I was one of those kids that read books instead of doing their homework. My Mom took away our television most of growing up, so we'd get better grades. I decided to read all the time instead.
That love of reading is probably what led me to love writing when I grew-up as well. I want to get back to those roots by discussing books on my blog. No one wants to read negative reviews, so I'm not going to write them. Instead, I want to start a column where I talk about books I've read and loved-either recently or a long time ago. I want to call this column "Reading Gems." You are free to discuss books you've read and loved as well in the comments.
The first book I want to talk about is one that really inspires me. It's called Fish Eyes By Linda Pohring.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAJNOM2/
I bought it on a whim. I wanted to read a novel about mermaids. I liked the way the cover looked and the description about how it was different than other kinds of mermaid novels. I wanted to see if this was true.
This novel is indeed very unique and should be selling more copies than it is, which is why I had to talk about it. It's funny and pulls at your heart strings. Zazzle has such a unique take on the world and how humans live their lives. It made me look at my own life in a different way as well.
She's very frightened of humanity and all the things we do. She's so terrified and clueless about what it's like to have legs that she behaves like an animal at first. This leads to many misunderstandings, most of which are humorous.
It's also only three dollars to purchase. It was well worth my money, which is why I plan to buy more books from the same author in the future.
It's books like these that I want to point to and say: "See! Self-published authors can write!"
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Getting A Copyright As A Self-Published Author
As a self-published author, you file for your own copyrights and it's as simple as paying a thirty-five dollar fine and uploading your work to copyright.gov. Here's some things I've learned from filing a copyright.
1.) You can publish your novel as soon as you file.
For Medusa's Desire, I waited until my copyright was approved before I published the novel. But I read under the FAQs that this is unnecessary. You are protected as soon as you file.
Since it can take months of waiting before your copyright is approved, it's usually more convenient to just get it out there.
2.) You can't copyright an idea.
When you receive a copyright it's for the novel you wrote, not for the idea behind it.
If someone takes your whole novel and tries to publish it under their own name, a copyright will protect you.
If you write a vampire romance story like Stephenie Meyer did and other people try to write vampire romance stories, like many other people did, because of it, the copyright won't prevent this from happening.
3.) Don't get a copyright for the cover of your novel.
I tried to do this and was rejected. It was a waste of thirty-five dollars that I could have used on something else.
There is an exception to this. If you took the photo for your cover yourself and made the font yourself, then you should probably copyright it.
But if you purchased fonts and pictures and spent weeks editing them like I did, then they still don't belong to you, even though you put all that work into organizing them into a way that looks unique.
Just like you can't copyright an idea, you also can't copyright how you edited things together.
4.) Many self-published authors skip the copyright.
It sounds crazy. Why wouldn't you want to protect your work? But when you think about the logistics of it, it makes sense.
Regardless of whether you have a copyright or not, people are going to post your books on pirating sites and steal them in a variety of ways.
It does help when someone steals your work and tries to sell it under their pen name, which I've seen some people do to other authors. But the publishing companies usually know you are the real author because you published your novel first.
For the most part the copyright doesn't come up because it's unlikely that any of these issues will go to a court of law.
I copyright all my work under the pen name E.B. Black, just in case, but I don't blame people who want to cut costs by not doing this.
5.) Your information becomes public domain.
So anything you give them, your real name, phone number, e-mail, address, etc. becomes available to the public. This is so people know who the copyright belongs to and can contact you for permission if they want to use some of your copyright material.
Still, this may disrupt some of the privacy you were hoping to keep. It's easier to hide this information when you have a publishing company to back you that will use their information instead of yours when filing the copyright.
Some ideas for ways to keep your information private is by getting a P.O. Box or starting your own publishing company just for your books. That way you can give the P.O. Box instead of your real physical address and you can also use the publishing companies information instead of your own. You can also copyright things under your pen name.
The one risk of copyrighting things under any name but your own, is you must prove in court that you are the person who owns the publishing company or the person who the pen name belongs to, for your copyright to hold up when challenged.
1.) You can publish your novel as soon as you file.
