Sunday, September 29, 2013
A Sunday Quote
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Lord of the Rings Quotes
Tolkien week is coming to a close! We've looked at some things Tolkien but not my favorite of all favorite things.
What's my favorite? Quotes of course!
I am constantly quoting LotR and anything else that hapoens to have a good line. I'm quite good at quote games actually!
So what do you say to a quote game?
I'll start and you can comment with a quote and we'll see how far we can take it!
"Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!"
Your turn!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
A Lord of the Rings Prompt
Since today is Thursday and I've been failing at the prompts I post, (That's right. I never finished last week's. I'm a failure.) we're going to do something a little bit different.
This time, I'll just show a picture and you can write whatever you want about it. Story, description, emotion. Whatever you like. Write for 10 minutes and post the piece in the comments. And I WILL do it this time!
Since it's Tolkien week, the picture is from Lord of the Rings.
Feel free to share this post with others! The more the merrier!
When you've posted your piece, take a look at some others! What do you like about them? What don't you like as much? Tell the author about it. Feedback is always appreciated!
Okay! For the picture!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Tolkien's Genius
source: pinterest |
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say."
In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea!
If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more."
Beneath the roof there is a bed;
But not yet weary are our feet,
Still round the corner we may meet
A sudden tree or standing stone
That none have seen but we alone.
Let them pass! Let them pass!
Hill and water under sky,
Pass them by! Pass them by!
A new road or a secret gate,
And though we pass them by today,
Tomorrow we may come this way
And take the hidden paths that run
Towards the Moon or to the Sun.
Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,
Let them go! Let them go!
Sand and stone and pool and dell,
Fare you well! Fare you well!
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.
Then world behind and home ahead,
We'll wander back to home and bed.
Away shall fade! Away shall fade!
Fire and lamp, and meat and bread,
And then to bed! And then to bed!"
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
What I've Learned From Tolkien
Monday, September 23, 2013
Lord of the Rings Meme
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Concerning Hobbits
Guess what today is?? It's Hobbit Day! It's a day to celebrate Hobbits! Best holiday ever if you ask me! You can go barefoot all day, dress like a hobbit, do LOTR movie marathons, eat seven meals, whatever you like to do to honor Tolkiens creations. (Some people go really extreme!)
I haven't done much for it sad to report. I was with friends all weekend so I got distracted and forgot. But im going to go barefoot the rest of the day and watch at least one of the movies! I get REALLY nerdy when it comes to anything Tolkien so this day is awesome!
"What is a hobbit though?" A hobbit is a short person with hairy feet.
"They would be small, only children to your eyes." -Aragorn
But there's so much more to them than that.
They're kind. They love good tilled earth and fine ales. Pipeweed is their favorite. Well, actually food might be their REAL favorite.
"They say a hobbits only real passion is for food." -Bilbo Baggins
They enjoy quiet and peace. Adventures seem rather too exciting for them. (Most of them.)
"Before you came along we Baggins' were very well thought of. Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected." -Frodo Baggins
They're sweet and have good, noble hearts. But they can be foolish at times.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" -Gandalf
I love the simplicity of a hobbit life. Sometimes I wish I could have that.
I love so much about hobbits it's hard to list it all.
This week is Tolkien week so we'll be talking a lot about Lord of the Rings and hobbits and things. There's so many fun things we could do! I'm pretty excited about it!
If you would like to guest post sometime this week I can still fit you in! Just e-mail me at rainbowsandpenguinsblog(at)gmail(dot)com with any ideas you have. If you would like to guest post but dont have an idea of what to write, that's fine! I'll help you come up with something!
Have a very happy Hobbit Day!
What's your favorite thing about hobbits? Are you doing anything to celebrate hobbit day?
Friday, September 20, 2013
When You Don't Feel Like Writing (Part 2)
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
When You Don't Feel Like Writing (Part 1)
This is me today. And I know you've felt this way too. We've all had those days. Days when we would much rather watch that new episode of Psych or Warehouse 13 (My personal favorites) rather than write.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Amazing Giveaway!
So, I have fabulous news! There's a giveaway going on at Rachel Coker's website! It's quite a fantastic giveaway too. I mean, any giveaway is bound to be exciting but this one just about tops giveaways in general. (If you ask me.) For her eighteenth birthday, she's giving away EIGHTEEN books!
