Les Miserables has greatly inspired me over the years. Specifically the novel, in its original French. The tragedy of the students and their fruitless pursuits jolted me and I was led to examine the rebellions we try to start in our own lives. What are the things we want to change but can't, and what is so important to change that a painful sacrifice in necessary? Starting anew and leaving the past are themes that ensnare me in fiction, and I hope my own work can come to reflect the same kind of rebirth and phoenix fire.
If you haven't seen the movie--and are a theater snob with ample opinions on the original work--you will most likely hate it, but there was one scene that stood out to me and I truly enjoyed... This is probably because it was my favorite song in the play. It has all the rebellious youthful vigor one could ask for, blind passion, and inspiring camaraderie:    

Tedious as the book may be, it's a great read, and if you're lazy, the movie renditions have all been--in my opinion--quite strong. Happy reading and happy Saturday.

-Ama

I once knew a girl who was in Mensa, but for the life of me, I swear, she was the biggest air-head I knew. I had to check the official Mensa website to make sure she wasn't lying. No cruelty intended, sometimes we're not as smart as we think we are... like pigeons, do you think they realize how dumb they are when they try to eat that big wad of tinfoil left of your Chronic Taco remains?? That's a no, ask the pigeon that tried to steal my lunch at the beach this afternoon. No one would ask a pigeon anything, don't be stupid. 

Anyway, recently I had this very kind of shock. In my shock I sought to do something about it and spent a good hour in Barnes and Noble seeking out the cheapest/most instructive book on "good writing." While I've always felt this was a debatable subject, good grammar and sentence structure are not arguable, and the truth is I really needed a refresh with all that technical business... what with being hired for a few new content writing gigs, I need to be good. I can't embarrass myself. Aside from the title, which makes me want to write an "ly" at the end of "Bad," Ben Yagoda's book has been very informative, but not worth $15. I should have stuck to the web as a resource, but I have to stare at a computer screen all-day anyway, so my eyes needed a frickin' break. Sometimes we all need that smack to remind us we're human, and in my case, sloppy. 


To all the sloppy writers out there I wish you well and few run-ins with pigeons.


TGIF.


-Ama

p.s. I've been addicted to the trippy, hypnotic beats of Gramatik. Read some Edgar Allen Poe to this...
 

Before my situation starts getting really busy next week, I've been enjoying sleeping in with the warmth of an electric blanket, lots of mint tea, ice cream at nine in the morning, French elctro-funk, and Young Adult paranormal romance novels... it sounds like the stuff of a bad break-up, but it's a personal indulgence. Sorry Voltaire and Flaubert, I've put down my intellectual French reading for mind mush--and it's great, thank you very much. 

At present I'm reading Beautiful Creatures, which was spurred by--surprisingly--my younger brother's intrigue in the movie trailer. He regularly expresses interest in all things Southern and Voodoo magicky... we have yet to attack that New Orleans trip and I think we just missed the opportune time to go. Oh well, I've always wanted to saunter down Bourbon Street in the fall. I think it might be time for a self-appointed "business trip." Yes indeed. 

I'm making Zucchini Lasagna this evening, it is decided. In light of my recent affinity for European electro-retro funk I shall share with you the music by which I will make my lasagna, given the fact that it's all I can hear anyone say in this repetitive, albeit catchy, song. 

No writing today. Too much of it turns me into a zombie. It is a day for reading and gluten-free lasagna. 

If you've blipped by and noticed the "Current Project" page has gone the way of the invisible man, not to worry, it will be back up shortly with new updates and a fresh look. I get anxiety when something stays the same for too long, I feel the impulsive need to change it... I'm not especially sentimental now that I think of it. Anyway, I have completed a Behance profile showcasing my retro art and I thought to share a few quirky pieces:

Love it or hate it, they were commission pieces for a site I blog for on and off in light of the irrelevant holiday swift upon us--and this isn't meant in bitterness, only in annoyance. This is because Valentine's day does nothing but clutter the aisles of Target with pink and red junk, and make it awkward for elementary school children who somehow feel obligated to pass out cheap card-stock hearts to every kid in class, even though they might revile one or two. It also makes boyfriends panic at the prospect of their girlfriends' distaste when they buy the wrong nougat creams or Godiva truffles... the whole thing is about as disastrous as Christmas without the refreshing scent of pine or cheesy suburban blow-up lawn snowmen. I jest, holidays aren't all bad--if you can manage your caloric intake.

Anyway, if you'd like to see the full retro/Victorian inspired collection, visit my Behance profile @         
http://www.behance.net/AmalynneO. There's far less jaded holiday commentary there and a little spunk, if I do say so myself. 


Wishing you all a pleasant Monday,

Amalynne <3

Gramatik is "groovically" gifted and I've been writing to his funkified techno tunes all day. 

If you haven't had a chance feel free to check out my posted prologue on Wattpad or on my Current Project page and provide your feedback :)

Happy Wednesday,

Ama

Last night I posted the last chapter of The Ever Secret Diary of Sirius Black, a lazy little project I'd been working on since my teenage years. I've still been receiving reviews even up until this year for it, so I thought I'd indulge my readers and finish it up as requested. It was a bittersweet moment... and frankly not much more than some harried paragraphs, but I hope the chapter at least ties up the ends and alludes to some mystery for my next fanfiction effort. 

Requests have poured in for a sequel to Year 6, and if I have time, I just might oblige. I need to work on my own projects, however because I need to pay the rent and all. Today, however I thought I'd share a piece of artwork that I fell in love with by Kristin Bergh, she used to draw Harry Potter fanfiction pencil art and it was lovely... I'm not sure who this is supposed to be in her depiction, but I love the style of art and thought it was worthy of sharing:

She also did the artwork I'd used in the original banner for The Ever Secret Diary of Sirius Black that you can see on my Stories page, however small it is.

Anyhoo, that is all for now. Off to try and bring more depth to things my editor has been after me about :D

-Ama

News flash: Contact button moved to bottom header. Please fill out the submit form if you'd like to contact me. I'm working on a novel, balancing a freelance business, and studying for the LSAT... it might take some time for me to get back to you, but I always try.

-Ama 

For those of you that know me, I love a little retro funk, much of which inspired the design for Fiction Faze and other graphic design projects, but more recently I've been inspired by modern retro beats, specifically, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. If I'm not mistaken, they're a Swedish band with a retro revival feel and a funky sense of style, and I'm basically in love with them. And as with most anything I'm in love with, I have to share it or I'll stay bursting at the seams... which tends to be somewhat uncomfortable. 

As far as "Galactic Epics" are concerned, I've been quite busy. I've slaved over my Prologue with obsessive care and hopefully the big guy with the "Ok" stamp lets me move forward and get this book done! I was so freakin' proud of myself I got the powers that be to approve a post of my Prologue, which I pray you'll like. It hasn't even gone out to beta groups yet, so you're the pre-preview group. Btw, if you're interested in being a beta, a guinea pig for the book, send me a private message and you'll receive the novel in chapter segments to preview and provide your feedback. The publisher assembles their own beta groups but in the end I'm the one who has to make the changes, so I'd like some input from my own pool of supporters. You'll have to offer up an electronic signature for a non-disclosure agreement on general content and that you won't sell it or anything, all legal fluff, I'm not especially concerned about that actually.

Yuppers, so if you haven't already, blip on over to my Current Project page to access the Prologue and tell me what you think. I'm excited to post character profiles in the coming week so you'll get an idea on the tone of the novel and the sort of snarky, loud-mouthed, enigmatic characters pepper the manuscript. 


Wishing you all the best. Until next time,

Ama