tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554163734054746612024-02-19T03:46:31.374-08:00The Lit ExpressRane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-90349742211073471752011-06-07T12:29:00.000-07:002012-11-23T10:43:19.091-08:00And she meets Giovanni...again (WiSG? Ch 8)<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Have you read the previous chapters? If not, look to the right sidebar for the chapter archive)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"></span>Click the outer edge of the book cover to turn the page. <b>ENJOY!</b></div>
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Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-19477297386991602432011-06-05T18:04:00.001-07:002011-06-05T18:04:48.263-07:00WiSG? to post Tuesday!Hey guys, just a heads up! The next installment (Chapter 8) will post Tuesday!<br />
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:)<br />
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Hope everyone had a great weekend!<br />
RaneRane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-12384109949589697592011-05-30T08:12:00.000-07:002012-11-23T10:43:29.791-08:00The Gypsy Girl (WiSG? Ch 7)<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<a href="http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/p/book-cover.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Book Synopsis</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Have you read the previous chapters? If not, look to the right sidebar for the chapter archive)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"></span>Click the outer edge of the book cover to turn the page. <b>ENJOY!</b></div>
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Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-42061807411726811792011-05-28T18:55:00.000-07:002011-05-28T18:55:36.323-07:00This is why we read books!<div style="text-align: left;">GREETINGS! It's been a while, my friends. Still trying to ease back into the normal blogging schedule! Hopefully, I'll get the hang of it again soon. In the meantime, I just had to share:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.demotivation.us/newest/books-1247061.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Books - That is exactly how they work" height="640" src="http://www.demotivation.us/media/demotivators/demotivation.us_Books-That-is-exactly-how-they-work_130580980657.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you seen this floating around the blogosphere? This is why I write...why you write...why we read! I love it! Love it as in...even though is says "fuck you" on the brick wall, I might actually consider buying this as a poster to hang on my son or daughter's (if I ever have any) bedroom wall. To the writers: keep the good books coming! To the readers: aren't we lucky to live in a world where books exist????????????</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Rane</span></b></div>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-1892494589753995222011-05-23T08:57:00.000-07:002012-11-23T10:43:41.192-08:00Who is Saint Giovanni? (Chapter 6)<a href="http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/55521307?access_key=key-urjt8wp1cdy822o38lt" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View Who is Saint Giovanni? (Chapter 6) on Scribd">Read Fullscreen</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.666666666666667" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_62523" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/55521307/content?start_page=1&view_mode=slideshow&access_key=key-urjt8wp1cdy822o38lt" width="100%"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-43927676798851000112011-05-22T17:59:00.000-07:002011-05-22T18:11:30.692-07:00Going AWOL...............happens sometimes, I guess. Sorry guys. I'm always a little thrown off when the bloggers I follow disappear for a bit. A week isn't THAT long of a time, but it felt like an eternity to me. I had <i>every</i> intention of following through with my <b>Chapter Six</b> posts for <i>Who is Saint Giovanni? </i>Instead, Chapter Six will be posted in its entirety tomorrow morning, as usual.<br />
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<i></i>Abandoning my book--<i>my precious</i>--and my blog means that some pretty serious *stuff* is happening in my real-world life. You'll have to take my word for it. Alternatively, you can read the excuses below. One or none may be responsible for my absence!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1.</span> I saw this billboard and spent a whole frantic week preparing for the beginning of the end.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6FwQ-QxURKn5Knkmdu0NlgfCBk7wMqTNmYMsZ-7vf2V3B3vwCcJozUQ2tdJ8_BJ6pork_gdEVaYPFLEJy2XTMqFyv4srDrydLkKDoIhNKNbKqyCQi3q37A7djh-iHhJcHlQGDvoF408/s1600/120110billboard_t607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6FwQ-QxURKn5Knkmdu0NlgfCBk7wMqTNmYMsZ-7vf2V3B3vwCcJozUQ2tdJ8_BJ6pork_gdEVaYPFLEJy2XTMqFyv4srDrydLkKDoIhNKNbKqyCQi3q37A7djh-iHhJcHlQGDvoF408/s400/120110billboard_t607.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2.</span> I followed the advice of a horoscope that warned me not to communicate with anyone outside of my family until the stars aligned two notches southwest of the coordinates east of the red dwarf White Dwarf.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3.</span> I died, figuratively. Good news: I didn't die literally.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4.</span> A meteor fell through my roof, destroying my computer and all of its content, and it took me this entire week to type my book into a new word document from a hard copy.<br />
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:)<br />
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Oh. And to help you eliminate ONE of the excuses above, here is my response to yesterday's "Rapture-that-didn't-happen," purely for your entertainment.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All it takes is one cunning fox to convince a lot of gullible chickens that the SKY IS FALLING!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">RANE</span></div>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-90035262785828435672011-05-17T22:27:00.000-07:002011-05-17T22:27:11.399-07:00Oops!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCq4vfxhVZrtpvDdRg4Ok6f1YweOCB_WV1J7dnhnseOx3QBfv1OuyRzl76ZukHVQg5_Izq8X2pyzlTPNdH3h1STNFiAvfYiUxpAFHDUh7J8VPmZUwQ9-Hq_vZrXOHhUlm_s1RYR0QFCw/s1600/please-stand-by.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCq4vfxhVZrtpvDdRg4Ok6f1YweOCB_WV1J7dnhnseOx3QBfv1OuyRzl76ZukHVQg5_Izq8X2pyzlTPNdH3h1STNFiAvfYiUxpAFHDUh7J8VPmZUwQ9-Hq_vZrXOHhUlm_s1RYR0QFCw/s320/please-stand-by.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-36758289057062227212011-05-16T20:17:00.000-07:002011-05-16T20:33:51.752-07:00Choose Your Own Adventure! Be warned: you may or may not survive!