Plot Bunny #3: First Scene

And I'm back with the first scene of How To Fix A Traffic Light (my working title)!  It's rather short, but I hope you'll enjoy.


               “Tommy!  You FOOLISH squirrel!  Do you WANT to cause an accident?!”
                Tommy jumped as the voice of his foreman Madeline exploded through his headset and hastily flipped the red light switch. For the thousandth time, he wondered why the Labor Distribution Association (LDA) had chosen him, the most awkward, daydreamy fellow in his class, to operate a traffic light--especially a traffic light at an intersection, where he had to control four at once.
                Maybe, he thought gloomily, the LDA wished to “improve” him, but if so, it wasn’t working.
                “TOMMY!”
                “Augh!”  Tommy half-groaned, holding his ear.  “What?”
                “I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past three minutes and seventeen seconds.  There’s been a malfunction in Number Three.”
                Tommy sighed. “On it.”  He exited the control room and climbed through the hollow pole until he reached the third traffic light over.  He clambered into it, peering at the wires until he found the problem: a loose wire.
                He supposed he really should have noticed this before, but thankfully he wouldn’t have to worry about that for a while.  He was relatively new at his job, and so Madeline was keeping a special eye on him.
                Obviously that had its drawbacks, but on the whole he was grateful for it.  Without her constant reminders to keep his mind on the task at hand, he’d probably have been fired already—maybe even sent to the forest to live among the wild squirrels.

Plot Bunny #3

Sigh, I am afraid that I won't be able to complete the Plot Bunny Challenge.  Life all of a sudden caught up with me, and my creative juices got tired. ;)
But I may continue this into July, because it IS fun and I need to get back to writing.  Without further ado, here is Plot Bunny #3!
I got this idea when my grandmother and I were sitting at a red light one day.  She jokingly suggested that there were little squirrels inside the lights that operated them, and of course I took that and ran with it.
Here's the book blurb:
Ever since Thomas Edison invented the first lightbulb with the help of a highly intelligent squirrel, every public electronic device has been run by said squirrel's descendents.   Tommy, a young and somewhat clumsy squirrel, runs his own little traffic light in an intersection.  When he stumbles (literally) upon a plot to oust the furry little operators, he must rise to the occasion and try to save their livelihood, as well as keep his intersection in order underneath the critical eye of a beautiful, extremely strict squirrel-miss. 
What do you all think?  Is it so weird you doubt my sanity?
I'll be back with the first scene tomorrow!

Plot Bunny #2

This plot bunny came galumphing into my head one day after I'd watched Frozen.  I wanted to writeabout a blue cloak.  Then I had an idea for a story about a handmaiden who betrays her queen somehow, and I decided that she'd had to earn back the blue cloak of a Queen's Handmaiden.

That was where I ran into snags.  First, it was a sort of political intrigue story, but I decided that that really wasn't my thing.  So it became an action/adventure story...except I'm not especially fond of Amazon princess heroines.  After trying out a dozen ideas and discarding them all, I found a plot that I thought would work.  To be honest, I still don't have too many details worked out; this plot bunny is more of an idea that may someday come into being as opposed to something I've actually started writing.
However, that said, I've written too many book blurbs to count for this one, and here's my favorite...

The queen of Kiar has always appointed a small group of handmaidens to serve her until she marries.  These girls and women, known as the Sapphire Attendants, are her protectors, ambassadors, and caretakers.  Being chosen to join this elite group, composed of young girls from any class in society, is considered a high honor.

Fifteen-year-old Esme longs to be a part of this group and serve the queen.  She seems perfect for the role; her family has a history closely connected with the royal family, and she is skilled in politics.  When the new Queen Elise is coronated and selects Esme to be one of her handmaidens, she is thrilled.  But on the day when she is to don the blue cloak of the queen's honored assistants, she learns of a plot against the new queen.  Her pride causes her to make a foolish decision, and when disaster strikes, Esme is determined to make things right and earn the blue cloak of a Sapphire Attendant. 

