Yesterday I found myself reading a website which I had in past months determined to be only suitable for elderly folks. I had the impression that the articles were created for relaxing inspiration. Upon reading two of the site's columns I was surprised to discover them surprisingly witty.
One was written by a man, the other by his wife. The woman's column shocked me with its lack of sugariness, and the man's was incredibly fresh and smart. I know what I am-I'm critical and close minded about everything which doesn't apply to me. I was glad I'd finally read these articles.
What a disadvantage it is to be narrow minded! Reading can enrich our lives and minds, but this can't be achieved if you don't accept new things. It's often hard for me to read a book due to the mere fact that my younger sister was enthralled with it. It was a long time before I finally read Lord of the Flies. I was shocked to find it an intriguing and moving work of art. Just recently, my sister read Anne of Green Gables. I was dubious of the book at first. When I read it at last, I found myself completely taken with the detailed characters and vivid descriptions. I only wish to be as talented and vibrant a writer as Lucy Maud Montgomery. I may have never read some of my favorite books if others hadn't inspired me to keep an open mind.
Don't postpone reading new books and different genres. It is the key to writing in new ways. When I was around ten, a librarian introduced me to Sharon Creech's works. Her books weren't at all what I was accustomed to. They didn't match my R.L Stine criteria. But there was something about Sharon Creech's books that inspired me to change my writing. In my pre-Sharon Creech writings, there was always a Goosebumps-style tone. I learned the power of dialogue and close character portrayals through Walk Two Moons. I learned to reveal things delicately and slowly by reading Chasing Redbird. I'm always discovering new ideas from reading things which step out of my boundaries. Isn't it wonderful to be flexible and have a variety of tastes?
I'm beginning to sound like something that isn't my type, so I'll go now.
Read some new books on your Kindle. Buy on Amazon from $169.99
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Goodbye Earth, pt. 13
Goodbye Earth
Page Thirteen
The final part!
“You’re sweet too,” I smiled, in a kind way, as if I was talking to an old woman who was down on her luck.
“Come on Star,” she said, “Let’s go swimming."
4 days passed, full of strange news coverage, sadness, and a sweet sprinkling of fun with Moon.
December 21, 2012
I awakened the morning of the polar shift with dread in my heart. That day, everyone on planet Earth, would experience fatal occurences. I got out of my sterile white bed, pulled the sheets up, and pulled on the clothes I’d been wearing the day when I last saw my family. Today was going to be a day of remembrance.
I walked out of the sleeping quarters towards the main lobby and peeked out of the window. Niburu blocked my usual vision of Earth and I guessed that the polar shift might have already occurred. I walked over to the TV and turned it on. There was still a broadcast, so the polar shift could not have occurred. I watched as a man walked in his robe into the "living room". He stood silently behind the sofa, watching the television. The reporter man stood bundled in heavy coats during a roaring windstorm.
“Today is the predicted day of the apocalypse. I am beginning to believe it too. With wind gusts up to 500 mph. at the equator, we are not having an easy time. Already one third of the November population is dead, and we are expecting the toll to go up. Therefore, anyone watching, would you please sit down, take a break, and get to know your family! Do all the important things in life!” At that point, the wind really started howling. A tree was uprooted and slammed right into him. Moon, who was sitting next to me gasped. The television suddenly went static. Moon flipped through all the channels. I looked at Moon with a feeling of panic. I went to go and look out the window. A huge shock wave spread out around the Earth in a huge halo, and I could see it moving-spinning. That moment, I recalled Jerri, my best friend, Dad, who did not believe, Peace, my sister, Mom, my loving mother, and all mankind. I knew that there was no hope for them. They were all gone by then, and that moment they were witnessing firsthand what I was seeing from far away.
All the people on the space station stood behind the thick glass panes. Some women cried, some were fainting, and others were utterly shocked. Then the woman who directed the space station came walking up.
“Everyone, please get away from the windows. We don’t want anyone breaking the glass!” she gruffly said. Directly, she grabbed Moon by the arm.
Moon wrestled free, crying and moaning, “I’m not taking this anymore!” She lifted the steel vase which she held in her hand.
“Moon, no!” I shouted. A tear stained Moon busted a large hole in the glass with her vase and bloody fist. The station's coordinater was shocked. Moon stepped out onto the ledge outside and jumped.
That moment I realized what a mess I had made of my life. Moon was dead, just like everyone else. By coming here, I had betrayed my family and ruined my life as well. I walked up to the hole in the window despite the screams of the observers. The lack of air parched my lungs as I looked out at the still space before me.
Voices of the past shot through my brain. I saw Jerri, Mom, Dad, and Peace. I knew they were waiting, smiling, beckoning for me. So I came to their call.
Page Thirteen
The final part!
“You’re sweet too,” I smiled, in a kind way, as if I was talking to an old woman who was down on her luck.