For Medusa's Desire, I waited until my copyright was approved before I published the novel. But I read under the FAQs that this is unnecessary. You are protected as soon as you file.
Since it can take months of waiting before your copyright is approved, it's usually more convenient to just get it out there.
2.) You can't copyright an idea.
When you receive a copyright it's for the novel you wrote, not for the idea behind it.
If someone takes your whole novel and tries to publish it under their own name, a copyright will protect you.
If you write a vampire romance story like Stephenie Meyer did and other people try to write vampire romance stories, like many other people did, because of it, the copyright won't prevent this from happening.
3.) Don't get a copyright for the cover of your novel.
I tried to do this and was rejected. It was a waste of thirty-five dollars that I could have used on something else.
There is an exception to this. If you took the photo for your cover yourself and made the font yourself, then you should probably copyright it.
But if you purchased fonts and pictures and spent weeks editing them like I did, then they still don't belong to you, even though you put all that work into organizing them into a way that looks unique.
Just like you can't copyright an idea, you also can't copyright how you edited things together.
4.) Many self-published authors skip the copyright.
It sounds crazy. Why wouldn't you want to protect your work? But when you think about the logistics of it, it makes sense.
Regardless of whether you have a copyright or not, people are going to post your books on pirating sites and steal them in a variety of ways.
It does help when someone steals your work and tries to sell it under their pen name, which I've seen some people do to other authors. But the publishing companies usually know you are the real author because you published your novel first.
For the most part the copyright doesn't come up because it's unlikely that any of these issues will go to a court of law.
I copyright all my work under the pen name E.B. Black, just in case, but I don't blame people who want to cut costs by not doing this.
5.) Your information becomes public domain.
So anything you give them, your real name, phone number, e-mail, address, etc. becomes available to the public. This is so people know who the copyright belongs to and can contact you for permission if they want to use some of your copyright material.
Still, this may disrupt some of the privacy you were hoping to keep. It's easier to hide this information when you have a publishing company to back you that will use their information instead of yours when filing the copyright.
Some ideas for ways to keep your information private is by getting a P.O. Box or starting your own publishing company just for your books. That way you can give the P.O. Box instead of your real physical address and you can also use the publishing companies information instead of your own. You can also copyright things under your pen name.
The one risk of copyrighting things under any name but your own, is you must prove in court that you are the person who owns the publishing company or the person who the pen name belongs to, for your copyright to hold up when challenged.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
T.J. Loveless Cover Reveal: Unlucky Number Four
If you haven't heard of The Fortune Cookie Diaries, then you can get a free copy of the first novella here.
Today, T.J. Loveless is here to show us the cover of her 3rd story and tell us about her series: The Fortune Cookie Diaries.
1. Who is your favorite character in The Fortune Cookie Diaries?
While I am partial to Miracai - he is so much fun - there is a character coming up in Weird Number Three that is my favorite. She's got Miracai's number, and it should prove to be a hoot. All I can say, her name is Bruddy :)
2. Were you surprised that Miracai became such a popular character?
Yes! It was a complete shock. I knew people would like him, he is full of personality, but nothing like what happened. Of the seventy four fan emails I received, more than fifty said they bought stuffed unicorns. It still tickles me to know he garnered so much adoration.
3. What's your favorite thing about writing The Fortune Cookie Diaries?
Using humor, instead of something dark, to push the plot forward. It's new and unique to me. I have to find someway to get a character to do something - I can't kill them off, kill a friend/family member, etc. I have to figure out a way for something funny instead. It definitely stretches your imagination and writing skills!
4. What made you decide to self-publish them?
And now, for the big reveal of the cover . . . . . (It makes me excited for the book!)
Today, T.J. Loveless is here to show us the cover of her 3rd story and tell us about her series: The Fortune Cookie Diaries.
1. Who is your favorite character in The Fortune Cookie Diaries?
While I am partial to Miracai - he is so much fun - there is a character coming up in Weird Number Three that is my favorite. She's got Miracai's number, and it should prove to be a hoot. All I can say, her name is Bruddy :)
2. Were you surprised that Miracai became such a popular character?
Yes! It was a complete shock. I knew people would like him, he is full of personality, but nothing like what happened. Of the seventy four fan emails I received, more than fifty said they bought stuffed unicorns. It still tickles me to know he garnered so much adoration.
