Six Sentence Sunday 12.30.12

Its still 2012 and I still have a bunch of tasks to accomplish before its over, but I'm going to wish everyone a Happy New Year!!! Anyone doing anything exciting? 

Yule was a success - kids = happy, food = delish! And I have been having the best week with all of them home together. Not very relaxing, but it has been awesome!

I have been working really hard on setting up my Kickstarter campaign all week. It is almost done. Hopefully, soon after the new year, it will launch.

So as far as Karlea and Armani are concerned, we pick up their conversation right where we left off. In the last week's snippet, Armani helped a very weak Karlea up from the floor as he continued to toy with her...

Armani smiled,"From what I read of your blood, only a vampire can satiate your sexual thirst; you make quite a lover to a vampire."
"What can I say, I have exceptional tastes."
Armani laughed, "You're fun when you're dying."
He raised his index and middle fingers and gently caressed her cheek with the back of them, noticing that her cheek was not as warm as it used to be. As he distracted her with his touch, he quickly grabbed onto her hair and yanked her head back, bringing the stake he had taken from her, from his pocket to her throat. He listened as her weak heart beat as fast as it could.

He just can't stop. He wants to kill her so bad, but he likes her so much, and he admires her bravery - she's not a human crying and begging for her life.

Thanks for reading! And please comment if you can! I love reading your comments, it helps me decide which way I should take this story. I have the rest (which isn't very much) written one way, but I am currently thinking of expanding it into a different direction first. And I will always comment back and comment on your six! Please let me know if I don't.

You can find more great authors here! 

Some of my favs are Christina DeFelice, Sarah Ballance, Mina Carter,Sue Ann Bowling, Silver James, S.E. Gilchrist, Laura Kaye, S.J. Maylee, Siobhan Muir, Gayle Ramage, Angela Quarles, Evelyn Jules,Kristal Baird, Karysa Faire, Pippa Jay, and Ryan Derham! I could list even more!

Enjoy New Year's Eve and have a great first week of 2013!!!!!!!

Six Sentence Sunday 12.23.12

Happy Yule and Winter Soltice! And Happy Holidays for any holiday you celebrate! 

I cannot believe this year is almost over. So, much has happened over 2012. Oh, and, hey, we are all still here; the world didn't end, or really change for that matter. I'm not opposed to the world changing in some better way. 

My week has been spent running around for the holidays, and for the last week of school before a two week break with events going on at their school - parties, orchestra concerts, projects, holiday gifts for teachers, and a parent/teacher lunch and teacher gift I was coordinating. And four still sick kids. My second oldest was sick the day of the parent/teacher lunch, of course, but the principal told me to bring him to the lunch anyways, which was nice. We had a good time :) He also had his first violin concert this past week and it was so cute to watch him play, he was so excited! I finished my holiday shopping yesterday and I plan on spending the next few days relaxing with my family, drinking lots of tea and hot cocoa, and hopefully catching up on my work/writing. 

All I want for the holidays is some good writing time! And maybe a new tattoo. (Hint, Hint, to the hubby). I'll leave the house, if I can get a new tattoo :) Either my collarbone piece (There's A Fire Inside Me in cursive text) or my wrists (x's) are next. 

Okay, so we just continue to pick up where we left off. Armani drank from her, nearly killing her before pulling himself away. She is lying on the floor too weak to move as Armani continues to mess with her. Here are links to the last two weeks if you are interested: 12.09.12 and 12.16.12. This week's will probably make more sense if you read the other two first.

Armani picked her up from the floor; her head resting on his shoulder as he did, color completely drained from her face. He set her against the wall again, holding her in place. He listened to the beat of her heart, once full of life, it was now slow and faint.
"You're so weak..." He said quietly as he looked her over.
It took everything she had to smirk and say quietly, "You take a lot out of me."

There is so much more after this that I can't wait to share. I will still be posting even after Six Sentence Sunday ends, if anyone still wants to follow. Fellow sixer, S.J. Maylee, let me know that Skye Warren is trying to continue SSS, so please sign up if you are interested! Please check out more great authors here, too. 

I am in the process of setting up a Kickstarter for my Armani story. I was hoping to have it almost done this week, but so far have only gotten my twitter sized blurb done: A novel about a lustful Italian Renaissance noble, turned vampire - his past, his present, his future.
I'm working on the "blurb". So far this is my WIP: 
Meet Armani - Italian Renaissance noble. Wealthy family. Artist. Lustful. Vampire. A story of his past, and in modern times where he falls in love with one of his intended victims, wanting nothing more from her than a companion for eternity.