<div class="MsoNoSpacing"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes! You clicked the link! That means you're brave...and must be ready to set off on a journey that you <b>may or may not survive.</b> Be warned, friends! Are you sure you can handle it? I have faith in you! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><evil laugh></span> Get your gear together...get ready...click THE ADVENTURE STARTS HERE image to...duh...start your adventure. Perhaps your journey will lead you back to this post---<b>where horrible things just might happen.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://kerricuevas.blogspot.com/2011/05/yeti-abominable-snowman-expedition.html"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygmUvb0OCw2v0ixN_NTBBAuMeY_g3_J5cJsW-SgYSOLqLVzj6e7GbCaJspzUcRIaDZz2IYvV9Hp1OKnlz9dl3V5RwAl-1Ia84gakFzgIYlNmFg8-Dr6l6g0TUjs7g8CS7e61SecCCkEU/s200/StartYetiBadge%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"> You recall the legend of the Talkative Yeti. Your grandfather, who died in these very mountains, told it to you as a boy. You can still hear his haunting voice—that sent a chill to your eight-year-old bones—describing the night an entire village was massacred by a mountain beast. Not any mountain beast. The elusive yeti. And not any yeti. A talkative yeti. Perhaps the very one that stands before you now.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “He slipped into the village just after sunset,” Grandfather had said, “and entered the huts one by one. There was only a single survivor, a boy about your age.”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “How did he escape?” you had asked.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “The yeti—hunched over, claws outstretched—descended on the boy, ready to rip him apart.”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “And the boy,” you had interrupted, “pulled a weapon from under his pillow?”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Grandfather had laughed. “At first, the boy’s weapon came in the form of a question. He asked the beast, ‘What ails you?’ and the yeti, ready to fill his belly once more, stopped, blinked with his enraged eyes, and answered, ‘No one has ever asked me that before.’” </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “The yeti talked?”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “Talked is an understatement, m’boy! The yeti, blood covering his matted white fur, sobbed the tale of his only brother who recently died in a trap laid by humans. As he held his dying brother in his arms, he vowed to kill every human he encountered.”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “But the yeti let the boy live?”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “Actually, that’s when the boy reached for the weapon under his pillow—a stone club—and whacked the unsuspecting yeti on the head. The boy escaped while he could.”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “He should have killed it. Why didn’t he kill it?”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, son.”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> You remember the quote while wondering if the monster kneeling before you is the same yeti from the legend, the yeti who pledged to kill every human he meets. Although, he sits in a submissive position, you imagine him springing forward to set his sharp teeth into your frail, human neck. You feel ill picturing the remains of your body rotting away in this remote cave.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Now you understand why your wife called you a fool and divorced you before you set off on this ambitious adventure. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> You back away slowly. But when a bat drops from the dark ceiling, whooshing over your head, you nearly slip on the icy rocks you stand on. The beast doesn’t react well to your sudden movement. It leaps from its squatting position and growls, “Don’t go.”</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Is it lonely or does it want to make you its lunch? You are too terrified to find out, so you turn and run. The yeti is chasing you. You hear the ice cracking beneath its feet.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Somehow you reach the entrance of the cave all in one piece. You are standing knee-high in the snow, searching for the best way to run. But is there time to run? You hear the yeti emerging from the cave and whip around to face it.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> You take a step backward. The farther you are from it, the better. “I won’t harm you,” you say. “I swear!” Of course I won’t harm it, you think. With its incredible speed and hulk-like strength, the yeti can snap you in half before you have the chance to reach for a weapon.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “Don’t move,” it snarls.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> But you can’t just stand there. You have to try to survive. You take another step backward.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> “Stop!” it howls.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Your feet, like the rest of you, have gone numb. Too frightened to have noticed sooner, you are now standing at the edge of a cliff, and you are already falling before you have a chance to grab onto a branch from the nearest tree. You feel the icy wind at your back as your body plunges straight down into the ravine. You know this is it. You will die in these mountains just like your grandfather.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>DO YOU ACCEPT YOUR FATE?</b><br />
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<b>DO YOU GO BACK ONE STEP TO CHOOSE MORE WISELY?</b><br />
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<b>OR</b><br />
<b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b><a href="http://kerricuevas.blogspot.com/2011/05/yeti-abominable-snowman-expedition.html">START OVER</a>?</b></span></div><div><br />