3. What's your favorite thing about writing The Fortune Cookie Diaries?
Using humor, instead of something dark, to push the plot forward. It's new and unique to me. I have to find someway to get a character to do something - I can't kill them off, kill a friend/family member, etc. I have to figure out a way for something funny instead. It definitely stretches your imagination and writing skills!
4. What made you decide to self-publish them?
I researched at first, when the ideas for The Fortune Cookie
Diaries came to me. Traditional publishers, and agents, don't take
novellas. Some indie publishers do, but they don't sell as well because
of cost. But friends talked to me about self publishing - answering my
really stupid questions. But I kept asking myself, did I want to take on
all the responsibilities? The marketing, cover, editing, formatting,
etc. Could I take the responsibility? The answer turned out to be, yes.
I didn't want to give up the idea of TFCD, everybody
needs something lighthearted to turn to once in a while. I knew it was
going to be a long hard road, Humorous Urban Fantasy is unheard of. But I
don't think I'm doing too badly, for my first foray into self
publishing.
5. How would you describe your sense of humor?
It varies. I can be fairly sarcastic, down to
keeping a toddler entertained with silly stuff. I laugh at my own
klumsiness, love the Keystone Kops, Laurel & Hardy, Brett Butler,
Bette Midler, Mel Brooks, and still laugh at all the Shrek movies. A lot
depends on my mood. I try to stay in as good a mood as possible when
writing TFCD, or I get too snarky.
And now, for the big reveal of the cover . . . . . (It makes me excited for the book!)
In New Orleans, Louisiana, something
with a weird sense of humor is stranding myth in a nonmagical world.
Dr. Tiffany Crews and gang find
themselves no longer chasing Damn Duck, running into walls or spilling soup. As
a matter of fact, no accidents have happened in the last week.
It isn't until they find Damn Duck
sitting quietly on the balcony, Miracai, the carnivorous unicorn, eating greens
without flatulence, and her klutz tendencies missing, Tiffany realizes
something is up.
Only when her best friend, Janet, begins
dating a man named Aiden Murphy, does Tiffany understand - Murphy has been
dropped into New Orleans. Not a far stretch of imagination considering the
Fairy Godmother identifies him during lunch at Chopstix.
All the years of pent up frustration
leads the entire gang into trouble as they decide it is time to get revenge, giving
Murphy, and those bloody laws of his, a taste of his own medicine.
If only it was that simple.
About the Author:
T.J.
Loveless can generally be found covered in Muses and Editor Kitty,
ignoring the growing herd of dust bunnies and trying to put the HD
movies of her imagination into a document that makes sense.
Writing in the Spec Fic genre, she's usually trying
to figure out how to put a dragon into every book, and how to twist old
myths for her own nefarious purposes.
You can find T.J. Loveless all over, usually showcasing the lack of
brain - mouth filter normal people seem to have in abundance.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
The Gate Keeper of Self-Publishing
Most people have only one big complaint against self-publishing. The complaint is that there is no gate keeper. No one guarding self-publishing from being infested by poor spellers and authors. They claim it's full of garbage unlike traditional publishing because no one is weeding out the bad authors from the good.
It's always given me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach when self-published authors talk about how other authors give them a bad name. How there's so many self-published authors out there doing a poor job at writing. I think I've finally figured out why this bothered me so much.
One reason it bothers me is that I know I'm not a perfect writer. I know some people that read my book will hate it and that I'm going to make mistakes sometimes in my career. I can't judge other self-published authors as ruining my career unless I first feel perfect myself. I don't. I can always use more practice. I can always use critique partners and an editor. They all help me so much.
Not to mention that this business is a subjective one and someone might read a self-published novel whether it's excellent or not and decide they hate it. They can come to the conclusion that they will also hate all other self-published author, even though this is in no way the fault of the actual author.
The other reason it bothers me is because we aren't doing anything to help one another. Traditionally published authors have a whole group of people running a publishing house to help them perfect their work. What do we have? Only each other. And how often do you see other self-published authors swooping in to help a self-published author who is struggling? Wouldn't we be stronger as a whole if we didn't attack other self-published authors, but instead helped them?
