Emotional Investment

In almost all forms of entertainment, emotional investment seems to be key. I know I talked about American Idol earlier, and I'm not going to bore you with more American Idol details, but let's just say, I'm emotionally invested in one of the contestants (ANOOP!) and that's why I keep tuning in. Books are pretty similar. To keep turning the pages, or buying books in a series, you have to be emotionally invested in at least one character.

One series I was emotionally invested in--along with, like, half the world--was Harry Potter. While I, of course, was just as interested in Harry and his quests as everyone else, my most genuine emotional investment involved Hermione and Ron. I think it's because I could really relate to Hermione. I have the bushy brown hair and everything! Since book four or so, I've been on the edge of my seat, waiting for Ron and Hermione to finally be together.

Another book I was emotionally invested in was The Catcher in the Rye. Again, it was the relatability and sympathy of Holden that made me feel this way. I wanted him to not be so lost. I wanted things to be okay for him.

More recently, I just finished reading Jellicoe Road (which is the book I was talking about in my last post). In the beginning of the book, I was not as invested in the main character, Taylor, but by the end, I cared so much about her. I was outraged when she didn't get the information she deserved and was devestated along with her at a disaster towards the end. The book, overall, was very good by the way, and I highly reccomend it.

What are some books you all were emotionally invested in, and what do you think makes you emotionally invest in a book or a character?

American Idol!

I didn't mean to, but I can't help myself; I'm hooked again on American Idol.

I didn't plan on watching this season (I hadn't watched last season), but then there was nothing else on when the show first started...so I watched. Now I can't stop because I have to watch to see my favorite, Anoop Desai! Ever since his first audition, I liked him. He's the perfect combination of geeky, cute, and talented. The judges always mention how immensely likable he is, and I agree. I still don't think he's shown off his full potential, though, like he has in some YouTube videos with his college acapella groups. Anyone who's watching this season--and anyone who just might be curious--should check this song out, just as an example of some of his awesomeness. I can't wait until American Idol next week. He's been enduring some criticism for his performance this week, so hopefully he brings it. Their may be some big voices left in the Top 11, but when it comes to voices I'd like to listen to on the radio or on a CD, Anoop beats them all...at least for me.

Speaking of bringing it...someone who really knows how to bring it is the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson. I've been a fan since that first season of American Idol. I even own the much mocked From Justin To Kelly. Her newest CD, All I Ever Wanted, just came out, and I'm loving some of the songs. There are some super catchy pop numbers. I especially like "Long Shot". Has anyone else listened to it yet? I think it's the type of CD that needs a couple listen before you really can appreciate it. What are your thoughts?

He's Just Not That Into You

Just a few hours ago, I got back from seeing the movie He's Just Not That Into You, which stars big name celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johannson, Drew Barrymore, and Ben Affleck. If you haven't seen the previews, it's basically a movie about the ensemble's intertwining love lives. One of the main characters, Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin), is a bit unlucky in the love department. Some of the guys she goes after are, as you'd guess, just not that into her.

Someone not returning someone else's feelings is always an interesting topic, whether it be in film or in books. In some of my manuscripts, there are guys who are just not that into the main character. For example, in my YA novel A REAL FIRST KISS, one of Lara's crushes flirts with, her hoping to use her for help with math. He readily admits to his friends that he has no interest in her whatsoever. In one of my middle grade works-in-progress, a girl named Farren has a crush on a guy who has fallen for a popular, pretty girl rather than her nerdy self.

I'm starting to notice something: most of the guys who don't reciprocate my main characters' feelings come off as jerks at some point. Maybe I do this subconciously since I like my main characters so much and can't imagine guys they like not liking them unless they have some kind of character defect. I don't want to make it sound as if I have guys just throwing themselves at my main characters, because it's not like that either...I guess it's just, in writing, I usually like to focus on burgeoning relationships rather than dead-end ones. After all, that's when the romance really comes in, and I love me some romance.

Anyway, He's Just Not That Into You was super cute. A great chick flick! Go see it if you're in the mood for some romance, some awws, a couple of laughs, and maybe even a few tears.

Superbowl. Woo?

As mostly everyone should know, the Superbowl is this weekend. Classmates have been strongly voicing opinions on who they think should win. Even the teachers have been encouraging students to root for a certain team. (In my neck of the woods, people mostly support the Steelers.) In these instances, I don't have too much to say.