</div>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-59099835541922566032011-05-16T06:00:00.000-07:002011-05-28T18:58:15.552-07:00Who is Saint Giovanni? (Chapter 6.1)<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/2011/05/who-is-saint-giovanni-chapter-6.html">CLICK HERE TO READ CHAPTER SIX</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This week's featured illustration by <a href="http://www.ashleystewart-art.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Ashley Stewart</a></span></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuxyycBEqeDsYZ2uIHGrRSAfNTv7DMTg7iK191uVeq_Q6LiDJag5CGhlsu0GNDDxTLkpmha1BwIqKzUvBb2ILftGccWom1JvsOQq8Y2yATixeSyUPDH4pBD9hGeylDzUGuAX43CzRmo4/s1600/giovanni+chp+6+drawing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuxyycBEqeDsYZ2uIHGrRSAfNTv7DMTg7iK191uVeq_Q6LiDJag5CGhlsu0GNDDxTLkpmha1BwIqKzUvBb2ILftGccWom1JvsOQq8Y2yATixeSyUPDH4pBD9hGeylDzUGuAX43CzRmo4/s320/giovanni+chp+6+drawing.jpeg" width="82" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'd also <i>love</i> for you to "like" my author facebook fanpage :) :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN1Yc6QfkXaZ6yRl_N2MeYHqs_qfnDmjxtJri_lj1Rm64ZolQEF6U5P3-GIYG4oXdCq5VPfMzeBpspD7qJuzfa8OUiJ4DpO70hBb8_Bc-JWD8Ra716yrfbDpq3dmSakM5MXl22Leh4j0/s1600/addgoodreads.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpages%2FRane-Anderson%2F192548314114555&width=292&colorscheme=light&show_faces=false&stream=false&header=true&height=62" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; height: 62px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; width: 292px;"></iframe></div></div></div></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Until next time,</span></div></div></div></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">RANE</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-3734788086252180842011-05-14T15:51:00.000-07:002011-05-14T17:21:20.068-07:00Who wants to go on a free adventure? May 17, 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EiFj6HAXnc49evq98_0ItCq9O6mNOGKz_ppeOmru1dMTcHfrjouiY-RQ6L49qHDAYbBPfHyZPePNuYkojsbO02MoCX76VChCvyBKjD86iIvvGQRa6xXgXOu30hyfBtzbg3eCHW5MliA/s1600/YetiBadge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EiFj6HAXnc49evq98_0ItCq9O6mNOGKz_ppeOmru1dMTcHfrjouiY-RQ6L49qHDAYbBPfHyZPePNuYkojsbO02MoCX76VChCvyBKjD86iIvvGQRa6xXgXOu30hyfBtzbg3eCHW5MliA/s320/YetiBadge2.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>Do you remember the <b>Choose Your Own Adventure</b> books? I sure do. My older brother used to gobble those up like there was no tomorrow. Back in those days, I wasn't reading chapter books yet. And my only adventure with the <i>CYOA</i> books was scribbling my name on random pages and crossing out words that didn't look right to me.<br />
<br />
So....what does this have to do with a free adventure?? Huh??<br />
<br />
Starting <b>May 17th, 2011</b> you can join in on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(probably?)</span> the first ever <b>Choose Your Own Adventure blog hop</b>, brought to you by group 9 Crusaders. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/p/writers-platform-building-crusade.html">Click here</a> if you're interested in hearing more about the Writer's Crusade.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
The Choose Your Own Adventure blog hop starts on <a href="http://kerricuevas.blogspot.com/">Kerri's blog</a>. There are several writers, myself included, who have written one leg of your journey through the ice-capped mountains and your encounter with an Abominable Snowman.<br />
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We hope you'll enjoy it!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">-Rane-</span></div>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-46246755778649491132011-05-11T07:16:00.000-07:002012-11-23T10:44:02.619-08:00Who is Saint Giovanni? (Chapter 5)<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<a href="http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/p/book-cover.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Book Synopsis</a><b> | <a href="http://whoissaintgiovanni.blogspot.com/2011/05/behind-scenes-5.html">Behind-the-scenes Post</a></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Have you read the previous chapters? If not, look to the right sidebar for the chapter archive)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"></span>Click the outer edge of the book cover to turn the page. <b>ENJOY!</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*To view this scribd document, you need flash player. <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/">Get it here.</a>*</span></div>
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Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-76920792414658446152011-05-08T19:12:00.000-07:002011-05-09T09:03:22.788-07:00Attention! (WiSG? to post Wednesday)Hey guys and gals, book bloggers, writers, book lovers, and websurfers who find this post through a random google search,<br />
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This week's blog lineup is going to be a little different. I've just moved from Washington to California! Things are hectic! It's also why The Lit Express looks a little empty at the moment. Normal blogging will resume next week.<br />
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AND<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Who is Saint Giovanni?</i> (Chapter Five) will be posted on <b>Wednesday, May 11</b>.</span> I know. <i>How</i> could I do that to you? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><hehe> <<i>mean</i> writer...mean!!></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">To all you mothers out there:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! </span></b></div>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-72403648617773675182011-05-03T15:23:00.000-07:002011-05-03T22:28:40.019-07:00Wither Live Chat (Tonight 6pm PST)!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZVQ29NuOmZzFJ_093iAEwvvhXRhsjiL1XKWsGhfr_g2wdmUtRdWctUNHF9tTczYG7MK-AiI1tZDIV_9-3fawo80_bdSm9HIb1WaZwSWqVtfWeEMAfFTH95qecjiFz9YCTjwK0dC7hsw/s1600/wither.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZVQ29NuOmZzFJ_093iAEwvvhXRhsjiL1XKWsGhfr_g2wdmUtRdWctUNHF9tTczYG7MK-AiI1tZDIV_9-3fawo80_bdSm9HIb1WaZwSWqVtfWeEMAfFTH95qecjiFz9YCTjwK0dC7hsw/s200/wither.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> WELCOME!!</span></div></div><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Are you ready to discuss <i>Wither</i> by Lauren Destefano? Great! The chat begins at <b>6pm (PST)</b>. Choose a nickname and click enter to start chatting!! We'll have some questions ready to guide the discussion, but please feel free to voice your own comments or questions about the book. We're all friendly here, so don't be shy to join in! Talk to you soon.</div><div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">*Update* We had a great chat this month! Please stay tuned to vote for MAY's book! We're getting a little bit of a late start this month, so we'll all have to be speed demons when it comes to reading :-)</span>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-31186084552643528642011-05-02T06:00:00.000-07:002012-11-23T10:44:48.300-08:00Who is Saint Giovanni? (Chapter 4)<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hey guys!</span></b> I can't believe another week has come and gone! And we're already up to chapter four! Several of you have requested longer chapters, and I haven't had a chance to look into that yet. Now, don't <span style="font-size: x-small;">raise your pitch forks</span> when I tell you this, but Chapter 4 is, coincidentally, the shortest chapter in the <i>entire </i>novel, aside from the preface. That's a little ironic, don't you think? Regardless, I hope you enjoy! </blockquote>