And here's the first scene:

 My name is Esmeralda Laureline Celandine Percy, and I am going to be an utter failure and make a fool of myself in front of all the world.
The aforementioned Esmeralda heaved a dramatic sigh and would have flung herself across her bed had she been in her bedroom.  She was not really nervous in the least (well, maybe just a bit), she had never felt like a failure, and nobody ever called her Esmeralda.  She couldn't be bothered to listen to her whole name anytime anyone wanted her, and so by the time she was five, everyone called her "Esme".  They really hadn't had a choice. 
Currently she was writing in her journal.  She supposed that it was a childish habit and wouldn't have time for it when she became a handmaiden (if she became a handmaiden, she reminded herself), but it was such a romantic activity and very soothing whenever she became nervous or angry. 
The latter happened more often than she would have liked.
No, I won't be an utter failure.  I am DETERMINED to be a handmaiden.  Ever since the Inspectors swept through (what a nice phrase) Kiar last year and picked ME as one of the candidates...well, I'm practically there already!  And I've been training for this role all my life.
What good fortune it is that I should have been born fourteen years before the old queen died!  Imagine, just one year later and I wouldn't be old enough for this task.
But indeed, I'm deeply thankful for this.  Oh, I know I'm so silly and butterfly-ish most of the time, but I truly do think that I can do this and pledge myself to the queen.
Oh, I hope I succeed!  Just think of what  Mother would say if I failed...
Actually, Esme didn't want to think about what her mother would say.  She put down her pen and and sat still for a moment.  Then she leaped up and checked her reflection in the looking-glass one more time.
Just as she had determined that she looked her best and that were no stray wisps of pale gold sticking out of her elaborately-arranged hair, her mother bustled in and began to do the same thing.  
"Esmeralda!  You do look lovely.  Oh, I'm sure you'll do well.  The queen will simply adore you, I'm sure.  But HURRY, darling!"  With an abrupt change of demeanor, Esme's mother looped her arm through her daughter's and almost dragged her from the room. "The carriage is ready and waiting.  Now, remember, DON'T crumple that lovely dress when you sit down...and let the footman hand you IN!  Don't leap in or out.  You MUST behave like a lady of society.  You're too...independent.  It's UNSEEMLY."
Esme sighed, half-smiled, and stepped into the carriage.  

Plot Bunny #1: First Scene

Here I am, back with the first scene!
Dear Emma,
By the time this letter reaches you, you will no doubt have heard the news that America has declared war. 
Matthew and Edward are going to go, of course.  In just a few days--they'll be gone.  It'll be such a change...of course I have Charity...but what if she should lose a brother?  What if she loses both?
There are some times when I feel an awful sense of foreboding.  Oh, I'm proud; proud that my sons will go--proud that America is asserting herself--but...but somehow, it doesn't matter when I think that my starry-eyed Matt and little curious Edward will be gone.  Even if they should survive, I know what war is like.  I've heard tales...seen things with my own eyes...seen things that make me shudder to recall.
But there!  The war isn't even properly started yet, and perhaps I'm borrowing trouble.   I find that I get morbid and useless if I begin to think on these things too long.  But I HAD to talk to someone--and I've been trying to keep fear hidden--and I know I can always talk to YOU.  It's already a relief to have said it all out.  
Charity sends her love; she's getting to be a great help.  I know you prophesied over her cradle that she would grow into a great flirt due to those golden curls and big blue eyes, but her looks don't seem to be occupying her much--yet.  One can never be sure with sixteen-year-olds.
How is Carl?  Is his back still troubling him?  And are you well?
Ugh.  I can't keep up this talking of nothing when something of such importance and shadow is looming over my head every second of the day.  I know I shall find my courage and cheerfulness again in a moment, but just now I simply CAN'T.  It never was easy to pretend to you, Emma.
I am quite well, and believe me to be 
Your loving sister,
Eva