I do not watch sports.

I do not participate in sports. Or at least not willingly.

I will not be watching the Superbowl, unless we're talking commercials, half-time show, and possibly Jennifer Hudson singing The Star Spangled Banner. The same is true for most of my family members. To the surprise of some, even my dad and brother don't show that much interest in football.

I can kind of see why people watch sports--kind of....okay, maybe I just don't get it all.

During the Superbowl, I'll have to find something else to entertain myself. Perhaps I can even get some writing done? I'd like to say I will get some writing done, but I will probably end up surfing blogs, forums, and YouTube.

What are you all doing for the Superbowl?

And is anyone excited for the post-Superbowl one hour special episode of The Office?

Thanks to HH Studio for a picture of a place I will probably never go....he he.

ETA: I just noticed how much of a stereotypical writer I am!

Steam of Consciousness

This blog is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness Co. in partnership with Lack of Inspiration Inc. Starting now...

I know I should be adding something to this blog. My last post was a whole week ago. What am I to talk about, I wonder.

I'm reading a book right now called The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty, which I like a lot so far.

I'm humming this song Untouched by the Veronicas. I don't even particularly like it, but I heard it on the radio once and then it was in my head...and of course, once it was in my head and I figured out what it was, I had to look it up and listen to it again. I may get it out of my head soon with the new Kelly Clarkson song.

I realize that these musical musings are not writing related. I wonder if I should keep this blog mostly writing related. I decide that it's okay if it's not all I talk about, but I would like writing and books to be this blog's main focus.

Speaking of books, I won four of them in a contest at The Story Siren. I'm eagerly awaiting my prizes. Check that blog out if you haven't been there before.

In school, a new semester has started. My school has block scheduling, meaning a new semester equals new classes. Pre-Calc is bound to make me a nervous wreck (The mathematical side of my mind has turned to mush since last year), but everything else seems fine.

I'm starting to think that I should have some regular features on this blog, like some of my own favorite blogs have. Not quite sure what I want these to be, however.

Howie Mandel is on The Ellen Degeneres Show right now. No strong opinions on him, though for a while I enjoyed Deal or No Deal.

And this seems sufficient...utterly pointless, but sufficient.

Are you supposed to time stream of conciousness and then see what you come up with? Oh well, I shall be a rebel. You, blog reader, should try some stream of conciousness for thirty seconds or so in the comments, though...or you know, just comment on my streaming.

Also, Howie Mandel is now in a plastic bubble. In case you wanted to know. :)

ETA: Wait, does it count as stream of conciousness if I go back and edit a few things? Let's just say it does. I mean, I was just trying to help you all by making my blog readable.

College Crazy

Lately I've been a bit college crazy. This means researching different colleges, thinking about visits, thinking about money, fantasizing about college, reading message boards about college, and generally freaking out about the massive decisions that seem to be looming closer and closer. It seems so weird that in 8 months, I'll be a senior, and a little after that, I'll be filling out college applications. I don't feel old enough for this. I feel fourteen at most...perhaps even twelve! Surely, my taste in TV and music skews younger than my actual age. (Erm...yes, I'm still an avid watcher of the Disney Channel.) Nonetheless, time keeps chugging along, and I will actually be in college in what will seem like no time at all.

Which college....that's really what I'm wondering about. I mean, I'm sure I'll be happy wherever I end up, but at the moment, I can't help but stress. What if there is some college out there that's perfect for me but I haven't come across it yet? Or what if the perfect college is too expensive? I guess I'll have to wait and see. Like I said, I have faith that things will work out in the end. Some people out there may think it's corny, but I really do think God has a plan for me and that things happen for a reason. Doesn't mean I'm any calmer, though.

Overall, despite any intimidation and fear I'm holding onto, I have to say I'm excited. I am so ready to be done with high school that I imagine waiting for college might just test my patience.

In other news, I'm reading Catcher in the Rye. My brother gave it to me for Christmas, I'm about halfway through it, and it's really good! I'm also reading Dante's Inferno for school, which doesn't inspire as much enthusiasm on my part...and which I should probably be reading right about now.

What are you guys reading, and any thoughts on this college craziness?

By the way, the dorm picture is from here...actually, it's a Harvard dorm room. I'm glad I'm not considering any of the Ivy League schools, because I'd be even more stressed than I am now.

"Books make great gifts because they never come in the wrong size."

