Merry Christmas Everyone

Wow. I just realized that I haven't written a single Christmas-related post until now. Good going, Phoebe.
MY APOLOGIES.
But here's a video for you, and I hope that this year you don't forget to see the Gift.

Merry Christmas, Everybody.

-Phoebe

Lucy Maud Montgomery {Tag}

Eva from Coffee, Classics, and Craziness is hosting a very lovely blog party to celebrate the birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote the beloved Anne of Green Gables series (and so many other books)! :D
In her first post of the week, she wrote a little tag for us 'partyers' to do, so here's my answers. :D You can click on the link above to see Eva's post on it. :) (I feel like I've been doing a lot of tags lately... Ah, who cares. They're fun!)

How did you first discover LMM's books?
Well, a couple of years ago, we decided to rent the first Anne of Green Gables movie from the library. We watched it, and I really thought it was darling, so I borrowed the book from my friend.
I really liked it (and was sad to give it back to her), so I decided to buy my own copy. THEN I realized that there was a whole series! Since then, I've been collecting them, and I love all of them. :)

What's your favorite LMM book?
I have only read the Anne of Green Gables series (book 1-6), so I choose my favorite among those books, which is definitely Anne's House of Dreams. I just really enjoyed reading that one. It's so lovely to read, and I loved reading about Anne and her new married life and her new friends. I love it so much, I laugh and cry whenever I read it. (Captain Jim... *tears*)
I really liked Leslie too. She is like a mysterious princess from a fairytale. Or that's the impression I had. *shrugs* I always like mysterious characters.

What's your least favorite LMM book?
 I have to say Anne of the Island. I just didn't feel like it was written as well as the others.

~*~

*SPOILER* I guess what bothered me was the way LMM finally got Anne and Gilbert together at the end. After waiting for so long for Anne to love Gilbert back, I was expecting something better.  The way it was written, how Gilbert got sick and almost died, and Anne realizes that she loves him, it just seems sort of... old. Or something. Cliche, almost. *END OF SPOILER*

~*~

I really liked some of the characters in this one though. :)

Who is your favorite character in allllll of LMM's works?
Well, I don't really want to say 'Anne', because she's the most popular and I wouldn't be surprised if EVERYONE said that she was they're favorite. So, even though I really love her, I'll say that my favorite character is Leslie Moore from Anne's House of Dreams.
It's kind of funny, but there are so many new characters in each Anne book that I can't remember them all. :)

What couple is your favorite?
Even though I'm repeating myself from the last question, I have to say that I like Leslie Moore and Owen Ford. I really like Anne and Gilbert too. :)

What is your favorite quote from LMM (either a quote from one of her books, or from her personal life)?
I've always liked this one which is on the back of my Anne of Green Gables book:

I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does.

-Anne Shirley 

I like it because it's so true. I don't know what the future holds, but I MUST believe that God has the best in store for me, to grow me and strengthen my trust in Him, because HE holds the future. 

That's what I think of whenever I read the quote.

  

How many LMM books have you read?
Let's see..... six. From Anne of Green Gables to Anne of Ingleside. I have Blue Castle and Rilla of Ingleside on the top of my 'to read' list, because I've heard such wonderful things about both of them, and I've been wanting to read a good book lately. :)

Which LMM book would you most like to see made into a movie?
Anne's House of Dreams! Can you imagine it?! With the beautiful seaside, and Captain Jim in his lighthouse, and a lovely flowery house for Anne and Gilbert, and the list goes on and PLEASE HOLLYWOOD MAKE THIS.

Well, I've got the scenery, now all I need is a dreamcast. :)

Have you found a kindred spirit?
I've been waiting for this question. :)
I have found a kindred spirit. She's been that even before I knew what a 'kindred spirit' was. She's my best friend of six years, she's my pen-pal, my encouragement, my smile when I'm depressed.

To my kindred spirit, you know who you are. :) I love you.

-Phoebe

p.s. Before you go, check out this, this, and this. You're welcome.

