Shakespeare Sundays

Recently I've been on a William Shakespeare kick, which hasn't happened for quite a while. I rediscovered the 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet by director Franco Zeffrelli. When I read the play in high school, I enjoyed parts of it, but realized just how awful of a love story it really was. Romeo is fickle & indecisive, while Juliet is easily seduced and foolish in falling in love with Romeo too fast. Both Romeo and Juliet are impulsive, rash and irrationally reckless.

However, there's a line that Juliet says to Romeo after they've promised themselves to each other faithfully.

"And all my fortunes at thy foot I lay and follow thee my lord throughout the world."

[start it from 1:49]

For some reason, that line struck such a chord with me that I literally Awwed out loud.  It is incredibly romantic, even in spite of the fact that these kids have only known each other for a grand total of 30 minutes. But as I thought on it more, I realized that this sentiment of putting everything one has at the foot of someone you love could easily be applied to Gospel principles.

How often are we willing, happy even, to lay "all my fortunes" at the foot of the Savior? And follow Him "throughout the world"? Not as often as we should from what I've concluded.

This new perspective that Shakespeare gave me yesterday as I watch Olivia Hussey speak those words has made me re-evaluate yet again how renewed my commitment to the Savior and to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My prayer is that we all my be able to give up everything and lay it at the feet of the one who gave us everything we have.

xoxo
Megs

Le sigh

Sometimes I worry how skewed my priorities can get. I've become so fixated on my writing, I wonder if I have more faith in my books and my manuscript than with the Gospel or my friends & family. After attending a writing conference this weekend, I feel so overwhelmed with everything I have to do to get my novel finished and out there.

Don't get me wrong, it was a good experience. I had forgotten just how awesome it is to be around true nerds who dress up in black cloaks and Dr. Who t-shirts and make references to Lord of the Rings. I loved it probably more than I should have. But the fact was, I started becoming obsessed when it came to throwing myself into this passion of mine, and perfecting every little thing there. Until I realized, it wasn't a race. Even though my plan was to get my novel completely finished and revised by April, it's not a terrible disaster if I don't. And it's no reason to put off more important things, or make the people I love take a backseat till then.

I've decided to dedicate more of my Sundays to keeping this day holier than it usually is. Making sure the movies I watch, the music I listen to, and the activities I do are uplifting and turn my thoughts more towards Christ. I've even started picking up my violin and playing again & after some time of re-tuning it.

There's really no point to this rant other than this:

I recognize that I've been stagnant in a lot of things recently, in my true dedication to the Gospel, in my writing, in my relationships with the people around me etc. I need to be more Christ-like, I need to look for more service opportunities, and I need to be a true friend. Not just a friend for Sundays. Even though I've had mixed feelings about the ward I'm in, all in all, if I don't make friends simply because I haven't tried, then that's my own fault. No one else's. And if I end up finding out that the majority of the people at church are jerks, well I won't really know if they are or not until I give them a chance. And if they are, then at least I can say I've done all I can. But if they're not, then maybe I'll end up fortifying friendships that will sustain me through difficult times, and do the same for them.

And thus ends my narration. Thanks for dropping in!

xoxo
Megatron

Siren playlist

Here are the songs that I play while I'm writing my YA Fantasy/Adventure novel, Siren.

1.) Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
2.) Easier to Run by Linkin Park
3.) Say by OneRepublic
4.) The Resistance by anberlin
5.) Imaginary by Evanescence
6.) Seven Devils by Florence & the Machine
7.) Demons by Imagine Dragons
8.) Explosions by Ellie Goulding
9.) Together Again by Evanescence
10.) From the Inside by Linkin Park
11.) The Lightning Strike by Snow Patrol
12.) Bleeding Out by Imagine Dragons
13.) Paperthin Hymn by anberlin
14.) Love is Blindness by Jack White
15.) My Fault by Imagine Dragons
16.) Lost in Paradise by Evanescence


Any guesses as to the plot? :)



xoxo
Mega-Excited

When it pours, it floods...

There's a tried but true phrase that says, "When it rains, it pours." When people usually apply this particular statement, it's usually to describe a situation that has gone from bad to worse. When bad things happen, there are LOTS of bad things happening.

But I'd like to alter this cliche slightly to describe when inspiration hits. "When it pours, it floods." As most everyone knows I'm working on a novel that I really feel could be the future of young adult literature. It's unique, with well-rounded characters, a female lead who isn't strong at first, but grows stronger through out the story, and a different post-apocalyptic/dystopian environment. The only thing that it's similar to that I can think of, is the movie V for Vendetta. But I'm happy to say, that the only thing I borrowed/ drew inspiration from it, was with the government banning the arts and music and having a tight control on its people. Everything else, my idea!

Currently I'm on chapter 10 in my story, but just last night I got inspiration for another book that could definitely be made into a movie. In fact, it's probably more fit for the silver screen than black and white and read all over. :)

Last night I had probably the worst case of insomnia ever. I'm not exaggerating when I say I maybe got 20 minutes of sleep in total. It was awful. And I really don't know where it came from. I was swearing and praying, sometimes at the same time that I could get some mother-effing sleep, that never came. As I dozed, however, I started dreaming about my experiences in retail, both current and past experiences. Some of the stories are funny, some are painful, and some are downright terrible.

This case of restlessness has lead me to a comedic piece of writing that I'm thrilled to pursue after Siren is finished. I imagine if this new story were to be made into celluloid, the producers/director of Pitch Perfect or Bridget Jones' Diary would be heavily involved.

Writing a comedy is probably the hardest genre to do. If it's not done well, it's a complete disaster no matter who is cast or who is directing it. But I'm excited for the challenge! Siren is a very intense young adult novel that at times takes itself too seriously, like The Hunger Games or Maze Runner but this new idea I received last night will be a breath of fresh air for me. None of my friends or family members will have to put up with my moodiness or angst like they have with me writing Siren.

I've always been afraid that as a writer, I'd run out of ideas for things to write about, and then my career as a novelist will be over. But after having 4 new story outlines I've produced, not including Siren, I'm confident I'll never be want for inspiration.

Here's to future best-selling novels & blockbuster films! And here's to the writers that started out with nothing who now have everything!