Plot Bunny #1: Book Blurb

I guess that I've become too practiced in the art of chasing away plot bunnies, because as soon as I signed up for the Plot Bunny Challenge, all inspiration left me till today.
But in any case, I have a bunny now.  I was thinking about characters who place their patriotism above all else, and about how in general those characters have friends who are either on their side or don't care.
Then I thought--what if there was a person who'd taken duty to country too far or had been driven mad by it?  And what if that person had a friend who hated what he'd become?
Without further ado, here's the back blurb for what I'm temporarily calling Love From A Dying Friend:
James and Edward have been best friends since they were both five and discovered they shared a birthday.  When America joins the Great War, they are both determined to do their best for the country they love.
But just before Edward turns eighteen, he is told he is dying of consumption.  Forced to stay behind when James goes to war, his life is shattered, with no prospect of hope.
James, disillusioned on the battlefield, funnels all his rage and suffering into patriotic fervor that slowly destroys his conscience and his heart.
Life has lost all joy for these two boys, men before their time--but there's a God watching over them, and He has other things in mind for the sick and the soldier than despair.

It's going to be in epistolary form--I thought it might fit the plot and I've always wanted to try one. ;)  I'll be back with the first scene tomorrow!

The Plot Bunny Challenge

Hello everyone!  Just popping in to inform you all that I'm going to be doing the Plot Bunny Challenge over at Anne-girl's blog!  It looks like tons of fun and I'm hoping it'll help me get back to writing.
To participate in the Challenge, you must write a back-cover blurb and the first scene of at least eight plot bunnies during the month of June.  I generally ignore/forget about plot bunnies, so this is going to be a new experience for me and I'm really looking forward to it.
For more information, go here. Anyone else doing it?

Our Last Interview

Well, the June Crusade is obviously over (I mean, it's July...) but VK and I are doing one last interview together.  We had a great time this June.  This is pretty much a thank-you to everyone who made this possible: the other Crusaders, especially my partner, and Anne-girl.  So, thank you everybody!  Here's our interview.

1: How did you first hear about the June Crusade. 

My sister told me about it.

2: How long did it take you to decide to join. 

About five seconds... I do whatever she advises when it comes to books.

3: What is one thing you have learned from it. 

I am not alone.

4: Your opinion of your partner. 

Delightful. 

5: With one word express your opinion of it. (meaning the June crusade) 

Perfect 

6: How has your book been affected by your partner?

It hasn't too much. It has more given me courage to keep on. 

7: How has your partner affected your writing style?

I don't know. It has changed but I can't put my finger on how. 

8: Sum up your partner in one word.

Friend 

9: Has the June Crusade affected your life at all?  If so, how?

It has gotten me interested in writing again 

10: Why did you join the June Crusade?

Because my sister told me to. 

Thanks again, everybody!!! :)  You can find my answers over on VK's blog.

-Miss Jane Bennet

The June Crusade is OVER...

...And I'd like to express my gratitude to Anne-girl, VK, and the other Crusaders.  I learned a lot this month- about myself, about writing, about friendship.  I really enjoyed the June Crusade and my book has improved a lot thanks to VK, who blogs here.
 Emailing back and forth with her this month has been really enjoyable and enlightening.  I hope my writing has improved because of it and I hope that she has learned from me as well.
I know it must have taken a lot of work for Anne-girl to arrange the June Crusade, but I hope she knows that for one of the Crusaders at least, it was totally worth it.
There isn't really much more I can say, really.  Just...
THANK YOU, ANNE-GIRL!!!
And thank you so much, VK!
-Miss Jane Bennet

Time Marches On

...and it's Friday again, so I'm doing another interview with VK.  Each of us picked five questions and combined them, and now the other's character has to answer all ten.  This time, VK's character Rose and my character Rosamond are answering the questions.  Rosamond's answers to the questions should be up on VK's blog soon, and without further ado, here are Rose's answers!

1: What is your name. 

My Name is Rose Du Roy' Eaglewing

2: How many siblings do you have? 

I have one big brother, two little sisters and two little brothers. 

3: What do you imagine doing as an adult. 

I am a finder, that is all I am that is all I ever hope to be. 

4: Using one word describe yourself.

Stubborn

5:What is your favorite color. 

Red, A bright rose red. 

6: What is your favorite sport?

Running

7:What is one thing you wish you could do?

I don't know if there is anything I can't do. I find a way to do anything. I wish though My father was still around. I kind of miss him. 

8:What is your favorite school subject?