Meet Karlea - a young, beautiful bartender - that every vampire seems to want- her heart bleeding from a bad break-up with her vampire lover, Jake, and his maker. Looking for Jake, (or looking for death), she runs into Armani and he claims her for his own. 

Given the choice, she will refuse, but forcing it upon her will change her forever in ways no one thought was possible. 

With her he will share intimate details of his past, and forge onward into the adventures of eternity.

I know it needs work and it is a WIP, but I will take any suggestions. 

Thanks for reading! And please comment! I may be slow, but I always comment back before the next sunday comes! Enjoy the holidays!!!!

Six Sentence Sunday 12.16.12

Happy Sunday, everyone! I am sick (thanks to my kids for sharing, they're such good sharers!) and up way too early as I always am on a Sunday to write. 

Thank you for the responses last week regarding my question about publishing and writing schedules, it was helpful! I have decided to definitely turn my Karlea and Armani tale into a novella or novel. Of which, I will be starting a Kickstarter campaign for.  I quickly worked on images for it yesterday because, for me, that's always the starting point is to have that visual. I should be working on the blurb and the twitter sized blurb today. 

I did them quickly, so they are not the best. I also didn't purchase the image(s) yet, hence the watermark. But until I know which one I want to use for sure, I won't invest in it. The first one doesn't really fit. I like the second, the third has the Armani I've been using each week, but he is a singer from a band, so I can't really use his photo. The last one is more fitting, but I really don't like the chick in the photo. She is not Karlea. 

These can be the images for my six this week :) We pick up right where we left off last week, which if you missed it was Armani's reaction and it was good :) Last week's six.

Karlea was unable to hold onto him for too long; her fingers slipped off the shiny material of his suit jacket, and she soon found the cold, concrete floor beneath her. She just laid there, too weak and dizzy to move. She wanted to get up and fight, fight him with everything she had left, with the only intention of pissing him off, so he could quickly end it for her. She laid there silently cursing her blood and her thoughts for wandering too far deep inside of her, as if she had control over any of it as he was draining her of her life force, it was all involuntary.
"Such a beautiful mess." Armani commented, towering over her.

Thanks for reading! Please comment, I love comments, and I always try to comment back.
You can find more great authors here! 

Some of my favs are Christina DeFelice, Sarah Ballance, Mina Carter,Sue Ann Bowling, Silver James, S.E. Gilchrist, Laura Kaye, S.J. Maylee, Siobhan Muir, Gayle Ramage, Angela Quarles, Evelyn Jules,Kristal Baird, Karysa Faire, Pippa Jay, and Ryan Derham! I could list even more!

Have a great week!

Six Sentence Sunday 12.o9.12

 

Its Sunday! And I get to share more Karlea and Armani with you!

But first, I want to thank my readers who keep coming back for more each week. It means so much to me and your comments are always so great, encouraging, and helpful as I write my first novel. So, thank you!

Secondly, I want to ask my readers, what they are doing after Six Sentence Sunday ends? Is there an alternative? I am going to need something after January. Or I will suffer from SSS withdrawal. 

So, originally the scene with Karlea and Armani was supposed to be just that...a scene, within my novel, BloodLust,  that was the love story between Karlea, Jake, and Vaughn. Where I left off SSS with Karlea and Vaughn (before I moved in July), they were in the vampire club and Armani approached Karlea, but Vaughn chases him off. When I came back to SSS in August/September, I decided to start the scene with K & A over again and it just took off into its own story that doesn't have its place in my novel. So, I'm thinking a side story of Armani, probably as a novella, or if I have enough material then a novel? I would probably just call it BloodLust - Armani or Armani's Tale. Or something like that. Any thoughts from more seasoned writers than I (which is all of you), would be greatly appreciated, as I try to figure this out.

As far as seasoned writers are concerned, I also wanted to know how often you publish a new novel and what your writing schedule is like. It seems like you guys always have a new book release, which is awesome. I'm still trying to write my first novel and I feel like its not getting written fast enough. Although, I do have grad school, 5 kids, and several small side businesses to contend with. 

