Tucker is, by far, my favorite character I created. Okay, so he's a little stereotypical but I like him.
In the original story I came up with Tucker was an adult trying to reconcile the things he did in his past. The story was through another character's eyes, though, so you only saw bits and pieces of his life (all colored, obviously by her thoughts). But in my head I could see from everyone's POV (the perks of being the writer).
So Tucker did a lot of things wrong in his life and hurt a lot of people...a lot of people he cared deeply for. He's the kind of guy that some how ends up with the reputation that he doesn't really care about anyone or anything. Problem is he cares a lot more then he lets on but he's so caught up in his reputation that he doesn't know how to escape. So he plays into it more and more and in the process continues to hurt the people he cares about, namely Casey
In my original idea the story went like this:
In junior high Tucker's best friend, Kevin, started dating Michelle. Tucker, always the macho/girl's have cooties type of guy, balked at this, teased his friend and made his life miserable. But Kevin ignored him, knowing it was just Tucker's defense to cover his own insecurities.
Michelle's best friend is Casey (originally I called her Sarah but changed it later to Casey). Where as Michelle has only lived in town a few years, Casey has known Tucker and Kevin since Kindergarten and Tucker has never been nice to her. Later I changed it so Tucker grew up across the street from Casey.
So, because Michelle and Kevin become friends Casey and Tucker are forced to spend time together. Tucker is amazingly cruel to Casey, always calling her names, making things up about her and trying to hurt her any time he can. Casey seems mostly unphased by Tucker's nonsense. This just entices Tucker more (always wanting to see her lose her cool). Kevin and Michelle ignore him for the most part.
Tucker, in his defense, isn't only an arrogant jack ass. He is also extremely loyal and has Kevin's back no matter what and in extension Michelle and Casey's, too. He may prey on Casey's weakness but never tolerates anyone else doing the same. As soon as any person makes a crack about her behind her back (ie when she isn't around) he is quick to put his fist into the problem. He then vehemently denies everything afterwards.
By high school Tucker begins to realize that he actually has feelings for Casey but because of his reputation and the way he has treated her most of his life he has problems coming to terms with that. He can't imagine she would feel the same so to spare his own feelings he continues to treat her badly hoping she will just hate him and make it easier for him to walk away from her.
In the original story most of the action takes place when they group is in their late 20s with flashbacks to their lives before. I one point we get to see Michelle and Kevin getting ready for their wedding. They are 22, just graduated (or almost done with) college. Tucker is, of course, the best man and Casey is the maid of honor making the two have to spend time getting along.
Tucker doesn't seem to ever take things seriously and Casey feels she must be responsible for the wedding going off without a hitch. Tucker tries as hard as he can to make Casey's job nearly impossible. He makes fun of Casey in her dress (almost bringing her to tears), is late to the rehearsal and screws around the whole time eliciting constant looks from Michelle.
At the wedding, Tucker follows Casey around antagonizing her as she tries to keep things organized and running smoothly. She is exhausted and highly stressed and finally breaks and starts screaming at Tucker, much to his delight. Michelle is not amused and yells at Casey to not ruin the wedding.
Casey tries to ignore him the rest of the night but is forced to have a dance with him for some photos. Surprisingly Tucker dances with her with no incident. In fact he is polite and sweet bringing back some memories Casey has of him when they were younger and actually got along, not to mention the few times they had been alone and he had shown a different side.
After the reception it is the wedding party's job to clear the hall to get the deposit back. Tucker disappears but finally shows up to tell everyone there is a party and they all leave. Casey is left to do all the work herself and Tucker smiles as he walks out leaving Casey in tears.
A half hour later he shows back up, guilt getting the better of him for the first time in years. He realizes things are going to change now that his best friend is married and knows he can't keep things up with Casey. He helps her clean up and drives her home.
Deciding he was going to try and change some things about his life he goes to see Casey at work the next day. Casey sees this as just him trying to be annoying as Tucker shows up at her work a lot to bug her.
After a few days Casey starts to relax and see Tucker is sincere (at least for him). It is something new for both of them.
The wedding scene was the first I thought up. It was where I created the characters so it kind of holds a special place in my heart. In the story it was just a flashback (several actually). While Kevin and Michelle are on their honeymoon Casey and Tucker start to mend the divide between them and actually seem to become friends but always with that tentative nature. Tucker is always on the verge of converting back to his old ways to protect himself and Casey is always on the defensive waiting for that moment. But, after a night of fun the two end up sleeping together.
Embarrassed and confused they both pull away. Michelle and Kevin come back and things do change. Then Casey comes to Tucker a month later to tell him she's pregnant. The two decide to keep it a secret for as long as they can. Casey keeps busy finishing college and Tucker throws himself into work.
Michelle and Tucker are just happy the two seem to be getting along, not knowing what is actually going on. Then one night the group goes to a concert in another town. Tucker is driving home when he falls asleep at the wheel and crashes the car. The 4 survive with only minor injuries except for Casey who loses her baby.
Casey blames Tucker for the crash and for her baby dying. A rift bigger then any before splits the group. Any time they are in a room together the two are at each other's throats. Tucker doesn't know how to vocalize the hurt he is feeling by losing his baby and being betrayed (in his mind) by Casey who turned on him so quickly.
Kevin and Michelle thing it is only about the crash and almost dying and try to stay out of the fight. Casey pulls away from the group and as soon as she graduates she leaves town and breaks contact almost completely, only emailing Michelle occasionally.
Tucker is heart broken, confused and guilt ridden. He vows to change and never hurt a person the way he hurt Casey again. Time goes on and Tucker builds a successful business for himself. Michelle and Kevin have a few kids then a bomb drops on Tucker's world. Casey sends Michelle a wedding invitation. Tucker is devastated but can't tell anyone because know one, not even Casey knew how in love he was with her. He wasn't really even sure until he heard the words, "Casey is getting married" and felt as if someone was ripping his heart out.
He shows up to the wedding but stays in the shadows and sits in the back. Afterwards he writes a quick note to Casey and leaves it with Michelle then leaves town. Their lives continue on until one day, out of the blue, he gets a call from Casey. She sounds scared. She mentions the note he left 4 years early saying if she ever needed anything at any time to call him and he would be there. And there she was, calling at 3am begging for help. Tucker immediately jumps in his car and drives the 8 hours to her house to get her and her 3 year old son.
He finds her beaten and terrified of her abusive husband. Tucker lays him out flat and without a word Casey takes her son and leaves with him.
That was mainly how the story was going to go. After that point I was fuzzy on how things were going to work out. I had a few scenes in mind to show the awkwardness between Casey and Tucker after all those years, how Michelle and Kevin welcomed her back with open arms, her and her son staying with Tucker in his nice house that he built himself, how Tucker has changed.
Eventually Tucker confesses how much he loved her and how much it hurt when she left and that she blamed him for losing their baby. He tells her he wished it had been him that died in the crash, not the baby. They have a few fights and eventually Michelle and Kevin find out the truth and with a little prodding convince their friends to give it another try as a couple.
That was my beginning ideas for Tucker...more in another post because this one is already super long.
4.04.2008
characters
So, I write a lot of fanfiction. Well, not a lot but it is mostly what I write. I just can't seem to get my characters to be three dimensional and I connect with the characters I see on TV. I can find their voices so easily.
During NaNo last year (which I failed miserably at again) I endeavored to create my own characters. My story didn't turn out so well but the characters stuck with me and I'm happy to find that I'm doing the same thing with them that I do with the TV characters I write about--imagining them in various situations to see how they will react.
The story I started for NaNo...well, I still like the basic idea. It's just my writing of it wasn't working out. The voices weren't right. Some of the scenes I liked; I just need to rewrite them, I guess.
But the characters I fell in love with and I'm learning them backwards and forwards. I feel what they feel and know them like I know myself. I'm so proud.
The stories I have been imagining for them are basically the same thing from different views. Or, a lot of the time, I keep imagining the same events but changing how each person reacts until I find a reaction that I like best. It is fun to do and I have been using it with my fanfiction for years. I lie awake in bed at night or in the early morning and think: "if A does this, then B will react like this, but if A does that then B might do this" and it goes on and on like that.
Sometimes I take them completely out of their own story and start a new story, change their ages but not their basic relationship with each other.
I still haven't come to a point where I want to actually write about my characters. I need to figure out their lives and how their story works. It took years of imagining my TV characters before I felt comfortable writing them
I might start just jotting down some of the tidbits I come up with for them, though. Maybe that will blossom into more, maybe not.
I think I will write some individual posts about the characters so each entry isn't 5 pages long.
