Thursday 13 - #18 - Character Deaths

Today's Thursday 13 can be found at my Wordpress blog. Don't know if I can do a cut in a post here and it contains spoilers.

http://sarahleslie.wordpress.com/

Thursday 13 #17 - Getting Out of a Funk

You know how it is, every so often you get a little down, or everything seems to go wrong. So here are 13 ways to either, embrace it, indulge it, fight it, give into it or go around it.

1. Chocolate. Well it’s not the answer to everything, but it helps. I think I’ve mentioned before kirsch cherries smothered in dark chocolate are my current favourite.

2. Dancing. Now the only ‘person’ who gets to see me dance is my dog. Yes, it is that embarrassing. But my dog doesn’t care if I look like a lunatic.

3. Taking a walk in the fresh air. Getting away from whatever is bugging you.

4. Comfort food - not just chocolate, sausage and mash, spaghetti bolognese, apple pie. Okay, now I’m getting hungry.

5. Housework. Take it out on the clutter and junk.

6. Gardening. Take it out on the weeds.

7. Watch a weepy and let it all out. Alternatively watch a happy movie and cheer yourself up, eating chocolate at the same time is optional.

8. Write it out. Get it down on paper.

9. Comfort read. I have lots of books that are like old friends. And sometimes there’s nothing that makes me feel better than losing myself in a story.

10. Go for a drive. I don’t mean on the motorway, ’cause that’s hardly calming. But I think there’s a reason that crying babies often calm down on a car journey. Getting away from the problem even temporarily can clear your head.

11. Spend time with your pets.

12. Read the season 3 Dante’s Cove episode recaps at AfterElton.com. Dante's Cove recaps. They’ve never failed to have me laughing.

13. If it’s really bad and there’s no getting out of it. Have a duvet day.

Thursday 13 #16 - Villains

Last week Josh Lanyon did a guest blog about villains - the guys who wear the black hats - at Reviews by Jessewave. The post can be found here and is well worth reading. Please be aware this blog is for those 18 and over only.

So inspired by that post, here are my 13 favourite villains. What’s interesting about most of them is that as Josh points out in his blog - they wouldn’t consider themselves the bad guys.

1 - Admiral Helena Cain (Michelle Forbes) - from Battlestar Galactica Razor. She does what has to be done, no matter the personal cost. She sacrifices her humanity to her belief that she’s doing what has to be done. (In a way not unsimilar to The Operative from the Serenity movie who acknowledges that he IS a monster).

2 - Callisto from Xena. Well it wouldn’t be a complete villain list if she wasn’t on it. lol What’s slightly different about Callisto’s story is that she is eventually redeemed. I think possibly the only villain on this list who is.

3 - Sark from Alias. David Anders is great at playing a villain. Maybe because he has just this hint of vulnerability. Lol - it was always a great relief when Sark got away to fight another day. And I have to watch Season 5 at some point, it never really made it to the tv in the UK.

4 - Adam Monroe from Heroes. As I said above, David Anders makes a great villain.

5 - Another Alias villain. Sloane. What was great about this series was that the lines shifted so much, that you were never 100% sure of the motivation of characters. Were they doing the right thing for the wrong reasons, or the wrong thing for the right reasons?

6 - The Borg Queen. Definitely wouldn’t consider herself a villain. And it’s interesting to see both Alice Krige’s and Susanna Thompson’s versions.

7 - Gretchen from Prison Break. Completely cold. Does what has to be done with ruthless efficiency, but is not as 2-D as she first appears.

8 - Dexter. Ultimate villain or hero? I love that in the second series his mental quips get even more deadpan.

9 - Elle Driver from Kill Bill 2. Okay it’s difficult for me to decide between her and O-ren Ishii. But I love the scene in the trailer from the second movie and the way Daryl Hannah delivers her speech to a dying Budd.

10 - Sylar from Heroes. What I’ve especially liked about the latest season is how we’ve been able to glimpse into the future and see that he does have the potential to be a good person. Which adds a completely new layer to his choice to be a villain.

11 - #6 - from Battlestar Galactica. Lol - this is difficult because there are so many different versions and they all have their own personalities and back story. They also have the potential to evolve and change. But here I’m thinking back to the mini series and the character that could calmly kill a baby and seduce a man to enable an armageddon.

12 - The Oracle from Jennifer Armintrout’s Blood Ties series. A character who predicts the exact number of pieces she’s going to break your spine into.

13 - Angela Petrelli from Heroes. Another character who it’s difficult to pin down, which is what makes her so interesting. She’s completely capable of sacrificing a son for what she considers the greater good. But when you see the future you play the long game.

Thursday 13 #15 - Xena Episodes

I loved Xena. My favourite character though was Callisto, maybe because the first episode I ever saw was her introductory episode and the ladder fight. So here are 13 of my favourite Xena episodes.

1 - Callisto - First episode I ever saw, I think up ’til I saw it I was aware of the show but it wasn’t until I saw the ladder fight that I thought this might be a show worth getting into.

2 - Bitter Suite - the all singing episode, which starts with one of the most violent scenes of the series. The rift between Xena and Gabrielle is healed.

3 - Ides of March - My favourite part of the series were Seasons 4 and 5. Ides of March is the culmination of a story arc ending with the deaths of Xena and Gabrielle, beautifully shot and heartbreaking to watch.

4 - The Quill is Mightier - okay you’ve probably guessed that I prefer the more serious and dramatic episodes. So here’s one of my favourite comedy episodes. Gabrielle’s scroll becomes enchanted and anything she writes down comes true.