Yet Another Stolen Tag {Behind the Scenes}

Hello! :D
Yes, this is another tag that I 'stole' (No I did not walk into the store and literally steal a tag). I have been waiting a long time for a fun writing tag such as this one. You know. A tag that just talks about writing and what you do while writing and where you write and other writing habits and all that juicy stuff. When I saw it on The Second Sentence and Formidable Courage, it sounded like such fun.
 I therefore stole it.

 HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS.

Is there a certain snack you like to eat while writing?
Actually, no. Not usually. Unless I happen to be really hungry, then I might eat some almonds. I did eat a pickle while writing a scene once...does that count?

When do you normally write? Night, afternoon, or morning?
Wellllll, I USUALLY write at night, but I really really really need to work on writing in the morning, because I'm fresher then. Yet, at the same time... I usually have my best ideas right before I go to bed... so maybe I should just write during both times. :)

Yes...

Where do you write?
On my bed. Always. I can't concentrate when I write around my house, because there's usually a bit of noise going on... and even though I bring a notebook with me on car trips (for sudden ideas), I don't do any substantial plotting or scene writing. It just doesn't come.

How often do you write a new novel?
Nowadays? About one every year. Last year I worked on my pirate novel, and the year before that I think I was working on the Keeper of the Flower (which I quit because it ended up being too much like the Lord of the Rings)... But like I said: this novel I'm working on right now is the one I actually want to finish, and publish.

Do you listen to music while you write?
NOO. I cannot concentrate while I listen to music! I know lots of people like to, so I've tried doing it to see if it gives me more inspiration or something, but then I find myself focusing on the sounds of the music, rather the words I should be writing. So I get distracted, and I just can't write that way. :P

What do you write on? Laptop or paper?
Paper. But I'm saving for a laptop. Because I think I'll get a lot more done that way. Writing by hand is fun and that's the way they've been doing it for hundreds of years, but it takes soooo loooong. And my hands get tired after, like, two pages.

 Is there a special ritual you have before or after you write?
Uh... should I have a special ritual.? I guess I don't have one. I do pray sometimes, before writing. I pray that I don't get distracted :P

What do you do to get into the mood to write?
I start. I literally just sit down and begin. I don't always start by writing out a scene. To get into the mood, I read through my plot outline once or twice, and then some of my notes, and I always get ideas to work off from there.
I have to get myself 'into the zone'.

What is always near the place you write?
I always have my little drawstring pouch near me to put my torn paper in. Every time I am through with certain notes that I don't need anymore, or when I re-write a scene, I will tear up the old one and put it in this little pouch because I don't have a trashcan close enough. :)
 I could throw the pile of torn paper into the trash, but then the little pieces would fly all over my bedroom...

Also near me is this five dollar panda that my Mom bought me out of the goodness of her heart.

 Do you have a reward system for your word count?
I've never done anything like that actually. As I keep writing, I just like to watch the amount of pages grow, and that's my reward. It's the satisfaction of seeing so much get done that compels me to write.
 

Is there anything about your writing process that others might not know about?
Yes... I really like to write with thick lead, so I have this special sandpaper pencil thing used for drawing that I scrape it on to make the lead thick and smooth to write on. I guess that's the only thing I do that people might not know about. My mom thinks it's so weird that I do this. :)

So that's it! I hope you liked reading my answers, and do check out some of the other blogs who are doing this! :D
-Phoebe  

A LATE Participation in a Blog Party Which I Couldn't do Earlier Because I Was Sick

In case you weren't able to read it, Elizabeth Grace Foley from The Second Sentence (a very interesting blog to read, btw) hosted a very lovely blog party on the 19th, in which she introduced her storyboards on Pinterest to her readers. I think that's a wonderful idea, and so here I am to show you my boards, and also take the opportunity to discuss some of my stories with you (though I don't have as many as hers, I only have two at the moment...) because I was a bit under the weather on the 19th, and unable to do it then. Ok, well I'm not THAT late. :P It's only the 20th. Whatever.
Here I go!

The Hidden Queen:

Yes, I know that's a cheesy title. I'm no good at naming things, so give me a break, ok?