During NaNo last year (which I failed miserably at again) I endeavored to create my own characters. My story didn't turn out so well but the characters stuck with me and I'm happy to find that I'm doing the same thing with them that I do with the TV characters I write about--imagining them in various situations to see how they will react.
The story I started for NaNo...well, I still like the basic idea. It's just my writing of it wasn't working out. The voices weren't right. Some of the scenes I liked; I just need to rewrite them, I guess.
But the characters I fell in love with and I'm learning them backwards and forwards. I feel what they feel and know them like I know myself. I'm so proud.
The stories I have been imagining for them are basically the same thing from different views. Or, a lot of the time, I keep imagining the same events but changing how each person reacts until I find a reaction that I like best. It is fun to do and I have been using it with my fanfiction for years. I lie awake in bed at night or in the early morning and think: "if A does this, then B will react like this, but if A does that then B might do this" and it goes on and on like that.
Sometimes I take them completely out of their own story and start a new story, change their ages but not their basic relationship with each other.
I still haven't come to a point where I want to actually write about my characters. I need to figure out their lives and how their story works. It took years of imagining my TV characters before I felt comfortable writing them
I might start just jotting down some of the tidbits I come up with for them, though. Maybe that will blossom into more, maybe not.
I think I will write some individual posts about the characters so each entry isn't 5 pages long.
11.16.2007
NaNo update
Well, I've had my ups and downs with my writing. I'm still sticking with the story I started so that is good but I'm just not motivated. The story is so blah. It is just crap. I mean more so then if I was just being harsh on myself. The writing is just flat and boring. I don't know what I am doing wrong but instead of dwelling on it I am forcing myself to go forward. I can always edit later.
I'm at almost 16k words now. I was almost caught up a few days ago but then life got in the way again. My husband has been taking over the computer. I leave to take the kids to school and when I get back he is on the computer and refuses to get off until the afternoon. I have the most energy in the morning, right after I get up and want to write but can't. So I end up staying up all night instead and then I'm exhausted in the morning. Ugh.
He said I could write tomorrow (today, actually since it is almost 2am) then he mentioned he had a doctor's appointment in the morning. No wonder I get to write--he won't be here. ::big eye roll::
I still love my story line even if the writing is crappy.
I'm at almost 16k words now. I was almost caught up a few days ago but then life got in the way again. My husband has been taking over the computer. I leave to take the kids to school and when I get back he is on the computer and refuses to get off until the afternoon. I have the most energy in the morning, right after I get up and want to write but can't. So I end up staying up all night instead and then I'm exhausted in the morning. Ugh.
He said I could write tomorrow (today, actually since it is almost 2am) then he mentioned he had a doctor's appointment in the morning. No wonder I get to write--he won't be here. ::big eye roll::
I still love my story line even if the writing is crappy.
11.05.2007
NaNo has begun
So NaNo officially started at 12am (local time) on Thursday. Unfortunately I didn't get any writing done that day or the next day. Instead I came down with strep or something and was pretty sick after Halloween. I am finally starting to feel a little better, but my throat is still sore. But at least I'm not racked with shivers (I was freezing even with a sweatshirt on and my heating pad on high) or feeling like I could fall over at any minute.
So I decided to not use my original idea. I love the idea and hope to write it eventually but it is just too involved to use for NaNo. I wouldn't be able to give it justice. Instead I had this other idea rattling around in my head for months and it is a simple love story so it works great for this challenge. It is fun and easy to write and I have already gone over plot ideas in my head for months.
I wrote a little on Saturday (about 1900 words) and I just added to that today for a total of 3657. Not too bad for 2 days of writing. I'm only like 4700 words behind, lol. Oh well. I might be able to make that up today if I get the chance.
So I decided to not use my original idea. I love the idea and hope to write it eventually but it is just too involved to use for NaNo. I wouldn't be able to give it justice. Instead I had this other idea rattling around in my head for months and it is a simple love story so it works great for this challenge. It is fun and easy to write and I have already gone over plot ideas in my head for months.
I wrote a little on Saturday (about 1900 words) and I just added to that today for a total of 3657. Not too bad for 2 days of writing. I'm only like 4700 words behind, lol. Oh well. I might be able to make that up today if I get the chance.
10.14.2007
survey for Mary (1)
[One] Who was your last text from?
no one ever texts me
[Two] Last phone call?
John called yesterday to wish Gram a happy birthday
[Three] Where was your default picture taken?
outside in my yard
[Four] Your current relationship status?
widowed...unfortunetely
[Six] What is your current mood?
kind of blah. I'm bored. There isn't much to do except on the weekends with all the Church stuff. Mostly I just keep the house clean and walk the dog.
[Nine] How old are you?
43
[Ten] If you could go back in time and change something, would you?
yeah, I'd tell Adam not to go to work that day and stay home with me. (he wouldn't have don it, though)
[Eleven] What's your favorite color(s)?
yellow
[Twelve] Ever had a near death experience?
no
[Thirteen] Something you do a lot?
wash windows. I just can't stand seeing Jericho's doggy saliva all over them
[Fifteen] Who can you tell ANYTHING to?
Gram
[Sixteen] Name someone with the same birthday as you.
I have no clue
[Nineteen] If you could have one super power what would it be?
I guess flight. I would probably be really cool to be able to float above the trees
[Twenty] What's the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
eyes
[Twenty-three] Favorite season?
summer
[Twenty-five] Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows?
when I work the daycare at Church or help with Sunday School I get to watch lots of Belle's Bible Stories cartoon
[Twenty-six] What are you eating or drinking at the moment?
I just opened a bottle of apple juice to wash down the chocolate covered raisins I snuck
[Twenty-seven] Do you speak any other language?
I was never good at languages
[Twenty-nine] Describe your life in one word.
neat (as in tidy)
[Thirty] Do you have any tattoos?
heck no
[Thirty-one ] Who was the last person you hung out with?
Hannah. We went to get new school shoes
[Thirty-two] What are you thinking about right now?
That I have to take Jericho for a walk but it is raining. I guess he'll just have to run out in the yard to go and I'll clean it up tomorrow
[Thirty-three] What should you be doing?
probably preparing the thank you newsletter for the potluck that is in 3 days
[Thirty-four] Who was the last person that made you upset/angry?
Miles Harris. He called the other day wanting to know if wanted to go "hang out"
[Thirty-five] What are you listening to?
the dishwasher rumbling
[Thirty-six] Do you like working in the yard?
yes
[Thirty-seven] Who is with you?
just the dog
[Thirty-eight] Do you act differently around the person you like?
i don't like anyone that way
[Thirty-nine] What is your natural hair color?
dull brown
[Forty] Last time you were really happy?
must have been before Adam died. that's pretty sad
no one ever texts me
[Two] Last phone call?
John called yesterday to wish Gram a happy birthday
[Three] Where was your default picture taken?
outside in my yard
[Four] Your current relationship status?
widowed...unfortunetely
[Six] What is your current mood?
kind of blah. I'm bored. There isn't much to do except on the weekends with all the Church stuff. Mostly I just keep the house clean and walk the dog.
[Nine] How old are you?
43
[Ten] If you could go back in time and change something, would you?
yeah, I'd tell Adam not to go to work that day and stay home with me. (he wouldn't have don it, though)
[Eleven] What's your favorite color(s)?
yellow
[Twelve] Ever had a near death experience?
no
[Thirteen] Something you do a lot?
wash windows. I just can't stand seeing Jericho's doggy saliva all over them
[Fifteen] Who can you tell ANYTHING to?
Gram
[Sixteen] Name someone with the same birthday as you.
I have no clue
[Nineteen] If you could have one super power what would it be?
I guess flight. I would probably be really cool to be able to float above the trees
[Twenty] What's the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
eyes
[Twenty-three] Favorite season?
summer
[Twenty-five] Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows?
when I work the daycare at Church or help with Sunday School I get to watch lots of Belle's Bible Stories cartoon
[Twenty-six] What are you eating or drinking at the moment?
I just opened a bottle of apple juice to wash down the chocolate covered raisins I snuck
[Twenty-seven] Do you speak any other language?
I was never good at languages
[Twenty-nine] Describe your life in one word.
neat (as in tidy)
[Thirty] Do you have any tattoos?
heck no
[Thirty-one ] Who was the last person you hung out with?
Hannah. We went to get new school shoes
[Thirty-two] What are you thinking about right now?
That I have to take Jericho for a walk but it is raining. I guess he'll just have to run out in the yard to go and I'll clean it up tomorrow
[Thirty-three] What should you be doing?
probably preparing the thank you newsletter for the potluck that is in 3 days
[Thirty-four] Who was the last person that made you upset/angry?
