2nd Liebster Award Nomination

The time has come yet again to accept a nomination from Miss Kel Giese over at A Teen's Life for the Liebster Award! I was nominated a while back by Sofia Marie, and I've been so lucky to be nominated again...thus winning TWO Liebster Awards for this blog!

The Liebster (LIEBSTER, AUTOCORRECT. NOT LOBSTER.) Award is given to relatively undiscovered blogs to promote connection and friendship between bloggers. The award is passed on to 11 bloggers at each posting.

Anyway, here are the rules! (In nifty picture form...)

Alright, so rule 1 has been applied. Now, I must answer the 11 questions that Kel has asked me in her post.

Kel's 11 Questions:
1. What is your favorite book and why?

Favorite book? Favorite book?! How am I supposed to choose? Uh......welllllll... *looking frantically through bookshelf*.........I'm gonna go with (AH WHY IS THE LINES SO FAR APART NOW AND HOW DO I FIX IT????) probably. Wow. This is way harder than I though. I'm gonna get back to this one.

2. What was your favorite book when you were a little kid?

When I was little I loved The Boxcar Children. That was probably my favorite book ever. That, and Bartleby and the Mighty Mississippi. I read that book at least 600 times.

3. Who are a few of your favorite characters and which books are they from?

Percy Jackson stands out to me first, of course. He's from Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians and subsequent sequels/series. A favorite couple of mine is Walter and Ashley from Bryan Davis's Dragons in Our Midst series (and subsequent series). Also I adore a whole lot of TV/movie characters but we won't go into that right now.

4. Where did you find the original inspiration for the last story you wrote or your WIP (work in progress)?

Well, I generally have about 5 WIPs at once (not kidding), but I'll just pick The Cycle of Time series (DUN DUN DUNNNNN). It was originally inspired by Eragon by Christopher Paolini. Really. Like, the first draft was a giant really bad fanfiction with OCs. It was really bad. Hopefully its not bad now...though it still carries a lot of influence from that book.

5. In books, do you usually like the villain better than the protagonist, or the protagonist better than the villain?

Unfortunately, I have yet to read about a truly devious villain (though movies seem to be pumping them out rather well). Thus, I tend to like the protagonist more simply because he's the hero. (Sigh...I haven't read a good book in a really long time...)

6. What is one of your favorite memories?

I have a lot, but the very first one that came to mind is swinging on the playground swings we used to have in our backyard at our old house with my sister and eating goldfish (the crackers, not the actual fish). It happened to be rather wet outside so for no particular reason and with absolutely no prodding whatsoever I just leaned over with a cracker in hand, scooped up a glob of mud with it, and ate it. Just like that. I think that says a lot about me as a person.

7. If you met a stranger on the street and they handed you a heavy black briefcase and whispered “You know what to do,” how would you react?

I would probably open the briefcase. I'm not even kidding.

8. What are a few of your favorite songs at the moment?

GET READY FOR LIST TIME BECAUSE ANA LOVES SONgS>S>.

• "Drops of Jupiter" and "Fix You" by Anthem Lights (among others... ;) )
• "Drops in the Ocean" by Hawk Nelson
• "Vanilla Twilight," "Unbelievable," and "Beautiful Times" by Owl City (AND THE OREO SONG)
• "Impossible" by Building 429
• "Run Wild," "Shoulders," and "Oh God Forgive Us" by For King & Country
• "Make It Right" by The George Twins
• "Compass" by Lady Antebellum
• "Somebody to You" by The Vamps
• "Flicker (Kayne West Remix)" by Lorde
• I have diverse tastes ok
• AMONG MANY MORE
• Don't ever get me started on songs I will never stop

9. Would you be the one pulling the prank, or the one getting pranked?

Probably puling it...

10. In your group of friends, which friend are you (the quiet one, the outgoing one, the crazy one, the smart one, the friendly one, etc…)

I'm a bit of a mix. There's the big three, you see: me, my sister, and our best friend Angie Zoe. My sis is the quiet-ish, sweet, eager, ready-for-fun one, Angie is the idea person, friendly, helpful, also sweet, also ready-for-fun one, and (literally we all agreed this was true) the mean dry-humored realistic friend who is kinda crazy and disturbed. Like, the friend who will come over to your house and want to do nothing but sit and talk all day and eat food and call that a wild time while still being a mad extrovert.