This is what you would call my 'main story'. I got the idea from a dream I had about a year ago, and I've been plotting and writing ever since. I hope to publish it someday (someday... whenever that is...) so that all of you lovely people can read it. Since it's November, I've been trying to be faithful to the fact that this is National Novel Writing Month, and while I'm getting some stuff done, it's definitely NOT as much as I had hoped, blast it.

I think this is my favorite storyboard, because I find it colorful and vivid, and very adventurous, even daring. Take a look, and I hope it makes you want to read the story, hehe! :D

Follow Phoebe's board Writing: The Hidden Queen on Pinterest.

My Pirate-y Ship Story That (sadly) Never Got a Name:

Looking back, I'm not really sure where I got this story idea from. Could it be a dream... or a book I read...

Anyways, since the coming of the Hidden Queen, this story has been sitting on my shelf neglected and a little bit dusty. I actually took some of the ideas from this story to use for the Hidden Queen, so I know if I ever end up actually finishing this story, I will have to change a few things around, or it will be just like the Hidden Queen and everyone who reads my books will get suspicious.
 I do sometimes pick up this story occasionally to write in it whenever I'm in the mood, but that's only sometimes.

I find it ironic that I don't really care for pirates, or pirate stories, movies, or anything pirate-y at all. But, I had this story idea, and I liked it, so I decided to write it. We'll see if it's ever finished.

This Pirate Storyboard is one of the first Pinterest boards I created, so you can imagine how long it is, since I've been adding pins all this time. 

I really like how this board is fresh and breezy and historical looking, with the pictures of old letters and beaches and such. It makes me feel blissfully nostalgic because I just adore the seaside and I have a special soft place in my heart for nautical things in general. 

 

Follow Phoebe's board Writing: Pirate Story on Pinterest.

So there it is! I hope you like my story ideas. :) Someday, you may get to read the books. Keep hoping. :D

Oh, by the way, this particular Pinterest board of mine used to be a storyboard, but then I just recently turned it into a random prettiness board, so here it is as well, in case you can use the pins for your stories. :)
 

Follow Phoebe's board {House of Dreams} on Pinterest.

Funny Face...?

So, I just watched Funny Face.

And... I really thought I would simply adore it, like I do Roman Holiday.
 My friends, I did NOT.

While I can't say I completely despised the movie, I must say that I didn't really understand it (Hence the title of this post).
Let me start at the beginning.
Dick Avery (Fred Astair) is a big photographer for one of America's leading fashion magazines: Quality.
The magazine has been sagging a bit lately, so the president has decided to go all out with the new styles to influence the women of America.
During a photography session, they are using a dismal old bookstore to contrast the bright colors of the models, much upsetting the clerk, Jo Stockton, who is played by Audrey Hepburn.
Needing still a fresher look on the content of their magazine, Dick wants to make Jo the clerk a new fashion model, to represent the styles of Quality Magazine.
In other words, they take a plain old ragamuffin and turn her into a beauty model. We've heard it before. Jo finally agrees when she finds out that becoming a model for the magazine would mean a trip to Paris, where her idolized philosopher lives.

And so, they go to Paris, and there's some singing, and some dancing, and some kissing, a few 'Bonjour!'s here and there, and all that stuff.
It ends, of course, with the same 'happily ever after' that we all expect from most old movies.

I LIKED: The Costumes
Audrey plays a model, so that means dresses, and firs, and hats, and shoes, and make-up jobs, and hair styles, and I could go on and on.
We had some lovely outfits here, let me tell you! Edith Head did the costumes, so you KNOW they're good.

 I love this dress because it's so SUNSHINY, you know?

 This dress. THE SWISHY-NESS.

I really like the veil that goes with this dress.