5 - Adventures in the Sin Trade Parts 1 and 2 - The first episodes of Season 4 and the beginning of my favourite story arc. The introduction of a new villainess - Alti and the discovery that Gabrielle isn’t as dead as was thought.

6 - Fallen Angel - First episode of Season 5. Xena, Gabrielle and Callisto as angels and demons.

7 - 10 Little Warlords - One of my favourite episodes, Xena in Callisto’s body must restore Ares to his godhood.

8 - Between the Lines - Second episode of the India trilogy and my favourite of the three. Xena and Gabrielle bring Alti back from the future to fight her where they are strongest - in the past. Very interesting to see Xena and Gabrielle’s future lives.

9 - Been There, Done That - the episode where Xena kills Joxer with her chakram, but it’s okay because time is going to be reset. Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer all die at least once.

10 - Remember Nothing - the episode where the Fates give Xena the opportunity to live her life over, a fresh start. We get to see what her life would be like if she hadn’t chosen to take up the sword. We also get to see what would have happened to Gabrielle. Very interesting to see how the lives of the characters would have been different.

11 - A Day in the Life - Very funny episode, which basically does what it says on the tin. Just follows a day in Xena’s life.

12 - The Quest / A Necessary Evil - Callisto becomes a God and falls into a lava pit. Guest actress Melinda Clarke chews the scenery as sadistic Velasca. Even though she only appeared in two episodes she was still one of the most memorable villains.

13 - When Fates Collide - IMO this should have been the last episode of the series. Julius Caesar rewrites time to avoid his fate and by doing so alters the destinies of those around him - Xena, Gabrielle and Alti. Shot in washed out tones and with an ambiguous ending, I always watch this after watching Friend in Need.

Thursday 13 #13 - Heroes and Heroines

So after the heroes and heroes post of a couple of weeks back I thought I’d do a heroes and heroines post. So 13 of my favourites.

1. Helena and Marcus Falco from the Falco mystery series by Lindsey Davies. I was lucky enough to attend a talk by Lindsey Davies a few years ago (she was speaking alongside Janet Evanovich) and after the talk she was signing her books. She’d been so witty during the talk that I picked up The Accusers, finding out later it was book 15 in the series! But I was good and got the other fourteen books first.

Set in Ancient Rome although the series is primarily mystery based what makes it such compelling reading is the family dramas of the Falco family.

2. Miles Vorkosigan and Elena from the Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold. Another long series but this time space opera and one of the best characters I’ve ever read. The series follows Miles from birth to adulthood and the book where he finally wins his lady love (A Civil Campaign) is one of the best romantic comedies I’ve ever read.

3. Cherijo and Duncan Reever from the Stardoc series by S.L.Viehl. More sci fi. Two characters that really go through the wringer together but just won’t give up on themselves or each other.

4. Alex and Michael from the Darkyn Series by Lynn Viehl. I seem to be picking a lot of series, but I like being able to follow a relationship past the initial happy ending. I like to know what happened next. And one of the things I love about the Darkyn series is that Michael and Alex have been a constant throughout the books. I love their snarky bickering, below is possibly one of my favourite lines ever.

“I could tie you to the bed, you know.”
“No, you can’t. It’s round and you don’t have any rope.”

5. Kate and Curran from the Magic Series by Ilona Andrews. (I promise there are some standalone books in this list). This is a couple that hasn’t quite got together yet, but you can feel the chemistry between them when you read the books. It’s just waiting to happen.

6. Jeremy and Jaime from the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong. One of my favourite couples. They don’t actually get together for years because he’s reticent (is probably not the right word but it’s the one I’m going to use) and she’s insecure. I like that their getting together happens gradually and also that it’s very real. In the beginning whenever Jaime talks to Jeremy she completely loses all capability for rational speech.

7. Henry and Claire from The Time Traveller’s Wife. Beautiful, sad, love story. Now being made into a film, but I’m not too sure about whether I’ll go to see it. Eric Bana isn’t really the way I pictured Henry, I think I kind of imagined him more along the lines of James Stewart. (Yes, I know it’s impossible for James Stewart to play Henry in a movie, but that’s how I pictured him in my head).

8. Clay and Elena also from The Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong. Couldn’t really mention Jeremy without mentioning Clay and Elena. Their relationship is such an essential part of the series.

9. Vane and Bride from Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Night Play and Dance with the Devil are my favourite Dark Hunter books. But Vane and Bride are my favourite couple. I like the way Bride blossoms as a heroine throughout the book and learns to stand up for herself.

10. Benedict and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing. Possibly my favourite* Shakespearean couple. I love the banter and the bickering between them.

11. Jamie and Claire from the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. Hopefully at some point in the future when I have a lot more reading time I’ll be able to catch up with this series.

12. Rhage and Mary from Lover Eternal. This is a book that I’ve enjoyed more each time I’ve read it.

13. Jaz and Vayl from the Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin. This is a series that I’ve just started reading and Jaz and Vayl aren’t really ‘together’ as such though they are partners. They have great chemistry together and I’m looking forward to seeing where there relationship is headed in future books.

I think looking at my heroes and their heroines I like couples who although able to stand on their own, choose to stand together. They don’t ride roughshod over each other, and there’s usually snarky bickering going on at some point.

* - Hmmm, maybe I should be fined for the number of times I said ‘possibly my favourite’ on this post?