11. What is your favorite season and why?

Of what? ;) Jk. Fall, definitely, because I LOVE SWEATERS AND FALL WEATHER AND LEAVES AND FOOD AND YUMMY CINNAMON SMELLS AND CHANGE AND FALL FASHION AND PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES.

Okay, well, that finishes that part up. Now I have to give you 11 random facts about myself.

11 Random Facts about Me:

1. Sometimes I really hate giving random facts about myself because I feel like I've blurted my entire life to everyone at one point or another.

2. I cut my hair from hip length to above my shoulders in just two goes. I don't regret it but sometimes I do miss my long hair.

3. I crave popcorn constantly this month. I don't know why, I think I may be a werewolf.

4. I am not very good at applying makeup because my face isn't the makeup-y kinda face. It's just a wash it, eyeliner it, mascara it, and go kinda face.

5. Occasionally I will eat key lime pie even though it is out of date.

6. I wish I could do random things with my hair, like cut it and dye it crazy colors and stuff, but I'm too chicken.

7. I am fast running out of random facts.

8. Right this very second I am listening to Jimmy Fallon dressed in drag yelling "EW GARY GET OUT YOU'RE SO GROOOOSSS"

9. I'm 19 years old and in college. Let's just get back to basics. I am an English major with a minor in Writing (IMAGINE THAT). I have a 4.0 gpa (straight A's hollaaa), three jobs, and four finished novels. I can't seem to get past this point in my life.

10. One time I was watching One Direction audition videos and then I learned that Lois Tomlinson's name was pronounced "Louie" so I decided to make a character names "Louie" because I was so outraged by the fact that Lois Tomlinson's name wasn't pronounced "Lewis."

11. Sometimes I ask myself, "Am I cool?" and then I'm like lol of course I'm cool.

Alrighty, now for my nominations!

I don't think I know 11 bloggers but I will scour the earth for them I swear.

Nominations:

Chloe Cunningham at writing or something (I feel like I've nominated you before but oh well)

Emily at Sunshine Girl

Natalie Noel Truitt at The Hope Movement (among other authors)

Rachel Lester (bless her soul) over at Water & Pen (MY BLESSED BABY BETA READER) (bless her soul) (I feel like we're connected) (if and when she reads this she's gonna be so freaked out) (sorry Rachel)

Athelas Hale at Red Lettering

Miranda Kulig at Dreams and Dandelions

I'm tired of looking at Pinterest followers for blogs THOUGH I FOUND A BUNCH I REALLY LOVE NOW so that's all you get.

Now for the questions...

My 11 Questions to You:

1. What is one of the best characters, in your opinion, ever (that you created if you're a writer, if not from book/movie/etc)?

2. Who is your favorite villain ever? Why?

3. What is one of your darkest secrets?

4. Do you enjoy showering or is it an inconvenience?

5. What is your top 5 favorite writing blogs?

6. Do you prefer cake or ice cream? Pie or cheesecake?

7. What kind of books do you like to read the most?

8. What is your favorite fruit?

9. How lame are these questions?

10. Do you approve or disapprove of social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, etc.?

11. Long hair or short hair? Dyed or natural? Straight or curly? What do you prefer/have?

Alrighty, now to notify the nominees! Thanks again to Kel for nominating me. :) Until next time...

BYE

Ana has Joined the Twitter

Behold, I have joined the Twitter. Yet another social networking platform has been invaded by my insanity.

But there's just one problem...

I CANT FIND ANYONE ON THERE!!!

Where are you guys?!?!??!

YOU HAVE TO COME FOLLOW ME SO I CAN HAVE FRIENDS!!!

My username is @anacrossbooks so come find me so I can find all you lovely peoples. Follow backs are promised, I just want some more awesome people I can follow. :)

I promise a real post will come very very soon. Until then...

SIANARA, SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG.