It's quite exciting! When I saw it, my book-loving heart just about stopped. I mean, literally almost stopped.
If you don't know who Rachel Coker is, (I didn't until I heard of the giveaway) she's a teen writer who has already published several books. Two of which are part of the giveaway! Signed and everything! It's quite exciting.
So go and enter! Spread the word!
Kirk out.
My Never-ending "To-Read" Pile
Monday, September 16, 2013
My Letter To The World
Today I'm participating in the Open Letter Challenge writing contest organized by Josh Irby. The letter I wrote is a response to An Open Letter to You from the Rest of the World. Go check out his site and the contest! It's pretty cool! :)
Dear World,
I just read your letter. You know, it really made me think. Maybe I can be different, maybe I can make a difference. Maybe that could be me! My mind raced with all the possibilities!
But almost as soon as those thoughts, these dreams and hopes arise, they get struck down again. Fear, negativity, doubt. All these things crowd me to the point where I just want to scream and bust out of the prison cell that is my mind.
You say don't listen to the naysayers, but how is that possible, when the naysayers are me? They're inside me. Crawling, biting and tearing me down. Just so they can get out. Sometimes, I can't even decifer the naysayers from myself. I can't even tell what I really think because I'm so confused and blinded by the negative thoughts.
I want to be someone. I want to be the person who people look at and say, "She was amazing!" But it's not likely. Oh there it is again. Another of those naysayers rearing it's ugly head.
But it's wrong. I know it is. I can feel that it is. Maybe I do just need to raise my chin a little higher and press on. Keep going. Ignore the naysayers. Ignore the "not good enough" thoughts. The, "you can't do it's" and the "nobody believes in you"'s.
It won't be easy. I know it won't. They'll get so much stronger when they realize they're being evicted. They'll fight. I know. And I'm okay with that now. I can beat them. I can.
I will keep pressing forward. I will do what I love because I love it. I will tell my story. I will make a difference. And someday you'll see, I was stronger than I thought. All I needed was a push.
So thank you, World. For that much needed push. I owe you one.
-Beth
Sunday, September 15, 2013
A Sunday Quote and Fabulous News
Today's quote is from J.R.R. Tolkien. And there is a specific reason for that. I will explain in a moment.
“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places.
But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now
mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater." J.R.R. Tolkien
Okay, let me explain...no. there is too much. I will sum up.
The reason I picked a quote from this particular man is that a week from today, next sunday, is Hobbit Day! And the week that follows, Tolkien Week! I'm pretty excited! (I have been a LOTR nerd for pretty much my whole life and so this is pretty much the best thing ever!!)
Here at Rainbows and Penguins, we're going to be having a hobbit worthy party!
To start off the week... well, I won't spoil it. ;) But suffice to say, it's going to be fabulous!
There's going to be posts about hobbits, food, movie vs. Books, and some more things I cannot spoil.
So prepare yourselves, it's coming!
Note: If you would like to be a guest poster here next week, just shoot me an e-mail and I'll see if I can fit you in! Anything about LOTR will do. My e-mail address is rainbowsandpenguinsblog(at)gmail (dot)com!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Divergent (A Book Review)
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Free Writing (Prompt)
Have you ever heard of free writing? I hadn't until this year. I must say, it's quite the concept.
The jist of free writing is to just take about ten minutes and write. Don't think or plan, just write whatever comes to your mind.
The idea is that if you're stuck, it can help get your creative juices flowing. Or even if you aren't stuck, it can help you see something from a different point of view. And maybe if you get stuck later on in some of your writing, you can just read some of your free writing and find ideas in it.
When I do it, it's so much more than that. It let's me take all my emotions, negative or not, and put them somewhere they can't bother me anymore. They're gone. They don't tie me down. That's a lot of the reason I do it. If I'm upset or down on myself, I free write and I feel infinitely better.
I love it. It's freeing to just sit down and bleed my thoughts onto paper. So that's what today's prompt is. (I haven't done a Thursday prompt in a while. Im sorry about that.)
Rules:
-Free write for ten minutes. Just bleed onto the page (or screen) and see what happens.
-Read through your writing and see if it sparks any ideas. If it does, awesome! If not, no worries. Just file it away for future use!
-If you feel comfortable sharing, post your writing in the comments! (I sometimes end up writing some personal stuff. That's why I add that.)