Thursday 13 #12 - Kick-Ass Heroines

1) - Xena - Has to be number 1 for me. I was a huge Xena fan - gutted by the ending. For anyone else who doesn’t like the way the series I ended. I recommend watching When Fates Collide as the very last episode.

2) - Ellen Ripley. If it hasn’t got Ripley in it, it’s just not an Alien movie for me.

3) - Selene from the Underworld movies. LOL - well I am a vampire and werewolf fan.

4) - Lara Croft. Like the first movie better than the second. And Tomb Raider 3 is my favourite version of the game.

5) - River Tam from Serenity and Firefly. Beautiful, balletic fight sequences.

6) - Wonder Woman. Well I am a child of the 70’s, and yes I did spend a portion of my childhood twirling round in a circle. LOL

7) - Sarah Connor. I love Linda Hamilton’s portrayal the transformation from normal woman to fighter for the future. I’m also addicted to the Sarah Connor Chronicles as well.

8. - Elena from Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series. The only female werewolf. She just not a chick who waits around for the guys to come and rescue her, not if she can do it herself first.

9) - Sydney Bristow from the Alias Series. I’ve not seen Season 5 yet. It kind of disappeared from the UK tv schedule after Season 4. Must get the DVD sets.

10) - Alice from the Resident Evil films. Actually just the first film. I still can’t watch the scene in the corridor outside the Red Queen’s hub. :sigh: I am such a wuss.

11) - Jean Grey from the X-Men. Okay, she’s not exactly kick-ass. But she was the X-Men I would choose to be, if that were possible. And telekinesis would always be my power of choice.

12) - Zoe also from Serenity. One of my favourite films. It took me a while to get into Firefly, but by the time I did I was so pleased that there would be some resolution to the storyline in the film.

13) - The Bride from the Kill Bill movies. Perhaps the ultimate kick-ass heroine.

Just to finish off, here’s River Tam, kicking butt.

Thursday 13 #11 - 13 m/m couples

1. Callan and David - the two heroes from the book A Strong and Sudden Thaw by R. W. Day. This in a way is a very gentle love story, despite the violence that occurs elsewhere in the tale. Recommended if you’ve never read m/m before but are interested. The love scenes are sensual but not graphic and the main plot of the story is just as strong as the interaction between characters.

2. Belimai and Harper from the book Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started to read this as steampunk is not a genre I’m familiar with. But I was quickly drawn into the world of Hells Below and the forbidden love between Belimai - a Prodigal, and Harper - an Inquisitor.

3. Kevin and Scotty from the show Brothers & Sisters. Kevin is by far and away my favourite B&S character. He’s very witty and sharp. Though my favourite B&S scene remains the food fight between Patricia Wettig and Sally Field. lol

4. Giles and Alim from the movie A Touch of Pink. Maybe slightly controversial? I know some people don’t like the fact that Giles is a bit of a man-slut and sleeps with someone other than Alim. But check out the quotes page for the film at the IMDB. The film is packed full of snappy dialogue and stands up well to multiple viewings. Well for me anyway.

5. Zach and Shaun from the movie Shelter. Recommended on the mmromance yahoo group. I loved this film. It’s a sweet romance without being saccharine and has a happy ending.

6. The same cannot be said of the next couple. The main reason I stuck with Season 1 of The Tudors was because of the relationship between Compton and Tallis. So there was really no reason to carry on watching after episode 7. LOL - I would include a clip here, but my favourite scene is only on Youtube dubbed in Italian. :sigh:

7. Jules Cassidy and Robin Chadwick from Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooter/Team 16 series - which is about 20 books long by now - or getting there. Jules and Robin’s notable appearances are in Hot Target, Force of Nature and All Through the Night. I think most people have Jules as their favourite but I have a soft spot for Robin.

8. Val Toreth and Keir Warrick from the Administration Series by Manna Francis. Set in a dystopian future, the Administration series follows the developing relationship between Toreth an interrogator for the Administration and Warrick, a corporate developer of simulated realities technology. Not for the faint-hearted, Toreth is a sadistic sociopath and Warrick is a masochist. Manna Francis makes no concession for the reader as far as Toreth is concerned, but she also makes it clear that Warrick is no victim.

9. Adrien and Jake from the Adrien English mystery series by Josh Lanyon. I like Adrien because although he could be considered a beta male, this doesn’t mean he takes crap off anybody. The relationship between him and Jake progresses slowly over the course of the series, sometimes taking massive steps backward and sometimes apparently disappearing altogether. But even when Jake isn’t there you can still feel his presence on the page.

10. Aiden and Nate fomr My Fair Captain by J. L. Langley. No list would be complete without a mention of Aiden (who I keep wanting to call Adrien because of the previous entry lol) and Nate from the Sci-Regency series. Very erotic and beautifully written. My favourite scene remains the one where Aiden hides in Nate’s bedroom.

11. Payton and Simon from The Englor Affair by J.L.Langley. Second in the SciRegency series and a little more earthy than My Fair Captain - or maybe that’s just the way I’m imagining them . I hope it’s not too long a wait before another book in this series appears.

12. Dominic and Adam from the Morgan Kingsley series by Jenna Black. A little confusing as they are a human couple possessed by a demon couple. When Dominic is exorcized early in the first book, he stays with Adam and provides a human connection between his somewhat surly lover and the protagonist of the series.

13. Last but not least Donald Strachey and Timmy Callahan from the Strachey mystery films. Another recommendation from the yahoo group. And although I like mysteries, my favourite bits are the time spent with Donald and Tim.