How to be a Writer

So we all know that there are many many different archetypes for writers. There is, of course, the elderly scholar, the hipster, the coffeeholic, the lazy man, the passionate grammar robot, and many more. Today (for utter lack of researching for good topic abilities due to my computer being a potato [see last post since my phone apparently can't link text]) we will be examining as a whole what exactly it takes to be a writer.

1. Drink Coffee

This is an absolute must if you are truly going to be a writer. Coffee is the soul food of book nerds everywhere. Food? Drink? Soul drink? Whatever, you know what I mean. Either way, the need for caffeine is real and dangerous.

On a side note: do not get inbetween a writer and his coffee. Ever.

2. Read a lot of random (and often bad) fiction.

You simply cannot skip this step. The writer feeds off the writing of others. It spurs those necessary explosions of inspiration that writers work off of. It's just necessary.

Not only that, but reading a lot helps improve your writing and style too. As a writer, reading is an act of imbibing information. Whether you're taking notes on word usage, praising sentence rhythms, or simply busy being horrified at a lack of character development, you're learning how to better your own writing. So, basically, reading is like teaching yourself how to write.

3. Watch Netflix a lot

Writers watch Netflix a lot. Because it helps us come up with cool scene ideas and stuff. Not because procrastination. Never. Writers never procrastinate.

4. Procrastinate

A writer's number one hobby is procrastination. Writers procrastinate more than any other type of person on the planet. Why? Well, trying to plumb the depths of human condition is a daunting job and some of us are a little overwhelmed by it.

5. Murder frequently

Murder is inevitable as a writer. If you don't murder someone (fictional or non) at some point during your writing process then surely you are doing something wrong.

6. Text friends freaky facts during the www hours of the morning

This is just one of the many downfalls of being a writer.

7. Crying over old writing

8. Crying over new writing

9. Crying over thinking about writing

10. Actually hating writing

The sad truth is most writers actually hate writing. We just have an innate inability to not write.

And last but not least:

6. Never actually writing ever

The number one popular mistake people make when referring to writers is that they actually write. Wrong! Writers are notorious for their complete lack of actual writing. The number of writers who don't write far outweigh the number of writers who do. It is a sad fact of life. There is no escaping this.

So, do you too do these things? Well then, my friend, you may actually be a writer! Don't be afraid to tell your parents; I'm sure they will accept you for who you are. :)))))))))))

I Apologize for Everything

So here's the potato.

My computer has thus far been a drift in the sheltered harbor of my patience. However, recent events have forced me and m
y computer into a great and terrible quest to end each other's lives.

In short, my computer is mean.

Ever since I don't even know when, the day I upgraded my Mac from Snow Leopard or whatever cat-themed operating system was popular at the time to Maverick, my computer has been naught but a raging hell beast.

At first, it was just really slow. I was like, "Aw, how cute, my three year old computer thinks it's old haha." Then, suddenly and without warning of any kind, without necessary preparation from myself, my internet died.

"Oh," you're probably saying. "That's not a problem. That's your wifi." I'm here to tell you no, my friend. Just no. My computer, as far as I can tell, is connecting to my wifi just fine, as is my family's devices and even my own non-computer internet doodads. However, does the internet actually work on my computer? If it was I wouldn't be painstakingly typing this post out on my sticky-screened iPad. (Apparently my little brother ate a poptart and then decided that was a good moment to take a thousand pictures of nothing with it.)

My computer is showing all signs of being connected to the Internet. Five bars, green lights and all. But does it connect on safari? Can I Skype my friends? Do any of my incredibly important emails come through? I think you already know the answer to these questions.

I've tried to fix it. My computer competent brother has looked at it numerous times. I've tried virus checks and wifi settings and all the advanced coding that goes into fixing computers. I even broken-heartedly wiped my entire hard drive, deleted all my backups, and started from scratch. That worked for about a month before my computer returned to its former state.

I honestly couldn't tell you what happened to my laptop. It's a three year old Mac. In all reasoning it should be in perfect shape. But alas, the terrors of outdatedness have probably grabbed hold of it for the worse.

