Reinventing the classics, a.k.a idea recycling

Recycling isn't just for paper, folks. It just occured to me how often people take old ideas, whether they be classic works of lit like Pride and Prejudice, or Greek mythology, or some random story their great-grandma told them about ghosts in the cuboard, and insert it into their lastest novel and/or screenplay.



In an interview, Suzanne Collins said the Hunger Games was inspired in part by Greek legends surrounding th Minotaur demanding child sacrifice.



The Twilight Saga has many references and underlying themes rooted in classics such as Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and Pride and Prejudice.

Practically half of YA books draw on some sort of mythology or folklore.

Why do people do this? The themes from classics are still relevant. There's a reason these books and legends have stuck around so long. They draw on the essential characteristics of human nature- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Whenever I read Shakespeare, I'm always amazed at how some things don't change in four hundred years. And it's usually those things that matter.



I've heard people complain of how afore-mentioned idea recycling leads people to ignore the originals, but I disagree. Authors wish to add, not subtract. Expanding on a particular idea creates more interest, instead of less, and often leads a reader to read the inspiration for a book they love.

So I guess my point is (If I have one) feel free to put your own spin on an old idea. Recycle. It's cool to be green.

Nanowrimo Excitement Overload

According to the official website, Nanowrimo starts in one day, ten hours, 25 minutes, and seven seconds! *cue hysteria and compulsive cookie baking* In case you aren't familiar with Nanowrimo(national novel writing month), it's pretty simple. 50,000 words. 30 days. Let the craziness ensue! If you're interested, there's a link in the side bar. Check it out!
Anywho, I am so phyched for november to begin. I have a tentative title, a somewhat sketchy plot, and a couple of core scenes I am so ready to write. And a playlist. Who can write without a soundtrack for your characters' woes and triumphs? For me, music really influences the mood of what I write. I try to create playlists that reflect the characters and the feelings I want people to take away from a story. Mood. It's a big deal. But plot is probably more important. Which is why I should go work on that sketchy outline of mine......

The Balancing Act

The ground is an eternity away
Swaying to and fro
Each mattress a treacherous foe
Seperating me from the reality of the future
A kernel of hope too small to be foreseen
Wedged between royalty and mediocrity

I love cameos.....

Melancholy Notes Linger by OldFashioned featuring Jessica Elliot necklaces

Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrack Review

Let the wild rumpus start! The Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack was nearly as whimsical and free spirited as the book.

There were moments in the music, I felt like I was being transported back to one of those magical childhood moments where everything seemed possible. Then there were a couple of moments I would've liked to be transported far away from my stereo too......But all in all, I really enjoyed it. One of my favorite aspects of this album had to be the unique music style. With a mixture of techno beats, indie rock, and bookoos of hand clapping and humming, it has a very distinct feel. The dialogue which was inserted at the beginning of some of the songs was a little distracting, though.



My favorite tracks:

• All is Love- I.M.H.O., the best track on the entire album. Wins the award for Catchiest tune.


• Rumpus- Upbeat and correlates with the book beautifully.


• Worried Shoes- Dream like song with cryptic lyrics. Kinda trippy. I like it.

Tracks(or a track, really) which bamboozled me:

• Animal- Maybe this was just me, but it sounded like something from one of those old western movies...yeeeaaahh..... and then the random screaming at the end....
  

This is too much fun. So I am now *officially* tagging all my readers too :)






"List twelve characters from any fandom, and then answer the following questions."



1. Guy of Gisborne (BBC Robin Hood)

2. Much ( BBC Robin Hood)

3. Bella Swan (Twilight Saga)

4. Alice Cullen ( Twilight Saga)

5. Word Girl ( from the PBS kid's show ;) hahaha how I love her in all of her SAT vocab glory)

6. Lady Marian (BBC Robin Hood)

7. Allan a Dale (BBC Robin Hood)

8. Jacob Black (from the Twilight Saga)

9.Mr. Collins( from Pride and Prejudice)

10. Catherine Morland( from Northanger Abbey)

11. Mr. Darcy ( My favorite Jane Austen Hero)

12. Caillou ( another PBS kids show.....teaching preschoolers nationwide to act spoiled..)








1. Who would make a better college prof, 6 or 11? (Lady Marian, Mr. Darcy)Hmmm...Darcy would make a good professor, for sure, but I think Marian would be more fun. And she could teach you all her kung-foo/ninja/night watchman moves :D















2. Do you think 2 is hot? How hot?(Much) Ummm...no. Sorry Much.





3. 12 sends 8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed? (Caillou, Jacob Black)
In the first place, Caillou is frightened by Jacob. So his main goal is to send him as far away as possible. Caillou sends Jacob out to purchase an item off of his impossibly long Christmas wishlist. Of course, the item is almost completely sold out . (but then again, Forks and the la push reservation aren't known for great shopping selection. He should've gone to Port Angeles.) Unwilling to spend thousands of dollars on Ebay, Jacob resorts to phasing into a wolf to scare off the other potential customers. Unfortunately, Caillou is over the gift by this time and sheds bitter tears of dissapointment and ungratefulness.









4. What is or would be 9's favorite book?
(Mr. Collins)
Hahaha Fordyce's sermons.













5. Would it make more sense for 2 to swear fealty to 6, or the other way around? (Much, Marian)
Definitely Much would be the one to swear fealty to Marian. Not only does she have a higher social status, but she has a much more independant spirit than peace loving much.

