Miles Harris. He called the other day wanting to know if wanted to go "hang out"
[Thirty-five] What are you listening to?
the dishwasher rumbling
[Thirty-six] Do you like working in the yard?
yes
[Thirty-seven] Who is with you?
just the dog
[Thirty-eight] Do you act differently around the person you like?
i don't like anyone that way
[Thirty-nine] What is your natural hair color?
dull brown
[Forty] Last time you were really happy?
must have been before Adam died. that's pretty sad
Mary questions
I have to say that these surveys are going better then I had anticipated and I'm learning a lot about my character. here are some more.
1. Do you still have pictures of you & your last ex?
I have many pictures of me and Adam around the house
2. Who's the last person you had a sleepover with?
I think that was Melissa when I was 12. She was my best friend but she moved away the next summer
3. Do you swear often?
never
4. Crushing?
what does that mean? like a crush on a person. no. i don't feel that way about guys anymore
5. When was the last time you cried?
the other day
6. Do you use lyrics to express yourself?
no
7. Are you ashamed of your past?
no, i have nothing to be ashamed of
8. Where does your grandma live?
with me
9. Anyone close to you ever died?
of course. Adam died 3 years ago and my parents died when I was like 3 or 4.
10. Who's always there for you unconditionally?
Gram, always and forever
11. What is your favorite TV show?
don't really watch TV, that's Gram's domain
12. What was the last song you downloaded?
I don't really download much. Hannah does, though
13. Who was the last person you yelled at?
I try not to yell, it isn't productive.
14. What was the last compliment you received?
I ran into Miles Harris the other day and he said I looked just like I did in college (which is the last time I saw him)
16. Are you going on vacation next summer?
probably not, Hannah is graduating so I'm spending all our vacation money on her
17. Do you ride roller coasters?
yes, I love them.
18. When was the last time you saw your boyfriend?
I don't have a boyfriend but the last time I saw Adam was the morning he died. He got up and ate breakfast with me then we cuddled on the couch for 10 minutes before he had to leave for work.
19. Whats your name?
Mary Catherine Brooks (so boring and so like everyone else born the same year I was--there were 10 other Mary's in my graduating class of 45)
20. Have you ever thought about turning gay?
no, no, no. Gay is a sin
21. Do you have good memories with old friends?
some. I wasn't really close to my friends when I was a kid
22. Have you ever been to Hollywood?
no
23. Are you wearing a necklace?
yes. I wear Adam's wedding ring around my neck
24. What jewelry can you not live without?
my wedding band
25. Would you date the person who posted this?
no
26. Are you happy right now?
content--it's close enough
27. Do you regret anything that you have done?
no, well...I regret not calling Adam the day he died to tell him I loved him like I wanted to but I thought I would be bothering him
28. What are you doing tonight?
just some baking and probably some laundry
29. Do you trust people?
usually
30. If you were someone else, would you be friends with you?
I would hope so, I'm a pretty loyal friend, I think
31. What is something you say when you're mad?
nothing, I just huff under my breath then pray and read my Bible to get peace
32. What family member do you look like?
Gram says I look just like my mother
33. What friend will be coming over to your house next?
Mary Joy said she would stop by after Church on Sunday to pass on the Church prayer quilt we're making. It's my turn to do a square. We're trying to make a quilt big enough to spread on the lawn and have us all fit and sit and pray together.
34. Have you ever cried from being so mad?
yes
36. What are you listening to now?
the birds chirping in the yard and Jericho snoring in the corner
37. Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend?
don't have one
38. What is your favorite beverage?
iced tea with lemon
39. Have you ever seen your best friends cry?
no
40. What kind of vitamins did you take as a kid?
the gummy kind
41. What is the last thing you ate?
breakfast: a bowl of fruit with toast and butter and a glass of milk
42. Did you get any compliments today?
Hannah said she liked my dress
43. What are you going to do after this?
sweep the kitchen or do some Bible study in the yard, haven't decided
44. Are most of your friends guys or girls?
girls
45. Are you friends with your neighbors?
yes
46. What do you do before you sleep?
say my prayers
47. Where have you lived throughout your life?
just Illinois
48. Last piercing you got?
only my ears are pierced. I had it done when I was 12, like most girls
50. Do you get distracted easily?
no, I'm very goal oriented
51. Do you have kids?
I have one daughter: Hannah Grace, she's 17
52. If so, where are they?
she's at school
53. Where was your default picture taken?
it's a picture of the flowers in our yard after a spring rain last year--I just love that picture
54. Is there anything silver near you?
my laptop is silver, so is the dishwasher
55. Have you ever tee-peed someone's house?
no, but John got in a lot of trouble doing that as a kid
56. Have you ever had a crush on your sister's/brother's friend?
sort of. John had this friend Michael and Michael had an older brother Gabriel that was a year older then me and I had a big crush on him when I was 13 but I never told anyone because thoughts like that get you sent to Hell
57. Have you ever gone to a beach?
yes, I love the beach. we don't have real beaches here though. we just have the little lake and one edge is cleared and is sandy and we always hung out there in the summer
58. What do you usually do first in the morning?
say a prayer thanking God for another morning, that is what I was taught to do
59. What were you doing at 1 AM this morning?
sleeping
60. Do you have any enemies?
I hope not
61. Would you ever want to swim with the sharks?
no
62. Would your parents ever get mad if you got suspended from school for fighting?
I'm not sure if Gram would get mad. She was pretty lenient with John which made the authorities mad
63. Would you want to be pregnant now?
I'm too old for that
64. Do you wear contacts?
no
65. How do you get to school?
I haven't been to school in forever but I used to walk
66. What were you doing at 9 AM this morning?
taking Jericho for a walk
67. How do you normally spend the weekend?
at Church. Saturday morning I work the soup kitchen. Then in the afternoon is the potluck. On Sunday is Church, then I help out with the Sunday School most days then in the evenings I usually help clean up the church or go to the retirement home to help out there. Weekends are exhausting
68. Do you like getting dressed up?
the only time I was ever really dressed up was my wedding
1. Do you still have pictures of you & your last ex?
I have many pictures of me and Adam around the house
2. Who's the last person you had a sleepover with?
I think that was Melissa when I was 12. She was my best friend but she moved away the next summer
3. Do you swear often?
never
4. Crushing?
what does that mean? like a crush on a person. no. i don't feel that way about guys anymore
5. When was the last time you cried?
the other day
6. Do you use lyrics to express yourself?
no
7. Are you ashamed of your past?
no, i have nothing to be ashamed of
8. Where does your grandma live?
with me
9. Anyone close to you ever died?
of course. Adam died 3 years ago and my parents died when I was like 3 or 4.
10. Who's always there for you unconditionally?
Gram, always and forever
11. What is your favorite TV show?
don't really watch TV, that's Gram's domain
12. What was the last song you downloaded?
I don't really download much. Hannah does, though
13. Who was the last person you yelled at?
I try not to yell, it isn't productive.
14. What was the last compliment you received?
I ran into Miles Harris the other day and he said I looked just like I did in college (which is the last time I saw him)
16. Are you going on vacation next summer?
probably not, Hannah is graduating so I'm spending all our vacation money on her
17. Do you ride roller coasters?
yes, I love them.
18. When was the last time you saw your boyfriend?
I don't have a boyfriend but the last time I saw Adam was the morning he died. He got up and ate breakfast with me then we cuddled on the couch for 10 minutes before he had to leave for work.
19. Whats your name?
Mary Catherine Brooks (so boring and so like everyone else born the same year I was--there were 10 other Mary's in my graduating class of 45)
20. Have you ever thought about turning gay?
no, no, no. Gay is a sin
21. Do you have good memories with old friends?
some. I wasn't really close to my friends when I was a kid
22. Have you ever been to Hollywood?
no
23. Are you wearing a necklace?
yes. I wear Adam's wedding ring around my neck
24. What jewelry can you not live without?
my wedding band
25. Would you date the person who posted this?
no
26. Are you happy right now?
content--it's close enough
27. Do you regret anything that you have done?
no, well...I regret not calling Adam the day he died to tell him I loved him like I wanted to but I thought I would be bothering him
28. What are you doing tonight?
just some baking and probably some laundry
29. Do you trust people?
usually
30. If you were someone else, would you be friends with you?
I would hope so, I'm a pretty loyal friend, I think
31. What is something you say when you're mad?
nothing, I just huff under my breath then pray and read my Bible to get peace
32. What family member do you look like?
Gram says I look just like my mother
33. What friend will be coming over to your house next?
Mary Joy said she would stop by after Church on Sunday to pass on the Church prayer quilt we're making. It's my turn to do a square. We're trying to make a quilt big enough to spread on the lawn and have us all fit and sit and pray together.