If anyone has other favourites please share. :)

Thursday 13 #10 - WIP's

As this month, perhaps more than any other in the year is writing focused and we covered procrastination last week, this week is 13 WIP’s. From ideas that are still drifting in my imagination, to completed stories in need of being gutted, here are 13.

1. The Tithing - (m/f) (vampire) Story complete, awaiting revision. Set in a distant part of the Land of the Fey Universe (kind of).

2. The Bargain - (m/m) (vampire/werewolf) Current WIP (Nano and Sven project) Ouline completed and working on first draft. This is my vampire and werewolf road trip story set in the Land of the Fey Universe approximately five hundred years after the events of If Wishes Were Horses.

3. Raven - (m/f) Outline complete and first draft started. Beginning needs rewriting following comments from crit partners. This is a direct sequel to If Wishes Were Horses.

4. Robert (working title) - (m/m) Outlined. First of the Five Brothers sequence. (Conversely though Robert is the second eldest brother). This is the story I really wanted to work on for Nano, but at least it’s in the queue. A different universe to LotF.

5. Fian (working title) - (m/f) Outlined - in my head. I have a very broad idea of what I want to happen, and some key scenes already worked out. Second of the Five Brothers, Fian is the youngest brother.

6. The Fox Prince (m/f) Genys and Reynard’s story. Prequel to the events of If Wishes Were Horses. Outlined. Explains more of the political situation of Titania’s rise to power and the civil war. (A Land of the Fey story)

7. Titania (working title) - (m/f) Yes she gets a story! Third in the sequence following If Wishes Were Horses and Raven. I have the broad plot in my head but not the fine detail yet. But in regards to Titania I think of the stories as :-

If Wishes Were Horses/The Fox Prince - Ascension
Raven - Corruption
Titania - Redemption

8. Silvertree - (m/m) Outlined, though the beginning needs revising as I’ve kind of swiped some of it for Robert (even though they’re different stories). This is a separate universe to the Five Brothers and The Land of the Fey. And is my sci-fi romance.
Other stuff that’s milling around in my head:-

9. Wolf’s Heart (working title) - (m/f) Partly outlined sequel to The Tithing but following the werewolves rather than the vampires.

10. When Alaric met Lily - Not a romance but a story about friends. I would love to write this at some point. Just something short and sweet about how they helped each other heal.

11. Untitled Shifter Story. I always keep an eye on the Samhain submissions page and see if any ideas percolate through, when I read what they’re looking for. I doubt I’ll get a chance to write this in time to submit, but I may file it away for later use.

12.Untitled Werewolf story. (m/f) Set in the same place as The Tithing and Wolf’s Heart, but taking place a little earlier and following a couple of characters who appear briefly in Wolf’s Heart. When I was outlining Wolf’s Heart they just caught my interest.

13. Untitled Sequel to The Bargain. (m/f) LOL - but that’s about all I have on it at the moment.

Thursday 13 #9 - Procastination

So as I’m currently attempting NaNo and have just started 70 days of sweat. I thought I’d take a look at all the ways I procrastinate rather than get my finger out. Procrastination is the enemy.

1. Housework. Funny how this takes on much more importance when I should be writing. The insane need to vacuum becomes more important than Chapter 5.

2. Sorting out. Not to be confused with housework. For instance at the moment my wardrobe is in dire need of a sort out, as is the attic. I confess the likelihood of the attic being sorted out is much less than my attacking Chapter 5, I have limits.

3. Computer games. I kind of promised myself a World of Warcraft subscription for this Christmas, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.

4. Ebay. I often find myself surfing Ebay when I shouldn’t.

5. In fact the internet in general is a bit of a timesink. Or maybe I just don’t have any willpower.

6. Television. Okay, I admit since getting my hard drive this has improved. I no longer have to worry about missing that all important program because I’m writing, I let the little box worry about that for me. One procrastination problem solved.

7. Reading. I think it’s important as a writer to read, not just in your own genre but in others as well. I think it keeps your mind open to new ideas and what’s happening out there in the writing world. But it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

8. Thinking. Now this is also important in the writing process, but again, see number 7. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Though I admit my favourit part of the writing process is puzzling out all those plot points.

9. Critting. I love critting. I think I’ve learnt a lot from critiqueing other peoples work. But you can get so caught up in it, that you neglect your own. It’s about finding a balance.

10. Napping. This is really connected to thinking. If I’m stuck on a particular plot point, a nap can often clear my head. But napping and thinking, is not writing.

11. Blogging. I know I suck at keeping a regular blog. But it’s amazing how I suddenly want to write thirty blog posts when I’m stuck at the beginning of a chapter.

12. Getting off track. Writer’s block I don’t think is necessarily an inability to write anything down in itself. It’s also an inability to focus. My big problem is having so many stories I want to tell and keeping that focus so I can get them down on paper. If I’m not really disciplined with myself I do get distracted. This is something I’m on constant guard against. If I have a brilliant idea I try to outline it and console myself with the fact that I’ll still be able to work on it in the future. As soon as I’ve got Chapter 5 finished.

13. Other stuff or misc. :) Lots of other stuff gets in the way, but I think the important thing is to try and find a balance between your writing life and your other life. And pay attention when the scales tip too far in the wrong direction - whichever direction that may be.

Thursday 13 #8 - Writing

13 writerly things - things I’ve found useful/helpful/inspirational. Bearing in mind this 13 is written by someone who still feels like they’re running around not really sure what’s going on.