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Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-17661939250977567772011-04-30T23:19:00.000-07:002011-04-30T23:19:31.793-07:00Wither (Live Chat)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnolXMPUhlHupH-1ULRqsBXlpohru09pG4mYtTlx4ZWF4d6AE2PsdARUVVa4yWecCZxvJezDlL1ut-6EZw3Ne4pTbzeqx79t5QNwW8KBBNQJHYq4mPs3j4U6JtAJyhq7skU-cHtM2EpsA/s1600/ur+invited.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnolXMPUhlHupH-1ULRqsBXlpohru09pG4mYtTlx4ZWF4d6AE2PsdARUVVa4yWecCZxvJezDlL1ut-6EZw3Ne4pTbzeqx79t5QNwW8KBBNQJHYq4mPs3j4U6JtAJyhq7skU-cHtM2EpsA/s1600/ur+invited.bmp" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to April's live book club chat! We will be discussing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have you read the book Wither? Does the realism of their decimated world scare you? Are you anxious to talk about the genetic engineering that has turned a new generation into guinea pigs that die young? Or did you read it and feel that this dystopian society fell short and would never happen? Were you rooting for Rhine's husband, Linden, or the servant, Gabriel?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's chat about it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(If you haven't read the book, you have a few days...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> go out and get your copy and join us for our monthly book club chat.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope to see you there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div>Kalina Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919380345691723341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-41261954718275517862011-04-25T06:00:00.000-07:002012-11-23T10:44:59.773-08:00Who is Saint Giovanni? (Chapter 3)<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<a href="http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/p/book-cover.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Book Synopsis</a><b> | <a href="http://whoissaintgiovanni.blogspot.com/2011/04/behind-scenes-3.html">Behind-the-scenes Post</a></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Have you read the previous chapters? If not, look to the right sidebar for the chapter archive)</span></div>
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Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-26915410419021164782011-04-23T14:01:00.000-07:002011-04-23T14:27:48.800-07:00Here is one reason there are so many crappy books in the world<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I decided to write this post about 10 minutes ago, I was trying to find a way to link the "Changing Education Paradigms" video (embedded below) to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">writing</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">books</span>. After all, that's why you come here, isn't it? To read something related to one of the two categories?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7kJUMlb_bdYr0A2UYNEP880elC547YltB82_KVLmYw2j5qvKNnebjrAU2tu3Uj9OLBaF1BF4tUExa38ehBwXi71-WP8rqja7KN4XV5wcNBc-els3vbkMS9OV5Z8uGcm3CBjju3MUp9k/s1600/left-brain-right-brain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7kJUMlb_bdYr0A2UYNEP880elC547YltB82_KVLmYw2j5qvKNnebjrAU2tu3Uj9OLBaF1BF4tUExa38ehBwXi71-WP8rqja7KN4XV5wcNBc-els3vbkMS9OV5Z8uGcm3CBjju3MUp9k/s200/left-brain-right-brain.jpg" width="219" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've wanted to be a writer since I was 9. That's almost 20 years of storytelling. I'm a fairly introspective person, but it doesn't take much inward thought to pinpoint a devastating change in the way I tell stories, in the way I've changed as an artist. <b>Over the years, I've become less imaginative.</b> Sure, I'm still <i>very</i> imaginative. All writers are, some more than others. But these days I anguish over some of the simplest storytelling challenges.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Test your own imagination by answering this question:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why did the aliens abduct the girl? </span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many reasons can you come up with? <i>How many of those ideas are any good?</i> (After all, this is a question writers ask themselves, isn't it?) And how many of those ideas will produce a book someone will want to publish?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is where the "Changing Education Paradigms" video comes into play, particularly about 8 minutes in where Sir Ken Robinson discusses <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">divergent thinking</span>. Divergent thinking is the ability to find several answers to a question, being able to interpret questions in several different ways. Robinson states that creativity is "the process of having original ideas that have value." He also says, "divergent thinking is an essential capacity for creative thinking."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are all divergent thinkers to some capacity. I <i>know</i> I am because when I took calculus I had become a linear thinker, which is the opposite of a divergent thinker. There aren't several ways to interpret a math problem. There is one correct answer. I started doing really well in the class (5 pounds heavier...and an eye twitch later) after I realized not to think too hard. The ONLY thing I had to remember was to follow the formula. If I did that, the problem was EASY, manageable.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "writing a good book" forumla:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">characters+plot+setting+dialogue+100 other components+mix them together= <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><s>well written book</s></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no formula because there isn't <b>one</b> right answer. If you are a divergent thinker, the possibilities are endless.</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I believe</span> a writer's ability to FIND those possibilities can be the difference between a well-written book and poorly written book.</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all know this, right? It makes sense.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why are there so many crappy books in the world?</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's go back to the example of aliens abducting the girl. You can probably come up with 10-15 answers within a minute or two.