34. Have you ever cried from being so mad?
yes
36. What are you listening to now?
the birds chirping in the yard and Jericho snoring in the corner
37. Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend?
don't have one
38. What is your favorite beverage?
iced tea with lemon
39. Have you ever seen your best friends cry?
no
40. What kind of vitamins did you take as a kid?
the gummy kind
41. What is the last thing you ate?
breakfast: a bowl of fruit with toast and butter and a glass of milk
42. Did you get any compliments today?
Hannah said she liked my dress
43. What are you going to do after this?
sweep the kitchen or do some Bible study in the yard, haven't decided
44. Are most of your friends guys or girls?
girls
45. Are you friends with your neighbors?
yes
46. What do you do before you sleep?
say my prayers
47. Where have you lived throughout your life?
just Illinois
48. Last piercing you got?
only my ears are pierced. I had it done when I was 12, like most girls
50. Do you get distracted easily?
no, I'm very goal oriented
51. Do you have kids?
I have one daughter: Hannah Grace, she's 17
52. If so, where are they?
she's at school
53. Where was your default picture taken?
it's a picture of the flowers in our yard after a spring rain last year--I just love that picture
54. Is there anything silver near you?
my laptop is silver, so is the dishwasher
55. Have you ever tee-peed someone's house?
no, but John got in a lot of trouble doing that as a kid
56. Have you ever had a crush on your sister's/brother's friend?
sort of. John had this friend Michael and Michael had an older brother Gabriel that was a year older then me and I had a big crush on him when I was 13 but I never told anyone because thoughts like that get you sent to Hell
57. Have you ever gone to a beach?
yes, I love the beach. we don't have real beaches here though. we just have the little lake and one edge is cleared and is sandy and we always hung out there in the summer
58. What do you usually do first in the morning?
say a prayer thanking God for another morning, that is what I was taught to do
59. What were you doing at 1 AM this morning?
sleeping
60. Do you have any enemies?
I hope not
61. Would you ever want to swim with the sharks?
no
62. Would your parents ever get mad if you got suspended from school for fighting?
I'm not sure if Gram would get mad. She was pretty lenient with John which made the authorities mad
63. Would you want to be pregnant now?
I'm too old for that
64. Do you wear contacts?
no
65. How do you get to school?
I haven't been to school in forever but I used to walk
66. What were you doing at 9 AM this morning?
taking Jericho for a walk
67. How do you normally spend the weekend?
at Church. Saturday morning I work the soup kitchen. Then in the afternoon is the potluck. On Sunday is Church, then I help out with the Sunday School most days then in the evenings I usually help clean up the church or go to the retirement home to help out there. Weekends are exhausting
68. Do you like getting dressed up?
the only time I was ever really dressed up was my wedding
More questions for Mary (main character A)
Answered by Mary Catherine Brooks (aka: main character A)
1. Do you hate your last boyfriend/girlfriend?
I try not to hate anyone
2. When is the last time you took a nap?
I don't have time for naps
3. Do you only drink bottled water?
no, I drink tap water
4. Have you ever made a boyfriend or girlfriend mad?
I never had a boyfriend, just Adam. I never dated before him.
5. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
My friend, Elizabeth. She wanted to know what dessert I was bringing to the potluck
6. To text you?
no one
7. To send you a Myspace message?
no one
8. Who was on your mind most today?
Gram. She has been acting strange lately so I'm worried
9. Are you happier single or to have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Not happy at all being single. It's been 3 years but I still think of Adam every day.
11. Think any of your ex's feel the same about you?
don't have ex's but I know Adam is missing me up in Heaven but wants me to live a full, happy life, which is really hard without him here.
12. Do you have cingular?
There is only AT&T
13. Have you dated people who were not good to you?
no
14. How will you spend your next birthday?
The same way I always do, having a big shin dig on the 4th of July (which is 8 days before my birthday). Gram is planning it this year with her cousin Abby. They usually go all out with the fireworks and red, white and blue decorations. Should be fun.
15. Do you wear makeup?
no, I believe in modesty.
16. Are you missing someone?
always
17. Do you like to snowboard?
never been
18. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
yes because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He gave mankind a second chance and so should I
19. What instant messaging service do you use?
I don't know what it is called. It came with the computer.
20. Would you believe your ex if she/he said they love you?
I don't have an ex
21. Most hated food?
Lima beans
22. Favorite color?
yellow (like the sun)
23. Would you date your bestfriend?
no
24. Who was your favorite teacher in middle school?
Sr. Laureda. She was wonderful. She taught math in 7th grade and I finally got Algebra when she taught it.
26. Have you ever had a panic attack?
yes, when Hannah was a baby I had a lot of panic attacks worrying about her
27. What color is your hair?
dull brown
29. How old are your siblings?
John is two years younger then me so 41
31. Things you would want in a relationship?
understanding and unconditional love
32. What do you want most right now?
to be at peace with Adam's passing
33. What is a major pet peeve of yours?
people who don't keep their lawns mowed. I know it is silly but it drives me bonkers to see an unkempt lawn
35. What are you doing tonight?
baking pies for the potluck tomorrow
36. Is your myspace display name from a song?
no
38. Are you happy at the moment?
i'm content which I guess is close to being happy
40. Do you have a wood, tile or carpet in your bedroom?
carpet--kind of a golden yellow color
41. Do you have a hidden stash of candy somewhere?
yes, don't tell Hannah and especially don't tell Gram
42. Do you have over 100 CDs?
no
43. What are you wearing right now?
a plain blue dress with a white color and buttons with white bobby socks and no shoes
44. Is your phone right beside you?
no
45. Are you cold?
no, it is pretty warm out and all the windows are open
46. What will you be doing in 2 hours?
I'll probably take Jericho for a walk when Hannah gets home so she can go with us.
47. Recently done anything you regret?
no
48. Ever trip over your own feet?
not since I was a teen
49. Favorite color pen ink to use?
green, it is just so fresh and fun
50. Do you wish someone would call you?
not really, I don't feel like talking to anyone but that is usually when Reverend Marshall calls to discuss why I don't contribute more to the Church. Ugh.
1. Do you hate your last boyfriend/girlfriend?
I try not to hate anyone
2. When is the last time you took a nap?
I don't have time for naps
3. Do you only drink bottled water?
no, I drink tap water
4. Have you ever made a boyfriend or girlfriend mad?
I never had a boyfriend, just Adam. I never dated before him.
5. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
My friend, Elizabeth. She wanted to know what dessert I was bringing to the potluck
6. To text you?
no one
7. To send you a Myspace message?
no one
8. Who was on your mind most today?
Gram. She has been acting strange lately so I'm worried
9. Are you happier single or to have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Not happy at all being single. It's been 3 years but I still think of Adam every day.
11. Think any of your ex's feel the same about you?
don't have ex's but I know Adam is missing me up in Heaven but wants me to live a full, happy life, which is really hard without him here.
12. Do you have cingular?
There is only AT&T
13. Have you dated people who were not good to you?
no
14. How will you spend your next birthday?
The same way I always do, having a big shin dig on the 4th of July (which is 8 days before my birthday). Gram is planning it this year with her cousin Abby. They usually go all out with the fireworks and red, white and blue decorations. Should be fun.
15. Do you wear makeup?
no, I believe in modesty.
16. Are you missing someone?
always
17. Do you like to snowboard?
never been
18. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
yes because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He gave mankind a second chance and so should I
19. What instant messaging service do you use?
I don't know what it is called. It came with the computer.
20. Would you believe your ex if she/he said they love you?
I don't have an ex
21. Most hated food?
Lima beans
22. Favorite color?
yellow (like the sun)
23. Would you date your bestfriend?
no
24. Who was your favorite teacher in middle school?
Sr. Laureda. She was wonderful. She taught math in 7th grade and I finally got Algebra when she taught it.
26. Have you ever had a panic attack?
yes, when Hannah was a baby I had a lot of panic attacks worrying about her
27. What color is your hair?
dull brown
29. How old are your siblings?
John is two years younger then me so 41
31. Things you would want in a relationship?
understanding and unconditional love
32. What do you want most right now?
to be at peace with Adam's passing
33. What is a major pet peeve of yours?
people who don't keep their lawns mowed. I know it is silly but it drives me bonkers to see an unkempt lawn
35. What are you doing tonight?
baking pies for the potluck tomorrow
36. Is your myspace display name from a song?
no
38. Are you happy at the moment?
i'm content which I guess is close to being happy
40. Do you have a wood, tile or carpet in your bedroom?
carpet--kind of a golden yellow color
41. Do you have a hidden stash of candy somewhere?
yes, don't tell Hannah and especially don't tell Gram
42. Do you have over 100 CDs?
no
43. What are you wearing right now?
a plain blue dress with a white color and buttons with white bobby socks and no shoes
44. Is your phone right beside you?
no
45. Are you cold?
no, it is pretty warm out and all the windows are open
46. What will you be doing in 2 hours?
I'll probably take Jericho for a walk when Hannah gets home so she can go with us.