“Come on Star,” she said, “Let’s go swimming."
4 days passed, full of strange news coverage, sadness, and a sweet sprinkling of fun with Moon.
December 21, 2012
I awakened the morning of the polar shift with dread in my heart. That day, everyone on planet Earth, would experience fatal occurences. I got out of my sterile white bed, pulled the sheets up, and pulled on the clothes I’d been wearing the day when I last saw my family. Today was going to be a day of remembrance.
I walked out of the sleeping quarters towards the main lobby and peeked out of the window. Niburu blocked my usual vision of Earth and I guessed that the polar shift might have already occurred. I walked over to the TV and turned it on. There was still a broadcast, so the polar shift could not have occurred. I watched as a man walked in his robe into the "living room". He stood silently behind the sofa, watching the television. The reporter man stood bundled in heavy coats during a roaring windstorm.
“Today is the predicted day of the apocalypse. I am beginning to believe it too. With wind gusts up to 500 mph. at the equator, we are not having an easy time. Already one third of the November population is dead, and we are expecting the toll to go up. Therefore, anyone watching, would you please sit down, take a break, and get to know your family! Do all the important things in life!” At that point, the wind really started howling. A tree was uprooted and slammed right into him. Moon, who was sitting next to me gasped. The television suddenly went static. Moon flipped through all the channels. I looked at Moon with a feeling of panic. I went to go and look out the window. A huge shock wave spread out around the Earth in a huge halo, and I could see it moving-spinning. That moment, I recalled Jerri, my best friend, Dad, who did not believe, Peace, my sister, Mom, my loving mother, and all mankind. I knew that there was no hope for them. They were all gone by then, and that moment they were witnessing firsthand what I was seeing from far away.
All the people on the space station stood behind the thick glass panes. Some women cried, some were fainting, and others were utterly shocked. Then the woman who directed the space station came walking up.
“Everyone, please get away from the windows. We don’t want anyone breaking the glass!” she gruffly said. Directly, she grabbed Moon by the arm.
Moon wrestled free, crying and moaning, “I’m not taking this anymore!” She lifted the steel vase which she held in her hand.
“Moon, no!” I shouted. A tear stained Moon busted a large hole in the glass with her vase and bloody fist. The station's coordinater was shocked. Moon stepped out onto the ledge outside and jumped.
That moment I realized what a mess I had made of my life. Moon was dead, just like everyone else. By coming here, I had betrayed my family and ruined my life as well. I walked up to the hole in the window despite the screams of the observers. The lack of air parched my lungs as I looked out at the still space before me.
Voices of the past shot through my brain. I saw Jerri, Mom, Dad, and Peace. I knew they were waiting, smiling, beckoning for me. So I came to their call.
THE END
Friday, January 22, 2010
Goodbye Earth, pt. 12
Goodbye Earth
Page Twelve
“I don’t believe I got your name; what is it?” I asked.
“My name’s Moon, what’s your name?” she replied.
“Star," I responded.
Moon wore a stylish red camisole with green bra straps sticking out. On her legs, she had a flowing long white skirt. Her shoes were cute black espadrilles. Her hair was long and blonde, like Taylor Swift's.
“Hey Moon, let’s go to the pool and swim!” I said, trying to make light of the awful situation.
“That’s a good idea, but I’m kind of tired right now,” Moon said nicely.
“Okay, then lets watch some TV,” I suggested.
We sat down on the sofa and I turned on the television. News footage screamed at us like banshees warning of death. A newswoman held her microphone closely to her face, as she stood hunched in her parka.
“This is a news report. Worldwide floods are destroying civilization! Please, take shelter in your attic or on your roof! Do anything to keep safe! Please, take shelter from the floods and keep away from oceans!” she screamed. The wind blew off her hat and the news report ended. All that existed on the screen was static. I cringed. Our house is probably in one of the tsunami zones. I wondered if worse was to come on the day of the polar shift. Moreover, I knew the truth. This was merely the beginning of the horrors. Moon looked at me.
“I live in Florida!” she moaned, and burst into sobs.
I tried not to think about how she was feeling. I knew that I, too would feel that dread. I do not think my family will die until the polar shift. However, I cannot be sure. The Tarantelly’s might be dead too. Moon looked up.
“I’m going to get some food at the cafeteria. Do you want to come?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m totally starved!” I exclaimed.
I walked with Moon through some halls to get the food at the cafeteria. The unusual part about the food was that it was all vegetables, because astronauts got it from a nearby planet which vegetables could live on but not animals.
I munched on my salad, thinking about my family. I wondered if anyone was thinking about me right now. Had Peace had fun seeing the Jonas Brothers? Perhaps the concert had been called off due to storms. My appetite was ruined by thinking of what my family was doing, and what Jerri was doing too. I looked up at Moon. She was thinking too, and I could see that she had little appetite as well. I reached out and tapped her hand.