I know there are lots of blogs about how to self-publish better. My blog has some posts along these lines, but there needs to be more than that. We should e-mail each other and support each other more. I know when I made my biggest publishing mistake this past year and was in a teary mess about it, I couldn't have gotten through it without the help of other people. I couldn't have fixed it and decided to do better in the future without that help.
We can be our own gate keepers. We can prevent bad stories from being published by helping other authors not write bad stories.
We all only have a limited amount of time, I know, and we can't control what other authors decide to publish, but I do think we can all make a bigger effort to help.
It's always given me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach when self-published authors talk about how other authors give them a bad name. How there's so many self-published authors out there doing a poor job at writing. I think I've finally figured out why this bothered me so much.
One reason it bothers me is that I know I'm not a perfect writer. I know some people that read my book will hate it and that I'm going to make mistakes sometimes in my career. I can't judge other self-published authors as ruining my career unless I first feel perfect myself. I don't. I can always use more practice. I can always use critique partners and an editor. They all help me so much.
Not to mention that this business is a subjective one and someone might read a self-published novel whether it's excellent or not and decide they hate it. They can come to the conclusion that they will also hate all other self-published author, even though this is in no way the fault of the actual author.
The other reason it bothers me is because we aren't doing anything to help one another. Traditionally published authors have a whole group of people running a publishing house to help them perfect their work. What do we have? Only each other. And how often do you see other self-published authors swooping in to help a self-published author who is struggling? Wouldn't we be stronger as a whole if we didn't attack other self-published authors, but instead helped them?
I know there are lots of blogs about how to self-publish better. My blog has some posts along these lines, but there needs to be more than that. We should e-mail each other and support each other more. I know when I made my biggest publishing mistake this past year and was in a teary mess about it, I couldn't have gotten through it without the help of other people. I couldn't have fixed it and decided to do better in the future without that help.
We can be our own gate keepers. We can prevent bad stories from being published by helping other authors not write bad stories.
We all only have a limited amount of time, I know, and we can't control what other authors decide to publish, but I do think we can all make a bigger effort to help.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Author Interview: Sheena Smith
Welcome to Sheena Smith. I am happy to have her on my blog.
1: What is the working title of your book?
“Life Simply Put: 18 Simple Words for an Abundant Life” by Sheena L. Smith
2: Where did the idea come from for the book?
It came from me thinking and wondering what would I tell my 6 children about life. What have I learned can help an individual have a great life. What’s important to know about life, about treating others, about being happy.
3: What genre does your book come under?
It is under non-fiction: self-help, personal transformation.
4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
It would have to be someone funny and adventurous. Maybe Jennifer Aniston.
5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
I hope that by reading it you will be inspired to dream big, laugh often and live a life full of adventure and truth.
6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?
My book is self-published. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Chapter/Indigo and other book venues all over the world.
7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It is a short book therefore, it didn’t take long to write. What took the time, was laying it out and deciding upon the perfect pictures and quotes to go with each specific word.
8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
The Secret, Law of Attraction, Power of Intention are other books that my book my somewhat be compared to, although mine is more simply put.
9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired to write this because of my 6 children that I treasure and would love for them to be happy with their choices and lives. I have also had a lifelong dream to write a book one day. I decided there’s no time like the present. I have a much longer book in mind –actually in rough but I knew that I needed to “learn the ropes” so to speak because I am teaching myself everything that needs to be done with my book due to limited finances. I’m happy to be learning that anyone can write a book if they are creative enough and persistent it can all come together.
10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Many are using my book as a great gift for their family members and friends because it is heartfelt and unique. I am honored that it is an Amazon Best Seller and I have recently won a Gold Seal for Literary Excellence from my publisher.
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer has read it and said “Every page is a delight to contemplate”
I also, recently received a positive review from the US Review of Books.
Full US Review of Books Review can be found here-
http://www.theusreview.com/reviews/Life-Smith.html
It is available in soft cover and as and e-book. Available at many book venues…Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Chapters/Indigo
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/LIFE-Simply-Put-Simple-Abundant/dp/1466923237
May happiness always be yours!