47. Recently done anything you regret?
no
48. Ever trip over your own feet?
not since I was a teen
49. Favorite color pen ink to use?
green, it is just so fresh and fun
50. Do you wish someone would call you?
not really, I don't feel like talking to anyone but that is usually when Reverend Marshall calls to discuss why I don't contribute more to the Church. Ugh.
Main Character A in 200 questions
I decided to use those millions of questions I get through MySpace Bulletins to round out my characters a bit so here goes (and I haven't really planned out anything about them yet so it is just off the top of my head).
My Life In 200 Questions
200. My middle name is:
Catherine
199. I was born in:
2056
198. I am really:
bored with my life
197. My cell phone company is:
At&T
196. My eye color is:
brown
195. My shoe size is:
8
194. My ring size is:
6.5
193. My height is:
5'5"
192. I am allergic to:
bees
191. I was born:
July 12, 2056
190. I am annoyed by:
my daughter asking questions I can't answer
189. Last book you read:
Bible
188. My bed is:
plain and neat (corners tucked in, of course)
187: One thing you hate about yourself:
my hair, it is too flat and won't hold curls
179. My favorite holiday is:
4th of July because it is right before my birthday and we always throw a big party that day
177. The last three cd's I bought were:
CDs haven't been around for a long time.
175. Are you living at home:
i'm living in my home, that i own, lol
174. Do you have any siblings:
I have a younger brother, John
173. Are your parents divorced:
my parents died when I was very little, I don't remember them. I was raised by my gramma
170. What did you do today:
the normal things: swept the floors, vacuumed Hannah's room, did the dishes, put the laundry out to dry on the line, took the dog for a walk, dusted the house
:::I Believe In:::
142. Love at first sight:
I suppose
141. Good Luck:
I want to believe but they say there is no such thing as luck, God plans all for us
140. Fate:
only in that God plans our lives out ahead of time
139. Yourself:
not really
138. Aliens:
no
137. Heaven:
Yes
136. Hell:
yes
135. Ghosts:
yup
134. Horoscopes:
no. i don't even know my sign. that stuff is very taboo, we don't talk about it stuff like that
133. Soulmates:
yes. God has a plan for us and makes sure we eventually find the one person we are meant to be with forever
:::Which is Better:::
129. Hugs or Kisses:
hugs
127. Phone or Online:
online
126. Red heads or Black haired:
doesn't matter
125. Blondes or Brunettes:
doesn't matter, who came up with these shallow questions?
124. Hot or cold:
i prefer it warm, not super hot, though
123. Summer or winter;
summer, i love going to the beach or just sitting in the yard soaking up the sun while I read
122. Fall or Spring:
probably fall, because of the beautiful colors
121. Chocolate or vanilla:
chocolate. I'm a total chocoholic
120. Night or Day:
Day because I can marvel at all God has given me
119. Oranges or Apples:
Apples, easier to eat (hahaha)
118. Curly or Straight hair:
I wish I had curly hair. Gramma tried so hard to curl my hair when I was a kid but it just won't take. I guess God knows best--that I should have plain, straight hair
:::Here's What I Think About:::
116. Abortion:
why would you ask that? it's illegal so I don't agree with it. It is just wrong, wrong, wrong no matter what.
115. Backstabbers:
don't like them
:::Last time I:::
Had food?
breakfast. I had a bowl of strawberries and cantalope with a glass of milk and a piece of toast with butter
101. Saw someone I haven't seen in awhile:
yesterday I ran into Miles Harris. I haven't seen him since that summer Gram took us to the country to visit her sister
100. Cried in front of someone:
a couple months ago on the anniversary of Adam's death
90. Who is the ditziest person you know:
My neighbor Layla. I have seen her walking around in her robe outside and sometimes she forgets to do her hair in the morning.
89. Who makes you laugh the most:
Gram
87. The last movie I saw:
I don't really watch a lot of movies, they aren't that interesting but Gram says they weren't always that way
82. What I don't understand is:
almost everything but I'm afraid to even ask the questions I need answers to. I've heard of people disappearing for asking too many questions.
76. Something I always really miss when I leave home is:
I've never been away from home really.
75. The thing that I'm looking forward to the most:
I can't wait for Hannah to graduate high school and have her own life--I want grand kids!
74. The thing that I'm not looking forward to is:
Hannah graduating high school and having her own life, lol, because she will always be my baby
73. Tomorrow:
is Saturday and I have to bring the dessert for the Church potluck
72. Today:
is Friday and I still have to finish baking the pies for tomorrow and hem up my dress (I swear I'm shrinking already)
71. Next Summer:
Hannah will be 18 and on her own, hopefully at college but she is talking about maybe marrying her boyfriend instead
70. Next Weekend:
is just another weekend. I have to bring the side dish for the potluck next week. I'm thinking green bean casserole
67. People call me:
by my name mostly: Mary
60. The most difficult thing to do is:
let things go
59. I have gotten a speeding ticket:
never
56. Zodiac sign:
have no clue
55. The first person i talked to today was:
Hannah
54. First time you had a crush:
I really don't want to say. I'm not proud of those thoughts. God says they are a sin.
53. The one person who i can't hide things from:
Gram. She knows all.
52. Last time someone said something you were thinking:
Hannah. She is good at that.
51. Right now I am talking to:
The dog and he is giving me really strange looks
50. What is your dream job?
I always wanted to be a teacher. I took the application test but didn't score high enough. They said I questioned too much and being a teacher means teaching the mandated texts not teaching kids to question it. Oh well.
49. First real job:
I worked a few years at the library in town while I was in college. Then I got married and was pregnant with Hannah so I had to quit.
48. I have/will get a job:
I suppose I should get a job. Hannah is 17 now so I can legally work again. I was able to opt out of work and get compensated since I'm caring for Gram, although I am beginning to think she is faking being frail so that I can stay home. I swear I saw her dancing in her room the other day.
47. I have these pets:
a dog named Jericho. We used to have a cat called Oscar but he got run over by the garbage truck. Hannah was devestated.
46. I wish:
I could be happier with my life. I feel I'm not living up to what God gave me. He has given me so much, yet I don't feel happy with it. Is that a sin?
45. The worst sound in the world:
nail on a chalk board
44. The person that makes me cry the most is...
myself...I linger in the past too much and worry too much about the future instead of leaving it to God
43. Best sound in the world:
Gram and Hannah laughing
42. What do you think about gays?
they are very wrong and will go to hell
41. Do you like video games?
I used to as a kid but they don't make them any more
40. Headshots?
as in pictures? I don't like my picture taken at all.
39. Person[s] that makes you happy:
Hannah and Gram, of course. I'm not sure what I would do without them.
35. Florida or Hawaii:
Hawaii because it is more exotic and far away. I've never been farther away then Indiana
33. My favorite piece of clothing:
Adam's old work shirt. I still wear it to bed to sleep because it reminds me of him.
31. Last time I cried:
I cried the other night when I was going through some boxes in the attic and found a gift Adam had bought for me but never had a chance to give. I cried for a long time--until Hannah came home from school.
30. My friends are:
okay. They tend to be pretty gossipy which I don't agree with but they are the only friends I have.
29. My computer is:
on the kitchen counter usually and I check it whenever I walk by
28. The school I go to is:
I haven't been in school in a long time but I went to St. Joseph High School (all girls)
27. Last person I got mad at is:
Gram for letting Hannah stay out past 9
22. The all-time best movie is:
I don't know--they are all so boring and just the same thing all the time
21. The all-time best feeling in the world is:
I don't know--I think it was having Hannah hug me for the first time when she was a toddler
17. I lose all respect for people who:
judge others because Jesus said "those without sin cast the first stone" and I know we all sin
16. The movie I cried at was:
I don't cry at movies
14. TV channels you watch:
not many. I usually just watch the Bible Study on the ACC channel on Wed. nights if I don't actually go to Church.