I don't know exactly. I liked school I really did but I liked what I liked when I liked it and don't you dare try to get me to do something else at that time. Ma let me learn at my own pace I am all over the place as far as grades go but Ma says that is Ok as long as I learn and know how to find information. 

9:What is your favorite book?

What is a book.... VK what is a book. 

A scroll Rose. 

OH!!!! I see! Ummmm We have a lot of really great stories from my world and I have read them all... multiple times. Favorite, I have none I will read what I want to when I want to if I want to. 

10: What is your favorite hymn?

A shelter in the time of storm

Thank you to VK and Rose!  

An Interview With My Partner!

Well, I'm doing another interview with VK today!  This time the interview is about the stories we're writing.  So, here goes!

1: Give a brief synopsis 

Eaglwing family looses Dad, Eldest brother seriously wounded. family decides to join the crew of strangers from the sky. 

Death strikes, Faith is shaken, Friendships made, Babies born. It is all in the life of the six month voyage there and back. 

2: What is the lesson you are trying to teach. 

I wanted to show how, even though someone is a christian we can mess up, I also wanted to Kind of do a spoof on the Noah ark story, What would it be like after such a catastraphy took place.

3: What inspired this story

Star Trek... Yep it is one of my favorite non christian series. I like how they weaved in Morales into the story without really blatantly saying it. 

4: How does your mood affect your book? 

Quite a bit. If I am upset I am very likely to kill a character, if I am happy I bring in Elsie and Elise. If I am dealing with a problem I work it into the story. About halfway (Chapter ten) through the book My pastor informed me that the School was writing essays on why they were pro-life. This fact would not leave me alone so I worked it into the story. 

5: Do you like to eat, drink or have anything playing (Mozart, and such) while writing. 

For me I write better if I have a glass of tea and a platter of chocolate chips with sound tracks of my favorite songs playing. No I don't do Mozart for if it doesn't already have words put to it I will focus on putting words to the song instead of writing the story. 

6. Do you like writing in a notebook or on a computer better?

I prefer a Computer. 

7. Was it the characters or the plot that first inspired your book?

The Characters, My original idea was to have Elm (original name was Author) married to a girl named Kathwren (Original name was Gwen)  and that they were the captain and first officer of this space ship from a world at the edge of the milky way galaxy then I decided I needed to move it so I sent it to Andromeda then I discovered that the people were just to complex so I backed up the series to before Kathwren was born and intorduse Elm and Oak... even then it is too big so I have backed it up even further and written a few legends to give the people whys and hows to their insanity. 

8. What type of scene do you enjoy writing the most?  i.e. sad scenes, celebration 

scenes, etc.

I am a tragedy writer. I have never really fit into a crowed myself so I like to take one of my emotions and develop a story around it. My personal favorite is bitterness. I have harbored a lot due to a person who expected more out of me than I was capable. Then they suddenly died and I was left in almost shock as I discovered what I had done due to the fact that I was so angry at them and then I turned it to myself and basically crumpled. 

9. What is the biggest way this book has affected your life?

It has given me a sense of confidence. I can write, I can do it. It may not make complete sense, it may not be completely coherent but it works and it is down on paper. There is no feeling greater than when you complete something you were told you would never be able to do. 

10. Are any of your characters based on a real person or a character from a different book?

They actually kind of all are, Each character has a person or persons I base it off of. Someone I can watch then when I place them in a situation in which I really don't know how they would react I will, go to that person and ask what they would do in this place. Elsie and Elise for instance is Kendra, (my sister) and Elm and Oak are based of two men I know. LOL 

Thank you VK!!!  :)

An Interview With My Partner

Before I get to the main point of my post, let me give a big thank you to Anne-girl for organizing the June Crusade!  It must take a lot of work to set up all the activities you've planned for June, and I really appreciate it.  So, thank you, Anne-girl!!!

And now...
The lovely VK, who blogs at Singin' My Own Song, is my partner in the June Crusade.  We are doing several activities together, and we decided to interview each other and post our partner's answers on our respective blogs. So without further ado, here are her answers!

1. Where is your favorite place to write?

Either on my bed or at my desk. I come up with scenes while going on walks or doing yard work.

