over night they take him from stud to dud. The only problem is Maggie Grady just came to town and Sean finds himself wanting her more than anything. But he’s never had to actively go after a woman, this is going to be harder than he though. Add in some conflicting ideas about a certain piece of land and a dragon who claims to have ADD and you have one awesome read. Next time you find yourself in a library make sure to check out Vicki Thompson especially, Over Hexed.
Rate: 8 out of 10
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Tags: Nerd, Vicki Thompson
His name is Moon, Fletcher Moon and he’s a private detective. He’s also only 12, but he has a badge and graduated top of his class. In this first book in what I certainly hope is only the first in another good series, we meet the brilliant Fletcher who could have walked out of any 1920’s private detective story, well besides the fact that he’s still a minor and considered short even for his age. Half Moon Investigation has everything needed for a good mystery read; intrigue, danger, action, and a damsel in somewhat distress. Plus a secret society with a leader that’s probably watches too much t.v.
From the first page to the last page I was hooked and still wondering how a 12-year-old could be so serious. but more importantly how come I wasn’t that cool when I was 12?
My mystery and suspense readers please head to the young adult section of your nearest library, or ask someone else if you are really self conscious about that sort of things, and pick this book up, like I said I hope this is only book one of a series to come and to Mr. Colfer. Well done sir, well done.
Rating: 9.5 out 10
Cover Art:
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Tags: Eoin Colfer
Decided to go ahead and do the reviews for the first two books of the Artemis Fowl series before I start book three.
The first book is simply named Artemis Fowl. We meet the young Artemis Fowl the Second, his father is missing his mother is losing her mind with grief and he’s only 12. With his father missing the Fowl bank accounts aren’t looking so great, so Artemis does what he does best think and come up with a plan. A plan that involves kidnapping and fairies. Oh that’s right fairies they exist. Just ask Captain Holly Short is one.
Mr. Colfer weaves a spellbound tlke of intrique magic and suspense with this one. Again I was hooked instantly, His characters are deep and likable, even the ones you aren’t sure you are suppose to like. Again I was amazed at how he developed such a complicated character who was only 12. Maybe Irish boys are all this complicated at a young age. Make a certain person want to take a trip across the pond and see for herself, an irish nerd how interesting.
Without giving away to much of the details Artemis Fowl is a good contender with the famous Harry Potter series if not better. If you fancy Irish landscapes, magical folk, and a deadpan sense of humor most people don’t get now a days then while your at your library picking up Half Moon Investigations then grab this book that will be sitting right next to it.
Rating: 10 out 0f 10
This book has been remade into a Graphic Novel under the same name.
Cover Art:
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Tags: Artemis Fowl Series, Eoin Colfer
Feeding The Need To Write 