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some of mine:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The aliens want to learn about the human race</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are human-eating aliens and are hungry</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They want her for a pet</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girl is the long lost alien princess in disguise</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girl is the only human who can fix their broken spaceship that landed on Earth</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are all logical to some degree, but none of them are original or very good. If you had to post a comment with your list, how many ideas could you come up with? How many of those ideas would you actually publish in a comment? Why wouldn't you want to include all of those ideas in your published comment?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because a lot of them are stupid.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's what you're thinking, right?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently kids can easily come up with a couple hundred ideas off the top of their head. They do not filter themselves the same way adults do. They don't limit themselves to only what's logical. They won't answer the question as if there is only ONE right answer or a GOOD answer. So what happened? We were kids once. We didn't ALWAYS filter ourselves. At one point in our life, we would have said, "The aliens abducted the girl because she is made of cheese and they like cheese." Coming from a kid, it's cute. Coming from an adult...well...you can fill in the blank.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point is that you aren't going to find a Pulitzer Prize worthy idea within the first 100 or 200 answers to "Why did the aliens abduct the girl?" And many of us will skim right past the <b>bad</b> or <b>wrong</b> idea that may have led us to an award worthy, well-written novel.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what if...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">what if...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there are so many crappy books in the world because of the way we are taught to interpret questions? And where are we taught things?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">School.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was my creativity stifled as I progressed in my "education?" Was your creativity stifled? What about the authors of those "crappy books?"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not blaming anyone for my own creativity or lack-thereof. I'm merely asking a question. Do we want crappy books in this world? Should the way kids are educated change in order to promote divergent thinking?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You decide for yourself. Sir Ken Robinson sums it up far better than I can in this stimulating video:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">RANE</span></div><br />
P.S. Thanks to James for submitting the link to this video in your response to one of our posts!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">image borrowed from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2008/07/right_ways_of_w.shtml">here</a></span>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-53539359615311508792011-04-22T07:00:00.000-07:002011-04-22T07:00:10.499-07:00Inspired Friday (1)Hey everyone!<div><br /></div><div>I've decided to do a new thing with my posts (although this will sometimes be interrupted by book reviews). It has to do with quotes, because I don't know about the rest of you, but quotes totally inspire me. They affect what I write on any given day by shaping the subject and even the tone of my writing.</div><div><br /></div><div>So for these posts, I'm going to have a quote that inspires me in some way and write about it. Maybe it'll be related to writing, maybe it'll be related to what's going on with me at the moment, but it'll always be related to an aspect in my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is this week's:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>I've never let my school interfere with my education. - Mark Twain</i></div><div><br /></div><div>I am a college student, and for those of you who are students, you know that right now is crunch time. I have 3 weeks left before finals. So all of the biggest projects are piling up on each other. And because of that, I've completely immersed myself into work. I haven't read a book in a week. I haven't even really talked to people all that much.</div><div><br /></div><div>And what purpose does that serve me?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going crazy. Seriously. I can't sleep because my neck is too tense from the stress, and I'm pretty sure I've gained about five pounds from stress eating. Sometimes, some of us (me, especially) need to remember that school isn't everything. There are some things you learn that just can't be taught other than experiencing them. Things that are so much more relevant to life than writing a strategic analysis of a company's marketing campaign.</div><div><br /></div><div>This has a direct effect on my writing, too. What makes writing rich is the feeling that it's real-life -- it's those moments when you're reading a book and completely lose yourself into the world and characters because they're so relatable. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not saying school is important, it's just that experiencing life and learning real-life things shouldn't be sacrificed for school.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anybody else find themselves having this problem? Anybody else have other reactions to Twain's quote? I'd love to hear your thoughts!</div>Alyssa Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821347253650513464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-53265050527200367822011-04-21T07:50:00.000-07:002011-04-21T07:52:43.065-07:00I Don't Want to Kill You Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhLEuOFdvmpx6kuP7JjfxZHOMzirlf1Q8KwmWzjfvl_AHWBOeNmEVD5hyTh-ztyEAdhG8YaeXf1vh-noP3qGIjvusxVxsFm8eukZ2QDc5khYm7xc8u7I_YWqjPCeLyotFB0IeiyhUXtI/s1600/danwells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhLEuOFdvmpx6kuP7JjfxZHOMzirlf1Q8KwmWzjfvl_AHWBOeNmEVD5hyTh-ztyEAdhG8YaeXf1vh-noP3qGIjvusxVxsFm8eukZ2QDc5khYm7xc8u7I_YWqjPCeLyotFB0IeiyhUXtI/s1600/danwells.jpg" /></a></div><b>Publisher:</b> Tor Books<br />
<b>Hardcover:</b> 320 pages<br />
<b>Reading Level:</b> Young Adult<br />
<b>Series:</b><br />
<b></b><i>Book 1</i> I Am Not a Serial Killer (Mar. 2010)<br />
<i>Book 2</i> Mr. Monster (Sept. 2010)<br />
<i>Book 3</i> I Don't Want to Kill You (Mar. 2011)<br />
<blockquote>At the end of book 2, John Cleaver issued a deadly challenge. Now, he is waiting for a killer to come for him. He must find out who it is, discover the killer's weakness, and figure out how to use that weakness to stop the killer. Only one of them can survive. Once again, it is John, with the help of his new girlfriend, who puts the clues together. </blockquote><br />