1. My Collins dictionary. Probably the book I would save in a fire. It’s I don’t know how many years old, could double as a door stop and I love it because it has both US and UK spellings. And if I had time I’d save my Roget’s Thesaurus as well.

2. http://dictionary.reference.com/ - for when I can’t get to my trusty Collin’s dictionary.

3. Wordle - I first read about this on Lynn Viehl’s Paperback Writer blog. A great way to see if you’re overusing words in your WIP.

4. On Writing by Stephen King. If I had to recommend one book about writing, this would probably be it.

5. Crit Groups. Not for everyone, but I’ve found them invaluable. You need to find one that fits you. Not only will it give you an opportunity to share your work with others, it will also expose you to the habits and styles of other writers. And if you’re lucky you’ll be able to follow a book through from first draft to final copy.

6. Beta reader - slightly different to a crit group. Someone who’ll read your polished work and give you an honest opinion before you submit it.

7. Wikipedia - Very good as a jumping off point for research. Bearing in mind you may have to double check your facts.

8. A plotting state of mind. LOL - does anyone know what I’m talking about. There’s a certain state of mind where plotting seems to come really easily - just before you go to sleep, just before you wake up. Certain activities are more conducive to achieving this state. If I’m driving and listening to music I often find it easy to sort out plot problems. Ironing! LOL. Anything that clears your mind of extraneous bumpf.

9. Reading - In your own genre, in other genres. Expand your horizons and keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on. Main problem is finding the time to read once you’re writing seriously.

10. NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month. A phrase I will probably be quoting more and more often the closer we get to November. The challenge - write 50,000 words in a month. Once you know you can do it, you know you can do it again.

11. Don’t quit. This is a toughie. But the fact is even if you’ve got a brilliant story if you don’t complete it no one will ever read it. That book you read that you knew you could write better? The difference between you and the author is that the author didn’t quit. There is an oft quoted statistic which I wish I could remember which states that the vast majority of writers fail because they don’t stick at it.

12. Always have a notebook to hand. (I suck at this one and am forever writing plot ideas on random bits of paper.) The point is, you never know when inspiration might strike and you may not always be able to remember that fantastic idea.

13. Write! At the end of the day, you need to put your bum in the seat, at your typewriter / notepad / computer and get those words down. There are always a million other things that need doing. And boy am I the queen of procrastination, so I should really take my own advice here. So I’m off to get some of my own words down on paper.

Thursday 13 #7 - For Banned Books Week

So I am sort of borrowing this idea from the Bookwyrm Knits blog. I really wanted to do something for Banned Books week, but time kind of slipped away from me, and now we’re nearly at the end of the week. So to introduce this I just wanted to mention two of the most disturbing things I’ve seen in a movie are in the Indiana Jones film where you see the Nazis burning books - as an avid bibliophile this was almost painful to watch - and in the film Equilibrium where they torch the Mona Lisa. (Guess you can tell I’ve never watched a slasher flick, huh?)

I wish I’d read more of the books on the banned books list, I can’t help but wonder why some of them are there. (You can see the lists of frequently challenged books here. I did read a book when I was a teenager that disturbed me - it was about cannibalism and didn’t have a happy ending. But funnily enough that book isn’t on the list.

As I haven’t read 13 books on any of the Banned Books lists, my Thursday 13 will be books I have read, or am going to make a supreme effort to read before Banned Books Week next year.

1. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck (Top 100 challenged books 2000-2007) I studied this one at school. And am pleased to say that when quotes from it were used on Lost I recognized them before being told where they’d come from.

2. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (Top 100 challenged books 2000-2007). Another one I studied at school, with the same teacher as Of Mice and Men IIRC.

3. The Pigman by Paul Zindel (Top 100 challenged books 1990-1999) - Yep, another one I studied in that same English class in high school. IIRC this was free reading rather than part of the curriculum.

4. Cujo by Stephen King (Top 100 challenged books 1990-1999) Okay, this one I didn’t read in class. I can’t remember whether I watched the film first or read the book. I think I saw the film. It was during my horror phase in my teens, and I was studying Stephen King as part of my wide reading for A-Level. That was the part of the course where you had to choose an author to study. (I was told at the time to make sure I submitted an essay on something classical as well in case I completely scuppered my course result by choosing to study a horror novelist. So one essay on the short stories of King, and one essay on Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare).

I remember reading about his thoughts on Cujo and why it (the book) had to end the way it did, and why of course the film had to end differently.

5. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Top 100 challenged books 1990-1999). One of my favourite books from childhood. I’m sure we read this at school as well.

6. The Dead Zone by Stephen King (Top 100 challenged books 1990-1999) Again read during my horror phase, though I didn’t study this one for class. Funnily enough I never read Carrie which is also on the list, maybe because I found high school horrific enough without having to read about it.

So that brings us to the end of books I’m sure I’ve read on the list, :sigh: I definitely feel I should have read more. So below are some of the books I intend to read before Banned Books Week next year.

7. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (Top 100 challenged books 2000-2007). Now I’m already halfway there with this one because it’s in my TBR pile.

8. Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut. (Top 100 challenged books 2000-2007). This one has been on my wishlist for longer than I care to remember. I’m not 100% clear how it got there but it makes this list.

9. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (Top 100 challenged books 2000-2007)

10. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Top 100 challenged books 2000-2007) Kind of ironic that this book is on the list given its subject matter, and because of that probably one I should read.

11. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (Top 100 challenged books 2000-2007)

12. Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson (Top 100 challenged books 2000-2007)

13. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle (Top 100 challenged books 1990-1999)

If you have any recommendations from the challenged lists, I’d love to know.

Thursday 13 #6 ~ Werewolves

Okay, strictly speaking not 13 werewolves, but 13 weres and shifters. In no particular order, but it’s kind of appropriate that the Lord of the Beasts is at number 1.

1. Curran from the Magic series by Ilona Andrews. He’s tough but he has to be, and the chemistry between him and Kate is wonderful to read.

2. Elena from the Otherworld series. Bitten was the book that really got me into UF, and Elena was the first werewolf I read about, I believe at the time I was finding it hard to find good vampire books so decided to switch species. If you’ve never read Urban Fantasy (UF), Bitten is one of the books I recommend you try.

3. And of course wherever Elena goes there has to be Clay. Obsessed, protective and maybe a touch psychopathic.

4. Jeremy - last of the Otherworld werewolves to be mentioned here (sorry Karl). My favourite Otherworld character. And the Alpha of the pack.

5. Lucian leader of the Lycans from the Underworld movie. I think all my favourite bits of that film are when he’s on screen.

6. Bran leader of the werewolves (Marrok) in the Mercy Thompson Universe (Patricia Briggs). The books start with Moon Called and this would be the other series I’d recommend if you’re interested in reading UF. He’s something of an enigmatic character, centuries old but with the appearance of a young man.

7. Lucas, alpha of the Dark River leopard clan in Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series. This was the first book in the series and it got me hooked.

8. Bowen hero of Kresley Cole’s third full length novel in the Immortals After Dark series - Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night. Not strictly speaking a werewolf as the Lykae don’t completely change, but they are the werewolves of their world. He’s sarcastic, does some things which in retrospect he perhaps regrets, but at the end of the story he comes through.

9. Sam from the Sookie books by Charlaine Harris and I guess the True Blood series as well. Though that hasn’t made its way to the UK yet. Sam is kind of unique on this list, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise for any True Blood viewers who haven’t read the books. (LOL - assuming the show will follow the books faithfully).

10. Michael Wyndham - of the Wyndham werewolves series by Mary Janice Davidson. Not the most politically correct werewolf on the list, but he certainly knew how to make being stuck in an elevator more interesting.

11. Mercy Thompson of the aforementioned Mercy Thompson novels. A skinwalker rather than a werewolf, she changes into a coyote. However being raised (at least partly) in a werewolf pack has certainly left her with an insight into pack politics and in-fighting.

12. Tera. From Fool Moon, Book 2 of the Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher. Another unique werewolf whose circumstances I won’t spoil. I recommend this book if you’re interested in werewolf mythology at all as it covers 6 different varieties of werewolf, all of which I think (going on my faulty memory) make an appearance in the book. So concentrate at the beginning when they’re being described.

13. Vane from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Night Play. Strictly speaking an Arcadian Were-Hunter, but he changes into a wolf, so that’s good enough for me. Night Play remains one of my favourite of the Dark Hunter series (along with Dance with the Devil) so Vane had to make the list.

Overall I think the werewolves was a slightly tougher list than the vamps, but even so I still had a couple that I wanted to mention at the end. So honourable mentions go to Adam from the Mercy Thompson Universe, and Andrea from Ilona Andrews Magic series.

Thursday 13 #5 ~ Vampires

So in honour of one of my current WIP’s, The Bargain which features a vampire hero - Sebastian - this weeks Thursday 13 will be 13 of my favourite vampires (in no particular order). There will be no wimpy, soul searchers here. That’s not my kind of vamp.

1. Selene. Death dealer vampire from the film Underworld. The good girl vampire of this list. She’s kick ass and does the right thing even though it means turning all her fellow vampires against her.

2. Mircea. North American Vampire Senate member of the Cassandra Palmer books by Karen Chance. Dracula’s older brother.

3. Danica Talos. Playing the part of the bad girl vampire on this list. For me, the best thing about Blade Trinity that isn’t Ryan Reynolds. LOL. She chews the scenery and her victims, she’s witty, sarcastic and a total bitch. My favourite vampire of the entire Blade series.

4. John Matthew a.k.a. Tehrror from the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by J.R.Ward. His ongoing story has me completely hooked.

5. Raphael, a vampire you won’t have heard of yet, but who I’ve been lucky enough to read about. He doesn’t take prisoners, and he doesn’t suffer fools. The first of the Vampire Lords of America from D.B.Reynolds a member of my OWG group, currently scheduled to be published January of 2009.

6. Cassandra from Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series. KA is one of my favourite authors, and Cassandra is a character whose story I’ve been waiting impatiently for. This is a vampire who doesn’t apologise for her behaviour, who says what she wants to, even if it offends others and who doesn’t always realise when she is offending people.

We have a few either/or’s coming up now.

7. Erik or Bill (from the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris). I have to go for Erik. I liked Bill in the beginning I really did, but he kind of blew it. Plus Erik was so adorable when he forgot who he was.

8. Asher or Jean Claude (from the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton). This one is difficult. And I think it’s probably impossible to choose between the two as they kind of go together, so for the list, they get equal billing.

9. Angel or Spike (from Angel and Buffy). Has to be Spike. Angel did have a tendency to take himself slightly too seriously sometimes and even the redeemed Spike still has that British sarcasm thing going on.

10. The Wroth Brothers from Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series. I’m picking Conrad from Dark Needs at Night’s Edge.