Last week, we left off where Armani is draining Karlea, and she let us into her head thinking this was it for her. Now its up to Armani, does he kill her or stop himself?  Let's see Armani's reaction :)

Armani pulled away hard, but made sure not to rip out her throat in the process. Karlea gasped from the feeling of him exiting her throat so quickly. He let go of her and she grabbed onto him tightly, much too weak to stand on her own.
Armani grinned at the way she held onto him. He wiped his mouth, completely drunk on her, "You're blood is the best I have ever tasted. Even better than a child's."

Thanks for reading! Please comment, I love comments, and I always try to comment back.
You can find more great authors here! 

Some of my favs are Christina DeFelice, Sarah Ballance, Mina Carter, Sue Ann Bowling, Silver James, S.E. Gilchrist, Laura Kaye, S.J. Maylee, Siobhan Muir, Gayle Ramage, Angela Quarles, Evelyn Jules, Kristal Baird, Karysa Faire, Pippa Jay, and Ryan Derham! I could list even more!

Have a great week!

Six Sentence Sunday 12.02.12

Omg, its December! I can't believe it! 

It is still very rainy and windy here. It seems worse today. Welcome to a Bay Area winter, I guess, but at least temps are still in the 60's.

I finally drove over the Bay Bridge yesterday. I've seen it, and have taken a taxi twice over it heading into Oakland. But yesterday I drove to San Francisco and back three times. I now know the freeways, too, which is awesome. I got to work on a film set as a PA for an undergrad's project at my school. It was my first time seeing the film/tv building, since all my classes have been online. And I have to say that I don't think the building was in the best part of San Francisco. That was a bit disappointing. What did I learn from being on set yesterday? That I have much to learn about filmmaking :) 
I then got to come home and VyRT with 30 Seconds to Mars. Awesome day! However, Mr. Leto, if I keep getting distracted by watching your VyRT antics, I'm never going to achieve my dreams, I have to much work to do than to sit and watch you for 3 hours. 

This week's six, picks right up from last week. I have posted a collection of Armani/Karlea's Six Sentence Sundays, here, for anyone that wants to catch up or re-read. And yes, they do all make sense for the most part, if you put them all together. 

In this snippet, we get a glimpse into Karlea. Danny, her ex-fiance from over a year ago is mentioned here. As is Jake, her now ex-vampire lover :)

Karlea used to love when Jake bit her, although she knew that he didn't like to only because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to stop himself before he killed her. It actually hurt to get bitten, it hurt a lot, and usually caused Karlea to scream out, but for some reason she enjoyed it - she loved it when it hurt, it turned her on more, and sex was better when she hurt. When she was younger, she used to be the girl who would cut her self and get off on the pain (and would love to watch herself bleed), it was just better when she had someone to share it with, such as a vampire, becuase most guys or girls were not cool with cutting at her age and found it fucked up that she would get off on it, such as Danny. She always tried to get her boyfriends , or even the very few girlfriends she had to cut her with no obligation for them to have to be cut, but that didn't go over well. She had found one guy before she met Danny, that used to be okay with cutting and even let her cut him a few times, but after a year he left her for another girl. 

Karlea knew Armani was reading all this as he drank from her, but she could care less at this point, pretty soon she would be dead and anything Armani knew about her would be forgotten along with her dead body that he would leave somewhere to move on to his next victim.

That was a long snippet. I didn't change it to fit into six sentences, either. Hope you enjoyed! Please comment! And thanks for reading!

Also, if you have a moment, please vote for Nick13 on CMT's countdown, here. We are determined to have him take over the #1 spot again! Thanks in advance.

Have a great week!
Hearts & Stars,
~Siren

Collection of Past Six Sentence Sundays Armani/Karlea

o9.o2.12

"Your exquisite beauty has captured the attention of this entire club."

Karlea jumped at the sound of his voice and he grinned at her humanness; that he moved so fast that she never saw him come over to her and kneel before her. 

She noticed him kneeling in front of her, holding a red rose out to her. He gestured for her to take it and she did, saying thank you quietly and trying to avoid his eyes at all costs. 

Karlea noticed that he was handsome: tall, thin, deathly pale, dark eyes that were accented more by dark eyeliner, black hair that was short on the sides and longer down the middle, longer strands falling down to the sides of his face; and dressed in an expensive, shiny black gothic suit. Maybe he was her type, but she wasn't interested. 

o9.o9.12

He took hold of her hand, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb, erasing her club stamp.