So, I have a system. I have a little USB drive thingy that I use to switch files between devices. It's painstaking but it works. However it really stinks to have to go on my little brothers computer to attach documents to emails and stuff.

I could use this giant post as my excuse for not posting anything for years. But that would be irresponsible. I know I am lazy. You know I am lazy. The muffin man knows I am lazy. So let's all just be lazy together.

Now I must fill out an invoice on the slowest desktop computer in the universe. Excuse me.

Inside the Character: Scott Skyy

So I haven't done an ItC in a while...so I thought I'd do one on my wee babbie, Scott Skyy! Scott is easily one of my fave characters (I say that about everyone though, so don't take my word for it). He is just a precious baby in a cruel, cruel world, forever and ever amen. *crosses self*

So here we go!

(Warning many pictures ahead...because I have a lot...)

(Also you can chat with him in the comments if you want.)

Inside the Character

Physical Characteristics

1. What actor would play Scott?

That is not an easy question to answer. He's mostly like Julian Wilson (not an actor but a surfer)...

These are the most accurate pictures of Scott I have, except Scott isn't cool enough to wear sunglasses and his hair lacks the pristine beach bleached streaks. He just has dirty blondish brown hair.

But he is also like Tom Daley a little bit (again not actor, Olympic swimmer)...

(This picture actually looks a whoooole lot like Scott, logo tee, cutey baby face, doggy, and everything.)

But then again this was living proof that Scott walked the face of the earth at one point.

(Granted, this would be Scott shortly after his accident, when he's still tired looking and thin and pale but I mean this is IT.)

Basically, any mixture of these three images would be a pretty darn good Scott.

2. What color is his hair?

Scott's hair is a dirty blonde color that changes with the seasons. In summer when he's outside a lot in the sun, it lightens to jut about blonde, and in winter it darkens to nearly golden brown.

3. What color are his eyes?

Scott's eyes are "Skyy blue," made famous by the Ace line of the Skyy family (one day I will post a family tree), who have beautifully blue eyes.

4. What color is his skin?

Most of the time, extremely tan. He spends his life outdoors romping around so he's pretty brown and wears a pretty constant sunburn on some part of his body or another.

5. How tall/heavy is he?

Scott is infamously short. As in, 5'6" shortish. He's the shortest in the family. He's built pretty leanly because of this; he never put on muscle very well because he couldn't seem to grow out of his slightly teenager-y body.

6. Does he have any peircings, tattoos, etc.?

Negative.

7. What is the most attractive thing about him?

Scott is an all-around cute guy. He has the look of a little kid about him while still obviously being an actual man. I'd say the first thing you notice if he's not smiling is his eyes, and if he is smiling it's definitely his smile. His smile is the biggest part of him; its super big and childish and adorable.

8. What is the ugliest thing about him?

Hrm...his cute looks can be used against him if you're into more manly men. However the ugliest thing about him is probably his hand/arm; after he stepped on a mine during the war, his fingers became fused together on one hand and he had to get it surgically corrected. To this day it's ugly and scarred, along with half of his arm.

9. What does Scott usually wear?

Scott has no sense of fashion whatsoever. He's been wearing baseball caps every day of his life since he was about five. He pairs jean jackets with jeans. He wears socks with sandals. It's horrendous.

Emotional Characteristics

10. When he smiles, what does it look like?

Scott has a very bright, very big, and very childish grin. It's his main feature.

11. What is his laugh like?

He has a loud, purely happy laugh.

12. What does he talk like?

Scott has a lot of strange quirks when it comes to speech. He speaks very childishly, and uses words like "chocomilko" for chocolate milk and other such five year old speech. Nobody really knows why; he used them so religiously as a teenager that his parents began thinking he had a learning disability.

13. How does he act when he's angry?

I can't really think of a time when he's been angry...if he was he'd probably be kinda physical about it. In your face and stuff. He'd most definitely get red in the face.

14. Does he cry?

Of course he cries. Not a lot, nor a little...just cries when it's appropriate. He doesn't really sob, mind you; just kinda...cries. No fanfare, just tears.