13. Favorite web site:
don't really have a favorite
12. I like/love:
I love my family
11. The worst pain I was ever in was:
physical pain: when I broke my leg falling out of the tree when I was 9
Emotional pain: when Adam died
10. My favorite word is:
D'oh
9. My room is:
tidy
8. My favorite celebrity is:
I don't keep track of celebrities
5. My weakness is:
chocolate (didn't I mention that already)
4. What I like/first notice about the opposite sex is:
I try not to notice them. I'm still not over Adam. I love him so much. The first thing I noticed about him was his attitude. He was so free and full of life and not worried about what others thought.
3. Who broke your heart:
Lots of people when I was a kid
2. One thing that makes you feel great is:
Gram. She always knows what to say right when I need to hear it most
1. One person that you wish you could see right now:
Adam. I miss him every day. Or my parents since I never got to know them.
My Life In 200 Questions
200. My middle name is:
Catherine
199. I was born in:
2056
198. I am really:
bored with my life
197. My cell phone company is:
At&T
196. My eye color is:
brown
195. My shoe size is:
8
194. My ring size is:
6.5
193. My height is:
5'5"
192. I am allergic to:
bees
191. I was born:
July 12, 2056
190. I am annoyed by:
my daughter asking questions I can't answer
189. Last book you read:
Bible
188. My bed is:
plain and neat (corners tucked in, of course)
187: One thing you hate about yourself:
my hair, it is too flat and won't hold curls
179. My favorite holiday is:
4th of July because it is right before my birthday and we always throw a big party that day
177. The last three cd's I bought were:
CDs haven't been around for a long time.
175. Are you living at home:
i'm living in my home, that i own, lol
174. Do you have any siblings:
I have a younger brother, John
173. Are your parents divorced:
my parents died when I was very little, I don't remember them. I was raised by my gramma
170. What did you do today:
the normal things: swept the floors, vacuumed Hannah's room, did the dishes, put the laundry out to dry on the line, took the dog for a walk, dusted the house
:::I Believe In:::
142. Love at first sight:
I suppose
141. Good Luck:
I want to believe but they say there is no such thing as luck, God plans all for us
140. Fate:
only in that God plans our lives out ahead of time
139. Yourself:
not really
138. Aliens:
no
137. Heaven:
Yes
136. Hell:
yes
135. Ghosts:
yup
134. Horoscopes:
no. i don't even know my sign. that stuff is very taboo, we don't talk about it stuff like that
133. Soulmates:
yes. God has a plan for us and makes sure we eventually find the one person we are meant to be with forever
:::Which is Better:::
129. Hugs or Kisses:
hugs
127. Phone or Online:
online
126. Red heads or Black haired:
doesn't matter
125. Blondes or Brunettes:
doesn't matter, who came up with these shallow questions?
124. Hot or cold:
i prefer it warm, not super hot, though
123. Summer or winter;
summer, i love going to the beach or just sitting in the yard soaking up the sun while I read
122. Fall or Spring:
probably fall, because of the beautiful colors
121. Chocolate or vanilla:
chocolate. I'm a total chocoholic
120. Night or Day:
Day because I can marvel at all God has given me
119. Oranges or Apples:
Apples, easier to eat (hahaha)
118. Curly or Straight hair:
I wish I had curly hair. Gramma tried so hard to curl my hair when I was a kid but it just won't take. I guess God knows best--that I should have plain, straight hair
:::Here's What I Think About:::
116. Abortion:
why would you ask that? it's illegal so I don't agree with it. It is just wrong, wrong, wrong no matter what.
115. Backstabbers:
don't like them
:::Last time I:::
Had food?
breakfast. I had a bowl of strawberries and cantalope with a glass of milk and a piece of toast with butter
101. Saw someone I haven't seen in awhile:
yesterday I ran into Miles Harris. I haven't seen him since that summer Gram took us to the country to visit her sister
100. Cried in front of someone:
a couple months ago on the anniversary of Adam's death
90. Who is the ditziest person you know:
My neighbor Layla. I have seen her walking around in her robe outside and sometimes she forgets to do her hair in the morning.
89. Who makes you laugh the most:
Gram
87. The last movie I saw:
I don't really watch a lot of movies, they aren't that interesting but Gram says they weren't always that way
82. What I don't understand is:
almost everything but I'm afraid to even ask the questions I need answers to. I've heard of people disappearing for asking too many questions.
76. Something I always really miss when I leave home is:
I've never been away from home really.
75. The thing that I'm looking forward to the most:
I can't wait for Hannah to graduate high school and have her own life--I want grand kids!
74. The thing that I'm not looking forward to is:
Hannah graduating high school and having her own life, lol, because she will always be my baby
73. Tomorrow:
is Saturday and I have to bring the dessert for the Church potluck
72. Today:
is Friday and I still have to finish baking the pies for tomorrow and hem up my dress (I swear I'm shrinking already)
71. Next Summer:
Hannah will be 18 and on her own, hopefully at college but she is talking about maybe marrying her boyfriend instead
70. Next Weekend:
is just another weekend. I have to bring the side dish for the potluck next week. I'm thinking green bean casserole
67. People call me:
by my name mostly: Mary
60. The most difficult thing to do is:
let things go
59. I have gotten a speeding ticket:
never
56. Zodiac sign:
have no clue
55. The first person i talked to today was:
Hannah
54. First time you had a crush:
I really don't want to say. I'm not proud of those thoughts. God says they are a sin.
53. The one person who i can't hide things from:
Gram. She knows all.
52. Last time someone said something you were thinking:
Hannah. She is good at that.
51. Right now I am talking to:
The dog and he is giving me really strange looks
50. What is your dream job?
I always wanted to be a teacher. I took the application test but didn't score high enough. They said I questioned too much and being a teacher means teaching the mandated texts not teaching kids to question it. Oh well.
49. First real job:
I worked a few years at the library in town while I was in college. Then I got married and was pregnant with Hannah so I had to quit.
48. I have/will get a job:
I suppose I should get a job. Hannah is 17 now so I can legally work again. I was able to opt out of work and get compensated since I'm caring for Gram, although I am beginning to think she is faking being frail so that I can stay home. I swear I saw her dancing in her room the other day.
47. I have these pets:
a dog named Jericho. We used to have a cat called Oscar but he got run over by the garbage truck. Hannah was devestated.
46. I wish:
I could be happier with my life. I feel I'm not living up to what God gave me. He has given me so much, yet I don't feel happy with it. Is that a sin?
45. The worst sound in the world:
nail on a chalk board
44. The person that makes me cry the most is...
myself...I linger in the past too much and worry too much about the future instead of leaving it to God
43. Best sound in the world:
Gram and Hannah laughing
42. What do you think about gays?
they are very wrong and will go to hell
41. Do you like video games?
I used to as a kid but they don't make them any more
40. Headshots?
as in pictures? I don't like my picture taken at all.
39. Person[s] that makes you happy:
Hannah and Gram, of course. I'm not sure what I would do without them.
35. Florida or Hawaii:
Hawaii because it is more exotic and far away. I've never been farther away then Indiana
33. My favorite piece of clothing:
Adam's old work shirt. I still wear it to bed to sleep because it reminds me of him.
31. Last time I cried:
I cried the other night when I was going through some boxes in the attic and found a gift Adam had bought for me but never had a chance to give. I cried for a long time--until Hannah came home from school.
30. My friends are:
okay. They tend to be pretty gossipy which I don't agree with but they are the only friends I have.
29. My computer is:
on the kitchen counter usually and I check it whenever I walk by
28. The school I go to is:
I haven't been in school in a long time but I went to St. Joseph High School (all girls)
27. Last person I got mad at is:
Gram for letting Hannah stay out past 9
22. The all-time best movie is:
I don't know--they are all so boring and just the same thing all the time
21. The all-time best feeling in the world is:
I don't know--I think it was having Hannah hug me for the first time when she was a toddler
17. I lose all respect for people who:
judge others because Jesus said "those without sin cast the first stone" and I know we all sin
16. The movie I cried at was:
I don't cry at movies
14. TV channels you watch:
not many. I usually just watch the Bible Study on the ACC channel on Wed. nights if I don't actually go to Church.
13. Favorite web site:
don't really have a favorite
12. I like/love:
I love my family
11. The worst pain I was ever in was:
physical pain: when I broke my leg falling out of the tree when I was 9
Emotional pain: when Adam died
10. My favorite word is:
D'oh
9. My room is:
tidy
8. My favorite celebrity is:
I don't keep track of celebrities
5. My weakness is:
chocolate (didn't I mention that already)
4. What I like/first notice about the opposite sex is:
I try not to notice them. I'm still not over Adam. I love him so much. The first thing I noticed about him was his attitude. He was so free and full of life and not worried about what others thought.