“I am Armani.” Armani kissed her hand. “I will make your night.” He grinned, “It will be a real screamfest. I will make you feel the best you have ever felt.”

o9.16.12

She looked just above him as he spoke. He grabbed onto her chin and forced her to look into his eyes, his eyes changing over to red in front of her. He bit down on her hand, fast and hard; the sound of her skin, muscle, and bone crunched loudly. She yelled out and tried to pull away, but he was still holding her by her chin. He sipped on her blood feeling the tiniest bit of excitement rise in her between the pain.

Armani released her hand, still looking her in the eyes, "You will come with me."

o9.23.12

Karlea complied, taking Armani's hand as she stood up. Armani wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into him, as if to keep her warm from the cold wind they were about to face. He held her hand with his free hand, keeping her eternally locked to him as they walked out of the club.

The compulsion wore off as soon as she was in the safety of his building. She snapped out of it immediately noticing the foreign surroundings, and feeling her hand in Armani's as he walked behind her down the long corridor.

In a panic, she turned around, crashing into his chest as his grip on her hand became deathly tight.

o9.30.12

"No."

Armani smiled coldly down at her as he wrapped his arm around her; his other hand letting go of hers and clamping the death grip back on her wrist. She began to struggle, but his grip was so strong.

"There's nothing to be afraid of," Armani grinned, "I'm going to make you feel the best you have ever felt before you die. I promise you will give in to me before its over."

He stared down at her as she struggled; she was just so beautiful, and he couldn't wait for her body to be quivering underneath him right before he drank her dry.

10.07.12

Karlea wasn't exactly sure what he meant, but she saw the look in his eyes. She knew, being human, that there was no way to stop him, she was totally fucked at this point. She had known it was risky to go to Flesh alone, but she had to find Vaughn or better yet, Jake; she had to take that risk. And now here she was, at the mercy of Armani, her life in his hands, and something told her that there was no way he was going to be merciful; only Jake or Vaughn could save her from death now, and that didn't look like it was happening.

"Why me - because I was all alone?" Karlea asked.

10.14.12

It wouldn't have mattered if you were with someone or not, I would of taken you," Armani stopped abruptly, "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in both my human and non-human existence."

Armani held up her hand and with his other hand just brushed his fingertips with hers as he closed his eyes. "You're sexual energy is intense, even now as you tremble with fear."

Karlea looked at their hands. "How do you...how do you know that?"

Armani smiled, "I am what they call a sexual vampire."

10.21.12

"I not only feed off blood, but sexual energy. You have the best of both worlds, I never thought I would find it."

"What are you going to do to me before you kill me?" Karlea asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I told you, I'm going to make you feel the best you have ever felt. I have the power to make you leave this plane of existence and enter into a new euphoric one, a plane you never knew existed."

10.28.12

"I will make you forget who you are. I will do all that for you and then for me, I will take all your sexual energy and blood."

Karlea was scared; he was going to rape her...and it sounded brutal, before he would drink her dry. She was hoping for a quick death, knowing how some vampires liked to make it torturous but this was going to be anything but quick. She didn't know what to do, what could she do?

Then she remembered the small stake she had lodged between her breasts inside her bra.

11.04.12

Armani pulled her from behind him, walking towards the steel door at the end of the long hallway. Karlea kept up with him without struggling, as she pulled the small stake from her bra. She raised the stake, ready to drive it through his back, into his heart. Armani turned around with his vampire speed and knocked the stake from her hand, immediately pushing her into the wall.

"A valiant effort, I must say." He grinned as he used his speed to pick up the stake, "You're dating a vampire, I expected you to be carrying one on you."

11.11.12

Armani twirled the stake in his hand, as he held Karlea by the throat against the wall, "For the times when things get out of control... in bed." Armani smirked at the thought of her in bed with a vampire, then continued, "have you ever had to stake your boyfriend? My apologies, I mean ex-boyfriend."
Karlea didn't say a word, but she didn't have to.
"Of course you haven't, you like it, all of it. You like the roughness, the hurt, and almost losing your life."

11.18.12

Armani tightened the grip on her throat, making her unable to breathe, causing her to grab onto his wrist to try to loosen his grip as he continued, "I can tell, I can sense it. Well, tonight you really will lose your life."

Karlea stared at him; his face becoming a black spot as he grinned, consciousness slipping away from her.

"Your silence does nothing for you, your blood gives it all away."