I DISLIKED: The Music. And the singing.
I'm not completely against musicals. I promise, I'm not.  I like 'Singin' in the Rain', 'Beauty and the Beast', 'The Sound of Music', and a few selected others. 
But, I think that some musicals would be vastly improved if they just weren't musicals. 
This movie.
This was one of those. 
Though I love Fred Astair, and you can't rightly have a Fred Astair movie with no dancing,  sometimes, to be honest, there's just too much. 
Every time I watch a musical, I can't help thinking of all the story development that could be happening during the time it takes to sing all those songs! I felt that way while watching Funny Face during more than one scene. We had scene after scene of dancing, with characters talking like normal human beings only whenever there was an opening in between dance numbers.

 

I LOVED this dress though. :)

Which brings me to the next problem. A lot of musicals, I feel, don't have the best (or a lot of) plot. Why? Because they sing for half the movie! It's like they don't have time to tell a good story because they're too busy dancing. 
That's the trouble I had with Easter Parade (which is also and Astair movie... don't get me wrong, I LOVE Fred. It's not HIM I have trouble with at all). Singing, and dancing... and then more singing and dancing...  eeesh.
I want plot and characters, people.
Occasional dance numbers? Ok. 
But stop singing so much, golly! I mean, sttttaaaahhhppp.

And THIS PART. In the Paris cafe with those weird guys and all the smoke and the lights, and then Audrey started dancing...in a very strange way... it was SO WEIRD. 
We skipped most of it. :P

 
I LIKED: Audrey and Fred. :)
I don't think I'll ever dislike these two... no matter what movies they are in. They both posses so much talent. Fred with his dancing and singing, Audrey with her charming acting abilities. Really, they are two of my favorites. :)  
 

I love this pic. :)

 

Those LASHES. My gosh!

I DISLIKED: The Plot. Or, most of it. And not just the lack of it.
In spite of having very little plot at all, like I mentioned above, unfortunately what plot there WAS, wasn't very intriguing.
 I'm sorry, but when I watch a good romance, it should be really... really romantic, you know? It's the story that makes you love the characters, and then you love it when they fall in love, and you cry when something comes between them (or when one of them dies). 
You want to see them happy together.
I mean, when I watch a movie that says it's a 'comedy romance', you better give me comedy and romance that will make me melt into a puddle of blissful happiness, or you have failed your objective! 
 

Pretty sure this line has been used a hundred million times in all kinds of stories.

THIS PICTURE. THAT BLUE. I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

Ok, one last thing. I LIKED: All the lovely photography scenes.
The sessions when Fred is taking pictures of her, and we're going from one beautiful scene to the next, while she's posing in gorgeous costumes, and there's NO SINGING OR DANCING. I just loved those parts. They were just so colorful and blissful and gosh I loved them. I was sad when they were through. :(     

SO. You see my thoughts.
 Overall: Very colorful movie. Great talent and a few enjoyable moments, but I don't think I'll watch it again. :P
-Phoebe  
To finish, I'm giving you a dancing gif of Fred. Because I can.

Not sure what movie this is from . : /

 Have you seen 'Funny Face'? What do you think of it? Do you think that it's wanting something?

Jane Austen Week Tag

If you haven't heard, Naomi Bennet at Wonderland Creek is hosting a blog party for Jane Austen week. There are tags, games, and general JA period drama stuff. I saw the tag she was doing, and I instantly formed the answer to the questions in my mind as soon as I read them, so I thought YOU GUYS might be interested to know what I think of Austen and her novels.

So begins Jane Austen week, and the tag:
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of a Jane Austen fan do you consider yourself?
Wellll, I actually haven't read/watched all of her works yet, and therefore I can't say that I am completely 10, so I'm gonna give myself an 8. Because I really do enjoy other authors like Dickens and Bronte, and they are all considered 'period dramas'. :)

2. If 'they' would make a new Jane Austen movie, and you would be able to be cast in it, which Jane Austen character would you most like to play?
Probably Jane Bennet. I'm not good looking like she is, nor do I have blonde hair like in the movies, but I find myself to be more like her than others. And her part is neither too big, nor too small, so it would be just right for me because those are the kind of parts I like. Not huge, but still important.