“Moon, I think your family is just fine. Probably they evacuated,” I said, smiling.
Moon looked at me and shook her head.
“My dad says he wouldn’t leave his store if anything happened. He wants to die in that old store. I swear my parents wouldn’t do anything to save themselves,” Moon explained.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said, and gave her a smile. Moon started to bawl. I had seen so many tears; it was starting to drive me paranoid.
“I don’t have anyone in the world!” Moon moaned.
“You have a friend in me,” I said. Moon looked up and wiped away her tears.
“You’re a sweet girl, Star,” she said.
I had never thought of myself as sweet, but I guess if the shoe fits, wear it.
Come back to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com on Monday for the next page of Goodbye Earth!
Page Twelve
“I don’t believe I got your name; what is it?” I asked.
“My name’s Moon, what’s your name?” she replied.
“Star," I responded.
Moon wore a stylish red camisole with green bra straps sticking out. On her legs, she had a flowing long white skirt. Her shoes were cute black espadrilles. Her hair was long and blonde, like Taylor Swift's.
“Hey Moon, let’s go to the pool and swim!” I said, trying to make light of the awful situation.
“That’s a good idea, but I’m kind of tired right now,” Moon said nicely.
“Okay, then lets watch some TV,” I suggested.
We sat down on the sofa and I turned on the television. News footage screamed at us like banshees warning of death. A newswoman held her microphone closely to her face, as she stood hunched in her parka.
“This is a news report. Worldwide floods are destroying civilization! Please, take shelter in your attic or on your roof! Do anything to keep safe! Please, take shelter from the floods and keep away from oceans!” she screamed. The wind blew off her hat and the news report ended. All that existed on the screen was static. I cringed. Our house is probably in one of the tsunami zones. I wondered if worse was to come on the day of the polar shift. Moreover, I knew the truth. This was merely the beginning of the horrors. Moon looked at me.
“I live in Florida!” she moaned, and burst into sobs.
I tried not to think about how she was feeling. I knew that I, too would feel that dread. I do not think my family will die until the polar shift. However, I cannot be sure. The Tarantelly’s might be dead too. Moon looked up.
“I’m going to get some food at the cafeteria. Do you want to come?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m totally starved!” I exclaimed.
I walked with Moon through some halls to get the food at the cafeteria. The unusual part about the food was that it was all vegetables, because astronauts got it from a nearby planet which vegetables could live on but not animals.
I munched on my salad, thinking about my family. I wondered if anyone was thinking about me right now. Had Peace had fun seeing the Jonas Brothers? Perhaps the concert had been called off due to storms. My appetite was ruined by thinking of what my family was doing, and what Jerri was doing too. I looked up at Moon. She was thinking too, and I could see that she had little appetite as well. I reached out and tapped her hand.
“Moon, I think your family is just fine. Probably they evacuated,” I said, smiling.
Moon looked at me and shook her head.
“My dad says he wouldn’t leave his store if anything happened. He wants to die in that old store. I swear my parents wouldn’t do anything to save themselves,” Moon explained.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said, and gave her a smile. Moon started to bawl. I had seen so many tears; it was starting to drive me paranoid.
“I don’t have anyone in the world!” Moon moaned.
“You have a friend in me,” I said. Moon looked up and wiped away her tears.
“You’re a sweet girl, Star,” she said.
I had never thought of myself as sweet, but I guess if the shoe fits, wear it.
Come back to bluepencildiaries.blogspot.com on Monday for the next page of Goodbye Earth!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Goodbye Earth Page Eleven
Goodbye Earth
Page Eleven
December 17, 2012
I suddenly woke up to find myself plastered to a seat with such great force I felt I could not breathe. Where was my bed? Where was I? Then I remembered, and tried not to panic. My head hurt so badly, I felt as though an elephant was lying on me. Those were the longest three minutes I have ever experienced. After two minutes of pain, I was able to get slightly comfortable and relax. I do not know how they did it, but suddenly the rocket straightened out into a horizontal position and stalled. A girl barfed behind me. I suddenly felt very hungry, yet was so nervous, I did not want to eat. A man walked along the lanes of seats and then headed back to the front of everyone.
“Is everyone alright? Good. Unfasten your seatbelts and walk to the front of the rocket. From there you will grab a space suit off a hook. Once you have put on your space suit, carefully hang onto the rope outside the rocket and walk yourself by the hands to the clear plastic tube. Walk through the tube and into the doors beyond it. Follow these instructions carefully!” he said in a clear, bossy tone.
I got out of my seat and collapsed. My legs were so weak that I could barely do anything with them. Someone grabbed my hand and helped me up.
“You okay?” asked the girl with the bird.