Armani let go of her throat, immediately grabbing onto the back of her head and pulling it back to expose her neck. He drove his fangs deep into her throat, a hoarse painful moan escaped her lips. 

11.25.12

Karlea pushed against his shoulders in a desperate attempt to get his body off of her, but his body was so cold and heavy against hers that it barely moved the slightest inch. Karlea gave up and relaxed her body, letting him take what he wanted from her. The pain of his bite radiated through her throat, she could feel Armani sucking hard at her neck, taking life from her with each sip. She felt the room spin, involuntarily grabbing onto Armani's shoulders for support as she closed her eyes.

Armani pulled her closer into him, holding tightly onto her as he felt her get weaker, her breasts smashed up against him, he had pulled her so close. He really wanted to bite one, but he knew if he didn't stop soon, she would be dead and his play time would be over.

Six Sentence Sunday 11.25.12

Its Sunday! Yay! I hope everyone had a great week! 

And if you're in the U.S., I hope you survived a totally insane Black Friday. I won't go into the politics of it, but I usually don't even venture out of my house on that day, too crazy for me. 

Anyway, I ended up going into San Francisco Friday evening (and it was very busy), and went out to dinner with the hubby, finally, at Millenium! Vegan awesomeness!!! It was soo good. Yum! 

Then off to see Henry Rollins perform at Yoshi's Jazz Club, doing his spoken word thing. I have seen him before and he never disappoints, he is always so entertaining, and so intelligent and well read. He referenced at a lot of his old punk days and other punk bands, which I love when he does this! He talked for over two hours, but I could easily listen to him for hours and hours on end. I missed the fact that he was performing three shows here, until Wednesday when I figured it out. It was kinda perfect because I have been re-reading one of his books, finding much inspiration from it, and I thought it would be cool to see him live again. We waited outside afterwards and met him!!!! I just met one of the most influential people of the early punk scene; Henry Rollins of Black Flag!!! He signed my book and took a photo with me. We also got to meet Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys) who was there to see Henry perform. It was cool. If Ian MacKaye had been there, I totally would have flipped out!!! He's doing another performance tonight at Yoshi's, so I can hope that maybe Ian will be there. 

Photo credit totally goes to the hubby!!!

I had my arm around him, it was awesome! And he totally smelled of punk sweat and I would not have wanted it any other way. So, wish I could have seen Black Flag back in the day!

Yeah, as if that above does nothing for my inspiration. Its going to be a great writing week!!!

On to my six. We pick up this week with Karlea and Armani right where we left off. After Karlea is taken against her will by Armani. Karlea tries to stake him unsuccessfully. Now he is pissed and just keeps toying with her. Where we left off, Armani had Karlea locked in his vampire embrace...

Karlea pushed against his shoulders in a desperate attempt to get his body off of her, but his body was so cold and heavy against hers that it barely moved the slightest inch. Karlea gave up and relaxed her body, letting him take what he wanted from her. The pain of his bite radiated through her throat, she could feel Armani sucking hard at her neck, taking life from her with each sip. She felt the room spin, involuntarily grabbing onto Armani's shoulders for support as she closed her eyes.

Armani pulled her closer into him, holding tightly onto her as he felt her get weaker, her breasts smashed up against him, he had pulled her so close. He really wanted to bite one, but he knew if he didn't stop soon, she would be dead and his play time would be over.

What will happen next? Will he stop before he kills her? If he does, what is he going to do to her next?

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! To all my sixers, whom I usually read every week, I am still trying to catch up on last week's six. So, if I didn't get to yours yet, I definitely will either now or a bit later!

More great authors can be found here. Some of my favs are Christina DeFelice, Sarah Ballance, Mina Carter, Sue Ann Bowling, Silver James, S.E. Gilchrist, Laura Kaye, S.J. Maylee, Siobhan Muir, Gayle Ramage, Angela Quarles, Evelyn Jules, Kristal Baird, Karysa Faire, Pippa Jay, and Ryan Derham! I could list even more!

Have a fun filled week of writing and reading!
~Siren

Another Night Out in San Francisco...On Black Friday - Rollins Style

I finally went to Millennium Restaurant in San Francisco last night, which if you don't of it, it is a very expensive vegan restaurant.