3. Is there any felicity in the world superior to a walk?
First: Thank you Naomi for phrasing this question the way you did. It is quite... 'superior'. *clears throat*. I must say, 'no'. There is no felicity in the world superior to a walk. I adore walking. It motivates me, encourages me, makes me feel better, and even inspires me. Would you believe some of the best story ideas I've imagined came to me while I was walking? It just gets my juices flowing!
Fresh air... leaves... breezes... birds... clouds... quiet thoughts... prayers...
What's not to love? I only wish I had a larger space to walk in.

4. Who is your favorite Jane Austen Villain?
I can't say I have a 'favorite'. For one, I don't think there are a lot of what you would call 'villains' in her novels (other than a few exceptions, such as Mr Wickham...). I find that the struggle her main characters face is usually some sort of situational conflict (for example: being in love with someone but they don't love you, having the fear of being thrown out of your house by Cream of- excuse me, MISTER Collins, etc.). But, if you're speaking of horrid and all around NASTY characters, there are plenty. I found Caroline Bingley from the 1995 version of Pride & Prejudice to be MOST repulsive. That vulgar, insufferable woman! She's ugly, too. *shivers in disgust* In 2005 she's at least tolerable.
So that's my take on the 'villains'.

Yes, I mean YOU, Caroline.

Next question, please.

5. What/who introduced you to Jane Austen?
A few years ago, I took a British Literature class at a co-op. We were to read Emma, by Jane Austen, a few Poirot mysteries by Agatha Christy, and some Sherlock Holmes mysteries.
I came out of the class indifferent to the mysteries, but IN LOVE with Emma. Ever since then, I've been watching/reading JA things. I don't have a favorite book or movie/series, so don't ask me. I have favorite film VERSIONS, but that is all.

6. Did you love/enjoy Jane Austen immediately, or has there been a time when you hated (prejudged) it?
I can't say I've ever hated or prejudged Jane Austen. I only didn't know who she was or what she wrote about until my British Literature class. I had heard people talk about Jane Austen before, but I was indifferent to it.
Now, I understand all the Austen talk completely. I don't like being called an 'Austenite', and I'm not 'Austentatious', or anything like that, however.

7. Who, in your opinion, is the funniest Jane Austen character?
MRS. BENNET from P&P 1995! I laughed so much at that woman and all of her  'flutterings and spasms', and her indefatigable gimmicks to get her poor daughters married. She was indeed hilarious.
Oh, and one more thing: I haven't seen any of the Sense and Sensibilities yet (shocker, I know), so I have no idea how utterly hilarious Mr. Palmer is, but I shall soon see! :D

 8. Do you quote Jane Austen randomly in public?
By 'in public', do you mean out in the store rather than at home? I usually do all my quoting at home. When I'm in public, I try to be a more or less 'normal' human being. Imagine if I walked around the store saying how much better Lady Catherine's grocery list is than THAT one.

9. Are children allowed to eat cake on weddings? 
But of course, they are, really. Anyhow, they shall eat cake at MY wedding. But please be a doll and don't tell Mr. Woodhouse.

10. What is your reaction when you hear that an acquaintance (e.g. a lady at church) of yours loves Jane Austen?
Well, my eyes would probably light up with pleasure, and I'd say "Reeeaaallyyy?! Is that so! Well now, do you prefer Mr. Darcy 1995 or 2005?"
I'm serious. That would literally be my first question.
*p.s. I happen to prefer 1995, thank you*

11. Who writes better letters, Mr. Darcy or Captain Wentworth?
Hhhmmmm dash it all, I don't know! I'm having trouble remembering the Captain's letter. I guess I like Darcy's. I admire him to go straight home and write Elizabeth that letter in a very poised and collected manner after what had just occurred between them. If it were me, I would've been much too shaken to write anything, much less an entire and thorough explanation of the things she accused me of.

12. Which Jane Austen hero do you relate the least to?

Lydia Bennet. Her and I are exact opposites. While I do think there are some men who are very nice and (more or less) attractive, I am not a crazy flirt who would do ANYTHING to show myself off... I do think military officers are quite nice, though, I do.