2.  Do you prefer typing or writing by hand?

Since it is really hard to read my handwriting and I hate holding pencils (They hirt) I prefer typing. 

3. What is your favorite genre?

Sci-Fi or Hi-Fi 

4. Why do you like to write?

A couple of reasons one, It gives me a time to let my emotions out without hirting myself in the prosses. As Kendra once said Authors are the only people in the world who can come to the dinner table and sit down and announce that they have killed someone that day without anyone thinking twice about it. 

Second: I want to be like my sister. I always have and since she is a published Author I want to be one too. I am not that good but I enjoy doing it anyways. 

5. Do you like to write poetry or any other type of writing besides novels?

My first love is poetry. I have written about forty songs/poems about twenty or so are published the rest are in notebooks and documents waiting for me to rewrite them again and again till I know it is ok to be published. Some though I never will because they are... personal. Most of my songs have been lost due to the fact that I never wrote them down. There was a time in which I wrote a new song daily but since I didn't know how to write it down at the time I never got them on paper. (Not that they were any good.)

6. What is one weird fact about you?

One weird fact. People say I am weird all the way around. I was home-schooled, I tiptoe, I talk to animals, I used to preach to my goat, I used to scratch my back like a dog, I don't wash berries when I pick it off the vine, Messes drive me nuts. My way of dealing with my temper is moving dead branches and putting them in the burn pile. and the list can go on. It is almost daily when I am out that somebody raises an eyebrow at me. (Which is another weird thing about me, I like getting that look. I think eyebrows are so cute.) 

7. What is your favorite thing to do besides writing?

Music, horses, and children with special needs take up most of my time. I love to teach I love to learn. I sew, I train my rabbits, I draw, I do photography I fiddle, People call me a jack of all trades and the master of none. I say I know enough about it to get in trouble but not enough to get back out. 

8. What do you do when you get writers' block?

I go for a walk, I read a book, I talk to my sister and tell her what I am trying to do and if I can't get out of it that way I switch books and work on another one. I have ignored Akeaka, Cloaked, The great Cowboy Round-up, and most of my other stories for months because I don't know what to do with them. 

9. Where do you want to live when you grow up?

I want to live on a large ranch with lots of horses and adopt special needs children.I don't care where I haven't really studied very many places and except for the heat it is quite nice where I live now. 

10.  Which character was the most fun to write in your story?

Jack Bell. A boy who invents things, is my favorite of the boys and Rose Eaglewing is my favorite of the girls. 

So that is VK!  You should see my answers to her interview up on her blog within a couple days.  :)

Again, thank you to Anne-girl for making this possible!

-Miss Jane Bennet

Character Tag

Anne-girl has challenged the characters to answer some questions about their authors.  I got tagged by VK- or rather, Kate got tagged by VK.  I told Kate to answer them, so with much grumbling, I'm handing the mouse over to her.  I'm dreading her answers...
Switch to Kate.

Hi!  I'm Kate.  This is my sister Melody.  Apparently I have to answer some questions about my author.  Since she controls my every move, it shouldn't be hard.
1. Describe your author in one word.
Rather strange...oh, wait- that's two words.  Just "strange" then.  ;)
2. If your author had a theme song, what would it be?
A theme song, huh?  Probably something by Handel.
3. If you could pick an actor to play your author, who would it be?
A young Amanda Root, maybe.
4. What are your author's strengths?
She's kind and thoughtful...
5. Weaknesses?
Impatience and lack of focus.
6. What type of laugh does he or she have?
A high, quick one.  Sometimes it's a low chuckle, too.
7. Any strange hobbies?
Umm...she used to fence...she used to dance...she likes to get up insanely early...;)
8. What was the weirdest thing she did for her writing?
She bought a pretty notebook and then wrote in it nonstop for twenty pages.  :)
9. If you could make her do one thing differently, what would it be?
Lots of things.  :)  Well, really only that she'd actually keep writing a story till she's done.  It's a bit hard on other characters to be inside an unfinished story.
10. What is your favorite thing about her writing?
Her characters.  ;)  Well, actually her plot devices.  :)

I finally wrestled the mouse away from Kate, so now I'm back again.  I really liked this tag!
-Miss Jane Bennet

And The Long-Awaited Review...