We didn't have a reservation, which was a bad idea for a friday night and it was Black Friday no less. But we lucked out and found seating at the bar. Our waiter/bartender was very awesome by the way and not very helpful with recommending what was best from the menu, because it was all the best. There were only two items on the menu that were not gluten-free. And of course we ended up ordering them anyways. We each got an appetizer and then split a main dish. For drinks, I got a Raw-Volution, which consisted of kombucha, apple, and ginger. Maybe something that I am missing. The hubby got a Love Potion #9 which is pomegranate lemonade.

For appetizers, I ordered the Crusted King Trumpet Mushrooms, which was crushed jasmine rice, fenugreek & coriander seed dredge, cabbage & red onion salad, and pineapple-chile jam. (Yes, I'm stealing this description from their menu because there is no way I would remember all that!) He ordered the Winter Squash Pankora, which was quince & cranberry chutney with ginger & shallot, cardamom & methi, toasted coconut-cucumber raita, and cilantro. For our main dish, we ordered Winter Squash Kamut Risotto, which was grilled Maitake mushrooms, cashew cream, fresh shelling beans,roasted blue banana squash,braised fennel & leek, Fall greens,fried capers, lemon zest, and Porcini oil & squash tempura. I took photos, but then my iphone died and apparently didn't save the photos.

Omg, it was all so excellent!!! I couldn't even pick which was my favorite dish because it was all great! I don't think I've eaten that well or that much since becoming vegan. We had Apple Baklava - roasted apples, pistachio baklava, ginger syrup, and pistachio-nutmeg ice cream. Delish! Best vegan ice cream i have had.

So, after a very nice dinner, it was a short cab ride over to Yoshi's Jazz Club to see Henry Rollins perform spoken word! I somehow missed the fact that he was performing three shows here over Thanksgiving. I've been re-reading The First Five and thought it would be awesome and inspirational to see him live again. I found him on twitter and started following him. He  tweeted about his weekly radio notes, so I headed to his website to read them and that's when I found out he was performing here. Perfect.

The venue was the smallest place I have seen him perform in and we had good seats on the floor, instead of the balcony. It was a very intimate show because the venue was so small. It was awesome. I've seen him before in college gyms which tend to be big. So, it was awesome to have him right there in front of me.

He never disappoints, he is always so entertaining, and so intelligent and well read. He referenced at a lot of his old punk days and other punk bands, which I absolutely love when he does this! He talked for over two hours, but I could easily listen to him for hours and hours on end. He is incredible and I will always support anything he does. Which, by the way, I really loved the NatGeoWild show he hosted, Animal Underworld. He is the ONLY reason I watched it.

After the show, we chilled outside,and met him!!!! I had always hoped to meet him at other shows, but the venues were too big and heavily guarded. At Yoshi's, no security. He just walked out of the front door like everyone else, walking to his hotel down the street.

Holy crap! I just met one of the most influential people of the early punk scene; Henry Rollins of Black Flag!!! He signed my book and took a photo with me. We also got to meet Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys) who was there to see Henry perform. It was cool. If Ian MacKaye had been there, I totally would have flipped out!!! He's doing another performance Sunday at Yoshi's, so I can hope that maybe Ian will be there - good luck on that though. I will go to any show, if I know there is a possibility of Ian MacKaye being there. I am determined to meet him. I'm freaking out that I met Henry Rollins, and I will totally flip if I meet Ian MacKaye. I was really, really young when Black Flag/Minor Threat toured. I would have loved to seen them live in a tiny venue with them in your face.

Yes, that is me and Henry Rollins! Omfg!!!! I had my arm around him, it was awesome! And he totally smelled of punk rock sweat and I would not have wanted it any other way. So, wish I could have seen Black Flag back in the day! This will forever inspire to me to write and create!!! Thank you, Mr. Rollins!

Film Update Post

I thought I would post my update from my Graduate Film Blog over at Wordpress.

So, I moved to San Francisco from Atlanta three months ago. Finally, sunny California. I love it. It is far different than New York or Atlanta, though. Atlanta was different than New York, in that it had way more trees, wildlife, and just plain beauty. But the East Bay is far more Urban than I am used to. Houses are not very big and the yards, well,you’re lucky to have one. In Atlanta, we had the perfect suburban home with a huge front yard and huge back yard, and beautiful rainstorms, and the warmest weather. Perfect for the kids. But I gave it all up. The landscape is so different, many hills on the horizon with houses and houses, and palm trees.