11. Jayr from the Darkyn books by Lynn Viehl. Jayr is the heroine of my favourite Darkyn book so far - Evermore.

12. Vayl from the Jaz Parks books by Jennifer Rardin. One of the vampires I’ve read that I actually believe is over 300 years old. His inability to always grasp sarcasm and tendency to take anything Jaz says literally is a delight to read.

13. Henry Fitzroy from the Blood series by Tanya Huff. There should definitely be more bisexual vampires.

Thursday 13 #4 ~ Films I Love

Well this topic could run and run, so for the purposes of this post this will just be films made in the past thirty or so years. In similar ways that I can lose myself in a book, I find some films I just want to watch over and over again. They’re the ones that if I catch them as I’m channel surfing I’ll stop and watch ’til the end, even though I’ve seen them numerous times before. In no particular order.

1. Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) Follows the attempts to kill a beast in 18th Century France that has been on a killing spree. It’s a beautiful film to watch and one scene in particular where the children are chased through the forest by the beast is like a painting that’s come to life.

2. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago. One of my favourite ‘comfort’ films. One I have to watch if I come across it channel surfing. LOL - I think I probably know the entire script off by heart. Well I can quote large chunks of it anyway. Samuel L. Jackson and Geena Davis kicking ass. Favourite scene - when Charley flashes Mitch.

3.Alien (1979) Any of the Alien quadrology. Though watching it makes me experience this bizarre recurring dream where I’m in a supermarket and all the other shoppers are Aliens, with tiny baby Aliens running up and down the aisles screaming, and face huggers in baby baskets. It’s not scary just extremely surreal. Favourite scene I’ll take from Aliens. The fight at the end - get away from her you bitch.

4. Shelter (2007) This is the film that’s currently in my DVD machine. Thanks to JenB for the recommendation. Just a really sweet m/m love story with some great songs on the soundtrack.

5. Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997) How much did I hate High School? A lot. And this film just highlights how trivial most of that stuff really is. Very funny. Favourite scenes - anything with Janeane Garofalo in, and where Romy confronts the A group at the end.

6. High Heels and Low Lifes (2001) Another comfort film. Two friends try and blackmail a gang of bank robbers. Favourite scene - first rehearsal for the blackmail phone call and when France wakes up in the morning with a hangover on her way to audition as an alien tomato.

7. Underworld (2003) One of my favourite vampire and werewolf films. Favourite scene - anything with Lucian in, brilliantly played by Michael Sheen.

8. The Matrix (1999) (Trilogy) The first film I saw in the cinema with my mouth hanging open. LOL. The gun battle in the lobby, I just couldn’t believe it. Though my favourite fight scene from the trilogy happens in The Matrix Reloaded, the incredibly balletic sequence on the dual staircase.

9.Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) Incredibly beautiful and moving film, sad but hopeful, the ending is somewhat ambiguous. The visuals are stunning, an adult fairytale come to life, you feel like you’ve entered somebody else’s dream. Favourite scene - stealing from the blind man.

10.The Terminator (1984) This remains my favourite of the terminator franchise, I love the doomed relationship between Kyle and Sarah. It doesn’t matter how many times I watch it, you keep hoping that some way it will work out. (Though I think of the whole series my favourite scene is Sarah’s escape from the asylum in Terminator 2).

11. Mulan (1998) Strictly speaking I don’t think this is my favourite animated movie. I prefer The Incredibles. BUT this was my nieces favourite movie when she was a toddler and whenever she came over we had to play it, to the point where we wore out the tape. And to the point where I ended up buying the soundtrack because I found myself continually singing the songs. Favourite scene - the haircut, because I love the music at that point.

12. Shaun of the Dead (2004) I was a Spaced fan (and if you haven’t seen that series and loved Shaun of the Dead I highly recommend it. There’s a brilliant Matrix parody in the second season (I think)). What I love about SOTD is that you can watch it over and over and see something new every time. Favourite scene - the dart throwing in the pub and the argument over whether or not it’s a real rifle.

13. Die Hard (1988) The original and probably the best, though Die Hard 3 has Samuel L. Jackson. Favourite scene - any time Ode to Joy is playing in the background.

Thursday 13 #3 ~ 13 Things I Don't Like

So after last weeks raindrops on roses, this week it’s the bees stinging and dogs barking.

1.Flying. I have a phobia about it. Strictly speaking it’s a phobia about crashing, but I haven’t been on a plane for many years and I can’t see that changing any time soon.

2.Aniseed. Just don’t like it, so yep I don’t like fennel or pernod either.

3. Daddy Long Legs (Does anyone outside the UK call them that?) Their proper name is cranefly. They have long spindly legs and follow you. When I was little I was once trapped in the back of a car with one. Cue hysterical screaming and trying to get out of the back of a three-door car when no one in the front thinks they should move because it’s only a cranefly. We were in a public carpark at the time - this did not endear me to my parents.

4.Wasps - I’m only allowing myself two insects and this is the other one.

5.Speaking in public. I’m quite shy so this is a toughie for me. Though I will usually pull myself together and get on with it.

6. Mornings. Well more the fact that I have to get up out of my toasty warm bed. Once I’m up I’m usually okay. And on the mornings when it’s crisp and fresh outside and the sun is shining I wonder why I don’t get up this early every morning. A feeling that lasts until 7am the following day when I don’t want to get up again.

7.Being late. Hate it. I hate it if I’m late.

8. Soggy bread. LOL. So I’ve never tried bread and butter pudding.

9. Litter. I love going to the seaside or for walks in our local wood. And the fact that there is so much litter on the beach when we have such beautiful countryside I don’t like.