Beliefs

15. Is he religious?

Yes, very. He's a strong Christian (honestly probably the strongest of the Skyys) who is a firm believer in prayer, especially.

16. How does he view those of other faiths?

He treats everyone pretty much the same--like a friend. He's very accepting of other beliefs and views.

17. What are his core values?

Scott's core value is friendliness (is that a value?). He believes in being kind to everyone no matter what (so I guess you could say kindness is his core value).

18. How willing is he to fight for those values?

He'd go pretty far for what he believes, but there comes a point where he ceases to care and becomes more brutal and harsh. He has yet to have reached that point...but I think there is one.

Character Likes and Dislikes

19. What is his favorite food?

Chocolate milk, without a doubt. If that's not considered a "food", then chili, again without a doubt.

20. What is his favorite color?

Blue, like the sky. He wanted to be a pilot originally but got drafted to be a foot soldier.

21. What is his sleeping preferences?

He likes beds or couches or comfy chairs or even snuggly people.

BONUS: What position does he usually sleep in?

On his stomach like a baby.

22. What type of music does Scott usually listen to?

Christian and country, probably. But like, hardcore country, not lovey dovey girly country.

Character Introspection

23. When is his birthday?

UUUMMM June 3rd. He's 19-20 in the book.

24. What family structure did he have growing up?

Scott's family was extremely tight-knit and loving, and included extended family as well. They are all very close and support each other constantly. Scott is his mother's favorite and is definitely mommy's boy. However, despite him being second oldest in his family, Scott was treated a bit like the baby for some reason and his whole personality was kinda shaped around that.

25. What is the worst thing he has ever done?

Gee...I don't know. Probably kill someone. Like, that's a big deal obviously, but he is a soldier, so you think it wouldn't bother him, but it kinda does.


26. What is the best thing Scott has ever done?

I DUNNO. He's a pretty good person! Like he's done a lot of good things! In my opinion (though probably not in his because he's got a teeny tiny self esteem problem) the best thing he does is play with the children while in enemy territory. He makes sure to save kids first and such, even if their enemies, which is great in my opinion.


27. What is the most significant romantic encounter of his past?

Scott is super immature and unfortunately was terrified of girls for years, no thanks to his older brother Ty. However he did have a massive crush on a girl in high school, whom he stalked.


28. Has he ever been in love?

The one and only love Scott has ever had is towards Alexi, a college girl who volunteers to help him out when he is hospitalized from a war accident. Even then he doesn't even know he's in love until like five million years later.


29. What is his biggest goal in life?

Prooooobably to become a pilot, overcome his disability, have a family...you know. The works.


30. What does he believe is his greatest vice?

His greatest vice isssss....hhhhhrrrmmm....you know what, lemme get back to you on that. Because I have no idea.


31. What motivates your character most?

He's a pretty determined little monkey head. Anything can motivate him, really; he's easily motivated. In the long run I suppose his drive to succeed motivates him most.


32. Is your character objective-oriented?

Definitely. I imagine Scott has a list of life goals that he keeps in mind 24/7.


33. Would Scott rather be a good person or a great person?

Great. He strives (and quite honestly more often than not, in his mind, fails) to live up to his family (his uncle is high general, his father is general of the air force, his brother is a war hero, and his cousin is assistant general), but more often than not he gets thrown behind and forgotten.


34. Would he rather be hated for who he is or loved for being someone else?

Good question. I think he would honestly, first, be loved for being someone else but in the end he would realize it's more fun being himself.


35. Is Scott an extrovert, ambivert, or introvert?

Extrovert, definitely. He NEEDS social interaction to survive.


36. Is he creatively expressive?

I'm sure he's tried to be at some point in his life, but no, not anymore.


37. What is Scott's disorder?

He's too naive; he doesn't have any world experience, which can be good and bad I suppose.


38. Is he materialistic?

No, I don't think so. Being a soldier kinda ruins that for you.


39. What is his learning style?

I imagine he's learns best by watching.


40. I am a ____. How would Scott finish this sentence?

"I am a Skyy."


41. Life is an act of ______. How would he finish this sentence?

"Life is an act of living, because you kinda have to live to live...wait now I just confused myself..."