13. What's your favorite Jane Austen house (from one of the movies)?
It's between Emma's house and Pemberly... I just adore the sunny, cheery air of Emma's house, but I think Pemberly is so sophisticated and decorative... they are about the same, I guess. Yes, I like them both the same.
BTW, there is a new line of jewelry from Bead Landing, and it's called 'Pemberly'. It's all kinds of gorgeous vintage looking cameos and pearls and charms and pendents that look like they came straight out of an Austen novel. Here is a necklace I made from one of the pendents:

Pemberly worthy. To be sure.

14. What's your favorite Jane Austen dress (from one of the movies)?
I reeeaaaalllly like all of Emma's (Romola Garai's) clothes. She just dresses sssoooo nice, all the time. I think I like the yellow one with the little bluish flowers on it. It's just so cute.

15. Can you turn off lit candles with your fingers? 
Why yes, I can! And it's quite fun, too. I first saw the guy in Fireproof do it, though. Not Darcy. And it doesn't hurt a bit!

And that, my friends, is all. Isn't it a lovely tag? Isn't it a lovely Jane Austen week? Isn't it a lovely new blog look that Naomi has got? Isn't it all just lovely?
Isn't it true that I have to go now and write my book before November ends and December comes altogether unexpectedly? Why yes, it is.
Have a marvelous day.

Me and NaNoWriMo

First of all, I will just say that "Yeeeesssssss I'm doing iiiiiiittt (NaNoWriMo, that is)!" For the first time! And I just decided that I'm gonna do it like a week ago.
Spur of the moment. Thing.
If you read my last writing post, (you did, didn't you?) you know what I'm working on, and you know that I am finished and done with all of that outlining jazz.  Soooo, I'm just in time for November.

Thank you. Oh my goodness, Linus, you are so encouraging.

For those writers out there who (are from Mars) don't know about NaNoWriMo, I shall be a good little squirt and explain it real quick:
 It stands for National Novel Writing Month. And it's in November. Yes. All month. It starts this Sunday.
 People take it as an opportunity to start and finish their novels (which means writing like a crazy maniac until your hand hurts like the dickens and your friends and family begin to seriously question your sanity), or just write as much as they can (perhaps without finishing) because "Hey, it's NaNoWriMo."
I'm not sure if I'm actually going to attempt to complete my novel... Because there's just SO MUCH writing to be done. And yet, I have a whole month to do it...
I've done little challenge/resolution things before, where I wrote A LOT. But never this much. So I think I'm going to just pledge to write as much as I can, and if I don't finish it by December, then OK. *shrugs*
 Because:

*blushes* yes.

So at least I'll have a good start on my novel. But IF I DO finish it, then it will be the first novel I've ever completed! :D That's not including short stories, of course. I HAVE finished a few of those. *A FEW*
Anyways. That's what you should expect from me in November. Either I will be posting on the blog as usual because I just love writing and blogging and there's so much to talk about, or I won't be posting at all because AAGGHH I HAVE SO MUCH TO WRITE.

Well, that's all. :)
*reads post over and sees if it's ok*
I just realized that I am terribly dramatic in this post. Using a lot of caps, and all that.
YOU DON'T MIND, DO YOU?
Good.
Happy NaNoWriMo, fellas.

My Story: The Hidden Queen

Inspiration for stories comes from many places.
Sometimes, I get story ideas from dreams.

It goes something like this: 
1.I have a particularly interesting and vivid dream.
2.For the next few nights, whenever I go to bed, I fantasize on the ideas that my dream gave me. I play with the inspiration and imagine new scenes into it.
3.I add some more plot.
4. I add some more characters.
5.In the end, after all the tweaking, the story is pretty different from the original dream.
6.I actually start writing it. Whether I reach 'The End' or not is written in the stars.

And so, that's how my story "The Hidden Queen" came about.
(Except for the fact that I am horrible with that title jazz so I might change it.)
Outside of letters to friends, I never talked much about my stories to people, much less online. I guess I was always a little self-conscious, and I still am. But, my dream is to be a writer. I can't imagine NOT being a writer.