“Yeah, I’m just really weak!” I replied. We walked together to get on our space suits. I looked at the tags to find one with my weight and pulled it on. I feared I would not be able to walk like this. I was simply so weak, and with the added weight, I knew I would surely fall. Nevertheless, once I stepped out into the empty vacuum of space, I was light as air. I easily pulled myself across the rope, and swung into the bridge. I walked through the doors and was surprised to find myself in a place a lot like a hotel lobby. It was shiny and clean, and the windows looked deceptively normal.
A woman walked up to me and said, “You may remove your space suit now. There is air in here!”
I pulled off the space suit, and felt cool air rushing through my lungs. I sat down comfortably on a large sofa, and noticed a large flat screen television. I looked at the woman.
“Do we have live television from Earth here?” I asked. The woman turned around and grinned at me.
“Yes, in fact we do! A television satellite used for Earth happens to transmit here! It’s simply wonderful that we can see what’s going on back home while we are so far away!” the woman joyously said. “But of course there won’t be any more TV because everyone will die,” she sighed.
“Do you have family back home?” I asked.
“Yes, and they were happy to see me go. They don’t believe in this stuff,” she murmured. I smiled.
“My dad is like that,” I said, “Where is the restroom?”
“Oh, it’s down that hall, you’ll see a sign that says ladies,” answered the woman.
I nodded and walked through the hall to the rest room. As I sat on the toilet, I recalled how I would never use that glorious old bathroom of mine ever again. I sighed loudly and tried to be happy, but it just could not happen. Being joyful at a time like that was perfidy! I sat up, wiped myself, and left the bathroom, ready to check out the rest of the space station. I mean, I have to amuse myself! It is not as if I have to be a martyr! No, I did not have to be a martyr but I still felt bad about everything. No reason to feel bad now, I thought. Anyway, maybe I should feel excited for my family and friend. All the people in my group were in the dock by then and I went over to the bird girl.
Page Eleven
December 17, 2012
I suddenly woke up to find myself plastered to a seat with such great force I felt I could not breathe. Where was my bed? Where was I? Then I remembered, and tried not to panic. My head hurt so badly, I felt as though an elephant was lying on me. Those were the longest three minutes I have ever experienced. After two minutes of pain, I was able to get slightly comfortable and relax. I do not know how they did it, but suddenly the rocket straightened out into a horizontal position and stalled. A girl barfed behind me. I suddenly felt very hungry, yet was so nervous, I did not want to eat. A man walked along the lanes of seats and then headed back to the front of everyone.
“Is everyone alright? Good. Unfasten your seatbelts and walk to the front of the rocket. From there you will grab a space suit off a hook. Once you have put on your space suit, carefully hang onto the rope outside the rocket and walk yourself by the hands to the clear plastic tube. Walk through the tube and into the doors beyond it. Follow these instructions carefully!” he said in a clear, bossy tone.
I got out of my seat and collapsed. My legs were so weak that I could barely do anything with them. Someone grabbed my hand and helped me up.
“You okay?” asked the girl with the bird.
“Yeah, I’m just really weak!” I replied. We walked together to get on our space suits. I looked at the tags to find one with my weight and pulled it on. I feared I would not be able to walk like this. I was simply so weak, and with the added weight, I knew I would surely fall. Nevertheless, once I stepped out into the empty vacuum of space, I was light as air. I easily pulled myself across the rope, and swung into the bridge. I walked through the doors and was surprised to find myself in a place a lot like a hotel lobby. It was shiny and clean, and the windows looked deceptively normal.
A woman walked up to me and said, “You may remove your space suit now. There is air in here!”
I pulled off the space suit, and felt cool air rushing through my lungs. I sat down comfortably on a large sofa, and noticed a large flat screen television. I looked at the woman.
“Do we have live television from Earth here?” I asked. The woman turned around and grinned at me.
“Yes, in fact we do! A television satellite used for Earth happens to transmit here! It’s simply wonderful that we can see what’s going on back home while we are so far away!” the woman joyously said. “But of course there won’t be any more TV because everyone will die,” she sighed.
“Do you have family back home?” I asked.
“Yes, and they were happy to see me go. They don’t believe in this stuff,” she murmured. I smiled.
“My dad is like that,” I said, “Where is the restroom?”
“Oh, it’s down that hall, you’ll see a sign that says ladies,” answered the woman.
I nodded and walked through the hall to the rest room. As I sat on the toilet, I recalled how I would never use that glorious old bathroom of mine ever again. I sighed loudly and tried to be happy, but it just could not happen. Being joyful at a time like that was perfidy! I sat up, wiped myself, and left the bathroom, ready to check out the rest of the space station. I mean, I have to amuse myself! It is not as if I have to be a martyr! No, I did not have to be a martyr but I still felt bad about everything. No reason to feel bad now, I thought. Anyway, maybe I should feel excited for my family and friend. All the people in my group were in the dock by then and I went over to the bird girl.
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