-Pass this prompt along to a friend. Tweet it, share it on facebook, e-mail it. The more the merrier!
Some people say it's better to write on paper because it accesses parts of the brain that don't get used when typing. Whether they're right or not, I like doing it on paper. But you can do it however you want!
I'm off to free write! See you in the comments!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
A Few of My Favorite Things
Oh blogglings, how I love the little things in life! It doesn't take much to please me. So today, (because yesterday was a bit of a...disappointment on the happy level) I want to tell you about a few of my favorite things. *Que Julie Andrews*
1. Number one is the reason I had the idea for this post. My sister went to the library and came home with a book I've been dying to read. DIVERGENT! I know this book has tons of fans so I am so excited to join them! But the thing that makes me most happy is holding a new book in my hands. The thickness, the new worlds yet to be explored, the characters I may fall in love with. It just makes me so happy. :)
2. Music. I've been one a huge "different" music kick. I've been listening to a lot of music that has a totally different sound than my usual. Awolnation, switchfoot, that type. It's kinda awesome.
3. I just love pickles. Their taste is just epic. I suspect the vinegar. Which sounds crazy now that I say it...most people don't like vinegar...I must be quite a bit more different than I thought...anywho. *clears throat*
4. Penguins. They're so cute and awesome. :)
5. Blogs. I adore blogs and blogging. It's so fun to connect with people this way. It's refreshing to me. I don't ever want to stop.
6. French fries. Especially from McDonalds and B-Bops. Yum! (I haven't eaten at all today so really, any food would probably taste good to me. But especially french fries.)
7. Being alone. I'm an introvert through and through. I've mentioned that to my friends and they all get really confused. Almost all of them said they don't see me as an introvert at all. But I assure you. I crave solitude more than anything sometimes. I could be a hermit! I wonder if it would pay very well?
8. Rereading books. There's not much better than visiting an old friend. And that's always how it feels to reread a book I love.
9. Smiles. When people smile, really smile, I feel like I'm getting a glimpse into their soul. Especially if there's eye contact as well. It's simply stunning.
10. Rasberry tea. My friend and I are obsessed with tea. If we go out to eat with our friends, they know Joe and Beth will order some kind of tea. Most likely with no ice. It's pretty fun. :)
11. History. Im a sucker for history. History books, documentaries, pictures. I just adore learning about people long past. It's quite beautiful.
12. Sparkles. I can't help it. If it's shiny, lit up, colorful, or sparkly, I can't help but grin. A little bit of my A.D.D. side showing I guess.
13. Words. The way they roll off your tongue. The way they sound, the way they look, the way they cut you to the core of your being or make you feel like you could sprout wings and fly. Poetry, prose, music. Whatever it is, it's absolutely stunning.
14. Pinterest. Yeup. I addicted. But usually, it doesn't feel like a bad thing. I just love it.
What are your favorite things? I would love to hear them! But instead of just commenting them, you could make your own blog post listing them, then comment here with the link! (You could just comment them, but where's the fun in that? ;) I can't wait to see what you all say!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Oh Sequels, I Love Thee!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
A Sunday Quote
Today's quote isn't exactly famous. But I've been thinking a lot about it recently.
"In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter all that much."
My uncle Dave (who I never met) used to say this all the time. My dad reminds me of this if I get upset about something silly.
So I thought I'd share it with you! :)
Saturday, September 7, 2013
A Saturday In Prose
As I was reading my email, the The Write Practice had a post about writing what you've lived. Experiencing things and not just writing "he replied angrily", but rather explain how he looked and acted that made him angry.
After reading that, I thought, well I think I'll try it. So here is half my Saturday in prose.
"The day began in not the way you would think. Early this morning around two o'clock, I was still reading my latest Agatha Christie. Finally, I finished and dozed off, only to find myself wakened by a blaring noise in my ear. Of course my alarm would go off the day I don't want it to. The thing was faulty and seemed to know exactly when I didn't want it. I turned it off and promptly rolled over. Half an hour later, my mom popped her head into my room to give me the details of the day, most of which I didn't process anyway. I knew what time we had to leave and that was all that mattered.
By rights I should have gotten up then. But the late night had left me tired and unwilling to proceed with normal life. I lay in bed for as long as I felt was safe and finally, with only twenty minutes left before my deadline, I rolled out of bed.