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<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Want to read my reviews of the first two books in the series?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/2010/12/i-am-not-serial-killer-review.html">I am Not a Serial Killer</a> | <a href="http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/2011/01/mr-monster-review-by-dan-wells.html">Mr. Monster</a></b></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Review</b><br />
Dan Wells' third book in the John Cleaver series is amazingly suspenseful. From the beginning of the book, the reader knows the killer is coming for John. The author has you thinking it is the reporter, the priest, a friend, the girlfriend, the girlfriend's father and mother, John's mother...every character is suspect in your mind. You've heard the expression "the suspense is killing me!" Well, there are twists and turns that will keep you in a state of anxiety for John's survival! At one point, I had to put the book down to take a breather.<br />
<br />
John's struggle with his dark side, the Mr. Monster within, is still with him in this story but he comes to a better understanding of himself by the end of the book. I do want to warn the faint of heart that John's thoughts of killing, his imaginings, as well as his activities in the family-run mortuary may be distasteful to you. And there is one story element that seems a little contrived, but it is such a minor piece, it may as well be ignored. And it certainly will not impact my rating.<br />
<br />
This third book is even better than the first two, and if you've read my previous reviews of the John Cleaver books, you know I thought they were "page-turners." Just as I was electrified by the last line in the previous book, this book's ending leaves me with the excited feeling that John’s work is not done. And now, he has someone who wants to share it with him! I hope that means someday soon Dan Wells will be writing another book for this series.<br />
<br />
Cover: 5/5 (A bold cover...with a clue ;)<br />
Plot: 5/5<br />
Characters: 5/5<br />
Writing: 5/5<br />
Ending: 5/5<br />
<b>Overall Rating: 5/5</b><br />
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</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LINDA</span></b></div><div><br />
</div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394147651684216233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-83379035856007636402011-04-20T00:20:00.000-07:002011-04-20T00:46:26.483-07:00Book Review: The Hunger Games Trilogy<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BOOK ONE: THE HUNGER GAMES</span></b></span></b></div><br />
<br />
<u>Author:</u> Suzanne Collins<br />
<u>Publisher:</u> Scholastic Press<br />
<u>Release Date:</u> September 2008<br />
<u>Hard Cover:</u> 384 Pages<br />
<u>My Rating:</u> 5<br />
<blockquote>In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. <i>Acclaimed writer Suzanne Collins, author of the New York Times bestselling The Underland Chronicles, delivers equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in this searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present.</i></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BOOK TWO: CATCHING FIRE</span></b></div><b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYxb-n-R52zYIcaoMmkKfG9Hdjy-rBuAnBBl-ajXDMlu6Vz7BkSfkBU2FFhGygty1Dn4_Ax3Sd4-ZKNIi2y3QFX-yqtvPYTcdMwWZrFCA80Vvrf3DYDcAjif0NAqqc5Sq9mzDufJpDio/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYxb-n-R52zYIcaoMmkKfG9Hdjy-rBuAnBBl-ajXDMlu6Vz7BkSfkBU2FFhGygty1Dn4_Ax3Sd4-ZKNIi2y3QFX-yqtvPYTcdMwWZrFCA80Vvrf3DYDcAjif0NAqqc5Sq9mzDufJpDio/s320/images+%25282%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
<u>Author:</u> Suzanne Collins<br />
<u>Publisher:</u> Scholastic Press<br />
<u>Release Date:</u> June 2010<br />
<u>Hard Cover:</u> 400 Pages<br />
<u>My Rating:</u> 5<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<blockquote><i>Suzanne Collins continues the amazing story of Katniss Everdeen in the phenomenal Hunger Games trilogy. </i>Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.</blockquote><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>BOOK THREE: MOCKINGJAY</b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTseJbGVyyBNmzILE3vgEamA_ML0Bz26gNgmc_KG6RmhLFBE3o7TVrdGZ3uopYm0d-HNrhpQz3p1HGR1sPmQfD90QBihx7MscbWpTFLuxxkVO9SdKzSwOmw-AL89QOEDmm_oR94klYMQ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTseJbGVyyBNmzILE3vgEamA_ML0Bz26gNgmc_KG6RmhLFBE3o7TVrdGZ3uopYm0d-HNrhpQz3p1HGR1sPmQfD90QBihx7MscbWpTFLuxxkVO9SdKzSwOmw-AL89QOEDmm_oR94klYMQ/s320/images.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><u>Author: </u>Suzanne Collins<br />
<u>Publisher:</u> Scholastic Press<br />
<u>Release Date:</u> August 2010<br />
<u>Hard Cover:</u> 400 Pages<br />
My Rating: 5<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year. </blockquote><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My Review</span></b></div>I know I was a little late to join the band-wagon on these books. I had heard great things about them, read awesome reviews, and somehow they ended up in my "To Read" pile without every getting touched by anything but dust.<br />
<br />
I wish I would have paid more attention to the hype. I am forever changed because of this book series.<br />
There are three books in the series and there is one reason I am glad I waited to start the first book: because all three books were released by the time I picked up the first book and I could sit down and read all three in one sitting. Seriously. No joke. They are that good!<br />
<br />
I decided to write my review on the entire series and not each individual book because there is an overall message that isn't obvious until the end.<br />
<br />
The entire series is brutal and gruesome but Ms. Collins did an awesome job keeping things PG-13. The premise of the entire series just blows my mind. They are books about people killing people... as a game... on live television. No, not just people, but teenagers, running around killing each other for sport. Not only am I reading it, I am living it with Katniss, the main character. It's so morbid but sooooo good. I literally kept thinking to myself: how in the world did Suzanne Collins make this up!?<br />
<br />
Another awesome thing about these books: the speed. Not just how fast things happened... but how fast things kept consistently happening. It was like, BAM! Something awesome happens. Then before you can even turn the page, BAM! Something else huge happens. BAM! BAM! BAM! It never slows down.<br />
<br />
Then there's the romance. There was enough romance for the girls, but not enough to make the guys roll their eyes. Perfect love triangle with an oblivious protagonist and a remarkable setup. The main character is a girl but the entire series is about hunting and war. So... is it a GIRL book or a BOY book? It's both. Very clever, indeed.<br />