Well!
No, my Emma review is not done yet.
But my TSP81 review is HERE!!
However, before I relieve you curiosity as to how I felt about TSP81, I have a few updates.  A lot of things have happened over the weekend!
First of all, I joined the June Crusade over at Scribblings of My Pen and Tappings of My Keyboard, a lovely blog written by Anne-girl.  My partner is VK and her blog is here.  We have to critique each other's work, write guest posts on each other's blogs, and write 15 comments per week on various blogs.
I haven't told you I'm a writer yet, have I?  Well, I am.  I've been writing basically since Kindergarten, but I've been really sort of seriously been doing it since 4th grade.  I'm also a bit of a poet.  :D
Which brings me to my review!
Since the storyline of the movie is rather different from the storyline of the book, please note that this is NOT a review of the book.  Someday I'll do a review of each of the Scarlet Pimpernel books.  For now...well, maybe tomorrow I'll do one.  ;)
I'm going to assume that people who read this blog already know the storyline, so I'm not going to do a long, detailed synopsis of the movie.  I'll just describe what I like (YES!) about the movie, and what I didn't like (...drawing a blank here...).
First off, since Sir Percy Blakeney (who is-SPOILER- The Scarlet Pimpernel.  If you didn't know that, you shouldn't be reading this.  You know now.  There will be many spoilers in this review, so if you haven't watched the movie and don't want to know what happens until you've watched it, this is NOT the review to read.) is the most important character, let me just say that ANTHONY ANDREWS DID A MARVELOUS, FANTASTIC, WONDERFUL JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, you may have gathered that I like TSP81.  In fact, let me make a statement here:
While the Jane Austen books are my favorite classics, while The Phantom of the Opera is my favorite musical based on a classic (although I haven't seen Les Mis yet), The Scarlet Pimpernel (from 1981, of course!) is my favorite movie adaptation of a classic.
Really, what can I say?
I loved this movie.  Anthony Andrews' "Sink me!" was actually not in the book, but really...
I'm usually a stickler for the books.  If the movie doesn't stick (hah! Pun unintended.) to the plot and characters of the book, I'm against it.  "Go books!" is my battle cry.  ;)
This movie deviated from the plot a lot more than some of my least-favorite movies did- but I liked it so much better!  It combined two books, added other elements that weren't in the TSP series in the first place, and I loved it!  How fickle is the human mind...
Now, that was what my "ranting mood" is all about.  All-caps, random tangents, and complete randomness.
But I will try to pull myself together and write a coherent review.
I had already read many spoiler-full reviews, so I already knew what was going to happen, but still...wow.  I was still panting and staring wide-eyed at the screen, and if my siblings hadn't been in bed, I would have been screaming at the TV.  When Percy fell into the trap, I immediately joined the Down With Armand! Club, but of course I had to leave it at the end because Percy forgave him.  .
I AM a Leaguette after all.  ;)
 At the end, my heart pulled a Wicked Witch of the West number and melted even without water.  ;)
I think that there have actually been enough reviews praising this movie (not that there can EVER be enough, in my opinion, but whatever...) so I'm just going to list the few nitpicks I have and leave it at that.  I'm a bit tired right now and can't write a review that's actually enjoyable to read and does full justice to TSP.
So without further ado...
My nitpicks.
1.  What was with the Armand/whatever the girl's name was living together??  We easily fast-forwarded those scenes, but really...did they HAVE to put that in there?  It wasn't in the book, by the way.  Hah.
2.  Small nitpick that almost everyone points out- can't the French characters have French accents??
Those are pretty much the only ones.  I really like the movie, as I've already stated at least five times.

I apologize for this completely inadequate review, but hopefully I'll be able to make the next one better.

Notes: So far, my blog has been lacking pictures, so I'm going to do a post tomorrow just on pictures.  I'll just put a long list of screencaps, paintings, and any other pictures related to classic things.  There WILL be captions, some of which are supposed to be funny.  :D
Please comment as often as possible!  I like to hear what readers are thinking!
-Miss Jane Bennet