Sheena Smith
-------
"Life Simply Put" is a mothers view on 18 Simple words for an Abundant Life. It is the authors hope that through reading this book you will be inspired to dream big, laugh often and live a life full of adventure and truth. May you always give and get respect and know that you matter! Relieve Stress - Live your best life - Be good to yourself!
This is the kind of book you may read through all at once then during different times in your life you may reread various sections to reflect on decisions and life choices for the pursuit of your happiness and well being. You are responsible for your own happiness. Make choices that will honor your spirit and bring you joy. Are searching for words of inspiration and encouragement? Look no further than this book. It may lead you to an abundant life.
Purchase on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/LIFE-Simply-Put-Simple-Abundant/dp/1466923237
Sheena loves meeting others and enjoys helping adults and children, alike. Her paths in life have led her to a blended career life, which allows her to work with both children and adults.
Sheena writes online articles on health and a variety of other topics. She is also a licensed Brain Gym ® Instructor. She works as a Special Educational Assistant.
1: What is the working title of your book?
“Life Simply Put: 18 Simple Words for an Abundant Life” by Sheena L. Smith
2: Where did the idea come from for the book?
It came from me thinking and wondering what would I tell my 6 children about life. What have I learned can help an individual have a great life. What’s important to know about life, about treating others, about being happy.
3: What genre does your book come under?
It is under non-fiction: self-help, personal transformation.
4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
It would have to be someone funny and adventurous. Maybe Jennifer Aniston.
5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
I hope that by reading it you will be inspired to dream big, laugh often and live a life full of adventure and truth.
6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?
My book is self-published. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Chapter/Indigo and other book venues all over the world.
7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It is a short book therefore, it didn’t take long to write. What took the time, was laying it out and deciding upon the perfect pictures and quotes to go with each specific word.
8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
The Secret, Law of Attraction, Power of Intention are other books that my book my somewhat be compared to, although mine is more simply put.
9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired to write this because of my 6 children that I treasure and would love for them to be happy with their choices and lives. I have also had a lifelong dream to write a book one day. I decided there’s no time like the present. I have a much longer book in mind –actually in rough but I knew that I needed to “learn the ropes” so to speak because I am teaching myself everything that needs to be done with my book due to limited finances. I’m happy to be learning that anyone can write a book if they are creative enough and persistent it can all come together.
10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Many are using my book as a great gift for their family members and friends because it is heartfelt and unique. I am honored that it is an Amazon Best Seller and I have recently won a Gold Seal for Literary Excellence from my publisher.
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer has read it and said “Every page is a delight to contemplate”
I also, recently received a positive review from the US Review of Books.
Full US Review of Books Review can be found here-
http://www.theusreview.com/reviews/Life-Smith.html
It is available in soft cover and as and e-book. Available at many book venues…Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Chapters/Indigo
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/LIFE-Simply-Put-Simple-Abundant/dp/1466923237
May happiness always be yours!
Sheena Smith
-------
"Life Simply Put" is a mothers view on 18 Simple words for an Abundant Life. It is the authors hope that through reading this book you will be inspired to dream big, laugh often and live a life full of adventure and truth. May you always give and get respect and know that you matter! Relieve Stress - Live your best life - Be good to yourself!
This is the kind of book you may read through all at once then during different times in your life you may reread various sections to reflect on decisions and life choices for the pursuit of your happiness and well being. You are responsible for your own happiness. Make choices that will honor your spirit and bring you joy. Are searching for words of inspiration and encouragement? Look no further than this book. It may lead you to an abundant life.
Purchase on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/LIFE-Simply-Put-Simple-Abundant/dp/1466923237
Sheena loves meeting others and enjoys helping adults and children, alike. Her paths in life have led her to a blended career life, which allows her to work with both children and adults.
Sheena writes online articles on health and a variety of other topics. She is also a licensed Brain Gym ® Instructor. She works as a Special Educational Assistant.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Bestselling Themes
I accidentally saw the new Star Trek movie three times. First, my fiance won tickets to a showing and I got to see it with him for free. Then one of my friends who was visiting from out of town wanted to see it, so I went again. Then my Mom wanted to see it, so I went a third time.