6. For some reason, 5 is looking for a roommate. Should (s)he share a studio apartment with 9 or 10? ( Word Girl, Much, Catherine Morland)
Awww... Word Girl and Catherine would make such cute roomies!! Combine Word Girl's love for words and Catherines love for novels... Can you say BFFs foreva? I can see it all now...Catherine reading Mysteries of Udolpho aloud, Word Girl there to solve vocabulary conundrums every step of the way..












7. 2, 7, and 12 have dinner together. Where do they go, and what do they discuss?(Much, Allan A Dale, Caillou)
Much would suggest a cozy dinner at the Outlaw's hideout, complete with savory rabbit stew and his famous Shish kebobs. Caillou would object and vehemently declare he will eat nothing but a Mcdonald's happy meal. Reluctantly, Much gives in. Allan wouldn't really care as long as he isn't paying for the food.









8. 3 challenges 10 to a duel. What happens?
(Bella Swan, Catherine Morland)
Bella, Bella, Bella. These things things tend to happen when you are a danger magnet. Catherine would be unbelievably happy to be caught up in such a novel-esque situation, but unfortunately, she has no skills. And her boyfriend isn't made of of granite.

So.......Bella wins. Duh.

More importantly, why is she challenging Miss Morland to a duel at all?? Has one of her fabulously beautiful wolf friends imprinted on Catherine or what??




9. If 1 stole 8's most precious possession, how would she/he get it back?
( Giz, Jacob Black)
First off, what did he steal? I am intrigued. Was it *gasp* Bella?? Or a ratty old pair of cut off jeans?? Jake doesn't strike me as a very materialistic wol- ahem, person. Whatever it was, all he has to do is clue in his friends with that whole universal mind thing, and bam, it's Quilute pack to the rescue. If it was Bella, he could probably get some help from the Cullens, too.







10. Suggest a title for a story in which 7 and 12 both attain what they most desire.
( Caillou, Allan a Dale)
World Domination bwahahaha









11. What kind of plot device would you use if you wanted 4 and 1 to work together?(Gisborne, Alice Cullen)
Ok. So Bella goes missing and of course all of the Cullens are going beserk. Alice has a vision revealing that in order to find Bella she must talk to a henchman in black leather...

12. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would you get along?
(Allan A Dale)
I would whip him into shape. No more compulsive lying for you, Mr. A Dale.








13. If you could command 3 to perform any one task or service for you, what would it be?( Bella Swan)

Where shall I begin??

Set me up with Mike Newton (because he's the only single guy left in Forks)

OhOhOh! I would have her buy bunk beds so we could be roomies :)





Tell Alice you have a friend who needs help planning a (Fabulous!) party





Go cliff diving with me heheheh



And I could think of soo many more...







14. Does anyone on your friends list write or draw 11? noooo....












15. If 2 had to choose sides between 4 and 5, which would it be?
(Much, Alice, Word girl)
Wow, thats a toughie. Both Word Girl and Alice have charismatic personalities, worthy causes, and glamourous good looks. But Much probably couldn't grasp half of what Word Girl says, being a Peasant's son and all...And Alice could give him a makeover. :)










16. What might 10 shout while charging into battle?
(Catherine Morland)
uummmmm......
For the love of muslinnnnn!!!













17. If you chose a song to represent 8, which song would you choose?
(Jacob Black)
Alright, this is really obvious but what about, Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?







18.1, 6, and 12 are having dim sum at a Chinese restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left, and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets to eat it?
(Gisborne, Lady Marian, Caillou)




Giz reaches it first and offers it to Marian as an example of how he can provide for her.




Caillou starts crying




Marian politely smiles ( but is not impressed, inwardly aware she could have reached the pancake first if she had put any effort into it. )




Caillou still crying


Both Marian and Giz are distracted by badly behaved small child




Cailou screaming.




Marian nonchalantly surrenders her pancake to Caillou .

Giz glowers.

19. What might be a good pick-up line for 2 to use on 10?
(Much, Catherine Morland)
Sorry Much, it's not gonna happen. Ever.














20. What would 5 most likely be arrested for?
(Word Girl)
Confusing (and coincidentally offending) some pompous state official with her dazzlingly big words.













21. What is 6's secret?
(Lady Marian)
She really does like embroidery ;)













22. If 11 and 9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first? (Mr. Darcy, Mr. Collins)
Definitely Mr. Darcy. No competition.











23. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, would you feel safer in the company of 7 or 8?
(Allan a Dale, Jacob Black)
LOLZ. Both?? I'd like to see Allan's dreamy sword skillz and Jacob's wolf powah in action at the same time. *Sigh* 'Cept Allan can be treacherous, don't know when he's gonna lead me into one of the Sheriff's traps. That could pose a problem. I guess I'd feel safer with Jake, then. He's always reliable.








24. 1 and 9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4's sinister secret organization. 11 volunteers to help them,but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for 4. Meanwhile, 4 has kidnapped 12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of 5, they seek out 3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fic?(Guy, Mr. Collins, Alice Cullen, Mr. Darcy, Caillou, Word Girl, Bella Swan )
I don't know what's funnier.... Gizzy and Mr. Collins teaming up to save the world or Alice heading up a sinister organization..bahaha. The rest is totally feasible, though. Caillou would easily be taken hostage, Word Girl is totally wise, no doubt, and Bella knows all of Alice's
secrets..It really would make a great story. For a title, I would choose something like.....Desperate Measures (which is what it would take for an nineteenth century preacher and a sinister henchman to unite)

You know you're a Robin Hood fanatic when...

........you start browsing youtube for videos like this ....... LOL. If any of you have has seen the series, you understand. The look on Robin's face when he sees Marian's mullet is priceless. :D