It was a toss up between Los Angeles and San Francisco. L.A. had always been my dream, but just getting to California is a huge feat. San Francisco won for now. Although, i still have yet to see the Golden Gate Bridge up close. My school is here, which is nice. I haven’t gone back to school yet, but when I do I will be taking a class on campus.

I’m excited that L.A. is 6 hours away. I am anxiously planning a weekend getaway to see L.A. and start deciding if it is the final destination or not. I am excited that if I do want to move there, it is more likely to happen as soon as I want it and that I can actually look at houses, instead of just randomly choosing a place to live.

As always, i’m working on lots of stuff. Writing poetry, still working on my novel, trying to get my new website up (I get bored and stop working on it too easily). I’m also working on a t-shirt line and publishing a poetry chapbook.

But as far as film is concerned, I am trying to seriously get my midpoint review stuff together, so I can do my review and go back to school and finish my MFA. Its time. I have decide to change my concentration to directing. So, with that being said, I am re-reading all my film textbooks. I need to know my shit to do this, to pass my review. I need to show them that I know this stuff!

I need to put my demo reel together, too, which means I need to re-edit two shorts, and make as many more as I can. I am currently in the middle of storyboarding a short that I will soon film. But even my storyboards have to be really good because it all needs to go into my portfolio for my review. I’m also working on a script that will be filmed like an animation. That I will be filming. I will be doing the drawings with others, maybe my son, and then filming stills of them. I will animate portions of the stills in FCP. The dialogue will be sort of like a radio play. It sounds like a fun project, but I’m beginning to realize how much time it is actually going to take to do this.

I also have three screeenplays that need editing to make it into my portfolio. The latest is the pilot episode of a vampire series. It was really fun to write and I did start the second episode, but that is on hold right now.

My film friend from New York lives out here, going to AAU for production design. She is the one I have to thank for enticing me to S.F. We’ve been working on some fun film things, too, since I got here. I edited one of her scripts. Then wrote up a treatment for a music video she wanted to do. I had so much fun writing it. It will be filmed within the next few weeks. Excited to see how it turns out! We still have another script to write, but she doesn’t want to do it until she graduates in May. We’ve also been talking about other scripts/ideas that we want to work on. So, happy I have her, I love talking film with her!!

Alright, back to work, while I can. I still have 5 kids at home to take care of. I will post updates on fun film things. Happy holiday season!

Creative Update

I always have a lot going on. I still have 5 kids afterall. And I'm in a new, busier city where things are way more fast paced than the south. However, my creativeness has not dissipated. 

Getting my website still remains top priority because I just need to get my portfolio up there. I'm hoping once I do that it will be easy to maintain. I'm then hoping I can update blogs on a regular basis. Most blogs just need a post or two to catch up. However, my Vampire Vegan blog needs a lot of catching up and I don't work on it because it seems so daunting. I have 5 months of vegan-ness to catch up on, plus recipes. And a cooking show for it would be nice. 
I work on these tasks, but only for so long before I get bored and need to write, photograph, plan a film, or do some kind of art. I have 5 kids and I need a creative outlet to balance myself. If I don't create, I find I can't function in life or society. I get in this weird depression. If only I could get paid for my art.

So, my current list of creative things I'm working on:
First, I am very much into writing my side story to my novel about Armani. I really do not know what I am doing with it; if I will put his story into my novel or what. Its becoming longer than orginally planned. It was supposed to be a fantasy that was planted into the main character's mind, but now it is taking on a story of its own. Any suggestions would be great!

I have been thinking of re-releasing my poetry chapbook from 2000. Back then it was self-published, using Kinko's and a stapler. Lulu.com didn't exist. So, I was thinking of fixing it up, adding a few poems, and publishing it again. Maybe do a short sample version on paper that I DIY put it together again, an artistic way, but much better than before. And then give those copies away as a sample.

I'm in the middle of storyboarding a short, so I can film it. But I am taking my time with it. Everything created for it; storyboards, etc, will all need to go in my portfolio for my MFA review. So, it has to be decent and not rushed. 

I am also writing another short film that will be shot as stills. And I will be drawing the images, using video editing software as the way to add motion. Should be interesting, but as I am starting it, I'm realizing it might take a long time to get to the point of filming. 

I've also been inspired to write some poetry. So, I set time aside for that. Or I try to. I always get ideas at the worst time, when I am most busy. I also starting to work on a series of paintings. I need to paint to relieve stress.  