It took me only 15 minutes to get completely ready. I was quite proud of that time. I can't help but laugh at the barbie doll girls that find it necessary to spend hours in front of a mirror. It's possible to get so much more sleep my way.
We leave for the softball fields only a few minutes after. My dad, mom, and younger sister all accompany me. Or rather, I'm the one tagging along.
The ride is long and uneventful until my dad suddenly slows down on the highway. I look up from my daydreaming to find out why.
"Looks like Jeremy blew out a tire. Should we go get Carigan?" My dad asks. A man from our town was taking his daughter to the same place. We turn around.
We gave the girl a ride and soon we were at the Softball complex. Now that I was there, I began to question my decision to come.
The air was hot and muggy. Time seemed to stand still, hours past. Finally, the first game was over. Lunch came and went. Getting tired of the heat, my dad decided to run the AC in the car. It was heavenly. The air was cool and brisk and I wanted to stay there forever. Alas, there was yet another softball game. I reluctanly left the cool of the van.
I made my way to the concession stand with the thought of a giant pickle occupying my mind. Paying the fifty cents eagerly, I walked away. Forgetting for a while the misery of heat. The sour taste filled me with memories of summer and fun days. I couldn't help but smile.
I can still taste the pickle in my mouth. I sit watching the game from the outfield. The air has turned grey and forlorn. The sun is hiding and I find that once again, I have nothing to do but browse the internet on my phone and actually watch my little sister."
I would write more but it's beginning to rain. You just got an unedited version of my day! Hope I didn't bore you! ;)
Over and out!
Friday, September 6, 2013
A Much Needed Push to The Desk
Lately I have found myself needing more inspiration to write. And yes, I am well aware that inspiration is a myth and that really, I just need to sit down and do it. But sometimes I need an extra push. You too? So I guess we both need a push. I've been looking at some writing quotes and I've found some that are soon becoming my favorites. So here it is, a push out the door! (Er...to the desk.)
Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.
~Les Brown
You don’t have to say everything to say something. ~Beth Moore
No man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it. ~CS Lewis.
Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any. ~Orson Scott
If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that. ~Stephen King
We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master. ~Ernest Hemingway
I am like a little pencil in God’s hand. He does the writing. The pencil has nothing to do with it. ~Mother Teresa
Write something that’s worth fighting over. Because that’s how you change things. That’s how you create art. ~Jeff Goins
Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! ~Job 19
The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Know that the Creator lives and moves and breathes within you. So those dreams? Risk them. Those words? Write them. Those hopes? Believe them. ~Elora Nicole Ramirez
So maybe now we all feel a little more "inspired" to write. I'd love to hear some of your favorite quotes on writing! Share them in the comments! Feel free to share what you're stuck with in your WIP or whatever's holding you back, I'd love to hear about that too! Maybe forming the problem into words will give you some ideas! :)
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
I Like My Books With Chocolate
Another link up hosted by the lovely Book Chewers! This one is going to be fun!
(Note: the link up button would usually be here but it's not working. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to fix it. :/ Sorry!)
Prompt: How do you like your eggs . . . er, books? Make a list of your usual reading locations, a list of favorite genres (substitute authors if you wish), and a list of reading snacks. When you're done, try combining items from each list. Which combo sounds best to you, right at this moment? You can take this as far as you like and make multiple combinations for all occasions
Locations:
-In bed. (Wrapped up like a burrito in a blanket.)
-In my chair.
-On the couch in the living room.
Authors:
-Agatha Christie
-Rick Riordan
-Shannon Hale
-T.A. Barron
-Jane Austen
-Cornelia Funke
-Christopher Paulini
-C.S. Lewis
-J.R.R. Tolkien
Snacks:
-Chocolate
-Ice Cream
-Carrots
-Grapes
-Popcorn
-Hot chocolate
-Tea
-Any candy
-Whatever drink sounds good. (I.e. Pop, milk, water, iced tea, koolaid, lemonade.)
What sounds good right now?
T.A. Barron in my chair with grapes. Unfortunately, we have no grapes. :(
When I've just got back from camp or some event that was much awaited, I usually opt for Rick Riordan in bed wrapped up with a drink of some kind.
Or if I'm in a very nostalgic mood, most of the authors would do, with chocolate and usually in a chair or bed.
And that's it! How I like my books. :) Head on over and check out the link up for yourself! The more the merrier!