That's one reason I started a blog.
I've been writing for quite awhile now, but I never really stuck with the same story for very long.
It wasn't until about a year ago that I actually started to take writing a little more seriously. I loved books, I loved words, and I loved stories. I learned more about what a good story is made of. I began thinking in terms of 'outline' and 'plot points'. I gave my heroes something more to work for. I've learned to think in terms of 'the unexpected'.

When I write about my writing, it gets me motivated to write. Do you see? I know I need to share my stuff more. I need to not be shy. I need to be more bold with my writing if I'm ever going to get published.
So, in this post, I just wanted to introduce my {main} story to you. This story is the one I will mention the most, and it'll probably be the one I will have published first.
*stops for a moment and relishes the glorious thought of being a published author*

I also have two other stories going on, a futuristic story, and a detective story, but I probably won't talk about them as much because I don't want to share EVERYTHING, you know? If I share too much, it makes me un-motivated. You know what I mean?
*clears throat* Anyways.

For me, "The Hidden Queen" is unique...
...because it is the first story of mine that actually has a substantial beginning, middle, and end!
I haven't written very much of the prose, because I've been working on the outline. I like to have my whole story planned out before I write it down. But now I'm finished with that, and ready to begin the actual writing, from 'Once Upon a Time', to THE END. It will be a long, hard journey, but will you stay with me through until the end, when I can place my book in your hands and say: "Here! Read my story!"?!

I will share my inspirations and struggles along the way, until you can read the printed words yourself.
I might even offer some of my own tips and tricks! (I do know a few things about writing, you know, even though I've never been published!)
So that's my story. I hope you are properly intrigued.
SO LONG.

Bookshelf Tag

Hello there! Ok, I gotta start by saying that I haven't technically been tagged. BUT. I've seen this tag floating around, and I just really really wanted to do it... so I just went ahead (call it breaking the rules, if you must) and tagged myself.
Who doesn't love talking about books?

The rules are simple.
The books you answer with must come from your bookshelf.
Use pictures of the books you're talking about! 
Well, it seems all fine and dandy to me. First, I must give credit to Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens who created this lovely tag. And since no one officially tagged me, I will mention that I saw this tag on Naomi's,  Emma's, and Hayden's blogs, if you want to go check theirs out. :)
So, on to the books!

Describe your bookshelf (or wherever it is you keep your books- it doesn't actually have to be a shelf!) and where you got it from.
 Well, a couple of years ago, I really started to get serious about writing and reading stories. Before my bookshelf, I kept all of my books in random piles around my room. So I asked for a shelf for my birthday, and I got it! It was the most delicious feeling slipping all my beautiful books onto a brand new smooth bookshelf. :) It's a plain old brown, with three levels. 

Do you have any special or different way of organizing your books?
It's not special, but I do have a system. I like to keep the books that stick out the most on the left, and the ones that are smaller on the right. I can't stand it when one little itty bitty book gets smooshed in between too larger books so that I can't find it. 
In other words, size order. :)

What's the thickest (most amount of pages) book on your shelf?
I had to check because I wasn't sure if it would be Les Miserables, or Bleak House, but Les Mis took the prize with over 1400 pages! And no, I haven't read it yet. I think I'm stalling on it. :)

What's the thinnest (least amount of pages) book on your shelf?
Probably a little book my Mom gave me, Stay in the Castle, by Pastor Jerry Ross. It's more of a booklet, actually. It's all about staying faithful and waiting for your husband. It's really good. It's only 24 pages.

Is there a book you received as a birthday gift?
Actually, most of my books I bought for myself. These are the only three books I have (that I can remember!) that have been given to me on my birthday. The Fellowship of the Ring, The Hobbit, and Anne of Green Gables.

What's the smallest (height and width wise) on your shelf?
Probably The Giver.

What's the biggest (height and width wise) on your shelf?
The Stargazer's Guide to the Night Sky, by Jason Lisle. It's a big tall book about astronomy. I read it for school, and learned a whole bunch about stars and constellations. It's a great book.

It's such a beautiful book too!