10.I don’t like that I’m a slob. Partly I think this is an over reaction so I don’t become completely obsessive compulsive and organize myself to the nth degree.

11.Banning books. I always find it interesting during banned book week to see if I’ve read any of the books on the list.

12. Films with bad endings. I hate when I go to the cinema, pay my money and come out at the end feeling like I’ve lost two hours of my life that I’ll never get back.

13. Intolerance. Now, I think every human being is a little intolerant of something. Just looking at my list I’m intolerant of wasps that like aniseed and get up early in the morning. But being intolerant just because you can, or without reason, or without even thinking why you’re intolerant of something I don’t like.

Hmmm. Hope I don’t come across as too much of a grump. Remember I did post 13 favourite things last week.

Thursday 13 #2 ~ 13 Favourite Things

So not quite raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens but 13 of my favourite things.

1. Green, okay I’ve now got Kermit in my head singing. But truth be told my favourite colour tends to vary with my mood, though it’s usually somewhere at the bluey/green end of the spectrum. must be something to do with being a pisces.

2.Baking, something I definitely should make more time for. There’s something about the smell of home baking in the kitchen that is comforting, plus it helps to know that you get to eat cakes at the end of it.

3.I love being by the sea. It has a way of putting things in perspective, you’re very small when you stand next to the ocean.

4.Comfort reading - something I no longer have as much time to do. But I love curling up with a good book and taking the time to go somewhere else in my imagination.

5.Giraffes and penguins. The world can be a pretty terrible place, but I hold onto the fact that as long as we’ve got giraffes and penguins then it’s not completely terrible. (This is turning into raindrops on roses…)

6.My favourite films. I wish I could put something trendy and clever in here, but I’m not that highbrow. I like films that make me laugh and where there’s great chemistry between the actors. Two of my favourites are - The Long Kiss Goodnight, High Heels and Low Lifes. In common with #12 I like banter and verbal sparring between the characters.

7.Favourite food is probably Italian, mainly pasta because it’s so quick. I am terrible for losing track of time when I’m writing and missing meals, so quicker is better.

8.My favourite season is autumm. I love the wind and the rain (yes the rain ), the vibrant colours of the trees. You still stand the chance of getting a sunny day, and it’s not yet winter.

9.Favourite album, this is one I don’t even have to think about. Fumbling Towards Ecstasy by Sarah McLachlan.

10. Bumblebees. (Which I guess is kind of opposite to the song). I know they hurt if they sting you, having been stung. But I guess the fact that they can fly when aerodynamically they shouldn’t be able to - they’re the little insect that could.

11.My dog. I’ve only just recently got him, always been a cat person before but when my last cat died I couldn’t face getting another one as I’d had him for so long. So instead I have a spaniel cross who may be small but he’s got a big personality to make up for it.

12.Shakespeare. Yes, some of it is difficult to understand. But 12th Night, Macbeth, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing -the plays I studied at school are favourites. And I think it’s one of those situations where the reward is worth the effort. His dialogue could be incredibly cutting and to the point, with sarcasm, double meaning, banter and sparring between the characters.

13.The moment just before you go to sleep and just before you wake up. I find when I’m nearly asleep I have a capacity to solve a lot of my plot and character problems, if only I could hold onto the ideas once I’m properly awake.

Thursday 13 #1 ~ 13 Random Songs

THURSDAY THIRTEEN - 13 random songs from my Ipod

I got the idea for this Thursday 13 from Sarai at Thoughts of an Aspiring Writer. Hopefully nothing too embarrassing will come up.

1. Years - Beth Nielsen Chapman (Greatest Hits) I have a real weakness for buying songs after hearing them on tv. So this album was one I picked up after hearing Sand and Water on Charmed. It was one of those where I ended up loving the whole album.

2.Every Day is Exactly the Same - Nine Inch Nails (With Teeth) LOL - I also buy songs if I hear them on soundtracks. So picked this one up after seeing Wanted and love it. Definitely could write something to this.

3.Full of Grace - Sarah McLachlan (Surfacing) I know you’re thinking I picked this up after hearing it on Buffy. Wrong! I’d got this album before the song was used. Love Sarah McLachlan and Fumbling Towards Ecstasy is perhaps my favourite album.

4.Eyes Like Yours - Shakira (Laundry Service)

5.My Last Breath - Evanescence (Fallen) Love this album and I think the majority of songs on it lend themselves well to character inspiration.

6.Dumb - Garbage (Version 2.0)

7.Nara - E.S.Posthumus (Unearthed) Also known as the theme to Cold Case, and has been used in movie trailers as well. Very dramatic and I find it helps when I’m plotting tense situations.

8.Grace Kelly - Mika (Single) It’s nice to have the occasional happy song on there.

9.Hurt - Christina Aguilera (Back to Basics) This is actually an inspiration song for one of the characters in the Untitled piece I’m outlining at the moment.

10.Henry Martin - Figgy Duff (Due South Soundtrack) Another song with a story.

11. Songbird - Eva Cassidy (Love Actually Soundtrack) Just a beautiful song

12.The Planets Suite:Jupiter - Holst, performed by London Philharmonic - One of my favourite pieces of classical music. An incredibly emotional piece, uplifting and melancholy at the same time. The middle section is used for the hymn I Vow to the My Country.

13.Duel of the Fates - Star Wars Phantom Menace Soundtrack - A great piece of music for writing action and fighting scenes to.