3. Who broke your heart:
Lots of people when I was a kid
2. One thing that makes you feel great is:
Gram. She always knows what to say right when I need to hear it most
1. One person that you wish you could see right now:
Adam. I miss him every day. Or my parents since I never got to know them.
10.03.2007
another year, another NaNo
So I'm back. I didn't use this blog last year for NaNoWriMo but this year I will. That is a nice sound statement to start with.
My 2006 endeavor for NaNo was less then...well, truth is it sucked. Royally. But I'm back in 2007 with a fresh idea and hopefully no catastrophes will befall my family this year to keep me from writing.
-----------------------------------------------------------
So my story idea is a futuristic warning type story for humanity, namely America. I got the idea from spending way too much time at Cafemom.com hanging in the Atheist Parents group and listening to religious drivel from most of the rest of the moms.
Taken from my post at the Cafe:
My 2006 endeavor for NaNo was less then...well, truth is it sucked. Royally. But I'm back in 2007 with a fresh idea and hopefully no catastrophes will befall my family this year to keep me from writing.
-----------------------------------------------------------
So my story idea is a futuristic warning type story for humanity, namely America. I got the idea from spending way too much time at Cafemom.com hanging in the Atheist Parents group and listening to religious drivel from most of the rest of the moms.
Taken from my post at the Cafe:
anyway my idea is that sometime in the future (haven't worked on the timeline yet) America goes through a religious revolution but not a good time. Instead of shedding the shakles of opressive religions they take a step backwards and the religious majority (Christians) take control of goverment (with church leaders convincing an ignorant public to use their faith and just do as they are told and vote these people in).
Their intentions are "pure" in that they really believe what they are doing is for the good of all Americans. They start be getting rid of abortion and bringing prayer and organized religion back into public schools. At first it seems innocent. But as years go buy it starts to get out of control.
Eventually the American Christian Church is founded and it starts to replace many smaller denominations of Christianity until the president declares it the only allowed Christian religion in America. All other churches are changed ocer or dissolved, dissenters are considered heritics and traitors to the American way. Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and any one else are supposedly safe but their lives are made so unbareable that most flee the country for Canda and even Mexico. America is no longer the safe haven for immigrants. The borders are closed to everyone the people deam unAmerican.
Those that believe in "pagan" or "evil" religions are thrown in jail and those that don't believe at all either just go along with the church or are encouraged to leave or face jail time. church attendance is monitored to make sure every man, woman and child attends each week and eventually "church squads" are formed to check on those not attending and make sure they are "good Christian" Americans and find out why they were in't in attendance.
Sunday becomes a holy day again and all businesses are closed, save life saving buildings (hospitals, fire and police). If you are found working (even in your yard) you are fined.
The church pretty much rules all that happens in America. They monitor TV and soon control it, only allowing certain shows they deam appropriate for the people. God and Jesus must be mentioned in every single show and the shows must somehow reinforce their morals and beliefs. Kids are brainwashed at school, sunday school, church and bible studies to not question the church or face damnation (or jail time).
Parents that try to teach their kids anything else have their children taken away and charged with moral neglect and sent to prison (with the murderers, rapist and the like).
The 10 commandments are law. Swearing is prohibited and you are fined on the spot for swearing. Smoking, drinking and drugs (including some prescription meds) are banned. Boooks deamed unfit are taken from libraries and homes are searched for contraban (think anything on the banned book list the last 100 years and a little Nazi book burning).
Women are no longer allowed to wear pants and must dress modestly. thongs, mini skirts, low cut tops and anything else they deam unfit are outlawed and no longer sold. As soon as a woman has her first child she is required by law to quit her job and stay home until the child is 14. that transfers to the youngest child in the family. birth control is outlawed so abstinance (even in marriage) is taught. it a family has more children then they can afford the woman is jailed for not keeping the faith while her children go to a good christian home.
okay. that is like the back drop to the story. i didn't mean to write all that but it kind of worked some of the ideas out of my head.
the story itself is about a women who grew up in this and is tired of being told what she can and can't do and wear and read and believe. so she rebels, causing all sorts of trouble for her family. but her gramma supports her because she remembers what it was like before the church. mostly it will show snippets of life before the story through flashbacks so we can see how things slowly got out of control and a thing people thought was good turned into a monster and America was destroyed.
I haven't worked the plot out yet. I'm mostly working on back story.
11.06.2005
starting over
So 832 words in 6 days is pathetic. I just could not get inspired to write. So i'm selling out. I picked up on one of my fanfic's I had wrote over the summer. Already I have over 1600 words (double--woohoo) and I have only been writing for a couple of hours and only have one chapter done. A good start. I originally wanted to write a "real" novel, but I guess I am just destined to write fanfic. Besides I get instant gratification by publishing the FF.net and stuff so cool beans.
Ok, for those that don't know me. Hi, my name is Jen and I love to write fanfic for That 70s Show. {Hi Jen.} I'm a huge Jackie/Hyde Shipper and all my stories (all 3 of them) have centered around them in some way. My first was called "It Was Only A Matter Of Time" and picked up where season 7 ended. The second was "Homecoming" and it started the same way, with the events at the end of season 7. But this one took a different direction from the first. Where as "Time" had the couple reunite just days after the last episode took place, "Homecoming" takes place 20 years in the future. The gang has grown up and all have kids of thier own. Hyde ran off and never spoke to anyone for 20 years and now he is back to make amends.
I really had fun writing it and adding in little details about the kids (which were my own original characters). But the whole time I kept thinking of certain scenes from the kids' POVs. I wanted to know what they were thinking about the events and had planned to at least add more details about their relationships into the original story (through Hyde's eyes, of course), but I had to end the story quickly because I was moving and was losing my internet. The girls at That 70's Fafic Archive would have been pissed, I think so I wrapped it up. I still don't like the ending, but haven't decided if I will change it.
Anyway. Homecoming, part 2, picks up right where "Homecoming" ended but from Steve's POV (Hyde and Jackie's son). I have only written the first chapter, but already I have ideas for others and a direction the story will go. Originally it was going to focus on Steve and Hyde's growing relationship and their similarities (along with Hyde and Jackie getting married--for all the Zennies out there, you know who you are), but after the first chapter I already have a twist to add in and I'm very excited.
The chapter deals mainly with Steve's feelings about his mother's relationship with Hyde, but underneath (if you ask me) is really a visual of Steve and Kate's (Eric and Donna's daughter) friendship. It also shows how Kate is a lot like her mother and is wise beyond her years. The two are already great friends and now Steve leans on her even more for support despite the fact that he is 5 years older then her.
I really enjoyed the first chapter and liked the flow. I usually think my writing is crap and flows like, well, crap, so that says a lot. It's probably still crap but Zennies don't care as long as the story is good (well some care, but...whatever). Already I'm getting a good feel for the characters. I don't usually spend time doing character studies and plotting out books and writing outlines. I just wing it. Probably explains why most of my stuff is no more then a few paragraphs long. But when it works, it so works. The last two fanfics were over 20,000 each and I didn't plan a single word. It pretty much was in my head already or just came to me.
Ok. So I'm feeling good and I'm writing. So what if it ain't ligit. I'm writing again. Now, I need to eat. Hmmmm, tacos.....
Title: Homecoming part 2 Chapters: 1 Wordcount: 1659 Days to go: 25
Ok, for those that don't know me. Hi, my name is Jen and I love to write fanfic for That 70s Show. {Hi Jen.} I'm a huge Jackie/Hyde Shipper and all my stories (all 3 of them) have centered around them in some way. My first was called "It Was Only A Matter Of Time" and picked up where season 7 ended. The second was "Homecoming" and it started the same way, with the events at the end of season 7. But this one took a different direction from the first. Where as "Time" had the couple reunite just days after the last episode took place, "Homecoming" takes place 20 years in the future. The gang has grown up and all have kids of thier own. Hyde ran off and never spoke to anyone for 20 years and now he is back to make amends.
I really had fun writing it and adding in little details about the kids (which were my own original characters). But the whole time I kept thinking of certain scenes from the kids' POVs. I wanted to know what they were thinking about the events and had planned to at least add more details about their relationships into the original story (through Hyde's eyes, of course), but I had to end the story quickly because I was moving and was losing my internet. The girls at That 70's Fafic Archive would have been pissed, I think so I wrapped it up. I still don't like the ending, but haven't decided if I will change it.
Anyway. Homecoming, part 2, picks up right where "Homecoming" ended but from Steve's POV (Hyde and Jackie's son). I have only written the first chapter, but already I have ideas for others and a direction the story will go. Originally it was going to focus on Steve and Hyde's growing relationship and their similarities (along with Hyde and Jackie getting married--for all the Zennies out there, you know who you are), but after the first chapter I already have a twist to add in and I'm very excited.