Is there a book from a friend on your shelf?
Why, no! Not one friend has ever given me a book! Isn't that surprising?! But, I've had several friends recommend books to me that I now own. Does that count? I have a lot of those. :)

Most expensive book?
The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, and Wonderland Creek, by Lynn Austin both cost me $14.99.

The last book you read on your shelf?
Anne of the Island. I'm re-reading the Anne of Green Gables series. :)

By the way, I noticed something, don't you think that the Anne on this cover looks a lot like Carey Mulligan?

Tell me if that's just me. :P

Of all the books on your shelf, which was the first you read?
My brother read The Mouse and the Motorcycle to me at a very young age.

Do you have more than one copy of a book?
I used to have two copies of Treasure Island, but I just got rid of one because I didn't need two. :)

Do you have the complete series of any book series?
Why, yes! I have all of The Lord of the Rings, The Ascendance Trilogy, and I have book 1 through 6 of Anne of Green Gables.

These are from the Ascendance Trilogy. A very good set of books, if I do say so myself!

What's the newest addition to your shelf?
Becoming Nikki, Wonderland Creek, and Anne of the Island. I just got these a few Sundays ago because I had some extra money, and I've heard so much about them that I wanted to pick 'em up. :) I got Anne of the Island because it's the only book in the series that I didn't own.

What book has been on your shelf FOREVER?
My Holy Bible. And yes, I've read it through. :)

What's the most recently published book on your shelf?
The Shadow Throne, my Hobbit Movie Guide (The Battle of Five Armies), and Becoming Nikki were all published in 2014.

The oldest book on your shelf (as in, the actual copy is old)?
My mom's book, 70 Years of Miracles, is pretty old, as well as C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters.

A book you won?
I don't think I've ever won any books! What do people win books for?

A book you'd hate to let out of your sight (aka a book you would never let someone borrow)?
 Wow. Ok, um, all of them? No? Well, probably my most expensive books then. 

Most beat up book?
Probably The Screwtape Letters. I had to tape up the cover a few years ago because it was falling apart.

Most pristine book?
Probably my newest books, Becoming Nikki, Wonderland Creek, and Anne of the Island. I like to take care of my books if I get them new, to see how long I can keep them nice and fresh. :) For instance, I've read Bleak House all the way through and it's still in pretty good shape.

A book from your childhood?
Eddie's Happenings. A lot of my childhood books were boy's books that my older brother passed down to me. We own all of the Eddie books, and I still love them. They are a lot like the Leave it to Beaver show. :)

A book that's not actually your book?
Hm. There are a couple of books that don't belong to me, but I keep them on my shelf because I like them and not one seems to mind. The King of the Wind, The Screwtape Letters, and Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry aren't mine.

A book with a special/different cover (e.g. leather bound, soft fuzzy cover, etc)?
I don't know if you can tell it in the picture, but my copy of Calico Captive has a velvety cover on it, that I just love to feel with my fingers. :) Which is a plus because I actually don't care for the cover art. Becoming Nikki and Before You Meet Prince Charming also have covers like that.

A book that is your favorite color?
My favorite color is light pink, and though it seems most of my books are darker colors, I have always liked A Little Princess cover, because it's so elegant and Victorian-looking. Christy has a very lovely cover as well, even though I didn't care for the book. :)

Book that's been on your shelf the longest that you STILL haven't read?
Treasure Island. I bought it when I was still writing my Pirate Story, and since I'm not writing it so much anymore, and I don't need the inspiration, it's been sitting on my shelf, neglected. I'll probably read it eventually.

Any signed books? 
Yes, actually! My friend Laura wrote a book Invasion of the Puffballs, and I bought it off of Amazon and had her sign it. :) Doesn't she have a pretty signature?! Do read her book if you can!

Well, that's it folks! I had SO MUCH FUN doing this. If any of you are out there who didn't get tagged, but you still want to show off your gorgeous books and bookshelf, then
 I TAG YOU!!! :D
Have fun with this, and I'll see you later! 
Thanks for the fun questions, Natalie!