Yesterday I went Christmas shopping. Seriously, malls during the holiday season are insane...and not at all like the surprisingly serene picture to the left.

Despite being a teenage girl, I am not a big fan of shopping. In fact, the only things I really like shopping for are books (because, duh, they're books!) and purses (cute, and really one size fits all). To me, the mall is no safe haven. It is a place that quickly grows boring unless I'm there with plenty of friends. Add to that large crowds and long lines and the pressure to find the perfect gift, and it's a recipe for a Megan Shopping Meltdown, which I have been known to have.

Speaking of shopping meltdowns, last night I watched Jingle All The Way with Arnold Schwarzenegger. If you haven't seen it, it's about a workaholic dad who forgets about buying his son a Turbo Man action figure until Christmas Eve. He's determined to find one to make up for missing his son's karate lesson. It's kind of a ridiculous movie (the ending involves lots of flying on a jet pack), but its scenes of Christmas Eve shopping madness rang true. I'm glad that I am only sixteen and am not a parent having to fight tooth and nail for the season's hottest toy.

Though, I guess it does say something about our society that parents feel it such a necessity to get their kids the hottest toy. Honestly, a lot of the big Christmas gifts I've gotten haven't worked out. I used them for a while, then I moved on. I got a guitar a couple years ago, and I still haven't learned how to play it I feel pretty bad about that one, actually. The point is, kids don't really need the hottest toy out there. There are things that are more important, like having nice family memories and spending time together, which actually is the message of Jingle All The Way.

Back to my own shopping...it went fairly well. Though it was too crowded for my taste, the mall wasn't overly chaotic. I got some cute little gifts to give to my friends, a DVD for my mom, and books for my aunt and brother. I have one more book to get today, and then I'll be done.

As most writers do, I love giving people books. Many of you have probably seen the youtube video about how books make great gifts. If not, check it out! I've got to say, I also hope I get some books too, or at least a gift card to my favorite bookstore. For once, I don't have a huge To Be Read pile, and I really want to go shopping for some books of my own.

How has everyone else been surviving the malls, and what books do you guys have on your wish lists? And, of course, thoughts on Jingle All The Way are welcomed!

Credit for the Christmas pic goes to Paul Keleher, and the image of Jingle All The Way came from Overstock.

I watch Hannah Montana...

This is my first post on this blog, and I've got to say, I'm pretty excited. I am a big blog reader, though I'm not much of a participant. I've tried at blogging a few times before, but it never really worked out. I'm hoping this will.

Anyway, as it says in my "About Me" section, I'm a sixteen-year-old aspiring writer. I finished my first novel on my thirteenth birthday. A couple novels and about two years later, I got an awesome agent, and now my YA novel is making the rounds.

Even if it seems kind of mature to be so into publishing at my age, I am definitely a regular (albeit kind of nerdy) teenager.

For one, I watch Hannah Montana. In fact, I have Hannah Montana on in the background right now. It's not a particularly good show, I suppose, and yet I watch it...and watch it...Same with many other shows on Disney. Of course, I also watch The Office, 30 Rock, Heroes, and The Amazing Race.

A bigger indicator of my total teenage-ness: my huge crush on Nick Jonas from the very teen-friendly band the Jonas Brothers! I have a not-so-secret dream of my book becoming a Disney Channel Original Movie, them casting Nick Jonas, and then me getting to visit the set and, of course, meet him and have the two of us fall in love, etc. Okay, so it might be a tad unrealistic, but whatever. A girl can dream, right?

I also attend school like most teenagers. It is boring. Anyone who goes to high school knows that. I'm a good student, but that doesn't really translate into me enjoying myself. Especially when it comes to gym class.

Writing just happens to be my passion, and I feel so blessed that, at my age, I actually have a passion and things I'd like to do with my life. I hope to be a Creative Writing major in college, and if I can't be a full-time writer when I'm older, do something in the publishing industry. Speaking of the future, college is feeling awfully close, which is awfully freaky.

So overall....yeah, I'm just a teenager. Who writes. And who will now be writing here and sharing some random thoughts with you! I hope you all stick around and keep up with my blog, not to mention leave comments.

A little comment jump-starter: If you are a teenager, what about you and your life is quintessentially teen-like? If you're past your teenage years, feel free to reminisce in the comment section!

Thanks everyone!

And thanks to the awesome Flickr users our there for the pictures of Nick and of Hannah!