The chapter deals mainly with Steve's feelings about his mother's relationship with Hyde, but underneath (if you ask me) is really a visual of Steve and Kate's (Eric and Donna's daughter) friendship. It also shows how Kate is a lot like her mother and is wise beyond her years. The two are already great friends and now Steve leans on her even more for support despite the fact that he is 5 years older then her.
I really enjoyed the first chapter and liked the flow. I usually think my writing is crap and flows like, well, crap, so that says a lot. It's probably still crap but Zennies don't care as long as the story is good (well some care, but...whatever). Already I'm getting a good feel for the characters. I don't usually spend time doing character studies and plotting out books and writing outlines. I just wing it. Probably explains why most of my stuff is no more then a few paragraphs long. But when it works, it so works. The last two fanfics were over 20,000 each and I didn't plan a single word. It pretty much was in my head already or just came to me.
Ok. So I'm feeling good and I'm writing. So what if it ain't ligit. I'm writing again. Now, I need to eat. Hmmmm, tacos.....
Title: Homecoming part 2 Chapters: 1 Wordcount: 1659 Days to go: 25
11.03.2005
3 days...
a grand total of 832 words. And I did that the first day. It's not like I didn't want to sit down and write, but my loving husband wouldn't give up the computer for two days. He discovered online games and has been driving me nuts.
The sad part is, he is the one that is always telling me if I would just write a novel and sell it we will be set, lol. (He thinks it is that easy, but I guess everyone needs dreams). But when I actually want to sit down and write he won't let me use the computer because writing for a silly contest isn't as important as playing Age of Mythology online.
And on top of that I am still really sick. I woke up with an ear ache this morning. I couldn't even hear out of my left ear and my right side was pretty stuffed up. It is just my sinuses putting pressure on my ear canal again but damn--it hurts. I took some tylenol and it helped a little. I can hear again but it hurts everytime I cough.
Hopefully I can get some writing done soon, but I doubt it...
The sad part is, he is the one that is always telling me if I would just write a novel and sell it we will be set, lol. (He thinks it is that easy, but I guess everyone needs dreams). But when I actually want to sit down and write he won't let me use the computer because writing for a silly contest isn't as important as playing Age of Mythology online.
And on top of that I am still really sick. I woke up with an ear ache this morning. I couldn't even hear out of my left ear and my right side was pretty stuffed up. It is just my sinuses putting pressure on my ear canal again but damn--it hurts. I took some tylenol and it helped a little. I can hear again but it hurts everytime I cough.
Hopefully I can get some writing done soon, but I doubt it...
10.31.2005
so it begins...
Just 45 minutes until the madness begins here on the East coast. I'm talking about NaNoWriMo, of course. I have barely thought about my story the last week or so and have no clue what I am writing about anymore. And I'm sick. My oldest dd brought this lovely cold home from school last week and now I am miserable. (So are the other two kids). I won't be doing any writing tonight. I can barely think straight right now.
Hopefully I will get some kind of writing done tomorrow at some time, but I doubt it. I don't like to write when I'm sick (or do much of anything really).
Good luck to all those other out there that are aiming for 50,000 by midnight November 30.
Hopefully I will get some kind of writing done tomorrow at some time, but I doubt it. I don't like to write when I'm sick (or do much of anything really).
Good luck to all those other out there that are aiming for 50,000 by midnight November 30.
10.18.2005
Some plot points
So, I had this horrible migraine earlier that left me incapacitated in bed after dinner, moaning in self-pity. But it gave me time to think. Once the sun set and the room got dark and my head was at peace (as long as I didn't move), I started going over possible plots for my novel.
First off I had to rethink my POV. I had originally thought of doing it from the "mom" POV of Sue since I can relate best and she is mostly based on me. But I started thinking seeing the fun-loving life of Lori through Lori's eyes might be more interesting. So I laid in bed thinking about possible events from each prospective. Now eventually Kasey is going to fall in love with both. How would Sue handle the situation?
She would be worried about how Lori would feel and is very caring so might not take to the advances right away. She is also absurdly lonely so she would be kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place--her friend's happiness over her own. Would she try to have a secret romance or tell Lori that her boyfriend is a cheating jerk? Would she be able to live with herself if she did choose to be with Kasey?
Now, how would Lori handle things?
She would obviously be outraged that her best friend stole her boyfriend and unwilling to listen to the reasons behind it all. Would she never speak to Sue again? Likely that would devestate Sue.
In the end I preferred Lori's POV, seeing her struggle with her inner demons. So, I guess I will stick with her.
As for plot points. Firstly, I decided to link the whole story with the idea of the changing seasons, mostly fall and starting in October. So I thought I would start by a little description of how the season change and bring a change in each person, whether it is noticed or not.
I have an ending scene already in my head. The two women will be sitting on thier stoop holding their new babies and considering what had happened over the last year and how they were able to overcome it all.
I'm not sure how I'm going to do the Kasey scenes. I don't want him coming off as an uncaring jerk, because he isn't. He is just lonely and confused and in the end he will leave both women. Not sure how that will happen. I also have his entrance scene plotted. The action will start with the two women sitting on their stoop (see the circle forming) the previous year talking about Kasey as he plays with Sue's children.
There were other things I had ideas for, but my head hurts too much to work them out right this moment.
First off I had to rethink my POV. I had originally thought of doing it from the "mom" POV of Sue since I can relate best and she is mostly based on me. But I started thinking seeing the fun-loving life of Lori through Lori's eyes might be more interesting. So I laid in bed thinking about possible events from each prospective. Now eventually Kasey is going to fall in love with both. How would Sue handle the situation?
She would be worried about how Lori would feel and is very caring so might not take to the advances right away. She is also absurdly lonely so she would be kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place--her friend's happiness over her own. Would she try to have a secret romance or tell Lori that her boyfriend is a cheating jerk? Would she be able to live with herself if she did choose to be with Kasey?
Now, how would Lori handle things?
She would obviously be outraged that her best friend stole her boyfriend and unwilling to listen to the reasons behind it all. Would she never speak to Sue again? Likely that would devestate Sue.
In the end I preferred Lori's POV, seeing her struggle with her inner demons. So, I guess I will stick with her.
As for plot points. Firstly, I decided to link the whole story with the idea of the changing seasons, mostly fall and starting in October. So I thought I would start by a little description of how the season change and bring a change in each person, whether it is noticed or not.
I have an ending scene already in my head. The two women will be sitting on thier stoop holding their new babies and considering what had happened over the last year and how they were able to overcome it all.
I'm not sure how I'm going to do the Kasey scenes. I don't want him coming off as an uncaring jerk, because he isn't. He is just lonely and confused and in the end he will leave both women. Not sure how that will happen. I also have his entrance scene plotted. The action will start with the two women sitting on their stoop (see the circle forming) the previous year talking about Kasey as he plays with Sue's children.
There were other things I had ideas for, but my head hurts too much to work them out right this moment.
10.17.2005
story idea
Ok, so I thought of a potential story idea. It is actually a story I started over the summer before fanfic took over my life. I really didn't like what I had so I will re-work it.
The main character is Sue, married with 2 kids. Her best friend is Lori, a single girl that likes to have fun. (Kind of an opposites attrack thing going on). Anyway. Lori starts dating Kasey who she really likes and he kind of changes her ways (a little). Kasey really likes Lori and shows up a the apartment a lot but Lori is never home. Sue ends up going through a divorce and Kasey is more then willing to help her cope. You can see where this is leading.
I'm not really sure on any more major points after that. I tend to let the story unfold without me really knowing anything. Not the best way to write but it is usually how I do it. My inspiration is my best friend. She is awesome and always has an interesting story to tell me about one of her many "guy friends". I'm going to have to give her a call to get some more dirt, lol.
That is pretty much all I have right now. Just 15 days until hell begins.
The main character is Sue, married with 2 kids. Her best friend is Lori, a single girl that likes to have fun. (Kind of an opposites attrack thing going on). Anyway. Lori starts dating Kasey who she really likes and he kind of changes her ways (a little). Kasey really likes Lori and shows up a the apartment a lot but Lori is never home. Sue ends up going through a divorce and Kasey is more then willing to help her cope. You can see where this is leading.
I'm not really sure on any more major points after that. I tend to let the story unfold without me really knowing anything. Not the best way to write but it is usually how I do it. My inspiration is my best friend. She is awesome and always has an interesting story to tell me about one of her many "guy friends". I'm going to have to give her a call to get some more dirt, lol.
That is pretty much all I have right now. Just 15 days until hell begins.
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