I have also finally installed ProTools on my laptop, after both my Macs are not working. So, I am messing around with creating some electronic music. I'm excited. Hoping that some of my poetry will lead to good lyrics. I know how to do sound for film on ProTools, but music with ProTools is a bit new. So, I have to decided it is best to read the sections on creating music in my ProTools guidebook. 

I am still working on my clothing designs, but no plans to actually create them yet. I totally don't have time to sew and my machine is still in storage in Atlanta anyway. But I at least get detailed designs down on paper. 

I am designing a t-shirt line, too. This will be put up online sooner than later. 

Other things I have going on include having to re-read every textbook and note from my film program for my review. I was a screenwriting focus, but have decided to switch to a directing focus. So, since i can't take more classes until i pass this review, it is all on me to know my shit for directing and execute it with my demo reel. I want to go into my review knowing every aspect of film that I need to know as a director, so they have no reason not to pass me. I want them to see how serious I am. 

My hope with this update is to now update more frequently and not just with my Six Sentence Sunday writing.

Hearts & Stars
~Siren

Six Sentence Sunday 11.18.12

I always look forward to Sundays and putting my blog post together. I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate it. This will be my first vegan Thanksgiving, while my kids continue to eat turkey, that won't be tempting or anything. We'll see how it goes. I'm attempting to keep it gluten-free, too. I'm also not consuming wine, I drank a lot of it last year for the holidays and used to drink lots of alcohol when I was spending it with relatives. I'm too far away this year to be with them. So, no meat/dairy/eggs/gluten/wine - yeah, I like torturing myself. But then my willpower kicks in and its an awesome feeling.

So, this week's six picks right up again from where we left off last week. Armani was questioning Karlea as to if she had to ever stake her ex vampire lover. When she doesn't answer, Armani gives her the answer, that she never has because she likes the thrill of possibly dying in her lover's arms.

Armani tightened the grip on her throat, making her unable to breathe, causing her to grab onto his wrist to try to loosen his grip as he continued, "I can tell, I can sense it. Well, tonight you really will lose your life."

Karlea stared at him; his face becoming a black spot as he grinned, consciousness slipping away from her.

"Your silence does nothing for you, your blood gives it all away."

Armani let go of her throat, immediately grabbing onto the back of her head and pulling it back to expose her neck. He drove his fangs deep into her throat, a hoarse painful moan escaped her lips. 

Oh, there is so much more I want to share, but I have to stop here. He isn't done with her yet.

Thanks for reading and please comment! 

You can find more great authors here. 

Have a great week!

Hearts & Stars
~Siren

Six Sentence Sunday 11.11.12

Happy Veteran's Day to all! I send my love and respect to all veterans out there and to those currently serving in the military. THANK YOU for your service and risking your life for your country!

I am very proud of my country for re-electing President Obama! Thank you America! I heart you for this decision! Sorry, Mitt, but he really kicked your ass this time, don't quit your day job :)

My heart still goes out to everyone on the East Coast, too. Hit with a hurricane, then with a snowstorm, and still some without power. If interested in donating, this NBC webpage has a list of places and what is needed. There is also this Amazon Wishlist that Assemblyman Matthew Titone has set up for families on Staten Island.

In this week's six, we continue on with my WIP BloodLust, with Karlea and Armani. Karlea has been taken against her will by Armani. Last week, Karlea tried to stake Armani and miserably failed; Amarni toying with her. You can read that entry here. Needless to say, she managed to piss off Armani. Not a good idea to make a vampire angry. This picks up from Armani's last line from last week.

Armani twirled the stake in his hand, as he held Karlea by the throat against the wall, "For the times when things get out of control... in bed." Armani smirked at the thought of her in bed with a vampire, then continued, "have you ever had to stake your boyfriend? My apologies, I mean ex-boyfriend."
Karlea didn't say a word, but she didn't have to.
"Of course you haven't, you like it, all of it. You like the roughness, the hurt, and almost losing your life."

And that's six. It goes so fast. 

What will happen next? Tune in next week to find out.

Thank you for taking the time to read and please comment! I love comments and I always comment back on yours :)

Also if you have the time, please vote for my friend Nick 13 on CMT's Pure 12 Pack. We got him to #1 last week, but then he was #8 this week. I am not big on country music, but his is definitely different with a dark rockabilly edge to it. So, I feel he deserves it. You can watch the video at the link above, too.

Have a great week and I can't wait to share more with you! 

Hearts & Stars
~Siren