I didn't really mind. I love the new Star Trek movie. I am a Trekkie at heart, although my favorite Star Trek is The Next Generation.
Anyway, I noticed certain themes in the movie that are also present in a lot of bestselling novels. They are themes that are very basic and important to most people. I think that touching on at least some of these themes can help a book sell better.
*WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS*
1.) The Need for Romance
When people think of romance they usually think of romantic comedies or paperback romance novels with sexy people on the covers.
The truth is that most stories have some kind of romance weaved into the storyline. It may not be the focus of the story, but it's still often there.
In the new Star Trek movie, it's the romance between Spock and Uhura. The way Uhura fought with Spock in the movie showed how much she cared and won my heart over.
Romantic relationships are a very important part of most people's lives which is why we love to read about them and see them in movies.
2.) The Need for Family
In the beginning of the movie, someone kills a bunch of people in order to save their dying daughter's life. Family is precious. Having characters who put family above all else makes them more endearing. It was horrible to see that person kill so many people just to save his daughter, but it's completely relateable.
And even though Khan is a villain, there's a certain part of him that I sympathize towards because he wants to save the other people who are like him. He views them as his family and puts them above all else.
3.) The Need for Friendship
Kirk and Spock have a deep bromance in the movies, which was what made the scene where Kirk dies that much more difficult for me to watch. Honestly, there were tears pouring down my eyes.
As human beings we need each other. So seeing characters need each other through friendship, family, or romantic relationships, makes them more relateable and can sometimes make their motivations for doing things make more sense.
4.) Self-preservation
It's in our instincts to preserve our own lives. There were several moments in the movie where the characters were fighting to save themselves like when they were attacked by the Klingons.
I also think it's why I love zombie movies and books so much. It takes that need for self-preservation to an even higher degree. What some people will do to save their own lives and how horrible it is to be fighting for your own life on a daily basis. It's compelling.
5.) Heroics
Putting other people before yourself and your own fears-it's something we all admire. There's that need to preserve ourselves, so to see someone ignore that instinct and worry about others more than themselves, is endearing.
I loved watching Kirk through out this whole movie and seeing all the things he risked in order to save the day regularly. It made the scene where he died that much more heart wrenching. He sacrificed himself to save his crew.
---
So what did you guys think of the movie? Are you a trekkie as well? And do you include any of these themes in any of your stories or like to read about any of these themes in particular?
I didn't really mind. I love the new Star Trek movie. I am a Trekkie at heart, although my favorite Star Trek is The Next Generation.
Anyway, I noticed certain themes in the movie that are also present in a lot of bestselling novels. They are themes that are very basic and important to most people. I think that touching on at least some of these themes can help a book sell better.
*WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS*
1.) The Need for Romance
When people think of romance they usually think of romantic comedies or paperback romance novels with sexy people on the covers.
The truth is that most stories have some kind of romance weaved into the storyline. It may not be the focus of the story, but it's still often there.
In the new Star Trek movie, it's the romance between Spock and Uhura. The way Uhura fought with Spock in the movie showed how much she cared and won my heart over.
Romantic relationships are a very important part of most people's lives which is why we love to read about them and see them in movies.
2.) The Need for Family
In the beginning of the movie, someone kills a bunch of people in order to save their dying daughter's life. Family is precious. Having characters who put family above all else makes them more endearing. It was horrible to see that person kill so many people just to save his daughter, but it's completely relateable.
And even though Khan is a villain, there's a certain part of him that I sympathize towards because he wants to save the other people who are like him. He views them as his family and puts them above all else.
3.) The Need for Friendship
Kirk and Spock have a deep bromance in the movies, which was what made the scene where Kirk dies that much more difficult for me to watch. Honestly, there were tears pouring down my eyes.
As human beings we need each other. So seeing characters need each other through friendship, family, or romantic relationships, makes them more relateable and can sometimes make their motivations for doing things make more sense.