<br />
The writing is impeccable. Suzanne Collins can literally reach her hand out of the book and grab you by the shirt collar and pull you into the story with the main characters. It's amazing, the talent she has. The dialogue is witty and intelligent and the story itself is addicting. I was constantly wondering how the end could possibly turn out.<br />
<br />
The plot is more intricate than you could ever imagine. Book one makes your head spin and you think, wow that was crazy but fun. Book two makes you scream at the pages and as you flip through them you yell, "This isn't fair!" Book three ties everything together and it makes you STOP and ponder your own life and believes.<br />
<br />
By the time I finished the series, I wanted to talk about it. The themes, the plot, the romance, the survival scenes, the death scenes, the pace, the lies, the truths, the characters, the parts I hated and the parts I loved. More than anything, this book changed my perspective on war. How it effects people. How it changes people.<br />
<br />
I wish I could tell you so much more but I don't want to ruin it. You have to go buy these books and start reading them right away! You have until March of 2012 before The Hunger Games movie is released.<br />
<br />
<b>If you are already a fan of The Hunger Games Trilogy, here is the cast for the movies:</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Katniss Everdeen: Jennifer Lawrence</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_gPoXmjRm0WBvr4COENMEVFy4bgnazxzl9aiR7tL85SfUe0G5uUsY2UMm6_utje3vblslKXkuWc30V06MsrllFcdWrxUxeBFH-PQVVI6ZVt4PPPtGpvPMO7zyphHYD6cd3NBJl_cMM0/s1600/MV5BMTM4OTY2MDY1M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDYyNDM3NA%2540%2540._V1._SY314_CR1%252C0%252C214%252C314_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_gPoXmjRm0WBvr4COENMEVFy4bgnazxzl9aiR7tL85SfUe0G5uUsY2UMm6_utje3vblslKXkuWc30V06MsrllFcdWrxUxeBFH-PQVVI6ZVt4PPPtGpvPMO7zyphHYD6cd3NBJl_cMM0/s1600/MV5BMTM4OTY2MDY1M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDYyNDM3NA%2540%2540._V1._SY314_CR1%252C0%252C214%252C314_.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Peeta Mellark: Josh Hutcherson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UPWH3cPJU2_eE8Kt0u0FbnKcCrlIME1Yj6rZDlqV6Y__aH6NzaYG9U90YAoNXPYJzj2sbhfZx1ruP-E4fPJLGxENjFrCw3fybMPWGYr_R5SpzBwZkL8gMpgDlPkTU0MmsXGnar0itIU/s1600/MV5BMTI4OTk0MjQ1OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTE3NjM3Mw%2540%2540._V1._SX214_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C314_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UPWH3cPJU2_eE8Kt0u0FbnKcCrlIME1Yj6rZDlqV6Y__aH6NzaYG9U90YAoNXPYJzj2sbhfZx1ruP-E4fPJLGxENjFrCw3fybMPWGYr_R5SpzBwZkL8gMpgDlPkTU0MmsXGnar0itIU/s1600/MV5BMTI4OTk0MjQ1OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTE3NjM3Mw%2540%2540._V1._SX214_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C314_.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gale Hawthorne: Liam Hemsworth</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYZIHb2qyLJaKPjZLK1FhqIYLtJSIr9JPhe4ysrXKt-VBxAcXv1CVm59gat_GSusypDqBBiL0w3sMuuoUeKoGumKlx9a0hF2uY1fUox5H9tZBTEnUP7NfTR1b6_scg70N9n2PkfTrO_o/s1600/MV5BMTU4NDkwMTAyMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjQ5NTY4MQ%2540%2540._V1._SY314_CR18%252C0%252C214%252C314_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYZIHb2qyLJaKPjZLK1FhqIYLtJSIr9JPhe4ysrXKt-VBxAcXv1CVm59gat_GSusypDqBBiL0w3sMuuoUeKoGumKlx9a0hF2uY1fUox5H9tZBTEnUP7NfTR1b6_scg70N9n2PkfTrO_o/s1600/MV5BMTU4NDkwMTAyMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjQ5NTY4MQ%2540%2540._V1._SY314_CR18%252C0%252C214%252C314_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">...MAY THE ODDS BE <i>EVER</i> IN YOUR FAVOR...</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">xoxo,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Kalina Kay</span><br />
<br />
</div>Kalina Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919380345691723341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-60481837924191104112011-04-18T07:00:00.000-07:002012-11-23T10:45:12.406-08:00Who is Saint Giovanni? (Chapter 2)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Chapter 2 on YouTube | <a href="http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/p/book-cover.html">Book Synopsis</a> | Behind-the-scenes Post</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Have you read the previous chapters? If not, look to the right sidebar for the chapter archive)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"></span>Click the outer edge of the book cover to turn the page. <b>ENJOY!</b></div>
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Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-11115071470614875762011-04-15T17:19:00.000-07:002012-11-23T10:35:55.215-08:00Inspiration Mind MapsI typed "inspiration" into google images today looking for something, well, inspiring. This is what I found:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4OlZMajzrYGNokw0aNpZb13OYKW7ZGUO0JrDNIAkCsZ91MCKNZpzcNeDIrm1_xKWurV0Gf0pH79aX4wvk1Kg9t0yulwyeF45xHsDbs3zU4no1UyYJYPLFqBe4wcfMNHcHibXw5sMnQw/s1600/inspiration-9-mind-map.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline ! important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4OlZMajzrYGNokw0aNpZb13OYKW7ZGUO0JrDNIAkCsZ91MCKNZpzcNeDIrm1_xKWurV0Gf0pH79aX4wvk1Kg9t0yulwyeF45xHsDbs3zU4no1UyYJYPLFqBe4wcfMNHcHibXw5sMnQw/s320/inspiration-9-mind-map.gif" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eoxLYQCZPh4tg6Gnj0UmSVsIagPeKwQAAYQ3EDWzbXBc1aaICw9PEcZGwa14W2NDdlbZmqXCxIqUdAkmHGn0LBBWwMStBFrW9QTKnLlNvvKIJd5RnsLoMSWlcnXY7-0H7CCuMTf5LEE/s1600/inspiration-1-mind-map.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eoxLYQCZPh4tg6Gnj0UmSVsIagPeKwQAAYQ3EDWzbXBc1aaICw9PEcZGwa14W2NDdlbZmqXCxIqUdAkmHGn0LBBWwMStBFrW9QTKnLlNvvKIJd5RnsLoMSWlcnXY7-0H7CCuMTf5LEE/s320/inspiration-1-mind-map.gif" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div>
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See parts 1-9 by <a href="http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/tag/inspiration-mind-maps-1-9/">clicking here</a>.</div>
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To see others like the one below, <a href="http://www.mindmapinspiration.co.uk/">click here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehs5z4_jPj95LqfjBsGHHHHwCm0YluPkIwbyNa5bEGJmOhR6hLdqjsQGwpB7RPRUKncvD6hqnfNkncrn-3w2QuMEv2rK3m6SEQGV0L0_kKUwlH2Om0GOZBn5w8ELuuKKYab635DmITug/s1600/90-Percent-Illusion-10-Percent-Truth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehs5z4_jPj95LqfjBsGHHHHwCm0YluPkIwbyNa5bEGJmOhR6hLdqjsQGwpB7RPRUKncvD6hqnfNkncrn-3w2QuMEv2rK3m6SEQGV0L0_kKUwlH2Om0GOZBn5w8ELuuKKYab635DmITug/s320/90-Percent-Illusion-10-Percent-Truth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The truth is folks, most of us are WAITING for things to happen. Whether it be success, happiness, wealth, love...whatever. At the moment, I'm waiting to feel a little <b>less nervous</b> about posting <i><a href="http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/2011/04/who-is-saint-giovanni-debutpart-i.html">Who is Saint Giovanni?</a></i> on this blog. :) But we can make whatever we want to happen RIGHT NOW! That's what I'm learning. "The journey of the thousand miles begins with a single step." Yup! The first step is essential, though. And taking that first step IS making it happen. I guess you already know this. I already know this, too. But I seem to forget about it for 86,399 of the 86,400 seconds in each day. I'm working on it.</div>
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To see more from the author/artist of these mind maps, <a href="http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/tag/inspiration-mind-maps-1-9/">click here</a>.<br />
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What can I say? I'm impressed with these and had to share it!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">-RANE-</span></div>
Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-23707869243530250622011-04-11T06:54:00.001-07:002012-11-23T10:45:36.727-08:00Who is Saint Giovanni? DEBUT!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt24mU6F7p4">Chapter 1 on YouTube</a> | <a href="http://thelitexpress.blogspot.com/p/book-cover.html">Book Synopsis</a> | <a href="http://whoissaintgiovanni.blogspot.com/2011/04/behind-scenes-part-1.html">Behind-the-scenes Post</a></b></span></b></span></b><br />
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Click the outer edge of the book cover to turn the page.</div>
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<b>ENJOY!</b></div>
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/full/52739749?access_key=key-40eimimn01o7vxtcud5" style="display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 12px; text-decoration: underline;" title="View Who is Saint Giovanni? (Part 1) on Scribd"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Read full-screen</span></a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.666666666666667" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_71050" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/52739749/content?start_page=1&view_mode=slideshow&access_key=key-40eimimn01o7vxtcud5&secret_password=1oyfxunyln7bnltuyxkt" width="100%"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11077340-who-is-saint-giovanni" style="font-weight: bold;">Add WiSG? to GOODREADS</a></div>
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I'd also <i>love</i> for you to "like" my author facebook fanpage :) :)</div>
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Until next week,</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">RANE</span></div>
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P.S. Are you in love with Ashley Stewart's art like I am? Take a peek at <a href="http://ashleystewart-art.com/">her website</a>.<br />
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Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-51311942014827959022011-04-11T05:00:00.000-07:002011-04-15T14:51:09.474-07:00Who is Saint Giovanni? Giveaway WINNERSWell, it's that time!! So many of you signed up to either win an ARC copy, host a <i>WiSG?</i> button on your blog/website, or post about this novel event.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">really</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is an ongoing contest, although the <i>chance to win an ARC is now officially over</i>. (ARC winners will be selected at the end of this month!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is it too late to win stuff??? NEVER!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's not too late to sign up to host a button or post about this event. AND if you posted about the event a couple months ago, feel free to do so <b>again</b> and add your name to the list for a second time. There will be multiple drawings throughout this event and then, of course, you have a chance to <b>win the grand prize: a kindle or nook</b>! The more things you sign up for, the more chances you'll have to win the grand prize.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you've enjoyed the preface and first chapter of WiSG? Congrats to the winners!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The winners.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">you each get a $15 giftcard to either amazon or the book depository</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>For posting a button:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Elizabeth from elisquared.com</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>For posting about the event:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">GothMisfitjazz from theparanormalworldandreviews.blogspot.com</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>For signing up to win an ARC:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lisa Smith</div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'll notify the winners via email shortly!</div><div style="text-align: center;">CONGRATS!</div>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355416373405474661.post-22043966246772037332011-04-08T17:33:00.000-07:002011-04-08T17:33:01.112-07:00A Day in the Life of a Writer (Watch my video!)I've made friends with quite a few bloggers over the last six months or so, and <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">you</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">guys</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">are</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">the</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">BEST</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>.</b></span> Sometimes I wish I knew a little more about you. Just in case you wish you knew a little bit more about ME, I decided to make this video taking you through my typical work day! Yeah, work days are pretty much all I have lately <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><I'm not complaining...I love what I do!></span>, so if you're ever wondering what I'm up to, it's probably one of the things you see in this video! ENJOY! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><PS, I think the day I filmed this, I was actually making my author website <a href="http://raneanderson.com/">raneanderson.com</a>></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Rane</span></li>
</ul></div><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Uo0lAra0MfA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Rane Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09885933926972080089noreply@blogger.com0