4.) Self-preservation
It's in our instincts to preserve our own lives. There were several moments in the movie where the characters were fighting to save themselves like when they were attacked by the Klingons.
I also think it's why I love zombie movies and books so much. It takes that need for self-preservation to an even higher degree. What some people will do to save their own lives and how horrible it is to be fighting for your own life on a daily basis. It's compelling.
5.) Heroics
Putting other people before yourself and your own fears-it's something we all admire. There's that need to preserve ourselves, so to see someone ignore that instinct and worry about others more than themselves, is endearing.
I loved watching Kirk through out this whole movie and seeing all the things he risked in order to save the day regularly. It made the scene where he died that much more heart wrenching. He sacrificed himself to save his crew.
---
So what did you guys think of the movie? Are you a trekkie as well? And do you include any of these themes in any of your stories or like to read about any of these themes in particular?
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Why I Love My Father
Since last year, I didn't write a post on Father's Day about my father, I thought it would be a good to write about him this year.
My Father has always been someone I look up to. When I was born, he had just started his career as a lawyer. And when I got older that transitioned to him becoming a judge. There is not another person in the world that I think deserves to be a judge more than him. He's a very moral and fair person. He stays calm in crises and is wonderful at calming people down and getting them to make compromises with one another.
When I'm upset, I often go to him because he's so good at calming me. Because he taught me that all adversities that I face in the world are there to make me a better person. Instead, of being depressed about things like that I was bullied growing up, I should rejoice in the strength it gave me to face enemies as an adult and also sympathize with people that I would have otherwise not understood.
Sometimes my emotions wage strongly inside me and sometimes I hate unfairness in the world, but his guidance has stopped me from dwelling on it. He's taught me that revenge isn't usually the right answer. And has shown me on occasion how to make peace with people who are angry at me at times. It can hurt to do it, especially when you feel you're in the right, but overall be beneficial in the end.
When I went to church growing up, my Dad was always sacrificing himself and most people didn't even know it. He did slideshows for the music in the church. He organized the offering. Fixed up the church when it was breaking. Cleaned the inside on many occasions and even shoveled snow. He was a deacon who regularly tithed.
He wasn't thanked every week for what he did and he rarely was in the spotlight. He did the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing, which made him a good role model for me.
Even when I'd get angry at people at my church sometimes for not behaving the way I wanted them to, he'd talk to me about how much more wonderful it would be for me not to expect so much from them, but to give more of myself and see what happens.
My Dad and I sometimes fight. We've had our problems, but in the end he has always been there for me. I am very lucky to have him.
Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers out there!
My Father has always been someone I look up to. When I was born, he had just started his career as a lawyer. And when I got older that transitioned to him becoming a judge. There is not another person in the world that I think deserves to be a judge more than him. He's a very moral and fair person. He stays calm in crises and is wonderful at calming people down and getting them to make compromises with one another.
When I'm upset, I often go to him because he's so good at calming me. Because he taught me that all adversities that I face in the world are there to make me a better person. Instead, of being depressed about things like that I was bullied growing up, I should rejoice in the strength it gave me to face enemies as an adult and also sympathize with people that I would have otherwise not understood.
Sometimes my emotions wage strongly inside me and sometimes I hate unfairness in the world, but his guidance has stopped me from dwelling on it. He's taught me that revenge isn't usually the right answer. And has shown me on occasion how to make peace with people who are angry at me at times. It can hurt to do it, especially when you feel you're in the right, but overall be beneficial in the end.
When I went to church growing up, my Dad was always sacrificing himself and most people didn't even know it. He did slideshows for the music in the church. He organized the offering. Fixed up the church when it was breaking. Cleaned the inside on many occasions and even shoveled snow. He was a deacon who regularly tithed.
He wasn't thanked every week for what he did and he rarely was in the spotlight. He did the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing, which made him a good role model for me.
Even when I'd get angry at people at my church sometimes for not behaving the way I wanted them to, he'd talk to me about how much more wonderful it would be for me not to expect so much from them, but to give more of myself and see what happens.
My Dad and I sometimes fight. We've had our problems, but in the end he has always been there for me. I am very lucky to have him.
Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers out there!
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